View Full Version : The Old Sock and other stories.
Khadija222333
09-09-07, 08:46 PM
The Old Sock
A wise and saintly rich man, sensing his approaching death, called his son to his side and gave him these instructions: “My son, I shall be leaving you very shortly. On the day when I die, and they have washed my body and come to wrap it in the shroud, I want you to put one of my socks on my foot. This is my final request of you.”
Soon after this, the old man did indeed die, leaving behind his goods and property, his children and his dependents. Family, friends, acquaintances and neighbours attended his funeral. The body had been washed and was almost completely wrapped in the shroud, when the son remembered his father’s wish. Finding one of his old socks, he handed it to the washer of the dead, saying, “In accordance with my father’s last request, please put this sock on his foot.”
“That is quite impossible:’ Said the man. “Such a thing is utterly impermissible in Islam. I cannot act against the Shariah.” Despite this valid objection, the son insisted, “That was my father’s final request; it must certainly be carried out.”
The washer of the dead was unmoved. “If you won’t take my word for it,” he said, “go and ask the mufti. He will confirm what I tell you, that it is not permissible.” Holding up the funeral, they consulted the mufti, preachers and scholars, all of whom declared that this was not permissible in Islam. Just then, an aged friend of the deceased interrupted the debate with these words to the son: “My boy, your late father entrusted me with a letter which I was to hand over to you after his departure. Here, this letter belongs to you.” So saying, he gave him an envelope. Taken by surprise, the boy opened the envelope and read out the contents of his father’s letter.
“My son, all this wealth and property I have left to you. Now you see: at the last moment, they won’t even let you give me an old sock to wear. When you yourself come one day to be in my condition they will also refuse to let you keep anything but your shroud. Eight yards of shroud are all you will be able to carry over from this fleeting world into the Hereafter. So pull yourself together and be prepared. Spend the fortune I have left you, not for the satisfaction of vain desires, but in ways pleasing to Allah, that you may achieve honour in both worlds.”
Khadija222333
09-09-07, 08:48 PM
Ali (ra) and some philosophers
Once some men of learning came to Sayyidina Ali (RA), the fourth Caliph of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was his cousin as well as his son-in-law. They were neither Muslim nor Christian scholars, but philosophers. They were asking Sayyidina Ali (RA) questions, and he was answering them. Finally, they spoke out and said ‘There is no God.’ He said, ‘I cannot give you an answer here, let us go to the seashore.’
They went to the Red Sea in Jeddah. Sayyidina Ali (RA) was sitting on the seashore, and those philosophers were with him. He looked across to the horizon and saw a ship making its way to the shore.
He said ‘O, I am astonished! There is no captain on that ship and no crew, and that ship is coming by itself to shore. What miraculous power!’
‘Are you crazy? Are you saying that ship has no captain and crew to make it come to land?’ said the philosphers.
‘Yes- because I am not seeing either a captain and crew for that ship. so it is apparent to me that the ship is coming ashore by itself’ said Sayyidina Ali (RA).
‘We thought you were a wise man. It turns out that you are not wise at all.’
‘Why are you jumping to this conclusion? Wait until the ship arrives. If there is indeed a captain and a crew, then you may say that I am not wise.’
Since this was a reasonable condition, the philosophers agreed to wait. After several hours the ship reached port. Out of the ship emerged the captain and crew.
The philosophers looked at Sayyidina Ali (RA) and said ‘Didn’t we say that you are not wise? You said that ship was coming here by itself and now you see this crew and this captain?’
He said, ‘Yes I saw’.
They then said ‘But you said before that ship has no captain or crew.’
Sayyidina Ali (RA) said ‘For that ship, you accept that there has to be a captain and an entire crew of men. But to govern this universe, you are not accepting even one Lord’.
Khadija222333
09-09-07, 08:51 PM
Bread, Meat, Busr and Rutab
One day, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, left his house in the burning heat of the midday sun and went to the mosque. ‘Umar saw him and asked, “Abu Bakr, what has brought you out at this hour?” Abu Bakr said he had left his house because he was terribly hungry and ‘Umar said that he had left his house for the same reason. The Prophet came up to them and asked, “What has brought the two of you out at this hour?” They told him and he said, “By Him in Whose hands is my soul, only hunger has caused me to come out also. But come with me.” ..
They went to the house of Abu Ayyub Al Ansari. His wife opened the door and said, “Welcome to the Prophet and whoever is with him.”
“Where is Abu Ayyub?” asked the Prophet. Abu Ayyub, who was working in a nearby palm grove, heard the Prophet’s voice and came hurriedly. “Welcome to the Prophet and whoever is with him,” he said and went on, “O Prophet of Allah, this is not the time that you usually come.” (Abu Ayyub used to keep some food for the Prophet every day. When the Prophet did not come for it by a certain time, Abu Ayyub would give it to his family.) “You are right,” the Prophet agreed.
Abu Ayyub went out and cut a cluster of dates in which there were ripe and half-ripe dates.
“I did not want you to cut this,” said the Prophet. “Could you not have brought only the ripe dates?”
“O Prophet of Allah, please eat from both the ripe dates (rutab) and the half ripe (busr). I shall slaughter an animal for you also.”
“If you are going to, then do not kill one that gives milk,” cautioned the Prophet.
Abu Ayyub killed a young goat, cooked half and grilled the other half. He also asked his wife to bake, because she baked better, he said.
When the food was ready, it was placed before the Prophet and his two companions. The Prophet took a piece of meat and placed it in a loaf and said, “Abu Ayyub, take this to Fatimah. She has not tasted the like of this for days.”
When they had eaten and were satisfied, the Prophet said reflectively:
“Bread and meat and busr and rutab!” Tears began to flow from his eyes as he continued:
“This is a bountiful blessing about which you will be asked on the Day of Judgment. If such comes your way, put your hands to it and say, ‘Bismillah’ (In the name of Allah) and when you have finished say, ‘Al hamdu lillah alladhee huwa ashba’na wa an’ama ‘alayna (Praise be to Allah Who has given us enough and Who has bestowed his bounty on us). This is best.”
Khadija222333
11-09-07, 03:48 AM
Scars of Love
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.
His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs; and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.”
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too.
No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.
In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.
This teaches us that God loves us. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-o-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not - and will not - let you go.
Khadija222333
11-09-07, 03:49 AM
Learning to Get Back Up
Bringing a giraffe into the world is a tall order. A baby giraffe falls 10 feet from its mother’s womb and usually lands on its back. Within seconds it rolls over and tucks its legs under its body. From this position it considers the world for the first time and shakes off the last vestiges of the birthing fluid from its eyes and ears. Then the mother giraffe rudely introduces its offspring to the reality of life.
In his book, A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a newborn giraffe learns its first lesson.
The mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look. Then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing. She swings her long, pendulous leg outward and kicks her baby, so that it is sent sprawling head over heels.
When it doesn’t get up, the violent process is repeated over and over again. The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally, the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs.
Then the mother giraffe does the most remarkable thing. She kicks it off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up. In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as possible to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions, hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes, and they’d get it too, if the mother didn’t teach her calf to get up quickly and get with it.
hammerofthehuns
11-09-07, 08:31 AM
nice:), barakAllahu feeki sis
Salam
Jazakallahair for those stories....thoughtful and and heart warming, keep them coming
Khadija222333
13-09-07, 04:59 PM
The Frogs
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the otherfrogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, “Why did you continue jumping. Didn’t you hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story holds two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say.
Speak life to those who cross your path.
The power of words… it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.
Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.
Khadija222333
13-09-07, 05:05 PM
Sincerity of a Six Year Old
There was a little girl (six years old) who was fasting in Ramadhan, even though it is not obligatory on people below the age of puberty. She was in school, and at lunch time, when all the other children went out to eat and have lunch, she sat in the classroom, because she was fasting.
Her (non-muslim) teacher thought that she was too young to fast, and so said that it was not necessary, and she could eat a little. The girl still didn’t eat. Then the teacher said: “Your parents are not here, it doesn’t matter if you eat a little”. The girl replied: “I am not fasting for my parents, I am fasting for Allah”.
This simple statement had such a profound effect on the teacher, that later she accepted Islam.
