Bismillah [hidayahnet] LESSONS FROM LIFE (10)

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 15:22:52 -0800



From: Khalid Bin Umar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: LESSONS FROM LIFE (10)

 LESSONS FROM LIFE (10)
My Story
Well brother it is a long one, But I will try to keep it to a reasonable length,inshaa'Allah :o). My Mother converted to Islam from Christianity 8 years ago during Shawwal when I was 7 years old and left me to decide for myself. Most of our family on both sides is Christian. My Mother was the first to convert(revert) in my family to Islam and this caused a huge uproar and opportunity for shaytan to play dirty. They would harass her and threaten to take me away from her and the whole nine years.
 Last year came and I decided to get in to my faith which was at the time Christianity. I did try, but whenever I'd read the bible(My mother even went and baught me a new bible that I could understand better) I couldn't concentrate and I felt that I was reading unecessary stuff. I tried to "bring Jesus into my heart"(AstughferAllah,and pbuh) but I knew that just wasn't happening. I had been going to church off and on, and that truly turned me off. My Father is Holiness... (All the dancing around and fainting, and talking in tongues). Finally I got frustrated from just feeling like I was "floating" out there with no direction.I always believed in God but that trinity stuff never moved me (alhamdulillah). I went into prayer mode. I would sit on a prayer rug my Mama had baught me and just pray and cry for guidence. I had been fasting with my Mama during Ramadan and sometimes praying with her(Fajr). One day I dediced to pick up one of the many books she has on Islam and start reading. I couldn't believe it. I started to cry,Islam was what my heart had been searching for. Many of the things I read about I had already been doing or believed in.I knew I wanted to convert right away, and I shared this with my Mama and she took me to a masjid. I converted last year on April 11 at the age of 14. I cried with happiness and was greeted and hugged by muslims on my way out of the office.
 
 Of course shaytan tried despretly to turn me back around to darkness and everything exploded.Mashaa'Allah , if He hadn't of given me Muslim Aunties and Uncles and Brothers and Sisters to support me, I feel I would have lost the battle. Allah(swt) is truly Akbar. My family has ever since then totally rejected
us, harassed us, and talked trash about us and spreaded lies. It hurts badly because we had always been a very close family. But when I converted to Islam they became crazy. They harrassed me and my mother in "the name of Jesus" (AstughferAllah, pbuh).I would doubt Islam and my decison to convert constantly, but would always in the end hold strong and continue to learn. Fellow muslims would help me to understand concepts in Islam and encourage me. Alhamdulillah for all experiences, this has made me a very strong person and made me see the reality of christianity and christians. To see the difference between them and Muslims. Mashaa'Allah I couldn't  believe how generous and kind Muslims were to me, I would cry because of the good hearts I would find in them, I am so happy I converted. I wouldn't give up Islam for anything in the world. My faith has soared and I have gained so much hikmah (By the grace of Allah). My whole life has changed. 
I am now 15 and wearing hijab and niqaab, subahaanallah. It is now the summer, but inshaa'Allah , He will bless me with the courage to wear niqaab(I have been wearing Hijab since last summer) to school. Only Allah should be feared not people.At the time I am in the process of memorizing Qur'an and du'aas Alhamdulillah.

 Well this is my story, Shukran for taking the time to read it. I hope it was not too long and boring :o)Baraka Allah Fika wa jazak Allah Kheir. 
 
 *La illaha illa Allah*  *Muhammadur Rasoulu Allah* 
 
Nur Habiba bint Geeston
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One morning, the nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Lessons: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
People will forget what you said... People will forget what you did... But people will never forget how you made them feel...
Make someone happy, share a kind word today.
 
A good word is charity. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Author: Unknown
God Exists
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things on various subjects.
Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so." "Why do you say that?"

Asked the client. Well, it's so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. "I can't think of a God who permits all of these things." The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn't want to respond so as to prevent an argument.

The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy). Then the client again entered the barbershop and he said to the barber: know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How come they don't exist?" asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber." "No!" - the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street."

"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me." "Exactly!"- Affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him that's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
The Emperor's Horseman
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I pushed myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."
 
