In Thy name, we live - Printable Version

In Thy name, we live - Printable Version

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In Thy name, we live - wel_mel_2 - 09-30-2006



Episode 1

In the name of Allah (God), The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) .

In our program “In Thy Name We Live” we will be talking about The Most Beautiful Names of Allah. This program has two important features; first is the special place from which we air, Makkah - near the Ka’ba, Second is the special occasion, the holy month of Ramadan.

Talking about The Most Beautiful Names of Allah before the Ka’ba makes me feel the greatness and solemnity of Allah. Before starting this episode, I kept reflecting on this sanctified place above which there is the much-frequented fane which is visited by 70 000 angels each day until the Day of Judgement.

Allah says what can be translated as, "And as We made the Home an ingathering for mankind and a (place of) security…” (TMQ , 2:125). Allah has also ordered Ibrahim (AS) (Abraham) to call on people for hajj in this place, though it was completely deserted. As a result, millions of people visit this place since that time. Besides, from this holy place, the Prophet (SAWS) set forth on his journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and it is also where the Prophet (SAWS) put the black stone with his own hands. As for the special occasion which is Ramadan, we all know how Allah shower us with His forgiveness, mercy, generosity as well as many other graces during this holy month.

In our program we will only talk about The Most Beautiful Names of Allah that are mentioned in Qur'an. Every day we will choose a name to talk about and discuss its influence on our life and surroundings; we will try to get closer to Allah through this name. Today’s episode consists of four main points. First is the purpose of our program, second are the signs of creation by which we know the Names of Allah, third is why our program is called “In Thy Name We Live” and fourth is general remarks.

The purpose of our program is to know Allah and consequently love Him, fear Him obey His orders and submit to His decrees. Our religion can be summarized as knowledge that leads to obedience and consequently to happiness. That is why Allah says what can be translated as, “Ta-Ha (These are the names of letters of the Arabic alphabet. They are sometimes understood as one of the names of the prophet, and Allah knows best), In no way have We sent down the Qur’an upon you for you to be wretched, (We have not sent it down) except as a reminding to him who (is) apprehensive; A successive sending down from Him Who created the earth and the exalted heavens. The All-Merciful has upon the Throne leveled Himself (How He has done so is beyond human understanding). To Him belong whatever is in the heavens, and whatever is in the earth, and whatever is between them, and whatever is beneath the ground. And in case you are loud in (your) speech, then surely He knows the secret and whatever is (yet) more concealed. Allah -there is no god except He. To Him belong The Fairest Names.” (TMQ, 20: 1-8).

Abdullah Ibn-Huzafa, for example, was sent by the Prophet (SAWS) to deliver a letter to the Roman king. The King captured Abdullah and tortured him to give up Islam, but he refused. When the king ordered his soldiers to kill Abdullah, he cried. The king thought fear got into him but Abdullah said that he wished he had numerous souls to sacrifice them in the way of Allah one after the other. Al-Khansa’ is also an example. Before embracing Islam she wrote many elegies for the death of her brother. After knowing Allah and embracing Islam, she received the news that her four sons were martyred. However she did not grieve but submitted to Allah’s decree saying, “ِِAl-hamdulillah (all praises be to Allah) Who gave me the honor of having four martyred sons.”

Hence, we need to know Allah with our hearts. We need to worship Allah as if we see Him, if not, He sees us. knowing Allah will help us perfect all our deeds. The Prophet (SAWS) once asked Haritha how he was, he told him that he came to be a true believer. When the Prophet asked Haritha for a proof of what he said, he told him that he felt as though he could see the throne of Allah, jannah (Paradise) and hell. As a result, he prefered qiyam (voluntary night prayer) and fasting to the worldly pleasures.

Ibn-Omar once said that he saw the tribune of the Prophet (SAWS) trembling when he (SAWS) glorified Allah and mentioned some of His names, to the extent that Ibn-Omr feared that the Prophet (SAWS) would fall of it. If we know Allah we will know the purpose of our life.

Let's move to our next point which is the signs to know The Most Beautiful Names of Allah. Allah gave us two approaches through which we can know His names. One is Qur'an and the other is the universe.

The prophet (SAWS) asked Haritha about his mood today. He said that he is now a real believer. The prophet (SAWS) asked him what the proof is. Haritha told him that he feels as if he has seen Allah's (SWT) throne, the people in paradise live happily, and those in hell are screaming from torture. As a result, his soul has renounced the present life, and he decided to spend the night in qiyam (voluntary night prayer), and the day in fasting. The prophet (SAWS) then told him that he has known Allah (SWT). This is the knowledge that I am talking about.

There is a well known Hadeeth that says that Allah (SWT) has 99 names, whoever count them enter paradise. People understand the word "count" as "memorize", although there is a great difference between them. The meaning is to calculate, understand, and analyze them. Allah (SWT) said what can be translated as, "Indeed He has already enumerated them, and He has numbered them with (exact) numbering"(TMQ, 19:49).

How Allah (SWT) shows himself to us?

Allah (SWT) provided us with two means to know Him; the Qur'an, and nature. For example, the first ayah revealed to the prophet (SAWS) is, "Read: In the Name of your Lord Who created"(TMQ, 96:1) Each Surah starts with, "In The Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever Merciful". Surat Al-Fatiha includes many of The Most Beautiful Names of Allah, and you have to read it in every prayer. Another Sura is Al-Ikhlas which is equal to one third of the Qur'an as the Prophet has said. Have you ever felt the name of Allah The Everlasting Sovereign whenever you read this Surah? This name means that you resort to Allah (SWT) in your distress because He is The Only One. Allah (SWT), in other ayahs, explains a certain issue then ends the ayah with his Most Beautiful Names as a summary to what came before. Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, "And as Ibrahîm (Abraham) said, “Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” He Allah) said, “And have you not believed?” He (Ibrahîm) said, “Yes indeed, but that my heart be composed.” Said He, “So take four of the birds, then wring them to you (and divide them); thereafter set a portion of them on every mountain; thereafter call them; they will come up to you with hasty diligence (and) know that Allah is Ever-Mighty, Ever-Wise” (TMQ, 2:260). Therefore try to read the Qur'an this year in Ramadan in search for The Most Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT), and whenever you make dua’a (supplication), ask Allah (SWT) by these names.

Everything in nature glorifies Allah (SWT), but we cannot comprehend their language. Allah (SWT) sends you messages through nature to know him. For example, when there is rain, you remember Allah (SWT) the Superb Provider. When someone dies, you remember Allah (SWT), the Ever Living. The whole universe is a huge mosque where man gets to know The Most Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, "and decidedly not a thing (is) except that it extols His praise, but you do not comprehend their Extolment. Surely He has been Ever-Forbearing, Ever-Forgiving" (TMQ, 17:44).

Why we called the program "In Thy Name We Live"

Many people consider The Most Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT) a good omen in celebrations and the like. Others know them by heart but they cannot imagine that every minute in our life is linked to those names. This program is to insure that our life is linked to those Most Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT), and to show how the whole universe lives in them.

In Surat Al-Hashr some of the most beautiful names of Allah (SWT) are mentioned successively. This Surah is about a battle between Muslims and Jews who were defeated. That is why this great number of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT) are mentioned in the Surah to remind us that those names are the cause of our victory. They are not far away from our life. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, "He is Allah, The Creator, The Initiator, The Supreme Fashioner. To Him (belong) the Fairest Names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth extols to Him, and He is The Ever-Mighty, The Ever-Wise" (TMQ, 59:24).

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1- The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

2- Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him]

3- a place above the Ka’ba in the seventh heaven where angels go to pray

4- TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

5- The pilgrimage to Makkah during the first half of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, and is the fifth pillar of Islam.

6- Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him]

7- SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].

8- A verse in the Qur'an

9- A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs

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In Thy name, we live - wel_mel_2 - 09-30-2006

Episode 2: Al-Fattah (The Superb Arbiter)

In the name of Allah, The All-Merciful, praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet of Allah (SAWS) . Welcome to today’s episode and the first name of Allah’s most beautiful names, Al-Fattah; The Superb Arbiter. The episode is divided into four main parts: the first part tackles the meanings of The Superb Arbiter; the second part mentions four important points to bear in mind when remembering The Superb Arbiter, the third part is that Ramadan is the month of conquests and grants and the last part is about our duties towards The Superb Arbiter.

The name Al-Fattah has three meanings. The first meaning is that when all doors are closed, Allah with His will and power opens all of them, reveals all distresses, and resolves all difficulties. Bearing this meaning always in heart would make you the most powerful person in the world. Prostrate, abase yourself, and cry between His hands, Allah will grant you all what you desire. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Whatever mercy Allah opens for mankind, then none can be holding it back; and whatever He holds back, then none can be sending it forth after Him; And He is The Ever-Mighty, The Ever-Wise” (TMQ, 35:2) .

In the battle of Badr, the Muslims numbered 300, with only two horses, and the rejecters of faith numbered 1000 men and 100 horses. The Prophet (SAWS) kept on supplicating Allah over and over to fulfill what He had promised him, to the extent that Abu-Bakr patted him and told him to calm down, fearing for him from the urgency of his supplication. Then the Prophet (SAWS) stood up and announced to the Muslims that Jibril (AS) (Gabriel) is leading 1000 angels to fight with them. Thereafter the Muslims were granted victory.

It is said that when facing a scientific problem, Ibn-Taymiah used to go to the desert, lay his face in the sand, and ask for Al-Fattah’s forgiveness, for as long as it took. He said that he never came back except that Allah had resolved his problem. Furthermore, the son of a friend of mine went through a difficult delivery, where he was pulled with an instrument that damaged the neurological cells, resulting in a severe tremble. The doctors predicted that he would either be paralyzed or die; that his father wished for his son to pass away and not have to endure paralysis. He sought Allah’s help and supplicated Him. Once when he was going to a friend he met another doctor, by chance, who told him that there was another form of medicine available, and the boy was cured by the grace of Al-Fattah. He is now 12 years old and is alive and well.

The second meaning is The Superb Arbiter, who opens the doors of success at the beginning of everything. Allah says what can be translated as, “And in His Providence are the keys of the Unseen; none knows them except He” (TMQ, 6:59). Allah (SWT) says “And in His Providence are the keys of the Unseen” not “the keys of the Unseen are in his Province” to indicate that He alone holds these keys not any one else.

The last meaning is that Al-Fattah arbitrates with justice between opponents. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Say, Our Lord will gather us together; (Literally: “between” us) thereafter He will arbitrate between us with the Truth, and He is The Superb Arbiter, The Ever- Knowing” (TMQ, 34:26). Allah also says what can be translated as, “Our Lord! Arbitrate with the truth between us and our people, and You are The Most Charitable of arbiters” (TMQ, 7:89).

Lady Aisha (RA) was unfairly accused of adultery. The people kept on slandering her for a whole month. When the Prophet (SAWS) asked her to ask for Allah’s forgiveness if she had committed any sin, she kept weeping and asked her father Abu-Bakr (RA) to answer for her. However, he could not. She could only say what can be translated as, “So, patience is becoming. And Allah is (The One) Whose help is to be sought against what you describe” (TMQ, 12:18). Hence, Allah revealed Surat An-Nû‍r (The Light) to refute the alleged charges and declare her innocence. The same happened to Yusuf (AS) (Joseph) when he was unlawfully charged with soliciting the wife of al-Aziz (the governor). He entered prison for nine years, only to leave due to a vision seen by the king. At the end, the wife of al-Aziz said what can be translated as, “…Now the truth has come to light; I did solicit him” (TMQ, 12:51). Throw yourself into Al-Fattah’s hands and ask for His forgiveness for we seek His freedom from the hellfire.

We approach Allah in Ramadan with humility and ask him for inspiration or settlement of our matters. Approach Allah with humility tonight, go to your room, close the door and make a sajdah (prostration) asking Allah to help you solve your problems and chase away your sadness. You never know where you will be next year, or whether you will be alive or not, so ask Allah to inspire you and open doors for you with a simple act of prostration, or while you make dua’a (supplication), or as you shed a tear.

How should we deal with Allah's name Al-Fattah (The Superb Arbiter)? First of all, Al-Fattah wants us to work diligently and full-heartedly because we never know when He may open doors for us. Sometimes Allah delays granting us solutions to test our sincerity and trust, so we should never lose hope. No matter how many times you knock on Allah's door without it opening, it will eventually, so don't give up and keep on trying. Keep knocking on His door even if you were rejected or denied at first. Sometimes we see people in hajj making tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’ba) making dua’a with tearful eyes. Be an intruder then, these people may have been accepted by Allah so go make dua’a with them instead. Allah wants us to be insistent. Sometimes we refuse to take a certain phone call, but the phone keeps on ringing and ringing till we finally do answer. Al-Fattah gives us hope that nothing is really impossible and that every problem has a solution. If you love serving Islam, Allah will test your persistence, just like He tested the Prophet's (SAWS) persistence when he called the people of tribes of Aus and Khazraj into Islam. In addition, Al-Fattah sends solutions when we least expect it. Some matters may seem like dilemmas at first when in fact they could be the key to a solution. Prophet Yusuf's (AS) imprisonment may have seemed like a problem that was impossible to solve, but it was actually a source of good, and he later became the king of Egypt. Our nation may be in a similar state right now, even it if seems like we are only facing hardships. Remember when the Prophet (SAWS) and Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA) were not allowed to make umrah during the treaty of Hudaybiya? When the ayah, which can be translated as, "Surely We have given you an evident conquest” (TMQ, 48:1) was revealed, Omar (RA) couldn't understand how the treaty's terms could allow for such a solution. The proof was that the number of people who embraced Islam shortly after the treaty of Hudaybiya was equal to the number of all those who joined it ever since the Prophet (SAWS) started his da’wa (missionary activity).

Moreover, the simplest of things could be lead to solutions, such as a simple word, a tear or even an ayah. We sometimes pass by an ayah we've read a hundred times in the Qur'an, yet one day we hear or read that ayah from a totally different perspective which completely changes our life.

Allah sends us solutions that exceed our expectations. When Lady Hajar kept running back and forth between the two hills of Safa and Marwa in Makkah, looking for water for her son Isma’il (AS) (Ishmael), Allah sent her zamzam water which we still drink till this very day. All I'm trying to tell you in this episode is that you should ask Allah by his name Al-Fattah to aid you, open doors for you this Ramadan, and solve all your problems. Would you like this Ramadan to be exceptional? Ask Allah. Remember that on the very first night of Ramadan, the gates of heaven are opened and we are granted great rewards: good deeds are multiplied by more than seventy times; our sins are forgiven every time we fast and make qiyam (voluntary night prayer). Remember the great rewards of Lailat Al-Qadr (the Night of Determination) which equals a thousand months of worship in reward. In addition, every night of Ramadan, some people are freed from the hellfire.

How should we deal with Allah's name, Al-Fattah (The Superb Arbiter)? First, approach Him with humility. Second, have great hope in Allah's victory, and third, be a source of good for others. Help someone tomorrow so that Allah will open doors for you. Allah's name Al-Fattah (The Superb Arbiter) has an important meaning in our death as well as our lives. Allah helps us when the angels ask us in our graves and opens a door from which we can see our seat in heaven. Allah is with us all the time.

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1- Mankind, jinn and all creation.

2- Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him].

3- SWT = Suhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].

4- TMQ = Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

5- AS = Allihi as-salam [Peace be upon him].

6- May Allah be pleased with him/her.

