Childrens Corner

Allahumma inna nas’aluka minal khairi kullihi, ‘ajilihi wa aajilhi ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam, wa na’udhu bika minhashsharri kullihi, ‘ajilhi wa aajilhi, ma ‘alimna minhu wa ma lam na’lam.


O Allah! We ask you everything that is good, in this world and the Hereafter, whether we Know it or not; and seek your protection from everything that is bad, in this world and the Hereafter, whether we Know it or not.

In the Qur’an the Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is described as being of “sublime character.”


Here are two sayings of the Prophet which throw light on what this “Sublime character” consists of:


Never debase your character by saying that if people treat you well, you will treat them well, and if they harm you, then you will do worse to them. Rather, become accustomed to being good to those who are good to you, and not wronging those who harm you.


Join hands with those who break away from you, forgive those who wrong you, and be good to those who harm you.


The sublime character described here was displayed in its noblest form by the Prophet himself. Such character is required for ordinary Muslims as an accessory, but with the Prophet it was a basic requisite.

One day on the bank of the River Dajla, Hasan saw a man seated with a young lady and a bottle of wine in front of him. A thought crossed his mind, “How depraved is this man! How unlike me,” Just then a boat appeared in the river a little distance from them and gradually began to sink in the deep water. The man immediately jumped into the water and swam toward the seven men in the boat who were drowning. He saved six and then, looking toward Hasan, said, “If you are superior to me, then in God’s name save the seventh man.”


Hasan did so. The man then said to Hasan, “Sir this woman seated by my side is my mother, and this bottle contains only water. All this was enacted to put you to the test.” Hasan fell on his knees and said, “Just as you saved those six people, save me as well. I am drowning in pride and vanity.” The man replied, “May God fulfill your desire!”. (Attar)

Reciting the following portions of the Qur’an with knowledge of their meaning and firm conviction protect a person from the Shaytaan as has been reported authentically from the Messenger (Pbuh)

• Aayatul Kursi (The Verse of the Throne) Surah Baqarah 2:255

• Reciting Surah Baqarah prevents the Shayataan from entering the house.

• The Mu’adhdhatain-the last two surah of the Qur’an. (113-114)

• Pronouncing the Adhaan also repels Shaytaan and his handiwork. It makes him stick his fingers into his ears and flee on his heels.

One way that we always make a block that doesn’t allow us to get closer to Allah is the misuse of our words. The heaviest burden that we can carry from one place to another is our words. As soon as we say something that critizes someone, something that judges someone, this tongue which is locked behind two rows of hard teeth and two lips that close as soon as we allow words to go out without thinking first, and gossip or ridicule or say does not get us close to Allah. That is why the Prophet of Islam said, “Hold your tongue,” to somebody when he was asked, “What can I do to help myself?”


Because who a person is, is hidden beneath his tongue.


Why do we gossip? I think it’s because we have a feeling that if we know about something or someone that others do not, it gives us a certain power. It’s a false understanding of power. But somehow, if we can say something about someone else to a third person who hasn’t yet heard or knew anything about it, it makes us feel important.


It’s false importance. It would be interesting for one week not to have to be right about every discussion we have. There are many instances in our daily life where we may indeed be right. But it really doesn’t matter one way or the other if we’re right or wrong. It would be interesting, once in a while, to stop in the midst of an argument-on hearing someone else say something-and respond, “you know, I haven’t looked at it from that angle. I’d like to think about it from your point of view, and let’s talk about it another time.”


Why do we think we are giving up something precious of ourselves if we do this? It’s important to look at this, each of us, for ourselves, to let the other person win the discussion, even if we know we’re right. I think one of the most detrimental parts of man, which keeps him separated from Allah, is gossip and his tongue and words that are misused.


This tongue that we use to pronounce the Name of Allah, and then to say to somebody, “you are stupid” or “I hate you,” is absurd.

Big or small, even or odd,
Selfless - move, even a nod,

What serves people like pod,
It’s looked on as pray to God.



