How a Person Could Change!

The following story was narrated to us by brother Mahmud from Preston,
England. Once, he along with a group ofMuslims were visiting a city
for inviting others toAllah. They happened to pass by a group of
youths who were Muslims by birth but became gang members. The brothers
didn't give those gang members thenegative attitude that others give
while passing by them. Rather, they went and hand-shook with them out
of brotherhood. With love and affection, the brothers invited the
youths to come to the Masjid. Not being familiar with such kindness,
the gang members were surprisedand decided to come to the Masjid for
once. These youths were so much away from Islam that they were smoking
in the Masjid and doing a lot of other disrespectful acts. However,
brother Mahmud and others were discussing with them about the
Greatness of Allah with patience and endurance.A time came when the
brothers had to return to their homes and before leaving they advised
the gang members to turn towards Allah.
After several years, brother Mahmud was attending a large gathering of
Muslims when suddenly someonecalled him from the back. There were few
people dressed in sunnah standing behind him. They asked brother
Mahmud if he recognizesthem. They told him, �We are those gang members
whom you visited few years back. We decided to go out and learn more
about Islam and eventually changed our lives.�
Dear readers, we should never underestimate certain people because of
the way they are as every individual has the capacity to become a
friend of Allah. It is only Allah who guides; we can only try with
kindness to reach out to their hearts.

The One who did Sajdah to Allah

The following incident was mentioned by brother Aslam Nakhuda during a
lecture that he gave on 24/1/2004. Brother Aslam is an Imam of Jame
Masjid Brampton in Canada.
He said that three years back a group of eight brothers, including
him, set out to Texas, USA for dawah. They spent sometime there to
remind the residents about the reality of this life. On their way
back, they stopped by a service station beside a highway to perform
the Magrib prayer. One of the brothers gave the Adhan (Call to
prayer). Two Non Muslim men were passing by when the Adhan was being
called. Being curious, they came to the brothers and asked themwho
they were, where do they come from and what they were doing. The
brothers told them that they are Muslims who are coming from Toronto,
Canada with the glad tidings of Islam.A scholar, who was with them,
discussed about Islam with the non-Muslim men for 2 or3 minutes. Then
the brothers prepared to offer the salah. The non Muslims who were
standing by asked what they should be doing now. The brothers told
them to join the prayer and just follow along. The two men decided to
join the prayer. The imam recited Surah Fatiha and another surah after
it. Then he went to Ruku' and both the Non Muslims did the same. When
time for sajdah (prostration on the ground) came, the Non Muslims
started hesitating and didn't know whether they should also prostrate
on the ground as they never did this before. One of them decided notto
do so and he left the prayer. However, the other one just went to
sajdah. After the prayer, this person who agreed to prostrate to Allah
was blessed with iman. He accepted Islam from the brothers.
Dear readers, this is what we have to do. We have to submit to the
will of Allah and in return He will bless us with iman. On the other
hand, a person who is arrogant and decide not to submit to the will of
Allah may just be deprived of iman.

The Description of Paradise –II

The Grades of Paradise
The evidence that Paradise has various grades and its inhabitants will
be in different ranks and categories:
Paradise consists of grades, someof which are above others, and its
people will be of differing levels and categories according to their
position in Paradise. Almighty Allaah Says (what means):
{But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds —
for those will be the highest degrees [in position].} [Quran 20:75]
One of those who explained and clarified this issue was Ibn Taymiyyah
who said:"Paradise has grades that are widely differentiated. The
beloved Awliyaa' (those close to Allaah because of their piety and
heedfulness) will be placed in those levels according to their faith
and piety. Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Whoever should desire the immediate (worldly gratifications) — We
hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have
made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and
banished.} [Quran 17:18]
Allaah, the Most High, explains how He gives more of His Bounty in
this world or the next, as He wills, and His Bounty is not withheld
[forbidden] from either the righteous or the sinful. Allaah, the
Exalted, Says (what means):
{Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But
the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in
distinction.} [Quran17: 21]
Allaah Almighty explains that the differences between people in the
Hereafter will be greater thanthe differences between them in this
life, and the difference between the levels or ranks of the Hereafter
is greater than the differences here in this life. Allaahalso
differentiates between His Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention,
as He does between therest of His believing slaves. Allaah,the
All-Majestic, Says (what means):
{Those messengers- some of them We caused to exceed others. Among them
were those to whom Allaah spoke, and He raised some of them in degree.
And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs, and We supported him
with the pure spirit [(Jibreel (Gabriel)].} [Quran 2: 253]
Allaah also Says (what means): {And your Lord is Most Knowing of
whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And We have made some of the
prophets exceed others [in various ways], and to Daawood (David) We
gave the Book [of Psalms].} [Quran 17: 55]
On the other hand, the Prophet Muhammad said:
"A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than a weak
believer, although both are good. Pay attention to that whichbenefits
you, seek Allaah's help, and never feel helpless. If something happens
to you, do not say, 'If only such and such would have happened.' Say
instead: 'Allaah has decreed it and He does what He wills.' Saying 'if
only' opens the way for Satan." [Muslim]
Besides, the Prophet also said:
"If a judge forms an independent judgment to decide an issue in the
light of the Quran and the Sunnah (Ijtihaad) and is correct, he will
have two rewards, and if he is mistaken, he will have one reward."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Indeed, there are many verses in the Quran which indicate that there
are different degrees and various ranks as a reward for the believers
in Paradise (according to the excellence of their deeds). These verses
are as follows:
{Not equal among you are those who spent before the conquest [of
Makkah] and fought [and those who did so after it]. Those are greater
in degree than those who spent afterwards and fought. But to all
Allaah has promised the best [reward] And Allaah, with what you do, is
Acquainted....} [Quran 57: 10]
{Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] — other than the
disabled — and the Mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of
Allaah with their wealth and their lives. Allaah has preferred the
Mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain
[behind], by degrees. And to all [i.e. both] Allaah has promised the
best [reward]. But Allaah has preferred the Mujahideen over those who
remain [behind] with a great reward — Degrees [of high position] from
Him and forgiveness and mercy.} [Quran 4: 95-96]
{Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the
maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque in Makkah) equal
to [the deeds of] one who believes in Allaah and the Last Day and
strives in the cause of Allaah? They are not equal in the sight of
Allaah. And Allaah does not guide the wrongdoing people. The ones who
have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allaah with their
wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allaah.
And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives
them good tidings of mercyfrom Him and approval and of gardens for
them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein
forever. Indeed, Allaah has with Him a great reward.} [Quran 9: 19-22]
{Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night,
prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter andhoping
for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those
who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who
are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39. 9]
{... O you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in
assemblies, then make space; Allaah will make space for you.' And when
you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allaah will raise those who have
believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And
Allaah is Acquaintedwith what you do.} [Quran 58. 11]
Al-Bukhaari reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said:
"Whoever believes in Allaah and His Messenger, offers prayer perfectly
and fasts the month of Ramadhaan, will be granted Paradise as of right
by Allaah, no matter whether he fights in Allaah's cause or remains in
the land where he is born." The people said: "O Messenger of Allaah,
shall we acquaint the people with this good news?" He said, "Paradise
has one hundred grades (and ranks) which Allaah has reserved for the
Mujaahideen who fight in His Cause, and the extent of difference
(distance) between each of the two grades is like the distance between
the heavens and the earth. So when you ask Allaah for something,
askfor Al-Firdaws, which is the best and highest part of Paradise." I
(the narrator, Abu Hurayrah) thought that the Prophet said: "Above it
(Al-Firdaws) is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate
the rivers of Paradise." [Al-Bukhaari] - [To be continued…..]

The Description of Paradise - I

There is nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass imagination and defy description.They
are like nothing known to the people of this world no matter how
advanced we may become.
What we achieve is nothing in comparison with the joys of the
Hereafter. As is mentioned in several Ahadeeth, there is nothing like
Paradise: "It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, alofty palace, a
flowing river, ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in
an eternal abode of radiant joy, in beautiful, soundly-constructed
high houses." [Ibn Maajah]
The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his companions about the buildings
of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description: "(In it are)
Bricks of gold and silver, mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl
and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with
joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and will
never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will
never fade." [Ahmad and others]
Describing Paradise, Almighty Allaah Says (what means): {And when you
look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion."}
[Quran 76:20]
What Allaah Almighty has kept hidden from us of the delights of
Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. Almighty Allaah Says
(what means):
{And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes
[i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32.
17]
Besides, the Messenger of Allaah said:
"Allaah, the Exalted, has said: "I have prepared for My righteous
Slaves [in Paradise] what no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever
heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a human
being."; recite, if you wish{And no soul knows what has been hidden
for them of comfort for eyes [i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what
they used to do.} [Quran 32:17] [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Moreover, Imaam Muslim reported that Sahl Ibn Sa'd As-Saa'idi said: I
attended a gathering where the Messenger of Allaah described Paradise,
and I stayed until he finished speaking. At the end of the
description, he said: "In it is whatno eyes have ever seen, no ears
have ever heard of, and what has never come to the mind or heart of a
human being." He then recited the verse (which means): {Their sides
part [i.e. they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicatetheir Lord in
fear and aspiration, and from what We have providedthem, they spend ).
And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes
[i.e. satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.} [Quran 32:
16-17]
The Gates of Paradise
Paradise has gates through which the believers will enter, as the
angels enter therein, as Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means):
{Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them.}
[Quran 38: 50]
Allaah, the Most Exalted, Says (what means): {Gardens of perpetual
residence; they will enter them with whoever were righteous among
their fathers, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels
will enter upon them from every gate, [saying]. 'Peace [i.e. security]
be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final
home.'} [Quran 13: 23-24]
Allaah, the Most High and Exalted,has told us that these gates will be
opened when the believers reach them, and they [the believers] will be
welcomed by the angels with greetings of peace. Almighty Allaah Says
(whatmeans): {…when they reach it while its gates have been openedand
its keepers say, 'Peace be upon you; you have become pure;so enter it
to abide eternally therein,'} [Quran 39: 73]
The number of gates of Paradise is eight; one of them is called Ar-
Rayaan, which is exclusively for those who fast. The Messenger
of Allaah said: "In Paradise there are eight gates. There is one gate
called 'Ar-Rayyaan'. No-one will enter it except those who fast, and
when they have entered, it will be locked behind them, and no-one else
will enter it." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
There are also gates for those who pray much, those who give charity
and those who fight in Jihad, as well as the gate called Ar-Rayyaan
for those who fast.
In a Hadeeth reported by both Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Abu Hurayrah
narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said:
"Whoever spends a pair (of anything) from his wealth for thesake of
Allaah, will be called fromthe gates of Paradise, Paradise has eight
gates. Whoever will be from the people of the prayer (i.e.the people
who observe the prayer regularly, properly, and perform both
obligatory and supererogatory prayers), will be called from the gate
of prayer; whoever will be from among the people of Sadaqah (charity,
i.e. spend money in charity) will be called from the gate of charity.
Whoever will be from among the people of Jihad will be called from the
gate of Jihad, and whoever will be from among the people of fasting
(obligatory and optional) will be called from the gate of fasting."
Furthermore, Abu Bakr said: "By Allaah, it would not matter if a
person was called from any of them, but will anyone be there tobe
called from all of them, O' Messenger of Allaah?" He said,"Yes, and I
hope that you will be one of them." [Al-Bukhaari Muslim]
Abu Bakr's question refers to a person who has all these good
qualities: prayer, fasting, charity, Jihad, etc., in order to be
called from all the gates. In another Hadeeth, the Prophet said:
"Whoever spends a pair (of anything) for the sake of Allaah will be
called from all eight gates of Paradise. He also spoke of the person
who performs ablution and does it properly, then lifts hisgaze to the
sky and says: 'Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa shareeka
lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu,' the eightgates
of Paradise will be opened to him, and he will enter it through any
gate he wishes." [ibid]
Additionally, 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said: "The Messenger of Allaah
said: "Whoever performs ablution and does it well, then lifts his gaze
to the heavens and says: 'Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illa Allaah wahdahu
laa shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu (I
bear witness that None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, He
has nopartners nor associates, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His
slave and Messenger), the eight gates of Paradise will be opened to
him, and he will enter it through any gate he wishes." [Muslim]
Allaah also Says (what means): {…when they reach it while its gates
have been opened and its keepers say, 'Peace be upon you; you have
become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein'.} [Quran 39:73]
The Prophet told us that there is a gate, which is specific for those
who will not be called to account: this is the right-hand gate of
Paradise. The rest of themwill enter Paradise with all other nations
through other gates. In aHadeeth about Ash-Shafaa'ah (intercession),
the Prophet said:
"Allaah will say: 'O Muhammad, admit those of your Ummah (followers)
who do not need to be brought to account through the right hand gate;
and the others will enter through other gates like the rest of the
people." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
In the same Hadeeth, the Prophet described the width of the gate of
Paradise, stating that the width between the two sides of the gate is
like the distance between Makkah and Hajar, or between Makkah and
Basra." [ibid]
The Messenger of Allaah said: "The distance between the two
gate-panels of one of the gates ofParadise is the distance of
forty-year's walking, but a time will come when it would be very
crowded." [Ahmad]