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Etiquette towards Parents - Ahaadith pertaining to parents:
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Little Wonder - The Majority of Muslims do not live in the middle East. The most populous muslim country is Indonesia, the fourth largest country in the world with 184 million muslims.
The one who did sajda for Allah
The following incident was mentioned by brother Aslam Nakhuda during a lecture that he gave on 24/1/2004. Brother Aslam is an Imam of Jame Masjid Brampton in Canada.
He said that three years back a group of eight brothers, including him, set out to Texas, USA for dawah. They spent some time there to remind the residents about the reality of this life. On their way back, they stopped by a service station beside a highway to perform the Magrib prayer. One of the brothers gave the Adhan (Call to prayer). Two non-Muslim men were passing by when the Adhan was being called. Being curious, they came to the brothers and asked them who they were, where do they come from and what they were doing. The brothers told them that they are Muslims who are coming from Toronto, Canada with the glad tidings of Islam. A scholar, who was with them, discussed about Islam with the non-Muslim men for 2 or 3 minutes. Then the brothers prepared to offer the salah. The non-Muslims who were standing by asked what they should be doing now. The brothers told them to join the prayer and just follow along. The two men decided to join the prayer. The Imam recited Surah Fatiha and another surah after it. Then he went into Ruku' and both the non-Muslims did the same. When the time for sajdah (prostration on the ground) came, the non-Muslims started hesitating and didn't know whether they should also prostrate on the ground as they never did this before. One of them decided not to do so and he left the prayer. However, the other one just went into sajdah. After the prayer, this person who agreed to prostrate to Allah was blessed with Iman. He accepted Islam from the brothers.
Dear readers, this is what we have to do. We have to submit to the will of Allah and in return He will bless us with Iman. On the other hand, a person who is arrogant and decides not to submit to the will of Allah may just be deprived of Iman.
Islamcan.com
Etiquettes of Joking in Islam
Some people joke too much and it becomes a habit for them. Joking is a break, a rest from ongoing seriousness and striving; it is a little relaxation for the soul. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Fear joking, for it is folly and generates grudges.”
Imaam al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The kind of joking which is forbidden is that which is excessive and persistent, for it leads to too much laughter and hardening of the heart, it distracts from remembrance of Allaah, and it often leads to hurt feelings, generates hatred and causes people to lose respect and dignity. But whoever is safe from such dangers, then that which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do is permissible for him.”
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas said: “Set a limit to your jokes, for going to extremes makes you lose respect and incites the foolish against you.”
The amount of joking should be like the amount of salt in one’s food.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not laugh too much, for laughing too much deadens the heart.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7312)
‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Whoever laughs too much or jokes too much loses respect, and whoever persists in doing something will be known for it.”
So beware of joking, for it “causes a person to lose face after he was thought of as respectable, and it brings him humiliation after esteem.”
A man said to Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah (may Allaah be pleased with him), “Joking is not right, it is to be denounced.” He replied, “Rather it is Sunnah, but only for those who know how to do it and do it at the appropriate time.”
Nowadays, although the ummah needs to increase the love between its individual members and to relieve itself of boredom, it has gone too far with regard to relaxation, laughter and jokes. This has become a habit which fills their gatherings and wastes their time, so their lives are wasted and their newspapers are filled with jokes and trivia.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.” In Fath al-Baari it says: “What is meant by knowledge here has to do with the might of Allaah and His vengeance upon those who disobey Him, and the terrors that occur at death, in the grave and on the Day of Resurrection).
Muslim men and women have to be inclined to choose righteous and serious friends in their lives, who will help them to make good use of their time and strive for the sake of Allaah with seriousness and steadfastness, good and righteous people whose example they can follow. Bilaal ibn Sa’d said: “I saw them [the Sahaabah] jokingly pretending to fight over some goods, and laughing with one another, but when night came they were like monks.”
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked, “Did the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) laugh?” He said, “Yes, and the faith in their hearts was like mountains.”
So you have to follow the example of such people, who were knights by day and monks (i.e., devoted worshippers) by night.
May Allaah keep us, you and our parents safe on the Day of the Greatest Terror, those to whom the call will go out on that great Day:
“Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve”
[al-A’raaf 7:49 – interpretation of the meaning]
islamisforyou.com
Sportmania: Taking Stock
Dear sincere Muslim, Dear follower and true lover of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):
While the sportmania has gripped the world, sit back briefly and ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I also overwhelmed by all the media hype about a bunch of people kicking a ball around? (If yes, it means the propaganda machine has found another victim.)
2. Have I ever missed any salaah, or missed performing it with Jama’ah in the Musjid, due to sports? (If yes, then sports is your terrible enemy since it is taking you on the path of Allah Ta’ala’s wrath!)
3. Do I know more about kaafir sports stars than what I know about Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)? (If yes, ... no words can describe something so ghastly. Stop! For Allah’s sake stop ... Stop and make amends, before your heart stops and it is too late.)
4. Since most people have been caught up in this insane frenzy, will I also blindly follow the hordes irrespective of what effect it has on my Imaan? Or do I have the courage of my convictions to say “Enough is enough!?” (Answer that with the Imaan in your heart!)
alhaadi.org
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Mxit
Mxit – a development of technology that enables a faster and cheaper means of communication using mobile handsets, has attracted the youth in droves, and more recently adults.
Parents are complaining. In the limited time that the family is together, the youth are online. It is frightening to know how much time is spent on Mxit, in particular. The youth have become addicts of Mxit.
As Muslims, we have been directed to avoid idle chat (with or without Mxit). It benefits no one. Instead, the constant remembrance of your Creator is what is required of you to be a practising Muslim.
Spend time on remembering the Mercy that He, Your Lord has extended to you. Has He not blessed you with so much abundance in this world? Be grateful and offer your thanks by cherishing Praises to your Creator.
The gift of Hadrat Fatima (R.A.) from her beloved father, Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was the Tasbihaate-e-Fatimi, after her pleas for permission to employ an assistant in her household, which was denied to her. Instead, he asked her to Praise her Creator by repeating:
SUBHANALLAH (33times)
ALHAMDULILLAH (33 times)
ALLAHU AKBAR (34 times)
Give the gift of guidance to your family. Has not Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) mentioned?
“All of you are shepherds, all of you are caretakers, and all of you are responsible for your flock”
Social organizations are reporting an alarming increase in break up of marriages; “Mxit” is the number one cause.
To engage in idle conversations, and texting with strangers and using language against the Shari’ah are not ethics of a Muslim. It is categorized as abominable and Haraam, and is most certainly sinful for which accountability is to be given on the Day of Reckoning.
NOTES
Avoid engaging in idle conversation.
Avoid chatting with strangers in anonymity.
Guard against the use of incorrect (foul and dirty) language and bad remarks.
Problems arising out of incorrect usage of Mxit:
Diminishes personal (contact) conversation.
Addiction to the constant usage of Mxit.
Separation of family contact
Keeps one away from remembrance of Allah Ta’ala
Darul Ihsan
Etiquette of training children
(1) Playfully do not do any act with a child which may be a danger to life or limb, e.g. in playfulness do not fling a child up in the air; do not playfully hold its hands and suspend it from a window, etc.
(2) Do not playfully chase a child, for perhaps he may slip and hurt himself.
(3) Do not speak shameful things in the presence of children.
(4) While the thawaab is considerable for training children in general, caring for and training girls are acts of greater merit and more thawaab.
(5) When training children neither be too strict (harsh) nor too lax.
(6) Children should be taught not to eat things people give them. They should bring such things home and eat them in the presence of their parents if they consent.
(7) Teach them to wash their hands before eating and to eat or drink with their right hands.
(8) Inculcate in them the habit of eating less so that they are saved from sickness and greed.
(9) Inculcate in children the habit of cleaning their teeth, especially with a Miswaak.
(10) Teach them to refrain from asking any of their needs from anyone other than their seniors (parents, grand-parents, etc.).
(11) Teach them never to accept gifts from anyone without the consent of their elders.
(12) Do not assume that they will automatically acquire manners and etiquette when they have grown up. Inculcate good character in them from a tender age. No one }earns of his own accord. By reading they will gain the knowledge of good culture, but still they will lack the essential training which was denied to them in childhood. Lack of training will result in the grown-up children always behaving unculturally. Furthermore, they will, without thinking, cause difficulties and inconvenience to others.
(13) Teach children to act with shame, especially when answering the call of nature. They should not reveal themselves to others.
(14) When your child has wronged someone or is at fault, never act partially. Do not side with your child, especially in his presence. To do so is to corrupt his character.
(15) Be watchful of your children's behaviour towards servants and the children of servants. Ensure that they do not trouble the servants or their children. On account of their inferior social rank, they may not complain, but in their hearts they will curse. Even if they do not curse, the misfortune of sin and injustice will be tasted.
(16) As far as possible, endeavour that they learn under suitably qualified teachers.
(17) Do not punish them while in anger. Either remove them from your presence when you are angry or go away. Later, when the anger has subsided, reflect thrice and then only mete out appropriate punishment.
(18) When the need arises to punish, do not use a heavy stick nor fists. Do not kick the child nor slap it in the face. Also do not hit on the head.
(19) Teach children the full names of their parents and grandparents as well as their addresses. Now and then ask them about this so that they remember. The benefit of this is that, Allah forbid, should they get lost, they will be able to state their identity to the one who finds them. In this way they will be returned home.
(20) Children who are studying should be given such nutrition which is good for the brain.
(21) When the need arises for girls to leave the home precincts, do not adorn them with jewellery.
(22) Emphasise to girls that they should not play with boys. The character of both boys and girls will be corrupted by such intermingling.
(23) If a boy from another house comes to your home, instruct the girls to go out of sight even though the boy may be small.
(24) If any children come to you for education, do not take service from them. Treat them like your own children.
(25) Teach children not to face the Qiblah in the toilet nor to turn their back towards the Qiblah in the toilet. Teach them the rules of tahaarat (purification) of cleaning themselves in the toilet.
(26) Do not take children along to invitations. Many people do so. Their habits are corrupted by doing so.
(27) When a child is obstinate in demanding a thing, do not fulfill its demand.
MALFOOZAAT PERTAINING TO CHILDREN:
(1) The practice of employing unqualified teachers for the elementary education of children is erroneous. People labour under the impression that the elementary kitaabs are simple, hence there is no need for a highly qualified Aalim. I say that for elementary education there is a need for a highly qualified expert.
(2) Most people make no proper arrangement for the training of children during their childhood. They say: 'They are still kids.' Habits are inculcated during early childhood days. Habits inculcated in childhood are enduring. Childhood is the time for developing moral character and for inculcating good moral habits and culture.
(3) A person once made a statement of great wisdom. It deserves to be written in gold. He said that if a child requests something, either fulfill the request the same time or, if you have refused the request, then do not fulfill its stubbornness. Even if it then obstinately demands and cries for it, do not fulfill the request under such circumstances. If you submit to the child's obstinacy, it will develop this habit. Much wisdom is required when training children.
(4) Nowadays people rear their children in the way cows are reared. They are well-fed and fattened. The ultimate end of the fattened cattle is the slaughter-house. Similarly, people feed their children well, adorn them with garments and jewels and rear them in luxury. The ultimate end of such children is Jahannum (hell). In the process the parents are also punished since by their provision of luxuries and abstention from training, the children grew up ignorant of Salaat, Saum, etc. Some unintelligent parents exceed all limits in that they keep their children entirely unaware of all things of Islam.
(5) I am always advising that during school holidays, children who are attending schools should be left in the suhbat (companionship) of Ahlullaah (Saintly persons - the Shaikhs of Tasawwuf). Even if they do not perform Salaat there, at least their ideas and beliefs will be rectified.
Freedom has now exceeded all limits. Such unbridled freedom was not seen among those who acquired western education in earlier times. Pious persons reared and trained them, hence they did not fall prey to unbridled liberalism. Now, the training is under the instruction of westernized persons. The danger for the future is greater. This is a very delicate age, an age to be extremely careful.
(6) Gentlemen! Haw sad and lamentable is it! There is time for sports but there is no time for moral training. It is imperative that for your children you appoint a time daily for moral training. Just as you have fixed times in the daily programme for various activities, so too, have a time for your child to go daily to a Musjid or an Aalim where he can sit down and acquire Deeni guidance. If such a spiritual guide is not found in your town, then during the holiday season send him to a place where there is such a Buzrug. During the holiday season the child has nothing to do. The unfortunate child during the holiday season wanders around day and night, not even performing Salaat nor fasting. But the parents remain blissfully happy on account of themselves being regular with Salaat and Saum. However, they remain unaware that on the Day of Qiyaamah they will enter Jahannum along with their children since they were the actual cause of their offspring's deflection from Islam. These are the children of Muslims.....children who have been reared in the laps of Muslim ladies, but will be assigned to Jahannum. You are happy that you have made your child a B.A., a M.A. But, you have left them on the brink of Jahannum. The eyes have become so blind that the Road leading to Jannat is not visible.
Source: Aadabul Muasharaat
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.net
Making use of our youth
Dear friends, if Allah (S.W.T) gives us 60 years to live then it comes to around 22,000 days (60x365). All these days Allah gives us to prepare for one day of interview with Allah. That is on the Day of Judgement. On that day, Allah will ask us some questions and He wants some correct answers. Allah is so merciful that He already told us what the questions will be through Quran and Ahadith. His mercy is so great that He even told us the answers to these questions. Now imagine, a student goes to write an exam. He opens his exam paper and finds the questions on one side. Then he finds that the answers to the questions are on the other side. Now after writing the exam, if this student still fails then what would we think of him? We would think that he is the dumbest person around. Well, tell you what. On the Day of Judgement, us people who knew the questions and answers will still fail! That is why, this is the time to wake up before we prove ourselves to be the dumbest of people.
Youth is the prime time of our lives. This is where people make important decisions like what to become in the future. Things you do in this time will most likely affect you throughout the rest of your life. That is why, it is important to bring Islam into your life during these days. Many people have the conception that when they get old, then they will start practising Islam. Probably you and me also have this feeling. But look at it this way: If you want to become a famous hockey player then you would start playing right from the youth. As you grow up, you will become better and better. But if you think that you will start playing when you are an old man then the chances of becoming famous is virtually zero. That's the reality. When we become old, we won't have enough energy to even stand up and pray.
Because youth is the prime time of your life, that is why it is very precious to Allah. Allah has prepared a shade on the Day of Judgement for those people who used to worship Allah in their youth. On that Day, there will be no other shade except the shade from the throne of Allah. Imagine standing outside on a very hot day under the sun for hours after hours. You would definitely want some shadow to rest under. But what about that Day when the sun will be much nearer to us and the heat will be much more extreme. Wouldn't you want some shade on that day? Of course you would!
You and I are all weak in terms of keeping our duties to Allah and Allah is aware of that. Allah wants that we keep trying to do our best. If a baby falls down while walking he tries to get up again and walk. He doesn't keep sitting down. Then a day comes when he does start to walk. Similarly, we should keep trying our best and not give up. A day will come when, Insh-Allah, we will be strong enough to obey Allah in every situation. Let us make a small promise to Allah right now that we will start doing the things for which we were sent to this life. Otherwise, we will be like that dumb guy who will fail the test on the Day of Judgement.
May Allah (S.W.T.) make it easy for us. Ameen.
Islamcan.com
Business Around the Grave
THE calico-covered corpse is gently lowered into the grave. Loving hands of sons and brothers receive the body of their loved one and place it in the narrow pit. The strips of plank are placed firmly next to each other. The last plank is placed leaving a dark and lonely grave under it. Spades are grabbed and heaps of sand come crashing down from all directions. However, all around the grave, business goes on as usual.
While the most stark reminder of death is right in front of the eyes, the latest car on the market, the rand/dollar exchange and other gossip continues among many of those present . While they patiently wait for the ' fatihah' to commence, the time is passed by idle gossip. Carrying the janaza on our shoulders and witnessing the deceased being lowered into the grave also does not remind us of our own death. What then will remind us of that moment (which could be extremely soon) when we will breathe our last?
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "Remember excessively that which severs all pleasures — DEATH." The best reminder of death is the graveyard itself. Hence Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has greatly encouraged that one should regularly visit the graveyard. While this Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is unfortunately rarely practised, at least we get an opportunity to visit the graveyard when attending a funeral. However , this occasion of remembering death is also wasted gossiping .
The condition of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when attending a funeral is clearly described in the following Hadith of Bara' (R.A.). He says: "Once we went with Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to attend the funeral and burial of a person. When we reached there, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) sat by the side of a grave and wept so profusely that the ground became wet with his tears. He then said: "Prepare yourself for (your entry in) the grave." (Targheeb)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also instructed us as to what we should be doing when attending a janazah. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once said to the Sahaba (R.A.) when they had buried a person: "Seek forgiveness for your brother and beseech Allah Ta'ala to keep him firm for verily he will be questioned now" (Mishkaat p.26)
Thus the rare occasions when we visit the graveyard should serve as a reminder of our own death. Those few moments among the graves should not be wasted in idle gossip and worldly talk. While the burial is in progress, one should engage oneself in silently reciting whatever one is able to of the Qur'an with the intention of passing the rewards to the deceased. This would be of immense benefit to oneself as well as the deceased. May Allah Ta'ala enable us to remember our death often, especially while in the graveyard. Aameen.
Source: Al-Haadi Newsletter
My Hands
An old man, probably some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the park bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was ok.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was ok. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice. I didn't mean to disturb you .....but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were ok I explained to him. Have you ever looked at your hands he asked. I mean really looked at your hands? I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.
Then he smiled and related this story: Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to hold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my friend out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friends foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to open in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life. But more importantly it will be these hands that will receive, The Book of deeds. I look, ponder and pray that MY RIGHT HAND is blessed the fortune of receiving the trials of this life ie. MY BOOK OF DEEDS with this RIGHT HAND.
No doubt I will never look at my hands the same again. I never saw the old man again after I left the park that day but I will never forget him and the words he spoke. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of the man in the park.
I, too, want to RECEIVE MY BOOK OF DEEDS WITH MY RIGHT HAND----I am trying to be worthy of it by preparing for it now........
O MY PERFECT AND GENEROUS ALLAH ! I make shukr for these hands.
Taken from Inspirations Volume 5
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"(And remember) the Day when We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imam (their Prophets, or their records of good and bad deeds, or their Books like the Quran, the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), etc.). So whosoever is given his record in his right hand, such will read their records, and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least." ( Qur'an 17-71 )
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS ( www.everymuslim.net )
Retrospect
On the road to Dubai, my husband stopped at a small mosque to offer the Asr prayer. As I sat in the car, I saw a figure approaching from the direction of a small group of houses. It took some time before I realised it was a man, crawling towards the mosque. He wore rubber sandals on his hands. His lower body dragged on the hard, rocky ground. The sweltering heat was beating down hard on his body. By the time he reached the courtyard of the mosque, I could see he was soaked and his face was flushed. Many men passed him on their way to the prayer, perhaps accustomed to seeing him everyday. One man came out of a shop and watched him for a while. He went back into the shop and came out with a cold drink. He opened it for the crawling man and they sat together for a minute. I heard them talking as the man who offered him the cold drink requested that he would help the crawling man to make it up the stairs to the mosque. He was concerned about making it on time, so he excused himself and continued his slow, laboured journey to the prayer.
I did not watch him as he mounted the stairs. I could not imagine how to help him. I was crying by then, remembering the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh): “The hypocrites find the Fajr and Isha prayers in congregation very oppressive. If they could know the virtues of these two prayers, they would certainly join them, even if they had to go crawling.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This man, who literally did crawl even in the heat of the day, did not find the congregational prayer oppressive at all. May Allah reward all who struggle to please Him and may He always remind us of our own weaknesses through such people.
By: Um Yaqoob
islamisforyou.com
What kind of town are you from ?
Once there was an old and very wise man. Every day he would sit outside a gas station in his rocking chair and wait to greet motorists as they passed through his small town. On this day, his granddaughter knelt down at the foot of his chair and slowly passed the time with him.
As they sat and watched the people come and go, a tall man who surely had to be a tourist since they knew everyone in the town, began looking around as if he were checking out the area for a place to live.
The stranger walked up and asked:"So what kind of town is this that we're in?"
The older gentleman slowly turned to the man and replied:" Well, what kind of town are you from?"
The tourist said:"In the town I'm from everyone is very critical of each other. The neighbours all gossip about everyone, and it's a real negative place to live. I'm sure glad to be leaving. It is not a very cheerful place. "
The man in the chair looked at the stranger and said:" You know, that's just how this town is."
An hour or so later a family that was also passing through stopped for gas. The car slowly turned in and rolled to a stop in front of where the older gentleman and his granddaughter were sitting. The mother jumped out with two small children and asked where the restrooms were. The man in the chair pointed to a small, bent-up sign that was barely hanging by one nail on the side of the door.
The father stepped out of the car and also asked the man:"Is this town a pretty good place to live?"
The man in the chair replied:" What about the town you are from? How is it?"
The father looked at him and said:"Well, in the town I'm from everyone is very close and always willing to lend their neighbour a helping hand. There's always a hello and thank you everywhere you go. I really hate to leave. I feel almost like we are leaving family. "
The older gentlemen turned to the father and gave him a warm smile.
"You know, that's a lot like this small town."
Then the family returned to the car, said their thank yous, waved goodbye and drove away.
After the family was in the distance, the granddaughter looked up at her grandfather and asked:"Grandpa, how come when the first man came into our town you told him it was a terrible place to live and when the family came in to town you told them it was a wonderful place to live? "
The grandfather lovingly looked down at this granddaughter's wondering blue eyes and said:"No matter where you move, you take your own attitude with you and that's what makes it terrible or wonderful. "
It's your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude. Happiness is not something you find, it's something you create.
Source: Inspirations Volume 5
What kind of town are you from ?
Once there was an old and very wise man. Every day he would sit outside a gas station in his rocking chair and wait to greet motorists as they passed through his small town. On this day, his granddaughter knelt down at the foot of his chair and slowly passed the time with him.
As they sat and watched the people come and go, a tall man who surely had to be a tourist -- since they knew everyone in the town -- began looking around as if he were checking out the area for a place to live.
The stranger walked up and asked,"So what kind of town is this that we're in?"
The older gentleman slowly turned to the man and replied," Well, what kind of town are you from?"
The tourist said,"In the town I'm from everyone is very critical of each other. The neighbours all gossip about everyone, and it's a real negative place to live. I'm sure glad to be leaving. It is not a very cheerful place. "
The man in the chair looked at the stranger and said," You know, that's just how this town is."
An hour or so later a family that was also passing through stopped for gas. The car slowly turned in and rolled to a stop in front of where the older gentleman and his granddaughter were sitting. The mother jumped out with two small children and asked where the restrooms were. The man in the chair pointed to a small, bent-up sign that was barely hanging by one nail on the side of the door.
The father stepped out of the car and also asked the man,"Is this town a pretty good place to live?"
The man in the chair replied," What about the town you are from? How is it?"
The father looked at him and said,"Well, in the town I'm from everyone is very close and always willing to lend their neighbour a helping hand. There's always a hello and thank you everywhere you go. I really hate to leave. I feel almost like we are leaving family. "
The older gentlemen turned to the father and gave him a warm smile.
"You know, that's a lot like this small town."
Then the family returned to the car, said their thank yous, waved goodbye and drove away.
After the family was in the distance, the granddaughter looked up at her grandfather and asked,"Grandpa, how come when the first man came into our town you told him it was a terrible place to live and when the family came in to town you told them it was a wonderful place to live? "
The grandfather lovingly looked down at this granddaughter's wondering blue eyes and said,"No matter where you move, you take your own attitude with you and that's what makes it terrible or wonderful. "
It's your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude. Happiness is not something you find, it's something you create.
Source: Inspirations Volume 5
Halaal – the only way
In this world, wealth is largely acquired through business dealings. Islam encourages the earning of a livelihood that is absolutely pure and wholesome. In fact, it is incumbent on a Muslim to use his hands in order to earn and support himself (and his family). To this end, Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) greatly emphasized the importance of acquiring wealth that is Taahir (pure) and Halaal. There is no degree of compromise in earning and consuming, however little it may be, Haraam.
The businessman who is honest and truthful is indeed loved by Allah Taála. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) admonished the businessman, referring to him as “As Sadooqul Ameen” – the truthful and trustworthy. His abode on the day of Qiyamah will be with the Prophets (AS), the truthful people, the pious and the martyrs. These two outstanding qualities are excellent and most praiseworthy that a Muslim businessman should endeavour to acquire. It will enable the person to achieve honour in this world and the hereafter. In order to achieve these superb qualities, a Muslim businessman would need to abandon speaking lies, deceitfulness, fraud and dishonesty. Indeed such a person will most certainly be successful.
Apart from the numerous Ahaadith with regard to the earning and consumption of Halaal, the lives of the pious depended on and demanded the intake of Halaal unconditionally. One pious and famous personality, Sahal bin Abdullah At Tastan (RA) said, “Whomsoever is particular about his earnings, i.e. abstains from Haraam, then undoubtedly such a person would be regarded and counted among the righteous in the Deen of Islam”.
A clever king
I will share with you a story which shows the clever decision of a youth on how to live this life. This story is only an example.
There was a country long time ago where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he will be sent to an island after his one year of being a king. So, 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 goodbye, 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 a floating 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 sound of vicious animals were heard coming out of them. The king went little bit inside to see how it was and 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 then went back to the country and requested the people to provide him with 100 strong workers. He was provided with 100 workers and he took them to the island and told them to remove all the deadly animals and to cut down all the trees. He would visit the island every month to see how the work is progressing. In the first month, all the animals were removed and many trees were cut down. In the second month, the whole island was cleaned out. The king then told the workers to plant gardens in various parts 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. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. Nine months have passed like this. The king called the people and told them that "I know that I have to go the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now." But the people didn't agree to this and said that he have 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 dying, you will be smiling and everyone around you will be crying. I have lived that life. While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefullly."
We should take a lesson from this story about how we should also 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 beautiful 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 Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and save all our enjoyments for the hereafter. May Allah make it easy for us all.
