MISCONCEPTION: Islam was spread by the sword and is intolerant of other faiths

The image of an Arab horseman carrying a sword in one hand and the Quran in the other conquering and forcibly converting people is how some have portrayed the spread of Islam in the world during the Middle Ages. This, though, is not a correct portrayal of history. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths. The Quran says:

"God forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for [your] faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them; for God loves those who are just.”

[Quran 60:8]

Freedom of religion is laid down in the Quran itself:

"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things."

[Quran 2:256]

The Christian scholar, T.W. Arnold had this opinion on his study of the question of the spread of Islam:

"Of any organized attempt to force the acceptance of Islam on the non-Muslim population, or of any systematic persecution intended to stamp out the Christian religion, we hear nothing. Had the caliphs chosen to adopt either course of action, they might have swept away Christianity as easily as Ferdinand and Isabella drove Islam out of Spain, or Louis XIV made Protestantism penal in France, or the Jews were kept out of England for 350 years. The Eastern Churches in Asia were entirely cut off from communion with the rest of Christiandom, throughout which no one would have been found to lift a finger on their behalf, as heretical communions. So that the very survival of these Churches to the present day is a strong proof of the generally tolerant attitude of Mohammedan* [sic] governments towards them."

*[Please note: Where it is stated "Mohammedan", the correct word is Muslim. Muhammedan is incorrect as Muhammad is neither the founder of Islam nor is he worshipped by Muslims. The religion is Islam and those that follow Islam are Muslims.]

It is a function of Islamic law to protect the privileged status of minorities, and this is why non-Muslim places of worship have flourished all over the Islamic world. History provides many examples of Muslim tolerance towards other faiths: when the Caliph Omar entered Jerusalem in the year 634 CE, Islam granted freedom of worship to all religious communities in the city. Proclaiming to the inhabitants that their lives, and property were safe, and that their places of worship would never be taken from them, he asked the Christian patriarch Sophronius to
accompany him on a visit to all the holy places. Islamic law also permits non-Muslim minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. The life and property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred whether the person is Muslim or not.

Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God.

"O mankind! We created you from a single soul, male and female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another. Truly, the most honoured of you in God's sight is the greatest of you in piety. God is All-Knowing, All- Aware."

[Quran 49:13]

SOURCE:
http://www.discoverislamaustralia.com/

"Common Misconception"

MISCONCEPTION: Muslims worship a different God

Allah is simply the Arabic word for God. Allah for Muslims is the greatest and most inclusive of the Names of God, it is an Arabic word of rich meaning, denoting the one and only God and ascribing no partners to Him. It is exactly the same word, which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (Eloh). Aramaic the language Jesus spoke, Allaha is the word for God. God has an identical name in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; Allah is the same God worshiped
by Muslims, Christians and Jews.

It is interesting to note that Arabic, Malay, Indonesian translations of the Bible use the word Allah to mean God. Both Arab Jews and Christians use the word Allah to mean the Creator.

Muslims believe that Allah's sovereignty is to be acknowledged in worship and in the pledge to obey His teaching and commandments, conveyed through His messengers and prophets who were sent at various times and in many places throughout history. However, it should be noted that God in Islam is One and Only. He, the Exalted, does not get tired, does not have a son (i.e. Jesus or have associates) nor does He have human-like attributions as found in other faiths.

“Say: He is God the One and Only;
God the Eternal Absolute;
He begets not nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him.”

[Quran 112:1-4]

SOURCE:

http://www.discoverislamaustralia.com/

"Common Misconceptions"

MISCONCEPTION: Islam oppresses women

The image of the typical Muslim woman wearing the veil and forced to stay home is all too common in most people’s thoughts. Although some Muslim countries may have laws that oppress women, this should not be seen as coming from Islam. Many of these countries do not rule by any kind of Shariah (Islamic law) and introduce their own cultural standpoints on the issue of gender equity.

Islam on the other hand gives men and women different roles and equity between the two as laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet. Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings. A marriage gift is given by the groom to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband's. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified.

