“Are you a good farm hand?” the farmer asked him. “Well, I can sleep when thewind blows,” answered thelittle man.

Sleeping Peacefully When the Wind Blows
:->
Can You Sleep when the Wind Blows?
Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He
constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctantto
work on farms along theAtlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that
raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady
stream ofrefusals.
Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.
"Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when thewind blows," answered thelittle man.
Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired
him. The little man workedwell around the farm, busy from dawn to
dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of
bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired
hand's sleeping quarters. He shookthe little man and yelled, "Get up!
A storm is coming!Tie things down before they blow away!"
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told
you, I can sleep when the wind blows."
Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted tofire him on the
spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his
amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered
with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the
coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.
Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired
hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind
blew.
When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have
nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blowsthrough your life?
The hired hand in the story wasable to sleep because he had secured
the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves
in the Word of Allah. We don't need to understand, we just need to
hold on to His commands in order to have peace in the middle of
storms.

--
:->

With Allah, in Islam

You're pushing your way through the crowd,
shining like a rough diamond,
chasing changes, gurus, clover, sound…
that thing to quiet the hidden doubt…
but you won't find it in the avenues of man.
It's with Allah. It's in Islam.
You've got African earth in your eyes,
saffron under your nails, star fruit, indigo,
snow in your midnight hair,
American dust on your boots.
It's not there, in the places of man.
It's with Allah. It's in Islam.
You're seeking lightning, heat, serenade,
and quiet whisper, truth or lie… a sliver of jade,
a sighting of something real, some grain
that doesn't turn, doesn't die, doesn't fade.
It's not there, in the breast of man.
It's with Allah. It's in Islam.

--
:->

wife asked: "What do you see?" The husband smiled and said: "The rest of my life.."

A husband and his wife were standing in front of a mirror
The wife asked: "What do you see?"
The husband smiled and said: "The rest of my life.."•*
❤* Allah has already written the names of your spouses for you.
What you need to work on is your relationship with Allah.
He will send her/him to you when you're ready. It is only a matter of time!!

--
:->

We should be very mindful of our tongue and what it utters. It's such a dangerous weapon that Allah has surrounded it by 32 sharp barriers which caneasily cut it. We must thinktwice before using it. [MuftiMenk] Ya Rabb, Forgive us!

--
:->

Do Islam, Christianity, and Judaism have different Origins?

No. Muslims believe that the original, unchanged message given to
Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and all other prophets came from the One same
God. This common origin explains their similarities inmany beliefs and
values.
"Say: We Believe in God and what has been revealed to us, and what was
revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes,
and what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their
Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him
(God) do we wholly give ourselves." (Qur'an 3:84)
Jews, Christians and Muslims all consider Abraham their Patriarch.
Abraham is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of the great prophets. He
was blessed by God to be the father of many nations. From his second
son, Isaac, descended the tribes of Israel, and through them, Moses
and Jesus; and from his first son, Ishmael, came Muhammad (peace and
blessings of God be upon all of His messengers).
Abraham was commanded by God to rebuild the placeof worship that Adam
first built - the Ka'bah, in Makkah (Mecca). The Ka'bahis a simple
stone structure, erected as a sanctuary for the worship of the One
God. Muslims do not worship the Ka'bah; the cubical building is simply
the unified direction toward which all Muslims face in Prayer to God,
Almighty.

--
:->

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radiAllahu anhu) said, •► "It was difficult for us to memorize the words of theQur'an, but easy for us to act by them. After us will be people for whom it is easy to memorize the Qur'an, but hard to act by it." [Al-Anbari]

"And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah
with [accepted] repentance." [♥]
(Surah Al-Furqan:71)
#It is time; we Reflect, Repent, Act Righteous, Before we Return. In sha Allah.

--
:->

Chatsworth is an Indian township near Durban which has been devastated in recent years by 'sugars' - a highly addictive cut of heroin,

Set up during apartheid inthe 1960s, Chatsworth is an Indian township
near Durban which has been devastated in recent years by 'sugars' - a
highly addictive cut of heroin, mixed with rat poison to prevent blood
clots and any other powdered household goods - available to bulk it up
and make it cheap.
The withdrawals are agonising.
Sugars came to Chatsworth with addicted minibus taxi drivers from
Durban and cut through the youth like wildfire.
Those addicts whose families have any possessions of value steal from
their families, those who don't con and beg in car parks and steal
from shops.
Heroin addictions are notoriously difficult to treat, and the figure
quoted for long-term recovery is below 10%.
But in Chatsworth Sam Pillay, founder of the Anti-Drug Forum, thinks
he has come up with a combination of detox drugs and family therapy
rehabilitation which he wants the world to know about.
It's early days but he estimates that so far their success rate is in
the region of 60 - 80%.
Chervon Chetty, who is from a South African family of Indian origin
with roots in Durban, visitsChatsworth to see the impact of 'sugars',
and hear about the chance for change in addicts' lives.

--
:->

You Are Not Alone:

Sometimes it seems like every person in this world of seven billion
souls is living a quarantined, lonelyexperience. You take the subway
to work and everyone reads her own novel, or rests his head against
the seat, not meeting anyone else's eyes. Each person is surrounded by
an invisible sphere of seclusion. Or you walk down a crowded downtown
street, with thousands of people intent on their own lives and
errands, disengaged from all around them…
Every one of us is the center of our own universe,living within our
own skulls, constrained by the limitations of our senses. None of us
can ever truly know the inner thoughts and feelings of another. This
awareness can be isolating and depressing.
But let me give you a different perspective:
First, there is Allah. He knows the innermost hopes and fears of each
of us. He is with us, watching us, protecting us and guiding us at all
times. He loves us and wants good for us. So in a very real sense,
none of us is alone. Allah is the unifying factor, the Master of all,
the One who created a universe that functions in harmony and symmetry;
even the chaos of nature is part of a greater pattern, and serves
Allah in its way.
In fact, check this out: Abu Huraira narrated, "The Prophet said, "If
Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, 'Allah loves so and-so;
O Gabriel! Love him.' Gabriel would love him and make an announcement
amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. 'Allah loves so-and-so,
therefore you should love him also,' and so all the inhabitantsof the
Heaven would lovehim, and then he is granted the pleasure of the
people on the earth."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Hadith 431)
Wow, subhanAllah. That is a lot of love being directed your way!
That's hardly congruous with the notion of an isolated existence.
Second, there is our noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Regardless of our
nationalities, our schools ofthought or "sects", we are united in
honoring and revering him. We study his life, repeat his words, and
send blessings on him. We live our lives by his teachings. We look up
to him and love him as we love ourselves.
Third, there is our great deen of Islam. At any givenmoment, at this
very second, there are Muslims in the world standing shoulder to
shoulder in prayer, all facing the same location on the earth.
Islamhas brought us together in a unique and unprecedented global
brotherhood and sisterhood. Though we may be strangers to each other
in a physical sense, spiritually we are connected. We care about each
other, we feel each other's joys and fears.
Yes, we are biological beings, each living within our own limited
bodies. When you or I think, no other human hears us. When you eat, no
one else tastes it. When your head hurts, no one else feels the pain.
When you harbor private aspirations and terrors, no one else feels the
beating of your heart.
But Allah is with you, my brother, my sister. Allah hears. Allah is
always readyto comfort you, respond to your prayers, and bless youwith
His grace.
And the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) struggled so hard for you. Yes of
course, he fought foryou! You are a part of his Ummah. You are one of
his flock. His mission was for you as much as anyone else. On the Day
of Judgment he will intercedefor his Ummah; he will claim us, and
struggle for us just as he did in his earthly life.
Lastly, we Muslims all sharea spiritual bond, a commonunderstanding of
the world. We are family (even if some of us don't act like it).
When the loneliness of life feels heavy on your back, remember that
the isolation of human existence is an illusion. Youare not alone. You
are surrounded by guidance, blessings, and caring. You are loved, even
when you do not see it. You are not alone.

--
:->

A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes

What Is A Dad?
A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
... and lets you try again.
A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.
A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you breakthe rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail..See More
MOTHER
Somebody said that a child is carried in its mother's womb for nine months.
Somebody does not know that a child is carried in its mother's heart forever.
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after
you'vehad a baby....
Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
Somebody said being a mother is boring.
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.
Somebody said if you're a"good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child
hit a golf ball through the neighbor'skitchen window.
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.
Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing
questions in the books.
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.
Somebody said the hardestpart of being a mother is labor and delivery.
Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of
kindergarten.
Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one
hand tied behind her back.
Somebody never organizedseven giggling Brownies tosell cookies.
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after herchild gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law
to a mother's heartstrings.
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
Somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
Somebody isn't a mother.

--
:->

Moving Beyond Blame

I wrote the piece above over ten years ago. It has taken me almost
these entire ten years to learn to forgive myself. I still sometimes
see someone on the street who looks like Joe, and I have a moment of
excitement, then I remember that he is gone. But I don't blame myself
anymore. I made a mistake, but I'm not responsible for Joe putting a
needle in his arm. With everything he had to live for, he had no
excuse. If having a family, friends and freedom wasn't enough of a joy
for him, then it's unlikely that anything I said would havemade a
difference.
I don't want to blame Joe either. He lost the battle against his
internal demons, and that's enoughfor me to say. I still love him. I
guess I've gotten beyond blame, to a place of understanding or
acceptance. I'm able to think of Joe with gratitude,and with no
bitterness or regret to color it. I originally titled this piece,
"Trying to Remember the Good Times", but if I had written it today I
might callit, "Remembering a Kind Soul."
That's the miracle and glory of the human heart. That is one of the
countlessblessings of Allah. He gives us hearts that heal, and spirits
that forgive, and Time, our dear friend, who carries away all wounds
in the gentle sweep of its current.
"Allah said: 'Sons of Adam inveigh against [the vicissitudes of]
Time,but I am Time, in My hand is the night and theday.'" (hadith
qudsi, agreed upon)
If Allah is Time, and Allah isAr-Rahman ir-Raheem (TheMerciful and
Mercy-Giving), then time is a mercy and ablessing. The passage of
time is a balm and a cure.
I try to do better now in reaching out to anyone I care about who
might be in pain. I try to express something about the deen to the
non-Muslims in my life. I don't preach, but I share my enthusiasm for
Islam in small ways, and I offer a perspective that includes Allah.
If I could go back, what would I do differently? I have come to
realize that the question serves no purpose. The Polk Street festival
is a memory, a day in history, an image on a fading photo. Agonizing
over it does not help.
A better question is, what will I do differently today? What will I do
differently tomorrow, when the California sun comes up blazing, and
the world is new again, and I am blessed beyond belief with another
opportunity to redeem my soul, and to love my family and friends,and
to prostrate to Allah, and to change the world? What will I do
differently then?
That's all that matters.
"And put your trust in Him Who lives and dies not; and celebrate His
praise; and enough is He to be acquainted with the faults of His
servants." – Quran, 25:58/

--
:->

India, Delhi ''Red Fort'', Lal Quila, Delhi

Indian history
:->
The king Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and
laid the foundation of the Red Fort or Lal Quila on the April 16,
1639. It took nineyears to build this strong city and I have ended
April16, 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, anastronomical
sum in thosedays, was used for its construction. Half of this sum was
spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red
sandstone, is octagonal, with two longer sides on the east and west.
The perimeter of the wallsis about 2.41 kilometers strong. Red Fort
stands at a height of 33.5 m on the side of the city and 18 m along
the River. Surrounded by a wide moat of the fortress, which was
originally connected with the river and was always full of water. The
two main entrances, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate(so named
because they face Lahore and Delhi, respectively) are three stories
high and are flanked by semi-octagonaltowers. They are located in
central west and south sides, respectively.
The main entrance of Lal Quila is through the LahoriGate. Beyond the
door there is a covered walkway, flanked by arcaded apartments leading
to the palace, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are used as
shops. Besides these, there are three doors in other places, which are
locked now. Themaster builders of the RedFort were Hamid Ahmad.
Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies
the restof it. Some of the main buildings inside the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am
Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience in the RedFort in Delhi.
Originally it had a patio in the front and was richly decorated with
gilded stucco. Heavy curtains hung in the main hall, which were three
bays in depth.
Hamam
Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of selective hearing, the Hamam
(bath set) consists of three apartments connected by corridors. The
marble floors and are given floral designs inlaid with beautiful
colored stones.
Moti Masjid
The mosque Aurungzeb staff, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque, located west
of Hamam. Situated on a level above the courtyard, the prayer hall of
the mosque with inlaid black marble contours of 'Musalla' (small
carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.
Mumtaz Mahal
One of the six main palaces along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was
also known as' Chhoti Baithak. A beautiful water channel called
"Nahr-i-Bihisht '(ie, the Stream ofParadise) flew through these
palaces. However, this palace has been removed, probably because it
was totally ruined.
Naubat Naubat Khana Khana, or Naqqar Khana (which means House of the
drum), is located at the entrance of the palace area. Here the music
was played five times a day at fixed hours. It is a door called "Hathi
Pol (ElephantGate), where visitors dismounted from their elephants.

--
:->

A SHORT Story of Strong Faith:

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a 'Glass Jelly Jar' from
its hiding place in the closet.
Little girl poured the change out on the floor and counted it
carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No
chance here for mistakes.
Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twistingon the cap,
she slipped out the back door and made her way to 6 blocks to Rashid's
Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door. Little
girl waited patiently for the Pharmacist to give her some attention
but he was too busy at this moment. Little girl (Tasneem) twisted her
feet to make a scuffing noise; Nothing. Shecleared her throat with the
most disgusting sound she could muster; No good. Finally she took a
coin fromher Jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
"And what do you want?" the Pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice. "I'mtalking to my brother from Lahore whom I haven't seen in
ages," he said without waiting for a replyto his question.
"Well, I want to buy an mmm..."
The Pharmacist stared backin the same annoyed tone.
"He's really; really sick.... and I want to buy a miracle."
"I beg your pardon?" said the Pharmacist.
"My brother name is Aslam and he has something bad growing inside his
head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save my brother now. So how
muchdoes a miracle cost?"
"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help
you," the Pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for miracle. If it isn't enough, I
will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs?"
The Pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man from Lahore. He
stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does
your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tasneem replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know
he's really sick and Mommysays he needs an operation. But my Daddy
can't pay for it, so I want touse my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Lahore.
"Ten and half rupees. And it's all the money I have, but I can get
some more if I need to."
"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "Ten and half rupees - the
exact price of a miracle for your little brother."
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her
hand and said: "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother
and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."
That well dressed man from Lahore was Dr. Ashraf Beg, a surgeon
specializing in Neuro-Surgery. The operation was completed free of
charge and it wasn'tlong until Aslam was homeagain and doing well.
Mom and Dad were happilytalking about the chain of events that had led
them to this place.
"That Surgery," her Mom whispered. "Was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?"
Tasneem smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... Ten and
half rupees ...plus the faith of a little girl.
Noble Qur'an says: "And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me." (26:80)
And mom also knew exactly how much a miracle cost ... selfless
devotion to their profession by doctors like Ashraf Beg ...
Noble Qur'an says: "Those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and
hadadopted the Faith; they show their selfless love andaffection to
those (Muslims)who came to them for refuge, and they entertain no
desire in their hearts forthings they give out (to theneedy), but give
them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own
lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, - they
are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)

--
:->

The Benefits of becoming a Murîd

There are several benefits in becoming a murîd:
1. At times a person errs inthe different methods of reforming the
heart that were mentioned previously. The shaykh shows the correct
path in this regard.
2. At times the effect and benefit that one derives from a book is not
as great as that which one would have obtained fromthe guidance of a
shaykh. One gains the barakah of the shaykh. Furthermore, if the murîd
displays any shortcoming in carrying out a good act or commitsan evil
act, he will be ashamed of this in front ofthe shaykh.
3. The person develops confidence and love for the shaykh. Based on
this, he is inclined to follow and emulate the ways of the shaykh.
4. If the shaykh is strict in giving his advice or displays his anger,
the person does not feel offended and endeavours to act upon his
advice.
There are many other benefits which are acquired by those whom Allah
has favoured. These can only be known by acquiring and experiencing
them.
Qualities to be found in the Shaykh
If a person wishes to become a murîd, he should first consider the
following factors in the shaykh. If the latter does not possess these
qualities, do not become his murîd.
1. The shaykh must know the masâ'il of Dîn. He should not be ignorant
of the Sharî'ah.
2. He must not possess any quality that is contrary to the Sharî'ah.
His 'aqâ'id (beliefs) must be the same as those that have been
mentioned in Part One of Bahishti Zewar. He should not possess any
quality that is contrary to all the masâ'il and all those things
connected to reformation of the heart that have been mentioned in this
book.
3. He must not be carryingout this programme (of shaykh and murîd) as
a means of sustenance. (That is, he must not be doing it for financial
gain).
4. Become the murîd of a person who is regarded asa pious person by
the majority of good people.
5. Become the murîd of a person who is spoken highly of by good people.
6. His programme of instruction must be such that one develops a love
and inclination for Dîn. This can be gauged by looking at the
condition ofhis murîds. Even if fifty-sixty percent of his murîdsare
good, consider such a shaykh to be effective. Do not have doubts on
him by looking at the condition of a few murîds. You may have heard
that the pious persons have a lot of effect. This (looking at the
condition of his murîds) is the criterion whereby one gauges the
effect and power of a shaykh. Do not gauge the effect and power of a
shaykh through other means, such as something occurring exactly as he
mentioned it to you, someone getting cured by his mere touch, that a
ta'wîdh worked according to the reason for which hegave it to you or
that if he fixes his gaze on a person he becomes completely entranced
and at a loss. Never be deluded by theseeffects and powers.
7. The shaykh must be such that he does not takeinto consideration the
status of his murîds when giving them advice of the Dîn. (That is, he
does not favour his murîds when it comes to reprimanding them in
matters of the Dîn). He stops them from useless and foolish things.
Once you have found sucha shaykh, seek permission from your parents
(if you are unmarried) or from your husband (if you are married), and
become a murîd of such a shaykh solely for the purpose of putting your
Dîn in order. If your parents or husbanddo not permit you to become a
murîd, do not become one as it is not fard to become a murîd. However,
it is fard to treadthe path of the Dîn. You should therefore continue
treading this path even if you are not a murîd of a shaykh.
Rules connected to the shaykh and murîd
1. Be respectful to your shaykh. Remember the name of Allah in exactly
the way shown to you by your shaykh. Have the following belief with
regard to your shaykh: "The spiritual benefits thatI can gain from
this shaykh cannot be gained from any other shaykh."
2. If the murîd's heart has not been reformed properly as yet and the
shaykh passes away, he must become a murîd of another shaykh in whom
the above-mentioned qualities are found.
3. When you come across any wazîfah in any book or read about the
frugal life of someone, do not actupon it on your own accord. Ask your
shaykh about it first. If any good or evil thought enters your heart
or you decide to do something, first consult your shaykh.
4.Women should not remove their purdah in the presence of their shaykh.

--
:->

‘O Allah, O Allah. They have surely called You but You did not respond:

'Abdullah Ibn al-Mubarak: 'Iwas in Makkah when the people were
afflicted with a drought. So they all cameout to Masjid al-Haram for
Istisqaa' (prayer for rain) but they were not granted rain, and to my
side was a black slave. He said, 'O Allah, O Allah. They have surely
called You but You did not respond. I swear to You and take an oath by
You that You will indeed provide water for us.'
Ibn al-Mubarak said, 'By Allah, it was only a short moment before we
were granted rain.'
He continued saying, 'The black slave departed and I followed him
until he entered a house in Hanatin.I put a mark on it and in the
morning, I took some money and went to the house. A man came to the
door and I said to him, 'I want to see the owner of this house.' He
said, 'It's me.' I said, 'There is a slave of yours whom I wish to
purchase.' He said, 'I have fourteen servants, I'll bring them out to
you.' Ibn al-Mubarak said, 'but he was not amongst them.' SoI said to
him (the man), 'Anyone left?' He said, 'A sick boy.' He brought him
out and it was him. I said, 'Sell him to me.' He said, 'He is yours, O
Abu Abdur-Rahman.' So I gave him fourteen dinars and I took the
servant. When we had gone along the way, he said 'O master, what could
you want with me when I am ill?' I said to him, 'It's because of what
I saw yesterday evening (during the istisqaa').' The boy leaned
against the wall and said, 'O Allah! Do not cause me to become famous
but take me back to You!'
Ibn al-Mubarak: 'He fell down dead and the people of Makkah began to
surround him…'
[Sifat al-Safwah by Ibn al-Jawzi]

--
:->

Good Morning Tips

The tree does not with draw its shade from the woodcutter, so Forgive
theone who hurt u..They will realise Ur worth One day.. GUD MG
:->Success is the ability to go From One failure to another With no
loss of enthusiasm... Gud Morning N Have A Great Sunday =)
:->Between a 100 yesterdaysN a 100 2morrows,There is only 1 2day N I
would not let ths pass without saying thx 4 being such a lovely frnd
:->What is Trust?Trust is a feeling that a one year oldchild has, when
u throw him up in the air N catch him again..he still laughs nenjy

--
:->

The Fourth Caliph, Ali (656-661 A.C.)

"You [Ali] are my brother in this world and the next." (Hadeeth)
Ali's Election
After Uthman's martyrdom, the office of the caliphate remained
unfilled for two or three days. Many people insisted that Ali should
take up the office, but he was embarrassed by the fact thatthe people
who pressed him hardest were the rebels, and he therefore declined at
first. When the notable Companions of the Prophet (peace be on him)
urgedhim, however, he finally agreed.
Ali's Life
Ali bin Abi Talib was the first cousin of the Prophet (peace be on
him). More than that, he had grown up in the Prophet's own household,
later married his youngest daughter, Fatima, and remained in closest
association with him for nearly thirty years.
Ali was ten years old when the Divine Message came to Muhammad (peace
be on him). One night he saw the Prophet and his wife Khadijah bowing
and prostrating. He asked the Prophet about the meaning of their
actions. The Prophet told him that they were praying to God Most High
and that Ali too should accept Islam. Ali said that he would first
like to ask his father about it. He spent a sleepless night, and in
the morning he went to the Prophet and said, "When God created me He
did not consult my father, so why should I consult my father inorder
to serve God?" and he accepted the truth of Muhammad's message.
When the Divine command came,"And warn thy nearest relatives"
[26:214], Muhammad (peace be on him) invited his relatives for a meal.
After it was finished, he addressed them and asked, "Whowill join me
in the cause of God?"There was utter silence for a while, and then Ali
stood up. "I am the youngest of all present here," he said, "My eyes
trouble me because they are sore and mylegs are thin and weak, but I
shalljoin you and help you in whatever way I can." The assembly broke
up in derisive laughter. But during the difficult wars in Mecca, Ali
stood by these words and faced all the hardships to which the Muslims
were subjected. He slept in the bed of the Prophet when the Quraish
planned to murder Muhammad. It was he to whom the Prophet entrusted,
when he left Mecca, the valuables which had been given to him for
safekeeping, to be returned to their owners.
Apart from the expedition of Tabuk, Ali fought in all the early
battles of Islam with great distinction, particularly in the
expedition of Khaybar. It is said that in the Battle of Uhud he
received more than sixteen wounds.
The Prophet (peace be on him) loved Ali dearly and called him by many
fond names. Once the Prophet found him sleeping in the dust. He
brushed off Ali's clothes and said fondly, "Wake up, Abu Turab (Father
of Dust)." The Prophet also gave him the title of 'Asadullah' ('Lion
of God').
Ali's humility, austerity, piety, deep knowledge of the Qur'an and his
sagacity gave him great distinction among the Prophet's Companions.
Abu Bakr, 'Umar and Uthman consulted him frequently during their
caliphates. Many times 'Umar hadmade him his vice-regent at Medina
when he was away. Ali was also a great scholar of Arabic literature
and pioneered in the field of grammar and rhetoric. His speeches,
sermons and letters served for generations afterward as modelsof
literary expression. Many of hiswise and epigrammatic sayings have
been preserved. Ali thus had a rich and versatile personality. In
spite of these attainments he remained a modest and humble man. Once
during his caliphate when he was going about the marketplace, a man
stood up in respect and followed him. "Do not do it," said Ali. "Such
mannersare a temptation for a ruler and adisgrace for the ruled."
Ali and his household lived extremely simple and austere lives.
Sometimes they even went hungry themselves because of Ali's great
generosity, and none who asked for help was ever turned away from his
door. His plain, austere style of living did not change even when he
was ruler over a vast domain.
Ali's Caliphate
As mentioned previously, Ali accepted the caliphate very reluctantly.
Uthman's murder andthe events surrounding it were a symptom, and also
became a cause, of civil strife on a large scale. Ali felt that the
tragic situation was mainly due to ineptgovernors. He therefore
dismissed all the governors who had been appointed by Uthman and
appointed new ones. All the governors excepting Muawiya, the governor
of Syria, submitted to his orders. Muawiya declined to obey until
Uthman's blood was avenged. The Prophet's widow Aisha also took the
position that Ali should first bring the murderers to trial/

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Who was Muhammad?

Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE, during the period of
history Europeans call the Middle Ages. Muhammad was the son of 'Abd
Allah, anoble from the tribe of the Quraysh. Muhammad's father died
before Muhammad's birth, and hismother, Aminah died shortly
afterwards. Muhammad was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib.
As he grew up, Muhammadbecame known for his truthfulness, generosity
and sincerity, earning the title of al Amin, the trustworthy one.
Muhammad was frequentlycalled upon to arbitrate disputes and counsel
his fellow Makkans.
Muhammad was of a contemplative nature, and had long detested the
decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to
time in the Cave of Hira' near the summit of Jabal alNur, the
'Mountain of Light'near Makkah.

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Quran n hadees

"And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah
with [accepted] repentance." [♥]
(Surah Al-Furqan:71)
#It is time; we Reflect, Repent, Act Righteous, Before we Return. In sha Allah.
>
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (radiAllahu anhu) said, •►
"It was difficult for us to memorize the words of theQur'an, but easy
for us to act by them. After us will be people for whom it is easy to
memorize the Qur'an, but hard to act by it."
[Al-Anbari]

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