Jumu'ah Gems
Jumu'ah (The arabic word for Friday) is the most blessed day of the week.This blog will consist of weekly spiritual reminders to help keep all of us on track. "So remind, if the reminder should benefit." ~Surah A'la, ayah 9. I hope this blog is beneficial and serves its purpose Insha' Allah. Please feel free to ask questions!
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Be concerned not with the greatness of the sin but with The Greatness of The One you’re sinning against. The worst thing about a sin is disappointing Al-Wadud, The One Who loves you most. “Oh mankind, what has deluded you about your Lord, The Generous, Who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you.” -Surah Infitar, 6-7
Jumu’ah Mubarak
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Spiritually blind are those who hear but do not listen, act but do not think, and preach but do not practice. “Oh you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say what you do not do.” -Surah Saff, 2-3. May Allah protect us from hypocrisy.
Jumu’ah Mubarak
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We read Qur’an, listen to it, and even post its verses on our Facebook/Twitter without actually reflecting on it. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to cry upon hearing Quranin verses, yet we treat it like sound to fill the background while we think about other things. The Qur’an is a gift filled with verses from Allah Himself to each of us.
“So, when the Qur’an is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.” (Qur’an, 7:204)
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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Time will continue to slip away, and our lives will continue to fall into repetitive cycles unless we stop, reflect, and redefine our goals. We should always keep our eyes on the prize, which is to meet Allah in the highest place in Jannah. But, we can all get there through unique paths inshaAllah. Action item: take some time to reprioritize and redistribute your time on a list by answering Allah’s question to each of us:
“Then, where are you going? Verily, this is not except a Reminder to the worlds.” -Surah Takwir, 26-27
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Actions are but by intentions…” (Bukhari)
We often quote this hadith and stay stuck on the fact that we will be rewarded as long as we think about doing good. However, unless we seriously try to convert our intentions into actions, we risk them becoming insincere and of no benefit. For example, one who intends to memorize the Qur’an should have a serious schedule in place that is followed, even if it is only to memorize one verse per week. Several times in the Qur’an, Allah says that He loves the Muhsineen, which are the good-doers, not just the good-intenders.
May Allah make us among the Muhsineen so that we may attain His love.
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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The essence of patience is understanding that the perfect thing/person will only be perfect at the right time, and we should trust that Allah will only give His gifts with this perfect timing in mind.
“So, be patient with a beautiful patience.” -Surah Ma’arij, 5
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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We can never expect any two moments to be exactly the same. This world is constantly changing, so trying to preserve things in our life will only push us further back. We can only improve ourselves and our lives once we begin to embrace change with pure optimism and faith in Allah’s words when He says, “What is to come is better for you than what has gone before.” -Surah Dhuha, 4.
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” -Oscar Wilde
Let those who have been honored maintain their humility, and let those who are at their low points be hopeful in the mercy and guidance of Allah.
“Say, ‘O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humiliate whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You have power over all things.’” -Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran, 26
Jumu’ah Mubarak
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A good thing in excess can be detrimental. Things like computers and cell phones have many benefits but can serve as distractions that prevent us from experiencing life to the fullest and above all weaken our taqwa or mindfulness of Allah.
“So, whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and place their trust in their Lord.” -Qur’an, 42:36
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
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“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” -William James
And the best thoughts are positive ones that involve Allah.
Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do the hearts find rest. (13:28)
Jumu’ah Mubarak!
