expandablesherry

[expandablesherry]

Allah calls Himself Maalik ul-Mulk— Master of the Kingdom, the Dominion’s Owner— on one occasion in the Quran. He is the only possessor and ruler of the creation. Maalik ul-Mulk has the supreme authority and ruling power to act, command, and decide in whatever manner He likes!

The King, the Ruler, the Owner of Dominion

Maalik, Malik and Maleek all come from the root maa-laa-kaa, which points to three main meanings. The first main meaning is to have possession and ownership. The second is to have power and ability, and the third main meaning is to control and have authority.

This root appears 206 times in the Quran in ten derived forms. Examples of these forms are malakat (“possess”), mulku (“dominion”), and al-malaa’ikatu (“the angels)”.

Linguistically, maalik is an intensified form and refers to not only having kingship, but being master and lord. The word malik (king) is used for people however the name Maalik ul-Mulk is used for Allah ‘azza wa jall only. He is the King of all Kings, the owner of all owners and the ruler of all rulers, and His Kingdom consists of all that was, is, and will be created!

Maalik ul-Mulk Himself says: Say, “O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent [Quran, 3:26]

The Maalik of the Day of Judgement

In Surah Al-Fatiha Allah ‘azza wa jall calls Himself Maaliki yawmid-Deen: He is the Master of the Day of Recompense and on that day all commands will be Allah’s only. No king or ruler will be able to command anyone to anything nor will any person have the power to do anything for someone else. Maalik ul-Mulk says, demonstrating His complete ownership and mastery over us: Surely the virtuous shall be in Bliss, and the wicked shall be in the Blazing Fire. They shall enter it on the Day of Recompense and then shall never come out of it. What do you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what do you know what the Day of Recompense is? It is the Day when no one will have the power to do anything for another, and all command will be Allah’s. [Quran, 82:13-19]

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Remember the Day of Recompense.

Remind yourself of the day that Maalik ul-Mulk will confront you: The Day when they will (all) come out and nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. (On that Day they will be asked): “Whose is the kingdom today?” (The whole world will cry out): “It is Allah’s, the One, the Overpowering.” (It will then be said): “Today shall everyone be fully recompensed for his deeds …[Quran, 40:16-17] Every time you say Maaliki Yawmid-Deen in your prayer, imagine standing in front of Him and think of the deeds you have put forward for that day!

2. Reflect on the Kingdom.

Because nowadays most of us live in cities, surrounded by concrete and machines, we forget that in nature more than anything you see the sublime manifestation of the mulk of Allah ‘azza wa jall. When you are caught up in your daily life issues, blowing small problems out of proportion, or when your connection to Allah ‘azza wa jall feels weak, step out of the streets and into nature and let it humble you. Pick up a leaf and feel the texture. Reflecting on the creation is in itself ‘ibaadah.

3. Ask Maalik ul-Mulk.

Use this beautiful Quranic dua to supplicate to Maalik ul-Mulk: Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Rabbanaa maa khalaqta haadha baaTilan subhaanaka fa qinaa ‘adhaaban-naar – Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire [Quran, 3:191]

4. Motivate yourself.

Imagine the moment you will enter Paradise; the angels at the gates will welcome you with salaamun ‘alaykum– they greet you with peace, peace that you have longed for all your life. Then you will rush off to your house, the prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, any one of them (believers) will be more familiar with his dwelling in Paradise than he was with his house in this world [Al-Bukhaaree] Make Paradise a reality in your life and make it a clear goal at each start of your day. Allah ‘azza wa jall says: And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion. [Quran, 76:20] Motivate yourself by imagining that first look into the great Kingdom of Paradise!

5. Be responsible in the dominion of Maalik ul-Mulk.

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ [Quran, 2:30] Allah ‘azza wa jall placed you in His dominion with a mission: to worship Him alone and be reformers on earth. How do you know what Maalik ul-Mulk expects from you in His kingdom? By studying the Quran and the sunnah, so you can first read about His commandments and limits with which He guides you. The second step is asking Him for understanding of your Deen, and the third to do your best to act upon your knowledge!

