25 - The Criterion

77. Say (to the Rejecters): "My Lord would not concern Himself with you but for your call on Him: but ye have indeed rejected (Him), and soon will come the inevitable (punishment)!"

"Those who turn (to Allaah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the cause of Allaah; that bow down and prostrate themselves (in prayer); that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limits set by Allaah - so proclaim the glad tidings to the believers." [9:112]

Also, the believers will be successful. Those who humble themselves in their prayers; who avoid vain talk; who are active in deeds of charity, who abstain from sex except with those joined to them in marriage or (the captives) whom their right hands possess, for (in their case) they are free from blame. But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors. Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants; who (strictly) guard their prayers: these will be the heirs who will inherit Paradise, to dwell therein." [23:1-11]

"So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [18:110]

Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

"When the son of Adam reads a verse of prostration and then prostrates, Satan departs from him and cries, saying, 'Woe to me. The son of Adam was ordered to prostrate and he did so and, therefore, he will be granted paradise. I was ordered to prostrate and disobeyed and, therefore, I will get the hell-fire."

Religion Without Prayer is Like a Body Without a Head

Ibnu Umar (ra) related that Rasulullah (saws) said, "One who foregoes the obligatory prayers is without a religion because the position of these prayers is that of a head on a body."

Deeds Most Loved by Allah

Rasulullah (saw) said, "The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly , even if they are small."

Short Du'a for all occasions





Bismillah
"In the name of Allah"


We say this when we begin something, such as reciting the Qur'an, eating, getting into a vehicle, ect. It is also found at the beginning of almost all the surahs in the Qur'an.


Al-hamdulillah
"Praise be to Allah"


We say this to show our gratefulness to Allah. We also say it when we sneeze, in order to thank Allah for relieving us from our discomfort.


Yarhamuka-Allah
"May Allah have mercy on you"


When one Muslim sneezes and says al-hamdulillah, the other Muslims present ask Allah to be merciful to him, by saying yarhamuka-Allah, or yarhamukum-Allah


As-salamu Alaykum
"May peace be with you"


This is the greeting we give when we meet other Muslims.


Wa'Alaykum as-Salam
"And may peace also be with you"


This is the reply to the greetings of peace, showing our brotherly and sisterly love and also our best wishes. We can also return a longer greeting...saying Wa'Alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.


Fi Amanillah
"Go with Allah's protection"


We use this when we say farewell or (goodbye) to someone.


Masha'Allah
"Allah has willed it"


We say this on happy occasions, when hearing good news or when complementing someone.


Insha'Allah
"If Allah wills"


Whenever we make a promise or an intention to do something in the future, we add Insha'Allah, remembering that we can only do so with Allah's help.


Astaghfirullah
"I seek Allah's forgiveness"


This is what we say when we say when we feel sorry for something we thought, said or done.


Jazak-Allah
"May Allah reward you"


When we thank a fellow muslim for something he has done, we can say Jazak-Allah, asking Allah to reward hime.


A'udhubillah
"I seek refuge in Allah"


Whether we are afraid, angry or wish to ward off an evil thought, we can seek Allah's help and protection by saying A'udhubillah.

What should we say when we....?

What should we say when we get up?


Al-hamdu lillahil-lahi ahyana ba'da ma amatana wa ilayhin-nushur
"Praise be to Allah, who revived us to life after making us sleep; and we arise to him"


In a way, being asleep is like being dead; we are not aware of what is happening around us when we sleep. Saying this little prayer when we wake up reminds us that it is Allah who gives us night and day, makes us sleep and wake up. We show our gratitude to Him for giving us another day to live. This prayer also reminds us that just Allah wakes us up each morning, He will bring us all back to life after death on the Day of Judgement.


What should we say when we go to the bathroom?


Allahumma inni a'udhu-bika minal-khubthi wa'l-khaba'ith
"O Allah! I seek Your protection against filth and impurities."


Islam is a religion of purity and cleanliness. When we go to the bathroom, we should take care to clean ourselves properly. We should also make sure that our clothes do not become soiled, and we should leave the bathroom as clean for the next person as we would like to find it ourselves.


What should we say when we leave the bathroom?


Ghufranak
"(O' Allah) I seek your forgiveness."


We ask Allah to forgive us for our mistakes and impurities, and we try to keep ourselves clean in body, mind and soul.


What should we say when we start doing wudu?


Allahumma-ghfirli dhanbi wa-wassi'li fi dari wa-barik li fi rizqi.
"O Allah! Forgive my sins, give me abundance in my home and bless me in what you have given me."


The Prophet (S) once explained that our sins are washed away when we make wudu just as dead leaves fall from a tree when it is shaken, if we take care to make our wudu properly and with a sincere intention. As we put aside our work for a few minutes in order to pray, we ask Allah to bless whatever wordly activities we are leaving for his sake.


What should we say when we complete wudu?


Ash-hadu an-la-ilaha illal-lahu wahdahu la-sharika lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.


"I witness that there in no god but Allah (the One God). He is One and has no partner. And I witnes that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.


Another Du'a:


Allahumma-j alni minat-tawwabin waj alni minal-mutatahhirin.


"O Allah! Make me one of the people who repent often (for their sins) and keep themselves pure."


We make our wudu complete by renewing our testimony of faith in Allah Who has given us the priceless gift of the guidance of Islam, and His Messenger Muhammad (S) who taught us how to live.


What should we say when we get dressed?


Al-hamdulilahil-ladhi kasani ma uwari bihi awrati wa-atajammalu bihi fi hayatti.
"Praise be to Allah who has given me clothing with which I cover my body and adorn myself in life."


Clothing not only covers our nakedness from the vies of others and protect us from the heat and cold, rain and wind, but also gives us a beautiful and dignified appearance. We thank Allah for each new article of clothing we receive, as well as the person who has given it to us.


What should we say when we look in the mirror?


Alhamdulillah. Allahumma hassin khuluqi kama hassanta khalqi.
"Praise be to Allah. O Allah, just as you have created my body in and excellent form, please make my character excellent as well."


Unlike people, Allah does not judge us by our bodies, but by our hearts. Regardless of how we look, we should always remember it is our character, manners and habits which are most important.


What should we say when we start eating?


Bismillah (wa 'ala barakatil-lah)
"In the name of Allah (and with Allah's blessings)."


There are a number of different dua we can say as a grace at meals. This one, which is short and simple, reminds us that our food comes from Allah, and it is great blessing from Him.


What should we say when we break our fast?


Allahumma laka sumtu wa-bika amantu wa'ala rizqika aftartu faghfirli.
"O Allah, I have fasted for you, I believe in you, and I am breaking my fast with what You have provided for me, so forgive me."


If we are fasting, it is sunnah to say this additional supplication before saying bismillah.


What should we say if we forget Bismillah at the beginning of a meal?


Bismillah awwalahu wa-akhirahu
"In Allah's name at the beginning and at the end."


Sometimes we are in such a hurry to eat that we forget to mention Allah's name at the beginning of the meal. This simple prayer eases our conscience and allows us to enjoy the rest of our meal with the full blessings of Allah.


What should we say when we finish eating?


Al-hamdulillahil-ladhi at amana wa saqana wa ja'alna minal-muslimin
"Praise be to Allah Who has given us food and drink and made us Muslims."


Even as we begin our meal with Allah's name, we should remember to thank Him for our food and drink and the blessings of Islam when we finish eating.


What should we say when we start to recite the Holy Qur'an?


A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim, bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim
"I seek Allah's protection from the cursed (shaitan). I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.


Allah tells us in the Qur'an that we should seek His protection from (Shaitan) before beginning our recitation of the blessed Qur'an. This helps us focus our attention and prevents us from becoming distracted, or thinking bad thoughts. And then we begin by saying bismillah, as we do at the start of all important things.


What should we say when we leave the house?


Bismillah, tawakkaltu 'alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa-billah
"In the name of Allah (I depart), placing my trust in Allah. There is no power or strength except in Allah."


Saying this prayer shows that we rely on Allah to protect us from all harm whenever we leave our home.


What should we say when we travel by car, bus or by other means of transport?


Subhanal-ladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin wa inna ila rabbina la-munqalibun.
"Glory be to the One Who has made it possible for us to master this (car, animal, ect.) for our own needs, for we would never be able to accomplish it on our own. And we will surely return to our Lord (in the end.)


One of Allah's wonders is that He has created so many ways for us to travel and care for our needs. Through the gift of the human mind, people have discovered a great variety of transport: donkey, horse, camel, bicycle, car, bus, train, airplane, ect. Without the gift of intelligence, without the animals that can be trained to help us, and without the many materials that the earth provides, we would be left to make our way about on our own two feet! This prayer reminds us to be grateful for these favours, and also lets us consider the fact that, at the end of our life's journey, we will return to Allah, our Maker.