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A big jazaakum Allahu khayran to the person who set this up for me, I ask Allah ta’ala to bless you in this life and the next, to increase your reward manifold and to make it heavy in your scales. Ameen.

Imam Tabari rahimahullah tells us how we can taste the sweetness of the Qur’an:

قال الطبري مصنف (جامع البيان):
إني لأعجب ممن قرأ القرآن ولم يعلم تأويله كيف يلتذ بقراءته؟

He said: I am amazed with one who recites the Qur’an and he does not learn its ta’weel*, how will he taste the sweetness of his recitation?! (Mu’jam al-Adbaa, 63/18)

*ta’weel: used here to mean the tafseer of the Qur’an. During the first few generations of Islam, ta’weel and tafseer were used interchangibly. There are no ahadeeth that mention tafseer, rather the word “ta’weel” is used.

Learn tafseer, for you will be able to taste the sweetness of this book. Iyyas ibn Mu’awiyah rahimahullah said,

“The example of a people who recite the Qur’an and do not know its explanation is like a group of people who have a written message from their king that comes to them during the night, and they do not have a lamp. Therefore, they do not know what is in the message. The example of one who knows tafseer is like a person who comes to them with a lamp and reads to them what is in the message.”

Al-Waleed ibn Mugheerah, a staunch disbeliever amongst the Quraysh of Makkah, once came upon the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and asked him to recite the Qur’an for him. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam recited the ayah:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition. (16:90)

He asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam to repeat again, so he repeated. Then Al-Waleed said:

والله إن له لحلاوة . وإن عليه لطلاوة . وإن أعلاه لمثمر . وإن أسفله لمغدق . وإنه ليعلو ولا يعلى عليه . وإنه ليحطم ما تحته . وما يقول هذا بشر

By Allah, indeed it has a sweetness to it, and a charm upon it; the highest part of it is fruitful and the lowest part of it is gushing forth with bounty; it dominates and cannot be dominated, and it crushes all that is under it. And it is not the speech of a man.

This is the reaction of one who disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger…What is our reaction to the Qur’an?

In the beginning of Surah Yusuf, Allah ta’ala shares with us the private conversation between a father and son:

إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ

(Remember) when Yusuf (Joseph) said to his father: “O my father! Verily, I saw (in a dream) eleven stars and the sun and the moon – I saw them prostrating themselves to me.” (12:4)

As usual, the gem is not captured in the English translation.

Yusuf alayhi salaam describes the stars, sun and moon prostrating to him, by using the word  Saajideen. Saajideen is classified as a “Jam’ mudakkar saalim”, which means a sound masculine plural and it is only used for beings with free will such as humans and jinn.

Allah azza wa jal describes a creation that has no free will as if it has free will. We find this in other ayaat in the Qur’an as well:

In surah Inshiqaaq, Allah ta’ala describes the sky:

“And listens to and obeys its Lord.” (84:2)

Athinat is from uthun which means ear, the sky will listen to Allah ta’ala.

In surah Ahzaab, Allah azza wa jal describes:

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا

Truly, We did offer the trust to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah’s Torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results). (33:72)

The heavens, earth and mountains did not want to be given the free choice to believe or disbelieve so man was given the trust. Allah ta’ala gave us reasoning to choose what benefits us. He ta’ala gave us the choice to submit, and only the person who has true understanding will choose to obey Allah ta’ala.

So when those 11 stars, the sun and moon were commanded to prostrate themselves to Yusuf alayhi salaam in the dream, Allah ta’ala uses the form used for humans to show the reasoning and choice behind their prostration.

How many humans have the choice to prostrate to Allah and don’t do it? It only took one sajdah to remove Iblis from Jannah.

-Taken from Dr. Reda Bedeir, Tafseer Surah Yusuf.

ONE: The prevention of knowledge: Knowledge is a light which Allaah throws into the heart and disobedience extinguishes this light. 

Imaam Shaafi’ee (rahimahullah) said: “I complained to Wakee’ about the weakness of my memory, so he ordered me to abandon disobedience. And informed me that the knowledge is light. And that the light of Allaah is not given to the disobedient. “ 

TWO: The prevention of sustenance: Just as Taqwaa brings about sustenance, the abandonment of Taqwaa causes poverty. There is nothing which can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of disobedience.

