Leadership qualities and Dhul Qarnain

It is well-known that a very small percentage of mankind go on to become leaders who rule over their masses. Yet, those who do, exercise considerable influence (good or bad) during their tenures. This story of Dhul Qarnain that Allah has narrated in the Quran serves to be a beacon for anyone who occupies, or intends to ascend to, a position of authority and leadership over a large number of people.

There are scores of articles and blot posts on the Internet that list and describe desirable leadership qualities for the benefit of the innumerable, young, ardent and wannabe ladder-climbers out there, which list the prerequisite innate as well as acquired traits of successful leaders.

Life coaches, authors, motivational speakers and corporate trainers have made lucrative careers out of giving conferences on sustainable leadership, and “how to become successful managers/CEO’s” et al. No surprise that self-help books on this topic penned by so-called gurus abound online and in print, many of them going on to become bestsellers.

The greatest book of all, the Quran, also throws light upon just what it practically means to be a leader, by narrating this story of Dhul Qarnain in Surah Al-Kahf, without mentioning any of his traits in the form of a list that we can all immediately start to incorporate into ourselves, but rather, by describing his actions and behaviors during his successful conquests; in particular, how he dealt with the people he came to rule over.

These people included those he had never even met before, nor (as in one particular case), whose language he even understood; people whose towns he traveled hundreds of miles to reach and eventually preside over.

Yet, Dhul Qarnain was so successful in influencing his subjects, that he was able to convince them to submit to and worship Allah as the only god,- and he did this without shedding any blood!

Sadaf Farooqi in her blog. Here

I can't hug my Ferrari forever..! : Dr Richard Teo

Consultant surgeon Richard Teo in Singapore who was 40 years old passed away on the 18th of October due to a lung cancer. He had reached success and had become a billionaire by following the vision that happiness is in the hands of money. He had been working as a popular cosmetic surgeon in his final days, earning huge sums of money.

Yet he had become very disappointed after knowing the disease he had been inflicted with. When, he realized that he was left with a short period of time then, he decided to serve the people during that short period of time. He finally mentioned that: “I can’t be holding on to my Ferrari all my life.” Few days before his death, he  addressed medical students and shared his experience which is very popular in the internet these days. Few lines extracted from his speech are as below:

“I am a product of the modern society. I was able to adapt to the modern world since my childhood days. I come from a middle class family. I was constantly told that happiness could be reached by success and that success is all money. Thus, I was very competent since my childhood. I wanted to go to the best school and I wanted to be the best. I won awards, medals and became the first at everything. You may be aware that becoming an eye surgeon is a very popular field. I went after that and I was also selected in this field. I have won an award for using laser to cure problems related to the eye. I got two patent licenses as well. One was on using medical equipment and the other was for using laser but I didn’t earn any money. So as soon as I finished, I decided that it was enough.

I realized that private medical practice will help me to earn a lot of money and my interest shifted to cosmetic surgery as it was very popular in the world. I stopped my practice on the way and started a private clinic for cosmetic surgery. 

Unfortunately, people don’t pay respect to their family doctor. Instead they respect popular doctors. People who are reluctant to pay S $20 are ready to pay thousands and ten thousands to beautify themselves. So I decided to become a cosmetic surgeon instead of being regular doctor. Accordingly, the business reached utmost success. At first the clients had to wait for a week to get an appointment, later they had to wait for months. I had work on a full time basis. People were so interested on improving their physique. It was such a flourishing business. Then I hired another doctor, gradually the number of doctors increased and seven doctors to work under me. We earned about a million dollars during the first year. Yet that wasn't enough for me as I was crazy about money. I worked in Indonesia to serve the richest Indonesians. 

How do we treat Islam in our life: S J Habeebullah

A comprehensive book on marriage in Islam

There are many books on the Islamic religion and many more on the institution of marriage. Sheikh Muhammed Karakunnu wrote a book in Malayalam where he combined the two. It is this book on matrimony which K.M. Muhammed has translated into Tamil. It is more or less a textbook with instructions on the various aspects of marriage based on the tenets of Islam and Hadees (sayings of the Prophet).

Quoting heavily from the Holy Book, the author exhorts youth to get married. He deals with the pitfalls of bachelorhood in the second chapter where he cautions those who are not married, to observe fasts to resist evil thoughts and temptation. Marriage is aimed to regulate human life, he believes.

From choosing the bride to the rituals, the writer says that if a man intends to marry a woman after having conducted enquiries, he may take a look at her preferably without her knowledge. This is because in the event of his not liking her, her feelings should not be hurt. He cannot meet her alone. Most of the Islamic scholars opine that he can look only at her face and forearm.

It is the girl who has to decide on her alliance, and her consent for marriage is imperative. If however the marriage takes place without her consent, she has the right to cancel it.