Humanity:

What’s called humanity?
Love for love and beauty,
A sheen of dignity
Goodness and purity.

Every individual is responsible for his intentions. Allah makes this clear when He says: “…..He will take you to task for the intention in your hearts have made….” (surat al-Baqara:225)


Umar bin al-Khattaab relates that: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, saying, “verily actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended. So the one whose hijra was to Allah and His Messenger, then his hijrah was to Allah and His Messenger. And the one whose hijrah was for the world to gain from it, or a woman to marry her, then his hijrah was to what he made hijrah for.”


In every act, the intention must be to gain Allah’s approval. An act may seem to be good but, if the intention behind it is to gain the approval of others, or some other worldly benefit, this act will not be acceptable in the eyes of Allah.


We are affecting our creative energy with our intentions in every moment. We either do this consciously or unconsciously, but we do it all the time. To the degree to which our intentions are clear to us, to that degree we become consciously creative. To the degree to which our own intentions arise from a subconscious reaction, to that degree our energy becomes scattered, and we find it very difficult to produce any particular or desired result in our lives.


Life proceeds out of your intentions for it.

Pay attention to your intention.

‘Ali said, “Among deeds, there are four that are most difficult to adorn oneself with:

1) Forgiveness when angry;

2) Generosity in hard times;

3) Chastity when alone; and

4) Speaking the truth to the one that fears it.”

“All my brothers are better than I!”
“How is that?”
“Every one of them considers me
more worthy than himself,
And whoever rates me higher than himself
is in fact better than I.”

Hasan bin Sahl asked Dinar bin ‘Abdullah,

“What is your religion?”

He said, “I never thought that anyone alive would ask this question, for it is the question of Munkar and Nakir to the dead.”

Men will wrangle for religion;

write for it; die for it;

anything but-live it.

Colton

Once a man came to Hazrat Umar (RA) and complained of his son’s disobedience. Hazrat Umar summoned the boy and rebuked him for his insolence and negligence of his duty toward his parents.


The boy enquired, “O ruler of believers! Does a son have no rights to his father?”


Hazrat ‘Umar replied that the son did have his rights. “May I ask what those rights are”, said the boy. “Well, the choice of a mother with sterling qualities (i.e. marrying a virtuous woman who could breed his children well), giving him a good name and teaching him the Holy Qur’an”


The boy said, “My father did nothing of the sort. As for my mother, she is a negro. My father calls me a gabrela (young one of a magain) and he has not taught me a single verse of the Holy Qur’an.”


Hazrat Umar, then, turned to the boy’s father and said to him, “you have come to me to complain of your son’s disobedience in spite of the fact that you maltreated him and did him the harm which inevitably resulted in his rebel lion.”


Thus Hazrat ‘Umar (RA) held the man responsible for his son’s disobedience as he did not fulfill his obligations with regard to the boy’s training.

Imam sha’bi was asked about an issue and he replied, “I do not know.” It was said to him, “Are you not ashamed of stating that you do not know, especially being the Islamic jurist of Iraq?” He said, “But the angels were not ashamed when they said that they have no knowledge except what Allah taught them.”


“We have no knowledge except what you have taught us,” (Qur’an 2:32)


Many learned people have said that one should learn to say the phrase: ‘I do know. ’It has been said: “If you say: ‘I do not know, then they will ask you until you do not know!”


Uqbah bin Muslim said that he was a companion of Ibn ‘Umr for thirty-four months and he was often asked questions regarding Islamic issues to which he would say, “I do not know.” Sa’eed bin Musayyib in giving a Fatwa (Islamic ruling) would almost always follow up his Islamic ruling with the utterance: “O Allah, keep me safe and keep others safe from me) referring to any errors that might have resulted from his ruling).”


And Imam Shafi’ was asked about an Islamic issue and he remained silent and it was said to him, “Will you not reply?” He answered, “Not until I know whether virtue is in my silence or in my giving a reply.”


