Have you tried writing the 99 names of Allah swt? Oh, I know you can simply buy a copy of the 99 names from bookstore. I know that will be your answer. However, you know I wrote out the 99 names of Allah swt on an exercise book 30 years ago (at the age of 19) The reason is not to firm up my Arabic calligraphy but to plagiarise the entire book because I had no money to purchase one.
I had the habit of going to the old National Library in Stamford Road. This building is now demolished and its place you can see an underground expressway. At the library I always vanish myself in the row of cabinet shelves that kept the reference books on Islam. That was my favourite spot every time.
One day I spotted a book on the 99 names of Allah swt. I got very immediately interested in the contents of the book. The book is about the names of Allah swt and its meaning. For example, the name AR Rahman
Meaning: The Beneficent
Eloboration: He who gives blessings and prosperity to all beings without showing disparity.
He who repeats this Name 100 times after each farz (obligatory) prayer will have a good memory, a keen awareness, and be free of a heavy heart.
As I realised the importance of that book I thought of getting one for myself so that I can keep it for my own reference. I started to write out all the names of Allah swt and its beneficial effects if repeated on an exercise book.
As I recalled that incident, I began to realise that what I did was something of a good deed to my soul. If I had just ignored the reading, I might have missed the benefit of writing Allah swt names. In today’s world, the comfort of Islam online prevents my calligraphy of the Holy names of Allah swt. I am sure I was blessed for writing Allah swt names. I remembered Him as I wrote His names.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Meaning Of Mahjooran
I have discovered the act that will lead me to the narrow pits of hell. You can read my last post here first before you continue this page. Here I want to discover the word “mahjooran”. I want to explain this word and get the meaning on a deeper level. I might find a way to prevent myself from falling into that category of people.
My life page is not a bed of roses. With Allah’s swt blessing I am born in an Islamic family. At least I can look forward to a better life in the hereafter. I find that it is futile to concentrate on this life. If I have to choose between this life and the next, I prefer the latter. The eternal life of bliss and complete happiness is what matters to me now.
The word Mahjooran مهجورا
I must understand the word ‘mahjooran’ correctly. Otherwise, I will be oblivious to its meaning and thereby attract harm in my next life. Life for the followers of Prophet Muahammad (sallalaa walaa Muhammad sallaahu alahi wasallam) became miserable after they openly declared the new faith. The unbelievers of Mecca persecuted them by way of torturing and even killing them. The non-believers also restrained trading with them.
As the situation became unbearable to the followers of Prophet Muahammad (sallalaa walaa Muhammad sallaahu alahi wasallam) with Allah (swt) permission Prophet migrated to Medina. Those who migrated to medina were termed as ‘Muhajir’.
The reason for migration is not to seek a short trip of sightseeing. It was a plan to run away from the evil surrounding them in Mecca. Their life and family were at stake. The Meccans persecuted and tortured them. They could not bear to live in Mecca. The migrants were ‘Muhajir’.
Allah has forgiven the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Muhajirun (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful. 9:117
Verse 30 Chapter 25
The word ‘mahjooran’ is an offshoot of the word ‘muhajir’. In other words, to run away from something that is unbearable. It was true that the new message was unbearable to the Meccans then. In today’s context, how ‘unbearable’ it is to me (us)?
‘And the Messenger cried out: O my Lord! surely my people have treated this Quran as a forsaken thing.’
Ya Allah make this Al Quran easy for me and my family and friends. Ya Allah help us to understand and follow its commandments, Ameen.
My life page is not a bed of roses. With Allah’s swt blessing I am born in an Islamic family. At least I can look forward to a better life in the hereafter. I find that it is futile to concentrate on this life. If I have to choose between this life and the next, I prefer the latter. The eternal life of bliss and complete happiness is what matters to me now.
The word Mahjooran مهجورا
I must understand the word ‘mahjooran’ correctly. Otherwise, I will be oblivious to its meaning and thereby attract harm in my next life. Life for the followers of Prophet Muahammad (sallalaa walaa Muhammad sallaahu alahi wasallam) became miserable after they openly declared the new faith. The unbelievers of Mecca persecuted them by way of torturing and even killing them. The non-believers also restrained trading with them.
As the situation became unbearable to the followers of Prophet Muahammad (sallalaa walaa Muhammad sallaahu alahi wasallam) with Allah (swt) permission Prophet migrated to Medina. Those who migrated to medina were termed as ‘Muhajir’.
The reason for migration is not to seek a short trip of sightseeing. It was a plan to run away from the evil surrounding them in Mecca. Their life and family were at stake. The Meccans persecuted and tortured them. They could not bear to live in Mecca. The migrants were ‘Muhajir’.
Allah has forgiven the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the Muhajirun (Muslim emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of Kindness, Most Merciful. 9:117
Verse 30 Chapter 25
The word ‘mahjooran’ is an offshoot of the word ‘muhajir’. In other words, to run away from something that is unbearable. It was true that the new message was unbearable to the Meccans then. In today’s context, how ‘unbearable’ it is to me (us)?
‘And the Messenger cried out: O my Lord! surely my people have treated this Quran as a forsaken thing.’
Ya Allah make this Al Quran easy for me and my family and friends. Ya Allah help us to understand and follow its commandments, Ameen.
Monday, April 11, 2011
My Best Sentence In The Al Quran
The best sentence in the Al Quran is chapter 2 verse 30:
"I know what ye know not."
“Surely I know what you do not know.”
“Surely I know that which ye know not.”
"I know that which you do not know."
The above are the various translations from the learners of Al Quran. The Arabic sentence is “aAAlamu ma la taAAlamoona”. The story is this. Allah swt decided that He wanted to create a new creature (man) whom to become the manager of earth. However, to this “announcement” the Angels replied on the negative part of man. They said:
qaloo atajAAalu feeha man yufsidu feeha wayasfiku alddimaa wanahnu nusabbihu bihamdika wanuqaddisu laka
They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?"
What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness?
Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee?
"Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You."
The Meaning of Khalifa
The word khalifa means successor. The four people who took leadership after Prophet Muhammad (sallal laa hu ala Muhammad sallal laa hu alaihi wasallam) are also commonly known as successors. The next sentence spoken by the angels also explains the word khalifa.
Many great theologians said that the angels knew of the ‘other side of man’. This cannot be as only the Creator knows his creation as “He is the lord of the creation” Rabbul ala meen’ 1:1.( العالمين creation)
So where did the angels get the information that the successor will ‘shed blood and spoil the land’? Unless there was some observable evidence. The clue lies in their reply to Allah swt.
qaloo – They (angels) said
atajAAalu feeha – as a result of (this) make (new creation)
man yufsidu feeha– as a result(the creation) mars or spoils{ on the ground (ardli)}
wayasfiku alddimaa – spill blood (inferring sharp object is used)
What I am getting by this translation is getting a picture of violence and turbulence living on the ground (referred to arldli in Arabic). The word yufsidu comes from the word fasad which means decay, rot, decompose, become rotten, be spoiled, be putrid and so on.
The angels said spoils, decomposition and then violent shedding of blood. The predecessors of khalifas are violent creatures apparently attacking each other. The decomposition of bodies were more than the apparent attacks. This was what the angels saw on the ground. They saw full of dead bodies and attacks. Apparently, the creation before man had built in natural growth in them(sharp edges enough to gore another creature) to attack each other violently. The violence ends up in death everywhere. Decomposition was rampant.
So when Allah swt announced that there will be a successor on earth, the angels questioned and brought up to the attention of Allah swt what happened among the creation before man. They deduced that the successor might be more violent than the first one. I need to explore what kind of creation before the khalifa? But for now Allah swt answer ““aAAlamu ma la taAAlamoona” is the best sentence in the Al Quran.
"I know what ye know not."
“Surely I know what you do not know.”
“Surely I know that which ye know not.”
"I know that which you do not know."
The above are the various translations from the learners of Al Quran. The Arabic sentence is “aAAlamu ma la taAAlamoona”. The story is this. Allah swt decided that He wanted to create a new creature (man) whom to become the manager of earth. However, to this “announcement” the Angels replied on the negative part of man. They said:
qaloo atajAAalu feeha man yufsidu feeha wayasfiku alddimaa wanahnu nusabbihu bihamdika wanuqaddisu laka
They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?"
What! wilt Thou place in it such as shall make mischief in it and shed blood, and we celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy holiness?
Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee?
"Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You."
The Meaning of Khalifa
The word khalifa means successor. The four people who took leadership after Prophet Muhammad (sallal laa hu ala Muhammad sallal laa hu alaihi wasallam) are also commonly known as successors. The next sentence spoken by the angels also explains the word khalifa.
Many great theologians said that the angels knew of the ‘other side of man’. This cannot be as only the Creator knows his creation as “He is the lord of the creation” Rabbul ala meen’ 1:1.( العالمين creation)
So where did the angels get the information that the successor will ‘shed blood and spoil the land’? Unless there was some observable evidence. The clue lies in their reply to Allah swt.
qaloo – They (angels) said
atajAAalu feeha – as a result of (this) make (new creation)
man yufsidu feeha– as a result(the creation) mars or spoils{ on the ground (ardli)}
wayasfiku alddimaa – spill blood (inferring sharp object is used)
What I am getting by this translation is getting a picture of violence and turbulence living on the ground (referred to arldli in Arabic). The word yufsidu comes from the word fasad which means decay, rot, decompose, become rotten, be spoiled, be putrid and so on.
The angels said spoils, decomposition and then violent shedding of blood. The predecessors of khalifas are violent creatures apparently attacking each other. The decomposition of bodies were more than the apparent attacks. This was what the angels saw on the ground. They saw full of dead bodies and attacks. Apparently, the creation before man had built in natural growth in them(sharp edges enough to gore another creature) to attack each other violently. The violence ends up in death everywhere. Decomposition was rampant.
So when Allah swt announced that there will be a successor on earth, the angels questioned and brought up to the attention of Allah swt what happened among the creation before man. They deduced that the successor might be more violent than the first one. I need to explore what kind of creation before the khalifa? But for now Allah swt answer ““aAAlamu ma la taAAlamoona” is the best sentence in the Al Quran.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Our Lord Condemn Us Not
It is interesting to note that to disregard the message of the Al Quran can be very harmful in the hereafter. Have I fully understood the message in the Al Quran? I do not think so. However, I have acknowledged that by having so much luxury in this life is one factor for me to forget about the message. By forgetting, the pain of the hereafter is going to unbearable to me. I have understood this in my last post here. I want to avoid that situation vehemently.
I wonder how to circumvent my forgetfulness of the message? I began to browse for a simple method in the Al Quran. It is in the last part of Al Baqara: 2-286
On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."
In this verse, there is an answer for my weakness. Allah (laa ilaaha illallah wal laa hu akbar sububu haanallaahi walhamdulillah) has given me strength in this prayer. I just started this prayer before I go to sleep a week ago after my last post.
After a week of doing this prayer, I find myself lighter and relaxed. I do not feel tensed when I wake up. I feel that I am remembering Allah swt more and more. Alhamdu lillaa. All praise to Allah swt.
I wonder how to circumvent my forgetfulness of the message? I began to browse for a simple method in the Al Quran. It is in the last part of Al Baqara: 2-286
On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."
In this verse, there is an answer for my weakness. Allah (laa ilaaha illallah wal laa hu akbar sububu haanallaahi walhamdulillah) has given me strength in this prayer. I just started this prayer before I go to sleep a week ago after my last post.
After a week of doing this prayer, I find myself lighter and relaxed. I do not feel tensed when I wake up. I feel that I am remembering Allah swt more and more. Alhamdu lillaa. All praise to Allah swt.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)