Why Dont We Apply Our Manual?

[Muslimah]

Bismillah

as salam alykom brothers and sister

As it is the goal of this board to teach and help learn Islam by learning Quran and Sunnah, so I thought to start this thread in an effort to encourage my brothers and sisters to fill in the thread, we can actually create excellent educational material here.

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Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon His messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah

We as Muslims certainly highly regard Quran as a divine book from Allah, we are fully aware that reciting Quran is a worship that is highly rewarding that the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam said what means when one reads Quran one receives 10 hasant for one letter and he added I don’t mean alef lam meem as a letter but rather alef is a letter, lam is a letter and meem is a letter. So just imagine the mountains of hasant one may obtain by reciting the Quran.

However, did Allah only revealed the Quran for us to recite? Or take as a manual of life?

Let us examine few Ayahs here and then make the judgement afterwards.

How are u supposed to behave in a situation when someone hurts u in any possible form, be it physical, verbal or even moral? Are u supposed to fight back? Answer back? Hit the one who hits u back or may be even kill the person just to distinguish your anger. No look what Allah Is Commanding us to do:

“who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good;” (Quran 2:134)

“who restrain anger, This is stage 1 is to just restrain your anger. Not answer back no matter what the form of harm might have been

Then comes an even harder attitude which is

and pardon (all) men; because u might restrain your anger but still hold the person responsible which certainly shall keep your right over the person shoulder till the Day After. U all know of course that Allah Forgives His rights but not those of the servants towards each other.

Then comes the final stage which is very hard to attain but is worth it which is

for God loves those who do good;” (Quran 2:134)

But let me shed some light here, I feel it is a duty since I am Alhamdulelah native arabic speaker. The sentence Allah Loves those who are muhseneen the word muhseneen means literally those who do good to others. From this we derive that after one restains the anger, one may pardon and then if the aggressor comes and asks for help for example one might if he/she can fulfil the need of the person, make dua for him/her in absence, tries to solve a problem he/she is suffering. Of course this is hard for human beings but the reward is immense.

From this we derive how Allah Wants the Islamic community to be. It is not a community where hatred, picking others faults and more is no but rather a community where u set an example for other how to behave or else we will turn into a jungle.

On the same theme Allah Explains more the reward and tells us He understands that this is difficult but yet Encourages us to strive to adopt such attitude:

“Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! * And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.” (Quran 41: 34-35)

But Allah Is certainly the All Wisdom, He will not ask us to restrain anger, pardon help those who hurt us without basically setting the comprehensive rule. What Did Allah Say to help us all follow this:

“Say to my servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them: for Satan is to man an avowed enemy.” (Quran 17:53)

We have an important rule here, while we are talking with each other we must choose our words, we must not be aggressive, challenging, or offensive. We must try our best to say kind, good words, create an amicable atmosphere while talking in order to seal all gates in the face of shaytan.

Another option Allah Is Giving us here in the same regard is:

“And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, Peace!;” (Quran 25:63)

At last let us look at this Ayah:

“Is there any Reward for Good other than Good?” (Quran 55:60)

Reviewing the number of noble Ayahs’ we quoted above we can sum up the attitude a Muslim must adopt in his/her daily life. We really must take Quran as a manual of our life.

In case u buy a new equipment, usually we look first into the manual before making the connections, settings, wiring otherwise we might miss set the machine and thus destroy it. Likewise our bodies and souls when we don’t adopt Quran as a manual, we suffer much as we will see Insh a Allah in the coming posts.

[Muslimah]

Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon our leader and teacher His Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, his household and companions.


Continuing on the application of the manual, actually Quran is a book full of treasures only us that we don’t pay attention to it.


Do u need to go for in vitro, or highly costing medically assisted reproduction when u face difficulty in having children??


Do u need to take a second and third job that drains your effort and time away to generate enough income to meet the needs?


Well let us see the remedy from Quran, yes it is there:


Allah Say:


""I said (to them): <b>'Ask forgiveness from your Lord</b>
; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving;"


This is the command or let us say the solution, ok what is the output when u ask Allah's forgiveness? Or when u do Istighfar? When u say <b>astaghferu Allah Al Azeem many times at least 70 times /day</b>
like the Messenger Salla Allah A`lyhee wa sallam used to do


Here is the output:


1." <b>'He will send rain to you in abundance"</b>



2. "'And give you increase in wealth and children,


3. and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.' "


(Quran 71:10-12)


Therefore Allah Begins the sentence with the solution, He Is Telling us to say astaghferu Allah Al Azeem, then He Brings forth the output of the act, when we do that Allah Shall Send us rain, Gives wealth and children. Just by saying astaghferu Allah Al Azeem. Free, simple and easy and even not time consuming plus of course rewarding and bringing us closer to Allah. Sobhan Allah.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom


I am not quite finished with what Istighfar does, not quite finished with the treasures of our manual that we tend to overlook much not intentionally of course. But shyatan usually succeeds to pull us away from applying the manual. For if we just look into it, dig into it, we could actually come up with a remedy for any and every problem we face in life.


Come let us surf the Quran:


"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, <b>He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain</b>, <b>and add strength to your strength</b>, so do not turn away as Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah)." (Quran 11:52)


The Ayah confirms the output of having rain sent due to asking Allah's forgiveness. But what is added here is the granting of additional strength. And when Allah Mentioined the strength here, He Didnt specify moral or physical strength so that we take it according to Allah's Generosity of course that would include both and even more that both. Strength in general. Just imagine, when one is looking for moral support, physical strength to fulfill life duties, or Divine duties including Jihad of course or Qital. A simple rememdy is not to take vitamines or minerals but to make Istighfar. Sobhan Allah. Just try it.


Another Ayah:


"And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)." (Quran 11:3)


I dont think we need any comment or further explanation for the underlined part of the Noble Ayah. Sobhan Allah Al Kareem.

[umm Zachariah]

Bismillah


Assalamu aleikum,


MashaAllah sister [img]style_emoticons/default/wub.gif[/img]


I add one ayah too,


''Allah accept the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will Allah turn in mercy: For Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.''
4:17


Wasalam

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


As salam alykom


Just to confirm the approach we are taking on this thread so that it wont change away and also to ensure that the reader grasps the core of interest here.


On this thread we are seeking to highlight how Quran contains remedies and solutions for day to day life problems. We wanted to explain how to apply the manual in your life and not only take it as a book of worship u recite to receive reward.


Jazaki Allah Khairan Umm for quoting this Ayah, we are aware that making Istghifar by default results into major reward and certainly forgiveness of sins.


But what we are after is what else can Istighfar do that people are not aware of.


Not to be repeating or prolonging the post, I will just sum up the fruit of Istighfar according to the Ayahs quoted above:


1. Useful during draught times as Allah Shall Send abundant rain.



2. Allah Shall increase the wealth (here Allah Didn’t specify which type of wealth that may include money, properties, knowledge, real estate, land, gold, jewelry, only to name a few).


3. Allah Shall grant children.


4. Allah Shall bestow agriculture fertile land.


5. Allah Shall makes rives flow and never dry.


6. Allah Shall Provide strength including physical, moral, even strength of faith (Eman), .. only to name a few. Because Allah Is the Graciouce, in this Ayah He Didn’t also specify which type of strength or in which area, so we must expand the areas according to what is adequate to His Majesty.


7. Allah Shall grant good enjoyment (which people pay thousands of $ to attain in vain) that is unlimited and incomparable.


8. Allah Shall bestow abundant Grace (again a general expression of grace which expands to include what we cant identify.


Allah u Akbar come on brothers and sisters use the prescription and don’t waste time go ahead and make a lot of Istighfar.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Praise be to Allah and prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, his household and companions.


Back to our invaluable manual and how to apply it in our day to day life in a manner that could spare us much effort and money but also bear amazing fruit.


What parents would do in order to secure their children future? Should they go for insurance either on their lives, house, cars or other properties? Should they invest in stocks and bonds in the name of their children? Should they conclude bank deposits so that children would inherit them after they depart from this life??


Let us check what the Quran say in this regard:


“And let those (executors and guardians) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind. <i>So let them fear Allah and speak right words</i>." (Quran 4:9)


The underlined part physically constitutes the attitude one must adopt in order to protect his/her children after they depart from this world. Allah Used almost only two words:


1. To fear Allah


2. To speak the right words, to say what is pertinent, what is sound what is correct.


Just look at the prescription given here matter of fact it makes up a life attitude, it draws down a person line and them in life. Fear Allah and say what is correct. A general command that must be adopted at all time. But the promised fruit is worth it. But remember promised by Who? By Allah, which makes the attainment of the output with not doubt.


In this invaluable advice, Sobhan Allah Allah included both types of act. What is hidden and what is spoken. The verbal and physical.


Fearing Allah is such a comprehensive attitude that covers our overall behaviour even when we are by ourselves.


Speaking the right words, of course is so obvious, yet we would like to say that it includes talking in any given situation and under any give circumstance.


Both rules must be kept right before our eyes whenever we think about our children. It is worth remembering. Just before we jump to retaliate for instance when we are hurt, we must see what would be better in the eyes of Allah..and so forth.


Before making a joke, we must think first if this would please or displease Allah, before continuing into an argument just to win a discussion, we must see how far this would be done only for the sake of Allah… and so on.


As such Allah Would be present in our minds all the time. U think if one lives such a life, Allah Shall abandon his/her children???


Allah Never Neglects putting an example for applying the manual in our manual.


For us to see this rule applied and bearing the fruit just examine the following Ayah in Surat Kahf:


“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; <i>and their father was a righteous man,</i> and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience." (Quran 18:82)


Allah Sent this servant of Allah to implement a number of decrees of them, he erected the wall under which the treasure of the orphan boys was buried since the people in this village were not honest which made them vulnerable. But their father was a righteous man, this what he did during his life to deserve the Divine protection of his children after his death.


Allah u Akbar

[Zainab]

Bismillah Ar Rehman Ar Raheem .. Salaam Alaikum Wr Wb


Maashallah, what a wonderful thread, sister Muslimah.


As we all know so well, Islam is a very practical Faith and a complete code of life. The practical side of Islam makes it very clear that justice must prevail in every society. If a person or a community is being oppressed, it's certainly better to endure and forgive. However, the oppressed who are being grossly violated have been given the right by Allah (Subhan Wa'Tala) to defend themselves in accordance with the manner in which they've been wronged. Hence, our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) stated in his last Khutbah that "you shall neither inflict nor suffer inequity." This is a great concept that reflects the sense of practical justice that prevails in Islam, where perseverence is seen as one of the noblest of all qualities and at the same time the victim has been given the right to raise his concern .. a concept that was established more than 1400 years ago and has today become the cornerstone of every legal system in the developed world.


May Allah (Subhan Wa'Tala) guide us all with the Beauty of Islam, help us to nurture our conscience with the Light of the Glorious Qur'aan and include us in the category of the righteous .. Ameen.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


wa alykom as salam Zainab


Mash a Allah what a point and here is the Ayah that serves the point, it is so nice to team for work to actually complement each other and help each other. Welcome back Zainab [img]style_emoticons/default/smile.gif[/img]


"Allah does not like that the evil should be uttered in public <b>except by him who has been wronged</b>. And Allah is Ever All Hearer, All Knower." (Quran 4:148)


In Arabic the underlined part exactly say except one who have been under an unjust situation. May Allah Proct us all.


The unjust part Insh a Allah must be covered on a separate post right not Zainab, it deserves so.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Here we go again digging the treasures of Quran:


Everyone goes through difficult/threatening situations when he/she would need much help and support. Or might even get to needing shelter, rescue and many other forms of help and aid. How can we face such threats or difficulties? Shall we resort to people, seek security forces, ..etc. Quran has the solution for this:


“And there came a man running, from the farthest end of the city. He said: "O Musa (Moses)! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice."* So he escaped from there, looking about in a state of fear. He said: "My Lord! Save me from the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)!"


rabbi najjinee mina alqawmi alththalimeena



This dua is very powerful all u have to do is just use it, repeat it when u r in a similar or any other situation when u r expecting a potential harm from human beings.


Then comes the next stage, he arrived at a place where he was a total stranger, no money, shelter nothing. What did he do?


And when he went towards (the land of) Madyan (Midian) he said: "It may be that my Lord guides me to the Right Way."


AAasa rabbee an yahdiyanee sawaa alssabeeli



He was unsure of anything around him, he was heading towards a place where nobody knows him, didn’t how to handle his own situation. But what did he do? He asked hoping that Allah Guides him to the right way on how to behave what to do, …etc


And then at the arrival stage:


"And when he arrived at the water of Madyan (Midian) he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said: "What is the matter with you?" They said: "We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take (their flocks). And our father is a very old man."


So he watered (their flocks) for them, then he turned back to shade, and said: "My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!" (Quran 28:20-24)


In this stage, he didn’t get busy with himself, with his problems, dire situation. No on the contrary he didn’t spare effort and time to help others specially women.


The after doing the good deed he asked Allah saying:


rabbi innee lima anzalta ilayya min khayrin faqeerun



What happened as a result:


He got shelter and security


He got employed


He got married.


We do have remedy for every potential problem or situation, it is just us that we don’t apply the manual.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Praise be to Allah, The All Knowing The All Seer, and prayer and peace be upon His beloved Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, his household and companions.


Do u need to make a decision on something? do u need to know what will happen regarding a specific matter? Do u have an unsettled matter that is really troubling and u need it settled in the best manner? Do need to know how to handle a specific situation? Will u resort to a fortune teller? magician? Will u seek consultancy? Will u spend hours talking to a friend on the phone, msn or on email and waiting impatiently for their opinions that sometimes become more puzzling?


How about looking into this amazing book and finding out what Allah Gave us to deal with such situations?


“He said: "O my Lord! Make a sign for me." Allah said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. And remember your Lord much (by praising Him again and again), and glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning." (Quran 3:41)


When did this situation take place? It was when Zakaria (note he is a Prophet) was told that Allah Shall grant him a son, despite the fact that he was an old man with an infertile wife.


After a dialogue with Allah, although he is sure that Allah Is Capable of anything and everything at any time, still he needed a sign from Allah. He is just a human being like all of us. Just keep in mind of course that nothing happens haphazardly and nothing is contained in this book for no purpose. Allah Brought this clear example of a situation that all mankind are susceptible to coupled with the solution.


But only those with working mind, only those who use their brain (the distinction between mankind and other creatures) the way it is supposed to be used can realize this solution and use it effectively.


It is easy, simple, free, not time consuming, u don’t need to spend money on transportation to reach a consultant office, u don’t need to take of your time to adapt to his/her schedule, u don’t need to book an appointment. More important u don’t need to disclose matters that u don’t want to disclose to no one. Instead u only need to connect with Allah Who Is always there not once u will stand on His door and be told off by a secretary.


As I mentioned it is not time consuming but rather time investment u invest your time connecting to Allah which certainly yields amazing results manifested in solving your problem, not only this but also gaining much reward and getting closer to Allah.


Ok how can we analyze the Ayah:


1. Allah first commanded Zakria telling him that the sign or indication from Allah is that he wouldn’t talk to people for 3 days. But as far as Zakaria was concerned this was a real sign from Allah I mean he was not talking but unwillingly he was unable to. Allah prevented him from talking. Insh a Allah we will come to how we can apply this later. He was only allowed to communicate with people through sign language and was only able to talk when he made dhikr.


2. Allah Commanded him to make a lot of dhikr


3. This was followed by another one to do tasbeeh. The underlined part of the noble Ayah in Arabic is Sabeh Rabaka katheeran.


We can conclude that dhikr is different from tasbeeh, but of course tasbeen is part of dhikr. Also note that Allah when He Commanded to do dhikr, He Didn’t specify which type of dhikr that is needed to be made a lot or when. Unlike when He Commanded the tasbeeh, He specifically indicated the time, which is in the evening, and early morning. In other words, before sunset and after Fajr prayer.


Now back to the dhikr part, the dhikr here includes everything, prayer is dhikr, reciting Quran is also so, giving sadaqa is the same, mitigating the suffering of a Muslim, or helping to fulfill a need, even doing something that might trigger Allah’s remembrance at some other party is also dhikr.


Of course it includes fasting, and talking about prayer it certainly covers either obligatory or voluntary which is even more recommdended at such situations.


So Allah Commanded to do a lot of dhikr coupled with much tasbeeh before sunset and after fajr. A very specific prescription. Now this must be accompanied with stopping to talk to people. Surely we can not say fast of talking like Mariam, but u can at least do so for an hour. Like allocate an hour during which u don’t talk to no one and follow the steps.


Believe me brothers and sisters the output is amazing. Just go ahead and apply.


Alhdmulelah may Allah Accept, Forgive my sins, Improve my shortcomings, and have Mercy on me and my parents ameen.