Maybe you won’t be able to see it in the moment, but the most painful thing you go through or the most beloved thing to you that is taken away is only because the Most Merciful is substituting it for that which brings more mercy and love into your life.
May Allah grant the people of Beirut swift relief from this painful tragedy. One thing that may emerge soon Insha Allah is a public way to donate to the families who lost loved ones in today’s factory explosion. Let’s pair our prayers with the intention to donate Insha Allah.
You might be feeling down, and Allah sends you someone who comforts you or gets your mind off things, because He knows that is what you need. And sometimes He doesn’t, perhaps because He wants you to find solace in turning to Him. Because that is what you truly need.
The ability to seek forgiveness from al-Ghafūr at-Tawwāb - the Most Forgiving, the Acceptor of those who return - is the ultimate gift of transformation: we don’t have to get stuck in the sin or the mistake. We don’t have to be defined by it. We can learn, move on, and be better.
Abraham was the only prophet we know of who was sent to his people as an adolescent.
“My beloved father, truly knowledge has come to me that has not come to you so follow me and I will guide you to the right path” (19:43)
“We heard of an adolescent named Abraham” (21:60)
In Hebrew, Abraham means father of many nations. His name and legacy are fulfilled in the Ka’bah. Everyday over a billion people pray toward it and once a year millions of people from all nations make a pilgrimage to it. None of that would be true without Muhammad (PBUH)!
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “There are no days greater and more beloved to Allah than these ten days of Dhul Hijjah, so increase in them your declaration of the oneness of Allah, your exaltation of Him, and your praise of Him.” (Ahmad)
Day 1 suggestions: Extra prayers, like salat al-dhuha, witr, and qiyaam.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,”Increase you prostrations to Allah, for every prostration that you make, Allah still raise you a degree and erase your sin” (Muslim)
Reminder to myself: these days are a blessing and gift from Allah. Have as much energy and hope during these ten days that you do during the last ten of Ramadan.
Similarly, we could be going through a tribulation, with subtle details we overlook because they do not seem to be important at the moment - our calamity is much greater! But al-Latīf puts in those minutiae the seeds of future relief. Trust in Him.
Allah al-Latīf: sometimes a subtle - or annoying! - detail in your life ends up being your relief in the future. When the wife of al-Aziz tried to seduce Yusuf (as), ripping his shirt from the back, he could never imagine that that ripped shirt would end up proving his innocence.
Before the Abrahamic covenant & prophethood was sealed by the advent of Muhammad (pbuh), the arabs used to call this day Uroobah. God then changed it to Jumuah indicating a universal humanity that would become of the believers. Prophecy fulfilled!
اللهم اجمع كلمتنا و وحد صفوفنا
When you tell yourself nobody loves you, it’s actually you who doesn’t love you. If you don’t see yourself as worthy of being loved, you will never be able to see those who love you. #RespectYourself