Jan 26, 2012
This is the story of the giant ship engine that failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then, they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom.
Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man searched into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. & instantly, the engine lurched into life & got started.
He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for £10,000. “What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”So they wrote the old man a note saying “Please send us an itemised bill.”The man sent a bill that read:
- Tapping with a hammer …..£2.00
- Knowing where to hammer..£9,998.00
- Total £10,000
An old quote:“My worry for you is not that you fail to succeed, but that you succeed in the wrong thing.”
An example that springs to mind which I have heard from our scholars is that people strive to do a lot of good a’maal but fail to refrain from committing sins, and they explained this point by using the example of a petrol tank with a hole in the bottom, we keep on filling it with petrol, little realising our loss of fuel from the hole in the tank.
Moral of The Story: Effort itself is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life,‘Makes all the difference’. So often we see people striving, working and making effort tirelessly, often for years only for them to later on realise that they were all misplaced and how they wish they had spent the time and effort on something more fruitful.
May Allah give us the ability to reflect, learn and act on the above.
by Abdurrahman Basher
Jan 19, 2012
It is said that actions speak louder than words. What is meant by this statement is that no matter what we say it is what we actually do that people will take notice of. If we say one thing but practice something altogether differently, people will see through that and we will be perceived as being hypocritical and untrustworthy. All of our words, no matter how beautiful and correct they are, will lose their effectiveness because they have been tarnished by our bad actions.
The best way for us to make a positive impression on others is to treat them with respect, keep our promises, be honest in our dealings and be willing to admit mistakes when they are committed.
Muslims are taught that the best example of good conduct is the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In fact, he was nicknamed As-Sadiq al-Amin (the Honest, the trustworthy) by the Makkah Quarysh even before he was commissioned to be a prophet. And Allah says of his excellent character in the Quran, “Verily, you are of the noblest of character” (68:4), and “Verily in the Apostle of Allah you have the best example for those who have the hope of meeting Allah and expect to stand before Him, then remember Allah most often …” (33:21)
In addition, one of the famous companions of the Prophet, Anas bn Malik, stated that, “the Prophet (pbuh) was the best man to live with (best in words and actions).” He further said, “I lived with him for a period of ten years during which he never rebuked me for any mistake nor did he ever said why did you do this nor didn’t do that.” In addition his wife, Aishah, stated that, “the Prophet (pbuh) never raise his hands to beat any child or woman and that he used to be just in dealing with his wives and children.”
The biography of the Prophet (pbuh) is filled with numerous examples of his patience, forgiving nature and nobility of character. In addition, he was respectful to the elders of the community and kind to the youngesters.
Allah says of the Prophet in the Quran, “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. If you were severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you: so pass over (Their faults), and ask for (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision put you trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him)” (3:159).
The Prophet (pbuh) won many people over to his message not merely by the message he conveyed, but by the excellence of his character. Even his enemies could not find fault in the way he conducted himself.
And so we, contemporary Muslims, have a model before us regarding how to conduct ourselves when dealing with our non-Muslims friends, neighbours and co-workers. If we want them to have a favourable impression of Islam then we must strive to behave in an appropriate manner. Do we have a right to complain if people have a negative impression of Islam and Muslims when we are dishonest in our dealings, rude in our conduct and consistently fail to keep our promises? Will anyone listen to what we have to say if we behave in such a manner?
Intelligent people throughout history have understood this principle. For example, it was Benjamin Franklin who stated that, “Well done is better than well said.” And and old African Proverb states, “When deeds speak, words are nothing.” In addition, Andrew Carnegie stated, “As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”
Regardless of all of our beautiful sermons, nicely written articles, glossy pamphlets, well designed websites, or our abilities to “refute” someone’s point of view with sound evidence, if we are not following the noble example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and being mindful that our actions are more important than what we say, regardless of the correctness of our words, then all of our efforts to leave a favourable impression of Islam will come to naught.
One need not be a scholar or any kind of orator to practice silent dawah as our good actions will speak for themselves.
By: Yahya Abdul Rahman
Jan 8, 2012
A. Introduction:
There are many days set aside in non-Islamic societies to honour and appreciate special people; examples of these are Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Labour Day. In Islam, however, respecting, honouring and appreciating parents is not just for a single day of the year, but rather for each and every day.
B. Parents in the Quran:
A Muslim child should respect and appreciate his or her parents on a daily basis. Allaah mentions that human beings must recognise their parents and that this is second only to the recognition of Allaah Himself. Throughout the Quran, we notice that parents are mentioned with appreciation and respect, even if they are senile. In the Quran, there is a very beautiful description of how parents are to be treated; Allaah Says (what means):”And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as] ‘uff’ [i.e., an expression of irritation or disapproval] and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say: ‘My Lord! Have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.‘” [Quran 17:23-24]
The recognition and respect of parents is mentioned in the Quran eleven times; in every instance, Allaah reminds children to recognise and to appreciate the love and care that they have received from their parents. One such example is when Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents…” [Quran 29:8 & 46:15]
1. The demand for recognising parents is made more emphatic when Allaah Says (what means): “And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them]: ‘Do not worship except Allaah; and to parents, do good…'” [Quran 2:83]
2. Allaah again emphasises in chapter An-Nisaa’ that children should be kind to their parents. He says what means: “Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good…” [Quran 4:36]
3. In Chapter Al-An’aam, Allaah reemphasises that people should be kind to their parents; He says what means: “Say: ‘Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment…'” [Quran 6:151]
C. Mothers:
Although Islam recognises both parents, mothers are given particular gratitude and respect. This can be appreciated if we reflect upon the hardships and suffering that mothers experience in their lives. In this regard, there is a Hadeeth of the Prophet : It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that a man came to the Prophet and asked him: ‘Who is most deserving of my close companionship?’ He replied: “Your mother; your mother; your mother; then your father; then the next closest to you in kinship; then the one next closest.”
Islam has endorsed respect for parents by their children, even if the parents are non-Muslims. If parents strive to convert their children to non-Islamic beliefs, the children should not obey them, but must still maintain goodness towards them. In this regard, Allaah says what means: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is two years. Be grateful to Me and your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” [Quran 31:14-15]
D. More Respect:
Islam teaches us that of the most beloved deeds to Allaah, having respect for one’s parents is second only to that of prayer and is greater than that of Jihaad (fighting in His cause). In this respect, Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood narrated the following: “I asked the Prophet : ‘Which deed is the most beloved to Allaah?’ He replied: “Prayers performed on time.” I then asked: ‘Which one is next?’ He replied: “Goodness to parents.” I then asked: ‘Which is next?’ He replied: “Jihaad in the path of Allaah.””
In Islam, respect for parents is so great that the child and his wealth are considered to be the property of the parents: `Aa’ishah narrated that a man came to the Prophet in order to resolve a dispute that he had with his father regarding a loan he had given him. The Prophet said to the man: “You and your wealth are to (i.e., the property of) your father.”
E. Final Remarks:
We hope and pray that all of us will respect our parents while they are alive and after their death. One can honour his parents after their death through the following methods:
- Performing daily Du’aa’ (supplication) for them.
- Giving charity on their behalf.
- Instituting a perpetual charity on their behalf, such as a mosque, an Islamic Centre, an Islamic library, an Islamic hospital, an orphanage, etc.
- Performing Hajj on their behalf, or asking someone to do so.
- Distributing Islamic literature on their behalf.
Let us pray to Allaah that we do our best to respect our parents, honour them, be kind to them, assist them, and please them so that we may attain the love of Allaah.
O Allaah! Accept our humble prayers and make us obedient slaves to You.
O Allaah! Help us to be respectful children to our parents. Aameen.
By: Dr Ahmad H. Sakr
Jan 7, 2012
Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
as-salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
Greif
The most difficult period in the life of the Prophet (s.a.a.w) was called the Year of Greif. In this year, his wife and soul-mate Khadijah (r.a) passed away and his protector and sponsor Abu Talib died while still a disbeliever. He (s.a.a.w) knew that he needed to seek new protection, so he travelled to Ta’if, but instead of finding protection, he was attacked, humiliated, and pelted with stones.After escaping the severe attack, the Prophet (s.a.a.w) made the following supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَشْكُو ضَعْفَ قُوَّتِي وَقِلَّةَ حِيلَتِي وَهَوَانِي عَلَى النَّاسِ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ
O Allah, I complain to You of my own weakness, and of my lack of resources / creativity, and of the lack of my respect in the eyes of the people, O Most Merciful of the merciful ones.1
أَنْتَ رَبُّ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ وَأَنْتَ رَبِّي إِلَى من تَكِلَنِي إِلَى بَعِيد يتجهمني أَوْ إِلَى عَدُوّ مَلَّكْتَهُ أَمْرِي إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِكَ غضب عَلَيَّ فَلاَ أُبَالِي غَيْرَ أَنْ عَافِيتَكَ هِيَ أَوْسَعُ لِي
You are the Lord of the weak ones, and You are my Lord. To whom will You entrust me? To a distant (stranger) who will show me an unwelcoming face? Or to an enemy whom You have given control over my situation? If You are not angry with me then I do not mind, though safety from You is easier for me.2
أَعُوذُ بِنُورِ وَجْهِكَ الَّذِي أَشْرَقَتْ لَهُ الظُّلُمَاتُ وَصَلُحَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ أَنْ يَنْزِلَ بِي غَضَبُكَ أَوْ تُحِلَّ عَلَيَّ سُخْطَكَ لَكَ الْعُتْبَى حَتَّى تَرْضَى وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِكَ
I take refuge with the Light of Your Face, which brings light to darkness, and upon which the affairs of the world and the Hereafter become right – from Your anger descending upon me, or Your displeasure befalling me. I will continue to seek Your Pleasure, until You become pleased (with me). And there is neither might nor power except with You.3
1.In this portion he places all the blame for his misfortune upon himself, not on Allah (swt), not on the people who are causing all of this hardship.
2.In this portion he affirms his acceptance of any and all hardships so long as it is not an indication of Allah’s displeasure.
3.Finally, he begs Allah to not be displeased with him as if his hardship was a punishment, and as if the people rejected him due to a deficiency in his da’wah. (both of which are obviously not the case)
Jan 2, 2012
AsSalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
We are all aware that there are certain Mosques that emphasize the importance of memorizing the Qur’an with absolutely no emphasis on understanding the Qur’an.
We also know that the Prophet (s.a.a.w) told us that:
“You will surely follow those who came before you, inch by inch, step by step; so much so that if they were to enter into a lizard’s hole, you would follow them. We (the Sahaabah) said: ‘O messenger of Allaah! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?’ He (saw) said: Who else?” (Saheeh Muslim, Book of Knowledge, chapter 3 hadeeth #2669)
So the Question is: Is memorizing our Holy Book without understanding a practice of our misguided predecessors?
Well, the Qur’an itself answers in a very explicit manner:
“The similitude of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) Torah, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is that of a donkey which carries huge books (but understands them not).(62:5)
So to summarize:
Allah compares the Jews to donkeys for carrying huge books and understanding nothing in them, and us Muslims have leaders that try to make children Huffaz of Qur’an without understanding anything… and to top it off, the Prophet (s.a.a.w) warned us that we would copy the Jews and Christians… As future leaders, we should all be concerned.
If anyone still isn’t convinced, you can watch the speech provided below on youtube by Zakir Naik called: Al Quran read with understanding
