"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.." (Quran)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Praise be to Allah, who is the protector and sustainer of the heavens and the earth.

Their preservation tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.

For Him be praise that does not end.
And praise blessed, pure and abundant.
And praise in the first and the last.
And praise for Him, and greetings, and prayers and good words.

O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad, and the family of Muhammad, as you sent prayers upon Ibrahim, and the family of Ibrahim, indeed you are the praiseworthy, and the Glorious.

O Allah, bless Muhammad, and the family of Muhammad, as you blessed Ibrahim, and the family of Ibrahim, truly You are the praiseworthy, the Glorious.

Today's post is about Celebrating Diversity/Differences.

Allah the Exalted says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا
{O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.}

And He says:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ
{And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors.}

Humanity is diverse - from the fundamental diversity of male and female, to the diversity in nations, tribes, and the variation in languages and colours, to differences in actions and aims, for example.

Being inclusive, respectful, equitable and appreciative of this diversity leads to value, elevation and respect. Racism, bigotry, and arrogance on the other hand leads to division, hatred and enmity. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them;

And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said in a hadith:

النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ بَنُو آدَمَ وَآدَمُ خُلِقَ مِنْ تُرَابٍ
All of the people are the children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust.” (Tirmizi, 3955)

Diversity delivers value, as different points of view, expertise and creativity can leverage to provide better solutions inshaAllah. Different people bring different strengths and heterogenous teams can lead to group wisdom, which is collective wisdom from different individuals.

For an organization, their display of diversity shows its credibility, it gives an imprint of values behind its brand and brings it respect.

It is time we celebrated and embraced our diversity, and Allah is the source of all success.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Many of us find it hard to forgive others and overlook faults. If this is you contemplate on this verse:
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الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ

"Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state (Tuba) is theirs and a good return." (13:29)

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: A man said to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, “What is Tuba?” The Prophet said, “It is a tree in Paradise as wide as a hundred years of travel." (Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 7573, Sahih li ghairih, Albani)

Remember Tuba and you will find it easier to forgive.

A gift so vast, a blessing so great, suddenly our forgiving of others doesn't look that hard.

For what Allah has prepared for the righteous slaves is all worth it.

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ
"Those who have believed and done righteous deeds - a good state (Tuba) is theirs and a good return." (13:29)

I had a friend who would always speak about getting married ?. He would joke about it ?, always keep telling his plans ? to get married, and always express his wish for it. He was permanently moving overseas ✈️ and in our last meeting he quietly admitted he was actually scared of marriage.

Fear is natural emotion. But fear can ruin or save a person, leading him to eternal bliss ⛲ or the lowest of damnation ?.

Dear Muslim, know that the most virtuous of fear is the fear (khashyah) of Allah. Fear Allah, for indeed the fear of Him will lead you to Paradise ?. Allah says:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward. (Surah Mulk, 67:12)

The fear of God is a worthy trait, it is a blessed gift ?.

O son of Adam, will you not fear Him when the sinless angels ?️ fear Him?

وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ

And the thunder exalts [ Allah ] with praise of Him - and the angels [as well] from fear of Him. (13:13)

Has your heart become harder than stones ? , that you fear not Him, when there are stones that fall down from His fear?

وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ

And there are some of them (stones) that fall down for fear of Allah . (2:74)

Will you not fear Him, when the mountain ⛰️ would come apart from fear of Allah, had Quran ben sent down to it?

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ

If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. (59:21)

The fear of Him will save you from being afraid of other things. It will make you fearless and brave ?️.

الَّذِينَ يُبَلِّغُونَ رِسَالَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَخْشَوْنَهُ وَلَا يَخْشَوْنَ أَحَدًا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ حَسِيبًا

[ Allah praises] those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah . And sufficient is Allah as Accountant. (33:39)

Know that for those who fear their Lord, their Lord will be pleased with them, and they with Him ?.

رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِيَ رَبَّهُ

Allah being pleased with them and they with Him. That is for whoever has feared his Lord. (Surah Al Bayyinah, 98:8)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

We are in Dhaka 🌆 Bangladesh, and every new year around the stroke of twelve, the sky fills with fireworks 🎆 and flying lamps. Hundreds or thousands of them. It is a beautiful sight.

So as I stood in the roof, and viewed a wondrous scene, with my wife, and I could not but be amazed and wondered 🎇, then thoughts of Jannah came to me, which is more amazing and more wondrous ✨.

وَيُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ عَرَّفَهَا لَهُمْ

And He will admit them to Paradise, which He has made known to them. (47:6)

There will be no sun ☀️to dazzle the sight, and no freezing cold 🧊.

لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًا وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًا

Therein they will see neither sun nor bitter cold. (76:13)

People will see the Arsh (Throne) and the angels surrounding it ⭕, extolling the Lord above.

وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ

And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting [ Allah ] with praise of their Lord. (39:75)

And people will see ⛲their Lord above them when the veil is lifted.

إِذَا دَخَلَ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى تُرِيدُونَ شَيْئًا أَزِيدُكُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ أَلَمْ تُبَيِّضْ وُجُوهَنَا أَلَمْ تُدْخِلْنَا الْجَنَّةَ وَتُنَجِّنَا مِنْ النَّارِ قَالَ فَيَكْشِفُ الْحِجَابَ فَمَا أُعْطُوا شَيْئًا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ النَّظَرِ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

When the people of Paradise enter paradise, Allah blessed and exalted will say: Would you like anything that I give you more? They will say: Have You not whitened our faces? Have You not admitted us into Paradise and saved us from fire? He said, Then, Allah will lift the veil and nothing they are given will be more beloved to them than looking at their Lord Mighty and Majestic. (Muslim, 181)

May Allah grant us scenes of wonders, amazement and joy in this worldly life and the hereafter, fill out hearts with the joy of faith 🔆 that never departs.

وَيُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ عَرَّفَهَا لَهُمْ

And He will admit them to Paradise, which He has made known to them. (47:6)

Alhamdulillah who is the giver of blessings, magnanimous and countless.

To those who are guided He increases them in guidance.

وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى

And those who are guided - He increases them in guidance. (47:17)

And to those who fear Him, he magnifies for them their reward.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْرًا

And whoever is cautious of Allah - He will expiate from him his misdeeds and make great for him his reward. (65:5)

Indeed the case of man is strange. He is ever under the care of His Guardian Lord, his every need taken care of by His mercy yet man turns away from his Lord, sets up equals to Him, and rivals unto God.

فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know. (2:23)

Sickness, difficulties, worries are reminders to turn back to Allah, free oneself from joining partners with God, from the shackles of shirk, to turn one’s heart solely to Him and call out to Him.

وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And invoke Him in fear and longing. Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good. (7:56)

I was very sick yesterday. I had to drink saline water, which I did not like to have. Alhamdulillah who gave us drinkable water that is not bitter or salty.

لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ

If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful? (56:70)

I was also reminded of how weak man is. A small sickness and he is overpowered and overcome. His appetite, energy - all of it is gone.

وَخُلِقَ الْإِنسَانُ ضَعِيفًا

and mankind was created weak. (4:28)

Therefore let man be humble to God and fellow men, for if he humbles himself for Allah’s sake, he will be raised.

وَمَا تَوَاضَعَ أَحَدٌ لِلَّهِ إِلاَّ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ

​No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises him. (Muslim, 2588)

May Allah make us people who understand and realize, who come close to Him, remember Him, who are connected to Him, and are truly successful.

In the name of the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Allah

Alhamdulillah, who created aroma and sweet scents 🌹.

وَالْحَبُّ ذُو الْعَصْفِ وَالرَّيْحَانُ

And grain having husks and scented plants. (Surah Ar Rahman, 55:12)

In plants, and fruits, in fragrance and in musk 🌸.

خِتَامُهُ مِسْكٌ ۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُونَ

The sealing of it [drink in paradise] is musk; so for this then let the competitors compete (83:26)

Dear Muslims, Islam teaches us good virtues and pure characteristics. It guides to the most beautiful 🏵️ paths. The Prophet ﷺ was sent to purify souls, to make lawful to them the good, and to make unlawful to them the filthy.

وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ

He makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. (7:157)

Islam has given importance to having good odor ❤️.

The Messengers of God, peace be upon them, all had the practice to wear perfume.

أَرْبَعٌ مِنْ سُنَنِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْحَيَاءُ وَالتَّعَطُّرُ وَالسِّوَاكُ وَالنِّكَاحُ

Four are from the practices of the Messengers: Modesty, wearing fragrance, siwak (toothstick🪥) and marriage. (Tirmizi 1080, Hasan (fair) - Suyuti)

Brushing one’s teeth 🪥, thus maintaining good oral smell has been given great importance. The Prophet ﷺ said:

السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ

Siwak (toothstick) is a purifier for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord. (Nasa'i 5, Sahih - Darussalam)

One may use the siwak (or modern day toothbrush and paste) when entering the home, after waking up, when performing wudu, etc.

Islam teaches cleanliness after going to the washroom 🚻 and in general, thus minimizing bad odor. Allah says:

فِيهِ رِجَالٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُوا ۚ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِّرِينَ

Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves. (9:108)

This refers to some people who used to wash themselves with water after defecating. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, quoting hadith in Ahmad and Ibn Khuzaymah)

When people visit mosques 🕌, they should pay attention to the odor of their mouths. The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ أَكَلَ الْبَصَلَ وَالثُّومَ وَالْكُرَّاثَ - فَلاَ يَقْرَبَنَّ مَسْجِدَنَا فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ تَتَأَذَّى مِمَّا يَتَأَذَّى مِنْهُ بَنُو آدَمَ

He who eats onion and garlic and leek, should not approach our mosque (because of bad odor that emanates from the mouth) for indeed the angels are harmed by the same things as the children of Adam. (Muslim 564c)

The human soul is naturally inclined to good smells and odor and repulsed from bad ones. Couples ❤️ should pay due importance to this, for continued love and harmony between them, and everyone in general. A believer should adhere to the guidance brought by the Messenger ﷺ, to live fulfilling, beautiful and exemplary lives.

And Alhamdulillah, who taught us 📖 what we did not know.

كَمَا عَلَّمَكُم مَّا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ

As He has taught you that which you did not know. (2:239)

In the name of the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Allah
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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

When a man is married, his paradigms shift. His priorities turn around. All of a sudden, he is keen to live a happy married life, but how will he do so? I met a friend who was older than me, and married for longer than me. Known for his piety and good conduct, he gave me seven pieces of advice despite being shy and uncomfortable in providing them.

Do not be shy to gain knowledge from the expert advice of others, and from experience and sound advice, especially if the giver is a pious and wise individual.

In addition to the Quran and Sunnah, we should benefit from the experience and wisdom of others. Consider how Musa alaihis salam went in search for knowledge from Khidr.

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا

And when Musa said to his young man (servant): I shall not cease until I reach the confluence of the two seas or I go on for ages. (18:60)

Musa, alaihis salam, sought to gain knowledge from someone else, who knew what he did not know. This is despite Musa being given the Torah in which was guidance and light.

وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ

And We wrote for him on the Tablets of everything an admonition, and an expounding of everything. (7:145)

Whoever holds to the Quran will not go astray, but this doesn’t mean knowledge and wisdom can’t be gained from other places. The Quran itself draws our attention to the world, to history, to different things, reminding people to contemplate and think.

وَذَكِّرْهُم بِأَيَّامِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ

And remind them of the days of Allah. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful. (14:5)

For in advice and experience Allah has kept a lot of knowledge, the religion is sincerity, and the word of wisdom is the lost treasure of the believer.

الْكَلِمَةُ الْحِكْمَةُ ضَالَّةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَحَيْثُ وَجَدَهَا فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا

The word of wisdom is the lost property of the believer. Wherever he finds it, he is most deserving of it .(Tirmidhī 2687, Hasan (fair) according to Al-Suyuti)

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Alhamdulillah, who is very compassionate to His slaves. He created the pair, male and female, and made them to complement one another. He created mankind from a single soul, and from it created its mate. And from them both He dispersed from them many men and women.

A friend gave me 7 pieces of advice for men to having a good and blissful marriage life. I have recounted 6, adding the seventh from myself.

1. Be dependable.

Be the type of man your wife has confidence in and feels she can rely upon.

2. Be respectable.

Be someone your wife can respect and look up to.

3. Give her time.

Dedicate time for your wife, especially in the early stage before having children.

4. Facilitate entertainment.

Want to go to a restaurant? A day out? Make matters fun and entertaining. Where the shariah doesn’t give an objection, you can do it!

5. Be romantic.

Express your affection, and not only through intimacy. If the wife doesn’t feel loved, she may in some small way start to gradually replace you in her life with another.

6. Don’t complain about her

If things aren’t working out, try to get them working out at first instead of complaining about her to her parents (or others).

7. Let a girl be a girl

Being a girl, your wife would have wishes to joke, laugh, have light times and joyous moments. You have to provide opportunities for that. Not always everything is serious.