How much time a dead is to be mourned by women (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Every ling being is destined to perish one day - and humans are no exception. Despite the bitter reality, one finds it extremely difficult to comprehend the death of a near and dear one, specially the women who are emotionally more sensitive than men. It is often seen that women wear black or white clothes to mourn the dead for a long time. 

Since one cannot die with the dead and has to live on, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specially asked women not to mourn more than what is required and then carry one with their lives as normal beings. The time period specified for women to mourn for their husbands and others is mentioned in a Hadith, as mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 23:  Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz) / كتاب الجنائز / Chapter 30:  The mouring of a woman for a dead person other than her husband / باب  إِحْدَادِ الْمَرْأَةِ عَلَى غَيْرِ زَوْجِهَا / as Hadith 12807, given herein under:

Narrated Zainab bint Abi Salama:

When the news of the death of Abu Sufyan reached from Sham, Um Habiba on the third day, asked for a yellow perfume and scented her cheeks and forearms and said, "No doubt, I would not have been in need of this, had I not heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: "It is not legal for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for more than three days for any dead person except her husband, for whom she should mourn for four months and ten days."

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ ابْنَةِ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ لَمَّا جَاءَ نَعْىُ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ مِنَ الشَّأْمِ دَعَتْ أُمُّ حَبِيبَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ بِصُفْرَةٍ فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّالِثِ، فَمَسَحَتْ عَارِضَيْهَا وَذِرَاعَيْهَا وَقَالَتْ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَنْ هَذَا لَغَنِيَّةً، لَوْلاَ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ أَنْ تُحِدَّ عَلَى مَيِّتٍ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ، إِلاَّ عَلَى زَوْجٍ، فَإِنَّهَا تُحِدُّ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا ‏"‏‏.‏

The ruling on the mourning (ḥidād) period of women is well covered in both Qur'an and the hadith after someone passes away, especially concerning how long women are to mourn, which is a matter of Islamic ethics, law (fiqh), and social norms.

The above stated Hadith clearly lays the time period for women both in case of death of her husband and others. 

This hadith is directly grounded in a clear command from the Qur'an:

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:234): “And those who are taken in death among you and leave wives behind — they (the wives) shall wait four months and ten days. And when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame upon you for what they do with themselves in an acceptable manner. And Allah is [fully] aware of what you do.”

Key Points of Hadith

• The ḥidād period for a widow is four months and ten days, exactly as stated in both the Qur’an and the hadith.
• During the period of "Mourning" (Ḥidād) one must abstain from:
• Beautification (e.g., perfume, kohl, jewelry, adornment)
• Marriage proposals or remarriage (in case of widows)
• Social events or excessive interaction (depends on culture and scholars' views)

The hadith specifies:

• For non-husbands (e.g., parents, children, friends): mourning up to 3 days
• For a husband: mourning is obligatory for 4 months and 10 days

This applies specifically to Muslim women. For men, Islam does not prescribe a specific mourning period but encourages patience (ṣabr), duʿāʾ, and good deeds for the deceased.

Wisdom Behind the Mourning Period (For Widows (4 months 10 days):

• To honor the marital bond and grieve properly
• To ensure there’s no pregnancy before remarriage (practical and protective wisdom)

Wisdom Behind the Mourning Period For Others (3 days): Islam respects emotional needs but sets limits to avoid excessive grief that can harm faith or mental health

Balancing Between Emotion and Faith

The Prophet ﷺ allowed a woman to grieve, but discouraged extreme or prolonged mourning beyond what is prescribed. This is part of Islam's balanced approach between:

• Human emotion
• Faith in Allah’s decree
• Living life with dignity even after loss

This shows how the Sunnah (hadith) explains and complements the Qur’an, especially in matters of law and practical life. It also highlights how mourning is respected, but not allowed to become excessive or culturally superstitious. It also educates the Muslims to show obedience to the commands of Allah and surrender to His will, for He knows them better than they know themselves.

You may like to watch an informative video lecture on the subject given herein under:

While death is inevitable and every one has to encounter this one day in one's life, the others should not die along with the dead. Rather they must accept the inevitably of the death, the wisdom of which is only know to Allah, our Creator, Who created us for specific purpose in His overall plan, and takes us back to Him when our part has been played. So let us abide by the time period laid down in Islam and continue to live on so that we are able to play our part of the plan and be ready to leave for death comes unannounced, even for the most affluent and the rich as well as the poor.

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 exclusive reference page Etiquettes taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.

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 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the 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.

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How to repent when getting up from a sitting engaged in idle and meaningless conversation (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Every man born is born for a specific Divine purpose. Thus whatever we do in our daily chores should find a purpose for us. Those who engage in idle and meaningless conversations or those who even attend such sittings not only waste their time but also drift away from the Divine purpose for them.

Today we share a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , narrated by Abu Hurairah, addresses the the theme of our premise and importance of seeking forgiveness and turning to Allah in repentance, especially after engaging in idle or meaningless speech. The hadith presents a specific formula to be recited after any gathering where one might have engaged in unnecessary or unproductive talk.

This Hadith is mentioned Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 48: Chapters on Supplication / كتاب  الدعوات عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم / Chapter 38: What One Says When Getting Up From His Sitting / باب مَا يَقُولُ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ الْمَجْلِسِ / as Hadith number # 3433:

Abu Hurairah narrated that:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever sits in a sitting and engages in much empty, meaningless speech and then says before getting from that sitting of his: ‘Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You, I seek You forgiveness, and I repent to You, (Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa biḥamdika, ashhadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilaik)’ whatever occurred in that sitting would be forgiven to him.”

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ أَبِي السَّفَرِ الْكُوفِيُّ، - وَاسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ أَخْبَرَنِي مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ جَلَسَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ فَكَثُرَ فِيهِ لَغَطُهُ فَقَالَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُومَ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ ذَلِكَ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ ‏.‏ إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا كَانَ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ ذَلِكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي بَرْزَةَ وَعَائِشَةَ ‏.‏ قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ صَحِيحٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ سُهَيْلٍ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ ‏.‏

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

This hadith encourages:

• Guarding one's speech from idle talk.
• Turning to Allah in repentance after any lapse.
• Engaging in dhikr as a means of purification and gaining forgiveness.
• Experiencing Allah's mercy in forgiving mistakes, no matter how big or small.
• In light of the Qur'an, this hadith emphasizes several important themes:

Let us now read some verses from Qur'an which cautions man from safeguarding his speech and importance of repentance for having done so.

1. The Importance of Guarding One's Speech

The Qur'an repeatedly reminds believers to guard their speech, especially from idle talk, gossip, and anything that does not benefit. For example:

• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:70-71):
• “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will then amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great attainment.”
• This verse emphasizes the importance of using words in a way that is beneficial and aligned with righteousness.
• Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:3):
• “And they who turn away from ill speech.”
• The Qur'an commands believers to avoid meaningless or harmful speech, which is consistent with the guidance in the hadith.

2. Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness

The phrase mentioned in the hadith—“Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You, I seek Your forgiveness, and I repent to You”—is a formula that emphasizes repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar). Repentance is a fundamental concept in Islam and is frequently mentioned in the Qur'an:

• Surah At-Tahrim (66:8):
• “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance.”
• This verse encourages believers to seek Allah’s forgiveness with sincerity and humility, just as the hadith advises after a sitting where one may have engaged in inappropriate speech.
• Surah An-Nisa (4:110):
• “Whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself but then seeks forgiveness of Allah will find Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
• This reinforces the idea that seeking forgiveness after engaging in any sinful or unproductive behavior will lead to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

3. The Power of Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr)

The hadith mentions a specific dhikr (remembrance) of Allah that should be recited after a gathering. The importance of dhikr is emphasized throughout the Qur'an:

• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:41-42):
• “O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance and exalt Him morning and afternoon.”
• Remembrance of Allah, especially after activities that may have involved distraction or neglect of the remembrance of Allah, is a way to purify one’s actions and intentions.
• Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:9):
• “O you who have believed, when the call to prayer is heard on the day of Jumu’ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”
• The Qur'an highlights the significance of turning to Allah in remembrance and seeking His forgiveness.

4. The Mercy of Allah

The hadith mentions that if a person recites this supplication after a sitting filled with idle speech, whatever was wrong in that gathering will be forgiven. This emphasizes the immense mercy and forgiveness of Allah, a theme that runs strongly through the Qur'an:

• Surah Az-Zumar (39:53):
• “Say, 'O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own hands, do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Allah forgives all sins. He is truly the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.'”
• The hadith echoes this divine mercy, illustrating that no matter what was said or done in the gathering, through repentance and turning back to Allah, a person can attain forgiveness.

5. Purification of the Soul

This hadith also serves to purify the soul. After a gathering where meaningless speech may have taken place, the recitation of this supplication serves as a means of spiritual purification. The Qur'an stresses the importance of cleansing the heart:

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:222):
• “Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
• This reflects the idea that seeking forgiveness, particularly through dhikr and repentance, is a means of purifying oneself spiritually.

Conclusion

The hadith is in perfect harmony with the Qur'anic teachings on speech, repentance, seeking forgiveness, and remembrance of Allah. It provides a practical tool for maintaining spiritual cleanliness, even after moments of negligence or distraction. By turning to Allah with the prescribed supplication, the believer purifies their actions, seeks forgiveness for any wrongdoing, and brings themselves back to a state of peace and spiritual alignment with Allah.

Remember, this life is not meant for wasting time in fruitless and meaningless conversations that do not add to our religious education and help us becoming good human and believer. Let us not engage in meaningless conversation and stay away from such sittings from where one does not learn to be a better human being.

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.

You may refer to our reference: page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic supplications

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 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the 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

What to give in Charity

Charity is a voluntary act whereby people help others with whatever surplus they have with a desire to help others, to help support a cause they believe in, and a sense of purpose or fulfillment from contributing to positive change. Since most of the people around the world live below the poverty line, it is incumbent upon those who live a rather happy to a luxurious life to help those in real need.

Islam lays great emphasis on charity, both obligatory (Zakat) and voluntary (like the Sadaqa or Khairat). There are many commandments in Qur'an and Sunnah about charity so of which we have already shared in our reference page: Selected verses from Qur'an on Importance of Charity in Islam.

However, care must be taken to ensure the quality of charity. That is one should give in charity things one would like for himself. Charity should not be giving out worn out clothes or paltry sum of money that cannot help someone. This is the theme of 267th verse of Surah 2.Al Baqarah given herein under:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّآ أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغْمِضُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ 

O believers! Donate from the best of what you have earned and of what We have produced for you from the earth. Do not pick out worthless things for donation, which you yourselves would only accept with closed eyes. 

And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy. (2:267)

The verse quoted above addresses the concept of giving in charity and highlights the importance of donating what is best and most valuable, both in terms of material wealth and in terms of intentions. Let's break down the meaning of the verse:

Key Elements of the Verse:

• "Donate from the best of what you have earned and of what We have produced for you from the earth":
• This part of the verse emphasizes that when giving in charity (sadaqah), it should come from the best of what you own, both in terms of earnings (income) and what Allah has provided from the earth (such as crops, livestock, etc.). It encourages believers to give from their wealth in a way that reflects their sincere gratitude and devotion to Allah.
• The idea is that the donation should be something that costs the giver. It should not be from excess or leftover resources, but from the best and most valuable things you have, demonstrating true generosity and sacrifice.
• "Do not pick out worthless things for donation, which you yourselves would only accept with closed eyes":
• This part warns against giving items that are of poor quality or worthless, which you would not accept for yourself. It stresses that the sincerity and quality of the donation are important, and one should not donate things that are not of value or that they themselves would not appreciate or accept.
• The phrase "accept with closed eyes" refers to items that are unworthy, things you would avoid or reject if they were offered to you. It suggests that when giving in charity, the donor should reflect on the dignity of the recipients and give in a way that shows respect for them.
• "And know that Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy":
• This final part of the verse reminds the believers that Allah does not need their charity. Allah is Self-Sufficient (Ghani), meaning He has no need for anyone’s wealth or donations. Everything belongs to Allah, and He is not dependent on His creation.
• The phrase "Praiseworthy" (Hameed) signifies that Allah is worthy of all praise and has all qualities of perfection. The reminder here is that, despite His self-sufficiency, Allah rewards acts of charity and will compensate the donors in a way that is far beyond their expectations, so long as their intention is sincere and their donation is made with a good heart.

Lessons and Principles from this Verse:

• The Importance of Giving with Excellence: Giving charity is not just about the quantity, but also about the quality of the donation. It should come from the best of your wealth, representing sincerity and true sacrifice. Giving what costs you or what you hold dear is a sign of genuine devotion to Allah.
• Purity of Intentions: This verse teaches that giving charity should be done with a pure heart, free from any ulterior motives. It should not be done for recognition or out of a sense of obligation, but as an act of worship and humility, with the goal of pleasing Allah.
• The Dignity of the Recipient: The verse also emphasizes treating those who receive charity with respect. The giver should not donate things that are not worthy, as this would reflect disrespect for the recipients. Sometimes, the charity giver makes it a photo session to publish in the print and electric media. This unwanted advertisement badly hurts the recipient for such acts undermine their dignity.
• Allah’s Self-Sufficiency: Finally, it reminds the believers that charity is not for Allah’s benefit, but for the benefit of those in need and the benefit of the giver. Allah is in no need of material offerings but rewards those who give in charity for the sake of pleasing Him.

Foregoing in view, in this verse, Allah calls the believers to approach charity with sincerity, quality, and respect. The act of giving should reflect a believer's commitment to Allah and should be done in a way that honors both the giver and the recipient. Allah’s reminder that He is Self-Sufficient should encourage people to give with humility, understanding that charity is ultimately for their own spiritual benefit and a means of earning Allah’s pleasure and reward.

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

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses 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 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. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

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.

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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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Three Detested people by Allah (Hadith Qudsi)

Man has not be made by Allah to live a life against His covenants and following the Satan. Those who do so are the ones most detested by Allah and have been promised the Divine Wrath on the Day of Judgement. Generally these are the people who go against the Divine covenants and deceive people when in position to do so.

This has been mentioned by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in one of Hadith Qudsi is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī  (Book 34: Sales and Trade / كتاب البيوع / Chapter 106:  The sin of a person who sells a free man / باب  إِثْمِ مَنْ بَاعَ حُرًّا / as Hadith 2227, given herein under:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says, 'I will be against three persons on the Day of Resurrection: -1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but he proves treacherous. -2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price, -3. And one who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.' "

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنِي بِشْرُ بْنُ مَرْحُومٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمٍ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ ثَلاَثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى بِي ثُمَّ غَدَرَ، وَرَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ، وَرَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْتَوْفَى مِنْهُ، وَلَمْ يُعْطِ أَجْرَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

This hadith highlights three categories of people whom Allah will oppose on the Day of Resurrection, emphasizing the seriousness of ethical behavior, integrity, and justice in dealing with others, particularly in matters of contracts, business, and employment. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) narrated it to underscore the gravity of fulfilling one's promises and obligations. Let’s break down each point mentioned in the hadith:

• One who makes a covenant in Allah's Name but proves treacherous: This refers to someone who swears an oath or makes a commitment, invoking Allah’s name, but later breaks their word or fails to fulfill the promise. It can apply to any agreement or contract, whether personal or professional, where a person is untrustworthy or dishonest in honoring their commitment. In Islam, trustworthiness is highly valued, and breaking an oath is considered a grave sin, especially when done in the name of Allah.
• One who sells a free person (as a slave) and eats the price: This is a reference to human trafficking, which is a severe injustice. In the past, people could become enslaved for various reasons, but the sale of a free person (i.e., someone who is not a slave) is a grave offense. This part of the hadith condemns anyone who exploits others by selling them into slavery and unjustly taking the money gained from such an act. The hadith condemns human exploitation and trafficking, highlighting the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of every individual.
• One who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages: This refers to someone who hires a worker to do a job but fails to pay them for their labor. In Islam, paying workers for their labor is considered a serious obligation. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned that the rights of workers must be fulfilled promptly and fairly. Not paying someone for their work or delaying their wages is unjust and will be held against the employer in the Hereafter.

Key Messages:

• Honesty and integrity are core values in Islam, and breaking trust in contracts or promises is a serious sin.
• Exploitation of others—whether by enslaving a free person or by withholding wages—is seen as a profound moral failing.
• The hadith teaches that social justice and fair treatment of others are vital in Islam, especially in dealings that affect people's dignity, freedom, and livelihood.

On the Day of Judgment, those who commit such transgressions will face the opposition of Allah, meaning they will be held accountable for their actions, and their deeds will be judged harshly due to the grave nature of the wrongs they committed. This emphasizes the importance of fulfilling contracts, maintaining honesty, and treating others with fairness and respect.

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 Hadith e Qudsi (حدیثِ قُدسی) attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  for more Hadith e Qudsi.

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.

Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the 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.

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A single card that will weigh heavily against scrolls of wrongdoings on the Judgement Day

This wordily life is a testing place for all the humans that were ever born and a day would come when all dead will be resurrected and those living at that time will be presented in the Divine Court to be presented with their dossiers. The heavy dossiers will decide an abode either in the Jannah (Paradise) or Jahannam (Hell).

But there will be a few who despite having sins and misdeeds written on countless scrolls will be blessed by Allah, forgiven of their bad deeds and granted Jannah. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ indicated who these few would be.

This Hadith is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah /  Book 37 Zuhd / كتاب الزهد) / Chapter 35: What is hoped of the Mercy of Allah on the Day of Resurrection / باب  مَا يُرْجَى مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ / as Hadith number # 4300 under:

‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“A man from my nation will be called before all of creation on the Day of Resurrection, and ninety-nine scrolls will be spread out for him, each one extending as far as the eye can see. Then Allah will say: “Do you deny anything of this?” He will say: “No, O Lord.” He will say: “Have My recording scribes been unfair to you?” Then He will say: “Apart from that, do you have any good deeds?” The man will be terrified and will say: “No.” (Allah) will say: “Indeed, you have good deeds with Us, and you will not be treated unjustly this Day.” Then a card will be brought out on which is written أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ - Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger). He will say: “O Lord, what is this card compared with these scrolls?” He will say: “You will not be treated unjustly.” Then the scrolls will be placed in one side of the Balance and the card in the other. The scrolls will go up (i.e., be light) and the card will go down (i.e., will weigh heavily).”

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، حَدَّثَنِي عَامِرُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ يُصَاحُ بِرَجُلٍ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْخَلاَئِقِ فَيُنْشَرُ لَهُ تِسْعَةٌ وَتِسْعُونَ سِجِلاًّ كُلُّ سِجِلٍّ مَدَّ الْبَصَرِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ هَلْ تُنْكِرُ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْئًا فَيَقُولُ لاَ يَا رَبِّ فَيَقُولُ أَظَلَمَتْكَ كَتَبَتِي الْحَافِظُونَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَلَكَ عُذْرٌ أَلَكَ حَسَنَةٌ فَيُهَابُ الرَّجُلُ فَيَقُولُ لاَ ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ بَلَى إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدَنَا حَسَنَاتٍ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ ظُلْمَ عَلَيْكَ الْيَوْمَ فَتُخْرَجُ لَهُ بِطَاقَةٌ فِيهَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَا هَذِهِ الْبِطَاقَةُ مَعَ هَذِهِ السِّجِلاَّتِ فَيَقُولُ إِنَّكَ لاَ تُظْلَمُ ‏.‏ فَتُوضَعُ السِّجِلاَّتُ فِي كِفَّةٍ وَالْبِطَاقَةُ فِي كِفَّةٍ فَطَاشَتِ السِّجِلاَّتُ وَثَقُلَتِ الْبِطَاقَةُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْبِطَاقَةُ الرُّقْعَةُ وَأَهْلُ مِصْرَ يَقُولُونَ لِلرُّقْعَةِ بِطَاقَةً

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

This hadith, narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr, conveys a powerful lesson about the significance of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the testimony of faith in Islam, particularly the declaration of the shahada: "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu", which means "I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger."

The hadith speaks about the Day of Judgment, a moment when every individual will be held accountable for their deeds. In this narration, a man from the Prophet’s (ﷺ) ummah will stand before Allah, and his deeds will be laid out in front of him. The ninety-nine scrolls represent the records of all his deeds, each one of them extensive and detailed, stretching as far as the eye can see. The man is questioned about his actions, and Allah asks him whether he denies any of the recorded deeds or whether his scribes have been unfair in recording them. The man will admit that nothing is denied and that the record is accurate.

When Allah asks if the man has any good deeds aside from the ones already recorded in the scrolls, the man will feel terror, realizing that he has nothing to present. At this point, Allah will reveal to him that there is indeed one thing that outweighs the multitude of his deeds—his testimony of faith: the shahada.

A card is brought out with the shahada written on it, and the man, seeing it in comparison to the scrolls, wonders how such a small card could possibly outweigh such a long and extensive record. Allah reassures him that he will not be treated unjustly. The scrolls are then placed on one side of the Balance, and the card with the shahada is placed on the other. Miraculously, the card outweighs all the scrolls, showing the immense weight of the testimony of faith.

Key Lessons and Insights:

• The Weight of the Shahada: The primary lesson of this hadith is the incomparable weight of the testimony of faith, which is central to Islam. The card containing the shahada will outweigh all the deeds a person has, emphasizing that sincere belief in the oneness of Allah and in Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is of paramount importance.
• Allah’s Mercy: Despite the man’s apparent lack of deeds, Allah’s mercy and grace will ensure that he is not judged solely by his actions but by the fundamental truth of his faith. The hadith illustrates the power of faith and repentance and underscores Allah’s willingness to forgive and grant mercy.
• Humility and Hope for the Believers: The hadith is a reminder of the significance of believing in the oneness of Allah and accepting the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as His messenger. Even if a person has committed numerous sins, as long as they have this foundational belief, they can hope for Allah’s mercy on the Day of Judgment.
• Reminder of the Importance of Deeds: While the shahada is the foundation, this hadith also reminds Muslims of the importance of their deeds. It shows that good deeds are important, but the ultimate salvation lies in faith and Allah’s mercy.

This hadith thus highlights that while deeds are crucial, the fundamental belief in Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the most important factor in determining one's final outcome in the afterlife. The hadith encourages believers to maintain their faith, hold tightly to the shahada, and hope for Allah’s mercy, knowing that He is just and merciful beyond measure.

However, this must be remembered that this case will not be for every Muslim but will apply to those who sincerely believed in wordings of the Shahada أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ and all along their lives remain tied to it firmly without wavering in their faith,  "إيمان" (ʾīmān), even for a fraction of a second. So let us remain tied as close to the Shahada truly understanding the importance of the pledge so taken and expecting a Divine Reward on the Day of Judgement.

