Worth and Significance of Bismillah..

There was once a lady who always said Bismillahirrahmanirrahim 

(In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) before she did

anything. She knew that Allah would then always be with her. 

One day, she put her ring in the cupboard and as usual she said 

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent 

the merciful) before she put it away. She knew that it would be safe.

Her husband took the ring and threw it in the river. He wanted to 

prove to her that only saying Bismillahirrahmanirrahim 

(In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful) would not keep

it safe. He thought that in the evening he would ask her where 

the ring was and it would not be there.

Later that morning, the lady went to the market to buy some fish. 

When she was cleaning the fish at home she found her ring inside

the stomach of the fish. She wondered how it got there but then 

put it back in its place in the cupboard saying 

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent 

the merciful).

When her husband came back from work, he asked her where 

the ring was. She brought it from the cupboard. He was so surprised!

He told her what he had done and apologized to her. 

He also truly believed that Allah is with the person who says 

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent 

the merciful) before he/she does anything.

Power and Worth of Bismillah

Syed Murtadha was a great aalim (scholar) who lived many years ago. 

He had many students who attended his classes.

At one of his classes he noticed that one of the students always came late.

 One day Syed Murtadha asked the student "Why are you always late?"

The student replied that he lived across the river and always took 

the first ferry across but the ferry service did not start any earlier.

Syed Murtadha wrote something on a piece of paper, folded it and 

gave it to the student. "Keep this with you" he said "and you will be 

able to walk across the river from tomorrow - but do not open the paper."

The next day the student got to the river and put his foot tentatively 

on the water. He could not believe that he could actually walk on 

the water.

For the next few days, he got to the classes on time.One day, 

he could not hold back his curiosity. He looked inside the folded 

piece of paper. On it was written Bismillahirrahmanirrahim 

(In the name of Allah, the beneficent the merciful).

For a moment he thought - "Is this all that helps me walk on water!" 

He put the paper in his pocket as usual and went to the river to go 

to his classes. This time he could not walk on the water and had to 

wait for the ferry. This meant that he was late for his class.

When the class was over, Syed Murtadha called him over and said 

"You looked into the paper when I had told you not to!"

With Bismillahirrahmanirrahim (In the name of Allah, the beneficent 

the merciful) you can move mountains provided you have trust

 and faith in Allah.

She refrained him from committing a Sin

There was a hermit in Bani Israel. He was absolutely free 

from sins. Upon seeing this, the head Satan (Shaitan) called

his cohorts and asked which one of them could mislead 

this man?

One of them volunteered and Satan asked what method he 

would use? He said through women. The head Satan told him 

that he would not succeed because the sage was oblivious to 

sexual pleasure.

Another Satan rose up and said he would deviate him through 

wine and sensuality. The head Satan said that he too was unsuitable

for this job because the sage was not interested in these things.

A third Satan stood up and said that he would cause him to err 

through good deeds and noble character. The head Satan said that

indeed he was fit for the job. This Satan, at once went to the place

where the sage was engrossed in his meditation, and stood up beside

him and began to pray Salah (Salat, Namaz). The sage was feeling 

sleepy but the Satan continued to perform prayers. When the sage 

got tired he would take a rest but the Satan did not take a break.

The sage felt himself inferior and went to the Satan to ask him the 

secret of his stamina in praying Salah (Salat, Namaz). The Satan did 

not give any reply and the sage reiterated his question. Yet there 

was no response from the Satan. When the sage asked him the 

third time the Satan said, "The fact is that I had committed a great sin 

(Gunah-e-Kabira) and since then whenever I remember my sin, I get 

impetus to worship more."

The sage asked him what sin he had committed so that even he can 

do it and gain the stamina to worship so much. The Satan said, 

"Go to a particular prostitute in the town, pay her two dirhams and 

fulfill your needs with her."

"From where can I get two dirhams?" asked the sage, "I don't even 

know what a Dirham means". The Satan took out two dirhams from 

under his feet and gave them to the sage and also gave him his 

cloak and sent him towards the city.

The sage sought the address of the prostitute. The people guided him

thinking that he was going to her to guide her towards morality. 

The sage gave the two dirhams to the woman and asked her to 

entertain him.

The prostitute invited him inside with respect and said, "Pious people

like you do not visit prostitutes. Why have you taken such a step?" 

The sage explained his aim in detail. The woman told him, "Actually, 

avoiding a sin is easier than repenting for it. Because it is not necessary

that a sinner will get a chance to repent. I think that the one who has

advised you for this is Satan, who has assumed a human form to 

mislead you. Go back to your place and you shall find him missing."

The sage returned home and by chance the prostitute died the

 same night. In the morning people saw the following inscribed on 

her door: "Take part in the funeral of this woman, she is from the 

people of Paradise."

The people fell into doubt and were so astounded that for three days 

they were not able to bury her. Till the Almighty Allah (SWT) 

revealed upon His Messenger, Musa Ibn Imran (as) [Prophet Moses (pbuh)] 

to recite her funeral prayer and also command the people to participate

 in it. "Because she had prevented a servant of Mine from committing 

a grievous sin. So I have forgiven all her sins and made Paradise 

incumbent on her."

Have you refrained anyone today from committing a sin? How fortunate

are those who practice Amar Bil Maroof (enjoining the right) and 

Nahi Anil Munkar (forbidding the wrong) everyday in an Islamic 

Society/Muslim Society.

Beautiful Story of Four Wives

Once upon a time. There was a rich merchant 

who had four (4) wives. He loved the 4th wife 

the most and adorned her with rich robes and 

treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her 

and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud

of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. 

However, the merchant is always in great fear that she 

might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, 

always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. 

Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always 

turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and 

tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has 

made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business 

as well as taking care of the household. However, 

the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him

deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was 

going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, 

"Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. 

How lonely I'll be!" Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, 

endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care 

over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me 

company?"

"No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without 

another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into 

the merchant's heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you 

so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me 

and keep me company?"

"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going 

to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and 

turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and 

you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. 

When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, 

I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. 

"At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." 

The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant 

was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you 

no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there 

was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered 

from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much 

better care of you while I could have!"

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body. 

No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good,

 it'll leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, 

they all go to others.

The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they 

had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can 

stay by us is up to the grave.

The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of 

material wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever 

we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now 

rather than to wait until we're on our deathbed to lament.

Author Unknown

What is Islamic Charity?

In Islam, every Muslim is obliged to give to charity in 

whatever form to boost his piety and spread wealth

and goodwill among the whole community. It's no 

surprise then that the Arabic word tasadaqa 

(to give charity) is derived from the word "sadaqa" 

which means tell the truth or be sincere.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "By no means shall 

you attain to righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out

of what you love; and whatever thing you spend, 

Allah surely knows it." (3:92)

Therefore voluntary charity, or sadaqa, which is different 

than the zakah - the compulsory alms that are collected 

each year - should be part of every Muslim's daily life. 

Prophet Muhammad (S) said that every good deed is charity - 

even a smile in the face of others is charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said: "There is no person who does not

 have the obligation of doing charity every day that the sun rises." 

Whereupon he was asked: "O Messenger of Allah (SWT), from 

where would we get something to give in charity (so often)?" 

Prophet Muhammad (S) replied: "Indeed the gates to goodness 

are many: glorifying Allah (SWT), praising Him, magnifying Him, 

saying 'There is no god but Allah', enjoining the good and 

forbidding the evil, removing (any source of harm from the road, 

listening to the aggrieved, guiding the blind, showing the seeker 

his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and 

with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, carrying 

with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. 

All these are acts of charity which are an obligation on you." 

And Prophet Muhammad (S) added: "And your smiling in the 

face of your brother is charity, your removing of stones and 

thorns from people's paths is charity, and your guiding a man 

gone astray in the world is charity for you."

Charity, as it is traditionally understood, consists of money or 

various objects given by the rich to help the poor or by the 

strong to help the weak. Charity in its tangible, narrow sense 

divides people into the receivers on the one hand and the 

givers on the other. This division inspires among the receivers

feelings of weakness and even of error, and among those who 

give feelings of pride and conceit. But the saying of 

Prophet Muhammad (S), however, takes charity out of this 

narrow, physical meaning and on to a spiritual plane that opens

up a vast and limitless world by emphasizing that every good is

charity. And on every person is the obligation of charity. 

This is a unique concept of charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) makes us realize the single spiritual essence

which lies behind every act of goodness. But Prophet Muhammad (S)

does not want us merely to know. Knowledge is not an end in itself. 

Prophet Muhammad (S) wants to make us return to goodness, 

goodness which is the very word of Allah (SWT). 

Prophet Muhammad (S) wants that each of us should move and stir 

ourselves from within into goodness so that giving would become 

a habit of life, and that this habit would pass from person to person. 

The complete Islamic concept of charity which includes all good 

actions however small they may be, allows every person whether 

rich or poor, to become givers and receivers on an equal basis. 

This point to another basic principle of Islamic thought and 

behaviors that the standard on which life is judged is not 

the materialistic alone but one based on faith, feeling and 

sensitivity which form the center of human relations. And from it 

comes the ties of faith, affection and love to bind hearts.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "And united their (believers) 

hearts; had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have 

united their hearts, but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise." 

(8:63)

Prophet Muhammad (S) has said: "No one of you believes until he 

loves for his brother what he loves for himself."

This is the essence of charity. So begin by meeting your brother

 and sister with a smile. This would open up locked souls, penetrate

 to the depths of the heart and exert a magnetic bond on society. 

Read the hadith again and see how it reaches into the depths of 

the soul, the essence of existence and creates hearts that are tender,

 pure, radiant and beautiful.

And Abdullaah Ibn Haarith said: "I never came across a person who 

smiled as much as Prophet Muhammad (S). Prophet Muhammad (S) 

regarded smiling with a brother as an act of charity." (Tirmidhi)

Indeed every act of giving is charity, even a smile in the face of 

your fellow.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was asked if acts of charity even to the 

animals were rewarded by Allah (SWT). He replied: 'yes, there is 

a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive.' 

(Bukhari, Muslim)

Reality of our Life and Death

One day of the many days. There was a man traveling 

on a trip with his Wife and Kids. And on the way he met

someone standing in the roadway. So he asked him: 

Who are you? He said: I am the money.

So the man asked his wife and kids: Should we ask him 

to ride with us? They said together: Yes of course because 

with the money it can help us if we wanted to do anything 

and if we wanted to get anything we desired. So they took 

the Money to ride with them.

And the vehicle continued its way until the man met someone 

else on the road. So the Father asked: Who are you? He said: 

I am the high position and power.

So the father asked his wife and kids: Should we ask him to ride 

with us? So they all answered together in one voice: Yes of course 

because with the high position and power we have the ability to 

do anything we want and own anything we desired. So they took

the high position and power with them. And the vehicle continued

 to finish its trip.

And likewise he met in the same manner many people which give

the pleasures and desires of this life, until... They met one person

on the way... The Father asks him Who are you? He said: 

I am Deen-e-Islam (Religion Islam).

So the father, wife, and kids said all together in one voice: No, 

no this isn't the time, we desire the pleasures of this life and 

world (Dunya), and the Deen will prevent us and ban us from 

these things and it will take control over us, and we will be 

worn-out from being loyal to it and its learning. And 

the Halal (Lawful) and the Haram (Forbidden), and this 

thing prayer and that thing Hijab, and this fasting , and and and 

and and etc, It will be a burden upon us!

But what is certain is that we will definitely return for you to 

pick you up but only after we enjoy this life and everything in it.

So sadly they left him behind and the vehicle continued its trip.

And out of no where something appeared in the middle of the road.

It was a check point in the road and it had a sign saying, STOP!

And they found a man gesturing for the father to get out of the vehicle.

So the man said to the father: The trip has ended as far as you are 

concerned! And it is upon you to get out and come with me.

The father was shocked with fear and didn't say a word.

So the man said to him: I am searching for the Deen-e-Islam. 

Is he with you?

He answered: No I left him not too far back. So if you can let me go back,

I can get him for you. You do not have the ability to go back, 

your trip has ended and there is no going back now. returning is 

impossible said the man.

But I have, money, high position and power, My Wife, My Kids, and 

and and and and and on.

The man said to him: They will not benefit you nor will they protect

 you in front of Allah (SWT). Not one bit!

And you will leave all of this, and not one of them will help you 

except for the Deen-e-Islam you know? The one which you left back

in the road. So the father asked: And who are you exactly?

I AM DEATH

The one which you were needless of and didn't take into account 

in your trip!

The father looked at his vehicle and found his wife taking control

 of it and continuing the trip with all of its passengers but him. And 

none of them stayed with him, and none of them helped him in any way.

Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh) said: The worse of people is 

the one who trades his next world for enjoyment of this world,

 and worse than him is the one who trades his next world for 

enjoyment of someone else (in this world).

Allah (SWT), the Majestic said: "Say: If your fathers and your sons 

and your brethren and your mates and your kinsfolk and property 

which you have acquired, and the slackness of trade which you fear

 and dwellings which you like, are dearer to you than Allah and 

His Messenger and striving in His way, then wait till Allah brings 

about His command: and Allah does not guide the transgressing people.

" Noble Qur'an (9:24)

Allah (SWT), the Majestic said: "Every soul shall taste of death, and 

you shall only be paid fully your reward on the resurrection day; 

then whoever is removed far away from the fire and is made to 

enter the garden he indeed has attained the object; and the life of 

this world is nothing but a provision of vanities." 

Noble Qur'an (3:185)

Allah (SWT), the Majestic said: "And leave those who have taken 

their religion for a play and an idle sport, and whom this world's life 

has deceived, and remind (them) thereby lest a soul should be given

 up to destruction for what it has earned:" 

Noble Qur'an (6:70)

Young Boy with strong Faith

Shaykh Fath al-Mowsily relates, once I saw a young boy walking  through the jungle. It appeared as if he was uttering some words.  I greeted him with Salaam and he replied accordingly. I inquired,  "Where are you going?" Young boy retorted, "To the house of Allah,  Kaaba in Makkah." I further asked, "What are you reciting?"  "Noble Qur'an" he replied. I remarked, "You are at a tender age,  it is not an obligation that you are required to fulfill." Young boy said, "I have witnessed death approach people younger  than me and therefore would like to prepare if death was to knock  on my door." I astoundingly commented, "Your steps are small and  your destination far." He responded, "My duty is to take the step  and it remains the responsibility of Allah (SWT) to take me to my  destination." I continued to ask, "Where is your provision and  conveyance (means of transport)." He replied, "My Yaqeen (certainty)  is my provision and my feet's are my conveyance." I explained,  "I am asking you regarding bread and water." Young boy replied! "Oh Shaykh if someone invited you to his house,  would it be appropriate to take your own food?" I exclaimed, "No!"  "Similarly, My Lord has invited His servant to His house, it is only  the weakness of your Yaqeen (certainty) that makes us carry  provisions. Despite this, do you think Allah (SWT) will let me go  to waste?" "Never" I replied. Young boy then left. Sometime later  I saw him in Makkah. Young boy approached me and inquired,  "Oh Shaykh are you still of weak belief?"

Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "He who likes to be 

the strongest should trust in Allah (SWT)."

Noble Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: "If you would have trusted 

Allah (SWT) as He deserves to be trusted then He would have fed you 

the way He feeds the birds."

Imam Ali (as) said: "Do not betray anyone who places his trust in you, 

even if he betrays you."

Imam Ali (as) said: "Fulfillment of trusts is the key to one's means of 

livelihood."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "There is no faith for him who has 

no modesty."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "To remove a mountain is easier than 

removing faith."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "You will not be faithful believer before 

you become fearful and hopeful. You will not be fearful and hopeful before 

you work for what you fear and hope."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Faith is not identified through outer 

appearances and hopes. Faith is that which is pure in the hearts 

and assured by deeds."

Noble Prophet Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (as) said: "Verily as crops 

can not thrive except with water and dirt, so then too true faith can not 

thrive except through knowledge and action."

Islamic Sayings on Friendship

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) stated, "The believer is like 

a mirror to other believers (in truthfulness)." Like a 

mirror, your friend gives you an honest image. 

He forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or 

exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.

Once the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked, 

"What person can be the best friend?" "He who helps 

you remember Allah (SWT), and reminds you when you 

forget Him," the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), counseled.

Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was further asked, 

"Who is the best among people?" Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) 

replied, "He who, when you look at him, you remember 

Allah (SWT)". Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, 

honesty, service, patience, optimism, professionalism, 

and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

Imam Ali (as) Says: "The poor is one who does not 

have any friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Live amongst people in such a manner 

that if you die they weep over you and if you are alive 

they crave for your company (friendship)."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Friendship transfers a stranger 

in to a relative."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Do not choose as your friend 

the enemy of your friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Two true friends are a single soul in 

different bodies."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who discards a friend for slight 

offence risks loneliness."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "In time of distress a man can 

distinguished between his friend and enemy."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be careful to have 

truthful friends and try to obtain them, for they are 

your support when you are in welfare, and your advocator 

when you have misfortune."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Be not friend with a fool, for he will 

harm you while meaning to do good to you."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "It is better to listen to a wise enemy 

than to seek counsel from a foolish friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Keep away from friendship of liar 

surely he will show you as near what is far from you and 

will show as far what is near you."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "O' Kumayl! Say what is just in any 

condition. Be friends with the righteous and avoid 

the evil doers, stay away from the hypocrites and 

do not accompany the treacherous."

Imam Sajjad (as) Says: "Beware of the companionship of 

the sinful, and helping of the unjust."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "If a friend envies you, then he is not 

a true friend."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "Verily, there are three (types of) 

friends for a Muslim,

1) The friend who says: I am with you whether you are alive 

or dead', and this is his deed.

2) The friend who says: I am with you unto the threshold 

of your grave and then I will leave you', and this is his children.

3) The friend who says: I will be with you until when you die', 

and this is his wealth which will belong to the inheritors 

when he dies."

Imam Ali (as) Says: "He who is deserted by friends and 

relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers."

Imam Hassan (as) Says: "Befriend people in the same manner

 you would like them to befriend you."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "Be the friend of him who may 

grace you, not of one whom you are better than." 

(Viz. make friends with ones who are higher than you so 

that you progress.)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) Says: "My most beloved brother is 

he who (makes me aware of) my faults."

Imam Hassan Askari (as) Says: "Those who advise their 

friend secretly are respecting them, and those who advise 

them openly are humiliating them."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has narrated from his father 

Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) who said his father 

Imam Sajjad (as) stated: "O' my son! Beware of five (groups) 

and do not seek companionship (friendship) with them, 

do not speak with them, and do not make friends 

with them on (the) way."

Then, Imam Muhammad Baqir (as) asked his father 

who they were and might he introduces them to him. 

Imam Sajjad (as) responded:

1) "Beware of and do not associate with the one who tells lies. 

He is as a mirage which makes near for you what is far, 

and makes far to you what is near."

2) "Beware of and do not associate with an immoral person, 

because he will sell you at the price of a morsel or less 

than that."

3) "Beware of and do not associate with a miser because he 

will deprive you of his wealth when you are seriously in need 

of it."

4) "Beware of and do not associate with a fool, because 

he wants to be of avail to you but he harms you."

5) "Beware of and do not associate with the one who 

disregards his kinfolks, because I found him (such a person) 

cursed in the Book Allah, Almighty and Glorious, in three 

occurrences." They are: 

(Sura Al-Baqarah, 2:27; Sura Ar-Rad, 13:25; and 

Sura Muhammad, 47:22).