#sunnah

Al-Bukhari reported in his Sahih that Abu Said Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) told the companions: “Are you not able to read a third of the Qur'an in one night?” They found this very difficult and replied that nobody amongst us can do so. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: “Allah, The One, the Self sufficient "Surah Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad equals a third of the Qur'an.”

Muslim also reported that Abu Al Darda narrated: “Say, He is Allah, The One, (Surah 112) equals a third of the Qur'an.” reported by Al-Thirmidhi, and Al- Albani classified it as an authentic Hadith.

Al-Mubarakpuri stated in Sharh Al-Thirmidhi that it could mean that whoever reads it 3 times is as if he reads the whole Qur'an.

Allah calls Himself Al-Hafeedh— The All-Preserver, The All-Heedful, The All-Protecting— on three occasions in the Quran. He is the One Who created and preserves the worlds and what they contain. Al-Hafeedh is heedful of all we do and He protects us from things we do not even realize, giving believers many opportunities to earn His special protection!

The Ultimate Preserver, Guardian, and Protector

Hafeedh and Haafidh come from the root haa-faa-dhaa, which points out to three main meanings. The first meaning is guarding, protecting, retaining and taking care of. The second main meaning of this root is to prevent from perishing or becoming lost and the third is to be watchful, mindful, attentive, and vigilant.

This root appears 44 times in the Quran in eight derived forms. Examples of these forms are haafidheen(“guardians”), mahfoodh (“guarded, protected”), and wahaafidh’naahaa (“and We have protected it”).

Linguistically, haafidh is used for someone who memorized the Quran. Al-Hafeedh is the Ultimate Preserver, Guardian and Protector of the whole creation.

Al-Hafeedh Himself says: “… and you will not harm Him at all. Indeed my Lord is, over all things, Guardian. [Quran 11:57] … We might make evident who believes in the Hereafter from who is thereof in doubt. And your Lord, over all things, is Guardian. [Quran 34:21]

Knowledge, preservation, and recompense

Allah ‘azza wajall negated forgetfulness on Himself; He will protect and guard knowledge and never forget it. Musa ‘alayhi sallam testified to this fact, saying: The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor He forgets. [Quran 20:52]

We should know that haafidh is made of three aspects; first knowledge (‘ilm), then preservation (hifdh) and then recompense (hisaab). For example, removing a small piece of dirt from the floor so it wouldn’t make someone slip. Even though no one saw it, you need to be sure Allah knows about it, then you should be sure He will preserve it (hifdh) and finally you should be certain that Al-Hafeedh will recompense you for it.

This goes for anything anyone does for Allah’s Sake! Therefore there’s a relation between the beautiful names Al-‘Aleem (the All-Knowing), Al-Hafeedh (The All-Preserving) and Ash-Shakoor (The Appreciative).

How Can We Live By This Name?

1. Be motivated by Al-Hafeedh.

Al-Hafeedh is heedful of everything you do by His knowledge, He orders His angels to record everything you do. Even the smallest deeds, like coming to an Islamic lecture, sitting nicely, and making notes— Al-Hafeedh will preserve and appreciate it. When you know this you will really be a slave of Allah ‘azza wa jall and not of people.

2. Fear Al-Hafeedh.

He is also Al-Hafeedh when you do bad actions. Remember even with your “very small” wrong deed He sees, preserves, and will recompense you for it unless you repent. For example in prayer you need presence of the heart; khushoo means presence of the heart (hudoor al qalb) plus understanding (fahm).

Maybe in only one rukoo you remember Allah and the rest of the time your heart is distracted or heedless. Allah is hafeedh and He even knows you only remembered Him in rukoo’; then He will keep this remembrance in rukoo’ for you and will reward you according to this. Depending on whether your deed was good or bad al-Hafeedh will reward you or punish you, so this name gives you both hope (rajaa) and fear (al-khawf or khashiyah).

3. Remember people.

One of the sifaat ul mu’mineen – attributes of the believers— is being mindful and attentive to others. Maybe you met someone once and you lent her your pen and she remembers that so many years later, you would feel happy. The best example of this quality of remembering is the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who never forgot Khadeejah radiyallaahu ‘anha.

4. Memorize the Quran.

Work hard to be of those who preserve His Book, the Quran, by memorizing it. When memorizing His Book call upon Al-Hafeedh and ask Him to preserve and keep it in your mind.

5. Purify your heart.

For example you talk bad about someone just because you dislike them. Al-Hafeedh will never forget what you did; this knowledge will be preserved with Him and maybe after a period of time you will be put in the same situation where you are innocent and yet someone accuses you wrongly or says something untrue about you. When this happens it is for you to recall and repent for what you did to someone else. Al-Hafeedh is giving it as a test to nurture you because He has this knowledge preserved whereas maybe you forgot or saw it as insignificant.

6. Strive for the special protection of Al-Hafeedh.

Aboo Tayyib At-Tabaree , an early scholar, was about hundred years old and he was physically strong like the young man. Once after an exhausting journey, Aboo Tayyib At-Tabaree jumped off the boat on the land. People were amazed. He said: When I was a young man, I preserved these bodily limbs from the disobedience of Allah and Allah preserved them for me in my old age. [Ibn Rajab]

To receive the special protection of Al-Hafeedh in your religion and your worldy affairs, the Prophet said: Guard Allah (His commands) and He will guard and protect you. [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee]

7. Be thankful to Al-Hafeedh.

Al-Hafeedh preserves your body in an amazing way; only imagine if your blood would freely flow into your brain. Be thankful to Al-Hafeedh for the way He preserves you and protects you in ways you don’t even realize.

8. Reflect on your environment and increase your awe for Al-Hafeedh.

Look around you and be amazed by the way Al-Hafeedh is able to preserve even the biggest creations. It is He Who preserved the sky from falling on us. We come up with ways by His leave to preserve even the food in fridges and by salt so we can use it longer, as well as the money in the bank. Allah is Al-Hafeedh and He guides humans for a means to even preserve food, health, and wealth.

9. Repent to Al-Hafeedh.

This name should shake you even more than the name Al-‘Aleem, because Al-Hafeedh not only implies that He knows everything, He even remembers the smallest things. You need the forgiveness of Al-Hafeedh, so another important impact of this name is that it will make you not delay but hasten to repent.

O Allah, Al-Hafeedh, we know that You preserve all there ever was, is, and will be. Give us your special protection by aiding us to fulfill Your commands, help us to be mindful of even the smallest sins, and make us rush to repent and be thankful to You for Your protection. Honour us by making us of those who memorize the Quran and support us in our belief and awareness of Your knowledge, preservation and recompense so we will strive to please You and earn Your Gardens, ameen!

Imām Karmani رحمه الله in his masaa'il ( Kitab Sunnah) :

175 Abū ‘Awn narrated to us and said: Wahb ibn Jarīr narrated to us and said: My father narrated to us and said: Al-Fudayl ibn Hassān narrated to us and said: They mentioned in front of Abū Ja’far Muhammad ibn ‘Alī the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “The fornicator does not fornicate while he is a believer when he fornicates, nor does the thief steal while he is a believer when he steals.”

So he said: Muhammad ibn ‘Alī and he drew a big circle like this – and said: “This is Islām.” and he drew another smaller circle inside of it and said: “This is īmān which is confined within Islām. So if he fornicates or steals, he exits from īmān (but remains in Islām). Then if he repents he returns to īmān. And nothing (from the sins) makes him exit Islām except shirk. And the circle is like this.

¹ Imām Ahmad رحمه الله said in the risālah “Musaddad”: “And a man exits from īmān to Islām, but nothing makes him exit from Islām except committing shirk with Allāh the All-Mighty.”

(Tabaqāt Al-Hanābilah 2/428)

Do not underestimate the Jumu'ah prayer:

‘Abdullah ibn Imam Ahmad - rahimahumullah - narrated in As-Sunnah:

476 - حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ الْعَبَّاسِ الْخُرَاسَانِيُّ، نا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمَسْعُودِيُّ، عَنِ الْمِنْهَالِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: “ تَسَارَعُوا إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَبْرُزُ لِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ فِي كَثِيبٍ مِنْ كَافُورٍ أَبْيَضَ فَيَكُونُونَ مِنْهُ فِي الْقُرْبِ عَلَى قَدْرِ تَسَارُعِهِمْ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فِي الدُّنْيَا، فَيُحْدِثُ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْكَرَامَةِ شَيْئًا لَمْ يَكُونُوا رَأَوْهُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُونَ إِلَى أَزْوَاجِهِمْ فَتُحَدِّثُهُمْ بِمَا قَدْ أُحْدِثَ لَهُمْ، ثُمَّ دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَرَأَى رَجُلَيْنِ، فَقَالَ: رَجُلَانِ وَأَنَا الثَّالِثُ وَإِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُبَارِكَ فِي الثَّالِثِ بَارَكَ ”

476. Mahmud ibn Al-‘Abbās Al-Khurasani narrated to us (and said): ‘Abdullāh ibn Al-Mubārak narrated to us (and said): ‘Abdur-Rahmān Al-Mas’udi informed me, from Al-Minhal ibn ‘Amr, from Abū ‘Ubaydah, from ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas’ud (radiAllāhu ‘anhu) who said:

“Hasten to the Jumu’ah, for verily Allāh – ‘azza wa jalla – will appear to the people of Paradise on every Jumu’ah, in dunes of white camphor. And they will be close to Him in accordance to their amount of hasting to the Jumu’ah in dunyā. Then Allāh will show them some of the Generosity which they have never seen before this. Then they return to their wives and they will inform them of what was shown to them.”

Then ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas’ud (radiAllāhu ‘anhu) entered the masjid and saw two men. Then he said:

“Two men (before me) and I am the third. And if Allāh wills He will bless the third (as well) with blessings.”

Tears Of The Weeper

Wahb Ibn Al-Ward narrated that Zakariayah did not see his son for three days. He found him weeping inside a grave which he had dug and in which he resided. “My son, I have been searching for you, and you are dwelling in this grave weeping!” “O father, did you not tell me that between Paradise and Hell is only a span, and it will not be crossed except by tears of weepers?” He said to him: “Weep then, my son.” Then they wept together.

✒ Many people think that punishment is limited to one’s health, wealth, or children; however, having a sick and corrupted heart is truly the worst type of punishment.

كثير من الناس يظنون أن العقوبة إنما تكون في الأمور الظاهرة كالأبدان والأموال والأولاد، والحقيقة أن العقوبة بمرض القلوب وفسادها أشد وأعظم من العقوبة بمثل تلك الأمور.

Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Another wisdom is that if relief is slow in coming, and the servant gives up hope of ever receiving it, especially after a plenitude of supplication and humble entreaty, he will look inwards and blame himself saying, ‘I have only been afflicted in this way because of you, if there was any good in you, I would have been answered.’

This self-censure and realisation is more beloved to Allah than many actions of obedience for it leads to a servant breaking his soul for the sake of his Master. The servant has acknowledged that he himself is not deserving of a response, and when in such a state, Allah’s response and relief is close at hand. Allah is with those who have broken their souls for His sake, the extent of His mending is commensurate to the extent of the breaking.”

Recorded in Noor al-Iqtibas fi Mishkat Wasiyat an-Nabi li-Ibn ‘Abbas.

Imagine the amount of torment and suffering, endured by this deer who is stuck between the rocks waiting for death without being able to move !! What Will be like when our graves is narrowed ? Do good while you can, may Allah make our graves spacious

Ameen Ya Rabb

People who say “it’s worthless, muslims doesn’t deserve help because they’re such and such so I’m gonna stay at my lane and do nothing more about helping them in any way”, such people are deprived from the right understanding that you don’t do things for the people, you do thing’s fisebilillah and Allah doesn’t need you rather you need Him so you do thing’s so Allah bless you and strengthen your feets in Islam and bless you and preserve you. We can never count the blessings of Allah and we can never count our sins aswell and wAllahi had it been someone who doesn’t deserve help, we should start with our ownselves as had it been Allah wouldn’t have had Mercy upon us, we would have been destroyed long time ago and countless of times.

People who get tired helping others fisebilillah, they’re in reality tired of the blessing of Allah because being able to carry on helping the ummah for the sake of Allah, it is a blessing in itself from Allah.

The best thing a father can ever give to his son, is by choosing for him a pious righteous mother.

The first step in raising righteous children is by choosing your spouse.

People think that in order to raise your children well you should wait till they’re grown up. But it starts way before. Raising our kids must be the biggest project in our lives

Half of the worlds population is women and the other half is brought out from women. They are the pillars of society.

The media has invested so much in taking down the role of the mother. This is one of the steps for destroying a nation.

#SunnahSmiles is a campaign promoting our General Children’s Fund. In simple terms, this is a pot where donations are combined and distributed to wherever the need is most acute. This might cover the cost of an urgent operation for a sick child, fund specialised tutoring for children with disabilities, or help to procure wheelchairs and other equipment for children in need. It is a way to support children and ensure that the generosity of our donors goes directly to those most in need of aid, rather than being funnelled into the latest popular cause.

               Interpal’s General Children’s Fund is a way of giving that protects the validity and legitimacy of donor aid. Palestinian refugee children have been born into this life and have no way of escaping it on their own. By giving, you help us to provide emergency relief and help those who do not have the power to help themselves.

Why support us?                                          

International aid is often viewed as a somewhat problematic concept. Some argue that it prevents countries from developing or that it prolongs conflict. And indeed it is true that in situations where a careful strategy is lacking, or where proper research into a country’s needs has not been done, the resulting aid packages can produce counterproductive results. The fostering of a culture of dependence, as opposed to the sustainable foundation for positive change which most NGOs aim to build, is a shortfall that the sector has tried to address.

Interpal was founded by Palestinians in 1994 following the Oslo Accords, giving us a high level of experience and insight that is reflected in our work across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in the refugee camps of Lebanon and Jordan.

There are currently an estimated 5,149,742 Palestinian refugees in the Near East region, with nearly 500,000 in Lebanon, a figure that represents around 10% of the population there. The numbers for Gaza are even more shocking with the total population at two million, and refugees making up 44% of this total.

When we break these figures down even further, a bleak picture begins to emerge:

70% of Gaza’s children are refugees.

80% of the refugee population in the West Bank live under the poverty line.[1]

On top of this, UNWRA does not have the capacity to provide the care these children need, with estimates showing that around 100,000 children, that’s 20% of the children in UNRWA’s schools, have special needs yet do not receive the necessary help. These are the new generation of Palestinians, yet still know nothing beyond life in desperate conditions.

Palestinian refugees are not protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention and therefore are not guaranteed the fundamental freedoms granted to many refugees, such as the right to education, the right to settlement and repatriation, the right to free access to courts. Because of this, Palestinian refugee children and adults cannot live without international aid: they just do not have the means. Whether this be the authority to change their situation in the long term or tangible resources to make life bearable in the short term, these are things which only become accessible with your help.

               There are countless projects in motion in the refugee camps across the region, many of which are funded or implemented by Interpal. We are an NGO with a strict humanitarian focus, who give aid to both PalestinianandSyrian refugees who need our help.

What kind of projects do we support?

               A project we have funded for the past few years is the ‘The Friends of Lazarus’ home for homeless girls in the Bethany area of the West Bank. This is an orphanage with the space and resources to focus on health care and education to support the health and well-being of the girls as they grow. They aim to work with the local social services in a way that will strengthen the whole community, addressing the root cause of the problem they exist to help in a sustainable way.

               The projects we fund and those we run are implemented by our field offices, by locals who are often refugees themselves. This affords our work in the community a level of respect from our beneficiaries, who feel that they can trust those who can communicate in an honest and open way, stemming from their own experience and understanding of displacement.

               As winter looms, Palestinian refugee camps face environmental catastrophe, meagre nutrition and a lack of adequate shelter to see them through. Our urgent Winter Aid Appeal strives to protect those in need from the harshness of the elements by providing emergency relief in case of catastrophe and preparing families for the months ahead. By supporting the General Children’s Fund, your generosity can help to bring desperate children out of the cold this winter.

Let’s come together #ForPalestineand follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by bringing smiles to the children of Palestine.

[1]https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/sites/default/files/docs/palestinian-refugee-children-fact-sheet_june08_1.pdf