Rememberance of Allah - Thikr

Allah (SWT) has taught us that one of the way to strengthen our Iman is through his remembering Allah (SWT) in everything we do, at all times.

Allah (SWT) says in Al Baqara 2:152

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُواْ لِي وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ

Remember me, and I remember you.. and thank me.. and do not hide the truth by denying me. Allah also said in the Quran in Al Thariyat (51:56), that he created mankind and jinn only to worship

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ


one of the best things a Muslim can do is constantly remember Allah. This thikr must be pure and sincere for Allah says in Al Bayina (98:5)

وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاء وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ
They were ordered for nothing but to worship Allah, with sincerity towards the deen (way of life), worshipping only one Lord (Allah), and to establish the prayers and bring the zakat and this is the valuable and sound deen.

Rememberance comes in may forms. Saying athkar is one way, praising Allah, seekign forgiveness, being cognizant of Allah's presence and his bounties and blessings

In a hadith of the Prophet narrated by Abi Sayeed Al Khudri and Abi Horarariah that the Prophet (PBUH) said the meaning of "no group sits mentioning Allah and remembering him, except that the Angels will surrond them and they will be showered /covered with mercy and tranquility will be brought down upon them and Allah mentions them in the presence of those among him.

Rememberance could be by tongue or heart, and best is to mix, if not possible then heart is better. Fear or riya should not prohibit one from making thikr using his tongue.

Thkr means also other things in Islam it refers to the words of Allah "Thikr ellallah" meaning the Quran. It also could refer to prayer in some contexts.

In Al Israa (17:110) Allah (SWT) orders us to pray in both silence and voice.

قُلِ ادْعُواْ اللّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاَتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً

Thikr is as important as other acts of worship and good deeds as reflected in the Aya in Al Ahzab (33:35)

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

There is an opinion that those who fall in this categories must perform thikr while in different states such as standing, walking, sitting, resting, etc.. Another opinion is that to be part of this group of Thakerren and Thakerat one has to remember Allah after every prayer, in the mornings and evenings, while resting in bed, at time of waking up, when heading to one's job, coming back coming, etc.. Atta mentioned that whoever prays the five prayers he or she is from among this group of thakereen and thakerat.

In a hadith narrated by Abi Sayeed, he says the Prophet mentioned - the meaning of - "If a man wakes up his family or wife during the night, and they prayed 2 rakaas, they are recorded from among the Thakereen Allah Katheran and the Thakerat"

Allah also illustrates a beautiful state of those remembering him in Al Imran (3:190-191). Another form of Thikr is reading Quran and pondering on its meanings.

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لآيَاتٍ لِّأُوْلِي الألْبَابِ

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَذا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Thikr requires critical thinking, the presence of the heart and mind, reflection, active listening to one's thoughts and comprehending what one is saying.

Thikr has many benefits...as mentioned earlier

Tranquility
Peace
Mercy
Allah's mentioning of one

Thikr also softens the heart..In Al Hadid (57:16)
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Thikr also removes hardship.. reflecting on Prophet Yunus's story in Al Saffat (37:143-144)

فَلَوْلَا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ الْمُسَبِّحِينَ

لَلَبِثَ فِي بَطْنِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

The Prophet mentioned the meaning of, "Two words light on the tongue, heavy in the balance, dear to Ar Rahman, Subhana Allaho wa be Hamdo, Subhana Allah Al Atheem"

In another narration the Prophet told Aba Thar, "should i not tell you the words that Allah loves the most? Indeed the most lovable of words to Allah is "Subhan Allah wa behamdo".

In another hadith the Prophets mentioned that "The most lovable words to Allah are 4: Subhan Allah, Alhamed ellallah, La Illaha Illa Allah, Wa Allaho Akbar, and it does not matter which one you start with".

The Prophet contrasted the ones who praise and mention Allah to those who are alive, the one who do not to the ones who are dead. "The example of the one who mentions Allah and the one who does not mention Allah, is like the alive and the dead".

The Prophet once told Abu Musa Al Asheray, "Should I not tell you about a treasure of the treasures of Jannah? Say La Howl wala Qowa Illa belellah".

3 Good Deeds of Great Rewards

1. Maintaining Family Relations

Allah (SWT) in several places in the Quran commands the Muslims to not only obey their parents, but also to shower them with mercy, love and passion. This is throughout the lifetime of the parents and not during one's childhood. Let look at some of these parables in the Quran.

Chapter (2:83), The Cow

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لاَ تَعْبُدُونَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَاناً وَذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَقُولُواْ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَأَقِيمُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتُواْ الزَّكَاةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مِّعْرِضُونَ

Chapter (4:36), The Women,

وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا

Chapter (6:151), The Cattle

قُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلاَّ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُم مِّنْ إمْلاَقٍ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ وَلاَ تَقْرَبُواْ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللّهُ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Chapter (17:23), Al Israa (Journey of the Night)

وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا

Chapter (17:24)

وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

Chapter (29:8), The Spider

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Chapter (31:14), Luqman

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ

Chapter (46:17), Al Ahqaf (Curved Sandhills)

وَالَّذِي قَالَ لِوَالِدَيْهِ أُفٍّ لَّكُمَا أَتَعِدَانِنِي أَنْ أُخْرَجَ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ الْقُرُونُ مِن قَبْلِي وَهُمَا يَسْتَغِيثَانِ اللَّهَ وَيْلَكَ آمِنْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَيَقُولُ مَا هَذَا إِلَّا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ

Chapter (46:18)

أُوْلَئِكَ الَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا خَاسِرِينَ

The Prophet (PBUH) also mentions in a Hadith, narrated by Bukhari (5986) and Muslim (20) "Whoever wishes his provision be increased and his life be blessed, let him maintain the ties of kinship". This is a wonderful invitation and motivational request to encourage Muslims to stay in touch with their families, not only parents, but the extended cousins, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces, grandparents, grandchildren, etc... Maintaining that relationship could include visiting, calling on the phone, helping with errands, supporting, calling to the way of Allah.

It is worth mentioning that the one who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does so because he gets recompensed by his relatives, but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the other party has severed those ties. This was also narrated by Bukhari as reported by Abdullah bin Amr ibn Al Aas. the rewards for maintaining family ties are never failing...

In another hadith narrated by Abi Hurairah he said, that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Nothing of the acts of obedience to Allah brings the reward from Allah faster than joining the ties of kinship, and nothing beings about the punishment of Allah faster than indescency and cutting the ties of kinship (5391 in Albani's Sahih Al Jami').

Islam also teaches parents to be patient with their children, and to seek their opinions and feedback. Lets take a look at this wonderful conversation between Ibrahim and his Son Ismail and stated in the Quran in (37:102), the chapter of Safaat (Rangers/Angels)

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنِّي أَرَى فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي أَذْبَحُكَ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَى قَالَ يَا أَبَتِ افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاء اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

In a Hadith Qudsi (394) "Allah (SWT) tells the one who abandoned his parents, do whatever you will of good deeds for indeed I will not forgive you, and he tells the one who is righteous to his parents, do whatever you wish for indeed I forgive you".

In another Hadith the prophet told his companions, "Should I not tell you about the greatest sins? Should I not tell you about the greatest sins? Should I not tell you about the greatest sins? His companions replied, "No tell us". The Prophet said, "Associating partners with Allah, abandoning the parents", and he was resting so he sat up and said "oh from false witnessing and lying" and he kept repeating it until his companions said we wish he would stop.

2. Fulfilling People's Needs
Islam encourages to support and help others. The Prophet (PBUH) even mentioned that helping a Muslim brother or sister at a time of challenge is more rewarding than worshiping at the Masjid of the Prophet in Medina. This is a place were prayers are 1000 times more rewarding than any other Masjid except the Sacred Masjid in Mekkah, yet the Prophet mentions in the following Hadith that helping others is more rewarding.

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Omar that someone asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), "Who is the most beloved person to Allah? The Prophet replied, "the most beloved person to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to the people, and the most beloved deed to Allah is to make your Muslim brother happy, to remove a distress, or assist in a debt, or satisfy their hunger", he then said "That for me to walk with my Muslim brother in fullfillig his need is dearer to me than being in seclusion "E'tikaf" in this Masjid for a month, and whomever suppresses his anger even though he is able to act upon it, allah will in return fill such person's heart with happiness on the Day of Judgment and the one who continues to assist his brotherin fullfiling his need until he is satisfied completely, then Allah will make his feet firm on the Day of Judgment in which the people will sway out of fear" (Al Isbahaani, Hasan Hadith).

Allah also states in the Quran in the chapter of the Table (5:2)

تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ


3. Visiting the Sick
Not does visiting a sick Muslim hold huge rewards, but also it is an obligation on a Muslim towards his brother.

In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah (SWT) asks a man, why did you not visit me? The man replies, Oh, Allah how can I visit you and you are the Lord of the Universe? Allah responds, wasn't so and so sick on that day, if you had visited him, you would have found me there. Of course we know that Allah is physically above his throne and creation. The Creator does not get encompassed in his creation. However Allah (SWT) is with us and with that sick person with his attributes, such as his knowledge, mercy, passion, hearing, seeing, etc...

In another Hadith narrated by Ali, he mentioned that he heard the Messenger of Allah (SWT) say, "Whoever visits his Muslim brother walks on a pathway leading to Paradise, and when he sits down at the side of the sick person he becomes immersed in Allah's Mercy. And if the visit was during the day 70 thousand angels will pray for him until the evening, and if it is at night 70 thousand angels will pray for him until the morning. (Dawood, Sahih).

Improving our Structure

In an article I wrote last year http://sys-eng.blogspot.com/2006/12/teenagers-steady-state-systems-analogy.html I discussed how one's structure will affect his behavior. Hence it is very important to protect one's identify and structure.

So what is a believer's structure?
The Prophet (PBUH) mentions that there is one organ in the body, if it is good, the whole body is good, then he confirms that this organ is the heart. In the Quran Allah tells us that our senses will be witnesses on us on the day of judgment and that they are responsible for their acts.

Throughout the Quran Allah (SWT) refers to the heart as the core of belief. The disbelievers are characterized as people whose hearts have been sealed.

In Ayat 22:46 Allah mentions that those who transgressed not only do not hear or see truth, but also their hearts are blind.

فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا وَهِيَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَى عُرُوشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَةٍ وَقَصْرٍ مَّشِيدٍ (22:45)

22:45 And how many a township have We destroyed because it had been immersed in evil doing - and now they [all] lie deserted, with their roofs caved in! And how many a well lies abandoned, and how many a castle that [once] stood high!

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ (22:46

Have they, then, never journeyed about the earth, letting their hearts gain wisdom, and causing their ears to hear? Yet, verily, it is not their eyes that have become blind - but blind have become the hearts that are in their breasts!

Allah also describes the hyprocrites as deaf, dumb and blind in the chapter of the Cow.

صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُونَ (2:18

2:18 Deaf, dumb, blind - and they cannot turn back.

How to improve and protect our structure?
1. Fasting helps us gain taqwa, which helps cleanse our heart
2. Praying on time and praying extra prayers in khushu

Iman is to feel tremor in our hearts when Allah (SWT) is mentioned, and when his Ayat are revealed feel their belief strengthened.

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ (8:2)

الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ (8:3)

أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا لَّهُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ (8:4)

Khushu is humility meaning two things, the first submissiveness and humblness to Allah, and the second tranquility and calmness in submitting to Allah. We see in Surah Al Mominoon, Allah describes the believers as those who have Khushu in their prayers,

الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ (23:2)
23:2 those who humble themselves in their prayer,


3. Training our senses on good behavior

The Prophet prohibits us from sitting in the pathways.

The Prophet encouraged us to get married. Oh you young people whomever among you can marry may he do so, for it is indeed a protector for eye sight and a shield for the Farg, and whomever can not then he should fast, for it is a protection for him.

4. Remembering Allah at all moments


5. Create barriers between us and negative environment

Tattoos for Guys?

Are Tatoos permissible, what about for identification?

Tatoos are not permissible in Islam for many reasons. It is a form of changing the creation of Allah, it is also an imitation of disbelievers. Men who are using tatoos as a form of beautification are imitating women which is also not permissible, others who use tatoos out of pride in a group, idea are placing themselves in a grey area where associating partners with Allah might come into place. Even if the tatoo said "La Illlah Illa Allah" it is still questionable as it is not narrated that any of the companions or the Prophet did such. If a Muslim brother wants to do a tatoo to identify himself as a Muslim, he should follow the sunnah of the Prophet and exhibit Muslim actions and manners. For purposes of identification after death, he may wear a - non Gold - ring that shows he is a Muslim.

Hinna for women is permissible for purposes of beautification, and it is not permanent like Tatoos.

Fatiha

Transliteration:
1:1 Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

Transliteration:
1:2 Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena

Transliteration:
1:3 Alrrahmani alrraheemi

Transliteration:
1:4 Maliki yawmi alddeeni

Transliteration:
1:5 Iyyaka naAAbudu waiyyaka nastaAAeenu

Transliteration:
1:6 Ihdina alssirata almustaqeema

Transliteration:
1:7 Sirata allatheena anAAamta AAalayhim ghayri almaghdoobi AAalayhim wala alddalleena

Wudu or Bath for Prayer?

A common question teens ask is when to do wudu and when to have a full shower when secretions from the penis are noticed.

According to Fiqh Al Sunnah, by Syed Sabiq, published in Cairo on 15th of Shabaan 1365 Hijri. The following is summarized.

Four secretions from men.

1. Urine
Urine is filthy "Najs" with no doubt. Urine breaks one wudu and requires cleaning by using water or tissues. It is recommended to use water, however some scholars mention that using tissues and ensuring no dripping is acceptable. No shower is required after breaking one's wudu from urination. If urine touches one's clothing the affected area should we washed in water by submersion or deep cleaning.

2. Wadi
Wadi is a thick white fluid leaving the penis after urination or during bowel movements. It is also filthy "Najs" with no doubt among the scholars. Similar to urine it requires washing the penis and performing wudu to be able to pray.

3. Mathi
Mathi is a white viscous fluid leaving the penis after thinking of intercourse or during spousal play, usually a person does not notice its departure. It is also filthy with no doubt among the scholars. Similar to wadi it requires wudu to be able to perform prayers. If Mathi reaches the clothing, the clothes should be wiped or sprayed with water to clean the fabric, but no submersion or deep washing is needed like urine.

4. Mani
Mani is the ejaculation of sperm, a white viscous fluid. Most scholars agree that Mani is pure and not filthy, with the exception of a few scholars. Its secretion requires a full shower to be able to pray. If Mani touches the clothing it is recommended to wash it if it is still wet. If it turned dry it is acceptable to scratch it off the clothing. Wet dreams include Mani and hence require a full shower.