Ramadan is the month where Allah forgives sins and frees people from the fire of hell. But there is one condition to this forgiveness: avoiding al-kabaair. Give it a listen.
Tag: Quran
Standing in front of Allah
If we can do this, our lives will change…
Khutbah – The Major Sins
What’s the clearest path to Jannah?
إِن تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَنُدْخِلْكُم مُّدْخَلًا كَرِيمًا
“If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise].” [4:31]
A short discussion on the meaning of this ayah:
Does the Qur’an promote violence? Decide for yourself.
And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you. [2:191]
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. [9:5]
And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. [8:60]
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. [47:4]
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled. [9:29]
Read this great article from the folks at Spiritual Perception to find out more details. If reading isn’t your thing, then the following graphic is a great summary.
The Value of Sabr
The translations for the Ayaat are taken primarily from M. A. S. ABDEL HALEEM’s translation with some changes and noted exceptions.
Immeasurable Payment
Those who persevere patiently will be given their reward in full without measure.
Key to Victory/Success in Dunya
When they [the children of Israel] became steadfast and believed firmly in Our messages, We raised leaders among them, guiding them according to Our command.
We made those who had been oppressed succeed to both the east and the west of the land that We had blessed. Your Lord’s good promise to the Children of Israel was fulfilled, because of their patience, and We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were making and what they were building.
They grieve at any good that befalls you [believers] and rejoice at your misfortunes. But if you are steadfast and conscious of God, their scheming will not harm you in the least: God encircles everything they do.
Key Reason for the Jazaa and Rewards of Jannah
Surely whoever is pious and (endures) patiently, then surely Allah does not waste the reward of the fair-doers [Dr.Ghali]
Today I have rewarded them for their patience: it is they who will succeed.
These servants will be rewarded with the highest place in Paradise for their steadfastness.
They will be given their rewards twice over because they are steadfast, repel evil with good, and give to others out of what We have provided for them.
and we reward them, for their steadfastness, with a Garden and silken robes.
The Reason for Peace/Safety and Congratulations from the Malaaikah
Can someone who knows that the revelation from your Lord is the Truth be equal to someone who is blind? Only those with understanding will take it to heart; those who fulfill the agreements they make in God’s name and do not break their pledges; who join together what God commands to be joined; who are in awe of their Lord and fear the harshness of the Reckoning; who remain steadfast through their desire for the face of their Lord; who keep up the prayer; who give secretly and openly from what We have provided for them; who repel evil with good. These will have the reward of the [true] home: they will enter perpetual Gardens, along with their righteous ancestors, spouses, and descendants; the angels will go in to them from every gate, ‘Peace be with you, because you have remained steadfast. What an excellent reward is this home of yours!’
A Small Price to Pay
From Ibn Rajab (Fadl ‘Ilm al-Salaf ‘Alaa al-Khalaf):
It is necessary that the believer have patience for a short while such that through it he will attain everlasting bliss. If he despairs and becomes impatient, he is as ibn al-Mubaarak said,
“Whoever is patient, then how little is he patient for. And whoever is impatient, then how little does he enjoy himself.”
Al-Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee used to recite the following lines of poetry,
O my soul! It is nothing but a few days of patience;
It’s duration is like muddled/jumbled dreams.
O my soul! Pass through the world quickly;
And leave it alone, for the (true) life is certainly ahead of me.
Allah’s Common Surah Ending Command
so be patient, for God’s promise is true: do not let those with no firm beliefs discourage you.
Be steadfast [Muhammad], like those messengers of firm resolve. Do not seek to hasten the punishment for the disbelievers: on the Day they see what they had been warned about, it will seem to them that they lingered no more than a single hour of a single day [in this life]. This is a warning. Shall any be destroyed except the defiant?
You who believe, be steadfast, more steadfast than others; be ready; always be mindful of God, so that you may prosper.
Because You’ve Been Given More
A reminder that I gave to some graduating students
