Note: The Importance Of Answering A Muslim's Salaams

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

💌 Some people misunderstand the concept of answering salaams, assuming that you only respond to those whom you like, or you have every right to ignore a greeting if it comes from a complete stranger. Others pathetically act according to fluctuating emotions and refuse to answer your salaams if they're in a bad mood.

Regardless of our current emotional state and whether we're close or not to so-and-so, it's our duty as Muslims who value good character to return their salaams rather than being cowardly silent. Even if we're unsure yet about a person's sect or correctness of their belief/'Aqeedah, returning a Muslim's salaam is done not necessarily to declare that you respect them 100% but you respond to their salaams sincerely to maintain proper Islamic manners, in obedience to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and His noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

In the long run, those who repeatedly ignore our salaams indirectly signal to us that they're not worthy of being more than just an acquaintance because they lack basic courtesy, they conceal an enormous load of jealous sentiments from within, or their selfish pride could be a hindrance to a stable friendship.

~•~

📖 Abdullah ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: A man asked the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam “Which Islam is best?” The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "To feed the hungry and to greet with peace those you know and those whom you do not know."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 28 

Sahih Muslim 39

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

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: A man passed by the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam while he was sitting in a gathering. The man said, “Peace be upon you.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Ten good deeds.” Another man passed by and he said, “Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Twenty good deeds.” Another man passed by and he said, “Peace be upon you, the Mercy of Allah, and His Blessings.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Thirty good deeds.” A man stood up to leave the gathering and he did not offer salutations of peace. The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “How quickly your companion forgets! If one of you comes to a gathering, let him greet them with peace. If there is room for him to sit, let him sit. If he stands to leave, let him offer salutations of peace. The former duty is no different than the latter.”

Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 980

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Umamah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, the best people to Allah are those who are first to greet with peace."

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 5197

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The rider should greet with peace those who are walking, those who are walking should greet those who are sitting, and a small group should greet a larger group."

Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5880

Sahih Muslim 2160

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

Poem: The Stronger Your Belief In Allah, The Less Likely You Envy Others' Lives

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

💌 Strong faith/Imaan and acceptance of Allah's Qadr 

Can prevent us from envying the lives of others.

When we receive Allah's gifts with Sabr and Shukr,

And have firm faith, we won't go after others' favors.

~•~

That person's tall height, light-colored eyes, or huge mansion,

This woman enjoying a rich romantic husband,

And families who get to travel abroad often - 

They can't make us jealous; we know those gifts were destined.

Their joys and achievements are tests Allah has given.

~•~

That woman's pretty face and impressive credentials,

This person delighting in a luxurious lifestyle,

And individuals who label themselves "successful",

They can't make us feel inferior nor one bit doubtful

About blessings Allah gave which are uncountable.

~•~

You married an Arab? Mabrook. Be a grateful wife.

You own a thriving business? Good for you. Remain kind.

Published books? Well done. Keep inspiring through what you write.

Train yourself to be happy when other Muslims thrive.

~•~

Enhance your beauty inside by smiling every time 

News of someone's "success" or happiness would arrive,

And accept the fact Allah designed everyone's lives.

Focus on your journey. Don't let envy slow your drive.

~•~

📖 Abdullah ibn Amr RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, who are the best people?” The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “One with a heart swept clean and truthful in speech.” We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we know truthful in speech. What is a heart swept clean?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “One that is mindful of Allah and pure, in which there is no sin, nor aggression, nor envy.” We said, “Who shows a sign of it?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “One who hates worldliness and loves the Hereafter.” They said, “And who shows a sign of it?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “A believer with good character.”

Source: Shu’ab Al-Imān 4457

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 'Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Faith and envy do not combine within a believing servant.”

In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Greed and faith are never combined in the heart of a servant.”

Source: Sunan Al-Nasā’ī 3109

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Beware of envy, for it devours (removes) good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass.”

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4903

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti

Poem: Faith/Imaan Levels Oftentimes Fluctuate

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

💌 Often our level of faith/Imaan can fluctuate.

Sometimes it's up and we're in a motivated state,

Energized to do many good deeds for Allah's sake.

Other times it goes down, and we feel lost and dismayed.

~*~

When our faith/Imaan level would reach the lowest point,

When it reaches rock bottom and life just disappoints,

We get depressed or dependent on money and coins,

Eager to amass worldly joys, easily annoyed.

~*~

What cause our level of faith/Imaan to drop include:

Forgetting Allah, delaying Salah, less Sujood,

Gossiping with friends who tell lies and lack good virtues,

Impatience, and wasting time on things without value.

~*~

The following, when done a lot, can strengthen our faith:

Striving for Allah's Love, saying Dhikr night and day,

Reciting from the Qur'an daily at least one page,

Praying Tahajjud at night when most are not awake,

Being grateful to Allah for blessings that He gave,

~*~

Having worthwhile talks with Muslims who enjoy learning,

Reading about Islam and notes on self-improvement,

Showing kindness to animals, orphans and children,

Working hard for good results on the Day of Judgment,

~*~

Staying content with what Allah chose and predestined,

Not comparing our tests to friends' examinations,

Refusing to carry envy, pride and suspicion,

Reminding ourselves we can die at any moment.

~*~

May Allah the Most Kind keep our faith/Imaan strengthened,

Forgive us and take us when we're ready to meet Him,

Smiling and deserving of Jannah's entrance. Ameen.

Maintain these for strong Imaan: Gratitude and patience.

~*~

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The faith of a servant is not upright until his heart is upright, and his heart is not upright until his tongue is upright. A man will not enter Paradise if his neighbor is not secure from his evil."

Source: Musnad Ahmed 12636

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Ja’far RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: ‘Umayr Ibn Habib RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, “Faith increases and decreases.” It was said, “How does it increase and decrease?” ‘Umayr said, “If we remember our Rabb (Allah) and fear Him, it will increase. If we are heedless and we forget, and we waste our time,  it will decrease.”

Source: Shu’ab Al-Imaan 55

Poem: Dear Muslim Revert

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

📜 Dear Muslim revert, don't despair of Allah's Mercy.

Allah the Almighty sees your faith which you conceal,

Your heart accepts Just One God. Tawheed is your belief.

You love Islam but then you meet these difficulties...

~•~

Some born Muslims suspect you, doubting if you're sincere,

Or you're simply acting to join their community.

Then ostracized and disowned by your own family,

With both sides hating on you, you feel stuck in between.

~•~

It's tough being misunderstood by fellow Muslims,

Abandoning you as you still haven't stopped some sins,

Not knowing you're struggling yet striving with patience,

Hoping you can find friends who are more understanding.

~•~

In Ramadan often you have to hide you're fasting,

Most of your Salahs/prayers are done in seclusion,

Inside your room where few Islamic books are hidden,

Wearing hijab and modest clothes only when praying.

~•~

Like a game of hide and seek, you have Islam concealed,

Afraid to be harmed by loved ones if it is revealed.

You're guilty of pretending, yet you know it's all real,

The real you is Muslim. With Islam your wounds are healed.

~•~

Dear Muslim revert, worship Allah so patiently,

Even if you must hide, pray to God consistently,

Say Du'as and Dhikr secretly and sincerely,

Study Islam when given the opportunity.

~•~

Eventually Allah can guide your loved ones. Trust Him.

Even if it takes years for them to become Muslim,

Invite them to Allah's Way and continue praying,

Do Da'wah with your manners, show them what they're missing.

~•~

Treat non-Muslim relatives with justice and mercy.

Your improved character can show them Islam's beauty.

Attend Islamic circles even if secretly,

Or befriend pious Muslims who can teach you your Deen.

~•~

Also learn the Qur'an, study its verses' meanings.

As you research more, you'll become better gradually.

Keep striving with Jannah as your main destination.

Paradise is where you'll find eternal bliss and peace.

Poem: Careful With The Social Media Accounts You Follow

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

💌 Have enough self-respect to ignore negative posts,

Unfollow toxic users, detach from wicked souls 

Who put you down or gossip through what they say or post,

And whose bad vibes drain you, so they're better left alone.

~•~

Toxic social media accounts include childish rants,

Gossipy notes about those whom they misunderstand,

Lame complaints about those whom they're too scared to confront,

And your energy drops when you read their verbal stunts.

~•~

Avoid jokers and clowns who outshine at gossiping 

Offline and online to emphasize their self-loathing.

Learn and seek content that bring about good influence,

And follow those who inspire and share enlightenment.

~•~

Be careful too, ensure you don't mix with nor promote

Those who support bid'ah, who are careless with their words,

Who enforce extremism and acts bad for your soul,

And causing fitna or chaos is one of their goals.

~•~

Choose the right kind of info absorbed, and always pray 

That Allah the All-Knowing guides us to the Right Way,

To connecting with souls that are pure and strong in faith,

And to tell apart the striving from those led astray.

~•~

📖 Abu Umamah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and withholds for the sake of Allah has perfected the faith."

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4681

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said to me: "Young man, if you are able every morning and evening to remove any rancor (grudges, hatred or jealousy) from your heart towards anyone, do so."

Then, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said to me:

"Young man, that is my Sunnah. Whoever revives my Sunnah has loved me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise."

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2678

Grade: Hasan

📖 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