Islam in Daily Life

  Lesson 6

Islam in Daily Life

Islam is the name of a complete system of life. Islam has the correct solution of all problems from birth to death. And there is a way to attain certain happiness and peace in the eternal life of the Hereafter after death in Islam. Islam is our ideology and guidance in all aspects of life.
Allah says in the Holy Quran –

Pronunciation: Innad deena 'indal laahil Islaam

Meaning: Surely Islam is the only religion acceptable to Allah.

(Surah Al-Imran: Verse 19)

In daily life, everyone should always remember Allah, fear Allah and live according to the rules of Allah. Just as people follow Islam in their daily life, so they encourage other people to follow Islam.

There are different Doas (blessings) for every good deed in our life which the Prophet Muhammad (SM) recited in his daily life. Reading these Doas and doing those deeds brings blessings and success as well as Sawab.

Exchanging Salam:

Salam is an honorable Islamic greeting through which prayers for peace are made. By exchanging salam, just as people pray for each other, a loving and beautiful relationship and harmony of mind are created.

Salam is a virtuous Ibadat. The importance of Salam is immense in Islam. Salam is an Arabic word. It means peace, tranquility, welfare, Doa, and good wishes. ‘As-Salam’ is one of the beautiful names of Allah and one of the names of Paradise.

Allah Ta'la first taught Hazrat Adam (A) about giving Salam. After creating Hazrat Adam (A), Allah Ta'ala instructed him to give Salam to the angels. When he gave Salam, the angels also answered him.

If one Muslim meets another Muslim, one should give salam before speaking.

Salam: اَ اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ - "Assalamu Alaikum"

Meaning: “Peace be upon you”.

Answer to the Salam: وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَام - “Wa alaykumu s-salam”.

Meaning: “Peace be upon you too”.

The Prophet Muhammad (SM) said that when two Muslims meet and give Salam and do Musafaha (shake hands), all their sins are forgiven before one separate from the other.

Salam is not limited to visiting and meeting, but it is important to give salam someone before entering his house. Again, after completing the work outside, when we go home and enter the house, we have to give salam.

Salam is a part of Iman and a road to Paradise. The person who gives Salam first will gain more Sawab. Hazrat Muhammad (SM) always gave Salam first and encouraged everyone in this regard.

The importance of correct pronunciation in exchanging Salam:

Apart from the above correct pronunciation, all the mispronunciations including ‘Slamalikum’, ‘Aslamalekum’, ‘Assamalaikum’, ‘Alaikum Salam’, ‘Alaikum As-Salam’ should be avoided consciously.

Because these mispronunciations sometimes change the meaning of salam or make salam useless. For example: ‘Assamalaikum’ or in more wrong pronunciation ‘Assamu Alaikum’ means - ‘May you die’.
Therefore, from now on, whenever we give salam to someone, we will feel the meaning in our hearts and pronounce it as accurately as possible.

Allahu Akbar:

Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر‎) means Allah Ta'ala is the greatest.

When we say Allahu Akbar, Allah blesses. When giving Azan, we have to say, Allahu Akbar. Saitan goes far away when we say Allahu Akbar. For slaughtering halal animals (such as ducks, chickens, cows, goats, etc.) we have to say, Allahu Akbar.

Alhamdulillah:

The word Alhamdulillah (اَلْحَمْدُ لِل) means- All praise is due to Allah alone.

When we see or hear something good and accomplish a good deed, we say Alhamdulillah. By saying this we express gratitude and thanks to Allah. It is one of the best Dua.

If anyone says Alhamdulillah, Allah will reward him. Allah will keep him well. Allah will give him more prosperous life. Allah will make the life more well. If we don't say Alhamdulillah, Allah will make the situation worse.

Subhanallah:

The word Subhanallah (سُبْحَانَ الله) means all holiness belongs to Allah, that is, Allah is perfect in an absolute sense without any defects or imperfections of any kind.

Usually, we said Subhanallah when we hear or see the might of Allah, or see an amazing good deed, or hear a wonderful good deed.

Allah has chosen this sentence for Himself. He is satisfied with this sentence. The sound of this Jikir is very pleasing to Allah, the Almighty.

The Prophet Muhammad (SM) said, “If you say Subhanallah 100 times, 1000 thousand virtues will be written for him and his 1000 sins will be forgiven.”

(Muslim: 2698, Tirmizi: 3463)

Masha Allah:

The word Masha Allah (مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ) means- “Whatever Allah desires” or “As Allah wills”.

It is used like the word Alhamdulillah. It is recited when you see something wonderful. That is, it is said about any beautiful and good thing.
When someone utters MashaAllah happily with every action, Allah Ta'la becomes very happy with him.

Insha Allah:

The word Insha Allah (إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ‎) means – “The great Allah, the Almighty wills” or “Allah willing”.

Insha Allah has to be said for any good deed which will happen or will be done in future. When we say Insha Allah, Allah is happy and our work will be accomplished fast. We will also overcome the obstacles that we face in future.

If someone says, ‘Insha Allah’ I am fine. Then the use of this sentence will be incorrect. Because, ‘Insha Allah’ is used only in future cases.

Saying ‘Insha Allah’ in any lawful deed will get reward. But it is not permissible to say 'Insha Allah' about doing something illegal. It is completely haraam to say 'Insha Allah' in all crimes and immoral acts including theft, robbery, corruption, terrorist activities.

Since it is not possible for us to do anything without the will of Allah, we should say Insha Allah before doing any good deed.

Nauzubillah:

The meaning of the word Nauzubillah (ﻧَﻌُﻮْﺫُﺑِﺎ اللّٰهَ) means that we seek refuge with Allah.

If we see any evil and sinful act, this Dua is said to protect ourselves from it.
The Prophet Muhammad (SM) said, “Take refuge with Allah from the difficulties of severe calamities, from having an evil end and a bad luck and from the malicious joy of your enemies."

(Bukhari: 6163)

Astaghfirullah:

The word Asatgafirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ‎) means “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”

When we commit any sinful activity or do any misdeeds, we must say this Dua.
The Prophet Muhammad (SM) asked for forgiveness and repent from Allah more than 70 times in a day.

(Bukhari: 6307)

Jazakallah Khair:

The word Jazakallah Khair (جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْراً) means “May Allah give you the best reward.”

If someone does any good deed for us then, we have to say Jazakallah Khair to him/her.

The Prophet Muhammad (SM) said, “If someone is treated with gratitude by saying ‘Jazakallah Khair’, then it is as if the person saying ‘Jazakallah Khair’ is praising him properly.”

(Tirmizi: 2035)

Dua for Waking up:

ﺍَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

Pronunciation: Alhamdu lillaahil-lathee ahyaanaa ba da maa amaatanaa wa ilayhin-nushoor.

Meaning: Praise is to Allah Who gives us life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return.

Dua for Sleeping:

اَللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا

Pronunciation: Allahumma bismika amutu wa ahya.

Meaning: “O Allah, with Your Name will I die and live (wake up)”.

Doa Before Eating a Meal:

بِسْمِ اللّهِ وَ عَلى بَرَكَةِ اللهِ

Pronunciation: Bismillahi wa barakatillah.

Meaning: In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah, we eat meals.

If we forget to recite Doa when we start eating a meal; then as soon as we remember we will recite the following Dua.

بِسْمِ اللهِ أَوَّلَه وَآخِرَه

Pronunciation: Bismillahi fii awwalihi wa akhirih

Meaning: “In the Name of Allah, in the beginning and the end.”

Dua when we complete our Meal:

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِيْ اَطْعَمَنَا وَ سَقَانَا وَ جَعَلَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْن

Pronunciation: Alhamdulillahilladhii ath’amanaa wa saqaanaa wa ja’alanaa minalmuslimiin.

Meaning: Praise be to Allah Who has fed us and given us drink, and made us Muslims.

If someone does not say Bismillah before eating, Saitan participates in that food with him. Saitan cannot eat anything from that food when someone starts eating with Bismillah.
And if one starts eating without saying Bismillah and then recites the Dua for eating, then Satian is forced to vomit whatever he eats.
The Prophet (SM) said, "Saitan considers the food which does not bear the name of Allah to be halal for him."

Dua before going to the toilet:

اَللَّهُمَّ اِ نِّىْ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Pronunciation: Allahumma innee aAAoothu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba-ith

Meaning: (In the name of Allah). O Allah, I take refuge with you from all evil and evil-doers.

Dua when leaving the toilet:

غُفْرَانَكَ الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ الَّذِيْ اَذْهَبَ عَنِّيْ الْاَذَى وَعَافَانِيْ

Pronunciation: Ghufra-naka Alhamdulillah-hilla-thee ath-haba ann-nil athaa wa 'afaani.

Meaning: "(O Allah) I seek forgiveness and pardon from You. All Praise be to Allah, who removed the difficulty from me and gave me ease (relief)”.

The bathroom or toilet is an unclean and dirty place. Saitan lives in unclean and filthy places. Saitan sees us if we don't recite the Dua when we enter the toilet. But if we recite the Dua before entering the toilet, then Saitan can no longer see us and can't do any harm. By reciting this Dua we take refuge to Allah Ta'la.

What should we do if we yawn?

Yawning comes because of laziness and inertia. And this is come from Saitan. So when we yawn, we should check our yawning as much as possible. Because when someone yawns, Saitan laughs at him.

(Bukhari: 3289)