Watch your thoughts

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Frank Outlaw

Prayer

Prayer is an open line to God.
No network problem, no low battery, no connection error, no charging, always good signals and all messages sent.
Author unknown

Respect the Ulama

Imam Abdul Wahab Sha’rani (R) writes: A covenant was made with us (Muslims) on behalf of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alaihi-wasallam) that we respect the Ulama, the saintly and the elders, whether they themselves act according to their knowledge or not. And that we shall continue to discharge their necessary rights and entrust their personal matter to Allah Ta’ala.

Whosoever fails to discharge the Ulama’s rights and fails to show them the necessary respect and honor is indeed guilty of sin towards Allah and His Rasul (Sallallahu-Alaihi-wasallam), for the Ulama are the successors of the Ambiya (AS), the heirs of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alaihi-wasallam), the bearers of the Shariah and they are His servants. When anyone insults them, the insults set forth a chain reaction which reaches Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alaihi-wasallam).
This is Kufr.

Now think for yourself: The king appoints someone as his ambassador. The king will with attention listen to this ambassador and debar the insulter from his court. On the other hand, the king will make a favorite out of that man who showed respect and honor to his ambassador and who discharged the rights due to his emissary.
(al-I’tidaal of H.Sheikh)

Deprivation of the Negligent

During heavy rainfall if a person was to complain that he has not managed to collect water, then all present would conclude that this was because of his sheer negligence and laxity.

Likewise in Ramadhan only the extremely negligent remain deprived because the Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah ta’ala descends in torrents.
Shaykh Saleem Dhorat - www.idauk.org

Wake Up!

Author Unknown

"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar" you hear the athaan go on.
But you still decide to procrastinate, even when your family yells, "Come on!"

You think, "I still have time, before I really have to pray, 'Asr is still hours away."
Your head is saying "Go" but the Shaytaan is saying "No" so you go on anyway.

You go to your bed and decide to lie down, for just a few minutes you say.
But when your head hits the pillow, your body is overcome by a feeling, different than any other way.

You suddenly feel hot and nervous, and your throat is parched and dry.
You hear a voice call, "Why did you disobey me?" But you are unable to answer why.

Suddenly your life flashes before your eyes,
And feelings of guilt and regret are becoming hard to disguise.

Images and thoughts run through your head,
If only you did more useful things, but you wasted your time instead.

Every ill word you said, and every prayer you missed is presented,
If only you took life more seriously...if only you repented.

You say, "I didn't know any better, I never knew to take a closer look"
But the voice replies, "Yes you did, you had The Holy Book."

"In it you will find the meaning of life, and words of inspiration.
And the perfect example for mankind, the Prophet who received the revelation."

"This life is but a stage, a mere drop compared to an ocean,
"So think not of the worldly things, and make sure that in your heart lies devotion."

You wake up suddenly, alarmed and quivering.
"I wasted so much time!" you think, "good words and prayers I should be delivering."

You pray, and then afterwards do some reflection,
And you decide to give your life a thorough inspection.

This life is so unpredictable; it can vanish very soon,
All that you see will perish, and only your deeds will remain with you.

So hold on to the Quran and the way of the Prophet (saw) for salvation,
And do not delay what you must do, remember Jannah, the ultimate destination.

Make the most of Ramadan

Assalam Alaykum,
Ramadan Mubrak to you all! I thought it would be good to share some general advice on making the most of Ramadan, so here are some brief points below.
Please remember me and my family in your duas.
Wasalam

• Perform all prayers on time and with congregation (especially for males)
• Do not waste time doing Eid shopping or eating with friends and other family members just because it is Ramadan
• Reduce worldly and business commitments to a minimum
• Increase the recitation of the Quran, Zikr and Tasbeeh
• Increase Nafl (optional) Salah or perform Qaza Salah as much as possible
• Make a total commitment to avoid all sins. If any sins are committed, (major or minor), make taubah (repent) immediately
• Free the mind from all evil thoughts and make an effort to reform oneself (eg. remove pride, hatred, jealousy, anger, looking down upon others, etc.)
• Increase acts of charity and assist the needy as much as possible. Do not forget to pay your Zakat.
• Spend time reading good Islamic books (eg. Teachings of Islam, Bahishti Zewar, Good Character, Upbringing of Children etc.)
• Make plenty of dua for yourself, your family and the Ummah, especially in the period before the time for Iftar

Bear in mind that each of one of us will be asked by Allah how we spent our Ramadhan . Let us not forget that we will be punished equally for our sins just as we are rewarded for our good deeds.