SELF-EVALUATION

The Prophet emphasised the necessary of lhtisab or self evaluation at every opportunity: `Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin'. (Muslim.) Umar ibn al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, also said in this respect:Judge yourself before you are judged, evaluate yourself before you are evaluated and be ready for the greatest investigation.At every Prayer time, especially in the early hours of the morning, when you are alone and can feel...

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SEEKING ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS

The decision to live our lives for the sake of Allah is no guarantee that we will not forget Allah and commit mistakes for `all children of Adam are sinners, but best among sharers are those who constantly repent'. (Tirmidhi.) Imam Bukhari recorded that even the Prophet, though he was sinless, `sought Allah's forgiveness 70 times a day'. We should therefore, constantly seek the forgiveness of Allah for every single sin, small or great.Allah says:Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards...

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SEEKING ALLAH’S MERCY

The abundance of Allah's rahma or mercy will not come without pure actions. Pure actions, however, when performed, will make you deserving of Allah's mercy. This, in turn, will enable you to earn the delights of janna and His pleasure. The Quran proclaims: Call on Him with fear and longing. Surely, Allah's mercy is ever near to the doers of good. [al-Araf 7:56.] The Messenger of God also said:`No one will be saved [from the Hell fire and admitted into Paradise] by his deeds alone.' When asked, `Not...

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CONQUERING FEAR OF DEATH

The Day of judgment, though it is to be feared, must also inspire in us a desire and eagerness to meet Allah. Sayyida Aisha reported that the Prophet said:`Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet with him; and whoever dislikes the meeting with Allah, Allah also dislikes the meeting with him.'I asked: `O Prophet of God, is it because of the dislike of death, for all of us dislike death?'He said: `It is not so, but rather it is that when the Believer is given news of Allah's mercy. His approval...

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MAN'S FORGETFULNESS

Though death is certain, we tend to forget from time to time our meeting with our Lord. This forgetfulness, although part of human nature can make us stray from our true mission in life:If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion. [az-Zukhruf 43: 36] Forgetfulness, however, can be overcome by remembering Allah in all of life's activities, as the Quran again declares: Those who fear Allah, when a thought of evil...

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THE CERTAINTY OF DEATH

Allah has created everything with a fixed life span. The Quran states: It is not given to any soul to die save by Gods permission, and at an appointed time. [Ali Imran 3: 145.] Indeed there is no certainty in life except death. Every soul will taste death. [Ali Imran 3:185.]Not only is death itself inescapable, but the place and the very day and hour of death have been forever fixed: No person knows what he will earn tomorrow and no person knows in what land he will die. [Luqman 31: 34.]When the...

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OUR DESTINATION…

When the lifestyle of one who is working solely for the material gains of this world is compared with that of a person who is striving for the everlasting rewards of the Hereafter, there is seemingly very little difference. In both cases, each person is seen to be striving to maintain a quality life. The Quran, however, states that the two parties are far from equal: Is then the one who believes equal to the man who is a transgressor and wicked? Not equal are they. [as-Sajda 32: 18.]It is clear...

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Meeting ALLAH

THE most important questions in life are those that deal with the meaning and purpose of man's existence. The Quran explains that the human being has been placed on this earth to utilise his enormous potential to conduct himself in a manner which will fulfill his purpose in life.It is He who has created death and life that He may test which of you is best in deed. [al-Mulk 67: 2.]The Quran further explains that man's role on earth is to live as his Creator desires him to live: in surrender and worship...

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DEATH: A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FOR A BELIEVER

"To Allah (Almighty God) we belong, and to Him is our return." (Holy Qur'an 2:156)Multitudes of men have walked on the surface of this Earth. They all belonged to different nations and cultures. A few of them made history for which they were remembered, whereas others were never to be mentioned again. Although each one was personally different from another - their habits, thinking and tastes differed - they all had two things in common, first, they were all delivered from their mothers womb (birth)...

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Benevolence Towards Parents

If your friends give you a nice present, you will certainly thank them and your love will grow towards them...Allah, the Exalted, says: "And your lord has commanded that you shall not worship (any) but Him and (show) goodness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) 'Ah' nor chide them, but speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gently to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! Have compassion on them, as they brought...

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