Violence of any kind towards women and forcing them against their will for anything is not allowed. A Muslim marriage is a simple, legal agreement in which either partner is free to include conditions. Marriage customs thus vary widely from country to country. Divorce is not
common, although it is acceptable as a last resort.

According to Islam, a Muslim woman cannot be forced to marry against her will: her parents may simply suggest young men they think may be suitable. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and kindest to his wife."



SOURCE:
http://www.discoverislamaustralia.com/
"Common Misconceptions"

COMMON MISCONCEPTION: Muslims are violent, terrorists and/or extremists

This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRA guerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic extremists, Muslim fundamentalists, Islamic militants, Muslim radicals,
etc.' linked with violence.

Politics in so-called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'. Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defence, in defence of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. Islam lays down strict rules of combat, which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock.

Nowhere does Islam enjoin the killing of innocents.

The Quran says:

"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." [Quran 2:190]

"If the enemy is inclined towards peace, do make peace with them, and put your trust in
God. He is the One Who hears all, knows all." [Quran 8:61]

Jihad, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are
two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul against egotistic desires, for the sake of attaining the pleasure of God.


SOURCE:
www.discoverislamaustralia.com
"Common Misconceptions"

Du’a And Its Relationship With Destiny

by Shaykh Abû Ammâr Yasir al-Qadhî

The topic of du’a and its relationship to destiny ( qadr) is a very important one, and one around which much confusion exists. Many people ask: “If everything has already been destined to occur, then of what use is du’a, as, if Allah has written what I want, I will get it without making du'a and if it is not written for me, then I will never get it no matter how much du’a I make?”

The response to this question lies in understanding that the outcome of anything is dependent on the performance of the efforts that are necessary to procure it. In other words, it has already been decreed, for example, that a seed will give fruit if planted, but this will not occur unless the farmer takes the appropriate efforts in irrigating the crop, maintaining it, protecting the seedling as it grows, and ensuring as much as he can that the factors are amenable for the plant to give fruit.

So even though a person believes in the Divine Decree, he must at the same time strive all he can to ensure that the desired goal occurs. So du’a is the means that one uses to achieve the desired goal that one has, and this means in no way contradicts the destiny that has been written for that person.

This stance is clarified by the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) hadith reported by Thawban, that he (peace be upon him) said:

“Nothing increases one’s life-span except good deeds, and nothing repels Divine Decree except dua. And verily, a person may be deprived of sustenance due to a sin that he does!”[1]

In other words, the performance of good deeds is a cause of increasing one’s life span, so if a person puts in the necessary effort, the results will be achieved, and this is also destined. So both the means to achieve a goal, and the fulfilment of the goal itself, are already decreed.

If someone were to ask: “How can du’a repel Divine Decree?” we would respond, “The fact that you may be ill has already been decreed by Allah for you, as has the fact that you will ask Allah to cure you of this illness (i.e. both the illness and your asking to cure the illness has been decreed). In a similar manner, a person maybe deprived of his sustenance that was decreed for him, since Allah’s eternal knowledge encompassed the fact that this person would perform a sinful deed that would cause the deprivation of his sustenance. All of this, then, is from the decree of Allah, all Glory and Praise be to Him”. There are a number of ahadith that clarify this point.

For example, Mu'adh ibn Jabal reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Caution will be of no benefit against Divine Decree, but du’ a benefits all things, whether they come down or not. I therefore advise you to make du'a, O servants of Allah!” [2]

So no matter how cautious a person is, he cannot escape what is written for him, simply because Allah controls everything, and nothing escapes His Knowledge or Power. However, by turning to Allah through du’a, it is possible to avert something that might have been decreed. Salman al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Nothing repels Divine Decree except du'a, and nothing increases one’s life-span except good deeds” [3]

This hadith informs us in no uncertain terms that the only way that we can repel some Divine Decree is through the means of du'a. So it is possible that some unpleasant matter has been preordained for us, but only if we do not make du’a to avert it from us. So if du’a is made, then this matter will not occur or be fulfilled, whereas if du’a is left, the misfortune will occur.

Another narration in al-Tirmidhi also supports this. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“There is no Muslim on the face of the earth that asks Allah for anything except that Allah gives it to him, or averts from him a similar evil, as long as he does not ask for something evil or for breaking the ties of kinship”. [4]

From this narration, the benefits of du’a are made clear, and its value is understood. For not only is a person rewarded for making a du’a, but it is also a cause of repelling an evil that was destined for him, and in obtaining the good that he was expecting.Ibn Hajr, commenting on the benefits of du’a, said:

“And the benefit of performing du’a is the attainment of reward by obeying the command (of Allah to make du’a), and also by the attainment of what is asked for, for there is a possibility that the request is dependent on the du’a, since Allah is the Creator of both the effort and result of the effort!” [5]

Therefore, the proper response to the question posed at the beginning of the chapter is, in the words of Ibn al-Qayyim, as follows:

“The logical consequences of such a reasoning leads to a rejection of all efforts. It can, therefore, be said to a person who holds this view, ‘If the satisfaction of your hunger and thirst has already been destined for you, then it will be fulfilled, whether you eat or not. On the other hand, if it has not been destined for you, it will never occur, whether you eat or not. And, if a son has been destined for you, then you will be granted one, whether you have intercourse with your wife or not. On the other hand, if a son has not been destined for you, then you will never be granted one. In this case, there is no point in you getting married...!’

“Now, will any sane person agree with all of these conclusions ?” [6]

To summarise, then, Divine Decree ( qadr) cannot be used as an excuse not to make du’a. For, just as one strives to ensure that one attains worldly needs, of food, drink and family, so too must one strive in ones religious deeds to attain the desired goal. Du’a is intrinsically related to qadr; in fact, it is a part of one’s qadr. Allah has already decreed that a certain matter will be granted to a servant, or an evil averted from him, if he makes du’a, so if he were to leave du’a, then the desired goal would not be reached.

Hence why it was the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to make the following du’a during the witr prayer:

“...Bless me in what You have given me. And avert and turn away from me the evil that has been decreed for me, for verily You Decree (all things), and none can decree against You..." [7]

So the Muslim turns to Allah and prays to Him so that any and all evil can be averted from him.

Additionally, it should be remembered that the concept of Divine Decree is one that a human can never fully understand, due to his limited intellect and finite capabilities. The true Muslim does not delve too deeply into the philosophical ramifications of Divine Decree. Rather, he accepts all that has occurred to him in the past as having been destined for him, and he strives to obtain what he desires in the future (as long as it is permissible for him). Since he does not know what has been written for him in the future, he expects the best from Allah, and does everything in his power to ensure that what he wants is granted him. Just like going to work every day will ensure, if Allah wills, that he gets his pay-cheque at the end of the month, so too does making du’a ensure, if Allah wills, that he achieves his desired goal.

Taken from the Book: Dua: The Weapon of the Believer published by al-Hidaayah Publications

SOURCE:
Islamic_Group



Footnotes

1 Narrated by Ibn Majah #90, and Shaykh al-Albani said in Sahih Ibn Majah (73): “It is authentic without the addition, ‘And verily...’; see al-Sahihah, # 154.”
2 This hadith is weak. It was narrated by Ahmad, Abu Ya'la , and al-Tabarani in al-Kabir, as has been mentioned in Da’if al-Jami’ # 4785.
3 Authentic, reported by al-Tirmidhi and al-Hakim from Salman, and is in Sahih al-Jami’ # 7687.
4 Authentic, narrated by al-Tirmidhi from ‘Ubadah ibn Samit, as is mentioned in Sahih al-Jami’ # 5637.
5 Fath al-Bari, 11/95.
6 Al-Jawab al-Kafi, Ibn aI-Qayyim, p. 13.
7 Reported by al-Tirmidhi (# 464), al-Nasa’i (# 1725) and others, with an authentic chain.

57 ways of winning your husband’s love

This list, mostly contributed by Muslim women at the MuslimMatters. org blog, is all about winning your husband’s love.