6. Be a good leader.

The Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. Surely, every one of you is a shepherd and responsible for his flock. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] Never misuse your authority over someone else, be just to your spouse and children and even to the animals, and remind yourself you will be asked about your leadership by Maalik ul-Mulk!

O Allah, Maalik ul-Mulk, we know that You are our only Master and Ruler. Make us remember the Day of Recompense in our words and deeds, aid us to truly reflect on Your Kingdom and be humbled by it. Guide us in being responsible on this earth, just to those under our authority and make us enter Paradise, Your Eternal dominion of pleasure, ameen!

[expandablesherry]

"They killed my brother, and now they've killed my mother." A message from a Palestinian child who lost his mother in an Israeli airstrike while she was trying to receive aid in Rafah.

[expandablesherry]

[expandablesherry]

20 months of genocide in Gaza — and this city still shows up. Thousands filled the streets AGAIN to demand justice, to stand with the Freedom Flotilla, and to call for the release of the 12 activists jailed for bringing aid to Palestinians. People are here because they’re furious. Because they care. Because they will not look away. 🇵🇸

[expandablesherry]

It didn't start on October 7th

[expandablesherry]

Almighty ALLAH knows، Keep Patience

[expandablesherry]

While an Israeli minister condemns Iran as a "cruel terrorist regime" for striking a hospital for Israeli soldiers in Tel Aviv, the record shows Israel have repeatedly bombed, raided, and besieged every single medical facility in Palestine's Gaza since October 7, 2023.

[expandablesherry]

Please recite surah baqrah last two ayah🎀

[expandablesherry]

زرې زرې شۍ چۍ رڼا ته رسی، نمر ته رسی

It breaks and shatters as it reaches the light, the sun

ستورې ده سختو نه تیریګې چی سحر ته رسی

Each star passes through darkness before it sees the dawn.

[expandablesherry]

Allah calls Himself Jaami’—Gatherer, Collector, One

Who Unites— on two occasions in the Quran. He is the One who gathers, reconciles, assembles, and unites. Al-Jaami’ is the One who brought the whole universe together, who reconciles hearts, who connects opposites and that which is similar, and who will gather all to stand before Him!

The One Who Gathers and Collects, the Uniter

Jaami’ comes from the root jeem-meem-‘ayn, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is to gather or to bring together, accumulate, or congregate. The second main meaning is to connect, combine, or unite. The third main meaning is to reconcile or resolve and the fourth is to arrange, assemble, or compose.

This root appears 129 times in the Quran in 11 derived forms. Examples of these forms are yajma’oona (they accumulate), ajma’eena or jamee’an (all together), al-jam’aani (the two forces, the two hosts) and jama’oo (gathered).

Linguistically, the concept of jam refers to both physical gathering and union, such as yawm ul-jumu’ah ( the day people gather) and ‘ijmaa (scholarly consensus) as spiritual reconciliation, such as bringing the hearts people together after enmity.

Al-Jaami’ is the One who makes substances in the bodies work together, who gathers all different creatures living side by side in the world and so will disassemble us and compose us again when He gathers us on the Day of Judgment!

Al-Jaami’ Himself says: Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise [Quran, 3:9]  … Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together. [Quran, 4:140]

The Day of Gathering

Friday, or the day of Al-Jumu’ah, is a blessing Allah ‘azza wa jall granted the believers. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Allah sent astray those who had come before us from Al-Jumu’ah (The Day of Gathering/Friday).  So the Jews were guided to yawmus-Sabt (Saturday), and the Christians were guided to yawmul-Ahad (Sunday).  So Allah presented to us, therefore guided us to Al-Jumu’ah.  Furthermore, they will follow us on yawmul-Qiyaamah (The Day of Standing and Reckoning).  We are last from amongst Ahlud-Dunyaa -the people of this life- and first on yawmul-Qiyaamah  [Muslim]

The Day of Resurrection is also known as the Day of Gathering, because on that Day Allah will gather His slaves for their final Judgments; this is the great gathering. Allah ‘azza wa jall tells us about Yawm ul-Jam’i (the Day of Assembly): The Day He will assemble you for the Day of Assembly – that is the Day of Deprivation. And whoever believes in Allah and does righteousness – He will remove from him his misdeeds and admit him to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment. [Quran, 64:9]

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Remember the Day of Gathering.