Solemnising a Muslim marriage is simple. Of the two parties, one expresses consent and satisfaction for the alliance known as ‘Ejab’ while the other party conveys acceptance or ‘Khabool’. In the presence of two witnesses, the bride’s father or guardian gives away the girl. Once the groom conveys his acceptance, the marriage agreement stands completed. Supplication for the well-being of the newly weds follows and then the feast.

Explaining the concept of Meher, the author says it is gift to the bride from the groom and a portion of it should be paid at the time of the Nikkah (marriage). Islam prohibits wasteful expenditure during weddings.

The content is packaged in good prose and coherent language that is practical and contemporary. There is a sense of purpose and passion throughout, and the book is a comprehensive and exhaustive study.

MOB Habib in The Hindu Here and Here

Drop the Prefix, I’m Just Muslim

What kind of Muslim are you?  The question seems odd, but for those who seek to divide and conquer Islam, the answer has become increasingly important.  Even more disturbing are the labels we assign ourselves.

In our families few of us can say we’ve never disagreed with our siblings.  But when a family member makes a mistake—even a big one—or has a view we don’t agree with, even fewer of us decide to divorce that family and change our name.  Today, the same is not true of our Muslim family. Today, we’re no longer just ‘Muslim.’  We’re ‘progressives,’ ‘Islamists,’ ‘traditionalists,’ ‘salafis,’ ‘indigenous,’ and ‘immigrant.’ And each group has become so alienated from the other, that we’ve almost forgotten that we share a common creed.

While real differences do exist within our ummah, something very serious has gone wrong. Within the fold of Islam, differences are not only tolerated—they’re encouraged as a mercy from God.  But as soon as we label and marginalize any who disagree with us, our downfall begins.  Once we accept and internalize these labels as our main source of identity, the result is disastrous.  As a result, we create our own camps, attend only our own gatherings and conferences; soon enough, we’re talking only to those who agree with us.  Dialogue within the ummah disappears, our differences become only more polarized and our views become more extreme.  Before long, we stop caring about what happens to the ‘other’ group of Muslims around the world, as we amputate limbs from the unified body our prophet taught us we were.  The ‘other’ (who happen to still be our brothers) become so foreign—even despised—that we no longer wish to be referred by the same family name, and even join our enemies against them.

Suddenly those differences, that were once a mercy, become a curse–and a weapon to defeat Islam.  Our enemies “summon one another to attack [us] as people, while eating, invite others to share their food.” (Abu Dawud)

On March 18, 2004 RAND, the influential U.S. think tank, released a report to help ‘civilize’ Islam by effacing it and remaking it in the image of Western secularism. In the report, Civil Democratic Islam: Partners, Resources, Strategies, Cheryl Benard writes, “Modernism, not traditionalism, is what worked for the West. This included the necessity to depart from, modify, and selectively ignore elements of the original religious doctrine.”

In order to “depart from, modify, and selectively ignore” elements of Islam, Benard suggests a simple strategy: label, divide, control.  After labeling each group of Muslims, she suggests pitting one group against each other.  Among other strategies, Benard suggests “encourag[ing] disagreements between traditionalists and fundamentalists,” and “discourag[ing] alliances between traditionalists and fundamentalists.”

By succeeding at this division and supporting the ‘Modernist’/ ‘Progressive’ Muslims, Bernard hopes to invent a ‘civil democratic’ Islam that is less backwards and problematic.  More specifically, she hopes to create an Islam that will surrender itself to the hegemony of the Neo Conservative Agenda.

So if the first step to deforming Islam is to exploit the labels that exist, let’s say: “Thanks, but no thanks.” God tells us: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Qur’an,3:103).  So although we really appreciate this effort to ‘civilize’ us and our religion—we’ll have to pass. You only reform something that’s corrupt or outdated. And you only fix something that’s broken.

And while it’s nice of you to want to call us ‘modern’ or ‘moderate,’ we’ll do without the redundancy. Islam is by definition moderate, so the more strictly we adhere to its fundamentals—the more moderate we’ll be. And Islam is by nature timeless and universal, so if we’re truly Islamic—we’ll always be modern.

We’re not ‘Progressives’; we’re not ‘Conservatives.’  We’re not ‘neo-Salafi’; we’re not ‘Sufi’; We’re not ‘Islamists’; we’re not ‘Modernists’. We’re not ‘Traditionalists’; we’re not ‘Wahabis.’  We’re not ‘Immigrants’ and we’re not ‘Indigenous.’ Thanks, but we’ll do without your prefix.

We’re just Muslim.

Also published at Infocus News.

The Prophet of Islam and a feature film

It is the maiden attempt by V S Mohammed Ameen, a young lad with a dream and passion to form a just, God-fearing, loving society.

