Getting quietly out of his cozy blanket, a believer makes ablution and silently, engrosses himself into a conversation with his Lord. Sun is still down, may be hours left to rise. Under the veil of night, he is immersed in prayers, long prostration, murmurings of sincere penitence… he opens up to his Merciful Lord. Imagine how delighted that heart would be at the dawn, seeing his new daybreak as a purified soul!

Tahajjud (long prayer in night) is a highly favored tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It’s the golden opportunity to strengthen one’s faith, to meditate down your mind, and to expunge your sins. The supplications and the Qur’an we recite during Tahajjud help us keep our faith and piety un-perforated, grow roots of belief deeper and stand strong.

Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recommend Tahajjud highly. He used to elaborate on its benefits in the life here and hereafter. In early periods of prophethood, Tahajjud was given prime importance. “And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory” (Qur’an 17:79). This and many Qur’anic verses were instructions to the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding Tahajjud.

Nothing beats Tahajjud when it comes to inner strength to a believer. The power and potential it provides is unimaginable and ineffable. Qur’an says that waking up from sleep in the midst of night helps to attain self-control and to better recite Qur’an.

Look at this hadeeth from our Prophet (peace be upon him): “Be vigilant in standing up [in prayer] at night for it was the practice of the pious before you. It is a means of gaining proximity to Allah Ta’ala, an expiation for transgressions and a barrier from sins.” [Tirmidhi].

For a caller to Islam, the moments of Tahajjud are a respite, and a strong rope to hold fast to. During Tahajjud, he gives his words and deeds a retrospect, shares his worries and concerns with Allah, eases the burden on his shoulder.

Only strong willed can wake up at a moment when mind and body refuses to leave cozy cushions of comfort, wandering in the dreamland of desires. In another reporting from Thabraani, Prophet (peace be upon him) says, “If one intents to offer Tahajjud, an Angel approaches him and tells : ‘its time up to wake up’. Pray and remember you Lord’. And the Satan comes and tells him, ‘Night is still young, sleep over for some more time. If you get up now for prayer, your eyes will turn red, you will grow weak, sleeplessness will eat up your vitality’. If this person follows Satan, he sleeps off without praying and the Satan urinates in his ears.”

My dear, for all this while, who were you following?

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Noufal PT

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Khaleefa Sulaiman Ibn Abdul Malik, who visited Madeena during Hijra 97, expressed his desire to meet Abu Hazim. “The heart becomes corroded just like metal ore becomes rusty. From time to time, some body needs to come and clean it so that corrosion can be removed”. This was Khaleefa’s opinion. Some points from the conversation between Khaleefa and Imaam

“Oh Abu Hazim, why do we hate death?”

“You have decorated and embellished this world, and turned your habitation in the other world into a desert. Naturally, you don’t like to leave a flourishing city for a desert”.

“What we will receive in front of Allah tomorrow?”
“Take your deeds and put it in front of Allah’s words, you can know it”

“Which verse in Quran you speak about?”
Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure, And indeed, the wicked will be in Hellfire.(82:13-14)

“What would it be like when we appear before Allah tomorrow?”
“The man who has been doing good deeds will appear before Allah like the man who returns from a travel to his loved ones, while the man who has been doing evil deeds will appear like the runaway slave who has now been brought back to his master. That is what happens when we return to the Almighty!”

“How can we reform ourselves?”
“Abandon yourself from all forms of arrogance and pride, adorn yourself with modesty”.

“This wealth we have, what is the way of Taqwa (piety) in it?”
“If you have taken it from the rightful person and distributed fairly and justly to the people who are entitled for it, that is the right of it”.

“Tell me about most superior among people?”
“People who are best due to dignity and taqwa(piety)”.

“What is the most just speech?”
“Word of truth that is said by somebody in front of someone whom he fears”

“What is the fastest Dua (Prayer) to be accepted?”
“Dua of one good person for other good people”.

“What is the best charity?”
“Is that one which is given after great effort by the person who has very little.”

“Who is the most intelligent of the people?”
“The person who has succeeded in being obedient to Allah and then he goes and guides others”.

“Who is the foolish of the people?”
“A person who gets pulled by the desires of his companion while his companion is an oppressor or wrong doer. He has sold his akhira (life after death) for duniya (this world) of somebody else”.

In another occasion, Abdul Rahman ibn Jareer(R) and his son visited Abu Hazim(R). Ibn Jareer’s questions and Abu Hazim’s replies.

What should we do for the arousal of hearts?”
“If we vow not to indulge in sins, heart will arouse. Any deed that won’t make us closer to Allah is sin”

“What is the meaning of shukr (Thanking) that you always preach?
“Every organ has its own shukr. You see good with them and proclaim that and if you see evil with them you hide that – This is the shukr of Eyes. You hear good with them and you pay attention to that and that you hear evil with them and pay no attention to that – This is the shukr of ears. They do not take what does not belong to them and that they do not withhold the rights of Allaah – This is the shukr of hands.

Another famous advice from Abu Hazim: “Decide what you want in Akhira (Life after death) and strive for it in duniya(this world) . Avoid the things that are not required in the hereafter in this world also. If the importance in your mind is for vices, you will be surrounded by ill-minded people and hypocrites. If the importance is for truth, you will get good people with you. You will get their help for it. You can choose whatever you like”.

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Abu Liyan

Here is a video on the same topic found in youtube

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We asked the Kid who is paralyzed and bedridden for past five years. We had all ears for the boy’s answer, who tied all dreams to a bed. That response was mesmerizing.

“I won’t say what I pray, it’s my secret. But I will say what I don’t pray. It is nothing but I don’t pray for reviving from this circumstances. I haven’t prayed for the capability to move, sit and stand at least once.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Shouldn’t I pray so and so if though I am not pleased in my existing condition? I am well satisfied in my current circumstances.”
“I don’t even grieve that Allah made me like this.”

There hung a smile on his face even after speaking these. He kept on explaining the bliss and peace that Imaan provide. He enlightened us on how he acquired such a serene fortitude through his experiences. This child while telling us that he is pleased in his present situation, he is confident that he doesn’t have any problems or regret. Now we need to think; are we satisfied in our today’s state of affairs? In money, health, wealth, our home… do we have a mind freed of complaints? Then only do we get to enjoy the freedom of faith.

There is a history illustration by Imam Malik Bin Denar. He visited one of the famous scholars of that time. All that were in his house was a broken pot used to perform ablution and drink water, a mat scroll to sleep and a wooden wedge as pillow. Malik Deenar was disappointed at this. He let the scholar know that he knows a rich friend who could help him buy utensils. On hearing, the reply was; “does two Gods protect the so said rich man and me?” “No”. “If then will Allah does look after his wealth and not my poverty? To say the truth, Allah doesn’t stop focusing on any one. So we don’t have to remind Allah about anyone. He has the right choice to give to people. And he gives them too”. (Tadkiratlml Avliyaa’, Faridndhum Athar: 79). It is an honorable fortune to live by expecting Allah’s gracious deeds and achieving what he has left for. Faith can be lost if there is no confidence. The problem of greed is that there is no end. After fulfilling one wish, another starts to flourish. Just like Qura’n Says “until you reach your grave.”(102:2) it will continue.

This prophetic phrase narrated in Mishkat should be our life’s goal. Muhammad (PBUH) says, “A strong believer is far better than a weak believer and is close to Allah. Everyone has good manners in them. Show concern in the field that will benefit you. Seek help from Allah too. Don’t be weak. If any disaster strikes you, never regret that ‘l could have done like that, I could have done like this’, Rather say, Allah has demanded, he does what he wishes, because the clause ‘could have done’ open the doors for Satan and his work.” (Rahe Amal: 29)

What prophet (PBUH) gave Sufiyan (R) who was seeking for advice was as thus. “Proclaim that you have believed in Allah, and stay firm in it.” This stern decision is the weapon of mind power. Belief in Allah should ease out everything. Contentment and endurance should be attained. Miktad bin al Asad (R) has quoted Prophet (PBUH) saying: “The One is lucky if he is protected from bad deeds.” after repeating it thrice he again said, “ prosperity are for those who tolerate amendable situations”….. And he says, “Showing hatred in fate is one’s “disaster”. Not much, yet there are some people among us who enjoy the taste and comfort of Imaan just like the above mentioned boy. They are those who acquire the true belief in its fullest value and sense and be cautious of Allah’s rule by en-rooting life for so. They know that they won’t get all but they will get some. They don’t go on crying thinking of failure. Their future are for those ambitious dawns. NO, they won’t be defeated for anything.

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Aymen Maliyakkal

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There are four pieces of advice normally given to make the dusks of life lively.

1) Accept the reality. Old-age is an inevitable stage of living. Do not deny or escape. Face it matured.

2) Maintain the flame of youth inside. Keep up the vigor and vibrance. So goes an old saying; ‘I am a seventy years old youth’. This life can’t wane with disgruntle and nonchalance, but catalyzed with hopes and dreams, it should shine bright. The trembled lines fell from the pen of an old prisoner reads like this; “forgetting the passed by time, I live in the dreams about days to come”.

3) Inspire yourself to engage in service and virtuous deeds. Do not think that everything is over. There was a study done on different people who had their bestachievements in their old age. That study says that people above sixty and seventy can perform actively in their pursuit. Mr Gladstone could become the prime minister of England when he was 83. Michelangelo portrayed his world famous piece, ‘The Last Judgement’, when he was sixty-six. And there are a lot of such people who has done an astonishing performance in their old age.

4) While passing by the milestones of life one by one, we must foresee death, the inevitable exit that we have to make from this world, and the honour awaits us hereafter. There was a noted prayer of an aged man. It should etch in indelible ink in our life diary. The prayer goes like this; “My Lord, You know better than me that I am reaching the evening of my life. I pray you to save me from falling in love with talkativeness, save me from the false notion that I can intervene and solve everyone’s problems. Make me thoughtful, and help me to find good friends, and benefit from the knowledge you gave me even in the last days of my life too. Make my words straight and clear, so that I don’t make things intricate or elaborate. Help me to controle my tongue from blabbing about my pains and pathosis, for the more I plunge into it, the more the tendency to talk about them. Give me a mind to patiently listen to others too. Make me complacent with my life. Help me to nurture the good things about life and hold fast tothem”.

A consistent vitality is what makes old-age and life as a whole beautiful. Those who possess a consistently vital mind, only they can stand strong in the storms of adversity, unshaken, undaunted. There is a difference between a hundred meters sprinter and a marathon runner. The sprinter of short distance wins if he races up in the first pounce whereas a marathon runner wins because of his consistency and determination to keep running. Our life is a marathon, until a finishing point we do not know. And the secret of success there is the determination to run ahead, afresh always.

Qur’an inspires us for this consistent vitality. Qur’an introduces us to Zakariyya (A) who prays to Allah with hope even in his gray days, Ibrahim (A), who shines like a revolutionary star even at the dusk of his life, Ayyob (A), who fights his way out with patience and prayers from the murky tumult of ailment and destitute, Ya’kuub (A), who reign in his despair with hope and faith in his Lord and so many such great souls.

They say “you can not control the length of your life, but you can control its breadth, depth and height”. The aged deserve respect. Youth must collect the pebbles from the lives of the aged. Let the old age be graced with virtuous thoughts and good deeds. Remember, “It’s better to wear out than to rust out!”

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Noufal PT

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Look how Qura’n counts the qualities of a believer who will enter paradise. “But as for him who feared to stand before his Lord and restraint his soul from lust” (79:40). It also asks “…And who goeth farther astray than he who followeth his lust without guidance from Allah…(part of 28:50). It also hints about those who subjugated their desires to God (45:23)

If we try to resist the tempting sights and alluring desires, the level of self-restraint we need to exhibit is not any trivial, these days. Abdulaa ibn Abbas (R)’s response to Umar (R) when asked what is ‘Taqwa’, is very famous. Umar ibn Khattab (R) once asked Hadrat Ibn Ka’ab (R) the definition of taqwa. In response, Ibn Ka’ab (R) asked, “Have you ever had to traverse a path full of thorns?” Umar (R) replied ‘yes’, and Ka’ab(R) continued, “How do you do that?” Umar(R) replied, he would carefully walk through, pulling up all loose and fallen clothing with his hands so that nothing gets caught in the thorns, injuring him. Ka’ab (R) said, “This is the definition of taqwa, to protect oneself from sin through life’s dangerous journey so that one can successfully complete the journey unravaged by sin”

Taqwa is to live unquivered even in the midst of whirlwinds of evil. Time we live is an era reigned by voluptuous evils. Everything we hear and see has evil in it. Any evil that we desire for can be fulfilled instantaneously. Our paths are full of piercing thorns, sharp stones and hard rocks. We are successful only if we can live without being harmed even by a small stone or hurt even by a small thorn. Evils are thorns that wound our Imaan. We are like any other human who may stagger in front of evils. We keep doing all that fascinate our minds. Allah knows this very well. That is why He opened the vast doors of repentance for us. Wash up all that passed with the tears of repentance.

Many a times, people go astray in the matter of morality. And our time is witnessing a lot more decadence than before. Distracting delusions galore these days. To taint our imanic life, they linger around us. Discipline in the matters of sexual relation is the sign of one’s maturity. This discipline is essential in developing a good personality. Looth (A) asks his people, who were engaged in illicit sex, “Is there not among you any upright man?” (Quran 11:78). He used the word ‘Rajulan Rasheedh’ (upright man). The word ‘Rushdh’ contains a very wide meaning in this regard. In a broad sense, their act was not suiting to the character of a righteous man. Qur’an insists unmarried people to keep themselves chaste (24:33). Which means, those who are married has reached in a chaste way through it. In short, The Most Beneficent doesn’t want us turn tainted by leaving us untamed.

For whom is the Paradise that spreads broader than the heavens and the earth together? Verses starting from 133rd in Surat Aalu-Imran rain a great relief in our minds. It reads something like this; They are the ones who dole out in poverty and prosperity, restrain themselves from anger and forgive people. Not over! And the ones who, having done something shameful, or wronged to their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask His forgiveness for their sins, and they’ll never repeat those sins, never again, knowingly.

Not the ones who do not commit sins, but those who do not repeat it! Simple humans like us! Prophet(PBUH) once said: “This world is like a prison for a believer and paradise for a non-believer’ (Sahih Muslim, vol.4, #7058). There are rules for a believer to observe, in every aspect of life. His is not an unrestrained life, but a well-disciplined one. For the eyes, the ears, the mind, the tongue, and the hands and legs – everything has fences around. Crossing these boundaries will have an impact on our imaan. In short, the ideology we knew and comprehended is the fence guarding and controlling our life. Beyond that fence, it’s NO ENTRY for us.

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Abu Liyan

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(Please click on the verse number to view the verse in quran.com)

1.Do not mix the truth with falsehood (2:42)
2.Order righteousness to people only after practicing it yourself (2:44)
3.Do not commit abuse on the earth (2:60)
4.Do not prevent people from mosques (2:114)(2:114)
5.Do not follow anyone blindly (2:170)
6.Do not break the promise (2:177)
7.Do not engage in bribery (2:188)
8.Fight only with those who fight you (2:190)
9.Keep the etiquettes of war (2:191)
10.Protect orphans (2:220)
11.Do not have sexual intercourse during menstrual period (2:222)
12.Breast feed your children for two complete years (2:233)
13.Choose rulers by their merit (2:247)
14.No compulsion in religion (2:256)
15.Do not invalidate charity with reminders (2:264)
16.Help those in need by finding them (2:273)
17.Don’t consume interest (2:275)
18.Grant more time to repay if the debtor is in hard time (2:280)
19.Write down the debt (2:282)
20.Keep the trust (2:283)
21.Do not spy and backbite (2:283)
22.Believe in all prophets (2:285)
23.Do not burden a person beyond his scope (2:286)
24.Do not become divided (3:103)
25.Restrain Anger (3:134)
26.Do  not be rude in speech (3:159)
27.Think deeply about the wonders and creation of this universe (3:191)
28.Men and Women have equal rewards for their deeds (3:195)
29.Wealth of the dead should be distributed among his family members (4:7)
30.Women also have the right for inheritance (4:7)
31.Do not devour the property of orphans (4:10)
32.Do not marry those in your blood relation (4:23)
33.Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly (4:29)
34.Family should be lead by men (4:34)
35.Be good to others (4:36)
36.Do not be miserly (4:37)
37.Do not keep envy (4:54)
38.Judge with justice between people (4:58)
39.Do not kill each other (4:92)
40.Do not be an advocate for deceitful (4:105)
41.Standout firmly for justice (4:135)
42.Cooperate in righteousness (5:2)
43.Do not cooperate in sin and aggression (5:2)
44.Dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine are prohibited (5:3)
45.Be just (5:8)
46.Punish for crimes in an exemplary way (5:38)
47.Strive against sinful and unlawful (5:63)
48.Avoid intoxicants and alcohol (5:90)
49.Do not gamble (5:90)
50.Do not insult others’ deities (6:108)
51.’Having majority’ is not a criterion of truth (6:116)
52.Don’t reduce weight or measure to cheat people (6:152)
53.Do not be arrogant (7:13)
54.Eat and Drink, But Be Not Excessive (7:31)
55.Wear good cloths during prayer times (7:31)
56.Forgive others for their mistakes (7:199)
57.Do not turn back in battle (8:15)
58.protect and help those who seek protection (9:6)
59.Keep Purity (9:108)
60.Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy (12:87)
61.Allah will forgive to those who have done wrong out of ignorance (16:119)
62.Invitation to God should be with wisdom and good instruction (16:125)
63.No one will bear others’ sins (17:15)
64.Be dutiful to parents (17:23)
65.Do not say a word of disrespect to parents (17:23)
66.Do not spent money extravagantly (17:29)
67.Do not kill your children for fear of poverty (17:31)
68.Do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse (17:32)
69.Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge (17:36)
70.Speak to people mildly (20:44)
71.Keep aloof from what is vain (23:3)
72.Do not enter others’ house without seeking permission (24:27)
73.Allah will provide security for those who believe only in Allah (24:55)
74.Do not enter parents’ private room without asking permission (24:58)
75.Walk on earth in humility (25:63)
76.Do not neglect your portion of this world (28:77)
77.Invoke not any other god along with Allah (28:88)
78.Do not engage in homosexuality (29:29)
79.Enjoin right, forbid wrong (31:17)
80.Do not walk in insolence through the earth (31:18)
81.Lower your voice (31:19)
82.Women should not display their finery (33:33)
83.Allah forgives all sins (39:53)
84.Do not be despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53)
85.Repel evil by good (41:34)
86.Decide on affairs by consultation (42:38)
87.Try for settlement between people (49:9)
88.Do not ridicule others (49:11)
89.Avoid suspicion (49:12)
90.Do not spy or backbite (49:12)
91.Most noble of you is the most righteous (49:13)
92.Honor guests (51:26)
93.Spent wealth in charity (57:7)
94.No Monasticism in religion (57:27)
95.Those who have knowledge will be given a higher degree by Allah (58:11)
96.Treat non-Muslims in a kind and fair manner (60:8)
97.Save yourself from covetousness (64:16)
98.Seek forgiveness of Allah. He is Forgiving and Merciful (73:20)
99.Do not repel one who asks (93:10)
100.Encourage feeding poor (107:3)

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“Yes, the boy who guards our vehicles outside”

“Please ask him to come over”.

They took that boy to Prophet. He introduced himself.

“I am from Abadee tribe. You have given all members of our group with whatever they need. Will you give me what I need too?”

“Indeed, What are your needs?”

My needs are different from that of my friends. Though they came out of their love for Islam, I came here so that Allah’s prophet will pray for me to get my sins forgiven, to have mercy of Allah upon me and to have Allah put contentment in my heart .

Prophet prayed holding him close :Ya Allah, Forgive this boy, have Your mercy on him and fill his mind with contentment .

He also was presented the same gifts like others. They all returned home.

10th Year of Hijra

The same group met prophet in Madina again.

“Where is that boy who visited me with you?”

“Dear Prophet. We have never seen a person like him. We haven’t even heard about someone who is contented like him in what Allah has provided. Even if everyone is parting and sharing this entire world, he won’t even care”.

“Alhamdulillah, I wish that he should die as “one”".

“Don’t everyone die as just one…? ” they doubted.

“No, there are people who die shattered. Their desires and aspirations will fall apart in the valleys of earth. Death will come to them in one of those valleys. Allah will not care in which one they perished.”

As Prophet wished, that boy lead a contented life. Though a big chunk of people from Yemen abandoned Islam after the demise of Prophet, he remained steadfast in Islam. Lived as a preacher of Islam and turned into a great scholar.

There is no great fortune than living contented in what Allah has provided. Such people can live without any anxiety or envy. They can move ahead without any tension. Those who are drowned in greed and envy can never taste the pleasure in this life. Their hearts are filled with desires and greeds, one after another. They can never be satisfied in what Allah has provided.

Look at the life of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). From today’s perspective, it would be a “life great sufferings”, but Prophet was happy and contented in what Allah had provided. So did his family. Even if they had rough rotis or dried Barley to eat, they were able to live with it happily and say “All praise belongs to Allah, who fed us and quenched our thirst and made us Muslims”. When wearing cloths, they declared “Praise is to Allah who has clothed me with this and provided it for me, though I was powerless myself and incapable”. When mounting on their vehicle: “Glory be to Him who has brought this under our control whereas we were unable to control it. Surely we are to return to Him”. This is the character of a believer, a mind that constantly reminds the blessings from Allah, a mind that seeks pleasure in what Allah had provided, rather than worrying on what was not given.

Allah says us: “And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring”. (Qur’an 20:131).

A Hadhees Reported by Ali(May Allah be pleased with him). Prophet(peace be upon him) states: ‘There are two things I am fearful of: placing lengthy hopes [in this world] and following desires; lengthy hopes cause one to forget the Hereafter and vain desires divert a person from the truth. This world will pass by and after that comes the eternal Hereafter. Both this world and the Life-after have their offsprings. So be the children of the Hereafter and not of this world. Today is the time for activities without ordeal and tomorrow is the time of ordeal and not of action.’ (Kithabussuhud 4:122)

A Muslim never believes that his life’s contentment lays in amassed wealth or in splendid buildings or delicious food or luxurious vehicles. Even while living as poor and sleeping in a hut, a Muslim would be able to experience contentment in his heart due to his complete faith in his fate from Allah and the hope about the life in the hereafter. Prophet(PBUH) said “Plenty of provision or abundance do not make a person rich and wealthy; real richness is the benevolence of the heart” and his life was a testimony of this.

Allah, His blessings, His decrees… what is the great fortune in life than comprehending these in the real sense and living with a true inner contentment.

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Abu Liyan

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This was a telephone conversation; all I felt was a quiver of edginess on these words of my Islamic activist friend’s mother. I Never expected that he would change like this. He had a charming family. Often I have witnessed the sweet relationship he and his mother had between them. Ideal family is what relatives and neighbors had to say about them. What went wrong all of a sudden? I tried talking to him.

“It is true that I was angry at my mother. But what happened was something totally unexpected from her side. She doesn’t like my wife. My wife is not very social and she doesn’t interact much with people visiting home. My mother thinks that she doesn’t like the guests coming home. And so my mother used to blame on everything my wife does. Did you know, after all these years working abroad, I don’t have any delicate secret earnings. Everything was spent on my family. It was me who looked after my sisters and got them married off. And now, they are all against me. And compare me with other relatives of mine and persecute with accusing words. I am not justifying my wife. There can be faults even on her side. But my family is trying to isolate me. The days had been hard without proper food or sleep, getting totally tired. Rumors of “faithless” relations, which we used to hear about some families have crawled into my family too. Can’t bear it any more…!”

What is the way out? There are upbeats and downbeats on both sides. They have their own reasons each. Things have to be resolved immediately without taking any side. Gap might widen if nothing is done in time. On this matter, they haven’t approached anyone yet. Even the closest relatives are unaware of this flare. Since it is hard to re-tie a loose string, this has to be fixed without letting loose anymore. Called him again and talked. “Whatever you said is right! Still you could have been a little more cautious. Aren’t we suppose to live without splintering any relations? It is easy to earn hatred but hard to win love and affection. Just try not to recall all those said by your mother and sisters. Think it as a nightmare crawled in without wishing for. If we drag it along like this, it will end up in unimaginable abyss of problems. In order to win at Allah you may have to lose out to fellow beings sometimes. Therefore calm down and lighten up yourself. All paths ahead will be clear only if certain things are overlooked and ignored. Speak with your mother at the earliest. Apologize for any mistakes from your side. Talk with your sisters too. Keep aside all the hatred and pray to Allah for them, I will too. Everything will be alright.”

After that, I Spoke to his mother. “Mother, what all happened was out of our hands. Well, it shouldn’t have happened. Whatever you said is right! Anyway, now don’t pick him up all again. And try not to compare him with others. He is as distressed as you. Why should you both live in such abhorrence? We have to work this out as soon as possible. You have to forget all that happened, think only good things about him. It’s  human dignity to forgive and bewail. And of all he still loves and cares for you. You have to invite his wife back. He will call and talk with you soon. Fill cheerfulness in your chat with him. Pray from your heart for him and his wife. He is praying for you too and is always with you. Even my prayers are there with both of you. Allah will fix everything.”

Soon he called his mother. Both of them cried feebly. And all the grief was seen washed away in that tears. On hearing each others’ voice after those long twenty days, they once again become a caring mother and an obedient son!

Hear ho! There are bundles of troubled relations lying unsettled among us. A graceful person’s rightful interference can be a cure. Compassionate and motivational conversations can reunite the broken string of life. What do we do if our cloth gets a tear? Widen it with putting finger in it? No! Instead sew it right away and join the gap. Correct? Let this be our motto for when we deal with problems, be it our own problems or of the ones we know!

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud
Translated by Aymen Maliyakkal

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The loving Khadeeja later came to that young man’s life, as his beloved wife. Dedicated herself to Muhammad (Peace be upon him), she engraved an evergreen tale of divine and pure love. She shared all blessed forms of feminine life with her beloved- a mother for the orphan Muhammad, a lover, partner and sister… Khadeeja brought forth vibrant colors to Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) life. When returned home after his terrifying first-time experience of revelation at the cave of Hira, she stood along as the floral shower of consolation. When the splendor of prophethood spread across, she embraced the truth wholeheartedly. She was his shade in the sunlight and canopy in the rain. She motivated him so that he wouldn’t go exhausted with the brutal torturing of Khuraishes. She poured in inspiration and energy. It was from Khadeeja that Prophet tasted the sweetness of love of a woman for first time. He had never loved any woman before her.

Prophet never loved anyone as much he loved her. Though other partners came to his life after her, the reminiscence of his life with khadeeja always shadowed in his heart. Her death was a great blow in his life. Engulfed in great sorrow, he didn’t even come out from his home for many days. He was left alone with no one to look after him. One day, a lady named Kaula bint Hakeem came to visit him. She used to visit that house before also. Seeing the dreadful situation he was in, she insisted him for a second marriage. With filled eyes, he asked her : “Who else is there like Khadeeja?”

That was the time his close families – Banu Hashim and Banu Muthwalib had declared non-cooperation with him. When merciless sanctions where declared against him earlier, he had lived in the valley of Shiab abi Talib, living on water and leaves. However, Khadeeja was there to support and share his pains. That was the time they tasted the bitterness of hunger and thirst. Khadeeja, though born, brought up and once lived in all luxuries of the world, did not hesitate to stay along with her beloved, living in a state of almost nothing to eat and drink. Rather, she took care of him wholeheartedly and stood as a symbol of pure and heartfelt love.

It was on the third day after the demise of his uncle Abu Talib, Khadeeja bid adieu from his life. Upon seeing Abubakr (may Allah be pleased with him) who came to console him, he burst into tears, like a little boy. It was an year of losses and sorrows for him.

Never he could wipe khadeeja out from his heart. Once when he was in a conversation with Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her), he heard a woman’s voice outside. “Who is this, Haala!!!” He was happy to see her. Hala was the sister of Khadeeja, resembled Khadeeja in voice and looks. Ayesha did not like it when prophet took immense interest in receiving and talking to Hala. Ayesha asked him: “Even after her death, you still remember that old woman.. Hasn’t Allah blessed you with much better women than her…”

Prophet didn’t like Ayesha’s words and his face reddened. “Upon Allah, I have never got anything better than Khadeeja. She believed me even when everyone disbelieved. When people called me liar, she didn’t doubt me. She stood along, with her body, mind and wealth. Allah blessed me with kids from her. ” He also advised Ayesha to never talk like that again.

He used to say that his love towards Kadeeja was engraved on his heart. On special days, he sent a portion of food to khadeeja’s friends. Once he said : ” I love khadeeja and everyone whom she loved..”

Wife should be our lover- that’s the message Prophet taught us. When we don’t exchange the real love before or after her, we would get to enjoy the real sweetness of ever greenish and rejuvenated love everyday. After the victory in the battle of Badr, while collecting ransom from kuraish prisoners, a gold ornament attracted him. It was the ornament Khadeeja wore on their wedding day. The pain it inhibited spread across in his mind. It was paid as a ransom to release his daughter Zainab’s husband.

Look, how can prophet forget Khadeeja? A humble woman closer to 55. She had to look after her children, take care of household chores, had to find means for income, and upon all these she had to go all the way to mountain Noor, with food for her husband. Rocks or thorns or wild animals on the way never stopped her from going all the way up in the hill. That was Khadeeja. The first woman who believed in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

When he was insisted for a second marriage, a scholar said, : “My Khadeeja hasn’t died yet..”

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud!

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A man, who spoke very little, rather conversed more through his quietness, still talks to this 21st century louder than words. To the sixth and recent centuries alike, that great life is preaching standing on a strong moral base.

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Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) once asked prophet: “Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?”

The Prophet (may peace be upon him) replied, “Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of ‘Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn `Abd-Yalail bin `Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand. So I departed, overwhelmed with excessive sorrow, and proceeded on, and could not relax till I found myself at Qarnath-Tha-alib where I lifted my head towards the sky to see a cloud shading me unexpectedly. I looked up and saw Gabriel in it.

He called me saying, ‘Allah has heard your people’s saying to you, and what they have replied back to you, Allah has sent the Angel of the Mountains to you so that you may order him to do whatever you wish to these people.’

The Angel of the Mountains called and greeted me, and then said, “O Muhammad! Order what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-Akh-Shabain (i.e. two mountains) fall on them.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No but I hope that Allah will let them beget children who will worship Allah Alone, and will worship None besides Him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3230).

Even when the pain was resonating in his heart, the words of compassion were flown out from it! Later, prophet(peace be upon him) saw the same people coming to the shade of Islam wholeheartedly. Without any arrogance, he praised his Lord who made a treasure of compassion in the mind of His slave.

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Once when prophet was sitting with his companions, Hisween Qusaee – a non believer- came to him. Known for the wisdom and a high status he held among Quraish, that pride was much reflected on his face.

“Mohammed, You scold our Gods and insult us. Your father was a nice man and gentle”. Asked Hisween without any preface.

Prophet(peace be upon him) smiled at him pleasantly. Then, in simple and compassionate words, he asked Hisween. “Let us leave those who have gone from this world, Can’t we just take it between us?”

Hisween: Yes, indeed,
Prophet: To how many Gods do you pray?
Hisween: Seven, One in the Heaven and six on the earth.
Prophet: Whom will you call if you are affected by a decease.
Hisween: To the One who is in Heaven
Prophet: When you are affected by hunger and thirst?
Hisween: To Him in the heaven only
Prophet: Brother, How can you justify this? All your needs are asked to the one in Heavens, but your prayers are to those on Earth?

The way of prophet, with few words and much thoughts, and his appealing behavior influenced Hisween tremendously. On his way back, the soothing message of Islam had already begun creeping to his mind!.

Those who have Truth in their hands do not need to engage in contentions. Everything in Islam can be conveyed through hearts without much noise. Prophet(peace be upon him) never angered any one, never broke the bonds of relationships, never engaged in quarrels, never talked to any one in an uttering voice, rather he conquered everyone with his amiable behavior. Returned love to every one. Never amassed rivalry towards any one in his mind. It was neither through dialogs lasted for days nor through compulsion, prophet(peace be upon him) was able to bring Hisween Qusaee to Islam, but through three questions filled with reason and affection.

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Swahabas are returning after the battle of Uhud. Yonder on the path awaits them a lady, who belongs to Banu Dinar tribe. Intense anxiety shadowed on her face. Many of her relatives had headed for battle- including her husband, father and brother. What would have happened to them- alive or martyred?

It was a very dreadful tiding that awaited her. Her three intimates have embraced martyrdom. Would she be able to endure this pungent grief? – the warriors pondered. How to convey this heart-wrenching tiding to her?
Let’s not convey all three martyrdom at a go; let’s inform one by one. “Dear sister, your husband has accorded martyrdom”. Has darling sweetheart been lost? She dismayed. Bridling her grief, she asked : “What’s up with Allah’s Messenger? Is he alright?”
“Dear sister, your father has also surrendered to martyrdom.” Have lost caring and loving dad! She felt a twinge in heart. Nothing has happened to our Prophet, right?” – She asked.
“Sister, your brother is also slain.”
“Yet, you haven’t answered my concern, what happened to my Prophet? Isn’t he safe?”
“Sister, by grace of Allah, he is safe and doing well. Nothing wrong has happened to him.”
“But, I won’t be convinced it unless I see him. Could you let me see him?” They let her see Prophet(PBUH) and she saw him eyeful. With her eyes bedewing in the loss of her close ones whilst sparkling in the gladness of regaining Prophet, she told “No, never my Prophet, if you are sheltered, this women doesn’t worry about anything else, every other hardship is trivial.” (Ibnu Hisham, Azeerathu Nabaviyya 3:105)

These are the reminiscence of pious predecessors, who engraved love of Prophet (Peace be upon him) on the walls of their hearts. Their immense affection towards Prophet(peace be upon him) molded them to embrace any circumstances. He was the soul of their life. Sacrificed everything they loved for their loving Prophet. Accepted Prophet’s sayings and orders without doubt. They imitated his life and that was a sweetness to their hearts. We are also of those who should feel that sweetness. Let that prophet be the beauty of our hearts. Let his commands nourish in our lives dearer than anything else.

English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud!

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