1. Behave like a female, i.e. with all the tenderness of a female.
2. Dress pleasantly and attractively. If you are a home-maker, don’t stay in your sleeping suit all day.
3. Smell good.
4. Don’t lay out all your problems on your husband as soon as he walks in. Give him a little mental break.
5. Don’t keep asking him ‘what are you thinking?’ because unlike women, men’s thoughts are as random as the results of a google search. Women on the other hand have thoughts
as organized as a labeled file-cabinet!
6. Stop nagging non-stop before Allah gives you something really to complain about.
7. Absolutely no talking about your spousal problems to anyone you meet under the pretense of seeking help, even if you are the victim. If you think you want to solve legitimate marital issues then go seek counseling with the right person.
8. Be kind to your mother-in-law the same way you would like your husband to be kind to your own mother.
9. Learn all the rights and obligations of each other in Islam.
10. Race to the door when he comes home, as if you were waiting for him. Smile and hug.
11. Keep your house clean, at least to the level that he wants it.
12. Compliment him on the things you know he’s not so confident about (looks, intelligence etc). This will build his self-esteem.
13. Tell him he’s the best husband.
14. Call his family often.
15. Give him a simple task to do at home and then thank him when he does it. This will encourage him to do more.
16. When he’s talking about something boring, listen and nod your head. Even ask questions to make it seem like you’re interested.
17. Encourage him to do good deeds.
18. If he’s in a bad mood, give him some space. He’ll get over it, Insha Allah.
19. Thank him sincerely for providing you with food and shelter. It’s a big deal.
20. If he’s angry with you and starts yelling, let him yell it out while you’re quiet. You will see your fight will end a lot faster. Then when he’s calm, you can tell him your side of the story and how you want him to change something.
21. When you’re mad at him, don’t say ‘you make me furious,’ rather say, ‘this action makes me upset.’ Direct your anger to the action and circumstance rather than at him.
22. Remember that your husband has feelings, so take them into consideration.
23. Let him chill out with his friends without guilt, especially if they’re good guys. Encourage him to go out, so he doesn’t feel cooped up at home.
24. If your husband is annoyed over a little thing you do (and you can control it), then stop doing it.
25. Learn how to tell him what you expect without him having to guess all the time. Learn to communicate your feelings.
26. Don’t get mad over small things. It’s not worth it.
27. Make jokes. If you’re not naturally funny, find some jokes on the internet.
28. Tell him you’re the best wife and compliment yourself on certain things you know you’re good at.
29. Learn to make his favorite dish.
30. Don’t ever, ever talk bad about him with friends or family unnecessarily.
31. Use your time wisely and get things accomplished. If you’re a housewife, take online classes and be active in your community. This will not only make you happy but will impress your husband too.
32. Do all of the above (i.e. trying to please your husband) for the sake of Allah and you will see Allah’s blessings in everything you do.
33. Spouses are garments for each other; hide your husband’s faults and help him get over them wisely.
34. Tell your husband you love him, many many times.
35. Have a race with your husband and let him win, even if you are much fitter than him.
36. Be fit and take care of your health; you will remain a strong mother, wife, cook and housekeeper.
37. Cultivate good manners. Do not be too loud, whether while laughing, talking or even walking.
38. Do not leave the house without his permission and certainly not without his knowledge.
39. Make sure all his clothes are clean and pressed so they always look fresh and crisp.
40. Ask Allah to strengthen and preserve the bonds of compassion and love between the two of you, every day in every prayer. Truly Satan’s most treasured act is to create rifts between couples to the point of divorce. Seek Allah’s refuge from Satan.
41. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s really true.
42. Make sure you always have something for dinner.
43. Brush your hair everyday.
44. Don’t forget to do the laundry.
45. Surprise him with gifts. Even necessities can be gifts, like a pair of new shoes.
46. Listen to him when he’s talking. Don’t interject him and talk about your own issues.
47. Try (hard as it might be) to take interest in his hobbies (bowling?). Try not to go shopping too much and spend all his money.
48. Look attractive and it’s fine, in fact good, to be seductive towards him.
49. Learn tricks and techniques to please your husband in intimacy.
50. Prepare for special evenings with him with special dinner and exclusive time (no children permitted).
51. Take care of your skin, especially the face, which is the center of attraction.
52. If you are not satisfied intimately, talk to him and help him. Don’t wait till matters become worse.
53. Never discuss important or controversial matters with him when he is tired or sleepy. Find the right time for the right discussion.
54. Learn to compromise.
55. Continue to do things for your husband and don’t take him for granted.
56. Respect his rights (he’s your road to paradise).
57. Make tea for him or whatever hot drink he likes, it will soothe his rough edges.