It is a fitting reply to the dirty film (The Innocence of Muslims) which evoked massive upsurge throughout the world. Peaceful demonstrations were held in more than 800 cities and more than 50 brothers and sisters lost their lives in police shootings.

It is a just 14 minute feature film. The story is simple.

Ganesan a fruit vendor starts his day with parking his cycle ladden with fruits in front of a Madrasa. Suddenly he gets the news that his only son has met with an accident. Ganesan instantly abandons his fruits and cycle and rushes to his home.

On his way he gets the news that his son is okay. He returns with lots of apprehensions about his shop, fruits which he left unattended in a hurry. Thoughts and fears continue to creep in his mind. 'Somebody might have stolen my bicycle', he murmurs himself. 'The students might have eaten out all of my fruits', he fears. 'What to do for my livelihood, I should not have left it unattended' fearful thoughts bombard his beleagured soul. And with mixed feelings of joy, fear, sadnes he rushes back to the place where he left his 'shop' unattended. He felt happy because nothing serious happened to his son. He was afraid of losing all his fruits, bicycles. The thought of the loss of his 'shop' made him sad.

With these thoughts in his mind he returns the place. To his astonishment he sees his bicycle, fruits safe. Moreover he sees the students taking fruits and placing five rupee, ten rupee notes in the basket itself. He was simply perplexed.

Out of curiosity he asks a student. 'Why didn't you simply take away the fruit? What made you to place the money in the no man's shop?'. The student replies, 'Even if the shopkeeper or nobody is here, Allah is there Who watches us'.

Ganesan was dumbfounded by the reply. Who told you so? he asks. 'Muhammad the mercy to mankind has taught us this lesson'.

Then the student takes him to his teacher. The teacher welcomes him and explains the life and teachings of the Prophet of Islam.

Rest of the story could be seen in this 14 minute feature film.

It is aptly  titled as Oru thuli kadal (One drop of Ocean).

  Here

Life, surprises and the Prophet of Islam

Life is always full of surprises, twists and turns.

It is God who shapes our lives. It is He who directs us.

The Prophet of Islam used to pray: "Oh God! Bless me with sudden, instant pleasant surprises and happiness. Protect me from sudden, instant unpleasant, tragic happenings and accidents"

திடீர் திருப்பங்களையும் ஆச்சரியங்களையும் கொண்டதுதான் வாழ்க்கை. நம்முடைய வாழ்வையும் செயல்களையும் இயக்குவது இறைவனே. கண்காணிப்பவனும் அவனே. ஆட்சியாளனும் அவனே. அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்) பிரார்த்தித்து வந்தார்: "என் இறைவனே! திடீர் சந்தோஷங்களையும் இனிய ஆச்சர்யங்களையும் எனக்கு அருள்வாயாக. திடீர் திருப்பங்களிளிருந்தும் ஆபத்துகளிலிருந்தும் விபத்துகளிளிருந்தும் என்னைக் காப்பாற்றுவாயாக. "

Four steps to rule the world : Quranic Style

The Four steps shown by the Quran to rule the world.
1. Criticize the Ideas (Afkar par tanqeed)
2. Change the Values (Aqdar ki tabdeeli)
3. Encounter the Issues
4. Transform the existing system.
Listen to the brilliant analysis by Br Ameenul Hasan. Jazakallah, Khalil Zuhair for uploading it in youtube

.

Here

Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

Superiority of the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Chief of the Messengers, Muhammad.

Indeed it is a great favour and blessing from Allah that He has made for His righteous servants periods of time within which they can increase in good deeds to attain great rewards and one of these opportunistic periods is the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah (the final month of the Islamic Calendar, in which the Hajj is performed).

SUPERIORITY OF THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF DHUL-HIJJAH

The excellence of these ten days have been mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

1. Allah says in the Qur'an:

"By the dawn and by the ten nights … " [Al-Qur'an 89:1-2]

Ibn Kathir said that "the ten nights" referred to here are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and this opinion was also held by Ibn Abbas, Ibn az-Zubair, Mujahid and others.

2. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days." They (the companions listening) said, "Not even Jihad?" He, peace be upon him, said, "No, not even Jihad except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything."[Recorded by Imam al-Bukhari]

3. Allah says:

" … and remember the name of Allah in the appointed days." [Al-Qur'an 2:203]

Ibn Abbas and Ibn Kathir said this means in the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

4. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said:

"There are no other days that are as great as these in the sight of Allah, the Most Sublime. Nor are there any deeds more beloved to Allah then those that are done in these ten days. So increase in tahlil (to say la illaha illallah), takbir (to say allahu akbar) and tahmid (to say alhumdulillah)." [Reported by at-Tabarani in al-Mu'jum al-Kabir]

5. With regards to the noble companion Sa'id bin Jubair, when the days of Dhul-Hijjah began he would strive to increase in good actions with great intensity until he was unable to increase anymore. [Reported by ad-Darimi]

6. Ibn Hajar says in Fath al-Bari:

"The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah being distinguished in excellence is due to the assembly of the greatest acts of worship in this period, i.e. salawat (prayers), siyam (fasting), sadaqah (charity) and the Hajj (pilgrimage). In no other periods do these great deeds combine."

WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED ACTS IN THESE DAYS?

1. Prayer - It is highly recommended to perform the obligatory acts at their prescribed times (as early as possible) and to increase oneself in the superogatory acts, for indeed, this is what brings a person closer to their Lord. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said:

"Upon you is to increase in your prostration to Allah, for verily you do not prostrate to Allah with even one prostration, except that He raises you in degrees and decreases your sins because of it." [Reported by Muslim]

2. Fasting - This has been mentioned as one of the acts of righteousness where Hanbada ibn Khalid reports on the authority of his wife who reports that some of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "The Prophet, upon whom be peace, would fast on the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Ashura and three days in every month." [Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nisa'i and others]

Imam an-Nawawi said that fasting in these ten days is extremely recommended.

3. Saying allahu akbar, la illaha illallah and alhamdulillah - It is found in the aforementioned narration of Ibn 'Umar:

"So increase yourselves in saying la illaha illallah, allahu akbar and alhamdulillah."

Imam al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

"Ibn 'Umar and Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, used to go out to the markets in the ten days saying the takbircausing the people to follow them in this action."

He also said:

"'Umar ibn al-Khattab used to say the takbir in his mimbar in Mina, whereupon the people of the mosque hearing 'Umar, would start to say the takbir as would the people in the markets until the whole of Mina was locked in glorifying Allah."

Ibn 'Umar used to say the takbir in Mina during these ten days and after prayers, whilst on his bed, in his tent, in his gathering and whilst walking. What is recommended is to say the takbir aloud due to the fact that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, his son and Abu Hurayrah used to do likewise, may Allah be pleased with them all.

Strive with us O Muslims in reviving this sunnah that has become lost in these times and it was almost forgotten, even amongst the people of righteousness and goodness all of which is unfortunately in opposition to what the best of generations were upon (preserving and maintaining the superogatory acts).

There are a number of ways of making takbir that have been narrated by the companions and their followers and from these ways is the following:

• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar kabirun.
• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, wallahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd.
• Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar, allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd.

4. Fasting on the day of 'Arafah - Fasting has been affirmed on the day of 'Arafah, where it has been confirmed from the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he said regarding fasting on the day of 'Arafah:

"Be content with the fact that Allah will expiate for you your sins for the year before (the day of 'Arafah) and the year after (the day of 'Arafah)." [Reported by Muslim]

However, whoever is at 'Arafah as a pilgrim then fasting is not expected of him, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, stopped at 'Arafah to eat.

May the peace of Allah be upon his Prophet, the family of the Prophet and all of his companions.

அந்த ஐந்து கேள்விகள்

வாழ்நாளை நீ வாழ்ந்த வழியைச் சொல்லு
வளம் சேர்த்த வழிகளினைச் சொல்லி நில்லு
சூழ்ந்த செல்வம் செலவான வழியைச் சொல்லு
சுக இளமைக் காலத்தின் வாழ்வைச் சொல்லு
தேர்வான உன் அறிவால் மனித வாழ்வில்
தேர்ந்தெடுத்து நீ செய்த செயல்கள் சொல்லு
ஒர்ந்து இதனைச் சொல்லாமல் இறைவன் அவன்
உயர் நீதி மன்றம் விட்டு விலகொணாது

Here

இவர் தான் முஹம்மத்!!

ஒரு திரைப்படம் இன்று உலகத்தையே உலுக்கிவிட்டிருக்கின்றது.
உலகெங்கும் 800க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நகரங்களில் கண்டன ஆர்ப்பாட்டங்கள் நடந்திருக்கின்றன. இந்த நாள் வரை ஐம்பது பேர் உயிரிழந்திருக்கின்றார்கள்.

எல்லாமே யாருக்காக? எல்லாமே எதற்காக?

முஹம்மத் நபிக்காகத்தான் இத்தனை ஆர்ப்பாட்டங்களும் கொந்தளிப்புகளும்.

முஹம்மத் நபி என்றால் யார்? என்ன அது, 1400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு அரேபியாவில் வாழ்ந்த வாழ்க்கை வழிகாட்டியா? இத்துணை நூற்றாண்டு-கள் உருண்டோடி விட்ட பிறகுமா, மக்கள் அவரை மறக்காது இருக்கின்றார்கள்? இத்துணை ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பிறகுமா மக்கள் அவருக்காக தங்களின் உயிரையே கொடுக்கின்றார்கள்?

