The Purple

Book of
Generalities
The Purple
book of
generalities

By Arfan Shah

(Sheikhy Notes)
© Arfan Shah 2004

First edition 2012

All rights reserved with the exception of ‘fair use’ which is defined as;

- Reproduction of a few pages or less for non-profit

educational purposes
- Scholarly review, reference or citation

Thereafter no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior permission from the copyright owner.

ISBN
 Contents
Introduction
Chapter one: Food
Chapter two: Blessings
Chapter three: Ponder
Chapter four: Calling
Chapter five: Basics
Chapter six: Help
Chapter seven: Arguing
Chapter eight: Funeral
Chapter Nine: Ocean
Chapter ten: Dhikr
Chapter eleven: Square
Chapter thirteen: Questioned
Chapter fourteen: Beginnings
Chapter fifteen: Decree and the day
Chapter sixteen: Good manners
Chapter seventeen: Tables
Chapter eighteen: TV and music
Chapter nineteen: Gates
Chapter twenty: Knowledge
Chapter twenty one: Talk
Chapter twenty two: Friends
Chapter twenty three: Building
Chapter twenty four: Age
Chapter twenty five: True
Chapter twenty six: Time
Chapter twenty seven: Visits and paths
Chapter twenty eight: Wrong
Chapter twenty nine: Truth
Chapter thirty: Media
Chapter thirty one: Possessions
In the name of Allah, the all merciful, the most beneficent

We have given the following title to this work The Purple

book of generalities. We aim to explain generalities that
Muslims face and what their reaction could be.

We wish to write this book as a general guide to Muslims

about their life as a Muslim. I have added certain stories that
are relevant. It was called the Purple book of Generalities
because it was written in a purple book and it contains
general advices.
Chapter one
Food

One of our most frequent acts that we perform regularly is

eating. We eat things in abundance without realising the
blessing that Allah (the Exalted) has given us. So many people
have so much. We on the other hand have given little thanks
for the food that we partake. The least we can do is thank
Allah (the Exalted) before we eat by saying bismillah, it is the
least we can do. Or if we forget ‘Bismillah awalu wa ikhiru’
suffices.

Eat as much as you need but not too much as sweet food will
make you lazy and greedy. Eat the fruits mentioned in the
Quran: figs, olive, banana, pomegranate etc.

For it is necessary to remind the heart, ears and body where

your food comes from. Allah (the Exalted) is the best of
providers. He gives you the roof you sleep under, the clothes
you wear, the job you have, your families and so many other
things and if I was to write a list of them then I would not be
able to complete it. I would have to start now and continue
until the day I die and that would not be sufficient to record
the blessings of one day. I may have only addressed a few!

The only thing we can say is Alhamdulillah, because truly

praise does belong to Allah the Exalted. We must do as much
as we can to remind ourselves of this. Anyone can become
forgetful and may not fully appropriate the blessings that we
are submerged in, which we have been given, especially in
the West.

I entered a shop and began to put food into my trolley then I

stopped, Allah (the Exalted) woke me up. How many people
can do what I can do? How many people do not have a
choice? How many people do with what they have? I am able
to choose from a great multitude of things, wherever I go. I
can choose, most people in the world do not have a choice.
They do not complain about the same types of food again
and again because they simply do not have another choice. I
have a choice and yet I complain about the food that I am
given like an ungrateful spoilt child. What kind of delusion
have I got myself into?

Saying bismillah when eating helps the food to be digested.

There is no blessing in any food that you eat without
pronouncing the name of your Lord. So know dear reader
that all I wish to do is remind my sick heart. I truly hope you
can improve yourself from my failures.

Overeating is one of our major problems which lead to other

health issues. The diet must be balanced depending on your
area. The miswak is something that promotes the health of
the teeth.

If you go to someone’s house then eat the food given as it is

the height of good manners. If someone comes to your house
and does not eat; be gracious to your host and try to make
things easy for them and if you feel that your presence is a
problem then leave graciously.

The provision is all from Allah (the Exalted) and do you wish
to reject that hospitality? If you get a little food be happy and
if you get a lot be happy. Never allow your host to realise
that you do not like the food. Do not make unreasonable
requests like specific foods or that the food does not taste
like what you would get elsewhere.

Do not outstay your welcome because your host will have

other things to do and you need to go at the right time. If
your host hints at something then you outstayed your
welcome. The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and
blessings upon him) would look at the door if guests had
outstayed their welcome.
Chapter two
Blessings

How is it that we do not realise the blessings that we are

constantly in? If I have a glass of water in my hand; I can only
put it into my mouth because my arm is working correctly. All
the ligaments, muscles and all those other things that we do
not know are working correctly.

I sit in a room with heating and a light so I can write, how

many do we have so far? We live a life of total heedlessness.
I have carpet, wallpaper, food, cupboards to put food in, rich
foods, sweet foods, fruit and all other ingredients that I can
make things with. I can only drink and eat by myself because
I can touch and taste. I can tell the difference between hot
and cold. If I did not then I would freeze or I would burn. Are
these all not blessings?

What is wrong with us? Are we asleep but our eyes are open.
We are stuck in a deep sleep of the world. Yet, I too am
consumed in thoughts that I am not able to appreciate the
blessings of Allah (the Exalted) as I sit and drink clean water.
Did I mention the water?
Chapter three
Ponder

Is it not amazing that we do something for Allah (the

Exalted), an act of worship, and he helps us. If when asks He
makes things easy for us. We are fulfilling our duties to him;
yet he helps us and rewards us for it. Not just in this life but
in the next.

Truly think about you are asking for even though we get so
much we have the gall to ask for more.

It’s like you are working for someone and he has set tasks for
you. Yet, if you ask for help you get it. Then he pays you more
than you earned. You even get promotions without being
aware of it!

We do not fully realise the blessings of the state of the mercy

that we are in. It’s like the waves of the ocean, do they ever
stop? The waves and the water keep coming. Allah’s (the
Exalted) blessings aimed at you are never ending.
Chapter four
Calling

There are two ways to call someone to Islam. By providing

them with information and answering their questions in way
that they can easily understand.

The second, is the most effective way, is by calling someone

to Islam by your example. This is effect is greater than
anything you could say. But if you call someone to Islam and
you are still infected by the world then what does your words
mean, very little. They need to see that you have something
that they do not. This will make them think and ponder. If
you have peace of mind and they do not, this makes them re-
consider their position.

Ibn Kathir states that after the treaty of Huddayybiah more

people came into Islam than at any time previously. Purely
because they saw transformed human beings in the
companions. For the first time they were able to converse
them and they saw something they did not have. This lead to
thousands becoming Muslim. Is it any wonder that when the
conquest of Mecca occurred there was very little resistance?

This is the most successful method. We can boast about

Islam is and what Islam is not but until they see it in practice
only then will they realise what it is. A popular saying in
English comes to mind, ‘actions speak louder than words.’
The action can speak volumes about a person that words
cannot. Our efforts may never be fruitful but that does not
mean they we do not try.
Chapter five
Basics

I see people talk Islamic, dress Islamic and speak Islamic but
sometimes people don’t act Islamic. So many people do not
pray and those who do, do not pray correctly as it is only the
few who are present in their prayers.

Many of us are neglectful and heedless in and about our

prayers.

The more you pray the better it is for you. If you do not pray
then start with the fard/obligatory prayers, start with one
then when you are ready add another and another until you
have five. These are your first steps as it may be too difficult
for you to start with five prayers straight away. Eventually
you shall experience the hidden blessings in prayer.

It never impresses me how much knowledge someone has

but it does impress what someone does with that knowledge.
When you witness great scholars who say they are servants
of the sacred knowledge then you’ll realise.

About dress, we don’t have a specific Islamic dress instead

we have modes of dress that fulfil the purpose of lawfulness
and not unlawful.
Chapter six
Help

Try to help anyone that you can. If you see someone in need
then try to assist them. Forget about who they are or what
they are. If it is safe for you to help someone then do it for
the sake of Allah (the Exalted).

This also is a good way of breaking down the barriers in

society that they have inadvertently placed us in.

This is something that I am trying desperately to address with

myself. I am aware of these issues and I am concerned about
the ones that I have no knowledge of it.

Sometimes words that are uttered are so difficult to practice.

Chapter seven
Arguing

I would like to remind ourselves about arguing. Seriously this

is a major issue that needs to be addressed. People are
needlessly arguing over complex religious matters that
should not be argued over. This is a major issue especially
those who have a lot of time on their hands like students in
universities and other facilities of education.

Mostly it’s about people or groups that we claim to belong.

We want to make sure about this brother's beliefs before I
pray with him. Allah (the Exalted) does not task you to find
out about their faith neither should you pry by asking
questions. Debating issues of belief is something that the
average person should not be doing. We are unaware of the
damage being done and unaware of the harm being caused.

Satan loves to make the Muslims argue and if you do then

you are pleasing satan so beware of your actions. Is not the
whole point of our existence, to please Allah?

Give and return greetings and do not look at them in evil

manner. Have good opinion of your brother or sister. Yet at
the same time clarification is sometimes needed but only the
one who knows his speech is better than his silence. The
truth is such a rare commodity in our time.

Just because someone is part of a group does not mean that

they fit the stereotype that you have made up in your mind.
Give them a chance and do not let your prejudices get the
better of you.

Avoid talking about matters that could cause fallout and talk
about matters that bring you together. You are all from the
same family, you are from the same group, and you are all
Muslims from a shared father.
Chapter eight
Funeral

Coming back from a funeral I noticed my shoes were muddy

and they needed to be cleaned. Then a thought occurred to
me one day maybe I will not be able to clean the mud from
myself. As I will go to where hence I came.

The soil is my future home. The soil was home to part of this
body and it shall be my future home.

The remembrance of Allah (The Exalted) is something that

can benefit you deep down in the mud as your actions are
given a life. This keeps the heart alive and if you left your
heart die then it will kill everything else. So even here where
you least expect it the remembrance comes to help you.
Chapter Nine
Ocean

When I reached the age of twenty five I came to the

realisation that I had wasted my life in needless pursuits that
dulled my senses. I had finally reached the big ocean up until
then I had been swimming in rivers but the river was not very
deep so I swam to the ocean.

I didn’t know what to do. I saw most people on the shore. I

saw others on boats of different kinds. I saw some people
sink into the depths of the ocean. The closest boat to me had
two people in it. I knew them a little so I went with them.
Their boat had holes all over the place and water was coming
through them though some of them did not care. The boat
was slowly sinking until suddenly we heard a voice, ‘Your
boat is sinking.’ It seemed like we recognised the voice but
now it seemed to mean so much more. We realised what was
happening the boat was sinking. Amazingly we had the tools
on the boat to fix it. When we did this the boat moved
forward better than before.

I can still hear the people on the shore who were left behind,
we tried to call them but they did not hear or respond. And
the others who heard us did not know what we said.

Sometimes the journey is rough and other times it is smooth.

I know now where I am going and where I am going.
The sea represents life, the boat is the religion, and the tools
are the Quran. We have everything that we need to fix our
lives but we choose not to listen and we choose to let our
boats sink. It’s time to wake up and if we sink in this life into
the deaths of the ocean. Into the depths of the Dunya what
have we achieved anyway?

You cannot buy your way out of trouble on the day of

judgement. After this period does permanace begins and it
never ends. If we don’t give up everything in this world we
are not going to get anything in the afterlife. Note that
everything in this world will perish and it will not last. What
will we given in the afterlife if we have not worked for it?
That fact woke me up. Was I working for permanence or
temporary?
Chapter ten
Dhikr

The heart pumps the blood around the body, the blood takes
oxygen from the lungs; this process continues with the
minimal amount of fuss and notice from our side.

So why is the heart so important and why does it need to be

reminded of Allah? If you remember Allah (the Exalted), your
tongue does as well and the air you breathe is different. Then
the heart moves and with this air breathed with the dhikr of
Allah (the Exalted) then it spreads it around the body.

All around the human system this dhikr affects the body.
Allah (the Exalted) sends down tranquillity. The body moves
differently not as it moved before.

Finally, the scent of the reward is wafted in their direction.

Do you need another reason to remember Allah?
Chapter eleven
Square

In England we have a saying that you do not put square pegs

in round holes. For very young children there is a game in
which you put different shaped pegs into different shaped
holes. The point being that you have to realise that things fit
in some place but not others. Squares for squares, rectangles
for rectangles, triangles for triangles and holes for balls.
These pieces are pushed into a flat piece of wood. We are
square pegs being forced into round holes. The child keeps
pushing and it keeps going but it does not realise what it is
doing. We realise that we have to do something else and
some cannot figure out why it won’t fit. Some of us have
tried to fit into this hole but cutting out from our deen what
they thought was wrong.

Why is our religion so important because Allah (the Exalted)

is important to us? We can fit into round holes but if you
force it, it won’t look right but if we put ourselves into the
hole that we belong. Then we will put it into its rightful place.
The definition of oppression is put something in its wrongful
place. We are putting our religion into the wrong place. We
oppress ourselves and are unaware of the harm that we
cause ourselves.
Chapter twelve
Questioned

The Quran teaches us that Allah (the Exalted) is not asked

about what he does rather we are asked what we do. If this
whole universe belongs to him he can do anything that he
wants with it.

If you have a pencil you can write anywhere and everywhere

with it. That is your right as it is your pen. You can do
whatever you wish to whatever you own and no one can tell
you any different.

