Enthusiasm and Zeal
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{Say: "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me, Allâh will love you and forgive you of your sins.
And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."} (Aal 'Imraan [3]:31)
The sound of this duff is silent and only I know,
That within my heart it beats love with a rhythmical flow,
For as I read the biography of the Rasool I came to know,
That without a doubt he was the last Prophet sent after many in a row.
Yes, his Character was so pure… just like snow,
His shoulders testified so that all would recognize him and know,
That he was the lofty Messenger, sent to mankind as a whole,
Even to the people who had then stooped and even now, stoop so low.
Allah (Almighty) even, by the pointing of the Prophet’s finger, parted the moon,
For a people to witness the truth of this Message which was to spread soon,
Around the world so quickly, like the period between morning and noon!
Sall Allahu ’alyhi Wa Sallam…
They even buried their female children under the earth so low,
Various tribes were full of hatred - to each other a foe,
But he was sent so that we’d worship Allah united in a row,
Although, in spreading his message, we have become so slow,
Disunited, quarreling and in a row.
If only we’d know,
Realize and begin to spread his message and sow,
The seeds of goodness that to us he did show.
Peace and blessings be upon his soul,
For truly his way saves many from the hellfire’s burning, blazing and devouring hole.
From within the sons of Adam his mention has great height,
The skies were lucky to witness his like,
In the world it is rare to witness such a sight,
Let’s learn about his life and hold on to it tight,
For by this we will be following the divine guidance full of light.
Sall Allahu ’alyhi Wa Sallam…
So what is this that so many Muslims are sowing,
Into this deen without thoroughly thinking, studying and researching,
Just blindly following what people are saying,
Without knowledge so many are innovating,
Away from his guidance we are moving,
For, the Sahaabah loved him so much and weren’t into tainting,
The deen of Allah that is to be followed without hesitating.
Whatever is added to our deen - which we refer to as Bid’ah - innovating,
The Prophet clearly said it will be rejected and not accepted.
In fact, on the Day of Judgment the angels will be shoving,
Those who innovated, away from the Kawther, which will be shining and glowing.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) will stand and we will, Allah Willing, see him,
But then, the chance of the innovators drinking from his hands will be dim,
Now’s the time, don’t just hope by wishful thinking that you will win,
On a day when will become apparent each and every sin.
So dear Muslim, please consider,
Whether your actions are in line with the Sunnah,
For we love the Rasool and insha’Allah will meet him sooner or later,
And we both know that none of us is to his way a hater or an objector.
Sall Allahu ’alyhi Wa Sallam…
So, dear Muslim, by Allah! The silent duff continues to beat,
“..Sall Allahu ‘alyhi wa Sallam..”, to the heart so refreshing and sweet,
Desiring the company of the Prophet, and of his Companions, for us to meet,
After the trials and tribulations of this world and its testing heat.
O Allah expand our good deeds even those as small as a grain’s wheat!
Allow us to eat from Paradise’s fruits, so sweet,
Give us, within the highest Paradise, next to the Prophet (peace be upon him) a seat,
In which there will be no pain, no hurt and no deceit.
Nothing will be incomplete or in a boring way repeat,
You’ll walk within its beautiful meadows and enlightened streets,
And there you’ll see the Prophet’s house… from you away now only a few feet,
Joy upon joy, treat upon treat!
Sall Allahu ’alyhi Wa Sallam…
So, today and every day, let’s send our salutations his way,
Especially on the blessed day of Friday,
So that it may reach him without delay,
Thus we’ll be saved from great dismay.
In this way we will gain rewards within each and every passing transient day,
And, Allah Willing, we’ll become more focused and saved from going astray,
Because we’ll be following the Prophet’s say,
And hence allowing his Sunnah to take us away,
From the devil’s deceit which has made so many sway,
From the Straight path and its way.
Sall Allahu ’alyhi Wa Sallam…
You never know…
This repetitive duff, which seems like something small,
May become a barrier, a wall,
Preventing you from hell and its destructive fall.
O Allah forgive us! For surely we must hear either Paradise's or Hell's call,
That’s why we must ask Allah to forgive us all,
And to follow the Prophet’s call,
Each and every one of us... all-in-all.
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Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak used to often stay at home, so he was asked, "Don’t you get lonely?" He replied,
"How can I get lonely when I am with the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam, i.e. I read his hadith)?"
(Ibn ‘Asâkir, Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 32 p458.)
***
Even if I were to spend my whole life,
Fighting off the soul’s strife,
Completing the day-to-day chores of a wife,
But studying the Prophetic Narrations with a heartfelt drive,
By the Will of Allah, the Most Wise,
I’d surely have made the most of my life.
Each time the soul endures,
The painstaking hours by which to adore,
Each word from the ahaadeeth of the Prophet of our Lord,
Allowing each breath and heart beat to run with it in unison and flow,
Pushing away the sadness and worries deep inside below,
By walking into a door,
Not only travelled by me, but also by many of those who lived afore.
I wasn’t given the chance to live in his time,
Nor see the Prophetic seal, the Prophetic Sign,
But I will strive hard to go back in time,
And live those moments through the narrations passed down in line…
Regarding the man who was the last Prophet before the end of time.
Then, just maybe, maybe I will see him,
Allah is All Forgiving, although right now the chances seem dim,
For I have a lot yet to learn and win,
But I hope that I am on the path, even if it’s just virtually on the brim,
Of catching on to something great,
By studying about him and refuting those who hate
His Noble ways, before it’s too late.
O Allah make me not wait,
Till the hereafter to see him, make it in my fate,
That I see him in this life within my dreams,
Beams upon beams, light upon light,
To take away my heart’s plight,
And give me the drive to study, teach, write and cite,
Although I know I’ll never truly fulfil his blessed right.
Even if I were to spend my whole life on this path,
I ask Allah for sincerity, His Pleasure and to save me from His Wrath,
So that although I came from the last,
I hope to be among the first to run into Paradise
….at last.
It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “O Abû ‘Abd Al-Rahmân, you often sit alone at home.” He said,
“I am alone? I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and his Companions.”
Meaning: reading hadîth. (Ibn ‘Asâkir, Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 32 p458.)
Shaqîq b. Ibrâhîm reports: It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “After you have prayed with us you don’t sit with us?” He replied,
“I go and sit with the Sahâbah and the Tâbi’în.”
We said, “And how can you sit with the Sahâbah and Tâbi’în (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-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak)
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It is reported that Wahb b. Munabbih - Allâh have mercy on him - said:
A scholar once asked another greater than him in knowledge,
"How much should I build?" He replied,
"As much as shelters you from the sun and the rain."
He asked, "How much food should I eat?" He replied, "
More than what keeps you hungry and less than what makes you full."
He asked, "How much should I wear?" He replied,
"As the Messiah (Jesus) did."
He asked, "How much should I laugh?" He replied,
"As much as appears on your face but does not make audible your voice."
He asked, "How much should I cry?" He replied,
"Never tire from crying out of the fear of Allâh."
He asked, "How much should I hide my deeds?" He replied,
"Until people think you had not done a good deed."
He asked, "How much should I make public my deeds?" He replied,
"As much as will let the keen follow your example but not have the people talk about you."
Wahb said.
"Everything has two ends and a middle. If you grab one end, the other will slant, but if you take the middle, both ends will balance. Stick to the balanced middle in all affairs."
Source: Abû Nu'aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` 4:45.
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Laziness is a sister of failure. Keep yourself busy all the time. Take care of your house, do your duties your work or pray, read Qur’an, read useful books or sit with family and friends and talk to them about things that will bring them closer to Allah. Idleness leads to worries, anxiety, devilish whispers and doubts that nothing can relieve except hard work.
Never look at the past because it makes your future not worth anything, try to move on as you go on. Try to keep your emotions in control whenever you see something that makes your future feel meaningless. Give minimum quality to problems and forget them as you move on with your life. This will make you happier and stronger and make your dreams come true faster inshaa' Allah.
Give thanks to Allah for His blessings and do not waste your time with that which is not pleasing to Him. Seek out that which is beneficial and useful, such as Islamic magazines, beneficial books and articles that will benefit you both in this world and the Hereafter. Call others to the path of Allah with kind words, good exhortation, wisdom, by means of your good behaviour and by setting a good example. Always make the following du'a and ask Allah to protect you from laziness:
“Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min al-hammi wal-hazan wa a’udhu bika min al-‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’udhu bika min al-bukhli wal-jubn wa a’udhu bika min ghalbat ad-dayn wa qahr ar-rijal"
(O Allah, I seek refuge with You from distress and grief, and I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness and grief, and I seek refuge with You from miserliness and cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from being over powered by men).
I ask Allaah to guide us to that which He loves and which pleases Him.
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The history of Islam abounds in scores of such gallant actions on the part of Muslim women, although, unfortunately, they are not commonly known.
Prior to Islam, the Arab women used to accompany men to the battlefield. With their children, they remained behind the fighting lines and looked after the wounded soldiers, attended the horses, comforted their valiant husbands, roused their spirit by narrating the thrilling achievements of their ancestors, disarmed the dead soldiers of the enemy, rallied the panic-stricken fugitives, and guarded the prisoners.
The famous poet of Arabia, 'Umar Bin Kulthum, recites in pride,
"Behind our ranks are beautiful and whitefaced women; we are always afraid lest they should be insulted, and the enemy take possession of them. These women have taken oaths from their husbands to show gallantry in the field of battle. They accompany us, so that they may take possession of, and arrest, enemies' horses and armaments.
These are the ladies of the family of Jashm b. Bakr, who not only possess beauty, but also have traditions both of family and religion. They look after our horses and they say, 'If you cannot protect us from the enemy you are not our husbands'."
Islam also maintained this tradition; Women always followed men in the Jihaad. In the battle of Uhud, according to Bukhaari, 'Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) carried a leather bag full of water to quench the thirst of wounded soldiers. She was helped in the task by Umm Salim and Umm Salit.
The traditionist Abu Nayeem relates that in the battle of Khaibar, half a dozen women of Madinah followed the marching army. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not know of this and, when he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was informed, he angrily asked them why they had come at all. They reverently answered that they had medicines with them, that they would nurse and dress the wounded, take out arrows from the bodies of the soldiers, and arrange for their rations. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) allowed them to accompany the army, and, when Khaybar was conquered, he gave a share of the war booty to these women also.[1]
In a number of battles, Umm Salim and a few other ladies of the Ansar rendered similar service.[2] Rabee', daughter of Mu'aadh, along with other women, performed the duty of carrying the martyrs and the wounded from the battlefield of Uhud to Madinah.[3] Umm Raqida had a pavilion for the wounded, where she washed and dressed their wounds.[4]
Umm Zaid, Ashjiya, and five other ladies helped the Muslims during the battle of Khaybar, by working at spinning wheels. They also picked up arrows from the field, and offered grain flour to the soldiers.[5] Umm Attiya cooked for the Companions in seven battles.[6]
Tabari writes of one occasion when the corpses of the Muslim soldiers lay in great numbers in the van. The group of men appointed for burying the martyrs commissioned women to look after the wounded. In the battles of Aghwath and Armath, women and children dug graves.[7]
The battle of Qadisiya is described thus by a woman who were present,
"When the battle was over, we (women) rushed forward daringly to the battlefield with rods in our hands and picked up the wounded Muslim soldiers."[8]
The above incidents, however, not only testify to the religious zeal, national enthusiasm, and heroism of Muslim women, but also detail the various duties they were called upon to perform from time to time. They did not shirk the humble and unpleasant chores: the digging of graves and the procurement of rations for the army. Not only did the women nurse the wounded in the rear, they also brought in the casualties from the battlefield. Not content with urging men to take a firm stand, sometimes, they actually helped them by joining in the battle. In short, no task was too difficult or too unpleasant for them to attempt. 
If you examine the battles of the early period of Islamic history, you will find women engaged in these duties in the rear. The last mentioned services rendered by Muslim women require, however, some elaboration, and we will go into detail to show how nobly the respected women among the Muslims discharged this task.
The mother of Anas b. Malik (Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet's (peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) servant, Umm Saleem, usually accompanied the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to the field. When Taleeb b. 'Umair adopted Islam and informed his mother of this, she said,
"You have sided with the man who deserved the most. Would that I had the strength and the ability of man, I would protect him and fight for him."[10]
In the battle of the Ditch, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his Companions (Allah be pleased with them all) were fighting against the Jews. When Banu Qurayza advanced towards the place where Muslim women and children had entrenched themselves, there were no soldiers to protect these women against them. Meanwhile, a Jew chanced to appear near them. It was feared that the Jew might betray them to Banu Quraiza who would then attack at the earliest opportunity. Safiyyah, the aunt of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and the mother of Zubayr, asked Hassaan b. Thabit to kill the Jew. Seeing his hesitation, Safiyyah herself climbed down with a pole of the pavilion in her hand and killed the Jew with it. This was the first heroic action, says the historian Ibn Atheer, done by a Muslim woman.[11]
_________________
Footnotes:
[1] Abu Dawud, Fath-e-Khaibar.
[2] Abu Dawud, Vol. 1, p. 252
[3] Bukhari, Kitab-ut-Tib.
[4] Abu Dawud, Vol. I p. 270.
[5] Sahih Muslim, Vol. 11, p. 105 (Egypt)
[6] Tabari Vol VI, p. 2317 (European Edn.).
[7] Tabari, Vol. V, p. 2363.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Usud-ul-Chabs, Vol. V. p. 591.
[10] Isti'ab Taleeb, b.'Umair.
[11] Usud-ul-Ghabn, description of Safia, Vol. V. p. 591
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