Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease

At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery, it is a time when Muslims should continue being Muslims, only better Muslims.

I would say to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam “don’t be Sad”; if you are on the true religion – believing in One God and all the Messengers sent to mankind, then don’t be sad.

Allah says in Quran

“…Bear with patience whatever befalls you….” (Qur’an 31:17) and “Be not sad, surely Allah is with us.” (Qur’an 9:40)

Our Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.” [Tirmidhi]

Being sad is not encouraged in Islam

“So do not become weak, nor be sad…” (Qur’an 3:139)

“And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.” (Qur’an 16:127)

Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart does not benefit through grief. The most beloved thing to the devil is to hinder the worshipper in the path of Allah. The Muslim must repel sadness and fight in any way that is permissible in Islam.

Allah is sufficient for us

“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the owner of Great Bounty.” (Qur’an 3:173-174)

“And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed…” (Qur’an 5:23)

“O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer…” (Qur’an 2:153)

By leaving your affairs to Allah, by depending on Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith. When you incorporate these qualities, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection and victory.

Pre-ordainment

“No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence.” (Qur’an 57:22)

The pen has dried, and the pages have been lifted: all events shall come to pass have already been written. Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardships and difficulty would become ease and comfort.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship).” [Bukhari]

For those who are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with your Lord.

“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” (Qur’an 21:23)

Verily, with hardship, there is relief

“Verily, with hardship there is relief” (Qur’an 94:6)

“Perhaps Allah may bring victory or a decision according to His Will.” (Qur’an 5:52)

Prophet Ibrahim (‘alayhissalam) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from Allah.

“We (Allah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim.” (Qur’an 21:69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Moses (‘alayhissalaam) because he uttered in confident, strong and truthful manner:

“Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Qur’an 26:62)

And the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhu):

“..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” [Tirmidhi]

Accept life as it is

If you read the Qur’an you will see that all the Prophets went through trials and tribulations. Life is a test so let us learn from the best examples of our Prophets.

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty, ailments and were shaken.” (Qur’an 2:214)

We should know that if we are pleased with our Lord, He will be pleased with us. And if you are pleased with your Lord no matter what the situation is, then you will find that you have earned your Lord’s pleasure. On the other hand, there are hypocrites whom Allah rejects their deeds. They are displeased with what Allah sends down and they hate seeking His pleasure; thus their deeds are performed in vain.

Your recompense is with Allah

When Allah, the Exalted takes something away from you, He compensates it with something better, but only if you are patient and seek His reward.

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Whoever loses a loved one from the people of this world and then seeks recompense with his Lord, will be compensated with Paradise.”

Those who are in this world and are close to Allah will be raised in the highest of heaven:

“Peace be upon you, because you peresevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (Qur’an 13:24)

Truly, the life of this world is short and its treasures are few. O’ afflicted ones, if you are patient you lose nothing; and though you may not perceive it, you are profiting.

Extract honey but do not break the hive

“Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend.” (Qur’an 41:34)

“….and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah.” (Qur’an 33:48)

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut off, forgive the ones who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.”

“Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” (Qur’an 3-134)

Remembrance of Allah

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28)

“Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…” (Qur’an 2:152)

We should not be surprised when we hear that people who remember Allah are at peace. What is truly surprising is how the negligent and unmindful survive without remembering Him.

Allah says in the Qur’an,

“They are dead, lifeless and they know not when they will be raised up.” (Qur’an 16: 21)

Truly, He is near when supplicated: He hears when he is called and He answers when He is invoked, so humble yourself before Him and ask of Him sincerely. Repeat His beautiful names, and mention Him alone as worthy of worship. Mention His praises, supplicate to Him: you will find then – by the will of Allah – happiness, peace and illumination.

“So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 3:148)

Loving Allah, knowing Him, remembering Him, seeking peace in Him, singling Him out for complete love, fear, hope and dependence – these qualities when combined in a person, constitute a sort of heaven on earth. These are qualities that bring peace to those who love Allah, a sort of peace that has no comparison in this world.

It is important that a special relationship exists in the heart between the slave and his Lord, a relationship that allows the slave to feel so close to his Lord that he requires no other. Thus, he finds company when he is alone, and he tastes the sweetness of remembering Him and supplicating to Him. Allah’s slave will continually face hardship and difficulty until he dies, but if he has a special relationship with his Lord, all of the hardships of life will become easy for him.

The prayer….the prayer – we must return to our mosques

“O’ you who believe! Seek help in patience and the Prayer.” (Qur’an 2:153)

By earnestly performing the five daily prayers, we achieve the greatest of blessings: cleared off our sins and increase in rank with our Lord. Prayer is a potent remedy for our sickness, for it instills our faith in our souls.

As for those that keep away from the mosque and away from prayer, for them is unhappiness, wretchedness and an embittered life.