SOURCE:
Islamic_Group

81 ways to win your wife’s love

IN today’s life of hustle and bustle, the family unit is becoming fragile by the day. Divorces are on the rise, and Muslims can no longer claim, as justifiably as before, that divorce is rare among Muslims or even much less than incidents of divorce among non-Muslims. The article, originally contributed by several bloggers and readers on MuslimMatters. org, is divided in two parts and will list out ways to keep up your spouse’s love.

Here’s how you can keep up your wife’s love:

1. Make her feel secure, don’t threaten her with divorce.
2. Give sincere Salaams.
3. Treat her gently, like a fragile vessel.
4. Advise in private, at the best time, in the best way and atmosphere.
5. Be generous with her.
6. Warm the seat for her, you will warm her heart.
7. Avoid anger, be in Wudhu at all times.
8. Look good and smell great for your wife.
9. Don’t be rigid or harsh-hearted or you will be broken.
10. Be a good listener.
11. Yes for flattery. No for arguing.
12. Call your wife with the best names, cute nicknames, and names she loves to hear.
13. A pleasant surprise.
14. Preserve and guard the tongue.
15. Expect, accept, and overlook her shortcomings.
16. Give sincere compliments.
17. Encourage her to keep good relations with her family.
18. Speak of the topic of her interest.
19. Express to her relatives, how wonderful she is.
20. Give each other gifts.
21. Get rid of routine, surprise her.
22. Have a good opinion of each other.
23. Have good manners, overlook small things, don’t nitpick.
24. Add a drop of patience, increase during pregnancy, menses.
25. Expect and respect her jealously.
26. Be humble.
27. Sacrifice your happiness for hers.
28. Help at home, with housework.
29. Help her love your relatives, but don’t try to force her.
30. Let her know that she is the ideal wife for you.
31. Remember your wife in Du’a.
32. Leave the past for Allah, don’t dwell on, dig into, or bring it up.
33. Don’t act as if you are doing her a favor by working or providing, Allah is the Provider, the husband is the carrier of the sustenance to the family.
34. Take Shaitan as your enemy, not your wife.
35. Put food in your wife’s mouth.
36. Treat your wife like she is the most precious pearl that you want to protect.
37. Show her your smile.
38. Don’t ignore the small things, deal with them before they be come big.
39. Avoid being harsh-hearted.
40. Respect and show that you appreciate her thinking.
41. Help her to find and build her inner strengths and skills.
42. Respect that she might not be in mood for intimacy, stay within Halaal boundaries.
43. Help her take care of the children.
44. Give her gifts with your tongue, be an artist with your compliments.
45. Sit down and eat meals together.
46. Let her know that you will be traveling or returning from travel, give her sufficient notice.
47. Don’t leave home in anger.
48. Maintain the secrecy and privacy of the home.
49. Encourage each other in worship.
50. Respect and fulfill her rights upon you.
51. Live with her in kindness, goodness, fairness in good and bad times.
52. Kiss your wife, foreplay, don’t jump on her like a bull.
53. Keep disputes between the two of you, don’t take it outside.
54. Show care for her health and well-being.
55. Remember you are not always right or perfect yourself.
56. Share your happiness and sadness with her.
57. Have mercy for her weaknesses.
58. Be a firm support for her to lean on.
59. Accept her as is, she is a package deal.
60. Have a good intention for her.
61. Cook a dish for her.
62. Designate a nice, clean, spacious area in your home for the two of you to pray at night whenever you can.
63. Women love flowers. Make a trail of them on the floor leading to the gift you made for her.
64. Give her a nice massage when she least expects it.
65. Send your wife a text message out of the blue with a message of love.
66. Send your wife an email without a reason.
67. Go out on a date or a get-away for the weekend in a nice location, preferably without kids.
68. Do something for your wife’s family, whether it is a gift, or a chat with her teen brother who needs mentoring, or whatever. It will get you lots of brownie points.
69. Do not keep reminding and demanding your rights all the time.
70. Shop groceries for her and call her from the store and ask her what she needs for the home, for herself or for her to give to people as gifts.
71. Ask her if she would like to invite her female friends over for ladies only get together and arrange for the dinner.
72. Ask her to send gifts to her parents and siblings.
73. Help her parents pay off debt. Send her poor relatives some money.
74. Write love notes or poems and place them in the book she’s been reading.
75. If she tells you something she had just learned from the Qur’an or Hadith, do not dismiss her or ridicule her effort, instead listen to her and take her word.
76. Plant her a kitchen garden with all kind of herbs she needs for cooking.
77. Adopt a kitten for her if she likes.
78. Update her PC or laptop with a new one or get her a new mobile phone.
79. Learn to do a special massage technique and surprise her with your new expertise.
80. Teach your children to respect and honor their mother.
81. Be humorous with her when she makes a mistake in the kitchen (like when she put too much salt or burnt her baking).



