The Blue Book Of Reflections

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most

Compassionate, we pray that Allah (Exalted is he) assists us
and showers mercy upon us even though we are not
deserving of it. May all of mankind bless the best of creation
Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon
him) as he sacrificed much for us even though we are
heedless.

This text is a reflection of a nobody. These are thoughts that

came to us over the period of six months in 2003-4. We
reflected on the works of many authors and we were openly
reading whatever came to hand.
Chapter one
Faces and recompense

I seen the faces of many different people and they told me,
without the means of words, that Allah (The Exalted) loves
them.

The eyes of these people who pray and do good works shine
a light that does not need language. Not the kind that will
scare or frighten you but a light which will comfort you. And
you’ll know that this person is loved by Allah (Exalted is he).
As He does all his slaves even if they obey their master or
not. Know he is the King of all masters.

Many times in my life have I heard the complaints of the

people about the work and effort they have out into a
project. At places of work where they expected recompense
for their work. They are often left disappointed and
disheartened. Like us all we expect what we do to acquire a
reward for.

There is one only one who will pay you back for your works
as you earned them and sometimes even more. Who is it?
Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And He will not pay you a little
He will recompense you more than your action, in good. How
amazing is that? How amazing Allah (The Exalted) is, He will
pay you back more than you deserves, if you go back to him.

Be a servant of Allah (The Exalted) and you shall see the good
in this life as well as the next, how sublime is that? Salvation
from distresses comes when one disappears from this world
to turn oneself to everlasting paradise.

How can anyone even being to imagine or write, in words,

about the magnificence of Allah (The Exalted). As it says in
the Quran, “Though the sea became ink for the Words of my
Lord, verily the sea would be used up before the words of my
Lord were exhausted, even though We brought the like
thereof to help.”1

Imagine the sea as ink, it takes a month for a seriously

committed student to use one pen. How many centuries
would it take to praise Allah (The Exalted) with this ink? How
much ink is in that pen? There is almost nothing. Think about
the small amount that is in plastic or metallic pen. It would
take an endless amount of time. We would exhaust ourselves
but we could not get anyone close. The praise of Allah (The
Exalted) is rightfully an action that mankind cannot justify do
even if they spent their whole life’s praising Allah (The
Exalted). Allah (The Exalted) deserves this and much, much
more.

He never places a burden upon us more than we can bear.

“Allah tasks no soul beyond its scope.”2 How grandiose is the
mercy of Allah (The Exalted)? He sends us something that we
can bear with and not something that we cannot bear. Yet at

1
Quran. The Cave 18:109.
2
Quran, The Heffer 2:286.
times people cannot bear with this. We need to realise that
we are approaching Allah (The Exalted) through this.

If we are burdened then it because of our own actions not

because of what has been placed upon us. Sometimes we are
unable to cope with anything. Allah (The Exalted) is a not an
oppressor. “Allah is not an oppressor of (His) servants.”3 The
punishment we receive is earned by actions. Even then if we
turn to Allah (The Exalted) and request his assistance it will
not be far away. How amazing Allah (The Exalted) is!

Many people are in a heedless state about Allah (The

Exalted) with their immoral belief in science and technology.
How many of us have turned and fled from Allah (The
Exalted)? I can see in the faces of these people that there is
nothing left in them. They say that the eyes are the window
of the soul and the soul is suffering under the burden of their
sin.

See the difference in the eyes of the person with Allah (The
Exalted) and the person without. The eyes of a person
without Allah (The Exalted) are dead and the eyes of a person
with Allah (The Exalted) are alive.

Consider this an atheist solider is facing an onslaught on

opposing forces on foot. He is sitting in his tank, very
comfortable but when he tries to fire his weapons they do
not work. He tries to fire his rockets and they do not work. All
the while the opposing forces are advancing. He is sensing

3
Quran, The Family of Imran 3:182.
that the faith that he put into technology was futile. He gets
out of his tank and tries other weapons and they do not
work. And when he nothing left to rely on he says what his
heart denies, “Oh my God.” Deep down he knows that there
is only one God and only He can save us from ourselves.
Good and evil
Chapter two

We earn evil, we earn our problems through the means of

our sins. We surely do reap what we sow but are we aware
that we do? We sometimes drift in and out without realising
what we are doing or who we are harming. Sometimes we
harm people without realising that we have done anything
wrong. According to our upbringing we haven’t done
anything wrong. But we have done something we should not
have and will realise the error soon.

Allah the exalted says, “And whatever calamity befalls you, it

is according to that which your own hands have earned and
Allah forgives much.” 42.30.

Allah forgives much there is so much that Allah could take us

to task for yet he has shown us mercy. Let not the mercy
leave you by taking others to task for what you think is wrong
when it might well be something that is allowed.

When bad occurs to you ponder for a moment. Did I do

something to deserve it? When something befalls you is out
of mercy that you are not taken to task for it in the next life
and his justice that you are taken to task.

The reward for a good act is another like it and the

punishment for wrong act is another like it. So if you want to
break the cycle of sin then repent and stay away from the sin.
“The recompense of evil deed is an evil deed like it.”4

Would you like to do goodness and reap goodness? Know

that we are able to control our own thoughts but we have to
observe them like a guardian and remove those bad
thoughts. Try not to dwell on sins or envisioning yourself
doing something that you cannot. We must repent form our
bad thoughts sometimes and we must avoid acting upon
them. As acting upon them leads to completing the sin and
allowing your naafs free rein when it’s best for it to be reined
in.

Whoever you are, you are never out of God’s reach. And
you’ll not realise this until it’s too late. Also let’s not fall into
the trap of thinking that we are free from punishment if we
do some things only repentance does that. Only repentance
frees you from the recompense of a bad action. As the
punishment of a bad action is another like it and the only
way to escape from this cycle of sin is to repent. Break this
cycle and set yourself free to roam in the oceans of
obedience. Is it not high time that things changed? Is it not
night time that you change?

Know we shall be given our due. During the time of the

Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) a
man died a martyr on the battlefield. His mother proclaimed
him a martyr. The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and
blessings be upon him) advised her not to comment on

4
Quran Counsel 42:39.
things she did not know. This is very subtle we have hopes
but we cannot be sure.

Many of us have group mentalities and follow our misguided

leaders and the sins that they commit. That is blind
fellowship and some groups have this and those groups are
not from one faction. Beware of falling into the sins that their
groups entrap you in.