Khadija222333
19-09-07, 01:10 AM
A Feast for Clothes
Once upon a time in the Iranian city of Shiraz, there lived the famous poet Sheikh Saadi. Like most other poets and philosophers, Sheikh Saadi was not a rich man. He led a very simple life. A rich merchant of Shiraz invited Sheikh Saadi along with a lot of other big businessmen of the town on the occasion of his daughter’s marriage which was to be a grand affair. Sheikh Saadi accepted the invitation and decided to attend.
On the day of the wedding, the host and his family were receiving the guests at the gate. They were ushering all the guests towards the dining hall. All the rich people of the town attended the wedding. They had come out in best of their attires. Sheikh Saadi wore simple clothes which were neither grand nor expensive. He waited in a corner for someone to approach him but no one gave him as much as even a second glance. Even the host did not acknowledge him and looked away. Seeing all this, Sheikh Saadi quietly left the party and went to a shop from where he could hire clothes. There he chose a richly brocaded dress which was embroidered in gold on the margins. He selected a fancy turban and a waist-band to go with it. As he put on the hired dress and looked into the mirror, he found himself a changed person.
With this, he entered the dining hall and this time was welcomed with open arms. The host embraced him as he would do to an old friend and complimented him on the clothes he was wearing. On seeing him, he said, “And here comes our favourite poet. What took you so long, friend? We have been waiting for you for ages! How good of you to have come. The gathering surely would have been incomplete without your gracious presence!” Saadi did not utter a word and allowed the host to lead him to the dining room where other guests had assembled. Tasty dishes had been laid out on grand carpets. Saadi was offered a seat with soft cushions. The food was served in fine crockery and cutlery made out of silver.
The host led Sheikh Saadi by hand and himself served out the chicken soup and the fragrant rice to him. After this, something strange happened. Sheikh Saadi dipped the corner of his waist-coat in the soup and sprinkled some rice on it. Addressing the clothes, he said: “This is a feast for you, you should enjoy it.”
All the guests were now staring at him in surprise. The host said, “Sir, what are doing? How can your colthes eat? And why should they? To this query, Sheikh Saadi very calmly replied: “My dear friend, I am indeed surprised with the question coming from you.”
“Aren’t you the same person who did not even throw a look at me when I came dressed in simple clothes. I can guess that it is my clothes and appearance that matter with you, not my individual worth. Now that I have put on grand clothes, I see a world of difference in reception here. All that I can now say is that this feast is meant for my clothes, not for me.”
:( :crying: :( :crying: :( :crying: :( :crying: :( :crying: :(
Ohh i've read the feast for clothes one before, it's sooo profound :(
and the alligator and boy one was good too :o
Thank you for sharing !
Khadija222333
19-09-07, 01:23 AM
Ohh i've read the feast for clothes one before, it's sooo profound :(
and the alligator and boy one was good too :o
Thank you for sharing !
:D :inlove: :D :inlove: :D
Khadija222333
19-09-07, 01:32 AM
A thousand camels
In the times of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. “Five per cent,” they said. He answered that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote..
He said to them, “I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham (Arabian currency).” He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Almighty mentioned this profit. “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (2:261).
“O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!” said Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu).
Salam
I haven't been on the for a few days, it's nice to start with these stories... jazakallah khair :D
Khadija222333
25-09-07, 03:19 PM
Waiyaki Ukhti. :D
Khadija222333
27-09-07, 05:40 PM
Which is more precious: Money or Women?
A Mufti (muslim scholar) sat next to a Reverend on a flight.
The Rev asked the Mufti: What is your occupation?
Mufti: I'm into big business
Rev: But what business exactly?
Mufti: I deal with God
Rev: Ah, so you're a Muslim religious leader. I have one problem with you Muslims: you oppress your women.
Mufti: How do we oppress women?
Rev: You make your women cover up completely and you keep them in the homes.
Mufti: Ah. I have a problem with you people: you oppress MONEY.
Rev: What? How can one oppress money?
Mufti: You keep your money hidden away, in wallets, banks and safes.. You keep it covered up. Why don't you display it in public if it's a beautiful thing?
Rev: It will get stolen, obviously.
Mufti: You keep your money hidden because it is so valuable. We value the true worth of women far, far more. Therefore, these precious jewels are not on display to one and all. They are kept in honour and dignity....
:inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue: :inlove: :blobblue:
Khadija222333
16-10-07, 07:59 PM
Shake it off and take a step up.
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw.
As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed, as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
The Moral… Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of a hole is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest holes just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!
Khadija222333
16-10-07, 08:05 PM
The Miser and the Angel of Death
A miser had accumulated, by effort, trade and lending, three hunderd thousand dinars. He had lands and buildings, and all kinds of wealth. He then decided that he would spend a year in enjoyment, living comfortably, and then decide as what his future should be.
But, almost as soon as he had stopped amassing money the Angel of Death appeared before him, to take his life away.
The miser tried, by every argument which he could muster, to dissuade the Angel, who seemed, however, adament. Then the man said: “Grant me but three more days and I will give you one-third of my possessions.”
The angel refused, and pulled again at the miser’s life, tugging to take it away.
Then the man said:
“If you only allow me two more days on earth, I will give you two hundred thousand dinars from my store.”
But the Angel would not listen to him. And the Angel even refused to give the man a solitary extra day for all his three hundred thousand pieces.
The the miser said:
“Please, then, give me just time enough to write one little thing down.”
This time the Angel allowed him this single concession, and the man wrote, with his own blood:
“Man, make use of your life. I could not buy one hour for three hundred thousand dinars. Make sure that you realize the value of your time.”
Neena77
16-10-07, 08:22 PM
Scars of Love
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.
In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.
It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.
The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.
His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs; and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.”
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too.
No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.
In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.
This teaches us that God loves us. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-o-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not - and will not - let you go.
I'm enjoying all the stories,but this one is my fave so far...thank you for sharing:up:
fisabilllillah
16-10-07, 08:25 PM
i mistakened my old sock for a nikaabi glove wen i was off to taraweeh prayers :o
Khadija222333
16-10-07, 08:34 PM
The Rose Within
A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, “How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom… it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The good qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential. Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love… to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life… all the while recognizing the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the “rose” within themselves, they will conquer their thorns.
Only then will they blossom many times over.
“Only a heart that does not judge can open friendships door”.
Today is a gift treasure it!!!
Z-Blade
16-10-07, 10:17 PM
MashaAllah, the rose story is very inspiritational. :jkk: ukhti. :up:
Wassalam.
Khadija222333
16-10-07, 10:18 PM
Waiyaka.
Khadija222333
16-10-07, 10:24 PM
Unfolding a rose
A young, new ustadh (teacher) was walking with an older, more seasoned ustadh (teacher) in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what Allah had for him to do, he was asking the older ustadh for some advice. The older ustadh walked up to a rosebush and handed the young ustadh a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young ustadh looked in disbelief at the older ustadh and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of Allah for his life and ministry.
But because of his great respect for the older ustadh, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact… It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the younger ustadh’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older ustadh began to recite the following poem…
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of Allah’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
ALLAH opens this flower so sweetly,
Then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of Allah’s design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Allah for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Allah for His guidance
Each step of the way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only Allah knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose
Khadija222333
17-10-07, 02:36 PM
The Shipwreck
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
“Allah, how could you do this to me!” he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
“How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn’t lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground–it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of Allah.
A beautiful reminder of Allah’s Greatness and our weakness and need of Him, May we always turn to our Lord for help and no one else, Ameen.
Khadija222333
17-10-07, 02:45 PM
The Secret
One day, one friend asked another, “How is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down.”
With her eyes smiling, she said, “I know the Secret!”
“What secret is that?”
To which she replied, “I’ll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others.”
“The Secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on Allah to make me happy and to meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust Almighty Allah to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don’t need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down.
Since I learned that ‘Secret’, I am happy.”
The questioner’s first thought was, “That’s too simple!”
But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn’t! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn’t. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, a simple gift from Allah Almighty.
Now you know it too! We can’t depend on people to make us happy. Only Allah in His infinite wisdom can do that. Trust HIM!
And now I pass the Secret on to you! So once you get it, what will you do?
YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too! That Allah in His wisdom will take care of YOU! But it’s not really a secret…
We just have to believe it and do it…
Really trust Him!
In everything you do, put Allah first, and he will direct you and crown your effort with success.
Jazak allah khair
I really liked 'The Secret' story it did really reflect on me :)
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 01:37 PM
Waiyaki.
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 01:41 PM
Run, Run, Run
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible.
When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. He came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, “Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself.”
The story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.
One day when we look back , we will realize that we don’t really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 01:46 PM
Hatred..
A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates. So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes.
The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week. Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended.
The teacher asked: “How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?” The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go. Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: “This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart.
The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime?”
Moral of the story:
Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to take. “Learn to Forgive and Forget.”
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 01:50 PM
A Gift Of Love
“Can I see my baby?” the happy new mother asked.
When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.
Time proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks.
He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a freak.”
He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music. “But you might mingle with other young people,” his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart.
The boy’s father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.
Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by.
Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret,” said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service.
“But I must know!” He urged his father, “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.”
“I do not believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to know … not yet.”
The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come … one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother’s casket.
Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears.
“Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”
Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 05:19 PM
The Righteous Beggar
The following incident took place in Dhaka which is the capital city of Bangladesh.
There was a beggar in the city who used to beg beside a Masjid on Fridays after Jumah prayer. Begging was permissible for him due to his adverse condition. Though he was a beggar, he would pay attention to the sermons that were delivered during the Khutbah. One such sermons was about the importance of earning halal income.
He learnt that supplications (dua) will not be accepted from those people whose income are from forbidden sources. He immediately decided to accept money from only those individuals that he knew had halal income. His daily earnings decreased as a result but he was committed to his decision.
Then came a day when the beggar died. Eventhough he lived as a beggar, his funeral was like that of a king. Many dignitaries of the area attended his funeral because they knew of that great sacrifice he used to make daily in order to keep up with the commandment of Almighty Allah.
We too should sincerely adopt the commandments of Allah in our lives regardless of our social status. In this way, Allah will elevate us in this world and in the hereafter.
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 05:23 PM
A dialogue between a flower and a pearl
One day, a brilliantly beautiful and fragrant flower with attractive colors met a pearl that lives far in the bottom of the sea and has none of these characteristics. Both got acquainted with each other.
The flower said: “Our family is large; roses and daisies are members of the family. And there are many other species that are various and countless, each has a distinctive scent, appearance etc.”
Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on the flower. “Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why are depressed?”
The pearl asked. “Human beings deal with us carelessly; they slight us. They don’t grow us for our sake but to get pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful appearance. They throw us on the street or in the garbage can after we are dispossessed of the most valuable properties; brilliance and fragrance”
The flower sighed. And then the flower said to the pearl: “Speak to me about your life! How do you live? How do you feel it? You are buried in the bottom of the sea. ”
The pearl answered: “Although I have none of your distinctive colors and sweet scents, humans think I am precious. They do the impossible to procure me. They go on long journeys, dive deep in the seas searching for me. You might be astounded to know that the further I lay, the more beautiful and brilliant I become.
That’s what upraises my value in their thought. I live in a thick shell isolated in the dark seas. However, I’m happy and proud to be in a safe zone far from wanton and mischievous hands and still the humans consider me highly valuable”
Do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize?
You will find that:
The flower is the unveiled woman (who shows her charms) and the pearl is the veiled woman (who conceals her beauties) Think about it!
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 05:26 PM
The way he moved from here to there
Sahl Ibne Adbullah Tusturi Rahmatullah alaihe used to spend liberally in the path of Allah Ta’ala. His mother and brothers complained to Abdullah Ibne Mubarak Rahmatullah alihe that Sahl wanted to spend everything and they feared he would become a pauper.
Abdullah Ibne Mubarak Rahmatullah alihe enquired from Sahl Rahmatullah alihe about the matter. The lattar asked Abdullah Ibne Mubarak, “If a person wanted to migrate from Madinah to the city of Rustaqq in Persia, where he had already purchased land, would he leave anything behind in Madinah?”
The reply was that nothing would be left behind. Sahl Rahmatullah alaihe then said that was his real purpose. While the people thought he was going to migrate to another place, he had actually meant transfer to the next world.
In these days, people have personal experience of it that when people who wish to move permanently from one country to another (eg. England to Canada) by their own choice, they try to transfer all their belongings and property, buildings, etc, by exchanging with those at the new locations, before actual migration.
This is exactly the state of affairs of every single person leaving this world. As long as he is living, he has the power to transfer his property and belongings, etc., to the next world (Akhira).
Khadija222333
18-10-07, 05:28 PM
Horse of Paradise
Hadrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (RA) reports that a desert Arab came to the Holy Prophet (SAW) and submitted: “O Prophet of Allah, I am very fond of horses. Will there be horses in heaven?” The Holy Prophet observed: “If you were sent to Paradise, you would be given a horse made of emerald. The horse will have two wings. You would mount the horse and it would fly you to where ever it might be your pleasure to go.” Source: Tirmidhi.
Jazalllah Khair sister......keep them coming
Khadija222333
19-10-07, 12:11 AM
Waiyaki.
A boy with strong belief
Shaykh Fath al-Mowsily relates, once I saw a young boy walking through the jungle. It appeared as if he was uttering some words. I greeted him with Salaam and he replied accordingly. I inquired, “Where are you going?” He retorted, “To the house of Allah (Makkah).”
I further asked, “What are you reciting?” “The Qur’an” he replied. I remarked, “You are at a tender age, it is not an obligation that you are required to fulfill.”
He said, “I have witnessed death approach people younger than me and therefore would like to prepare if death was to knock on my door.”
I astoundingly commented, “Your steps are small and your destination far.” He responded, “My duty is to take the step and it remains the responsibility of Allah to take me to my destination.”
I continued to ask, “Where is your provision and conveyance (means of transport).” He replied, “My Yaqeen (belief) is my provision and my feet’s are my conveyance.” I explained, “I am asking you regarding bread and water.”
He replied! “Oh Shaykh if someone invited you to his house, would it be appropriate to take your own food?” I exclaimed, “No!” “Similarly, My Lord has invited His servant to His house, it is only the weakness of your Yaqeen that makes us carry provisions. Despite this, do you think Allah will let me go to waste?”
“Never” I replied. He then left. Sometime later I saw him in Makkah. He approached me and inquired, “Oh Shaykh are you still of weak belief?”
Khadija222333
20-10-07, 11:05 PM
Removing the Obstacle
A qualified medical worker from India emigrated to Canada to live a better life. This Muslim brother had a beard. He applied to many different places for a job and was called for interviews. Though he was highly qualified for the jobs, the interviewers hesitated to hire him because of his beard. One by one, he was rejected from all the companies.
One interviewer actually mentioned to him indirectly that his beard was an obstacle to getting the job. Truly, it was a big test for him from Allah. Hopeless and exhausted, the brother decided to remove the obstacle, which was to shave off his beard. Then he returned to that company and requested for another interview.
When the interviewer saw him without a beard this time, he refused to give him the job again. The brother became confused and asked to know the reason. The interviewer said “If you are not faithful to your God, how will you be faithful to us?”
This true incident was narrated to us by a friend who personally knows this brother, however, his identity will remain private. In reality, obeying the commandments of Allah does not bring failure. In the beginning, we may face various problems, but the end results will be very sweet.
Prophet of Allah (SAW) also faced many problems in the beginning, but in the end, he saw how hundreds and thousands of people turned towards Allah for his steadfastness.
Ibn ‘Umar, may God be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and give him peace, ordered us to trim closely the mustache and leave the beard as it is (that is grow the beard).”
(Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.)
Khadija222333
22-10-07, 04:19 PM
Physical Judgment
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.
“Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but I’ve a favor to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me.” “Sure,” they replied, “we’d love to meet him.”
“There’s something you should know,” the son continued, “he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg.
He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.”
“No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.”
“Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.”
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.
A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told.
The police believed it was suicide.
The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn’t know,
Their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable.
We would rather stay away from people who aren’t as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there’s someone who won’t treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!
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