7- A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs.

8- The pilgrimage to Makkah during the first half of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, and is the fifth pillar of Islam.

9- voluntary short pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year

In Thy name, we live - wel_mel_2 - 10-03-2006




Episode 3: Al-Shakour (The Appreciative )

In the name of Allah, The All Merciful, The Ever Merciful, praise be to Allah the Lord of the whole universe and peace and blessings be upon Allah's Messenger. Today's name invites us to be ambitious and dynamic, and to exert a great deal of effort in giving, worshiping and enjoining what is good. It is highly recommended to start Ramadan bearing this name in our minds, to push us towards worship and good deeds. It is the name of Allah "The Appreciative".

This name is mentioned in the Qur'an several times. Allah says what can be translated as, "That He may (pay them) in full their rewards and increase them of His Grace; surely He is Ever-Forgiving, Appreciative." (TMQ, 35:30) .

We will cover four main points:

1- The meaning of the name "The Appreciative"

2- Other names relating to this name

3- The Appreciative and Paradise

4- Our duty towards this name and its effect in our life

What the name means

Linguistically, the word "Appreciate" means augmentation and increase. Hence, The Appreciative is the One Who appreciates your deeds, however small they are, and doubles the rewards for you in this world and in the hereafter.

Therefore, the name encompasses two meanings: your deeds, no matter how small, and the magnified rewards you receive from Allah, The Appreciative. The following verse invokes the two previous meanings, "… And whoever scores (Literally: commits) a fair deed, We will give him increase of fairness (i.e., goodness) therein. Surely Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Appreciative." (TMQ 26:23).

The Prophet (SAWS) urged us to do good deeds no matter how small, as he said that we should protect ourselves from Hellfire even by giving half of a date-fruit in charity. He also advised us not to belittle any kind of good deeds, even greeting others with a smile. Allah, The Appreciative, will appreciate all your good deeds and reward you, and knowing this deep inside oneself brings utmost happiness to a person.

This is manifested in the following verse, in which Allah says what can be translated as, "That He may (pay them) in full their rewards and increase them of His Grace; surely He is Ever-Forgiving, Appreciative." (TMQ, 35:30). Herein, we notice that the name Appreciative is associated with increase; "To the ones who are fair-doers is the fairest reward and an increase…" (TMQ, 10:26) "Therein they will have whatever they decide on, and close to Us there is utmost increase." (TMQ, 50:35).

"Who is he that will lend to Allah a fair loan, so He will double it for him, and he will have an honorable reward?" (TMQ, 57:11). "The likeness of (the ones) who expend their riches in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain that grows seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah gives manifoldly to whomever He decides; and Allah is Ever-Embracing, Ever-Knowing." (TMQ, 2:261).

"Surely Allah does not do injustice so much as an atom's weight, and in case it is a fair deed, He will double it and bring from very close to Him a magnificent reward." (TMQ, 4:40)

Through the above-mentioned verses, we see that for everything we do, Allah will double its reward. The Prophet (SAWS) asserted this when he said that charity, even as little as half a date-fruit, would be increased by Allah until the reward is equal to the mountain of Uhud.

The Prophet once told his companions that they could earn 1000 good deeds by glorifying Allah 100 times. He also told us that fasting on the day of Arafat expiates the bad deeds of a previous and a coming year. The Prophet also received his reward many fold. His name is associated with Allah's name, as we say, "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." This is a great reward from Allah to his Prophet. We also see great kings traveling to visit the grave of the Prophet, and standing in front of him in submissiveness and solemnity; all this in addition to what he has been promised in jannah (paradise).

Some women believe that they gain thawab for wearing hijab on one occasion in their life: the first day they wear it. This is not true. The truth is that the more people see you wearing it, the more thawab you gain, because you remind people of Allah (SWT) all the time, for you wear it for His sake only.

Therefore, we conclude that the name of Allah "The Appreciative" is connected to increase and giving.