Salvation is not based upon membership of a particular

group other than the Muslims. Yet we all call to our
respective groups as if they are the only ones who can draw
water from the well. We must not fall into this trap as Allah
loves the person who turns in repentance but we can
sometimes be unrepentant because of membership.
Chapter 3
Perfection, death

Know that you can never be a ‘perfect Muslim’ you can only
do your best. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes is not good
enough. As long as you keep trying then you are on the right
path. When you think that you done enough or that you stop
trying then satan gets happy as his plan is in place, don’t you
see? Perfection is not for you or me. If this happens ask Allah
for forgiveness and then continue on your way.

Richard Nixon said, “Never be afraid to go to God on your

hands and knees.” Whatever someone may feel about him
he never spoke a truer word than this.

One day in our lives we’ll have to face death. This will be hard
for you and for every single person to know that one day
your life will come to end. There is a reason for your
existence and that’s going to be made clear to you because
you knew along but ignored the signs. Your does not keep
going it comes to end. Allah says in the Quran, “Every soul
thing shall taste death.”5 This is a fact, we are alive now but
as a child grows to adulthood he begins to die. Take a day, a
week or even a year to realise this but do not become
hopeless Muslims are not a hopeless people. We hope that
one day that our sins will be forgiven and that we will die
Muslim thus attaining salvation.

5
Quran 29:57.
We may not even see the reward for our actions in this world
but as Shah Waliallah said, “Everything perishes but your
deeds.” We hope to take those good actions to our graves
and we hope that they will help us in it.

You may be in a state of confusion or complaint the only cure

for situation is prayer. How long as it been since you recited
the Quran? The minimum that a Muslim should finish the
Quran is twice a year. How many of us do not even finish it
once a year. The Muslims in our time are more concerned
with the worldly purists and all but abandoned pursing the
afterlife. So many of us are lost without the knowledge of
what we are losing.

One scholar said, “If you don’t understand Arabic then read
the Quran in English. If you do not understand it then read it
in French, Spanish etc.” Its good advice read it in a language
that you can engage with. Learning Arabic is achievable but
this is a long term goal it cannot be done overnight.

The point is keep trying even if you think that you have
achieved nothing. Know that the intention is worth the same
as the result, even if it is not achieved.
Chapter four
Mercy

Why is it that we cannot be merciful to the non Muslims in

our area? We have lived in the west for decades almost forty
years yet Islam is still not yet established here. We still speak
in our native languages and we are unaware of how to tackle
the problems that our children face.

Aren’t these people part of Bani Adam? Why can’t we expose

some of them to some light?

Many us watch the International media and are shocked are

our portrayal. Why are you surprised that people who hate
us portray us badly? There are people who can trust but
there are people we cannot. Are you surprised that the some
stations show crazy bearded people attacking people. This is
part of the big plan so don’t be hopeless or sad.

Know that Allah is the best of planners and his plan is going
as planned.
Chapter five
Sins of others

Many us are obsessed with the sins of others. We judge the

people and we are unaware of the damage that we are
doing. We have to give them a piece of our mind. We have to
tell them off but it’s not about haram or halal it’s because
they are not part of the same group as you.

The weakness that we see is the reflection of our weaknesses

so know that they are looking in the mirror. The problems
that we see outside the problems that they are inside.

Know that it’s your sins that you should be concerned about
as those are the sins that you’ll be questioned upon. There is
a time and place to warn people but wisdom has to be used.

Know that Allah can forgive sins and all you have to do is ask
sincerely. But do not be deluded into thinking that you can
do anything you want then ask for forgiveness. Stay away
from the sin and the inclination will go eventually.

Allah the exalted says, “And whatever calamity befalls you, it

is according to that which your own hands have earned and
Allah forgives much.” 42.30.
Chapter six
Grasshopper

Allah says in a Hadith Qudsi, “A believer maintains

performance of voluntary acts until Allah loves him; then
when Allah loves him; he becomes his eye with which he
sees; his ears with which he hears.”

At this stage you have reached a level in which you are tune
to the sacred law and you are protecting yourself from the
harm that can reach you from organs. What is entering your
ears, is it backbiting or are listening to the Quran. What are
you looking at? Lower your gaze.

You realise that Allah has created everything and you are
creation that has realising its servitude. Allah has planned for
things in your life that you cannot imagine will occur.

Do you remember the story of the grasshopper and the ant?

It was a story that I heard during childhood. Let us remind
ourselves of it. the grasshopper eats whatever he wants
when during the spring and summer seasons. In complete
heedlessness for the coming seasons. He sings, “The world
owes me a living.”

The ant on the other hand is busy storing food for the winter.
The next season is autumn where there is little food for the
grasshopper but the ant has its stories of food. Then winter
comes and the grasshopper has nothing to eat because he
has not prepared for this season. Yet the ant is ready with his
stories and has plenty of food because he prepared.

Now which would you rather be? The ant or the grasshopper.
Now change the picture and see the grasshopper as a
disbeliever and the ant as a Muslim. The grasshopper is
enamoured with the world and cannot see beyond it. The ant
knows that he has to put work in now before he can enjoy
the winter. The spring and the summer are the time of the
life in this world and the autumn is the grave. The winter is
day of judgement day and Paradise.

Muslims should be like ants by storing good deeds for use on

the last day. Let the grasshoppers be disillusioned into
thinking that the spring and summer will last but you know it
won’t last forever. When the time comes he will be lost but
you the ant will reap the seeds that you have sown. Yet look
now at some of us we want to be just like the grasshopper
and without knowing it we are wasting our time. Some
Muslim countries look at their crowing past and forget that it
was Islam that made their country great.

