TRULY THE GREATEST HELP
TRULY THE GREATEST HELP
'Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with)Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.' (Al-Quran, S. Al-Ahzab; s. 33, v. 21)
O slaves of Allah! Do you look forward to the meeting with Allah? Do you have faith and hope in the Last Day? Do you remember Allah much?
If your answer to any one of those questions is a 'yes', then by all means, heed the reminder of this above-quoted verse!
How is it that so many people world-wide claim that they hold a deep and strong love for our beloved prophet(SAAW) and yet they choose others from past and present to imitate their practices and speech?
The most obvious and strongest way to prove your love of someone or something is imitation.
We have been told by our beloved prophet(SAAW) that we will be raised up among those whom we loved in this life.
It is said in the Quran: 'Say (O Mohammed,SAAW, to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.'' (s. 3, v. 31)
Who do you wish to raised up with, or among whose company? Do you truly wish to be raised and finally situated among our beloved prophet(SAAW) and his beloved companions(ARA)?
If so, then it has become truly important and incumbent upon you to study for yourself from the works left to us by renowned scholars of the lives of these important personalities.
And then, once you have learned the important lessons from their lives, then apply it step by step into your daily lives yourselves. Hence, imitating the life and practices of our beloved prophet(SAAW).
Have you come across some difficulties or obstacles in your life? Have you had disappointments or times of sadness and despair?
Surely, do not despair of the mercy and blessings of Allah. And never become ungrateful to Him of the endless blessings that He has bestowed upon each and every one of us, regardless of any hard times or trials and tribulations that may befall us from time to time.
Rather, gain strength and fortitude and inspiration from the reminder that even in the face of trials, there is still great blessing to be found and gained.
To prove this point, let us take a look at some of the revelations of the prophet's(SAAW) sayings from the many various ahadith on this matter:
Narrated Abu Hurairah(ARA): Allah's Messenger(SAAW) said, 'A Muslim, male or female, continues to remain under trial in respect of his life, property and offspring till he or she faces Allah the Exalted, in a state that he or she has no sin on his or her record.' (At-Tirmidhi)(Riyadh-As-Saliheen, v. 1, p. 70, #49)
*We come to know from this hadith, that Muslims are special targets of trials, but a redeeming feature of these trials is that Muslim's sins are pardoned through them provided they remain firm in their faith and patience.
And:
Narrated Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurairah(ARA): The Prophet(SAAW) said, 'Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, and illness, and anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn that his sins are not expiated for him.' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)(Riyadh-As-Saliheen, v. 1, p. 60, #37)
*This hadith mentions the special grace and mercy of Allah for the Muslims. It relates how Allah turns the hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim into a means of expiation for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. However, if he starts weeping and wailing instead of showing patience then beside suffering hardships, he would be deprived the reward which lies in bearing them patiently. Thus, he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also.
Two very important reminders for all to remember concerning adversity or calamity (or in more simple lay terms: 'bad times'):
1. Our life on this earth is a series of ongoing tests. These tests act like a sieve to 'weed out' the true believers from the hypocrites. And these tests are a means by which Allah(SWT) helps us to strengthen our faith.
2. Regardless of what we may be going through, others have had to pass through similar and perhaps tougher tests than what we ourselves are having to endure. Therefore, we are not alone in the experience nor are we alone in our pain.
We have been told in the Quran:
'O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.' (s. 2, v. 153)
The prophet(SAAW) was well-known to have not only close and strong affiliation to Allah, but he(SAAW) was also well known for his strong love of the prayer and high tendency towards the prayer, particularly in times of adversity and calamity.
He(SAAW) would often turn to Bilal in times of adversity or when feeling strong waves of sadness or depression, urging him to make the call to the prayer. Simply because he found such solace and peace and tranquility in the prayer. A virtual escape, and eventual solution to, the problems conflicting and confronting him of the moment.
O, my dear brethren, remember that Satan is the greatest tempter and the reason of much of our feelings of discord and jealousy and discontent in this life. So when you have any of those feelings coming on, then proceed towards the prayer, imitating the practice of our beloved prophet(SAAW).
Even if it is not time for one of the prescribed prayers, then make your intention for a voluntary prayer. And, as has been established as dependable tradition, the first step towards the prayer is the intention, then the cleansing with water (wudhu).
This is a most important aspect towards conquering or defeating Satan and his whisperings.
Remember that Satan was created from fire. And the most effective element in extinguishing the fire is water!
So, once you have performed the ceremonial cleansing itself, you have made the best step towards defeating Satan this time.
Also very important to remember-none of us can conquer Satan on our own. We need Allah's help and strength to do so. So seek Allah's protection always, by saying: 'Aoudhubillahi minash-shaytaanir-rajim' (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed!)
Take the fullest advantage of this prayer as you seek to strengthen yourself through patient perseverance and prayer. Take the time to recite verses from which you can receive higher and more meaningful inspiration. Contemplate on those verses as you recite.
Take full advantage of the position and action of the sajda (prostration). The Prophet(SAAW) has so wisely told us that the time or position in which we are closest to the Creator is while we are in the state of the sajda (prostration). Hence, he(SAAW) advised us to increase the supplication (dua) at this stage.
While in this position cry your heart out to Allah! Bring your complaints and desires and wishes to the surface! Turn your life and you rproblems over to Allah!
Glory be to Him! He knows all, and sees all! He knows that which is in the deepest part of your inner souls!!
Surely, He knows all of our problems and wishes and desires without us having to admit them.
But, as I have stated before-this worldly life is nothing more than an ongoing test. This world is the testing ground by which the hypocrites are weeded out from among the true believers. And it is the worldly experience which serves as a method of strengthening for the true believers.
Allah(SWT) has given us the guidance and criterion by which to improve ourselves and find the path back to Him. Will we take it?
He knows our innermost desires and needs. Yet He(SWT) wisely refrains from granting us everything till we make the move to humble ourselves and come to Him.
In that is a great lesson to be learned. Will we humble ourselves to ask of Him? Will we be thankful of all the blessings He has bestowed upon us? Will we seek the path that leads toward Him and eternal salvation and utter undisturbed peace and happiness?
Or will we be distracted by the fleeting and momentary distractions of the pastimes of this worldly life?
O, my dear brothers and sisters-take heed, and find true peace and solace for your lives. Not only for this worldly life, but more importantly for the Eternity!
Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer!!
'Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with)Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much.' (Al-Quran, S. Al-Ahzab; s. 33, v. 21)
O slaves of Allah! Do you look forward to the meeting with Allah? Do you have faith and hope in the Last Day? Do you remember Allah much?
If your answer to any one of those questions is a 'yes', then by all means, heed the reminder of this above-quoted verse!
How is it that so many people world-wide claim that they hold a deep and strong love for our beloved prophet(SAAW) and yet they choose others from past and present to imitate their practices and speech?
The most obvious and strongest way to prove your love of someone or something is imitation.
We have been told by our beloved prophet(SAAW) that we will be raised up among those whom we loved in this life.
It is said in the Quran: 'Say (O Mohammed,SAAW, to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.'' (s. 3, v. 31)
Who do you wish to raised up with, or among whose company? Do you truly wish to be raised and finally situated among our beloved prophet(SAAW) and his beloved companions(ARA)?
If so, then it has become truly important and incumbent upon you to study for yourself from the works left to us by renowned scholars of the lives of these important personalities.
And then, once you have learned the important lessons from their lives, then apply it step by step into your daily lives yourselves. Hence, imitating the life and practices of our beloved prophet(SAAW).
Have you come across some difficulties or obstacles in your life? Have you had disappointments or times of sadness and despair?
Surely, do not despair of the mercy and blessings of Allah. And never become ungrateful to Him of the endless blessings that He has bestowed upon each and every one of us, regardless of any hard times or trials and tribulations that may befall us from time to time.
Rather, gain strength and fortitude and inspiration from the reminder that even in the face of trials, there is still great blessing to be found and gained.
To prove this point, let us take a look at some of the revelations of the prophet's(SAAW) sayings from the many various ahadith on this matter:
Narrated Abu Hurairah(ARA): Allah's Messenger(SAAW) said, 'A Muslim, male or female, continues to remain under trial in respect of his life, property and offspring till he or she faces Allah the Exalted, in a state that he or she has no sin on his or her record.' (At-Tirmidhi)(Riyadh-As-Saliheen, v. 1, p. 70, #49)
*We come to know from this hadith, that Muslims are special targets of trials, but a redeeming feature of these trials is that Muslim's sins are pardoned through them provided they remain firm in their faith and patience.
And:
Narrated Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurairah(ARA): The Prophet(SAAW) said, 'Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, and illness, and anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn that his sins are not expiated for him.' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)(Riyadh-As-Saliheen, v. 1, p. 60, #37)
*This hadith mentions the special grace and mercy of Allah for the Muslims. It relates how Allah turns the hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim into a means of expiation for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. However, if he starts weeping and wailing instead of showing patience then beside suffering hardships, he would be deprived the reward which lies in bearing them patiently. Thus, he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also.
Two very important reminders for all to remember concerning adversity or calamity (or in more simple lay terms: 'bad times'):
1. Our life on this earth is a series of ongoing tests. These tests act like a sieve to 'weed out' the true believers from the hypocrites. And these tests are a means by which Allah(SWT) helps us to strengthen our faith.
2. Regardless of what we may be going through, others have had to pass through similar and perhaps tougher tests than what we ourselves are having to endure. Therefore, we are not alone in the experience nor are we alone in our pain.
We have been told in the Quran:
'O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.' (s. 2, v. 153)
The prophet(SAAW) was well-known to have not only close and strong affiliation to Allah, but he(SAAW) was also well known for his strong love of the prayer and high tendency towards the prayer, particularly in times of adversity and calamity.
He(SAAW) would often turn to Bilal in times of adversity or when feeling strong waves of sadness or depression, urging him to make the call to the prayer. Simply because he found such solace and peace and tranquility in the prayer. A virtual escape, and eventual solution to, the problems conflicting and confronting him of the moment.
O, my dear brethren, remember that Satan is the greatest tempter and the reason of much of our feelings of discord and jealousy and discontent in this life. So when you have any of those feelings coming on, then proceed towards the prayer, imitating the practice of our beloved prophet(SAAW).
Even if it is not time for one of the prescribed prayers, then make your intention for a voluntary prayer. And, as has been established as dependable tradition, the first step towards the prayer is the intention, then the cleansing with water (wudhu).
This is a most important aspect towards conquering or defeating Satan and his whisperings.
Remember that Satan was created from fire. And the most effective element in extinguishing the fire is water!
So, once you have performed the ceremonial cleansing itself, you have made the best step towards defeating Satan this time.
Also very important to remember-none of us can conquer Satan on our own. We need Allah's help and strength to do so. So seek Allah's protection always, by saying: 'Aoudhubillahi minash-shaytaanir-rajim' (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed!)
Take the fullest advantage of this prayer as you seek to strengthen yourself through patient perseverance and prayer. Take the time to recite verses from which you can receive higher and more meaningful inspiration. Contemplate on those verses as you recite.
Take full advantage of the position and action of the sajda (prostration). The Prophet(SAAW) has so wisely told us that the time or position in which we are closest to the Creator is while we are in the state of the sajda (prostration). Hence, he(SAAW) advised us to increase the supplication (dua) at this stage.
While in this position cry your heart out to Allah! Bring your complaints and desires and wishes to the surface! Turn your life and you rproblems over to Allah!
Glory be to Him! He knows all, and sees all! He knows that which is in the deepest part of your inner souls!!
Surely, He knows all of our problems and wishes and desires without us having to admit them.
But, as I have stated before-this worldly life is nothing more than an ongoing test. This world is the testing ground by which the hypocrites are weeded out from among the true believers. And it is the worldly experience which serves as a method of strengthening for the true believers.
Allah(SWT) has given us the guidance and criterion by which to improve ourselves and find the path back to Him. Will we take it?
He knows our innermost desires and needs. Yet He(SWT) wisely refrains from granting us everything till we make the move to humble ourselves and come to Him.
In that is a great lesson to be learned. Will we humble ourselves to ask of Him? Will we be thankful of all the blessings He has bestowed upon us? Will we seek the path that leads toward Him and eternal salvation and utter undisturbed peace and happiness?
Or will we be distracted by the fleeting and momentary distractions of the pastimes of this worldly life?
O, my dear brothers and sisters-take heed, and find true peace and solace for your lives. Not only for this worldly life, but more importantly for the Eternity!
Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer!!
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