THE GREAT SECRET

Allah tells us that believers will undergo many tests in this world. For example, they will be tested in their personal lives and with their possessions, or will be confronted with traps set by unbelievers and be falsely accused. In other words, they may encounter difficulties at every stage in their lives. But the important thing is that they continue to practice the Qur'an's morality in difficult times, remember Allah without ceasing, give thanks, and realize that everything will turn out well.

Of course, it is easier to do these things when one is enjoying His blessings than when one is undergoing difficult times. But one of the main things that prove the strength of the Muslims' faith is their refusal to compromise their moral character. Muslims who patiently endure poverty, hunger, fear, personal and material loss, illness, threats from unbelievers, slander, and entrapment will receive a better reward for their moral excellence.

The Qur'an gives many examples of the entrapments and tyranny suffered by the Prophets and other devout Muslims. One example of this is the tyranny that Pharaoh exercised over his people. In the Qur'an, Allah says that this was a testing from Himself:

Remember when We rescued you from the people of Pharaoh. They were inflicting an evil punishment on you—slaughtering your sons and letting your women live. In that there was a terrible trial for you from your Lord. (Surat al-Baqara, 49)

As this verse says, everything that unbelievers do to prevent good is a test for believers. Their unwavering moral character, courage, and fortitude they display while enduring these trials will increase their reward and status in Paradise. The Qur'an tells us what kind of tests believers will undergo and the fine moral character they will display, as follows:

We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, life, and fruits. But give good news to the steadfast. Those who, when disaster strikes them, say: "We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return." Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided. (Surat al-Baqara, 155-57)

The trust and submission described in these verses is a good example for all Muslims. But unbelievers cannot understand this patient trust, for they think that believers are just like themselves and behave according to their own misguided criteria. Thus, they think that believers will respond to abundant wealth by getting caught up in it, and will allow difficulties and frustration to make them so afraid that they will abandon their belief.

But this is a grave error on their part, for Muslims who understand the secret of this world's trials know that one of the finest things to do in such circumstances is to be patient. For those Muslims who practice the Qur'an's morality and do their best to inculcate this fine morality in others, all such troubles are a sign that they are on the right path. As a result, they increase their eagerness, joy, and determination to continue following His path.

In the Qur'an, Allah speaks of laws that have remained unchanged throughout history. One of them is that believers will encounter difficulty and frustration and be subjected to oppression by unbelievers. However, the unbelievers will never succeed in their aims:

They were very near to scaring you from the land with the object of expelling you from it. But had they done so, they would only have remained there a short time after you. That was the pattern with those We sent before you as Our Messengers. You will not find any changing of Our pattern. (Surat al-Isra', 76-77)

This is one of the secrets of this world's trials. Allah has warned Muslims of the many things that they will face, and has revealed that they will be able to enter Paradise only if they face the same difficulties as the preceding believers did:

Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without facing the same as those who came before you? Poverty and illness afflicted them, and they were shaken to the point that the Messenger and those who believed with him asked: "When is Allah's help coming?" Be assured that Allah's help is very near. (Surat al-Baqara, 214)

Rewards of Reciting Darood Shareef

In the previous post we discussed about the respect which has to be given while reciting the Darood Shareef!! Today we will see the rewards which we will get when reciting the Darood Shareef, Dear muslim brothers and sisters please pay attention and read carefully the following article and make reading Darood Shareef a part of your life!!!

Important Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) have been included here for the betterment, benefit guidance and gain of the readers. If followed, the reader of these sayings will receive a permit to Paradise even in this world. Every saying opens door to Divine favour and sure success.

1. For every Durood Shareef that you recite, ten sins are forgiven, ten good deeds are entered into your sheet of actions and ten position are upgraded.

2. Allah showers ten blessings on the man who recites a Durood. 3. The first man who will meet the Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) on the Day of Judgement will be that person who had recited the Durood maximum number of times in his life time.

4. Those who recite Durood in maximum number will be nearest and dearest to the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) in the next world.

5. If any one is involved in a difficulty then he must recite countless number of Durood Shareefs.

6. Reciting Durood Shareef eradicates poverty and hunger.

7. If the Sawaab of the Durood Shareef is dedicated to another person, then thatperson will receive the Sawaab, while the Sawaab of the reciter will not be lessened.

8. Reciting excessive Durood Shareef brings purity.

9. Reciting maximum number of Durood Shareef is full compensation of all sins.

10. Any one who recites excessive Durood Shareef in this world will be safe and sound in the next world.

11. When a prayer is made to Allah it is never accepted unless praise of Allah Ta'ala and Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is first of all recited.

12. Those who recite Durood quite often will see Divine Light on the dark Day of Judgement.

13. Three persons will be under the cool shade and the favours of Allah Ta'ala on the Doom's Day. One who kept the Holy Prophet's (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) Sunnah alive, one who removed difficulty of a fellow being and one who recited maximum number of Durood Shareef in his life time.

14. When you forget anything and your memory fails to recollect it, then recite Durood, you will remember the forgotten thing.

15. Reciting Durood in this world is rewarding in the next.

16. The reciter of 10 Duroods in the morning and 10 in the evening will receive the help of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) on the Day of Judgement.

17. One who recites Durood Shareef near the shrine of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is heard by him there and then alone.

18. Any one who recites Durood is just as one who purchased a slave and freed him.

19. If a Durood is written in a book by someone Angels of Allah shower blessings on him till the Durood remains in that book.

20. The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said that he himself recites blessings on one who recites Durood on him.

21. Any one who wants to meet his Allah with a happy face must recite countless number of Durood Shareef.

22. Reward equivalent to a big mountain (Uhad) is given to one who recites one Durood.

23. All people will be presented to the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) with their habits, natures and distinct manner, so it is obligatory for a man to recite maximum number of Durood.

24. Allah is Great and Almighty to forgive all sins of the reciter during the day and night when he recites Durood Shareef.

25. If any one meets in a tragedy, he should recite Durood Shareef in countless numbers.

26. Reciting Durood is like giving something in charity.

27. Reciting maximum number of Durood kills all hardships.

28. Recite Durood Shareef in countless number on Friday, as it is presented to me (the Holy Prophet).

29. Bad deeds of 200 years (equivalent) are obliterated if a man recites 100 Durood on Friday.

30. Anyone who recites Durood will overcome all their troubles.

31. If the name of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is mentioned and one who hears it but does not recite Durood Shareef, understand that he has forgotten the path to Paradise.

32. "I pray for all those who recite Durood on me", said the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

33. If any one recites Durood Shareef from any place, any part of the world from any distance, it actually reaches the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) immediately. Allah Ta'ala has appointed several Angels who are given exclusive duty to collect all Durood Shareef and present the same before the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) immediately.

34. Angels of Allah shower 70 blessings on a man who recites Durood once.

35. Whenever you hear the call of prayers (Azaan) you should recite Durood.

36. Wherever you are, from any quarter of the world, you must recite Durood as it reaches the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

37. Ablution is not complete if Durood is not recited on it.

38. The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said to his wife that any one who hears the name of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and does not recite Durood on him will not see the beautiful face of Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) on the Day of the Judgement.

39. Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) reports that Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said, "The real miser is he in whose presence I am mentioned and then he fails to recite Salat on me".

40. If a person recites 1 000 Durood Shareef daily, he will never die unless he himself sees his place in Heaven with his own eyes.

41. The Durood Shareef that is recited by the person is written with a Golden Pen on a Silver tablet by the Angels. The Angels then present this Durood Shareef to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) and proclaim, "O Habeeb of Allah! The son of such and such a person has presented this gift in your majestic court".

Qarun gets Swallowed

Qarun (Korah) was doubtless, of the people of Moses; but he acted insolently towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men, behold, his people said to him: 

"Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches). "But seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the Home of 

the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as God has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do mischief."

He said: "This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge which I have." 

Did he not know that God had destroyed, before him, (whole) generations,- which were superior to him in strength and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? but the wicked are not called (immediately) to account for their sins.

So he went forth among his people in the (pride of his wordly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the Life of this World: 

"Oh! that we had the like of what Qarun has got! for he is truly a lord of mighty good fortune!"

But those who had been granted (true) knowledge said: 

"Alas for you! The reward of God (in the Hereafter) is best for those who believe and work 

righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those who steadfastly persevere (in 

good)."