The reason why Islam spread so fast because it was

championed by those people who were just and loved Allah
totally, prayed, fasted and did not care about worldly things.
So many of us have slipped into a mode of thinking that they
should have the world like the grasshopper. This is a real
problem love of the world, love of power, love of money,
love of position. These are all diseases and we still wonder
where it went wrong.
All these reformers of Islam try to convince us that Islam
failed us so we must change Islam. No, Islam did not fail us
we failed Islam. We failed and changed our circumstances
that caused our downfall. The reformers all lied. Have you
wondered why all the Islamic reformers came from countries
that were occupied by foreign forces at the time? Is it me or
were they funded by the foreign forces? Muhammad Abduh
was exiled by Egyptian authorities but the British brought
him back and made him head of Al-Azhar the most
prestigious university in Egypt.
Chapter seven
Worldly desires

Imam Ghazali said in Deliverance from Error (p.59), “Worldly

desires were striving to keep me by their chains just where I
was...” “While the voice of faith was calling, ‘to the road, to
the road.” “All that keeps you busy, both intellectually and
practically, is but hypocrisy and delusion. If you do not
prepare now for the eternal life, when you will you prepare?
If you don’t sever their attachments now when will you sever
them?”

Is it not strange that we strive for temporary gaols and have

forgotten to put anything away for our permanent abode?
We work so we can buy things we do not need to fill in pieces
of jigsaw that does not fit with afterlife. We work so hard but
we are working for the world all this will disappear and when
we are buried six feet below the ground we will have nothing
but our good actions. But if we do not have good actions
what will we have? It’s only our actions we take into the next
world not our wealth. All our wealth gets left behind, we
leave it all behind.

We get so caught up with things, events we totally absorb

ourselves in things and forget about Allah. We find
meaningless tasks as major and we overlook everything else.
We forget Sunna, after Sunna after Sunna. We sit and amuse
ourselves to death, disappearing into computer games,
music, and activities that only draw us further away from
Allah. We are so heedless sometimes that we if someone
tried to wake up we would not wake up.

The problem is that we do not know it. It starts off as

harmless games, past times and pretty soon the person has
submerged himself into it. Lost in the web caught in the
spiders trap. We need to break free from the chains of this
world which prevent the soul from elevating itself to a higher
purpose, the purpose of knowing Allah.
Chapter Eight
Materialism

Materialism is something that is now plaguing the Muslims

we see non-Muslims with Dunya and we want what they
have. We want what he has. Do you we want to dress like
him, talk like him, act like him and be like him? What he has
is worthless and perishing. If the world meant anything do
you think Allah would give it someone doesn’t believe in
him? Don’t you think he would give something meaningful to
those who love and believe in him? Yes. The world is
worthless so do not envy those who possess what it
worthless. If we want to be a like a Kafir then does that mean
we want to be a disbeliever? Where are the Muslims now?
We used to be leaders of the modern world, leading lights in
mathematics, science, geography, philosophy, architecture
and others. Now we look at our past and wonder about its
delights. Would it not be better for us to do something like
that now? Why do you think Allah gave us so much? He gave
us much because Dunya didn’t mean anything and it’s less
because it harbours too great a place in many people hearts.
Allah is not punishing us now he is not an oppressor. He is
removing our sins or raising us up.

We were grateful, we practiced, we went to pray, we fasted,

we paid the poor their due and went to hajj. We recited the
testification of faith with firm conviction. Go back to what
Imam Ghazali said, “If you do not prepare for the eternal life
now when will you prepare?” Just before you die is too late
you have to start as soon as possible because the more you
plant the more you’ll reap. But if your reap nothing then
expect your eternal reward to be nothing!
Chapter Nine
Preparation

When someone prepares for work the next day they will
prepare themselves in different ways. He will either get up
early or do everything with plenty of time to travel to work.
Or he could get up late, rush to do what he has to and arrive
late to work. Or he can do certain things before he sleeps so
he is able to get up with ease that most of his preparation is
done the day before so he does not need to rush. For
example he could iron his clothes or prepare his lunch.

As Muslims we need to get to the highest level which is the

latter suggestion. We prepare well for things that we see the
benefit for but we are heedless of the benefit of doing
actions.

The sleep the night before resembles death and the next day
is the day of judgement. If we have prepared well then won’t
have a problem as long as death is upon Islam.

The first suggestion is trying to prepare for something when

it’s too late which is on the day. The second suggestion is
trying to do things when the time has passed so there is no
validity to his actions. Only the third has some validity
because he had his preparation before the day came.

Prepare for eternity or sooner or later you’ll ask the question

what am I doing with my life? But do not become hopeless as
Allah is merciful.
Chapter ten
Mercy part two

Let us now consider the mercy that Allah gives us without our
being worthy of it. Consider all the provision you have
received throughout your life. Rizq/Provision is anything that
you use. Your clothes, food, housing and all your possessions.
A mother may give to her offspring at certain times but Allah
is more merciful than this he gives to you all the time. Even
though you may be heedless of what is being given to you.
Breathing, sight, hearing, movement of the body, health and
there are so many innumerable gifts that we cannot fathom.

Why is some disbelieve in Allah when they ask and not given?
They think that just because they are not given something
that there is no gift giver! Just because there is cloud cover
over your head does not mean that there isn’t a sky beyond.
Do you just know Allah as a giver and if they do not give then
you do not know Him? So when he gives to you, you believe
in him but when he doesn’t you turn away. What does that
say about your faith? It says that your faith is dependent on
receiving with means you did not believe in the first place.
You failed the test! Sometimes not getting what you want is
better than getting what you want as there is much harm in
it.

So remember that when you are troubled by the least thing

when most of the time you are not troubled by anything.
Blessed are those with little food as they know the real value
of provision that is something that most of us have forgotten.
As we take the blessings of Allah for granted then we cannot
bear even the smallest hardship. So many of us walk the
earth without considering this fact.
Chapter eleven
War

This generation, unlike other generations, before has moved

into an uncertain world. Children all over the world are being
brought up with hate. Sooner or later they will use the only
thing they know to others. This is nothing but wrong and
tragic.

I see these times as a period where a single veil has removed

but many are still in the dark. Some people see the world and
its people for what they are and someone people see it for
what it is. Others say it has always been like this and only
now do others see it. So where do the Muslims stand? There
are some who said we should fight and other say we should
discuss. Many feel powerless but we are not powerless the
power of dua’ means we are never powerless. Hate needs to
be erased from our world. John F Kennedy said, “Man must
put an end to war or war will put an end to man.”
Chapter Twelve
Condition

Know that Allah wants us to be purified from our sins. These

trials and tests are a means to remove worse things that we
could have faced if we did not receive them. We must bear
these but we must also fulfil our duties which are
worshipping Allah to our upmost.

Realise no one person can change the world but a person can
change himself. Strive to serve your community and become
an excellent example. Follow the Quran and Sunnah through
the vision of the scholars of the nation and you can never go
wrong.

The Muslim nation, at the moment, is like a battered wife

who complains bitterly when she is attacked. Who does she
complain to? The attacker. Does he care? No, he doesn’t. We
need to stop thinking like this.

“Allah does not change the condition of a people until they

change their condition.”6

Muslims look to our great past, innovations in science,

philosophy, architecture and long for those days. Have you
forgotten something all those scientists were practicing
Muslims on the whole. They prayed, fasted, went to hajj,
gave alms and believed in Islam. We want to be like those

6
Quran the Thunder 13:11.
people who abandon our religion so we can ahead in all
fields.

The Muslims of that time were in a place where piety existed

and it was seen as wonderful quality to have. Now people
who follow Islam are made to feel small and backward. We
went to Egypt and were made to feel small by the people
because of my beard. Even though I wore western clothes on
like them. Do we really deserve to back on top ruling the
world when we see our religion as backwards? We must
deserve and earn the right only when that occurs will it
return.

When Allah is pleased with us and we are grateful for our

unfathomable blessings then we shall receive more.
Chapter thirteen
Good and evil 2

When you have dictionary you have no excuse for not

knowing what a word means; we should look into the Quran
to find out what being a Muslims means.

“And there may spring from you a nation who invite to

goodness, and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency.
Such are they who are successful.”7

At the same time Ibn Taymiyyah said in Enjoining right and

forbidding wrong (p.5), “Let your enjoining of good be good
and let not your forbidding of evil be evil.”

From this we can see that if say to someone that x is no

something they should be doing then we should do it in a
way doesn’t distance them from Islam. Wisdom is needed
when you command the good because if you use anger then
this has a negative effect.

Consider this there is a king who wishes to give a man

rewards but the man does not act justly. So the king
withholds his rewards. The man being very arrogant does
what he likes and the king waits to see if he’ll change but the
man is stubborn and continues to disobey the king. The man
is in open war with the king eventually the king gives him one
last chance but he does not repent and is killed. This man
died in a state of clear aggression without repenting. Does he

7
Quran the Family of Imran 3:104
not know that he was rebelling in the kingdom and the king
was aware of his actions?

Consider another man who obeys the king. The king is

pleased with him but does not give him what he wants and
instead gives him tests and trails. Even people come to him
trying to persuade him to disobey the king but they do not
convince him. The king is pleased with him and gives him
rewards and when the man dies he is in a state of submission
and peace. Which would you rather be? The man in
submission dies Muslim and the man in rebellion died non-
Muslim.

When you pray you attain a peace that the wealthy can never
afford. Allah loves those who love him; it’s as simple as that.
Chapter fourteen
Fate and destiny

Know o tired eyed reader that when and destiny play their
part they do not wait for accolades. It all falls into place.
Nothing and no one can prevent the decree of Allah taking
place. No one can take anything from you that you did not
own. They don’t take from you what was supposed to come
to you, it was never supposed to come to you. If it was meant
for you it would come and no one could stop it.

Everything has and order and everything has a place. Just as

Allah decreed, so not despair or lose hope. Or go back to the
way you used to be, you have left the evil you were
accustomed to so do not go back. I.e. things you used to rely
on other than Allah. Turn your whole body away and direct it
to Allah and say how you feel. And Allah will heal you. this is
part of Allah’s mercy to his creation.
Chapter fifteen
Ramadan

What an amazing month Ramadan is. People who were not

practicing their faith before now are like the best people that
you could ever hope to meet. Men and women seem to be so
much better in this month. We see that the soul knows who
it belongs to and where it is going to return so it going to
prepare now without the usual distractions. The bodily
motions add the system into turning it from something that it
once was to what it could be. The rewards are great for this
month but so are the punishments because you are refusing
the hospitality of a special guest. In this month be who you
are, a Muslim.
Chapter sixteen
Dust

Once I stayed in a hostel for a few months and I a copy of the

Quran on some shelving. Without knowledge the shelf was a
little dusty. The Quran was in a leather zip cover which
protected it from anything. Every time I picked up the Quran
to read some dust came off the shelf. This kept occurring
until the section that the Quran was clean all the dust had
gone.

This is how minds are and hearts are and if we keep going
back to the Quran it will clean parts of our soul that we did
not know were dirty. Slowly the dust will go and the rust will
remove itself then the heart can truly shine.

All praise is truly due to Allah who has given the gift of the
Quran to clean our souls from the filth of the world.
Chapter seventeen
Praise Allah

Have you ever considered why Allah praises himself at the

end of Quranic verses? He is telling and informing you to
praise him by his attributes which are his beautiful names. He
is reminding you of his names which have no boundaries of
perfection. Allah is reminding you to give him praise when
you have so much, be grateful to gift giver. Be grateful to the
one who looks after you night and day. He gave you
everything and more. He prepared things for you that you
haven’t even thought about.

Yet the more we receive the more ungrateful we are, I am

ungrateful.

Allah arranges our provision yet we are greedy. Remember

all journeyed end with Allah. And don’t be arrogant as you’ll
repeat the same mistakes again and again. The pious believer
will examine everything and at least consider his position.
The arrogant will never learn and is destined to repeat the
same mistakes over and over again. May Allah save us from
being arrogant.
Chapter eighteen
Grief

Grief is something very real and unknown to us things we

have buried in years of memory suddenly surface without
warning.

We find it difficult to control and we can lash out or cry out.

This is true for all of us we get confused and frustrated by
momentary lapses then lose control of our ration senses.
Then when we realise what we have done we become full of
remorse and regret. At these times we can say too much or
too little in these times of desperation we should leave
others and seek Allah and beseech forgiveness from him.
Keep remembering Allah and read the Quran until you can
think clearly. Making a decision quickly often means paying
for it for a long time. Losing my temper and lashing out is
something that I have been guilty of many times. I have
gained control over it mostly but sometimes I slip, I am
human but the important thing is that I repent and return.
Keeping your emotions under control is not something that is
easy. Grief does strange things to people self destruction is
one the worst paths someone can walk on because of the
grief they feel.

