In spite of the fact that he fought in the battles of Badr, Uhud,
Khandaq and other major encounters, an-Nuayman remained a
light-hearted personwho was quick at repartee and who loved to play
practical jokeson others.
He belonged to the Banu an-Najjar of Madinah and he wasamong the early
Muslims of the city. He was one of those who pledged allegiance to the
Prophet at the Second Pledge of Aqabah. He established links with the
Quraysh when he married the sister of Abdur Rahman ibn Awl and later
Umm Kulthum the daughter of Uqbah ibn Mu'ayt. She had obtained a
divorce from her husband az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam on account of his
harshness and severity.
Unfortunately for a time an-Nuayman became addicted toalcohol. He was
caught drinking and the Prophet had him flogged. He was caught a
secondtime and then he had him flogged again. Because he still did not
give up the habit, the Prophet ordered that he be flogged with shoes.
When all this did not persuade him to stop drinking, the Prophet
finallysaid: "If he goes back (to drinking) then kill him."
This was a severe Pronouncement and Umayr, one of the companions of
the Prophet, understood from it that should he return to the drinking
of alcohol, an-Nuaymanwould go outside the pale of Islam and deserve
death. Umayr gave vent to his anger and disgust by saying: "La 'nat
Allah alayhi - may God's curse be on him."
The Prophet heard Umayr's imprecation and said: "No, no, don't do
(such a thing). Indeed he loves God and His Apostle. The major sin (as
this) does not put one outside the community and the mercy of God is
close to the believers."
While being firm, the Prophet still held out hope for an-Nuayman's
reform especially on account of his past sacrifices as a veteran of
Badr. Because he was not someone who went outof his way to conceal his
actions,it was easier for him to acknowledge his crimes and repent and
seek forgiveness from God. This he did and he won the favor of the
Prophet and his companions who enjoyed his pleasantries and his
infectious laughter.
Once an-Nuayman went to the suq and saw some food being sold which
appeared to be tasty and delightful. He ordered some and sent it to
the Prophet as if itwere a gift from him. The Prophet was delighted
with the food and he and his family ate ofit. The vendor of the food
then came to an-Nuayman to collect the price of it and an-Nuayman said
to him: "Go to the Messenger of God it was for him.He and his family
ate it."
The vendor went to the Prophet who in turn asked an-Nuayman:"Didn't
you give it to me?" "Yes,"said an-Nuayman. "I thought you would like
it and I wanted you to eat some of it so I had it presented to you.
But I don't have any dirhams to pay the vendor for it. So, pay, O
Messenger of God!"
The Prophet had a good laugh and so did his companions. The laugh was
at his expense, literally, for he had to pay the price of the
unsolicited gift. An-Nuayman felt that two benefits came out of the
incident: the Prophet and his family ate food that they enjoyed and
the Muslims had a good laugh.
Once Abu Bakr and some companions went on a trading expedition to
Busra. Various people on the trip were given fixed duties. Suwaybit
ibn Harmalah was made responsiblefor food and provisions. An-Nuayman
was one of the group and on the way he became hungry and asked
Suwaybit for some food. Suwaybit refused and an-Nuayman said to him:
"Do you know what I would yet do with you?" and went on to warn and
threaten him but still Suwaybit refused. An-Nuayman then went to a
group of Arabs inthe suq and said to them:"Would you like to have a
strongand sturdy slave whom I can sellto you." They said yes and
an-Nuayman went on: "He has got a ready tongue and is very articulate.
He would resist you and say: 'I am free.' But don't listen
to him"
The men paid the price of the slave - ten qala'is (pieces of gold)and
an-Nuayman accepted it andappeared to complete the transaction with
business-like efficiency. The buyers accompanied him to fetch theft
purchase. Pointing to Suwaybit, he said: "This is the slave whom I
sold to you."
The men took hold of Suwaybit and he shouted for dear life and
freedom. "I am free. I am Suwaybit ibn Harmalah..."
But they paid no attention to him and dragged him off by the neck as
they would have done with any slave.
All the while, an-Nuayman did not laugh or batter an eyelid. He
remained completely calm and serious while Suwaybit continued to
protest bitterly. Suwaybit's fellow travellers, realizing what was
happening, rushed to fetch Abu Bakr, the leader of the caravan, who
camerunning as fast as he could. He explained to the purchasers what
had happened and so they released Suwaybit and had their money
returned. Abu Bakr then laughed heartily and so did Suwaybit and
an-Nuayman. Back in Madinah, when the episode was recounted to the
Prophet and his companions, they all laughed even more.
A man once came to the Propheton a delegation and tethered hiscamel at
the door of the Masjid. The Sahabah noticed that the camel had a large
fat hump and their appetite for succulent tastymeat was stimulated.
They turned to Nuayman and asked:"Would you deal with this camel?"
An-Nuayman understood what they meant. He got up and slaughtered the
camel. The nomad Arab came out and realized what had happened when he
saw people grilling, sharing out and eating meat. He shouted in
distress: "Waa 'aqraah! Waa Naqataah! (O my camel!)"
The Prophet heard the commotion and came out. He learnt from the
Sahabah what had happened and began searching for an-Nuayman but did
not find him. Afraid of being blamed and punished, an-Nuayman had
fled. The Prophet then followed his footprints. These led to a
gardenbelonging to Danbaah the daughter of az-Zubayr, a cousin of the
Prophet. He asked the companions where an-Nuayman was. Pointing to a
nearby ditch, they said loudly so as not to alert an-Nuayman: "We
haven't found him, O Messenger of God."An-Nuayman was found in the
ditch covered with palm branches and leaves and emerged with dirt on
his head, beard and face. He stood in the presence of the Prophet who
took him by the head and dusted the dirt from his face while he
chuckled with laughter.The companions joined in the mirth. The Prophet
paid the price of the camel to its owner and they all joined in the
feast.
The Prophet obviously regarded an-Nuayman's pranks for what they were
light-hearted sallies that were meant to create somerelief and
laughter. The religion of Islam does not require peopleto disdain
seemly laughter and levity and remain perpetually gloomy. An
appropriate sense ofhumor is often a saving grace.
An-Nuayman lived on after the Prophet and continued to enjoy the
affection of Muslims. But did he put an end to his laughter? During
the caliphate of Uthman, a group of Sahabah were sitting in the
Masjid. They saw Makhramah ibn Nawfal, an old man who was about one
hundred and fifteen years old and obviously rather senile. He was
related to the sister of Abdur-Rahman ibn Awl, who was a wife of
an-Nuayman.
Makhramah was blind. He was so weak that he could hardly move from his
place in the Masjid. He got up to urinate and might have done so in
the Masjid. But the companions shouted at him to prevent him from
doing so.. An-Nuayman gotup and went to take him to another place, as
he was instructed. What is this other place that an-Nuayman took
himto? In fact he took him only a short distance away from wherehe was
sitting at first and sat him down.
The place was still in the Masjid!
People shouted at Makhramah and made him get up again all ina frenzy.
The poor old man was distressed and said: "Who has done this?"
"An-Nuayman ibn Amr," he was told.
The old man swore and announced that he would bash an-Nuayman on the
head with his stick if he should meet him.
An-Nuayman left and returned. He was up to some prank of his again. He
saw Uthman ibn Allan, the Amir al-Muminim, performing Salat in the
Masjid. Uthman was never distracted when he stood for Prayer.
An-Nuayman also saw Makhramah. He went up to him and in a changed
voice said: "Do you want to get at an-Nuayman?"
The old man remembered what an-Nuayman had done. He remembered his vow
and shouted: "Yes, where is he?" An-Nuayman took him by the hand and
led him to the place where the Khalifah Uthman stood and said to him:
"Here he is!"
The old man raised his staff and bashed the head of
Uthman. Blood flowed and the people shouted: "It's the Amir al-Muminin!"
The dragged Makhramah away and some people set out to get an-Nuayman
but Uthman restrained them and asked themto leave him alone. In spite
of the blows he had suffered, he was still able to laugh at the deeds
of an-Nuayman.
An-Nuayman lived up to the timeof Muawiyah when fitnah saddened him
and discord filled him with anguish. He lost his levity and laughed no
more.
--
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Islam is a religion of Mercy, Peace and Blessing. Its teachings emphasize kind hear tedness, help, sympathy, forgiveness, sacrifice, love and care.Qur’an, the Shari’ah and the life of our beloved Prophet (SAW) mirrors this attribute, and it should be reflected in the conduct of a Momin.Islam appreciates those who are kind to their fellow being,and dislikes them who are hard hearted, curt, and hypocrite.Recall that historical moment, when Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah as a conqueror. There was before him a multitude of surrendered enemies, former oppressors and persecutors, who had evicted the Muslims from their homes, deprived them of their belongings, humiliated and intimidated Prophet (SAW) hatched schemes for his murder and tortured and killed his companions. But Prophet (SAW) displayed his usual magnanimity, generosity, and kind heartedness by forgiving all of them and declaring general amnesty...Subhanallah. May Allah help us tailor our life according to the teachings of Islam. (Aameen)./-
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Thursday, November 1, 2012
An-Nuayman ibn Amr - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)
Love stories - I wish you won't blameme
My love,
Sinful, secret, insatiable. You came and shattered my life as a spring
storm, you hurled away my peaceful days and nights.You keep a tight
rein on me and lead me in an unknown direction.
Where will I find myself? Who can give me the answer? The curtain of
the future is closed and I can't see the end of this love – sudden,
temporary, forbidden. I love you! I love you to distraction with that
sinful love of a married woman, torn apart between the allowed andthe
forbidden, the workday and the expectation. I have a family, a child –
you are single.
Sad and terrifying, isn't it?
I can't do anything to change your life the way you dream about it.
Don't blame me.
God, please help me.
Why did I let my heart be captured in that bottomless net from which
there's no escape?
But could I've commanded it?
Months had to pass until Irealized that what I felt wasn't just an
infatuation, an innocent flirt but something real and deep.
I restrained myself not to pass over the barrier for a long time. I
tried to be the master of my actions. But alas…
I found out that true loveis not ruled by reason. Emotions command
everyhuman thought and action. And when reason fights emotions life
turns into hell, and each day becomes endless suffering…
May be time will heal me,may be my heart will findrest.
But right now I don't need a remedy, I don't need a rest!
I love these stolen moments that make me happy.
There are memories which remain for a lifetime. They always return to
our thoughts and hearts and time is powerless to erase them.
It wasn't me but life that made the choice for me. And you know that,
don'tyou? Don't blame me. I'm not leaving…
My memories and my love will always be as youwill always be with me… for life….
--
- - - - -
And Allah Knows the Best!
- - - - -
Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
- - - - - - -
Sinful, secret, insatiable. You came and shattered my life as a spring
storm, you hurled away my peaceful days and nights.You keep a tight
rein on me and lead me in an unknown direction.
Where will I find myself? Who can give me the answer? The curtain of
the future is closed and I can't see the end of this love – sudden,
temporary, forbidden. I love you! I love you to distraction with that
sinful love of a married woman, torn apart between the allowed andthe
forbidden, the workday and the expectation. I have a family, a child –
you are single.
Sad and terrifying, isn't it?
I can't do anything to change your life the way you dream about it.
Don't blame me.
God, please help me.
Why did I let my heart be captured in that bottomless net from which
there's no escape?
But could I've commanded it?
Months had to pass until Irealized that what I felt wasn't just an
infatuation, an innocent flirt but something real and deep.
I restrained myself not to pass over the barrier for a long time. I
tried to be the master of my actions. But alas…
I found out that true loveis not ruled by reason. Emotions command
everyhuman thought and action. And when reason fights emotions life
turns into hell, and each day becomes endless suffering…
May be time will heal me,may be my heart will findrest.
But right now I don't need a remedy, I don't need a rest!
I love these stolen moments that make me happy.
There are memories which remain for a lifetime. They always return to
our thoughts and hearts and time is powerless to erase them.
It wasn't me but life that made the choice for me. And you know that,
don'tyou? Don't blame me. I'm not leaving…
My memories and my love will always be as youwill always be with me… for life….
--
- - - - -
And Allah Knows the Best!
- - - - -
Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
- - - - - - -
Ch 11: Test of Faith
Continuing her talk Isabella said: Christ has no power to perform
miracles as it has been proved from the Bible. Now I say that Jesus
Christ was as powerless in everything as any other man. If he were God
he could not have been so helpless and he would have been free to do
anything like the Almighty God and could not have felt the need of
seeking the help of others. (Opening the Bible) Jesus Christ says:
"Foras the Father has life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to
have life in himself; and hath given him authority to exercise
judgment also, because he is the Son of man."[ John, 5 : 26-27.] That
is even the life of Jesus Christ was not his own but given by God and
it was He Who gave him authority to do justice. Without God's grace he
could not do even justice and the argument given was that Jesus was
human and a human being could not do anything without the help of God.
Christ also says: "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear I
judge and my judgmentis just." [Ibid., 5:30] Further he said: "I came
down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent
me."[Ibid. 6:38] Thus it is proved that Christ was quite powerless
like other men, and who is dependent on others cannot be God, and so
Jesus also was not God.
Peter (to Michael): Do yousee how unbending is this girl ? Muslims
have taught her well to become so talkative. Now, can you believe that
she will come to the right path? I think it is useless to have any
further talk with her as she has lost faith and has become very
disobedient.
Michael: I am also convinced that she is wholly under the control of
Satan. (To Isabella Allthe arguments produced by you have obvious
replies and you have alsoread them in the lessons on theology. There
are also other replies which you cannot understand at all. Now,
instead of replying to you, I should like to hear your ideas so that
we can come to the decision easily about you. You have clearly stated
your views about the Divinity of Christ and Atonement. Now what have
you to say further?
Isabella: I have neither denied the Bible nor Jesus Christ. But what I
say is that, according to the teaching of the Bible,neither Christ is
proved to be God, nor any basis of atonement. All this is the
invention of Christians.
Michael: It means that all Christians are liars and allChristians have
united against the Holy Bible. Accursed and hellish girl, if you
cannot understandanything, just accept the judgment of your elders.
Does your father, who is the head priest and has full authority to
pardon sins, also consider these things wrong 7 Are all hispopes,
monks, Christian divines and savants of Christianity on the wrongpath?
Isabella: Just as the Bible does not prove the Divinity of Christ and
Atonement, in the same wav the Christianity of the so-called
Christians oftoday is not established according to the Bible and so
their opinions cannot be my guide.
Michael: Wonderful! That we are unreal and false Christians, and you
are a real and true Christian. Unlucky girl, what has become of your
senses? You have discarded even your elders. After all whatis your
proof that we are not true Christians?
Isabella: There is no reason for losing temper.The matter is quite
obvious. If you could prove from the Bible thatmodern Christians are
true Christians, then I willwholeheartedly accept their decision and
will not press any argument against them from the Bible. So, you just
prove from the Bible that Christians of today are true Christians.
Michael: There are Christians all over the world, and you say that
they are not Christians according to the Bible. What is its proof? Is
it notproof enough that we believe in the Bible, in the Divinity of
Jesus and his crucifixion?
Isabella: Do not Muslims believe in the Bible? Can you call them
Christians? As to believe in the Divinity of Christ and Atonement, it
is not any argument for Christianity.On the other hand, it proves that
such persons are not at all Christians asthere is no trace of such
beliefs in the Bible.
Peter : O worthless girl, why are you doubting our Christianity? If we
arenot Christians, then it is for you to give proof of true
Christians. Just say where in the world do real and true Christians
live.
Isabella : You may be as much angry as you like, but the truth cannot
be concealed. If you want the proof from me, then Ideclare candidly
that Christians of today are not at all followers of Christ, and who
can be a true Christian I am prepared to prove from the Bible itself.
Michael: O accursed girl, why talk and talk? Why not come out with your proof?
Isabella : Well, then, listen. The signs of the true Christians are
mentioned in the Bible asfollows: "And these signs shall follow them
that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, itshall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick,
and they shall recover." [Mark, 16 : 17-18.] At another place the sign
of the believing Christian is stated as follows: "Then came the
disciples to Jesus and said, Why could we not cast him [evil spirit]
out ? And Jesus said unto them,Because of your unbelief,for verily I
say unto you, If ye have faith as a grainof mustard seed, ye shall say
upon this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place ; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." [Matthew. 17 :
19-20.]
Now, from these two passages of the Bible, thefollowing six signs of
Christians have been established:
(1) driving out evil spirits
(2) speaking new languages without learning them
(3)lifting up poisonous snakes
(4) taking the cup of poison without injury
(5) curing the sick by the touch of their hand and
(6) moving away mountains.
So, anyone who claims tobe a Christian must first prove these six
signs in him. You are also a Christian. Leave aside all the six signs
and cure a sick man with your touch; mountain, of course, you cannot
move.Here is just a stone; moveit away only ten or twenty yards, so
that your Christianity is proved by the Bible.
Michael: True, it is all in the Bible, but where is it written that
anyone who is unable to do such miracles is not a Christian? Besides,
all these signs are peculiar to Disciples and not to Christians in
general
Isabella : Both these statements are wrong. The Bible clearly says
thatany Christian who has an atom of faith in him will move away the
mountainby his bidding. It follows that anyone who has not even an
atom of faith in him will not be able to move the mountain. Thenit is
also wrong to say that these signs are for the Disciples only as it is
clearly said in the Bible that these miracles will be among the
believers. If these signs are intended for the Disciplesonly, then
belief is also for the Disciples only which means that no
trueChristian was born after the Disciples.
Peter: Unlucky girl, that iswhy I say that you cannotunderstand the
mysteriesand inner meanings of the Bible. Foolish girl, these miracles
relate to spiritual matters, that is, by Illness is meant spiritual
illness, poison means disbelief which means that Christians, even if
they are attacked by unbelievers, will not degrade from faith and so
on.
Isabella: Just think beforeyou reply. You call me foolish; the cap may
fit on you. Look, Jesus Christ says: "He that believeth on me the
works that I do shall he do also."[ John, 14 : 12.] If by miracles Is
meant spiritual matters, then it will follow that Christ neither
revived a dead, nor did he give sight to the blind, nor cured a sick,
but he just cured spiritually dead, exorcised the evil spirits, and
created in them the light of faith. But you people will never admit
this interpretation about Christ. Then why do you concoct this new
rule for others ? Christ said: "the works that I do," so whatever he
did and in whatever manner, believers should also do and in the same
manner, otherwise they will not be believers.
Peter: It is difficult to make this unbelieving girl understand. Her
remedy is not exhortation but the samepunishment which the Inquisition
decides (after whose decision the guiltyis tied to the stock). (To
Michael.) You turn her out of the house and tell holy father (the head
priest) that she is past remedy and some other device must be adopted.
Michael and Peter then rose and went to anotherroom and consulted
among themselves. Michael's daughter Mirano told Isabella to leave at
once otherwise there might be trouble for her there. But it was agreed
that Isabella and her friends must assembleat the famous garden of
Cordova in the evening and think about the future. Isabella went out
of Michael's house and took the way to her home. But although she was
going to her house her steps faltered and she pondered as to what was
she going to meet at her home.
Anyhow she reached her home and, on the insistence of her mother, also
ate something, but in the worried state of her mind she could not
decide about her future and, waiting for the evening, she retired to
her room. She looked at her library and other things and cast gloomy
eyes at every corner of the house fearing that she might have to leave
it. Who will use her things and read her books, she thought. So
thinking she abruptly alerted and said: Let anyone live in this house
and use my things and read my books. I was in search of truth, which I
have got. My Allah has guided me. Thousands of thanks to Him Who has
granted me the wealth of truth and nothing could be greater than it.
Thousands of such houses may be sacrificed for the boon of Islam . So
saying she fell down to prostrate and thank the Almighty Allah.
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain
--
- - - - -
And Allah Knows the Best!
- - - - -
Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
- - - - - - -
miracles as it has been proved from the Bible. Now I say that Jesus
Christ was as powerless in everything as any other man. If he were God
he could not have been so helpless and he would have been free to do
anything like the Almighty God and could not have felt the need of
seeking the help of others. (Opening the Bible) Jesus Christ says:
"Foras the Father has life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to
have life in himself; and hath given him authority to exercise
judgment also, because he is the Son of man."[ John, 5 : 26-27.] That
is even the life of Jesus Christ was not his own but given by God and
it was He Who gave him authority to do justice. Without God's grace he
could not do even justice and the argument given was that Jesus was
human and a human being could not do anything without the help of God.
Christ also says: "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear I
judge and my judgmentis just." [Ibid., 5:30] Further he said: "I came
down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent
me."[Ibid. 6:38] Thus it is proved that Christ was quite powerless
like other men, and who is dependent on others cannot be God, and so
Jesus also was not God.
Peter (to Michael): Do yousee how unbending is this girl ? Muslims
have taught her well to become so talkative. Now, can you believe that
she will come to the right path? I think it is useless to have any
further talk with her as she has lost faith and has become very
disobedient.
Michael: I am also convinced that she is wholly under the control of
Satan. (To Isabella Allthe arguments produced by you have obvious
replies and you have alsoread them in the lessons on theology. There
are also other replies which you cannot understand at all. Now,
instead of replying to you, I should like to hear your ideas so that
we can come to the decision easily about you. You have clearly stated
your views about the Divinity of Christ and Atonement. Now what have
you to say further?
Isabella: I have neither denied the Bible nor Jesus Christ. But what I
say is that, according to the teaching of the Bible,neither Christ is
proved to be God, nor any basis of atonement. All this is the
invention of Christians.
Michael: It means that all Christians are liars and allChristians have
united against the Holy Bible. Accursed and hellish girl, if you
cannot understandanything, just accept the judgment of your elders.
Does your father, who is the head priest and has full authority to
pardon sins, also consider these things wrong 7 Are all hispopes,
monks, Christian divines and savants of Christianity on the wrongpath?
Isabella: Just as the Bible does not prove the Divinity of Christ and
Atonement, in the same wav the Christianity of the so-called
Christians oftoday is not established according to the Bible and so
their opinions cannot be my guide.
Michael: Wonderful! That we are unreal and false Christians, and you
are a real and true Christian. Unlucky girl, what has become of your
senses? You have discarded even your elders. After all whatis your
proof that we are not true Christians?
Isabella: There is no reason for losing temper.The matter is quite
obvious. If you could prove from the Bible thatmodern Christians are
true Christians, then I willwholeheartedly accept their decision and
will not press any argument against them from the Bible. So, you just
prove from the Bible that Christians of today are true Christians.
Michael: There are Christians all over the world, and you say that
they are not Christians according to the Bible. What is its proof? Is
it notproof enough that we believe in the Bible, in the Divinity of
Jesus and his crucifixion?
Isabella: Do not Muslims believe in the Bible? Can you call them
Christians? As to believe in the Divinity of Christ and Atonement, it
is not any argument for Christianity.On the other hand, it proves that
such persons are not at all Christians asthere is no trace of such
beliefs in the Bible.
Peter : O worthless girl, why are you doubting our Christianity? If we
arenot Christians, then it is for you to give proof of true
Christians. Just say where in the world do real and true Christians
live.
Isabella : You may be as much angry as you like, but the truth cannot
be concealed. If you want the proof from me, then Ideclare candidly
that Christians of today are not at all followers of Christ, and who
can be a true Christian I am prepared to prove from the Bible itself.
Michael: O accursed girl, why talk and talk? Why not come out with your proof?
Isabella : Well, then, listen. The signs of the true Christians are
mentioned in the Bible asfollows: "And these signs shall follow them
that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, itshall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick,
and they shall recover." [Mark, 16 : 17-18.] At another place the sign
of the believing Christian is stated as follows: "Then came the
disciples to Jesus and said, Why could we not cast him [evil spirit]
out ? And Jesus said unto them,Because of your unbelief,for verily I
say unto you, If ye have faith as a grainof mustard seed, ye shall say
upon this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place ; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." [Matthew. 17 :
19-20.]
Now, from these two passages of the Bible, thefollowing six signs of
Christians have been established:
(1) driving out evil spirits
(2) speaking new languages without learning them
(3)lifting up poisonous snakes
(4) taking the cup of poison without injury
(5) curing the sick by the touch of their hand and
(6) moving away mountains.
So, anyone who claims tobe a Christian must first prove these six
signs in him. You are also a Christian. Leave aside all the six signs
and cure a sick man with your touch; mountain, of course, you cannot
move.Here is just a stone; moveit away only ten or twenty yards, so
that your Christianity is proved by the Bible.
Michael: True, it is all in the Bible, but where is it written that
anyone who is unable to do such miracles is not a Christian? Besides,
all these signs are peculiar to Disciples and not to Christians in
general
Isabella : Both these statements are wrong. The Bible clearly says
thatany Christian who has an atom of faith in him will move away the
mountainby his bidding. It follows that anyone who has not even an
atom of faith in him will not be able to move the mountain. Thenit is
also wrong to say that these signs are for the Disciples only as it is
clearly said in the Bible that these miracles will be among the
believers. If these signs are intended for the Disciplesonly, then
belief is also for the Disciples only which means that no
trueChristian was born after the Disciples.
Peter: Unlucky girl, that iswhy I say that you cannotunderstand the
mysteriesand inner meanings of the Bible. Foolish girl, these miracles
relate to spiritual matters, that is, by Illness is meant spiritual
illness, poison means disbelief which means that Christians, even if
they are attacked by unbelievers, will not degrade from faith and so
on.
Isabella: Just think beforeyou reply. You call me foolish; the cap may
fit on you. Look, Jesus Christ says: "He that believeth on me the
works that I do shall he do also."[ John, 14 : 12.] If by miracles Is
meant spiritual matters, then it will follow that Christ neither
revived a dead, nor did he give sight to the blind, nor cured a sick,
but he just cured spiritually dead, exorcised the evil spirits, and
created in them the light of faith. But you people will never admit
this interpretation about Christ. Then why do you concoct this new
rule for others ? Christ said: "the works that I do," so whatever he
did and in whatever manner, believers should also do and in the same
manner, otherwise they will not be believers.
Peter: It is difficult to make this unbelieving girl understand. Her
remedy is not exhortation but the samepunishment which the Inquisition
decides (after whose decision the guiltyis tied to the stock). (To
Michael.) You turn her out of the house and tell holy father (the head
priest) that she is past remedy and some other device must be adopted.
Michael and Peter then rose and went to anotherroom and consulted
among themselves. Michael's daughter Mirano told Isabella to leave at
once otherwise there might be trouble for her there. But it was agreed
that Isabella and her friends must assembleat the famous garden of
Cordova in the evening and think about the future. Isabella went out
of Michael's house and took the way to her home. But although she was
going to her house her steps faltered and she pondered as to what was
she going to meet at her home.
Anyhow she reached her home and, on the insistence of her mother, also
ate something, but in the worried state of her mind she could not
decide about her future and, waiting for the evening, she retired to
her room. She looked at her library and other things and cast gloomy
eyes at every corner of the house fearing that she might have to leave
it. Who will use her things and read her books, she thought. So
thinking she abruptly alerted and said: Let anyone live in this house
and use my things and read my books. I was in search of truth, which I
have got. My Allah has guided me. Thousands of thanks to Him Who has
granted me the wealth of truth and nothing could be greater than it.
Thousands of such houses may be sacrificed for the boon of Islam . So
saying she fell down to prostrate and thank the Almighty Allah.
Isabella – A girl of Islamic Spain
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
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The Merits of Dhikr
[Tafsir Mariful Qur'an Surah Baqarah Verse 152]
Dhikr or 'Remembrance' essentially pertains to theheart, but in so far
as the tongue is the interpreter of the heart the oral recitation of a
Divine Name or a verse of the Holy Qur'an is also described as Dhikr .
In other words, oral Dhikr can be worth the name only when it is
accompanied by the 'remembrance' of the heart. As the great Sufi poet
Rumi points out, therecitation of a Divine name can have no efficacy
if one keeps thinking of cows and donkeys while repeating it
mechanically with the tongue. One must, however, bear in mind that
even a mechanical Dhikr without the heart being engaged in it is not
altogether futile. It is related that the great Sufi Abu Uthman,
hearinga man complain of such asituation, remarked that one should be
grateful to Allah even for this favour of having drawn at least one
organ of the body into His service. (Qurtubi)
The merits of Dhikr are, indeed, innumerable. What greater merit
couldone wish for than the assurance that when a man 'remembers'
Allah, He too 'remembers' him. Abu Uthman once claimed that he knew
thetime when Allah remembered His servants. The listeners grew curious
as to how he could determine this. He replied that, according to the
promisemade in the Holy Qur'an, when a Muslim remembers Allah, He too
remembers him, and thuseveryone can know for himself that as soon as
heturns to Allah and remembers Him, Allah tooremembers him.
Let us add that Verse 152 means to say that if men ' remember ' Allah
by obeying His commandments, He will 'remember' them by granting His
pardon and His rewards. The commentator Sa'id ibn Jubayr has, in fact,
interpreted the Dhikr or 'remembrance' of Allah as obedience and
submission to Him. He says:
"He who has not obeyed Him has not rememberedHim, even though he has
kept himself externally busy in offering (nafl: supererogatory)
prayers and reciting His praises."
This explanation is fully supported by a hadith cited by Al-Qurtubi on
theauthority of Ahkam Al-Qur'an by Ibn KhuwayzMandadh. The Holy
Prophet (??? ???? ????????)�has said that one who has been obeying
Allah – that is, following the injunctions with regards to the Halal
and Haram – has truly been remembering Allah , in spite of being
deficient in (nafl: supererogatory) prayers and fasting, while one who
has been disobeying divine commandments has, in fact, forgotten Allah,
in spite of devoting long hours to nafl prayers, fasting and
recitation of His praises.
The great Sufi Master Dhual-Nun al-Misri has said that the man who
remembers Allah in the full sense of the term forgets everything else,
and that, in reward of such a total absorption, Allah Himself takes
care of all his concerns, and grants him something farmore valuable
for everything he loses. Similarly, the blessed Companion Mu'adh
(??????? ????? ???)�has remarked that in so far as winning absolution
from the divine wrath is concerned, no good deed on the part of man
can compare with Dhikr. And in a hadith reported by the blessed
Companion Abu Hurayrah(?), Allah Himself says that so long as the
servant keeps remembering Him and his lips keep moving in Dhikr, Allah
is with him.
Dhikr or 'Remembrance' essentially pertains to theheart, but in so far
as the tongue is the interpreter of the heart the oral recitation of a
Divine Name or a verse of the Holy Qur'an is also described as Dhikr .
In other words, oral Dhikr can be worth the name only when it is
accompanied by the 'remembrance' of the heart. As the great Sufi poet
Rumi points out, therecitation of a Divine name can have no efficacy
if one keeps thinking of cows and donkeys while repeating it
mechanically with the tongue. One must, however, bear in mind that
even a mechanical Dhikr without the heart being engaged in it is not
altogether futile. It is related that the great Sufi Abu Uthman,
hearinga man complain of such asituation, remarked that one should be
grateful to Allah even for this favour of having drawn at least one
organ of the body into His service. (Qurtubi)
The merits of Dhikr are, indeed, innumerable. What greater merit
couldone wish for than the assurance that when a man 'remembers'
Allah, He too 'remembers' him. Abu Uthman once claimed that he knew
thetime when Allah remembered His servants. The listeners grew curious
as to how he could determine this. He replied that, according to the
promisemade in the Holy Qur'an, when a Muslim remembers Allah, He too
remembers him, and thuseveryone can know for himself that as soon as
heturns to Allah and remembers Him, Allah tooremembers him.
Let us add that Verse 152 means to say that if men ' remember ' Allah
by obeying His commandments, He will 'remember' them by granting His
pardon and His rewards. The commentator Sa'id ibn Jubayr has, in fact,
interpreted the Dhikr or 'remembrance' of Allah as obedience and
submission to Him. He says:
"He who has not obeyed Him has not rememberedHim, even though he has
kept himself externally busy in offering (nafl: supererogatory)
prayers and reciting His praises."
This explanation is fully supported by a hadith cited by Al-Qurtubi on
theauthority of Ahkam Al-Qur'an by Ibn KhuwayzMandadh. The Holy
Prophet (??? ???? ????????)�has said that one who has been obeying
Allah – that is, following the injunctions with regards to the Halal
and Haram – has truly been remembering Allah , in spite of being
deficient in (nafl: supererogatory) prayers and fasting, while one who
has been disobeying divine commandments has, in fact, forgotten Allah,
in spite of devoting long hours to nafl prayers, fasting and
recitation of His praises.
The great Sufi Master Dhual-Nun al-Misri has said that the man who
remembers Allah in the full sense of the term forgets everything else,
and that, in reward of such a total absorption, Allah Himself takes
care of all his concerns, and grants him something farmore valuable
for everything he loses. Similarly, the blessed Companion Mu'adh
(??????? ????? ???)�has remarked that in so far as winning absolution
from the divine wrath is concerned, no good deed on the part of man
can compare with Dhikr. And in a hadith reported by the blessed
Companion Abu Hurayrah(?), Allah Himself says that so long as the
servant keeps remembering Him and his lips keep moving in Dhikr, Allah
is with him.
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