Echoes of the Heart @theechoingheart-blog - Tumblr Blog

Sometimes you just need to go off the grid and get your soul right.

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Seek the Counsel of Allah

Bismillahi Ta’ala

This might seem like the most obvious statement ever, but how many of us actually act upon this each and every day? Everyday we make decisions in our lives, whether it is something that might cause a drastic change in our lives, such as where we should pursue higher education, or something as insignificant as what to have for breakfast. Our lives are shaped by the hundreds and thousands of decisions we make.

Just recently, I went to the dentist. Now, I won’t bore you with the details… because that would be kinda weird.... But let’s just say I had a few options to get things “fixed”... After hearing all my options and listening to the recommendations of my dentist, I had already made up in my mind what I was going to do. It was the right thing to do. It made sense. It was logical.

After Fajr, this morning I sat and contemplated, and of course the dental issue came to mind - it’s a big deal for me - and I immediately felt ashamed after realizing that I was making this (somewhat drastic) decision and I had not even sought consultation! I had not paused for a moment to take the matter up with my Rabb! I had not made Istikhara…

I know what you’re thinking! “Ummmm… it’s just the dentist. Get over yourself.”

“He who makes istikhara will not be harmed; he who consults will not regret...” - Ibn al-Ghazali

Some of the great scholars of the past and today advise on praying the istikhara prayer at the beginning of their day, after sunrise, asking Allah to guide them in general to all good and to keep away all evil from them.

Istikhara is such a powerful tool. Anytime we have to make a decision, we should always seek Allah’s guidance and wisdom. Allah alone knows what is best for us, and there may be good in what we perceive as bad, and bad in what we perceive as good.

Istikhara is for both worldly matters and religious matters, the important matters and the seemingly not-so-important matters. Of course, it does not mean that we do not seek the counsel of those we trust, but this should be coupled with Istikhara.

فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ

And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. [Surah Ali-’Imran 3:159]

So yeah! It was just the dentist. But this is a reminder for myself and then for you: there is no such thing as a small matter when it comes to Allah. For even the most insignificant issues, problems and needs that arise, we need to seek Allah.

We pray that Allah makes us among those who are mindful, who are constantly seeking Him and trust in Him. We also pray that He guides us to all that is good, forgive our shortcomings, and ease our difficulties. Allahumma Ameen.

- Umm D.

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⏩ Ramadhan Reflections ⏪

DAY TWENTY ONE :: Standing in Salah during Ramadhan

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever stands (in the night prayer) for Ramadan Imaanan (with faith) and Ihtisaanan (seeking the reward from Allah), then he will be forgiven what has preceded of his sins.” [Tirmidhi]

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Two excellent qualities are mentioned for the believer who will, In shaa Allah, qualify for having all his previous sins forgiven: Imaanan and Ihtisaanan.

Imaanan necessitates that the believer is in such a state that he/ she has firm belief in Allah Azza wa Jall as One God, the Creator and Sustainer of the Heavens and the Earth, and he/ she believes too that he is a needy servant before Allah Azza wa Jall, among all other things that the believer is required to believe in.

Ihtisaanan is such a haal and condition that he, whilst standing before Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, is seeking his reward from Allah. Such an individual would not stand before Allah Azza wa Jall in a half-hearted or lazy manner, rather he will be upright, focused, attentive, completely devoted to the worship of his Rabb, and yearning earnestly for a reward from Allah Azza wa Jall and all goodness in this world and the Akhirah.

Let’s keep these beautiful qualities in mind as we stand before Allah from our next salah until our last!

May Allah Azza wa Jall grant us the tawfeeq to be able to stand before him with these two beautiful qualities, and may He accept from us our worship, especially during the month of Ramadhan. Ameen!

- Umm D.

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⏩ Ramadhan Reflections ⏪

DAY TWENTY :: Last 10 Days : To-do’s & Tips

Alhamdulillah, we are truly blessed to have made it so far in this month. Alhamdulillah. Today’s reflection is not really a reflection, but rather a list of things that we should do today and for the next 10 (or 9!) days. Some of them are my own, and others are taken whatever advice I’ve gotten over time. Also included are some valuable tips! 🙌 - just about all of them tried & tested 👍

♦What To Do:

✖ Renew your intention. Don’t let your performance for the past 20 days (or lack thereof) deter you. Strive harder, do more.

✖ Evaluate yourself. Think of l the things you need and want to change about yourself that will bring you closer to Allah and make you a better servant.

✖ Dress well and apply perfume - remember the One you will be addressing. (Sisters, not if your going out or to the Masjid)

✖ Make a du'a list.

✖ Engage in long, sincere du'a (you know, the kind of du'a you make where you feel you are holding your heart in your hands for Allah). And please don’t forget the Ummah in your du'as!

✖ Pray with Iman and Ihtisaab (Faith and hope in Allah’s reward).

✖ Make taubah and repent sincerely to Allah.

✖ Ponder on the Names (and meanings!) of Allah: Al-Kareem, Al-Afuw, Ar-Raheem, Al-Mujeeb, etc…

✖ Recite the Qur'an.

✖ Soften your heart with dhikr.

✖ Forgive and seek forgiveness. Remember the ayah “and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (24:22) 💓

✖ Mend family ties - sometimes all it takes is a few heartfelt words.

✖ Read or listen to the Tafseer of Surah Al-Qadr **

✖ Moisten the tongue with this dhikr:

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni’ ‘

O Allah You are The One Who forgives greatly, and loves to forgive, so forgive me. [Tirmidhi]

✖ Go into I'tikaaf. Yes, Sisters, you can do I'tikaaf as well. Make whatever room you establish salah in into a garden of remembrance. Get your husband’s permission first! And yes you CAN leave your spot to perform necessary duties such as preparing a meal.

✖ Don’t focus in providing a 3 or 4 course meal. You have to use this time wise, so just prepare something quick, simple and sufficient.

✖ Plan activities for the kids especially if they’ll be staying awake with you for some part of the night.

✖ Give charity - there’s no such thing as too little.

✖ If you work or do business at home, take your vacation days now or for at least some - if not all - of the last 10 days.

♦Tips:

✔ Alternate different forms of Ibadah if you find yourself getting sleepy.

✔Keep hydrated and keep the things you need close by such as your water bottle and fruits/ snacks so that you don’t have to interrupt yourself to get them later.

✔ Take turns waking each other up.

✔ Don’t use this time to stay up and listen to lectures and Qur'an. Now (night time) is the time for direct worship.

✔ Take more naps throughout the day so that you feel more alert during the night.

✔ Sisters, if you are or will be experiencing your period during the last ten days, do not despair. You can do just about everything on the list except for Salah and reciting the Qur'an. You can also encourage the others in your house with their ibadah.

🚩 Have patience. Yes, the next 10 days may be tiring, but we have too much to lose if we don’t exert ourselves and try to achieve the reward of Laylatul Qadr - 1000 months or 83 years! We are not even guaranteed to live that long! And have good thoughts about Allah; He is so Merciful and Forgiving… 💓💓💓

And we pray that Allah grants us the tawfeeq to exert ourselves during these last ten days, that He blesses us with the witnessing of Laylatul Qadr and rewards us immensely. Allahumma Ameen!

- Umm D.

P. S. Ramadhan Reflections would be shared a little earlier in the day rather than the end of the day from now onwards in sha Allah.

________

** Link to Download Tafseer from Maariful Qur'an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani رحمه الله :

http://www.maarifulquran.net/index.php/maarifulquran-english-pdf/203-maariful-quran-english-pdf-vol-8

Half Way through Ramadan Ibn al-Jawzi said: "When the race horse knows that it is nearing the end of the track it exerts all of its effort to win the race. Do not allow the race horse to be more clever than you. For verily, deeds are judged by their conclusions. So if you didn't do well with welcoming Ramadan then perhaps you will do better bidding it farewell." Ibn Taymiyyah said: "The lesson lies in perfection of the conclusion of a thing, not in the shortcomings of the beginning of it." Hasan al-Basri said: “Improve your performance in what is left (of time) and you will be forgiven for that which has already passed. So take special care of the time you have left because you do not know when your soul will be turned over to Allah’s Mercy.”

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The person who often thinks of death will show off less and will also be less jealous.

Abu ad-Darda al-Ansari

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Imaam ibn al Jawzi said in a sermon while advising the Youth;

“Oh Youth! You are like a person traveling in the desert while possessing priceless jewels that he intends to sell in the lands of reward, so beware into falling the trap of your treacherous desire so you do not end up selling what you have for less than of what it is worth. Otherwise, when you reach your destination and see those who made great profits, you will cry for your loss and say, ‘Oh how great is my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allaah’. However, regret shall never restore what has been missed.”

(Extracted from his book “Awakening from the Sleep of Heedlessness”, Pg 31)

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atdrewg

Anguilla, May 2015 by Drew Geishecker

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Allah loves His attributes and characteristics, and He loves to see the effects of His attributes on His slaves. As He is beautiful, so He loves beauty; as He is all-forgiving, He loves forgiveness; as He is generous, He loves generosity; as He is all-knowing, he loves the people of knowledge; as He is strong and powerful, so a strong believer is more beloved to Him than a weaker one; as He is sabur (patient), so He loves those who have patience; as He is shakur (grateful), so He loves those who give thanks. As He loves those who have His characteristics, so He is with them, and this is a special and unique type of companionship.

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah

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Things you can pray for:

Our Ummah, espcially those in bleeding and opressed countries including Syria, Gaza, Burma, Yemen, Nigeria. Do not forget our Ummah in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan, Mali, Somalia, Afghanistan, Haiti, Togo, Zambia, etc.

Pray for the sick, and the poor. Pray for the hungry, and the thirsty.

Orphans, those who feel lonely in this world. Pray for people with depression, suicidal thoughts, mental disorders.

For those who have less, and for those who have more (that they both may pass their circumstances with sweetness of Islam)

Your family

Guidance, mercy, health

To stay focused on Islam, and not to stray off.

A forgiving, humble, and non-judgmental heart.

Piousness

Knowledge, and remembrance.

Those who have passed away, for Allah’s mercy upon them and the expiation of their sins.

Khushoo in salah

Sabr in times where we completely lose it.

To die only when we are worthy of entering Jannah

To be able to perform Hajj

Success in this world and the next

Forgiveness

Guidance of the youth

To be a better Muslim

Protection from the hell fire and from the torment of the graves

To have a chance to make things right for those who we have wronged

Your personal ambitions that are good for you

To be able to hear the stories of the prophets by the prophets themselves, to be able to discuss with the sahabas about the character of our prophet, to be able to eat and drink from the fruits and milk provided in Jannah.

To be with our loved ones in Jannah

To be able to have tawakkul when things don’t go our way

Education to be provided to those who do not have the resources

All the pregnant women to have an easy delivery and a healthy baby

Our worship to be accepted

protection from shirk

Justice to those who have been oppressed, given pain, or accused wrongly

Our marriages to last in Jannah and for our marriages to be righteous

Obedient children who will be guided onto the beautiful path of Islam

Provisions for those who don’t have a ceiling, who don’t have a bed, who don’t have bread or water.

To guide those who are doubting Islam, and for our own doubts to be cleared

To be in the shade of Allah on the day of judgment and for our book of deeds to be in our right hand

Protection from laziness and cowardice

To be always be able to do what is right

To be able to control our anger

To do everything with sincerity and love

A heart free from hate, or envy.

To get closer to Allah

To be able make use of our short time wisely

For everyone in the world, every person in every corner, to at least have some clean water

Pray for anything and everything (which is good for us). Pray for everyone.

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As-Salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatahu,

It has been such a long time since the last post, but recent personal events has truly affected me and prompted this topic….

Death is so sudden; a fierce ambush on our unsuspecting hearts. But besides the fact that Allah has destined for that soul to return to Him at such and such decreed time, what other lessons can be derived from the death of a loved one, a neighbour, community member, classmate, etc.?

Patience. Tawwakul. A reminder of the ultimate return. All of these are good responses and correct responses! One of the thoughts that comes to mind when I receive news of a death is that I still have so much to do - and I’m quite sure many of you feel the same. How many of us feel that they are ready to meet Allah?

Think about it for a minute. Have we made up all the fasts that we’ve missed in our lives? Have we made up for all the Salaah that we’ve missed during those party years when we were “trying to find ourselves”? When was the last time we brought out our calculators and really worked out how much we are owing Allah?

Yes, we made mistakes and we were negligent, and Allah is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem, but are we really making a sincere effort to settle our debts? SubhanAllah, many of us turn gray just thinking about how we will settle our worldly debts (which is important) but are we giving our debts to Allah the same amount of concern?

Each day is a chance for us not only to rectify ourselves but an opportunity to work towards doing all that has been commanded of us by Allah Azza wa Jall. We need to stop putting it off until better times, or until we’re married or until we finish get this degree or that one, or until we have more time and all the other reasons we come up with!

If we actually make an effort then at least Allah knows that we tried and in sha Allah will write it off for us! Ameen! But if we don’t, then what excuse will we have on that Day? Honestly.

And if, alhamdulillah, there are those among us who have never missed a fast or Salaah then even those such individuals should not become content with that either! I read once:

“Even a person who was in Sujood from birth until death, will be regretful on Qīyāma.”

So this is a reminder for myself first of all, and everyone else that reads this to make the most of our time, focus on what really matters.

Death is certain yet unforeseen; it does not discriminate based on age, sex, ethnicity, nationality of status.

We should also encourage our loved ones to do the same. Make amends if need be and just be the best mu'min or mu'minah you can be. Don’t settle for less. Always do more, strive to be better and encourage goodness.

May Allah Azza wa Jall grant us all a good return and a good death, make us among those who are mindful of our purpose here and of His many favors. And we also pray that He forgives and raises in ranks those who have gone before us. Allahumma Ameen.