Other names of Allah relating to the Appreciative

The second point is the relationship between the name of Allah (SWT) The Appreciative and some of the remaining beautiful names of Allah (SWT). These names are:

" The Ever-Praiseworthy: There is an interrelation between Allah (SWT) and you regarding this name; that is when you praise Allah (SWT) for His blessings, He appreciates your praise and grants you more blessings. Thus you praise Allah (SWT) again for His blessings and He appreciates you and grants you more blessings, and so on.

" The Ever-Forgiving: this name is mentioned more than once in correlation with the Appreciative. Allah says what can be translated as, "Surely our Lord is indeed Ever-Forgiving, Appreciative" (TMQ, 35:34). "Surely He is Ever-Forgiving, Appreciative" (TMQ, 35:30). It gives you the reassurance that even if you commit sinful deeds, Allah (SWT) will forgive you because He is the Ever-Forgiving.

" The All-Knowing: Allah says what can be translated as, "And Allah has been Thankful, Ever-Knowing" (TMQ, 4:147). There are times when you benefit someone with a good deed, but he or she does not know that you are the doer, so they do not appreciate what you have done. As for Allah (SWT), who is the All-Knowing, He appreciates everything you do, no matter how small it might be.

The relationship between this name and jannah 

Imagine what Allah (SWT) has prepared for you in jannah in return for your good deeds in this life. Whatever you do, what you imagine will never even come close to what Allah (SWT) will give you, because He rewards small things with far greater things.

Allah (SWT) offers you a garden whose breadth is the heavens and earth - where you will see and hear what you have never seen or heard before - in return for the good deeds you performed during your life. If you calculate the time you dedicate to Allah (SWT) throughout your life, you will find that it is less than one third. As for the remaining two thirds, you were either not accountable for your actions (pre-puberty stage), doing your day-to-day chores, or you may have been negligent! See how appreciative He is? Therefore, you should exert all the effort you can to gain His appreciation and consequently jannah.

Imagine yourself in front of the gate to jannah. Then, imagine when Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) opens its gate. Visualize what Allah (SWT) has promised those who will enter jannah, that they will live free of sadness and sickness for eternity without aging. Imagine when you see all the prophets and the pious people you knew in the worldly life in jannah. Imagine what Allah (SWT) has prepared, even for the last person to be saved from hell. He Promised to grant him ten times more than what the greatest kings of the world possessed. Imagine what Allah (SWT) has prepared for the one who will be in the lowest rank of jannah. He will grant him jannah, and a garden where he could walk for a thousand years without ever reaching its end. As for the one who will be in the highest rank of jannah, he is promised to see his Lord in the early morning and at nightfall. Imagine your house in jannah. You know that when the companions asked Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) about how their houses in jannah would look, he told them that they would be built of bricks of gold and silver, joined together with musk; their floors made of pearls and their ceilings would be the Lord's throne. See for yourself how great jannah is.

Our duty towards this name and its effect on our life:

1. Give as much as you can, and help people, for whoever helps people in adversity, Allah (SWT) will help him on the Day of Judgment.

2. Worship Allah as best you can. Perform more good deeds, prayers, qiyam (voluntary night prayer), Qur'an recitation, etc.

3. Be honest and sincere with Allah (SWT) in your giving, for nobody will ever offer you what He does. Bear in mind that sometimes Allah (SWT) postpones the signs of His appreciation to a later time. This is to test you; will you continue your sincerity with Him or give it up? Therefore, perform good deeds just for the sake of Allah (SWT), not for the sake of others.

We need to spread the meaning of The Appreciative in our society. Spread it amongst our children, in the media, at schools, and in businesses. It will change our world to the better.

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1- Among other meanings; He who thanks profusely and in abundance.

2- TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

3- The reward, from Allah, recorded for performing a good deed, and accounted for on the Day of Judgment

4- Hijab: literally “cover”. It describes the self-covering of the body for the purposes of modesty and dignity. Broadly, it should be regarded as a prescribed system of attitudes and behavior regarding modesty and dignity.

In Thy name, we live - wel_mel_2 - 10-04-2006

Episode 4: At-Tawwab (The Superbly Relenting)


In the name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon our master, the most noble Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).

Before we start I would like to emphasize the importance of performing your prayers regularly, in addition to the taraweeh[2] prayer. Please take this great opportunity to get closer to Allah. Moreover, some members of the audience told me that they now learn and appreciate a new name of Allah daily, but they are afraid they might forget them later. This is possible but if we apply these beautiful names to our lives they will never be forgotten.

‘The Superbly Relenting” (At-Tawwab)

“At-Tawwab” is the name of Allah that we will talk about today. This name renews hope in our life. Basically, it means that if a sinner returns to Allah in repentance Allah will accept him happily and He will never reject his slave’s apology. Allah says what can be translated as, “And He is (The One) Who accepts repentance for His bondmen” (TMQ: 42:25(, “Do they not know that Allah He, Ever He, accepts repentance from His bondmen” (TMQ, 9:104).

Allah always accepts apologies and never rejects them, even if humans do. People fear rejection of their apology by others, so some tend to avoid that, but with Allah they need not have this fear because ‘The Superbly Relenting’ always accepts your return to Him (SWT)[3].

Do you think your sins are major and unforgivable? Even though, your true apology will still be accepted. When Allah says that He accepts repentance from His slaves, He does not address one particular group. Rather He addresses all sinners, even if they have committed sins such as, adultery, disobedience to parents, bribery, betrayal, drinking alcohol, marital abuse, gossiping, etc. Whatever your sin is, He will happily accept your return to Him.

On the Day of Judgment your bad deeds will be listed openly and you will be in a shameful situation that could be avoided by going back to Him (SWT) in this world.

What are you waiting for to reconcile with Allah? Return to Him. In fact Allah is the one telling you to return to Him. He (SWT) Himself is calling us to go to Him although He has no need for us, and we are the ones in need of Him. There is a place in hell called saqar; it is prepared for those who do not pray and do not help the poor.

Spare yourself from facing a great torture by Allah ‘The Superbly Relenting’.

Furthermore, those who are aware of their sins usually repent and return to Allah more easily than those who are unaware of their sins. Those who are aware of their bad deeds tend to get frustrated by their wrongdoings and hence repent, but those who are unaware of their mistakes cannot repent, for they do not know! This is a critical position that many might find themselves in. Everyone should think of what they have done to improve the world. Try to recall the sins you have committed and repent. Save yourselves from a terrible hereafter by recalling your sins or mistakes and repenting for them. Return to Allah; He has given you this chance to return for He is ‘the Superbly Relenting’.

The Prophet (SAWS)[4], whose sins are already forgiven, used to ask for Allah's forgiveness and repent a hundred times a day. What about you? Allah named himself ‘the Superbly Relenting’ because He likes you to return to him. He likes you to repent and go back to Him. Allah (SWT) misses us when we are away and He will accept our repentance at any time. Humans on the other hand grow tired of your mistakes and may reject your apologies. Notice how mothers are so caring for their children, forgiving them when they do wrong and apologize; Allah is even more caring than a mother. Praising Allah and being thankful makes you increase your strong points. Repentance, however, makes you work on your weak points.

Allah (SWT) always wants us to return to him and He is even happier than you would be by your return. Allah's happiness is not like that of mankind because there is nothing like Him. Moreover, the happiness of one who gives is more than that of one who takes. Allah rejoices at our repentance more than we do. Besides, Allah rejoices at the repentance of His slave as he feels submissiveness and humbleness towards Allah, which represent the best way of worshiping. I am sure that each of us knows his sins; so, let us repent to Allah now. Note also that repentance raises your rank and brings you closer to Allah.

When Allah banished Satan from jannah (Paradise), he (Satan) swore by Allah’s might and majesty to misguide mankind as long as they lived. Allah then swore by His Might and Majesty to forgive us, mankind, as long as we ask for His forgiveness. Allah forgives us because He chose us to be His successors on earth and to be reformers. That is why He (TWT)[5] says what can be translated as, “And (remember) as your Lord said to the Angels, “Surely I am making in the earth a successor.” …” (TMQ, 2:30). Imagine what might happen if Allah does not accept our repentance? We will commit the same sins again and again and consequently mischief will be widespread on earth. The purpose of repentance is to introduce and maintain reform in our societies.

Repentance gives us hope, and helps us reduce our weaknesses. It also helps us to get to know Allah, because as we repent to Allah, we know that He is The Ever-Magnificent, The Ever-Merciful, The Avenger and The Ever-Forgiving. Allah could have preserved us against committing sins, but He wants to polish us. If we commit no sins, we will feel arrogance and conceitedness just like Satan. Ibnul-Qayem relates that Adam cried when he descended from jannah because he had eaten from the tree. As a result, Allah told him that if He preserved him and his offspring of sins, whom would He shower with His mercy, forgiveness and patience? Before committing his sin, Adam used to live in the jannah like a king; however, after eating from the tree, Adam became a mere slave. Allah prefers a sin that makes a slave submit to Him than a fair deed that makes him boast. Allah prefers the moaning of a repenting sinner to the glorification of a boaster.

Allah wanted Adam to go down to earth to reform and spread devoutness. Allah’s name, The Superbly Relenting is related to His name The Ever-Merciful. Allah loves to reckon us with His mercy instead of His justice. If He reckons us with His justice, He will let us do whatever we want in this life then enter hellfire in the hereafter. With His mercy, He will guide us to repentance even by treating us harshly. Sometimes He guides us by a small sign, sometimes by leniency and at other times by a trial[6] if we do not repent to him quickly. Hence, either we hurry to Allah, or He will get us to hurry to Him.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…thereafter He relented towards them that they might repent…” (TMQ, 9:118). This means that Allah's forgiveness precedes the repentance of His slaves. However there is another ayah[7] that can be translated as, “Except (the ones) who repent and act righteously and ascertain the evidence; then, to those I relent, and I am The Superbly Relenting, The Ever-Merciful.” (TMQ, 2:160). In this ayah, Allah's forgiveness follows His acceptance of the repentance of His slaves. Allah first guides us to repentance, and when we repent, He accepts it.

There are four conditions for repentance to be accepted. Three are between us and Allah while the fourth is between us and others:

1- To regret our sins with true remorse (shedding tears, performing umrah[8] or asking Allah's forgiveness…)

2- To stop committing the sin

3- To be determined not to return to this sin again. At the time of Musa (AS) (Moses), the rain stopped for a long time. When Musa and the Israelites performed the prayers for rain, Allah told him that the rain would not fall unless a sinful person among them, who had committed sins for 40 years, left them. The man decided to repent to Allah, because if he left, his wrongdoing would be revealed, and if he stayed, they would all perish of thirst. When the sky rained, Musa (AS) asked Allah how it rained although no one had left. Allah told him that this was because He rejoiced at the repentance of this person. When Musa (AS) wanted to know who he was, Allah told him that He had covered him as a sinful person, so He would not expose him after his repentance.

4- If you owe any person a right because of a sin you should give it back to them.

Allah forgives us every time we commit a sinful deed, as long as we repent to him. If we do the same sin again and again to such an extent that we feel ashamed to repent, we must do good deeds in return. Allah says what can be translated as, “… Surely the fair deeds will put away the odious deeds…” (TMQ, 11:114).

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[1] The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does, and the word 'Allah' in Arabic has no connotation of gender. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

[2] The extra night prayer performed in Ramadan.

[3] SWT = Subhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].

[4] Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him]

[5] Tabaraka Wa Ta`ala [blessed and Exalted be He].

[6] A tremendous trial by Allah, in which the faith of a true believer is being tested.

[7] A verse in the Qur'an

[8] Voluntary short pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of the year