ربي اغفر...

HOW TO BECOME A MUSLIM All praises be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad His last messenger. The objective of this handout is to correct a false idea spread among those willing to adopt Islam as their faith. Some people are facing difficulties on the basis of their mistaken belief that entering into the Islamic fold requires an announcement from the concerned person in the presence of high ranking scholars or sheikhs or reporting this act to courts of justice or other authorities. It is also thought that the act of accepting Islam, should, as a condition have a certificate issued by the authorities as an evidence to that effect. We wish to clarify that the whole matter is very easy and that none of the above mentioned conditions or obligations are required. For Allah; the Almighty, is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts. Nevertheless, those who are going to adopt Islam as their religion are Muslims with the concerned governmental agency, as this procedure may facilitate for them many matters including the possibility of performing Hajj and Umrah. If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah (SWT) for all human beings, then, one should pronounce that "Shahada" (The testimony of faith) without further delay. The Holy Qur'an is explicit in this regard as Allah (SWT) has stated. "Truly, the Religion on the sight of Allah is Islam." (3:19) In another verse of the Holy Qur'an, Allah (SWT) has stated: "And whosoever desires a religion other that Islam, never will it accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who are lost." (3:85) In addition, Islam is the only Religion prevailing over all other religions. Allah (SWT) has stated in the Holy Qur'an; "And to thee. We have sent the Book in truth, (This Qur'an) confirming the scripture that came before it, and a witness over it…" (5:48) Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), said: "Islam is based on five pillars: testifying that there is no God worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and His servant; performing the prayer; paying the Zakat (obligatory charity); fasting the month of Ramadan; and perfuming Hajj." The Shahada can be declared as follows: ''ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA ALLAH WA ASH HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUH." The English translation is: "I bear witness that there is no deity worthy to be worshipped but Allah, and I bear witness the Muhammad is His servant and messenger.'' However, it would not be sufficient for anyone to utter only this testimony orally either in private or in public, but rather, one should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction with the teachings of Islam in all his life he will find himself a new born person, (or new man). This will move him to strive more and more to improve his character and draw nearer to perfection. The light of the living faith will fill his heart until be becomes the embodiment of that faith. What would be next after declaring the testimony of faith (Shahada) and then becoming a Muslim? He should know the real concept underlying this testimony which means the Oneness of Allah and accept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as the last of the Prophet, and meet its requirements. He must behave accordingly applying this true faith to every thing he speaks or does. What do the words of "Shahada" signify. The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God (ditty) to be worshipped other than Allah, (Glory be Him). He is the only true God, Who Alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourisher of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. Man must worship Allah, Who Alone is worthy of worship. The second part of the "Sahada" i. e. "We ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one must have two opinions about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe him in what he has said, to follow his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allah alone according to the message revealed to him. What is the meaning of worship? It simply means rendering sincere service; showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah's Commandments both in utterances and actions of man whether explicit or implicit and whether private or public. Worship falls into two categories: Visible (manifest or outward) Invisible (concealed or inward) Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the "Shahada" performing prayers, giving Zakat (Obligatory charity), observing fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of the Holy Qur'an, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc. This type of worship is associated with movement of the parts of human body, [actions]. Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are determined by Allah alone. This type of worship does not involve movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one's heart which subsequently affects his way of life. (Beliefs). It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to Allah alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or shirk, which amount to apostasy from the Islamic point of view. The next step for a devotee (newly reverted to Islam) is to purify himself by taking a bath (total ablution). He should then resolve to comply with all the principles and rules of Islam in their entirety. He disowns all forms of polytheism and false beliefs. He should reject evil and be righteous. Such rejection of evil and being righteous is one of the requisites of the motto of Islam that is, Lailaha Illal Laah. Allah has stated in the Holy Qur'an: "… whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy Handhold, that will never break…" (2:256) we have to consider that when we declare from our heart that "there is no god (ditty) worthy to be worshipped but Allah." It implies on our part of love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislation which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is requirement of "there is no god worty to be worshipped but Allah," to love for the sake of Allah and to reject for the sake of Allah. This is the firmest anchor of belief which materializes the meaning of "AL-WALA and "AL-BARA". It means that a Muslim should love and be loyal to his Muslim brothers. He should, as a practice, dissociate himself completely from practices of the unbelievers and refuse to be influenced by them, both in worldly and religious matters. We conclude with a humble prayer to Allah that He may cleanse the hearts and souls of those who are genuine seekers of truth and may He bless the community of believers. Ameen.

