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How to increase our faith?
Posted By:jasmin On 6/15/2008

 

“If a sick person doesn’t realize that she is sick, the doctor will never be able to cure her. So realizing that there is a spiritual sickness is a sign that your faith is strong. I have the following words of advice for you:

Al-Haakim reported in al-Mustadrak, and al-Tabaraani reported in al-Mu’jam, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask Allaah to renew the faith in your hearts.” (Reported by al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak, 1/4;. Al-Haythami said in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 1/52, “It was reported by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer and its isnaad is saheeh.”) This Hadith tells us that our faith will become weak but we will have to strengthen it with various actions and different good deeds. If we try to implement the following, Insha Allah it will help us all 

On a weekly basis, try to attend some Halaqah or an Islamic gathering. That is a great way of keeping the battery of Iman and actions charged.

A good suggestion would be that you join some weekend or evening Islamic course or something of that sort. You will find good company there which will be a means of strengthening your faith and Iman. And when you feel like you are all “burnt out”, there will be others there who will guide you and help you out and get you back up on your feet again.

Try to read some portion of the Quran everyday and make Zikr of Allah. It will not be a bad idea to start off the day by reciting Surah Yaseen.

Try to have a daily Halaqah of reading from a Hadith book at home. The most widely used Hadith book in English is probably Riyadh us Salihin. Set aside a time at home, and try to sit down with other family members. It does not have to be long. Even five minutes or ten minutes will suffice. A daily dose of the words of Allah and his beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam goes a long way in keeping us attached to our faith.

After prayers or whenever, try to recite as many times as possible the words which are mentioned in the following Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not forget to say in every prayer, ‘Rabbi a’inni ‘ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ‘ibaadatika (O Allah, help me to remember You, thank You and worship You properly.).’” (al-Nasaa’i, 1303)

Sometimes we commit sins which eventually make us weak in our faith. Islam will prevent us from sins....or sins will prevent us from Islam. Repenting over past sins will not be a bad idea at all. The way we have a habit of sinning, the same way, as soon as a sin is committed, we should make a habit of seeking forgiveness for our sins. We should never procrastinate because death could over take us anytime.

You also must understand that we all go through these weaknesses. We all have those moments when we don’t feel like doing anything Islamic. Faith increases and decreases. This is natural and it will happen many times in our lives.

It is important to know that if a decrease in faith leads to one neglecting one’s duties or doing Haram deeds, this slackening is very serious and one must repent to Allah and start to do something about it at once. If it does not lead to neglect of duties and doing Haram deeds, but just makes a person fall short in doing Mustahabb (recommended) deeds, for example, then a person still needs to know how to sort herself out and correct herself until she returns to the proper level of energy and strength in worship. This is what we learn from the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “Every deed has energy and strength, and then this energy and strength is followed by a slackening, so who’s slackening is in accordance to my Sunnah he will be fine, and who’s slackening is to other than that [i.e., doing unlawful or forbidden deeds] he will be doomed.” (Reported by Ahmad, 2/210; Saheeh al-Targheeb, no. 55).

Read up on the benefits of performing Salat and harms of not performing them. Read those Ahadith again and again. Read up on the bounties of Paradise and Punishments of the Hell fire.

Remember the breaker of worldly pleasures i.e. death. Daqaq (R.A.) says, “Who ever remembers death frequently, will benefit in three ways: he will hasten to repent, he will become content, and he will be active in worship. Whoever forgets death will be punished in three ways: he will delay repentance, he will no longer be content with what is sufficient, and he will be lazy in worship.” O Death! Where is thy long awaited sting? ...sigh…”

Also:

Beseech Allah, turn to Him as a servant, asking Him to increase your iman so that you may taste the great sweetness that is found therein. The times before Fajr and Maghrib are ‘great windows of opportunity’ as one great teacher repeatedly tells me (may Allah preserve him), so take advantage of them by praying and supplicating at those times in particular, and all times in general

1. Praying to your Lord, Glorified and Exalted, in secret, supplicating a lot to Him, hoping in His reward, and engaging in much remembrance of Him.

2. Contemplating His Book, for nothing helps the recovery of the heart except the Book of Allah Mighty and Sublime.  There are many youth who busy themselves even with sciences of the Shari`ah at the expense of reciting the Qur'an until their hearts eventually harden.  So if this happens with acts of obedience, what about one who occupies his heart with sins?

3. Regularly performing your obligatory prayers in congregation, for Allah guaranteed the one who guards his obligatory prayers in congregation that he will neither abandon him, nor humiliate him, and that He will guard him in this world and the next.

4. Regularly performing as-sunan ar-rawatib (acts of Sunnah that were stressed and regularly performed by the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), and doing plenty of them, for whenever you prostrate to Allah with a prostration, He raises your level.

5. Accompanying and loving the righteous. "The person is with one he loves." [Al-Bukhari] "Do not befriend except a believer, and let no one eat your food except a taqiyy (a pious, God-fearing person)." [Hasan, related by Ahmad, At-Tayalisi, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and others]

6. Knowing that Allah al-Wahid al-Ahad watches over us, and knowing that He is with you: "Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?" [al-Mulk (67):14]

Knowing also that He knows what you hide and what you make apparent:  "Have you not considered that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth?  There is no private conversation of three but that He is the fourth of them, nor are there five but that He is the sixth of them - and no less than that and no more except that He is with them [in knowledge] wherever they are.  Then He will inform them of what they did, on the Day of Resurrection.  Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing." [Al-Mujadilah (58):7]

Our Shortcomings in the World of . Praying to your Lord, Glorified and Exalted, in secret, supplicating a lot to Him, hoping in His reward, and engaging in much remembrance of Him.

2. Contemplating His Book, for nothing helps the recovery of the heart except the Book of Allah Mighty and Sublime.  There are many youth who busy themselves even with sciences of the Shari`ah at the expense of reciting the Qur'an until their hearts eventually harden.  So if this happens with acts of obedience, what about one who occupies his heart with sins?

3. Regularly performing your obligatory prayers in congregation, for Allah guaranteed the one who guards his obligatory prayers in congregation that he will neither abandon him, nor humiliate him, and that He will guard him in this world and the next.

4. Regularly performing as-sunan ar-rawatib (acts of Sunnah that were stressed and regularly performed by the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), and doing plenty of them, for whenever you prostrate to Allah with a prostration, He raises your level.

5. Accompanying and loving the righteous. "The person is with one he loves." [Al-Bukhari] "Do not befriend except a believer, and let no one eat your food except a taqiyy (a pious, God-fearing person)." [Hasan, related by Ahmad, At-Tayalisi, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and others]

6. Knowing that Allah al-Wahid al-Ahad watches over us, and knowing that He is with you: "Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?" [al-Mulk (67):14]

Knowing also that He knows what you hide and what you make apparent:  "Have you not considered that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on the earth?  There is no private conversation of three but that He is the fourth of them, nor are there five but that He is the sixth of them - and no less than that and no more except that He is with them [in knowledge] wherever they are.  Then He will inform them of what they did, on the Day of Resurrection.  Indeed Allah is, of all things, Knowing." [Al-Mujadilah (58):7]

Our Shortcomings in the World of Iman

1. Taking oneself to account as the Salaf used to do; they used take themselves to account in detail prior to sleep:  What did we put forth from good so that we thank Allah?  What did we do from evil so that we repent to Allah?

2. Seeking guidance and advice from the people of knowledge and callers to Allah.

3. Visiting graves, for it is a means of remembrance of the hereafter, and it guides a slave to the Straight Path.

4. Reading biographies of the Salaf.  Exemplary biographies are those lived by the Sahaba, at-Tabi`een and imams, such as Ahmad, ash-Shai`i, Malik, ath-Thawri, al-Awza`i and many others.

5. Praying upon Allah in secret and supplicating to Him in the last third of the night.

Iman

1. Taking oneself to account as the Salaf used to do; they used take themselves to account in detail prior to sleep:  What did we put forth from good so that we thank Allah?  What did we do from evil so that we repent to Allah?

2. Seeking guidance and advice from the people of knowledge and callers to Allah.

3. Visiting graves, for it is a means of remembrance of the hereafter, and it guides a slave to the Straight Path.

4. Reading biographies of the Salaf.  Exemplary biographies are those lived by the Sahaba, at-Tabi`een and imams, such as Ahmad, ash-Shai`i, Malik, ath-Thawri, al-Awza`i and many others.

5. Praying upon Allah in secret and supplicating to Him in the last third of the night.

How Does the Iman Increase and Decrease?

 


Every child is born knowing that his or her Lord is Only One, Allah, regardless of what faith his or her parents may practice. But just because a child is born with this fitra, or natural belief, does not necessarily mean that the child will grow up to be what truly makes a person Muslim, which is ones iman. A Muslim must have belief and iman in the following:

1) One must belief in Allah as One God without any partners and without denying His Names and Attributes and without directing any form of worship to any other than Allah.

2) One must believe in all of Allahs noble angels without doubt and without associating any non-Islamic belief regarding them, such as them being females or human-like.

3) To be considered a believer, one must have faith in all of Allahs chosen messengers and prophets, named and unnamed without attributing to them any falsehoods or flaws.

4) One must have faith in the Divine Scriptures, but taking only the Quran as the one true guidance, preserved by Allah for all of eternity and for all of mankind.

5) One of the most important beliefs, which illustrates the purpose of life, is the belief in the Hereafter without denying any of the events told in the Quran or by the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam).

6) Finally, one must believe in Divine Preordainment, more commonly known as fate or destiny. One must believe that Allah has knowledge of the future and that everything has been preordained with its due measure.

When a person accepts the above beliefs with his heart and affirms it with his tongue, he is considered as one who has iman. Iman requires acknowledgement of these beliefs through action. The Quran constantly connects ones iman with ones deeds in the phrase, Innalladhina amanu wa amilussaalihaat, which translates to those who believe and do good deeds. It is the actions a person chooses to do that both increase the iman and act as evidence of ones iman or decreases it and proves the weakness of the iman.
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said, Iman wears out in ones heart just as the clothes (one wears) wears out. Therefore, ask Allah to renew iman in your hearts. Unfortunately, iman will not increase by only making dua and asking Allah to increase it, but it also takes effort from the believer. Allah states:

Lo! Allah does not change the condition of a people until they (first) change that which is in their hearts. (Surat ar-Rad 13:11)

There are three main causes for the decrease in ones iman. A persons iman is sure to take a fall when he loses certainty in the above six beliefs. These beliefs when properly settled into the heart play an important role in a believers life. When a person says, performs, or believes something, which is Islamically known as kufr (disbelief), their iman will be effected in a very negative way. And the final reason for the downfall of iman is performing any type of shirk. These three things all lead to sin, which is what prevents the iman from increasing.

It is a duty of every Muslim to keep his or her iman in check. This means one must constantly guard his or her iman and observe whether it has increased or decreased and for what causes. If it has decreased, one must work to increase it before it falls low enough to destroy the heart. There are many ways to increases ones iman and it involves increasing in righteous deeds and refraining from sins, as well as staying away from sinful activities and people who encourage such activities.

The first thing one should do is renew his or her faith by reciting La ilaha illallah, the meaning of which is: There is no deity except Allah, as the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) advised. A person must also believe in all the aspects of La ilaha illallah and this is done through gaining knowledge. Knowledge is one of the most essential key factors in increasing ones iman. It leads to certainty in the heart, assurance in the mind, and peace felt by the soul. Allah has said in His Holy Revelation:

It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. (Surat al-Malaaikah 35:28)

An increase in knowledge leads to acknowledging Allah in every moment of ones life through taqwa, which leads to a firm iman. The type of knowledge we are discussing is knowing that Allah is One and has no partners, wives, children, or equals. It is knowing Allah through His beautiful Names and Attributes; that Allah is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that it contains. He is the Preserver, as well as the One Who destroys. He gives life and takes it whenever He wills. His knowledge encompasses all things and nothing can ever be hidden from Him.

And with Him are the keys of the invisible. None but He knows them. And He knows what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falls but He knows it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, nor anything wet or dry but (it is noted) in a Clear Record. (Surat al-Anaam 6:59)

He hears the cries of His servants all at once and is not confused by the countless different number of voices and languages and He is Ever Responding. He is the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Giver of Bounties. He forgives whomever He wills and punishes whomever He wills. He is the Just, the Merciful, and does no wrong to His creation. He sees all things. Not a black ant on a black stone on a black moonless night is hidden from His sight. To Him belongs all praise and glory! He is the Most Great, the Incomparable!

A person who has knowledge of Allah is no way like a person who simply states La ilaha illallah and knows nothing else about its meaning and its impact in the life of a true believer.

Likewise, a person who has knowledge about Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) and his life, noble characteristics, truthful teachings, and exemplary actions and has faith in what he informed his Ummah concerning the torment and bliss in the grave, the Last Day, the Reckoning, the questioning of ones deeds, the scale, the bridge, the rewards of Paradise, and the torments of Hellfire is unlike the person who has no such knowledge or belief. A person with this knowledge will have a purpose and goal in life, which is to obey Allah to the best of his ability and remind himself of the rewards and punishments he may earn depending upon his iman and his deeds.

There is no doubt that knowledge plays a big role in increasing the iman of a weak heart and Allah says it beautifully:

Are those who know, equal to those who know not? (Surat az-Zumar 39:9)

The second key factor, which affects the iman are ones deeds. They can either decrease the iman and weaken the heart and soul or increase it, as well as strengthening the heart and soul. Once a person gains knowledge about something, he should accept it and put it into practice. If a person accepts the forbidden as forbidden and the permissible as permissible, but refuses to act upon it, thereby disobeying Allah and committing sin, not to mention hurting his own soul, he has suppressed his iman. The basis of iman is to accept and practice.

By increasing good deeds and obedience, one nears himself to Allah, increases his iman, and purifies himself. He is less likely to fall into his base desires and worldly pleasures, keeping himself safe from the evils of society by strengthening his soul and weakening his nafs.

A person with low iman should begin by performing the obligatory duties imposed on him, such as performing the five daily prayers at their fixed times and fasting. He should stop committing major sins and eventually begin performing more voluntary and permissible acts of worship and obedience and refrain from minor sins and disliked acts to the best of his ability. When a person refrains from as many sins as possible and does as many good deeds as he can, most importantly his obligatory duties, he weakens Satan against him, which gives him a bigger chance of success. Allah says:

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not make your deeds vain. (Surah Muhammad 47:33)

One should make sure that everything he does will only benefit him both in this world and in the hereafter. There is no point in doing something that will cause hurt to ones soul and add more weight to ones evil deeds. It is very important and beneficial to follow the Sunnah. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) was the best of mankind and Allah chose him to show us our ways. If we follow him, we are sure to succeed in both worlds, Insha Allah. But if we reject his way and follow our own lusts or the way of the kuffar, we will only destroy ourselves. To be sure that ones deeds will increase the iman, one should do only that which Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) have taught and in that way, one can be safe from bidah and misguidance.

The third key factor to increasing ones iman is remembrance and contemplation. Remembrance refers to the remembrance of Allah, His Names and Attributes, His Greatness, Power, and Majesty, and the fact that He is the Most High. He is the Only One Who deserves to be worshipped, thanked, and depended upon. Allah is the Lord of Kindness and the Most Generous. He should be praised and glorified constantly as a part of remembrance. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said that the most beloved and weighty phrases of dhikr (remembrance) are La ilaha illallah Subhannallah, Alhumdulillah, and Allahu Akbar. There are many others like these, which should also be recited. The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said, The difference between a person who glorifies his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like that between the living and the dead. The remembrance of Allah increases iman and brings peace into the heart. There is none more truthful than Allah in speech and so Allah confirms:

Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! (Surat ar-Rad 13:28)

Along with praising and glorifying Allah, one should be regular in reciting His
Holy Speech, the Quran, and ponder upon their meanings and use them as a guide and a healing in ones life.

And we reveal of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe(Surat al-Isra 17:82)

The Quran contains the Truth about monotheism, Allahs promises of success to the true believers and warnings of punishment to the hypocrites and disbelievers. It contains commandments and prohibitions, inspiring stories of the previous prophets and their nations, and codes of the best conduct and behavior. The words of the Quran bring hope into a persons life. They enlighten the heart and open up a path of righteousness for those searching for the truth.

Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity. (Surat an-Nisaa 4:82)

The iman will increase when one connects with Allah through His Holy Revelation and this should lead one to acting upon his Lords Word.

They only are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when the revelations of Allah are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord. (Surat Al-Anfaal 8:2)

Remembering the Hereafter is also a cure for weak iman. When one is one hundred percent certain of the Last Day, Paradise, and Hellfire and feels fear of the mere thought of standing before the All-Powerful Creator and be questioned and judged for each of his thoughts, sayings and deeds, he is bound to think twice before committing an act of disobedience. One should remember the Day of Judgement often, which is repeatedly mentioned in the Quran to remind mankind that he will surely be returned to his Lord.

When we look at the night, full of bright glittery stars, the shining moon and the sunset, as well as the mountains standing firm and the flowers blooming, we should feel Allahs Power and Majesty and contemplate over His creation. It is absolutely amazing and unimaginable as to how Allah created every single thing in existence and how the universe runs so smoothly by the will and control of its Creator. Contemplating over the creation is another way a person can increase his iman and grow closer to Allah.

Such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! You created not this in vain. Glory be to You! Preserve us from the doom of Fire. (Surah Ali Imran 3:191)

Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said, Allah, the All-Mighty says, I treat my slave according to his expectations from Me and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart. If he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and more noble gathering (i.e. of the angels). If he comes close to Me by one span, I go towards him a cubits length. If he comes toward Me a cubits length, I go towards him an arms length. And if he walks toward Me, I run toward him.

One of the most important things a person should be aware of when trying to increase his iman and at all times, is the vastness of Allahs mercy, compassion, and love. One should put hope and trust in Him. Remembrance of Allah is a key factor in increasing the iman, as are increasing ones Islamic knowledge and good deeds. Allah says:

Then, as for those who have faith and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards and give them more out of His grace and as for those who disdain and are proud, He will punish them with a painful doom. And they shall not find for themselves besides Allah any guardian or helper. (Surat an-Nisaa 4:173)

In the following verse, Allah emphasizes the importance of iman and doing good deeds along with ones belief:

There shall be no sin unto those who believe and do good deeds for what they may have eaten (in the past); so be mindful of your duty (to Allah) and do good deeds and again be mindful of your duty and believe and once again, be mindful of your duty and do good deeds. Allah loves the good! (Surat al-Maidah 5:93)

The life of the dunya is only a test for the creation and one day this test will end. It is the responsibility of each human and jinn to prepare oneself for the final scoring of the test by being mindful of ones duty towards Allah by following the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah and keeping ones iman high. A weak iman will lead one to the Hellfire, while a strong one will lead one to the Gardens of Delight. The reason is because it is the iman that determines the actions of a person. A person with weak or even no iman will commit sin and cause Allah to be displeased, causing him to be thrown into the Hellfire to be punished. But a person with a strong faith will refrain from sins and perform good deeds, which will be the cause of Allahs pleasure and his entrance into Paradise.

In conclusion, Shaykh Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid wrote in his book, Some of our righteous Salaf said, It is a sign of the slaves fiqh (knowledge of the religion) that he concerns himself with enhancing the status of his iman when it experiences a decrease. Also, it is a sign of the slaves fiqh to know if his iman is on the increase or the decrease. Furthermore, it is a sign of ones fiqh that he knows why and where the evil whispers of Satan are coming from.

How to increase Iman
Posted by always_humble on Saturday, July 21, 2007

Comment:
How to increase Iman (Faith)?

This lecture was given by Shaykh Muhammad Hassam from Egypt and translated by Yahya Ibrahim. It is lecture with many words of wisdom that we can benefit from. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did, and I encourage all of us to implement this amazing lecture into our lives, inshallah. I will assure you most of the hadiths are SaHiH (sound) or Hasan (good). Also the brackets[ ] (not parenthesis) are my comments and the rest are the words of the Shaykh Hassam and Brother Yahya Ibrahim. May Allah give them both of them reward for giving us this knowledge….ameen


The Shaykh first praises Allah (swt) and sending peace and blessings on his Messenger (sws). He makes a Dua in which he says He loves you all for the sake of Allah. As Allah gathered us here in this place for the love of Him May he also gather us in Jannah”

Let us come together in belief for one hour. Divided the lecture into 4 points that he will expand on.

(I) Tajdeed ul Iman – Renewing Iman [loosely translated as faith] and increasing Iman.
(II) Hardening of the Hearts and its cure
(III) What is our End and what are we striving for
(IV) When will we turn to Allah in repentance

(I) Tajdeed ul Iman

[Def] Iman is statement that is made due to the belief in the heart that is shown by the actions of the body --limbs, hands, tongue.

The Ulimah have said “Iman increases when you obey Allah and decreases when you disobey Allah”.

In the Quran Allah (swt) says “It is He Who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the Believers (mu’minoon), that they may add faith (iman) to their faith; for to Allah belong the Forces of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom (48:4)

The important aspect to focus on is that they are believers and yet their belief is increased by Allah’s mercy and tranquility descending upon them. [Believers who obey Allah (swt) their Iman (faith) strengthens because of their strong belief]

Hadith: Hasan

Al-Haakim reported in al-Mustadrak, and al-Tabaraani reported in al-Mu’jam:

Prophet (sws) said “Iman decreases or gets worn out just as your clothing becomes worn our (Prophet (sws) makes a Dua) May Allah allow you to renew your iman

Hadith: Narrated by Ibn Masoud SaHiH

“There is no heart that is not covered by a cloud just like a cloud covers the moon when it is shining, and so it suddenly goes dark, but when it (the cloud) goes away, it shines again [heart].”

The clouds are the sins that may come over ones heart and when the heart is covered it hides the brightness and restricts body from doing good deeds [Effects the actions of body, limbs, tongue]. When the heart becomes hardened then it becomes target for the shaytan, lusts, evil.

Hadith: Muslim [could not find who narrated]

“Fitnah begins to envelope the heart just like how sticks build for shade one on top of the other. The darker it gets the harder the heart will become until one dark spot is placed on the heart. One sin increases many more sins, and then it [darkness] starts to envelope the whole heart. The heart will be so darkened that will never command good and forbid evil (amr-bil-maroof-wa-nahi-anil-munkar). [Respected Shaykh explains the opposite effect]. Prophet (sws) further explains that the heart that does not have darkness it is “free from all of this.”

Now you may be asking how do I renew my Iman. There are many ways. [Names a few]

(1) Being constantly linked to the masajid. Especially praying the 5 daily prayers in the masjid [I am sure for women in her house].

{Gives Simile} “[Doing so] will be like riding the only ship that is found when the dark seas (fitnah) are moving in”

Hadith: Narrated by Abu Hurayrah Prophet (sws) said “Should I not tell you of something if you do it will remove your sin, extinguish it, and raise you higher and higher in levels” Sahaba asked “What is it Oh Messenger of Allah” He (sws) said “Perform wudu on times of hardship.”


Shaykh Explains Hadith by saying: (a) Make wudu in body parts fully [completely](b)Make wudu with cold water

(2) Another thing one can do is to increase iman is to wait for one salah [prayer] after you prayed for one inside the mosque.

Hadith: SaHiH Bukhari narrated by Abu Hurayrah (ra)

“If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds."

Hadith: SaHiH Muslim narrated by Abu Hurayrah (ra)

“Five prayers from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed.”

(3) To renew you’re iman a person must be with those who seek knowledge. Be constantly in the place where knowledge is being dispensed out. For when you are in these gatherings you learn halal, haram, sunnah, bidah, good, evil, Quran tafsir, Hadith. You can only find it in the company of those who are giving out the knowledge.

Abdullah ibn Masoud (ra) said “Seek your heart in three places (check how it is feeling). (1) When you are reciting Quran (how is your heart feeling, (2) State of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah/Prophets/Companions), and (3) When you are alone.
If you do not feel anything in your heart, then Ask Allah to give you a heart for you have not been given one.

Most important thing for a person to seek is knowledge. In Qur’an Allah (swt) does not say to The Messenger (sws) to increase in anything except knowledge. Allah tells the Prophet (sws) to supplicate to me.

“Oh my Lord increase me in knowledge” (20:144)

Hadith: Jadid (good)

Sahaba came to the Prophet (sws) “Messenger of Allah I have come seeking knowledge”
Prophet (sws) said “Marhaba (happiness/glad tidings/welcome) to the one coming to seek knowledge. The one who seeks knowledge is enveloped by the angel’s wings and they ride one on top of the other until they reach the skies of this world”

Hadith: SaHiH Bukhari

“The one who remembers Allah and the one who does not remember Allah is like the difference between the living and the dead”

The Shaykh said the same thing goes for seeking knowledge.


(4) To increase iman you must also “amr-bil-maroof-wa-nahi-anil-munkar” command good and forbid the evil.


(II) Hardening of the Heart

Each Person must make an oath in his heart [or a pledge]. The times we are living in are the times of sins, desires, accumulation of wealth, and forgetting about the day when we are not in this world. The cure to all of this is to have taqwa of Allah or be conscious of Allah/Fear Allah (swt)

[Def] The hardened heart is a heart that has no effect when the Qur’an is recited, or Hadith is narrated, or when an advice is given.

Allah swt says in the Quran “Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah. He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide.(39:23)

Is it not time for those who believe to look at the orders of their Lord so he may cause their hearts to soften. Do not be like those who came before you.

Is it not time for those who believe in Allah to Fear Allah

Poem : True fear is not to shed tears when remembering Allah. True fear is when you stop the sins that Allah has prohibited you from; for you may shed tears and continue sinning.

Proverb- “True fear is not by removing the tear, but it is by removing yourself from that which Allah has prohibited.”

We must strive to study the Qur’an and implanting it in our lives.
If someone was to be struck by a disease he would search the lands for the best surgeons/doctors, and qualified person to treat it. But how many of the people try to cure this major disease of not fearing Allah (swt), and to refrain from taking action to seek the scholars, ulimah, even if our hearts dissipate and die…[very few]

What is our End?

The Shaykh says it is either Hell-fire or paradise. As for the fire it is something we cannot take of handle, and we do not have the strength to burden it.

Ummar ibn Khattab (ra) said “Fear the fire for its seat is severe its depth is deep and its tools of punishment are made of hooked rods” [sounds like a more severe warning in Arabic]

Allah swt says
“Fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones,- which is prepared for those who reject Faith”. (2:24)

[(It is) the Fire of (the Wrath of) Allah kindled (to a blaze), which leaps up over the hearts. It shall be made into a vault over them. (Sealed) In columns outstretched. (104:6-8)]

Hadith: SaHiH Bukhari
Prophet (sws) said “The fire we have in this world is one of 70 parts f the fire of akhira (final world)” The Sahaba said if it was just one it will be enough. Prophet (sws) said “the other 69 are multiplied in amount of heat.”

Food of the people of fire is fire [tree of Zaqqum will boil insides of body] (44:43-46). Clothing of the people of hell-fire is fire (22:19)
Hot boiling water will be poured over their heads, will be given boiling water to drink, [and faces covered with fire]. (44:48) (44:15) (14:50). And they will be beaten with rods and hooks.


[should have chills running down your spine by now!!]

Jannah

Hadith: SaHiH Bukhari Muslim narrated by Abu Hurayrah

"The first group (of people) to enter Jannah will be shining like the moon on a full-moon night. Then will come those who follow them who will be like the most shining star in the sky. They will not stand in need of urinating or relieving of nature or of spitting or blowing their noses…. Their wives will be large eyed maidens. All men will be alike in the form of their father `Adam, sixty meters tall.''.

Hadith: SaHiH Muslim; Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah reported: The messenger said,

"Moses (as) asked his Lord: `Who amongst the inhabitants of Jannah will be the lowest in rank?' He said: `It will be a person who will be admitted into Jannah last of all when all the dwellers of Jannah have entered Jannah. It will be said to him: Enter Jannah. But he will say: O my Lord! How should I enter while the people have settled in their homes and taken their shares? It will be said to him: Will you be satisfied and pleased if you have a kingdom like that of a monarch of the world? He will say: I will be content, my Lord. Allah will say: For you is that, and like that and like that and like that and like that.(Allah increases the amount each time) He will say at the fifth time: I am well pleased, my Lord. Allah will say: It is for you and ten times more like it. You will have whatever your soul desires and whatever your eyes could delight in. He will say: I am well-pleased, my Lord.'

[What is the greatest blessings of Jannah? To see the face of Allah (swt)]

"When the people of Paradise enter Paradise , Allâh will say:

"Do you want anything more?"

They will say, "Have You not made our faces white [i.e. honoured us]? Have You not admitted us to Paradise and saved us from the Fire?" Then the veil will be lifted, and they will never have been given anything more dear to them than looking at their Rabb, may He be Blessed and Exalted."

Arabic Poem: The pain of my heart will never by removed until I know I have been granted forgiveness, grated contentment by Allah, and till I know I will be with the Prophet (sws) in Jannah. [Better in Arabic of course]


When will we turn to Allah in repentance

Let us turn to Repentence

Woe to those who are reminded of the repentance and do not take initiative to do it for it is a transgression against himself. All of you must know that death will come unannounced [without an invitation]. No matter how much you have sinned the doors of taubah (repentance) are still open to you. You can always turn back to Allah (swt).


“Allah forgives not that partner should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else,”(4:48)


Hadith: SaHiH Bukhari narrated by Au Hurayrah
Prophet (sws) said “By He who in his hands holds my soul if you do not commit sins Allah (swt) will replace you with people who do sins and asks for his forgiveness.”

Hadith:

The Prophet (sws) Saw a woman embracing her child and holding him to her bosom, Prophet (sws) asked the Sahabas do you think this mother will ever throw her child into the fire. Sahaba said no. Such will be Allah (swt) will be merciful to his servants for their repentance to Him. Allah is more happy to his servant when they ask for repentance then this women is to her child.
Hadith:
“The believers will be brought closer to Allah in Day of Judgment until it will be a one on one conversation with Allah (swt). Allah takes account of sins one after another. Allah shall shield you with kanafa (hide deed with) from other people. Allah tells the person you know you did this and this. The believer will admit to all the sins. Allah swt will say “I hid it from the people and on this day I shall forgive you.”

Repentance to be accepted must (1) stop committing sin, (2)Regret and be sincere about repenting, (3)Do good deeds and never do the sin again.

[May Allah make us enter his Jannata Firdous and save us from the punishment of the fire….Ameen]

Signs of Weak Iman and How to Increase It

 

Signs of weak Faith: 

·         Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.

·         Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.

·         Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat

·         Neglecting the Sunnah. 

·         Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.

·         Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.

·         Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr. 

·         Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.

·         Desiring status and wealth.

·         Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.

·         Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.

·         Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.

·         Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.

·         Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.

·         Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.

·         Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.

·         Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.

·         Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.

·         Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves. 

Okay, how to increase our faith then ? 

  • Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.   
  • Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.   
  • Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.   
  • Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.  
  • We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.   
  • We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.   
  • Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.   
  • Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.   
  • Our love for Subhana Wa Ta'Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.   
  • Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one's faith is increased with good deeds and our faith is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah. 



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