Seekerspath

Scholar’s Scribe 2010 – Report

Seekerspath — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:35:45 +0000

Scholar’s Scribe 2010 – Report.

Bringing Barakah Into One’s Wealth and Life

Seekerspath — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:47:07 +0000

There are things that one can do to increase the barakah of one’s wealth. First, we need to understand the meaning of barakah, then look at ways to increase it, and end with some advice on the role of wealth in one’s life.

What is Barakah?

Barakah is a term that means an “increase” and “growth”- and also, happiness. It is the establishment of divine goodness in something; from whence it exudes cannot be sensed by people, nor can it be outwardly quantified, nor is it limited by anything, but rather, something with barakah in it is called mubaarak, and has an unexplainable increase and benefit in it from Allah. [al-Isfahani, Mufradaat al-Qur’an]

Having more barakah in one’s wealth does not mean the dollar amount increases- rather, that the benefits seen from that limited amount increase, reach further and last longer.

Barakah in anything, especially wealth, which is a part of one’s destined sustenance from Allah Most High, can increase and decrease depending on the good and bad actions one does.

The Means of Brining Barakah Into One’s Wealth- and Life

There are many, many different means we can take to bring barakah into our wealth, and indeed, into every aspect of our lives. The most important thing to remember is that these are only means – worldly causes that we put forth with our human efforts- but the One who gives wealth and bestows blessings in the first place is Allah Most High.

Hence, these actions are not mathematical formulae for automatic increase. One must keep Allah at the forefront of one’s seeking in this world, and make pleasing and reaching Him the ultimate goal, rather than the increase of wealth. Amongst the things that one can do are:

1. Earn a lawful (Halal) and wholesome income: Ensure that your line of work does not contravene the Sacred Law and that your wealth is lawful. This not only includes what work you do, but who you work for and their source of income as well. Ensure that your work is ethical and moral.

2. Work with excellence, loyalty and honesty: Do not take a single penny except that you duly deserve it. Do not squander the time and resources that you employer is paying for. Be loyal and honest at work. Nothing reduces barakah like cheating or deception in a sale, or unethical practices like bribes. [al-Razi, Mafatih al-Ghaib]

3. Make a good intention for Allah’s sake: purify your intention to earn for Allah’s sake, to provide for your family, to not have to borrow and ask from others, and to do works of good for others.

4. Avoid interest in all its forms, as much as possible. This includes taking it, or paying it out. If you must pay it due to a debt, work as hard as possible to pay it off in a short time then resolve not to enter into it again.

5. Give thanks for what you have been given: Allah Most High says in the Qur’an, “And if you all give thanks [to Me, for what I have bestowed on you], I shall surely increase you.” [al-Qur’an 14:7] Thank Allah with your tongue, your heart, by using His blessings for good purposes, and by obeying and worshipping Him. [al-Alusi, Ruh al-Ma’ani]

6. Give in charity, both yourself and your wife: this includes the obligatory charities (Zakat, Sadaqatul Fitr and the Qurbani for those with sufficient wealth), but also optional charity to good causes. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Charity does not reduce wealth.” [Muslim, Sahih] The physical amount outwardly decreases, but the remaining amount attracts barakah so that the actual benefit from it is not less. [al-Nawawi, Sharh Muslim]

7. Be God-conscious and increase in piety: Allah Most High says, “Whosoever is conscious of Allah, He makes for them a way out [of any difficulty] and provides for them sustenance from whence they cannot not conceive.” [al-Qur’an, 65:2-3]

8. Place your full trust in Allah Most High: Know that Allah is providing for you and sustaining you at each moment. Do not worry constantly and have fear- this is from the Shayton, who tries to instill fear of poverty, while Allah offers bounties [al-Quran 2:268]. Allah Most High says, “…and whosoever puts their full reliance on Allah, then He is sufficient for them.” [al-Quran, 65:3]

9. Establish prayer (al-salah) in your home: work to establish the obligatory prayers amongst your family, and encourage extra optional (nafl) prayers as well. [al-Biqa’i, Tafsir]

10. Read Qur’an in the home: the reading of Surah al-Waqi’ah is known to prevent poverty in a house. It is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Indeed, the house in which the Qur’an is recited- the goodness [in it] increases…” and in another version, “things are made easier for its family.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafsir]

11. Be generous and give gifts: this means giving people around you things that they love, from the things that you love. Start with your immediate family, and relatives, and neighbors. Become more generous and open-handed, and try to fight the urge to be stingy.

12. Be obedient, dutiful and respectful to your parents: this is a means of increase in one’s lifespan and sustenance. [al-Sha’rani, Lawaqih al-Anwar al-Qudsiyya]

13. Keep up family ties and do good to relatives: it is mentioned that the barakah comes in the act of enjoining family relations only when it is combined with piety and God-fearingness [Ibn Hibban, Sahih]

14. Do not lie or say false oaths [Ibn Hajr, Fath al-Bari]

15. Give a little more than what you owe people when selling or paying someone [al-Munawi, Sharh Fayd al Qadeer]

16. Try to work starting in the early part of the day: Preferably, try do become productive after Fajr and do not sleep through the early part of the day. Try to work in mornings, as the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed, “Oh Allah, give barakah to my Ummah in their early-morning work.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]

17. Eat together: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “…Gather together to eat your food, and say Allah’s name over it (bismillah) and you will be blessed in it,” [Abu Dawud, Sunan] and “Eat together, all of you, and do not separate individually, because the barakah is in the group.” [Ibn Majah, Sunan]

18. Invite the pious to eat from your food: the Prophet (peace be upon him) made dua’ for his host that pious people eat from his food, as it attracts barakah. It also promotes good company that changes the atmosphere of the home. [al-Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Kubra]

19. Ask Allah’s forgiveness often in your home and elsewhere through saying “astaghferallah”. [al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al Imaan]

20. Be easy-going, of kind nature, and forgiving to others: this includes from your spouse and family, to even those who do you wrong. This should spur you to heal relations with anyone you or your family may have a rift with. [al-Munawi, Fayd al-Qadeer]

21. Do not be wasteful and extravagant, nor overly-attached to worldly things: this includes finishing all of one’s food and living in moderation. [ibid]

22. Finally, ask Allah Most High to bless you with wealth: when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked to pray for young Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), the first thing he prayed for was wealth, amongst others things [Bukhari]. Ask Allah to put the wealth in your hand, and not in your heart.

There are countless more ways to attract barakah into one’s life and earnings, mentioned in the vast Islamic primary sources as well as the wisdom of the scholars and righteous. We will suffice with what has been mentioned above.

The Reality of Financial Difficulties

When a Muslim’s finances are tight, this is a test from Allah Most High. It is a mercy in disguise because through something as worldly as wealth, Allah causes us to turn towards Him in earnestness. It teaches us patience and contentment, and results in forgiveness of sins and reliance on Allah.

However, the general rule of thumb to attract blessings is always the same. When we attach our hearts to Allah Most High and submit to Him completely, and make Him our sole goal and purpose and not the blessings, then the barakah will enter our lives from all sides without us having to worry about it.

Frequently Remember Death

Seekerspath — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:20:16 +0000

“Remember death frequently. Do not avoid its remembrance, for it is a means of helping one in abstaining from sins and preparing for the Hereafter. Those people who remember death and prepare for it have been termed ‘clever and intelligent’ by Rasūlullāh sallalahu alayhi wasallam.”

Courtesy of In Shaykh’s Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

Helpful Organizational Tools for Muslims

Seekerspath — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:24:06 +0000

Helpful Organizational Tools for Muslims This brief post is intended to highlight organizational tools that may be helpful to Muslims on a practical level. These tools are simple aids but they can do a lot to keep track of one’s deeds (muhasaba) and in seeing one’s progress there is immense motivation to continue and to challenge oneself. Let’s get started… Daily Goals and Tasks This Monthly Tracker is helpful for students in keeping track of lessons, reviewing notes, persona struggles, health and fitness goals and other tasks that are repeated on a daily basis. You can download it here, fill in your daily repeated tasks and simply check them off for each day. Try focusing on goals such as praying on time, performing sunnah and nafilat, eating less than usual, safeguarding yourself from certain sins, being generous and caring with others. There is research to suggest after 21 days a repeated observance will become a habit and after 40 days it will become ingrained in one’s behavior. “Allah loves those deeds that are consistent.” (Hadith) Keeping track of Qadha (missed) Prayers At times, when Muslims become more practicing in their religious observance they may realize that they have old prayers to make up that they used to miss at one point in time. This Qadha chart is helpful in keeping track of 1 years worth of 5 daily prayers. This may seem daunting but if one sticks to a schedule they can make short work of this. Please see our answers section if you have any questions regarding the fiqh. Planning for the Moods of Friends and Family It can be hard to understand how people work but its important to try our utmost to accommodate people through adab, akhlaq and give them 70 excuses if we find any fault in their behavior. This Mood Planner can help you keep track of what affects the moods of your friends and loved ones and how to cheer them up. One can keep track of sensitivities, likes and dislikes, past experiences, and plan based on their personal idiosyncrasies. “The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him…” [Tabarāni] Keeping track of Worship Many people nowadays have an iPhone or a related Mac product (you may be using one now!). One great App that is worth getting is QamarDeen. Its free and it keeps track of your the quality of your prayers, charity, fasting and latest Qur’an readings. It’s a great way to assess yourself and challenge yourself to do more. “Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power. He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” (Quran, 67, v. 1-2)

The Signs of a Friend of Allāh ta’ala

Seekerspath — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:00:03 +0000

“The sign of a person having acquired the love for Allāh ta’ala is that he is perpetually grateful to Allāh ta’ala for every single bounty and patient during times of adversity.

He believes with his mind and soul and declares with his tongue that all the good that he has is nothing but bounty conferred by Allāh ta’ala without him deserving them.

On the contrary, if he is inflicted by any adversity, he accepts that this is due to his shortcomings, hence a mercy from Allāh ta’ala, for he understands that his patience during this adversity will be a means of his sins being pardoned.”

Courtesy of In Shaykh’s Company: a blog maintained by the students of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullah www.shaykh.org

Money Life : Why do We Get Into Debt?

Seekerspath — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 15:57:01 +0000

By Navin Siddiqui, undebtme.com

Asalaamu Alaikum WaRahmatullah.

The state of being in debt has become a common state for people today. Something that is so incremental can not exist without reasons and causes. Knowing the cause of something makes it easier to fix or prevent. Some such causes for debt are:

1) Emergencies : I will not start off assuming that people are in debt unnecessarily. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for which one needs to borrow money with the sincere intention of paying it back. An illness, loss of a roof, lack of food, and many other reasons are understandable for borrowing money. However, having borrowed the money technically puts a person into debt, but if the need is dire and the intent to pay is sincere then there is a higher chance of getting out of it sooner, Allahu Alam.

2) Instant Gratification: We live in a world that is fast, digital and instant. Everything is available right away and we are happy instantly. Based on this need, credit has played a huge role. One swipe of plastic and something you don’t have money for is in your hands to take home. This gives birth to a whole host of issues, in addition to debt, like impatience, over-spending and the inability to appreciate the work and time required to obtain something.

3) Impressing others: Jealousy, greed, showing off, pride… there are a lot of diseases at work for this one. The need to show others up, or have the better, latest, greatest and more expensive is unnecessary and damaging.

4) Needing the latest and greatest: It’s good to have interests, but if they require a person to always upgrade to the next, best, latest and greatest version, then its an expense that is neither necessary nor important. Too much indulgence in any hobby can cause a person to spend more money than intended.

5) Lack of Knowledge and support: Without the proper tools and knowledge on how to manage money, and the right support system to keep you on track, it is very easy to lose control of one’s spending. This has to do with the ease with which we can attain money that is not ours. One of biggest ways to get into debt is to not obtain the right knowledge and tools to manage debt on a daily, monthly and yearly basis.

May Allah Subhana waTa’ala guide us to the knowledge that allows us to manage our money and spending in ways that please Him Subhana waTa’ala… Ameen.

Wasalaamu Alaikum WaRahmatullah.

http://successmuslim.com/

A Glorious Call to Prayer

Seekerspath — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 22:44:54 +0000

We may hear this call 5 times a day, but have you ever genuinely listened to the adhan? Have you ever felt it as a call from Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, addressed to you specially as a Muslim? Indeed it is calling us to the noblest of worship, our salah, which brings barakah into our lives. This article will examine how the adhan holds wisdom and many keys to productivity that we may have overlooked.

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater/Greatest)

In His Call, Allah is telling you that He (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is Greater than your work, your problems, and whatever else you’re preoccupied with. It is a reminder to leave what you’re doing and come worship your Lord. Let’s say your boss at work called you – would you say: “Wait, I will come when I finish later” or would you get up and respond immediately by going to his/her office? What about your Lord? And to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) belongs the highest example. Allah is calling us to success, to fulfill our life’s purpose of worshipping Him – so why then do we choose the insignificant dunya matters whilst the success lies in truly in salah?

Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill Allah (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped there is no other deity except Allah)_

Do you know what will happen if the shahadah are your last words before you die? You will get Jannah bi’ithnillah! The shahadah is really a gift, it is the statement that will eventually qualify us to leave the Hell Fire bi’ithnillah. When you genuinely and sincerely say this and undersand it, you realize Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is the Disposer of your affairs, your Master, your Lord, the One whom we should obey and please.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammad rasulAllah (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

Think of the blessing of recognizing and following Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He (sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is our teacher and highest example, a manifestation of The Qur’an and beautiful characteristics. Witnessing that Muhammad (sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is Allah’s Messenger includes obeying his orders, following his Sunnah, and striving to emulate his manners as best we can.

Hayya ‘ala as-salah Hayya ala as-salah (Come to prayer)

Do you do it? Do you live on prayers? Is prayer what charges your energy? Is it what gives you motive to go on? If not you have to stop and think. Prayer is a link to your Creator. When you pray, you are communicating with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. Prayer is a great gift, a privilege. Taste the coolness of prayer, the sweetness of sujood.

Hayya ala al-fallah Hayya ala al-fallah (Come to Success)

Prayer is success, Islam is success. The key to Jannah is emaan and righteous deeds, and salaah embodies both of these. Those who pray are successful in this life and the next. If our prayers are in good order on the Day of Judgment, the rest that will follow will also be in good order bi’ithnillah. This is how important prayer is, salaat is the way to success.

The Sunnah of Repeating after the Adhan

It’s a sunnah to re-say the azan and to say the duaa’ (can be found in the Fortress of a Muslim supplication book or online).

When we pray for peace upon the Prophet (sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), our salaams are conveyed to him and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) also grants us blessings.

So the next time we hear adhan in its glorious call, let’s listen, reflect and act in response to it.

To join an e-mail series on how to improve and cherish your prayer, sign up by emailing: zaki…@believerspath.com

About the Author:

Maha Samir is an undergraduate student the Faculty of Engineering, Computer Department, at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. Maha generally spends her time studying, playing squash, working on projects related to Resala (a charity organization) to help local children. Her goal is to raise Muslim kids in an Islamic way, to be a role model for the revival of the ummah.

http://www.productivemuslim.com/

Abu Ali Al-Rudhabari[313 A.H]: An Example of Those Who Are Pleased With Allahs Decree

Seekerspath — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:14:40 +0000

Ustadh Abdus Shakur Brooks, SeekersGuidance instructor

The Imam Al-Muhasabi [234 A.H, Baghdad] in his Al-Risalah Al-Mustarshideen said:

” Know that you have not tasted the sweetness of Iman until you believe in the the qadr [of Allah] completely; its good and its bad”

Abdul Fattah Abu Guddah mentions in his footnotes on this famous work that Abu Ali Al-Rudhabari [313 A.H] who was one of the earlier Salaf Imams in Tassawuf, was thrown in a lion’s pit because he gave advice to the ruler of Egypt Ibn Tuloon . When placed in the pit the lion sniffed around him but did not harm him. When he was asked what his heart was thinking about when the lion was sniffing around him, He replied:

“I was thinking about the difference of opinion between the scholars concerning the saliva of carnivores [regarding whether or not it was an impurity or not].”

This shows you the level of certainty of those whose heart are really attached to Allah. He was certain that whatever Allah does not decree to harm him will not harm him, and what Allah decrees to harm him with can not be avoided. His heart was entirely content with Allah’s decree so much that he was thinking about the application of a fiqh issue pertaining to his situation rather than fear of creation.

Sin is Poison

Seekerspath — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:17:45 +0000

“Everyone has the understanding to differentiate between right and wrong. Those people who get involved in drugs too, understand it is wrong, but when taking it for the first time think, ‘I will take it only once.’ Thereafter, this ‘only once’ continues with this belief that ‘I am in total control’ and that ‘I will give it up whenever I desire to.’

This is but a delusion. They find afterwards that they have been devoured by the habit, and are annihilated (physically, mentally and spiritually) by what becomes a heinous addiction. This is the case with all sins. They start off with the theme ‘only once’ and then continue till it leads to an addiction that destroys them completely.

Therefore, in regards to sins we must keep in mind: Sin is poison and poison is poison; sooner or later it will destroy you.

In future, make sure that you resist the very first temptation so that you do not end up sinking into the quicksand of sin.”

www.shaykh.org

One Principle Only

Seekerspath — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:16:32 +0000

“Racism did not exist between the Companions of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, for they all believed in the principle that the most honourable from amongst them was the one with the most taqwaa.”