யார்தான் அவர்? எப்படிப்பட்டவர் அவர்? அவர் செய்த சாதனைகள் என்ன? அவர் சந்தித்த சோதனைகள் என்ன? போன்ற கேள்விகள் இன்று உலகெங்கும் மக்கள் மத்தியில் உரத்துக் கேட்கப்படுகின்றன. உங்களுக்குள்ளும் இந்தக் கேள்விகள் எழுந்திருக்கலாம்.

அந்தக் கேள்விகளுக்கு விடைதான் இந்த மடக்கோலை.

யார் முஹம்மத் (ஸல்)?

இறைவனிடமிருந்து இத்தரணியில் வாழ்ந்த, வாழ்கின்ற, வாழப் போகின்ற உலக மக்கள் அனைவருக்காகவும் அருளப்பட்ட இறைத்தூதர்தாம் முஹம்மத் நபி(ஸல்). மனித குல மாணிக்கமாக, அகிலங்களுக்கெல்லாம் அருட்கொடையாக வாழ்ந்து சென்றவர்தாம் அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்).

‘பணம், குலம், அழகு ஆகியவற்றைப் பார்த்து மணம் முடிக்காதீர்கள். மார்க்கத்தைப் பார்த்தே பெண்ணை மணம் முடித்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள்’ எனச் சொல்லி அமைதியான மணவாழ்வுக்கு அடித்தளம் அமைத்துக் கொடுத்தவர்.

‘அரபி அல்லாதவரை விட அரபியோ, அரபியை விட அரபி அல்லாத-வரோ சிறந்தவர் அன்று. உங்களில் எவர் இறையச்சம் மிக்கவரோ அவரே உங்களில் சிறந்தவர்’ என்றும், ‘பிறரைக் கீழே வீழ்த்திவிடுபவன் பலசாலி அல்ல. கோபம் வரும்போது தன்னை அடக்கிக் கொள்பவனே பலசாலி’ என்றும், ‘பொறாமை நற்செயல்களை அழித்துவிடும்’ என்றும் ஏராளமான நல்லுரைகளைச் சொல்லி அமைதியான சமூகத்திற்குப் பாதை அமைத்துக் கொடுத்தவர்.

‘மோசடி செய்பவன் என்னைச் சேர்ந்தவன் அல்லன்’ என்றும் ‘உழைப்-பாளியின் வியர்வை உலரும் முன் அவருக்குரிய கூலியை கொடுத்து-விடுங்கள்’ என்றும் கூறி, தூய்மையான பொருளாதார நடைமுறைகளுக்கு வித்திட்டவர்.

‘சமூகத்தின் தலைவன் சமூகத்தினரின் தொண்டனாவான்’ என்றும் ‘பதவியை விரும்புகின்றவர்களுக்கு பொறுப்புகளைத் தராதீர்’ என்றும் தீர்க்கமான கட்டளைகளைத் தந்து உன்னதமான அரசியல் வாழ்வுக்கு வழிகாட்டியவர்.

உயர்குலப் பெண் திருட்டுக் குற்றத்துக்கு ஆளாகி தண்டனை-யும் விதிக்கப்பட்ட நிலையில் அவளுக்காக தோழர்கள் பரிந்து பேசியபோது ‘ஆளுக்கொரு நீதியைக் கடைப்பிடித்த சமூகங்கள் அழிந்து போனது உங்களுக்குத் தெரியவில்லையா? என் மகள் பாத்திமாவே தவறிழைத்தாலும் அவளையும் தண்டிப்பேன்’ எனச் சூளுரைத்து நீதிக்கு உறுதியளித்தவர்.

என அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் சிறப்புகளைச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டே போகலாம்.
அவரைக் குறித்து இறைவனே ஒரே வரியில் அறிமுகப்படுத்தி-யிருக்கின்றான்.

மேலும், திண்ணமாக நற்குணத்தின் மிக உன்னதமான நிலையில் நீர் இருக்கின்றீர்.             (திருக்குர்ஆன் 68 : 4)

உண்மை. முற்றிலும் உண்மை. அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்) அழகிய குணங்களைக் கொண்டவராகத்தான் இருந்தார். இதற்கு அவருடன் வாழ்ந்த அவரின் மனைவியரும், தோழர்களுமே சான்றளித்திருக்கின்-றார்கள்.
அவற்றின் விவரம் வருமாறு:

அண்ணல் நபிகளாருடன் இருபத்தைந்து ஆண்டுகள் இல்லற வாழ்வு நடத்தியவர் அன்னை கதீஜா(ரலி). முதன்முதலாக இறைவ-னிடமிருந்து வசனங்கள் அருளப்பட்ட போது பயந்து வியர்த்து விதிர்த்து வந்த அண்ணல் நபிகளாரைப் பார்த்து அன்னையார்(ரலி) சொன்ன வாசகங்களைப் பாருங்கள்:
“இறைவன் மீது ஆணையாக! இறைவன் உங்களை எந்தக்-காலத்-திலும் வேதனையில் ஆழ்த்த மாட்டான். நீங்கள் உறவுகளை மதித்தும், அவர்களின் தேவைகளை நிறைவேற்றியும் வாழ்கின்றீர்-கள். கடனாளிகளின் கடன் சுமையைப் போக்குகின்றீர்கள். ஏழைகளுக்கும் எளியவர்களுக்கும் தேவையுள்ளவர்களுக்கும் உதவுகின்றீர்கள். விருந்தினர்களை உபசரிக்கின்றீர்கள். உண்மைக்கும் சத்தியத்திற்கும் தோள் கொடுக்கின்றீர்கள். துன்பத்தில் உழல்கின்ற மக்களின் துயர் துடைக்கின்றீர்கள்.”

அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் இன்னொரு மனைவி அன்னை ஆயிஷா(ரலி). அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் மரணம் வரை அவருடன் இருந்தவர். அவர்கள் சொல்வதைக் கேளுங்கள்.  “அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்) எவரையும் எந்தக் காலத்திலும் திட்டியதில்லை. தனக்குத் தீங்கிழைத்தவர்களை மன்னித்து அவர்களுக்கும் நன்மையையே செய்து வந்திருக்கின்றார். சொந்த விவகாரங்களில் எவரையும் பழிக்குப் பழி வாங்கியதில்லை. எந்தவொரு முஸ்லிமையும் அவர் சபித்ததில்லை. எந்தவொரு பணியாளரையும் பணிப்பெண்ணையும் கை நீட்டி அடித்ததில்லை.”

அண்ணல் நபிகளாருடன் 23 ஆண்டுகள் இறைவழியில் இணைந்து பாடுபட்ட உற்ற தோழர்தாம் அலீ பின் அபூதாலிப் (ரலி). அண்ணல் நபிகளாருடன் பயணத்திலும் போரிலும் வணக்க வழிபாட்டிலும் ஆலோசனைக் கூட்டத்திலும் இணைபிரியா நண்பராக வாழ்ந்தவர்தாம் அலீ பின் அபூதாலிப்(ரலி). அவர் கூறுகின்றார்: ‘அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்) மென்மையானவர். இளகிய மனம் கொண்டவர். எந்தக்காலத்திலும் கடுமையாக நடந்துகொண்டதில்லை. மிகவும் பரந்த மனம் கொண்டவர். ஓங்கிப் பேசமாட்டார். எந்தக் காலத்திலும் அவருடைய நாவிலிருந்து கெட்ட வார்த்தைகள் வந்ததில்லை. எவருடைய குறையையும் துருவித் துருவி ஆராய்ந்ததில்லை. வீண் விவாதம், அதிக பேச்சு, பயனற்ற பொழுதுபோக்கு ஆகிய மூன்றிலிருந்தும் அறவே விலகியிருந்தார்.”

அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் தோழர்களில் ஒருவர் அனஸ் பின் மாலிக் (ரலி). அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் பணியாளராய் பல்லாண்டுகள் இருந்தவர்.
அவர் கூறுகின்றார்: ‘நான் அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் பணியாளராகப் பத்து ஆண்டுகள் சேவையாற்றியிருக்கின்றேன். அவர் ஒரு நாள் கூட என்னைப் பார்த்து ‘சே..’ என்று கூட சொன்னதில்லை. அவர் சொன்ன வேலையைச் செய்ய மறந்துவிட்டாலும், அல்லது செய்யத் தவறிவிட்டாலும்கூட அவர் என்னைப் பார்த்து ‘ஏன் இப்படி நடந்து கொண்டாய்?’ என ஒரு வார்த்தை கேட்டது கிடையாது.’

அண்ணல் நபிகளாரின் அழைப்பை எதிர்ப்பதில் முன்னணியில் நின்ற அபூசுப்யான் ரோமப் பேரரசரிடம் அண்ணல் நபிகளாரைக் குறித்துச் சொன்னதாவது: ‘முஹம்மத் பொய் சொல்லி நான் பார்த்ததில்லை. அவர் எந்தக்காலத்திலும் கொடுத்த வாக்குறுதியை மீறியதில்லை. ஒப்பந்தத்தை உடைத்ததில்லை.’
 
இந்தச் சான்றுகள் தருகின்ற செய்தி என்ன?