THREE: The prevention of obedience (to Allaah): If there was no other punishment for sin other than that it prevents one from obedience to Allaah then this would be sufficient. 

FOUR: Disobedience weakens the heart and the body: Its weakening the heart is something which is clear. Disobedience does not stop weakening it until the life of the heart ceases completely. 

FIVE: Disobedience reduces the lifespan and destroys any blessings: Just as righteousness increases the lifespan, sinning reduces it. 

SIX: Disobedience sows its own seeds and gives birth to itself until separating from it and coming out of it becomes difficult for the servant.

SEVEN: Sins weaken the hearts will and resolve so that the desire for disobedience becomes strong and the desire to repent becomes weak bit by bit until the desire to repent is removed from the heart completely. 

EIGHT: Every type of disobedience is a legacy of a nation from among the nations which Allaah Azzawajall destroyed. Sodomy is a legacy of the People of Lot, taking more than one’s due right and giving what is less is a legacy of the People of Shu’ayb, seeking greatness in the land and causing corruption is a legacy of the People of Pharoah and pride/arrogance and tyranny is a legacy of the People of Hud. So the disobedient one is wearing the gown of some of these nations who were the enemies of Allaah. 

NINE: Disobedience is a cause of the servant being held in contempt by his Lord. Al-Hasan al-Basree (rahimahullah) said: They became contemptible in (His sight) so they disobeyed Him. If they were honorable (in His sight) He would have protected them. Allah the Exalted said: 
“And whomsoever Allaah lowers (humiliates) there is none to give honor.” [Hajj 22:18] 

TEN: The ill-effects of the sinner fall upon those besides him and also the animals as a result of which they are touched by harm. 

ELEVEN: The servant continues to commit sins until they become very easy for him and seem insignificant in his heart and this is a sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of the servant it becomes great in the sight of Allaah. 
Ibn Mas’ood (radiy Allahu anhu) said: Indeed, the believer sees his sins as if he was standing at the foot of a mountain fearing that it will fall upon him and the sinner sees his sins like a fly which passes by his nose so he tries to remove it by waving his hand around. [Bukhaaree] 

TWELVE: Disobedience inherits humiliation and lowliness. Honor, all of it, lies in the obedience of Allaah. Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak said: 
“I have seen sins kill the hearts. And humiliation is inherited by their continuity The abandonment of sins gives life to the hearts. And the prevention of your soul is better for it.” 

THIRTEEN: Disobedience corrupts the intellect. The intellect has light and disobedience extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished it becomes weak and deficient. 

FOURTEEN: When disobedience increases, the servant’s heart becomes sealed so that he becomes of those who are heedless. The Exalted said: 
“But no! A stain has been left on their hearts on account of what they used to earn (i.e. their actions).” [Mutaffifeen 83:14] 

FIFTEEN: Sins cause the various types of corruption to occur in the land. Corruption of the waters, the air, the plants, the fruits and the dwelling places. The Exalted said: 
“Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may return.” [Rum 30:41] 

SIXTEEN: The disappearance of modesty which is the essence of the life of the heart and is the basis of every good. Its disappearance is the disappearance of all that is good. It is authentic from the Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said: Modesty is goodness, all of it [Bukhaaree and Muslim] A Poet said: 
“And by Allaah, there is no good in life or in the world when modesty goes.” 

SEVENTEEN: Sins weaken and reduce the magnification of Allaah, the Mighty in the heart of the servant 

EIGHTEEN: Sins are the cause of Allaah forgetting His servant, abandoning him and leaving him to fend for himself with his soul and his shaytaan and in this is the destruction from which no deliverance can be hoped for. 

NINETEEN: Sins remove the servant from the realm of Ihsaan (doing good) and he is prevented from (obtaining) the reward of those who do good. When Ihsaan fills the heart it prevents it from disobedience. 

TWENTY: Disobedience causes the favors (of Allaah) to cease and make His revenge lawful. No blessing ceases to reach a servant except due to a sin and no retribution is made lawful upon him except due to a sin. Alee (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) said: No trial has descended except due to a sin and it (the trial) is not repelled except by repentance. Allaah the Exalted said: 

“Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and (yet) He pardons many.” [Shura 42:30] 

And the Exalted also said: “That is because never will Allaah change the favor He has bestowed on a people until they change what is with themselves.” [Anfaal 8:53]

In a time of constant buying and selling, this ayah reminds us of the greatest contract we can ever be involved in:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اشْتَرَىٰ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ

Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Paradise. (9:111)

The scholars say, “How outstanding is this contract! The buyer  is the Rabb of Honor and Might, the purchase is the Soul, the merchandise is Jannah, the written contract is in the Highest Heaven, and the mediator is the Muhammad alayhi salaatu wa salaam.”

