Allah says in order to achieve mercy, you should establish your prayer, you should give from what Allah has given you and you should follow the messenger. If you do these three things you will achieve the mercy of Allah.
And establish prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger – that you may receive mercy. (24:56)
In surat al-furqan Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala makes mention of many factors, the ability and the capacity to distinguish between right and wrong. When we’re in good company and when we are trying to obey Allah and Allah’s instructions we will definitely be able to distinguish between right and wrong.
And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, “Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend. He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.” (25:27-29)
Your circle of friends makes you or breaks you. It’s up to you to decide what you’d like. Make sure you have friends who are better in values and morals than you, their relationship with their maker than you.
Who are the blessed, who are the worshipers of the most merciful?
And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. (25:63)
Many times people accuse us of things we have not done,. Sometimes people falsely accuse us in various ways, these false accusations that people level either against us or against others. How do we navigate through them with contentment, with happiness? It’s surely very difficult.
surah An Nur in the Quran Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks about this precisely this and Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala gives us the ingredient for contentment and achieving of that calmness that were meant to be achieving even through false accusations.
Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you. For every person among them is what [punishment] he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof – for him is a great punishment.(24:11)
It’s good for you because number one: Allah will elevate your status, be calm, number two: Allah will grant you forgiveness and Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala will increase the good deeds that you have by taking people’s good deeds away, after having depleted your other sins that you’ve committed.
If we falsely accuse others or we have spread that rumour,we’ve been a vehicle of spreading. Didn’t Allah say we will punish those who spread the tale? Well, we’re being purnished. Remember this don’t accuse people, don’t spread rumour, don’t forward messages of accusation to others.
Allah (Swt) warns us even in verse number 21 about the devil, the path of the devil and not following it.
O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Satan – indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing. And if not for the favor of Allah upon you and His mercy, not one of you would have been pure, ever, but Allah purifies whom He wills, and Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (24:21)
if you are a person who’s engaged in a sin it’s your weakness, the minute you encourage others or promote that sin in any way you are now going to lose long-term contentment. if it was your weakness and you sought the forgiveness of Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala, definitely Allah will grant you goodness
Allah says when you accuse the innocent believing females especially you are cursed. Allah says the curse is upon you.
Indeed, those who [falsely] accuse chaste, unaware and believing women are cursed in this world and the Hereafter; and they will have a great punishment (21:23)
Allah (swt) tells the believing males to lower their gazes and cover yourself for the sake of Allah.
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants
having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (24:30-31)
#MuftiMenk makes mention of the opening verse 1&2 from Surah Al Mu’minin (23) where Allah (swt) says how to increase #concentration in salah/ #prayer at one’s #maximum level automatically by following and doing specific activities.
you want contentment work on your concentration in Salah. How will I achieve that? So Allah continues to say those who stay away from, those who turn away from that which is futile, that which is futile, you stay away from it. Those who give zakah, those who cleanse themselves, those who purify themselves, those who give charity to the poor, they reach out to those who don’t have with what they have, those who protect their private parts; they don’t commit adultery. Those who fulfil their trust, they fulfil what Allah has entrusted them with and what people have entrusted them with, those who fulfil their five daily prayers. So when we do all of these things we will automatically be increasing the concentration in Salah.
Remember cut out that which is futile. it doesn’t benefit you. It’s a waste of time. Anything that’s a waste of time learn to cut it out, you’ll be happy. Do that which is constructive. Use your time responsibly and see what happens? Allah will open your doors in the dunya and the akhira –Mufti Menk
When the prophets of Allah went through hardship they called out to Allah and never ever gave up.
So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive. (21:90)
And [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allah ] before [that time], so We responded to him and saved him and his family from the great flood.(21:76)
And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”(21:83)
So, We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah ].(21:84)
When you make dua to Allah there is a contentment that should overtake your heart. You should be overcome by this beautiful contentment because you know I’ve called out to the most merciful. He knows what’s better for me. If He hasn’t given me, it’s not good for me but I must keep on calling out to Him because if you’ve called out to Him; by virtue of the calling you may be granted paradise.
If you’d like contentment learn to respect those things, those times and those places that Allah has given respect to.
Hajj is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj. And whatever good you do – Allah knows it. And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah . And fear Me, O you of understanding. (2:197)
That [is so]. And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.(22:32)
When Allah has given a place virtue, you need to remember if your heart has a little bit of piety in it, a connection with Allah you will grant that place. it’s deserved respect.
Surah al mu’minin masha’Allah, the opening verses of this surah will bring about a lot of contentment if we were to read it and adopt it and teach it to others.
Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive (23:1-2)
Anything that’s a waste of time learn to cut it out you’ll be happy – Mufti Menk
May times we are given a task to do and we become worried about how we are going to fulfill the task whether it is at home or at work or elsewhere. Something that is on our shoulders and we wonder how is this going to happen….
If you look at surah Taha Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala talks about a huge burden that he placed on the shoulders of Musa alayhi salaatu wa salaam and Allah (swt) says
“Rabbish rahli sadri, wa yassirli amri, wah lul uqdatan min lisaani, yaf kahu kauli”
“My Lord, put my heart at peace for me and make my task easy for me and remove the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech. [20:25,26,27,28]
We are taught we can repeat the same dua whenever we are tasked to do something.
Another lesson also to learn from surah Taha regarding contentment. When we speak to people we should always use soft words even when speaking to your enemies.
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [ Allah ].” (20:44)
We learn in verse number 72 of surah Taha a beautiful lesson regarding the magicians who were called by the pharaoh. When they saw the clear signs of Allah they became so close to Allah because they surrendered to Allah, there was a calmness that overtook them. The Pharaoh immediately threatened them by telling them I will kill you then they say:
They said, “Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life. (20:72)
Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring.”(20:73)
Indeed beautiful lessons we learn from reverts those who had just converted to Islam. When the Pharaoh threatened them they said do what you want. Because you can only punish us in this world, you can only make decisions regarding this world, thereafter we’re going to go to Allah and we expect the forgiveness of Allah, the mercy of Allah. They were persecuted but they were content, they were calm, one prostration earned them paradise
Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks of how forgiving He is:
But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.(20:82)
Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks also at the end of that surah of verse number 132 about the importance of encouraging your family to fulfill the five daily prayers
And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.(20:132)
Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks about the prophets of Allah, the struggles they went through… in surah Al anbiya:
Those to whom hypocrites said, “Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, “Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.” (3:173)
Allah said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.” (21:69)
When we are upright and we want to worship our maker alone, be prepared to be persecuted, people might say bad things about you, they might think that you’re a bad person but keep going, keep going for the sake of Allah. Be kind, prove them wrong but don’t lose your faith in your maker, never- Mufti Menk
We need to think before we speak if we would like contentment. Whatever you want to say, think of the best way of saying it and then say it.
And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.(17:53)
Shaitan wants to seize any opportunity, to split people, to cause friction, to cause problems. if you are careful of what you say and how you say it you will definitely be able to be much more content than you are.
The supplication from surah kahf
[Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” (18:10)
so the point to learn here is if we would like contentment from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala make sure you’re in a good environment, have good friends have decent people around you, worship allah in a beautiful way.
And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,”
Except [when adding], “If Allah wills.” And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct.” [18:23 & 24]
Whenever you are planning to do something tomorrow or a little bit later on or sometime in the future, remember it is all only possible if Allah wants it to happen. Therefore you must say insha’Allah. This is why we say when you plan something and it happens your way you say alhamdulillah, all praise is due to Allah when it does not happen your way I usually say Alhamdulillah twice thank Allah even more because now it’s happening exactly the way He wanted it and He knows what is better for you. There is another term that we need to actually add to the praise of Allah Subhanahu WA learn to relate it to Allah, you make dua for Baraka and you related to Allah Masha Allah, tabarak Allah or la quwata illa billah. So if if you know that they’re only going to happen if Allah wants it to happen then you will not be depressed, you will not be sad.
And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, ‘What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah ‘? Although you see me less than you in wealth and children, (18:39)
At the end of surah al-Kahf there is a beautiful verse number 110 Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks about what to do: you will achieve contentment.
Ith awa alfityatu ila alkahfi faqaloo rabbanaatina min ladunka rahmatan wahayyi/ lana min amrina rashadan
Say, “I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord – let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” (18:110)
So if you want happiness and contentment in this world success in the next you need to make sure you do two things. Don’t associate partners with Allah and any act of worship make sure that it was taught by the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. You will never go wrong. may Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala grant us success.
Surat maryam regarding those who left their prayer and Salah Allah
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil – (19:59)
The idea is to be encouraged to say that we must fulfil our Salah and don’t just follow your desires whims and fancies in transgression of Allah subhanahu wata’ala.
Many of us sometimes people do wrong to us and we wonder when is Allah going to stop this wrong, how can this person keep on doing wrong, how can they get away with murder, how can they get away with such evil deeds that they’re doing? Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala says in verse number 42 of surat Ibrahim:
And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]. (14:42)
When Allah (swt)’s punishment comes, nothing will stop it.
Allah says don’t think We don’t know what’s going on? We know what’s going on. We’re giving them time for many reasons. Some you may understand, Some you may not understand – Mufti Menk
Allah is giving us one after the other pieces of advice where he calls it wisdom, holistic wisdom that which if you were to follow you will achieve success of this world and the next. In surat al Al-Isra if you start from verse number 23 and you go on, you will find Allah giving you what is known as hikmah, the wisdom what you need for your entire life.
And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. (17:23)
Be good kind and respectful to our parents. Respecting does not mean obedience; obedience is only when it is not in the transgression of Allah and it is not usurping any of your rights then you obey.
Allah says that you are related to certain people, We want you to look after them as well.
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. (17:26)
Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’ala says don’t be wasteful. When you have two of what you need, one of you are wasting remember that.
Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. (17:27)
Shaitan is very ungrateful. So you become ungrateful when you waste and your are extravagant, you become ungrateful regarding the favours of Allah upon you. Then He says and don’t be miserly. Spend in the middle. You need to know how to spend.
And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck or extend it completely and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.(17:29)
And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin. (17:31)
Many of us are struggling not because we don’t have what we need but because we don’t have what we want. There is a very big difference. We lose contentment and happiness because we want things it’s not that we need them. Don’t live to show, people you will lose contentment. They will never be happy, you will not be happy. You will fight with your spouse because you can’t afford things
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.(17:32)
Don’t go close to adultery, don’t go close to it because you lose contentment it will be very very tough. if you have fallen seek the forgiveness of Allah he will forgive you. But don’t go close to it.
And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].(17:33)
How can you take away the life that Allah has given in an unjust way? Allah is
reminding you that the giver of the life is Allah who gave you the right to take away life that was given by the same one who gave you your life. Allah is the giver of your life and that life so both lives are equally sacred.
And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best, until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.(17:34)
Be an honest person, don’t eat wealth of people the widow’s, the orphan’s, the weak, the downtrodden, the beggars whoever they may be. Don’t steal, don’t deceive you will not achieve contentment when you’ve earned through deception.
And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even balance. That is the best [way] and best in result.(17:35)
When you’re doing business, don’t short-change people. Don’t deceive in business it will never ever bring about any goodness.
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned. (17:36)
When you follow, don’t follow blindly. You need to have knowledge, improve your knowledge, and increase it. Follow that which you have knowledge regarding, Allah says your hearing, your sight, your heart, your thoughts, all of that you will be questioned about, so try and purify yourself as best as you can.
And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height. (17:37)
You are just like everyone else, be humble, be filled with humility, you will be content. the minute your humility is gone, your ego creeps in, your pride comes in you will lose that happiness and contentment. – Mufti Menk
Allah warns us about those who are not satisfied when Allah blesses them with the female offspring. You have a daughter don’t be upset. You don’t know what goodness is about to come from the particular child.
And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. (16:58)
Allah says we will bless you with a male or a female, sometimes only males, sometimes only females, sometimes both male and female, sometimes we may not give you a child but you need to understand it’s the destiny Allah has chosen for you because he knows what is better for you. So don’t become upset with the choice of Allah for you.
Many times people have daughters and they say oh I wish I could have a son but when Allah has blessed you, perhaps those daughters will achieve much more for you than any son could actually have brought. Because it is Allah who allows that to happen.
What you’ve got to do? Just look after those children the way Allah has asked you to look after them because they belong to Allah. As they grow older don’t do what your whims and fancies want you to do. Do what Allah wants you to do. You will be content, you will be happy.
But all we need to know it is a gift of Allah. Allah knows best why he gave you, what he gave you, be excited about it, be happy about it even if Allah decided not to give you children be convinced that that is Allah’s plan. Your ultimate success is when you get Jannah – Mufti Menk
Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala has indeed instructed us to be just. if you are just you will achieve contentment, you will be happy when you are a person who’s unjust and you engage in injustice you can never achieve true contentment.
Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. (16:90)
So, Allah is telling you be just, be kind, be good and reach out to your family members and to stay away from the immorality, the evil and transgression.
Allah says if you do good, if you believe and do good we will improve the condition of your living, first on earth and thereafter we will grant you paradise.
Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (16:97)
When we are calling out towards Allah’s path, you call them with utmost respect not just respect but with wisdom with tact, with the best of words, with the most beautiful of arguments.
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.(16:125)
Allah makes mention of the Night Journey that the prophet (saw) Allah made from his house in Makkah to Bayt al-Maqdis in Surat Al-Isra.
Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. (17:09)
This Quran is a guide. Do you take it as a guide? If you do, good news to you. Do you give it its importance? If you do good news to you. In the month of the Quran how much of the Quran have you learned, how much time do you spend with the Quran on a daily basis? It is the manual that Allah sent you and I, the manuscript through which you will achieve the success of this world and the next.
Allah (swt) Subhanahu WA Ta’ala speaks about those who want only this world and they have forgotten about the hereafter.
Whoever should desire the immediate – We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished. (17:18) But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer – it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah ]. (17:19)
Remember when Allah has given you it’s not a sign that he’s happy with you. When I lost taken away from you it’s not a sign that he’s upset with you. It is all to do with the heart your connection with Allah and your contentment either way. – Mufti Menk
The All-Loving 