Hadith: Virtues Of Laylatul Qadr

📖 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

📖 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 would say, “Search for the Night of Decree during the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

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

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī 1916, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1169

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

Abu Qilabah said, “The Night of Decree changes each year during the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 792

📖 Malik reported: Sa’eed Ibn Al-Musayyib RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, “Whoever attends the evening prayer (Qiyaam Al-Layl) on the Night of Decree has taken his share of reward from it.”

Source: Al-Muwaṭṭa’ 707

Poem: Advice To Those Who Are Struggling

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 To a sister in Islam whom I haven't met yet,
Who complained about issues that make her so upset,
Here's a note, with love for Allah's sake, so you can rest,
To comfort you, letting you know we're all in this test:
~*~
Never kill yourself. Suicide is to be avoided.
Allah made you with a purpose, so you can worship
And bow down to Allah Who gave us life with its tests.
As Allah's slaves, don't question what Allah does or did.
~*~
With patience and firm Imaan, to Allah please submit.
Patiently accept what Allah chose and selected.
So your soul won't get lost, join those who search for knowledge,
Study more about Islam to better be equipped.
~*~
With loved ones and relatives try to stay connected.
Be patient with their wrongs, no matter how hard it is.
shaytan's the culprit who wants people to get jealous,
Defeat him and don't let him get you all divided.
~*~
As long as you advised your aunts, and you did your best,
Don't permit their wrongful acts to bring grief and distress.
You're not responsible for sins they have committed.
Focus on your journey. Maintain Sabr with courage.
~*~
Continue treating your parents with love and respect.
Never cut off ties with relatives, as I have said.
Learn Islam. Do Da'wah. Avoid what's prohibited.
Be steadfast, more so when things become complicated.
~*~
When Allah loves you, expect trials while needs are met.
Allah knows who deserves you and who to be guided,
So don't guess you're unloved when you encounter hardships.
Rise after every fall till you reach Jannah. Don't quit.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever helps ease one in difficulty, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps the servant as long as he helps his brother. 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. Whoever is slow to good deeds will not be hastened by his lineage."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2699
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📖 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: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The believer who mixes with the people and endures their harm with patience has a greater reward than one who does not mix with the people nor endures their harm with patience."
Source: Musnad Ahmed 22588
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Ahmad Shakir

Note: Different Tests From Allah

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 With this quarantine and lockdown situation taking place in the noble month of Ramadan, Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala is testing us in several ways:
1] Will the men who are given orders to not pray inside the Masjid continue praying in their homes, grabbing the oppurtunity to lead their families as their Imaam, or will some of them choose to pray individually in their own rooms neglecting their loved ones, or even cancel praying altogether since there's no human monitor to watch them pray?
2] Will the wealthy Muslims use part of their wealth to do charity, supplying the needy with food and other essentials, or will they feel proud they still got money in their bank accounts, upload photos of their extravagant Iftaar meals online, or obnoxiously make fun of those who are financially struggling?
3] Will the Muslims persist in praying Taraweeh and Witr at home in this special month that comes once a year, or will they cancel praying Taraweeh because "it's just Sunnah" and a large group is not available to join them in praying?
4] Will those whom Allah the Most Wise granted knowledge of Islam strive to find ways to do Da'wah, whether they post Islamic reminders on their timelines, advise Muslim users in a group chat, or upload Facebook live videos to share some lessons for free, or will they put their abilities on hold and resume doing Da'wah only when the lockdown is lifted?
5] When Islamic talks and lectures are readily presented on some Facebook groups, on YouTube or soundcloud.com will the Muslims take advantage of the easy access to gain beneficial knowledge, or will they wrongly consume their energy in watching as many movies, TV sitcoms and music videos as they can?
6] When Muslim friends and relatives are ordered to implement social distancing, will the Muslims still make effort to exchange salaams, fulfill each other's rights, and check on one another once in a while, to see how they're all doing, or will they refuse to reach out because there's no actual social event, planned outing and organized gathering?
7] On Eid Al-Fitr, will the Muslims still apply the teachings they've learned and will they follow the Sunnah of the noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam by paying the Zakat Al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, wearing neat clothes and expressing joy in halal means even if there isn't a huge crowd? Or will they treat Eid Al-Fitr as any other regular day and they just pray Fajr Salah without the Eid prayer, while they're in their pajamas and unkempt hair, because guests aren't currently visiting?
8] Will the Muslims complain about this current problem upon absorbing tons of negative news and anxiously fear for what may happen to them in the future, or will they increase in their trust in Allah the Almighty and do what they can to strengthen their faith/Imaan?
9] Will the Muslim youths start feeling depressed that they can't temporarily go outdoors and meet up with their friends, or will they be reminded of the reality of this temporal dunya, the undeniable truth that someday we'll be in our graves, and will they then do Tawbah and try their best to improve themselves enhancing Taqwa during Ramadan and afterwards for Allah's sake?
To pass Allah's tests maintain patience, steadfastness, contentment, gratitude and sincere striving to do the good deeds that please Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala whether there are people around or not to provide encouragement, and stay away as much as possible from the things that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala made haraam/forbidden, whether in people's presence or absence.
~*~
📖 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
📖 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 until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2398, Grade: Sahih
📖 Suhaib RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "Amazing is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him. If he faces difficulty, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2999, Grade: Sahih

