I am as My servant thinks I am

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Allah the Almighty says: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it. And if draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.

[Related by alBukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

By The Ultimate Grace of Allah, we were fortunate enough to sit in on a live class with Habib Hussein as-Saqqaaf, whilst he taught from Imam alHaddad’s “The Treatise of Mutual Reminding” in Dubai. The class was broadcasted online via their website: http://www.hemmah.net/

Habib Hussein taught the benefits of undertaking wudhu (ritual ablution) as well as the six compulsory components of it, according to the Shafi’i madhab. Subha’Allah, due to the nature of the first component (the niyaat - intention) being so vast we never got round to the other 5 components but instead learnt about the importance of making intentions to every act, the reasons why our intentions count, and how to draw closer to Allah via our intentions.

This student would love to write down everything that Habib Hussein said but a) we would ideally like to seek ijazat before doing so and b) we’re a firm believer that people who may not have attended the class may fail to get the full jist of what the teacher was saying and thus this student would do a great injustice in relaying the message being taught (unless ones notes were reviewed and ijazat was given). Nonetheless from our small sittings with Shayukh, I’m sure that mentioning the deepest moment of reflection for this student would be permitted…

Habib Hussein (may Allah preserve him with Birr and His Tawfeeq. Allahumma Ameen) mentioned:

When the angels come to us in our grave and ask the first question: ‘Who is your Lord?’ Then we will reply according to what our relationship is with Allah. Thus if you are righteous and are in love with Allah you may start reciting all of His Names (Asmaa ulHusna) out of your deep compassion and love for Him.

As Habib Hussein mentioned this all we could do was pray that we are of the righteous ones who in our graves recite His Beautiful 99 Names, not just for light to enter our graves and ease the process, but more out of knowing that by calling out to Him in devotion we are expressing our love for Him. A love that Allah Knows and reciprocates to a far greater extent than our own imagination. No other love can really compare to The Love of Allah. Subhan’Allah what a reflection.

So, how then do we make our relationship strong with Allah such that we receive these gifts? The answer is in the Hadith Qudsi mentioned in the beginning of this post “I am as My servant thinks I am…“

Through the Remembrance of Him in our heart, tongue and mind; and making sure that when we carry out an everyday task we look at it as a form of ibadat, a means to gain closer to Allah, and a way of showing gratitude to Him, The All Merciful, The All Encompassing, we can truly gain closeness to Him and make ourselves open to receiving His Rahma and His Love. And verily He is The All Loving, The All Forgiving, The All Compassionate, The All Wise.

May Allah bless the one who sent a text message our way to inform us of the class. May Allah shroud him with His Tawfeeq and Mahabba, and grant him a good fruitful life in this world and the next. Allahumma Ameen.

Insha’Allah Next Class:

* Title: “How to call people to Islam” by Habib Hussein
* Date: Friday 18th April 2008 at 7pmDubai Time (4pmUK Time)
* Link: http://www.hemmah.net/ (in Arabic and translated in English)

source:http://asmakarif.wordpress.com/category/habib-hussein-as-saqqaaf/

Gone to the Unseen

At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?

Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.
Rising up to the sky
you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer's call
and flew beyond space and time.

As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.
Then came the scent of the rosegarden
and you flew off to meet the Rose.

The wine of this fleeting world
caused your head to ache.
Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.
Like an arrow, you sped from the bow
and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.

This phantom world gave you false signs
But you turned from the illusion
and journeyed to the land of truth.

You are now the Sun -
what need have you for a crown?
You have vanished from this world -
what need have you to tie your robe?

I've heard that you can barely see your soul.
But why look at all? -
yours is now the Soul of Souls!

O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.
Seeking divine heights,
Flapping your wings,
you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.

The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -
You are the fearless rose
that grows amidst the freezing wind.

Pouring down like the rain of heaven
you fell upon the rooftop of this world.
Then you ran in every direction
and escaped through the drain spout . . .

Now the words are over
and the pain they bring is gone.
Now you have gone to rest
in the arms of the Beloved.

Sympathising with the Muslims

Hadrat Amr Bin Hazm (Ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: “The person who condoles his grieved Muslim brother shall receive the honour of being clothed by Allah Ta’ala with vestitures of honour and prestige on the day of judgement.” (Ibne Majah)

Hadrat Abu Barzah (Ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: “The one who sympathises with a woman who has lost her child, will be made to wear a beautiful floral sheet in Jannah (Tirmidhi)

Amongst the rights one Muslim enjoys over another, one of them is to offer condolences. Accompanying his janazah is an additional right. The thawaab for executing both these rights is Jannah.

Sympathising with others alleviates the grief they encounter and they will be divinely inspired to exercise patience. They will perceive that they have a brother and aid to lean upon in straitened circumstances. This will be benefiicial to you as well, you will remember death, be alert at all times and your heart will become tender.

Ali bin Umar bin Ali (ra) narrates from his father Umar (ra) and he in turn from his grand-father Ali (ra) that the Holy Prophet (saw) said: “In terms of the reward, the greatest ibaadat is the simplest and lightest. And sympathising should be executed once only” (Kashful Astaar) Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Remembrance of Death

Remembrance of Death

We are so engrossed in our worldly pursuits that the remembrance of death does not occur to us. The Holy Prophet of Allah sallallahu alaihe wasallam has said, "The most intelligent person is the one who often remembers death. Constant remembrance of it prevents one from evil and sin and motivates him towards good morals. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, "The remembrance of death defeats joy."

The above narration clearly indicates that we are in this world for a purpose and not just for pleasure and entertainment. The Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihe wasallam says, "Live in the world as though you are a wayfarer." Concerning this Hazrat Esa alaihis salaam has said, "This world is like a bridge, cross it and do not build on it."

Life in this world is very short which everyone has to surpass, until he meets his death. Allah says, "For every ‘Ummah’ (community or nation) there is a term appointed, when their term is reached, not an hour (nor a moment) can they cause to delay, nor (an hour nor a moment) can they advance (it)."

(10:49 Tafseer Al-Qurtubi)