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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Day of Recompense[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When we recite, (Sovereign of the Day of Recompense) [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]we seldom reflect over the power of these words and what they signify. The Day of Recompense is the Day of Judgment, the day in which we will all return to our Lord to be judged for our time here on earth. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Why does Allah (swt) emphasize this when He has already told us that He is the Lord of the Worlds, which includes the Day of Judgment? [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To remind us of our eventual return, and to show us that all possessions and power that people have in this world will fade away and nothing will remain except His Power over all things. On that day we will not even be able to utter a word unless He has given us permission ...[/FONT]

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/sovereign-of-the-day-of-recompense/

 

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prayer is a Conversation[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah has said in a hadith qudsi (sacred tradition) about Surat al-Fatiha:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant, into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When the servant says, “[All] praise is [due] to Allah , Lord of the worlds,” Allah says, “My servant has praised Me.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When the servant says “The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,” Allah says, “My servant has extolled me.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When the servant says “Sovereign of the Day of Recompense,” Allah says, “My servant has glorified me.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When the servant says “It is You we worship and You we ask for help,” Allah says, “This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.”[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When the servant says “Guide us to the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray,” Allah says, “All these are for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.” (Muslim)[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]What a beautiful conversation to be having with our Lord. ...[/FONT]

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/reflecting-on-creation/

 

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Sharing the Joy of Giving

What a great quality to instill in our children: the joy of giving.

If we could share with our own children the joy that giving can bring, they can feel for themselves the spirit of sharing and distributing the blessings that Allah has bestowed on them ...

IslamiCity.com - Sharing the Joy of Giving

 

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In the Name of God[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]We have now arrived at a beautiful place, where we recite the most beautiful name – the basmala (beginning one’s prayer by saying bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem – in the name of Allah, the most Merciful the Most Compassionate). [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Reciting this majestic Name should invoke within us a sense of peace and safety in all places and at all times – does the heart find rest except with His remembrance? [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]His Name is the most incredible thing to be in the heart of a Muslim, as His Name is not mentioned on anything small except that it increases it and not on anything great except that it blesses it. His Name is magnificent, as it removed the harms of all places and in all times. ...[/FONT]

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/in-the-name-of-god/

 

[zainabhaseen]

The [FONT=&quot]Holy Quran[/FONT] is the last book sent to us by Allah and it’s the duty of every human being on the earth to read and learn Quran and fulfill the commands mentioned in it. Most of the people don’t even care about reading or leaning Quran but though they accept this as a great scripture. The significance of Holy Quran and its place in our lives is very great. In Quran Allah says:

It (the Quran) is a Book We have sent down to you, full of blessing, so let people of intelligence ponder its Signs and take heed.(Qur’an, Surah Sad: 29)

No indeed! It (the Quran) is a reminder to which anyone who wills may pay heed. But they will only heed if Allah wills. He is entitled to be feared and entitled to forgive.(Qur’an, Surat al-Muddaththir: 54-55)

[FONT=&quot]Several people read the Holy Quran but the main thing is to think about the message given to us in this book. We have to draw a lesson from the verses of Quran and we should improve our spiritual relation with the lessons. In Quran Allah stated stories from the lives of our Holy Prophets and His messengers so that we can learn to live life with an ideal conduct. Allah has mentioned in some of the verses that we must consider the life styles of the messengers and apply the pattern on ourselves.[/FONT]

There is an instruction in their stories for people of intelligence.(Quran, Surah Yusuf: 111)[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]And (We left a Sign) also in Musa when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority.(Quran, Surat adh-Dhariyat: 38)[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]We rescued him (Nuh) and the occupants of the Ark and made that into a Sign for all the worlds.(Quran, Surat al-'Ankabut: 15)

 

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah’s Favors[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Those on whom Allah has bestowed His favors[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When we recite this verse, our heart should soften because we remember those people whom Allah (glory be unto Him) has bestowed His favor- the Prophets (may peace be upon them), the Companions, the righteous and so on. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This verse gives us comfort that those who follow this path are those whom Allah is with – thus, do not be ashamed of your faith before those who belittle it; do not shrink back when you are the only person who does not drink or when your hijab is questioned. [/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Many of the surahs in the Qur’an tell us the stories of the Prophets, almost as though to give comfort to our Prophet Muhammad when he was going through hardship in delivering the message. This ayah too should do just that for us – we should know that as long as we are on this path, Allah is with us[/FONT]

Allah’s Favors » Suhaib Webb - audio, discussions, translations and musings

 

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“And bow with those who bow…”

Rukoo’ (the bow): External Actions

Preparing ourselves for the prayer means realizing whom we are meeting with—Allah (exalted is He), our Lord, the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

We beautify ourselves externally because we are meeting with Allah, and we humble ourselves internally as we stand before the Most High. We stand between fear and hope, but the overwhelming emotion is love. When we recite Surat al-Fatiha (the Opener), we pause after every verse to reflect on it, knowing that Allah responds. When we recite a short surah (chapter) afterward, we recognize that these words are a message to us.

The External Acts of Rukoo’

When finish reciting the short surah after al-Fatiha, we should implement a very short pause just as the Prophet did (as related by Abu Dawud), and then raise our hands to say, “Allahu Akbar (God is Greater).” Remember that between almost every change of position we say, “Allahu Akbar.” This is to remind ourselves and to alert us that Allah is greater than anything—whatever our mind is distracted with and whatever worries plague us. And then we bow down in rukoo’. When we bow down, we should emulate the actions of the Prophet ...

“And bow with those who bow…” » Suhaib Webb - audio, discussions, translations and musings

 

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Shared Values[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As Muslims, our intellectual outlook supports the existence of shared values. The basis for this belief is as follows:

1. Islam establishes the idea of absolute equality between all human beings and that they are descended from a common ancestor. They have one Lord and they share one father. Allah says: “O humankind! We have indeed created you from a man and a woman and made you into nations and tribes to know one another.” [Sûrah al-Hujurât: 13]

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “O humankind! Your Lord is one Lord, and you have one father. All of you are from Adam, and Adam is from dust. The noblest of you is the most God-fearing. No Arab has and superiority over a non-Arab, no non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab, no black person has any superiority over a white person, and no white person has any superiority over a black person – superiority is only through piety.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhî]

2. Islam asserts that all human beings are created with a natural inclination towards goodness, towards, truth, and towards faith in Allah. Allah says: “So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created the human being. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah’s creation.” [Sûrah Rûm: 30]

No matter how protracted and never-ending the debate might be among philosophers whether moral values are universal or relative, common sense tells us that shared values do exist. The best proofs for this are the human faculties of reason (which Descartes considered the greatest thing distributed among humanity) and of language.

Every rational mind recognizes justice and every language has a word for it – a word which is recognized as having a positive and noble meaning. The same can be said for “truth”, “liberty”, “tolerance”, “integrity” and many other concepts. These are praised by all cultures and expressed positively in all languages.

The opposites of these concepts are regarded with derision and rejected, like “tyranny” and “oppression”. If we were to address the most despotic person as a “tyrant”, he would take offense. He would prefer to be described as just. Likewise, even a liar dislikes to be named as such. “Deception” and “bigotry” are likewise words that people have an aversion to, regardless of what cultural background they have. Is this not evidence for the existence of shared values?

These shared values need to be actively promoted in the world today, and not just the essential human rights that are indispensable for human beings to be able to live with each other. Rather, these shared values are much more embracing, like mercy, kindness, and the generosity to help those who are in need regardless of their race, religion, or country of origin. We need to incorporate these values into our understanding of human relations, so that we will not only uphold the principle of human equality in a neutral way, but embrace the “other” with warmth, love, and a true sense of brotherhood.

An old Arab saying – which is found in one form or another in all languages – goes: “Treat others the way that you wish to be treated.”

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in the hadîth: “No one truly believes until he wants for his brother what he wants for himself.” ...

When love is realized by both parties, hostilities come to an end. Love is an emotional state as well as a mode of conduct. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged us to proclaim our love, saying: “If one of you loves his brother, he should let him know it.”

Love is a shared value, since all people are pleased with it, even those who do not act according to its dictates. This is the true test for a shared value – that everyone wishes to be regarded as possessing it. No one wants to be described as “unjust” or “intolerant”.

Such values, in spite of their universality, can wilt and become dormant if they are not nurtured and encouraged ...[/FONT]

http://islamtoday.com/artshow-418-3004.htm

 

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Ruku’ (Bowing in prayer): The Internal Component

When we recite Qur’an, we know we should have khushoo’ (devotion) because we are reciting the words of Allah. When we go into sujood (prostration), we know that God answers our du`a’ (supplication), so we try hard to concentrate. Yet what do we feel when we go into ruku’ (bowing)?

Fulfilling the Needs of the Soul

We all have certain daily needs. A parent cannot wait to get home from work to embrace their children, and even if the children are asleep, the parent will give them a kiss just to fill that space. When we feel hunger, we sometimes become tired and cranky until we eat.

Just like we have emotional and physical needs, we also have spiritual needs. The soul thirsts for the worship of God. Many people feel an emptiness, and try to fill it with other things. But just like a hungry person cannot satisfy his hunger by running—we would find that absurd—this spiritual thirst cannot be fulfilled except through the true worship of God...

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/ruku%E2%80%99-the-internal-component/

 

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Forgiveness and Tolerance in Islam

It never ceases to amaze me that Allah can inspire so much fear in our hearts when we reflect on His supremacy, yet his mercy is equally as vast as His dominion. Allah tells us in a Hadith Qudsi (sacred narration of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him):

“O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you” (Al-Tirmidhi).

Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah) there is no limit to Allah’s forgiveness, even though our mistakes are numerous.

But what’s disheartening is how seldom we are able to forgive each other and how often we are impetuously intolerant toward one another. Islam teaches us that the strongest of servants are those who not only have the strength to suppress their anger when they are tested but also possess an immeasurable capacity to forgive. ...

[URL="http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/forgiveness-and-tolerance-in-islam/"]http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/forgiveness-and-tolerance-in-islam/[/URL]

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Cultivating Faith

Al-Fatiha (Chapter 1) is a reflection of the Qur’an, and the Qur’an has five major objectives.

We said the first one is tawheed (declaring the Oneness of Allah) and there’s a reason for this. It is because we have different types of worship (`ibadah). For example, somebody can worship something which is not really deserving of worship. So Al-Fatiha in the Qur’an elaborates on tawheed to make it clear as to who should be worshiped, and insha’ Allah (God willing) we’ll elaborate on that.

The second objective of the Quran is promises and warnings. Allah says:

“Give good news to those who believe and do good […]” (Qur’an, 2:25)...
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Cultivating Faith » Suhaib Webb - audio, discussions, translations and musings

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Allah Listens
(The Salah Series)

Rising from Ruku’

After the ruku’ (bowing), he peace be upon him, would straighten up his back, saying:

“Allah listens to the one who praises Him.”

Most of us rush this part; as soon as we are standing after ruku’, we immediately jump down to sujood (prostration). However, when the Prophet went back to the standing position, he would stand straight until every vertebra returned to its place...[/FONT]

Allah Listens » Suhaib Webb - audio, discussions, translations and musings

 

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Our Hearts Must Engage in the Worship of Allah [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Islam prescribes many forms of worship that have outward expressions, prayer being the most obvious of these. Yet, the greatest, most important facets of worship are the internal ones – the devotions of the heart and of the inner self. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah says: “Set your face to the religion in true sincerity.” [Sûrah al-Rûm: 30] [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To direct oneself to Allah, to rely on Him alone, and to seek his countenance through one’s deeds is the greatest form of worship there is. This is what purifies and beautifies the heart, and it is accomplished through the love of Allah and being constantly aware of Him. This is the distinction that pious believers have over the sinners and hypocrites... [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The heart dictates and the limbs obey. This is why Allah has made salvation in the Hereafter dependent upon the sanctity of the heart. Allah says: “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will prevail, except for him who brings to Allah a sound heart.” [Sûrah al-Shu`arâ’: 88-89] [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When we bring to Allah a sound heart, we will find benefit in our wealth, our children, and our deeds. This is because our limbs would have already availed us. As for these who come to Allah with hearts that are dead or sick, they will find no benefit in anything else. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The likeness of two people, one who remembers his Lord and one who does not, is that of the living and the dead.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6407) and Sahîh Muslim (779)] ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions”. When he said this, he was talking about all actions. The acceptability to Allah of any outward action is contingent on the intention behind it, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "and every person will have only what he intended.” [/FONT]

http://islamtoday.com/artshow-241-3679.htm

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Believer and the Problems of Life

The quality that we need, that any believer needs to develop, that is the true measure of attainment, is to be free of the kind of egoism that gives rise to negativity, resentment, jealousy, superiority, inferiority, blame, and insecurity. To simply be, without a trace of the false self, is to have attained the purpose of belief ...

So, on the one hand, we sometimes need to drop our ego's point of view and be virtually without self.

At the same time, there are situations in life that may not be solved with selflessness alone. There are times when we also need to be excellent communicators and problem solvers.

Can we learn to solve our problems with love? There are circumstances that demand our wisdom. When to speak, and when to be silent? How much to say, and how to say it? ...[/FONT]

IslamiCity.com - The Believer and the Problems of Life

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Getting the Most Out of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan provides us with a blessed chance to reap blessings and rewards. That is not all. It is also an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen and purify our character. The general spirit of Ramadan encourages us to live more wholesomely and better ourselves.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) tells us: "When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of hell are locked, and the devils are chained." [Sahîh Muslim (1079) and Sunan al-Tirmidhî (682)]

The reduced temptation to do wrong afforded to us by fasting and by the general atmosphere of Ramadan gives us a chance to show Allah our best potential. We should do what we can to maximize this potential.

Renew Your Relationship With the Qur'ân

To get ourselves in the proper frame of mind – and earn Allah's blessings as well – we should devote more of our time to the Qur'ân.

We should not only read it every day, but it is really important to reflect on what it is telling us, to ponder the lessons we can learn to improve our lives. The more we dwell upon the Qur'ân and its teachings, the better it will be for us, since Allah is speaking to us directly. The Qur'ân is a balm for our hearts, a restraint on our passions, and a cure for our doubts and misgivings.

Therefore, we need to read the Qur'ân with sincerity and concentration. We need to seriously meditate on its meanings. How sad it is for a person who does not benefit from his or her reading of the Qur'ân. ...
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Getting the Most Out of Ramadan | IslamToday - English

P.S. Ramadan due to start this year on August 11th

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Importance of Surah al-Ikhlas (Qur’an: Chapter 112)

The 112th chapter of the Qur’an is called al-Ikhlās, which literally means “sincerity” or “purity”.

It is given this name since it affirms the purity of faith, uncorrupted by polytheism, and sincerity of worship to Allah alone without partner. It affirms in the most emphatic terms that Allah is One (al-Ahad), the only true God. It affirms that He is wholly Self-Subsisting (al-Samad), and negates any claim that He was born of another or that He has a child. It then concludes by affirming His absolute uniqueness.

Allah’s names al-Ahad and al-Samad appear in the Qur’an only in this chapter.

Much can be said about the importance of this short chapter of the Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite this chapter in the second unit of the Morning Prayer. He would also recite it in the Witr prayer at night and in the prayer that he would offer after completing the circumambulation of the Ka`bah.

Al-Ikhlās was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during the early days of Islam when the Muslims were still living in Mecca. The pagans of Mecca one day approached him and challenged: “Give us the genealogy of your Lord.” ...
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
It was then that Allah revealed the four brief verses of Sūrah al-Ikhlās to His Prophet: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Self-Subsisting. He begets not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him. [Sūrah al-Ikhlās: 1-4][/FONT]​

The Importance of Surah al-Ikhlas (Qur’an: ch. 112) | IslamToday - English

 

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The Secret of Prayer: Sujood

True Happiness

Where do we find happiness? Not material happiness, but true internal happiness. As Muslims, we may respond that true happiness in this world comes from being closer to God. The closer you are to Allah, the more your heart is at rest.

This is why the Prophet chose to be with Allah, saying “God has given a slave the choice between immortality in this world for as long as God wills, or meeting his Lord, and he has chosen to meet his Lord.” When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) heard this he wept, because he knew that the Prophet had chosen being with Allah over this life.

To be close to Allah, you have to go into sujood...

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/the-secret-of-prayer-sujood/

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Springtime of My Heart

Spring and all its healing and hopeful wonders come only once a year. And weather will not always be nice or wholesome or pleasant. Sometimes the storms come and destroy what we love most and leave us devastated in its aftermath. Sometimes we ourselves create those storms. And that knowledge breaks us even more. Weather is not always clement.

But we, the fragile creatures that we are, are ever in need of spring-time. The All-Clement, in his mercy, did not leave us at the mercy of inclement weather. He gave us a springtime that may be entered at anytime of year, in any weather. It is the Qur'an, and the key to opening its door is the sincerity of our hearts. The light of spring is but a reflection of the Qur'an itself. The Prophet, a man who was clement in his nature and was in perfect harmony with his environment (spiritual and physical, internal and external), prayed that his heart would be filled with die springtime that the Qur'an holds in its words and meanings and melodious recitation...[/FONT]

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=JM1007-4213

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]John the Baptist: A Prophet of Islam

Amongst the 25 Prophets mentioned by God in the Quran, one name is Prophet John (peace be upon him). In Arabic, his name is Yahya. He is also a Prophet who figures prominently in Christianity, where he is known as John the Baptist. His story in the Christian tradition is described in Luke 1:5-22.

In Islam, belief in all of Allah's (God) Prophets is a fundamental article of faith. A person who denies belief in any of the Prophets, be it Jesus (peace be upon him) Moses (peace be upon him), or any of the others leaves the fold of Islam.

His miraculous birth

Prophet Jesus was not the only Prophet who was born miraculously. By miraculous, we mean outside of the normal process of human reproduction Allah has ordained which requires a man and a woman to conceive a child. In the case of Jesus, this meant being born of a mother but no father.

But Prophet Adam' (peace be upon him) birth was even more miraculous in this sense since he was created with no mother or father. Similarly, Hawwa or Eve (may Allah be pleased with her) was created from a man, her husband, and no parents.

The birth of Prophet John is miraculous because he is the offspring of a barren mother and an elderly father. His father, it should be noted, was also a Prophet named Zecheriah or Zakaraya.

"'Zecheriah, We bring you the good news of the birth of a son whose name shall be John, one whose namesake We never created before.' He said: 'My Lord! How can I have a child when my wife is barren and I have reached an extremely old age?' He answered: 'So shall it be.' Your Lord says: 'It is easy for Me', and then added: 'For beyond doubt, I created you earlier when you were nothing' (Quran 19:7-9).

"Zecheriah exclaimed: 'My Lord! How shall I have a son when old age has overtaken me and my wife is barren?' He said: 'Thus shall it be; Allah does what He wills'" (Quran 3:40).

With the birth of John, Allah granted Zecheriah his desire for an heir.

"And We bestowed favor upon Zecheriah, when he cried to his Lord: 'Lord! Leave me not solitary [without any issue]. You are the best Inheritor.' So We accepted his prayer and bestowed upon him John, and We made his wife fit (to bear a child). Verily they hastened in doing good works and called upon Us with longing and fear, and humbled themselves to Us" (Quran 21:89-90).

The beautiful qualities of John

Allah did not just miraculously grant Zecheriah a son. He made this child a blessing for his parents and beautiful in character. Prophet John is described in the Quran as chaste and righteous. ...[/FONT]

IslamiCity.com - John the Baptist: A Prophet of Islam

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Sacred Conversation

There is a time of night when the whole world transforms. During the day, chaos often takes over our lives. The responsibilities of work, school, and family dominate much of our attention. Other than the time we take for the five daily prayers, it is hard to also take time out to reflect or even relax. Many of us live our lives at such a fast pace, we may not even realize what we’re missing.

But there is a time of night when work ends, traffic sleeps, and silence is the only sound. At that time—while the world around us sleeps—there is One who remains awake and waits for us to call on Him. We are told in the hadith qudsi: “Our Lord descends during the last third of each night to the lower heaven, and says: ‘Is there anyone who calls on Me that I may respond to him? Is there anyone who asks Me that I may give unto him? Is there anyone who requests My Forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari and Muslim)

One can only imagine what would happen if a king were to come to our door, offering to give us anything we want. One would think that any sane person would at least set their alarm for such a meeting. If we were told that at exactly one hour before dawn a check for $10,000,000 would be left at our doorstep, would we not wake up to take it? ...
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A Sacred Conversation » Suhaib Webb - audio, discussions, translations and musings