HEALING THE WEAK EEMAAN (FAITH)

Thinking about and trying to understand meanings of the Glorious Quran, which Allah has sent down for His slaves to clarify all things and as a Light that He gives to whom He wills among His slaves.

Indeed, the Quran contains tremendous medicine for all ills of the heart, as Allah [az] said, "And We sent down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism)." (Al-Qur’an: 17:82)

The Quran contains Islamic Monotheism; Allah’s promises, warnings and Commandments; stores of previous nations; and codes of the best conduct and behaviour. These various subjects in the Quran have different effects on the heart. Some Soorahs (chapters) of the Qur’aan are more frightening than others.

The Prophet’s Reaction When Reciting the Qur’aan

The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "Hood (Al-Qur’aan: Chapter 11) and its sisters (Al-Qur’aan: Chapters 56, 77, 78 and 81) have brought me white hairs before their due time." (As-Silsilah As-Sahihah). The Chapter Hood and its sisters brought white hairs to the Messenger of Allah because of what they contain of matters of eemaan [faith]. These Soorahs [chapters], and the rest of the Quran, showed their effect on the Messenger of Allah and his companions, exactly as they were ordered in the Quran, "So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you." (Al-Qur’aan: 11:112)

The Companions’ Reaction When Reciting the Qur’aan

The Companions would also be deeply moved with emotions when they recited the Qur’aan. Abu Bakr, for example, who was a soft-hearted man, used to cry while reciting the Qur’aan when leading Muslims in prayer. Once, 'Umar became ill as a result of his reciting the verse, "Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can avert it." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:7-8)

On another occasion, U’mar wept when he was reciting the verse, "I (Prophet Jacob) only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah." (Al-Qur’aan: 12:86), and he was clearly heard by those who were standing behind him.

Furthermore, Uthman ibn `Affan said,

"If our hearts were pure, they will never have enough from reciting Allah’s Speech (the Quran)."

The Reaction Of the Later Generations When Reciting the Qur’aan

As for later generations, Ayyoob said, "I heard Sa`d ibn Jubayr recite the Ayah, "And be afraid of a Day when you shall be brought back to Allah." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:281), repeating it more than twenty times." This is the last Ayah that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, and it ends with, "Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:281)

Also, Ibrahim ibn Bashar said, "If you could but see where they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say, 'Would that we were but sent back (to the world)." (Al-Qur’aan: 6:27), was the Ayah that Ali ibn al-Fudhayl died while reciting. I was among those who prayed the Janazah (funeral) prayer on him, may Allah grant him His Mercy."

Furthermore, when our Salaf [predecessors] would reach a portion of the Qur’aan where Sujood (bowing down) is warranted, they treated this incident different than ordinary people. A man once recited, "And they fall down on their faces weeping and it adds to their humility." (Al-Qur’aan: 17:109), and then fell in Sujood. Then, he said to himself,

"Here you are, you do the Sujood, so where is the crying?"

Ibn Al-Qayyim said with regards to what one should do to cure his weak emaan using the Quran,

"First you should remove your heart from the life of this world and settle it in the Next Life. Then, pay your full attention to pursuing the meanings of the Qur’aan, and try to comprehend and understand them and what they were sent down to accomplish. Then, offer these meanings to the sickness that your heart feels, and when they touch the disease, they will cure the heart, Allah willing."

Drench Your Heart and Tongue with Zikr

As Muslims, all we need to do is to follow a simple way which will enable us to have a successful life. It is known as Zikr which is a practice with our heart and

tongue to remember Allah in everything we do. It can also be known as a practice to fill our hearts with the remembrance of Allah. Once we start this practice, we will soon find how things change on our way from negative to positive. We will be sad thinking of our past life for missing this practice of Zikr. So let's have a look on this practice to know about it better.

Opinions based on Zikr

There are two main opinions based on Zikr:

1. Feeling the prescence of Allah as a form of Zikr:

This means, Remembering Allah in everything we do. This happens because we always feel that Allah is so close to us and this includes everything like: glorifying, praising, repenting, supplicating, thanking etc.

2. Quran recital as a form of Zikr:

It's a common thing to see that most of us carry Quran as a mode to remember Allah often. We used to have a copy with us so that we can read whenever we get a time with the aim of remembering Allah through it. It is also considered to be an effective way for we can fully focus on remembering Allah without paying attention to anything else.

Types of Zikr

There are 3 ways to perform Zikr:

1. Orally: Performing Zikr with tongue. For Example: Reciting Quran, Uttering Duas.

2. Silently: Performing Zikr by heart. For Example: Repenting, Contemplating on the creations of Allah.

3. Practically: Performing Zikr with obedient actions. For Example: Fasting, Offering Salah.

Importance of Zikr

1. Closeness to Allah:

Allah is always near to those who are with Zikr. He is proud of them and praises them in the gathering of the angels. Verily, those who attain the closeness to Allah are successful in this world and the hereafter as well.

Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAWS) said, “Allah (SWT) says I am closer to my slave than his supposition of which he keeps of me. And when he/her does Zikr of Allah, I am with him/her. If he does Zikr in his heart, I do his Zikr near MY proximity (closeness) and if he does Zikr in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering (better) than it.[Bukhari]

2. The best of deeds:

Zikr is the gateway to lead us towards goodness. Remembering Allah will never lead us astray and it always guides us to the right. That's why it is known to be the best of deeds.

"And remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt." [29:45] 

Muhammad (SAWS) would often tell his companions, "Shall I tell you about the best of deeds, the most pure in the Sight of your Lord, about the one that is of the highest order and is far better for you than spending gold and silver, even better for you than meeting your enemies in the battlefield where you strike at their necks and they at yours?" The companions replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" Muhammad (SAWS) said, "Remembrance of Allah." [Tirmidhi]

3. Gardens of Paradise:

Rasoolullah defined the gatherings of Zikr as the Gardens of Paradise because Zikr is sweet to those who are used to it and it gives a twitch of eternal bliss in advance.

Anas (R.A) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAWS) said, “When you pass by gardens of paradise, eat fruits of them. The Sahaba said, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He said, “The gatherings of Zikr.” [Tirmidhi]

Benefits of engaging in Zikr

1. You will be successful:

If your heart is filled with the remembrance of Allah, then you are successful indeed. You will always have a focus in your life and it will let you know what to be done, and what to be avoided which is a highly outlined character of a successful person.

"Stand firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful." [8:45]

2. You will find peace within you:

Minds with the remembrance of Allah will never be disturbed for they are always away from sins and unnecessary things. No matter whatever happens as they are steadfast in their faith and it will help them to praise Allah than before.

"Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!" [13:28]

3. You will be forgiven and greatly rewarded:

Allah will be much pleased with the ones those who remember Him, and He will forgive them and bless them with great rewards.

"And the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward." [33:35]

4. You will be covered with Allah's Mercy:

Allah never fails to shower His Mercy for the ones those who remember Him. He will let the angels to surround them so they will feel tranquility overpowering them.

"When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him." [Muslim]

5. You will be surrounded with Angels:

Whenever you join a gathering where Allah is remembered, Angels will encircle you and the people around you.

Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAWS) said, “The angels look for those who do Zikr of Allah on the paths. When they find those who are doing Zikr of Allah, then they call each other, “Come, your desired has been found.” Then those angels cover those are doing Zikr of Allah up to the skies of this world with their wings. [Bukhari]

6. Your heart will be softned:

Those who fear Allah and remember Him, they will be soft at heart. There will be politeness in their speech, friendliness in their gesture, generosity in their hearts and moderate in their pace.

"Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah." [39:23]

7. You will be blessed with lasting happiness:

We all know that this life is temporary and we have come here to harvest for the hereafter. Those who remember Allah often have this in mind and they never feel sad for they knew that this mundane life has no value. So they are happy in remembering Allah, no matter whatever that come across and the happiness will last forever.

"Lasting happiness will be for those who purify themselves, remember the name of the Lord, and pray to Him." [87:14,15]

Drawbacks of not performing Zikr

1. You will be among the losers:

Those who fail to remember Allah are real losers. They gain nothing in this world because of doing for the sake of others and they have nothing left in the hereafter as well.

"O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers." [63:9]

2. You will have a depressed Life:

What's the use of leading a life without remembering the Creator who provide us everything? You will be always nagged by the feeling that this life is useless, but you are unaware that it all happens because of not remembering Allah. You will feel empty within you and it will narrow your life gradually without knowing you.

"And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind." [20:124]

3. You will have to face a severe torment:

If your mind isn't possessing the remembrance of Allah, then you will not have a mind to offer salah, give charity, observe fast, perform hajj etc. This will lead you to an empty handed state where you will find nothing good in you on the Day of Judgement. Thus, you will be hurled to a severe punishment. May Allah protect us all!

"But if any turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will cause him to undergo a severe Penalty." [72:17]

4. You will be among the party of Satan:

It's all because of nothing, but Satan which leads you away from the correct course. He overtakes your mind and makes you to forget the Creator. So control your nafs and never let him enter your mind.

"Satan has overcome them and made them forget the remembrance of Allah. Those are the party of Satan. Unquestionably, the party of Satan - they will be the losers." [58:19]

"And whoever is blinded from remembrance of the Most Merciful - We appoint for him a devil, and he is to him a companion." [43:36]

Abdullah Bin Abbas (R.A) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAWS) said, “The Satan sticks to the heart of the child of Adam. When he does Zikr of Allah, he (the Satan) runs away from him. And when the child of Adam becomes careless from the Zikr of Allah, the Satan begins to put was-wasah (evil suggestions) into his heart. [Bukhari]

5. You will be hard-hearted:

When you are out of zikr, you will be too much involving in unnecessary talks. This will stiffen your mind, and arrogance will overwhelm in you.

"Woe to those whose hearts have become like stone against the remembrance of God. They are clearly in error." [39:22]

Abdullah Bin Umar (R.A) narrated that Rasoolullah (SAWS) said, “Don’t have a conversation [without] Zikr of Allah. Because talking too much without Zikr of Allah is the reason for the heart’s hardness and wretchedness. And that person becomes distant from Allah in whose heart there is wretchedness. [Tirmidhi]

How to engage in Zikr often?

Follow these simple guidelines below and you will be stunned to see how often you remember Allah.

1. Remember Allah in everything you do:

The first and foremost thing you have to do is to remember Allah in everything you do, but how? For an instance, when you go for a walking, look at the things around you and observe how beautifully Allah has created everything that fits with one another. When you are having your meals, you can remember and thank Allah for the sustenance he has provided you without any barriers. In this way, if you start, you will soon get accustomed to this habit and you will see how it turns your life to an entirely different concept.

2. Control your nafs:

One of the main aspect which makes us to forget the remembrance of Allah is our own desires. If you can control your desires and let your hearts to invade with the remembrance of Allah, then those times will be the best paces in your life. If you do not, then Satan will accompany you. So control your nafs and never let Satan to invade your life. Always seek refuge from Satan by uttering Ta'awwudh as much as you could.

3. Don't miss your daily adhkar:

Daily adhkar are very important to purify our minds and to remember Allah often. If you could make it a habit of reading it every morning after fajr and every evening after asr, you will soon feel a change in your life. Daily adhkar prevent the evils and soothes our hearts. It is an excellent way to keep remembering Allah often as you are expecting every fajrs and asrs to complete them.

4. Read atleast an ayah from the Quran:

One of the most effective way is to read the Quran on a daily basis which will help you to remember Allah often. If you just read an ayah and ponder its meaning the whole day, no wonder you have remembered Allah all the time. You can make it more productive by pondering its meaning when you are involving in your routine tasks like gardening, working on your vehicle, cooking etc.

5. Be among the good company:

If you are among the good company, you will remember Allah often. You will be inspired by the people who are around you and they will be a motivation for you to engage in goodness. You will always try to find some ways that would please Allah for you are surrounded with people of such. This will refrain you from doing bad and will let your heart to be developed with the remembrance of Allah.

"The likeness of the one who Remembers his Lord and the one who does not Remember Him is like that between the living and the dead." [Bukhari]

"Those who are admitted into paradise will not remorse over anything of this world, except over the times in which the zikr of Allah was not utilised" [Bukhari]

Quran says about Parents

What does Quran say about Parents?

Parents are important figures who nurtured us throughout their lives. Even if we have grown and matured enough to do our things on our own, Parents still feel that it is important to surround and protect us. They still look at us the way they looked at us when we were a child. They see us like mirrors and always consider us as their reflections. They actively participate in all the events of our life. They silently laugh when they see us happy, silently cry when we are sad and silently worry when we are upset. They never show us their real emotions, rather they hide from us without making us worried. Fathers are happy to spend their hard earned money and mothers are happy to spend their hours and days with us. So much a vital role they play in our lives that we fail to realise them. That's why I decided to write an article on how our parents should be treated and the importance Islam has given to our parents. I dedicate this article to all parents who did their best to nurture their children.

Importance of Parents

If you look upon some verses in the Quran which define about parents, Most of the verses express that the parents' rights are coming next to those of Allah.

"And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and (you shall do) good to (your) parents," [2:83]

"Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good," [4:36]

"Let me tell you about what your Lord has commanded: Do not consider anything equal to God; Be kind to your parents;" [6:151]

These verses are fairly enough for a person to know the important roles played by our parents and How much Allah has stressed upon the fact to be good with them.

How should parents be treated?

Parents love us without a reason. If a child goes and asks his parents, 'Why you both love me?' They would be astonished for they find no reason why they love us. They simply find joy and contentment through observing us from day to night. So what they really expect from us? What do they want from us? Do they want education from us? Do they want wealth from us? Nay! They expect nothing from us, but kindness! They wanted the same love they showered upon us. I have observed the happiness sprouting from parents' faces when they hear such words from their child like: 'Mummy, I love you', 'Daddy, I can't spend a single day without you.' This is what they expect from us. This is what they wanted from us.

"We have advised the human being to be kind to his parents;" [46:15]

And I didn't fail to notice some parents whose children are in abroad. Whenever I visit them and talk to them, they never find enough time to tell about their children and the cravings they have to see them. I couldn't really express how they grieve for it's really painful, and I think it will be more painful if children start to hate their parents when they are around them. I couldn't really fancy it out; the agony, tolerance and everything that they bear for just one reason thinking that no matter what for it is their child. It's really painful. We all are obliged to our parents. We must give our due respect to them. It's important to embrace them when they are in need of us.

"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents." [31:14]

When parents become old, we know that they are yearning to be treated with love and care. They are in need of someone's accompany. They wanted someone to listen to their speeches. They will be interested to discuss their old tales with us. It might be a hard thing for us, but still we should try our best to allocate some of our time with them. We musn't show atleast a speck of disappointment to

them; instead, we must listen to them, speak to them kindly, make them laugh... These are some things we could do to our parents. Just earning largely and spending on their cause isn't enough. Ofcourse it's important to look upon their material needs, but it's rather important to focus on their non-material needs, which could be satisfied by none, but by their own children. 

"Your Lord has ordained that you must not worship anything other than Him and that you must be kind to your parents. If either or both of your parents should become advanced in age, do not express to them words which show your slightest disappointment. Never yell at them but always speak to them with kindness." [17:23]

Even Rasoolullah insisted that it is important to look after our parents than taking part in Jihad which shows that Parents are to be considered first in everything.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Amr that A man came to the Prophet asking his permission to take part in Jihad. The Prophet asked him, "Are your parents alive?" He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet said to him, "Then exert yourself in their service." [Bukhari]

If we desire to spend for a good course, it is vital to consider our parents first and then onto other matters. The Quran cleary states:

"They ask you (O Muhammad SAW) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al­Masakin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well." [2:215]

Even if we are to die before our parents, then our legacy should be handed down to our parents.

"If one of you facing death can leave a legacy, he should bequeath it to his parents and relatives, according to the law. This is the duty of the pious." [2:180]

So it's important to show the best to our parents out of all we could.

Why Mothers are given a prominent place than fathers?

There are three main reasons why mothers are given a special place than fathers:

1. The burden a mother carry throughout her pregnancy: 

This could never be imagined and it is only mothers who can say what really the hardships are. Allah expresses about it in His Book as,

"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination." [31:14]

2. The pains of delivery:

The throes of child birth is something which is far beyond of what we actually think of. Mothers are not common, but special for they are extremely patient and tolerant at this stage.

"We have advised the human being to be kind to his parents; his mother bore him with hardship and delivered him while suffering a great deal of pain..." [46:15]

It will be more clear if you glance over the following verse in which Maryam (peace be upon her) expressed the pains of delivery when she was about to give birth to Prophet Isa (peace be upon him),

"And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): 'Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!'" [19:23]

3. Feeding from her blood:

She never cares about it. She is extremely happy when feeding her child from her own blood. How could this possibly be? That's how Allah shaped mothers. That's why Allah stressed much importance on mothers and they aren't feeding for a few weeks, but for thirty months, Subhan'Allah!

"We have advised the human being to be kind to his parents; his mother bore him with hardship and delivered him while suffering a great deal of pain. The period in which his mother bore and weaned him lasted for thirty months." [46:15]

These are the reasons why even Rasoolullah emphasised on giving importance to mothers. By considering the above three reasons, we can conclude that there can be none more unique than mothers.

Narrated by Mu'awiyah ibn Hayadah, I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah(saws)! To whom should I show kindness most?’  He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother.’  I asked (again): ‘Who next?’. He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother!’.  I asked: ‘Who next?’  He (saws) replied: ‘Your mother!’  I asked again: ‘Who next?’ and he (saws) replied: ‘Your father, and then your relatives in order of relationship.’ [Abu-Dawood]

Is it permissible to act against them?

Yes, it is permissible to act against them only at certain circumstances. That is, if they ask you to keep faith or belive in something other than Allah, then you are not to obey them. The Quran clearly tells that,

"And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do." [29:8]

but still Allah insist us to accompany and be kind with them in this world.

"But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience." [31:15]

Also it is a must to call them towards The Truth for Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) didn't fail to call his father who was a non-muslim and it is important to maintain politeness when speaking to them. The following verses which was the conversation between Prophet Ibrahim and his father will clearly help you to understand that.

"Mention the story of Abraham, the truthful Prophet, in the Book (the Quran)" [19:41]

"When he said to his father: "O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything?" [19:42]

"O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path." [19:43]

"O my father! Worship not Shaitan (Satan). Verily! Shaitan (Satan) has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah)." [19:44]

"O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shaitan (Satan) (in the Hell-fire)." [19:45]

"He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)? If you stop not (this), I will indeed stone you. So get away from me safely before I punish you." [19:46]

"Ibrahim (Abraham) said: "Peace be on you! I will ask Forgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is unto me, Ever Most Gracious." [19:47]

The above verses clearly show how a parent should be treated when he/she is a non-muslim and how the words should be carefully choosen so as not to hurt them.

In Addition, it is important to maintain justice, even if it is against our parents,

"O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives." [4:135]

What will be the reward for the conduct towards parents?

If we treat our parents with kindness, cherish them in all possible ways and humbly make dua for them, then Allah will reward us to be among the dwellers of paradise. Even Allah is ready to ignore our bad deeds.

"We have advised the human being to be kind to his parents; his mother bore him with hardship and delivered him while suffering a great deal of pain. The period in which his mother bore and weaned him lasted for thirty months. When he grew-up to manhood and became forty years old, he then said, "Lord, inspire me to give You thanks for the bounties you have granted to me and my parents, and to act righteously to please You. Lord, make my offspring virtuous. Lord I turn to you in repentance; I am a Muslim". [46:15]

"These are the ones from whom We accept righteous deeds and ignore their bad deeds. They will be among the dwellers of Paradise. It is the true promise which was given to them." [46:16]

But those who disobey and shown a slightest disappointment in their words, then Allah describe them as losers.

"There are people who say to their parents, "Fie upon you! Are you telling us that we shall be raised from our graves? So many people have died before us and (none of them have been raised)" Their parents plead to God and say to their child, "Woe to you! Have faith; the promise of God is certainly true" They reply, "What you say is only ancient legends". [46:17]

"Such people will be subject to the punishment of God, which was also decreed for many human beings and jinn before them. These people are certainly lost." [46:18]

Beautiful Duas from Quran

Remember those days when you were totally relied upon your parents. How you were in need of them to survive, How they filled your life with love and affection, How they raised you bearing all the hardships, and How readily they moved forward to share your happiness and How without any reluctance they came forward to console and protect you at times of distress. It is important to recall those days and pray to Almighty Allah to shower His mercy upon them, but how can we effectively ask some duas to our parents? Here are some beautiful duas which I found in Quran:

"Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established." [14:41]

"My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." [17:24]

"My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)." [46:15]