PRISM OF LIFE

In a sermon to his Companions the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws) had narrated: “When Allah (swt) made the earth, he created mountains on it to keep it from shaking. Then the angels asked, “O’ Allah is there anything in your creation that is stronger than these mountains?
And, Allah (swt) replied, “Iron is stronger than the mountains for it breaks them.”
And, is there anything stronger in your creation than iron?
“Yes, fire is stronger than iron for it melts it.”
“Is anything stronger than fire?
“Yes, water, for it quenches fire.”
“Is there anything stronger than water?”
“Yes, the wind, which puts water in motion.”
“O’, our Sustainer, is there anything stronger than wind?”
“Yes, a good man giving alms. If he gives it with his right hand and conceals it with his left he overcomes all things.”
Every good act is charity. Your putting a wanderer on the right road, your giving water to the thirsty, is charity. A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good that he has done to his fellowmen. When he dies people will ask, “What property has he left behind him?” But, the angels will ask, “What good deeds has he sent before him?” (Tirmizi)

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi was a leading scholar of Islam. He had appointed a deputy who was called ‘Khalifa’ in Urdu. Once his khalifa returned from a journey and had brought a child along with him. When the khalifa arrived in his court, he enquired about the child and asked him if he had purchased the train ticket for the child. Khalifa was a bit amazed as mostly the question expected on such occasions were whether they could discharge the obligatory and optional prayers during the journey and the stay outside their headquarters.
Khalifa replied in affirmative.
Thanvi: Did you buy a full ticket or it was a half ticket?
Khalifa: Half ticket.
Thanvi: How old is the child?
Khalifa: Though the child has attained the age of 13 a few month ago, he does not appear to be more than 12. So we got him a half ticket.
Thanvi: Even a day after the 12th birthday, the child was supposed to pay the fare of an adult. The money thus saved on the ticket is illegitimate (haraam). Any individual who earns or saves money through illegitimate means does not qualify to be appointed my deputy.
Maulana thereafter stripped him off the post of khalifa. If someone would have missed prayers, Maulana Thanvi would advise him to do the compensatory (qazaa) prayers and seek Allah’s forgiveness. But he was unsparing when it came to distinction between halaal and haraam. It is such strictness in matters of halaal and haraam that the Islamic scholars and divines would always care for. Never would they tolerate any iota of haraam in the transactions of even their deputies. Just as it is obligatory for a Muslim to earn his livelihood through halaal way, he is obliged to even make the savings through the halaal way.

Longtime ago there was a giant who was troubling the children in a village. One day a young boy came to visit his brothers and asked, “Why don’t you stand up and fight the giant.?” The brothers were terrified and replied, Don’t you see he is too big to hit?”
But the shepherd boy said, “No he is not too big to hit, he is too big to miss.” The boy killed the giant with a sling.
Moral: Same giant, but different perceptions. Our attitude determines how we look at our setback. To a positive thinker, it could be a stepping stone for success. To a negative thinker, it could be a stumbling block.

It was a small gesture. A Muslim man laying the foundation of his house found that his neighbour was a Brahmin and a strict vegetarian. He slightly modified the house plan in order that his kitchen window does not open anywhere near his neighbour’s windows, lest he be bothered with smell of the non-vegetarian food cooked in his kitchen. The gesture immensely impressed the Brahmin and ushered the two households into a lifelong camaraderie.
Moral: Being sensitive to others’ likes and dislikes will win their respect for you.

The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. 
We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2,000 employees drove their car to work.) 
The first day, I didn’t say anything and neither on the second or the third. Finally, one morning I asked, “Do you have a fixed parking space?
I’ve noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot.” To which he replied, Since we are here early we will have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and needs a place close to the door. Don’t you think it will help a lot of people reach their work place on time.
Imagine the look on my face!
If we Muslims could follow this rule while parking our vehicles in the parking lot, several of us may be spared of missing the prayers due to delay in arrival.
Moral: It should be everyone’s priority to facilitate things for the fellow beings.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip.
You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the script straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Duleep trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss India Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Magsaysay Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Oscar Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. They are not second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
* The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. “They are the ones who care.”