Sunday, November 27, 2011
Beliefs of Wahhabis about Allah (God)
What are the beliefs of the Wahhabis? First let's start in Aqeedah, because if the essential beliefs are wrong, then what good are the rest of their concepts? for, radical ideas result in radical actions. The quotes are in English and put the reference of their books in Arabic so it’s easier to find. Among the blasphemous deviations of Wahhabis about Allah (God): - Wahhabis liken Allah (God) to his creations! See their book: انظر كتاب ابن باز الوهابي: "تنبيهات في الرد على من تأولالصفات" ص 19، الرئاسة العامة للإفتاء، الرياض - They say Allah created mankind looking like Him in resemblance! See their book called “Aqeedat Ahlul-Iman page 40, 90” انظر كتابهم المسمى"عقيدة أهل الإيمان" للتويجري. - They attribute bodily parts to Allah (we seek refuge with Allah from such kufur)!! See page: راجع كتاب ابن باز: "تنبيهات في الرد على من تأول الصفات" ص 19 - They ascribe physical attributes of the creations to Allah!! See انظر كتابهم "حلقات ممنوعة" لحسامالعقاد، ص/26 دار الصحابة، طنطا. - They attribute organs, shape, size, movements and form to Allah!! انظر كتابهم "نظرات وتعقيبات على ما في كتاب السلفية" لصالح الفوزان ص/40 دار الوطن الرياض. - Wahhabis claim that Allah has feet and places them on the kursiy chair (wal-^iadhu billah)!! انظر كتاب العثيمين "تفسير ءاية الكرسي" ص/19، مكتبة ابن الجوزي. - They claim that Allah seeks assistance and help from the Angels! See: page: (كتابه (مجموع الفتاوى) المجلد الخامس صفحة (508) - They claim that Allah literally descends and ascends annually!! See: كتاب " شرح حديث النـزول وشرح الطحاوية للمجسم ابن أبي العز ص286 الطبعة التاسعة عام 1988. - Wahhabis claim that Allah sits on the throne (^Arsh) as the jews claim!! See: انظر كتابهم "فتح المجيد" لعبد الرحمن بن حسن ابن محمد بن عبد الوهاب ص/356، مكتبة دار السلام. الرياض. - They claim that Allah is limited and is contained in big and small places! See: انظر مجلة الحج سنة 49 جزء 11 عام 1415هـ، مكة ص/73-74. - They claim that Allah resides in the sky resting on the throne! See: انظر كتابهم "نظرات وتعقيبات على ما في كتاب السلفية" لصالح الفوزان ص/40 دار الوطن الرياض. - They too label themselves as "Wahhabi Muslims" and "The Wahhabi Movement" asliterally stated in their books. See: انظر كتاب "الحركة الوهابية" لمحمد خليل هراس حيث في ص37 "الدعوة الوهابية" وانظر كتاب "الشيخ محمد بن عبد الوهاب عقيدته السلفية ودعوته الإسلامية" لأحمد ابن حجر ءال بوطامي أحد كبار دعاتهم في قطر ص(105) وانظر كتاب محمد بن جميل زينو "قطوف من الشمائل المحمدية" ص67. Such beliefs are blasphemous and against al-Qur’an. All Muslims believe that Allah is supremely great, He does not resemble thecreations in any way. His istiwa’ on the throne and his aboveness is in STATUS and RANK and NOT in literal height, spaces, or places!! Because Allah the exalted existed eternally before the creations and before time and place, without a form, shape, body or place. He cannot be imagined in the minds. Nothing resembles Allah whatsoever. It is impossible that after having been existing without a place, He would become in a place, because this is a development, and the development is a sign of needing others, and the one who needs others is not God.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Holy Quran and the story of Pharaoh Ramses II (Firaun Mummy)
A miracle, by definition, is a supernatural event beyond the laws of science; it is fulfilled only by Allah's will and power. It has significance and can be confirmed only by thosewho directly witnessed the event in time.
When Francisco Mitra became the presidentof France in 1981, France requested from the Egyptian government to host the mummy of Pharaoh. For the purpose of running laboratory and archeological examinations on the mummy of the most notorious dictator ever lived on earth. Uponarrival, very royal attendants were there including the French president himself and all ministers who bowed in honor for the Firaun Mummy.
When the ceremony ended, the mummy was carried to a specially-designed section at the Archeology Centre of France. Were it started to be tested by the greatest French archeological and anatomical scientists in order to discover more about such a great Firaun Mummy.
The scientists were headed by Professor Maurice Bucaille. The scientists were trying to restore the mummy while Professor Maurice Bucaille was mainly concerned with how did this mummy died? The final report of the scientists was released late atnight which states that the remaining salt in the mummy is an overt evidence that it was drawn in the sea, and the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed to be saved.
An amazing thing was still confusing Professor Maurice Bucaille is that how couldthis body possibly be safer than any other mummy despite being taken out of the sea up until this time. Professor Maurice Bucaille was writing his final report on what he thought would be a new discovery about saving Pharaoh's body immediately after his death and embalming it.
Note: The picture shown above is the dead body of Ramses II, the Egyptian King in the era of Prophet Moses (pbuh) . Its age is approximately 3000 years old and it was found by the Red Sea, at the place called Jabalain, and is now on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber of the Egyptian Museumin Cairo.
And there, someone whispered to him that Muslims claim to know something about the drowning of this mummy. Yet ProfessorMaurice Bucaille firmly denied such thing saying that it's impossible to discover this without the development of science and without using his high-tech and complicated laboratories and computers.
To his surprise, he was told that Muslims believe in a book called " Holy Quran " and this Holy Quran narrates the story of Pharaoh's drowning and ensures the safety of his body after his death as to be a Sign tomankind.
Professor Maurice Bucaille couldn't believe his own ears and started to wonder: How can a book existed 1400 years ago speak about the mummy that was only found 111 years ago, in 1898? How can that be possible while the ancient Egyptian heritage was discovered only a few decades ago and no one knew about it before?
Professor Maurice Bucaille sat down pondering on what he was told about the book of Muslims, Holy Quran while his Holy Book (The Bible) narrates only the drowningof Pharaoh without saying anything about his body.
"Is it possible that this mummy in front of me is the one who was chasing Prophet Moses?" "Is it possible that Prophet Muhammad knew this 1400 years ago?"
Professor Maurice Bucaille couldn't sleep that night till they brought him the Old Testament where he read: "And the watersreturned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. (Exodus 14:28) But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 136:15) For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and theLORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the Children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 15:19)"
Professor Maurice Bucaille was surprised that the Holy Book ( The Bible ) didn't mention about the destiny of the body and that it will be saved.
When the scientists were done with the mummy, France retuned it to Egypt, but Professor Maurice Bucaille couldn't rest for a moment since he was told that Muslims know about the safety of the body from Holy Quran. So, he decided to travel and meet anatomy Muslim scientists and there he spoke about his discovery of the safety of the mummy after its death in the sea and so on.
One of the Muslim scientists stood up and simply opened Holy Quran and pointed to the Professor at one verse: "We brought the Children of Israel across the sea and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out oftyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he (Pharaoh) said, I believe that there is no god but Him in whom the Children of Israel believe. I am of those who submit (to Allah in Islam). What! Now! And indeed you disobeyed before andyou were of the mischief-makers. This day shall We save you in your body, that you may be a Sign to those who come after you! But verily, many among mankind are neglectful of Our Signs." (Holy Quran 10:90-92)
Professor Maurice Bucaille was struck whenhe read that and immediately stood in front of the crowd and said loudly: "I believe in Islam, I believe in Holy Quran."
Then he went back to France with a different face he traveled with. In France, he dedicated 10 years investigating the scientific discoveries and comparing them with Holy Quran and trying to come up withone scientific contradiction with Holy Quran. Finally he quoted one verse from Holy Quran to be his conclusion:
"No falsehood can approach it (this book) from before or behind it: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all praise." (Holy Quran 41:42)
As a result of all years of his research, Professor Maurice Bucaille wrote abook that shook all Europe, especially the scientists there "The Bible, the Quran and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined in the light of Modern Knowledge."
Ariel Sharon still brain dead (Neither Dead nor Alive)
Ariel Sharon is lying in coma since years, and no doctor is able to find the correct disease. No life - No death, this is the result of killing thousands of innocent people in Palestine. What we do in this world, we have to taste, before we leave this on our heavenly abode as well. This is what the whole World is watching the result of assault of innocent Muslim in Palestine.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Jinns: Some Commonly-Asked Questions
by Sayyid Abul Qasim Rizvi
What is the significance of Jinns in Islam?
The Holy Qur'an has been revealed for both humans and Jinns as it says, "Say: If men and Jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Qur'an, they could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others." (17:88) Several other verses from the Holy Qur'an indicate that worship of Allah is required from both the Jinns and humans.
During the revelation of Sura Jinn, accordingto a tradition, Ibn Abbas said: "When the Holy Qur'an was revealed, Jinns were prevented from ascending towards the skies and several other prayers. Experiencing this, several Jinns came to Mecca to know the reason behind this abandonment. When they entered, they saw and heard Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) reciting Qur'anic verses during Fajr prayer. Hearing his beautiful speech, Jinns became influenced by the Holy Prophet."
Then the first two verses of Sura Jinn (chapter 72) were revealed to the Prophet as, "Say: It has been revealed to me that a party of the Jinn listened, and they said: 'Surely we have heard a wonderful Qur'an, Guiding to the right way, so we believe in it,and we will not set up any one with our Lord.'" Thus, the party of the Jinn immediately accepted the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an as the holy book.
Now, it is proved that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad for both humans and Jinns. Lovers of Prophet exist from both humans and Jinns. Similarly, enemies of the Prophet exist from among the humans and Jinns.
The enemies of Islam used to ascribe various things to Allah, and some of them even associated Jinns with Allah. In this context, a verse was revealed which said,"And they make the Jinn associates with Allah, while He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge; glory be to Him, and highly exalted is He above what they ascribe (to Him)." (6:100) Another verse says, "And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the satans from among men and Jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive (them), and had your Lord pleased they would not have done it, therefore leave them and that which they forge." (6:112)
What materials are Jinns created of?
Allah has created humans from clay, angels from light, and Jinns from fire. The common factor between Jinns and angels is that both can appear in any form and shape; human, however, does not possess this ability. This appearance of angels is always of a pure kind, whereas Jinns may be impure. Angels possess only intellect, whereas Jinns possess intellect and desire like humans. This would further imply that due to their desires, Jinns are not always pure.
Coming back to the question, there are 37 instances in the Holy Qur'an where Jinns have been mentioned. As the Qur'an says,"And the Jinn We created before, of intensely hot fire..." (15:27) Another instance about the creation of Jinn mentioned in the Holy Qur'an is, "And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke." (55:15) Thus, it is firmly established that Jinns are created by hot fire, free from smoke.
Is it possible for a Jinn to possess a human being?
Before answering this question, let us consider this verse, "And I have not created the Jinn and the men except that they should serve Me." (51:56) As both of them have been bestowed with wisdom and desires, the duty of all humans and Jinns is to serve the Almighty by controlling their desires and practicing wisdom in the Right Path.
Therefore, Jinns whose desires empower their wisdom (or intellect) are those affected by Shaitan. Those Jinns who are influenced by Shaitan are capable of harming anyone, just like those humans who are influenced by Shaitan are capable of harming anyone.
How can one stay away and be saved from possession by Jinns?
Firstly, if a human lives with Taharat (spiritual purity) and remembrance of God, then no Jinn can cause harm to him. Secondly, one can be saved from the possession of Jinns if one recites Sura Jinn (chapter 72) and Sura Naas (chapter 113) from the Holy Book, and then can do severalactivities like blowing these chapters on a glass of water and drinking it.
Can evil Jinns or Jinns influenced by Shaitan enter holy shrines, mosques, Islamic centers, or such places?
It is not probable that a Jinn influenced by Satan could enter an Islamic center or such places, as these places are pure and filled with the intent and action of worship. It is also very difficult for Jinn to cause harm to anyone or anything in such places.
Is the Day of Judgment applicable to Jinns as well?
As the Qur'an says, "And on the day when He shall gather them all together: O assembly of Jinn! you took away a great part of mankind. And their friends from among the men shall say: Our Lord! some of us profited by others and we have reached our appointed term which Thou didst appoint for us. He shall say: The fire is your abode, to abide in it, except as Allah is pleased; surely your Lord is Wise, Knowing."(6:128) This verse explains that the field of Mahshar, where everyone will be gathered, is for both humans and Jinns. Therefore, the Day of Judgment is applicable to Jinns too.
There are several other verses from Sura Rahman which tell us that Jinns will also be accounted during the Day of Reckoning. TheQur'an also states, "On that Day no questionwill be asked of man or Jinn as to his sin." (55:39) Jinns will also be punished and rewarded, as the Qur'an states, "This is the Hell which the Sinners deny" (55:43) and regarding the rewards of getting damsels"Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched" (55:74).
Understanding this, it implies both men andJinn will be accounted. Thus, both of them should live a life of awareness with knowledge, wisdom, and fear of Allah. If they become ignorant and show negligence, they will be sent to hell. With respect to this, the Qur'an says, "And certainly We have created for hell many of the Jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones." (7:179)
It implies that those Jinns who do not make use of hearts, eyes, and ears are worse than animals because of their ignorance and negligence.
How did some Jinns work for Prophet Solomon?
It was God's special mercy on Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) that He gave him the army of both humans and Jinns. Thesuccessors of Prophet Solomon were amongthe Jinns who were very powerful and audacious. The Qur'an states, "And his hostsof the Jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups." (27:17)
The reason for these Jinns working and possessing such great powers for the prophet can be derived from the Qur'anic verses: "One audacious among the Jinn said: 'I will bring it to you (the throne of Bilqees) before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty forit.' One who had the knowledge of the Book said: 'I will bring it to you in the twinkling ofan eye.' Then when he (Solomon) saw it settled beside him, he said: 'This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.'" (27:39-40)
Contrary to these Jinns, there were some other bad Jinns in the kingdom of Queen Bilqees (Saba) who were worshipped. The Qur'an states about the people who worshipped them: "They shall say: 'Glory be to You! You are our Guardian, not they.' Nay! They worshipped the Jinn; most of them were believers in them." (34:41) Thus,there are disbelievers from both among theJinns and humans who will be responsible for their accounting.
How long do the Jinns live and where do they live?
When Allah ordered angels to prostrate before Adam (peace be upon him), Iblees, who was among the Jinn, disobeyed. Considering this, Iblees is the oldest living Jinn who got the permission to influence people till the Day of Judgment. Normally, like humans, Jinns do not have a stable life period. Some of them live long, and some ofthem live short lives.
When Iblees asked for permission from Allah to influence people all their lives, he told that he would reside in their hearts andrun in their veins. These are the places where this Jinn resides. He resides in the veins through the prohibited income we earn and the impermissible food we consume, which further goes in our body to produce blood and influence us as Shaitan. He resides in the hearts of desires and hearts of various diseases, such as envy, hatred, selfishness, misery, etc.
Coming back to where do they live, normal Jinns can live anywhere. They reside amongus, but we cannot normally see them. However, Allah has given them the power to see us.
Who is the better creation, Jinn or man?
Allah has bestowed some exclusive faculties in Jinns which are not present in humans, and vice versa. But the best creation of Allah is man. When Prophet Adam was created, all angels and Jinns were asked to prostrate before the superior creation and Allah's vicegerent. The Qur'an also confirms the superiority of human beings over all creation in this verse, "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference." (17:70)
Do people see them? If so, why/when/how?Why do jinns seem to 'share' Qur'an with us instead of having own prophets and revelation? Is time different for them than for us?DoDo people interact with Jinns? If yes, why and how?
As far as interaction is concerned, Allah has created us as free being. Now, once that freedom is controlled or forced by anyone, then it is an offence to Allah's wisdom. As allcreatures are created for the sake of Allah only, they should not try to control what they do not understand and should remain aware of their limits. Narrations say that these interactions with Jinns occur through certain supplications and recitations. Allah is the most Merciful and Knowledgeable.
Both Jinn and men are ordered to worship Allah only, and it not appropriate to mingle among each other instead of what we are commanded to do.
Can humans harm Jinns and vice versa?
Yes, both of them can harm each other. We should not forget our true aim in life of serving Allah and should not harm or controlJinns for our purposes.
In special circumstances, can humans see Jinns?
They can. There has been no denial about this.
Sayyid Abul Qasim Rizvi is the resident scholar of the Panjtan Society of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.
Editor's Note: Islamic Insights would like to thank Brother Jafar Hasan for transcribing this interview.
What is the significance of Jinns in Islam?
The Holy Qur'an has been revealed for both humans and Jinns as it says, "Say: If men and Jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Qur'an, they could not bring the like of it, though some of them were aiders of others." (17:88) Several other verses from the Holy Qur'an indicate that worship of Allah is required from both the Jinns and humans.
During the revelation of Sura Jinn, accordingto a tradition, Ibn Abbas said: "When the Holy Qur'an was revealed, Jinns were prevented from ascending towards the skies and several other prayers. Experiencing this, several Jinns came to Mecca to know the reason behind this abandonment. When they entered, they saw and heard Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) reciting Qur'anic verses during Fajr prayer. Hearing his beautiful speech, Jinns became influenced by the Holy Prophet."
Then the first two verses of Sura Jinn (chapter 72) were revealed to the Prophet as, "Say: It has been revealed to me that a party of the Jinn listened, and they said: 'Surely we have heard a wonderful Qur'an, Guiding to the right way, so we believe in it,and we will not set up any one with our Lord.'" Thus, the party of the Jinn immediately accepted the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an as the holy book.
Now, it is proved that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad for both humans and Jinns. Lovers of Prophet exist from both humans and Jinns. Similarly, enemies of the Prophet exist from among the humans and Jinns.
The enemies of Islam used to ascribe various things to Allah, and some of them even associated Jinns with Allah. In this context, a verse was revealed which said,"And they make the Jinn associates with Allah, while He created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge; glory be to Him, and highly exalted is He above what they ascribe (to Him)." (6:100) Another verse says, "And thus did We make for every prophet an enemy, the satans from among men and Jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive (them), and had your Lord pleased they would not have done it, therefore leave them and that which they forge." (6:112)
What materials are Jinns created of?
Allah has created humans from clay, angels from light, and Jinns from fire. The common factor between Jinns and angels is that both can appear in any form and shape; human, however, does not possess this ability. This appearance of angels is always of a pure kind, whereas Jinns may be impure. Angels possess only intellect, whereas Jinns possess intellect and desire like humans. This would further imply that due to their desires, Jinns are not always pure.
Coming back to the question, there are 37 instances in the Holy Qur'an where Jinns have been mentioned. As the Qur'an says,"And the Jinn We created before, of intensely hot fire..." (15:27) Another instance about the creation of Jinn mentioned in the Holy Qur'an is, "And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke." (55:15) Thus, it is firmly established that Jinns are created by hot fire, free from smoke.
Is it possible for a Jinn to possess a human being?
Before answering this question, let us consider this verse, "And I have not created the Jinn and the men except that they should serve Me." (51:56) As both of them have been bestowed with wisdom and desires, the duty of all humans and Jinns is to serve the Almighty by controlling their desires and practicing wisdom in the Right Path.
Therefore, Jinns whose desires empower their wisdom (or intellect) are those affected by Shaitan. Those Jinns who are influenced by Shaitan are capable of harming anyone, just like those humans who are influenced by Shaitan are capable of harming anyone.
How can one stay away and be saved from possession by Jinns?
Firstly, if a human lives with Taharat (spiritual purity) and remembrance of God, then no Jinn can cause harm to him. Secondly, one can be saved from the possession of Jinns if one recites Sura Jinn (chapter 72) and Sura Naas (chapter 113) from the Holy Book, and then can do severalactivities like blowing these chapters on a glass of water and drinking it.
Can evil Jinns or Jinns influenced by Shaitan enter holy shrines, mosques, Islamic centers, or such places?
It is not probable that a Jinn influenced by Satan could enter an Islamic center or such places, as these places are pure and filled with the intent and action of worship. It is also very difficult for Jinn to cause harm to anyone or anything in such places.
Is the Day of Judgment applicable to Jinns as well?
As the Qur'an says, "And on the day when He shall gather them all together: O assembly of Jinn! you took away a great part of mankind. And their friends from among the men shall say: Our Lord! some of us profited by others and we have reached our appointed term which Thou didst appoint for us. He shall say: The fire is your abode, to abide in it, except as Allah is pleased; surely your Lord is Wise, Knowing."(6:128) This verse explains that the field of Mahshar, where everyone will be gathered, is for both humans and Jinns. Therefore, the Day of Judgment is applicable to Jinns too.
There are several other verses from Sura Rahman which tell us that Jinns will also be accounted during the Day of Reckoning. TheQur'an also states, "On that Day no questionwill be asked of man or Jinn as to his sin." (55:39) Jinns will also be punished and rewarded, as the Qur'an states, "This is the Hell which the Sinners deny" (55:43) and regarding the rewards of getting damsels"Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched" (55:74).
Understanding this, it implies both men andJinn will be accounted. Thus, both of them should live a life of awareness with knowledge, wisdom, and fear of Allah. If they become ignorant and show negligence, they will be sent to hell. With respect to this, the Qur'an says, "And certainly We have created for hell many of the Jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones." (7:179)
It implies that those Jinns who do not make use of hearts, eyes, and ears are worse than animals because of their ignorance and negligence.
How did some Jinns work for Prophet Solomon?
It was God's special mercy on Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) that He gave him the army of both humans and Jinns. Thesuccessors of Prophet Solomon were amongthe Jinns who were very powerful and audacious. The Qur'an states, "And his hostsof the Jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups." (27:17)
The reason for these Jinns working and possessing such great powers for the prophet can be derived from the Qur'anic verses: "One audacious among the Jinn said: 'I will bring it to you (the throne of Bilqees) before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty forit.' One who had the knowledge of the Book said: 'I will bring it to you in the twinkling ofan eye.' Then when he (Solomon) saw it settled beside him, he said: 'This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.'" (27:39-40)
Contrary to these Jinns, there were some other bad Jinns in the kingdom of Queen Bilqees (Saba) who were worshipped. The Qur'an states about the people who worshipped them: "They shall say: 'Glory be to You! You are our Guardian, not they.' Nay! They worshipped the Jinn; most of them were believers in them." (34:41) Thus,there are disbelievers from both among theJinns and humans who will be responsible for their accounting.
How long do the Jinns live and where do they live?
When Allah ordered angels to prostrate before Adam (peace be upon him), Iblees, who was among the Jinn, disobeyed. Considering this, Iblees is the oldest living Jinn who got the permission to influence people till the Day of Judgment. Normally, like humans, Jinns do not have a stable life period. Some of them live long, and some ofthem live short lives.
When Iblees asked for permission from Allah to influence people all their lives, he told that he would reside in their hearts andrun in their veins. These are the places where this Jinn resides. He resides in the veins through the prohibited income we earn and the impermissible food we consume, which further goes in our body to produce blood and influence us as Shaitan. He resides in the hearts of desires and hearts of various diseases, such as envy, hatred, selfishness, misery, etc.
Coming back to where do they live, normal Jinns can live anywhere. They reside amongus, but we cannot normally see them. However, Allah has given them the power to see us.
Who is the better creation, Jinn or man?
Allah has bestowed some exclusive faculties in Jinns which are not present in humans, and vice versa. But the best creation of Allah is man. When Prophet Adam was created, all angels and Jinns were asked to prostrate before the superior creation and Allah's vicegerent. The Qur'an also confirms the superiority of human beings over all creation in this verse, "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference." (17:70)
Do people see them? If so, why/when/how?Why do jinns seem to 'share' Qur'an with us instead of having own prophets and revelation? Is time different for them than for us?DoDo people interact with Jinns? If yes, why and how?
As far as interaction is concerned, Allah has created us as free being. Now, once that freedom is controlled or forced by anyone, then it is an offence to Allah's wisdom. As allcreatures are created for the sake of Allah only, they should not try to control what they do not understand and should remain aware of their limits. Narrations say that these interactions with Jinns occur through certain supplications and recitations. Allah is the most Merciful and Knowledgeable.
Both Jinn and men are ordered to worship Allah only, and it not appropriate to mingle among each other instead of what we are commanded to do.
Can humans harm Jinns and vice versa?
Yes, both of them can harm each other. We should not forget our true aim in life of serving Allah and should not harm or controlJinns for our purposes.
In special circumstances, can humans see Jinns?
They can. There has been no denial about this.
Sayyid Abul Qasim Rizvi is the resident scholar of the Panjtan Society of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.
Editor's Note: Islamic Insights would like to thank Brother Jafar Hasan for transcribing this interview.
Males and Females – "Just Friends"?
by Nabila Rizvi
After a long day of hard work with your peers on a project, a sister suggests that allof you hang out at the pizza place nearby for a late lunch. The problem is, your group of peers is made up of both guys and girls."But we're all friends!" protests the sister when you, as a brother, bring up the issue. So you think about it and agree, because after all, you say – "She's like a sister to me."
Key phrase here: "like a sister." She isn't really your sister, which means that there are limitations in how you relate to her. Nowadays, under the guise of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood, many are unfortunately committing sins in the nameof friendship. Islam, however, does not permit such close relationships between non- Mahrams .
Of course, living in the West, there are times when non-Mahrams do interact – butthere is a difference between how we do so with our colleagues and with our friends. We interact on a regular basis withour colleagues regarding the work that hasbrought us together on a professional level. We also interact regularly with our friends, but our topics of conversation are not restricted to just business. Furthermore, we spend time with our colleagues at university or at the workplace – basically, any place that is relevant to business meetings. However, we can meet our friends in both formal andinformal settings.
Our colleagues and friends are not one and the same. Keeping that in mind, we are supposed to interact with non-Mahrams as colleagues, not as friends. Unnecessarily spending time with non-Mahrams – doing things like hanging out or having long conversations just to kill time – is out of the question, because that is what we would do with a friend.
Islam on Cross-Gender Friendships
As Muslims, everything we do is with the intention of gaining the pleasure of our Creator. We are supposed to be constantly aware of the presence of Allah, and to strive to get closer to our Beloved by following the teachings of the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). In line with those teachings, the concept of Hijab for men and women is one of the fundamental aspects of Islam. When it comes down to the core of the matter, all forms of Hijab are for the purpose of maintaining God-consciousness and respect when we interact with non-Mahrams out of necessity.
However, mixing with non-Mahrams and going out of our way to spend time with them obviously defies those ideals of Hijab.It's as simple as this: brothers and sisters who are not Mahram to each other are not supposed to interact when there is no point in doing so, and any interaction that does take place is supposed to be done in aprofessional manner. Conclusively, the ideaof non-Mahram guys and girls spending time together as "friends" is not endorsed by Islam.
Also, we need to realize that being Muslim doesn't make us immune to falling into sin.Just because a sister wears a headscarf and a brother sports a beard does not mean it is okay for them to become friends. As Muslims, we are instructed to follow guidelines for our own benefit, and in this situation too there is wisdom. Just as we are to abstain from sitting at a table that has alcohol bottles on it and just as weare to abstain from listening to music, we are to abstain from developing non-Mahram friendships because of the greater sins that we could be led to commit.
Studies on Cross-Gender Friendships
Allah is the One who created us, and He knows the details of the human system better than we can ever discover. It standsto reason that whatever He commands us to do and to stay away from is logical, because He would not ask of us something that is impossible to do or that is harmful for us.
Whether or not we acknowledge it, there is a scientific aspect of attraction in cross-gender "friendships". Our brains release chemicals upon interaction with others, and the amount released increases as we spend more time with a person of the opposite gender. We are fooling ourselves if we try to ignore these facts and be "just friends" with non-Mahrams, because then we will be treading thin ice over a sea of sin in which we will lose focus on our journey of getting closer to the Almighty.
Published in Psychology Today , Camille Chatterjee's article, "Can Men and Women be Friends?" (2011), sets out trying to prove that non-Mahrams can indeed be just good friends. However, the evidence that she presents counters her own arguments. Chatterjee says: "The reality that sexual attraction could suddenly enterthe equation of a cross-sex friendship uninvited is always lurking in the background. Unwelcome or not, the attraction is difficult to ignore." Citing poll results, Chatterjee's article also shows that even though 83 percent of the 1,450 poll participants believed that non-Mahram friendships can be successful, 62 percent ofthe participants admitted to their friendships having "crossed the line and [become] romantic or sexual."
Even when it comes to people who do not give in to their desires, there are still problems with their non-Mahram friendships. The details of Linda Sapadin's study were released in the Journal of Socialand Personal Relationships , under the title of "Friendship and Gender: Perspectives of Professional Men and Women" (1988). Sapadin mentions: "Both sexes generally kept their friendships and sexual relationships separate though sexual feelings and tensions still existed in many cross-sex friendships." On top of that, her study reveals that of the 156 questionnaire participants, 62 percent reported that there was sexual tension in the air with their non-Mahram friends.
Also found in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships are the results of Daniel Kaplan and Christopher Keys' study"Sex and Relationship Variables as Predictors of Sexual Attraction in Cross-SexPlatonic Friendships between Young Heterosexual Adults" (1997). The results of the surveys show that a significant number of women and men (the number ofmen being higher) consider befriending non-Mahrams as the first step towards developing a romantic relationship with the person. This in itself shows that it is difficult for non-Mahrams to be "just friends" because the relationship doesn't even start off with straightforward intentions.
Published in the Journal of Adolescent Research , Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Sophie Walsh, Shirley Harel, and Shmuel Shulman'sstudy focuses on the behavior of 142 participants. Entitled "Romantic Fantasies, Cross-Gender Friendships, and Romantic Experiences in Adolescence" (2008), their results strongly indicate that one of the ways which adolescents get to experience romance is through cross-gender friendships, in addition to their romantic relationships.
More often than not, it seems that befriending someone of the opposite gender has become the first step to eventually turning the friendship into a more intimate relationship. So whether or not it is clearly stated aloud by the non-Mahram individuals themselves, studies show that non-Mahram friendships are, in reality, made for inappropriate reasons.
But...
"What's so wrong about it?" That question is usually followed by excuse after excuse, yet each reason that is always given has many flaws. Non-Mahram friendships are not permitted in Islam, no matter how much one may try to justify them by saying, "But..."
"It's a normal thing these days."
Everyone is best friends with a person of the opposite gender these days, so what's the big deal if we go with the flow? The bigdeal is that it's wrong. Just because everyone else is doing something, that doesn't make it right.
In order to promote a lifestyle of selfishness and immorality, society pressures the public from all around. Be it through sit-coms, books, movies, or real-life examples, we are faced with a smorgasbord of practices that have become common. This idea of "friends withbenefits" – the concept of having a friend of the opposite gender with whom one hasphysically intimate relations, while both still consider each other to be "just friends"– has permeated the fabric of our society, so much that it is no longer considered wrong. Yet the relation of "friends with benefits" does not truly provide anything but momentary pleasure; it destroys the moral compass by promoting easy indulgence in carnal desires, it shatters thehonorable concept of being committed to one person, and it severely blackens the soul by gaining the displeasure of Allah.
As mentioned in the above scientific studies, the question of "what if we were more than just friends?" is always in the air. So why go through all that doubt and put ourselves in a situation that has a great potential to become sinful?
"I know my intentions are pure."
First of all, what does it even mean to"have a pure intention" when it comes to being pals with a non-Mahram? Second of all, even if you have no ill intentions, Shaitan has promised to mislead any person that he can, so what makes you think you're immune to his whispers? We have already been clearly warned in the Holy Qur'an, "Did I not charge you, O children of Adam, that you should not serve the Shaitan? Surely he is your open enemy." (36:60) We have to be on guard and be able to abstain from situations that are not only spiritually harmful but even potentially spiritually harmful.
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani's response tothis can be found in his book, A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West :
328. Question: Is it permissible for a Muslimyouth to accompany the girls who study with him in foreign universities for walking together, in vacation tours, etc.?
Answer: It is not permissible, except with surety that he will not commit a forbidden act.
To have absolute surety of oneself is the condition here, and not everyone can claimthis sense of surety. In order to qualify for such a claim, one would have to be the kind of person who – at the very least – has impeccable God-consciousness and Hijab in that (s)he keeps the gaze lowered, does not participate in idle chatter, and has control over his/her thoughts from wandering into inappropriate territory. Even then, the manner in which such a person would interact with non-Mahrams would end up falling under the "colleague" category and not that of "friend". Recalling the manner of our Infallibles (peace be upon them all), they fit this pious description perfectly and had the strongestof faith, yet we do not see evidence of them ever having befriended non-Mahrams or having spent time with them without official reasons.
And assuming that our intentions are pure,what about the intentions of our non-Mahram friend? We cannot claim to beabsolutely sure of his/her intentions, so it doesn't make sense to put ourselves in that situation. It's one thing to be confident in the strength of our faith in the face of temptations that may arise; however, it is entirely foolish (not to mention outright vain) to be so confident in the strength of our faith that we voluntarily dive right into a situation that is wrought with potential sin.
Ultimately, all our actions are supposed to be based on whether or not they will please Allah and take us closer to Him. Having a non-Mahram friend does neither.
"I'm engaged/married/older than him/younger than her, so it's okay."
All those factors make no difference. Again,we are reminded by Allah, the Prophets, and the Ahlul Bayt that Shaitan is our open enemy who attacks from all sides. He targets everyone, so being engaged, married, older than the brother, or younger than the sister does not make a difference.
In fact, for an engaged/married person to befriend a non-Mahram would only cause misunderstandings and problems. In the study by Kaplan and Keys, participants who were already involved in a relationship reported that their attraction towards non-Mahram friends was less, relative to those who were single. A point worth noting is that the word used in reference to the level of attraction was"less" not "none", so there is still the potential for falling into sin. Just as the engaged/married factor, the older/younger factor would cause a personto let down his/her guard, leaving an opening for Shaitan to easily enter through.
"It's a good way to learn how guys/girls think so I can relate with my future spouse better."
A practice spouse? That's just plain wrong. Many of the official studies, such as April Bleske and David Buss' "Can Men and Women be Just Friends?" (2000) in the Journal of the International Association for Relationship Research , as well as informal interviews all reveal that men and women see this as one of the main beneficial reasons for having non-Mahram friends. Byspending time with a non-Mahram friend, people claim that they can pick up tips on how to improve their relationship with their partner. So a person spends time both with a non-Mahram friend and with his/her spouse, talks over important issueswith both, and is intimate with both – and according to the studies already mentioned, the level of intimacy with both is actually equal for a majority of cases. Butthen what's the difference between your close friend of the opposite gender and your spouse?
Prevention, Not Cure
There is no truth to this fashion of non-Mahrams being just good friends. Getting into such a tainted "friendship" willonly cause problems on multiple levels. A person may be able to control their thoughts and desires, but after repeatedly meeting a non-Mahram in an unstructured setting to spend time as friends, the battle against the self becomes increasingly difficult. With regard to one thing leading to another, the Leader of the Pious, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "Simply thinking about sinful carnal deeds encourages you to commit them eventually." ( Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 518 ) Islamis about looking ahead and being wise to the on-goings around us. Some things are forbidden to us because they are harmful in essence, and other things are forbidden because they lead to harmful things. Here, we have a situation that is harmful in itselfand that will also lead us to even greater harm in this world and in the next.
We are taught to surround ourselves with friends who inspire us to strive even closertowards Allah, not with those because of whom we risk falling into sin. We must not let our desires direct our actions; rather, we must let our God-consciousness guide us towards what is pleasing to Him and thus beneficial for us. So let's not fool ourselves, because non-Mahram guys and girls can't be "just friends".
After a long day of hard work with your peers on a project, a sister suggests that allof you hang out at the pizza place nearby for a late lunch. The problem is, your group of peers is made up of both guys and girls."But we're all friends!" protests the sister when you, as a brother, bring up the issue. So you think about it and agree, because after all, you say – "She's like a sister to me."
Key phrase here: "like a sister." She isn't really your sister, which means that there are limitations in how you relate to her. Nowadays, under the guise of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood, many are unfortunately committing sins in the nameof friendship. Islam, however, does not permit such close relationships between non- Mahrams .
Of course, living in the West, there are times when non-Mahrams do interact – butthere is a difference between how we do so with our colleagues and with our friends. We interact on a regular basis withour colleagues regarding the work that hasbrought us together on a professional level. We also interact regularly with our friends, but our topics of conversation are not restricted to just business. Furthermore, we spend time with our colleagues at university or at the workplace – basically, any place that is relevant to business meetings. However, we can meet our friends in both formal andinformal settings.
Our colleagues and friends are not one and the same. Keeping that in mind, we are supposed to interact with non-Mahrams as colleagues, not as friends. Unnecessarily spending time with non-Mahrams – doing things like hanging out or having long conversations just to kill time – is out of the question, because that is what we would do with a friend.
Islam on Cross-Gender Friendships
As Muslims, everything we do is with the intention of gaining the pleasure of our Creator. We are supposed to be constantly aware of the presence of Allah, and to strive to get closer to our Beloved by following the teachings of the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). In line with those teachings, the concept of Hijab for men and women is one of the fundamental aspects of Islam. When it comes down to the core of the matter, all forms of Hijab are for the purpose of maintaining God-consciousness and respect when we interact with non-Mahrams out of necessity.
However, mixing with non-Mahrams and going out of our way to spend time with them obviously defies those ideals of Hijab.It's as simple as this: brothers and sisters who are not Mahram to each other are not supposed to interact when there is no point in doing so, and any interaction that does take place is supposed to be done in aprofessional manner. Conclusively, the ideaof non-Mahram guys and girls spending time together as "friends" is not endorsed by Islam.
Also, we need to realize that being Muslim doesn't make us immune to falling into sin.Just because a sister wears a headscarf and a brother sports a beard does not mean it is okay for them to become friends. As Muslims, we are instructed to follow guidelines for our own benefit, and in this situation too there is wisdom. Just as we are to abstain from sitting at a table that has alcohol bottles on it and just as weare to abstain from listening to music, we are to abstain from developing non-Mahram friendships because of the greater sins that we could be led to commit.
Studies on Cross-Gender Friendships
Allah is the One who created us, and He knows the details of the human system better than we can ever discover. It standsto reason that whatever He commands us to do and to stay away from is logical, because He would not ask of us something that is impossible to do or that is harmful for us.
Whether or not we acknowledge it, there is a scientific aspect of attraction in cross-gender "friendships". Our brains release chemicals upon interaction with others, and the amount released increases as we spend more time with a person of the opposite gender. We are fooling ourselves if we try to ignore these facts and be "just friends" with non-Mahrams, because then we will be treading thin ice over a sea of sin in which we will lose focus on our journey of getting closer to the Almighty.
Published in Psychology Today , Camille Chatterjee's article, "Can Men and Women be Friends?" (2011), sets out trying to prove that non-Mahrams can indeed be just good friends. However, the evidence that she presents counters her own arguments. Chatterjee says: "The reality that sexual attraction could suddenly enterthe equation of a cross-sex friendship uninvited is always lurking in the background. Unwelcome or not, the attraction is difficult to ignore." Citing poll results, Chatterjee's article also shows that even though 83 percent of the 1,450 poll participants believed that non-Mahram friendships can be successful, 62 percent ofthe participants admitted to their friendships having "crossed the line and [become] romantic or sexual."
Even when it comes to people who do not give in to their desires, there are still problems with their non-Mahram friendships. The details of Linda Sapadin's study were released in the Journal of Socialand Personal Relationships , under the title of "Friendship and Gender: Perspectives of Professional Men and Women" (1988). Sapadin mentions: "Both sexes generally kept their friendships and sexual relationships separate though sexual feelings and tensions still existed in many cross-sex friendships." On top of that, her study reveals that of the 156 questionnaire participants, 62 percent reported that there was sexual tension in the air with their non-Mahram friends.
Also found in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships are the results of Daniel Kaplan and Christopher Keys' study"Sex and Relationship Variables as Predictors of Sexual Attraction in Cross-SexPlatonic Friendships between Young Heterosexual Adults" (1997). The results of the surveys show that a significant number of women and men (the number ofmen being higher) consider befriending non-Mahrams as the first step towards developing a romantic relationship with the person. This in itself shows that it is difficult for non-Mahrams to be "just friends" because the relationship doesn't even start off with straightforward intentions.
Published in the Journal of Adolescent Research , Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Sophie Walsh, Shirley Harel, and Shmuel Shulman'sstudy focuses on the behavior of 142 participants. Entitled "Romantic Fantasies, Cross-Gender Friendships, and Romantic Experiences in Adolescence" (2008), their results strongly indicate that one of the ways which adolescents get to experience romance is through cross-gender friendships, in addition to their romantic relationships.
More often than not, it seems that befriending someone of the opposite gender has become the first step to eventually turning the friendship into a more intimate relationship. So whether or not it is clearly stated aloud by the non-Mahram individuals themselves, studies show that non-Mahram friendships are, in reality, made for inappropriate reasons.
But...
"What's so wrong about it?" That question is usually followed by excuse after excuse, yet each reason that is always given has many flaws. Non-Mahram friendships are not permitted in Islam, no matter how much one may try to justify them by saying, "But..."
"It's a normal thing these days."
Everyone is best friends with a person of the opposite gender these days, so what's the big deal if we go with the flow? The bigdeal is that it's wrong. Just because everyone else is doing something, that doesn't make it right.
In order to promote a lifestyle of selfishness and immorality, society pressures the public from all around. Be it through sit-coms, books, movies, or real-life examples, we are faced with a smorgasbord of practices that have become common. This idea of "friends withbenefits" – the concept of having a friend of the opposite gender with whom one hasphysically intimate relations, while both still consider each other to be "just friends"– has permeated the fabric of our society, so much that it is no longer considered wrong. Yet the relation of "friends with benefits" does not truly provide anything but momentary pleasure; it destroys the moral compass by promoting easy indulgence in carnal desires, it shatters thehonorable concept of being committed to one person, and it severely blackens the soul by gaining the displeasure of Allah.
As mentioned in the above scientific studies, the question of "what if we were more than just friends?" is always in the air. So why go through all that doubt and put ourselves in a situation that has a great potential to become sinful?
"I know my intentions are pure."
First of all, what does it even mean to"have a pure intention" when it comes to being pals with a non-Mahram? Second of all, even if you have no ill intentions, Shaitan has promised to mislead any person that he can, so what makes you think you're immune to his whispers? We have already been clearly warned in the Holy Qur'an, "Did I not charge you, O children of Adam, that you should not serve the Shaitan? Surely he is your open enemy." (36:60) We have to be on guard and be able to abstain from situations that are not only spiritually harmful but even potentially spiritually harmful.
Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani's response tothis can be found in his book, A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West :
328. Question: Is it permissible for a Muslimyouth to accompany the girls who study with him in foreign universities for walking together, in vacation tours, etc.?
Answer: It is not permissible, except with surety that he will not commit a forbidden act.
To have absolute surety of oneself is the condition here, and not everyone can claimthis sense of surety. In order to qualify for such a claim, one would have to be the kind of person who – at the very least – has impeccable God-consciousness and Hijab in that (s)he keeps the gaze lowered, does not participate in idle chatter, and has control over his/her thoughts from wandering into inappropriate territory. Even then, the manner in which such a person would interact with non-Mahrams would end up falling under the "colleague" category and not that of "friend". Recalling the manner of our Infallibles (peace be upon them all), they fit this pious description perfectly and had the strongestof faith, yet we do not see evidence of them ever having befriended non-Mahrams or having spent time with them without official reasons.
And assuming that our intentions are pure,what about the intentions of our non-Mahram friend? We cannot claim to beabsolutely sure of his/her intentions, so it doesn't make sense to put ourselves in that situation. It's one thing to be confident in the strength of our faith in the face of temptations that may arise; however, it is entirely foolish (not to mention outright vain) to be so confident in the strength of our faith that we voluntarily dive right into a situation that is wrought with potential sin.
Ultimately, all our actions are supposed to be based on whether or not they will please Allah and take us closer to Him. Having a non-Mahram friend does neither.
"I'm engaged/married/older than him/younger than her, so it's okay."
All those factors make no difference. Again,we are reminded by Allah, the Prophets, and the Ahlul Bayt that Shaitan is our open enemy who attacks from all sides. He targets everyone, so being engaged, married, older than the brother, or younger than the sister does not make a difference.
In fact, for an engaged/married person to befriend a non-Mahram would only cause misunderstandings and problems. In the study by Kaplan and Keys, participants who were already involved in a relationship reported that their attraction towards non-Mahram friends was less, relative to those who were single. A point worth noting is that the word used in reference to the level of attraction was"less" not "none", so there is still the potential for falling into sin. Just as the engaged/married factor, the older/younger factor would cause a personto let down his/her guard, leaving an opening for Shaitan to easily enter through.
"It's a good way to learn how guys/girls think so I can relate with my future spouse better."
A practice spouse? That's just plain wrong. Many of the official studies, such as April Bleske and David Buss' "Can Men and Women be Just Friends?" (2000) in the Journal of the International Association for Relationship Research , as well as informal interviews all reveal that men and women see this as one of the main beneficial reasons for having non-Mahram friends. Byspending time with a non-Mahram friend, people claim that they can pick up tips on how to improve their relationship with their partner. So a person spends time both with a non-Mahram friend and with his/her spouse, talks over important issueswith both, and is intimate with both – and according to the studies already mentioned, the level of intimacy with both is actually equal for a majority of cases. Butthen what's the difference between your close friend of the opposite gender and your spouse?
Prevention, Not Cure
There is no truth to this fashion of non-Mahrams being just good friends. Getting into such a tainted "friendship" willonly cause problems on multiple levels. A person may be able to control their thoughts and desires, but after repeatedly meeting a non-Mahram in an unstructured setting to spend time as friends, the battle against the self becomes increasingly difficult. With regard to one thing leading to another, the Leader of the Pious, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "Simply thinking about sinful carnal deeds encourages you to commit them eventually." ( Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 518 ) Islamis about looking ahead and being wise to the on-goings around us. Some things are forbidden to us because they are harmful in essence, and other things are forbidden because they lead to harmful things. Here, we have a situation that is harmful in itselfand that will also lead us to even greater harm in this world and in the next.
We are taught to surround ourselves with friends who inspire us to strive even closertowards Allah, not with those because of whom we risk falling into sin. We must not let our desires direct our actions; rather, we must let our God-consciousness guide us towards what is pleasing to Him and thus beneficial for us. So let's not fool ourselves, because non-Mahram guys and girls can't be "just friends".
DETERMINATION
by Martyr 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 weresitting 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 quicklygot 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 isforbidden 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?”
“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 andfell 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 hisbrothers have. eggs and butter every morning.”
His mother, feeling great pain in her heart, smiled, kissed him and said, “‘Tomorrow, byAllah’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 himto 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.’”
It was a gloomy, overcast night. The wind was blowing and it was going to storm. Khadijah and her three young children weresitting 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 quicklygot 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 isforbidden 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?”
“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 andfell 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 hisbrothers have. eggs and butter every morning.”
His mother, feeling great pain in her heart, smiled, kissed him and said, “‘Tomorrow, byAllah’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 himto 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.’”
Saturday, October 22, 2011
ARE YOU DEAD?
Many a times we come across individuals who take religion and religious activity lightly. They often mock at people who try to practise religious tenets. Similarly they treat the religion.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) in one of his saying stopped people from four things, as these things cause the heart to die, he said :"There are four things which cause the heart to die: 1) Commiting sins, one after the other, 2) Talking much with women, 3) Disputing with a fool, 4) Assouiating with the dead," Those present said "0 Prophet of Allah! who are the dead?" The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) replied "The rich who have forgotten Allah".
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) in the above words has sent a clear message of caution to people who have forsaken Allah. who take religion and religious activity lightly, who consider every other thing except religion to be important. who mock at religious practices.
Many instances from our daily life can be cited where we take religion lightly. One of my friends narrated an experience, he found a person, who teaches in a Madressa (school) where religious instructions are given twice a week. Once he found out that a student was remaining absent for quite some time. He went to the house of the student to find out the reason for his absenteeism. On inquinng he found out thathis father has stopped him from going to the Madressa.
The teacher was taken aback and met the father in a bid to convince him. The father justifyng his decision said that as his son has so many activities and he cannot cope up with attending Madressa also. The teacher asked him as to what are his activities. The father said that his son has to attend school for six days in a week, five days in a week he has to go for extra coaching, twice a week are his tennis sessions, thrice a week he has to go for Karate classes, twice a week he has to take part in football and cricket matches. His father expanded the list and said that now he has joined Gymnasium, so already he hasso much pressure that I cannot allow more pressure on him and besides his Gymnasium timings clash with Madressa. The teacher concluded that these are the people about whom Allah says in Qur'an, that on the Day of Judgement Allah will forsake such people. Explaining the reasons thereof Allah says :
"Surely Allah has prohibited to them water (of heaven)... because they are the ones who have taken their religion as an idle sport and a play, and life of this world has deceived them; so today We forsake them as they denied the meeting of this day and rejected Our communications (7:51)
Yes! People who consider religion as last on their priority list will be negated by Allah with utmost disgrace on the Day of Judgement. We have to reflect and think whether our behaviour is like those who take religion lightly? Why when timings of our worldly activities clash with our religious activities, that we choose to forsake religious activities? why do we strive so hard for our worldly activities and leave religious activity. Even if we do perform religious activity we tend to take it lightly as if it carries no importance. School, College, Tennis, Karate, Football, Tours, Parties, Birthday celebrations etc. all are important. Attending madressa is not.
Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.) said:
I am surprised at proud people, who were yesterday a drop of semen and will tomorrow be a corpse. I am amazed to look at one who has doubt about Allah inspite of looking at His creation. I am more amazed at people who reject the Hereafter and Qiyamat inspite of seeing the first creation. But the greatest amazement is to see people working so hard for this world, which is going to end soon, but leaving the Hereafter; which is going to last forever"
Yes! No doubt about it! People strive so hard for life of a few years but forsake completely the life of Hereafter which is going to last forever. Let us resolve this very day that we will maintain a balance between our affairs of this world as well as the Hereafter. Let us fulfil our duty towards Allah. Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.), explainingthe right of Allah, said : "The greatest right of Allah against you is that you worship Himwithout associating anything with Him. When you do that with sincerity, He has made binding upon Himself to give you sufficiency in the affair of this world and the next".
Source: E-mail
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) in one of his saying stopped people from four things, as these things cause the heart to die, he said :"There are four things which cause the heart to die: 1) Commiting sins, one after the other, 2) Talking much with women, 3) Disputing with a fool, 4) Assouiating with the dead," Those present said "0 Prophet of Allah! who are the dead?" The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) replied "The rich who have forgotten Allah".
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) in the above words has sent a clear message of caution to people who have forsaken Allah. who take religion and religious activity lightly, who consider every other thing except religion to be important. who mock at religious practices.
Many instances from our daily life can be cited where we take religion lightly. One of my friends narrated an experience, he found a person, who teaches in a Madressa (school) where religious instructions are given twice a week. Once he found out that a student was remaining absent for quite some time. He went to the house of the student to find out the reason for his absenteeism. On inquinng he found out thathis father has stopped him from going to the Madressa.
The teacher was taken aback and met the father in a bid to convince him. The father justifyng his decision said that as his son has so many activities and he cannot cope up with attending Madressa also. The teacher asked him as to what are his activities. The father said that his son has to attend school for six days in a week, five days in a week he has to go for extra coaching, twice a week are his tennis sessions, thrice a week he has to go for Karate classes, twice a week he has to take part in football and cricket matches. His father expanded the list and said that now he has joined Gymnasium, so already he hasso much pressure that I cannot allow more pressure on him and besides his Gymnasium timings clash with Madressa. The teacher concluded that these are the people about whom Allah says in Qur'an, that on the Day of Judgement Allah will forsake such people. Explaining the reasons thereof Allah says :
"Surely Allah has prohibited to them water (of heaven)... because they are the ones who have taken their religion as an idle sport and a play, and life of this world has deceived them; so today We forsake them as they denied the meeting of this day and rejected Our communications (7:51)
Yes! People who consider religion as last on their priority list will be negated by Allah with utmost disgrace on the Day of Judgement. We have to reflect and think whether our behaviour is like those who take religion lightly? Why when timings of our worldly activities clash with our religious activities, that we choose to forsake religious activities? why do we strive so hard for our worldly activities and leave religious activity. Even if we do perform religious activity we tend to take it lightly as if it carries no importance. School, College, Tennis, Karate, Football, Tours, Parties, Birthday celebrations etc. all are important. Attending madressa is not.
Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.) said:
I am surprised at proud people, who were yesterday a drop of semen and will tomorrow be a corpse. I am amazed to look at one who has doubt about Allah inspite of looking at His creation. I am more amazed at people who reject the Hereafter and Qiyamat inspite of seeing the first creation. But the greatest amazement is to see people working so hard for this world, which is going to end soon, but leaving the Hereafter; which is going to last forever"
Yes! No doubt about it! People strive so hard for life of a few years but forsake completely the life of Hereafter which is going to last forever. Let us resolve this very day that we will maintain a balance between our affairs of this world as well as the Hereafter. Let us fulfil our duty towards Allah. Imam Zainul Aabedin (a.s.), explainingthe right of Allah, said : "The greatest right of Allah against you is that you worship Himwithout associating anything with Him. When you do that with sincerity, He has made binding upon Himself to give you sufficiency in the affair of this world and the next".
Source: E-mail
Clever King, a Real Life Story
There was a country long time ago where the people would change a king every year.The person who would become the king hadto agree to a contract that he would be sentto an island after his one year of being a king.
One king finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was the moment of sadness for all the kings who ruled for one year. After saying farewell, the people took the king with a boat to the remote island and left him there.
On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who survived by holding on to afloating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be a king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be a king. People told him about all the rules and regulations and that how he will be sent to an island after one year.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. They agreed and took him to the island. The island was covered with thick jungles and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of them. The king went little bit inside to check. Soon he discovered the dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left in the island, the animals came and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took themto the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all the excess trees. He would visit the island every month to see how the work was progressing. In the first month, allthe animals were removed and many trees were cut down. In the second month, the whole island was cleaned out. The king thentold the workers to plant gardens in variousparts of the island. He also took with himself useful animals like chickens, ducks, birds, goats, cows etc. In the third month, he ordered the workers to build big houses and docking stations for ships. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place.
The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them:
"I know that I have to go the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now." But the ministers didn't agree to this and said that he has to wait for another 3 months to complete the year.
3 months passed and now it was a full year. The people dressed up the young king and put him on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to others. However, this king is unusually happy to leave the kingdom.
People asked him, "All the other kings would cry at this moment and why are you laughing?"
He replied, "Don't you know what the wise people say? They say that when you came to this world as a baby, you were crying and everyone was smiling. Live such a life that when you are die, you will be smiling and everyone around you will be crying. I have lived that life. While all the other kingswere lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, Ialways thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully."
The moral lesson from this story is about how we should live our life. The life of this world is to prepare for the life hereafter. In this life, we shouldn't get lost into the deceiving and attractive things of this world and forget about what is to come in the afterlife. Rather, even if we are kings, we should live a simple life like our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and save all our enjoyments for the hereafter. May Allah make it easy for us all. Amin.
Noble Qur'an Says: Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things). (31:34)
Noble Qur'an urges us to prepare for tomorrow: O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. (59:18)
One king finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was the moment of sadness for all the kings who ruled for one year. After saying farewell, the people took the king with a boat to the remote island and left him there.
On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who survived by holding on to afloating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be a king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be a king. People told him about all the rules and regulations and that how he will be sent to an island after one year.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. They agreed and took him to the island. The island was covered with thick jungles and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of them. The king went little bit inside to check. Soon he discovered the dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left in the island, the animals came and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took themto the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all the excess trees. He would visit the island every month to see how the work was progressing. In the first month, allthe animals were removed and many trees were cut down. In the second month, the whole island was cleaned out. The king thentold the workers to plant gardens in variousparts of the island. He also took with himself useful animals like chickens, ducks, birds, goats, cows etc. In the third month, he ordered the workers to build big houses and docking stations for ships. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place.
The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them:
"I know that I have to go the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now." But the ministers didn't agree to this and said that he has to wait for another 3 months to complete the year.
3 months passed and now it was a full year. The people dressed up the young king and put him on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to others. However, this king is unusually happy to leave the kingdom.
People asked him, "All the other kings would cry at this moment and why are you laughing?"
He replied, "Don't you know what the wise people say? They say that when you came to this world as a baby, you were crying and everyone was smiling. Live such a life that when you are die, you will be smiling and everyone around you will be crying. I have lived that life. While all the other kingswere lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, Ialways thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully."
The moral lesson from this story is about how we should live our life. The life of this world is to prepare for the life hereafter. In this life, we shouldn't get lost into the deceiving and attractive things of this world and forget about what is to come in the afterlife. Rather, even if we are kings, we should live a simple life like our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) and save all our enjoyments for the hereafter. May Allah make it easy for us all. Amin.
Noble Qur'an Says: Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things). (31:34)
Noble Qur'an urges us to prepare for tomorrow: O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do. (59:18)
An Interpretation of Dream
Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him.
The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.
The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon.
The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.
The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops ofhoney were falling from it.
The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey.
Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him.
After a while, he woke up from his sleep.
To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of Islam. The Islamic scholar who interpret the dream said, the lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes wherever you go.
The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day. Black one is the nightand the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death.
The big black snake witha dark mouth is your grave. It's there, just waiting for you to fall into it.
The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it's very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another.
Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.
This Life is Material, and the Hereafter is FarBetter and everlasting:
According to Islam, this life is very short andfull of material things that can get in the way of our submission to Almighty Allah (SWT). It's not wrong to have these material possessions as long as we remember our obligations to Almighty Allah(SWT) and thank Him for those things. We shouldn't get preoccupied with this temporary worldly life and forget Hereafter.
It is narrated that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) has said: "Most intellectual of man is he remembers the death most."
It is also narrated that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) has said: "One who gains the love and grace of Allah (SWT), always end (Ajal) will be before his eyes and he will be always worried about his death. But the one who take Satan (Shaitan) as a friend and becomes Bad-Bakht. Shaitan overpowers him and indulge (Giraftaar) him in long long desires and them he never remember death."
The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.
The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon.
The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.
The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops ofhoney were falling from it.
The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey.
Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him.
After a while, he woke up from his sleep.
To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of Islam. The Islamic scholar who interpret the dream said, the lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes wherever you go.
The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day. Black one is the nightand the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death.
The big black snake witha dark mouth is your grave. It's there, just waiting for you to fall into it.
The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it's very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another.
Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.
This Life is Material, and the Hereafter is FarBetter and everlasting:
According to Islam, this life is very short andfull of material things that can get in the way of our submission to Almighty Allah (SWT). It's not wrong to have these material possessions as long as we remember our obligations to Almighty Allah(SWT) and thank Him for those things. We shouldn't get preoccupied with this temporary worldly life and forget Hereafter.
It is narrated that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) has said: "Most intellectual of man is he remembers the death most."
It is also narrated that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) has said: "One who gains the love and grace of Allah (SWT), always end (Ajal) will be before his eyes and he will be always worried about his death. But the one who take Satan (Shaitan) as a friend and becomes Bad-Bakht. Shaitan overpowers him and indulge (Giraftaar) him in long long desires and them he never remember death."
Taking account of oneself
Accounting is a characteristic found in human nature, irrespective of his country, ancestry, community or religion. Man is always preoccupied about things that shall benefit or harm him; he is always worried about hisfuture, his wealth, property and about other things. His mind is always analyzing his strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Accounting is of various kinds. Generally, man takes an account of those things that are related to this temporary world. At suchtimes, he forgets that there is someone else too, who is taking (his) account and whose rewards are everlasting. He is so absorbed in the accounting of this colourful and attractive world, that he has forgotten the terrifying accounting that shall take place in the grave or the impartial accounting of the Day of Mahshar (Day of Gathering on the Last Judgment). Man is busy in finding faults in others. He forgets to take account of himself and see how much he is immersed in sins and how many flaws lie within his own self.
Rather, man should make his own self so strong and powerful, that it becomes his advisor. The 'self' of man should exhort him towards all obligatory acts and refrain him from committing all prohibited acts. Today, so much time is being wasted in backbiting , accusing others, watching television and committing other sins. Man must realize that everything will be accounted for. The way you trained your children, the way youspent your money, whether you have usurped any one's right, even if it is a material right, to the extent that even if you have done good or evil of the size of a mustard seed, it will be accounted for. The Day of Judgment is also referred to as 'The Day of Lamenting'. As Allah (SWT) mention in Noble Qur'an: Whether you show what is in your mind or conceal it, Allah is well aware of that and will call you to, account therefore. (2:284)
It is for this very reason that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) has narrated, "Take account (of your deeds) yourself before you are taken account of (by Allah [SWT])". Bihar al-Anwar
In the Wasiyyah (will) of Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) to his companion (Sahabah) Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (ra), Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) says:
Oh Abu Dharr! Take account of yourself before you're taken account of so your accounting will be easier tomorrow. And weigh yourself before you are weighed andprepare for the great staging; the day you will be presented, not the least of a hidden thing of you will be hidden from Allah (SWT).
Another companion (Sahabah) Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (ra) narrated that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, "A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grewold; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had." (Tirmidhi 5197)
Take account of yourself before the weighing scale is established. And be prepared for a great accounting. Just as man carries a watch in order to keep track of time, in the same manner, he should assign a watch for himself that will keep a track of his daily activities. He should check everyday the actions that are beneficial to him and the actions that harm him. Every night when we lie down on the bed, we should analyze our entire day and scrutinizeeach and every of our actions. 'What did weeat?' 'What did we earn?' 'Did we commit any sin?' At the same time we should also remember about the Day of Qiyamat (day of resurrection). If we find that we have performed good actions, then we should praise Allah (SWT) and if we find that we have performed bad actions, then we should seek forgiveness from Him and resolve not to repeat them.
It was asked from Imam Ali (as): How should a person take account of himself?
Imam Ali (as) replied: When a person ends his day, then he should turn towards himself and say 'O self! This day that has passed will not return. Allah (SWT) will ask you about how you wasted your day. He will ask you about the actions you performed, whether you remembered Him and praised Him? Whether you fulfilled a right of your fellow believer? Did you remove a difficulty that befell upon a believer? Did you protect his children in his absence? Did you safeguard his rights after his death? Did you - on account of your position - prevent anyone from backbiting your believing brother? Did you help any Muslim throughout the day?
Thus every man should ponder over his actions that he has performed during the day. If he finds that he has done good actions, then he should praise Allah (SWT) for giving him the opportunity (Taufeeq). But if he finds that he has committed sins, then he should seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and make a firm intention that he shall not repeat that act again.
Then let us be strict with ourselves every time we account for ourselves, just as a master is strict with his slave, or as a partner takes account of another partner. So account of yourself before your account is taken which will be so severe that there shall be no scope for rectification.
Accounting is of various kinds. Generally, man takes an account of those things that are related to this temporary world. At suchtimes, he forgets that there is someone else too, who is taking (his) account and whose rewards are everlasting. He is so absorbed in the accounting of this colourful and attractive world, that he has forgotten the terrifying accounting that shall take place in the grave or the impartial accounting of the Day of Mahshar (Day of Gathering on the Last Judgment). Man is busy in finding faults in others. He forgets to take account of himself and see how much he is immersed in sins and how many flaws lie within his own self.
Rather, man should make his own self so strong and powerful, that it becomes his advisor. The 'self' of man should exhort him towards all obligatory acts and refrain him from committing all prohibited acts. Today, so much time is being wasted in backbiting , accusing others, watching television and committing other sins. Man must realize that everything will be accounted for. The way you trained your children, the way youspent your money, whether you have usurped any one's right, even if it is a material right, to the extent that even if you have done good or evil of the size of a mustard seed, it will be accounted for. The Day of Judgment is also referred to as 'The Day of Lamenting'. As Allah (SWT) mention in Noble Qur'an: Whether you show what is in your mind or conceal it, Allah is well aware of that and will call you to, account therefore. (2:284)
It is for this very reason that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) has narrated, "Take account (of your deeds) yourself before you are taken account of (by Allah [SWT])". Bihar al-Anwar
In the Wasiyyah (will) of Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) to his companion (Sahabah) Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (ra), Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) says:
Oh Abu Dharr! Take account of yourself before you're taken account of so your accounting will be easier tomorrow. And weigh yourself before you are weighed andprepare for the great staging; the day you will be presented, not the least of a hidden thing of you will be hidden from Allah (SWT).
Another companion (Sahabah) Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (ra) narrated that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, "A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grewold; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had." (Tirmidhi 5197)
Take account of yourself before the weighing scale is established. And be prepared for a great accounting. Just as man carries a watch in order to keep track of time, in the same manner, he should assign a watch for himself that will keep a track of his daily activities. He should check everyday the actions that are beneficial to him and the actions that harm him. Every night when we lie down on the bed, we should analyze our entire day and scrutinizeeach and every of our actions. 'What did weeat?' 'What did we earn?' 'Did we commit any sin?' At the same time we should also remember about the Day of Qiyamat (day of resurrection). If we find that we have performed good actions, then we should praise Allah (SWT) and if we find that we have performed bad actions, then we should seek forgiveness from Him and resolve not to repeat them.
It was asked from Imam Ali (as): How should a person take account of himself?
Imam Ali (as) replied: When a person ends his day, then he should turn towards himself and say 'O self! This day that has passed will not return. Allah (SWT) will ask you about how you wasted your day. He will ask you about the actions you performed, whether you remembered Him and praised Him? Whether you fulfilled a right of your fellow believer? Did you remove a difficulty that befell upon a believer? Did you protect his children in his absence? Did you safeguard his rights after his death? Did you - on account of your position - prevent anyone from backbiting your believing brother? Did you help any Muslim throughout the day?
Thus every man should ponder over his actions that he has performed during the day. If he finds that he has done good actions, then he should praise Allah (SWT) for giving him the opportunity (Taufeeq). But if he finds that he has committed sins, then he should seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and make a firm intention that he shall not repeat that act again.
Then let us be strict with ourselves every time we account for ourselves, just as a master is strict with his slave, or as a partner takes account of another partner. So account of yourself before your account is taken which will be so severe that there shall be no scope for rectification.
Young Boy with strong belief
Shaykh Fath al-Mowsily relates, once I saw a young boy walking through the jungle. It appeared as if he was uttering some words. I greeted him with Salaam and he replied accordingly. I inquired, "Where are you going?" Young boy retorted, "To the house of Allah, Kaaba in Makkah." I further asked,"What are you reciting?" "Noble Qur'an" he replied. I remarked, "You are at a tender age, it is not an obligation that you are required to fulfill."
Young boy said, "I have witnessed death approach people younger than me and therefore would like to prepare if death was to knock on my door." I astoundingly commented, "Your steps are small and yourdestination far." He responded, "My duty is to take the step and it remains the responsibility of Allah (SWT) to take me to my destination." I continued to ask, "Whereis your provision and conveyance (means oftransport)." He replied, "My Yaqeen (certainty) is my provision and my feet's are my conveyance." I explained, "I am asking you regarding bread and water."
Young boy replied! "Oh Shaykh if someone invited you to his house, would it be appropriate to take your own food?" I exclaimed, "No!" "Similarly, My Lord has invited His servant to His house, it is only the weakness of your Yaqeen (certainty) that makes us carry provisions. Despite this, do you think Allah (SWT) will let me go to waste?" "Never" I replied. Young boy then left. Sometime later I saw him in Makkah. Young boy approached me and inquired, "Oh Shaykh are you still of weak belief?"
Source: Stories of the Pious by Shaikh Ahmad Ali
Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "He who likes to be the strongest should trust inAllah (SWT) ."
Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "If you would have trusted Allah (SWT) as He deserves to be trusted then He would have fed you the way He feeds the birds."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Do not betray anyone who places his trust in you, even if he betrays you."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Fulfillment of trusts is the key to one's means of livelihood."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "There is no faith for him who has no modesty."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "To remove a mountain is easier than removing faith."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "You will not be faithful believer before you become fearful and hopeful. You will not be fearful and hopeful before you work for what you fear and hope."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Faith is not identified through outer appearances and hopes. Faith is that which is pure in the hearts and assured by deeds."
Noble Prophet Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (as) said: "Verily as crops can not thrive except with water and dirt, so then too true faith can not thrive except throughknowledge and action."
Young boy said, "I have witnessed death approach people younger than me and therefore would like to prepare if death was to knock on my door." I astoundingly commented, "Your steps are small and yourdestination far." He responded, "My duty is to take the step and it remains the responsibility of Allah (SWT) to take me to my destination." I continued to ask, "Whereis your provision and conveyance (means oftransport)." He replied, "My Yaqeen (certainty) is my provision and my feet's are my conveyance." I explained, "I am asking you regarding bread and water."
Young boy replied! "Oh Shaykh if someone invited you to his house, would it be appropriate to take your own food?" I exclaimed, "No!" "Similarly, My Lord has invited His servant to His house, it is only the weakness of your Yaqeen (certainty) that makes us carry provisions. Despite this, do you think Allah (SWT) will let me go to waste?" "Never" I replied. Young boy then left. Sometime later I saw him in Makkah. Young boy approached me and inquired, "Oh Shaykh are you still of weak belief?"
Source: Stories of the Pious by Shaikh Ahmad Ali
Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "He who likes to be the strongest should trust inAllah (SWT) ."
Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "If you would have trusted Allah (SWT) as He deserves to be trusted then He would have fed you the way He feeds the birds."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Do not betray anyone who places his trust in you, even if he betrays you."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Fulfillment of trusts is the key to one's means of livelihood."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "There is no faith for him who has no modesty."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "To remove a mountain is easier than removing faith."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "You will not be faithful believer before you become fearful and hopeful. You will not be fearful and hopeful before you work for what you fear and hope."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Faith is not identified through outer appearances and hopes. Faith is that which is pure in the hearts and assured by deeds."
Noble Prophet Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (as) said: "Verily as crops can not thrive except with water and dirt, so then too true faith can not thrive except throughknowledge and action."
!!!!! I want to buy a Miracle !!!!!
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a 'Glass Jelly Jar' from its hiding place in the closet.
Little girl poured the change out on the floorand counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way to 6 blocks to Rashid's Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door. Little girl waited patiently for the Pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Little girl (Tasneem) twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise; Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgustingsound she could muster; No good. Finally she took a coin from her Jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the Pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Lahore whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
"Well, I want to buy an mmm..."
The Pharmacist stared back in the same annoyed tone.
"He's really; really sick.... and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon?" said the Pharmacist.
"My brother name is Aslam and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save my brother now. So how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the Pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for miracle. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs?"
The Pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man from Lahore. He stooped downand asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tasneem replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Lahore.
"Ten and half rupees. And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man."Ten and half rupees - the exact price of a miracle for your little brother."
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her hand and said: "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."
That well dressed man from Lahore was Dr. Ashraf Beg, a surgeon specializing in Neuro-Surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Aslam washome again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
"That Surgery," her Mom whispered. "Was areal miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?"
Tasneem smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... Ten and half rupees...plus the faith of a little girl.
Noble Qur'an says: "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me." (26:80)
And mom also knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... selfless devotion to their profession by doctors like Ashraf Beg ...
Noble Qur'an says: "Those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith; they show their selfless love and affection to those (Muslims) who came to them for refuge, and they entertain no desire in their hearts for things they give out (to the needy), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, - they are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)
Little girl poured the change out on the floorand counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way to 6 blocks to Rashid's Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door. Little girl waited patiently for the Pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Little girl (Tasneem) twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise; Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgustingsound she could muster; No good. Finally she took a coin from her Jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the Pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. "I'm talking to my brother from Lahore whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
"Well, I want to buy an mmm..."
The Pharmacist stared back in the same annoyed tone.
"He's really; really sick.... and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon?" said the Pharmacist.
"My brother name is Aslam and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save my brother now. So how much does a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the Pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for miracle. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs?"
The Pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man from Lahore. He stooped downand asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tasneem replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Lahore.
"Ten and half rupees. And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man."Ten and half rupees - the exact price of a miracle for your little brother."
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her hand and said: "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."
That well dressed man from Lahore was Dr. Ashraf Beg, a surgeon specializing in Neuro-Surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Aslam washome again and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
"That Surgery," her Mom whispered. "Was areal miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?"
Tasneem smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... Ten and half rupees...plus the faith of a little girl.
Noble Qur'an says: "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me." (26:80)
And mom also knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... selfless devotion to their profession by doctors like Ashraf Beg ...
Noble Qur'an says: "Those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith; they show their selfless love and affection to those (Muslims) who came to them for refuge, and they entertain no desire in their hearts for things they give out (to the needy), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, - they are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)
Anger and Islam
Do you find it hard to forgive someone who has done you wrong? Doyou often find yourself in heated arguments with the people with whom you are closest? Have you ever been so angry that you couldnot remember what you said or did? Have you ever gotten so angry that you resorted to physical violence, hitting people or breaking things?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you might have an anger problem. These are just a few of the symptoms of anger addiction. This article offers the anger management skills and techniques according to Islamic teachings.
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems - problems at work, in your personal relationships and in the overall quality of your life. And it can make you feel as though you are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion.
Anger is complex, bodily and emotional response. Even before you begin to shout, hit or scream, your body functions changes drastically. Your brain goes into crisis mode and releases powerful chemicals, telling your body to prepare for attack. Your blood pressure skyrockets, your heart rate rapidly increases and all of the blood is directed toward unnecessary bodily processes. Your vision sharpens and your body literally prepares for battle.
This natural process enables human beings to be both courageous and outrageous. Our physical response to anger equips us to survive dangerous circumstances. Our brains and bodies mobilize quickly to respond to attacks by wild animals and rescuing others from danger. But the same effective response that allows human beings to escape a grizzly bear attack also drives us to hurt other people and destroy relationship. In addition to destroying relationships, constant anger can lead to serious health problems like persistent headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Anger, quite literally, can kill you.
Some people keep their anger buried deep inside. It's not good to hide your anger, so you should find a way to let it out without hurting yourself or others. As a matter of fact, the real problem is not anger itself; thereal problem is the mismanagement of anger. Mismanaged anger and rage is the major cause of conflict in our personal as well as professional relationships. Because, never getting angry is impossible. Instead, remember that how you act when you are angry can make the situation better or worse. Don't let anger be the boss of you. Take charge of it! Stop anger before it destroys your life and the lives of those around you. Effective anger management skills and techniques benefit your health and your relationships.
Please note: Don't make decisions when you're angry and don't make promises when you're happy.
Anger (Ghadab) and Islam: Anger management skills and techniques in Islam
Anger is one of the conditions of the soul, and possesses three states.
1. The state of excess, which is defined as what would put one outside the bounds ofIslam religion and its laws.
2. The state of deficiency, which is defined as the state in which one fails to take a violent action even though it is necessary for his self defense.
3. The state of moderation, in which anger isstimulated in appropriate and permissiblecircumstances. Thus it is clear that the first and the second states are amongst the vices of the soul (diseases of soul), while the third is amongst ethical virtues produced by courage.
Excessive anger is a fatal disease, which can be considered as a type of temporary madness. When it subsides, it is immediately followed by remorse and repentance, which represent healthy responses of a rational person.
Anger (Ghadab), Bad Temper and Human Vice according to Islamic teachings
Anger is a secret weapon of man towards evil but in the state of excess, it results in the destruction of many noble qualities. It snatches away the wisdom of man and thushe becomes a brute beast devoid of any sense. Anger is a temptation and deception of Shaytaan. Anger is the root of all evils. Anger is a spark of fire that is always bursting. Anger is a very bad condition that weakens the person Imaan (Faith). Anger is the strong feeling caused by extreme displeasure and hostility.
Imam Ali (as) has said: "Anger is a stroke of madness, since the afflicted later feels remorse and regrets. If someone does not feel any remorse after anger, it means that his madness has become fixed."
Imam Ali (as) has also said: "Protect yourself from anger for its beginning is insanity and its end is remorse."
Moreover, absolute absence of anger is also a vice, which drags man into humiliation, subjugation and inability to defend his rights. In order to cure excessive anger, onemust first remove its causes. These may be pride, selfishness, stubbornness, greed and other such vices. One must also consider how unseemly excessive anger is, and how evil its consequences may be.
Secondly, he must examine the benefits of forbearance and self-restraint and associate with people who possess these qualities. He must also realize that Allah's (SWT) power is supreme, and everything is under His command, which would make him realize his own weakness compared with the infinite power of Allah (SWT).
Thirdly, he should know that a person in a state of anger is not loved by Allah (SWT); moreover, he may do something in anger, of which he will be ashamed later on.
The opposite of anger is mildness and forbearance characteristics which count amongst perfect qualities of the soul. They make a person forgiving and merciful, although he may have complete power to take revenge.
Noble Qur'an says: Keep to forgiveness, and enjoin what is fair, and turn away from the ignorant. (7:199)
And Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said: "Forgiveness raises a man's station; forgive so that Allah (SWT) may honour you."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Anger management skills and techniques in Islam
The behaviour of a courageous person is based on wisdom and serenity of soul. He gets angry on proper occasion and is patient and restrained. His anger is to the proper extent and if he takes revenge, it is with reason and discretion. He knows well as to whom he should forgive and what to overlook and ignore.
The anger of a true believer is for the sake of Allah (SWT). In the state of anger, he keeps in mind his duties, rights of creaturesand never oppresses anyone. He neither makes the use of indecent language nor acts indiscreetly. All his acts are based on rational considerations and are in accordance with the norms of justice and Divine laws. He always acts in a way that he will not regret his actions later on.
Hence a true believer practices self-control and suppresses the motives of ill-temper through taking enough time before saying or doing anything.
Anger (Ghadab), Bad Temper and Human Vice according to Prophetic Sayings (Hadith)
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "The best Jihad is self-control."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "He is not strong and powerful, who throws people down, but he is strong who withholds himself from anger." Therefore, Anger is the sign of weakness not a sign of strength.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:"Whoever suppresses his anger, when he has in his power to show it, Allah (SWT) will give him a great reward."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:"Anger corrupts faith in the same way that vinegar destroys honey."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) narrated on the authority of his father Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) that, a Bedouin came to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said: "I live in the desert; hence, I want you to instruct me the comprehensive of speech." Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "I instruct you not to be angry." As the Bedouin repeated the same request three times, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) repeated the answer three times. Then Bedouin commented: "I will not ask you for anythingany more. Certainly, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has instructed me the best."
Imam Ali (as) said: "The most powerful person is the one who is victorious over his anger with his forbearance."
Imam Ali (as) said: "When a person gets angry, if he is standing, he should immediately lie down (sit down) on earth for a while as this removes the filth of Shaitan (Satan) from him at that time."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Keep off anger because it is one large army from the Shaitan's (Satan) armies."
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Any one who suppresses his anger, Allah (SWT) will add to his honour and authority in this world and the world to come."
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "A manoften becomes so angry that he is never pleased until this causes him to be in Hell."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "One who refrains his anger (towards someone), Allah(SWT) will cover his secrets."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Anger is the key (that opens the door) to all kinds of vices."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "A Mu'min (believer) is the person who when angered, his anger doesn't lead him away from that which is true."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "He who has no control over his anger has no control over his reason."
Anger management tips and techniques according to Islamic teachings
Noble Qur'an says, "And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek refuge in Allah, He is hearing and knowing." (7:200) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "If a man gets angry and says, 'I seek refuge with Allah,' his anger will go away."
Therefore when someone is angry he should immediately say "A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim." Meaning, I seek shelter in Allah (SWT) from the rejected Satan.
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Verily,anger is a spark ignited by the Shaitan (Satan) in the human heart. Indeed, when anyone of you gets angry, his eyes become red, the veins of his neck become swollen and Shaitan (Satan) enters them. Therefore,whosoever among you is concerned about himself on account of it, he should lie down for a while so that the filth of Shaitan (Satan) may be removed from him at the time."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said,"Anger is from Shaitan, Shaitan is from fire; fire is put out by water; so when one is angry he should do Wudu (Ablution)."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, when one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down.
Be silent, don't speak. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, "If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent."
Divert attention away from the cause of anger and participate in strenuous physical activity aiming at letting steam out and relaxing muscles.
Try to pinpoint the exact reasons why you feel angry. Once you identified the problem,consider coming up with different strategies on how to remedy the situation.
Forgive and forget. Remember the rewards and virtues of patience, mercy and forgiveness. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; Allah loves those who do good. ( Noble Qur'an , 3:134)
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, you might have an anger problem. These are just a few of the symptoms of anger addiction. This article offers the anger management skills and techniques according to Islamic teachings.
Anger is a completely normal, usually healthy, human emotion. But when it gets out of control and turns destructive, it can lead to problems - problems at work, in your personal relationships and in the overall quality of your life. And it can make you feel as though you are at the mercy of an unpredictable and powerful emotion.
Anger is complex, bodily and emotional response. Even before you begin to shout, hit or scream, your body functions changes drastically. Your brain goes into crisis mode and releases powerful chemicals, telling your body to prepare for attack. Your blood pressure skyrockets, your heart rate rapidly increases and all of the blood is directed toward unnecessary bodily processes. Your vision sharpens and your body literally prepares for battle.
This natural process enables human beings to be both courageous and outrageous. Our physical response to anger equips us to survive dangerous circumstances. Our brains and bodies mobilize quickly to respond to attacks by wild animals and rescuing others from danger. But the same effective response that allows human beings to escape a grizzly bear attack also drives us to hurt other people and destroy relationship. In addition to destroying relationships, constant anger can lead to serious health problems like persistent headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Anger, quite literally, can kill you.
Some people keep their anger buried deep inside. It's not good to hide your anger, so you should find a way to let it out without hurting yourself or others. As a matter of fact, the real problem is not anger itself; thereal problem is the mismanagement of anger. Mismanaged anger and rage is the major cause of conflict in our personal as well as professional relationships. Because, never getting angry is impossible. Instead, remember that how you act when you are angry can make the situation better or worse. Don't let anger be the boss of you. Take charge of it! Stop anger before it destroys your life and the lives of those around you. Effective anger management skills and techniques benefit your health and your relationships.
Please note: Don't make decisions when you're angry and don't make promises when you're happy.
Anger (Ghadab) and Islam: Anger management skills and techniques in Islam
Anger is one of the conditions of the soul, and possesses three states.
1. The state of excess, which is defined as what would put one outside the bounds ofIslam religion and its laws.
2. The state of deficiency, which is defined as the state in which one fails to take a violent action even though it is necessary for his self defense.
3. The state of moderation, in which anger isstimulated in appropriate and permissiblecircumstances. Thus it is clear that the first and the second states are amongst the vices of the soul (diseases of soul), while the third is amongst ethical virtues produced by courage.
Excessive anger is a fatal disease, which can be considered as a type of temporary madness. When it subsides, it is immediately followed by remorse and repentance, which represent healthy responses of a rational person.
Anger (Ghadab), Bad Temper and Human Vice according to Islamic teachings
Anger is a secret weapon of man towards evil but in the state of excess, it results in the destruction of many noble qualities. It snatches away the wisdom of man and thushe becomes a brute beast devoid of any sense. Anger is a temptation and deception of Shaytaan. Anger is the root of all evils. Anger is a spark of fire that is always bursting. Anger is a very bad condition that weakens the person Imaan (Faith). Anger is the strong feeling caused by extreme displeasure and hostility.
Imam Ali (as) has said: "Anger is a stroke of madness, since the afflicted later feels remorse and regrets. If someone does not feel any remorse after anger, it means that his madness has become fixed."
Imam Ali (as) has also said: "Protect yourself from anger for its beginning is insanity and its end is remorse."
Moreover, absolute absence of anger is also a vice, which drags man into humiliation, subjugation and inability to defend his rights. In order to cure excessive anger, onemust first remove its causes. These may be pride, selfishness, stubbornness, greed and other such vices. One must also consider how unseemly excessive anger is, and how evil its consequences may be.
Secondly, he must examine the benefits of forbearance and self-restraint and associate with people who possess these qualities. He must also realize that Allah's (SWT) power is supreme, and everything is under His command, which would make him realize his own weakness compared with the infinite power of Allah (SWT).
Thirdly, he should know that a person in a state of anger is not loved by Allah (SWT); moreover, he may do something in anger, of which he will be ashamed later on.
The opposite of anger is mildness and forbearance characteristics which count amongst perfect qualities of the soul. They make a person forgiving and merciful, although he may have complete power to take revenge.
Noble Qur'an says: Keep to forgiveness, and enjoin what is fair, and turn away from the ignorant. (7:199)
And Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said: "Forgiveness raises a man's station; forgive so that Allah (SWT) may honour you."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Anger management skills and techniques in Islam
The behaviour of a courageous person is based on wisdom and serenity of soul. He gets angry on proper occasion and is patient and restrained. His anger is to the proper extent and if he takes revenge, it is with reason and discretion. He knows well as to whom he should forgive and what to overlook and ignore.
The anger of a true believer is for the sake of Allah (SWT). In the state of anger, he keeps in mind his duties, rights of creaturesand never oppresses anyone. He neither makes the use of indecent language nor acts indiscreetly. All his acts are based on rational considerations and are in accordance with the norms of justice and Divine laws. He always acts in a way that he will not regret his actions later on.
Hence a true believer practices self-control and suppresses the motives of ill-temper through taking enough time before saying or doing anything.
Anger (Ghadab), Bad Temper and Human Vice according to Prophetic Sayings (Hadith)
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "The best Jihad is self-control."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "He is not strong and powerful, who throws people down, but he is strong who withholds himself from anger." Therefore, Anger is the sign of weakness not a sign of strength.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:"Whoever suppresses his anger, when he has in his power to show it, Allah (SWT) will give him a great reward."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:"Anger corrupts faith in the same way that vinegar destroys honey."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) narrated on the authority of his father Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) that, a Bedouin came to Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said: "I live in the desert; hence, I want you to instruct me the comprehensive of speech." Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "I instruct you not to be angry." As the Bedouin repeated the same request three times, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) repeated the answer three times. Then Bedouin commented: "I will not ask you for anythingany more. Certainly, Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has instructed me the best."
Imam Ali (as) said: "The most powerful person is the one who is victorious over his anger with his forbearance."
Imam Ali (as) said: "When a person gets angry, if he is standing, he should immediately lie down (sit down) on earth for a while as this removes the filth of Shaitan (Satan) from him at that time."
Imam Ali (as) said: "Keep off anger because it is one large army from the Shaitan's (Satan) armies."
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Any one who suppresses his anger, Allah (SWT) will add to his honour and authority in this world and the world to come."
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "A manoften becomes so angry that he is never pleased until this causes him to be in Hell."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "One who refrains his anger (towards someone), Allah(SWT) will cover his secrets."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Anger is the key (that opens the door) to all kinds of vices."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "A Mu'min (believer) is the person who when angered, his anger doesn't lead him away from that which is true."
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "He who has no control over his anger has no control over his reason."
Anger management tips and techniques according to Islamic teachings
Noble Qur'an says, "And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek refuge in Allah, He is hearing and knowing." (7:200) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "If a man gets angry and says, 'I seek refuge with Allah,' his anger will go away."
Therefore when someone is angry he should immediately say "A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim." Meaning, I seek shelter in Allah (SWT) from the rejected Satan.
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Verily,anger is a spark ignited by the Shaitan (Satan) in the human heart. Indeed, when anyone of you gets angry, his eyes become red, the veins of his neck become swollen and Shaitan (Satan) enters them. Therefore,whosoever among you is concerned about himself on account of it, he should lie down for a while so that the filth of Shaitan (Satan) may be removed from him at the time."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said,"Anger is from Shaitan, Shaitan is from fire; fire is put out by water; so when one is angry he should do Wudu (Ablution)."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, when one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down.
Be silent, don't speak. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, "If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent."
Divert attention away from the cause of anger and participate in strenuous physical activity aiming at letting steam out and relaxing muscles.
Try to pinpoint the exact reasons why you feel angry. Once you identified the problem,consider coming up with different strategies on how to remedy the situation.
Forgive and forget. Remember the rewards and virtues of patience, mercy and forgiveness. Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; Allah loves those who do good. ( Noble Qur'an , 3:134)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Too many Yazids and no Imam Husain (as) in the Ummah today
The real tragedy of the Ummah is not that we are facing another Karbala in Iraq or Palestine today, but that there are too many Yazids and no Imam Husain (as) among us. During this Muharram, as in years past, the sacrifices of the great Imam (as) have been commemorated all over the world; even rulers in some Muslim countries participate in ceremonies to pay tribute to Imam Husain's principled stand against injustice. Yet these very same rulers not only compromise with injustice but perpetrate it in their own societies daily. It is this hypocrisy that is at the root of much of the suffering of Muslims today. In the Qur'an, Allah challenges us: "O you who have committed yourselves to Allah, why do you say that which you do not practise? The worst thing in the sight of Allah is that you say but do not do" (61:2-3).
There is a long list of tragedies that have befallen us that can be cited as our present-day Karbalas: Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia and Gujrat are but a few. Everywhere Muslims are under attack; they are vilified, tortured, humiliated and killed, yet they are the ones accused of almost every kind of wrongdoing. But before we draw parallels between the contemporary problems of Muslims and the tragedy of Karbala, let us be clear about what Imam Husain's sacrificewas about. He did not struggle for worldly gain or power; he was aware that if he gave in to the demands of Yazid, it would destroy Islam. He declared before both friends and foes: "If this Ummah is to be tried with a shepherd such as Yazid, then farewell to Islam." Imam Husain (as) refused to give his allegiance to Yazid but did not plot in secret; his rejection of Yazid's authority was open and aboveboard. He even went toMakkah to make a public declaration of what was afoot and how it would affect the Ummah of Islam, but he realized that the sanctity of the Haram would be violated by his blood being shed, so he left without even completing his Hajj. For him, Islamic principles were more important than his personal well-being. He died in a strange land after witnessing the murders of almostall his family and close companions; he preferred to die rather than compromise with dhulm and oppression. When asked to give allegiance to Yazid and save his life, he exclaimed: "A man like me cannot give allegiance to a man like Yazid!"
Such clarity of vision, purpose and commitment are lacking in the Muslims of today; this mainly is what has led to our sorry predicament. There is no shortage of sincere Muslims willing to make the hijrah (migration to Allah), but there are no Imam Husains (as) to lead them. The Muslim world is dominated by Yazids who have pledged themselves to the modern-day Pharaohs. Today, Ghazzah is drenched with the blood of children as the sand of Karbala was nearly 1,400 years ago; the children of Iraq are starving as the children and grandchildren of Imam Husain starved at Karbala. Today's situation is made worse bythe fact that an external power -the US- hasemerged that has no respect for others' rights or lives. Greed, arrogance and the belief that nothing can resist its military might are driving Washington to force everyone to submit to its demands. The Qaroons and Pharaohs of yesteryear demanded no less, visiting untold misery upon countless souls until they themselves perished, as they were destined to.
The struggle between right and wrong is as old as human history. When Iblis refused to obey Allah's command to prostrate before Adam (as), the struggle between obedienceand defiance came out into the open. Muslims would do well to remember that Iblis was not a mushrik ; it was his arrogance and feeling of superiority because he was made of fire while Adam was made of clay, that led him to disobey Allah. How many rulers in the Muslim world today are following in the footsteps of Iblis?True, they are Muslims in name and in someof their rituals and gestures, but in reality they belong to the camp of Iblis. The same struggle between Haqq and batil manifested itself between Ibrahim (as) and Qaroon; between Musa (as) and the Pharaoh; and between the last and final Prophet of Allah (saw) and the chiefs of Quraish. The stage may change, but the nature of the struggle does not. And in mostsituations, while falsehood is initially successful and able to browbeat many ordinary people into submission, truth ultimately triumphs. Yazid and his men were militarily successful at Karbala, but how many Muslims celebrate his "triumph" today? Which Muslim in his right mind can say that Yazid was in the right? Imam Husain (as) died, but ultimate victory was his. By refusing to surrender to Yazid, he made it difficult or impossible for future tyrants to justify their illegitimate rule by Islam.
Many a scholar succumbed to pressure from these rulers and provided intellectual arguments to underpin questionable policies and practices. We Muslims are in such bad shapetoday because we have allowed too many compromises to creep into the body politic of Islam. One of these, which has achieved the status of religious dogma, is the idea that Muslims must not rebel against authority, even if it is illegitimate, because to do so might lead to turmoil in society. This argument received immense official patronage, and scholars who promoted it were rewarded with positions and titles.
Thus the deviation of Muslim rulers- kings who insisted on being called khalifah or amir al-mu'mineen -was given religious sanction by scholars of dubious credentials and not enough courage or conviction. Under officialpatronage, their line of reasoning received wide currency and gradually became accepted as standard practice. Such corruption at the core was bound to affect the Muslim Ummah profoundly. Its consequences are being felt by Muslims everywhere today.
Other demonic notions also find striking echoes in the past. The US and its zionist cohorts talk about such ideas as "pre-emptive strikes." The zionists have even put them into practice, in Palestine and elsewhere. In the Qur'an Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us that Pharaoh issued orders to kill all the male children of Bani Israel and spare the girls (28:4-5). He gave this order because his advisors told him that someone from among the Children of Israel would emerge to challenge his authority, which would ultimately lead to the destruction of his kingdom. Pharaoh's order was a "pre-emptive" strike against Bani Israel to prevent that eventuality. We know from the Qur'an that a boy-child from the Bani Israel -Musa (as)-not only emerged to challenge Pharaoh, but that Allah arranged matters in such a way that he was brought up in the house of Pharaoh himself! Those who call themselves the BaniIsrael today have abandoned their covenant with Allah and adopted the practices of Pharaoh. So can their ultimate fate be any different? But before such a fate befalls them, a Musa-like leader must emerge in the world. Musa (as) did not havearmies to confront Pharaoh's legions; he was not even very articulate, having some sort of speech impediment (Qur'an 20:27), yet he received the divine message and obeyed Allah's command that he deliver it without fear or hesitation.
There is another irony in the doctrine of"preemptive strikes." Only half a century ago, Hitler used precisely this doctrine to invade and occupy a number of countries in Europe. When Israel was planted in the heartland of Islam, it adopted the same ideology and has pursued it relentlessly against the Palestinians and against neighbouring states. And now US president George Bush has adopted it, adding further refinements to justify his lust for aggression and war. He has done more; by presenting a simplistic yet dangerous notion-that if one is not with him, then one is with his enemy-he has usurped people's right to decide for themselves. In a sense hehas indeed established a global dictatorship.
Berating others' lack of fairness and decency, however, will not help the Muslims. There is little doubt in the mind of most Muslims that America, Israel, India et al are not ruled by people and systems that wish Muslims well; they are the open enemies of Islam, so why should Muslims expect any else from them? Equally crucial are other questions: what are we Muslims doing to confront our enemies? What weaknesses must we overcome in Muslim societies in order for us not to expose ourselves to external threats and aggression? Let us be clear that there are many structural weaknesses and faults in Muslim societies; denial of this will not help us, only our enemies. Accepting that problems exist is the first step on the path to their solution: someone suffering from a heart-problem can hardly help himself by denying that he has any such disease.
Imam Husain (as) had correctly diagnosed the problem confronting the Ummah in his time. It was a question of illegitimacy and the usurpation of power and authority by people who were totally unfitted to rule. Heraised his voice against it; regrettably, there were not enough Muslims willing to give up their lives for Islam's principles. Even those who did join the Imam eventually betrayed him. Yet this does not detract from his principled stand and his willingness to give up his own life in order not to lend weight to the corruption of Islamic principles. He was acting according to the Qur'anic command: "O you who have committed yourselves to Allah: shall I tell you of a deal that will save you from the torment of Hellfire? Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle in the way of Allah with your wealth and with your lives. That is better for you, if you but knew" (61:10-11). So Imam Husain (as) struggled inthe way of Allah not only with his own life but those of his family and close friends as well.
Today their voices echo in the torture-chambers of prisons in Israel, in the cages inGuantanamo Bay, in the valleys and mountains of Afghanistan, in the blood-drenched streets of Kashmir and the sewage-soiled alleys and side-streets of Palestinian refugee-camps and Iraqi cities and towns. To these must be added the torture-chambers of such rulers as those of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia. The Muslim world is ruled by the likes of Yazid, who have allied themselves with the enemies of Islam. Yet these very rulers dare to extol the virtues of Imam Husain (as) while themselves indulging in Yazidi behaviour.
All this causes despondency among some Muslims; yet this is wrong. Allah does not allow Muslims to lose hope; there will definitely be trials and tribulations, even suffering and defeat, in the struggle for truth and justice. After all, even the Messenger of Allah (saw) did not have an easy time. He was known as al-Amin , "the trustworthy one", even by his enemies, yet they persecuted him and his companions. They suffered abuse, torment, exile, siege, isolation and even death in battle or by torture, yet they remained steadfast. Even when permitted to fight they did not always win: in the battle of Uhud Muslims suffered a setback despite the presence of the Prophet (saw); a similar fate nearly befell them at the battle of Hunayn, before the Prophet (saw) was able to rally and regroup his companions. So there is no guarantee for Muslims. What is important isthat we struggle in the way of Allah with total sincerity.
That is why Allah tells His faithful servants not to lose heart, for Allah is with those whostruggle in His way. We are commanded to fight; in the process some of us will kill and be killed, but ultimately the reward of thosewho do so is with Allah because He has bought their wealth and lives in exchange for the Promise of Paradise (9:111). For Allah's Promise is of course the best of all promises.
There is a long list of tragedies that have befallen us that can be cited as our present-day Karbalas: Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, Kashmir, Bosnia and Gujrat are but a few. Everywhere Muslims are under attack; they are vilified, tortured, humiliated and killed, yet they are the ones accused of almost every kind of wrongdoing. But before we draw parallels between the contemporary problems of Muslims and the tragedy of Karbala, let us be clear about what Imam Husain's sacrificewas about. He did not struggle for worldly gain or power; he was aware that if he gave in to the demands of Yazid, it would destroy Islam. He declared before both friends and foes: "If this Ummah is to be tried with a shepherd such as Yazid, then farewell to Islam." Imam Husain (as) refused to give his allegiance to Yazid but did not plot in secret; his rejection of Yazid's authority was open and aboveboard. He even went toMakkah to make a public declaration of what was afoot and how it would affect the Ummah of Islam, but he realized that the sanctity of the Haram would be violated by his blood being shed, so he left without even completing his Hajj. For him, Islamic principles were more important than his personal well-being. He died in a strange land after witnessing the murders of almostall his family and close companions; he preferred to die rather than compromise with dhulm and oppression. When asked to give allegiance to Yazid and save his life, he exclaimed: "A man like me cannot give allegiance to a man like Yazid!"
Such clarity of vision, purpose and commitment are lacking in the Muslims of today; this mainly is what has led to our sorry predicament. There is no shortage of sincere Muslims willing to make the hijrah (migration to Allah), but there are no Imam Husains (as) to lead them. The Muslim world is dominated by Yazids who have pledged themselves to the modern-day Pharaohs. Today, Ghazzah is drenched with the blood of children as the sand of Karbala was nearly 1,400 years ago; the children of Iraq are starving as the children and grandchildren of Imam Husain starved at Karbala. Today's situation is made worse bythe fact that an external power -the US- hasemerged that has no respect for others' rights or lives. Greed, arrogance and the belief that nothing can resist its military might are driving Washington to force everyone to submit to its demands. The Qaroons and Pharaohs of yesteryear demanded no less, visiting untold misery upon countless souls until they themselves perished, as they were destined to.
The struggle between right and wrong is as old as human history. When Iblis refused to obey Allah's command to prostrate before Adam (as), the struggle between obedienceand defiance came out into the open. Muslims would do well to remember that Iblis was not a mushrik ; it was his arrogance and feeling of superiority because he was made of fire while Adam was made of clay, that led him to disobey Allah. How many rulers in the Muslim world today are following in the footsteps of Iblis?True, they are Muslims in name and in someof their rituals and gestures, but in reality they belong to the camp of Iblis. The same struggle between Haqq and batil manifested itself between Ibrahim (as) and Qaroon; between Musa (as) and the Pharaoh; and between the last and final Prophet of Allah (saw) and the chiefs of Quraish. The stage may change, but the nature of the struggle does not. And in mostsituations, while falsehood is initially successful and able to browbeat many ordinary people into submission, truth ultimately triumphs. Yazid and his men were militarily successful at Karbala, but how many Muslims celebrate his "triumph" today? Which Muslim in his right mind can say that Yazid was in the right? Imam Husain (as) died, but ultimate victory was his. By refusing to surrender to Yazid, he made it difficult or impossible for future tyrants to justify their illegitimate rule by Islam.
Many a scholar succumbed to pressure from these rulers and provided intellectual arguments to underpin questionable policies and practices. We Muslims are in such bad shapetoday because we have allowed too many compromises to creep into the body politic of Islam. One of these, which has achieved the status of religious dogma, is the idea that Muslims must not rebel against authority, even if it is illegitimate, because to do so might lead to turmoil in society. This argument received immense official patronage, and scholars who promoted it were rewarded with positions and titles.
Thus the deviation of Muslim rulers- kings who insisted on being called khalifah or amir al-mu'mineen -was given religious sanction by scholars of dubious credentials and not enough courage or conviction. Under officialpatronage, their line of reasoning received wide currency and gradually became accepted as standard practice. Such corruption at the core was bound to affect the Muslim Ummah profoundly. Its consequences are being felt by Muslims everywhere today.
Other demonic notions also find striking echoes in the past. The US and its zionist cohorts talk about such ideas as "pre-emptive strikes." The zionists have even put them into practice, in Palestine and elsewhere. In the Qur'an Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us that Pharaoh issued orders to kill all the male children of Bani Israel and spare the girls (28:4-5). He gave this order because his advisors told him that someone from among the Children of Israel would emerge to challenge his authority, which would ultimately lead to the destruction of his kingdom. Pharaoh's order was a "pre-emptive" strike against Bani Israel to prevent that eventuality. We know from the Qur'an that a boy-child from the Bani Israel -Musa (as)-not only emerged to challenge Pharaoh, but that Allah arranged matters in such a way that he was brought up in the house of Pharaoh himself! Those who call themselves the BaniIsrael today have abandoned their covenant with Allah and adopted the practices of Pharaoh. So can their ultimate fate be any different? But before such a fate befalls them, a Musa-like leader must emerge in the world. Musa (as) did not havearmies to confront Pharaoh's legions; he was not even very articulate, having some sort of speech impediment (Qur'an 20:27), yet he received the divine message and obeyed Allah's command that he deliver it without fear or hesitation.
There is another irony in the doctrine of"preemptive strikes." Only half a century ago, Hitler used precisely this doctrine to invade and occupy a number of countries in Europe. When Israel was planted in the heartland of Islam, it adopted the same ideology and has pursued it relentlessly against the Palestinians and against neighbouring states. And now US president George Bush has adopted it, adding further refinements to justify his lust for aggression and war. He has done more; by presenting a simplistic yet dangerous notion-that if one is not with him, then one is with his enemy-he has usurped people's right to decide for themselves. In a sense hehas indeed established a global dictatorship.
Berating others' lack of fairness and decency, however, will not help the Muslims. There is little doubt in the mind of most Muslims that America, Israel, India et al are not ruled by people and systems that wish Muslims well; they are the open enemies of Islam, so why should Muslims expect any else from them? Equally crucial are other questions: what are we Muslims doing to confront our enemies? What weaknesses must we overcome in Muslim societies in order for us not to expose ourselves to external threats and aggression? Let us be clear that there are many structural weaknesses and faults in Muslim societies; denial of this will not help us, only our enemies. Accepting that problems exist is the first step on the path to their solution: someone suffering from a heart-problem can hardly help himself by denying that he has any such disease.
Imam Husain (as) had correctly diagnosed the problem confronting the Ummah in his time. It was a question of illegitimacy and the usurpation of power and authority by people who were totally unfitted to rule. Heraised his voice against it; regrettably, there were not enough Muslims willing to give up their lives for Islam's principles. Even those who did join the Imam eventually betrayed him. Yet this does not detract from his principled stand and his willingness to give up his own life in order not to lend weight to the corruption of Islamic principles. He was acting according to the Qur'anic command: "O you who have committed yourselves to Allah: shall I tell you of a deal that will save you from the torment of Hellfire? Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and struggle in the way of Allah with your wealth and with your lives. That is better for you, if you but knew" (61:10-11). So Imam Husain (as) struggled inthe way of Allah not only with his own life but those of his family and close friends as well.
Today their voices echo in the torture-chambers of prisons in Israel, in the cages inGuantanamo Bay, in the valleys and mountains of Afghanistan, in the blood-drenched streets of Kashmir and the sewage-soiled alleys and side-streets of Palestinian refugee-camps and Iraqi cities and towns. To these must be added the torture-chambers of such rulers as those of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia. The Muslim world is ruled by the likes of Yazid, who have allied themselves with the enemies of Islam. Yet these very rulers dare to extol the virtues of Imam Husain (as) while themselves indulging in Yazidi behaviour.
All this causes despondency among some Muslims; yet this is wrong. Allah does not allow Muslims to lose hope; there will definitely be trials and tribulations, even suffering and defeat, in the struggle for truth and justice. After all, even the Messenger of Allah (saw) did not have an easy time. He was known as al-Amin , "the trustworthy one", even by his enemies, yet they persecuted him and his companions. They suffered abuse, torment, exile, siege, isolation and even death in battle or by torture, yet they remained steadfast. Even when permitted to fight they did not always win: in the battle of Uhud Muslims suffered a setback despite the presence of the Prophet (saw); a similar fate nearly befell them at the battle of Hunayn, before the Prophet (saw) was able to rally and regroup his companions. So there is no guarantee for Muslims. What is important isthat we struggle in the way of Allah with total sincerity.
That is why Allah tells His faithful servants not to lose heart, for Allah is with those whostruggle in His way. We are commanded to fight; in the process some of us will kill and be killed, but ultimately the reward of thosewho do so is with Allah because He has bought their wealth and lives in exchange for the Promise of Paradise (9:111). For Allah's Promise is of course the best of all promises.
I regret every missed Salat
The Ummah of today have abandoned salahbut if we knew what it was worth we would never miss another prayer again, notfor any wedding or party. After I read this I regretted every salaat I ever missed.
Allah Ta'ala said to Musa (a.s.): 'O Musa! For the two rakaats of Fajr prayer that Ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w.w) will perform, We will forgive all their sins of the whole day and night and enter them into the fort of Our security.
O Musa! For each of the four rakaats of Zuhr,which the Ummah of Muhammad perform, the reward is separate. For the first rakaat, the reward is forgiveness of sins. For the second rakaat, the reward is that his good deeds will be made heavy on the Day of Judgment. For the third rakaat, the reward is the angels making Du'a for their forgiveness and asking My mercy for them. For the fourth rakaat, the reward is the opening of the doors of Heaven and the damsels of Paradise looking at them.
O Musa, when Our last Prophet and his Ummah will pray the four rakaats of Asr salat, there will be no angel on earth and heaven who will not pray for their forgiveness. And we will not punish those for whom the angels pray for forgiveness.
O Musa, when Our last Prophet's Ummah will pray the three rakats at the time of Maghrib, then the doors of the heavens will be opened, and We will fulfill whatever theywill ask.
O Musa, the four rakaats of Isha are better than all the earth's kingdom and wealth. After performing this salat, they will be as purified of their sins, as a new born baby.'
Allah Ta'ala said to Musa (a.s.): 'O Musa! For the two rakaats of Fajr prayer that Ummah of Muhammad (s.a.w.w) will perform, We will forgive all their sins of the whole day and night and enter them into the fort of Our security.
O Musa! For each of the four rakaats of Zuhr,which the Ummah of Muhammad perform, the reward is separate. For the first rakaat, the reward is forgiveness of sins. For the second rakaat, the reward is that his good deeds will be made heavy on the Day of Judgment. For the third rakaat, the reward is the angels making Du'a for their forgiveness and asking My mercy for them. For the fourth rakaat, the reward is the opening of the doors of Heaven and the damsels of Paradise looking at them.
O Musa, when Our last Prophet and his Ummah will pray the four rakaats of Asr salat, there will be no angel on earth and heaven who will not pray for their forgiveness. And we will not punish those for whom the angels pray for forgiveness.
O Musa, when Our last Prophet's Ummah will pray the three rakats at the time of Maghrib, then the doors of the heavens will be opened, and We will fulfill whatever theywill ask.
O Musa, the four rakaats of Isha are better than all the earth's kingdom and wealth. After performing this salat, they will be as purified of their sins, as a new born baby.'
5 Reasons Why God Uses Problems
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how yourespond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways."
2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience."
3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health, money, a relationship. ..by losing it. "It was the best thing that couldhave happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."
4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do.His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent toprison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...
5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady."
Here's the point: God is at work in your life -even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him."Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way"
Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways."
2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience."
3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health, money, a relationship. ..by losing it. "It was the best thing that couldhave happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."
4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do.His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent toprison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...
5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady."
Here's the point: God is at work in your life -even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him."Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way"
The Bride of Shaitan
The Almighty God created for every creature a pair of male and famale and spread their generation by reproduction.
Shaitan have no pair of his own and his reproduction is different from the other creatures. It is written in narrations : When Shaitan want to reproduce his generation. He rubs his thighs and reproduce his generation.
But to satiate his desires enters in many ways. One of the way is nearing to the women. When a man wants to get near to his wife and if he recites ((بسم الله )) the name of God, the Satan will get away from that pair or as the man forgets to recite thename of God or does not recites the Allah's name intentionally then the Shaitan arrives and accompany the man and about this matter Quran said:
The another way is lavat (pederasty) with the drunk people. When a person is drinks wine and loose his power of thinking and gets drunk and acts like insane. In this condition the satan make that person a toolof his lust and take the drunk as his bride. Hazrat Rasul Muhammad (saws)about this matter said : One who spend his night drunk, till his morning hours he spends his night as a bride of shaitan.
About this subject The last messenger Hazrat Muhammad saws) said : The drunk spend his night till morning in the condition that the God's wrath had inflicted upon him.
And the prophet (saws) added: The person is drunkand unconcious, the whole night by drinkingwine and could not sense any thing. He is the bride of Shaitan. He commits lavat with that drunk man. When he gets up from his sleep, he must perform the bath of Jinabathand if he does not performed the gusl, his acts will not be accepted by the God and he will be supposed one of the worst enemy of God.
Shaitan have no pair of his own and his reproduction is different from the other creatures. It is written in narrations : When Shaitan want to reproduce his generation. He rubs his thighs and reproduce his generation.
But to satiate his desires enters in many ways. One of the way is nearing to the women. When a man wants to get near to his wife and if he recites ((بسم الله )) the name of God, the Satan will get away from that pair or as the man forgets to recite thename of God or does not recites the Allah's name intentionally then the Shaitan arrives and accompany the man and about this matter Quran said:
The another way is lavat (pederasty) with the drunk people. When a person is drinks wine and loose his power of thinking and gets drunk and acts like insane. In this condition the satan make that person a toolof his lust and take the drunk as his bride. Hazrat Rasul Muhammad (saws)about this matter said : One who spend his night drunk, till his morning hours he spends his night as a bride of shaitan.
About this subject The last messenger Hazrat Muhammad saws) said : The drunk spend his night till morning in the condition that the God's wrath had inflicted upon him.
And the prophet (saws) added: The person is drunkand unconcious, the whole night by drinkingwine and could not sense any thing. He is the bride of Shaitan. He commits lavat with that drunk man. When he gets up from his sleep, he must perform the bath of Jinabathand if he does not performed the gusl, his acts will not be accepted by the God and he will be supposed one of the worst enemy of God.
Do You Want to Stay away from Sins?
A man came to Imam Hussain (a.s.) and said, "I frequently disobey Allah and cannot prevent myself from sins; therefore, please,give me an advice O son of the Prophet so that I may keep away from sins."
Imam: "Do five things and then commit sinsas much as you want."
Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."
Imam: "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe isfrom Allah!"
Imam: "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live-all belongs to Allah."
Imam: "(3) Then find a place where Allah cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah."
Imam: (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly,
(5) do not enter the Hell when God sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."
Sinner: "That's it, O son of the Prophet! Fromtoday, Allah will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."
Imam: "Do five things and then commit sinsas much as you want."
Sinner: "Please tell me what those five things are."
Imam: "(1) Do not eat from the provisions of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "Then what will I be able to eat because whatever there is in his universe isfrom Allah!"
Imam: "(2) Then leave the earth of Allah, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "O Imam, this is even more difficult than the first! If I leave the earth, then where would I live-all belongs to Allah."
Imam: "(3) Then find a place where Allah cannot see you, and then do whatever you like."
Sinner: "But, O Imam, nothing is hidden from Allah."
Imam: (4) Then do one thing, when the angel of death comes to you, keep him away from yourself, and then do whatever you like. And if you cannot do that, then lastly,
(5) do not enter the Hell when God sends you into it. If you can do that, then go and commit whatever sins you like."
Sinner: "That's it, O son of the Prophet! Fromtoday, Allah will not find me in a situation which He dislikes."
!!!! YOUR ATTENTION REQUESTED !!!!
Received as an email…writer unknown but logic and reasoning acceptable
Islam is religion for all humanity and its teaching and message is so simple that an ordinary layman can easily understand.
We know that there are many religions in the world and the comparative study of different religion is perhaps one of the most difficult subject in world and even very well learned great researcher find it extremely difficult to reach the correct conclusion.
Now the Question is How Islam can carry out the most difficult task so easily.
This is indeed interesting to know about method or tools Islam particularly its DivineBook Quran has used to reveal the truth in away understandable to an ordinary man.
The tools and method must be on one hand so simple that an ordinary layman can be proficient in using it and on other hand it must be so concise and accurate that no one can challenge its authenticity and acceptable to all people from ordinary man to a great scholars.
Do you know the tools/methods used by Quran to reveal the truth?
It is unbelievably simple to use and yet it is the so comprehensive that no one can challenge it.
The name of this tool is “logic and reasoning”
Islam has invited to use our logic and reason and its address it to reveal the truth.
Now Islam itself due to many reasons has been divided into different sects and every sect claim to be on true Islam and consider other on wrong path.
Is there any method where a layman can find a true Islam easily?
In my view the answer is yes and we can use the same the tool used by Quran for ordinary man to find truth i.e.” Logic and reasoning”
The only thing preventing us using this tool is prejudgment and stubborness of our forefather religions/sect as clearly mentioned in Quran.
Let moves forward leave behind prejudgment and stubborness and see the fundamental belief like Tawheed concept in different sects and use simple logic and reasons to see its correctness or wrongness.
Please be aware about counter argument of falsehood i.e. accept without any logics and reasons.
We know that Islam has basically two main schools of thoughts. I shall not give any name at this moment so we can read this email without any prejudgment let say A and B.
I shall only describe those points briefly where there is a clear difference between two schools of thoughts to find truth.
I shall use my own logic and reason and if you have different logics and reasons and conclusion I shall welcome your comments and conclusions.
Please note that I have copied the content from their belief book directly so that we can honestly judge their point of view
TAWEED BELIEF OF A
Allah is not to be likened to His creatures; therefore He has neither body nor appearance nor substance nor form.
He is neither heavy nor light, neither moving nor motionless.
He has neither place nor any time, and no-one can point to Him as there is no-thinglike Him. Nothing is equal to Him, nor has Heany opposite. He has no wife, no child, no partner and there is none comparable to Him. Vision does not perceive Him, yet He perceives everything.
Anyone who likens Him to His creatures, for example one who supposes that Allah has a face, hands and eyes, or says that He comes down to the lowest heaven, or that He will appear to the people of paradise likea moon, and so forth, he is as one Imagine itlike his creatures due to fact everything weimagine will be a creature like ourselves.
And Allah is above all deficiency. He is far greater than the explanation of the wise, and far beyond the reach of discriminative knowledge (‘ilm daqiq).
Similarly, one who believes that He will be seen by His creatures on the Day of Judgment is ignorant, even though he does not liken Allah to anyone in appearance. Such pretenders have merely accepted the letter of the Qur’an and the hadith without using their intelligence. Indeed, they have chosen to ignore their intelligence, for they have not taken note of the use of figures of speech which the nature of language necessitates. Thus they have misunderstood the true meaning of the Quar’an and the hadith.
TAWEED BELIEF OF B “
1) Allah “settling on the throne” means that He is sitting in person on His throne in a way that is becoming to His majesty and greatness. Nobody except He knows exactly how He is sitting.
2) We believe that He is with His creatures while He is still on His throne. He knows their conditions, hears their sayings, sees their deeds, and manages their affairs. He provides for the poor and the broken.
3) Whoever possesses these qualities is literally with His creatures even if He is literally above them on His throne.
4) We do not say, as do the Incarnationists among the Jahamites and others, that Allahis living with His creatures on Earth. We consider whoever says this a non-believer or one who has strayed, for he attributed toAllah that which does not become Him of defects.
5) We believe that He will come on the Day of Judgment to judge among His people
6) More of Allah’s Attributes: We believe that Allah has a glorious and dignified face
7) We believe that Allah has two generous hands
We believe that Allah possesses two real eyes,
9) We believe that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection:
Moreover this school of thoughts also believes that
10) Allah will put his leg over the Hell to occupy the unfilled space of Hell.
11) Allah will be seen like moon in Day of Judgment.
12) Allah will come among believers who will not recognize Him so He will change his shape recognizable to them.
13) Allah will show his shin and All the creatures will be prostrated.
“Lets use our Logics and reasons to see correctness and wrongness of both Creed”
Quran has given a very simple logical test to see correctness or wrongness of any creed about Allah.
Quran in Surat Ikhlas said that
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allah is SAMAD
According to this logical test
“Every things in this universe is dependent on him and he is not dependent on any things”
Now if
1) Allah needs Eyes to see some thing he is dependent of eyes.
2) Similarly if Allah needs hands, fingers, legs, ears etc he is dependent on his hands, fingers. Legs, ears etc so.
3) If he needs throne to sit, he is dependent of throne.
4) If Allah comes down the earth it means that Allah needs space to move and He is dependent on space.
Let see another points
1) “ Can Allah be seen as claimed by B
Quran has clearly rejected this claim see veres
[al quran 6:103] Vision comprehends Him not,and He comprehends (all) vision; and He is the Knower of subtleties, the Aware
Let apply logical test to see its
If Allah can be seen he must have body which would mean he is limited and is dependent on his body which is wrong.
2) “ Can Allah sit on throne “
If throne supports Allah it means throne is stronger than Allah which is not possible.
If Allah is over throne then throne is bigger than Allah which is not possible.
Again this would imply Allah is limited and dependent on throne for his sitting.
3) Can Allah moves down earth.
It means that there is places where is Allah is not present and Allah is limited , Space is bigger than Allah and Allah is dependent on space all such things are impossible for Allah who is present everywhere who has not limit and who does not depend on any things.
Dear Brother ponders over both Creeds, I am sure that the Truth is crystal clear to us.
The only thing preventing may be that we do not want to believe in truth because our forefathers do not believe in belief of GroupA and we have been read and heard many things against them.
Have ever we tried to read their faith directly from their books not believes in books written against them?
Have ever we tried to read our own fundamental books and instead of followingthem blindly apply our logics and reasons tosee its correctness?
Let me give some books to find their belief of both Schools of thoughts.
For Group B :
I have selected the book Sahih Bukhari for references which they considered most authentic. All references for English version of Sahih Bukhari Muslim which is also available online you can explore it
1) Allah will put his leg in Hell
Sahih Bukari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 541
The Prophet said, “Paradise and Hell (Fire) quarrelled in the presence of their Lord. Paradise said, ‘O Lord! What is wrong with me that only the poor and humble people enter me ?’ Hell (Fire) said, I have been favored with the arrogant people.’ So Allah said to Paradise, ‘You are My Mercy,’ and said to Hell, ‘You are My Punishment which Iinflict upon whom I wish, and I shall fill both of you.’” The Prophet added, “As for Paradise, (it will be filled with good people) because Allah does not wrong any of His created things, and He creates for Hell (Fire)whomever He will, and they will be thrown into it, and it will say thrice, ‘Is there any more, till Allah (will put) His Foot over it and it will become full and its sides will come close to each other and it will say, ‘Qat! Qat! Qat! (Enough! Enough! Enough!).
Similarly see Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 481, Sahih Bukari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 372 , Sahih Bukari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 373, Sahih Bukari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 482,
2) Believer will see Allah like a moon and He will come among Believer in day of Judgement.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 12, Number 770:
3) Allah's Hands
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 479
4) Allah's fingers
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 510
5) Allah comes Down to near by Heaven every night
Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 246 :
Group A
I have selected book Ausul Kafi English version as well this book is available on online. Please note that unlike Group B they do not consider all the Hadiths in their books authentics.
Please see the Book Oneness of Allah on thisbook read traditions from following chapter. I have selected only one from some chapter and also have not described complete traditions to shorten my email
1) Chapter 9 On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah)
H 256, Ch. 9, h 5
The Imam then said, “Eyes can not see Him in an eye-witnessing process but the heartscan see Him through the reality of faith. Allah can not be known by analogy or physical senses and He is not similar to people. He is mentioned in the verses of revelation. He is known from the signs. He does not do injustice in His judgments. Thus,is Allah besides Him there is no Allah.”
2) Chapter 11 On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)
H 279, Ch. 11, h 4
The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most High, isnot similar to any of the things. What can be more blasphemous and scandalous than to describe the Creator of all things by means of body, form, type of creation, limitations, limbs and organs. Allah, the Most High, the Great, is far above these things.”
4) Chapter 19 on Motion and Change
H 325, Ch. 19, h 1
The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah does not come down and He does not need to come down. His sight for near and far is the same. Near does not become far for Him and far does not become near for Him. He does not become needy for any thing but all things need Him and He is generous. There is no Lord except Him. He is Most Majestic and All-wise. The statement that says Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, comes down to the sky over the earth can only come from those who consider Him to decrease or increase (in size). Besides, all moving objects need something to move it or movebecause of it. Whoever thinks of Allah as such has caused his own destruction. Be very careful about the attributes of Allah to have a belief about them that would limit Him through increase or reduction, moving or being moved, removal or His coming down, standing up or sitting down. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far from being described by those who would like to describe Him or being characterized by those who do so or pictured in imagination. Have trust in Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Merciful Who sees you when you get up and when you change positions during prostration.”
May Allah guide us and study the Truth without any prejudgment and stubborness.
Islam is religion for all humanity and its teaching and message is so simple that an ordinary layman can easily understand.
We know that there are many religions in the world and the comparative study of different religion is perhaps one of the most difficult subject in world and even very well learned great researcher find it extremely difficult to reach the correct conclusion.
Now the Question is How Islam can carry out the most difficult task so easily.
This is indeed interesting to know about method or tools Islam particularly its DivineBook Quran has used to reveal the truth in away understandable to an ordinary man.
The tools and method must be on one hand so simple that an ordinary layman can be proficient in using it and on other hand it must be so concise and accurate that no one can challenge its authenticity and acceptable to all people from ordinary man to a great scholars.
Do you know the tools/methods used by Quran to reveal the truth?
It is unbelievably simple to use and yet it is the so comprehensive that no one can challenge it.
The name of this tool is “logic and reasoning”
Islam has invited to use our logic and reason and its address it to reveal the truth.
Now Islam itself due to many reasons has been divided into different sects and every sect claim to be on true Islam and consider other on wrong path.
Is there any method where a layman can find a true Islam easily?
In my view the answer is yes and we can use the same the tool used by Quran for ordinary man to find truth i.e.” Logic and reasoning”
The only thing preventing us using this tool is prejudgment and stubborness of our forefather religions/sect as clearly mentioned in Quran.
Let moves forward leave behind prejudgment and stubborness and see the fundamental belief like Tawheed concept in different sects and use simple logic and reasons to see its correctness or wrongness.
Please be aware about counter argument of falsehood i.e. accept without any logics and reasons.
We know that Islam has basically two main schools of thoughts. I shall not give any name at this moment so we can read this email without any prejudgment let say A and B.
I shall only describe those points briefly where there is a clear difference between two schools of thoughts to find truth.
I shall use my own logic and reason and if you have different logics and reasons and conclusion I shall welcome your comments and conclusions.
Please note that I have copied the content from their belief book directly so that we can honestly judge their point of view
TAWEED BELIEF OF A
Allah is not to be likened to His creatures; therefore He has neither body nor appearance nor substance nor form.
He is neither heavy nor light, neither moving nor motionless.
He has neither place nor any time, and no-one can point to Him as there is no-thinglike Him. Nothing is equal to Him, nor has Heany opposite. He has no wife, no child, no partner and there is none comparable to Him. Vision does not perceive Him, yet He perceives everything.
Anyone who likens Him to His creatures, for example one who supposes that Allah has a face, hands and eyes, or says that He comes down to the lowest heaven, or that He will appear to the people of paradise likea moon, and so forth, he is as one Imagine itlike his creatures due to fact everything weimagine will be a creature like ourselves.
And Allah is above all deficiency. He is far greater than the explanation of the wise, and far beyond the reach of discriminative knowledge (‘ilm daqiq).
Similarly, one who believes that He will be seen by His creatures on the Day of Judgment is ignorant, even though he does not liken Allah to anyone in appearance. Such pretenders have merely accepted the letter of the Qur’an and the hadith without using their intelligence. Indeed, they have chosen to ignore their intelligence, for they have not taken note of the use of figures of speech which the nature of language necessitates. Thus they have misunderstood the true meaning of the Quar’an and the hadith.
TAWEED BELIEF OF B “
1) Allah “settling on the throne” means that He is sitting in person on His throne in a way that is becoming to His majesty and greatness. Nobody except He knows exactly how He is sitting.
2) We believe that He is with His creatures while He is still on His throne. He knows their conditions, hears their sayings, sees their deeds, and manages their affairs. He provides for the poor and the broken.
3) Whoever possesses these qualities is literally with His creatures even if He is literally above them on His throne.
4) We do not say, as do the Incarnationists among the Jahamites and others, that Allahis living with His creatures on Earth. We consider whoever says this a non-believer or one who has strayed, for he attributed toAllah that which does not become Him of defects.
5) We believe that He will come on the Day of Judgment to judge among His people
6) More of Allah’s Attributes: We believe that Allah has a glorious and dignified face
7) We believe that Allah has two generous hands
We believe that Allah possesses two real eyes,
9) We believe that the believers will see their Lord on the Day of Resurrection:
Moreover this school of thoughts also believes that
10) Allah will put his leg over the Hell to occupy the unfilled space of Hell.
11) Allah will be seen like moon in Day of Judgment.
12) Allah will come among believers who will not recognize Him so He will change his shape recognizable to them.
13) Allah will show his shin and All the creatures will be prostrated.
“Lets use our Logics and reasons to see correctness and wrongness of both Creed”
Quran has given a very simple logical test to see correctness or wrongness of any creed about Allah.
Quran in Surat Ikhlas said that
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allah is SAMAD
According to this logical test
“Every things in this universe is dependent on him and he is not dependent on any things”
Now if
1) Allah needs Eyes to see some thing he is dependent of eyes.
2) Similarly if Allah needs hands, fingers, legs, ears etc he is dependent on his hands, fingers. Legs, ears etc so.
3) If he needs throne to sit, he is dependent of throne.
4) If Allah comes down the earth it means that Allah needs space to move and He is dependent on space.
Let see another points
1) “ Can Allah be seen as claimed by B
Quran has clearly rejected this claim see veres
[al quran 6:103] Vision comprehends Him not,and He comprehends (all) vision; and He is the Knower of subtleties, the Aware
Let apply logical test to see its
If Allah can be seen he must have body which would mean he is limited and is dependent on his body which is wrong.
2) “ Can Allah sit on throne “
If throne supports Allah it means throne is stronger than Allah which is not possible.
If Allah is over throne then throne is bigger than Allah which is not possible.
Again this would imply Allah is limited and dependent on throne for his sitting.
3) Can Allah moves down earth.
It means that there is places where is Allah is not present and Allah is limited , Space is bigger than Allah and Allah is dependent on space all such things are impossible for Allah who is present everywhere who has not limit and who does not depend on any things.
Dear Brother ponders over both Creeds, I am sure that the Truth is crystal clear to us.
The only thing preventing may be that we do not want to believe in truth because our forefathers do not believe in belief of GroupA and we have been read and heard many things against them.
Have ever we tried to read their faith directly from their books not believes in books written against them?
Have ever we tried to read our own fundamental books and instead of followingthem blindly apply our logics and reasons tosee its correctness?
Let me give some books to find their belief of both Schools of thoughts.
For Group B :
I have selected the book Sahih Bukhari for references which they considered most authentic. All references for English version of Sahih Bukhari Muslim which is also available online you can explore it
1) Allah will put his leg in Hell
Sahih Bukari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 541
The Prophet said, “Paradise and Hell (Fire) quarrelled in the presence of their Lord. Paradise said, ‘O Lord! What is wrong with me that only the poor and humble people enter me ?’ Hell (Fire) said, I have been favored with the arrogant people.’ So Allah said to Paradise, ‘You are My Mercy,’ and said to Hell, ‘You are My Punishment which Iinflict upon whom I wish, and I shall fill both of you.’” The Prophet added, “As for Paradise, (it will be filled with good people) because Allah does not wrong any of His created things, and He creates for Hell (Fire)whomever He will, and they will be thrown into it, and it will say thrice, ‘Is there any more, till Allah (will put) His Foot over it and it will become full and its sides will come close to each other and it will say, ‘Qat! Qat! Qat! (Enough! Enough! Enough!).
Similarly see Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 481, Sahih Bukari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 372 , Sahih Bukari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 373, Sahih Bukari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 482,
2) Believer will see Allah like a moon and He will come among Believer in day of Judgement.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 12, Number 770:
3) Allah's Hands
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 479
4) Allah's fingers
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 510
5) Allah comes Down to near by Heaven every night
Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 21, Number 246 :
Group A
I have selected book Ausul Kafi English version as well this book is available on online. Please note that unlike Group B they do not consider all the Hadiths in their books authentics.
Please see the Book Oneness of Allah on thisbook read traditions from following chapter. I have selected only one from some chapter and also have not described complete traditions to shorten my email
1) Chapter 9 On The Invalidity of the Belief to see God (Ru’yah of Allah)
H 256, Ch. 9, h 5
The Imam then said, “Eyes can not see Him in an eye-witnessing process but the heartscan see Him through the reality of faith. Allah can not be known by analogy or physical senses and He is not similar to people. He is mentioned in the verses of revelation. He is known from the signs. He does not do injustice in His judgments. Thus,is Allah besides Him there is no Allah.”
2) Chapter 11 On Prohibition on Considering Allah as having Body (JISM) and Form (SURAH)
H 279, Ch. 11, h 4
The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most High, isnot similar to any of the things. What can be more blasphemous and scandalous than to describe the Creator of all things by means of body, form, type of creation, limitations, limbs and organs. Allah, the Most High, the Great, is far above these things.”
4) Chapter 19 on Motion and Change
H 325, Ch. 19, h 1
The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah does not come down and He does not need to come down. His sight for near and far is the same. Near does not become far for Him and far does not become near for Him. He does not become needy for any thing but all things need Him and He is generous. There is no Lord except Him. He is Most Majestic and All-wise. The statement that says Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, comes down to the sky over the earth can only come from those who consider Him to decrease or increase (in size). Besides, all moving objects need something to move it or movebecause of it. Whoever thinks of Allah as such has caused his own destruction. Be very careful about the attributes of Allah to have a belief about them that would limit Him through increase or reduction, moving or being moved, removal or His coming down, standing up or sitting down. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, is far from being described by those who would like to describe Him or being characterized by those who do so or pictured in imagination. Have trust in Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Merciful Who sees you when you get up and when you change positions during prostration.”
May Allah guide us and study the Truth without any prejudgment and stubborness.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)