Who should not be befriended according to the philosophy of Islam?

When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first: Are they
going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to
life? Or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us
Allah's (SWT) pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and
not their concern at all? Are they leading us to Paradise or to the
Hell?
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) narrates from his father who said,"O my
son don't befriend five types of people:
1. Don't befriend a liar (Kadhib). For a liar is like a mirage. He
shows the distant as near and the near as distant. He will always
deceive you and trouble you.
2. Don't befriend a transgressor (Ghasib). Forhe will forsake you for
a paltry sum and make your sins appear very alluring to you. He will
make you a victim of Allah's chastisement through his petty sins and
take you farther away from His obedienceand satisfaction. He will make
Allah's worship appear as His disobedience, and His disobedience as
His worship. He will drag youalong with himself in the fire of hell.
3. Never befriend a miser (Bakheel/Kanjus). For in your time of need
and distress, he will withhold his wealth from you, while he is in a
position to assist you. (He values his wealth more than anything else.
And to thatend he is prepared to forsake even his friends)
4. Do not befriend a fool (Ahmaq). For (in his foolishness) he will
harm you while he intends to help you. (That is why it is said, 'A
shrewd enemy is better than a foolish friend')
5. Don't befriend the one who breaks relations (with his
relatives/Khata Rahmi). For, such a person has been cursed in the
Noble Qur'an in three places. He is engrossed in his own affairs with
scant regard for others. (Friendship with such a person will
eventually lead the individual towards sins and disobedience of
Allah)"
Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "Do not befriend a sinner
(Fasiq/Fajir) because he will sell you for a morsel."
Imam Sajjad (as) said:"Do not make anyone your enemy even though you
consider him harmless and do not turn down a person's friendship even
if you think he will not benefit you."
The Noble Qur'an says,"The hypocritical men and the hypocritical women
are all alike; they enjoin evil and forbid good and withhold their
hands; they have forsaken Allah, so He has forsaken them; surely
thehypocrites are the transgressors." (Surah Al-Tawba, 9:67)
On the other hand, Noble Qur'an discusses the believers in the
followingmanner, "And (as for) thebelieving men and the believing
women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid
evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allahand His
Messenger; (as for) these, Allah will showmercy to them; surely Allah
is Mighty, Wise." (Surah Al-Tawba, 9:71)
The two Qur'anic verses mentioned above only goto show how critical a
role friendship can play in our lives. A true friend then, is the one
who takes us closer to Allah's (SWT) compassion and grace.
Having deliberated at length on who should not be befriended, we shall
now see what kind of people should be befriended. Imam Jafar Sadiq
(as) narrates,"Friendship entails certain trusts and duties. Then the
one who observes these obligations is a true friend and the one who
breaches this trust is unworthy of friendship. These obligations are
as follows;
1. He should be the same outside as he is inside. In other words, he
should not have a dual personality. (In this age however, we often
come across people who are exceptionally humble and modest on the
outside, with little, if any humility, on the inside)
2. He will consider your virtues as his virtues and your misdeeds as
his misdeeds. (In other words your virtues will cheer him and your
faultswill grieve him. God forbid, he must not feel relieved after
observing some vice in you, and take solace from the fact that he
himself is above that vice.)
3. If he acquires a position of power and authority, it must not bring
about a drastic change in his attitude. In other words, prosperity
must not transform the individual adversely. (There are some people
who make the best of friends in adversity. But apositive change in
their financial condition reveals a dark, hitherto unknown side of
their personality. On the other hand we see some people who make good
friends in prosperity, but misfortune transforms them, disclosing
their fickleness.)
4. He must give his friendship (with you) priority over all his
worldly possessions. In other words in times of adversity, he must be
willing to give his all to redeem you.
5. He must never leave you alone in times of misfortune and distress."

Adiyy ibn Hatim - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

In the ninth year of the Hijrah, an Arab king made the first positive
moves to Islam after years of feeling hatred for it. He drew closer to
faith (iman) after opposing and combating it. And he finally pledged
allegiance to the Prophet, peace be on him, after his adamant refusal
to do so.
He was Adiyy, son of the famous Hatim at-Taai who was known far and
wide for his chivalry and fabulous generosity. Adiyy inherited the
domain of his father and was confirmed in the position by the Tayy
people. Partof his strength lay in the fact that a quarter of any
amount they obtained as booty from raiding expeditions had to be given
to him.
When the Prophet announced openly his call to guidance and truth and
Arabs from one regionafter another accepted his teachings, Adiyy saw
in his mission a threat to his position and leadership. Although he
did not know the Prophet personally, and had never seen him, he
developed strong feelings of enmity towards him. He remained
antagonistic to Islam for close upon twenty years until at last God
opened his heart to the religion of truth and guidance.
The way in which Adiyy became a Muslim is a remarkable story and he is
perhaps the best person to relate it. He said:
"There was no man among the Arabs who detested God's Messenger, may
God bless him and grant him peace, more than I, when I heard about
him. I wasthen a man of status and nobility. I was a Christian. From
my people I took a fourth of their booty as was the practice of other
Arab kings.
When I heard of the Messenger of God, peace be on him, I hated him.
When his mission grew in strength and when his power increased and his
armies and expeditionary forces dominated east and west of the land of
Arabs, I said to a servant of minewho looked after my camels:
'Get ready a fat camel for me which is easy to ride and tether it
close to me. If you hear of an army or an expeditionary force of
Muhammad coming towards this land, let me know.' One evening, my
servant came to me and said: "Yaa Mawlaya! What you intended to do on
the approach of Muhammad's cavalry to your land, do it
now." 'Why? May your mother lose you!'
'I have seen scouts searching close to the habitations. I asked about
them and was told that they belonged to the army of Muhammad,' he
said.
'Bring the camel which I orderedyou to get ready.' I said to him. Igot
up then and there, summoned my household (including) my children and
ordered them to evacuate the land we loved. We headed in thedirection
of Syria to join people of our own faith among the Christians and
settle among them.
We left in too much haste for me to gather together our entire
household. When I took stock of our situation, I discovered that part
of my family was missing. I had left myown sister in our Najd
homelands together with the rest of the Tayy people. I did not have
any means to return to her.So I went on with those who were with me
until I reached Syria and took up residence there among people of my
own religion. As for my sister, what I feared for her happened.
News reached me while I was in Syria that the forces of Muhammad
entered our habitations and took my sister together with a number of
othercaptives to Yathrib. There she was placed with other captives in
a compound near the door of the Masjid.
The Prophet, peace be upon him,passed by her. She stood up before him
and said: 'Yaa Rasulullah! My father is dead andmy guardian is not
here. Be gracious to me and God will be gracious to you.! 'And who is
your guardian?' asked the Prophet. 'Adiyy ibn Hatim.' she said. 'The
one who fled from God and His Prophet?' he asked. He then left her and
walked on.
On the following day, the same thing happened. She spoke to him just
as she did the day before and he replied in the same manner. The next
day, the same thing happened and she despaired of getting any
concession from him for he did not say anything. Then a man from
behind him indicated that she should stand up and talk to him. She
therefore stood up and said:
'O Messenger of God! My father isdead and my guardian is absent.Be
gracious to me and God will be gracious to you.' I have agreed he
said. Turning to thoseabout him, he instructed: likewise `Let her go
for her father loved noble ways, and God loves them.' 'I want to join
my family in Syria,' she said.
"But don't leave in a hurry," said the Prophet, "until you find
someone you can trust from your people who
could accompany you to Syria. If you find a trustworthy person, let me know."
When the Prophet left, she asked about the man who had suggested that
she speak to the Prophet and was told that he was Ali ibn Abi Talib,
may God bepleased with him. She stayed in Yathrib until a group
arrived among whom was someone shecould trust. So she went the Prophet
and said:
'O Messenger of God! A group of my people have come to me andamong
them is one I can trust who could take me to my family.'
The Prophet, peace be on him, gave her fine clothes and an adequate
sum of money. He alsogave her a camel and she left with the group.
Thereafter we followed her progress gradually and waited for her
return. We could hardly believe what we heard about Muhammad's
generosity towards her in spite of my attitude to him. By God, I am a
leader of my people. When I beheld a woman in herhawdaj coming towards
us, I said: 'The daughter of Hatim! It's she! It's she!'
When she stood before us, she snapped sharply at me and said: 'The one
who severs the tie of kinship is a wrongdoer. You took your family and
your children and left the rest of your relations and those whom you
ought to have protected.'
'Yes, my sister,' I said, 'don't say anything but good.' I tried to
pacify her until she was satisfied. She told me what had happened to
her and it was as I had heard. Then I asked her, for she was an
intelligent and judicious person:
"What do you think of the mission of this man (meaning Muhammad peace
be on him)?""I think, by God, that you should join him quickly." she
said. "If heis a Prophet, file one who hastens towards him would enjoy
his grace. And if he is a king, you would not be disgraced in his
sight while you are as you are."
I immediately prepared myself for travel and set off to meet
theProphet in Madinah without any security and without any letter.
Ihad heard that he had said: 'I certainly wish that God will place the
hand of Adiyy in nay hand.'
I went up to him. He was in the Masjid. I greeted him and he said:
'Who is the man? 'Adiyy ibnHatim,' I said. He stood up for me, took me
by the hand and set off towards his home.
By God, as he was walking with me towards his house, a weak old woman
met him. With her was a young child. She stopped him and began talking
to him about a problem. I was standing(all the while). I said to
myself: 'By God, this is no king.'
He then took me by the hand and went with me until we reached his
home. There he got a leather cushion
filled with palm fibre, gave it to me said: 'Sit on this!'
I felt embarrassed before him and said: 'Rather, you sit on it.' 'No,
you,' he said.
I deferred and sat on it. The Prophet, peace be on him, sat onthe
floor because there was no other cushion. I said to myself:
'By God, this is not the manner of a king!' He then turned to me and
said: 'Yes, Adiyy ibn Hatim! Haven't you been a "Rukusi" professing a
religion between Christianity and Sabeanism?' 'Yes,' I replied.
'Did you not operate among your people on the principle of exacting
from them a fourth, taking from them what your religion does not allow
you?'
'Yes,' I said, and I knew from that he was a Prophet sent (by God).
Then he said to me: 'Perhaps, O Adiyy, the only thing that prevents
you from entering this religion is what you see of the destitution of
the Muslims and their poverty. By God, the time is near when wealth
wouldflow among them until no one could be found to take it.
'Perhaps, O Adiyy, the only thing that prevents you from entering this
religion is what you see of the small number of Muslims and their
numerous foe. By God, the time is near when you would hear of the
woman setting out from Qadisiyyah on her camel until she reaches this
house, not fearing anyone except Allah.
'Perhaps what prevents you from entering this religion is that you
only see that sovereignty and power rest in the hands of those who are
not Muslims. By God, you will soon hear of the white palaces of the
land of Babylon opening up for them and the treasures of Chosroes the
son of Hormuz fall to their lot.'
'The treasures of Chosroes the son of Hormuz?' I asked
(incredulously). 'Yes, the treasures of Chosroes the son of Hormuz,'
he said. Thereupon, I professed the testimony of truth, and declared
my acceptance of Islam."
One report says that when Adiyy saw the simplicity of the Prophet's
life-style, he said to him: "I testify that you do not seek high
office in this world norcorruption," and he announced his acceptance
of Islam. Some people observed the Prophet's treatment of Adiyy and
said to him:
"O Prophet of God! We have seenyou do something which you have not
done to any other.""Yes," replied the Prophet. "This is a man of
stature among his people. If such a person come toyou, treat him
honorably."
Adiyy ibn Hatim, may God be pleased with him, lived for a long time.
He later said: "Two of the things (which the Prophet spoke of) came to
pass and there remained a third. By God, it would certainly come to
pass."I have seen the woman leaving Qadisiyyah on her camel fearing
nothing until she arrived at this house (of the Prophet in Madinah).
"I myself was in the vanguard of the cavalry which descended on the
treasures of Chosroes and took them. And I swear by God that the third
event will be realized." Through the will of God, the third statement
of the Prophet, on him be choicest blessings and peace, came to pass
during the time of the devout and ascetic Khalifah, Umar ibn Abd
al-Aziz. Wealth flowed among the Muslims so much so that when the
town-criers called on people throughout the Muslim domain to come and
collect Zakat, no one was found in need to respond.

Ch 8: Behind the Curtain

In the course of this talk Umar Lahmi addressed Isabella.
Umar Lahmi: So for securing forgiveness of sins all kinds of dirty
acts have to be narrated? But how did you use to seek forgiveness?
Isabella (lowering her eyes with modesty): On a given date everyone
has to go to the great church,the same where you had discussion with
Michael and Peter and then…
Umar Lahmi: Are girls alsobound to appear?
Isabella: Yes, every adult girl and boy is present there and the
priest enquires from everyone what sins he had committed the previous
week. After stating the sins and making confession, the priest,
passing his hand on the head of the sinner, says: Now go. By the
blessing of Jesus Christ all your sins are forgiven.
Umar Lahmi: Are questions put to everyone in seclusion or in the
presence of all?
Isabella: It would not have been so shameful if everyone were asked to
confess in seclusion. But everyone is questioned in the presence of
all before the certificate of pardon is granted.
Umar Lahmi: Allah forgive! Even in the presence of unmarried boys and girls?
Isabella: Yes, and in fact (bowing her head in shame again) unmarried
boys and girls have to confess in public and in the hearing of all.
Umar Lahmi: Allah forgiveus! In the confession of sins many shameful
things may have to be stated. Supposing one has committed theft, he
shall have to confess it before all.
Isabella: Not only theft, even the most heinous act has to be publicly
confessed. If anyone does not confess and conceals something, thenthe
pardon is not granted and the sinner isthreatened of Hell.
Umar Lahmi: This might be having a very bad effect on the morals of
unmarried boys and girls.
Isabella: Certainly. But among the Roman Catholics no importance is
attached to sins securing pardon of sins being so easy. This has made
people bold in committing sins.
One of the audience: Are sins of common people forgiven by the priest himself?
Ziad (smiling): Probably the priest may not be committing any sins.
At this stage Ziad b. Umarleaves the meeting and goes upstairs to
devote himself in prayer and devotion.
Isabella (lowering eyes inshame and modesty): Youcannot conceive what
our religious leaders do, particularly our monks, and how full of sins
is their life.
Umar Lahmi: What! Are the lives of religious leaders even worse than
common people? What are you talking? It does not mean that by becoming
a Muslim you make false allegations against anyone. Punishment of
false accusation is very severe according to the Holy Quran.
Isabella: You must think like that because you are not aware of the
black record of the monks' lives and since you cannot even conceive of
these shameful acts, you may not be wrong if you think me lying or
disbelieve me.
Umar Lahmi: Is it a fact? Ifso, please let us know in detail.
All those present insisted that Isabella should throw some light on
these matters so that they may have an idea ofthe great boons
conferred by Islam .
Isabella: You know that abandoning the world and the life of a monk
have been greatly stressed in Christianity and, therefore, most of our
priests have adopted monkery and have forsaken the world. To gain
salvation they take great pains and afflict their bodies. In the same
way women also becomenuns (that is follow in thefootsteps of Virgin
Mary and lead unmarried lives). But at the same time monks and nuns
cannot maintain their chastity. Monks and religious leaders are also
corrupt and nuns often completely lose their chastity. Because of
confession and pardon monks often find a good opportunity to satisfy
their lust. Nuns are mostly involved in this moral depravity while
some monks do not spareeven their mothers and sisters. [Laski, History
of Civilization of Europe, Vol. II].
(At this stage Isabella is extremely ashamed and perspires.)
All present: Allah protect us ! Allah forgive us ! All power and
authority is with Allah!
Umar Lahmi: These thingshappen because Christianity has dignified
unmarried life and asceticism which is against Nature and Divine law.
A strong argument of the falsity ofChristianity is also that it
enjoins on men such lawsas are against Nature which men cannot follow.
It is for this that the Apostle of Islam had declared that La
Rahbaniyat fil-Islam. [There is no monkery or giving up the world in
Islam.] He also said : An-nikah min sunnati fa-man raghaba an sunnati
fa-laisa minni [Marriage is my system and whosoever turns away from my
system is not of me]. The Quran says: "And (as for) monkery, they
innovatedit—We did not prescribe it to them, but they did not observe
it with its due observance." And how can anyone observe a thing which
is unnatural and against law?
Isabella: Has Islam prohibited monkery and abandoning the world?
Umar Lahmi: Certainly. You have just heard whatthe Holy Quran and the
Prophet of Islam say.
Isabella was greatly moved on this and the dignity of Islam was
further enhanced in her mind.
A person: So the monks do not discriminate between the permissible and
the prohibited, between right and wrong ?
Isabella: There are many shameful things. When the honour of their
mothers and sisters is notsafe at their hands, what else they would
not be doing!
Mr Laski in his book, European Morals, has very elaborately exposed
the depravities of monks and priests in general and has written that
there was no moral crimewhich they did not commit.
A person: Are the nuns also so corrupt?
Isabella: Allah may protect us. Their condition is worse than monks.
Even European historianshave testified that when a tank in a school of
nunswas cleaned out several thousand craniums of babies were found
there which had been thrown in to conceal corruption of some of them.
Umar Lahmi: In fact the root of all this corruptionis the creed, of
Atonement which has given licence to Christians to commit sins.
Isabella: Surely, you have understood it well. In fact, the creed of
Atonement has taken away the fear of sins andeveryone is confident
that by confessing beforethe priest all kinds of siaswill be forgiven.
Umar Lahmi: Allah-o-Akbar (Allah is great!). The greatness and truth
of Islam is also manifest from the fact (hat while rejecting the creed
of Atonement, it has made good conduct the basis of salvation and
felicity and at the same time it has propounded the principle that:
"He who does an atom's weight ofgood will see it. And he who does an
atom's weight of evil will see it."
A person (to Isabella): You know that the creed of Atonement has
induced Christians to commit sins, but there is also another reason.
Christians consider all Prophets to be sinners and think that they
have been committing all kinds of sins in their life.
Isabella: This seems to be wrong. If the holy Prophets are also taken
to be sinners, then who will be left to cause aversion from sins and
what right shall they have to ask people to refrain from sins ?
Umar Lahmi: You are right, but what would you say to the Christians
regarding holy Apostles (Allah forbid!) as idol-worshippers,
adulterers and liars ?
Isabella: Oh brother! it is really the creed of Christians. They
regard Apostles as idol-worshippers and also liars. If this is so,
which of the Christian books say so ?
Umar Lahmi: My sister! you do not know yet the ideas of Christians
and, inorder to justify their ownsins, what serious accusations they
have made against Apostles. Since you have not yet carefully studied
your sacred books you are surprised at my words. I assure you that if
Islam had not come and the Champion of all Goodness, the Chief of
Apostles, had not exposed the untruths of Christians and Jews, no one
would have found any proof of the chastity of Apostles today.
Isabella : Are the Christians so shameless that they still believe in
Prophets while considering them sinners. Probably you have
misunderstood. I have not yet heard from anyone that Apostles
worshipped idols and told untruths. Can you prove your allegations
from the religious and revealed books of Christians ?
Umar Lahmi: Certainly from your revealed books…
Isabella : My religious and revealed books! My religious and revealed
book is the Holy Quran.
Umar Lahmi: I mean the books which you as a Christian regarded
religious and revealed. They contain all these things.
Isabella : Very strange! But kindly give some proof of it.
Umar Lahmi: I say it againthat in the sacred Christian books Prophets
(Allah forbid!) have been described as adulterers and
idol-worshippers. It is said about Prophet Lut (Lot) (the Old
Testament in his hand) had sexual intercourse with his daughters. See
Genesis, Chapter 19, verses 32-38. About Prophet David it is said that
he had. sexual intercourse with an alienwoman. See Samuel 2, Chapter
11, verse 4. Then it is said about Prophet Samson (Shamshun) that he
had intercourse with an alien woman and then had a love affair with
another. See Judges, chapter 16, verse 1.
All present: Allah forbid ! Allah may curse the Jews and Christians!
Allah forgive us! Allah forgive us!
Isabella is ashamed and perspires and could not speak.
Umar Lahmi : Now, listen further. In the Christian sacred books
Prophets have also been said to have been liars. First the Prophet
Samson (Shamshun) told a lie andtaught a wrong thing to a woman
thrice. See Judges, chapter 16. Next a Prophet (whose name is not
mentioned in the Bible) told a lie. See 2 Kings, chapter 13. Another
Prophet also tolda lie. See 1 Kings, chapter20. Christ told a lie. See
1 Kings, chapter 22, verse 15. Apostle Jeremiah also spoke a lot of
falsehood. See Jeremiah, chapter 38.(To Isabella:) You know Saint Paul
very well. What do the Christians say of him ?
Isabella : Christians believe Saint Paul to be aprophet and all great
priests are regarded as successors of Saint Paul and for this they are
authorised to forgive sins.
Umar Lahmi: Quite right. But is it not said about him in all the four
Bibles that when the enemies arrested Jesus Christ and wanted to
arrest Saint Paul, he thrice cursed Jesus- Christ and told a liethat
he did not know him(Christ)?
Isabella : Of course, it is so written. I used to take daily lessons
of the Bible from my teacher, Michael.
Umar Lahmi: Now, take the proof of the third thing that, according to
Christians, Prophets worshipped idols. It is written in the Book of
Exodus (which is the fourth part of Taurat), chapter 32, verse 4, that
Prophet Aaron asked his people to make idols andtaught them to worship
them. In chapter 11 of 1 Kings, it is said that Prophet Solomon at the
insistence of his wife worshipped idols in his old age and thus
assigned partners to Allah. Allah forbid!
Isabella : Allah protect us!
Umar Lahmi: Look, I have the Bible with me and I have marked relevant
portions. You may see yourself that I am not telling a lie. (Isabella
turns over the pages and reads all the references.) My object in
referring to these is that Christians boldly and fearlessly commit all
kinds of sins because, according to them, Prophets also committed them
(Allah forbid!) and they think that when Prophets werenot deprived of
their prophethood in spite of their sins, why should common people be
condemned on that very account.
Isabella: Does the Quran call all Prophets innocent?
Umar Lahmi: It is the greatest merit of the Quran that it has
stronglyrepudiated all the wrongideas and allegations of the Jews and
Christians and declares that Prophets did not. even think of
committing sins, to say the least of actually committing them. The
Quran says that what the Prophets prohibited they had never even
thought of doing it, and the Quran counts all Prophets among the
virtuous.
Isabella : Is it not written in the Quran that ProphetAdam ate the
fruit of the prohibited tree? Is it not disobedience of God's orders a
sin?
Umar Lahmi: The definition of sin is that it is an act which is
committed deliberately. Anything done unintentionally is not a sin.
For instance, a man isprohibited from eating or drinking while he is
observing fast, but if anyone eats and drinks in forgetfulness the
fast is not broken and there is no sin. Prophet Adam also ate the
fruit of the prohibited tree in forgetfulness as the Quran says: "We
had taken a pledge from Adam but he forgot it and We did not find
deliberation in him."
Isabella: Glory to God! I know it today that Adam committed no sin,
otherwise Christian priests used to allege that Adam is described asa
sinner in the Quran. (Suddenly becoming conscious of the time) Oh! I
am very much delayed and should go home at once. My father and mother
will be anxiously waiting for me,and I have not yet taken my food.
Umar Lahmi: If you like food can be served to you here. The common
food of my master (Ziad b. Umar) will be served toall of us, You may
also participate. Will you accept this request of mine?
Isabella: Thank you very much, but I will prefer to take food at my
house, for mother does not eat till I return after walk. She always
takes food with me.
Umar Lahmi: How long will she have your company in taking food! At
last one day the secret has to be out.
Isabella: Leave it to the time when it comes, but just now permit me to leave.
Umar Lahmi: When will you bring your friends with you?
Isabella: Tomorrow if possible, otherwise day after tomorrow
certainly.And now you should praythat they should also be guided to
the right path like me.
All present : Amin!
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain

Unrestricted Takbeer or Takbeer restricted to certain times during the days of Dhu’l-Hijjah

About unrestricted Takbeer during Eid al-Adha – is the Takbeer
following every prayer included in the unrestricted Takbeer? Is it
Sunnah, mustahabb orbid'ah?
Praise be to Allaah.
With regard to Takbeer on (Eid al-) Adhaa, it is prescribed from the
beginning of the month until the end of the thirteenth day of
Dhu'l-Hijjah, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward
of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also someworldly gain from trade), and
mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days"
[al-Hajj 22:28]
- which are the ten days;and because Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"And remember Allaah during the appointed Days [These are the three
days of staying at Mina during the Hajj; 11th, 12th and 13th daysof
the month of Dhul-Hijjah]" [al-Baqarah 2:203]
- which are the days of Tashreeq.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The
days of Tashreeq are the days of eating, drinking and remembering
Allaah." (Narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh). Al-Bukhaari mentioned in
his Saheeh, in a mu'allaq report, that Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may
Allaah be pleased with them both) used to go out to the market-place
on first ten days of Dhu'l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people
used to recite Takbeer because of their Takbeer. 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab
and his son 'Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) used to
recite Takbeer during the days of Mina in the mosque and in the camps,
and they would raise their voices until Mina echoedwith their Takbeer.
It was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) and a group of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with
them) used to recite Takbeer following each of the five prayers from
Fajr on the day of 'Arafaah until 'Asr on thethirteenth day of
Dhu'l-Hijjah. This applies to those who are not on Hajj; for those who
are on Hajj, they should concentrate on their ihraam and recite the
Talbiyah, until they throw the stones at Jamarat al-'Aqabah on the Day
of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr); after that they may recite Takbeer. The
Takbeer should start with the first stone thrown at the Jamarah
mentioned. If the pilgrim recites the Takbeer along with the Talbiyah,
that is OK, because Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "Some
would recite the Talbiyah on the Day of 'Arafaah, and they were not
told off for doing so, and some would recite Takbeer and they were not
told off for doing so." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari). But it is better
for the one who isin ihraam to recite the Talbiyah and for the onewho
is not in ihraam to recite Takbeer on the days mentioned.
Hence we know that according to the most correct scholarly view,
unrestricted takbeer andtakbeer restricted to certain times are
combined on five days, i.e., the Day of 'Arafaah, the Day of Sacrifice
and the three days of Tashreeq. With regard tothe eighth day (of
Dhu'l-Hijjah) and the days preceding it, Takbeer onthose days may be
done at any times, not only at certain times, because ofthe aayahs and
reports mentioned above. In al-Musnad it is narrated from Ibn 'Umar
(may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days on which good deeds
are greater or more beloved to Allaah than on these ten days, so
recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah), Takbeer (saying
Allaahu akbar) and Tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillaah)," or similar
words.
Kitaab Majmoo' Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi'ah li Samaahat al-Shaykh
'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz , vol. 13, p. 17

