WANT TO SUCCEED? Live By Allah's Commands & Prophet's Teachings!

 

Want To Succeed?

Live By Allah's Commands

And Prophet's Teachings!

(M. Javed Naseem)

Salam wa rahmatu-Allah to all readers all over the world. I came to Madina al-Munawarah (Saudi Arabia) today, this Friday morning, overwhelmed by different feelings. This is the blessed city of the blessed Prophet of Allah (Muhammad, s.a.w.) who was designated as mercy for the world and mercy for the mankind; who was a model of good conduct, great character and a role-model for all believers in this world.

We mourn the plight of Muslims all over the world, especially in Palestine, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Yemen, etc. We regret the rôle of all powerful Muslim countries that are doing nothing to improve the situation and stop the genocide and destruction of Muslims towns. They have failed the Ummah and the Ummah itself has failed to live by the Book. In our capacity, we can pray to Allah the Almighty only; and that's what I am doing now on this trip in the last years of my life. May the Most Merciful Allah, the Almighty, respond to the cries of the desperate Muslims all over the world and answer our prayers in the best possible way with mercy and forgiveness. Aameen.

Allah the Almighty commands us to remind the believers of His Message and His Commands. We Muslims are in this delapidated condition because we have deviated from the 'right' path and are doing good things only to show off, to take pictures and put them on social media or to decorate our pages and albums. We have lost the purpose, the essence and the sincerity of the purpose. We chase the superficious things and leave the most important substance. We have become simply hypocrites or the 'Munafiqeen', as put it in Islamic terms.

In this situation, I would only dare reminding the believers of some verses of the Quran, the True Message of the Supreme Creator of the universe to His creation – we the mankind. At the same time I would remind Muslims of some excerpts from the last sermon of Hajj of the Prophet (s.a.w.) who was declared the best role-model for us by the Almighty.

First of all, if we claim to be Muslims, we should also know what is Islam. Islam is righteousness. Islam is surrender to the will of Allah/God – unconditional submission. You do what Allah permits you to do and you don't do what Allah forbids. Period. Now, to answer your question as to what is righteousness ? Here's Allah's definition of the righteousness in the Quran and there is no better definition of piety than that.

لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

'Righteousness is not in turning your faces

towards the east or the west. Rather, the

righteous are those who believe in Allah, the

Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets;

who give charity out of their cherished wealth to

relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers,

beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish

prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they

make; and who are patient in times of suffering,

adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they

who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they

who are mindful ˹of Allah˺.'

(al-Quran 2:177)

Islam is the Deen or religion of Allah and it is based on righteousness. It was the same Deen or religion that was practiced by all Prophets and Messengers of God, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Prophets Noah, Abraham (Ibrahim), Moses and Jesus also practiced ad preached the same Deen or religion, although it was called differently in the languages of their times. The Bible says :

"The Lord works righteousness and

justice for all who are oppressed".

(Psalm 103:6)

Now, here's what the 'best role-model for the mankind', Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) told us in his last Hajj sermon, Khutbah Hajjat-al Wadaa, delivered at Arafat (Makkah), in the year 632A.D. Or 10^th Hihjri.

"O people! Allah says: 'O people! We created you from one male and one female and made you into tribes and nations, so as to be known to one another.' Verily, in the sight of Allah, the most honored among you is the one who is most pious (God-fearing). There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab and for a non-Arab over an Arab; nor for the white over the black nor for the black over the white, except in righteousness (God-consciousness)."

“All mankind is the progeny of Adam and Adam was fashioned out of clay. Behold! Every claim of privilege, whether that of blood or property, is under my heels except that of the custody of the Kaabah and supplying of water to the pilgrims”.

“Behold! All practices of the days of ignorance are now under my feet. The blood revenges of the days of ignorance are remitted."

“All interest and usurious dues accruing from the times of ignorance stand wiped out"

“O people! Verily your blood, your property and your honor are sacred and inviolable until you appear before your Lord, as the sacred inviolability of this day of yours, this month of yours and this very town (of yours). Verily, you will soon meet your Lord and you will be held answerable for your actions”.

“O people! Verily you have got certain rights over your women and your women have certain rights over you. It is your right upon them to honor their conjugal rights, and not to commit acts of impropriety, which if they do, you are authorized by Allah to separate them from your beds and chastise them, but not severely, and if they refrain, then clothe and feed them properly”.

“Behold! It is not permissible for a woman to give anything from the wealth of her husband to anyone but with his consent”.

“Treat women kindly since they are your helpers and are not in a position to manage their affairs by themselves! Fear Allah concerning women, for verily, you have taken them on the security of Allah and have made their persons lawful unto you by words of Allah”.

“Beware! No one committing a crime is responsible for it but himself. Neither the child is responsible for the crime of his father, nor is the father responsible for the crime of his child”.

“Nothing of his brother is lawful for a Muslim except what he himself gives willingly. So do not wrong yourselves”.

“Verily, I have left among you that which will never lead you astray, the Book of Allah, which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray”.

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BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS So That You Receive Mercy!

