Hadith: Virtues Of Prioritizing The Hereafter Not Dunya

📖 Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever is concerned about the Hereafter, Allah will place richness in his heart, bring his affairs together, and the world will come to him although he is reluctant for it.
Whoever is concerned about the world, Allah will place poverty between his eyes, disorder his affairs, and he will get nothing of the world but what is decreed for him."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2465
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Poem: What It Means To Love For Allah's Sake

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 What does it mean "to love a sister for Allah's sake"?
Though my tribe and hers, and date of birth are not the same,
And though not closely connected by blood, while our age
Sets us apart, we connect through love for Allah's sake.
~•~
I gravitate to her not for my own selfish gains,
But I love her for the way she strives on Allah's Way,
Her strong faith/Imaan, patience and courage captivate
My soul to hers because in many ways we're the same.
~•~
I like how she aims to maintain good manners always,
How she's modest and honest, and how on time she prays,
How she can forgive and move on, despite what she's faced,
And how she's humble enough to correct a mistake.
~•~
Whether far or beside her, her vibes never seem fake.
She makes effort to stay real. She's not one to betray,
Not one to tell lies nor gossip when you are away.
Passive-aggressive tactics are games she doesn't play.
~•~
She intrigues me even more when kindness is displayed
Each time she tries to advise, and corrects my mistakes,
Shares Islamic content/knowledge to enhance my faith,
And pulls me back up each time I get carried away.
~•~
Because I love her for Allah, I mention her name
In many prayers and Du'as, nearly night and day,
Praying that Allah accepts her good deeds, keeps her safe,
And that she's among those who succeed on Judgment Day.
~•~
Favors done and gifts I gave her I don't calculate.
I love her for Allah, not so she reciprocates.
She's done enough already - loving her motivates
Me to love Allah more and stronger Imaan is gained.
📖 Mu’adh ibn Jabal RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah the Almighty said: 'Those who love each other for the sake of My Glory will be upon pulpits of light, admired by the Prophets and the martyrs.'”
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2390
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Mu’adh ibn Jabal RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah the Almighty said: 'My Love is guaranteed for those who love each other for My sake, who sit together for My sake, who visit each other for My sake, and who spend on each other for My sake.'”
Source: Musnad Ahmed 21525
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2378
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
📖 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
📖 Abu Darda RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "No Muslim servant supplicates for his brother behind his back but that the angel says: 'And for you the same.'"
Source: Sahih Muslim 2732
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Note: When To Stay In Touch, When To Let Go

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 When you and certain friends begin to drift apart, you can either make effort to save the friendship and keep it alive, or allow the connection to deteriorate since trying to salvage it seems impossible.
🔸 Signs that it's okay to let a "friend" walk away, as they don't deserve to be chased:
1] Overall they have been a toxic friend. They get jealous of you easily, they regard you as competition, and they never seem to be genuinely supportive of your hobbies, projects or halal business.
2] They clearly distract you from Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. They're excessively materialistic and too attached to dunya. When you attempt to invite them to attend an Islamic lecture online or offline, they decline your invitation constantly because they're preoccupied with some worldly matters studying Netflix, memorizing song lyrics or browsing a catalogue of their favorite branded items on sale.
3] Until now you haven't found common ground. Peace of mind is unattainable if you forcibly converse with someone who is completely different from you and whose personality tends to clash uncomfortably with yours.
4] They're as useless in your life as troublesome mosquitoes. Nothing beneficial, productive and useful can be gained by accompanying them in their journeys. Their companionship doesn't improve your living circumstances nor can their presence inspire you to be a more well-developed Muslim. Better to benefit from reading self-help books than maintaining awkward conversations with an unrelatable person.
5] Chilling with them only results in decreasing the level of your faith/Imaan, especially since they have an awful habit of gossiping about others, they've told you lies purposely numerous times, or they simply show no interest whatsoever in joining you to learn more about Islam.
🔸 When can you patiently wait for the tension to cool off and see what you can do to strengthen your friendship, because this bond is actually worth saving for Allah's sake:
1] You both share the exact same goals in life - to be among those who are granted entry to Jannatul Ferdaus, who get to meet Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, and who attain Allah's Love by loving what and whom He loves, particularly His beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam through striving to adhere to the Prophet's Sunnah.
2] You've known each other for several years and started an Islamic project together for Allah's sake. Don't let one trivial argument mess up the special friendship which took sincere efforts and a long time to make.
3] You feel at ease, whether when you're with them or when they're not around. They're not the kind of tactless critic who could criticize you and offend you anytime, nor are they the type of insecure frenemy who loves to spread rumors and backbite.
4] They return favors, reciprocate and express gratitude. The friendship is not one-sided at all. Occasionally you find them supporting you on social media or taking initiative to talk to you, instead of you being the main one who's interactive.
5] Befriending them brings you closer to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Indirectly and directly they motivate you to become a stronger Muslim. Departing from a pious friend who tried their best to care for you and refusing to give them another chance could later on lead to feeling regretful, as though something significant from your life story is missing. Anyhow doing anything purely for the sake of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, whether you decide to pursue a friendship or cancel it, can prevent you from regretting.
📖 Mu’adh ibn Jabal RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah the Almighty said: 'Those who love each other for the sake of My Glory will be upon pulpits of light, admired by the Prophets and the martyrs.'”
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2390
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Mu’adh ibn Jabal RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah the Almighty said: 'My Love is guaranteed for those who love each other for My sake, who sit together for My sake, who visit each other for My sake, and who spend on each other for My sake.'”
Source: Musnad Ahmed 21525
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2378
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi
📖 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

Poem: Tips On How To Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 
💌 Some tips on how to quit comparing yourself
To others who, like you, are servants of God:
First, Alhamdulillah that you are Muslim,
A lover of truth and denier of fraud.
~*~
If you see yourself closely, you'll notice that
There are good things about you which others lack,
Tough lessons you have learned which many have not,
And good qualities which some folks wish they had.
~*~
Don't compare yourself to others, for each has
A book full of stories, and each has a role.
Each one has his/her own journey to travel,
Experiences, talents and puzzles to solve.
~*~
Some excel at writing, others in speaking,
Some are good at learning, others in teaching,
Some master the art of dealing with people,
While others the art of cooking and baking.
~*~
Some are experts in certain fields such as in -
Sales, fixing things, designing or promoting,
Others have a way with kids, babysitting,
Being sweet or admirably forgiving.
~*~
Some know how to rhyme, some clean well, while others
Show excellence as leaders, or in nursing,
In researching, giving speeches or advice,
Or in being a friend - truthful and caring.
~*~
Everyone has his/her own set of strengths and
Weaknesses - thus, always try to understand -
When Allah gives good things to some and not you,
It's out of wisdom and it's from Allah's Plan.
~*~
Be thankful for all the good that Allah gave -
The ones you're aware of and those not yet known.
Avoid jealousy and envy for these are
Traits of shaytan, who wants Hell to be man's home.
~*~
You are special, you are unique, Allah's friend -
A righteous Muslim happy for his brothers,
Always doing what is right and shunning wrong,
Not obsessed with materialistic matters.
~*~
📖 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 
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4903
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti
📖 Fadalah ibn ‘Ubayd RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Blessed is one who is guided to Islam, whose livelihood is sufficient, and who is contented."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2349
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: Wisdom Of Why Some Du'as Aren't Answered