Brief description of Hajj for oneself and on behalf of another, and the kinds of Hajj

I want to make hajj this year on behalf of my father who has passed
away [i have performed my own hajj a few year ago].
please instruct me how best to do this accordingto the sunnah. in
perticular what differences are there between this type of hajjand one
which you do for yourself.
Praise be to Allaah.
There follows a summaryof what the pilgrim should do according to the
saheeh Sunnah:
1 – The pilgrim should enter ihraam on the eighth day of Dhu'l-Hijjah
from Makkah or its environs within the sanctuary. When entering ihraam
for Hajj he should do what he did when entering ihraam for 'Umrah:
ghusl(full ablution), putting on perfume and praying.He should form
the intention of entering ihraam for Hajj and recite the Talbiyah. The
Talbiyah for Hajj is the same as the Talbiyah for 'Umrah, except that
one should say here "Labbayka hajjan (Here Iam for Hajj)" instead of
"Labbayka 'umratan (Here I am for 'Umrah)." If he fears that some
obstacle may prevent him from completing Hajj, he should stipulate a
condition and say: "If something prevents me (from completing Hajj) I
will exit ihraam at the point where I am prevented (from continuing)."
If he is not afraid of any obstacle then he does not need to stipulate
any condition.
2 – Then he should go to Mina and stay there overnight, and offer
fiveprayers there: Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr.
3 – When the sun rises on the ninth day he should proceed to 'Arafah
and pray Zuhr and 'Asr together there, shortened, at the time ofZuhr.
Then he should strive in du'aa', dhikr and prayers for forgiveness
until the sunsets.
4 – When the sun sets, heshould proceed to Muzdalifah and pray Maghrib
and 'Isha' there when he arrives. Then he should stay there overnight
until he prays Fajr, and remember Him and call upon Him until just
before sunrise.
5 – Then he should moveon to Mina to stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah whichis
the last pillar that is closest to Makkah, throwing seven pebbles one
after another, each one approximately the size of a date stone, saying
takbeer ("Allaahu akbar") with each throw.
6 – Then he should slaughter the hadiy (sacrificial animal), namely a
sheep or one-seventh of a camel or one-seventh of a cow.
7 – Then he should shavehis head if he is male; women should cut their
hair but not shave it, taking off the length of a fingertip from all
parts of their hair.
8 – Then he should go to Makkah and perform thetawaaf of Hajj.
9 – Then he should go back to Mina and stay there for those nights,
namely the nights of the eleventh and twelfth of Dhu'l-Hijjah, and
stone the three Jamaraat (stone pillars) after the sun has passed its
zenith,throwing seven pebbles,one after another, at each, starting
with the smallest pillar – which is the one that is furthest away from
Makkah, thenthe middle pillar. He should recite du'aa' afterboth, then
he should stone Jamrat al-'Aqabah, after which there is no du'aa'.
10 – When he has finished stoning the pillars on the twelfth of
Dhu'l-Hijjah, if he wisheshe may hasten and leaveMina, and if he
wishes he may delay (his departure) and stay there on the night of
thethirteenth and stone the three Jamaraat after the sun passes its
zenith. It isbetter to delay and stay longer, but it is not obligatory
unless the sunsets on the twelfth and one is still in Mina, in which
case it becomes obligatory to stay until one stones the three jamaraat
after the sun passes its zenith. But if the sun sets on the twelfth
day and a personis still in Mina but not by choice, such as if he had
packed his bags and got into the bus or truck, butwas delayed because
of overcrowding and traffic jams, then he does not have to stay,
because his staying until after sunset was involuntary.
11 – Once those days are over and the pilgrim wants to leave, he must
not leave until he has performed the farewell tawaaf, going around the
Ka'bah seven times. Women who are menstruating or bleeding following
childbirth d o not have to do this farewell tawaaf.
12 – If the pilgrim is performing a voluntary Hajj on behalf of
another person, whether a relative or otherwise, then he has to have
done Hajj for himself before that. There is no difference in the way
he performs Hajj apart from the intention, i.e., he should form the
intention of performing this Hajj on behalf of that person, mentioning
him by name in the Talbiyah and saying, "Labbayk 'an[fulaan] (Here I
am on behalf of [So and so])." Then when he says du'aa' during the
rituals he should pray for himself and for the person on whose behalf
he is performing Hajj.
Secondly:
With regard to the types of Hajj, there are three: tamattu', qiraan and ifraad.
Tamattu' is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for 'Umrah during the
months of Hajj (which are Shawwaal, Dhu'l-Qa'dah and the first ten
days of Dhu'l-Hijjah) and performs 'Umrah and exits ihraam, then he
enters ihraam again for Hajj from Makkah or its environs on the day of
al-Tarwiyah (the eighth day of Dhu'l-Hijjah) in the same year as his
'Umrah.
Qiraan is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for 'Umrah and Hajj together,
and does not exit ihraam until the dayof Sacrifice, or he enters
ihraam for 'Umrah then includes Hajj with it before he starts his
tawaaf.
Ifraad is when the pilgrim enters ihraam for Hajj from the meeqaat or
from Makkah if he resides there or in a place that iscloser than the
meeqaat,and remains in ihraam until the Day of Sacrifice if he has a
hadiy with him. If he does not have a hadiy with him, it is prescribed
for him to cancel his Hajj and make it 'Umrah, so he should perform
tawaaf and saa'i, then cut his hair and exit ihraam, as the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told those who entered
ihraam for Hajj but did not have a hadiy with them to do. This applies
to the pilgrim doing qiraan, if he does not have a hadiywith him; it
is prescribedfor him to cancel his qiraan and make it 'Umrah, for the
reason mentioned.
The best kind of Hajj is tamattu' for the one who has not brought a
hadiy with him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) told his companions to do that and insisted that they should
do that.
We advise you to learn more about the rulings on Hajj and 'Umrah by
referring to Manaasik al-Hajj wa'l-'Umrah by Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
(may Allaah have mercy on him), which you can obtain through the
Shaykh's website on the internet.
And Allaah knows best.

Her period stopped for six months then it came back and she has been bleeding for more than three weeks

I am suffering from irregular periods. Sometimes I have no period for
five or six months. The point here is that I got my period three weeks
ago, and uptill now it has not stopped. Please note that the colour
and smellof the blood is that of menstrual blood. What should I do?
Should I pray or not? If I have to pray, should I make up any of the
prayers I missed?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The basic principle is that the blood that comes from the woman is
menstrual blood, so long as it does not last the entire month or
onlystops for one or two days (in the month), in which case it is
istihaadah (irregular, non-menstrual bleeding). This is the correct
scholarly view, sothere is no maximum limit for the menses.
The menses may increase or decrease, and it may come earlier or later,
or it may stop for several months.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Some women
may remain without menses for four months, then get the menses for an
entire month, as if – and Allah knows best – it is withheld and then
all comes at once. And somewomen may menstruate for three or four or
five or ten days every month.
End quote from ash-Sharh al-Mumti', 1/402
For more information please see question no. 131541
It is well known that the woman who is menstruating should notpray or
fast. As for the woman who is suffering istihaadah, she should pray
and fast, and her husband may have intercourse with her.
Based on that:
What is happening to you now is menses, so long as it does not last a
complete month or one or two days less than that, in which case it is
istihaadah; and take thisinto account for the following month.
See also question no. 68818 on what to do in the case of istihaadah.
And Allah knows best.

Interesting stories about Prophet Muhammad's childhood

Abdul Muttalib (Prophet Muhammad's grandfather) was more passionate
with his grandson (young Muhammad) than with his own children. He
never left the boy a prey to loneliness, but always preferred him to
his own kids. Ibn Hisham reported: A mattress wasput in the shade of
Al-Ka'bah for Abdul Muttalib. His children used to sit around that
mattress in honour to their father, but Muhammad used to sit on it.
His uncles would take him back, but if Abdul Muttalib was present, he
would say:"Leave my grandson. I swear by Allah that this boy will hold
a significant position." He used to seat the boy on his mattress, pat
his backand was always pleased with what the boy did. Source: Ibn
Hihsam, 1/168.
It is also reported that during Amina's (Prophet Muhammad's mother)
pregnancy, she felt no pain or discomfort. She had always heard women
complaining about the hardships of pregnancy, but she felt very well.
During these months Amina had manydreams. One night in a dream she saw
a light coming out of her. The light was shining on castles of Syria.
Source: Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd, 1/63.

Signs of Allah in a spider

As a man cleans his house, he might see a spider that has woven itsweb
in a corner of the house. If he realises that he ought to think about
this creature which is normally of no importance to anyone, he will
see new doors being opened for him. This tiny insect he sees before
him is a miracle of design. There is perfect symmetry in the web the
spider has woven. If, by any chance, he wonders howa tiny spider could
achieve such astonishingly perfect design, and if he makes quick
research, he will encounter some other extraordinary facts: the thread
a spider uses is thirty percent more flexible than a rubber thread of
the same thickness. The thread thespider produces is of such a
superior quality that men use it as a model for the manufacture of
bullet-proof vests.

Signs of Allah in Roses

A rose, for instance, has a strong and constant ever-changing smell.
Even with the latest technology, scientists cannot develop an exact
match of the smell of therose. Laboratory research to imitate this
smell has not yielded satisfactory results. Smells produced based on
the scent of the rose are generally heavy and disturbing. However,
theoriginal scent of the rosedoes not disturb. "It is asAllah wills,
there is no strength but in Allah" (Surat al-Kahf: 39).

235 hadith found in ' Pilgrimmage (Hajj) ' of Sahih Bukhari.

589
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abbas : Al-Fadl (his brother) was riding behind
Allah's Apostle and a woman from the tribe of Khath'am came and
Al-Fadl started looking at her and she started looking at him. The
Prophet turned Al-Fadl's face to the otherside. The woman said, "O
Allah's Apostle! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His
devotees has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he
cannot sit firm on the Mount; may I perform Hajj on his behalf?" The
Prophet replied, "Yes, you may." That happened during the Hajj-al-Wida
(of the Prophet ).
590
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Isaw that Allah's Apostle used to ride on his
Mountat Dhul Hulaifa and used to start saying, "Labbaik"when the Mount
stood upright.
591
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah : that Allah's Apostle started
saying,"Labbaik" from Dhul-Hulaifa when his Mount stood upright
carrying him .
592
Narrated Thumama bin 'Abdullah bin Anas: Anas performed the Hajj on a
pack-saddle and he was not a miser. Anas said, "Allah's Apostle
performed Hajj on a pack-saddle and the same Mount was carryinghis
baggage too."
593
Narrated Al-Qasim bin Muhammad: 'Aisha said, "O Allah's Apostle! You
performed 'Umra butI did not." He said, "O 'Abdur-Rahman! Go alongwith
your sister and let her perform 'Umra from Tan'im." 'Abdur-Rahman made
her ride over the pack-saddle of a she-camel and she performed 'Umra.
594
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet wasasked, "Which is the best deed?"
He said, "To believe in Allah and His Apostle." He was then asked,
"Which is the next (in goodness)?" He said,"To participate in Jihad in
Allah's Cause." He was then asked, "Which is thenext?" He said, "To
perform Hajj-Mabrur. "
595
Narrated 'Aisha: (themother of the faithful believers) I said, "O
Allah's Apostle! We consider Jihad as the bestdeed." The Prophet
said,"The best Jihad (for women) is Hajj Mabrur. "
596
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Whoever performs
Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his
wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj
free from all sins) as if he were born anew."
597
Narrated Zaid bin Jubair: I went to visit 'Abdullah bin 'Umar at
hishouse which contained many tents made of cotton cloth and these
were encircled with Suradik (part of the tent).I asked him from where,
should one assume Ihramfor Umra. He said, "Allah'sApostle had fixed as
Miqat (singular of Mawaqit) Qarn for the people of Najd, Dhul-Hulaifa
for the people of Medina, and Al-Juhfa for the people ofSham."

44 hadith found in ' Penalty of Hunting while on Pilgrimmage ' of SahihBukhari.

47
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Qatada: My father set out (for Mecca)in the
year of Al-Hudaibiya, and his companions assumed Ihram, but he did
not. At that time the Prophet was informed that an enemy wanted to
attack him, so the Prophet proceeded onwards. While my father was
among his companions, some of them laughed among themselves. (My
father said), "I looked up and saw an onager. I attacked, stabbed and
caught it. I then sought my companions' help butthey refused to help
me. (Later) we all ate its meat. We were afraid that we might be left
behind (separated) from the Prophet so I went in search of the Prophet
and made my horse to run at a galloping speed at times and let it go
slow at an ordinary speed at other times till I met a man from the
tribeof Bani Ghifar at midnight. I asked him,"Where did you leave
theProphet ?" He replied, "I left him at Ta'hun and he had the
intention of having the midday rest atAs-Suqya. I followed the trace
and joined the Prophet and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Your people
(companions) send you their compliments, and (ask for) Allah's
Blessings upon you. They are afraid lest they may be left behind; so
please wait for them.' I added, 'O Allah's Apostle! I hunted an onager
and some of its meat is with me. The Prophet told the people to eat it
though all of them were in the state of Ihram."
48
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Qatada: That his father said "We proceeded
with the Prophet in the year of Al-Hudaibiya and his companions
assumed Ihram but I did not. We were informed that someenemies were at
Ghaiqa and so we went on towards them. My companions saw an onager and
some of them started laughing among themselves. I looked and saw it. I
chased it with my horse and stabbed and caught it. I wanted some help
from my companions but they refused. (I slaughtered it all alone). We
all ate from it (i.e. its meat). Then I followed Allah's Apostle lest
we should be left behind. At times I urged my horse torun at a
galloping speed and at other times at an ordinary slow speed. On the
way I met a man from the tribe of Bani Ghifar at midnight. I asked him
where he had left Allah's Apostle . The man replied that he had left
the Prophet at a place called Ta'hun and he had the intention of
having the midday rest atAs-Suqya. So, I followed Allah's Apostle till
I reached him and said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have been sent by my
companions who send you their greetings and compliments and ask for
Allah's Mercy and Blessings upon you. They were afraid lest the enemy
might intervene between you and them; so please wait for them." So he
did. Then I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We have hunted an onager and
have some of it (i.e. its meat) left over." Allah's Apostle told his
companions to eat the meat although all of them were in a state of
Ihram."
49
Narrated Abu Qatada: We were in the company of the Prophet at a place
called Al-Qaha (which is at a distance of three stages of journey from
Medina). Abu Qatada narrated through another group of narrators: We
were in the company of the Prophet at a place called Al-Qaha and some
of us had assumed Ihram while the others had not.I noticed that some
of mycompanions were watching something, so Ilooked up and saw an
onager. (I rode my horse and took the spear and whip) but my whip fell
down (and I asked them to pick it up for me) but they said, "We will
not help you by any means aswe are in a state of Ihram." So, I picked
up the whip myself and attacked the onager from behind a hillock and
slaughtered it and brought it to my companions. Some of them said,
"Eat it." While some others said, "Do noteat it." So, I went to the
Prophet who was ahead of us and asked him about it, He replied, "Eat
it as it is Halal (i.e. it is legal to eat it)."
50
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abu Qatada: That his father had told him that
Allah's Apostle set out for Hajj and so did his companions. He sent a
batch of his companions by another route and Abu Qatada was one of
them. The Prophet said to them, "Proceed along the sea-shore till we
meet all together." So, they took the route of the sea-shore, and when
they started all of them assumed Ihram except Abu Qatada. While they
were proceeding on, his companions saw a groupof onagers. Abu Qatada
chased the onagers and attacked and wounded a she-onager. They got
down and ate some of itsmeat and said to each other: "How do we eat
the meat of the game while we are in a state ofIhram?" So, we (they)
carried the rest of the she-onager's meat, and when they met Allah's
Apostle they asked, saying, "O Allah's Apostle!We assumed Ihram with
the exception of Abu Qatada and we saw (a group) of onagers. Abu
Qatada attacked them and wounded a she-onager from them. Then we got
down and ate from its meat. Later, we said, (to each other), 'How do
we eat the meat of the game and we are in a state of Ihram?' So, we
carried the rest of its meat. The Prophet asked,"Did anyone of you
orderAbu Qatada to attack it orpoint at it?" They replied in the
negative. He said,"Then eat what is left of its meat."
51
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas: From As-Sa'b bin Jath-thama Al-Laithi
that the latter presented an onager to Allah's Apostle while he was at
Al-Abwa' or at Waddan, and he refused it. On noticing the signs of
some unpleasant feeling of disappointment on his(As-Sab's) face, the
Prophet said to him, "I have only returned it because I am Muhrim."
52
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "It is not sinful
of a Muhrim to kill five kinds of animals."
53
One of the wives of the Prophet narrated: The Prophet said, "A Muhrim
can kill (five kinds of animals.)"
54
Narrated Hafsa: Allah's Apostle said, "It is not sinful (of a Muhrim)
to kill five kinds of animals, namely: the crow, the kite, the mouse,
the scorpion and the rabid dog."

14 hadith found in ' Pilgrims Prevented from Completing the Pilgrimmage ' of Sahih Bukhari.

33
Narrated Nafi: When Abdullah bin Umar set out for Mecca intending to
perform Umra, at the time of afflictions, he said, "If I should be
prevented from reachingthe Kaba, then I would do the same as Allah's
Apostle did, so I assume the lhram for Umra as Allah's Apostle assumed
the Ihram for Umra in theyear of Hudaibiya."
34
Narrated Nafi: That Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah and Salim bin 'Abdullah
informed him that they told Ibn 'Umar when Ibn Az-Zubair was attacked
by the army, saying"There is no harm for youif you did not perform
Hajj this year. We are afraid that you may be prevented from
reachingthe Kaba." Ibn 'Umar said"We set out with Allah's Apostle and
the non-believers of Quraish prevented us from reaching the Ka'ba, and
so the Prophet slaughtered his Hadi and got his head shaved." Ibn'Umar
added, "I make you witnesses that I havemade 'Umra obligatory for me.
And, Allah willing,I will go and then if the way to Ka'ba is clear, I
will perform the Tawaf, but if I am prevented from going to the Ka'ba
then I will do the same asthe Prophet did while I was in his company."
Ibn 'Umar then assumed Ihram for Umra from Dhul-Hulaifa and proceeded
for a while and said, "The conditionsof 'Umra and Hajj are similar and
I make you witnesses that I have made 'Umra and Hajj obligatory for
myself." So, he did not finish the Ihram till the day of Nahr
(slaughtering) came, and he slaughtered his Hadi. He used to say, "I
will not finish the Ihram till I perform the Tawaf, one Tawaf on the
day of entering Mecca (i.e. of Safa and Marwa for both 'Umra and
Hajj)."
35
Narrated Nafi: Some of the sons of 'Abdullah told him (i.e. 'Abdullah)
ifhe had sta
36
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Allah's Apostle was prevented from performing
('Umra) Therefore, he shaved his head and had sexual relations with
his wives and slaughtered his Hadi and performed Umra in the following
year.
37
Narrated Salim: (Abdullah) bin 'Umar used to say, "Is not (the
following of) the tradition of Allah's Apostle sufficient for you? If
anyone of you is prevented from performing Hajj, he should perform the
Tawaf of the Ka'ba and between As-Safa and Al-Marwa and then finish
the Ihram and everythingwill become legal for himwhich was illegal for
him(during the state of Ihram) and he can perform Hajj in a following
year and he should slaughter a Hadi or fast in case he cannot afford
the Hadi."
38
Narrated Al-Miswar: Allah's Apostle slaughtered (the Hadi) before he
had his head shaved and then he ordered his Companions to do the same.

Short Story - Comedy - Ants Witness Jesus' Resurrection

Joseph and Josiah were two ants who lived in theant colony which had
moved into the tomb ordained by God to temporarily hold Jesus' body.
This colony, as well as all the ant colonies in Jerusalem had heard
the news about Jesus' crucifixion. They had heard about the scourging,
the crown of thorns on Jesus' brow, the whiskers being plucked out of
His beard, the nails driven into His hands and feet. They had heard
about the spear being thrust into His side after His death. They had
heard, that in contrast to the thieves with whom He had been
crucified, his legs had not been broken to hasten death, because He
was already dead. Josiah and Joseph watched as Jesus' lifeless body
was placed inside the tomb. They wept tears of sorrow because they
realized they were witnessing the burial of their creator. Then they
wept tears of joy, because they had heard about Jesus' prophesyingthat
He would be resurrected. Joseph and Josiah did not want to disturb
Jesus' body, but they wanted to get a good look at the Son of God, so
they crawled veryclose to Him. "How could people be so cruel?," sobbed
Josiah. "I don't know," replied Joseph in a soft whisper. "It looks
like everyone would have been able to see that He was the Son of God."
"He was and is the Son of God!," exclaimed Josiah. "You and I are
smart enough to realize that God's power is goingto raise Him from the
dead." "Yes, we do know that," acknowledged Joseph. "Say, I have an
idea. As soon as it happens, let's communicate to all the ants in and
around Jerusalem about Jesus being raised from the dead. We can be
responsible for letting all the ants worldwide know about His
resurrection." "Wonderful idea, Joseph," said Josiah. "In fact, we can
be the first of any of God's creatures to share that good news." Hour
after hour passed and, with the exception of the time they spent
eating and sleeping, Joseph and Josiah spent every second keeping a
watchful and loving guard over Jesus' body. Not a moment too soon for
Josiah and Joseph, came the ordained moment for Jesus' resurrection.
The guards became as dead men. Thelight of the resurrected Son of God
and the awesome presence of theHoly Spirit brought an amazing
intensity into the tomb. "I wonder why some of those humans didn't
believe that Jesus was going to rise from the grave," said Josiah. "I
don't know," laughed Joseph. "I guess they just weren't as smart as
you and me!"

Short Story - Comedy - The prophets of the false gods were determined tobrag on themselves.

So they bragged unceasingly…to family and friends, neighbors, and to
each other…especially to each other.
"We're the best," bragged False Prophet No. 1.
"Yes, we are, aren't we?,"agreed False Prophet No. 2.
"What are your accuracy rates?," asked False Prophet No. 3.
"My accuracy rate this week was 14 percent," bragged False Prophet No.
1. "That's a big improvement for me."
"My accuracy rate this week was nine percent," False Prophet No. 2
grinned. "But that's my best week since I began prophesying here at
the School of the False Prophets three years ago."
"I was a bit off my game this week," admitted False Prophet No. 3.
"But Istill managed to score a credible 38 percent."
Head False Prophet then joined the conversation. "Each of you is doing
a wonderful job," he complimented them withhis usual sly smile. "I'm
proud of you."
Head False Prophet continued, "I want to encourage you to keep up the
good work. Always remember this, as prophets, it's always a percentage
thing. If you ever score more than 50 percent in a week, that's as
close to perfect as you're ever going to get."
"How long have you been in the prophecy business?," asked False Prophet No. 1.
Head False Prophet was overjoyed about his prophecy career. "I'll be
95 years old next week," he stated. "I've been a prophet for 70 years,
including the last 20 years in my current position."
"How's your percentage of accuracy?," asked FalseProphet No. 2.
"My overall percentage ofaccuracy is 43 percent," said Head False
Prophet. "My best week's percentage was 56 percent."
"Wow!," exclaimed False Prophet No. 1. "You're the man!"
"Yes I am, aren't !," declared Head False Prophet. "Yes I am!"
From His eternal throne, God was listening to the conversation, and He
knew He needed to address the false prophets, who trembled when they
sensed the presence of the Sovereign Lord. "You guys are very proud of
yourselves," God observed.
"Yes, Sir, we are," Head False Prophet admitted.
"I don't know why," said the Lord, "with such paltry percentages of success."
Momentarily, Head False Prophet forgot with whom he was talking. "I
suppose you know someone else who can do better!," he sneered.
"I sure do," God chuckled."When I give a message to a prophet to
deliver, and he says what I tell him to say, my percentage of accuracy
is100 percent!"
"I need to learn to keep my big mouth shut," said Head False Prophet.
"Yes you do!," God agreed. "Yes you do!"

QUOTES OF THE DAY

"Allah will not change the fate of a people, until the people are
changing their own fate"
"Success is hard, but it's harder if you do not succeed!"
"Successful people are not those who never fail,but the success is one
of the most fail but continued to rise from failure to become experts
in their field."
"Face, biological & enjoy your struggle, because there are a lot of
ease after difficulty."
"Successful people away from grief, shame, low self-esteem and despair!"
FREEDOM & GO FIGHT WIN!!!