What The Ummah Needs in Ramadan

Suleiman Hani

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Channel: Suleiman Hani

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bla bla

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what does our Ummah need from us today?

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What does the Muslim ummah need from the believers around the world who are almost 2 billion in number? And more specifically, at this time of the year? What does our Ummah need from us during the blessed month of Ramadan? Of course, the answer to this question could take us hours and a lot of commentary, a lot of advice, a lot of practicality, a lot of insights and interpretations and understandings and perspectives. But in short, if we were to take just three principles, and all of these are found in just one Surah

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Surah Mohammed, we ask Allah subhanaw taala to make us amongst those who consistently follow the Sunnah of the messenger salAllahu alayhi wa sallam, three principles that if we were to follow would benefit the rest of the world. And of course it would benefit the home of the Prophet Alayhi Salatu was Salam, the first Allah subhanaw taala says,

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Yeah,

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au Hala Dena Iman who in turn, Sodom, La Jolla, Sunil Kumar youth a bit upon dama Come, O you who believe if you are to give victory or aid or support to Allah, meaning to the religion of Allah, to Islam to the revelation, Allah subhanho wa Taala you don't sort of come we'll give you victory and aid and support in his own way. And he will keep you firm steadfast, as well while you thought bit of Dharma calm. Now there are a number of reflections the first that we take from this is an emphasis Yeah, you're living in a new every time you come across this more than 80 times I believe in the Quran. Yeah, you have Ladino Manu O you who believe, pay closer attention and that's a sign

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of your faith. That when you recite or here yeah, you have nothing in common. Oh, you who believe or believers, you pay closer attention. There's an emphasis here on something you must do or something you must avoid.

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If you give aid support to the religion of Allah in turn salah. And of course here, this includes everything of Revelation, the Sunnah of the messenger, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. The emphasis here is on what in total law is an action. It's not a claim. If you say I am a Muslim, that is not enough to say that you are eating the truth. If you say I believe and then you don't act upon it, that's not enough to say you're eating the religion of Allah subhanho wa taala. Another reflection is often times some Muslims are thinking and wondering, how will the victory of Allah come? How will I be supported in what form in what way and rather than spending so much time thinking about how,

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remember what he learned who you knew to Samoa to you or not to Allah belongs the soldiers of the heavens and the earth. He has his own ways of decreeing what He decrees your role is not to reflect on how but to take action. In turn Salah Give victory to the religion of Allah subhana wa Tada. And you will see the results, as Allah decides when he decides is based on his wisdom, meaning when it is decreed for something to happen. Another reflection is that, no doubt our OMA today of 2 billion we have a larger number of Muslims in the world today than ever in history. And there are advancements today in technology, in discoveries and various disciplines and sciences. So the Muslim

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world today has a lot more terms of materialism and technology than the entirety of the past generations of Muslims and yet the Muslim world today for it to be very realistic. And to look at the situation in many countries, but not necessarily all. There is a lot of oppression and injustice against Muslims. And there's a lot of weakness in different places, weakness of some forms and some pockets in some areas.

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And the reality is, it's not about the technological advancements, or how much material wealth you have. It's that more of the previous generations were focused on ating the victory or rather ating the truth and receiving victory from Allah subhanaw taala through that. And of course, the disclaimer here is that it does not mean that the entirety of the Muslim world today is not righteous, and it does not mean that all the Muslims of the past were righteous either, right. We recognize that there's this and there's that throughout history and in the modern times. In addition to this, when people talk about specific figures or references to Salahuddin Anna UB or Mohammed Al

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Fatiha, you go all the way back to the time of the Sahaba and the Tiberius as well

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and you look at what some of them used to do in terms of their lifestyles, their piety, their practice, in public and in private. And you recognize that all of these individuals had with them and around them and surrounding them and the years before and the months before support. And that support was from an environment of people who are also aiding the religion of Allah subhana wa Tada. Yes, we're not referencing all of the other names and all of the factors that led to that moment in which something good happened. But they were not just concerned with how is the Muslim world doing today, they were concerned with EMI being righteous as well. The concept of spreading goodness in

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the world, for the Muslim generally begins with your internal state, your heart, your connection to Allah subhanho wa taala. Before you sit down and criticize the political happenings around the world, and what's happening in different countries, the first you look to yourself and you say I am part of either the solution or the problem. You are either aiding the religion of Allah by being a practicing Muslim, or you are supporting the downfall of the ummah. And while that sounds very black and white, and of course the spectrum is wide in between, we have to recognize our role in the state of the world today, that if we were connected to Allah subhanho wa taala, the world would benefit

