Poem: Note To My Relatives Wherever They Are

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Dear relatives, from my mother's side and father's side,
Here's a letter, not to judge, but with love, to remind.
I'm reminding you and myself that our goal in life
Is to worship just Allah so we reach Paradise.
~*~
Summa cum laude and magna cum laude awards,
Doctorate degrees, lands you bought, and high paying jobs,
And other worldly proofs of "success" won't help at all.
What matter more are your good deeds done with sincere heart.
~*~
Among the good deeds Allah loves are praying on time,
Respecting parents, fasting, keeping family ties,
Valuing modesty, learning Islam day and night,
And preparing for death that can take place anytime.
~*~
This earth Allah placed us in is a platform of tests,
Trials that examine faith, when some wants are not met,
Exams involving feelings to have our Imaan checked,
To see how much we'll strive for Jannah where we can rest.
~*~
To succeed in both worlds, obey Allah, not shaytan.
shaytan is our enemy, beware of his vile plans.
It's shaytan who wants us to misunderstand Islam,
To prefer dunya so Hell is where his puppets land.
~*~
You cringe and find us weird when we enjoin what is right,
While we pity the state where you're far from Allah's Light.
Don't fall into shaytan's traps whose aim is to misguide
Jinn and humankind to join him in the afterlife.
~*~
The Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) could not save his own uncle
Abu Talib. Verily Allah guides those whom He Wills.
All I can do is advise as much as I'm able
And mention you in Du'as whenever possible.
~*~
May Allah the Most Merciful forgive us, protect us from fitna, and decree that Jannatul Ferdaus is our eternal abode. Ameen.
🌼 Allah the Almighty said, "The believing men and the believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give charity and obey Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam). Allah will have mercy upon them. Verily, Allah is Almighty and Wise."
[The Noble Qur'an Surah At-Tawbah 9:71]
📖 Jubayr Ibn Mut’im RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The one who severs his family ties will not enter Paradise."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5638, Sahih Muslim 2556
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Ibn Umar RadhiAllahu 'anhuma narrated: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, which of the believers is best?” The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Those with the best character.” The man said, “Which of the believers is the wisest?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Those who remember death often and have best prepared for it with good deeds; those are the wisest.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4259
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: Ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him."
Source: Sahih Muslim 1631
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Hadith: Intuition And Knowledge Are From Allah.

📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Beware of the intuition of the believer. Verily, he sees with the light of Allah." Then, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam recited the verse, “Verily, in that are signs for those of discernment.” (The Noble Qur'an 15:75)

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 3127

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Haythami

Ibn Al-Qayyim (May Allah have mercy on him. Ameen.) said, “It is a light that Allah bestows in the heart of His servant, by which he distinguishes between truth and falsehood, advantage and disadvantage, the honest and the liar.”

Source: Madārij Al-Sālikīn 2/453

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near Him."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2699

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Poem: Intuition - A Gift From Allah

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Intuition is a gift from Allah the Most Wise

Given to chosen servants eager to do what's right.

It's the ability to sense something from inside

To distinguish truth from falsehood, and darkness from light.

~*~

Your gut instinct is that feeling you may feel at times

There's something odd about someone like they're telling lies.

You find them dangerous, as they tend to mock, backbite,

Often criticize others, and hate to be advised.

~*~

You can't trust those whose acts don't match what they vocalize,

When their habits don't align with what they verbalize.

You've caught them backbiting about those whom they dislike,

They've betrayed, and they're too prideful to apologize.

~*~

Always seek Allah's Guidance before you plan, decide,

And take action. Don't listen to your heart. Use your mind.

Careful of your heart, it's where shaytan plants vile desires.

Your conscience, if upright, can remind, warn and advise.

~*~

Sometimes there are instances when your heart would desire

Some souls you admire when attraction intensifies.

While your heart wants them, it feels restless at the same time -

That's your inner voice with guilt, warning you to think twice.

~*~

Maintaining strong connection with Allah the Most High 

Can make your intuition more precise and refined.

Hence Allah the All-Knowing guides you each day and night 

To deeds that make you worthy of Jannah Paradise. 

~*~

With Allah guiding us, as we honor Allah's rights,

We're aware of what to do, what to prioritize,

What to delay, what to cancel, who to truly like,

And to continue saying Du'a we are inspired.

~*~

📖 Abu Tha’laba RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me what is lawful and unlawful for me.” The Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Righteousness is serenity in the soul and peace of mind in the heart. 

Sin is not serene in the soul and not pleasant to the heart, even if the judge gives you approval."

Source: Musnad Ahmed 17396 

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Umamah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: A man asked the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, “What is faith?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “If you are happy with your good deeds and saddened by your bad deeds, then you are a believer.” The man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is sin?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “If something waivers in your soul (disturbs you), then you should leave it.” 

Source: Musnad Ahmed 21695 

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Poem: Jannah Is Where We Can Reunite

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 May Allah unite us in Jannah Heaven.
Ameen. Special message to my dear parents,
To my Muslim family, distant loved ones,
Close friends and those with whom I haven’t spoken.
Sweet reminders again to my dear husband:
~*~
Dear husband, whom I so love for Allah’s sake,
Although we don’t see each other night and day,
Always note my loving you will still remain
Until it finds perfection up there someday,
In Jannah where there’s no worry nor dismay.
~*~
With those I love our talks on earth may be few,
Our meetings sometimes rushed, loads of jobs to do.
At times we neglect, forget, fight, misconstrue,
Yet we forgive each other, knowing it’s true
Blessed love that leads to Jannah treasures value.
~*~
Up there in Jannah there’s no separation,
No stress, distress, tiredness, loss nor depression,
No despicable traits nor comparison.
In Jannah are great joys which no soul has seen,
So grand that one’s mind can’t even imagine.
~*~
Jannah’s for those who worship Allah Only,
The sincere ones who do good deeds aplenty,
Truthful supporters who love Allah truly.
May Allah accept our efforts, grant Mercy
And join us with those who’ll meet Him lovingly. Ameen.
~*~
📖 Abu Darda RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever comes with five deeds, along with faith, will enter Paradise: one who preserves the five prayers, their ablution, their bowings, their prostrations, and their timings, one who fasts the month of Ramadan, one who performs Hajj pilgrimage to the House if he can find a way, one who gives charity with a cheerful soul, and one who fulfills the trust."

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 42

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "One will be taken out of the Hellfire who said 'there is no God but Allah' and he had good in his heart like the weight of a grain of barley. Then, one will be taken out of Hellfire who said 'there is no God but Allah' and he had good in this heart like the weight of a grain of wheat. Then, one will be taken out of Hellfire who said 'there is no God but Allah' and he had good in his heart like the weight of a speck."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhārī 44, Sahih Muslim 193

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah will admit the people of Paradise into Paradise among whomever He wills due to His Mercy, and He will admit the people of Hellfire into Hellfire, then Allah will say: 'Look for those with faith in their hearts as much as a seed and bring them out.' Then they will be brought out having been burned and turned into charcoal. They will be thrown into the river of life and will sprout just as a seed in the silt is carried away by the flood. Have you not seen that it comes out yellow and entwined?"

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 22, Sahih Muslim 184

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Poem: Lessons From Previous Friendships

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Some lessons on friendship I've learned from old friends,
Friends of various types and personalities -
No made-up stories, no untruths nor pretense,
Just taking some lessons from past memories.
~*~
From Saudi friends - at private and public schools,
I've learned that stereotyping is but a lie,
Friends can be found in both the cool and uncool,
Friendship develops when both parties are kind.
~*~
From friends who come from their country Pakistan,
I've learned how kindness encourages liking,
To be close to someone help and understand,
Egoism may keep one from forgiving.
~*~
From Yemeni sisters whom I still recall,
I've learned that at times one must make the first move,
Accept the friendship of those who are sincere,
For strong bonds are seen between friends who are true.
~*~
From a special ex-friend who chose to stay far,
I've learned that when you love find a middle way,
Don't love or hate too much, some friends become foes,
And some strangers may transform to friends someday.
~*~
Now from some of the new friends recently made,
I've observed that Only Allah we can trust,
It's best to choose Allah than be led astray
By obstacles who lie and gossip a lot.
~*~
While some may hate you out of mere jealousy,
There are those few who can be your best of friends,
Who insist on sharing, seeing you happy,
And who secretly pray for you now and then.
~*~
What makes some people click and get along quick,
From experience, is when both friends are alike,
In terms of shared likes, dislikes, similar goals,
Comfort with each other and distance from lies.
~*~
Regardless of how many friends you have made,
Friendship with Allah is what matters the most.
Some Muslims on earth may not be that famous,
Yet Allah and those in Jannah love them so.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Love whom you love moderately, perhaps he will become hateful to you someday. Hate whom you hate moderately, perhaps he will become your beloved friend someday."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1997
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The souls are troops collected together. They come close upon what they recognize, and they differ upon what they reject."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 3109, Sahih Muslim 2638
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
Al-Nawawi said, “When bodies meet in the world, they come together or differ according to how they were created. The righteous will incline to the righteous, and the evil will incline to the evil.”
Source: Sharh Al-Nawawī ‘alá Sahih Muslim 2638

