اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Allahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatika

O Allah! Assist me in remembering You, in thanking You, and in worshipping You in the best of manners.


[Sahih Ahmad 5:245, Sahih abu Dawud 2:86, an-Nasa'i]



http://alqamardesigns.files.wordpres...pg?w=175&h=175



One day he (Prophet Muhammad ) took Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu) by the hand and said,



‘O Mu’adh, by Allah () I love you, and I advise you, O Mu’adh, never forget to recite (this dua), after every prayer (the above).’

_______



“A kind word is charity.” Al-Bukhari & Muslim

bueatiful Dua to Allah for assisitance in remembrance of Allah

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّيْ عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Allahumma a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibadatika

O Allah! Assist me in remembering You, in thanking You, and in worshipping You in the best of manners.


[Sahih Ahmad 5:245, Sahih abu Dawud 2:86, an-Nasa'i]



http://alqamardesigns.files.wordpres...pg?w=175&h=175



One day he (Prophet Muhammad ) took Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu) by the hand and said,



‘O Mu’adh, by Allah () I love you, and I advise you, O Mu’adh, never forget to recite (this dua), after every prayer (the above).’

_______



“A kind word is charity.” Al-Bukhari & Muslim

Those whom Allah loves (18 expressions):

Allah loves the good-doers(Qur’an sura 2, verse 195; 3:134 & 148; 5:13 & 93)
Allah loves those who repent(Q 2:222)
Allah loves those who cleanse themselves(Q 2:222; 9:108)
“Say, ‘If your love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you…’”(Q 3:31)
Allahloves the godfearing(Q 3:76)
Allah loves the patient(Q 3:146)
Allah loves those who put their trust [in him] (Q 3:159)
Allah loves the just (Q 5:42; 49:9;60:8)
Allah loves the godfearing (Q 9:4 & 7)
Allah loves those who fight in his way (Q 61:4

Qualities That Allah Loves

1) Patience:
وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“And Allah loves as-Sâbirun (the patient).” (Surah Imran 3:146)

2) Justice and Dealing with Equity:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّڪُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ
“O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is informed of what ye do.” (Surah Maeda 5:8)

3) Putting Trust in Allah:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“Certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Surah Imran 3:159)

4) Kindness:
Ayesha (RA) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW ) said: “Allah
loves kindness in all matters.” (Bukhari)

5) Repentance:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ
“Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance.” (Surah Baqarah 2:222)

6) Piety:
فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ
“Verily, then Allah loves those who are al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (Surah Imran 3:76)

7) Good-doing:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (Surah Baqarah 2:195)

8) Purification:
وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ
“And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.” (Surah Tawbah 9:108)

9) Humility of the Rich:
Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves the believer who is pious and rich, but does not show off.” (Muslim)

10) Belief and Work:
Al-Tabarâni narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves the slave who believes and acquires a career (or work).”

11) A sense of Honour:
Al-Tirmidhi narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves from amongst his slaves, the one who has a sense of zeal or honour.”

12) Magnanimity:
Al-Hakim narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW ) said: “ Allah is All-Generous and He loves generosity in sale, purchase and judgment.”

13) Virtuosity:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW)said: “Allah loves the believer who is poor but virtuous enough to refrain from begging though he has many children.” (Muslim and Ahmed)

14) Strength:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “The strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than the weak one, but they are both good.” (Muslim)

15) Love for the Sake of Allah:
Al-Tabarâni, Ibn Ya’lâ, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim narrated: Allah’s Messenger
(SAW ) said: “If two individuals love each other for the sake of Allah, the stronger in love to his brother will be more loved by Allah.”

16) Continuous Performance of Righteous Deeds:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The best loved deeds to Allah are the ones that are continuous even if they are not very many.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

17) Good Manners and Conduct:

Al-Tirmidhi narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.”

Love of Allah is the basis of worship that should be directed to Him alone. Any other love should be for his sake too. The real love of Allah is to do whatever He ordained and to abandon whatever He forbade, in addition to Following Rasulullah (SAW)’s Sunnah. Whoever obeys someone or something other than Allah and His Messenger (SAW), or
follows any saying other than theirs, or fears other than Allah or seeks the pleasure of other than Allah, or puts his trust in other than Him, does not love Allah, nor does he love His Messenger (SAW). Muslims should also love one another and wish the best for one another. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “One will not be a true believer unless he loves for his brother what be loves for himself.” (Bukhari)

Qualities That Allah Loves

  

Apr2

17 Qualities That Allah Loves
1) Patience:وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“And Allah loves as-Sâbirun (the patient).” (Surah Imran 3:146)
2) Justice and Dealing with Equity:يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّڪُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ
“O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity, and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly. Deal justly, that is nearer to your duty. Observe your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is informed of what ye do.” (Surah Maeda 5:8)
3) Putting Trust in Allah:إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“Certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” (Surah Imran 3:159)
4) Kindness:
Ayesha (RA) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW ) said: “Allah
loves kindness in all matters.” (Bukhari)5) Repentance:إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ
“Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto him in repentance.” (Surah Baqarah 2:222)
6) Piety:فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ
“Verily, then Allah loves those who are al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (Surah Imran 3:76)
7) Good-doing:إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“Truly, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (Surah Baqarah 2:195)
8) Purification:وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ
“And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure.” (Surah Tawbah 9:108)
9) Humility of the Rich:
Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) said: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves the believer who is pious and rich, but does not show off.” (Muslim)
10) Belief and Work:
Al-Tabarâni narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves the slave who believes and acquires a career (or work).”
11) A sense of Honour:
Al-Tirmidhi narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “Allah loves from amongst his slaves, the one who has a sense of zeal or honour.”
12) Magnanimity:
Al-Hakim narrated: The Messenger of Allah (SAW ) said: “ Allah is All-Generous and He loves generosity in sale, purchase and judgment.”
13) Virtuosity:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW)said: “Allah loves the believer who is poor but virtuous enough to refrain from begging though he has many children.”(Muslim and Ahmed)
14) Strength:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW ) said: “The strong believer is better and more loved by Allah than the weak one, but they are both good.” (Muslim)15) Love for the Sake of Allah:
Al-Tabarâni, Ibn Ya’lâ, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim narrated: Allah’s Messenger
(SAW ) said: “If two individuals love each other for the sake of Allah, the stronger in love to his brother will be more loved by Allah.”
16) Continuous Performance of Righteous Deeds:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The best loved deeds to Allah are the ones that are continuous even if they are not very many.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
17) Good Manners and Conduct:
Al-Tirmidhi narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The best loved by me and the nearest to me on the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me are those who are talkative and arrogant.”
Love of Allah is the basis of worship that should be directed to Him alone. Any other love should be for his sake too. The real love of Allah is to do whatever He ordained and to abandon whatever He forbade, in addition to Following Rasulullah (SAW)’s Sunnah. Whoever obeys someone or something other than Allah and His Messenger (SAW), or
follows any saying other than theirs, or fears other than Allah or seeks the pleasure of other than Allah, or puts his trust in other than Him, does not love Allah, nor does he love His Messenger (SAW). Muslims should also love one another and wish the best for one another. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “One will not be a true believer unless he loves for his brother what be loves for himself.” (Bukhari)

who are people who Allah loves

A man once asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.):

"What people does Allah love most ?". He said, "They are the most useful ones to people."(1)

It is also narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) that he said:

All mankind belong to Allah, therefore the most favored by Allah is the one who is good to his or her own family"(2)

It is also narrated that the Messenger (s.a.w.) said:

"Whoever guides (others) towards good is like the one who does it."(3)

It is also narrated that:

"The doer of good is better than good itself and the evil-doer is worse than evil itself"(4)

It is also narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

"Do not do anything of good so as to be seen by people, nor give it up because of shyness"(5)

It is narrated from Imam Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s.) that he said:

"Speak much of good in order to be known by it and do good to be identified with its followers."(6)

Surely Almighty Allah is the source of goodness and benevolence in this life. Try to direct yourself towards Him. Certainly doing good is the right way leading to perfection and happiness. Let the speech of our Holy Messenger be an example in your daily life and a guide in your way of living.

"Behave like Allah behaves."

Let us start doing good, and continue the endeavour in order to spread charity and do good deeds.

SIGNS OF ALLAHS LOVE

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to mankind): `If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.''' (3:31)

"O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.'' (5:54)

386. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I will declare war against him who treats with hostility a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, (so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him".