Satan is an open enemy to you and him waiting for the

opportunity to present it so he can pounce. Then begin to
speak his wretched words let his actions be in vain. Ignore
him and seek refuge in Allah. He’ll come suddenly and
sometimes he screams.
Our thoughts are constantly changing and this is the internal
dialogue satans words come all of a sudden. Satan did not
whisper into your heart something that he did not see a
desire in you for. Listen out for the call of your Lord and
follow the path that has been shown to one. Do even the
smallest bit of good even if it’s putting one pence into the
charity box do not put it off.
Chapter nineteen
Disease

One of the worst diseases of our time is heart disease but not
an illness more a sickness of the desires that are rooted
there. We live in a world were almost anything can be
brought this causes the heart to desire more and more. It is
never satisfied and the sickness of the heart kills it as it was
not made to carry darkness it was made to carry light. The
untreated heart carries layers and layers of darkness that
need to be removed before light can come in.

When someone desires a thing especially a person of power

or money they’ll attain that what they desire quickly. Yet this
leaves the heart with more darkness that it has to overcome.
So when the heart get was it desires it is disastrous as when a
man’s eye falls onto a lady and it is not reciprocated his heart
can become troubled. We try to quick fix everything but the
heart needs to be treated not fixed temporarily. And the
really sick heart flies into fits of rage when it cannot get what
it wants. Satan then gets to work he whispers into this man’s
soul that he has nothing. He plays with all his feeling trying to
get a reaction out of him.

We must control our hearts because if we do not then we

risk breaking this muscle. We live in a time where things
readily available, if you have the money, and technology have
spread across the globe. People compete desperately and
this is disease is the desire to get what others do not have.
They want that house, that car, that extension, those clothes
etc. They lose sight of what life really is and unfortunately,
Muslims has also fallen into this trap but it’s not too late to
late to change things. The heart must be controlled, limit it to
halal things and prevent it from what it can never have. We
need to show seeds of humility and hope that they grow but
we need to water them by hard work. The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,
“There is a morsel of flesh if it is sound then the body is
sound...” “Is it not the heart?” (Al-Bukhari).

We need to reflect on this point and or come back to the

work we need to do. Do not be like the people who have two
eyes but use one or do not use either. Because they are
unable to see the bigger picture which allows them to see
the bigger picture. Be true and work on that heart. Getting
music out of your heart is one step to moving away from
darkness as some music pours hypocrisy in the heart.

We all know our journey is to Allah and that this is time in

which we have to prepare. Our journey is prepared by acts of
worship. We hope to bring much with us for use later. So
how should we be in the world? The Prophet Muhammad
(may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“Be in this world as a stranger.” (Al-Bukhari). Don’t know the
world more than you need to and do not make it all know.
Realise that you have to interact with it but not at the
expense of your religion. Look after your deen and your
Dunya will be easy but if you do it in the wrong order then it
could cause great harm.
When the prophet Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and
blessings be upon him) entered Medina one of the first
things he did was build the masjid then asked where the
market was. Deen first then Dunya that’s the necessary
order.
Chapter twenty
Blessings

We are totally unaware of the blessings that we are in every

moment of every second of this life. It’s such an amazing
blessing to have your health. The Arabs say, the healthy have
a crown on their heads that only the ill can see.

It is not strange that we call blessings normal? How can all

we receive be normal? It that because we are totally
unaware of the blessings? We need to wake up and give
gratitude as much as can and then you’ll increase. Know that
just as the body needs sustenance so does the soul and that
can only be fed by acts of obedience to his creator. This man
has shown you the way now it’s your time to walk this path
and reach paradise. So many blessings that we are totally
unaware of.
Chapter twenty one
Fear and hope

I would like you to know that there is no need to fall into

despair about the state of the world. Nor is there a reason
for you to be hopeless. Do not allow your soul to plague your
with thoughts that you have not achieved enough. Be
content with what you have because wanting more can lead
to sorrow. Maintain your religion in your job and if you are
on the first steps then keep going. Know that Allah has
placed a natural order in everything and you are part of that
order. You have a gift that if you cultivate will outshine
others without pressure. Some people are meant for certain
professions over others but not everyone was meant to be a
fisherman because there would be no fish in the sea.

Allah has already planned out your provision so do not fear

that your provision will never come to you; it has already
been written for you. You may have doubts in what you are
doing but sometimes what you are doing has so much good
that you are unaware of its benefits. Ask for guidance when
you feel hopeless because Allah shall be your source of hope.

Everything that you were to get, you shall get and do not
worry you won’t miss anything. Try not to compare yourself
to anyone else because you waste a lifetime comparing
yourself. Their life has been different to yours. Parents who
give their children a good start give them a good platform to
move from and parents who neglect their children put their
children into pits. It takes time to crawl out of pit and know
parents are not aware of the needs of their children.

Allah has put wisdom in your whole life so try to understand

that some things that did not happen did not happen for a
reason. So be careful because at this point satan might be
warming up his plan but don’t worry part of satan’s plan is
part of Allah’s plan. So he cannot do anything without the
permission of Allah. Your own doubts need to be removed
from your heart. Do not worry about what is out of your
control. Don’t forget to speak to the experts before making
hasty decisions.

Realise that your success ultimately is in your performance of

the five pillars. Assisting your parents is one of the most
excellent things that you can do. There are countless
blessings in looking after children.

You can either fly with wings of hope and fear or you can
have fear during your life then end your life in hope. Fear
should stop you from doing wrong but do not let fear stop
you from doing something good.
Chapter twenty two
Value

This is an event that occurred to us that Allah (the Exalted)

allowed me to see much wisdom. We were in the masjid
after the prayer was finished. I got up to leave then some
money fell out of my pocket. And I thought about the
strangeness of this occurrence as I had never had money fall
out of pocket since I was a child. Maybe there was some
wisdom in this event.

I pondered for a while, metaphors coming to my mind. Then

Allah blessed me with the real value of this world which is
worshipping Him. It does not cost you anything but through it
you can attain much wealth. The majority of this wealth is
lost on the people of this time.
Chapter twenty three
Cold

During my education stay somewhere in this globe I was

forced to stay in shared accommodation. At the same time
an American and British man joined me. They witnessed the
state of the fridge which contained many out of date and half
used products. They wanted to be rid of this mess.

They emptied it contents and then threw away what was no

longer fit for human consumption. After this they dictated
new rules to be followed by everyone who was going to use
the fridge.

When the job was complete they decided to reward

themselves with alcohol it was something very strange to
witness. If only they knew it was punishment. Is the fridge
Iraq and what’s inside oil? The people who it affected were
the population of Iraq who had no choice.

We life in times were truth has been covered up and

economics is paramount. The truth is the least and cheapest
thing that nobody cares about. It’s now about how loud
some people shout.

Rather than blame others Muslims need to look at our own

faults because blaming others is an easy escape goat but only
when we look at ourselves can really start to do something
about our situation.
So even in the strangest things wisdom is hidden but only
those of understanding and patience have access to deeper
meanings. Of course this is all the gifts of Allah (the Exalted)
who he gives to whoever he wills.

Do people look beyond the surface of things anymore?

Chapter twenty four
Living

I have been around people who have Dunya and those with
little. I prefer those who have little money but in the end you
have to leave it all. I have seen the difference between the
Muslims of the East and the West. Muslims in non oil
producing countries have Dunya hard and the Muslims of the
West have Dunya easy. As for the religion Muslims in the
west have deen hard and Muslims in the east have Dunya
easy. Although at the same time there are Muslim countries
which are run by tyrants.

Remember that a bad person never questions himself, he

never remonstrates with himself; he does however he feels
and does not care. This is an awful state to be in for anyone
never mind a Muslim. If you are in that state then look
inward you might be scared but that should give you
incentive to change. You may find answers that may not
accept because you are not ready.

You can either life with it or do your best to change your

state and this is part of the path. Once you step on this path
you’ll avoid a big trap that you may not be able to escape
from.

Question your motive behind every action and ponder every

moment of everyday. Is this for Allah or is it for me?
Chapter Twenty five
Attitudes

We all think that this is one life and that’s all we have. You
have one life and you have to live it to it to its limits. We stay
addicted to our addictions and are unable to let go because
we think that this life is all we have. There is a life to come
which is endless and the only chance you have to prepare it is
now, this life.

Have fun with your life and then do you die and that’s it? No
there is a life coming in which you’ll hope for an end if you
lose. Why do people abuse their bodies with all the things
they do to it? If you loaned something out someone and they
returned it damaged would you be happy with them? This is
the same with your body. Allah has given you it in perfect
condition and if you are constantly abusing it then you are
abusing a gift of Allah.

A man who treats his tools will get the best out of them.
Know that if you mistreat your body eventually your body
will no to you. Even if you desire to say yes. When your body
says no you’ll realise the true extent of the damage that they
have done.

On the other hand ponder the one who obeys Allah and he
will see blessing of looking after his body.
Chapter twenty six
Fast

One thing that keeps re-surfacing every now and then is

people who are busy with the sins of others. This leads them
to forget about their own sins. Once I witnessed someone
else’s praying during my own and then forgot where I was!
Many times we are committing sins that are either similar to
worse than the ones we warn others not to do. Yet this is not
the whole story as some of see other committing sins and
feel good that we are better than them because we don’t do
what they do.

We cannot excuse ourselves for feeling good that we do not

do the same we must accuse ourselves. This is not a simple
matter have pride is still a difficult matter and will slow
someone down on their spiritual path.

Do we know all the circumstances that the person is facing as

there may be a weakness that he may be facing? You should
thank Allah that you do not have the same problem and if
you can help.

It’s easy to judge them as it is easy for them to judge you, so

beware. What good does it do if we upset each other?
Muslims have a duty to be good examples to their families
and to the world around them. leading by example is the
main method that this noble religion spread. Imam Abu
Hanifa had a drunken Jewish neighbour who used to disturb
him late at night because of his drinking. The Imam bore this
without complaining eventually the Jewish man was locked
up. When Abu Hanifa realised he went to the caliph and
demanded his release. The Jewish man was so shocked and
surprised he became Muslim.

We can lead but we should not be bothered if they follow us

or they do not because that is their issue, we have done our
bit. As for those who see others praying and do not pray
themselves citing the excuse that those who pray are sinful in
other ways. This is a copout you should not let someone’s
bad practice affect your practice. Ignore the man who prays
five times a day in the mosque but cannot tell the truth for
one moment. He is sinful for his lies but not let his sins make
you a sinner as well by using it as an excuse for not praying.

The more we turn to Allah and rely on him the more Allah
will love us and there is nothing better than that.

So use eyes of compassion when looking at your

brother/sister as you could be in their place, drinking, taking
drugs, committing fornication etc. Give them a way out of
their mess and don’t block the way by making them
hopeless. You could quite easily dishearten someone’s
resolve to practice by your behaviour I have several times. If
we think we are here to eat, drink and procreate then we
have lost sight of our final abode.
Chapter twenty seven
Hijra and Sunna

We were listening to a lecture on the Hijra the teacher

explained that all the Muslims who could leave for Medina
from Mecca left. With the exception of a few who could not
leave and the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings
be upon), Abu Bakr and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them).

When the pagan Quresh found out about this sent out an
assassin from every tribe to kill the Prophet (may Allah
bestow peace and blessings upon him) at the behest of a
scholar of Najd (satan). When they appeared before the
house of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings
upon him) he instructed Ali (may Allah be pleased with you)
to sleep in his place by covering himself in his cloak. He
advised him that if Ali did that no harm would come to him.
The lecturer managed to extrapolate from this that if Ali did
as the Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings
upon him), no harm would come to him. This is speech stuck
in my mind for the next few days. Following the Sunna
protects one from all harm of the world because whatever
afflicts does not matter as you with Allah.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was told to copy the
Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him)
so he was telling him to follow the Sunna. After the Prophet
(may Allah bestow peace and blessing be upon him) escaped
from the would-be assassins who were queued up outside his
front door by reciting Sura Yasin and placing sand on their
heads. Ali slept in the place of the Prophet (may Allah be
pleased with him) without a single hair being harmed even
though there were assassins outside the home who thought
Ali was the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with him). This
manifest miracle became even more dazzling when the next
day Ali woke up unharmed.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) would later become a

caliph and was always a lantern of guidance for the Muslims,
due to his fellowship. Following the Sunna is not just two
extra units after Zuhur prayer rather it is the actions and
speech. He never told a lie in his entire life, do you lie? If you
do then you are not following the Sunna! He never struck a
woman, child or slave, do you? If you do then you are not
following the Sunna. Compare how you are to him and you
will find yourself always wanting. Unless you lie to yourself
then you’ll be convinced that you are following the Sunna.
Otherwise admit that you are not following the Sunna, be
honest!

In the Prophet’s (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be

upon him) farewell speech at hajj he warned people to cling
onto the Quran and the Sunna.

This is the essence, the source that we need to cover our

lives with Sunna but we have to following the Quran which
are the basis for our actions. Realise that covering yourself in
anything means disaster and can lead to unbelieveable
unease.
Dress yourself in the clothes of the Sunna and make your
flesh the Quran. Whatever happens or does not happen will
not affect how you lead your life.

Consider yourself as someone who is cold at night and you

have a cloak that you can use to cover yourself with. If you
do not use it you will shiver but you have to make some
effort in order to use it. This cloak will keep you cool during
the day and warm during the night. This is the cloak of the
Sunna wear it and no harm will come to you except what was
prescribed to you. If you forget this whole book remember
this point and really consider why we are shivering the whole
night.
Chapter twenty eight
Smoke

Compare the world to a man smoking. The cigarettes are the

Dunya and man is Muslim. He cannot give up smoking
because of his habitual addiction. He likes the taste, he likes
the way people look at him, when he smokes, especially the
women. He likes to be asked by strangers for a light he forms
relationships over cigarette smoke. Together in the torrid
guilt of misery loving company. When the Prophet (may Allah
bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “They will take
from as someone takes from a bowl.” It was asked, “Is that
because we are few?” he replied, “No you will be many but
you love the Dunya and fear will be removed from the hearts
of your enemies.”

The smoker loves the Dunya and hates to give it up. He is too
weak but he knows that his health will get better and that
people will like more if he gives up. Yet he cannot give it up
he cannot let go of the Dunya. How many of us are brave
enough to leave out additions for the sake of Allah? If we do
we get something better in its place. Is not that a good trade
not just to get the like of what you gave up but to get better?
That’s a deal of a lifetime!

O’Muslim know that the Dunya is bad for you and will cause
you pain if you love it. If you deal with the Dunya in a halal
way then it will benefit you in this life and the next.
“Be mindful of Allah and Allah will be mindful of you,” said
the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon
him). Do not think you have time to repent later, do it now
whilst the iron is hot and the time is right. Because we not
live long enough to repent and your life could end at any
moment even before you finish this book.
Chapter twenty nine
Heart

Know that your heart is like a towel and that the wetter is it
the heavier it is. The longer you use it and you don’t clean it
the worse state it becomes this illness can spread across the
body. Soon you’ll be like the towel. So what needs to be done
to solve this situation?

Clean the towel and make it light by adding light. What do

you clean your heart with? Dhikr remembrance of Allah
cleans the parts of the heart that nothing else can do. This
keeps your heart clean from illness as you do not realise how
this sickness hurts you as it does those around you. Quranic
recitation is the best medince and that’s your starting point
then look at supplications of the men of Allah as they are
moving. The heart need constant refreshing like the oil in
your car without a service that oil will slow you down your
car and it won’t work as it did. Know that your nafs is always
commanding to evil so when you hear its commands ignore it
by forcing yourself to do good actions. When you are in a
gathering ponder the reason why you are speaking and if
there is no benefit then don’t speak. As there will always be
someone who disagrees with you. You nafs wants all the
credit for things it did not do and it wants all the Dunya all
that did not work for. Eventually constant actions will reduce
its effect and the bad thoughts will lesson but this takes
work. Are you prepared for hard work?
Chapter Thirty
Speedy

There are those who are progressing quickly in the deen and
are working away. Some people wish to be like them and
others envy them. It’s only permissible to envy someone if
you want to be like them and you do not want their blessings
to diminish. People are travelling to Allah at different speeds
some are crawling, some are walking and some are speeding.
Some people like to go faster than others and some people
like to take it easy one step at a time. Others will start then
stop without reason. Others still do not think they need to
ride but they are lost in the markets and shops. The city in
which we all live is crumbling and only those moving can see
it as for those others they cannot see what is before their
eyes. The next town is not close and the journey is difficult.
But have to get help before you go otherwise that journey
will be difficult. The other town is your death and the city is
your current life.

Your footsteps are very important because that shows

people where you have been and what you have done. So
tread carefully and walk in a way that will harm others or
yourself. Keep your eyes open and your footsteps quick and
light.
Chapter thirty one
Knowledge

Men of knowledge are few and far between in this time so

when you find one stick to them like glue. We are in a time in
which misinterpretation and misinformation are widespread
at times we are unable to decipher which is which. Ali ibn
Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said something that if
you understand it then it shall benefit you throughout your
life; he said, “The truth is not know through people; know
the truth and you shall know its people.” You will hear all
sorts of calls that will confuse all of them claiming to follow
the truth. Find the truth and you’ll be able to figure out who
are the bearers of the standards of truth. Know they are not
limited to nationality or birth right rather its creed.

Respect those with knowledge and try to get as much out of

them as you can. But do not respect those unrighteous
people because a person is not respect wothry because of
the wealth he has.

People possessing knowledge should try to teach with and

try to avoid the traps of satan who opens doors of arrogance.
This can cause corruption which is dangerous for the scholars
and the students. Knowledge is a gift from Allah and this gift
can be given to anyone and the door from which this is given
is the door of righteousness.

Realise that some people will never listen to what you have
to say. Sometimes the matter in which it is presented does
not matter anyway. Try to be with those of knowledge and
practice, know that these people are very rare.
Chapter thirty one
Money (Dunya)

Money is something that we in the world need for various

things like food and clothing. But money should not be your
primary concern. Allah has provided for you at every step so
put those concerns to bed. The money people have the more
concerns they have in maintaining it and the more concerns
they have in keeping it.

“We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger
and loss of wealth and life and fruits. But give good news to
the steadfast.”8

Realise this is a promise and tests will come so know. Be

careful in your wealth from excessive spending in a much and
least. Be neither use the middle way; reach a medium
between two extremes.

Know that someone’s bank balance does not make a person .

it does not having bearing on you as a person. People who
have less in this world have less accounting on the day of
judgement. Say Allah Karim when you realise the blessings
you have.

8
Qur'an the Heffer 2:155.
Chapter thirty two
Less and less

We live in a time where people dress less and less. What is

this turning man into? Animals do not need clothes they have
fur to keep them warm. Humans need clothes so why are
revealing ourselves in ways in which we cannot understand.
The more flesh we show the animal like we become but even
then animals have an excuse but we should know better. The
undressed state of people seems to be calls to procreate. We
mark our territories and yet we do not know who we are.

If we were to be like animals then we would not have been

given the gift of the intellect. Through this gift can we
understand our religion which means to become the best
human being possible. A good Muslim benefits humanity not
just his brothers and sisters in faith. We are not like scrooge
we are people of justice, truth and honesty but where is this
now? Islam accommodated all people who were under it
banner. Islamic states allowed non-Muslims the right to do as
they wish within a given a frame. They were not allowed to
propagate their beliefs but there were no forceful
conversions. They were allowed to chose which is something
that people now seldom remember about Islam.

I am not talking about assisting people in wrong but in the

greater good. Muslims were at the forefront of assisting
humanity to live better lives. Sitting having the intention to
reach people and going out to the public to speak to non-
Muslims is a different thing altogether. Many of us fear
reaching out because of our attachment to worldly positions.
The path of a lofty rank in paradise is not about having the
correct belief and waiting for our death.
Chapter thirty three
Silence

Many scholars have said staying silent is best and if you

cannot do that use few words but get to the point quickly.
Think before you speak and arrange your thoughts before
speaking. If you speak before thinking then this may cause
you a major problem. The wise people speak little and the
fools speak all the time and this is means of discrimination
for you all.

How is it that some of us want to continuously repeat one

hadith to everyone yet forget other hadiths. Islam is not
based on one hadith alone! This attitude of one man forcing
his understanding onto others is not the way of Islam. This is
like the man who crosses the street and sees some dirt. He
avoids it but forgets the bigger picture which is his own
safety when he is crossing the road! If he does not look out
for the traffic there is strong chance of him getting run over.

So rather than getting caught up with minor things we should

be looking at the bigger picture. We need to open our eyes
and look at the bigger picture of what the Muslims need. We
may need to use other people ears as our own are not
appropriate. Serving is one the highest actions in Islam
something we have lost now as we have many leaders but no
followers.

There are things that need to be studied and explained to us

and if we do not do this then we risk misrepresented the very
thing we are trying to propagate. We must know that arguing
is not the way of Muslims. Arguing is the practice of the
ignorant not the knowledgeable.

Learning from a pious scholar can speed up your learning and

is necessary for those who desire to connect themselves to
the tradition system of learning. This may be hard at first but
you’ll find ease in it later.
Chapter thirty four
Restaurant (2)

I was sitting in a restaurant in the east and after ordering

some food I sat down. The food was cheap due to the
exchange rate. Nearby was man who had a scruffy
appearance with a baby in his arms and his wife at his side.
Thinking about my own position as a foreigner being able to
afford most things here in a foreign land comparing this to a
native who could barely afford food, which one of us was the
wealthier? I had money but he had a wife and a child which I
had neither. So he might be looking at me with mercy
because has what I do not yet I may be looking down on him
for not having wealth. I realised that Allah blesses people
with different things appropriate to their geographical area
and what they are doing. Some of us have what others have
but some of us do not. Whilst others are convinced that
others have more blessings than them but what seems like
blessing can also be seen as something negative. We need to
look very carefully at what we are blessed with and try to
give thanks to Allah. As Allah has showered us with infinite
blessings that are innumerable by even the most
sophisticated computer. Being happy with a current
condition is a treasure than is unfathomable. We should not
be angry about what others have or what we do not have.
Sometimes not having something is better than having it. The
man had a partner and a child; I had my health and more
wealth than him (not much more!). the Prophet (may Allah
bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Envy consumes
good work like fire consumes wood.”
Chapter thirty five
The house (Dunya 3)

Imagine this there is a house in a city and in this house

people from all kinds live, Muslims and non-Muslims. Some
people like to engage in vain discourses and comment about
women and watch inappropriate television. They make lots
of noise that disturbs the other people in the house. They
disobey the rules in the house and the rules set down by the
owners of the house. The staff who work there complain to
others in the house but they do nothing. Then another group
come from the owner reminding them to obey the rules that
they agreed to. But they carry on regardless of this and
bluntly refuse to cooperate. The groups try to sleep but to no
avail as the noise is too much. One person prays for their
guidance and for god to show them the correct way. These
people know they have to wake up the next day and they
need the sleep. The noisy refuse as they are caught in the
moment and are unable to see anything else. Some join them
to see what the fuss is about and they get blinded like the
rest into their passions.

The house is the Dunya and the people who deny the rules
are the disbelievers and the people who obey are the
believers, as they are concerned about the next day, the last
day. Those who joined them are Muslims who let the Dunya
lead them astray. They were mislead into believing that the
Dunya is something and like a mirage it disappears. And the
people who came to ask them to be quiet and remind them
where the Prophets and Messengers but they remained
heedless.
Chapter thirty six
Witness

The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and

blessings upon him) is a witness to his nation and know Allah
said in the Quran, “We never punish until we have sent a
messenger.”9 So when all his nation are given birth then the
punishment will begin as for all others prophets it came after
their message was rejected by their nation but his nation has
yet to be born so their punishment is delayed until the day of
judgement. And that is why they all go to him on the day of
judgement because he is their prophet!

That is why he intercedes for us all and says, “My nation,

nation.” We are his nation and if he obeys the rules of Allah
we be granted unlimited bliss of paradise and if we smash
the house we are in we won’t deserve another everlasting
abode other than an abode of punishment.

Allah will not punish them until they realise who they
rejected and when they realise that, it will be too late but
then the absolute punishment comes and no one can avert it.

9
Quran the night Journey 17:15.