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Allah calls Himself Al-Barr—The Source of Goodness, the kind Benefactor— on one occasion in the Quran. He is the one is the most kind and courteous, the one who is gentle with His servants. Al-Barr is the source of all kindness and goodness, doing good to creation through all His blessings and favours!
The Kind and Gracious Benefactor, The Righteous
Barr comes from the root baa-raa-raa, which points to five main meanings. The first main meaning is to be devoted and gentle and the second is to be just, proper and honest. The third main meaning is to be have regard for someone’s circumstances and the fourth is to bestow bountiful gifts and be ample. The fifth main meaning is to do good and be righteous.
This root appears 32 times in the Quran in three derived forms. Examples of these forms are al-birra (the righteousness), al-abraari (the righteous) and al-barr (the land).
Linguistically, al-Birr is a unique word that entails all acts of righteousness and good conduct [Ibn ‘Hajar Al-Haytami] Al-Barr is the source of all righteousness, the One from whom every good deed comes. Al-Barr is the One who does not stop His ihsaan because of the sins and disobedience of His slaves [Imam al-Qurtubi] He is the One who is kind to the wrongdoers, pardons transgression, forgives the sinner, turns to the one who repents to Him, accepts the plea of those who ask Him. He has turned to His slaves with praiseworthy actions and good expectations, while He is the most deserving of them [Ar-Raazi]!
Al-Barr Himself says: Indeed, we used to supplicate Him before. Indeed, it is He who is the Beneficent, the Merciful. [Quran, 52:28]
Al-Birr versus al-‘ithm
In the sunnah we find a beautiful explanation of what al-birr is and it’s opposite: al-‘ithm. A man came asking the Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam about righteousness and sin. So the Prophet said: Righteousness (al-birr) is good behaviour, and sin (al-‘ithm) is what fluctuates in your chest, and you would hate that the people discovered it about you [At-Tirmidhee]
How Can You Live by This Name?
Allah ‘azza wa jall explains beautifully the definition of al-birr in one ayah in the Quran. This ayah is a list of characteristics for the true believer to live by[Quran 2:177]:
1. Take care of your emaan.
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.. [Quran, 2:177] The first thing is to have faith and believe in Allah Al-Barr, in the Day He will recompense you according to your good and bad deeds and in the Angels He sends of which some to write down your actions of righteousness and sin. Al-Barr revealed His message to mankind through His books and the prophets, in order to guide you on the path of al-Birr! Make sure you study the arkaan ul emaan (the pillars of faith).
2. Spend on charity.
… 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 … [Quran, 2:177] Straight after emaan Al-Birr mentions spending your money on family and those in need for it. Money sometimes gets dearer to us than anything else, Al-Barr reminds you that spending in His cause is the way to gain al-birr!
3. Purify yourself to prayer and zakah.
… [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah … [Quran, 2:177] Let your prayer purify you spiritually by learning the meanings of what you say and concentrating on your salah, taking every moment to ask Al-Barr for goodness and righteousness. Give zakah to purify your wealth!
4. Keep your promises and speak and act upon the truth.
… [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise …[Quran, 2:177] Keep your promises, no matter how big or small, even if it’s a promise to your sibling to help with homework or promising a sweet to your child. The prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said, Truthfulness leads to Al-Birr andAl-Birr leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a Siddiq (truthful person). Falsehood leads to Al-Fujur (i.e., wickedness, evil-doing, etc.), and Al-Fujur leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man keeps on telling lies till he is written as a liar before Allah [Al-Bukharee] Don’t accept any lies from yourself, not even “white lies” or lying while joking!
5. Have sabr.
… 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[Quran, 2:177] Practising patience in hard times is your best training to cultivate al-birr. Next time you go through a test, tell yourself: it’s all part of a bigger plan. Your vehicle is sabr, on the road of al-birr, leading you to Jannah in shaa Allah!
6. Treat your parents and children well.
Ibn ‘Umar said: Allah has called them the ‘dutiful’ (al-Abrar) because they are dutiful (birr) to their parents and children. Just as you have a duty which you owe your parent, so you have a duty which you owe your child. [Al-Bukharee] Make an effort to be a good child to your parents and a good parent to your child!
7. Don’t be hasty.
On the day of `Arafat, the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam heard a great hue and cry and the beating of camels behind him. So he beckoned to the people with his lash, “O people! Be quiet. Hastening is not a sign of righteousness. [Al-Bukharee] Try to do your daily life activities in a modest manner, for example don’t walk loudly and hasty on the street in a way you are causing others inconvenience!
8. Ask Al-Barr.
Ask Al-Barr to guide you to al-birr. A supplication of the sunnah asking for al-birr, is the dua for travelling; make sure you apply it each time you travel!*
O Allah, Al-Barr, we know that You are the source of all that is good. Adorn us with the characteristics of the abraar (righteous ones), guide us in good conduct in each company we are in, and make our righteousness a way to lead us to Your Paradise, ameen!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
Allah calls Himself Al-Muta’aali— The Supremely Exalted, The Most High— on one occasion in the Quran. He’s the One who is exalted above the whole creation. Al-Muta’aali is beyond the highest, far beyond any thoughts, limits, and ideals of mankind, He is sublime and is above everything due to His might and perfection!
The Supreme One, The Highest of All
Muta’aali comes from the root ayn-laam-waaw, which points to four main meanings. The first is to be high, lofty, and exalted and to ascend. The second main meaning is to overcome and overwhelm and the third to advance and exceed. The fourth main meaning is to be eminent.
This root appears 70 times in the Quran in fourteen derived forms. Examples of these forms are ‘aaliyatin (elevated), al-‘ulyaa (the highest),fata’aalayna (“then come”) and la’aali (“a tyrant”).
Linguistically, uloow points to the attribute of loftiness and a person is ‘alee when he is prominent. The names Al’Muta’aali and Al-‘Alee— meaning “Allah is the highest, above any fault, above any imperfection”— are interrelated.
Al-Muta’aali is the One whose highness exceeds any limits. He is the most lofty and exalted and the One who advances, overcomes and exceeds all of creation in His being and all His attributes. He is proud and great and His glory is too high to be comprehended by us!
Al-Muta’aali Himself said: [He is] Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, the Grand, the Exalted [Quran, 13:9]
Supreme Oneness – Devoting All Deeds to Him
As Muslims we should believe that Allah is One with no partner or associate in His Lordship (ruboobiyyah), divinity (‘uloohiyyah) or names and attributes (al-asma’ wa’l-sifaat).
Tawheed al-‘Uloohiyyah means devoting all acts of worship, both inward and outward, in word and deed, to Allah (Al-Muta’aali) alone, and not worshiping anything or anyone other than Allah, no matter who he is: Worship Allaah and join none with Him (in worship). [Quran, 4:36] It is called tawheed al-uloohiyyah because it is based on ta’alluh lillaah which is worship and devotion of Allah accompanied by love and veneration.
This is the purpose for which the universe was created and laws were prescribed. Concerning this disputes arose between the Prophets and their peoples, so the stubborn were doomed and the believers were saved! [al-Hujjah fi Bayaan al-Mahajjah, 1/305; Lawaami’ al-Anwaar al-Bahiyyah, 1/57] Our goals, our will, and our actions should all be defined to seek the face of Al-Muta’aali alone!
How Can You Live by This Name?
1. Prioritize.
Is Allah really muta’aali in your life? You can find out by looking at where the deeds He lovingly wants you to carry out– like salah– are on your list. Do you fit your prayers around your daily life activities, delaying them, or do you put your prayers first, above anything else?
Do you first finish watching your favourite TV shows and then see if you have time left for the Quran? Do you start your day by checking messages on your phone or by reciting from the book of Al-Muta’aali? Test your daily schedule; if your acts of worship don’t have priority, change it and you will see how blessed, productive, and peaceful you will feel. Start and end your day by reciting the words of Al-Muta’aali!
2. Don’t place yourself above others.
You cannot do anything except through the power of Al-Muta’aali and everything that you have comes from Him. Your position with Al-Muta’aali is determined by one crucial factor: the level of yourtaqwa and righteousness. Mankind! We created you from a male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to know each other. The noblest among you in Allah´s sight is the one with the most taqwa [Quran, 49:13] Never place yourself above others because of your wealth, intelligence, looks, or your lineage!
3. Call others to Al-Muta’aali.
You as a human being are the most honoured creation of Al-Muta’aali; live up to your purpose by not only worshiping Him yourself, but also show others who He is. Do da’wah to be successful! And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful [Quran, 3:104]
4. Know that He is high, yet close.
Sometimes you are so absorbed with stress or grief that you forget Al-Muta’aali, who is higher than and above everything, is closest to you. And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein [Quran, 50:16] In times of hardship, know that He is the supreme above the throne, but also the only One who knows exactly what you are going through, so tell Him all you feel and ask Him to help you battle your trials!
5. Never despair.
You know you should not despair in the mercy of Al-Muta’aali, however Shaytan often tricks into another kind of despair: despair in yourself. Did you ever say: “I will never change” or “I will never be able to do this, so why start?” or about someone else: “they will never change”? Indirectly you are despairing in the power of Al-Muta’aali!
When you say “Allah will never forgive me, I’m doing so many bad things”, you are actually lowering Him, exalted is He, to human standards of forgiveness! So next time you feel like you cannot change a certain habit, or you keep committing the same sin, call upon Al-Muta’aali and ask Him to assist you with unshakable belief in His Highness and abilities.
6. Ask Al-Muta’aali.
Paradise has seven levels; the highest one is Firdaws-al-‘aala, the highest level is right under the throne of Al-Muta’aali. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: When you ask of Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for it is in the middle of Paradise and is the highest part of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim] Call upon Al-Muta’aali!
O Allah, Al-Muta’aali, we know that You are the Supreme. Give us knowledge of and lead us to prioritize the deeds most pleasing to You and assist us in calling others to You. Adorn us with firm belief in your Highness and admit us to the Highest Paradise without Reckoning, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Waliy— The Protecting Friend, the Ally — on five occasions in the Quran. He is the One who lovingly guards and guides His creation. Al-Waliy is the lord and protector of creation, showing the path to righteousness. He is the One who protects, guards, and supports the believer in this world and the next!
The Ally, The Protector, the Loving Guardian
Waliy comes from the root waaw-laam-yaa, which points to four main meanings. The first main meaning is to be near and to be a friend and supporter. The second is to defend and guard (in a loving way) and the third main meaning is to turn towards something. The fourth main meaning is to be master and lord.
This root appears 232 times in the Quran in 12 derived forms. Examples of these forms are tawallaw (“they turn away”), awlaa (“is nearer or woe”), al-mawlaa (“the protector”) and awliyaa(“allies”).
Linguistically waliy (plural awliyaa) comes from the root word of wilaya, which is the opposite of enmity (adawaa). A ‘waliy amr’ is for example used referring to a child’s guardian, who looks after his or her affairs, someone who is close and who takes care of the child.
Al-Waliy combines the near, loving, protective, and guarding attributes of the One who is also the lord and master of the universe! Al-Waliy Himself says: And Allah is the ally of the believers [Quran, 3:68] and Or have they taken protectors [or allies] besides him? But Allah – He is the Protector [Quran, 42:9]
The Allies of Allah and the Allies of Shaytan
Al-Waliy has awliyaa among the people and Shaytan also has his allies. Indeed there is no fear upon the awliyaa of Allah, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and used to fear Allah much. For them are glad tidings in this life and the Hereafter. [Quran, 10:62]
The allies of Allah ‘azza wa jall will have no fear nor sadness in this world or the next. And Al-Waliy will bring light into their lives: Allah is the protector of those who believe, He takes them out of darkness into light [Quran, 2: 257] and the allies of Allah will have victory: Whoever takes a Wali of Mine as an enemy, I will wage war on him.[Hadith Qudsi, Al-Bukharee]
Al-Waliy also mentions the allies of Shaytan and the conseqences of their deeds: As for those who disbelieve, their allies are the taaghoot who take them out of the light and into the darkness. Those are the people of fire, and they will be in it forever [Quran, 2: 257] and We have made the devils allies of those who do not believe. [Quran,7:27]
How Can You Live by This Name?
1. Strive to be Allah’s wali.
Al-Waliy says in a hadith qudsi: Nothing endears My servant to Me than doing of what I have made obligatory upon him to do. And My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with the supererogatory (nawafil) so that I shall love him. When I love him, I shall be his hearing with which he shall hear, his sight with which he shall see, his hands with which he shall hold, and his feet with which he shall walk. And if he asks (something) of Me, I shall surely give it to him, and if he takes refuge in Me, I shall certainly grant him it [Al-Bukharee]
Don’t think only scholars can be awliyaa; know that you too can be a wali of Allah ‘azza wa jall! How? By focusing on your obligatory acts of worship first, e.g. give priority to your prayer, like studying ways of how to concentrate better, pray on time, etc. Then complement them by doing as many voluntary deeds as you can, studying the sunnahso you can apply the daily ways of the prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to your life. The result is, Al-Waliyy will love you, and when He loves you He will guide you in using your limbs righteously. He will grant your wishes and protect you!
2. Strive for taqwa.
Unquestionably, [for] the awliya of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. Those who believed and had taqwa of Allah.. [Quran, 10:62]. If you want to be a wali of Allah, build a relationship with the Quran and ask Al-Waliy to give you understanding of its ayaat so you will be inspired to live by them Al-Waliyy describes the risk of turning away from the Quran: Whoever turns away from the reminder of the Merciful, we will assign to him a devil, who will be a partner to him[Quran, 43: 36] Another great motivator to increase your taqwa is daily remembering and visualising Paradise. Study the names and attributes of Allah ‘azza wa jall to increase your fear and love for Him and pray to be included in the above ayah as one of His awliyaa.
3. Be a righteous friend.
Be a loving friend to others, protecting their rights. The prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. [Muslim] Take any responsibility you have seriously in representing someone or supporting someone with their affairs.
4.Trust that Allah is the best ally.
Remind yourself that Al-Waliy is the best ally to turn to at all times and put your trust in Him. When two parties from among you were about to lose heart, but Allah was their Waliy. And in Allah let the believers put their trust [Quran, 3:122] Take comfort in the fact that He knows your enemies and He is your best Helper: Allah is full of knowledge of your enemies, and Allah is Sufficient as a Waliy; and Allah is sufficient as a Helper [Quran, 4:45]
5. Ask Al-Waliyy.
You will always be in need of the support and protection of Al-Waliy so ask Him to protect and assist you in this life, at the time of death, in the grave, and on the Day of Reckoning.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Waliy, we know that You are the most loving Guardian. Make us of your awliyaa and guide us to complement our obligatory acts of worship with abundant voluntary deeds. Bless us with righteous friends, make us pious friends to other believers and assist us in turning to You and trusting in You only as our best Ally at all times, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Az-Zhaahir— The Apparent, The Manifest, The Evident— once in the Quran. Az-Zhaahir is the One who is above, yet manifest in all of the creation. His Existence and Oneness is apparent through all of the signs in the universe, yet He is not to be perceived by our senses in this world!
The Manifest and High, The One Who Overcomes
Zaahir comes from the root zhaa-haa-raa, which points to five main meanings. The first meaning is to be visible, manifest and distinct, the second is to open or to come out. The third meaning is to ascend and have a higher status. The fourth meaning is to subdue and overcome and the fifth is to help and support others.
This root appears 59 times in the Quran in ten derived forms. Examples of these forms are zhahara (“is apparant”), yazhaahiroo (they have supported”), liyuzhhirahu (“to make it prevail”) and zhahrihi (“its, his back”).
Az-Zhaahir is the most Manifest as everything other than Him is only manifested by His Attributes. He is high above His creation, the One who subdues everything and everyone and He is the true Helper, while others can only provide help and support through His aid.
Az-Zhaahir Himself says: … He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing. [Quran, 57:3]
A Thought-provoking Discussion
Suratul Waaqi’ah contains an extremely powerful set of questions and answers forming a mind-blowing discussion by the Creator to His creation: We have created you, so why do you not believe? Have you seen that which you emit? Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator? We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone. In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know. And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember? And have you seen that [seed] which you sow? Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower? If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder, [Saying], “Indeed, we are [now] in debt; Rather, we have been deprived.” And have you seen the water that you drink? Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down? If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful? And have you seen the fire that you ignite? Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer? We have made it a reminder and provision for the travellers. So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great [Quran, 56: 57-64]
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Look after your outward and inward.
Not only nourish your body with food and drink and satisfying your senses, but also nourish your soul by the remembrance of Allah. Eg some spend the majority of time on beautifying themselves while hardly reading the Quran. Never feign certain traits or abilities in public and never exaggerate or lie while being with others. Use this beautiful supplication in your daily life: O Allah! Make my inward better than my outward, and make my outward good [Abdullah ibn Umar radiyallaahu ‘anhu]
2. Be comforted by Az-Zhaahir
Know that He knows everything you do and what others do to you, even if no one else knows and that you will be dealt with justly by Az-Zhaahir. Let this hadith increase your love and awe of Az-Zhaahir: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam said that Allah, the Glorious, said: “Verily, Allah has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed” [Al-Bukharee, Muslim]
3. Check your intention.
Everything is apparent to Az-Zhaahir, whether you make it public or not. The Prophet sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam said: The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention.. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim]. Keep checking your intention, are you doing that deed truly for Allah? Regularly renew your intentions when you are working on the path of Allah. Remind yourself: on the Day of Judgement the smallest deeds can become big and the biggest deeds worthless depending of the intention behind them!
4. Look around to increase your praise of Az-Zhaahir
Look around you, at the plants, animals and your own self and realize it is all manifested through Him only. In times when your emaan decreases, let these signs in your enviroment revive your faith and awe for the Manifest One and let them make you more grateful and humble. Every day take time to look outside, reflect and praise Az-Zhaahir.
5. Ask Az-Zhaahir.
Even though His existence is manifest in all of the creation, we can not see Az-Zhaahir in this world. Ask Him to be able to gaze at His countenance in the Hereafter. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam made this beautiful dua’:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ
O Allah, I ask You for the delight of gazing at Your Countenance and the eagerness of meeting You [An-Nasaa’i] Commit this supplication to memory and use it as much as you can from the bottom of your heart as you are asking for the greatest delight!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Az-Zhaahir we know that You are the Manifest and High. Make both our inward and outward good, guide us in reflecting on Your signs around us in a productive way. Bless us with sincerity and make us of those who are able to gaze at Your Countenance in the Hereafter, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Aakhir— The Last— once in the Quran. Al-Aakhir is the one who neither has an end nor beginning. There is nothing beyond Him; He is the Ultimate and will remain after the whole creation has passed away!
The Last One, The Ultimate
Aakhir comes from the root hamza-khaa-raa, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is to be latter and to put back, the second is to postpone or to put at the end, and the third main meaning is to be final, last, and ultimate.
This root appears 250 times in the Quran in six derived forms. Examples of these forms are al-aakhirati (“the Hereafter”), yawmil-aakhiri (“Last Day”), yastakhiroonaa (“seek to delay, they remained behind”), ukhraa (“another”) and al-aakhareena (“the others”).
Al-Aakhir is the last without having a first. He is above any descriptions. Al-Aakhir is logically the first to give us guidance and the last to look after those whom He guides. He will remain the last One, with no one or nothing ever comparable to Him in essence or attributes!
Al-Aakhir Himself says: … He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing. [Quran, 57:3]
What Will Remain?
In the beautiful ayaat of Surah Ar-Rahmaan (26 and 27) Allah ‘azza wajal says that all the residents of earth will perish and die. Even the residents of the heavens will die, except whomever Allah wills.
What will remain? Only the Honorable Face of Allah, because our Lord, the Exalted, the Blessed, is the Ever Living Who never dies. Ash-Sha`bi said, When you have recited, kullu man ‘alayhaa faa’n (Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish) do not stop, continue read: wa yabqaa wajhu rabbuka dhul jalaali wal ikraam (Only your Lord, possessed of majesty and honor, shall endure for ever). [Tafseer ibn Katheer]
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Let your desire to meet Allah motivate you to perform good deeds.
The Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallamsaid: Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. Whoever is averse to meeting Allah, Allah is averse to meeting him [at-Tirmidhee] When you die you will be shown a glimpse of your destiny either in Paradise or in the Hellfire, this will bring about love or dislike of your meeting with Allah.
Every day think about your meeting with Allah and your standing in front of Him, and let this motivate you to do good deeds and strive against your desires so that you will be blessed with love of meeting Allah Al-Aakhir. Whoever puts Allah first will never be last!
2. Give continuous charity.
When you die you won’t be able to do any good deeds anymore and you will not receive any reward for actions anymore, except for three types of deeds. Their rewards will be lasting!
The Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallamsaid: When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).[Muslim]
So read about and give sadaqah jariyah (e.g. planting a tree, building a mosque, etc). Be part of spreading Islamic knowledge, like printing an Islamic book, printing your own leaflets to spread knowledge, etc.; no project is too small! And teach your children from an early age to make dua’ for you!
3. Remind yourself of the Last Day.
Don’t let a day go by without remembering the day you will be accounted for each of your deeds, no matter how insignificant you thought they were. Let remembrance of death and the day of account humble you.
When the Prophet went to bed, he would put his right hand under his right cheek and say: Allahumma qinee ‘adhaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadaka (My Lord, save me from Your punishment on the Day when You resurrect Your slaves, to be recited three times) [Abu Dawood] Memorize this supplication and write it on a note next to your bed, so you never forget to say it in shaa Allah!
4. Value silence and the rights of neighbours and guests.
In the Quran and Sunnah specific good deeds are narrated directly connected to your belief in Al-Aakhir and the Last Day. Strive to fulfill all of them in your daily life! The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is righteous or keep silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be generous to his guest. [Muslim]
5. Ask Al-Aakhir for a good ending.
Some people commit an act of kufr at the very end of their lives. May Allah protect us from this and die upon disbelief! Some lives end in a horrible, disgraceful way, like young Muslims dying in car accidents while they were drunk and speeding and other examples of the angel of death seizing believers while they were engaged in a major sin. Ask Al-Aakhir for your last deed to be your best deed and your best day the day you meet Him. You can use this beautiful supplication— say it while deeply reflecting on your own life, deeds and death:
Allahumma innee as aluka husnal khaatimah – O Allah, I ask You for a good end to my life.
اللهم إني أسألك حس الخاتمة
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Aakhir we know that You are the last One who will remain when everything perishes. Bless us with love and eagerness to meet You and make us remind ourselves that we will stand before You so we can strive to do good. Enable us to do deeds whose rewards will continue, counting for us after our death, and give us a good ending, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Awwal— The First— once in the Quran. Al-Awwal is the one who neither has a beginning nor an end. There is none prior to Him; He is self-existent, all comes from Him, and He is the cause of all that became!
The First One, The Foremost, The Pre-existing
Awwal comes from the root hamza-waw-laam, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is to be first or to be before, the second meaning is to come back to or to return, and the third main meaning is to be foremost.
This root appears 170 times in the Quran in four derived forms. Examples of these forms are al-oolaa (“the first”), yaa ulee (“Oh men”), aali (“family, people”), al-awaleena (“the forefathers”) and taweelih (“interpretation”).
Linguistically al-awwal means the one who advances or precedes others. The firstness of Allah Al-Awwal means: the One Whose existence has no beginning [Al-Bayhaqi] and Who existed before everything without a limit (of beginning) [Ibn Jareer At-Tabari]. Al-Awwal deserves to be the first since He existed when there was nothing before or with Him! [Al-Khattaabi] This all refers to the same meaning, as the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: O Allah! You are the First, and there is nothing before You… [Muslim] Al-Awwal Himself says: … He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing [Quran 57:3]
The First of Creation
Al-Awwal says: And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds [Quran, 12:7]. Qataadah said: Your Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, is telling you how His creation began before He created the heavens and the earth [Tafseer al-Tabari, 15/246]
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: There was Allah, and there was nothing else besides Him, and His Throne was over the water. He wrote all things in the Book (in heaven) and He created the heavens and the earth [Al-Bukharee] Both the ayah and the hadeeth state that the ‘Arsh (the Throne) of Allah ‘azza wajal was over the water before the heaven and earth were created.
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Make Allah ‘awwal’ in your life.
We know Allah is the first, but do you really make him ‘awwal’ in your daily life? The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Whoever makes the Hereafter his preoccupation, then Allah places freedom from want in his heart, gathers his affairs, and the dunya (worldly life) comes to him despite being reluctant to do so. And whoever makes the dunya his preoccupation, then Allah places his poverty in front of his eyes, make his affairs scattered, and nothing of the dunya comes to him except that which has been decreed for him [At-Tirmidhee]
Do you only think about the clothes you will wear, the food you will eat, the shopping you will do and the friends you will meet that day? Or about how you will pray your prayers on time, keep yourself from back biting and how you will read your daily portion of the Quran? Fulfilling His commandments and staying away from what He forbade should be the biggest concern of your day!
2. Be of the saabiqoon.
Money perishes, positions will be lowered and people come and go, only good deeds remain. Be of the saabiqoon – those who are first and foremost in doing good deeds. Then we caused to inherit the Book those We have chosen of Our servants; and among them is he who wrongs himself, and among them is he who is moderate, and among them is he who is foremost in good deeds by permission of Allah. That [inheritance] is what is the great bounty [Quran, 35:32]
3. Give priority to your prayer.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: The first thing one will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer [Sunan Abu Dawud, an-Nasaa’i, Al Hakim] Contemplate this important fact and let it motivate you to fit your daily activities around your prayer instead of fitting your prayers around your daily activities! Learn how to pray properly, understand what you say in salah, push yourself to pray on time and ask Al-Awwal to help you put your prayers first!
4. Please Him first and He will beautify you.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: He who displeased Allah for seeking the pleasure of people, Allah is displeased with him and those people are also displeased..And he who pleases Allah, although by it he displeased people, Allah is pleased with him… Allah makes him splendid and his speech and acts in the eyes of others beautiful [Tibrani] You will never be able to please one person all the time. Focus on pleasing Allah ‘azza wajal first in everything you do and He will give you a beautiful position in people’s eyes insha’Allah!
5. Put the Quran first in your studies.
Ibn Taymiyyah raheemahullah said: As for seeking to memorize the Quran then this is to be given preference over many of the things that the people consider to be knowledge, but are -in reality – either totally useless, or having little benefit. It is also to be given precedence in learning especially by those who wish to acquire knowledge of the deen, its principles and its particulars. Since what is prescribed for such a person at this time is that he should begin by memorizing the Quran, as it is the foundation of the branches of knowledge of the deen [Fataawa al-kubra 2/54-55] Make understanding, reciting and interacting with the Quran should be the basis and priority of all your studies, even if it is ten minutes a day!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Awwal we know that You are the One without beginning nor end. Guide us to put You and seeking Your pleasure first and foremost in our belief and our deeds. Help us to give priority to our prayers, adorn us with love and closeness to Your Book and make us of the saabiqoon, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Muqtadir— The Omnipotent, The Powerful Determiner— on two occasions in the Quran. Al-Muqtadir is the One who has the power and he ability to do whatever He decides. His Power enforces all decrees and His decree prevails in every situation!
The Omnipotent, The All-Determining
Both muqtadir and qadeer come from the root qaaf-daal-raa, which points to four main meanings. The first meaning is to have the power to accomplish, to be capable. The second is to measure, to distribute something, or to make manifest. The third is to decree or to ordain and the fourth is to prevail.
This root appears 132 times in the Quran in 11 derived forms. Examples of these forms are taqdiru (“is decreed”), qadran (“a measure”), and maqdooran (“destined”).
Allah ‘azza wajal refers to Himself with the active participle muqtadir four times in the Quran, of which two mentions of Muqtadirin, (The) Powerful One, Most Powerful, or the Omnipotent.
Linguistically qadeer, qaadir, and muqtadir are all derived from the root qaaf-daal-raa, all pointing to the all-prevailing and perfect Power of Allah ‘azza wajal. Muqtadir is the intensive form of the root which refers to the use of supreme power to actively enforce whatever His wisdom decides. The ‘mu’ at the beginning of the word in Arabic refers to a means, or theembodiment of an action, which results in translations as the do-er or the one who is, eg Muslim, one who submits.
Al-Muqtadir Himself says: … They denied Our signs, all of them, so We seized them with a seizure of one Exalted in Might and Perfect in Ability [Quran, 54:42) … In a seat of honor near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability. [Quran, 54:55]
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Never think you can depend on your own powers.
Your tawfeeq (ability) is from Al-Muqtadir only, your success is not because of yourself but because He enabled you to accomplish matters. When you show your need for Him, Al-Muqtadir will support you but when you think you can depend on your own power for even the blink of an eye, He will abandon you. And let not those who disbelieve think that they can outstrip (escape from the punishment). Verily, they will never be able to save themselves[Quran, 8:59] We often take this ayah as not for us as we are no disbelievers, but how often do we fall into the trap of thinking that ‘our children are good, because we raised them well’ or ‘I have this job, because I am clever.’ Always humble yourself by thinking: all I have is from Allah Al-Muqtadir!
2. Practise your belief.
When someone is diagnosed with a fatal disease, they should still think, Allah ‘azza wajal is able to do all things! It is easy to say, Allah is capable to do all things, but do you really live by this? The companions of Musa said: ” We are sure to be overtaken. Musa said: “Nay, verily with me is my Lord. He will guide me. [ Quran, 26:61-62] He was alone facing many enemies, but his belief in the determining power of Al-Muqtadir was unshakable, let this be your example when you feel overpowered or hopeless and tell yourself: Allah is really able to do all things and He will guide me through this!
3. Be grateful for the hidden blessings.
Al-Muqtadir forces each and everything in this world to happen according to His infinite wisdom. There is a reason behind everything and only as a believer can you benefit from each situation in your life, good or bad. Allah had completed and perfected His Grace upon you, (both) apparent and hidden [Quran, 31:20] Thank Al-Muqtadir each day for His hidden blessings!
4. Remember the dua of the Prophet Yunus.
But he cried through the darkness: Laa ilaaha illaa anta [ none has the right to be worshipped but You, subhanaka [Glorified and Exalted are you], innee kuntu min adh-Dhaalimeen [truly, I have been of the wrong doers]. So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers [ Quran, 21: 87-88] By narrating this story in the Quran Al-Muqtadir made this event into a daily life lesson for every believer: no matter how dark your situation is, turn to Al-Muqtadir, recognize His position, realize your position and He will give you a way out.
5. Value the importance of peace of mind.
The decree of Al-Muqtadir comes from perfect knowledge and power and it controls our daily life. You are making hundreds of choices each day responding to many different situations, and each time you have the choice: do I turn to Allah or do I turn away from Him? You can get angry, or try to have patience. You can swear or remain quieit, you can backbite or you can talk good about others. Al-Muqtadir says: Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest [Quran, 13:28] Al-Muqtadir gives money, power, intelligence and beauty to people, but He decrees true peace of mind to His believers only! So with every choice you make throughout your day, remember Allah.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Muqtadir we know that Your power enforces all decrees. Guide us to practise our belief in your All-ability and capability, make us grateful for all aspects of your decree for us, save us from arrogance and adorn us with tranquil hearts who remember you abundantly, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Qadeer— The Powerful— on one occasion in the Quran. Al-Qadeer is the One with complete power. He is the One who decrees; He simply says, Be! and it is. Al-Qadeer needs no means to do anything!
The Powerful, The All-Capable
Qadeer comes from the root qaaf-daal-raa, which points to four main meanings. The first meaning is to have the power to accomplish, to be capable. The second is to measure, to distribute something, or to make manifest. The third is to decree or ordain and the fourth is to prevail.
This root appears 132 times in the Quran in 11 derived forms. Examples of these forms are yaqdiru (“he has power”), qaddarnaa (“we have decreed”), al-qadr (“of power”) and qaadirun (“is Able”).
Allah ‘azza wajal refers to Himself with the nominal qadeer 45 times in the Quran, of which one mention is Al-Qadeeru, The Powerful.
Linguistically qadeer, qaadir, and muqtadir are all derived from the root qaaf-daal-raa and all of them demonstrate that power is established as an attribute of Allah and that He has absolute Power. He is the One who is capable of doing everything, who has perfect power over the creation, who measures everything with perfection, and who is the One who decrees all that was, is, and will ever be. His ability combined with His infinite Knowledge makes Him Al-Qadeer and Al-Aleem!
Al-Qadeer Himself says: … Allah is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent [Quran, 30:54]
… Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent [Quran, 67:1]
… If He wills, He can do away with you, O people, and bring others [in your place]. And ever is Allah competent to do that [Quran, 4:133].
Power and Mercy
Al-Qadeer has the power to replace a whole nation with another one in whatever way He wants. With His power He can make large pieces of the earth lifeless and at the same time grant or withhold great amounts of possessions from whomever He wills.
Just as the power of His punishment is unparalleled, so is His power to grant mercy to His sincere slaves. As a reward for their patience, certainty of faith, and trust in Him, Al-Qadeer uses His power to help His servants out of difficulties.
We find beautiful examples of His power in saving Ibrahim ‘alayhi sallam from the fire, Yunus ‘alayhi sallam from the belly of the fish, Yusuf ‘alayhi sallam from the well, and the other innumerable moments He helps, relieves, saves, and comforts His servants throughout their lives.
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Know that everything is predestined.
How often have you been upset because you’ve lost money, possessions, or a job? Some even respond immediately by asking, Why me? What did I do wrong?
Remind yourself in good and bad times of the following powerful hadith and let it increase you in tawakkul (reliance) upon Al-Qadeer at all times! The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Know that even if the whole community were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you. [At-Tirmidhee]
Cure your heart from rancor and envy by believing that all affairs are by the decree of Al-Qadeer!
2. Be content.
Follow the pious predecessors by striving to be content with the decree of Al-Qadeer. This means that you realize that everything that happens to you is pre-destined but also that you try to not feel any bitterness when you are tested.
Rida (contentment) is the praiseworthy station of not only recognizing, but also being pleased with the decree of Allah. Don’t ever let your love for Al-Qadeer decrease when something doesn’t go your way! Contentment is the greatest door that one enters to Allah, It is the source of tranquility for the worshiper and paradise on earth. Whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise in the Hereafter [Ibn Taymiyyah]
3. Pray istakhaarah.
Whenever you have a decision to make, no matter how big or small, consult Al-Qadeer and ask Him to choose what is best for you and your deen, in this life and in the Hereafter, by praying the sunnah istakhaarah prayer.
4. Say alhamdulillah.
It’s easy to say alhamduilliah when good happens to you, but we should also praise Al-Qadeer when we go through hardship. Next time you are tested, say alhamdulillah from your heart and mean it, and inspire others to do so! Alhamdulillah ‘alaa kulli haal – all praise belongs to Allah in any case or siltation, no matter what He decrees!
5. Express your need to Al-Qadeer.
By nature we love those who are competent. For example, when you are weak you desire the protection of someone who is strong. Know that Al-Qadeer can make everything happen by His Power, so ask Him. Seek refuge in Him for protection, ask Him to cure your heart, and know that there is no limit to His power.
Only Al-Qadeer is able and fully capable to give you a way out of every difficulty. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not. [Abu Dawud]. So increase your istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) by saying astaghfirullah.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
Allah calls Himself Al-Waahid— The One— on five occasions in the Quran. Al-Waahid is the source of everything in existence. Al-Waahid is the One, He is Alone and He is Unique in every single way!
The One, Apart From Others
Waahid comes from the root waw-haa-daal, which points to four main meanings. The first meaning is to be one, to be made one and to be called one. The second main meaning is to connect, join and unite. The third is to be unique and singular and the fourth is to be one apart from others. This root appears 68 times in the Quran in four derived forms. Examples of these forms are waahidan(“one”), waahidatan (“single”) and wahdahu (“alone”).
Linguistically waahid means one who is one, or alone, apart from others. Tawheed also comes from this root and it means unification or asserting oneness. Tawheedullaah means to belief that Allah is One without partner in His dominion and His actions (Ruboobiyyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Uloohiyyah/Uboodiyyah). Disregarding one of these aspects of Tawheed is shirk (literally sharing); the association of partners with Allah. Being One is a quality of Allah ‘azza wajal wich nobody else shares with Him. He is the One and Only in His being, authority, actions and powers!
Al-Waahid Himself says: … and all creatures will come out before Allah , the One, the Prevailing [Quran, 14:48].. O [my] two companions of prison, are separate lords better or Allah , the One, the Prevailing? [Quran, 12:39]… Say, [O Muhammad], “I am only a warner, and there is not any deity except Allah , the One, the Prevailing [Quran, 38:65] .. Exalted is He; He is Allah, the One, the Prevailing [Quran, 39:4] ..To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allah , the One, the Prevailing [Quran, 40:16]
A Powerful Combination
Allah ‘azza wajal chose His Name Al-Waahid to be paired with His Name Al-Qahhaar on each occasion in the Quran! This Beautiful Name illustrates that He has the supreme authority and ultimate power to do anything. Al-Qahhaar can subdue anyone to compel him or her to His will and He does so with perfect knowledge and justice and this great ability belongs to Him only. All that is in the heavens and the earth submits, willingly or unwillingly, to Al-Waahid alone!
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Remind yourself and others of His Oneness. The Oneness of Allah is a principle you need to keep reminding yourself of. His Oneness is the core message all the Prophets, peace be upon them all, were sent with! If you truly understand Al-Waahid, you will worship Him accordingly. Remind yourself He is the Only One able to do everything, so in your daily life, make dua only to Him, sacrifice only for Him and give sadaqah only for Him. Study tawheed and its meanings and teach this Name to your children and others!
2. Turn to Him first. We know we have to believe in Al-Waahid alone, but in daily life when difficulty hits us we often turn to other means to try to relieve ourselves. When you have a problem turn to Him turn to Him first and then to other means to your disposal. When you are ill, don’t just grab a medicine quickly, but first ask Al-Waahid to provide you cure. When you are hurt, don’t immediately vent your heartache to a friend, ask Al-Waahid to mend your heart first. Why turn to anyone else if you can turn to The Sustainer of the Heavens and the earth?
3. See Al-Waahid’s proof all around you. The integration of the whole universe is a proof for the Oneness of Allah. The orbit of the sun and the moon, the composition of the air, the earth, the sees and the planets, the birth of a child, the perfect works of the human body are all proofs that there is only One Creator Who is the source of all of these diverse manifestations of His Unity. So look around you to increase your awe for His Beautiful Oneness!
4. Trust in Al-Waahid. Tawheed means you recognize He alone manages the affairs of the creation. Nothing or no one else creates, sustains, grants, withholds, brings back to life, causes death, nor manages the affairs of every single person, nor sees their innermost feelings, except Al-Waahid. So put your trust in Him and know that only He will deal with you with perfect wisdom and justice at all times!
5. Learn how to protect yourself from shirk. Gain knowledge about shirk and its types so you can protect yourself from it as best as you can. Al-Waahid says: Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin. [Quran, 4:48] This shows you beautifully that Al-Waahid forgives all sins, except shirk. However, repentance wipes out each and every sin, even an act of shirk! The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam taught you this comprehensive supplication regarding shirk:
Allaahumma innee ‘aoothu bika an ushrika bika shaiann wa anaa a’lamu, wa astaghfiruka limaa laa a’lamu. O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I know not [Ahmad] Memorize it and ask Al-Waahid with it each day!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Waahid we know that You are the One and Only. Grant us correct and unshakable belief in Your Oneness, allow us to truly understand and appreciate this Beautiful Name, act upon it and spread the message of Your Oneness to others. Make us reflect your Creation and protect and forgive us from all types of shirk, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Ahad— The Only One, the Unique— on one occasion in the Quran. Al-Ahad is the One who was, is, and will ever remain alone. He is indivisible and the essence of unity, and nothing or no one can ever be equal to Him in essence in all His beautiful attributes!
The Sole One, The Unity
Ahad comes from the root hamza-haa-daal, which points to two main meanings. The first meaning is to be the only one and sole. The second main meaning is to unite or unify. This root appears 85 times in the Quran in 2 derived forms. Examples of these forms are ahadun (“anyone”), ahadukum (“one of you”) and ihdaa (“any, one”).
Linguistically what is ahad cannot be divided into parts, whereas that which is waahid appears to be divisable into separate parts. Some (scholars) differentiated between al-Waahid and al-Ahad by saying that al-Waahid refers to His being one in His essence only, whilst al-Ahad means that He is one in both His essence and His attributes [Tafseer Asmaa’ Allaah by al-Zajjaaj, p. 58]
And it was said that al-Waahid means He is unique in His essence and does not have any peer or rival, and al-Ahad is unique in His attributes. So al-Waahid is one in and of Himself, and al-Ahad means being one in His attributes. Al-Ahad is one of the attributes of Allah which belong uniquely to Him, and in which nothing else has a share. (Lisaan al-‘Arab –Ahad – 1/35; wahida 8/4779 – 4783).
Allah is Al- Ahad and Al-Waahid, He is unique in being one in both His essence and His attributes! Al-Ahad Himself says: … Say: He is Allah [who is] One. [Quran, 112:1]
An Inspiring Conversion
Bilal radiyallahu anhu was a slave of Ummayah Ibn Khalaf, who was furious when he found out about his belief in the Oneness of Allah. Each day he would put Bilal in the heat of the sun denying him food or water and he ordered others to place a large rock on his chest so he could hardly breath. He continued crushing him saying, “I will never stop torturing you, until either you die or you declare kufr in Muhammad (saw) and you return back to worshipping the Lat and Uzzah.” In extreme hardship and under the pressure of the rock on his chest Bilal spoke his famous words of unshakeable faith which are an inspiration to all believers: “Ahadun Ahad”, “The One! The One!” After eleven days of torture Abu Bakr radiyallahu anhu bought Bilal and set him free. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam himself soon selected Bilal for one of the most honourable tasks: the mu’addhin, the caller of the adhaan, every day proclaiming the Oneness of Allah, Al-Ahad!
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Feel the testimony of faith. Understand the shahada by studying its meaning and implications. Reflect on your relationship with the shahada and how both your limbs and heart should be connected to it. Remind yourself of all those believers who sacrificed all they by proclaiming the testimony of faith. Think of the wife of Firawn, the People of the Trench, the early Muslims of Makkah and all those men and women who are being pursued just for having faith and feel the power of the shahada! And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah [Quran, 85:8] Next time you pray really feel it when you say laa ilaaha illAllah, He is the Only!
2. Fight your desires. We know Al-Ahad is the Only but do we make Him the Only we listen to, work for, ask from and submit to in our daily life? How many times do you do something you think is important rather than what is truly important in the eyes of Al-Ahad? Fight your ego and make pleasing Him your only goal. Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire…[Quran, 45:23]
3. Repeat the shahada throughout the day. The Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wa sallam said: The best Dhikr (remembering Allah) is La ilaaha illallah and the best supplication is Al-Hamdu Lillah. [At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah]
4. Make your intentions for Him only. Imagine a cup of white, pure milk, if there was one drop of blood or dirt in it, the whole colour would change and you would not drink it! Once you understand the shahada you know your intentions should be for Allah only. Think about the intention you have with every deed. For example if you feel angry when someone doesn’t acknowledge what you did for them, examine yourself and think, did I do this purely for Allah or was my intention mixed with something else? Start for one week to make everything you do to please Him only and taste the unique sweetness. When you are working, think you are pleasing Him by taking care if your family, when you are tending the children make the intention you want to raise them to worship Al-Ahad only, when you help someone, help them for the reward of Al-Ahad only!
5. Make surah Al-Ikhlaas your life’s motto! Apart from reciting it in your prayer, have you ever thought what this virtuous surah means to your daily life? This surah inspires you to sincerity in all you do and live for the Only, Al-Ahad. He rewards your good deeds according to their sincerity, your sincerity is the key to your eternal success and without sincerity all your deeds are worthless! Say, ‘Surely my prayer and my devotion, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. No partner has He, and this is what I have been commanded [Quran, 6:162 ] This means not only act of worship like prayer and fasting, but you should have the intention to please Al-Ahad in spending money, dealing with colleagues, your family etc.
6. Ask Al-Ahad. Ask Him, turn to Him and beg Him only for your every need. Ask Him to help you to purify your intentions.
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Ahad we know that You are the Only. Bless us with pure intentions and help us to do those deeds most pleasing to You. Guide us to understand, live, and die by the shahada so the fire cannot touch us, and we will enter Your everlasting gardens, ameen!
Allah calls Himself Al-Qayyoom— The Sustainer, The Self-Subsisting— on three occasions in the Quran. Al-Qayyoom is the One who is self-existing while every being exists through Him and because of Him. He is completely free of any dependence on anything else, while the whole creation depends entirely on Him!
The Self-Existing, The All-Sustaining
Qayyoom comes from the root qaaf-waw-meem, which points to five main meanings. The first meaning is to stand or to rise up. The second main meaning is to be or begin, the third to be ongoing and to exist. The fourth main meaning is to be founded or to be built on and the fifth is to manage and to make right.
This root appears 660 times in the Quran in 22 derived forms. Examples of these forms are qaamoo (“they stand”), aqeemoo (“establish”), istaqaamoo (“remain firm”), al qawma (” the people”) and al qiyaamah (“the Resurrection”).
Al-Qayyoom comes always in combination with the beautiful name Al-Hayy in the Quran, with Al-Hayyreferring to the attribute of everlasting life and Al-Qayyoom signifying the attribute of self-existing life. Al-Qayyoom is the One who established Himself on His own and is the foundation upon which all things exist. He is the One who sustains and manages the complete creation and at the same time is without any need of any type of sustenance Himself!
Al-Qayyoom Himself says: … Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence [Quran,2:255] And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. And he will have failed who carries injustice [Quran, 20:111]
The beautiful concept of qiyaam
Al-Qayyoom is among the greatest of the names of Allah ‘azza wajal and its origin is the word al-qiyaam. From this root a few of the most important concepts of Islam evolve. The iqaamah, is the call just before the obligatory prayer is established. In our prayer we recite the Quran in the standing position (qiyaam); we do not recite Quran in the sitting position, nor during our ruku(bowing), nor during our prostration. Great importance has the night prayer for the believer, which is referred to as qiyaam ul layl. True believers are adorned with istaqaamah (to remain firm) on the straight path of Islam (siraatul mustaqeem) and ultimately we will all be brought in front of Al-Qayyoom on the Day of Standing, Yawm ul Qiyaamah.
How Can You Live By This Name?
1. Establish salah.
Aqeemoo as-salah! Al-Qayyoom instructs you many times in the Quran to establish the prayer. But do you really establish your salah in your daily life, or do you fit your prayers around your daily routine? One of the sahaabah asked: “What is the thing that Allah loves most?” The Prophet said: “The thing that Allah loves most is when his people pray salah on time.” [Al-Bukharee] Fit your daily activities around your salah and not your salah around your daily activities. Focus on praying your salah on time for a week and see the difference in your emaan!
2. Recite surah Al-Ikhlaas often.
This surah contains a beautiful description of Allah, His Oneness and His self-existing and sustaining attributes . The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam heard a man reciting ‘Qul huwa Allaahu ahad,’ and said, “It is his right.’ They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, what is his right?’ He said, ‘Paradise is his right.’ [ Ahmad] He salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said: “Whoever recites Qul huwa Allaahu ahad ten times, Allaah will build for him a house in Paradise.” [Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer] So recite it whenever you can: whenever you have a spare moment, fill it with recitation of surah al-Ikhlaas!
3. Help sustain the needy.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: If you love the poor and bring them near you … Allah will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.[At-Tirmidhi]
4. Humble yourself.
We have no reason to ever be arrogant, and this name should humble us. When you were born your parents needed to do everything for you; you could not even sit by yourself. As you grow, developing your intellect and body, you become less dependent on your parents. Then your body and mind start decreasing in strength, and you go back to the beginning where others need to take care of you again. Even when you feel strong, still remember you are completely dependant on Al-Qayyoom.
5. Help in the cause of Islam.
Even though Al-Qayyoom does not need any of us, nor does He need food, drink or sleep, He made you a beautiful promise in the Quran: O you who believe! If you “help Allah,” He will help you. [Quran,47:7] This means you should do your best to help in the cause of Allah’s Deen, for Al-Qayyoom is the One Who is in full charge of all things. Ask Him to make you of those who help the Deen by spreading the message of the Quran, teaching and helping others.
6. Think about the Day of Standing.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, You will surely stand before Allah, no screen between Him and you, no interpreter to translate for you. Then He will say, ‘Did I not bring you wealth?’ He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then He will say, ‘Did I not send you a Messenger?’ He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then he will look to his right and left and see nothing but Hell. So protect yourselves from it even with half a date (in charity), and if not then with a kind word. [Al-Bukharee] Daily remind yourself about this moment and make sure you do a deed of charity each day, even if it’s a kind word to someone!
7. Stand in the night.
The best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer [Muslim]. Abu Sulaimaan Ad-Daaraanie said, Those who pray in the night enjoy when they are observing their night prayer more than what the people of pastime and fun enjoy from their pastime. If not because of the night, I would not have loved to remain in this world. When Umar was dying, he said I do not grieve on anything of this life except the night prayer. Some people think only those who have strong emaan can pray and they are not good enough, but in fact qiyaam ul layl is the opportunity for those who feel far away from Allah to become closer to Him, so go for it and motivate others to gain extra reward!
Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.
O Allah, Al-Qayyoom, we know that You are the One who is self-existing and sustaining all. Bless us with humility in our worship and dealing with others and make us of those who help the needy and strive in the cause of Islam. Guide us in truly establishing the prayer in our lives, enable us to practice qiyaam ul layl, often make us remember standing before You and give us a longing to meet You and actions that bring us closer to You, ameen
Kisses <3
Now in color!
#HappyPride
I even successfully finished them in time for the Amour is Love expo by The Woman Power in collaboration with Fierté Montréal / Montréal Pride
I’m so excited for this!!!!! #amourislove
Which one is your favorite?
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Hello Beloved!
As the election continues to be decided and brings stress to the nation, here is some positive election news:
Ritchie Torres (NY) (he/him) became the first Afro-Latinx LGBTQ+ person to be elected to Congress.
Mondaire Jones (NY) (he/him) will also become the first LGBTQ+ person of color, alongside Torres, to be elected to Congress.
Sarah McBride (DE) (she/her) became the first openly transgender person to be a state senator.
Stephanie Byers (KS) (she/her) became the first openly transgender person to have a seat in Kansas’s state legislature and became the first Native American transgender person to be elected to any state legislature.
Mauree Turner (OK) (she/they) has become the first non-binary person elected to any state legislature. They are also the first Muslim to be elected to the Oklahoma state legislature.
Taylor Small (VT) (she/her) became the first openly transgender person to have a seat in Vermont’s state legislature.
Shevrin Jones (FL) (he/him) became the first openly LGBTQ+ person to have a seat in Florida’s state legislature.
Jabari Brisport (NY) (he/him) became the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color to have a seat in New York’s state legislature.
Kim Jackson (GA) (she/her) became the first openly LGBTQ+ person to have a seat in Georgia’s state senate and one of only 3 LGBTQ+ women of color to have a seat in any state senate.
David Ortiz (CO) (he/him) became the first openly bi person to have a seat in Colorado’s state legislature. He also became the first wheelchair user in Colorado’s state legislature.
Sharice Davids (KS) (she/her) has been re-elected. Davids is the first Native American LGBTQ+ woman to serve in Congress
No matter what happens with the presidency, change is coming, Beloved. Be hopeful and continue fighting
