10 Points of Benefit From al-Fawaa’id of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah .

10 Points of Benefit From al-Fawaa’id of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah .

10 excellent admonitions and reminders, 10 short sentences but powerful imports and concepts!

1) How can anyone who has common sense trade Paradise and what is in it for the pleasure of one hour?

2)  When you fear the creation, you feel repelled by it and run away from it, but when you fear the Creator, you feel close to Him and run towards Him.

3)  If knowledge without action were of benefit, why did Allah condemn the scholars of the People of the Book? And if action without sincerity were of benefit, why did He condemn the hypocrites?

4)  Repel the thought, for if you don’t, it becomes an idea. So repel the idea, for if you don’t it will become a desire. So fight against that (desire), for if you don’t, it will become a determination and a passion and if you don’t repel that, it will become an action. And if you don’t replace it with its opposite, it will become a constant habit. So at that point, it will be difficult for you to change it.

5) When a decreed matter occurs to Allah’s a’bd (slave), which he dislikes, then he should have six perspectives about it

• The Perspective of Tawheed: And that Allah is the One who decreed it and willed it and created it. And whatever Allah wills comes to pass, and whatever He doesn’t will doesn’t come to pass
• The Perspective of Fairness: And that He ruled this event to occur in the past and that there is fairness in His Divine ordainment.
• The Perspective of Mercy: And that the person’s mercy with regard to this thing that was decreed supersedes his anger and vengeance
• The Perspective of Wisdom: And that it was Allah’s infinite Wisdom that brought that about. He did not decree it in vain nor did He divinely execute it for no purpose
• The Perspective of Praise: And that to Allah belongs the complete and entire praise for that thing that was decreed from every angle of it.
• The Perspective of Worship to Allah: And that he is a pure worshipper of Allaah from every standpoint. His Master’s Rulings and Decrees occur to him by virtue of his being Allah’s possession and slave. So Allah administers him under His decreed rulings just as He administers him under His religious rulings. So it (i.e. the decreed event) becomes a place for these rulings to occur to him.

2) Little success (from Allah), bad views, unawareness of the truth, corruption of the heart, laziness in making Dhikr, wasting time, distaste for the creation, estrangement between the servant and his Lord, the prevention of the supplication from being answered, hardening of the heart, the termination of blessing from ones provision and lifespan, the prevention of knowledge, being covered in debasement, humiliation at the hands of the enemy, constricting of the chest, prolonged grief and sorrow, a wretched life of poverty, and a gloomy state of being are all produced from sins and neglecting to remember Allah just as crops are produced from water and burning from fire. And the opposites of these things are produced from obedience to Allah.

7)  If your mind would free itself from the governorship of your desires, the state would return back to it.

8)  You have entered into the abode of desires, so you have put your life at stake.

9)  It was once too said to one devout worshipper of Allah: “Until when will you continue to exhaust your soul?” So he responded: “It is its relaxation that I seek.”

10) The women of this world were made beautiful to those who can see in order to test which of them prefers them over the women of the Hereafter so whoever knows the extent of differences, he will choose what deserves to be chosen.

The Black Seed: Habbatul Baraka (The Blessed Seed)

The Black Seed: Habbatul Baraka (The Blessed Seed)

Rasulullah (SAW) said: “Use this black seed regularly, because it has cure for every disease except death.”  (Al-Bukhari)

The Black Seed is known by the following names:

• Habbatul Baraka (the Blessed Seed)
• Black Cumin
• Black Caraway Seed
• Nigella Sativa
• Kalonji
• Schwarzcummel
• Sinouj
• Nutmeg flower
• Shonaiz

The Black seed has been used for centuries, by millions of people in Asia, Middle East, and Africa to promote health and fight disease, and is still known as one of all-time greatest source of natural medicines. The nutrients found in black seed are numerous; 15 Amino acid, proteins, carbohydrates, oils (both fixed and volatile), alkaloids, saponins, crude fibres and traces of minerals including; calcium, potassium, iron, and sodium.  Besides its capacity to reduce inflammation, improve kidney functions, improve milk production in nursing mothers, strengthen the liver, and increase the body’s resistance against diseases, more recent benefits of the black seed includes its potential for the treatment of the bronchial asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments, its capacity to lower excess blood pressure and improve the heart conditions and its antimicrobial activity against a host of alot of disease causing organisms like E.Coli and Staphylococcus etc. The actual Nigella sativa plant reproduces with itself and forms a fruit capsule which consists of many white trigonal seeds. Once the fruit capsule has matured, it opens up and the seeds contained within are exposed to the air, becoming black in color (black seeds).

In English, the Nigella sativa plant is commonly referred to as “Love in a Mist”. Black seed is effective at treating the body as a whole and fights the actual cause of the symptoms. Black seed regulates too weak or too strong reactions of the immune system and is excellent for treating chronic, allergic and hormonal diseases. It uses are many as well as its benefit. Black seed support metabolism, improve digestion, and lowers blood sugar levels. It is used to dispel worms and parasites from intestinal track. It is useful in soothing bronchitis and coughs, increase body tone, stimulates menstrual periods, increases the flow of breast milk, provides quick energy, increases sperm count, calms the nervous system, encourages hair growth and retards hair fall out, prevents skin wrinkling, and much more. Modern scientific studies have proven the immune enhancing effect of this blessed seed. It improves the natural defense and repair mechanisms of the body. It improves healing after surgery with less complications and faster recovery. It regulates blood pressure, enhances bile and breast milk production, and stimulates sperm producing tissue. It is also known to be an effective antimicrobial agent and broncho-dilator.

Here some common problems and ailments which can easily be cured from the use of Black Seed:

• General health: Take 1 tablespoon Blackseed oil morning and night, or at least in the morning before breakfast on its own or with 1 teaspoon pure honey.
• Acne and Skin: Mix and heat for 2 minutes 1 cup grounded black seed 1½ cup grounded pomegranate skin and 1½ cup apple cider vinegar. Apply on area before going to sleep every night until it disappears. Mixture can last 3 weeks and have to be kept in cool temperature.
• Baldness: Rub black seed oil on trouble spots.
• Asthma: Take 1½ teaspoon black seed boiled in water.
• Backache (lower): Mix honey with 1¼ teaspoon black seed and take it first thing in the morning before breakfast.
• Bee & Wasp stings: Take 1½ teaspoon black seed boiled in water.
• Bladder/Kidney: Take 1½ teaspoon black seed mixed with honey and warm water every morning before breakfast or. Mix 2 cups grounded black seed and 1½ cup pure honey. Take 1 tablespoon of mixture with 1 cup warm water every morning before breakfast. Mixture can last 15 days and have to be kept in cool temperature.
• Colds: Take 21 black seed, put it in a cloth and soak overnight. Use as droplets for the nose the next day. Inhale powdered black seed kept in cloth.
• Coughs: Take 3-4 drops of black seed oil in coffee or tea.
• High blood pressure: Mix 1 tablespoon grounded black seed, 1 tablespoon pure honey and a little garlic. Take the mixture before breakfast every morning for 20 days.
• Inflammation & pain of teeth & gums: Boil black seed in vinegar and use it to rinse teeth & gums Avoid using commercial toothpastes and use toothpaste made from vegetable fiber of the siwak tree which has been used for centuries by Indians, Africans and Asians as natural toothpaste.
• Memory: Take 1½ teaspoon powdered black seed mixed with honey 2x day.
• Immune system: Take 1 tablespoon day and night.
• Jaundice: Take black seed with milk.
• Chronic head pains (migraine, headache): Fry black seed and put it cotton-made cloth, tie or simply put the cloth on the forehead. Soak black seed in vinegar overnight, pound it the next day to make powder. Insert in nostril and inhale.
• Dry Skin: Mix honey with 1¼ teaspoon black seed and take it first thing in the morning before breakfast.
• Wind: Mix honey with أ‚آ¼ teaspoon black seed and take it first thing in the morning before breakfast.
• Worms: Take black seed with vinegar to get rid of worms.

A Story Of Repentance

A Story Of Repentance

At the time of Musa (AS), a terrible famine occurred. People came to Musa (AS) asked him to pray for rain. Musa (AS) took thousand and thousands of people with him and asked Allah. He sought the Help of Allah for the sake of infants, old pious men, and four footed animals. However, no rain came! It was hot all around.
Then Musa (AS) again started praying. He now sought the Support of Allah by saying: “If for any reason my level had been alleviated, for the sake of the Final Messenger – Muhammad (SAW), you may provide shower on us!”
Allah informed Musa (AS): “O Musa! It is not that your levels had gone down! The reason for no rain is that amongst your people there is one person who is disobeying my commands for forty consecutive years. Tell him to get out from your gathering; it is for him I have terminated rainfall.”
It was a very large gathering. Musa (AS) asked Allah: “I have a very low voice. How is it possible that in this large gathering my voice would reach him?” Allah contended him that He would reach His Prophet’s voice to all people.
Musa (AS) announced: “O the sinner, who had been committing sin for 40 consecutive years! Get out from our gathering! It is for you the rain is not coming!”

 Listening to this announcement, the sinner looked around and saw that none got out of the gathering! He thought, it is to me whom this is being said. He further thought that when I would get out of this gathering people will see me. Alas! What a humiliation would that be! On the other hand, if I do not get out from here, for me the rain wouldn’t come! Suddenly while pondering on these thoughts, he covered his face with a cloth and started weeping. With great repentance he prayed: “O Rahman Raheem! I had been disobeying you since 40 years! You gave me the opportunity for come back, but I hadn’t utilized the chances. Now I (sincerely) turn to You! Do accept me!” Even his prayer had not completed, rain started pouring heavily!
Musa (AS) was quite astonished! Being astound he said to Allah: “O Lord! Not a single person had gone out of this gathering. What is the reason for rainfall then?”
Allah reply was: “O Musa! It is for that person now I descended the rain, for whom I stopped it.”  Musa (AS) asked Allah: “O Allah! Do expose that person to me!”  Reply from Allah came: “I did not humiliate him at the time he disobeyed me; why would I now humiliate him – when he had come under My Shelter?”

Here’s a beneficial and concise dua for seeking Allah’s Repentance:
Allahumma innaka ‘affu kareemun, tuhhibul ‘affwa, fao’fanni  (O Allah, You are the one who Grants forgiveness, Loves forgiving, so please forgive me)

The Beauty Of Rasulullah (SAW

The Beauty Of Rasulullah (SAW)

Upon an occasion Anas (RA) was sitting with Rasulullah (SAW). He would look at Rasulullah (SAW) and then look up towards the moon. He did this twice when Rasulullah (SAW) asked: “What are you doing?” Anas (RA) replied: “I was looking at the moon and then at you. The moon still has some dark patches but you don’t!”
Rasulullah (SAW) face was fair, attractive and round. Whenever Rasulullah (SAW) was pleased, Rasulullah (SAW) face shone like the moon, but it would turn crimson when Rasulullah (SAW) was angry.
If sweat appeared on Rasulullah (SAW) face, the beads glistened like pearls and the fragrance of Rasulullah (SAW) perspiration excelled the smell of musk.
Rasulullah (SAW) cheeks were soft, Rasulullah (SAW) forehead wide and Rasulullah (SAW) eyebrows thin and arched. Rasulullah (SAW) eyes were wide with black pupils, while the whites were mixed with crimson. Rasulullah (SAW) had long thick eyelashes.
The bridge of Rasulullah (SAW) nose was high and shiny. Rasulullah (SAW) mouth was wide and there were spaces between each of Rasulullah (SAW) teeth. Rasulullah (SAW) teeth were bright appearing like tiny hailstones when Rasulullah (SAW) smiled and they sparkled as Rasulullah (SAW) talked.
Rasulullah (SAW) beard was black, thick and full, covering most of Rasulullah (SAW) chest. A few gray hairs showed on Rasulullah (SAW) ear lobes and chin.

Head, Neck and Hair:

Rasulullah (SAW) had a large head and a long neck. Rasulullah (SAW) hair was slightly curly and Rasulullah (SAW) wore it parted in the middle. Sometimes Rasulullah (SAW) kept it so long it touched both shoulders, while at other times it fell just above or below Rasulullah (SAW) ear lobes. Rasulullah (SAW) had a few gray hair above Rasulullah (SAW) forehead but there were no more than twenty gray hairs on Rasulullah (SAW) Head and Beard altogether.

Limbs:

Rasulullah (SAW) was big boned with large elbows, shoulders, knees and wrists. Rasulullah (SAW) palms and feet were wide. Rasulullah (SAW) arms were heavy and hairy and Rasulullah (SAW) heels and calves were light. Rasulullah (SAW) had broad and hirsute shoulders but Rasulullah (SAW) chest was broad and hairless, with only a line of hair running from Rasulullah (SAW) chest to Rasulullah (SAW) navel.

Build and Stature:

Rasulullah (SAW) was of a medium build, being neither fat nor thin. Rasulullah (SAW) had a straight body. Although Rasulullah (SAW) was not particularly tall, Rasulullah (SAW) rose above most men in height.

To end the post, Two verses (couplets) are narrated from Ayesha (RA), the meaning of which is: “that if the friends of Zulaikha could see the blessed face of Rasulullah (SAW), they would have cut their hearts instead of their hands.” (Sharmaa-il Tirmidhi)

Allah’s Plans

Allah’s Plans

Some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn’t always turn out as planned.
You don’t plan for a broken heart.
You don’t plan for a lump in your breast.
You plan to be young forever.
You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love – and be loved forever.
You don’t plan to be sad.
You don’t plan to be hurt.
You don’t plan to be broke.
You don’t plan to be betrayed.
You don’t plan to be alone in this world
You plan to be happy.
You don’t plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But MOST times, what you want and what you get are two different things.
We, mortals, plan. But so does Allah in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand Allah’s plans especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours.
Often, when He sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger.
We cannot choose what Allah wishes us to carry, but we can carry it with courage knowing that He will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.
Sometimes, Allah breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, He allows pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, Allah sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, He allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
And sometimes, Allah takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.
Make plans, but understand that we live by Allah’s grace and by Allah’s plans!