JESUS in the QURAN

The Islamic view of Jesus lies between two extremes. The Jews , who rejected Jesus as a Prophet of God, called him an impostor. The Christians, on the other hand, considered him to be the son of God and worship him as such. Islam considers Jesus to be one of the great prophets of God and respects him as much as Ibrahim (Abraham), Moses, and Mohammed. (Peace Be Upon Them) This is conformity with the Islamic view of the oneness of God, the oneness of Divine guidance, and the complementary role of the subsequent mission of God's messengers.

The essence of Islam - willing submission to the will of God - was revealed to Adam, who was passed it on to his children. All following revelations to Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, and finally Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Them) were conformity with that message, with some elaboration to define the revelation between man and God, man and man, man and instructions. Thus, any contradictions among revealed religions is viewed by Islam as a man-made element introduced into these religions. The position of Jesus in the three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - should not be an exception.

Although the Quran does not present a detailed life-story of Jesus, it highlights the important aspects of his birth, his mission, his ascension to heaven, and passes judgements on the Christian beliefs concerning him. The Quranic account of Jesus starts with the conception of his mother, Mary, whose mother, the wife of Imran, vowed to dedicate her child to the service of God in the temple. When Mary became a woman, the Holy Spirit (the Archangel Gabriel) appeared to her as a man bringing her news of a son. We read the following dialogue in the Quran between Mary and the Angel:

"When the angel said, "Mary, god gives you a good tidings of a Word from Him whose name is messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, -high honoured shall he be in this world and the next, near stationed to God. He shall speak to men in the cradle, and of age, and righteous he shall be, "lord" said Mary "How shall I have a son, seeing no mortal has touched me? "Even so, he said "God creates what He will".

When he decrees a thing He but say to it, "Be", and it is. (Al-Imran 3:45-47)

In a chapter (Surah) entitled "Maryam" (Mary), the Quran tells us how Mary gave birth to her son, and how the Jesus accused her when she brought the child home:

"Then she brought the child to her folk, carrying him, and they said, "Mary, you have surely committed a monstrous thing. Sister of Aaron, your father was not a wicked man, nor your mother a woman unchaste. Mary pointed to the child; but they said, 'Hoe shall we speak to one who still in the cradle, a little child. And he said, 'Lo, I am God's servant, God has given me the Book and made me a Prophet Blessed He has made me ,wherever/may be; and hi has enjoined me to prayer, and to give the alms so long as I live, and likewise to cherish my mother; He has not made me arrogant and wicked. Peace be upon me, the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised up a live. "Maryam 19:29-33)

in the same chapter, following the above quotation, God assures Mohammed (PBUH) and through him the whole world, that what is told above is the TRUTH about Jesus (PBUH), although Christians might not accept it. Jesus is NOT the son of God: He was obviously enough, the son of Mary. The verses continue: "That is Jesus, son of Mary, in word of truth, concerning which they are doubting. It is not for God to take a son unto Him. Glory be to Him, He nut says to it, 'Be, and it is. (Maryam 19:34-35)

After this strong statement about the nature of Jesus, God directed Mohammed (PBUH) to call the Christians to worship the one God: "Surely God is my God, and your God, so surely serve him. This is the straight path". (Maryam 19:36)

The rejection of the very idea of God having a son is restated later in the same chapter with even stronger words: "And they say, The All-merciful has taken unto Himself a son. You have indeed advanced something hideous. As if the skies are about to burst, the earth to split asunder and its mountain to fall down in the utter ruin for that they have attributed to the All-merciful a son; and behaves not the All-merciful to take a son. None there in the heavens and earth but comes to the All-merciful as a servant" (Maryam 19:88-93)

