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Tag: Guidance

Daily Goal and Pursuit of The Sensible One

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The sensible person is in a position to have the Baaqiyaat As-Saalihaat as provision [i.e. the good righteous deeds that last and are better in the sight of Allah for reward and better in respect of hope in the Hereafter] together with his share from the worldly life with ease- by seeking aid in going out in the morning, midday and something of the night time. This is the foundation upon which he places his worldly affairs and the means to (accomplishing them). Even when such (affairs) come to him late at night, he would pray and seek aid from his Lord and ask for that which brings about good in his religious and Worldly affairs.

He begins his day with good – recitation of the Qur’aan and acts of worship to which one devotes himself in the morning; performs the five daily prayers in their earliest times and that which Allah makes easy for him to perform of good deeds, such as (optional) prayer, recitation of the Qur’aan, remembrance of Allah, seeking knowledge and other than that. He engages his tongue in the Remembrance of Allah and seeking forgiveness.

He pursues the means by way of which one seeks his livelihood, such as trade, production of goods, farming and what is similar to them, whilst seeking the aid of his Lord in that. He suffices himself with the permissible means and turns away from that which Allaah has made unlawful. The intent behind this is to fulfil the individual obligations, to be (upon) self-sufficiency and having little or no need of the creation. If he does this or something closer to it, the result will be goodness and he will gain abundant reward (for the afterlife). Also he does not forget his (lawful) share in the worldly life and it may be that Allah will bless him with contentment, which is true richness by way of which a good life is attained.

[Source: An Excerpt from Noorul Basaa-ir Wal Albaab Fee Ahkaam Al Ibaadaat, Wal Mu-aamalaat, Wal Huqooq, Wal Aadaab of Imam Abdur Rahmaan As-Sadi. Page: 65. slightly paraphrased]

It Is a Blessing That a Teacher Has Students Who Notify Him of His Mistake – [By Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess (rahimahullaah)]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [rahimahullaah] said: Just as it is obligated on a student to recant a mistake, then likewise it is obligated on a teacher [or scholar] to return to the truth when he errs. He is not to be prevented from returning to the truth after reviewing a statement he made and finds that it is in opposition to what is correct, for indeed that is a sign of equity and humbling [oneself] to the truth. Therefore, it is obligated that one follows what is correct, whether it was [conveyed] by a younger or older person. And it is blessing upon a teacher that he has amongst his students one who notifies him of his mistake and leads him to what is correct, so that he does not persist upon that ignorance. This requires that one shows gratitude to Allaah [The Exalted] and then being thankful to the person through whom one was guided [to what is correct], whether it was a student or other than him. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Awā’iq at-Talab pg. 52 Slightly paraphrased]

Reminder And Warning For Us Regarding The Fate of Those Forefathers of Ours Who Wilfully Turned Away From Guidance!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] says in Surah Al-A’raaf Ayah 100-102:

[  أَوَلَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ‌ۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ- Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its (previous) possessors, that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins. And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not?]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] informs those who inherit the earth in succession from those who preceded them, that He [The Most High] destroyed their forefathers due to their sins, yet they commit the same sins that were committed by their forefathers! Do they not take heed that had Allaah willed He would punish them due to their sins, for this is the manner in which Allaah deals with mankind – both the previous nations and those who inherited the earth after them. Allaah [The Most High] warned those who inherited the earth from the previous nations, but they did not take heed; sent them reminders but they did not reflect; showed them guidance through signs, but they did not follow guidance, so Allaah punished them by sealing their hearts – neither did truth enter their hearts nor did good reach their hearts; nor did they give an attentive ear [to the truth]; rather they only heard that which established the proofs against them.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said:[تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا ڪَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا ڪَذَّبُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ – Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allah does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from each and every kind of religious guidance)]-Meaning: Messengers came and called them to that which will lead to happiness [in the life and the next]. Those Messengers were given manifest signs and clear evidences to clarify the truth, but the people did not listen and thus were not benefited. And because they belied those manifest signs and clear proofs after being well aware of them, Allaah [The Most High] prevented them from accepting the sound and infallible creed ordained by Allaah. This was punishment on them because they rejected the truth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-An’aam Ayah 110:

[وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡـِٔدَتَہُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَنَذَرُهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ – And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time, and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly].

Then Allaah [The Most High] says in Ayah 102 Surah Al-A’raaf: [وَمَا وَجَدۡنَا لِأَڪۡثَرِهِم مِّنۡ عَهۡدٍ۬‌ۖ وَإِن وَجَدۡنَآ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ لَفَـٰسِقِينَ  –  And most of them We found not (true) to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]-Meaning: The majority of the nations -to whom Allaah [The Most High] sent Messengers – were not true to their covenant. Neither were they steadfast nor did they adhere to the commands of Allaah, nor did they submit obediently to the commands of Allaah which the Messengers ordered them to obey; rather they followed their desires, except a very few of them. The majority of them turned away from guidance out of arrogance, so Allaah sent them various types of punishment.

[Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

A Trial That Will Occur When The Upright Scholars Pass Away – [A Brief Admonition By Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes it away by taking away death of the religious scholars till none of the scholars remains alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to deliver religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Al-Haafidh Al-Qurtubiy (rahimahullaah) stated in Al-Mufhim: ‘’This text (proves) that indeed the disappearance of knowledge will not be by way of its removal from the hearts (of the people); but (its disappearance) will be through the death of the scholars, (then) the ignorant people will remain- those who will occupy the place of the scholars in the (field) of giving verdicts and teaching.  They will teach and give verdicts based on ignorance, so ignorance will spread and become manifest.’’ [End of quote]

Then Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah preserve him) said after the above quote: ‘’So if the ‘Sound Sunni knowledge’ is taken away, then acting upon it will be taken away-is that not the case? When ignorance manifests, acting upon it will become manifest; so both knowledge and acting upon (Knowledge) will disappear. Ignorance will manifest and acting upon (ignorance) will become widespread just as Al-Haafidh Al-Qurtubiy (rahimahullaah) clarified in Al-Mufhim.” [Source: Al-Hajr Fee Daw-il Kitaab Was-Sunnah Wa Fahm Salafil Ummah’ Page: 15-16 by Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah preserve him)]

Specific Time Periods -On The Day of Jumu’ah- In Which Supplications Are Accepted

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] stated that it has been transmitted in some of the narrations by Imaam Muslim [rahimahullaah] that it is the time when the Imaam sits on the Minbar on the Day of Jumu’ah up until the Salaah finishes. This is what has been transmitted in the hadeeth of Abu Moosaa [radiyallaahu-anhu].

It has also been transmitted in the hadeeth of Jaabir Bin Abdillaah and Abdullaah Bin Salaam [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] that it is time period after Asr prayer up until sunset. And it has also been transmitted in some Ahaadeeth that it is the last hour on the day of Jumu’ah.

All these statements are correct and they do not negate one another. And what is more explicit and more likely is that it is between the time when the Imaam sits on the Minbar up until the end of the prayer and the time between after Asr prayer up until sunset. These two time periods are more likely to be the periods during which supplication is accepted. And throughout the day of Jumu’ah, it is hoped that supplications are answered; but the most likely times are the times between when the Imaam sits on the Minbar until the end of the prayer and after Asr prayer until sunset.

Therefore, it is befitting that one increases in making supplication on the day of Jum’ah, but it is befitting that one gives more concern in seeking after those three time periods that have been mentioned because the Messenger  [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] stated that they are the times in which supplication is answered. [An Excerpt from ‘Fataawaa Shaikh Ibn Baaz 12/401-402. Slightly paraphrased]

Femicide: [Islam Eradicated This Pre-Islamic Practice Through Piety And Virtue]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah An-Nahl Aayaat 58-59:

وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلۡأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ۬

يَتَوَٲرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ مِن سُوٓءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۦۤ‌ۚ أَيُمۡسِكُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمۡ يَدُسُّهُ ۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ‌ۗ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحۡكُمُونَ

And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief! He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.

[وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلۡأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجۡهُهُ ۥ مُسۡوَدًّ۬ا – And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark]- Meaning: Due to the grief that afflicts him! [  وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ- And he is filled with inward grief]- Meaning: Filled with anger out of grief and regret due to being brought the news of the birth of a female child.  He becomes ashamed amongst the people of his clan (or tribe) and hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed [i.e. that his wife gave birth to a baby girl].  Then he thinks about the situation based on his corrupt thoughts, as to what he has to do with that girl, [أَيُمۡسِكُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ -Shall he keep her with dishonour] – Meaning: Should he spare her life, whilst he lives in dishonour and humiliation; [أَمۡ يَدُسُّهُ ۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ‌ۗ -Or bury her in the earth] whilst she is alive; [أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحۡكُمُونَ- Certainly, evil is their decision].

 Allaah [The Most High] also said in Surah At-Takweer Aayaat 8-9:

وَإِذَا ٱلۡمَوۡءُ ۥدَةُ سُٮِٕلَتۡ

بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ۬ قُتِلَتۡ

And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) shall be questioned. For what sin she was killed?

This refers to the practice of the ignorant people of the pre-Islamic era, for they used to bury their daughters alive for no other reason, except due to fear of poverty. Therefore, the female (infant) will be asked: [بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ۬ قُتِلَتۡ- For what sin she was killed]? That is because it is well-known that she is sinless and this Aayah conveys a [severe] reproach and warning against her killers. [Source: (Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan)]

The Virtue of Looking After Female Relatives – By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah]

The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: “Whoever has two daughters under his care [guardianship] and is good to them [o treats them kindly, looks after them very well etc], they will be a protection for him against the Fire.”

This is general and also applies to care given to sisters, paternal aunts, maternal aunts. It applies whether those cared for are two daughters, two sisters, two paternal aunts or more than two, such as three or four, rather the one who looks after three or four is even more worthy of this reward. If person looks after them well, he deserves this tremendous reward – protection from the fire. This is for the Muslims and it is deeds of a Muslim. The Muslim who does this good deed is promised this safety – safety from the fire and entry into paradise. There are many means of entry into Paradise; therefore it is obligated on a believer to carry out these means in abundance.  Islam itself is the single means and basis of entry into paradise and means of safety from the fire.  Also the one who loses a beloved one [i.e. a child, a father, a mother, a wife etc] and exercises patience, then indeed he is promised Jannah.

Taking care of them includes giving them a sound Islamic upbringing, teaching them, guiding them to good, being eager to protect their chastity or keep them away from that which is forbidden such as Tabarruj [i.e. un-Islamic dress code]; also nurturing sisters or male children- nurturing them up in a good manner until all of them are nurtured upon obedience to Allaah and his Messenger, distanced from haraam and fulfil the rights of Allaah…  Paraphrased excerpts from this link below:

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/7129/%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%86

 

The Sunnah Is Upright Path In The Midst of Those Who Exaggerate And Those Who Are Negligent – [By Imaam al-Hasan Al-Basri]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri [rahimahullaah] said:

The Sunnah -by the One besides whom there is none worthy of worship except Him  (i.e. Allaah)- is between the one who exceed the limits and the one who falls short, so be patient upon it-may Allaah have mercy upon you; for indeed Ahlus Sunnah were the fewest people in the past and shall be the fewest people (from those to) come- [الّذين لم يذهبوا مع أهل الإتراف في إترافهم -those who did not go with the people of transgression and corruption in their transgression and corruption;  [ولا مع أهل البدع في بدعهم -nor with the people of Bidah in their Bidah]; rather they (exercised) patience upon the Sunnah until they met their Lord (i.e. passed away). Likewise-InShaaAllaah- you be (the same). [Source: Ighaatha Al-Lahfaan 1/70]

Indeed Allaah is Pure and He does Not Accept, Except That Which is Pure

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Indeed Allaah is Pure and He does not accept, except that which is pure”.

In this hadith, he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] described Allaah [جل وعلا] that He [سبحانه] is Pure.  He [سبحانه] is Pure, meaning free from all imperfections and deficiencies.  He is Pure in His Essence, in His Names and Attributes, and in His Commandments and Prohibitions.  He [سبحانه] is Pure in every aspect and imperfection cannot reach Him; and for that reason He does not accept actions, statements and intentions except that which is pure.  He does not accept filthy statements, actions and intentions. He does not accept except the pure, as He [The Exalted] said: [إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ – ‘To Him ascend (all) the goodly words][Surah Faatir Ayah:10]

He [سبحانه] does not accept, except good speech and good actions; as for filthy speech, then indeed Allaah rejects and hates it, such as lies, backbiting, tale carrying, abuse, false speech and false testimony; and all filthy statements; [such as] shirk and kufr.  All of this is filthy speech and does not ascend to Allaah, and is not accepted.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al Minhatu Ar-Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharh Arba-een Nawawiyyah’ page:133-134: by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

The Fear of Abdullah Bin Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.

A man said to Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him], “I do not want to be amongst the companions of the right, I want to be amongst those foremost in faith; so, Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood said to him, ‘But there is a man right here [meaning himself] who wishes that he is not resurrected after he dies [i.e. due to fear of the hereafter]’”.

One day, he [Abdullaah] came out and the people followed him, so he said to them, “Do you have a need?” They said, “No, but we want to walk along with you.” He said, “Go back, for indeed it is humiliation for the one following and a trial for the one followed”.

He said, “Had you known what I know about myself, you would have hurried to cover my head with dust”.

[Source: Az-Zuhd of Imaam Ahmad: page: 195, 198, 265]

 

The Believers Are Only Those Who, When Allaah is Mentioned, Feel a Fear In Their Hearts!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

[We] must ponder upon the Qur’aan, [approach] it with [sound] discernment, pay close attention to it, being acquainted with what it is about and its [lofty] status.  [We] must know [the greatness] of the one who revealed it – The Lord of the heavens and the earth, The Great Lord [i.e. Allaah] – and the status of the great Messenger to whom the Qur’aan was revealed. Therefore, we must acquaint ourselves with the Qur’aan. We must act upon it after pondering upon it; after approaching it with a [sound] discernment, understanding and paying close attention to it, so that its goals [aims] are fulfilled, especially the subject matter related to Allaah’s Essence, Names and Attributes(ref 1); the right Allaah has to be worshipped alone, exalted, glorified, venerated, feared and loved; complete submission to Him and being shy in His presence, as well as other acts of worship, which we know from the great Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah of the noble Prophet [alayhis salaatu wassalaam]. [Ref 1]

Indeed, the Qur’aan has commended – a lot – the affair of knowledge and the scholars. Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said: [إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ – It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah]. [Surah Faatir’ Aayah 28]

The scholars who act upon knowledge – those who benefit from the knowledge of [the Sharee’ah]- know Allaah by His [Perfect] Names and Attributes. They know Allaah and exalt Him due to their knowledge of Allaah’s [Perfect] Names and Attributes; therefore, whenever one reads and comes across an Aayah of the Qur’aan that [mentions] some of the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah, it should increase him [or her] in Eemaan; especially the Aayaat regarding Tawheed, and the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah. Allaah said:

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتُهُ ۥ زَادَتۡہُمۡ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ

The believers are only those who, when Allaah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses [this Qur’an] are recited unto them, they [i.e. the Verses] increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord [Alone]. They perform the prayer and spend out of that We have provided them. [Surah Al-Anfaal’ Aayaat 2-3]

Whenever the Aayaat are recited to those believers – those who achieve this great status which Allaah [mentioned and attributed] to those scholars who truly act upon knowledge; the learned people of sound understanding, who possess a firm and sound understanding of the Qur’aan – they increase in Eemaan until their Eemaan becomes like mountains.

These scholars – the ones whom Allaah [mentioned with praise] – possess a firm and sound understanding of the Qur’aan and they increase in Eemaan through recitation of its Aayaat. They ponder upon the  Aayaat that [mention] Tawheed, the Aayaat that [mention] the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah, the Aayaat that [mention] Tawheed Al-Ibaadah, the Aayaat regarding  Allaah’s promise, the Aayaat regarding Allaah’s threat-which are many in the Great Qur’aan-, the description of Paradise and its bliss- its castles, Hoor [fair females with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious)], and its gardens and rivers; and [they ponder upon the description] of the hell fire – its  Agh’laal [iron chains, iron collars], hardship and severe punishment- we seek Allaah’s Refuge from it. So, he [or she] believes in this Jannah and thus increases in desire for it; and believes in the fire and thus increases in fear of it, because he [or she] is a believer- one who knows and acts. [Ref 2]

Read the Names and Attributes of Allaah: http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=AQD03&articleID=AQD030001&pfriend=

[Ref 1: Majmoo Kutub Wa Ra’saa’il 1/23]

[Ref 2: Source: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 76-78. slightly paraphrased]