Poem: What It Means To Be Mature

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 You're a mature adult if you don't act like a child.
Through experience and research you've learned to be more wise,
Aware of your duties to Allah, your role in life,
Your flaws, your needs compared to your wants, and people's rights.
~*~
Maturity is in staying fine when we're not liked,
Knowing we're here to please Allah, not to be admired,
Accepting the truth when we're advised or criticized,
Returning haters' rejection with patience and smiles.
~*~
To be mature is to abandon those who backbite,
To minimize tactless talks with those who tease and lie,
To defend the oppressed, to stand by a good friend's side,
To not laugh at someone embarrassed in the limelight.
~*~
Train yourself to be mature by trying to be kind.
Kindness isn't just in giving money, but advice,
A simple gift from your heart or Du'a from your time.
Increase charity to be worthy of Paradise.
~*~
From maturity is practicing silence at times,
Having courage to listen, observe and sympathize,
To be polite even with those who are unalike,
Or avoid toxic friendships that bring negative vibes.
~*~
Inability to network with those you dislike
Is invalid excuse to be unfair or unkind.
From being mature is to have justice recognized,
Far away from drama and disputes unjustified.
~*~
Don't force broken bonds to mend if they can't be aligned.
Accept whatever Allah sends and what He denies.
Patiently keep serving Allah, strive and sacrifice,
And maintain dignity despite how you feel inside.
~*~
📖 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

Poem: Forgive Haters And Move On

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Since my aim is to serve Allah, not His creation,
I'm eager to do what's right in spite of emotions,
Aware of the fact I'm far away from perfection,
As a Muslim constantly seeking Allah's Guidance.
~*~
I've forgiven all haters from my past and present,
Freed myself from grudge though to some it's not apparent.
I forgave them for Allah's sake yet I can't trust them,
After knowing they tend to lie and love backbiting.
~*~
To ex-friends guilty of envy, false accusations,
Spreading rumors, trying to harm my reputation,
Or mistreating me based on ludicrous suspicion:
Thanks for taking my sins and for good deeds you've given.
~*~
To ex-friends with unpleasantly high expectations,
Who excelled at excluding and failed in forgiving:
Thanks for teaching me how not to be disappointing,
And for the space you left for a better acquaintance.
~*~
To those connected by blood, family relations,
Or distant relatives who refuse reconnection:
Salaam alaikum to you. I hold no resentment.
The doors to reuniting with me remain open.
~*~
For your gossiping about me, negative thinking,
Stalking my online posts, lying, stealing, envying,
For being unfair or for doubting my intention,
I forgive you as I walk away, not regretting.
~*~
I pray that Allah forgives us for our ignorance
And I pray that Jannah is our place of reunion.
Ameen. In Paradise there's no stress nor depression,
It's where all worries and quarrels can be forgotten.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another but that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises his status."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2588
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Poem: Solitude Is Sweet When It Comes With Firm Faith/Imaan

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 As long as you have Allah and you trust Him always,
Moments spent alone mustn't make you bored nor afraid.
Don't feel guilty avoiding those who seem to be fake,
Who enjoy gossip, prefer dunya and they're two-faced.
~*~
Those who act nice from the front yet backbite from behind,
Secretly despising you despite their rehearsed smiles,
And frenemies of their likes do not deserve your time.
Still maintain your noble manners and respect their rights.
~*~
It's your right to choose who gets to enter your circle
Of trusted companions with similar traits and goals.
If some can't help you serve Allah the Most Merciful,
Leave them for Allah's sake without feeling regretful.
~*~
You need genuine friends who can benefit your soul,
Who are helpful, understanding and reliable,
Who can't envy your achievements and your special role,
Whose desire for Jannah exceeds their love for this world.
~*~
If sincere comrades in your place are too hard to find,
Surrounded by haters who dislike your Imaan's light,
Jealously threatened by your faith and positive vibes,
Then being alone with Allah is perfectly fine.
~*~
For Allah's Qadr to send good friends patiently wait.
They'll come around on earth or in Paradise someday.
Your worth isn't based on popularity nor fame.
Good deeds done sincerely are what can keep your soul saved.
~*~
So regardless of how many get along with you,
Focus on doing good deeds Allah wants you to do.
Thank Allah for the few who recognize your value.
Strive together with courage, patience and gratitude.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, among the worst of people is one with two faces, who comes with one face to these and another face to those."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6757, Sahih Muslim 2526
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, "Those in seclusion have raced ahead." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, who are those in seclusion?" The Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "They are men and women who remember Allah often."
In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "They are those who are absorbed in the remembrance of Allah (saying Dhikr and Du'a)."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2676
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📖 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 Al-Tirmidhī 2378
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi

Note: On Being One Of Allah's Allies

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

💌 While the noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam didn't openly declare that Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu 'anhu was his only best friend, it is clear from the beginning that he was the Prophet Muhammad's closest companion. Not only were their ages almost similar and they've known each other for a long time, but they also wanted what is best for each other.

If you've studied the Prophet's Seerah or read through some glimpses of his blessed life, you'll realize that the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam beautifully treated all his companions well without displaying obvious favoritism. The wealthier Sahabas RadhiAllahu 'anhum didn't receive preferential treatment from the Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, and those companions who weren't as wealthy as the others were not excluded from the Prophet's gatherings simply because of their worldly status. It is as if the Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was the perfect friend to every Sahabi who saw him. MashaAllah.

When we observe the people in our circle of acquaintances, colleagues and potential friends, we acknowledge the fact that we tend to gravitate towards certain types of individuals much more than the rest.

💭 The possible reasons why our liking for them is a lot stronger than the others include:

1. We've been acquainted for many years now. They know a lot about us just as we are familiar with their likes, dislikes, experiences in life, background, and overall personality.

2. Communicating with them is easy. They're reachable, available and approachable. We can talk to them freely without worrying about the likelihood of them offensively criticizing us to pacify their ego.

3. They don't get jealous of our joys and achievements, just as we are unable to envy their good traits and accomplishments. Seeing them joyful makes us happy and vice versa.

4. Since the friendship is genuine, without either side being deceitful, manipulative or dishonest, there is no such thing as awkward moment, cringey conduct and toxic vibe. We're not always the one who's initiating contact. They reach out too and ask how we're doing on a regular basis. It's a give and take friendship, not a forced interaction where only one friend acts like the enthusiastic journalist asking all the questions, the generous humanitarian who is expected to provide without receiving anything in return, or the overwhelmed caretaker who does all the babysitting and consoling.

5. We both strive to help each other be deserving of Allah's Love and entry to Jannatul Ferdaus. Thus there is a pleasant amount of exchanging Islamic knowledge, beneficial reminders, helpful advice, correction of errors, providing tips, invitation to attend Islamic seminars or listen to Islamic lectures, willingness to patiently hear each other out, protect and courageously defend when one friend is the subject of some jokesters' gossip.

Way back in Riyadh I remember having a "bff" who was a year younger than me. We befriended at Middle East International School and had nearly the same adventurous temperament, being so-called "Leos", back then. Alhamdulillah I completely stopped believing in astrological star signs and horoscopes once I learned that we're not allowed to rely on them as Muslims.

So this Kashmiri girl and I met just before the year 2000 and broke up some time in 2004 due to an awful mistake I did which resulted from being annoyed by her clinginess, excessive phone-calls that seemed 'too much' for me, and her bossily dictating me who I could befriend and who to avoid. What prevented us from reconciling was her being too prideful to accept my apology. What I did that hurt her feelings had something to do with cyber bullying.

I realized that any connection we try to make eventually fails if the bond is not formed purely for the sake of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. This is why we can't really form "best friends" because of the following:

1🔹 Getting too attached to someone instead of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala may ultimately lead to destruction. If the best friend leaves, moves to a different country or dies, a person who isn't very strong in faith/Imaan could be prone to depression.

