Just don't want you to take a walk the way daddy Olabowale did.

I would try to always be around Insha Allah.

Jazakhallah

Congratulations in advance

Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) said: If you never felt pain or experienced problems, how would you know I'm the Healer?; If you never made a mistake, how would you know I'm the Forgiver?; If you were never hurt, how would you know I am the Comforter? If your life was perfect, then why would you need Me? -

PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: ’I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world“.
[Al-Bukhari].


Commentary:[/color] Child, wife and parents, etc., are the dearest people to everyone. It is a great sign of Faith to accept their death as the Will of Allah, to bear their loss with patience. Wailing and saying nonsense things show weakness of Faith. The reward of patience on such tragedies is Jannah while the result of impatience is displeasure of Allah.

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about pestilence and he said, “It is a punishment which Allah sends upon whomsoever He wills, but Allah has made it as a mercy to the believers. Anyone who remains in a town which is plagued with pestilence maintaining patience expecting the reward from Allah, and knowing that nothing will befall him other than what Allah has foreordained for him, he would receive a reward of Shaheed“.
[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary:[color=#990000] To endure patiently in a city where one resides when it is affected by plague or such other epidemics, and not to flee from it, elevates a Muslim to the level of Shahadah in the way of Allah, as is the case in certain other circumstances, like death by drowning or in maternity, etc. This order is based on the consideration that the epidemic should not spread to other cities. On the other hand, residents of other cities are ordered to refrain from visiting the affected city. The Hadith clearly shows that it does not go against faith in Allah to take steps necessary for prevention and cure. Similarly, patience in the event of sickness is a proof of one’s perfect faith in the Will of Allah.

FIRM BELIEF  AND PERFECT RELIANCE ON ALLAH

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And when the believers saw Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), they said: ”This is what Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad(PBUH)) had promised  us, and Allah and His Messenger  (Muhammad (PBUH)) had spoken the truth, and it only added to their Faith and to their submissiveness (to Allah)“. (33:22)

[b]Those (i.e., believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites)  said, ‘Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)”. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure  of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty“.([/b]3:173,174)

And put your trust  (O Muhammad (PBUH)) in the Ever Living One Who dies not.”(”25:58) “And in Allah (Alone) let the believers, put their trust.”(14:11)

Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust  in Allah, ”(3:159) “And whosoever puts his trust  in Allah, then He will suffice him“.(65:3)

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned,feel  a fear in their hearts; and when His Verses (this Qur”an) are recited unto them, they (i.e., the Verses) increase their Faith;  and they put their trust  in their Rubb (Alone).””(8:2)

The hell shall be made a mat for the disbelievers. Yokes will be fastened round their necks. They will be beaten with iron maces.They will ask for relief and beg for mercy but would not be granted. They will appeal to angel Malik that[b] 'let your Lord put an end to us[/b]? He will tell them, 'stay as you are'. The hell will grow fiercer and the punishment will not be lightened for them whatever their plights. The hell will be darkening their faces and changing their colour. Their skin will roast and burn but would perpetually be changed for fresh skins. Their skins and intestines will scald from within. Fire will surround them from all directions. Their intestines will burst and fire will burn it. They will know nothing except the reality of Hell. Since they did not believe in Allah (swt), they will not see Him. They will be shown where they would have been in Paradise if they had done well. This will increase their regrets and pains. They will weep, sigh, sobb, regret, grieve and engage in self-recrimination. Their cry will be to such an extent that if a ship is placed on their tears, it will sail. They will surely shed blood in place of tears.

At the peak of their anguish, Shaytan will address all the denizens of hell thus:

Quran 14 v 22: Verily, Allah promised you a promise of truth. I also promised you but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, so you responded to me. So, do not blamde me, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me as partner with Allah (by obeying mei n the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the wrong-doers.

Narrated Ibn Umar: Once a person asked Allah's Apostle about the night prayer. Allah's Apostle replied, "The night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Raka and this will be a Witr for all the Rakat which he has prayed before." Nafi' told that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar used to say Taslim between (the first) two Rakat and (the third) odd one in the Witr prayer, when he wanted to attend to a certain matter (during that interval between the Rakat)

[Bukhari Volume 2 Book 16 No. 105]

@Ayinba1

Pls I need to talk to u. Pls send me your number, ayinba@yahoo.com

Salam alaykum

I sent to your mailbox the next day.

All sessions are confidential bar three: that in which blood is shed unlawfully, that in which unlawful sexual intercourse takes place and that in whicu property is unlawfully used.

When two sit down in session together, their proceedings are confidential and neither of them may divulge anything distasteful to the other.

Al-Abbas said to his son Abdullah:'I see this man (meaning Umar, may God be pleased with him) preferring you over the elders. So remember five bits of advice from me: on no account divulge a secret to him: on no account slander anyone in his presence, on no account give currency to a lie about him;on no account disobey him in anything; on no account let him catch you in any treachery. 

Ibn Abbas said: 'do not dispute with the fool, for he will hurt you;nor with the mild man, for he will dislike you.[/b]

The Prophet said:  [b]If a man gives up contention when he is in the wrong, a house will be built for him within the Garden of Paradise; but if a man gives up contention even when he is in the right, a house will be built for him in the loftiest part of the Garden.

When it is his duty to give up if he is in the wrong, the reward for what is above duty is made greater. For to remain silent when one is right is harder on the soul than keeping quiet when one is wrong. Recompense is in prop0rtion to the effort.

Salam

I am short of what to say. Alhamdulillah for making it to the Hall of Fame. I was just doing my posting for Allah's sake and never looked to receive anything in return from anybody. I came to NL through joke section in which my friend introduced me to. I felt bad when I saw input from non-muslims saying lots of things about Islam and I felt it that even if I may not be able to do another Dawah, this is an opportunity for me to refute all lies, misunderstandings, misconceptions etc in which Allah stood by me because NL was not easy then. It used to be very 'hot' as a result of hot debate from my friends but unknowingly, they strenghtened my faith in Islam,increased my knowledge and made me to further believe in Islam.

All appreciation goes to every Muslims of NL and may Allah continue to be with you, strengthen u and I would continue to do my best as far as NL is concerned.

Moderator, please some names came to my mind (though I can not remember some now) when I came across this thread. These names made me to appear in hall of fame and without them, there is no me and brought NL to this level. There are some that I felt should never be forgotten. My friends, brothers and sisters in the like of

Mustay

Mukina

Firdaus

Mdsocks

Frizy:

Ayinba1

Zayhal

@Uplawal

From what i read in your post,all i could see here is another hatred you showed towards shia,you said all  their claim is lies right,what made you think so,anyway,no point argueying,saying they are in deviation,

This is my post you referred to:

For the fact that someone is posting ruse,supporting it with conconcted lies which is openly known to be a lie and total deviation does not mean that it is the truth and that is the more reason I told you to thread softly, be patient and Allah would see us through.

I still do not know where you came up with all your accusations up. Like I said, you all need lots of patience to be able to decipher words and ot jumping to conclusions, translating words in the best way that suites you.

if i had said this now,you wou and others would have raised dust about it. Also i want to frantically tell you and others that may want to know,the hadith saying all muslims will go to paradise is false and is against Allah's words in the Quran,Allah dnt mention punishing anybody then removing them after a while to paradise,Allah repeatedly says,eternal abodeand not temporary,this particular hadith is destroying the lives of muslims,guaranteeing them unreal paradise.

Please, how do you conclude that a certain Hadith is false?

Do you have where it says it is false or you could post the hadith here?

Do you believe Bukhari and Muslim?

_{This is my last post to you even if you respond cos I do not want to derail the thread.}

The Easiest Form of Worship

Remembrance[/b] is easy for the servant-whether he lies in bed or journeys, in health or in illness, in comfort and luxury, in his daily work, standing, sitting or lying down, on his way or at home. No [other] act can be performed so often and in so many situations. In fact, it is so easy that he could sleep in his bed and still be ahead of the one who stands [in worship] but is heedless. The sleeper rises having traversed a great distance, all the while stretched out on his bed; whereas the one standing heedlessly rises seated on his mount. [b]'And that is the grace of God which He gives to whomever He pleases.' [57:21]

It is recounted that there once was an ascetic [rajul min al-`ibad] who stayed the night with a man as a guest. The ascetic spent the entire night standing in prayer, while the host was stretched out in his bed. When he rose in the morning, the ascetic said to the host, 'The caravan has gone on before you,' [sabaqak al-rakb, by which he meant, ‘I have surpassed you in the journey to God’] or words to that effect. To which the [host] replied, 'It is unimportant that one spend the night traveling and then wake up with the caravan. What is important is that one spend the night in bed but wake up having crossed a great distance.'

This and similar sayings have beneficial and detrimental aspects. If they lead someone to think that by lying in bed he can surpass a person who stands in prayer, then they are false. Rather, they refer to the one who lies in bed but his heart is attached to his Lord; the love of his heart cleaves to the Throne, and so he passes the night encircling the Throne with the angels. The man himself has passed away from the world and what it contains. The only thing that keeps him from standing in prayer is some hindrance, such as physical pain, cold or fear of being seen by enemies pursuing him, or some other excuse. He lies in bed, but God knows best what is in his heart.

The other person, however, stands in prayer and recites. In his heart is the desire to be seen, to impress others, to have some rank or praise from them. Or else, his heart is one place and his body in another. And God knows best what is in his heart.

There is no doubt that the one in bed will rise having far surpassed the one who stands, because [the value of] an act rests in the heart, not the body: it depends on the dweller, not the dwelling. [The meaning of an] expression is in its first motion [that is, whatever intention motivates someone to a word or deed, determines the meaning of that word or deed], and it is remembrance which inspires the dweller's resolve, stimulates the love that is dormant [in his soul] and resurrects the quest that has died.

Abdullah Bin Mas`ud (radhiallahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.” (Tirmidhi 5197)

As salam Alaekun to you all. Please do not delete.

I am very sorry for this input and never intend to derail this thread. The purpose of this thread continues after my response to my sister and would never be derailed.


@Uplawal

@bab787,i just dnt know why you people seems to not understand me,

I do not understand what you meant by 'u people' when I am the only one that addressed you. Does you response above infer that others have accused you of same?

what is vexing or threading gra-gra got to do with this post of mine,that you required me to thread softly,honestly i dnt like it,i have not done anything against your post to say i should thread softly,pls what is gra-gra in what i have writen?

It seems you misconstrued my post, pardon me for that.I only advised you being my sister in which you and I know ourselves. I never said you are threading gra-gra but all I said considering the fact that I read you input in threads and strongly advised that you should take things easily. In order to know about something, you should exercise a great deal of patience, ask questions constructively and never behave as if you know more than anybody or probably jump to conclusion on issues.

There is this particular thread I read your input where you openly condemned Sunni, calling them names, they are following UMAR and that they have gone astray ETC.

Infact am begining to get tired of the sunnis that claimed they are following the prophet where as they are following the innovations from the sahabas,its a shame to prefare what umar and others did over Allah and the messengers acts and deeds,they are not worthy to be called sunni but(UMAREES)OR best still,(SAHABIST)

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-550269.256.html

Please what made you to believe that Shia are on the right course,Sunni are doing Bidah or vice versa from all your input in that thread?


Now to your response to the hadith I posted that brought this issue:

What if he commit other sins,and yet hes patient,will he go paradise too,that means all the patient blind people of the Northern Nigeria will go paradise right?hmmm. Theres more to paradise brother,may Allah forgive us,amin.

There are ways of asking questions and the above response did not in any way showed that you asked questions but you rather jumped to conclusion simply because you did not understand the hadith.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying, "Allah said, 'If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them.'"

I never said that it is the only way of getting to paradise but part of the ways. You do not just give meaning to sentence just by reading in which may lead you to wrong interpretation or reading out of context. Allah swt said that if he deprived His creation of two things which could be any part of the sense organs like eyes and he is patient, He would reward Him with paradise.

When Allah swt say something, He wants you to follow it without having a second thought or mixing it with something else with may incur his anger. You felt that probably they may never go to heaven even being a sinner.

You do not understand what it means to be a patient slave of Allah (swt). By being patient, you would never go against His WILL. I further do not undertand why bringing Northerners into the issue when we have blind people all over the world, be it North, East, West or South.  Also, you do not know that Muslim Sinners would enter paradise. Allah would definitely compensate anyone having defect, yet he worship Allah even more than the one that has no defect.

I also want you to know that is not possible for a human being, whether pious or not ,not to sin during his lifetime even as a pious, honest slave or Allah. It is just that there are different kind of sins and do not also think that it is your work alone that would make you enter paradise because He said that if he were to punish us for our sins, no one would have remained. On that day, Allah would forgive the sins of the inmates of paradise because it is not possible to life and not commit any minor sin.

All i can say is only Allah knows our intention,i see no reason why you should tag me i too know,am learning like any other people here,and no traits of tooknowism in me,and imagine saying the patience goes to me again,well to me and those around me,and to what av written so far on nairaland,am patient,but if you find me inpatient and thinks the best way to go about it is by grudgingly saying it aloud for people to see,its not my problem,Allah knows who is patient at the end of the day.

Uplawal, you and I started Islam in the same way _(reversion). There are lots of Muslims here that have become my brothers and sisters, made me what I am today, hold them in high esteem and would never argue with them because that is one of the teachings of the prophet and form part of the brotherhood in Islam. Also there are lots of sisters here that I learn from such as Zayhal,Mukina,Riskie, ayinba1, Bibs,Ifyalways,Ronkeenuf etc _{(pardon me if omit your name, it is because I am typing so fact)} . For the fact that someone is posting ruse,supporting it with conconcted lies which is openly known to be a lie and total deviation does not mean that it is the truth and that is the more reason I told you to thread softly, be patient and Allah would see us through.

Once again, pardon me if I might have sounded harsh or insultive. I still respect you so much and would always do. We are muslims and would always be.

Regards.

@Zayhal

You're really scarce these days.

Salam wonderful sister. You are very correct. I am always around at times but response are being provided before I could send mine and I would just keep reading posts but come in when need arises which could also be termed that I am very active in some posts but inactive in some, due to what I said above.

Jazakhallah for your observation and may Allah continue to be with you and your household.

Maybe he wants 2 make Coconut rice. .

Maybe a new scientific discovery.

RFLMAO.

Beware, it is Bidah

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."

[Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 33]

Barka Jumuah

@Uplawal

What if he commit other sins,and yet hes patient,will he go paradise too,that means all the patient blind people of the Northern Nigeria will go paradise right?hmmm. Theres more to paradise brother,may Allah forgive us,amin.

Like I told you in one of the threads, you need to be patient when learning about Islam.  I still do not understand what you are trying to insinuate and you need enlightenement when it comes to Islam issues and it is better to ask questions that act in an 'I too know manner'. You should know me better and I would not be dragged into any argument.

Now, the above hadith is very straight forward and never said that only the enboldened people would enter paradise. In fact, the second deprivation which is patience mentioned in the hadith goes to you because you are not patient in some issues and feel that you know all.

Please thread softly.

@ Babs, may Almighty Allah(SWT) never stop to increase you in knowledge and faith, amin.

Jazakhallah. The prayer goes to you (my brothers and sisters), all Muslims and those that have been my backbone. Most times, a brother sends and I forward to you all.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: I heard Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying, "Allah said, 'If I deprive my slave of his two beloved things (i.e., his eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them.'"

[Bukhari Book70, Vol 7, No 556]

The source of deficiency in veiling another's shame and of striving to display it, is a hidden disease of the Inner, namely rancour and envy.For the rancorous and envious has his Inner full of dirt but keeps it imprisoned in his Inner, conceals it and does not show it as long as he lacks a pretext. But when he finds an opportunity the restraint is released, the reserve is abandoned and the Inner sweats with its hidden dirt[/b].

Whenever the [b]Inner is wrapped up with with rancour and envy, it is better to break off relations. Some wise men say that open blame is better than hidden rancour. The only thing to soften the rancorous is isolation. If a man carries in his heart a bad feeling towards another Muslim, then his belief is weak, his affair is risky, his heart is dirty and unfit to meet God.

Part of the matter is keeping quiet and not divulging a brother's secret which he has entrusted to you. You should deny knowledge of it, even if this means lying, for to speak the truth is not incumbent in every circumstance[/b]. [b]Just as it is permitted to a man to hide his own faults and secrets, even if he needs to lie, so may he do for his brother's sake. For his brother stands in his own shoes and the pair are like one person, different only in body. This is the true nature of brotherhood.

Furthermore, in what one does in one's brother's presence one should not be hypocritical, nor abandoned one's private for one's public behaviour. For your brother's knowledge of what you do is like your own knowledge of it, without distinction.

On the authority of Ibn Omar, the son of Omar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with both, who said : I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) "Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan."

[Bukhari]

Hearts Find Peace in the Remembrance of Allah

According to research by David B. Larson, of the American National Health Research Center, and his team, comparisons of devout and non-religious Americans have given very surprising results. For instance, religious people suffer 60% less heart disease than those with little or no religious belief, the suicide rate among them is 100% lower, they suffer far lower levels of high blood pressure, and this ratio is 7:1 among smokers.

It was reported in one study published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, an important scientific source in the world of medicine, that people who describe themselves as having no religious beliefs become ill more frequently and have shorter life spans. According to the results of the research, those with no beliefs are twice as likely to suffer stomach-intestine diseases as believers, and their mortality rate from respiratory diseases is 66% times higher than that of believers.

Secular psychologists tend to refer to similar figures as[b] “psychological effects.” [/b] This means that belief raises peoples’ spirits, and this contributes to health. This explanation may indeed be reasonable, but a more striking conclusion emerges when the subject is examined. Belief in Allah is much stronger than any other psychological influence. The wide-ranging research into the connection between religious belief and physical health carried out by Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical Faculty has produced surprising conclusions in this area. Despite not being a believer himself, Dr. Benson has concluded that worship and belief in Allah have a more positive effect on human health than that observed in anything else. Benson states that he has concluded that no belief provides as much mental peace as belief in Allah.

What is the reason for this connection between belief and the human soul and body? The conclusion reached by the secular researcher Benson is, in his own words, that the human body and mind are regulated to believe in Allah.

This fact, which the world of medicine has slowly begun to appreciate, is a secret revealed in the Qur’an in these words: “… Only in the remembrance of Allah can the heart find peace.” (Qur’an, 13:28) The reason why those who believe in Allah, who pray to and trust in Him, are psychologically and physically healthier is that they behave in accordance with the purpose of their creation. Philosophies and systems which contradict human creation always lead to pain and unhappiness.

Modern medicine is now tending towards the realization of this truth. As Patrick Glynn put it: “Scientific research in psychology over the past twenty-five years has demonstrated that, religious belief is one of the most consistent correlates of overall mental health and happiness.”

Concealing faults, feining ignorance of them and overlooking them- this is the mark of religious people. You have sufficient notice of the perfect degree in concealing what is ugly and revealing what is good, in that God (swt) is so qualified in the prayer where is it said: 'O Thou who revealest the beautiful and concealest the ugly! What is desirable in God's sight is what we modelour character after His, for He is the Veiler of faults, forgiver of sins, indulgent towards His creatures. So how can you fail to be indulgent towards one who is your equal or your superior, but in no way your slave or your creatures?

You must know that a man' belief is imcomplete as long as he does not wish for his brother what he wishes for himself. The lowest degree in brotherhood is where you treat your brother as you would wish to be treated yourself, and there is no doubt that he would expect you to veil his shame and keep quiet about his misdeeds and faults. If shown the opposite of what he expected he would be very annoyed and angry. How unworthy then, if he were to expect what he himself would not conceive and intend. Woe to him then in the words of the Book of God (SWT), for He says: " Woe to the givers of short measure, who exact in full when others measure out to them, but skimp in measuring or weighing out to others (Q83v 1-3)

Narrated Abu Musa:

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The example of a believer who recites the Qur'an and acts on it, like a citron which tastes nice and smells nice. And the example of a believer, who does not recite the Qur'an but acts on it, is like a date which tastes good but has no smell. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is like a Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Quran is like a colocynth which tastes bitter and has a bad smell." [b][/b](Sahih Bukhari - 4727)

Suspicion is formed in two ways: first by what is called perception which rests on some outward sign. This causes a necessary movement of the thinking which cannot be set aside. Secondly, there is that which arises from your prejudice against someone. There emanates from him some act which could be taken in either of two ways; but your prejudice against him causes you to settle for the worse interpretation, even though there is no outward sign to justify it. This is an offence against him in the Inner, something unlawful in respect of every believer. For the prophet (saw) said,'God has forbidden one believer to tamper with the blood, property or honour of another or to hold a bad suspicion of him.

Also 'Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the most untruthful report, and suspicion leads to prying spying.

Further: 'Do not spy and do not pry. Do not severe relationships and no not fall out,but serve God as brothers.[b][/b]

Prying consists in listening to rumours, spying in visual observation.

Narrated Abu Musa:

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The example of a believer who recites the Qur'an and acts on it, like a citron which tastes nice and smells nice. And the example of a believer, who does not recite the Qur'an but acts on it, is like a date which tastes good but has no smell. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is like a Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Quran is like a colocynth which tastes bitter and has a bad smell." (Sahih Bukhari - 4727)

The Concept of Islam and Our Understanding of It

How is it that the understanding of Islam has changed so completely in the mind of the average person from an all-embracing life system to merely a few acts of worship - often done half-heartedly in an automatic way or not even done at all? Today we find Muslims, most in fact, who consider that being a Muslim involves praying and fasting, but that otherwise they are free to live their lives according to any social, political or economical system they please. We also find those that claim to love Allah but profess that good feelings and intentions are sufficient as proof of Islam.

How was such an idea ever adopted - the notion that one’s loyalty to Islam is unrelated to his behavior? How did a Muslim come to imagine that he could oppose the teachings of his Lord and betray His trust; that he could lie, cheat and deceive; that he could refuse what is lawful, preferring what is unlawful; that he could accept humility and humiliation in order to preserve his status in a society based on immorality and oppression… and still claim allegiance to Islam? How could a Muslimah come to imagine that she could oppose the teachings of her Lord and betray His trust; that she could lie, cheat, deceive, covet and backbite; that she could go out, exposing herself to every eye; that she could willingly raise her children as contended members of an un-Islamic society, yet still imagine that the "good intention" in her heart would cancel all of that before Allah (subhaanahu wa ta`aala)?

From the very outset of Prophet Muhammad’s call to the worship of Allah alone and in the days when Islam was a vital movement attracting most of those who came in contact with it (which was a long period in history), the average Muslim was quite a different example than what we have today. When he said, "La ilaha ill Allah" and "Muhammadun Rasulullah," he did not consider those words as something to be pronounced and repeated without leaving any effect upon his thinking and behavior. He understood them to mean that Allah, the Creator, is the rightful governor of this universe. He understood that from the time Adam was set upon the earth, Allah had sent an eternal message to mankind, stating that whoever follows His guidance will be guided for his own benefit, but those who turn away in rejection will harm their own souls; and every soul will bear the consequences of its choice. He understood that Allah, God of the universe, is alone worthy to be worshipped and obeyed and that He alone has the right to direct one’s life. No other man or government has that right, and rulers are to be obeyed only as long as they uphold the laws of Allah. He understood that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, chosen by Him to relay the guidance that was meant to reach mankind, and that he was a living example of this guidance - a teacher to be followed and obeyed.

No one ever imagined that sincerity was enough. How could it be when the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) had made clear that faith is neither by desire nor by adornment, but it is what has settled in the heart and is proven by deeds.

One might imagine while seated comfortably in his chair that he could move the universe. But when he reaches out to move a nearby table, he finds that the effort needed to do so may require that he arise from his seat; and if the table is large, it may require even greater exertion on his part. Thus, the belief that sincerity alone suffices is deception. No doubt, there can be no deliberate or fruitful action without prior intention. But what good is sincerity or intention in practical terms? Unless it is translated into effective behavior, what is gained? There will be no reform, no progress, no accomplishment - no change at all.

And so Allah (subhaanahu wa ta`aala) repeats over and over in the Qur’an that His reward will be for those who believe and do righteousness. He never said that faith alone or intention is sufficient. Faith must become a motive to positive action - to doing as one is directed. That means putting the word of Allah above all else - above customs and traditions, above the opinions of man, above one’s own desires, laziness or reluctance.

All of this was apparent and self-evident to early Muslims. It was not their idealism alone which changed the course of history - it was action. They knew the laws of Allah had been sent down to be followed, and that that was the true meaning of worship.

Among the contemporaries of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) were those who erred and those who sinned. They were never free of human feelings or human weaknesses. They knew fear and anger and worldly temptation. The material of their creation was no different from our own. But the ever-present consciousness of Allah and the firm relationship with Him prevented them from decline, protected them from despair and continually renewed their hope. The first Muslims became unique examples of human excellence while never losing their human nature. Their society was one in which human potential was utilized to the utmost as simply a reflection of their understanding of Islam.

Barka Jumuah

i am not 28 yet but nikkah is on top of my agenda. number one as a matter of fact.

Age is just a number. A man is as old as he feels. I married when I was 32 years old when I got married and I still look younger than my age now.

i have had to call my previous two rlp off.

First Relationship, cuz of distance which lead to doubts. i had to pull the lid off to have peace of mind.

Well, distance could be a hindrance at times but I was staying in Egbeda while my wife was staying at Ojo. It all depends on trust.

Second relationship, i called it off cuz the sister was perenially in doubt as to my financial capacity to take care of her. Can you imagine what formed the basis of her opinion? the kind of phone i use. its one of those cheap phones i had then.

RFLMAO

Plus there was a time she called and i told her i was eating, asked me what and i said garri, GBAM! that was my 'undoing'

She is interested in what you have to offer (cash wise) and not in you as an individual.

third rlp is where i am right nw, supposed/would be mother in law is against my rlp with her daughter! I am praying and hoping she will have a change of heart, for how long?

A big amin for you.