A
poorly dressed Muslim lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked
into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most
humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She
softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they
had seven children and they needed food. The grocer scoffed at her and
requested that she leave his store.
Visualizing
the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money
just as soon as I can." He told her he could not give her credit, as she
did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the
conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the
grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?"
Muslim lady replied, "Yes sir"
"OK" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your
grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." She
hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse
and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then
laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still
bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the
scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales,
turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe
it."
The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on
the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued
to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no
more.
The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the
piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.
It was not a grocery list; it was a prayer, which said: "Ya Allah (SWT),
you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in
stunned silence. The Muslim lady thanked him and left the store. The
customer handed a fifty dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was
worth every penny of it." Only Allah (SWT) knows how much a prayer
weighs.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Why do we read Noble Qur'an, even we can't understand Arabic?
An old Muslim lived on a farm with his young grandson. Each morning
Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Noble Qur'an.
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa, I try to read the Noble Qur'an just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Noble Qur'an do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The Grandfather said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The Grandfather said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Noble Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read the Noble Qur'an, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah (SWT) in our lives."
The best way to learn is to share what you have learned and practice it in your life
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa, I try to read the Noble Qur'an just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Noble Qur'an do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The Grandfather said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The Grandfather said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Noble Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read the Noble Qur'an, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah (SWT) in our lives."
The best way to learn is to share what you have learned and practice it in your life
Penyakit:Sebuah teguran
Setiap insan tentu pernah merasai sakit.Ada yang sekedar sakit kepala, batuk, atau demam...ada pula yang menghidap sakit kronik seperti kencing manis atau sakit jantung. Ada orang yang senang sakit, ada pula orang yang tak mudah kena penyakit. Saya pula jenis orang yang jarang sakit, tapi sekali kena penyakit, boleh drop bin lembek hingga sebulan lamanya( hehehe....... ), habis rosak semua jadual harian saya.
Tapi pada saya, ketika sakit itulah Tuhan bagi peluang untuk muhasabah diri. Terlalu banyak kekurangan,kesilapan dan kecuaian yang sudah berlaku ketika saya sihat. Ketika sakit,barulah saya boleh nampak apa-apa yang selama ini terlepas pandang. Ketika sakit,barulah saya memahami nikmatnya kesihatan. Saya yakin, anda semua sependapat dengan saya.
Tapi ada seperkara yang sangat menyentuh hati. Ketika sakit, my husband memberi nasihat : " Kalau sakit tak baik mengeluh, nanti Tuhan marah." Subhanallah......sebagai insan yang lemah, sememangnya manusia mempunyai sifat suka berkeluh kesah.Semoga Allah jadikan kita hamba-Nya yang sentiasa bersyukur dan bermuhasabah diri. Ada banyak perkara di dunia ini yang sukar diterima akal dan nafsu insani, tapi tidak mustahil bagi Allah Rabbul Izzati. Wallahu'alam.
Tapi pada saya, ketika sakit itulah Tuhan bagi peluang untuk muhasabah diri. Terlalu banyak kekurangan,kesilapan dan kecuaian yang sudah berlaku ketika saya sihat. Ketika sakit,barulah saya boleh nampak apa-apa yang selama ini terlepas pandang. Ketika sakit,barulah saya memahami nikmatnya kesihatan. Saya yakin, anda semua sependapat dengan saya.
Tapi ada seperkara yang sangat menyentuh hati. Ketika sakit, my husband memberi nasihat : " Kalau sakit tak baik mengeluh, nanti Tuhan marah." Subhanallah......sebagai insan yang lemah, sememangnya manusia mempunyai sifat suka berkeluh kesah.Semoga Allah jadikan kita hamba-Nya yang sentiasa bersyukur dan bermuhasabah diri. Ada banyak perkara di dunia ini yang sukar diterima akal dan nafsu insani, tapi tidak mustahil bagi Allah Rabbul Izzati. Wallahu'alam.
Menjadi Ibu : Sebuah Amanah
Setiap orang mesti mempunyai pengalaman tersendiri dengan ibu masing-masing. Disayang, dibelai, dimanja......dimarahi atau dicubit......ada pahit manisnya tersendiri. Menjadi kenangan, ingatan, pengalaman yang boleh dikongsi dengan anak cucu kelak.
Sebagai seorang ibu, saya banyak belajar daripada ibu dan arwah ibunda mertua saya, kedua-duanya saya panggil dengan sebutan "MAMA",tiada beza. Belajar bagaimana menjadi seorang isteri dan ibu yang baik, belajar memasak dan segala sesuatu mengenai "Kehidupan" ini.
Kedua puteri kami yang comel mulai membesar. Soalan demi soalan sering ditanyakan. Adakalanya melucukan, adakalanya buat pening kepala. Yang paling menyentuh hati apabila soalan yang ditanyakan ternyata sama dengan soalan yang pernah saya tanyakan pada mama. Adakalanya juga mereka bercerita tentang masalah yang dihadapi dengan pelajaran dan rakan-rakan sekolah. Tersenyum lebar saya dibuatnya, masalah yang hampir serupa seolah "menjawab soalan dengan melihat kunci jawaban".
Ketika berasa marah dengan kerenah dan kenakalan mereka pula, saya banyak bercermin dengan apa yang berlaku pada diri sendiri plus nasihat dari kedua-dua Mama. Merekalah sumber rujukan saya.
Menjadi seorang ibu, ada senang dan susahnya. Perlu sentiasa belajar dan memperbaiki diri. Bukanlah nak digelar ibu mithali, tapi berusaha menjadi dan memberi yang terbaik untuk anak-anak sendiri.Memperkaya pengalaman pribadi supaya boleh menjadi contoh dan bekal hidup yang baik untuk anak cucu kelak.
Berbahagialah anda semua yang sudah bergelar ibu. Di bahu anda tergalas tanggung jawab membesarkan dan mendidik anak-anak dengan kasih sayang yang sempurna. Anak-anak adalah amanah. Tapi menjadi ibu juga satu amanah. Di dalamnya banyak keberkahan. Semoga Allah sentiasa merahmati dan membimbing kita dalam menggalas amanah ini. Amin........
Sebagai seorang ibu, saya banyak belajar daripada ibu dan arwah ibunda mertua saya, kedua-duanya saya panggil dengan sebutan "MAMA",tiada beza. Belajar bagaimana menjadi seorang isteri dan ibu yang baik, belajar memasak dan segala sesuatu mengenai "Kehidupan" ini.
Kedua puteri kami yang comel mulai membesar. Soalan demi soalan sering ditanyakan. Adakalanya melucukan, adakalanya buat pening kepala. Yang paling menyentuh hati apabila soalan yang ditanyakan ternyata sama dengan soalan yang pernah saya tanyakan pada mama. Adakalanya juga mereka bercerita tentang masalah yang dihadapi dengan pelajaran dan rakan-rakan sekolah. Tersenyum lebar saya dibuatnya, masalah yang hampir serupa seolah "menjawab soalan dengan melihat kunci jawaban".
Ketika berasa marah dengan kerenah dan kenakalan mereka pula, saya banyak bercermin dengan apa yang berlaku pada diri sendiri plus nasihat dari kedua-dua Mama. Merekalah sumber rujukan saya.
Menjadi seorang ibu, ada senang dan susahnya. Perlu sentiasa belajar dan memperbaiki diri. Bukanlah nak digelar ibu mithali, tapi berusaha menjadi dan memberi yang terbaik untuk anak-anak sendiri.Memperkaya pengalaman pribadi supaya boleh menjadi contoh dan bekal hidup yang baik untuk anak cucu kelak.
Berbahagialah anda semua yang sudah bergelar ibu. Di bahu anda tergalas tanggung jawab membesarkan dan mendidik anak-anak dengan kasih sayang yang sempurna. Anak-anak adalah amanah. Tapi menjadi ibu juga satu amanah. Di dalamnya banyak keberkahan. Semoga Allah sentiasa merahmati dan membimbing kita dalam menggalas amanah ini. Amin........
Monday, May 20, 2013
Battle of Khayber
On 24th of the Islamic month of Rajab in 7 AH, the impregnable fortress
of Qamous in the vast tract of Khaybar, 150 km north of Medina on the
road to Damascus, was single-handedly captured by the Commander of the
Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), who after overcoming in personal combat the
fearsome Israelite warlords, Marhab and Antar, pulled from its hinges
the huge gateway that several Jewish strongmen used to open and close.
Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) had to undertake the campaign on learning of the plots and seditions of the ever-rebellious Israelites, who in violation of the accords with him were contemplating military measures, including raid on Medina, in addition to their funding of pagan Arab tribes to attack Muslims from time to time.
The Prophet’s sudden arrival on the scene with some 1,500-odd Muslims caught the estimated 10,000 armed Israelite force off guard, and forced the leaders of various Jewish tribes to agree to pay tribute. Of the forts that resisted, the Muslims forced almost all of them to surrender after several weeks of siege.
The principal Israelite fortress of Qamous, however, not just continued to hold out but its defenders drove away with losses the expeditions led by the Prophet’s companions. At last the Prophet said he would be giving the command tomorrow to the person “who loves God and the Prophet and is in turn loved by God and the Prophet; an intrepid attacker (Karrar) who never retreats (Ghayra Farrar).”
On the morning the Prophet invoked the famous phrase “Nad-e Aliyyan Mazhar al-Aja’eb” (Call Ali the Manifestation of Wonders). His dear cousin and son-in-law, who because of eye inflammation was not participating in the campaign, was brought before him. The Prophet applied his saliva to the Imam’s eyes, which were miraculously cured.
The rest is history, and the Prophet gave fair terms to the Jews after surrender, allowing them to live in peace. It is worth noting that before this campaign the Prophet had received the vast orchard of Fadak as a personal gift without the involvement of arms, Muslims, and hostilities. On God’s command he gave Fadak to his daughter, Hazrat Fatema Zahra (SA), who used to spend its income for the poor and needy, until it was seized from her by the first and second caliphs.
Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) had to undertake the campaign on learning of the plots and seditions of the ever-rebellious Israelites, who in violation of the accords with him were contemplating military measures, including raid on Medina, in addition to their funding of pagan Arab tribes to attack Muslims from time to time.
The Prophet’s sudden arrival on the scene with some 1,500-odd Muslims caught the estimated 10,000 armed Israelite force off guard, and forced the leaders of various Jewish tribes to agree to pay tribute. Of the forts that resisted, the Muslims forced almost all of them to surrender after several weeks of siege.
The principal Israelite fortress of Qamous, however, not just continued to hold out but its defenders drove away with losses the expeditions led by the Prophet’s companions. At last the Prophet said he would be giving the command tomorrow to the person “who loves God and the Prophet and is in turn loved by God and the Prophet; an intrepid attacker (Karrar) who never retreats (Ghayra Farrar).”
On the morning the Prophet invoked the famous phrase “Nad-e Aliyyan Mazhar al-Aja’eb” (Call Ali the Manifestation of Wonders). His dear cousin and son-in-law, who because of eye inflammation was not participating in the campaign, was brought before him. The Prophet applied his saliva to the Imam’s eyes, which were miraculously cured.
The rest is history, and the Prophet gave fair terms to the Jews after surrender, allowing them to live in peace. It is worth noting that before this campaign the Prophet had received the vast orchard of Fadak as a personal gift without the involvement of arms, Muslims, and hostilities. On God’s command he gave Fadak to his daughter, Hazrat Fatema Zahra (SA), who used to spend its income for the poor and needy, until it was seized from her by the first and second caliphs.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The famous Egyptian jurist, reformist and religious scholar, Shaikh Mohammad Abduh
On July 12, 1905 AD, the famous Egyptian jurist, reformist and religious
scholar, Shaikh Mohammad Abduh, passed away in Alexandria, at the age
of 56 years. He was a product of al-Azhar where he studied logic,
philosophy and mysticism. When the great Iranian pan Islamist scholar,
Seyyed Jamal ad-Din Asadabadi, arrived in Egypt, Abduh became his
student and was deeply influenced by him.
On being appointed editor-in-chief of al-Waqa'e al-Misriyya, the official newspaper of the country, he dedicated to reforming all aspects of Egyptian society. In his articles he criticized corruption, superstition, and the luxurious lives of the rich. He was exiled from Egypt in 1882 for six years, which he spent in Lebanon and Paris, where he joined Seyyed Jamaleddin in publishing the Islamic revolutionary journal "al-Urwat-al-Wusqa" which promoted anti-colonial views. Abduh also visited Germany and Britain and during his exile dedicated his efforts toward furthering respect and friendship amongst Muslims and Christians.
He returned to Egypt in 1888. In 1890, he became a consultative member of the Court of Appeal and in 1899, he was appointed Mufti of Egypt – a position he held until he died. He embarked on reforming the education system at al-Azhar having come to the conclusion that Muslims suffer from ignorance about their own religion because of the despotism of unjust rulers.
He was a prolific writer, and among his works is a commentary on Nahj al-Balagha, the famous collection of the sermons, letters, and maxims of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) – a book, which Abduh reintroduced to the Egyptians, seven centuries after the end of Fatemid rule.
On being appointed editor-in-chief of al-Waqa'e al-Misriyya, the official newspaper of the country, he dedicated to reforming all aspects of Egyptian society. In his articles he criticized corruption, superstition, and the luxurious lives of the rich. He was exiled from Egypt in 1882 for six years, which he spent in Lebanon and Paris, where he joined Seyyed Jamaleddin in publishing the Islamic revolutionary journal "al-Urwat-al-Wusqa" which promoted anti-colonial views. Abduh also visited Germany and Britain and during his exile dedicated his efforts toward furthering respect and friendship amongst Muslims and Christians.
He returned to Egypt in 1888. In 1890, he became a consultative member of the Court of Appeal and in 1899, he was appointed Mufti of Egypt – a position he held until he died. He embarked on reforming the education system at al-Azhar having come to the conclusion that Muslims suffer from ignorance about their own religion because of the despotism of unjust rulers.
He was a prolific writer, and among his works is a commentary on Nahj al-Balagha, the famous collection of the sermons, letters, and maxims of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) – a book, which Abduh reintroduced to the Egyptians, seven centuries after the end of Fatemid rule.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
In Islam every day is Mother's Day
One day a man came to see the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny.
It seemed that he was trying to solve something but couldn't quite work
it out. So he asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him and his progeny. "Tell me, O Prophet of Allah! I have many relatives
and many friends whom I love, and whom I wish to care for and help. But
I often find it difficult to decide which of them has the greatest
claim upon me? Which of them should come first?" The Prophet Muhammad,
peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny replied immediately,
"Your mother should come first and before all others."
The man was very pleased to have this clear guidance from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny. But of course there were all his other relatives and his friends, so he asked again: "And after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me?" The Prophet Muhammad's, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny reply this second time surprised him. "Your mother!" he said again.
The man wondered why the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny was repeating himself. Perhaps he had not spoken clearly, the man thought, so he asked the question again, "What I want to know is, after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me? Again the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny said "your mother!"
The man was very pleased to have this clear guidance from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny. But of course there were all his other relatives and his friends, so he asked again: "And after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me?" The Prophet Muhammad's, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny reply this second time surprised him. "Your mother!" he said again.
The man wondered why the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny was repeating himself. Perhaps he had not spoken clearly, the man thought, so he asked the question again, "What I want to know is, after my mother, who has the greatest claim upon me? Again the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny said "your mother!"
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Determination
by Amina bint Al Huda
It
was a gloomy, overcast night. The wind was blowing and it was going to
storm. Khadijah and her three young children were sitting on an old worn
carpet in their room Khadijah looked out the window often, trying not
to draw her children’s attention. She was worried that the storm would
break before her husband arrived. Finally, hearing the key turn in the
lock, she quickly got up, telling her children to go welcome their
father.
"Oh mother", said the youngest child, "Has he brought us food?" She gently scolded him, saying, "This is not important. Don't ask him this question." The children ran towards their father and, although she was upset, Khadijah, too, greeted him with a smile. Her husband had brought a few pieces of bread and cheese, which he handed to his wife. She soon served the simple meal on plates that had lost their colour through long use.
Khadijah spoke cheerfully while they ate and later the children slept, dreaming of sweets, toys and games. Their parents sat quietly for a while.
"So this year is about to end," Khadijah's husband, Hassan, said bitterly, "And I still haven't found a job. We have spent our savings and sold what we could of our furniture. We have nothing left with which to fight our hunger."
His wife replied, "We still have faith and determination, which are the keys to all which is good and brings happiness."
"What good thing or happiness has our faith brought us? Our children are wearing torn clothes and are hungry. It is this very faith that has made life difficult for us, and it is guidance, which has led us to poverty! In the past we were living in luxury..."
Khadijah interrupted her husband, asking, "What kind of luxury was it? Since when has gambling been a way of providing for one's family! Allah has said that gambling is forbidden to Muslims. How could we have been happy knowing that the food we ate and the clothes we wore would send us to the Fire in the Hereafter? Our gain caused others to go hungry and naked!
"Yes, Khadijah," Hassan said. "I know you are right. For these very reasons I gave up gambling, but it has brought us nothing. I thank you for helping me out of that bottomless pit. All praise belongs to Allah for His guidance. Still, poverty is bitter and the shamefulness of being needy is almost unbearable."
Upon hearing these words, Khadijah consoled him saying, "Oh Hassan, it is only temporary. Allah says that with every difficulty comes relief. The life of the Hereafter is the real and endless one. We still have hope. This future, everlasting life is the one we should care about and make ready with good deeds. Don't regret what has passed; instead, thank I Allah for possessing the means of obtaining His forgiveness. Happiness belongs to those who are patient while facing hardships and avoid disobeying Allah."
"Oh Khadijah, I am not without hope, but I'm afraid that Satan will cause me to sin- then I will fall and lose everything."
"I still have my gold wedding ring," his wife said.
"Tomorrow I shall sell it and we will have money for a while. Almighty Allah will help us. Be confident that you will find a job, with Allah's help. Allah doesn't leave those who worship Him without hope of His compassion. You will surely see how the future will brighten for you, and how generous Allah is to those who believe."
With a sigh, her husband replied,” If you think so, I will believe you but what is the wisdom behind our hardship?"
"Oh, Hassan," She cried. "Don't you know the Qur'anic verse:
"And we will most certainly test you with what you fear, and hunger, and loss of property and lives. Therefore, give good news to the patient?" (2.157)
"But when will this hardship end?" he asked.
"As soon as we pass our test successfully," she replied. "Through patience, prayer, and avoiding sinful ways of getting money, we shall succeed."
At this point, the couple stopped talking and fell asleep, putting their trust in Allah. At dawn they awoke for their morning prayers. Afterwards, Khadijah began preparing breakfast and her husband sat down to recite some suras from the Qur'an. When the children woke up, their mother poured tea for them. One of the children asked for bread. He said, “My friend and his brothers have eggs and butter every morning."
His mother, feeling great pain in her heart, smiled, kissed him and said, "'Tomorrow, by Allah's will, you will have whatever you like."
The child innocently asked, “Why do you say: 'By Allah's will'?"
"Because," she replied, “It is Allah Who gives us everything and helps us to do our work. Without His will, we can't even breathe."
"Mother, does that mean Allah will give us eggs and bread for breakfast?"
“Yes, my son. By the will of Allah it will happen." The father listened to his wife. He was greatly surprised by her strong faith. He began to feel hopeful and confident. He started talking with his children about the days to come and how Allah would help him to find a good job. Then he would buy whatever sweets and fruits they like. Then there was a knock at the door. Wondering whom it could be at such an early hour, Hassan went to find out. When he returned, his face was shining with happiness. Upon seeing this, his wife said, "Hassan, I feel our test is over."
In a voice choking with emotion, he replied. "Yes, my dear wife, Allah, the Exalted, has ended our test. Praise to Allah, it has happened with your patience, efforts and faith. There is a hadith which says: ‘A good woman is better than 1000 men’ our hardship is finished by the grace of Allah and your strong faith."
"Was it the messenger of Hajj Sahib?"
"No, it was Hajj Sahib himself. He said that he had been looking for someone to manage his business and heard about our situation and my past experience. Allah used him as the way to save us from despair and to give us hope, as Allah promised to the patient believers. Hajj Sahib said to me, ‘You are now cleaner and purer than all of us. You are now as one newly born.’”
"Oh mother", said the youngest child, "Has he brought us food?" She gently scolded him, saying, "This is not important. Don't ask him this question." The children ran towards their father and, although she was upset, Khadijah, too, greeted him with a smile. Her husband had brought a few pieces of bread and cheese, which he handed to his wife. She soon served the simple meal on plates that had lost their colour through long use.
Khadijah spoke cheerfully while they ate and later the children slept, dreaming of sweets, toys and games. Their parents sat quietly for a while.
"So this year is about to end," Khadijah's husband, Hassan, said bitterly, "And I still haven't found a job. We have spent our savings and sold what we could of our furniture. We have nothing left with which to fight our hunger."
His wife replied, "We still have faith and determination, which are the keys to all which is good and brings happiness."
"What good thing or happiness has our faith brought us? Our children are wearing torn clothes and are hungry. It is this very faith that has made life difficult for us, and it is guidance, which has led us to poverty! In the past we were living in luxury..."
Khadijah interrupted her husband, asking, "What kind of luxury was it? Since when has gambling been a way of providing for one's family! Allah has said that gambling is forbidden to Muslims. How could we have been happy knowing that the food we ate and the clothes we wore would send us to the Fire in the Hereafter? Our gain caused others to go hungry and naked!
"Yes, Khadijah," Hassan said. "I know you are right. For these very reasons I gave up gambling, but it has brought us nothing. I thank you for helping me out of that bottomless pit. All praise belongs to Allah for His guidance. Still, poverty is bitter and the shamefulness of being needy is almost unbearable."
Upon hearing these words, Khadijah consoled him saying, "Oh Hassan, it is only temporary. Allah says that with every difficulty comes relief. The life of the Hereafter is the real and endless one. We still have hope. This future, everlasting life is the one we should care about and make ready with good deeds. Don't regret what has passed; instead, thank I Allah for possessing the means of obtaining His forgiveness. Happiness belongs to those who are patient while facing hardships and avoid disobeying Allah."
"Oh Khadijah, I am not without hope, but I'm afraid that Satan will cause me to sin- then I will fall and lose everything."
"I still have my gold wedding ring," his wife said.
"Tomorrow I shall sell it and we will have money for a while. Almighty Allah will help us. Be confident that you will find a job, with Allah's help. Allah doesn't leave those who worship Him without hope of His compassion. You will surely see how the future will brighten for you, and how generous Allah is to those who believe."
With a sigh, her husband replied,” If you think so, I will believe you but what is the wisdom behind our hardship?"
"Oh, Hassan," She cried. "Don't you know the Qur'anic verse:
"And we will most certainly test you with what you fear, and hunger, and loss of property and lives. Therefore, give good news to the patient?" (2.157)
"But when will this hardship end?" he asked.
"As soon as we pass our test successfully," she replied. "Through patience, prayer, and avoiding sinful ways of getting money, we shall succeed."
At this point, the couple stopped talking and fell asleep, putting their trust in Allah. At dawn they awoke for their morning prayers. Afterwards, Khadijah began preparing breakfast and her husband sat down to recite some suras from the Qur'an. When the children woke up, their mother poured tea for them. One of the children asked for bread. He said, “My friend and his brothers have eggs and butter every morning."
His mother, feeling great pain in her heart, smiled, kissed him and said, "'Tomorrow, by Allah's will, you will have whatever you like."
The child innocently asked, “Why do you say: 'By Allah's will'?"
"Because," she replied, “It is Allah Who gives us everything and helps us to do our work. Without His will, we can't even breathe."
"Mother, does that mean Allah will give us eggs and bread for breakfast?"
“Yes, my son. By the will of Allah it will happen." The father listened to his wife. He was greatly surprised by her strong faith. He began to feel hopeful and confident. He started talking with his children about the days to come and how Allah would help him to find a good job. Then he would buy whatever sweets and fruits they like. Then there was a knock at the door. Wondering whom it could be at such an early hour, Hassan went to find out. When he returned, his face was shining with happiness. Upon seeing this, his wife said, "Hassan, I feel our test is over."
In a voice choking with emotion, he replied. "Yes, my dear wife, Allah, the Exalted, has ended our test. Praise to Allah, it has happened with your patience, efforts and faith. There is a hadith which says: ‘A good woman is better than 1000 men’ our hardship is finished by the grace of Allah and your strong faith."
"Was it the messenger of Hajj Sahib?"
"No, it was Hajj Sahib himself. He said that he had been looking for someone to manage his business and heard about our situation and my past experience. Allah used him as the way to save us from despair and to give us hope, as Allah promised to the patient believers. Hajj Sahib said to me, ‘You are now cleaner and purer than all of us. You are now as one newly born.’”
To Mu'awiya (1)
The following is a letter to Mu'awiya and in it Imam
Ali (a) has used the same principle that he applied on Talha and Zubayr.
Imam Ali (a) in this letter has raised all the points which were once
quoted against him. He says if an election on the basis of general
franchise is the criterion to decide such a caliphate, then general
election took place to elect him the Caliph and nobody can deny this
fact, and if limited franchise (Shura) was the criterion then those who
represented this group (Muhajirs and Ansars) were amongst those who
elected him and therefore even according to the rules formulated by
opponents of Imam Ali (a) his election was lawful, regular and bonafide.
Thus no Muslim has a right to speak or act against him.
"Verily, those who took the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman have sworn allegiance to me. Now those who were present at the election have no right to go back against their oaths of allegiance and those who were not present on the occasion have no right to oppose me. AnÙ† so far as Shura (limited franchise or selection) was concerned it was supposed to be limited to Muhajirs and Ansars and it was also supposed that whomsoever they selected, became caliph as per approval and pleasure of Allah. If somebody goes against such decision, then he should be persuaded to adopt the course followed by others, and if he refuses to fall in line with others, then war is the only course left open to be adopted against him and as he has refused to follow the course followed by the Muslims, Allah will let him wander in the wilderness of his ignorance and schism.
O Mu'awiya! I am sure that if you give up self-aggrandizement and self-interest, if you forsake the idea of being alive only to personal profits and pleasures, if you cease to be actuated solely by selfishness and if you ponder over the incident leading to the murder of Uthman, you will realize that I cannot at all be held responsible for the affair and I am the least concerned with the episode. But it is a different thing that you create all these false rumours and carry on this heinous propaganda to gain your ulterior motives. Well you may do whatever you like."
"Verily, those who took the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman have sworn allegiance to me. Now those who were present at the election have no right to go back against their oaths of allegiance and those who were not present on the occasion have no right to oppose me. AnÙ† so far as Shura (limited franchise or selection) was concerned it was supposed to be limited to Muhajirs and Ansars and it was also supposed that whomsoever they selected, became caliph as per approval and pleasure of Allah. If somebody goes against such decision, then he should be persuaded to adopt the course followed by others, and if he refuses to fall in line with others, then war is the only course left open to be adopted against him and as he has refused to follow the course followed by the Muslims, Allah will let him wander in the wilderness of his ignorance and schism.
O Mu'awiya! I am sure that if you give up self-aggrandizement and self-interest, if you forsake the idea of being alive only to personal profits and pleasures, if you cease to be actuated solely by selfishness and if you ponder over the incident leading to the murder of Uthman, you will realize that I cannot at all be held responsible for the affair and I am the least concerned with the episode. But it is a different thing that you create all these false rumours and carry on this heinous propaganda to gain your ulterior motives. Well you may do whatever you like."
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
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