Generosity defined

Generosity is not defined by what you give, or how much you give; rather it is defined by what you give up for the benefit of others.

 

What you give up is known only to Allah, and thus this is a level of taqwa known only to one who intends and the One who Sees All and Knows All.

 

Hence Allah’s name, Al Karim, the Most Generous is apt for the month of Ramadan, when generosity is encouraged, in the hope that the one giving up what he desires will be rewarded by the source of generosity, Allah and Allah alone.

 

One can then understand that the term sadaqa comes from the word sidq, meaning truth….and the truth is La ilaha illalah. How even the smallest of actions can uphold La ilaha illalah is truly amazing.

Text Messaging

The word text messaging has a specific connotation in current times. something received on a device sent by someone we usually know.

For many of us it’s an essential means of contact…but there is another message and another text…but it’s not new….yet it’s sent by someone we may or may not know…..it depends where our focus in life is…..whether we read it and delete it or whether we read it and think about it…or whether we read it and are awakened by it…..it all depends if we know who sent it.

The message referred to is La ilaha ililah, There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and the text is the Quran.

If you’re reading it this Ramadan…pray that you get the message…..because that’s what changes your life as you embark on a journey towards Allah.

Dua Book

As Ramadan draws closer we should be making an effort too to increase in focusing upon Allah. Dua is the best way to do this, and here is the link to a beautiful book to draw closer to Allah. Please share with others. It is call Al Hizb Al Azam.

http://www.at-tazkiyah.com/publications/booklet_eng/hizb_azam.pdf

Doubts and taqwa

The beginning of Surah Baqra at the start of Allah’s Glorious Book  reads 

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who have taqwa (are concious of Allah)” v2

There is a clear link between doubts and taqwa..as long as we lack certainty, we will struggle to follow the guidance in the Quran, and this is due to our lack of taqwa. In reverse, the more we develop certitude, the more concious we become of Allah and the more the Book becomes a guide for us.

As human beings we swing between conciousness of Allah and unconsciousness, when we forget or err, or sometimes deliberately distance ourselves from Him. Fasting is the opportunity to acquire this conciousness of Allah, every minute. Just as you would never dare to sip even a drop of water for fear of breaking your fast, and even a child accepts that, in the same way this level of being aware of Allah and what his commands are; what displeases Him and what pleases Him is required.

When you read a verse in the Quran and know it is true…there is no doubt about it…then desire to follow guidance from the Book follows.

Sometimes you will see or hear sisters who start wearing hijab when they experience the death of someone close…this is the response to Allah’s statement…”Every soul shall taste death”.

In a similar way, whenever you contemplate and think about Allah’s verses, and reflect on their truth beyond all doubts, you then strive to follow the guidance.The actual commands don’t matter, the connection lies in that they are from Allah, the Most Merciful, Most Beneficent.

May we be granted the opportunity to accept Allah’s book as guidance in our life, for all our affairs by finding certainty in His words and believing it to be a Book of No Doubts.