ummtaalib

Wow masha-allaahu laaquwwata illaa billaah! Allah accept bro CH and make it means of hidaayah for many Can this be done in English too please for English speakers and other religions?

US 'negotiating deal between Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt' The agreement to finalise transfer of two strategic Red Sea islands from Cairo to Riyadh could create warm ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel The United States is secretly brokering talks between Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt over the transfer of two strategic Red Sea islands to Riyadh, Israeli news outlet Walla reported on Wednesday. Talks are ongoing to finalise the deal, which could see security arrangements agreed upon between Israel and Saudi Arabia and create warm ties between the two countries for the first time ever, sources told Walla. Saudi Arabia has historically refused to set up diplomatic ties with Israel before a just resolution is found for Palestinians. The negotiations, spearheaded by White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, aim to formalise the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands - strategically located at the sea passage to the ports of Aqaba in Jordan and Eilat in Israel - from Egypt to Saudi Arabia. The islands were occupied by Israel in 1967 during the Six Day War, before being handed back to Egyptian control in 1982 when the two sides signed the Camp David peace accords. Saudi Arabia has long claimed ownership of the islands and said Egypt controlled them since 1950 for protection at the request of Riyadh. Full report on middleeasteye

Isralei's fear the curse of the eigth decade Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak expressed his fears of the imminent demise of Israel before the 80th anniversary of its founding, citing "the Jewish history, which states that the Jews have not lived in a state for more than 80 years." Article here Israel's existence is facing a real test Israeli occupation's PM Naftali Bennett: Qudsnews

14: Reflect & Interact With The Qur’an A powerful way to attain khushūʿ in ṣalāh is to reflect upon the Qur’ān. This is known as ‘tadabbur’ in Arabic. The Qur’ān is the eternal book of guidance. It is a cure for every disease – be it spiritual or physical. It is a light which illuminates the path of truth amidst the darknesses of falsehood. The Qur’ān contains legal rulings for a human to live on Allah’s earth, as His subservient slaves. It is a book of blessings and eternal wisdom; a warner and a giver of good news. Accordingly, reciting the Qur’ān or memorising its words is in itself not enough. Although both of these acts are essential, they must be accompanied by reflection and a deep commitment to ‘live’ the Qur’ān. Allah says,“ Do they not, then, ponder upon the Qur‘ān? Had it been from someone other than Allah, they would have found in it a great deal of discrepancy” (4:82). and “This is a blessed Book which We revealed to you, so that they reflect upon its verses, and those with understanding may take heed” (38:29); Imām al-Qurtubī (raḥimahullāh) writes, “And this āyah contains the proof for the obligation of knowing the Qur’ān’s meanings; and a proof that reciting slowly is better than reciting fast, as tadabbur cannot be performed correctly with fast recitation.” Al-Saʿdī (raḥimahullāh) explained, “Allah has commanded His servants to reflect on His Book, to ponder on its meanings, and to ponder deeply on its principles and lessons, along with pursuing whatever is necessary to achieve this noble aim. Reflecting on the book of Allah is the key to knowledge and all sciences. It is the source of all good and the fountain of all the sciences. It increases the īmān in one’s heart and makes it firmly rooted in it. The Qur’ān gives the slave the maʿrifah (knowledge and deep awareness) of his Lord; how all attributes of perfection belong to Him, and how He is pure from all deficiencies and shortcomings. It sets out the path that leads to Him, describes the characteristics of the people who are treading this path and what they will attain when they come to Him in the hereafter. It informs about the real enemy, the path which will lead to punishment, the characteristics of the people who are treading this path, and how they will be justly punished. The more the slave ponders upon the Qur’ān, the more he will increase in knowledge, good deeds and insight.” For the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the pious predecessors, tadabbur was not a practice limited to Ramaḍān. It was their way of life. It was how they prayed. For without tadabbur, there is no ṣalāh. Reflect: The Qur’ān and You How would you describe your relationship with the Qur’ān? When you recite the Qur’ān, do its words pierce your mind? Do its meanings penetrate your heart? Does its beauty mesmerise you? What does the Qur’ān mean to you? The Prophet of Allah ﷺ and Tadabbur Once Abū Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said to the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah, you have become old.” He ﷺ said, “(The sūrahs) Hūd, al-Wāqiʿah, al-Mursalāt, ʿAmma Yatasā’alūn and Ithā al-Shamsu Kuwwirat have aged me’” (Tirmidhī). Imām al-Munāwī (raḥimahullāh) mentioned that these sūrahs took a toll on the Prophet ﷺ because they contained descriptions of the horrors of the Day of Judgement and the punishments meted out to earlier nations. They prematurely aged him because he feared similar punishments afflicting his ummah. Therefore, the Qur’ān cannot just be recited or chanted only for the sake of blessings. Rather, it has to be read with reflection and contemplation. The above ḥadīth demonstrates that the Qur’ān did not just enter the heart of the Prophet ﷺ, but that its impact was so profound that it physically affected him. Why Your Heart Needs Tadabbur Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) wrote, “There is nothing more beneficial for the heart than reading the Qur’ān with contemplation and reflection. This is what inspires love and longing for Allah. It generates fear of Him and hope in Him. It makes one turn in repentance to Him and rely on Him. It causes one to fully submit to him, leave matters in His Hands and be pleased with His Decree. It inspires patience and gratitude and is a means of acquiring all of the characteristics which give life to and perfect the heart. If people knew what recitation of the Qur’ān with contemplation contains, they would devote themselves to it at the expense of anything else. When one reads with reflection and comes across an āyah that he needs to cure his heart, he repeats it. He may repeat it a hundred times, or even throughout the entire night, as was reported about the Prophet ﷺ and the early predecessors. Hence, reciting a single āyah of the Qur’ān with contemplation and reflection is better than reciting the entire Qur’ān without any contemplation or reflection. This is more beneficial for the heart, more likely to increase one’s īmān and leads one to taste the sweetness of īmān and the Qur’ān. This was the habit of the early predecessors, whereby one of them would repeat the same āyah throughout the night until morning came. Likewise, it has been reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood repeating one āyah till morning came.” Abū Dharr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said, “The Prophet ﷺ stood reciting an āyah and repeating it until morning came. The āyah was, ‘If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, indeed You, only You, are the Almighty, the All-Wise’ (5:118)” (Ibn Mājah). Tadabbur: The Route to Discovering the Secrets of the Qur’ān Spending long hours with the book of Allah and reflecting on it will help us discover its amazing meanings and hidden insights. Ibn ʿĀshūr (raḥimahullāh) wrote, “Tadabbur is reflection and pondering, through which a person gains knowledge of the intended meanings. This only occurs in speech which is concise, yet comprehensive in meaning; so that the more a person reflects, the more he discovers meanings which were previously not apparent to him.” Tips for Reflecting Upon the Qur’an a) Think of Who is talking to you When you begin reciting the Qur’ān, Imām al-Ghazālī (raḥimahullāh) advised that you should bring the Greatness of the One who is addressing you to the forefront of your mind. The words you are reciting did not originate from a human being; they are the words of the Lord of the worlds. b) Personalise it to Your Life Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) said, “If you want to benefit from the Qur’ān, gather your heart when it is recited, focus your hearing, and act like you are being directly addressed by Allah, as it is an address from Him to you upon the tongue of His Messenger g. Allah said, ‘Indeed there is a reminder in that for whoever has a heart or whoever listens attentively with his heart present’ (50:37).” Imām al-Ghazālī (raḥimahullāh) said, “One is to assume that he is the one who is being addressed in every statement in the Qur’ān. Hence if he hears a command or prohibition, he assumes that he is the one who is being commanded and prohibited. If he hears a promise or threat, he does the same. If he hears the stories of the past and those of prophets, he realises that entertainment is not the objective, but rather, it is for him to take lessons, and to extract from its content what he needs.” Try to personalise the Qur’ān to your situation whilst reciting it. Relate it to your own life and your own experiences. Ask yourself: what is Allah telling me? What is Allah asking me to do? How can I apply it to my life? The āyah above also alludes to the importance of having a healthy and sound heart. The Qur’ān can only benefit you if it finds a suitable recipient to enter: a pure heart. Your heart must be purified from shirk, sins, and the diseases of the heart (e.g. envy, pride, hatred, hypocrisy). c) Visualise Think deeply about the words you are reciting and try to visualise the meaning they are conveying. For instance, when reading about the descriptions of Hell-fire in Juz ʿAmma, make the imagery come alive in your mind. To achieve this, repeat the āyāt wherever necessary. d) Feel the emotion and repeat the āyah The Qur’ān was sent down for us to derive guidance from it and to increase our īmān in Allah, the Prophet ﷺ and the hereafter. Allah says, “And when His āyāt are recited to them, it increases them in īmān” (8:2). Accordingly, when reciting an āyah about Paradise, feel your longing for Paradise increasing. On feeling this effect in your heart, continue to repeat this āyah. Similarly, when reciting an āyah about Hell-fire, feel fear in your heart. On feeling this effect, keep repeating the āyah. Let it move you to the point of crying over it. Similarly, when reading an āyah about the greatness of Allah, feel shyness and awe before Him. Keep repeating this āyah until you feel the effect of it in your heart. Try to recall the last time you heard Sūrah Yusuf in tarāwīḥ. Did you hear sniffling and people rummaging in their pockets for tissues when the imām recited the latter āyāt of the story? Even though our īmān is weak and we find it easier to cry at the stories which tug at our hearts, the principle is the same. Whether your recitation includes a touching story or an āyah about the creative power of Allah, let it move you emotionally. Let it pierce your heart. e) Interact with the āyāt Strive to emulate the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by interacting with the āyāt you are reciting during voluntary prayers. When you come across an āyah about mercy, stop and ask Allah for His mercy. When you come across an āyah about punishment, stop and ask Allah’s protection. When you come across an āyah where you can make a duʿā’, stop and ask Allah. Imām al-Nawawī mentions that this is mustaḥabb for everyone reciting Qur’ān, whether it is within ṣalāh or outside of ṣalāh; whether you are leading the congregation, part of the congregation or are praying alone. f) Study the Qur’ān To achieve the above (points a-e), you will have to make an effort to study and understand the meanings and message of the Qur’ān. Some ways you can do this are: • Learn Arabic. This will open the door to understanding the meaning of the Qur’ān. • Learn the meaning of the Qur’ān. There are many classes, books, apps and videos dedicated to this subject. Even reading a simple translation is better than not reading one at all. • Attend Qur’ān classes. Increase your knowledge of the Qur’ān by studying it along with the other sciences of the dīn. • Listen to reliable tafsīr (explanation of the Qur’ān) lectures. • Read reliable tafsīr books. Some of these have been translated into English • Whenever you are reflecting on the words of the Qur’ān, always take heed not to fall into the trap of interpreting the book of Allah according to your own whims and desires, or speaking about His words without knowledge.. Once you have studied the meanings of an āyah and have understood its context and lessons, then you should memorise it, if you have not done so already. Thereafter, recite those āyāt in your ṣalāh – especially in tahajjud. Allah willing, you will feel a huge difference in the sweetness of your ṣalāh. Remember to: (1) personalise, (2) feel the emotion and (3) interact with the āyāt! “But I am not a scholar…?” There is a misconception amongst some people that tadabbur is limited to scholars. This is not true. The disbelievers were condemned in the Qur’ān for not doing tadabbur. Allah said, “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon (their) hearts” (47:24)? Therefore, as believers, we have no excuse for failing to perform tadabbur. Tadabbur is essential to our lives and for building a strong connection with Allah. lifewithAllah

13: Vary The Adhkar & Surahs You Recite What adhkār do you recite in ṣalāh? Are they always the same adhkār? Do you tend to repeat the ones you memorised when you first learnt how to pray? To avoid monotony in your ṣalāh, try to memorise and pray the different adhkār and duʿās within your ṣalāh (particularly in voluntary prayers). This will increase your khushūʿ, help you to taste the sweetness of ṣalāh, and encourage you to reflect on the words you are saying. The adhkār of the Prophet ﷺ are very powerful and comprehensive. It would be a huge loss to pass a lifetime without having ever invoked Allah (ʿazza wa jall) with these adhkār in your ṣalāh. Try to alternate the sūrahs you recite during ṣalāh. This will mean making an effort to memorise more of the Qur’ān. Also, make a conscious decision before the ṣalāh to choose which sūrah/dhikr/duʿā’ you will pray. By the will of Allah (ʿazza wa jall), this will also help to increase your khushūʿ. Reflect on the meanings of the various adhkār Once you have memorised the adhkār, try to reflect on their meanings in each ṣalāh. Your ṣalāh will become lengthier, and the connection between your heart and Allah (ʿazza wa jall) will deepen. Three Benefits of Varying Your Adhkār 1. Follow the Sunnah more comprehensively. 2. It is a means of reviving the (abandoned adhkār of the) Sunnah. 3. It becomes easier to reflect on the meanings, in comparison to reading out of habit.

Reporters attacked during Israeli "Flag March" on Sunday 19 May 2022 The New Arab Staff — May 30, 2022 BBC reporters were assaulted during an extremist Israeli ‘Flag March’ in Jerusalem on Sunday, a journalist for the broadcaster said on social media. Tom Bateman, a Middle East correspondent for the British broadcasting giant, said the BBC team had their equipment broken during an attack by Israelis participating in the far-right march. He added that one individual spat at them, and said: “Go and be with Shireen.” Shireen Abu Akleh was a veteran Al Jazeera reporter killed by Israeli forces when they stormed the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Her death sparked global outrage over the crisis of impunity emboldening Israeli forces to undermine fundamental rights such as a free press. On Sunday, when thousands of Israelis surged through the streets of Jerusalem and chanted “Death to Arabs”, several other attacks on journalists were reported. Iyad Harb, the police correspondent for the Kan public broadcaster’s Arabic station, was taken to hospital after he was assaulted by masked men in Sheikh Jarrah, according to the Times of Israel. Harb said the men who beat him were speaking Hebrew and police officers did not assist him despite his appeals for help, reported the Hebrew website. At least 40 Palestinians were injured on Sunday by Israeli forces and settlers using rubber bullets, truncheons and pepper spray, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. Israeli marchers were seen assaulting a France 24 reporter on camera. The journalist, who was standing in front of men wearing Israeli flags, was seen clutching her forehead while reporting after being hit on the head with a bottle. Videos shared on social media show Israelis harassing and assaulting local Palestinians, including the elderly. Source

'I am Israel. I came to a land without a people for a people without a land. Those people who happened to be here, had no right to be here, and my people showed them they had to leave or die, razing 400 Palestinian villages to the ground, erasing their history. I am Israel. Some of my people committed massacres and later became Prime Ministers to represent me. In 1948, Menachem Begin was in charge of the unit that slaughtered the inhabitants of Deir Yassin, including 100 women and children. In 1953, Ariel Sharon led the slaughter of the inhabitants of Qibya, and in 1982 arranged for our allies to butcher around 2,000 in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila. I am Israel. Carved in 1948 out of 78% of the land of Palestine, dispossessing its inhabitants and replacing them with Jews from Europe and other parts of the world. While the natives whose families lived on this land for thousands of years are not allowed to return, Jews from all over the world are welcome to instant citizenship. I am Israel. In 1967, I swallowed the remaining lands of Palestine - East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza - and placed their inhabitants under an oppressive military rule, controlling and humiliating every aspect of their daily lives. Eventually, they should get the message that they are not welcome to stay, and join the millions of Palestinian refugees in the shanty camps of Lebanon and Jordan. I am Israel. I have the power to control American policy. My American Israel Public Affairs Committee can make or break any politician of its choosing, and as you see, they all compete to please me. All the forces of the world are powerless against me, including the UN as I have the American veto to block any condemnation of my war crimes. As Sharon so eloquently phrased it, “We control America”. I am Israel. I influence American mainstream media too, and you will always find the news tailored to my favor. I have invested millions of dollars into PR representation, and CNN, New York Times, and others have been doing an excellent job of promoting my propaganda. Look at other international news sources and you will see the difference. I am Israel. You Palestinians want to negotiate “peace!?” But you are not as smart as me; I will negotiate, but will only let you have your municipalities while I control your borders, your water, your airspace and anything else of importance. While we “negotiate,” I will swallow your hilltops and fill them with settlements, populated by the most extremist of my extremists, armed to the teeth. These settlements will be connected with roads you cannot use, and you will be imprisoned in your little Bantustans between them, surrounded by checkpoints in every direction. I am Israel. I have the fourth strongest army in the world, possessing nuclear weapons. How dare your children confront my oppression with stones, don’t you know my soldiers won’t hesitate to blow their heads off? In 17 months, I have killed 900 of you and injured 17,000, mostly civilians, and have the mandate to continue since the international community remains silent. Ignore, as I do, the hundreds of Israeli reserve officers who are now refusing to carry out my control over your lands and people; their voices of conscience will not protect you. Iam Israel. You want freedom? I have bullets, tanks, missiles, Apaches and F-16s to obliterate you. I have placed your towns under siege, confiscated your lands, uprooted your trees, demolished your homes, and you still demand freedom? Don’t you get the message? You will never have peace or freedom, because I am Israel.' Author unknown

What happened at Al-Aqsa this morning? With chanting and Takbir, Palestinians confronted Israeli settlers waving the Occupation’s flag in the heart of Al-Aqsa Mosque and raised the Palestinian flag while being suppressed by the Occupation Forces. 🔻Since early dawn, the Occupation Forces have stricly prevented Palestinian youths from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque and limited the entry of women, thoroughly checking their IDs. 07:00 a.m. 🔻Israeli settlers started storming Al-Aqsa Mosque in large numbers per group, performing talmudic rituals and reciting Zionist songs. 🔻Throughout the incursions, Israeli settlers celebrated and danced, recited their prayers loudly and tens performed full prostration next to the eastern wall of the mosque. 🔻A small number of Palestinian youths kept their ground all night in Al-Qibli Prayer Hall and fortified inside it. As the incursions started, they confronted by throwing rocks and fireworks towards the Occupation Forces and knocked heavily on the mosque doors to disrupt with noise. 🔻The Occupation detained a number of Palestinian youths and forced them out of Al-Aqsa, limited their movement within the mosque and prevented them from getting close to Al-Qibli Prayer Hall. 🔻Since 2019, this is the first time Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa on what they call “Jerusalem day”. In 2020, they couldn’t due to COVID restrictions and in 2021, they were stopped by prayers during Ramadan. 🔻Last week, Israeli Occupation Forces arrested tens of youths in Al-Quds and Umm Al-Fahm in a proactive action to prevent Palestinians from resisting the settler attacks during “Jerusalem Day”, and a number of youths were given expulsion orders by the Occupation authorities to prevent them from entering Al-Quds. Metras Global

News on day of the "flag march" (29 May 2022) Source *The Israeli occupation forces blocked the doors of Al Qibli Prayer Hall at Al Aqsa mosque and besieged worshippers inside it. *The Israeli occupation forces restrict the entry of worshippers and journalists to Al Aqsa mosque *Dozens of Israeli settlers break into Al Aqsa mosque under the protection of occupation forces, including far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir who waved the victory sign *Israeli settlers dance and perform rituals provoking worshippers in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Whats behind the recent crackdown on the Palestinian flag? The Palestinian flag remains the most popular way to express Palestinian solidarity, even when the Israeli occupation criminalises raising or waving it. As the question of sovereignty becomes the talking point for weeks not only in Jerusalem but also within Israel and in the occupied West Bank however, a crackdown on the Palestinian flag has manifest. During the funeral of Abu Akleh on 13 May, Israeli police issued a ban on waving the Palestinian flag. Mourners were assaulted and dragged aside every time a Palestinian flag was seen fluttering among the crowds. A couple of days later, during Nakba commemorations and other pro-Palestine rallies inside Israeli cities, the raising of the Palestinian flag quickly became a matter of political wrangling in the government. Lawmaker Israel Katz warned Palestinians on Tuesday of another Nakba if they fly the Palestinian flag in Israeli universities. Last week, an Israeli settler, protected by soldiers, took a Palestinian flag down from an electricity pole on a busy road in Huwara town near Nablus. The incident has since led to tense confrontations with Palestinians attempting to erect the flag again and facing off with soldiers and settlers. This crackdown on the Palestinian flag is nothing new, Palestinian heritage researcher Hamza al-Aqrabawi said, adding that it is part of a decades-old policy to erase Palestinian identity. "The occupation has since 1967 outlawed the Palestinian flag... used excessive force on the ground and deployed various legal measures to criminalise people for carrying the Palestinian flag, by arresting and detaining some," Aqrabawi told MEE. In this context, Aqrabawi argues that the Flag March has become an important event to Israelis but simultaneously draws out more anger and frustration from the Palestinians. "How can you ban the Palestinian flag at a funeral and attack it, causing [the casket] to almost fall, just because it's draped in a Palestinian flag? Meanwhile, allow this flag march to pass through Damascus Gate which is a Palestinian monument?" Middle East Eye

What is the "Flag March" taking place on May 29?

By Shaykhul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat dāmat barakātuhum Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islām, and obligatory upon every Muslim male or female who meets its requirements and who has been granted the capability to carry it out by Allāh ta‘ālā. If there are no Dīnī excuses to prevent you from fulfilling the obligation of hajj, you should not delay. Shaytān’s Ploy Every year however, Shaytān whispers the following thought in the minds of those who are under an obligation to go for hajj: ‘I have some important matters preventing me from going this year, but I will definitely go next year, no matter what happens, and I will absolve myself of this obligation.’ In this way Shaytān secures a year’s grace for himself. The following year, just before hajj, he will play the same trick again and secure yet another year. Shaytān misleads people in this manner right up to their graves. It is another cunning ploy of Shaytān that whatever he whispers to people, he never encourages them to rule out the intention of fulfilling any of the Commands of Allāh ta‘ālā. For example, someone who has been neglecting salāh for years will not think to himself that he never intends to perform salāh. Similarly, someone who indulges in drinking alcohol will never think that he is never going to give it up. This is the very condition of many Muslims regarding hajj; not for a moment do they entertain the thought of leaving this world without fulfilling the obligation of hajj, but on the other hand, they never make a firm decision to do it either. The Affection of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam for His Ummah Being so affectionate, kind and merciful, anything that would place his Ummah in difficulty bore heavily on Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam. Allāh ta‘ālā describes this quality in the Qur’ān: At every juncture, Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam has tried to save us from harm. He sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said regarding those people upon whom hajj is fard and who have made the intention to go: This is because even when someone makes the intention to go for hajj, Shaytān erects obstacles in his path and whispers all sorts of thoughts and worries into his heart. Our Beloved Nabī sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam warned us not to be deterred by these tricks, but to start preparations straight away. Trust in Allāh ta‘ālā Everything is in the Control of Allāh ta‘ālā, and when a servant of His makes the firm intention to go for hajj, He removes all difficulties and obstacles. Some people, misled by Shaytān, worry about their children or their parents, while others worry about their businesses and earnings. All of this is actually a test from Allāh ta‘ālā to see whether His servant is prepared to sacrifice everything in order to fulfil the obligation he has to Allāh ta‘ālā. If you resolve to make these sacrifices, Allāh ta‘ālā will make your heart firm, grant you courage and take over the responsibility of settling all of your affairs. Look at the example of the ‘People of the Cave’ described in the Qur’ān. A handful of young men were up against an idolatrous king and his idolatrous people. There were nothing but obstacles in their path of upholding tawhīd, yet when they rose to the challenge, Allāh ta‘ālā strengthened them and protected them: An Invitation from Allāh ta‘ālā is a Great Honour Allāh ta‘ālā does not invite just anyone to His House; it is a great honour to be given the opportunity to visit the sacred cities of Makkah Mukarramah and Madīnah Munawwarah. If we had true love for Allāh ta‘ālā we would long to visit His House, even if it was not obligatory upon us, and we would be prepared to undergo any hardship to get there. Those who, despite having the means, have not yet received the tawfīq to undertake the journey should be concerned about their condition; could it not be that Allāh ta‘ālā is displeased with them and so does not want them to be guests of His House? Tawbah and istighfār should be made immediately in abundance and humility adopted, beseeching Allāh ta‘ālā to grant them the privilege of visiting the Haramayn. Perform Hajj before it is Too Late We need to consult the ‘Ulamā and Muftīs concerning our own circumstances to find out if we really do have a Dīnī excuse to postpone going for hajj. People postpone hajj for all sorts of reasons: some do not go because they want their parents to perform hajj first; some wives, who have a mahram available to accompany them, put off hajj in order to go with their husbands; some husbands wait for their wives, etc. If a person were to die without having fulfilled the obligation of hajj, there are dire consequences in the Hereafter. Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: If someone leaves a wasiyyah (bequest) requesting his next of kin to perform hajj on his behalf, it is hoped that Allāh ta‘ālā will grant forgiveness once the hajj is performed, but he is still a sinner for failing to perform hajj despite having the means during his lifetime. (Raddul-Muhtār ‘alad-Durril-Mukhtār) And it is a sad fact that even if a wasiyyah is left, people nowadays have so much love for wealth that they are not prepared to even spend a pound for the sake of their departed parents. They do not have the time or the concern to make the journey, even if the money their parents left them is more than sufficient to cover the costs. Therefore, each individual should ensure that the obligation of hajj is fulfilled at the earliest opportunity. May Allāh ta‘ālā grant a safe journey to all those who are going for hajj this year and grant them al-hajjul-mabrūr (accepted hajj). May He guide those upon whom hajj is fard but who have not yet resolved to go, and may He grant all the necessary means to those who long to go for hajj but are unable to do so. Āmīn. Taken from 'Inspirations' (Volume 1) published by Islāmic Da'wah Academy © Islāmic Da'wah Academy

