Distinguishing Between Thoughts From Ourselves, Shaytan, and Allah

Source: seekershub.org

By: Shaykh Rami Nsour

The Spring Source of our actions

All of our actions spring forth from a thought that enters our heart and this is what makes knowing the science of thoughts (khawatir) so important [Muhammad Mawlud, The Purification of the Heart]. One of the most difficult tasks we face in our lives will be in weighing out each one of the thoughts that enters our heart and seeing which one we should follow. The scholars have given us a guideline as to how to tell the signs of the source of thoughts that enter our heart.

New Muslim: How to Minimize the Stress?

Source: onislam.net

By: Theresa Corbin

With negative pressure from fellow Muslims at the mosque, the daily media pressure of negative news about Muslims and Islam, and all the challenges of learning a new religion and getting the right understanding about Islam, many new Muslims find themselves more stressed than ever before.

Which can lead them to wonder where is the peace promised in Islam?

How does a new Muslim cope with all these pressures?

The Spirit of Modesty

By: Usman Siddiqui

Source: suhaibwebb.com

Many Muslims – myself included — often forget about the spirit of Islam in matters of law and worship. For instance, do we not recite 114 times in the Qur’an, “In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful” – should this not, then, be the spirit with which all our actions and deeds are performed? Is our worship for anything other than to get closer to Allahsubhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) – should this not, then, be the focus with which we perform every prayer? Is the essence of fasting not sacrifice for the sake of Allah (swt) – should we not, then, abandon extravagance when it comes to Ramadan?

For the people of sins there are 3 great rivers

Ibn Qayyim said

“For the people of sins there are 3 great rivers with which they purify themselves in this world and if these do not suffice in purifying them, then they are purified in the river of Hellfire on the Day of Judgment:

1. a river of sincere repentance,
2. a river of good deeds that drowns the sins that surround it.
3. and a river of great calamities (that befall the sinner) that expiate (his sins)
Therefore, when Allah intends good for His slave, He enters him into one of these 3 rivers, so he comes purified and cleansed on the Day of Judgement, not requiring the fourth purification.

And the forth purification: The river of Hellfire on Yaum Al-Qiyamah.
So swim in the river of repentance and doing good deeds and have patience in the river of calamities. And do not neglect these before a day comes when you will be drowned in the river of Hell-fire whose fuel is men and stones”

[Madaarij as-Saalikeen 1/312, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah]

Purification of the sinners

It is essential for those who will be admitted to Paradise to be cleansed of all their sins before they enter it. The sinners’ cleansing of their sins may happen in this world or in the Hereafter. In this world, Allaah has given His slaves ways of cleansing themselves thereof, by following their sins and evil deeds with prayers for forgiveness, sincere repentance and good deeds that erase sin.

With regard to the purification of the sinners in the Hereafter, this will be achieved in several ways:

1 – Prayers of the believers for the (deceased) believer, such as their offering the funeral prayer for him. It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah and Anas ibn Maalik that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no deceased person for whom a group of Muslims numbering one hundred offer the funeral prayer, all of them interceding for him, but their intercession for him will be accepted.” Narrated by Muslim, 947.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim man who dies and forty men who do not associate anything in worship with Allaah stand and pray for him, but Allaah will accept their intercession for him.” Narrated by Muslim, 948.

So it is known that this du’aa’ is one of the means of the deceased being forgiven.

2 – Acts of ongoing charity that the person did during his life will benefit him after his death.

3 – Good deeds done on behalf of the deceased, such as charity, Hajj, etc. These will benefit him, according to the texts of the saheeh Sunnah. It was proven in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever dies owing fasts, let his heir fast on his behalf.” And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who will pray for him.” Narrated by Muslim, 1638.

4 – What happens in the grave of the trial, squeezing and terror. These are things that expiate for sins.

5 – The intercession of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and others for sinners on the Day of Resurrection, as is narrated in mutawaatir reports in the ahaadeeth about intercession, such as the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the saheeh hadeeth, “My intercession will be for those among my ummah who committed major sins,” and “I was given the choice between admitting half of my ummah to Paradise and intercession, and I chose intercession because it is more general and greater. Do you think it will be only for the pious? No, it will be for the sinners who contaminated themselves with sins.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah 4311; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 3480.

6 – The terrors, difficulties and hardships of the Day of Resurrection.

7 – The mercy and forgiveness of Allaah bestowed with no action on the part of His slaves. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Allaah created mercy on the day that He created it, and divided it into one hundred parts. He kept ninety-nine parts and sent one to all of His creation. If the kaafir knew of all that is with Allaah of mercy, he would never despair of Paradise, and if the believer knew of all that is with Allaah of punishment he would never feel safe from Hell.”