Religion & Belief (Alor Pothay) => Islam => Islam & Science => Topic started by: Shamim Ansary on October 05, 2011, 10:44:54 AM
Title: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 05, 2011, 10:44:54 AM
Power and Worth of Bismillah
Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) is the start of all good things, so we shall start with it. This blessed phrase is a mark of Islam, one constantly recited by all creatures through their tongues of disposition. If you want to perceive its inexhaustible source of strength and blessing, consider the following allegory:
Travelers in Arabian deserts must travel under a tribal chief's name and protection, or else they will be bothered by bandits and unable to acquire what they need for the journey. Two people, one humble and the other arrogant, set out on a journey. The humble one obtained the name of a tribal chief; the arrogant one did not. The former traveled everywhere in safety. Whenever he met a bandit, he said: "I'm traveling in the name of this chief," and so was left alone. He was treated with respect in every tent he entered. In contrast, the arrogant one suffered disaster and constant fear, for he had to struggle and beg for every need. He became base and vile.
O arrogant soul! You are that traveler, and this world is the desert. Your weakness and poverty are endless, and the enemies and privations to which you are exposed are beyond number. Given this, invoke the name of the Eternal Owner and the Everlasting Ruler of this world, for only this can deliver you from such begging and fear.
Bismillah (In the Name of Allah) is a blessed treasure. It transforms your boundless weakness and poverty, by binding you to the Omnipotent and Merciful One's infinite Power and Mercy, into the most heeded intercessor at His Exalted Court. When you say Bismillah, you act in His name. You are like a soldier acting in the state's name, fearing no one, doing all things in the name of the law and the state, and persisting against all odds.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 09, 2011, 09:44:12 AM
Shaytan, Shaitan, Satan, Devil: Where will I live, eat, sleep?
When Shaytan, Shaitan was ordered out of heaven by Allah, he asked three questions?
Where will I live? Where will I eat? Where will I sleep?
Allah told him that he, Shaytan, Shaitan would live with the person who did not say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before he/she entered his/her house.
Shaytan, Shaitan would eat with the person who did not say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before he/she started to eat.
Shaytan, Shaitan would sleep with the person who did not say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before he/she went to sleep.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 10, 2011, 09:43:31 AM
Shaytan, Shaitan, Satan, Devil: Vomited (Importance of Bismillah)
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) was once eating with a group of young children.
Suddenly Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) smiled. The children asked him why he was smiling. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) replied: "Shaytan, Shaitan has just vomited."
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) then explained that there was a child amongst them who had forgotten to say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) and Shaytan, Shaitan had sat to eat with him.
The child had just remembered and said: Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful), from the beginning to the end.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 12, 2011, 09:28:25 AM
Significance and Importance of Bismillah: Stop from Jahannam
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) has said that on the day of judgement there will be some people who will have to go to Jahannam (Hell) because of their bad deeds.
However, from these people, there will be some who had the habit of saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before they did anything or entered anywhere.
Thus, when they will be taken to Jahannam (Hell) by the angels, they will be very sad but they will say Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) Allah will tell the angels - "STOP"
Allah will tell them that He cannot let someone who says Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) calling Him Rahman and Rahim enter Jahannam (Hell).
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 23, 2011, 02:24:20 PM
Power and Worth of Bismillah: I can walk on water
Syed Murtadha was a great aalim (scholar) who lived many years ago. He had many students who attended his classes.
At one of his classes he noticed that one of the students always came late. One day Syed Murtadha asked the student "Why are you always late?"
The student replied that he lived across the river and always took the first ferry across but the ferry service did not start any earlier.
Syed Murtadha wrote something on a piece of paper, folded it and gave it to the student. "Keep this with you" he said "and you will be able to walk across the river from tomorrow - but do not open the paper."
The next day the student got to the river and put his foot tentatively on the water. He could not believe that he could actually walk on the water.
For the next few days, he got to the classes on time.
One day, he could not hold back his curiosity. He looked inside the folded piece of paper. On it was written Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful).
For a moment he thought - "Is this all that helps me walk on water!" He put the paper in his pocket as usual and went to the river to go to his classes. This time he could not walk on the water and had to wait for the ferry. This meant that he was late for his class.
When the class was over, Syed Murtadha called him over and said "You looked into the paper when I had told you not to!"
With Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) you can move mountains provided you have trust and faith in Allah.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 24, 2011, 11:12:35 AM
Worth and Significance of Bismillah: Ring in the Stomach of the Fish
There was once a lady who always said Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before she did anything. She knew that Allah would then always be with her. One day, she put her ring in the cupboard and as usual she said Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before she put it away. She knew that it would be safe.
Her husband took the ring and threw it in the river. He wanted to prove to her that only saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) would not keep it safe. He thought that in the evening he would ask her where the ring was and it would not be there.
Later that morning, the lady went to the market to buy some fish. When she was cleaning the fish at home she found her ring inside the stomach of the fish. She wondered how it got there but then put it back in its place in the cupboard saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful).
When her husband came back from work, he asked her where the ring was. She brought it from the cupboard. He was so surprised!
He told her what he had done and apologized to her. He also truly believed that Allah is with the person who says Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before he/she does anything.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: sonia_tex on October 24, 2011, 02:14:10 PM
Informative post.As a Muslim we do practice it always.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 29, 2011, 02:30:32 PM
Allah and Logic, Allah and Commonsense, Proof of Allah
It is a well known incident of Baghdad. A person arrived there who was a non-believer in God. He had no proof of his belief nor was he willing to listen to any argument regarding the existence of God. He said that the universe came into existence by itself and continues to exist. Any argument based on Noble Qur'an and Hadith too wouldn't convince him. People went to the extent of telling him that there must be someone who created the universe and runs it. He boasted saying that the entire city was unable to convince him about the existence of Allah (SWT).
The Vizier of Baghdad asked Sheikh Mufeed to handle the situation. The vizier said that the person was visiting the court everyday and he posed his question to the gathering in the presence of the ambassadors from the non-Muslim countries. The inability to give him a convincing reply was causing a lot of embarrassment.
Sheikh Mufeed thus agreed to attend the court for a debate with the non-believing person. The person was very cunning that he wouldn't utter any word when arguments about the existence of Allah (SWT) were advanced to him.
Sheikh Mufeed attended the court and told to the person, "You have claimed that you have contested the claim of all the courtiers about the existence of Allah (SWT) and that they were unable to convince you. Allah (SWT) willing, I shall come tomorrow and give a convincing reply to your question! But you must report at the court promptly at the appointed time. I am wondering if you will absent yourself fearing to face my debate on the subject!"
The non-believing man replied with lot of confidence, "There is no chance of my running away from the debate. In fact, I have the fear that you might try to escape since none of your compatriots has been able to convince me and you may meet the same fate!"
The appointed time arrived the next day but there wasn't any sign of Sheikh Mufeed in the court. Since Sheikh Mufeed had ridiculed the person by saying that he might try to elude the debate by absconding from the court, the man looked around the court and smiled sarcastically. All the courtiers felt belittled that the Sheikh Mufeed had made tall claims but had absented himself from the proceedings.
The Sheikh Mufeed purposely arrived at the court very late. When he arrived in front of the non-believing man, he asked, "Where were you hiding yourself?!"
The Sheikh Mufeed replied, "I would have reached the court on schedule, but as I reached the riverside, I saw a peculiar scene there. It was so astonishing that my feet wouldn't advance towards my destination! I saw a boat in the river that was floating on the water without any sailor. It was coming ashore on one side, picking up passengers and disembarking them on the other side. From that side it picked up passengers and dropped them on this side! When I saw the boat had no sailor I was very astonished!"
The non-believing man had a hearty laugh and said, "How is it that the boat was making the up and down trips without any sailor?"
The Sheikh Mufeed now said, "When you think that a small boat cannot fend for itself without someone to row it, then how do you imaging that such a big universe will function without the One who controls it!"
The non-believing man said that none else had debated with him in this manner! I now bear witness that there is no god but Allah (SWT)!
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 29, 2011, 02:40:09 PM
God in Islam: Does God Exist?
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him. They talked about so many things on various subjects.
Suddenly, they touched the subject of God. The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say so."
"Why do you say that?" Asked the client
Well, it's so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. "I can't think of a God who permits all of these things." The client stopped for a moment thinking but he didn't want to respond so as to prevent an argument.
The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy). Then the client again entered the barbershop and he said to the barber: know what? Barbers do not exist.
"How come they don't exist?" asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber."
"No!" - The client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street."
"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" - Affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him that's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 29, 2011, 02:47:10 PM
Allah is One
This is a fictional story, only for the purpose of explanation and easy understanding.
A man who is constantly in trouble, prays to god one day and due to his persistent and dedicated prayer, the god appears in front of him and pleasingly tells him "my dear, do tell me what your doubts are about?"
The man happily starts to narrate this "Oh my merciful Lord, I have a vision, in which I could see my past life and I have doubts on it which I wanted you to clear." Smilingly god tells him to carry on.
The man says thus "Lord, I saw that in my past, whenever I was happy and good things happened in my life, I could see two pairs of foot steps on the path of life. One of them is mine; I could not understand the other pair of footstep which was following me. Whose does these belong to?"
Smilingly god says "Dear, whenever you were having good time and happy, I would silently walk behind you allowing you to enjoy the fruits of your good deeds."
The man then asks "Ok, Lord, I saw that whenever am in troubles or sad times I saw two pairs of footsteps again! And this time, the second pair was beside me all along the path."
Calmly god says "Dear, whenever you were in bad situations of life, I would walk beside you, guiding you through the tough times into the good times ahead."
The man, satisfied with the reply, then looked puzzled and sad; says "But Lord, I also had a vision that whenever am in the worst of troubles and the most toughest times I have ever faced in my life, I saw only one deep pair footsteps all along the path. Why have you deserted me when I need you the most?"
Now god, looks at him lovingly and says "Oh my poor creature, you could see only one pair of footsteps during the worst part of your life because those belonged to mine and I was carrying you all along, on my shoulders! Remember this, I never have and will desert you, my dear" Thus saying the god disappeared!
Conclusion: The ultimate truth of life! Never doubt the almighty and remember that he never ever gives-up on us! We should never say that He has forgotten us or abandoned us.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 29, 2011, 02:49:27 PM
Allah is Almighty
The night fell heavy in the heights of the mountains and the man could not see anything. All was black. Zero visibility, and the moon and the stars were covered by the clouds. As he was climbing only a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell in to the air, falling at great speed. He could only see black spots as he went down, and the terrible sensation of being sucked by gravity.
He kept falling and in the moments of great fear, it came to his mind all the good and bad episodes of his life. He was thinking now about how close death was getting, when all of a sudden he felt the rope tied to his waist pull him very hard. His body was hanging in the air.
Religious Stories for KidsOnly the rope was holding him and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice other to scream: "Help me God".
All of a sudden a deep voice coming from the sky answered, "What do you want me to do?"
"Save me God".
"Do you really think I can save you?"
"Of course I believe You can."
"Then cut the rope tied to your waist."
There was a moment of silence and the man decided to hold on to the rope with all his strength. The rescue team tells that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen. His body hanging from a rope. His hands holding tight to it. Only one foot away from the ground.
Conclusion: And We? How attached we are to our rope will we let go? Don't ever doubt about the God and words of God. We should never say that He has forgotten us or abandoned us.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 29, 2011, 03:54:59 PM
Just P.U.S.H!
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and the Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "you have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved." Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Adversary (Satan) said, "Why kill yourself over this?" "Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough."
That's what he planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded mercifully and compassionately, "Oh my poor creature, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.
Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my poor creature, will move the rock."
Conclusion: At times, when we hear the words of God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what God wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him.
Just P.U.S.H! Religious Stories for KidsBy all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves mountains.
When everything seems to go wrong ... just P.U.S.H!
When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H!
When people don't react the way you think they should ... just P.U.S.H!
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H!
When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H!
P + U + S + H = Pray + Until + Something + Happens
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on October 31, 2011, 12:13:50 PM
Dawah (Inviting to the way of submission and surrender to Allah)
Every Friday afternoon, after the Jummah service at the Central Mosque, the Imam and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out "Path to Paradise" and other Islamic literature.
This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his eleven year old son to go to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.
The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I am ready!' His 'Al Mualim' dad asked, 'Ready for what?'
'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's also pouring rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, are not people still going to hell, even though it's raining?' Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'
Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?' His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.' 'Thanks, Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet.
After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone chilled wet and down to his very last booklet. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.
Finally, this eleven year old Dawah (Inviting to the way of submission and surrender to Allah) expert turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!
He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?'
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, "Ma'am, I am sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that 'Allah really loves and cares for you' and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure."
With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Friday afternoon after Jummah service the Imam was giving some lectures. As he concludes the lectures, he asked, 'Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?'
Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly voice was heard over the speaker. As the voice went on, a hint of glorious gaiety and contentment was plainly evident in it even though she was not to be seen, "No one in this gathering knows me. I have never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, I will wait a minute and whoever it is will go away.
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His smile, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead to leap to life as he exclaimed with a cherub like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that Allah really loves and cares for you!' Then he gave me this booklet, 'Path to Paradise' that I now hold in my hand.
As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I would not be needing them any more.
You see, I am now a happy vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say Thank You to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.
There was not a dry eye in the mosque. And as shouts of Takbir! Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest)! rented the air, even among the ladies.
The Imam (dad) descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
Probably no Jamaat (Assembly) has had a more glorious moment and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love and honor for his son, except for one, this very one.
You are the best community evolved for mankind; you enjoin the right conduct and forbid indecency and you believe in Allah. Noble Qur'an (3:110)
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. Noble Qur'an (16:125)
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 14, 2011, 09:37:30 AM
Cheap Ticket to Paradise: Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) in dream
Cheap Ticket to Paradise: Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) in dreamA man from a respectable background came to Balkh which is situated in the south of Iran, accompanied by his wife and daughters. Shortly after their arrival the man fell ill and later died, leaving his wife and daughters. Without his support they became poor and suffered. So fearing the mockery of enemies, she fled Balkh with her daughters to Samarkand.
On the day she arrived the weather was very cold, so she left her daughters in a mosque and went out in search of food. She passed by two groups of people. One was gathered around a Muslim who was the Sheikh and the other group around a Zoroastrian (Majusi) who was the security officer of the city.
She first went to the Muslim Sheikh and described her situation saying, "I am a woman of a respectable family, with daughters whom I have left in the local mosque and I have come in search of food." He asked her, "Bring me proof that you are from a respectable family." She replied, "I am a stranger in this town and therefore do not know anyone to testify for me." She departed from him brokenhearted. She then went to the Zoroastrian and explained her situation to him, telling him about her noble background and her orphaned daughters who were, waiting her return in the local mosque. She also mentioned to him how the Muslim Sheikh had treated her. The Zoroastrian stood up and sent some womenfolk to bring her daughters and took all of them to his house. There he showered them with honour and generosity. He fed them fine food and clothed them in rich garments.
That night the Muslim Sheikh saw in a dream the Day of Resurrection and the banners were unfurled around Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him). Ahead of him, was a green palace made of emeralds, its balconies of pearls and rubies and domes of pearls and corals. He asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him), "Messenger of Allah, for whom is this palace?" Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) replied, "For a Muslim." The Muslim Sheikh replied, "I am a Muslim!" Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) said, "Prove to me that you are a Muslim?" At that, the Muslim Sheikh was dumbstruck. Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) then said, "You asked a woman to produce proof of her respectability and therefore my question to you is, can you produce proof that you are a Muslim?" At this point the Muslim Sheikh felt remorse about his treatment towards the woman and her orphaned daughters.
In the morning, he immediately set out to find the woman. He learnt she was staying with the Zoroastrian and so called for him. When the Zoroastrian arrived, the Muslim Sheikh requested that he sends the woman and her daughters to him. The Zoroastrian replied, "Under no circumstance! I have received great blessings from her." The Muslim Sheikh said, "Take a thousand dinars from me and bring them to me." Zoroastrian shouted, "Impossible! The one who showed you the palace in your dream has made it (the palace) for me. Are you surprised because I am not a Muslim? By Allah (SWT), I did not sleep last night, before I and my family accepted Islam at that noble woman's hand and I dreamt something similar to what you dreamt; Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) asked me, "Is that noble woman and her daughters with you?" I replied: "Yes, Messenger of Allah." Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) said, "This palace is for you and your family. Allah (SWT) created you a believer in eternity." At that the Muslim Sheikh remained sorrowful and grieved for the missed opportunity of earning a lofty position in Paradise, due to his neglect of the widowed woman and her daughters.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him) has said, "The one who strives on behalf of the widow and the needy is like a warrior in the path of Allah". (Bukhari and Muslim) May Allah guide us to what is right for indeed, He is Generous, the most Kind, and the most Merciful!
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 15, 2011, 09:17:18 AM
I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like!
An Angel was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like?"
The Lord sent the Angel to two doors. The Angel opened one of the doors and looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the Angel's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The Angel shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell. Now go to the next door."
The Angel went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the Angel's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The Angel said, "I don't understand."
"It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to share by feeding each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."
Moral of the story: Its people's attitude that makes our place of work, a hell or heaven! 'Help and Seek Help' this makes all the difference to each individual's life and makes our lives hell or heaven. Success and happiness is all about effective team-work make it a great place to work.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 16, 2011, 09:18:47 AM
Sharing and team-work is in nature's way
When two goats meet upon a narrow bridge over deep water, how do they behave?
Neither of them can turn back again, neither can pass the other, because the bridge is too narrow; if they should thrust one another, they might both fall into the water and be drowned.
Nature, then, has taught them, that if the one lays himself down and permits the other to go over him, both remain without hurt.
Moral of the story: Even so, people should rather endure to be trod upon, than to fall into debate and discord one with another! It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 17, 2011, 01:02:55 PM
Why do we read Noble Qur'an, even we can't understand Arabic?
An old Muslim lived on a farm with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Noble Qur'an.
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa, I try to read the Noble Qur'an just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Noble Qur'an do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The Grandfather said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The Grandfather said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Noble Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read the Noble Qur'an, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah (SWT) in our lives."
The best way to learn is to share what you have learned and practice it in your life
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 19, 2011, 01:47:24 PM
Time in Islam: Time is very precious utilize reading Noble Quran
Since last night my young son has been unwell. When I got back from work this evening I decided to take him to hospital despite my exhaustion. There were many waiting; perhaps we will be delayed by more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room.
There were many faces, young and old, but all silent.
Some brothers made use of the many booklets available in the waiting room. Some of those waiting had their eyes closed, while others were looking around. Most were bored. Once in a while the long silence was broken by a nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on the one whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly; then silence returns.
A young man grabbed my attention. He was reading a pocket-sized Noble Qur'an continuously; not raising his head even once. At first I did not think much about him. However, after one hour of waiting my casual glances turned into a deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he utilizes his time. One hour of life wasted! Instead of making benefit of that hour, it was just a boring wait. Then the call for prayer was made. We went to prayer in the hospital's Masjid (Mosque). I tried to pray close to the man who was reading the Noble Qur'an earlier in the waiting room.
After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I was of him and how he tries to benefit from his time.
He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or regretting their waste. He said that he started carrying the pocket-sized Noble Qur'an around when a friend encouraged him to make full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste he gets to read much more of the Noble Qur'an than he gets to read either at home or in the mosque. Moreover, besides the reward of reading the Noble Qur'an, this habit saves him from boredom and stress.
He added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours. Then he asked, when will you find one and a half hours to read the Noble Qur'an? I reflected; how much time do we waste? How many moments of our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by? Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Noble Qur'an? I came to respect my companion, and I discovered that I am to stand for account and that time is not in my hand; so what am I waiting for? My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number; I went to the doctor.
But I want to achieve something now. After I left the hospital I quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Noble Qur'an. I decided to be mindful of how I spend the time.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 20, 2011, 05:41:36 PM
Quran Stories for Children: Who will take the Noble Qur'an?
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso (Spanish artist who lived in France) to Raphael (Italian painter). They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Eid ul-Fitr, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings! Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs (Dutch painter), the Rembrandts (Dutch artist). Get on with the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
We have $10, who will bid $20? Give it to him for $10. "Let's see the masters...." $10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the great paintings?"
I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!
Allah (SWT) gave His Noble Qur'an hundreds of years ago to guide us. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The Noble Qur'an, the Noble Qur'an, who'll take the Noble Qur'an? Because whoever takes the Noble Qur'an gets everything."
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 21, 2011, 04:45:44 PM
Holy Qur'an: Your Companion in the Grave
Rasulullah (saw) said: When a man dies and his relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. When the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased.
When after the burial, the people return home, two angels, Munkar and Nakeer, come in the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says, He is my companion, he is my friend. I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise.
Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, I am the Noble Qur'an, which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Nakeer, you will have no grief.
When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from Al-Mala'ul A'laa (the angels in Heaven) silk bedding filled with musk.
Also Rasulullah (saw) said: "On the Day of Judgement, before Allah (SWT), no other intercessor will have a greater status than the Noble Qur'an, neither a Prophet nor an angel."
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 23, 2011, 02:20:11 PM
Why do we listen to Quran Lectures, even we can't remember everything?
A Masjid (Mosque) goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to Masjid (Mosque). "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 Lectures. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the Imams are wasting theirs by giving Lectures at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher.
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to Masjid (Mosque) for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"
When you are DOWN to nothing.... Allah (SWT) is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank Allah (SWT) for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on November 28, 2011, 03:52:31 PM
Hereafter in Islam (Dream Interpretation): Real Life Story (Preparing for the Hereafter)
Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him.
The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.
The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very soon.
The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come and settled directly under him. The snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.
The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey were falling from it.
The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the sweetness of the honey.
Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him.
After a while, he woke up from his sleep.
To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of Islam. The Islamic scholar who interpret the dream said, the lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes wherever you go.
The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day. Black one is the night and the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death.
Preparing for the HereafterThe big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave. It's there, just waiting for you to fall into it.
The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world. We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it's very sweet. Then we taste another drop and yet another.
Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: shahina on November 30, 2011, 12:11:15 PM
nice post
Title: Re: Islamic Stories
Post by: Shamim Ansary on September 19, 2012, 10:51:25 PM