DATE: 05/11/2008 13:37:44 / MOOD: General

It’s unfortunate that today movie stars and singers are treated as someone to be looked up to. So much effort is being made on researching on their lives and their habits. So much effort is made to replicate every one of their actions whether it would be their dress, speech, attitude etc. This is an excerpt that is translated from the speech of Sheikh Tariq Jameel. Every noble of this time is not even a wing of a mosquito compared to nobility of Prophet (saw). The fact that Allah takes an oath on the existence of Prophet (saw): “Verily, by your life (O Muhammad SAW), in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.” (Al-Hijr 15:72) The fact that Allah takes an oath on the city of Prophet (saw): “And by this city of security (Makkah)…”( At-Tin 95:3) The fact that Allah the Lord of all worlds acknowledges the speech of Prophet (saw): “(Allah has knowledge) of (Prophet Muhammads) saying: "O my Lord! Verily, these are a people who believe not!"” (Az-Zukhruf 43:88) The fact that Allah takes an oath on the book that was revealed to the Prophet (saw) and testifies as to who Prophet (saw) is: “By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs), Truly, you (O Muhammad SAW) are one of the Messengers” (Yaseen 36:2-3) The fact that Allah takes an oath to negate what the disbelievers said about the Prophet (saw): “Noon. (These letters (Noon, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings).By the pen and what the (angels) write (in the Records of men). You (O Muhammad SAW) are not, by the Grace of your Lord, a madman.” (Al-Qalam 68:1-2) The fact that Allah takes an oath and again testifies on the excellence of the Prophet (saw): “By the star when it goes down, (or vanishes).Your companion (Muhammad SAW) has neither gone astray nor has erred. Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. He has been taught (this Quran) by one mighty in power (Jibrael (Gabriel)).” (An-Najm 53:1-5) The fact that Allah takes an oath to console the Prophet (saw): “By the forenoon (after sun-rise); And by the night when it is still (or darkens); Your Lord (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) has neither forsaken you nor hated you. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world). And verily, your Lord will give you (all i.e. good) so that you shall be well-pleased.” (Ad-Dhuha 93:1-5) All these oaths are evidence as to who we should try to emulate. Today, what effort is being made in ones life that our actions whether internal or external reflect the life of Muhammed (saw). Deep in our heart, whose actions do we deeply cherish and hold onto. (If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

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DATE: 04/26/2008 10:52:38 / MOOD: General

This is an excerpt from speech of Sheikh Saad. Etiquettes of Listening to Speeches Talks related to Islam should be listened to with one’s full attention. We should get our actions accepted by Allah through by having our heart present in those actions. Because it is stated more or less in a hadith, “Allah accepts that action in which the heart of a believer is present in.” This is why we should have our heart present in our actions. And request is that one should listen with the intention to practice on what is heard. This is because Allah (swt) denies the hearing of people, who after hearing do not practice on what is heard, “And be not like those who say: "We have heard," but they hear not. Verily! The worst of living creatures with Allah are the deaf and the dumb, those who understand not.” (Al Anfal 8:21-22) This is because in front of Allah the ones, who can ‘hear’, are those who after hearing good advice practice upon it. To illustrate, that man who after hearing the azaan (call) to prayer, did not abandon his work and pray. That man did not ‘hear’ the azaan. To ‘hear’ means to accept. The connection of acceptance is with one’s heart not with one’s ears. In front of Allah, the one who can ‘hear’ is the one who accepts the advice with one’s heart. This is why listen with attention, intention to practice on what is heard and become a ‘zakir’ (the one who remembers Allah) when you listen. To listen as a ‘zakir’ means one’s attention should be towards the pleasure of Allah. That is why listening with one’s heart and practicing on what is being heard upon is important since Allah promises guidance on this. “Those who listen to the Word (good advice) and follow the best thereof, those are (the ones) whom Allah has guided and those are men of understanding.” (Az-Zumar 39-18)] Thus, Allah (swt) has promised guidance on these people and has declared them intelligent i.e. ‘men of understanding’. (If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

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DATE: 04/13/2008 14:53:30 / MOOD: Other

These are notes I made myself from few excerpts from speech of Sheikh Saad. I have added a few things so that everyone can understand and benefit.

 

Saving Islam from Ritual

 

These days, it’s becoming common for a gathering for Islamic lectures and activities. Going, hearing and talking about the greatness of Allah have just become a habit. Although, talking and hearing about the greatness of Allah is reaching highest peak of good actions. We have to save our good actions from becoming a ritual. Since a ritual fast, a ritual hajj, ritual reading of Quran, ritual acts of worship is happening in the world but this is not of great benefit because Islam requires the attention of one’s soul.

 

For example: a person is praying out of habit, will pray at the right time but if his soul is not engrossed in it, he will have no concentration in his prayer. I personally observed when people are engrossed in movies; they watch them with such attention and vigor that they lose focus in everything else but the movie. If only our prayers were like that.

 

Sheikh Ilyas used to say that place in which an object is to be made, if the object becomes spoilt, there is no other place that the object can be made. In fact, Sheikh Ilyas used to give an example, when the bread became burnt on the stove, now no matter where you place it will never regain its prior condition. This is to explain that if a person is not able to create a strong relationship with Allah in his own good actions, then there is no other method or place through which this person can develop a relationship with Allah. In other words, there should be life in our actions, instead of them being dead exercises.

 

The purpose of this talk is that counting number of Islamic conferences doesn’t really matter, in fact counting how many number of people are attending and are involved in these activities doesn’t matter. But our question should be how many people have strengthened their relationship with Allah. How many people have decided to leave the disobedience of Allah?

 

This is an issue that we should keep it in front of us. Since, this is where the sincerity is tested. Every individual should reflect on this, that what have we achieved through our actions, has our relationship with Allah improved? That’s why one scholar said, to have high intentions. Ones intention is more beloved to Allah than one’s action. Why? This is because the building of good actions begins with the base of a good intention.

(If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

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DATE: 10/25/2007 15:38:22 / MOOD: General

SaalamAlaikum

This is a simple translation from the speech that Sheikh Tariq Jameel gave when he was in Canada. This is the second part.

 

Beating Inferiority Complex: Tariq Jameel

 

We Muslims are weak in our faith. Our condition is that we can see from one eye while we are blind from the other. Even then, we can see something. And for the one who did not see Allah or Prophet Muhammed (saw) or heaven or hell. (A metaphorical example) That individual is blind with both of his eyes. He is completely blind.

 

Thus, if the one who can see asks the one who is blind, can you show me the straight path, improve my condition. Can a blind person ever show the straight path to the one who can see?  (It is true that today we try to compete with Non Muslims in luxury instead of competing within ourselves in good actions.)

 

The Prophet (saw) has said (more or less), “Do not kindle your own fire by the fire of those who denied Allah.”

What’s the meaning of this? Do not seek guidance from them. They are blind. We can see. The one who can see if he is following the one who is blind, where will he go?

This individual will never reach his destination.

 

Every Muslim is precious. For that Muslim who is not able to find bread, he is precious in front of Allah. The value of all the Muslims in front of Allah is high. That they recognize who Allah is. They recognize who Prophet Muhammed (saw) is. They recognize the Lord of earth and sky.

 

 

As long as one Muslim is alive in this world, the Day of Judgement will not come. Because of us, Allah has raised the sky, spread the land, brings out the sun, brings out the moon, twinkling of stars, brings out the clouds, brings down rain, brings out crops from the earth, takes out milk from animals, puts in scent in flowers, brings strength to wind, changes the weather. All this is because of this Muslim who exists in this world.

 

Because of these Muslims the structure of the sky and earth exist, the sun and moon still shine. The day we Muslims will die. The day every Muslim will die, Allah will destroy everything on sky and earth. We do not even know about our own position. Being a Muslim is indeed a great achievement, a great success and a great honor.

 

The Prophet (saw) (more or less) has said, “When mention of Allah will finish on this earth, Allah will destroy this world.”

 

Allah will finish and level the whole creation. That there is no one to obey me, everyone else are like animals.

 

The ones who deny Allah:

Allah gave a simile:

 

“They are only like cattle…” (Al Furqan 25:44)

 

And then even a stricter verse

 

“…nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worst than cattle).”           (Al Furqan 25:44)

Even animals know who their Lord is but these people don’t even know the reason for their existence.

(If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

 

 

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DATE: 07/23/2007 00:57:25 / MOOD: General

SaalamAlaikum

This is a simple translation from the speech that Sheikh Tariq Jameel gave when he was in Canada. This speech was a turning point in my life. I will be continuing it in parts. I have added words so that no misunderstanding takes place. If you have feedback, I am all ears.

 

Man’s Ignorance

 

This human being is very weak.

 

Allah himself says, “Man was created weak.” (An-Nisa 4:28)

 

“Verily, man was created very impatient.” (Al-Maarij 70:19)

 

“Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant” (Al-Ahzab 33:72)

 

Certain men are doctors.  Some have degrees from Western countries. But even then, Allah says this man is ignorant. Allah didn’t use the word ‘Jahil’ meaning ignorant. But Allah used the word “Jahoolan” which means greatly ignorant.

 

What does this mean? It means that whatever this man has learned in his 30 or so years.  This is very less compared to what he doesn’t know.

 

Being a doctor, engineer, businessman, scientist or economist, whatever he has learned in 50 years is very less. That what he has not learned or recognized has no limit.

What he has learned has a limit, what he doesn’t know has no infinite. Thus in reality, he is ignorant on many matters.

