The Salaat of Pious and Righteous

An Eminent Sheikh was very regular in Offering Tahajjud Salaat. But on night, he was in such deep sleep  that he missed  Tahajjud Salaat. In the dream he saw a very beautiful girl, with pervading extra ordinary fragrance, she  handed  over a small paper in which the matter written was---- “ O Sheikh, you are in enamoured of deep sleep, became forgetful and unmindful regarding the high balconies of the Paradise. In which you have to exist there, forever there is no fear of death.  So wakeup and by this time recite short verses in the remaining time time of Tahajjud Salaat, and then if you like go to sleep.

Since  this incident whenever pious  man  felt sleepy the matter of paper used to flash his mind with the result that sleep used to be vanished. Such was the attachment of  the eminent Shaikh with God ,through regular late midnight Salaat.

 Similarly a pious man had the painful sore appeared under his foot. It was growing with increasing unbearable pain. Doctors suggested that the sore needs deep surgery other wise it  may prove fatal.

Full of Sorrow and with heavy heart, help less loving mother suggested the doctors that the surgery could be  carried out without its  unavoidable pain only when  my son is deeply absorbed in his salaat reciting long verses.

This was agreed upon  by the  Doctor and he did the operation ,when it was  over, the prostrated pious man did not feel any pain and got cured by the grace of God as, Almighty was pleased with the stead fastness and his attentiveness  during performance of salaat  focussing only in the through of God he had no other thought to get disturbed.

Such is the attachment of righteous and pious. May be Almighty has selected them as His favourite Soul.

THE GRAVE IS CONTAINER OF DEEDS.

Good or Bad Actions are stored up in the graves. Good deeds in the grave, find a person as companions that are like friends and agreeable in company. But the bad actions/ wicked deeds take the shape of painful misery emitting bad smells. In confined space of grave.

                        Three things accompany a person in grave

1.     Wealth – wealth left by the dead is taken by the relatives and friends, who consume it and forget who owed it.

2.     Relatives – After the burial ritual, the relatives turn back, return, seldom, desire to visit the burial place, in future. Maybe how much near and dear, close they were to the person (who is dead).

3.     The Deeds – The actions accrued during the life time are called deeds and do stay with the dead even in the grave.

It is like three brothers of a person. The person ask first brother and says what plight is mine and what help can you extend to me at this critical juncture. The reply --- calling doctor and nurse, to that you are duly attended by them. If you are not cured, die, I will Bath you put coffin and transfer you up to the grave, where I shall pray for you the man was his closest- kith and kin.

To the second brother he asked the same and got the reply that I will remain with you during the life time as soon as you die I shall betake myself in the favour of somebody else, this brother represent wordly wealth .

The same question was asked to the third brother, in turn the response was –“ I shall not forsake you even in the grave keep my company even in the dark place full of solitude, and when in Mizaan (Balance), deeds are to be weighed I shall contribute or lend my weight in the good deed scale, so that it weighs heavy and comes down”.

The third brother is personification of good deeds of that person so the last brother is undoubtedly most useful and the rest of the two were of no use or utility to him.

So always remember the good deeds will only help and not the belongings or close relatives.

REMEMBER :-

1.     PEOPLE WILL BE ASSIGNED HIGH OR LOW STATUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THERE MORAL WORTH IN THE COURT OF ALMIGHTY

2.     ANY ATTEMPT TO COERCE A NON BELIEVER IN ANY WAY TO EMBRACE THE TRUE FAITH (ISLAM) IS A GRIEVOUS SIN.

3.     GOOD AND EVIL DEEDS CAN NEVER BE ALIKE.  TRY TO REPEL EVIL WITH THE GOOD AND FEEL – HE WHO SEEMS TO BE YOUR OPPONENT OR ENEMY WILL BECOME YOUR DEAREST FRIEND BY THE GOOD DEED OF YOURS.

Happiness Comes

The Ultimate Message

Privilege Granted by Allah In The Grave Too!

Bannani (R.A) is famous in explaining Hadith which where stored in his memory. When, in supplicating process before Allah , he used to weep excessively. People could see the salty marks of tears on his cheeks after the prayer was over.  Some one of his fellowmen/followers saw this and could not resist themselves to utter the words of Warning saying, that, Bannani (R.A) may loose his eyesight if weeping and crying is continued for a long time. Bannani (R.A) replied what is the use of these eyes if they are not tearful in supplication . One of his prominent prayer was “O, Allah !. please give me permission to offer my salaat even after death when I am in the new house of soil(Grave). If you grant permission to any one of thy slaves, then, my life, full of steadfastness and degree of devotion and belief incorporated with your  mercy and my Istaghfaar may be meaningful to me.

On his death, the people who attended the burial narrated ”By Allah!”  we, who were  present for the burial of Bannani (R.A) , saw that when his body was rested in the grave, The brick of side fell down and we could see through the created pit. To the surprise of all of us with great amazement, we saw Bannani (R.A) was offering salaat. We reacted to see the wonderful, almost impossible scence and remarked - -- look!  what is happening?  Bannani (R.A) adviced us to observe silence and  be tightlipped.

With the great surprise, we left the place, and went to daughter of Bannani (R.A)  and wanted to know “what extraordinary special practices your father had been observing? “  She wondered and asked what made you people ask this question. On this we explained the incident--- what they saw in the grave .Taking deep sigh, she revealed--- my father had  constantly offered late midnight salaat for fifty long years used to terminate it each day after offering morning prayer only. Before Allah , while supplicating he used to ask for the favour to permit him to offer salaat in the grave  too till the dooms day.

Almighty, pleased with him, of his devotion, granted the permission. for the asked privilege.

 REMEMBER – :

IT IS SAID, THAT, THE HEART IS FULL OF RUINS IF IT IS DEVOID OF FEAR  OF ALLAH. THE FACE OF DEVOTEE, GETTING WET WITH DROP OF TEAR OUT OF FEAR OF ALLAH , IS SAFE FROM ENTRANCE IN TO THE FIRE OF HELL.  WHEN A DEVOTEE SHIVERS, OUT OF FEAR , HIS SINS FALL  AWAY,  LIKE DRY LEAVES FALLING FROM ATREE. ONE SALTY DROP OF TEAR, AFTER SALAAT ,  IS EFFICIENT TO CANCELL THE ENORMUS SINS MAY BE EQUIVALENT TO THE SURF OF OCEANS.

                                                                          

ABU AAMIR (R.A.) And Ever Fasting Women

In the slave on sale market women slaves were being purchased. But, the people preferred good looking and healthy women. In a corner a rejected and discarded looking girl was also standing. On her, nobody paid attention. She was very emaciated teenaged girl with lean and thin body. Skeleton of bones were thin and the flesh was hanging like the cloth on a rope. Her hair was like dry bunch of straw similar to the nest of house sparrow. Aamir (R.A.) took pity on this women and purchased her at very small sum. He told her,- come women, follow me, we will go to market for essential purchase for Ramadan. As she was, already throughout  all the year remained on fasting, She remarked Aamir (R.A) ---------Alhamdulillah I have been observing fast all the months like Ramadan.  She fasted in the day and stood in the salaat for all the nights. 

When Eid came nearer Aamir (R.A) said the women now, you have to come with me tomorrow for Eid purchase.  Women remarked, my master it seems you are  too much absorbed in the worldly affairs then remembering God.  She went  towards her room in the house and started her salaat. when she recited sixteenth verse of surah Ibrahim which tells us.

“Hell is before him and he is made to drink boiling fetid water on the dooms day (for disbeliever or week believer)” she repeated it again and again,  a number of times and ultimately gave out a big cry and then breathed her last. What an explicit example of fear of Almighty, taken to nerves by her true devotion towards God.

                                         

Jumah Mubarak

The Strange Cloud and The farmer.

Once in a village the rainfall was very scarce and scanty leading to famine like condition The crop plants in need of rain could not develop and survive. The crop at large dwindled causing hardship and led to harassing condition and people could not know what to do although the residents of the village were not sinners, They were innocent They approached the religious people for the favour of praying  Almighty to avert the hardship.  It was done, but of no avail and the prayers did not produce positive results. The efforts of religious authority were in vain.

Villagers observed that the agricultural area near their farms, possessed by an ordinary farmer was however green with normal development of plants, resulting into good crop yield. The other farmers thought and decided to know the reason for his green field with normal crop yield they approached the master of the farm and very politely asked the reason for his agricultural field being green with normal yield. The innocent farmer told  see! I am an ordinary farmer like you but I have been practicing for a very long time in regard to distribution of my crop yield, The yield is divided by me in three parts 33 percent of the yield  is preserved for the sowing in the coming season, the next 33 percent of the produce is for my family consumption, while the remaining 34 percent I distribute among to crippled, the poor, needy parentless children and very old widows etc .This I do for getting favour of His raza.  Almighty be pleased with me. The Almighty is extending His help this regular practice is enabling me to discharges of my duty towards helpless people with none to care or support them.

He further revealed, that in the nights, I see in the clear blue sky some dense clouds appear and (when crop need water) cause the rain, on my land (Devine Help) and then disappear. Probably it is the gift of God that I have been enjoying His favour.  I strongly believe in God and every time I Offer my thanks for this mercy shown to me. The villagers were given the lesson in regard to feeding the needy, in order to please Almighty. And win His favour.

Diseases of Tounge

Story of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great is known as the most powerful military leader and conqueror of the ancient world. Before the turned 30 years old he conquered an empire stretching over 3,000 miles from Greece to India. He was born in 365 BC in Macedonia, known today as northern Greece.

On his sickbed and during his last hour alive, Alexander the Great told his generals “After my death, when you put my body in the casket, let my arms hang over the edges with my  palms wide open, so the public can see my empty hands while I am leaving the world.” After he died, many dignitaries came to view the royal funeral and were very surprised to see his arms hanging over the edge of the casket with his palms wide open. They asked questions about this unique scene.  A wise man told them “O People, Alexander the Great is telling us that when he ruled the world, great treasures of gold, silver and wealth came to be under his possession. Yet, indeed he is leaving the world empty handed.”

Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Three things follow the bier of a dead man, two of them come back and one is left with him: the members of his family, wealth and his good deeds. The members of his family  and wealth come back while his deeds alone are left with him.(Sahih Muslim)

Ya Rab

Saqti Sirri(R.A) and The Slave Women

Sirri(R.A) has been eminent pious personality.One day he bought a slave women paying few Dinaar to attend on him. Everything remained as usual for a few days but one day he came to know and found that the women has selected a corner in the house reserved for her salaat. One day Sirri(R.A) noticed that after performing her salaat the women was supplicating before Almighty saying – by the love Thou Hast for her please do me this --- (favor). Instantly Sirri(R.A) heard and could not bear this statement of hers shouted in harsh voice, tried to correct her by saying ---- say,by the love that I have for you Allah ---- but the women retorted oh my master Sirri(R.A) if Almighty had not loved me. He would not have made me stand for salaat and infact on the other hand- you are deprived from the same.On hearing her,Sirri(R.A) could not get the meaning contained in her saying. Later he was taken aback and was moved by the statement, pondered over it, on reconciliation he solved discreet fact regarding, mutual love between creator and creature and ultimately he became submissive Next day on learning the lesson form the lady he decided to set her free giving some gifts remarked- that she was exclusively meant for Allah’s service solely and wholly.

Yes it is true. Out of love, only, ALLAH in the Holy book calls our beloved Prophet – Oh Muzammil,----------------- Oh Mudassir -----

The Drunk Turns Righteous

Once Saqti  Sirri(R.A) happened to pass through a street of town. His attention was shifted to see a heavily dunk person of his town lying prostrate with his dust clad clothes and sand occluded face with scratches on his body caused by the hard stony path Sirri(R.A) came near him and turned him, to his utter surprise he heard the person whispering, remembering ALLAH ALLAH from movement of his lips even in this drunk condition. Sirri(R.A) some how managed to shift the drunk, washed his mouth as well as his body and clothes he murmured with himself that this man in this bad state is not aware what a pious and divine name he is uttering from the filthy foul smelling mouth.

When the person retained his consciousness he was told by the people about the incident and informed him that Saqti(R.A) washed his face and cleaned him

The man held high esteem and regards for revered Sirri(R.A), therefore he felt highly ashamed, full of sorrow began to curse himself putting his head down, started shedding tears and weeping for a long time. Then, he said towards directing his soul – o, be ashamed, shameful soule do you know Sirri(R.A) have seen you in this state. Fearing from thought, repented for ever for this misdeed. He then reconciled himself for the refinement

On the same night Sirri(R.A) was reported to have listen in his dream the divine voice stated oh, Sirri(R.A) you have washed the mouth of that man for my sake (Allah) now i have washed his mouth for your sake. It means that Allah made him at par with Sirri(R.A) in terms of devotion

After a few hours Sirri(R.A) left for masjid to offer late night prayer (Tahajjud). To his extreme surprise and astonishment he saw the same person engrossed in thajjud salaat with full devotion as if keeping in unison with God with half closed eyes

When both performed and completed salaat, Sirri(R.A) asked him as to how this revolution came in him. Quickly the man replied pointing towards Sirri(R.A) saying – Oh Sirri(R.A) Why  you are asking me this question, while The reality is that you, your self have already been apprised by the Great Allah about the truth

By the grace of God and strong bonding with Him he was completely changed and it is easy and possible for Almighty to turn evil or devil in to pious and righteous soul that leads to become His wali. Life of such people may undergo salvation and can act as beacon for others to follow towards success in the court of ALMIGHTY ALLAH. 

Prophet's Message for Humanity

Army of Elephants

The following incident is mentioned in Surah Feel of the Holy Quran and it happened during the period of the birth-year of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Abraha Al-Ashram was the governor of Yemen on behalf of the king of Ethiopia. He (Abrahah) thought to build a house (like the kabah at Makkah) in Sana (the capital of Yemen) and call the Arabs to perform the pilgrimage there in Sana instead of the kabah in Makkah, with the intention of diverting the trade and benefits from makkah to Yemen. He presented his idea to the king of Ethipopia who agreed to it. So the house (church) was built and he named it Al-Qullais; there  was no church of its like at that time. Then a man from the Quraish tribe of Makkah came there and was infuriated by it, so he relieved his nature (stools and urine ) in  it, soiled its walls and went away. When Abrahah Al-Ashram saw that, he could not control his anger and raised an army to invade Makkah and demolish the Kabah. He had in that army thirteen elephants and amongst them was an elephant called Mahud which was the biggest of them. So that army proceeded an none amongst the Arab tribes that faced them (fought against them ) but was killed and defeated, till it approached near makkah. Then there took place negotiations between Abrahah Al-Ashram and the chief of Makkah (Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim, the grandfather of the Prophet), and it was concluded that Abrahah would restore the camels of Abdul Muttalib which he had taken away, and then he (Abrahah) would decide himself as regards the kahah. Abdul Muttalib ordered the men of Makkah to evacuate the city and go to the top of the mountains along with their wives and children in sac some harm should come to them from the invading oppressors. Then that army moved towards Makkah till they reached valley Muhassir. While the army was marching towards Makkah, in the middle of the valley, suddenly it was overtaken by flocks of birds, flocks after flocks, air-raiding that army with small stones slightly bigger than a lentil seed. There never fell a stone on a soldier except ti dissolved his flesh and burst it into pieces. So they perished with a total destruction. Abrahah Al-Ashram fled away while his flesh was bursting into pieces till he died on the way (back to Yemen). Such was the victory bestowed by Allah, (the All- Majestic, All- powerful) to the people of Makkah and such was the protection provided by Him for His House (Kabah In Makkah).

Great Sunnah

Jumma Mubarak

Prayer of a Sick Person

Imam Baihaqi has stated on the authority of Hadhrat Ali (ra) who stated: “Once, I was present with the prophet (peace be upon him). At that time, I had fallen so much sick that I prayed to Alllah Almighty to grant me death if I am destined to die so that I may  get relief from the sickness, otherwise, I may be restored to normal health from the sickness if I have to live for sometime. I, also, prayed for being granted patience if this sickness is a test for me from Allah Almighty,” Hearing that, the Prophet beat Ali with his foot and observed: “Oh Ali! Repeat what you were saying.” Ali (ra) stated that he became healthy the same day and the pain never appeared again.

Wonderful Image of Kabah

A Man Fear of Allah

One day, Malik bin Dinar (Rahimaullah) was passing by a place when he noticed a young man wearing old clothes and crying by the roadside. His name was Uthbah. Sweat was dripping down his body even though the temperature was a very cold at that time. Malik bin Dinar became very surprised at this scene and asked Uthbah, “Oh young man, why are you crying? And why are you sweating during this cold temperature?”

Uthbah replied, “ Once, I committed a sin at this place. Today, as I was passing by this place, I remembered that sin.”

Look how pious were that early Muslims. Today, we are committing thousands of sings, yet, we are walking around with happiness and joy as if we have nothing to worry about.

Al Quran

Junaid Baghdadi and The Bird

Once some body presented a gift to Junaid Baghdadi. It was a living Bird which he caged and kept for a few days but one day he set it free for free flight. His companions  asked the reason, he, explained that the bird had very humbly conveyed  saying  me O Junaid. I feel Sorry When I see that you are meeting Your friends and enjoying their company while on the other hand  you are keeping me away from my friends and inside this cage.  Based on this fact I felt pity on it and let it go.  While flying, it informed  that any person, bird, or animal when keeps it self busy in the remembrance of almighty it remains free and enjoys freedom but as soon as it diverts its mind form remembering  God , It gets arrested and trapped. O Junaid I only for one day did not remember God so I was punished for the sin of keeping  my self in closed strong cage. Remember what will happen to those who remain away from remembering Almighty more frequently. I promise before you that now on I will never keep my attention  away from remembering God it then flew away to soaring height.

Junaid Baghdadi revealed later that the  same bird used  to see me in my house and sometimes used to eat tiny leftover crumbs too.

                              When Junaid Baghdadi Passed away the same bird fell down near his body and with great agony it was also dead and cold.

Some body saw Junaid  in his dream and was apprised that because he ( Junaid) felt pity on the bird consequently Great Almighty showered His  mercy on him. so he is fine there in his grave. 

Five Things

Inspiration getting form Daughter.

An elderly religious person explains an episode that he was catching fishes from nearby river by a small fishing net.  on his back side his child Daughter was instructed to sit and collect the fishes caught by him After some time he get  tired looked back and asked about the fishes Daughter replied that She put back and had thrown all the fishes one by one in the same river, he  asked about why did she do so ? You have spoil my labor the daughter replied that o father you yourself explained once, that only those fishes are caught in the net which become careless and distract them self  from remembering Almighty so I remember it  and thought that if  we consume Such  fishes perhaps we may  also divert our mind  in remembering the God and displease the Almighty to  face his punishment there fore.  I threw all the fishes back in the river .

Juma Muabrak

H Musa (A S) and the Green creature

On a calm day H. Musa Happened to pass through an uninhabited place in the wilderness and solitude abruptly  a thought cropped  up in his mind as he presumed that in such a place I think no one else then him is batter soul to remember God . So he had developed sense of pride which is uncalled  for  a prophet .

Instantly he heard chorus of various living things that where praising God with different words from up and inside the earth

Soon he heard the command of Almighty who ordered  H.Musa to strike his stick on the raised hard rock in front of him. H Musa did the same and observed a crack appeared in a strong rock, recessed apart and water from below was gushing in the cracked space. He was again instructed to strike his stick on the water, to his astonishment, he saw a small green creature hopped up with jerk and got positioned  on a piece of rock that appeared in the mid of gushing water it was continually uttering spectrum of words of remembrance of Almighty .

H. Musa asked the Creature and was replied that hundred of years back it was under this water, later the rocky pieces approached nearer  and sealed it  from the above leaving it in darkness.

On this creature thought what could be better place for remembering  God then this place of undisturbed surrounding.  Since than it gets water two times a day but it  has not been drinking it because if it did so, the time taken in drinking will be without remembering  God may be for few seconds  during this discontinuance if death approaches then Almighty may become angry on it and it is sure to get punishment, so , by refusing the given water it is able to remember God  nonstop

H. Musa after this incident almost felt unconscious and requested Almighty to forgive and pardon him for the proudy thought that interrupted his mind.

Micro or mega living /Nonliving plants and Birds are all created by God for his remembrance and praise and each keeps busy in the remembrance but what about us- the best creation of God. Do we also do the same ? Shame on  people like us which engage in other worldly affairs instead of divine ZiKR of ALLAH.

Note:

It Is an admitted fact that stories of pious and Godly people are meant  to derive benefit, they serve as beacon of basic faith and its practices, and in turn Almighty’s blessing and mercy and encouragement  in the heart of such people are bound to come.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)

The Holy Prophet (SAW) Said: 
1) Four things that make your body sick:
a) Excessive talking
b) Excessive sleeping
c) Excessive eating and
d) Excessive meeting other people

Importance of Saying Insha Allah

During a Jumah Khutbah in a small town, an Imam talked about the significance of saying “InshaAllah” (Which means id Allah Wills) when planning to do something in the future. After a few days, a man who had also attended the Khutbah was going to buy a cow from the market. On the way, he met a friend who asked him where he was going. He told him about buying the cow but did not say InshaAllah in the end. His friend reminded him to say InshaAllah. However, this individual said that he had the money he needs and the energy to go to the market, thus, there is no point of saying InshaAllah as he will certainly buy the cow. He thought that saying InshaAllah will not make any difference.

When he reached the market, he found a cow that met his expectations. He bargained  with the seller and came to a reasonable price. Finally, he decided to pay for the cow but was dumbfounded when he discovered that his money was missing. A thief had stolen the money while he was walking through the busy market. The cow seller asked him whether he was going to buy the cow or not. “Insha Allah, I will buy it next week,” he said. When he reached home, his wife inquired about the cow. He told her about how he forgot to say InshaAllah, I wanted to buy the cow. But InshaAllah, my money was stolen. Insha Allah , I will buy it next week.” His wife clarified to him that we should say InshaAllah for things that are yet to happen, not for those things that had already happened. He never forgot his “Insha Allah” again.

DUA

Hachiko - The Dog

In 1934, a bronze statue of a dog called Hachiko was erected at the Shibuya  Train station in Tokyo, Japan. The story of this dog is mentioned below.

Hachhiko was born in 1923 and was owned by eisaburo Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. The professor used to take a train from the Shibuya Station every day to go to the university. Each day Hachiko accompanied the professor to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting for his master and wagging its tail. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home, As usual, the dog waited at the train station that day for his master to return back. However, seeing that he wasn’t coming back, Hachiko waited till night fell and retuned back home. The next day Hachiko went back to the train station again, waiting for his master to come back. He patiently waited till sunset and then retuned back home. The dog was so devoted to the professor that he continued to visit the train station everyday for the next 10 years! The people who passed the loyal dog each day were so touched by his statue in his honor in 1934.

In 1935, Hachiko died at he very same spot where he used to wait for his master.

Dear readers, we should take a lesson from this story for ourselves. By reciting the kalimah of Tawheed, all of us have taken an oath to be loyal to our Master, Allah Ta’ala. Now, we should look deep into ourselves and check to see how much lover we really have for Allah in our hearts. 

Ya Allah

The Camels

In the times of Umar (Radiallahuanhu) there was a severe famine. All the people of madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthaman (Radiallahuanhu) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. “Five percent, “ they said. He answered that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him. Saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote. He said to them, “I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham (Arabian currency).” He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Ta’ala mentioned this profit. “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the llikeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs,  All-knower.”(2:261).

“O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!” said Uthman (Radiallahu anhu.)

Dear readers, what ever we give for the sake of Allah is really ours and whatever we keep  with us will one day be someone else’s. Let us follow the footsteps of our prophet and the pious Sahabah, with whom Allah was pleased with, by helping the needy ones in this  blessed month of Ramadan.

The Emperor And The Seed

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he  decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you.”

The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. “I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed. Water it and come back here one year from today with what you grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!”

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story . She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew, Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn’t have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by-still nothing in Ling’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but  he had nothing. Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But  honest about  what happened, Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, “Hey nice try.”

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried  to hide in the back. “My, what  great plants, trees and flowers you have  grown,” said the emperor. “Today, one of you will be appointed the next  emperor!” All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. “The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!”

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. “My name is Ling.” He replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, “ Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!” Ling coudn’t  believe it. Ling  couldn’t  even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor? Then the emperor  said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to  take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not  grow. All of you, except  Ling, have brought me  trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be  the new emperor!”

The Prophet taught, “Truthfulness  leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and  Al-Fajur (wickedness leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling  lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.” {Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8:116}

Jummah Mubarak

Thank Allah for Your Eyesight.

Did You Thank Allah for Your Eyesight?

A Blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said; “I am blind, please help. “There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said. “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”

What he had written was:

“Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it.”

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saving the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

“It is He, Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears),sight (eyes), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give.”

{Surah Al- Mu’minun; 78}

Dua

The Kabah

  One never tires of gazing at the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa’ba The site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing, comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa’ba; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases.

Once, while on a visit to Washington, People told me that a woman had accepted Islam and had some questions for me. They told me that many non-practicing Muslim women had started practicing again due to her. At prayer time she would dress in her best clothes as if readying herself for someone special, and would become oblivious  to everything around her as soon she started praying. 

After a brief question and answer session, I asked her what prompted her to accept Islam. She sighed adn started explaining; “ I was a Jew and my husband was a Christian who was posted in Saudi Arabia for some technical work. Everyday I used to see Muslim men and women dressed in white on their way somewhere. I asked my husband where they were going and he told me that they go to  perform pilgrimage at the Muslim shrine of Kaa’ba. I expressed a desire to  go but he told me that non-Muslims were not allowed. However, I was determined and so we both bought white clothes and set out. Fortunately no one stopped us and we reached Makkah, from where we found directions to the Kaa’ba Upon seeing the Kaa’ba our eyes froze and time seemed to  stand still. When we turned to look at each other after some time, we were both crying. With our eyes we told each other that this was the Truth and we should accept Islam. No one ever told me about Islam, but there were so many blessings descending on that House that they changed  my life forever.” The blessings of Tawhid descend In Makkah, and the blessings of prophethood descend  in Madinah. One has seen nothing in life  if he has not seen these two holy sites. May Allah give all Muslims the opportunity to visit to His house.

Steps to Happiness

Giant Ship Engine that Failed

The following is an incident about an engine failure in a giant ship. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with  him and when he arrived, he immediately went  to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do.  After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer, He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.

“What ?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”

So they wrote the old man a note saying, “Please send us an itemized bill.”

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $2.00

Knowing where to tap $9998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference. Knowledge in Islam is highly valued. Knowledge will benefit us in this world and in the here after

Give us a Chance To See Madina