Poem: Taqwa, Patience And Trusting Allah During Times Of Trials

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 
💌 Dear Allah the Almighty, I am weak, so guide me 
And help me against my nafs, enhance my piety.
Wherever I go, right and left, trials await me, 
Tests of various length and level of difficulty.
~*~
There are tests that my heart goes through, when feelings compete 
With my mind, when "love" clashes with rationality, 
Where questions like "Why do I feel this way?", "Is this real?",
"Who can I trust?" and "Should I leave?" are asked frequently.
~*~
Either vile temptations unmask themselves before me, 
Or I endure distance and frustrations patiently.
Believe me, striving against desires isn't easy, 
But it must be done so my soul in both worlds succeeds.
~*~
Other exams come in the form of hostility, 
When some view me as a threat so they're filled with envy.
Loathed by many here and there, distrusted unjustly,
I'm either someone's "crush", "stalker", "friend" or "enemy".
~*~
Another kind of trial appears deceptively,
When moments get "too good to be true" they seem unreal,
And queries like "What will I do with all this money?"
And "Who's in need of charity?" are asked frequently.
~*~
Scared that Allah's favors aren't spent profitably 
And that I may sin when fixing my priorities, 
I find this dunya disconcerting, tough and scary, 
Then I recall Jannah and know Allah is with me.
~*~
In this complicated life with roads that are bumpy, 
With increasing fitna and Judgment Day coming near,
I pray that Allah grants me Taqwa, sincerity,
And guidance to pass His tests, to earn Jannah's entry. Ameen.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "If Allah intends good for someone, then He afflicts him with trials." 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5321, Grade: Sahih
📖 Mus’ad ibn Sa’eed RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "The servant will continue to be tried (encounter different trials in this life) until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin." 
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2398, Grade: Sahih
📖 Miqdad ibn Al-Aswad RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. How good is one who is afflicted but bears it patiently!" 
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4263, Grade: Sahih
📖 Ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam drew a line in the sand with his hand and he said, “This is the Straight Path of Allah.” Then, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam drew lines to the right and left, and he said, “These are other paths, and there is no path among them but that a devil is upon it calling to its way.” Then the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam recited the verse, “Verily, this is the straight path, so follow it and do not follow other ways.” (The Noble Qur'an 6:153) 
Source: Musnad Ahmed 4423 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Ahmed Shakir
📖 Abdullah ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: We were gathered around the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam while he mentioned tribulations (trials), saying, "If you see that the people have disordered their commitments, diminished their trusts, and are as jumbled as this," and he interlaced his fingers. I stood to come near him and I said, “How should I act if that happens?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Stay in your house, control your tongue, accept what you know is good, reject what you know is evil, take care of your affairs specifically and abandon the affairs of the common people." 
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4343 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut
📖 Abu Tha’labah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "You must enjoin good and forbid evil until you see greed being obeyed, desires being followed, worldly life being preferred, and everyone is impressed by their own opinion. Then you must take care of yourself and leave the common people. Verily, ahead of you are days of patience in which patience will be like grasping a hot coal. The one who does good deeds in that time will have the reward of fifty men who do likewise." 
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3058 
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to At-Tirmidhi 
📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Soon (before the Day of Judgment) the best property of a Muslim will be a flock of sheep that he takes to the top of a mountain, or in the valleys of rainfall, fleeing with his religion from tribulations (trials/fitan)." 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 19 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari

Poem: Not "Lonely" Since Allah Is With Me.

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Don't claim I'm "lonely" when Allah is always with me,
Always watching from above since I was a baby,
Guiding me to Him by increasing my piety
Through granting Islamic knowledge and difficulties
Which train me to accept Allah's Qadr patiently.
~•~
Trials are blessings in disguise which push me to pray
And seek Allah's Guidance with Du'as to supplicate.
When some people exclude me, gossip or misbehave,
I gladly find my way to Allah and isolate,
To embrace saying Dhikr while tears roll down my face.
~•~
There's a special kind of peace in saying Allah's Name,
In reading the Qur'an - gaining rewards from each page,
And praising Allah while looking at nature He made.
Every Tasbeeh and Tahmeed said when I contemplate
Makes my heart relax and brings me to a peaceful state.
~•~
I'd rather look "lonely" yet loved by Allah the King
Than to displease Him by chilling with bad companions.
To me, seclusion means safety from vile backbiting.
Feeling lonesome trains me to be more independent.
People's rejection reminds me Allah is my Friend.
~•~
Though chatting with an acquaintance can bring enjoyment,
Spending time with Allah is more calming and pleasant.
What benefit us in our graves are righteous actions,
Not large number of friends nor famous reputation.
Welcome solitude often with patient contentment.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam said, "The Mufarridun (the isolated or those who like to isolate themselves) have gone ahead (in gaining rewards)." He was asked, "Who are the Mufarridun?" He SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam replied, "Those men and women who remember Allah much."
[Sahih Muslim]
Arabic/English book reference: Book 16, Hadith 1436

