Below are the 8 steps for a Legacy of a Ramadan.

Step 1 – Create a Ramadan Count Down

Counting down for Ramadan (whether it is done mentally or by keeping physical signs around the home or office) will help create hype and buzz in your mind and amongst the people around you. When you and others are counting down to the same event, it becomes part of regular conversation and excitement spreads.

Step 2 – Seek knowledge about Ramadan

This will help you ensure you will do things correctly and perfectly for Ramadan, it will create a hype as there are many motivational aspects and events in the month to look forward to and finally it is a reward reaper. The more you know about Ramadan the more you can apply, hence multiplying your rewards.

Step 3 – Make a Ramadan plan

Be it reading the entire Quran, ensuring you pray taraweeh every night or inviting families over for iftaar; make a list of things you would like to achieve in the month and then how you plan on achieving these goals. It is important that goals are realistic and it is better that your life doesn’t need to entirely take a different road in this month (i.e. take the month off work or change work hours etc.) so that you may continue to do these deeds after Ramadan. Knowing what you want to achieve in the month will help you stay focused. Ensure you plan your day every night before you sleep when Ramadan starts (try to continue this even after Ramadan).

Step 4 – Know your life

Be aware if Ramadan affects anything that is happening in the month or shortly after. Do you have exams during Ramadan? Or is there a major family wedding after Ramadan by a short time? Moving house? If so, plan for these events from now. Study now so that you are prepared for the exams before the month starts. Be packed and ready to go before Ramadan or plan that you do it after so that it doesn’t take time away from your worship. The last thing you want to do is spend Ramadan at the shopping centres. Buy any Eid presents and prepare for any wedding before the month starts.

Step 5 – Prepare spiritually

We all know that Ramadan is about Fasting, Praying, Reading Quran and giving in charity. Start these worships early; don’t expect to just click into it as soon as the first day of Ramadan starts. Start doing extra prayers from now, start revising and regularly reading Quran now, get used to being generous and follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and fast during Sha’baan.

Step 6 – Prepare your mind

Fasting is to refrain from more than just what we consume in our mouth. Start working on your patience; be extra vigilant with your conversations: ensure you are not backbiting, slandering or talking about useless things.

Step 7 – Say ‘good riddance’ to bad habits

Know what bad habits you have and stop them from now, don’t wait until Ramadan begins. If you sleep late, start sleeping early, if you are a Facebook junky start cutting down, have a coffee craze, slow it down etc. It might sound much easier said then done, but once you’ve committed yourself, purified your intentions – make sincere dua for guidance. Insh’Allah, these bad habits will be easier done with than you ever expected.

Step 8 – Plan your life around your worship

For instance; instead of working through your prayer or setting up meeting etc., at prayer times, plan that you have a break at prayer time. Don’t take your phone with you to the place you pray and forget the world as you stand between the hands of the almighty Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He).

Mistake People Make After Their Dua Is Answered

Acceptance of dua is a great favor from the Almighty Allah. So, it’s only logical for us to thank Him for his blessings and bounties. Unfortunately it is common for many of us to forget the time, when we were desperately calling on Allah for His help, and get so carried away with enjoying the results, that we forget remembering Allah and thanking Him for His grace.

Allah says in the Quran:

“He it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships, and they sail with them with a favorable wind, and they are glad therein, then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein. Then they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him alone, (saying): “If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly, be of the grateful.”

23. But when He delivers them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your own selves, — a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you of that which you used to do”

Quran (Surah Yonus, Verses 22,23) 

Shaykh Ibn Al-Sa’di (RH) said in his interpretation of the above:

They understood that they were doomed, so they ended their dependence on created beings and they realized that no one could save them from this hardship except Allah alone, so they called upon Him, making their faith pure for Him alone and promising that they would adhere to that, and they said: “If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly, be of the grateful” but “when He delivers them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allah) in the earth wrongfully” i.e., they forget that hardship and that dua, and what they committed themselves to, and they associate others with Allah whom they acknowledge cannot save them from hardships or protect them from difficulty. Why are they not sincere towards Allah in worship in times of ease as they are at times of hardship? 

But they will face the consequences of their rebellion, hence Allah says: “Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves, — a brief enjoyment of this worldly life” i.e., everything that you hope when you rebel and turn away from Allah, is to make some worldly gains, which will soon come to an end, then you will leave them behind: “then (in the end) unto Us is your return” on the Day of Resurrection, “and We shall inform you of that which you used to do”. This is the ultimate warning to them against persisting in what they are doing.

