The Existence of Allah

Once Khalifa Haroon Rasheed asked Imam Malik: "What is the evidence (daleel) pointing to the existence of Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala)?" Imam Malik replied: "Difference in languages, difference in pitches of voice, difference in singing are proof that Allah (subhanahu wa ta`ala) exists!"

The same question was asked, by an atheist, of Imam Abu Hanifa and he replied, "Forget it! At the moment, I am busy thinking about this ship. People tell me there is a big ship, it contains different goods on board. There is no one to steer it, no one maintaining it. Yet, this ship keeps going back and forth; it even traverses big waves on the oceans; it stops at the locations that it is supposed to stop at; it continues in the direction that it is supposed to head. This ship has no
captain and no one planning its trips."

The atheist who posed the question interrupted and exclaimed, "What kind of strange and silly thought is this? How can any intelligent person think that some thing like this can occur?"

Imam Abu Hanifa said, "I feel sorry about your state! You cannot imagine one ship running without some one looking after its affairs. Yet you think that for this whole world, which runs exactly and precisely, there is no one who looks after it, and no one owns it."

Hearing the reply, the atheist was left speechless but he found out more about Haqq (The Truth) and proclaimed Islam.

Haroon Rashid and his Pious Son

one of most renowned political and intellectual leader who was equipped with almost mythical qualities and deeds was the Calipha Haroon Al Rashid. He was born in the year of 766 AD in the family of Abbasid dynasty. He became as the khalifah in 786CE, 169AH. Just refer the link to read about an interesting article about his son who raised with taqwa and nobel qualities.

http://www.quran-sunnat.com/stories.php?show=42

The Abbasid Khilafah

752 CE, 134 A.H Beginning of Abbasid Khilafah.

755 CE, 137 A.H Revolt of Abdullah bin Ali. Murder of Abu Muslim.

756, 138 A.H Abdul Rahman founds the Umayyad state in Spain.

763 CE, 145 A.H Foundation of Baghdad. Defeat of the Abbasids in Spain.

767 CE, 150 A.H Khariji state set up by Ibn Madrar at Sijilmasa.

786 CE, 169 A.H Haroon Rashid becomes Khalifah.

792 CE, 175 A.H Invasion of South France.

800 CE, 184 A.H Scientific method is developed. Algebra is invented by Al-Khawarizmi.

805 CE, 189 A.H Campaigns against the Byzantines. Capture of the islands of Rhodes and Cypress.

809 CE, 193 A.H Death of Haroon Ar-Rashid. Accession of Amin.

814 CE, 198 A.H Civil war between Amin and Mamun. Amin killed and Mamun becomes the Khalifah. Bayt-ul-Hikmat is founded in his time.

900 CE, 287 A.H Pendulum developed by Yunus Al-Masri.

976 CE, 365 A.H Muhammad bin Ahmad introduces the number Zero.

1000 CE, 390 A.H Al-Haytham discovers that white light consists of various rays of colored light. The building of the Great Mosque of Cordoba is completed.

1005 CE, 395 A.H Mahmood Ghaznavi captures Multan and Ghur.

1055 CE, 447 A.H Baghdad is conquered by the Seljuk Turks. Abbasid-Seljuk rule starts, which lasts until 1258 when Mongols destroy Baghdad.

1085 CE, 477 A.H Christians get Toledo (in Spain).

1091 CE, 484 A.H Normans capture Sicily, ending Muslim rule there.

1095 CE, 488 A.H The first crusade takes place.

1099 CE, 492 A.H Crusaders capture Jerusalem. They mercilessly slaughter everyone inside its walls.

1100 CE, 493 A.H Muslims introduce negative numbers.

1144 CE, 538 A.H Imam-ud Din captures Edessa from Christians. Second crusade takes place.

1187 CE, 583 A.H Salahuddin captures Jerusalem from Christians in the most peaceful way possible. Third crusade takes place in which Christians only get Acre after months of bloodshed.

1194 CE, 590 A.H Muslims occupy Delhi, India.

1236 CE, 633 A.H Christians conquer Cordoba (in Spain).

1258 CE, 656 A.H Mongols sack Baghdad. Thousands of people killed and great libraries burned. Fall of Baghdad. End of Abbasid rule.

