Collection of Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sadaqah صدقة / Voluntary Charity

There have always been too many mouths to feed from comparatively far lesser resources and food. It is for this reason that a vast number of people live below the poverty line all over the world. Cognizant of the plight of the poor, the concept of charity exists in Islam, both obligatory (Zakat) and voluntary charity (Sadaqah صدقة) so that those who have resources and wealth in access to their needs should give to the needy and help them live a comfortable life or at least sustain them with bare minimum needs.

Sadaqah literally means "righteousness" and refers to the voluntary giving of alms or charity. In Islamic terminology, Sadaqah has been defined as an act of "giving something... without seeking a substitute in return and with the intention of pleasing Allah.

It is said in Qur'an: "Those who spend their wealth in charity day and night, secretly and openly—their reward is with their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve." - Qur'an 2:274

The concept of sadaqa in Islam, thus, is comprehensive, covering all acts of kindness, whether financial or non-financial. It plays a crucial role in maintaining social harmony, aiding the needy, and ensuring that wealth circulates within the community. By engaging in sadaqa, Muslims not only help others but also purify their own souls and earn Allah’s blessings and rewards. 

We have already published a number of posts on Charity, based on Divine Directive as mentioned in Qur'an, which can be accessed from our reference page: Importance of Charity in Islam

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ too has emphasised the need of Sadaqah in a number of Hadiths attributed to him. We are taking upon a series of posts based on the subject of Sadaqah and its rewards as mentioned by the revered Prophet ﷺ of Allah. 

• Believers! Let your intention be pure when giving charity
• Charity: The Virtue of Visiting the Sick (Hadith Qudsi)
• The wealth that would matter
• Give Charity from honestly earned money (Sahi Bokhari Hadith 1410)
• Do not 'Reluctantly' part with your wealth to give into charity  (Hadith 2590)
• Who is a Dignified Poor “مسكين “and why should he be helped (Sahi Bokhari Hadith 1476)
• Deathbed is not the time to give charity  (Sahi Bokhari Hadith 2748)
• Even small acts of kindness are Sadaqah / Voluntary Charity (Sahi Bokhari Hadith 2989)
• Spending on one's family intending to receive Allah's reward is regarded as Sadaqah (Sahi Bokhari Hadith 5351)
• The reward for looking after a widow or poor (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Hadith 5353)
• How can charity save believers from Fire of Hell (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Hadith 6023)
• Consistent good deeds even if small are more pleasing to Allah than big deeds done occasionally (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Hadith 6465)
• Store your wealth as reward for life in the Hereafter (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim Hadith 2958a)

We would keep adding more Hadiths in time to emphasise the need to give Sadaqah to help our poor brethren. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | 

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Responding to objections/lies about Islam: Allah of Muslims is merciless and unloving

The purpose of the Divine faiths was to provide guidance to the mankind and to foster love and inter-faith harmony so that world could live in peace. Unfortunately, the social media is flooded with posts and misinformation about Islam, targeting not only Muslims, but "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ).  The sentiments aired against Islam and "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) are sometimes so derogatory that one really feels pity on those who concoct such allegations. In addition to written material, caricatures depicting "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) are a shameful act.

On the contrary, Muslims, respect and honour all previous messengers and prophets, and respect the unpolluted Divine Scripturas, and make sure no words unbecoming of the previous prophets or sentiments are aired to degrade their status. The Muslims only differ on the concept of Trinity, which makes Prophet Eesa (Jesus, peace be upon him)  another god, at par with the one and only God, we Muslims call Allah. Perhaps this is the main reason that followers of Jesus get annoyed for Muslims not accepting him as a god. 

And from here on, an unending misinformation is unleashed, labelling Allah of Muslims as unjust, unloving and merciless. On the contrary, Jesus is portrayed as the most loving god and his sacrifice while absorbing sins of all his followers, leaving them clean of whatever sins they have committed or will be committing in futures. Muslims on the contrary believe no such concept of original sin and know that whatever sins they will commit, they will be answerable for those on the Day of the Judgement. 

As for mercy and love, the Allah of Muslims is far more merciful, loving and kind, besides being the most forgiving for all those who believe in Him, take Him as the Only Lord of the world without any associates, and repent of their sins and seek forgiveness.

