MODESTY IS PART OF FAITH (IMAN)

Modesty Is A Virtue

A Simple & Modest Lifestyle

Saves You Troubles

(M. Javed Naseem)

وَلاَ تَمْشِ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ مَرَحاً إِنَّكَ لَن

تَخْرِقَ ٱلأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولاً

“And walk not in the earth exultant.

Lo, you cannot rend the earth, nor can

you stretch to the heights of the hills.”

(al-Quran 17:37).

The race for the material wealth is on, at full speed, and more and more competitors are joining in. Everybody knows that materialism is causing us lots of economic, cultural and social problems, still nobody wants to quit the race. They just want to win. And win what? There is no end to the ‘greed’ because it is built on the foundation of ‘more’.

Just 50 years ago, we didn’t have those problems that we are facing today. The life, in general, was simple and modest. There was love, affection, sympathy, care and warmth among human beings. Now, we have lost it all. We are derailed as we have gone astray. We can still get back on track, only if we try honestly and sincerely.

We need to redefine our ‘needs’ and ‘essentials’ of life keeping in mind the goal of a ‘simple’ life. At the same time we should obey the commands of our Creator. The Almighty God has commanded all believers through the Holy Quran to be modest. He says:

وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ

إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ

“Be modest in your bearing and subdue

your voice. Lo, the harshest of all voices

is the voice of the donkey.”

(al-Quran 31:19)

Modesty is a virtue – the virtue of the prophets and the saints. It can only bring good and protect us from evil. It is actually a part of our faith that will lead us to Heaven. Muslims are required to be modest in all walks of life. The true Muslim community always encourages the believers to be modest, kind and generous. 

Modesty is a virtue that our Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) was keen to stress upon. He himself had a very modest lifestyle and believed to be simple. Modesty is a universally acclaimed virtue and most of the world’s religions or cultures praise it. In Islam, it is a part of the faith itself. Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) said:

“By God! A person is not a believer (a

Muslim) unless he loves for his brother

(other Muslim) what he loves for himself.”

This Hadith makes modesty a condition of faith that one considers others in the same way as he/she considers his/her own self.  This promotes not only equality and simple lifestyle but also eliminates the evil of selfishness from the society. A Muslim cannot be a snob or an arrogant. He has to be considerate of others. He is always humble. Remember that old saying our elders used to repeat to us:

“When a branch of a tree bears fruit,

it bends (bows) down.”

Now, that is being humble and modest. You are loaded but you are modest.

In the Western society people sometimes cast an air of disapproval on modesty considering it a weakness. They say that it inhibits a person from claiming what is due to him. They emphasize the need to be assertive so that others do not take advantage of their modesty. It is probably true for a society that has no concept of modesty.

In another Hadith, one of the Prophet’s companions, Imran ibn Hussayn, narrated:

Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) said:

“Modesty brings nothing but good.”

Here is a true story from our modern times. Everybody knows Muhammad Ali, the ex-heavyweight         boxing champion of the world. An incident took place when Ali’s daughters arrived at his place wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the true account as narrated by one of his daughters:

“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Leila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us (great sense of humor!). We exchanged as many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said:

“Hanna, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.  Where do you find diamonds?  Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered by layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes and said:

“Your body is sacred. You are far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

(From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammed Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.)

Now, that is a beautiful piece of advice from an experienced and wise father to his young and aspiring daughters. Indeed, it is a great message of modesty.

Islam has elevated the status of woman by giving her more rights than other nations, but at the same time granting her a lot more respect for her modesty. In the Western materialistic cultures, a woman is an object of physical pleasure. A pretty model or a blonde actress of film/TV commercials can attract big crowds (clients). She becomes a ‘sales tool’ in the hands of traders. But if you ask those who come to see her, they will tell you that they came because they ‘liked’ her, and not because they ‘respected’ her. It is her physical (sexual) attraction. On the contrary, a modest and pious woman is considered a treasure in Islam and men are considered lucky to have such a wife. She is more valuable than all the gold and silver you can possess.

Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) was once talking to Umar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.) and said: 

“Let me tell you what the best thing is to safeguard as treasure. It is the woman who is pious and modest that when her husband looks at her, he gets happiness from the sight of her. And when he tells her to do something, she obeys him. And when he goes away temporarily, she respects the limits of Halal & Haraam and protects his property including her own honor.”   

Some people misinterpret modesty. They think it is like poverty. Not at all! Modesty is a great quality that springs from contentment. When you are satisfied and content with whatever God has provided for you, you are modest. There are millions of examples of people living in different eras who had the means and the wealth but they chose a modest lifestyle. Simplicity is a part of modesty. A modest life is a simple life, close to nature and far from material corruption. Living within your means also falls within the limits of modesty.

Here is a beautiful example of modest living. Laith bin Saad was a famous scholar of Islamic studies and a collector of Ahadith (sayings of the Prophet) during the time of Caliph Haroon ar-Rasheed.  His daily income during certain periods was around one thousand Dinars. But he was never liable for paying Zakat because he never kept the money. He always distributed it among the poor and the needy. Amazing!

                     

Zakat is payable on the money that you possess, store, invest or keep it for one year. His son Shoaib narrates that during certain times his father’s income was around 25 thousand Dinars per year but he was always under debt. Zakat was never due from him. The amount of income kept fluctuating during different periods of time but he always gave away his money in charity. So, at the end of the year he never had a taxable amount.

One day a woman came to Laith bin Saad with a small empty cup and said that she needed some honey. Laith gave her a whole leather-bag full of honey. Somebody said: O Laith! She was only asking for a little bit of honey but you gave her a whole bag. Laith replied:

‘She asked for it according to her need. And I gave her according to my capacity. Allah has blessed me with His bounties, therefore, I cannot hold back.’ Allah-o-Akbar!

Those who understand Islam, they know that modest living can protect them from material problems or corruption. Despite the fact that sometimes they had a lot of money, they used only what was sufficient for their needs. The rest of it they shared with the less fortunate. When you lead simple life, you are modest in your appearance too. Men are not allowed to wear silk clothes and gold jewelry, and women are asked to pay Zakat on their jewelry. Gold and silver utensils are not allowed in a Muslim household. Muslims should look modest in their clothing too – no luxury robes. And then comes the modesty of character. The Almighty (Allah) directed all believers to be modest. He says in the Holy Quran, Surah al- Noor (An-Nur), Ayah 30 and 31:

قُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّواْ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا

فُرُوجَهُمْ ذٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
“Say to the believing men that they should

lower their gaze and guard their modesty;

that will make for greater purity for them. And

Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.”

(al-Quran 24:30)

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ

فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلاَ يُبْدِينَ

زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاَّ لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ

أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِيۤ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ

أَوْ بَنِى أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ

أَوِ ٱلتَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِى ٱلإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ

ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُواْ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَاتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلاَ يَضْرِبْنَ

بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوۤاْ

إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعاً أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And say to the believing women that they

should lower their gaze and guard their

modesty; that they should not display their

beauty and ornaments except what (must

ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should

draw their veils over their bosoms and not

display their beauty except to their husbands,

their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons,

their husbands' sons, their brothers or their

brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their

women, or the slaves whom their right hands

possess, or male servants free of physical

needs, or small children who have no sense

of the shame of sex; and that they should not

strike their feet in order to draw attention to

their hidden ornaments. And O Believers!

Turn you all together towards Allah,

that you may attain Bliss.”

(al-Quran 24:31)

The woman gets concession when she is among the family members. Otherwise, both men and women have the lines drawn – the limits or the ‘Hudood’ in this respect. The rules have been laid down, clear in black and white.

(A Jewish reaction to immodesty)

I live in a so-called Arab Muslim country and always see the young girls on the beach in their bikinis. Some of them are dressed far worse than the non-believing Western women. Even the young women who wear Hijab, dress up in very tight jeans, revealing pants or shorts, skimpy blouses and all kinds of skirts. It is a shame to see the city streets full of ‘sexy’ looking objects, and not self-respecting young ladies. There is no doubt that their parents will get their share of punishment for not bringing up their children according to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

How strange that people feel the heat of the summer to dress up half-naked and do not feel the heat of Hellfire that is waiting for them!

Here is another Hadith quoted by Al-Bukhari in al-Adab al- Mufrad, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim. They quote our Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) as saying:

“Modesty is part of faith, and faith leads

to Heaven; while vulgarity is part of unfaith,

and unfaith leads to Hell.”

It is unfair to blame the society or the surroundings for all the evil in our lives.  We are the society; we are the community and we are responsible for the surroundings.

The Western world considers the famous Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi, as the most influential personality of the twentieth century. In some quarters he is treated like a saint. Indians, in general, and Hindus in particular, claim Gandhi as the greatest ‘son of India’. He always preached modesty and showed the world his simple lifestyle. In 1937, while he was addressing the Indian Congress party government’s cabinet of ministers, Gandhi advised all cabinet members to lead simple life. He said:

“I cannot give you the examples of Ram

Chandra and Krishna, because they were not

the historical personalities. I have no other

choice but to give you the examples of Abu

Bakr and Umar (bin al-Khattab) – the first

two Caliphs of Islam – as symbols of modesty

and simple life. They were the rulers of a great

       empire but all their lives they lived like beggars.”      

(Quote from ‘Hareejan’, dated 27th July, 1937).

Amazing, isn’t it? The funny thing is that non-Muslims appreciate the teachings of Islam, whereas we Muslims don’t even care about it. As Muslims, we are terrible role- models for others. It is time to get up and play the role we are supposed to play for the sake of our future generations. We should act with care and responsibility.

                     

We are gradually losing our identity. We better do something quickly about it before we lose everything – this world and the Hereafter. We should revert to our origin. As every child is born in the nature of Islam, therefore, Islam is our origin and Islam teaches us to live a simple and modest life.

May Allah guide and help us all – Aameen!

(From my book “A Wake-up Call”, published in 2010)

**********

CHASING GOLD AND GLITTER

Chasing Gold & Glitter

We Ignore The Hereafter,

The Hereafter Will Ignore Us Too

(M. Javed Naseem)

"Our Lord!

Rescue us from this town, whose people

are oppressors; and raise for us from

you one who will protect; and raise

for us from you one who will help."

(From al-Quran)

They say: Money is everything. You can buy any thing with money (but not everything). Some say money is evil but at the same time you cannot live without money. You can get or acquire a lot of things in life with the help of money. That's why, in America, they say: Money talks and bullshit walks. 

As a matter of fact, money itself is not good or bad. It’s the people who use it for good or bad purposes. Since it’s a tool or means of acquiring most of the things we need in life, it has become the most sought after commodity itself. Everybody is racing for it, getting the maximum of it. And that’s where the problem lies. While chasing money, we often forget or ignore that we are crossing the line or breaking the rules or violating others’ rights.  We ignore others completely. We ignore others because we want to get rich fast – faster than others.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: There was a ‘Fitnah’ (evil) for every earlier nation and the Fitnah for my nation (Muslims) is ‘maal’ (material wealth).

In other words, we Muslims will be tested with wealth. And we can make it a blessing or an evil for ourselves (or even others), depending on the use of it. We are trying our best, using all talent, sources and resources to improve our lives in this world but forget the life of the Hereafter.

ٱعْلَمُوۤاْ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَاةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ

وَتَفَاخُرٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلأَمْوَالِ وَٱلأَوْلاَدِ

كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ

مُصْفَرّاً ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَاماً وَفِى ٱلآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ

وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٌ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَاةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلاَّ مَتَاعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
“Know you (all) that the life of this world is

but play and amusement, pomp and mutual

boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among

yourselves, riches and children. Here is a

similitude: How rain and the growth which it

brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers;

soon it withers; you will see it grow yellow;

then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But

in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the

devotees of wrong); and Forgiveness from

Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees

of Allah). And what is the life of this world,

but goods and chattels of deception?”

(al-Quran 57:20)

Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) said that the love of the world hurts your cause in the Hereafter. But when you love the life of the Hereafter, love of the world cannot hurt you. Therefore, prefer   the one which is everlasting (the Hereafter) over the one that is temporary and will perish.

***********************************

How amazing! A few uneducated, ignorant

(Jaahil) people from Chiniot (Pak) have been

fooling the most educated and well-informed

people of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi,

with their fake and poisonous milk, donkey

meat, fake butter or ‘Ghee’, and now ‘gold’!

When are you going to wake up Pakistan?

The greed/corruption will take you to Hell.

***********************************

Chinioti Gold Rush

(Excerpts from the report: Footprints: Great Chinioti Gold Rush,

published in Dawn, February 20th, 2015)

You don’t see Sam Brannan parading through the streets of Chiniot, shouting, “Gold! Gold! Gold!” Nor is there a rush of gold prospectors to be seen anywhere in the city. Life in Chiniot, known for its hand-carved wood furniture and gritty leather and textile traders, remains unaffected by the (re)discovery of the yellow metal along with what is being called one of the world’s biggest reserves of iron and copper ores.

A policeman guarding the Chinese workers at a site off Jhang Bypass echoes similar doubts: “There are traces of gold in some samples,” he laughs. “But you know, as well as I do, that there is more noise than gold in these rocks.”

The Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) is drilling boreholes in different places in and around Chiniot to collect samples.

“We have seven rigs installed at different points in the project area spanning 28 square kilometers,” a spokesman for the MCC told Dawn.

A few meters from the site, villager Allah Yar is worried that the government will acquire their homes and fertile land if the final tests of the samples confirm the presence of precious metals.

“Everyone is anxious,” he says. “We are happy that the discovery will change the future of this country. But what about the people living here and cultivating these lands? The government just takes over the piece of land the Chinese explorers require to dig boreholes for up to three months, without paying rent to the owner.”

A realtor from the area confirms that no one has so far been “compensated for the use of his land” by the Chinese company. “The government doesn’t need to ask for the landowner’s permission. People are keeping their mouths shut for fear of police,” he tells me.

At Dangraywala, the policemen let us step inside the designated area and talk to a Pakistani worker. “Four Chinese men and as many Pakistanis work in two shifts of 12 hours each at every borehole site,” he says without giving his name.

“Though we are getting good wages — Rs.18,000 a month — there is no concept of a weekly day off and we are not allowed to visit home except for an emergency.”

(Courtesy: www.dawn.com/news/1164671)

We don't know how long it's going to take till the Chinioti gold hits the surface. But until then, there are many in Rawalpindi (near Islamabad) who are searching it in the gutters and drains of Sarrafah Bazar (gold/jewelry market).

Gold From Gutters & Drains:

See video: Pakistan Mining Gold From Trash.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xxftvz_on-location-pakistan-mining-gold-from-trash_news

We go out of the way to get rich, acquire wealth, find gold and silver, win lottery, etc., without caring what’s Halaal and what’s Haraam; what’s ours and what’s not. We have ‘Qabzah Groups’ and those with ‘connections’ who can take other people’s land or property, kidnap others’ daughters, rape young girls of the poor, and hurt others without consideration. And all that for worldly pleasure! They are the evil-doers, transgressors and oppressors who are accumulating sins. They won’t do anything to please Allah or His creation – the mankind.

وَمَا لَكُمْ لاَ تُقَاتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ

مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَانِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ

رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا

وَٱجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنْكَ وَلِيّاً وَٱجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنْكَ نَصِيراً
“And why should you not fight in the cause of

Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated

(and oppressed)? Men, women, and children,

whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this

town, whose people are oppressors; and raise

for us from you one who will protect; and

raise for us from you one who will help!"

(al-Quran 4:75)

لَّن تُغْنِىَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُهُمْ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْئاً

أُوْلَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
“Of no profit whatever to them, against Allah,

will be their riches nor their sons. They will be

Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (for ever)!

(al-Quran 58:17)

I have seen sons taking their parents to the courts; parents suing their children; family members bringing law-suits against family members, brother against brother, etc., all seeking their share in the property or wealth; one claiming to be right, the others wrong. It’s common in our society today. Here’s a story showing the true Muslims handling such problems:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said:

"A man bought a piece of land from another man, and the buyer found an earthenware jar filled with gold in the land. The buyer said to the seller:

Take your gold, as I have bought only the land from you, but I have not bought the gold from you.

The (former) owner of the land said: I have sold you the land with everything in it.

So both of them took their case before a God-fearing wise man who asked:

Do you have children?

One of them said: I have a boy.

The other said: I have a girl.

The wise man said: Marry the girl to the boy, spend the money on their wedding, and give the rest of it in charity."  

(Bukhari, Book 56, No.678)

There are many among us who try to justify every evil act they commit. They say that they do it for their families or wives and children. Their wives or children won’t be able to save them from the Hellfire if they don’t have good deeds to their accounts. Everybody will be responsible for his/her own deeds.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ وَأَوْلاَدِكُمْ

عَدُوّاً لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ وَإِن تَعْفُواْ وَتَصْفَحُواْ

وَتَغْفِرُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“O you who believe! Truly, among your wives

and your children are (some that are) enemies to

yourselves; so beware of them! But if you efface

and overlook, and forgive (their faults), verily,

Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(al-Quran 64:14)

We are desperately looking for the temporary riches of this material world, ignoring completely the everlasting riches of the Hereafter. A normal person, in his right frame of mind, cannot make a stupid choice. But most of us make it. What’s wrong with us? Even Allah asks us:

قُلْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّن يَهْدِيۤ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ

قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يَهْدِى لِلْحَقِّ أَفَمَن يَهْدِيۤ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ

أَحَقُّ أَن يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّن لاَّ يَهِدِّيۤ إِلاَّ أَن يُهْدَىٰ فَمَا

لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
“Say: Of your 'partners' is there any that

can give any guidance towards truth? Say:

It is Allah Who gives guidance towards

Truth. Is then He Who gives guidance to truth

more worthy to be followed, or he who finds

not guidance (himself) unless he is guided?

What then is the matter with you?

How do you judge?"

(al-Quran 10:35)

Corruption has impaired our judgment. We are so crooked and dishonest that we have started to think like fools or idiots. We consider ourselves too smart as we try to fool even the Almighty Allah. In fact, we are only fooling ourselves! To avoid good deeds that require ‘spending’ (charity), we find excuses. Instead of giving, we love taking. But all the wealth and material we have accumulated, will not avail us.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ

ٱنفِرُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلأَرْضِ أَرَضِيتُمْ

بِٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا مِنَ ٱلآخِرَةِ فَمَا مَتَاعُ ٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلٌ
“O you who believe! What is the matter with

you, that when you are asked to go forth in the

cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth?

Do you prefer the life of this world to the

Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this

life, as compared with the Hereafter.”

(al-Quran 9:38)

إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلاَدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَٱللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
“Your riches and your children may be

but a trial, but in the Presence of Allah

is the highest Reward.”

(al-Quran 64:15)

Money (wealth) is the biggest trial for mankind. We love it and don’t want to part with it. We don’t easily share it with others either. In the back of our minds, there is fear of losing it. We forget that it is Allah Who gives it to us and He can take it away in a blink. It is not difficult for Allah to shuffle things up.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلاَ أَوْلاَدُكُمْ

عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذٰلِكَ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَاسِرُونَ

“O you who believe! Let not your wealth

nor your children distract you from

remembrance of Allah. Those who

do so, they are the losers.”

(al-Quran 63:9)

Wealth should not become a distraction. The true servants of Allah always remember Him and when they have a little wealth, they remember Allah even more. They know that they have to share this wealth with the needy because they (the poor) have a share in their wealth.

The Prophet (s.a.w.) and his wives never kept the money in the house. Whenever it was given to them, no matter how much, it was given away or distributed among the needy of the area immediately.

Money is dear and it is very easy to fall in love with it. But the more you have, the more you will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment. The worst thing that wealth brings, is the greed that results in corruption. It is never enough. We always want more.

Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) said that if somebody had one valley of wealth (‘maal’), he tries to get another one. And if he had two valleys of wealth, still it won’t be enough for him and he strives for the third one. The only thing that can fill up his belly (greed) is the dust of grave.

In other words we keep striving for wealth until death comes to us and we leave everything behind. How silly!

Abdullah bin Aamer bin Kreedh wanted to buy a house. He saw one that he liked and contacted the owner, Khalid bin Aqaba. The price was settled for 90-thousand Dirhams. When the house was sold and Khalid told his family that they had to move out. His wife and children were shocked. They felt hurt and sad, and started crying. When the night fell, Abdullah heard the crying voices of women and children. He asked his wife to inquire about it. She told him that it was the family of Khalid bin Aqaba. They were grieved at the loss of their house. Abdullah bin Aamer immediately sent his servant to Khalid’s house with a message that the sale deal was cancelled. The house was theirs and they could also keep the money he paid for the house.

The house had been given back to them as a gift from Abdullah bin Aamer. Allah-o- Akbar!

Those were the people with heart, who feared Allah and always wanted to please the Almighty with their noble deeds. No wonder they were blessed by Allah not only in this world but also in the Hereafter. Can you find a single Muslim like that in the entire Muslim World today? There are many Muslim millionaires in various countries of the world though.

We should be accumulating good deeds for the Hereafter and abstain from accumulating the wealth in this world. Jubair bin Nafeer narrates a Hadith that our beloved Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) said:

“The Almighty Allah did not send me the message (‘wahee’) to become a trader and accumulate wealth. Instead, He sent me the message to glorify Him, praise Him, prostrate unto Him in prayer, and keep worshipping Allah until death comes to me in that state.”

As a matter of fact Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w.) was referring to the last two verses of Surah al-Hijar in the Holy Quran. In those verses, the Almighty Allah addressed the Last Prophet (s.a.w.) and said:

فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِّنَ ٱلسَّاجِدِينَ

وَٱعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ

“But hymn the praise of your Lord, and

be of those who make prostration (unto Him);

and serve your Lord till the inevitable (death)

comes unto you.”

(al-Quran 15:98-99)

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PEARLS OF WISDOM (Lessons From Life)

Pearls  Of Wisdom

(Lessons From Life)

(M. Javed Naseem)

The True Charity:

قَوْلٌ مَّعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن صَدَقَةٍ

يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًى وَٱللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ

“A kind word with forgiveness is better

than almsgiving followed by injury (or insult).

Allah is Absolute, Clement.”

(al-Quran 2:263).

Don’t Seek Power Or Authority!

Power and authority come with heavy responsibilities. You cannot discharge your obligations with 100% honesty, sincerity and impartiality (objectivity) unless you are a God-fearing man of piety and righteousness (Taqwa).

Hadith: Narrated Abu Musa: Two men from my tribe and I entered upon the Prophet. One of the two men said to the Prophet, "O Allah's Apostle! Appoint me as a governor," and so did the second. The Prophet said, "We do not assign the authority of ruling to those who ask for it, nor to those who are keen to have it." (Bukhari, Book 89, No.263)  

(A message to all MNAs, Senators & MPAs)

Hadith: Narrated Maaqil: I heard the Prophet (s.a.w.)saying, "Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise." (Bukhari, Book 89, No.264)

(A message to all Kings, Presidents, PMs, Ministers, Police)

Hadith: Narrated Jarir bin 'Abdullah: The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "He who is not merciful to others, will not be treated mercifully.” (Bukhari, Book 73, No.42) 

Treat Your Neighbors Well!

Your neighbors are just like your family who are always there for you in an emergency. Treat them nicely!

Hadith: Narrated Aaisha: The Prophet (s.a.w.) said "Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbors Kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs.” (Bukhari, Book 73, No.43)

  

Hadith: Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, "By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!" It was said, "Who is that, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.45)  

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk). (Bukhari, Book 73, No.47)

Hadith: Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: The Prophet said, Enjoining all that is good is a Sadaqa." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.50)  

Hadith: Narrated Masrouq: Abdullah bin Amr mentioned Allah's Apostle saying that he was neither a Fahish nor a Mutafahish. Abdullah bin Amr added, Allah's Apostle said, 'The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.' (Bukhari, Book 73, No.56)

Be Strong To Control Your Anger!

Be a man and control your anger, your negative sentiments and dirty thoughts!

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.135)

  

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: A man said to the Prophet , "Advise me! "The Prophet said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.137)  

Hadith: Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakra: Abu Bakra wrote to his son who was in Sijistan: 'Do not judge between two persons when you are angry, for I heard the Prophet saying, "A judge should not judge between two persons while he is in an angry mood." (Bukhari, Book 89, No.272)  

Be A Role Model!

The best ‘Daawah’ is done by your own conduct and your own manners. You are a model and ambassador of Islam. Invite people to Islam. If people dislike you, don’t give them a reason to dislike Islam! You are not perfect but Islam is.

Hadith: The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:

“The best among you is the one who has the best manners (conduct)”.

Hadith: Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) himself said:

"God has sent me to perfect good manners and to do good deeds”.

(Sahih Bukhari & Ahmed)

And here is the confirmation from Allah:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah

an excellent pattern (of conduct).”

(al-Quran 33:21)

Show Good Manners/Conduct!

Your conduct (or manners) is your best introduction, your best impression. Be courteous and civilized! A smile is the trade-mark of a Muslim. Always put a smile on your face! It is ‘Sadakah’ (charity) and you will get reward for that in the Hereafter. Why worry and have wrinkles when you can smile and have dimples? People would like you.

Learn Your Lessons!

Time is the best teacher, so learn your lessons from Life. Try to understand the difference between a Muslim and a Munafiq (Hypocrite). Don’t let people fool you!

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; and whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves to be dishonest)". (Bukhari, Book 73, No.117)

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A believer is not stung twice (by something) out of one and the same hole." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.154)  

Appreciate The Gifts From God:

Every breath is a gift from God. Be grateful to the Creator Whose blessings you cannot count.

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“And if you would count the favors of Allah,

you cannot  reckon  it.  Lo, Allah is indeed

Forgiving, Merciful.”

(al-Quran 16:18).

فَٱذْكُرُونِيۤ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُواْ لِى وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ

“Therefore remember me, I will

remember you. Give thanks to Me,

and reject not Me.”

(al-Quran 2:152).

Be Humble And Modest!

Be humble, modest and down to earth! A branch of tree bearing fruit bends down. Arrogance is cursed. Allah says:

وَلاَ تَمْشِ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ مَرَحاً إِنَّكَ لَن

تَخْرِقَ ٱلأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولاً

“And walk not in the earth exultant.

Lo, you cannot rend the earth, nor can

you stretch to the  heights of the hills.”

(al-Quran 17:37).

Help Others To Be Helped!

Be ready to give service. What we do for others counts most in life. You do something for somebody today and somebody will do something for you tomorrow.

Hadith: Narrated Sahl bin Saad: The Prophet said, "I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together. (Bukhari, Book 73, No.34)

Hadith: Narrated Safwan bin Salim: The Prophet said "The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person, is like a warrior fighting for Allah's Cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night."

Abu Huraira also narrated the same Hadith as above. (Bukhari, Book 73, No.35)  

Hadith: Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "If any Muslim plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.41) 

Live In Truth, By Truth!

Live in truth, by truth and with truth! Truth is divine and will always lead you out of misery. The Bible says: “The truth shall set you free”. It saves you from troubles. Honesty is the best policy, we all know that. Allah says:

وَلاَ تَلْبِسُواْ ٱلْحَقَّ بِٱلْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُواْ ٱلْحَقَّ وَأَنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Confound not truth with falsehood,

nor knowingly conceal the truth.”

(al-Quran 2:42)

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The worst people in the Sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be the double faced people who appear to some people with one face and to other people with another face." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.84)

Hadith: Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet said, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar." (Bukhari, Book 73, No.116) 

Distribute Smiles!

If you see someone without a smile, give him/her one of yours. The magic about the smile is that when you give it to others, you don’t lose yours. It’s ‘Sadakah’ (charity), meaning you will get reward from Allah for that. And you know that smiling faces look beautiful too!

Hadith (Shama’el-e-Tirmidhi):

No.1: Abdullah bin Haarith (r.a.a.) reported: "I did not see anyone who smiled more than Rasool-Allah (s.a.w.)."

No.2: Abdullah bin Haarith (r.a.a.) related: "The laugh of Rasool-Allah (s.a.w.) was but a smile".

Show That You Care!

Do not under-estimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring – all of which have the potential to turn a life around. And it’s all ‘Sadakah’ (charity) that’ll bring you rewards in the Hereafter.

Hadith: Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Make things easy for the people, and do not make it difficult for them, and make them calm (with glad tidings) and do not repulse them.” (Bukhari, Book 73, No.146)  

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A man used to give loans to the people and used to say to his servant, 'If the debtor is poor, forgive him, so that Allah may forgive us.' So when he met Allah (after his death), Allah forgave him." (Bukhari, Book 56, No.687)

Love Other People!

Become a “people’s person”. Be genuinely interested in people. If you try, you can like everybody and everybody will like you. It helps in fulfilling the obligations towards others

(‘Haqooq-ul-Ibaad’). And again you will get reward for that

in the Hereafter. Remember:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُوراً

“Lo, Allah loves not such as are

proud and boastful.”

(al-Quran 4:36)

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for the others' faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah's worshipers! Be brothers (as Allah has ordered you!"). (Bukhari, Book 73, No.90)  

Use Good Names!

Call people by name as it pleases them. The sweetest music to anyone’s ears is the sound of his/her own name. Allah loves to be called by the best of names and the same goes for His masterpiece creation. And you’ll get reward for that in the Hereafter.

Be Understanding!

Learn to understand first and to be understood second. It helps in developing tolerance and mutual understanding. Allah loves those who love His creation. That’s a great quality of Islamic code of ethics (‘Akhlaaq-i-Islami’) that will bring you rewards in the Hereafter.

Always Think Positive!

Allah has blessed humans with intelligence. Keep thinking positive.  Life ends when you stop thinking. Hope ends when you stop believing. Love ends when you stop caring. And friendship ends when you stop sharing. Positive thinking, believing, caring and sharing – all parts of the character of a Muslim – will also bring you rewards in the Hereafter.

There’s Wisdom In Everything:

Every adversity, every suffering, every situation, every issue, every pain and every concern has a positive side. Find it and bring it to life. There is a lesson for us in each one of them and that should be considered a blessing. Remember, every dark cloud has a silver lining. Allah says: 

يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ وَخُلِقَ ٱلإِنسَانُ ضَعِيفاً

“Allah would make the burden light for

you, for man was created weak.”

(al-Quran 4:28).

Nourish Your Dreams!

Believe in your dreams. Every great success started with a small dream. When you find a dream inside you, don’t ever let it go; for dreams are the tiny seeds from which the big beautiful tomorrows grow, provided you nourish them with sincerity, hard-work and honesty of purpose.

Live A Modest And Simple Life!

Live a modest and simple life. There is beauty in simplicity.  Allah says:

 

وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ

إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ

“Be modest in your bearing and subdue

your voice. Lo, the harshest of all voices

is the voice of the donkey.”

(al-Quran 31:19)

Be Glad, Not Mad!

Be happy. I used to say that it is easy to be mad and hard to be glad. But one Dervish corrected me and said: It’s hard to  be  mad  and  it’s  easy  to  be  glad. Try to understand that.  Don’t be cruel to yourself. Try to be happy. Live without stress. That’s the best prescription for a healthy body and a healthy mind.

Take It Easy!

Don’t rush.  Take your time.  Easy does it.  Rushing is Devil’s quality. Haste creates waste. Most of the things done in a hurry are not quality and need to be redone. When you are rushing, you are risking everything, even your life.

Be Nice And Humane!

Be humane and treat others the way you want to be treated yourself. Don’t forget:

وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“Allah loves those whose deeds are good.”

(al-Quran 3:148)

Hadith: Narrated Anas: I served the Prophet for ten years, and he never said to me, "Uff" (a minor harsh word denoting impatience) and never blamed me by saying, "Why did you do so or why didn't you do that?" (Bukhari, Book 73, No.64) 

May the rest of the day be the best of your day! Have a nice evening and remember me in your prayers, please! May Allah bless you, guide you and protect you all … Aameen!

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