'Abu Lahab' and His Wife

 

‘May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined!

May he be ruined too!

Neither his wealth nor his gains will help him:

he will burn in the Flaming Fire–– and so will his wife,

the firewood-carrier, with a palm-fibre rope around her neck.’

                             --- ( Holy Qur'an, Surah Al Masad, 111: 2-6 )

 

In the times of Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), his uncle Abu Lahab was one of the wealthiest and influential Qurayshi leaders who most opposed the Prophet and persecuted the early Muslims. Material wealth and worldly rule intoxicated him with a fiery temperament. Raging impatience characterized this ‘Flame Man’. Abu Lahab’s wife Umm Jamil bint Harb was a scheming woman, known to support her husband in his excesses- even indulged in mocking the Prophet when he was ill. The Holy Qur’an makes an illustration out of the mindset of ‘Abu Lahabs’; the Book of God  roundly condemns such arrogance and hubris: ‘may his (hands) power perish and all that he possesses’.

'Duah': A Prayer

 

O Lord of all the worlds!

It is beyond me to offer You gratitude for all Your favours.

You are most Merciful and Compassionate,

and the bounties that You have conferred upon me are countless.

 

Forgive me my sins, lest I am ruined.

Fill my heart with sincere love for You,

so that I may receive life.

Make the Good Choice!

  

Human beings, as Allah created them, are driven by a desire that constantly urges them to move forward, make progress, rise higher on the social ladder, and acquire worldly and material wealth. Whether in abundance or in need – poverty – they always desire to have more.

 

Those who enjoy financial ease (be they at the top of the ladder or among the middle class) always wish to gain more; they aspire to become millionaires, even billionaires. Those who suffer in poverty dream of a comfortable home and sufficient means to meet the needs of their household and close family with dignity. Even those in the middle class long for a better life, especially to ensure a stable future for their families; so they aim not only for the immediate comfort of their household, but also make provision for their future.

Islam & Health

  

In Islam, health is an invaluable blessing – a favour from Allah for which believers must remain constantly grateful. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There are two blessings which many people fail to make the most of: good health and free time.” (Bukhari)

Health encompasses the body, the mind, and the soul. It forms the essential foundation of worship, because without it, practices such as fasting (Roza), prayer (Salat), and other virtuous acts become difficult to perform. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.” (Al-Baqara 2: 196)

 

This verse establishes a fundamental principle: safeguarding one’s health is not only a personal responsibility but also a spiritual obligation.