Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Nothing happens unless decreed by ALLAH (in the Book of Decrees)

The following verses from the Quran show that nothing happens unless ordained by Allah. That includes the good and the bad. The commentary also shows the attitudes that a Muslim needs to adopt in times of hardship and difficulties.
In Surah At-Tawba Allah gives His servants the assurance of His protection. He Says:
islam on Nothing happens unless decreed by Allah (in the Book of Decrees)
Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Mawla (protector).” And in Allah let the believers put their trust.)
Quran (Surah Tawba, Verse 51)
In Surah Hadid, Allah (SWT) Makes it more explicit that He decides what is to happen in our lives and that He has a purpose for it. He says:
islam on Nothing happens unless decreed by Allah (in the Book of Decrees)
No calamity occurs on earth nor in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.
In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters.
Quran (Surah Hadid, Verses 22,23)
Ibn ‘Abbâs narrates:
(The saying:) “Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)” was said by Ibrâhîm (Abraham) when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Muhammad (s) when they (i.e. hypocrites) said (as mentioned to us in the Quran),
islam on Nothing happens unless decreed by Allah (in the Book of Decrees)
“Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them,” but it (only) increased them in Faith and they said: “Allâh (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” Quran (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 173)
(Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.6, Hadîth No.86).
Ibn ‘Abbas also narrates: Once I was behind the Prophet (s) and he said:
O boy, I will teach you a few words:
(a) Be loyal and obedient to Allâh [worship Him (Alone)], remember Him always, obey His Orders. He will save you from every evil and will take care of you in all the spheres of life.
(b) Be loyal and obedient to Allâh, you will find Him near (in front of you) i.e. He will respond to your requests.
(c) If you ask, ask Allâh.
(d) If you seek help, seek help from Allâh.
(e) Know that if all the people get together in order to benefit you with something, they will not be able to benefit you in anything except what Allâh has decreed for you. And if they all get together in order to harm you with something, they will not be able to harm you in anything except what Allâh has decreed for you. The pens have stopped writings [Divine (Allâh’s) Preordainments]. And (the ink over) the papers (Book of Decrees) has dried.
This Hadith is quoted in Sahih At Tirmidi.
In Tafheem ul Quran, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi states the following:
“In contrast to the man of the world, whatever the man of God does, he does it to please Him and trusts in Him and not in his own powers nor in material resources. Therefore he is neither exultant over his success in the cause of Allah nor loses heart by failure, for he believes that it is the Will of God that is working in both the cases. Therefore he is neither disheartened by disasters nor is filled with conceit by successes. This is because he believes that both prosperity and adversity are from Allah and are nothing but a trial from Him. Therefore his only worry is to do his best to come out successful in His test. Besides, as there are no worldly ends before him, he does not measure his success or failure by the achievement or failure of his ends. On the other hand, the only object before him is to sacrifice his life and wealth in the Way of Allah, and he measures the success or failure of his efforts by the standard he achieves in the performance of this duty. Therefore if he is satisfied that he has done his best to perform this duty, he believes that he has come out successful by the grace of God, though he might not have been able to accomplish anything from the worldly point of view; for he believes that his Allah in Whose cause he has expended his life and wealth will not Iet go waste the reward of his efforts. As he does not depend on the material resources only, he is neither grieved if they are unfavorable, nor feels exultant when these are favorable. His entire trust is in God Who is the controller of all the resources; therefore he goes on doing his duty even under the most unfavorable circumstances with the same courage and perseverance that is shown by the worldly people unfavorable circumstances alone. That is why Allah asked the Holy Prophet to say to the hypocrites, “There is a basic difference between you and us in regard to the conduct of affairs. We believe that both the good and the bad are from Allah: therefore the apparent result does not make us happy or sad. Moreover, we depend on Allah in our affairs and you depend on material resources: so we are content and happy in all circumstances.”
Reflections on this verse:
  • Allah decides whatever happens on earth and in our lives.
  • This realization should comfort us that the administration of the whole universe is in the Hands of the Supreme Almighty, and our responsibility is only to lead life as He has directed us to.
  • Trust in Allah is the most important aspect of our Faith. Obedience should follow trust.
  • Supplications should be offered to Allah Alone, for all decisions are in His Hands.
  • Regret about what we missed of fortune is pointless, because if it had been destined for us, we wouldn’t have missed it.
  • Complaining about the situation or experience intended for us, however disagreeable, is also futile, for we couldn’t have escaped it whatever we might have done to avoid it.
  • Whatever good man meets with and whatever hardship he suffers in the world, are pre-ordained by Allah.
  • A true believer is he who does not lose heart in affliction and is not puffed up with pride in good times.
  • Rewards promised by Allah can be attained only if we take active part in the conflict with kufr, for that is the criterion which distinguishes true Muslims from hypocrites.
  • It is the character of a hypocrite and disbeliever that he is puffed up with pride when Allah favors him with His blessings, behaved boastfully and shows stinginess when called upon to spend in the cause of the same God Who blessed him, and also counsels others to be stingy like himself.
  • We should not entertain the delusion that our intelligence and efforts excelling those of others, made us worthy of our good fortune.
  • Pride is a vice that Allah wants us to discard.
References: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafhim al- Qur’an by Sayyid Abul Ala Moududi)
Source: Iqrasense

