If you desire Allah to be persistent in granting you the thing you love, be persistent in doing the things He loves.

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal

Perhaps a great deed is belittled by an intention. And perhaps a small deed, by sincere intention, is made great.

Abdullah ibn Mubarak

The things that spoil and cancel out good deeds are too many to list. What matters is not the deed; what matters is protecting the deed from that which would spoil it and cancel it out.

[Ibn al-Qayyim]

My sins seemed very great to me but when I compared them to Your forgiveness, O Lord, I found Your forgiveness to be greater. 
You are and still remain the only One who can forgive sins, You grant and forgive out of Your benevolence and generosity, so whomsoever holds fast to Allah is truly saved from mankind, and whomsoever's hopes are in Him, will be far removed from any regrets.

Imam Shafi'ee's remembrance of Allah

"Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allaah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself."

[Al-Qur'an Surah an-Nisaa' (4) :79]

If they ask you about your Scholar, answer them: "He is Muhammad peace be upon him", and if they asked you about your group, answer them: "Muslims."

Ibn Al-Qayyim Jawaziyyah

Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). 

[Ali 'Imran (3) : 159]

No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah's decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from you it cannot flee. 

[Umar Ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him)]

The life of this world is made up of three days: 
► Yesterday has gone with all that was done;  
► Tomorrow, you may never reach; 
► Today is for you, so do what you should do today.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri (May Allah have mercy on him) 
[Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabir p197.]

O Allah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not abandon me to myself even for a blinked of eye. And correct all my affairs. There is no god but You. Ameen.

Transliteration: 
"Allahumma rahmataka arju fa la takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘aynin, wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu, laa ilaaha illa Anta".


[said by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
Abu Dawood with a saheeh isnaad, no. 5090; classed hasan by al-Albaani]

Never do I argue with a man with a desire to hear him say what is wrong, or to expose him and win victory over him. Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently pray - O Lord, help him so that truth may flow from his heart and on his tongue, and so that if truth is on my side, he may follow me; and if truth be on his side, I may follow him.

Imam Ash-Shafi’i

Ahmad bin Hanbal never used to involve himself in the things of this world that people involved themselves in; but when knowledge was mentioned, he would speak.

 
Imam Abu Dawud Al-Sijistani - Allah have mercy on him - [Ibn Al-Jawzi Sifatu Al-Safwah 2:519]

One of the signs of proper understanding is when a slave takes care of his Imaan (faith), and pays attention to what decreases it, and knows when it increases and when it decreases, and recognizes the temptation of Shaytaan when he comes to him.


[Sharh Nooniyah Ibn al-Qayyim by Ibn ‘Eesa, 2/140]

Do not express malicious joy towards your brother’s misfortune, for Allah may have mercy on him & you may be stricken by the thing you made fun of.


Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) [Tirmidhi, 4/662; hasan]

A person can have nothing more beneficial than sincerity towards his Lord in all his affairs. If a person is sincere towards Allah in all his affairs, Allah will give him more than He gives to others, and this sincerity results from true love of Allah and true trust in Him. So the most sincere of people is the one who loves Allah most and puts most trust in Him.

Ibn al-Qayyim

The corruption of most children is due to their parents and their neglect of (their children), because they neglect to teach them the obligations and Sunnahs of Islam. So they neglected them when they were small, and (the children) turned out unable to benefit themselves or to benefit their parents when they are old.

[Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him)]

"And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful." 

[Al-Qur'an; Surah Al-Araf (7) : 205]

There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’aa’ in which there is no sin or severing of family ties, but Allah will give him one of three things in return: either He will answer his du’aa’ sooner, or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.


Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [Ahmad, 10749; hasan]

'Ata' ibn Yasar said that a man came to Ibn 'Abbas and said, "I asked a woman to marry me and she refused to marry me. Another man asked her and she agreed to marry him. I became jealous and killed her. Is there any way for me to repent?" 
He asked, "Is your mother alive?" "No," he replied. 
He said, "Repent to Allah Almighty and try to draw near Him as much as you can."

