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Editorial

How Imperceptibly We Deviate and Deprive Ourselves of Allah's Bounties

Remembering Allah in our actions has blessings. Remembering Allah in our thoughts has blessings. Remembering Allah in our speech has blessings. Allah says in Qur’an repeatedly that those who believe and do good deeds have tremendous rewards.

As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong. [Qur’an 2:57]

Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith verily to him will We give a new life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. [Qur’an 16:97]

If any does good the reward to him is better than his deed; but if any does evil the doers of evil are only punished (to the extent) of their deeds. [Qur’an 28:84]

Allah also tells us that there is contentment in the remembrance of Allah,

“Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” [Qur’an 13:28]

The Prophet has said that Allah grants ten hasanat (bounties) for every word of Qur’an that one recites and alif-laam-meem is not a word, but alif is a word and laam is a word and meem is a word. (Sunan Abu Dawood Chap. 386 #821)

The Prophet also said that there are tremendous rewards for saying greetings and salutations properly and generously. A tradition reports: “Imran B. Husain said: A man came to the Prophet and said, “as salamu alaikum” (peace be upon you). The Prophet responded to his salutation. He than sat down. The Prophet said, “ten”. Another man came and said, “as salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). The Prophet responded to his salutation. He then sat down. The prophet said, “twenty”. Another man came and said, “as salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh” (peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you). The Prophet responded to his salutation. He then sat down. The Prophet said, “thirty”. (Sunan Abu Dawood Chap. 1852 #5176)

Our Muslim ancestors, having incomparable understanding of Islam, adopted a life style that made it tremendously easy to gain the bounties of Allah. Most of these practices are so beautifully kneaded into the various tariqat (ways) of Muslims that one is hardly aware of the good being done, and certainly feels no burden. Unfortunately, the current anti-madhahib affliction that has affected some of the younger Islamic movements is not only causing a feeling of alienation from our past leaders, but also making us abandon the methodology, so soundly grounded in Qur’an and the Sunnah, practiced by them. The result is a tremendous loss and at times a flagrant disregard of Allah’s commands.

One very disturbing trend that is partly the result of this alien feeling is not adding proper greetings and salutations after mentioning the names of prophets and the companions of the Prophet Muhammad . One finds more and more books that fail to add after mentioning the companions and the proper salutation after mentioning the names of the prophets .

Allah says in the Qur’an:

Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honor and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! And Peace on the Apostles! And praise to Allah the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds. [Qur’an 37:18-182]

If Allah sends salutations on the prophets , that is a command for us to do the same. Allah also says in the Qur’an, after describing the qualities of the companions of the Prophet :

Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity beneath which rivers flow; They will dwell therein forever; Allah well pleased with them and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher. [Qur’an 98:8]

If we get into the habit of reciting proper salutations instinctively as soon as we say, hear, or read the name of a prophet , we shall earn rewards without much conscious effort. Our ancestors practiced this consistently and unfailingly.

All these salutations and greetings are part of the Qur’an. In addition to all the rewards that we shall insha-Allah receive for following the commands of Allah, each word will incur ten hasanat (bounties). On the day of judgment the pleasant surprise that awaits a person who has followed the ways of our righteous ancestors is unimaginable.

Let us be of those who will be thus pleasantly surprised. Ameen.

Published: January 1997