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: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for 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 | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the 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

How to avert chances of being thrown into Jahannam (Hell) on the Day of Judgement

Most of the people, following any religion,  believe in the life of the hereafter - a life for which we need to prepare ourselves now as long as we live in our earthly world. Even atheists who do not believe in God are convinced of a day when the dead will be resurrected and rewarded and awarded of their good and bad deeds, upon which it will be decided the quality of their life, that is whether an abode in the Paradise (Jannah) or the burning fires of the Hell (Jahannam).

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُ ٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلۡعِزَّةُ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِۚ فَحَسۡبُهُۥ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَلَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ

And when it is said to him, "Fear Allah," pride in the sin takes hold of him. Sufficient for him is Hellfire, and how wretched is the resting place. (Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 206)

وَلَقَدۡ ذَرَأۡنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِۖ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنٞ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ ءَاذَانٞ لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَآۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰفِلُونَ

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.(Surah Al-A’raf Ayat 179)

As for Muslims, averting the chances of being thrown into Jahannam (Hell) on the Day of Judgment is a central concern, and it involves striving to live a life that pleases Allah based on the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah. The Qur'an and the Hadith provide clear guidelines on how to avoid such a fate.

We have already published a number of posts on DOs and DON'Ts based on Qur'an which if acted upon in sincerity and total devotion and faith in Allah can pave way to Jannah (Paradise). You may read these posts from our reference page: Important DOs and DON'Ts from Qur'an (Understanding Qur'an)

Note: The purpose of this post is not to unduly scare people but to caution them about the reality of Jahannam and how to avert being shown the door to it in the life of the Hereafter

Herein under are some key steps to take, in addition to the ones mentioned in the link given above or in conjunction with them, which can avert our chances of being shwn the door to Jahannam (Hell):

1. Tawheed (Monotheism)

Affirming the Oneness of Allah: The most important step in avoiding Jahannam is to worship Allah alone, without associating any partners with Him, thus avoiding the sin of committing shirk. This is the foundation of faith in Islam.

Qur'an Reference: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills." (Qur'an, 4:48)

2. Shahada (Testifying the Faith)

Belief in the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH): A person who truly believes in the Shahada (there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger) will have a strong foundation for avoiding Hell.

Hadith Reference: “Whoever says ‘La ilaha illallah’ (There is no god but Allah), and dies upon it, will enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim)

3. Performing the Five Pillars of Islam

• Shahada (Faith): As mentioned earlier, professing the Islamic creed is crucial.
• Salah (Prayer): Performing the five daily prayers is one of the most important duties in Islam.
• Zakat (Charity): Giving charity helps purify wealth and assists those in need.
• Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan): Fasting purifies the soul and teaches self-restraint.
• Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing Hajj, if financially and physically able, ensures that a Muslim fulfills a major duty.

Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.” (Qur'an, 85:11)

4. Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance (Tawbah)

Repenting for Past Sins: A person who sincerely repents for their mistakes and sins is given the opportunity to be forgiven by Allah.

Qur'an Reference: “And those who, when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by sin], remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who can forgive sins except Allah?—and who do not persist in what they have done while they know.” (Qur'an, 3:135)

Read more about Repentance and Forgiveness from posts mentioned in our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject: Repentance and forgiveness 

5. Avoiding Major Sins

Avoiding Shirk, Murder, Stealing, Lying, and More: The major sins, such as associating partners with Allah (shirk), committing murder, stealing, lying, and others, can lead to the punishment of Hell unless one repents sincerely.

Hadith Reference: “Avoid the seven deadly sins.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?” He said, “Shirk (associating partners with Allah), magic, killing a soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, consuming riba (interest), consuming the wealth of an orphan, fleeing from the battlefield, and slandering chaste, innocent women.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

6. Being Humble and Avoiding Arrogance

Humility: The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize the importance of humility, avoiding arrogance, and showing compassion toward others.

Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur'an, 49:13)

Hadith Reference: “No one will enter Paradise who has an atom's-weight of arrogance in his heart.” (Sahih Muslim)

7. Being Kind and Respectful to Parents

Respect for Parents: The Qur'an places great importance on honoring and caring for one's parents, particularly in their old age.

