HADITH: "....No people gather together in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, and mercy envelops them, and the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those who are with Him. And whoever is slowed down by his actions, will not be hastened forward by his lineage." [Muslim]
In this world, we get happy if someone beloved to us or of high status mentions our name. Imagine how great it is if the King of Kings mentions us by name to those closest to Him. It is out of His generosity and kindness, because if Allah mentions your name it means He is praising you. And if Allah praises you it will have an effect on your life and heart.
Some of the other virtues of seeking knowledge are:
-> Acquiring knowledge is a means of forgiveness of sins
HADITH: “No people sit together to remember Allah and then they disperse except that it is said to them “Disperse (or get up) for you have been forgiven” {Reported in Ahmad}
This is one of the greatest goals we want to attain, to meet Allah having no sins.
-> Knowledge is a means of increasing ones faith.
In (7:179) Allah described people who are far away from knowledge:
"و لقد ذرانا لجهنم كثيرا من الجن و الانس"
"لهم قلوب لا يفقهون بها و لهم اعين لا يبصرون بها و لهم ءاذان لا يسمعون بها"
They have hearts, but instead of using it to comprehend the religion, they use it to busy themselves with the worldly life.
They have eyes but they don't see the impact of Allah's actions in this world. They don't see a perfect, great creator behind the creation. They don't see the nurturing and teaching of Allah behind every affliction that befalls them.
They have ears but they listen to everything other than the truth.
"اولائك كالأنعام بل هم اضل"
Allah describes them as cattle, or even worse. Because animals know their Lord, they still glorify him.
"اولائك هم الغافلون"
They are the heedless ones. They are heedless about Allah, the Day of Judgement, etc. Their concern only revolves around this life.
Of the blessings of the gatherings of knowledge is that if the heedless hear about the hereafter, or the Qur'an, etc. it would have an effect on their hearts, if they are truthful. They would feel tranquil and relief from all their distresses, although the problem may still exist. This is because mercy descends upon these gatherings.
-> Importance of Knowledge about Allah <-
Our main problem is weak faith.
How do I know if I have weak faith? Look at your attitude during calamities and afflictions. We behave like ignorant people, although we are learning. This is because the heart is hardened, covered with ران. Sins, love of this world, have covered the heart.
Weak belief in Allah's Names and Attributes affect our عبادات. We don't seek much help from Allah, guidance, seek refuge with Allah, etc.
We have no patience. We get angry quickly, forgetting that if you pardon, Allah will pardon you. If you show patience, your scale will be heavy on the Day of Judgement.
1) We are in dire need of knowing Allah. We are in an abode of trial. It is our test for our:
- pleasure with Allah's decree
- magnification of Allah
- hearts attachment to Allah
In the morning and evening we say: رضيت بالله ربا و بالإسلام دينا و بمحمد نبيا
But are you really pleased with Allah?
Many times we say these words, while having discontentment in our heart due to certain situations we go through. We are saying what is contradictory to what's in our heart, and this is the state of the hypocrites.
Don't say something with your tongue, while your heart holds something else.
How can I strengthen my pleasure and contentment in Allah? When you know Allah. You need detailed knowledge about Allah, such that it will affect your heart and behaviour
E.g Whoever knows Allah is الحكيم (All Allah's actions are perfect, He puts everything in its right place) will know that all Allah's تدبير is based on wisdom. They are suitable and perfect for our situation.
You wouldn't measure the wisdom of Allah according to your whims. When something you like happens you say Allah is wise, and when something contrary to what you like happens, you displease and question the wisdom behind it.
Your belief in Allah's wisdom makes you accept everything Allah has decreed for you.
Everything in the Universe is run, managed, and controlled by the One who is All-Wise and Perfect. He is perfect in disposing the affairs of the people.
There are people that ask why there is evil in the world. But this world is not the abode of delight, peace, enjoyment, and happiness. We are tested daily until the end of our lives. This is the nature and reality of this life. If you seek soundness, peace and safety, it's in Paradise.
The believer, who knows the reality of this life, is calm and at rest. He knows that although he may not understand the wisdom behind certain events now, he will later on in life, or in the next.
If you accept this life with all its disturbances you will have rest in your heart.
2) Establishing Tawheed
توحيد is derived from واحد، احد, which are of the names of Allah.
In order to establish the oneness of Allah, and servitude to him, and taste the delight of faith in our hearts, we have to know who Allah is.
Tawheed is the purpose behind our entire creation.
When you know Allah with certainty, you will establish Tawheed. We need to know the name, understand the impact of it, and live it in our lives, in order to reach certainty.
One of the greatest Surahs in the Qur'an is سورة الاخلاص. Allah says:
"قل هو الله احد
الله الصمد"
Allah is commanding us to say that Allah is One. He is One in His being. He has no partner, no son, no wife, etc. There is nothing before Him, and nothing after Him. He is unique in His attributes. There is no one comparable to Him.
Then He says الله الصمد
The Arabs called the person whom they ran to and sought in times of difficulty الصمد. Allah is telling us that there is no الصمد except one and that is Allah.
It also means the One who is perfect in His attributes.
After you learn this information, how can you live this? You need to always tell yourself and the people around you that there is only one who can help you, cure you, guide you, whom you should seek during times of difficulty, and that is Allah
Again and again, Allah will make you go through situations, in order to reinforce this meaning. Don't run to people, run to Allah. He is the One who will take care of you.
Tell yourself that there is no One who is powerful and all strong except Allah. Throughout your life you will repeat these meanings to yourself. When you believe in this way, your لا اله الا الله will be affected.
The لا in لا اله الا الله plays two roles in your life:
a) There is no one your heart should love or be more attached to other than Allah. This لا will get rid of anything else that wants to occupy your heart.
b) It will get rid of any fear or magnification of anyone other than Allah.
You will not love or magnify anyone more than Allah. And if you live according to this in your life, then you will die according to this word.
HADITH: Whoevers last word is لا اله الا الله will enter Paradise.
Everyone wants to say it at the time of death, but who will be able to say it? The person who struggled to have it in his life.
The more you know more about Allah, the more your Tawheed will be strong and correct.
In the Qur'an there are many verses where names of Allah are mentioned after He says لا اله الا الله.
E.g. "لا اله الا هو الحي القيوم"
،و إلهاكم اله واحد لا اله الا هو الرحمن الرحيم"
If you study these names, it will affect your لا اله اله الله.
In (49:22):
"هو الله الذي لا اله الا هو عالم الغيب و الشهادة هو الرحمن الرحيم"
We are required to learn the names that come after لا اله الا الله. Allah didn't mention them for no reason.
The person who knows Allah is always at rest, happy and feels good. He knows that Allah is near Him, responds, etc. He never feels lonely or depressed. Allah is sufficient for him.
Whenever he consults Allah guides him. When he seeks the help of Allah, Allah helps him. He thinks and expects good from Allah.
If one doesn't know how to express his feelings by words, he knows that Allah knows that he wants to say, and is able to give him what he want even if he doesn't utter it.
This is a level of stability and tranquility in life that we need to aim to reach.
Allah created us in order to know Him, and if we know Him we will accordingly worship Him. In (65:12):
"الله الذي خلق
The legal and decreed commands. Everything that happens in the Universe is a type of command of Allah.
Allah did all of this in order for us to know that He is able to do everything, and that His knowledge encompasses everything.
3) There is a strong relationship between the names of Allah and acts of worship.
- Acts of Worship of the Heart -
E.g. توكل. Allah commanded us to trust and rely on Him before taking any action.
"و على الله فليتوكل المتوكلون"
If someone were to bring a stranger and tell you to entrust your life, properties, etc. you wouldn't. You won't be able to put your trust in Allah unless you know Him. And whenever you don't put your trust in Allah it means you don't know Him.
And if you say حسبي الله و نعم الوكيل and you are constantly worried, then it means you don't trust Allah. You are just saying it with a tongue, devoid of a heart.
What prevents you from sleeping peacefully every at night instead of staying awake worrying about everything? Not knowing about Allah. Allah tells us He is the best of all who disposes affairs. و كفى بالله وكيلا. You will give your affairs to Allah to handle and you will live and sleep happily.
E.g2. Modesty.
HADITH: Allah is modest, loves modesty, and loves those who are modest.
Modesty isn't just limited to appearance. It includes showing shyness to Allah. You preserve your heart, tongue, limbs from committing sins, because you are shy that Allah is watching you, all aware of what you are saying and doing.
You will be careful of committing a sin even if you are alone, because you know Allah sees you.
E.g.3 Hoping in Allah, His reward, forgiveness, relief of distress, etc.
What will strengthen our hope in Allah? Knowing about Allah's kindness, mercy, benevolence, graces, favours.
Having hope in Allah is an act of worship. You will be rewarded for it.
E.g.4. Fear
"فلا تخشوهم واخشوني"
When you know that Allah is العظيم، العزيز، الجبار, etc. you will have fear of Him. You will not boldly commit sins.
- Acts of Worship of the Limbs -
E.g.1. Many people complain that their prayer lacks submissiveness.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, “Allah said: I have divided prayer between Myself and My slave into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for. When the slave says: الحمد لله الرب العالمين Allah says "My slave has praised me"
And when he says: الرحمن الرحيم Allah says: My slave has extolled Me
and when he says: مالك يوم الدين Allah says: My slave has glorified Me
And when he says: إياك نعبد و إياك نستعين He says: This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he is asking for.
(Narrated by Muslim)
If you say اهدنا الصراط المستقيم with a heart full of belief, won't Allah guide you and help you? But we pray without belief that Allah will respond to us, that is why there is no effect of it in our hearts. We go through our prayer quickly. Say it while you believe that Allah responds to you.
When you stand up from ركوع you say: سمع الله لمن حمده
Allah hears and responds to the one who praises him. This is why we say ربنا و لك الحمدا كثيرا طيبا مباركا فيه, hoping for the reward from Allah.
Your knowledge of Allah will affect your life.
E.g.2. Your ذكر.
سبحان الله، الحمد لله، الله اكبر، لا اله الا الله are the most beloved words to Allah.
When you say it a plant is planted in Paradise for you.
And every time you say it your sins will be expiated.
But who gets these rewards? The person who says these words while understanding it's meaning.
سبحان الله = You're freeing Allah from all imperfections. Allah is perfect in all His legislations and decrees. He is free of sleep, fatigue, hunger touching Him.
If you say سبحان الله and in your heart you feel that Allah has been unjust to you by decreeing a certain situation, then this سبحان الله is against you and not for you. Many people say سبحان الله and they think bad of Allah.
People say الحمد لله and are not happy.
They say الله اكبر and in their hearts they feel that their problem has no solution, their sickness has no cure, etc. Allah is greater than your problem and sickness.
Don't be like the hypocrites who say something with their tongues while they have something else in their hearts.
B) There is also a strong relation between the names of Allah and the laws.
Everything that Allah has ordained of laws is based on justice, wisdom, knowledge, grace, mercy, kindness, etc.
E.g. (4:11)
This verse is about inheritance الميراث. Allah distributes the share of inheritance for every member of the family in detail.
He ended the verse with: العليم and الحكيم
This means that this law which Allah ordained is based on His knowledge and wisdom. Allah knows what every member of the family needs, and what suits him. Allah knows what suits the husband, the wife, the children, the male, the female, etc.
He gives the exact measure needed by everyone, not more or less.
People who question why the share of the female is half of that of the male, don't know Allah by His names العليم and الحكيم.
If you know these names you will submit to these laws, because you know that it is the best.
Some people disregard the laws and do it their own way. But we are deficient in our knowledge and wisdom. Many problems arise when people distribute it amongst themselves without referring to the Shari'ah
The more you know about Allah, the more you will accept and submit yourself to His commands. Allah is more merciful to us than we are to ourselves. Allah doesn't take any action, except that it is based on His perfect names and attributes.
The more we learn about Allah, we will go through situations, which teach us the impact of this name, to apply what you've learnt.
You will go through a situation about everything you learn.
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