`... and even a smile is Charity`

THE NEIGHBOR

noreply@blogger.com (Sheikh Sajid) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Sayyed Jawad Ameli, a great Mujtahid, was having his dinner when someone knocked at his door. A servant from his master, Ayatullah Sayyed Mehdi Bahrul Uloom, appeared and said: “Your master has sent for you to come immediately. He has just sat down for his dinner but refuses to eat until he sees you.”

There was no time to lose. Sayyed Jawad Ameli left his dinner and rushed to Ayatullah Bahrul Uloom’s residence. Just as he entered, the master looked disapprovingly at him and said: “Sayyed Jawad! You have no fear of Allah! Don’t you feel ashamed in front of Allah?” This came as a shock to him, as he could not remember doing anything to incur the wrath of his master.

He said: “My master may guide me where I have failed.” Ayatullah Bahrul Uloom replied: “It is now a week that your neighbor and his family are without wheat and rice. He was trying to buy some dates from a shop on credit but the shopkeeper refused to grant him any more credit. He returned home empty-handed and the family is without a morsel of food.” Sayed Jawad was taken by surprise. “By Allah,” he said, “I have no knowledge about this.” That is why I am displeased all the more. How can you be unaware of your own neighbor? Seven days of difficulties have passed and you tell me you do not know about it. Well, If you had known and ignored him despite your knowledge, then you would not even he a Muslim, Ayatullah Uloom adjoined.

Then he instructed him to take all the dishes of food before him to his neighbor. “Sit with him to eat, so that he does not feel ashamed. And take this sum for his future ration. Place it under his pillow or carpet so that he is not humiliated, and inform me when this work is completed, for not until then shall I eat.”

Moral: “That man is not from me who sleeps contentedly while his neighbor sleeps hungry.” Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

Gratitude Can Change Your Life - Fast!

noreply@blogger.com (Sheikh Sajid) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:56:00 +0000

A miracle is traditionally defined as an extraordinary event by divine intervention, but we also use the word to describe an occurrence that was previously thought to be impossible.

Gratitude can be one of these miracles in your life if you let it. How? By giving you the power to turn any difficulty, any challenge, or any heartache into a blessing.

The thing about miracles is that you have to be willing to see and acknowledge them. If you wanted to keep a pessimistic or cynical outlook, you could easily ignore what appears to be a miracle. We see this all the time! A person with a supposedly terminal illness is told he only has 3 months to live, and he's still going strong 10 years later. A woman who is told she can never conceive a child decides to adopt, and finds out she's pregnant shortly after. There are endless stories like this, where the impossible suddenly became possible - in other words, a miracle occurred. Yet, some people choose to see these events as "coincidences" or merely random flukes.

Any miracle can be explained away if a person has a vested interest in remaining cynical. The question to ask yourself is: do you have such an interest? Or are you willing to allow a gratitude focus to perform miracles in your life?

Take a moment and consider any "impossible" situations in your life right now. Why do you believe they are impossible? Are you willing to believe in the possibility that a miracle could occur?

If you answered yes to that question, here is how to use gratitude to invite miracles into your life.

1) Never say "never". How many times have you been absolutely certain that something couldn't happen, only to find out later that you were wrong? It happens a lot! Begin to open your mind to the possibilities and believe that what you think is impossible may not be so at all. Just because you can't see any possible way for something to happen doesn't mean a way doesn't exist! Express gratitude for the possibilities you are aware of, and also those you haven't even considered yet. Open your heart and mind to gratitude for the miracles that might be coming your way.

2) Even if something does appear to be totally hopeless by all the laws of physics and tangible reality as we know it, allow gratitude to turn it into a miracle through the grace of acceptance. Embrace what you cannot change. Let it become something that blesses you rather than hinders you. Even better, let it become something that blesses others. Use your impossibility to change lives and by extension, the world. A way exists if you open to it.

3) Apply gratitude to every hardship, challenge, obstacle and pain in your life. Be thankful for the ways they help you grow in wisdom and inner strength. Love your illnesses, your heartaches, your struggles and your enemies. Bless them for imparting deeper meaning and richness to your life.

Through love and gratitude, ANY situation can be healed. Perhaps the healing will not come in the form you expect or in the exact timeline you hope for - but healing will come. Simply open to it and embrace it, and you will have created your very own miracle.

Seeking Closeness to Allah (Waseelah to Him)

noreply@blogger.com (Sheikh Sajid) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:35:00 +0000

We all wish to seek Waseelah to Allah, i.e. to approach Him and to get closer to Him. Obviously, if we are closer to Allah, we will enjoy numerous benefits in this life and the hereafter. If Allah is happy with us, our Duas can be responded to faster, He will protect us from the challenges of this life, and in general we can enjoy a better life.

In this article based on the sermon by Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi mentioned in Fawakih Ash-Shahiyyah (p. 36), we see that getting close to Allah is not that difficult.

Consider this verse of Surah Al-Maeda (Chapter 5):

O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him. And seek the Waseela (means of approach to Him), and strive hard in His Cause (as much as you can), so that you may be successful. (Quran, 5:35)

In the above verse, “seek the Wasilah to Him”, pertains to drawing close to Allah by adhering to the pillars of Faith, the laws of Islam and acts of Ihsan (excellence in the religion).

Let’s remember that many have been misguided to seek Wasilah to Him through other people and illegal means. As for he who seeks the means of approach to Allah by mentioning the grade and status that some of His creation have with Him, he is an innovator in the religion and an unjust person. Also, he who invokes the creation for help and relief, claiming that he is seeking a means of approach to Allah through them, then he is a Mushrik (polytheist) and a disbeliever.

Seeking closeness to Allah comes through our own actions and not through other people. In his sermon, Sheikh Saadi states the following as some of the ways we can get close to Allah.

Invoke Allah by His names and attributes: He who worships Allah and invokes Him by His Names and Attributes, has sought the best means of approach to Him.
Recognize Allah’s favors and bounties on you: He who invokes Allah on account of His favors, bounties, generosity and kindness, will have sought the path of the chosen righteous believers.
Avoid what Allah has disallowed: He who seeks the means of approach to Allah by avoiding what He has disallowed and working for His pleasure, will no doubt earn all that is good and righteous. He, who seeks the means of approach to Allah by mentioning his need and meekness to Him, will have used the best way of drawing closer to Him.
Be dutiful to parents and keep your relations: Seek the means of approach to Allah by being dutiful to parents and keeping relations with your kith and kin, for Allah keeps relations wíth those who do so and severs relations with those who shun their relatives.
Be kind to His creation: Seek the means of approach to Allah by being kind to His creation, for He likes the good-doers.
Trust in Allah for all your matters: Seek the Wasilah to Allah by fearing Him and hoping and trusting in Him, for Allah loves those who trust in Him.
Dhikr and Forgiveness: Remember Allah always by your words and seek His forgiveness, for truly, those who remember Allah in Dhikr will acquire ultimate happiness. In general, we should invoke Allah by praying often, reciting His Speech with humbleness and humility.
Love your prophet: Seek the means of approach to Allah by loving your Prophet and reciting the Salát (blessings upon him) for his benefit. Surely, he who often recites the Salát on the Prophet, then Allah will suffice for him concerning all his needs. When one says Salát once on the Prophet (S.A.W.S.), Allah will give him ten times that Salát, and he will earn the Prophet’s love and Shafá’ (right to intercede with Allah on his behalf on the Day of Judgement) by Allahs Leave.
Be kind to the orphans: Seek Allahs pleasure by being kind to the orphans, the weak and even with animals. Surely, Allah gives merey to those among His slaves who are merciful.
Clean your heart: Seek Allah by riddíng your hearts from all types of sin, envy and rage on Muslims, and by offering sincere advice and being compassionate with all creation.
Abandon the evil inner self commands: Seek the Wasilah to Allah by abandoning whatever evil and sin the inner-self commands one to do, lusts and desires; protect your sight from illegal things, preserve your tongue from uttering evíl and stay away from all types of beliefs, actions and statements that Allah has disallowed.
Develop perfect sincerity in your actions: Seek the Wasilah to Allah by developing perfect sincerity in your actions. and obeying Allah’s Messenger. Allah willing, if you do this, you will earn all that you seek, that is good and beneficial.

Source: Based on the sermon by Shaikh Abdul Rahman Al-Saadi mentioned in Fawakih Ash-Shahiyyah (p. 36).

Let’s remember that for those of us who feel the need to get closer to Him, let’s be sincere and focused in the above and we will feel that closeness.

Finally, let’s review this hadith by the prophet where he tells us about what Allah mentions about us getting closer to Him:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (Peace be Upon Him) Said,
Allah SWT Said,

I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of mine. and the most beloved things with which my slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him;
And my slave keeps on coming closer to me through performing Nawafil (Prayer or Doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks;
And if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks my protection, I will protect him; and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him.” [Bukhari Sharif Volume 8, Book 76, Number 509]

REPENTANCE

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:22:00 +0000

A person once heard a pious Muslim say that “For the last thirty years I am repenting for a sin and I don’t know how Allah will deal with me regarding it?”

The listener asked: “What was your sin?” The pious Muslim said: “I used to have a shop in the Bazaar. One day I heard that the whole Bazaar was burning so I rushed to see my shop. When I reached there I saw that except my shop all the shops were razed to the ground. I said ‘Al-Hamdo lillah’ (All praise to Allah); but immediately I realized my mistake. How can I call myself a Muslim when I couldn’t feel the loss of my neighbors? That is why I am repenting for that lapse on my part for the last thirty years.”

Moral: The Prophet said: 'Believers are like a single person; if his eye is in pain his whole body pains, and if his head is in pain his whole body pains.' (Sahih Muslim)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HEART

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:18:00 +0000

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, “Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine.” The crowd and the young man looked at the old man’s heart. It was beating strongly ... but full of scars. It had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in ... but they didn’t fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people starred ... how could he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought?

The young man looked at the old man’s heart and saw its state and laughed. “You must be joking,” he said. “Compare your heart with mine ... mine’s is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears.” “Yes,” said the old man, “Yours is perfect looking ... but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love..... I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them ... and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart ... but because the pieces aren’t exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away ... and the other person hasn’t returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges ... giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too ... and I hope someday they kmay return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?”

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man’s heart. It fit.... but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.

The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man’s heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Moral: Physical perfection is not always beautiful.

THE SIGNS OF HAPPINESS

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:14:00 +0000

There was a young couple who led a very happy life together. The only thing that they worried about was, whether their happiness would last forever or would they too would have to face problems. One day, they heard that a wise old man had come to town; he could solve all kinds of problems and guide people. So the couple decided to visit the wise old man and tell him their source of worry. The wise old man told them; “Travel around the world and seek a man and a woman who are perfectly happy as a couple. When you find such a couple, ask them for a piece of cloth from the man’s shirt, then keep that piece of cloth with you, and you always remain happy.”

The young couple began their journey, to find the happiest couple in their world. In one place they heard that the governor and his wife were the happiest people, so they went to their palace and asked them, “Are you the happiest couple?” The governor and his wife replied, “Yes, we are happy in every way except for one thing; we do not have any children.” Well that didn’t make the governor and his wife the happiest couple. So they continued their journey. They arrived in one city where they had heard that the happiest couple lived. They went to their house and asked them, “Are you the happiest couple?” The couple replied, “Yes, we are really happy in every way except that we have too many children which make our life a bit uncomfortable.” No, this couple did not sound to be the happiest. And, so they continued their journey. They visited many countries, cities, towns and villages asking the same question but they did not find what they were looking for.

One Day the young couple came across a shepherd in the desert. The shepherd was grazing his sheep when his wife and child came along. The shepherd greeted his wife and gently patted the child she was carrying. She laid the mat and started to eat contentedly. The young couple came to them and asked them, “Are you the happiest couple?”

The shepherd and his wife replied, “Nobody is unhappier than the king.” The young couple immediately realized that they were the happiest couple and asked them for a piece of the shepherd’s shirt, so that their happiness too would last throughout. The shepherd said, “If I give you a piece of cloth from my shirt then I will be left without any clothes since I own just one shirt.” The young couple at once understood that it is very difficult to find perfect happiness anywhere in the world. The couple decided to return to their own country.

They went to the wise old man and related all that had taken place. They also complained that his guidance was difficult to abide by. The wise old man laughed and said, “Was your journey useless or did you learn something from it?” The young man replied, “Yes, after this trip I have learnt that in this world, nobody is perfectly happy, only that person is happy who does everything to please God.”

Holy Quran (2:38) says: “And whosever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.”

The wife said, “I have learnt that in order to be happy it is important to remember two things; first, all human beings should be thankful and contented with whatever they have.”

Holy Quran (14:7) says: “And your Lord declared publicly: if you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.”

And secondly, for ultimate happiness one must always practice patience.

Holy Quran (2:45) says: “Seek help through patient perseverance and prayers.”

After that, young couple thanked the wise old man for his guidance and returned home. The wise man prayed for them and said, “Indeed the sign of happiness is in their heart and they have good manners and if the lifetime is spent in pleasure of God there would be no differences in the existence of mankind.”

Holy Quran (20:123-124) says: “Whosoever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, will not loose his way or fall into misery But whosoever turns away from My message, verily for him is a miserable life.”

THE CRACKED POT

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:26:00 +0000

Once upon a time there was a water-bearer in India who had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pot full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don’t get full value from your efforts, the pot said.

The water-bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and warding. You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

WEAKNESS OR STRENGTH?

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:47:00 +0000

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese Judo Master Sensei. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the Sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.

Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the Sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the Sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of Judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

MORAL: The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

THE OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:21:00 +0000

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand.

MORAL: Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

TIT FOR TAT

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:12:00 +0000

It is a law of nature that whatever action we take in this world, there is always a reaction. If we do good, we stand to gain a good reward. If we do bad, we should expect a bad outcome ultimately. "What you sow, so you reap" is a popular saying.

The Holy Qur'an has also guided us on this subject. It says:

If you do good, you do good to yourselves. (likewise)

If you do evil, you do evil to yourselves.

(Qur'an: Chapter 17, Verse 7)

One of the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihis Wassalam) was very fond of this verse of the Qur'an. He used to recite it loudly and repeatedly wherever he went.

A Jewish woman who had heard him once wanted to prove him wrong and thus make him unpopular among his people. She thought up a plot against him.

She prepared some sweets mixed with poison and sent them to him as a present. When he received them, he went out of the city with them. On the way, he met two men who were returning home from a long journey. They appeared tired and hungry, so he thought of doing them a good turn. He offered them the sweets. Of course, he was not aware that they were secretly mixed with poison. No sooner had the two travelers taken the sweets, they collapsed and died. When the news of their death reached Medina, the city where the Prophet resided, the man was arrested. He was brought in front of the Prophet and he related what had actually happened. The Jewish woman who had mixed poison with the sweets was also brought to the court of the Prophet. She was stunned to see the two dead bodies of the travelers there. They in fact turned out to be her own two sons who had gone away on a journey.

She admitted her evil intention before the Prophet and all the people present. Alas, the poison she had mixed in the sweets to kill the companion of the Prophet had instead killed her own two sons.

What a splendid example of a tragic reaction to a bad action. It shows how one reaps what he sows.

"Do as you would be done by" are words of wisdom from the learned and wise men of the past. They teach us to do good to others in the same way as we like others to do good to us.

The Poor Man

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:36:00 +0000

It was a usual meeting. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance.

Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly:
"Salamun Alaikum" and finding a vacant place, comfortably sat down. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status.

Now, it so happened that this poor man sat next to a very rich man. The rich man felt disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man did not touch them. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) observed this and addressing the rich man he said:
"Perhaps you were afraid that his poverty would affect you?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah," he said

"Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah."

"Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah."

"Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?"

The rich man said: "I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess. Now to make amends for it, I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven."

Just as he said this, the poor man rose and said: "O Prophet of Allah, I do not accept his offer."

People present were all taken by surprise. They thought the poor man was a fool. But he explained:
"O Prophet of Allah, I refuse to accept his offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and ill treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."

Sand and Stone

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Two friends Ismail and Ibrahim were walking through the desert, as the sun was beating down on their heads, and they were thirsty for water they began to argue. The argument got more and more heated and eventually Ismail struck Ibrahim across the face. Ibrahim felt hurt inside, but without anything to say, he wrote in the sand: "Today, my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking, until eventually they came across an oasis, where they decided to stop and bathe. Ibrahim jumped in and began to wash, while Ismail sat back and relaxed. Suddenly Ibrahim began to scream and shout, he had developed a cramp and was having difficulty keeping his head above water, and he was drowning.

Ismail dived in after him, and brought him gently to shore. When Ibrahim recovered from the shock, he scratched a message on a nearby stone:

"Today, my best friend saved my life"

Ismail who had saved and slapped his best friend Ibrahim, asked him, "Why, after I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone?"

Ibrahim, smiled and replied:

"When a friend hurts us, we should write his deeds in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness can blow it away, and when a friend does something good, we should engrave it in stone, where it shall remain for eternity."

"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (i.e. don't punish them). If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things)" [Surah al-A'raf, 7:199-200]

The Day the Prophet Wept

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:21:00 +0000

Before the time when the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) began to disseminate Allah’s Word, there were many Arabs who preferred their sons to their daughters.

Sons were strong they could work hard they could bring great benefits to their parents and their family. But daughters being girls were weak or so the Arabs thought. Not only that, girls were a nuisance and were a burden and an expense on a family.

Many Arab fathers had no use for girls and when a daughter was born to them instead of a son they did not feel at all pleased. Some of them got very angry at the birth of a girl and buried her alive.

Fortunately, though not many Arab fathers were like the man who went to the Prophet and confessed to a truly terrible crime.

This father had once been an idol worshipper like all the Arabs before the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) came among them and showed them the way of Islam. Before he became a Muslim, the Arab had had a daughter a sweet little girl and kissing him. Whenever her father called this little girl came running towards him always ready to show her love.

One day the Arab called her and of course she ran to his side. He told her for a long walk and the girl skipped and hopped happily beside her father as they went along the poor little thing she never thought that a dreadful fate awaits her.

Before long the father and his daughter came to a well. Suddenly without warning he grabbed her lifted her up and throw down the well. The little girl was dreadful frightened and cried out in terror shrieking "Daddy Oh Daddy".

But the father refused to listen to her pleas and her cries for help. Instead he threw a load of earth down the well to bury his daughter and then he went home and left her to die.

It was a heartrending story. The father was full of remorse and guilt for the dreadful murder he had committed. The girl’s father would have to suffer his guilt for the rest of his life.

Naturally the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was appalled when he heard what the father had done. His heart ached with sorrow.

Tears welled up in his eyes and spilled down his face and into his beard. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) wept so much that his face and beard became very wet and the hairs on his beard were all straggly with water.

When his friend saw the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) weep like this they became very unhappy and felt their eyes, too fill with tears.

All the same they knew it was right for the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) to shed so many tears for the poor little girl who had died such a terrible death.

For had he not taught his people that they should love. All children both boys and girls? Had he not said: 'Allah loves he who loves and looks after family especially the girls'?

And was the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) not the greatest friend the children of the world have ever had?

HERE COMES AL-AMIN - THE TRUSTWORTHY

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:18:00 +0000

It had rained heavily and continuously for a long period, and the water poured down towards the Holy Ka'aba in Masjid-ul-Haram, the big mosque in Mecca, The Ka'aba was in the lower section of Mecca. It had become old and collapsed.

So the rebuilding was started. The work progressed well enough until al-Hajar-ul-Aswad, the Black Stone, was to be put back in its place.

Each quarter of the Ka'aba was being built by one leading family of Quraish - the big and prominent tribe of Mecca. Each family of Quraish felt the honour of placing the Black Stone belonging to it.

The disagreement became deeper, and led to a lot of argument, shouting and abuse. The members of each big family were thinking that a war was going to break out, None of them was willing to change his position. They regarded it as a great insult if they didn't have that special honour of putting the Black Stone back in its place.

One member stood up and said, "I have a suggestion, let us wait till tomorrow and see who enters the Masjid-ul-Haram first in the morning; then let him decide". All agreed, since that sounded like a good suggestion.

They anxiously waited next morning to see who was the first to come and enter Ka'aba. Suddenly they heard footsteps heading towards them. It was Muhammad (s), the son of Abdulla. Everyone, of course, knew, loved, admired and respected Muhammad (s). So with a loud voice, everyone said, "Here comes Al-Amin" and the voice echoed through the place over and over again.

He was surprised to hear of that title with which they called him. He was told about what the people of Quraish were fighting for. It was all silent for a while. Everyone thought his family was going to be favoured. Their hearts were beating hard and they were getting anxious and impatient.

Muhammad (s) put his robe on the floor, took the sacred Black Stone and put it in the centre of the robe and said. "The chief of each family will take one corner of the robe and lift it together". With that, each understood a marvellous example of justice in sharing the honour. It showed how Muhammad's intelligence far exceeded those around him. It also showed his great capacity to solve difficult problems with such ease.

When the robe with the Black Stone was lifted to a reasonable height. Muhammad (s) took the Black Stone and put it in its proper place by his own hands. None felt insulted and each had his share of the privilege and honour.

This is how Muhammad (s) the Prophet of Islam succeeded in uniting the ever-fighting and ignorant Arabs with his honesty, justice and noble character.

FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH ONLY - II

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:05:00 +0000

During the time of Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu-alaihis-wassalam), his enemies - ten thousand strongmen, once planned to attack him. The Muslims were then but very few. Having received the secret news of what was about to happen, the Muslims dug a very wide ditch around them for their defense so that the enemy may not attack them all of a sudden.

From the enemy side, a warrior by name 'Amr Bin Abd-e-wadd' who was very famous for his strength, courage and art of fighting, landed in the midst of these Muslims by jumping over the ditch! The Muslims lacked the courage to face him. Only the lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a) came forward to challenge the intruder!

Both drew their swords and were soon locked in a fierce duel to death against each other. At last, Allah bestowed victory to Imam Ali (a) who threw Amr down on the ground and mounted on his chest ready to kill the arch-enemy of Islam, but before Imam Ali (a) could do this, Amr spat in the face of our Imam.

Everybody around was certain that as a result of this insult, Amr would meet his death even faster still. But instead Imam Ali (a) moved from Amr's chest and walked away! People around were too surprised to see why he left loose such a dangerous enemy after overpowering him. Amr attacked again and after a short while, Imam Ali (a) again got control over him and this time he killed the enemy of Islam.

After the battle was over, people asked Imam Ali (a) about the reason why he had spared Amr's life when he first got control over him Imam Ali (a) replied, "I wanted to kill him for the sake of Allah only. He spat on me and thus made me angry. Had I killed him at that moment, it would not have been for the sake of Allah only. It would have also been for the satisfaction of my anger. So I let him free. When I controlled my anger, I killed him purely for the sake of Allah.'

This is how the Ahlul Bait - people of the household of our Holy Prophet (Sal) have set examples of sincere intention. Before any action we take, we must be clear in our minds that the action is in accordance with the commands of Allah. That, it is for his sake and pleasure of Allah alone.

Moral: To keep away from insincere and impure intentions is indeed difficult but not impossible. This can be done by constant thinking and true understanding of the aim of our life. We have to understand what Allah really wants from us.

FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH ONLY - I

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:02:00 +0000

During the time of Prophet Moosa, there was a pious man, who used to pray day and night on the roof of his house. One day some people came and told him that there was a garden where a tree was being worshipped by a group of people. On hearing this, the pious man picked up an axe and went to that tree with the intention of cutting and uprooting it altogether.

Satan (the Devil) came to him in the form of an old man and asked: "What are you aiming to do?" The pious man explained what was happening and his intention to cut the tree. Satan said: "What have you to do with it? If God wished the tree to be cut, he would have sent his Prophet to do it."

The pious man did not listen. The two went on arguing and quarrelling till they came to blows. He managed to knock the Satan down on the floor and sat on him, aiming at cutting his throat. The Satan begged him for pardon and release saying, "Let me suggest you one thing which would help you in this world as well as in the next world. I shall pay you two dinars everyday. You can pay partly to the poor and partly spend for your own self. Leave this tree uncut till God commanded whether it was right or wrong to cut it."

The pious man was misled by the Satan. He thought the suggestion was right and returned home. On the second day, he saw two dinars under his pillow. He was delighted with the money and spent some after the poor. But on the following day, he did not see the money again as expected, so he again took over his axe and came at that tree. Again Satan told him in the form of an old man and asked him, "What do you want to do?" He said, "I want to cut that tree." Satan told him that he had no power to do it so it was better he went back home. He did not agree and again they fought. This time the Satan succeeded in overpowering the pious man and knocked him down on the floor.

The pious man was surprised at this and asked Satan why it so happened that he could not overpower him this time. The Satan replied: "Whoever does a good deed purely for the pleasure of God, no one can face him but if he does it with an aim of worldly gain, then he loses strength and stands to fail."

Why did the pious man win on the first day and lose on the second in his fight against the Satan? Because his first intention to cut the tree, was to please God and nothing else. But the second day, his good intention had changed and it had become for the sake of money. So the God given spiritual strength which he had on the first day had then disappeared and so he lost.

CO-OPERATION THE KEY TO SUCCESS

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Co-operation is to work together far a common good. It is to undertake a job in which everyone plays his part sincerely to finish it. People in co-operation pool their resources for their common benefit. We come to hear or see co-operative societies established in many countries. Their benefit has been dignity of labor and self-dependence. The co-operative movement has been the cause of rapid economic progress in many countries.

There is a story of an old man who was on his death-bed. He called his sons and asked them to break a bundle of sticks which was bound together. Although the sons were strong and tried hard to break it, they failed. The old man then advised them to untie the bundle and to break the sticks separately. Every one of them could do so very easily. The bundle of sticks is like co-operation and working together in unity which cannot be destroyed. Thus co-operation is strength.

The Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu-alayhis-salam) was once traveling with his companions. They stopped at a place to have something to eat and then rest. They decided to slaughter a sheep and roast it.

One of them said, "I shall do the slaughtering."

The other said, "I shall remove the skin."

The third one said, "I shall do the roasting."

Each one of them volunteered to do one piece of work.

The Prophet of Islam said, "I shall collect and bring the firewood from the forest."

The companions said, "Oh Prophet! You need not take the trouble. We shall attend to everything."

The Prophet said, "I know you can do everything. But I do not like to enjoy a preferential treatment from you. God Almighty does not like to see a person distinguishing himself from his companions." Thus the Prophet went and brought firewood from the forest;

This is one of the examples set by the Prophet of Islam on co-operation and working together for a common good.

CARE FOR ANIMALS

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:09:00 +0000

A man once came to Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu-alayhis-salam) carrying with him his belongings and a box. He said, "O Prophet! While I was passing through a jungle, I heard the voice of some bird's babies. I took them and put them in this box. The moment I did that, their mother came fluttering round my head."

And the Prophet said, "Put them down". When the man put the box on the ground, the mother of the young birds joined them. Seeing this, the Prophet asked the man who now had a look of surprise on his face, "Are you surprised by the affection of the mother towards her young? I swear by Him (Almighty Allah) who has sent me, surely, God is more loving to his servants than the mother to these young birds. Return these baby birds to the place from where you took them, and let their mother be with them."

"Fear God with regard to animals", said the Prophet of Islam, "ride them when they are fit to be ridden, and get off their backs when they are tired; surely, there are rewards for being kind and gentle to animals, and for giving them water to drink."

Islam has taught that in the eyes of Allah, animals also have rights in the same way as man has. They should not be treated badly, tortured or left to starve without food or water.

Imam Ali (raziallah-hu-anhu) had some ducks under his care in his house. At the time of his death, he had given particular advice to his sons to take good care of those animals, or to set them free if it was not possible to look after them properly.

The Holy Qur'an has also guided us by telling us that, in the eyes of God there is no difference between the human world and the animal world.

"There is no beast on earth, nor bird which flieth with its wings, but they are nations like you - unto the Lord shall they return".

The Prophet of Islam was once performing ablution (Wudhu) for prayers from a pot of water. A cat passed there and turned its eyes at the pot of water with a thirsty look. The Prophet realised at once that the cat was very thirsty, so he stopped the ablution (Wudhu) and placed the pot before the cat. Only after the cat had fully quenched its thirst, did the Prophet resume the ablution (Wudhu).

By this action, the Prophet has shown that quenching the thirst of even a small dumb animal is a noble act full of virtue and should be given first attention before one prepares for offering prayers to God.

The Triple Filter Test

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:08:00 +0000

During the golden Abbasid period, one of the scholars in Baghdad, the capital of Muslim caliphate at that time, was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great scholar and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"

"Hold on a minute," the scholar replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," the scholar continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say.

That's why I call it the triple filter test.

The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and.."

"All right," said the scholar. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.

Now let's try the second filter, the filter of goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," the scholar continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of usefulness.

Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded the scholar, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"

"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former)" ... (to end of surah)
[Surah Hujurat, 49:12]

"And spy not on each other behind their backs..." (to end of surah)
[Surah Hujurat, 49:13]

A Surprise for Umm Khalid

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:07:00 +0000

It was a great day for Umm Khalid when her father told her that he was going to take her to see the great Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). Umm Khalid was very excited and she put her best clothes for the great occasion. But even greater thrills awaited the little girl.

When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saw her he thought she was a delightful child ands he told her so.

You are a good girl he said and before long Umm Khalid was sitting close to the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talking to him and playing games with him.

Umm Khalid’s father was both pleased and angry. He was pleased because his little daughter had found favor in the Prophet’s eyes. But he was angry because he knew that he Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had many important things to do, and many important people to see. Umm Khalid he thought was wasting the great man’s time.

He said so but the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) did not agree with him. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) told the father that he should let his daughter stay and go on playing with him. Playing with little children and talking to them was just as important to the Prophet as the other work he had to do.

Of course the time came at last when Umm Khalid had to go home. But the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) did not forget her, and one day soon afterwards he took an opportunity to give her a present.

Some friends came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) with a gift of clothes for him. The Prophet looked at the clothes one by one, and came across a very lovely shawl. It was a beautiful made.

To whom shall I give this beautiful shawl? The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to the people who were with him. No one said anything. They all thought how marvelous it wound be to have such a lovely gift, and all of them wanted it. But they did not think it was polite to say so. It might sound as if they were greedy and as they knew, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had always taught them to avoid greed. In any case the Prophet already knew who would receive the shawl. Bring little Umm Khalid to me he said. I shall give it to her.

Some of the Muslims in the crowed went to Umm Khalid’s house to fetch her. Of course the little girl became much exited when she heard that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had asked that she come to him and she jumped and skipped along with joy until she reached the place where the Prophet was waiting.

Umm Khalid nearly burst with joy when the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) gave her the shawl. There were some lovely flowers printed on it and the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed to them.

Look how beautiful these flowers are he told Umm Khalid.

Little Umm Khalid had never known such enjoy. She loved the shawl at first sight, and straight away wrapped it round her shoulders. There is nothing more beautiful than this shawl in the whole world she thought to herself. It is beautiful not only for its own sake but because the Prophet has honored me with this great gift.

No Wonder little Umm Khalid felt she was a very important little girl.

Three Tough Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:06:00 +0000

There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his Three Questions.
Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.

"Who are you? Can you answer my questions?," asked the young man

"I am one of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)'s slaves and Insha'Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions," replied the Scholar.

"Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions," replied the young boy

"I will try my best, with the help of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala)"

"I have 3 questions," began the boy

1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.

2. What is takdir (fate)?

3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard!

The young man, who was shocked and hurt by the slap became confused, "Why do are you angry at me?" he asked

"I am not angry," answered the scholar, "The slap is my answer to your three questions."

"I really don't understand," the young man said. He was really confused.

The scholar began to explain, "How did you feel after I slapped you?," he asked

"Of course, I felt the pain. it hurt," he replied

"So do you believe that pain exists?" the scholar asked

"Yes."

"Now Show me the shape of the pain!" said the wise Scholar

"I cannot," the young man replied

"That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape... Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?," the ascholar replied

"No"

"Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?," the scholar continued

"No."

"That is takdir (fate)........" The scholar continued, "My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?"

"It is created from flesh," replied the young man

"How about your face, what is it created from?"

"Flesh, as well" replied the young man

"How did you feel after I slapped you?"

"In pain."

"Even though Shaitan (satan) and Jahunnum (Hell-fire) were created from fire, if Allah wants, insha'Allah (God willing), the Hell-fire will become a very painful place for Shaitan (Devil)" ended the wise Scholar.

The wise Scholar had answered all three of the tough questions by one slap.

The Story of Alqamah

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:49:00 +0000

At the time of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), there was a young man named Alqamah. He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity.

Then one day, he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and said, "My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition."

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) (then) sent for Ammar or Suhaib and Bilal (radiAllahu anhum), and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. Thereupon they went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) asked, "Is either of his parents alive?"

He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old." The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (that is, is she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her.

The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message.

She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!"

She then stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and greeted him. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) returned her greeting and said to her, "Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?"

She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity."

"And what about yourself?," asked the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)

"Messenger of Allah, I am angry with him," she said

"Why?," asked the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)

"Messenger of Allah, he has preferred his wife to me and has disobeyed me." Then Allah's Messenger said, "Umm Alqamah, surely your anger has prevented Alqamah's tongue from pronouncing the Shahadah."

He then turned to Bilal and said, "Bilal, go out and collect a quantity of firewood." "Messenger of Allah, what do you plan to do?, asked Umm Alqamah

He replied, "I will burn him in front of your eyes."

"Messenger of Allah, he is my son! My heart cannot bear your burning him in front of me!," exclaimed Umm Alqamah "Umm Alqamah, Allah's punishment is more severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allah to forgive him, be reconciled to him. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the prayer, fasting, and spending in charity (which he has done) are of no benefit to Alqamah as long as you are angry with him!," replied the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam).

Thereupon she said, "Messenger of Allah, I call upon Allah Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be my witnesses that I am pleased with my son Alqamah."

Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Bilal, go to him and see whether he is now able to say, "La illaha illa Allah" or not. It may be that Umm Alqamah is saying something for my sake which is not in her heart."

Thereupon Bilal went, and while entering the door he heard Alqamah saying, "La illaha illa Allah." (Concerning this), Bilal remarked, "It is surely true that while Alqamah's mother was angry with him his tongue was tied, and now that she is pleased with him his tongue is freed."

Alqamah died the same day. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) came to him and gave the order for his washing and shrouding, and then prayed the funeral prayer for him and buried him.

He then stood by the side of his grave and said, "You company of Muhajireen and Helpers, if anyone favors his wife over his mother, Allah and His angels and all the people curse him! Allah does not accept his spending (in charity) and his uprightness unless he repents toward Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, and reconciles with her and attains her pleasure, because Allah's pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allah's anger consists in her anger."

Source: Reported in Tabarani and Ahmed.

Moral: We must always be good, respectful and obedient to our parents.

The Necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:09:00 +0000

Ibn Rajab and others gave an account of a worshipper who ran out of resources while he was in Makkah. He became extremely hungry and was about to die from lack of nourishment.

One day, as he was wandering in the precincts of Makkah, he found an expensive necklace. He put it into his sleeves and headed for the Masjid.

On his way he came across a man announcing that he had lost a necklace. The poor man later said, "I asked him to describe it to me, and he did so, perfectly, leaving no room for doubt. I gave him the necklace without taking reward from him.

I said,: "O Allah, I have given it for You, so compensate me with what is better."

The man went to the ocean and began a journey in a small boat. Only a brief period of time passed before a storm came with heavy winds crashing into the boat.

The boat smashed into pieces and the man was forced to cling to a piece of wood. The winds were violent, propelling him to the left and to the right.

Finally, he was washed ashore onto an island. He found there a Masjid filled with people who were praying, so he joined them. He found papers with parts of the Qur'an written on them and he began to recite from them.

The people of the island asked him, "Do you read Qur'an?" He answered in the affirmative.

"Teach our children Qur'an," they said. So he began to teach them and he took a salary for his services.

One day, they saw him writing and they asked, "Will you teach our children to write?". Again he answered in the affirmative and began teaching them for a salary.

A short time later, they said to him, "There is an orphaned girl with us whose father was a good man. Will you marry her?"

He agreed to the marriage and later related, "I married her and found that she was wearing the exact same necklace. She said that her father lost it in Makkah and a man found it and returned to him. She said that her father would always supplicate while prostrating, for her daughter to become blessed with a husband similiar to the honest man. I then informed her that I was that man."

Umm Salamah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying,

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji`un. Allahumma ujurni fi musibati, wakhluf li khairan minha

We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah! Compensate me in my loss, recompense my loss and give me something better in exchange for it.
[Muslim]

Moral: Abandoning something for the sake and Pleasure of Allah - Allah will definitely compensate with something that is better, either sooner or later, in this world or Hereafter.

BUTTERFLY AND COCOON

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:09:00 +0000

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared; he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther.

Then the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What this man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

MORAL: Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If nature allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly...

GRANDPA’S TABLE

noreply@blogger.com (Sajux) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0000

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped, the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.

And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child’s future. Let’s be wise builders and role models.

MORAL: “Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference. Take care of yourself,... and those you love,... today,... and everyday!”