Salman wrote to Abu-Darda’ once (after the migration) stating: “I’ve heard that you have taken it upon yourself to serve others as a doctor. Beware of being from those who claim to have a skill, but in actuality end up harming others with their lack of knowledge or understanding.”

Acknowledge and accept accountability for your life. The law is simple: you are accountable for your life. Good or bad, successful or unsuccessful, happy or sad, fair or unfair, you own your life.


Holy Qur’an states “Every man is responsible for what he shall have wrought”. (52:21)


You create the results in your life, not some of the time, but all of the time.


Why this law is important because if you do not accept accountability, you will misdiagnose every problem you have. If you misdiagnose, you will mistreat. If you mistreat, things won’t get better, plain and simple.


Since this law is absolute truth-since it is how the world works, like it or not- then your resisting or denying this law keeps you stuck in the realm of fantasy. If you truly want change, and you truly acknowledge that you have done or have not done to create the undesirable results, you should begin to view your life from the position of accountability. Beginning to live as an accountable person means that you are beginning to think as an accountable person.

“Only they are believers whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and when His signs are recited to them it increases them in faith, and in their Lord they set their trust; those who keep up prayer, and spend from what We have provided for them; those in truth are the believers. They have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and bountiful provision” (8:2-4)


Let us ask ourselves a few questions:

• When do our hearts beat faster, at the mention of Allah- or when we hear our own names mentioned?

• Do our eyes weep in awe of His power?

• Do we feel moved by His love?

• Do we take pleasure from hearing the Holy Qur’an recited?

• Can we duly fulfill, with equal pleasure, the commandments of the Truth?

• Can we do the things He has ordained, and avoid those He has forbidden?

• Are we punctual in our observance?

• Do we rely on the truth in all our undertakings?


To the degree we can give affirmative answers to these questions, so to that extent we can be considered believers in the Truth, i.e. believers as Allah would have us be.


If we are honest in our self assessment, we shall recognize that we are as much in need of guidance as the blind. We shall pay grateful heed to the voices of the Qur’an, our blessed Prophet (Pbuh), and our great teachers and guides.

A Way of doing service to the dead is to pray to the Lord to forgive them their sins and to show them mercy. It is, also, the chief aim and purpose of the funeral Namaz, and, as we have seen, in the traditions appertaining to the visiting of the graves, too, the prayer for forgiveness has been made for those buried in them along with salutation. Apart from it, another method taught by the Prophet is to do an act of charity or any other noble deed on behalf of the dead and make a gift of the Divine recompense on it to them. This is what is commonly meant by Isaal-i-Sawaab. Pious and righteous children are also a source of Isaal-e-Sawaab for their parents.

The first law states that you make your effort…. It is called ‘A’ force. Every action has equal and opposite reaction. The moment you make positive action, invariably a negative force will come into the picture.


Then a second force, ‘B’, comes into focus. If you continue to put in efforts, then the third force ‘C’ will descend and support the effort. Grace from Allah will descend. What we perceive as negative will start supporting our endeavour to be positive.  Until that time we need to have patience and perseverance.

It is a true love story of another time between the people of France and a living Giraffe that was gifted to the King of France by Muhammad Ali Pasha, the King of Egypt. The people of France and Europe fell in love with this animal, and they flocked to Paris Zoo to look at it.


It was the year 1827 and there were only a handful of Parisians who had seen a living Giraffe. The King, Charles X, made a special reception for this nearly 4-metre high animal. Over 100,000 citizens of Paris came and looked at zarafa (Arabic word for giraffe).


The adventure for the zarafa began in fall of 1824. Muhammad Ali Pasha, the Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, wanted to gift this to France as a goodwill gesture.


This zarafa was captured somewhere at the Egypt-Sudan borders. It was first brought to Khartoum, carried by boat to Alexandria and then shipped to French port of Marseilles. It arrived there on October 31, 1826. The Royal Veterina-rian decided to walk the animal on 900-km journey from Marseilles to Paris.