[Tafseer Al-Sa’di, 361]

The essence of the above is that while we tend to return to Allah when we are in tough situations, we forget Him and disobey Him when life becomes easy. Let us not forget that both good times and bad times are a test from Allah. If we fail that test (by disobeying Him in good times, for example), we may not get a respite next time when we are faced with tough times again.

People of Aad and Quran verses on the need to fear and submit to Allah

In these verses Allah tells us about His servant and Messenger Hud (alaihis salam), when he invited his people`, towards Allah and the true religion.

131. “So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me.

132. “And keep your duty to Him, fear Him Who has aided you with all (good things) that you know.

133. “He has aided you with cattle and children.

134. “And gardens and springs.

Quran (Surah Ash-Shuara, Verses 131-134)

The people of Aad lived after the time of Prophet Nuh in the Ahqaf, curved sand-hills near Hadramawt, on the borders of Yemen. The `Ad were physically strong, tall, well-built, and very violent. Allah had also given them a great deal of provisions, wealth, gardens, rivers, sons, crops and fruit. Yet despite all that they had received from Allah, they worshiped others besides Allah. So Allah sent Hud, one of their own, as a Messenger conveying to them good news and warnings. He called them to worship Allah alone, and warned them of Allah’s wrath and punishment if they went against him.

Reflections from these verses:

• Taqwa is expressed through worship of Allah and obedience of His Messenger.
• The blessings bestowed by Allah serve as a reminder of man’s total dependence on their One and Only Lord, Allah (subhanahu wa Ta’ala).
• Means of sustenance and happiness in this life (cattle and children, gardens and springs,) make the wise and sensible people aware of Allah’s Benevolence.
• The foolish become proud of their worldly wealth as they refuse to reflect upon the source of their blessings.
• Pride and ingratitude is what Allah warns us against, for these can lead man to his fall.

According to the Quran, the people of Aad who paid no heed to the warnings of their Prophet, were destroyed by a violent windstorm. When they saw it advancing towards their valleys, they mistook it for dense clouds which would bring them much rain, but in reality it was Allah’s scourge. The windstorm raged for eight days and seven nights and destroyed everything. People were swept away like straw and everything on which the hot, dry wind blew, was left rotting. The storm did not abate until the last man of the wicked tribe had met his doom. Only ruins of their habitations remained to tell the tale of their terrible fate, and today even the ruins have become extinct. The whole territory of Ahqaf has turned into dreadful desert dunes.

References: Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi – Tafsir Tafhim al-Quran and Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

How was the creation of man according to the Quran?

The Quran has explained the creation of man and his origin in different ways; this signifies that the creation of man consisted of various steps.

a) Some verses introduce “clay” as the initial material for the creation of man.[1]

b) Some verses say that man was created from “water”.[2]

c) Other verses only name “sperm” as what man has been created from.[3]

d) In other verses, “Dirt and Sperm” together have been considered the origins of man.[4]

There are two ways of explaining these verses:

1- To say that they are unveiling the way all people are created separately. For instance, when a verse says that man was created from dirt, it means that dirt turns into food and minerals, food and minerals turn into sperm cells and sperm turns into a fetus; meaning that dirt is our “far” origin, while sperm is nearer to us and our creation.

2- To say that each of the four groups of verses are speaking of specific people and individuals. For instance, since Prophet Adam (pbuh) was the first person to be created, he was made from dirt and clay, and since all people today are descendants of Adam (pbuh) and trace back to him, and he was made from clay, it is correct to say clay is our origin as well.

Therefore, although it may seem at first sight that some Quranic verses aren't in harmony with others on this issue, yet with a little focus one will be able to tell that there is no contradiction between them, because the truth of the matter is that some of these verses are only speaking of the creation of the first person created, Prophet Adam (pbuh). Clearly, the origin of the first person to ever be created is also considered the origin of those who were created from him; if his origin was clay, it is correct to say that all people were created from clay. This is from one perspective.

From another perspective, all people are looked at separately. Of course, this perspective isn't in contradiction with the first, meaning that looking at the issue from both perspectives can give the same results. If we say that all people come from sperm, sperm comes from food, food comes from meat, fruit, plants and minerals, which all come from the ground and soil and dirt, then we can say that man is created from dirt, the same thing we said from the other perspective [that said we all come from Prophet Adam (pbuh) who was created from clay]. It is because of these two perspectives that some verses of the Quran are actually only speaking about Prophet Adam (pbuh)[5], while others are speaking of all people in general. In a verse, Allah (swt) says: “…I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit…”[6], and in another verse, He says: “When your Lord said to the angels," Indeed I am going to create a human out of a dry clay [drawn] from a foul-smelling mud. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down in prostration before him.”[7] Clearly in these verses, Allah (swt) is speaking of the story of the creation of Prophet Adam (pbuh) and how the angels were ordered to prostrate before him.  One can't interpret Adam (pbuh) as all people, because in the the verses that follow the one mentioned, Satan says “لَأَحْتَنِکَنَّ ذُرِّیَّتَه‏...” (…I will surely mislead and destroy his progeny…)[8]. If what was meant by Prophet Adam (pbuh) was all people, it wouldn’t make sense for Satan to say “his progeny”.

Some verses which are more general and have taken the creation of all people into consideration are: “He is the one who created man from water…”[9], or “He [man] was created from an effusing fluid”[10].

In verses like these, in which it has been stated that man has been created from water or sperm and the like, all people in general are meant.

Anyway, what can definitely be concluded by Quranic verses regarding man's creation and origin, is that in the beginning, man was soil and dirt[11], that was mixed with water, making it clay[12], then became a foul-smelling clay[13], becoming sticky afterwards[14], and finally becoming dry clay[15].

How long each step of the process took and what things factored into each of them is something the human mind currently has no answer to, and it is only Allah (swt) who is truly aware of the answers to these questions.

One point which needs to be kept in mind is that the Quran doesn't explain the creation process of man in detail, because it is a book of guidance, not a science book, therefore, it shouldn’t be expected to deeply explain subjects like evolution, anatomy, embryology, etc. Of course, this doesn’t make it impossible for the Quran to sometimes make a few scientific points at the right time as well.

There are two scientific viewpoints on the creation of living organisms including plants.

a) Evolution or Transformism which says that organisms weren’t in the forms they are seen today, but were lifeless things that turned into single live cells in the oceans and seas because of certain circumstances.

These tiny and invisible live organisms gradually developed into different forms of animals and plants. The most developed form they evolved to is the human being, who had descended from the same single cell as apes and monkeys have.

b) The theory known as “Fixism” which says every form of living organisms was there from the beginning (man being one of them), denying any type of evolution from one form to another.

What the Quran apparently says is that Prophet Adam (pbuh) was created from a dark clay and after his body took form, life and divine spirit was breathed into him and the angels were commanded to prostrate before him; all did so except for Satan. These verses suggest that there is no gap between the creation of Adam (pbuh) from clay and the current form humans have, and that people had this form from the start.

Conclusion: Although the Quran hasn’t directly engaged in explaining which of the two theories is correct, yet its verses suggest that the second theory is correct (of course regarding the creation of man), although once again, these verses don’t explicitly mention it.

One good reminder before closing is that man was created from two different entities; one being very high and the other very low in value. Man’s material side, which consists of reeking dark clay, is very low, while his spiritual side is very high, because it bears the divine spirit Allah (swt) has granted him.

What is important regarding this subject, is that the initial material used to create man is worthless and very low, but Allah (swt) has created such a valuable creature from it than can ascend to the highest levels of nearness to Him.

For further information, refer to:

1- Allamah Tabatabai, Al-Mizan, vol. 4 and 17.

2- Tafsir Nemouneh, vol. 11, pg. 82 and on and vol. 23.

3- Mohammad Taqi Mesbah, Rahnama Shenasi.

4- Mohammad Ali Rezai, Pajooheshi dar I’jaze Elmiye Quran, vol. 2, pp. 429-564.

5- Yadollah Sobhai, Khelqate Ensan.

6- Saduq, Ilalul-Sharaye’, vol. 15, chapter 11.

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[1]An’am:1; Sajdah:7; Saffat:18

[2] Furqan:54; Tariq:6.

[3] Nahl:4; Yasin:77; Dahr:2; Abas:19; and other verses.

[4] Hajj:5; Ghafir:67; Fatir:11; Kahf:37.

[5] Sad:72; Hijr:29.

[6] Sad:72.

[7] Hijr:29.

[8] Isra’:62.

[9] Furqan:54.

[10] Tariq:5-6.

[11] Hajj:5.

[12] An’am:2.

[13] Hijr:28.

[14] Saffat:11.

[15] Rahman:14.

SURA 29. Ankabut, or the Spider

1. A. L. M.

2. Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?

3. We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.

4. Do those who practise evil think that they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment!

5. For those whose hopes are in the meeting with Allah [in the Hereafter, let them strive]; for the term [appointed] by Allah is surely coming and He hears and knows [all things].

6. And if any strive [with might and main], they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from all creation.

7. Those who believe and work righteous deeds,- from them shall We blot out all evil [that may be] in them, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds.

8. We have enjoined on man kindness to parents: but if they [either of them] strive [to force] thee to join with Me [in worship] anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not. Ye have [all] to return to me, and I will tell you [the truth] of all that ye did.

9. And those who believe and work righteous deeds,- them shall We admit to the company of the Righteous.

10. Then there are among men such as say, "We believe in Allah"; but when they suffer affliction in [the cause of] Allah, they treat men's oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah! And if help comes [to thee] from thy Lord, they are sure to say, "We have [always] been with you!" Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all creation?

11. And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are Hypocrites.

12. And the Unbelievers say to those who believe: "Follow our path, and we will bear [the consequences] of your faults." Never in the least will they bear their faults: in fact they are liars!

13. They will bear their own burdens, and [other] burdens along with their own, and on the Day of Judgments they will be called to account for their falsehoods.

14. We [once] sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they [persisted in] sin.

15. But We saved him and the companions of the Ark, and We made the [Ark] a Sign for all peoples!

16. And [We also saved] Abraham: behold, he said to his people, "Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you- If ye understand!

17. "For ye do worship idols besides Allah, and ye invent falsehood. The things that ye worship besides Allah have no power to give you sustenance: then seek ye sustenance from Allah, serve Him, and be grateful to Him: to Him will be your return.

18. "And if ye reject [the Message], so did generations before you: and the duty of the messenger is only to preach publicly [and clearly]."

19. See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah.

20. Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things.

21. "He punishes whom He pleases, and He grants Mercy to whom He pleases, and towards Him are ye turned.

22. "Not on earth nor in heaven will ye be able [fleeing] to frustrate [his Plan], nor have ye, besides Allah, any protector or helper."

23. Those who reject the Signs of Allah and the Meeting with Him [in the Hereafter],- it is they who shall despair of My Mercy: it is they who will [suffer] a most grievous Penalty.

24. So naught was the answer of [Abraham's] people except that they said: "Slay him or burn him." But Allah did save him from the Fire. Verily in this are Signs for people who believe.

25. And he said: "For you, ye have taken [for worship] idols besides Allah, out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this life; but on the Day of Judgment ye shall disown each other and curse each other: and your abode will be the Fire, and ye shall have none to help."

26. But Lut had faith in Him: He said: "I will leave home for the sake of my Lord: for He is Exalted in Might, and Wise."

27. And We gave [Abraham] Isaac and Jacob, and ordained among his progeny Prophethood and Revelation, and We granted him his reward in this life; and he was in the Hereafter [of the company] of the Righteous.

28. And [remember] Lut: behold, he said to his people: "Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation [ever] committed before you.

29. "Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway?- and practise wickedness [even] in your councils?" But his people gave no answer but this: they said: "Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth."

30. He said: "O my Lord! help Thou me against people who do mischief!"

31. When Our Messengers came to Abraham with the good news, they said: "We are indeed going to destroy the people of this township: for truly they are [addicted to] crime."

32. He said: "But there is Lut there." They said: "Well do we know who is there : we will certainly save him and his following,- except his wife: she is of those who lag behind!"

33. And when Our Messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account, and felt himself powerless [to protect] them: but they said: "Fear thou not, nor grieve: we are [here] to save thee and thy following, except thy wife: she is of those who lag behind.

34. "For we are going to bring down on the people of this township a Punishment from heaven, because they have been wickedly rebellious."

35. And We have left thereof an evident Sign, for any people who [care to] understand.

36. To the Madyan [people] [We sent] their brother Shu'aib. Then he said: "O my people! serve Allah, and fear the Last Day: nor commit evil on the earth, with intent to do mischief."

37. But they rejected him: Then the mighty Blast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.

38. [Remember also] the 'Ad and the Thamud [people]: clearly will appear to you from [the traces] of their buildings [their fate]: the Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept them back from the Path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill.

39. [Remember also] Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman: there came to them Moses with Clear Signs, but they behaved with insolence on the earth; yet they could not overreach [Us].

40. Each one of them We seized for his crime: of them, against some We sent a violent tornado [with showers of stones]; some were caught by a [mighty] Blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned [in the waters]: It was not Allah Who injured [or oppressed] them:" They injured [and oppressed] their own souls.

41. The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds [to itself] a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew.

42. Verily Allah doth know of [every thing] whatever that they call upon besides Him: and He is Exalted [in power], Wise.

43. And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those understand them who have knowledge.

44. Allah created the heavens and the earth in true [proportions]: verily in that is a Sign for those who believe.

45. Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest [thing in life] without doubt. And Allah knows the [deeds] that ye do.

46. And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better [than mere disputation], unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong [and injury]: but say, "We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow [in Islam]."

47. And thus [it is] that We have sent down the Book to thee. So the People of the Book believe therein, as also do some of these [pagan Arabs]: and none but Unbelievers reject our signs.

48. And thou wast not [able] to recite a Book before this [Book came], nor art thou [able] to transcribe it with thy right hand: In that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted.

49. Nay, here are Signs self-evident in the hearts of those endowed with knowledge: and none but the unjust reject Our Signs.

50. Ye they say: "Why are not Signs sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "The signs are indeed with Allah: and I am indeed a clear Warner."

51. And is it not enough for them that we have sent down to thee the Book which is rehearsed to them? Verily, in it is Mercy and a Reminder to those who believe.

52. Say: "Enough is Allah for a witness between me and you: He knows what is in the heavens and on earth. And it is those who believe in vanities and reject Allah, that will perish [in the end].

53. They ask thee to hasten on the Punishment [for them]: had it not been for a term [of respite] appointed, the Punishment would certainly have come to them: and it will certainly reach them,- of a sudden, while they perceive not!

54. They ask thee to hasten on the Punishment: but, of a surety, Hell will encompass the Rejecters of Faith!-

55. On the Day that the Punishment shall cover them from above them and from below them, and [a Voice] shall say: "Taste ye [the fruits] of your deeds!"

56. O My servants who believe! truly, spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me - [and Me alone]!

57. Every soul shall have a taste of death in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.

58. But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness - to them shall We give a Home in Heaven,- lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers,- to dwell therein for aye;- an excellent reward for those who do [good]!-

59. Those who persevere in patience, and put their trust, in their Lord and Cherisher.

60. How many are the creatures that carry not their own sustenance? It is Allah who feeds [both] them and you: for He hears and knows [all things].

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61. If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon [to his Law], they will certainly reply, "Allah". How are they then deluded away [from the truth]?

62. Allah enlarges the sustenance [which He gives] to whichever of His servants He pleases; and He [similarly] grants by [strict] measure, [as He pleases]: for Allah has full knowledge of all things.

63. And if indeed thou ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death, they will certainly reply, "Allah!" Say, "Praise be to Allah!" But most of them understand not.

64. What is the life of this world but amusement and play? but verily the Home in the Hereafter,- that is life indeed, if they but knew.

65. Now, if they embark on a boat, they call on Allah, making their devotion sincerely [and exclusively] to Him; but when He has delivered them safely to [dry] land, behold, they give a share [of their worship to others]!-

66. Disdaining ungratefully Our gifts, and giving themselves up to [worldly] enjoyment! But soon will they know.

67. Do they not then see that We have made a sanctuary secure, and that men are being snatched away from all around them? Then, do they believe in that which is vain, and reject the Grace of Allah?

68. And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches him? Is there not a home in Hell for those who reject Faith?

69. And those who strive in Our [cause],- We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right.

The Legend and the Legacy of a Prophet

“And Allah (SWT) did take Ibraheem (Abraham) as a Khaleel (an intimate friend)” [an-Nisa’ 4:125] All of us are leaving footsteps behind, our traces in this world. And when we die, we will be remembered and judged according to those traces. They can be good or bad. That will be the legacy we leave behind.

Needless to say, this legacy should be powerful… inspiring! But what should it be? What can we do to outdo other common legacies? How about delving into one of the most brilliant legacies ever left behind? The legacy of Ibrahim alayhis salam. Because:

“Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him” [al Mumtahanh 60:4]

A lot of people leave behind their stories which the world remembers and cheers on. But the legacy we are going to read about is unique. It is unique quite simply because it is not only a legacy of power and great vision, but more importantly, for me, it is a legacy of loyalty and pure heart-felt love. Yes you read it right – a legacy of loving Allah (SWT).

Ibraheem alayhis salam was a man of vision and deep insight. He not only thought of his immediate children, but also about his entire progeny. His concern for their spiritual well-being and his constant prayers to Allah (SWT) showed his deep vision: the vision of having pure
tawheed alive amongst his descendants.

Listed below are five incredible points of his legacy:

1- Pure love for Allah (swt) and living la ilaha illaAllah: *Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.*

Allah (swt) mentioned about Ibraheem alayhis salam in His Book, the Quran: “Abraham was indeed a nation, devoutly obedient to God, true in Faith, and he joined not partners with God” [An- Nahl 16:120].

1. Devotion.

2. True in faith.

3. No shirk, which meant absolute Tawheed by default. And the pure concept of tawheed etched in ones heart + devotion + truthfulness in faith = 100% pure love for Allah (SWT) and Him alone.
This was Ibraheem alayhis salam!

And what were the fruits of this love that he saw in his life? Apparently, if you see his life in a quick glance, you see no fruits. Strange? Because what you find is: either struggle or sacrifice. But looking much more deeply, you find contentment behind those struggles and extreme love behind those sacrifices. He found (what all of us keep looking for throughout our lives),
due to his love for Allah (SWT)- peace!

As opposed to what Ibraheem alayhis salam had for Allah (SWT) – pure love and firm belief in tawheed – what we have is another story. Simply put, we do not have that peace in our lives; we cringe at the very thought of separation with our loved ones, we cannot even begin to imagine the idea of sacrificing something small (like quitting smoking, for example) for Allah (SWT) let alone sacrificing something big! Our lives revolve around obsessive love for one’s spouse, crazy
children-centered homes, overwhelming lust for a boyfriend, excessive love for wealth, extra hope pinned in some human being… You can go on and on as the list is pretty much endless.
Do you see the fault with our theory of love? We seek love in all the wrong places and, hence, come back heart broken. The moment we love *anything* more than our Creator, that very thing we love more becomes the cause of our greatest pain. But Ibraheem alayhis salam found love in its right place, with Allah (SWT), and that’s why he had “qalb e saleem” – a sound heart.

We profess with our tongues that we believe in la ilaha illaAllah but our actions seldom actualize the kalimah. We claim we love Allah (SWT) the most but fail to give Him priority every time! (You delay fajr prayer for sleep, you miss dhuhr for work, isha for the World Cup, take interest based loans to please your wife, etc.)

We are taken over by the love of this world and that leaves us with less or no room for the love of the Creator in our lives. Pick up the famous novel “Twilight” and see how it teaches us about obsessive love for humans, which involves loving the creation more than the Creator, breaking all the boundaries of halaal and haraam in the name of love for some created being.

Nowadays, other loves are competing in a Muslim’s heart. Muslims need to make the love of Allah (SWT) superior to all other forms of love. Know that people will continue their lives when you die. Indeed, when you die, they will stop calling you by your name: they will ask, “Where is the janazah? Where is the body?” Once you’re buried they will refer to you as “the grave” and will say, “I’m going to visit the grave of so and so.” So do not sacrifice your relationship with
your Lord for the sake of your family and friends.

Focus on a relationship that is for eternity: your relationship with Allah (SWT). Look at this profound piece of writing: “Allah (SWT) has decreed that he who loves something other than Him will surely be tormented by it; that one who fears something other than Allah (SWT) will come under its control; that one who involves himself with something to the exclusion of Allah (SWT) will find it a source of grief; that one who prefers another to Allah (SWT) will not be blessed therein; and that one who tries to please a fellow creature by anything displeasing Allah() will, without fail, bring His anger upon himself.” [Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyya]

2- Submission:

And this love brought about submission towards Allah (SWT) for Ibraheem alayhis salam. Because, obeying and submitting to the orders is the natural consequence of
love. If you can’t submit, you don’t really love. It’s that simple.

