How Sawad bin Qarib became a Muslim

In the report given by Imam Baihaqi in his Hadith collection, Hadhrat
Sawad bin Qarib stated:"In the period of ignorance or pre-Islamic
period, I had friendship with a jinn who used to give me information
about the future events which I used to tell the people. Many people
had become my devotees and offered me the presents as information by
him always proved true. One day, he came and awakened me when I
wasasleep and said: Get up and be conscious. If you possess some
sense, knowthat a Prophet has come from the descendants of Lawa bin
Ghalib. Then, thejinn recited a few verses which meant:
"I am surprised at those jinns who ride their camels and, getting
restless, flee to Makkah for guidance. The jinns who embraced Islam
are better than the unclean jinns. So, you should, also, look at that
chief of Arabs and travel towards that chief of the Bani Hashim."
Sawad bin Qarib stated that, after hearing these couplets, I remained
restless throughout the night. The second night, also, that jinn came
and awakened me and recitedthe same couplets. The third night, also,
this event took place. As the event happened for three nights
continuously, the love of Islam settled in my heart and I reached
Makkah for the Prophet (saw). As soon as the Prophet (saw) saw me,
hesaid: "Welcome! O Sawad bin Qarib. I know what brings you here." I
submitted: "O Apostle of Allah! I have composed some couplets praising
you. Please, first listen to these couplets." Being permitted by the
Prophet (saw) Sawad recited his poem praising the Prophet (saw). The
last couplet of this poem is:
"O Prophet of Allah! please, intercede for my forgiveness on the day
when nobody will intercede and benefit for anyone."

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The Locks on the Door

I always lock my doors before going outside. I believe all of us do
the same to protect our valuable properties from the thieves. I have
seen people with more than 3 locks on the door and some also have a
specialized integrated alarm system against forceful entry! Some also
have 24 hours live monitoring systems built in the house. Then one day
I was thinking, it is quite sad that we use so many locks in order to
safeguard some belongings, but, we have little or no locks at all in
ourselves to safeguard our iman from Shaitan and evils of this world.
This iman, which is more precious than any material thing, needs more
protection than our belongings.

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Voice from the Belly of an Idol

Umar (ra) narrates: "One day, I was present near the idols. An
idol-worshipper slaughtered a calf, by wayof making an offering for
the idols. In the meanwhile, all of a sudden, a voice came out of the
belly of a big idol, in these words:
"O strange man! a useful thing is this that an eloquent person says:
There is no god but Allah."
Umar (ra) stated that the people ran away getting frightened of this
call; but I stayed in order to know the reality of this voice. Second
time, also, the voice was heard. Thus, after some period, it was heard
about Muhammad (sallallahu alayhe wasallam) that he is a Prophet and
teaches that there is no god but Allah.
Source: Sahih Bukhari.
The voice came from a Jinn inside the belly of theidol.

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Comments about two people

Sahl ibne Sa'd (RA) narrates: Once a person passed by Rasulullah
(SAW), (and) he asked someone sitting with him:What do you think of
the passerby? He replied: He is among the respected ofthe society; and
by Allah! If he proposes to a woman, he will be married; should he
recommend something, his recommendation will be accepted. Rasulullah
(SAW) kept his peace (silence). Then, another person passed by, and
Rasulullah (SAW) asked (the man sitting with him,again): What is your
opinion about this man? He answered: O Rasulullah! He is a poor
ofMuslims. If he proposes (for marriage), it will not be accepted;
should he recommend (something), his recommendation will be rejected;
and if he speaks, nobody will pay heed. Rasulullah (SAW) said: This
man (the poor Muslim) is better than a whole world (full) of the like
of that (the first one). Source: Sahih Bukhari.
We must love and respectthe poor ones of this ummah and we should
never look down upon them. During this month of Ramadan, let us all
remember how much sufferings they go through everyday.

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