#allah’s name

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Ar-Raqeeb— The Watchful, The All-Observing, The Witness— on three occasions in the Quran. Ar-Raqeeb is the One Who sees what is hidden in the hearts and He is the One Who charges your soul for what it has earned. He is the All-and-Ever-Watchful, observing everyone’s actions, thoughts, and feelings. Ar-Raqeeb is also The Controller; preserving and organizing the affairs of creation with the perfect planning!

The Watcher, The Observer, and The Controller

Raqeeb comes from the root raa-qaaf-baa, which points to three main meanings. The first meaning is to look, watch, observe, and be vigilant. The second main meaning is to erect in order to care for something. Raqeeb is the one who takes charge, which includes protecting, maintaining, and preserving. The third is to regard, to hold in consideration and respect.

This root appears 24 times in the Quran in six derived forms. Examples of these forms are raqabatin (“a slave”), raqeebun (“an observer”), fartaqib (“so watch”) and laa yarquboona (“they do not respect (the ties) ”).

In the Arabic language raqeeb means is the one who watches over or supervises things. That includes raqeeb al-jaysh (sergeant) who guards and protects, and raqeeb al-qawm who guards the people. [See: Lisaan al-‘Arab under ‘raqiba’] Amarqab is a high place on which someone is on guard to observe what is beneath and ar-raqaba is the neck, because it is erect.

Ar-Raqeeb Himself says: Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you.[Quran 4:1] And Allah is Ever a Watcher over all things [Quran 33:52] and … but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them; and You are a Witness to all things. [Quran 5:117].

A beautiful example of belief in Ar-Raqeeb

Narrated `Abdullah ibn Zayd ibn Aslam, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: When I was accompanying `Umar ibn al-Khattab on his patrol of Madinah at night, he felt tired, so he leant against a wall. It was the middle of the night, and (we heard) a woman say to her daughter, “O my daughter, get up and mix that milk with some water.” The girl said, “O Mother, did you not hear the decree of Amir al-Mu’minin (chief of the believers) today?” The mother said, “What was that?” The girl said, “He ordered someone to announce in a loud voice that milk should not be mixed with water.” The mother said, “Get up and mix the milk with water; you are in a place where `Umar cannot see you.” The girl told her mother, “I cannot obey Him (Allah) in public and disobey him in private.” [Sifat al-Safwah and Wafiyat al-A’yan and cited by Ibn al-Jawzi in Ahkam al-Nisa’]

This is an example of how we should understand and be aware of Ar-Raqeeb. This young woman was upright in her deeds, in public and private, because she believed that Allah was observing her at all times! The righteous leader ‘Umar Ibn Abdul-Azeez descended from her!

How Can You Live By This Name?

1. Know that you are never alone.
A scholar in the past advised: “Repeat the following statement whenever you go to bed, wake up or go out, “Allah looks at me; Allah watches me; Allah witnesses me”. Knowing that Ar-Raqeeb is watching over you is called muraqabah; remind yourself Allah is watching your every move, feel His presence and converse with Him, making dua to Him to keep your intentions pure and your deeds upright. When someone you look up to is watching you, you always try harder, what about Allah? So next time give extra sadaqah, pray on time and read the Quran more and impress Ar-Raqeeb!

2. Mind your words.
Some of us might stay away from the major sins, such as adultery and interest, but we daily commit thousands of sins with the way we speak and what we speak about. Be inspired by Ar-Raqeeb to mind every word you speak and ask yourself: does this speech please Allah or make Him angry?  Allah says: Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]. [Quran, 50:18]

3. Remember Ar-Raqeeb when you are tempted.
One day Umar ibn al-Khattab radiyallahu ‘anhu found a shepherd and asked if the boy would sell him a sheep. The boy replied that it was not his. `Umar ibn al-Khattab made him an offer to see how he would react, He said: “If your master asks you, tell him that the sheep was eaten by a wolf.”  He looked at him and said, “And what would I say to Him (i.e. Allah)?”  `Umar cried and said, “By Allah, you are right.  What would you say to Him?” Whenever you feel tempted to something haraamor not doing something Allah wants from you (like praying, wearing hijab etc) think about Ar-Raqeebwatching you; would you dare to look up to the sky and say ‘no’ to Allah? A’udhubillah!

4. Be raqeeb to yourself.
Be raqeeb yourself, by watching over others and stand up for good and against wrong. And be on the watch for the Shaytan and his tricks!

