Dad...

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. 

Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.

Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.

Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. 

Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. 

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

Father did not wake up the next day.

Mum...

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. 

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, “she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. 

Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. “It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” she said. 

“Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation – nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.

“How was your dinner date?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. 

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”

One thing you should not be ashamed of saying is to say to your mother that you LOVE her !

A Simple Gesture

By John W. Schlatter






Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed that the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles.


Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked, Mark discovered the boy's name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball and history, that he was having a lot of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

Mark went home after dropping Bill at his house. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school, where they had brief contacts over the years. Finally the long-awaited senior year came. Three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk.

Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Do you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mother's sleeping pills and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you did a lot more. You saved my life."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo Buscaglia

Battle of Badar and the Death of Abu Jahal

Two Pronged Attack (Muaz and Muawwiz Chasing Syahid)

When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank. (Al-Anfal : 9)

Both armies marched closer, preparing themselves to fight till their death. The valley which used to be fertile was washed with blood which belonged to the Syuhada’ and Quraisy’s army. The sound of blades clashing were heard everywhere.

After meeting Prophet Muhammad, Abdul Rahman bin Auf returned to the war zone. Suddenly he was approached by two boys, Muaz bin Amr al-Jamuh, 14 and, Muawwiz bin Afra who was only 13 from Ansar clan. Both of them were armed with swords, but the opposition army didn’t bother to fight them as they thought both of them were harmless because of their age. However the Quraisy wanted Abdul Rahman bin Auf being captured alive so that they can make him as captive because he was known to be a rich merchant.

“Dear son, you are too young to be involved with this war. It would be the best for you two to leave this place at once.” Said Abdul Rahman bin Auf as he was concerned with the safety of both of them.

“We have our parents’ permission to join this Muhammad’s force.” Muaz replied.

“I came here to kill Abu Jahal. Show me where he is.” Muawwiz said ardently.

At first Abdul Rahman bin Auf didn’t bother to listen to both of them but after he was pushed several times, he finally agreed to their request.

“Okay, I will show him to you when we see Abu Jahal. But can I know what would you do when you see him?” He asked.

“My mother asked me not to return home as long his head is not separated from his body!” answered Muaz fervently.

“Abu Jahal has been hurting and saying bad things to Rasulullah. I want to kill him!” Muawwiz added.

Abdul Rahman bin Auf smiled as he listened to what both of them had to say. He was impressed by their bravery and he promised to show them where Abu Jahal was hiding. Suddenly a Quraisy army approached from behind to kill Abdul Rahman. Muaz and Muawwiz saw he was coming and quickly protected Abdul Rahman. Muaz slashed his leg, which led him to fall down and then Muawwiz stabbed him to death. Abdul Rahman bin Auf was again impressed.

“Show us where Abu Jahal!” Muaz said as if he has been waiting for 100 years to kill him.

Abdul Rahman bin Auf saw Abu Jahal under a shady tree. He was riding his horse as he yelled to his soldiers to keep on fighting.

“Thank you, uncle. I’ll get him.” Muaz said as he was running towards him.

“I’ll help him to kill the man who has been the sworn enemy of Allah and His Messenger.” Muawwiz said.

“Be careful because he is being guarded by Quraisy army.” Abdul Rahman bin Auf reminded them. He couldn’t help because he was facing several numbers of Quraisy army.

Muaz and Muawwiz ran towards Abu Jahal without even bother to think about their own safety. At that time Abu Jahal was still on his horse. He didn’t see Muaz and Muawwiz were coming towards him. Muaz was there first. He slashed the horse’s right leg which caused the horse to fall headlong. Abu Jahal fell too. He raged as he was bearing his pain. The leader of the Quraisy army tried to stand up but Muaz quickly slashed his right leg until it was torn apart, separated from his body. Muawwiz on the other hand came to aid and slashed Abu Jahal’s head which made him to fall and struggle in an unbearable pain.

Ikramah, son of Abu Jahal who was there quickly came to help his father. He attacked Muaz and slashed his left hand until it almost separated from his body. Ikramah let Muaz to run away as he saw Muawwiz was on the verge of killing his father. Then the battle between Muawwiz and Ikramah happened. But Ikramah was proven to be a skillful sword fighter not to mention he was far older compared to Muawwiz. Finally, Muawwiz was killed and rewarded Syahid.

On the other side, after Muaz managed to slash Abu Jahal with his sword, he ran to see Prophet Muhammad. But he was disturbed by his left hand which was badly injured and left hanging, almost separated from his body. He stopped and decided to step on his left hand, breaking it off his body. Then he said, “This hand is disturbing me from seeing Rasulullah.”

Without bothering his pain, he ran until he managed to see Rasulullah. Then he hugged him tightly.

“Rasulullah, Muawwiz and I managed to hurt Abu Jahal. But he was still alive because we were attacked by his son and his friends.” Muaz told him and showed Rasulullah where Abu Jahal was located.

Prophet Muhammad called Abdullah bin Mas’ud who was nearby and asked him to get to Abu Jahal.

Abdullah Bin Mas’ud quickly went and searched for him. He saw the leader of Quraisy was badly hurt but he was still alive. Without mercy he stepped on Abu Jahal’s neck and said, “Oh enemy of Allah and His Messenger, as today Allah has insulted you!”

He raised his sword to decapitate him but Abu Jahal asked, “Before you kill me, tell me which side is winning the war?”

“Quraisy army has lost. The victory is for Allah and His Messenger only.”

“You lied to me oh sheep herder!” Abu Jahal said. He was still being stubborn and persistent even he was badly hurt.

Abdullah bin Mas’ud swung his sword and decapitated Abu Jahal.

Story Of A True Friend #

Once, there was a young man together with his good friend went out for a voyage on a ship. With Allah's willing, the ship they were boarding was suddenly leaking and the ship sank.

However, both of them managed to swim and saved themselves until they arrived on a small, isolated and empty island. Obviously, the island was inhabitant, dried out and there weren't any trees and plants for them to survive on.

Together, both of them prayed to Allah so that they will be able to find their way out, or at least managed to survive and keep on with their life. But, after some time, their prayers were not answered and both of them were disappointed. Until one day the young man who was almost to the point of giving up, suggested to his friend that they should split up the island into two parts, in which he will live on one side and his friend to live on the other side. To his thoughts, maybe one of them had done so many bad things in his past that Allah doesn't answer their prayers. His friend agreed with the idea without questions. The young man then continued his pray to Allah.

Suddenly, with Allah's willing, his part of island started to give out spring, gushing out water from the ground. The young man was so elated, and he went out to see the other part of the island that was occupied by his friend to see that his land was still dried out. He prayed again, and this time he asked Allah to give him some food to eat. With Allah's willing, trees and plants started to grow and giving out fruits, growing up fruitfully on his land. Again he looked to the other side, still nothing. No water and not to mention, no edible plants.

At that moment he started to think that Allah will really answer to his prayers, and not to his friend. From then he knew why all his prayers were not answered when he lived together with his friend on the island at the first place. "He must be someone who is so distant with God, and that is why his prayers are not answered."

So, with confidence that his prayers will always be answered, he prayed and asked for other things until one day he requested that he would be able to get out from the island so that he can go back to his village to see his family again.

With Allah's willing, one day a small boat drifted to the island. He was so happy that he quickly jumped into the boat and left the island without thinking about his other friend.

As he returned to his village, he bumped with an elderly who was known to be a pious man and knowledgeable. The old man looked at him with such wonder. Then he asked, "Where is your friend?"

The young man was surprised at first but managed to keep his calm. He asked, "Which friend?"

"The one who stranded with you on the island." The old man replied.

The young man was really shocked that the old man knew about their story. Then he told the pious man everything, from the moment they were stranded until the day a small boat drifted to his part of island that took him back to his village. "So, how should I help him get back here while God himself doesn't answer to his prayers?" He asked the pious man.

So the pious man answered, "Did you know, verily your friend who you have abandoned have only ONE wish while he is on the island, and that ONE wish was already answered fully by Allah a long time ago."

"What did he asked?" The young man became curious.

"Indeed, all the time he was praying that Allah would answer all your prayers while YOU were anxious and in fear. And his prayers were already accepted by Him."

That remark had made the young man to sit down, crying out loud as he was touched and at that moment guilt was already covered his whole body. SubhanAllah...MasyaAllah... How lucky for that young man to have that noble man as his friend...how lucky is him...how lucky is him...how lucky is him !!!

T_T"