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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THE POOR HAVE A SHARE IN YOUR WEALTH. That's The Law of Allah!

 

Hoarding/Accumulating Wealth?

The Poor Have A Share

In Your Wealth. That's

The Law Of Allah!

Pay the poor-due to avoid

punishment in the Hereafter!

(M. Javed Naseem)

And in their wealth there was a rightful share

(fulfilled) for the beggar and the poor – those

who asked and those who restrained.

(al-Quran 51:19)

When a man starts hoarding wealth, gold, silver, jewelry, etc., he does not think about his death. He thinks about tomorrow and living a happy/luxury life in the near future but he does not like to think about the end of himself. His death can come any time to meet him – even tomorrow or in the near future. So, what good that wealth, gold or silver be when you are gone and leave everything for others?

It seems that greed hamper’s the mental faculties of a man. He cannot think clearly, and cannot plan logically or reasonably. As a believer, a man is told to remember his death and the Hereafter. He needs to work on the life after death right in this world while he is still breathing.

Another thing most of us ignore is that we are commanded by the Almighty Lord to take care of the needy, the poor, the orphans and the weaker/older generation. They all have a share in our wealth. If we don’t deliver that share to them, we are guilty of theft; and that’s a crime. And all crimes merit punishment.

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Your foreheads and flanks

will be branded with the

same hoarded wealth on

the Judgment Day!

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The Believers are warned by the Almighty of hoarding wealth or accumulating money, gold, silver, jewels, etc. Allah gives us wealth to share with the needy and the poor. This is an obligation that we cannot escape from. Allah says:

O believers! Indeed, many priests and anchorites

consume people’s wealth wrongfully and hinder

(others) from the way of Allah. Give the news

of a painful torment to those who hoard gold

and silver and do not spend it in Allah’s cause!

(al-Quran 9:34)

The Day (will come) when their treasure

will be heated up in the Fire of Hell, and

their foreheads, sides, and backs branded

with it. (It will be said to them),

'This is the treasure you hoarded for

yourselves. Now taste what you hoarded!'

(al-Quran 9:35)

That reminds me of an historic event that marked the end of the Abbasid Muslim Caliphate in the Middle East – the encounter between the Mongol warrior Holagu Khan and the Muslim Caliph of Baghdad, Musta’sim Billah. Here’s a brief refresher!

Holagu's march to Baghdad

After defeating the Assassins, Hulagu sent word to Al-Musta'sim, demanding his acquiescence to the terms imposed by Möngke. Al-Musta'sim refused, in large part due to the influence of his Shia advisor and grand vizier, Ibn al-Alkami. Historians have ascribed various motives to al-Alkami's opposition to submission, including treachery and incompetence, and it appears that he lied to the Caliph about the severity of the invasion, assuring Al-Musta'sim that, if the capital of the caliphate was endangered by a Mongol army, the Islamic world would rush to its aid.

The Mongols were close to the city, establishing themselves on both banks of the Tigris River, so as to form a pincer around the city. Al-Musta'sim finally decided to fight them and sent out a force of 20,000 cavalry to attack the Mongols. The cavalry were wiped out by the Mongols, who breached dikes along the Tigris River and flooded the ground behind the Abbasid forces, trapping them.

Al-Musta'sim attempted to open negotiations with Hulagu, who rebuffed the Caliph. Around 3,000 of Baghdad's notables also tried to negotiate with Hulagu but were murdered. Five days later, the city surrendered, but the Mongols did not enter the city until the 13th February, 1258, beginning a week of massacre and destruction. Many historical accounts detailed the cruelties of the Mongol conquerors.

Baghdad became a depopulated, ruined city for several centuries and only gradually recovered some of its former glory. The Mongols looted and then destroyed mosques, palaces, libraries, and hospitals. Priceless books from Baghdad's thirty-six public libraries were torn apart, the looters using their leather covers as sandals. Grand buildings that had been the work of generations were burned to the ground. The House of Wisdom (the Grand Library of Baghdad), containing countless precious historical documents and books on subjects ranging from medicine to astronomy, was destroyed. Survivors said that the waters of the Tigris ran black with ink from the enormous quantities of books flung into the river and red from the blood of the scientists and philosophers killed.

Citizens attempted to flee, but were intercepted by Mongol soldiers who killed in abundance, sparing neither women nor children. Martin Sicker writes that close to 90,000 people may have died. Other estimates go much higher. Wassaf claims the loss of life was several hundred thousand. Ian Frazier of The New Yorker says estimates of the death toll have ranged from 200,000 to a million.

The city had about a million inhabitants, and none were allowed to escape. The only people who were spared were Baghdad’s population of Nestorian Christians. Hulagu’s mother was a Nestorian, and this is why he let them live. (Courtesy: Wikipedia).

The Caliph Al-Musta'sim was captured and forced to watch as his citizens were murdered and his treasury plundered. The Travels of Marco Polo reports that upon finding the caliph's great stores of treasure (gold, silver and jewels) which could have been spent on the defense of his realm, Hulagu Khan locked him in his treasure room without food and water, telling him "eat of your treasure as much as you will, since you are so fond of it."

According to most accounts, the Caliph was killed by trampling. The Mongols rolled the caliph up in a rug, and rode their horses over him.

Now, scroll up to the above-mentioned verses from the Quran (9:34-35)! Do you see any similarity between the two messages or the two events? There is a striking similarity! Hulagu Khan showed the world what Allah meant by those verses of the Quran. While Allah is talking about the event in the Hereafter, Hulagu Khan showed a light version of that in this world. The message is loud and clear: No hoarding or accumulation of wealth! The same wealth can become your punishment.

 

Have we learned any lesson from the History? Probably not!

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BE LOYAL TO YOUR CREATOR! Remember Him, He'll Remember you!

 

Be loyal to your Creator!

If you remember Him,

He'll remember you!

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

 

Always glorify His name and pay what is

due! Allah, the Most Merciful, likes those

who are humble and grateful.

We are humble creatures of the Almighty and All-knowing Allah. He is also the most Merciful to us despite our shortcomings and disobedience. It is only just, logical and reasonable that we glorify His name. He is our Sole provider and Cherisher; we simply cannot survive without His mercy. He even reminds us what we should be doing in our daily lives.

“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. We should acknowledge His sovereignty and pay thanks to Him for all the blessings we get.

“Lo! In the creation of the heavens and

the earth and (in) the difference of night

and day are tokens (of His Sovereignty)

for men of understanding.”

(al-Quran 3:190)

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 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 (Salat). 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)

We are helpless creatures and need Allah's help; even eath other's help to survive in this world. So, better learn how to survive without violating others' rights and without breaking the laws.

Here is a beautiful excerpt from the Sufi works of Maulana Rumi:

“This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor."

"Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture;

Still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out, for some new delight."

"The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent as a guide from beyond."

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