Her Husband in Jannath

Once the wife of Hadhrat Abu Darda (radhiyallahu anhu), a Sahaabi, supplicated: “O Allah! Here on earth Abu Darda married me. Perform my nikah to him in Jannat as well.”

Hadhrat Abu Darda (radhiyallahu anhu) said: “if you wish to be my wife of Jannat, do not marry after my death”

After his death, Hadhrat Muaawiyah (radhiyallahu anhu) proposed marriage to her. On account of her desire to be married to Hadhrat Abu Darda (radhiyallahu anhu) in Jannat, she refused the proposal of Hadhrat Muaawiyah (radhiyallahu anhu). In Jannat a woman will be the wife of her last Husband.

Jannath is the Wife

A man said to Nabi Musaa (alayhi salaam): “O Kaleemullah! Supplicate to Allah to grant me Jannat quickly.” Musaa (alayhi salaam) made Dua accordingly. Allah Ta’ala revealed to him: “I have granted his wish. I have bestowed to him a beautiful wife of unrighteous and compatible character.” A pious wife who is compatible with her husband is in fact his Jannat on earth.

Purification

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that Sickness is a Purification. The Dua which is to be recited when visiting a sick person means: “It is a purification. It is a purification. There is nothing wrong. Insha Allah”

Sickness is also a bounty of Allah Ta’ala. It purifies the Mu’min from his sins. The unbearable purifier of sins in the Aakhirah is Jahannum. Out of his mercy, Allah Ta’ala purifies His devotees from sin by means of sicknesses which they can bear.

During illness, never should one complain. Complaint during sickness is a sign that the sickness is a punishment. With Sabr, the Mu’min is purified and higher ranks are bestowed to him.

However, many of our sickness are self-inflicted. Abuse of our bodies and health by excessive indulgence I food and also in sin leads to the punishment of diseases.

The Mu’min's pleasure

Hadhrat Imaraan Bin Hassen (rahmatullah alahyh) suffered from the illness of Istisqaa for thirty years. (Istisqaa is a disease which produces excessive thirst and the stomach bloats extraordinary.) For thirty years he was bed-stricken and could sleep only on his back. Once his brother who had come to visit him cried on seeing the pitiful state of Hadhrat Imraan. Hadhrat Imraan asked: “Why do you cry?” His brother said: “The great hardships which I see you suffering have reduced me to tears.” Hadhrat Imraan Bin Hassen said:

“Do not cry. I prefer whatever Allah Ta’ala loves. I shall inform you of something. Perhaps Allah Ta’ala will benefit you therby. However. Never reveal it to anyone as long as I am alive. Angels come to visit me. I hear them saying Salaam to me. I therefore have realized that an illness in which there is this great blessing is not a punishment”

Thikr of Allah

“Whenever people sit to engage in the thikr of Allah, the Malaaikah settle over them and the Rahmat of Allah enshrouds them. Peace settles over them and Allah mentions them to those (Angels) by Him”

(Hadith-Muslim Shareef)

The simplest form of ibaadat is the Thikr of Allah Ta’ala. Thikr does not require any particular time or venue. At all times and in all conditions and circumstances, thikr is valid. When the servant engages in thikr the Angels of Mercy accompany him and Allah’s special mercies descent on him. On the contrary when he becomes forgetful of the thikr of Allah, shaitaan become his constant companion as long as his forgetfulness endures. As soon as he remembers and engages in thikr, shaitaan flees.

IMAAN between hope and fear

The renowned Buzrug, Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri (rahmatullah alahyh) had become hunched-back at a young age. People would ask him for the reason of his bent-back. Sine he was always in a state of Istighraaq (contemplation and lost in concern) he would not reply. One day when his close associates pressed him for an answer, he said:

“I had three Ustaadhs from whom I had acquired knowledge. One died a Jew, one died a Christian and one died a Fire-Worshipper. When I saw this, fear bent my back”

Explaining the state of one of these Ustaadhs, Hadhrat Sufyaan Thauri (rahmatullah alahyh) said:

“One of my Ustaadhs from I had gained knowledge and whom I had served was on his death-bed. I was sitting in his presence during this state when he suddenly opened his eyes and said:

‘O Sufyaan, do you see what is being done to me? I have taught and called people to Allah for the past fifty years. Now I am being told that I am unfit and there is no need for me I am being shunned.’ ”

Sufyaan continues:

“I instructed him to recite the Kalimah, but he refused. And said: ‘When I desire to recite the Kalimah a wall of fire rushes at me.’

