Why don't we care?

Haiti is rocked with massive quake...amassing the life toll of 100,000 at the point. Our brothers and sisters in humanity are dying of hunger, thirst, need of medication, and basic daily supplies. What are we doing?
What did i do today to help them? Did i contribute to the aid efforts? Did i volunteer to collect the aid supplies? Or in the very least, did i pray for them?
Or my life is going on unaffected as before? Am I still concerned about my petty life issues like 'What am i going to cook today?', 'What furniture to buy for my living room?' or are we going to drop our personal concerns once and for all, for the concern of the larger society?
I understand that not all of us can actually physically do things to affect the lives of others. We are limited in our capabilities, abilities, and resources; but who really knows about our limitations? No one should define our potential except Allah SWT, because He is the one with ALL the abilities and He is the one who can use us if we really want to be used.
So, there is actually alot we can do, namely: Ask Allah to use us; donate to the maximum of our abilities; organize donation drives if we can; and last but not least, pray for our brothers and sisters in humanity.

No Pain, No Gain

What is the point of Trials and Tribulation? Why is there misery and hardship in this world? Why all the pain and suffering?

All of us have at one point or the other experienced pain; let it be a burn, broken bone, migraine, or wound. Sure it is nothing compared to what some people go through in this world like tsunami or earthquake survivors, people living in slums, or living with HIV; but its pain nonetheless.

So what is the point?
Just a little shove to wake us up from our perpetual slumber. To bring back to us the fact that we are not here in this world forever. That one day we will leave and where we go from here depends on what we are doing while we ARE here.
Misery in the world is a reminder that there are bigger problems out there than our personal petty issues. It is to remind us that we do not exist in a vacuum, away from everyone else. We cannot, as conscientious human beings, afford to live isolated, nursing our own wounds while watching everyone else around us suffer.

The purpose of all this suffering is to remind us that we are not alone. The One who sent us here is watching over us and wants to see how we will react to what He is sending our way. Are we going to whine and cry, or be grateful that at least our broken bone is not as big of a pain as someone losing their entire family to a typhoon?

A person who has never experienced pain, can not possibly be expected to comfort the one who has; thus they miss out on the very essence of humanity: empathy. The more we suffer from pain, the more we can empathize to the suffering of others. So while a human is suffering or going through trials, he or she is in fact gaining a higher humanitarian ground.

Not only that, the more we go through trials, the more we remember our Creator. The more we remember Him, the more we get closer to Him. And what is better than having God Almighty as your close companion? Remember: The affairs of a believer are wondrous. When he is in bliss, he thanks God and that is better for him; and when he is in pain, he is patient and that is better for him (Prophet Muhammad SAW)

So next time someone asks you about the suffering in the world...make sure you tell them that it is to gain us the higher ground in the eyes of God, as well as to make us better human beings.

Wings to lead you to the Almighty

Slave of God needs two wings to support him in his journey to God Almighty: A wing of hope and a wing of fear.
Just as a bird needs both its wings to be able to fly and reach its destination, humans need both aspects of hope and fear in their hearts to continue their spiritual journey to God.
Hope helps them maintain trust in the mercy of God when they commit mistakes and wrongdoings. One of the attributes of Allah is Ar-Rahman--All Merciful; He is Merciful towards His creation and keeps forgiving their shortcomings and wrongdoings as long as they keep asking His forgiveness. Prophet Muhammad SAW advised Muslims not to let death approach them except with hope in the mercy of Allah in their hearts.
At the same time, humans need fear of God in their hearts to restrain themselves from excessive or persistent wrongdoings. If a person consciously keeps committing wrongs and hopes that God will forgive him, then it is "himaqa" (foolishness)--not hope.
How to develop hope and fear of God in your heart?
Read about Allah's forgiveness; study His attributes; His love for his creation, especially Muslims and you will have no choice but to have hope and love of Allah in your heart.
At the same time read about death, punishment of the grave and description of hellfire; this will generate fear and consciousness of Allah in you, InshaAllah.

May we all develop strong, and healthy wings to lead us on in our journey to Allah. Ameen.

Reminder

"Nothing you seek relying on your Lord will ever be difficult. And nothing you seek relying on yourself will ever be easy." Ibn 'AtaAllah.

What to do in Ramadan?

Ramadan is a month that righteous Muslims wait for all year long. When Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him (PBUH) used to see the crescent of Rajab which is 2 months before Ramadan, he used to say 'Oh Allah (SWT) give us the blessing of this month and the following month and allow us to reach Ramadan.” According to another report he used to say, "Oh Allah, give us the blessings of Shabaan and gha'nimna (treasures) of Ramadan'. The word Gha'nimna in Arabic contains many meanings: it means treasure, something so precious, high, and valuable that cannot be found anywhere else. This entails God's mercy, His forgiveness, your wishes--no matter how many, or how impossible!

Rasulullah (PBUH) said, “On the day of judgment, some people will gain nothing except the hunger and thirst in Ramadan”. Fasting of the food is just an example. Fasting is to be free from temptation and desires, to gain wisdom, blessings and guidance of Allah (SWT).

Prophet (PBUH) has told us that the month of Ramadan is divided into 3 parts.

a) Mercy,

b) Forgiveness,

c) And purification from hell fire.

The first ten days is when the special mercy of Allah descends on the earth. Whoever sincerely desires His mercy and asks for it--will receive it. The next ten days is when Allah opens up doors of forgiveness for humanity. Again, whoever seeks it and sincerely asks for it will receive it. The last ten days are when Allah purifies people from hellfire and writes them among those who will enter the ultimate abode--the Jannah or paradise.

The key to receiving each is sincerely asking for it!!

Allah revealed Qur'an during this blessed month and He loves to hear His slaves recite and remember His message; hence Muslims perform the special prayers at night called 'taraweeh' where the entire Qur'an is recited over one month's time. The purpose: Reminder of the message; establishing close connection with Allah; conforming our lives according to the will of Allah SWT.

Last ten days of Ramadan hold special significance. During the last ten days Prophet SAW used to leave all worldly matters aside and retire to the masjid to stay in seclusion and devote his entire time to God. It is highly recommended and probably the best remedy for our souls. Whoever can do it, should attempt to by getting last ten days off from work as vacation time. But if one can't, then one should focus his/her heart and every moment of spare time in getting closer to God by supplications, dhikr (remembrance of God), prayers, reciting the Qur'an, and spending in the way of Allah.

One of the nights during the last ten days is called "laylat al Qadr" or "Night of Power/Majesty". During that night, special angels from Allah come down to the earth to spread His mercy, peace, and tranquility. Your prayers, devotion, worship, remembrance receives special acceptance. And if it is accepted, then it amounts to the worship of 1000 months (83.3 years). Some of us might never reach that age, so if we get acceptance of that night--it is better than our entire life time.

No one knows when that night actually is but Prophet told us to look for it during the odd nights of last ten days meaning the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. It is a treasure hidden among these five blessed nights.

How do we know if our prayers and devotion during that night, or Ramadan in general was accepted?

If Allah accepts the devotion and worship of His slaves--then that slave becomes free from the need of everyone except His Lord. Allah takes care of all his affairs; he remains happy during the most difficult situations because he experiences the power of the Most Powerful. The slave knows that Allah is the Owner of everything and if He wants to give him something, then no one can hold it back from him. And if Allah does not want him to get something, then He is most Wise and knows what is good for His slaves and what is not good for them. The person becomes more generous, easy going, humble, and closer to Allah. Last but not least, a person will always be grateful to Allah for all his bounties including food, drink, spouse, family, time, health, and ability along with million others.

When a person truly experiences fasting and devotion, he/she develops a soft heart for the needy and down trodden. They can feel the pain and hunger of others and want to share the bounties of God with others. Thus fasting also helps the person move away from selfishness and feel responsibility for others in the society.

What to do in Ramadan: Be sincere; have one face (one personality with everyone); sincerely ask Allah for guidance; mercy; forgiveness; protection from hell fire. Spend in the way of Allah--the more you spend, the more Allah will give you. Read Qur'an and contemplate on its meanings and promise God that you will try to live according to it. Ask HIM to help you be a true devoted slave.

Who knows, this might be your last Ramdan!

Today you can; tomorrow you cannot!

Provision (Rizq)

What is the concept of provision in Islam? If God Almighty provides for all living things, then how come there is hunger and starvation in the world?

We will start with one of the names of Allah SWT, Ar-Razzaq--which means 'the owner of all provision' and 'the ONLY provider'.

Allah SWT says in the Qur'an:

“There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on Allah: He knows the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: all is in a clear Record.”

Surah Hud: verse 6

“For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, - Lord of Power, - Steadfast (for ever).”

Az-Zariyat: 58

“Let the man of means spend according to His means; and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him. After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.”

At-Talaq: verse 7

“If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but He sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is with His servants Well-acquainted, Watchful.”

Ash-Shura: 27

“but the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.”

TaHa, 131

“And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out,

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”

At-Talaq: verse 2&3

“And remember Abraham said: “My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its People with fruits, - such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” He said; “(Yes), and such as reject Faith, - for a while will I grant them their pleasure, but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire, - an evil destination (indeed)!”

Al-Baqarah: 126

“But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. Say: “The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).”

Al-Jumu’ah:11

There are two kinds of Rizq (sustenance):

1. Material Rizq: (called the lower rizq) consisting of money, food, spouses, children, and so on.

2. Spiritual Rizq: (also called higher/elevated rizq) consisting of guidance, eman (faith), taqwa, generosity, comprehension, wisdom, light, cleansing of the soul, elevation in Jannah (paradise), forgiveness, and the ability to do numerous good deeds.

Now going back to the original point:

If you are rich, you are obliged for a certain percentage of your money to be paid as zakat (mandatory tax paid to poor). More so, Allah SWT opens the doors of charity whose limit is untouchable. It's almost like an open challenge. “Do you want to come closer? Spend!” And again, if you look within the pages of Qur'an you’ll find spending is always mentioned as the quality of the believer. You believe and you spend, you believe and you spend.

That was for the rich, but what about the poor? If the poor are patient with their trial of poverty, they will be allowed to enter Jannah (Paradise) before the rich. If the rich do not take care of the poor, they must go to Jahannam (hell) and the poor receive the rewards of the rich.

What's more is that, Allah puts poor people in this situation in order to examine their iman (faith), their tawakkul (their trust in Allah), and their patience. If they truly belong to Allah and are looking for jannah, they will be patient because they know that they will enter Paradise first and get the highest reward. However, if they are to fail, they will be punished in this life and the hereafter, by calamities and hardships.

At this instant, someone may ask, “what about the rich?” As for the rich, they are punished in this life as well, but a different kind of punishment. They are punished with the diseases of stinginess and blindness, to the extent that they will not even spend upon themselves until the day they die. They are trapped in a condition of misery, have no quality, no peace, and no tranquility (sakina). They have a punishment for them in this life, at the moment of death, in the grave, and on the Day of Judgment--in their postponement of being judged.

As a consequence, the whole thing has now become a trial. Everything you see is a trial and everything has its own wisdom. For the rich who are quietly watching this mess, they are responsible. As for the poor who are waiting in agony, they are also responsible. And all this is under the wisdom and vision and knowledge of Allah SWT.