True Man : Saad bin Muaz

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا سَـــــــلاَمُ عَلَيــْــكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـَـاتُه

Saad bin Muaz was a slave, and he was said to have dark skin, even darker than Bilal bin Rabah. On the age of 31, he converted to Islam and he was freed short after that. After he migrated to Madinah, Saad decided that he wanted to get married. However, nobody wanted to marry him because of his dark skin. Every woman that he proposed was been turned down.

With that Saad was very disappointed. He went and complained to Rasulullah s.a.w. "Am I really that low that all of my proposals were rejected?" Prophet Muhammad was calm and convinced him that he would have his marriage.

Rasulullah called some of his sahabahs and asked about a beautiful woman in Madinah. He asked them to take Saad to that woman and proposed her, with his guarantee.

The day came where Saad and other sahabahs went to the woman's house. They were being treated nicely by the woman's father. Then the Sahabahs told the woman's father of their intention. They said that Saad was guaranteed by Prophet Muhammad to proposed his daughter.

The man smiled and was elated. He thought that his daughter would be proposed by Rasulullah himself. But Saad quickly said that he was the one who wanted to marry his daughter. Upon hearing his claim, the man was angry and insulted Saad.

Again Saad was sad and depressed. He complained to Rasulullah. The woman reprimanded his father because he rejected Saad's proposal as he was guaranteed by Prophet Muhammad himself and it was one of Allah's will. The scolding hit her father like a brick. He regretted his action and went out to meet Saad and apologised. Finally in front of Prophet Muhammad and Saad, the man approved him as his son-in-law.

Prophet Muhammad told Saad to ask money from Abdul Rahman bin Auf, Uthman bin Affan and Ali bin Ali Taib to buy his wedding preparations. While getting ready to get married, Saad heard Prophet Muhammad called upon every man in Madinah for Jihad as the enemy was getting closer and was set to attack. Saad didn't buy his wedding preparations, instead he bought sword, an armor and also a horse to join the other Mujahideen for war.

Saad positioned himself at the front line. With his armor, shield and sword, Saad was not recognized among the sahabahs. It was Allah's will that Saad died in the battle field. As the body of Syahids were gathered and their armors were taken off, the sahabahs realised that Saad was among one of them. They have thought that he didn't join the war because he was busy preparing for his wedding.

The news of Saad's death reached Prophet Muhammad. Rasulullah s.a.w said, "On the moment of his death, Allah's arasy shook and the angels of the sky and earth cried." Saad bin Muaz had been a muslim for only 6 years. He died on the age of 37.

Quran (2:244) "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."

Learn and Earn

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا سَـــــــلاَمُ عَلَيــْــكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـَـاتُه

Reiichi and Chakir joined a wholesale company together just after their graduation. Both of them worked very hard.

After several years, the boss finally promoted Chakir to sales executive but Reiichi remained as a sales representative. One day Reiichi could not take it anymore. He tendered his resignation to the boss and complained that the boss did not value hard working staff, but only promoted those who flattered him.

The boss knew that Reiichi worked very hard for the years, but in order to help him realize the difference between him and Chakir, the boss asked Reiichi to do the following. He ordered Reiichi to go and find out if anyone was selling water melon in the market. He returned and said yes. The boss asked how much per kg? Reiichi went back to the market to ask and returned to inform boss it cost $12 per kg.

Boss told him that he will ask Chakir the same question. Chakir went, returned and reported to his boss that only one vendor was selling water melon. $12 per kg, $100 for 10 kg and he has inventory of 340 melons. On the table 58 melons, every melon weighs about 15 kg, bought from the South two days ago, they are fresh and red, good quality.

Reiichi was very impressed and realized the difference between himself and Chakir. He decided not to resign but to learn from his college.

PS: My dear friends, a more successful person is more observant, think more and understand in depth. For the same matter, a more successful person sees several years ahead, while you see only tomorrow. The difference between a year and a day is 365 times, how could you win?

Think! how far have you seen ahead in your life? How thoughtful in depth are you?

How often we think about our future? Our death perhaps?
Which we could not possibly delay or avoid.

Friends According to Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا سَـــــــلاَمُ عَلَيــْــكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـَـاتُه

We should choose the friend that believes in and abide by our religion (Islam) and gives great respect to what Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (saw) had ordered us. And we should stay away from the one who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah (SWT), for he will surely affect us negatively. 

There is no good if the companion drowns us in sins and displeasing Allah (SWT). The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation.

Good friends are those who share with their companions both happiness and sadness. If we share our feelings with the wrongdoers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are doing, and we will end up being as corrupt as they are, and then we are in a big trouble, how can we face Allah's (SWT) dissatisfaction and displeasure? 

Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous, yet treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying at sufficient distance is necessary; yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required.The danger of having corrupt friends isn't confined to the worldly life. Such friendships produce repentance on the Day of Resurrection, too!

Allah (SWT), the Exalted says in the Noble Qur'an: "And (remember) the day when the unjust one shall bite his hands saying: O! Would that I had taken a way with the Messenger! O woe is me! Would that I had not taken such a one for a friend! Certainly he led me astray from the reminder after it had come to me;" (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:27-29)

The two main regrets on the day of judgement are 

(1) Not following Prophet Muhammad (saw) on the path of guidance 

(2) Befriending a person who diverted one from the truth.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) has said: 

"The felicity of this and the next world lie in two things: firstly, keeping secrets; and secondly, friendship with the good. And the miseries of this and the next world are summed up in two things: firstly, divulging secrets; and secondly, friendship with wicked persons."

