Benefit of Going to the Masjid

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who purifies himself (performs Wudhu) in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (Masjid) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” [Sahih Muslim]

This hadith tells us the merit of offering Salat in the Masjid. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) encourages us to go to the Masjid for Fardh prayers by offering us alternatively the wiping out of minor sins and the elevation of one’s rank in Jannah by one degree with each step that one takes towards the Masjid.

This hadith also indicates the superiority of cleansing and readying oneself in one’s house rather than in the Masjid. One should try to go to the Masjid in one’s best condition. This is practical advice to help prevent unnecessary crowding and mess in the Masjid’s bathrooms and Wudhu areas. Since the Masjid is one of the houses of Allah we should try to keep our presence in it as pleasant as possible.

Punctuality in the Asr and Fajr Prayers

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you, ascend (to the heaven) and Allah, Who knows better about them, asks, ‘In what condition did you leave My slaves?’ They reply, ‘We left them while they were performing Salat and we went to them while they were performing Salat.’” [Sahih Bukhari]

When the principal of a school makes special mention of the high achievement of one of the students in assembly, it is not because the Principal doesn’t know, but because he/she wants to honour the high achiever by mentioning their achievements before all the other students and faculty. Almighty Allah knows everything but even then He asks the angels about His pious slaves so that the piety of the believers and their merit and distinction become evident to all.

Always Alhamdulillah

Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity befalls him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is good for him.” [Sahih Muslim]

For a Muslim there is reward (hasanaat), and thus eternal good (khair), in every circumstance. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is responsible for all the good that comes to us we thank and praise Him by saying and feeling “Alhamdulillah” in all circumstances.

There was once a courtier of a king who would always say, “Alhamdulillah.” One day the king’s hand got cut. The courtier exclaimed, “Alhamdulillah.” The king got very upset at this and had the courtier thrown into prison. The courtier again said “Alhamdulillah” on being put in jail.

Poison Saddam! Cook refused!

Poison Saddam! Cook refused!

The personal cook of Saddam Hussain says, “It is completely unjust that they killed a wonderful human being, Saddam Hussain”

The Cook, Haja Mohideen from Keelakkarai, India, was shedding tears when he was talking about his previous employer, Saddam Hussain.

Haja Mohideen served Saddam, for many years. At present he is running a Fast Food Restaurant in Triplicane, India.

We met him in his residence at Puthuppet. He started to relate his experience in the Palace of Saddam.

“On my first day of work as a personal cook for Saddam, a manager like person, in some formal dress, gave me a menu for the day, for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

This routine continued and I served the food accordingly.

Purpose of Marriage

When a man married, the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) would say, “Allah bless you, and unite you both in good works.” [Abu Dawud]

The purpose of all our actions in life should be the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). This is true for marriage as well. Together husband and wife make a fantastic team but for this their mutual relationship has to be strong.
 
Regarding the husband-wife relationship Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says: “They are as a garment for you and you are as a garment for them.” [Quran 2:187] The following two ayaat of the Quran explain what the function of a garment is: