During the time when Umar (ra) was the Khalifah of the Muslims, there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. One day, a tremor in the ground was felt. It was found that a caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with large stocks of food was arriving from Syria. Returning from successful business and trade, this caravan was owned by Uthman (ra). Upon its arrival, several merchants approached Uthman (ra) and offered to buy it all.
Uthman asked them what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said.
He answered that he could get higher profit than that.
They then increased their offer, and still Uthman answered that he could get an even higher profit.
The merchants continued to increase their offer until they argued that they did not know of any other merchants who would offer him more than what they had offered. Uthman then said to the merchants, "I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a single dirham (Arabian currency)." He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah (swt) mentioned this profit.
"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." [2:261]
"O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!" said Uthman (ra).
People would easily spend $2000 for a new television or shiny rims for their car. But at the same time, dropping a $20 note into a Masjid's donation box or giving to a needy brother or sister takes second thoughts (or doesnt even cross the mind at all). What we have to realise is that all our wealth comes from Allah, not from ourselves. And in order to become wealthier, we have to give in the way that Allah loves, always knowing that we will get in return something multiplied by what we had given. So next time you see the mosque donation box, make sure you don't hesitate to donate in the Way of Allah.
Friday, 6 November 2009
A Scholar in China
A Muslim scholar (Sheikh) was on a visit to China to give a series of lectures to the local Muslim community. One day, he was scheduled to give a lecture at a local hall and was about to take a taxi along with his companions to that location.
They got into the taxi and the Sheikh asked about how long it would take to get to the lecture hall. The taxi driver, through the translator, answered "Two hours."
The Sheikh immediately turned to his companions and said: "well, we can't sit in this taxi with the driver for two hours and not tell him about our religion. If we did that then we would be no different than any other non-Muslim or kaffir who uses this taxi. We are the people that Allah (SWT) chose to carry His message and honoured us to be Muslims. It is our duty to tell this person about Islam."
However, the driver was a native Chinese and didn't have a common language with the Sheikh. They had to communicate through a translator.
The Sheikh said to the translator: "Ask the man if he believes in any religion?"
Driver: "No, I don't believe in religion. I just get up in the morning, go to work and earn money. At the end of the day, I collect my money, go buy some food and drink for my family. What do I need religion for?"
Sheikh: "Ask this man if he has ever heard anything about Islam."
Driver: "Not much. I've seen a tape once and showed Muslims as violent people. I don't know much else."
Sheikh: "Ask him about computers. What does he think of computer?"
Driver: "I think the computer is an excellent invention. It is very useful and very sophisticated."
Sheikh: "Does he think that the computer could have invented itself or does he think that a human being invented it?"
Driver: "A human invented it, of course. It is not capable of inventing itself."
Sheikh: "Which one is more complicated the computer or the human being?"
Driver: "The human being is more complicated, of course."
Sheikh: "O.K., if the computer must have been invented by a human being, then it follows that a human being (which is more complicated) must also have a creator."
Driver: "O.K."
Sheikh: "In Islam, we believe that Allah is the creator of human beings and all other beings. Fine, now let's move on. Assume that you have never seen a computer before and never heard of it. If I brought a computer to you and gave it to you. Would you know what to do with it? Would you be able to use to its full potential?"
Driver: "No, I wouldn't."
Sheikh: "Now, if I gave you a catalogue for the computer, then you will be able to use it better. Correct?"
Driver: "Correct!"
Sheikh: "In Islam, we view Quran as the catalogue used by human beings to manage their lives. Without this catalogue, they will ruin themselves! Now, if this inventor of the computer assembled the machine and printed the catalogue, what would be the next step? He would need to train some engineers and others on how to spread the message about this machine. These people would, in turn, train others and others until everyone knows about the machine. In the example of Allah and Quran, the prophets of Allah play the role of the engineers. They learn the message and teach it to others so that the message will spread. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the final messanger of Allah and he was ordered to take the message to all human beings."
By this time, the trip was coming to an end and they almost reached the lecture hall. But the Sheikh can see that there were tears coming out of the driver's eyes. The words of the Sheikh was having a significant effect on this driver.
Driver: "These ideas are very interesting to me. Do you mind spending 15 more minutes with me to tell me about this religion?"
The Sheikh agreed to spend those few minutes with this person and did. The man asked many questions and seemed genuine in his desire to learn more about this religion. At the end of these few minutes, the driver said: "I want to join this religion of yours. How do I do that?"
He was told that all he needs to do is say: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is his servant and messenger."
They got into the taxi and the Sheikh asked about how long it would take to get to the lecture hall. The taxi driver, through the translator, answered "Two hours."
The Sheikh immediately turned to his companions and said: "well, we can't sit in this taxi with the driver for two hours and not tell him about our religion. If we did that then we would be no different than any other non-Muslim or kaffir who uses this taxi. We are the people that Allah (SWT) chose to carry His message and honoured us to be Muslims. It is our duty to tell this person about Islam."
However, the driver was a native Chinese and didn't have a common language with the Sheikh. They had to communicate through a translator.
The Sheikh said to the translator: "Ask the man if he believes in any religion?"
Driver: "No, I don't believe in religion. I just get up in the morning, go to work and earn money. At the end of the day, I collect my money, go buy some food and drink for my family. What do I need religion for?"
Sheikh: "Ask this man if he has ever heard anything about Islam."
Driver: "Not much. I've seen a tape once and showed Muslims as violent people. I don't know much else."
Sheikh: "Ask him about computers. What does he think of computer?"
Driver: "I think the computer is an excellent invention. It is very useful and very sophisticated."
Sheikh: "Does he think that the computer could have invented itself or does he think that a human being invented it?"
Driver: "A human invented it, of course. It is not capable of inventing itself."
Sheikh: "Which one is more complicated the computer or the human being?"
Driver: "The human being is more complicated, of course."
Sheikh: "O.K., if the computer must have been invented by a human being, then it follows that a human being (which is more complicated) must also have a creator."
Driver: "O.K."
Sheikh: "In Islam, we believe that Allah is the creator of human beings and all other beings. Fine, now let's move on. Assume that you have never seen a computer before and never heard of it. If I brought a computer to you and gave it to you. Would you know what to do with it? Would you be able to use to its full potential?"
Driver: "No, I wouldn't."
Sheikh: "Now, if I gave you a catalogue for the computer, then you will be able to use it better. Correct?"
Driver: "Correct!"
Sheikh: "In Islam, we view Quran as the catalogue used by human beings to manage their lives. Without this catalogue, they will ruin themselves! Now, if this inventor of the computer assembled the machine and printed the catalogue, what would be the next step? He would need to train some engineers and others on how to spread the message about this machine. These people would, in turn, train others and others until everyone knows about the machine. In the example of Allah and Quran, the prophets of Allah play the role of the engineers. They learn the message and teach it to others so that the message will spread. Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the final messanger of Allah and he was ordered to take the message to all human beings."
By this time, the trip was coming to an end and they almost reached the lecture hall. But the Sheikh can see that there were tears coming out of the driver's eyes. The words of the Sheikh was having a significant effect on this driver.
Driver: "These ideas are very interesting to me. Do you mind spending 15 more minutes with me to tell me about this religion?"
The Sheikh agreed to spend those few minutes with this person and did. The man asked many questions and seemed genuine in his desire to learn more about this religion. At the end of these few minutes, the driver said: "I want to join this religion of yours. How do I do that?"
He was told that all he needs to do is say: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is his servant and messenger."
Face or Feet?
Wudhu. One of the fundamentals of Islamic practices. Do we always perform it correctly? Do we perform it for each Salah? Our Prophet (saw) has said that parts of the body that have been washed with wudhu shall shine on the Day of Judgement, and by this distinction, the Prophet (saw) will at once recognise his followers. Hrere is a short story on Wudhu.
Once a Muslim scholar was flying to a country on an airplane. When the time for Salah came, he went to the bathroom to make wudhu (ablution). Since, the bathrooms in airplanes are very small, he had to open the door to lift up his foot to the sink. An air hostess came to him and told him not to wash his feet in the sink because they are dirty.
The scholar calmly asked the hostess, "How many times a day do you wash your face?"
The hostess replied, "Usually once or twice."
Then the scholar replied, "I wash my feet five times a day for prayers. Therefore, my feet are cleaner than your face."
The purpose of this story is not just for a good laugh. But, it teaches us how regular we should be about prayers and in making wudhu . It also shows us one way on how to deal with non-Muslim comments regarding wudhu.
Once a Muslim scholar was flying to a country on an airplane. When the time for Salah came, he went to the bathroom to make wudhu (ablution). Since, the bathrooms in airplanes are very small, he had to open the door to lift up his foot to the sink. An air hostess came to him and told him not to wash his feet in the sink because they are dirty.
The scholar calmly asked the hostess, "How many times a day do you wash your face?"
The hostess replied, "Usually once or twice."
Then the scholar replied, "I wash my feet five times a day for prayers. Therefore, my feet are cleaner than your face."
The purpose of this story is not just for a good laugh. But, it teaches us how regular we should be about prayers and in making wudhu . It also shows us one way on how to deal with non-Muslim comments regarding wudhu.
Reward for Visiting a Muslim
Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
A person set out to visit his Muslim brother in another village and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on his way.
When this person reached the angel, the angel asked, "Where are you heading?" He replied, "I am heading to a brother of mine in this village."
The angel asked, "Does he owe you something, which you want to get back?" The man replied, "No. I just love him for the sake of Allah."
The angel said, "I am Allah's courier (informer) to you, to inform you that Allah loves you just as you love him for His sake." [Sahih Muslim]
A person set out to visit his Muslim brother in another village and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on his way.
When this person reached the angel, the angel asked, "Where are you heading?" He replied, "I am heading to a brother of mine in this village."
The angel asked, "Does he owe you something, which you want to get back?" The man replied, "No. I just love him for the sake of Allah."
The angel said, "I am Allah's courier (informer) to you, to inform you that Allah loves you just as you love him for His sake." [Sahih Muslim]
Monday, 2 November 2009
Three Tough Questions
There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his Three Questions. Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.
Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?
Scholar: I am one of Allah's (swt) slaves and Insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.
Young man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.
Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah (swt).
Young Man: I have 3 questions:
1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.
2. What is takdir (fate)?
3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?
Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard.
Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?
Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.
Young Man: I really don't understand.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.
Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?
Young Man: Yes.
Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!
Young Man: I cannot.
Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape... Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?
Young Man: No.
Scholar: That is takdir (fate)........ My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?
Young Man: It is created from flesh.
Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?
Young Man: Flesh.
Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?
Young Man: In pain.
Scholar: Even though Shaitan (Devil) and also the hell were created from the fire, if Allah wants, insha-Allah (God willing), the hell will become a very painful place for Shaitan (Devil).
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