zahhan.com

This moving story gives me goosebumps! Please read on and may it be of benefits to us all, InsyaAllah.

This story is about “Istighfar”. It is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian. Imam Ahmed is also considered to be the founder of the Hanbali school of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and is one of the most celebrated Sunni theologians, often referred to as the “Sheikh ul-Islam” or the “Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah.”

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him. The baker responded by telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps. [Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]

This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the Prophet pbuh used to say Istighfar frequently during the day.

Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:

A man complained to Al-Hasan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning):

“Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.”

Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)

One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.” [Sahih Muslim].

“Anyone for whom Allah intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction.” (Bukhari)

I used to have difficulty understanding this verse. Last time, whenever I was strike with a calamity – calamity that brought me down to my knees, I took it as Allah swt WRATH on me. Sadly, this mentality is perceived by many people as well.

Anyway, my perception changed when I was first introduced to Don’t Be Sad book.

In one of the chapters, it was brought to my attention that:

“They should remember about the Companions of the Prophet pbuh who were severely persecuted or even killed after becoming Muslim. Even the prophets of Allah, the best of all people who ever walked on the face of the earth, were persecuted by their community without exception. Even our beloved Prophet Muhammad pbuh was not spared from trials and tribulations. Was Yusof (pbuh) not thrown into a well, sold as a slave, and then thrown back into a prison? In fact, the Qur’an tells us that many prophets were brutally killed by the unbelievers.”

These examples should establish the fact that trials and tribulations are not a sign of Allah’s displeasure on someone. Quite the contrary, it is rather a sign of Allah’s love on someone.

The Prophet pbuh said:

“When Allah who is Great and Glorious loves people, He afflicts them with trials.” (Tirmidhi)

The punishment in the Hereafter is much severe – in fact unimaginable from our worldly perspective – than any affliction one can face in this world. Therefore, when Allah swt loves someone and intends for him or her to go to Paradise, He wipes out his sins and mistakes and rewards him highly by putting him to afflictions in this world.

So yes, trials are actually the signs of Love from ALLAH SWT. If you are on trial, be thankful because you know that’s ALLAH SWT showing you HIS love.

“If ALLAH brings you TO it, HE will bring you THROUGH it.”

“When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tirmidhi)

In Don’t Be Sad book, all you need is just to flip at any page of the book and you will land on the words of wisdom that can soothe even the disheartened souls. A book that I keep close to my heart; that I will pick up often to find solace; and a book that I will NEVER leave far from my reach.

Want to feel the peace and tranquility I felt when reading verses from the book? Grab a copy now. Just click here.

Thank You ALLAH!
When the truth was revealed, the next thing to do is blurted out in anger. But I was reminded instantly of this verse:

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

“Whoever controls his/her anger at the time when he has the means to act upon it, Allah will fill his heart with contentment on the Day of Resurrection.” (Tabarani)

Thank You ALLAH!
When I questioned why am I not valued after all the sacrifices I have made, I was immediately hit with this quote from “Don’t Be Sad”:

Do not be in a state of agitation if you give someone a pen as a gift and he uses it to satirize you, or if you give someone a walking stick to lean upon and he strikes you with it. Most humans are ungrateful to their Lord, so what treatment should you and I expect?

MasyaAllah! Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing… ALLAH KNOWS BEST!!

Yes, I WAS! That raged an internal war. A war that didn’t take place on the battlefield BUT within me – resulted an increase in blood pressure and sleepness nights.

I asked Allah to guide me, to show me the way on how I should go about facing this. I prostrate to Him at the darkest hours of time. O Allah! Please guide me to the straight path and assist me in resolving my affairs. Only onto You I submit. There’s none but You do I worshipped. AMEEN!

Being a legal person, I then decided to fight it all out. Collating all the facts and documents evidencing that I’ve been framed, I was ready. Ready to even go to court to settle matters.

With the mind set and everything prepared, I headed to “war” – well, almost.

Like any other days, on my way to work, I will be reading a book . On that particular day, I was reading Don’t Be Sad . Settled myself comfortably in the mrt and I flipped open the book. This was the first verse that popped right in front of my eyes…..a verse from Don’t Be Sad that sent shivers down my spine.

By having a strong faith in Allah, you will forgive the one who transgresses against you. Better yet is to have good wishes for that same person. And the highest and best level – higher than simply forgiving him or simply wishing him well – is to benefit or help him in some way.

The first stage of forgiveness is to repress your anger, which means that you don’t reciprocate injury with injury. Then comes actual forgiveness, which means to pardon and to discard any feelings of ill will. And then finally comes doing good, or in other words, to recompense the harm that was acted out on you with a good deed or a show of kindness.

Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers. [Quran 3:134]

MasyaAllah. I was dumbfounded. O Allah! Are those answers to my prayers? Is that what You want me to do? I’m a victim here and I have a case. Why should I admit defeat before giving a chance to defend myself? O Allah! If that is what I have to do, and You bless it, I will. You know all the seen and Unseen.

When harm befalls you, perhaps there is a benefit that comes with it, a benefit that you cannot perceive. And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you. (Quran 2:216)

I put my complete trust in Him. Without a second thought, I rested my case.

Bearing and clutching tight on Allah’s words, I moved on. Words of Allah that helps to strengthen my faith. Encourage me to face all situations with bravery and perseverance.

And let not those who have no certainty of faith discourage you…. (Quran 30:60)

Alhamdulillah. AND Guess what? Barely 2 weeks the person that framed me, came and apologised ) Subhanallah. Just look at what Allah has prepared for me? Need I ask for more? I should then be a more thankful person right? The creation of the Mighty Creator.

Seek help from Allah. Be patient and remember always – for every hardship comes ease.

Don’t Be Sad - a book that I constantly cling on next to Al Quran and Hadiths. A book that I seek solace in times of hardship and low morale.

In fact I STRONGLY encouraged everyone to read this book – Don’t Be Sad . A great book full of words from Allah.

Don’t know where to get it? Click here and complete the transaction online and the book will be delivered to you, InsyaAllah. )

Jazakallah Khairan
Zah Han

Another beautiful verse that I can’t resist not to share on my website. Verses from “Don’t Be Sad”. It’s just the answers to my questions. Yes, having some issues lately that left me to toss and turn in bed. Alhamdulillah, answers to my prayers. Allah is GREAT!

By having a strong faith in Allah, you will forgive the one who transgresses against you. Better yet is to have good wishes for that same person. And the highest and best level – higher than simply forgiving him or simply wishing him well – is to benefit or help him in some way.

The first stage of forgiveness is to repress your anger, which means that you don’t reciprocate injury with injury. Then comes actual forgiveness, which means to pardon and to discard any feelings of ill will. And then finally comes doing good, or in other words, to recompense the harm that was acted out on you with a good deed or a show of kindness.

Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers. [Quran 3:134]

MasyaAllah, I’m reading “Don’t Be Sad” in the mrt this morning and I chanced upon this verse:

In helping others, people have a limit or point, up to which they are willing to strive and sacrifice for others.
And this limit is seldom exceeded.

Consider Husain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet pbuh. He was murdered and the nation did not stir.

Imam Ahmad was tortured by being severely beaten with a whip. He was on the vergo of dying and nobody moved a finger to help him.

Ibn Taymiyah was captured and was made to mount a mule, to be paraded on it and humiliated. Throngs of people who later attended his funeral did nothing while that happened.

Why? Simply because people, with the rare exception, have a certain limit they will not go beyond helping others.

Open your Eyes – Maher Zain

Look around yourselves
Can’t you see this wonder
Spreaded infront of you
The clouds floating by
The skies are clear and blue
Planets in the orbits
The moon and the sun
Such perfect harmony

Let’s start question in ourselves
Isn’t this proof enough for us
Or are we so blind
To push it all aside..
No..

We just have to
Open our eyes, our hearts, and minds
If we just look bright to see the signs
We can’t keep hiding from the truth
Let it take us by surprise
Take us in the best way
(Allah..)
Guide us every single day..
(Allah..)
Keep us close to You
Until the end of time..

Look inside yourselves
Such a perfect order
Hiding in yourselves
Running in your veins
What about anger love and pain
And all the things you’re feeling
Can you touch them with your hand?
So are they really there?

Lets start question in ourselves
Isn’t this proof enough for us?
Or are we so blind
To push it all aside..?
No..

We just have to
Open our eyes, our hearts, and minds
If we just look bright to see the signs
We can’t keep hiding from the truth
Let it take us by surprise
Take us in the best way
(Allah..)
Guide us every single day..
(Allah..)
Keep us close to You
Until the end of time..

When a baby’s born
So helpless and weak
And you’re watching him growing..
So why deny
Whats in front of your eyes
The biggest miracle of life..

We just have to
Open our eyes, our hearts, and minds
If we just look quiet we’ll see the signs
We can’t keep hiding from the truth
Let it take us by surprise
Take us in the best way
(Allah..)
Guide us every single day..
(Allah..)
Keep us close to You
Until the end of time..

Open your eyes and hearts and minds
If you just look bright to see the signs
We can’t keep hiding from the truth
Let it take us by surprise
Take us in the best way
(Allah..)
Guide us every single day..
(Allah..)
Keep us close to You
Until the end of time..

Allah..
You created everything
We belong to You
Ya Robb we raise our hands
Forever we thank You..
Alhamdulillah..