tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43655389358541354112023-11-16T21:39:04.840+04:00In the Pursuit of KnowledgeThe Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-5956615220165640122010-08-25T10:50:00.000+04:002010-08-25T10:50:28.130+04:00The IlluminatiThe Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-82775804850591607492010-08-03T23:59:00.004+04:002010-08-25T11:17:50.405+04:00Enjoy Your Life<object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="740" id="doc_372364240549429" name="doc_372364240549429" style="outline: medium none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=31636850&access_key=key-2eyh17jq189kg79itqap&page=1&viewMode=list"><embed id="doc_372364240549429" name="doc_372364240549429" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=31636850&access_key=key-2eyh17jq189kg79itqap&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="740" width="500" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-23487332454783220412010-08-03T23:58:00.004+04:002010-08-25T09:18:21.173+04:00Contents<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/07/publishers-foreword.html">Publisher's Foreword</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/07/introduction.html">Introduction</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/07/they-did-not-benefit.html">They did not benefit</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-are-we-going-to-learn.html">What are we going to learn?</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-do-we-search-for-skills.html">Why do we search for skills?</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/improve-yourself.html">Improve yourself</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/do-no-cry-over-spilt-milk.html">Do not cry over spilt milk</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/be-unique.html">Be unique</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/who-is-most-beloved-to-you.html">Who is the most beloved to you?</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/enjoy-skills.html">Enjoy the skills</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">9. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/with-poor.html">With the poor</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10. <a href="http://the-abd.blogspot.com/2010/08/with-women.html">With women</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">11. With children</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">12. With slaves and servants</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">13. With adversaries</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">14. With animals</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">15. A hundred ways to win people's hearts</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">16. Purify your intention for the sake of Allah</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">17. Use the right flavour</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">18. Choose the right topics</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">19. Be kind at the first meeting</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">20. People are like the minerals of the earth</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">21. Mu'awiyah's hair</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">22. The keys to hearts</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">23. Taking one's psychological condition</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">24. Be concerned about others</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">25. Show them that you want the best...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">26. Remember names</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">27. Be observant and complimentary</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">28. Only pass comment on what is good</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">29. Do not interfere in matters that...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">30. How to deal with a meddlesome person<br />
31. Do not be dictatorial </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">32. Do not criticise</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">33. Hold the stick from the middle</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">34. Make it easy to rectify a fault</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">35. The other opinion</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">36. Respond to mistreatment with kindness</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">37. Convince him of his error so he may...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">38. Do not criticise me! End of story?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">39. Verify the fault before criticising</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">40. Whip me gently!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">41. Run away from problems!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">42. Admit your faults and do not be arrogant...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">43. The keys to mistakes...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">44. Untie the bundle</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">45. Self torture</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">46. Problems with no solutions</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">47. Do no kill yourself by grief</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">48. Be content with what Allah has appointed...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">49. Be a mountain</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">50. Do not curse him because he drinks alcohol!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">51. If what you desire does nothappen,...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">52. We can disagree and still be brothers!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">53. Gentleness only beautifies</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">54. Between the living and the dead</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">55. Make your tongue sweet</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">56. Be concise and do not argue</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">57. Do not care about what people say</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">58. Smile and keep smiling</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">59. The red lines</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">60. Keeping a secret</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">61. Fulfilling people's needs</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">62. Do not burden yourself with what you...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">63. Who kicked the cat?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">64. Humbleness</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">65. To worship in secret</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">66. Take them out of the ditch</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">67. Looking after one's appearance</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">68. Honesty</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">69. Bravery</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">70. Steadiness on principles</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">71. Temptations</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">72. Forgiving others</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">73. Generosity</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">74. Restraining oneself from harming others</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">75. Do not gain enemies</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">76. The tongue is king</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">77. Control your tongue</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">78. The key</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">79. The emotional bank balance</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">80. The magician</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">81. Help by your speech if you cannot do so...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">82. Supplications</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">83. Patching up</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">84. Look with both eyes</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">85. The art of listening</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">86. The art of discussion</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">87. Block the escape routes of the detractors</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">88. Wait do not interrupt!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">89. Charity before consultation</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">90. It is not important to always be successful</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">91. Be brave and start fom now!</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-47555307425262069992010-08-03T23:57:00.000+04:002010-08-08T11:04:10.075+04:00Publisher's Foreword<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It so happened that in the year 2007, I was in the city of the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>. It has been my old habit that whenever I travel to a city, I always make it a point to visit all its bookstores. When it comes to books, the city of Madinah is in its own league. In the bookstores of Madinah, one is bound to come across all the newly published literature - and shopping for book is, of course, my favourite pastime. The staff who work at most of the bookstore near the Prophet's Mosque know me on a personal basis, as a large number of Darussalam's publications are available at these stores.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">One day, when I was visiting one these bookstores, I looked at the shelves and noticed a book called, 'Enjoy Your life'. Just as I was about to pick it up, Abu 'Abdullah greeted me, hugged me, and asked, 'When did you arrive? How long are you here for?' Meanwhile, I reached out for the book... Abu 'Abdullah., who is originally from Yemen, has been involved in the book market for a long time. He is one of the many Darussalam distributors. He noticed the book in my hand and said, 'This book is excellent. If you were to publish its translation, it would be considered a valuable addition to the international Islamic book collection.' He continued as he held my hand, 'This book has made a record number of sales.'</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Some time later, in my hotel room, I began reading the book. As I continued reading, I became more and more captivated by it. There is no doubt that the subject of the book itself was the thing that most interested me,</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Solutions to all the problems of the Muslim nation are present in the life of Allah's Messenger <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>.<span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab"></span> His life is certainly an example for us to follow and a model for us to refer to at all times. No matter what problem arises in our lives, if we look to the Prophet's Seerah for a solution, we will surely find it. What makes this book outstanding is that it deals with our social problems in light of the Prophetic lifestyle. The work is filled with incidents from the Seerah, Islamic history, and the author's own experiences. By reading this book and implementing it practically, all of us can make our lives more enjoyable and more tranquil.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This book includes remedies for despondency and numerous tips on how to keep worries and stress at bay. The author of this book, Dr.Muhammad bin 'Abd ar-Rahman al-'Arifi is a well known scholar and lecturer from Saudi Arabia. His audiences are left mesmerised during his lectures as he has such a unique way of speaking that even us, the non-Arabs, are enchanted by his words. A visit to any of the Islamic audiocassette shops in this land gives proof to the popularity of this talented lecturer, and a single of any of his lectures guarantees addiction!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When I returned to Riyadh from Madinah, I requested one of our Egyptian Darussalam associates, Muhammad Shakir Qadhi, to establish contact with Dr.Al-'Arifi and to request permission for the translation of his books. After a few days, we managed to establish contact with Dr.Al-'Arifi. Fortunately, for us, he was already familiar with Darussalam. As he said himself, most of the books he takes on his international travels are of Darussalam publications. It is always easier to work towards an agreement if there is preceding familiarity. We invited Dr.Al-'Arifi over to Darussalam's headquarters for a visit, and he gladly accepted the invitation. This, we had the pleasure of this company.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I found him to be just as handsome and immaculate as are his works and lectures. He has a unique and charming character and a very humble personality. I know from my experience with people in the Islamic world, that the more famous and well respected a person becomes, the more modest and noble is his behaviour. Dr.Al-'Arifi signed the contract with Darussalam and then excused himself, saying he was in a hurry and that he would return soon to discuss further details.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After a couple of weeks or so, as I was travelling once again to Madinah, I coincidently noticed Dr.Al-'Arifi seated on the same plane. As the seat besides him was empty, we had the opportunity to sit together and familiarise ourselves with eath other even more. We spoke at length and felt closer to one another. A few days later, he returned to Darussalam and gave us a number of new suggestions. We introduced him to some of our projects, and it was then decided that Darussalam would translate his books into various languages.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He explained how his book, 'Enjoy Your Life' is in reality a summary of his entire life experience. He spent a considerable amount of time authoring his book. There is no doubt that he wrote this work from the very depths of his heart, and one really must read it to realise and acknowledge the beauty of it. This book was published in Arabic in Sha'ban 1428AH, corresponding to August 2007, and within the span of one year, it had sold 100,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As mentioned previously, Dr. Muhammad al-'Arifi is indigenously from Saudi Arabia. He is from the famous Arab tribe known as Banu Khalid (Banu Makhzum) - it goes without mentioning that Banu Khalid are the descendants of the famous soldier, Mujahid and Companion of the Prophet, Khalid bin al-Walid - may Allah be pleased with him. Dr. Muhammad al-'Arifi was born in the year 1970. He graduated from Saudi universities where he acquired his PhD. The title of his PhD research thesis was "Ara' Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah on Sufism - a Compilation and Study).</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Currently, he is a founding and dignitary member of various Da'wah organisations, as well as being a member of their advisory committees. He is also a member of the advisory board for many international organisations. Aside from being a visiting professor in various Saudi and foreign universities, he is also a professor in King Saud University of Riyadh. He has been delivering Friday sermons for over twenty years in different mosques in Saudi Arabia. Currently, he delivers his Friday sermons in al-Bawaardi mosque, which is a major mosque located in the south of Riyadh. Every Friday, so many people attend, that it is impossible to find a parking space anywhere in the vicinity of the mosque. Once I had the opportunity of praying the Friday prayer behind Dr. Al-'Arifi. We arrived at the mosque very early, but despite that, we had to park very far away. The ground floor of the mosque was fully occupied, so we went up the first floor where we were able to find a place to sit. Soon afterwards, the first floor also became congested with worshippers. Dr. Muhammad al-'Arifi is an amazing orator. He was fortunate enough to be a student of Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz bin Baz for fifteen to sixteen years, he took lessons from Dr. 'Abdullah al-Jibrin in Tawheed. His other teachers include, Shaykh 'Abdullah bin Qu'ud, Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman bin Nasir al-Barrak and various other scholars. His connections with the scholars of Madinah go back very far. During his days as a student and thereafter, he learnt Fiqh from those scholars. he has memorised the Qur'an and is known for his fine recitation. He takes a special interest in Hadeeth literature and has received licences for the chains of transmission for various Hadeeth texts from a number of scholars.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">More than twenty of his works in Arabic have been published and distributed in nearly a million copies. His books, which are often published in four colours, are attractive and pleasing to the eye, and available at low-cost. It is because his books deal with issues affecting the lives of everyday people, that they are acclaimed and appreciated by all. Many well-wishers make his books their choice for their donations and free distributions.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The following is a list of some of the works of Dr. Muhammad al-'Arifi:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A work on Tawheed called Irkab Ma'anaa, an excellent work of which 400,000 copies have been published.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A work on Da'wah to Allah, called Hal Tabhath 'an Wadhifa, of which 150,000 copies have been published.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- Innaha Malikah, in 150,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- Fi Batn al-Hut, in 150,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A work on the topic of worship in 100,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A work on the topic of Hijaab called Sarkha fi Mat'am al-Jami'a, in 150,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- Rihla Ila al-Sama' with 150,000 copies published and sold.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A compilation of counselling to doctors and patients called 'Ashiq fi Ghurfat al-'Amaliyat in 70,000 copies.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- A pamphlet called Adhkar al-Muslim al-Yawmiyyah, of which 20 million copies have been published within only three years.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many of Dr.al-'Arifi's lectures are available on the internet without charge; he also writes columns and essays for various newspapers and magazines and has appeared on a number of Arabic satellite television channels.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The administration of Darussalam hopes, in the very near future, to translate into different languages and publish the various works of Dr.Al-'Arifi while maintaining a high literacy standard, Allah willing.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I would like to thank our brothers Saleem Beg and Nasim Chowdhury for translating and editing this work respectively. We pray to Allah that He grants the author, the translator and the editor good health and long life, and that He blesses their knowledge and actions. We would be extremely delighted to receive any feedback or suggestions from our readers, and we hope you remember us in your prayers.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Your loving brother</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>'Abdul-Malik Mujahid</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Darussalam Publishers</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Riyadh - Saudi Arabia August 2008</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-10511429030611454682010-08-03T23:56:00.000+04:002010-08-08T11:03:51.757+04:00Introduction<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">All praise is due to Allah. May Allah's peace and blessings be upon the one after whom there is no other prophet.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As a seventeen year old, I came across a book called, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie, which I found to be quite excellent and which I subsequently read several times. The author suggested that one should <span style="background-color: #f6b26b;">read the book once a month</span>, which is exactly what I did. I began to apply its principles when dealing with others and witnessed amazing results.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Carnegie would often mention a principle and then cite various examples of this by way of incidents related to prominent figures, such as Roosevelt, Lincoln, Joseph, and so on.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I contemplated and realised that the author's only goal was to attain worldly happiness. What if he were to have known Islam and the etiquettes it teaches? He would surely have achieved eternal as well as ephemeral happiness! How about if he were to have turned his wonderful interpersonal skills into worship, with which he would have drawn closer to Allah? When I later discovered that Carnegie had committed suicide, I knew for certain that his book, despite its merits, had not benefitted him.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I then began to search our own history and discovered that the life of the Allah's Messenger <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, his Companions, and anecdotes of some of the prominent men of this ummah are more than enough for us to learn lessons from. From then on, I began to author this book concerning the art of dealing with others. Hence, this book is not the product of a month or a year's toil. <i>Rather, it is the result of twenty years of serious study.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Although Allah has blessed me with the ability to have produced twenty books so far, some of which have been printed in their millions, I nevertheless believe that the most beloved, precious and beneficial of all of them is this book, which I wrote with ink blended with my blood; I poured out my soul and squeezed out my memories as I wrote these lines.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I have written these words from the very depths of my heart so it may penetrate the heart of the reader, and would be delighted to learn that he or she has indeed implemented its teachings, experienced an improvement in his or her skills, and therefore actually began enjoying life. If he or she were to then thankfully write a message expressing his or her views and feelings honestly and send it to me via email or SMS, I would be grateful for this kindness and remember to pray for him or her in their absence.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I pray to Allah that the reader benefits from these pages, and the He makes my efforts purely for His sake.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Written by the one who is always praying for what is best for you.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Dr. Muhammad bin 'Abd al-Rahman al-'Arifi</b></div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-56120464232824500802010-08-03T23:55:00.000+04:002010-08-08T11:03:35.393+04:00They did not benefit<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I remember once receiving a message on my mobile phone which read: "Dear Shaykh, what is the ruling on suicide?"<br />
<br />
I called the sender to find a very young man on the other end of the line. I said, "I am sorry, I didn't understand your question. Can you please repeat your question?"<br />
<br />
He said with a grieving voice, "The question is clear. What is the ruling on suicide?"<br />
<br />
I decided to surprise him by saying in response something unexpected, so I said, "It is recommended!"<br />
<br />
He screamed, 'What?!"<br />
<br />
I said, "How about if we discuss the best way for you to do it?"<br />
<br />
The young man fell silent, I said to him, "OK. Why do you want to commit suicide?"<br />
<br />
He said, "Because, I can't find work. People do not love me. In fact, I am an utter failure...", and thus he began to relate to me his long story in order to prove that he had failed to develop his interpersonal skills and was unsuccessful in utilising his talents. This is a problem with many people. Why do some of us feel inferior? Why do we look at those at the peak of the mountain while thinking of ourselves an unworthy of reaching that peak as they have, or even climbing it as they did?<br />
<br />
<i>The one frightened of climbing moutains<br />
forever lives in the ditches</i><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Do you wish to know who will not benefit from this book, or any other similar book, for that matter?</span> It is the unfortunate one who surrenders to his own errors and becomes satisfied with his limited skills, and says, "This is my nature. I have become too used to it now; I cannot change my ways. Everyone knows this is how I am. I can never speak like Khalid does, or have a cheerful countenance like Ahmad has, or be universally loved the way Ziyad is. That would be impossible."<br />
<br />
I once sat with a very old man in a public gathering. Most of those present were people with the usual skills and abilities. The old man was busy speaking to whoever was sitting next to him. He did not stand out in the crowd for any reason, except by virtue of his old age.<br />
<br />
I delivered a lecture and during it mentioned a verdict given by the eminent Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz bin Baz. When I finished, the old man said to me with pride, "Shaykh Ibn Baz and I were colleagues. We used to study together in a mosque under Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibrahim, about forty years ago."<br />
<br />
I turned around to look at him and noticed that he seemed very happy to share this information with me. He was delighted to have accompanied a successful man once in his life. I said to myself, "Poor man! Why did you not become as successful as Ibn Baz? If you knew the way to success, why did you not pursue it?<br />
<br />
Why is it that when Ibn Baz passes away, people cry for him from the pulpits, mihrabs, and institutes, and various nations grieve over the loss; yet, when your death comes, perhaps, nobody would shed a single tear, except out of kindness or custom!"<br />
<br />
We all may say at some time or another, "We knew so-and-so and we sat with so-and-so." But this is nothing to be proud of. What one can be proud of is to scale the peak as they did.<br />
<br />
Be brave and from now on be determined to utilise all the abilities you possess. Be successful. Replace the frown on your face with a smile, depression with cheerfulness, miserliness with generosity, and anger with perseverance. Turn your calamities into occasions of joy and your faith into a weapon!<br />
<br />
Enjoy your life, for it is brief and there is no time in it for anguish. As for how to do this, then this is the reason for my writing of this book. So bear with me until the end, with Allah's permission.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>You will bear with us if...</b><br />
<br />
You are brave enough to be determined and persistent on the development of your interpersonal skills, and if you are willing to take advantage and talents.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-53707905480143661462010-08-03T23:54:00.000+04:002010-08-08T11:03:17.579+04:00What are we going to learn?<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">People generally tend to share their moments of happiness and sorrow. They are happy when they become wealthy. They will be joyous when promoted at work, content when they recover from illness, and cheerful when the world smiles at them and fulfils their dreams.<br />
<br />
Likewise, they all grieve over illness, disgrace and loss of wealth. Knowing this to be the case, let us look for ways in which to make our joy everlasting and hence overpower our sorrows. Yes, in reality life tends to be both sweet and bitter, and on this we would not disagree, but why do we often focus on our calamities and sorrows, and as a result become depressed for days on end? Where an hour is enough to grieve over something, hours on end are spent grieving. Why?<br />
<br />
I realise that sorrow and anguish enter our hearts without seeking permission, but for each door of sadness that opens there are a thousand means of shutting it, and these are what we will expound here.<br />
<br />
Allow me to bring your attention to another matter: How often is that we see those people who are love by everyone? Many long to meet them and be in their company, but do you wish to be one of them? Why be content at being amazed by such people all the time? Why not try to be amazing yourself?<br />
<br />
Here we will learn how to be amazing.<br />
<br />
Why was it that when your cousin spoke at the gathering, everyone listened to him attentively? Why were they amazed at his manners of speech? Why was it that when you spoke, they all turned away and began to talk amongst themselves? Why was that? You may be more well-informed, better qualified and possess a higher status than him. How then did he manage to get all the attention and you failed?<br />
<br />
Why is it that one father is dearly loved by his children who love to greet him and accompany him wherever he goes, while another father begs his children to accompany him while they keep making all kinds of excuses to avoid doing so?<br />
<br />
Are they not both fathers? They why the difference?<br />
<br />
Here we will learn how to enjoy life, know the various techniques to attract people, influence them, persevere with their faults, deal with people with bad manners, and much, much more. So welcome!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A word...</b><br />
<br />
Success is not to discover what others like, it is to acquire and practise the skills that help one gain their love.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-34549803767261300772010-08-03T23:53:00.000+04:002010-08-08T11:00:13.180+04:00Why do we search for skills?<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I once visited a deprived town to deliver a lecture, after which there came to me a teacher from outside the town. He said, "I hope you can help us finance some students."<br />
<br />
I said, "Strange! Aren't the schools government funded, and therefore free?"<br />
<br />
He said, "Indeed they are, but we would like to fund their university education."<br />
<br />
I said, "Well, the universities are also government funded. They even offer student grants."<br />
<br />
He said, "Allow me to explain to you..."<br />
<br />
"Go ahead", I said.<br />
<br />
He said, "Our students graduate from their secondary school with no less than 99%. They are so clever that if their intelligence was divided amongst the ummah, if would suffice! But when a student becomes determined to travel outside his town to study Medicine, Engineering, Islamic Law, Computer Science or anything else, his father prevents him from going, saying, 'What you know is sufficient! Now, remain with me and be a shepherd!'"<br />
<br />
I screamed impulsively, "Be a shepherd?!"<br />
<br />
He said, "Yes, a shepherd!"<br />
<br />
And indeed, the poor boy stays with his father and becomes a shepherd, whilst all his abilities are wasted. Years go by and he remains a shepherd. He may even get married and have children whom he may treat exactly as he was treated by his father. Hence, all his children also become shepherds!<br />
<br />
I asked, "So what's the solution?"<br />
<br />
He said, "The solution is to convince the father to employ someone as a shepherd for a few hundred riyals, which we will pay, and allow his son to take full advantage of his skills and abilities. Of course, we will also continue to fund his son until he graduates."<br />
<br />
The teacher then lowered his head and said, "It is inexcusable that such skills and talents in people are wasted whey they long to utilise them."<br />
<br />
I contemplate upon what he said and realised that we cannot reach the pinnacle except by taking advantage of the abilities we have and acquiring those that we do not.<br />
<br />
Yes, I would challenge anyone to find a successful person, be they successful in academia, preaching, lecturing, business, medicine, engineering, or influencing others; or be they successful in family life, such as a successful father with his children, or a successful wife with her husband; or be successful in their social life, such as a person who is successful with his neighbours and colleagues - and I mean truly successful person, not one who simply climbs upon others' shoulders! - I would challenge anyone to find me any such highly successful person who does not practise certain interpersonal skills through which he has been able to achieve such success, whether they realise it or not.<br />
<br />
Some people may exercise such interpersonal skills instinctively, while others may have to learn them in order to be successful, and these latter people are the types of successful personalities whose lives we would like to study and whose methods we would closely seek to follow in order to discover how they were successful, and to find out whether or not we can take their route to success.<br />
<br />
A while ago, I listened to an interview with one of the most affluent people in the world, Shaykh Sulayman Al-Rajihi, and found him to be a mountain in terms of manners and thoughts. This man owns billions, possess immense real estate, has built hundreds of mosques, and has sponsored thousands of orphans. He is hugely successful. He spoke of his humble beginnings around fifty years ago, when he was a regular person who would only have enough money to feed himself for the day, and sometimes not even that. He mentioned that he would sometimes clean people's houses to feed himself and continue working at night at a shop or money exchange. He discussed how he was once at the bottom of the mountain, and how he continued to climb until he reached the summit.<br />
<br />
I thought about the abilities and skills he possesses and realised that many of us are well capable of being like him, if Allah grants us the ability. If one leans these skills, exercise them, perseveres and remains steadfast, then yes, he can surely be like him.<br />
<br />
Another reason for us to search for these skills is that some of us may have certain abilities, which we remain unaware of, or which nobody has assisted us in discovering, such as the skills of delivering a lecture, business acumen, or possessing general knowledge.<br />
<br />
One may discover these skills on his own, through a teacher's or a work colleague's help, or even through a sincere brother; however few they may be! However, these skills may remain buried inside the person until his personality becomes as stale as anyone else's, and this is when we lose out on another leader; lecturer or scholar; or perhaps a successful husband, or a caring father.<br />
<br />
Here we will mention certain skills which we would like to remind you of it if you already possess them, or which we would like to train you in if you don't. So come along!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A thought...</b><br />
<br />
When you climb a mountain, look to the top and not to the rocks that surround you. Make sure of where you step as you climb, and do not leap in case you loose your footing.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-31874731914285831922010-08-03T23:52:00.000+04:002010-08-08T10:59:54.558+04:00Improve yourself<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You sit with someone who is twenty years old and notice that he has particular etiquette, logic and thought. You then sit with him when he is thirty to discover that he is exactly the way he was ten years ago and has not improved at all. Yet, you sit with others and feel that they are actually taking benefit from their lives. You discover that they improve themselves on a daily basis. In fact, not an hour passes except that they improve either religiously or otherwise. If you wish to ponder upon the different types of people with respect to self- improvement, then think about the following:<br />
<br />
There are those who like to watch those satellite television channels that help their general knowledge and intelligence grow. They benefit from other people's experiences by watching constructive discussions, from which they learn the characteristics of debating and improve their language, understanding, and expertise in debate and persuasion.<br />
<br />
Then there are those who cannot miss out on a series about a failed love story, or an emotional plan, or a horror film, or films about useless fantasies with no link to reality at all.<br />
<br />
Notice the difference between the two after five or ten years. Which of the two would have improved the most in his skills and ability to fathom information, gain general knowledge, have the power to convince others, or successfully be able to cope with diverse situations? No doubt the first person! You will find the mannerisms of the first person to be completely different.<br />
<br />
When he argues, he does so on the basis of legal references, facts and figures, while the second can only quote the words of actors and singers, so much that one such person once said during a discussion, "Allah says: 'Strive, my servant, and I shall strive with you!"<br />
<br />
We informed him that this is not a verse from the Qur'an. His complexion changed and he fell silent. I then thought about the phrase and it occurred to me that it is an Egyptian idiom which was imprinted on his mind after watching a drama series!<br />
<br />
Let's look at it from another angle - that of reading newspapers and magazines. How many people take an interest in reading beneficial news and information that helps them in developing their personality, improves their skills and increases their general knowledge? Yet, know many are those who cannot read except sports and entertainment news? This is true to such an extent that many newspapers compete with each other by increasing the sports and entertainment pages at the cost of other sections. The same can be said about gatherings and the things in which we spend our time.<br />
<br />
Hence, if your would like to be a head instead of a tail, then eagerly try to practice all skills, <b>regardless of what they may be</b>. 'Abdullah was an energetic person but lacking in certain skills. One day, he left his home to pray Dhuhr in the mosque. It was his zeal for prayer and respect for his religion which brought him out to pray. He was walking fast in order to reach the mosque before the Iqamah was given. On his way, he passed by a date-palm tree on top of which there was a man in uniform, working on the tree. 'Abdullah became surprised and thought, "Who is this man that does not care about the prayer! It is as if he didn't even hear the Adhan, or doesn't care about the Iqamah, which is about to go!"<br />
<br />
He shouted in anger, "Get down and pray!"<br />
<br />
The man responded coldly, "OK, OK..."<br />
<br />
He said, again, "Hurry up and pray, you donkey!"<br />
<br />
The man screamed, "You called me a donkey?!" He then took a branch of the tree and descended in order to hit him over the head with it! 'Abdullah hid his face with his headscarf so the man wouldn't recognise him and went on to the mosque. Then man descended from the tree in anger, went to his house, prayed and rested for a while. He then returned to the tree to finish his job. Then 'Asr time came and 'Abdullah went to the mosque again. On his way he passed by the same tree and noticed the same man working. He decided to change his method altogether and said, 'As-salamu'alaykum! How are you?"<br />
<br />
The man replied, 'Al-hamdulillah, I am fine!"<br />
<br />
He said, "Give me some good news. How are the dates this year?"<br />
<br />
The man said, "Al-Hamdulillah."<br />
<br />
'Abdullah said, "May Allah give you success and provision, make your life easy for you, and not deprive you of the reward for your work!"<br />
<br />
The man was overjoyed at hearing this supplication and said ameen to the prayer.<br />
<br />
'Abdullah then said, "It seems that you are so preoccupied with work that perhaps you didn't notice the Adhan for 'Asr prayer. The Adhan has been called and the Iqamah is about to be given. Perhaps you should get down, relax a little and get ready for prayer. After the prayer you can get on with your work again. May Allah keep you healthy."<br />
<br />
The man said, "InshaAllah... InshaAllah..." and began to descend gently.<br />
<br />
He then turned to 'Abdullah, shook his hand warmly and said, "I would like to thank you for your excellent manners. As for the one who passed by me at Dhuhr time, I wish I could see him and show him who the real donkey is!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The result...</b><br />
<br />
Your skills of dealing with others determine how they deal with you.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-34153221430005517532010-08-03T23:51:00.000+04:002010-08-08T10:59:36.579+04:00Do no cry over spilt milk<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Some people believe that the traits they have nurtured on, which they are recognised by and which have left a certain impression about them on the minds of others can never be changed. They surrender to this thought, just as a person would surrender to the fact that he cannot change his height or skin colour.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, an intelligent person thinks that to change one's nature can perhaps be easier than changing his clothes. Our nature is not like spilt milk that cannot be scooped up again. Rather, we are always in control of it and there are certain ways in which can alter it, and even the way we think!<br />
<br />
Ibn Hazm mentions in his work Tawq al-Hamamah a tale of a famous Spanish businessman: There was competition between him and four other businessmen and as a result, they disliked him. They were therefore determined to aggravate him. One morning, he left his house to go to his workplace, wearing a white shirt and turban. One of the four businessmen met him on the way. He greeted the Spanish businessmen, looked at his turban and said, "How beautiful this yellow turban is!"<br />
<br />
The businessman said, "Are you blind? This turban is white!"<br />
<br />
He replied, "No, it is yellow! It is yellow, but it looks good."<br />
<br />
The businessman left him and moved on until he met the second of them. He greeted him, then looked at his turban and said, "You look handsome today! Your clothes look fine! Especially this green turban!"<br />
<br />
The businessman said, "Actually, the turban is white."<br />
<br />
"No, it is green," he insisted.<br />
<br />
He replied, "It is white! Go away from me!"<br />
<br />
The businessman walked on, talking to himself, and every now and then looking at the flank of his turban to make sure that it was indeed white. He reached his shop and opened up the lock. Meanwhile, there came to him the third of the four businessmen and said, "How beautiful this morning is! And especially your clothes, they look fine! And your beautiful blue turban only adds to your good looks!"<br />
<br />
The businessman looked a his turban to ascertain its colour, then rubbed his eyes and said, "Dear brother! My turban is white!"<br />
<br />
"No, it is blue But the important thing is that it looks good, so don't worry!" the man said, and left, as the businessman began to yell after him saying, "The turban is white!" as he looked at his turban to ascertain its colour once again.<br />
<br />
He sat in his shop for a while and couldn't take his eyes off his turban. Meanwhile, the fourth person came and said, "Greetings! MashaAllah! From where did you buy this red turban?"<br />
<br />
The businessman shouted, "My turban is blue!"<br />
<br />
He replied, "No, it is red."<br />
<br />
The businessman said, "No, it is green! Actually, no, it is white! No, its is blue, or black!" He then laughed out loud, then screamed, then began to cry and then started to jump up and down!<br />
<br />
Ibn Hazm said, 'Thereafter, I would see him in the streets of Spain. He had gone mad and children would pelt stones at him.'<br />
<br />
If these four people, by using their skills, were able to change not only the nature of the person but also his mind, then how about the tried and tested skills that are supported by revelation which a person can put into practice in order to become closer to Allah?<br />
<br />
Put into practice whatever good skills you come across and you will be happy.<br />
<br />
<i>If you say to me, "I cannot."<br />
<br />
I would say to you, "At least try!"<br />
<br />
If you say to me, "I don't know how."<br />
<br />
I would say, "Yes, you do!"</i><br />
<br />
The Prophet (SAW) said, "Knowledge is only gained through learning, and clemency is only gained through perseverance."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A point of view...</b><br />
<br />
The hero is the one who goes beyond his ability to improve his skills, until he becomes able to improve, and perhaps even alter; the skills of others.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-32617030095891275292010-08-03T23:50:00.000+04:002010-08-08T10:59:16.600+04:00Be unique<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it that some people's discussions end in argument while others may discuss the same subject and end their discussion in a friendly manner? It has everything to do with the skills of holding a discussion.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it that when two people deliver the same sermon with the same words, you find that among the audience of the first person someone yawning or sleeping, another is playing with a prayer mate, and others are repeatedly shifting, whilst the audience listening to the second are listening attentively to the sermon, such that they cannot blink an eyelid nor of what is being said? It has everything to do with oratory skills.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it when so-and-so speaks in a gathering, everyone listens to him attentively and focuses on him, whereas when someone else speaks, they began to talk about other issues and start reading their text messages? It has everything to do with the skills of verbal communication.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it when one school teacher walks through the corridor, all the students gather around him? One shaking his hand, another asking his advice, and yet another one complaining about a problem; if he were to sit in his office and allow the students to enter, it would be filled with students in seconds as everyone wishes to sit with him. Yet, another teacher walks through the corridor by himself and leaves the school's mosque and he is alone. No student approaches him to shake his hand, or to complain about a problem. If he were to leave his office open from sunrise to sunset, no one would ever come to it as nobody seems to like to be in his company.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has everything to do with interpersonal skills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One person enters a public gathering and everyone smiles at his face and feels joy at meeting him; everyone wishes to sit next to him. However, another person walks in and gets cold handshakes, either out of custom or kindness. He then look for a place to sit but cannot find a person who gives him any space or calls him to sit next to him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has everything to do with the techniques of attracting and influencing others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is it that a father enters his house and his children smile at him with joy, whereas another comes to see his children but they do not even turn to acknowledge his presence? It is all to do with the skills of dealing with children. You can say the same about the mosque, wedding parties and so on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People differ in varying degrees from each other in terms of their interpersonal skills, and, accordingly, the way they are treated by others also differs to varying degrees. Influencing people and earning their love is easier than one can imagine. I am not exaggerating when I say this, since I have tried these skills a number of times and found that it is very easy to capture people's hearts, if indeed we are serious about interpersonal skills and training ourselves in them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People are affected by the way we deal with them whether we realise it or not. For thirteen years, I have been an Imam at a military college. On my way to the mosque, I pass by a gate that is watched by a guard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I pass by the guard, I am always eager to smile at him and signal with my hand by way of giving salams to him. After the Salah, I get in my car and make my way home. Usually, whilst I am doing my Salah in the mosque, I receive a number of text messages and missed calls, on my cell phone. When I pass by the gate on my way back from the salah, I am preoccupied with the messages, so I forgot to smile at him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Until one day I was surprised when he stopped me and said,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Dear Shaykh, are you upset with me?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Why would I be?" I asked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He said, "When you enter I noticed that you smile and you seem very happy. But when you leave, you neither smile nor seem pleased."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The man was very sincere, so he began to swear how much he loved and respected me, and how joyful he was upon seeing me. I apologised to him and explained to him the reason for my behaviour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I then realised that when we get used to such skills, they become part of our nature, and others certainly notice when we negligently fail to practise them.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enlightenment...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do not earn wealth and lose people, for earning people is a way to earning wealth.</span></div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-67149967630188821812010-08-03T23:49:00.000+04:002010-08-08T10:58:56.013+04:00Who is the most beloved to you<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You will become the most proficient in using the various skills in dealing with others when you treat everyone in such a way that he thinks of himself as the most beloved of all people to yourself. For instance, you should treat your mother so grandly that she begins to think you have never treated anyone in such fine manner.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You can say the same about the way you should deal with your father, your wife, your children, and your colleagues. In fact, you can say the same about someone you meet only once, such as a shopkeeper, or a petrol station attendant. You could get all these people to agree that you are the most beloved of all to them, if only you can make them feel that they are the most beloved of all to you!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> was an expert in this.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Whoever reads about the life of the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> will find that he would deal with everyone in an excellent manner. Whoever he met, he would be very welcoming and cheerful, such that the person would think that he was the most beloved of all to him, and therefore, the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would also become the most beloved of all to that person.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The shrewdest of the Arabs were four, and 'Amr bin al-'Aas was deemed one of them due to his wisdom, sharpness and intelligence. When 'Amr embraced Islam, he was the leader amongst his people, and whenever he met the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, he would always find him very warm and cheerful. Whenever he entered a gathering where the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> was sitting, he would be warmly welcomed. When the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would call him, he would use the names that were most beloved to him.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">By experiencing such excellent treatment, he felt certain that he was the most beloved of all to the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>. Once day, he decided to confirm his feelings, so he approached the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> and sat next to him.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, 'O Messenger of Allah, who is the most beloved to you?'</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, "A'ishah."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Amr said, "No. I mean, from the men, O Messenger of Allah. I do not mean from amongst from your family."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, "Her faither."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Amr said, "And then?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, "Umar bin al-Khattab."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Amr said, "And then?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> then began to mention a number of people saying, "So-and-so and so-and-so..." <span style="background-color: #ea9999;">in accordance with how early they embraced Islam and the sacrifices they had made</span>.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Amr then said, "I then remained silent, fearing that he may rank me last!"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Notice how the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> managed to capture 'Amr's heart by exercising his outstanding skills. In fact, the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would rank people according to their worth. Sometimes, he would even leave what he was doing to tend to other's needs, just to make them feel that they were loved and held in high regard.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When the Prophet's influence extended after his conquests and Islam had spread far and wide, the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> began sending preachers to various tribes to call them to Islam. Sometimes he even had to send armies. 'Adi bin Hatim al-Ta'i was a king and the son of a king. When the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> sent an army to the Tai' tribe, 'Adi ran away from the battle and took refuge in Syria. When the Muslim army reached Tai' they found it easy to defeat them as they had neither a king nor an organised army. The Muslims would always tread people kindly in wars and respect their emotions, even during battle. The purpose of the battle was to prevent the plots of 'Adi's people against the Muslims and to display to them the Muslim's strength. The Muslims captured some people from 'Adi's tribe, amongst whom was 'Adi's sister. They took the captives to the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> in Madinah and informed him about 'Adi's escape to Syria. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> was surprised, thinking how could he have run away from the true religion? How could he have left his people behind?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">However, there was no way for the Muslims to contact 'Adi. 'Adi himself did not enjoy his stay in Syria and was compelled to come back to the Arab lands. He then could not but help go to Madinah to meet with the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> and make peace with him, or to create some sort of understanding. (It is also claimed that his sister went to Syria to bring him back to the Arabs).</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi said whilst relating his story, "None from the Arabs disliked the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> a much as I did. I was a Christian and a king amongst my people. When I heard about the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, I despised him and left my people to go to Caesar of Rome. But I disliked staying there, too. So I thought that if I went to this man and he turned out to be a liar, then he wouldn't be able to harm me, and if he was truthful, then I would know. So I decided to go to him..."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"When I arrived in Madinah, the people began to say, 'This is 'Adi bin Hatim! This is 'Adi bin Hatim!' I continued to walk until I reached the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> who said to me: "Adi bin Hatim?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I said: 'Adi bin Hatim'." The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> became overjoyed by his arrival and welcomed him, even though 'Adi had previously fought the Muslims, ran away from the battle, despised Islam and sought refuge amongst the Christians. Despite all of that the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> met him with a smile and took him by his hand to his house. As 'Adi walked alongside the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, he considered him to be completely equal to himself, since Muhammad <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> was the ruler of a heavenly religion - Islam, just as 'Adi was a follower of a heavenly religion - Christianity. Muhammad <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> had a revealed scripture - the Qur'an, just as 'Adi had a revealed scripture - the Gospel. 'Adi thought that there was no difference between the two except in terms of power and military might.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">While they were on their way, three things happened. As they were walking, a woman came and began to shout in the middle of their path, "O Messenger of Allah! I need your help!" The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> left 'Adi's hand and went to the woman to listen to what she had to say. 'Adi bin Hatim - who had witnessed many kings and leaders - as he watched this happened, began to compare this with what he knew of the actions of the kings and ministers. He thought for a while, until it occurred to him that these mannerisms were not that of kings, but rather of the Prophets!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When the woman's need was fulfilled, the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> came back to 'Adi and they both continued to walk, and as they did, a man came to the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>. What did he say? Did he say, "O Messenger of Allah! I have surplus wealth and am looking to give some to a poor person?" Did he say, "I harvested my crops and I have some extra fruit. What shall I do with it?" If only he were to have asked such questions so that 'Adi would have felt that the Muslims had wealth.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Instead, the man said, "O Messenger of Allah! I complain to you about hunger and poverty." The man was unable to find anything with which to abate and his children's hunger; whilst the Muslims around him could barely get by, and hence, were unable to help him.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi was listening as the man asked the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> his question. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> then responded to him, after which he left. When they continued to walk, there came another man who said, "O Messenger of Allah! I complain to you about highway robbers!" Meaning, "O Messenger of Allah, We have numerous enemies surrounding us and therefore cannot safely leave the walls of our city due to the disbelievers and thieves." The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> responded to him with a few words and continued. 'Adi began to think about what he had seen. He himself was honoured by his people, and he didn't have any enemies waiting to attack him. Why then were so may people accepting this religion whilst they were weak and poor?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">They both reached the Prophet's house and entered. Inside there was only one couch available so the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> gave it to 'Adi in his honour, saying, "Take this to sit on." 'Adi gave it back to him and said, "Rather, you should sit on it." The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "Rather, you should sit on it." 'Adi then did as he was told.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Then the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> began to break down all the barriers that existed between 'Adi and Islam. He said, "O 'Adi, accept Islam and you will be safe."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi said, "I already have a religion."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "I know more about your religion than you do."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, "You know more about my religion than I do?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "Yes! Are you not from the Rukusiyya?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Rukusiyya was a sub-sect within Christianity with elements of Zoarastianism. It was because of his skills of persuasion that the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> did not not ask, "Are you a Christian?" Rather, he circumvented this fact and mentioned something more particular, i.e the sub-sect if Christianity which be belonged to.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This is just as if you were to meet someone in a European country who said to you, "Why don't you become a Christian?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And you were to say to him, "I already have a religion."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And he didn't reply with, "Are you a Muslim?" or even, "Are you a Sunni?" But rather, with "Are you a Shafi'i or a Hanbali?" You would then realise that he knows much about your religion.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This is exactly what the Prophet (SAW) did with 'Adi by asking, "Are you not fromt he Rukusiyya?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"Indeed, I am," replied 'Adi.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "When you go to war, do you not share one quarter of your people's gains?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, 'Yes, I do.'</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "This is not allowed in your religion."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi admitted in embarassment, "Yes."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "I know what is preventing you from accepting Islam. You think that the only people to follow this man (ie., himself) are the oppressed people who have no strength: the Arabs have discarded them. O 'Adi! Have you heard of al-Hira (a city in 'Iraq)?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi said, "I haven't seen it but I have heard of it."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "I swear by the One who has my sould in His Hand, Allah will complete this affair, until a woman travels from al-Hira to make Tawaf around the Ka'bah, without fearing anyone." Meaning: Islam will one day become so strong that a woman would be able to travel from al-Hira to Makkah without a mala guardian and without any need for protection. She would pass by hundreds of tribes and no one would dare to harm her or take her wealth. This is because the Muslims will become so strong that no one would dare to trouble a Muslim from fear of other Muslims rushing to his or her helf.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When 'Adi heard this, he began to picture this in his mind - a woman leaving 'Iraq and reaching Makkah, i.e. approaching from the north of the peninsula, and passing by the Ta'i moutains where his people reside.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi became amazed and said to himself, "What will the bandits do who terrorise us and the rest of our cities?!"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, "You will seize the treasures of Kisra bin Hurmuz."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He said, "The treasures of Ibn Hurmus?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Yes, "Kisra bin Hurmuz, and you will spend it all in the path of Allah. If you live long, you would see a man offering a handful of gold or silver to others but none will accept it." Meaning: wealth will be so plentiful that a rich man will look for someone to accept his charity but will not be able to find a poor person to give it to.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> then admonished 'Adi and reminded him of the Hereafter. He said, "One of you shall meet Allah on the Last Day without anyone to translate the dialogue between you and Allah. He will look to his right and not see anyting except Hell. He will then look to his left and not see anythng except Hell."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi remained silent and began to thing. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> abruptly said, "O 'Adi! What is preventing you from saying: There is none worthy of worship but Allah? Do you know of a god greater than Him?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi said, "In this case, I am a monotheist Muslim: I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Servant and the Messenger of Allah!"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Prophet's face became overjoyed.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">'Adi bin Hatim later said, "I have seen a woman riding a camel travelling from Al-Hira till it made Tawaf around Ka'bah fearing none but Allah, I have also been once of those who opened the treasures of Kisra bin Hurmuz. I swear by the One who has my sould in His Hand, the third prophecy will also be fulfilled, since Allah's Messenger said so!" (Muslim and Ahmad)</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Contemplate the way the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> dealt with 'Adi, how he welcomed him, something 'Adi no doubt felt. Think how all of his fine manners contributed to 'Adi accepting Islam. If we were to practise these skills with people, we would also successfully capture their hearts.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>A thought...</b></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With gentleness and interpersonal skills, we can achieve our objectives.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-64738321765376687102010-08-03T23:48:00.002+04:002010-08-08T11:16:39.991+04:00Enjoy the skills<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">These skills give us physical pleasure, and I do not mean by this the pleasure of the Hereafter only. Rather, it is that pleasure one actually feels in this world. So enjoy these skills and practice them with the old, young, rich, poor, near or far. Use these skills with them in order to guard yourself from their harm, to earn their love, or to rectify them.<br />
<br />
‘Ali bin al-Jahm was a very eloquent poet, but he was a Bedouin. The only life he knew was the desert life. The Caliph, al-Mutawakkil, was very powerful. People would go to visit him and return with whatever they wished. One day, ‘Ali bin al-Jahm entered Baghdad and it was said to him, “Whoever praises the Caliph is bestowed with honour and gifts.”<br />
<br />
‘Ali became excited and went to the Caliph’s palace. There he saw the poets reciting their poems in praise of the Caliph and returning with gifts. Al-Mutawakkil was known for his authority, awe and power. ‘Ali began to praise the Caliph with a poem in which he likened him to a dog, a goat and a bucket, whilst other poets likened him to the sun, the moon and the mountains!<br />
<br />
The Caliph became angry, and his guards unsheathed their swords and prepared to strike off his neck. But then, the Caliph realised that ‘Ali bin al-Jahm was from the desert and that his personality and poetic taste was shaped accordingly. He decided to change his personality, so he ordered his men to house him in a section of the palace, be treated with kindness and be given all the available pleasures.<br />
<br />
Al-Jahm tasted some of these bounties and sat on couches side by side with eloquent poets and authors for seven months. One day, as the Caliph was sitting in his nightly gathering, he remembered ‘Ali bin al-Jahm, so he sent for him. When al-Jahm finally came to him, he said, “Sing some verses to me, O ‘Ali bin al-Jahm!” Al-Jahm began to move emotions using soft and kind words, and likened the king to the sun, the stars and the sword.<br />
<br />
Notice how the Caliph was able to change Ibn al-Jahm’s personality. How often have we been upset by the bad behaviour of our children and friends? Did we ever try to change their nature successfully? Even more, you should be able to change your own personality by replacing a frowning face with a smiling one, replacing anger with forbearance, and miserliness with generosity. None of this is difficult, but it does require determination and persistence, so be brave!<br />
<br />
Whoever reads the life of the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> realises that he would deal with people with these skills and capture their hearts. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would not simply pretend to have these skills in front of people and replace his forbearance with anger when being alone with his family. He was never one to be cheerful with some but sulky with his own family. He was never one to be generous with everyone except his own children and wives. Rather, he always acted naturally. He would worship Allah by his fine manners just as he would worship Him by offering the Duha or night prayers. He would consider his smile to be a virtue, his gentleness an act of worship, and his forgiveness and leniency a good deed. The one who considers good manners to be acts of worship will always remain well-mannered, in war and peace, when he is hungry and when he is full, when healthy or ill, and even when happy or sad.<br />
<br />
How many women only hear about the refined manners of their husbands, such as their patience, cheerfulness and generosity, but never witness any of these qualities at home? Such husbands, often when at home, are ill-mannered, impatient, sulky and constantly cursing.<br />
<br />
As for the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, he said, “The best of you is the one who is best to his family. And I am the best of you to my family.” (al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, Sahih)<br />
<br />
Now read how he would deal with his family: Al-Aswad bin Yazid said, “I asked ‘A’ishah – may Allah be pleased with her – how Allah’s Messenger <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would behave in his house. She said: ‘He would be serving his family, and when the time for prayer would come he would perform ablution and leave to pray.’’<br />
<br />
The same can be said about parents. How often is it that we hear of the good manners that some display, such as generosity, cheerfulness and kind behaviour towards others, and yet with the closest people to them who have the greatest rights over them, such as their parents, wives and children, they are distant and cold.<br />
<br />
Yes, the best of you is the best to his family, to his parents, to his wife, to his servants, and even to his children. One night, as Abu Layla – may Allah be pleased with him – sat next to the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, there came to him, either al-Hasan or al-Husayn, so the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> lifted him up and placed him on his stomach. The toddler then urinated on the Prophet’s stomach. Abu Layla said, “I saw the urine trickling down from the Prophet’s stomach. So we leapt up to the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, but he said: ‘Leave my son alone. Do not scare him.’”<br />
<br />
When the toddler had finished urinating, he called for some water and poured it over his stomach.’ (Ahmad and al-Tabarani, with trustworthy narrators)<br />
<br />
How amazing was the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> to train and adorn himself with such manners! No wonder he was able to win the hearts of the young and old.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Opinion...</b><br />
<br />
Instead of cursing the darkness, try to fix the lamp.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-85783798035896712662010-08-03T23:47:00.002+04:002010-08-08T11:23:18.273+04:00With the poor<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many people today view manners in a commercial light. To them, only rich people’s jokes are worth laughing at, and only their faults are considered small and worthy of overlooking. As for the poor, their jokes are unbearable and only worthy of ridicule, while their faults are magnified and they are shouted down.<br />
<br />
As for the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, his kindness extended to both rich and poor alike. Anas – may Allah be pleased with him – said, “There was a man from amongst the Bedouins whose name was Zahir bin Haram. Whenever he came to Madinah for a need, he brought something for the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> as a gift, like cottage cheese or butter. Likewise, the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would prepare something to give to him whenever he wanted to leave, such as dates and so on. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> used to love him and say: “Zahir is our Bedouin and we are his city-dwellers.” Zahir was not very good looking. One day, Zahir – may Allah be pleased with him – left the desert and came to Allah’s Messenger <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> but did not find him. He had some merchandise to sell so he went on to the marketplace.<br />
<br />
When the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> found out about his arrival, he went to the marketplace looking for him. When he arrived, he saw him selling his merchandise with sweat pouring down from his face, and he wore Bedouin clothes which did not smell good either. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> hugged him tightly from behind, while Zahir was unaware and could not see who it was.<br />
<br />
Zahir became scared and said: “Let me go! Who is this?” But the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> remained silent. Zahir tried to release himself from his grip and started to look right and left. When he saw the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> he relaxed and calmed down, placing his back against the Prophet’s chest. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> began to joke with him, saying to the public: “Who will buy this slave?! Who will buy this slave?!”<br />
<br />
Thereupon, Zahir looked at himself and thought of his extreme poverty, for he had neither wealth nor good looks.<br />
<br />
He said: “You will find me unmarketable, O Messenger of Allah.”<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said: “But you are not unmarketable with Allah. You are very precious to Allah.”<br />
<br />
It was no surprise then that the hearts of the poor were attached to the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>. He would gain their respect and love by such an attitude. Many poor people may not accuse the rich of miserliness in terms of wealth and food, but they can certainly accuse them of miserliness in terms of gracious and kind treatment. How often do you smile at a poor person and make him feel he is worthy and respectable, so that perhaps at night he might supplicate for you and cause Allah’s mercy to descend upon you from the heavens?<br />
<br />
There may be a person with dishevelled hair who is rejected and not cared for, but if he ever asks Allah for something he is always responded to. Therefore, always be humane with the weak.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A hint...</b><br />
<br />
Perhaps just a smile at a poor man would raise you in rank in the sight of Allah.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-57297503538871345432010-08-03T23:46:00.000+04:002010-08-08T15:57:24.135+04:00With women<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My grandfather used to mention an old idiom which says, “When one neglects his she-goat, she brings home a male-goat,” which means that when a woman does not get her emotional needs fulfilled, she responds willingly to someone else who charms her.<br />
<br />
The point of this idiom is not to liken the man and the woman to a male and female goat – Allah’s refuge is sought! – since a woman is a man’s companion. If Allah has blessed the man with a strong body, He has also blessed the woman with strong emotions. How often do we see brave men and even leaders crumble in front of the emotional prowess of a woman?<br />
<br />
To deal skillfully with women one should discover the key to her emotions. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> would advise people to treat their womenfolk with kindness and have regard for their emotions, so that they may live with them in happiness. He advised fathers to be kind to their daughters.<br />
<br />
“Whoever looks after two girls until they have grown up, he and I will be on the Day of Resurrection like this”, said the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> as he joined his fingers together.<br />
<br />
He also advised sons to look after their mothers. He was asked, “Who should I honour the most?”<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> replied, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother and then your father.” (al-Bukhari and Muslim)<br />
<br />
He similarly advised husbands to look after their wives, and went on to criticise those who anger or hurt their wives. Read the words the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said on his last pilgrimage in front of a hundred thousand pilgrims, amongst them white, black, old, young, rich and poor. He called out to them all and said, “You<br />
must treat your womenfolk well! You must treat your womenfolk well!” (Muslim and al-Tirmidhi)<br />
<br />
One day, a group of women came to the wives of the Prophet complaining about their husbands. When the Prophet heard of this, he stood amongst the people and said, ‘A group of women have approached the wives of Muhammad complaining about their husbands. These husbands are not the best of your people.’ (Abu Dawud, Sahih)<br />
<br />
He also said, “The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.” (al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, Sahih)<br />
<br />
As a matter of fact, the religion of Islam has given so much respect to women that wars were initiated, flesh was sliced and heads struck off over a single one of them:<br />
<br />
The Jews used to live side by side with the Muslims in Madinah. They hated the fact that Allah had revealed the order of hijab and that thereafter the Muslim women were covered. They tried to plant the seeds of corruption, and attempted to unveil the Muslim women, but failed.<br />
<br />
One day, a Muslim woman went to a marketplace owned by the Jews of Banu Qaynuqa’. She was a chaste and modest woman. She visited a jeweller amongst them. The Jews saw her and disliked the fact that she was chaste and covered. They wanted to have a glimpse at her, molest her or flirt with her, as they would do before Islam honoured women. They wanted her to uncover her face and take off her hijaab, but she refused. The jeweler therefore took an end of her garment and attached it to the end<br />
of her khimar, while she was unaware. When she stood up, her garment was raised, revealing her body parts. The Jews began to laugh. The Muslim woman cried out, wishing they had killed her rather than uncovering her body.<br />
<br />
A Muslim man saw this happen, so he brandished his sword and attacked the jeweller, killing him. In turn, the Jews attacked the Muslim and killed him. When the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> came to know about this, and the fact that the Jews had violated their pledge with him, and molested a woman, he surrounded the Jews until they all surrendered and conceded to his judgment.<br />
<br />
When the Prophet decided to punish them in revenge for the honour of a chaste Muslim woman being violated, one of the devil’s helpers stood up − those who have no concern for the honour of Muslim women and only care about satisfying their stomachs and private parts. This leader of the hypocrites, ‘Abdullah bin Ubay bin Salul, stood up and said, “O Muhammad! Please, treat my allies with kindness!” He said this because they had been allied to him during the days of pre-Islamic ignorance. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> turned away from him and refused to concede, for how could he forgive a people who wished to spread corruption amongst the Believers?!<br />
<br />
The hypocrite said again, “O Muhammad, treat them with kindness!” But the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, turned away from him, again, in favour of defending the honour of the chaste Muslim woman. The hypocrite then became angry. He placed his hand in the pocket of the Prophet’s shirt and pulled him saying, “Be kind to<br />
my allies! Be kind to my allies!” The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> became angry. He turned around and shouted at him, “Let go of me!” But the hypocrite refused and began to beg the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> to prevent their execution.<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> turned to him and said, “They are yours, then”, and decided not to execute them. However, he did expel them from their dwellings in Madinah. Yes, a chaste Muslim woman deserves no less!<br />
<br />
Khawlah bint Tha’labah – may Allah be pleased with her – was from the righteous companions of the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>. Her husband, Aws bin al-Samit, was an old man who would often become angry very quickly. One day he came back from a meeting and spoke to her regarding an issue. She responded inappropriately and they quarrelled. The man became angry and said, “You are like my mother’s back!” and left the house enraged. To utter this phrase during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance was considered a divorce. This was not the case in Islam, but Khawlah did not know the Islamic ruling concerning the issue.<br />
<br />
Aws came back to his house to find his wife avoiding him and keeping him at a distance. She said to him, “I swear by the One who has Khawlah’s life in His Hand, you will never approach me after having said what you did, until Allah’s Messenger gives a judgment.”<br />
<br />
Khawlah then left to visit the Messenger of Allah <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> and told him what had happened. She also complained to him about how she was treated by her husband. The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> admonished her and advised her to remain patient, saying, “O Khawlah! He is your cousin and an old man, so fear Allah with regards to him.” She said in response, “O Messenger of Allah! He married me when I was young, my stomach became flabby due to pregnancy, and now, when I have become old and unable to have any more children, he has divorced me! O Allah! I complain to you!”<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> heard her words and waited for Allah to reveal a verdict regarding her case, and while Khawlah was with the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span>, there came Jibreel <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> from the heavens and revealed unto the Prophet the ruling concerning her and her husband.<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> turned to her and said, “O Khawlah! Allah has revealed a verse concerning you and your husband.”<br />
<br />
He then recited: “Allah has heard the saying of she that disputes with you (Muhammad) concerning her husband, and complains unto Allah. And Allah hears your argument. Indeed Allah is the Hearer, Knower...” until the end of the verses from the early part of Surah al-Mujadilah.<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said to her, “Order him to free a slave.”<br />
<br />
She said, “O Messenger of Allah, he doesn’t have a slave to free.”<br />
<br />
He said, “Then tell him to fast two consecutive months.”<br />
<br />
She said, “By Allah, he is an old man who doesn’t have the strength to fast.”<br />
<br />
He said, “Then let him feed sixty poor people a wasq (160 kg) of dates”<br />
<br />
She said, “O Messenger of Allah, he doesn’t have that to give.”<br />
<br />
He said, “In that case, we will help him with some dates.”<br />
<br />
She said, “O Messenger of Allah, I will help him with some dates myself.”<br />
<br />
The Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> said, “This is very good of you. Go and give charity on his behalf, and look after your cousin.” (Ahmad and Abu Dawud, Sahih)<br />
<br />
Glory be to Allah who granted the Prophet <span class="Unicode" lang="und-Arab" style="font-size: 125%;" xml:lang="und-Arab">ﷺ</span> the quality of gentleness and leniency, even when dealing with personal problems!<br />
<br />
I myself have exercised gentleness and emotional skills with my daughter and wife, and prior to that with my mother and sister, and I have found it to be very effective indeed. No man honours a woman except an honourable one, and no one demeans a woman except a mean person.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A point to note...</b><br />
<br />
A woman can be patient with her husband’s poverty, unattractiveness and busy schedule, but she cannot be patient with his rude behaviour.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-25774458736700455332010-07-25T18:33:00.000+04:002010-07-25T18:33:55.605+04:00The Art of Troubleshooting...You bought a new Laptop and have been using it without any hitches. Weeks have passed and suddenly you feel your new baby is not performing as it used to.<br />
<br />
Your computer has been running fine for months, when <br />
<br />
<br />
Dealing with machines in general leads to frustration and often is time consuming. However, following a few guideline can help you to become proficient in Troubleshooting problems. From my little experience with Computers, I have found out that the best way to approach a computer related problem(s), you have to think like a Doctor.<br />
<br />
A good Doctor will proceed with his/her patient with an open mind. Meaning he will not come to conclusions<br />
without a diagnosis, first. The same process can be applied for a Computer or a Laptop which is not doing what it is supposed to be doing best.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will be introducing you to a Troubleshooting Theory Model which is just a set of mental steps to help us fix the problem. This Model includes talking to yourself (no, I am not asking you to become mad.) to determine how and when the problem took place, determining a cause, verification, and documentation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Identify the problem</li>
</ul> If you are reading this, that means your computer is not working properly in the first place. Look out for the symptoms of the problem.<br />
<br />
Is it a degradation in the performance of the computer/laptop in question?<br />
Is it an error message that popped up?<br />
Is something not accessible?<br />
<br />
I should add, that at this stage it is recommended, if not critical, to backup! Get those important documents, project works on a thumb drive or an external hard disk.<br />
<ul><li>Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious)</li>
</ul> Time to analyse the issue in question and come up with a theory as to what might be wrong. In simple terms, at this stage you are playing a "Guessing" game! And keep it simple.<br />
<br />
Do not overlook the obvious things that might have cause the problem. Things such as a loose power cord, preventing the machine to power up properly. A dimmed monitor may cause a person to think that his monitor is dead.<br />
<ul><li>Test the theory to determine the cause</li>
</ul> At this stage you already have an idea of what is causing the problem and you need to confirme this idea.<br />
Sometimes the theroy you have formed and the fix for the theory, pretty much prove themselves at the same time.<br />
<br />
For instance, lets say the power plug is not plugged in properly in. You notice no life from the PC when the power button is pressed<br />
<ul><li>Once theory is confirmed determine next steps to resolve problem</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>If theory is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Verify full system functionality and if applicable implement preventive mesaures</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Document findings, actions and outcomes.</li>
</ul>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-1361042413286828972010-07-24T20:02:00.000+04:002010-07-24T20:11:15.284+04:00Four Seasons of a Tree<div style="text-align: justify;">There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in the summer, and the youngest son in the fall.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no-- it was covered with gree buds and full of promise. The thrid son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; the said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfullment.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but ONLY one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are-- and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from the life-- can only be measure at the end, when all the seasons are up.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.</div>Princess Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537472984001412870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-16196586500852306792010-07-24T17:31:00.001+04:002010-08-04T16:16:04.982+04:00You follow the wrong path... And I follow the right one.<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">In the Name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The topic I wanted to share with you, my brothers, is very sensitive to so many of us. We, including me, have fought each other, labelled each others with various names, categorise and divided ourselves because of it. We have even declared our own brothers as being out of the fold of Islam due to it.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before really going into deep into the subject of this small note, I would like to tell you my own story. So please bear with me, even if it is <i>boring</i>. The story I am going to tell you is not extraordinary but an ordinary one, one which may or may not be similar to yours. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..........................................................................................................................</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<i>During my earliest childhood, I remember my mum used to take me to the local Masjid in order for me to get used to Prayers.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Needless to say, I was alike so many boys at the age of 5 or 6. You are innocent at this age, not aware of the importance and seriousness of prayers, let alone knowing the etiquettes of the Masjid!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The truth was that I did not go to the Mosque to attend prayers. I loved to play wherever I could. In fact, my imagination knew no limits, I used to run between the pillars of the Mosque believing I was a thief and an invisible cop was chasing behind me. Other times, I used to bring my car toys to play inside the mosque! Yes, you too remember those moments, don't you? As a young boy, being mischievous!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Like most of you, my mum would take me to a madrassah, even though some of us did not like to go, for the reason mentioned further.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Some of us knew, while others did not know exactly why we had to go to this madrassah, but still we did go, since mum would scold us if we did not!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>We were made seated behind large desks, and an 'Ustadh/Janaab or an 'Ustadha would teach us the Urdu/Arabic alphabets. Alif, bé, té, thé... Alif, ba, ta, tha.. remember those times...?</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Personally I remember mostly the scolding and punishments afflicted by my Janaab. I was made to wait in queue to receive my "gift". Just when I thought that my Janaab would give me sweets!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Afterwards I had to go to another Madrassah, as the one in my neighbourhood was closed down. I was in my colledge days, each Tuesdays and Thursday afternoon, I remember going there; my brother in law riding his motorcycle with me behind grabbing whatever I could!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I learnt few verses of the Qur'an, some commond Duahs, the manner of prayers and then the time came when I had to quit the Madrassah (with the excuse of having to take accademic tuitions, thus being too tired to spend time for my spiritual learning).</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>During my college days I formed many friendships, some were muslims, some were not. While I had not so many close friends, I remained friendly though to all other schoolmates.</i>"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..........................................................................................................................</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am going to stop the story now, to tell you the reason behind why I am relating you this <i>boring</i> story:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My purpose here is to make a connection with you, with this story, before really going further. It may be that some portion of this story is part of your own experience as a child.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I was a child, I do not remember that anyone look at me, judge me, categorise me, labelled me according to my what I believe in?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If I liked Batman for instance, and a friend of mine liked Superman instead, I do not recall there was there a Circle/Group of Batman followers and a Circle/Group of Superman followers?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did however, like you brother, played with that friend of mine, irrespective of what he believed in?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When, I grew up, brother. I went to the college, like most of you. Before making friends, I did note make it a criteria that my friend had to have the same "belief" as mine in order to "call" him my friend?</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Or did you simply like him because he had a certain personality or hobbies that you liked and automatically without you realising it, you became best of friends. (For instance, you and your friend might have like to play soccer!)</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..........................................................................................................................</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unfortunately this is not the case when I attained adulthood. I was influenced, was told not to approach certain people or fear what specific people say, even though they are my brothers.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am talking about "Aqeedah". This same word that makes some people agitate. Notice that the moment I write the word "Aqeedah" some people reading this might immediately think:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"And here goes again.. Another kid trying to prove that HIS Aqeedah is better than ours."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I remember once, a friend of mine was driving some of his relatives from a party to their house. They were discussing about lots of things, when the discussion reached on a specific topic.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A relative of his said: "Tariq Ramadan, wants to modernise Islam! Would you believe it!"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The brother of mine (my friend) decided to share his view to this person, and said: "Personally, I believe that we should take all the good from each and everyone, irrespective if he is from such and such group, even if he is saying 99% that I do not agree with, I take with me the 1% I agree."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The relative, replied, before stepping out of my brother's car," What you have said, now you do it..."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I then contemplate on this situation and then thought to myself: "No one like being given advice to, before he witness by himself, you are doing what you advised.."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That brother of mine, from that same day, made a promise to himself to do what he advised. And indeed, by the grace of Allah, practised what he preached.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He attended various lectures from different mosques, different person of different beliefs. He had an open mind instead of the previous closed minded he had.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Talking about mind, I recall a close friend of mine, share his wisdom with me:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"<i>One should not follow a single road, he should at least cast a glance at the other roads to see what good he can obtain from them...</i>"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SubhanAllah!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..........................................................................................................................</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When I look at what we, in general, fight about is mainly about the details and optional aspect of this Deen.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will agree with me brother, that we all pray to One God, we single Him out, by saying the Shahada, by offering our Salahs to Him, our belief is that He is the Only God. <-- On a side note, this is the defnition of <b>Tawheed</b>.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will agree with me no the fact that we should follow the examples of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah upon him) in every aspects of our lives, be it the prayer, doing business, at home, with friends, in the toilet, while sleeping, while talking, while using our own eyes. <-- Just to refesh our memory, this is the definition of <b>Sunnah</b> or <b>Sunnat</b> as some of us call it.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You will agree with me, that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to call the Qurayshi, his own people, to Islam. He used to make Da'wah. If someone is well versed in the History of Islam, he will find that Islam has spread across the globe...to even China! The work of Da'wah was done by people, travelling miles and miles away from their homeland, only to spread the true call to Islam. <-- Just a note, the word <b>"Tabligh"</b> means to <span style="font-size: small;">work to call others to Allah.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once a brother of mine, told me to come over a Sunday morning to a conference on Da'wah. I say to myself: "Why not, it is always an opportunity for me to learn something".</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The orator of the conference was talking about how this institution he works in, tries to portray our Deen, Al-Islam, in a positive manner, to the non-muslims. They even participate in gatherings, where there are several preachers of other religions.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At one point, he recount to us an incident, whereby there was a non-muslim woman in her late fifties, wanted to accept the call of Islam, but hesitated.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Upon asking the person, why such hesitance. She explain that several persons came to her, telling her to accept Islam and form part of their Jamaat and beware of the other groups.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The woman knew nothing about Islam, except she heard beautiful things. Now, she became all confused! She remained in this state for more than 20 years! </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, you, we fight! For what? To prove I am better than you in the religion? To prove that my path is the right one, and the one you follow is the wrong one?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But what to do when a brother of mine is doing something I <i>know </i>is wrong. I should advise. I should advise with a smile, I should share with my brother without calling him names, without judging him beforehand. If he accepts my advise, praise Allah, if he does not accept, then I should Pray to Allah for him and make him not my enemy.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one will criticise me, if I do not criticise others. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one will point at me, if I do not point at others.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one will write against me, if I do not write against others.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No one will fight me, if I do not fight against others.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...Except those people who loves to spread mischiefs in this Ummah.</span></div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-76572166208882561172010-07-23T11:21:00.000+04:002010-08-03T01:11:36.810+04:00If you desire does not happen, then desire that which does<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucHJta8k5KhJcnbmI8RubfvrH8FEUnoqPohvtWkpM-sABdgRCyTw2jwvAU3icBrVMTo-TF-0HO_ndmyfC-p_IzsqyxqTisxay-U5f_Wm6ybwsAPQ_OC2mfCRrQQpVTG92Eni0bezpx4OP/s1600/Enjoy_Your_Life_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucHJta8k5KhJcnbmI8RubfvrH8FEUnoqPohvtWkpM-sABdgRCyTw2jwvAU3icBrVMTo-TF-0HO_ndmyfC-p_IzsqyxqTisxay-U5f_Wm6ybwsAPQ_OC2mfCRrQQpVTG92Eni0bezpx4OP/s400/Enjoy_Your_Life_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If you are obliged to do something or forced into a situation then you might as well enjoy it!. This is what I used to say to a young man who had diabetes. He used to drink tea without sugar and feel sorry for himself.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I would say to him, "When you feel sorry and sad while drinking you tea, does the bitterness turn into sweetness?"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"No", he replied.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I said,"Then, so long as you are forced in to a situation, enjoy it."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What i mean here is that the world is not always as we wish it to be, and this happens frequently in our lives. Perhaps your car is old, its air conditioner is not working and the seat covers are all torn. At present, you are not able to replace the car. What then is the solution? So long as you are bound by this situation, just continue to enjoy your life.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You apply for a seat in a particular department in the university, but your applicaiton is only accepted by a department in which you do not want to study. You try to change your predicament, but you cannot. You end up having to study for 3 years in a department that was not your choice. What should you do? Enjoy!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You propose to a girl but she refuses and marries someone else. What is the solution? This is a situation that cannot be changed so just enjoy it!</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many people think the solution is permanent depression, or grumbling over the situation, or excessive complaining to those they know and those they don't! This does not help them acquire the provision they have missed out on, or gain provision that is not meant to be for them. So what then is the solution? <i>If what you desire does not happen, then desire that which has happened.</i> <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The intelligent person is the one who readjusts himself in accordance with his situation, however it may be, seeing as he is not able to change it for the better.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my friends was supervising the construction of a mosque and during the process, its funds became restricted. So he went with his friends to some businessmen to as for a donation. When they visited one such man, the man opened the door for them, sat with them for a while, and gave them whatever he could. He then took some medicine out of his pocket to consume. One of those who were present said to him, "I hope everything is fine and this is nothing serious!"</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He replied, "No. These are sleeping pills. For ten years I have not been able to sleep without them."</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They prayed for him and left.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On their way home they came across excavations and road works on the exit for the city, along with which there was an extremely loud and noisy electricity generator. The strange thing though was that the man guarding the generator was a poor worker who was lying down asleep on pieces of newspaper...</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yes, live your life as there is no time to grieve. Deal with what you have in front of you.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once, the Prophet (SAW) went out with this Companions on an expedition where their food supply became scarce and they became tired. He ordered them to gather whatever food they had, and laid down his cloak. A man would come with a date or two, or a piece of bread and leave it on the cloak. When all the food was collected on the cleak, they enjoyably ate. Perphaps none of them ate his fill, but at least they staved their hunger. One can only be generous with that he actually has.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A general view...</b><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not everything a man desires he achieves. Often the winds blow in unfavourable directions for the ships.</div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-71798719063394712092010-07-11T21:55:00.000+04:002010-07-11T22:06:11.494+04:00Allah's blessings are countless..<div align="justify"><span style="color:#009900;">Prophet Muhammad (SAW)</span> once told the story of a worshipper who lived in total isolation for 1000 years, doing nothing but worshipping Allah. When this man died, Allah ordered the angels to take him to Heaven by the Mercy of Allah. The man disagreed, stating that he should go to Heaven as a result of his own work, his 1000 years of worship. Allah then ordered His angels to settle the man's account.The angels put the worshipper's work on one scale of the balance and on the other they started by putting the blessing of eyesight. The scale carrying only the eyesight blessing was much heavier. The man then shouted, <em>'By your mercy, O Allah, by your mercy!</em>'. Allah replied. <em>'Take my servant to Heaven by My Mercy</em>.'</div>Princess Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537472984001412870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-15767628080493708992010-07-07T20:23:00.000+04:002010-07-07T21:04:30.006+04:00There is a Bank That Credits Your Account Each Morning with $86,400There is a Bank than credits your account each morning with $86,400.<br />It carries over no balance from day to day.<br />Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.<br />What would you do?<br />Draw out ALL of it, of course!!!!<br /><br />Each of us has such a Bank.<br /><br />It's name is <span style="font-weight: bold;">TIME</span>.<br /><br />Every morning, it credits you with 86, 400 seconds.<br />Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.<br />It carries over no balance.<br />It allows no overdraft.<br /><br />Each day it opens a new account for you.<br />Each night it burns the remains of the day.<br />If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.<br /><br />There is no going back.<br />There is no drawing against the "tomorrow."<br />You must live in the present on today's deposits.<br />Invest it carefully with wisdom and knowledge.<br /><br />Use your Time to do good and Charity;<br /><br />To faithfully practice the Five Pillars and your Deen.<br />To faithfully give thanks to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alah;<br />To adhere to the teachings of the Sunnah of His Beloved Messenger Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam (SAW).<br />In order that you may benefit the utmost in blessing and guidance in your life and live in peach, happiness, good health and success!<br /><br />The clock is running.<br />Make the most of it everyday.<br /><br />Star working on your <span style="font-weight: bold;">'Time'</span><br /><br />................................................................................................................................<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surah Al 'Asr<br />(By the Token of TIME)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span><br />By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), Verily Man Is in loss, Except such as have faith And do righteous deeds, in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">(Qur'an 103: 1-3)</span>Princess Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537472984001412870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-72454360067610453432010-07-07T20:07:00.000+04:002010-07-07T20:11:12.206+04:00Latest Rapidshare Revision<h2>Latest Rapidshare Changes:</h2>While admitting that they received mostly negative feedback from their customers, the folks at Rapidshare decided it was not confusing enough to change their policy AGAIN. Thus, making my previous post irrelevant.<br />
<br />
So now, Rapidshare users will have only one uniform Package, guess what... It’s called <b>RapidPro</b>.<br />
<br />
<u> First things First.</u><br />
<br />
Some of the new items which were introduced previously will remain unchanged. For instance:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>It is <i>Free</i> to create a new Premium account (which I forgot to mention in my previous note). Yes free! But once you discover that you need to buy <b>Rapids</b> later for the account to be of any use, you will see how this illusion fades away.</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8x4Uls5Bqe_X-AS0WtdFOFZXcOnaEOu60d-QH94aMcXhVu80H3sdmoaomlH3Ny_4J_v9NiNc_U0Ri0_HsSwliJtvh2Xg6Dbm1fWNaFiu5lwwTL_sjxhoQS0MI4Y6UNacGqkkWZfhKCHf/s1600/RS_Home_Page.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8x4Uls5Bqe_X-AS0WtdFOFZXcOnaEOu60d-QH94aMcXhVu80H3sdmoaomlH3Ny_4J_v9NiNc_U0Ri0_HsSwliJtvh2Xg6Dbm1fWNaFiu5lwwTL_sjxhoQS0MI4Y6UNacGqkkWZfhKCHf/s400/RS_Home_Page.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<ul><li>As mentioned, your premium account will not be deleted once you are out of fuel</li>
<li>Speaking of fuel, the Rapids will still be your main currency.</li>
<li>And the pricing of the Rapids remains the same:</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmLGXyXmUMACAoHaCTZxposGPSe3iWbuz-eKxqivRxB00EY04BllqpN7nE3WiefvCYTzt56MOwAST5PXb44fq9si1l8L08f4QP5r_REeQipHmZCiqI4LSKfVcIzIPBfR_cCpC4xZ8FcwP/s1600/RS_Prepaid_Funds.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmLGXyXmUMACAoHaCTZxposGPSe3iWbuz-eKxqivRxB00EY04BllqpN7nE3WiefvCYTzt56MOwAST5PXb44fq9si1l8L08f4QP5r_REeQipHmZCiqI4LSKfVcIzIPBfR_cCpC4xZ8FcwP/s320/RS_Prepaid_Funds.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<u>Onto the new changes here:</u><br />
<br />
<ul><li>No more RapidSmall, RapiMedium , RapiBig, RapidSupersize, RapidBusiness packages.</li>
<li>Only one Package for all: RapidPro</li>
<li>More details on the new Package below:</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8Hbnsd4QNo9fI0owGPFw7ptLKBl6H30NX-EMCQ2S7uD-c5SWaEu25E8sKy56X0tWhK87vVE74dZwudGolTP63ubZl5P4uunxkYNyipmYU4SIAOOLmZjzufDv5r3CI1Vcwb_CKRT3Lr2k/s1600/RapidPro+Package.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8Hbnsd4QNo9fI0owGPFw7ptLKBl6H30NX-EMCQ2S7uD-c5SWaEu25E8sKy56X0tWhK87vVE74dZwudGolTP63ubZl5P4uunxkYNyipmYU4SIAOOLmZjzufDv5r3CI1Vcwb_CKRT3Lr2k/s400/RapidPro+Package.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For heavy uploaders and downloaders:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>If this package does not suit your needs, RS provides you the flexibily to expand your storage (for uploaders) and your traffic (for downloaders) limit by using up Rapids.</li>
<li>More details below:</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
Let’s say you’re a heavy uploader and you’ve consumed all of your 10GB in less than 30 days and you wish to upload more, the only way is to use your Rapids to purchase more storage. <br />
<br />
1 GB of Additional storage for uploads = 2 Rapids per month<br />
2 GB of Additional storage for uploads = 4 Rapids per month<br />
And so on…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgkhYCS7a8Qo5MtfpuSbfA-llUzECDsfA2HRzeXoLfTAbGLMC96h-yso2gBfbgHIlw7LH8RGre3winAboNf5-lGvlnLskUYstaHyYgQWDk2Ht6nvOtLhn11w-yNOMMCvQeJEWkEmUq_W_/s1600/RS_Uploaders.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgkhYCS7a8Qo5MtfpuSbfA-llUzECDsfA2HRzeXoLfTAbGLMC96h-yso2gBfbgHIlw7LH8RGre3winAboNf5-lGvlnLskUYstaHyYgQWDk2Ht6nvOtLhn11w-yNOMMCvQeJEWkEmUq_W_/s400/RS_Uploaders.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Now let’s say you love to download huge files (movies, video tutorial, and anime) and you’ve used up all of your 30GB in 1 single day! And you wish to download more. The only way is to use your Rapids and buy more traffic volume.<br />
<br />
5GB of traffic volume = 14 Rapids<br />
10GB of traffic volume = 28 Rapids<br />
… maximum traffic volume you can buy in one go is 100GB.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLF1HR71g4PCntAMUUjsQDkPrmOsgicdMUrzBjvKBI6wcoZuSnZu-LSKKPOJFOCBpnNllonVDGCtLbKO8tYkKGoTB71x_w_Z8Q3jyVli9wjF43gE-qlHsvvdak3W-JUDFWFZOzyvYTYNu/s1600/RS_Downloaders.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLF1HR71g4PCntAMUUjsQDkPrmOsgicdMUrzBjvKBI6wcoZuSnZu-LSKKPOJFOCBpnNllonVDGCtLbKO8tYkKGoTB71x_w_Z8Q3jyVli9wjF43gE-qlHsvvdak3W-JUDFWFZOzyvYTYNu/s400/RS_Downloaders.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Some final points:</u><br />
<br />
Under Premium Zone, after logging in. Expanding the Settings option, will reveal the following:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><i>Keep files forever</i></li>
</ul>This option concerns the Uploaders.<br />
<br />
<ol><li>After 60 days, your upload stuff will not be deleted if no one downloads them.</li>
<li>Plus if you decide to buy additional storage, you will be charged only for the additional storage you bought.</li>
<li>To illustrate this, I’ve draw a little diagram. Suppose that you’ve reached your upload limit of 10GB of storage and you decided to purchase an extra of 10GB of storage, you will be charged only on this extra 10GB you purchased:</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UHKOScwI7Y4SS5WJJzszbTw6wf2dWW6fO3Vc_nIzg_sL_R3Jxt64J7pYQZK5Hxd9kbpxSQtPkF4bakStTnaTrw4u90DfnfGJCdGbc81hZLeXCRNHZwGAjldyFHS3Al3j3lnEuOoJFGKb/s1600/Uploaders_Only_Charge_Cost.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UHKOScwI7Y4SS5WJJzszbTw6wf2dWW6fO3Vc_nIzg_sL_R3Jxt64J7pYQZK5Hxd9kbpxSQtPkF4bakStTnaTrw4u90DfnfGJCdGbc81hZLeXCRNHZwGAjldyFHS3Al3j3lnEuOoJFGKb/s400/Uploaders_Only_Charge_Cost.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<ul><li><i>Automatic purchase of traffic</i></li>
</ul>This option concerns the Downloaders:<br />
<br />
If checked, this option automatically purchases more traffic volume once you’ve reach the limit (30GB) before 30 days by using your Rapids.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li><i>Automatic RapidPro Extension</i></li>
</ul>See Diagram below:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1yMnMLGHOysPhs3IkltMKFzp34UnQBIScjcK8FqGuqa92uD_7KTLuv9QHiq3TwJbrE2sEFWxsWgVu4K0PdVxbDurejAqUtZLyyLrCWRMT3i1ZyOpSl7slU9sMkyKubBFvAcUEiSLSBAz/s1600/RapidPro_Package_Period.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1yMnMLGHOysPhs3IkltMKFzp34UnQBIScjcK8FqGuqa92uD_7KTLuv9QHiq3TwJbrE2sEFWxsWgVu4K0PdVxbDurejAqUtZLyyLrCWRMT3i1ZyOpSl7slU9sMkyKubBFvAcUEiSLSBAz/s400/RapidPro_Package_Period.png" width="400" /></a></div>The Little Helperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09021161280470919861noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365538935854135411.post-25041477456610769892010-07-05T16:30:00.000+04:002010-07-24T20:12:36.380+04:00The Artificial Pearl<div style="text-align: justify;">The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.<br /></div><br /><i>"Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading brown eyes of her little girl's upturned face. A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."</i><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as Fatima got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbour and asked Mrs. Patel if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Fatima loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, weekends, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Fatima had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Fatima:<br /></div><br /><i>"Do you love me?"<br /><br />"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."<br /><br />"Then give me your pearls."<br /><br />"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favourite."<br /><br />"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night" and he brushed her cheek with a kiss."</i><br /><br />About a week later, after the story time, Fatima's daddy asked again:<br /><br /><i>"Do you love me?"<br /><br />"Daddy, you know I love you."<br /><br />"Then give me your pearls."<br /><br />"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."<br /><br />"That's okay. Sleep well. Allah bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss."</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A few nights later when her daddy came in, Fatima was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian- style, as he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.<br /></div><br /><i>"What is it, Fatima? What's the matter?"</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Fatima didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said:<br /></div><br /><i>"Here, daddy, those are for you."</i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With tears gathering in his own eyes, Fatima's daddy reached out with one hand to take the artificial necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Fatima.<br /></div><br />He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure...<br /><br /><u>So it is, with Allah, our Creator (Khaliq). He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.</u><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Are you holding onto things that Allah wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing.....<br /></div><br /><b>Allah will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.</b>Princess Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04537472984001412870noreply@blogger.com0