[Al-Bukhari]

Commentary:  This Hadith tell us the status and distinctive signs of the favoured men of Allah ('Auliya' Allah) The Noble Qur'an has defined them  as:

"Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah) and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds)". (10:63).

According to this definition, every believer who really fears Allah is a favoured of Allah. It means that except for Faith and piety, favoured of Allah are neither people of the special kind nor have they any special distinctive signs, as is generally thought by some people. In this respect, the ignorance of the general public is shocking because they regard even such persons as favoured of Allah who not only neglect the religious obligations and the practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), but also woefully lack cleanliness. Sometimes they call even mad or half-mad persons as favourites of Allah, whereas a Wali in the true sense is one who is meticulous about observing the obligations and is fearful of Allah.

This Hadith brings about the following four points:

Firstly, the love of those whom Allah loves entail the love of Allah, and hating them entails the hatred of Allah..

Secondly, when a true Muslim acquires nearness and love of Allah by means of performing religious obligations, supererogatory and voluntary prayers, Allah then becomes his special helper and protects his limbs and organs and does not let them work for His disobedience. Then he does not use any part of his body for things which are disliked by Him. It is wrong to infer from this Hadith, as men of heretical and polytheistic trend try to do, that Auliya' become the eyes, ears, hands, feet, etc. of Allah. That is to say that Almighty Allah descends in them. Thus, on the basis of this contemptible reasoning, they conclude that it makes no difference whether one begs from Allah or Auliya because the two are one being. For such people supplicating "O Allah! Help us'', "O Prophet of Allah! Help us'' and "O Ali! Help us'' etc., are all right. One who says so has certainly gone astray, rather commits Shirk (polytheism). May Allah save us from these sins. According to the Hadith, a true pious man likes and adopts what is liked by Allah, and avoids all such things which are not liked by Him.

Thirdly, the performance of the obligatory acts of worshipping has the first and foremost importance for attaining the pleasure of Allah because their fulfillment is liked the most by Allah and also because they furnish the foundation, on which the edifice of Islam is built. As we cannot think of a building without foundation, similarly, we cannot think of voluntary worship without fulfilling the basic obligations. The fact is that one who neglects them ceases to be a Muslim. This is the reason for the severe warnings of Allah to those who default on this account. Those who neglect voluntary prayers have not been given any warning. It is, however, true that their performance in addition to the obligatory ones increases lustre of obligations. Nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) help one to attain the exalted place of being loved by Allah by virtue of which one is endowed with the special Help of Allah.

Fourthly, Almighty Allah certainly grants the prayers of those whom He loves. But acceptance of their prayers, however, does not mean that their results appear at once. Sometime the results of these prayers appear after a long time. The prayer of virtuous persons is certainly granted but whether it takes a long or short time depends solely on the Will of Allah.

387. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him'. Then Jibril loves him. After that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah, (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "When Allah loves a slave, He calls Jibril (Gabriel) and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him.' And then Jibril loves him. Then he (Jibril) announces in the heavens saying: Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; then the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him; and then people on earth love him. And when Allah hates a slave, He calls Jibril and says: `I hate so-and-so, so hate him.' Then Jibril also hates him. He (Jibril) then announces amongst the inhabitants of heavens: `Verily, Allah hates so-and-so, so you also hate him.' Thus they also start to hate him. Then he becomes the object of hatred on the earth also".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:  This Hadith mentions the reward of love for the sake of Allah. A person who loves for the sake of Allah is not only loved by Allah but also by the inhabitants of the earth as well as the heavens. On the other hand, those who are hated by Allah are also hated by the inhabitants of the earth and the heavens. It must be borne in mind that they alone remain popular in this world who are righteous by nature - who strictly maintain the distinction between the lawful and the unlawful (Ma`ruf and Munkar). But those whose nature is defected by constant sins, cease to distinguish between right and wrong and lose their credibility. They generally hate the pious persons for the reason that every category of people loves and likes people of its own kind.

388. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah, (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) appointed a man in charge of an army unit who led them in Salat (prayer); he always concluded his recitation with Surat Al-Ikhlas: "Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)): 'He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad (Allah - the Self-Sufficient). He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable to Him.''' (112:1-4) Upon their return to Al-Madinah, they mentioned this to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), who said, "Ask him why he does so?'' He was asked and he said, "This Surah contains the Attributes of Allah, the Gracious, and I love to recite it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then told them, "Tell him that Allah loves him".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:  We learn from the Hadith the following:

1. The Companions always rushed to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to ask his opinion about anything they noticed strange to them.

2. The superiority of Surat Al-Ikhlas as it clarifies points of Tauhid.

3. The permissibility to recite two Surah during Salat, apart from Surat Al-Fatihah, in one single Rak`ah.

4. The permissibility of reciting the same Surah over and over again, as this Sahabi (Companion) who led the Salat used to recite Surat Al-Ikhlas after each recitation.

VERSES FROM THE BUEATIFUL QURAN THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRY

VERSES FROM THE BUEATIFUL QURAN THAT WILL MAKE YOU CRY

Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, verily, thou would have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah, such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect. (Hashr, 21)

If that's how a mountain would react, how can we not be driven to tears?

*(70) Except those who repent and believe (in Islâmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allâh will change their sins into good deeds, and Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful[]

*(71) And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allâh with true repentance.

*Surah Yusuf (92-93)

He(yusuf alyhissalaam) said, “No reproach upon you today! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most- Merciful of all the merciful.

Go with this shirt of mine, and put it over the face of my father, and he will turn into a sighted man. And bring to me all your family.”

I often see Imam crying upon this (last part of the incident of Yousuf Alyhis salaam's brother)

Indeed these verses are very emotional...

*وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

“…And those who, when they have committed Fahishah or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know..”

Surat `Al ‘Imrān, 3:135

*

Anas binMālik رضي الله عنه said, “I was told that when this Ayah, was revealed, Iblīs cried.” Tafsīr Al Qur’ān Al Karīm (Ibn Kathīr)

*

"Tell them, O My slaves who have wronged their souls: 'Do not despair of Allah's mercy.' " (Al-Zumar:53). 

*verses that make me smile are the ones in which Allahs attributes are mentioned.

One of the most inspiring verses must be in Surah Kahf:

Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind). "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid." Verse 109.

and  the verses that inspired Fudhayl Ibn Iyyad and Abdullah Ibn Mubarak: 

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by the reminder of Allah, and that, which has been revealed of the truth. (Quran 57:16)

Mutarrif B. 'Abdillah: ''Oh Allaah, I seek forgiveness in you from that which I have repented and then returned back to, and I seek forgiveness in you from that which I rendered to you and then did not fulfil and I seek forgiveness in you from that which I alleged was for seeking your face but, my heart mixed with that which you know of me'' (حلية الأولياء)

*

These verses of Surah Yusuf always make me cry:

وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

"Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (53)

قَالَ هَلْ عَلِمْتُمْ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ بِيُوسُفَ وَأَخِيهِ إِذْ أَنْتُمْ جَاهِلُونَ

He said: Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance? (89)

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُفُ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah hath shown us favour. Lo! he who wardeth off (evil) and endureth (findeth favour); for lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the kindly. (90)

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِي مِنَ الْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِي مِنْ تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنْتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

"O my Sustainer! Thou hast indeed bestowed upon me something of power, and hast imparted unto me some knowledge of the inner meaning of happenings. Originator of the heavens and the earth! Thou art near unto me in this world and in the life to come: let me die as one who has surrendered himself unto Thee, and make me one with the righteous!" (101)

*

One of my favourite surhas i.e. chapters in Qura'an is Mariam which is the Arabic name for Virgin Mary.

One of the many touching verses in that beautiful chapter is the verse that describes Virgin Mary as she was going through the physical and mental agony during the labour contractions. I could only imagine her pain. In the middle of nowhere, all alone, afraid of the ugly accusations that are to fall upon her once she goes home with a fatherless son.

"And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, Oh, I wish I had died before this and was in oblivion, forgotten. (19:23)

But he -Gabriel -called her from below her, Do not grieve; your Lord has provided beneath you a stream.(19:24)

And shake toward you the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop upon you ripe, fresh dates. (Suraat Mariam 19:25)

So Why am I am mesmerized by this verse ?

