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Friday 28 March 2014

THE WORLD TALKS ABOUT MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.)

“Mercy For The Worlds”
They Talk About Muhammad (s.a.w.)
Impressions

 (M. Javed Naseem)



Allah, the Almighty, declared in the Holy Quran that He sent the Messenger Muhammad (s.a.w.) as a ‘mercy for the worlds’, in other words as a mercy not only for the mankind but also for all the creatures of the entire universe.

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“We sent you not, but as a Mercy
for the worlds (all creatures)”.
(al-Quran 21:107)

He was a model for the mankind in every respect without parallel. We Muslims should consider ourselves lucky to be educated, led and guided by such a magnificent personality – one of a kind in the history of mankind. It is sad to note that Muslims don’t respect him as much as he deserves (by following his teachings and emulating his conduct). On the other hand, the educated non-Muslims really appreciate Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).
The world today is suffering from injustice, bloodshed, unjust wars, misery and destruction of humanity due to man-made laws enforced by selfish and corrupt rulers to safeguard their vested interests. This sad state of affairs exists in most countries and threatens human survival.
More than ever, the greatness and perfection of the Holy Prophet
(Muhammad, s.a.w.), the greatest benefactor of mankind, is deeply felt and acknowledged even by the non-Muslim world, with sentiments of admiration and appreciation.  
Muhammad (s.a.w.) had a unique personality. He established forever the supremacy of justice, law, and piety of action. He was indeed the ideal Prophet – the symbol of modesty, truthfulness and true devotion to Allah in seeking His pleasure, and thereby setting the highest standards of human excellence.
In this chapter, I have put together the impressions (the opinions and quotes) from the famous personalities of the non-Muslim world. It is really comforting to read what they think of the last Prophet of God. But first, let us see what Allah says:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن
كَانَ يَرْجُو ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيراً
“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah
a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one
whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and
who engages much in the Praise of Allah.”
(al-Quran 33:21)

Leo Tolstoy:
“Muhammad has always been standing higher than the Christianity. He does not consider God as a human being and never makes himself equal to God. Muslims worship nothing except God and Muhammad is his Messenger. There is not any mystery and secret in it.” 

Alphonse de Lamartine:
(History of Turkey).
“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire: that is Muhammad. As regards all the standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask: Is there any man greater than he?”

Alphonse de Lamartine:
(History of Turkey).
“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad?”

Thomas Carlyle:
(On Heroes, Hero Worship and The Heroic in History)
“The lies (Western slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man (Muhammad) are disgraceful to ourselves only.” 

William Montgomery Watt:
(Muhammad at Mecca)
“His readiness to undergo persecutions for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems than it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad”.

W. Montgomery Watt:
(Muhammad at Mecca, Oxford, 1953).
“His readiness to undergo persecution for his beliefs, the high moral character of the men who believed in him and looked up to him as a leader, and the greatness of his ultimate achievement - all argue his fundamental integrity. To suppose Muhammad an impostor raises more problems that it solves. Moreover, none of the great figures of history is so poorly appreciated in the West as Muhammad.... Thus, not merely must we credit Muhammad with essential honesty and integrity of purpose, if we are to understand him at all; if we are to correct the errors we have inherited from the past, we must not forget the conclusive proof is a much stricter requirement than a show of plausibility, and in a matter such as this only to be attained with difficulty”.

Maude Royden:
(First female ‘Doctor of Theology’, 1931)
“Muhammad introduced the concept of such Glorious and Omnipotent God in Whose eyes all worldly systems are pieces of straw. Islamic equality of mankind is no fiction as it is in Christianity. No human mind has ever thought of such total freedom as established by Muhammad.”

George Bernard Shaw:
(The Genuine Islam, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936)
“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity."

George Bernard Shaw:
I believe that if today an autocrat of Mohammed’s caliber assumes world leadership, he could solve all problems of humanity splendidly. The world will become an abode of peace and happiness. I predict that tomorrow’s Europe will embrace Islam."

Michael Hart:
(The 100 Most Influential Persons In History, New York, 1978)
My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level. ...It is probable that the relative influence of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. ...It is this unparalleled combination of secular and religious influence which I feel entitles Muhammad to be considered the most influential single figure in human history.”

Edward Gibbon:
(The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 1823)
“The greatest crimes, the greatest “sin” of Mohammed in the eyes of Christian West is that he did not allow himself to be slaughtered, to be “crucified” by his enemies. He only defended himself, his family and his followers; and finally vanquished his enemies. Mohammed’s success is the Christians’ gall of disappointment… He did not believe in any vicarious sacrifices for the sins of others …”
“The good sense of Muhammad despised the pomp of royalty. The Apostle of God submitted to the menial offices of the family; he kindled the fire; swept the floor; milked the ewes; and mended with his own hands his shoes and garments. Disdaining the penance and merit of a hermit, he observed without effort of vanity the abstemious diet of an Arab.”

Edward Gibbon & Simon Oakley:
 (History of the Saracen Empire, London, 1870).
“The greatest success of Mohammad’s life was effected by sheer moral force.” 
“It is not the propagation but the permanency of his religion that deserves our wonder, the same pure and perfect impression which he engraved at Mecca and Medina is preserved after the revolutions of twelve centuries by the Indian, the African and the Turkish proselytes of the Koran....The Mahometans have uniformly withstood the temptation of reducing the object of their faith and devotion to a level with the senses and imagination of man. ‘I believe in One God and Mahomet the Apostle of God’ is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honors of the prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtue, and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion.”

Thomas Carlyle:
(Heroes and Hero Worship and the Heroic in History, 1840)
“The lies which we [Christians] have heaped round this man (Mohammed), are disgraceful to ourselves only.”

“A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world’s Maker had ordered so.”

 Encyclopedia Britannica, 4th & 11th editions:
Muhammed was the most successful of all religious personalities.”

James Gavin:
(Speeches By a U.S. Army General)
“Among leaders who have made the greatest impact through the ages, I would consider Muhammed before Jesus Christ.

M.H. Hyndman:
(The Awakening of Asia)
"Mohammed never assigned himself a status more than a common man and a messenger of God. People had faith in him when he was surrounded by poverty and adversity and trusted him while he was the ruler of a great Empire. A man of spotless character who always had a confidence in himself and in God’s help. No aspect of his life remained hidden nor was his death a mysterious event."

Sir William Muir:
(Life of Mohammed)
“Mohammed brought an end to idol worship. He preached monotheism and infinite Mercy of God, human brotherhood, care of orphan, emancipation of slaves, forbidding of wine - No religion achieved as much success as Islam did."  

Philip K. Hitti:
(History of the Arabs)
“Within a brief span of mortal life, Muhammad called forth of unpromising material, a nation, never welded before; in a country that was hitherto but a geographical expression he established a religion which in vast areas suppressed Christianity and Judaism, and laid the basis of an empire that was soon to embrace within its far flung boundaries the fairest provinces the then civilized world”.

M. Gandhi:
(Young India,1924)
“I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind.... I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the second volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of that great life.”

Sohrawardi:
(Preface to ‘The Sayings of Muhammed’) 
The sayings of Muhammed are a treasure of wisdom not only for Muslims but for all of mankind.”

John Austin:
(‘Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah’, T.P.'s & Cassel's Weekly for 24th September 1927).
“In little more than a year, he was actually the spiritual, nominal and temporal rule of Medina, with his hands on the lever that was to shake the world.”

 John William Draper, M.D., L.L.D:
(‘A History of the Intellectual Development of Europe’, London 1875, Vol.1, pp.329-330)
“Four years after the death of Justinian, A.D. 569, was born at Mecca, in Arabia the man who, of all men exercised the greatest influence upon the human race... To be the religious head of many empires, to guide the daily life of one-third of the human race, may perhaps justify the title of a Messenger of God”.

Arthur Glynn Leonard:
(Islam, Her Moral and Spiritual Values)
“It was the genius of Muhammad, the spirit that he breathed into the Arabs through the soul of Islam that exalted them. That raised them out of the lethargy and low level of tribal stagnation up to the high watermark of national unity and empire. It was in the sublimity of Muhammad's deism, the simplicity, the sobriety and purity it inculcated the fidelity of its founder to his own tenets that acted on their moral and intellectual fiber with all the magnetism of true inspiration”.

James Michener:
(Islam: The Misunderstood Religion, Reader’s Digest, May 1955, pp. 68-70).
“Like almost every major prophet before him, Muhammad fought shy of serving as the transmitter of God’s word sensing his own inadequacy. But the Angel commanded ‘Read’ So far as we know, Muhammad was unable to read or write, but he began to dictate those inspired words which would soon revolutionize a large segment of the earth: ‘There is one God’.”
In all things Muhammad was profoundly practical. When his beloved son Ibrahim died, an eclipse occurred and rumors of God’s personal condolence quickly arose. Whereupon Muhammad is said to have announced, ‘An eclipse is a phenomenon of nature. It is foolish to attribute such things to the death or birth of a human being’."
At Muhammad's own death an attempt was made to deify him, but the man who was to become his administrative successor killed the hysteria with one of the noblest speeches in religious history: ‘If there are any among you who worshiped Muhammad, he is dead. But if it is God you worshiped, He lives forever'.”

Annie Besant:
(The Life and Teachings of Mohammad, Madras, 1932)
“It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knew how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel, whenever I reread them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher.

W.C. Taylor:
(The History of Muhammadanism and its Sects)
“So great was his liberality to the poor that he often left his household unprovided, nor did he content himself with relieving their wants, he entered into conversation with them, and expressed a warm sympathy for their sufferings. He was a firm friend and a faithful ally”.

Rev. Bosworth Smith:
(Muhammad and Muhammadanism, London, 1874).
“Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life …”
“In Mohammadanism everything is different here. Instead of the shadowy and the mysterious, we have history....We know of the external history of Muhammad....while for his internal history after his mission had been proclaimed, we have a book absolutely unique in its origin, in its preservation....on the Substantial authority of which no one has ever been able to cast a serious doubt”.

Dr. Gustav Weil:
(History of the Islamic Peoples)
“Muhammad was a shining example to his people. His character was pure and stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were characterized by a rare simplicity. So unpretentious was he that he would receive from his companions no special mark of reverence, nor would he accept any service from his slave which he could do for himself. He was accessible to all and at all times. He visited the sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was his benevolence and generosity as also was his anxious care for the welfare of the community”.

Charles Stuart Mills:
(History of Mohammadanism)
“Deeply read in the volume of nature, though extremely ignorant of letters, his mind could expand into controversy with the wisest of his enemies or contract itself to the apprehension of meanest of his disciples. His simple eloquence was rendered impressive by a manner of mixed dignity and elegance, by the expression of a countenance where the awfulness of his majesty was so well tempered by an amiable sweetness, that it exerted emotions of veneration and love. He was gifted with that authoritative air or genius which alike influences the learned and commands the illiterate”.

Stanley Lane-Poole:
(Studies in a Mosque)
“He was one of those happy few who have attained the supreme joy of making one great truth their very life spring. He was the messenger of One God, and never to his life's end did he forget who he was or the message which was the marrow of his being. He brought his tidings to his people with a grand dignity sprung from the consciousness of his high office, together with a most sweet humility …”

“He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation. Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him loved him; they who described him would say, "I have never seen his like either before or after." He was of great taciturnity, but when he spoke it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he said...” ('Speeches and Table Talk of the Prophet Muhammad)

J.M. Rodwell:
(Preface to his translation of the Holy Quran)
“Mohammad's career is a wonderful instance of the force and life that resides in him who possesses an intense faith in God and in the unseen world. He will always be regarded as one of those who have had that influence over the faith, morals and whole earthly life of their fellow men, which none but a really great man ever did, or can exercise; and whose efforts to propagate a great verity will prosper”.

D. G. Hogarth:
(Arabia).
“Serious or trivial, his daily behavior has instituted a canon which millions observe this day with conscious memory. No one regarded by any section of the human race as Perfect Man has ever been imitated so minutely. The conduct of the founder of Christianity has not governed the ordinary life of his followers. Moreover, no founder of a religion has left on so solitary an eminence as the Muslim apostle”.

Washington Irving:
(Mahomet and His Successors)
“He was sober and abstemious in his diet and a rigorous observer of fasts. He indulged in no magnificence of apparel, the ostentation of a petty mind; neither was his simplicity in dress affected but a result of real disregard for distinction from so trivial a source
In his private dealings he was just. He treated friends and strangers, the rich and poor, the powerful and weak, with equity, and was beloved by the common people for the affability with which he received them, and listened to their complaints….”
  
“His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory as they would have done had they been effected by selfish purposes. In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manner and appearance as in the days of his adversity. So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect was shown to him”.
(Life of Muhammad, New York, 1920).
(Courtesy: www.goodread.com)


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Monday 24 March 2014

THE WAY OF THE PROPHET (S.A.W.)

'TAREEQ-E-RASOOL'

Eating Habits Of The Prophet (s.a.w.)

Simple (Islamic) Living
It Makes Life Easier; And
You Are Rewarded By Allah

(By: M. Javed Naseem)


Simplicity is the virtue of the saints. It is the lifestyle that has been prescribed by Allah through the Quran; it is the lifestyle stressed upon by Islam; and it is the lifestyle Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) adopted to show all Muslims that it is practicable in every era if we only want to live a simple life.

A lot is written on the noble habits and routines, likes and dislikes of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) –  “Shama’el-e-Tirmidhi” being the best on the subject. He showed us the way how to live in this world according the Quranic teachings. The Almighty Allah has also commanded us in the Quran to follow and obey the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.). For a Muslim, it is the key to Paradise, and for a non-Muslim, it is a successful way of life that can save you all kinds of ailments (spiritual and physical).
Here are some excerpts from my new book: “The Way (Sunnah) of The Prophet (s.a.w.)”.

Eating Dates:
Yusuf bin Abdullah bin Salaam narrated:
"I once observed Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) take a piece of bread and put a date on it and said: ‘This is the curry for this (bread)’, and then ate it.” – (Tirmidhi)
(It’s enjoyable. It’s part of my breakfast for many years.)


Eating Beetroot:
Umm Mundhir (r.a.a.) narrated:
"Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) visited me in the company of Ali (r.a.a.). We had some bunches of dates hanging. Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) ate from them and Ali (r.a.a.) also ate. Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) stopped Ali (r.a.a.) saying, “You have just recovered from an illness and should not eat this”. Ali (r.a.a.) stopped while Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) continued eating. Umm Mundhir (r.a.a.) said: “I then cooked some barley and beetroot. Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) said to Ali (r.a.a.): “Eat from this, it is suitable for you". – (Tirmidhi)
(Excerpts from my new book: “The Way (Sunnah) Of The Prophet (s.a.w.)”.

Table Manners of The Prophet (s.a.w.)

Hadith No.1:
Kaab bin Maalik (r.a.a.) said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) licked his fingers three times (after eating)".

Note: It is ‘mustahab’ to lick the fingers after eating, before washing the hands.
Mulla Ali Qaari says three times is not meant here, but that three fingers should be licked.

Hadith No.2:
Anas (r.a.a.) said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) used to lick his three fingers after eating food."

Note: It was the noble habit of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) to eat with three fingers only. Although we find in a few narrations that he used five fingers also. In most narrations, the three fingers, thumb, and middle fingers are mentioned.
Imaam Nawawi says: 'We gather from these Ahadith that it is ‘mustahab’ to eat with three fingers'. But this does not mean that using four or five fingers is prohibited.

Hadith No.3:
Abu Juhayfah said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) said: I do not lean and eat”.

Hadith No.4:
Kaab bin Maalik (r.a.a.) said: "It was the noble habit of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) to use three fingers while eating, and he also licked them".

The Bread of The Prophet (s.a.w.)

Hadith No.1:
Mother of the believers, Aayesha (r.a.a.) said: "Till the demise of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.), his family never ate a full stomach of bread made of barley for two consecutive days".

Note: It is possible that they may have eaten a full stomach of dates, but not of bread.

Hadith No.2:
Abu Umamah Al-Baahil said: "Bread made of barley was never left over in the house of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.).”

Note: Whenever bread made of barley was prepared, the quantity was so little that there was none left over.

Hadith No.3:
Ibn Abbaas (r.a.a.) reported: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) and his family spent many consecutive nights without food, because there would be no supper. The bread of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) was mostly made of barley".

Note: Sometimes, wheat-bread was also available, but rarely.
Some of the companions were wealthy but the Prophet (s.a.w.) did not let anyone know, nor did his family members let anyone know of their financial state.

Hadith No.4:
Someone asked Sahl bin Saad: "Did Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) ever eat bread made of white (fine) flour?" He replied: "White flour may not have come before Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) until his last days".
It was then asked: "Did you people use sieved flour in the time of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.)?”
He replied "No, it was not used".
He was then asked: "How was bread from barley prepared (because barley flour had more particles/husk and hard grains in it and needed sifting)?”
Sahl replied: "We used to blow into the flour and the big particles flew out. The rest was made into dough".


Hadith No.5:
Anas (r.a.a.) reported: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) never ate food from a table, nor from small plates, nor was ‘chapati’ (a type of thin bread) ever made for him.”
Yunus said: “I asked Qatadah: “Then on what did Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) put and eat his food?” He replied: “On this leather spread (table-cloth).”

Note: Allama Munaawi and Mulla Ali Qaari say that it has always been the custom of the rich/arrogant people to eat on a table. It has been stated in the 'Kaukab-e Durri' that in our times, it is a common practice to follow the Christian traditions, but it is “makruh tahreemi”. We have been prohibited from imitating non-Muslims in the manners of eating, drinking, dressing and even worshipping.

Hadith No.6:
Masruq narrated: "I went to Aayesha (r.a.a.). She ordered food for me and said, 'I never eat a stomach-full but feel like crying, then I do cry”.
Masruq asked: “Why do you feel like crying?”
She replied: “I remember that condition of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) on which he left us for the next world. I swear by Allah that he never filled his stomach twice in one day with meat or bread".

Hadith No.7:
Aayesha (r.a.a.) narrated: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) never filled his stomach with bread made of barley for two consecutive days till he passed away".

Note: Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) preferred a simple life for himself and his family. There was not so much, that all could fill their stomachs. Even when there was something available, it was given to the poor.

Hadith No.8:
Anas (r.a.a.) said: "Till the end of his life, Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) never ate on a table and never ate a ‘Chapaati’.”


Curry of The Prophet (s.a.w.)

Hadith No.1:
Aayesha (r.a.a.) said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) once said: What a nice curry vinegar is!”

Hadith No.2:
Jaabir bin Abdullah (r.a.a.) related that Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) said: "What a wonderful curry vinegar is!"

Note: It is possible that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) might have said this on different occasions.

Note:   
Vinegar is very good for health and has many benefits. It is an antidote for poison. It stops phlegm and gall. It helps digest food, kills the worms of the stomach and creates a good appetite. Due to its cold effect, it may not be good for some people but it surely is a good curry which is available easily.
It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) made ‘dua’ for ‘barakah’ in it and said: 'It was the curry of the previous prophets also. In a Hadith it is stated: “The house that has vinegar in it, will not be in need” (i.e., that house will not be in need of curry). These narrations have been mentioned in the “Jam'ul Wasaa-il” from Ibn Maalah.

Hadith No.3:
Numaan bin Bashir said: "Are you not in the luxuries of eating and drinking? I have seen Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) not having ordinary dates to fill his stomach".

Hadith No.4:
Zahdam Al-Jarmi said: “We were present in the assembly of Abu Musa Ash’ari (r.a.a.) and fowl (bird) meat was served for food. One of the guests moved back. Abu Musa (r.a.a.) asked him the reason (for doing so). He replied: 'I have seen the fowl eat something (dirty) so I swore that I will not eat it. Abu Musa (r.a.a.) said: 'In that case, I have seen Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) eat the meat of a fowl (bird)'.

Hadith No.5:
Abu Usayd narrated: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) said: Use olive oil in eating and for rubbing (on the body), for it is from a ‘mubarak’ (blessed) tree".

Note: The reference ‘mubarak tree’ is from Surah al-Noor from the Holy Quran. Scholars say that it is blessed because of its many benefits. Abu Nu'aym said: 'It has cure for seventy diseases of which one is leprosy'.
Ibn Abbaas (r.a.a.) said: 'Every part of the olive is beneficial. The oil is used for burning and cooking. It is also used for tanning. Its wood is used for firewood. The ash of the olive is especially good for washing silk'.

Hadith No.6:
It is related from Umar (r.a.a.) that Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) said: "Use olive oil in cooking and rubbing (on the body) because it is from a sacred (‘mubarak’) tree".

Hadith No.7:
Anas bin Maalik (r.a.a.) said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) loved gourd (‘dubbaa’, ‘dodhi’, ‘ghiyya’ or ‘kaddu’ / ‘lauki’).”
Once food was presented to Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) or he attended an invitation (narrator is not sure about the occasion) where gourd (‘kaddu’) was served. I knew Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) loved it. I searched for pieces from the curry and presented it to him".


Hadith No.8:
Jaabir bin Taariq said: "I attended the assembly of Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) and I observed that they were busy cutting a gourd into pieces. I inquired: 'What shall be made of this'. He replied: “It will add to our food”.

Hadith No.9:
Anas bin Maalik (r.a.a.) said: "A tailor once invited Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) and I also attended. The host served Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) bread made of barley, and gravy with meat and gourd (‘kaddu’) in it. Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) looked for pieces of gourd from all sides of the plate. From that time I also began loving gourd (‘kaddu’).”

Hadith No.10:
Aayesha (r.a.a.) said: "Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) loved ‘halwa’ and honey".

Note: ‘Halwah’ in Arabic means ‘sweet’. In this case anything sweet, a dish, dessert, confectionary, home-made sweets, Indo-Pak Mitha’ee, etc.
The first person to present ‘halwa’ to Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) was Uthmaan (r.a.a.). Rasul-Allah (s.a.w.) liked it. It was made of flour, butter-oil (‘ghee’), and honey. Sugar was not commonly used those days. Honey and dates were used as sweetening agents.


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Thursday 6 March 2014

ARE WE BEING REPLACED?

A Reminder, A Warning:
Are We Being Replaced?

Time To Reflect, O People of Understanding!

(By: M. Javed Naseem)




This is the final phase! The mankind is going through the initial stages of the End Time which is spread over many years. People, in the past, have always predicted the ‘end’ in a particular year (the latest being the 2012 as per Maya calendar) but that can’t be true. There will be a period of peace, justice, law and order before the final trumpet is blown. Before that, there’ll be chaos, bloodshed, corruption and injustice.

We still have to go through many years of turbulence and bloodshed before the advent of the Promised Messiah (Mahdi). According to the authentic predictions he’ll rule at least seven years (or more) and during this period Prophet Jesus (the son of Mary) will reappear. Prophet Jesus will eventually kill the ‘great evil’ – the Anti-Christ or the ‘Fitnah of Final Dajjal’.

Right now, we are very close to the period of the advent of the Messiah or Mahdi. The doors of repentance are still open and we should be wise enough to take advantage of this before it is too late.

The history of mankind tells us (and the Quran reminds us) that all those earlier nations which rebelled against Allah; which rejected His message and ignored His signs; which ridiculed His laws and commands; and which spread corruption and mischief in the Earth, were punished and replaced with nations who, (in the beginning at least) obeyed Allah and followed the Messengers.

As they say, the history repeats itself. All those evils that have passed centuries ago, can be seen in the world today. The time is, again, ripe for another reshuffling and shedding the extra load on Earth.

The million dollar question pops up: Are we being replaced slowly?


As a matter of fact, it is not happening slowly. It is happening very fast for the last 25 years. We can see the increase in bloodshed, killings and destruction all over the world. Apart from the man-made destruction, Nature is also at work and helping in this regard with floods, earthquakes and fires. There is no escape!

This is the time, high time, that we read the Quran, try to understand it, ponder over its verses and act accordingly. Only remembrance of Allah, repentance and following the right path can save us; otherwise we are heading for the Hellfire.

أَفَلاَ يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ
غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُواْ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلاَفاً كَثِيراً 
“Do they not then ponder on the Quran?
Had it been from other than Allah, they would
surely have found therein much discrepancy.” 
(al-Quran 4:82)

We need to change our ways. Allah wanted us to enforce His law in the Earth but we are arrogantly rejecting it; just like the earlier nations of the old. Corruption and evil-living has to stop if we want to escape from the rage and wrath of Allah. We cannot win against Allah. He is the One Who created us; and He knows us well too.

أَمْ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلسَّيِّئَاتِ أَن يَسْبِقُونَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ
“Do those who practice evil think that they will
get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment!”
(al-Quran 29:4)

وَمَآ أَنتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ
"Not on earth nor in heaven will you be able (fleeing)
to frustrate (His plan), nor have you, besides Allah,
any protector or helper."
(al-Quran 29:22)

The Almighty has made it very clear! We cannot flee from Him. We should realize our ‘place’ as Creation in front of the Creator. We cannot play games with Him. He knows all the game plans. Therefore, the only choice we have, is to “do or die”!


Accept and implement honestly, sincerely and completely, the message of Truth. The Truth comes from Him. As the Bible says: “The Truth shall set you free”.

Allah is All-Powerful, Wise and All-Aware. It is not difficult for Him to do the same thing again that He did with the earlier nations – replace them with those who obey and glorify Him. It is up to us now. Only we can prove to Him that we are worthy of it or not.

فَلاَ أُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ ٱلْمَشَارِقِ وَٱلْمَغَارِبِ إِنَّا لَقَادِرُونَ
عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ خَيْراً مِّنْهُمْ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ
“But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and
the Wests that We are certainly able to replace
them by (others) better than them. And we are
not to be defeated (in Our Plan).”
(al-Quran 70:40-41)

نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَاهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَالَهُمْ تَبْدِيلاً
 “It is We Who created them, and strengthened
their frame. And when We will, We can replace
them, bringing others like them in their stead.”
(al-Quran 76:28)

إِنَّ هَـٰذِهِ تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ سَبِيلاً
“This is an admonition. Whosoever will,
let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.”
(al-Quran 76:29)

If we obey Him, fear Him the way He should be feared, be thankful to Him and glorify Him, He’ll be pleased with us. And His pleasure means that we are saved from the Hellfire. Here’s the promise:

وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ
سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَحْسَنَ ٱلَّذِى كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
“Those who believe and work righteous deeds,
from them shall We blot out all evil (that may
be) in them, and We shall reward them
according to the best of their deeds.”
(al-Quran 29:7)



*******

Sunday 2 March 2014

DUAS OF THE PROPHETS (From The Quran)

‘Duas’ Of The Prophets
From The Holy Quran

(By: M. Javed Naseem)

   

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“O Allah! You are the One Who forgives greatly,
and loves to forgive, so forgive me.”

Allah, the Almighty, is the Supreme Creator and we are His best Creation. He is our Patron (Rabb) and we are His subjects. He provides us with food and shelter and only He can relieve us from all kinds of sufferings. When in need or distress, we have no one to turn to except Allah. Allah is well aware of that and He appreciates it when we humbly, sincerely, honestly and with all humility ask Him for blessings, grace, bounties and provision. And He grants us whatever He thinks is better for us.
When we read the Quran, we realize that even the Messengers or Prophets of God begged Allah through supplications for His mercy and blessings to get out of troubles. We can ask Allah for His help and mercy in any way and manner (and in any language) we think is suitable. He knows and understands everything, even the secrets hidden in our hearts. And He grants us what He wills.

Allah is the Most Merciful, the Compassionate and the Benevolent. He revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to guide him (and us) and teach him (and us) how to live on the earth. The Quran is the Word of God and it also teaches us how to ask God for His mercy and blessings. Therefore, it is only logical and reasonable that we ask Allah for help and mercy by using the phrases (verses) He taught us in the Quran.

I have selected a few supplications (Dua) from the Holy Quran that I consider are the most effective, popular and yield quick results. Even the Prophets and Messengers of Allah have used them to get mercy and blessings from the Lord Almighty.

During the Holy rites of Hajj/Umrah, Allah suggested that we pray (Dua) in the following words and Allah would grant us what we have earned (Paradise) with our righteous deeds. Allah will bless us with His Mercy and bounties not only in this world but also in the Hereafter.

(رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ
 حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ)
"Our Lord! Give us good in this word and
good in the Hereafter, and protect us from
the torment of the Hellfire!"
(al-Quran 2:201)

During the famous encounter between David and Goliath, the believers, who were very few in number against the army of Goliath, had put their trust in Allah, and steadfastly persevered. While facing the strong army of Goliath, Prophet David and his followers prayed to Allah with the following words (Dua). So, Allah granted them victory and David slew Goliath:

(رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا
 وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ)
"Our Lord! Bestow endurance on us and
make our steps firm. Help us (with victory)
against the Unbelievers"
(al-Quran 2:250)

Here’s a well-known supplication (Dua) of all prophets and their followers. It is the last Verse of Surah al-Baqara. This is the best supplication (Dua) in the Holy Quran and it works well in every situation, under all circumstances. This has been suggested by Allah to the believers. Allah said that prophets and their followers have supplicated with this Dua:

(رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا
إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا
مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا
أَنتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ)
"Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall
into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that
which You did lay on those before us. Our Lord!
Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength
to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness.
Have mercy on us. You are our Protector; Help us
against those who stand against Faith."
(al-Quran 2:286)


Allah says that those who are blessed with the knowledge of Truth by the mercy of God (men of understanding), they pray (Dua) to the Almighty by saying:

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا
مِنْ  لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ
"Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate
now after You have guided us, but grant us mercy
from Your own Presence; for You are the Grantor
of bounties without measure”.
(al-Quran 3:8)

Allah said that He considers those righteous believers as his faithful servants (and will grant them Paradise) who are patient, steadfast, truthful and obedient; and who say:

رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ آمَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
"Our Lord! We have indeed believed;
forgive us then, our sins, and save us
from the agony of the Fire."
(al-Quran 3:16)

Prophet Zachariah (Zakaria) was very impressed by the incredible way Allah took care of the needs of Mary (Maryam, the mother of Prophet Jesus). So, Zachariah also sought Allah’s favor with this prayer (Dua) and Allah answered his prayers by giving him the glad tiding of a son (Yahya) even at his old age:

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنْ  لَّدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ
"O my Lord! Grant unto me from You a
progeny that is pure, for You are He that
hears prayer!”
(al-Quran 3:38)

Prophet Zakaria was very old and his wife was unable to bear children. So, he cried before Allah and asked for an heir (son). He prayed with the following Dua and Allah gave him the glad tiding of a son named Yahya, at that old age:

رَبِّ لاَ تَذَرْنِى فَرْداً وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَارِثِينَ
"O my Lord! Leave me not without offspring,
though You are the best of inheritors."
(al-Quran 21:89)

When Prophet Jesus asked his Disciples: Who’ll help me in the cause of Allah? The Disciples answered: We are Allah’s helpers. We believe in Allah as we are Muslims. Then they prayed (Dua) to God with these words:  

رَبَّنَآ آمَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلْتَ وَٱتَّبَعْنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّاهِدِينَ
"Our Lord! We believe in what You have revealed,
and we follow the Messenger; then write us
down among those who bear witness."
(al-Quran 3:53)

Many Prophets of Allah and their faithful followers fought in the way of Allah. They were injured, even brutally killed, but they never lost their Faith (Iman) in Allah. They were patient, steadfast and they always prayed (Dua) with these words:

ربَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِىۤ أَمْرِنَا
وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وٱنْصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ
"Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything
We may have done that transgressed our duty.
Establish our feet firmly, and help us against
those that resist Faith."
(al-Quran 3:147)

The righteous people who glorify Allah for all His creation in the heavens and the earth, they don’t get tired of praying and praising Allah. They submit to Allah and pray (Dua) for their salvation:

رَبَّنَآ مَا خَلَقْتَ هٰذَا بَاطِلاً سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَنْ تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِياً يُنَادِى لِلإِيمَانِ أَنْ آمِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمْ
فَآمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلأَبْرَارِ
رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلاَ تُخْزِنَا
يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّكَ لاَ تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
“Our Lord! Not in vain have You created (all)
this! Glory to You! Give us salvation from the
penalty of the Fire. Our Lord! Any whom You
do admit to the Fire, truly You cover with shame,
and never will wrong-doers find any helpers! 
Our Lord! Lo! We have heard a caller calling unto
Faith: "Believe you in your Lord!" So we believed,
our Lord! Therefore, forgive us our sins, and remit
from us our evil deeds, and make us die the death
of the righteous. Our Lord! Grant us what You have
promised to us through your messengers, and save
us from shame on the Day of Judgment. For You
never break your promise.”
(al-Quran 3:191-194)

Adam & Eve disobeyed Allah and, being under the influence of the Satan (Devil), ate the fruit from the forbidden tree. As a result, they were expelled from Paradise. They repented immediately and sought forgiveness from Allah with this prayer (Dua):

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا
وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَاسِرِينَ
"Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls.
If You don’t forgive us and bestow upon us
your Mercy, we shall certainly be lost."
(al-Quran 7:23)

On the Day of Judgment when those hoping to enter Paradise (because of their good deeds) would look at those being dragged to the Hellfire, they would pray (Dua) to Allah and say:

رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ
"Our Lord! send us not to the
company of the wrong-doers."
(al-Quran 7:47)

During his time, Pharoah was the biggest tyrant on earth. When Moses started delivering the message of God to the people of Egypt, most of them rejected it. Only a handful of youngsters from his own people accepted the message but they were terrified by Pharoah and his officials. Allah inspired Moses who told his few followers to supplicate (Dua) like this:

عَلَىٰ ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ
وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ 
"In Allah do we put out trust. Our Lord! Make us
not a trial for those who practice oppression; and
deliver us by Your Mercy from the Unbelievers".
(al-Quran 10:85-86)

In the court of the Pharoah, during the encounter between Prophet Moses and the magicians of Pharoah, the magicians lost. When they saw the miracle of Moses, they were immediately convinced that he was a Prophet of God, not a magician. So, they surrendered and accepted God of Moses as the True God. Pharoah got furious and wanted to punish them by cutting their hands and feet. At that time they prayed to Allah for mercy with these words:

رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْراً وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
Our Lord! Bestow upon us patience and
steadfastness, and take our souls unto you
as Muslims!”
(al-Quran 7:126)

The following supplication was revealed especially for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). When people of Makkah rejected the message of Tawheed and started humiliating the Prophet by laughing at him and insulting him, Allah encouraged and consoled the Prophet so that he did not get frustrated. He commanded the Prophet (s.a.w.) to pray (Dua) with the following words:

فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لاۤ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ
وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
“Say: Allah is sufficient for me. There is no
god but He. On Him is my trust – He the Lord
of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!"
(al-Quran 9:129)


And this is the invocation (Dua) of Prophet Noah. When he boarded the Ark (ship) and begged Allah to save his unbelieving son to accompany him on the ship, Allah sternly warned Noah against such ignorance. Noah went to repent immediately and supplicated his Lord with this Dua:

رَبِّ إِنِّيۤ أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِهِ عِلْمٌ
وَإِلاَّ تَغْفِرْ لِى وَتَرْحَمْنِيۤ أَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْخَاسِرِينَ 
"O my Lord! I do seek refuge with You, lest
I ask You for that of which I have no knowledge.
And unless You forgive me and have Mercy
on me, I should indeed be lost!"
(al-Quran 11:47)

The following supplication is a very famous Dua of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was the father of all three major semitic religions of the world (Judaism, Christianity & Islam). When he completed the construction of the ‘House of God’ – Kaabah, (at Makkah) in the company of his eldest son Ishmael, he raised his hands and prayed to Allah with this Dua:

رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلاَةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَتِى رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ
رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَالِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ
“O my Lord! Make me one who establishes regular
prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring,
O our Lord! And accept my prayer. O our Lord!
Cover (us) with Your forgiveness - me, my parents,
and (all) believers, on the Day that the reckoning
will be established!”
(al-Quran 14:40-41)

Allah, the Almighty, commanded Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to establish regular prayers (Salaat) from morning till night; offer Tahajjud prayer late night; recite the Quran at dawn; remember Allah with the following Dua so that Allah grant him a place of ‘Praise & Glory’ (‘Maqaam-an Mahmooda’):

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ
صِدْقٍ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنْكَ سُلْطَاناً نَّصِيراً
Say: "O my Lord! Let my entry be by the Gate of
Truth and Honour, and likewise my exit by the Gate
of Truth and Honour; and grant me from Your
Presence an authority to aid (me)."
(al-Quran 17:80)

When Prophet Jesus started spreading the true message of God, condemning the practices of the corrupt Jews, the people in power and the rich elite started persecuting his followers. The true believers ran for their lives and hid wherever it was safe for them. A group of them fled the city and took refuge in a cave and they were called “People of the Cave” (‘Ass-haab al-Kahf’). They prayed to Allah with this Dua:

رَبَّنَآ آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَداً
"Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from You, and
dispose of our affair for us in the right way!"
(al-Quran 18:10)

When God commanded Prophet Moses to go to Pharaoh and deliver the message of Tawheed, Moses did not feel comfortable as he lacked self-confidence. When God gave him the signs of miracle, Moses prayed to God with this Dua:

قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِيۤ أَمْرِي
وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُواْ قَوْلِي
(Moses) said: "O my Lord! Expand my breast;
"Ease my task for me; and remove the impediment
from my speech, so they may understand what I say.”
(al-Quran 20:25-28)

The process of the revelation of the Quran took many years and Allah told Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to be patient with it. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was commanded to praise Allah and seek increase of knowledge from Him with this Dua:

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً
Say: "O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge."
(al-Quran 20:114)

And this is one of the most famous supplications of the prophets! When Prophet Yunus (Jonah) got frustrated and angry with his people who rejected him as well as the message he was trying to deliver, he took off. He wanted to go to some other land. During the voyage, he was cast into the ocean by the boat-people and a whale swallowed him. In the dark belly of the whale, Prophet Yunus cried, repented and sought Allah’s mercy with this Dua:

لاَّ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ
"There is no God but You! Glory be to you!
I am indeed of the wrong-doers"
(al-Quran 21:87)

In Surah al-Mouminoon, Allah talks to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and tells him that, if He willed, He could show him the punishment He promised to the Unbelievers, in his lifetime. In that case he (the Prophet) should seek Allah’s mercy with this Dua:

وَقُلْ رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ ٱلشَّياطِينِ
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
“And say: ‘O my Lord! I seek refuge with
You from the suggestions of the Evil Ones”.
"And I seek refuge with You, O my Lord!
Lest they should come near me."
(al-Quran 23:97-98)
                  
On the Day of Judgment, Allah would look at those who used to ridicule and insult the faithful Believers in the Earth. They would be burning in the Hellfire and would beg Allah to get them out of the Fire. They would repent and promise to be faithful servants of God. Allah would tell them: “Begone therein (Hell) and speak not to Me!” On the other hand, the faithful Believers who used to invoke Allah in this world with the following prayer (Dua) would be rewarded with Paradise for their patience and loyalty:

إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِى يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ آمَنَّا
فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ 
"Our Lord! We believe, therefore, do You forgive
us, and have mercy upon us; for You are the Best
of those who show mercy!"
(al-Quran 23:109)

Here is the last verse of Surah al-Mouminoon, in the Holy Quran. In the earlier verse Allah says, if anybody calls upon anyone or anything else except Allah, his reckoning will be with God on the Day of Judgment. Allah declares that the Unbelievers (or those who invoke others than Allah) will be the losers on that Day. After this warning, Allah commands the Believers to invoke Him with this prayer (Dua):
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّاحِمِينَ
‘So say: “O my Lord! Grant me forgiveness
and mercy for You are the Best of those
Who show mercy!"
(al-Quran 23:118)

When people of Noah continued insulting him, refusing to listen to him and rejecting the Divine message, Noah got frustrated. He lost hope in those people and prayed to God to punish them. He was so angry that he wanted to wipe out the entire population of the evil-doers. Therefore, he invoked Allah with this Dua:

وَقَالَ نُوحٌ رَّبِّ لاَ تَذَرْ عَلَى ٱلأَرْضِ مِنَ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ دَيَّاراً
إِنَّكَ إِن تَذَرْهُمْ يُضِلُّواْ عِبَادَكَ وَلاَ يَلِدُوۤاْ إِلاَّ فَاجِراً كَفَّاراً
“And Noah, said: ‘O my Lord! Leave not of the
Unbelievers, a single one on earth! For, if You do leave
(any of) them, they will but mislead Your devotees, and
they will breed none but wicked ungrateful ones.
(al-Quran 71:26-27)

رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَالِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِناً
وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَلاَ تَزِدِ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ إِلاَّ تَبَاراً
O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who
enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men
and believing women; and to the wrong-doers
grant You no increase but in perdition!"
(al-Quran 71:28)

The story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) is the most intriguing and  interesting from amongst all the stories Allah has narrated in the Holy Quran. At the end, When Yusuf was reunited with his parents and brothers, he raised his hands and supplicated Allah with these words (Dua):

رَبِّ قَدْ آتَيْتَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُلْكِ وَعَلَّمْتَنِى مِن تَأْوِيلِ
ٱلأَحَادِيثِ فَاطِرَ ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضِ أَنتَ وَلِيِّى
فِى ٱلدُّنُيَا وَٱلآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِى مُسْلِماً وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّالِحِينَ
"O my Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me some
power, and taught me something of the interpretation
of dreams and events. O You Creator of the heavens and
the earth! You are my Protector in this world and in the
Hereafter. Take my soul (at death) as a Muslim (submitting
to Your will), and unite me with the righteous."
(al-Quran 12:101)

Prophet Solomon was a gifted king who was given the knowledge of the languages of the birds, animals and the beasts. God also gave him control over the Jinn who would perform different jobs for him and obey him. Solomon thanked Allah and prayed to him with this Dua:

رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِيۤ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِيۤ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ
وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحاً تَرْضَاهُ
وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّالِحِينَ
"O my Lord! So order me that I may be grateful for
your favors, which You have bestowed on me and
on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness
that will please You. And admit me, by your Grace.
to the ranks of your righteous servants."
(al-Quran 27:19)


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