Every time I read these verses, I am awe-struck by the sheer magnitude of Allah's compassion towards His servants. No matter what wrong your nafs has enticed you to commit and no matter how disgusted and ashamed you have felt after sinning, the opportunity for purification remains open. To understand this, let us be reminded of the invitation Allah extends to Pharoah. It was an invitation from The Most Merciful to the most morally bankrupt individual on the face of this earth. What was the invitation? It was an invitation offering a real opportunity for Pharoah to redeem himself, by simply saying 'yes' and accepting this invitation. Yes Pharoah is the leader of all tyrants, yet, Musa AS

What was Abu Bakr's Secret? (ra) Abu Bakr did not endure the poverty of Abu Dharr or Bilal, yet he surpassed them. He did not narrate thousands of ahadith like Abu Hurayrah or Anas, yet he surpassed them. He was not tortured like Khabab or Sumayyah, yet he surpassed them. He was not severely injured in battle like Talhah or Khalid, yet he surpassed them. He was not martyred in battle like Hamzah or Mus'ab, yet he surpassed them. What then was the secret behind Abu Bakr's superiority? Bakr ibn 'Abdillah al-Muzani tells us: 'Abu Bakr did not surpass them through numerous fasts and prayers but with something that was deeply rooted in his heart.' Brothers and sisters, man

How can one identify what their state will be in the grave (Barzakh)? Ibn al-Qayyim said: ❝The state of a person in the grave will be like the state of the heart in the chest; in bliss or facing punishment, imprisoned or roaming freely. If you want to know what your state in the grave will be like, then look at the state of your heart in your chest. If your heart is filled with joy and tranquility, and is pure (clean from pride, envy and other evils) - then by the Will of Allaah, the same will be your state in the grave. And its opposite is also true. This is why you find that a person - who is obedient (to Allaah), and has good manners (with the creation), and who is forgiving (an

The word 'tazkiyah' means: Purification of the soul. Allah uses it in the Qur'an many times.

What's interesting is in the dictionary, 'tazkiyah' has two meanings: 1. Filtering 2. Growth

When you filter something (i.e., to purify it), you end up with less - because you removed the bad parts.

But even though you technically have less than you started with, Allah still considers it growth, since you are now purer and therefore stronger and better.

Less is more.

'Say 'Good and evil are not equal, though you may be dazzled by the abundance of evil. So be mindful of Allah, O people of reason, so you may be successful.'' (Qur'an, 5:100)