Then We caused the earth to swallow up him and his house; and he had not (the least little) party to help him against God, nor could he defend himself.

And those who had envied his position the day before began to say on the morrow: 

"Ah! it is indeed God Who enlarges the provision or restricts it, to any of His servants He pleases! had it not been that God was gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up! Ah! those who reject God will assuredly never prosper."

That Home of the Hereafter We shall give to those who intend not high-handedness or mischief on earth: and the end is (best) for the righteous.

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. (The Holy Quran, 28:76-84)

Commentary:

Qarun is called Korah in the Bible and the Talmud. He was a first cousin of the Prophet Moses (peace be on him). According to Bible, in the book of Exodus (18-21), the fathers of Korah and the Prophet Moses were real brothers. At another place in the Qur'an it has been stated that this man had joined with Pharaoh inspite of being an Israelite. Qarun became a ring-leader of opposition to Prophet Moses.

"We sent Moses to Pharaoh and Haman and Qarun with Our Signs and a clear authority of appointment, but they said, `He is a sorcerer, a liar'." (Al-Mu'min :23-24). 

From this it follows that Korah had rebelled against his own people and become a supporter of the hostile forces which were bent upon wiping out the Israelites. On account of this rebellion against his own people he had attained a high place with Pharaoh and the two persons, besides Pharaoh, to whom the Prophet Moses had been sent were Pharaoh's minister, Haman, and this Israelite capitalist, Korah. All other chiefs and courtiers were of inferior status, who were not worth mentioning. The same position of Korah has been alluded to in Surah Al' Ankabut: 39.

In the story related of him in the Bible (Num., ch. 16), there is no mention of this man's wealth. But according to the Jewish traditions, he possessed immense wealth, so much so that three hundred mules were required to carry the keys of his' treasures. (Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. VII, p. 556). Though greatly exaggerated this statement shows that even according to the Israelite traditions, Korah was a very wealthy man of his time.

Few things to remember before reciting darood shareef

RESPECT THAT SHOULD BE ACCORDED WHEN RECITING THE DUROOD SHAREEF

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "Without doubt, there is an Angel of Almighty Allah whom Allah has given power to listen to the voices of all the people. Whenever any person reads the Durood Shareef, this Angel delivers the Durood Shareef to me. I then plead to Almighty Allah for the person to receive ten blessings for reading a single Durood Shareef". (Jami'us Sagheer).

The following points should be taken into account when reciting Durood Shareef:

1. It should be read with utmost humility and respect.

2. The clothes of the reciter should be clean and free from all impurity.

3. The place where the Durood Shareef is to be read should be clean.

4. It is more superior to be in a state of Wudhu while reciting the Durood Shareef. (Not a must, can be recited without Wuduh [Islamic Academy] )

5. It is better to sit in the Tashahudd position as you would sit when in Salaah and recite the Durood Shareef with concentration and the respect due to it.

6. It is preferable to face Madinatul Munawwarah.

7. If possible, one should have sweet fragrance around the place.

8. The reciter should try and understand the meaning of the Durood Shareef.

9. One should possess a clean and untainted intention. One should read with the sole intention of pleasing Almighty Allah and Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

10. The person should not be involved in worldly talks.

11. A person should try his level best to follow the example or Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).

12. When reading Durood Shareef, you should try and imagine that you are sitting in the august presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). Utmost respect and reverence should be displayed.

13. Whenever one hears or recites the Durood Shareef, it should be read and written in full. It is also preferable to kiss one's thumb and rub them over one's eyes when hearing the name of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). It's a Sunnah of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radiallah Tala Anhu).

14. When the reading of the Durood Shareef is completed one should praise Allah Ta'ala that he has given you the opportunity of reading such a great Zikr as the Durood Shareef.

15. Whenever one takes the name of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), one should use titles of respect and reverence.

16. As an advantage one should count (if possible) on one's fingers as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) often encouraged this practice because on the Day of Qiyamah those same fingers will bear witness at the time when they are questioned.

17. Recite Durood Shareef wherever you are (not in the bathroom or toilet) and during any occasion.

Above are mostly Mustihibaats. If above conditions cannot be met please do not let them stop you from reciting Durood Shraif. One should recite Durood Sharif whenever possible but avoid places like restrooms, toilets and bathrooms.