What Allah SWT does not love

To read the previous part, click here.

All praise is due to Allah, Rabb-ul-'Aalameen. I testify that there is no Deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah. While writing this, inshAllah I will remember that this is for me to reflect upon first, and then all those who will read this. And I hope and pray that we will keep striving to stay away from the likes of these categories.

Allah does not love......

1. Al-Kaafiroon (disbelievers): Allah says in the Qur'an:

قُلْ أَطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْكَـفِرِينَ

Say: "Obey Allah and the Messenger.'' But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers. [Surah Aal Imran:32]

Allah SWT commands us to obey Him and His Messenger, and not doing so, by turning away from the path of Rasoolullah who is the most beloved to Allah, is a way that constitutes kufr(disbelief). Indeed, Allah does not like whoever does this, even if he claims that he loves Allah and seeks a means of approach to Him, unless and until, he follows the unlettered Prophet, the Final Messenger from Allah.

2. Al-Mu'tadoon (transgressors): Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Verily, Allah does not like the transgressors. [Surah Al-Maa'idah: 87]

The transgressors are ones who make unlawful what Allah has made lawful, and lawful what Allah has made unlawful. For example, a Muslim should not abandon his livelihood, his family, his wealth etc, which Allah has made halal or him. Islam teaches us to simply have and enjoy these things in the duniya, in a particular code of law, that if applied sincerely, one will be rewarded. We do not have think that Dheen and Duniya are separate, both are in fact one, just like a bottle and its cap. If the bottle is the duniya, then the cap(dheen) is a means of security for the duniya. A Muslim can love The Duniya as long as he does not risk his success in his aakhirah. Keeping this mind, a Muslim should not transgress beyond what has been halal for him, and enter the zone of haram, as this will lead to decrease in his status in the Hereafter.

3. Adh-Dhaalimoon (oppressors, wrong-doers). Allah SWT says:

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الظَّـلِمِينَ

And as for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, Allah will pay them their reward in full. And Allah does not like the wrongdoers. [Surah Aal Imran: 57]

Allah SWT talks about the wrong-doers and oppressors in many ayaat. They will face a severe torment on the day of Resurrection, and none can avail them on that Day. May Allah exclude us from among the dhaalimoon. The Dhaalimoon(oppressors) are the ones who initiate the act of wrongful action. Prophet Sallalahu alaihiwassalam said: When two persons indulge in abusing each other, the one who initiated the wrongful action is to blame, unless the one who was wronged oversteps the mark in retaliation. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

4. Al-Mufsidoon. Allah SWT warns us:

وَابْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الاٌّخِرَةَ وَلاَ تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ وَلاَ تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِى الاٌّرْضِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

"But seek, with that which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and be generous as Allah has been generous to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidoon(mischief-makers, corrupts, tyrants, oppressors, one who commits great crimes and sins).'' [Surah Al-Qasa: 77]

Allah has rights over us, and we also have rights over ourselves. Allah has blessed with infinite bounties, and is The Most Generous, we need to be generous in doing goodness to our society, community, nation and the world. Our aim should be to seek The Hereafter, and not to cause mischief in this world. This ayah may sound to us like its addressing only the tyrants and oppressors in this world, like our political leaders etc. But let's apply it to us, in our relations with our family, friends and relatives. Sometimes, even saying something against our brother in Islam can cause a lot of mischief.

5. Al-Khaa'inoon (treacherous). Allah says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ الخَـئِنِينَ

Certainly Allah likes not the treacherous. [Surah Al-Anfaal: 58]

6. Al-Mustakbiroon (proud). Allah says:

إِلَـهُكُمْ إِلهٌ وَحِدٌ فَالَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالاٌّخِرَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مُّنكِرَةٌ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ - لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ

Your god is one God. But for those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts are in denial, and they are proud. Certainly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He does not like the proud. [Surah An-Nahl: 22-23]

The Proud are those who feel too proud to worship Allah alone, and their hearts reject the idea of singling Him out. [taken from Tafseer Ibn Kathir]