The Quran recognizes the fact that Jesus had no human father, but this does not make him the son of God, or God himself. By this criterion, Adam would have been more entitled more entitled to be the son of God, because he had neither a father nor a mother, so the Quran draws attention to the miraculous creation of both in the following verses; " truly the likeness of Jesus, in God's sight is as Adam's likeness; He created him of dust, then He said upon him, 'Be' and hi was. (Al-Imran 3:59)

The Quran rejects the concept of Trinity God the Father, God the son, God the Holy Spirit - as strongly as it rejects the concept of Jesus as the son of God. This is because GOD IS ONE. Three cannot be one. The Quran addresses Christians in the following verses from the Surrah entitled "An-Nisaa" (The Women)

People of the Book, do not go beyond the bounds in your religion, and say nought as to God but the Truth. The messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was only the messenger of God, and his word (Fulfilment of his word (Fulfilment of His command, through the word "Be", for the creation of Jesus) that he committed to Mary, and a spirit originating from Him (was given life by God). So believe in God and His Messengers, and say not 'Three'. Refrain, better is for you. God is only one God. Glory be to him-that He should have a son! To Him belongs all that is in the Heavens and in the Earth; God suffices for a guardian.

The Messiah will not disdain to be a servant of God, neither the Angels who are close to Him. Whosoever disdains to serve Him and walks proud, He will assuredly muster them to Him, all of them.

As for the believers, who do deeds of righteousness, we will pay them their rewards in full, and He will give them more, of His bounty; as for them who disdain and walks proud, then He will punish with a severe punishment, and they shall not find for them, apart from God, a friend or helper." (An-Nissa 4:171-173)

The denial of Jesus's divinity (and. For the matter, of Mary's divinity) is presented in the Quran in the form of a dialogue, at the Day of Judgement, between the Almighty Jesus. All the Messengers and their nations will gather before God and He will ask the Messengers how they were received by their people and what they said to them. Among those who will be questioned is Jesus:

"And when God said, 'O Jesus, son of Mary, did you say unto men, "Take me and my mother as gods, apart from God"? He said, 'To you be glory! It is not mine to say what I have no right to. If I indeed said it, you would have known it, knowing what is within my heart, though I do not know your knowledge; you know the things unseen. I only said to them what you did commands me: "Serve God, my God and your God." (Al-Maida 5-116)

Given that the Quran denies the Trinity and the son ship of Jesus, what, according to the Quran, was the real mission of Jesus? The answer is that Jesus was a link in a long chain of Prophets and Messengers sent by God to various nations and societies whenever they needed guidance or deviated from his teachings of Moses and other Messengers. As he was miraculously supported by numerous miracles to prove that he was a Messengers from God. However, the majority of the Jews rejected his ministry.

In another verse of the Quran, Jesus confirmed the validity of the Torah which was revealed to Moses, and also conveyed he glad tidings of a final Messenger who follow him: "And when Jesus son of Mary said, 'Children of Israel, I am indeed the Messenger to you, confirming the Torah that is before me, and giving good tiding of a Messenger who shall be the praised one."(As-Saff 61:6)

Note that "praised one" is a translation of "Ahmad" - The Prophet Mohammed's name. Careful study of the New Testament shows that Jesus refers to the same Prophet in John 14:16-17: "And I will give you another Counsellor (ThProphet Mohammed). To be with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth."

The usual explanation of this Prophecy is that the counsellor referred to is the Holy Spirit, but this explanation is excluded by a previous verse in John: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counsellor will not come to you."

The characteristics of this counsellor, as can be derived from the prophecy, are that he will stay forever with the believers, he will glorify Jesus; and he will speak that he hears form God. All four characteristics apply to the Prophet Mohammed. He came six centuries after Jesus. He came six centuries after Jesus. He came with a universal and everlasting message, fulfilling the prophecy that the counsellor will stay forever with the faithful. He glorified Jesus as a great Prophet. The Quran attributes to Jesus miracles not mentioned in the Bible's Old and New Testaments, as well as specific verses in the Quran show how the Prophet Mohammad is rejected by Jews and Christians out of prejudice and misunderstanding, rather that carefully study the Bible.

It is a sad fact of history that not many are following the "straight path" to which people were called by Jesus. He was only followed by a few disciples inspired by God to support him. The non-believers plotted - as they would against Mohammed, six centuries later - to kill Jesus. But God had better plan for him and his followers, as the Quran tells us:

"And when Jesus perceived their unbelief, he said 'Who will be my helpers in the cause of God? The apostles said, 'we are Gods helpers. We believe in God; so bear witness of our submission God, we believe in that you have sent down, and we follow the Messenger. Inscribe us therefore with those who bear witness. 'And they devised, and God devised, and God devised, and God is the best of divisors. When God said, 'Jesus, I will take you to Me and will raise you to Me, and I will purify you (of the falsehoods) of those who do not believe. I will make your followers above the unbelievers till the Resurrection Day."(Al-Imran 3:52-55)

As the above verses indicate, Jesus was taken and raised to heaven. He was not crucified. It was certainly the plan of the enemies of Jesus to put him to death on the cross, but God saved him and someone else was crucified:

"And for their unbelief, and their uttering against Mary a grave false charge, and for their saying, 'We killed the messiah, Jesus son of Mary, the Messiah of God"…yet they did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them. Those who are at variance concerning him are surely in doubt the following of conjecture; and they did not kill him of certainty…no indeed; God raised him up to Him; God is Almighty, Allwise. There is not one of the people of the book but will assuredly believe him before his death, and on the Resurrection Day he will be a witness against them." (An-Nissa 4:156-159)

The Quran does not explain who was the person crucified instead of Jesus, nor elaborate on the Second Coming of Jesus. However, explanators of the Quran have always interpreted the last verse of the above quotation to mean that Jesus will believe in him before he dies. This understanding is supported by authentic sayings (Hadith) of the Prophet Mohammed may the peace and blessings of Allah him and upon all His Messengers. 

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على من لا نبي بعده صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وبعد:

همسة من محب

أخي الحبيب، سلام الله عليك ورحمته وبركاته.
أيها الحبيب.. لك وحدك.. من بين هذا الوجود.. أبعث هذه الرسالة، ممزوجة بالحب، مقرونة بالود، مكللة بالصدق، مجللة بالوفاء، فافتح أيها الحبيب مغاليق قلبك.. وأرعني سمعك.. حتى أهمس في أذنك..
نصيحة من أحبك على قدر طاعتك لربك. ويخشى عليك كخشيته على نفسه.
أخي.. إنك تحمل قلبا بتوحيد الله ناطقاً، ومن ناره خائفاً، وفي جنته راغباً، على الرغم من تفريطك.
فها أنا ذا أمد يدي إليك… وأفتح قلبي بين يديك.. وأضع كفي بكفك لنمشي سوياً على الصراط المستقيم.

أعطني يدك

أخي.. تعال معي نسير على هذا الطريق علنا نفوز بمحبة الله ورضوانه.. فوالله إني أحب لك الجنة.

حديث الروح إلى الأرواح يسري *** وتدركه القلوب بلا عناء

نداء وحنين

أخي الحبيب.. إن هذه الخطايا ما سلمنا منها فنحن المذنبون أبناء المذنبين.. ولكن الخطر أن نسمح للشيطان أن يستثمر ذنوبنا ويرابي في خطيئتنا. أتدري كيف ذلك؟
يلقي في روعك أن هذه الذنوب خندق يحاصرك فيه لا تستطيع الخروج منه.
يوحي إليك أن أمر الدين لأصحاب اللحى والثياب القصيرة، وهكذا يضخم الوهم في نفسك حتى يشعرك أنك فئة والمتدينون فئة أخرى. وهذه يا أخي حيلة إبليسية ينبغي أن يكون عقلك أكبر وأوعى أن تنطلي عليه.

