Describing Paradise, Allaah - the Most High - said:

“Indeed Allaah will enter those who believe and do righteous and correct actions into Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments will be made of silk.” [Soorah al-Hajj 24:23].

“Indeed the pious and obedient ones will be in Paradise, amongst gardens and water-springs. It will be said to them: Enter! In peace and safety. And We shall remove from their hearts any ill-feeling, so that they will be like brothers, facing each other on thrones. No sense of hardship will touch them, and they will be of those who never leave.” [Soorah al-Hijr 15:45-46].

Paradise: that precious sanctity to which, throughout the ages, the Believers run towards.

Paradise: a burning fame that was in the hearts of our Salafus-Salih (Pious Predecessors), a flame that spurred them to aim for the highest examples of valour in jihaad and sacrifice.

Paradise: that noble goal which aspiring eyes are fixed towards and which yearning souls long for, in all times and in all places. They find worldly afflictions agreeable to them for the sake of achieving Paradise. Indeed, to enter into it and remain in it is considered the greatest goal for the Believers, and it is a hope which is kept in view throughout life’s journey. How often has Paradise been the incentive and a motivation for goodness and truth, despite the dangers, afflictions and thorns that lie along the path - even if it involves certain death.

This was the case in the days of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, as Anas radhiallahu `anhu related: Once Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and his Companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah. When the disbelievers arrived Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “None of you shall proceed ahead of me in anything.” The disbelievers then advanced towards us and Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Rise-up to enter Paradise, whose width is equal to the heavens and the earth.” `Umayr ibn al-Humaam al-Ansaaree radiallahu `anhu said: O Messenger of Allah! Is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth? He said: “Yes!” `Umayr then exclaimed words of astonishment and excitement, so Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam asked him: “What made you say these words of astonishment and excitement?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allaah! Nothing but the desire to be amongst its inhabitants. Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam then said: “Indeed, you are surely from amongst its inhabitants.” So `Umayr then took some dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said: “If I were to live until I have eaten all the dates, then indeed this life would be too long. He threw away the remaining dates which were with him and he fought until he was killed. [Related by Muslim (no. 1901)]

This was also the stance taken in later times:

Abu Moosaa al-Ash`aree radiallahu `anhu, whilst in the presence of his enemy, narrated: Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, the gates of Paradise are beneath the shade of swords.” A man who was in a shabby condition got up and said: Abu Moosaa! Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allaah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam? So he said: Yes! He returned to his friend and said: I bid you salaam (a farewell greeting of peace). Then he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, then rushed it into the thick of the enemy and fought them until he was slain. [Muslim (no. 1902) and at-Tirmidhee (no. 1659)] (From the book: Jannah (pp.5-6) of Shaykh `Alee Hasan)

Imaam ash-Shaafi`ee (d.204H) - rahimahullaah - said:

“O my soul! It is not, except a few days of patience;
As if the extent were but a few dreams.
O my soul! Pass quickly on through this world;
And leave it, for indeed life lies ahead of it.”
[Related by Ibn Rajab in Fadl `Ilmus-Salaf (p.63)]

 http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=337

Beautiful excerpt from the Paradise on Earth lecture by Murtaza Khan. Watch with your eyes, hear with your heart.

 Hm, I dont know how to embed it onto here, but I’ll just give the link then:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YrwbblKaDJ0

 oh and jazakAllaahu khairan to the person who sent this to me.

My emaan is a bit low presently. I can feel my heart hardening too. I know it’s due to my sins (of which there are many) and I know what I should do to solve it (repent sincerely & regretfully & make the resolve to never commit those sins again). I tried doing that too. However, there’s something different now.

When I usually repent, I can feel myself getting lighter. My heart and soul feel better. I can almost feel the sins being lifted off of me. SubhanAllaah but now, I feel just the same as before repenting. Ya Allaah, how bad have I become that I can’t make myself fear Allaah enough so that my repentance truly means something to me and has a better chance of being accepted?

Please advise me, what do you do when you fall into this type of rut? I desperately need to get out of it. It’s so amazing that when the emaan is down, life just doesn’t have the same meaning anymore. I need to get back to my normal self at least (even though that’s not good either, but it’s better than where I’m at right now).

I know the basics…listen to the Qur’aan and contemplate on the meaning. I would be doing that right now but I’m currently at my college and I forgot my card at home so I can’t check out headphones. Oh well, I guess I’ll just read the Qur’aan from the computer screen and contemplate it. But what else should I do besides this and increasing the remembrance of Allaah (Alhumdulillah just checked, I remembered to put Husnul Muslim in my bag)?