Imam Hasan Al Basri states, “Look at the Generosity of Allah – souls that He has created and wealth that He has provided, then He granted it for them and He purchased it from them with this priceless contract–and indeed, it is a fruitful transaction.”

All that is missing is your signature…Are you ready to sign?

قال نصر بن محمود البَلْخي : <<< قال أحمد بن حرب: عبدتُ اللهَ خمسين سنةً، فما وجدت حلاوَةَ العبادة حتى تركتُ ثلاثة أشياء

تركتُ رِضى النّاس حتى قَدَرتُ أن أتكلَّمَ بالحقِّ

وتركتُ صحبةَ الفاسقين حتى وجدتُ صحبَةَ الصالحينَ

وتركتُ حلاوة الدنيا حتى وجدتُ حلاوةَ الآخرةِ

Nasr ibn Mahmood al Balkhee said; Ahmad ibn Harb stated:

“I worshiped Allaah for fifty years, I wasn’t able to find the sweetness of worship until I forsook three things:

1. I forsook seeking the acceptance of people, so I was able to speak the truth.

2. I forsook the companionship of the sinner, so I was able to accompany the righteous.

3. I forsook the sweetness of the life of this world, so I was able to find the sweetness of the afterlife.”

From: Siyar ‘Alaam an Nubalaa

The saying of the Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam:

“Indeed there is a tree that does not shed its leaves, it resembles a Muslim. So tell me, which is it?”

So people started discussing the trees of the country side. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said: “I thought to myself that it was the date palm tree, but I was shy [and did not speak up].” So they asked the Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam: “Tell us what it is O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “It is the date palm tree.”

I mentioned this to ‘Umar who said: “It would have been more beloved to me than such and such had you said it was the date palm tree.” [Collected by al-Bukhari. Also collected by Muslim; the wording is for Muslim].

Imam An-Nawawee comments:

There are a number of benefits in this Hadeeth:

• Amongst them is that a scholar asks his companions about an issue to test their understanding, encouraging them to think and pay attention, this is recommended.
• Amongst them: Giving analogies and likening things to others.
• Amongst them: Respecting elders as ibn ‘Umar did, but if the elders do not know the answer then the youngster who knows it should respond.
• Amongst them: The happiness of a parent for the merit and understanding of his son, and the statement of ‘Umar: “It would have been more beloved to me had you…” What he intended was that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam supplicates for his son and learns of his merit and understanding.

The virtue of the date palm:

The scholars stated: The Muslim was likened to the date palm due to the abundance of its goodness, the continuity of its shade, the goodness of its fruit and its presence throughout the year. Indeed from the time its fruit emerges, it could continue to be eaten until it dries, and after it dries a lot of benefits are gained from it. Likewise from its leaves, wood and branches; they are used for staffs, fire wood, rods, straw mats, ropes and utensils amongst other uses. The last thing is the date stone which is used as fodder for camels. Furthermore, the beauty of its growth and the pleasant shape of its fruit, all of it is beneficial, is goodness and beauty.

Just as the believer is all goodness, from the abundance of his obedience and the nobility of his manners. He constantly prays, fasts, reads, remembers, gives in charity, enjoins the ties along with the rest of the forms of worship and other than this.

This is the correct angle of resemblance. It was also said that the angle of resemblance is that if the top of it is chopped off the rest of it dies in contrast to the rest of the types of trees. It was also that it is because it does not produce fruit until it is pollinated and Allah knows best.

Reference: Sharh Saheeh Muslim | Source: SubulAsSalaam

وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّـهُ وَبِالْوَلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَـناً إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be excellent to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them, but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.” (Isra 17:23-24)

Have you made duaa for your parents?

Some favorite lectures of mine with regards to parents:

Shaykh Ibrahim Dremail (May Allah cure him of his sickness): When Your Parents Look up to You

Download here.

