When it is said, "I think..."

A simple sentence starting with "I think..." actually carries the whole of our personality with it. What 'you' think is what you are made of. Your thoughts and beliefs are a manifestation of your inner self. The ideas, thoughts, opinions and statements that we keep or express are the reflection of what all we have been through and whatever we are experiencing in life.

I ponder over things and try to find similes to the various expressions that we come across. This one came out as just a thought while I was relaxing and I intended to write my feelings on this.

I compared the human thoughts and ideas to the 'tree.' As you know, trees are of various shapes, sizes and colors and they have different uses. Similarly, the human ideas, thoughts and opinions are also varied. 

Just as the different types of trees grow and flourish in different areas depending on the fertility, soil type, weather condition and environmental support, so does the human thinking process grow and flourish in the conditions most suitable to it. On the contrary if the tree does not get the required amount of any of the necessary things then it won't grow to its full and it will die out. 

But what made me think about ideas and thoughts being similar to trees?

Actually what we think is not just momentary. It is a work of the whole past life and the present and all the experiences that made us think in a certain way. We form opinions of people, places, things and situations based on our own past interactions with them directly or indirectly.

But, this is not the only reason for the formation of ideas and opinions and some things are simply intrinsic!

For example if a person dislikes travelling it might not be due to the reason that he had some bad experiences in the past regarding the same. It could be in his nature to feel comfortable at some place and not to move about too much. 

What then influences our thoughts and ideas?

Just as there is more to a tree than just its trunk, leaves and fruits, which are apparently seen, there are things of even greater importance which actually plant the tree, support it and help it blossom and flourish and bear fruits.

Yes, the roots, the soil, the water supply and the sunlight are the reason why a tree would grow well, give lush green leaves and bear fruits for all to benefit from. It will provide shade and food to the living beings. 

Surprisingly, this is not all! The seed that was the main part actually is the most important. If there were'nt any seed then you won't see any tree!

Through this example I could imagine a tree like the thoughts, ideas and opinions of people. They are so numerous, so diverse and so flourished. But among the leaves and fruits of the tree some leaves dry out, die and fall down. Some fruits rot or get spoiled. All the parts of this tree of ideas and thoughts are not used up. They are even weathered with the changing environment. 

But if the supply to the tree is unending, if the Source of its Light and nourishment is unlimited and the ground on which it is planted is unmovable then the tree will always yield fresh, fruitful and lush green produce.

The tree of the human thinking process should be nurtured in the strong and fertile soil of unwavering Faith, it should be watered with the spring of the Authentic sources of the Faith and Belief. 

The person should know where the nourishment is coming from, who is making its soil fertile. He should know his source of Light. He should seek to find out, if he is still ignorant of his existence and purpose. 

The Light comes from the source of all Light, the Originator of all things and the Creator of all, God. He nourishes your soul. He makes you flourish. He takes care of you if you take care of your own exitence. If you let your tree bear useful produce by planting it correctly.

Human mind has a supply of Truth, Light, Insight and Wisdom from the Creator Himself. When your source is correct your thoughts will bear fruits in abundance for you and others to enjoy! 

Death of Life...

Life in bloom!

Almost daily we hear of the death of someone we know or don't know. Recently 5 of the students of IISJ/DPS schools in KSA Jeddah met an accident. One of them passed away yesterday. Four are still in the hospital undergoing treatment; on ventilators.

They were young 12th grade students returning from an exam.

Their death and that of others is a reminder to ponder over life.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Messenger of Allah (?) said, 

"Remember more often the destroyer of pleasures - death."

[At-Tirmidhi]. Riyadhus Saliheen

People are dying natural deaths or others are killing them in the name of religion, racism, liberalism, extremism, and other isms but those who kill other innocent beings...human or animal forget about their own death.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said:

“I was with the Messenger of Allah (?) and a man from among the Ansar came to him and greeted the Prophet (?) with Salam. Then he said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the believers is best?’ He said: ‘He who has the best manners among them.’ He said: ‘Which of them is wisest?’ He said: ‘The one who remembers death the most and is best in preparing for it. Those are the wisest.’”

Sunan Ibn Majah (Hasan)

The death of others should bring more life and goodness into us as a reminder...to make our life look like a life well lived before we die.

Not to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity for others...but life should have life in it for oneself and others.

Allah says in the Quran:

"Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion."

Chapter the Family of Imran verse 185 

Al Quran

Death of Life

Story of Charity and Sickness

This is the fifth and last story of the 5 Photos 5 Stories series on my blog:

Ref: Gems and Jewels by Abdul Malik Mujhahid (Darussalam)

In 1408, the newspaper Al Muslimun (issue number 181, dated Dhul -Hijjah 8, 1408) related the following story: 

It is a real-life story whose hero is a Syrian doctor who wa afflicted with cancer and who remedied it with charity. Dr. 'Isa Marzuqi relates that he was afflicted with cancer, a fact that is attested by most eminent of doctors in Damascus; the amazing thing is that he was cured through charity. After many of his colleagues lost hope of his cure, the said doctor returned to the hospital to assume his duties. The doctor's fiancee had refused to break off their marriage because of the sickness, and instead decided to wait patiently until he died. But instead of that happening he was saved. He later provided authenticated certificates from many eminent doctors that he had cancer in his left armpit; they also attested to the fact that later on, no traces of that cancer remained. In fact. the first doctor who diagnosed him said that at first, he expected him to die only after a few days. 

Dr. Ísa Marzuqi later said that he applied the words of Allah's Messenger ﷺ: 

"Remedy your sick ones with charity." 

With that statement he still had hope, and so when he found out about a house whose breadwinner had died many years before, he decided to give them all the wealth he had, even though it was only a small amount. He sent the money to the poor family through a friend of his, asking him to tell them that the money was from a man afflicted with a death threatening sickness and that he was seeking a cure by giving charity, hoping for help from Allah. The story ended with his cure, which perplexed many of the most skilled doctors in Syria. He later said that he chose that cure because he wanted to follow the way of Allah's Messenger ﷺ . He also said, however, that he did not leave off treatment through normal medical methods; he believed in the Divine Preordainment, but that belief does not mean that one should turn away from doctors, nor does it mean that one should not take the appropriate , tangible steps that are needed to achieve a desired goal. 

This was the last story of this story series...I enjoyed it and hope that you too had a good time reading them! 

Story of True Love!

This is the fourth story in line with the 5 Photos 5 Stories challenge to which my fellow blogger https://randombytesfromlife.wordpress.com/ invited me.

They were in that stage of their life when everything looks rosy, every rain looks romantic and every glance has meaning.

The girl was very attractive in her own way, not because she had long, lustrous hair, or because she was fair and slim and all that. She was attractive in her own way, in her own style. 

The boy too had a good looking and charming persona and he too was not that hero material which is often presented to the girls through all the hype in movies and ads.

They had the chance to look at each other and meet as they were in the same college.

This was natural that they felt attracted to each other but neither of them let this show up in their behaviour with each other. They were like normal class mates to each other.

But, both had the attraction brewing up in their minds some time or the other.

It was not all that took up their feelings and thoughts as they were very sincere students and studied with interest and sincerity.

This was the reason that their thoughts were not governed only by passion and fascination.

They had more to their lives than romance and feelings. They belonged to good families. They had all that it takes to be responsible, wise and cultured.

The college was soon going to end and they were about to part their ways.

 What stopped them from confessing their love for each other and enjoying their lives as those fun loving romantic college students who think they have total hold on their lives?

On the final day of the college when everyone was sharing their ambitions and plans for the life ahead, they too shared theirs.

The girl said that she maintained her dignity and honor and always pursued her studies seriously and sincerely because she knew that her father had toiled a lot to give all his children honorable lives and good education. She told them that the least she could do was to avoid harming the honor of her father and staying away for all possible scenarios that might lead to her going astray and hurting her family. To her, the honor of her family was the main thing she wanted to maintain. She even sacrificed her passions in this regard and she was successful. 

But God was watching!

That boy too was the eldest in his family and he felt the responsibility as an elder brother to present a good example to his siblings, which he successfully did. 

And all the while God was watching!

They tried to keep up with the goodness that they intrinsically had and all the way God helped them in their good intentions. But God had some great surprise for them in store!

 The boy soon graduated and pursued a career and he settled down in life. The girl was acquiring higher education at that moment in life. The boy had this girl in his mind and so, he talked to his mother about her. They sent a proposal to her family after finding out that she was not married as yet. The family approved the proposal as both belonged to a good and well educated families. 

Now, the two lovers who loved each other truly and had thought selflessly above their passions were united by God himself!

They had not resorted to deserting their parents and following their passions and taking some course which could have led to disharmony not only in their lives but also in the two families. They had been wise and patient and showed intelligence in taking the right course of action at the right time.

Because...

Marriage is the best solution

for the two who 

love each other

passionately and truly!

An-Nu'man ibn Bashir was heard to say on the minbar, 
"Shaytan has snares and traps. The snares and traps of Shaytan are to exult ungratefully in the blessings of Allah, to boast about the gifts of Allah, to have pride at the expense of the slaves of Allah, and to follow passion for other than the sake of Allah."

Hadith (Hasan Mauquf Al Albani) 

Al Adab al Mufrad 553

Story of an Intelligent Gardener

This is the 3rd Story of the 5 Photos 5 Stories Challenge. 

It mentioned in the book of hadith about a person who was a very intelligent, charitable and generous gardener. He was hardworking and utilized his earnings in the best and the most balanced way. Let us see what he used to do with the produce and income of his garden.

Abu Huraira reported:

While a person was in the wilderness he heard a voice from the cloud (commanding it thus): 

Irrigate the garden of so and so. 

After that the clouds slinked aside and poured water on a stony ground. 

It filled a channel amongst the channels of that land and that person followed that water and he found a person standing in the garden busy in changing the course of water with the help of a hatchet. 

He said to him: "Servant of Allah, what is your name?"

He said: So and so. 

And it was that very name which he had heard from the clouds. and he said to him: "Servant of Allah, why do you ask me my name?"

 He said: "I heard a voice from the clouds of which is the downpour, saying: Water the garden of so and so, like your name. What do you do (for the favour) shown to you by Allah in this matter!?" 

He said: "Now as you state so. I look what yield I get from it, and I give 

1. one-third as charity out of it and 
2. I and my children eat one-third of it and 
3. one-third I return to it as investment. 

Sahih muslim 2984a

Hope you enjoyed the story!

Story of a Princess

     

This is the second story of the 5 Photos 5 Stories Challenge.

                      

One Little Princess

lived on a little hill.

She wore nice dresses

And that was her will.

Once she got a friend of hers,

And asked her to play.

The friend was a bit nosy.

She did not like the way.

The princess got angry and

Sent for her maid.

To take the proud friend of hers

Outside the palace gate.

The maid obeyed her mistress,

And the friend was taken home.

She was crying out her lungs,

That she was being sent to Rome.

In Rome was her residence,

But she had no friends there.

Princess and she were classmates,

In a school that was fair.

Princess too felt lonely,

But she had her pretty pride.

She wanted to have someone,

With whom she’d play and ride.

Months passed, the two didn’t meet.

It was bad for both 

as they were nice mates.

So, once again the friend was called

Inside the palace gates.

And played the little princess

                                                    with her beloved mate!     

This story in a Rhyme was written by me long back during my high school days.  

Story of a Servant-

Photo Story Challenge -1

There was once a servant who loved his master a lot and never wanted to serve anyone else but his master. 

One day he said to his master, “You are my master. I love you. I respect you so much. I will stay in your house and not leave you. I like you, your house and your company.”

The master says to his servant, “Okay, you stay with me and obey my orders. I will give you plenty of food, clothing, shelter and other facilities. Just listen to what I say and obey me. Do not leave me for anyone or anything else. I will provide you with whatever you need.”

The master then asks the servant to bring a glass of water. The servant keeps sitting there and keeps saying to his master, “I love you master…you are so nice…” But he doesn’t do what his master asks him to do.

Again the master asks the servant to bring something from the market. The servant keeps sitting there and doesn’t obey and keeps saying, “O master, you are so kind…I love you!”

Do you think this is love? Do you think this is respect? Can this servant win the love of his master?

What are we doing to our Master? Our Creator?

We keep saying we believe in Him, love Him….but do we really obey Him?

I have written this story as a challenge of 5 photos 5 stories, invited by my friend and fellow blogger: 

https://randombytesfromlife.wordpress.com/

The above story inspires us to think that we too are just the servants of the Master of Masters the Almighty Allah. Indeed, we love Him, indeed, we belief and have Faith only in Him, indeed we do not associate any other masters with Him...but we must also obey all His commands and serve Him the way He has guided us to do in His Book the Quran and through His Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him.

Why I wear Hijab.

The topic of Hijab has always been a controversial topic for many among those who are not Muslims and even among those who are Muslims. 

When something is not understood clearly and is approached with a stance that is personal and emotional then it is indeed a matter of doubt and uncertainty. But, when you intend to understand something sincerely and try to find out its origin and meaning from the most authentic sources then there remains no doubt and hesitation and you tend to accept it readily with ease.

The same goes for the topic of Hijab. Most of the people think that Hijab is a choice and not a command by Allah in the Noble Quran and they present various points to prove it. 

I am just a student of Al Quran and I myself did not wear Hijab till I entered University. But one fine day, by the Will of Allah, I was reading the Chapter 24 The Light (An Noor) in the Quran. I came across the famous verses on Hijab and I felt something inside my heart. I realized that these are the true words of Allah and every Muslim should try to obey whatever Allah commands the believers to do. I realized that when these verses clearly state that the Muslim women should cover themselves up then there remains no issue! 

It is indeed in our benefit that we be recognized as women of honour, dignity and noblility by just being the believing women who follow what Allah has commanded. 

I will present the verses as they are and the readers are requested to ponder over them and decide for themselves whether wearing Hijab or covering up of women in Islam is a commandment or a matter of choice.

When the chapter An Noor begins Allah says:

[This is] a surah which We have sent down and made [that within it] obligatory and revealed therein verses of clear evidence that you might remember. (Verse 1)

What do you think this translation from Arabic to English means? 

Wa Faradhna in Arabic comes from the root word 

Fa Ra Dha which makes up Fardh. Also in urdu the word Fardh means something which is obligatory, enjoined or ordained to be implemented. For example the five daily prayers are Fardh or obligatory on every Muslim man and Muslim woman.

Therefore, Allah says in the very first verse that whatever we have revealed in this surah is Fardh, we have made it obligatory.

Further this verse tells us that this surah contains clear verses so that we take heed or remember. The verses are clear enough to understand and apply. There is no ambiguity or doubt about them. 

Why I am taking up the first verse before presenting the verse on Hijab is because Allah has given the introduction to this Surah in which He has given many commandments including the rulings on Adultery, privacy, domenstic manners and slanderers etc which are clearly explained in this chapter.

Now come the verses on Hijab which are both for men and women and interestingly Allah commands the men first to lower their gaze!

30-Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do.

31-And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.

I would prefer to take these verses as they are because they are clear enough for any person to understand. I humbly request all the male and female Muslim or non Muslim readers to ponder over these commandments of Allah and decide for themselves the wisdom behind being modest, restricted in mingling with the strangers, casting down the gazes, wearing the proper dress and not showing off.

I was a student of co-education till my university days and I can tell you that after wearing Hijab I felt more dignified, safe and confident as compared to the days when I used to wear proper dresses but did not cover myself up as my God commnaded me to.

This is not just for the women to take care of but it is equally important for the men in the society to purify their gaze, respect the women and not to resort to ways of the animals in treating them.

Islam has these and many other guidelines on the peaceful and safe working of the society and if followed properly there will be harmony in the world. 

There is a misconception about Islam that only women are told to do this and that and only they are asked to keep a low profile or wear Hijab. This is absolutely not the case. If we read the Quran and if we go through Islamic history we will find numerous, infact more cases where we see that men are given instructions to treat women kindly and wisely and to allow them to go to masjid and the take care of them in the best manner, to give their dower on time etc etc. Also there are so many examples of Muslim women in Islamic history who were independently working, running businesses and aquiring knowledge. 

Islam treats men and women equally based on their natural differences and capabilities. It will be unwise and absolutely not right to say that men and women are alike in all matters but yes when the matter of justice comes they indeed are alike in the eyes of Allah!