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Friday 25 November 2022

 Fighting For The Luxuries
Of This Life Is Like
Fighting For Hell!

The Best Way To Serve God
Is To Serve Mankind!

Life of This World Is
A Test, An Illusion!

(M. Javed Naseem)



“What is the life of this world but play and
amusement? But best is the home in the
Hereafter, for those who are righteous.
Will you not then understand?”
(al-Quran 6:32)


We have seen it many times that during election time, candidates try to expose other (opposition) candidates. Corruption is brought to light; secret love affairs or marriages are disclosed; black-money and off-shore accounts are discussed; malpractices are publicized; everybody propagates his own good points and achievements, while at the same time, condems the failures and weak points of the opposition. But as a matter of fact, everybody tries to get the maximum benefits from his public office influence. Every politician is selfish and works for his/her own benefit. People are just being used. And it's the people who always suffer for leaders' or politicians' mistakes and bad policies.

This is a mterial world. Capitalism propagates fake and unjust liberty for rich and powerful while guarantees no bread-&-butter for the ordinary man or the poor. It's a race for money, possessions and accumulation. Greed is driving people to do things that are illegal, immoral and indecent ethically. We are trying to accumulate as much of material things (including money) as possible and trying to get rich as quickly as possible too, by all means (Halal or Haraam). In the process we don’t care about how much misery, pain, trouble and discomfort we bring to others – as long as it is not happening to us. And on top of it, every one of us is complaining about the corruption and injustice in the world, as if only others are responsible for that.

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You are one step away from the grave
(death)! You have very little time to work
on your Hereafter! Try to please Allah
with your good deeds and maximum
charity before Death knocks you out!

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Today, people run for public office because of its material benefits, clout, power or authority, perks, luxury life and above all chances of making endless money. People fight for that fiercely and put their lives at stake too. This worldly life is so important to them that they would go any length (even killing people) to achieve it. They are misguided souls. They did not learn any lesson from books; nor from their parents’ lives; nor from the society that on the Day of Judgment, they would have to answer questions about every misdeed, every injustice and every transgression. Allah warns us:

“These are the people who buy the life
of this world at the price of the Hereafter.
Their penalty shall not be lightened,
nor shall they be helped.”
(al-Quran 2:86)


There is a very beautiful small chapter (Surah) in the Quran and it is called at-Takathur (or al-Takassur), meaning: Rivalry in material increase, or competition, or hoarding. It has only 8 short verses. In those verses Allah wakes you up and shakes you up by saying: 

“The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things 
of this world) diverts you (from the more serious
things), until you visit the graves. But nay, you
soon shall know (the reality). Again, you soon
shall know! Nay, were you to know with certainty
of mind, (you would beware!) You shall certainly
see Hellfire! Again, you shall see it with certainty
of sight! Then, shall you be questioned
that Day about the joy (you indulged in!).”
(al-Quran 102:1-8)


In the Bible Jesus says:

“You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
(James 4:4)

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
(1 John 2:17)

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:11-12)



“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:7-8)

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Friday 18 November 2022

THE LAST REMINDER From Our Creator: "Follow The Revelation!"

 The Last Reminder
From Our Creator:
‘Follow The Revelation!’

“How many towns have We
destroyed (for their sins)?”

(M. Javed Naseem)




The Quran is the last Reminder to the mankind from the Supreme Creator, Almighty Allah. If we ignore His signs and the Reminder, we will be doomed not only in this world but also in the Hereafter. The fate of the earlier nations is the proof scattered all over the world; and that invites those who believe in God; to reflect and ponder upon their existence. Here are the first 10 verses of Surah al-Araaf (Chapter 7) of the Holy Quran. The Almighty tells us:

“(It is) a Scripture that is revealed unto you
(O Muhammad); so let there be no heaviness in
your heart on that account – that you may warn
thereby; and (it is) a Reminder unto believers.”
(al-Quran 7:2)


That revelation is a Scripture (the Quran) which has been sent down to the mankind to remind them to be God-conscious and be warned in case they disregard God’s signs and commands. Allah, the Almighty, reminds us every day, in every phase of our journey and in every sphere of life that He is running the show; He is the Master of Ceremony and He is the Supreme Controller. Whatever is in the heavens, on earth and in-between, belongs to Him; and to Him belongs the sovereignty of the universe. He has no partners and there is nobody else who could save us from any disaster, any catastrophe or death.

“Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto
you from your Lord; and follow not, as friends
or protectors, other than Him! Little it is
you remember of admonition.”
(al-Quran 7:3)


We don't have Allah in our lives and we are lost in the jungle of worldly desires and lusts. There are warning signs from our God in the form of natural disasters, but we ignore them as 'climate change', as long as it is happening to others and not to us. The Almighty God is telling us that He alone is running the show and He is not pleased with us. If we don’t repent and seek His forgiveness; and don’t fix what needs to be fixed to serve humanity better, we better be prepared for bigger disasters which we have no means of controlling at all. Here is a reminder of His warning!

“How many towns have We destroyed (for
their sins)? Our punishment took them on a
sudden by night or while they slept for
their afternoon rest.”
(al-Quran 7:4)

“When (thus) Our punishment took them, no cry
did they utter but this: "Indeed we did wrong."
(al-Quran 7:5)


Yes, we are going to realize it one day that we were wrong but then it would be too late – way beyond the possibility of fixing it. The time to act is now. It is now or never! The Evil Empire, controlled by the Devil, has been destroying the countries of the world, one after the other, to exercise its total control and show its super powers to the corrupt, dishonest and coward world leaders who have no courage, nor plans to stand up for justice, honesty and democracy – actually humanity. They are all (Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.) trying to please the Evil Empire only to stay in power in their own countries. It’s a shame that the world has come to that point today! People are showing their moral bankruptcy with a bold face!



Today, believers are believers in word only, not in practice. Those hypocrites say something else but do something else with a cunning smile on their faces. They use lies to start wars and kill innocent people because those people refuse to obey them. But God is watching them all and every action of theirs is being recorded. On the Day of Judgment that book of records will be thrown on their faces. And eventually, the justice will be served by the Supreme Justice.

“And verily, We shall recount their whole
story with knowledge, for We were never
absent (at any time or place).”
(al-Quran 7:7)


Allah tells us in the Quran that justice will be delivered – every good deed will earn good rewards and every bad/evil deed will be punished. Those in the corridors of power today, are following the Devil’s plot. They don’t want to hear about Allah, God, the Scriptures or the Quran. They are lost in power. They’ll come to their senses after losing that power. And it’s going to happen soon – maybe very soon!

Now is the time for checks and balances; preparing the profit-&-loss accounts and clearing all dues. Once the term-limit is over, the game will be over! We should worry about our scales – the scales of good and bad deeds!

“The balance that day will be true (to nicety):
Those whose scale (of good deeds) will be
heavy, will prosper.”
(al-Quran 7:8)

“Those whose scale will be light, will be their
souls in perdition, for that they wrongfully
treated Our signs.”
(al-Quran 7:9)


No Super Power will be able to protect the evil-doers, whether they are kings, presidents, prime ministers or Emirs in this world. They will all be begging for mercy on the Day of Justice which is approaching fast. If they want to avoid all humiliation and burning in the Hellfire, they better change their ways NOW, or else!




The King of the kings is reminding us again that all power belongs to Him and He alone bestows it upon whom He wills. But those who are given authority or power, they will be questioned about its use. Most of them seem like drifting towards Hellfire though – because they are not only wrong-doers and unfair, they are also ungrateful to the Almighty, Who gave them the power in the first place.

“It is We Who have placed you with authority
on earth, and provided you therein with means
for the fulfillment of your life. Little are the
thanks that you give!”
(al-Quran 7:10)


There’s still time (actually very little time left) to reflect and put the house in order! Men in power are responsible to bring peace, justice and happiness to the people they rule. It is an obligation and they will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.

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Friday 11 November 2022

AL-QURAN: God's Presscription For Man's Spiritual And Physical Healing.

 Al-Quran:
God’s Prescription For
Man's Spiritual And
Physical Healing

(M. Javed Naseem)


"O mankind! There has come to you a direction
from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases)
in your hearts; and for those who believe,
a guidance and a Mercy."
            (al-Quran 10:57)                

If there’s a doubt in your mind about the benefits of the revelations of Allah, the Almighty, He reassures you in the Holy Quran at many places:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
وَلاَ يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ إَلاَّ خَسَاراً

“We send down (stage by stage) in the Quran
that which is a healing and a mercy to those
who believe. To the unjust, it causes nothing
but loss after loss.”
(al-Quran 17:82)


In the Holy Quran, we’ll find the stories of previous nations who rejected the message of Allah, deviated from the right path and rebelled against the Laws of Allah. They were wiped off the land as if they never existed. The nations of Aad, Thamud, Noah, Nimrod, Lot, Shuaib, Pharaoh, etc., they all became part of the history and a lesson for the mankind. Allah says:

وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْقُرُونَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَمَّا ظَلَمُواْ
وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَاتِ وَمَا كَانُواْ
لِيُؤْمِنُواْ كَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِى   ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

“We destroyed the generations before you
when they did wrong; and their messengers
(from Allah) came unto them with clear proofs
(of His Sovereignty), but they would not
believe. Thus do we reward the guilty folk.”
(al-Quran 10:13)


But did the mankind really learn any lesson from the history? Today, we are in the same situation once again, or even worse. Allah has extended the leash, giving us plenty of time to repent and change our ways, but nothing is improving. On the contrary, the only change that we see, is the change for the worse – ‘Haraam’ is spreading. We are chasing an illusion. We have ignored all warnings and have arrogantly defied the Commands of Allah.


The righteous few, the friends of Allah, have already received the signals of the coming punishment which is almost at our doorsteps. Now, it is just a matter of weeks or months. Wake up, people! It is coming! Can we still not see it? Then we must be blind, deaf and dumb! Prepare yourself for a rude awakening!


وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيراً مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلإِنْسِ
لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لاَّ يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ
لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لاَّ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَآ
أُوْلَـٰئِكَ كَٱلأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْغَافِلُونَ
 
“Already have We urged unto hell many of the
Jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they
understand not, and having eyes wherewith they
see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not.
These are as the cattle - nay, but they are worse!
These are the neglectful.”
(al-Quran 7:179)


We have made our choices. We have sowed the seeds of injustice and corruption; the seeds of evil and transgression; and now is the time to harvest. We shall reap what we have sowed, that is the law of nature. If that happened to the nations of the old, it can happen to us too. We are NO exception!
We have seen the warning signs – the fires, floods, storms and hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. But we didn’t budge. The door of repentance is still open. There is very little time left but there’s still a chance. It might be the last chance!

Satan was cursed because of his arrogance and was destined to Hell. We are guilty of the same crime. Allah warned us not to follow him as he was an open enemy to us.

أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يٰبَنِيۤ آدَمَ أَن
لاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ ٱلشَّيطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

“Did I not charge you, O you sons of Adam!
That you should not serve the Shaitan?
Surely he is your open enemy.”
(al-Quran 36:60)


It is a pity that we don’t listen to Allah but listen and follow the Devil. Allah is the Truth and the Devil is a lie – full of deception. Allah wants us to go to Heaven but Devil leads us to Hell; and we accompany Devil willingly. Are we not concerned about the terrible consequences of disobedience to Allah?

 وَمَا وَجَدْنَا لِـأَكْثَرِهِم مِّنْ عَهْدٍ
وَإِن وَجَدْنَآ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَفَاسِقِينَ

“Most of them We found not men (true)
to their covenant; but most of them
We found rebellious and disobedient.”
(al-Quran 7:102)


Disobedience merits punishment. Rebellion against Allah cannot go unpunished. O Ummah! Look at the history of mankind!

"Have they not seen how many generations
We destroyed before them, which indeed
returned not unto them?"
(al-Quran 36:31)




Allah’s help and guidance is there for us but it comes to those only who seek it and strive for it. A mother does not feed her baby unless the baby cries. Here is a recipe to seek Allah’s help:

يَآأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱسْتَعِينُواْ بِٱلصَّبْرِ
وَٱلصَّلاَةِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ

“O you who believe! Seek help with patient
perseverance and prayer; for Allah is
with those who patiently persevere.”
(al-Quran 2:153)


Patient perseverance means steadfastness (Istiqamat). It is the basic requisite of Islam. You believe in Allah, obey His commands, His messengers, and keep doing the right things; then ask for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. He will surely bless you; but He will also test your faith, your honesty, your sincerity, i.e., your steadfastness. If you stay the course, of course with His help, you will be blessed. It is hard but worth trying. This is God’s prescription and it always works without fail!

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Friday 4 November 2022

1,500 YEARS OLD 'The Blessed Tree' Of Safawi (Jordan).

 

1,500 Years Old

'The Blessed Tree'

Of Safawi (Jordan)


Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

Rested Under That Tree

(M. Javed Naseem)


(The Blessed Tree in autumn/winter)


(The Blessed Tree in Spring and Summer)

In ancient times, Jordan was part of the original Palestine – the Holy Land; the Land of the Prophets. During that period of time and history, today’s countries of Jordan and Lebanon did not exist. It was all Syria in the north; Palestine in the middle; Iraq and Persia (Iran) in the east; and Egypt in the south. Hijaz and Yemen formed the south-east. The west was occupied by the Mediterranean Sea. The north part of Syria and Turkey were under Byzantine Empire.

Emergence of Islam changed the course of history. The Byzantine and the Romans were forced to leave Middle East that eventually became entirely Muslim. But the ruins of those empires are still scattered all over Middle East. Ruined Elfi theaters and big Roman columns still decorate the landscape in countries like Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Arabia, Iraq, etc. Today’s Jordan has common borders with Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Amman is the capital of today’s Jordan, ruled by the Hashemite family. In the historic past, Amman was called Philadelphia. It is famous for many of its landmarks and historical monuments. Except for the desert, Amman is constructed on a hilly area – miles and miles of ups and downs – difficult to drive but more difficult to walk on foot. Actually, the whole country is hilly and mountainous.

In October 2019, Jordan’s King Abdullah and the visiting Head of Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, inaugurated the Visitors Centre at the site of the Blessed Tree in Safawi. It is said that Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w.), rested under that tree on his way to Syria. The Prophet (s.a.w.) was in a trade caravan, in the company of his uncle Abu Taalib. In those days, Syria was the international hub of trade and cultural activities. Merchants from other countries used to bring their merchandise in Syria and make good profit by selling them there. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) rested under this tree, taking shelter from the scorching heat of sun.

At this point, a well-known Christian monk Bahira also met him and saw how the tree was protecting the young man (Muhammad, s.a.w.) with its thick shade and fanning cool breeze with its leaves. Bahira observed the situation with interest and  predicted that the young man (Mohammad, s.a.w.) would become a Prophet of Allah one day. Eventually, Bahira's prediction came true and at the age of 40, Mohammad (s.a.w.) declared his Prophethood. The Blessed Tree, estimated to be 1,500 years old, is a religious and historical site in Jordan.

The miraculous thing about the tree is that for miles and miles around, there is no other tree in sight in that desert. There is also no water. But the holy tree has always a small pond of water on one side. During spring and summer times, the tree shows its real volume when it is covered with fresh green leaves. It provides shade to a huge area of ground where a whole caravan can take rest. The tree has also been given the title of the “Living Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet”.

(Jordan’s King Abdullah and Head of Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, inaugurating the visitor centre at the site of the Blessed Tree in Safawi, where Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.), rested on his way to Syria (Photo Royal Court/Jordan Times))
King Abdullah gave the head of the Chechen Republic a tour of the pond adjacent to the site of the Blessed Tree. Because of that event, the Blessed Tree site also got an asphalt road access. Before that, there was only rough rocky and dirt pavement leading to the site. Thank you Mr. Kadyrov for helping the visitors with an asphalt road!

The film “The Blessed Tree”

A film has also been produced depicting the story of the tree and the meeting of the two religions (Christianity and Islam) – a Christian monk Bahira met Prophet Mohammad at this site under the same tree, and predicted of his prophethood.

Most of the visitors don’t know about this holy and historic site. It’s more than 150km towards east from the capital Amman city, close to the border of Iraq. It takes about two hours drive from Amman. The round trip can take more than 4 hours (a half day). The visitors need to take the road to the city of Sahab; then to al-Azraq and from there (about 13km) to Safawi. The signs have been posted.



The visitors can also take advantage of the vicinity of Sahab city to go to the famous Cave of the Seven Sleepers or the site of Ass-hab al-Kahf.


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