1.    Superiority of Monotheism

1). Narrated Abu Dhar Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) said that Allah said: He who comes with a good deed, its reward will be ten like that or even more. And he who comes with vice, his reward will be only one like that, or I can forgive him. He who draws close to Me a hand’s span, I will draw close to him an arm’s length. And whoever draws near Me an arm’s length, I will draw near him a fathom’s length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running. And whoever faces Me with sins nearly as great as the earth, I will meet him with forgiveness nearly as great as that, provided he does not worship something with me.

(This Hadith is sound and reported by Muslim, Ibn Majah and Ahmad in his Musnad).

Another prophetic tradition says: (He who met Allah associating anything with    Him, will enter Hell) (Muslim)

2). Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri: Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) said: None of you will have argued for his right in the world more vehemently than the believers who will do with their Lord about their brethren who were admitted into Hell. The Prophet (Pbuh) added: They will say: O Lord! Our brethren used to offer prayers with us, observe fast with us and perform pilgrimage (Hajj) with us. But You cast them into fire. The Prophet (Pbuh) further said: Allah will say: Go and bring out whoever you know from among them. The Prophet (Pbuh) said: The believers will come to them and recognize them by face. Some of them will be those the fire would have seized up to half of their shanks and some of them up to their ankles. They will bring them and say: O Lord! We have taken out those for whom you gave us order. Then the Prophet (Pbuh) said: Allah will say:  Bring out whoever has in his heart any belief weighing a Dinar (a coin). Then He will say: Take out whoever has in his heart the belief weighing half a Dinar until He will say: Take out whoever has in his heart the belief that equals the weight of an atom.

(This Hadith is sound and reported by Nasa’i and Ibn Majah).                      After narrating this Hadith, Abu Sa’id said: He who does not accept it as true should read this verse:

“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” (4:48)

2.    Hazardousness of Shirk

(joining partners with Allah)

3). Narrated Abu Huraira that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said: On the Day of Resurrection, Ibrahim (Abraham) will see his father Azar (in such a pitiable condition) that his face will be dark and covered with dust. Then Ibrahim will remind him: Did I not warn you against denying me? His father will reply: Today I will not deny you. Then, Ibrahim will say: O Lord! You have promised not to disgrace me on the Day of Resurrection. So what will be more disgraceful to me than my wretched father. Allah will say: I have forbidden Paradise for disbelievers. Then it will be said: O Ibrahim, Look! what is underneath your feet? He will look and see his father as a Hyena ­ besmeared with dirt caught by the legs and thrown into Hell.

            Due to infidelity, Azar will not be forgiven inspite of his son Ibrahim’s intercession for    him and he will be transformed into an animal and cast into Hell. It also proves that the        pagans whoever they are by kinship, will be forbidden from entering Paradise for ever.          They will remain in Hell and suffer the agonies of torment which they had been          frightened of by the Messengers of Allah at different times.

4) Narrated Anas bin Malik on the authority of the Prophet (Pbuh), who said: Allah will say to the least tormented person among the people of Hell on the Day of Resurrection: Do you have anything on earth, that you would give as a ransom (to protect yourself against the torment of Fire)? He will say: Yes. Then Allah will say: While you were in the backbone of Adam, I had demanded you much less than that, i.e. to associate nothing with Me; but you declined and worshipped others besides Me.

            (This Hadith is sound and reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

            This Hadith concludes that a believer with his sins covering the entire globe will be         forgiven so long as he does not associate partners to Allah.

3.    Warning against hypocrisy

5) Narrated Mahmud bin Labid: Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) said: The most dreadful thing which I fear about you is minor polytheism. The companions asked: What is the minor polytheism? He said: It is hypocrisy; and he added that on the Day of Judgment, when rewarding people for their deeds, Allah will say to the hypocrites: Go to those for the sake of whom you used to perform good deeds; and see whether you can get any reward from them.                 (This Hadith is sound and mentioned in Musnad Ahmad).

Knowing these names is undoubtedly part of what it means to “comprehend” them. It is certainly a virtue for a Muslim to know
these names, invoke them, and call upon Allah with them. It is a
good idea, therefore, for a Muslim to write these names down
somewhere conspicuous for easy reference to serve as a reminder
and facilitate memorization.

He who loves to meet AlHih (by way of death like martyrs) Allah too loves to meet him
15) Narrated Abu Huraira ~ oI!ll ~): Allah’s Messenger ji~J ~ oI!ll said that Allah the Exalted observed: If My slave loves meeting Me, I too love meeting him. If he dislikes to meet Me, I too hate to meet him.

