Moment with Allah...ِ

Allah says:

زُیِّنَ لِلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلۡحَیَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَیَسۡخَرُونَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ۘ وَٱلَّذِینَ ٱتَّقَوۡا۟ فَوۡقَهُمۡ یَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِیَـٰمَةِۗ وَٱللَّهُ یَرۡزُقُ مَن یَشَاۤءُ بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابࣲ

[البقرة ٢١٢]

"Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they mock those who believe. But those who are mindful of Allah will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allah gives provision to whom He wills without limit."

Surah Al-Baqarah [2:212]

Lesson:

This verse reminds us that worldly life may seem attractive to those who reject faith, leading them to mock believers. But true status isn't measured here; it’s in the Hereafter.

Those who have taqwa (God-consciousness) will be honoured on the Day of Judgement, while those who chased worldly gains at the expense of truth will be disgraced. Provision, whether material or spiritual, comes only from Allah, and He gives it freely to whom He wills.

It’s a message of perspective, patience, and trust in divine justice.

(See: Tafsir of al-Sa‘di (d. 1376 AH)

Moment with the Messenger (ﷺ)

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah:

The Prophet ﷺ entered upon Bilal and saw a pile of dates with him. He said, "What is this, O Bilal?" Bilal replied, "It’s something I’ve stored for tomorrow." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Do you not fear that you might see it tomorrow as smoke in the Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgement? Spend, O Bilal! And do not fear poverty from the Lord of the Throne."

(Authenticated as sound (ṣaḥīḥ) through its collective chains.)

Commentary:

This hadith highlights the importance of spending for Allah’s sake and not hoarding out of fear of need, trusting instead in Allah’s provision.

'Soul Bites'

Hārūn al-Rāshid (d. 194/809), arguably the most powerful ʿAbbāsid ruler, once asked for a drink of water. Before he could lift it to his lips, Ibn al-Sammāk (d. 183/799, rA) interjected, “Not so fast, O commander of the believers. If this sip [of water] were withheld from you, how much would you purchase it for?” Hārūn al-Rāshid said, “Half my kingdom.” After he drank, the Imam asked, “If you were prevented from releasing (urinating) it, how much would you pay to release it from your body?” He replied, “My entire kingdom.” The great scholar and ascetic said, “A kingdom worth no more than a drink of water or a single urination certainly does not deserve being competed for.”

Upon hearing this Hārūn wept, fearing he may have been guilty of power grabs during his reign. However, throughout his largely righteous reign, he would weep at his grave (pre-dug to remind him of the inevitable) and say, “O You whose kingdom never vanishes, show mercy to the one whose kingdom has vanished.”

(Tārīkh al-khulafāʾ, pp:216-230)

'The Treasury'

Is it true that we should keep our children indoors at Maghrib (sunset) time to avoid them being affected by evil jinn (spirits)?

Click here for the answer.

'Soul Model'

Mustafa Sadiq Al-Rafi'i reflects on the power of true hope versus the illusions we create for ourselves:

"قد يكون أدقُّ خيطٍ من خيوط آمالنا، هو أغلظُ حبلٍ من حبال أوهامنا...!"

Translation:

"The thinnest thread of our hopes may be thicker than the thickest rope of our illusions...!"

Explanation:

This quote suggests that even the most delicate and fragile thread of genuine hope can be stronger and more reliable than the thickest and most secure-looking rope of our illusions or false expectations.

In other words, real hope, no matter how small, has more strength and endurance than the grandest illusions, which may seem solid but ultimately lack substance. It’s a reminder to place our trust in sincere aspirations after Allah, rather than getting caught up in self-deception.

The End...For now🙂

May Allah reward you for reading and may you succeed in what Allah created you to achieve before you return to him! Ameen.

Your brother,

Sajid Umar,

Author of A Journey to Success and The Story of Yusuf (as)

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