Thus he dies without reciting the Kalimah. When I observed this and realized the total independence of Allah Ta’ala, fear bent my back”

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all Imaan and a beautiful Maut. Aameen

Points to Ponder

Enes Ibn Malik reports that a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah and greeted him in the Mosque. The messenger of Allah asked him where he came from. The Bedouin said "I came from far seeking answers to some questions".

Our master told him to ask his questions";

Ø I wish to be an intelligent man, what shall I do?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Fear Allah"

Ø I wish to be a loyal servant to Allah and do what he wants me to do?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Read The Quran"

Ø I wish to be enlightened and have peace of heart?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Remember Death"

Ø I wish to be protected against enemies?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Trust In Allah"

Ø I wish to follow the Straight Path?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Do good to others for Allah's Sake"

Ø What should I do so that Allah does not abase me?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Do not respond to the desires of your flesh"

Ø I wish to have a long life?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Praise and Thank Allah"

Ø I wish for prosperity?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Be in a State of Ablution at all times"

Ø How can I save myself from the hellfire?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Protect your eyes and your tongue and your hands and what is below your waistline against evil"

Ø How can I cleanse myself from my sins?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Shed Tears for what you have done and repent by undoing what you have done wrong"

Ø I wish to be a respectable person?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Then, don't ask for anything from anybody"

Ø I wish to be honorable?
¤ Holy prophet Replied, "Then don't divulge the wrong doings of any body"

Ø What should I do to protect myself from the tortures of the grave?
¤ Holy prophet Replied, "Recite the Surah Mulk"

Ø What should one do to be rich?
¤ Holy prophet Replied, "Read the Surah Muzammil"

Ø How should I calm my fear of the day of last judgment?
¤ Holy Prophet replied,"Remember Allah before you eat anything before and before you sleep"

Ø What should I do to feel the presence of Allah when I make my prayers?
¤ Holy Prophet (PBUH) Replied, "Give the utmost care in taking your ablutions and in being clean and pure"

Please take few minutes to read this hadees carefully

Sayings of Imam Ali

Ø As the body becomes tired, the heart becomes tired too. You should therefore search for beautiful sayings for them. [To enjoy by way of refreshment].

Ø He who does not know his own worth is ruined.

Ø The worth of every man is in his attainment.

Ø The worth of a man is according to his courage, his truthfulness is according to his balance of temper, his valour is according to his self - respect, and his chasteness is according to his sense of shame.

Ø A self-respecting person never commits adultery.

Ø He who puts himself in condition of ill repute should not blame those who entertain bad ideas about him.

Ø If a person has good idea about you, make his idea be true.

Ø It is enough for your own discipline that you refrain from what you dislike from others.

Ø Loving one another is half of wisdom.

Ø The most unfortunate of all men is he who cannot find a few friends during his lifetime, but still more unfortunate is he who finds one but loses him [because of his behaviour].

Ø Treat people in such a way and live amongst them in such a manner that if you die they weep over you and if you live they crave for your company.

Ø Through change of circumstances, mettle of man is known.

Ø To keep silent when you can say something wise and useful is as bad as propagating foolish and unwise thought.

Ø If you want to remove evil from the minds of others, then first give up evil intentions yourself.

Ø If you are wished and saluted then return the wish in the most appropriate manner, if you are favoured then repay the obligation manifold: but he will always excel in merit who takes the initiative.

Ø Blindness of eyes is better than the blindness of mind.

Ø Keep in company of people of virtue; you will become one of them. Keep aloof from people of vice; you will remain safe from them.

Ø Do not close a door that you are unable to open.

Ø A man can be valued through his sayings.

Ø One who seeks advice learns to recognise mistakes.

Ø As long as your position is good, your defects will be hidden from the eyes of the world.

Ø A man’s worth depends on the nobility of his aspirations.

Ø The most complete gift of God is life based on knowledge.

Ø The best of men is he who benefits others.

Ø Speech is like medicine; a small dose of which cures and excess kills the patient.

Ø People are asleep when alive; they are awake only when they are dead.

Ø The chief aim of wisdom is to admit one’s ignorance.

Ø The wise aim at perfection.

Ø There is no disease more hopeless than want of wisdom.

Ø To be good to the good is goodness in its highest sense.

Ø The choicest work of man is to associate with the virtuous.

Ø Live with your body in this world and with your faith work for the next

Ø The strongest of men is he who subdues his passion.

Ø How incongruous to have a sickly spirit and a handsome body.

Ø To fight against one’s own desires is highest wisdom.

Ø Fear none but your own sin.

Ø The dead supply lessons for the living.

Ø He is a true adviser who points out your mistakes.

Ø One’s behavior is the index of one’s mind.

Ø Let good deeds be your companions and desires your enemies.

Ø Care for your parents and your children will care for you.

Ø He who bears tales to you certainly bears tales about you.

Ø In overwhelming difficulties a man’s greatness is disclosed.

Ø Prosperity consists not in the increase of money and children, but in growth of virtue and development of patience.

Ø Minds are locked-up stores, only questions open them.

Ø The real gainer is he who checks the items of his own life.

Ø Knowledge is better than wealth. Knowledge guards you while you have to guard wealth. Wealth decreases by spending while knowledge increases by spending, and the results of wealth die as wealth decay. With it a man acquires obedience during his lifetime and a good name after his death. Knowledge is a ruler while wealth is ruled upon.

Ø Acquire knowledge, because he who acquires it, in the way of the Lord, performs an act of piety; who speaks of it praises the Lord; who seeks it, adores God, who dispenses instruction in it, bestows alms; and who imparts it to its fitting objects, performs an act of devotion to God. Knowledge enables its possessor to distinguish what is forbidden from what is not; lights the way to Heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our companion in solitude, our companion, when bereft of friends; it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is our ornament in the company of friends; it serves as an armour against our enemies. With knowledge, the creatures of Allah rise to the heights of goodness and to noble position, associates with the sovereigns in this world and attains the perfection of happiness in the next.

Ø There is no greater wealth than wisdom, no greater poverty than ignorance, no greater heritage than culture, and no greater friend and helpmate than consultation.

Ø Whoever wants to be a leader and a guide should educate himself before educating others; before teaching morality to others, he should improve his own morals and character. Whoever educates himself and improves his own morals and character is superior to the person who tries to teach and train others.

Ø A man without mind is not a man and a mind without religion is worst than the instinct of a beast, more harmful, more dangerous and more carnivorous. Devotion without understanding will not bring blessings of God; it is useless.

Ø I wonder at the proud man who was just a drop of semen the other day and will turn into a corpse tomorrow. I wonder at the man who doubts existence of God although he sees His creations. I wonder at him who has forgotten death although he sees people dying. I wonder at him who denies the second life although he has seen the first life. I wonder at him who inhabits this transient abode but ignores the ever-lasting abode.

Ø When a community is composed of really honest, sober and virtuous people then your forming bad opinion about any one of its member when nothing wicked has been seen of him is a great injustice to him; on the contrary in a corrupt society, to form good opinion of anyone out of those people and trust him is doing harm to yourself.

Ø One who assents or subscribes to the actions of group or party is as good as if he has committed the deed himself. A man who joins sinful deeds makes himself responsible for twofold punishment; one for doing the deed and the other for assenting or subscribing to it.

Ø In man there is a piece of flesh attached to him. It is the heart. It has wisdom and things contrary to wisdom. If he sees a ray of hope, eagerness humiliates it and when eagerness increases, greed ruins it. If disappointment overtakes it, grief kills it. If anger rises in it, a serious rage develops. If it is blessed with pleasure, it forgets to be cautious. If it becomes fearing, it becomes heedless. If peace extends all round, it becomes neglectful. If it earns wealth, freedom from ease puts it in the wrong. If trouble befalls it, impatience makes it humble. If it faces starvation, distress overtakes it. If its eating increases, heaviness of stomach pains it. Thus, every shortness is harmful to it and every excess is injurious to it.

Ø I define Islam for you in a way that nobody dare do it before me. Islam means obedience to God; obedience to God means having sincere faith in Him; such a faith means to believe in His power; a belief in His power means recognizing and accepting His Majesty; accepting His Majesty means fulfilling the obligations laid down by Him; and fulfilment of obligations means actions. [Therefore, Islam does not mean mere faith, but faith plus deeds].

SAYINGS OF IMAM ALI, THE SON-IN-LAW AND ALSO THE FIRST OF THE TWELVE RIGHTFUL SUCCESSORS OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD. [PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON HIM AND HIS FAMILY].