Choosing the Correct Friends

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EXTRACTED from a Majlis of Moulana Naeem Motala
23/06/2016 (After Taraweeh /Ramadan 1437) Musjid e Noor ~ Durban ~ South Africa

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يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ

O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan), then, verily he commands Al-Fahsha’ [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.)], and Al-Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and wicked deeds; to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam, etc.)] ~ Surah Noor 24:21

الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ

Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous ~ Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:67

وَيَوْمَ يَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْهِ يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُولِ سَبِيلًا

And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, “Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way (straight path) ~ Surah Al-Furqaan 25:27

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Choosing the Correct Friends

Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala and Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam have warned us not to adopt the company of wicked and evil friends. Friends who have a negative impact on one’s life, easily mislead one by taking one away from the obedience of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam has therefore strongly advised us of the importance of choosing good company.

He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so you should look at whom you befriend.” [Tirmidhi]

Choosing to befriend righteous and virtuous Muslims is therefore a necessary means for staying on Siraatul Mustaqeem (the straight path).

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A Friend has an Effect on his Friend

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam was asked, “Which person should we adopt as a friend?” He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied: “One whose appearance reminds you of Allah, and whose speech increases you in knowledge, and whose actions remind you of the hereafter.”

One begins to adopt the style and behaviour of his friends. So, before you choose a friend, enquire about his Akhlaaq (morals and character) analyse his habits, look into his way of life … does he frequent good environments, is he Allah fearing, is he pious company?

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam best described the difference between the good companion and the bad companion when he said,

“‏ مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالْجَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ، وَكِيرِ الْحَدَّادِ، لاَ يَعْدَمُكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا تَشْتَرِيهِ، أَوْ تَجِدُ رِيحَهُ، وَكِيرُ الْحَدَّادِ يُحْرِقُ بَدَنَكَ أَوْ ثَوْبَكَ أَوْ تَجِدُ مِنْهُ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً ‏”‏‏.‏

“The example of a good companion and a bad one, is like that of the seller of musk and the blacksmith (respectively). As for the seller of the musk, he would either grant you some, or you may purchase it from him, or (at least) you would enjoy a pleasant fragrance from him. As for the blacksmith, then either he will burn your clothes or you would get an offensive smell from him.”  [Sahih al-Bukhari]

By befriending a perfume-seller, one will unquestionably benefit by being enveloped in the sweet smells emanating in his company. Even, if one is not purchasing the perfume, merely standing in his shop, will be advantageous to the person when the effects of the fragrant smell stick to his clothing. Like that is the company of a good person.

The parable of evil company is likened to a blacksmith, who is labouring away in his workshop, filled with unpleasant stenchy smoke. The effects of the foul odour and black fumes cling onto a persons clothes, blackening them. Like that is the company of an evil person.

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Choose your friends wisely!… Are they bearers of beautiful fragrances or dark clouds of toxic fumes? … They could become the reason for our entering into Jannah or Jahannam?

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Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala is the Knower of the Unseen and the Seen

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veiledgems-knower-of-the-unseen-and-the-seen

Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala is the Knower of the Unseen and the Seen

EXTRACTED from a Majlis of Moulana Naeem Motala
25/06/2016 (After Taraweeh /Ramadan 1437) Musjid e Noor ~ Durban ~ South Africa

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Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala is Aalim-ul-Ghayb Wash-Shahadah   عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ  (Knower of the unseen and the seen). Nothing (not even a particle) can be hidden from the infinite and limitless knowledge that belongs to Him alone. Even the thoughts that run through our mind and intentions that are contained in our heart, Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala is well aware of them all.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said : 

‏” مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ خَمْسٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ، وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ، وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الأَرْحَامِ، وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًا، وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَىِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ، إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ “‏‏‏

“The key of the Unseen are five: “Verily with Allah (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware.” [Surah Luqman 31:34] [Bukhari]

This pivotal verse, in which five matters, referred to as Mafaatih al-Ghayb (the keys of the unseen) are mentioned in the Quraan Shareef and Hadith and reveal that Divine Knowledge of these affairs remain with Al Aleemu, Al Khabeeru (The All-Knower, The All-Aware). Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala has made Himself exclusive to this hidden realm of Al-ghayb (the unseen) and has not informed any of the Angels nor the Prophets about it.

