A Short Story - 'About Struggling'

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop and do not seems to be making any progress anymore. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and a pair of small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were Allah’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If Allah allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never “fly”!

I asked for strength.........

And Allah gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom.........

And Allah gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity.........

And Allah gave me brain and brawn to work.

I asked for courage.........

And Allah gave me danger to overcome.

I asked for love..........

And Allah gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors.........

And Allah gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted........

I received everything I needed!


"So blessed be Allah, the best of creators!"
Al-Quran Surah 23: Verse 14 (The Believer).

We say bismillah and toil in the name of Allah and for Allah. And Allah shall always keep our path and destinations in His Loving Best. Insha'Allah. Find your path in Islam.........

Why Revive A Sunnah?

‎1. The Prophet’s way is the best way.

“Truly, in the Messenger of Allah [SAWS] you have a good example to follow for the one who hopes for the Meeting with Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” [Quran-33:21]

2. The Sunnah of the Prophet [SAWS] is THE way to get Allah’s love.

“Say: If you (really) love Allah then follow me [SAWS], Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-e-Imran:31]

3. Following the Sunnah will help us increase in good deeds.

“…Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” [AlMaidah:2]

4. The AJR! Large amounts of ajr (reward) is up for grabs!

“Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhi]

5. The Revival of the Ummah can only come by following the Sunnah of the Prophet [SAWS]

The last of this Ummah will not be corrected except by which the first of this Ummah was corrected by and that is the Book and the Sunnah. [Imam Darul Hijra, Malik ibn Anas {r} d. 179]

Are Muslims Allowed to Celebrate Valentine's Day?

Celebrating the Valentine Day is not permissible as per my knowledge because:

Firstly: it is an innovated holiday that has no basis in the Sharee`ah.

Secondly: it calls to love and passion.

Thirdly: it calls to keeping one's heart busy with nonsense matters which contradict the guidance of the righteous predecessors, may Allah be pleased with them.

So it is not permissible that anything from the signs of that holiday takes place on that day, whether it relates to eating, drinking, clothing, giving gifts, or other than that.

It is incumbent upon the Muslim to be proud of his religion and that he does not blindly follow every crier.

The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) has advised us that if we love somebody we should let them know (of course we know the forbidden relationships are not included in this advise). He (Peace be upon Him) said it generally and did not ask us to do it 'on such and such a day'. Prophet (Peace be upon Him) didn't ask us to do it only once a year but as often as we can. So are we going to obey him (Peace be upon Him) or Mr. Valentine?

[Surah An-Nisa' Ch:4 V:59]

"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."

(A Muslim can’t deny the Hadith of The Prophet (s.a.w). He has been instructed to do so by Allah (s.w.t) Himself. If we don’t agree with Hadith then we are not Muslims since a Muslim testifies that ‘There is no god but Allah And Muhammad (s.a.w) is His Messenger’ by believing in Qur’an but not the Hadith of the Prophet (s.a.w) we only ‘Testify that there is no god but Allah’ whereas we don’t testify that Muhammed (s.a.w) is His messenger. A Muslim needs to follow the teachings of Allah’s Messenger as commanded.)

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Dress, Volume 7, Book 72, Number 780)"

Narrated Nafi':

"Ibn Umar said, The Prophet said, 'Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.' Whenever Ibn 'Umar performed the Hajj or 'Umra, he used to hold his beard with his hand and cut whatever moustaches. Ibn Umar used to cut his moustache so short that the whiteness of his skin (above the upper lip) was visible, and he used to cut (the hair) between his moustaches and his beard. 

(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 668)" 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

"Allah's Apostle said, 'The Jews and the Christians do not dye (their grey hair), so you shall do the opposite of what they do (i.e. dye your grey hair and beards).' 

[Saheeh Hadeeth: Related by Ahmad (no. 1945), from ’Uqbah Ibn ’Aamir (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 8192)]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, 

“The day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr (sacrifice), and the days of Tashreeq (the three days after an-Nahr) are FOUR days of ’EiD (festivity); and they are days of eating and drinking.”

So from the above authentic Hadith, we come to know that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) clearly instructed us to not follow what the non-believers do and to create our own identity which is MUSLIM which is why he instructed us to keep beards as well. Other than that Prophet Muhammed (s.a.w) said in various different hadith that Muslims have only 2 celebrations and that is their EID , there is no valentines day, mothers day, fathers day etc etc. Every day should be a mothers day or a fathers day because Islam tells us the importance of Mother and Father which we can never estimate.

An Important Point to look upon:

A Muslim is not allowed to even meet a girl alone so how can we even think of celebrating The so called Valentines day? 

and still if many of you think that it's right to celebrate and these references from Sahih Hadith and Qur'an are not enough then you guys should read the ayat i'm posting below from Qur'an which says:

[Surah Al-‘A’raf Ch:7 V:179]

“They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear.”

Hope that's helpful.

And Allah (s.w.t) knows best.

Islamic Way of Parenting

Islam is religion of peace and humanity. The lesson of peace and kindness that we have been taught through Quran has been taught the nations before us as well. Parent-children relation is the most blessed and pure relation among all the relations. When ALLAH swt blesses a couple with child this gives them the ultimate happiness and also they are given a duty.

Being parents does not only mean to be happy but parenting is one of the most difficult and patient task. It is the duty of parents to up bring their kids in a way commanded by ALLAH swt. Parents have to take this duty seriously. If children are good muslims, they become sadqa jariah for parents, but if parents do not take care of kids in their early life and they lose the right path, they become a continuous azab for their parents.

Therefore it is important to take care of the upbringing of the kids. A kid belonging to good parents will have good personality traits because children see and learn from their parents. Mother’s womb and than her lap are the two places to learn for the kids. So, good behavior must be maintained before the kids.

Abusing kids and before kids are two acts that attack the moral development of kids the fast. If parents use harsh words and tone with kids, they cannot let kids respect them and others. Their kids will be exactly like them, and the parents will have no chance to repent once their time of good parenting is over.

ALLAH swt says in Quran: 66:6

“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded.”

So, believers are warned against the hell fire and they are told to take care of their families and do those measures which can save them and their families from the torment of hell fire. First family includes parents and their children. If parents do not like hell fire for themselves, they cannot like that horrible place for their children too. Parents have been bestowed the love and care for their kids which no other relation has in this world be it siblings or any other relation.

There are certain rights of children that parents should fulfill (some of them at their ease.)

2:233

“And the mothers should suckle their children for two whole years for him who desires to make complete the time of suckling.”

A child who is breast fed for 2 years, he remains immune for many diseases because the mother milk contains those natural elements that contain cure for many illnesses.

Parents cannot deprive their children from the share of the property they own, they cannot disown them as we see happening in today’s world. If parents do so, it will be a deviation from the order of ALLAH.

Nisa 4:7)

“Men shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave, and women shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave, whether there is little or much of it; a stated portion.”

Parents cannot kill their children because they fear that they cannot fed them. It is ALLAH that feeds everyone, and every child gets his due share in the rizq that ALLAH provides. So, no parents are allowed to kill their kids. But unfortunately, it is a common practice to kill children and then to commit suicide, both acts are haram and acts of cruelty especially towards innocent kids. No soul touches this earth without the will of ALLAH so nobody should dare to challenge will of ALLAH.

6:151

“And do not slay your children for (fear of) poverty-- We provide for you and for them-- and do not draw nigh to indecencies, those of them which are apparent and those which are concealed, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except for the requirements of justice; this He has enjoined you with that you may understand.”

ALLAh does not require the muslim children to follow deen of parents if it is not islam, infact it is forbidden to follow them even when you love them the most. Better is to invite them to islam with understanding anf with patience.

9:23

O you who believe! do not take your fathers and your brothers for guardians if they love unbelief more than belief; and whoever of you takes them for a guardian, these it is that are the unjust.

Losing children is indeed a huge grief. No one can understand the mother’s grief and sorrow when she loses a child because ALLAH swt had put a limitless sea of love in her heart for her children. A mother gives birth to her child after bearing pain that no one else can bear from any other disease. The pain of giving birth cannot be imagined and defined only a mother can understand it.

Volume 9, Book 92, Number 413:

Narrated Abu Said: A woman came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allah has taught you." Allah's Apostle said, "Gather on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place." They gathered and Allah's Apostle came to them and taught them of what Allah had taught him. He then said, "No woman among you who has lost her three children (died) but that they will screen her from the Fire." A woman among them said, "O Allah's Apostle! If she lost two children?" She repeated her question twice, whereupon the Prophet said, "Even two, even two, even two!" 

Parents are blessed to have children. The value of children can be asked to those couples who do not have this blessing. Children are innocent. They do not understand this world like their parents. It is the parents who can treat them good and can teach them how to face the world.

A Milk Maid (great mother)

One night, Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) as usual went in disguise with his companion Ibn Abbas to see the condition of the people. They strolled from one quarter to another. At last they came to a colony where poor people lived.

While passing by a small house, the Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) heard a whispering talk within. The mother was telling her daughter that the amount of milk fetched by her for sale that day was very little. She told her that when she was young, and used to sell milk, she always mixed water with milk, and that led to considerable profit. She advised her daughter to do the same.

The girl said, "You adulterated milk, when you were not a Muslim. Now that we are Muslims, we cannot adulterate milk." The mother said that Islam did not stand in the way of adulteration of milk.

The daughter said, "Have you forgotten the Caliph's order? He wants that the milk should not be adulterated." The mother said, "But the Caliph has forgotten us. We are so poor, what else should we do but adulterate milk in order win bread?"

The daughter said "Such a bread would not be lawful, and as a Muslim I would not do anything which is against the orders of the Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) , and whereby other Muslims are deceived."

The mother said, "But there is neither the Caliph nor any of his officers here to see what we do. Daughter you are still a child. Go to bed now and tomorrow I will myself mix the milk with water for you."

The girl refused to fall in with the plan of her mother. She said, "Caliph may or may not be here, but his order must be obeyed. My conscience is my Caliph. You may escape the notice of the Caliph and his officers, but how can we escape the notice of Allah and our own conscience." Thereupon the mother remained quiet. The lamp was extinguished and the mother and the daughter went to sleep.

The next day, Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) sent a man to purchase milk from the girl. The milk was unadulterated. The girl kept her resolve.

Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) turned to his companion and said, "The girl has kept her resolve in spite of the exhortation of her mother. She deserves a reward. What reward should I give her? She should be paid some money," said Ibn Abbas.

Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) said, "Such a girl would become a great mother. Her integrity is not to be weighed with few coins; it is to be measured in the scale of national values. I shall offer her the highest award in my gift, and which shall also be in the highest interest of the nation."

The Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) summoned the daughter and the mother to his court. The mother trembled as she stood before the mighty ruler. But the girl faced the Caliph boldly and with great equanimity.

She was beautiful, and there was an impressive dignity about her. Then before the gathering, Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) related how he had overheard the mother and the daughter, and how in spite of the exhortations of the mother the daughter had kept her resolve.

Someone suggested that the mother should be taken to task. The Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) said that ordinarily he would have punished the mother, but he had forgiven her for the sake of her daughter.

Turning to the girl the great Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) said, "Islam needs daughters like you and as a Caliph of Islam it devolves on me to reward you by owning you as a daughter."

The Caliph called his sons, and addressing them said, "Here is a gem of a girl who would make a great mother. I desire that one of you should take this girl as wife. I know of no better bride than this girl of sterling character. In matters of wedlock, it should be the character and not the stature in life that should count."

Abdullah and Abdur Rahman the elder sons of the Caliph (radiAllahu anhu) were already married. Asim the third son was yet unmarried, and he offered to marry the girl. Thereupon with the consent of the milkmaid and her mother Asim was married to the girl, and milkmaid became the daughter-in-law of the Caliph(radiAllahu anhu) .

From this union was born a daughter Umm Asim, who became in due course the mother of Umar bin Abdul Aziz. Umar bin AbdulAziz was elected as Caliph and served for a short period during 717 - 720.

While other Caliphs of the Ummayad dynasty reveled in luxury, Umar bin Abdul Aziz as a Caliph set up standards for austerity and simplicity following in the footsteps of Caliph Umar (radiAllahu anhu) , the second Caliph of Islam.

It is said that if ever there was a noble Caliph after the first four Rightly guided Caliphs, such a man was Umar bin Abdul Aziz. And he inherited the noble qualities of the milkmaid who married the Caliph's son, and those of Caliph Umar Farooq who had the eye to discern the nobler qualities of sterling character in a poor girl.

source: http://www.tariqjamil.org/Forum/true-stories/a-milk-maid/