Poem: Defeat Evil Desires With Taqwa.

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Developing a "crush" is like falling in a hole.
It wasn't planned nor is it part of your main life goals.
While feeling attracted is something you can't control,
You can stop your feels from growing into obsessed mode.
~*~
Perhaps what you found fascinating or intriguing
About the recipients of your confirmed attraction
Are their unusual traits, kindness, unique appearance,
Intelligence, or their stares build intense connection.
~*~
Regardless of your age, whether single or married,
At one point or another you may get distracted
By your nafs to notice people who are attractive,
Feeding you with thoughts that make your urges comforted.
~*~
It's a constant battle between doing the right thing
And surrendering to acting upon strong feelings.
Your heart desires to approach those alluring persons,
While your inner voice strives to save you from destruction.
~*~
Equip yourself with Taqwa and aim to love Allah
More than yourself, people, and that which leads to fitna.
Replace vile fantasies with Istighfaar and Du'a,
Dhikr, recalling death, and preparing for Jannah.
~*~
Admit, yes, you like that crush, but you love Allah more.
By preferring Allah's Love, you'll no longer adore
Temporary souls who are dangerous for your soul.
Detach from those distractions, so zina won't occur.
~*~
Lower your gaze. Avoid them or lessen needless talks.
Swap wrongful daydreams for Qur'an reading and Du'as.
Recall your goal to reach Jannah and earn Allah's Love.
In loving Allah, not His slaves, you'll have a whole heart.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Some of the companions came to the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam and they asked him, “We find within ourselves that which is too grievous to speak of.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “You have indeed found it so?” They said yes. The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “That is sincere faith.”
In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “That is (a sign of) pure faith.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 132
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim
📖 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
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, "Know that passing thoughts are not harmful. Indeed, they are only harmful if they are sought after and engaged. For a thought is like a passerby on the road; if you ignore him, he will depart from you."
Source: Al-Jawāb Al-Kāfī 1/157
📖 Aslam Al-Habashi reported: Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, "Let not your love be infatuation and let not your hatred be destruction." It was said, “How is this?” Umar said, "When you love someone, you become infatuated like a child. When you hate someone, you love destruction for your companion."
Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1322
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: Lessons I've Learned From Hurt Emotions