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Five Things That Only Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala has Exclusive Knowledge Of ~ Mafaatih al-Ghayb (The Keys of the Unseen)

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(1) Knowledge of the Hour (Qiyamah)

The actual moment (hour/day/year) of Qiyamah is exclusively known to Allah Ta’ala alone. People asked Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, when is Qiyamah? To which he replied : “The one who is asked knows not more than the one who is asking”. [Hadith-e-Jibra’eel]

(2)  Knowledge of the time Allah will send rain

The knowledge of rainfall lies with Allah Ta’ala alone. No one knows when it will rain but Allah Ta’ala. The time of rain, amount of rain and location of where rain will fall, is all determined by Allah Ta’ala.  It is only Allah Ta’ala that sends down rain and spreads His Mercy.

(3)  Knowledge of what is in the wombs

Only Allah Ta’ala alone has all the knowledge of what is contained in the wombs of mothers. Today, science has invented ultrasound equipment that could possibly ‘predict’ the gender of a foetus. However, despite these technological advancements, one cannot determine the precise features of an unborn child (eye colour, hair type), nor can one predict whether this soul will be a Mu’min (believer) or a Kaafir (disbeliever), nor can one predict the sustenance that will be meted out to this yet to be born baby. Beyond gender predictions, can the lifespan of this soul be predicted? 

(4)  Knowledge of what one will gain tomorrow

The knowledge of Rizq (sustenance) lies solely with Allah Ta’ala. None of us knows exactly how much we will earn tomorrow or whether one will have life to even see the next day. What could be and what could have been, is again known uniquely to Allah alone.  

(5)  Knowledge of the land in which one will die

No soul knows in which land, death will overtake them. A person may be in one country today, unbeknown that death awaits him in another country tomorrow. Only Allah Ta’ala knows where a soul’s last moments are destined for. There is no escape from death and the exact time when Malakul Maut (The Angel of Death) is commanded to take a persons Rooh (soul) is only when Allah Ta’ala instructs it’s departure.

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As Believers, we need to understand the inexhaustible and boundless knowledge and Greatness of Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala. The Hadith says, “Do not look at the Zaath (Being) of Allah, but look to the Siffaat (Attributes) of Allah”. Through knowing His beautiful qualities, one will develop a strong connection with Him, and He will open the door to His Maarifat (recognition).

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Lessons from Hadith Shareef ~ Hastening Towards Khayraat (Righteous Deeds)

bismillahh

veiledgems-khayraat-2016Lessons from Hadith Shareef ~ Hastening Towards Khayraat (Righteous Deeds)

Adapted from a Majlis of Moulana Naeem Motala
23/06/2016 ( After Fajr /Ramadan 1437) Musjid e Noor ~ Durban ~ South Africa

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 قَالَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ : بَادِرُوا بِالْأَعْمَالِ فِتَنًا كَقِطَعِ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ يُصْبِحُ الرَّجُلُ مُؤْمِنًا وَيُمْسِي كَافِرًا أَوْ يُمْسِي مُؤْمِنًا وَيُصْبِحُ كَافِرًا يَبِيعُ دِينَهُ بِعَرَضٍ مِنْ الدُّنْيَا ~ رواه مسلم

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radhiallahu Anhu reported: Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “Hasten with righteous deeds before you are overtaken by trials and tribulations, which would be like huge chunks of a ‘dark night’. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn a disbeliever in the morning. He would sell his Faith for worldly goods.” – [Muslim]

In Arabic, Baadiroo بادروا comes from the word Mubadara  مبادرة  which means to ‘rush’ or ‘hasten’. In this Hadith of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, the Believers are encouraged to ‘rush towards’ and not to procrastinate with righteous deeds. When the inclination to do good deeds comes very strongly in one’s heart, then one should not delay, but should immediately do the good deed that he is prompted towards.

The Hadith further explains that a time will draw closer (before Qiyamah) where abounding trials and tribulations will increase and appear in quick succession (one after another) and it will render righteous deeds that a person had intentions of performing, impossible. One will be overwhelmed and overcome by different types of severe tests and difficulties and will not get the chance, nor the time to pursue one’s virtuous aspirations.

Like a traveller that encounters the pervading and ever-increasing darkness of the evening… similar will be the adversities and hardships of a Believer at this time. Each time he overcomes one darkness (trial), suddenly there is another piece or chunk of darkness (another trial) awaiting him, so in this way, the person will not be able to do the good deeds that he desired.

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Selling One’s Faith

In these times of Fitan, a person will sell his Deen for the sake of Dunya. Layers upon layers of darkness will engulf a persons heart to such an extent that the heart will become extremely hard and completely Ghaafil (heedless and negligent of Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala). A person will find it extremely difficult to differentiate between truth and falsehood and right and wrong and this will become the reason for his wretchedness and pitiable condition.

(1) One will have Imaan in the morning but he will sell his Imaan in lieu of a few coins (worldly gain). (2) One will regard the usurping of his brothers rights and wealth as Halaal (permissible). (3) One will regard the prohibition of Riba (interest) to be Halaal and will not be bothered about the command of Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala.

When occurrences like these become prevalent, then, a person will not be able to safeguard his Deen and will release his Imaan. This is what Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam refers to as : “A person will be a Believer in the morning and a disbeliever by the evening” …

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Fastabiqul Khayraat ~ Competing in Goodness

Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala (the Most Kind and the Most Merciful) mentions, selected verses in the Quraan Shareef regarding Fastabiqul Khayraat  فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ   which motivate and encourage the Believers to race each other in all things that are good and full of reward  :

فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ
So race to [all that is] good. ~ Surah Al Baqarah 2:148

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
Hasten towards the forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous ~ Surah Al Imraan 3:133

أُولَٰئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ
It is those who hasten to good deeds, and they outstrip [others] therein ~ Surah Al Mu’minun 23:61

When Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala says “Hasten towards good deeds”, the person will actually be ‘responding to the call of Allah‘ and in return, Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala will grant the person the Taufeeq (ability) of doing more and more praiseworthy deeds and this will be a Daleel (proof) of his strong Imaan.

The moment Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala grants a person the Taufeeq (ability) to perform A’maal e Sawlihah (righteous deeds), then one must inculcate Istiqaamat (be steadfast) on the deed, and safeguard oneself from the ever increasing and intensifying Fitan. The fruits of hastening towards A’maal e Sawlihah (righteous deeds), is that Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala will become the Beloved of this person and will open and pave the way towards Jannah.

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How Does A Person Hasten Towards Good Deeds?

(1) Aquire knowledge regarding the virtues of good deeds

Ulema explain, that to create within oneself the Shawq (the desire and yearning) to perform A’maal e Sawlihah (righteous deeds), one should acquire knowledge regarding the significance and virtues of the different good deeds (eg : nafl salaah, zikrullah, nafl fasts, giving sadaqah). When one reads the virtues of these good deeds and when the desire is created, then do not delay and immediately plunge into that righteous deed and perform it!

Nafs and Shaytaan have different ways of luring and enticing a person, deceiving him, ie : by causing him to delay and not perform the good deed. A person who is aware of the virtues of Tahajjud Salaah, may wake up at night and have the desire to perform this noble act. However, Nafs and Shaytaan will play games with one’s mind and tell a person, “it’s a bit cold”, “read later”, “lie down for a little while”, “ there’s still time before Fajr”… No! This is the time when a person should make Mubadara (make an initiative and rush towards the good deed).

(2) Giving Da’wah (invite others) towards good deeds

A Believer ought to invite others towards good A’maal (actions). The more a person propagates, teaches and spreads meritorious deeds, then Allah Ta’ala will also accord this person the Taufeeq of doing those A’maal.

(3) Make Dua to Allah Ta’ala

Dua is the weapon of the Believer. Make Dua to Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala with your intentions of performing these good deeds and seek refuge in Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala from all Fitan (trials, tribulations, suffering, calamities, punishment, difficulties, sins, tests).

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