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from our piety, non Muslims would benefit from Muslims practicing Islam. The issues that we see around us of injustice is and problems in this country and around the world are issues that would be solved by and resolved by many Muslims as well, not necessarily in their entirety, but we would be part of the solution, rather than being part of the problem. Number five another reflection on this is that this idea can be used to respond to individuals who mistakenly say or think Allah's religion does not need to be defended or aided, as though they assume here's the clarification as though they assume that the religion is in need, or the Allah's religion and Revelation is a need when in fact

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we are the ones who are in need. Allah is Allah nee self sufficient, we are in need of supporting the religion of Allah subhanaw taala, of living by of practicing of understanding it, in order to benefit ourselves and the world around us in this life and in the next life. And of course, this starts at home. In the month of Ramadan, we're emphasizing Taqwa more than anything else, through all acts of worship and throughout the year.

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To give support and victory to the religion of Allah, is for you to practice Islam consistently. For you to pray your five prayers consistently never missing a prayer. That's not a thing in your mind. Why? Because you know its role in this world, you know, you are created for it. To give victory to the religion of Allah subhana wa Tada is that you are not just acting like someone of good character in public with strangers, but rather behind closed doors, with your family, with your spouse, with your children, with your parents, that you are also righteous, that you are merciful, that you protect the right you're not violating the rights that you're a source of paradise to them, not a

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source of oppression, to give victory to the religion of Allah subhana wa Tada is to only consume what is permissible to make sure that your income is permissible, what you're taking in is pleasing to Allah subhanaw taala. And you're refraining from what is prohibited and you are honest with Allah in all situations. Aiding Islam is also for you to pray on time. Eating Islam is for you to fast Ramadan to fulfill your obligations, because you recognize that all of that the athlete is greater than anything of this world in terms of worldly priorities, desires or societal pressures. Eating Islam is to speak the truth in all situations, even if you are bearing witness against yourself or

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your family or your parents, that you're standing with truth and with justice, regardless of the conflict or situation. ating Islam is to also stay strong, and to be brave and to be courageous. When there are a lot of anti Islamic sentiments in society or the world or when Islamophobia starts to spread, or impact society at a structural level in terms of policymaking, oppressing Muslims in different countries in terms of religious freedom, you are becoming stronger and more brave and more courageous During such times, and in a way you are eating Islam. Eating Islam is also to be brave and steadfast in appearing as a Muslim in public and not being embarrassed by it. And practicing

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Islam in public and not being embarrassed by it. And praying whenever you have to pray regardless of who's watching. Because at the end of the day, you recognize the role of the Muslim in this world and their connection to the One who created this world and what's waiting for you in the next life as well. ating Islam has to stand with those who are being oppressed with your brothers and your sisters not shying away from defending those who are being oppressed in any form. May Allah subhanaw taala make us amongst those who give

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Victory and support and assistance and aid to his religion so that we are benefiting and the Ummah and the world are benefiting as well. Allahumma Amin, again you are Latina, who are believers in Tunsil Allah Hi on Soto comm where you submit academica if you give victory to the religion of Allah, if you give support to the religion of Allah, Allah will give you support and he will keep you firm and at the end of it, it's not just that you're receiving support for yourself or the entirety of the Ummah, you are being given steadfastness May Allah subhanaw taala keep us steadfast. Lama Amin The second thing our OMA is in need of especially during these times and especially in

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Ramadan that we can focus on from this surah from Surah. Mohammed is the saying of Allah subhanho wa taala.

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Well, Lavina Hurtado, the whom who then turn taqwa and those who strive for guidance, Allah will give them guidance and increase them and grant them God consciousness. Tell him taqwa, he'll give them God consciousness he'll give them mindfulness of ALLAH SubhanA wa Tada. Amongst the reflections from this principle, it's number one that good from the Islamic paradigm follows good player follows height, that you seek guidance, you took one step towards Allah and Allah took many towards you as the Prophet salallahu Alaihe Salam informs us, you turn to Allah so Allah subhanaw taala turns to you with much more than what you gave. You take one step towards him, and you start repenting, you

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will find an abundance of Hyatt in terms of acts of worship, the door is opening for you.

