When Death Came Knocking
It was early in the morning at four,
When death knocked upon a bedroom door.
Who is there? The sleeping one cried.
I am Malkul Maut (Angel Of Death), let me inside.
At once, the man began to shiver,
As one sweating in deadly fever,
He shouted to his sleeping wife,
Do not let him take away my life.
Please go away, O Angel of Death!
Leave me alone, I am not ready yet.
My parents and family on me depends,
Give me a chance, O please prepense!
The angel knocked again and again,
Friend! I will take your life without pain,
This your soul Allah requires,
I come not with my own desires.
Bewildered, the man began to cry,
O Angel I am so afraid to die,
I will give you gold and be your slave,
Do not send me to the unlit grave.
Let me in, O Friend! The Angel said,
Open the door; get up from your bed,
If you do not allow me in,
I will walk through it, like a Jinn.
The man held a gun in his hand,
Ready to defy the Angels’ stand.
The Beloved Prophet’s Cleanliness
The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was blessed by Allah with the extra special quality of being free from all forms of uncleanliness and bodily defects. These qualities were special for him and no one else has ever been privileged with such qualities. Moreover, the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, “The religion is based on cleanliness.” [Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol 4, Page 18]
When the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was born he was already circumcised and his umbilical cord cut. [Dalail an-Nabuwwah li Abi Nu’aym, Vol 1, Page 153 – Tibrani, Vol 8, Page 238]
His mother Syeda Aamina Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anha reported, “He was clean when he was born and there was no trace of impurity upon him.” [Tabqat Ibn Sa’ad, Vol 1, Page 12]
The Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam was adorned with the sweetest of fragrances, as was his perspiration. Anas commented, “I have never smelled amber, musk, or any other (perfume) more fragrant than the aroma of the Messenger of Allah.” [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1814]
If the sweat of my rose is given to the bride;
She will instantly put her roses and her perfumes aside!!
One day the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam touched the cheek of Jabir, Samura’s son and Jabir said, “I felt a cool sensation and his hand was fragrant, it was as if he had withdrawn it from a sachet of perfume.” [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1814]
Jabir also said, “When the Prophet walked down a road, anyone who happened to pass along the same road knew he had been there on account of his fragrance.” [Sahih Muslim, Vol 4, Page 1815]
When the prophet walked along any street;
The entire earth became fragrant and sweet!!
On another occasion, Jabir rode behind the Prophet SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam and put his mouth upon the seal of his prophecy between his shoulders and its fragrance spread over him like musk. [Tareekh Ibn Asakir, Vol 5, Page 361]
Firm Belief And Perfect Reliance On Allah
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“And when the believers saw Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), they said: ‘This is what Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH)) had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (PBUH)) had spoken the truth, and it only added to their Faith and to their submissiveness (to Allah)“. (33:22)
“Those (i.e., believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, `Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: `Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)’. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them, and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty“. (3:173,174)
“And put your trust (O Muhammad (PBUH)) in the Ever Living One Who dies not.” (25:58)
“And in Allah (Alone) let the believers, put their trust.” (14:11)
“… Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah…” (3:159)
“And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him“. (65:3)
“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts; and when His Verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they (i.e., the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Rubb (Alone).” (8:2)
Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “I was shown the past nations. I saw a Prophet who had a very small group (less than ten in total) with him, another Prophet who was accompanied by only one or two men and some did not have even one. Suddenly I was shown a huge crowd and I thought that they were my Ummah, but I was told: ‘This is Musa (Moses) and his people, but look towards the other side.’ I looked and beheld a great assemblage. I was told: ‘These are your people and amongst them, there are seventy thousand who shall enter Jannah without being taken to account or torment”. Then the Prophet (PBUH) stood up and went into his apartment, and the Companions began to guess who may be those people who would enter Jannah without any accounting or torment. Some said: “Probably, they are the ones who kept company with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)”. Others said: “Probably, they are the ones who have been born as Muslims and have never associated anyone with Allah in worship”. Then Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came out and asked, “What are you discussing?” So they told him. He then said, “They are those who do not make Ruqyah (blowing over themselves after reciting the Qur’an or some prayers and supplications the Prophet (PBUH) used to say) nor seek it, nor perceive omens (i.e., they are not pessimistic) but keep trust in their Rubb (Allah).” On this ‘Ukashah bin Mihsan stood up and asked: “Pray to Allah to make me one of them.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “You are one of them.” Then another man stood up and asked the same thing. The Prophet (PBUH) answered, “‘Ukashah has surpassed you“. [Al-Bukhari and Mulsim]
Zuban Ki Hifazat
Zuban Ki Hifazat
Blessing In Disguise
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island… He prayed to Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself and store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke leaping up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
“Allah, how could You do this to me!” he cried. (Comment; Plenty of people use such a statement – think again you should never question Allah nor object to His decree).
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground – it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of Allah. You never know when Allah is sending His mercy.
Importance Of Time
Many people forget or neglect the importance of time although man’s life on earth is a span of time. Islam gives due attention to the issue of time because if people waste their time, they are actually wasting their life.
The Holy Qur’an gives due attention to the idea of time and this is clear in many verses of the Qur’an when Allah swears using the different places of times of the day to reveal the importance of time, “By the break of Day,” (Qur’an, 1:89) “By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),‘ (Qur’an, 1:103) …etc.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says in one of the Hadiths: “There are two things that people are not aware of how important they are: health and time.” This Hadith stresses two facts: People are not aware of the importance of being in good health till they fall ill and people are not aware of the importance of time and therefore waste their time doing trivial things.
There was nice research published in one of the magazines about how a man spends his time. The research revealed that if a man lives for 60 years, he spends one-third of his life sleeping because a man usually sleeps eight hours a day. The remaining years are spent on public transportation, watching TV, eating, in the bathroom…etc. This means that the larger part of man’s life is spent on worldly matters. Thus man has to make the best use of the other part in obeying and worshiping Allah and winning His approval.
Karen Armstrong, one of the most important contemporary orientalists, refers to this aspect of time in Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) life. She indicated that what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did in 23 years was miraculous and what he accomplished required thousands of philosophers, reformers, intellectuals, and mentors to do over hundreds of years.
In other words, she said the most outstanding aspect of Prophet Muhammad’s achievement is the human values, ideals, principles, and ethics he introduced to the life of man in a short time. He made humanity re-discover the meanings of monotheism, faith, justice, tolerance, charity, compassion, etc…etc and realize that all people are equal and what distinguishes one person from another is a deep faith in Allah and piety.
This means that he devoted all his time to reforming people and making them see life in a new light, that is, based on faith and noble human values.
Masnoon Azkar Ki Fazeelat
Masnoon Azkar Ki Fazeelat
Fair Dealing In Islam
Jurists have defined justice and equality as keeping a thing in its right place or keeping the balance. It is this which keeps the sky and the earth in their right places. If today justice were to be excluded from this world, there would be such a deluge of cruelty and brutality as would sweep off even our foundations.
The life of nations depends upon justice. This is a very important and valuable right that Islam has given to man.
The Holy Qur’an has laid down: “… And let not the hatred of some in stopping you from Masjid Al-Haram lead you to transgression …” (5:2). “And let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is near to piety; and fear Allah …”( 5:8). Stressing this point the Qur’an again says: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, even though it be against yourselves, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better protector …” (4:135) This makes the point clear that Muslims have to be just not only with ordinary human beings but even with their enemies.
Justice and equality were the two main factors for the expansion of the Islamic state from Arabia to Spain and from there to India. Some Christians and Hindus say that Islam was spread at the point of the sword. But the sword the Muslims had in their hands was justice. Take any book of history you will find this event recorded therein. When Abu Obaida, the Muslim supreme commander of Syria, had to evacuate the Syrian town of Hims, in the face of a sudden attack by a superior Roman force, he summoned the padres and the elite of the town and said to them:
“We received revenue from you, so that we may spend it on your defense and betterment. But we cannot do it any longer, as we have to evacuate this town under duress. Therefore take back the seven hundred thousand dirhams you paid to us as revenue and tribute.” On seeing this astounding and unparalleled justice of their Muslim rulers, Chief Padre said: “No deed of justice and equality can excel this unrivaled masterpiece of yours. I give you my pledge that if ever we are at liberty to choose our rulers, we shall choose you Muslims and none other.”
Hajj A Model For Life
The blessed days of Hajj are approaching, and Muslim pilgrims are traveling to the holy sites. The memories and spirituality of Hajj are really moving. Pilgrims cannot help but have tears in their eyes while observing this magnificent gathering that is heading to the House of Allah in total submission and devotion. The pilgrims supplicate humbly, asking Allah to wipe off their sins, accept their Hajj, and grant them happiness in this world and the hereafter.
But should all of these awe-inspiring feelings be restricted to a few days of Hajj? I always think of Hajj as a journey intended to guide us on how to lead our larger journey of life. It is the model after which Muslims should pattern their lives. This connection between Hajj and life is very important; after all, both of them are journeys that need special preparation and should have special goals.
Take, for example, the first steps pilgrims take in preparation for their Hajj journey. They pay off their debts and bathe themselves. The lesson here is that our lives should be based on purity and cleanliness. How beautiful life would be if each and every one of us tried to adhere to this principle? If only everyone tried to steer clear of anything that may taint their beliefs or blemish their relations with Allah. Of course, it may happen that Muslims commit a sin or succumb to Satan’s whispers, but once such a thing occurs, they hasten to “clean” and “wash” their spirits. Just as they wear pure and clean clothes for their Hajj journeys, they are keen to meet Allah after the journey of life with a pure and clean heart.
“Labbayk, Allahumma, labbayk. Here I am, O Allah, at Your service.” This eternal call, chanted by millions of pilgrims every year, gives us further inspiration. The pilgrims respond to Allah’s call with pleasure, paying no heed to the trouble they may undergo; they come to Him declaring in words and in deeds their submission to His commands, their unconditional obedience to His orders, their love of what He loves, and paying their honor to what He honors. This is the spirit that Muslims should keep throughout their entire lives. Labbayk, Allahumma, labbayk. This is not merely a ritual phrase to be uttered in Hajj and then forgotten afterward, rather, it is a motto for every Muslim, a way of life.
After hours, even longer days, and months of travel, pilgrims reach Makkah and cool their eyes with the sight of the holy sites. Throughout their observances of Hajj, in their movements from place to place, and from rite to rite, Muslims recall great scenes of sacrifice by their great forbears, such as Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his family, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his noble companions. These glorious scenes inspire us and motivate us to face the challenges of life with a bold heart as well as to rise up to our responsibility of working and sacrificing in defense of our religion and for the advancement of our Ummah.