May Allah keep you firm on din. May he accept your effort and increase it. May he make it a source of salvation for you and may he make you a source of salvation for all those around you and beyond.

Intentions determine the value of actions1 . If your action is for Allah, it will never be wasted even if the task seems a failure2 . If your action is for worldly gains, it will be worthless even if it seems the greatest of success. Fear Allah and remember with whom true reward lies. True honour is with Allah and in obeying him; no amount of certificates or accolades will change that. Know your place and adopt humility (تواضع); this will increase your taqwa, reduce interest in this world and create forbearance.

Never consider the knowledge that you possess as inferior; if it is haq, pursue it even if you are alone and if it is batil refrain from it even if the crowd marches towards it. حسبنا الله و نعم الوكيل. Use the Shariah as your standard; if it is a question of halal or haram stand firm. Indeed, Halal is clear and Haram is clear. Between these are ambiguous matters3 ; avoid them. Adopt ‘Azimat for yourself but do not be harsh on others. Do not declare halal as haram or haram as halal for this is placing a lie upon Allah and his messenger (peace be upon him)4 . Be mindful of what you say and if in doubt remain silent5 . Pray salah on time, keep your fasts and do not delay any Qaza. Do not consume haram. Pay your Zakat, Fitra and Qurbani. These are some of your obligations to Allah Almighty.

Inactivity is a slippery slope; it is the pathway to haram. Avoid indulging in trivial matters; this is the path to perfection6 . Value your time and health. Never let a day pass in which you have not done tilawat or zikr. Everyday study a hadith and some tafsir; the Quran summarises all that you have learnt. Keep your mind and body active to Allah; read the works and biographies of our pious predecessors and keep pious company.

Know your obligation to the people and fulfil it for the sake of Allah; do not expect anything in return. If you are rewarded thank Allah and if not be patient. Never let yourself be the source of sin or pain to others; protect your body and tongue7 . Do not preoccupy yourself in arguments for it destroys ikhlas. If you have harmed others, seek forgiveness and if others have harmed you, forgive them. Give people the benefit of doubt. Remember! Allah is the most merciful and most forgiving.

There is no power or might except that of Allah almighty. Pray to Allah and pray often8 . Pray for yourself and those close to you. Pray for me and my family, teachers, colleagues and students. Pray for the Muslims; past, present and future. Pray that Allah almighty gives us the best in this world and the hereafter. Pray that the fire of hell never touches us and that we are granted paradise without any reckoning.9

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Muhammad Saifur Rahman Nawhami
13 Sha'ban 1432 AH
13 July 2011 CE

• 1انما الأعمال بالنيات رواه البخاري
• 2قال الله تعالي: فإن الله لا يضيع اجر المحسنين
• 3الحلال بين و الحرام بين وبينهما مشتبهات - متفق عليه
• 4من كذب علي متعمدا فليتبوأ مقعده من النار
• 5من صمت نجا
• 6من حسن الإسلام ترك ما لا يعنيه حديث حسن رواه الترمذي و غيره
• 7المسلم من سلم المسلمون من لسانه و يده
• 8الدعاء مخ العبادة
• 9ربنا اتنا في الدنيا حسنة و في الاخرة و قنا عذاب النار