Yusuf Circle Sheffield

Masjids (S1) The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever does wudhu, and does it properly, then graciously his past and future sins will be forgiven”. Whenever you perform wudhu at home and go to the Masjid, your two scribes (a.s) write 10 good deeds for you for each step you take. For each step a sin is also removed and you are raised a rank higher. Every step taken is also written as charity. This applies when going to the Masjid and when returning. The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever loves the Masjid, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى loves him”. For picking up dirt/litter etc in the Masjid, you get a palace in Paradise.

Sacred knowledge (S4) Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم: “looking at a man of the Sunnah, who calls to the Sunnah and forbids innovations, is a form of worship”. The Scholars (r.h) mention there are 5 types of innovations. Innovations cause splitting within the Ummah. It would be best for laymen to stick to the pure and clear Sunnah. There’s so many things from the Sunnah which we haven’t implemented in our lives, we should start with that and then we can discuss innovations.

Sacred knowledge (S3) One of the righteous (r.h) said: “Writing down one Hadith is more beloved to me than standing the entire night in prayer”. Prophet Musa (a.s) asked Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى: “Who is the most knowledgeable of Your servants?”. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى said: “A scholar who seeks knowledge, always adding it to his own”. Musa (a.s) said: “Who is the most deprived?”. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى said: “The one who is deprived of knowledge”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, then Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى will make the path to Paradise easy for him”.

Sacred knowledge (S2) The Messenger ﷺ: “No good deed is recorded for the one who had no intention of doing it, and no reward is received by the one who has no anticipation of it”. The Messenger ﷺ: “The best charity is for a person to learn something and teach it to his Muslim brother”. You will benefit from knowledge when you share it, just as we benefit from gold once it has been extracted from the Earth and just as we benefit from the pearl once it has been taken out of the ocean.

Sacred Knowledge (S1) Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى honoured Adam (a.s) by teaching him (a.s). Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى ordered Adam (a.s) to tell the Angels (a.s) the names of things (Surah [2:33]). On the other hand, the one who is ignorant, even shaytaan wants nothing to do with him! (Surah [59:16]). Such is the difference between someone with knowledge and someone who is ignorant. The Messenger ﷺ said if you learn one verse of the Qur’an it’s better for you than reading 100 nafl rakats. He ﷺ also said if you go out to learn religious knowledge it’s better for you than reading 1,000 nafl rakats, even if you do not act upon the knowledge. The Angels (a.s) surround the student of knowledge. They (a.s) shade the student with their wings.

The Messenger ﷺ (S4) The Messenger ﷺ always ensured justice was served. A man from Yemen came and sold his camel to Abu Jahl, Abu Jahl kept putting off the payment. The Yemeni asked the Quraysh leaders to help but they ignored him. When one of them saw the Messenger ﷺ they told the Yemeni man to go ask him (ﷺ) to help him. As he went to ask, the leaders began to laugh. The Messenger ﷺ then dealt with the situation. The people of Makkah feared Abu Jahl, but the Messenger ﷺ did not. He ﷺ always went out of his way to aid the people.

The Messenger ﷺ (S3) The Messenger ﷺ never said no. He ﷺ always gave, and if he ﷺ wasn’t able to give he ﷺ would remain silent. The gatekeeper of Paradise, Ridhwaan (a.s) will give the keys to the Messenger ﷺ on the Day of Judgement. The Messenger ﷺ and Zayd Ibn Arqam رضي الله عنه encountered a deer that was captured. A miracle then occurred. The deer spoke to the Messenger ﷺ.

The Messenger ﷺ (S2) The Companions رضي الله عنهم truly understood the status of the Messenger ﷺ. How beautiful were their (رضي الله عنهم) descriptions. al-Bara Ibn Azib رضي الله عنه: “His (ﷺ) hair kissed his shoulders”. Our mother Aisha رضي الله عنها said when the Messenger’s ﷺ ears burst through his black hair, it was like two stars emerging from the darkness. When the Messenger ﷺ was ill, the Ansaar رضي الله عنهم wept for they missed when he ﷺ used to sit with them رضي الله عنهم.

The Messenger ﷺ (S1) Close to the time when Amina رضي الله عنها was going to give birth to the Messenger ﷺ, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى planted 70,000 Kastoori trees on the banks of the Kauthar river in Paradise. The fruits on these trees had a beautiful scent which spread throughout Paradise. The Angels (a.s) then sent blessings upon the Messenger ﷺ and supplicated for him ﷺ. Fatima bint Abdullah al-Thaqafi رضي الله عنها, the mother of Uthmaan Ibn Abu al-Aas رضي الله عنه was present for the birth of the Messenger ﷺ. She رضي الله عنها said the dwelling and surrounding area was illuminated with light. The Ka’ba was also illuminated and was swaying. Abdul Muttalib fed all of Makkah for 3 days upon the birth of the Messenger ﷺ. He also provided food for the animals and birds.

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى (S5) The Messenger ﷺ explained that Surah [36:58] refers to the awesome event when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى gives Salaam to the inhabitants of Paradise. A look into the scientific miracles mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. Surah [65:12] mentions that it is Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Who has created the 7 Heavens and likewise for the Earth. Recent studies have found that the Earth has 7 layers.

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى (S4) The Messenger ﷺ: “Mentioning the blessings of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is gratitude. If you don’t talk about Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى blessings, this is ingratitude”. The child’s fitrah can be corrupted by their parents, even if the parents are Muslims (they can teach the child wrong things etc). A look into the meaning of Islam. Islam is the religion chosen for us by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى (S3) The Messenger ﷺ: “Do not become heedless such that you forget the Mercy”. Ibn Taymiyyah (r.h) said you will not find peace, happiness, joy etc if you do not obey and worship Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. Just as riba has 70 types, so does Shirk. It is also shirk to believe in bad omens and superstitious beliefs, such as avoiding walking under ladders etc.

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى (S2) Whatever Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى decrees for the believer, it is the best for him. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى mentions that for some of His servants, wealth is better. Poverty would corrupt them. Some are better off poor, wealth could ruin them. Some are better off ill. Some are better off healthy. Every test we go through is tailor made for us. The Messenger ﷺ said you may have sins equal to mount Uhud, and you may have a headache/fever. That headache/fever won’t leave you until your sins are removed.

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى (S1) Abu Haazim (r.h) said that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى knew before He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى wrote. He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى wrote before He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى created. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى knows everything. Every bird that flies, every leaf that falls, every seed that is in the Earth, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى knows it all. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم recited Surah [20:7] [“He (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى) knows what is secret and what is more hidden”]. Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم said the secret is the sin you know within yourself, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى knows this too. The more hidden is the sins you are going to commit in the future, only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى knows this.

Preparations for the Akhirah (S5) Abdullah Ibn Masud رضي الله عنه mentions in a report that there is a large body of water that is above the Kursi and is below the Arsh. The Messenger ﷺ said the distance between the top and bottom of this ocean is like the distance between the Heavens and the Earth. Our mother Umm Salamah رضي الله عنهم asked the Messenger ﷺ some questions regarding verses in the Quran. He ﷺ mentioned that the Hooris have eyelashes like the wings of eagles. They are preserved, like pearls, untouched by anyone. The women of this world are 70,000x superior to the hooris, for the women of this world prayed Salah, fasted etc.

Preparations for the Akhirah (S4) Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم mentions that the water of Paradise is completely pure, it doesn’t become corrupted like it does here on Earth. Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr (r.h) explained that the milk doesn’t come from the udders of cattle, the honey doesn’t come from the bellies of bees and the wine isn’t pressed like it is here on Earth! The rivers in Paradise spring from beneath mountains and hills of musk. The Messenger ﷺ: “Water is the chief of all drinks in this world and in the hereafter”.

Preparations for the Akhirah (S3) Paradise: Surah [56:28] mentions thornless lote trees. The Messenger ﷺ said the lote trees of Paradise will be thornless. Instead of thorns there will be fruits of 70 colours. These colours do not exist on Earth! Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said the tree is named Tooba. From it emerges a bridled horse, saddled. A saddled camel also emerges. Clothes also emerge. (Tailored specifically for you). Such are the trees of Paradise! In Paradise there is an ocean of milk, honey, wine and water. The rivers of Paradise flow from these.

Preparations for the Akhirah (S2) The Messenger ﷺ: “Visit the graves, but do not say any falsehood there”. Umar رضي الله عنه: “Make these snakes that enter your homes fear you, before you fear them. The Muslims amongst the jinn never appear before you”. The Shayateen play games in our homes. They put things on our beds (sticks, stones etc) to make us angry at our family. The Shaytaan doing this is called Daasim.

Preparations for the Akhirah (S1) The Messenger ﷺ said Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Has given a cure to every illness except old age. A dua to make for someone who is ill: Abu Nuhayla رضي الله عنه supplicated: “O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, decrease the illness, but do not decrease the reward”. When Abdullah Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهم would visit the sick, upon leaving he رضي الله عنه would say: “May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى grant you what is better”. Death is a gift for the believer. We will meet Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى only after we die.

Character (S6) If a disbeliever initiates the Salaam to you, you can return it. However you cannot initiate the Salaam to them, you must initiate with another greeting (e.g good morning, etc). Onto preparations for the akhirah: Ahmed Ibn Harb (r.h) said if you want to taste the sweetness of the company of the righteous, you have to give up the company of the wicked. One must beware of the weapons of mass distraction. In the modern era there is countless things which take us away from our true purpose.

Character (S5) Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم: “The most beloved of the people to me are those who sit with me”. Linked to good company is good council. Umar رضي الله عنه: “The person I love the most is the one who informs me of my faults”. One must strive to keep good company, who with love and affection will give you heartfelt advice, pushing you to be better.

Character (S4) From the words of the previous Prophets (a.s): If you have no shame, then do whatever you want. If you keep the company of the righteous, good deeds become easy and sins become hard to do. Zayd Ibn Thaabit رضي الله عنه: “Whoever has no shame before the people, has no shame before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى”.

Character (S3) The Messenger ﷺ said whatever you wouldn’t like the public to see, don’t do it in private. The Messenger ﷺ: “Lewdness does not appear in anything except it blemishes it. Haya does not appear in anything except it beautifies it”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Every religion has a manner/characteristic, the characteristic of Islam is haya”.

Character (S2) Mujahid (r.h) said Surah [55:46] refers to the one who is alone and is about to sin, but he remembers that he’ll stand before his Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, thus doesn’t sin. Imam Ahmed (r.h): “Chivalry is when you leave what you desire for what you fear”. The more sins you commit, the less respect people have for you, the more of a coward you become and the less sociable you become. Muhammad Ibn Sireen (r.h) would lower his gaze even if he saw a woman in his dream.

Character (S1) Having a good character ensures you a long life. The scholars (r.h) mention that a long life here could mean, literally, a long life or it could mean extra blessings within your life. Our good deeds should be performed purely for the sake of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. This is similar to how milk is described in Surah [16:66], milk comes out from between the excrement and blood of cattle, however it is pure. A glimpse into the sincerity of those before us: Hasan al-Basri (r.h) said that the Salaf (r.h) would sit in gatherings and if they were going to cry, they’d get up and leave. Another trait of the Muhsineen is that they perform righteous deeds in private. The Messenger ﷺ told us to do this.

Family (S1) To start with the mother: Umm Qais bint Mihsan’s رضي الله عنها son passed away. When they were giving him ghusl, she رضي الله عنها said don’t wash him with cold water or he’ll die (motherly love). Umm Qais’s brother, Ukashah رضي الله عنهم (the Badri) heard this and went to tell the Messenger ﷺ. The Messenger ﷺ smiled and said: “May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى prolong her life”. She رضي الله عنها lived longer than all the women. The Messenger ﷺ: “Do not have a dislike for daughters, for they are the cheering and dear ones”. In Surah [42:49] Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى first mentions daughters before sons. What an honour for daughters. This is the complete opposite to how the Jahilliya Arabs treated daughters. They treated them like nothing. Glad tidings to the one who has daughters.

Health (S1) The Messenger ﷺ was once in an area and was conversing with a group. The Messenger ﷺ described the variety of dates from that area. The people were shocked and said: “Even if you grew up here, you couldn’t have told us this much”. The Messenger ﷺ then said their best dates are the dry ones, they contain shifa against diseases. Ali رضي الله عنه said the best dates are Barni dates. The Messenger ﷺ said they take away illness and have no illness within them. One should try and eat one of these dates in the mornings on an empty stomach. Doing this kills stomach bacteria and Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said doing this prevents appendicitis. The Messenger ﷺ: “Leave those medicines that cause disease to the healthy body”.

Virtues of Salawat (S1) The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever invokes blessings upon me, then he has opened for himself 70 gates of Divine Mercy. The people will love him and anyone who hates him does so out of hypocrisy”. A companion رضي الله عنه used to send Salawat in abundance. The Messenger ﷺ said he رضي الله عنه will intercede for 100,000 people on the Day of Judgement. Hafiz Ibn Hajr (r.h) said that Salawat is not rejected and is accepted from us. Onto another priceless blessing: our health. The order of priority is Iman, then health, then wealth.

The Qur’an (S1) The Messenger ﷺ: “Recite the Qur’an with grief, for it descended with grief”. Grief here is in a positive context, it refers to the longing we have to meet our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى and the longing we have for our true and eternal home, Paradise. Whoever gives his own interpretation of the Qur’an (I.e ignorantly) will have a bridle of fire on his neck on the Day of Judgement. One gift within the Qur’an is Ayatul Kursi, Surah [2:255]. One report mentions that if you recite it after every obligatory prayer, it’s like you’ve defended 70 Prophets (a.s) on the battlefield and you’re covered in your own blood.

The Pillars (S8) Onto Zam Zam water: Hafiz Ibn Hajr (r.h) said Zam Zam is the most blessed water, as it was chosen to wash the blessed heart of the Messenger ﷺ. According to another scholar (r.h) Zam Zam water is superior to the water of Kauthar. One might ask how can water of Earth be superior to that of Paradise? But Zam Zam water is from Paradise. The Messenger ﷺ said: “There is no suroora in Islam”. The scholars (r.h) mention that suroora here refers to abstaining. In this context it refers to abstaining from marriage and Hajj. One must not put away these deeds and if he has the means should get them done as soon as possible - for there is no tomorrow.

The Pillars (S7) The reward for throwing stones at Shaytaan during Hajj is stored for you in a chest. This reward is saved for you when you need it most. Located in Mina is Masjid al-Hayf. 70 Prophets (a.s) prayed there, one of which was Prophet Musa (a.s). The reward for each step you take during Hajj is x70,000,000.

The Pillars (S6) The black stone is [metaphorically] like the right Hand of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. Kissing the black stone thus is symbolically like kissing the right Hand of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. Exalted be our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, there is nothing like Him سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. When the black stone came from Paradise it descended onto mount Abu Qubais which is adjacent to mount Safa. It remained on mount Abu Qubais for 40 years. Regarding the Yemeni corner: The Messenger ﷺ said whenever I pass by it, I see Jibraaeel (a.s) there and he (a.s) supplicates for the forgiveness of the one who touches the Yemeni corner. Regarding the Shaving of one’s hair: for every hair you shave, a sin is forgiven. If you have more hair than sins, then the extra hair you shave off will be saved for you as a treasure. Every hair you shave off will be a light for you on the Day of Judgement.

The Pillars (S5) The purpose of Hajj is that we may benefit by seeing the signs. One of the blessed signs we see is the Maqaam-e-Ibraaheem (a.s). The black stone and the Maqaam-e-Ibraaheem (a.s) [i.e the stone there in] are both from Paradise. They initially shone so bright they could light up everything between the East and West, but Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى removed the light. Prophet Ibraaheem’s ﷺ blessed footprint remains etched within the Maqaam-e-Ibraaheem (a.s) today. One of the signs of the hour is that the black stone and the Maqaam-e-Ibraaheem (a.s) will be taken back.

The Pillars (S4) Is a Nafl Hajj superior to Sadaqah? According to the majority of scholars, the Nafl Hajj is superior. However a minority do mention that Sadaqah is superior. Another question people pose is can Hajj be performed with Haram wealth? Imam Ghazali (r.h) breaks down the process if one performs Hajj with Haram wealth. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is The Most Merciful. Another whisper people get is that Hajj will make you lose your wealth. This is incorrect. In reality, it is the opposite. The Messenger ﷺ said: “If you perform the Hajj, you will be independent”.

The Pillars (S3) Umar رضي الله عنه: “Mount your saddles for Hajj, for indeed this is one of the two jihads”. The Messenger ﷺ was asked: “What is the best deed?”. He ﷺ replied: “Belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, Jihad in the path of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى and an accepted Hajj”. The Messenger ﷺ made the dua: “O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, forgive the Hujaaj and forgive those who the Hujaaj seek forgiveness for”. The signs of Hajj Mabroor: Good character. Feed and speak kindly to others, spread the Salaam and control your tongue.

