Short moral stories [Archive] - Page 2 - Ummah.com

mulk91

14-03-06, 06:59 PM

Club 99

Long ago, there lived a King. This King should have been contented with his life, given all the riches and luxuries he had. However, this was not the case! The King always found himself wondering why he just never seemed content with his life. Sure, he had the attention of everyone wherever he went, attended fancy dinners and parties, but somehow, he still felt something was lacking and he couldn't put his finger on it.

One day, the King had woken up earlier than usual to stroll around his palace. He entered his huge living room and came to a stop when he heard someone happily singing away... following this singing... he saw that one of the servants was singing and had a very contented look on his face. This fascinated the King and he summoned this man to his chambers.

The man, his servant, entered the King's chambers as ordered. The King asked why he was so happy?

To this the man replied: "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but I make enough of a living to keep my wife and children happy. We don't need too much, a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummy. My wife and children are my inspiration, they are content with whatever little I bring home. I am happy because my family is happy."

Hearing this, the King dismissed the servant and summoned his Personal Assistant to his chambers. The King related his personal anguish about his feelings and then related the story of the servant to his Personal Assistant, hoping that somehow, he will be able to come up with some reasoning that here was a King who could have anything he wished for at a snap of his fingers and yet was not contented, whereas, his servant, having so little was extremely contented.

The Personal Assistant listened attentively and came to a conclusion. He said "Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club."

"The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired.

To which the Assistant replied, "Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, you will have to do the following... place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant's doorstep, you will then understand what The 99 Club is."

That very same evening, the King arranged for 99 Gold coins to be placed in a bag at the servant's doorstep. Although he was slightly hesitant and he thought he should have put 100 Gold coins into the bag, but since his assistant had advised him to put 99, that is what he did.

The servant was just stepping out of his house when he saw a bag at his doorstep.Wondering about its contents, he took it into his house and opened the bag. When he opened the bag, he let out a great big shout of joy...

Gold Coins... so many of them. He could hardly believe it. He called his wife to show her the coins.

He then took the bag to a table and emptied it out and began to count the coins. Doing so, he realised that there were 99 coins and he thought it was an odd number so he counted again, and again and again only to come to the same conclusion... 99 Gold Coins.

He began to wonder, what could have happened to that last 1 coin? For no one would leave 99 coins. He began to search his entire house, looked around his backyard for hours, not wanting to lose out on that one coin. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to make up for that 1 Gold coin to make his entire collection an even 100 Gold Coins.

He got up the next morning, in an extremely horrible mood, shouting at the children and his wife for his delay, not realising that he had spent most of the night conjuring ways of working hard so that he had enough money to buy himself that gold coin. He went to work as usual - only not in his usual best mood, singing happily - as he grumpily did his daily errands.

Seeing the man's attitude change so drastically, the King was puzzled. He promptly summoned his assistant to his chambers. The King related his thoughts about the servant and once again, his assistant listened. The King could not believe that the servant who until yesterday had been singing away and was happy and content with his life had taken a sudden
change of attitude, even though he should have been happier after receiving the gold coins.

To this the assistant replied "Ah! but your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club." He explained: "The 99 Club is just a name given to those people who have everything but yet are never contented, therefore they are always working hard and striving for that extra 1 to round it out to 100!

We have so much to be thankful for and we can live with very little in our lives, but the minute we are given something bigger and better, we want even more!

We are not the same happy contented person we used to be, we want more and more and by wanting more and more we don't realise the price we pay for it. We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us just as a price to pay for our growing needs and desires. That is what joining The 99 Club is all about."

Hearing this the King decided that from that day onwards, he was going to start appreciating all the little things in life.

Striving for more is always good, but let's not strive so hard and for so much that we lose all those near and dear to our hearts, we shouldn't compromise our happiness for moments of luxuries!
Author: Unknown
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com

toxic

15-03-06, 12:40 PM

The Lion & The Fly

.... Qisas.com

Shaykh Ibn Atā’allāh al-Iskandarī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:
The person who pays too much attention to the life of this world while neglecting to prepare for the life to come is like a man being attacked by a lion. Imagine that the lion is poised to pounce upon him when a fly suddenly lands on his nose. If the man stopped to swat the fly instead of fending off the lion, wouldn’t he be an fool? He must have lost his sense of reason! If he had a grain of reasoning power, he would certainly pay attention to the imminent onslaught of the lion with its deadly pounce while ignoring the disturbance of a mere fly. If people grow preoccupied with their lives in this world and neglect to prepare for the life to come, it proves that they, too, are fools. If they had any understanding, insight and reasoning power, they would get ready for the upcoming life after death. That is their ultimate responsibility. For this they will each be held accountable. They should hardly be preoccupied with matters of material provision. Concern for material goods in comparison to concern for spiritual health is like the taking care of the annoying fly instead of the impending pounce of the deadly lion. FOOL!

toxic

16-03-06, 12:29 PM

Bayazid Bastami & the Rabbi

.... Qisas.com

One day Hadhrat Bayazid Bastami rahmatullah alayhi while in meditation, saw himself in a synagogue dressed as a Jew. At first he was confused, but when he kept on seeing the same vision over and over again, he decided to enact it. So, he dressed himself as a Jew and went to their synagogue.

When the Jews and their scholars were present, their chief Rabbi stood up to speak. But when he stood up, his tongue became stuck and he could not talk. After he had been standing quietly for some time, the Jews started to complain.

The Rabbi said, “In this gathering there is a follower of the Prophet Muhammed (sallalahu alayhi wassalam) and I cannot speak because he has come to examine us.”

On hearing this, their anger raged like wildfire and they asked the Rabbi to give them permission to kill this follower of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wassalam).

The Rabbi replied, “He cannot be killed without proof, so we must talk to him peacefully and respectfully and then we can decide.”

The Rabbi then said, “Oh follower of Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wassalam). For the sake of your Prophet please stand up in your place. If you can remove our doubt about Islam then we shall accept Islam, but if you can’t, then we shall kill you.”

On hearing this, Hadhrat Bayazid rahmatullah alayhi stood up and gave permission for them to question him.

Rabbi: What is one and not two?
Bayazid: Allah.

Rabbi: What is two and not three?
Bayazid: Night and day.
[Qur’aan chapter 17 verse 12:
“And we made night and day two examples.”]

Rabbi: What is three and not four?
Bayazid: The Throne, Chair, and the Pen of Allah.

Rabbi: What is four and not five?
Bayazid: The Torah, Bible, Psalms, and the Qur’aan.

Rabbi: What is five and not six?
Bayazid: The five compulsory Prayers.

Rabbi: What is six and not seven?
Bayazid: The six days in which the Earth, the sky, and whatever is in between them was created.
[Qur’aan chapter 50 verse 38:
“And we created the Sky and the Earth and whatever is between them in six days”]

Rabbi: What is seven and not eight?
Bayazid: The seven skies.
[Qur’aan chapter 67 verse 3,
“Who created the seven skies layer upon layer!”]

Rabbi: What is eight and not nine?
Bayazid: The bearers of the throne of Allah.
[Quraan chapter 69 verse 17:
“And they will lift their Lord’s throne on themselves on that day, eight persons. “]

Rabbi: What is nine and not ten?
Bayazid: The villagers of Hadhrat Salih peace be upon him in which the mischief mongers lived.
[Qur’aan chapter 27 Verse 48:
“And in that city there were nine persons who created mischief on the Earth, and they didn’t amend. “]

Rabbi: What is ten and not eleven?
Bayazid: The person who performs a minor pilgrimage along with the major one and doesn’t have the capacity to sacrifice an animal, he has to keep ten fasts.
[Qur’aan chapter 2 verse 196:
“So keep the three Haj days and seven fasts when you return”.]

