Fiction
Question Yourself
When I began high school, I attended a local Friday night youth group halaqh. One night, the brother preparing the talk for the night handed out copies of an article with a series of self-reflective questions on it. The questions were very powerful, but as for what they were and what they asked, it seems just like a lost memory of my high school days.
Years later, an old friend from the youth group found his copy of the article while cleaning out his room. He showed it to me and I was blown away. Being older and more aware of Islam and myself, the questions on it hit home much harder.
I wondered where this list came from, so I gave it a Google search, inputing the questions from the list in quotations. It turns out the list is archived on Islaam.com; that list is actually an article entitled “Question Yourself” by Shaykh Husayn al-Awaaish translated for Hudaa Magazine back in 1995.
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
Read over the questions yourself and ask yourself how well you live Islam everyday in your own life, and ask Allah ‘azza wa jal to help you answer them better on a daily basis.
– – – – – – – – – –
Dear Self,
Do you pray fajr (morning prayer) in the mosque in Jamaa`ah (gathering) every day?
Do you keep all prayers in the masjid in Jamaa`ah?
Did you read any portion of Allaah’s Book today?
Are you consistent in saying your thikr (words of remembrance) and praise of Allaah (T) and wird (regular daily dhikr) after every prayer?
Do you pray all the regular sunnah prayers (supererogatory prayers) before and after the fard prayers?
Were you humble and sincere in your prayers today, conscious of what you were reciting?
Did you reflect upon death and the grave?
Did you reflect upon the Last Day, its horrors and its perils?
Did you ask Allaah (three times) to let you into the Jennah? For, Anas, radhiallahu `anhu, reported that the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
When someone asks Allaah (three times) to let him into the Jannah, the Jannah says: ‘O Allaah, let him into his Jannah?’ And when someone asks Allaah (three times) to shelter him from the Fire, the Fire says: ‘O Allaah, protect him from the Fire’.” [At-Tirmidhee, an-Nasaa’ee, and al-Haakim; Saheeh al-Jaami` by al-Albaanee no. 6275]
Did you ask Allaah (three times) to protect you from the Hellfire?
Did you read any of the hadeeth of the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam?
Did you consider keeping away from evil companions?
Did you try to avoid excessive laughing and joking?
Did you cry today for fear of Allaah?
Did you say the morning and evening thikr?
Did you seek forgiveness for your sins from Allaah for today?
Did you sincerely ask Allaah (ta`ala) for the Shahaadah (martyrdom) today? For, the Messenger of Allaah, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said:
“Whoever asks Allaah (ta`ala) for the Shahaadah with sincerity, Allaah will grant him the rank of martyrs, even if he dies in bed.” [Muslim and others]
Did you supplicate to Allaah to keep your heart firm upon His Deen?
Did you take advantage of the answerable periods (those during which supplications are answerable) to ask of Allaah?
Question Yourself
By Shaykh Husayn al-Awaaish
Translated by Imraan Husain
Hudaa October 1995
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=392
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
I’ve Converted, and It’s Christmas…
The Coddling Of The Western Muslim Mind: [Part II] The Islam Of Emotionalism
Family Troubles Of The Prophets: A MuslimMatters Series – [Part II] My Kids Are Out Of Control
Cutting It Fine: Outgoing American Government Announces Campaign Against Islamophobia
The Coddling Of The Western Muslim Mind: [Part 1] The Cult Of Self-Esteem
Safeguarding Children In Today’s World: An Islamic Perspective On Child Sexual Abuse Prevention And Protection
[Podcast] Navigating Christmas: Advice to Converts, from Converts | Hazel Gomez & Eman Manigat
Groundbreaking New Forensic Report Maps Israel’s Genocide On Gaza
From Algeria to Palestine: Commemorating Eighty Years Of Resistance And International Solidarity
Why Even the Spiritually Elevated Are Vulnerable: The Hidden Harms of Spiritual Abuse. Recognizing Vulnerability And Healing From Degradation
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 1] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
IOK Ramadan: The Importance of Spiritual Purification | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep30]
IOK Ramadan: The Power of Prayer | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep29]
IOK Ramadan: The Weight of the Qur’an | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep28]
-
#Culture1 month ago[Podcast] How To Free A Jinn & Other Questions | Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
-
#Islam1 month ago
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 3] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
-
#Life1 month ago
Ensuring The Safety Of Our Communities: A Call For Immediate Corrective Action From American Muslim Organizations
-
#Life1 month ago
Processing Spiritual Abuse In Islam: A Comprehensive Guide For Individuals, Communities, And Organizations
Hidayah
January 22, 2008 at 4:16 PM
i must say …….its scary answering these questions …..ya Subhan’Allah
kd
January 22, 2008 at 6:21 PM
JazakAllah khair for the reminder…May Allah help us to be consistent in questioning ourselves like this every day! Ameeen!
Naseer08
January 22, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Islaam.com has alot of good articles, another good site is
http://www.islamicawakening.com/articles.php?
Aboo Uthmaan
January 22, 2008 at 7:48 PM
As-salaamu ‘alaikum
Jazak’Allaahu khairan for posting this, I saw it a while ago, but it’s an excellent reminder.
I have had on two occasions had the opportunity to attend the lectures by Shaykh Husayn at various seminars. The Shaykh really has written some wonderful works on this theme (i.e. self purification), many of which have been translated into English, such as “Weeping from the Fear of Allaah”, “The Prayer: It’s Effect in Increasing Eemaan and Purifying the Soul”, “Adorning Knowledge with Actions”, “The Farewell Advice of the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)” and others titles.
Shaykh Aboo Islam (like Shaykh Husayn is also based in Jordan) also has some good works to do with self purification, one of which has been translated into English under the title of “How to Rectify Your Heart.”
Was-salaamu ‘alaikum
Aboo Uthmaan
hijabhaven
January 22, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Assalmu’alaykum,
that is a good set of questions to ask. it is scary that i do not ask myself them often enough. i also think it is important to answer them honestly. jazzakAllah for the reminder. I will also check out the website.
Kashif
January 23, 2008 at 11:26 AM
There was another version of this that was printed in a UK magazine about 10 years ago. I think the magazine name was ad-Da’wah ilallah. Perhaps someone can dig up an old issue and complete this article for us?
Muslim
January 23, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Good questions to ask, I am lacking in answers to many. Perhaps another article with steps how to rectify?
Farhana
January 26, 2008 at 1:07 PM
As-salaamu’alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dearest sister,
Jazak’Allah for the post, much appreciated.
May Allah guide us to use our time wisely. Ameen.
Wa’alaykum as-salaam
Love Farhana