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

15 WAYS TO INCREASE EARNINGS WITH PROOFS FROM QUR'AAN AND SUNNAH



Source: Islaam Info - www.islaaminfo.com 
1. The Taqwa of Allah
And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). (2) And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things. [Surah Al-Talaaq, Verse 2-3] 
And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes). [ Surah Al-Araf, Verse 96]

2. Seeking forgiveness and repentance
"I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) 'He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) 'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.' "[Surah Nooh, Verses 10-12]
"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh)."[Surah Hood, Verse 52]
And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). [Surah Hood, Verse 3]

3. Tawakkul
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,"If you were to put trust in Allah (Tawakkul) the way that Allah deserves, then you would be provided for as birds are; they leave (in search of food) at the beginning of the day famished, and return at the end of the day full"[Shaykah Al-Abani’s Silsilat Al-Sahihah, # 310]
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.[Surah Al-Talaaq, Verse 2-3]
Would that they were contented with what Allâh and His Messenger (peace be upon him) gave them and had said: "Allâh is Sufficient for us. Allâh will give us of His Bounty, and so will His Messenger (from alms, etc.). We implore Allâh (to enrich us)." [Surah Al-Tawba, Verse 59]

4. Constantly worshiping Allah Ta'ala
Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu Anhu stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,"Allah says, ‘O son of Adam! Take time out to constantly worship me, I will fill your chest with richness , and remove your poverty. And if you do not do so. I will make your hands filled with occupation, and will not remove your poverty” [Shaykh Al-Albani declared it to authentic in his Sunan Al-Tirmidhi]
Ma’qal Ibn Yasaar Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that Prophet (peace be upon him) said:Your Lord, all glory and honor be to Him says, ‘O Son of Adam! Take the time out to constantly worship Me, I will fill your chest with richness! O Son of Adam! Do not distance yourself from Me, or I will fill your chest with poverty, and fill your hands with work ”[Shaykah Al-Albani’s Silsilat Al-Sahihah, # 1359]

5.Thanking Allah Ta'ala
And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshiping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe." [Surah Ibrahim, Verse 7]

6. Frequently performing Hajj and ‘Umrah
It has been reported by Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud Radhiyallahu Anhu that the Prophet of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:"Follow up between Hajj and ‘Umrah (i.e. continuously repeat the performance of Hajj and ‘Umrah) because they both eliminate poverty and sins just like a furnace eliminates the dirty impurities of iron, gold and silver. And an accepted Hajj has no reward less than paradise"[Shaykh Al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Al-Tirmidhi (1/245)]

7. Establishing the ties of kinship
Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:Whoever is pleased with the fact that his Rizq be increased, and his life-span be extended, then let him establish the ties of kinship”[Al-Bukhari, # 5985]
Anas Ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:Whoever wishes to have his Rizq increased, and his life-span be extended, then let him establish the ties of kinship” [Al-Bukari, # 5986]
Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:Learn enough of your lineage, so that you can establish the ties of kinship, for establish the ties of kinship increases the love amongst families and multiplies wealth and extends age”[Shaykh Al-Albani in Sahih Sunan Al-Tirmidhi (2/190)]

8. Spending in the Way of Allah Ta'ala
Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh's Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers."[Surah Saba, Verse 39]
Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu Anhu said that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:“ Allah has said: ‘O Son of Adam! Spend I will spend on you!”[Sahih Muslim (2/690)]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:There is not a single day in which a servant wakes that two angels come down (from the Heavens). One of them says, O’ Allah! Give to the one that spends a substitute (for what he has spent). And the other one says, ‘O Allah! Give to the one that withhold some (his money) destruction!”[Al-Bukhari #1442]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,While a person was in an open area of land, he heard voice in a cloud above him say. "water the garden of so-and-so!" So the cloud immediately departed, and started pouring its rain out on a rocky plain. A large crevice in the rocks collected all of this water. So the man followed the water (in its course), and he found a man standing in his garden, using an instrument to direct this water in different directions *(to irrigate his garden). He said to him, ‘O servant of Allah! What is your name?’ The man said ‘So-an-so,’ the same name that he had heard in the clouds! Then the man asked him, ‘O servant of Allah! Why are you asking me my name?’ So he responded. ‘I heard a voice in the clouds- the same clouds that this water came from- saying, “water the garden of so-and-so” with your name. What do you interpret this as (i.e. why do you think this happened )?’ So he said, ‘If you say this (i.e. if what you say occurred), then (the reason for this is that) I see what (crops) come out of it (this garden), and I give one third in charity, and I eat with my family one third of it, and I return one third of it (to cultivate more crops)”” and in another narration, it is reported that he said, …and I give one third of it to the poor, and the beggars, and the wayfarers.’ [Muslim (4/2288)]

 9. Hijrah, Emigrating for the sake of Allah Ta'ala
He who emigrates (from his home) in the Cause of Allâh, will find on earth many dwelling places and plenty to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allâh and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allâh. And Allâh is Ever Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Nisa, Verse 100]

10. Marriage
And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Sâlihûn (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allâh will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allâh is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people). [Surah Al-Nur, Verse 32]

11.Supporting students of Islamic knowledge
Anas Ibn Malik Radhiyallahu Anhu said,"There were two brothers (that lived) at the time of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). One of them would come to Prophet (Peace be upon him), whereas the other one would seek his sustenance (by working). So the the one who used to seek his sustenance complained to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about his brother. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied,It is possible that you are provided your rizq because of him’" [Shaykh Al-Albani agreed it to be authentic, Saheeh Sunan Al-Tirmidhi(2/274)]

12. Showing kindness to the Poor
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said,"The only reason that you are aided in victory (against your enemies) and provided with sustainance due to your weak?" [Al-Bukahri (14/179)]

13. Being honest in ones dealings
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:"The two parties of a transaction have the right (to annul the contract) as long as they don't separate (from each other). So, if they were truthful (to one another), and honest in explaining (the defects of an item), then they will be blessed in their transaction. But, if they lied, and hid (the defects of an item) then the blessings of their transaction are destroyed"[Muslim, # 3836]

14.Making the Hereafter One’s main Concern
Once Zayd Bin Thabit was with Marwan, the leader of the City, when he went to visit 'Abd Al-Rahman Ibn 'Uthman Bin 'Affan, Abd Al-Rahman said, "Nothing caused him to come here, at this hour except a question that he wants to ask." So he asked him (what the matter was). He replied, "He (meaning Marwan) asked us about matters that we heard the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) say". I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say"Whoever puts this world as his only (and primary) goal, then Allah will divide his affairs for him, and He will place poverty before his eyes, and nothing will come to him of this world except that which was already written (i.e. pre-destined) for him. But whoever made the Hereafter his goal, the Allah will gather his affairs for him, and he will place richness in his heart, and the world will come to him conquered and submissive" [Al-Albani Silsila As-Saheehah, #950 ]

15. Striving to achieve the goal (for sustainance)
He knows that there will be some among you sick, others traveling through the land, seeking of Allâh's Bounty; yet others fighting in Allâh's Cause. So recite as much of the Qur'ân as may be easy (for you), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, and lend to Allâh a goodly loan, And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, (i.e. Nawâfil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and 'Umrah), you will certainly find it with Allâh, better and greater in reward. And seek Forgiveness of Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful  [Surah Al-Muzammil, Verse 20]
And We have appointed the night and the day as two Ayât (signs etc.). Then, We have obliterated the sign of the night (with darkness) while We have made the sign of the day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning. And We have explained everything (in detail) with full explanation. [Surah Al-Isra, Verse 20]