The Pillars (S2) Abu Zharr رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger ﷺ which is the most rewarding fast? The Messenger ﷺ replied: “The fast of Ramadan. It has with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى an immense reward”. (The reward is so great that the Messenger ﷺ didn’t even mention it specifically here). The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan, with Iman and expecting reward, his past and future sins will be forgiven”. Onto Charity: One must make sure he does not just simply give money. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم recited Surah [34:39] and said it refers to spending without extravagance and miserliness. A just measure must be met between your capacity and others’ needs.

The Pillars (S1) The Messenger ﷺ: “When you intend to pray, pray like the one who is about to depart from this world. Avoid saying things for which you’ll have to excuse yourself from tomorrow. Do not be eager to gain people’s possessions”. Most of us will not taste the sweetness of worship - this isn’t the end of everything however. There is immense goodness in continuing to worship even if we dislike it. Persevere, until it becomes a habit. The Messenger ﷺ: “Steadfastness is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise”.

The Sunnah (S2) An example of misguidance in these times is numerology. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم said whoever partakes in numerology, I don’t think he has any aql or any religious commitment. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم said whoever partakes in astrology (star signs etc) is doomed. The true scholars of the Sunnah, may Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى preserve them, are human. Thus, they sometimes make mistakes. It is our duty to overlook this.

The Sunnah (S1) Whoever holds firm to the Sunnah during these times, receives the reward of 50 Companions! (رضي الله عنهم). The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever gives life my to Sunnah, loves me. Whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Whoever adheres to my Sunnah when my Ummah is corrupt, will have the reward of 100 martyrs”. The Messenger ﷺ: “That which I fear the most for my Ummah are the imams of misguidance”.

The Messenger ﷺ (S4) The priceless Sunnah: Imam Shafi (r.h) said: “Whenever I see a man from the people of Hadith, it is as if I see a Companion of the Messenger ﷺ”. Sa’eed Ibn Jubayr (r.h) once quoted a Hadith and a man said: “This contradicts the Qur’an!”. Sa’eed (r.h) replied: “I quote from the Messenger ﷺ and you argue about the Qur’an?”. He (r.h) also said that the Messenger ﷺ knew the Qur’an better than you, so how could you have found a contradiction? We need the Hadith more than we need food and drink, for the Hadith explain the Qur’an.

The Messenger ﷺ (S3) The Messenger ﷺ was given the strength of 40 men, each man being a man of Paradise. A man of Paradise has the strength of 100 men of this world, thus the Messenger ﷺ had the strength of 4,000 men. Ruqana رضي الله عنه was the previous undefeated wrestling champion of the Quraysh. The Messenger ﷺ beat him رضي الله عنه and invited him to Islam. The Archangels (a.s) were frequently seen around the Messenger ﷺ. Once whilst the Messenger ﷺ was praying he ﷺ smiled. The Companions رضي الله عنهم noticed and enquired. The Messenger ﷺ said that Mikaeel (a.s) smiled at him and he ﷺ smiled back.

The Messenger ﷺ (S2) Miracles were a common occurrence. A woman once brought her bald child (رضي الله عنهم) to the Messenger ﷺ. The Messenger ﷺ rubbed his blessed hand on the baby’s head and the baldness went. We were chosen to be in this Ummah. We must thank Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. Prophet Adam (a.s) said: “Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Has bestowed upon the ummah of Muhammad ﷺ four things which even I don’t have: 1). I had to repent in Makkah, they can repent anywhere. 2). When I slipped [Prophets (a.s) don’t sin] my clothing was stripped off me. When they sin, their clothing is not stripped off them. 3). Due to the slip, I was distanced from my wife (رضي الله عنها). When they sin, they are not distanced. 4). I was taken out of Paradise, they will not be taken out of Paradise”.