The mindset about Islam, "Allah of Muslims" and (Prophet) Muhammad (ﷺ) generally germinates due to lack of knowledge about Isla, Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The lack of knowledge compounded by lies about Islam drilled in the mindset by the religious men, pastors, priests and monks, thus, results in criticism about Islam. It is with this regard, I am writing this post to clear the mindset of the non Muslims, something that is being researched by many a non Muslims around the world and many a stark enemies of Islam are reverting to Islam.

In fact Qur'an abounds in verses that show fathomless latitude to the sinners and the wrongdoers and show how Merciful Allah is and how leverage He gives to the sinners and the wrongdoers to repent their sins and return to him seeking His forgiveness.  Of course no gets automatically absolved of one's sins, like followers of Jesus believe, and unless a sinner seeks forgiveness, his sins will not be erased or forgiven.

Let us go step by step to know how much merciful, kind and loving is Allah to his servants as against the lies so levelled against "Allah of Muslims" and Islam:

Allah's Mercy and Forgiveness

Allah Himself describe Him as "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Compassionate) in Qur'an. The Qur'an emphasizes that Allah's mercy encompasses all things and that He is willing to forgive those who repent sincerely.

"Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" (Quran 39:53)

Unlimited Leverage for Repentance

Wrongdoers are given many opportunities to repent and seek forgiveness. Repentance (Tawbah) is highly encouraged, and Allah promises to forgive those who turn to Him with sincerity.

"And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful." Quran 4:110:

In one of Hadiths ( mentioned in Sahih Muslim, Book 37, as Hadith 6644): Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying:

"Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: 'O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.'"

The above quoted verse form Qur'an and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ should be enough and an eye opener for those who label "Allah of Muslims" as unkind, merciless and unloving.

Encouragement to Refrain from Sin

Allah encourages believers to avoid sin and wrongdoing, emphasizing that while Allah is forgiving, it is better to avoid sins in the first place.

"If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins and admit you to a noble entrance [into Paradise]." (Quran 4:31)

Ultimate Forgiveness is in Allah's Hands

Musch to the dismay of many non Muslims who beleive that their prophets, idols and saints can write off their sins, it must be cautioned that the Ultimate forgiveness is at the discretion of Allah, and He can choose to forgive whom He wills. This highlights the importance of seeking Allah's pleasure and striving to live a righteous life.

"Do you not know that to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punishes whom He wills and forgives whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent." Quran (5:40)

Divine Justice and Accountability

While Allah is merciful, He is also just. Those who persist in wrongdoing without repentance will face consequences, either in this life or the hereafter. The balance between mercy and justice ensures that while forgiveness is available, accountability is inevitable for those who do not repent.

"This is for what your own hands have sent before [to the Judgment], and because Allah is not ever unjust to His servants." (Quran 3:182)

Allah of Muslims is merciless to those who associate someone with Him

Having enumerated many a examples of mercy and kindness of Allah, let us also remember that there is only one thing for which no mercy will be shown by Allah, and this the sin of Shirk - associating someone with Allah and a partner in His dominion of which He is the sole Master. Since this aspect of mercilessness of Allah is tangent to the concept of trinity, Allah of Muslims is portrayed as unkind and merciless.

In Islam, shirk (Arabic: شِرْك) is considered one of the gravest sins. The term "shirk" comes from the Arabic root word "sharika," which means to share or associate. In the religious context, shirk specifically refers to accepting other divinities or powers alongside Allah as associates., thereby violating the fundamental concept of Tawhid, which is the oneness and absolute unity of Allah. 

So someone is perturbed over mercilessness of Allah of Muslims on His complete discontentment for those committing shirk, they needs to think it over earnestly, objectively, logically and without tainted input from others. Many are doing it, and thousands and thousands have pondered over it, got the truth known and REVERTED TO ISLAM.

* Please read our exclusive post: 

• What is the Reality of Shirk - the sin of idolatry or polytheism (Scholars' Viewpoint) [Link]
• The Sin of Shirk - Associating Partners with God 

In conclusion, Allah provides significant latitude to wrongdoers in terms of opportunities for repentance and forgiveness. However, His justice ensures that persistent wrongdoing without repentance will result in consequences. The balance between mercy and justice is a key aspect of Islamic teachings on the treatment of wrongdoers.

However, despite the information shared above, which otherwise abound the social media, many non Muslims take out verses from Qur'an and refer to them out of context to portray "Allah of Muslims" as unjust, merciless and unloving. We at our end can only share one to one knowledge of Qur'an and Hadith to add to the knowledge of the unknowers so that they can carryout more research on Islam to know the facts themselves rather than lies fed to them.

Let no one deceive about Islam by lies, misinformation and disinformation. Islam provides the easiest access to Allah without any intermediary to speak to Him, repent one's sins and seek forgiveness.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on countering / responding to lies / misinformation and disinformation about Islam: The Rebuttal: Countering disinformation being spread about Islam (Reference Page)

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Allah will expiate sins of those who remain patient even in most difficult times (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

In our series of posts on Patience / Sabr, today we share a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which assures the believers that if they endure the hardships, which are in fact a test from their Lord, they will be profusely rewarded. In fact Allah even promises to expiate sins of a believer if he endures the hardship and yet remains patient, for he knows such hardship, diseases, grief or loss in business and even the loss of an offspring is from his Lord.

Abu Sa’id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Riyad As Salihin Arabic/English book reference: Book 1, Hadith 37

This Hadith should mean a lot to all of us for we have been promised a special mercy of Allah to the extent of waiving off our sins. It relates how Allah turns the hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim into a means of expiation for his sins. However, the waiver of sins is conditional - that is one has to exercise extreme patience and never for a moment the Satan or evil forces mislead him and create doubts in one's mind that his sins may not be expiated. 

Therefore, a believer must be sure footed in his belief and faith in Allah that whatever has been Divinely promised WILL be fulfilled. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. If  a believer resorts to blame game and laments to Allah for his troubled and difficult time, he not only fails in the test from which he has been undergoing, but this very act of questioning "why me" from Allah may add more sins to his dossier.  Therefore, let us try to restrain our heart and mind and brace the difficulties with the firm belief that we are being tested and we have to clear the test by not acccepting the Divine will.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sabr / Patience to read more Hadiths on the subject.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Collection of hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Patience / Sabr صبر

Patience, known as Sabr "صبر " in Arabic, is a highly esteemed virtue in Islam, encompassing a range of qualities and behaviors in response to life's challenges and adversities. It is a comprehensive term that implies restraint, endurance, perseverance, and steadfastness. 

Defining Patience, it is the ability to endure difficult circumstances, such as pain, suffering, or adversity, without being overwhelmed by negative emotions like anger or despair. It involves maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, controlling one’s impulses, and persevering in the face of hardship.

In the Qur'an, Allah has commanded the believers at several place to exercise restraint if wrong and wait for the Divine help, for nothing is better than what our Lord has in store for us. 

"O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful." Surah Al-Imran (3:200)

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a wonderful example of being patient. Born when his father has already died, raised by his mother but she too left for her heavenly abode when he was six. And then raised by his uncle. He earned reputation of a very dependable, honest and just man as a trader. But when he was selected by the Lord of the universes to being the last of the prophets, he was suddenly left all alone. From age of forty till his demise twenty three years later, his life was full of tests and trials, hardships, extreme confrontation by the pagans of Makkah. He was many a time physically assaulted, stoned and almost gagged to death. Yet he persevered and never responded in retaliation as far his personal self was concerned. On the family side, he lost his all three sons,  saw his daughters coming home divorced by their husbands, and yet he never complained and displayed a very high standard of patience.

He along with his family, friends and companions also endured the hardship when they were ousted from Makkah and left to themselves in the Shi'b Abi Talib (Arabic: شِعب أبي طالب, Valley of Abu Talib) - a valley between the Mount Abu Qubays and the Mount Khandama in Makkah. They were marooned and isolated and left at their own for more than three years without any aid, food or even water and shelter. Yet, the revered Prophet and his companions displayed a very high degree of patience and endured it as a test of their faith by the Almighty Allah.

Such is the patience and perseverance that is expected of a believer in the face of adverse circumstances, or to endure the cruelty  unleashed by the men in power or in position of authority.  While he  himself endured the hardships, he advised his companions, friends and family to follow the suit too.

Herein under we are sharing many a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the subject of patience / sabr, advices that were coming from a person who knew himself what is pain and hardship and how to endure these:

• Enduring a calamity with Patience has immense rewards for a believer (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Hadith # 2999)
• Allah will expiate sins of those who remain patient even in most difficult times

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) grant us the ability to persevere and help us to be patient under all odds and troubled times. Let us continue to look up to our Lord for guidance and help when confronted with times that are beyond our capability to bear.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) also help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | 

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Enduring a calamity with Patience has immense rewards for a believer (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

The most difficult thing for a man is to endure patiently a calamity - a time when a man is robbed of his possessions, house, family, incurable diseases or even means of livelihood. Yet it is the patience and sabr which eases one's losses provided one is a true believer and has firm belief that whatever has befallen on him is a test to test his firmness in faith and belief in one's Lord.

Many with weak faith will say that doing so easier said than done for no one can really fathom the pain and loss so incurred after a calamity is struck to someone. Yes, it is so and sitting on the wall, one cannot advise the one facing the natural wraths and tell them to be patient. 

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has at many a time advised his companions to be patience for it is the only tool with a true believer to get tested and come out successful. Even  Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was tested many a time in his life: the death of all three of his sons, divorce of his daughters and enduring the hardship at the hands of pagans of Makkah when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family and companions were ousted from Makkah and left to themselves in the Shi'b Abi Talib (Arabic: شِعب أبي طالب, Valley of Abu Talib) - a valley between the Mount Abu Qubays and the Mount Khandama in Makkah. They were marooned and isolated and left at their own for more than three years without any aid, food or even water and shelter. Yet, the revered Prophet and his companions displayed a very high degree of patience until they were allowed back.

In this background, we share a Hadith as quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Boo5k 12 The Book of Zuhd and Softening of Hearts / كتاب الزهد والرقائق / Chapter 13  The Believer's Affair Is All Good / باب الْمُؤْمِنُ أَمْرُهُ كُلُّهُ خَيْرٌ / as Hadith number # 2999 as under:

Suhaib reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:

Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا هَدَّابُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الأَزْدِيُّ، وَشَيْبَانُ بْنُ فَرُّوخَ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لِشَيْبَانَ - حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The personal example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his resilience to endure all types of troubles and calamities should serve as an eye opener and we should learn to be patient and exercise utmost restraint over our emotional state when hit against the wall. Here it would not be wrong to give example of helpless and defenseless people of Gaza who are being subjected to inhuman treatment at the hands of the Israeli forces. Yet with their houses destroyed and carrying corpses of their children, the patience and motivation exhibited by them is par excellence. We pray for them for ease of their sufferings and establishment of peace in their lands.

Verily, those who remain steadfast and patient are the true believers and shall be rewarded more than others, In sha Allah. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Sabr / Patience to read more Hadiths on the subject.

For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Source of Hadith

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Selected verses from Al-Qurʾān about Sabr "صبر " / Patience

Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. This one facet of man's mindset often keeps him anxious, jittery and restless, despite the fact that he knows (in man a case) that he cannot change things or hurry these up as per his wishes or priorities. It will not be wrong to say that this extremely important characteristic of our life is lacked by most of us. 

We come across such display of impatience / lack of Sabr when halted on a red light for longer than the stipulated time or when stuck in a traffic jam and drivers behind start honking. Or when waiting in queue behind a person taking too long at the cash counter or an ATM machine and many of us start to mutter our discontentment for the delay being so caused.

Even many a Muslim exhibit anxiety when their prayers are not answered and get into depression. They forget that what we wish or want for ourselves may not be good or be inappropriate for us in the eyes of our Lord, and he delays our prayers till a better time or a better replacement of what we have been praying for. 

That is why in the Quran, "Sabr" (patience) is highly emphasized and is regarded as a virtue that believers should strive to embody. Sabr encompasses endurance, perseverance, steadfastness, and the ability to remain firm in the face of adversity.  

"O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient." Surah Al-Baqarah (2:153)

Thus, sabr is essential for spiritual success and is repeatedly linked to faith, prayer, and the overall moral and ethical conduct of a believer. Patience is presented not only as a personal virtue but also as a means of attaining Allah’s support and love.

Herein under are some of the selected verses about Sabr / Patience. However, do not miss to watch the video below which explains Sabr and how it can be attained:

• Patience (Sabr) is not surrendering to the circumstances - But to the Will of Allah
• And resort to patience and Prayer for Divine help (Surah 2. Al-Baqara:45)
• Allah is with those who seek help in Patience and Prayer (Surah 2. Al Baqarah: 153)
• What is patience in Good Grace (صَبۡرٌ جَمِيۡلٌ) (Surah 12 Yusuf: 18)
• Sabr: Patience with Perseverance - the best trait of a Muslim

You may now watch the video below in which Yasmin Mogahed explains the concept of Sabr in Islam:

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Do not show conceit for Allah does not like the conceited (Selected verses from Qur'an)

No two men are gifted or blessed alike. In fact there exists a vast disparity between the HAVEs and HAVE NOTs. And it is the general human psyche to boast of one's wealth and possessions for they think whatever have the achieved is all because of their own efforts and handwork, not realizing that no one is blessed unless the Lord of the world so desired.

There have been nations and individuals mentioned in the Divine Scriptures that showed arrogance and conceit due to their possessions and positions who were wiped out with for Allah does not like the conceited and the arrogance.  In Qur'an, there is a mention of one such man by the name of Qarun (mentioned as Korah in Bible and Torah) who was mighty rich, yet was too boastful and conceited about his wealth. People around him warned him lest Divine wrath enveloped and destroyed him. He did not heed to the warnings and was sunk in the sand along with his entire wealth.

Such anecdotes are mentioned in Divine Scriptures to guide people to show humility rather than conceit and be always thankful to their Lord so that they are given and blessed more. And also any eye opener for those who despite knowing such anecdotes, boast and forget to thank their Lord in an expression of humility.

We share today the 76th verse of Surah 28. Al Qasas (The Story) about arrogance and conceit of Qarun:

اِنَّ قَارُوۡنَ كَانَ مِنۡ قَوۡمِ مُوۡسٰى فَبَغٰى عَلَيۡهِمۡ​ وَاٰتَيۡنٰهُ مِنَ الۡكُنُوۡزِ مَاۤ اِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهٗ لَـتَـنُوۡٓاُ بِالۡعُصۡبَةِ اُولِى الۡقُوَّةِ اِذۡ قَالَ لَهٗ قَوۡمُهٗ لَا تَفۡرَحۡ​ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡفَرِحِيۡنَ‏  

[They should not show arrogance on their means and resources. Tell them:] Korah was from among the nation of Moses;  then  he became rebellious against them. We had given him so many treasures that its keys were barely lifted by a band of many strong men. When the people of his nation counselled him: “Do not show conceit because God does not like the conceited 

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: It was recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said:

(إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ Verily, Qarun was of Musa's people,) "He was the son of his paternal uncle." This was also the view of Ibrahim An-Nakha'i, 'Abdullah bin Al-Harith bin Nawfal, Sammak bin Harb, Qatadah, Malik bin Dinar, Ibn Jurayj and others; they all said that he was the cousin of Musa, peace be upon him. Ibn Jurayj said: "He was Qarun bin Yashar bin Qahith, and Musa was the son of 'Imran bin Qahith.

(وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ And We gave him of the treasures,) meaning, of wealth;

( مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men.) Groups of strong men would not have been able to carry them because they were so many. Al-A'mash narrated from Khaythamah, "The keys of Qarun's treasure were made of leather, each key like a finger, and each key was for a separate storeroom. When he rode anywhere, the keys would be carried on sixty mules with white blazes on their foreheads and white feet." Other views were also given, and Allah knows best.

(إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ قَوْمُهُ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ Remember when his people said to him: "Do not exult. Verily, Allah likes not those who exult.") means, the righteous ones among his people exhorted him. By way of sincere advice and guidance, they said: "Do not exult in what you have," meaning, 'do not be arrogant and proud of your wealth.'

(  إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ Verily, Allah likes not those who exult.) Ibn 'Abbas said, "This means, those who rejoice and gloat." Mujahid said, "It means those who are insolent and reckless, and do not thank Allah for what He has given them." His saying:

(وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنْسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ But seek, with that which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world;) means, 'use this great wealth and immense blessing Allah has given you to worship your Lord and draw closer to Him by doing a variety of good deeds which will earn you reward in this world and the Hereafter.'

Explanation Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi:

This fact also is being related in continuation of the answer to the excuse which has been the theme of the discourse from verse 57 onward. In this regard, one should bear in mind the fact that the people who feared that the Holy Prophet Muhammad's message would affect the overall national interests adversely were, in fact, the big money owners, money-lenders and capitalists of Makkah, who by virtue of their international trade and money-lending business had become the Korahs of their time. These were the people who thought that the real truth was to earn and amass maximum wealth. Anything that seemed to vitiate this object was an untruth which could not be accepted in any case. On the other hand, there were the common people who looked with longing eyes at these magnates and earnestly desired that they should also attain the same heights as those people had attained. In an atmosphere charged with the love of money, as it was, people considered it to be a weighty argument that if the invitation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) towards Tauhid and the Hereafter and the moral code was accepted it would spell ruin for the Quraish not only commercially but economically too. 

