Abu Hafsat

As-Salaam alaikum, The Noble Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said : "The Angels keep on asking Allah's Forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla (praying place) and does not pass wind (hadath). They say, 'O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! be Merciful to him." (Sahih Bukhari, 445).

As-Salaam alaikum, Allah Ta'ala says : "MAKE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD (Zikrullah) AS YOU DO OF YOUR FATHERS, OR WITH MORE LIVELY REMEMBRANCE" (2:220). He also said: "MAKE REMEMBRANCE OF THY LORD IN THY SOUL, IN SUPPLICATION AND FEAR, WITHOUT THY WORD BEING AUDIBLE, AT MORNING AND EVENING." (7:204). The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said :- "Go forth, for the unattached have preceded you." He was asked, "Who are the unattached, O Messenger of Allah"? He said, "Those who tremble with the Remembrance of God, until the Zikr removes their burdens from them and they come to resurrection lightly laden." (Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi and Ibn Hanbal). The sincere mureed who sits to remember Almighty Allah, reciting known phrases of Zikr, especially the Zikr of LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU, should negate any stray thoughts that enter his heart, saying to himself : 'I desire nothing and seek nothing, and have no aim or object of love, ILLALLAH--other than God.' Having negated all stray thoughts with La-ilaha, he affirms the Mighty Presence as his sole aim, purpose and object of love with illallah. This form of attentive Zikr makes one unattached : it removes all obstacles in his path and all attachments, and conveys him lightly laden from this world of corporeality to the Hereafter of spirituality. It is to this that the Tradition, "Go forth, for the unattached have preceded you", refers.

As-Salaam alaikum, Says Allah Ta'ala in ayat 159 Of chapter 3 of the Holy Qur'an, Surat Aal-Imran :- "When you have resolved, place your trust in Allah." (3:159). This ayat touches on the idea of taking God Almighty as a Trustee, to whom we as Muslims who believe in Him, should turn over our affairs to, and let Him manage them. This, however, does not imply that one should not strive to put his affairs in order. Rather, it means that one should do the best one can and then leave the rest to God, trusting in His oversight. This relationship with Him, Jallah-Jalalahu, is defined as one of Tawakkul or Trust /Reliance... which brings with it a certain measure of freedom from anxiety and restlessness when things do not go as planned, or as one hoped for.

As-Salaam alaikum, Narrated Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, A man came to the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, and said :-- "O Messenger of Allah, teach me something, but make it concise." The Prophet said : "When you stand for your prayer, then pray as if you are saying farewell. Do not say anything for which you must apologize and abandon any desire to acquire what other people have." (Sunan Ibn Majah, 4169).

As-Salaam alaikum, In al-Qushayri'a Risala, we find a saying of Hatim al-As amma, a disciple of the celebrated Shaqiq al-Balkhi, which records what may be one of the earliest descriptions of the necessary requirements of the spiritual life:- "Whoever desires to follow our way," declared Hatim, "must assume 4 qualities of death : white death, which is hunger, black death, which is putting up with the harms of others, red death, which is sincere activity in opposing the lower soul, and green death, which is wearing a garment whose patches have been stitched one over the other. " The strongly ascetic impulse behind these words of Sheikh Hatim was, in his particular case, likely due to the influence of his teacher Shaqiq, who was himself a disciple of Ibrahim ibn Adha, renowned for having renounced an entire Kingdom to live in prayer and poverty (faqr). As observed by Sheikh Ibn Arabi in his 'Futuhat al - Makkiyyah', these 4 qualities or varients of death are indispensable in the Sufi tradition alluded to in the well-known hadith : "Die before you die", and are helpful to the spiritual itinerant on the journey to Allah Ta'ala. Among other benefits, for example, white death (hunger) - - by fasting, you abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset.. and thereby imbibe the value or virtue of patience, and the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said : "Patience is half of faith", and "Half of patience lies in the fast". As for "green death" of wearing parched clothing - this teaches.. is a mark of renunciation. Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, we are informed, wore a robe of 13 patches. And the "black death" of patiently enduring the offences and injuries of others without seeking retaliation or retribution is commendable virtue. And the "red death" of opposing the soul's desires and baser inclinations takes one to mujahada or jihad-nafs - greater jihad leading to the slaying of unruly passions.

"Whoever focuses on the world is a slave of the world, and whoever focuses on the Hereafter is a slave to the Hereafter, but whoever focuses on Allah enslaves the world and the Hereafter." (Shams - i-Tabriz).

As-Salaam alaikum, The Noble Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said :- "A heart grateful (to Allah), a tongue which (frequently) mentions Allah (with the prescribed supplications) and a righteous wife who assists you in your religious and worldly affairs. These are the best treasures man can possess." (Saheeh al-Jami' 4409) Sheikh al-Saheeh Albania.

As-Salaam alaikum, Qais Ibn Sa'ad, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said: "Should I not direct you to a gate from the gates of Paradise?" I said: 'Of Course'. He said: '' [Recital of] LA-HAWLA WALA QUWATA ILLA BILLAH.. There is no might or power except with Allah." (Tirmidhi, 3581)

As-Salaam alaikum, The Noble Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "To gaze at a strange woman (ghair mahram) is zina (adultery) of the eye, To listen to passion-stirring words is zina of the ears, To converse with a strange woman and derive pleasure therefrom is zina of the tongue, To walk towards her is zina of the feet, The heart desires and craves, the sexual organ then either testifies to these or denies them." (Sahih Muslim). Note that it is only through protection of these organs that the heart and private parts will be protected, just as the country whose boarders are unguarded is prone to attacks on its headquarters ans vital installations. Regards.

As-Salaam alaikum, Abu Umama, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam ,said:-- "Whoever dreads to endure the night [in nawafil prayers], or is miserly about spending money, or is too cowardly to fight the enemy should say often: 'Subhanallahi Wa Bi-Hamdihi (Glory be to Allah and all Praise is due to Him)'. It is more beloved to Allah than a mountain of gold spent in the Way of Allah." (At-Tabarani).

As-Salaam alaikum, Spread your left hand palm, you will see the number 81 written in Arabic, and spread your right hand palm, you will see the number 18 written in Arabic. Add 81 and 18, it gives you 99, the total number of Names of Allah in the Holy Qur'an. Subtract 18 from 81 gives you 63, the total years of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, lived on this earth. If you multiply the two digits of 99.... that is 9 x 9 it will return you your left palm number of 81; and if you multiply the two digits of 63... that is 6 x 3 it will return you your right palm number of 18. Note that if you reverse the digits of 81 it will give you 18, and if reversing the digits of 18 gives you 81... The common denominator of 81 and 18 is 3 and 9. Now, let us see what numbers they give after division:-- 81 divide by 3 = 27 and 81 divide by 9 = 9. The Holy Qur'an was revealed on 27th day of 9th month of the Islamic Calendar (Lunar). Another mathematical mystery is if you write the digits of 81 and 18 serially: 8 1 1 8 and add them up: 8+1+1+8 you get 18. Now, what is so special about 18 here is that chapter 18 of the Holy Qur'an, verse 18 mentioned something about RIGHT SIDE and LEFT SIDE... Of course, there are many undiscovered mysteries out there in the Holy Qur'an, the verbatim revelation of the Word of Almighty Allah, revealed to the Noble Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam.

As-Salaam alaikum, Don't lie (22:30) Don't Insult (49:11) Don't Waste (17:26) Don't Backbite (49:12) Feed the Poor (22:36) Restrain your anger (3:134) Respond to evil with good (41:34) Turn away from ill speech (23:3) Don't make fun of others (49:11) Walk in humble manner (25:63) Keep your trusts and promises (23:8) Make room for others at gatherings (58:11) Best Wishes.

As-Salaam alaikum, In ayat/verse 154 of chapter 2 of the Holy Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala says:-- "And say not of those who are slain in the Way of God: 'They are dead.' Nay, they are living, though you perceive it not." (Baqra 2:154) In Sunan Abu Dawud ( Kitab Jihad) Hadith collections, this ayat is explained wherein the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said: "When your brothers from Uhud were touched [by death], Allah placed their spirits in a green bird that drinks from the rivers of Paradise, eats its fruits and rests near golden candles hanging in the shadow of the Throne. When they saw that their food, drink and resting places were good, they said: 'who will let our brothers know that we are alive in Paradise, and that we receive our subsistence, that they may not skimp in the struggle, and that they do not abdicate in the war? Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, said, 'I will let them know.' And it was then that Allah brought down: 'And say not of those....(2:154)" In any case, if your rationale for life is that you eat and move around, they also eat. Whatever you eat of grain, fruit or meat is a product of dust; you consume dust, they consume Noor...Divine Light.

As-Salaam alaikum, Rakb al-Misri reported that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "I bring good tidings to the one who is humble while mindful of the honor of being created a human being; also to the one who has given up self-regard, yet does not beg for favors; to the generous one who spends freely for Allah's sake from what he possesses; to the one who is compassionate to those in need; to the one who seeks company of the wise and knowledgeable. I bring good tidings to the one who gains his livelihood lawfully with his own hands; to the one who cleanses his heart; to the one whose inner beauty shines in his face; to the one who holds back his anger; to the who does not say what is not to be said; and to the knower who acts upon his knowledge." (Tabarani)

As-Salaam alaikum, Verse/ayat 57 of chapter 51 of the Holy Qur'an reads:-- "No sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me." (Zariyat 51:57) This establishes the fact that Almighty Allah is free of needs and by definition beyond the concerns of whether man worships or serves Him or not. Man, however, for his/our own sake, needs to establish a relationship to Allah. This relationship is that of Abudiyyah (servitude)... says the Qur'an:-- "I have only created jinns and men, that they may serve Me" (51:56) Hidden, but discernible in this unique relationship of abject servitude, only to Allah, is the secret of the ultimate freedom of man from all other bondages. This servant of Allah, His sincere bondsman, is free of all earthly gods and goddesses.. be they of power, wealth, race, color or beauty. We must serve Allah Ta'ala and turn to Him for guidance in all our endevours. Best Regards.

As-Salaam alaikum, It is my pleasure to share with you the following great, inspiring words from Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali, may Allah be Merciful to him:-- "If you want to get the benefits of medicine, first purge your bowels and clear it from congested stools. Similarly, clear your soul first from passion and greed and then take the medicine of Zikr. When Zikr enters such a heart which is free from thoughts other than God, the devil flees away from it, as disease goes away if medicine falls in a stomach free of food." "The devil moves in man like the circulation of blood. Make his circulation narrow by hunger. The reason is that hunger cures sexual passion, which is the weapon of the devil." "The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said: 'Allah says: 'Poverty is my prison and disease is my chain. I inflict a servant whom I love with these.' When there is prevention of sin in disease, what greater good can there be than this? There is peace of mind in giving up sins. A certain religious man asked someone: 'How are you? He said: I am in peace of mind. He said if you have not committed sins, you are then in peace of mind. If you commit sins, then what disease is greater than sins? He who commits sins is deprived of good." SOURCE: 'Ihya Ulumiddin, Vol. 3 and 4 translated by Maulana Fazlul Karim (1986)

As-Salaam alaikum, The other day, I was reading parts of the book titled 'Al-Ghunya Li Talib Tareeq al-Haqq ..Sufficient Provision For the Seekers of Path of Truth' by Sayyadi Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, may Allah be Merciful to him, and the passage below caught my attention, which I am glad to share with you:-- "This world is an Ocean, and your faith [Imaan] is its ship. This is why Luqman the Wise [al-Hakim], may Allah's Mercy be upon him, said: 'O my dear son, this world is an ocean. Faith is the ship. The sailor is your obedient worship [ta'at]. The shore is the Hereafter.' O you who persist in sinful disobedience! Coming to you very soon are blindness and deafness, old age and poverty, and the hardening of people's heart toward you. Your possessions will all be gone because of losses, confiscations and thefts. Be sensible. Repent to your Lord (Almighty and Glorious is He). Do not make idols of your possessions and put trust in them. Do not become attached to them. Evict them from your heart. Keep them in your houses and your pockets, and with your servants and your agents. Be ready for death, diminish your appetite and reduce your expectations.'' Abu Yazid al-Bistami, may Allah be Merciful to him, is reported as having said: ''The experienced believer [al-mu'min al-arif] seeks nothing of the hereafter from Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He). All he seeks from his Master is his Master.. [innama yatlubu min Mawlahu Mawlahu].''

As-Salaam alaikum, In Sunan Tirmidhi is the Noble Hadith where the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, is asked: 'Where was Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, before the creation of the Universe?' He replied:- 'He was in the 'Ama.' It goes on to say that it had no aboveness or belowness... is incomprehensible. In other words, it was a premordial non-spatiality in non-time. Sayyadina Ali Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him and ennoble his face, was asked the same question and after a long silence he said:- 'To ask where was Allah is to ask of a place. Now Allah was- but there was no space. Then He created time/space and He is now as He was before time/space.' Culled from:- 'The Hundred Steps', by Sheikh Abd al-Qadir As-Sufi.

As-Salaam alaikum, In the universal religion of Islam, there are 3 dimensions that encompass the outward and inward expressions of the belief system. These 3 dimensions are:-- (1) Islam-- This is based on Tawheed (belief in the Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah); five daily prayers, offering of Zakkat (almsgiving), fasting in the monthof Ramadan, and performing pilgrimage to Makkah. These are known as the 'five pillars' of Islam.... the building blocks of the domain of knowledge, which later came to be called Islamic Jurisprudence or Shari'ah. (2) The second dimension is that of Imaan (faith). This is an expression of a specific conviction in the belief in Allah (God), His Messengers, His Angels, the Last Day of Judgement, His Books and the good and evil fate as ordained by Allah Ta'ala. These form the core of Islamic Theology, which was elaborated by theologians. The tow dimensions above (Islam and Imaan) both teach us that religious practice and belief system are interrelated and are incomplete without each other. (3) The third dimension is Ihsan, which in the words of the Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, means to: "Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you see Him not, yet He sees you." Ihsan reminds us, Muslims, that we are always in the Presence of Allah and that one should consider this Presence in all his thoughts and actions. Thus Ihsan adds spirituality to the religion.

As-Salaam alaikum, In ayat/verse 11 of chapter 42 of the Holy Qur'an, Allahu Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says:-- "There is nothing like Him... Laysa Ka Mislihi Shay'un" (Ash-Shuraa- 42:11) Indeed, nothing in existence resembles Allah Ta'ala in any manner. He does not resemble anything from His creation, nor does anything resemble Him. Attributes of Allah are Eternal; Pre-Existent, while attributes of creations are never free of causality and effect. In this regards, Al-Waasiti, said may Allah be Merciful to him, that there is no essence like His [Allah's] Essence; there is no name like His Name; no action like His action; and there is no attribute like His Attribute except from the perspective of verbal expression alone. Note that whenever Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, describes Himself with a 'face', 'hand' 'two hands' or a 'foot'.... that still is as He describes Himself without 'how-ness' in accordance with what He says, and with a meaning that He alone means. For each of these attributes fall under the transcendence of His words: "Laysa Ka Mislihi Shay'un...There is nothing like Him". Ibn al-Athir said: "Everything which is transmitted in the Qur'an and Prophetic traditions related to hand, hands or other than these from the names of bodily limbs connected to Allah, Azzah Wa Jallah, then it is transmitted by way of metaphor and symbolism, because Allah is absolutely free of resemblance and incarnated substantiation. This is true simply because "Laysa Kamislihi Shay'un...There is nothing like Him."

As-Salaam alaikum, Verse/ayat 103 of chapter six of the Holy Qur'an reads:-- "No vision [eyes] can grasp Him, But He sees [grasps] all eyes: He is above all comprehension." (6:103) In other words, no sight can reach Allah Ta'ala, while He is in all that sees. In this regards, Sheikh Ibn Arabi, may Allah be Merciful to him observes that "No eyes can see Him, so no one can perceive Him. He is the only existence, and if no one can see Him,then there is no one besides Him. If there were other existences besides Allah, they should have been able to see Him. So the meaning of ''the eyes cannot see Him.." is that there is no existence other than His. The eyes cannot see Him because the eyes are created..." SOURCE: 'Divine Governance Of The Human Kingdom', by Ibn Arabi (Fons Vitae, 1997).

As-Salaam alaikum, Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Noble Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "He who relieves the distress of a believer, Allah will relieve his distress on the Day of Judgement; he who lessens the hardship of an indigent, Allah will lighten his hardship in the life beyond; he who does not expose the fault of any Muslim, Allah will cover his weaknesses in both worlds; Allah assists a person so long he continues assisting fellow Muslims; he who undertakes a journey in search of knowledge for him Allah will smoothen his way to Paradise; if a group studies or teaches Qur'an in the house of Allah [masjid or madrasa], on it descends tranquility and the grace of Allah covers it, and angels surround it. Allah mentions their names with appreciation to angels close to Him. But he who is negligent in performance of good deeds, his lineage will avail him not." (Sahih Muslim).

As-Salaam alaikum, Ali Ibn Abi-Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, quotes the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, as having said:-- "There is none whose final abode is not known to Allah from beforehand- whether it is going to be Hell or Heaven." The audience said, "Should we not then hang on to the scroll of destiny and suspend action?" The Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, stated: "No, do your part for what is pre-ordained for one has been made easy for him. If he is fortunate, the path of goodness has been smoothened for him but if he is doomed, evil deeds are equally facile to him." He then recited the ayat/verse, "But as for him who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), and accepts whatever is good, We surely will smoothen the path of happiness." (Bukhari and Muslim).

As-Salaam alaikum, Sayyada Umm Hani, may Allah be pleased with her, said:-- "The Messenger of Allah passed by me one day and I said, "Ya Rasulullah, I am old and weak, so command me something I can do sitting." He said, "Say:-- SUBHANALLAH [Glory be to Allah] 100 times: It is equal to 100 slaves of the descendants of Isma'il you set free. Say: 'ALHAMDU LILLAH [Praise be to Allah] 100 times: It is equal to 100 horses saddled and bridled and ridden in the Way of Allah. Say: ALLAHU AKBAR [Allah is the Greatest] 100 times: It is equal to 100 camels garlanded and facing qibla. Say: LA-ILAHA ILLALLAHU [There is no god but Allah] 100 times (I think he said) it fills up what is between heaven and earth. On that day, no one will have a better action presented than that which will be presented for you, unless be brings the like of what you bring." (Ahmad, at-Tabarani, al-Bayhaqi).

As-Salaam alaikum, The first, opening chapter/Surat of the Holy Qur'an...the Fatihah...encompasses four kinds of sciences, which are the very anchor of the religion of Islam. These are:-- (1) The science of the foundations, beliefs and knowledge of Allah Ta'ala and His attributes. This is indicated by His words in the Fatiha: 'ALHAMDU LILLAHI, RABBIL ALAMEEN; AR-RAHMANI RAHEEM' [All Praises are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds; the Beneficent the Merciful]' Knowledge of Prophet-hood and this is what is intended by Allah's words: 'LAZINA AN 'AMTA ALAIHIM' [those You have favored; Knowledge of the contract to the Final End, indicated by His words: 'MALIKI YAUMI-D-DEEN' [King of the Day of Judgement]. (2) The science of the religion and its cognomen is worship, and it is what is meant His words: 'IYAKA NA' ABUDU' [It is You that we worship] (3) The science which brings about perfection of character. Its root is arrival at the Eternal Presence, encountering the focal point of Divine Uniqueness, traveling its path and being upright in it. This is indicated by Allah's Words: 'WA IYAKA NASTA'EEN, IHDINAA SIRADAL-MUSTAQEEM' [and it is You we seek help. Guide us on the Straight Path]' (4) The science of narrated stories and transmitted news about foregone religious communities, the blessed among them and the wretched, as well as what they achieved from the promises of the spiritually excellent and threats of the evil among them. This is what is intended by His words: 'LAZINA AN 'AMTA ALAIHIM, GHAIRUL MAGRUUBI ALAIHIM, WALA RLALEEN' [Those You have favored, and not those who have incurred Your anger, nor those who have gone astray]'.