Human intellect has divided the factors which build up life into two major portions: “Needs” and “Wants”. However, “Reminder” is a priceless element which fits into the category of “needs and “wants” simultaneously. Without reminders, the purpose of life cannot be served at its best. Reminders we get from fellow human beings are but a treasure. Because they are deeply rooted with concerns, care and always spread light, these reminders help us to see what’s right and what’s not.
Allah
addresses humankind in the Glorious Qur’an by saying;
“And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.”(Ad-Dhairyat, 51:55)
Believers are people who have molded their faith with a focus kept on the hereafter and have taken initial steps to please Allah in everything they do. These people have received a higher position than average human beings, in all aspects of life. If Allah says that “Reminder” benefits the believers, without a doubt, it’s an essential prerequisite for all of mankind. I would like to take the support of a real incident which is recorded in the authentic history of Islam to explain the importance of reminders.
It was narrated that ‘Aishah 
said:
“When the Messenger of Allah 
passed away, Abu Bakr
was with his wife, the daughter of Kharijah, in villages surrounding Al-Madinah. They started to say: ‘The Prophet has not died, rather he has been overcome with what used to overcome him at the time of Revelation.’ Then Abu Bakr came and uncovered his (the Prophet’s ) face, kissed him between the eyes and said: ‘You are too noble before Allah for Him to cause you to die twice. By Allah, the Messenger of Allah has indeed died.’ ‘Umar was in a corner of the mosque saying: ‘By Allah, the Messenger of Allah has not died and he will never die until the hands and feet of most of the hypocrites are cut off.’ Then Abu Bakr stood up, ascended the pulpit and said: ‘Whoever used to worship Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. Whoever used to worship Muhammad, Muhammad is dead.
“Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.” (Al-Imran, 3:144)
Umar said: ‘It was as if I had never read (that Verse) before that day.’ ” 1
When we analyze this particular scenario, it’s evident that it is the most critical and sensitive incident the companions had to go through and survive.
When the last and final Messenger had to leave this world, the companion (who was praised for his wisdom by Allah ) said that he will cut off the limbs of people who say that the Prophet was no more! Wasn’t he a warrior of Islam? Wasn’t he the one who even the shaitan feared to face?
Umar Ibn Khatab was shocked and depressed due to the sorrow caused by the death of the beloved Messenger of Allah. Therefore, he uttered statements which are not acceptable. We have to understand that calamities of life can make us go blind and deaf to the extent that we become strangers to realities. If Umar ibn Khattab , one of the greatest companions with very high levels of Imaan was one of the victims of trials, then who are we? Yes, no one is an exception to the side-effects of life’s trails.
When Umar was under the condition of depression, Abu Bakr approached him with a beautiful reminder. He reminded Umar by saying that Allah is the One who lives eternally and then, he quoted from the Qur’an a beautiful verse which made Umar say, “It was as if I had never read (that Verse) before that day.”
Subhanallah !
That single reminder saved the whole Muslim nation from splitting apart. That very reminder of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq protected a group of Muslims from falling into the major sin of shirk. This is the power of a reminder. This is why reminders are important.
We have to either position ourselves as people who deliver reminders or as people who are given reminders to ponder upon. When we see fellow brothers and sisters going through hard times in their lives, we have to be by their sides and boost them up with beneficial reminders. A single conversation of ours can save them from grave mistakes in this journey called life. On the other hand, when we get overpowered by calamities, we must pay attention to people who provide us with reminders, for verily, reminders do benefit the believers. We should never create a barrier between us and reminders by showing arrogance and pride. We have to be good listeners as well. Remind and get reminded for verily it will bring nothing but bunches of benefits!
What kind of reminders can we give to our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters during this day and age? Please share your views in the comments section below. 🙂
- Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1627 ↩
33 replies on “Reminders”
JazakAllah fr this beautiful article.
A wise person adviced me once that when people face difficulties and hardships in their lives, they wil start praying fr death. But what is death, it is a place which wil keep us away frm Allah swt!
Feel blessed to be alive and use ur life fr ibadah b’cuz no ibadah to the Almighty is as equal to as it is when done inspite of trails and hardships !! Indeed it was a great remainder !!
S. A. Praying for death due to worldly problems btw is not allowed in ISLAM, it’s considered as sin to pray for death
Baarakallaah Feeki 🙂
Abdullah bin Busr narrated a Bedouin said “O messenger of Allah who is the best of people?”
Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) replied “he whose life is long and deeds are good.”
This should serve as a reminder to brothers and sisters that are deceived into suicide bombings.
Plz don’t bring political issues n controversies into religious debate, don’t quote any hadith without reference, moreover you should know a sahabi R. A embraced ISLAM in the battle field and attained martyrdom immediately, prophet Muhammad SAWS pbuh pronounced him Jannati on the spot reference lecture by shaikh Dr Mohammad salah on hudatv
The Noble Quran 2:155
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
Walanabluwannakum bishayin mina alkhawfi waaljooAAi wanaqsin mina alamwali waalanfusi waalththamarati wabashshiri alssabireena
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).
The Noble Quran 29:2
أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
Ahasiba alnnasu an yutrakoo an yaqooloo amanna wahum la yuftanoona
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.
The Noble Quran 2:214
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
Am hasibtum an tadkhuloo aljannata walamma yatikum mathalu allatheena khalaw min qablikum massathumu albasao waalddarrao wazulziloo hatta yaqoola alrrasoolu waallatheena amanoo maAAahu mata nasru Allahi ala inna nasra Allahi qareebun
Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!
Bismillaah
As Salaamu alaikum wa Rahmatu Allaahi wa Barakaatuh
Jazaki Allaahu khairan…this was most beneficial, especially in our current time of much confusion. It is often very easy to get pulled into the midst of a calamity and not see clearly.
Wa ‘alaikumussalaam Warahmatullaah Wa Barakaatuh
Baarakallaah Feek
Jazakum llahu Khaeran for the Reminder
Baarakallaah Feek
MashaAllah I strongly believe in the power of reminders
I would advise that don’t lose heart during trials they really teach u much but realise once they r over
Reminders are necessary even for simple things in our daily lives.
Jazakallah khair to the author of this post, TX for the excellent reminder, s. a
Alhamdulillah for this inspiring piece, as Muslims we should not relent in our quest to spread the word of Islam by constantly serving reminders to our brothers and the whole of humanity, not only that our reminders in this respect should be based on authentic references from the Noble Qur’an and the sunna of the Holy and our beloved prophet Mohammed(saw).I use this opportunity to remind some of us who branded themselves as believers and Muslims that the should stop the bombings and killings of humanity.
Remember Allah Azzawajal stated in the noble Qur’an that “O people! Revere your Lord who has created you from a single soul, created from its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women (Al’Imran 3:102).This shows that Islam encourages the love for humanity because we are one by creation. For those who hate humanity and continue to cause mayhem on the basis of philosophical differences, I maintained that they have gone astray and must be reminded to drop same. As Muslims, let us encourage DIALOGUE , through dialogue we can convince others to our lovely AND true Religion, by establishing the core facts to mankind. Salaam to all brothers!
Baarakallaah Feek
Marha’Allah. Thanx for reminding us and guiding us to the right path. For sure the purpose of life is worshipping Allah. But this has greatly been compromised by money, internet (media-commu), Western enemies of truth, battles among us Muslims, women, and the growing number of orientalists. May Allah reward you abundantly, ameen
I pray the same and more on you , Baarakallaah Feek
Alhamdulillaah
Jazak’Allahu khair. May Allah crowns your efforts with abundance of reward. Keep reminding please.
Baarakallaah Feek
May Allaah accept it.
May Allaah bless you !
Asalamu alaykum, jazakallahu alf khairan for this beautiful article, may Allah azawajal reward you for this fruitful message. Alhamdulilah Allah swt has blessed us with the greatest gift in life which is Islam. Reminders are very essential in Islam and helps boost our eeman. Daily reminders are requirements in a Muslims life and just like the Quran states it benefits the mu’miniin. May Allah ease our duty in this life and make us those who remind each other words of faith
Wa ‘alaikumussalaam Warahmatullaah
Baarakallaah Feek, and thank you for the kind words
May Allaah help us all the implement the knowledge we learn, Aameen 🙂
We have become story tellers over the centuries. Same story is narrated differently reflecting prejudice.Majority of the stories have been adulterated.Religion has no place for stories.The Quran was sent to eliminate adulteration.The prophet declared in his last message to humanity and gave the ultimate message ,that Quran is the ultimate.Stories related pertain to those local people for local problems and the solutions .Quran is universal.The prophet addressed people to give replies advice and slolutions to those times and specifically for local needs. Quran contains solutions for all times and for all people.Stores are now tailored for fund raising which was neither practiced nor allowed.life was around camels and horses. The best form of obedience is follow Quran.The Quran guides the seeker according to his needs.We must Benifit from Quran and discourage unrelated tales. There is no time and relevance because Quran is most comprehensive.My apology if I have not been able to express sufficiently.Quran is always same but every story has personal masala added by the narrator.These may be left to the grand parents to put their grand children to sleep.
MashaAllah jazakallahu khairan for this beautiful article, may Allah azawajal reward you for this fruitful message.
Alhamdulilaah, May Allaah accept it from us
Alhamdulillah, is a good reminder. We all have to be by the side of believing brothers and sisters during trials.
JazakAllah.
It was very nice story, I knew it but when really you reminded it to me I learned something from that and will have it practiced in my life and share with the people whom I love or not for the sake of Allah (SWT)
Masha Allah what a great reminder on appreciating the benefits of reminders in our deen! Your article is deeply appreciated, jazak Allah khair. When you said:
“That very reminder of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq RAu protected a group of Muslims from falling into the major sin of shirk. This is the power of a reminder.”
I never thought of it this way and it really made me reevaluate how important reminders are. It also made me realize how to deliver applicable reminders based on the scenario and to listen closely and appreciate it when being reminded. Umar RA greatly appreciated it by saying it was as if he heard it for the first time.
My reminder is: no matter how small a good deed is, do it! Just today someone from the opposite gender reached out to shake hands, but I declined. It was awkward, but it was more important to please Allah subhana wa tala and follow my deen. Hasbun Allah wa nimal wakeel! Stay strong brothers and sisters, may Allah azza wa jaal increase you all <3.
This Zamaan is such that we need more reminders of this nature.
Alhamdulillah this was a great read & reminder. Just what I needed. Barakallah feeki.
when i thought my worship was not up to the mark and this thought put me into great depression. so much so that i started to get distracted from my acts of worship. That was when Alhumdulillah i was reminded. reminded that “DO YOUR BEST AND LEAVE THE REST TO ALLAH SWT. JUST BE SINCERE. Thats what Allah swt wants. ALLAH SWT doesnt want you to be perfect. But instead he wants us to be sincere in our worship.
May Allaah make our affairs easy for us, Aameen
JazakAllaah khairan for a Reminder on Reminder.