THE INCREDIBLE BARGAIN! Charity Brings The Best Rewards.

 

The Incredible Bargain!

Charity Brings

The Best Rewards

(M. Javed Naseem)

Man is always greedy, even though he knows that greed is the mother of all evil. It often forces you to lie, cheat, deceive and invent new means of corruption. A believer always believes in Allah and pays thanks to the Almighty for everything he has been provided with. He is always content and grateful to his Creator. He is aware of the fact that all men are created equal yet they are not the same. They don't have the same material benefits or same amount of wealth. And in this disparity lies their test and trial.

“Whoso desires the life of the world and its

pomp, We shall repay them their deeds herein,

and therein they will not be wronged. Those

are they for whom is naught in the Hereafter

save the Fire. All that they contrive here is vain

and all that they are wont to do is fruitless.”

(al-Quran 11 :15-16)

Those who are unfortunate , Almighty Allah is testing their faith with misfortune to see how grateful, patient and steadfast they are. And those who are more fortunate than others, they are being tested with their fortune (wealth) whether or not they take care of their less fortunate brothers and spend their wealth for the cause of Allah. We are supposed to live in this world as one community and take care of each other in times of need. This is only humane. If we want to be treated with mercy, we must, first, treat others with mercy.

In Islamic lifestyle and culture, the community has a lot more importance than the individual. Most of the commands in the Holy Quran are concerning others. The message is loud and clear : Take care of the mankind and you will be taken care of. Serve others so that you could be served.

Life in this world is not only a test for a believer but also a good opportunity to bargain with Allah for the benefits of Hereafter. The more we spend here for God's pleasure, the more we will get as a reward in the Hereafter. It is like lending a loan to Allah, Who will multiply it in its repayment to us in the Hereafter. The Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

“If you lend unto Allah a goodly loan,

He will double it for you and will forgive you,

for Allah is Responsive, Clement.”

(al-Quran 64 :17)

What an incredible bargain! But the irony is that despite all the benefits there are not many among us who go for this bargain. Have you not heard that if you give something in charity (Sadaqah), Allah will give you the reward of it, ten times in this world and 70 times in the Hereafter? That's God's principle. It has been valid since the beginning of the time and has no expiry date during our lifetime.

There was that guy during the era of Prophet Moses. Life was not very comfortable for the poor fellow. He was always hand to mouth and struggling. He got so sick and tired of his life that one day he decided to go and see Prophet Moses. He said :

“O Moses! My life has been miserable. You are the Prophet of Allah and known for communicating with Him. Please talk to Allah for me and ask Him to have mercy on me and make my life a little easier.”

Prophet Moses promised him to do that. When he had the opportunity, he talked to The Almighty and requested Him to ease up the life of the poor man. The Almighty replied that there was not much of 'Rizk' (provision) prescribed for this person. Therefore, whatever is meant for him is spread thinly over his lifetime. He gets a little but he will keep getting something for the rest of his life. The next time when Prophet Moses saw this person, he explained to him what was prescribed for him in this world. The poor man said:

“Alright! Can you then ask the Almighty to grant me all my 'Rizk' (provision) in lump sum, at one time, instead of spreading it over many years?”

Prophet Moses thought that was a very unreasonable demand and tried to convince the poor man otherwise. But the poor man insisted that he wanted all at one time. This way he would at least have some comfortable days and could enjoy life, even if it was for a short time. Prophet Moses agreed to do that. On the next occasion when Prophet Moses communicated with Allah, he conveyed to Him the poor man's desire. The Almighty Allah accepted the request and granted the poor man all his 'Rizk' at one time.

A few days later when Prophet Moses happened to pass by the poor man's house, he saw some kind of festival. Many people were enjoying food and drinks. He was surprised and wanted to talk to the poor man. The man was very happy and he thanked Prophet Moses for that. Moses asked him what was going on? The man said that he had invited all the poor and hungry people of his neighborhood and told them that they could eat by him every day, as long as the food lasted.

Moses thought that it was not going to last long, may be a few days or a few weeks or maximum for a few months. Then the man would be in a greater misery than before. Time went by quickly. A few weeks later when Prophet Moses passed by the poor man's house he saw the party going on. He shook his head and left. He saw the same thing happening when he passed by, a couple of months later, and then after a year or so the party was still going on. Prophet Moses could not believe his eyes. He was perplexed. So, on the next occasion of communicating with God, Prophet Moses could not help asking God about the poor man's situation. How could it last that long?

The Almighty God told Moses that there was nothing surprising. “It is Our principle that if anyone spends in Our way, for Our pleasure, We give him ten times more in this world and 70 times in the Hereafter. Therefore, the poor man as he keeps spending in charity, he keeps getting tenfold in this world. That's how the party goes on and on.”

Subhan Allah! What a bargain! An incredible bargain! Since The Almighty Allah is not going to change His principle, we should take advantage of it while we are still alive. As death can come at any time, we better do something right now before it is too late. The life of this world is an opportunity for us to accumulate the rewards and blessings of The Almighty for the Hereafter. It is the Hereafter that matters because that is the real and everlasting life.

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MOONSIGHTING: Astronomy Is Science! Its Calculations Are Perfect.

 

Moonsighting:

Astronomy Is Science!

Its Calculations Are Perfect

(M. Javed Naseem)

Allah has fixed the movements of the

planets. Get rid of corrupt 'ulema' and

Moonsighting Committees that are wasting

money, time, energy, and are creating

Fitnah, confusion and disunity!

“Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any

pillars that, you can see, is firmly established on

the throne (of authority). He has subjected the sun

and the moon (to His Law)! Each one runs (its

course) for a term appointed. He does regulate all

affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that you may

believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.”

(al-Quran 13:2)

It is the time of the year when ignorant (jahil) and evil-minded forces in the community get active again to spread differences, disunity and create Fitnah. Moonsighting is their favorite subject and they always promote 'naked eye' theory. It means that the moon should be visible with the naked eye. They don't believe in any science, education, knowledge and astrological calculations.

Muslims are being ridiculed and laughed at by the world because they are not united; they cannot start their New Year, the Eid festivals and Ramadan unanimously on the same day in all countries or even in different regions of the same country. The simple and only reason for that is their ignorance (‘Jahalat’). They have gone astray and left the Quran, therefore, the guidance (or the Quran) has left them too. When you ignore the signs of Allah, Allah will ignore you too.

Allah, the Supreme Creator, has already fixed the movements of the planets and He declared it in the Quran too. We need to consult the Guiding Book in all our daily life affairs. Astrology is a real science and its calculations are perfect. After observing the planets for one year, you can make a calendar of the movements of the sun and the moon for the next 100 years, without error.

This is the best way to do it but it has a ‘big’ problem – Mullah’s endorsement. The Mullah has monopolized the religion of Islam, just like the Catholic priest monopolized the Christianity to keep control and make big money. Mullah doesn’t want to loose control and ‘ownership’ (in Urdu: ‘Thekedari’) on Islam as this is a hen laying golden eggs for him. But Mullah has a double face. Remember, when the loudspeaker was introduced? Mullah gave a decree (‘Fatwah’) that the use of loudspeakers for Adhan is ‘Haraam’. Today, the same Mullah is making your life miserable by abusing the same loudspeaker day and night!

Allah says in the Quran:

“They ask you concerning the new moons. Say:

They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time

in (the affairs of) men, and for pilgrimage.”

(al-Quran 2:189)

“The sun and the moon follow courses

(exactly) computed.”

(al-Quran 55:5)

“It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory

and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and

measured out stages for her; that you might know

the number of years and the count (of time).

Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and

righteousness. (Thus) does He explain His Signs

in detail, for those who understand.”

(al-Quran 10:5)

Yes, for those who understand. Do we understand?

All knowledge comes from Allah and He bestows it upon whom He wills. We Muslims are obligated to get education, acquire knowledge (‘ilm’) and seek the Truth by all means. Today, the world has gone too far with its technological advancement and it would be a stupid act (or stubbornness) to deny its benefits. A wise man would take advantage of this technology and use it to his benefit to avoid complications, confusion and disunity or disruption. It’s only logical! And it is absolutely Islamic too.

When you study the Quran and seek Allah's guidance, you'll find everything you need. The third-person or the mediator or the brokers (Dallal) are not needed at all. Allah, the Almighty, tells us in the Quran:

“He created the heavens and the earth in true

(proportions). He makes the Night overlap the

Day, and the Day overlap the Night. He has

subjected the sun and the moon (to His law).

Each one follows a course for a time appointed.

Is not He the Exalted in Power - He

Who forgives again and again?”

(al-Quran 39:5)

“And the Moon - We have measured for her

mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the

old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.”

(al-Quran 36:39)

Now, come to the point! New sun always appears in the east and the new moon appears in the west. The new moon (crescent) always appears in the early hours of the morning somewhere in the Pacific Ocean region and it is not visible by the naked eye in any country of the world. Moreover, we Muslims are supposed to look for the moon at sunset (Maghrib) time. Any other time is not valid.

The new moon (crescent) of Shawwal 1440 will appear in the Pacific and Latin America region, on Thursday (April 20, 2023) at 4:12UT (Universal Time)., and it would also be observed on the other side of the world, like Australia, Indonesia, etc. The new moon will make for a very special solar eclipse this month. According to the US Naval Observatory it would be visible from the eastern Indian Ocean, Australia, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia. And nowhere else!

That means the new moon (crescent) of Shawwal will not be visible in any country of the world at sunset (Maghrib) time on Thursday. It will be visible the next day, Friday, only. Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitre can be observed on Saturday.

I hope the intelligent people and the knowledge seekers will get their guidance. In this matter, the science and technology are perfectly in harmony with the verses of the Quran.

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GLORIFY ALLAH'S NAME! Thank The Merciful And You'll Be Blessed!

 

Glorify Allah's Name!

Thank The Merciful

And You'll Be Blessed!

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

The blessed month of Ramadan is almost over but there is no pause or end to Allah's mercy and blessings upon us. If we remember Him and glorify His name; if we pay thanks to Him and ask Him for His mercy; and if we still ask Him for his forgiveness, He is the Most Gracious and Most Merciful to bestow upon us His blessings and bounties. He is the Almighty Creator of all things but He appreciates when we humans glorify His name and pay thanks to Him.

“They remember Allah, standing, sitting,

and reclining, and consider the creation

of the heavens and the earth, (and say):

Our Lord! You created not this in vain.

Glory be to You! Preserve us

from the doom of Fire.”

(al-Quran 3:191)

Allah the Almighty created us and before that He created the universe with all things in it. To Him belong the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them. Being His creation, it is only natural that we pay thanks to Him because He keeps bestowing upon us His blessings and bounties. He is the Best Provider. Praising the Almighty and thanking Him for all the blessings is due upon us without any argument. In the Quran, Allah promises us that if we thank Him, He will give us more. Therefore, it is only logical and reasonable that we glorify His name day in and day out. We need Him in our lives all the time, seven days a week. Without His mercy, we would be ruined and without His guidance, we would be lost.

“Then you turned away from your

covenant, and had it not been for Allah’s

grace and mercy upon you,

you would have long been utter losers.”

(al-Quran 2:64)

Once, the army of the Prophet of Allah, Sulaiman – or Solomon – (a.s.), was passing through a valley. There were Jinns and Humans in his flanks, and the birds in the air were casting their shadows to protect them from the heat of the sun. A pious man was passing by and saw that magnificent view of Solomon's grandeur and majesty. He stopped and said to Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.):

“Vow! Allah has blessed you with such a big kingdom and you even rule over Jinns, humans, beasts and cattle, animals and birds.”

Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.) smiled and replied: “One word of “Subhan-Allah” in the Record of Deeds of a Muslim, is better than this whole kingdom of Sulaiman. Because this kingdom is going to perish one day, but the reward of “Subhan-Allah” is going to stay for ever.”

Allah-o-Akber! What an assessment! All glory be to Allah! There is nothing better and bigger and more important in the entire universe than the glory and praise of the Almighty Allah.

Scholars have quoted many references from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and concluded that the best words to utter (Kalima) as “Zikr” (or Dhikr) are “Subhan- Allah”, “Alhamdo-lillah” and “Allaho-Akber”. The scholars of all four schools of thoughts also unanimously agree on the following:

That the best Kalima (word or phrase) for Zikr (Dhikr) during the day or night, which is very easy and light on the tongue, but would be heavier in the scale of good deeds on the Day of Judgment, is:

“Subhan-Allah wa-behamdeh,

Subhan-Allah il-Azeem.”

 

 

The more you recite, the more rewards you get for your Hereafter. It is recommended that you recite it at least 100 times everyday, if not more. Some people recite it 100 times after each prayer (Salaat). If you cannot do that, then at least recite it after Fajr and Isha prayers. This phrase is considered very dear and favorite to Allah the Almighty. Allah will shower His mercy upon you, Insha-Allah.

“Establish worship at the going down of the sun

until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the

Quran at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Quran

at dawn is ever witnessed.”

(al-Quran 17:78)

Allah tells us in the Quran that we should always be 'mindful' of Him; fear His wrath and anger; and be grateful to Him in all situations, under all circumstances. Sometimes, it is very hard to do that but we have no choice. You can take or bear something with a smile or with a frown. Only smile looks not only better on our face but it also earns rewards for you in the Hereafter. It is a 'Hasanah' or 'Sadaqah'. The other thing is that we cannot change our situation but Allah can, as He is able to do everything. Our job is to do good, and He will reward us with a great prize or compensation.

“Is the reward of good anything but good?”

(al-Quran 55:60)

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