Rabbi: What is eleven, twelve and thirteen things which Allah has mentioned?
Bayazid: Hadhrat Yusuf had eleven brothers.
The twelve months in a year,
[Qur’aan chapter 9 verse 36:
“The number of months, with Allah , is twelve months”.]
Hadhrat Yusuf saw thirteen things prostrating to him.
[Qur’aan chapter 12 verse 4:
“I saw in a dream eleven stars, the sun and the moon, I saw them (for my sake) prostrating (to me)”.]

Rabbi: Which is that nation which lied and went in to paradise and which is that nation which said the truth and entered hell?
Bayazid: Hadhrat Yusuf’s brothers lied but they went to paradise.
[Qur’aan chapter 12 verse 17:
“Oh father! We went out to run and we left Yusuf with our belongings, then he was eaten by the wolf.”]
The contradiction between the Christians and the Jews was true but they went to hell.
[Qur’aan chapter 2 verse 113:
“And the Jews said that the Christians are not on any path, and the Christians said that the Jews are not on any path, even though they all read the book.”]

Rabbi: What is the meaning of
Qur’aan chapter 51 verse 1-4:
By the ships that scatter broadcast; And those that lift and bear away heavy weights; And those that flow with ease and gentleness;
And those that distribute and apportion by Command?
Bayazid: The meaning of flying scattered ships is air, the meaning of weight carrying ships is water filled clouds, the meaning of calmly sailing ships is boats, and the meaning of the last is the angels which distribute the sustenance.

Rabbi: What is that thing which has no soul nor any connection with breathing, yet it breathes?
Bayazid: It is the dawn, for it has no soul but it still breathes.
[Qur’aan Chapter 81 verse 18:
“And the morning, when it breathes.”]

Rabbi: What are those fourteen things to which Allah talks with honour?
Bayazid: The seven earths and the seven skies,
[Qur’aan chapter 41 verse 11:
Then He said to it and to the Earth, come both of you with happiness or hardly, They said we will come happily.]

Rabbi: Which is that grave which moves the person in it around?
Bayazid: The fish of Hadhrat Yunus alayhi salaam.
[Qur’aan chapter 37 verse 142:
“Then the fish took him as a morsel”.]

Rabbi: Which is that water which neither came up from the earth nor down from the sky?
Bayazid: The water which Hadhrat Sulaiman alayhi salaam sent to Bilqis, Queen of Sheeba, for it was the sweat of a horse.

Rabbi: What are those four things which had no father nor were born from a mother’s stomach?
Bayazid: The sheep of Hadhrat Ismail, the she camel of Hadhrat Salih, Hadhrat Adam and our mother Eve alayhi salaam.

Rabbi: Whose blood flowed first on the Earth?
Bayazid: It was Habil’s (Abel) when Qabil (Cain) killed him.

Rabbi: What is that thing which Allah created and then bought?
Bayazid: A believers soul.
[Qur’aan chapter 9 verse 11:
“Allah bought from the Muslim’s their souls.”]

Rabbi: What is that voice which Allah created and then spoke ill of?
Bayazid: The donkey’s voice.
[Qur’aan chapter 31 verse 19:
“Without doubt the worse voice is of a donkey.”]

Rabbi: What is that creation that Allah created and from it’s greatness created fear?
Bayazid: Women’s scheming.
[Qur’aan chapter 12 verse 28:
“Truly, mighty is your scheming.”

Rabbi: What is that thing that Allah created and then asked about?
Bayazid: The staff of Hadhrat Musa.
[Qur’aan Chapter 20 verse 17:
“And what is that in your right hand, Oh Musa? He said “This is my staff.”]

Rabbi: Who are the most pious of the women and what are the blessed rivers?
Bayazid: The most pious women are Hadhrat Eve, Hadhrat Khadija, Hazart Aisha and Hadhrat Fatima.The most blessed rivers are the Oxus, Simwon, Tigris, Euphrates and Nile.

Rabbi: Which is the most blessed mountain and the most blessed animal?
Bayazid: Mount Toor in Makkah and the horse.

Rabbi: Which is the best of all months and the best of all nights?
Bayazid: The month of Ramdhan and the Night of Power.
[Qur’aan Chapter 2 verse 185:
“The month of Ramdhan in which the Qur’aan was revealed.”
Qur’aan chapter 97 verse 3:
“The night of power is better than a thousand months.”]

Rabbi: There is a tree which has twelve twigs, each twig has thirty leaves, and each leaf has five fruits, two in the sun and three in the shade. What is the meaning of this tree?
Bayazid: The tree means one year, the twigs mean the twelve months, the leaves represent the thirty days, and the fruits are the daily prayers, two of which are prayed in the day and the remaining three which are prayed at dawn, at dusk, and in the night time.

Rabbi: What is that thing that circled around the Ka’abah in Makkah even though it had no soul?
Bayazid: The boat of Hadhrat Nuh alayhi salaam. In the time of the flood it arrived in Arabia and circled around the Ka’abah.

Rabbi: How many prophets did Allah send as Messengers?
Bayazid: Only Allah knows, but in narrations it is said that Allah created 126,000 prophets from which 313 were Messengers.

Rabbi: What are those four things whose roots are one but their colours and tastes are different?
Bayazid: Eyes, ears, mouth and nose.The wetness of the eye are sour, the wetness of the ears is acid, that of the noses is also acid and the wetness of the mouth is sweet.

Rabbi: What is the voice of the donkey called?
Bayazid: It is the curse on the tax takers.

Rabbi: What is the voice of the dog called?
Bayazid: Doom on the dwellers of Hell by the anger of Allah.

Rabbi: What is the remembrance of the ox?
Bayazid: SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi, subhanAllah il adheem.

Rabbi: What is the remembrance of the camel?
Bayazid: HasbunAllahu wa ni’mal wakeel.

Rabbi: What is the remembrance of the peacock?
Bayazid: Huwal wadud, dhul ‘arsh il-adheem.

Rabbi: What is the beautiful recitation of the nightingale?
Bayazid: So remember the pure Allah when it is morning and evening.

Rabbi: What is that thing which Allah sent revelation on, but it was not human, Jinn or Angel?
Bayazid: The honey bee.
[Qur’aan chapter 16 verse 68:
“And your lord gave order to the honey bee.”]

After this the Rabbi couldn’t ask any more questions and became quiet.

Hadhrat Bayazid rahmatullah alayhi said, “Now you give me the answer to my one question. What is the key to paradise?”

The Rabbi replied, “If I give the answer to this question, this gathering will kill me.”

The gathering shouted in one voice “We shall not do anything. Now tell us the true answer!”

The Rabbi then said, “Listen! the key to paradise is:
There is no God worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad peace be upon him is His Messenger!”

On hearing this the whole gathering accepted Islam and Hadhrat Bayazid rahmatullah alayhi returned giving thanks to Allah.

toxic

17-03-06, 12:50 PM

The Sense of a Goose

.... Qisas.com

By M. Hasan Shaheed

In the autumn when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in the “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learnt that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following by flying in a “V” formation, the whole folk adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

Lesson……PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF A TEAM AND SHARE A COMMON DIRECTION GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING QUICKER AND EASIER, BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAVELLING ON THE TRUST OF ONE ANOTHER……

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the folk

Lesson……IF WE HAVE A MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE, WE WILL SHARE INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO ARE HEADED THE SAME WAY AS WE ARE GOING……

When the leads goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose takes over.

Lesson……IT PAYS TO SHARE TASKS/LEADERSHIP AND TAKES TURNS IN DOING HARD JOBS……

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep their speed

Lesson……WORDS OF SUPPORT INSPIRATION HELP ENERGIZE THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE, HELPING THEM TO KEEP PACE IN SPITE OF THE DAY-TO-DAY PRESSURES AND FATIGUE……

Finally, when a geese gets sick or is wounded by a gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of the formation and follow the injured one down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is able to fly or dead and they launch out with another formation to catch up with their group.

Lesson……IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE, WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER WHEN THINGS GET ROUGH……

The next time you see a formation of geese, or see sheep stay within a herd, or watch animals hunt in packs, remember …. ….

mulk91

22-03-06, 04:00 PM

Choose Your Words Well

A woman one day said something that hurt her best friend. She regretted it immediately, and would have done anything to have taken the words back. But they were said, impulsively, in a moment of thoughtlessness, and as close as she and her friend were, she didn't consider the effects of her words before hand.

In her effort to undo what she had done, she went to an older, wiser woman in the village. Explaining her situation, and asked for advice. The older woman listened patiently in an effort to determine just how sincere the younger woman was, how far she was willing to go to correct the situation.

The wise women said, "There are two things needed to do to make amends. The first of the two is extremely difficult. Tonight, take your best feather pillows, and open a small hole in each one. Then, before the sun rises, you must put a single feather on the doorstep of each house in town. When you are through, come back to me. If you've done the first thing completely, I'll tell you the second."

The young woman hurried home to prepare for her chore. All night long she laboured alone in the cold. She went from doorstep to doorstep, taking care not to overlook a single house. Her fingers were frozen, the wind was so sharp it caused her eyes to water, but she ran on, through the darkened streets, thankful there was something she could do to put things back the way they once were.

Just as the sun rose, she returned to the older woman. She was exhausted, but relieved that her efforts would be rewarded. "My pillows are empty. I placed a feather on the doorstep of each home."

Now, said the wise woman, "Go back and refill your pillows. Then everything will be as it was before."

The young woman was stunned. "You know that's impossible! The wind blew away each feather as fast as I placed them on the doorsteps! You didn't say I had to get them back! If this is the second requirement, then things will never be the same."

"That's true", said the older woman.

"Never forget. Each of your words is like a feather in the wind. Once spoken, no amount of effort, regardless how heartfelt or sincere, can ever return them to your mouth. Choose your words well, and guard them most of all in the presence of those you love."

toxic

26-03-06, 04:07 AM

Coal Basket

.... Qisas.com

An old man lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quraan.

His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Quraan just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.What good does reading the Quraan do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied,“Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said,“You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?”
The old man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Quraan. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

toxic

26-03-06, 04:12 AM

The Chains Of Belief

.... Qisas.com

As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the
fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg.

No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at
anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

“Well,” he said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

mulk91

31-03-06, 10:19 AM

Who would like this $20 bill?
.... Qisas.com
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20 bill?” Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?”

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE. You are special - “Don’t EVER forget it.”

mulk91

01-04-06, 11:38 AM

Shake it off and take a step up.
.... Qisas.com
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!

toxic

01-04-06, 12:52 PM

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire.... Qisas.com

He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. it was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “this is your house” he said. “my gift to you.”

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! if he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back.

You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. “life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said. Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow.

Build wisely!

toxic

01-04-06, 01:01 PM

Bridges to build.... Qisas.com

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence–an 8-foot fence–so I won’t need to see his place or his face anymore.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.”

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge–a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all–and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.” The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other’s hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.

“No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but, I have many more bridges to build.”

SoulAsylum

01-04-06, 05:29 PM

Al-Mujaddidah

03-04-06, 08:12 PM

JazakomAllaahu Khayran

tauheedul

03-04-06, 08:57 PM

Pik me, Pik me :wavey: - i know a story

.......Ill Pik Myself:)

Once a upon a time there was a man named Muhammad, he was a brave man, a gud man, a truthful man.

He was given the task of spreading the word of god to all of mankind -

and he did.... The End LOL :D (sorry i couldnt think of any stories)

:lailah:

Ebony

04-04-06, 09:14 PM

Recieved via email

Only for Allah

There was a pious man among the Banu Israel who always remained busy in the worship of Allah. A group of people came to him and told him that a tribe living nearby worshipped a tree. The news upset him, and with an axe on his shoulder he went to cut down that tree.

On the way, Satan met him in the form of an old man and asked him where he was going. He said he was going to cut a particular tree. Satan said, "You have nothing to be concerned with this tree, you better
mind your worship and do not give it up for the sake of something that does not concern you." "This is also worship," retorted the worshipper. Then Satan tried to prevent him from cutting the tree, and there followed
a fight between the two, in which the worshipper overpowered the Satan.

Finding himself completely helpless, Satan begged to be excused, and when the worshipper released him, he again said, "Allah has not made the cutting of this tree obligatory on you. You do not lose anything if you do not cut it. If its cutting were necessary, Allah could have got it done through one of his many Prophets." The worshipper insisted on cutting the tree. There was again a fight between the two and again the worshipper overpowered the Satan.

"Well listen," said Satan, "I propose a settlement that will be to your advantage." The worshipper agreed, and Satan said, "You are a poor
man, a mere burden on this earth. If you stay away from this act, I will pay you three gold coins everyday. You will daily find them lying under your pillow. By this money you can fulfil your own needs, can oblige your relative, help the needy, and do so many other virtuous things. Cutting the tree will be only one virtue, which will ultimately be of no use
because the people will grow another tree."

This proposal appealed to the worshipper, and he accepted
it. He found the money on two successive days, but on the third day there was nothing. He got enraged, picked up his axe and went to cut the tree. Satan as an old man again met him on the way and asked him where he was going. "To cut the tree," shouted the worshipper. "I will not let you do it," said Satan. A fight took place between the two again but this time Satan had the upper hand and overpowered the worshipper. The latter was surprised at his own defeat, and asked the former the cause of his success.

Satan replied, "At first, your anger was purely for earning the pleasure of Allah, and therefore Almighty Allah helped you to overpower me, but now it has been partly for the sake of the gold coins and therefore you lost."

Source:

From the book "Ihyaa-ul Uloom Ud Deen" by Imam Ghazzali (ra).

SoulAsylum

04-04-06, 09:20 PM

Good moral stories.

toxic

10-04-06, 12:30 PM

The Cab Ride..An Inspirational Story

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30a.m.,the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail,elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.After a long pause, the door opened.

A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. "Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. "It's
nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated." "Oh, you're such a good boy," she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice." I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were
glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair."How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in what others may consider, a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT `YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~ BUT ~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

How do Muslims treat the elderly?
Caring for one's parents in this most difficult time(ie.old age) of their lives is considered an honor and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth. Allah Ta'ala asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they preferred us to themselves.

Mothers are particularly honored: the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) taught that 'Paradise lies at the feet of mothers'. When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with the same kindness and selflessness. In Islam, serving one's parents is a duty second only to prayer(salaah), and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.

The Quran says: 'Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say 'uff' to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honor and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say, 'My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little' (Qur'an 17:23-4).

wass786

12-04-06, 10:05 PM

Once, a Bedouin was asked what made an unsophisticated man like him believe in Allah.
Bedouin: "Do you see these marks in the sand?"
Man: "Yes."
Bedouin: "What do they tell you?"
Man: "A camel went by."
Bedouin: "Did you see the camel?"
Man: "No, but these footprints in the sand suggest that a camel made them."
Bedouin: "Do you see these mountains?"
Man: "Yes."
Bedouin: "They are indicative to me that Allah made them."

from http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=569

toxic

16-04-06, 11:44 AM

The Homeless Man

Once upon a time, there was a king, the richest king of his time. Every year, on his birthday, he would open his castle doors to his subjects. This was the day his subjects waited for each year. On this day, the king would allow each subject who came to see him to take away something from the castle. Everybody knew there were priceless articles in the castle. Of course, not everyone got to see the King. Only those who came early got this precious opportunity. It was common for the subjects to start queueing up days before the king’s birthday. They came in their best clothes, for they wanted to please the king. They returned to their homes with priceless articles.

There was a homeless man among the king’s subjects. Every day, he ate but one meal. And the meal was nothing more than the leftovers of others. As a result of his extreme poverty, he was skinny to the bones. Every year, he tried to see the king, with the hope that he could get out of his misery. But every year, because of the huge crowd, he couldn’t even reach the entrance of the castle. As he was thin and weak, he was always being pushed aside by others and there was nothing he could do about it.

Finally, he decided, he would visit the king when there was no crowd. So, he arrived at the castle the day after the king’s birthday when there wasn’t a single guest left in the castle. The guards stopped him and told him that the king does not allow any guests except on his birthday. But alas, they took pity on him and told him,“There is nothing left but the king’s garden. You can take anything from it.”

The homeless man went to the garden. To his dismay, the king’s garden was in a terrible condition, not a single fruit in sight, which he could take to fill his empty stomach.

Disappointed, he requested to stay in a shack near the king’s garden. The guards allowed him on the condition that he should never ever make his presence known. They promised to let him be the first to see the king the following year.

So it is, that the homeless man lived in the shack near the garden. Everyday, he tended to the garden, as he felt that was the least he could do. Day by day, he saw new pieces of priceless articles being brought into the castle to replace the ones that had been given away. Every day, the homeless man contemplated on which of these he wanted.

A year passed, and the king’s birthday arrived. As promised, the homeless man became the first to see the king.

As he approached the king, the king smiled and said, “So, after one year, have you decided which of these valuables you wanted?”

The homeless man was astonished. Does this mean the king was aware of his presence all along?

The king continued, “Every year, my subjects come to see me with praises and sweet words. Once they get the valuables they come for, they walk away satisfied. You came when my castle was empty. So, I offered you nothing. Follow me.”

The homeless man followed the king to the window, overlooking the garden.

“Everybody walks away with something priceless but they do not know what to do with it. In the end, they come back to ask for more. But I gave something of no value - a garden unattended. Come here and look at this.”

The homeless man looked out the window and the most beautiful sight greeted his eyes. Flowers of a thousand colours glistened in the morning sun, attracting birds, bees, butterflies! All this while he had been in the garden, he never realised how beautiful the garden was. The view from the top was magnificent! Tears welled in his eyes.

“You came here eating from my leftovers, but now, you eat from the fruits in the garden. You came here not knowing anything of poetry, but now, you’ve listened to dozens of poetries I recited. You came here not knowing what is inside the castle, now you know every inch of the castle. You came here not knowing anything about me, but now, you know me better than anyone else among my subjects. I shall grant you anything in this castle of mine.”

The homeless man wept. “I came here to find something priceless, and I kept waiting for the day I will get it. But I never realised I’ve had it all along.”

So, the homeless man stayed in the shack, knowing that he is home.

toxic

16-04-06, 11:49 AM

Is he a Muslim?

A man once came to the learning-circle of Imām Abū Hanīfah (may God have mercy on his soul) and asked the great Imam whether or not his neighbor was a Muslim. He asked the Imam that if his neighbor died, if he had to wash his body, bury him, and pray the janāzah prayer over him.

Imam Abu Hanīfah asked him, “Why do you think that he is not a Muslim?”

The man replied, “My neighbor says the following seven things, and because of this, I do not know whether or not he is still a Muslim. The first thing is that he says he has no imān (faith) in the signs of Allah that he sees. The second is that he says that he does not fear Allah. The third is that he says he does not have any hope for Paradise. The fourth is that he says he does not fear the Hell-Fire. The fifth is that when he prays, we see him praying without any bowing (rukū`) or prostration (sajdah). The sixth is that he says he eats meat that he already finds dead. The seventh, and last statement, is that he says that he doesn’t like truth (haqq) and he loves corruption/chaos (fitnah).”

The Imam smiled and looked around his circle of students and fellow scholars. He asked them, “What do you say after listening to this account? Is this man’s neighbor a Muslim?”

The students all looked around at one another, confident that this matter was quite easy. They looked to the senior most student-scholar of the gathering, Qādī Abū Yūsuf (may God have mercy on his soul), who also had the same look on his face that this matter was quite clear. Abu Yusuf confidently said to the Imam that the opinion of all the scholar-students present was that this man was not a Muslim.

Abu Hanīfah smiled and asked if this was the students’ final decision, and they all replied in the affirmative. The Imam remained quite pensive for a while, then he smiled and said, “Have you not heard the hadith of the Prophet (may God’s peace and blessings be upon him) wherein he said, “Think good of the believers (Zunnu bi’l-mu’minīna khayran)”. He continued and said, “If a man’s faith can be divided into 100 parts, and if 99 of them are corrupted and false, and even one is sound and whole, then we look at that sound part first, disregard the other 99 parts, and consider him as a believer.”

He continued, “However, this case goes beyond simply just that. In fact, after hearing this man’s description of his neighbor, I am quite pleased to listen to his narration and I wish that every believer would have a similar creed (`aqīdah) as this man’s neighbor.”

A hush fell over the students. They thought to themselves, How could the great Imam make such a statement? How could he not only give this man excuses, but then say that every believer should have a similar creed?

Abū Hanīfah continued, “I will now explain to you why I have made such a statement and tell you why that perhaps this man’s creed is a model for all believers.

“As for the first statement, that he says he has no faith in the signs of Allah that he sees. Have you not read the verses in the Qur’an when Prophet Musa (`alayhi al-salām) asks Allah to show him Himself: ‘And when Musa came at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: My Lord! show me (Thyself), so that I may look upon Thee. He said: You cannot (bear to) see Me but look at the mountain, if it remains firm in its place, then will you see Me; but when his Lord manifested His glory to the mountain He made it crumble and Musa fell down in a swoon; then when he recovered, he said: Glory be to Thee, I turn to Thee, and I am the first of the believers.’ Now Musa did not see this sign of Allah that he asked for, yet he believed. Compare this to Fir`awn, who at the moment of his drowning saw the sign of Allah and said he believed: “…until when drowning overtook him, he said: ‘I believe that there is no god but He in Whom the children of Israel believe and I am of those who submit.’ And then Allah said to him, “What! now! and indeed you disobeyed before and you were of the mischief-makers.” So here, Fir`awn saw the sign of Allah but it was too late for him since he brought faith only after seeing. So perhaps it may be that this man is saying he has no faith in those types of signs of Allah that when upon seeing them, it is too late for him to benefit from such a witnessing.

“As for the second statement, that he says he doesn’t fear God. Now, you know that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will have complete dominion over all things and there is no one who can question Him in His decisions and choices. He has the choice to judge with fairness and equity or to judge without it. Yet, He says that He will judge with truth and balance, “…and they shall be judged with truth and they shall not be wronged.”, and in another place, He says, “…and they shall be judged with equity.” So perhaps it may be that this man is saying that he doesn’t fear that Allah will judge without truth and fairness, and he has full certainty that God will judge with fairness.

“As for the third and fourth statements, wherein he said that he has no hope for Paradise and no fear of the Hell-fire. We know that both of these things are creations of Allah, and they have no power or authority to determine who will enter them and who will not. Only the One who created them has the authority to decree who will enter Paradise and who will enter Hell-fire. Why should anyone fear Hell or put their hope in Paradise. So perhaps it may be that this man is saying that he doesn’t fear Hell or hope for Paradise since he knows that God will decide who goes where.

“As for the fifth thing, which is that you say that when you see him praying, he doesn’t make any bowing or prostration. Know then that the Prophet said that a believer has six rights over another believer: when he meets him, he should greet him; when he is sick, he should visit him; when he invites him, he should accept the invitation; when he sneezes, he should pray for mercy on him; whether he is present or absent, he should think only good of him; and when he dies, he should pray the funeral prayer over him. Now, when this man prays, he is only standing and not making any bowings or prostrations. So perhaps it may be that this man is taking part in a Janazah prayer that is going on anywhere in the Muslim lands when you see him like this. We know that one does not have to be present in front of the dead body to pray the Janazah prayer, as the Prophet prayed the funeral prayer of the Negus (who was in Abyssinia) while he was in Madinah. So perhaps he is always praying the Janazah prayer for any Muslim that has passed away and therefore fulfilling his obligations.

“As for the sixth thing, which is that he says that he eats meat that is already dead (al-maytah). Know that the Prophet said in a hadith, “Made lawful for us are two bloods and two dead meats (Uhillat lana al-damān wa’l-maytatān) [i.e., the two bloods are the liver and spleen of a lawful animal and the two dead things are fish and locusts… a person may freely eat these if he chooses]”. So perhaps it may be that he is referring to dead fish or dead locusts that he finds and he eats of them. So therefore, perhaps this statement is correct.

“As for the seventh and final thing, wherein he said that he loves fitnah and hates the haqq. How is he any different from any of you in this statement. When he said that he hates the haqq, don’t you recall that the Qur’an says, “and the stupor of death will come in truth.” There is not a man amongst us who loves the stupor of death and does not hate it. No man in his right mind would love the stupor of death, so perhaps it may be that he when he says he hates the truth, that he is referring to this. Now, the Qur’an also says, “Indeed your wealth and your children are a fitnah.” There is not a man amongst us who does not love his wealth and his children. What makes him any different than us? So perhaps it may be that when he says he loves fitnah, that he is in fact referring to this.

“You did not meet this man’s neighbor or ever speak to him, yet you all unanimously agreed that he was not a Muslim. You did not think good of him after you heard these seven things. And now that you have heard my responses, perhaps this is why his creed is indeed sound, and why every Muslim should have a similar creed.”

Those who were present were astonished and amazed by the Imam’s insight, intelligence, leniency, and wisdom.

A hush fell over the students and scholars as they became silent out of respect.

Imam Abu Hanifah had spoken.

What else was left for them to say?

toxic

19-04-06, 02:14 PM

The Ox and the Frog

"Oh Father," said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, "I have seen such a terrible monster! It was big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two."

"Tush, child, tush," said the old Frog, "that was only Farmer White's Ox. It isn't so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see."

So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.

"Was he as big as that?" asked he.

"Oh, much bigger than that," said the young Frog.

Again the old one blew himself out, and asked the young one if the Ox was as big as that.

"Bigger, Father, bigger," was the reply.
So the Frog took a deep breath, and blew and blew and blew, and swelled and swelled.

And then he said, "I'm sure the Ox is not as big as this."
But at that moment he burst.

Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction.
The Two Frogs

Two frogs were neighbors. One inhabited a deep pond, far removed from public view; the other lived in a gully containing little water, and traversed by a country road.

The Frog that lived in the pond warned his friend to change his residence and entreated him to come and live with him, saying that he would enjoy greater safety from danger and more abundant food. The other refused, saying that he felt it so very hard to leave a place to which he had become accustomed.

A few days afterwards a heavy wagon passed through the gully and crushed him to death under its wheels.
A willful man will have his way to his own hurt.
Frog in a Milk-Pail

A frog was hopping around a farmyard, when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a pail half-filled with fresh milk.

As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the pail, he found that the sides of the pail were too high and steep to reach.He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the pail but found it too deep.

But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle.

He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter.

The butter was now solid enough for him to climb onto and get out of the pail!

"Never Give Up!"
The Frogs and the Well

Two Frogs lived together in a marsh. But one hot summer the marsh dried up, and they left it to look for another place to live in: for frogs like damp places if they can get them. By and by they came to a deep well, and one of them looked down into it, and said to the other, "This looks a nice cool place. Let us jump in and settle here."

But the other, who had a wiser head on his shoulders, replied, "Not so fast, my friend. Supposing this well dried up like the marsh, how should we get out again?"

"Look before you leap."
The Quack Frog

Once apon a time, a frog hopped out of his home in the marsh and proclaimed to all the beasts in the land that he was a great and learned physician, skilled in the use of drugs and able to heal all diseases.

A Fox asked him, "How can you pretend to prescribe for others, when you are unable to heal your own lame gait and wrinkled skin?"
The Boiled Frog

They say that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water,
it will leap out right away to escape the danger.

But, if you put a frog in a kettle that is filled with water that is cool and pleasant, and then you gradually heat the kettle until it starts boiling,
the frog will not become aware of the threat until it is too late.
The frog's survival instincts are geared towards detecting sudden changes.
This is a story that is used to illustrate how people might get themselves into terrible trouble.

This parable is often used to illustrate how humans have to be careful to watch slowly changing trends in the environment, not just the sudden changes. Its a warning to keep us paying attention not just to obvious threats but to more slowly developing ones.
The Boys and the Frogs

Some boys, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the water and began to pelt them with stones.

They killed several of them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water, cried out: "Pray stop, my boys: what is sport to you, is death to us."

One man's pleasure may be another's pain.

Na'eemah

19-04-06, 02:23 PM

Aww the frog stories are sweet mash'Allah:up:

toxic

22-04-06, 01:37 PM

THE RED AND BLUE COAT

Author: unknown

Once there were two boys who were great friends, and they were determined to remain that way forever. When they grew up and got married, they built their houses facing one another. There was a small path that formed a border between their farms.

One day, a trickster from the village decided to play a trick on them. He dressed himself in a two-color coat that was divided down the middle. So, one side of the coat was red, and the other side was blue.

The trickster wore this coat and walked along the narrow path between the houses of the two friends. They were each working opposite each other in their fields. The trickster made enough noise as he passed them to make sure that each of them would look up and see him passing.

At the end of the day, one friend said to the other, "Wasn't that a beautiful red coat that man was wearing today?"

"No", the other replied. "It was a blue coat."

"I saw the man clearly as he walked between us!" said the first, "His coat was red."

"You are wrong!" said the other man, "I saw it too, and it was blue."

"I know what I saw!" insisted the first man. "The coat was red!"

"You don't know anything," the second man replied angrily. "It was blue!"

They kept arguing about this over and over, insulted each other, and eventually, they began to beat each other and roll around on the ground.

Just then, the trickster returned and faced the two men, who were punching and kicking each other and shouting, "Our friendship is OVER!"

The trickster walked directly in front of them, and showed them his coat. He laughed at their silly fight. The two friends saw this his coat was red on one side and blue on the other.

The two friends stopped fighting and screamed at the trickster saying, "We have lived side by side like brothers all our lives, and it is all your fault that we are fighting. You have started a war between us."

"Don't blame me for the battle," replied the trickster. "I did not make you fight. Both of you are wrong, and both of you are right. Yes, what each one saw was true. You are fighting because you only looked at my coat from your own point of view."

toxic

24-04-06, 10:47 AM

The Woodman and the Serpent

One wintry day a Woodman was tramping home from his work when he saw something black lying on the snow. When he came closer he saw it was a Serpent to all appearance dead. But he took it up and put it in his bosom to warm while he hurried home. As soon as he got indoors he put the Serpent down on the hearth before the fire. The children watched it and saw it slowly come to life again. Then one of them stooped down to stroke it, but the Serpent raised its head and put out its fangs and was about to sting the child to death. So the Woodman seized his axe, and with one stroke cut the Serpent in two. "Ah," said he,

"No gratitude from the wicked."

toxic

24-04-06, 10:53 AM

The Sick Stag

A SICK STAG lay down in a quiet corner of its pasture-ground. His companions came in great numbers to inquire after his health, and each one helped himself to a share of the food which had been placed for his use; so that he died, not from his sickness, but from the failure of the means of living.

"Evil companions bring more hurt than profit"

toxic

25-04-06, 01:23 PM

I Want To Buy A Miracle

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a ‘Glass Jelly Jar’ from its hiding place in the closet.

She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way to 6 blocks to Rashid’s Drug Store with the big Red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the Pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tasneem twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise; Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster; No good. Finally she took a coin from her Jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

“And what do you want?” the Pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Lahore whom I haven’t seen in ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

“Well, I want to buy an mmm…”

The Pharmacist stared back in the same annoyed tone.

“He’s really; really sick…. and I want to buy a miracle.”

“I beg your pardon?” said the Pharmacist.

“His name is Aslam and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the Pharmacist said, softening a little.

“Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs?”

The Pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man from Lahore. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?”

“I don’t know,” Tasneem replied with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”

“How much do you have?” asked the man from Lahore.

“Ten Rupees and half. And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.”

“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “Ten and half rupees - the exact price of a miracle for your little brothers.”

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her hand and said: “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need.”

That well dressed man from Lahore was Dr. Ashraf Beg, a surgeon specializing in Neuro-Surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn’t long until Aslam was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

“That Surgery,” her Mom whispered. “Was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?”

Tasneem smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost … Ten and half rupees…plus the faith of a little child.

Holy Quran says: “And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me.” (26:80)

And mom also knew exactly how much a miracle cost … selfless devotion to their profession by doctors like Ashraf Beg…

toxic

28-04-06, 01:37 PM

The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market.As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed themand said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said:"Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey with you and your hulking son?"

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them:

"Please all, and you will please none."

toxic

04-05-06, 11:52 AM

The Fox and the Goat

A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of
escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and
seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his
sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish
praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and
encouraging him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his
thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox
informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a
scheme for their common escape. "If," said he, "you will place
your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up
your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards." The Goat
readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying
himself with the Goat's horns, he safely reached the mouth of the
well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat upbraided
him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out,
"You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head
as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down
before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to
dangers from which you had no means of escape."

Look before you leap.

toxic

04-05-06, 11:54 AM

The Eagle and the Arrow

An Eagle was soaring through the air when suddenly it heard
the whizz of an Arrow, and felt itself wounded to death. Slowly
it fluttered down to the earth, with its life-blood pouring out of
it. Looking down upon the Arrow with which it had been pierced,
it found that the shaft of the Arrow had been feathered with one
of its own plumes. "Alas!" it cried, as it died,

"We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction."

toxic

05-05-06, 11:37 AM

The Ass and his Purchaser

A man who wanted to buy an Ass went to market, and, coming across a likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should be allowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When he reached home, he put him into his stable along with the other asses. The newcomer took a look round, and immediately went and chose a place next to the laziest and greediest beast in the stable. When the master saw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handed him over to his owner again. The latter was a good deal surprised to seem him back so soon, and said, "Why, do you mean to say you have tested him already?" "I don't want to put him through any more tests," replied the other. "I could see what sort of beast he is from the companion he chose for himself."

"A man is known by the company he keeps."

toxic

05-05-06, 11:40 AM

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

An Ass once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry. He put it on and went towards his native village. All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Ass that day. In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgelling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I knew you by your voice."

Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.

Al Qadr

05-05-06, 11:40 AM

About Struggling...

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a
small opening appeared. He sat and watched the
butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its
body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop
making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten
as far as it could, and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took
a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit
of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a
swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because
he expected that, at any moment, the wings would
enlarge and expand to be able to support the
body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the
rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body
and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not
understand was that the restricting cocoon and
the struggle required for the butterfly to get
through the tiny opening were Allah's way of
forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into
its wings so that it would be ready for flight
once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in
our lives. If Allah allowed us to go through our
lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
We would not be as strong as what we could
have been. We could never "fly"!

I asked for Strength.........
And Allah gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom.........
And Allah gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity.........
And Allah gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage.........
And Allah gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love..........
And Allah gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favours.........
And Allah gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted ........
I received everything I needed!

"fatabâraka-LLahu aHsanu-l khâliqîn"
"So blessed be Allah, the best of creators!"
Sura The Believer (23) verse 14

toxic

12-05-06, 12:59 PM

A Twist of "Faith"

Jawad took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jawad pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.

The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Ali? Ali from mosque? Jawad sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Muslim cop catching a guy from his own mosque. A guy who happened to be a little anxious to get home after a long day at the office. A guy that was scheduled to play cricket with him tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Friday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.

"Salaam,ya Ali. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Wasalaam, Jawad." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess."

Ali seemed uncertain. Good.

"I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I've bent the rules a bit, just this once. Farah said something about chicken tikkah and kabobs tonight. Know what I mean?"

Jawad toed at a pebble on the pavement.

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."

Ouch! This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What'd you clock me at?"

"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Ali. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jawad, in the car."

Flustered, Jawad hunched himself through the still-open door.

Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Ali scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month before Jawad ever sat near this cop again in the mosque. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left.

There was Ali, a folded paper in hand. Jawad rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Ali to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jawad could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Ali returned to his car without a word.

Jawad watched his retreat in the mirror. Jawad unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jawad began to read:

Dear Jawad,

Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again.

Even now, pray for me. And be careful, My son is all I have left.

Ali

Jawad twisted around in time to see Ali's car pull away and head down the road. Jawad watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he, too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care.

toxic

15-05-06, 02:05 PM

The man who didn’t disobey Allah again
A man came to Ibrahim ibn Adham, may Allah be pleased with him, and said, “Abu Ishaq, I am unable to control myself. Please give me something to help me with it”

“If you accept five conditions,” said Ibrahim, “and are able to put them into practice, your disobedience will not cause you any problem.”

“Just tell me what they are, Abu Ishaq!” the man said.

“The first is that when you want to disobey Allah you do not eat anything He provides.” “Then how will I get anything to eat? Everything on the earth is from Him!” “So is it right to eat His provision and disobey Him at the same time?” replied Ibrahim.

“No, it is not. What is the second condition?” “When you want to disobey him, move off His land.”

“That is even more difficult! Exclaimed the man. “In that case where will I live?”

“Is it right to eat his provision and live on His land and then to disobey Him?” asked Ibrahim. “No, it is not.”

“What is the third condition?” “When you want to disobey Him in spite of eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him there.”

“What do you mean, Ibrahim? He knows everything that happens even in the most hidden places!” “So is it right to disobey Him when you eat His provision and live on His land and when you know that He can see everything you do?” “It certainly is not!” the man replied.

“Tell me the fourth condition.” “That when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, ‘Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.’”

“But he won’t listen to me!” “Then if you cannot ward off death long enough to give yourself time to repent, and you know that when it comes there will be no reprieve, how can you hope to be saved?”

“What is the fifth?” “That when the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you do not go with them.” “They will take me whether I like it or not!” exclaimed the man.

“So how can you hope to be saved?”

“Enough, enough, Ibrahim! I ask Allah’s forgiveness and I turn to Him!”

The man’s repentance was sincere and from that time on he was assiduous in his worship and avoided acts of disobedience until the day he died.

toxic

16-05-06, 10:55 AM

When 24 Hours In A Day Are Not Enough

A professor stood before his Philosophy class and held some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “yes”. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now”, said the professor as the laughter subsided, “ I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things-Allah, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions - and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first”. He continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for things that are important to you”.

