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215

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Bring yourself to account

Written by: Abdurrazzak Taher Farih

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.

14 Shaban 1440

19 April 2019



Dearly beloved in Allah,

A true believer is the one who stops and brings himself/herself to account before speaking and before acting; and also after the words are spoken and the deeds are done. The believer should ask himself/herself: How has your day been with Allah? Have you performed duties and obligations imposed on to you by Allah? Will you fall asleep tonight while Allah is happy with your? And you are happy with Allah? Were all your spoken words and deeds for the sake of Allah alone? And have all your deeds and actions been in agreement with the guidance of the messenger of Allah ppbu?

So, if a believer finds some inadequacies then he would fix and fulfil. And if he finds gaps and cracks then he would seal, and if he finds shortcomings then he would blame himself. I guarantee to you that a believer would always accuse himself/herself with shortcomings and inadequacies. He/she would never grant himself/herself the credit or honour. That is because even if you obey Allah, then who made that possible or happen for you? Or you came early to attend and perform your Friday prayer; or you may have stayed or remained after you have done Magrib prayer, patiently remained till time for Isha prayer; as well as many many more of those great deeds. Who inspired you? and who guided you to all this? Many others besides you; are now sitting comfortably at their homes without an acceptable excuse. Or they could be at work; and they still are able to come; but they didn’t. But, you; you are now sitting in the house of Allah, and certainly not due to your grace or power or will. In fact, it is all due to Allah’s grace, support, guidance, and the power from Allah alone. Allah says: {They consider their embracing Islam a favour to you. Say: "Do not count your becoming Muslims as a favour to me. No, it is Allah who has conferred a favour upon you; that He has guided you Faith or to become believers; if you indeed are true} 49:17.

The messenger ppbu said: {Every newly born is born with a natural instinct or with a true faith, then its parents would turn him to be a Jew or a Christian or Majusi (or Magainism who worships fire or sun)}. One was reared in a Christian home so he became a Christian, and one was raised in a Jewish home so he became a Jew. And one became a fire worshipper. We grew up in home which emphasises the singularity of God without us choosing or selecting to do so. That is a grace of Allah; He grants whom He wishes; and Allah is the one with the mighty grace.

You, who have faith, Allah has so many mercies and graces that cannot even be counted. The most gracious and most majestic of all those mercies is the mercy of having faith and belief in the one God.

Slaves of Allah, a believer always holds himself accountable, and must always blame himself for doing less than he was supposed to. Allah says: {And those who come with what they have done with their hearts full of shame, timidity or fear knowing that they for certain are returning to their Lord (for reckoning)} 23:60. Aesha may Allah be pleased with her said: O messenger of Allah, does it mean that a man would commit adultery, and steals and drinks alcohol? He said: {No, daughter of Seddiq, it means a man would pray, fast and donates sadaqa and still worries that Allah may not accept all that from him}. It is for the same reason, a young man came up to Aesha and said: O mother of the faithful, what’s your opinion in what Allah says: {Then We gave the Book as inheritance to those of Our slaves whom We chose. Then some of them are who wrong against themselves, and some of them who restrain or ration, and some of them who are, by Allah's will, foremost or leading in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur'ân), that is indeed a great grace}. Aesha said: My son, “those who are [foremost or leading in good deeds] are those who those who were foremost with the messenger of Allah ppbu and he already gave them his testimony of their place in Paradise. Those who [restrain or ration] are those who follow the guidance of the messenger ppbu until they die while doing so. While those who [wrong against themselves] are like you and I”. This is the mother of the faithful Aesha, She considered herself with us or one of us. And do we realise who she is? She is the one whose judgement for innocence beyond suspicion came from up above seven heavens, and she is the wife or spouse of the messenger ppbu, and she is one of the few who were told in advance of their guaranteed place in Paradise. And She was the most loved wife to the messenger ppbu next to Khadija.

A Muslim should always put himself to account, and blame himself with shortcomings or inadequacies. Tonight, you should stand face to face with yourself or your inner soul. Make it a stance of truth. And say to yourself: listen to me, I don’t have much in this life except this age or time to live. This is the only commodity or capital I have to do business with. And if my commodity is lost then my capital is lost. My soul, listen to me, if you are bold enough and if you dare to disobey Allah and you think that Allah does not see you, then you have greater disbelief in Allah (Kufr). And if you knew Allah could see you, and yet you insist on disobeying him, then you are taking a huge risk to dare and be bold. How awful your cheekiness and rudeness toward Allah. My soul, how long will you go on daring Allah and disobey him? And when will the time come when you live according to Islam and for Islam? My soul, when will you care and keep the daily prayers on time? And in congregations (Jamaa)? When will you keep on reciting Quran? And keep on living according to the guidance of the prophet ppbu? And when will you implement the singularity of Allah? And when will you keep on being good to the parents? And when will you start and keep on treating the neighbours well? And spend the money to the poor and needy? And when will you start perfecting every work you do? My soul, do you not get any lessons from those who are now in the graves? Do you ever think of the grave? and the way it squeezes the dead? Do you not think about the path or Sirat (that narrow and sharp path over Hell fire) and how lonely it will be crossing over it? Do you ever think of Hill-fire and the horror, the chains? Stand with yourself every night before you go to sleep, and put your soul or yourself in sever questioning and an account. You should know that a soul is just as a child. If the soul is weaned off disobedience then it will be weaned. And if you put a God fearing bridle on yourself or your soul then it will be restrained. Just like a weaned child who may cry for a day or two then the child gets used to weaning. You should know that the soul is untamed, and it always inspires to do wrong. You should also know that, later on the day of resurrection, accounting would be lighter for whoever brings himself to account now in this life. Omar Ebn Khattab says: “Bring yourselves to account before you are brought to account”. Weigh out your actions and deeds before you will be weighed. Get yourself ready for the big day of exposure. When you will be exposed; and the tiniest hidden matter will be clearly seen. Allah says: {O you who believe! Be God fearing. And let every soul look to what deeds he/she has done and sent forth for the tomorrow, and be God fearing. Verily, Allah is so expert of what you do} 59:18.



Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).

Allah - The Arabic word for "god." It is often used as a name for God in Islam.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.

Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)

Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.

Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

Fiqh - Religious law.

Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.

Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.

Iman: belief or faith

Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.

Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.

Siam or Soam- Fasting

Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

Surah - A chapter of the Koran.

Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

Zaboor - The Psalms

Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com