 

Be Merciful To Others

So That You Receive Mercy!

Compassion Is God's

Gift To Humanity

(M. Javed Naseem)

Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (s.a.w.), had an examplary character. He was the best role-model for us. He was full of mercy, compassion and patience. He never lied in his life and also never did injustice to anybody. He was patient in every situation and people never saw him in a rage or anger. He was always calm and composed and never abused or rebuked anybody. Such a high level of morality is so hard to achieve. While talking to others, he always put a smil on his face. And that's why the Almighty Allah praised him for his decent manners and conduct.

“And you (O Muhammad) are on

an exalted standard of character!”

(al-Quran 68:4)

Allah the Almighty is our Creator and we are His children. He is like a father to us but He loves us almost 100 times more than a mother. He is full of compassion and mercy for us. His mercy encompasses the entire universe. Being His creation, we inherit compassion, love and mercy. But sometimes we lose those qualities because we get a bit unreasonable in our anger and rage.

Mercy and compassion are the most important virtues of a Muslim or a good human being. As a matter of fact, those are the divine attributes of Allah (God) and are also considered the best qualities of a person. All religions consider mercy and compassion as the most important elements of a believer's character. In the Quran, every chapter is opened with the name of Allah, the "Most Gracious, Most Merciful," Our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was declared as a "mercy to the worlds," or mercy to the mankind. The Quran is full of teachings that urge believers to show mercy to all creatures, linking human kindness to divine mercy, emphasizing forgiveness and universal care over cruelty.

Muslims are commanded to be merciful to all people (Muslim or non-Muslim) and creatures, not only to the fellow believers. There's a saying: 'If you show mercy to those on the earth, Allah will show mercy to you on the Day of Judgment.' And that includes showing kindness to the sick, the poor, the elderly, children, enemies, and even animals. Actually, hope in Allah's mercy encourages humans to seek forgiveness and extend it to others.

Love is an ocean with no limits and if you drown in it, you’ll live forever – in the hearts of others whom you loved. You can’t see love, just like you can’t see Allah. But you can feel love the same way you can feel Allah's presence and creation everywhere. Allah is infinite Love and Mercy. And if you have these virtues in your character, you are blessed because they come from Him. It also means that you are connected with the Infinite. You are really blessed!

Love and mercy originate from Allah. We, being His creation, need love and mercy not only from Him but also from the fellow human beings. This is something that binds us together. Our children also need love, affection and special attention – actually more than the adults. We are like the leaves and branches of the 'Love Tree' that holds us together. Allah the Most Merciful declares in the Quran:

'And one of His signs is that He created for you

spouses from among yourselves so that you may

find comfort in them. And He has placed

between you compassion and mercy. Surely

in this are signs for people who reflect.'

(al-Quran 30:21)

Long time ago, I read a beautiful story about a child's love for her parents. A man once saw his 3-year old daughter trying to gift-wrap a small box with golden foil. He saw the child trying again and again, wasting a lot of foil as she was trying to wrap up the box but could not handle it perfectly. The man was not happy with what he saw and he reprimanded his daughter angrily for wasting foil. Money was tight and times were tough. It was the month of Ramadan and the 3-year old was probably preparing some Eid gifts for her friends. Eventually, the little girl finished packing. The next day she brought the gift to her father and said,

‘This is for you, Daddy. Happy Eid Mubarak!’

The man was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction when he snubbed the little girl. He felt ashamed but put a smile on his face and hugged the girl thanking her for the gift. But the moment he opened the box he got mad with anger again. The box was empty.

‘What the hell…..?’, he screamed at the girl. ‘Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside the box? How could you…..?’

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, ‘But Daddy, it is not empty at all. I blew one hundred kisses into the box. They are all for you, Daddy.’

The father was devastated. Tears started running on his cheeks. He put his arms around his little girl, hugged her and begged for her forgiveness. He regretted that every time he got mad and said or did something unpleasant to hurt the child's feelings; while the child was doing innocently whatever she thought was good to please her father.

If you are short-tempered and get upset over every little thing, you'll be regretting a lot in your daily life. Friends and family members would always try to avoid you. Dont' make any decisions while you are mad or upset. An angry mind cannot think straight and positive. Angry people lack tolerance and want to punish others for their smallest fault or lapse while, at the same time, ignoring their own faults and lapses.

There's an old saying : ‘The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger/rage.'

The Prophet (s.a.w.) has been reported to have said: 'The best among you is the one who has the best manners (conduct).' Good conduct or manners are the most important quality of a Muslim. Allah the Almighty has declared in the Holy Quran that the Prophet (s.a.w.) had the best manners (conduct). Therefore, he was the best role-model not only for Muslims but for the entire mankind.

“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)

Now, getting back to the story! Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. Her father was devastated. He kept the gift box by his bed for many years and whenever he was down, discouraged or demoralized, he would take out one imaginary kiss from the box and remember the love of the child who had put the kisses there. That box was a great source of consolation.

We need love to survive, and for that purpose we need each other too. We are social beings and prefer to live in community or groups. Each one of us has been given a gift box filled with unconditional love and countless kisses from our children, family members, friends and neighbors. There is simply no other possession that anyone could hold dearer or more precious than that. It's a real treasure. We humans should be grateful to Allah, the Most Merciful for that. Do we appreciate and give thanks to the Almighty for that?

“Lo, your Lord is full of bounty for mankind,

but most of them do not give thanks.”

(al-Quran 27:73)

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GREEDY ZIONIST BILLIONAIRES Are Pursuing The Agenda To Control The Entire World

The Real Terrorists

Greedy Zionist Billionaires

Are Pursuing The Agenda To

Control The Entire World By

Fear, Death & Destruction

Injustice, Greed and Corruption

Created Unfair Distribution of

Wealth Which Is The Cause of

All The Problems of The World

(M. Javed Naseem)

When people react against injustice

and aggression, they are labeled ‘terrorists’

by the elite mafia, and are punished,

even killed.

There cannot be peace without justice! Social justice is the core of any economic system in a society that enjoys peace and prosperity. The world has seen the Free Market Economy (the Capitalism) as well as the Socialism (or Communism). And they have both failed mankind miserably. One is accused of too much freedom while the other is criticized for too much control. There is a limit to everything and there is no such thing as ‘total’ freedom. The lines are drawn and laws are made to enforce those lines or limits. Both economic systems (Capitalism and Communism) looked good on paper (in theory) but both brought crisis after crisis for the lower and middle classes. Only the rich could benefit from them and became richer; the millionaires became the billionaires and they still want more. There is no end to it.

On the other hand, the poor are getting poorer; the middle class is disappearing and the society can easily be categorized as the rich or the poor. The question is: Why did both systems failed? The answer is very simple but the so-called experts don’t want to admit it. They find faults in the other system. The truth is that the CORRUPTION caused both systems to crumble. Corruption means injustice; it means dishonesty and disparity; it means lawlessness; it means no discipline, no competent accountability; and eventually it means unfair distribution of wealth which results in poverty for the majority and riches for a very small minority. The man is getting more and more greedy. And more greed means more and more corruption.

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The Real Terrorists:

When the richest 1% owns more than half of 

the world’s wealth; when the 1% controls the lives 

of the 99%; when the 1% enjoys happy lives and

bring misery & poverty to the majority of the people,

they are the real terrorists with no compassion.

It also means that the system is not

working and needs immediate reforms.

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The wealthy or the super rich are known for their hidden wealth in Swiss banks or the off-shore foreign havens. According to a report published by the famous bank of Switzerland, Credit Suisse, the world’s five richest men own more than half of the world’s wealth. In other words, each one of those five people owns more wealth than almost 1.5 billion people of the world together. Amazing, isn’t it?

Most of the world’s super-super-rich are Americans. We the American people created the Internet, developed and funded Artificial Intelligence, and built a massive transportation infrastructure, yet we let just a few individuals take almost all the credit, along with hundreds of billions of dollars.

Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos have done little that wouldn’t have happened anyway. All modern U.S. technology started with — and to a great extent, continues with — our tax dollars, our research institutes and our subsidies to corporations.

The False Promise of Philanthropy

Many super-rich individuals have pedged the majority of their fortunes to philanthropic causes. But how much of that is for the real cause? They create Funds and Foundations to save their wealth for their families and evade taxes. Let's not forget that American billionaires all made their money because of the research and innovation and infrastructure that make up the foundation of our modern technologies. They have taken credit, along with their massive fortunes, for successes that derive from society rather than from a few individuals. It should not be any one person’s decision about the proper use of that wealth. Instead a significant portion of annual national wealth gains should be promised to education, housing, health research, and infrastructure. That is what Americans and their parents and grandparents have earned after a half-century of hard work and productivity.

All those filthy rich billionaires who are plundering the world's resources and are working towards the hegemony of the world claim to be the people of the Book, i.e., Jews or Christians. But in truth they are simply greedy and dishonest hypocrites.

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

The Bible says:

“Rich people who see a brother or sister in need,

yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim

that they love God.” – (1-John 3:17)

“Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need

clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good

is there in your saying to them, ‘God bless you!

Keep warm and eat well!’, if you don’t give them

the necessities of life?” – (James 2:15-16)

“Learn to do right. See that justice is done — help

those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights,

and defend widows.” – (Isaiah 1:17)

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Then there are those filthy oil-rich Arabs who are living luxury lives, wasting millions on extravagant lifestyle, shopping, women and tourism, and beating the drums of Islam at the same time. They are also hypocrites (Munafiqeen). The Almighty Allah has clearly told all Muslims that the poor have a share in their wealth. Islam emphasizes on the fair distribution of wealth and requires to create a society based on social justice and compassion.

The Quran says:

'Righteousness is not in turning your faces

towards the east or the west. Rather, the

righteous are those who believe in Allah, the

Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets;

who give charity out of their cherished wealth to

relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers,

beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish

prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they

make; and who are patient in times of suffering,

adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they

who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they

who are mindful ˹of Allah˺.'

(al-Quran 2:177)

'Those who spend their wealth [in Allah 's way]

by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they

will have their reward with their Lord. And

no fear will there be concerning them,

nor will they grieve.'

(al-Quran 2:274)

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PLIGHT OF MUSLIMS CONTINUES With No End To Death & Destruction In Sight.

Plight Of Muslims Continues

With No End To Death &

Destruction In Sight

The Zionists Are Destroying

The World Peace

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

وَأَنِيبُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

'Turn to your Lord ˹in repentance˺, and ˹fully˺ submit to Him

before the punishment reaches you,

˹for˺ then you will not be helped.'

(al-Quran 39:54)

That's a very clear and stern warning of Allah to all the oppressors of this world. The evil forces of Zionism have been playing the game of death & destruction, especially in the Middle Eastern Muslim countries, for years now. For the poor Palestinians, Syrians, Libyans, Kashmiris, the Iraqis, Sudanese and Yemenis there seems to be no respite. The misery is forced upon them and the powerful nations have become partners in genocide and injustice. It looks like that years of injustice, oppression, aggression, bloodshed, cold-blooded murder of innocent children and women and destruction of their towns is not going to stop. Forced starvation has been named as 'famine'. Forced landgrab is made possible by cruel genocide and the Western countries have either become partners or silent spectators. But they do scream for Ukraine and send them billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid while at the same time all humanitarian aid to the Palestinians is blocked.

The world, the so-called ‘civilized’ world, has become a silent spectator to the apartheid, the injustice and the inhuman treatment of the Muslims in their own countries by the Zionists. This is the height of injustice and hypocrisy! The worst part is that Muslims countries are also not helping the Palestinians, Syrians, Sudanese or the Yemenis. The Muslim leaders have shown once again that they are cowards and simply inept puppets installed by the evil Zionists. They will be questioned on the Day of Judgment. Now the victims of those countries are just looking up to the heavens for help because Allah promised them help.

لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا

Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy,

for Allah certainly forgives all sins.

(al-Quran 39:53)

The so-called ‘champions’ of human rights are violating human rights of weaker nations; and the champions of democracy are trampling the democratic values by using their veto power to suppress the voice of the majority. Democracy has become the ‘might is right’! What a shameless hypocrisy! You deny the majority of the people of the world their rights and claim to be exercising your own democratic right? What a joke! The right of veto is pure dictatorship and is against all principes of democrary.

Man has become evil. Greed turns him into a beast and he loses sense of logic, reason, dignity and justice. He wants to serve his own interest, no matter what. But there is always an end to everything. Anything that goes up, comes down. That’s the law of Nature. History of the world tells us that when Man is unable to thwart evil and deliver justice to the victims of aggression and oppression, God intervenes and delivers justice. The helpless poor victims of Palestine, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Kashmir, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are all waiting for that now. And it can come anytime!

The poor helpless victims of the weaker nations can’t do much against the oppression and aggression of the rich and powerful. Their own leaders sold them out. They are told to be patient, therefore, they are waiting patiently. How things would change, no one knows. But there’s hope and everybody is clinging to it.

The pious and the righteous tell us that this is a big trial for the righteous and we have to pass through it with patience and prayer. The real life – the permanent life – is in the Hereafter. This worldly life is a temporary game show. It is easy to believe but very hard and difficult to endure! Muslims can get the consolation from the Quran:

“Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world.

The Hereafter is the best for those who do

right. Never will you be dealt with unjustly

in the very least!”

(al-Quran 4:77)

The tyrants, the aggressors and the oppressors don’t care about the Torah, the Bible or the Quran. They don’t even fear God because God allowed them for a very long time to continue their evil works. Some of them don’t even believe that they are doing something wrong. But God gave them a long leash – enough time to change their ways, repent and rectify the situation by bringing justice and peace back into people’s lives.
If the tyrants and oppressors of mankind don't budge, God knows well how to bend them, even break them. The arrogant should know the history of the earlier nations that were destroyed because they resorted to evil-doing and did not stop or repent. Here's the promise of Allah:

“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)

The trouble-makers are under the strong influence of the Devil. But they don’t realize that one day, the Devil is going to abandon them and they’ll have to face the music alone. The Devil (Shaitan) was once close to God and used to hang out with angels in the Heaven. He knows very well the justice system of the Divine. Therefore, he’ll keep himself clear of any responsibility for misleading or misguiding human beings. He would say: ‘I didn’t force you to do evil. I just talked but you did the actions. You made your own choices!’

Can you imagine that Devil fears God and acknowledges His severe punishment but we humans don’t?

“And (remember) when Shaitan (Satan) made

their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said,

'No one of mankind can overcome you this Day

(of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am near to

you.' But when the two forces came in sight

of each other, he ran away and said 'Verily,

I have nothing to do with you. Verily! I see

what you see not. Lo! I fear Allah for

Allah is Severe in punishment.'"

(al-Quran 8:48)

 

We have brought the world by our inaction or evil deeds, where it is today – to the lowest ebb. Those who were clever with manipulative minds, took advantage of us. They used us to their benefit. Now, we are crying foul but there’s no referee to blow the whistle and stop the game. Those who are conducting the game, are already bought up. So, let us suffer the consequences of our ‘inaction’ patiently and pray to God, because when there was time for action, we did nothing. We were busy accumulating wealth, enjoying dance, music and getting laid. Now, we are reaping the harvest and crying! It’s better to cry before God as only HE can deliver us! We have already closed all doors. Only His door remains open  24/7. So, keep knocking! One day it’ll open, Insha-Allah! We hope it opens soon!

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PRAYER CONNECTS YOU WITH THE DIVINE. You Whisper To God In Prayer, One-on-One!

 

Prayer Connects You

With The Divine

In Prayer You Whisper To God

One-on-One!

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

Most people on this earth claim to be believers but how many of them truly believe in the dominion of One and Only God and worship Him? People love the world and its pump & show more than they love Allah the Almighty who created this universe. They claim one thing but they practice something else. And that is hypocrisy.

Addressing the selfish priests and scribes – the hypocrites and the corrupt preachers – Prophet Jesus, the son of Mary, said:

“O Hypocrites! You do this to fill your purse, and therefore you tithe rue and mint.”

Talking about idolatry, Jesus said:

“O miserable ones! For to others you show the most clear way, by which you will not go. You scribes and doctors lay upon the shoulders of others weights of unbearable weight, but you yourselves the while are not willing to move them with one of your fingers. Truly I say to you, that every evil has entered into the world under the pretext of the elders….

And how much does God lament this by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'Truly this people worships me in vain, for they have annulled my Law given to them by my servant Moses, and follow the traditions of their elders.” – (From the Gospel of Barnabas).

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“And it is certain that without faith it is

impossible for any one to please God.”

--- (Jesus Christ)

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When you claim to believe in One God and his sovereignty, you try to live by His commands and laws. Obedience to Him becomes the top priority of you life. The best way to please God is to remember Him through prayers. Prayer is an integral part of the ‘Deen’ (way of life + religion) and is the most personalized way to show Allah the gratitude and appreciation for all the favors and blessings He has bestowed upon us in this world. Prayer serves as a wall of protection for us. Allah says that prayer restrains from evil and sin.

“Recite what is sent of the Book by

inspiration to you, and establish regular

prayer; for prayer restrains from shameful

and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah

is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt.

And Allah knows the (deeds) that you do.”

(al-Quran 29:45)

Allah, Who has created us, tells us that the greatest (or the best) thing in this worldly life is to remember Him. And the key to remembrance of Allah is the prayer or supplication. We must glorify Him as much as possible because He is the Creator of heavens and earth, and everything between them. He wants us to be consistent and steadfast in our prayers. This is an obligation that cannot be ignored:

“And establish regular prayers at the two ends

of the day and at the approaches of the night.

For those things, that are good remove those

that are evil. Be that the word of remembrance

to those who remember (their Lord).”

(al-Quran 11:114)

Those who remember Allah with their prayers, they’ll have no worries. They are connected to the Divine. When you try to become a humble servant of Allah, He knows that and protects you from evil and disaster. He promises those servants that there ‘shall be neither fear nor grief’ for them.

“Those who believe, and do deeds of

righteousness, and establish regular prayers

and regular charity, will have their reward

with their Lord; on them shall be no fear,

nor shall they grieve.”

(al-Quran 2:277)

When you fear Allah, you are relieved from all other fears. You don't fear any tyrant, any dictator, any corrupt authority or influential person. You are on the right path and you meet other people who are following the same path. Those like-minded people become your friends and you enjoy the circle of righteous believers. That helps in creating a just society. Allah is the best friend of the true believers. The true friends of believers are the believers who fear Allah, who stay away from evil-doing, establish prayer and help others.

“Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah,

His Messenger, and the (fellowship of) believers –

those who establish regular prayers and regular

charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship).”

(al-Quran 5:55)

Prayer is one of the big pillars on which your entire structure of Faith stands. You talk to your Merciful Creator through prayer. When you pray, you whisper to God! That's the most direct contact you can establish with Allah. The Almighty tells us to guard the habit of prayers.

“Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers,

especially the middle prayer; and stand

before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).”

(al-Quran 2:238)

Prayer has been prescribed for us by Allah, as it was prescribed for other nations of believers that followed other Prophets and Messengers of God before our time. In the following verse, the Almighty confirms that prayer and charity (Salat and Zakat) were ordained for the Children of Israel (the nations of Moses and Jesus) as obligatory:

“Allah did aforetime take a covenant from

the Children of Israel; and We appointed twelve

captains among them. And Allah said: “I am with

you if you (but) establish regular prayers; practice

regular charity; believe in my Messengers, honor

and assist them, and loan to Allah a beautiful loan.”

(al-Quran 5:12)

We can get closer to Allah through prayers and charity. Therefore, the prayer is very important for all those who believe in One God (Allah), His prophets, His Books or Scriptures and in the Day of Judgment. 

 

Jesus On Prayer:

Prophet Jesus, the son of Mary, told his disciples how to pray to God. Here is an excerpt from the Bible (the Gospel of Barnabas), Chapters 36-37:

“Then Jesus said: 'Truly I say to you, that he who makes not prayer, is more wicked than Satan, and shall suffer greater torments.'”

“Even as of such spoke the prophet David: 'The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Therefore are they corrupt and become abominable, without one of them doing good.

Make prayer unceasingly, O my disciples, in order that you may receive! For he who seeks finds; and he who knocks to Him it is opened: and he who asks receives. And in your prayer do not look to much speaking, for God looks on the heart; as he said through Solomon: “O my servant, give me your heart.” (From the Gospel of Barnabas).

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WE ARE BEING TESTED WITH LIFE & DEATH. Only Good Deeds Will Guarantee Success.

 

We Are Being Tested

With Life & Death.

Only Good Deeds Will

Guarantee Success

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا

وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ ۚ

'Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority.

And He is Most Capable of everything. He is the One

Who created death and life in order to test which of you

is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.'

(al-Quran 67:1-2)

Allah is the Almighty, the Supreme Creator. He created the wonderful universe. And He created us – humans – as well as the life and death, so that we don't take it for granted that we are going to stay in this world, enjoying good life or suffering bad life, for ever. There is an end to everything and we are reminded of that, day in and day out, in our lives. The wise people get the message and they try to keep the balance in good and bad. Our best assets in this life are compassion, love, good manners and character based on honesty, sincerity, justice and sharing.

Allah says in the Quran, Surah al-Mulk, that both life and death are tests for us so that we remain mindful of Allah and keep doing the right things. Believers are supposed to promote good and forbid evil. The verse in question is a reminder or a warning to us so that we don't go astray. Or if we have gone astray, we revert back to the right path. There is also a psychological aspect of this verse of Surah al-Mulk. The worst thing a human is afraid of, is death. Therefore, when man reminds himself that he may die anytime, he might restrain himself from doing evil. Therefore, the death works as a deterrent. When we are going through bad times, we pray and remember Allah. We ask Him for help and relief. And when we are enjoying good/happy life, most of us even forget to thank Allah for all those blessings and bounties. So, that happy or good life also becomes a test or a trial for us. It reflects how we behave.

We are created to serve Allah and obey His commands. Being Allah's servants mean that we cannot do anything against the rules or instructions He laid down for us in the Book. Now, how much of this loyalty, faithfulness and obedience do we achieve or show, is the real test. The more and better we do, the more successful we will be considered. So, the success in this life is measured by our good deeds and the reward of those good deeds will be given to us in the form of Paradise (Jannah) in the Hereafter. That's why it is said that this world is a test or trial.

Allah knows well that we are weak and cannot achieve our goal perfectly; so He gives us some concessions and tells us to do as much good as we can. Don't kill yourself in this mission of 'doing good'! You can do a little but you are required to do it consistently. Make it a habit of doing good to others regularly, even if it is small in material value. Allah does not demand perfection from us but consistency and regularity. It is not the quantity that matters, but the quality. Allah values our Iman, our effort and loyalty, our sincerity and our intentions. The Most Merciful Allah tells us:

'We have not sent down to you the Quran

that you be distressed. But only as an

admonition to those who fear (Allah).'

(al-Quran 20:2-3)

So, don't distress yourself. Take it easy. Slow and steady does it. Do good as much as you can but do it regularly and consistently. That will prove your loyalty to your Creator.

Now, here comes another slogen: 'The best way to serve Allah is to serve mankind!' As a matter of fact, this expression is true. Allah wants us to live in this world as one community, one family, taking care of each other. We are supposed to help those who are in need; or those who are facing hardships; or those who are less fortunate. Some of those people might ask you for help but others won't even ask. They ask Allah for help. And that's where you come into picture. Your help to those in need is counted as a service to humanity and Allah rewards such good deeds based on compassion, sympathy and humanity. It is like giving a loan to Allah Who will return it to us manyfold on the Day of Judgment. And that's the real success.

The Most Merciful is also the Wisest. He established the Day of Judgment to remind us that there will be accountability. Justice will be delivered. And that's a great warning to those who commit injustice and oppression. They are given ample time to correct themselves, repent and compensate for the losses they incurred on others. If they don't remedy their evil and harmful acts before their death, they will be punished in the Hereafter. And that's the worst thing than can happen to a soul. In the Hereafter, there will be no death. That life is everlasting. Therefore, if you are awarded Paradise (Jannah) you'll stay there forever. But if you are destined to Hell, just like the Devil/Iblees, you are going to stay in Hellfire forever. So, we should think a hundred times before we commit an evil deed or injustice.

Remember one thing! There is NO such thing as 'getting away' when you do injustice to others or hurt others. You may not be punished right away and you might think that you 'got away' with it. Wrong! Every deed and action is being recorded and the register of those records will be thrown on your face on the Day of Judgment. The justice shall be delivered; it is only a matter of time. Don't separate your Hereafter (Aakhirah) from your World (Douniya). Your death is the link between those two sessions. The only thing is that you won't be able to do anything in the Hereafter to win Paradise. It is here and now, in this world. You work here on this side, on your Hereafter and you will see the results on the other side. The play-ground is here. The rules are laid down and the game is on. How wisely and intelligently, within those rules, you play, will decide your success or failure. The time to act and time to earn is here and now! Any moment, any hour, any day or any year lost, will never come back to you. It will never be compensated. So, spend your time wisely.

We, as humans, always make mistakes. We are all sinners. But the best sinners in the eyes of Allah, the Most Merciful, are those who repent and ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy. The best thing is that whenever we ask for His forgiveness and mercy, we are NEVER denied. We are ALWAYS granted. Therefore, take advantage of the compassion of the Most Merciful! What the world needs today is good souls, good intentions, good deeds and compassion. Positive change benefits all of us and all of us should contribute towards that goal. 'Art is long and the time is fleeting'.

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REMEMBERING ALLAH GUARANTEES SUCCESS. Allah Has Promised It In The Quran.

 

Remembering Allah

Guarantees Success

Allah's Promise In The Quran:

'Remember Me, I'll Remember You!'

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

"And remember Allah often

so you may be successful."

(al-Quran 62:10)

Remembrance of Allah should be like remembering your name – you never forget it, no matter what! It’s so simple but it’s so hard at the same time. The Devil and the forces of evil surround us and they are always attacking us from all sides to distract us from the remembrance of Allah.

The Bible says:

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

From the very first day Adam was created and Iblees (the Devil) refused to prostrate in front of him, God, the Almighty, destined Iblees (the Devil) to Hell for his rebellion and disobedience. The Devil wanted to prove that humans were also disobedient and don’t merit Paradise. Allah made it clear to him that “if humans followed You, instead of following Me, I’ll fill up Hell with You and your followers but those who would repent and ask for Allah’s forgiveness, I’ll forgive them, every time they repent and ask for forgiveness and mercy.” So, the challenge was accepted and the game is on since then. The Devil is trying to take as many humans as possible with him to Hell. On the other hand, Allah warned us – the humans – that Iblees was our enemy number one; and we should watch out to save our lives.

Unfortunately, the Devil has won so many rounds (actually most of it) of this bout against humans. We have been on a losing spree with some exceptions. And today, it looks even worse in view of the wars, bloodshed, injustice, corruption and oppression. All those horrible things are happening because of our failure to remember our Lord and follow His Commands.

In this material world, when the life is hectic, everybody looks for peace, calm, satisfaction and contentment. But, as a matter of fact, peace, calm, satisfaction and contentment can only be achieved through remembrance of Allah. The Almighty has guaranteed it in the Quran:

"Those who believe, and whose hearts find

satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah; for,

without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah

do hearts find satisfaction.”

(al-Quran 13:28)

فَٱذْكُرُونِيۤ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُواْ لِى وَلاَ تَكْفُرُونِ

“Therefore remember me, I will

remember you! Give thanks to Me,

and reject not Me!”

(al-Quran 2:152)

Remembering Allah is very simple. Just remember that Allah is watching you always! No matter what you do, say or plan, remember that He is watching you. That will keep you in check. But most of us don’t care, although it’s a very serious matter. Remembrance of Allah can win us this world and the Hereafter too; whereas forgetting or ignoring Allah can not only be harmful for us in this world but would also make us ‘losers’ in the Hereafter, which is the eternal life.

"O believers! Do not let your wealth or your

children divert you from the remembrance of

Allah. For whoever does so, it is they

who are the (true) losers."

(al-Quran 63:9)

The Bible says:

“Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord.” -  (2. Isaiah 1:4)

We have been created by Allah to obey Him and worship Him. It’s our obligation. But Allah tells us that this is the greatest thing in our lives. So, think about it!

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration

to you, and establish regular prayer; for prayer

restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and

remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in

life) without doubt. And Allah knows

the (deeds) that you do.”

(al-Quran 29:45)

“But keep in remembrance the name of

your Lord and devote yourself to Him

whole-heartedly!”

(al-Quran 73:8)

Since remembering Allah is an obligation, we cannot escape from it. We better do it willingly or get ready to be punished. To be honest, none of us can afford that severe punishment and losing the Hereafter at the same time.

"That We might try them by that (means).

But if any turns away from the remembrance

of his Lord, He will cause him to

undergo a severe penalty.”

(al-Quran 72:17)

 

“And be not like those who forgot Allah;

and He made them forget their own souls!

Such are the rebellious transgressors!”

(al-Quran 59:19)

Moral of the story:

Only in the remembrance of Allah will we find real peace, happiness, prosperity and contentment. Nothing else can guarantee that!

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YOU'LL BE QUESTIONED ABOUT YOUR CHOICES! Freedom has its limits.

 

You'll Be Questioned

About Your Choices!

Freedom Has Its Limits

Your choices/decisions can lead

you to Paradise or Hell.

(M. Javed Naseem)

This world is a 'comfort of illusion', a temporary passing show, full of entertainment and pleasure. But the real life is the 'Hereafter' which is eternal. We are here to work on our Hereafter. This world is a journey, not the destination. It is a test for us and only those will pass this test who act according to the Book of Laws prescribed for us by the Lord, our God – the Supreme Creator.

