Ikhlaas & Tawheed are a Tree in the Heart

 

“Ikhlaas & Tawheed are a tree in the heart. Its branches are good actions. Its fruits are a good life in this world, & eternal comfort in the Hereafter, & just like in Paradise the fruits whose supply is not cut off, nor are they out of reach, likewise are the fruits of Tawheed & Ikhlaas in this world.” 

Ibn al-Qayyim – ‘al-Fawaid’

Perspective on Dunya & Aakhira

Ḥasan al-Baṣrī once sat next to an empty grave & said:

“A matter (ie. life) that ends like this deserves to feel disinterest about its beginning.  A matter that starts like this (ie. death) deserves that its end is feared (ie. the Hereafter).”

Al-Mudhish, p. 190

Indifference of Strangers to Dunya

“In this world the believer is like a stranger, he does not despair when it humiliates him & neither does he covet its grandeur.  The people are in one state, & he is in a totally different state.”

-Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī 
[d 110H/728CE]

Laziness: Blaming Each Other

 

“At the end of time there will be people whose best actions will be blaming each other, also known as the lazy ones.”

’Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd [d. 32H]

Be Mindful of Allaah’s Anger In Three affairs!

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (rahimahullaah) said:

Be mindful of Allaah’s Anger in three affairs:

“Be mindful of falling short in that which you have been commanded; Be mindful that He sees you, whilst you are not pleased with what He has portioned for you (of the Dunya); Be mindful that you seek for something from the worldly life and do not find it, so you become angry with your Lord.”

[Siyar A’laam Nubulaa 7/244]

"Hope" is More Suitable at Death

“Fear is better than hope. 

However, when death befalls, hope becomes better.”

Al-Fuḍayl b. ‘Iyāḍ [d. 187H]

A calamity that makes you turn to Allaah is better for you than …

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“A calamity that makes you turn to Allaah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allaah…”

Imaam Ahmed was asked: How are you today?

 

 

It was related from Al-Marroodhee that he asked (Al-Imaam) Ahmad:

How are you today (lit. How is your morning)?

He replied: 

How can one’s day be while he is required by his Lord to perform obligatory acts of worship?

(How can one’s day be while) his Prophet is calling him to practice the Sunnah?

(How can one’s day be while) two angels are requiring from him to correct his deeds?

(How can one’s day be while) his nafs urges him to follow its desires?

(How can one’s day be while) Iblees is beckoning him to commit all types of indecent, evil deeds?

(How can one’s day be while) the Angel of Death is observing him (waiting) to take his soul?

(How can one’s day be while) his dependents are asking him to provide them with maintenance?

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Taken from Siyaar A'laamin Nubalaa by Al-Imaam adh-Dhahaabee; volume 11/227

Translated by Dawud Adib

The Arkaan (Pillars) of Gratitude

Pertaining to what Al Baaree [The Originator (Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى)] mentioned with regards to His Favours conferred upon the slaves, of the facilitation of the means of transport (through riding beasts and ships):

''In order that you may mount on their backs, & then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, & say: ''Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, & we could never have it (by our efforts).  And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!''

(43:13-14)

Mentioned (in the above) are the three pillars of gratitude, & they are:

Free Time & Health for Obedience

“A person may be healthy but not free due to being busy with earning a living, or he could be without need (for earning a living) & not be healthy.  If the two factors come together & laziness from acts of obedience overcomes him, he is deceived.  The full [picture] is that this world is a farm of the next world.  In it is business whose profits will appear in the next life.  So whoever uses his free time & health in doing acts of obedience is in an enviable position, fortunate, & blessed, & whoever uses them in acts of disobedience is deceived.  Because free time is followed by business, & health by sickness, even if it is only old age.”

Ibn al-Jawzī [d. 597H/1201CE]