SOURCE:

Islamic_Group

Ways to fill the heart with life

The keys to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Qur’an, being humble before Allah in secret, and leaving sins.

– Ibn Al-Qayyim (Hadi Al-Arwah Ila Bilad Al-Afrah, pg.45)

Allah said: “A Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may take heed.” (Qur’an, 38:29)

So Allah informed us that He sent down this Great Qur’an, blessed in its wording, meaning, commands, prohibitions and regulations. Among its blessings is that whoever recites even one word of it has a reward, and this reward is increased tenfold, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Tirmidhi. Also, the one who reads it and acts upon it will not be misguided in this world, nor will fall into distress or misery in the Hereafter, as Ibn Abbas said so in the commentary to the following verse:

“Whoever follows My guidance shall neither go astray nor fall into distress and misery.” (Qur’an, 20:123)

Among the blessings of the Qur’an is that whoever learns it and teaches it, is from among the best of people, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari: “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and then teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari, 6/501 no. 545)

The Qur’an will also be an intercessor on the Day of Judgement for its companions who used to act by it in this world as mentioned in two narrations of Sahih Muslim (2/385, no. 1757-59).

Allah informed us that He revealed the Qur’an so that its meanings, commands and prohibitions may be reflected over. If one were to come across a verse commanding something, he should obey the command; if the verse forbids something, he should desist from it; if it was concerning the Mercy of Allah then he should hope for this Mercy and ask for it; if the verse threatened with a punishment then he should fear it and seek refuge with Allah from it; if the verse was about glorification of Allah then he should glorify Allah. By doing so, faith, knowledge, guidance and piety will increase.

Allah said about the believers:

“And when His verses are recited unto them, they increase their faith.” (Qur’an, 8:2)

Allah also said:

Do they not ponder over the Qur’an or are there locks upon their hearts? (Qur’an, 47:24)

Among the ways of giving life to the heart is to be humble to Allah in secret. Meaning to desire and long for Allah through du’a, seeking forgiveness, turning to Him, asking for help and support, Paradise and shelter from Hellfire at the time when Allah descends to the lowest Heaven in the last third of the night, as mentioned in the authentic Hadith:

“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when a third of the night remains, saying: Who is supplicating to Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me that I may forgive him?” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith contains encouragement to stand in the last part of the night, praying, making du’a, and asking for forgiveness, Paradise and release from the fire of Hell. Indeed Allah commanded us to make du’a and promised to accept Allah, who is far removed from imperfection, does not violate His promises.

Leaving sins is also another way of giving life to the heart, as mentioned in the Hadith:

“When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black, and this is the ‘Raan’ about which Allah said, ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan) which they used to earn.’” (Qur’an, 83:14) (An-Nasa’i and Al-Tirmidhi)

A poet said, “I saw sins killing the hearts, breeding ignominy due to their addiction. And in the desisting from sins lies its life and it is best for your soul that you preserve it.” – Al-Hidaayah.


- By Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Hazimi

SOURCE:
Islamic_Group