Men of Paradize 👥

Luqmān Al-Hakīm رحمه الله said:

“O my son! The first thing you should take in this world is a righteous woman and a righteous friend!

You will find comfort in the righteous woman when she enters [upon you] and you will find comfort in the righteous friend when you leave her!”

[Adab An-Nisā: 138]

Sometimes in life, we reach a point where we have two paths: one leading to Allāh and the other to our desires. In those moments, choosing Allāh’s command and following His path seems like hardest thing to do. But we often forget that when we leave something for Allāh, He blesses us with something better.

One thing about our desires is , once they are fulfilled, there is no real fulfillment in it.
They often leave us hollow. We desire things one after another, and the cycle is never ending.

Whereas when Allāh blesses us with something, there is peace in that fulfillment and a kind of contentment.

So, let this be a gentle reminder to myself and to all of you:
when life brings you to a road where you have to choose between Allāh and your desires, choose Allāh.

For when one choose Allāh's path he opens other beautiful paths for us that we have never imagined.

أيمن بنت ذاكِر

Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH), may Allah have mercy on him:

"O brothers, the years are like phases, the months are like miles, the days are like yards, and breaths are like footsteps; good deeds are like your capital wealth and sins are like highway robbers; Paradise is like the profit earned from the journey, and Hellfire is the loss. For this reason, the pious make good use of all the time they have, trading good deeds at the marketplace of worship and therefore abandoning worldly pleasures."

📖 [Seeds Of Admonishment And Reform, Pg 190 |]

A person being amazed with himself (by looking down on people, or not accepting good advice, etc) is proof of the weakness of his intellect.

[Ibn ‘Abdul Barr رحمه الله, Jaami' Bayan al-'Ilm wa Fadhlihi, 1/143]

‘Isa Ibn Maryam (alayhissalam) said,

Do not look at people's sins as if you were lords,

but look at them as if you were servants,

because people are either tried or saved.

Be merciful to the afflicted, and thank Allah that you have been spared and saved.

[Ibn ‘Asakir رحمه الله in Tarikh Dimashq,133]

Ibn ‘Awn was never angry.

If a man angered him he would say to him: May Allaah bless you.

● {Tibb ar-Ruhani (p.51)}

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

The scribe on the right is trustworthy over the scribe on the left.

When a person does a good deed, he records it immediately.

When a person does a bad deed, he says to the scribe on the left: Stay your hand for six hours.

If the person seeks forgiveness from Allaah, then he won’t write it. Otherwise, it’ll be recorded as a single bad deed.

[Mu’jam al-Kabeer of at-Tabarani رحمه الله 7685]

Imām Sufyān ath-Thawrī رحمه الله: “Zuhd (asceticism) is not to eat bad (food) and wear rough (clothes), rather it is to have less hopes (of Dunyā) and (more) expectation of death.”

● [سير أعلام النبلاء للذهبي ٢\٦٩٦]

Ibn 'Umar  رضي الله عنه said: “If we did not see a person at fajr and ‘isha prayers, we would think badly of him.”

[العجم الكبير ١٢/٢٧١]

The Prophet ﷺ was asked:
"Which woman is best?"

The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"When you look at her, you feel happiness."

‎● {السنن الصغرى ٣١٣١}

Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Sāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله said:

Many people think that punishment is limited to one’s health, his wealth, or his children; however, having a sick and corrupted heart is truly the worst type of punishment.

[Aḥkām Min al-Qurʾān, vol. 1, pg. 87]

A person said: “I looked at a woman who was not lawful for me, so my wife was looked at by whom I did not want (ghayr mahram, a stranger).”

[Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله, Sayd al-Khater, 346, 974]

Sayyar reported from Riyah who
said:

“A woman was mentioned to me, so I married her.

Whenever she finished praying 'Isha, she would perfume herself, adorn herself with incense and wear her (fine) clothes;

Then she would approach me and ask: ”Do you have a need?“

If I said yes, she would stay with me.
And if I said no,she would take off her (fine) clothes and stand up for (prayer) until the morning.

Riyah said:
”By Allah, she really delighted me."

[Ibn al-Jawzi al-Hanbali, Sifat as-Safwa 2/255]

The Prophet ﷺ conquered the city of Makkah and gathered the people who had abused, mocked and tortured him and his companions and asked them: "What do you think I will do to you?"

They answered: "You will only do something favourable; you are a kind and generous brother, and a kind and generous nephew."

The Prophet ﷺ said to them: "Go; you are free to do as you wish."

‎● {سنن البيهقي ١٨٠٥٥}

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله says,

"The pleasures of worldly life are like the dreams of a sleeper or the fleeting shade.

If it brings some laughter, it also brings many tears. If it gives a day of happiness, it brings a year of despair.

If it offers a brief moment of delight, it also holds one back for a long time. There is no house filled with joy that does not also contain sorrow and tears."

📚 *Fear the Temptations of the Dunya*

The Prophet ﷺ said: "When a man goes out of his house to his Masjid, one foot records a good deed and the other erases a bad deed."

‎ ● {سنن النسائي ٧٠٥}

Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله said:

“If the slave of Allāh sinned and then he repented, he only gets closer to Allāh.”

‎[فيض القدير ٣\٢٨٥]

The Prophet ﷺ said:“Even a person who was in Sujood from birth until death, will be regretful on Qīyāmah.”

‎[صحيح الترغيب ٢/٤٢٤]

Anas Bin Mālik رع said:


❝If a woman passes in front of you, lower your eyes until she has passed by!❞



● [كتاب الوراء لإبن ابي الدنيا]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“Invoking Allah’s name al-Qayyum has a special effect in answering du'as and ending afflictions.”

الطب النبوي للإمام ابن القيم صحفة ٢٥٧

It is feared for a person that if he makes a habit in delaying his acts of worship, then Allah will test him by delaying everything that is good for him.

[Ibn al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله, Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 13/54]

Supplication at the Time of Distress🌸

The Messenger of Allāh said:

Allāhumma raḥmataka arjū, fa-lā takilnī ilā nafsī ṭarfata ‘ayn, wa aṣliḥ lī sha'nī kullah, lā ilāha illā Ant.

O Allāh, Your mercy is what I hope for, so do not entrust me to myself even for the blink of an eye, and rectify for me my condition, all of it. There is none worthy of worship except You.

[Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dawud 5090]
Book:Collection of Authentic Invocations by Shaykh al-Albani
Translated by Rasheed Barbee

Etiquette of a Righteous Husband:

Khutbah from Shaykh ‘Abdul Muhsin Al-Qasim, Imaam of Masjid An-Nabawee.

Whoever comes from a kind and compassionate background will have a tender heart and so such men must bear in mind that their wife is the one who gave birth to his children, takes care of his wealth and maintains his secrets. So be kind to your wives and openly express your joy, for smiling livens the heart and wipes away hatred, and praising the wife for her appearance, cooking and adornment wins her heart.Moreover, Islam has allowed husbands to lie to their wives in order to increase the love between them.

Exchanging gifts is the key to winning a heart and is a reflection of one’s love.

Being easy upon one’s wife, abandoning ambiguity and bad communication and arrogance are ways to achieve a lasting happy marital life.

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“A man should be like a child with his wife, happy and easy going, but when he sits with men, he should act as they do.”

Be an upright and straightforward man and your wife will thereby also improve and become more righteous, by the will of Allah.

Do not look at that which is unlawful for you to do so, because the evil consequences of this sin will impact upon your house. Watching women on satellite television causes one’s wife to appear ugly and unpleasant, and lowers one’s rank in her sight, which is a reason why hearts become distant and love diminishes, which in turn causes conflicts to emerge.

Deal with your wife as you would like her to deal with you in all areas, because it is natural that she would like you to be with her as you would like her to be with you.

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“I like to take care of my appearance for my wife just as I would like her to beautify herself for me.”

Listen to your wife’s criticism with an open mind and heart because the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would too discuss his opinions without him becoming angry.

Also a husband should not take from his wife’s wealth without her permission,because it belongs to her.

Treat her kindly and be generous with her and do not be stingy; remember that your wife likes to talk to you regarding all her affairs, so be attentive and listen to her; indeed this is a reflection of perfect manners.

Never go home with a gloomy face because your children need to clearly see your love and sympathy; be kind to your children and make them enjoy your presence, guidance and instructions and always listen to them. Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would see Faatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, he would say:

“Welcome, O my daughter!”
Then he would seat her to his right or left.
(Muslim)

Being kind to the members of one’s household reflects real manhood, as Al-Baraa’, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“I entered upon Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, in his house; he saw his daughter ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, lying down with a fever, so Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, kissed her on the cheek and asked: ‘How are you feeling my daughter?’”
(Bukhari)

Helping at home is a sign of ones faithfulness; ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was asked what the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would do while at home, she replied,

‘He was just like any other human being, he would sew his garment, milk the sheep and serve himself.’
(Ahmad)

Being generous with ones family is the best charity that one can give and time spent with ones friends should not be at the expense of that with ones family, for they are worthier to spend ones time with.

Never remind your wife with mistakes that she may have made, nor hint about her shortcomings.

Conceal your problems from the children because it has a negative affect on them and reduces the respect they have towards their parents.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

إذا أحدكم أعجبته المرأة فوقعت في قلبه فليعمد إلى امرأته فليواقعها فإن ذلك يرد ما في نفسه

“If one of you is fascinated by a woman and she captivates his heart then let him go to his wife and have intercourse with her, for indeed that will repel what (he feels) in his soul.”

[مشكاة المصابيح برقم ٣١٠٥ ، صححه الألباني]

Imām an-Nawawī رحمه الله said in its Sharḥ:

“And the meaning of this Ḥadeeth is that it’s recommended for the one who looks at a woman and his desire is stoked; to go to his wife or his concubine if he has one; and have sexual intercourse with her to get rid of his desire, and to calm himself, and to bring his heart (to rest) of what concerns it.”

[شرح النووي على مسلم ١٤٠٣]

"I can fix him"
Shaykh Ahmad ibn Yahya an-Najmee Rahimuallah Ta'Ala.

The man's condition is not perfect and he does not enjoy life (fully) except (by getting married to) a righteous wife.

And a woman is not tranquil and she does not enjoy life (fully), except by (getting married to) a righteous husband.

Ta'sis al-Ahkam (4/172).

Ibrahim al-Nasrabadhi al-Naysaburi رحمه الله said:

Whoever wants to reach a state of contentment (and satisfaction), then let him adhere to what Allah has placed His satisfaction in (doing what pleases Allah).

[al-Istiqamah, 2/72]

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗔𝗛

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

When a person is at home then it is from the Sunnah, that for example he makes his own tea, cooks if he knows how to and washes up that which needs washing, all of this is from the Sunnah.

If you do this then you get the reward of following the Sunnah, with imitating the Messenger [ ﷺ] and in humbling yourself for Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic.

This also brings about love between you and your wife. When your family sense that you help them in their chores they will love you and your value to them will increase, therefore, this will end up being a great benefit.

[Sharh Riyadh As-Saliheen, (3/529)]

"Wasting time is worse than death, because wasting time separates you from Allāh and the hereafter. Whereas death separates you from this world and everything in it".

[Imam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله, al-Fawaid, 458]

Our Sins Affect The Ummah At Large
‎
Sins and transgressions not only cause the Muslims to become weak, but they also cause the Muslims to be overpowered by their enemies.

‎[Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, al-Istiqamah, 1/466]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said about the fornicator who does not repent in this life: “He exposes himself to miss out on the enjoyment of al-Hūr al-‘Ayn (the beautiful women of paradise) in the blessed abode of the Paradise of Eden, for Allāh will punish the one who wears silk in this world by depriving him of it on the Day of Resurrection, and He will punish the one who drinks wine in this world by depriving him of it on the Day of Resurrection, so by the same token He will punish the one who enjoyed Harām intimacy in this world.

Indeed everything from Harām matters that a person enjoyed in this world, he will be deprived of its legitimate counterpart in the Hereafter والله المستعان.”

[روضة المحبين لإبن القيم ٣٦٥-٣٦٨]

“For a slave, there is a curtain between him and Allāh and a curtain between him and the people, so whoever rips apart the curtain which is between him and Allāh then Allāh will rip apart the curtain which is between him and the people.”

[Kitāb al-Fawā`id by Ibn al-Qayyim  رحمه الله pg. 59]

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

If you see people being hostile (oppressive, mean, unkind, evil) towards you, then say

حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

(Hasbiy Allaahu wa Nia’mal Wakeel)

(Allah is sufficient for me and He is The Best Disposer of Affairs)

Allah (azza wa jall) will suffice you against their evil and (what) they (cause to you of) distress/worry.

[Sharh Riyadh as-Saliheen, 1/557]

Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymeen رحمه الله said:

“Money which is earned by disobeying Allāh is nothing except a person being led to his destruction step-by-step while he perceives not,

As Allāh says: ‘Those who reject Our Āyāt, We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I will give them time, certainly My Plan is strong.’ — [al-Qurʾān 7:182-183],

So fear Allāh, fear Allāh.”

[مجموع فتاوى ورسائل فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين جلد ١٢، صفحة ٣٥]

Never Compromise On 'Ibādah Of Allāh For Work And He Will Enrich You

‎قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يقول ربكم تبارك وتعالى : يا ابن آدم تفرغ لعبادتي أملأ قلبك غنى و أملأ يديك رزقا ، يا ابن آدم ! لا تباعد مني فأملأ قلبك فقرا و أملأ يديك شغلا

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “Your Lord Tabārak Wa Ta'ālā says:
‘O son of Ādam !! Set aside time for my worship, I will fill your heart with richness/ contentment and fill your hands with provision, O son of Ādam !! Do not distance yourself from me or I will fill your heart with poverty and fill your hands with (unnecessary) work.”

‎[أخرجه الحاكم ٤/٣٦٢ وقال : صحيح الإسناد ، ووافقه الذهبي والألباني]

Ḥaṣan al-Baṣree said: "People are not pleased with Allaah who provides for them, so how can they be pleased with other people?"

● [البداية والنهاية ٩\٣١٨]

Sufyan ath-Thawree رحمه الله was seen in a dream

and he was asked: “What did Allah do to you?"

He replied: "I had only been put into the grave and there I was, in front of The Lord of the Worlds. I entered and straight away met someone who asked: 'Sufyan?', I said: '(Yes, I am), Sufyan’.”

He said: Do you remember a day you preferred Allah over your desires?

I said: Yes,

(upon answering) I was immediately served with big platters of food from Paradise.

[Ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله, Book: Luftahtul Kabad ilaa Naseehatul Walad (English Title: Addressing and Cautioning the Most Precious Piece of Myself - My Son - in the Form of Advice to the Child)]

Imām Aḥmad said: "After (the sin) of killing an innocent soul there is no sin WORSE than fornication (Zinā)."

● [أحكام النساء ص٩٦]

Anas Bin Mālik رع said: ❝If a woman passes in front of you, lower your eyes until she has passed by!❞

● [كتاب الوراء لإبن ابي الدنيا]

Forgive like Abū Bakr

Abū Bakr had a relative named Mistah b. Uthathah and he used to support him financially by spending large amounts of wealth on him.

It is later discovered that he was involved in the slander against his daughter (‘A’isha) accusing her of Zina.

Like every father would do, he became furious and said he would never help Mistah ever again and that he would never forgive him.

Then this verse was revealed:

‎﴾وَلْيَعْفُواْ وَلْيَصْفَحُواْ أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ﴿

Let them pardon and forgive, don’t you love that Allāh should forgive you?

So after hearing this, Abū Bakr said: “Of course, by Allāh, we love, O’ our Lord, that You should forgive us.”

Then he resumed his spending on Mistah and said: “By Allāh I will never stop spending on him.”

‎[تفيسر ابن كثير ٢٤:٢١]

PUT A SMILE ON HER FACE

The Prophet (ﷺ) urges men to enjoy women with their crookedness. When she is angry, he should be relaxed. When she gives a long face, he should meet her with a smiling face. Were he to treat her as she treats him, their dispute, disagreement, quarrel, and insult would last for a long time. They may not find someone who gives him a ruling that his divorce is ineffective, so problems will begin.

The rational man can easily put a smile on his wife's face because any good word, especially from her husband, pleases her. Likewise, every bad word makes her angry.

Book: The Book of Marriage [part two]
By Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen
Maktabatulirshad Publications
P. 102

Love Your Brother For Allāh's Sake

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ما أحب عبد عبدا لله إلا أكرمه الله عز وجل.

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “No servant loves another servant for the Sake of Allāh except that he is HONORED BY ALLĀH ‘AZZA WA JALL.”

● [رواه أحمد في المسند ٩/٢٥٩ وحسنه الألباني]