Motivational Stories

[AkheeAB]

"This flame is nothing ..."


Qari Muhammad Qayyam (may the mercy of Allah be upon him) related that a great deal of fighting and bloodshed had started prior to the Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947. He said that a very beautiful daughter of a very rich man in a certain community stepped out of her house to visit her aunt, who lived no more than a few streets away. Suddenly a riot erupted as she had gone halfway and she found herself trapped with apparently nowhere to go. She saw a mosque nearby and quickly went inside, sitting in the women’s section. The rioting continued late into the night and this girl did not know what to do.

The custodian of the masjid was a very young student there and late at night when he walked through the masjid before locking up he noticed this beautiful young lady. He was a respectful young man who feared Allah and so politely asked her to leave, saying that if she was found there then both would be dishonored and thrown out. She pleaded with him because of the extreme danger outside and so he agreed that she could spend the night, and sat down to study at the opposite end of the masjid.

The girl was unable to sleep with the events of the day in her mind and so watched the young man sitting studying by candle light at the opposite end of the masjid. She kept watching him and was very surprised at something she saw. From time to time this young man would extend his hand and keep it over the open flame, only withdrawing it when the flame obviously became unbearable. He then would resume his studies and continued this throughout the night until the dawn broke.

The young man called the adhan and asked the girl to leave before the congregation started coming to pray since now everything was calm outside. She agreed on the condition that he tell her why he was placing his hand on the candle flame throughout the night. The young man said that that was his own business and so the girl refused to leave until he told her what she wanted to know. The young man gave in and said, “I am at the age of youth and strong desire. We were alone and my desire was increasing, and although I was studying the shaytan would occasionally put temptation in my heart. Hence whenever I would feel any temptation I would put my hand on the flame and my fingers would burn. I would say to myself that this flame is nothing compared to the fire of Hell.”

The girl left the masjid and reached home, calming her parents’ fears as to what had happened to her. She also confided in her mother that she wanted to marry the custodian of the mosque near their house. She related the night’s events to her parents and said that only such a man with true fear of Allah in his heart can be true to his wife. Only such a man who truly fears Allah can fulfill a wife’s rights properly.

Hence the poor custodian of the mosque earned the daughter of a rich household in marriage. He received this honor not because of his looks but because of his character. Everything disintegrates and turns to dust but character remains strong. Honor is not bestowed because of handsome clothes or beautiful jewelry but because of what is in the heart. Knowledge is only beneficial when it is captured within the heart, and not merely written in books.

[AkheeAB]

THE LINGERING PAIN OF SINNING


During the caliphate of Umar bin al-Khattab, Sa'eed bin 'Amir was the governor of Hims, a city in ash-Shaam. When Umar visited Hims to see how things were going there, he was met by a large group of people who began to complain to him about Sa'eed.

They found fault with him in four matters. First, they said, he would not come out to them until mid-morning. Second, he would refuse to answer any caller during the night. Third, once a month, he would stay away from the people. And fourth, once in a while, Sa'eed would faint and lose consciousness for no apparent reason.

The Leader of the Believers asked Sa'eed to respond to their complaints.

In regard to the first complaint, Sa'eed explained that he had no servant and that, every morning, he had to crush his own wheat in order to make bread. As soon as he would finish making his bread, he said, he would then go out to serve the people.

As for not answering any callers during the night, he said that he dedicated his days to serving the people and his nights to worshipping Allah.

As for not going out to the people once a month, he explained that he had only one garment and that he washed it once a month and had to then wait until it dried.

As for passing out every so often, Sa'id gave this explanation:

"When I was a polythiest, I witnessed the brutal execution of Habib al-Ansaari in Makkah. I saw how Quraish cut up his flesh little by little. They said to Habib, 'Do you now want Muhammad to take your place?' He said, 'By Allah, I would not want to be safe with myself, my family and my children if Muhammad were even to be pricked by a thorn.' Every time I remember that day and how I refrained from helping Habib- for I was a polythiest and did not believe in Allah, the All-Mighty- I begin to think that Allah, the Posessor of Might and Majesty, will never forgive me. It is then that I faint, O Leader of the Believers."

[AkheeAB]

Ibn 'Abbaas Debates the Khawaarij Concerning their Faulty Understanding, and Two Thousand from Amongst them Repent




And from the evil understanding of this Religion is that which was attained by the Khawaarij[6] who revolted and fought against 'Alee (radiyallaahu 'anhu). This was because they understood the texts of the Sharee'ah with an erroneous understanding, which contradicted the understanding of the Companions (radiyallaahu 'anhum). Due to this, when Ibn 'Abbaas (radiyallaahu 'anhumaa) debated them, he clarified to them the correct understanding of the texts. So there returned from amongst them those who returned, and the remainder of them did not return back from their misguidance. And the story of his debate with them has been recorded in the Mustadrak (2/150-152) of al-Haakim (d.405H), and the isnaad is saheeh upon the condition of Muslim (d.261H). In it is the statement of Ibn 'Abbaas, "I have come to you from the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), from the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar, so that I may inform you of what they say. They are well aware of what they say, as the Qur'aan was sent down upon them. And they are more knowledgeable concerning the revelation than you, and it was revealed amongst them. And none of them are amongst you." So some of them said, 'Do not argue with the Quraysh (i.e. since Ibn 'Abbaas is from the Quraysh), since Allaah says,



{Rather, they are a quarrelsome people.}, [Sooratuz-Zukhruf, Aayah 58].'



Stated Ibn 'Abbaas, "And I have come to a people whom I have not seen anyone more severe in striving hard than them. Their faces have become pale from staying up late at night, it is as if their hands and feet do not deter them." So there remained those who remained. So some of them said, 'Let us speak with him and let us see what he says.' 'I said, 'Inform me of that which you harbour against the son of the uncle of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his son-in-law, the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar.' They said, 'Three issues.' I said, 'What are they?' They said, 'As for the first of them, then he ('Alee) has allowed men to judge in the affair of Allaah, yet Allaah the Exalted says,



{The judgement is for none but Allaah.}, [Soorah Yoosuf, Aayah 40]



So it is not for men and it is not for judges.' So I said, 'This is only one issue.' They said, 'As for the other issues, then he fought his enemies, yet he did not take any prisoners or war booty. So if those whom he fought were disbelievers, then their imprisonment and war booty has been made lawful. And if they were believers, then fighting them is not permissible.' I said, 'These are only two issues, so what is the third?' They said, 'Indeed, he erased the title, 'Leader of the Believers' from himself, so therefore he is the leader of the disbelievers.' I said, 'Do you have anything besides this?' They said, 'This is sufficient for us.' So I said to them, 'Do you hold that if I recite to you from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), that which refutes your statement, that you will obey?' They said, 'Yes!' So I said, 'As for your statement that he has allowed men to judge concerning from the affair of Allaah, then I shall recite to you that which shows that Allaah relegated His judgement to men concerning the price of four dirhams, concerning a rabbit and its like from game. So Allaah said,



{O you who believe! Do not kill game whilst you are in a state of ihraam.}, [Sooratul-Maa'idah, Aayah 95]



Up until He said,



{…as judged by two just men from amongst you.}, [Sooratul-Maa'idah, Aayah 95]



So I implore you by Allaah: Is the judgement of men with regards to a rabbit and its like from game better, or their judgement concerning their blood and reconciliation between them?! And you must know that if Allaah had wished, He would have judged and not relegated that to the men. And Allaah the Mighty and Majestic has said concerning the woman and her husband,



{And if you fear a breach amongst the two of them, then appoint two arbitrators, one from his family and one from hers. And if they both wish for peace, then Allaah will bring about their reconciliation.}, [Sooratun-Nisaa', Aayah 35]



So Allaah made the judgement of the men a tradition to be believed in. So do you leave this?" They said, 'Yes!' He said, "As for your statement that he fought and he did not take prisoners, nor did he take war booty, then do you revile your mother, 'Aa'ishah? Then you must declare her lawful in that which you have declared lawful with regards to other than her! So if you were to do that, then you would become disbelievers, as she is your mother. And if you say, 'She is not our mother,' then you have disbelieved. Since, Allaah says,



{The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.}, [Sooratul-Ahzaab, Aayah 6]



So you are revolving around two positions of misguidance. Regardless of which of them you adopt, you have adopted misguidance." So they began to look at each other.' 'I said, 'Have you left from this?' They said, 'Yes!' 'And as for your statement, that he erased the title of 'Leader of the Believers' from his name, then I shall come to you with one whom you are pleased with and I shall see you. Indeed, you have heard that on the day of al-Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) made a treaty with Suhayl Ibn 'Amr and Abaa Sufyaan Ibn Harb. So the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said to the Leader of the Believers ('Alee), "Write O 'Alee: These are the terms of peace agreed upon by Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah." So the pagans said, 'No, by Allaah! Had we known that you were the Messenger of Allaah, we would not have fought you.' So the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "O Allaah! You know that I am the Messenger of Allaah. Write O 'Alee: These are the terms of peace agreed upon by Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullaah."[7] So by Allaah, the Messenger of Allaah was better than 'Alee, yet he was not removed from Prophethood when he erased the title from his name." Stated 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Abbaas (radiyallaahu 'anhumaa), "So two thousand of those people repented, and the rest were killed upon misguidance."[8]



So in this story, two thousand from amongst the Khawaarij repented from their falsehood, due to clarification and elucidation which emanated from Ibn 'Abbaas (radiyallaahu 'anhumaa). So in that is proof that there is in the referring back to the people of knowledge, security from evils and tribulations. Indeed, Allaah the Mighty and Majestic said,



{So ask the people of remembrance if you do not know.}, [Sooratun-Nahl, Aayah 43]





[6] The Khawaarij were the first sect in Islam to split away from the way of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions. They arose in the caliphate of 'Alee, making khurooj (rebellion) against him, before the arbitration between him and Mu'aawiyah (radiyallaahu 'anhumaa). From their false 'aqeedah (creed) is: allowing rebellion against the legitimate Muslim ruler – whether pious of wicked, and declaring a Muslim to be a kaafir (disbeliever), due to commission of a major sin. They were described by the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) as the Dogs of the Hellfire. Refer to al-Maqaalaatul-Islamiyyeen (1/168) of Abul-Hasan al-Ash'aree, al-Bidaayah (8/22-44) of Ibn Katheer and Fathul-Baaree (12/282-302) of Ibn Hajr.



[7] Related by al-Bukhaaree (5/303-304) and Muslim (12/134-138), from the hadeeth of al-Baraa' Ibn 'Aazib (radiyallaahu 'anhu).



[8] This incident has been related by 'Abdur-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf (no. 18678), Ahmad (1/342), Aboo 'Ubayd in al-Amwaal (no. 444), an-Nisaa'ee in Khasaa'is 'Alee (no. 190), al-Fasawee in al-Ma'rifah wat-Ta'reekh (1/522-524), Aboo Nu'aym in Hilyatul-Awliyaa' (1/318-320), al-Bayhaqee in as-Sunanul-Kubraa (8/179), Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in Jaami' Bayaanul-'Ilm (2/103-104), Ibnul-Jawzee in Talbees Iblees (p.91-93), Abul-Farj al-Jareeree in al-Jaleesus-Saalihil-Kaafee (1/558-560) and Ibn Katheer in al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah (7/281).

[Nadia Sultana]

A story to ponder over...

Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) in response to his special prayer to Allah was granted Kingdom and was given power over the forces of nature, over the Jinns and men and devils and other living creatures. He was also endowed with knowledge of their language and could easily communicate with them.

Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) once was sitting on the bank of a lake deeply engrossed in the beauties of nature around and appreciating the various forms of Allah's creation on earth.

Suddenly Prophet Sulayman (pbuh)'s attention was drawn towards an ant creeping forward with a grain of wheat in its mouth. As it reached near the water, a tortoise came out, opened its mouth and the ant crept into it. The tortoise closing its mouth disappeared under the water. After a while, the tortoise again sprung out of the water and standing on the bank opened its mouth and the ant came out. But this time it had no grain of wheat in its mouth.

Prophet Sulayman (pbuh) became anxious to know what had been happening under water. On inquiring, the ant explained that at the bottom of the lake, was a stone and underneath it lived a blind ant. Allah had created it there and because of blindness, it could not move about. The ant further said that I have been appointed by Allah to provide its daily sustenance with the assistance of the tortoise and hence, I do perform this duty everyday.

Let us ponder over one thing. If a tiny creature like an ant living under a stone at the bottom of a sea is not denied its sustenance, why should man the noblest of all creatures ever suspect loss of his sustenance from Almighty Allah? Isn't it foolishness to dirty one's hand in prohibited transactions for earning one's livelihood? Such persons do not get more, than what is destined and earn Allah's Wrath and Punishment in the Hereafter world.

Moral: Allah (SWT) is Ar Razzaq. He is our Provider and we should always have faith in Him and trust Him in all our Affairs.

SubhanAllah

[AkheeAB]

...baraka Allahu feek, for that story. keep it up in sha Allaahu taa'ala

[AkheeAB]

AsSalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuhu.

THE TRUE TREASURE (I went to steal from him, but he stole from me)

A burglar scaled the wall of Maalik bin Dinar's house one night and easily managed to get inside. Once inside the house, the thief was disappointed to see that there was nothing inside actually worth stealing. The owner of the home was inside at the time, he was busy performing prayer. Realizing that he was not alone, Maalik quickly ended his prayer and turned around to face the thief. Without showing any sign of being shocked or afraid, Maalik calmly extended greetings of peace and then said, "My brother, may Allah forgive you. You entered my home and found nothing that is worth taking, yet I do not want you to leave my home without taking away some benefit."

He stood up, went to another part of the room, and came back with a jug full of water. He looked into the eyes of the burglar and said, "Make ablution and perform two units of prayer, for if you do so, you will leave my home with a greater treasure than you had initially sought when you entered it."

Much humbled by Maalik's manners and words, the thief said, "Yes, that is a generous offer indeed."

After making ablution and performing two units of prayer, the burglar said, "O Maalik, would you mind if I stayed for a while, for I want to stay to perform two more units of prayer?"

Maalik said, "Stay for whatever amount of prayer Allah decrees for you to perform now."

The thief ended up spending the entire night at Maalik's house. He continued to pray until the morning. Then Maalik said, "Leave now and be good."

But instead of leaving, the thief said, "Would you mind if I stayed here with you today, for I have made an intention to fast the day?"

"Stay as long as you wish," said Maalik.

The burglar ended up staying for a number of days, praying during the late hours of each night and fasting throughout the duration of each day. When he finally decided to leave, the burglar said, "O Maalik, I have made a firm resolve to repent for my sins and for my former way of life."

Maalik said, "Indeed, that is in the Hand of Allah."

The man did mend his ways and began to lead a life of righteousness and obedience to Allah. Later on, He came across another burglar he knew. [His friend] said to him, "Have you found your treasure yet?"

He said, "My brother, what I found is Maalik bin Dinaar. I went to steal from him, but it was he who ended up stealing my heart. I have indeed repented to Allah, and I will remain at the door [of His Mercy and Forgiveness] until I achieve what his obedient, loving slaves have achieved."

[al-Mawaa'idh wal-Majaalis: 85]

[Sua'd]

masha Allah, beautiful story ^^^ made my day! jazak ALlahu khayraan for sharing it. salaam a'laikum

[AkheeAB]

What if you Find a Watch in The Sand?

Abdur Rauf Shakir

Suppose you found a watch in the middle of the desert. What would you conclude? Would you think someone had dropped the watch? Or would you suppose that the watch came by itself?
Of course, no sane person would say the watch just happened to emerge from the sand. All the intricate working parts could not simply develop from the metals that lay buried in the earth. The watch must have a manufacturer.
If a watch tells an accurate time, we expect the manufacturer must be intelligent. Blind chance cannot produce a working watch.
But what else tells accurate time? Consider the sunrise and the sunset. Their timings are so strictly regulated that scientists can publish in advance the sunrise and sunset times in your daily newspapers. But who regulated the timings of sunrise and sunset? If a watch cannot work without an intelligent maker, how can the sun appear to rise and set with such clockwork regularity? Could this occur by itself?
Consider also that we benefit from the sun only because it remains at a safe distance from the earth. A distance that averages 93 million miles. If it got much closer, the earth would burn up. And if it got too far away, the earth would turn into an icy planet making human life here impossible. Who decided in advance that this was the right distance? Could it just happen by chance?
Without the sun, plants would not grow. Then animals and humans would starve. Did the sun just decide to be there for us?
We need to experience sunrise. We need the sun's energy and its light to see our way during the day. But we also need sunset. We need a break for the heat, we need the cool of the night and we need the lights to go out so we may sleep. Who regulated this process to provide what we need?
Moreover, if we had only the warmth of the sun and the protection of the atmosphere we would want something more beauty. Our clothes provide warmth and protection, yet we design them also to look beautiful. Knowing our need for beauty, the designer of the sunrise and the sunset also made the view of them to be simply breathtaking.
The Creator who gave us light, energy, protection and beauty deserves our thanks. Yet some people insist that He does not exist. What would they think if they found a watch in the desert? An accurate, working watch? A beautifully designed watch? Would they not conclude that there does exist a watchmaker, One who appreciates beauty? Such is God who made us.

[AkheeAB]

AsSalam Alaikum WaRahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.

The following is a true incident happened.

It was reported in a local paper in Rochdale (A town, northeast of Manchester), of a young woman who was raped in a small dark alley (a narrow passage between buildings) one evening. On a separate evening around the same time, a young Muslim girl was walking home from college. Aware that it was getting dark fast, she wanted to get home as soon as possible, so her mother would not be worrying about her being outside alone at night.

The young Muslim girl faced a dilemma. To take the short-cut down the same alleyway to avoid getting home after dark, or to take the longer route and have her mother worrying herself sick about her daughters safety.

Conscious of the time, she takes the alleyway. While the girl is walking she sees a rather sinister and dark figure of a man walking towards her from the other end. As her pace quickens, she begins to read
Ayat-ul-kursi for her safety. the man, he makes eye contact but carries on walking. When the young Muslim girl reaches home she tells her family about this sinister looking man, they advise her to contact the police, after having read the newspaper article some time before. When she contacts the police they ask her to give a physical description of the man. It matches the description the rape victim had given. Some days later the young Muslim girl receives a phone call from the police, asking her if she would come down to the police station to identify the man in a line up. Both the rape victim and the Muslim girl pick out the same man.The police are confused; they ask the rapist why he attacked one girl and not the other. In reference to the Muslim girl, he replies 'why would I attack her? when she was walking with two huge men on either side of her?'



Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen.

[AkheeAB]

AsSalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu.

Story of 4 wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant, and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her! One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I ! now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.