Allah the Almighty has told us that Satan (the Devil) is our eternal enemy. Since he was cursed and expelled from Paradise, he doesn't want that humans go to Paradise. He was destined to Hell, therefore, he is trying his best to take as many of us with him to Hell.

The Devil is very powerful and can influence the weak humans easily. He puts silly ideas into human minds; whispers in their ears; and people accept them without questioning. When Devil was expelled from Paradise, he said that he’ll misguide humans and send the sons of Adam astray to prove his point that humans are evil-doers; they are disobedient to God; and they create mischief in the Earth. So far, he has been very successful. It has always been a small minority of humans who remain faithful servants to their Lord, the Creator. The majority get carried away. Allah says:

 

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يُجَادِلُ فِى ٱللَّهِ

بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّبِعُ كُلَّ شَيْطَانٍ مَّرِيدٍ

كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ مَن تَوَلاَّهُ فَأَنَّهُ يُضِلُّهُ

وَيَهْدِيهِ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

“And yet among men there are such as dispute

about Allah, without knowledge, and follow every

evil one obstinate in rebellion! About the (evil one)

it is decreed that whoever turns to him for

friendship, him will he lead astray, and he

will guide him to the penalty of the Fire.”

(al-Quran 22:3-4)

In the court of Pharaoh, when Moses had done presenting his case, Pharaoh rejected the message of God and announced that he would punish Moses. One of his advisers, who was a believer but concealed his faith from Pharaoh for fear of persecution, tried to intervene and convince the audience that Moses was on the right path. As per the Holy Quran, here is what he said:

وَيٰقَوْمِ مَا لِيۤ أَدْعُوكُـمْ إِلَى ٱلنَّجَاةِ

وَتَدْعُونَنِيۤ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِتَدْعُونَنِى لأَكْـفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ

وَأُشْرِكَ بِهِ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِهِ عِلْمٌ

وَأَنَاْ أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْغَفَّارِ

لاَ جَرَمَ أَنَّمَا تَدْعُونَنِيۤ إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لَهُ

دَعْوَةٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلاَ فِى ٱلآخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ مَرَدَّنَآ

إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَنَّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ ٱلنَّارِ

“O my people! How (strange) it is for me to call you to

Salvation while you call me to the Fire! You do call

upon me to blaspheme against Allah, and to join with

Him partners of whom I have no knowledge; and I

call you to the Exalted in Power, Who forgives again

and again! Without doubt you do call me to one

who is not fit to be called to, whether in this world,

or in the Hereafter; our return will be to Allah;

and the transgressors will be companions

of the Fire!”

(al-Quran 40:41-43)

Allah sent His Messengers to the world to guide humans to choose the right path. They all promoted and preached Islam – the Faith Allah chose for the mankind. Those who, after receiving the true guidance from the Prophets, knowingly make the wrong choices and defy Allah and His Messengers, they earn the wrath of Allah. All those people who follow the Pagan teachings and customs, make that category. They are not true believers. The Almighty warns us:

وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ

لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ

مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيراً

“If anyone contends with the Messenger even after

guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and

follows a path other than that becoming to men of

Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen,

and land him in Hell – what an evil refuge!”

(al-Quran 4:115)

 

Here’s a clear choice – either the ways of Allah or the ways of Devil! One path leads to Paradise and the other leads to Hell. You become the friend of Allah or the friend of Satan. There is no middle way, there is no 'grey' area. It’s all black and white – clear, very clear! It is up to us to choose the ‘light’ or the ‘dark’. When we make our own choices, we have no right to complain or whine. Everything has been fully explained to us. It is our duty to investigate and research before making a choice. Still, if we call on our Creator, He guides us and helps us; Satan does not – and cannot – help us in any situation! Allah tells us clearly:

إِن يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلاَّ إِنَاثاً

وَإِن يَدْعُونَ إِلاَّ شَيْطَاناً مَّرِيداً

لَّعَنَهُ ٱللَّهُ وَقَالَ لَـأَتَّخِذَنَّ مِنْ

عِبَادِكَ نَصِيباً مَّفْرُوضاً

وَلَـأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ وَلَـأُمَنِّيَنَّهُمْ وَلَـأَمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ

آذَانَ ٱلأَنْعَامِ وَلَـأَمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ ٱللَّهِ

وَمَن يَتَّخِذِ ٱلشَّيْطَانَ وَلِيّاً مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ

فَقَدْ خَسِرَ خُسْرَاناً مُّبِيناً

“They invoke in His stead only females; they pray to

none else than Satan, a rebel whom Allah curses,

and he said: Surely I will take of your bondmen an

appointed portion; and surely I will lead them

astray; and surely I will arouse desires in them, and

surely I will command them and they will cut the

cattle’s ears, and surely I will command them and

they will change Allah’s creation. Whoso chooses

Satan for a patron instead of Allah, is verily a loser

and his loss is manifest.”

(al-Quran 4:117-119)

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