Br Ahmad Sidky: Not Another “Be Good to Your Parents” Lecture

Download here.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi: Uncomparable Love

Download here.

Please share any of your favorite lectures/videos/articles on parents. We ask Allah to make our families the coolness of our eyes, to bless our parents with success in this life and the next and to allow us to be righteous and dutiful children to them. Ameen.

He came during a time of darkness and spread, by the will of Allah, light upon the land.

Fast forward 1,429 years later, and here we are with hardly any knowledge of him sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. We have lost our chance to be with the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam in this dunya, so let us not loose our chance in the hereafter.

In many ahadeeth, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam mentions ways that we can be near to him by doing certain deeds.

How can we achieve nearness to him alayhi salaatu wa salaam?

1- Sending salawaat on him sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The people who will be nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who supplicate Allah more often for me.” (At-Tirmidhi).

Imam Nawawi states: “Nearest to me’” signifies “those who are most entitled to my intercession”. Thus, this Hadeeth has also an inducement for very frequent recitation of Salat on the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

The best day to send salawaat are on Friday, the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Among the best of your days is Friday; so supplicate Allah more often for me in it , for your supplications will be displayed to me.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! How will our blessings be displayed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth?” He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam replied, “Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.” (Abu Dawood)

How do you send salawaat? The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam taught us this also: “Say: `Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala `ali Muhammadin, kama sallaita `ala `ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidum Majid. Allahumma barik `ala Muhammadin, wa `ala `ali Muhammadin, kama barakta `ala `ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidum Majid [O Allah, exalt the mention of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as you exalted the family of Ibrahim. You are Praised and Glorious. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are Praised and Glorious.”’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

2- Helping the orphans

Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “I will be like this in Jannah with the person who takes care of an orphan”. Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of  illustration. (Al-Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam  said, “He who takes care of an orphan, whether he is his relative or a stranger, will be in Jannah with me like these two”. The narrator, Malik bin Anas raised his forefinger and middle finger for illustration. (Muslim)

3-Supporting two girls until maturity

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this”. Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam joined his fingers illustrating this. (Muslim)

4- Increasing your prostrations

Rabi`ah bin Ka`b Al-Aslami (May Allah be pleased with him, a servant of the Messenger of Allah and also one of the people of As-Suffah) said: I used to spend my night in the company of Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam and used to put up water for his ablutions. One day he said to me, “Ask something of me.” I said: “I request for your companionship in Jannah”. He inquired, “Is there anything else?” I said, “That is all.” He said, “Then help me in your request by multiplying your prostrations”. (Muslim)
Imam Nawawi states: This Hadeeth evidently shows the importance of good actions and faithful following of the practice of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Leave others alone, in the absence of these two, even such people will not be close to the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam who used to be all the time with him. It is not difficult to visualize the fate of those who neither perform good deeds nor follow in the footsteps of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

5- Staying upon his sunnah

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam went to the (Baqi`) cemetery and said, “May you be secured from punishment, O dwellers of abode of the believers! We, if Allah wills, will follow you. I wish we see my brothers.” The Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah! Are not we your brothers?” He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “You are my Companions, but my brothers are those who have not come into the world yet.” They said; “O Messenger of Allah! How will you recognize those of your Ummah who are not born yet?” He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Say, if a man has white-footed horses with white foreheads among horses which are pure black, will he not recognize his own horses?” They said; “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah!” He sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “They (my followers) will come with bright faces and white limbs because of Wudu’; and I will arrive at the Haud (Al-Kauthar) ahead of them.” (Muslim)

6-Having good character

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam “Those who are most beloved to me, and the closest to me in the Hereafter, are those who have the best akhlaaq (character) amongst you.” These are the people that will have the, “closest seats to me.” (Hasan according to Shaykh Albaani)

7- Loving him alayhi wa salaatu wa salaam

Rasul Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam stated, “A man will be with whom he loves.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! What do you say about a man wh0 loves some people but cannot catch up with their good deeds?” Allah’s Apostle said, “Everyone will be witthose whom he loves.” (Bukhari)

SubhanAllah, if there’s one hadeeth that gives us hope, it should be this one.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) mentions in relation to this hadeeth; “There was nothing which made us (the Sahaba) happier in this world than to hear this (because of their love for the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam).” (Muslim)

May Allah ta’ala allow us to be close to His Prophet in the aakhirah and in his company in Firdaws. Ameen.