₦airaland Forum

Chilipepper:
If you had the chance to, which one will you bring back?

Lukgaf:
Ikhlas (sincerity) in our actions and statements is of utmost importance for the acceptance of our deeds. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that ‘Umar said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say:

“Verily, the reward of deeds depends upon the Niyyah (intentions) and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

Therefore, every action that was not performed solely for Allah’s Sake, is annulled and fruitless in this life and the Hereafter.

There are two implications for the word Niyyah according to the scholars. One of them pertains to distinguishing acts of worship from acts of habit. For instance, there is a difference between taking a bath to remove impurity (to be able to pray and engage in other acts of worship), and taking a bath to cool off. Also, there is a different Niyyah for Zhur prayer than Asr prayer and fasting during Ramadan in contrast to fasting in other months.

The second meaning for Niyyah pertains to distinguishing between the intention behind the act – if it is directed to Allah Alone or to Allah and others. This meaning carries with it happiness or misery and reward or punishment. For example, two different persons might perform the same act, paying equal effort to it but one of them earns a reward while the other earns no reward, or even punishment, because the intentions were different in each case.

Some scholars said that this is why people vary in grades (in the sight of Allah); it is in accordance to the intentions behind their actions, not because of merely fasting and praying. Imam Ibn Rajab said:

Know that performing deeds for other than Allah is of different types. Sometimes, this action might be to show off in its entirety, and thus, one seeks to be seen by the creation for a worldly gain. For example, this is the state that the hypocrites pray in. Allah describes them as follows:

“…And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little…” (Surah An-Nisa: 142)

Allah also described some as follows:

“…And be not like those who come out of their homes boastfully and to be seen of men…” (Surah Al-Anfal:47)

Thus, let’s remind ourselves that showing off can annul our acts of Ibadah and may even lead us to earn Allah’s anger and torment. Sometimes, the act might be for Allah and is mixed with showing off. In this case, there are authentic texts asserting that if the intention of showing off was present at the time one intended to perform a righteous act, the act itself will be annulled and fruitless. But when the act was started to gain Allah’s reward alone, but changed later on to include an intention to partially show off, then it will not annul the act, provided one strives to repel such thoughts.

As Musilms, therefore, we should worship Allah in sincerity and stay away from Riya’ (showing off) and evil intentions. We know from Quran and hadith that Allah does not look at one’s shapes and wealth, but rather at one’s hearts and actions.

Performing a righteous deed solely for Allah can help us towards achieving states of Ikhlas (sincerity). This way, the act can be easily steered away from Riya’ (showing off). The Prophet (s) said in an authentic Hadith, that among the seven whom Allah shades under His Shade, on a day when there wiII be onIy His shade:

” …A man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e., nobody knows how much he has given in charity).”

In addition, Allah said:

“If you disclose your Sadaqat (almsgiving), it is well: but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your sins.” (Surah Al-Baqara:271)

Scholars recommend that when a believer gives away charity for a good cause, he should not agree that his name be announced to the public, such as in newspapers, unless the purpose is to encourage others to pay for this and other charitable causes, or if his name is announced without his knowledge. Again, we should be conscious of the fact that Allah always knows the real intentions behind our actions.

To conclude, let’s ensure that we strive to clean our hearts, intentions, and acts from all types of Riya (showing off) and instead should direct our good acts for Allah alone. The real rewards and payback is only with Allah and that’s all that we should strive for.

Allah says:

Say (O Muhammad (S): “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Surah Al-Kahf:110)

https://jamiat.org.za/the-necessity-of-ikhlas-sincerity-in-deeds/

Eaglepixel:
Jazakumullahi khyran


Indeed islam is the way.
May Allah bless our parents, forgive those who have passed away, and grant us the honour of serving them with love and humility.
Āmīn.

drehdinho:
A lady was introduced to me by a street sister after I mentioned that I was in search of a serious relationship. I gave a clear list of my requirements, among which were that she must be gainfully employed and of good character.

Two days ago, the sister finally shared the contact of the lady she found for me. I was hopeful, thinking she would at least meet 80% of my criteria.

When I initiated a conversation with the lady, I asked about her educational background. She told me she was a secondary school drop-out. I didn’t judge her immediately, I wanted to hear more and not jump to conclusions.

So, I asked what steps she had in mind to upgrade herself. She said she wanted to go into business and gave a rough estimate of ₦3.5 million as startup capital.

Still, I wasn’t discouraged. I told her that if I were to invest in the business, I would hold 60% of the company while she holds 40%. My reason was simple: I wanted her to be accountable and run the business with a sense of ownership.

To my surprise, she rejected the idea. She said she wanted 100% ownership because she is “trustworthy” and that I could observe her for one year to see if she wouldn’t mismanage the business.

I let that conversation slide.

Then, a few days later, during another conversation, I asked her what she was bringing to the table in the relationship. Her response? Just “prayer.” 😂

At this point, I started enjoying the conversation ,not because I was impressed, but because her responses were becoming increasingly ridiculous.

I asked her another question: How much do you think we would need per month to live as husband and wife?
Her answer: ₦1 million.

I asked her to break it down. She couldn’t. She just kept rambling and listing irrelevant things with no clarity or structure.

This morning, she called me via WhatsApp video. While we were talking, the call ended. I tried calling her back, but the video didn’t connect. I noticed she was typing, so I waited.

Next thing I saw was: “My data got exhausted.”

From the very beginning, I knew I was way above her standard , intellectually, financially, and in life exposure. But I decided to subject her brain to an intelligent conversation to prove a point: most of these broke ladies have absolutely nothing meaningful to offer.

To my fellow hustling men who have sacrificed and worked hard to become something in life , please don’t settle for women like this. Look out for women who have built themselves to a meaningful stage in life.

I have two degrees. I’m a lawyer. And here is a lady, a secondary school drop-out , who thinks, in her oblivion, that she can hook a man of my calibre.

I called the sister who introduced her and clearly told her never to bring such people my way again.

I know how this kind of story ends: you help them build a life, and the moment they start seeing a little change, you’ll see their true colours. Many of them think the only thing they need to offer in life is their body.

I’ve cut off communication with her already, and I’m planning to block her on WhatsApp.

Her unreasonable thought process completely turned me off. So many ridiculous ideas. It’s just mentally exhausting.

Hardeybohwarley:
Taqabbala minna wa minkum.

Addme:
May Almighty Allah count us among those who will witness it.
Aamin

Dpleaser:
jazakumuLlahu khaeran Ahki, may Allah make us steadfast and practice Islam as it should be practised.

Rashduct4luv:
1. Best Supplication
The Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no supplication that a person can say that is better than:

‘O Allaah! I ask You for al-Mu’aafaah* in this world and the Hereafter.’” *(‘Mu’aafaah is for Allaah to suffice you against needing the people, and sufficing the people of having need of you. See Tuhfatul-Ahwadhi, 3512.) May ALLAH truly reward you

Allaahumma inni as’alukal-Mu’aafaah fid-Dunyaa wal-Aakhirah

اَللَّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ الْمُعَافَاةَ فِيْ الْدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ

As-Saheehah, no. 1138.
[Translation taken from the Darus-Salaam print of Sunan Ibn Maajah, vol. 5, p. 110.]

2. Seeking Refuge from The Fire and Asking for Paradise Seven Times a Day
From Abu Hurairah who said, “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘No servant seeks refuge from the Fire seven times in a day except that the Fire says, ‘O Lord! Indeed your servant, [called] so and so, has sought refuge with You from me, so grant him refuge. And no servant asks Allaah for Paradise seven times in a day except that Paradise says, ‘O Lord! Indeed your servant, [called] so and so, has asked for me, so make him enter Paradise.’’”

Shaikh al-Albaani, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “This hadith is authentic without doubt.

A point of benefit: Some people in Damascus and other places have made it a habit to seek refuge seven times as mentioned in the hadith loudly and in one voice after the morning prayer, and that is something which I know of no basis for in the pure Sunnah, and nor is this hadith suitable for them to draw upon [for saying it loudly and in unison] because it is unrestricted and is not limited to the morning prayer or the jamaa’ah, and it is not allowed to limit what the Wise Legislator has left unrestricted just as it is not allowed to make unlimited what He has restricted, for all of that is legislation which is specific to the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

So let whoever wants to act upon this hadith do so at any time of the night or day, before the prayer or after it—and that is a pure/unadulterated following [of the Sunnah] and pure sincerity, may Allaah the Blessed and Most High grant us it.”

As-Saheehah, vol. 6, pp. 22-23.

Rashduct4luv:
All praise is due to Allaah.

A marriage contract is valid in Islam if the following conditions are met, even if the marriage does not take place in a court, or in the presence of a Judge or the Imaam of the masjid. In addition, it does not need to be written.

1. The waliy (guardian) of the girl has accepted the proposal by saying, for example, "I marry you my daughter", and the one who proposed has replied, for example, by " I accept," or "I am satisfied" (i.e. with his acceptance).
a. A girl's wali is her father, then the father's appointee, then paternal grandpa and great grandpa then son,..........
b. The Waliy of the girl must be a male of sound mind, good character, an adult, wise and mature.
c. He must also be of the same religion with the bride! A Muslim cannot be the waliy for a Kafir. A non-Muslim cannot be the waliy for a Muslim. A non-Muslim can be the waliy for a non-Muslim while an apostate can't be the waliy for anyone!

2. The above (1.) takes place in the presence of two witnesses (must be adult Muslim males of sound mind and good character).

3. The woman is legally eligible to marry the man according to Islamic shari'ah (that is she is not a Mahram of the proposer [those to whom the proposer is forbidden to marry. etc.])
a. A woman’s mahram is a person whom she is never permitted to marry because of their close blood relationship (such as her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., and her son, grandson, great-grandson, etc., her paternal and maternal uncles, her brother, brother’s son and sister’s son), or because of breastfeeding (such as the brother and husband of the woman who breastfed her), or because they are related by marriage (such as the mother’s husband, the husband’s father, grandfather, etc., and the husband’s son, grandson, etc.)

Note that the Mahr (or dowry) is solely for the bride and can be given immediately, given in parts or deferred to be paid later!

Allah knows best.

Lukgaf:
Alhamdulillah ladhi binimitihi tateemu solihaat.

Today marks the end of the review of the 40th Hadith of An-nawawih collection.

May Allah grant us understanding and bless all what we have learnt (Ameen)

What lessons did you gain from all the Hadith?