Purification of the Soul

'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radiallahu 'anhu relates that the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam would supplicate, "O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, safety and well-being, and contentment and sufficiency." [Allahumma inni as 'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina. Related by Muslim, no. 2721]

Imam as-Sa'di (d. 1376H) - rahimahullah - said in Bahjatul Qulubul-Abrar (p. 198):

"This du'a (supplication) is from the most comprehensive and beneficial du'a, since it includes asking Allah for well-being with regards to both the Religion and the World.

Thus, al-huda (the Guidance) is beneficial knowledge, and at-tuqa (i.e. taqwa or piety) is righteous actions and leaving-off what Allaah and His Messenger have forbidden; and this is (asking) for correctness and well-being of a person's Religion.

For indeed, the Religion comprises of beneficial knowledge and recognising the truth - which is guidance - and standing firm upon obedience to Allah and His Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam - and this is piety.

And al-'afafa (well-being and safety) and al-ghina (contentment and sufficiency) comprises of being safe from (the harms of) the creation and that the heart is not attached to them.

So whosoever is granted the provision of guidance, piety, well-being and contentment has indeed achieved true happiness, and has acquired all that could be possibly sought after, as well as being saved from all that is dreadful and frightening."And it also comprises of being contended with Allah and what He provides, and seeking whatever will cause the heart to be satisfied with Him. So with this, happiness in this worldly life is completed, and the heart tastes true sweetness and delight - and this is a goodly life.

So whosoever is granted the provision of guidance, piety, well-being and contentment has indeed achieved true happiness, and has acquired all that could be possibly sought after, as well as being saved from all that is dreadful and frightening."

 From The Introduction to al-Khushu fis-Salat of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali

Be Mindful O Mankind!

To all who love and revere the Book, And earnestly strive to find in it, Not a reflection of their own fancies, But a clue to Unity, Discipline, And the call to higher matters of the spirit, The Fruit of Life, Thought and Study.
'Abdullah Yusuf Ali (d. 1373H), may Allah have mercy upon him

Never Forget What They Said

When asked about the options for the Gaza Strip Eliyahu said every option is open. Pushed by the interviewer on whether Israel should just drop an atomic bomb on the territory, Eliyahu replied, “That’s one of the options.”
Israel's Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, 5 November 2023