tajweedsisterslearningIt’ll surely keep you away from sin

Those of us who aren’t used to continuous Dhikr should be really, really worried as people who keep away from Allah Almighty's remembrance are more liable to being attacked by Satan, just like a house that is left unprotected, unlocked, and without any alarm.

This is because Satan likes to play with a heart that is away from Allah’s remembrance. In fact, in chapter 114, verse 4, we find that Allah Almighty refers to Satan as "Al-Khannaas," which means ‘the one who withdraws’ as he is the one who whispers in the hearts and then retreats. The Prophet’s Companion, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

“The devil is squatting (perched) upon the heart of the Son of Adam. So when he becomes absent-minded and heedless he whispers…” (Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer of Surah An-Naas)

Some of us may think that the best Dhikr is to say Allah Almighty’s names continuously, which is true, but in reality the whole Qur’aan is the best Remembrance (Dhikr) in its totality, which includes the Names, Mention and Words of Allah in the best possible way. For, it contains much more than Allah’s Names; for example, it contains the mention of the Prophets, pious examples, paradise, the story of creation, and so it is a complete guide, a beacon of light, the very Words of the Lord of the heavens and the earth. That’s why Satan runs far, far away when it is recited with contemplation, deliberation, and conviction. Bearing this in mind, it makes sense why the Ruqyah (Exorcism) of certain individuals (*and Allah Knows best) is more effective against black magic and evil Jinn (such as the Ruqyah of Bro. Abu Muhammad, as is clear from his videos which can be viewed here) even if he, and others like him may not know the whole Qur’aan by heart, in comparison to the Ruqyah of others that may. This is not something minor as usually the scholars write that a requirement of being a Exorcist to such a level is to have memorized the whole Qur'aan by heart. And all Power and Might is indeed in Allah’s Hands alone.

Therefore, reading, understanding, reflecting and pondering WITH FAITH in Allah’s words is the most effective way of remembering Him and protecting oneself from Satan’s influence.

NOW we come to see why one of the names by which the Qur’aan is mentioned is: ‘Adh-Dhikr’ i.e. ‘The Remembrance’ or ‘The Reminder’. In fact, this name for the Qur’aan has been mentioned 55 times in the Qur’aan! In Surah Saad, Verse 1: "By the Quran, full of Dhikr." And in verse 49: "This (the Quran) is no less than a Dhikr for all the worlds."

In this way, due to it being the best of Remembrances, the Qur’aan cleans and clears the heart from the filthy remnants and dark lurking debris which sin leaves behind, as does asking the forgiveness of Allah Almighty. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “If the believer commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents, gives it up and seeks forgiveness, his heart is cleansed, but if he does more, then (that spot) increases until it covers his heart. That is the raan (covering of sin) which Allah mentioned in the Qur’aan: {Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn}.” (al-Mutaffifeen [83]:14, Ahmad, 8792 and al-Tirmidhi, 3334)

As Muslim women who believe that the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) are inspired, as indicated in the following verse: {It is only an inspiration that is inspired} (Surah An-Najm [53]:4), we must firmly believe that the majority of the inhabitants of the hellfire will be women. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “I looked into Paradise and I saw that the majority of its people were the poor. And I looked into Hell and I saw that the majority of its people are women.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3241 and Muslim, 2737)

We must believe this without (Allah forbid) thinking that this is patriarchal and misogynistic, or an attack against women, their capability and their rights. Indeed, there is a reason for the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) statement, which he clearly mentioned in the following narration, which proves how gracious he was as he could have left us in the dark, wondering as to why he had said such a thing.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I was shown Hell and I have never seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that the majority of its people are women.” They said, “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because of their ingratitude (kufr).” It was said, “Are they ungrateful to Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, ‘I have never had anything good from you.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1052)

Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah said: “I attended Eid prayers with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He started with the prayer before the khutbah, with no adhaan or iqaamah. Then he stood up, leaning on Bilaal, speaking of fear and consciousness of Allah (Taqwa) and urging us to obey Him. He preached to the people and reminded them. Then he went over to the women and preached to them and reminded them. Then he said, ‘Give in charity, for you are the majority of the fuel of Hell.’ A woman with dark cheeks stood up in the midst of the women and said, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Because you complain too much and are ungrateful to your husbands.’ Then they started to give their jewellery in charity, throwing their earrings and rings into Bilaal’s cloak.” (Narrated by Muslim, 885)

Dear sisters, the question must be asked: how can we save ourselves from such a tremendous sin? How can we ensure that we are not from the majority of the women of the hellfire, Allah forbid? Surely, the answer is to live under the shade of the Qur’aan (which includes the mention of charity therein), to live it day-in day-out. To apply it, even when it’s hard, to understand it, learn it, and what I intend to highlight here: to try and even memorize it. For, once our hearts shine by its words, our heart will be attached to it, and then we’ll want to be in the company of our Lord’s Words as much as possible: at every moment, every second, every hour, and every day of our life. And the only way to truly actualize this is to memorize it. Then our limbs will obey its commands, and the whispers of Satan will as a consequence subside. We will become women of the Qur’aan, the Haafidhaat, those who run away from sin….right into the shade of the Quraan, the very Words of the Lord Himself.

Let’s become like those Sahaabiyaat, who didn’t start debating, arguing, vehemently screaming or aggressively retaliating when they heard that the majority of the inhabitants of the hellfire are women. For, as believing women they accepted the Prophet’s statement without questioning and accepted what he said to be a fact, something unquestionable. And how could they question the man that they knew with conviction and surety that he was the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). A man who never lied, who always kept people’s promises and trusts; a man who was so caring, loving and gracious; a man who always wanted good for all, even if that meant that he’d have to suffer as a result…They just couldn’t argue. And they didn’t argue. So what makes us so apprehensive? Why is our testimony of faith and conviction in it so shaky? Why don’t we work hard to protect ourselves from the hellfire, just as the Sahaabiyaat did? It's because they were women who had a proactive attitude, an attitude that guaranteed them paradise. It was easy for them because they truly believed that Jannah awaited those who do righteous deeds, as they read so many times over in the Qur’aan and heard from the noble lips of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). So they threw their jewellery, something that is usually so precious to women... they threw it into Bilaal’s cloak (may Allah be pleased with them all) and away from themselves. Why? Because they wanted to thereby ransom themselves from the possibility of being one of the women of the hellfire as they were Women Bearers of the Qur’aan, women who cherished and implemented whatever they learnt.

So Sisters!

How many a battle did Satan win,

As he made you trip,

Away from Allah’s remembrance... he did make you slip.

It wasn’t all of a sudden; rather he watched and planned, bit by bit.

Then he took his chance and sat,

As he began to whisper on your very heart.

He threw his evil darts,

That you thought were ideas from you, from your very own heart.

Yes! He was there with his sneer,

Oh yes, he did dare!

But Sister, don’t consciously allow him to attack again,

For that’s not the way of the spiritually sane,

In fact it’s the way of those who merely feign.

Who stand not in guard with Allah’s remembrance,

Which is difficult for satan as it’s THE spiritual cane.

Open the Qur’aan, move your lips,

And then take the dark remnants of sin away from your heart.

Bit by bit, by Allah’s permission, your heart will surely be lit.

Continue on in this way, to save yourself in the future,

For then you may slip even deeper.

Hold on to the Qur’aan, take it as your guide,

For it was revealed by the Lord of the mighty heavens so wide.

Even if it takes your time, try and take a step further then you'll realize,

The great blessing of inscribing it on your heart, so begin the journey NOW as you begin to memorize.