Note: Pious Wives Love Their Husbands Beyond Their Looks

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 💌 A common mistake among most women is instantly rejecting a guy's marriage proposal because he doesn't look good or handsome enough according to their standards. A lot of ladies prefer tall guys with skin as fair as all-purpose flour while others are into muscular bodybuilders who can lift heavy objects and whose six-pack abs make them feel they're married to an Asian version of the fictional characters 'the hulk' and 'iron man'. Oftentimes when a woman is found to be wed to a man of short stature or whose looks aren't as appealing as her overall appearance, so she's considered too "out of his league", some critics wrongly assume she's a "gold digger" just chasing his money, a sorcerer cast a forbidden love-spell on her, or she was forced by her parents to marry him. That isn't always the case though for many faithful wives. It is actually possible to find an average-looking guy very attractive if he complies with the following: 1] As a Muslim he has firm faith and trust in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. His Taqwa, sincere dedication to learn and implement Islam, and eagerness to do Da'wah for Allah's sake can result in his wife being intensely attracted to him. 2] He has genuine good character. His generosity, sympathy, understanding, patience, contentment, and admirable balance between being playful at times and serious are what cause his wife to emotionally invest in him and remain devotedly in love. 3] He tries his best to fulfill his wife's needs and ensures he doesn't mistreat her. He is not the overly jealous and insecure type of husband who prevents his wife from visiting her own family and friends nor is he neglectful of her concerning her Deen. 4] He has numerous qualities that are similar to her own traits. Thus they're generally compatible and capable of relating to one another. For example they've both experienced depression and with Allah's Will they were able to heal their emotional wounds, or they identically enjoy art and like cats (as furry friends, not food), or they share the enthusiasm for helping others through the means that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala provided them. 5] In countless ways, straightforwardly and indirectly, his presence in his wife's life enables her to be a better Muslimah with a well-developed personality. It is not easy to abandon a lover who educated you to be more kind, forgiving, patient, easygoing and who trained you to be an independent strong woman who is contented in trusting Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala at all times. 6] He has a fascinating mind. His intelligence (granted by Allah the Most Wise) and ability to comprehend various matters, including his cleverness in dealing with women's emotions by way of empathy, are what captivate his wife and render him worthy of her fierce loyalty. 7] His goals and interests smoothly align with those of his wife. If they're similarly striving to deserve Jannatul Ferdaus, they can Inn-sha-Allah succeed in working together to keep their marriage alive. The main feature or aspect to check in an interested suitor shouldn't be the level of his handsomeness nor how impressive his bank account is. What a Muslim bride-to-be should be concerned more is whether her future husband prays and if he is upon the correct 'Aqeedah (belief), along with a guarantee that he receives income strictly from halal sources. There's no point in marrying a male model or "celebrity look-alike" if he is unable to help you reach Jannah Paradise. Better to be single yet loved by Allah the Most Loving than to be distracted by worldly pleasures and a "hot guy". 📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions." Source: Sahih Muslim 2564 Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim 📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "The most complete of the believers in faith are those with the most excellent character, and the best of you are the best in behavior to their women." Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1162 Grade: Sahih 📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If I were to order anyone to prostrate to another, I would have ordered a wife to prostrate before her husband." Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1159 Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to At-Tirmidhi Ali Al-Qari said, "That she prostrates to her husband is due to the number of his rights over her and her difficulty in maintaining gratitude for them. This rhetorical point conveys the obligation of the wife to obey her husband in his rights. Indeed, prostration is not lawful to anyone other than Allah." Source: Mirqāt Al-Mafātīh 5/2125 📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes." Source: Sahih Ibn Hibbān 4252 Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani https://abdurrahman.org/2009/07/28/the-story-of-julaybib-radhi-allaahu-anhu/

Note: Importance Of Enjoining Good Deeds And Modesty

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

💌 If you're strolling around a mall, airport or any public place as a Muslimah and then saw a hijabi sister in Islam with an embarrassing bloodstain behind her light-colored garment, what would you do? Would you continue walking as if you didn't notice her though you're aware she'll probably be shocked when she discovers it herself, or will you considerately approach her, inform her about the stain, and possibly give her your jacket or extra shawl to have it covered? 

It's sad how some women are so deluded by the applause they receive from displaying their beauty on shameless pageant shows, cringeworthy TikTok videos and self-glorifying selfies that when you try to advise them to fear Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and actually perform their duty to value modesty, they idiotically assume you're "just jealous". What is there to be envious about when they're the ones making fools of themselves, flaunting their bodies freely as though they are cheap low-class commodities. Only an irrational and morally uneducated person would find immodestly clad models acting like peacocks "admirable".

Part of being Muslim is to responsibly enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. You're not required to own a master's degree in Islamic studies nor achieve unattainable 100% perfection to remind other Muslims about their responsibilities, when you have sufficient knowledge of Islam granted by Allah the Almighty as a trust and the capability to communicate.

It is common sense that when you love somebody for Allah's sake, you want to ensure they don't sabotage themselves in any way. Pridefully insisting on redoing one's mistakes, embracing ignorance, and obstinately committing sins that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala forbade are some examples of harming oneself, since wrongdoings eventually lead to ruin and remorse in both worlds.

You ought to feel grateful and fortunate, not insulted, whenever someone corrects your errors or gives frank advice. A number of Muslims making effort to admonish and warn you to have Taqwa could signify you're among those whom Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala chooses to guide.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The believer is a mirror to his faithful brother. He protects him against loss and defends him behind his back." 

Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, 'The believer is a mirror to his brother. If he sees something wrong in him, he should correct it.' 

Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 239 

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani 

📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand (by stopping it physically). If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue (by warning or speaking against that wrongdoing). If he is unable to do so, then with his heart (by hating the sin), and that is the weakest level of faith." 

Source: Sahih Muslim 49 

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

📖 Abu Udhaynah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The best of your women are loving, fertile, suitable, and comforting, if they fear Allah. The worst of your women unveil their beauty, take pride in their appearance, and they are hypocrites. None of them will enter Paradise except as rarely as you see a red-beaked crow." 

Source: Al-Sunan Al-Kubrá 12480 

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: Five Traits To Have So Allah Loves Us

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 
💌 "To gain Allah's Love, be willing to sacrifice three things: The tendency to envy others, pride (arrogance or kibr) to get even with someone, and what your heart wants from the haraam/forbidden."
Five qualities we should acquire to be from those whom Allah the Almighty loves:
1] Gratitude: The more grateful we are to Allah the Most Kind, the less likely we are prone to envying others' gifts and blessings which Allah chose. Contentment with the favors that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala selected for us keeps us away from jealousy.
🌻Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says: "And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful." [Surah Aal-'Imraan verse 145]
📖 Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "I am amazed by the believer. If he is granted goodness, he praises Allah and is grateful. If he is afflicted with a calamity, he praises Allah and is patient. The believer is rewarded for every matter, even feeding a morsel of food to his wife." 
Source: Musnad Ahmed 1495 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Ahmed Shakir
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Look to those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is the best way not to belittle the favors of Allah." 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125, Sahih Muslim 2963 
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
2] Trust in Allah and having patience: Trusting Allah the Almighty and being patient with His Qadr/Destiny can help you patiently cope with the difficulties in life including troublesome and unfair individuals.
🌻Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says: "So by Mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]." [Surah Aal-'Imraan verse 159]
🌻Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says: "And how many a prophet [fought and] with him fought many religious scholars. But they never lost assurance due to what afflicted them in the cause of Allah, nor did they weaken or submit. And Allah loves the patient." [Surah Aal-'Imraan verse 146]
📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Some people from the Ansaar asked the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam and he gave them. Then they asked for charity again and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam gave them. Then they asked again and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam gave them until all he had was gone. The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If I had anything, I would not withhold it. Whoever refrains from asking others, then Allah will make him content. Whoever would be independent, then Allah will make him independent. Whoever would be patient, then Allah will make him patient. There is no gift that is better and more comprehensive than patience."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6105, Sahih Muslim 1053 
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, "Verily, Allah is Gentle and He loves gentleness. He grants reward for gentleness what is not given for harshness."
Source: Sahih Ibn Hibbān 486 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Arna’ut
3] Having Taqwa and striving to be a good Muslim: By fulfilling the main purpose of being created through sincerely serving Allah with Taqwa and doing good for Allah's sake, you become among those who are loved by Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala.
🌻Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says: "Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [the muttaqeen who fear Him]." [Surah At-Tawbah verse 7]
🌻Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala says: "And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good [the muhsineen]." [Surah Al-Baqarah verse 195] 
📖 Abu Dharr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Fear Allah wherever you are, follow a bad deed with a good deed and it will erase it, and behave well with good character towards the people." 
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1987 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi 
📖 Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah loves a servant who is righteous, independent, and obscure (not popular, famous or well-known)."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2965 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📖 Abu Umamah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise for one who leaves arguments even if he is right, and a house in the middle of Paradise for one who abandons lies even when joking, and a house in the highest part of Paradise for one who makes his character excellent."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4800 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi