Consequences of One's focus on charms of this world or that of the Hereafter (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

The charms of this world are enormous, bewildering humans and enticing them to go for a life of full of amusement, leisure or even lewdness. And  when such focus of men is sensed by the Evil, its efforts get multiplied to lure in the hungry men into a life of wealth, status and pleasures. Most of us fall in this category of men. But despite the glitter of worldly wants, there remain some, though not many, who scarifies their worldly wants and focus on the charms of a life that will be eternal and never ending.

This is the test man has been given by our Creator to ascertain the level of faith and pursuance of a life the charms of which are unimaginable and everlasting. Thus, those who opt for temporary pleasures of this world will be the ultimate losers and will have only a restricted share, while those who opt for the life of the hereafter will be the blessed ones.  This is the theme of a hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ being shared today.

This Hadith is mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah /  Book 37 Zuhd / كتاب الزهد) / Chapter 2: Being concerned with this world / باب  الْهَمِّ بِالدُّنْيَا ‏ / as Hadith number # 4105 under:

‘Abdur-Rahman bin Aban bin ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan narrated that his father said:

“Zaid bin Thabit departed from Marwan at mid-day. I said: ‘He has not sent him out at this time of the day except for something he asked.’ So I asked him, and he said: ‘He asked me about some things we heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs and make him fear poverty constantly, and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him. Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him and make him feel content with his lot, and his provision and worldly gains will undoubtedly come to him.”

Arabic Text

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبَانَ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ خَرَجَ زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ مِنْ عِنْدِ مَرْوَانَ بِنِصْفِ النَّهَارِ فَقُلْتُ مَا بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ هَذِهِ السَّاعَةَ إِلاَّ لِشَىْءٍ سَأَلَ عَنْهُ ‏.‏ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ سَأَلَنَا عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ سَمِعْنَاهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ مَنْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا هَمَّهُ فَرَّقَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ فَقْرَهُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَأْتِهِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلاَّ مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَتِ الآخِرَةُ نِيَّتَهُ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ وَجَعَلَ غِنَاهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَأَتَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ رَاغِمَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

Explanation of the Hadith: Lets us look deeper into its meaning and consequences of the choice one makes:

"Whoever is focused only on this world..."

This describes someone whose ultimate concern is material gain, status, pleasure, or worldly success — neglecting the spiritual dimension of life.

• Qur'an connection:
• "Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they will not be deprived. But they will have nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire..." (Surah Hud 11:15-16)
• The Qur'an acknowledges that some will chase the dunya, and they may get their share — but at the cost of the Hereafter.

"Allah will confound his affairs..."

This means a life of internal chaos, anxiety, lack of focus, or constant dissatisfaction. Despite effort, nothing seems truly fulfilling or stable.

• Qur'an connection:
• "But whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life..." (Surah Taha 20:124)
• When the heart is detached from purpose (Akhirah), life can feel directionless, no matter how successful someone seems outwardly.

"...and make him fear poverty constantly..."

A person focused on the world is never at ease — always worried about money, success, or losing what they have.

• Qur'an connection:
• "Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality..." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:268)
• Obsession with dunya opens the door to fear, anxiety, and even unethical behavior to hold onto it.

"...and he will not get anything of this world except that which has been decreed for him."

Even if someone chases wealth 24/7, they will only receive what Allah has already written for them.

• Qur'an connection:
• "There is no creature on earth but that its provision is upon Allah." (Surah Hud 11:6)
• This reinforces trust in divine provision — your rizq (sustenance) will reach you, regardless of your obsession or lack of it.

"Whoever is focused on the Hereafter..."

This person lives with the Akhirah as their compass. They still engage with the world, but their heart is anchored in faith, service, and ultimate return to Allah.

• Qur'an connection: "But whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it accordingly, while being a believer – it is they whose effort will be appreciated." (Surah Al-Isra 17:19)

"Allah will settle his affairs for him..."

This speaks of clarity, calm, and divine assistance. Things may not be easy, but they're purposeful and manageable.

• Qur'an connection: "Whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect..." (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)

"...and make him feel content with his lot..."

He has peace in his heart — not because he has more, but because he trusts more.

• Qur'an connection: "Truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)

"...and the world will come to him willingly."

Subhan Allah — when the heart is focused on Allah, the dunya comes without being chased. Like a shadow follows you when you walk toward the light.

