🌴Striving For Firdaws🌴

Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah) said: *The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful, that his deeds will not be accepted.* *If he were to spend a mountain of wealth in charity, he would not feel sure of the reward until he sees it (in the afterlife).* *The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears.* *But the hypocrite (munafiq) says:* *“There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.”* *So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allah.* 📚[adh-Dhahabi (rahimahullah), Siyar A’lam an-Nubala’, 4:586] t.me/striving4firdaws

*Calamities, trials and tests are signs of love from Allaah for the believers.* *They are comparable to a cure; although it may be bitter, you accept it because it is from the One whom you love;* *and to Allaah belongs the best example.* 📗[Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullah), Ighaathatul Lahfaan, pg. 286] t.me/striving4firdaws

I have never envied anyone over anything: If a person is going to be in the Fire, how could I envy him over some worldly matter when he is destined for the Fire?! And if he is going to Paradise, how could I be envious of a man of Paradise with whom Allah is pleased?! [Muhammed ibn Sireen (Rahimahullah), Abu Bakr al-Daynoori (Rahimahullah), al-Mujalasah wa Jawaahir al-‘Ilm, 2931] t.me/striving4firdaws

“How many small actions have become great due to al-niyyah (its intention) and how many great actions have become small due to the heedlessness of the intention (ie: it not being for the sake of Allāh)!” فكم من عمل صغيراً أصبح بالنية كبيراً! وكم من عمل كبير أصبح بالغفلة صغيراً! Shaykh Muḥammad b. Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn, Sharḥ Riyaḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn 2/174 ابن عثيمين، شرح رياض الصالحين ٢/١٧٤ t.me/striving4firdaws

*Do not make yourself incapable* Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn (rahimahillāh) said: The Messenger's (ṣall Allahu ʿalayhi wa-’ālihi wa-sallam) saying, *‘Do not make yourself incapable'* means: Do not become lazy and go back on an action once you have started it; rather, persist (in doing good that you started to do) This is because if you left it and then afterwards started another action, and then afterwards you left (that) and then started, and then left, none of your actions would (ever) get completed. *📗[Sharḥ Riyaḍ as-Ṣāliḥīn, 2/82]* t.me/striving4firdaws

The Religiosity and Righteousness of the Spouse Has an Affect on the Other Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah) narrated: "I went to a cloth merchant in Madinah to buy a thoub. He started praising his products and making (false) oaths. And so I left him and said to myself: "I shouldn't buy from such a person." And I bought it from someone else. Two years later I made Hajj and went to that merchant, but this time I did not hear him praising his products or making oaths. I said to him: "Aren't you the man to whom I came to two years ago?" He said: "Yes." I said: "And what made you leave doing what I saw you doing back then? Now I don't see you praising your products or making oaths!" He said: "I had a wife, and whenever I came to her with less, she would look down on me and whenever I came to her with much, she considered it to be little. Then Allah looked at me (meaning: He had mercy on me) and she passed away and I married again. Whenever I wanted to go to the market (to earn my livelihood), she used to grab me by the collar of my garment and say: "O So-and-so! Fear Allah and do not feed us except with the pure (halal earnings). If you come to us with less, we will add to it. And if we receive nothing, we will support you in our home (by making handicrafts and selling them, wa Allahu a'lam)" [al-Mujalasah wal Jawahir al-'Ilm, Ahmad Ibn Marwan Ibn Muhammad al-Daynuri (rahimahullah)] t.me/striving4firdaws

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Anas Ibn Malik (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reports: A young man who had stolen was brought to ‘Umar (radiyAllahu anhu) (for punishment). He (the convicted) said, “By Allah I have never stolen before this time.” So ‘Umar responded, “You lie, Allah would not (does not) surrender (expose) a servant of His on the first sin!” [Abu Dawood, az-Zuhd article 56, and others. Graded Sahih by Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) and others] t.me/striving4firdaws

Shaykh 'Abd-al-Rahmān bin Hasan bin Muhammad bin 'Abd-al-Wahhāb (rahimahullāh) said: From the (ten) signs that a student of knowledge is sincere is that: • he is silent about that which does not concern him, • subservient to his Lord, • humble towards His servants, • pious and well-mannered, • he does not care that the truth is being made manifest upon his tongue or upon the tongue of other than him, • he does not take revenge for his own sake and, • he is not boastful (in the least) • he is not tempted by the desires, • he is neither malicious nor envious and, • he does not incline towards the adornment of the life of this world. [ad-Durar as-Saniyyah 1/405-406] t.me/striving4firdaws

*And the servant;* *if he exchanges disobedience with obedience, Allaah will exchange the punishment upon him with pardoning (him), and humiliation with honor.* 📙[Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah), al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, 73] t.me/striving4firdaws

It is reported that the son of al-Fudayl Ibn ‘Iyyad (rahimahullah) said to his father: Father! How sweet (beautiful) the speech of the Companions is! (al-Fuḍayl) said, “Son, do you know why it was so sweet?” He replied, “No father, I do not.” He said, “Because they sought Allāh the Exalted when they spoke.” [al-Bayhaqī (rahīmahullāh), Shu’ab al-Īmān, 2:299] - If the speech comes from heart it affects the heart (and betters actions), if it comes (just) from the tongue then it does not go beyond the ears. [Ziyaad ibn Abi Sufyan (rahimahullah), Jami’ Bayan al-‘Ilm, 1257]

🔥Firmness Upon the Siraat🔥 Imam Ibnul Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "So the one who is guided in this abode to Allaah's siraat (straight path)-the one for which the messengers were sent and the books were revealed- they will be guided over there to the siraat (bridge over the fire of jahannam), which leads to His jannah and the abode of His reward. And depending on the firmness of the servant upon this siraat, which Allaah has set up for His servants in this abode, will determine their firmness upon the siraat that is set up over  jahannam. And depending on his movement upon this siraat is his movement on that siraat. 1⃣ And from them are those who pass by like lightening. 2⃣And from them are those who pass by as quickly as the blink of an eye. 3⃣And from them are those who pass by like a fast wind 4⃣And from them are those who pass by like fast horses or she camels 5⃣And from them are those who cross by running 6⃣And from them are those who cross by walking 7⃣And from them are those who cross by crawling 8⃣And from them are those who will be safe after receiving some scratches 9⃣And from them are those who will be thrown in the fire So let a servant look to his advancement on that siraat from his advancement on this, hand span by hand span. An exact recompense. ﴿هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلاَّ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ﴾ ((And it will be said to them) "Are you being recompensed anything except what you used to do'') [An-Naml:90] And let him look to the doubts and desires which hinder him from walking on this siraat al mustaqeem (straight path). For indeed the hooks that are on the two sides of that siraat will pluck him and prevent him from passing over it. So if it becomes many and strong here in the dunya then it will be the same over there ﴿ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ ﴾ [فصلت :46]. "And your lord is not in the least unjust to the servants." [Fussilat:46] 📖Madaarij as-Saalikeen (16/1). t.me/striving4firdaws

الثَّبـَـاتُ عَلَــىٰ الصِّــرَاطِ قَـال الإمَـامُ ابْـنُ القَـيِّمْ -رَحِــمَهُ الله- : ❍ فمن هُدي في هذه الدَّار إلى صراط الله المستقيم، الذي أرسل به رسله، وأنزل به كُتبه، هُدي هناك إلى الصراط المستقيم، الموصل إلى جنّته ودار ثوابه. ◉ وعلى قدر ثبوت قدم العبد على هذا الصراط الذي نصبه الله لعباده في هذه الدّار، يكون ثبوت قدمه على الصراط المنصوب على متن جهنم. وعلى قدر سيره على هذه الصراط يكون سيره على ذاك الصراط. (❶) فمنهم من يمر كالبرق، (❷) ومنهم من يمر كالطرف، (❸) ومنهم من يمر كالريح، (❹) ومنهم من يمر كشد الركاب، (❺) ومنهم من يسعى سعياً، (➏) ومنهم من يمشي مشياً، (➐) ومنهم من يحبو حبْوا، (❽) ومنهم المخدوش المسلّم، (❾) ومنهم المكردَس في النار. فلينظر العبد سيره على ذلـك الصراط من سيره على هــذا، حذو القُذّة بالقذّة، جزاء وفاقا ﴿ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴾ [النمل : 90]. ↩ ولينظر الشبــهات والشــهوات التي تعوقه عن سيره على هذا الصراط المستقيم. فإنها الكلاليب التي بجنبتي ذاك الصراط، تخطفه وتعوقه عن المرور عليه. فإن كثرت هنا وقويت فكذلك هي هناك ﴿ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ ﴾ [فصلت :46]. ◉ المَــصْدَر: [ " مدارج السالكين " (١٦/١) ]. ــــــ ✵✵ ــــــ ✵✵ــــــ 🔰 أُنشرُوهَا فَنشّرُ العِلمِ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ القُرُبَات

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————————- FOOTNOTES: [1] Imaam at-Tirmidhi collected the hadeeth in his Jaami’ (#3585), and pointed out a weakness in its ch

The Best Supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said: خير الدعاء دعاء يوم عرفة، وخير ما قلت أنا والنبيون من قبلي: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير “The best supplication is the one made on the Day of ‘Arafah. The best thing ever said by me and the previous prophets is: There is no deity worthy of worship other than Allaah, who is alone, having no partner. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs all praise. He is, of everything, All-Capable.” The hadeeth was collected by Imam at-Tirmidhi and others, and it has been authenticated by the scholars. [1] 12 Points of Benefit Derived From or Related to the Hadeeth: 1 – The Day of ‘Arafah is the ninth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. The Day of ‘Arafah this year (1444) is Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The following day is ‘Eed al-Adh-haa, the second of the two annual holidays in Islam. [2] 2 – The best day of the year to supplicate to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is the Day of ‘Arafah, while the best night for supplication is Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadhan. The Day of ‘Arafah is found within the best ten days of the year, the first ten of Thul-Hijjah, while Laylat al-Qadr is found in the best ten nights of the year, the last ten nights of Ramdhaan. While supplications in general may be made during both great opportunities, both have a specific supplication that stands out as the very best thing to use. 3 – The previous Prophets used to remember Allaah with this great supplication. 4 – Allaah’s Power and Capability is unlimited, unrestricted, and always in accordance with His perfect and complete Wisdom. Muslims never describe Allaah with weaknesses, flaws, or inability. These are attributes He has negated in His Book. 5 – A du’aa’ (supplication) does not always include a request. Here, the du’aa’ is entirely words of praise, with nothing being directly requested. 6 – While the pilgrims standing on Mt. Arafah during Hajj are in the best position to have their prayers answered, Muslims should take advantage of the virtuous daylight hours of the Day of ‘Arafah wherever they are by supplicating and remembering Allaah, سبحانه و تعالى. Sheikh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله concluded that this supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah is for all Muslims everywhere, while of course it is stressed more for the pilgrims on Hajj. [3] 7 – The best way to praise Allaah is to mention His Oneness and sole right to be worshipped alone. 8 – Calling upon Allaah alone is one of the greatest acts of worship one can offer. 9 – Calling upon others besides Allaah is an act of shirk (polytheism), which nullifies all of a person’s deeds. This includes: Asking the dead (Prophets, righteous, etc.) to do something for you Asking the dead (prophets, righteous, etc.) to intercede for you with Allaah, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has said: وقال ربكم ادعوني أستجب لكم إن الذين يستكبرون عن عبادتي سيدخلون جهنم داخرين “And your Lord has said: Call upon Me (alone), and I shall respond to you. Verily, those who arrogantly refuse to worship Me (alone) shall enter the Hellfire disgraced.” [4] 10 – Some supplications are better and more beloved to Allaah than others, while this is only known through textual evidence, [5] like in this case. 11 – Supplications made on the Day of ‘Arafah shall be accepted by Allaah, except when a person transgresses by saying or doing things displeasing to Allaah. [6] Some things which prevent one’s supplications from being answered are: impermissible income or nourishment, hastiness in expecting a response, asking for prohibited things, and saying “in shi’ta” (meaning: “if You will”), or “in shaa’ Allaah” when requesting something. 12 – The additional phrase found in some narrations of the hadeeth: ( بيده الخير ) “In His Hand is all goodness”, after the statement, “To Him belongs all praise,” is not authentic as part of the supplication for the Day of ‘Arafah. [7] And Allaah knows best.

Utilize the Day of 'Arafah in Acts of Obedience and Dua (supplication) Al-Allaamah Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaimeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said with regards to the day of 'Arafah: "Let everyone occupy themselves with persistance in making dua,and Allaah عز و جل(Mighty and Sublime) loves those who insist in asking Him because everytime a servant increases in his insistance in his supplication, his need for his Lord, Mighty and Sublime, becomes apparent. And a person is in need of Allah عز و جل at all times. Allaah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: ﴿يأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَآءُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِىُّ الْحَمِيدُ ﴾ ( O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allah. But Allah is the Rich, Worthy of all praise.) [Faatir:15] So when a person displays his need of his lord and beseeches Him and turns to Him in dua, then let him have glad tidings of his dua being accepted because Allaah (سبحانه و تعالى) says: ﴿وَقَالَ رَبُّكُـمْ ادْعُونِى أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَخِرِينَ ﴾ (And your Lord said: "Call upon Me, I will answer you. Verily, those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!'') [Ghaafir:60] Source: Liqaa-aat Al-haj (1/108) --------'-'--------------- An-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "This day is the best day of the year for dua, so a person must allocate some time for the remembrance of Allaah, dua, reciting Quran, supplicatjng using the various types of supplications, and he should say the various kinds of adhkaars (remembrances) and supplicate for himself, his parents, his relatives, his scholars, his companions and friends, and those who are beloved to him as well as the rest of the Muslims. And let one be cautious with every caution from having shortcomings in all of that because its not possible to make up for this day." Source: Kitaabul Adhkaar p.333. t.me/striving4firdaws

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم The Excellence Of Fasting On The Day Of 'Arafah (9th Thul-Hijjah - Tuesday 27th June 2023) The ninth day of Thul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah, since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said (translated meaning), “It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [Saheeh Muslim, No 1162]. Likewise, the Prophet (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said (translated meaning), "There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [Saheeh Muslim, No. 1348]. Imaam At-Tirmithee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “The people of knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.” [Refer to Jaami'ut-Tirmithee, 3/377]. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was asked: "What is the ruling on fasting the day of ‘Arafah for non-pilgrims and pilgrims?" He replied: "Fasting on the day of ‘Arafah for non-pilgrims is a confirmed Sunnah. The Messenger of Allaah, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said (translated meaning): “I ask Allaah that it may expiate for (the sins of) the year that comes before it and the year that comes after it.” According to another report he said (translated meaning): “It expiates for the past and coming years.” As for the pilgrim, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the day of ‘Arafah, because the Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, did not fast on the day of ‘Arafah during the farewell pilgrimage. In Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree it is narrated from Maymuunah, may Allaah be pleased with her, that the people were not sure whether the Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was fasting on the day of ‘Arafah, so she sent him some milk when he was standing in ‘Arafah, and he drank it whilst the people were looking on." [Majmuu’ Al-Fataawaa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Part 20, Question no. 404]. t.me/striving4firdaws

Emancipation (from the fire) is not Exclusive For the People of 'Arafat The prophet ﷺ said: “There is no day upon which Allah frees more of his servants from the Hellfire than the day of ‘Arafat..." Al-Hafidh Ibn Rajab (رحمه الله) said: " The day of 'Arafat is the day of being freed from the fire, so in it Allaah frees the one who stands at the plain of 'Arafat as well as the one who does not stand at 'Arafat from amongst the Muslims. This is why the day that follows it ('Arafat) becomes an eid for all the Muslims in all the regions, the ones from amongst them who witnessed the season (hajj) as well as those who did not witness it. This is because they are both included from those who are freed (from the fire) and being forgiven on the day of 'Arafat." 📚Source: Ibn Rajabs "Lataaif al-Ma'aarif" t.me/striving4firdaws

Al-'Allaamah Ibn Ul-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: "Hasting to the repentance of sin is an immediate obligation, and it is not permissible to delay it. Whenever someone delays it, he has committed another sin by delaying it. If he was to repent from the sin another repentance is required from him for delaying the repentance. This is something that rarely arises to the mind of the repentant; rather, he thinks when he has repented from the sin, there is nothing else required from him, while repenting from delaying his repentance remains upon him. One is not saved from this except by making a general repentance, from what he knows of sins and what he does not know. For verily what a slave doesn't know to have from sins is more than that which he does. His ignorance of it does not exempt him from the obligation of repenting if he was able to know regarding the obligation,here he would be sinful in regards to lack of knowledge and the acting upon it thus the sin in his regard is graver." Source: Madaarij As-Saalikeen. Volume 3 page 266. Translated by: Abu Abdirahman Abdullaah Ba Alawi Ashingaani t.me/striving4firdaws