“For them is destruction and Allah will make their deeds vain.” (Qur’an 47:8)

Take a moment to reflect

O whose mind has wandered in grief, O’ you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health.

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief:

“There is no worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid.”

“So be patient, with a good patience…” (Qur’an 70:5)

References:
The Noble Qur’an (Muhsin Khan/Muhammad Hilali Translation)
Don’t Be Sad – Shaykh ‘Aaidh Al-Qarni

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانصَبْ
وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ
“Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” [TMQ 94:5-8]

THINGS TO AVOID IN RAMADAN

Ramadan comes once a year and it’s a time that we should really reflect on a lot of things and avoid our bad habits for awhile. However once we drop some bad habits, new ones appear to arise. The following are some things done in Ramadan that need to be stopped and/or reduced.

Taraweeh Express

Sometimes Taraweeh prayers can get long … REALLY long. People make fiendish plans to make shortcuts.

“Hey I think he’s almost done the first rakaah”

“Let’s hit it up… GO GO GO!”

“Shoot he got up too early. Now everyone will know we’re late.”

“Let’s get the hell outta here… GO GO GO!”

Unfortunately these were two uncles.

Be a man (or woman). Pray the full two. Only wussies join before the first rakaat is ending.

Gain Weight

Amazingly, I hear people complaining that they gain weight during this month where we are supposed to fast. After seeing their plate at iftaar, I think I found the problem:

- Plateful of biryani.

- Side of hummus

- Some mashed potatoes

- A banana

- Fruit chaat (or fruit with spices in because some cultures put spices on virtually everything for some bizarre reason)

- Caeser’s salad sans bacon bits

- Roti (why not?)

- Goat curry

- Another banana

And upon second serving the person had this:

These plates could feed an army. If you’re gonna eat like a pig, don’t complain when Dr. Atkins comes knocking on your door for Eid.

Zakaat Gone Wrong

In Ramadan people tend to give charity a lot more because they’re in a more of an altruistic state and that’s cool and all but please, some people really need to get the hang of donating. I mean when we give charity, our left hand shouldn’t know what the right hand gave. Instead I see some random Joe Ali’s donating to let EVERYONE’s left hand, elbow and nostril know what Joe Ali’s right hand gave.

If you see anyone like this, make sure you give ‘em a right hand of your own.

But all blame can’t go to the person. Sometimes in the midst of Taraweeh prayers the mosque board would start ‘fun’draising, holding the second half of the Taraweeh hostage. You won’t be able to continue praying unless you pay up. Although donating to the mosque is nice, charity is sorta screwed up when they read out your name and read out how much you donated with commentary.

“Oh Br.Abdullah… I seen your house… you could have added a few Zeros at the end of that number.”

“Sr. Fatima… very good! If I knew you make this sort of cash I would have married off my daughter to your son.”

Breathing on People

An awesome part of Ramadan is that we have an excuse for having bad breath. And although our breath may smell better than musk to Allah (SWT), that doesn’t mean we should breathe on everyone we see.

Tip: talk less in Ramadan. It’ll be better for us all.

Miswak Misuse

To cover up that bad breath, we are allowed to “brush” using a handy stick called the miswak. Now brushing your teeth with a stick would normally be funny, but this is sunnah we’re talking about and judging by scientific reports, miswaks totally own toothbrushes. Although brushing our teeth might be cool, doing it in front of our non-Muslim friends could be fatal.

“Hey Yasir have you finished the- … holy mother of shampoo! What the hell are you doing?”

“Brushing my teeth with a stick.”

”Gross!”

“Don’t knock it until you tried it.”

“Maybe I will!”

So after giving your friend a miswak without proper guidelines you end up seeing this in the newspaper the next day.

Make sure you attach instructions to the miswak next time. No need to let your miswak go on a murderous rampage.

Obligatory Prayer (Solat)

For Solat with 4 Raka’at {Solat Zuhur, Asar, Isyak}

1st Raka’at

1. Niat (Intention) – *Rukun

· Made in the heart, not verbal & can be in any language

2. Qiyam (Stand) – *Rukun

· Feet slightly apart, not very wide apart, equal weight on both feet. Eyes focused on the place of sujud.

· Body upright, not slouching.

3. Say Takbiratul Ihram (Opening Takbir – Entry to solat) – *Rukun

· Verbal, not in the heart.

· Hands raised to ear level (for men) or to shoulder level (for women).

· Fingers not apart or tightly closed, palms facing kiblat.

4. Position right hand/arm on left hand/arm, placed on chest/above the navel.

5. Recite do’a iftihtah (opening do’a) – *Sunnah

6. Recite Al-Fatihah – *Rukun

· Verbal, not in the heart. To be recited accurately.

· Begin with ta’awudz’ – *Sunnah

· To say ‘amin’ together with imam is sunnah muakadah.

Note: Improper to say ‘amin’ before imam.

7. Recite a surah from Al Quran (For 1st and 2nd raka’at) – *Sunnah

8. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

· Hands raised as in the opening takbir.

9. Ruku’ (Bowing down) – *Rukun

· Correct position, no ‘stealing’: Back and head straight, parallel to the ground. Hand on knees (not below or above knees). Elbow away from body (for men) or close to body (for women).

· With tuma’ninah (pause for the duration of 1 tasbih at least).

· Say tasbih for ruku’ 3 times – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Elbow bent hence back is stooped too low and position is not firm.

10. Straightening up from ruku’ and raise your hands as in the opening takbir.

· Say ‘Sami ‘allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears who praises Him) – *Sunnah

11. I’tidal (Upright posture after ruku’) – *Rukun

· Hands by the side

· With tuma’ninah

· Say ‘Rabbana lakalhamd’ (O our lord, to You the praise is due)

Common mistakes: Hunched body. Swinging of arms 3 times or more. No pause at all. Raised hands facing upwards.

12. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

13. Sujud (Prostration) – *Rukun

· 7 parts of the body must touch the ground: the forehead (& nose), 2 palms of the hands, 2 knees and the toes of the 2 feet.

· For men: Elbows raised and away from body and abdomen lifted from thighs OR

· For women: Elbows close to body and trunks close to thighs.

· With tuma’ninah

· Say tasbih for sujud 3 times – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Elbows close to body, arms flat on the floor, toes pointing backwards, feet lifted off the floor.

14. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

15. Sit between sujud – *Rukun

· Sitting iftirasy: The buttock is sitting on the left feet which is flat on the ground, right feet upright with toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Hands on thighs with fingertips aligned with the tips of knees.

· Body straight.

· With tuma’ninah

· Say ‘Rabbighfir li warhamni wajburni warfa’ni warzuqni wahdini wa ‘afini wa fu’anni (O my lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, fulfill my needs, raise me, provide for me, guide me, and protect me from sickness, pardon my sins) – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Feet cross over each other with buttock sitting on them. Body bent.

16. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

17. Sujud (Prostration) – *Rukun

18. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

2nd Raka’at

1. Qiyam (as in no. 2) – *Rukun

2. Repeat no.6 to 17

3. Sit for 1st Tashahud – *Sunnah

· Sitting iftirasy: The buttock is sitting on the left feet which flat on the ground, right feet upright with toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Left hand on left thigh with fingertips aligned with tips of knees. Clench right hand and place on right thigh.

· Body straight.

Recite 1st Tashahud – *Sunnah

· Point the index finger of the right hand towards the qiblah at the recitation of ‘ilallah’.

· Eyes fixed on the index finger – eyes as the witness to your finger pointing and declaring that there is no other god other than Allah.

· Recite Salaawah Prophet Muhammad

This is a few words of prayer for the Prophet (PBUH – peace be upon him). The simplest salaawah is by saying:

Allaahumma salli ‘alla Muhammad

4. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

· Hands raised to ear level same as in the opening takbir.

3rd Raka’at

5. Qiyam (as in no.2) – *Rukun

6. Repeat no.6 to 18

4th Raka’at

7. Qiyam (as in no.2) – *Rukun

8. Repeat no.6 to 17

9. Sitting for final tashahud – *Rukun

· Sitting tawaruq: The buttock is sitting on the ground, the left feet is underneath the right leg with the right feet upright, its toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Left hand on left thigh with fingertips aligned with tips of knee. Clench right hand and place on right thigh.

· Body straight.

Recite Final Tashahud

· Point the index finger of the right hand towards the qiblah at the recitation of ‘ilallah’.

· Eyes fixed on the index finger.

· Recite Salaawah Prophet Muhammad and Ibrahim.

10. Salaam/Taslim – Exit from solat – *Rukun

· This is to announce the end of Solat:

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum warahmatullaah

Meaning: Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

As you say the taslim, turn your head to the right (endpoint of solat) and then left.

Common mistakes: Dropping head down before turning right and left.

:: For a more detailed version, check out the link under Prayer (Solat); Obligatory Prayer (Solat Fardhu) ::

Obligatory Prayer (Solat Fardhu)

For Solat with 4 Raka’at {Solat Zuhur, Asar, Isyak}

1st Raka’at

1. Niat (Intention) – *Rukun

· Made in the heart, not verbal & can be in any language

2. Qiyam (Stand) – *Rukun

· Feet slightly apart, not very wide apart, equal weight on both feet. Eyes focused on the place of sujud.

· Body upright, not slouching.

3. Say Takbiratul Ihram, “Allahu Akhbar” (Opening Takbir – Entry to solat) – *Rukun

· Verbal, not in the heart. Cannot be said in any other language.

· Hands raised to ear level (for men) or to shoulder level (for women).

· Fingers not apart or tightly closed, palms facing kiblat.

4. Position right hand/arm on left hand/arm, placed on chest/above the navel.

5. Recite Basmallah, “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim”, then do’a iftihtah (opening do’a) – *Sunnah

6. Recite Al-Fatihah – *Rukun

· Verbal, not in the heart. To be recited accurately.

· Begin with ta’awudz’ – *Sunnah

· To say ‘amin’ together with imam is sunnah muakadah.

Note: Improper to say ‘amin’ before imam (for solat jemaah).

7. Recite a surah from Al Quran (For 1st and 2nd raka’at) – *Sunnah

8. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

· Hands raised as in the opening takbir.

9. Ruku’ (Bowing down) – *Rukun

· Correct position, no ‘stealing’: Back and head straight, parallel to the ground. Hand on knees (not below or above knees). Elbow away from body (for men) or close to body (for women).

· With tuma’ninah (pause for the duration of 1 tasbih at least).

· Say tasbih for ruku’ 3 times – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Elbow bent hence back is stooped too low and position is not firm.

10. Straightening up from ruku’ and raise your hands as in the opening takbir.

· Say ‘Sami ‘allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears who praises Him) – *Sunnah

11. I’tidal (Upright posture after ruku’) – *Rukun

· Hands by the side

· With tuma’ninah

· Say ‘Rabbana lakalhamd’ (O our lord, to You the praise is due)

Common mistakes: Hunched body. Swinging of arms 3 times or more. No pause at all. Raised hands facing upwards.

12. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

13. Sujud (Prostration) – *Rukun

· 7 parts of the body must touch the ground: the forehead (& nose), 2 palms of the hands, 2 knees and the toes of the 2 feet.

· For men: Elbows raised and away from body and abdomen lifted from thighs OR

· For women: Elbows close to body and trunks close to thighs.

· With tuma’ninah

· Say tasbih for sujud 3 times – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Elbows close to body, arms flat on the floor, toes pointing backwards, feet lifted off the floor.

14. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

15. Sit between sujud – *Rukun

· Sitting iftirasy: The buttock is sitting on the left feet which is flat on the ground, right feet upright with toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Hands on thighs with fingertips aligned with the tips of knees.

· Body straight.

· With tuma’ninah

· Say ‘Rabbighfir li warhamni wajburni warfa’ni warzuqni wahdini wa ‘afini wa fu’anni (O my lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, fulfill my needs, raise me, provide for me, guide me, and protect me from sickness, pardon my sins) – *Sunnah

Common mistakes: Feet cross over each other with buttock sitting on them. Body bent.

16. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

17. Sujud (Prostration) – *Rukun

18. Say Takbir – *Sunnah



2nd Raka’at

19. Qiyam (as in no. 2) – *Rukun

20. Repeat no.6 to 17

21. Sit for 1st Tashahud – *Sunnah

· Sitting iftirasy: The buttock is sitting on the left feet which flat on the ground, right feet upright with toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Left hand on left thigh with fingertips aligned with tips of knees. Clench right hand and place on right thigh.

· Body straight.

Recite 1st Tashahud – *Sunnah

· Point the index finger of the right hand towards the qiblah at the recitation of ‘ilallah’.

· Eyes fixed on the index finger – eyes as the witness to your finger pointing and declaring that there is no other god other than Allah.

· Recite Salaawah Prophet Muhammad

This is a few words of prayer for the Prophet (PBUH – peace be upon him). The simplest salaawah is by saying: Allaahumma salli ‘alla Muhammad

22. Say Takbir – *Sunnah

· Hands raised to ear level same as in the opening takbir.



3rd Raka’at

23. Qiyam (as in no.2) – *Rukun

24. Repeat no.6 to 18



4th Raka’at

25. Qiyam (as in no.2) – *Rukun

26. Repeat no.6 to 17

27. Sitting for Final Tashahud – *Rukun

· Sitting tawaruq: The buttock is sitting on the ground, the left feet is underneath the right leg with the right feet upright, its toes pointing towards kiblat.

· Left hand on left thigh with fingertips aligned with tips of knee. Clench right hand and place on right thigh.

· Body straight.

Recite Final Tashahud

· Point the index finger of the right hand towards the qiblah at the recitation of ‘ilallah’.

· Eyes fixed on the index finger.

· Recite Salaawah Prophet Muhammad and Ibrahim.

28. Salaam/Taslim – Exit from solat – *Rukun

This is to announce the end of Solat:

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum warahmatullaah

Meaning: Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

As you say the taslim, turn your head to the right (endpoint of solat) and then left.

Common mistakes: Dropping head down before turning right and left.