Allah– there is no deity except Him. He will surely assemble you for [account on] the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. And who is more truthful than Allah in statement. [Quran, 4:87] Reflect on the greatness of Allah ‘azza wa jall who is able to bring all of mankind, from the old ages to the last of times, together in one place. Every day think about your standing in front of Him, Al-Jaami’.

2.Strive for the shade of Al-Jaami’.

Couple your knowledge and remembrance of the Day of Judgment with action.The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears [Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]

Study each type carefully and strive to practice (elements of ) each in your daily life: connect with and look after your local mosque, come together with people for the sake of Allah, give secret sadaqah and cry out of love and fear for Him when you are alone.

3. Observe the etiquettes of Friday.

Which role does yawm ul-Jumuah play in your life? Study the virtues of Friday and practice the sunan so you can be immensely rewarded. For example, read Surah Al-Kahf, perform ghusl, pray the Jumu’ah prayer, and listen to the sermon (khutbah) and go early for it. Also supplicate to Allah ‘azza wa jall as much as possible, especially the last hour after ‘Asr and send peace and blessings on the Prophet abundantly.*

4. Bring people together.

Apart from bringing together your knowledge with action and your personal acts of worship like salah, Al-Jaami’ rewards you for your acts of helping creation and bringing people together.

For example, pray in congregation, but also try to reconcile two parties in conflict and bring people together by sharing your dinner. Remember, unity doesn’t mean there are not differences in opinions, strategies, and backgrounds; it means you should be united through a bigger picture, seeing the Quran and the Sunnah as the rope you are holding on to together. As Al-Jaami’ says:  And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and lose courage and your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient  [Quran, 8:46]

O Allah, Al-Jaami’, we know that You bring together and gather all things. Make us reflect on the ways You brought to us and the rest of creation together and aid us to observe the sunan of yawm ul-Jumuah. Make us of those who join and stay with the jama’a (congregation), bring others together for good, and open our hearts to remember the Day of Gathering often and strive for Your shade, ameen!

*The rewards of the sunan of Friday are mentioned in different narrations. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:  The best of days is Friday; so increase in conveying peace and blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me [Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’i, Ibn Majah]

Seek the hour in which there is hope that prayers will be answered, on Friday after Asr prayer, until the sun goes down [At-Tirmidhee]

Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Jumu’ah will have illumination from the light from one Jumu’ah to the next [Al-Haakim]

Whoever makes his wife do ghusl and does ghusl himself on Friday and goes out early, walking not riding, and comes close to the imaam and listens [to the sermon] without interrupting, will have for each step he takes a reward equal to that of fasting and praying at night for one year[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee]

In another narration the use of perfume is mentioned in addition to above sunan and the reward is mentioned as:his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven [Al-Bukaaree]Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

[expandablesherry]

Wishing everyone a blessed Eid al-Adha filled with barakah, love, laughter, and endless happiness. May your sacrifices be accepted and your hearts be at peace.

Eid Mubarak!

[expandablesherry]

Please recite 🌷

[expandablesherry]

[expandablesherry]

[expandablesherry]

[expandablesherry]

dhul hijjah 2025 - a second chance after ramadan ♡

what is dhul hijjah?

meaning 'the month of the pilgrimage' as many muslims go on hajj in this time, dhul hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the islamic year. the first ten days of this month are the best days of the entire year. yes - even better than ramadan:

it was narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days during which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days,” meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah" - Sunan Ibn Majah 1727

these ten days encompass the day of Arafah, Hajj, and Eid ul-Adha

this month, we remember prophet Ibrahim (as) and how he was told by Allah to sacrifice his son, Hadrat Ismail (as). he took hadrat Ismail (as) on top of mount Arafat for the sacrifice, and just as he was about to sacrifice Ismail (as), Allah told him to stop as He was only testing him to see if he was truly obedient and willing to sacrifice everything for Allah's sake. the 9th day of dhul hijjah is the day of Arafah, commemorating this event.

we also remember how Allah told Ibrahim (as) to leave Ismail (as) and his wife, Hadrat Hajar, in a desert - which, today, is present day makkah.

this month is therefore about obedience, surrender and sacrifice for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.

depending on the sighting of the moon, dhul hijjah is expected to begin 28th may!

what to do in these first ten days?

even if you're not going for hajj, you should use these blessed days for extra righteous deeds and worship, especially on the day of arafah - the 9th day (which falls on 5th june this year, Insha'Allah) - the day before eid.