“Pay attention to the thing things that are critical to your happiness. Lead a life as a obedient creature of your Creator. Play with your children. Take time to get the medical check-ups. Take your spouse out. Play another game 18 hole at the golf course. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand”.

One of the students raised hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled, “I am glad you asked. It just goes to show that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend”.

toxic

17-05-06, 12:44 PM

A Tale Of Two Servants

The contrast between a person who is preoccupied with himself and another who refuses to fall into anxious preoccuption is illustrated by the parable of two servants to the king.

The first servant is busy carrying out his master’s orders without turning aside to concern himself with what he will wear or what he will eat. Rather, he is completely engaged in the service of his Lord. This makes him heedless of wasting time trying to secure his own wants and needs, which he deems unimportant.

The behavior of the second servant is different. No matter what the master requests him to do, he finds the servant busily engaged in washing his own clothes, finding means for his own transportation and adorning his own appearance.

Don’t you think that the first servant is more deserving of his master’s beneficence an d acceptance, when compared to the second servant who is preoccupied with his selfish impulses and acquisitive desires to the point of neglecting the rights of his master? Since when was a servant purchased to serve himself rather than his master?

So it is that you always see an insightful servant busy with carrying out the rightful prerogatives of his master and carefully observing his commands. This distracts him from his selfish impulses and keeps him from giving them any value at all. When a servant is like this, the true One undertakes to support him in every detail and secure for him his every concern and turn to him with generous gifts. This is because the servant sincerely relies on his master. Whoever totally entrusts God in all affairs has God alone as his recompense (Qur’an 65:3).

Can you say the same for the negligent servant? You always find him struggling to collect worldly means to attain his needs and coveting the things through which to satisfy his selfish desires. He stands on the foundation of his own plotting and planning for himself. He fraudulently ascribes to himself ownership of his self and is therefore cut off from beautiful trust in another and sincere reliance upon another.

-Shaykh Taj-ud-Din Ahmad ibn ‘Ata’Allah al-Iskandari, The Book of Illumination (Translated by Scott Kugle from the Imam’s Kitab al-Tanwir fi Isqat al-Tadbir)

dust

19-05-06, 09:00 PM

The Story of Prophet Job (Ayoub)

From: The Stories of the Prophets
By: Al Imam Ibn Kathir [(701 - 774 AH) or (1301 - 1372 AD)]

Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His names was Job Ibn Mose Ibn Razeh Ibn Esau Ibn Isaac Ibn Abraham. Someone else said he was Job Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil Ibn Esau Ibn Isaac Ibn Jacob. There have also been other statements in his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Prophet Lot. It was said, also, that his father was one who believed in Abraham when he was cast into the fire.

The first opinion is the most plausable as he was a descendant of Abrahams offspring as Allah Almighty declared:

"That was the reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people: We raise whom We will degree after degree: for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided: and before him We guided Noah and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny David Solomon Job Joseph Moses and Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good" Quran 6:83-84

Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran:

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us" Quran 38:44

Job was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him.

A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked:

"The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays excellent patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of riches, yet he is never haughty or selfish. His family, his servants, as well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favouring him, so kind and gentle is he."

Iblis, overhearing all this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life, but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This distrubed Iblis more; thus he began to hate Job even more.

Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that althought he was continously glorifying Allah, he was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."

Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But to prove Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his helpers wished with Job's wealth.

Iblis was very happy. He gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job's cattle, servants, and farms until he was left with no posessions. Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old man and said to him:

"All your wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continous prayer to Allah. Others say that Allah has bought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth"

True to his belief, Job replied:

"What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for a while. He gives to whom He wills and witholds from whom He wills"

With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.

When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah:

"I have stripped Job of all his posessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However, he is only hiding his dissapointment, for he places great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through him children. You will then see how Job will reject You"

Allah granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Job's faith in his Lord nor his patience.

Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the foundation of the house in which Job's children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised as a man who had come to sympathise with him. In a comforting tone he said to Job:

"The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers?"

Having said this Iblis waited anxiously, hoping Job was now ready to reject Allah. But again Job dissapointed him by replying:

"Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator"

Then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed. Iblis again called on Allah:

"O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, but he is still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You and withh thus becomes disobedient"

Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Job was a devoted servant of his Lord, so He granted Iblis his third request but placed a condition:

"I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion"

Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job's body and filled it with disease until it was reduced to mere skin and bone and he suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remeined strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah's righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah's Mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him. Only his kind loving wife stayed with him. In his hour of need, she showered her kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole companion and comforter through many years of his suffering.

Ibn Asaker narrated:

"Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds: beasts, slaves, sheep, vast lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and he was physically afflicted as well. Never a single organ was sound except his heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almighty all the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his visitors felt disgusted with him. His friends kept away from him, and people abstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife. She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her"

Therefore, Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers but they could not advise him. They asked:

"How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeeded in misleading Adam, the father of man, out of paradise?"

Iblis went to Job's wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" he asked her.

She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumpled on the bed and said: "There he is, suspended between life and death."

Iblis reminded her of the days when Job had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of yeas of hardship overcame her, and she burst into tears. She said to Job:

"How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah to remove this suffering?"

Job sighed, and in a soft voice replied:

"Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me, how long did I enjoy good health and riches?"

She replied, "For eighty years"

Then Job asked, "How long am I suffering like this?"

She said, "for seven years"

Then Job told her:

"In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems your faith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything from your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."

Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him and seek shelter elsewhere. In his helpless state, Job turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy:

"Verily, dsitress has seized me, and You and the Most Merciful of all those who show Mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them - as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who whorship Us" Quran 21:83-84

Almighty Allah also instructed:

"Commemorate Our servant Job behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering"! (The command was given: "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash cool and refreshing and (water) to drink." And We gave him (back) his people and doubled their number as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration for all who have Understanding." Quran 38:41-43

Job obeyed, and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife could no longer bear to be parted from her husband and returned to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering he house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Job was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.

Job was now worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred strokes if he regained health, but he had no desireto hurt her. He knew if he did not fulfill the oath, he would be guilty of breaking a promise to Allah. Therefore, in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the assistance of His faithful servant, and advised him:

"And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Truly we found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us" Quran 38:44

Abu Huraira (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said: "While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of locusts fell on him, and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: 'O Job! Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?' He said: 'Yes, O Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings" (Bukhari)

toxic

20-05-06, 02:16 PM

The Parable Of The Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world.

Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

FIVE: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

ONE: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you place your Trust in Allah.

TWO: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

THREE: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

FOUR: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

FIVE: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark.

No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties. By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

Author: Unknown

toxic

22-05-06, 01:47 PM

Story: ALLAH's Way
by Anonymous

Allah (SWT) has a way of allowing us to be in the right place at the
right time....

I was walking down a dimly lit street late one evening when I heard
muffled screams coming from behind a clump of bushes. Alarmed, I
slowed down to listen and panicked when I realized that what I was
hearing were the unmistakable sounds of a struggle: heavy grunting,
frantic scuffling and tearing of fabric.

Only yards from where stood, a woman was being attacked. Should I get
involved? I was frightened for my own safety and cursed myself for
having suddenly decided to take a new route home that night. What if I
became another statistic? Shouldn't I just run to the nearest phone and
call the police? Although it seemed an eternity, the deliberations in
my head had taken only seconds, but already the cries were growing
weaker.

I knew I had to act fast. How could I walk away from this? No, I finally
resolved, I could not turn my back on the fate of this unknown woman,
even if it meant risking my own life. I am not a brave man, nor am I
athletic. I don't know where I found the moral courage and physical
strength-but once I had finally resolved to help the girl.
I became strangely transformed. I ran behind the bushes and pulled the
assailant off the woman. Grappling, we fell to the ground where we
wrestled for a few minutes until the attacker jumped up and escaped.
Panting hard, I scrambled upright and approached the girl, who was
crouched behind a tree, sobbing. In the darkness, I could barely see
her outline, but I could certainly sense her trembling shock.
Not wanting to frighten her further, I at first spoke to her froma
distance. It's OK," I said soothingly. "The man ran away. You're safe
now."

There was a long pause and then I heard the words, uttered in wonder, in
amazement.

"Dad, is that you?"

And then, from behind the tree, stepped my youngest daughter, Maliha.
Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all times you can,
To all the people you can

toxic

29-05-06, 11:19 AM

The Parable Of The Two Screws

Once upon a time there were two screws fastening a vital part of a gasoline engine. One of the screws was haughty and proud of it’s shining head. The second screw was quiet, intent only on doing its job to the best of its ability.
One day a speck of rust appeared on the head of the second screw. Filled with vain pride of its own beauty, the first screw began to laugh at the second. “Your head is tarnished,” the first said to the second. “Look at you. Your perfect luster is gone.”

The second screw said nothing. Instead, it concentrated on what it was doing.

“How ugly you have become,” the first screw chortled, “and how beautiful I have remained.” Then it began to laugh so hard at the second screw that it failed to notice that it was working itself loose. Finally it dropped off the engine and plunged into a small pool of dirty oil below.

With the first screw no longer holding up its end of the load, the second was faced with doing the work of two. Meanwhile the first screw, now covered with grimy oil, wailed and lamented. “Just look at me! I’m dirty and filthy and all my beauty is gone. By laughing at the blemish on my friend the second screw, I worked myself loose and fell into the muck. Now I’m doomed.”

Now, it just so happened that a short time later the owner of the engine started it up. He immediately noticed that something didn’t sound right — the engine was running rough. When he checked, he instantly saw that one of the two screws holding the vital part was missing. “Ah ha!” the owner said. “One of the screws must have worked itself loose and fell to the ground, but I don’t see it. Maybe it fell into that puddle of old oil.”

The owner reached into the oil and found the missing screw. “Look at you,” the owner said. “You’re all covered with grime and oil. How ugly you are. But I will fix that right away.” The owner reached for a nearby rag and wiped all the oil and grime off the first screw until it shone even brighter than before. Then he replaced it on the part. Before he turned away, he noticed a little speck of tarnish on the head of the second screw. With the second rag, he wiped the head clean and bright. Then the owner walked away.

Finally the engine was started. The two screws, now equally beautiful, held the part tight. “Forgive me, my friend,” the first screw said to the second. “In my vanity, I was so busy laughing at your blemish that I did not notice that I was working myself loose.”

“And what have you learned?” the second screw quietly asked.

“I learned not to judge others because I have my own sins to deal with.”

“Then,” the second screw said, “I forgive you.”

“Thank you, my friend. And rest assured, my vanity will remain forever at the bottom of that dirty puddle of oil.”

Al Qadr

29-05-06, 11:50 AM

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?...What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer.

Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.

But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.

He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:

What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared.

And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding. The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened?

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?

What would YOU do?

What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you scroll down below. OKAY?

Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

Now....what is the moral to this story?

Scroll down

The moral is.....
If you don't let a woman have her own way....
Things are going to get ugly

toxic

29-05-06, 11:50 AM

Hakeem’s Garden

Author Unknown
Hakeem was a quiet man. He didn’t talk much. He would always greet you with a salam, a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighbourhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.

Before he became quite old, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp, and had some health problems. Watching him, we worried that although he had remained ok in our neighbourhood so far; he may not make it through our changing uptown neighbourhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local Mosque asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the mosque, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, “Would you like a drink from the hose?”

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, “Yeah, sure”, with a malevolent little smile. As Hakeem offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Hakeem’s arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Hakeem’s assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Hakeem tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg.

He lay there trying to gather himself as the Imam came running to help him. Although the Imam had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn’t get there fast enough to stop it. “Hakeem, are you okay? Are you hurt?” the Imam kept asking as he helped Hakeem to his feet. Hakeem just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

“Just some ignorant kids. I hope they’ll wise-up someday.” His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.

Confused and a little concerned, the Imam asked, “Hakeem, what are you doing?”

“I’ve got to finish my watering. It’s been very dry lately”, came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Hakeem really was all right, the Imam could only marvel. Hakeem was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Hakeem again offered them a drink form his hose. This time they didn’t rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water.

When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Hakeem just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall. Hakeem was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormenters reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. “Don’t worry old man, I’m not gonna hurt you this time.” The young man spoke softly, still offering the rough and scarred hand to Hakeem.

As he helped Hakeem get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Hakeem. “What’s this?” Hakeem asked.
“It’s your stuff,” the man explained. “It’s your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.”

“I don’t understand,” Hakeem said. “Why would you help me now?”
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. “I learned some thing from you”, he said. “I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn’t hate us for hating you. You kept showing love and kindness against our hate.”

He stopped for a moment. “I couldn’t sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.” He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. “That bag’s my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess.” And with that, he walked off down the street.

Hakeem looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Eid that winter. Many people attended his Janazah (funeral) in spite of the weather. In particular the Imam noticed a tall young man that he didn’t know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the mosque. The Imam spoke of Hakeem’s garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, “Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Hakeem and his garden.”

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: “Person needed to care for Hakeem’s garden.” The flyer went unnoticed by the busy people until one day when a knock was heard at the Imam’s office door. Opening the door, the Imam saw a pair of scarred and rough hands holding the flyer. “I believe this is my job, if you’ll have me,” the young man said.

The Imam recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Hakeem. He knew that Hakeem’s kindness had turned this man’s life around. As the Imam handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, “Yes, go take care of Hakeem’s garden and honor him.”

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Hakeem had done. In that time, he went to college, got married and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Hakeem’s memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Hakeem would have kept it.

One day he approached the new Imam and told him that he couldn’t care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, “My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she’s bringing him home on Saturday.”

“Well, congratulations!” said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. “That’s wonderful! What’s the baby’s name?”

“Hakeem”, he responded.

toxic

08-06-06, 12:35 PM

The Trickle-Down Effect

Qisas.com Author: Michelle Al-Nasr

Have you ever noticed a drop of water? You know the type I am talking about – picture it. It is the kind that drips out of the faucet, drop by drop. It is the same one that seems so loud that it echoes as it hits the porcelain and is magnified a million times louder than it actually is when you can’t sleep in the middle of the night. Did you ever pay close attention to how it trickles down? Or, have you ever wondered where it went and how far it may have traveled? I know it is a little weird, but I have spent some serious time thinking about it; probably one of those nights I spend counting sheep. Just imagine it for a minute, I mean really think about that single little drop of water and the journey it would take all the way down the drain.

What would be the destination point, where would it end up? How large would the accumulated drops be at the end of the line or what effect would it have on the world around it once it got where it was going? Our decisions in life are a lot like that single drop of water. Each thing we decide to do eventually trickles down into a gathering pool, or it hits something and has an effect on it. When we make decisions that we know in our hearts are wrong, or make choices even though we have doubts, it produces a trickle-down effect on our Iman and on the world around us.

Wabisa ibn M’abad narrated the following Hadeeth: “I came to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and he said, ‘You have come to ask about righteousness?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Consult your heart. Righteousness is that about which the soul feels tranquil and the heart feels tranquil, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in the soul and moves to and from in the breast even though people again and again have given you their legal opinion (in its favor).’” (Ad-Darimi)

Deep down inside, we know what is right and what is wrong; but sometimes we still choose the wrong thing. Everyone does; we all make bad decisions sometimes. But we do not have to let it continue, we can do something about it.

Ibn Abbas related that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “Allah has pardoned for me my people for (their) mistakes and (their) forgetfulness and for w