Ana Muslim

Me: Will I be protected by Allah?
Allah:

Truly, Allah defends those who believe.[22:38]

Me: Will anyone ever overcome me?
Allah:

And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers. [4:141]

Me: Will Allah forgive me for the bad I have done?
Allah:

Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds [that] for them there is forgiveness and great reward. [5:9]

Me: Will I have peace and security?
Allah:

They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice – those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided. [6:82]

Me: Will my ending be good?
Allah:

For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) blessedness, and a beautiful place of (final) return. [13:29]

Me: Will I be protected against the devil?
Allah:

No authority has he (i.e. Shaitaan) over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. [16:99]

Me: Will people love me as a Muslim?
Allah:

Verily, those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Gracious will bestow love for them.[19:96]

Me: Will Allah be my friend?
Allah:

And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers. [3:68]

Me: Will Allah be with me?
Allah:

For verily Allah is with those who believe! [8:19]

Me: Will I have a good life?
Allah:

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. [16:97]

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The Meaning of As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim, the Straight Path

As for the meaning of As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim, Imam Abu Jafar At-Tabari said,

“The Ummah agreed that Sirat Al-Mustaqim, is the clear path without branches, according to the language of the Arabs. For instance, Jarir bin `Atiyah Al-Khatafi said in a poem,

`The Leader of the faithful is on a path that will remain straight even though the other paths are crooked.”

At-Tabari also stated that, “There are many evidences to this fact.”

At-Tabari then proceeded,

“The Arabs use the term, Sirat in reference to every deed and statement whether righteous or wicked. Hence the Arabs would describe the honest person as being straight and the wicked person as being crooked.

The straight path mentioned in the Qur’an refers to Islam.”

Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad that An-Nawwas bin Sam`an said that the Prophet said,

Allah has set an example:

a Sirat (straight path) that is surrounded by two walls on both sides, with several open doors within the walls covered with curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Sirat who heralds,

‘O people! Stay on the path and do not deviate from it.’

Meanwhile, a caller from above the path is also warning any person who wants to open any of these doors,

‘Woe unto you! Do not open it, for if you open it you will pass through.’

• The straight path is Islam,
• the two walls are Allah’s set limits,
• while the doors resemble what Allah has prohibited.
• The caller on the gate of the Sirat is the Book of Allah,
• while the caller above the Sirat is Allah’s admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.

(via Tafsir Ibn Kathir 1.6)

Imam Abu Hanifa (rahimullah) said :

1. “When a hadeeth is found to be saheeh, then that is my mazhab.”
2. “When I say something contradicting the Book of Allah the Exalted or what is narrated from the Messenger (sallalaahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then ignore my saying.”
3. “Woe to you, O Ya’qub! Do not write down everything you hear from me, for it happens that I hold one opinion today and reject it tomorrow, or hold one opinion tomorrow and reject it the day after tomorrow.”

Imam Ash-Shafi’e (rahimullah) said :

1. “In every issue where the people of narration find a report from the Messenger of Allah (sallalaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to be saheeh which is contrary to what I have said, then I take my saying back, whether during my life or after my death.”

Imam Maalik (rahimullah) said :

1. “Truly I am only a mortal: I make mistakes (sometimes) and I am correct (sometimes). Therefore, look into my opinions: all that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah, accept it; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah, ignore it.”

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal (rahimullah) said :

1. “Whoever rejects a statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallalaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is on the brink of destruction.”

Narrated by Jabir ibnu ‘Abdullah (RA) :

We proceeded in the company of the Allah’s Messenger (SAW) for the battle of Dhat ar-Riqa. One of the Muslims killed the wife of one of the unbelievers. He (the husband of the woman killed) took an oath saying :

I shall not rest until I kill one of the companions of Muhammad.

He went out following the footsteps of Allah’s Messenger (SAW). Allah’s Messenger (SAW) encamped at a certain place. He said :

Who will keep a watch on us ?

A person from the Muhajirun (Emigrants) and another from the Ansar (Helpers) responded.

He said :

Go to the mouth of the mountain-pass.

When they went to the mouth of the mountain-pass the man from the Muhajirun lay down while the man from the Ansar stood praying.

The man (enemy) came to them. When he saw the person he realised that he was the watchman of the Muslims. He shot him with an arrow and hit the target. But he (took the arrow out and) threw it away. He (the enemy) then shot three arrows. Then he (the Muslim) bowed and prostrated and awoke his companion. When he (the enemy) perceived that they (the Muslims) had become aware of his presence, he ran away.

When the man from the Muhajirun saw the (man from the Ansar) bleeding, he asked him :

Glory be to Allah ! Why did you not wake me up the first time when he shot at you ?

He replied :

I was busy reciting a chapter of Al-Qur’an. I did not like to leave it.

[ Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 1, No. 0198 ]

**********

Masha-Allaah, notice how khushoo’ the Ansari was in performing his solat ?

* Read : How to Taste the Sweetness of Prayer.

Narrated by Usama (radhi-Allahu-’anhu) :

Allah’s Messenger (salla-Allaahu-’alayhi-wa-sallam) said :

“I stood at the gate of Jannah (Paradise) and saw that the majority of the people who entered it were the poor, while the wealthy were stopped at the gate (for the accounts). But the companions of the Fire were ordered to be taken to the Fire. Then I stood at the gate of the Fire and saw that the majority of those who entered it were women.”

[ Sahih al-Bukhari, No. 4854 ]

* Related post : The Eclipse.

Narrated by Usama (radhi-Allahu-’anhu) :

During the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (salla-Allaahu-’alayhi-wa-sallam), the sun eclipsed. Allah’s Messenger (salla-Allaahu-’alayhi-wa-sallam) offered the prayer of (the) eclipse and so did the people along with him.

He performed a long Qiyam (standing posture) during which Surat-al-Baqara could have been recited; then he performed a pro-longed bowing, then raised his head and stood for a long time which was slightly less than that of the first Qiyam (and recited Qur’an). Then he performed a prolonged bowing again but the period was shorter than the period of the first bowing, then he stood up and then prostrated. Again he stood up, but this time the period of standing was less than the first standing. Then he performed a prolonged bowing but of a lesser duration than the first, then he stood up again for a long time but for a lesser duration than the first. Then he performed a prolonged bowing but of lesser duration than the first, and then he again stood up, and then prostrated and then finished his prayer. By then the sun eclipse had cleared.

Allah’s Messenger (salla-Allaahu-’alayhi-wa-sallam) then said, “The sun and the moon are two signs among the signs of Allah, and they do not eclipse because of the death or birth of someone, so when you observe the eclipse, remember Allah (offer the eclipse prayer).”

They (the people) said, “O Allah’s Messenger ! We saw you stretching your hand to take something at this place of yours, then we saw you stepping backward.”

He said, “I saw Paradise (or Paradise was shown to me), and I stretched my hand to pluck a bunch (of grapes), and had I plucked it, you would have eaten of it as long as this world exists. Then I saw the (Hell) Fire, and I have never before, seen such a horrible sight as that, and I saw that the majority of its dwellers were women.”

The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger ! What is the reason for that ?”

He replied, “Because of their ungratefulness.”

It was said. “Do they disbelieve in Allah (are they ungrateful to Allah) ?”

He replied, “They are not thankful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors done to them. Even if you do good to one of them all your life, when she seems some harshness from you, she will say, “I have never seen any good from you.’ “

[ Sahih al-Bukhari, No. 4855 ]

* Related post : At The Gate of Jannah.

Narrated by Anas ibnu Malik (RA) :

Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) said :

Nobody who enters Jannah (Paradise) likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allaah).

[ Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 4 (Kitab al-Jihad), No. 2629 ]

Narrated by Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA) :

Allaah’s Messenger expired in my house and on the day of my turn, leaning against my chest. One of us (i.e. the Prophet’s wives ) used to recite a prayer asking Allah to protect him from all evils when he became sick. So I started asking Allah to protect him from all evils (by reciting a prayer ).

He raised his head towards the sky and said,

With the highest companions, with the highest companions.

‘Abdur-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr passed carrying a fresh leaf-stalk of a date-palm and the Prophet looked at it and I thought that the Prophet was in need of it (for cleaning his teeth ). So I took it (from ‘Abdur Rahman) and chewed its head and shook it and gave it to the Prophet who cleaned his teeth with it, in the best way he had ever cleaned his teeth, and then he gave it to me, and suddenly his hand dropped down or it fell from his hand (i.e. he expired).

So Allaah made my saliva mix with his saliva on his last day on earth and his first day in the Hereafter

[ Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 5 (Book of Military Expeditions), No. 4131 ]

Narrated by Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA) :

It was one of the favors of Allaah towards me that Allaah’s Messenger expired in my house on the day of my turn while he was leaning against my chest and Allaah made my saliva mix with his saliva at his death. ‘Abdur-Rahman entered upon me with a Siwak in his hand and I was supporting (the back of) Allaah’s Messenger (against my chest ). I saw Allaah’s Messenger looking at it (i.e. Siwak) and I knew that he loved the Siwak, so I said ( to him ),

Shall I take it for you ?

He nodded in agreement. So I took it and it was too stiff for him to use, so I said,

Shall I soften it for you ?

He nodded his approval. So I softened it and he cleaned his teeth with it. In front of him there was a jug or a tin, (The sub-narrator, ‘Umar is in doubt as to which was right) containing water. He started dipping his hand in the water and rubbing his face with it, he said,

None has the right to be worshipped except Allah. Death has its agonies.

He then lifted his hands (towards the sky) and started saying,

With the highest companion,

till he expired and his hand dropped down.

[ Sahih Al Bukhari, Vol. 5 (Book of Military Expeditions), No. 4129 ]

Narrated by Abu Musa Al-’Ashari (RA) :

I performed ablution in my house and then went out and said :

Today I shall stick to Allaah’s Messenger and stay with him all this day of mine (in his service).

I went to the Mosque and asked about Allaah’s Messenger (SAW). They said :

He had gone in this direction.

So I followed his way, asking about him till he entered a place called Bir Aris. I sat at its gate that was made of date-palm leaves till Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) finished answering the call of nature and performed ablution. Then I went up to him to see him sitting at the well of Aris at the middle of its edge with his legs uncovered, hanging in the well.

I greeted him and went back and sat at the gate. I said :

Today I will be the gatekeeper of Allaah’s Messenger.

Abu Bakr (RA) came and pushed the gate. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

Abu Bakr.

I told him to wait, went in and said :

O Allaah’s Messenger ! Abu Bakr asks for permission to enter.

He said :

Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise.

So I went out and said to Abu Bakr (RA) :

Come in, and Allah’s Messenger gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise.

Abu Bakr entered and sat on the right side of Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the built edge of the well and hung his legs n the well as Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) did and uncovered his legs.

I then returned and sat (at the gate). I had left my brother performing ablution and he intended to follow me. So I said (to myself) :

If Allaah wants good for so-and-so (i.e. my brother), He will bring him here.

Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

I told him to wait, went in and said :

O Allaah’s Messenger ! ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab asks for permission to enter.

He said :

Admit him and give him the glad tidings that he will be in Paradise.

So I went out and said to ‘Umar (RA) :

Come in, and Allah’s Messenger gives you the glad tidings that you will be in Paradise.

So he entered and sat beside Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the built edge of the well on the left side and hung his legs in the well.

I returned and sat (at the gate) and said (to myself) :

If Allaah wants good for so-and-so, He will bring him here.

Suddenly somebody moved the door. I asked :

Who is it ?

He said :

‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan.

I told him to wait, went in and informed him.

He said :

Admit him, give him the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall him.

So I went up to him and said :

Come in, Allaah’s Messenger give you the glad tidings of entering Paradise after a calamity that will befall you.

He praised Allah and said :

I seek Allah’s Aid.

‘Uthman then came in and found that the built edge of the well was occupied, so he sat opposite to Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) on the other side.

Sa’id ibn Al-Musaiyab said :

I interpret this (narration) in terms of their graves.

[ Sahih Al-Bukhari, The Book of the Companions of the Prophet, No. 3422 & No. 3441 ]

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) :

Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) said :

Verily Allaah likes three things for you and He disapproves three things for you.

He is pleased with you that you worship Him and associate nor anything with Him, that you hold fast the rope of Allaah, and be not scattered;

and He disapproves for you irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and the wasting of wealth.

[ Sahih Muslim, The Book Pertaining to Judicial Decisions, No. 4255 ]