 I went googling and I found a poem about emaan. This pretty much describes my state right now:

 What happened to those days when my Emaan was strong?

When I wouldn’t dare think of doing anything wrong

When my yaqeen in Allah(swt) would lead me through

The good and bad .. the old and new

What happened to those days when my du’aa was sincere?

When there was absolutely nothing on earth that I would fear

When I was certain that Allah(swt) was really near

And would run to Him and leave all that is dear

What happened to those days when I could read and recite Quraan well?

When I bought al-janna and this dunya I would sell

When my heart was pure and all full of light

When my qiyam was my only source of strength and might

What’s wrong my nafs .. why did you fall?

Don’t you know that Allah(swt) knows and hears your call?

A little test like this one shouldn’t beat you so

It shouldn’t pull you down to a level so low

Don’t you know that Allah(swt) chooses what is best

And that this is all a previously planned test

Don’t you know that He(swt) hears your soul .. He(swt) hears your cry

He(swt) sees you fall… He(swt) sees you sigh

Allah(swt) is Great… Allah(swt) is Al-Hakeem

His ways are just no matter how dark it may seem

Hold on my nafs to the fireball in your palm

Hold on to it and when it burns act calm

Whenever it falls, bend down and restart

Let those tears fall and wipe that heart

Remember my nafs the beauty of the promised firdaus

You know it’s your dream to build there a house

Get back on your feet and go back to those days

I know this only a passing phase ..

Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?(55:16)

Allaahu Akbar I miss my sister. I was just looking through our stash of photos, as I occasionally do. I found one picture of her at her school. It was Open Day (I think that’s what it was called) and that was the day she was diagnosed with cancer. subhanAllaah, even though she had been through other illnesses, she still looked healthy. But looking at her pictures after she started receiving chemotherapy, she never looked the same. But her spirit was just as high throughout the remainder of her life.

The pictures reminded me of so many memories and I sometimes fall into the trap of “what if” or “if only”. I went to an AlMaghrib class recently and a couple of my friends brought their younger sisters along.  How I wished I could have brought Asma. Their younger sisters are close to the age my sister would have been (15ish) and that hurt even more. I love these girls and du’aa that Allaah gives them and their families the best (Ameen). Even so, at times I couldn’t help but feel lonely. I let a couple of tears fall during the class regarding this. I was doing so well too about not crying because of my sister at the class until the shaykh mentioned the story of a little girl who had died. I would’ve cried even if Asma was not on my mind because it was a beautiful, sad story. But the fact that it reminded me of Asma made me hurry out of the class because I knew I would soon start crying out loud (instead of quietly weeping). And even before the door was shut properly, I couldn’t hold my sobs in. inshaAllaah the class didn’t hear me (since the door was still on its way to completely shutting). I felt like a drama queen though…especially when my friend came to console me. Alhumdulillah for friends like that, who make you laugh even while you’re crying, who cry with you, who hug you and say they don’t know what to say but they still remain with  you.

You know, I miss the fights too. My friends sometimes have fights with their younger sisters and that reminds me of my fights with Asma. When we were young, we’d get into physical fights lol. No one would find out, it would only be for a few minutes and then we’d sometimes start laughing or usually we’d just not talk to each other for a few hours. Once, I turned the light off on purpose because I knew she was afraid of the dark (if she wasn’t in bed). Asma got scared and punched me in my stomach. It did not hurt and I was about to laugh, but I decided to make her pay so I cried (without tears haha). Asma panicked and gave me her inhaler (she thought that would help me) and kept saying ‘TAKE IT, TAKE IT!” because she was so worried. I laugh every time I think of this memory, even though I feel really bad about what I did.

Ahhh, it’s been awhile since I talked about Asma on here (publicly OR privately - usually now I have password protected entries when I talk about her) and it feels good to let it out.

May Allaah grant all of my family, friends, the Muslims, and myself Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. InshaAllaah when we make it to Paradise, I’ll introduce you all (readers) to my sister. Maybe we can all sit around the Nabi sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, listening to him recount his life (inshaAllaah!). Alhumdulillah for Islaam….these thoughts are what keep me sane (that I have a chance of reuniting with Asma again inshaAllaah along with meeting the rest of you).

Anyways, erm, I have a test on Thursday and it’s 1:04 AM Wednesday morning so I should really start studying. Make du’aa I do well on the test and finish both of the research papers (and everything related to them) on time. jazakumAllaahu khairan

 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

 subhanAllaah 2 of the scholars of this ummah have passed away in the same week. It seems as if this is fulfilling the prophecy of knowledge being taken away through the deaths of scholars. Though I only attended a few of his lectures on paltalk, it’s still so saddening to hear about his departure from this dunya. May Allaah forgive him & accept him into Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen

 http://forums.islamicawakening.com/showthread.php?t=9708

 As you all must have heard by now, Shaykh Anwar al Awlaki was released on December 12, 2007. jazakumAllaahu khairan to the brothers and sisters who posted about the news on the forums and to CagePrisoners for confirming it. And a sister on IslamicAwakening posted this as well (jazakeeAllaahu khairan):

 Moazzam Begg interviews Shaykh Anwar. Audio:
http://www.cageprisoners.com/media.php?id=674

Transcript:
http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?id=22926

Allaahu Akbar….the shaykh’s interview was so beautiful. I mean, I was worried that perhaps he would not be in the same mental state as he was before the imprisonment, but mashaAllaah he’s talking “normally”. He’s already talking about lectures! May Allaah grant him good in this dunya & in the akhira & allow us to always benefit from him. Ameen.

 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

As you all must have heard by now, Benazir Bhutto was killed a little bit more than 1 day ago. My personal opinions aside, I want to ask you all to make du’aa for my family that is there. My mom called her sister to see if she was ok, but she told my mom to not talk about it much on the phone (I guess the phones are tapped there as well). During the phone call, someone knocked on their door and said not to drink water anymore because it’s been poisoned (probably by supporters of Bhutto). I don’t know if it’s true or not….but regardless, please du’aa for all of my relatives there & every other innocent Muslim. jazakumAllaahu khairan.

The Intelligent Questioner

It is said that a beggar went to a rich man from Khurasan and asked for help. He heard him say to his servant, “O Gold, say to Gem, to say to Jewel, to say to Sapphire, to say to this beggar that we do not have anything.” The beggar raised his hands to the sky and said, “O my Lord, say to Jibril, to say to Israfil, to say to Mikail, to say to `Izrail to take the soul of this miser.”

And He Died!

Ash`ab was about to relate a story to a ruler, and he began: “There was a man…” But at that point he noticed a tray of food being brought to them. He paused as he was staring at the tasty food. The ruler said, “Yes…and then?” Ash`ab said, “And he died!”

He Made the Ruler Laugh

Asma`i relates from his father that a prisoner was brought before `Abdul-Malik and was accused of having rebelled against the ruler. `Abdul-Malik said, “Strike his neck.” The prisoner said, “O Leader of the Believers, this should not be the reward that I receive from you. By Allah, I did not join the ranks of such and such person except because I cared about you and was looking out for your best interests. I am an unlucky man, and I have never fought side by side with a man, except that we were defeated. Throughout the years, I have been better for you than 1000 people on your side who cared about you. I was with such and such person and we were defeated, and then I was with such and such person and we were defeated…” He went on mentioning the people that were defeated by `Abdul-Malik. `Abdul-Malik laughed upon hearing this and freed the man.

 InshaAllaah your 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are going well. Those who are on their way to perform Hajj are very blessed. May Allaah accept it from them, Ameen. It’s been 2 years since I went myself (I went Dec 2005/Jan 2006) and I desperately miss it. I know I’ve said this before, but though I was only there for a few weeks, I feel like I am homesick for Makkah & Madinah. I miss ALL of the voices that recited the Qur’aan. The ones I remember (of those who recited) are Shuraim, Saleh At-Talib @ the Haram & the imaam who recites VERY slowly @ Masjid an-Nabawi. Oh and the Adhaan callers for each of them. *sigh* Shuraim’s voice would just overpower everything else and many times, one couldn’t help but cry. I swear, it’s such an amazing feeling to weep to Allaah at these places (and if you haven’t been for Hajj, then imagine crying to Allaah in solitude while making du’aa and multiply that by 100). Ahh! Here’s a picture of Masjid al-Haraam during salaah time:

 http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/Aysha88/Hajj/?action=view&current=sideview.jpg

 The date was off on the camera by a couple of days…I think it was really January 2nd or 3rd. And I apologize for the screen, I didn’t realize I could remove it at the time. Anyhow, that was the sideview from our room. Many times, even if we left 5-10 minutes early, we’d still have to pray on the street because the Masjid would be so packed. Sometimes, it was hard to get off of our hotel steps because people would even be INSIDE the hotel….now that’s what you call packed. You know, out of ALL of the people there, can you imagine even ONE person’s du’aa being accepted when they say Ameen after Surah Fatihah? That one person’s du’aa would benefit EVERYONE else. subhanAllaah. inshaAllaah there was at least 1 person whose du’aa was accepted though (if not everyone’s).

Ok sorry, I’m really really tired and I have a test tomorrow so inshaAllaah I’ll post the beneficial bit up later.

Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah