Islam 101

Date: March 22nd,2014

What is Means to Be a Muslim• One who surrenders / submits to the Will of

Allah• PONDER :: Is there any room for a personal will ?

• A believer abides by the Devine Decree with/without the understanding of the wisdom/reason behind it. This is the Faith and/or the test of the Faith.

• Wisdom /Reason

• it is sometimes explained in the Devine Decree

• Found in the knowledge of the time

• Eventually found

What is the Purpose of The Life

• Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Quran 3:190-191

Why Allah Created Us ?

• And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me. Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.[Adh - Dhariyat:56-58]

BUT WHY DOES ALLAH WANT OUR WORSHIP?

• To Allah belong all things in heaven and earth: verily Allah is He (that is) free of all wants, worthy of all praise. (Luqman 31:26)

• It is Human who need whorship Why ?

• What is “worship” (`ibadah)?

• How do we worship Allah?

• Why should we worship Allah?

What is Worship ?

• Worship is an all inclusive term for all that Allah loves of external and internal sayings and actions of a person. In other words, worship is everything one says or does for the pleasure of Allah

• Al-Ibaadah (worship) is a term which comprises everything that Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) loves and approves of from the apparent and hidden sayings and actions. So as-Salaat (prayer); az-Zakaat (charity tax); as-Siyaam (fasting); al-Hajj (pilgrimage); truthfulness in speech; trustworthiness; kindness to parents; maintaining kind relationship with relatives; fulfilling pledges; enjoining the good and forbidding the evil; striving against al-Kuffar (the disbelievers) and munafiqun (the hypocrites); beneficence to the neighbor, the orphan, the poor, the wayfarer, and the owned beings whether human or animal; ad-Du'a (supplication); adh-Dhikr (remembrance of Allah); al-Qiraaah (recitation of al-Qur'an); and the like are all part of al-Ibadaah. Likewise, loving Allah (azza wa jall) and His Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), apprehension before Allah and returning repentantly to Him, sincerity in the religion for Him, patience with His Ordainment, thankfulness for His Bounties, contentment with His Decree, dependence on Him, hope for His Mercy, fear of His Punishment and the like are also part of al-Ibadaah due to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala).

What is Worship ?

• Islam looks at the individual as a whole. He is required to submit himself completely to Allah, as the Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad to do: "Say (O Muhammad) my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death belong to Allah; He has no partner and I am ordered to be among those who submit, i.e.; Muslims." (6:162-163)

How do we worship ?

• In the first verses of the Qurʾan: Alhamdulillahi Rabbi’l ʿAlamin. Allah is being praised because He is the Rabb. Al-Rahman’l-Rahim. These are His Names and Attributes. Iyyaka Naʿbudu wa Iyyaka Nastain. You alone do We worship and You alone are Whose help we seek. He alone is worthy of worship. In the very beginning of the Qurʾan, Allah references these categories.

• Tawhīd ar-rubūbiyyah is to believe that Allāh and only Allāh is the Creator, Sustainer, and Nourisher of all of creation. There is only One Lord, which in Arabic means the Owner, the One who is Obeyed, and the Nourisher and Sustainer.

• Another way to define tawhid ar-rubūbiyyah is simple but profound. It is tawhīd of Allah in His Actions. What this means is that whatever Allāh does, only Allāh does it. If Allāh creates, no one else creates. If Allāh listens to the du‘ā of the one who is distressed, then only Allāh can respond to the du‘ā of the distressed. No one can do a partial thing of what Allāh does.

Tawhīd Ar-Rubūbiyyah(His Lordship)

Rubūbiyyah Alone is Not Sufficient ?

• Rubuubiyah alone is not sufficient• Mushrikūn believed that Allāh is Rabb :: Proof ::

Clear verses in the Qur’ān which state that the Jāhiliyyah Arabs believed that Allāh created and sustained everything, and was All-Powerful. These explicit verses say that they claim that Allāh. Sūrah Al-‘AnkAbut v. 61-63: “And if you

were to ask them, who created the heavens and the earth and who subjugated the sun and the moon, they would surely respond Allāh. Then how are they deluded? And if you were to ask them who sends down the rains from the skies and who resurrects the dead and who brings back the dead to life they would surely say Allāh.” The ‘you’ is the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and ‘them’ is the Quraysh.

Sūrah Al-Zukhruf v. 87: “And if you were to ask them who created them, they would say Allāh created us.”

Verses that show the Jāhiliyyah Arabs believed in Allāh yet committed Sūrah Yūsuf v. 106: “Most of them believe in Allāh, but most of them also commit shirk along

with the belief.”.

Uloohiyyah:: His Rights to be Worshiped

• Mushrikūn believed that Allāh is Rabb :: Proof :: Excuse of Jāhiliyyah Arabs in their worship

Sūrah Yūnus v. 18: “And they worship besides Allāh that which will not benefit them or cause them any harm. They say: ‘These [idols] are our intermediaries and intercessors between us and Allāh.’”

The fact that the mushrikūn would turn to Allāh sincerely at times of distress. The Qurʾān mentions that the Quraysh would turn to Allāh at times of distress. Sūrah Luqmān v. 32: “And when waves come over them like canopies, they supplicate Allāh,

sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, there are [some] of them who are moderate [in faith]. And none rejects Our signs except everyone treacherous and ungrateful.”

The mushrikūn’s rejection of the pure worship of Allāh (Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah), and not the existence or Lordship of Allāh. The Qurʾān mentions this explicitly many times. Sūrah Al-Ṣāfāt v. 35: “When they were told to say lā ilāha illa Allāh, they became arrogant.” They

reject lā ilāha illa Allāh because they understood the meaning of it and refused to stop the worship of the false gods.

Uloohiyyah:: Tawheed

Component of a Insan - Human• Ruh

– Surah Al-Isra, Verse 85 :: And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little."

• Aql

– This is the intellect & rationale

• Badan

– Surah al-Araf, Verse 12 :: [Allah] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."

Rights of Allah over his Slave "And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity). He has chosen you (to convey Islam), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Abraham (Islam). It is He (Allah) who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger (Mohammad) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind. So offer prayer perfectly, give Zakat (compulsory charity), and hold fast to Allah, He is your Lord, what an excellent Lord and what an excellent helper!" [22:78]

The Prophet said, “O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s Right upon His slaves is?” I said, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them (if they do so).” (Sahih Bukhari)

Ibn Abbas Narrated: When the Prophet sent Muadh to Yemen, he said to him, "You are going to a nation from the people of the Scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite them, be the Tauhid of Allah. If they learn that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers to be offered in one day and one night. And if they pray, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor. And if they agree to that, then take from them Zakat but avoid the best property of the people."

Invest on What we Know

Abû Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “This religion is easy. No one becomes harsh and strict in the religion without it overwhelming him. So fulfill your duties as best you can and rejoice. Rely upon the efforts of the morning and the evening and a little at night and you will reach your goal.” [Sahîh al-Bukharî]

The Muslim’s attitude towards the worldly life :: On the authority of Ibn ‘Umar, radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who said: The Messenger of Allah,(saw), took me by the shoulder and said: “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer.” Ibn ‘Umar used to say: “When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.” [Al-Bukhari]

Pillars of Islam

Actually Salah is the first practical manifestation of Faith and also the foremost of the basis conditions for the success of the believers:

"Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers." (23:1-2)

The same fact has been emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in a different way. He says: "Those who offer their Salah with great care and punctuality, will find it a light, a proof of their Faith and cause of their salvation on the Day of Judgment."

After Salah, Zakah (poor-due) is an important pillar of Islam. In the Quran, Salah and Zakah mostly have been mentioned together many times. Like Salah, Zakah is a manifestation of faith that affirms that Allah is the sole owner of everything in the universe, and what men hold is a trust in their hand over which Allah made them trustees to discharge it as He has laid down:

"Believe in Allah and His messenger and spend of that over which He made you trustees." (57:7)

In this respect Zakah is an act of devotion which, like prayer, brings the believer nearer to his Lord.

Pillars of Islam

Siyam (fasting during the day time of the month of Ramadan) is another pillar of Islam. The main function of fasting is to make the Muslim pure from "within" as other aspects of Shariah make him pure from "without." By such purity he responds to what is true and good and shuns what is false and evil. This is what we can perceive in the Quranic verse: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may gain piety." (2:183)

In an authentic tradition, the Prophet reported Allah as saying: "He suspends eating, drinking, and gratification of his sexual passion for My sake." Thus his reward is going to be according to Allah great bounty

Lastly, we come to Al-Hajj (pilgrimage to the House of God in Makkah). This very important pillar of Islam manifests a unique unity, dispelling all kinds of differences. Muslims from all corners of the world wearing the same dress, respond to the call of Hajj in one voice and language; LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABBAIK (Here I am at your service O Lord!). In Hajj there is an exercise of strict self-discipline and control where not only sacred things are revered, but even the life of plants and birds is made inviolable so that everything lives in safety:

"And he that venerates the sacred things of Allah, it shall be better for him with his Lord." (22:30)

"And he that venerates the waymarks of Allah, it surely is from devotion of the heart." (22:32)

Importance of Salah• Direct Link w/Allah :: Recitation of Fatihah, Allah answers

directly• Direct Spoken Order from Allah• First act of belief• 50 Waqt equals to 5 • Obligated even in the battle• Soundness of the Salah follows onto other deeds• Leaving it is disbelief• Divides between Islam & Kufr• Protects from filthy & evil deeds.• Final Advise :: The Salah, The Salah• Those who does not pray will go blind• Without Salah NOTHING is accepted

KHUSHU’ IN SALAH• Khushu’ is to be still, calm, and relaxed. It is how focused, concentrated and aware you are of Allah (swt). To help

internalise and achieve khushu in your salah, ensure that the external aspects are there.• There is a hadith, where Prophet (SAW) said if one is in the masjid waiting for Salah, it is as though he is actually

in Salah.• Things to do before you start your salah:

1. Prepare for Salah ahead of time2. Do not challenge your stomach, and eat first.3. If you need to answer the call of nature, then do it first.4. Do not pray if you were overtaken by slumber or fatigue.5. Make a thorough Wudu, enough time prior to your Salah.6. Dress nicely for your Salah.7. Select a place or spot where there will be less or no distractions.8. Come early to your Salah whether at home or in the Masjid.9. Race for the first row, in order to have less distraction.10. Pray as close as possible to the Imam.11. Repeat the words of the Adhan after the Mu’adhdin.12. Pray your Nafl Salah.13. Pray behind a Sutrah.14. Read some Qur’an (especially what you plan to recite in your Salah).15. Make some Du’a and Dhikr.16. If praying in the Masjid, don’t talk too much with people until after Salah is over.17. Do not look around and get distracted in the Masjid; focus on this upcoming event (Salah).18. If praying in congregation, straighten your lines for the Salah.19. Contemplate about the greatness of whom you are standing before.20. Remember the salaf and how they performed their Salah.21. Contemplate over the excellences and virtues of Khushu’.22. Remember to consider this your final Salah.

KHUSHU’ IN SALAH Cont…

• Means required during the Salah:– 1. Contemplate over the word Allahu Akbar while raising your hands up. You are throwing everything

behind your back and focusing on the salah.– 2. Considering the status of ihsan, ‘Pray as if you see Allah, if not then that as He sees you.’– 3. Fold your hands, the right on the left and look with your eyes down in humility. You are putting yourself

in a position of humbleness to Allah (swt).– 4. Observe the Sunnah and correct way of Salah– 5. Bring tranquility to your Salah and slow down the pace of your recitation.– 6. Start with commencing Du’a– 7. Contemplate over the ayat you recite, or try to understand what the imam is reciting. You cannot read a

translation while in salah (i.e. during Salah attaraweeh).– 8. Beautify the Quran with your voice. If you master tajwid, you will have a beautiful recitation.– 9. Remember that Allah answers you as you recite the Fatihah.– 10. Savor the sweetness of each position in Salah– 11. Adhkar of salah, learn more than just one– 12. Never look around or up– 13. Never let the designs of the prayer rug distract you– 14. Strive when overwhelmed with yawning– 15. Make lots of Du’a, especially in the Sujud

KHUSHU’ IN SALAH Cont…• Means required after the Salah:

– 1. Do not move from your position right away. The Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) is to make tasbih in the same place. The Prophet (saw) said the angels make Du’a for you until you move from your position or break the wudu.

– 2. Do your Tasbih– 3. Do your dhikr and Du’a– 4. Review your Salah, and evaluate yourself– 5. Pray your Nafl Salah– 6. Look forward to the next Salah

• The Post Salah Dhikr :– Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated, the Messenger (saw) said: “Whoever glorifies Allah at

the end of every Salah 33 times (subhanAllah) and praises Allah 33 times (alHamdulillah), and utters the word of Greatness 33 times (Allahu Akbar) that is ninety nine, then completes it with one hundred saying: ‘la ilaha ilAllab wahdahu la shareeka lah lahul Mulk wa lahul hamd wa huwa ala kulli shay in qadir’ (There is no god but Allah alone Who has no partner, to Him belongs the kingdom, to Him praise is due, and He is Omnipotent) his shortcomings will be forgiven, even if it is as large as the froth in the sea.” [Muslim]

Sincerity of Action

"Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for.“ [Bukhari & Muslim]

Allah says: O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.[Al Baqarah:264]

Avoiding Doubtful Matters

Allah Says: O you who have believed, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. And eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And fear Allah , in whom you are believers. [Al Mai'dah:87]

Messenger of Allah(saw) say: The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are matters unclear that are unknown to most people. Whoever is wary of these unclear matters has absolved his religion and honor. And whoever indulges in them has indulged in the haram. It is like a shepherd who herds his sheep too close to preserved sanctuary, and they will eventually graze in it. Every king has a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of Allah is what He has made haram. There lies within the body a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Verily this piece is the heart.“[Bukhari & Muslim]

Prophet(saw) said: The Lawful is that which is permitted in the book of Allah and the unlawful is that which is prohibited in the book of Allah [At-Tirmidhi]

The Morsel of Flesh

• As the Prophet said, we all have a morsel of flesh in our bodies. If it is good, our whole is good and if it is not, then our whole body is spoiled. This hadith outlines a whole process of strengthening and purifying our hearts on the path to Allah: being alert to the halal and haram and avoiding the doubtful.

• The Prophet says in another hadith, A person’s iman will not be upright until their heart is upright and strong. The heart will not be upright and strong until the tongue is upright and strong.

• The Prophet is laying out the path to purifying and strengthening the heart, which leads to the completion of one’s faith.

Choosing the Right Componions

• When you see him, he reminds you of ALLAH!

• When you sit with him, it increases your IMAAN

• When she speaks to you, it increases your KNOWLEDGE!

• When you see his actions, you remember the AKHIRA!

• Prophet(saw) said: The example of a good companion (friend) in comparison with a bad one is like that of one who sells musk and the blacksmith. From the first, you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell, while from the blacksmith you would either get burned or smell a bad scent.[Bukhari]

• Prophet Muhammad said, “A person visited his brother in another town and God sent an angel to wait for him on his way. The angel said, “Where do you intend to go?” the man answered, “I intend to go to my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favour to him, the repayment of which you intend to get?” He said: “No, I love him for the sake of God, the Exalted and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from God to inform you that God loves you as you love him.”

• Prophet (saw) said: "A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend." [reported by Abu Dawood & Tirmidhee].

Common causes of problems in Muslim homes:

• Selfishness.

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “None of you is a true believer until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.”

• Arrogance.

• Not wanting to admit when one is wrong or apologize.

• Looking for faults in others

• “Oh you who believe, stay away from suspicion, sometimes suspicion can be a sin, and do not spy on people or backbite each other, would you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? No, you would hate it so fear Allāh.” (Surah Hujarat 49:12)

• Cultural practices that conflict with Islam

• Practicing any culture is fine as long as it does not contradict any principle of Islam

• Haraam sources of income

• Lack of Halal entertainment

• Haraam elements in the house, includes Haraam forms of entertainment

• Living beyond your means

The Cohesive Nature of the Family..

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women and fear God through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, God is Ever an All-Watcher over you” (Quran 4:1)

“Verily, We have sent messenger before you and appointed for them spouses and children…” (Quran 13:38)

Prophet(saw) saying: “By God, I am the most fearful of God of you and I have the most piety; however, I fast and break my fast, pray [at night] and sleep and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)

A Sense of Responsibility

Ibn ‘Umar (ra) reports that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (saw) say: “All of you are (like) shepherds and all of you will be asked about their flock (i.e. are responsible for them). The Imam (leader) is the shepherd of his subjects and he is responsible. A man is the shepherd for the people of his home and he is responsible (will be asked about them). A woman is the shepherd of the home of her husband and she is responsible. Each of you is (like) a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock.”

A True Believer is the one who accepts for his brother only what he accepts for himself.

The Prophet(saw): The example of the believers, in their mutual love and mercy for one another is like the example of one body, if one part feels pain, then all of the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.”[Bukhari]

The Parents

“Say (O Muhammad): Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents…” (Quran 6:151)

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did foster me when I was small.’ Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.” (Quran 17:23-25)

“And (remember) when We took a covenant from the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none but God (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents…” (Quran 2:83)

The Prophet was asked: “What deed is the most beloved to God?” He replied, “Prayer in its proper time.” He was asked, “Then what deed?” He replied, “Being dutiful to one’s parents…” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)

The Spouse

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women and fear God through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)! Surely, God is Ever an All-Watcher over you.” (Quran 4:1)

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose and comfort in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed Signs for a people who reflect.” (Quran 39:21)

“He it is who created you from a single person (Adam), and then He has created from him his wife, in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her…” (Quran 7:189)

“…And consort with your wives in a goodly manner, for if you dislike them, it may well be that your dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good.” (Quran 4:19)

The Children

And Allah has made for you from yourselves mates and has made for you from your mates sons and grandchildren and has provided for you from the good things. Then in falsehood do they believe and in the favor of Allah they disbelieve? [16:72]

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. [18:46]

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones [66:6]

Other RelativesWorship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful [4:36]

They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it."2:215]

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.[2:177]

The Prophet Muhammad was requested: “Inform me of a deed that will take me closer to Paradise and distance me from the Hell-fire.” He replied, “Worship God and do not ascribe any partner to Him, establish the prayer, give the zakat and keep the ties of kinship.”

The Muslim does not concern himself with the affairs of othersThe Prophet(saw) said: Part of someone's being a good muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.[Ahmad, Malik]

Prophet(saw) said: “Verily Allah likes three things for you and disapproves three things for you: He is pleased with you but you worship Him and disassociate anything with him; that you hold fast to the Rope of Allah and not to be scattered (disunited); and He disapproves for you irrelevant talk, persistent questioning, and wasting of wealth.”

Follow Up a Bad Deed with a Good Deed

Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said: "Be conscious of Allah wherever you are. Follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it, and engage others with beautiful character." Related by Tirmidhi

The Messenger of Allah(sas) said: "Purification is half of iman (faith). Saying 'Al-Hamdulillah' (Praise be to Allah) fills the scales. Saying 'Subhanallah wa al-Hamdulillahi' (Exhalted be Allah and Praise be to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth. Salah (prayer) is a light. Sadaqah (charity) is a proof. Sabr (patience) is a shining glory. The Qur'an is an argument either for you or against you. Everybody goes out in the morning and sells themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves." Related by Bukhari & Muslim

Conclusion: This hadith guides us in how to gain great rewards in our lives and also how to save ourselves from Allah's punishment. Practicing the acts of purification, dhikr, prayer, charity, and many other deeds are important ways to free oneself from the punishment of Allah.

Follow Up a Bad Deed with a Good Deed And Remember Allah

Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said: "Be conscious of Allah wherever you are. Follow the bad deed with a good one to erase it, and engage others with beautiful character." Related by Tirmidhi

Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reports: “One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of Allah. If you need help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if Allah had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if Allah had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.’ Related by Tirmidhi

Difficulty Lies Ahead

We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But give good news to those who are steadfast. Those who say, when afflicted with a calamity, ‘We belong to God and to Him we shall return.’ These will be given blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided.(Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

Allah’s Mercy

“O ye who believe! Turn unto Allah in sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your evil deeds and bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, on the day when Allah will not abase the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their light will run before them and on their right hands; they will say: Our Lord! Perfect our light for us, and forgive us! Lo! Thou art Able to do all things.” (Tahrim, 66:8)

“And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.” (Nur, 24:31)

Ibn Abbas, may Allāh be pleased with him, reported Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: 'A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,' and Allah said: 'My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.' He then again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.' He again committed a sin and said: 'My Rubb, forgive my sin,' and Allah (SWT) said: 'My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes". [ Al-Bukhari and Muslim ]

Allah’s Mercy

On the authority of Anas (ra) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say, “Allah the Almighty has said: ‘O Son of Adam, as long as you invoke Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and you then asked forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the Earth, and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it [too].’ ” [Tirmidhi]

On the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), from what he has related from his Lord: Verily Allah ta’ala has written down the good deeds and the evil deeds, and then explained it [by saying]: “Whosoever intended to perform a good deed, but did not do it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as a complete good deed. And if he intended to perform it and then did perform it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds up to seven hundred times, up to many times multiplied. And if he intended to perform an evil deed, but did not do it, then Allah writes it down with Himself as a complete good deed. And if he intended it [i.e., the evil deed] and then performed it, then Allah writes it down as one evil deed.” [Bukhari & Muslim]