Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Lying in Islam

Lying In Islam
 

Allah Most Wise says:

 "Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies." [Quran:40:28]

  "Curse of Allah upon those who lie." [Quran:3:61]

The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

 " I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even if its just for the sake of fun'' [Hadith:Abu Dawud].

"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust."  (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 33; Muslim, 59) 

Hazrat Wasilah[Allah be pleased with him] reported that the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon) said: "Do not display pleasure at your brothers misfortune."[Hadith-Tirmizi]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah[RA] said: "They said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, you joke with us.' He said, 'But I only speak the truth.(Hadith-Tirmidhi, 1990) 

 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (Hadith-Ahmad)

It was narrated by Mu'aawiyah ibn Haydah[ra] that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: 'Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him." (Hadith-Tirmidhi,Abu Dawood). 

It was narrated by Asmaa´ bint Yazeed[ra] that the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: "It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people." (Hadith-Tirmidhi, 1939) 

Allah Protect us from this evil practise!

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

                       It may be  "cool"…but its an unislamic  practise of  another  fool!

The Holy Quran says: "Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies." [40:28]

                          "Curse of Allah upon those who lie." [3:61]

Origins and History of April Fool Day

There are differing opinions concerning how this day originated: 

Ø      Some said it developed from the celebrations of spring at the equinox on March 21. 

Ø      Some said that this innovation appeared in France in 1564 CE, after the introduction of a new calendar, when a person who had refused to accept the new calendar became the victim of some people who had subjected him to embarrassment and made fun of him, so he became a laughing-stock for others. 

Ø      Some said that this innovation goes back to ancient times and the pagan celebrations connected to a specific date at the beginning of spring, so this is the remnant of pagan rituals. It was said that hunting in some countries was unsuccessful during the first days of the hunt in some countries. This was the origin of these lies which are made up on the first day of April.

Ø      The Europeans call "April Fool" le poisson d'avril (lit. "April fish"). The reason for this is that the sun moves from the zodiacal house of Pisces to the next house, or because the word poisson, which means fish, is a distortion of the word passion, which means suffering, so it is a symbol of the suffering endured by Jesus (peace be upon him), according to the claims of the Christians, and they claim that this happened in the first week of April.

Ø      Presently people call this day April Fools' Day, as it is known to the English. That is because of the lies that they tell so that those who hear them might believe them and thus become a victim for those who are making fun of him. 

The first mention of April Fool in the English language was in a magazine known as Dreck Magazine. On the second day of April in 1698 CE, this magazine mentioned that a number of people were invited to come and watch the washing of black people in the Tower of London on the morning of the first day of April. 

'Aasim ibn 'Abd-Allaah al-Qurawayti  wrote that many of us celebrate what is known as April fool or, if it is translated literally, the "trick of April". But how much do we know of the bitter secret behind this day?  According to his research Islam was flourishing in Spain and the Christians after careful study concluded that it was because of the taqwa[piety] of the Muslims that Islam was so successful. So they introduced the younger Muslim generation to wine and other intoxicants and made such evils freely and cheaply available.

This tactic on the part of the Christians produced results, and the faith of the Muslims began to weaken, especially among the young generation in Spain. The result of that was that the western Catholic Christians subdued the whole of Spain and put an end to the Muslim rule of that land which had lasted for more than eight hundred years. The last stronghold of the Muslims, in Grenada, fell on April 1st, hence they considered this to be the "trick of April." 

From that year until the present, they celebrate this day and consider the Muslims to be fools. They do not regard only the army at Granada to be fools who were easily deceived, rather they apply that to the entire Muslim Ummah. It is ignorant of us to join in these celebrations, and when we imitate them blindly in implementing this evil idea, this is a kind of blind imitation which confirms the foolishness of some of us in following them. Once we know the reason for this celebration, how can we celebrate our defeat? 

Let us make a promise to ourselves never to celebrate this day. We have to learn from the Spanish and adhere to the reality of Islam and never allow our faith to be weakened again. 

 It does not matter what the origins of April fool are. What matters more is knowing the ruling on lying on this day, which we are sure did not exist during the first and best generations of Islam. It did not come from the Muslims, but rather from their enemies. 

The things that happen on April Fools' Day are many. Some people have been told that their child or spouse or someone who is dear to them has died, and unable to bear this shock, they have died. Some have been told that they are being laid off, or that there has been a fire or an accident in which their family has been killed, so they suffer paralysis or heart attacks, or similar diseases.  There are the endless stories and incidents that we hear of, all of which are lies which are forbidden in Islam and unacceptable to common sense or honest chivalry. 

We have seen how Islam forbids lying even in jest, and it forbids frightening a Muslim whether in seriousness or in jest, in words or in actions. 

Abu Umamah Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, " I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even if its just for the sake of fun'' [Abu Dawud].

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah(RA) that the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon) said:"The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust."  (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 33; Muslim, 59) 

Hazrat Wasilah[Allah be pleased with him] reported that the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon) said: "Do not display pleasure at your brothers misfortune."[Tirmizi]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah[RA] said: "They said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, you joke with us.' He said, 'But I only speak the truth.(narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1990) 

 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them." (narrated by Ahmad)

It was narrated by Mu'aawiyah ibn Haydah[ra] that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: 'Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him." (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 235. He said: this is a hasan hadeeth. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4990). 

It was narrated by Asmaa´ bint Yazeed[ra] that the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: "It is not permissible to tell lies except in three (cases): when a man speaks to his wife in a way to please her; lying in war; and lying in order to reconcile between people." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1939) 

When our Muslim Ummah is being disgraced and humiliated by the Kuffaar from East to West, how is it possible for a believer with even a minute degree of Imaan[faith] to engage in this evil custom of April Fool's Day! 


Tuesday, March 29, 2011

What a disaster!

What a disaster!

 

 "You should have seen those pictures," exclaimed Farid his already squeaky voice reaching its highest pitch, "The houses were smashed like matchboxes. And the cars...you should have seen the cars; they were like someone just thrown them together in a heap. Where there were houses nothing was left. I mean nothing! It was utter total destruction."

Pausing just enough to take a deep breath, his eyes wide open in amazement as if the scene was being played out before him, he continued, "Just total destruction, a wipe out, sheikh. If I didn't see the pictures I would never have believed it. I mean how much power must there be in one earthquake...they say it's like a few million atomic bombs. That's powerful!"

Sheikh Hamaad listened attentively, saying nothing, but his lips continued to move in harmony with his tasbeeh. It was rare to find him without his Tasbeeh in hand and his lips moving in silent prayer.

"Now you can see the Power of Allah! If Allah could do this in just five minutes of shaking...what kind of Power must He have?" Farid continued without waiting for an answer. He continued to describe the scenes of destructions waving his arms wildly in a feeble attempt to capture the extent of the destruction. Then his voice fell and in almost a whisper he asked, "But...but why, sheikh. Why did this happen? Some people say Allah was punishing them. But we know Allah is so Merciful, I mean there were children there, and old people too."

His head dropped as his voice trailed away filled with sadness at the incomprehensible destruction, struggling to make sense of it all. The two sat in silent reflection, the clicking of the tasbeeh filled the space.

When Sheikh Hamaad noticed that Farid has calmed down a little, he said in his ever soft voice, "There are many reasons for this earthquake and all the other natural disasters, and only Allah knows the true reason. It could be His punishment, or a sign, or something we didn't even think about. Allah's knowledge is beyond us."

"But let me ask you...," Hamaad continued, "if your little brother was trying to stick his fingers into the wall plug what would your mother say to him?"

Farid perked up, "My mother would scream at him. And pull him away from the plug."

"And if he tried again?

"Then sheikh,....then you see my mother in action. He would have got the hiding of his life. And maybe even get put in the naughty corner?"

"Your mother is so cruel!" exclaimed Sheikh Hamaad with mock surprise, "It seems she doesn't love your little brother at all. I mean, she will punish him so severely."

"No sheikh, she loves him a lot. She was just trying to protect him. If he puts his finger in the plug and gets shocked he could get hurt....or even die. No sheikh, she loves him a lot, she is just trying to save him."

"So out of love she punished him to save him from a greater danger?" the sheikh asked.

"Yes, definitely!" cried out Farid, his hands making an involuntary fist.

"Allah loves us more than our own parents and sometimes he does something that may seem nasty, but is actually trying to protect us from greater harm, just as your mother punished your little brother to save him from hurting himself or even getting killed. You think your brother understood what was happening?"

"No ways!  He will cry and complain about my mother. He wouldn't even want her to feed him after that...he would be so angry with her," 

"Just like that, we don't appreciate what Allah does for us. Sometimes these terrible events happen so that we can learn from our mistakes. As Allah Ta'ala says in Surah Sijdah verse 21 – "And we will surely let them taste the lesser punishment rather than the greater punishment, perhaps they will repent."

"So Allah is just like a mother," said Farid in amazement, "He also wants to protect us from the bigger harm."

"Yes," replied Hamaad straightening his immaculately white kurtha, "Allah loves us more than our own parents, so, sometimes, He sends down these problems so we can take a lesson and change our ways. Like you said, if that's the power of Allah in five minutes, what can He do for the whole of Eternity?"

"So those people must catch a wakeup call!" cried Farid, his face alive with excitement.

"No, no!" replied Hamaad, "We must all, as you say catch a wakeup call. We have to look into our actions see what is wrong and put it right before we face the Big Punishment. Allah wants us all to learn when we see such things. To change our ways before the greater punishment of the hereafter befalls us. So it's not only about those people but about us, we also need to take the lesson. As our The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) has said – "An intelligent person is one who suppresses his desires and works for that which is after death." [Hadith-Tirmidhi]

Monday, March 28, 2011

Signs of a Hypocrite

Signs of a Hypocrite

 

Allah, the Exalted, says:

 

"The Hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire: no helper wilt thou find for them"  (The Noble Quran, 4:145)

 

The Noble Messenger of Allah[peace be upon him] is reported to have said:

 

"Three are the signs of a hypocrite:

When he speaks,he lies;

when he makes a promise,he breaks it;

and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.''

 

[Hadith-Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

 

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Just one A

Just one A

It had been a long two weeks thought Taheera as she stole a moment to gulp down her now lukewarm tea. Yes, it had been two long weeks of covering books, sharpening pencils and struggling to make up sets of pencil colours from leftovers of last year. Getting the kids back to school had been no easy task and she had heard all the stories about school and about the learner who was adamant about working on the floor because her teacher insisted that they do their math without tables; and of the new teacher who marched into the classroom determined to establish his authority, and after banging his books on the desk demanded, "Will all the idiots in this class please stand up!"

After a painfully long silence young Abdool stood up at the back of the class and the teacher order, "Yes young man! Tell us why you think you are an idiot!"

The young man shifted his toppee(hat) nervously and in a near whisper replied, "I don't think I am an idiot, Sir. But I felt bad that you were the only one standing"

She had just put away the last of the dishes when she heard her son at the door. Patting down her greying hair and removing her apron she waited for him to come rushing in as he always did.

"Salaams  Ma. Howzit!" he shouted as bounded into the kitchen dropping his heavy school bag at the door. "What's to eat? I'm very starved"

"Wa Alaikum wasalaam. When are you going to learn to say the full salaam. All you young people..."

"Ma, guess what?" he cut her off, "I am going to get seven A's this year. Seven! Ma"

Taheera smiled broadly and replied, "I think you should get eight A's"

"But Ma, I am only doing seven subjects." he said, a quizzical frown creased his forehead. "How can I ever get eight A's. I think the heat of the kitchen is frying your brain, Ma."

She paused for a while, set down the plate of steaming rice before him and said, "In fact, I think you should just get one A. Yes, just one A is enough"

Confused, he ignored his food and stared at his mother, "Ma, you not making sense. What good is one A? And in which subject – Maths, Science, English....no, Ma you really not making sense."

Taheera busied herself with dishing out aromatic curry saying nothing. She moved confidently in the kitchen pleased that she could offer her children a freshly cooked lunch every day. She wiped her hands on the kitchen towel and sat down close to her son.

"You see, my son," she began in her soft voice, "I don't want you to get an A in any subject. Not maths, Science, English or....even accounting."

Yusuf tilted his head in confusion and began to say something, before he could collect his words, she continued, "The A I really want you to get is Allah. If you have Allah throughout your life then you have everything. But if you have all the qualifications, all the letters of the alphabet behind your name...LLB, BA, BSc, PhD, you name it; but you don't have Allah then you have lost out. Not only in the Hereafter, but in this world too. Because," she paused to take a sip of water and waited for her words to sink in before she continued,

"If you have Allah in your troubled times then you have the best of Helpers. And knowing there's no problem that He can't solve, you will never give up hope. And if you have Allah in your good times then you will never forget that all the lovely things you have come from Him and you will never be arrogant. And if He is with you in the grave then what darkness can there be? In fact your grave will be full of light!.. And if He is with you on the day of Judgement then who can deny you entry into His Paradise."

Yusuf shuffled his food around his plate as he stared at his mother with tearful eyes.

"So if you have just this one A you have everything. And Allah will carry you in the difficult times and guide you in the happy times."

Taheera reached for her son's hand and held it tightly. He stood up, his tall lanky frame towering over her and bent low to place a gentle kiss on her forehead, whispering, "Ma, you're a genius."

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Echo

 
 

The Echo

 

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"

He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"

The voice answers: "I admire you!"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"

He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

Again the man screams: "Allah is the Greatest"

The voice answers: "Allah is the Greatest!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO,

but really this is LIFE."

 

It gives you back everything you say or do.

Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world,

create more love in your heart.

If you want more good in your community,

improve your competence & goodness.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;

Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

 

Every Action has a reaction…good actions produce good reactions and bad actions produce bad reactions!... "What you sow, so shall you reap!!!" 

 

Allah, The Most Wise says:

"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see(reward of) it". (Quran-99:7)

 

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

"Hasten to do good deeds…"

"Intelligent is the one who prepares for life after death."

 [Hadith- Tirmidhi].

 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

The Pencil & Eraser-motivational

The Pencil and Eraser

PENCIL
I'm sorry
 
ERASER
For what? You didn't do anything wrong.
 
PENCIL
I'm sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.
 
ERASER
That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong. Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.
 
LESSON: Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They're always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes. Sometimes along the way, they get hurt, and become smaller / older, and eventually pass on. Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying, or sad….However our parents are getting smaller and smaller each day…One day, all that we would be left with will be eraser shavings and memories of what we used to have.

Allah, Most Wise admonishes us: "Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:  My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood." (Quran-17:23)
 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Importance & Rights of Parents

The Importance & Rights of Parents 


Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. - Quran 17:23

In Islam it is obligatory for us to show kindness, respect, and obedience to our parents. The position of parents, and the mutual obligations and responsibilities, have been addressed in Islam in great detail. In fact kindness and obedience is so strongly emphasized that Allah has linked showing gratitude to one's parents with showing gratitude to Allah -

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (31:14)

Sadly we are living in a time where children speaking disrespectfully to their parents and about their parents, is the norm rather than the exception. However Islam places great emphasis on respectful and considerate behaviour to even our enemies, so to not uphold the obligations laid down by God to our parents is actually one of the major sins.

In the Quran
Let's see what  the Quran says about Parents. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah (2:02) 

Treat  parents with honour & speak to them graciously & with humility

Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say:  My Lord! Bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood. (17:23)

Be grateful to parents but do not obey them if they strive to make you associate things with God

...Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, then will I inform you of what you did (31:15)

These verses make it clear that we must honour our parents, appreciate their sacrifices and efforts for us, and do our best for them. This is required regardless of whether they are Muslims or not.

Be good to parents and everyone else who you meet

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good- to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;- (4:36)

If the Quran tells us to be good to a stranger how can we even think of disrespecting our parents?

Hadiths
Let's see what Prophet Muhammad   said about parents in the authentic Hadiths. Whatsoever the Prophet gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, refrain from it. - Quran 59:7

Disobedience to parents is a major sin

Anas narrated from Prophet Muhammad  about the major sins. He (Mohammed) observed: Associating anyone with God, disobedience to parents, killing a person and false utterance. (Muslim)

One of the dearest deeds to God is being good & dutiful to parents

Narrated 'Abdullah: I asked the Prophet  "Which deed is the dearest to God?" He replied, "To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times." I asked, "What is the next (in goodness)?" He replied, "To be good and dutiful to your parents"...(Bukhari)

Being dutiful to parents is one of the keys to enter Paradise

Abu Huraira reported Prophet Muhammad as saying: Let him be humbled into dust; let him be humbled into dust. It was said: God's Messenger, who is he? He said: He who sees either of his parents during their old age or he sees both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (because he has been undutiful to them). (Muslim)

Acts of kindness we can do for our parents after their death

While we were with Prophet Muhammad of Allah . A man of Banu Salmah came to Him and said: Apostle of God is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can invoke blessings on them, forgiveness for them, carry out their final instructions after their death, join ties of relationship which are dependent on them, and honour their friends. (Abu Dawood)

The High Status given to Mothers

A man came to the Prophet  and asked him for permission to join a military expedition. The Prophet  asked him if he had a mother, and when he replied that he had, he said, "Stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet." (Ahmad)

Summary

Sometimes we may take our parents for granted and overlook their importance. As Muslims we should constantly be alert to guard ourselves from sins, however, are we guarding ourselves from one of the biggest major sins? Are we honouring and respecting our parents as per their right? Or are we neglecting one of the deeds most dearest to Allah?  Right now the choice is ours!

 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

DIVULGING BEDROOM SECRETS

A Shameless Practice
 
 

 DIVULGING BEDROOM SECRETS

A shameless and disgraceful trend observed nowadays among some of our Muslim brothers and even Muslim sisters, is the practice of discussing intimate bedroom and sexual secrets with friends and acquaintances. Some times, these discussions take place in the presence of even relative strangers without a care in the world. Such is the handiwork of shaytaan that at times, ostensibly learned, pious and somewhat respectable people tend to do this.

This type of dirty conversation takes place when people are idle and engaged in futile pursuits. Having nothing better to do, they engage in dirty talk, giving a reflection of what lurks inside of them. These talks normally take place at clubhouses, during fishing and camping trips, card-playing sessions, billiard and pool games, golfing sessions, on journeys, etc. People relate with relish the finer details of their private doings, sometimes in a very boastful manner, before others. Some times, a person describes the delicate parts of his wife's anatomy before others in such a crude and revealing manner, he figuratively 'strips' her before others. In this way they are actually able to 'see' his wife with the mind's eye.

These dirty ways are the net outcome of the accumulated filth of the west's shameless culture that has found its way in the life and homes of Muslims. The heavy deluge of pornographic material in the form of blue movies, steamy videos, raunchy magazines and novels, and now, internet-based pornography in the life of Muslims has contributed towards these shameless practices. May Allah cleanse all Muslims of this spiritual rot and moral muck.

This type of immodest practice has no place in Islam. There is no room for such dirty ways in a religion that preaches modesty and purity in every facet of life. Imaan is the very epitome of haya (modesty). "lmaan is modesty through and through" - Hadith. When modesty departs from the life of a person, it is feared that Imaan will follow shortly, Allah forbid! Muslims need to protect and promote the culture of modesty at all times in order to safeguard their Imaan. Such unsavoury practices are the very anti-thesis of modesty and shame.

There can be a terrible outcome to this. People listening to this graphic description become attracted towards the woman being described, sometimes with a bit of exaggeration. They may not be experiencing the same sexual gratification in their own lives, so greed and lust gets the better of them. A pass is made at the woman, which is some times successful (sic). One thing leads to another and finally the marriage is ruined, resulting in endless misery, heartache, disgrace and sin for all involved. Allah protect!

The following Hadith ought to act as a strong warning and a deterrent to those guilty of this. Hazrat Abu Saeed (radiyallahu-anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: "The worst person in the eyes of Allah on the Day of Qiyamah is that couple who have an intimate relation with each other and the man then reveals the (bedroom) secrets to others" -[Hadith Muslim]

Source: darulihsan.com

 

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

The Artist

The Artist
 

 

Once upon a time, a well-known painter was finishing his painting. It's an incredibly beautiful painting to be shown at the Airport during the upcoming Hajj Season.

 

The painter wanted this painting to be a master piece. He worked on it for weeks on the top of a 24 storey building. He was consumed by and excited with his own painting that he unconsciously took a few step backward while admiring the 2 x 8 m painting. He didn't look back when he walked backward. He kept on walking backward until it was a step away from the edge of the 24storey building. Just one more step backward and he could have fallen to his death.

 

A man saw what the painter was doing and was about to shout at him to warn him when he realized that his shout might surprise the painter and thus make him take that fatal one step backward and fall down. So the man took a brush and some paint and began to paint on the beautiful painting until it was completely damaged.

 

Upon realizing what happened to his painting, the painter got very angry and moved forward to hit the man. However, some other people who were also present at the vicinity held him and showed him his last position which almost made him fall.

 

MORAL: Sometimes we have painted our future with such beauty and dreamed of beautiful days we will spend with our loved one, but then Allah seemed to destroy our beautiful painting when Allah sees what danger lies ahead of us. Sometimes we are angry and annoyed by what Allah has done to us, but one thing we have to keep in our mind is that our Creator Allah is Most Wise an always keeps our best of interest in mind!

So when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala , in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation that we think is  difficult or takes away something that in our mind was good for us, we need to remember that perhaps it may not be so. Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it might have been harmful for us and whatever Allah decreed for us is actually better for us, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing.

Allah says:"…and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." (Surah Baqarah: 216)

A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Excellence of Wudhu

Excellence of Wudhu

 
 

"O you who believe! When you get up to do the prayer, wash your faces and your hands…""…Allah does not want to make things difficult for you, but He does want to purify you and to perfect His blessing upon you so that perhaps you may show thanks." (Quran-5:6)

 

Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu said: I heard my friend, (Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasalam) say, "The adornment of the believer reaches the places his wudhu reaches." (Muslim)

• 'Uthman ibn 'Affan radhiyallahu anhu reported that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasalam said, "Anyone who does wudhu and does it well, his sins leave his body, even from under his nails." (Muslim)

• 'Uthman ibn 'Affan radhiyallahu anhu said, "I saw Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasalam do wudhu like I am doing wudhu now. Then he said, "'Anyone who does wudhu like that, will be forgiven his previous wrong actions, and his prayer and his walking to the Masjid are an added bonus." (Muslim)