صور تسكب دموع التائبين

أخي الحبيب.. تصور إذا مات الإنسان من غير توبة وهو يسحب على وجهه وهو أعمى في نار حرها شديد، وقعرها بعيد، وطعام أهلها الزقوم وشرابهم فيها الصديد { يَتَجَرَّعُهُ وَلاَ يَكَادُ يُسِيغُهُ وَيَأْتِيهِ الْمَوْتُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِمَيِّتٍ وَمِن وَرَآئِهِ عَذَابٌ غَلِيظٌ } [إبراهيم:17].
يسحب على وجهه في نار { وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ } [التحريم:6].

النار وما أدراك ما النار

سوداء مظلمة شعثاء موحشة *** دهماء محرقة لواحة البشر
فيها الحيّات والعقارب قد جُعلت *** جلودهم كالبغال الدهم والحمر
لها إذا غلت فور يقلبهم *** ما بين مرتفع منها ومنحدر
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فتذكر رحمك الله { إِذِ الْأَغْلَالُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَالسَّلَاسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ، فِي الْحَمِيمِ ثُمَّ فِي النَّارِ يُسْجَرُونَ } [غافر:71-72].
تذكر أخي { يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ يَقُولُونَ يَا لَيْتَنَا أَطَعْنَا اللَّهَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُولَا } [الأحزاب:66].
أهل النار.. { لَّيْسَ لَهُمْ طَعَامٌ إِلَّا مِن ضَرِيعٍ، لَا يُسْمِنُ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِن جُوعٍ } [الغاشية:6-7].
أهل النار.. { وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاء كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءتْ مُرْتَفَقاً } [الكهف:29].
{ وَسُقُوا مَاء حَمِيماً فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءهُمْ } [محمد:15].
أهل النار.. { لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ } [الزمر:16].
أهل النار.. { يَوْمَئِذٍ مُّقَرَّنِينَ فِي الأَصْفَادِ، سَرَابِيلُهُم مِّن قَطِرَانٍ وَتَغْشَى وُجُوهَهُمْ النَّارُ } [إبراهيم:49-50].
أهل النار.. { قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُؤُوسِهِمُ الْحَمِيمُ، يُصْهَرُ بِهِ مَا فِي بُطُونِهِمْ وَالْجُلُودُ } [الحج:19-20].
أهل النار.. { وَلَوْ تَرَىَ إِذْ وُقِفُواْ عَلَى النَّارِ فَقَالُواْ يَا لَيْتَنَا نُرَدُّ وَلاَ نُكَذِّبَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا وَنَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ } [الأنعام:27].
استمع إليهم { وَهُمْ يَصْطَرِخُونَ فِيهَا رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحاً غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ } [فاطر:37].
يقولون.. فاسمع ما يقولون { قَالُوا رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوْماً ضَالِّينَ، رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْهَا فَإِنْ عُدْنَا فَإِنَّا ظَالِمُونَ، قَالَ اخْسَؤُوا فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ } [المؤمنون:106-108].

ينادون فانظر من ينادون

{ وَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ } ومالك خازن جهنم { وَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُم مَّاكِثُونَ، لَقَدْ جِئْنَاكُم بِالْحَقِّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَارِهُونَ } [الزخرف:77-78].
إخواني.. { وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَى رَبِّكَ حَتْماً مَّقْضِيّاً، ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيّاً } [مريم: 71-72].

