Actions of a muslim

Dunya Boutiques v Akhira Boutiques

Every woman knows about shopping. It doesn’t matter which country you are from, the words “shopping” or “sale” sends a shiver down the spine and a peek in to the purses. 

So let’s take this concept of shopping a little further. It is wonderful to be able to fill our time walking through malls and trying on pretty dresses, then filling our cupboards and basking in the feeling of accomplishment. So long as we remember, to live in this Dunya and not for this Dunya.

We would be foolish to live any other way, as Allah says, “O My People! The life of this world is only temporary enjoyment, while the abode of hereafter is everlasting”  (Surah Al Mu’min : 39) 

We are here as traveler’s, this temporary abode is a place wherein we are given the opportunity to prepare for our final destination. By virtue of being the reciters of La Illaha Ililallah, we already have the passport to paradise, however, we do require some Visa. This Visa is obtainable through doing righteous deeds, for Allah says,  “And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers or paradise,they will dwell therein forever” (surah Al Baqarah : 82). 

And we know that in preparation for any journey, the best provision is Taqwa, (surah Al Baqarah : 197) So in preparing, take as much as you can from this place for the next. 

So, how often do we go “Akhira Shopping”? The answer should be – it is my sole purpose. YES, life is about shopping. Shopping for the Akhira, stocking up on Akhira reserves, filling the bags, tipping the scales and rushing to the sales. 

I think as a start, we should add a few things to our Akhira shopping lists. The best currency to carry on these shopping expeditions, is glorifying the Almighty, lots of SubhanAllah will be beneficial.

Stocking up on Akhira reserves is simple, we need to engage in Tawbah,because Allah says, ” Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves in purity. (Qur’an 2:222).  

Thankfulness to Allah for the favours he has bestowed on us, everything we have, everything we do is only by His will, and Allah says,””Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, And be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.” [Qur’an 2:152] 

Our actions, must be pure and good, and for the pleasure of Allah. Good actions, character and manners are all part of Imaan and we are told this by our beloved Nabi Muhammad S.A.W, when he said, “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character” (Hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud).

Actually, its simple, shop for the Akhira, in the constant remembrance of Allah. In doing for Him, you increase your love for Him, and in loving Him. And while you loving Him and The most Loving is Loving you, your Akhira reserves increase with every good action done for Him.

There is no need for a budget in this realm and Akhira boutiques are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do all you need to for Allah, and He will do for you.

Do it with Grace xx
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HADITH OF THE DAY

 “There are three characteristics whoever has them will taste the sweetness of faith: that Allah and His Messenger(saw) are more loved by him than everything else, that he loves or does not love a person only for Allah’s sake and that he would hate to revert into disbelief just as he would hate to be thrown into fire.” (Al-Bukhari)

Heavenly Peace

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Paradise : And those who believed and did righteous deeds will be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding eternally therein by permission of their Lord; and their greeting therein will be, “Peace!”

The Quranic definition of Paradise has thrown me in to a pool of reflection and introspection.  Why? The simple words explain the very idea of peace and satisfaction that we constantly crave.

I mean, I am certain that doing anything in a place so beautiful that words can not
even describe and abiding therein with the permission of the Almighty has to be the ultimate state of peace.

Allah is merciful and He loves us, I have said this before, His mercy has no limits. Allah tells us all these wonderful things and tells us how to achieve them too, Subhanallah! Here is this week’s naseeha: there is dunya peace – which is found in the righteous acts and in your salaah. The Quran tells us ‘those who do righteous deeds will be permitted entry’. But let’s take a minute to praise the Almighty – our acts that allow us ‘dunya peace’ are the same acts which are the keys to our ‘akhira peace’

May Allah give us all dunya and akhira peace and may we be guided to the righteous acts which please Him. Ameen

Do it Gracefully
Xx

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ l

All praises are due to Allah, May the choices, blessings and salutations be upon the Messenger  Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him,

I recently attended company function. A beautiful event Ma’sha Allah, whilst I  was interacting with the guests and clients, I glanced over at my colleagues, who like me had their best outfits and brightest smiles – after all we were ambassadors of the company. 

A little while later, I pondered over the day and a thought crossed my mind. As a professional in any environment, we constantly trying to achieve the best results, may be approval from our superiors or in this case, purely promoting the company in the best spirit. And i thought to myself, Subhanallah, we can do this for a paycheck at the end of the month, but we are all born ambassadors of Islam! Alhamdulillah – our mandate is written, we are the best of nations with Muhammad May Peace and Blessings be upon him, as our leader. 

We ought to conduct ourselves as such in any situation. How we as Muslim’s portray ourselves is becoming increasingly important. A midst  all the negative media coverage and incorrect portrayal of Islam, it is our duty to start following the practices and character of Muhammad May be peace and blessings be upon him and the essence of Al – Quraan should be at our core. 

How is it possible that the word “ISLAM” means “PEACE” but the word thinks of terror every time Islam is mentioned? It is time to look closely at what Islam is and how we need to adjust our character to gain Allah’s pleasure and hold the flag of Islam up high. 

So lets begin, this week by welcoming our guests and family , one an all with Assalamu‘alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ. May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you. 

One of my favourite verses about greeting a fellow muslim is found in Surah Nur, “When a greeting is offered you, answer it with an even better greeting, or (at least) with its like. God keeps count of all things.”
[Surah an-Nur; 4: 86], 

The hadith illustrates this Umar (radiAllahu anhu) reports that he was riding with Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) on one mount. When they passed by people, Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) greeted them saying: ‘Assalamu alaikum’ and they replied: ‘Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatu Allah.’ Or he may greet them saying: ‘Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatu Allah,’ for which their reply was: ‘Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatu Allah wa barakatuh.’ Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) commented: “Today, people have gained much more than us.” [Sahih al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad]

And remember that the antidote for Pride is Salaam. An individual with ounce of pride will not enter Jannah. Lets remember this Salaam is a blessing from Allah, we gain reward and we wish the best upon the next one. Let us be the first to greet every one, Assalamu Alaikum to you and to you and to you, but lets also be real – there is no such thing as “slms or slmz” and “wslms or wslmz”, lets not adapt the speech of Allah and His mercies due to our laziness and social etiquette. Even the word “Salaam” is not encouraged in greeting one another, so lets to stick to the greeting delivered to our father Adam, May Allah be Pleased with him and to the greeting of paradise, In Sha Allah.

For my reward, your reward and Allahs pleasure

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

Do it Gracefully!

REFRESH!

My Prophet, OUR Prophet, My Muhammad, May Peace and blessings be upon him once said ” The Greatest Jihad, is to battle your own soul, to fight the evil within yourself. ”  
We can conquer the battle, as we all have the natural disposition, to DO good, BE good, WANT to be good, it’s just that there is always that whisper telling us, “we already good enough” or “tomorrow is a better day to start” – to recognize THAT voice, is half the battle won. 
Our Imaan, my Imaan, is weak, we have lots to do in this world to gain the best of Akhira, but how do we go about attaining the best results as weak creation? and Especially because we have this constant battle that occupies our hearts and minds?
Hit REFRESH!!
What I mean by this is, lets clean out our hearts so that when you invite Allah and Islam in to the beautiful walls of your heart, there is no reason to leave, Would you like to spend even one night in a crappy broken down hotel room? Didn’t think so ya’ll! So how can we invite this Islam in to our hearts when it may be cluttered with the filth and dust of the world which we carry with us? Ofcourse – we need to secure dunya, but our primary objective is securing the best of akhira, Inshallah. 
So when i say ” Hit Refresh” what I am saying, is turn to Allah, for Allah loves those who turn to Him. What I am saying, is that we should affirm our faith at every given opportunity, so that we become strong enough to battle the nafs and desires that distract us. 
Just as we find so much satisfaction in downing a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day, let’s find that same satisfaction in this kalima, لآ اِلَهَ اِلّا اللّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوُل اللّهِ.  La ilaha illa-llah, Muhammadu-rasulu-llah… There is no Allah but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Let’s make the intention, each and every day, that Ya Rab, we want to renew our faith today. Ameen! 
By removing all that is negative – La Ilaha, illa-allah and affirming that there is ONLY Allah, we can remove this love for dunya, and invite this love for Allah in to our hearts. And yes, we are weak, but if we keep refreshing and we keep turning back to Allah, we will be successful ameen, ya rab. This is love. Allah’s love. 
So arm yourself with intention to refresh, persevere with your nafs, use this kalima and keep turning to your Allah. And, Inshallah this battle will subside and we will be the victors of our nafs. 
Remember, the more we affirm our faith, and the closer we get to our Allah, the closer we are to our natural disposition and the easier it will be to fulfill our highest good, ameen ya Rabilaalimeen ❤