In times of difficulty as well as ease, we are dependent on Allah Ta’ala. When in prosperity, our Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) turned in appreciation to Allah, and when difficulty arose, he (sallallahu’alayhi wasalam) always turned only to Allah. In light of the recent xenophobic attacks, hereunder are some du’as from the Quran and Hadith that will be effective in such situations and which will -insha Allah- curb the violence, as such violence can easily over-boil… Quranic Du’as: When Nabi Nuh (‘alayhis Salam) was overwhelmed by the opposition of his people he recited the following du’a: رَبِّ إِنِّيْ مَغْلُوبٌ فَانْتَصِرْ Rabbi inni maghlubun fantasir ‘O Allah I am overpowered, so assist me.’ (Surah Qamar, verse: 10) When Nabi Ibrahim (‘alayhis Salam) left his family in a foreign land, he made this du’a: فاجعل أفئدة من الناس تهوي إليهم ‘O Allah…. turn the hearts of the people in their favour.’ (Surah Ibrahim, verse: 37) To link this du’a to ourselves we should recite the following: رَبَّنا اجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِيْ إِلَيْنا Rabbanaj ‘al af-idatam minan naasi tahwi ilayna ‘O Allah turn the hearts of the people towards us.’ Nabi Ibrahim (‘alayhis Salam) and his followers made the following du’a –which Allah Ta’ala exhorts us to emulate-: رَبَّنا لا تَجْعَلْنا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنا رَبَّنا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيْزُ الحَكِيم Rabbana la taj’al na fitnatal lilladhina kafaru, wagh fir lana rabbana innaka antal ‘azizul hakim. ‘O our Rabb, o not make us a test for the disbelievers, and forgive us o our Rabb, indeed you are most Powerful most Wise.’ (Surah Mumtahinah, verse: 5) When Nabi Musa (‘alayhis Salam) was driven out of his town he recited: رَبِّ نَجِّنِيْ مِنَ الْقَومِ الظَّالِمِيْن Rabbi najjini minal qawmiz zalimin ‘O Allah protect me from the oppressing people.’ (Surah Qasas, verse: 21) The followers of Nabi Musa (‘alayhis salam) made the following du’a when they were under the threat of Fir’awn: رَبَّنَا لا تَجْعَلْنا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكافِرِين Rabbana la taj’alna fitnatal lil qawmiz zalimin, wa najjina birahmatika minal qawmil kafirin ‘O Allah, do not make us a test for the oppressive ones, and rescue us through your mercy from those who do not believe.’ (Surah Yunus, verses: 85-86) Du’a from the Hadith: Whenever Rasulullah (sallalalhu’alayhi wasallam) feared harm from any nation, he would recite the following du’a: اَللّٰهُمَّ إنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِيْ نُحُوْرِهِمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ Allahumma inna naj’aluka fi nuhurihim, wa na’udhu bika min shururihim ‘O Allah, We place you in front of them, and we seek your refuge from their harms.’ (Sunan Abi Dawud and Sahih Ibn Hibban) These du’as should be recited from the heart. We should cry and beg from Allah Ta’ala with the above. In addition to these du’as, we should: Give abundant charity in all forms. This could even be done by assisting those affected by these attacks. By donating aid to these people we will be securing our own safety insha Allah. Show mercy to those on earth, Allah will show you His Mercy. (Hadith) Abstain from sin as much as possible. For sins are the biggest causes of difficulty. May Allah Ta’ala alleviate the sufferings of all mankind throughout the globe. Amin. al-miftah

Iraq passes law to criminalise relations with Israel Violators of the anti-Israel law could face penalties including life imprisonment or even the death sentence. 26 May 2022 Iraq’s parliament has passed a law that makes it a crime to normalise ties with Israel, and violations of the law can be punishable with a death sentence or life imprisonment. The law, titled “Criminalising Normalisation and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity”, was approved on Thursday with 275 legislators voting in favour of it in Iraq’s 329-seat assembly. More on Al-Jazeera

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 (WAFA) – Two major American media outlets confirmed in two separate reports that Palestinian iconic journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed by Israeli army gunfire, and one even suggested that she was deliberately targeted.CNN said that an investigation it has carried into the incident “offers new evidence — including two videos of the scene of the shooting — that there was no active combat, nor any Palestinian militants, near Abu Akleh in the moments leading up to her death.”It said that videos obtained by CNN, “corroborated by testimony from eight eyewitnesses, an audio forensic analyst and an explosive weapons expert, suggest that Abu Akleh was shot dead in a targeted attack by Israeli forces.”Abu Akleh, an American citizen who has been working with Al Jazeera for more than two decades, was covering an Israeli army raid on Jenin refugee camp on May 11 when she was killed and a colleague, Ali Samudi, was injured, after being shot by Israeli soldiers.The Associated Press meanwhile said that the bullet that killed Abu Akleh came from an Israeli gun.“Almost two weeks after the death of the veteran Palestinian-American reporter for Al Jazeera, a reconstruction by The Associated Press lends support to assertions from both Palestinian authorities and Abu Akleh’s colleagues that the bullet that cut her down came from an Israeli gun.”The Palestinian Authority is expected to publish its official investigation into the Israeli murder of Abu Akleh in the near future and submit the evidence to the International Criminal Court to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically the targeted murder of journalists.Eddie DiFruscia.Free.Palestine (@eddied77) • Instagram photos and videos

Q. A family member is on life support and is brain dead for several Months. The doctors have advised us to put him off life support, as there is no hope of his recovery. Is it permissible to put him off life support? (Question published as received) A. If a patient is on a life support machine and after due consultation, the medical experts determine that the condition of the patient is terminal and there is no hope of recovery, it would be permissible to switch off the life support machine (passive euthanasia). However, under no circumstance is it permissible to take the life of the patient by directly being the cause of death like giving the patient a lethal injection (active euthanasia). And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Mufti Moosa Salie (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Ahed Tamimi and the power of Palestinian women Lamia, Reem, Shaima and Dwlat are powerful Palestinian women just like Ahed, but their stories have been ignored. Ahed Tamimi, the 17-year-old Palestinian activist from the village of Nabi Saleh in the West Bank, is an icon of a rebellious young generation of Palestinians which has demonstrated it has little tolerance for Israel’s persistent violations of their rights and freedoms. After spending eight months in jail for confronting Israeli occupation soldiers in her backyard, Ahed emerged even stronger and more determined to convey the pains and struggles of her people to the world. “The power is with the people, and the people will and can decide their destiny and decide the future,” she said, addressing a crowd of supporters and journalists after her release. Ahed’s story garnered a disproportionate amount of attention from international media outlets which have otherwise often ignored the courage and suffering of numerous Palestinian girls and women living under Israeli military occupation and siege for many years. Recognising this fact, Ahed’s mother, Nariman said: “Frankly it is probably Ahed’s looks that prompted this worldwide solidarity, and that’s racist, by the way, because many Palestinian children are in Ahed’s position but weren’t treated in this way.” There is much truth to this assertion. When Palestinian women are not invisible in Western media coverage, they are seen as hapless victims of circumstances beyond their control – the military occupation of their land and the “backwardness” of their own patriarchal society. They are hardly seen as agents of change; at best, they are presented as trapped in a “conflict” in which they play no part. The invisibility of Arab, Muslim women in Western media is rooted in a long history of colonialism, rife with racist misconceptions and misrepresentations. In the Palestinian case, such misrepresentations undermine the political and humanitarian urgency of the plight of Palestinian women and the Palestinian people as a whole. In truth, Palestinian women are hardly bystanders in the collective victimisation and resistance of the Palestinians, and regardless of their political orientation, religion or residence, they deserve to be made visible and understood within the larger context of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. What follows are the brief stories of four powerful women from Gaza who, despite their struggle and courage, remain invisible to the media. They are raising families, teaching music, protesting at the Gaza-Israel fence, suffering their own losses and injuries, and persevering in the face of a harsh life under the blockade. ‘I will join again the Great March of Return’ – Lamia Ahmed Hussein, 37, Khan Younis When Lamia’s husband, Ghazi Abu Mustafa, was killed by an Israeli sniper on July 27 at the fence separating Gaza from Israel, she was serving in the field as a volunteer paramedic. Lamia is the oldest of nine sisters and brothers. Her family, now residing in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, is originally from the town of B’ir Al-Saba’a in historical Palestine and, like millions of Palestinians in Gaza and elsewhere, is now permanently exiled. Lamia’s belief in her right of return to her family home in Palestine was what motivated her to join the Great March of Return on March 30, which also marked “Land Day”. Her decision was strongly supported by her husband Ghazi, 43, who also joined the march on its very first day. Lamia offered to volunteer as a paramedic, aiding hundreds of wounded Palestinians every Friday. She knew too well how critical her role could be for those brave fighters and for their families. In the past, her husband was wounded several times while confronting Israeli soldiers. His first injury, which blinded his left eye, was sustained during the largely non-violent mobilisation against the Israeli occupation (1987-1993) known as the First Intifada. In the March of Return, he was repeatedly shot, and with Lamia by his side, he returned to the fence, limping, to stand in solidarity with his people. Lamia and Ghazi faced their challenges together, raised a family in impoverished Gaza and protested side by side as the Gaza march galvanised the whole community, men and women alike, like never before. In July, Ghazi was fatally shot. He died while Lamia was saving the life of another badly wounded protester, Nahid Qadeh. Lamia was devastated but not broken. A life of hardship and pain taught her strength and resilience. “A boat that is dedicated to helping others will never sink,” Ghazi told her one day as they joined a large crowd of protesters at the fence. The widowed mother of six has every intention to resume her work at the fence. “Nothing will shake my belief in my right of return,” she says, a lesson she constantly teaches her children. Although the future of Gaza remains bleak, Lamia’s resolve to achieve justice – for her family, her people and herself – remains unbreakable. ‘I will not stop singing’ – Reem Anbar, 28, Gaza City Reem found her calling during the Israeli war on Gaza in the summer of 2014. She would carry her oud every day from her home to the Sa’id Al-Mashal Cultural Centre, where she would spend hours playing music to frightened children and their families, who were taking shelter from Israel’s incessant bombing. For years, Reem tried to leave Gaza in search of a place where she could pursue her love for music at a respected art institute. Yet, her request to leave was repeatedly denied by Israel. There are thousands of students like Reem who have not been able to pursue educational opportunities outside Gaza for the same reason. Reem has played the oud since she was a little girl. It was her companion, especially during the long nights of the Israeli bombing campaigns. Whenever bombs began to drop, Reem would pick up her instrument and delve into a magical world where notes and rhythms would defeat the unmitigated chaos outside her window. When Israel launched its 2014 assault on Gaza, Reem invited others into her musical world. She played to the traumatised children at the cultural centre, who sang along as Israeli bombs dropped on their homes. When the war ended, Reem continued her work, helping children who were injured and disabled during the war at the same centre and elsewhere. Along with other young artists, she composed musical plays for them and set up performances to help these children overcome trauma and promote their inclusion in society. In late 2017, Reem finally managed to leave Gaza to pursue her higher education in Europe. On August 9, 2018, she heard with a heavy heart that Israel had bombed the Sa’id Al-Mashal Cultural Centre and it had been completely destroyed. Reem plans to return to Gaza when she is finished with her education. She intends to pursue a Master’s degree in music therapy so that she can contribute to the healing of a generation of children scarred by war and siege. “They want to stop us singing,” she says. “But the opposite will happen. Palestine will always be a place of art, history and ‘sumud’ – steadfastness. I swear, we will have our concerts in the street if we must.” ‘I will defeat cancer’ – Shaima Tayseer Ibrahim al-Shamali, 19, Rafah Shaima can hardly speak. Her brain tumour has affected her mobility and her ability to express herself. Yet, she is determined to pursue her degree in Basic Education at Al-Quds Open University in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. The pain that this 19-year-old is enduring is extraordinary even by the standards of poor, isolated Gaza. She is the oldest of five children in a family that fell into poverty following the Israeli siege. Her father is retired and the family has been struggling, but nevertheless, Shaima has been determined to get an education. She was engaged to be married after her graduation from university. Hope still has a way of making it into the hearts of the Palestinians of Gaza and Shaima was hoping for a brighter future for herself and her family. But March 12 changed all of that. On that day, Shaima was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. Just before her first surgery at Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem on April 4, her fiance broke off the engagement. The surgery left Shaima with partial paralysis. She speaks and moves with great difficulty. But there was more bad news; further tests in a Gaza hospital showed that the tumour was not fully removed and it must be quickly extracted before it spreads any further. To make matters worse, on August 12, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that it would no longer be able to treat cancer patients in the Israel-besieged enclave. Shaima is now fighting for her life as she awaits Israeli permission to cross the Beit Hanoun checkpoint (called the Erez crossing by Israel) to the West Bank, through Israel, for an urgent surgery. Many Gazans have perished that way, waiting for pieces of paper, a permission, that never materialised. Shaima, however, remains hopeful, while her whole family constantly prays that their eldest daughter prevails in her fight against cancer and resumes her pursuit of a university degree. ‘I will defend my family and my people’ – Dwlat Fawzi Younis, 33, Beit Hanoun Dwlat looks after a family of 11, including her nephews and her gravely ill father. She had to become the main breadwinner of her family when her father, 55, suffered kidney failure and was unable to work. She would look after the entire family with the money she earned as a hairdresser. Her brothers and sisters are all unemployed. She used to help them, too, whenever she could. Dwlat is a fighter; she has always been that way. Perhaps it was her experience on November 3, 2006, that strengthened her resolve. An Israeli soldier shot her while she was protesting with a group of women against the Israeli attack and destruction of the historic Umm Al-Nasr mosque in Beit Hanoun. Two women were killed that day. Dwlat was hit by a bullet in her pelvis, but she survived. After months of treatment, she recovered and resumed her daily struggle. She also never missed a chance to raise her voice in solidarity with her people at protests. On May 14, 2018, when the United States officially transferred its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, 60 Palestinian protesters were killed and nearly 3,000 were wounded at the Gaza-Israel fence. Dwlat was shot in her right thigh, the bullet penetrating the bone and cutting through the artery. Her health has deteriorated quickly since then and she is now unable to work. But Israel still hasn’t approved her application to be transferred to Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem to receive treatment. Yet, Dwlat insists she will continue to be an active and empowered member of the Gaza community – for the sake of her family and her people, even if it means joining the protests along the Gaza fence on crutches. In truth, Ahed, Lamia, Reem, Shaima and Dwlat embody the remarkable spirit and courage of every Palestinian woman living under Israeli occupation and siege in the West Bank and Gaza. They endure and persist, despite the massive price they pay and continue the struggle of the generations of courageous Palestinian women who came before them. Al-Jazeera