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And it's important for us to consider that often times one of the traps of the devil, for old and for young individuals is to think I'm too guilty. I'm too ashamed. I'm not good enough. Who am I to ask Allah? A young man college student came up a few days ago out of state, and he said, I just am struggling so much to do Toba to repent. Because I just feel so bad. I feel so guilty and ashamed. Like, how dare I ask Allah for forgiveness when I've asked for forgiveness so many times. This is a trap of shaytaan it's not a part of Islam to ever lose hope. Hopelessness is not a part of Islam. Islam actually supports hope. In all situations, your heart is beating Allah subhanaw taala is the

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one who told you turn to Me, I will respond to you seek forgiveness, I will forgive you in the Hadith kotse you have not had them or children of Adam in Canada, I will tell you what, Joe Tenille refer to Allah, Allah America. And I mean, when Bernie, as long as you call upon me, and have hope in me, I will forgive you. And I do not mind me. I want to forgive you, Allah once to forgive you. No matter how many sins you've committed. Allah subhanaw taala wants to forgive you. But turn to him sincerely. And don't give up. The devil would rather you lose hope and you gain nothing. Once you become hopeless. And Allah would rather you turn to Him, even if it takes you 1000 attempts to

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change your life, it's better than giving up May Allah subhanaw taala keep us consistent. In addition to this, you look at the order of the words in this area will Latina todos de houden the first thing that's mentioned is those who are seeking that guidance. The effort starts with you. You are turning towards Allah, in the month of Ramadan, so many people around the world so many Muslims are noticing their increase in Eman and they think it's only because it's Ramadan, they might think it's because everyone else is fasting. It's because you put in effort. You saw mercy from Allah subhanaw taala May Allah forgive us and protect us. May Allah subhana make us amongst those who are

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constantly putting in the effort throughout the year, not just in the month of Ramadan. You seek guidance from Allah, Allah will give you what you're looking for, but be sincere and consistent and hold on to it. Don't give up on your efforts even if it requires you to displease other people who are making fun of you or judging you for becoming a more practicing Muslim. Do not let that hold you back and a third reflection on this area. Push yourself to overcome your knifes and make sure that you start every single day with some form of wicked remembrance of Allah. When you first wake up there are certain supplications you should say there are a cuddle Sabha the morning supplications

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that are scattered Messiah evening supplications our Earth garden gnome supplications right before you sleep, start your day and end your day with a remembrance of Allah subhanho wa Taala and you will find that this aids you in overcoming misguidance and overcoming deviation May Allah subhanaw taala keep us consistent.

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The objective of fasting now under contract upon

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so you may gain Taqwa

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you're going to be putting in effort fasting Ramadan, may Allah subhana accept from all of us. And naturally a byproduct of that is you will see that blessing from Allah subhanaw taala in your faith in your Eman in your spirituality in your practice. And we know that there are around again 2 billion Muslims in the world again identify with Islam. And so there's the claim here that you are most

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swim and there's a practice here. And there's a gap in between for many people. And what we hope is throughout our lives that gap between you saying I believe, and I know I know what's right and wrong, I know what's halal and haram. And your practice, we hope that the gap in between is decreasing over time, that you never give up on decreasing that gap that everything you know, of right and wrong, you are practicing as well. And if there's a gap in between in which you are not practicing, you know, Salah is obligatory, you are not praying your five prayers, even though you know, Allah will question you about it. And it's one of your shields on the Day of Judgment amongst

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many other deeds, that you are doing all that you can throughout life, year after year to improve. You're not procrastinating for a future year, or a future time you're taking advantage of the current moment. In addition to this,

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we are reminded that

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there are a number of Muslims who may be struggling in different forms our hope and our objective is to support one another help one another advise one another if you can silence your phones Joseph McClendon, bearclaw phaco

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those who believe Alladhina amanu Amina Saudi hat, combined those who believe and your righteous actions and then in Surah, tell us what household will help we will also be solved. They're calling towards truth and they're calling towards perseverance. As Muslim brothers and sisters and as family members and friends and community members, we all have a role to play in supporting and helping other Muslims. When you see other Muslims struggling, sinning, committing major sins and transgressions. Your role is not to say May Allah can condemn you May this person be punished, this person is horrible, make dua that they are guided, give them advice, find a way to better the

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situation, rather than in the moment feeling good about yourself because you're not doing what they're doing. You're not as bad as this person you're looking at in your perspective. And you know, putting them down and having pride and arrogance. Pray for them. Advise them. Allah concealed your shortcomings and anything good you have. It's not because of you. It's from Allah subhanaw taala is mercy and tofield. May Allah subhanaw taala keep us consistent and help us to help one another alarma I mean, a very useful question to ask is just as a reflection point, what would the world look like? If all 2 billion Muslims practice Islam today? What would the world look like not just

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the OMA? What would the world look like today? In this year, if every Muslim in the world actually practiced Islam in its entirety, in terms of character in terms of interactions, in terms of the rulings in terms of the rituals, what would happen to the world around us what would happen to our societies, there's no doubt we can assume that society would be a much more peaceful place, that there will be more justice in the world, because Muslims are practicing Islam advocating for justice wherever they are. And they have now blessings from Allah subhanaw taala and support in Tuncer, Allah Hayyan soracom, where you thought bit of Dharma calm, the people would be more upright that