Allah (the Exalted) is never unjust to his creations even

though we are unjust to ourselves. So if Allah (the Exalted)
sends someone to hell for eternity it is not injustice because
we belong to him and he can do what he likes with us.

We must stop ourselves and question why people are

entering into Islam every day? And when they pray and fast,
they do it well. As for those who are born Muslim go astray
and do stupid things. Are we aware of the blessings of being
born Muslim, we do not need to look any further. Yet we do
not follow it. What is it about Islam that we do not follow?
What is it about Islam that we do not understand? I am
including myself in this list. What is it that we do not see that
they do? Why do we always fall short?

Those who have converted and removed the ills of this

society from themselves are very special. Yet, those born into
the religion are some of the worst when it comes to adopt
the worse ills of this society. If we are going to copy what
they do it could at least be the good not the evil. Muslim
morals must be lofty but now they are so low that people
think what we have is worse than they have.

Like the children born with wealth they do not appreciate the
value of money and like those who are born Muslim do not
appreciate the value of Islam. As for those who have come
into the religion they realise the value of being a Muslim. This
is my silver spoon theory.
Chapter thirteen
Eyes

Be careful what you let your eyes see and what you let your
ears hear, as both of these will be taken into account on the
day of judgement.

When something occurs or you see an opportunity to do

something good and do not hesitate. Help those you know
and those who you do not.
Chapter fourteen
Beginnings

Allow someone time to express themselves and do not make

them feel guilty. Give people who are coming slowly back to
Islam need time to rectify themselves. Let them breathe,
allow them to grow slowly and do not suffocate them.

Keep yourself clean and trim the beard neatly, do not over do
it or under dress. Be aware of the weather than you are in
and dress appropriately.

Keep company with those who raise your state as they say.
Keep far away from the sins of people and places that sin is
committed often. At the same time do not care what bad
people think about you only be concerned what Allah (the
Exalted) thinks about you.

Do not listen to back biting of anyone and leave a group who

slanders other Muslims. Give and return salaams and do be
affected by prejudice.

Don’t hold grudges against anyone. Clear your heart from

this debris and pray for them and the negativitly in your
heart will be removed.

When wronged take stock of the situation and make sure of

the facts before acting. As making statements that you may
have to retract is harder than staying silent.
Always turn to Allah (the Exalted) the healer of ills, for help,
truly He can help you.

Learn to pray, learn what to say, when to say it and how this
fits into your life. Use the prophetic narrations and their
supplications when you need to. Learn things slowly or
quickly and memorise what you need then learn how to read
Arabic. Know that when you learn something it is now
incumbent on you to pass it on. Act upon what you know and
refrain from unlawfulness.

Know that there is ease in your deen but your Dunya is hard.
It takes hard work to chase the Dunya and yet it’s so easy to
go to the deen.

Do not admonish people for what you do yourself.

Some people will always reject Islam no matter how you

present it. What is clear to you is veiled from them.

Allah (the Exalted) is now as he was before he created

anything. Allah is not subject to change. Allah (the Exalted)
sustains whatever he wills for however long he likes. We are
just grains of sand that will be blown away one day.

Prefer others over yourself and kill the nafs slowly by reining
it in. Do the opposite of what it tells you. Do good if it
commands to evil but not make a fool of yourself and do not
humiliate yourself in front of people who do not understand.
Think deeply about every event in your life and learn from it
but beware of reading too much in things, there is a balance
in this matter. Learning from someone else’s mistakes is
wisdom.

Sleep and wake at regular times especially if you want to get

up for fajr. You have to get at least five hours before this
prayer. Set as many clocks as you need to get up.

Keep developing yourselves, keep growing and do this slowly,

in stages. Yet do not leave a stage until you have mastered it.
Do not become its slave because you are unable to control it.

Don’t make a nuisance of yourself by demanding things that

you have no right to.

Those who believe in Allah (the Exalted), fear him and ask for
his forgiveness are the successful ones. The ones who are
truly lost are those who associate partners to Allah (the
Exalted) who have exchanged mercy for punishment.

Do not fear Allah (the Exalted) too much that you cannot live
your life and you lose hope. Keep your hope balanced and
keep true.

If someone dies, who know or do not, take it as major

reminder of where we’ll all end up, the grave.

When you hear something that you do not understand then

research about it. This allows you to find answers as
sometimes its our understanding that is wrong not the
speakers.

When you listen to lectures take notes and take your note
book whenever you go to a lecture. Whatever thought you
have in your head write it down.

