- Have patience
- The path of adherence (to Islam) is not easy, but it is the path of the Prophets.
- “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties and Hell is surrounded with desires.” ~{Hadith Muslim}
- The Prophets (peace be upon them) were faced with difficulties from their people and from the closest of people to them, but the reward for their patience was that Allaah caused them ultimately to prevail.
Source:
Islamqa, Fatwa no. 9380
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
When dealing with difficulties remember:
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Shipwrecked
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.
He prayed feverishly for Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"Allah, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of Allah.
"When my servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them ), I am indeed near (to them by Knowledge); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me; that they may be led aright."
~{Al-Baqarah 2:186}
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said,
"Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."
~{Hadith Bukhari}
He prayed feverishly for Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"Allah, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of Allah.
"When my servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them ), I am indeed near (to them by Knowledge); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me; that they may be led aright."
~{Al-Baqarah 2:186}
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said,
"Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."
~{Hadith Bukhari}
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Life is Like Baking a Cake
Yahya is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong. School, family problems, health problems, problems with friends, etc.
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks Yahya if he would like a snack, which of course, he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil." *"Yuck" says Yahya.
"How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
Allah works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times.
But Allah knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" Then Grandma said, “This reminds me of a verse from the Qur'an, Allah says,
“...it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.”
~{Al-Baqara, 2:216}
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks Yahya if he would like a snack, which of course, he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil." *"Yuck" says Yahya.
"How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
Allah works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times.
But Allah knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" Then Grandma said, “This reminds me of a verse from the Qur'an, Allah says,
“...it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.”
~{Al-Baqara, 2:216}
Monday, June 6, 2011
More Precious Than Diamonds
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana,
...everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."
He looked at me with serious eyes.
"Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
SOURCE:
More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter's Eyes
By Hana Ali
When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana,
...everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."
He looked at me with serious eyes.
"Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."
SOURCE:
More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter's Eyes
By Hana Ali
Thursday, June 2, 2011
A Sign of Excellence in Islam
“A sign of one’s excellence in his Islam, is ignoring what does not concern him.”
Related by Ahmad, Malik & At-Tirmithi
Benefits from the Hadith
1 -- This Hadith encourages Muslims to use the time in a manner that brings about their benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.
Related by Ahmad, Malik & At-Tirmithi
Benefits from the Hadith
1 -- This Hadith encourages Muslims to use the time in a manner that brings about their benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.
2 -- Muslims should always be concerned with what is beneficial and constructive, and should avoid what does not bring about benefit and what does not preserve the honor.
3 -- This Hadith also encourages Muslims to strive hard to discipline their behavior, and to reject and abandon sins, dishonor and what brings about disrespect.
4 -- This Hadith also ordains avoiding interfering with other people’s affairs, for unwarranted interference with other people’s business causes divisions and hatred among Muslims.
SOURCE:
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=384
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
What is Better than Charity?
Kind words and the covering of faults are better than CHARITY followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.
~ {Al-Baqarah, 2:263}
~ {Al-Baqarah, 2:263}
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Allah Tests Us
There lived a man who was a very good Muslim. He prayed all his five daily prayers, gave to charity and had good relations with his family and friends. The man was very happy and thought that because he was a good Muslim no harm will come to him.
Then one day, when the man returned home from a family outing, he discovered that someone had broken into his home and stolen all his precious belongings including his life's savings which he had safely hidden.
Devastated the man tried to control his disappointment in what had happened to him. With no money, he had become poor in an instant. He looked up at the sky and asked Allah, “Why me?! I pray! I fast! I give in charity! What did I do wrong?!”
Days went by and the man kept questioning why Allah had done this to him. And he couldn't remove his disappointment with Allah from his heart.
Friday came and the man prepared to go for Jumaah prayers. Reluctantly he took a shower and got dressed to leave for the Masjid. He left the house dejected and feeling very low. As he was walking, he decided to take a different route to the Masjid just to clear his mind.
As he strolled the new route, he looked at the new houses that had been built and realised how long it had been since he came this way. He started thinking about his childhood and how he and his friends would come and play at the grounds where now the new houses stood. Then he remembered an old neighbour he called 'uncle' and how kind he was to him and his friends. He started thinking about him and wondered if he still lived in that same house where he had spent his childhood.
He started to look around and there between the brand new luxury apartments was his old neighbour's little home. The house he once remembered as big and beautiful now seemed old, small and batted, its glory days were clearly gone. It needed a paint job and a whole lot of repairs. And there sitting on the front porch was a frail old man. Coming closer he noticed that his old neighbour was blind and seemed to be affected with many diseases all over his body. It was clear that he was wasting away. He was even paralyzed and forced to remain in a seated position. As he came closer he could hear the old man say,
“All praise is for Allah, Who has kept me safe from sickness with which He has tested many among His creation; and He has indeed preferred me over many among those that He created."
Hearing this the man exclaimed, “My dear uncle, how are you able to Praise Allah when you are affected with so many diseases? I don't think there is a disease which you do not have!”
The old neighbour replied,
"From Allah we have come and to Him we are to return. Do I not still have a tongue with which I can pronounce His Oneness, and with which I can remember Him every single moment? And do I not still have a heart with which I can know Him?"
Hearing this, the man fell silent and tears swelled in his eyes as he remembered the bounties that Allah had given him. And how Allah says,
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) received His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
~{Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157}
Written By Monah Khan
Editors: Faiyaz Khan & Nina Lestari
[Some lines in this story is from:The Patient Old Man]
Then one day, when the man returned home from a family outing, he discovered that someone had broken into his home and stolen all his precious belongings including his life's savings which he had safely hidden.
Devastated the man tried to control his disappointment in what had happened to him. With no money, he had become poor in an instant. He looked up at the sky and asked Allah, “Why me?! I pray! I fast! I give in charity! What did I do wrong?!”
Days went by and the man kept questioning why Allah had done this to him. And he couldn't remove his disappointment with Allah from his heart.
Friday came and the man prepared to go for Jumaah prayers. Reluctantly he took a shower and got dressed to leave for the Masjid. He left the house dejected and feeling very low. As he was walking, he decided to take a different route to the Masjid just to clear his mind.
As he strolled the new route, he looked at the new houses that had been built and realised how long it had been since he came this way. He started thinking about his childhood and how he and his friends would come and play at the grounds where now the new houses stood. Then he remembered an old neighbour he called 'uncle' and how kind he was to him and his friends. He started thinking about him and wondered if he still lived in that same house where he had spent his childhood.
He started to look around and there between the brand new luxury apartments was his old neighbour's little home. The house he once remembered as big and beautiful now seemed old, small and batted, its glory days were clearly gone. It needed a paint job and a whole lot of repairs. And there sitting on the front porch was a frail old man. Coming closer he noticed that his old neighbour was blind and seemed to be affected with many diseases all over his body. It was clear that he was wasting away. He was even paralyzed and forced to remain in a seated position. As he came closer he could hear the old man say,
“All praise is for Allah, Who has kept me safe from sickness with which He has tested many among His creation; and He has indeed preferred me over many among those that He created."
Hearing this the man exclaimed, “My dear uncle, how are you able to Praise Allah when you are affected with so many diseases? I don't think there is a disease which you do not have!”
The old neighbour replied,
"From Allah we have come and to Him we are to return. Do I not still have a tongue with which I can pronounce His Oneness, and with which I can remember Him every single moment? And do I not still have a heart with which I can know Him?"
Hearing this, the man fell silent and tears swelled in his eyes as he remembered the bounties that Allah had given him. And how Allah says,
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) received His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.
~{Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157}
Written By Monah Khan
Editors: Faiyaz Khan & Nina Lestari
[Some lines in this story is from:The Patient Old Man]
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