Commentary ~ The Silent Charity

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Muhammad bin ‘Isa related that a young man would often go to Abdullah bin Mubarak; he studied under him, carried out certain errands for him, and would listen to him relate Hadith narrations. One day, Abdullah went to the city where the young man was living, and when he didn’t find him he asked after him. He was told that the young man was imprisoned for a loan that he could not repay. Abdullah said, “And how much does he owe?” He was told that the young man owed 10000 dirhams. Abdullah searched out the creditor, and when he found him, he gave him 10000 dirhams, but he made the man take an oath that he wouldn’t inform anyone as long as he (i.e. Abdullah) was alive that he gave him the money.

When the young man was released from prison, it was said to him, “Abdullah bin Mubarak was here and was asking after you, but he has already left.” The young man hurried off in search for him and when he found him, Abdullah asked, “Young man, where were you? I could not find you.” He said, “Yes, I was imprisoned because of a debt that I could not pay.” He said, “Then how were you released?” He said, “A man came and paid my debt for me, yet I do not know who he is.” Abdullah said, “Young man, praise Allah for the blessing of having your debt repaid.” And the creditor never informed anyone of what really happened until after Abdullah died.

It has been related that Abu Jafar Ak-Hadhdha said, “I heard Ibn Uyainah say: If your inner reality is the same as your outward appearance and deeds, that that is uprightness; if your inner reality is better than your outward appearance, then that is superiority; and if your outward appearance is better than your inner reality, then that is wrongdoing.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 109

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Hadith ~ Whoever loves meeting with Allah (The Exalted)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Musa (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Whoever loves meeting with Allah (The Exalted), Allah too, loves meeting with him; and whoever hates meeting with Allah, Allah too hates meeting with him.” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapiter 342, Page 1213, Number 1088

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Ayaat 12-19 ~ Luqman

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Listen to Recitation

12. And indeed We bestowed upon Luqmân Al­Hikmah (wisdom and religious understanding, etc.) saying: “Give thanks to Allâh,” and whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for (the good of) his ownself. And whoever is unthankful, then verily, Allâh is All­Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.

13. And (remember) when Luqmân said to his son when he was advising him: “O my son! Join not in worship others with Allâh. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allâh is a great Zûlm (wrong) indeed.

14. And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.

15. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

16. “O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allâh will bring it forth. Verily, Allâh is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well­Aware (of its place).

17. “O my son! Aqim­is­Salât (perform As­Salât), enjoin (people) for Al­Ma’rûf (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al­Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befall you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments ordered by Allâh with no exemption.

18. “And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not each arrogant boaster.

19. “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass.”

Sura 31. Luqman

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Commentary ~ The Virtues of seeking Forgiveness from Allah

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Three men came to Husain bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). The first complained about a paucity of rain, and Husain answered, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” The second complained of being barren and not having children. Husain said, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” The third man complained about arid conditions and a lack of fertile soil, and Husain said, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” Those seated with him said, “O son (i.e. grandson) of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection): each one of these three had a different complaint, yet you gave them the same answer.” He asked them whether they had not read the Verse of Allah (the Exalted):

“…Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” (Quran 71:10-12)

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 133

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Hadith ~ Hanzala has committed hypocrisy Abu-Bakr!

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Hanzala Al-Osayyidi (may Allah be pleased with him), who was one of the scribes of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection), said that he passed by Abu-Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) weeping. Abu-Bakr said to him: “What is wrong with you Hanzala!” Hanzala said: “Hanzala has committed hypocrisy Abu-Bakr! When we are with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) he reminds us of Paradise and Hellfire, as if we see them with our own eyes, but when we return to our wives and possessions we forget much.” Abu-Bakr said: “By Allah, we suffer the same. So, let us go to the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). We went to the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). When he saw us he said: “What is wrong with you Hanzala!” Hanzala said: “Hanzala has committed hypocrisy Messenger of Allah! When we are with you Messenger of Allah, you remind us of Paradise and Hellfire, and it is as if we see them with our own eyes, but when we return to our wives and possessions we forget much.” Hanzala said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Had you clung to the state you leave me, the angels would shake hands with you in your seats, pathways, and on your beds. But Hanzala! One should fulfill his obligations (to give the due rights of Allah to Him, etc.)” (At-Termizi)

Moslem’s Version (the rest of the hadith is similar but not identical to Termizi’s version but finishes like this): But Hanzala! One hour for the Hereafter, and one hour for the things of this world (and he repeated this three times) (Moslem)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Termizi Version:
Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapiter 14, Page 232, Number 113

Moslem’s Version:
Riyad as-Salihin
of Imam Mohieddine Annawawi 631 – 676
Translation and commentary by Dr Salaheddine Keshrid (Tunisia)
Editor: Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami
Chapiter 14, Page 65, Number 151

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Ayaat 1-13 ~ Al-Ankabut (The Spider)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Listen to Recitation

1. Alif ­Lâm­ Mîm.

2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.

3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test).

4. Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!

5. Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allâh, then Allâh’s Term is surely coming. and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

6. And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allâh is free of all wants from the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).

7. Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad, and do not apostate because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.

8. And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

9. And for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and other items of Faith) and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall make them enter in (the enterance of) the righteous (i.e. in Paradise).

10. Of mankind are some who say: “We believe in Allâh,” but if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allâh, they consider the trial of mankind as Allâh’s punishment, and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: “Verily! We were with you (helping you).” Is not Allâh Best Aware of what is in the breast of the ‘Alamîn (mankind and jinns).

11. Verily, Allâh knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allâh will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test)].

12. And those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Follow our way and we will verily bear your sins,” never will they bear anything of their sins. Surely, they are liars.

13. And verily, they shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own, and verily, they shall be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about that which they used to fabricate.

Sura 29. Al-Ankabut (The Spider)

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Commentary ~ Do not scold the One Who asks of You

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

A story has been related about a man who one day sat with his wife to eat barbecued chicken. A beggar then knocked on the door, and when the man went to answer it, he scolded the beggar and drove him away. It was the Will of Allah that afterwards that same man should become poor and should be bereft of all material possessions; because of his poverty, he had to divorce his wife. She married another man, and one day she was sitting with him to eat a barbecued chicken, when someone knocked on the door. The man said to his wife, “Give this chicken to the man at the door.” When she opened it, she was shocked to realize that it was her first husband. She gave him the chicken and returned, crying. Her husband asked her what was the matter, and she informed him that the man at the door was her previous husband. She then told him about the story of the beggar that her previous husband had scolded and sent away, and her husband said, “By Allah, I was that beggar.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 117

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