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فقوم في الجحيم لهم ثبور *** وقوم في الجنان لهم مقيل
وبان الحق وانكشف الغطاء *** وطال الويل واتصل العويل

فتفكر فيما يحل بك إذا رأيت الصراط وحدته، ثم وقع بصرك على سواد جهنم من تحته، ثم قرع سمعك شهيق النار وتغيظها وزفيرها، وقد كلفت أن تمشي على الصراط مع ضعف حالك، واضطراب قلبك.
والخلائق أمامك يسيرون عليه، فناج مسلّم، ومخدوش مرسل، ومكردس على وجهه في نار جهنم. { فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِيٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ، فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي النَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ، خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاء رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ، وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ سُعِدُواْ فَفِي الْجَنَّةِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالأَرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَاء رَبُّكَ عَطَاء غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ } [هود:106-110].
أخي الحبيب.. إذا كان الحال كذلك فلا بد من وقفة مع النفس لمحاسبتها والسير بها إلى رضوان الله تعالى قال سبحانه { فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ } فهذا هو الملجأ والملاذ - الفرار إلى الله تعالى - قال ابن الجوزي رحمه الله في قوله تعالى: { فَفِرُّوا إِلَى اللَّهِ } بالتوبة من ذنوبكم [زاد المسير 841]، { أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ } [الحديد:16].

بعض فضائل التوبة

إليك أخي الحبيب بعض فضائل التوبة حتى تشحذ بها همتك وتفر بها إلى مولاك سبحانه وتعالى:
أولاً: التوبة سبب نيل محبة الله تعالى: وكفى بهذه الفضيلة شرفا للتوبة، قال الله تعالى: { إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ } [البقرة:222].
ثانياً: التوبة سبب نور القلب ومحو أثر الذنب: فعن أبي هريرة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : { إن المؤمن إذا أذنب كانت نكتة سوداء في قلبه، فإن تاب ونزع واستغفر صقل قلبه منها } [الحديث رواه أحمد والترمذي وابن ماجه والحاكم وهو في (صحيح الجامع1666)].
ثالثاً: التوبة سبب لإغاثة الله تعالى لأصحابها بقطر السماء وزيادة قوة قلوبهم وأجسامهم: قال الله تعالى على لسان هود عليه السلام: { وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاء عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَاراً وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَى قُوَّتِكُمْ } [هود:52].
رابعاً: التوبة تجعل المذنب كمن لا ذنب له: فعن أبي سعيد الأنصاري رضي الله عنها أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: { الندم توبة، والتائب من الذنب كمن لا ذنب له } [أخرجه الطبراني في الكبير وهو في ( صحيح الجامع 6679)].
خامساً: التوبة أول صفات المؤمنين: { التَّائِبُونَ الْعَابِدُونَ الْحَامِدُونَ السَّائِحُونَ الرَّاكِعُونَ السَّاجِدونَ الآمِرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللّهِ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ } [التوبة:112].
سادساً: التوبة سبب في فرح الرب سبحانه وتعالى فرحاً يليق بجلاله وعظمته سبحانه، قال صلى الله عليه وسلم : { لله أشد فرحا بتوبة عبده حين يتوب إليه من أحدكم كان على راحلته بأرض فلاة فانفلتت منه وعليها طعامه قد أيس من راحلته، فبينما هو كذلك، إذ هو بها قائمة عنده..} [متفق عليه].
قال ابن القيم رحمه الله: هذا الفرح له شأن لا ينبغي للعبد إهماله والإعراض عنه، ولا يطلع عليه إلا من له معرفة خاصة بالله وأسمائه وصفاته، وما يليق بعز جلاله. انتهى كلامه من [مدارج السالكين1210].
سابعاً: وبالجملة؛ فإن الله تعالى علّق الخير والفلاح بالتوبة، فلا سبيل إلى نيل خيرات الدنيا والآخرة إلا بها، قال سبحانه: { وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ } [النور:31].