2🔹 The intimate friendship between two males or two females can open doors to same-sex attraction if their affection dangerously goes beyond what is appropriate.

shaytan can get creative when it comes to misleading people to fall into sin, beware of his evil plots. Imagine a scenario where two "best friends" are complaining about their husbands only to realize how much they have in common, and they end up together in a sinful clandestine affair, with a strange mindset that "women can love better than guys".

3🔹 Showing favoritism or giving special attention to just one "best friend", or two "best friends", can cause the other friends to feel somewhat left out in the sidelines, neglected or they gradually lose interest in wanting to stay connected.

I'm not saying that having a best friend is haraam/forbidden. You're allowed to choose your favorite kind of people as long as you ensure that this "best friend" doesn't distract you from loving Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, and you believe that with or without a human 'best friend', you can still survive contentedly with Allah's Love.

Allah's Love is what keeps our heart whole and peacefully complete, not the endearment of His servants.

~*~

📖 Jundub RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "I am free before Allah of taking any of you as my best friend. Verily, Allah the Almighty has taken me as His best friend, just as He took Ibrahim ('alaihis salaam) as His best friend. If I were to take anyone from my nation as a best friend, it would have been Abu Bakr."

Source: Sahih Muslim 532

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Allah said: 'Whoever shows hostility to a righteous friend of Mine, I have declared war upon him. My servant does not grow closer to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the duties which I have imposed upon him. My servant continues to grow closer to Me with extra good works until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask something from Me, I would surely give it to him. Were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him. I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death and I hate to disappoint him.'"

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6137

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari

📖 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 Al-Tirmidhi 1997

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Poem: Dear Allah Please Forgive Us

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

💌 Dear Allah the Almighty, Master of everything,

News of earthquakes occurring have become more frequent,

Spreading worry among many adults and children,

Warning us of the coming of the Day of Judgment.

~*~

Only You O' Allah have control over all things,

Only You O' Allah can cause earthquakes to happen.

Begging You for Mercy O' Allah, as Your servants,

Praying for forgiveness, while You're the Most Forgiving.

~*~

Forgive us for each forbidden thing our eyes have seen,

For evil thoughts our minds thought of, for wrongful feelings,

For vile sounds or demonic songs our ears have listened,

And for every ounce of pride that led to arguments,

~*~

O' Allah, we beg You to pardon our wrongdoings,

And implore You Allah to save us from punishment,

Please forgive all our errors, sins, and disobedience,

And pardon our ignorance, and arrogance. Ameen.

~*~

No soul on earth can prevent earthquakes from happening.

Nothing can change Allah's Decree but supplication,

Sincere Du'as said often with Tawbah/repentance,

With eagerness to improve as a striving Muslim.

~*~

When Allah commands the ground to shake and bring tension,

Let's say Dhikr like "AstaghfurAllah Al-'Atheem",

Chant "Allahu Akbar", recall Allah is Loving,

And stay patient as we prepare our meeting with Him.

~*~

Dear Allah, please take us only when You've forgiven

All our misdeeds and we're ready for Jannah's entrance,

Return our souls to You Allah while we are smiling,

And make us among the people of Jannah. Ameen.

~*~

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book with Him upon the Throne: 'Verily, My Mercy prevails over My Wrath.'"

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 3022, Sahih Muslim 2751

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

📖 Abu Musa RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "This nation of mine has been granted mercy. Their punishment is not in the Hereafter. Their punishment is in the world, in the form of persecution, earthquakes, and slaughter."

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4278

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Umm Salamah RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Good deeds protect from an evil destiny. Charity in secret extinguishes the wrath of Allah. Maintaining family ties increases one's life span, and every good deed is charity. The people of good in the world are the people of good in the Hereafter, and the people of evil in the world are the people of evil in the Hereafter. And the first to enter Paradise are the people of goodness."

Source: Al-Mu’jam Al-Awsat 6252

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani