Meaning, Significance, Aspects, Factors which weaken Factors which strengthen itEffects on our lives

Summary

• Say my salaat, sacrifice, my life and my death is for Allah, the Lord of the universe. (Anaam,6:162)

• They were not commanded except this that worship Allah sincerely. to establish regular Prayer; and to practice regular Charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight. (Byyinah,98:5)

Meaning in Quran

• Have fear of Allah in open and in hiding.(Bayhaqi)

• Your reliance should be more on Allah than your own resources. (Bayhaqi)

• One may get the displeasure of people while achieving pleasure of Allah.

Meaning in Hadith

One who loves others for the sake of Allah, dislikes for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and holds back for the sake of Allah indeed perfected his faith. (Abu Dawood)

O, Allah! We seek your help, we seek your guidance and we seek your forgiveness. We believe upon you and our dependence is upon you. All excellent praises are for you. We are thankful to you and we do not show ingratitude to you. We stay away from one who disobeys you.

Meaning in Hadith

Hadith describing closest relation with Allah

Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reports:

“One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of God, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of God. If you need help, seek it from God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if God had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if God had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry

Meaning of Hadith

Seeking Closeness to Allah

I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me.If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself;and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it.If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near tohim an arm’s length.And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’” -(Sahih Bukhari)

• Prophets of Allah and righteous advised about the priority of strong relation with Allah.

• Real motivation for all our actions must be our relation with Allah and His pleasure.

• Stronger our relation with Allah the better is our struggle in His obedience.

• Those struggling for Islamic movement, must have their relation with Allah dearer and stronger than any other relation.

Significance

Marafa

Ibaada

Hubb Allah

Shukr

Ikhlas

Khauf

Haya

Aspects of this relation

• Marafa or recognition of Allah’s names, qualities and powers.

a-Positive:

Rabb, Aziz,Aleem, Hakeem, Hameed,

Quddus, Rahman, Raheem, Muhsin, Munim,Muhibb,Malik,Hadi,Aamir,Shari, Hakim,Mabood,Adil,Muhasib,Majazee,

Muntaqim,Tawwab, Ghafoor.

b- Negative:

• No one is like Him.

• No one is Ilah except Him.

Ma’rafah

We created human and jinn only for Ibada. (Zariat: 56)

Ibada- obedience with utmost humility.( Lisanul Arab) The "ibadah" in Islam means: 1.The ultimate obedience, 2.The ultimate submission and 3.The ultimate humility to Allah (S.W.T.) 4.Along with the ultimate love for Him

Ibada (Submission)

O

Love of Allah

Baqarah, 2:165

SHUKR (Thankfulness)

And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allah offering Him sincere devotion being True (in faith); to establish regular Prayer; and to practice regular Charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight

Say: "Verily I am commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion

Say it is Allah I serve with my sincere devotion. Zumar 39:14

Ikhlas (Sincerity) اخالص لله

Fear of Allah’s accountability should prevail all other fears.

..So fear them not but fear me. 2:150

Do you fear them? Nay, it is Allah whom you should more justly fear. Tauba 9:13

Khauf (Fear of Allah)

..for Allah ever watches over you. Nisa 4:1

Allah knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes and all that the heart (of men) conceal. Momin 40:19

There is not a secret consultation between three but he makes the fourth among them..Mujadila58:7.

Al Haya (Awareness of Allah’s closeness)

Obedience of Allah’s commands and the Sunnah of the Prophet.

Turn towards your Rabb and submit to Him. Zumar:54

We did not send a Prophet except that he be obeyed with the leave of Allah. Nisa:64.

Itaa’t. Obedience

Submission to one’s Nafs or

passions:28:50

Blind following of

forefathers.2:170

Obedience of other

people.6:116

Love of this material

world.63:9

Satan’s attacks and

evil plots.17:62

Neglecting signs and

warnings of Allah.25;73

Evil environment

and company.

Causes of weak relation with Allah.

Causes of weak relation with Allah1 Submission to 'Nafs' or one's desires

2- Blind following of forefathers

Just in the same way, whenever we sent a warner before you to any people, the wealthy ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps." (Zukhruf,43:23)

And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, devoid of guidance from Allah. For Allah does not guide people given to wrong doings. Qasas,28:50

Causes of Misguidance3- Obedience of other people-

If you were to follow the common run of that on earth, they will lead you away from Allah's way. (An’aam, 6:116)

4- Love of this material world-

0' you who believe! let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any acts thus, the loss is their own. (Muafiqoon,63:9)

Causes of Misguidance

Aban-Bin-Osman(R) reported from Zayd Ibn Thabit (R) that we heard from Prophet (SAW) who said,” Whoso is worried much about this material world, Allah (SWT) shall make his matters (of this world) complex and shall bring his deprivation between his eyes ( in front of him). He shall get only what is destined for him. Whoso intends for Akhirah, Allah (SWT) shall make his matters organized. He shall bestow Ghina (freedom from greed) in his heart and material things shall come to him. (Ibn Majah: #986)

5- Overlooking Satan's attacks and evil designs

(Satan)said: 'Then by your power, I will put all of them in the wrong, except your servants amongst them, sincere and purified. 38:82-83

Causes of Misguidance6- Neglecting the Signs and Warnings of Allah-

Those who, when they are admonished with the signs of their Lord they do not droop down as if they were deaf or blind. (25:73)

7- Evil- Environment:

Abu-Huraira (R) reported that Prophet (SAW) said: “Every child is born on (Fitrah) righteous nature (of Islam). Then his parents turn him to Judaism or Christianity.”

4)Internat-ional circle

and its influen

ce

3) Nation

al aptitud

es, ways and

traditions.

2) Family circle

and its values.

1) Friends, and peers

4 Types of influential environments-

Iman.

Islam.

Taqwah

Ihsan

Ansaar

Levels of relation with Allah.

IMAN

ISLAM

SOME ASPECTS OF ISLAM

IHSAN

ANSAAR

O ye who believe! be ye helpers of Allah: as said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?"

Ansaar are those who come forward with all their resources to support the cause of Prophets by:1. Preparing themselves with Ilm, taqwa and proper abilities2. Propagate the true message of peace and salvation-Islam through collective effort or as a Jema'ah3. Bring positive change in their lives, in their families4. Bring a positive change in the society at large

Imam Abul Ala Al Maudoodi

1-IMAN-God alone is man’s Master,

Sovereign and Deity; seeking His pleasure is the aim of all his endeavors; and His commands alone

are the commands that are to be

obeyed

2-ISLAM-Man gives up his

independence and accepts

subservience to God. He should actually submit

beforeHim and fashion his

entire life in obedience to Him

3-TAQWA-means desisting from

everything which God has forbidden or has disapproved

of. Man must be in a state of readiness to

undertake all that God has

commanded

4-IHSAN-signifies that man has

attained highest excellence in words, deeds and thoughts,

identifying his will with the will of God

and harmonizing it ,to the best of his

ability, with the Divine will.

STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

Closer relation to

Quran,

Obligatory

Ibadah

Nawafil Tahajjud

Voluntary Fasting

Infaq- and

SadaqaZikr.

Istighfar and

Taubah

Akhlaq or good

manners

Fear of Allah

Hope in Allah Dua.

Company of

righteous

Islamic Jamaah and

society

Remember death

Muhasabah

Ways to strengthen our relation with Allah.

• Best amongst you is the one who

learns Quran and teaches it

• Recite the Holy Qur'an as much as we can for It will come as an intercessor for its reciter’ on the Day of Judgment [Muslim]

• “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

• “Verily Allah raises nations by this book (the Qur’an) and puts down (i.e. destroys) others by it.” [Muslim]

Closer Relation With Quran

Quran

How much Quran to recite and study?• “Verily Allah raises nations by this book (the

Qur’an) and puts down (i.e. destroys) others by it.” [Muslim]

• We should make a target of reading at least a chapter a day.

• If one can’t manage that then at least half a chapter.

• If one still can’t manage that then recite at least quarter of a chapter or even a page a day.

• We should try to recite each day with its meanings and implement what we learn into our daily lives

Obligatory Ibadah

Abu Huraira (R) reported that the Prphet (SAW) said that Allah Subhanahu said,” Whoever has animosity against my Wali, I shall declare war against him. My servant draws near to Me but with something I love ,i.e.,by fulfilling what I have made obligatory upon him…….

Faraid (obligatory duties) are the first things that draw us near to Allah.

Nawafil ,Tahajjud

On the authority of Abu Hurairah who said: The Messenger of Allah (upon whom be Allah’s blessings and peace) said, “Allah the Almighty has said, ‘Whoever has mutual animosity with a friend (wali) of Mine, I declare war upon him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties that I have imposed upon him; and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works such that I love him. And 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 leg with which he walks. Were he to ask of Me, I would surely give him; and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.

Nafil will compensate for missed farad

Tirmidi

Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of the night, and (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur’an at dawn is ever witnessed. And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory. 17:78,79

Abu Hurairah (R) reports that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “The best fast after Ramadan is in month of Allah Muharram and best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

Tahajjud

• Narrated Rabi’ah bin Kaab Al Aslami (R) : I used to stay with the Prophet (SAW) at night. I used to bring water for ablution and his need. The Prophet (SAW) said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be your companion in paradise." The Prophet said: “Anything else?" Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet (SAW) said to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers)." [Muslim]

Tahajjud

Aa'ishah said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to fast Mondays and Thursdays". [An-Nasaa’i; Sahih]

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet (SAW) would fast would be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: "The deeds of people are presented to Allah on every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other. He says: "leave them for later." [Ahmad; Hasan]

Voluntary Fasting- Mondays and Thursdays

Voluntary Fasting- Ayyam Beed13th, 14th and 15th of each month

Voluntary Fasting of Dawood (AS)

(Bukhari)

“You shall not attain true goodness until you give of what you love.”(Ale Imran:92)

• Real worth is not of the quantity which you spend but the spirit of sacrifice for the sake of Allah. (Maududi)

Infaq

• "…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (13:28)

• O ye who believe, remember Allah much. And glorify Him morning and evening (33:42-43)

• The Prophet (SAW) said, "The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

ZIKR

• And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself, but then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful. (Nisaa 4:110)

• And seek Allahs forgiveness. Certainly, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Muzzammil 73:20)

• For Allah is to all people most surely full of kindness Most Merciful. (al-Baqarah 2:143)

Istighfar and Taubah

Blessings of TaubahTaubah opens the door of hope with the Mercy, forgiveness and salvation from the most Merciful Allah (SWT)

Repentance is an act, which purifies the soul

It increases humility and removes arrogance

It brings the servant closer to Allah.

It puts the heart at rest from guilt.

It protects one from falling prey to his/her desires lusts

It increases the faith in Allah (SWT) as our most Kind, Merciful and Forgiving Lord.

Five conditions of repentance1- Act of repentance be sincerely for Allah alone.

2- Person must feel remorse and guilt over his actions so much so that he wished he had never done it in the first place.

3- Person must immediately cease performing the wrong and sinful act.

4- Repentant person must have a firm intention to never commit the sin again.

5- Person must repent before it is too late, meaning before death approaches

• Abu Darda, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Nothing is heavier in the scales of a believer on the Day of Judgment than his good behavior. Allah detests a person who is obscene and shameless”. (Tirmidhi)

• The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “And no one humbles himself before Allah but Allah will raise him (in status).”

• "Al-Kibr is rejecting the truth and looking down upon people" [Muslim, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Akhlaq and Good Manners

Surely those of His servants who know fear Allah. (35:28)

Guidance and mercy for those who fear their Lord. (7:154)

Fear me if you are believers. (3:175)

Fear of Allah

• Knowledge of the majesty and attributes of Allah

• Sense of accountability before Allah

• Enormity of sins and their consequences

• Awareness of one’s inability to avoid consequences of sin except Allah’s Mercy

• Combination of these factors

Sources of fear of Allah

• Say,” O’ My servants who have wronged their souls, do not despair of the Mercy of Allah, for surely Allah forgives all sins; surely He is forgiving, compassionate. (39:53)

• Prophet (SAW) said, "When Allah created His creation, He decreed something for Himself that, 'Truly my Mercy prevails over My wrath.”

Hope in Allah’s Mercy

• Call on me, I shall answer you. (40:60)

• And when my servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near (to them; l answer the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me. 2:186

• Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said,”Whoever does not supplicate to Allah, Allah invokes His wrath

Dua

“

All friends will be enemies of one another on that Day (Day of Judgment) except those of the virtuous.” (al-Qur’an 43:67)

The Prophet (saws) said, “The case of the good companion and the bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the blower of the bellows (iron-smith). As for the seller of musk, he will either give you some of the musk, or you will purchase some from him, or at least you will come away having experienced its good smell. Whereas the blower of the bellows will either burn your clothing, or at least you will come away having experienced its repugnant smell.” [Al-Bukharee and Muslim]

Company of the righteous

Islamic Jama’ah,family and society

• Every soul will taste of death, and you will be given your recompense in full on the Day of Resurrection. Only he who is saved far from the fire and admitted to the garden will have attained the object (of life): for the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception. (3:185)

• Say, the death that you are fleeing from will surely meet you. Then, you will be returned to the knower of all things, both hidden and manifest, and He will inform you of all that you did. (62:8)

Remember Death

• The Prophet, peace upon, said, “The smart person is the one who controls his nafs and prepares for the hereafter. The foolish [destitute] person is the one who follows the desires of his nafs and hopes that Almighty Allah forgives him his sins."

• He also said, “Be in the world as if you are a stranger or wayfarer and consider yourself among the people already in their graves.” (Bukhari)

Ahadith on remembering death

O ye who believe! Fear Allah and let every soul look to what (provision) he has sent forth for tomorrow. Fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. Hashar 59:18

Muhasaba

What percentage of your time, energies and abilities is being devoted to Islamic struggle?What is condition of your heart on seeing rebellion to Allah’s commands?

Do you feel happy by accepting less halal and forfeiting more haram?

Does sin brings displeasure and goodness brings pleasure to your heart?

How do we know about our relation with Allah?

O’ you who believe ! Be helpers of Allah as Jesus son of Mary said to the disciples, "Who will be my helper?” Disciples said,” We are Allah’s helpers.”

Saff 61:14.

Be ansaar of Allah