So take heed before the inevitable day of judgement comes and we are reckoned for our acts.

Allah (SWT), the Exalted says in the Noble Qur'an: 

"Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqun (i.e. those who have Taqwa/Piety)." 

(Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:67)

It is wise to choose moderation in dealing with friends. Excessive love and confidence in friends are unacceptable since it happens that a friend may change into an enemy and use the secrets that he had shown as weapons.

Allah (SWT), the Exalted says in the Noble Qur'an: "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." 

(Surah Al-Maeda, 5:2)

There are three types of 'friends'...

Those that are necessary like nourishment and you cannot live without them; those that are like medicine and are beneficial, so you need them sometimes; and finally, those that are like a sickness and you do not need them at all!

Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said, 

"The believer is like a mirror to other believers (in truthfulness)." 

Like a mirror, your friend gives you an honest image. He forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.

Once Prophet Muhammad (saw) was asked, 

"What person can be the best friend?" "He who helps you remember Allah (SWT), and reminds you when you forget Him," the Prophet Muhammad (saw), counseled.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: 

"A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is tested on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back and after your death."

Indeed if we establish these as the standards of friendship, the believers shall soon find themselves enveloped with friends who will take them closer to Paradise and farther away from the fire of hell.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: 

O you who believe! Take care of your souls; he who errs cannot hurt you when you are on the right way; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will inform you of what you did. 

(Surah Al-Maeda, 5:105)


There are certain tips to remember if you wish to keep a stable friendship.

Do not dispute with him and do not be hostile to him.

Do not ridicule him. Do not quarrel with him. Instead accord friends the respect they deserve.

Do not hold him in contempt nor consider him to be lower than you. Instead guard the honor of your friends during their absence and after their death.

Do not claim precedence and supremacy over him. Instead forgive the short-comings of your friends, because everyone makes mistakes in life.

Do not crack indecent jokes with him.

Finally, we ask Allah (SWT) to make us of the righteous ones and give us companions that will take us away from His Wrath and lead us to His Pleasure and Paradise.

Friends, sorry if i've hurt you. I've tried... :(

For Allah's Cause

For Allah’s Cause

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا سَـــــــلاَمُ عَلَيــْــكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـَـاتُه

There was a pious man named Reiichi among a society who always remained busy in the worship of Allah.

One day, a group of people came to him and told him that a tribe living on a nearby village worshipped a tree. The news upset him, and with an axe on his shoulder Reiichi went to cut down that tree.

On his 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 Reiichi to the old man. Then Satan tried to prevent him from cutting the tree, and there followed a fight between the two, in which Reiichi overpowered the Satan.

Finding himself completely helpless, Satan begged to be excused, and when Reiichi 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."

However Reiichi definitely insisted on cutting down the tree. There was again a fight between the two and again Reiichi overpowered the Satan. "Well listen," said Satan, "I propose a settlement that will be to your advantage."

Finally Reiichi 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 every day. 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 appears reasonable to Reiichi, thinking how much he could improve his life and also the others. In fact, the old man was right, if he cut down the tree, the tribe would simple find another tree to worship. Therefore Reiichi accepted the offer.

 He found the money on two successive days, but on the third day there was nothing under his pillow. He got enraged, picked up his axe and went to cut the tree. Satan disguised as an old man again met him on the way and asked him where he was going. "To cut the tree," shouted Reiichi. "I will not let you do it," said Satan.

Another fight took place between the two again but this time Satan had the upper hand and overpowered Reiichi. Reiichi was surprised at his own defeat, and asked the old man 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."

And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.

[Surah Al-Talq, Verse 2-3]

Beautiful Flower in Dirty Soil

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

ا سَـــــــلاَمُ عَلَيــْــكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكـَـاتُه

A little boy, named Ren was enjoying the beauty of the garden in his home. His father had a good collection of rare and exotic plants. He grew them with tender care.

Ren was fascinated by a plant full of fine and fragrant flowers. He went near to the plant and enjoyed its beauty and the fragrance of its fine flowers. Suddenly he noted that the plant was growing in a heap of filth. He could not tolerate the presence of dirt at the bottom of the plant with such fantastic flowers.

Ren conceived a plan to clean the plant. He pulled the plant with all his might and uprooted it. He then carried it to the tap and washed the shoot and roots in running tap-water till all traces of dirt were washed away. Ren then placed the plant on a clean stone and went away, thinking that he had done a great deed indeed.

Later his father Reiichi came to the garden and saw the uprooted plant. Its flowers and leaves had wilted and the plant had almost died in the scorching sun. His little son ran to him to exhibit his achievement. “I have cleaned it, Daddy”, He reported innocently. “It was placed in dirty soil. Now it is clean.”

Reiichi showed him how his treatment had almost killed the plant. He told him that he had collected the filthy soil and placed it to cover the plant’s roots as it was the best medium to grow that plant. It could grow up healthily and produce fine flowers only if grown in filthy soil. He was sad that the plant had suffered and withered by his action.

----

Pain, poverty and illness may cause agony in our life. Sight of successful persons may make us depressed and envious. A great gardener mixes the right soil for each plant. In the same way God provides each of us with the best environment required for optimum spiritual growth. But it may appear to be unpleasant to us and we may even complain to God about our plight
.