training oneself
How did the salaf attains such a high level of strong faith?
I am always amazed at how the salaf (early generations) were and how they attained such a high level of faith. When I read about the karamaat (miracles, extraordinary events) that happened to them, I wonder how they were able to reach this high level? How were they able to rid their hearts of the love of worldly gains?Strengthening One’s Eemaan (Faith)
Are there any suggestions you have to strengthen one's iman?Will there be any good left at times of tribulation? And how can one protect oneself from tribulations?
Will there be any good left in this world at times of tribulations? If the answer is yes, I want proof of that, and if the answer is no, I want proof. How can I protect myself from tribulations at such times?What does Islam say about the phenomenon of déjà vu? What should a person do if that happens to him?
Can you please tell if there is an Islamic explanation of Deja vu (seeing something and realizing that you have seen the exact same thing before). What should a person do when such a thing happens to him?How can I rid myself of laziness and lethargy, and excel in university?
I am a young man, about to start university, but I am lazy and lethargic, and disorganized, and I do not pay attention to time. But I want to get the highest grade in my group, the reason being that there is a specialty in the second year that only accepts those with the highest grades in each group, and I really want to join this specialty. I hope that you can suggest some steps that will help me to achieve that.Factors of steadfastness in religion
What are the means that lead to steadfastness in religion? Especially since there are many temptations, desires and causes of doubt around me. Every time I walk in the street I hear music, and in the house too, the sound of music reaches me from the street, and that there are many, many other temptations. I ask you, O Shaykh, to pray for me, that Allah make me steadfast and guide me.How can a person protect himself from fitnah with regard to his religious commitment?
How can a person protect himself from fitnah (trials, temptation) with regard to his religious commitment? If he falls into that, what must he do to ward off this fitnah from himself?The wisdom behind performing prayer in the well-known manner
I have one doubt, for which I cannot find anappropriate answer. Why do we pray in this manner, with the takbeer, prostration and standing? Is it not sufficient for us to sit and recite Qur’an, and call upon Allah in supplication (du‘aa’) instead of that? Why is it done in this manner and in this way?Relationship of Sin and Attitude to Aqeedah
Does falling into sin indicate that there is something wrong with one’s ‘aqeedah (belief system)?Not Praying Causes Distress and Anxiety
I am a 23 year old girl, and to be honest I do not pray and if I do I do not offer all the obligatory prayers. I also listen to music, but this puts me in a bad mood and Allah is watching.I want to pray. I want to obey Allah and I fear Him, I am proud of being a Muslim, My God is Allah alone with no partner, and I love the prophet Muhammad and his (Seera) Way of life, and it affects me when I hear about it. All praise be to Allah Who honoured me with an ‘Umrah this year, and I was happy for this, but I feel I am being hard-hearted and that there is no difference between me and the disbelievers because I do not offer prayers. I have tried so many times to keep on praying but I do not know why this keeps happening with me, knowing that I have not been praying for a very long time and I feel ignorant of so many Islamic issues. I feel that Allah will not accept any of my deeds, prayers, Zakat, ‘Umrah, or any other Islamic duty, I feel that my destiny is surely in hell. I need someone who takes my hand and advises me and helps me leave this loss, I hate being in this case!! Moreover, there is another problem; I feel that I missed fasting some days of Ramadaan with no excuse to fast not!! Frankly I am not sure if those days were of Ramadaan or Shawwal, as it is a habit in our home to fast the six of Shawwal every year so I am confused. This problem has happened to me when I was far from the path of Allah, I know that whoever breaks his fast without an excuse one day of Ramadaan, Allah does not accept his fasting ever, and he has to offer penance, so what shall I do now? Please help me and enlighten me, please, I am very desperate, may Allah add this to your good deeds and reward you.Committing Oneself to Deeds to Discipline Oneself for Wrongdoing
If I stipulate for myself a certain number of prayers for forgiveness and sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), such as after every act of sin or negligence, depending on how bad I think it is, as a method of disciplining myself, will that come under the heading of “Good deeds erase bad?” For example: If I fail to repeat the words of the adhaan or if I miss the regular Sunnah of Fajr or Duha, then my punishment is to immediately say prayers for forgiveness and sending blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) three times, or if I miss the opening takbeer (of the prayer) I say it five times, or if I fail to focus properly or to sit to recite dhikr after Fajr I say it seven times, or if I miss qiyaam al-layl (late night prayers) or my daily portion of Qur’aan or a lesson, I say it ten times, or if I miss an obligatory prayer, I say it one hundred times, and so on, is that regarded as Bid’ah (innovation)? If that is the case, then what is the alternative?Reconciling Between Striving for the Hereafter and for Worldly Purposes
In this world if the Muslims dedicate all their time and actions for the benefit in the hereafter (aakhirah) while not doing any worldly matters, then how can the Muslims contribute to the benefits of civilisation and humanity such as in technology, science and inventions?.Refraining From Doing Good Deeds for Fear of Showing Off
What are the guidelines on refraining from doing good deeds for fear of showing off?.Feeling Introverted and Withdrawn
I am a Muslim alhamdulillah but I have some problem with me? I have come to realize that I love being myself and I feel that only a few can understand me so I really love privacy in all that I do...I dont like to tell people about me or my background; I love to be by myself. For instance, if I want to do something I can’t tell anyone no matter how close we are or even some believers. But I really love those who follow the Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic teachings). I really love the scholars of Islam; al-Imam al-Bhukari, Muslim, al-Albaani, al-Shafee etc. For me, I want to be like them. Please advise me what to do.Slandering and Accusing Muslims
Our Shaykh, I love you for the sake of Allaah and I hope that you can tell me how to silence those who slander the scholars. There are people who accuse you of being extreme in labeling others as kaafirs (non-Muslims) and of Qutbiism (a group that claims to base its ideas on the writings of Sayyid Qutb) – as they call it. What is your answer? Please note that I am – as Allaah knows – one of those who love you for the sake of Allaah.Sarah’s Jealousy Towards Hajar
When Hajar gave birth to Ismaeel (upon him be peace) was Sarah jealous of her? If so why would a noble lady like Sarah get jealous? Is her jealousy the reason why Ibraheem (upon him be peace) was ordered to send Hajar and Ismaeel (upon him be peace) to the desert?.punishing Oneself as Encourage to do Good?
I know that punishing oneself and depriving oneself is effective in encouraging oneself to do good, but how can I punish myself?Fighting Temptations on TV and the Internet
I am a young man who is, unfortunately, tempted by satellite channels and internet sites to such a degree that I have fallen far short in religious matters. I hope that you can help me and pray for me to be guided. May Allaah reward you.controlling Urges Through Fasting
My question is about fasting. But it is not concerning the Holy month Ramadan. I mean fasting when one wants to marry but has not the ability to do this at the moment. I know that in Islam it is prescribed for this purpose, but I do not know what is the right ruling on this. I would like to learn the exact time for iftar and sahur, how many days in the month one should fast, and exactly which day of the week it is supposed to be as well. Please provide me with as many details as you can about that. And Allah knows best. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon all of you.Sin and its Effects on the One Who Commits it
I did Hajj for myself, and a few months after Hajj I still had not seen any sign that my Hajj was accepted in the sense that I turned to worship more. On the contrary, I committed a lot of sins. Last year I resolved to do Hajj on behalf of my mother who has passed away. I asked one of the shaykhs (scholars) and he said that I should do Hajj on her behalf as I had intended, and I should pray a lot for forgiveness and beseech Allaah. So I did Hajj on behalf of my mother, traveling with one of the groups. During Tawaaf al-Wadaa’ (farewell cicumumbulation), the overcrowding was very severe, so we did one circuit (of Tawaaf) and part of another circuit, then we went up to the roof, because of the severe overcrowding. Because of the overcrowding we were not quite sure of the exact spot where we had stopped on the lower level, but we did our best to make sure that we started our Tawaaf on the roof from the place where we had stopped on the lower level, and we continued with our Tawaaf until it was completed. After my last Hajj, if I committed any sin – and I did many of them – I felt some tightness and constriction in my chest, and if I did any act of worship or obedience I felt happy and full of sincere feelings towards Islam and its people at this time… I am worried about the two pilgrimages and about the Tawaaf. Please advise me, may Allaah reward you.