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful 
💌 Did you ever witness a Du'a of yours go unanswered? Have you earnestly prayed to Allah the Almighty with tears drizzling from your cheeks for something you've been wanting only to find out later on that your supplication was rejected? 
Begged Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala to enable you to do Hajj, but then realized your dream of performing pilgrimage this year with some loved ones wouldn't come true? Asked Allah to bless you with at least one child, but no matter how many times you and your husband have been trying to make babies, you didn't receive the result that you wanted? Cried to Allah to comfort your heart and erase the unwanted feelings of attraction you have for a certain someone, so you wouldn't be distracted, but until now every time you hear their name or see their face, you can't help but feel intensely attracted? Supplicated to Allah that He allows you to marry your childhood friend one day, only to discover that he died from a car accident? Prayed to Allah for several nights in a row during Tahajjud for a high-paying profession which you eagerly want, and be told afterwards that your job interview didn't go well?
Today this year's Eid Al-Adha (1441/2020) I saw one of my supplications go unanswered. Since I couldn't celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and last year's Eid Al-Adha with my husband due to busyness and personal matters, I kept begging Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala to make it possible for me to spend quality time with him this Eid Al-Adha. However that wish wasn't granted because of the current pandemic situation and strict protocols.
Sometimes a lot of us wrongly assume that when Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala doesn't answer a particular Du'a, our nafs would start whispering to us on how life seems "unfair" or there's no use in supplicating if there is no absolute guarantee of a desirable outcome, not knowing that Allah's rejection of some of our Du'as could be:
1] ...to protect us from fitna or futher unpleasant consequences resulting from having that Du'a immediately answered.
2] ...to test us. To examine how strong our faith/Imaan and trust in Allah the Most Merciful is, and then grant us what we requested at a more befitting time.
3] ...to shield us from the negative effects of the thing we're asking for. Often what we request from Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala is more dangerous, distracting or detrimental for our overall well-being. A responsible mother wouldn't distribute cigarettes to her toddlers even if they cried for them the whole day, just as a reliable pharmacist would refuse to give customers medicine which they're allergic to or their doctors didn't prescribe. 
Our faith/Imaan and reliance upon Allah the Most Kind should be so firm that even if He doesn't respond to a supplication of ours, we patiently accept Allah's decision, aware that He Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala always knows what is best for us in both worlds. Oftentimes a dream that we've been hoping to come true but wasn't fulfilled reminds us that we're Allah's servants who have a noble mission to continue serving Him even if what Allah does at times isn't appealing to our desires. Plus we're Allah's humbled slaves who don't get to command Allah the Most Wise to make our stay on earth completely perfect.
Unresponded Du'as can also inspire other Muslims to maintain patience for Allah's sake and remain gratefully contented with Allah's Qadr/Decree.
In Jannah Paradise Inn-sha-Allah we can have all our wishes granted, not this dunya where worries, disappointments and anxiety are only temporary. Reminder to say Du'a for at least a few minutes today Friday before Salat Al-Maghreb, praying to Allah the Most Loving for what your soul needs.
📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He (Allah) will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it." They said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah has even more." 
Source: Musnad Ahmed 10749 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "When one of you supplicates, let him be determined in the supplication and he should not say: 'O Allah, give me if You will.' There is none to coerce Allah." 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5979
Sahih Muslim 2678 
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim 
Al-Nawawi said, “It is to have good expectations of Allah the Almighty in answering you.” 
Source: Sharh Al-Nawawī ‘alá Sahih Muslim 2678 
📖 Salman Al-Farsi RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah is the Most Kind and the Most Generous. He (Allah) would be shy, when a man raises his hands to Him, to turn them away empty and disappointed." 
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3556 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 ‘Ubadah ibn Al-Samit RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "There is no Muslim on earth who calls upon Allah in supplication but that Allah will grant it to him or divert some evil away from him, so long as he does not ask for something sinful or to cut off family ties." A man said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah has even more."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3573 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam mentioned the day of Friday and he said, "In it is an hour in which no Muslim stands to pray and ask Allah for something but that he will be given it," and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam indicated with his hand that the time is very short. 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 893 
Sahih Muslim 852 
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-excellence-of-supplicating-to-allah-and-the-conditions-for-an-accepted-dua/