• Qur'an connection: "Your Lord has promised: ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]...’" (Surah Ibrahim 14:7)

Final Reflection:

This hadith and its Qur'anic parallels teach us something timeless:

• The dunya is a means, not the goal.
• When we chase the Hereafter, the world follows.
• When we chase the world, we lose both.
• It's a reminder to adjust our focus, not abandon life, but live with purpose — and peace will follow.

The hadith thus tells us that chasing the Hereafter brings both spiritual reward and worldly balance. So let us brothers and sisters in Islam, and even the non Muslims reading this post, to stay away from charms of this world for these are temporary and take us away from the remembrance of Allah, something that is needed to be blessed with the charms of the life of the Hereafter.

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  for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.

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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Two foundational aspects of Islamic ethics: Monotheism and filial piety

All Divine religions preach the concept of Monotheism: That is belief and faith in One True God with no associates and partners. Qur'an, being the last of the Divine Scriptures, also teaches monotheism and cautions man about Shirk, the act of associating partners or associates with the sole Creator of the entire universe. In fact monotheism is the main theme of the Qur'an and at a number of time this concept has been mentioned for strict adherence by the believers.

Another foundational aspect of Islamic ethics is the filial piety: That is a very high degree of respect and kindness towards parents, and showing compassion to the parents specially when they have grown old and need to be tended the same way a child is tended and taken care of one's parents.

This is the theme of the 23rd verse of Surah 17. Al Israa being shared today for the information of our brothers and sisters in Islam in particular and everyone else in general:

وَقَضٰى رَبُّكَ اَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوۡۤا اِلَّاۤ اِيَّاهُ وَبِالۡوَالِدَيۡنِ اِحۡسَانًا​ ؕ اِمَّا يَـبۡلُغَنَّ عِنۡدَكَ الۡكِبَرَ اَحَدُهُمَاۤ اَوۡ كِلٰهُمَا فَلَا تَقُلْ لَّهُمَاۤ اُفٍّ وَّلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُلْ لَّهُمَا قَوۡلًا كَرِيۡمًا‏ 

(17:23) Your Lord has decreed: (i) Do not worship any but Him; (ii) Be good to your parents; and should both or any one of them attain old age with you, do not say to them even "fie" neither chide them, but speak to them with respect, 

​The verse in question, Surah Al-Isra (17:23), is a profound directive from Allah that emphasizes two foundational aspects of Islamic ethics: monotheism and filial piety. Let us know more about this verse in detail as enunciated by eminent Muslim scholars of the time.

1. Worship Allah Alone

The verse begins with the command: "Your Lord has decreed: Do not worship any but Him." Ibn Kathir explains that this is a reaffirmation of the principle of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah), underscoring that worship should be directed solely to Allah, without associating any partners with Him.

This commandment is very comprehensive. It prohibits not only the worship of anyone except Allah but also implies that one should obey and serve and submit to Allah alone without question. One should accept His commandments and law alone to be worthy of obedience and His authority to be supreme above all. This was not merely an instruction confined to a religious creed and individual practice but it served as the foundation of the moral, cultural, and political system which was practically established in Al-Madinah by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Its first and foremost principle was that Allah alone is the Master, Sovereign and Law-giver.

This order to offer all worship to God alone follows the one prohibiting the association of partners with God. It takes the form of a decisive ruling to be implemented without fail, by all mankind. The term, qadā, used in the Arabic text and translated as ‘ordained’, signifies a final verdict imparting additional emphasis to an already emphatic order that also uses the construction of a negation and exception: “You shall worship none but Him.” The mode is one of total emphasis and stress. When this basic ruling is well established, individual and community duties are outlined. These rely on a firm belief in the One God. Hence, motives and goals behind actions and practices work towards the same end.

The most important bond next to that of faith is the family. Hence the sūrah links kindness to parents with the worship of God, in order to emphasize its importance in God’s sight, details herein under:

2. Be Good to Your Parents

The subsequent command emphasizes kindness towards parents: "Be good to your parents." Ibn Kathir elaborates that this directive is not merely about avoiding harm but actively engaging in acts of kindness and respect towards one's parents .​

With inspirational expression that is full of tenderness the Qur’ān enhances our feelings of compassion towards our parents. As life goes on, its momentum carries the living and focuses our attention on what lies ahead, on our own children, the new generation. Rarely are we motivated to look back and attend to the former generation of parents, who represent a life that is already on the decline. Hence, as sons and daughters we need a strong charge of conscience so that we will look hack and take care of our mothers and fathers.

