Imam Shafi'i was asked, "How did you get such good character?" 

He replied, "By taking my critics seriously." 

Lessons in life!

What's in a smile?

"...He (sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam) was composed in gentleness. He had the best countenance. And he was always smiling. 

What percentage of your interactions are you smiling in? Truthful smiles- not business smiles! 
Some people are so stingy smiles you'd think they were paying taxes on it! The sign of a real smile is that you smile to someone you don't like, or who is hurting you. 

Every time you smile, remember that you are emulating him (sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam). You will be in the Mohammaden state, with sovereignty in your soul.

Smiling for us is an act of worship. So we smile for God. And we smile to creation, regardless of what else is going on. Our own perceptions have become polluted however, people smile at us and we doubt them. Both the smiler and the one receiving the smile are doubting each other. Both parties have implicitly polluted the smile by their inner feelings. 

People have lost compassion towards each other. Such has become the culture- the loss of mercy because people like only their own dignity. People are no longer accepting of mercy and compassion such that it has become like a methodology. How can something so beautiful and intrinsic become an ideology?..." 

-Habib Ali 
Teaching "Al Ghazzali on The Adab of Living and Virtues of Prophethood"

Don't drown in the ocean of Dunya. Keep floating.

"You came from from God and are going back to God. And in between there is a moment of panic. But relax, you are in good Hands."
-Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

21st Century Sadaqah

“Seek opportunities to do sadaqah where you find them!” my mother taught me when I was young. And thus I never saw her show any road rage, rather quite the opposite. “Making way for other cars is like sadaqah in this country,” she would say while driving. What I learnt most from these car journeys was to take the opportunity to make the practice of the deen relevant and practical to the time and place we live and seek the most out of every moment. Now when I see the jubilant smiles of drivers as I wave to let them join the traffic, and the overjoyed look on pedestrians faces when made way for to cross the road, I remember this simple lesson my mother taught me. Who knows, alongside their thank you wave, they may also be whispering a good intentioned prayer for me!

While perhaps a simple gesture, the understanding that in even regular, seemingly routine acts, there is a chance to shine as a caring believer, is a step in the right direction. Thinking of methods in our personal circumstances and modern lives to impart the good is crucial, thus we are able to carve out our own niche cycle of positivity through conscientious action. As Surat’l-Baqarah, verse 110, tells us: “And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah. For Allah sees Well all that you do.” This is the very point. Charity is oft mentioned in the Qur’an, to be done on a regular basis. Practically speaking, for something to become regular it must first be deemed a reachable target. At the most simplest level therefore, adopting seemingly small, but significant noble habits is a worthy aim. We know from the hadith that Allah even loves the small good deeds if done regularly.

Sadaqah is an ever-living act of goodness. It is a gesture that won’t just spread smiles and warm hearts in this life, but could very well be the act of saving grace which will help us on the Day of Judgment. There are many narrations which inform us of how important good deeds on that Day will be. While we will regret even the smallest of bad deeds, so too could we be saved by having given someone as little as half a date in this life. No act is too little, but rather, the secret lies in a sincere, quality intention.

A lot of us are blessed to have many an opportunity to cross paths with different people. Each passing meeting, even if but a moment, can be one where goodness is sowed and reward is reaped.  Where others may see normal mundane life activities, we can try to make into moments which will make us prosper eternally. Sincere intentions and thoughtful and humbled actions hit the mark. If there was a ‘Quality Assured Stamp’ for actions, that would be the formula we’d need.

Think back to that ‘Big Issue’ seller. Yes, that one you saw as you walked down the high street. They saw you strolling past, eyes averted and glum faced too. Stop and rewind. Excuses have been exhausted for the 21st century sadaqah star (you, in training). For you know that even if you don’t have the money or time to give, you can offer a simple and sincere smile. It’s not merely an overstated example. It’s real. It’s sunnah. It’s that sadaqah that might just tip your scale of deeds!

Knowledge moves into the realm of action when things become practical. Jotting down some everyday movements and the possible opportunities to be of benefit is a worthy exercise to broaden one’s realisation on the matter. For the student, emailing someone some notes from a class they missed can be sadaqah, as too can opening the door for the teacher. For the commuter, smiling at the bus driver can be sadaqah, as too can assisting the one too shy to ask for help with their luggage: this often doubles up as silent da‘wah too! For the internet savvy, emailing/sharing on a social site a beneficial reminder can be sadaqah, as too can be spending time helping the elderly with technology! Remember, of course, to keep check that they are Quality Assured!

All it takes is a moment for reflection during your day, and you too will have a list of your own. Taking this time out to consider the endless possibilities for spreading the good will prove invaluable in your quest to becoming a 21^st century sadaqah superhero! But like Lex Luther was always on Superman’s case, with Kryptonite in fact to weaken him, be warned, Shaytan too will be at you with his wayword whisperings. “What’s in it for me?!” you will soon whine. Realise that you are the one most blessed in all this, for Allah has given you the ability to help another and therefore an opportunity to attain His favours. As one scholar reminds us, “When you give someone charity, be thankful to them. You may be fixing their Dunya, but they may be fixing your Akhirah!

Written for 1st Ethical Charitable Trust who empower Muslims to enrich communities through faith based campaigns. For more information, please visit www.1stethical.com

Things

What Are you going to do with "things" when they bury you? Now that you think about it, there's not a lot of things you can do with "things" when they bury you!"

-Shaykh Nuh

I am vendor of my soul

“Your time should not be without any structure, such that you occupy yourself arbitrarily with whatever comes along.  Rather, you must take account of yourself and order your worship during the day and the night, assigning to each period of time an activity that must not be neglected nor replaced by another activity.  By this ordering of time, the blessing in time will show itself.  A person who leaves himself without a plan as animals do, not knowing what he is to do at any given moment, will spend most of his time fruitlessly.

Your time is your life, and your life is your capital: by it you make your trade, and by it you will reach the eternal bounties in the proximity of Allah.  Every single breath of yours is a priceless jewel, because it is irreplaceable; once it is gone, there is no return for it.  So do not be like fools who rejoice each day as their wealth increases while their lives decrease.  What good is there in wealth that increases while one’s lifespan decreases?

Do not rejoice except in an increase of knowledge or an increase of good works.  Truly they are your two friends who will accompany you in your grave, when your spouse, your wealth, your children, and your friends will remain behind.”

-Al Ghazzali 

-Bidayat al Hadayat

A few reflections on 2012

2012. The year, according to the Mayans, the world in its entirety was to end. It didn’t. This may not perhaps be much of a surprise considering even Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) didn’t claim to have knowledge of the final hour. Indeed when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Angel Jibra’il to tell him of the last hour, he replied, “The one being asked knows no more of it than the one asking.” (Sahih Muslim) The discussion over the world ending however puts everything into context. One day, we know, we will each have to leave this temporary abode behind. One can’t help but ponder over what legacy will be left.

Time, as one proverb informs us, is “like a sword. If you don’t cut it, it will cut you!” Through reflecting on how our year has gone we are able to gain a better understanding of how we have used our time, and inshāAllah use our experience to better utilise what time we have left. Surah al-‘Asr emphasises the concept of time, where Allah swears by it: “By time. Verily man is at loss…”This highlighting of time in the Qur’an brings to head its importance.

Looking back at 2012, some key events stand out. Any international sporting event is usually met with great jubilation. The fact that the Olympics and Paralympics were brought to home soil this year boosted the experience. Branded as an Olympics set to ‘inspire a generation’, the focus was a noble one. Hope and inspiration work well in international events such as the Olympics. Equally however at a grassroots level do certain projects shine. The launch of the ‘Ilm 2 ‘Aml Curriculum across Muslim schools in Southern and Northern England too has geared a community to focus on educating and inspiring the next generation. Equipping the youth with an understanding of key citizenship and religious issues, alongside activating and encouraging them to be directly involved in local community projects, the progress of the curriculum will definitely be one to watch in its shaping of a next generation who are both positive and proactive.

Another defining moment of the year was when the Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier by freefalling 128,000 ft. Undoubtedly jaws dropped across the world as we watched him fall so fast from such a distance. The progress of science has moved fast in recent times. Technological advances in every field have gained momentum such that as humans we feel ever more in control of our affairs. Yet, we are reminded in the Qur’an to look further and realise that it is our abidingly real Creator Who sets to motion all the causes and effects in perfect harmony. We all attain highs in our personal lives, when we see our own plans come to fruition, duās get answered and things go our way. It is in such moments though, far from turning away and believing ourselves to have independently caused our success, we realise that in truth these moments are opportunities to get closer to our Lord through praising and thanking Him for such gifts.

The continued bloodshed around the world in 2012 has illustrated clearly that there is a bigger plan in motion. From Gaza, Palestine to Connecticut, America, both in the East and West have people faced a reality of injustice this year. It is in the time of difficulty that as Muslims we again are reminded to turn to Allah and turn to assisting the community. What occurs during these trials is the chance to assist those in harm. The aid convoys and continual charity being donated to war zones all over is a sign that the Ummah is rallying together to serve those in harm’s way. The contribution of Muslims to the multi-faith prayer ceremony for the Connecticut shooting also illustrated empathy and unity.

While many of us easily get excited about the synchronisation of numbers, (yes, 12/12/12 caused quite a stir this month, and 1/2/34 of the Islamic calendar which came about in December also got many a folk excited), looking at the synchronisation of our actions with the Qur’an and Prophetic guidance is of greater importance. As we reflect on what has past, both in global events and in our personal lives, and look forward inshāAllah to what is to come, it is worth going back to the source of direction, the Qur’an and contemplating again on the emphasis given in Surah al-Asr.

“By time. Verily man is at loss. Except those who have faith and do righteous deeds and join together in mutual teaching of truth and in patience. ”

(Written for www.1stethical.com)