Page 16 The Islamic Bulletin Volume XXX No. 30 6. Be Generous As Muslims we should become more generous and charitable, not only in the month of Ramadan, but we should try to implement it for the rest of our life. It’s not always easy as we are in a society that encourages us to live a lavish lifestyle. Instead we should look at our beloved Prophet Muhammad who was an exemplar of generosity. In a Hadith, he said: “Charity never causes one’s level of wealth to decrease.” So give for the sake of Allah (SWT) who can only bestow blessings and happiness. 7.Ties of Kinship Uphold and enjoin family relations because our Prophet Muhammad (S) said “Whoever would like his rizq(provision) to be increased and his life extended should uphold the ties of kinship. Allah has also warned us that the person who distances themselves from their family will be far from His Mercy and for them is an unhappy, evil home(Hell). 8. Halal Food and Income Money Prophet Muhammad (S) said: “O People! Allah is al-Tayyib (Pure), and He only accepts that which is pure! Allah has commanded the believers what He has commanded the Messengers, for He said, ‘O Messengers! Eat from the pure foods, and do right,’ and He said, ‘O you who believe! Eat from the pure and good foods We have given you.” A wise scholar once said that “He who eats Haram, his limbs will disobey Allah whether he likes it or not, and that the one who eats Halal and seeks Halal income, his limbs will also do good and will be given the permission to seek goodness.” This means that your body will be ‘blessed’ and it will enable you to do good. Also as Muslims, we should try to have lawful income and jobs. It is important that we ask ourselves, “Will Allah be pleased with my work?” or “Am I earning money in the “halal” way?” 9. Charity By sacrificing part of one’s wealth and giving it in charity, it is guaranteeing protection for a Muslim from tragedy and misfortune, in this life and in the next. Sometimes it’s hard to give up one’s money but we must realize that this life is only temporary and that every penny that we earn will be accounted for it the Day of Judgment. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) once said: “A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” 10. Prayer Keeping up our daily prayers and praying Salat Istikhara in all matters and then leaving the outcome to Allah as well as accepting His Decree is a great source of barakah. The Prophet (S) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns. He said: ‘If any of you intends to undertake a matter then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak’ah optional nafil) of prayer and after which he should supplicate for help from Allah the Al-Almighty. For those of you who are still wavering in your Salah, this is your lifeline for the final destination in the hereafter, and the daily food for your soul. 11. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad There should be nothing in our lives dearer to us than Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (S). The Prophet Muhammad (S) was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and His reward in the Hereafter. Therefore, by simply following his lifestyle and the acts of Sunnah we so often hear about, we obtain a great source of Barakah! 12. Dua Ask Allah for Barakah! Allah is the All-Hearing and He knows everything. He is the granter of blessings and tranquility. Dua expresses a slave’s helplessness and dependence on Allah, the All-Powerful and Merciful. It is the channel through which one gets directly in touch with one’s Creator. 13. Avoid interest Undoubtedly interest is haram and a major sin, and if we have engaged in it then we must repent. Allah (SWT) said in the Quran: “Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase of deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked” (Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 276). We must remember that the life of this world is short and fleeting, and that the purpose of our existence is not to lust after beauty and wealth, but rather to worship Allah correctly and live in obedience to Him. 14. Be Grateful Let’s constantly remind ourselves of Allah’s bounties by expressing our gratitude to Him in prayers and at other times. Giving due thanks to Allah earns a person Allah’s love and good pleasure, drawing one nearer to Him. Because a person does not attribute his ability to worldly causes, he knows deep inside that he owes everything to Allah alone and thus avoids ascribing any associates to Him. In this way, he attains spiritual benefits which are far better than any material gains and praises Allah for every blessing. 15. Ask Allah for Forgiveness The Prophet (S) said: “If anyone continually asks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress, and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide for him from where he did not reckon.” So seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy daily for He (SWT) is the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate.
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