Come Clean

In the name of Allah; Most-gracious, Most-merciful.

All good therein is from Allah and there are no shortcomings but my own.

Indeed, it has been among the traits of the righteous to get ready for Salah as

one gets ready to meet a special friend. And, why must not it be so, for Allah is Most-loving and High above all. It is only fitting that we approach Him in a manner that befits His Majesty.

”High above all is allah, the King, the Truth!” (20:114)

“And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Full of Loving-Kindness” (85:114)

Purity is a cardinal feature of the Islamic creed and the true purpose of ablution is not merely cleansing one’s body parts but it is to cleanse and purify one’s entire being. Which implies that not only must your body be pure but your intentions, spirit and mind should all be directed towards Allah alone. It is such a remembrance that will purify your soul preceding your meeting with Allah in Salah.

Whilst performing Wudu, repeat the Shahadah (La illaaha il allah, Muhammad ur rasool Allah) at every step. Remember that instead of just mechanically repeating the words you should focus on the beautiful declaration that you’re reciting. That is, when washing your forearms, tell yourself that you’re not going to disobey Allah with your hands, i.e. you’re going to make sure that other human beings are safe from your hands and that you will not use your hands to perform any ill. Whilst rinsing your mouth, remind yourself that Allah has blessed you with a tongue; show gratefulness to Him by abstaining from harsh words and instead using your tongue to invoke blessings and utter kind words.

Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: The Prophet said, “A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. and a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden. (Book #2, Hadith #9)”

Similarly, as you pass wet palms over your head and the back of your neck, let yourself know that you will try to be strong and will shun any negative thoughts that cross your mind. As you wash your face, let water into your eyes and resolve to lower your gaze and avoid seeing anything that’s inappropriate in the Sight of Allah.

“Say: it is He Who has created you, and endowed you with hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts. Little thanks it is you give.” (67:23)

With water dripping down your face, beseech Allah that your face shines like the faces of the Righteous Ones on the Day of Judgement. While you blow your nose and rinse your nostrils remind yourself that it is Allah (swt.) who gave you life and that it is upon His command that you will cease to exist – what if these were your last breaths of life, would you not want to breathe them for the sake of Allah, Most-High?

And as you wash your feet, let yourself know that you’re not going to walk any path that leads to the disobedience of your Lord.

After you’re done performing the Wudhu, recite theAyat Al Kursi once and proceed to Prayer. Insha’allah,your Salah will be empty of worldly worries and temptations but instead be full of a beautiful devotion to your Creator. After you’re done with prayer, recite “Rabbana Taqabbal Minna” (My Lord, accept this of me).

Allah is Pure and loves those who aim to purify themselves. Even so, it is highly desirable that a servant of Allah always tries to stay in a state of wudhu.

May Allah increase our faith and allow us all to draw ever-closer to our Guardian-Lord, Allah. Amin, Summa-Amin.

By: Shahraiz Tabassam.

Feedback: shahraiz30(at)hotmail.com

The Pious Student

The following incident quoted by Maulana Siddique Ahmed Saheb Mudda Zilluhu illustrates how a student of Deen rectified his evil thoughts: It is narrrated that a student was studying in the city of Dehli. This student lived in a masjid. In that locality, a young lady was on her way to visit some of her relatives when, incidentally, a riot broke out. The young lady could not find any place of refuge except this masjid. The night had already set in. When the student saw this young lady he excused himself and ordered her to leave the masjid.

He told her: “It is not appropriate for you to remain here because if the local people see you here then this will be a cause for my disgrace. They will remove me from the masjid and this will cause harm to my studies.”

The young lady explaining her condition said: “A riot has broken out in the locality and if I leave the masjid I fear that I would be dishonored.”

The student kept quiet and asked her to sit in one corner. Thereafter the student returned to his room and engaged himself in studying the whole night. While studying he continuously placed his finger tip on the flame of his lamp. The young lady carefully observed this.

At the break of dawn the student told the young lady: “The riot has subsided and the road is safe. Let me take you to your home.”

The young lady said: “I will not return home until you reveal to me the secret for repeatedly placing your finger tip on the flame of your lamp.”

The student said: “You should not concern yourself with that.”

Nevertheless, the young lady persisted with her request.

The student finally said: “Shaytan repeatedly whispered into my heart and encouraged me to do evil with you. Hence I placed my finger tip on the flame and addressed myself thus: When you cannot bear the heat of the fire of this world then how will you ever bear the painful fire of Jahannum. Allah, through His Grace, protected me.”

Hearing this the young lady returned to her home. She was the daughter of a wealthy person and she was about to be engaged to the son of another wealthy person.

After this incident she refused the proposal and said: “I desire to marry a certain student who lives in such and such a masjid.”

Her parents and relatives tried to convince her and many began entertaining bad thoughts about her. When she observed this she explained to them the whole incident and said: “I will only marry him because he has the fear of Allah in his heart and whoever fears Allah cannot cause harm to anyone.”

Finally, she was married to that student and Allah, through His Grace, opened the doors of prosperity to them.
Subhan’Allah.

(Aadaabul Muta’allimeen: pg.23)