Short and Beneficial Advices for Students Sitting Exams By Shaykhul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat dāmat barakātuhum 1. Work hard to achieve the highest possible grades. You will not be able to reach great heights without putting effort into your studies. 2. Manage your time appropriately by making a timetable and a revision plan. Adequate time should be allocated for exam preparation and also for resting and eating, as the mind is not able to function efficiently without sufficient rest and food. 3. Whilst acknowledging that your efforts and preparations alone cannot guarantee success without the Help of Allāh ta‘ālā, turn to Him with utmost humility. Make du‘ā yourself and request your parents, the ‘Ulamā and pious to make du‘ā for you too. 4. Repent and abstain from every disobedience to Allāh ta‘ālā. This is the most important advice as any sort of disobedience will incur the Displeasure of Allāh ta‘ālā and close the doors of His Help. 5. Recite Sūrah Yāsīn in the morning of the exam. It has been narrated that Nabī sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, ‘Whoever recites Sūrah Yāsīn in the morning, his needs will be fulfilled.’ (Sunanud-Dārimī) 6. Perform two raka‘āt of salāh before leaving for the exam. Allāh ta‘ālā says, ‘Seek help with salāh and patience.’ (2:45) 7. Give sadaqah (charity) according to your capacity, even it is as little as 10p, 20p or 50p. 8. Whenever the examinations make you worry, recite the following: يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْثُ، حَسْبُنَا اللهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيْلُ O The Most-Merciful of the merciful! O the Ever-Living! O the Sustainer (of all)! Only through Your Mercy do I seek help. Allāh is sufficient for us and He is the best one in Whom to trust. 9. Begin the exam paper with bismillāh and salāt ‘alan-Nabī. If you get stuck on any question during the exam, then before giving more thought to the question, recite two or three times a short formula of salāt ‘alan-Nabī such as sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam or Allāhumma salli ‘alā Muhammad. Salāt ‘alan-Nabī creates ease and provides a solution for every problem. 10. Show gratitude to Allāh ta‘ālā for whatever you were able to write by performing two raka’āt after the exam. 11. If the exam does not go as well as you desired, then do not become despondent. Remain content with the Decree of Allāh ta‘ālā regarding your exam results and remember that He is the Most-Wise. Inshā’allāh, your efforts along with your obedience to Allāh ta‘ālā will, sooner or later, bring success. I pray that Allāh grant all the students barakah in their studies, success in their examinations and make them true ambassadors of Islam. Āmīn. © At-Tazkiyah Download PDF

12: Understand The Meaning & Loftiness Of What You Are Saying Understanding what you are saying in your ṣalāh will have a profound impact on your khushūʿ. To do this, try your best to learn Arabic and understand the meaning of what you say. This will make it easier to focus, thereby enhancing your ṣalāh. Along with understanding what you say, be fully mindful when saying it. Ibn ʿAbbās (radiy Allāhu ʿanhumā) said, “Only that which you were mindful of in your ṣalāh will be accepted from you.” Think back to the last time you found yourself in a foreign country where you barely understood the language. Did you feel lost? Similarly, if you do not understand what you are saying in your ṣalāḥ, you will feel out of place and not find the peace, belonging and desire to remain in ṣalāh. Some people avoid learning Arabic as they think it is ‘too difficult’. However, this is not true. Like any other language, it will require effort, commitment and time; but the outcome will be sweet. If you cannot learn Arabic, then, at the bare minimum, memorise and reflect on the meaning of what you say in ṣalāh. This includes: (1) the meanings of the adhkār and (2) the meanings of the small sūrahs. Moreover, even if the above is not currently possible, then think of death and the Day of Judgement. Think of how it will feel to stand before Allah (ʿazza wa jall) on that terrifying day. Recall and reflect on the greatness of Allah (ʿazza wa jall) and bear in mind that He is watching you. Move your lips when reciting Move your lips and tongue when reciting the Qur’ān and the adhkār of ṣalāh. Ensure that you are physically uttering the words in a way that you can hear yourself (assuming you can hear soundly and it is a quiet enviroment). Merely ‘reciting’ in your mind is not sufficient and renders your ṣalāh invalid. Reciting in this manner will help you to concentrate and to repel the whispers of Shayṭān. There is a misconception amongst some that reciting Qur’ān solely in the mind is acceptable (during and outside ṣalāh) and considered ‘recitation’. Others are embarrassed to recite audibly due to fear that their tajwīd is not perfect. However, reciting audibly is the best way to feel the beauty and serenity in Allah’s words. Remember, even if you are struggling with the recitation, Allah al-Ra’ūf (the Most Compassionate) will grant you two rewards: one reward for the recitation, and another for struggling! Reflect on what you are saying Develop khushūʿ by reflecting on the weight and gravity of what you are uttering. The words may be easy to pronounce, and may roll off your tongue effortlessly, but they are in themselves mighty and heavy. The Prophet ﷺ said that subḥānallāh and alḥamdulillāh fill up what is in between the heavens and the earth (Muslim). Though it may be difficult to understand, the words of praise and glorification leave the worldly realms and travel up to the Throne of Allah. These words gather around His throne “buzzing like bees, mentioning to Allah the person who uttered them” (Ibn Mājah). Try to imagine that! Visualise the words that you utter ascending upwards and acting as your representatives. And this is only in the world. Imagine their impact in the hereafter, where they will come to your rescue, protect you from the Hell-fire and guide you to Paradise! A Companion (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) once uttered a sentence of praise in ṣalāh. After the ṣalāh finished, the Prophet ﷺ said that more than 30 angels were competing with each other to ascend with these words to Allah. On another occasion, he ﷺ said that the doors of the heaven opened for a single utterance of the Companion (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) in his ṣalāh! Can you imagine this? One single utterance resulted in the doors of the heaven being opened. Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) wrote, “By Allah, if you could hear the sound of the pens of the angels writing your name amongst those who remember Allah, you would die out of joy.” Likewise, the Qur’ān is the mighty word of Allah (ʿazza wa jall). Allah refers to it as a “weighty discourse” (73:5). It is a lofty book, revealed by the Most High from above. Stored in a lofty place, a lofty angel brought it down and conveyed it to the heart of a lofty man: Muḥammad ﷺ. Therefore, whoever becomes of its people -the people of the Qur’ān- becomes lofty in the sight of Allah (ʿazza wa jall). The Companion Usayd b. al-Ḥuḍayr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) was reciting Qur’ān at night. His horse became startled and disturbed, so he stopped reciting. The horse calmed down. When he resumed his recitation, the horse once again became agitated. When this happened a few times, he stopped reciting out of fear that his son, who was lying nearby, would be hurt. After completing his prayer, he looked up at the sky and saw something which resembled a cloud with shimmering lamps dangling from the sky to the earth. The next day he came and related what had occurred to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ told him, “Those were angels who had drawn near you to hear you recite the Qur’ān. If you had continued, by Allah, you would have witnessed astounding things” (Composite: Bukhārī and Ḥākim). In summary, reflect on the greatness of Who you are speaking to and reflect on the greatness of what you are saying. lifewithAllah