3. Respect in Old Age

The verse further specifies: "Should both or any one of them attain old age with you, do not say to them even 'fie' neither chide them, but speak to them with respect." Ibn Kathir interprets this as a prohibition against even the slightest expression of frustration or disrespect, such as the word "uff," which is considered a mild form of discontent. Instead, one is instructed to speak to them with honor and dignity.

Parents are naturally motivated to look after their children, sacrificing everything in the process, even when the sacrifice includes them personally. An early green shoot absorbs every particle of nutrition in its seed to leave it as dust, and a chic eats up everything in the egg, leaving only the shell. Similarly, children take up all their parents’ vigour, health, effort and attention, leaving them in the weakness of old age, yet happy to have given their children everything they could give. But children soon forget all this and move ahead, caring more for their spouses and own offspring. This is the natural course of life.

Hence, sons and daughters are told: “Never say ‘Ugh’ to them or chide them.” This is the first step in taking care of one’s parents and being kindly to them. Sons and daughters must never use words which suggest their being vexed or bothered by their parents, or say anything that betrays disrespect. On the contrary, they must “always speak gently and kindly to them.” (Verse 23) This is a higher and more positive step. What sons and daughters say to their parents must always be coupled with genuine respect.

4. Humility and Compassion

The verse also advises lowering the "wing of humility" to parents, symbolizing a posture of servitude and compassion. This imagery conveys the importance of approaching parents with a humble and caring attitude, especially as they age and may require more assistance and patience .​

Thus parents do not need any encouragement to be kind to their children. It is the children who need to be reminded of their duty towards the generation that has become dry, in need of tender care, after having spent most of its vitality in bringing up their young. Hence, the divine command to take good care of parents comes in the form of a ruling from God, following immediately after the command to worship God alone.

5. Prayer for Their Mercy

Finally, the verse encourages: "Say: 'My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.'" This supplication reflects a deep sense of gratitude and recognition of the sacrifices parents make. Ibn Kathir notes that this prayer is not only for the living but also for the deceased parents, highlighting the enduring bond and the continuous duty of a child towards their parents.

The next verse says it all:

وَاخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُلْ رَّبِّ ارۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيٰنِىۡ صَغِيۡرًا ؕ‏ 

(17:24) and be humble and tender to them and say: "Lord, show mercy to them as they nurtured me when I was small."

The verse (24) emphasizes emotional intelligence, gratitude, and moral responsibility. It's not just about obeying parents—it’s about doing it with love, humility, and deep appreciation. Even if they weren’t perfect, this verse still encourages us to show them kindness and pray for their well-being.

• "And say: 'My Lord, have mercy upon them...'": 
• Here, we're taught not just to act kindly but to pray for them. That’s profound. You're not only giving them love physically but also spiritually supporting them by asking Allah to show them mercy.
• Why? Because they showed you mercy and care when you were helpless and small.
• It’s a cycle: they nurtured you when you were weak; now, you're asked to honor that love by caring for them and praying for them as they grow older.
• 3. "...as they nurtured me when I was small": This part is key—it reminds us of the sacrifice, love, and patience parents show in raising a child. When we were completely dependent, they were our protectors, providers, and emotional comfort.

In summary, Surah Al-Isra (17:23-24) encapsulates the essence of Islamic ethics by intertwining the worship of Allah with the dutiful treatment of parents. The teachings of scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse is not just about avoiding negative actions but actively engaging in positive behaviors that reflect respect, humility, and gratitude towards one's parents.

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 similar theme in our series of posts related to: Divine Commandments in 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 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.

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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True believers fear from a day which is harsh and distressful (selected verses from Qur'an)

True faith and Eeman are easy to describe in words, yet are most difficult to practice in reality. While believers with low categories of faith and Eeman are afraid of the Day of the Judgement when the acid test results were really brought forth, equally sad would be believers who fell in the superlative degree of faith who would be uncertain of their fate for the day will be really harsh and distressful.

Today we share the 10th verse of Surah 76. Al-Insān, the 5-22 verses of this Surah describe the qualities of believers and their fear and faith in Allah.

"إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا"

"Indeed, we fear from our Lord a Day, harsh and distressful." Or: "We fear from our Lord a Day, grim and full of hardship."

As stated before, this verse is part of a beautiful passage (verses 5–22) describing the righteous servants of Allah — people who:

• Fulfill their vows,
• Feed the poor, orphan, and captive purely for the sake of Allah,
• Expect no reward or thanks from others.

The 7th verse also carries a similar meaning: "These will be the ones who fulfil their vows10 and dread the Day whose woe shall be spread far and wide" and thus they feed the poor and hungry for their act may be accepted to save them from the harshness of the Day. And they say: "(We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.) meaning, `we do not seek any reward from you in return for it. We also are not seeking for you to thank us in front of the people. (verse 9)'"

And verse 10 explains why they do all these selfless acts:

• They are motivated by deep consciousness of the Hereafter, particularly fear of a Day (of Judgment) that is so difficult, severe, and overwhelming, they call it ‘ʿAbūsan Qamṭarīrā’ — two very powerful Arabic words.
• Deep Dive into the Arabic Terms:
• ‘ʿAbūs’ (عَبُوس): Means frowning, grim, or gloomy. Describes the emotional atmosphere of the Day — no smiles, only tension and fear. It’s the same word used in Surah ‘Abasa (80:1) — "He frowned and turned away..."
• ‘Qamṭarīr’ (قَمْطَرِير): A very intense word, often translated as distressful, hard, difficult, or severely harsh. It implies long-lasting sorrow and unbearable hardship.
• Putting them together, the verse paints a picture of a Day that is: Gloomy, emotionally crushing, and unbearably hard to face.

Now the question arises Why Do They Fear This Day?

Because the Day of Judgment is described in the Qur’an as:

• A day when even prophets will say, "Nafsi, nafsi" (Myself, myself).
• A day when children will turn gray-headed (Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:17).
• A day when everyone will flee from even their mother, father, and children (Surah Abasa 80:34–37).
• A day when "no soul shall benefit another" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:123).

So, the righteous people, despite doing good deeds, never feel arrogant or complacent — instead, they live with humble fear and sincerity.

Practical Lesson for Us: This verse teaches:

• That true righteousness isn’t just about what you do, but why you do it.
• Good actions must come from a heart that is conscious of Allah, not one seeking praise.
• Even the righteous fear the Day of Judgment, which fuels their humility and sincerity.

Beautiful Balance: Fear and Hope

Though verse 10 highlights fear, the following verses (11 onward) show how Allah rewards such people with:

• Safety from the horrors they feared,
• Gardens and comfort,
• Peace and endless bliss.
• So this fear is not paralyzing — it's constructive fear, pushing us toward Allah, not away from Him.

Relevant Conclusion and Suggested Course of Action for Believers

We see compassion overflowing from such hearts that seek God's pleasure, looking for no reward or praise from any creature. They do not hold up their favours in an attitude of conceit. They simply want to avoid the woes of a bleak and grim day, which they genuinely fear. The Prophet showed them the way to spare themselves its woes, as he said: "Save yourself from the fire by as little as half a date."

And the best way of pleasing Allah is helping the poor and giving food to the needy in such a direct manner was at the time the proper expression of these people's own compassion and the most needed type of help. Ways and forms of charity may be completely different in other circumstances and social environments. What is important is the need to maintain such compassion towards others and the desire to do good only for God's sake, looking for no earthly recognition or reward.

May Allah instills in our hearts His fear and mercy so that while we still do good acts, specially acts of charity, we remain focused on the Day when every one will be made answerable for one's deeds. That is why true believers, despite all their good deeds, fear of any act of theirs that might have annoyed 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.

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 | ChatGPT

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.

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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The virtue of a short Prophetic supplication (Attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) if recited 100 times a day

Man has a very short and uncertain life to live. No one know when the wordily clock stops ticking for him and the angel of death takes away one's soul. This uncertainty leave no time for a man to repent his wrongdoings and sins. Therefore one should keep repenting to his Creator all the time and seek forgiveness so as not to be caught unaware leaving no time for repentance.

There are numerous supplication that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught his companions to recite much too often so that they are forgiven and virtues added to their dossiers. Many of these we have already shared in our reference page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

One more supplication is being shared for the benefit of Muslim sisters and brothers, as mentioned in Sahih Muslim  (Book 48: The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness  / كتاب  الذكر والدعاء والتوبة والاستغفار / Chapter 10:  The Virtue Of Tahlil (Saying La Ilaha Ill-Allah), Tasbih (Saying Subhan Allah) And (Du'a) Supplication  / باب فَضْلِ التَّهْلِيلِ وَالتَّسْبِيحِ وَالدُّعَاءِ / as Hadith 2691, given herein under:

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

He who uttered these words:" There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything" one hundred times every day there is a reward of emancipating ten slaves for him, and there are recorded hundred virtues to his credit, and hundred vices are blotted out from his scroll, and that is a safeguard for him against the Satan on that day till evening and no one brings anything more excellent than this, except one who has done more than this (who utters these words more than one hundred times and does more good acts) and he who utters:" Exalted is Allah (He is free from imperfection), and all praise is due to Him," one hundred times a day, his sins are obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.

Arabic Text:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ‏.‏ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ ‏.‏ كَانَتْ لَهُ عَدْلَ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَكُتِبَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَسَنَةٍ وَمُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ مِائَةُ سَيِّئَةٍ وَكَانَتْ لَهُ حِرْزًا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَلَمْ يَأْتِ أَحَدٌ أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ إِلاَّ أَحَدٌ عَمِلَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏.‏ وَمَنْ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَلَوْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

 

Summary of the Supplication: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Whoever says: Lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu wa huwa ‘alā kulli shay’in qadīr

(There is no god but Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs the kingdom and all praise, and He is powerful over everything) — 100 times a day — it is as if he freed 10 slaves, 100 good deeds are written for him, 100 sins erased, and it serves as protection from Satan until the evening. No one can surpass him in reward except one who does more."

And:

"Whoever says: Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdih 100 times a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are as much as the foam of the sea."

How This Hadith Aligns with the Qur’an

Let’s break down the themes of this hadith and match them with verses from the Qur'an:

Tawheed (Oneness of Allah): Phrase: “Lā ilāha illallāh...” is the central message of Islam is tawheed — that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. This shows that the dhikr in the hadith is a direct verbal affirmation of the Qur’anic command to uphold tawheed.

• Qur’an – Surah Muhammad (47:19): "So know [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah..." (فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ)
• Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1): "Say: He is Allah, One."

Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah): Theme: Reciting dhikr regularly brings spiritual reward and protection. The hadith highlights the power of dhikr in attaining peace, reward, and divine attention — just as the Qur’an emphasizes:

• Qur’an – Surah Al-Baqarah (2:152): "So remember Me; I will remember you."
• Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:28): "...Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest."

Good Deeds and Forgiveness: Phrase: “100 sins erased... sins forgiven even if like the foam of the sea” The hadith shows that even major sins (if repented for) can be forgiven through sincere acts of worship and remembrance, aligning perfectly with the Qur’anic message of hope and mercy.

• Qur’an – Surah Az-Zumar (39:53): "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins...'"
• Surah Al-Furqan (25:70): "...except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good..."

Reward Multiplication:  Theme: 100 good deeds, reward equal to freeing 10 slaves. The Prophet ﷺ is giving us practical examples of how simple acts of dhikr can result in immense multiplied reward — exactly as the Qur'an promises.

• Qur’an – Surah Al-An'am (6:160): "Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgment] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit]..."
• Surah Al-Hadid (57:18): "Indeed, the men who give charity and the women who give charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan—it will be multiplied for them..."

Protection from Shayṭān: Theme: Dhikr acts as a shield from the Devil. This hadith teaches that daily remembrance of Allah makes a person spiritually guarded from the whispers and influence of Shayṭān — in line with Qur'anic teachings.

• Qur’an – Surah An-Nahl (16:99-100): 
• "Indeed, he [Satan] has no authority over those who have believed and rely upon their Lord."
• "His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and those who through him associate others with Allah."

The Hadith 2691 from Sahih Muslim is thus deeply rooted in the core Qur’anic themes:

• Tawheed
• Dhikr and its rewards
• Mercy and forgiveness
• Multiplication of deeds
• Protection from Shayṭān / Satan

This hadith serves as a daily spiritual formula, combining worship, reflection, and purification in just a few minutes. It's a perfect example of how the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ brings the teachings of the Qur’an to life in simple, actionable ways.

Let us remember these short supplications and recite these 100 times a day or as much we can, for mercy of Allah is boundless and He grants mercy in abundance.

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: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

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

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. 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. For explanation of the Hadith, help has been taken from ChatgPT.

Photo | Source of Supplication

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 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.

Read More

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.

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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.

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