THE BEST TRIBUTE TO THE PROPHET: Follow his teachings and lifestyle!

The Best Tribute To The Prophet:

Follow The Teachings

And Lifestyle of Prophet

Muhammad (s.a.w.)!

The Prophet Or

His Companions Never

Celebrated Birthdays!

(M. Javed Naseem)

Today’s man is the champion of hypocrisy (Munafiqat). You’ll find these hypocrites in all religious groups, including Islam. Islam is not a part-time religion (a weekly or bi-weekly affair) as some might portray it. It’s a complete package – you have to take it as a whole or leave it. You cannot accept only the parts that you like and discard the rest. As a matter of fact, Islam is NOT a religion, although religion is a small part of it. Islam is a ‘DEEN’ and ‘Deen’ means ‘a way of life’, a system of life. Everything we do – talk, walk, eat, drink, sleep, dress, work, trade or deal with others, buy or sell, teach or learn, choose our representatives, form a government, enforce fair-play and justice – all is done according to the teachings of Islam of which the Quran is the prime source. How can you call all that merely a ‘religion’?

Islam covers every aspect of our daily life in the fields of trade, social justice, legal or judicial system, education, finance, politics and government,  upbringing of children, marriage & divorce, inheritance, right of the neighbors or the community, citizens’ responsibilities, human rights, etc. Nothing escapes! The unbelievers are afraid of the Divine laws and limits, therefore, they put a label – religion – on Islam. In the next step, they promote the separation of religion and the state; and that’s how they trap Muslims in every discussion at every forum. That’s how the push you away from the Quran and Islam. Don’t fall in the trap of ‘religion’!

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Following Prophet’s Sunnah

He took one meal per day and his breakfast

used to be 1-3 dry dates with a glass of water.

He fasted every Monday, every Thursday and

every 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of the month. He didn’t

eat a hot meal in weeks. Most of the time his

meal would be a piece of dry coarse bread

with olive oil, or vinegar or plain water,

except when he was invited by some.

He was truthful and trustworthy; 
he never lied in his entire life; never

cheated, deceived or betrayed anybody.

He believed in honesty, sincerity, social

justice, compassion, good manners,

honorable and respectful conduct.

He respected women, helped the needy,

the poor, the weak, the orphans and the

sick. He was kind and merciful to all

(Muslims and non-Muslims). He was

a great husband and a great father.

He promoted peace and harmony,

and justly resolved people’s disputes.

He didn’t allow sects in Islam.

He enjoined good and forbid evil.

He preached equality and God’s sovereignty.

Above all, he was a faithful servant of God

and he showed that by his actions.

That was the way (Sunnah) of the Prophet.

If you don’t do that, you shouldn’t even be

talking about the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.)!

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Here’s what Allah commands you on this particular subject. In this verse Allah is telling the Prophet (s.a.w.) to convey to people the message of Allah (i.e., if you love Allah, follow the Prophet!):

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you do love Allah,

Follow Me! Allah will love you and forgive

you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving,

Most Merciful’."

(al-Quran 3:31)

Muhammad (s.a.w.) never lied in his entire life. Before the advent of formal Islam, he was known as ‘Sadiq’ (Truthful) and ‘Ameen’ (Trustworthy) among the pagans and the Quraish tribes. He was the best model of Islamic conduct, manners and morals. He upheld social justice. Even the Almighty God praised his conduct and declared him a role-model for the mankind. We should take pride in following him.

“And you (O Muhammad) are on an

exalted standard of character”.

(al-Quran 68:4)

Allah tells the believers in the Quran to follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) as he is a designated role-model for the mankind. His life is the perfect example of how to live ‘by the Book’ as per commands of our Creator, the Almighty God.

“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)

Allah prescribed Islam as the ‘Deen’ (the way of life) for the mankind and He chose Muhammad (s.a.w.) as His last Messenger for the entire universe. The most important single most element of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)’s character was his truthfulness. He never told a lie in his entire life. Long before declaring his prophet-hood, he was called “Sadiq” (the Truthful) by the pagans, idol-worshippers and non-believers of Makkah. Even his enemies attested for his truthfulness and never called him a “liar”. Abu Jahl, who was one of the harshest enemies of Islam, said:

“O Muhammad! I do not say that you are a liar! I only deny what you brought (Islam) and what you call people to (One God)”.

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

"God has sent me to perfect good manners

and to do good deeds”.

(Sahih Bukhari & Ahmed)

And that statement of the Prophet (s.a.w.) was confirmed by God in the Holy Quran:

"And indeed, you (O Muhammad) are

of a great moral character".

(al-Quran 68:4)

"Say (O Muhammad): Indeed, my prayer, my rites

of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for God,

Lord of the Worlds. No partner has He. And this

I have been commanded and I am the first

(among you) of the Muslims.”

(al-Quran 6:162-163)

“We sent you not, but as a Mercy

for the worlds (all creatures)”.

(al-Quran 21:107)

As  Muslims, we should be very careful when we share sayings (Ahadith) of the Prophet (s.a.w.). There are many fake Ahadith mixed with the authentic ones and sometimes it is impossible to sort them out. Today, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to verify the authenticity of the words that were spoken 1400 years ago, and mostly those words were not recorded. On the other hand, the verses of the Quran were immediately recorded when revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w.).

Facebook preachers should be extra careful while sharing religious material. They should verify it before sharing; and if it cannot be verified, it should not be shared. Simple as that! Don’t commit blasphemy!

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

“Whoever ascribes to me what I have not said

then let him occupy his place in Hell!”

(Sahih Bukhari, Book 3, No: 109)

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MUSLIM SPORTSMEN: The True Role-models And Ambassadors.

Symbols of Compassion & Generosity

Muslim Sportsmen:

The True Role Models

And Ambassadors

(M. Javed Naseem)

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All Blacks (New Zealand) rugby team’s

centre Sonny Bill Williams (a Muslim)

has given away his World Cup winner's

medal to a young fan in a heartwarming

show of generosity and compassion!

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Sharing is caring! We are commanded to share good things in life with the less fortunate and the needy. This is an obligation but it does not require you to sacrifice an arm or a leg. Just share whatever amount you can afford to bring smiles on the sad and gloomy faces of mankind. And that sharing is not limited to money alone; it goes for anything that eases up the hardships of others. That’s the human spirit – care and share!

لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِّن سَعَتِهِ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ

فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّآ آتَاهُ ٱللَّهُ لاَ يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْساً

إِلاَّ مَآ آتَاهَا سَيَجْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍ يُسْراً
“Let the man of means spend according to

his means; and the man whose resources are

restricted, let him spend according to what

Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden

on any person beyond what He has given him.

After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.

(al-Quran 65:7)

New Zealand’s Rugby Hero:

Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand rugby legend. And he is a Muslim. Recently, New Zealand defeated Australia in the final of Rugby World Cup by 34-17. The mainstream Western media never mentioned his religion! He was in the news for giving away his World Cup medal to a 14-years old youngster out of compassion. The media never gave any reference to his faith – Islam. Why? Because it was a positive and constructive thing and it would bring only good/positive feedback about Muslims and Islam. They don’t want that! They have a mindset; they have an agenda and they are implementing an international plan that calls for Muslim-bashing (or promotes Islamophobia). So much for the Western ‘free speech’, ‘objective reporting’ and professional honesty!

According to 5-Pillars, UK, in an amazing example of compassion and generosity, New Zealand’s famous Muslim rugby star, Sonny Bill Williams gave away his World Cup winner’s medal to a young fan.

14-year-old All Blacks fan Charlie Lines is now the proud owner of a Rugby World Cup winner’s gold medal.

Williams acted after seeing a security guard rugby-tackle the boy, who had run on the pitch during the All Blacks lap of honor following their 34-17 Rugby World Cup final victory over Australia.

Dilly’s Desk adds:

When a Muslim does something praiseworthy, there's no mention of their religion.

However, when an individual does wrong and it has absolutely nothing to do with Islam, rest assured that "Muslim" will be mentioned at every given opportunity.

Sonny Bill Williams is a legend.

See the short video:

https://youtu.be/6QUlq3AglYo

A couple of years ago, while visiting Pakistan, I saw a strange thing on TV. A money-making commercial TV channel (???) was telecasting live the event of Henna ("Mehndi ki Rasm") of a cricketer's bride. This was a cheap and mean show of wealth, a mockery of Islam, mockery of journalism and an insult to the TV Live Broadcasts! Money buys all rules, regulations, principles, ethics and codes. The easy money, coming from match-fixing and by selling the honor of the motherland, could be spent so carelessly without feeling any pain? It was hurting to see the whole scene ('Tamasha'). This money could have been spent on the wedding of some poor girl who could not get married because of poverty. This money could have been spent on orphans, the needy, the poor, the victims of floods and earthquakes! This money could have been spent to get medical aid, medicines and hospital treatment for hundreds of poor patients. This was really a shameless exhibition of Jahaalat that continued for hours on TV. That was business with Shaitan!

There is a saying (it has also been attributed to the Prophet’s companion Ali ibn Abi Talib) that goes like this:

“When every business (or commerce) fails, then do business (commerce) with Allah!”

And what is the best way of doing any business or commerce with Allah? Let’s see what Allah, the Almighty, says about it in the Quran:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلواَةَ

وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرّاً وَعَلاَنِيَةً

يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَّن تَبُورَ
“Those who rehearse the Book of Allah,

establish regular prayer, and spend (in charity)

out of what We have provided for them,

secretly and openly, hope for a commerce

that will never fail.”

(al-Quran 35:29)

That’s the warranty from Allah: “A commerce that will never fail”. Is there any warranty better than that? No, absolutely not! So, for best rewards and gains, share!

Algeria’s World Cup Football Team:

Remember the FIFA World Cup Football in Brazil last year? Algeria’s Muslim team made history to reach the final 16 and then donating the bonus money to the Palestinians! Subhan-Allah! What a beautiful and heart-warming gesture!

In 2014, according to quotes attributed to Algeria’s star striker Islam Slimani, the Algerian national football team had announced to give up (donating it to the Gaza/Palestine victims) all of the estimated $9 million bonus money they received as valiant losers in the round of 16, in Brazil.

Yet speaking at a reception in Algiers, where the team had returned to a hero's welcome, Slimani apparently said: “They need it more than us.” 

Now, that’s some gesture of compassion and generosity! Those players were the real winners!

German Muslim footballer Ozil’s charity

epitomizes the spirit of Ramadan

By: Amaar Abdul-Nasir, Ummah Sports, July 21, 2015

In the final days of this year’s Ramadan, Germany’s soccer star Mesut Ozil performed an act of charity of so grand that it made international headlines. Ozil, a 26-year-old midfielder who plays for Arsenal in England’s Premier League and for Germany’s national team, personally paid for 11 children hospitalized in Brazil to receive potentially life-saving surgery.

It was a gesture Ozil first made last summer, when he and the German national team were in Brazil winning the FIFA World Cup championship. In addition to promising to donate his World Cup bonus paycheck to charity, Ozil paid for 23 Brazilian kids to receive needed surgery — equal to the number of players on the German national team. This year, he did the same for 11 children in need — equal to the number of players in a soccer team’s starting lineup — at a hospital in the city of Maranhao (Brazil).

Beyond the rewards he may receive from the Most High (Allah), and the praise he has received from the rest of us on this planet, Ozil’s act epitomizes the spirit of Ramadan.

Ozil could have paid for 23 Brazilian kids to have surgery last year while he was in that spotlight and in that moment, left Brazil and never thought of that country again, and he’d still be considered a hero. To repeat his act of charity for 11 more Brazilian kids this year, when it was unexpected and out of the spotlight (until the media caught on and the spotlight came to him), Ozil is proving truly mindful of not only his privilege but the plights of others, and genuinely caring for the sick and needy.

(Courtesy: www.ummahsports.net/2015/07/21/ozils-charity-epitomizes-the-spirit-of-ramadan)

Tyson, Shaq and Kareem:

Taking Islam seriously

By: Amaar Abdul-Nasir

While some celebrities like boxing legend Muhammad Ali and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Yusuf Islam leave no doubt about their religion, there are others (Janet Jackson, Ice Cube and Casey Kasem among them)  who have been rightly or wrongly associated with Islam through nothing more than rumors, hearsay and assumptions.

In a recent article for the Nigerian publication ‘Pulse’, author Oge Okonkwo lists six celebrities who are, as far as we know, Muslims who take their faith seriously via acts of charity and philanthropy.

Three of the celebrities listed are athletes: former  heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, NBA all-time leading scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and three-time NBA Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal. 

Mike Tyson: 

Former boxer Mike Tyson rediscovered himself while serving time behind bars. During this time, he found the Muslim religion and a new purpose for life. Shortly after his release, Tyson founded “Giving Kids a Fighting Chance.” The organization provides innovative centers that support comprehensive needs of kids from broken homes. The foundation’s representative said, “These needs may include health care assistance, shelter, school assistance, mentoring, job placement assistance and such other needs as determined by the center for the overall well being of the child.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 

Hall of fame NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar supports a number of charities centered around implementing sports and education into the lives of under privileged children. Abdul-Jabbar has also supported organizations like “Stand Up To Cancer” and “American Association of Retired Persons.”

Shaquille O’Neal: 

Shaquille O’Neal is known for his unbelievably successful NBA career, his success as a sports broadcaster and graduating with his doctorate. Many may not know that O’Neal works very closely with two charities – O’Positive Foundation and Green My Parents (GMP). The O’Positive Foundation focus on the needs of children and helps impoverished families get the education and necessities that they need to make it. While Green My Parents is an organization developed around the environmental economic movement. GMP focuses on the importance of a healthy environment, energy consumption and how to engage children and parents into making eco-responsible changes within their homes and lifestyles.

(Courtesy: www.ummahsports.net/2015/05/12/tyson-shaq-and-kareem-taking-islam-seriously)

British Muslim Athletes

Why British Muslim Sports Stars Are Important?

By Ayaz  Sumra, ‘Artefact’ Magazine

Amir Khan, Mo Farah and Moeen Ali all have one thing in common beyond the fact they are all successful sportsmen at the highest level – their Muslim faith.

At a time when negative perceptions of the religion are rife, fuelled by media coverage of ISIS and acts of terror carried out in the name of Islam, this talented trio are role models for a tolerant, multicultural Britain.

Welterweight boxer Amir Khan does much for charity and has also established his own foundation to help disadvantaged young people around the world as well as supporting emergency aid following natural disasters.

When the Bolton boxer of Pakistani heritage fought and beat Devon Alexander in Las Vegas last December, he wore 24-carat gold-embroidered boxing shorts worth £30,000.

He had recently visited the school in Peshawar, Pakistan, where Taliban extremists killed 145 people, including 132 pupils, and after his fight with Alexander donated the valuable shorts to raise funds for those affected.

He also visited a hospital where two injured students were still recovering, and told The Daily Star: “With what terrorists are doing to the image of Islam and to the image of Muslims, there is a time to stand up and speak out.

“I’ve got a daughter myself now. I went [to Peshawar] because I wanted to tell those kids they need to overcome fear and get back to school. That’s how you make something of your life. You can’t let terrorists win.”

England cricketer Moeen Ali:

England cricketer Moeen sparked headlines last summer when, during a Test match, he wore wristbands in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip at a time when hundreds were being killed in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

(Moeen Ali of England)

He was warned against doing it again by the International Cricket Council, whose rules do not allow ‘political, religious or racial messages’ to be worn during matches.

Moeen told The Huffington Post that being a Muslim is “everything to me. It means so much to me, my relationship with the Creator, following the Prophet.”

The cricketer has been named an ambassador for the charity British Asian Trust’s work in Pakistan.

(Hashim Amla of South Africa)

Mo Farah:

Like Khan, Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion Mo Farah has also established a charitable foundation that bears his name.

The Somali-born athlete told The Independent: “You’ve got to believe in God. Everything happens for a reason, so you shouldn’t get wound up. I think the way I am, the way I’m chilled out, has a lot to do with being Muslim and having faith.

“It also says in the Quran that you must work hard in whatever you do, so I work hard in training and that’s got a lot to do with being successful.”

Sports fans have become used to the sight of Muslim athletes praying, and many clearly feel spiritual strength plays a role in their success.

Qais Ashfaq:

“With a personality such as Amir Khan, others look towards him and say ‘He is he a Muslim, we want to be like him, he’s a good representative of the religion’. That also puts a lot of pressure on the likes of Khan to be good representatives.”

Hoping to follow in Khan’s footsteps, both in the ring and as a Muslim role model, is England’s 2014 Commonwealth Games boxing silver medallist Qais Ashfaq.

“Before and after every fight,

I pray – it makes me feel so much

better, it helps my nerves”.
-- Boxer Qais Ashfaq

The Leeds fighter told Artefact: “First and foremost, we have to thank Allah (God). To be honest, Islam has done a lot for me, especially in terms of boxing because it has always made me believe in myself.

“Before and after every fight, I pray – it makes me feel so much better, it helps my nerves. It make me mentally confident and physically confident. Little things in that belief in God it makes a difference and makes the world a better place.”

Ashfaq has already got his eyes on more success in the ring and hopes to represent Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before turning professional and taking the path of Khan, Farah and Moeen.

(Courtesy: (www.artefactmagazine.com/2015/04/01/why-british-muslim-sports-stars-are-important)

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ISLAM ITSELF IS DESTINY And Will Not Suffer Destiny: Allama Iqbal

Remembering Iqbal (Nov. 9)

“Islam Itself Is Destiny

And Will Not Suffer Destiny”

– Allama Iqbal

(M. Javed Naseem)

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“Nations are born in the hearts

of poets, they prosper and die

in the hands of politicians”

– Allama Iqbal

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An independent state (Pakistan) for the Muslims of South-Asia was the brain-child of Muhammad Iqbal, (commonly known as Allama Iqbal), the spiritual disciple of Rumi. I cannot find words to pay him enough tribute worthy of his contribution not only to the creation and history of Pakistan but also towards the motivational and inspirational poetic literature of Urdu and Persian languages.

9^th of November was the day when Iqbal was born 138 years ago (in 1877). And I would like to take this opportunity to remember this great personality of the East, and, at the same time, remind the new generation of Muslims about the legacy of Iqbal. His message is universal and alive. He wanted you to wake up and take charge of your own destiny. You and only you can change the plight of the Muslim Ummah!

I feel great pride in having the honor of ‘once’ (in 1970) affiliated to the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany, from where Allama Iqbal had received his Ph.D degree. His statue was still there in the park in front of the university. I studied German language there as I was registered at that University for my M.A. (Economics) – ‘Diplom-wirtschaft’, but six months later I moved to Cologne University (Koln am Rhine) as I had landed a job in Cologne as ‘international broadcaster’ with the (West) German radio ‘Deutsche Welle’ (The Voice of Germany)’s Asian-Urdu service.

(Iqbal Ufer: A boulevard named after Allama Iqbal in Heidelberg, Germany)

(Allama Iqbal's memorial plaque in a garden near Heidelberg
University, Germany, where he lived in 1907)

Allama Iqbal:

As per Iqbal Academy, Pakistan, Iqbal is the best articulated Muslim response to Modernity that the Islamic world has produced in the 20th century. His response has three dimensions:

1. A creative engagement with the conceptual paradigm of modernism at a sophisticated philosophical level through his prose writings, mainly his ‘The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam’, which present his basic philosophic insights.

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“The main purpose of the Quran is to awaken

in man the higher consciousness of his manifold

relations with God and the universe.”

--- Allama Iqbal

(From: The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam.)

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2. His Urdu and Persian poetry which is the best embodiment of poetically meditated thought, squarely in the traditional continuity of Islamic literature and perhaps the finest flowering of wisdom poetry, or contemplative poetry or inspired poetry in the modern times.

3. As a political activist/ social reformer – rising up to his social responsibility, his calling at a critical phase of history.

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‘Why have You made me born in this country,

The native of which is content with being a slave?’

--- Iqbal

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Western Democracy:

“Woe to the constitution of the democracy of Europe!

The sound of that trumpet renders the dead still deader;

Those tricksters, treacherous as the revolving spheres,

Have played the nations by their own rules, and swept the board!”

“Robbers they, this one wealthy, that one a toiler,

All the time lurking in ambush one for another;

Now is the hour to disclose the secret of those charmers –

We are the merchandise, and they take all the profits.”

-- Muhammad Iqbal

(From: Divine Government, Javid-Nama)

The Open University, UK, adds:

Mohammad Iqbal was born in 1877 in Sialkot, Punjab, to father Sheikh Nuruddin Mohammad, a tailor by profession and of Kashmiri background, and mother Imam Bibi. He was educated at the Scotch Mission College, where he also took up poetry, and later, in 1895, at Government College, Lahore, where he would come into contact with Sir Thomas Arnold. In 1903, he published a treatise on economics entitled “Ilmul-Iqtesad”, and in 1904, he wrote the Indian patriotic song “Sare Jahan se Achccha Hindostan Hamara”.

He would once again work with Thomas Arnold when he was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge, as a student of Philosophy in 1905. He obtained his degree at Cambridge and went on to Munich University where he obtained a doctorate; his thesis was entitled, ‘The Development of Metaphysics in Persia’.

He later qualified as a barrister. In London, he delivered a series of lectures; his lecture at Caxton Hall was widely reported in the papers. While in Europe, Iqbal became influenced by Kant, Bergson and especially Nietzsche.

In August 1908 he returned to Lahore where he joined the Government College as a part-time professor of philosophy and English literature while also practicing as a lawyer in Lahore High Court. After a while, he resigned from the College and focused on law. Besides law he found time to develop his poetry in the 1920s, but he was also drawn into politics by his friends, Jogendra Singh, Zulfikar Ali Khan and Khawaja Shahabuddin.

His Persian ‘masnavi’ sequence ‘Asrar-i-Khudi’ (1915), (‘Secrets of the Self’, 1920), and ‘Rumuz-i-Bekhudi (1918), ('The Mysteries of Selflessness', 1920) were the foundation of Iqbal's philosophical poetry. In them he combined his ideas of the ego striving to achieve freedom and to develop a fuller personality with the moral, spiritual and intellectual values of Islam. He continued to develop these ideas in his poetry for the rest of his life. It is on the basis of these that he is known as the poet-philosopher of Pakistan.

From 1926 to 1930 he served on the Punjab Legislative Council and was President of the All-India Muslim League in 1930. That same year, he gave evidence before the Simon Commission, and in 1931-2 he was a delegate to the Second and Third Round Table Conferences, visiting London again.

By the mid-1930s, his health had deteriorated so much that he had to decline to give a series of Rhodes lectures at Oxford in 1935. He continued to write poetry but died on 21 April 1938. He is buried near the Shahi Mosque in Lahore.

(Courtesy: www.open.ac.uk/researchprojects/makingbritain/content/mohammad-iqbal)

The ‘Magnum Opus’:

Javid-Nama

‘Iqbal’s magnum opus’, writes his biographer S. A. Vahid, ‘is the Javid Namah. Within a few years of its publication the poem became a classic, and. one great scholar proclaimed that the poem will rank with Firdausi’s Shah Namah, Rumi’s  ‘Mathnawi’, Saadi’s ‘Gulistan’ and the ‘Diwan’ of Hafiz. Nor was this tribute an exaggeration, as subsequent criticism showed ... In judging a poem we have to consider two things: the style and the substance.

So far as the style is concerned, Javid Namah belongs to the very first rank of Persian verse. It is unsurpassed in grandeur of expression, in beauty of diction and in richness of illustration.

As regards theme, the poem deals with the everlasting conflict of the soul, and by telling the story of human struggle against sin, shows to mankind the path to glory and peace. In every line the poet makes us feel that he has something to say that is not only worth saying, but is also fitted to give us pleasure. Thus, as regards style as well as theme the poem is a masterpiece.’
The ‘Javid-Nama’, having been frequently reissued in lithograph – the edition on which the present translation is based was published in 1946 at Hyderabad (Deccan) – was first translated, into Italian, by Professor Alessandro Bausani under the title II Poema Celeste (Rome, 1952).

A version in German verse, Buch der Ewigkeit (Munich, 1957), has come from the pen of Professor Annemarie Schimmel.

A French version, by E. Meyerovitch and Mohammed Mokri, has the title Le Livre de l’Éternité (Paris, 1962).

In 1961 a translation in English verse was published in Lahore, ‘The Pilgrimage of Eternity’, by Shaikh Mahmud Ahmad. The poem has thus reached a truly international public, and has already taken its rightful place amongst the modern classics of world literature.

(Courtesy: www.allamaiqbal.com/works/poetry/persian/javidnama)

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BELIEVER? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR ALLAH'S SAKE?

Are You A Believer?

What Do You Do For

Allah’s Sake?

The Almighty Creator Has

Rights Over His Creation

(M. Javed Naseem)

“They ask you how much they are to spend;

say: "What is beyond your needs."

Thus does Allah Make clear to you His

signs in order that you may reflect.”

(al-Quran 2:219)

When God taught us Faith, He based it on His own qualities like Mercy, Love, Forgiveness, Charity and Hope – all Good and no Evil! He told us not to follow the Devil as he was our enemy. We were strictly commanded not to spread corruption and evil in the Earth so that we could enjoy Lord’s bounties and a happy life in this world. But when we were enjoying happy life, we ignored God’s commands and started play god on earth; hence all the corruption and evil. Out of greed and jealousy, we started depriving other humans of those bounties that we were enjoying.

People have a share in your wealth whether you accept it or not; whether you like it or not. That’s the verdict of the Lord Almighty. Share your wealth with the needy and the orphans and widows, and you would be rewarded manifold.

Thousands of times, we were warned via Scriptures through Prophets and Messengers but only a few paid heed. Most of us ignored those teachings and warnings although we were informed of the fate of the earlier nations who disobeyed the Lord. Love, peace and harmony can only be created by sharing with others. Allah says in the Quran:

“And spend of your substance in the cause

of Allah, and make not your own hands

contribute to (your) destruction; but do good;

for Allah loves those who do good.”

(al-Quran 2:195)

“For, Believers are those who, when Allah is

mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and

when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their

faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in

their Lord; who establish regular prayers and

spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given

them for sustenance.”

(al-Quran 8:2-3)

“Whatever you shall spend in the cause

of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and

you shall not be treated unjustly.”

(al-Quran 8:60)

“To those whose hearts when Allah is

mentioned, are filled with fear, who show

patient perseverance over their afflictions,

keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity)

out of what We have bestowed upon them.”

(al-Quran 22:35)

“Twice will they be given their reward,

for that they have persevered, that they

avert Evil with Good, and that they spend

(in charity) out of what We have given them.”

(al-Quran 28:54)

“Those who rehearse the Book of Allah,

establish regular prayer, and spend (in

charity) out of what We have provided

for them, secretly and openly, hope for

a commerce that will never fail.”

(al-Quran 35:29)

“Believe in Allah and His messenger, and

spend (in charity) out of the (substance)

whereof He has made you heirs. For, those

of you who believe and spend (in charity),

for them is a great Reward.”

(al-Quran 57:7)

“So fear Allah as much as you can; listen

and obey and spend in charity for the benefit

of your own soul and those saved from the

covetousness of their own souls, they are

the ones that achieve prosperity.”

(al-Quran 64:16)

“Let the man of means spend according to

his means: and the man whose resources are

restricted, let him spend according to what

Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden

on any person beyond what He has given him.

After a difficulty, Allah will soon grant relief.”

(al-Quran 65:7)

God’s Message is divine and it was delivered to us by all Messengers. Only we, the humans, corrupted and altered it.

The Bible says:

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.” – (Proverbs 19:17)
 
“And if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the need of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday.” – (Isaiah 58:10)

"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” – (Matthew 5:42)

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.” – (Matthew 25:35)          

"But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” – (Luke 14”13)

“Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.” – (1-Timothy 6:18)

In 630 AD, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), decided to lead an expedition to Tabuk on the Syrian border. In order to finance the expedition, Muhammad (s.a.w.) invited contributions and donations from his followers. Othman (r.a.a.) provided ten thousand camels. Umar (r.a.a.) made a liberal contribution. When Muhammad (s.a.w.) asked him how much he had left for himself and his family, he said that he had given one half of his wealth for the cause of Allah and had left one half for himself and his dependents. Then came Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) loaded with his contribution and Muhammad (s.a.w.) asked him the same question as to how much he had left for himself and his family. Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) said, "I have brought all that I had. I have left Allah and His Prophet for myself and my family".

This episode has formed the theme of one of the poems of the poet philosopher of the East, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal (a.k.a. Allama Iqbal). The last verse of this poem reads:

“For the moth the lamp, and

for the nightingale the flower;

For Siddique, Allah, and

His Prophet suffice.”

After the death of the Prophet (s.a.w.), when Abu Bakr was elected as Caliph of the Muslims, he addressed the community and said:

“O People! I have been chosen by you as your leader, although I am no better than any of you. If I do any wrong, set me right. Listen! Truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty. The weak among you are the powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not give them their dues. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others".

“Listen carefully! If people give up striving for the cause of Almighty Allah, He will send down disgrace upon them. If people become evil-doers, Almighty Allah will send down calamities upon them."

“Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad, s.a.w.). If I disobey Allah and His Messenger, you are free to disobey me.”

After Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) had assumed the Caliphate, he distributed all that was in the ‘House of Charity’ (‘Bait-al-Maal’ – the funds in the State account reserved for the poor) among the needy and the poor. He had a House of Charity at al-Saneh area with no guards to watch over. One day someone asked him, ‘O Caliph of the Messenger! Would you appoint someone at the House of Charity as guard?”

Abu Bakr answered, “There’s nothing to worry about. We have given away everything that was in it. There’s nothing left.”

When Abu Bakr died, he had no valuable possessions. He had no Dirham or Dinar at home. Everything that was beyond his daily needs, he would donate it in charity. It’s not that Allah wants us to go that far. It’s our love for Allah and our spirit of spending in Allah’s way that determines our actions of charity. And that comes from a strong Faith, i.e., Islam.

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