| Living \r\n the Quran |
Al-Rad \r\n (The Thunder)
The allusion here is to the guardian angels attached to every soul guarding \r\n him or her from harm unless Allah wills otherwise. According to a Hadith \r\n in Abu Dawud, these angels guard man from falling into potholes, slip \r\n down from top of walls, escape flying objects, etc., unless Allah wills \r\n otherwise. When Allah wills, the angels move away. Life would be impossible \r\n if Allah removed these angels. \r\nOne of the angels is positioned at the front while the other at the rear. \r\n They change their duties morning and evening. There are two others, one \r\n at the right hand side and another at the left. These two write down the \r\n deeds. The one on the right records good deeds while the other at left \r\n records evil deeds. Thus, every man has four angels with him at any time: \r\n four during the day, and four others at night (Bukhari). The angels are \r\n with us all the time except when we are having intercourse and we are \r\n in the washroom. (Ibn Kathir) \r\nBut Allah's protection should not lead the people to believe that they \r\n can do what they wish. Rather, although it is true that Allah does not \r\n punish for no crime, when we rebel, the protection is withdrawn. Not even \r\n the guardian angels can do anything for us in that event. \r\n \r\n Source: |
| \r\n Understanding the Prophet's Life |
| \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The Registers of Deeds \r\nIn a hadith narrated by Sayyida Aisha, the Prophet, peace be \r\n upon him, said that all the deeds that we perform are written \r\n down in three registers: \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n The second register of deeds is especially important for us to \r\n consider because there is no Divine \r\n pardon in cases where personal rights have been violated. \r\n Forgiveness can only come from the person concerned - either directly \r\n or when Allah makes it possible for that person to grant a pardon. \r\n The Prophet Muhammad said in this regard: \r\nWhoever is guilty of doing some \r\n wrong against a fellow human being, whether in regard to his honour \r\n or anything else, he should obtain his forgiveness before the \r\n Day of judgment, when there will be no money to pay for it. If \r\n he has any good deeds to his credit, they will be taken away from \r\n him to the extent of his wrongdoing. And if he has no good deeds, \r\n the sins of the wronged-one will be taken and put on him. \r\n (Bukhari.) \r\nSource: |
| Blindspot! |
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Half of your faith \r\nHow many men and women prepare themselves to \r\n live as a couple, as a family? \r\n Some think about it, others are already committed \r\n to it. We hear of stories... and one is sometimes moved by the \r\n expectations and hopes of some, and sometimes saddened by the \r\n painful life experiences of others. Perhaps you are also, sisters \r\n and brothers, preparing yourselves to engage in this life experience \r\n of marriage, known as half of your faith. Or perhaps \r\n you have already started sharing your life with someone. In \r\n this, your expectations, thank God, were more than met but sometimes \r\n doubts have emerged. This... is not what you had expected. \r\nBrothers and sisters, nothing should be idealized. \r\n \r\nThe perfect husband \r\n or the perfect wife only exists in your dreams. \r\n God has given you, as He has given others, noble qualities and \r\n intelligence. God has given you, as He has given others, faults \r\n and deficiencies. Perfection is not given to you or any human \r\n being. \r\nIt is not enough \r\n to share the same faith, the same principles and the same hopes \r\n to make an ideal couple. How many young couples \r\n have been under the illusion that their future life will be \r\n harmonious as if being Muslim was enough for a successful marriage? As \r\n if their union was based solely on the meeting of two worlds \r\n founded on the same principles that one respects or on the rules \r\n which one applies. \r\nLiving as a couple \r\n is not without its challenges - preparing yourself, \r\n learning and constantly trying to reach out to the other with \r\n patience, depth and tenderness. Although it is true that \r\n the principles of Islam bring you together, or will bring you \r\n together, you must remember each day that the person with whom \r\n you share your life comes with his or her own history, wounds, \r\n sensitivities and hopes. Learn to listen, to understand, to \r\n observe, to accompany. \r\nLiving as a couple \r\n is the greatest of tests: a test of patience, \r\n of attention, of the ability to listen for unspoken words, of \r\n self-control, of mending one’s faults, of healing the \r\n wounds. In each of these tests, there are two parties. It isn’t \r\n easy. A meaningful effort has to be grounded in the deepest \r\n sense of spirituality, a jihad, in the most intense \r\n meaning of the term. The jihad of love which reminds \r\n that feelings have to be taken care of. They are maintained, \r\n deepened, rooted through your shared challenges and your patience. \r\nThey are your garments and you are their garments. \r\n Know how to be patient, learn how to be affectionate, offer \r\n forgiveness, and you will attain the spirituality of the protected, \r\n the proximity of the ones that are close. Faith \r\n then becomes your source of light and \"his or her\" presence, \r\n becomes your source of protection; the test of your heart, the \r\n energy of your love, half of your faith. \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Source: |
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