Pride and arrogance is the first crime/sin committed, and it was by Iblees (shaytan). He knew the truth that Allah is The One, The Unique, The Only Lord worthy of worship, and yet, he chose to deny and reject and obey, out of pride; pride that he was created from a more superior matter than clay. He forgot that he was so in fact, "created", and thus, he was required to obey and submit to His Lord, The Creator. He forgot due to his pride and arrogance. And this is what will happen if one considers himself self-sufficient. We always have to remember that it is only because of The Blessings and Mercy of Our Lord that we are here, and so, to please Him, is our only purpose. InshAllah, let's fight the pride in us that makes us give more importance to the desires of our Nafs, and let's humble ourselves in front of Allah, and submit to him completely. Let's become "Slaves of Allah", and hence, become the "Masters of this Duniya". (If we become masters of the duniya, then we will control our duniya, our life, not the other way around, where we fall into the traps and mirages of this duniya, hence becoming "slaves to duniya")

7. Al-Mukhtaal and Al-Fakhoor: Allah SWT says:

وَلاَ تَمْشِ فِى الاٌّرْضِ مَرَحاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

"And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster". [Surah Luqmaan: 18]

The arrogant boaster loves himself, and feels he is better than the others. He will look down upon others with pride and arrogance. The way he walks will also reflect his pride. The lessons that we can take from this ayah are numerous. We should humble ourselves by remembering that all mankind is from the same father and mother, Adam and Hawwa(Eve) Alaihummassalam. Wealth, status, family name or power will not make anyone in a higher position than the rest. Only our humble deeds that are for the sake of Allah alone can make our status higher. And we do not know who has a high position in the eyes of Our Lord Azza Wajal. Therefore, we cannot judge, or look down upon anyone. We should never deal with our house maids or other people who do lowly jobs (but without whom we wouldn't have comfortable lives), in an arrogant way. We should be cheerful to everyone, and smile genuinely to everyone. Our humility should be reflected in the way we walk and the way we dress.

______________________________________________________

Let us "really" love Allah. As Allah says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. Muhammad), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' [Surah Aal Imran: 31]

May Allah SWT always keep us on the path of those whom He is pleased with, and not on the path of those whom He does not like, aameen...

And Allah knows best.

Respecting and honoring the scholars

'Abadah ibn As-samit narrated, RasulAllah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "He who does not respect our elders, and is not merciful with our children, and does not honor our scholars is not one of my Ummah."

(Ahmad; at-Tabaraani; al-Haakim)

SubhanAllah...especially the last line of the hadeeth...

Very often, people like to point out the flaws and weaknesses of the scholars rather than take good lessons from them. Allah SWT and Rasoolullah has given such a high status for the one who is learned and scholarly in regards to Our Dheen. And we, the students of knowledge or the laymen try to act as their judges, as though we have achieved more than them, and criticise them. SubhanAllah, this is such a grave mistake. We should always respect and honor our scholars. (This goes for anyone who is learning the Dheen, and giving Da'wah, we should never look down upon them.) They are the ones who are actually obeying the teaching of Prophet Sallallahu alihiwassalam of passing on and spreading of knowledge. In his Khutbah- last sermon during his Hajj, he said, "Listen to what I am saying very carefully, and take these words to those who could not be present here today". Allah SWT will preserve the Sunnah of Prophet Sallallahu alihiwassalam, and it is through our scholars that the religion is preserved.

Arise and Act- Surah Al-Muddatir: 1-7

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

يأَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ - قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ - وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ - وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ - وَالرُّجْزَ فَاهْجُرْ - وَلاَ تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ - وَلِرَبِّكَ فَاصْبِرْ

1. O you enveloped in garments!
2. Arise and warn!
3. And magnify your Lord!
4. And purify your garments!
5. And keep away from Ar-Rujz (idols)!
6. And give not a thing in order to have more.
7. And be patient for the sake of your Lord!
[Surah Al-Muddathir: 1-7]

After the first Revelation, (Surah Al-Alaq: 1-5) in the cave of Hira through Jibreel Alaihissalam, Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu alihiwassalam fled in fear to his house and asked to be wrapped up. Khadeejah Radhiyallahu anha, his wife wraps him up, and consoles him and then later on, takes him to Waraqa Ibn Nawfel (her cousin), who was a Christian monk who was well-versed in The Gospels. Waraqa after hearing what had happened to Muhammed Sallallahu alihiwassalam said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

Then, as narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet "While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira' sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, 'Wrap me (in blankets).' And then Allah revealed the following Holy Verses (of Quran):
'O you (i.e. Muhammad)! wrapped up in garments!' Arise and warn (the people against Allah's Punishment),... up to 'and desert the idols.' (Surah Al-Muddathir: 1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Thus, with this Revelation, Prophet Sallallahu alihiwassalam attained Messenger-ship just as he had attained Prophethood with the first revealation. And this being the Revelation after the first, shows the importance of the command of Allah mentioned in these ayahs.

Lessons:

- Even Allah Azza Wajal commanded this to His Nabi, it is applied and implied to us also, as we are the followers of Muhammed Sallallahu alihiwassalam, and his Ummah(nation).

- We should arise from our comfort lounge where we laze around and think not beyond the life of this world- and warn! (doing da'wah to ourselves and to others)

- And magnify your Lord!- meaning remembrance of Allah, and Glorifying Him The Almighty. We should always remember that it is because of Allah, that we are in this Duniya, enjoying all the bounties that Allah has provided us with. And therefore, we cannot live according to our desires, unless our desire is to please Allah SWT, by obeying His commands and staying away from what He has prohibited for us.

- And purify your garments!- Ibn Abbas said: "This means, do not let your garments that you wear be from earnings that are unlawful.'' Ibn Zayd said, "The idolaters would not clean themselves, so Allah commanded him to clean himself and his garments.'' Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "This means purify your heart and your intentions.'' Hasan Al-Basri said: "And beautify your character.''

- We should not wish for more in return, when we give something, except the Pleasure of Allah SWT. تَمْنُن- in the language of the Arabs means to become weak. So if we wish for more in return, it is a sign of weakness.

-We should be patient for the Sake of Allah, if harmed by words or physically when we give da'wah.

And Allah knows best.

Abu Bakr's interpretation of dream

Narrated Abu Hurayrah Radhiyallahu anh:
A man came to the Prophet Sallallahualihiwassalam and said: I saw (in my dream) a piece of cloud from which ghee and honey were dropping. I saw the people spreading their hands. Some of them took much and some a little. I also saw a rope hanging from Heaven to Earth. I saw, Apostle of Allah, that you caught hold of it and ascended by it. Then another man caught hold of it and ascended it. Then another man caught hold of it and ascended it. Then another man caught hold of it, but it broke, and then it was joined and he ascended it.
Abu Bakr said: May my parents be sacrificed for you, if you allow, I shall interpret it.
He said: Interpret it. He said: The piece of cloud is the cloud of Islam; the ghee and honey that were dropping from it are the Qur'an, which contains softness and sweetness. Those who received much or little of it are those who learn much or little of the Qur'an. The rope hanging from Heaven to Earth is the truth which you are following. You catch hold of it and then Allah will raise you to Him. Then another man will catch hold of it and ascend it, Then another man will catch hold of it and it will break. But it will be joined and he will ascend it. Tell me. Apostle of Allah, whether I am right or wrong.
He said: You are partly right and partly wrong. He said: I adjure you by Allah, you should tell me where I am wrong.
The Prophet Sallallahu alihiwassalam said: Do not take an oath.

(Sunan Abi Dawood)

Lessons:

- Our Prophet Sallallahu alihiwassalam and Abu Bakr Radhiyallahu anh were so close that the sahabi felt free to make the dream interpretation. This shows that Rasoolullah did not make his companions fear him like how in today's time, people fear people who are in high positions. The teacher-student relationship is amazing.

- Abu Bakr As-Siddeeque's respect for the Prophet (seeking permission)- "if you allow, I shall interpret it". This is also an etiquette that we should have when asking doubts to our Sheikh, or if we want to make a comment.

- The reality of the dream. Allah will guide us more and raise our level if we take hold of the rope of the truth, and love Qur'an, and embrace its sweetness. Even if we err in between, Allah will give us a chance to ascend again, through seeking repentance.

- We should not take oaths such as "may my parents be sacrificed for you" etc. This was a custom that was present among the Arabs during the period of Jahiliyyah(ignorance).

Surah Al-Layl- Sadaqah only to please The Lord Almighty

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا الاٌّتْقَى - الَّذِى يُؤْتِى مَالَهُ يَتَزَكَّى - وَمَا لاًّحَدٍ عِندَهُ مِن نِّعْمَةٍ تُجْزَى - إِلاَّ ابْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ الاٌّعْلَى - وَلَسَوْفَ يَرْضَى

17. And those with Taqwa will be far removed from it.
18. He who gives of his wealth for self-purification.
19. And who has (in mind) no favor from anyone to be paid back.
20. Except to seek the Face of his Lord, the Most High.
21. He, surely, will be pleased.
[Surah Al-Layl]

Lessons:

-When we give charity, it purifies our wealth and ourselves and whatever Allah has bestowed upon us of religion and worldly things. That is a big blessing.

-When we help someone by giving charity, it should be only to please Allah SWT, this is a sign of Taqwa. We should not wish for a return from that person.

-Sometimes, when we give sadaqah or gifts to someone, and the, he/she treats us badly or they don't show that they are thankful to us, we feel bad. "I did this for him/her, and still, this is how I am treated in return"- this thought crosses our mind. But if we think that what we did is only to seek the face of Our Lord, we will feel content and unaffected even if the person we helped treats us badly. If we expect them to feel grateful to us, how much should we be grateful to Our Lord?! And isn't it us who should be grateful to Allah for blessing us with that wealth so that we can spend in charity?!

-The Mufassireen say that these ayah were revealed about the virtues of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeque Radhiyallahu anh. He used spent all his wealth in the cause of Islam and to please Allah Azza Wajal. He used to free slaves who were physically weak and had become feeble due to torture from their disbelieving masters, in Makkah. People would tell him to free slaves and help those who could benefit him later on, and he would not like that. Whenever he helped anyone, he would never consider it a debt or that the person he had helped him, owed him back.

Wa Allahu A'lam.

Contentment- Surah Ta Ha: 131

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

وَلاَ تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَجاً مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, the splendor of the life of this world, that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting. (Surah Ta Ha: 131)

Lessons:

- Be content with what we have. Continue to thank Allah, Glorify Him and be patient always.

- Splendour and luxury of this world is short-lived. Wish more for the wealth and splendour of the Hereafter, and thus, work towards it.

- Wealth is a test from Allah SWT. Use it wisely to please Him.

- Allah has given us something that is better than wealth and luxury. And that is guidance of the Qur'an : the biggest wealth and treasure of the believer. So seek it.

And Allah knows best.

Be good to people even if they do not reciprocate the same

Narrated by Hudhayfah Radhiyalahu anh:
Allah's Messenger Sallallahu alihiwassalam said, "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well and that if they do wrong you will do wrong; but accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong if they do evil.

(Tirmidhi)

SubhanAllah, this is exactly how we think.

Lessons:

- We should be good to others and treat them well, regardless of how they treat us. Because, our intention in being good is to please Allah SWT. We often complain that so-and-so treated us bad, and so we do the same to them. What is the difference between us and them then?

- "They didn't visit me when I was ill", so "I won't visit them now"- Check your intentions then.

- Forgive, forget and do good to the one who hurts you: these are the three levels of forbearance. As Allah SWT says in the Qur'an:

وَالْكَـظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَـفِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

"(those)Who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the Muhsinin (the good-doers)." [Surah Aal Imran: 134]

And Allah knows best.