| PRACTISE WHAT YOU PREACH | for everyone |
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an, Sura Al-Baqarah, verse 44: "What! Do you enjoin others to do good deeds, and forget your own selves…?" (2:44) In the above ayat we are warned about telling others to do good while we our selves do not. People will not listen to you telling them to do something when you yourself do not do it. In fact you have no right to tell someone to do or not to do something unless you yourself are doing it.
Imagine if our Prophets (A) or Imams (A) taught us all about Islam and what Allah likes us to do and not to do yet they themselves did none of these things, would anyone have listened and followed them ? No! of course not. The best method to teach people what is right and wrong is by your actions first, then your speech. This is one of the reasons why our Holy Prophet (S) spent 40 years of his life living with the people showing them how to act and how not to act before announcing his Prophethood.
Once a man was listening to a Alim reciting a Majlis in which the Alim said that the power of "Bismillah" was so great that if a person truly believed then he could walk on water.
That evening when the man was going home (on the other side of the river) he decided that he would try what the Alim had recited. So with full belief in the Power of Allah he said "Bismillah" and stepped on the water. He was able to walk on the water because of the faith that he had in Allah. The next day the man went to the Alim and invited him to his house for dinner, as a thankyou for teaching him the power of "Bismillah". The Alim accepted.
The two of them set of to the man's home. When they reached the river the man said "Bismillah" and began walking on the water, expecting the Alim to do the same, as he was the one who had taught him. The Alim just stood at the edge of the water, not daring to step into it. He did not truly believe in the power that he had preached so much about. He could not practise what he had preached.
So think before you tell your friends, or younger brother / sister what to do or not to do. Do you do it yourself ?
| A GOOD AKHLAQ - FRIENDSHIP CHERISH IT BUT CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE | for everyone |
Everyone needs friends, but friends are only worth having if they are true friends. Two travellers were on the road together, when a robber suddenly appeared. One man ran for a tree and climbed up and hid in the branches. The other was not as fast so threw himself onto the ground pretending to be dead. The robber came to the man on the floor, whispered something in his ear and went away.
When the robber had gone the man in the tree climbed down and asked his friend what the robber had whispered in his ear. His friend replied that the robber had told him to find a better friend who would not leave him at the first sign of danger. Friends influence each other in the matter of conduct, thoughts and belief. As the Holy Prophet (S) has said:
"The conduct of everyone will be according to the belief and principles of his friend." Even if you think your friend will not influence you, but you will influence them, (very unlikely). People will judge you according to the friends you have. As Prophet Sulayman (A) has said:
"Do not form an opinion about a person being good or bad unless you have seen his friends, because everyone is known by the company he keeps and is thus identified by his friends and associates." Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) was walking in the market with his friend, who had brought his servant with him. Imam's (A) friend turned to tell his servant something, but he had been left behind talking to someone. When the servant finally appeared, Imam's (A) friend was very angry and shouted abuse at the servant. He also said abusive things about the servant's mother.
On hearing what his friend had said Imam (A) got very angry and told him that he should not have said such abusive things, especially about the servant's mother. The friend replied that the mother was not a Muslim. To which Imam (A) answered that it made no difference.
Imam (A) then told his friend that their friendship was no more, and walked away from him. Our 4th Imam, Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (A) has said that you should not make friends with people who are in the following five groups: Liars, because with their lies they deceive you from the right path. Sinners because their friendship is not dependable.
Stingy people because at the time of need and difficulty these people will not be your friends. Foolish people because they may try to do you good but will cause you harm due to their ignorance. Those people who have broken relationships with their family because these people have been cursed by Allah. It should not be forgotten that making friends is not enough, but it is also important to keep the friendship. This is only possible if we treat our friends like we would want them to treat us.
Imam Ali (A) has said: "A man who has no friends is poor, but poorer than him, is he who can not keep the friendship and loses his friend.
| A GOOD AKHLAQ - THINK THE BEST OF OTHERS | for everyone |
Allah is the only judge as He sees everything and is aware of everything. We have no right to judge other people whether these people are Muslims or not. Imam Zainul 'Abideen (A) said:
You should think more of a person younger than you as he has had less time to do bad deeds.
You should think more of a person older than you as he has had more time to do good deeds.
You should think more of a person the same age as you because you do not know what he has done but you know exactly what good and bad you have done. The above saying teaches us that we should always think the best of others. Prophet Ibrahim (A) was very fond of guests. He knew how much thawaab one gets for looking after a guest. He liked to invite travellers to his house for food and a bed to sleep in.
Every morning Prophet Ibrahim (A) stood by the main road near his house and waited for travellers to pass so that he could invite them to his house. Once it so happened that no traveller passed on that road for three days. This made Prophet Ibrahim (A) very sad indeed. Then on the fourth day an old man passed along that road. Prophet Ibrahim (A) was very happy and invited the man to come to his house for some food. The old man agreed.
When they sat down to eat, Prophet Ibrahim (A) said "Bismillah" before starting to eat but the old man did not say anything. Prophet Ibrahim (A) asked the old man why he did not begin in the name of Allah, as it was Allah who had provided this food for them. The old man replied that he did not believe in Allah, instead he worshipped fire. Prophet Ibrahim (A) was very angry and asked the old man to leave his house at once. As soon as the old man had gone the angel Jibrael came to Prophet Ibrahim (A) from Allah and told him that Allah had been feeding this unbelieving old man for 70 years.
Could Prophet Ibrahim (A) not tolerate him for just one meal? Prophet Ibrahim (A) was very sorry and ran after the old man and persuaded him to return to his house so that they may eat together. Moral:
Do not judge anyone - only Allah can do that. Everyone has rights whether they be Muslims or non Muslims Allah loves for you to take care of guests.
| GOOD AKHLAQ (MANNERS IN THE EYES OF OUR HOLY PROPHET (S.A.W.S.) | for everyone |
The Holy Prophet (S) has said:
"I have been sent by Allah to teach people good manners" The above hadith shows us how important good Akhlaq (manners) is considered in Islam. A person once came to the Holy Prophet (S) and said that there was a woman who observed fast during daytime and spent her nights in prayers, but she was ill-mannered and hurt her neighbours with her tongue.
The Holy Prophet (S) said that the old woman was worthless and that she would be one of the inmates of hell The above incident tells us that your good deeds do not count for much if your Akhlaq is bad.
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) has said that someone with good Akhlaq gets the same thawaab as someone who fast during daytime and pray at night. The Holy Prophet (S) and our Holy Imams (A) managed to convert a lot of people to Muslims through their good Akhlaq. Remember that when you are behaving badly out in public, people will not say look at that boy/girl behaving badly. People will say look at that Muslim behaving badly. You are therefore not only letting yourself and your parents down but also Islam. Our 12th Imam has left all of us as the caretakers of Islam!
"I have been sent by Allah to teach people good manners" The above hadith shows us how important good Akhlaq (manners) is considered in Islam. A person once came to the Holy Prophet (S) and said that there was a woman who observed fast during daytime and spent her nights in prayers, but she was ill-mannered and hurt her neighbours with her tongue.
The Holy Prophet (S) said that the old woman was worthless and that she would be one of the inmates of hell The above incident tells us that your good deeds do not count for much if your Akhlaq is bad.
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (A) has said that someone with good Akhlaq gets the same thawaab as someone who fast during daytime and pray at night. The Holy Prophet (S) and our Holy Imams (A) managed to convert a lot of people to Muslims through their good Akhlaq. Remember that when you are behaving badly out in public, people will not say look at that boy/girl behaving badly. People will say look at that Muslim behaving badly. You are therefore not only letting yourself and your parents down but also Islam. Our 12th Imam has left all of us as the caretakers of Islam!
| FEAR OF ONE'S DEEDS | for everyone |
The exemplars of religion have always emphasized the fear of God goes back in fact to men's fear of their own deeds. Not only is this fear not harmful; it is extremely beneficial in that it keeps man's deeds in balance and under control. Fear of the unpleasant consequences of sin induces caution in man and helps him to rein in his rebellious instincts; it makes him a disciplined and orderly being.
If man were only to place his hope in the infinite mercy of God, with an unbridled optimism not balanced with fear, the result would be the transgression of all limits. The one whose heart is filled only with the hope of God's mercy will feel absolutely free to engage in any foolish and corrupt act he wishes; he will still hope for God's mercy and regard himself as worthy of God's forgiveness despite all the abominations he has committed. Such a person will never think of obeying God nor will he aspire to purity; his entire conduct will be suffused with corruption, but he will entertain hopes of a bright future.
Since, then, the absence of fear of God leads to corruption and sinful behavior, religion prescribes that man should alternate between hope and fear: while hoping for God's infinite mercy and generosity, man should reflect carefully and soberly on the consequences of his deeds, fearing their possible outcome.
On the other hand, if we completely abandon our hope of God's favor and kindness, our belief in a better future, in bright horizons where we can compensate for our sins and acquire virtue, would be threatened. All the spiritual potentialities which might one day blossom forth as a result of our constant exertions would remain buried for ever.
The Commander of the Faithful, upon whom be peace, said: "Do not consider even the purest member of this community as safe from divine punishment, for the Qur'an tells us, `It is only those who stand to lose that feel safe against God's punishment.' Likewise, do not cause the most evil of men to despair of God's mercy and favor, for God says, `Only the unbelieving people despair of God's mercy ...'" (Kalimat-i Qisar, no. 227) Once Imam Musa b. Ja'far, upon whom be peace, said to Hisham b. Hakam: "No one possesses true faith unless he both fears and hopes. The fear and hope of such a one is grounded in knowledge and awareness." (Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, Vol. II, p. 290)
The messengers of God and the leaders of religion who have been the intermediaries between God and man always based their summons on the combination of fear and hope. On the one hand they gave their followers the glad tidings of eternal bliss in exchange for obeying God's laws, and on the other hand they warned them of the consequences of rebellion against the laws of religion, namely punishment by God in the hereafter. The Glorious Qur'an says concerning the Most Noble Messenger: "We sent you for no purpose other than giving mankind the glad tidings of God's mercy and warning them of His punishment, but most men are unaware of this truth" (34:28)
By placing stress simultaneously on fear and hope, Islam removes all kinds of fear which far from changing the reality of man's situation simply weigh him down. It both liberates him from fear of earthly factors and uproots from his being all kinds of false hope, so that he comes to place his reliance only on the eternal power of God.
Islam teaches that none of the factors that customarily induce fear in man possess in themselves the ability to cause benefit or harm, nor do they have the capacity to extend assistance; there is therefore no reason to fear them. Worthy of being feared is only that supreme and all-subduing power to the dominion of which all beings throughout the universe are subject. It is He Who gives and withholds.
The Qur'an says: "O Most Noble Messenger! Say `Who is it that provides you with sustenance upon the heavens and the earth? Who is it that gives you eyes and ears? Who is it that gives life to the dead and brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living? Who is it Whose command has bestowed order on the whole created universe?' They will say: `God.' Then ask them why they do not fear God" (10:31).
First material bounties and blessings are mentioned in this verse, and then the spiritual favors without which the material gifts would be pointless and empty of meaning. The verse then proceeds to mention two of the most remarkable phenomena in the world of being life and death which serve together, in a complex and mysterious way, to illustrate the Infinite knowledge and power of the Creator. Then, after its evocation of the creation of all blessings and the mysteries of the universe, the verse mentions the guardian and administrator of all beings, and reminds short-sighted and misguided men that they should begin to fear God and His wrath, since they already acknowledge the disposition of all things to be in His hands.
* * *
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, the noble companion of the Messenger of God, upon whom and whose family be peace and blessings, whose heart overflowed with faith and sincere devotion to God, was troubled after the death of his son by anxiety over his fate and uncertainty whether he had truly joined the ranks of the blessed or been given a place among the damned.
Coming to his son's grave full of this painful anxiety, he placed his hands on the grave and said: "O son, may God embrace you in His infinite mercy! While you were in this world you treated me well, and now that you have left this world, I declare myself well pleased with you. I swear by God that your death has not caused me any grief or distress, for I have no need of any but God. Were it not for the question of the hereafter and an eternal abode, I would be content to be in your place. It is anxiety over your fate for all eternity in the hereafter prevents me from mourning your death. I swear to God that I am weeping not out of sorrow at your death but because of the stages you must now traverse in the hereafter. Would that I knew what you have said and what you have been told after your death!"
He then turned toward God and addressed Him as follows: "O God, I absolve him from whatever obligations to me as his father You placed upon him, so absolve him too from whatever obligations toward Yourself You placed upon him. Such generosity becomes You better than it becomes me." (Furu al-Kafi, Vol. III, p. 250)
The Dissolution of Ties
One of the properties of resurrection is that it brings about the dissolution of all the relationships and mutual influences that mark the present order of the world. All causes and connections will be severed, so that things will no longer effect each other and creatures will no longer be subject to each other's influence. The only relationship that remains will be that of each object or being with its Creator; all other relationships will become utterly void.
This dissolution of ties and relationships will in reality demonstrate the essential nullity of all external causation; it is only the inner truth of all things that will be manifest on that day.
If the same causes and conditions that exist in the phenomenal world were to prevail on the plain of resurrection, the state of all created things would remain exactly the same as it is now and nothing would ever come to an end unless its very essence were transformed. The Qur'an depicts the scene of resurrection as follows: "When the leaders of falsehood seek to dissociate themselves from their followers and behold punishment of God, all causes will be cut off them and no relationship will remain."(2:166).
When the followers of the sinful lords of corruption begin to despair and cannot see even the smallest glimmer of hope for salvation, in their extreme wretchedness they turn for help to those false leaders whom they had followed so trustingly and unconditionally. But they will dissociate themselves from their followers and turn away from them. Then those followers will realize that all causes have ceased to operate and all doors have been closed. They will come to their senses and regret all the precious opportunities they have missed, all the vast possibilities they had for spiritual growth and perfection. They will be utterly dismayed, but regret and sorrow will be of no use. No path will open up before them to expiate past sins, nor will they have any time to engage in good deeds. They are doomed to remain for over in the pit they have dug for themselves, a pit that is now filled with torment and punishment.
Hisham b. Hakam asked Imam al-Sadiq, upon whom be peace: "Will the spirit dissolve after it has quit the bodily frame, or will it remain in existence unchanging?"
The Imam answered: "Yes, the spirit will remain as it is until the trumpet of resurrection is sounded. Then all things will be voided. Neither sense will remain, nor anything to be sensed." (Tabari, Ihtijaj, Vol. II, p. 97) So when all relationships of cause and effect are severed, the inner nature of all things will emerge. The manifest and the unseen realms will unite, and all the veils and obstacles that had hidden things from each other will vanish. The Qur'an says in this connection: "We have lifted from you the veil, so that this day your vision is sharp" (50:22).
On the day of resurrection none but God will have sovereignty or will. The Qur'an declares: "On that day, none will be able to do anything for another; only God's will and command will have an effect" (82:19). "On that day to whom shall belong the absolute ownership of the world? To God, the Unique and All-Powerful" (40:16).
The Qur'an says: "Fear the fiery torment which has been prepared for the punishment of the unbelievers" (3:131). "Hasten to receive the forgiveness of your Lord, to the paradise which encompasses in its breadth all the heavens and the earth and which has already been prepared for the Godfearing" (3:133).
We can easily deduce from the word "prepared" the sense of "created." In addition, there are other indications in Islamic sources confirming the correctness of this view.
The Qur'an says the following in description of the ascension of the Most Noble Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his family: "The Prophet saw once more the angel of revelation, near the lote-tree of the limit, at the place where eternal paradise is located" (53:13-15). From these verses, too, it can be deduced that paradise already exists.
| History of the building of the Ka’aba. | for everyone |
Qur’an in Sura Baqra Verses 121 to 127 described it clearly that Allah had ordained his servant Ibrahim to build the Shrine there for worship of One God. During Kusayi’s time it was rebuilt and fortified. During the early years of Prophet Muhammad (SA) before he announced his ministry, the Ka’aba was damaged by floods and it was rebuilt again. When the Black stone was to be put in its place the Makkans quarrelled among themselves as to who should have the honour to place it there.
They had just decided that the first comer to the quadrangle should be given the task of deciding as to who should have the honour. Muhammad (SA) came in and was assigned this task. He advised them to place the stone in a cloak and ordered the heads of each Tribe each to take an end and bring the cloak nearer the corner on the eastern side. He himself then took out the stone and placed it in its position. It has been fixed there ever since.
After the martyrdom of the family of the Prophet at Kerbala in 61 Hijri (681 AD), the Ummayad Caliph azid Ibne Moawiya did not stop there in the pursuit of his destruction. He sent a large contingent under the command of Haseen Ibne Namir to Madina which destroyed the Mosque of the Prophet. They did not stop there but proceeded to Makka and demolished the four walls of the Ka’aba and killed thousands of muslims who protested. Yazid died and Ibne Namir returned to Damascus, Ka’aba was rebuilt by Abdullah Ibne Zubayr and his associates. Umawi forces came back to Makka and killed Abdullah Ibne Zubayr, hung his body on the gates of the Ka’aba for three months for all to see the Umawi power. But eventually this arrogance of power brought its own consequences and Mukhtar became the ruler in Iraq. Under his guidance the Ka’aba was refurbished and pilgrims began to arrive in safety to perform Hajj.
The Ka’aba successfully withstood the Karamatian invasion of 317/929, only the Blackstone was carried away which was returned some twenty years later. In the year 1981 the Wahabis brought tanks inside the Ka’aba to crush the kahtani revolution against the Saudi regime and almost demolished the South Eastern Wall. This was later restored with the help of the Makkan people.
Every man living in Makka in the 6th and 7th century must out of necessity have had some relationship with the Ka’aba. On the Muhammad (SA), the Prophet of Islam, the Qur’an is silent during the Makkans period in this respect. All that is known is that the muslim community of the period turned towards Jerusalem in prayers. Subsequently about a year and a half after the Hijra the Muslims were ordered during prayers which were lead by the Prophet of Islam himself to turn towards Makka. The particular mosque in Madina where this happened is called Masjide Qiblatain, meaning the mosque with two Qiblas.The Qur’an tells the muslims, “ turn then thy face towards the sacred mosque and wherever ye be turn your faces towards that part ”Qur’an II,139/144.
At this same period the Qur’an began to lay stress on the religion of Ibrahim, presenting Islam as a return to the purity of the religion of Ibrahim which, obscured by Judaism and Christianity, shone forth in its original brightness in the Qur’an. The pilgrimage’s to the Ka’aba and ritual progressions around the building were continued, but were now for the glorification of One God. The Abrahimic vision of the Ka’aba created a means of discerning an orthodox origin buried in the midst of pagan malpractices to which the first muslims pointed the way.
Every year after the Hajj ceremony the place is closed for one month and on the Day of Ashura the Ka’aba is washed from inside by the Water from the well of Zamzam and a new Kiswa is brought to cover the Ka’aba for the next year.
This is the story of the Ka’aba and the persons who protected it and remained its custodians and protectors from the satanic and evil forces throughout history. Muhammad (SA) and the people of his household (Ahlulbayt) were the protectors of the Ka’aba, and currently the 12th Imam from the direct descent of the Prophet of Islam is the real protector, its custodian and guardian and shall remain as such while in concealment.
| Abu Talib (a.s.)- His Enemies Couldn't Deny His Favors and Virtues | for everyone |
When Janabe Abu Talib talked about Allah he used the phrase "the Lord of people (or the King of people)" which was an Islamic expression mentioned in the Quran (The King (Lord) of people. Quran 114:2) and he denied polytheism when he said: "Who has no partner". Then he talked about some of the attributes of Allah the Almighty. He described Him as the liberal Giver, the Initiator, Who had initiated the creation from nothing and the Resurrector, Who would resurrected His creatures after death. It was a clear confession of the great day; the Day of Resurrection when the scales of justice would be put to weigh the deeds where there would be no injustice or wrong.
Then he said in the other verses that all the creatures were servants of Allah; whether those, who were under the Heaven or those, who were above the Heaven.
Would monotheism be something other than this? Did Abu Talib, after this saying, let an outlet for any doubter or suspector? Was our saying "There is no god but Allah" in its monotheistic meaning clearer than these verses of Abu Talib?
Abu Talib recited too: O you the witness of Allah Witness that I am on the religion of Prophet Ahmed.( Ahmed was another name of Prophet Muhammad (s).
Let whoever deviates from the religion know that I am guided.( Sharh Nahjol Balagha, vol.3 p.315, Al-Hujja p.81, Sheikhul Abtah p.80. Al-Mubarrid mentioned these verses in his al-Kamil vol.3 p.919 thinking that they were Imam Ali's poetry because Imam Ali used to recite them. His ascribing these verses to Imam Ali was without evidence. It was just because that Imam Ali often recited them. It was something natural of Imam Ali; firstly to show the faithfulness of his father through reciting his poetry and secondly to refresh the memory of his kind father).
Here Abu Talib confessed that he was on the religion of his nephew and then he said that whoever didn't follow this religion would be deviant whereas he himself followed this religion and became guided.
By your God! Wasn't this saying greater in meaning than to say: I am a Muslim?
If someone said to you that he was a Muslim, wouldn't he be treated like the other Muslims concerning the rights and the obligations? Wouldn't his blood, property and honor be protected and no one had any right to violate any thing of that? So what about this man; Abu Talib, who announced his faithfulness so loudly and who asked the witness of Allah to witness that he was guided by the religion of his nephew, that people denied his being a Muslim?
Abu Talib was not of that kind of people, who just said without carrying out the sayings! He carried out whatever he had said. He protected the Prophet (S.A.W.) and supported him. He supported Islam and defended it that even his enemies, who had fabricated against him tens of lies, couldn't deny his favors and virtues.
Then he said in the other verses that all the creatures were servants of Allah; whether those, who were under the Heaven or those, who were above the Heaven.
Would monotheism be something other than this? Did Abu Talib, after this saying, let an outlet for any doubter or suspector? Was our saying "There is no god but Allah" in its monotheistic meaning clearer than these verses of Abu Talib?
Abu Talib recited too: O you the witness of Allah Witness that I am on the religion of Prophet Ahmed.( Ahmed was another name of Prophet Muhammad (s).
Let whoever deviates from the religion know that I am guided.( Sharh Nahjol Balagha, vol.3 p.315, Al-Hujja p.81, Sheikhul Abtah p.80. Al-Mubarrid mentioned these verses in his al-Kamil vol.3 p.919 thinking that they were Imam Ali's poetry because Imam Ali used to recite them. His ascribing these verses to Imam Ali was without evidence. It was just because that Imam Ali often recited them. It was something natural of Imam Ali; firstly to show the faithfulness of his father through reciting his poetry and secondly to refresh the memory of his kind father).
Here Abu Talib confessed that he was on the religion of his nephew and then he said that whoever didn't follow this religion would be deviant whereas he himself followed this religion and became guided.
By your God! Wasn't this saying greater in meaning than to say: I am a Muslim?
If someone said to you that he was a Muslim, wouldn't he be treated like the other Muslims concerning the rights and the obligations? Wouldn't his blood, property and honor be protected and no one had any right to violate any thing of that? So what about this man; Abu Talib, who announced his faithfulness so loudly and who asked the witness of Allah to witness that he was guided by the religion of his nephew, that people denied his being a Muslim?
I swear I love Ahmed as a passionate lover; I sacrifice my soul for him, I defend him with all I have.
He is still the beauty for this world and its people, pang for his enemies, blessing for his fellows.
The hope of people; He has no like if the prudent compare!
Patient, wise and fair, devoted to his God, not ignorant of Him a bit! So the Lord of the people assisted him, spread the right religion with no vanity.
He is still the beauty for this world and its people, pang for his enemies, blessing for his fellows.
The hope of people; He has no like if the prudent compare!
Patient, wise and fair, devoted to his God, not ignorant of Him a bit! So the Lord of the people assisted him, spread the right religion with no vanity.
Abu Talib was not of that kind of people, who just said without carrying out the sayings! He carried out whatever he had said. He protected the Prophet (S.A.W.) and supported him. He supported Islam and defended it that even his enemies, who had fabricated against him tens of lies, couldn't deny his favors and virtues.
| THE HOLY PROPHET (S.A.W.S.) AND HIS GREETINGS | for everyone |
Abu al-Hamra, the retainer of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.): When dawn broke, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) would pass by the house of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (A.S.) and say: Greetings to you, O Ahl al-Bayt; prayer, prayer: "Verily, Allah intends to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O you the people of the house, and purify you (with) a thorough purification".
Al-Imam Ali (A.S.): The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) would come to us every morning and say: May God's mercy be upon you, it is time for prayers". "Verily, Allah intends to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O you the people of the house, and purify you (with) a thorough purification".
Al-Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.): Quoted his father, on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather Zayn al-Abidin, on the authority of al-Hasan (A.S.) who said in his argument with Muawiyya during the peace deal: After that (the revelation of the ayah of Tathir) The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) till he was alive would come to us at dawn and say: May God's Mercy be on you, it is time for prayer. "Verily, Allah intends to keep off from you (every kind of) uncleanness, O You the people of the house, and purify you (with) a thorough purification".
| MUSIC-“Singing and music are enchantment for adultery.” | for everyone |
541. Singing (al-ghinã’) is harãm: doing it, listening to it, or living of it. By “singing — al-ghinã’,” I mean an amusing statement expressed in the tunes that are suitable for those who provide entertainment and amusement.
542. It is not permissible to recite the Holy Qur’ãn, supplications (du‘ãs), and words of praise in tunes that are commensurate to entertainment and amusement gatherings.
Based on obligatory precaution, one must refrain from reciting other non-amusing statements, in poetry or prose, in that tune.
543. The prohibition of intentionally listening and giving ear to harãm songs and music has beenmentioned in the holy tradition. The Messenger of Allãh (s.a.w.) said, “And the person with the [sin of] singing (al-ghinã’) will be raised [on the day of resurrection] blind, deaf and dumb. The person with [the sin of] adultery, of wood-wind, and of drum will also be raised in the same way.”1
He also said, “Whoever listens to the entertainment (song and music), lead will be melted inside his ear on the day of judgement.”2 He also said, “Singing and music are enchantment for adultery.”3 That is, it is a stepping stone or a way that leads to adultery.
542. It is not permissible to recite the Holy Qur’ãn, supplications (du‘ãs), and words of praise in tunes that are commensurate to entertainment and amusement gatherings.
Based on obligatory precaution, one must refrain from reciting other non-amusing statements, in poetry or prose, in that tune.
543. The prohibition of intentionally listening and giving ear to harãm songs and music has beenmentioned in the holy tradition. The Messenger of Allãh (s.a.w.) said, “And the person with the [sin of] singing (al-ghinã’) will be raised [on the day of resurrection] blind, deaf and dumb. The person with [the sin of] adultery, of wood-wind, and of drum will also be raised in the same way.”1
He also said, “Whoever listens to the entertainment (song and music), lead will be melted inside his ear on the day of judgement.”2 He also said, “Singing and music are enchantment for adultery.”3 That is, it is a stepping stone or a way that leads to adultery.
| Best 6 Natural Cures For Dry Skin | for everyone |
1: Dab on olive oil.
When it comes to strategies for natural dry skin care, Gabriel swears by olive oil, an amazing multitasker. It instantly grooms dry cuticles, works wonders on hands and elbows, removes makeup, and soothes and conditions itchy, dry skin all over the body. ”When your skin feels extra parched, you can dab a thin layer of organic extra-virgin olive oil under your moisturizer for an extra dose of antioxidants and good fatty acids,” adds Gabriel.
2: Try natural exfoliants like yogurt, papaya, and pumpkin.
You can find plenty of options for natural dry skin care in your kitchen, or in the produce and diary aisles of your supermarket. Yogurt, especially the plain Greek variety, makes an excellent cleanser with a mild exfoliating action that will remove dry skin and leave you feeling refreshed and comfortable. Gabriel says it’s a particularly safe exfoliant for very dry skin because it exfoliates using lactic acid, not scrubbing granules.
To add some oomph, try making Pecnikov’s Greek Yogurt and Papaya Enzyme Conditioning Mask for Face & Décolleté: Mix ½ cup of Greek yogurt with 3 tablespoons of mashed-up papaya, and apply to skin.
Pumpkin enzymes are at play in her Pumpkin & Cinnamon Mask for Face and Body: mix one can of pumpkin and a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Leave either mask on face or body for 5 to 15 minutes.
Or treat your extremities to her Three Berry Antioxidant Hand and Foot Mask: Mix 3/4 cup each of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries with ½ cup kefir in blender. Drink any leftovers!
3: Make a homemade skin scrub.
Economical and effective, a combo of sugar and any oil you may have around the kitchen makes a rich, nourishing body scrub for dry skin, according to Gabriel.
Simply mix equal amounts of fine brown sugar and oil, and rub on using light circular motions.
For an extra dose of vitamins and minerals, add a tablespoon of honey. Pecnikov adds lemon juice to her recipe.
Make sure to shower thoroughly afterwards!
4: Harvest the healing power of honey.
Honey is a time-tested cure for chapped, cracked lips, according to Gabriel.
Apply a little organic honey in the evening and wake up to smooth, yummy lips. This trick also works to soothe cracked heels and rough elbows.
5: Try natural remedies for dry hair.
For dry hair, mix one egg yolk and a tablespoon of liquid castile soap to shampoo your hair and condition your itchy scalp. Egg yolks, when massaged into the hair and left to work for 5 to 6 minutes, may strengthen the scalp, and some believe it prevents hair loss, says Gabriel.
Or try Pecnikov’s Hydrating Mask for Dry Overworked Hair: Mix 1 avocado with 2 tablespoons each of lightly heated rapeseed and olive oil. Massage into hair, and put plastic shower cap on head to retain heat and moisture. Leave on hair for 15 minutes. Double the ingredients for longer hair.
6: And don’t forget to treat your skin from the inside out.
“A diet rich in magnesium, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, and beta-carotene naturally feeds your skin from inside and makes it less prone to dryness,” says Gabriel. She recommends feeding your skin with a meal plan that includes dark chocolate, salmon, and other fatty fish, oranges, mango, and carrots.
| BIBI KHADIJA (S.A.) THE WIFE OF THE HOLY PROPHET (S.A.W.S.) | for everyone |
Among Khadija's merits was her being one of the four most perfect of all women of mankind, the other three being: Fatima daughter of Muhammad (pbuh), Maryam bint `Umran (Mary daughter of Amram), mother of Christ (as) and niece of prophet Zakariyya and Ishba (Elizabeth), and `Asiya daughter of Muzahim, wife of Pharaoh. Prophet Zakariyya, as the reader knows, was the father of Yahya (John the Baptist), the latter being only a few months older than prophet Jesus (as).
The Prophet of Islam (pbuh) used to talk about Khadija quite often after her demise, so much so that his youngest wife, `Ayesha daughter of Abu Bakr, felt extremely jealous and said to him, "... But she was only an old woman with red eyes, and Allah has compensated you with a better and younger wife (meaning herself)." This caused him (pbuh) to be very indignant, and he said, "No, indeed; He has not compensated me with someone better than her. She believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women." Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Hatim, al-Dulabi, al-Tabari, and many others, all quote `Ayesha saying: "One day, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) mentioned Khadija affectionately, so I was carried away by jealousy and said about her what I should not have said. It was then that his face changed color in a way I never saw it change except when he (pbuh) was receiving revelation, so I realized what I had done and felt overwhelmed by regret to the extent that I could not help uttering these words: `O Lord! If You remove the anger of Your Messenger right now, I pledge not to ever speak ill of her as long as I live.' Having seen that, he forgave me and narrated to me some of her merits." Both Muslim and Bukhari indicate in their respective Sahih books that among Khadija's merits was the fact that the Lord of Dignity ordered Jibraeel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, to convey His regards to her. Gabriel said to Muhammad (pbuh): "O Muhammad! Khadija is bringing you a bowl of food; when she comes to you, tell her that her Lord greets her, and convey my greeting, too, to her." When he (pbuh) did so, she said: "Allah is the Peace, and He is the source of all peace, and upon Gabriel be peace."
| US media coverage of Al Jazeera - Demand Al Jazeera - Al Jazeera English | for everyone |
Link http://english.aljazeera.net/demandaljazeera/2011/02/20112883136279551.html
(send by sis Mariam R. Jiwa
| Tips - To get good sleep | for everyone |
There’s a lot of advice out there about getting good sleep; here are tips that work for me:
Good habits for good sleep:
1. Exercise most days, even if it’s just to take a walk.
2. No caffeine after 7:00 p.m.
3. An hour before bedtime, avoid doing any kind of work that takes alert thinking. Addressing envelopes—okay. Analyzing an article—nope.
4. Adjust your bedroom temperature to be slightly chilly.
5. Keep your bedroom dark. Studies show that even the tiny light from a digital alarm clock can disrupt a sleep cycle. We have about six devices in our room that glow bright green; it’s like sleeping in a mad scientist’s lab. The Big Man's new pet, a Roomba (yes, he loves his robot vacuum), gives out so much light that I have to cover it with a pillow before bed.
6. Keep the bedroom as tidy as possible. It’s not restful to fight through chaos into bed.
If sleep won’t come:
1. Breathe deeply and slowly until you can’t stand it anymore.
2. If your mind is racing (you’re planning a trip, a move, Christmas shopping; you’re worried about a medical diagnosis), write down what’s on your mind. This technique really works for me.
3. Slather yourself with body lotion. It feels good and also, if you’re having trouble sleeping because you’re hot, it cools you down.
4. If your feet are cold, put on socks.
5. Stretch your whole body.
6. Have a warm drink. Some people claim that warm milk contains melatonin and trytophan and so helps induce sleep, but in fact, a glass of milk doesn’t contain enough to have any effect. But it’s still a soothing drink. My nighttime favorite: 1/3 mug of milk, add boiling water, one packet of Equal, and a dash of vanilla. A real nursery treat.
7. Yawn.
8. Stretch your toes up and down several times.
9. Tell yourself, “I have to get up now.” Imagine that you just hit the snooze alarm and in a minute, you’re going to be marching through the morning routine. Often this is an exhausting enough prospect to make me fall asleep.
| Heart Attack - You Can Save Your Life | for everyone |
If You Are Alone And If You Have Symptoms Of Chest Pain,
That Radiates To Your Arms And Up To Your Jaw ,
"IT IS A HEART ATTACK"
If No One To Help And A Hospital Is Far You Can't Wait,
You Have To Help Your Self..
Cough Repeatedly And Vigorously.
Take Deep Breathe Before Every Cough.
Deep Breaths Gets Oxygen To Lungs,
Coughing Keeps Blood Circulation Alive.
So Plz Put It In Your Cell...And Forward This To Everyone.
| Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now | for everyone |
1. Green Tea and Cancer
Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
2. Green Tea and Heart Disease
Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging
Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
5. Green Tea and Skin
Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.
6. Green Tea and Arthritis
Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
7. Green Tea and Bones
The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.
8. Green Tea and Cholesterol
Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.
9. Green Tea and Obesity
Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.
10. Green Tea and Diabetes
Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.
| STINGINESS -Whoever is niggardly is niggardly against his own soul. | for everyone |
Stinginess is a vice that moves man away from the Lord of the worlds and makes him valueless in the eyes of society and the nation.
As a proof we divide the discussion of this lesson in four parts for contemplation:
1 – Meaning of stinginess and a miser
2 – Verses and narrations condemning miserliness
3 – Individual and collective harms of misery.
4 – Remedy for stinginess and some events of the misers
Miser according to dictionary is keeping or holding up wealth in conditions requiring its donation and bestowing and sometimes a man is called miser who does not help when asked for it even though he is able to help the needy.
From the viewpoint of Shariat one is called a miser when he does not fulfil his duties. It is said in a narration: Miser is one who shows stinginess in spending as per Gods orders.
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): One who pays up the poor tax from his wealth and helps people in times of trouble is not a miser. Misery is really in one who does not pay zakat and not the one who helps his community in trying times. But possibly, it can be said that help is a common usage and what is mentioned in the narrations is describing some particular thing. Hence some other meaning is also conveyed in some hadiths. For instance Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has been quoted as saying: Bakhael miser is one who shows stinginess in saying salaam Some rivayyats have explained its complete applicability. Just as the latter narration does.
In this connection there are many verses and narrations. For example:
We read in the Holy Quran: and let not those deem, who are niggardly in giving away that which Allah has granted them out of his Grace, that it is good for them; nay, it is worse for them; they shall have that whereof they were niggardly made to cleave to their necks on the resurrection day.
2 – Those who are niggardly and bid people to be niggardly and hide what Allah has given them out of His Grace; and we have prepared for unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.
3 – If you control the treasures of the Mercy of my Lord, then you would withhold them from fear of spending, and man is niggardly And now we read in narrations:
1 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Allah has said paradise is forbidden to one who shows favours and the one who is niggardly.
2 – Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: Three things destroys people: 1 – Misery and jealousy sprouted from misunderstanding about God, 2 – Following desires and 3 – Self-conceit and self-centredness.
1 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Misery and jealousy and faith can never stay together in man’s heart
4 – Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: A generous yet sinful youth is dearer to God than an old and jealous men
5 – According to traditions the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was one engaged in circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba when he saw a man who was clinging to the cover cloth of the Holy Kaaba and was seeking bath from God for forgiving him because of the holiness of the Kaaba. The Holy Prophet asked him: What is your sin?
The man replied: O Messenger of god: My sin is too serious to be mentioned.
The Messenger: Woe unto you! Is your sin great or the earth?
Man: My sin is greater.
Prophet: Is your sin bigger or the mountains?
Man: My sin is bigger than mountains.
Messenger: In your sin big or the sea?
Man: My sin is bigger then them.
Messenger: Is your sin larger or the sky?
Man: My sin is larger.
Messenger: Is your sin greater or the Throne of the Lord Almighty?
Man: My sin.
Messenger: Is your sin great or God Himself?
Then the Holy Prophet said: Now tell me what is your sin?
The man said: I am a wealthy man. When a needy beggar approaches me I feel as if a flame of fire is about to burn me.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Keep distance from me. Do not burn me with your blazing fire. By the Lord who has appointed me! If you die with this vice of misery, God will hurl you into Hell even if you pray for a thousand years between these Holy places of Rukn and Maqaam and even if rivers of tears flow from your weeping eyes. Woe unto you! Have you not read in the Holy Quran: And whoever is niggardly is niggardly against his own soul.
So also says the Lord: And whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones.
Harms of Niggardliness
A miser man, from a psychic angle, always remains restless and all of his worry is about hoarding wealth. Sometimes he also indulges in evil and unlawful activities just for earning money. Hence Amirul Mo-mineen is reported to have said:
Niggardliness is the root of all evils, it is a bridle that drives man toward every evil.
And Ali (a.s.) also said: A miser has no rest nor a niggardly person can be joy good taste.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): A generous man is near God, society and paradise whereas a stingy person is away from God and society but near Hell. However, religious losses of niggardliness are obvious as it prevents man from fulfilling his religious and desirable duties and as a result he becomes the subject of the verses and narrations condemning misery.
Remedy for this mental Illness
The remedy is that man must be aware of the individual, collective and religious harms of this illness. He should also read with attention on the verses, narrations and historical events of people who had this ailment like Qaroon, Mansoor Duwaaniqi and … and should take admonition from them so that he may improve.
As a proof we divide the discussion of this lesson in four parts for contemplation:
1 – Meaning of stinginess and a miser
2 – Verses and narrations condemning miserliness
3 – Individual and collective harms of misery.
4 – Remedy for stinginess and some events of the misers
Miser according to dictionary is keeping or holding up wealth in conditions requiring its donation and bestowing and sometimes a man is called miser who does not help when asked for it even though he is able to help the needy.
From the viewpoint of Shariat one is called a miser when he does not fulfil his duties. It is said in a narration: Miser is one who shows stinginess in spending as per Gods orders.
It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): One who pays up the poor tax from his wealth and helps people in times of trouble is not a miser. Misery is really in one who does not pay zakat and not the one who helps his community in trying times. But possibly, it can be said that help is a common usage and what is mentioned in the narrations is describing some particular thing. Hence some other meaning is also conveyed in some hadiths. For instance Imam Sadiq (a.s.) has been quoted as saying: Bakhael miser is one who shows stinginess in saying salaam Some rivayyats have explained its complete applicability. Just as the latter narration does.
In this connection there are many verses and narrations. For example:
We read in the Holy Quran: and let not those deem, who are niggardly in giving away that which Allah has granted them out of his Grace, that it is good for them; nay, it is worse for them; they shall have that whereof they were niggardly made to cleave to their necks on the resurrection day.
2 – Those who are niggardly and bid people to be niggardly and hide what Allah has given them out of His Grace; and we have prepared for unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.
3 – If you control the treasures of the Mercy of my Lord, then you would withhold them from fear of spending, and man is niggardly And now we read in narrations:
1 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Allah has said paradise is forbidden to one who shows favours and the one who is niggardly.
2 – Imam Baqir (a.s.) said: Three things destroys people: 1 – Misery and jealousy sprouted from misunderstanding about God, 2 – Following desires and 3 – Self-conceit and self-centredness.
1 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Misery and jealousy and faith can never stay together in man’s heart
4 – Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: A generous yet sinful youth is dearer to God than an old and jealous men
5 – According to traditions the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was one engaged in circumambulation of the Holy Kaaba when he saw a man who was clinging to the cover cloth of the Holy Kaaba and was seeking bath from God for forgiving him because of the holiness of the Kaaba. The Holy Prophet asked him: What is your sin?
The man replied: O Messenger of god: My sin is too serious to be mentioned.
The Messenger: Woe unto you! Is your sin great or the earth?
Man: My sin is greater.
Prophet: Is your sin bigger or the mountains?
Man: My sin is bigger than mountains.
Messenger: In your sin big or the sea?
Man: My sin is bigger then them.
Messenger: Is your sin larger or the sky?
Man: My sin is larger.
Messenger: Is your sin greater or the Throne of the Lord Almighty?
Man: My sin.
Messenger: Is your sin great or God Himself?
Then the Holy Prophet said: Now tell me what is your sin?
The man said: I am a wealthy man. When a needy beggar approaches me I feel as if a flame of fire is about to burn me.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Keep distance from me. Do not burn me with your blazing fire. By the Lord who has appointed me! If you die with this vice of misery, God will hurl you into Hell even if you pray for a thousand years between these Holy places of Rukn and Maqaam and even if rivers of tears flow from your weeping eyes. Woe unto you! Have you not read in the Holy Quran: And whoever is niggardly is niggardly against his own soul.
So also says the Lord: And whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones.
Harms of Niggardliness
A miser man, from a psychic angle, always remains restless and all of his worry is about hoarding wealth. Sometimes he also indulges in evil and unlawful activities just for earning money. Hence Amirul Mo-mineen is reported to have said:
Niggardliness is the root of all evils, it is a bridle that drives man toward every evil.
And Ali (a.s.) also said: A miser has no rest nor a niggardly person can be joy good taste.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.): A generous man is near God, society and paradise whereas a stingy person is away from God and society but near Hell. However, religious losses of niggardliness are obvious as it prevents man from fulfilling his religious and desirable duties and as a result he becomes the subject of the verses and narrations condemning misery.
Remedy for this mental Illness
The remedy is that man must be aware of the individual, collective and religious harms of this illness. He should also read with attention on the verses, narrations and historical events of people who had this ailment like Qaroon, Mansoor Duwaaniqi and … and should take admonition from them so that he may improve.
| GREED | for everyone |
First our certainty trust regarding the attributes of Almighty Allah must be strengthened and we should know that he is Razzaaq Provider and He has guarantied provision for all the creatures.
It is mentioned in the Holy Quran: And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the sustenance of it. In another verse He says: and whoever is careful of his city to Allah, me will make for him an outlet, and give him sustenance from he thinks not. Secondly a covetous person must think over the fact that the aim of his covetousness and greed is accumulation of wealth and that this wealth remains here but he himself passes away from here. Yet it is for him to give an account of that wealth before the Lord in the Hereafter. Thirdly, we should read with care the narrations in this regard so that the wise and precious words of wisdom from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his pure and infallible family may prove effective for us. For example:
1 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said: Among the causes of dryness of eyes and toughness of heart are covetousness for obtaining provision and insistence on sin.
2 – Someone asked Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.): Which is the biggest disgrace? He said: Greed for the material world.
3 – It is recorded from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) The son of Adam becomes old, yet his two attributes remain: one agreed and another lengthy ambitions.
Fourthly, The more a man becomes covetous the more he deprives him-self of peace of mind and falls in more grief and anger and burns in the internal fire. raging in his own heart.
One of the branches of worldly love is a lengthy ambition
This attribute is though desirable yet it also requires to be controlled with conditions and planning. Religious leaders have given many admonitions in this regard to their followers. Here are some of them:-
1 – Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.) said: Beware: My biggest worry about you is in two matters: 1 – Following your desires and 2 – Lengthy ambitions because slavery of desires prevents you from truth and entertaining lengthy ambitions results in unmindfulness of the Hereafter life after death.
2 – The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: Indeed the welfare of a nation is in piety and Faith and its destruction is in greed and long ambitions.
3 – Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.) is reported to have said: In truth, if one sees the speed with which ones death approaches him he will abhor long ambitions and will give up worldly love.
Result of high ambitions
It is reported from Amirul Mo-mineen (a.s.): The result of long ambitions is evil deeds of man.
He has also said: One who lengthens his ambitions worsens his deeds.
Perhaps it can also be said that: wickedness in our deeds reveals the lengthiness of our ambitions.
Remedy for This illness
First man must look at the speed with which his death is approaching him and then study history to know what kind of ambitions people had entertained and took all of them only to graves.
Thirdly, he should plan for its remedy and should see towards the events of the family members of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) so that he may clean himself in the light of their guidance.
| JEALOUSY AND ITS CAUSES | for everyone |
May be all of these three or anyone or all of these three things causes jealousy:
1 – Sometimes it so happens that due to dirt in heart or internal blindness man is unable to look at Gods servants whom He has given bounties. So Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: Jealousy and ill will is due to darkness in heart and blindness of soul which gets rooted due to denial of Divine bounties and these two vices blind-heartedness and fault-finding in Divine distribution are two wings of kufr blasphemy and hence it was due to jealousy that the son of Adam drowned down in a perpetual regret and fell into a ruin from which he never gets freed…
2 – Enmity between two persons often becomes the cause of jealousy.
3 – And sometimes longing for power, desire for position and pride and self-centredness become the cause of jealousy. Hence the Holy Quran Quotes the Al Kafirs of Quraysh saying: and they say: Why was not this Quran revealed to a man of importance in the two towns? Valeed and Habeeb of Mecca and Ta’if
. Yet at another place it says: They said: You are naught but mortals like ourselves.
And as regards the third, it mentions: What! Shall we believe in tow mortals like ourselves … and if you obey a mortal like yourselves, then most surely you will be losers.
In any case, we must strive so that the causes and reasons of it are removed and this is easier than, trying afterwards, to get rid of jealousy.
| Jealousy and its difference from envy | for everyone |
The meaning of jealousy is that man desires that a blessing may be removed from his faithful brother though he knows that the said comfort is befitting him and hence the title. But envy means: to desire the comfort possessed by others without a wish that blessing may go away from others. In other words, an envious person ones not want a halt the progress of others but makes effort to equal others. Perhaps this attitude can be divided into five kinds:
Kinds of Jealousy: That man desires that the comfort enjoyed by his fellow Muslim brother may be taken away from the his even if thereby he himself does not get any benefit. This is the worst kind of jealousy.
B: man wants that others bounty may be removed from him and may be given to him.
C: Sometimes man does not want that someone’s ease may be taken away from him but wants the same ease for himself and since it does not reach him he entertains a desire for the other man’s down fall and possibly, if he gets such strength, he removes the said ease from the other person .
D: In the beginning one does not want that the other man should lose his bounty but since he does not have the ability to reach it he desires the downfall of the other person, but without an intention to seize the other persons bounty even if he is able to do so. As he considers himself religiously responsible and duty bound.
E: His heart would feel happy if the other prosperity vanishes but, at the same, he is also angry with his own heart due to such wish and also condemns scolds it.
It can be said that, possibly, the ayats and traditions apply to all the aforesaid kinds. But the fifth kind, from both logical and traditional viewpoint, deserves demarcation.
| Power of Positive Talk | for everyone |
I remember my father teaching me the power of language at a very young age. Not only did my father understand that specific words affect our mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming factor in lifelong success.
One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around upside down from the rafters of our village house. So, it came to no surprise for my father to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so high.
My older cousin, was also in the same tree. She was hanging on the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Her mother also noticed us at the exact time my father did. About that time a huge gust of wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the tree begin to sway. I remember my father's voice over the wind yell, "Hold on tightly." So I did.
The next thing I know, I heard my cousin screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had fallen out of the tree.
I scampered down the tree to safety. My father later told me why she fell and I did not. Apparently, when my cousin's mother felt the gust of wind, she yelled out, "Be careful, don't fall!" And my cousin did fall.
My father then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for my cousin to process the command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first imagine falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me hanging on tightly.
This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word for what you want to do and visualize that. For example, when I was thirteen years old, I played for my junior high school football team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball.
(sent by bro Najmuddin)
posted by ABBAS ALAM @ 08:59
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