FASTING

it is a sunnah to fast the first 9 days of dhul hijjah. if you won't fast all 9 days, then it's best to prioritise the 9th day, the day of Arafah. this is because the prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates for the sins of the year before and the year after.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1730) however, unless you're going for hajj and you're actually at Afarah, then you cannot as it's forbidden to fast while on the mountain.

if you can't or are unable to fast, you can give an expiation (fidya).

DHIKR

it's extremely important to increase your dhikr in this time. recite the tasbeeh, tahmeed, takbeer and tahleel often: tasbeeh - subhanallah (Holy is Allah) tahmeed - alhamdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah) takbeer - Allah Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) tahleel - laa ilaha ill-Allah (there is no God except Allah) Allah said “remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue” (29:46) - it brings you closer to Him, you feel more certain in His powers that He can remove any hardship which makes the heart feel less anxious, Allah becomes your Friend, you'll become successful (remember Allah often so you may prosper” (8:46), it cleans your heart, it protects you from harm, Allah becomes pleased with you. it truly is the greatest virtue.

also recite istighfar (astagfirullah) and repent for your sins

the best dua to recite on the day of Arafah itself is:

laa ilaaha ill-allaahu, waḥdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa ‛alaa kulli shay’in qadeer - (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs sovereignty and all praise and He is over all things omnipotent)

OTHER INCREASED ACTS OF WORSHIP

do extra voluntary acts of worship (nawafil, sunnah prayers, duha prayers)

read a lot of Qur'an

listen to the Qur'an more

send many, many salutations to the Prophet ﷺ (durood sharif!)

practice gratitude. what are you thankful for?

pray tahajjud

give sadaqah / donate to a charity. make sacrifices!

be kind!

read translation and commentary of surahs

listen to islamic podcasts/read islamic books to increase your knowledge

memorise a surah

talk to Allah!!!! pray!!!!

try and increase your acts of worship throughout the 9 days and especially on the 9th day, the day of arafah, which is the day before eid! (16th june Insha'Allah, depending on where you are in the world)

10th day - eid ul adha

on the tenth day of dhul hijjah (eid), our beloved Prophet ﷺ used to give Qurbani (a sacrifice) every year to remember Ibrahim (as) almost sacrificing his son for Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ's sake. muslims sacrifice animals all over the world to follow this sunnah, and donating qurbani is encouraged for every Muslim who is financially able to do so (this can be done online)

may Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ make it easy for us to utilise these blessed and best 10 days to the best of our abilities, forgive us of our sins, draw us ever nearer to Him and allow us to become His best friends, Allahumma Ameen ♡

[expandablesherry]

Allah calls Himself Al-Kaafi— The Sufficient— on one occasion in the Quran. Al-Kaafi is the One who is sufficient for His servants. He is the only one who suffices all the needs of the ones who believe and trust in Him, and no one is in need of anything else but Him!

 The Sufficient— the one who suffices for all needs

Kaafi comes from the root kaaf-faa-yaa, which points to two main meanings. The first meaning is to be sufficient and to be enough. The second main meaning is to be able to protect, shield and save something perfectly.

This root appears 33 times in the Quran in two derived forms. Examples of these forms are
wa kafaa (“and sufficient”) and yakfihim (“sufficient for them”).

Linguistically kaafi refers to the one possessing the attribute of sufficiency, whereas kafaa refers to the verb “to suffice.” Al-Kaafi is the ultimate one to suffice each and every need with great ease and whenever He pleases for His believing and devoted servants.

Al-Kaafi Himself says: Is not Allah sufficient for His Servant [Prophet Muhammad]? And [yet], they threaten you with those [they worship] other than Him. And whoever Allah leaves astray – for him there is no guide [Quran, 39:36] and Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers. [Quran, 15:95]

Al-Kaafi and other names

In the ayaat in which the root kafaa is mentioned, we often find the words wa kafaa bil-laahi (“and sufficient is Allah as …”)  followed by a beautiful name of Allah.

We find this combination most often with the names Al-Wakeel (The Disposer of Affairs),  Al-Haseeb (The Accountant, or Reckoner) and Ash-Shaheed (The Witness).

Al-Kaafi says: …  And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs [wakeela] [Quran, 33:48]. And:  [Allah praises] those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Accountant [haseeba] [33:39] and: And sufficient is Allah as Witness [shaheeda] [Quran, 4:166]

Most related in meaning is the beautiful name Al-Wakeel. Abu Alsood said: “tawakkal alallah” means to leave everything up to Allah ‘azza wa jall and “kafa allah wakeela” means Allah ‘azza wa jall is sufficient as protector as the one and only whom you leave everything up to [fragment of tafseer of Surah Al-Ahzab by Sheikh Ahmad Musa Jibril]

How Can You Live By This Name?

1. Have firm belief.
You might claim you believe Allah ‘azza wa jall can suffice all your needs, but do you live by this knowledge? Firm belief in Al-Kaafi and His perfect ability to suffice all your needs means you are not afraid of people and their decisions, nor are you worried about losing worldly possessions. Even when you feel you cannot defend yourself against people’s accusations, know Al-Kaafi will suffice you as a helper: Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers [Quran, 15:95] And Allah is most knowing of your enemies; and sufficient is Allah as an ally, and sufficient is Allah as a helper [Quran, 4:45].So next time you feel anxious or stressed about people or belongings, remind yourself thta Allah is Al-Kaafi; He is the only one to suffice all your needs.

2. Remember the day you will be sufficient as an accountant.
[It will be said], Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant [Quran, 17:14]. This means that you have not been treated unjustly and nothing has been recorded against you except what you have done, because you remember everything that you have done, and no one will forget anything that he did. Everyone will be able to read his Book, whether he is literate or illiterate. [Tafseer ibn Katheer] So remember that one day you will be confronted with each deed you do, every step you take and every word you utter. Use this as a motivation to present a book full of good deeds in shaa’Allah.

3. Learn from the past.
As a believer you have an extremely important task: to take lessons from the past and specifically from the stories of the former people in the Quran. And how many have We destroyed from the generations after Noah. And sufficient is your Lord, concerning the sins of His servants, as Acquainted and Seeing. [Quran, 17:17] Allah ‘azza wa jall observes how you respond to these stories; do you study them, look at the characteristics of these former groups and their sins so you know what to avoid or do you treat them as “stories from the past” without acting upon them? Kafaa bil-laahi shaheeda– Allah is sufficient as a witness!

4. Be someone who strives to fulfil others’ needs.
Even though only Allah is perfect in sufficing each and every need, you can take inspiration from this beautiful attribute by doing your best to fulfil other person’s needs as much as you can. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. [Muslim]
5. Do dhikr with this name.
At the end of the day, before you go to sleep say:
“الْحَمْدُللهِالَّذِيأَطْعَمَنَاوَسَقَانَا،وَكَفَانَا،وَآوَانَا،فَكَمْمِمَّنْلَاكَافِيَلَهُوَلَامُؤْوي”.
Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ‘at’amanaa wa saqaanaa, wa kafaanaa, wa ‘aawaanaa, fakam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’wiya. Which means: Praise is to Allah Who has provided us with food and with drink , sufficed us and gave us an abode for how many are there with no provision and no home. [Muslim]

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.O Allah, Al-Kaafi, we know that You are sufficient for us.  Make us of those who have firm belief in you, trust in You and turn to You with all our affairs, big or small. Make us realize You suffice all our needs, aid us in sending forward good deeds to You and help us to fulfil the needs of others, ameen!