இன்னொன்றையும் கேளுங்கள். அண்ணல் நபிகளார்(ஸல்) தம் வாழ்நாள் முழுவதிலும் ஒருவரைக் கூட கட்டாயப்படுத்தி மதமாற்றம் செய்ததாக வரலாறு கிடையாது.

கைதிகளாகப் பிடிபட்டவர்கள், அடிமைகள், பணியாளர்கள், ஏழைகள் ஆகிய பலவீனமான மக்களிடமும் அவர் இஸ்லாத்தைத் திணித்ததில்லை. அண்ணல் நபிகளாரை வளர்த்துப் பாதுகாப்பு அளித்த அவருடைய பெரிய தந்தை அபூதாலிப் இறுதிவரை இஸ்லாத்தை ஏற்காமலேயே மரணித்தார்.

அவருடைய நெருங்கிய உறவினர்களில் பலர் இஸ்லாமியப் பிரச்சாரம் தொடங்கிப் பல ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்னர்தான் இஸ்லாத்தைத் தழுவினார்கள். இஸ்லாத்தில் இணைந்தவர்கள் தங்கள் பிள்ளைகளைக் கட்டாயப்படுத்தி இஸ்லாத்தில் இணைக்க அண்ணலாரிடம் அனுமதி கோரிய போது அதனை மறுத்தார்.

அதுமட்டுமல்ல, மக்கா நகரம் அண்ணலாரால் வெற்றி கொள்ளப்பட்டபோது, தமக்கும் தம் குடும்பத்தினருக்கும் துன்பங்கள் அளித்த மக்காவாசிகளை மனப்பூர்வமாக மன்னித்த மாண்பாளர் அவர்.

பகைவரையும் மன்னித்த அந்தப் பண்பாளரைப் பற்றி,
மென்மைக்கு அடையாளமாய் வாழ்ந்த அந்த உத்தமரைப் பற்றி,
இளகிய மனமும் ஒழுக்கசீலமும் படைத்த அந்த மாமனிதரைப் பற்றி,
கனிவும் கருணையும் கொண்ட,
வாழ்நாளில் எவரையும் பழி வாங்காத அந்த உயர்ந்த தலைவரைப் பற்றி இன்னும் இன்னும் தெரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டுமே என உங்கள் மனம் பரபரக்கின்றதா?

தொடர்பு கொள்ளுங்கள்:

ஜமாஅத்தே இஸ்லாமி ஹிந்த்
தமிழ்நாடு & புதுச்சேரி
138, பெரம்பூர் நெடுஞ்சாலை, சென்னை - 600 012
Phone : 044 -2662 1101, Fax : 2662 0682
Tel : 044 -2662 1101, Fax : 2662 0682
Email : jihtnzone@gmail.com,  Website : www.jihtn.org

Annadurai on Islam

Here

Muhammad the benefactor of humanity

Here

Periyar's inspirational speech on Islam

Here
and also Here
The transcripts of the speech were first published in Vidudalai Daily dated 20 Dec 1970

மாற்றங்களை ஏற்படுத்திய மாநபி (ஸல்)

Here

A fitting reply to Anders Breivik. Is it?

In what can be described as a fitting response to Anders Breivik’s brutal assault on Norwegian multiculturalism, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg appointed a 29-year-old Muslim woman of Pakistani origin the new Culture Minister. Hadia Tajik is the first Muslim and youngest Minister ever in Norwegian political history. Ms. Tajik, who has degrees in law and journalism and has been a career politician in Norway’s Labour Party, was appointed in a Cabinet reshuffle.

‘Courageous move’

“This is a very courageous move on the part of the Prime Minister. She is an extremely intelligent person and has been an activist all her life. I would describe this as an important decision for Norway that will go a long way to prove that we are a truly multicultural society,” Dag Herbjornsrud, editor of the influential paper Ny Tid told The Hindu in a telephone conversation. “It was important that Norway proved this to the world, but it’s even more important that we proved this to ourselves.”

Be a Rahmani not a Ramadhaani .. !!!!

Alhumdhulilah, Yes! The blessed month or month of patience or month of Qur'aan is already over. We spent our nights in Prayer, days in Qur'aan, tongues moistened with Dhikr of Allaah and other forms of worship.

Now, the question is how we can sustain the experience of Ramadaan in coming days?

Sustain it by being consistent on some of the crucial deeds mentioned here

#1: Don't miss the Congregation - Save yourself from the Fire!

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said "Whoever prays for forty days with the congregation, always being present for the first takbeer, it will be written that he will be safe from two things: he will be safe from the Fire and safe from hypocrisy." Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 200

#2: Never miss the Sunnah and Nawfil. This is the first wall Satan breaks to break your castle of Salah

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "To this (dead person), adding to his deeds only two light voluntary rakat that you may belittle, is more beloved to him than all of what is in your worldly life"

#3: Get up an hour before Salatul Fajr and pray Saltul Tahajjud - Get all your needs answered by Allaah!