Qur'an Reference: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him with hardship upon hardship, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Qur'an, 31:14)

Please refer to our exclusive page: Selected Verses from Quran: Be Good to Your Parents 

8. Sincerity in Faith (Ikhlas)

Performing Acts for the Sake of Allah Alone: Every action, whether it’s worship or good deeds, should be performed solely for the sake of Allah, not to show off or for worldly gain.

Hadith Reference: “Actions are judged by intentions, and everyone will get what was intended.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

9. Seeking Knowledge and Acting Upon It

Knowledge of Islam: Acquiring and acting upon the knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah leads to a life that is pleasing to Allah and avoids misguidance.

Qur'an Reference: “Say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Qur'an, 20:114)

10. Good Character and Avoiding Harmful Behavior

Having Good Manners: Islam encourages excellent character, including truthfulness, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and generosity. Avoiding negative traits like backbiting, slander, and lying is crucial.

Hadith Reference: “The best of you are those who are best in character.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

11. Consistent Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr)

Remembering Allah: Regularly engaging in the remembrance of Allah (through prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Qur'an) keeps the heart focused on Him and prevents neglect of faith.

Qur'an Reference: “Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur'an, 13:28)

12. Helping Others and Spreading Peace

Social Responsibility: Helping others in times of need, giving charity, supporting the oppressed, and spreading peace within the community can lead to rewards in the Hereafter.

Hadith Reference: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” (Daraqutni)

13. Fasting

Fasting is one such act of worship the reward of which is immensely promised by Allah, for it is for Allah that a believer abandons many things Haram upon him which are otherwise Halal to him in the ordinary life. 

Hadith: Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy years' distance.

Read detail of this Hadith at: Fasting distances the believer from the fire of Hell by Seventy Years 

By following these guidelines—strengthening your faith, performing acts of worship, repenting for sins, and striving to do good in the world—you can increase the chances of being saved from Jahannam and attaining Allah's mercy and forgiveness. The Qur'an and Hadith emphasize that no one is beyond redemption if they sincerely repent and strive to live a righteous life.

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.

| Photo | Resource References : | 1 | 2 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

A new spiritual reawakening - the silent yet enormous spread of Islam in the West

It has always been alleged that Islam spread by the sword - something that history negated many a times. The examples of long rule of Muslims spread over cce3nturies in Spain and India vindicates the lies for if the Muslims wanted to forcibly convert the Spaniard or the Hindus, no one was stopping them. But Muslim rulers never forced their reversion to Islam and this even resulted into end of Muslim empires in both these countries. So much so for the spread of Islam by the sword.

But has someone ever pondered how Islam continued to spread and by now about two billions Muslims abound the world. One can find Muslims in every nook and corner of the world, even in all non Muslim countries. And unknown to many, the reversion rate of non Muslims is picking up its impetus despite scaring the world by the campaign of islamophobia and labelling Muslims as terrorists. As per many studies, it is estimated that by 2050.

In the next half century or so, Christianity’s long reign as the world’s largest religion may come to an end, according to a just-released report that builds on Pew Research Center’s original population growth projections for religious groups. Indeed, Muslims will grow more than twice as fast as the overall world population between 2015 and 2060 and, in the second half of this century, will likely surpass Christians as the world’s largest religious group.

However, the non Muslim do not credit this growth to the reversion and align this to migration, conversion, birth rates, and the increasing visibility of Muslims in the media and society. In fact many attribute to the growth of Muslims due to birth rate. Such suppositions can be equated with the act of the ostrich burying its head in the sand. But it cannot and does not change the reality.

But the reality of silent spread of Islam can never be hidden. You may now watch a video showing how silently, yet at an enormous speed, Islam is spreading in the world:

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.

| Photo | 

You may like to know the reasons of enormous speed of spreading Islam among the non Muslims, please read many revert experiences as compiled in our reference page: Embracing Islam: The Revert Experiences

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More