أمور تعين على التوبة

أخي الحبيب.. لقد جعل الله في التوبة ملاذاً مكيناً وملجأً حصيناً، يلجه المذنب معترفاً بذنبه، مؤملاً في ربه، نادماً على فعله، غير مصر على خطيئته، يحمي بحمى الاستغفار، ويرجو رحمة العزيز الغفار، إلا أنه توجد بعض العوائق في طريق سير العبد على التوبة وهاك بعضها:
1- الإخلاص لله أنفع الأدوية: فإذا أخلص الإنسان لربه، وصدق في طلب التوبة أعانه الله عليها، وأمده بألطاف لا تخطر بالبال، وصرف عنه الآفات التي تعترض طريقه قال الله تعالى: { لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاء إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ } [ يوسف:24].
2- امتلاء القلب بمحبة الله عز وجل: فالمحبة أعظم محركات القلوب، فالقلب إذا خلا من محبة الله تعالى تناوشته الأخطار، وتسلطت عليه سائر النوائب والمحبوبات، فشتته، وفرقته.
ولا يغني هذا القلب، ولا يلم شعثه، ولا يسد خلته إلا عبادة الله عز وجل ومحبته.
3- المجاهدة: قال الله تعالى: { وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ } [العنكبوت:69].
قال ابن المبارك رحمه الله:

ومن البلايا للبلاء علامة *** ألا يرى لك من هواك نزوع
العبد عبد النفس في شهواتها *** والحر يشبع تارة ويجوع

والمقصود بالمجاهدة مجاهدة النفس حتى الممات والسير بها إلى رضوان الله تعالى.
4- قصر الأمل، وتذكر الآخرة: فعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: أخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بمنكبي فقال: { كن في الدنيا كأنك غريب أو عابر سبيل}.
وكان ابن عمر يقول: ( إذا أمسيت فلا تنتظر الصباح، وإذا أصبحت فلا تنتظر المساء، وخذ من صحتك لمرضك، ومن حياتك لموتك ) [رواه البخاري].
قال ابن عقيل رحمه الله: ما تصفو الأعمال والأحوال إلا بتقصير الآمال، فإن كل من عدّ ساعته التي هو فيها كمرض الموت، حسنت أعماله، فصار عمره كله صافيا.
5- الدعاء: فهو من أعظم الأسباب، وأنفع الأدوية، ومن أعظم ما يسأل ويدعى به سؤال الله التوبة النصوح، ولذا كان من دعاء نبي الله إبراهيم وابنه إسماعيل عليهما السلام: { رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ } [البقرة:128]
وكان من دعاء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : { رب اغفر لي وتب علي إنك أنت التواب الرحيم } [رواه أحمد والترمذي].
6- استحضار أضرار الذنوب والمعاصي: ومنها حرمان العلم والرزق، والوحشه التي يجدها العاصي في قلبه، وبينه وبين ربه تعالى، وبينه وبين الناس.
ومنها تعسير الأمور، وظلمة القلب وغيرها مما ذكره العلامة المحقق ابن القيم رحمه الله في ( الداء والدواء ) فليراجعه من أراد المزيد فإنه فريد في بابه رحم الله مؤلفه.
أخي الحبيب.. هذه بعض الأمور التي تعين على التوبة فعض عليها بنواجذك، جعلني الله وإياك من التوابين.

أخي التائب.. ماذا لو أحسست بالفتور والضعف؟

أولاً: أخي عليك بسرعة طلب الغوث من الله تعالى فتدعوه سبحانه متضرعاً متذللاً أن لا يرفع عنك توفيقه وأن لا يكلك إلى نفسك طرفة عين.
ثانياً: تفكر في أهوال يوم القيامة والقبور وتفكر في نعيم الجنة فسرعان ما يفتح الله عليك وتعود إلى ربك.
ثالثاً: واظب أخي على محاسبة النفس.
رابعاً: المحافظة على الأذكار مع حضور القلب وتدبره لمعانيها.
خامساً: مجالسة الصالحين والعلماء العاملين فهو من أعظم أسباب رفع الهمة وإزالة الفتور.

أسأل الله أن يحفظني وإياك من الحور بعد الكور ومن الضعف بعد القوة ومن الضلال بعد الهدى.

وفي الختام
لا أملك إلا أن أقول: اللهم اغفر لي ولأخي وأدخلنا برحمتك في عبادك الصالحين، اللهم ثبت قلبي وقلبه على دينك { وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَاماً، إِنَّهَا سَاءتْ مُسْتَقَرّاً وَمُقَاماً } [الفرقان:65-66].
والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته