₦airaland Forum

God's True Promise
By Sayed Qutb
Translated By Adil Salahi


After we are informed about the hypocrites in some verses of Surat An-Nur, a verse follows with glad tidings that Almighty Allah's promises His obedient believers. The verse outlines the reward of sincere obedience and proactive faith:

[Allah has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will surely make them rulers in the earth as He made rulers those before them, and that He will surely establish for them their religion, which He has chosen for them, and that He will surely, after their fear, give them security in exchange; they shall worship Me, not ascribing a thing as partner unto Me. And those who reject faith after that are the miscreants.] (An-Nur 24:55)

Such is Allah's promise to the believers who do good deeds and follow the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This promised reward is awarded in this life first, before human beings are held to account on the Day of Resurrection. According to this divine promise, the believers who do good will be given power and will be established on earth. Their state of fear will be replaced by a state of reassurance and security. Certainly, Allah's promise always comes true.

Actions, Not Words

It is then pertinent to ask about the nature of the faith referred to in the verse, as well as the practical fulfillment of this promise by Allah .Great indeed is the true faith required as a condition for fulfilling the promise given by Almighty Allah. It influences all human activity and defines its direction.

Once faith is well established in a person's heart, it begins to manifest itself in the form of positive and constructive actions purely undertaken for Allah's sake. It means full compliance with Allah's orders in all matters, major and minor. Furthermore, this faith transforms a believer's desires and inclinations in such as a way as to make them all in line with the Prophet's guidance bestowed on him by Allah.

It is the sort of faith that positively impacts people's whole entity, feelings, aspirations, natural inclinations, actions, and movements. It is the faith that governs people's behavior at home, in society, and with their Lord. All these must be devoted to Almighty Allah alone. This is specifically mentioned in the verse as a condition for giving believers power and establishing them on earth: [They will worship Me, not ascribing a thing as partner unto Me.]

Different Faces of Idolatry

Idolatry can take different shapes. It can creep into a person's mind through a variety of ways. However, the verse makes it clear that devoting one's deeds to anyone other than Allah is a manifestation of idolatry.

Through such trust and power, the believers would be able to establish justice on earth and lead humanity to a state of sublimity.
Belief in Allah is a complete way of life. It incorporates all divine orders, including the providing of all means, taking all precautions, and ensuring all that is necessary to fulfill the great trust of being in charge of the earth and of building human life on it.

So, what does this involve in reality? It does not merely entail being in power and forming a government. Rather, it involves all this with the proviso that it is used for promoting sound human life and the implementation of the way of life chosen by Allah for humankind. It is only through such implementation that humanity can achieve the level of perfection that befits the species that Allah has honored.

The trust given to human beings on earth is meant for building and promoting goodness, not for corruption and destruction. If truly handled, it should ensure justice and happiness for all, not the opposite. It leads to the elevation of human beings, saving them from sinking to the level of animals.

It is such power and such trust that Almighty Allah has promised the believers who do good deeds. He promised to give them power on earth, just as He gave it to earlier communities of believers so that they would put into practice the constitution He chose for His servants. Through such trust and power, the believers would be able to establish justice on earth and lead humanity to a state of sublimity.

In contrast to true believers, people who spread corruption and injustice and promote carnal desires are not in the position of trustees. They are subjected to a test or are the means to test others. All this is done to fulfill Allah's purpose. What further demonstrates this aspect of giving power to the believers is the fact that this promise is followed in the same verse by another one:

[And that He will surely establish for them their religion, which He has chosen for them.]

The firm establishment of their religion means that religion will, on one hand, take a firm hold on people's hearts and will, on the other, form the basis on which all life affairs are conducted. Allah has promised the believers who do righteous deeds to grant them power on earth and to make their faith govern human life. Their faith bids them do well, establish justice, shun worldly desires, and build a happy human life, making good use of all the resources Allah has placed on earth. More importantly, their faith drives them to devoting all these to Almighty Allah alone.

Furthermore, Allah's promise to the believers stipulates [And that He will surely, after their fear, give them security in exchange.]
For a long period of time, the Prophet's Companions were in a state of fear. Even after the immigration to Madinah, the city that served as the first base for Islam in history, they still could not put down their arms. Ar-Rabi` ibn Anas quoted Abu Al-`Aliyah's comments on this verse as follows:

The Prophet and his Companions remained in Makkah for around 10 years calling upon people to believe in and worship Almighty Allah alone, associating no partners whatsoever with Him. They did so in secret, as they were in a state of fear, and also they were commanded not to fight. But, when they later immigrated to Madinah, they were allowed and even commanded to fight for their cause.This meant that they were again in a state of fear, wearing their body armors day and night.

They persevered for as long as Almighty Allah willed. That being the case, one of the Companions asked the Prophet, "Are we to remain in fear for the rest of time? Will there come a time when we can put our armaments aside?" The Prophet replied, "It will not be long before any one of you can sit among a huge crowd without anyone carrying arms." Soon afterwards, Allah revealed this verse [quoted above].

The Prophet was thus able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia , and his followers became in a state of security. Therefore, they put down their arms. As such, after the Prophet's death, the Muslims remained in security during the reigns of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab, and `Uthman ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with them all). Yet, after that, friction occurred among the Muslims, and thus fear crept into their midst. When they changed their overall stance, their conditions also changed.

Not Among Those Promised

[And those who reject faith after that are the miscreants.] They are the ones who do not meet Allah's conditions, and therefore, His promise does not apply to them. When Allah's promise was fulfilled once, it remained effective for as long as the Muslims continued to meet the conditions set by Him: [They shall worship Me, not ascribing a thing as partner unto Me.] This includes any partners, whether deities to which worship is offered or personal desires and ambitions.

Victory, power, and security may be slow in coming, but this will only be the result of the believers' failure to meet some aspects of the conditions outlined. But, when Muslims have benefited from the trials they have to endure and passed the test Allah put them to; when they have endured fear and sought security; when they have yearned for dignity after humiliation; and when they have aspired to power after weakness, only then Allah's promise will be fulfilled for them in spite of any opposing power.

True believers must never give any weight to the power of unbelievers who fight the believers on account of their faith. Almighty Allah says:

[And keep up Prayer and pay the zakah and obey the Messenger so that mercy may be shown to you. Think not that those who disbelieve shall escape in the earth, and Fire will be their abode, and certainly evil is the resort!] (An-Nur 24:56–57)

Believers must maintain their bond with their Lord. They should keep their minds and hearts on the right path through Prayer. They should resist stinginess and purify themselves as individuals and as a community through the payment of zakah (obligatory alms). They must obey the Prophet and accept his judgment and implement Allah's law in all matters, great or small.

If properly achieved, this would enable Muslims to set human life on the path that Allah chose for them. Moreover, believers must do all this so that perhaps mercy may be shown to them. In this worldly life, Allah's mercy removes corruption, fear, worry, and error, and in the hereafter, it acts as a shield against His punishment, if He so wills.

* This article has been taken with modifications from the author's book In The Shade of The Qur'an.