'Ata' said, "I went to Ibn 'Abbas and asked him, 'Why did you ask him whether his mother was alive?' 
He replied, 'I do not know of any action better for bringing a person near to Allah than dutifulness to his mother.'"

 
[Adab Al-Mufrad - Imam Al Bukhari - I.2.#4]

This dunya (world) is like a shadow, if you try to catch it, you will never be able to do so, but if you turn your back towards it, it has no choice but to follow you.

Ibn Qayyim

For everything that a slave loses there is a substitute, but the one who loses Allah will never find anything to replace Him.

(Ibn al-Qayyim)

For the sincere believer, every month is an occasion for worship and his whole life is spent in obeying Allah, but in the month of Ramadan, he has even more motives to do good and his heart is even more focused on worship, and he turns even more to his Lord. 
By His grace, our generous Lord bestows His bounty upon the fasting believers and multiplies the reward for them on this blessed occasion.


[Shaykh Muhammad Al-Munnajid]

Truly in the heart there is:
⇨ a void that cannot be removed except with the company of Allah
⇨ a sadness that cannot be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah & being true to Him
⇨ an emptiness that cannot be filled except with love for Him & by turning to Him & always remembering Him

If a person were given all of the world & what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness.


[Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah]

The best of prayers for forgiveness is: 

► Allaahumma anta rabbi laa ilaaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika ma astata’tu. A’udhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya wa abu’u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu laa yaghfir al-dhunuba illa anta 

► O Allaah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You have created me and I am Your slave and I am keeping my promise and covenant to You as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I do. I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except You.


[Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6306)]

Do not allow your attachment to this world degrade your status in the Hereafter, and do not forsake this world to the point that you become dependent on others. 


(Luqman's advice to his son)

When you compare yourself with others in matters of wealth, position, and health, you should look at people less favored than yourself. 
When you compare yourself with others in matters of religion, knowledge and virtue, look at people who are better than yourself.


[Ibn Hazam al-Andalusee (may Allah have mercy on him)]

Do not single out the night of Jumu’ah [i.e., Thursday night] from among other nights for praying qiyaam al-layl, and do not single out Friday from among other days for fasting, unless it is a fast that one of you regularly observes.

 
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [Muslim narrated in his Saheeh, al-Siyaam, 1930]

It was once said to ‘Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak, “After you have prayed with us you don’t sit with us?” 

He replied, “I go and sit with the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet pbuh) & the Tabi’in (those who came after & followed the ways of the companions).”
 
We said, “And how can you sit with the Sahabah & Tabi’in (when they have all passed away)?” 

He replied, “I go and read the knowledge I have collected, I find their narrations and deeds. What would I do with you? You sit around backbiting people.”

 
[Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A’lam Al-Nubala` in his biography of ‘Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak]

‘My Lord! I am truly in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!’

[Qur’an, 28:24 ]

Every love that leads away from His love is in fact a punishment; only a love that leads to His love is a heartfelt and pure love!  

Ibn Al Qayyim (May Allah have mercy on him)

Whoever does not find happiness in the zhikr of Allah, prayer, and reciting the Qur'an, he will not find it anywhere else!

Hasan Al-Basri

The planning of The Almighty is better for you than your own planning, and He could deprive you from what you ask to test your patience. So let Him see from you a determined patience and you will soon see from Him what will give you joy.
And when you have cleaned the paths of answering [of supplication] from the stains of sin [i.e have repented] and were patient about what He has chosen for you, then everything that happens to you is better for you whether you were given or deprived of what you have requested.


Ibn al-Jawzi

A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and made a pledge to him that he would do hijra. He left his parents who were in tears. 
The Prophet said ► "Go back to them and make them laugh as you made them weep."


'Abdullah ibn 'Amr [Bukhari; Adab Al-Mufrad, 6 #13]

Shaykh Aid Al Qarni gives a small advice on the importance of forgiving others:

"There is too much effort/time spent on being upset with others & worrying about it. There is no way one should his time/energy about something so useless, but rather use it for something good..."

