A guide to being content in life - Abu Idrees

 

A guide to being content in life - Abu Idrees

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Contentment -  قناعة -  (qana'a)

The scholars they say that having this self-contentment is something that will lead to happiness and Bliss.

 

Amr ibn Awf reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but rather I fear you will be given the wealth of the world, just as it was given to those before you. You will compete for it just as they competed for it, and it will ruin you just as it ruined them.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3158, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2961

 

How can a person be content?
The ulama said to be content -

1. Person should be content with Allah has given to him and be pleased with it

2. Person should be content with the lawful he has over unlawful.

O Allah, suffice me with what You have allowed (halal) instead of what You have forbidden (haram), and make me independent of all others besides/

At-Tirmidhi 5/560. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmidhi 3/180.

Have a heart filled with pleasure of Allah and don't complain.

Being content is the way to success and this is applicable to everyone -  poor or rich

'Amr b. al-'As reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

He Is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allah with what He has given him.

 Sahih Muslim 1054

It was narrated from Salamah bin ‘Ubaidullah bin Mihsan Al-Ansari that his father said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever among you wakes up physically healthy, feeling safe and secure within himself, with food for the day, it is as if he acquired the whole world.’”

Sunan Ibn Majah 4141

 

Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.

16:97

Al-Hayah al-Tayyibah (ie: the good life) 

Ali bin Abi talib and ibn Abbas said:
Hayah al-tayyibah ( having a good life)  is being content

Whoever desires riches, then let him seek to be content

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

 “Wealth is not in having many possessions. Rather, true wealth is the richness of the soul.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6446, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1051

Richness is not that which you accumulate and gather from this world. Real richness is being satisfied with what you have.  

Ultimate guide to depression - guidance and revelation from Allah
Cling to this.

If someone is obedient to Allah then whatever situation they are in, they will be happy/ content.
(Illness, poverty)

 

Abu Huraira said that the messenger of Allah sallahu alayhi wasallam said addressing his companions:

 "Who will take from me these words and then act upon them?"

Abu Huraira replied and he said "me oh messenger of Allah"

The Prophet then took him by my hand and then he counted five:

1.       fear Allah as he deserves to be feared – do not transgress the limits of Allah - do not fall into Haram

2.      Be pleased with what Allah has given you and you will be from amongst the richest of people

3.      Be good to your neighbours

4.      Love for the people what you love for yourself

5.      Don’t laugh excessively

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2305

Ibn Qutaybah reported: Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, said to his son Umar, 

“O my son, when you seek richness, seek it in contentment. For if you are not content, wealth will never enrich you.” 

Source: ‘Uyūn al-Akhbār 3/207

If a person wishes for status - comes from being content

Al‑Mu‘jam al‑Awsaṭ by Al‑Ṭabarānī:
Narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d that the Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:

1. “O Muhammad, live as you wish—for you will die.”
2. “Love whoever you wish—for you will be separated from them.”
3. “Act (or do) as you wish—for you will be recompensed accordingly.”
4. “Know that the nobility of the believer is in his night prayer.”
5. “His honour is in being independent of the people.”

Grade: Ḥasan per Shaykh al‑Albānī in his commentary on that work

Stop yearning for what others have and asking - it won't bring about honour.

Narrated by Sahl ibn Saʿd al‑Saʿīdī رضي الله عنه:

“A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action that, if I carry it out, Allah will love me, and the people will love me.’

He ﷺ said: ‘Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you.’”

Sunan Ibn Mājah (4102)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the perfect example to follow. He didn’t have much riches, he was patient. He only sought the hereafter.

"And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [it is] the splendour of worldly life by which We test them. But the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting."
 [Qur'an 20:131])

Narrated by ʿUmar ibn al‑Khattāb رضي الله عنه:

“I entered upon the Prophet ﷺ and saw that he was lying on a straw mat, wearing only a waist-wrapper (izār), and I noticed marks of the mat on his side. When I looked into his closet, I found only a handful of barley or mung beans and a small water‑skin. Tears welled up in my eyes. He ﷺ said to me: ‘Why are you crying, O son of al‑Khattāb?’
I replied, ‘O Prophet of Allāh, the ruler of Rome (Caesar) and the ruler of Persia (Kisrā) live in luxury, while you—Messenger of Allāh—are enduring hardship.’
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Are you not pleased that they will have this world while we will have the Hereafter?’”

Sahih al-Bukhari

Book of Interpretation (Kitāb al-Tafsīr), Ḥadīth No. 4913

 

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,

 “Were the son of Adam to flee from his provision as he flees from death, his provision would surely reach him just as death will reach him.”

Source: Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ 7/90

Prophet preached and led by example

Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Look at those who are lower than you (in worldly matters), and do not look at those who are above you, lest you belittle the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2963

 

Two Types of Poverty

1. Poverty of Deeds (in the Hereafter)
   Someone may appear materially rich but is "poor" if his heart and actions lack true faith, gratitude, and good in the sight of Allah.
2. Poverty of Self‑Contentment (in this World)
   A person who does not have self-contentment in this dunya

Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Abu Dharr, do you say an abundance of possessions is wealth?” I said yes. The Prophet said, “Do you say a lack of possessions is poverty?” I said yes. The Prophet repeated this three times, then he said, “Wealth is in the heart and poverty is in the heart. Whoever is wealthy in his heart will not be harmed no matter what happens in the world. Whoever is impoverished in his heart will not be satisfied no matter how much he has in the world. Verily, he will only be harmed by the greed of his own soul.”

Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 2/154

Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani

Make dua for our hearts to be content with what we have.
If heart is not content, nothing will satisfy you.

 

Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to supplicate, “O Allah, make me content with what You have provided for me, bless me in it, an appoint good for me in everything I do not have.”

Source: al-Daʻwāt al-Kabīr 242

It is a sickness to not be content, and we should pray Allah cures our hearts of this.

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful." It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" (or are they ungrateful to Allah?) He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, 'I have never received any good from you."

Sahih al-Bukhari 29

 

 

Do not let the shortcomings of your spouse to be a reason you fall short with Allah.

Measure love with the  scales of Allah.
If you really want to see how much a person loves you, see how they advise you. See how they aid you to stand on the day of judgement and in our graves

 

 

 

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Islamic Studies (4IS1) - Informaiton

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in Islamic Studies (4IS1)

Edexcel International GCSE Islamic Studies (2017) | Pearson qualifications

 

Specification

international-gcse-islamic-Studies-Specification.pdf

 There is 1 paper - externally assessed exam. It is 2hrs and 30 mins and has 90 points.

(For more information look at the specification)

 

The course is divided into three key sections

• The life, teachings and achievements of the Prophet Muhammad

• The key beliefs, practices and features of the early Muslim community founded by the Prophet

• Living the Muslim life today.

 

Section A: The life, teachings and achievements of the Prophet Muhammad

1.1 Personal aspects of the Prophet’s life

a) the Prophet’s ancestry and the main events of his early years from birth to parenthood, including:

• his parents and early influences, including Abu Talib and Bahira

• his work and business before the revelation of the Qur’an

• his relationship with his wives and children b) the importance of the prophet’s early life for his future work as the messenger of Allah

1.2 The Revelation of the Qur’an

 a) the events of the ‘Night of Power’ (Night of Decree):

• the details of the conversation with Jibrail in the cave at Hira

• the importance of this experience in the establishment of Islam

 b) the importance to Muslims of the revelation of the Qur’an

c) the way in which the Qur’an was compiled

1.3 The Prophethood of Muhammad

a) the meaning of the title ‘Seal of the Prophets’

 b) the importance of Muhammad’s role as prophet in the establishment of Islam

 c) the opposition faced in Makkah by the Prophet and his followers

 1.4 Opposition and Hijrah

a) the events of the boycott and the Mi’raj

b) the plot to kill the Prophet and the details of the flight to Madinah

c) the welcome by the people of Madinah and the building of mosques on arrival there

d) the significance and importance of the events of the Hijrah in the life of the Prophet and the early Islamic community

e) the support given to the Prophet during his lifetime by:

• Abu Bakr • Ali ibn Talib • Uthman • Umar

f) the importance of the contribution of the Prophet’s companions and helpers (Ansar) to the establishment of Islam

1.5 The Sunnah of the Prophet

a) the importance for Muslims of the teachings, deeds and sayings of the Prophet

 b) the recording of the Sunnah

c) the role of the Sunnah in the establishment of Islamic belief and practice

1.6 Teachings and example of the Prophet on specific issues of justice and equality

a) The teachings and example of the Prophet on:

• social and economic justice • human rights • relationship with people of other religions • respect for mothers and for women

b) The importance of the teachings in understanding the nature of Muslim beliefs about society

1.7 The Prophet as leader

a) the role of the Prophet in the establishment of the Shari’ah

b) the consolidation and expansion of Islam after the Hijrah

 c) the Prophet’s treatment of opponents and prisoners

 d) the Prophet’s relationship with other communities and countries

1.8 Battles fought by the Prophet

 a) the battles fought by the Prophet and his followers after the Hijrah:

 • Badr • Ohud • Trench • Khyber

b) the reasons the Prophet chose to fight the battles

 c) the importance of the battles for the establishment of Islam

1.9 The Prophet’s final acts and his achievements

a) the Prophet’s final pilgrimage and sermon

b) the main themes and the importance of the Prophet’s example and teaching in his later years c) the significant achievements of the Prophet in the areas of society, religion and politics

d) the events at the Prophet’s death in Madinah

 

Section B: The key, beliefs, practices and features of the early Muslim community founded by the Prophet

2.1 The nature of belief in Allah

 a) the meaning and importance of belief in the oneness of Allah (Tawhid)

 b) the meaning and importance of the attributes of Allah, including:

• His omnipotence • Allah as creator • Allah as merciful and just

c) the meaning and importance of the teaching about shirk and nifaq (hypocrisy)

d) the characteristics of Allah as shown in the Qur’an

 2.2 Risalah

a) the nature and importance of prophethood for Muslims

 b) what the roles of prophets teach Muslims

c) the lives of prophets before Muhammad:

• Adam • Ibrahim • Isma’il • Musa • Dawud • Isa

2.3 The holy books of Islam

 a) the nature of the Islamic holy books, specifically:

• Tawrat • Zabur • Injil • Scrolls of Abraham

 b) the importance of the holy books in the establishment of Islam

2.4 al-Qadr

a) the nature and importance of predestination for Muslims

 b) how al-Qadr and free will relate to the ‘Day of Judgment’

 c) the significance of belief in al-Qadr for the early Islamic community

d) the nature and significance of evil and suffering

2.5 Akhirah

 a) the nature and teachings about life after death, including:

• final judgment • paradise (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam) • life in the grave and Barzakh

 b) how the Islamic teachings about life after death are expressed in the Qur’an

2.6 Malaikah

 a) the nature and importance of angels for Muslims

 b) the roles and importance of the principal angels in Islamic belief, including:

• Jibrail • Mikail • Israfil • Izrael

 

2.7 Shari’ah

a) the principal sources and establishment of Shari’ah law, the Qur’an and the Sunnah

 b) the importance of the Shari’ah in the early Islamic community

c) related sources of law, such as ijma (consensus) and qiyas (analogy)

d) the meaning and importance, in Muslim acts, of the difference between ‘halal’ and ‘haram’, including the distinction between the five categories (Ahkam pentad): • fard (compulsory) • mandub (recommended) • mubah (neither obligatory, recommended or disliked) • makruh (disliked) • haram (forbidden)

 2.8 Islamic etiquette, attitude and manners

a) Islamic etiquette in relations with other people

b) Islamic attitudes to lying and harmful speech

c) Islamic manners when eating

d) the importance for Muslims of correct etiquette, attitudes and manners and the support for this found in the Qur’an and Sunnah

2.9 The early leaders of the Muslim community

 a) the leadership of Islam following the death of the Prophet

b) the role and achievements of the early leaders

c) the importance of the period of the early leaders for the Islamic community

Section C: Living the Muslim life today

3.1 Shahadah

a) the nature and role of Shahadah for Muslims

b) the importance of reciting Shahadah for Muslims

c) how the Shahadah is used in practice

3.2 Salah

 a) the nature and significance of Salah for Muslims

b) the importance of Salah in the life of Muslims

c) how Salah is performed: • ablution • times • directions • movements • recitations

d) Salah in the home and mosque and at Friday (Jummah) prayer e) exemptions from Salah 3.3

Sawm

a) the nature, role, significance and purpose of fasting during Ramadan

b) those who are exempt from fasting

c) the importance of Laylat al-Qadr for Muslims today

3.4 Zakah and Khums

a) the nature and purpose of Zakah

 b) the nature and purpose of Khums

c) the importance of Zakah and Khums for Muslims

d) the global importance of giving support to those in need

3.5 Hajj

a) the nature, role, origins and significance of Hajj

 b) key actions performed during Hajj

c) the importance of Hajj for Muslims

d) benefits and challenges of attending Hajj for Muslims

e) exemptions from the performance of Hajj for Muslims

3.6 Jihad

a) the origins, meaning and significance of jihad in Islam

b) the distinction between the greater (inner) jihad and the lesser (outer) jihad

 c) the importance of the greater jihad in the life of Muslims

d) the conditions for declaration of lesser jihad, including reference to Surah 2: 190–194 and 22:39

3.7 Islamic festivals

a) the origins and activities of the Islamic festivals: • Eid-ul-Adha • Eid-ul-Fitr • Ashura

b) the meaning and significance of the Islamic festivals for Muslims

3.8 Marriage and the family

 a) the significance of marriage in Islamic life

 b) Muslim teachings about marriage

c) Muslim teachings about the purpose of families

d) ceremonies relating to birth and death and their meaning

e) the importance of procreation in the strengthening of the Ummah

3.9 Muslim citizenship and religious and political leadership

a) Muslim beliefs about the nature of leadership and the responsibility of religious and political leaders

b) the challenges faced by leaders of Islam in the modern world

c) the challenges and responsibilities of citizenship for Muslims

d) the Prophet and His successors as models of leadership

The 4 Caliphs of Islam

The 4 Caliphs of Islam - ABu Bakr, Umar al Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Tabib (May Allah be pleased with them)

The Qur’an: Revelation, History, Stages, Purpose, Importance, and Compilation

The Qur’an: Revelation, History, Stages, Purpose, Importance, and Compilation 

For Edexcel IGCSE Islamic Studies (4IS1)

Gratitude and Happiness vs Ungratefulness and Misery - Hassan As-Somali

 Gratitude and Happiness vs Ungratefulness and Misery 

Hassan As-Somali  

Conference at Masjid At-Tawheed, Cardiff: 11-12th June 2022 

Ibn Qayyim – Secret to a happy life (Madarij Salikin) 

 

Shukr = gratitude  

 

The ingredients of happiness are 3: 

• When blessed you are thankful to Allah 

• When tested you are patient  

• When you sin, you repent 

Islam provides us with a remedy for everything  

 

Iman = 50% patience and 50% gratitude  

  

Thankfulness or gratitude is not just a statement of the tongue.  

There are 3 pillars of gratefulness  

1. Acknowledging and recognising the Allah’s blessings upon you  

2. Praising Allah for these blessing – love Allah 

       (When you speak about your blessings, you don’t show off but praise Allah with his attributes  

3. Use the blessings you are given for that which is pleasing to Allah 

 

Blessings are of 3 types: 

1. Blessings that occur that the servant is aware of  

2. The hope and expectations for blessing for Allah 

3. Blessing that you experience but you are not aware of it.  

 

Be content with what you have  

Have good thoughts of blessings you hope to get from Allah. Be optimistic. 

If you think about the blessings, you are more likely to be grateful. 

Being ungrateful leads to misery. 

 

Whoever doesn’t thank Allah for the small things is not likely to thank Allah for the bigger things.  

Shukr – is staying away from what is disobeying Allah. 

Prophet (SAW) was the happiest man on the planet, and he was the most grateful.  

 

If we want to be happy – we should implement the Qur'an and sunnah 

Thank Allah for your body parts 

Use them for acts of obedience for his sake 

 

Sujood As-shukr  - an abandoned sunnah. It is legislated when a person receives a blessing, they prostrate in gratefulness  - or when a calamity is averted. 

Fall down to the ground in prostration and thank Allah 

If news came to the prophet (saw) that delighted him, he would fall down and prostrate.  

 

Shukr is mentioned in the Qur'an 75 times.  

Link between shukr and happiness is the Qur'an and sunnah.  

 

Imam Saadi said: 

Allah has blessed us with two eyes, tongue and lips.  

He is informing us of these blessings due to their importance – They are doorway to every kind of knowledge.  

On Yawm al Qiyama the body parts will bear witness for or against us.  

Whoever uses body parts for other than what pleases Allah will be testified against him.  

Ask Allah for guidance every salah. 

 

THE BEST BLESSING IS THAT OF AL -ISLAM 

Nihma – blessing (the best) 

 

Prophet (saw) – whoever dies calling on others than Allah will enter hell and whoever dies calling only to Allah will enter Jannah 

 

Ibn Qayyim said: 

Allah commanded us with Shukr- commanded us to be grateful  

This is for our benefit  

Allah does not benefit from our worship and he is not harmed by our sins/ disobedience.  

The opposite of Shukr is Kufr 

Allah prohibits ungratefulness  

 

Look at the people below you so that you will become more grateful 

 

In the qur'an – says 

If you are grateful, I will increase you. 

 

Prophet (saw) said to Muadh 

‘Oh Muadh, by Allah I love you. Do you forget to say at the end of each Salah.

Allahuma inni ala Dhikri, wa shukri wa husni ibaditik 

 

Oh Allah, help me to remember you , be grateful to you and aid me in my worship. 

 

 

 

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