Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm (وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ (17) أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ (18 (Qur’ān 90:17-18) ‘Wa tawāṣaw biṣ-ṣabri wa tawāṣaw bil-marḥamah (17) Ūlā’ika aṣḥābu al-maymanah (18)’ ‘And they enjoined one another to patience and enjoined one another to mercy. They are those on the Right Hand, the dwellers of Paradise.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Patience and … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm When Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla created humankind, He ﷻ created him above other creatures, that is, at a higher level. And He ﷻ placed all kinds of goodness within him. Also, there’s the ego. He ﷻ put the ego inside him. As we constantly say, the ego desires evil. Allāh ﷻ also … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Mawlānā Sheikh ‘Abdu Llāh ad-Dāghestānī used to tell Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim to write down his Sohbahs. The first lesson in ṭarīqah is: “الطَّرِيقَةُ كُلِّهَا آدَاب,” “At-ṭarīqah Kulluha ‘Adaab.” Ṭarīqah is based upon adab (good manners). A person who doesn’t behaves with adab should not say, “I am from ṭarīqah.” You are … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, “من تواضع للهِ رفعَه ومن تكبر وضعه”, aw kama qāl. He who humbles himself for the sake of Allāh ﷻ, Allāh ﷻ elevates him and raises him. When Allāh ﷻ elevates him, he becomes elevated. But the arrogant, Allāh ﷻ degrades him and does … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا (Qur’ān 25:63) ‘Wa ‘Idhā Khātabahumu Al-Jāhilūna Qālū Salāmāan’ ‘And when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says to mu’mins, “When ignorant people say such mischievous things to them, they ignore them and do not engage with … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm ‘وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا’ (Qur’ān 02:143) ‘Wa kadhalika ja’alnākum ‘ummatan wasatāa’ ‘Thus We have appointed you a middle nation.’ Sadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says, be an ummah in a middle state. Middle state means don’t go too far to one side or the other; be in the middle. Don’t … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm When we say a ḥadīth of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam, it must be read and recited correctly. Because ḥadīth sharīf were not written down; they were passed down from one companion of our ‎Prophet ﷺ to another. Of course, Jews and others have interspersed them with other ḥadīths. Most … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ (Qur’ān 16:128) ‘Inna Llāha ma‘a lladhīna it-taqaw wa lladhīna hum muḥsinūn’ ‘Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good.’ Sadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says, indeed, if you want Allāh ﷻ to be with us, … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, “Do not prolong when leading a prayer or delivering a Khutbah.” When there’s a congregation behind you, it’s not obvious if there’s children, sick people, or elderly people. Therefore, our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, “Make it short without prolonging it or causing … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm “لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا” (Qur’ān 02:286) ‘La yukallifu Llahu nafsan illa wus’aha’ ‘Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says that He ﷻ does not command a person to do something they lack the strength to do; He … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm “وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا” (Qur’an 78:9) “Wa Ja`alnā Nawmakum Subātāan” “And made your sleep [a means for] rest.” Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says in Qur’ān ‘Aẓīmu sh-Sha’n, “We gave you sleep for comfort.” Of course, people dream while sleeping. Most people don’t remember their dreams. Some people remember, they say, … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, “إِن لَمْ تَسْتَحِي فَاصْنَعْ مَا شِئْتَ”. He ﷺ says, “If you are not shy, then do whatever you want.” Without haya’ (modesty), a person can do anything. Modesty is from īmān. Modesty is adab. Not everything is free. Everything has its limits and boundaries. … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Holy Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, “الدِّين النَّصِيحَة”, “Ad-Dīnu n-Naṣīḥah”, “Religion is advice”. Religion is based on advice. What is meant by advice is to say what’s good. If people ask something, ask for advice, or ask for an opinion, to offer the good one. Religion is not to … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Mankind, people are helpless. Without help, there’s no benefit. Everything that comes from the ego is useless. Now, new things have come out. There’s yet another group that deceives people saying asking for Madad is a sin, it’s wrong. So, how are you going to do it on your own? “You’re … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla created people in various forms, He ﷻ says in Qur’ān ‘Aẓīmu sh-Sha’n. Those who are most beloved and acceptable to Allāh ﷻ are those who obey Allāh ﷻ. Those who obey Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla are the most acceptable people. Race, color, and language are of no importance. What’s … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَن تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ (Qur’ān 49:06) ‘Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū in jā’akum fāsiqun binabain fatabayyanū an tuṣībū qawman bijahālatin fatuṣbiḥū ‘alā mā fa‘altum nādimīn’ ‘O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا (16) لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا (Qur’ān 72:16) “Wa ‘Allawi Astaqāmū AláAţ-Ţarīqati L’asqaynāhum Mā’an Ghadaqāan (16) Linaftinahum Fīhi ۚ Wa Man Yuriđ An Dhikri Rabbihi Yasluk/huAdhābāan Şa`adāan” “If they had believed in Allah, and went on the … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ (Qur’ān 12:53) ‘Inna An-Nafsa La- ‘Ammāratun Bis-Sū’i’ ‘Verily, the (human) ego is inclined to evil.’ Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says, the ego commands evil. We must not give it any opportunity. We must not make any concessions. We must distance ourselves as much as we … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ (Qur’ān 49:13) ‘Yā ‘Ayyuhā n-Nāsu ‘Innā Khalaqnākum Min Dhakarin Wa ‘Untha Wa Ja’alnākum Shu’ūbāan Wa Qabā’ila Lita’ārafū Inna ‘Akramakum Inda Allāhi ‘Atqākum’ ‘O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (Qur’ān 12:53) “Wa-mā ubarri’u nafsī, Inna An-Nafsa La- ‘Ammāratun Bis-Sū’i ‘Illā Mā Raĥima Rabbī ۚ ‘Inna Rabbī Ghafūrun Raĥīm” “And I do not acquit myself. Verily, the (human) self is inclined to evil, except … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm The elders used to say, “لِكُلِّ مَقَامٍ مَقَالٌ”. There is a word for every gathering. There is something to talk about in each sitting. What does this mean? Things spoken in some places are not appropriate and not good to be spoken in others. It’s unnecessary. You speak thinking you’ll do … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ (Qur’ān 39:18) “Al-Ladhīna Yastamiūna Al-Qawla Fayattabiūna ‘Aĥsanah” “Who listen to speech and follow the best of it.” Sadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm. He ﷻ says, those who hear a word or speech and follow its best have won. What is meant by “Qawl” is a word, a speech. … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm وَمَا أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِي ۚ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي (Qur’ān 12:53) ‘Wa-mā ubarri’u nafsī, Inna An-Nafsa La- ‘Ammāratun Bis-Sū’i ‘Illā Mā Raĥima Rabbī’ ‘And I do not acquit myself. Verily, the (human) ego is inclined to evil, except when my Lord bestows His Mercy (upon whom He wills).’ … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Shukr to Allāh ﷻ, we are in this blessed month; the blessed month in which our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam was born. Its blessed name is Rabi’ul-Awwal. Rabi’ means spring. It is a beautiful season. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla has granted our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam every beauty. He ﷻ … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm “فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا” (Qur’an 18:29) “Faman Shā’a Falyu’umin Wa Man Shā’a Falyakfur Innā ‘A`tadnā Lilžžālimīna Nārāan ‘Aĥāţa Bihim Surādiquhā” “And say, “So whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve. Indeed, We have prepared for the … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm إِنَّ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا كَانُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَضْحَكُونَ (29) وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِهِمْ يَتَغَامَزُونَ (Qur’ān 83:29-30) “Inna Al-Ladhīna ‘Ajramū Kānū Mina Al-Ladhīna ‘Āmanū Yađĥakūna (29) Wa ‘Idhā Marrū Bihim Yataghāmazūna” “Verily! (During the worldly life) those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed (29) And whenever they passed by … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, being with good people and good friends is beneficial for a person. Being with bad friends is not good. Our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam likened it to this: a good friend is like a shop that sells pleasant perfumes. You go in there, … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ (Qur’ān 49:13) “Yā ‘Ayyuhā n-Nāsu ‘Innā Khalaqnākum Min Dhakarin Wa ‘Untha Wa Ja’alnākum Shu’ūbāan Wa Qabā’ila Lita’ārafū Inna ‘Akramakum Inda Allāhi ‘Atqākum” “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female … Read more

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm Our Holy Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam says, مَن غَشَّنَا فَلَيسَ مِنَّا Those who cheat us, those who deceive us, are not from us. Of course, in this time we live in, everyone deceives others in every way. Everyone, young and old, deceives everyone. They cheat people, they deceive. They don’t … Read more