Tawheed Untangled

Remembering Death Makes All Worldly Pleasures Small Imam Aḥmad, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Whenever I remember death, every matter of this world becomes insignificant to me. After all, it is merely one meal over another, and one garment over another, and it is only a matter of a few short days. I do not consider anything equal to poverty [i.e., living simply and with few possessions]." Tārīkh al-Islām [The History of Islam] (5/1023)

Sheikh Ibn Utahymeen رحمه الله said, "Whoever notices he is withdrawn from the acts of worship he used to perform, he should be plentiful in seeking for forgiveness." [Tafsir Surah al Maidah 1/483]

Whispers from the Depths: A Call That Never Goes Unanswered Ibn-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “A distressed person does not make Du'a with the supplication of Prophet Yunus عليه السلام, except that Allāh drives away his distress and anxiety with Tawheed.” Reflection: When life feels overwhelming and the path to Allāh ﷻ seems heavy, don’t carry your burdens alone. Don’t let despair silence you. Bring your complaints to the One who hears everything and knows the ache you cannot put into words. Remember Prophet Yūnus عليه السلام, alone in the belly of the whale; swallowed by darkness upon darkness. Yet he called out with sincerity: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنْ الظَّالِمِينَ “There is no deity worthy of worship but You. Glory be to You. Indeed, I was of the wrongdoers.” Verily, a Muslim never supplicates with these words without Allāh ﷻ responding. [Tirmidhī] From the depths where no human help could reach, Allāh ﷻ made a way out. Reminder: No matter how deep the darkness, sincerity and Tawheed are a lifeline. Allah ﷻ always hears, always responds, and always delivers.

No one lives without sacrifice. The real question is for whom will you tire out? Ibn al-Qayyim said: من رغب عن التعب لله؛ ابتُلي بالتعب في خدمة الخلق ولا بدّ Whoever does not tire himself for the sake of Allāh will undoubtedly be tried with fatigue in the service of (others in) creation. • مدارج السالكين لابن القيم (٣١١)

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Do You Want Tranquility Or Anxiety? Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah, (may Allaah have mercy upon him): Whoever places his heart with his Lord [will be in] tranquility and relaxation. And whoever sends [his heart] to the people will be struck [by calamities] and will increase in anxiety and sadness. [Al-Fawaaid, 1/98]

Remember, today is no ordinary day This Friday coincides with the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), bringing together two immense windows for answered supplications (du'as): -The Friday Hour of Acceptance (ساعة الاستجابة) -The Supplication of the Fasting Person (دعاء الصائم) Make dua during the most acceptable times like–between adhaan and iqamah, time between asr and magrib. Do not miss out on this incredible opportunity. Remind those around you, increase your salawat upon Rasool ﷺ, and pour your heart out in du'a.

Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year. [Muslim 1162]

FASTING IN THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah al-Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night (Tahajjud)." (Muslim, 1163) Note that the Prophet ﷺ did not fast any month in FULL apart from Ramadan. So, this hadith is to be understood as meaning that it is encouraged to fast alot in the month of Muharram, NOT TO fast the whole month.

لِيرتاح عقلك وقلبك، تأكد أنه لا يوجد خير في شيءٍ أخذه الله منك. To put your mind and heart at ease, remember that there is no good in anything that Allaah has taken away from you.

Don't Neglect The Fixed Sunnah Prayers Al-Hāfidh Ibn Rajab [رحمه الله] said: The fixed Sunnah prayers are more virtuous than the night prayer according to the majority of the scholars. [Latā'if Al-Ma'ārif, (Page: 130)]

Reminder 📌

A complete checklist for the entire Day of ‘Arafah to help you prepare and benefit fully bi’idhniLlāh. The preparation for the Day of ‘Arafah begins from the night before itself. Begin preparing from Maghrib. Prepare your heart before your schedule. Tonight: • Make sincere tawbah • Sleep early with intention • Plan your du'ā list • Reduce distractions • Inform your family/friends • Set alarms for Tahajjud & Suḥoor • Enter the night with longing for Allah’s mercy The people who benefit most on the Day of ‘Arafah are often those who prepared for it before it arrived.

'Arafah Sermon https://arafah-sermon.services.prh.gov.sa/

‘ARAFAH REMINDER The Salaf often reserved their most heartfelt du'a for the sacred day of 'Arafah. Take a moment today to pick up a pen and paper, and thoughtfully list the du'a you wish to make, covering all aspects of your life: your deen, your worldly affairs, and your akhirah. Remember to pray fervently for the Ummah as well. • 'Arafah has the potential to transform your life. • One sincere du'a, made with a pure heart and tearful eyes, can change everything. • Begin from the night of Arafah. Wake up an hour before Fajr to perform Qiyam, immerse yourself in prayer, and make abundant du'a, Follow this with suhoor. • Plan your entire day around dhikr, Qur’an, and aadiyah. • From Asr until Maghrib, dedicate yourself solely to du'ā. • Turn off your phone, retreat to a quiet space, and engage deeply in dhikr and supplication. • Hold firm belief that Allah will accept your prayers and will not turn you away. • Make Special Du'a for muslim ummah across the globe.

DHUL HIJJAH "No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Not even jihad in the way of Allāh, except for a man who goes out with his life and wealth at risk and he returns with nothing." Sahih Bukhari – 969 ----------------------------------- Checklist: • Perform the 5 obligatory prayers on time • Increase in Nawāfil (voluntary prayers) • Fast the first 9 days, or at least the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of ‘Arafah) • Increase Qur’ān recitation • Read Tafsīr • Attend a dars or watch beneficial Islamic lectures • Read an Islamic book • Maintain daily adhkār • Increase takbīrāt • Send abundant ṣalawāt upon the Prophet ﷺ • Engage in frequent istighfār • Make plenty of du‘a • Read at least one hadith daily • Memorize one surah or a few ayaat • Give sadaqah • Stay away from harām and avoid sins • Pray Tahajjud regularly • Make special du‘ā for Muslims around the world • Keep repeating takbīr, tahlīl, and tahmīd throughout the day اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلّٰهِ الْحَمْدُ ----------------------- Strive to accomplish as much as you can according to your capacity. Add or remove based on your ability. “So fear Allāh as much as you are able.” — Qur’ān 64:16

My brothers and sisters: Today is the best Jum'uah of the entire year, and the actions on this day are better than the actions in the rest of the Jum'uahs throughout the whole year. So work vigilantly with this day, and try your best to make sure your intention is sincere following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.

A Friday that occurs in the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is more distinguished to any other Friday of the year. —Ibn Hajar رحمه الله | Fath al Bārī 969

Virtues of Yawm 'Arafah • It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allah’s Favour was completed. • It is a day by which Allah swore an oath • Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years. • It is the day on which Allah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam. • It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there • It is a day of ‘Eid for the people who are in that place.