The Messenger ﷺ (S1) Aisha رضي الله عنها: “His (ﷺ) conduct was the Qur’an”. The Messenger ﷺ would say in the early days in the Makkan period: “Say La Ila Ha Il Allah, save yourselves. With this you’ll become sovereign over the Arabs. The Persians will become subject to you. If you don’t live to see it, you’ll still be the kings of Paradise”. The Makkans would mock the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم upon seeing them, saying: “The kings are coming!”. This is very relevant today. Muslims all around the world wonder how it’s possible we will be victorious, but nothing can alter Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Words. Be it Makkah ~1400 years ago, or today in 2026 - same game, different players. Whenever the Messenger ﷺ mounted an animal it would never urinate or defecate.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S5) Surah [42:11]: “There is nothing like Him” (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى). Sufyan at-Thawri (r.h) said The Best Judge to Judge us is Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. He’d (r.h) prefer to be judged by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى over his own father. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is The Most Merciful, The Most Just. We love to the see creation: the full moon, the still night, the blooming flowers, the rays of sunshine scattered through the scenery - what then when we see The Creator? سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. The residents of Paradise will see Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى - may we be amongst these chosen souls. The Messenger ﷺ: “My Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى educated me, and what a beautiful education He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى gave”.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S4) Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is Ash-Shakoor, Appreciative of even the little. He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى accepts our works from us no matter how small. The Messenger ﷺ said whoever eats a meal or has a chilled drink and says ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ, then Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى will be pleased with him. Those who sincerely say: “La Ila Ha Il Allah” will show no fright at the time of death, nor in the grave nor on the last day. Such is the Mercy of our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S3) Do non Muslims receive rewards for their good deeds? Hakeem Ibn Hizaam رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger ﷺ if he would be rewarded for the good deeds he رضي الله عنه did in the days of jahilliya. The Messenger ﷺ said: “You became a Muslim along with the good deeds you had already done”. Imam as-Sindee (r.h) said the good deeds of disbelievers are held in suspension until they embrace Islam. If they don’t embrace Islam, the deeds are lost. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم recited Surah [57:28] and said the people of the book recieve 2x the rewards if they embrace Islam. Such is the Mercy of our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. The believer is rewarded for his good deeds in this life and in the next, whereas the disbeliever is rewarded in this life only.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S2) The highest level of patience you can bear is that when you’re struck with a calamity, you act like the day before it struck, I.e you remain unphased. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى make us amongst this level. Sufyan Ibn Uyayna (r.h) mentions that what we dislike is better for us than what we like, for when we dislike something we make dua. Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. The Messenger ﷺ said Dua is the bone marrow of worship. He who does not make dua is arrogant. We are always in need of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. We are tested by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى so that we may turn to Him سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, so that our sins may be forgiven and so that our ranks are elevated. The best of us are tested the most. So Glad tidings, O you who shows patience through the storm!

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S1) An agnostic once walked through a field which had watermelons growing. He sat under a cherry tree and said: “How can God exist if things are misplaced? Such a large tree that bears small fruits and such a small bush that bears large fruits”. [i.e the watermelons]. A cherry fell from the tree and hit his head. He then reflected and said: “God definitely exists”. Surah [56:72]: “Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?”. The righteous show joy at the beginning of calamities, just as the normal person shows joy during times of ease. A smooth sea never made a seasoned sailor.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S55) - Final session Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was now in his 90s, he fell ill and passed away from this illness. At ~94 years old, in ~32 A.H, during Uthmaan’s رضي الله عنه caliphate, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه passed away. (There is a difference regarding the exact year, the range is from 30-34 A.H. The strongest view is 32 A.H). Thus passed away the cousin and father in law of the Messenger ﷺ, the father of Umm Habeebah, Yazeed and Muawiya رضي الله عنهم, the one promised Paradise twice upon the loss of his sight, the shaykh and sayed of the Quraysh, the one who saw many miracles, the brave preacher on the plain of Yarmook, the blessed companion of the Messenger ﷺ: Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه. Uthmaan رضي الله عنه performed his رضي الله عنه Janazah and Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was buried in the blessed graveyard of al-Baqee.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S54) The plague of Amwaas, 18 A.H: Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was now ~80. His son Yazeed رضي الله عنهم was martyred here. Umar رضي الله عنه appointed Muawiya رضي الله عنه as the governor of Syria. Umar رضي الله عنه had great love and respect for Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه. Umar رضي الله عنه once summoned Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه and gave him a cushion to sit on. Umar رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger ﷺ told us when a noble person comes to you, honour him”. When Umar رضي الله عنه was martyred, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was ~86 years old, making him 23 years older than Umar رضي الله عنهم.