GARDEN FOR THE RIGHTEOUS, Hellfire For The Evil-doers.

A Clear But Stern Warning,

A Promise From Our Lord:

Garden For The Righteous,

Hellfire For The Evil Ones!

O Pakistan! What Have You

Done To Yourself?

(M. Javed Naseem)

وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلاَّ وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْماً مَّقْضِيّاً

ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيّاً
“Not one of you but will pass over it!

This is, with your Lord, a Decree which

must be accomplished. But We shall save

those who guarded against evil, and We

shall leave the wrong-doers therein,

(humbled) to their knees.”

(al-Quran 19:71-72)

The Bible says:

“The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.” – (Psalm 9:17).

We have seen the ‘Golden Era’ of Pakistan’s history during the 1960s under the leadership of President (Gen.) Mohammad Ayub Khan. I remember when I used to buy the export quality sugar in the local market of Lahore Cantt., for Rs.1.50 per seer (kg.), milk for Re.0.50 per liter, desi-ghee (butter milk) for Rs.4.50 per seer (kg.). And the mighty dollar was worth Pak Rs.4.75 only. When I left for Germany in 1969, I exchanged Pak Rupees for US Dollars from the State Bank of Pakistan, Lahore, at Rs.4.75, as each traveler was allowed $1,000 per year for overseas trips. Pak students studying overseas and the patients traveling for treatment were allowed a lot more than that.

Major dams were built; infra-structure was laid down; industries were installed; first TV stations were launched; university and research institutes were established; Islamabad was created from the jungle; enemies were humiliated (1965 war); and Pakistan helped financially the countries like Germany and Japan. Economy was very strong and flourishing; and people were enjoying peace and happiness.

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

We offered economic help to Germany,

Japan and other countries but today

we are begging them for help!

What a shame!

O' Hypocrites! What have you 
done to Pakistan?

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

Govt. checks and controls were on place. One retail-shop owner was caught selling ghee at Rs.5.00 per kg., and was sentenced to 14 years of jail under the Martial Law regulations. There was peace and peace until Z.A. Bhutto appeared on the political scene. He was a ‘nobody’ who was groomed as ‘somebody’ by the President Ayub Khan, who appointed him as Foreign Minister. This Foreign Minister stabbed the President in the back. He manipulated students and the youth; brought them on the streets and introduced filth, mud-slinging, violence and vulgarity to the Pakistan politics.

Most of you Pakistanis were not even born yet but your country was respected all over the world. I traveled on ‘Green Copy’ (Pakistan passport) by road from Pakistan to England. The only visas I required were for Afghanistan (granted at the port of entry for Rs.10/=) and the Communist Bulgaria (also granted at the port of arrival/transit for $5.00). In Europe, I needed visa for Switzerland. Apart from that, no visas required for Pakistan passport traveling to Iran, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Austria, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the U.K. Britain imposed visa in 1986. You could go to many Asian countries without any visa too. That was the country we were proud of. I went to Dubai in 1970 and I was stamped visa on the port of arrival. No problem, no hassle. Bangladesh did not exist, it was East Pakistan. Bangladesh came into being as a result of an international conspiracy between Bhutto, Indira Gandhi, America and Soviet Union (Russia).

Then things started changing – and changing to the worse!

Today, in 2017, you hide your identity! I saw two Pakistanis in Marrakesh talking to each other in Urdu. For many years I had not seen Pakistanis in Morocco, so I approached them. After Salaam, I asked if they were from Pakistan. They said: ‘No, we are from India.’ Because of the Urdu language, I felt closer to them and invited them to a cup of tea. Sitting in the café, they told me that they were originally from Karachi (Pakistan) but are settled in London. They had British nationality. When I asked them why did they lie about their identity, they said it was due to security reasons.

Allah-o-Akbar! I have been to 37 countries of the world and lived in 5 different countries in 4 continents (Asia, Africa, Europe & America). I never hid my identity. I don’t have this ‘security’ problem!

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

Message from the

Chapter (Surah) Maryam (Mary) of the

Quran to all Hypocrites (Munaafiqeen)

and corrupt evil-doers, including

Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan!

If you continue corruption or evil,

and don’t repent, one day you’ll be

destroyed and replaced by good people!

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

The real problem that we people are facing today, is the problem of character. We have deviated from the right path, from Islam, the Quran and eventually from God. The equation is very simple: If you fear Allah, you don’t fear anything or anybody in the world. But if you don’t fear Allah, then you fear every dog in the street, every corrupt man, every powerful puppet with authority, and a lot more. Therefore, the fear of Allah alone can alleviate all other fears. The Bible says:

Matthew 10:28

"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

So, what’s moral or what’s the message? The moral (the message) is that we should stay on the right path. When we fear God, we become righteous, and only righteousness can solve our worldly problems. It’s the character!

Unfortunately, there is no character building in our homes, in our schools and educational institutions. Modern education prepares us as robots to work on different jobs for a consumer society but it fails us in the fields of humanity. It does not produce great human beings! Most of us are corrupt but we find corruption in others. We are all at fault but we find faults in others only. We demand change but we want to change others only. That’s hypocrisy and Pak politicians are the worst example of it.

Charity begins at home! Change starts when you decide to change yourself! Don’t try to change others! Change yourself first!

The Bible says:

James 4:17

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Romans 1:18

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who, by their unrighteousness, suppress the truth.”

Psalm 9:15

“The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught.”

We have deviated from the right path, from the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet (s.a.w.). If we don’t repent and revert to righteousness, we are bound to perish. Allah has warned us about destruction very clearly in the Quran:

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُواْ ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيّاً

إِلاَّ مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْئاً
”Now there has succeeded them a later generation who

have ruined worship (prayers) and have followed lusts.

But they will face destruction. Except those who repent

and believe, and work righteousness; for these will enter

the Garden and will not be wronged in the least.”

(al-Quran 19:59-60)

We all make mistakes because we are humans, but the best sinners are those who repent and don’t repeat those sins. The Most Merciful Allah is there to forgive us. He always gives us a second chance but do we appreciate that second chance? If we don’t mend our ways, the promise of God is true and shall be fulfilled.

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَاطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيّاً

ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ عِتِيّاً

ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيّاً
“So, by your Lord, without doubt, We shall assemble

them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (the Devils); then

shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell.

Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those

who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah), the

Most Gracious. And certainly We know best those who

are most worthy of being burned therein.”

(al-Quran 19:68-70)

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

EDUCATION IS OBLIGATORY, But gadgets and smart-phones can harm your kids.

Education Is Obligatory

Educate Your Children

For This World And

The Hereafter!

Gadgets Are Harmful For Kids

(M. Javed Naseem)

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

You don’t need gadgets, smart-phones or

electronic equipment to educate your kids!

These gadgets are harmful for young kids.

For real education and guidance, open

the Holy Quran and see what Allah has

prepared for you, and how to get that!

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

Education is the most important factor in life. The first word revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) from Allah through Gabriel was ‘Iqra’ – meaning ‘Read’. Still there are millions of Muslims in the world who cannot read and write. As a matter of fact, Reading and Writing are not the ‘education’ as such. They are tools or means through which we can educate ourselves. Education opens your mind and heart and brings closer to your Lord Creator. The more you know, the more you are convinced that you need God in every step of life. You are nothing without Him. If we are not connected with our base, we are lost.

When Muslims won their first war against unbelievers of Makkah at Badr, they captured many as prisoners of war. The first condition set for their release, was that each prisoner of war educate ten Muslims (teach them reading, writing and counting). If not, then they should pay money as ransom to win their freedom. That shows how important education was even centuries ago.

We measure success on the scale of wealth or material possessions. Wealth and material possessions are temporary ornaments of this worldly life only. A Muslim should always think about the Hereafter, because, according to the Quran, that is the real and everlasting life. This world is a trial for us. Our wealth is our offspring and the real wealth we can pass on to our children is the wealth of education. If we invite to goodness and thwart evil, that would be a great service to the next generation. It’s our responsibility to put our children on the right path by providing them the real guidance. That’s the only yardstick to measure our success in this world.

“…And turn unto Allah together, O believers,

in order that you may succeed!”

(al-Quran 24:31)

“And there may spring from you a nation who

invite to goodness, and enjoin right conduct and

forbid indecency. Such are they who are successful.”

(al-Quran 3:104)

It’s our obligation to pass on the Divine message (Quranic education) to children so that they get an idea of the purpose of their lives.  There are lessons for them in the Quranic stories of the Prophets. Those stories can definitely generate some interest among the younger generation to learn more about their faith and the ‘way of life’ – Islam. Above all, they will learn how to respect their parents and elder folks.

 

Today, Muslims all over the world are in a sorry state of affairs, and they can only blame themselves for that. We Muslims are not discharging our duties diligently. Our irresponsible behavior and care-free attitude is spoiling our children. But we blame the TV and the internet. Instead of promoting the Quranic education and the Prophetic teachings among our kids, we are pleased to see them adopting Western culture, customs, habits and attitudes. We do not discharge our obligation of upbringing our children according to the tenets of Islam. We did not pass on to them what we were supposed to. The result is obvious.  Our young generation is lost in the material glamour of an alien culture. They have gone astray.

If you are a real Muslim, you should never forget that on the Day of Judgment you would be answering questions about the education and upbringing of your children. The issue is a lot more serious than you think. Therefore, try to bring God back into their lives. Discharge your obligations honestly and correctly while you still can. Otherwise prepare yourself for the wrath of the Almighty! We are commanded by Allah to enjoin good conduct and forbid indecency. But unfortunately, today, most visitors to the sex and pornographic sites on the internet are from the Muslim countries – and Pakistan is on top of the list.

You must have heard the comparison ‘like father, like son’ at some point in your life. In most of the cases, it’s very much true. The children are very good observers and they copy their parents or the people around them. This is a natural instinct. We laugh when we see a 2-3-year old child walking in its parent’s big shoes in the house, and we are filled with affection for the child. This is the instinct I am talking about.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes always observe, their ears always listen, and their minds always process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parents realize that every day building-blocks are being laid for the child’s future. It all begins at home.

 

Kids copy  almost  everything  and  if  the  parents  are  not careful  in  what  they  are  doing,  they  can  destroy  their children’s lives by being bad role-models. Home is the first school before schooling and parents are the first teachers. It is at home where the foundation of a child’s life is laid. A good foundation makes a building solid and secure. It is called ‘Tarbiah’ (or Tarbiat) or upbringing.

Tarbiah (upbringing) is an obligation in Islam. All parents are REQUIRED to impart this training to their children, male or female.  This is the duty of every Muslim parent. They are responsible for their children’s education and good upbringing. This teaches our children how to talk to  the  elders;  how  to  respect  others;  how  to  behave  in different situations; how to treat other human beings; and how to handle a danger; not to  mention how to perform religious duties. It is at home that they learn how to react to certain actions of others. We build our children’s personalities and form their character. They learn the conduct from the parents. So, we should be careful!

“Lo, the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is

the best in conduct. Lo, Allah is Knower, Aware.”

(al-Quran 49:12)

Screen Time Is Addicting

When we went to school, we didn’t have the luxury of computers, tablets, smart phones and other electronic equipment. We got our education from the parents, teachers and the library books. Today, we want to buy every new gadget for our kids. We even give our smart phones to 3-4 years old kids to play with. And we take pride in that. We don’t realize that these electronic gadgets can harm our kids physically, damage their abilities and hamper their natural growth. Some of the damage can be for life.

Nicole Crawford, a women's fitness coach and an expert on Yoga, Family and Kids, narrates: Moodiness, restlessness, strange cravings, incoherent speech, an inability to focus on tasks that require concentration and emotional outbursts – these qualities may be used to describe a person on drugs or trying to quit smoking. They also perfectly express what my four-year-old daughter is like after a two hour Disney movie.

There's a reason for that. Screen time has a powerful effect on children, not to mention adults. Finding a way to combat screen time in children, who don't have inboxes to tend to and spreadsheets to create, is a bit simpler: Lay down the law and set limits.

From: Psychology Today

What ‘Screen-Time’ Can Really Do

To Kids’ Brains!

Too much at the worst possible age can have lifetime consequences.

By Liraz Margalit, Ph.D (Behind Online Behavior)  

Screen time is an inescapable reality of modern childhood, with kids of every age spending hours upon hours in front of iPads, smart-phones and televisions.
That’s not always a bad thing: Educational apps and TV shows are great ways for children to sharpen their developing brains and hone their communication skills—not to mention the break these gadgets provide harried parents. But tread carefully: A number of troubling studies connect delayed cognitive development in kids with extended exposure to electronic media. The US Department of Health & Human Services estimates that American children spend a whopping 7-hours a day in front of electronic media. Other statistics reveal that kids as young as two regularly play iPad games and have playroom toys that involve touch screens.

Saturation and long-term consequences

When very small children get hooked on tablets and smart-phones, says Dr. Aric Sigman, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of Britain’s Royal Society of Medicine, they can unintentionally cause permanent damage to their still-developing brains. Too much screen time too soon, he says, “is the very thing impeding the development of the abilities that parents are so eager to foster through the tablets. The ability to focus, to concentrate, to lend attention, to sense other people’s attitudes and communicate with them, to build a large vocabulary—all those abilities are harmed.”

Put more simply, parents who jump to screen time in a bid to give their kids an educational edge may actually be doing significantly more harm than good—and they need to dole out future screen time in an age-appropriate matter.
Between birth and age three, for example, our brains develop quickly and are particularly sensitive to the environment around us. In medical circles, this is called the critical period, because the changes that happen in the brain during these first tender years become the permanent foundation upon which all later brain function is built. In order for the brain’s neural networks to develop normally during the critical period, a child needs specific stimuli from the outside environment. These are rules that have evolved over centuries of human evolution, but—not surprisingly—these essential stimuli are not found on today’s tablet screens. When a young child spends too much time in front of a screen and not enough getting required stimuli from the real world, her development becomes stunted.
And not just for a while. If the damage happens during these crucial early years, its results can affect her forever.
Much of the issue lies with the fact that what makes tablets and iPhones so great—dozens of stimuli at your fingertips, and the ability to process multiple actions simultaneously—is exactly what young brains do not need.
Tablets are the ultimate shortcut tools: Unlike a mother reading a story to a child, for example, a smartphone-told story spoon-feeds images, words, and pictures all at once to a young reader. Rather than having to take the time to process a mother’s voice into words, visualize complete pictures and exert a mental effort to follow a story line, kids who follow stories on their smartphones get lazy. The device does the thinking for them, and as a result, their own cognitive muscles remain weak.

Trouble making friends

The brain’s frontal lobe is the area responsible for decoding and comprehending social interactions. It is in this corner of the mind that we empathize with others, take in nonverbal cues while talking to friends and colleagues, and learn how to read the hundreds of unspoken signs—facial expression, tone of voice, and more—that add color and depth to real-world relationships.

So how and when does the brain’s frontal lobe develop? Not surprisingly, the most crucial stage is in early childhood, during that same critical period, and it's dependent on authentic human interactions. So if your young child is spending all of his time in front of an iPad instead of chatting and playing with teachers and other children, his empathetic abilities—the near-instinctive way you and I can read situations and get a feel for other people—will be dulled, possibly for good.

(Courtesy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/behind-online-behavior/201604/what-screen-time-can-really-do-kids-brains)

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

DON'T PRETEND TO BE What You Are Not!

Don’t Pretend To Be

What You Are Not!

Honesty Is The Best Policy

You Can’t Go Far With

Hypocrisy!

(M. Javed Naseem)

We all pretend sometimes, depending on the situation. We think it is a normal thing in our daily life. As a matter of fact, pretending is similar to lying because it is far from the truth. We are actually trying to hide the truth.

Saying one thing and doing something else falls into the definition of hypocrisy. The Almighty God has stated clearly in the Holy Quran that this act is the most hateful in the eyes of the Creator.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لاَ تَفْعَلُونَ

كَبُرَ مَقْتاً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُواْ مَا لاَ تَفْعَلُونَ

“O you who believe! Why SAY you that

which you DO not? It is most hateful in

the sight of Allah that you SAY that

which you DO not.”

(al-Quran 61: 2-3)

Open Message To:

Clinton, Bush, Obama & Trump

George Bush, as the U.S. President, claimed that he was commanded by God to invade Iraq. OMG!

What a bold-faced lie, a white lie! A man who never adhered to the commandments of God, as prescribed in the Bible, the man who ordered the bombing of many countries and killing of millions of innocent people (children, women and the elderly, bombing hospitals and wedding processions), was trying to pretend to be holy, a devout Christian! Jesus Christ or the Bible never said that you kill those people you don’t like or those who practice other Faiths. He was merely a mean hypocrite, an evil man! All the above-mentioned presidents, along with the British ex-Premier Tony Blair, should be brought to the court of justice and tried on the charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. They have the blood of the innocent on their hands. Here’s what the Bible and the Christian God says about such people:

Titus 1:16

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

Matthew 23:27-28

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

“In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

1-John 4:20

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

1-Peter 2:16

“Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”

Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

Mark 7:6

“He replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

2-Timothy 3:1-5

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people!”

MUSLIM leaders of today are not different either. They are also plain hypocrites (Munaafiqeen). They are corrupt crooks and are playing puppets in the hands of their colonial masters just to stay in power. They are responsible for bringing misery, destruction, bloodshed and civil wars in many Muslim countries. And that includes the Saudi Grand Mufti who gave Fatwas of Jihad against Yemen and blockade of Qatar. They are helping the Zionist Jews and Christians to destroy Muslim countries. Their pay-back time will be coming soon. It looks like that they never opened the Holy Quran to see the following verses in it. They see only what they want to see.

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

Qatar’s Grand Mufti blasts Saudi’s Grand

Mufti for issuing obnoxious Fatwa

“We think you should prevent the authority (rulers) who ignited the fire

of the boycott on their brothers in Qatar unjustly and out of hatred from

their injustice and aggression. But for you to collude with them and

justify their injustice, and philosophize their aggression, this is contrary

to what Allah and His Messenger has commanded.”
Anwar El-Badawi, a Qatari Islamic judge, wrote a letter to the Mufti

pointing out to him that what he said is contradictory to the Quran, the

Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) and the general consensus of Muslim jurists.
El-Badawi said this blockade does not represent the real image or define

the qualities of a Muslim nation or a Muslim individual. He also pointed

that the decision resulted in prohibiting Qatari people from entering the

Grand Mosque (Kaabah) of Mecca and many mixed-citizenship couples

are now facing separation. He said in his letter:

“Did you know that the people of Qatar were banned from the Grand

Mosque (Kaabah) because of the blockade? What good comes from this?

Did you know that a young Saudi was prevented from the funeral of his

father because of your Fatwa? Did you know that Saudi, Emirati and

Bahraini wives were forced to leave their Qatari husbands and children

because of your fatwa?”
(Read more at: http://therenaissanceng.com/qatars-grand-mufti-blasts-saudis-grand-mufti-for-issuing-obnoxious-fatwa)

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

Using Islam and Allah’s name for political and personal worldly gains, contrary to the teachings of the Quran, is Haraam. Here’s what Allah says about such people:

وَمِمَّنْ حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلأَعْرَابِ مُنَافِقُونَ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ

مَرَدُواْ عَلَى ٱلنِّفَاقِ لاَ تَعْلَمُهُمْ نَحْنُ نَعْلَمُهُمْ سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ

ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ

“Certain of the desert Arabs round about you

are hypocrites as well as (desert Arabs) among

the Medina folk. They are obstinate in hypocrisy.

You know them not; We know them. Twice shall

We punish them; and in addition shall they be

sent to a grievous penalty (Hellfire).”

(al-Quran 9:101)

People in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries should look into the mirror and ponder upon the above verse of the Quran.

Sorry! Don’t misread me! I hate racism and discrimination as much as I hate hypocrisy (Munaafiqat), dishonesty and incompetence. Not all Arabs are referred to in the above verse of the Quran. Only a particular group (‘certain’) among the Arabs are meant and their offspring might be keeping the tradition alive. Munaafiqeen (hypocrites) were active in every era and they created sectarianism and disunity among Muslims.

بَشِّرِ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِيماً

“To the hypocrites give the glad tidings that

there is for them (but) a grievous penalty.”

(al-Quran 4:138)

إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ فِى ٱلدَّرْكِ ٱلأَسْفَلِ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِيراً

“The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of

the Hellfire; no helper will you find for them.”

(al-Quran 4:145)

ٱلْمُنَافِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِّن بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ

بِٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَقْبِضُونَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ

نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

“The hypocrites, men and women, (have an

understanding) with each other: They enjoin evil, and

forbid what is just, and are close with their hands.

They have forgotten Allah; so He has forgotten them.

Verily the hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.”

(al-Quran 9:67)

وَعَدَ الله الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَٱلْكُفَّارَ نَارَجَهَنَّمَ

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا هِىَ حَسْبُهُمْ وَلَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ

“Allah has promised the hypocrites men and women,

and the rejecters of Faith, the fire of Hell. Therein shall

they dwell. Sufficient is it for them. For them is the

curse of Allah, and an enduring punishment.”

(al-Quran 9:68)

لِّيُعَذِّبَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُشْرِكَاتِ

وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَّحِيماً

“(With the result) that Allah has to punish the

hypocrites, men and women, and the Unbelievers,

men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the

Believers, men and women; for Allah is

Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(al-Quran 33:73)

وَيُعَذِّبَ ٱلْمُنَافِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُشْرِكَاتِ

ٱلظَّآنِّينَ بِٱللَّهِ ظَنَّ ٱلسَّوْءِ عَلَيْهِمْ دَآئِرَةُ ٱلسَّوْءِ وَغَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ

عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَنَهُمْ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيراً

“And that He may punish the hypocrites, men

and women, and the Polytheists men and women,

who imagine an evil opinion of Allah. On them is

a round of Evil. The Wrath of Allah is on them.

He has cursed them and got Hell ready for them;

and evil is it for a destination.”

(al-Quran 48:6)

Honesty is the best policy. You cannot get too far with lies. You need to lie hundred times more to conceal the first lie. Truth always prevails.  Falsehood may get you some temporary benefits but eventually the truth comes out and prevails. Lies might save you a small trouble but may eventually land you in a lot of troubles. Above all, lying and pretending put your person, your character and prestige at stake.

You might have heard the story of two European Christian friends who went to see the desert in an Arab country. Their names were Michael and Joseph. They did not have much experience of traveling in the desert. It was their first ‘desert adventure’, therefore, they were well equipped with all kinds of maps, books and brochures.

Since Arab culture and climate is different from the European culture and climate, the guys liked the change. In the first part of their journey, they had fun in the villages near the desert. They enjoyed the camel ride and sliding on the sand dunes. ‘This expedition is very interesting’, they thought. ‘We have not faced any remarkable problem so far. It’s so much fun’, they told each other.

Then it happened what always happens when you least expect it. They got lost in the desert. They had been wandering all day but still there was no sign of any village or an oasis. They even lost the sense of direction and the maps would not help much either.  They got scared. They were tired, hungry and thirsty. So they started praying to God for help.

After wandering for another hour or so, they spotted a mosque far away. The little minaret was visible from far. They started running towards it with all their strength. Finally, they arrived at the oasis, almost half dead. While lying on the sand, one friend said to the other:

‘Listen, Michael! We better change our names to some Muslim names otherwise the people in the mosque won’t help us. Now, my name is Yusuf, and not Joseph. How about you?’

Michael replied: ‘Hey! I am what I am. My name is Michael and I am not going to change it for any reason.’

So, they both knocked at the door of the mosque. The Imam of the mosque greeted them with Salam and a smile, and asked about their well-being. They said they were lost in the desert. They were also hungry and thirsty, and very tired. Joseph introduced himself as Yusuf, a Muslim, while Michael said that he was a Christian and his name was Michael.

The Imam smiled and said: ‘Peace be upon you both’. Then he called somebody and asked him to bring some food and water for Michael. When the food was brought, he placed the tray in front of Michael and said: ‘Please start in the name of God, and enjoy the desert food.’

Then he turned to Joseph with a smile, shook his hand and said: ‘Happy Ramadan Mubarak, brother Yusuf!’

Michael almost choked as he was trying to control his laughter while eating. Joseph’s plan had backfired.

Moral: Never pretend to be what you are not! You might be able to fool a couple of people and benefit from the situation temporarily but the truth always comes out.

Remember! Honesty pays. Don’t build your foundation on lies! It’ll crumble sooner or later. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَـفَّارٌ

“... Lo, Allah guides not him who is a liar,

an ingrate.” -- (al-Quran 39:3)

In another Surah in the Holy Quran, the Almighty says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ

“Lo, Allah guides not one who is a prodigal,

a liar.” -- (al-Quran 40:28)

Allah has assured us in the Quran that Truth is going to stay and Falsehood is bound to perish. Therefore, honesty is always the best policy. It saves us from a lot of troubles, the fear and tension of getting caught, and eventual humiliation. Be who you are! God created every soul on the nature of Islam – Truthful and honest! We learned later on how to become crooks. We are dishonest and untruthful by choice. Get back to your nature! You won’t regret being truthful and honest!

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

YOU'RE GOD'S VICEROY ON EARTH, Is That How You Behave?

God Made You His Viceroy

In The Earth To See

How You Behave!

Is That How You Behave?

(M. Javed Naseem)

“Then We appointed you viceroys in the earth

after them, that We might see how you behave.”

(al-Quran 10:14) 

We are the masterpiece of God’s Creation – the best in the universe. When Allah thought about creating a human being, He held us in high esteem and granted us honor and respect, even above His angels. He gave us splendor.

“And had We willed We could have set among

you angels to be viceroys in the earth.”

(al-Quran 43:60)

“He it is Who has placed you as viceroys of the

Earth and has exalted some of you in rank above

others, that He may try you by (the test of) that

which He has given you. Lo! Your Lord is

 swift in prosecution; and Lo! He verily is

Forgiving, Merciful.”

(al-Quran 6:165)

The above two verses from the Holy Quran tell the truth about us – humans. If Allah had wanted, He could have appointed angels as Viceroys in the earth. But He chose Man and exalted his status, above the status of the angels, and then appointed him as His Viceroy in the earth. Alas! Most of us are trying to prove that it was not a wise decision. We are opposing what Allah wanted for us. We are revolting against Him. Unfortunately, we can only hurt ourselves.

Know Your ‘Self’ And

Make A Difference

(While You Can)!

Get Up, Rise And Shine!

Heaven And Earth Were

Created For You! Don’t

Opt For Hellfire!

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلاَئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً

قَالُواْ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ

نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّيۤ أَعْلَمُ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ

“Behold, your Lord said to the angels: ‘I will

create a vice-gerent on earth.’ They said:

Will You place therein one who will make

mischief therein and shed blood whilst we do

celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy

(name)?’ He said: "I know what you know not."

(al-Quran 2:30)

Vow! So amazing! Ponder upon the above verse of the Quran and look at the depth of knowledge, the vision, the insight or the farsightedness of the angels! God had just floated the idea of creating a man but the angels knew immediately what that man was going to do in the earth! And the man was not even created yet! Allah-o-Akbar! The angels knew that man would be a trouble-maker. He would spread corruption and bloodshed in the earth. And they were absolutely right!

Allah created Man as His Khalifa (Vice-Gerent) in the Earth. Gerent is a Latin word (used in modern French for ‘Manager’) and as a verb it means: To bear, to conduct, to manage or to govern. Some scholars have translated the Arabic word ‘Khalifa’ as heir, viceroy, vice-gerent or care-taker. Therefore, man is the “Vice-Gerent” (Deputy Manager) of God on earth but he rules the world and behaves like Devil. Since the time Devil disobeyed Allah and refused to fall in prostration in front of Adam, Allah had declared him as a devout enemy of man. The irony is that man knows it and acknowledges it too but still follows the Devil. This is revolt and merits punishment. It is more than simple disobedience.

When we claim to be Muslims and then arrogantly go against the commands of Allah, openly or discretely, it constitutes hypocrisy (Munaafiqat) in Islam. And Allah has promised Munaafiqeen (hypocrites) a grave punishment in the lowest part of Hell. Do we really understand that? I doubt.

Today, Muslims in general and Muslim leaders in particular, are considered corrupt, inapt and incompetent because corruption flourishes in all Arab countries and other Muslim states. All politicians are trying to make easy money and live of others. They are so shameless that they even extort money in the name of charity (hospitals, dispensaries, schools, food, medicines, humanitarian projects, etc., etc.) and then transfer that money to their off-shore bank accounts overseas. Thus they are set for a luxury life. Others are plundering it while abusing authority and power. They don’t even think for a moment that they are going to die tomorrow!

And that shows what kind of Muslims they are; how much they fear Allah’s wrath; how much they care about others; and how much importance they give to justice and fair-play in their society! They care about themselves only. Allah tells us in the Quran in very plain words: “Remember Me, I’ll remember you!” And if you don’t remember Him in this world, He’ll not remember you in the Hereafter! Simple as that!

That’s not the Man Allah had created to play His Viceroy or Vice-gerent in the earth. That man probably does not exist any more. The poet-philosopher of the East, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal (or Allama Iqbal) said:

Where Is The Man?

“My ancestors were Brahmins. They spent

their lives in search of God. I am spending

my life in search of Man.”
― Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

When the Man becomes a beast, he starts killing other living creatures including human beings. Adam’s son showed us that with the first murder and his grand-grand-children are repeating the fete today in Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Libya, Kashmir, Burma, etc., etc. The earth has become the killing fields.

Man has lost his splendor.

What happened to all the education, research and knowledge? All knowledge is useless if not used for the betterment of mankind; and if not used by man to connect to his Creator, the Almighty.

All Knowledge Is Useless Until …

“Look at the evils of the world around you and protect yourself from them. Our teachers give all the wrong messages to our youth, since they take away the natural flare from the soul. Take it from me that all knowledge is useless until it is connected with your life, because the purpose of knowledge is nothing but to show you the splendors of yourself!”
― Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.

Man is capable of performing incredible fetes. He can catch the stars and dwell at moon. He can travel through galaxies. He can conquer the universe but cannot conquer his own desires and emotions! What a contrast! Simply put: If you are disconnected from your base, you are lost. You become nobody!

We are living with fake pride, fake love, fake news and fake leaders. We have lost our direction and that’s why we have lost all respect, dignity and honor. It hurts to see that we have lost our splendor. We are fallen.

Stagnation is Death.

Enter Another Dimention!

“Let this be our beautiful departure from stagnation! Let our minds come alive; enter another dimension; go beyond the stars eagerly struggling to find that which our naked eyes did not know existed! Rise like a falcon born to soar and not be alone but be present amongst others.”
― Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.

We are one community and are supposed to help each other in times of need. As human beings we should feel for others because we are all parts of one great body and pieces of one big jigsaw puzzle. One without the others is nothing. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, as narrated by An-Numan bin Bashir:

‘You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that if any part of the body is not well, the whole body suffers from sleeplessness and fever.’

(Bukhari, vol 8, book 73, No.40).

People who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, most money, or the most awards and medals. They are the people who care; who touched your heart and soul; who were there with a kind and encouraging word when you were down.  And that makes the difference.

Now, you try to be one of those and touch somebody’s soul. Make a difference! Leave your footprints on somebody’s life. And do it while you can!

Rumi says:

Strip away your pride, and put on humble clothes!

Wait for the illuminating openness,

As though your chest were filling with light,

As when God said,

“Did We not expand you?” (al-Quran 94:1)

Don’t look for it outside yourself.

You are the source of milk. Don’t milk others!

There is a milk fountain inside you.

Don’t walk around with an empty basket!

You have a channel into the ocean, and yet

You ask for water from a little pool!

Beg for that love expansion. Meditate only

on THAT! The Quran says:

“And He is with you.” (al-Quran 57:4)

There is a basket of fresh bread on your head,

And yet you go door to door asking for crusts!

Knock on your inner door! No other!

Mankind is one community. The best among us is not the one who has achieved top position in sports, education, science, technology or arts. These honors are good for one’s personal satisfaction. If one cannot use his knowledge, expertise, skills and wealth for the benefit of other human beings, it is worthless.

If we want to get rid of evil, we should strive for a welfare society based on social justice. We should have a firm belief that there is God up there and one day we will be answering questions while standing in His court. That God-fearing spirit is developed only when you believe that you are answerable to a Higher Authority than your corrupt government. So, raise your level and educate yourself!

How Do You Relate To This Universe?

The poet-philosopher of the East, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, asks:

“What is the character and general structure of the universe in which we live? Is there a permanent element in the constitution of this universe? How are we related to it? What place do we occupy in it, and what is the kind of conduct that befits the place we occupy? These questions are common to religion, philosophy, and higher poetry.”

And YOU are the answer! So, be a befitting YOU!

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