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 A Facebook user asked me through inbox this question "Have you ever had someone/somebody in your life who made your life miserable since you were kid?"
I believe that question should be paraphrased because Alhamdulillah I wouldn't consider my life as "miserable since I was a kid".
Although I've gone through various instances where my feelings were hurt numerous times, those trials only made my faith/Imaan stronger Alhamdulillah as many valuable lessons were derived from each distressful or challenging experience.
Some examples of tough situations that I've experienced where I got hurt are:
1] When as a student in an Arabic national school back in Riyadh city, almost every time a teacher or administrative staff would mispronounce my full name out loud, a lot of my Saudi classmates would laugh, finding my "Mababaya" surname funny. Several of the girls would make jokes on how my family name sounded like "Mama" and "Baba" so much so that I tried to cancel it and wrote "Mariam Omar M." on my notebooks and exam papers. Still there had to be regular attendance checkups where my full name would be mentioned followed by instant giggles and laughter. I find it strange how I was able to tolerate their teasing from kindergarten to seventh grade, even after encountering a few bullies who complicated my studies and frequently stole my money.
For eighth grade my dear parents (May Allah have mercy on them. Ameen.) transferred me to English private international schools because the mathematics subject, particularly algebra, was getting too difficult that even my father couldn't always help me answer my assignments.
2] When my husband angrily told me "You think I love you? Stop thinking I love you." while arguing with him about an issue I can't really recall. I can remember though how that verbal fight happened in the first months of our marriage when we were just starting to learn more about each other. I think I was around 21 or 22 at that time while he was 30 or 31.
Alhamdulillah I forgave my husband, and refuse to let prideful ego get in between us.
3] When I saw that my husband's second wife got a wedding ring while I didn't receive a ring from him, as his first wife. Upon confronting my husband about it, he lovingly explained to me how I'm supposedly "religious" and in Islam married couples don't need wedding rings to prove they're married. Alhamdulillah I understood his decision especially since the second wife is a revert (balik Islam) who wasn't yet familiar with the rulings we Muslims are expected to follow.
Inn-sha-Allah if my husband ever gets a third wife and she gets a wedding ring despite being born Muslim, I won't be bothered because I still firmly believe that wives and husbands aren't obliged to imitate non-Muslims in wearing an object to symbolize their marital status. I'm female; do I need to put on a flowery hat with the words "she" or wear pink all the time to emphasize womanhood? No. I don't even like the color pink. Plus since I no longer wear watches and bracelets because it actually feels uncomfortable to have something dangling around my wrists, and Alhamdulillah I'm not in that fashionista-wannabe stage anymore, the more it doesn't make sense to wear a tight ring on my finger. I won't allow a tiny ring to define the value of my loyalty towards my other half, when loving my husband for Allah's sake is far greater than the worth of tangible diamonds and gold.
4] When I was delightfully excited to befriend this lady around my age and introduced her to another friend of mine only to realize those two became really close friends who preferred to hang out without me. I realized that a group of three friends or trio normally can't get along for long periods unless their interests, likes, dislikes, goals, and personality traits are peacefully in sync with each other. Alhamdulillah we're still acquaintances who treat each other with basic courtesy, accompanied by some distance so our values don't bring about conflict or unnecessary drama.
5] When another woman invited me to her residence nearby and I was looking forward to being one of her close friends until one day I found out she initiated a sleepover with other females around our age. One of them posted about it on her timeline, which is how I discovered they had a sleepover without me. I'm not being sensitive. I just find it very odd and passive-aggressive how she didn't invite me when she made it clear during my first visit that I'm welcome to sleep in her house some time. Imagine me bringing you to a restaurant and we dine together, then I tell you "This was fun. Next time we should come back here and try out the other dishes." then when that next time comes I invite other friends and completely treat you like the dinner we had before never happened. It doesn't feel nice, does it? I guess some people haven't learned yet to let go of their immature ways when they were younger. It's true; age doesn't measure maturity levels, what can is integrity or good character. After some careful contemplation, I figured maybe she's jealous that I am one of those few women who are okay with polygyny or she's envious that I'm married to a medical doctor.
🔹 Tips on how to deal with hurt feelings:
1] Remember our actual purpose in life, which is to worship only Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, not to satisfy nor adjust to the expectations of His servants.
2] Understand that humans, including ourselves, are full of flaws, imperfections and susceptibility to forget or misinterpret. Forgive those who have hurt us, whether their hurtful acts were done deliberately, forgetfully or unknowingly. At one point or another, we too may have hurt other individuals purposely or unintentionally. Forgiving others, whether we choose to reconcile with some of them later or simply forgive and move on, grants freedom to the heart when it no longer carries the heavy burden of wounded emotions.
3] Be inspired by the admirable strength, patience and resilience of the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, who on one occasion had some filth placed on his back by some obnoxious unbelievers while he was praying in front of the Ka'bah and his daughter Fatima RadhiAllahu 'anha patiently removed it from her father. The noble Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam was considered as a "madman", "lunatic", "liar", "sorcerer" or "magician" by many polytheists and hypocrites yet he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam remained courageously steadfast, firm and strong in faith/Imaan.
If Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam, namely the best of all human beings, was not exempted from being the recipient of some ignorant people's enmity, antagonism, false accusations, ridicule, and rejection, who are we to assume that we don't deserve to get hurt?
This is dunya.  Expect to get hurt.
Hurt can either lead us to feeling hopeless or we can use it as a positive asset to intensify our trust in Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, aware that Only Allah the Almighty can judge us, and so long as Allah the Most Merciful loves us, we can survive confidently without attachment to people who will be called to account for their deeds on the Day of Judgment.
Heal from hurt by allowing it to positively transform you into a better Muslim who is contented with Allah's Love and who appreciates the virtues of rewarding Sabr/patience.
In Jannah Paradise all our worries, hurtful experiences and sorrow can be gladly forgotten.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.' Rather say: 'Allah has decreed what He wills.' Verily, the  phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2664
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim