Exemplary Sabr of Prophet Ayyub

Courtesy: Shahid Khan

THE story of Ayyub (Job) gives consolation to all those who are ill or deprived of wealth or children.

The angels were discussing the conditions of mankind, their obedience and disobedience. One of them said that Ayyub was the best man on earth. He was an obedient believer, always praying to Allah. Allah blessed Ayyub to be wealthy for 80 years. During this time he never forgot to worship or thank Allah. He shared his wealth with the poor and clothed the naked.

Satan could not believe that there was a servant as sincere as Ayyub.

Satan thought that his wealth was the reason for his sincerity, so he asked Allah for power to take away Ayyub's wealth, with the intention of misleading him.

Ayyub reacted to his loss by saying that the wealth belonged to Allah and he thanked Him for what He had granted him, and he thanked Him for what he has taken away. He then kneeled down in prayer. This made Satan angry.

Satan tried twice to mislead Ayyub after he lost his wealth by asking Allah for power to take away his children and health. Allah said I will give you power over his body, but I warn you against approaching his soul, tongue, and heart, because in them lies the secret of Faith. Ayyub acted in the same manner as when his wealth was taken away from him. Satan realized that he couldn't misguide Ayyub, so he went to his wife to mislead her by reminding her of their previous lifestyle.

Satan was successful in misleading his wife. This led to her complaining to Ayyub about their present state. This caused Ayyub to become upset with her and he vowed that he would beat her 100 times if Allah gave him back his health. Satan was not successful in misguiding Ayyub. Allah then restored him with all that he had lost.

Ayyub now had to fulfill his vow of striking his wife. Allah ordered him to strike his wife once with 100 pieces of good smelling grass, out of mercy for her. Indeed Allah is the Most Merciful. The story of Ayyub should be a constant reminder for us all. Many of us complain about the little things in life. Allah tested Ayyub in ways that can happen to us.

His faith and patience are things that we as true devout Muslims should try and implement in our lives, when Allah tests us in these situations. In the Qur'an Allah says:

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to us)." [Qur'an:38:4].

During these times, we must remember Allah more and be more thankful instead of being dissatisfied with our condition. We should praise and thank Allah for every condition that He tests us with. As we know these are the times when Satan tries to play with our minds, emotions, and weaknesses. Allah would never forget to reward a servant for such a great task.

"And (remember) Ayyub when he cried to his Lord: Verily, distress has seized me and You are the Most Merciful of all Who show mercy." [Qur'an:21:83]

"So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a reminder for all those who worship Us." [Qur'an:21:84]

May Allah give us the faith and the patience when we are tested. Amen.

Compiled from various sources.

Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. Note that an English translation of the Qur'an is an interpretation of the Qur'an, and does not have the perfect status as the Qur'an in its original Arabic form

A POEM OF HOPE

Composed by a young girl in Belarus, Russia,
near the site of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Area.

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference.
You see, it's up to YOU!

Forgiveness the crown of great qualities

Have you ever felt that someone has wronged you? May be oppressed you or may be acted in a deceitful manner? The realities of life are such that as humans we all feel wronged, oppressed or deceived at some point in our lives or the other. How should we react in such situations? It’s human to feel sadness and pain within, but are we going to let such emotions overtake our existence? The answer to this question might vary depending on a variety of factors, but as Muslims we should always learn to forgive and forget.

“Best deeds of a great man are to forgive and forget. “
As Muslims we should follow the sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad(PBUH), didn’t he forgive the kafirs after the conquest of mekkah? He indeed did forgive them. Taking into consideration the amount of torture he went through because of their persecutions, this obviously speaks of the nobility of our beloved prophet Muhammad (PBUH). What about Nabi Yusuf (may Allah be pleased with him); he forgave all his brothers after they plotted and planned against his own life. Whatever we bear in our lives is nothing in comparison to what these great people patiently endured for Allah’s sake. Even after Allah SWT gave them the authority and when they were in a position to take revenge for all that was committed against them, still they chose to forgive.

“When you have triumphed over your enemy, pardon him as a way of returning thanks to God for giving you the strength to conquer.”

And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). (Chapter #3, Verse #159)

Why should we seek revenge, if we ever ought to do so? Does it improve our situation? Does it compensate for what we have lost? Does it ensure that the victor feels the same as the vanquished?

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. dont punish them). (Chapter #7, Verse #199)

On the other hand if we are patient when we are wronged, and forgive inshaallah Allah SWT will be very pleased with us. It shows the nobility of one’s character and the strength within ones qalb(Heart). Isn’t pleasing Allah SWT our ultimate goal in life?


"And Seek (Allah's) help with Sabr (patience) and Salat (prayers): it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble" (Qur'an Al-Baqara 2:45)

If God brings you to it,
He will bring you through it.
In Happy moments, praise God.
In Difficult moments, seek God.
In Quiet moments, worship God.
In Painful moments, trust God.
In Every moment, thank God.

Miserliness and Meanness of the Heart

Free yourself from miserliness and meanness of the heart. The more humble and polite you are, the more strongly will you believe that everything belongs to Allah and that whatever you give now shall be returned in the form of a much greater reward.

The more you believe that if you were to stop charity it would come to haunt you, the easier will it be for you to be magnanimous. The more your heart is filled with the Greatness of Allah, the more generous your heart will become. The greater your ability to negate ego, status, arrogance, vanity, wealth, and the more you feel that you have not discharged your responsibilities to the full - the happier you will become.

Give away your wealth today, give it away readily, sacrifice your self-esteem, cleanse yourself of the love of this world and Allah will expand your heart. He shall make you so benevolent that you will have made yourself deserving of the Paradise whose expanse will embrace the heavens and the earth.


Compiled From:"Dying and Living for Allah" - Khurram Murad

Love & Marriage: Encouragment from a Brother

Love & Marriage: Encouragment from a Brother

Source – My_Islam Group

When I started looking for a wife, my only intention was to find a muslim woman who could help me become a better Muslim. After praying to Allah many times, I came to know that a Muslim brother in my area had an unwed sister. I was told that she was 7 years older than I was, had no college education, and had minor health problems. Despite this, I arranged for a meeting to discuss the possibility of marriage. When I met her, I was impressed by her modesty (she wore a real hijab that covered everything but her face). She was not attractive, nor was she rich. However, at the conclusion of our meeting, I felt comfortable with the fact that she was what I was looking for. After praying Istikhara, I felt confident that she was right for me. Our nikaah was performed only a few weeks later.

Oh yeah, this was a Muslim wedding - the kind where the men separated from the women, we didn't have disco music or belly dancers or any other kind of kuffar stuff. There might have been one brother who was NOT wearing Sunnah. We spent most of the time praying, praising Allah, discussing what a great blessing the responsibility of marriage was, etc. I think the total cost of the wedding might have been around US$20.00 (we held it in my brother-in-law' s apartment). I had the time of my life!!!

Despite the fact that she is very stubborn and argumentative, she is one of the best Muslim women a man could ask for. And I am NOT talking about the way she wakes me up in the middle of the night for tahajjud, the way she covers her face in public, the way she investigates every action that I do, the way she will stop talking to me if I don't read the Qur'an or go to the masjid every day. I am talking about her fear of Allah and love for the prophet Muhammed (Salallaahu' alahiwasalam) .

Not bad for a woman some people called ugly, who has no college education or money. I wouldn't trade this woman for anything in the world.

Many times when the discussion of marriage arises, I will hear one brother after another talking about how beautiful and educated they want their dream wives to be. Others will talk of love or family/racial pride. Fools... (with all due respect) In case some of you are confused as to why I am mentioning all of this let me tell you what I know (straight up)...

A PIOUS WIFE IS YOUR STRONGEST DEFENSE AGAINST SHAYTAAN

Now, Marry a woman for whatever reason you want.......

My dua' is with you all.

Salamu Alaikum.
Your brother,
Iftikhar

Ikhlas (Sincerity)

As humans who are weak and feeble we are often prone to sins, but if we are sincere Insha Allah, Allah (SWT) will protect us from the fitnahs(trials) around us. Sometimes you feel how deeply Allah(SWT) loves you, if you are sincere. Nothing but only he could save and protect you, because he is all knowing all wise. When certain things are beyond your control and you raise your hands up in supplication, he responds to you in ways you never imagined. He saves you from what is evil and wrong, in ways you couldn’t possibly perceive, he rewards you for being patient and sincere. Only after he protects us from the evils around us, do we realize his plan for us. He is the one who lays out everything smoothly, for those who are patient and sincere. When things seem out of control and we feel the pressure around us let’s turn to him for guidance, for only he can guide us to be righteous. Above all a sincere heart and attitude is most beloved to him. Only he sees what’s hidden and unknown. He is our protector and our master.

Ya Allah, please save me and all my fellow Muslims in Islam from all the fitnahs around us. Please give us Ikhlas(Sincerity) in our deen, and forgive us all for our past sins. Please do not take our ruhu unless we are in a very high state of iman, please don’t give us any burden which is unbearable to us. Please help us to live & die for your sake only. Ameen.

A Tribute to a Heavenly Soul

A Tribute to a Heavenly Soul

When days were dark and my soul was clouded with burdens which seemed unbearable I remember that smile and that helping hand that was always beside me, when sickness made my limbs and body weak and I was bedridden, she spent many sleepless nights attending to me, when I had tried my utmost best but still fell short of my goals she is the loving soul that inspired me, with every step I took & with each and every success I achieved she was the complimenting soul that applauded me, she is no other than my loving mother, the person I love, more than anyone else in this world!!!

Her successful 32 year career as a doctor in the public sector will end today, but as for me she will always be a hero whose hands and kind words has cured many a suffering soul. There are times when people praise my mama for what she has done for them, I feel really happy at those times. It might not have been very easy raising 3 kids while working, but alhamdullilah she managed to do a good job with us, since she sacrificed many opportunities that came across for our sake. Whatever we do, will never be sufficient to payback all that sacrifices, patience, fortitude and pain she bore to make a better tomorrow for us.

Even today as old as I am, I still turn to her for comfort and solace. When we turn to her with eyes full of tears and hearts full of fear, she will always try to comfort us with assurance and firmness with kind words and encouragement, but at times even I feel that although not shown her own heart cries within when we are sad or depressed. In moments of joy and happiness she is that tender heart who feels the joy many times manifolded.

There is an oft repeated, but seldom - respected hadith, of the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) that tells us, "heaven lies under the feet of mothers." while another hadith, mentioned in friendly competition between mothers and fathers, tells us that those dearest to a Muslim after Allah (swt) and the Messenger, are mothers (emphasized thrice), and then, the father.

Sometimes it’s only after we lose something or someone that we begin to relish the true value of it, so let’s not be ignorant till such day, lets pray to Allah subhantala to grant all of us the strength to serve our parents to the best of our ability, especially when they reach old age and are not in a state to be of any help to us. They are the blessed souls on the face of this earth who deserve our utmost attention, as they have borne many a pain and suffering to make us who we are today. As I conclude I leave you with the lyrics from the Nasheed “My Mother”, sung by rasheed bhika, may it serve as an inspiration to all of us this day and always. I Thank Allah Subhantala for blessing me with a loving mother and pray that he will sustain that love and affection for me in the years to come.

“Ya Allah Please bless my mother with the best of everything in this world and the hereafter” Ameen.

''Yusuf Islam - My Mother''

(Teacher): “The Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam) told us that we must obey Allah and His messenger at all times. But who else did he tell us to listen to, and be close to?

(Children): “My Mother!”

Who should you give your love to?

Your respect and your honour to?

Who should you pay good mind to - after Allah, And Rasullullah?

Comes your Mother, Who next?

Your Mother Who next?

Your Mother And then you Father Cause

who used to hold you And clean you and clothe you?

Who used to feed you And always be with you?

When you were sick, stay up all night, Holding you tight?

That’s right no other, your Mother

Who should you take good care of, Giving all your love?

Who should you think the most of - after Allah And Rasullullah?

Comes your Mother, Who next?

Your Mother Who next?

Your Mother And then you Father

Cause who used to hear you Before you could talk?

Who used to hold you Before you could walk?

And when you fell, who’d pick you up?

Clean your cut?

No one but, your Mother, your Mother

Who should you stay right close to?

Listen most to?

Never say no to – after Allah And Rasullullah?

Comes your Mother, Who next?

Your Mother Who next?

Your Mother And then you Father Cause

who used to hug you And buy you new clothes?

Comb your hair and blow your nose?

And when you cried who wiped your tears?

Knows your fears?

Who really cares?

Your Mother

Say Alhamdulillah,

Thank you Allah

Thank You Allah for my Mother