We are extremly rich, yet we don't know it,Islamic Stories

Once a person came to a Shaikh (Islamic scholar) and complained to him
about his own poverty, saying that he was in great distress and
wouldprefer death to such a life. The Shaikh said to him, "Are you
willing to have your eyes taken out in exchange for ten thousand
Dirhams (silvercoins)." He replied"Certainly not." The Shaikh said
"Would you like to have your tongueplucked out and get ten thousand
Dirhams in return?" The man said,"Of course not." The Shaikh said,
"Would you agree to having both your hands and feet cut off in return
for twenty thousand Dirhams." The man said that he would not. The
Shaikh asked"Are you willing to be made a mad man and get ten thousand
Dirhams in return?" The man said that he was not willing. At this, the
Shaikh said to him, "Are you not ashamed of yourself? You admit that
Allah Ta'ala has granted you so many precious gifts, the value
whereof, in your own estimation, exceeds fifty thousand Dirhams
(counting only afew gifts, by way of illustration) and yet you
complain of poverty!"
Source: "Fadhail-e-Sadaqaa Part II", translated by Prof. AbdulKarim.
The value of the above mentioned gifts can be fully understood when we
lose them. Let us be more thankful to our Lord.

Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A)

Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) was first married to Malik ibn an-Nadr, her
son by this marriage wasthe famous Hazrat Anas ibn Malik (R.A) , one
of the great Companion of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) .
Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) decision to accept Islam was made without
the knowledge or consent of her husband, Malik ibn an-Nadr. He was
absent from Yathrib at the time. He was not pleased to hear this
especially when his wife went on to announce her acceptance of Islam
in public and instructed her son Hazrat Anas (R.A) in the teachings
and practice of the new faith. Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) husband was
furious. He shouted at her and left the houseand it is reported that
hewas killed by an enemy of his.
When it was known that Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) had become a widow,
Zayd ibn Sahl, known as Abu Talhah wanted to marry her. Abu Talhah
proceeded toHazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) house. On the way he recalled
that she had been influenced by the preaching of Hazrat Musab ibn
Umayr (R.A) and had become a Muslim.
"So what?" he said to himself. "Was not her husband who died a firm
adherent of the old religion and was he not opposed to Muhammad and
his mission?" Abu Talhah reached Hazrate Umm Sulaim's (R.A) house. He
asked permission to enter. Her son Hazrat Anas (R.A) waspresent. Abu
Talhah explained why he had come and asked for her hand in marriage.
"A man like you, Abu Talhah," she said, "is not (easily) turned away.
ButI shall never marry you while you are a Kafir (non believer)."
He said to her: "What is it that really prevents you from accepting
me, Umm Sulaim? Is it the yellow and the white metals (gold and
silver)?" "Gold and silver?" she said, "I swear to you, Abu Talhah,
and I swear to Allah and His Messenger that if you accept Islam,
Ishall be pleased to accept you as a husband,without any gold or
silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islamas my Mahr (Dowry)."
The opportunity was right for Hazrate Umm Sulaim (R.A) to stress the
futility of such idol worship and she went on: "Don't you know
AbuTalhah, that the god you worship besides Allah grew from the
earth?"."That's true," he said."Don't you feel stupid while
worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for fuel to
bake bread or warm yourself? (If you should give up these foolish
beliefs and practices) and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah, I shall be
pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you any
sadaqah apart from youracceptance of Islam."
"Who shall instruct me inIslam?" asked Abu Talhah. "I shall," Hazrate
Umm Sulaim (R.A) replied. "How?",聽 "Utter the declaration of truth and
testify that there is no god but Allah (S.W.T) and that Muhammad
(S.A.W) is the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house, destroy your
idol and throw it away."
Abu Talhah accepted Islam and was devoted to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W)
and took enormous delight in simply looking at Him (S.A.W) and
listening to the sweetness of his speech. Hazrat Abu Talhah (R.A)
participated in all the major military campaigns.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A)

Before the Prophetic call, the beloved Prophet (S.A.W) and Hazrat Abu
Bakr (R.A) enjoyed very close relations with eachother. They were
dearestof friends, they used to accompany each other and discuss the
important matters as a routine. In many commercial journeys, they both
participated collectively. The harmony of their personalities caused
their friendship and lovefor one another to be more intense to each
other.
Due to the close observation of His character and conduct, Hazrat Abu
Bakr (R.A) wasa great admirer of the Prophet (S.A.W) . During this
period, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) dreamt many dreams which made his heart
the hut of love andaffection for the Prophet (S.A.W) . Sheikh Muhammad
Abu Zuhrah, a very renowned and authentic Scholar in Islamic thoughts,
in his book "Al-Roze-ul-Anf" mentioned a dream of Hazrat Abu Bakr
(R.A) :
"Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) , saw a dream that a moon came over Makkahand
every house of the city lit up with its light. The moon broke into
pieces and a piece of it dropped into each house, then he (R.A) saw
the pieces reuniting intofull moon, which descended into his lap."
Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A) asked the meanings of the dream from a
Scholar from the people of the Book. The Scholar told him that; they
were waiting for the Last Prophet to comevery soon and the
dreamreflects that he would bethe follower of that Prophet and by his
blessings, he would be the most distinguished and blessed person of
the world.
Such dreams and the close observation of the good manners of the
Prophet (S.A.W) made Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) very anxious to follow the
Divine Voice, whom the whole world was awaiting.
Allah (S.W.T) had chosen Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) , as a special friend
of His beloved Prophet (S.A.W) .Allah (S.W.T) prepared Him mentally to
immediately submit before the Prophet (S.A.W) and assist him in his
endeavours to spread the word of Allah (S.W.T) .
As soon as the Prophet (S.A.W) proclaimed His Prophethood, He (S.A.W)
invited Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) to the Oneness of Allah (S.A.W) and he,
without the slightest hesitation, accepted His invitation. Holy
Prophet (S.A.W) himself said:"Whomsoever I invited to Islam, his foot
slipped,he felt anxiety and then he started contemplating over it
except Abu Bakr, for he neither hesitated nor showed any shyness.
(Sabl-ul-Huda Wal-Atshad, Vol.II p.406)
His original name was Abdul Ka'bah but the Prophet (S.A.W) changed it
to Abdullah. Abu Bakr was his surname; the reason behind this namewas
his innovative virtues and his good manners. His titles include
"Siddique" (the truthful) and "Ateeque" (free from hell-fire).

Christians' errors regarding the end

children of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) against one
another and then intends to eliminate them is a blatant stratagem of
the antichrist (the dajjal).
The return to Earth of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)during the End Times
represents glad tidings and a source of joy and happiness for all
mankind. Like the Christian world, Muslims also believe that the
Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will return to Earth in the End Times and share
this happy expectation. However, some Christians have a false
conception of the End Times partly because they misinterpret the
distorted words of the New Testament and partly of their deficient
understanding of Islam. According to this erroneous and dangerous
belief, everyone will be destroyed in the near future, apart from
Christians who believe inJesus (pbuh) and 144,000 Jews.
According to this direful scenario, Jesus (pbuh) will not return to
Earth until the Jews win the battle known as "Armageddon" against the
Muslims. For that reason, some Christians regard this great battle and
its being won by theJews as a condition for his second coming. Once
the battle is over, all Jews apart from 144,000 are expected to be
eliminated. They believe that as a result of this bloody fighting, all
Muslims and nearly all Jews will be eradicated, leaving just
Christians loyal to Jesus (pbuh) and144,000 selected Jews to attain
salvation. As a result of this savage expectation, some Christians
support policies that encourage bloodshed rather than resolving the
wars, conflicts and disagreements in the world, and even adopt an
approach that incites them.
It is true that we are living in the End Times, that a rise in wars
and conflicts is a sign of the End Times and that, by Allah's leave,
the coming of the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) is close at hand. However, the
way that some Christians expect a direful scenario that regards
billions of people slaughtering oneanother as justified to come about
is completely unacceptable. This is a blatant deception, a ruse, on
the part of the antichrist (or the dajjal). It is a plan intended to
set the children of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)against each other, a
deception of the antichrist in the name ofreligion.
Another sign that this conception serves the interests of the system
ofthe antichrist is the efforts to reflect the appearance of the
blessed Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), for whose coming the entire Islamic world
is longing and who will fill the world with love and justice, as being
the appearance of the antichrist. The way that some Christians
literally suggest that bloodshed is an essential precondition for the
return of Jesus (pbuh) and totally wrong-headedly expect the coming of
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) as the system of the antichrist is nothing more
than the mindset of the system of the antichrist itself. In order for
this scenario of genocide that turns a blind eye to the killing of
billions of people to come to an end, it is essential that the
figuresof the End Times be thoroughly well known and for the trickery
of the system of the antichrist to be confounded. It is therefore of
the greatestimportance for people to be aware of the following in
order to correct this vile error and to prevent Christiansbeing
deceived when the real antichrist (messiah dajjal) appears.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is a figure of love, while the antichrist is devoid of love:
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willbring together people ofall faiths, views and
opinions with love, and will enable people to seeone another's best
sides and approach one another with understanding by strengthening
their feelings of friendship and brotherhood. Love will rule the world
whenHazrat Mahdi (pbuh) comes, and people will completely abandon all
feelings of hatred and anger. So much so that the hadith speak of
everyone, from the fish in the sea to the birds in the air, being
delighted with the environment ofbeauty and love in which Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh) will be instrumental, and of the love of Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh)entering everyone's hearts. The sincere and genuine love people
feel for Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willalso be instrumental in their
treating one another with love, affection and compassion. But the
antichrist will be someone utterly devoid of such traits.
The reason why some Christians are in error onthis subject is that the
antichrist will deceive people with promises of love and peace. The
antichrist will speak of love and peace but will never put them into
practice. But Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will both speak of peace and love
and put them into action. In speaking of love and peace, Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh) will feel these in his heart in the finest manner and will
cause those around him to live by them, too. It is important for
people to be aware of this important difference in order for the
personagesof the End Times to be properly recognized.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willshed not one drop of blood and will not awaken
the sleeper; but the antichrist will strive to shed blood and spread
war and corruption whenever possible:
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is someone who avoids war, a man of peace. Hazrat
Mahdi (pbuh) willcause the moral values of the Qur'an to rule the
world through love, not through war. The fact that Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh)will bring about the rule of the moral values of the deen (the
religion ofIslam) through peace and love, which represents one of his
main distinguishing features, is described as follows in the hadith:
People will seek refuge in the Mahdi (pbuh)as honey bees cluster
around their sovereign. He will fill the world thatwas once full of
cruelty, with justice. His justice will be as such that HE WILL NOT
WAKE A SLEEPING PERSON NOT EVEN ONE DROP OF BLOOD IS SHED. The Earth
will return to the age of happiness. 1
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)will follow the way of the Prophet (saas). HE WILL
NOT WAKE UP A SLEEPING PERSON OR NO BLOOD WILL BE SHED. 2
IN THE TIME OF [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] NO ONE WILL BE WOKEN UP FROM THEIR
SLEEP OR HAVE A BLEEDINGNOSE. 3
Those who swear allegiance to him [HazratMahdi (as)] will swear
allegiance between the Corner and the Maqam [near the Kaaba]. THEY
WILL NOT WAKEN THE SLEEPER, AND THEY WILL NEVER SHED BLOOD. 4
Our Prophet (saas) tells us that Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will put an end
tostrife, war and conflict by waging an intellectual campaign against
all these. We are told in hadith that in thetime of Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh) all weapons will fall silent and wars will come to an end, and
thatpeace, love and justice will rule the world following the coming
of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) andthe Prophet Jesus (as):
War (competents) will lay down its burden (arms and the like). 5
War (competents) put down their weighs [their weapons, etc.]. 6
Enmity and hatred between people will cease… Like the cup fills with
water, so will Earth fill with peace... There will be religious unity.
Nobody but Allah will be worshipped. War will put down its burden. 7
There will be no enmity left between any people.And all hostility,
fighting,and envy will definitely disappear. 8
As indicated in the reference to the "burdenof war," all forms of
violence, oppression, fighting and conflict willcome to an end at this
time. In total contrast to the system of the antichrist, therefore,
the system of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will be a compassionate,
well-intentioned and rational one based on human love and respect.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willestablish justice across the world, yet "not
one drop of blood will be spilled." His time will be one that reflects
true peace and love.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willrule with divine scriptures, but the
antichrist will not believe in the divine books:
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willtell Muslims of the proper moral values of the
Qur'an, and will treatMuslims in the light of proper, Qur'anic
virtues. But he will rule Christianswith the Gospels, that part of
them which has not been corrupted or distorted, and will rule the Jews
with the true Torah , the genuine Torah. Therefore, Hazrat Mahdi
(pbuh) will not, assome Christians believe, force Christians and
Jewsto convert to Islam. He will rule them with thoseparts of the
Gospels and the Torah that are compatible with the Qur'an. This is
revealed in another of the hadith of our Prophet (may Allah bless him
and granthim peace): "[Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)] will rule among Jews with
the Torah and among Christians with the Gospel." 9
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willbe someone who believes in the original,
genuine form of the Gospels. But the antichrist will reject all holy
scriptures. The antichrist will not, therefore, be someone who
believes in and respects the Gospels; he will not accept the
uncorrupted, true parts of the Gospels.
As a miracle from Allah, in the time of Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) the
original forms of the Torah and the Gospels will be found. Our Prophet
(saas) reveals that the uncorrupted forms of these holy scriptures
will be found in the End Times:
"...The reason why Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is known as Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)
is this; he will be directed toward a secret matter, will extract the
Torah and other Divine books from a cave in Antioch... 10
"It is certain that Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) is known as the 'Mahdi.'
Because he will be directed to salvation to one of the mountains of
Sham, fromwhere he will extract thebooks (volumes) of the "Torah" and
will enter into debate with the Jews on the basis of these and
(eventually) a group of Jews will become Muslims by his hand. 11
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willprotect Christians and Jews, while the
antichrist will be the enemy of the children ofAbraham:
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willbe the friend of devout Christians and Jews,
and will feel love and affection for them. Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh)
willregard Jews and Christians as the childrenof the Prophet Abraham
(as), and will be a just and affectionate person who protects them and
observes their rights by thwarting the schemes of the antichrist.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will therefore personally prevent any harm coming
to Christians andJews. When the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) returns he will
put right those partsof Christianity that have been corrupted, the
belief in the Trinity. The Prophet Jesus (pbuh) will ally himself with
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) andwill assist him with his own hands. This is one
of the most important indications that Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will be
personally opposed to the system of the antichrist.
The People of the Book possess moral values based on the revelation of
Allah (even if these have become corrupted over the course of time)
and the concepts of what is lawful and unlawful. For that reason, it
is lawful for a Muslim to eat food cooked by the People of the Book.
Muslim men are also permitted to marry women from the People of the
Book. Allahsays this on the subject:
Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of
those given the Book is also lawful for you and your food is lawful
for them. So are chaste women from among the believers and chaste
women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them
their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as
lovers. But as foranyone who rejects faith, his actions will come to
nothing and in the Hereafter he will be among the loser. (Surat
al-Ma'ida, 5)
These pronouncements show that family ties canbe established by
marriage between Muslims and the People of the Book, and that both
sides can accept the other's invitations todine, and these are
principles on which warm human relations and a climate of security can
be established. Sincethis moderate and tolerant approach is
recommended in the Qur'an, it is impossible for Muslims to hold any
different ideas.
There are accounts saying that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless
him and granthim peace) attended wedding feats of People of the Book
and shared food with them. When the Najran Christians visited, the
Prophet Muhammed (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) spread his
robe for them and told them to sit on it. Our Prophet's(may Allah
bless him and grant him peace) marriages with the Christian Mary (or
Maryam) and with Juwayriya and Safiyya, of Jewish origins, are
examples of this way of thinking.
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willbe descended from the Prophet Abraham (pbuh);
the antichrist will not descend from the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that He has chosen the Prophet Abraham
(pbuh) and people descended from him and made them holy. (Surat
al-Baqara, 130; Surah Al 'Imran, 33) This information all appears in
the Jewish scripture. the Torah. (Genesis, 22:17; 12:2) Theline of the
Prophet Abraham (pbuh) continued with his sons, the Prophets Ishmael
and Isaac (peace be upon them). Many prophets came to the Jews, the
descendants ofthe Prophet Isaac (pbuh), over the course of history.
The prophets Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Jonah, Job, Elijah, David,
Solomon, Zechariah, John and Jesus (peace be upon them all) are
descended from the Prophet Isaac (pbuh). Prophet Muhammad (may Allah
bless him and grant him peace), the Prophet of Islam, imams from his
line and finally Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh), on the other hand, descended
from the line of Prophet Ishmael (pbuh).
Allah has protected the final representatives from the two branches of
the line of the Prophet Abraham (pbuh)in order to ensure the rule of
the moral values of the religion of Islam during the End Times. Hewill
bring together the Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) andthe Prophet Jesus (pbuh)in
the End Times in orderto perform His command. The period of this
dominion, revealed in the Qur'an and the hadith of our Prophet (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace), is also promised to a community
descended from the Prophet Abraham (pbuh) in the Torah:
I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the
stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants
will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your
offspring all nations on Earth will be blessed, because you have
obeyed me." (Genesis, 22:17-18)
Therefore, the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) and Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will be
descended from the same line, the line of theProphet Abraham (pbuh).
But the antichrist will not be descended from the Prophet Abraham
(pbuh).
Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) willespouse the existence and oneness of Allah;
theantichrist will seek to spread polytheism:
The faith brought by the Prophet Jesus (pbuh) "is the true faith that
believes in Allah as the one and only." However, the message
communicated by this holy personage was corrupted after his ascent
into the presence of Allah, and a new belief based on superstitious
ideas such as "the trinity and atonement for sins" replaced true
Christianity. But both Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) andthe Prophet Jesus
(pbuh)will believe in Allah alone, which is a trait of true believers.
They will both, therefore, espousebelief in one Allah, and will forbid
the ascriptionof equals to Him. Since the Jews believe in the one
Allah, Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will not be opposed to them. But with their
belief in the trinity, Christians ascribe equals to Allah. Hazrat
Mahdi (pbuh) will change the polytheism in their beliefs. If the
Christians clarify and correct their beliefs by saying, "The Prophet
Jesus (pbuh) is not Allah (Allah is beyond this). But Allah manifests
Himself in all people, andthus also in the Prophet Jesus (pbuh)," then
this becomes a sincere approach and reflect an acceptable belief.
There will indeed be a person in the End Times who does espouse
beliefin the trinity and even (May Allah Forbid) claim to be Allah.
But that person is not (May Allah Forbid) the Prophet Jesus (pbuh). He
is the antichrist in person. This person will have a blind eye, as a
sign from Allah and to emphasize his real helplessness. The real Jesus
(pbuh) who espouses the oneness of Allah, on the other hand,will have
two sound eyes. In addition, Hazrat Mahdi (pbuh) will be a humble and
modest servant of Allah, whereasthe antichrist (Allah is beyond this)
will arrogantly and shamelessly claim to be