The middle course in religious matters means that a person should not be excessive, exceeding the limits set by Allah. 
The middle course in religious matters is to hold fast to the way of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam), while excess in religious matters is to exceed it, and deficiency is not to attain it.


Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen

When you fast, your hearing and sight should also fast, and your tongue should fast by keeping away from lies; and do not harm your servant. 
Don’t let the day you fast be the same as the day you don’t fast.


Sulayman b. Musa [d119H] – Allah have mercy on him – [Tarikh Dimishq Vol. 22 p389.]

The best kind of patience is fasting, for it combines all 3 types of patience. 
It is patience in obeying Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and it is patience in refraining from disobeying Him, because a person gives up his desires for the sake of Allah even though his self may be longing for them... Fasting also involves patience in accepting the consequences which may result in hunger and thirst for the fasting person.


[Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah have mercy on him)]

Rabbana zhalamna anfusana wa'in lam taghfir lana watarhamna lanakunanna mina alkhasirin.

Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.

As long as the tongue is occupied in zhikr, it will be safe from unbecoming speech and lies, because it never keeps quiet. Alike it is with the heart, if it is not occupied in love of Allah, then it will love a creature.


[Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyah]

If a person’s heart is filled with the belief that Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta'ala] is watching him and can see him, and has forbidden what He has forbidden to him and will be angry with the one who does it and punish him, and if his heart is filled with the belief in the reward and punishment, Paradise and Hell, then he will not fail to act upon this knowledge.


[Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him)]

If you desire Allah to be persistent in granting you the thing you love, be persistent in doing the thing He loves.

[Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal]

"And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, I am indeed near to them. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when He calls upon Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me so that they may be led aright." 


[Al-Baqarah (2):186]

Just as the ruh (soul) gives life to the body, the Qur'an gives life to hearts and souls. With it, the heart lives to rectify its affairs of the dunya and din. Whatever is in it is a source of a great good and abundant knowledge.


[Abu Abdur-Rahman Nasir as-Sa'di]

If you can be unknown, be so; it doesn't matter if you are not known and it doesn't matter if you are not praised. It doesn't matter if you are blameworthy according to people if you are praiseworthy with Allah the Mighty and Majestic.


Al-Fudayl b. 'Ayyad [Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabir p100]

My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslim.


[Al-Qur'an (46) :15]

Whoever seeks to compete with you in Din, compete with him. Whoever seeks to compete with you in this Dunya, let him have it.


[Hasan Al-Basri]

Whatever you would like to accompany you in the Hereafter, plant it today, and whatever you hate to accompany you in the Hereafter, then abandon it today.

 
[Salman b. Dinar — Sifatus-Safwah, vol. 2, p. 166]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his khutbah on Friday: 

The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The worst of matters are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation is a going astray.


[Muslim Book4 Hadith1885] 
Al-Nasaa’i added with a jayyid isnaad: “and every going astray will be in the Fire.”

When the night is completely dark, it finds them [the people of taqwa] staying up in the night; fear has chased away their sleep, so they stay up, while those who feel secure in this life quietly sleep on.


Abdullah ibn Mubarak

Trials are a wake-up call for the forgetful ones, a means of achieving reward for the patient ones, and a reminder of blessings for everyone.


Al-Ḥasan b. Sahl

It is narrated from Ibn Umar (radiyAllahu 'anhu), that The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa salam) said:

"The keys of the unseen are five and none knows them but Allah: 
 
(1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allah: 
(2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; 
(3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; 
(4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); 
(5) and none knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah."

 
[Bukhari: Book 9 Vol 93 Hadith 476]

If your conscious tells you to seek ikhlaas, then turn to greed firstly, and slaughter it with the knife of despair, then turn to the love of being praised and abandon it like how those who adore the life of this world abandon the hereafter.

If you are successful in slaughtering greed and in abandoning the love of being praised, then ikhlaas will be easy for you. 