However, the winter was near and it got suddenly cold in France. So, as a first measure, a warm and roomy stall had to be constructed to fit her height, where she could stay over the winter in Marseilles. One of the most famous animal scientists, Etienne Geoffrey Saint-Hillarie, was hired to look after the animal. He ordered a yellow coat made up of oil skin for it.


The Tour de France of zarafa was a big triumph as the people traveled from far and wide to catch a glimpse of this animal. Since it had a look of camel and skin of a leopard, the French people began calling it ‘camelopard’. It reached Paris after a 41-day walk and was presented to the King on July 9, 1827.  The King spent half an hour with the veterinarian Geoffrey. It was later sent to Paris zoo Jardin des Plantes.


People of Paris were wild with joy. Furniture, porcelain, tapestries and textiles were created in giraffe-form colours and design. The trees and bushes got cut in giraffe-patterns.


Zarafa lived for nearly 18 years in Paris. She died on January 12, 1845, and a memorial was erected for her to keep her memory alive.

The use of olives has been part and parcel of the lives of the people in countries around the Mediterranean Sea.


Olive trees thrive in Mediterranean Climate. The tree produces olives in the spring abundantly; lies dormant in summer, and again the farmers reap a rich harvest in autumn. The olive trees – with its small glossy leaves – vary in height from a small tree, and in certain areas grow to a height of 60 feet, and lives up to 300 years in age! It starts to bear fruit in the sixth or seventh year and reaches its full potential in its 25th year. Yield is 20 to 40 kg. annually.


Olives have some 60 different varieties of colors. Sometimes the green and the black olive come from the same tree, leaving an onlooker confused.


Spain is the largest exporter of green olives, sometimes stuffed with red peppers or peeled almonds, others, even better with anchovy fillets.


Olive farming is done only by hand. It accepts no mechanization. The result is that olive oil is more expensive, and has become almost a luxury product.  Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is freshly pressed from the fruit.  It offers protection against heart disease. It lowers the cholesterol level. Olive oil should be kept in a cool and dark place, tightly sealed. Light and heat are the enemies of olive oil. Olive oil is like other oils and can easily go rancid when exposed to air, light or high temperatures.

Amman is the capital of the Kingdom of Jordan. It is a city where the old meets with the new. It has a past, which dates back to nearly 3500 BCE. The city existed from the Roman past and during biblical times, until it passed under the rule of Muslims after the defeat of the Byzantine armies by the legions of Islam; and has been since then a predominantly Muslim city. It is situated on seven hills and has therefore several similarities with Rome.


Half of the Jordanians, nearly 21 lakh live in Amman itself. Under strict municipal laws, all buildings are painted in white and have to use local stones to dress the exteriors. Amman has a cool climate and remains that way all round the year. It gets some snow in winter and plenty of rains during rainy season. Abu Darweesh Mosque, Abdullah Mosque and the ancient Amphitheatre are worth seeing. Its old bazaar or souk is the original centre around which the modern city has grown. (By Khushtar Jamal)

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (ra) reported that the Holy Prophet (saws) once went into the mosque and found a man sitting there. He asked him: “O’ Abu Imamah, why do I see you in the mosque when it is not time for prayers? He replied: “Some troubles and debts are worrying me O’ Messenger of Allah.” The Holy Prophet (saws) said: “Shall I teach you some words to say, so that Allah (swt) would ease your troubles and enable you to pay off your debts? He replied: “Yes! O’ Messenger of Allah!” The Holy Prophet (saws) said: “Say in the morning and in the evening: “O’ Allah. I seek refuge with You from trouble and sadness and worry. I seek refuge with You from disability and from sloth. I seek refuge with You from the burden of debts and from the ruthlessness of men.” (Allahumma inni a’oudhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wa a-oudhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasal, wa a‘oudhu bika minal-bukhli wal-jubn, wa a’oudhu bika min ghalabaditd-dayni wa qahrir-rijal”) He said: “I did as he advised me and Allah eased my trouble and helped me pay of my debts.”(KJ)