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more people would embrace Islam, that more people would be upon morality, that society would have less moral decay. And we would assume, we would assume that in such a world, there will be an impact on mental health as well, that there will be more optimism in society, more trust in Allah subhanaw taala, a greater understanding of our purpose in this world, why we are here, why we go through hardships, and how to benefit others who are struggling as well. In fact, some of the very first people in history, who started focusing on mental health were Muslims. And in fact, the people that they were helping were rejected by Christian state and Christian regions. And so we need to think

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about our role in practicing Islam and what it does for us mentally, as well as the resilience and the optimism and the strength and the relief that you're sharing with other people in your life, Muslims and non Muslims. In addition to this, we would assume that if Muslims were more practicing of Islam, we would be more united, who would not be divided. And when there are divisions, these divisions would not cause enmity in our hearts. It would not cause pride between people. divisions would not be based on worldly metrics, or wealth, or your ethnicity or the color of your skin or the language you speak. Because what unites us is the book of Allah subhanaw taala and the Sunnah of the

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messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

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We believe in the Quran, we believe in the Messenger of Allah, His salatu salam. So we need to look at what we claim and what we believe and what we are practicing every day of our lives. Whether you are observed by Muslims or non Muslims or you are alone in private, make sure you are consistent in bridging that gap. May Allah subhanaw taala keep us consistent along that I mean, again, the second principle, when Latina Hurtado, the home houden term Taqwa home, those who put an effort those who seek and stay

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If for guidance, you did your part and you keep working hard on your journey towards Allah, Allah will give you that guidance and he will give you God consciousness. Number three and the last point here is the principle of connecting to the Quran where Allah subhanaw taala says, A fella Tada, Brunel Purana Amala KHUDOBIN. Aqua, do they not reflect upon the Quran that the board hears to reflect upon the Quran? Or are their locks shackles chains, upon their hearts. And this is an could be a very frightening idea for us. Because we know our worldview, what we believe the way we see the world, the way you understand morality, the way you engage with society, the way you are working

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towards the athlete on your job, your studies, your family, everything is shaped by your belief system, your worldview, and it is through the lens of the Quran. But what happens if there's a shackle upon your heart.

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And we take from this that the believer is the one who studies the Quran and reflects upon it regularly why you're taking your instruction from the Quran, what it is, you're supposed to be doing, what you're supposed to be avoiding your keys to success and salvation, how to live your life righteously, how to interact with other people, how to deal with those who abuse you, and so on and so forth. It is the very healing that she felt that we are looking for at all times, when she felt one of the mafia salute, it is a healing for what is in the hearts, in addition to this. Another reflection is that it's being described in a way, like something with a lock on it imagine, as a bit

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of playing behind the law says, imagine a door with a lock on it. You cannot access what's behind it unless you unlock this shackle or this chain or this lock. And you're preventing yourself from something great. You're preventing yourself from something unimaginable. If you are not allowing yourself to unlock that chain or have your heart unlocked in some way.

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We think about the many people around the world who claim they want to believe in God but refuse every sign in every evidence, regardless of the field, regardless of the type of sign whether it's in science, or philosophy or basic logic, or the fifth law, psychology and history and everything else of proofs. There were people who saw these signs and miracles in front of their eyes during the times of the prophets and messengers, and they rejected them. So we're not surprised some people today will still reject the final miracle of Allah subhanaw taala that we have access to the Quran.

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And yet, when there's a shackle upon one's heart, it might not be on or off black or white, it's there or not. For the believer, you could have a type of blockage on your heart, a type of obstacle that prevents you from fully accepting the signs around you. And that's something we should reflect on. As we get close to the month of Ramadan. And we practice today as though Ramadan has started and we take advantage and we show gratitude to Allah. At the end of the day, you want your heart to be purified. The hardening of the heart is a very dangerous thing. Because if it's partially hardened, you don't know what it could lead to later on. And interestingly, the very thing that unlocks your

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heart is reflecting upon the Quran, studying it, embracing it, living by it, teaching it to your family, to your children, asking frequently what is it that I can do to live by the Quran? It is the very cure that we need. It is a healing for every illness, a guidance for every missing guidance. It is the thing that corrects all that is deviated. It is our key to success and salvation. We ask Allah subhana wa Tada to make us amongst the people of the Quran.

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Allah subhanaw taala says in me noon Alladhina either duking it on long wodgina What's going on boom, what either 20 minutes on him to who's that whom Imana while Allah I'll be him Miyata, our current goon fairly the believers are those who when the name of Allah has mentioned, their hearts are moved. And when the Quran is recited upon them, to them around them, that's one email another email increases, and they put their trust in their Lord. So if you're an authority Rahimullah, one of the earliest of scholars from the first generations reported from another scholar, he said, an example based on this is like a man who was about to commit a sin.

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And then someone said to him, it tequila, have Taqwa of Allah, we caught conscious fear Allah subhanaw taala.

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And it moved his heart and he abandoned the sin. We are living in a times in which many people are told, fear Allah, be God conscious. Be careful, that's haram don't do that.

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Regardless of the way that they were advised, no matter what kind of advice they are given in the most polite, loving, humble, private manner possible, instantly their Kibito comes out and

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They say who are you to advise me?

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The Prophet salallahu alayhi salam informed us what is paraphrased as amongst the worst types of people is the man who is told fear Allah and his response is you fear Allah.

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A sign of arrogance is that you are not receptive to and I'll say that when your flaws are pointed out, your ego comes out. And it's exactly what the devil did. May Allah protect us? Adam Ali Salaam and her work reprimanded by Allah, their first reaction would have been held alumna and fusina. We have wronged ourselves admit when you are wrong, why, at the end of the day, what's at stake is not your reputation. What's at stake is not how that person perceives you. We all have flaws. What's at stake is your athlete or your afterlife. And that's why we should generally love and pray for the people who advise us when others want advice when others think we have to be careful walk on

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eggshells, don't advise her don't advise him. It might mess up the relationship or the friendship but will law he if you are a true friend, and a true brother and a true sister, and you care about one another's earthly law, then you would advise that person so they are not regretting it in the next life and wondering, why didn't nobody advise me?

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I don't want to call but on the long run, who said May Allah have mercy on the one who shows me my flaws? Why? Because at the end of the day, you're hoping you're improving? And if nobody tells you you're doing something wrong and advising you and your heart is not moved by that how will you improve? May Allah subhanaw taala make us receptive to him I'll say hi, wherever we are. The believer is the one whose heart is moved by the remembrance of Allah or the reference to Allah. And if you feel like you're not at that place, ask yourself what am I listening to every day? What are the things that you're watching, consuming? Are you listening to Quran frequently? Are you

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reflecting on the names of Allah? Are you making dua? undecayed? Are you the type of person who in the remembrance of Allah has mentioned the Quran has mentioned? You conform your desires to the revelation? Or are you doing the opposite? You want to do something so you conform revelation and Islam to your desires, may Allah protect us all. We change ourselves in the process of seeking Taqwa of getting closer to Allah. And we recognize one of the greatest ways to be protected in our hearts and to preserve your athlete. So stay connected to the Quran, day and night. We have so many resources today, but stay connected to the Quran, they will help you in countless ways, help your

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family, your community and other people as well. It gives you a light by which you are able to walk through society and enlighten others as well and be protected from darkness. And in addition to this, not just listening to the Quran and studying the Quran but implementing what you are reciting, which also reminds us if you ever recite the Quran, and someone else is listening, have family or friends or community or your your candidate whatever it may be. Remember that your sincerely could impact the one who's listening to the Quran. May Allah subhanaw taala keep us sincere, protect us and forgive us seek forgiveness from Allah He is the oft forgiving the Ever Merciful occluder

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quality how that was stuck for a while do not confess taquito in a horrible photo Rahim.

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hamdu lillah wa Salatu was Salam ala Rasulillah while early he was so happy he woman Wallah. We ask Allah subhana wa Tada to guide us and forgive us and make us a source of guidance for others are always in need of many things today are always in need of many things from us. And we are part of the soma we have responsibilities. In this era that we were born in, we ask Allah subhanaw taala to make us useful and beneficial and impactful on the world. Whether or not we see it and other people see it all that matters is that it is sincere and we put in all of the efforts we could. So we mentioned in this hotword Three things three principles taken from Surah to Mohammed of things that

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the Ummah is in need of that we can do, starting with what seeking guidance we're Latina, todos de en woodenware town to town. And before that as well the foundation yeah you Alladhina amanu in some sort of La Jolla on soracom where you thought bit of Dharma calm, that you are giving victory to the religion of Allah and finding victory and help and assistance from him as well as firmness. And then lastly, the reflections on the Quran the connection to the Quran so that there are not shackles upon our hearts. May Allah subhanaw taala purify our hearts and make us wrong those who benefit from the time that we were given in this world and make us a source of optimism and happiness for others and

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allow us to experience the optimism and happiness of the Day of Judgment. Aloma Amin