[Ibn Al Qayyim]

The Prophet (SallAllahu Alyhi wasallam) said to his companions: 

"Shall I not tell you some words which, if distress or grief befalls any of you and he makes this du'aa, it will bring him joy? It is the du‘aa’ of Dhoo’l-Noon (i.e. Yunus):

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا أنْـت سُـبْحانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْـتُ مِنَ الظّـالِميـن

‘Laa ilaaha illa Anta, subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen.
 
‘There is no god but You, Glory to You; verily I was one of the wrongdoers.’" 

 
(Saheeh al-Jaami‘, no. 2605).

It has reached me that when Allah the Mighty and Majestic blesses a people and gives them some good He asks them to be grateful. If they are grateful, He is All-Able to give them more. But if they are ungrateful, He is all-able to turn His blessings into a punishment.
 

Al-Hasan Al-Basri – Allah have mercy on him [Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab Al-Iman article 4536]

"Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has [successfully] attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion."  

[Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:185]

Make it your habit to weep in the awe of the Divine, so you may laugh on the Day of Resurrection.

(Yahya b. Mu'adh)

Every drop of sweat and every breath we take in life, if not taken for the sake of Allah, will lead to regret and sorrow on the Day of Judgment.

[Ibn Al-Qayyim]

Start a business of  worshiping Allâh, and all types of "profits" shall come to you without the need of investing any capital. 

Malik b. Dinar.

Narrated Ubai bin Ka'b, radiyAllâhu 'anhu: I found a purse containing one hundred Dinars. So I went to the Prophet, sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam (and informed him about it),

He, sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam said: "Make public announcement about it for one year"

I did so, but nobody turned up to claim it, so I again went to the Prophet, sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam, who said, "Make public announcement for another year."

I did, but none turned up to claim it. I went to him for the third time and he, sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam, said, "Keep the container and the string which is used for its tying and count the money it contains and if its owner comes, give it to him; otherwise, utilize it." 

The sub-narrator Salama said, "I met him (Suwaid, another sub-narrator) in Mecca and he said, 'I don't know whether Ubai made the announcement for three years or just one year.' " 

[Bukhari: Book 3 Vol 42 Hadith 608]

The Devil [Iblis] said, 

“If I am successful in persuading man to do three things, then that will be all I need: 
◕ To make forget his sins. 
◕ To regard his good deeds as too many.
◕ To be proud of his own opinion."

[Dirar ibn Murrah]

Every type of pleasure is enjoyed only once, except for acts of worship,  which are enjoyed three times;
☀when you do it, 
☀when you remember it, and 
☀when you are given the reward for it.

(‘Abd-Allaah ibn Wahhab)

“I love you because of your religion. If you let go of your religion, then I have to let go of my love for you.” 

[Imam Nawawi]

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 

My friend (the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam) directed me to observe FAST FOR THREE DAYS IN EVERY MONTH, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed. 

[Bukhaari,#1124; Muslim, #721]

"He who counts tomorrow in his life-term will not have considered death its due consideration. Verily, how many persons start a day, but do not finish it, and how many persons hope for tomorrow, but do not live to reach it? If you contemplate about the end of life and its unpredictability, you will hate long hopes and the deceiving role they have." 

‘Aun b. Abdullah [Jami’ al-‘Uloom wal-’Hikam, page 465, Safwatu as-Safwah 3:103 & Shar’hu As-Sudur, page 21]

"And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the real life if they but knew".

 
(Al Qur'an 29:64)

When I became sick the doctor said to me: "Verily your research and Islamic lecturing increases your illness."

I (Ibn Taymiyyah) replied: "I cannot stop, and I will debate you in your knowledge! If a person becomes happy and joyful doesn’t this strengthen their soul or spirit, and as a result wards off illness? "

The doctor responded: "Of course." 

So I (Ibn Taymiyyah) said: "Verily my spirit is pleased with knowledge and it strengthens my nature and due to that I find relaxation." 



[Reported by Ibn al Qayyim in his book: “Rawdatul Muhibeen”, he was informed by it by his Sheikh (Ibn Taymiyyah) ]

The best prayer before Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.
 

[Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1119]

I have never seen anyone more truthful than Faṭimah رضي الله عنها other than her father. And if something happened between them (i.e. Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and A’ishah رضي الله عنها), A'ishah would say, ‘O Messenger of Allah, ask her (Fatimah) for she does not lie.’
 
Mother of the Believers A’ishah رضي الله عنها [Ḥilyat ul-Awliya’/1486 – muttaṣil, the men in the isnad are trustworthy]

“Satan rejoiced when Adam (ályhissalam) came out of Paradise, but he did not know that when a diver sinks into the sea, he collects pearls and then rises again.” 

[Ibn al-Qayyim]

Take the Book of Allah as your leader (imâm) and be pleased with it as a judge and ruler. It is what your Messenger left amongst you. It will be an intercessor for you. It is to be obeyed. It is a witness never doubted. In it is a mention of you and those before you, and judgment for whatever happens amongst you. And in it is news about you and whatever will come after you.

‘Ubay b. Ka’b's advice – Allah be pleased with him

Ibn ‘Abd rabbihi asked Makhul: “Do you love Paradise?”
Makhul said: “Who does not love it?”
Ibn ‘Abd rabbihi said,  “Then love death because you will not see Paradise until you die.”

[Shar’hu as-Sudur, p. 17]

Bismillaahi, tawakkaltu 'alallaahi, wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata ‘ illaa billaah. 

(In the name of Allah, I put my trust in Allah, Whatever Allah wishes will be; there is no strength except from Allah) 

 
[Aboo Dawood, The Book of Good Manners, Hadith 5095; At-Tirmidhee, The Book of Supplication, Hadith 3426]

"My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve [be pleased with] and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims." 

[From Al Qur'an: Surah Al Ahqaf, 46:15]

Indeed good actions are :
✓a light in the heart,
✓a strengthening for the body,
✓a glow on the face,
✓a cause for extensive provisions and 
✓love in the hearts of the creation. 

Indeed bad actions are : 
✓a darkness in the heart,
✓a blackness on the face,
✓a weakness for the body 
✓a cause for decrease in provisions and 
✓hatred in the hearts of the creation.

Ibn Abbas - may Allah Be pleased with him

USING MISWAK (SIWAAK) AND ITS BENEFITS:

● Using Miswak is following the Sunnah.
● It makes Allah happy.
● It increases the reward of Salah.
● Miswak is the freshness of mouth.
● Miswak makes gums stronger.
● It makes teeth shiny.
● Helps in digestion.
● Miswak improves eyesight.
● Miswak improves memory.
● Miswak cures the headache.
● Increase the fluency & intelligence.
● Relaxes the brain.
● Satifies the heart.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported;
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم said, “I stress upon you to use Miswak.” 
[Bukhari: Imam An-Nawawi Ch. 215 #1199]

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported;
The Prophet صلى الله عليه و آله و صحبه و سلم said, “The Miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Rabb.” 
[An-Nasa’i: Imam An-Nawawi Ch. 215 #1202]

The body’s weakness comes from illnesses, while the heart’s weakness comes from sins. 
And just as the body does not taste the delights of food when it is ILL,  the heart does not taste the delights of worship when it is SINFUL.


Sh. Dhun-Nun Al-Misri

When a person spends his entire day with no other concern but Allah alone, Allah will take care of all his needs and take care of all that is worrying him; 
He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim rahimahullah

Allaah has already written the names of your spouses for you. What you need to work on is your relationship with Allaah. He will send her/him to you when you’re ready. It is only a matter of time.


Sheikh Mamdouh

Never underestimate the power of prayer!

Constant prayer, with full conviction, without loss of hope no matter how prolonged it may be, really does create miracles!

What seems "impossible" for us is simple for the Almighty. Many have already seen this in their lives!

We are also taught to maintain closeness to the Almighty at times of ease & then during hardship He has promised to come to our aid.

Let us not be from those who only worship when they are suffering or when their lives are chaotic.


Mufti Isma'il Menk

If you see anything of your brother/sister that pleases you, or someone in his family or of his property pleases you then ask Allah to bless him in it, for the envious eye is real, say:

اللّهُـمَّ بارِك عَلَـيه ما شاءَ الله، لا قُوَّةَ إلاّ بالله

O Allah send blessings upon him. (This is) that which Allah has willed, there is no power except with Allah.

[Ahmad 4/447, Ibn Majah, Malik. Al-Albani graded it authentic in Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 1/212. Also see Al-Arna'ut's checking of Ibn Al-Qayyim's Zadul-Ma'ad 4/170]

One Apple Leads To His Marriage. A Beautiful Story!

One of our pious predecessors, Thabit Bin Nu’man, was hungry and tired as he was passing through a garden that bordered a river. He was so hungry that he could hear his stomach growling, and so his eyes became fixed on the fruits he saw on the various trees of the garden. In a fit of desperation, he forgot himself and extended his hand to an apple that was within reach. He ate half of it and then drank water from the river. But then he became overcome with guilt, despite the fact that he had only eaten because of dire need.

He said to himself, “Woe unto me! How can I eat someone else’s fruits without his permission? I make it binding upon myself not to leave this place until I find the owner of this garden and ask him to forgive me for having eaten one of his apples.“

After a brief search, he found the owner’s house. He knocked on the door and the owner of the garden came out and asked him what he wanted.

Thabit Bin Nu’man said, “I entered your garden that borders the river, and I took this apple and ate half of it. Then I remembered it does not belong to me, and so I ask you now to excuse me for having eaten it and to forgive me for my mistake.“

The man said, “On one condition only I will forgive you for your mistake.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man asked, “And what is that condition?“

He said, “That you marry my daughter.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man said, “I will marry her.“

The man said, “But heed you this; indeed my daughter is blind, she does not see; mute, she does not speak;deaf, she does not hear.“

Thabit Bin Nu’man began to ponder over his situation; a difficult predicament indeed did he find himself in now; what should he do? Not get out of it, thought Thabit, for he realized that to be tested by such a woman, to take care of her, and to serve her, are all better than to eat from the foul matter of the Hellfire as a reward for the apple that he ate. And after all, the days of this world are limited.

And so he accepted the condition to marry the girl, seeking his reward from Allaah, Lord of all that exists. He was nonetheless somewhat anxious in the days prior to the marriage.

He thought, “How can I have sexual relations with a woman who neither speaks nor sees nor hears?“

So miserable did he become that he almost wished for the Earth to swallow him up before the appointed date.

Yet despite such apprehensions, he placed his complete trust upon Allaah and he said, “There is neither might nor power except with Allaah. Indeed to Allaah do we belong and indeed to Him shall we all return.“

On the day of the marriage he saw her for the first time. She stood up before him and said, “Peace, mercy and blessings of Allaah be upon you.“

When he saw her grace and beauty, he was reminded of what he would see when he would imagine the fair maidens of paradise (i.e., the gorgeous hoor al-ayn). 

After a brief pause he said, “What is this? She indeed speaks, hears and sees.” He then told her what her father said earlier.

She said, “My father has spoken the truth. He said I was mute because I do not speak any forbidden word, and I have never spoken to any man who is not lawful to me (i.e., she has never spoken to any ghair mahrams)! And I am indeed deaf in the sense that I have never sat in a gathering in which there is backbiting, slander, or false and vain speech! And I am indeed blind, in the sense that I have never looked upon a man who is not permissible for me!“

A man said to Wahb bin Munabah rahimahullaah: ‘So and so spoke ill of you’

Whereupon Wahb rahimahullaah replied: ‘Did Shaytaan not find anyone better than you to deliver this news?’

[Minhaaj al-Qaasideen p. 183]

We do not raise our children for them to provide for us.  We raise them to worship Allah.

 
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen

The keys to the life of the heart lie in:
► reflecting upon the Qur'an,
► being humble before Allaah in secret,
► and in leaving sins.

 
Imam Ibn Al Qayyim (RahimahuAllaah)