THE DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat, 28th day of Zul-Qa'adah (Friday, 10th August 2018). PRESCRIPTION FOR PIETY. BismilLahir Rahmaanir Raheem ALLAH (The Most Great) says in Aayah 119 of Surah Taubah: “O Believers fear ALLAH and be with those who are truthful.” To fear ALLAH means to avoid sins at all cost and to make sincere repentance and seek forgiveness from ALLAH in case a sin is committed.  Along with fearing Allah, this Aayah also commands to be with the people who are truthful, i.e., who always speak the truth, who at heart are truthful and whose actions reflect their belief in truth. A person, who is living in an amoral, immoral or unethical environment, may ask a question: “How to build a barrier against sins and be safe from their influence.” Listen to what Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) once said before I answer this question. He (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that a time will come when holding on to Faith will be as difficult as holding a burning coal in hand. Most probably we are living in such a time period.  It requires moral courage and strength of character to adhere to our faith in the current environment. Look around and you will find that vices are creeping in corroding the moral fabric of our society. Falsehood has become an art form. Immodesty is called fashion and indecency is in vogue. Corruption is rampant. The epidemic is global. Gambling is Halaal now, fornication has become Halaal, stealing has become Halaal, disobedience to parents has become Halaal, Riba, most dangerous act has become Halaal but we still claim we are believers isn't it? Some even complain about ALLAH to others that life has become unbearable without blaming ourselves of making these evil deeds Halaal in our environment. Those who fear ALLAH (The Most Merciful) and continue to struggle to uphold their faith and character under such adverse circumstances, Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had given us good tidings for paradise. ALHAMDULILLAH. Moreover, the Muslim should not look at how small or great the sin is, rather he should look at the greatness and might of the One Whom he or she is disobeying, for HE is the Most Great, the Most High; HE is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment, and HIS punishment is severe and painful and humiliating. If HE exacts vengeance on those who disobey HIM, then utter destruction will be their fate. ALLAAH says: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when HE seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, HIS Seizure is painful (and) severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter. That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together, and that is a Day when all (the dwellers of the heavens and the earth) will be present” [Hood 11:102-103]. These is more than enough to Remind us of the task ahead brothers and sisters in faith. Today we are witnessing terrible natural disasters and we are still sinning because it is not on our doorstep. Let's fear the day we will regret every single act of disobedience we committed. Today is Friday as such we must ensure we abide by the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam. May ALLAH forgive our shortcomings and protect us from any disobedience. Aameen.