Leave the future alone until it comes

ciThe Event [the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments], ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. (Qur an 16:1)

Be not hasty and rushed for things that have yet to come to pass. Do you think it is wise to pick fruits before they become ripe? Tomorrow is non-existent, having no reality today, so why should you busy yourself with it? Why should you have apprehensions about future disasters? Why should you be engrossed by their thoughts, especially since you do not know whether you will even see tomorrow?

The important thing to know is that tomorrow is from the world of the unseen, a bridge that we do not cross until it comes. Who knows, perhaps we might never reach the bridge, or the bridge might collapse before we reach it, or we may actually reach it and cross safely.

For us to be engrossed in expectations about the future is looked down upon in our religion since it leads to our having a long-term attachment to this world, an attachment that the good believer shuns. Many people of this world are unduly fearful of future poverty, hunger, disease, and disaster: such thinking is inspired by the Devil. ciSatan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha [evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.], whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty…0

(Qur’an 2: 268)

34            How to deal with hitter criticism

Many are ^–hose who cry because they see themselves starving tomorrow, fall ig sick after a month, or because they fear that the world will come, to an end after a year. Someone who has no clue as to when he wil_. die (which is all of us) should not busy himself with such thoughts.

Since you ire absorbed in the toils of today, leave tomorrow until it comes. Beware of becoming unduly attached to future prospects in this world.

How to decie with bitter criticism

Those who are ignorant have uttered curses at Allah, the Exalted, the Creator of ill that exists, so what treatment should we, who are full of faults, expect from people. You will always have to face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war: it shows no sign of ending. As long as you shine, give, produce, and have an effect upon others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding a tunnel in the ground or a ladder leading to the sky, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character. For that reason, as long as you are from the denizens of earth, expect to be hurt, to be insulted, and to be criticized.

And here i y something you should contemplate: a person who is sitting on the ground does not fall, and people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore their anger toward you can be attributed to you surpassing them in righteousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. In their eyes you are a transgressor whose wrongs cannot be atoned for unless you abandon our talents and strip yourself of all praiseworthy qualities, so that you become stupid, worthless, and to them, innocuous. This result is exactly what they want for you.

1.   0′ Allah!

Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him. Every day He has a matter to bring forth [such as giving honor to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.]! (Qur’an 55: 29)

            When there is a violent storm and the seas are turbulent, the occupants of the boat call out, ‘O’ Allah!’
When the camel-driver and the caravan are lost in the desert, they call out, ‘O’ Allah!’
When disaster and calamity occur, the afflicted call out, ‘O’ Allah!
When doors are shut before those who seek to enter through them and barriers are placed before those who are in need — they all cry out, ‘O’ Allah!’

            When all plans end in failure, all hope is lost, and the path becomes constricted, ‘O’ Allah,’ is called out.

          When the earth, vast and wide though it is, is straitened for you, causing your soul to feel constricted, call out, ‘O’ Allah!’

            To Allah ascend all good words, the sincere supplication, the tears of the innocent, and the invocations of the afflicted. Hands and eyes are extended to Him in times of hardship and misfortune. The tongue chants, cries out, and mentions His name. The heart finds peace, the soul finds rest, the nerves are relaxed, and the intellect is awakened — these are all achieved when we remember Allah, Suhhaahnahu wa Ta’alaa — ‘How perfect He is, the Exalted.’
Allah is very Gracious and Kind to His slaves. (Qur’an 42: 19)

            Allah: the most beautiful of names, the truest combination of letters, and the most precious of words.
Do you know of any that is similar to Him? [There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer] (Qur’an 19: 65)
Allah: He is thought of when absolute richness, strength, glory and wisdom come to mind.

Whose is the kingdom this Day? [Allah Himself will reply to His question]: It is Allah’s — the One, the Irresistible! (Qur’an 40: 16)

            Allah: He is thought of when kindness, care, relief, affection, and mercy come to mind.
And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. (Qur’an 16: 53)

            O’ Allah, Possessor of Majesty, Magnificence, and Might, let comfort take the place of sorrow, make happiness come after sadness, and let safety take the place of fear.

O’ Allah: Soothe burning hearts with the coolness of faith.
O’ our Lord: Give peaceful slumber to the restless and serenity to disturbed souls.
O’ our Lord: Guide the confused ones to your light and those that are astray to your guidance
O’ Allah: Remove evil whispers from our hearts and replace them with light, destroy falsehood with truth, and crush the evil plots of the Devil with your army of Angels.
O’ Allah: Remove from us misery, affliction, and anxiety.

            We seek refuge in You from fearing anything except You, from depending upon anyone except upon You, from putting our full trust in any one except in You, and from invoking anyone other than You. You are the Supreme Patron and an excellent Protector.

2.   Contemplate and be thankful

            Remember the favors of Allah upon you and how they surround you from above and below – indeed from every direction.
And if you would count the graces of Allah, never could you be able to count them. (Qur’an 14: 34)

            Health, safety, nourishment, clothing, air, and water these all point to the world being yours, yet you do not realize it. You possess all that life has to offer, yet remain ignorant.

He has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, [both] apparent [i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.] and hidden [i.e. one’s faith in Allah, guidance for doing righteous deeds and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.]. (Qur’an 31: 20)

            You have at your disposal two eyes, a tongue, lips, two hands, and two legs.
Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both [Jinns and men] deny? (Qur’an 55: 13)

            Can you picture yourself walking without feet? Should you take it lightly that you slumber soundly while misery hinders the sleep of many? Should you forget that you fill yourself with both delicious dishes and cool water while the pleasure of good food and drink is impossible for some, due to sickness and disease? Consider the faculties of hearing and seeing with which you have been endowed. Look at your healthy skin and be grateful that you have been saved from diseases that attack it. Reflect on your powers of reasoning and remember those that suffer from mental ailments.

            Would you sell your ability to hear and see for the weight of Mount Uhud in gold, or your ability to speak for huge castles? You have been given abundant favors, yet you feign ignorance. Notwithstanding warm bread, cool water, easy sleep, and good health, you remain despondent and depressed. You think about what you do not have and are ungrateful for what you have been given. You are troubled by a loss in wealth, yet you have the key to happiness and many blessings. Contemplate and be thankful.
And also in your own selves [are signs], will you not then see? (Qur’an 51: 21)

            Reflect upon yourself, your family, your friends, and the entire world that is around you. They recognize the grace of Allah, yet they deny it. (Qur’an 16: 83)

3.   The past is gone forever

            By brooding over the past and its tragedies, one exhibits a form of insanity — a kind of sickness that destroys resolve to live for the present moment. Those who have a firm purpose have filed away and forgotten occurrences of the past, which will never again see light, since they occupy such a dark place in the recesses of the mind. Episodes of the past are finished with; sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot make things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life. This is because the past is non-existent.

            Do not live in the nightmares of former times or under the shade of what you have missed. Save yourself from the ghostly apparition of the past. Do you think that you can return the sun to its place of rising, the baby to its mother’s womb, milk to the udder, or tears to the eye? By constantly dwelling on the past and its happenings, you place yourself in a very frightful and tragic state of mind.

            Reading too much into the past is a waste of the present. When Allah mentioned the affairs of the previous nations, He, the Exalted, said:
That was a nation who has passed away. (Qur’an 2: 134)

            Former days are gone and done with, and you benefit nothing by carrying out an autopsy over them, by turning back the wheels of hi story.

            The person who lives in the past is like someone who tries to saw sawdust. Of old, they used to say: “Do not remove the dead from their graves.”

            Our tragedy is that we are incapable of dealing with the present: neglecting our beautiful castles, we wail over dilapidated buildings. If every man and every jinn were to try jointly to bring back the past, they would most certainly fail. Everything on earth marches forward, preparing for a new season — and so should you.

4.   Today is all that you have

            When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to see the evening — live as though today is all that you have. Yesterday has passed with its good and evil, while tomorrow has not yet arrived. Your life’s span is but one day, as if you were born in it and will die at the end of it. With this attitude, you will not be caught between an obsession over the past, with all its anxieties, and the hopes of the future, with all its uncertainty. Live for today: During this day you should pray with a wakeful heart, recite the Qur’an with understanding, and remember Allah with sincerity. In this day you should be balanced in your affairs, satisfied with your allotted portion, concerned with your appearance and health.

            Organize the hours of this day, so that you make years out of minutes and months out of seconds. Seek forgiveness from your Lord, remember Him, prepare for the final parting from this world, and live today happily and at peace. Be content with your sustenance, your wife, your children, your work, your house and your station in life.
So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful. (Qur’an 7: 144)

Live today free from sorrow, bother, anger, jealousy, and malice.