How to attain Al-Khushoo’ in the Prayer

Question: How is it possible for us to gain Al-Khushoo’ (humility) in and outside of the prayer and during recitation of the Quran?

Answer: Al-Khushoo’ is the essence and core of the prayer. And it means the presence and attendance of the heart. And that the heart of the person who is praying does not wander left and right. However if the person senses something that will divert him away from (this) Al-Khushoo’, then he must seek refuge with Allah from the Outcast Shaytaan just as the Messenger sallahu ‘alayhi wasallam instructed us to do.[1]And there is no doubt that the Shaytaan is extremely assiduous upon spoiling all acts of worship especially the Salah which is the most superior act of worship after the Two Testimonies. Thus, He (Shaytaan) comes to the Musalli (Individual who is praying) and says (or whispers): Remember this and that.[2] And he causes him to indulge in thoughts and ideas that are of no benefit and which leave his head soon as he concludes from the prayer.Therefore it is upon a person to strive with the utmost ambition to devote himself towards Allah the Mighty and Majestic and if he feels anything from these misgivings and devilish insinuations to seek refuge with Allah from the Outcast Shaytaan whether he is Raki’ (bowing), in the Tashahhud, sitting, (standing) or in any position from his prayer.(Lastly) from the greatest means that will aid one in attaining Al-Khushoo’ in the prayer is that he visualizes himself standing in front of Allah the All-Mighty and that he is confiding in his Lord subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Footnotes: [1]Muslim(2203). [2] Bukhari(608) and Muslim(291)

Taken from: Fataawa Arkaanil Islaam lish Shaykh Al-‘Uthaymeen. Q#244Translator: Abu Fouzaan Qaasim

Favorite Ayahs!

Compilation of some of my favorite ayahs (verses) from the Quran:

● Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 165:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّهِ وَلَوْ يَرَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا إِذْ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ أَنَّ الْقُوَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعَذَابِ

And there are some among men who take for themselves objects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah and O, that those who are unjust had seen, when they see the chastisement, that the power is wholly Allah’s and that Allah is severe in requiting (evil).

● Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 141:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَّعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَابِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ كُلُوا مِن ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

And He it is Who produces gardens (of vine), trellised and untrellised, and palms and seed-produce of which the fruits are of various sorts, and olives and pomegranates, like and unlike; eat of its fruit when it bears fruit, and pay the due of it on the day of its reaping, and do not act extravagantly; surely He does not love the extravagant.

● Surah Ar-Room, Verse 21:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

● Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 2:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Those only are believers whose hearts become full of fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His communications are recited to them they increase them in faith, and in their Lord do they trust.

● Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 1:

اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ

Their reckoning has drawn near to men, and in heedlessness are they turning aside.

● Surah Al-Hashr, Verse 23:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

He is Allah, besides Whom there is no god; the King, the Holy, the Giver of peace, the Granter of security, Guardian over all, the Mighty, the Supreme, the Possessor of every greatness Glory be to Allah from what they set up (with Him).

● Surah Al-Hashr, Verse 24:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

He is Allah the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner; His are the most excellent names; whatever is in the heavens and the earth declares His glory; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

● Surah Al-Anaam, Verse 116:

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ

And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allah’s way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie.

● Surah As-Saff, Verse 8:

يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ

They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may be averse.

● Surah Luqman, Verse 13:

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

And when Luqman said to his son while he admonished him: O my son! do not associate aught with Allah; most surely polytheism is a grievous iniquity–

● Surah Luqman, Verse 16:

يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ

O my son! surely if it is the very weight of the grain of a mustard-seed, even though it is in (the heart of) rock, or (high above) in the heaven or (deep down) in the earth, Allah will bring it (to light); surely Allah is Knower of subtleties, Aware;

● Surah Luqman, Verse 17:

يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ

O my son! keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require courage;

● Surah Luqman, Verse 18:

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster;

● Surah Luqman, Verse 19:

وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ

And pursue the right course in your going about and lower your voice; surely the most hateful of voices is braying of the asses.

● Surah Al-Isra, Verse 82:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا

And We reveal of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers, and it adds only to the perdition of the unjust.

● Surah An-Nahl, Verse 32:

الَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Those whom the angels cause to die in a good state, saying: Peace be on you: enter the garden for what you did.

● Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 185:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

Every soul shall taste of death, and you shall only be paid fully your reward on the resurrection day; then whoever is removed far away from the fire and is made to enter the garden he indeed has attained the object; and the life of this world is nothing but a provision of vanities.

Golden Advice!

Golden advice for the student of knowledge from Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Al-Bannaa

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh. May Allah have mercy upon me, you and all of the Muslims. Aameen.

Once, I entered the masjid for our class with our Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Bannaa (may Allah preserve him, and his family upon good), I found him praying. After I offered my prayer of greeting the masjid, I greeted the Shaykh, and kissed his head. We talked about how each of us spent our Eid and the conditions of our families. After this the Shaykh began to drink his tea, which was prepared for him.

I asked the Shaykh, how does one become a strong student, treading the path of seeking knowledge? The Shaykh replied, Patience (Sabr). He said this 3 times. He said patience with Allah, in good and bad times. Patience with yourself, patience with ease and with hardships. Patience with your family and friends. Patience with knowledge. Patience with the Qur’aan. Patience with learning the Arabic language. I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short while, the Shaykh motioned to me to come to him. He told me, not to waste time. He told me to guard my time from the time wasters. He told me not to waste my time with that which wont bring about any benefit. Guard your time against your desires. Give knowledge all of your time. Tire yourself with seeking knowledge. Do not become distracted by those who want to take your knowledge. Once again I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short period, the Shaykh motioned to me again to come to him. He told me to engulf myself in reading the Qur’aan. He said to read the Qur’aan in abundance. Over and over and over. He said to read the Qur’aan when you wake from your sleep, read the Qur’aan before you go to bed. The more you read the Qur’aan, the better you will become in the Arabic language. So constantly read the Qur’aan.

He also told me to listen to the tapes of the Ulamaa (major scholars), from the likes of Shaykh Al-Albaanee, Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, and Shaykh Saalih Aali Shaykh.

Later on the Shaykh was asked about the rights of the Qur’aan. Is it better to read it or to memorize it?

He, the Shaykh (may Allah preserve him, and his family) said, one should read the Qur’aan. The Qur’aan is to be read. To memorize it is good. But if it cant be memorized, so read it. Read it in your prayers, before you sleep, when you wake. Before prayer and after prayer. Always have a mushaf (copy of the Qur’aan) near you, everywhere. In Shaa Allah.

May Allah have mercy upon us all.

http://salaf-us-saalih.com/2013/02/09/naseehah-advice-from-shaykh-hasan-abdul-wahhaab-al-bannaa/

Before going to bed..

Ibn al-Qayyim said, ‘Avoid those things that necessitate the punishment of the grave. And from the most beneficial of them is that when a man wants to sleep, he sits for an hour, for the Sake of Allah, calling himself to account over the things that he has lost and gained during that day of his. Then, between him and his Lord, he renews his sincere repentance over those things that he lost, and sleeps on that repentance, firmly resolving not to return to the sin when he wakes up–and he does this every night.

So if he dies on that night of his, he would have died upon repentance and if he wakes up, he will wake up going towards action, pleased with the postponement of his appointed time so that he can turn to his Lord and set right what he missed out on. And there is nothing more beneficial for the servant than this sleep, especially when he follows that [i.e., his resolve to renew his repentance] up with the remembrance of Allah, performing those sunnahs which have been reported from the Prophet of Allah when going to bed, [doing so] until sleep overtakes him.

So whoever Allah wishes good for, He will grant him the success to do that. And there is neither movement, nor power except through Allah.” (Ar-Rooh, p. 79.)

Dhul Hijjah

InshaAllah the Islamic Month of Dhul Hijjah starts on Sun 6th Oct, Arafaat Day on Mon 14th & Eid on Tue 15th (subject to moonsighting).

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these 10 days.” [Bukhaari]

“There are no days greater in the sight of Allah (including Ramadan) and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these 10 days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allah”), Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulilah).” [Ahmad]

Sunnahs of the Prophet s.a.w:
●“When you see the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” [Muslim]
●“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast on the first 9 days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and 3 days each month – the first Monday and 2 Thursdays of the month”. [Nasaa’i, Abu Dawood]
●Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He s.a.w said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” [Muslim]
●”There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’” [Muslim]

Takbeer of Tashreeq: After each Fardh Salah Recite from Fajr of 9th Dhul Hijjah (Mon 14 Oct) until Asr of 13th (Fri 18 Oct) “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha il-lAllahu, WAllahu AkbarAllahu Akbar, Wa Lil-laahil-hamd (Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no God but Allah; Allah is the Greatest and to Allah be all praise),”

Adjust your daily routines and make the most of these precious days.

Health and Fitness

This post here goes out to my sisters..

I want to give you girls some tips that I find beneficial for myself, may it benefit you aswell. Lately there has been an outpour of sisters who are not in healthy shape, whether its through there eating habits, lifestyles.. yada yada yada.

1) Facials: I know this might be foreign to us but ladies (and gents) this is essential for our faces and should be done atleast 3 times a week.. just think of all that dirt that piles up on our faces every single day. Begin with an exfoliator, personally I like using natural products. Get a cloth or cotton flat and mix sugar (brown or white) with lemon.. try and make sure you have no cuts or that might burn. Rub the cotton with the lemon and sugar all over your face gently then wash it off. After doing so you can either A) mix honey with lemon to make a face mask paste, mix it well then apply it to your face, after about 15 minutes then wash it off. B) my personal favorite you can apply the tomato directly to your face or you can cut about 2 slices of tomatoe and make it into a paste adding lemon to it. Apply it directly to your face keep on for about 15 minutes aswell then wash it off.

2) Hair: If your like me then your big on hair and taking care of it. Alot of people like those mayonnaise treatments but personally I dont think my hair is a sandwhich so I find it weird treating my hair with that but what I find to be usefull and have heard so much about is coconut oil, but the 100% extra virgin coconut oil.. not only for your hair but you can use it as a body lotion as well and it works wonders. Put it on before and after your shower itll stop breakage and help your hair grow longer giving it a glossy shiny look. Also what I feel works is black seed shampoo helps restore any damage you might have. And last but not least olive oil to be honest I never really use that because the smell of it makes me sick but Ive heard alot of good things about it.

3) Body: Now this is my favorite topic! Girls, girls, girls.. especially females who are looking to get married, get in shape!! There is no excuse for you to be 19-23 with the body of a 45 year old. I know this might be most peoples fear but WORK OUT honestly I cant stress that enough, its sad to see so many girls not in shape. Were not saying you should look like a victorias secret model (although that would be nice) but you should be at a point where you are happy with your body and confident. Sign up for a gym and try going atleast 3-4 days a week there are all girls gyms (anyone in the Toronto area looking for one can email me) don’t aim for a manly built body but just aim for a toned up body. Also many of these all women gyms have sauna rooms in them so take advantage of that and sit in there for 15 minutes and youll notice a change in your skin both texture and appearance.

4) Food: Most of our biggest enemies and the reason we cant seem to lose as much weight as we’d like too. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.”(Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah) This shows us here that over eating is not from the sunnah at all. Try eating small portions of each meal, start your day off with a forfilling breakfast that is not too much aswell. For example oatmeal for breakfast should keep you full for a long time but not the flavored types of oatmeal which include sugars and such in them, if you dont like the taste and need to sweeten it try using fat free sweetners thatll make it taste better. Also smoothies! Blend spinach, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, mangos, bananas, flax seed oil, and greek fat free yogurt (vanilla flavor is the best) and any other fruits or vegetables you might like. For lunch and dinner try eating small portions and inbetween have 8 cups of water, cut juice out of your diet completely because chances are if your drinking juice you probably wont have space for 8 cups of water. Try cutting any bad foods out of your diet like food from fastfood places. A good habit to have is not to eat anything 3 hours before going to bed which is how many of us gain weight eating food after midnight.

And thats all for now folks, if I come across anymore tips I will pass them along as well as if you know any tips not mentioned in this post write it below or notify me about anything the more the merrier! Btw these tips can also work for any males aswell. Goodlucccckkkkkk!