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work!
Once a caravan came to Madinah. It had women and children too with it. 'Umar said to Abdul Rahman bin-e-Auf(Radhiallahu Anhu), , "Can you stand guard on them to-night?" So 'Umar(Radhiallahu Anhu), , the second caliph, and he, kept awake that night together and kept vigil over the cara-van. During that nightly vigil they both offered Tahajjud (late night and early dawn) prayer also. 'Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu), on hearing a baby's cry and approaching, said to the mother, "Fear God and do look after your child care-fully." Saying this he came back to his own position. Once again he heard it crying, and going over to her mother once again gave her the same advice. When during the last part of the night the child cried once again, 'Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu), came to its mother and said, "Woe to thee! Thou appears not to be a good mother. How is it that thy child could not sleep peacefully during the night." The woman little suspecting that she was speaking to the Amir of the believers, said in reply, "God bless you man, you have pestered me several times during the night. I want to wean it forcefully (before time), but the child is intractable." 'Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu), asked her, "And pray, why wean it forcefully?" She said in reply, "Because 'Umar grants allowance only for such children that have been weaned." Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu), asked her, "How old is your child?" And she told him it was only a few months old. And 'Umar(Radhiallahu Anhu),  asked the woman not to be hasty in weaning her child. And then he led the morning prayer in such a state that his weeping made the recital of the Quran inaudible and unintelligible. At the end of the prayer he said, "Umar is ruined. He killed the children of the believers!" And at this, he ordered the crier to proclaim in the town of Madinah that the mothers should not wean their children only for the sake of the allowance for the children. From now on, every child, suckling or weaned, shall receive a stipend. And it was also proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of the Islamic state.

Unparalleled in the entire History of Mankind, By God ! the entire history of mankind is unable to produce such a brilliant and glorious incident. None among the civilizations of the world can present any personage like 'Umar. He kept awake the whole night, keeping guard over the caravan and the caravan slept in peace. And we should keep in mind that he was the head of the Islamic state, and wielded great authority and power that had overrun the then super powers of Rome and Iran. And in spite of all that he did what a petty guard detailed to patrol the vicinity of a caravan in its sojourn would not do. He drew the attention of the crying child's mother to her babe and asked her to quieten her. Is there any one who can mete out that treatment to the children in a passing Caravan, like 'Umar? Who is there among the greatest personages of the history of mankind who can even touch the great human Consciousness of 'Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu), ?
 
Dr. Mustafa as-Siba'i Chapter 3 - Philanthropy: Ninth Evidence ,Some Glittering Aspects of the Islamic Civilization ,© 1983, 1990 Hindustan Publications
Amir Al-Mu’minin, Ali Bin Abi Taleb (Radhiallahu Anhu),
In old, worn out shabby looking clothes, Amir Al-Mu’minin, Ali Bin Abi Taleb (Radhiallahu Anhu), , sat saying grace to Allah.
Abu Mariam, one of the servants, sat on his knees close to Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu), and whispered:
“Amir Al-Mu’minin, I have something to ask of you.”
Ali said: “What is it that you want to ask?”

Abu Mariam said: “That you throw away the clothes you are wearing. They are old and ripped and do not go well with your position.”
Ali Bin Abi Taleb(Radhiallahu Anhu),  put the tip of his clothes on his eyes and started to cry until his weeping was loud.
In embarrassment, Abu Mariam said: “O Amir Al-Mu’minin, if I knew that it meant so much to you I would not have asked you to take it off.”
Ali (Radhiallahu Anhu), said while wiping his tears: “O Abu Mariam, my love for this jacket is increasing. It was a gift from my friend and beloved companion.”
Oddly, Abu Mariam asked: “And who is this friend of yours O Amir?”
Ali said: “ ‘Umar Ibn Al Khattab. He was the best of friends.” (Radhiallahu Anhu),
He then started to weep once again until the sound of his suppressed cries could be heard from afar.
Source:Translated from "100 Stories from the Life of Ali Bin Abi Taleb" by Muhammad Sedeeq Al Minshawi
Thumamah Ibn Uthal (Radhiallahu Anhu),
during his period as a non-muslim, after killing a group of the Prophet's companions, decided to perform Umrah. He wanted to perform tawaf around the Ka'bah and sacrifice to the idols there. So he left al-Yamamah for Makkah. As he was passing near Madinah, an incident took place which he had not anticipated.
Groups of Muslims were patrolling the districts of Madinah and outlying areas on the lookout for any strangers or anyone intent on causing trouble. One of these groups came upon Thumamah and apprehended him but they did not know who he was. They took him to Madinah and tied him to one of the columns in the mosque..

They waited for the Prophet  himself to question the man and decide what should be done with him. When the Prophet  was about to enter the mosque, he saw Thumamah and asked his companions, "Do you know whom you have taken?"
"No, messenger of God," they replied.

"This is Thumamah ibn Uthal al-Hanafi," he said. "You have done well in capturing him."

The Prophet then returned home to his family and said, "Get what food you can and send it to Thumamah ibn Uthal." He then ordered his camel to be milked for him. All this was done before he met Thumamah or had spoken to him. The Prophet then approached Thumamah hoping to encourage him to become a Muslim.
"What do you have to say for yourself" he asked.

"If you want to kill in reprisal," Thumamah replied, "you can have someone of noble blood to kill. If, out of your bounty, you want to forgive, I shall be grateful. If you want money in compensation, I shall give you whatever amount you ask."
The Prophet then left him for two days, but still personally sent him food and drink and milk from his camel. The Prophet   went back to him and asked,
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Thumamah repeated what he had said the day before. The Prophet  then left and came back to him the following day.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked again and Thumamah repeated what he had said once more. Then the Prophet turned to his companions and said, "Set him free."

Thumamah left the mosque of the Prophet  and rode until he came to a palm grove on the outskirts of Madinah near al-Baqi' (a place of luxuriant vegetation which later became a cemetery for many of the Prophet's companions). He watered his camel and washed himself well. Then he turned back and made his way to the Prophet's mosque. There, he stood before a congregation of Muslims and said:"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger."

He then went to the Prophet , upon whom be peace, and said: "O Muhammad, by God, there was never on this earth a face more detestable than yours. Now, yours is the dearest face of all to me." "I have killed some of your men," he continued, "I am at your mercy. What will you have done to me?"

"There is now no blame on you, Thumamah ," replied the Prophet. "Becoming a Muslim obliterates past actions and marks a new beginning."

Thumamah (Radhiallahu Anhu), was greatly relieved. His face showed his surprise and joy and he vowed, "By God, I shall place my whole self, my sword, and whoever is with me at your service and at the service of your religion."

"O Rasulullah," he went on, "when your horsemen captured me I was on my way to perform umrah. What do you think I should do now?"

"Go ahead and perform your umrah," replied the Prophet , "but perform it according to the laws of God and His messenger." The Prophet then taught him how to perform umrah according to Islamic rules. Thumamah(Radhiallahu Anhu),  left to fulfil his intention. When he reached the valley of Makkah, he began shouting in a loud, resonant voice:

"Labbayk Allakumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal hamda wa-n ni'mata laka wa-l mulk Laa shareeka lak (Here I am at Your command O Lord, Here I am. Here I am. No partner have You. Here I am. Praise, bounty and Dominion belong to You. No partner have You)".

He was thus the first Muslim on the face of the earth to enter Makkah reciting the talbEyah.

taken from Companions of the Prophet Vol.1 , by Abdul Wahid
The Last meeting
When the noble Prophet reached Madinah, Muadh ibn Jabal stayed in his company as much as possible. He studied the Qur'an and the laws of Islam until he became one of the most well-versed of all the companions in the religion of Islam.

Wherever Muadh went, people would refer to him for legal judgements on matters over which they differed. This is not strange since he was brought up in the school of the Prophet himself and learnt as much as he could from him.

He was the best pupil of the best teacher. His knowledge bore the stamp of authenticity..

The best certificate that he could have received came from the Prophet himself when he said:

"The most knowledgeable of my ummah in matters of halal and haram is Muadh ibn Jabal."

One of the greatest of Muadh's contributions to the ummah of Muhammad was that he was one of the group of six who collected the Qur'an during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace be upon him. Whenever a group of companions met and Muadh was among them, they would look at him with awe and respect on account of his knowledge. The Prophet and his two Khalifahs after him placed this unique gift and power in the service of Islam.

After the liberation of Makkah, the Quraysh became Muslims en masse. The Prophet immediately saw the need of the new Muslims for teachers to instruct them in the fundamentals of Islam and to make them truly understand the spirit and letter of its laws. He appointed Attab ibn Usay as his deputy in Makkah and he asked Muadh ibn Jabal to stay with him and teach people the Qur'an and instruct them in the religion.

Sometime after the Prophet  had returned to Madinah, messengers of the kings of Yemen came to him announcing that they and the people of Yemen had become Muslims. They requested that some teachers should be with them to teach Islam to the people. For this task the Prophet  commissioned a group of competent du'at (missionaries) and made Muadh ibn Jabal their amir. He then put the following question to Muadh:

"According to what will you judge?"

"According to the Book of God," replied Muadh.

"And if you find nothing therein?"

"According to the Sunnah of the Prophet of God."

"And if you find nothing therein?"

"Then I will exert myself (exercise ijtihad) to form own judgement." The Prophet was pleased with this reply and said:

"Praise be to God Who has guided the messenger of the Prophet to that which pleases the Prophet."

The Prophet  personally bade farewell to this mission of guidance and light and walked for some distance alongside Muadh as he rode out of the city. Finally he said to him: "O Muadh, perhaps you shall not meet me again after this year. Perhaps when you return you shall see only my mosque and my grave."

Muadh wept. Those with him wept too. A feeling of sadness and desolation overtook him as he parted from his beloved Prophet, peace and blessings of God be on him.

The Prophet's  premonition was correct. The eyes of Muadh never beheld the Prophet after that moment. The Prophet died before Muadh returned from the Yemen. There is no doubt that Muadh wept when he returned to Madinah and found there was no longer the blessed company of the Prophet .


Source: http://web.umr.edu/~msaumr/reference/companions/English/jabal.html
 
May Allah swt guide us on the true foot prints of Huzoor (sallAllahu alaiyhi wassallam)
 BROTHER IN ISLAM
 KHALID BIN UMAR     

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