Shake , the word Shake yes Shake... Even though virgin Mary was going through hell and God could simply get the fresh dates to fall yet she is ordered to shake. It is like God is saying put some effort and I shall help you.

In my personal opinion Miracles DO exist but you are ought to put the effort first. It doesn't matter if those efforts are dwarfish so long you are trying to reach your full potential

Doesn't matter how much water you pour or soil you spread, rocks won't plant !!!

 Charity

"Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing." (Suraat Al Baqraa - The Cow- 2: 263)

"O ye who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, - like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guideth not those who reject faith." (Suraat Al Baqraa - The Cow- 2: 264)

The Rock Example

The 'rock' example is brilliant. Generally, it doesn't matter how much water you pour over a rock. It doesn’t matter how much soil you spread over it for it will never plant. Similarly, it doesn't matter if you were to feed a nation of poor people if it was followed with injury or reminders of generosity for it will never prosper.

There are no conditions to God's Generosity

 What's the Unconditional Condition for Answering your Prayers ?

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant WHEN he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way." (2:186)

In all the Quranic versus that start with the statements, "When My servants ask thee concerning....." , the word "say" follows.

In other words, he orders his prophet to say the answer to us.

For example in Surat Taha:

"And they ask you about the Mountains: SAY, "My Lord will uproot them and scatter them as dust;" (20 : 105)

However in the previous verse, God just says "I am indeed close". It's like he is talking to us directly which emphasizes on the closeness. He doesn't need to order his prophet to say that God is close.

• Now what's the condition for your God to hear you ?

According to this verse there are NO conditions. Contemplate on it...

It says "I listen to the prayer of every suppliantwhen he calleth on Me". Only one condition follows the word "when" and that is "he calleth on Me".

• Are you saying that for God to hear me, all I need is to call him ?

Yes, indeed.

He didn't say good supplicants, or following supplicants, or even religious supplicants. Our merciful God said, every supplicant when he calleth on Me. 

*

..And Shaitan (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided: "Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, so you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)."

 Surah Ibrahim Ayah 22

"...Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?"

Surah Ar Rahman

*

"In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

The Beneficent, the Merciful.

Owner of the Day of Judgment,

Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.

Guide us on the straight path,

The path of those whom Thou hast favored;

Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray."

Surah Fatiha 

*

If You punish them, they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.[5:118]

*

Doesn't make me cry but this dua within al baqarah makes me want to automatically do sajdah whenever i am reminded of it.

[002.286] Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. "Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maulâ (Patron, Supporter and Protector) and give us victory over the disbelieving people."

* sometimes read the seerah and weep because of the pain Mohammad (saw) the sahaba (ra) and the great women in Islam may Allah have mercy on them all endured in the up-rising of Islam and I just reflect and contemplate on my own on how we are lucky today to be Muslims and I myself have so much to accomplish and contribute to Islam but because of my lazyness at times I don't do enough where every day was a struggle for the prophets and their companions. 

*

The things we take for granted such as food is a blessing, the water we drink is a blessing and that is even mentioned in the Qur'an that Allah (swt) has made it not sour for us. So in essence every ayah must be reflected on, as every ayah is a revelation

But you cannot will, unless Allah wills. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise. [76:30]

 Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, "O my people! Obey the apostles:

21. "Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance.

22. "It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back.

23. "Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If ((Allah)) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me.

24. "I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error.

25. "For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!"

26. It was said: "Enter thou the Garden." He said: "Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!-

27. "For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!"

28. And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do.

29. It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent.

30. Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not an apostle to them but they mock him!

31. See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return:

32. But each one of them all - will be brought before Us (for judgment). 

One of my favourite verses:

Al-Rahman

60. Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good?

7. And to Allâh belong the armies of the heavens and the earth. And Allâh is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. 

18. And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your ownselves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allâh (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert." 

33. And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salât (Iqamât­as­Salât), and give Zakât and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh wishes only to remove Ar­Rijs (evil deeds and sins, etc.) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet SAW), and to purify you with a thorough purification. 

64. Verily, Allâh has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire (Hell). 

65. Wherein they will abide for ever, and they will find neither a Walî (a protector) nor a helper. 

66. On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: "Oh, would that we had obeyed Allâh and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad SAW)." 

118. "If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All­Mighty, the All­Wise[]." 

Sadaqallahu Al Atheem