Poem: A Special Du'a On Laylat Al-Qadr

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Dear Allah the Most Kind, Most Just and Most Near,
Yet again I’m here, I call on You, in tears.
As I raise my hands facing down so humbly,
I pray: “Allahumma Innaka ‘Afuwwun Tuhebbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.”
Dear Allah Most Forgiving, forgive me please.
~*~
Dear Allah, I’m overwhelmed, stressed, tired and weak.
Your Mercy and Guidance O’ Allah I seek.
Allah, I miss my loved ones and family,
That I can’t take care of them all I’m sorry.
Please alleviate my struggles and worries.
~*~
I’m sorry I didn’t do much, Allah Dear,
Some bad traits of mine have not yet disappeared.
So beautify my character, guide me please,
Cause me to overcome obstacles with ease,
And make the Path to Jannah ever easy.
~*~
O’ Allah, for every moment, be with me,
Enlighten through lessons and prophetic dreams.
Keep forgiving me when I slack frequently,
The Way to Your Love don’t allow me to leave.
Dear Allah, Only You I worship daily.
~*~
O’ Allah, please help Muslims worldwide in need,
Please fix our state as we bow to You Only.
With what You bestowed inspire us to be pleased,
That we see You in Paradise please decree,
Our good deeds accept, and our sins forgive please.
~*~
Allahumma Innaka ‘Afuwwun Tuhebbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee. Ameen.
~*~
📖 Aisha RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say during it?” The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Say: O Allah, You are Pardoning and Generous. You love to forgive, so forgive me.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 3513

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi

📖 Aisha RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam would seek spiritual retreat in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam would say, “Search for the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr) during the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Search for the Night of Decree in the odd nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1916, Sahih Muslim 1169

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said when the month of Ramadan began, “Verily, this month has presented itself to you. There is a night within it that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it has been deprived of all good. None is deprived of its good but that he is truly deprived.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 1644

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: Tips On Avoiding Forbidden Lusts

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 A younger sister in Islam asked me a question concerning the issue of masturbation or touching oneself for sexual pleasure. It reminded me of that time when one of my high school students had the courage to ask about it in front of many students, some of whom looked so uncomfortable when it was mentioned. So this problem is actually more common than we think, especially among those who are still single.

Some of the things which lead one to masturbate:

1] Watching inappropriate videos and movies with sex scenes so filthy images are stuck in one's mind for some time.

2] Waking up from a sexual dream, typically caused by shaytan's evil suggestions or innermost desires of one's nafs.

3] Constantly thinking of the person or individuals whom one is "in love with" and using masturbation as a means to relieve sexual tension.

Solution:

1] Do Tawbah and reconnect with Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. The stronger your connection is with Allah the Almighty, the more you're willing to obey His Orders, and avoiding sins becomes easy gradually.

2] Willingly remove yourself from any obstacle and distraction that keep you away from Allah Subhaanahau wa Ta'aala. Among the obstacles you should avoid as much as possible are: addiction to music and love songs, obsession with porn or erotic stories, fruitless attachments to people whose presence or companionship do not add positive value to your faith/Imaan.

3] Instead of actively fantasizing and imagining being with the person you have a crush on, replace those indecent thoughts with Dhikr, Istighfaar, and regular words of remembrance of Allah, sincere Du'a, Qur'an recitation, knowledge that there are Angels assigned to record your actions, and awareness that death can come anytime.

4] Ask yourself, would you rather die and meet Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala while you're doing a good deed, like reading some pages from the Noble Qur'an, or while doing something that could intensify your desire to commit zina/fornication and which shows one may lack self-control such as masturbating?  

5] Marriage is where you can have your sexual urges satisfied lawfully, as long as intercourse is not anal sex nor is the love-making done while the wife is in her monthly period. If you are unable to get married for now, practice self-discipline by fasting often, particularly every other Monday and Thursday, after this blessed month of Ramadan.

By avoiding food and drink while fasting for Allah's sake, we increase in Taqwa and our ability to abandon haraam/forbidden deeds is strengthened. If you can stay away from eating and drinking in the daytime while fasting, there is more reasons for you as a Muslim to abstain from committing major and minor sins like backbiting, deliberately telling lies and masturbating. Also, evaluate yourself, "Would you be willing to masturbate in front of your own parents, teachers and acquaintances? If not, then why would you want to do it when Allah the All-Knowing is always above us watching?"

~*~

Masturbation and its Effect on Worship - By Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOaGzBX4-V4

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah has pardoned my nation for what occurs within themselves, as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6287, Sahih Muslim 127

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whomever Allah protects from the evil between his jaws and his legs, he will enter Paradise."

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2409

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "O young men, if you are able to support a wife, get married. Verily, it lowers the gaze and guards chastity. Whoever is not able to do so, he must fast as it will restrain his passions."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1806, Sahih Muslim 1400

Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim