Perseverance, Persistenceand Determination Story - Never Give Up(Perseverance in Islam)

In 1867, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an
idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long
Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought
that this was an impossible feat and told John Roebling toforget the
idea. It just could not be done. It wasnot practical. It had neverbeen
done before.
John Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this
bridge.He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart
that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone
else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his
son Washington Roebling, an up and coming engineer,that the bridge in
fact could be built.
Working together for thefirst time, the father and son developed
concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could
be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness
of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew andbegan to
build their dream bridge.
The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a
tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington
Roebling was injured andleft with a certain amount of brain
damage,which resulted in him notbeing able to walk or talkor even
move.
"We told them so. Crazy men and their crazy dreams. It's foolish to
chase wild visions."
Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project
should be scrapped since the John Roebling were the only ones who knew
how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington
Roebling was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to
complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.
Washington Roebling tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to
some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay
on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through
the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and
he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just
a moment.
It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an
idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to
make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of
communication with his wife Emily.
Washington Roebling touched his wife's arm with that finger,
indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then
heused the same method oftapping her arm to tell the engineers what to
do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.
For 13 years Washington Roebling tapped out his instructions with his
finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed in
1883.Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands inall its glory as a
tribute tothe triumph of one man'sindomitable spirit and
hisdetermination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a
tribute to the engineers and their team work, andto their faith in a
man who was considered madby half the world. It stands too as a
tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long
years patiently decoded the messages of her husbandWashington Roebling
and told the engineers what to do.
Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude
that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible
goal.
Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles
seemvery small in comparison to what many others have to face. The
Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be
realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds
are.
Even the most distant dream can be realized with persistence and determination.

Jihad in Islam: The Cage Bird's Escape(Story of Heroism, Jihad Story, Struggle Stories)

Once upon a time, there was a bird in a cage who sang for her merchant
owner. He took delight inher song day and night, and was so fond of
her that he served her water in a golden dish. Before he left for a
business trip,he asked the bird if she had a wish: "I will go through
the forest whereyou were born, past the birds of your old
neighborhood. What message should I take forthem?"
The bird said, "Tell them Isit full of sorrow in a cage singing my
captive song. Day and night, my heart is full of grief. I hope it will
not be long before I see my friends again and fly freely through the
trees. Bring me a message from the lovely forest, that will set my
heart at ease. Oh, I yearn for my Beloved, to fly with Him, and spread
my wings. Until then there is no joy for me, and I am cut off from all
of life's sweet things."
The merchant travelled on his donkey through the dense forest. He
listened to the melodies of many birds. When the merchant reached the
forest where his bird came from, he stopped, pushed his hood back, and
said, "O you birds! Greetings to you all from my pretty bird locked in
her cage. She sends tidings of her love to you and wants to tell of
her plight. She asks for a reply that will ease her heart.
My love for her keeps hercaptive with bars all around her. She wants
tojoin her beloved and singher songs through the airwith a free heart,
but I would miss her beautiful songs and cannot let her go."
All the birds listened to the merchant's words. Suddenly one bird
shrieked and fell from a tree brunch to the ground. The merchant froze
to the spot where he stood. Nothing could astound him more than this
did. One bird had fallen down dead!
The merchant continued on to the city and traded his goods. At last he
returned to his home. He did not know what to tellhis bird when she
asked what message he had brought. He stood beforeher cage and said,
"Oh, nothing to speak of no, no,"
The bird cried, "I must know at once."
I do not know what happened," said the merchant. "I told them your
message. Then, one of them fell down dead."
Suddenly the merchant's bird let out a terrible shriek and fell on her
head to the bottom of the cage.
The merchant was horrified. He wept in despair, "Oh, what have I
done?" He cried, "What Have I done? Now my life means nothing. My
moonhas gone and so has my sun. Now my own bird is dead."
Merchant opened the cage door, reached in, and took her into his hands
gently and carefully. "I will have to bury her now," he said;"poor
thing is dead."
Suddenly, the moment hehad lifted the bird out of the cage, she
swooped up, flew out of the window and landed on the nearest roof
slope. She turned to him and said, gratefully, "Thank you, merchant
master, for delivering my message. That bird's reply instructed me how
to win my freedom. All I had to do was to be dead. I gained my freedom
when I chose to die."
"So now I fly to my beloved who waits for me. Good-bye, good-bye, my
master no longer.""My bird was wise; she taught me secret," the
merchant reflected.
Moral:If you want to be with the ones you love, you must be ready to
give up everything, even life itself. And then, by Allah (SWT), you
will win your heart's desire.

Biographies - Imam Bukhari

Who is not aware of HadhratImam Bukhari(R.A) and his kitaab 'Saheehul- Bukhari'?
However in this present day, the majority of Muslims use his kitaab to
refer to whenever in need of a supporting reference for their actions
or deeds without the knowledge of the lifeof the great author.
The famous and respected Muhaddith,Imam Bukhari's (R.A) genealogy is
as follows: Mohammed Ibn Ismail Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Mugheera Ibn
Bardizbah.
His father Ismail was a well-known and famous Muhaddith in his time
and had been blessed with the chance of being in the company of Imam
Malik, Hammad Ibn Zaid and also Abdullah Ibn Mubarak (R.A.).
Imam Bukhari(R.A) was born on the blessed day of Friday 13 Shawwaal
194 (A.H). He had lost the use of his eyes in the early stages of his
childhood. However, due to the pious and lengthy prayers of his mother
his eyesight was returned miraculously. The news had reached his
mother through a dream in which Hadhrat Ibrahim (A.S) had appeared and
said, "Due to your bountiful and sacred prayers Allah Ta'alaa has
returned the eyesight of your son."
The dream was proven tobe true in the morning.
Ismail the father of Imam Bukhari (R.A) had died in Imam Bukhari's
childhood, leaving him inthe care of his mother where he was nourished
with love and care. At theage of sixteen after having memorized the
compiled books of Imam Waki and Abdullah Ibn Mubarak, he performed Haj
with his elder brotherand mother. After the completion of Haj Imam
Bukhari remained in Makkahfor a further two years and upon reaching
the age of eighteen headed for Medinah, andspent his nights next to
the grave of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallamcompiling the books
of 'Qadhaayas-Sahaabah Wat-Taabi'een' and 'Taareekhul-Kabeer' withthe
moonlight as a meansof lighting.
Imam Bukhari (R.A) traveled a great deal in order to expand his
knowledge. He made twotrips to Syria and Egypt and stayed six years in
Arabia. He also happenedto return to Kufa, Baghdad and Basra four
times and at times remained there for a period of five years. Also at
Haj season he used to return to Makkah.
Imam Bukhari ( R.A) first started listening and learning ahaadeeth in
205 A.H., and after profiting from the Ulamaa of his town he started
his travels in 210 A.H. There are a great number of teachers from whom
Imam Bukhari (R.A) actually gained his much respected knowledge. It
has been known to be said by Imam Bukhari (R..A) himself that, "I have
written ahaadeeth from 1080 different people all of whom were
scholars." However, he profited most from Ishaq Ibn Rahway and Ali Ibn
Madeeni (R.A). Imam Bukhari (R.A) has narrated ahaadeeth fromUlamaa of
five different categories. He has also narrated ahaadeeth fromhis
students believing in the fact that no person shall be titled a
scholar ofahaadeeth until he has narrated from his elders, youngsters
and contemporaries.
Imam Bukhari (R.A) also had a vast amount of students. It has been
stated that approximately 9 000 people were privileged to sit in his
lessons wherehe taught his Kitab 'Sahih-Ul-Bukhari'. There were
travelers amongst these from all corners of the world in order to
jointhese pious sittings and to be honoured with a glimpse of the
knowledge that he held and which never failed toastonish anybody.
Memory
Imam Bukhari's (R.A) memory was considered to be inhuman, for as soon
as the praying of a hadith would finish Imam Bukhari (R.A) would
repeat it orally. It has been known that in his childhood he had
memorized 2 000 ahaadeeth.
There is one spectacular incident which took place in Baghdad when
Imam Bukhari (R.A) took up temporary residence there. The people
having heard of his many accomplishments, and the attributes which
were issued to him, decided to test him so as to make him prove
himself to them. In order to do that they chose onehundred different
ahaadeeth and changing the testimonials and the text of the ahaadeeth
they were then recited by ten people to Imam Bukhari (R.A).
There was a crowd of gathered people from within and outside the city
to witness the outcome of such a test. When the ahaadeeth were recited
Imam Bukhari (R.A) replied to all in one manner, "Not to my
knowledge." However, after the completion of all the ahaadeeth Imam
Bukhari(R.A) repeated each text and testimonial which had been changed
followed by the correct text and testimonial, suchwas the memory of
ImamBukhari (R.A).
Abstinence
His abstinence was also an attribute which was incomparable and
undauntless. He had beenleft a considerable amount of wealth by his
father however, due to his generosity he spent it all in the path of
Allah so that at the end he had been left with no money forcing him to
spend his day on one or two almonds.
He never took advantage from the generosity of any king or ruler,
although many occasionsarose. Once he fell ill and when his urine was
tested, the results showed that he had not consumed curry for a long
time. Upon questioning he said, "I have not consumed curryfor the last
forty years.
The Governor of Bukhara made a special request for Imam Bukhari (R.A)
tomake daily visits to his home in order to teach his children. Imam
Bukhari (R.A) declined stating that, "I give greater respect to
knowledge rather than to people, for it is they who are in need of the
knowledge and it is they who should seek it."
Upon hearing this the Governor was further annoyed by Imam Bukhari's
(R.A) answer and made a second request that Imam Bukhari (R.A) make a
special arrangement to teach his children alone without anyone else
being present which was also refused by Imam Bukhari (R.A). The
Governor was infuriated by the second refusal andordered Imam Bukhari
(R.A) out of Bukhara. The people of Samarqand hearing of this quickly
issued an invitation to Imam Bukhari (R.A) to come to their town.
However, there was also a difference of opinion within the people of
Samarqand which forced Imam Bukhari (R.A) to turn towards Khartang.
It was here that he spent the month of Ramadaan and in the month of
Shawwaal headed towards Samarqand, where death found him whilst he was
traveling. Imam Bukhari died in themonth of Shawwaal 256 A.H., at the
age of 62.
(To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.)
Writings
There are a number of books compiled by Imam Bukhari (R.A) however,
Bukhari Shareef has gained great esteem and a high status in the
learning and praying of ahaadeeth.
A specific date has not been known as to when he had started the
writing of Bukhari Shareef, however, we do know that after he had
finished he had shown the manuscript to his teachers Imam Ahmad Ibn
Hanbal (R.A) for approval who died in 241A.H, along with Ibnul-Madeeni
who died in 234A.H, and lastly Ibn Maeen who passed away in 233 A.H.
It has also been recorded that it took the noble writer a period of 16
years to gather the ahaadeeth and to write Bukhari Shareef which sets
the date back to 217 A.H, as the year in which he started the
compilation; Imam Bukhari (R.A) being merely 23 years of age.
Before Imam Bukhari (R.A) had started to collect ahaadeeth there had
actually been quite afew published books of ahaadeeth in which Imam
Bukhari (R.A) foundahaadeeth of both weak and strong testimonials,
which gave him the idea to compile such a kitaab containing ahaadeeth
of only strong testimonials. Ishaaq Ibn Rahway (R.A) agreed to this
idea whichstrengthened Imam Bukhari's (R.A) decision.
Imam Bukhari (R.A) states, "There was once a time during one of our
sessions when my teacher Ishaaq Ibn Rahway remarked it would be
appreciated if someone could collect ahaadeeth which held strong and
reliable testimonials and write them in the form of a kitaab." This
inspired Imam Bukhari (R.A) which was later strengthened by a dreamin
which Imam Bukhari (R.A) was positioned in front of the Prophet
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallamwith a fan in one hand toaid him in ridding
the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam of all flies which would rest
upon him. Upon waking, Imam Bukhari (R.A) visited several interpreters
for an appropriate interpretation. They all answered that it meant he
would in future cleanse the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallamof all
lies spoken by the people through narrating misunderstood ahaadeeth.
This gave Imam Bukhari (R.A) great comfort and strength once he
started the writing of his kitab Al-Jame-ul-Sahih. The complete name
of the kitaab is 'Al-Jame-ul-Sahih-al-Musnad-min-ahaadeethe-Rasulillah
Sallallahu AlaihiWasallam-wa-sunanihi-wa-Ayyaamihi,' which means a
collected versionof ahaadeeth in the form of a kitaab which relates to
us the sayings, actions and the life of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam.
Imam Bukhari (R.A) had taken great care in writing the ahaadeeth and
choosing those which met the standards and conditions which he set to
find ahaadeeth with only strong testimonials which included only
reliable and trustworthy testifiers. He spent 16 years in writing the
kitaab, altering it a total of three times. Allaamah Ayni (R.A.)
reports of Ibn Tahir's remark that Imam Bukhari had written
Sahih-ul-Bukhari in his hometown Bukhara. Ibn Bujair however, relates
that he had started his compiling in Makkah, and some have reported of
seeing him in Basra. There is still another differing remark made by
others who comment on seeing him in Madinahto write his kitaab.
However, we find Imam Bukhari (R.A) relating himself that he wrote
Sahih-ul-Bukhari in Masjid-e-Haraam.
Before he actually placed a hadith in his compilation he used to
perform ghusl and prayed to Allah through two rakah nafl prayers
asking for guidance. Imam Bukhari ( R.A) worked such that only after
being completely satisfied with the hadith in question did he give it
a place in his kitaab. Due to this great care which was taken, the
people were heard to say that the ahaadeeth which Imam Bukhari (R.A)
has narrated have been so carefully phrased and with such precision
that it is felt Imam Bukhari (R.A) had heard the ahaadeeth directly
through the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Abu Zaid Marwazi reportsthat I was once asleep in between the 'Black
stone'and 'Maqaam-e-Ibrahim' when the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallamappeared in my dream he stated, "O Abu Zaid! For how long
shall you teach Imam Shafi's (R.A) kitaab ? When shall you start the
teaching of my kitaab ?"
I questioned, "O Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam! Which kitaab is
yours?" He replied, "Mohammed Ibn Ismail's Al-Jame-ul-Sahih."
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (R.A) reports that Imam Bukhari (R.A) has kept it of
utmost importance to only narrate ahaadeeth of a strong testimonial
which can be proven by the name of the kitaab. However, along with
this Imam Bukhari (R.A) also made an effort to explainall points which
are difficult to understand, which is the reason why he has given a
plentiful host of meanings for one sentence which may include a word
that is in reality difficult to understand. Imam Bukhari (R.A) has
included within his kitaab the art of narrating ahaadeeth which have
been dividedinto eight different chapters. These chapters contain
subjects which have been sub-titled and are famous for the ingenious
way in which they have been phrased.
Imam Bukhari (R.A) has imposed conditions which all narrators and
testifiers must meet before the hadith can be selected. One condition
requires that all testifiers must have a strong memory.
There are also restrictions made upon this condition :
1. All the Muhadditheen who possess great knowledge of ahaadeethmust
agree upon the testifiers' in question ability to learn and memorize,
along with hisreporting techniques.
2. The testimonial must be complete without any missing testifiers.
3. If there are two different narrators of a hadith related to them
bya Sahaabi then the hadith shall be given a high stage in rank.
However, if only one narrator can be found and the testimonial proves
to be a strong onethen this shall be accepted without any doubts.
Allaamah Nawawi (R.A) relates that all scholars inIslam have agreed
that Sahih-ul-Bukhari has earnestly gained the reward of being the
mostauthentic after the Holy Qur'an.
Sahih-ul-Bukhari consists of 7 275 ahaadeeth including those ahaadeeth
which have been repeated. However,should the repeated ahaadeeth be
excluded then the total number of ahaadeeth will be 4,000.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar counted the ahaadeeth and concluded that there was7
397 where the ahaadeeth have been passed down from the Prophet
Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam directly and with the narrations of Sahabah
or Tabi'een etc.; procuring a total of 9 407ahaadeeth in all. Although
after excluding the repetitions he found 2 353 narrations of the
Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and 160 sayings of the respected
Sahabah totaling to 2 513narrations in all.
Bukhari Shareef has beenset apart from other compilations, gaining a
distinctive honour due tothe following reasons :
1. Whilst Imam Bukhari (R.A) was engaged in the writing of Bukhari
Shareef, if the need aroseto stop work for a periodof time, then he
would continue his work only after writing 'Bismillah' which is the
reason why 'Bismillah' has been foundto be written in between in many
places.
2. At the end of all chapters Imam Bukhari (R.A) has concluded by use
of a word within the sentence so as to give one a point to ponder upon
and hopefully so that one becomes more aware of the primary objective
of life. e.g. afterthe first chapter he has included a word which
brings one to think of their short life in this world and of their
death.His intention is that one reads Kitaabe-Bukhari with death in
mind.
3. Imam Bukhari (R.A) haspaid great attention towards the beginning
and ending his kitaab with an appropriate hadith. For the first hadith
narrated within the kitaab is based upon intention which gives one the
opportunity to be sincere with himself as to what he intends to gain
from studying the words of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallamwhich
have been narrated throughout the kitaab. Also the last chapter which
Imam Bukhari (R.A) has chosen to end his kitaab with is
'Kitaab-ul-Tauheed' which gives one a whole host of words which may be
said in order to praise the oneness of Allah; for it is this which is
believedto be the sole aid for all humans when they shall find
themselves in the unbearable position of being reckoned for their sins
on the Day of Judgment.
Hadhrat Shaikh Moulana MuhammadZakariyya (R.A) has summed up the above
in these words," Imam Bukhari (R.A) has commenced his kitaab with the
hadeeth ' Innamal Aamaal….' and concluded it with 'Kalimataan.

Biographies - Abdullah ibn Mubarak

Throughout the history of Islamthere have been renowned personalities
who have dedicated their life to the preservation of Islam against the
tide of disbelief and deviation. In the early period of Islam, the
preservation ofthe Hadith (traditions) was an indispensable element,
which needed to be preserved in order to safeguard the deen
(religion). Thus,Abdullah Ibn Mubarakwas one of these personalities
who ensured that Islam was presented to us today in the same form it
had been 1400 years ago.
Abdullah Ibn Mubarakwas born in 118 hegira / 726 CE, in the town of
Marwa. In his childhood he studied elementary subjects, such as
writing and arithmetic, which were considered as essential.
Thereafter, his life took an unusual turn,thus, he became occupied in
the pleasuresof the world. He lived a luxurious life of jest and play,
until one night, when he received a wake up call from Allah Ta'lah. As
a routine custom one-day he invited his friends for a party in his
orchard, here, they played and joked until they were overpowered by
sleep. However, unlike before, in his sleep he saw a birdperched on
the tree reciting a verse in which Allah Ta'lah sends an admonition to
his servants:
Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be
affected by the reminder of Allah, and that, which has been revealed
of the truth. (Quran 57:16)
The message carried by this majestic verse was soprofound that it
ledAbdullah Ibn Mubarakto discard the comforts of this temporary world
in order to search for eternal bliss. He instigated his thoughts into
actions by, firstly, breaking the musical instrument he had in his
hand and this was his first step in Zuhad (asceticism).
Abdullah Ibn Mubarak was now on a new path in search of sacred
knowledge, especially Hadith (traditions). He travelled the entire
Islamic world in order to preserve Hadith, until Abu Usama declared
that 'I have not seen a person searching for Hadith throughout the
corners of the world like Abdullah ibn Mubarak. Consequently, he
becamethe undisputed authorityin the science transmitting Hadith
(traditions). He attained such a lofty rank that the critics of this
science unanimously agreed on the fact that he was of a sound nature
and a possessor of an extraordinary memory. To achieve such acceptance
is unparalleled in the history of Islam; however, this status was
necessary for a person who was to be the torch barer of the Hadith.
The renowned scholar of critical analysis of transmitters, Yahya Bin
Maeen, has wonderfully illustrated his noble traits:
He (Abdullah ibn Mubarak) was intelligent,cautious (in narrating
Hadith), trustworthy and a true scholar of Hadith. It is sufficient to
know (his status) that many narrated from him, thus he is one of the
narratorsof Imam Bukhariand the rigorous conditions applied by Imam
Bukhariin the verification and sound nature of a narrator is all well
known, therefore there is no reason to expound on it.
Hence, he was a firm pillar in the establishment of Hadith, so
whenever there was a narration he would take extreme measures to
ensure the authenticity of Hadith before he would narrate it. This is
why his legendary statement still resonates today in the hearts and
minds of the scholars of Hadith that 'Isnad (the chain of narration)
is a part of Deen (religion), if there was no Isnad, then everyone
would say what they desired'. Thus, everyone, including the king knew
his extreme precaution. Thus, the Abbasi King Haroon Al-Rashid once
retorted to an atheist that was brought on trial, who had claimed to
have fabricated over one thousand Hadith, none ofwhich were
established;
'What is your rank in compression to Ishaq Al-Farazi and Abdullah ibn
Mubarak? O Enemy ofAllah! They will separate them through a sieve,
letter for letter (from the collection of Hadith)'.
Not only did Abdullah ibnMubarak gain proficiencyin Hadith, but also
in Fiqh(jurisprudence) he was a master in his field. The fact that he
studied under the greatest living jurists of his time, including men
like Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malikand Sufyan Thawri, shows that he had
developed an appreciation of this science.
He was also praised for being a prolific writer in his time; Imam
Dhahabi states that his books include Kitab Al-Arbaeen, Kitab Tareek,
Kitab Jihad and Kitab Zuhad wa Raqaiq. Unfortunately all of his
written works are not published today.
One of his greatest assets was his Zuhad (asceticism) and the desire
for the hereafter. Even though, he had an annual yearly income in
excess of one thousand Dinars. All of which he spent in the path of
Allah.This is exemplified in his excursions to Makkahfor Hajj, while
on the journey he would lavishly spend on his associates and fellow
travellers despite the factthat he was continuously fasting.
Finally, in the year 181 hegira / 797 CE, during the month of Ramadan
Abdullah ibn Mubarak departed the world while striving hard in thepath
of Allah. The endeavours he took during his life are numerous and
cannot be covered here. However, aglimpse into the life of this great
Imam testifies how taking precaution inthe narration and narrators
preserved the Hadith from being marred with taint. We are therefore
indebted to the service rendered by our pious predecessors who
fulfilled their rights uponus and especially Abdullah ibn Mubarak.