 

And they are more ignorant than us who have not recognized Allah.  That Muslim that runs a simple market stall is very knowledgeable. [People who have market stalls in Asian countries are poor people and are generally looked down upon.]

And that scientist who is a disbeliever is very ignorant and unaware [in matters of the purpose of his life]. Though, he might know minute details of an atom. But since he did not recognize Allah nor Muhammed (saw). And then neither did he acknowledge that there is heaven or hell. Thus, he is ignorant.

 

Those simple people [Muslims] that dwell in the desert or the ones that live in the mountainous regions, they are far learned than all the scientists [disbelievers]. [This is not to say that science is not important. But rather, this is to imply the great value of faith.]  

 

Why?

Because they know that God is one and that Muhammed (saw) is His Messenger. And there is accountability after death. And then there is heaven and hell. How much he practices is another issue. However, the greatest knowledge that he can acquire in this world has been given to him.

 

 

 

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DATE: 07/15/2007 19:55:19 / MOOD: General

SaalamAlaikum,

Many know that masturbation is a sin. I personally feel that the best way for an individual to realize the significance of a sin is to first realize the effects of that sin in both secular and religious life. Those effects can be written down and looked at whenever that individual feels an urge to commit that sin.

 

When you have masturbated, that day?

1. You have disobeyed Allah.
2. You have disobeyed Muhammed (saw).
3. Every sin is darkness. Thus, that day becomes dark and gloomy.
4. The help of Allah for the believers is snatched.
5. It’s a bridge to more sins such as pornography. When desires increase with sins, the next step would be premarital relations.
6. You will waste and lose money. One of the punishments of Allah is money is wasted or lost on useless things.
7. Your relationship with Allah gets worse. Then, the relationship with creation such as parents, siblings, friends, co-workers etc. gets worse. Allah makes decisions based on your actions.
8. You sleep more. You are more likely to lose tahajud and fajr.
9. You lose strength to do work at home or school.
10. Your ability to concentrate is gone.
11. Self confidence is gone.
12. Love for the world is increased which is told to be the root of all spiritual diseases.
13. Self pity increases.
14. Soul gets attached to other than Allah.
15. Your secular education is affected.
16. You become lazy.
17. Time and strength that you could have used for something beneficial was lost. That time can never be gained.
18. Increases depression.
19. What is the guarantee that one will stop this act when one is married?
20. Sins aggravate you to do more sins.
21. One of the evils of a sin is that it makes it hard for that person to associate himself with pious people on account of the evil effects of sins.

 

 

To the one who has masturbated:

Never despair of Allah’s mercy. One individual went to a pious person of my locality and said that he had committed a great sin. The reply of the pious person was, “who is greater, your sin or Allah?” That individual replied, “Allah!” Then the pious person replied, “If Allah is greater, then to forgive you is easy for Him.”

No one said it’s easy, constantly pray to Allah and be involved whether it has to do with worldly or religious activities. Always, be doing something. One student of knowledge told me that time wasted in an activity that is permitted but not really beneficial is far better than time utilized in an activity that’s not permitted.

(If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

 

 

 

 

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DATE: 07/13/2007 06:29:28 / MOOD: General

SaalamAlaikum

This is an excerpt from Saviours of Islamic Spirit by Ali Nadwi. The second volume contains Yahya Maneri one of the greatest revivers of Islam in India.

Yahya Maneri writes:

“The creations of God are many and varied, but none finds favour in the eyes of God like this clod of dust blended with water (Man). When God willed to create man out of clay, whom He desired to crown as His representative, the angels said: ‘Will You place there in those who will make mischief therein and shed blood?’ (Quran 2:30) The reply received by the angels was meant to convey the ardent love and mercy that God has for the human being. The reply, given by God dropped the hint:

Of what use is your prayer and glorification, if not acceptable to Us? What is the harm done by the sins if Our grace wipes out the slate clean? (If God forgives an individual’s sins, it is as if he/she has never sinned) We have already ordained: ‘Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds.’ (Quran 25:70 condition is that a person should repent)

‘Surely’, said God to the angels, ‘you take the right path while they can go astray but whenever We shall desire Our mercy shall unfold the path of virtue for them and remove the signs of transgression from their faces! We are the object to their heart’s yearning (since every human is born on fitrah of Islam, his/her heart demands closeness to Allah. Today people try to fill this vacuum with other objects and yet they are restless) but what you do not know is that We also love them!

A poet has correctly said: Dear to One’s heart, when commits a mistake, A thousand commendations his virtues make.” (The poet means when someone beloved makes a mistake, people try to sing praises of his/her good deeds in order to hide the mistake. This is sometimes the case with parents when speaking about their children. This is also the case with Allah if one observes in Quran and Hadith, Allah is always looking for an excuse to forgive us and grant us jannah through some good deed.) (If you have benefited from this article, raise your hands and pray for me and send it to others)

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