Reflections (Updated Daily)

This Blog post is for reflections upon myself and topics discussed recently in my videos.

If a topic is large enough it may be made into its own post. If you don't see one of the topics listed below reflected upon, please look through the article section main page!

Week One

Reflections upon Coming into Islam as a Novice/ Beginner in Islam and the many blessings you get (including all your sins being erased), Hypocrisy (Betrayal, Lying, Not Keeping Promises, Raising Voice, Swearing, Evilness) Arrogance, Backbiting, Turning Of Hearts, Those Created For Hellfire.

Topic One: Coming into Islam as a Novice/ Beginner and the many blessings you get (including all your sins being erased)

Sunan An-Nasa'i 4998 Book 47: Hadith 14

It was narrated that Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri said:

The Prophet and Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'If a person accepts Islam, such that his Islam is good, Allah will decree reward for every good deed that he did before, and every bad deed that he did before will be erased. Then after that will come the reckoning; each good deed will be rewarded ten times up to seven hundred times. And each bad deed will be recorded as it is, unless Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, forgives it."

Link to the Hadith: https://sunnah.com/nasai:4998

Surat Al-Anfal Surah 8: Verse 38

قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِن يَنتَهُوا۟ يُغْفَرْ لَهُم مَّا قَدْ سَلَفَ وَإِن يَعُودُوا۟ فَقَدْ مَضَتْ سُنَّتُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ٣٨

Tell the disbelievers that if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/al-anfal/38

Surat Al-Furqan Surah 25: Verse 70

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا ٧٠

As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/al-furqan/70

Sahih Muslim 121 Book 1: Hadith 228

Most important quotation is bolded.

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Shamasa Mahri that he said:

We went to Amr b. al-As and he was about to die. He wept for a long time and turned his face towards the wall. His son said: Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him not give you tidings of this? Did the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) not give you tidings of this? He (the narrator) said: He turned his face (towards the audience) and said: The best thing which we can count upon is the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Verily I have passed through three phases. (The first one) in which I found myself averse to none else more than I was averse to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and there was no other desire stronger in me than the one that I should overpower him and kill him. Had I died in this state, I would have been definitely one of the denizens of Fire. When Allah instilled the love of Islam in my heart, I came to the Apostle (ﷺ) and said: Stretch out your right hand so that may pledge my allegiance to you. He stretched out his right hand, I withdrew my hand, He (the Holy Prophet) said: What has happened to you, O 'Amr? replied: I intend to lay down some condition. He asked: What condition do you intend to put forward? I said: should be granted pardon. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all the previous (misdeeds)? Verily migration wipes out all the previous (misdeeds), and verily the pilgrimage wipes out all the (previous) misdeeds. And then no one as or dear to me than the Messenger of Allah and none was more sublime in my eyes than he, Never could I, pluck courage to catch a full glimpse of his face due to its splendour. So if I am asked to describe his features, I cannot do that for I have not eyed him fully. Had I died in this state had every reason to hope that I would have bee among the dwellers of Paradise. Then we were responsible for certain things (in the light of which) I am unable to know what is in store for me. When I die, let neither female mourner nor fire accompany me. When you bury me, fill my grave well with earth, then stand around it for the time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may enjoy your intimacy and (in your company) ascertain what answer I can give to the messengers (angels) of Allah.

Link to the Hadith: https://sunnah.com/muslim:121

Topic Two: Hypocrisy

In Islam, hypocrisy (nifaq) is described as a severe disease of the heart, the Quran states hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hellfire. Key signs include lying, breaking promises, and betraying trust, as highlighted in authentic Hadith. Hypocrites appear outwardly faithful but conceal disbelief and work to undermine the community.

Link to the below Hadith: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:34

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."

Do you want to Repent from Hypocrisy?

I've made a full Tawbah/Repentance article for that!

View it here: https://www.laughnowcrylater.ca/post/repentance-tawbah

Simple Affirmations/Dua to protect us from the above insha'Allah

1. Allah please help me not to betray those around me. Ameen

2. Allah please help me not to tell lies. Ameen

3. Allah please help me to keep promises I make to others. Ameen

4. Allah please help me not to swear, insult or behave in an evil way. Ameen

   
   

This is only some of the many Quran and Hadith references below

Surat An Nisa Surat 4: Verse 88

۞ فَمَا لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَٱللَّهُ أَرْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوٓا۟ ۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَهْدُوا۟ مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلًۭا

Why are you ˹believers˺ divided into two groups regarding the hypocrites while Allah allowed them to regress ˹to disbelief˺ because of their misdeeds? Do you wish to guide those left by Allah to stray? And whoever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find for them a way.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/an-nisa/88

Surat An-Nisa Surah 4: Verse 138-139

بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا ١٣٨

Give good news of a painful punishment to hypocrites,

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ ٱلْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ ٱلْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا ١٣٩

who choose disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek honour and power through that company? Surely all honour and power belongs to Allah.

Surat An-Nisa Surah 4: Verse 145

إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلْأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيرًا ١٤٥

Surely the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire—and you will never find for them any helper—

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/an-nisa/145

Surat Al-Baqarah Surah 2: Verse 204

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُهُۥ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا فِى قَلْبِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَلَدُّ ٱلْخِصَامِ ٢٠٤

There are some ˹hypocrites˺ who impress you with their views regarding worldly affairs and openly call upon Allah to witness what is in their hearts, yet they are your worst adversaries.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/al-baqarah/204

Surat Ali Imran Surat 3: Verse 167

وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ ۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ قَـٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدْفَعُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًۭا لَّٱتَّبَعْنَـٰكُمْ ۗ هُمْ لِلْكُفْرِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ

لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ ١٦٧

and expose the hypocrites. When it was said to them, “Come fight in the cause of Allah or ˹at least˺ defend yourselves,” they replied, “If we had known there was fighting, we would have definitely gone with you.” They were closer to disbelief than to belief on that day—for saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. Allah is All-Knowing of what they hide.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/ali-imran/167

Topic Three: Arrogance

I mentioned in one of my lives how important it is to me to refrain from acting arrogant, and how this is important for all of us to remain from doing so. References to this statement are below.

Arrogance (Kibr) is heavily condemned in the Quran, appearing in over 80 verses as a major sin that incurs Allah's dislike and brings severe punishment, such as being destined for Hell. Key references prohibit turning away from people in contempt, walking proudly on earth, and rejecting truth due to pride. The Prophet ﷺ said: “No one who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.”

Sunan Ibn Majah Book 1: Hadith 59

It was narrated that Abdullah said:

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'No one will enter Paradise who has even a mustard-seed's weight of arrogance in his heart, and no one will enter Hell who has even a mustard-seed's weight of faith in his heart."

Link to the Hadith: https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:59

Sahih al-Bukhari 5788 Book 77: Hadith 6

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), "Allah will not look, on the Day of Resurrection, at a person who drags his Izar (behind him) out of pride and arrogance.

Link to the Hadith: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5788

Surat An-Nahl Surat 16: Verse 23

لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ ٢٣

Without a doubt, Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He certainly does not like those who are too proud.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/an-nahl/23

Surat Al-A'raf Surat 7: Verse 146

سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ كُلَّ ءَايَةٍۢ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلرُّشْدِ لَا

لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًۭا وَإِن يَرَوْا۟ سَبِيلَ ٱلْغَىِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا غَـٰفِلِينَ ١٤٦

I will turn away from My signs those who act unjustly with arrogance in the land. And even if they were to see every sign, they still would not believe in them. If they see the Right Path, they will not take it. But if they see a crooked path, they will follow it. This is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/al-araf/146

Surat Al-Baqarah Surat 2: Verse 34

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ٣٤

And ˹remember˺ when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,”¹ so they all did—but not Iblîs,² who refused and acted arrogantly,³ becoming unfaithful.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/al-baqarah/34

Surat Al-Isra Surat 17: Verse 37

وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولًۭا ٣٧

And do not walk on the earth arrogantly. Surely you can neither crack the earth nor stretch to the height of the mountains.

Quran reference link: https://quran.com/al-isra/37

Topic Four: Backbiting

I mentioned in one of my lives how it is very important that I watch what I say in these lives in regard to my own situations as backbiting is one of the gravest sins in islam, and very disliked by Allah. References to this statement are below.

Backbiting (Ghibah) is treated as a major sin in Islam, strictly forbidden in the Quran due to its destructive impact on social cohesion and individual reputation

Surat Al-Hujurat Surat 49: Verse 12

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۭ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ

أَخِيهِ مَيْتًۭا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ١٢

O  believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that!¹ And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/al-hujurat/12

Sahih Muslim 2589 Book 45: Hadith 91

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander.

Hadith Reference link here: https://sunnah.com/muslim:2589

Riyad as-Salihin1526 Book 17: Hadith 16

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "During the Mi'raj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, 'Who are these people, O Jibril?' Jibril replied: 'These are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people's honour."

Hadith Reference link here: https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1526

Sahih al-Bukhari 6477 Book 81: Hadith 66

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Said that he heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "A slave of Allah may utter a word without thinking whether it is right or wrong, he may slip down in the Fire as far away a distance equal to that between the east."

Hadith Reference link here: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6477

Topic Five: The Turning Of Hearts

I mentioned in one of my lives that one of the most supplication dua by Prophet Mohammed peace and blessings be upon him was to keep his heart firm on the deen

Sahih Muslim 2655 Book 46: Hadith 29

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The hearts of the children of Adam are between two fingers of the Most Merciful, and He turns them as He wills.”

The Prophet ﷺ most frequently used dua:

“O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.”Allahumma ya Muqallib al-qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik

This shows even the Prophet ﷺ emphasized how easily hearts can shift and the need to ask Allah for steadiness.

Hadith & Dua Reference here: https://sunnah.com/muslim:2655

Surat Al-Anfal Surat 8: Verse 24

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ ۖ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِ

تُحْشَرُونَ ٢٤

O believers! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah stands between a person and their heart, and that to Him you will all be gathered.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/al-anfal/24

Surat Ali Imran Surah 3: Verse 8

This is a direct dua refrenced in the Quran for asking Allah to prevent the heart from turning away after guidance.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ٨

˹They say,˺ “Our Lord! Do not let our hearts deviate after you have guided us. Grant us Your mercy. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/ali-imran/8

Surat Al-Baqrah Surat 2: Verse 74 This verse in Quran shows how hearts can spiritually change over time depending on actions and choices.

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِىَ كَٱلْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةًۭ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنَ ٱلْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ

مِنْهُ ٱلْمَآءُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ ٧٤

Even then your hearts became hardened like a rock or even harder, for some rocks gush rivers; others split, spilling water; while others are humbled in awe of Allah. And Allah is never unaware of what you do.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/al-baqarah/74

Topic Six: Those Created For Hellfire

I mispoke in one of my lives saying that Allah wants to guide all people, I instantly remembered that is not true.

Surat 7: Verse 179 Surat Al-Araf

وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ ۖ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌۭ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌۭ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ ءَاذَانٌۭ لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَآ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ

كَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰفِلُونَ ١٧٩

Indeed, We have destined many jinn and humans for Hell. They have hearts they do not understand with, eyes they do not see with, and ears they do not hear with.

They are like cattle. In fact, they are even less guided! Such ˹people˺ are ˹entirely˺ heedless.

Quran refrence link here: https://quran.com/al-araf/179

Surat 61: Verse 5 Surat As-Saf

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ يَـٰقَوْمِ لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِى وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى

ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ ٥

˹Remember, O  Prophet,˺ when Moses said to his people, “O my people! Why do you hurt me when you already know I am Allah’s messenger to you?” So when they ˹persistently˺ deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate. For Allah does not guide the rebellious people.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/as-saf/5

Surah 10: Verse 44 Surat Yunus

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ ٱلنَّاسَ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ٤٤

Indeed, Allah does not wrong people in the least, but it is people who wrong themselves.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/yunus/44

Week Two Reflections upon topics discussed recently in my videos

Reflections upon Holding onto ones religion, Being easy going, Speaking quietly, Shaytan/Devils catering to ones Nafs

Topic One: Shaytan/Devils catering to ones Nafs

view the full article on Nafs & Purification of the Soul here: https://www.laughnowcrylater.ca/post/tazkiyah-purification-of-the-soul

Simplified Concept Below

1. Nafs al-Ammārah (النفس الأمّارة بالسوء)

“The soul that commands evil”

“Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy.”— Surah Yusuf (12:53)

This is the lowest level:

• Driven by desires, impulses, anger

• Little to no self-control

• Justifies sin and wrongdoing

2. Nafs al-Lawwāmah (النفس اللوّامة)

“The self-reproaching soul”

“And I swear by the self-reproaching soul.”— Surah Al-Qiyāmah (75:2)

This is the struggling believer:

• Feels guilt after sin

• Goes back and forth between right and wrong

• Has awareness and conscience

3. Nafs al-Muṭmaʾinnah (النفس المطمئنة)

“The tranquil/peaceful soul”

“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing [to Him]. Enter among My servants, and enter My Paradise.”— Surah Al-Fajr (89:27–30)

This is the highest level:

• Content with Allah

• At peace with obedience

• Firm in faith, even during hardship

Hadith connection (struggle of the nafs)

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the inner struggle

📖 From Sunan al-Tirmidhi:

“The wise person is the one who controls his soul (nafs) and works for what comes after death…”

📖 From Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal:

The Prophet ﷺ described the true struggle (jihad) as striving against one’s own self.

Topic Two: Holding onto ones religion

Sunan Ibn Majah 3986 Book 36: Hadith 61

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Islam began as something strange and will go back to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.”

Hadith Reference here: https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3986

Surat Ali Imran Surah 3: Verse 139

وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ١٣٩

Do not falter or grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are ˹true˺ believers.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/ali-imran/139

Surat Ali Imran Surah 3: Verse 103

وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟ ۚ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَآءًۭ فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِۦٓ إِخْوَٰنًۭا

وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ ١٠٣ 

And hold firmly together to the rope of Allah¹ and do not be divided. Remember Allah’s favour upon you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so you—by His grace—became brothers. And you were at the brink of a fiery pit and He saved you from it. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so that you may be ˹rightly˺ guided.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/ali-imran/103

Surat Hud Surah 11: Verse 112

فَٱسْتَقِمْ كَمَآ أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌۭ ١١٢

So be steadfast as you are commanded ˹O Prophet˺, along with those who turn ˹in submission to Allah˺ with you. And do not transgress. Surely He is All-Seeing of what you ˹believers˺ do.

Quran reference link here: https://quran.com/hud/112

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2260 Book 33: Hadith 103

Anas bin Malik narrated that the Messenger of Allah(s.a.w) said:

"There shall come upon the people a time in which the one who is patient upon his religion will be like the one holding onto a burning ember."

Hadith reference here: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2260

Riyad as-Salihin 157  Book 33: Introduction Hadith 157

'Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

One day Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts were full of tears. A man said: "O Prophet of Allah, this is as if it were a parting advice. So advise us". He (ﷺ) said, "I admonish you to fear Allah, to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. Because whosoever among you shall live after me, will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the examples of the Rightly- Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold to it fast. Beware of new things (in Deen) because every Bid'ah is a misguidance".

Hadith reference here: https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:157

Topic Three: Being easy going

Riyad as-Salihin 641  Book 641: Introduction Hadith 641

Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Shall I not tell you whom the (Hell) Fire is forbidden to touch? It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible, having polite and tender nature."

[At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].

Hadith Reference here: https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:641

Sunan Abi Dawud 4800  Book 43: Introduction Hadith 28

Narrated AbuUmamah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.

Hadith Reference here: https://sunnah.com/abudawud:4800

Surat Ali Imran Surah 3: Verse 159

فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ

فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ ١٥٩

It is out of Allah’s mercy that you ˹O Prophet˺ have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So pardon them, ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in ˹conducting˺ matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him.

Quran Reference here: https://quran.com/ali-imran/159

Topic Four: Speaking quietly

Surat Luqman Surat 31: Verse 19

وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ ١٩

Be moderate in your pace. And lower your voice, for the ugliest of all voices is certainly the braying of donkeys.”

Quran Reference here: https://quran.com/luqman/19

Sahih al-Bukhari 6018  Book 78: Hadith 49

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk).

Hadith Reference here: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6018

Week Three Reflections upon topics discussed recently in my videos

Reflections upon Keeping ties with kinship, but not having to accept Oppression and Abuse, State of the Believer, Ignorance, Humiliation, and Blank Canvases.

Topic One: Keeping ties with kinship

Topic Two: Oppression and Abuse

Topic Three: State of the Believer

Topic Four: Ignorance & Humiliation

Topic Five: Blank Canvases