Sayed Qutb(1906-1966) was a prominent and influential Muslim intellectual and writer. He wrote many books about Islam and its distinctive features as a comprehensive way of life. Among his most important works is his exegesis of the Qur'an In the Shade of the Qur'an, which was widely welcomed among Muslims and established itself as one of the best references in Qur'an exegesis.


"O Allah! let me love You as You deserved to be loved, and let me fear You as You deserve to be feared, and let me leave this world serving Your creation for Your sake! "O Allah! let my heart have light, and my sight have light, and my hearing (senses) have light, and let me have light on my right, and let me have light on my left, and let me have light above me, and have light under me, and have light in front of me, and have light behind me; and let me have light." (Bukhari, vol. 8. pp. 221, #329)

@Bideen

You may go to 'what did you learn in Islam recently' thread and read a lot about Islam or better still, you forwrd your question and the learned Ustaz, Alfas would respond

Salam

Insha Allah, I wil soon provide additional write up to the topic and the kind of music we have in Islam.

@4him

o boy blabs . . . take am easy o. this thing is too long for me to start responding to. Small small abeg.

But wait o . . . u call yourself a slave and then use the term "brethren"? Do you know what it means or are u just borrowing another biblical term as usual?

Dude, you may do the needful by telling me the meaning of the word 'brethren'. By the way where is Tosin, its been long I heard from him?

@Mustay

Insert Quote
if you are out somewhere and probably you are pressed and there's npwater for you to clean up(maybe the expressway), would your prayer be valid when u finally get to the mosque?

Salam. Bismillah Rahaman Raheem.
There is no sin when there is no water when you are pressed but when you get to the mosque clean yourself and do ablution before any prayer.

@4him

that al'lah regards you as no more than a slave does not mean the God of the bible does so too . . . read what He says about me . . .

Unless you are inclined to falsehood because I have verses from your bible where God used Servant/Slave for His prophets/Messengers and lest I forget, I asked you a question therein.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit [of God] itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Are you not ashamed David to have quoted Paul that contradicted himself on the road to Damascus and went further to go against the teaching of Jesus

Sorry bro, i'm not a slave please. Everything i can overlook but don't you EVER refer to me as a slave. I don't serve your task master.

If the prophets, Messengers before you were referred to as Slaves/Servants, what stops you from same and  you shouldnt forget that Jesus in which you claimed to be his followers happened to be a slave too even from your bible!!

Please make the denial again and I would give you verses right fro your OT to your NT on the use of Slaves.

Now here is a bit of scripture for the benefit of those who may fall victim to the sleight of hand of this slave who is merely going about his master's business -

Ok, let us read on.

Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Brethren, why not put away this deceit and stop this your garlala dance. You are quoting from a person in which you wouldnt be able to defend him more by the time we dig deep into the book of Hebrew, the contradiction, lies etc therein. Why not let Jesus speak for himself and when you are done with, we will check the indepth meaning of the word 'son' as being used by the jews and what they meant

Simple - God disciplines us AS SONS just the same way our earthly father would not hesitate to whip us when we are caught stealing N5. Would our father disown us because we told a lie and got flogged? Would he refuse to pay our school fees?
Same way . . . like your father, God disciplines His children because He loves them and wants them to learn from their mistakes.

I dont take that crap David. So God punish you like He punish slaves, atheists etc and even went as far as putting you His SON into HELL. I thought they say omo eni ko ni buru titi ka a fi fun ekun paje. The stubborness of your son cannot warrant you to alllow him to be killed by Lion.

That punishment is very different from that reserved for the unsaved (like blabs and olabowale), no matter how nice a man is . . . he will NEVER love someone who he never begat neither will he work to pay his school fees.
God's wrath is forever on the lost . . .

Do you care to shed light on the punishmnt for Son different from that of a slave? Yeye David

Even His lost son huh to the extent of hoarding them into Hell and by the way, can you do that to your children. Can you allow them to be doomed for life just because they sinned

Dear, apparently you NEVER read this - Matthew 5: 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Dont gloat in your own blindness just yet . . .

Read the bible, Herod was the Tetrarch . . . Lazarus was a mere beggar. We both know where they ended up.

David, I laugh when I read your dubious way of responding to posts, having known the truth but prefer to dance about nakedly.

I can see that your lack of understanding of the word 'son' has really affected you and couldnt allow to reason. Brother, the title being used there refers to SERVANTS as opposed to christian meaning. Ask any Jew you know and they would tell you but I do not really blame but your translators.

18:4 Furthermore, [this divine writ is meant] to warn all those who assert, "God has taken unto Himself a son."

18:5 No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers: dreadful -is this saying that comes out of their mouths, [and] nothing but falsehood do they utter!

19:35 It is not conceivable that God should have taken unto Himself a son: limitless is He in His glory! When He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it "Be" -and it is!

19:90 whereat the heavens might well-nigh be rent into fragments, and the earth be split asunder, and the mountains fall down in ruins!

19:91 That men. should ascribe a son to the Most Gracious,

19:92 although it is inconceivable that the Most Gracious should take unto Himself a son!  

19:93[b] Not one of all [the beings] that are in the heavens or on earth appears before the Most Gracious other than as a servant:[/b]

23:91 Never did God take unto Himself any offspring, nor has there ever been any deity side by side with Him: [for, had there been any,] lo! each deity would surely have stood apart [from the others] in whatever it had created, and they would surely have [tried to] overcome one another! Limitless in His glory is God, [far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition,

Rubbish . . . Matthew 23: 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

The key thing which is obviously missing from most muuslims is the ability to think and understand before running away with a poor mastery of the scriptures.

The disciples of Christ had fathers . . . none of them stopped refering to them as their father.

Father . . . in the sense of the above verse you quoted is describing a purely spiritual phenomenon.

This rather than be a banana peel for the christian CLEARLY exposes your duplicitiousness. Earlier your argument had all along been that God does not want us to call Him father . . . all of a sudden . . . now you turn around and say we shld call only Him father and not our earthly fathers?

Brother, I marvelled at your dishonesty in trying to avoid my above verse.

1. Why did he tell them not to call anybody on earth father
2. Can you shed light on the spiritual phenomen you inferred?

"None is more patient than Allah against the harmful and annoying words He hears (from the unbelievers among mankind). They ascribe children to Him, (They worship His created beings as Gods and saviours), yet He bestows upon them (sound) health and (worldly) provisions" (Bukhari)

None is more devious than al'lah.
Why is al'lah ANNOYED that you call him your father?
Why do the words "father" annoy and harm al'lah so so much?
Why does al'lah want NO children?

Who is this al'lah? I certainly want NO part of him.

Brother, I weep at your ignorance and you digging your grave with thine hands. By the way, is is not Allah Northern christians, Arab christians call God?

I weep for your soul at your blasphemous quote up

Take time to read these:



18:4 Furthermore, [this divine writ is meant] to warn all those who assert, "God has taken unto Himself a son."

18:5 No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers: dreadful -is this saying that comes out of their mouths, [and] nothing but falsehood do they utter!

19:35 It is not conceivable that God should have taken unto Himself a son: limitless is He in His glory! When He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it "Be" -and it is!

19:90 whereat the heavens might well-nigh be rent into fragments, and the earth be split asunder, and the mountains fall down in ruins!

19:91 That men. should ascribe a son to the Most Gracious,

19:92 although it is inconceivable that the Most Gracious should take unto Himself a son!  

19:93[b] Not one of all [the beings] that are in the heavens or on earth appears before the Most Gracious other than as a servant:[/b]

23:91 Never did God take unto Himself any offspring, nor has there ever been any deity side by side with Him: [for, had there been any,] lo! each deity would surely have stood apart [from the others] in whatever it had created, and they would surely have [tried to] overcome one another! Limitless in His glory is God, [far] above anything that men may devise by way of definition,

@Backslider


Shuo na wa o

@4him

As for your dancing around God being a Father issue, i merely provided just one of the numerous verses about God being OUR FATHER. . . here are a lot more . . .

Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

I read your biblical verses up in relation to the use of the word' father' in which you ignorantly believed that God is your Father. Please can someone be a slave and at the same time be a son?

God even asked you a question that, how could you be His Children when you have no edge than those not calling him by that and he still punish you like others and you should know that you should be different from people not calling him father because it means you must be his children and he shouldnt have left you to be suffering with others (Muslims, atheists etc). The economic hardship shouldnt have been your portion, you ought to have been elevated and we His slaves shouldnt be having any say in anything but you dominating everything. Oro buruku

David, have you come across a verse in the bible that says you should not call anybody here on earth your FATHER but the only one in heaven? Please what do you call your mother's husband and did I hear you say Father?

Lastly David:

"None is more patient than Allah against the harmful and annoying words He hears (from the unbelievers among mankind). They ascribe children to Him, (They worship His created beings as Gods and saviours), yet He bestows upon them (sound) health and (worldly) provisions" (Bukhari)

Salam

Nice post. May Allah bless you (Amin)

@Lady

I have clearly called him Father and Son and Holy Spirit and time and time again he answers my call, there is evidence.
So I will continue to call him Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Educate yourself here please:

The Holy Prophet Muhammed (saw) said:

"Wherever anyone of you places his faith, there also he would find it".

So, with this saying of the Prophet, as Muslims, we should never be suprised at all if we happen to see a person who believes that by worshipping a certan tree or idol, his demand would be granted, for certainly it would be so, but why? Simply because that is where he places his faith and so, Allah will be granting his demands based on the idol or whatever he believes in.

Similarly, a person who believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord, Saviour and Provider in preference to the Almighty Allah will also definitely have his wordly demands granted as much as Allah wills. Concerning this, the Holy Prophet Muhammed (saw) said:

"None is more patient than Allah against the harmful and annoying words He hears (from the unbelievers among mankind). They ascribe children to Him, (They worship His created beings as Gods and saviours), yet He bestows upon them (sound) health and (worldly) provisions" (Bukhari)

Also, Allah states in the Quran thus:

Quran 7 v 30: They took the satan in preference to Allah, (the almighty) for their God, friend and protector and think that they receive (the true) guidance.

For those who place their faith in Allah, the Almighty and sincerely follow the true Islamic path, Allah says thus:

Quran 2 v 257: Allah is the protector of those who have faith in Him.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-16387.96.html

Salam

sorry 4 diverting.


Luis Felipe Scolari

World class coach of Chelsea!

We would see that before the end of the new season.

@Lady

2. Paul did not introduce the trinity concept, it was already there in the beginning, it is in the Torah

Can you please show me the trinity concept in the Torah?

They have everything to put into the religion but nothing to show for it on judgment day hence Jesus' saying that 'what would it profit a man who gain the whole world and lose his soul. ?

This is because you are God and you know what is going on with every single one of us?

Oya tell what we have not gained by putting everything into the religion.

Since muuslims have so much to show for what they've put in the religion, show me.
Show me what you have gained. Show what muuslims have gained.

I am not God sister Efeosa but I gave you verse from your book and if you care, I can give you Q uranic verse butressing the above quote lifted from your bible. You can go to Chapter 3, 5 etc of my Holy Book and educate yourself and tell me your (Christian) position before God.

babs my brother, I pray our mothers turn Mus'lims before they leave the face of the earth, and that those who have Mus'lim mothers should pray that their Iman heightens and never leaves them. Amin

Amin and please fellow muslims, pray for our mothers to accept the truth before death. It is very painful when you even realise that their singing, dancing, fasting, etc would all be in vain and nothing would be accepted even it were to be lorry loads without Islam. They have everything to put into the religion but nothing to show for it on judgment day hence Jesus' saying that 'what would it profit a man who gain the whole world and lose his soul. ?

Hello people, how are you? I know I haven't been contributing as mush here, I do apologise. I am busy with classes and work and when I come here, i spend most of my time showing those who do not believe in Christ and who want to label the Bible as false that they truly have no idea what is in the Bible. I hope you guys visit that thread (Gospel of Barnabas) and see what's going on.

. We will continue to read from that thread and see where it would lead us to. Truth they say, is always bitter

Friday Message


Scenes from the hereafter

The Exposure

Mankind, from Aadam to the last man to be created, will be exposed before their Lord-Allaah Almighty- for judgment, as He, The Most Exalted, Says (what means): “And they shall be presented before their Lord in rows.” [Quran 18: 48]

The Prophet said, “Mankind will be exposed three exposures on the Day of Resurrection. The [first] two exposures shall be disputation and excuses, but at the third [exposure], the scrolls [of deeds] will be distributed, and then some will take them in their right hands, others in their left.” [At-Tirmithi]

So, the first time, people will dispute with one another: the weak with the tyrants who hindered them from faith, the tyrants responding that they are, in the final analysis, not to blame, for each individual believes or disbelieves by his/her own conscious decision. The disbelievers will deny that prophets came to them.

At the second exposure, people will acknowledge their wrongs, and will seek excuses. With the third exposure, the books of deeds will be distributed amongst them. Receiving the book in the right hand signifies success, while receiving it in the left hand or behind one’s back signifies failure.

Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):

"O mankind, indeed you are laboring toward your Lord with [great] exertion and will meet it. Then as for he who is given his record in his right hand. He will be judged with an easy account. And return to his people in happiness. But as for he who is given his record behind his back. He will cry out for destruction. And [enter to] burn in a Blaze." [Quran 84: 6-12]

The Questioning

Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): “So by your Lord, We will surely question them all. About what they used to do.” [Quran 15: 92-93] and (what means): “Then We will surely question those to whom [a message] was sent, and We will surely question the messengers.” [Quran 7: 6]

The people will be questioned about whether messengers came to them, and how they responded to them. The messengers themselves will be questioned about whether they conveyed the message.

Belief in the questioning and reckoning of the Hereafter instills a sense of responsibility and accountability in the Muslim. He must be constantly watching over his heart and his deeds, and must be prepared to forego those fleeting, ephemeral pleasures of this world which are available to him on the path of sin. He must be prepared to undergo some suffering and hardship in the temporary abode (worldly life), in order to avoid the inescapable consequences of evil in the Hereafter. He must fear standing before his Lord if he desires safety on that ghastly day. Allaah, the Almighty and Majestic, Says in a Hadeeth Qudsi (narration in which the meaning is from Allaah and the wording is from Prophet Muhammad ): “By My Might! I shall not combine for My slave two lives of fear, nor two lives of surety.” [Ibn Hibbaan]

People will be questioned, on the Day of Judgment:

1. About faith, as the Prophet said: “You will be asked about (the testimony of faith): ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah (none is worthy of worship but Allaah)’” [At-Tirmithi]

2. About the five-daily prayers: The Prophet said “The first thing which the slave will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is in order, then he shall have prospered and succeeded, while if it is impaired, then he shall have failed and be ruined.” [At-Tirmithi]

3. About those under one's care: Allaah Almighty Says (what means):

“O you who have believed! Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, ” [Quran 66: 6]

The Prophet said: “Every one of you is a guardian, and every one of you will be asked about those under his care. The man is a guardian over his family, and will be questioned about those under his care. The woman is a guardian over her husband’s house, and will be questioned about that under her care. The slave is a guardian over his master’s property, and will be questioned for that under his care.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

4. About the bodily organs: Allaah Almighty Says (what means):

“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart- about all those [one] will be questioned (by Allaah), ” [Quran 17: 36]

5. About delights: Allaah Almighty Says (what means): “Then on that Day you shall be asked about pleasure (you indulged in, in this world)!” [Quran 102:8]

6. About intentions: Allaah Almighty Says (what means): “Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments — We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived.” [Quran 11:15-16]

In a long narration reported by Muslim we are told that the men whose cases shall be judged first on the Day of Resurrection shall be a man who was martyred, a man who acquired knowledge and taught it and who recited the Quran, and a man to whom Allaah had been generous and given many varieties of wealth. These men will acknowledge Allaah’s favors upon them, and will claim that they did these deeds for His sake. They will be exposed as liars, for they did not do these deeds for the sake of Allaah. The man who was martyred had been fighting in order to be called brave, the scholar or reciter of the Quran had acted thus in order to gain a reputation as such, and the benefactor had sought recognition as a generous person. Since deeds are judged according to their intentions, these people received what they had sought through these deeds, and so they will not receive reward for them on the Day of Judgment. Hence, they will be dragged into Hell on their faces.

Additionally, there are four questions which everyone must face on the Day of Judgement. The Prophet said: “The feet of a slave will not move on the Day of Judgement until he has been questioned about [four things:] his life – how he spent it, his knowledge – how he acted upon it, his wealth – where he earned it and how he spent it, and his body – how he used it.” [At-Tirmithi]

@4him


Out of your hogwash, your quote below fascinated me hence my posting it here.

It spoke to Elija, it spoke to Balaam, it spoke in the form of a dove when Christ was being baptised, it spoke to Abraham . . . what nonsense are you talking about?

So since you said the Spirit spoke to those listed above, how come the 'comforter' would be Holy Spirit when it was already in existence or is the spirit that talked to those above and even Jesus different from the one claimed by you?  Also I thought it was God that spoke in the verse you said but not knowing that it was holy spirit


Lest I forget:

supply the "prophecies" please. Not doing so makes you a bold-faced liar.

Are you ready to accept Islam if I supply you the prophecies that came to pass?

HE has traced his lineage back to Annuki his great gran gran father who ministered the "facts" to him. Awon ode osi

100% right

Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl:

Allah the exalted has

The Qur’an says what means:

*{And as for the night keep awake a part of it as an additional prayer for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of praise and glory!}* (Al-Israa' 17:79)

This was a command directly addressed to the prophet (peace be upon him), but it is also meant for his followers to adopt these special prayers, as additional prayers of devotion to Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah speaks of such devotees who ", fall down in adoration and celebrate the praises of their Lord and are so God-fearing that they leave their comfortable beds to remember God and seek His forgiveness, "


*{They do forsake their beds of sleep, the while they call on their Lord, in fear and hope, }* (As-Sajdah 32:16)

And again, we read about the blessed souls who are engaged most of the night in worshipful remembrance of Allah and prayers for His grace and mercy:

*{They were in the habit of sleeping but little by night, and in the hours of early dawn, they [were found] praying for forgiveness…}* (Adh-Dhariyat 51:17-18)

All the above verses make obvious reference to Qiyam Al-Layl. In addition, the Prophet has said:

"Keep up Qiyam Al-Layl. It was the way of the virtuous who came before you, it draws you nearer to your Lord, atones for your sins, forbids you from evil and protects the body from sickness." (At-Tirmidhi)

`A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) reported that he used to keep standing - in long night prayer - so long that the skin of his feet would crack. When asked, why he did this while all his past and future sins were forgiven, he said:
"Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

`Abdullah Ibn Salam also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

"O people, promote the greetings, feed [the poor and needy] and perform prayers, when others are asleep, so that you will enter paradise safely." (At- Tirmidhi)

On the other hand, Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

“The best of prayers, after the prescribed prayers, is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allah, Muharram.” (Muslim)

According to `Amr ibn`Absah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

“The time when the closest the Lord is to His slave is in the later part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Also, Yahya ibn Mu`adh said:

“Remedy of the heart consists of five things: reading the Qur’an and pondering over its meaning, having an empty stomach, praying at night (Qiyam Al-Layl), beseeching Allah at the time of sahar and keeping company with righteous people.”

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preferred to go to sleep early, after `Isha' prayer. The reason was to avoid sleeping too long, for fear of missing Fajr prayer, or Qiyam Al-Layl. Also, `Umar ibn al-Khatab used to urge people to sleep early, so that they would not miss Qiyam Al-Layl.

`Uqbah ibn `Aamir reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

“When a man from my Ummah (nation) gets up to pray at night, striving against his own self to get up and purify himself, there are knots on him. When he washes his hands in wudu', one knot is undone. When he washes his face, another knot is undone. When he wipes his head another knot is undone. When he washes his feet, another knot is undone. Then Allah says to those who are veiled (in the unseen): Look at this slave of Mine, he is striving against his own self and asking for Me. Whatever My slave asks of Me shall be his.” (Ahmad)

Qiyam Al-Layl is an act of worship that connects the heart to Allah and enables it to overcome the temptations of life and to strive against one’s own self, at the time when voices are stilled, eyes are closed in sleep, and sleepers are tossing and turning in their beds. Therefore, Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the measures of sincere determination and one of the qualities of those who have great ambitions. Allah has praised them and distinguished them from others in the Qur’an, where He says:

*{Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer] during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord [like one who disbelieves]? Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember.}* (Az-Zumar 39:9)

Qiyam Al-Layl is a sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed habit of the Prophet, recommended to be followed), which he (peace be upon him) urged us to do when he said:

“You should pray Qiyam Al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, will expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin and expel disease from the body.” (At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)

He (peace be upon him) always had the habit of praying Qiyam Al-Layl, and never gave it up, whether he was traveling or staying at home.

Among the pious ladies of the old times too, we read of many who were very keen to pray Qiyam Al-Layl. Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Jibreel said to me, ‘Go back to Hafsah, for she fasts a lot and prays a lot at night (Qiyam Al-Layl).’” (Al-Hakim)

Mu`adhah al-`Adawiyah, one of the righteous women physicians spent her wedding night, along with her husband Silah ibn Ashyam, praying until dawn. Then, when her husband and son were killed in the land of Jihad, she would spend the whole night in prayer, worshipping and beseeching Allah. Then, she would sleep during the day. If she felt sleepy whilst she was praying at night, she would tell herself: “O soul, there is plenty of sleep ahead of you.”

The above sayings and anecdotes of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his early followers clearly illustrate importance of Qiyam Al-Layl. It tells us about the boundless blessings Allah would bestow on us, if we care to spend the few hours of the night in prayerful worship of our All-Merciful Lord.

May Allah bless us to be His sincere devotees, to merit His rewards here and hereafter!

Salam.

Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl (KEEPING NIGHT) 1


AS-SALAM ALEIKUM WARAMOTULAH


Dear brothers and sisters,


All praise belongs to God, We praise him, We seek his aid, we seek his forgiveness and we turn unto him in repentance. We seek refuge with God from the evil of our souls and from sinful deeds. Whomever God guides, none can misguide him; and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no god worth of worship except God and I bear witness that The Great Prophet is His servant and Messenger.

May God bestow His peace and blessing upon Prophet The Great Prophet, upon his good and pure family, as well as all the noble Companions and those who follow them in righteousness until the day of reckoning.

We call on God to bless the souls of our leaders Abu Bakri and Umar and Uthman and Alli and there household and their righteous companions and the immediate followers of them and those that follows them in goodness till the day f reckoning.

Al-hamdulilah to God once again for hearing from each in spite of our tight and ethic schedule, am really dedicating this reminder to only one person, may his soul rest in perfect peace Amen, the late Baba adinni of Nigeria, Alh. chief Iyanda Wahab Folawiyo, lets recite one surat ikhlaz for him.

Briefly, one thing I now about this father is that he finance a program of a call to solaat (five daily calls on radio), which benefit a lot of people am talking about the handicap, the blind and even you and if that were created perfectly when we tends to forget the time of solaat during our daily dealings. wait a minute I can point out something here can your remember before Bilal started calling the Azan out, have you forgotten the braveness of Umar ibn khatab? who standout in present of the warriors of the makkans saying: let him come and face me he who doesn't  care if his wife could turn to a widow, he who does care if his children can turn orphans and his family can loss him. Anyway I can't count his reward till the day when calling Azan will  be no more, but I can say more about the reward of the caller

`Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman reported: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May God be pleased with him) said to me: "I see that you like living among your sheep in wilderness. So whenever you are with your sheep or in wilderness and you want to call Adhan, you should raise your voice because whoever hears the Adhan, whether a human or jinn or any other creature, will testify for you on the Day of Resurrection.'' Abu Sa`id added: "I heard this from the Messenger of God (PBUH).''
[Al-Bukhari].

So this is another sacrifice entirely, God does make it easy for some people to spend out of wealth righteously but not easy for some people including their time for God in times of Five times daily prayer talk less of night sacrifice. I pray to God to make it an easy one for each and every one of us.

Q73, V2 : Whatever good you send on is for yourselves, you will find it with God, he is the best and greatest in bestowing reward

Q2, V274: Whatever of your pure wealth you spend, God has full knowledge thereof


Barka Jumah (wishing you the blessing of Jumah)

@4him

JOHN 14:15-17: "If you love me you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter to be with you forever - the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you."

The comforter here is clearly identified by 2 important factors:
- He will be with us FOREVER - M'ohammad is long dead.
- He is known as the "Spirit of Truth" - M'ohammad was not a spirit.

David, I have challenged your folks to the verse but no answer to my single question yet. You are confused at the use of the word 'spirit of truth' and even went as far as saying that the Mohammed is dead and couldnt have been the spirit. Please what you do not understand is that, he may have died but his message still remain with us and will for ever be and that is the meaning of 'HE' will be with us forever.

Spirit of Truth being used therein does not mean that the verse referred to Holy Spirit but happened to be a fraud. Put on your thinking cap and ask yourself, can a spirit act as 'another conforter' for a human comforter?

JOHN 14:25, 26: "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

- the comforter is now identified as the Holy Spirit - this could not be a reference to m'ohammad

As above. The Holy spirit you are laying claim to couldnt have been the comforter becasue there are verses showing that it has been existing before Jesus. I will profer further explanation to the verse you quoted below.

JOHN 16:7,8: "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment,

"


Good. Now this is what happened. Jesus said that it was necessary for him to go so that the comforter would come and that if he did not go, the comforter would not come but we read verses showing that holy spirit has been existing before Jesus. Holy spirit was with early people before Jesus came and it is still in existence. Jesus Christ happened to a comforter and for another comforter to replace him, it would have to be similar to the one leaving (Jesus). Holy Spirit couldnt have been the expected comforter because the word' another' used therein implied a comforter coming that would be like the one already in existence and I could remember tht I asked Pilgrim if the Holy spirit has been in existence or not because the comforter to come would be a new being and Holy spirit has been in existence since creation, so the comforter to come couldnt have been the Holy spirit brethren David

- there is no concept of sin and righteousness in the q'uran - so this "comforter" was clearly not m'ohammad.

Do you need Qu ranic stand on this?

JOHN 16:13-15: "But when he, the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it know to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

- this comforter was to bring glory to Jesus Christ - M'ohammad DENIED the very essence of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and relegated Him to a mere "prophet".

Brother, unless you want to deceive yourself that there is no story of Jesus in the Holy Q u'ran. Go to chapter 3 (Surah Imran) and also Chapter 5 (Surah MAIDAH) and read everything you may need to know about Jesus.

Does spirit speaks?

What has the holy spirit told you with regards to things to come? ( When you are through, I will supply you my prophet's prophecies that came to pass).

Let me stop here for your response.

@Frizy

@Olabowale

I feel your testimony. You know my mum is also Christian, whenever I listen to the Ko'ran or read it and I hear what All'ah promised those who don't believe in Him, I remember her. O my poor mother, I pray she becomes a convert because she is so nice and caring.
Please pray for her o. babs,samba and all my Mus'lim brothers.

Can you believe that I am facing similar issue with regards to my Mother. MY Father accepted last year during Ramadhan. I even posted it late last year to show my appreciation to God for showing my father the right path:

Salam

I am the happiest man on earth.

My aged father just reverted (accepted The Great Religion) this Holy month of Ramadhan. He first called me on phone at the start of the fasting that he would be fasting during the month and decided to accept The Great Religion. I thought that he was just pulling my legs since we have all preached to him with proofs to no avail.

I called a brother of mine closer to him and he confirmed same to me. I went to his house and Alhamdulillah, the story remained same. He had made the Shahadah, learnt Surah Fatiha and three shortest Surahs.

When the fasting got to 20, my father made sure that he gave sawn and Iftah to people who are fasting. He also told me that he is doing all these in order to make up for the days he'd been dancing about because he never knew if this may be his last time on earth.

My simblings and I were happy and are still happy for him because we have been praying and thinking of how that day would be without The Great Religion in his life and Alhamdulillah, he has accepted, started praying too and completed his fasting too.

Tory too much jare .

Please help me felicitate.

Maa Salam

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-16387.448.html

I do feel for my mother. After I accepted, my father's last child did too but my mother is still the issue now and we do preach to her but it seems she realised the truth but she still likers that dancing, singing and clapping.

When with her, she would remind me of time for Salah and cautioned any of her children that did not observe the Salah on time but still do not know what is really wrong.

I could remember some years back when I went to pay her visit, I woke up in my room and found under my pillow a bible and asked why did that but said that it was for protection. I laughed and removed it but told her that it is not even advisable to put the Quran under one's pilow while sleeping but the best thing to do is to do ablution, recite some Surahs as the holy Prophet taught us and sleep on the right side and if you have bad dream, pray over it and do not tell anybody but if you have good , share it and appreciate God's favour,Mercies and greatness.

Please help me pray for her because we (her children) weep when we remember what her fate would be without Islam. It is very panful

This thread ought to have been removed. It is not making sense

Today's New International Version


Mark 10:17-23.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.

19 You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'

20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"


King James Version

10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.

10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

10:20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

wetin concern me concern israelite/?

but

Taking Account Of The Self
(Al-Muhaasabah)


Alif Laam Meem. Do the people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tested those before them, and indeed, Allah knows those who are truthful, and He knows those who lie. [Qur'an 29:17]

The duty of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong is especially difficult when practised on one's own self. Familiarity takes the edge off of criticism; and Shaytaan is ever prepared to defend the erring soul with countless excuses, for this is his last stronghold, and he will never abandon it willingly.

When Shaytaan loses hope of affecting a believer's deed or speech, he seeks to invade the heart and strike at the root of righteousness - intention. By corrupting the intention, he will win the soul; by injecting it with shirk, he will make it unacceptable Allah (suhaanahu wa ta'aalaa), because in His sight, "Deeds are only according to intentions." {Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] A sensitive believer who knows the weaknesses of the soul can be on guard against the whisperings of Shaytaan and not lose sight of "as-siraat al-mustaqeem. "

'Umar Ibnul-Khattaab advised, "Call yourselves to account before you are called to account."; and undoubtedly, Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) as given us the means by which to do this:

And We have shown him the two ways. [Qur'an 90:10]

In other words, mankind has been given the tools with which to distinguish good from evil, and right from wrong: observation, perception, conscience, judgement and emotion, all in a delicate balance. But even so, as we are reminded by Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, such assessment is difficult unless one has the following:

1. The light of wisdom -the light by which Allah has enlightened the hearts of those who follow the teachings of the prophets.

2. The ability to discern between blessing and trials in what Allah as provided, i.e. one's wealth, time, skills, opportunities, influence, etc. - That which is used in ways pleasing to Allah contains blessing and benefit, but that which is used otherwise will be evidence against the soul on the Day of Judgement

3. Suspicion of the self, which leads to a more complete inspection - For indeed, none will harbour a negative thought about his own soul except one who knows it well, while one who thinks well of his soul is most ignorant of himself. [Ibn Al-Qayyim in Madaarij as-Saalikeen]

Except for the most private forms of worship, most of our deeds are observed by others and judged by them. However, Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) is concerned with that is in the heart. "Allah does not look to your bodies or your faces, but he looks to your hearts an deeds." [Muslim] The quantity of deeds is therefore less important than the quality (how and why). No matter what the impression of our fellow men, the true intention behind every word and action is known only by Allah, and it is He Who judges from the position of absolute familiarity with every soul and every circumstance.

He knows that which deceives the eyes and what the breasts conceal. Qur'an 40:19

How easy it is to make excuses or justify oneself to others. However, one must constantly remember that Allah is aware of the entire truth; therefore, we ourselves must face the truth as well. Speaking directly to His servants in the Qur'an, Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) says:

And know that Allah knows what is within yourselves so be aware of Him. Qur'an 2:235

And know that Allah comes between a man and his heart and that to Him you shall be gathered. Qur'an 8:24

Truly He knows the secret and what is even more hidden. Qur'an 20:7
So do not represent yourselves as righteous, for He knows best who fears Him. Qur'an 53:32

Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will hold you to account for it. Qur'an 2:284

These verses were terrifying to the Prophet's companions (radiallahu 'anhu). Because of their intense devotion and their consciousness of Allah, they often worried about certain thoughts and feelings that came to them, repeatedly asking the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) about them until they were finally reassured, "Allah has overlooked for me in my community that which occurs in their minds as long as they neither speak of it nor act upon it." [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, An-Nasaai, Ibn Maajah] The pious companions and their followers were the most critical of their own souls, always seeking to correct themselves in anticipation of the Judgement; and indeed, they were the best of the community. After the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had confided to Hudhayfah the names of some of the hypocrites, 'Umar asked him fearfully, "Am I among them?" Thus, when Allah wishes good for His servant, he makes him aware of his own
faults.

Keeping the soul in line involves a continuous struggle against Shaytaan:

Certainly, Shaytaan is an enemy to you. So take him as an enemy. [Qur'an 35:6]

Through knowledge, one can protect himself from Shaytaan, so every believer should be aware of the following facts:

1. Every soul has certain weaknesses, and Shaytaan is always looking for the opportunity to take advantage of them and exploit them to the utmost degree. Each individual soul is susceptible to certain temptation more than others; thus there is a need for one recognise his own particular weaknesses and guard against them. In several verses the Qur'an refers to disbelief (kufr) and hypocrisy (nifaq) as "disease in the heart." Lesser faults and weaknesses were also labelled by scholars as "diseases of the heart." These include tendencies toward anger, hate, envy , selfishness, conceit or injustice, as well as love of wealth, prestige, physical pleasures or excess - even in those things normally permissible. All of them are doors open to Shaytaan.

2. Two conditions are required for Allah's acceptance of any deed:

Sincerity of intention, i.e. it must be done for Him alone to seek is pleasure or to prevent is anger. Even ordinary daily tasks become forms of worship when performed with this in mind. Honesty, precision and conscientiousness in every deed is required by Allah and rewarded by Him.

Correctness - It must be done according to His ordained religion, i.e. lawful according to the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)

It must be remembered that nay action carried out according to erroneous traditions, unlawful innovations or personal preferences can be faulted in both categories. In reference to this, the Qur'an states:

So whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone. [Qur'an 18:110]

3. Shirk destroys any good deeds a person may have done, no matter how great or numerous. And this also is affirmed clearly:

If you should associate others with Allah your work would perish [Qur'an 39:65]

A lesser form of shirk is showing one's deeds to others or speaking about them in order to gain respect or some other worldly benefit. This kind of "showing off" is called hidden shirk because it is not usually evident to others. In fact, the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) described it as "more hidden than the creeping of ants." Only the sincere believer recognises hidden shirk and feels pain and sadness if he should succumb to it from time to time: but others practice it continually, without even being aware of it. They are the ones who have forgotten Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) to such an extent that the opinions of people become all-important.

Showing off, when done consciously and purposely, nullifies the deed and can lead to punishment. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) has stated that the first to be condemned on the Day of Judgement will be a martyr, a qari' (a reciter of the Qur'an) and a giver of charity. When each of them comes before his Lord declaring that his great work was done for Him, he will be told, "You have lied." Allah will say to the martyr, "You fought to be called brave, and it was said." And He will say to the reciter, "You learned and taught to be called a scholar, and you recited to be called a qari'; and it was said." And to the charitable one, "You spent to be called generous, and it was said." Then it will be commanded that each be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire. [Abridged from a hadeeth narrated by Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasaai]

Thus, when a person seeks a worldly result, preferring it to the reward of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa), he can no longer expect that reward in the Hereafter. In another hadeeth it is related: "If someone makes himself heard, Allah will make heard [that which he concealed]; and if someone shows off, Allah will expose him." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] This indicates that those who make their deeds known with the intention of being recognised in this world will be exposed by Allah on the Day of Judgement when they are most in need of His acceptance.

The following are some example of deliberate hidden shirk:

Lengthening the prayer, or perhaps, only the period of prostration in the presence of others
Purposely displaying the effects of fasting, jihad or other deeds on the body
Wearing certain clothing known to be that of ascetics or scholars, or taking care to be seen with them
Speaking unnecessarily about good deeds done previously, seeking admiration
Lowering the voice to imply fear of Allah or other affected mannerisms

Showing off knowledge or skill in conversation or using the remembrance of Allah repeatedly to give an impression of piety, or giving advice and warnings in order to be considered a wise and caring benefactor - This is most prevalent among some scholars and religious leaders who feel compelled to live up to the expectations of their followers

Undoubtedly, there are those who reason that if a deed is done initially with the intention of reward in the Hereafter, then what harm is there in looking for a worldly benefit in it as well? But Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa) has disclosed in a hadeeth qudsi, "I am most self-sufficient of partners, needing no partnership; so if one does a deed for Me and for another [simultaneously] , then I am disassociated from it, and it is only for the other partner." [Muslim and Ibn Maajah]

There are, as well, some non-deliberate mistakes which may lessen one's reward without cancelling it completely. These include the following:

Mentioning one's good works after their completion

Taking pride inwardly in one's deeds or even in one's sincerity

Performing righteous works because of the pleasure found in them (other than the pleasure of serving Allah)
Showing that which reveals much worship on the body or in the voice (other than speech)
Being unhappy if one's charity or help is not appreciated by the recipient Appreciation and reward would be expected only from Allah

Finding acts of worship easier to perform if others are aware of them and experiencing pleasure in others observance of these acts.

Those most faithful to Allah are in constant fear of hidden shirk and they continually exert efforts to conceal their righteous deeds, unless, for some reason, there is more benefit in disclosing them.

At this point, some reassurance may be necessary; for there are things which one might imagine to be shirk but are not:

Accepting thanks for praise for some good which one has done - The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "That is an immediate sign of good tidings for the believer." [Muslim] It is merely a preview of what awaits him in the Hereafter, but on the condition that it subsequently does not go to his head. There is no harm in fame gained by a person who does not seek it, but he must take care that it does not corrupt his soul.
Accepting payment for a job done initially seeking reward from Allah - Such is the case of one who chooses a certain vocation for which there is a need in the community while he could just as well earn his living in some other way.

Wearing good clothes - This is not blameworthy unless it is done in conceit, for the purpose of showing off or involves extravagance and waste. As stated in a hadeeth; When Allah blesses His servant with a blessing, He likes to see it upon him." [At-Tabaraani]

Setting a good example for others (as a means of teaching)

One should remember the following two points as well:

Concealing one's sin is a duty. A Muslim should not speak of sins he has committed; rather, he should repent privately and correct his behaviour. Then Allah will conceal that sin for him on the Day of Judgement and forgive him.

Increasing the amount of worship when one is among a group of worshippers is not considered to be showing off. Because the normal wish of a believer is to worship Allah, being the group helps him to overcome certain obstacles (such as his own forgetfulness or laziness) and to realise his original aim.
In an effort to reinstitute the true worship of Allah, scholars have recommended treatments for "diseases of the heart." The foremost of these is the remembrance of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aalaa).

Remember the greatness of Allah and then the insignificance of he world and its impermanent state. Remember that the ultimate source of all benefit and harm to yourself and all beings is Allah. If you fear blame, fear the blame of Allah; and if your seek praise, hope for the praise of Allah. Remember that Allah looks into your heart. Imagine your state if you should die while committing sin, either openly or secretly - just imagine the humiliation of exposure before all the creation on the Day of Judgement Remember the certainty of death and the shortness of life. Remember the punishment of the grave and that of the Hellfire. Hope for the blessings of Paradise and the pleasure of Allah.
Once you are aware of your mistake, turn to Allah in earnest repentance, asking forgiveness and correcting yourself thereafter. Always be on guard and ask Allah to help you to avoid falling into such errors in the future. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) taught his companions this supplication:
"O Allah, we seek refuge in You from associating with You anything we know of, and we ask Your forgiveness for that which we do not know." [Ahmed]

Make a conscious effort to do more righteous deeds secretly without mentioning them until it becomes a habit.
Take as friends and companions those you consider to be sincere, righteous and God-fearing. Encourage them to point out your faults and help you to overcome them. Accept advice without anger and try to follow that which is conducive to improvement.

Finally, do not let Shaytaan prevent your good work's by suggesting that you are showing off. If you find something of that within yourself, continue your works but correct your intention, seeking acceptance from Allah alone. For in Allah's acceptance is salvation and success,

Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us, and give us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, it is You who is the Giver of all things. [Qur'an 3:8]

Amin

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

" And certainly we shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss
of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say, "Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi raji'un (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return)." They are those o-n whom are the Salawat ( i.e who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and ( they are those who)
receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided o-nes." Surah Al-Baqarah
2:155-157

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of one of the foremost Muslim leaders in the country, Alhaji Wahab Ishola Folawiyo who passed away in the early hours of Friday, 07 June, 2008 after a brief illness at the age of 79. Indeed, every soul shall taste of death.

One of the foremost Muslim leaders, a business icon and philantrophist, Alhaji Wahab Folawiyo was a very conscientious Muslim leader who lived a life of dignity and honour by diligently pursuing his passion of serving the Muslim community, promoting Islam, and supporting the under-privileged. He was the founder of Bab-Es-Salam Home , which he
dedicated to the upbringing and education of orphans and it is said that Alhaji Folawiyo built more mosques all over the country than houses for himself. May Allah give him the rewards of Zakatul Jariyah for these investments, amin.

Certainly, we are all poorer for his departure from this world but his great legacy will continue to benefit generations to follow insha'Allah. He will be remembered by his generation, and generations to come. He humbled himself in front of other believers, and for this Allah raised his status here in this life and we pray He grants him eternal peace in
the Akhira, amin.

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, sends hearty condolences to his family and friends. And we pray that Allah (SWT) forgives his sins, secure Jannatul Firdous for him and reward his family, friends and his Ummah for the loss. Amin.

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'un. 'O Lord, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in return, which only You, the Exalted the Mighty, can give.'"


Contact:
Disu Kamor
Director of Media & Communications
Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, Nigeria
e-mail: media@mpacng. org
website: www.mpac-ng. org

@Tayo-D

Come to think of it, it's been a whuile I last ate groundnut. I need to get me some with some cold and chilling garri.

You need to liase with brother Olabowale for Ijebu Garri

What has that got to do with the issue? and by the way, you must be referring to Apostle John, the closest of the Disciples to Jesus.

Olaadegbu gave me a verse from the letter of Paul in the NT and Iasked if the Peter that wrote the apocalyse is the same as the one that wrote part of the letters in NT?

I don't need any verses from the Queeran to support the Bible. The Bible testifies of itself and can stand on its own, even though same cannot be said of the Queeran. Are you fore real about Christain Prophets? Apart from all the Prophets in the Old Testament, the new Testament has a number of them. If you have no clue, I will be glad to educate you.

Great. I have even read your sister listing some prophets to have been Christians prophets and I honestly need proof from you before I drop the unbelievable to show that no Prophets happened to be a Christian and they never heard the word before. So let me have your list. I want to learn from you

There is no confusion in our minds as to who the Comforter is. he came to abide with the Believers from the day of Pentecost. Jesus testified that the Comforter will abide first on the Disciples in Jerusalem. The Spirit of God has always been here. His descending on Jesus was a sign to John the Baptist then for him to fully recognise who Jesus is. The outpouring that Jesus said was a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy we came to pass as witnessed in Acts.

Brother, read your statement. Jesus said that it was necessary for him to go because if he did not, the comforter would not come and if leaves, the comforter would come but we read verses showing that man is not expecting Holy Spirit because it has been in existence and to further showed that Holy Spirit has been in existence, Olaadegbu gave a verse where Holy Spirit (the comforter Christian claimed would come after Jesus) descended on Jesus like a dove

I don't need no stories from you. What about the attrocities carried out by Moohammed and the Arabs against all mankind. We still see their descendants commiting such attrocities today.

Do you care to serve those atrocities and we go into details using Qu ran and Hadith as guides?

And by the way, this is a very cleaver way to avoid answering my simple question: "How can Moohammed be the Comforter when he declares to wipe out the Jews?" Does he comfort with the edge of the sword?

I have told you to read about Arabs and Jews and when you are through, I will educate more providing atrocities perpetrated by Jews to Muslims and Christians

You want to start your usual spin abi? Of course Moohammed didn't die immediately because he only chewed and never swallowed the whole meat. The one who swallowed died immediately. didn't Moohammed used to testify following the poisoning that: "I did not cease to find the effect of the (poisoned) morsel, I took at Khaibar and I suffered several times (from its effect) but now I feel the hour has come of the cutting of my jugular vein." Please see: http://www.answering-the great religion.org/Silas/mo-death.htm for more details. I don't have time for all this revisions you are attempting.

Do not be fooled or decieved by links. I asked a question that, why did he die four years after eating the meal considering the fact that they all ate the meal together and when he was about to eat, the food told him that it was having poison and the prophet asked the Jewess the reasom for that and she told him that he wanted to know if he was a prophet. The holy prophet completed his assignment on earth before he died and he knew about his death and he gave his last sermon prior to his death. So oga Tayo, you have nothing to argue on. It is normal that prophets are tested and we have scores of prophets in which your Jesus happened to be a victim as well.

Oh so they were different from us baa?

So you do not know that you are followers of Pauline Christiniaty

Pleae show us the books apart from the bible that contains their articles of faith. The undiluted faith of the earliest Christians is epitomised by the Apostles including Paul. What they believed, live and died for is diametrically opposed to what Eslam stands for.

Brother, before giving you another book, we have verses from your book forbidden port meat, there is also a thread created by Olaadegbu on trinity which none of you have been able to solve the mystery of trinity which happened to be a later insertion andn one of the OT prophets and early Christiands never believed in such falsehood.

Is your answer meant to address my question as to why you people do not believe Moohammed's revelation that the Jews own the goodly land of Palestine that you are hell-bent of displacing them from?

Tayo, I have told you to educate yourself on the history of Arbs and Jews and when you are through, I will give you additional facts to have a look into. I am not interested in story without fact.

Isn't your al'ah supposed to be all-knowing? Why would he say the following to moohammed if he never doubted the revelation? Surah 10:94 - If thou wert in doubt as to what We have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the Book from before thee: the Truth hath indeed come to thee from thy Lord: so be in no wise of those in doubt.

Why do you like pretending as if I have not answered your allegation above and I further asked you to provide me a verse where he doubted the revelation. Did God send Bible to early prophets?

Again you've started with your mental gymnasts. The Bible refered to them as Disciples of Jesus until Antioch when they were called Christians, which in reality is another way of say Christ's Disciples or followers. What other sources are you referencing other than the Book the Apsotles and witnesses wrote themselves. The issue of Nazarene goes way beyond what you have written and is a convenient digreesion from the issus we are discussing.

Brother it is not the same and if you are ready for truth, let me know and we go into the memory lane of the difference between the early christians and your Pauline Christianity. Let me know and you have my backing.

Whether you call them Nazarene, Christians, Disciples or whatever, what sets them apart is their faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Thomas bowed down and worshipped Jesus after His resurrection, refering to him as My Lord and My God - John 20:28

Hope you know that they do not believe in duality of Jesus, never eat pork etc unlike present day christians?

Tayo, do you care if we expose John 20 v 28?

Do you want to know what Apostles John, Peter and james have to say about Jesus?

My question goes again; Is the peter same as the one that wrote the apocalype? I want to give you something from that apocalypse since you claimed that he and the rest preaching supported Jesus' and it seems as we proceed, we wil shed lights on those that claimed to have been the original author of your book.

I'm sure you are aware that they are opposed to Moohammed's revelations.

Do you believe in the apocalypse of Peter?

So if they abide to Jesus' teachings, why should I believe in Moohmammed who never met Jesus and whose revelations are contrary to the Disciples?

Did thDid those alleged writers meet him?

Where did you get this quote from? it is certainly not in that chapter and verse of the Queeran.

It shows that you lack Is lamic knowledge. Go to search engine and find out if it exists or not. Kai na wa o

So Esalm was onnly perfected from moohammed's day? How caome you claim that Adam and co were mooslims when there is nothing to prove that? Did Adam or Moses use to face mecca when he prayed? Why the change from facing Jerusalem to facing Mecca. This your al'ah needs to make up his mind o.

Na wao. Ignorance is really a disease and you showed that. Isla. m being perfected during his time does not mean that Is. lam started during his time. Early prophets observe Salat but not five times daily compulsory prayers. Some prayed Subhi, Some Zuhri, some Asri etc but it was during him time that he went to bring the five times daily compulsory prayers. Read for understanding and not for mischief making. O ndisgrace ara e o.

May God grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus and gorgive him all his sins. His death happened to be a collosal loss

Welcome brother. Insha Allah, He would give you strength to perform better.

How is Avram Grant

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