Every prophet has a specific quality. When it comes to Ibraheem alayhis salam, submission was his unique quality. He was submissive to his Lord. “When his Lord said to him, “Submit”, he said “I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.”” (Al-Baqarah 2:131)

The mufasireen say about this ayah: When Allah (SWT) said to him to submit, there was no pause and no intermission and no questions asked. Allah (SWT) said, “Submit,” and Ibraheem alayhis salam immediately said, “I submit to the Lord of the worlds.” When we check the life of Ibraheem alayhis salam and the rites of Hajj, we see the submission of Ibrahim alayhis salam. For that reason, Islam (which is submission and surrendering to the will of Allah (SWT) goes all the way back to the original practice of monotheism of Ibraheem alayhis salam.

Whereas we, on the other hand, need to have a thousand questions answered, a hundred heart attacks, many motivational reminders and many sleepless nights before we finally take up some Quranic command and make a decision (wearing hijab, for instance).

Ibraheem alayhis salam submitted to the Will of Allah (SWT). But we have a problem with this type of submission. If you look closely, the heart of the Qur’an’s message is:

1. Accept Allah (SWT) as your Master.

2. Accept yourself as His slave.

3. Guidance comes to those who accept themselves as His slaves

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It is very easy for us to accept that Allah (SWT) is Merciful. We accept that and say “Cool, I will continue to do whatever I want.”

But we have a hard time accepting that He is our Master. Because, that implies we are slaves and slaves are not free people; they are supposed to do everything the Master says. They are supposed to submit. And because our evil desires and egos are so inflated, we fail to accept Him as our Master. We might say it through our lips, but our actions prove otherwise.

If you want to really LIVE the legacy of Ibraheem alayhis salam, you have to accept Allah (SWT) as your Master and submit to His commands.

3- Sacrifice:

And it was because of this over flowing love for Allah (SWT) that Ibraheem alayhis salam was ever ready to give up anything and everything for Allah (SWT). He left his father, his people, his homeland where he lived and grew up, his comfort and eventually, even prepared to literally slaughter his extremely beloved son, Ismael alayhis salam – all for the sake of Allah (SWT).

But Allah (SWT) saved him from the great trial of sacrificing his beloved son. Because, the purpose was not to slaughter the son, rather the aim was to make the heart pure for Allah’s love. And Ibraheem alayhis salam had that pure love. If we are able to take this lesson of sacrificing everything for the love of Allah (SWT) beginning with the act of sacrifice done on Eid
alAdha, then we have achieved the essence of the message. Because, in the end, it comes down to whether or not we are ready to give up all that we desire for the One we believe in.

4- Tawakkul:

“O Ibraheem, will you go and leave us in this valley in which there are no people and nothing?” Hajar asked her husband, Ibraheem alayhis salam several times and he did not answer her. Then she said to him: “Is it Allah Who has commanded you to do this?” He said:“Yes.” She said: “Then He will not forsake us.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3184.

An unparalleled example of having trust in Allah’s plan. This reflects Ibraheem alayhis salam’s state of tawakkul. Is it easy to leave behind your family in a remote place like this? Definitely not. But when Allah (SWT) tells you so, you do it without any hesitation and fear.

Can we do that? With our current state of faith, the answer will be obvious! Was there any reward for this love of Allah (SWT) and this unmatched submission? Yes. The rewards were
many. And one of the obvious ones was:

5-Hajj and building the ka’bah:

“And (remember) when Ibraheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaaee‘eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah), (saying), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower’” [al-Baqarah 2:127].

The chapter of the establishment of Hajj is unique. Muslims are following the legacy of Ibraheem alayhis. Whenever you go for Hajj, you are the response of Ibraheem alayhis salam. You are the response of his call when Allah (SWT) told him to call the people to come for Hajj!

Bottom line: This is the legacy of the great Prophet of Allah, Ibraheem alayhis salam. Love Allah (SWT). Then submit. And isn’t that the meaning of being a Muslim?

Love for Allah (SWT) made him successful. And Allah (SWT) praised him as follows:
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them. [ Allah ] said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.”” (Al-Baqarah 2:124) *La ilaha illaAllah is not just a statement of the tongue; let the heart bear witness!*

10 Amazing Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Every Prophet sent by Allah was given miracles and signs. These miracles depended on which people that particular prophet was sent to, what they believed in and the sort of things they would understand.

Prophet Yunus was swallowed by a whale and he survived. Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) survived the blazing fire that his people threw him into. Prophet Musa (pbuh) had a walking stick that could turn into a serpent, and he used it to split the Red Sea in two. Prophet Jesus (pbuh) could raise the dead and cure the blind, and he also spoke from his cradle. Of course these miracles were done under the commandment of the Supreme Being, God.

But did you know that the seal of Prophets, Muhammed (pbuh) also performed miracles? Here are some fascinating ones:

#1. Invisibility

When the Prophet (pbuh) planned to migrate to Medina, the tribes in Mecca conspired to assassinate him once and for all. Each tribe sent an assassin and they surrounded the house of the Prophet (pbuh) that night. But the Prophet (pbuh) walked out right in front of them and none of them saw him. They were blinded to him.

#2. The camel in the sand incident

The Prophet and Abu Bakr (peace be upon them) were on their way to Medina when they were being followed by an assassin named Suraqa. When Abu Bakr got worried, the Messenger (pbuh) told him, “Don’t be sad; Allah is certainly with us.” Then he (pbuh) cast a glance at Suraqa and his horse’s feet became stuck in the sand. Suraqa managed to get the feet of the horse but when he tried to follow the Prophet (pbuh), his horse’s legs got stuck again and smoke was coming from where the sand. Suraqa realized this was beyond him and had to go back.

#3. Talking with the Jinn

In one narration, a jinni called “Hama” came in the form of an old man carrying a staff; he accepted Islam. The Noble Messenger (PBUH) instructed him in some of the short chapters of the Qur’an, which he listened to and then departed.”

#4. Water flowed from his blessed hands

Once the Prophet was with his companions, about 300 of them in a place called Zawra. It was time to observe the afternoon prayer but the people could not find any water to make wudu. They Prophet ordered them to look for little water, when they did, he dipped him hands into it and water was flowing from his hands like a fountain. All three hundred people who were there made wudu and used it for other needs.

#5. The night journey (Isra) and ascension (Miraj)

This is one of the most amazing miracles of the Prophet (pbuh). It is called Al Isra wal Miraj. It was the night that the Prophet (pbuh), under the guidance of archangel Gibril (pbuh) travelled the Kaaba in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and then to the sky, to the high realms and to the presence of God. On this journey, he met the Prophet before him including Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and Ibrahim (Abraham). He led them in prayer. He reached a very high place where he could hear the pens writing people’s deeds. He saw heaven and hell. And he (pbuh) was elevated, and he met his Lord, the Magnificent, and the merciful. This incident is narrated in the holy Quran and hadith.

#6. The moon split

The polytheists at the time of the Prophet (pbuh) keep insisting that they wanted a miracle. They said they will believe if The Prophet (pbuh) could show them the splitting of the moon in half. When Allah granted the Prophet the ability, he called them all to witness, and the moon split in two. And indeed it was a clear manifestation. But in their arrogance, they still rejected the truth. This incident is also narrated in the Holy Quran.

#7. The lifeless objects and animals communicated with the Prophet (pbuh)

On several occasions, trees, stones, mountains and sand would greet the Prophet (pbuh) when he passed. Once, a Jew roasted a goat, filling it with a very strong poison. She then sent it to God’s Messenger (PBUH). But before the Prophet (pbuh) touched the food, the goat spoke to him and informed him of the poison. So he told everyone to abstain from the food.

#8. The dead affirmed the Prophet-hood of Muhammed (pbuh)

In one narration, one of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) suddenly dropped down dead in the marketplace. The people took his body to his house. That evening between sunset and the night prayer, while the women were weeping all around him, the corpse exclaimed: ‘Silence! Silence!’ Then he said: ‘Muhammad is God’s Messenger! Peace be upon you, O Messenger of God!’ He spoke so eloquently for a while that the people had to uncover him to check. But he was really dead.

#9. Food galore

The Messenger of Allah fed more than a hundred people from very small food. Whenever he placed his blessed hands on any food, he caused it to increase and everyone could eat to their fill and still have left over. In one narration, he (pbuh) fed more than a hundred men from one cup of milk. Each person would drink to his fill and pass to the next without refilling. And each of the men drank to their satisfaction, and the cup was still filed with milk as though it was never touched.

#10. The Prophet could heal the sick

In one narration, one of the companions was hit by an arrow in his eye. The arrow was so deep it was sticking out at the back of his head. The Messenger (pbuh) placed his hands over the eye and it healed.

The greatest miracle of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) is the Quran. But that is an entire discussion in its own and we will look into that some other time In Sha Allah.