Qarun who has been called Korah in the Bible and the Talmud was a first cousin of the Prophet Moses. According to the account of descent given in Exodus (ti: 18-21) the fathers of the Prophet Moses and Korah were real brothers. At another place in the Qur'an it has been stated that this man had joined with Pharaoh in spite of being an Israelite and become one of his favorites; so much so that one of the two ring-leaders of opposition to Prophet Moses after Pharaoh was this same Korah: "We sent Moses to Pharaoh and Haman and Korah with Our Signs and a clear authority of appointment, but they said, `He is a sorcerer, a liar'." (Al-Mu'min :23-24).

From this it follows that Korah had rebelled against his own people and become a supporter of the hostile forces which were bent upon wiping out the Israelites. On account of this rebellion against his own people he had attained a high place with Pharaoh and the two persons, besides Pharaoh, to whom the Prophet Moses had been sent were Pharaoh's minister, Haman, and this Israelite capitalist, Korah. All other chiefs and couriers were of inferior status, who were not worth mentioning. The same position of Korah has been alluded to in Al' Ankabut: 39. 

In the story related of him in the Bible (Num., ch. 16), there is no mention of this man's wealth. But according to the Jewish traditions, he possessed immense wealth, so much so that three hundred mules were required to carry the keys of his treasures. (Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. VII, p. 556). Though greatly exaggerated.

Qur'an Wiki explanation:

Now the sūrah tells us about Qārūn, or Korah, portraying the power of wealth and knowledge and how, when coupled with arrogance and ingratitude, this leads to the same end. In essence, the sūrah depicts those values that make wealth and luxury practically insignificant when compared with faith and righteousness, as also with moderation in enjoying life’s pleasures without arrogance or corruption.

Qārūn belonged to Moses’ people. God had given him abundant wealth, described in the sūrah as “treasures”, a term that signifies a hoarded surplus of money which is taken out of circulation. Indeed the mere carrying of the keys to these treasures represented a heavy burden even for a band of strong men. It was because of his wealth that Qārūn treated his people unjustly. The sūrah does not specify the form of injustice dealt out by Qārūn, leaving it indefinite so as to include all types of injustice. He might have taken their land and property unfairly, as is often done by those who use power and wealth to deprive others of their rights. He might also have deprived them of their fair share in his property. God has given the poor their rightful share in the property of the rich, so that wealth does not circulate exclusively among the rich while all around them the poor are in desperate need. When this happens, corruption becomes manifest. Qārūn might equally have been guilty of other forms of injustice.

However, some in his community tried to stop such injustice, counselling him to maintain the path that earns God’s pleasure. Thus, he would be able to enjoy his wealth and partake of the pleasures it provides, but in moderation and within reason. More importantly, this path requires wealthy people to watch God in all their actions, for it is He who granted them all they have. They too will have to account for their deeds on the Day of Judgement.

“Do not exult” in your riches nor be so proud of them as to forget the One who has granted you this blessing. Do not neglect to give due thanks. Do not treat your money as an object of extreme delight so that you become insolent and arrogant in your treatment of other people. “For God does not love those who are exultant.” His compatriots remind him of God and the fact that He does not love those who are infatuated with wealth, showing arrogance and using its power to humiliate others.

Summarizing the above quoted verse, eminent Muslim scholar of present times Javed Ahmed Ghamidi notes: It is this wisdom and comprehension of the truth about which it is stated at another instance that he who is blessed with these is blessed with a great treasure. The implication is that everything in this world is God-given; they should not regard it to be a consequence of their own ability or a legacy of their forefathers; it is purely a favour of God that He has granted so much wealth and affluence to them. Whatever from it that will be a benefit for them will be the part they spend for the cause of God. He wants to see the reflection of His own attributes in His servants as well and likes those among them who look upon with favour at their fellow brethren.

Such anecdotes are not repeated without any reason nor these are specific to any time period. Such like verses are to warn the entire mankind to shun any notions that show conceit, arrogance and pride to boast of one's family. These are to warn all such people to bow in humbleness to their Lord and show utter humility. And if this is not done, wrath of the Lord can be any minute knocking at their door with news of misfortune. Remember, within seconds, empires crumble and man robbed of his proud possessions.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) helpnes' wealth, health, position or fa us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: The Utter Losers (in worldly life and the Hereafter) in the light of Qur'an

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Yusuf Ali Translation
• Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More