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23

     


In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful. 

Repentence 3

   
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

 

dd mmm yyyy h

dd mmm yyyy ac

   

Thanks be to Allah Lord of the worlds. And peace and prayers be upon the most honorable of all messengers,

In the name of Allah most gracious most Merciful

 

This Friday the talk is about some who did repent and their stories and the lessons learnt.

 

It was said that those with sins have three rivers in this life to cleanse themselves. If due to a large amount of their sins those rivers are not enough then they will be cleansed off their sins in the Hellfire in the life after.

 

Those three rivers are:

1.   The river of Repentance.

2.   The river of good deeds that weighs out sins.

3.   The river of major calamities.

 

If Allah wanted goodness to servant of his, then Allah puts his servant into the way of one of those three rivers.

 

It was reported that the prophet said: "There was a man before your time; who killed 99 souls. He asked for the wisest one on earth. He found a preacher; He asked him if there was repentance for him after killing 99 souls. The preacher said "No". The man got so annoyed and killed the preacher thinking "So what difference killing one more will make!!" But; He still felt he wanted to repent. So, he sought out the wisest man till found him. He asked him: "I killed a hundred souls. Is there repentance for me?" The wise man said: "And what or who would come between you and repentance?" He went on saying: "Go to such and such land. There are people there who worship Allah. Join them in worshipping Allah and do not return to this evil land."

 

The man seeking repentance set off on his journey. Half way through journey he died. The angels of mercy and angels of punishment argued to whom the man's soul belonged. The angel of mercy said: "The man came to Allah with a repentant heart". The angel of punishment said: "He never did a single good deed in his entire life."

 

A third angel in a human appearance came along and he was asked to look into their case. He said: "Measure the distance between the dead man and each of the two lands (the land of evil where he was coming from; and the land of good where was heading. And find out to which land is he closer". When the measuring was done, it was found that he was closer to the land he was seeking (the good land) by no more than an arm's length. So the angel of mercy received his soul.

 

In another version the story says that as he was dying he pushed his chest to protrude towards the land of good. And he was found to be that much closer. In another version the story states that Allah moved the good land closer and moved the evil land further out. How merciful Allah is?

 

Another scene of repentance:

A bandit used to rub travelers. One day he and his gang were about to rub people on some caravan when he heard someone saying: "By-pass this road and use that road going to that town; because ther is a rubber called Al-Fadeel ben Eyath (الفضيل إبن عياض)". That caused Al-Fadeel to be shocked. Allah wanted to put some faith into his heart. For no slave will repent unless Allah wants him/her to repent.

 

Al-Fadeel replied "Have no fear for your safety. Pass through. In fact you are my guests tonight." He took them home, got them some food. Later on he heard someone reciting the Koran. He heard aya 16 in chapter "Al-Hadeed" that says: {Is it not about time to those who believe for their hearts to humble when Allah is mentioned and what was descended of the righteousness}. Al-Fadeel said: "Yes, it is time to those who believe for their hearts to humble when Allah is mentioned." He eventually became a scholar who left all earthly life seeking Allah's forgiveness.

 

Ibrahim Ibn-Asha'ath said he heard Al-Fadeel ben Eyath once talking to himself saying: "You have put an act and an appearance to people until they made you such a big thing; a righteous man, they get things done for you, giving you the finest of seats. What a failure and a disappointment. If this is your case, then you are such a looser."

 

Yes, a man can give a lot of advice but if he is tested he may not be sure he would follow what he preaches.

 

Prophet Muhammad (PPBU) said: "Allah becomes so happy when a slave of his repent. As happy as a man who was traveling alone in a desert and who went for a sleep. When he woke up he did not find his camel with all the water, food and all belongings. He went seeking it unsuccessfully until he was about to perish of thirst. He gave up and laid down knowing he is about to die. He fell asleep and when he woke up he opened his eyes to find his camel beside him. Out of delight, surprise and happiness he shouted: "Allah, you are my slave and I am your God."

 

 

Notes:

  1. Adhan - The call to prayer.

  2. Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

  3. Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

  4. Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

  5. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

  6. Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.  

  7. Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa) 

  8. Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

  9. Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.  

  10. Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life. 

  11. Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

  12. Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

  13. Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

  14. Fiqh - Religious law.

  15. Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

  16. Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

  17. Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar.  One of the five pillars of Islam.

  18. Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

  19. Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers.  Considered authoritative and perfect.

  20. Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

  21. Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

  22. Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

  23. Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

  24. Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

  25. Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.  

  26. Iman: belief or faith

  27. Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

  28. Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

  29. Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise.  The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

  30. Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

  31. Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels.  They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

  32. Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

  33. Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

  34. Khutbah  - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

  35. Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

  36. Koran - Also spelled Qur'an.  The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel.  Koran literally means "the recital."  It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

  37. Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

  38. Masjid - A center for Muslim activity.  It is referred to as a mosque.

  39. Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

  40. Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

  41. Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

  42. Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

  43. Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations.  He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

  44. Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

  45. Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

  46. Nasara - Christians.  Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

  47. Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

  48. Paradise - Another word for heaven.  A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live  in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

  49. PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

  50. Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

  51. Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

  52. Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

  53. Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

  54. Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

  55. Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

  56. Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

  57. Shirk - Associating another god with Allah.  Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.  

  58. Siam  or Soam- Fasting

  59. Sunni: is a the title of  those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

  60. Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

  61. Surah - A chapter of the Koran.  

  62. Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

  63. Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

  64. Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah.  A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

  65. Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

  66. Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

  67. Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

  68. Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

  69. Zaboor - The Psalms

  70. Zakat - The third pillar of Islam.  Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

 

 


Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com