This is one of the minor signs of the Day of Judgement. Today we see that people in many walks of life are admired as being cool or brilliant; athletes, pop stars, actors, scientists, businessmen, entertainers, politicians, etc. Yet these are often people who exhibit no morality, conscience, character or taqwa. When the people that we look up to are devoid of the fear of Allah, undoubtedly our behaviour will model theirs. We should seek refuge with Allah from making people who have no eeman in their hearts our role models.

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie. But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab — a confirmed liar.

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie. But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab — a confirmed liar.

During the Spanish Inquisition, one of the ways in which Muslims were hunted out was to see who had clean houses. It was a sign of a Muslim that their house and their neighbourhoods would be clean. Where do we stand today?

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie. But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab — a confirmed liar.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Let everyone of you ask of His Lord all that He wants.” [Tirmidhi]

We were informed by our Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) fulfills everybody’s wishes so long as a person does not get impatient and say, ‘I asked Allah for so and so and I still haven’t received it.’ We are told never to despair of the mercy of Allah (subhan wa ta’ala).

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) informed us that there are several forms for the acceptance of dua. One is that you are given what you ask for. Another is that you are given better than what you asked for. A third is that some calamity that was about to befall you has been averted instead. The fourth is that the dua is saved up for you as sawaab/reward for the Day of Judgment. In all cases, asking Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for things is beneficial.

Make sure that a wedding, construction or other event at your house does not encroach upon the privacy, peacefulness or clean environment of your neighbours or neighbourhood. Does noise from your house disturb your neighbour? Did you park your car in such a way as to cause your neighbour inconvenience? Do you even know who your neighbour is? Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If you are kind to your neighbour you will be a believer.” [Tirmidhi]

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie. But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab — a confirmed liar.

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie. But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab — a confirmed liar.

In order for your dawah or advice to others to be effective they have to feel that you genuinely care about them. 90% of communication is non-verbal. If you want people to feel that you genuinely care about them then only saying so is not going to be sufficient, because they will read your true feelings from your non verbal communication. Human beings can make more than ten thousand facial expressions. At least three thousand of them have distinct meaning. [Blink]

Your face is a billboard for your feelings. In addition, the expressions you make influence what you feel. Notice that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) discusses both aspects: That you show sympathy, and also that you feel sympathy because the expression and the feelings both work on each other. Develop true empathy and it will be communicated.