5. Supplicate to Ar-Raqeeb .

When the Prophet Yunus ‘alayhi sallam was all alone in the whale, what did he say? Then he called out in the darkness (saying), “There is no god except You. All Extolment be to You! Surely, I have been of the unjust. [Quran, 21:87]

Memorize this dua and supplicate with it to Ar-Raqeeb:  The Prophet Yunus was all alone and He sought forgiveness from the One Who was watching Him all along. Next time when you are all alone, whether it be psychically because you are stuck somewhere, or mentally because you feel down, seek forgiveness from Ar-Raqeeb and He will give you a way out!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Ar-Raqeeb, we know that You watch over and control all things. Guide us to be watchful over our hearts and our obligations towards you, adorn us with ihsaan, worshiping you as though we see You for if we don’t see you, You surely see us, aid us in purifying our intentions, help us remember Your watchfulness over us, and make this awareness an inspiration for us to increase our good deeds and stay away from our bad habits, ameen!

[themuslimaharchive]

Ameen.

[allahlovesyou]

- ♡

[faithful-diaries]

"Khadijah رضي الله عنها,

I do yearn to be like you,

In words and actions

And character too."

[learning-islam-together]

https://gofund.me/e2379890 Please join us in du’a of shifa’a for this innocent and dear child.

“Rabban-nas adhhibil-ba’sa washfi antash-Shafi la shifa’a illa shifa’uka shifa’an la yughadiru saqaman”

(O Allah! The Sustainer of Mankind! Remove the illness and send down healing so that he/she may be cured.

#LearningIslamTogether

[suhyla]

Umm Sulaim, the mother of Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنهم

— Great Women of Islam written by Mahmoud Ahmad Ghadanfar

[uma1ra]

Ask Allah by His Names

YA WADOOD!

I ask You for Your love and the love of those who love You, and for the action that will cause me to attain Your love so make Your love more beloved to me than myself and my beloved.

YA GHAFFAAR!

Rinse my soul of sins that hide beneath the skin – the sins that no one knows of, except You…Separate the layers around my bones and wash my heart from the evil that makes it dark.

YA RAHMAN!

Grant me mercy that I starve my soul of. You have more mercy in You than the sin in me so free my soul of self-limiting beliefs so I can feel as light as a feather.

YA HAAFIDH!

Protect me from the perpetual civil war within me in which many souls are fighting to survive – torn between dunya and aakhirah, destroying each other in the process…

YA MUSAWWIR!

Colour me a purposeful self so I can comprehend the reason why am I here in this dunya and utilise this limited time in my hands for what yields forever…

YA MU’TEE!

Free me from the endless longing of human warmth, acceptance, and approval – so I can depend on no one but You, so I don’t chase after dunya and my heart long for you – even when I have everything from the dunya in my mortal hands.

YA NASEER!

Help me out of every constriction and reduction, obstruction and destruction, addiction and affliction. And help me hang onto the hope that the help is near when I rush through the process.

YA JAMEEL!

You’re Beautiful and You love beauty so beautify my soul that beautifies the vessel it’s kept in. Help me see the beauty in things when everything seems ugly.

YA RAFEEQ!

You’re Gentle and Kind and you have put beauty in generosity, so when I lose my patience and I’m pushed to the edge of my kindness, pull me back and pour buckets of softness in my heart so it can pump with ease and let others breathe the breeze…

YA RAQEEB!

You’re closer to me than my jugular vein, but if I pull back and my heart disconnects, pump the blood through my veins so I can feel the pain – the pain of being far away from You and the pain of being so numb. The pain of apathy and the pain of a cold heart.

YA MUJEEB !

You respond whenever a servant calls upon You so please accept…accept…accept!

[thoughtfulblazechild]

LIKE Al-Rahman, this divine name Al-Rahim often appears in the Qur’ān.

Allah’s compassion towards us consists in:

• His overlooking our sins and accepting our repentance;

• His blessing us with numerous bounties;

• His affection for us in both this world and the next;

• His granting rewards to us in Paradise;

• His favours to us, without asking for anything in return which may benefit Him.

[hog-choker]

i think i’m over dating tbh i don’t think i can do this anymore. literally in the most frustrating talking stage i’ve ever been in and tbh i gave this women way too much grace cause she wears craig green and has a pair of marni shox. not to mention the STUPID FUCKING date i went on last night and people just keep wasting my TIME and money and nobody takes me seriously like KILL myself bomb myself jump myself off a bridge!!!!! i can’t do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[attayba]

Source

[martynrandles]

Free Pakhshan Azizi: we demand a pardon for the Iranian humanitarian activist.

The story of Pakhshan Azizi, an Iranian activist and humanitarian worker, touches us deeply.

Azizi, sentenced to death by an Iranian court after being accused of ‘rebellion’, is currently detained in Evin prison in Tehran.

Her arrest took place in August 2023, in what Amnesty International denounced as a ‘grossly unfair’ trial. Azizi, like many other courageous women activists, is in total isolation, subjected to a harsh prison regime.

The prison in Evin is the same one where journalist Cecilia Sala was detained, thanks to whom we now all know that there are hundreds of women, like Azizi, imprisoned simply because they dared to peacefully voice their dissent against the regime. Sala's words encourage us: ‘Let us not leave them alone, let us help them! We can!’

It is time to join forces and demand that Pakhshan Azizi be pardoned and released from prison, affirming the universal right to freedom of expression.

We cannot allow the repression and violation of human rights to continue unnoticed.

For this reason, international attention can make a difference and every signature can help save Azizi's life.

We demand that Iranian humanitarian activist Pakhshan Azizi be pardoned and released from prison. Please sign this petition!

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Al-Wadood— The Affectionate, The Most-Loving, The Beloved— twice  in the Quran. Al-Wadood is the One who is the source of all affection, love, and kindness. Even though He does not need us in any way Al-Wadood wishes the best for us. He has a special form of love for His righteous servants who love Him because of their knowledge of His perfection and His readiness to forgive. Al-Wadood is the Affectionate and the Beloved!

The Most Loving, the Ever-Affectionate, and the Beloved

Wadood comes from the root waw-daal-daal, which carries three main meanings: to love, to be affectionate and to long, wish or desire for.
This root appears 29 times in the Quran in five derived forms. Examples of these forms are yawaddu (like, will wish), al mawaddata (the love), and wuddan (affection).

The concept of love in the Arabic language is decribed by different words, hubb and wudd are examples of them. Hubb is the inner-feeling of love for someone whereas Wudd is an intense, consistent affection as it is expressed in actions and conduct.

Wadood is from the fa’ool pattern which in Arabic grammar points to intensity and continuity. Allah is Al-Wadood; His love is intense, continuous and translates into the blessings, favours, mercy, guidance and forgiveness He gives to His slaves.

Al-Wadood Himself says: … Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds, The Most Merciful will appoint for them affection. [Quran, 19:96] ..And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate. [Quran, 11:90] … And He is the Forgiving, the Affectionate[Quran, 85:14]

How Do We Gain the Love of Allah?

In a beautiful, comprehensive hadith you will find the formula on how to gain the love of Al-Wadood. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: … And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing voluntary acts of worship until I love him..Most beloved to Al-Wadood are you doing your obligatory acts of worship, then by doing your voluntary acts of worship you come closer and closer to Him.

Then what happens next? The Prophet continued about the amazing reward: …(so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him. [Al-Bukharee]
Al-Wadood then becomes your special Helper, protecting your limbs and organs by not letting them work for anything He dislikes and a heart-melting seal: Al-Wadood will grant your wishes and keep you safe. Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi!

How Can We Live By This Name?

1.      Have a close relationship with Al-Wadood.
Telling Al-Wadood about your concerns is a beautiful type of ‘ibaadah (worship) in itself. He wants you to turn to Him and tell him about your problems while remembering how close He is to you and how much you love Him. The mother of Maryam ‘alayha sallam said: ..My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing..[Quran, 3:35] This pious woman is a beautiful example of someone with a close relationship with Allah and Al-Wadood answered her dua’.

2.      Love Al-Wadood above everything and anyone.
Al-Wadood says: Say, [O Muhammad], If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people. This ayah is a great reminder pinpointing all the things we tend to love over Allah and His messenger.

3.      Let your love be for the sake of Al-Wadood.
Ask yourself for what reasons you love people? Love people for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala so Al-Wadood, His angels and the people of the earth love you! What an amazing deal. The Prophet sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam said, When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him’. Then Jibril loves him. After that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] So mind who you love and love those who fear Allah, love Him and who strive for the good and forbid evil. This is the most beautiful kind of love you can have for another human being, even if you don’t know them.

4.      Follow the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
Proof your love for Al-Wadood by sticking to the sunnah of His messenger. The reward: Allah will love and forgive you your sins. Another lucrative deal! Say: If you love Allah then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Quran, 3:31]

5.      Love to recite Suratul Ikhlaas.
If you want Allah’s love, love talking about Him. Surah Al-Ikhlaas is one of the most comprehensive surahs describing Allah. The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointed a man in charge of an army unit who led them in prayer.  He always concluded his recitation with Surah Al-Ikhlaas. Upon their return to Al-Madinah, they mentioned this to Messenger of Allah who said, “Ask him why he does so?” He was asked and he said, “This Surah contains the Attributes of Allah, the Gracious, and I love to recite it. Messenger of Allah then told them, “Tell him that Allah loves him”. [Al-Bukharee , Muslim]. So increase in reciting Surah Al-Ikhlaas with love!

6. Love for others what you love for yourself.
The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi said: None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] If someone just got married and you can’t find someone, someone got that new job and you didn’t, even though it might  be hard, be happy for them. Strive to control your nafs (ego) and know it is Al-Wadood Who gives and takes. You will notice the peace it gives you inside when you love for others what you love for yourself, in stead of being jealous and anxious over others’ happiness. Live by this golden rule: treat others the way you want to be treated!

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.O Allah, Al-Wadood, we know that You are the One Who is Most Affectionate. Make us of those who love You and Your Messenger above all, bless us with Your love and protection. Bring righteous people on our path and make us love them and them love us for Your sake only. Guide us in following the sunnah and in fulfilling our obligations towards You and give us the tawfeeq to perform many voluntary deeds of worship, ameen!

[paulpingminho]

[allahlovesyou]

- ♡

[themuslimaharchive]

ASH-SHAHEED / ASH-SHAHID

(The All Observing Witnessing)

ASH-SHAHEED MEANING:

The Witness, The All-Observant, The Testifier.

Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Ash-Shaheed (in Arabic: ٱلْشَّهِيدُ) meaning the one who is omnipresent and all-observing. There is nothing that we do that goes unnoticed, as He is ever-present and sees everything. His knowledge comprehends all, and He will be the ultimate witness on the day of judgment.

MENTIONS OF ASH-SHAHID:

FROM QURAN & HADITH

Arabic Root:

From the root shin-ha-dal (ش ه د), which has the following classical Arabic connotations: to bear witness, to offer testimony, to have knowledge of, to experience, to be present with.

An Attribute of Ilm (knowledge):

To be a witness is an attribute of knowledge. You cannot be a witness without being present or having knowledge or so unique insight or perspective on some matter. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Ash-Shaheed, THE witness. He is the knower of the Ghayb (the unseen), the things that are concealed or invisible to man. It is because of the attribute of being Ash-Shaheed that on the day of judgment, He will reveal Himself as being the witness to all that has happened.

"Return to your father and say, "O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen," — (Qur'an 12:81)

This verse also helps us establish a connection to the previous name, Al-Ba'ith - The Resurrector. When we are raised from the grave, we will be held accountable. The only one who can be a judge is the one who has knowledge of the truth, "we did not testify except to what we knew." Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ knowledge is all-encompassing. He is Al-Alim (The All-Knowing) and Al-Khabir (The All-Aware). The explanation of the name Ash-Shaheed is similar to that of those names. We recommend reading the write-up provided for those names to become acquainted with the name of Ash-Shaheed.

Now, as a name of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ it is mentioned throughout the Qur'an a total of 18 times.

Tip to help memorize the meaning of this name:

To help remember the meaning of Ash-Shaheed, it can be useful to make the connection in your mind with this name and the shahadah (the testimony of faith), Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah was ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger).[1] Here ashhadu means, "I bear witness," "I testify" and the name of Allah Ash-Shaheed is, "The Witnesser," "The Testifier."

Reflection:

The believer benefits from knowing Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Ash-Shaheed. As we mentioned in previous names, it makes us cognizant of our actions. We will be held responsible on the day of judgment, so unattractive qualities within ourselves (e.g., envy, anger, pride, back-biting, etc.) should be conquered as these emotions work against you. This name also encourages humility, admitting mistakes, taking ownership over your actions, and seeking forgiveness from Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. So on that day, these mistakes will already be wiped from your account.

Remember Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is enough for you as a witness. Whatever good you do, if no one sees or recognizes it, it doesn't matter as Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ sees all. Nothing goes unaccounted for. Having this knowledge allows a person to drop all forms of pettiness. Who cares if you did something good for someone and it wasn't reciprocated. You invited them to your wedding, but they didn't invite you. Allah is the witness, don't let others' lack of care affect the good you can do.

References:

[1] Sahih (Darussalam) Sunan An Nasai (632) and Sunan Ibn Majah (470) | The Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the hadith said: Whoever performs Wudu and does it well, then says the shahadat. Eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.

[learning-islam-together]

Surah 3 Ali ‘Imran, Ayat 101 ~

“ How can you disbelieve when you are the ones to whom the signs of Allah are recited and amidst you is His Messenger? Whoever holds fast to Allah will certainly be guided to the straight way.”

#learningislamtogether #allahswt