Do not expect more from people that is realistic and do not

look at what others have. Be content with what you have and
be happy with what you have. He who knows contentment is
rich.

Study the sacred law to make your actions valid. Know what
is obligatory upon you and what is recommended. Start with
wudhu as this and prayer are your most repeated actions.
You have to study it several times.

Never think that you have no blessings. The person who

disbelieves in Allah (the Exalted) is being fed and provided
for; so what about you who believe in him? Just being a
Muslim is such an amazing blessing. Never think that you are
unblessed. We are all blessed and do not allow satan to make
you think that you are otherwise.
Chapter fifteen
Decree and the day

Showing mercy to people and avoid being harsh. Do not be

upset about the events which happen to you and do not
dwell on them. Everything that happens to you is because of
the decree of Allah (the Exalted). The good and the bad but
when we see the evil we must see it from ourselves. So what
is happening to us is really purification. Truly one day we
shall stand before our Lord, Allah (the Exalted) and judged for
our actions and reactions. So please act carefully for your
own sake.

Every small thing, every little thing is clarified. What you felt
inside and what you did externally. Prepare yourself for this
moment by begging Allah (the Exalted) for forgiveness.

Realise what is written for you will, without doubt, come to

you and what is not written for you will never reach you, you
have to learn to accept this. Allah (the Exalted) has put
wisdom in this. So much so they were may not see exactly
how much.

Know that every moment of your life that you haven’t

remembered Allah (the Exalted) in is a wasted one. We won’t
realise the true effect of the loss of time in this world.

Know that Allah (the Exalted) will give victory to the most
just. Muslims need to be with the just with each other and
ourselves.
The world and all of its trappings are made for you to lose
hope, in everything. So disconnect yourself from as much as
you can. Yet know that you have to live in the world to earn a
living. You cannot live off fresh air.

Never be happy with what you think you have achieved. As it

can be taken from you as easily as it was given. So take heed
of the world and its semi –permanent friends.

It is part of being human, to make mistakes but know that

you always have a way back. Open your heart to your
Creator, display your worries, all your feelings and you will
see the reward of this. Keep up your daily prayers. Pray when
you can or when you are able to. Plan your prayers when you
are travelling and your journey will be easy.

Hard work now will pay off later so keep at it!

Chapter sixteen
Good manners

If you wish to acquire good manners then realise it is not

easy.

As for knowledge there is many pitfalls, secret traps lay in

wait for those who use ignorance then wrapped it in
knowledge. How does that benefit anyone?

Reflect on your blessings that you receive without deserving

of them.
Chapter seventeen
Tables

Recognise a table as a table, a chair as a chair, a sin as a sin

and do not think that it is okay for you to do. There are
genuine times when a smaller sin is better than a bigger sin.
Like choosing a lesser evil.

Yet, even in these cases one should try to avoid doing

something that causes regret. The route of patience is not
easy but it’s the best policy for all. Small things can build into
large things. A small argument can turn into a large scale
brawl.

If this happens then it is best to leave that place because

things could get even worse if you stay. If it is in your
thoughts then think about something else. By doing this you
help yourself by not thinking about what you desire to do.

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon

him) advised us to seek refuge from satan. Satan is always
ready and waiting for you to slip up. So do not give him that
satisfaction. The best way is show Allah (the Exalted) that you
are grateful in times of plenty for all those blessings He has
given you. Avoidance of is a type of gratitude.
Chapter eighteen
TV and Music

Television is the open channel to sin in your home. Remove

it, save money and save your mind from being bombarded by
thoughts that are like arrows. Save money on that useless
television licence. If you can use it sparingly then keep it and
do not use it all the time. Watch something useful on it and
when you are finished watching then turn it off. One of the
worst things that you can do is sit there and watch without
purpose.

Try to watch religious material and this is better that being

subject to someone else’s choice which is what television is.
The choice of those who follow their passions.

Avoid playing music and participating in music as this one of

the tricks of satan. It is a slippery slope which makes you
think its okay then when you wake up you won’t realise the
distance you have slipped.

The singing that is allowed is the singing of religious material

without accompanying instruments with the exception of a
small drum known as a duff. There are a lot of differing
opinions on this but the best way is avoid singing, listening or
watching. A simple rule is what you cannot do, you cannot
watch.
Chapter nineteen
Gates

I was waiting outside the house of a friend and looking at his

gate. It was brand new only a few weeks ago. Yet today I saw
some rust on one of its hinges. This is a reminder that
everything in the world has a lifetime, an age.

It lasts a certain length of time and then it is over, it is no

longer of use. This reminder is simply about death,
everything has a lifespan and then dies. No matter how big or
small it is, or we are, everything will all end one day. We
must take heed and know that only thing that does not rust
in this world is our good actions.

Right now you have plenty of seeds, seeds of prayer, seeds of

Zakah and so forth. And if you sow them then you’ll reap the
crops on the day of judgement but you must be ready to do
hard work. Fields need to be ploughed before they can be
sown. The soil must be prepared correctly, ready for that
day.

Understand that soon your life will be over and you won’t be
able to go back. Yet you can ask for mercy from Allah (the
Exalted) until the soul leaves the body.

Know that after the performance of a good action you shall

receive reward from Allah (the Exalted). Most of the time the
rewards are delayed so might not see the benefits straight
away. We should be wary of doing things for good feelings as
this could mean that you like the feeling more than doing the
act for Allah (the Exalted). So ignore any feeling and make
your intention for the pleasure of Allah (the Exalted).
Chapter twenty
Knowledge

Know that knowledge should make you humble and not

arrogant. The more knowledge that you have the more
humble you should be. But what we see now is arrogance in
those who have titles and lack practice.

We have people who read a book or two and think they have
made it. They instantly reject anything that comes from
anyone from anyone else. This is one of the forms of
arrogance that is the worst. None of us are scholars so we
should leave this job to them to teach us.

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon

him) said, “Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets.”
(Muslim) The prophets do not have wealth that someone
inherits but their inheritance is knowledge. The knowledge is
the inheritance and is passed from generation to generation.
That is how inheritance is passed on from person to person.

Not that it is read in books by someone who then they

become a scholar. Reading assists you but it is the sitting
before those who are scholars which will make you a scholar.
If you think by reading that you’ll become a scholar then this
is a disaster and is the major reason why we do not see
scholars anymore. As the educational system is not theirs
anymore and we are unable to produce people that we
should be producing. So what are these generations doing
now? Most of these groups who say this have not changed
their stance for years and nor have produced anything
substantial.

We need to get back to this inheritance and only then can we

re-introduce this to our generation by leaving the cold and
coming out into the sun. We cannot be that naive to think
that someone can graduate from a university with an Islamic
studies degree and that they have made it! Many of those
teaching Islam in universities have hidden agendas and then
place these fallacies before the students. This is a disaster
and these students should supplement their studies with
other programs in order to defeat these fallacies.

Our age old system of education needs remodelling and then

applying again. Scholars study from six to ten years or even
more. A few years at university means nothing but a start.
Chapter twenty one
Talk

So many people think that they can talk to a person about

Islam and they will accept it. In the time of the Prophet (may
Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) people had
sealed hearts so even seeing him did not benefit them.

To make the seed of faith grow in someone’s heart is not up

to you or me, only Allah (the Exalted) guides hearts.

I am not saying that we do not deliver message, no.

Delivering the message is necessary but we need to look at
how we deliver it. If we find methods that are more
successful than others then we must use them.

If we have good friends who are not Muslims then we must

speak gently to them. But we have to be careful of sounding
like a preacher. We must not ruin the friendship as there are
many people who help Muslims are not Muslim. If they do
not accept then do not leave them as they may become
Muslim later or they may not. We are responsible for
delivering the message not for what they do when they
receive it.

If we get a chance to speak to people then speak in a way

that is open and honest. But do not attack their beliefs or
practices as this is counterproductive and does more harm
than good. As people have to see what they like about Islam
and if they see your prejudice then you are to blame.
When you act in a good manner people respond to it so use
this method as the way in which Islam is delivered and
spread.
Chapter twenty two
Friends

Be careful of the friends that you choose. The best friends

are those who inspire you to do good actions. Avoid friends
who talk of good actions and are lax in performing them. It
would be better to have a friend who stays quiet and does
not act much.

You can observe them to see how they act but be warned
that company that does not benefit you harms you. Most
people need others to encourage them but some people are
strong on their own. Avoid people with bad reputations and
know that speaking to people can help them. So do not
neglect those who are not as religious as you.

Good friends help not hinder your path to Paradise. Bad

friends open the door to hell and encourage you to jump in
claiming that they are right behind you. Do not be surprised
when they are not.
Chapter twenty three
Building

Know that we are all in one big building and that this building
shall be burnt down one day. There are some exits that lead
to steps that lead to safety. The people who know call them
and have descended down the stairs. They are moving
further away from the building. Some are on the top of stairs
and need to come down. Some of the people are in the
house thinking that they’ll live forever and making plans to
stay in there forever.

Others know that they’ll be there for a while and make the
appropriate preparations. Know that you need to be as far
away from the building as possible before it burns down.
Because it will burn down whether we like it not.

The house is the world and the stairs are the way to paradise.
We have to leave the building and follow the stairs to the
eternal abode of paradise. Because if we stay in the house
we might find a way out or we might not. But those who stay
in there are going to burn forever because of their belief that
they were meant to stay there.
Chapter twenty four
Age

We look at our age of great technolgical advancements in all

fields which have helped us and hindered us in our lives. Yet
ask yourself one question; have all these advancements
come from throwing out everything and starting a fresh with
our generation. Or is it because we used all these knowledge
of the ancients to our advantage and built up them? The
answer is simple we have built upon these sciences and that
is why we have been so successful but has anyone realised
the debt the world owes Islam?

So why in our religion do we have people who want to drop

the schools of Fiqh and doctrine? If the success of the worldly
knowledge is built on the past then why isn’t Islamic
knowledge the same? Isn’t more vital that we get this
knowledge from trusted sources instead of make it up?
Instead what we do have a chorus of fools who say the same
things all the time. They repeat the same nonsense that Islam
needs some sort of reformation. Can you read the Quran
with all its rules without studying the rules of tajweed? If you
do then you risk making a mockery of the articulation points
of the letters as well as the pronouncement of the words. So
if you cannot innovate and throw out the system of teaching
the Quranic recitation, which is one, the basic things, then
how can we do this in more complicated sciences. The
answer is that we cannot and if we do then it is nothing but a
disaster and a trick to water down our religion. Many us read
translations and think we know it all! How can we
understand when the source texts that are in another
language!

If someone is lazy or cannot be bothered to follow a school of

jurisprudence then we are not concerned with this. We must
humble ourselves and start to learn these schools before we
die and none of our prayers are correct.
Chapter twenty five
True

A gay gentleman once said that he must be true to ‘himself’

and went on to say that he was living his true ‘lifestyle.’ I just
want to pause for a moment and look at the word ‘myself.’ If
you translate this word into Arabic we have the word ‘nafsi’
which also refers to ones desires that are the inner self, the
naafs.

To be an active gay person means to procreate with the same

sex. They ignore rational means of procreation with
members of the opposite gender (in marriage) which results
in offspring. In the case of a gay couple it is about their
desires.

So when they say that they are being true to themselves,

they really mean that they are being true to their own desires
which are their naafs.

At the same time we should not tease them or call someone

names if they are gay. We should treat them as any member
of the society. What they do in the privacy of their own
homes is between them and Allah not us. The truth is clear
this is a sin but not an act of disbelief unless they consider it
lawful.

A person who feels inclined to this way should repress their

emotions until they are under control. Like an alcoholic who
has to ignore his desire until he is free from destroying
himself.

Islam like all other religions forbids procreation with

members of the same sex. And if they ask us we should
advise them to leave this behaviour. How strange is it that
they used to get electric shock treatment and filled with
drugs many years ago? Now they fill themselves with drugs
and alcohol, so either way they are controlled by drugs!
Except one is better for the taxpayer!
Chapter twenty six
Time

What is time for us? Time is something that carries on with or

without us knowing or whatever we do. Some people rule
over it and some let it ruin themselves. Use your time wisely
before it runs out. The most important factor about time is
that is for creation and Creator is not subject to it. Like the
television cannot understand the man who made it likewise
man will never understand Allah. Man is limited within time
and space but the one who created these is not.

The television programmes programme whoever watches

them. The program images to feed the desires of the
individual making him a slave to what he does not
understand, leading to his inevitable downfall. Time is
creation in which man has to use wisely otherwise he attains
regret as a friend. Time can make you experience things that
others cannot. Sometimes time means so much more when
you are happy and when you are sad it means something
else. You emotions make time seem something different.
Chapter twenty seven
Visits and paths

One must visit the masjid at least once a week or once a day,
as this is a practice for your death. As one day you’ll have to
leave your family and everything behind so you can go to
Allah (the Exalted). So now you are in training so you can get
used to leaving things as one day you’ll leave it all.

This is the path that we all walk whether we like it or not. The
Sirat is a path over hell that leads to paradise. Surah fatiah
says, “Guide us on a straight path.” It reminds me of this path
over hell because if we slip up here our abode shall be the
hellfire. You’ll walk this path like you walk in this life and
you’ll slip with your sins. If you followed Allah (the Exalted)
and his Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings
upon him) by following the practices shown to you then
you’ll be firm. If you did well then you’ll be firm but it you
slipped up then you’ll slip. You do not want to slip on the left
or the right, “guide us on the straight path.” If your path was
straight in the world then your path will be straight here as
well. You actions will help you here but your faith will make
you slip into hell.

So put yourself onto the straight path and if you fall, get up
with repentance. Stick to the straight path and once you have
got onto it never leave it.
Chapter twenty eight
Wrong

We have to look at ourselves and ask the question, am I

doing this for the right reasons? Am I the one who is wrong?
Because if we do not at least consider that we might be
wrong means that we have fallen into the trap of satan. As its
part of his plan to look outward only and ignore the inward.
So if someone wishes to correct you and you refute them
straight away without questioning yourself then satan has
you. As he refuses to see his problem in anything and he
blames everyone even though he does the whispering, he
blames you for it!

He finds a way to attack others, in any way that he can. He

normally strikes all of a sudden as the constant thoughts are
from the nafs. Question yourself and look deeply before
answering any question. See what you find when you ask
difficult questions and then remove the filth that you hate
about yourself. If you find good then thank Allah (the
Exalted). Look at your intentions and examine your actions
and defeat satan or he’ll surely defeat you. Pride is his trap
and it can come all of a sudden and it can cause great grief.
When you are displeased with yourself Allah (the Exalted) is
pleased with you.
Chapter twenty nine
Truth

Make your speech truthful and say what you mean, do not
pretend to be something that you are not. Sometimes
pretending is good if you are a guest. In that case as long as it
is halal then eat it. In other situations in which your opinion is
sought then use your intelligence. Be straight in your words
and truthful, being straight to the point is the best way but
avoid bluntness.

If you have been wronged then showing displeasure is okay

but not to excess. Remain calm and do not get overly angry
as you will commit sins that you will regret in leisure.

Never twist the religion to suit your purposes.

Chapter thirty
Media

Be sceptical about all you hear about Islam from the many
sources of media. Sometimes, what the head does not hear
the heart accepts. So if you hear something that does not
make sense then look deeply into the matter or ask
someone. Know the facts as most of them are distorted at
this present time.

Reading should be your prioity and this should be

encouraged with your children. Read religious literature to
expand your knowledge and fiction to expand your vocab.

Remember that just because something is in print does not

mean it is true, especially if it is about a religious topic. There
are many good things that you can learn and much
knowledge that can harm you. Do not instantly reject
knowledge that comes to your from someone that you do
not like, as it might be lies but there might be some truth so
tread carefully. This is not about media but about
information as Al-Farabi said, “Nothing should be deaf to the
seeker of truth, than the truth itself.”

Most of all your religion should be firm and it should help you
but do not ever think that Allah (the Exalted) has turned
away from you. Only you turn away from Him so bear that in
mind. Beware of complaining, if you feel something then let
it pass before saying something that you later regret. As
satan could be behind this thought and this could lead to
embrassment. Satan loves an ungrateful person so realise
that your complaint has no basis before Allah (the Exalted).
So be grateful and you are promised an increase.

I was once in a power cut during the night, everyone was

panicking. Then it brought it home to me that something like
light was something that we took for granted and it was
something that we were going to be asked about on the day
of judgement. I had to be careful because the people around
me we complaining about the inconvenience. In times when
you have no choice you have to carry on and do the best that
you can. Think of it this way, no work, no reward so put the
patience in now and get the reward later.
Chapter thirty one
Possessions

Be careful how you look at other peoples possessions

because you can cause them to lose blessings. Because envy
is something that can hurt them as much as it hurts you.
Desire in your heart for what someone else has damages you
both. In some cases, like mine, disliking the fact that others
have what you have and that you should be in the one and
only.

Learn that Allah (The Exalted) has divided things up with

people in his infinite wisdom. You may wish to have wealth
but if you had it you may squander it. You may wish to have a
little but then you might not be good with a lot. So be happy
with what you have and you can never lose. Say ma sha Allah
and destroy the envy by praying for that person you envy. Be
happy about other people’s blessings is good because if you
are not happy then this can lead to other sins. As you
rebelling against the decree of Allah (The Exalted); so be
happy.

When evil befalls you be grateful and realise that it is not as

bad as it seems. It might have come to remove your sins or
even raise your rank. Be happy tread the path to paradise
with careful steps and you’ll reach your desired destination.
To be under the flag of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah
bestow peace and blessings upon him).
We hope that this work benefits those who read it. All praise
belongs to Allah and may endless salutations encompass the
grave of our master Muhammad.