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: 'Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?'" (Bukhari and Muslim)

#4: Read the Qur'aan, a page or two at least after Fajr or whenever it will be convenient for you. Don't leave it for next Ramadaan

Narrated Aisha: The Prophet said, "Such a person as recites the Qur'an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur'an by heart, andrecites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward." (Bukhari)

#5: Perform Dhikr after Salatul Fajr and Salatul Asr for around 5-10 minutes - Make your day productive!

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever recites this (so and so dhikr) with conviction in the evening and dies during that night shall enter paradise, and Whoever recites it with conviction in the morning and dies during that day shall enter paradise" (Bukhari)

Refer Hisn al Muslim "Words of Remembrance for Morning and evening"

#6: Follow all Etiquettes like Etiquettes of sleeping, restroom and so on.

Refer to "The Book of Manners" by Shaykh Fu'aad ibn ash Shulhoob or Islaamic Ethics 24x7 handout

P.S.: You could download and listen to the lecture delivered on this subject entitled "Reverse Gear - Your roadmap for better Post Ramadan phase." by clicking HERE. This lecture discusses why we are able to do certain things in Ramdaan and why we are not able to do it later.

O Allaah! Make us among the worshippers of Allaah and be consistent in our deeds. O Allaah! Make us among the patient ones.

Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability (Bukhari)

Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook - Recipe 8: The final ingredient!

Bismillah: Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook brought to you by Deeds in 60 seconds

Recipe 8: The final ingredient!

What will protect you on the Day of Judgement?

"Fasting and the Qur'an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: 'O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.'

And the Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.' He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: 'And they will (be allowed to) intercede.'" [Ahmad, at-Tabarani & Al-Hakim]

Last few nights of Ramadan – let us not count the days but let us make the days count! Go the extra mile. Make the sacrifices now! If you can’t make them in these blessed nights then when will you make the change?

[Take 60 seconds...] Increase in DUA, Quran Recitation, Nafl / Sunnah Prayers, giving sadaqah, in Kindness to others etc. Really max it out so you can get really close to Allah swt!

May Allah swt bless you all with many laylatul qadr nights. Say Ameen.

Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook - Recipe 7: The best meal of the day

Bismillah:

Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook
By Deeds in 60 seconds

Recipe 7: The best meal of the day

The Prophet, pbuh, would often tell his Companions, "Shall I tell you about the best of deeds, the most pure in the sight of your Lord, about the one that is of the highest order and is far better for you than spending gold and silver, even better for you than meeting your enemies in the battlefield where you strike at their necks and they at yours?"

The Companions replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "The Remembrance of Allah." [Tirmidhi, Ahmad]

And indeed the secret to happiness is: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.[13:28]. When you do dhikr, this will protect you from all of your enemies –from shaytan, from the problems and temptations of this world, and from your own desires.

The Prophet pbuh said: Two words are LIGHT on the tongue, HEAVY in the balance, BELOVED to the Merciful: ‘Glory be to Allah and by His praise. Glory be to Allah, the Immense.’” [Bukhari]

Just like suhoor & iftaar nourishes the body, dhirk in the morning & evening nourishes the soul!

[Take 60 seconds…] And open up a channel of communication, a dialogue between you and Allaah. “And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him with praise] in the evening and the morning.” [Qur’an, 3:41].

What dhikr will you do today? ;-)

Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook - Recipe 6: Chocolate Moose

Bismillah:

Ramadan GoodDeed Cookbook
By Deeds in 60 seconds

Recipe 6: Chocolate Moose

A man asked the Prophet pbuh "Who is most worthy of my love and respect?"

The Prophet pbuh replied, "Your mother." The man asked, "And then who?" The Prophet pbuh again answered, "Your mother." The man asked one more time and received the same answer. When the man asked the question a fourth time, the Prophet pbuh answered, "Your father." [Bukhari & Muslim].

And Allah swt says: "Verily, Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves."[Surah Al-Baqarah:222]

[How about a challenge to incorporate both the hadeeth and ayaah?] Compete with your mother and see how many times you will say “Astagfarulla” in the day. Cultivate this as a habit and help each other to attain the pleasure of Allah. SubhanAllah what an amazing way to spend time with your mother, seek forgiveness, have fun and attain the love of ALLAH.

Just like chocolate is essential to the moose, our parents are the essential LIFE ingredient to entering Jannah.;-)

[Take 60 seconds…] Do something special today to make your mother smile. Take her for a walk; ask her how her day has been. And if you are brave enough take up the challenge? Or simply record a thankyou message in the history of time by leaving a thankyou note/dua/ comment below.

[Complete the sentence] "My mother is..."