The experience of Imam Ghazali (r.a.) is a valuable lesson. Ayuhatullab! Listen carefully!
Having completed his studies, Imam Ghazali (r.a.) was en route back home. On the way the caravan in which he was travelling was waylaid by robbers. Together with his co-travellers, Imam Ghazali (r.a.) was dispossessed of all his goods. Amongst his possessions were the carefully written notes of the lectures delivered by his ustads. These notes were also taken by the robbers. Imam Ghazali (r.a.) sought out the leader of the band of robbers and pleaded with him: "Your men have taken all my possessions except for the clothes I wear. You may keep the extra clothes and other valuables - I do not lament their loss. However, please ask your men to return the papers they have taken."
The leader of the band of robbers was amazed at this unusual request. This young man was not worried about clothes and valuables, but he was asking for some pieces of paper to be returned!
Very curious, he asked: "What papers are these?"
Imam Ghazali (r.a.) explained: "I am a student returning home after completing my studies. When my teachers used to lecture, I used to make notes. These are those very pages of 'ilm that I am requesting to be returned to me."
The leader of the robbers said, "What you have just said fills me with great sorrow and regret. Young lad! Is your 'ilm on pieces of paper when it should have been in your heart? Papers can get lost. Papers can be destroyed by fire, become parched by the sun, get eaten by moths, become damaged with damp, etc., etc. You are dependent on papers? It fills me with great pity. Your 'ilm should be in your heart! Be that as it may, your papers will be returned."
He summoned one of his men and ordered him, "Give back to this boy his papers." The notes were retrieved and returned to Imam Ghazali (r.a.).
Imam Ghazali (r.a.) was of noble character. He was, moreover, a dedicated student. The words of the gang-leader were like a knife piercing his heart. On reaching home, he lost no time in memorising all his notes!
Once upon a time there was a farmer. He lived in a farming community and had farmed, like his neighbors... for all of his life. As time passed by he became bored with farming traditional crops, he still loved farming but felt unchallenged. So he set about the business of researching alternative crops. Making a living and supporting his family was critical, so he wanted to make sure he made a wise choice. Therefore, he began reading, researching and speaking with experts with more knowledge , before making his final decision.
After studying a variety of options, he decided on Bamboo. The climate, soil conditions and equipment at his disposal could make growing and harvesting bamboo a profitable business. He was convinced he was making the wisest choice and began making the changes needed to become a Bamboo Farmer.
Now remember, our farmer lived in a farming community. For generations his neighbors had all grown traditional crops like corn and wheat. You can only imagine how the idea of growing bamboo was received. Upon telling his fellow farmers his idea, they mocked him calling him foolish, all the time warning him of his impending peril. They were unwilling to accept change or progress. However, the farmer was unshaken, he had done extensive research and was confident of his knowledge. Despite the ridicule of others he remained firm in his belief that he could not only grow bamboo , but aquire great wealth, through this endeavor.
Well, if you know anything about bamboo, you know that the first year it’s been planted...nothing happens. You don’t get so much as a twig or a leaf! His neighbors were ruthless. They had all harvested their crops while he had nothing at all to show for his efforts. He was undaunted and confident in his knowledge. But wait, there’s more bad news. The second year nothing happens either, not a sign of a bamboo tree anywhere. Again he was forced to endure a second year of ridicule by his heartless neighbors. Still, he was unshaken in his confidence.
The third year came...and guess what? Bamboo, everywhere bamboo. His crop grew a foot a day! By the end of the summer he had a virtual bamboo forest. He harvested his crop and sold it for a huge profit. His neighbors were astonished. In fact, several who had once ridiculed him began to show interest in becoming bamboo farmers as well.
The farmer went on for many years enjoying the benefits of his new crop, bamboo. He and his family enjoyed a very happy and successful life, unafraid of growth, progress or change, confident and determined when facing challenges.
This story teaches us two lessons. First, when you have knowledge you have tremendous power. Knowledge gives you confidence to pursue your dreams and goals...regardless of what others think. Throughout history our most prolific leaders, inventors and businessmen were very often the subject of ridicule by their peers. It was their faith and single minded purposefulness that drove them to persevere and ultimately achieve their dreams.
The second lesson is that just because we don’t see immediate progress, doesn’t mean we should give up. The reason the bamboo tree doesn’t grow until the third season is because it spends the first two years growing roots, building a foundation so that when it is ready to grow it will have the stability to stand tall reaching tremendous heights. Without those roots, the tree would fall over with the first strong wind. Had the farmer lost faith, had he not had confidence in his knowledge, he might have tilled the crop under during the first or second year and created disaster for himself and his family.[/QUOTE]
The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her 5 year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child pasted the gold paper so as to decorate a box to put for Eid celebrations. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and said, "This is for you, Momma."
The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she found the box was empty. She spoke to her in a harsh manner, "Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?" The little girl looked up at her with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma,it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was full." The mother was crushed. She got down on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and gave her a warm hug, and asked her to forgive her for her unnecessary anger.
An accident took the life of the child only a short time later and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children,family,and friends. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.[/QUOTE]
The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
As soon as Aisha got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbour and asked Aunty Jamshed if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Aisha loved her pearls.
They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday madressa classes, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Aisha had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story from the Quraan. One night as he finished the story, he asked Aisha , "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favourite." "That's okay, Aisha, daddy loves you. Allah-hafez." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Aisha's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper. "That's okay. Sleep well.
May Allah bless you & protect you, Aisha. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Aisha was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Aisha? What's the matter?" Aisha didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy, this is for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Aisha's daddy reached out with one hand to take the cheap necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Aisha.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.
So it is with our Allah Almighty. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't Allah great? Are you holding onto things that Allah wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary Friendships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing Allah will never take away something without giving you something better in its place. The greatest gifts happen when you share love and touch others' hearts![/QUOTE]
One day, Malik bin Dinar (rahimaullah) was passing by a place when he noticed a young man wearing old clothes and crying by the roadside. His name was Uthbah. Sweat was dripping down his body even though the temperature was very cold at that time. Malik bin Dinar became very surprised at this scene and asked Uthbah, "Oh young man, why are you crying? And why are you sweating during this cold temperature?"
Uthbah replied, "Once, I committed a sin at this place. Today, as I was passing by this place, I remembered that sin."
Something to Reflect.
We commit thousands, thousands of sins. Yet we feel not even a shred of remorse. When we are faced with a trial or affliction. Then we ask what "sin did I commit to deserve this." We remain completely ignorant and heedless of our wrong actions.
May Allah give us all Hidayah, especially a sinner and hypocrite like me Ameen.[/QUOTE]
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond
If you have a bad day at work, be thankful. Appreciate that you have a job. Some people don't.
When you pay your bills, be thankful. You can pay them.
If you see a gray hair, be thankful. Think of the cancer patient in chemotherapy who only wishes for any hair.
When you find yourself waiting in line or the recipient of poor service, be thankful. Think about the people who have no food to eat at all.
When you realize how much work it is to take care of a house, be thankful you have a house. Think about those who only wish they had a house to take care of.
When you feel like complaining because you have to walk a long distance from your car, be thankful. Think of what it would be like not to be able to walk!If you get irritated by other people's anger, apathy, ignorance, bitterness, or insecurities, be thankful. Things could be worse. You could be one of them!
When you think everything in your world is terrible, and you want to give up, think of the people who have been told they only have a certain amount of time to live. They don't want to give up.
Live life with gratitude. Appreciate life.
When once asked by a journalist to introduce himself, Imam Shaheed Hasan Al-Banna said:
"I am a traveller seeking the truth,
a human searching for the meaning of humanity
and a citizen seeking dignity, freedom, stability and welfare under the shade of Islam.
I am a free man who is aware of the purpose of his existence and who proclaims:
“Truly, my prayer and my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah,
the Lord of the worlds; no partner has He.
This, am I commanded and I am of those who submit to His Will.”
This is who I am."
He then asked "Who are you?"[/QUOTE]
At the resurrection a man will find all the hours of his life arranged like a long series of treasure-chests.
* The door of one will be opened, and it will be seen to be full of light: it represents an hour which he spent in doing good. His heart will be filled with such joy that even a fraction of it would make the inhabitants of Hell forget the fire.
* The door of a second will be opened; it is pitch-dark within, and from it issues such an evil odour as will cause everyone to hold his nose: it represents an hour which he spent in ill-doing, and he will suffer such terror that a fraction of it would embitter Paradise for the blessed.
* The door of a third treasure-chest will be opened; it will be seen to be empty and neither light or dark within: this represents the hour in which he did neither good nor evil. Then he will feel remorse and confusion like that of a man who has been the possessor of a great treasure and wasted it or let it slip from his grasp.
Thus the whole series of the hours of his life will be displayed, one by one, to his graze. Therefore a man should say to his soul every morning, "Allah has given thee twenty-four treasures; take heed last thou lose anyone of them, for thou wilt not be able to endure the regret that will follow such loss."
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radyAllahu`anhu) said, “He who enters the grave without
any provisions is as though he wishes to sail the sea without a ship.”
Uthman ibn `Affan (radyAllahu`anhu) said, “Worrying about the dunya is a
darkness in the heart, while worrying about the Hereafter is a light in the heart.”
An ascetic once said, “The one who sins while laughing, Allah will make
him enter the Fire while crying. And the one who obeys while crying (out of fear
of Allah) Allah will make him enter Paradise while laughing.”
An ascetic said “Whoever is under the delusion that he has a closer friend
than Allah, little is his knowledge of Allah; and the one who is under the
delusion that he has a greater enemy than his nafs, little is his knowledge of his nafs.”
It is said, “The one who admits his shortcomings is always praised, and
admitting shortcomings is a sign of acceptance [by Allah].”
From Ibn Hajar’s Preparing for the Day of Judgement[/QUOTE]
" I am surprised at three things. Man runs from death while death is inevitable. One sees minor faults of others, but overlooks his own major faults. when there is any defect to ones cattle he tries to cure it, but does not cure his own defects."
Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (Ra).
Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (Ra), says. " Protect yourself with your actions and Protect your families by advising them."[/QUOTE]
Know that lengthy hopes have two causes, the first of which is
* ignorance,
and the second of which is
* love of the world.
As regards the latter, [the problem is that] when man comes to love the world, and its desires, pleasures and attachments, then taking leave of it weighs heavily upon his heart, which will thus avoid thinking of death, which is the instrument of this separation; for everyone who conceives a dislike for something will fend it off.
Man is infatuated with vain hopes, and ever fills his soul with hoping for that which is comfortable to his preferences; and the only thing which conforms to them is that he should remain in the world.
Thus he never ceases to imagine this and count upon it within himself, along with the accessories of such permanence, including the wealth, family, accommodation, acquaintances, riding beasts and other means of life which he needs in the world. In this manner his heart becomes attached to this notion and cannot progress beyond it, being distracted thereby from the remembrance of death and not deeming it to be nigh.
When in certain circumstances the question of death and the need to prepare for it occur to him, he procrastinates, and make promises to himself, saying, ‘There are yet many days before you until you grow mature; then you can repent.’ And when he grows to maturity he says, ‘Not until you become an old man.’
But when he becomes an old man he says, ‘Not until you finish building this house,’ or ‘establishing this farm,’ or ‘return from this voyage,’ or ‘conclude the setting-up of this son, and provide for him and arrange a house for him,’ or ‘not until you have subdued this enemy who takes such pleasure in your misfortunes.’
Thus it is that he unceasingly procrastinates and delays, never plunging into one task without there being consequent upon its completion ten others, and in this gradual fashion procrastinates day after day, led by one task to another, or rather, to several others, until he is snatched away by his fate at some moment he never expected, at which his sorrows grow long and protracted.
~Imam Ghazali رضي الله عنه
Taken from: Dhikr al-Mawt Wa-Ma Ba’dahu (Remembrance of Death & The Afterlife)[/QUOTE]
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more coveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes; but lower morals; more food but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do
everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.
Think about it. Read it again. Value and embrace your family, your faith, your friends, and your life dearly[/QUOTE]
"Everyone who is being overtaken by death
asks for more time
while everyone who still has time
make excuses for procrastination"
"The one to whom small calamities seem large, will certainly be afflicted by truly large calamities".
"There are people who worship Allah to gain His Favors, this is the worship of traders; while there are some who worship Him to keep themselves free from His Wrath, this is the worship of slaves; a few who obey Him out of their sense of gratitude and obligations, this is the worship of free and noble men."[/QUOTE]
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
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