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Pearls
Sept 8, 2011 20:04:19 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 8, 2011 20:04:19 GMT 5
On a certain day, while sage Luqman was addressing a big gathering of people sharing his wisdom with them, there came a person and asked him point blank: 'Are you not the same person who used to graze goats with me in such and such forest?' Luqman said: 'Yes, I am the same person." The man asked, 'How then, could you achieve this status that such multitudes of people hold you in reverence and come to hear your words from far and wide?' Luqman said: 'The reason lies in two things I do: (1) Always telling the truth and (2) avoiding the useless things.' It appears in another report that he said: 'I tell you about a few things that have given me this station in life. If you were to take to these, you too will have the same rank and status. These are as follows: (1) Lower your gaze and hold your tongue. (2) Stay content with lawful sustenance. (3) Guard your private parts. (4) Tell the truth and uphold it. (5) Fulfill the pledge. (6) Honor the guest. (7) Protect the neighbor. (8) Observe silence against wasteful speech and leave off all useless indulgences.'(Ibn Kathir)
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Pearls
Sept 10, 2011 7:03:34 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 10, 2011 7:03:34 GMT 5
Some of the Benefits of Spreading Knowledge1. When you spread this religious knowledge, you do so for the religion of Allaah. So you become from the Mujaahidoon in the path of Allaah: that is because you have opened the hearts to religious knowledge like the Mujaahid who conquers a land with rectification and faith. 2. From the blessings of spreading knowledge and teaching it is that by doing so, there is the preservation and protection of Allaah’s legislation (the Sharee’ah). If it were not for the passing on of knowledge, the legislation would not have been preserved. 3. Also from the blessings of spreading knowledge is that when you teach others, you are doing them a great deal of good. You give them insight into the religion of Allaah. Moreover, when the servant then worships Allaah with knowledge and insight, similar rewards they are given will be your reward, because you directed them towards a particular good. The one who directs another to do something good is just like the one who actually does it. 4. Also, by spreading and teaching knowledge, one’s own knowledge increases. It is known that anyone who teaches a particular knowledge to people, his knowledge in that subject will increase. This is because in teaching, one is recalling what he previously learned and memorized as well as learning new things that he must prepare. In this meaning, there is a famous (Arabic) proverb regarding wealth, “It increases by spending it often, and it decreases if held in a tight fist.” Similarly, if knowledge is withheld and not taught, it will eventually decrease.
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Pearls
Sept 13, 2011 18:44:22 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 13, 2011 18:44:22 GMT 5
Never Judge a Book by its Cover
As she stood in front of her primary 5 class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Koko Bassey. Mrs. Thompson had watched Koko the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Koko could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Koko's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Koko's primary 1 teacher wrote, "Koko is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around."
His primary 2 teacher wrote, "Koko is an excellent pupil, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His primary 3 teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Koko's primary 4 teacher wrote, "Koko is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her pupils brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Koko's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Koko Bassey stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Koko. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster heresponded. By the end of the year, Koko had become one of the smartest children in| the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Koko became one of her "teacher's pets." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Koko, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Koko. He then wrote that he had| finished secondary school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from the university with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. When children are doing nothing, they are doing mischief.Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer . . . The letter was signed, Koko A. Bassey, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Koko said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his | father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Koko remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Bassey whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Koko, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
~*~
I love this story so very much, Just try to make a difference in someone's life today, tomorrow?
Just "do it".
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Pearls
Sept 22, 2011 11:19:35 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Sept 22, 2011 11:19:35 GMT 5
Narrated Abu Huraira, RasoolAllah (sallAllahu ályhi wasallam) said; "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the Fire)." They said,"Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O RasoolAllah?" He said,"No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night,and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course by which you will reach your target (Paradise)." [Sahih Bukhari, Book 76]
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Pearls
Sept 27, 2011 15:15:15 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 27, 2011 15:15:15 GMT 5
@ islamicthinking.tumblr.com
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Pearls
Sept 27, 2011 15:22:09 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 27, 2011 15:22:09 GMT 5
Ali bin Abi Talib RA entered the mosque of Kufah one day, where he saw a man standing at the door of the mosque. He asked that man to hold his mount for him so he could enter.
Upon his exit, Ali RA had two Dirhams in his hand that he had intended to give to the man in return for his services. However, he found that the mule was still there, without its reigns.
So he gave the two Dirhams to his servant Qanbar to purchase new reigns for his mule. At the market place, Ali RA’s servant found the exact reigns that the thief had sold for two Dirhams.
So Ali RA said to him, “Indeed, the slave forbids himself from lawful sustenance by abstaining from patience.”
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Pearls
Sept 27, 2011 15:22:32 GMT 5
Post by Ummati on Sept 27, 2011 15:22:32 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 2, 2011 4:28:36 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 2, 2011 4:28:36 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 9, 2011 2:55:35 GMT 5
Post by iloveAllah on Oct 9, 2011 2:55:35 GMT 5
“Increase your asking for forgiveness in your homes, while at your tables, in your streets, in your markets, at your gatherings and wherever else you may be. Certainly, you do not know when forgiveness will descend.”
— Hasan al-Basri
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Pearls
Oct 11, 2011 13:16:35 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 11, 2011 13:16:35 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 11, 2011 13:20:32 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 11, 2011 13:20:32 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 13, 2011 23:52:08 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 13, 2011 23:52:08 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 21, 2011 21:49:57 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 21, 2011 21:49:57 GMT 5
"CLOSE THE DOOR OF EVIL DESIRES BY CLOSING YOUR EYES"
"A young man came to a shaykh and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar(market). What do I do?”
The shaykh handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar (market).
He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not.
The shaykh then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill.
This man successfully took the milk to the destination and returned to give the good news to the shaykh. The shaykh asked, “Tell me, how many sights and faces did you see in the bazaar?”
The man replied incredulously, “Sheik, I didn’t even realize what was going on around me. I was only fearful of the beating and disgrace that I would have to endure in public if a drop of milk were to spill.”
The shaykh smiled and said, “It is the same with a believer. The believer fears that Allaah (swt) may disgrace him in front of the entire creation on the Day of Judgment if his faith were to spill over from his heart.”
Such people save themselves from sin because they constantly remain focused on the Day of Judgment !!"
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Pearls
Oct 23, 2011 21:38:58 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 23, 2011 21:38:58 GMT 5
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Pearls
Oct 28, 2011 19:11:02 GMT 5
Post by Mujaahid on Oct 28, 2011 19:11:02 GMT 5
You may never look at a cup of coffee the same way again........A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as though just as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did, and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take the egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?" Think of this: Which am I?Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, ... but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.It's easier to build a child than to repair an adult... This is so true - May we all be COFFEE!
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