THIRD REMINDER: Yaumu Al-Khamis, 5th day of Rajab (Thursday, 22nd March). LET'S STRIVE TO BE GOOD PRACTICING MUSLIM NOT JUST A MUSLIM BY NAME. LETS SHARE AND ASK QUESTIONS. BismilLahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Having fear and hope in ALLAH is a good character to make us good muslims. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from ALLAH except the disbelieving people. (Surah Yusuf 12:87). One must be hopeful of ALLAH'S mercy and forgiveness and fearful of His punishment. It is this fear that should lead one to seek ALLAH'S forgiveness with hope. ALLAH says: "Know that ALLAH is severe in punishment and that ALLAH is Forgiving and Merciful. (Surat al-Maaidah 5:98) In the above verse, ALLAH gives us reason to fear because HIS punishment is justly severe, as well as good reason to have hope, since HE is the Most Forgiving and Merciful. There should be a balance between fear and hope and not too much or too less of one or the other. We should always remain between fear and hope. For, the right and the approved kind of fear is that which acts as a barrier between the slave and the things forbidden by ALLAH. But, if fear is excessive, then the possibility is that the man will fall into despair and pessimism. On the other hand the approved state of optimism is of a man who does good in the light of the Shari'ah and is hopeful of being rewarded for it. Or, conversely, if a man committed a sin, he repents sincerely, and is hopeful of being forgiven. ALLAH (swt) said: "Verily, those who believed, and those who migrated and fought in the way of ALLAH, it is they who are hopeful of ALLAH'S mercy. And ALLAH is very Forgiving, very Merciful." (Al-Baqarah, 218). Fear and hope, both should be equally proportioned in our hearts, in our worship, and in our dua to ALLAH. ALLAH says: Call out to HIM with fear and hope. (Surat al-Araaf 7:56). They forsake their beds to call their Lord in fear and hope. (Surat as-Sajdah 32:16). Please remember me in your dua before breaking your fasting today. May ALLAH aid us through our effort to get closer to HIM. Aameen.