Don"t Be Selfish

A couple, whom we shall call John and Mary, had a nice home and two lovely children, a boy and a girl. John had a good job and had just been asked to go on a business trip to another city and would be gone for several days. It was decided that Mary needed an outing and would go along too. They hired a reliable woman to care for the children and made the trip, returning home a little earlier than they had planned. As they drove into their home town feeling glad to be back, they noticed smoke, and they went off their usual route to see what it was. They found a home in flames. Mary said, "Oh well it isn't our fire, let's go home." But John drove closer and exclaimed, "That home belongs to Fred Jones who works at the plant. He wouldn't be off work yet, maybe there is something we could do." "It has nothing to do with us." Protested Mary. "You have your good clothes on lets not get any closer." But John drove up and stopped and they were both horror stricken to see the whole house in flames. A woman on the lawn was in hysterics screaming, "The children! Get the children!" John grabbed her by the shoulder saying, "Get a hold of yourself and tell us where the children are!" "In the basement," sobbed the woman, "down the hall and to the left." In spite of Mary's protests John grabbed the water hose and soaked his clothes, put his wet handkerchief on his head and bolted for the basement which was full of smoke and scorching hot. He found the door and grabbed two children, holding one under each arm like the football player he was. As he left he could hear some more whimpering. He delivered the two badly frightened and nearly suffocated children into waiting arms and filled his lungs with fresh air and started back asking how many more children were down there. They told him two more and Mary grabbed his arm and screamed, "John! Don't go back! It's suicide! That house will cave in any second!" But he shook her off and went back by feeling his way down the smoke filled hallway and into the room. It seemed an eternity before he found both children and started back. They were all three coughing and he stooped low to get what available air he could. As he stumbled up the endless steps the thought went through his mind that there was something strangely familiar about the little bodies clinging to him, and at last when they came out into the sunlight and fresh air, he found that he had just rescued his own children. The baby-sitter had left them at this home while she did some shopping. ** Selfishness made one's become ugly and lonely.. and you can't live the world alone..

Change is Inevitable, Changes for Survival,

 Maggie was a partner in her husband's business. They both had a different set of duties which kept everything in balance. One day a devastating blow came to her husband's business, and over a three year period the business dropped out of site. Her husband had to totally reinvent himself and was yearning to fulfill a dream with a new vocation. She was happy for him and supported him fully, but still the money was not coming in.

Maggie began to feel guilty that she wasn't contributing with any kind of income. It had been a long time since she had worked outside the home and had to work for someone else. Needless to say she was scared but still had faith that everything would be okay. She began job hunting and found filling out applications somewhat difficult, especially the part asking for job references. Keep in mind that she was self-employed with her husband for almost 20 years. It felt as though that didn't count for anything as she was never called for an interview.

At the time she was job hunting her mom became more ill than she had been and ended up in the hospital for a week. Once Maggie's mom returned home she became her mom's helper one day a week. She did the shopping, changed sheets, vacuumed and did other things that her mother was not able to do anymore. Of course her mom would pay her for her time and labor but she still felt she needed to find another source of income.

One of the first applications she had filled out finally came through. She passed the interview with flying colors and was told she was "exactly" what they were looking for.

Although it was only part time it was exactly what she wanted. It was important for her to be home when her daughter arrived home from school. She was told they would be in touch when the schedule was ready. Knowing she had the job made her feel contented and productive again.

Within a few weeks though, she received an e-mail saying that the company had changed the job into a full time position and she was not qualified. Maggie was devastated. She felt betrayed and felt she had been lied to. That evening she was alone as her husband and daughter had gone out for the night. She welcomed the loneliness and wanted to drown her sorrows in a hot tub of bubbles.

As she knew she would, she began to cry, softly at first just from the sheer pain of being rejected. Three long years of struggle had finally caught up with her. Then she became angry; angry at everything from the circumstances that got her there, to God himself. She cried harder and yelled, "What do you want me to do?" She really felt that God had abandoned her.

When she was able to cry no more, she became exhausted and gave up. It was at that moment that a silent idea came to her to offer other elderly people home care assistance.

Using another talent for computers she printed off some flyers and cards and distributed them to, grocery stores and even placed a small ad in the newspaper. Within a week she had procured two new clients.

Now, even though she's not a CEO of a major company or a power player she feels happy and productive again. So, had God really abandoned her? Let's look at nature for the lessons and the answer.

Before a butterfly can emerge out of it's chrysalis it has to go through a lot of struggling. Yes, struggling. Each time it lunges out to escape, acids are being removed from its wings. If someone were to come along and break the chrysalis open for it then the butterfly would die from those acids. In essence the struggle is necessary for the butterfly to survive. Then in the stillness, when the struggle is over, the butterfly can come out and share its beauty with the world.

Moral: We as humans are not any different. There are times that we need to struggle (Jihad), to rid ourselves of the acids that make up sadness, fear, and anger. It is only at this time when we are exhausted and still that we begin to hear the Universe whisper to us.

The Crack Pot

Once upon a time there was a water-bearer in India who had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house,the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pot full of water in his master’s house.Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of ?”

“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don’t get full value from your efforts, the pot said.

The water-bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.
 
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and warding. You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.


** Don't judge someone by only looking on their bad side without noticing the good side of them, because every person have their own weakness and strengths. Some time, weakness bring good hidden value and strength also can sometime brings bad effects, that's why there have been a saying that says " nothing is perfect in this world except the Almighty ALLAH SWT**

True Wealth

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the purpose of showing his son how the poor people live so he could be thankful for his wealth.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” “It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Oh yeah” said the son. “So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four.We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.” 

“We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.” “Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.” 

 

“We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.” “We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.” 

“We buy our food, but they grow theirs.” “We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.” 


With this the boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are.” 

Resources: "100MoralStories"

**True wealth can't be touched by hand or calculated by numbers, it only can be measure by a heart that lived!**

What is A Family?

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated,

to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: “Daddy, may I ask you a question?”

DAD: “Yeah sure, what is it?” replied the man.

SON: “Daddy, how much do you make an hour?”

DAD: “That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.

SON: “I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?”

DAD: “If you must know, I make $20 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, with his head down. Looking up, he said,

“Daddy, may I please borrow $10?”

The father was furious, “If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy

a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed.

Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.”

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even

angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was

something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn’t ask for money very often.

The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.

“Are you asleep, son?” He asked. “No daddy, I’m awake,” replied the boy.

“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier,” said the man. “It’s been a long day and

I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $10 you asked for.”

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. “Oh, thank you daddy!” He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

“Why do you want more money if you already have some?” the father grumbled.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,” the little boy replied.

“Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow.

I would like to have dinner with you.”

Share this story with someone you like.... But even better, share $20 worth of time with someone

you love. It’s just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life.

We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who

really matter to us, those close to our hearts.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of

days.

But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to

think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family. An unwise investment indeed!

So what is the moral of the story???

Don’t work too hard...and you know what’s the full word of FAMILY? 

FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER,(I)(L)OVE (Y)OU! 

Resources: "100MoralStories"


** No matter how much money that you've own, in the end the one who will stick up with you will be your own family..**

The Cage Bird's Escape

Once upon a time, there was a bird in a cage who sang for her merchant owner. He took delight in her song day and night, and was so fond of her that he served her water in a golden dish. Before he left for a business trip, he asked the bird if she had a wish: "I will go through the forest where you were born, past the birds of your old neighborhood. What message should I take for them?" 

The bird said, "Tell them I sit full of sorrow in a cage singing my captive song. Day and night, my heart is full of grief. I hope it will not be long before I see my friends again and fly freely through the trees. Bring me a message from the lovely forest, that will set my heart at ease. Oh, I yearn for my Beloved, to fly with Him, and spread my wings. Until then there is no joy for me, and I am cut off from all of life's sweet things."

The merchant traveled on his donkey through the dense forest. He listened to the melodies of many birds. When the merchant reached the forest where his bird came from, he stopped, pushed his hood back, and said, "O you birds! Greetings to you all from my pretty bird locked in her cage. She sends tidings of her love to you and wants to tell of her plight. She asks for a reply that will ease her heart.

My love for her keeps her captive with bars all around her. She wants to join her beloved and sing her songs through the air with a free heart, but I would miss her beautiful songs and cannot let her go."

All the birds listened to the merchant's words. Suddenly one bird shrieked and fell from a tree brunch to the ground. The merchant froze to the spot where he stood. Nothing could astound him more than this did. One bird had fallen down dead!

The merchant continued on to the city and traded his goods. At last he returned to his home. He did not know what to tell his bird when she asked what message he had brought. He stood before her cage and said, "Oh, nothing to speak of no, no,"

The bird cried, "I must know at once."

I do not know what happened," said the merchant. "I told them your message. Then, one of them fell down dead."

Suddenly the merchant's bird let out a terrible shriek and fell on her head to the bottom of the cage.

The merchant was horrified. He wept in despair, "Oh, what have I done?" He cried, "What Have I done? Now my life means nothing. My moon has gone and so has my sun. Now my own bird is dead."

Merchant opened the cage door, reached in, and took her into his hands gently and carefully. "I will have to bury her now," he said; "poor thing is dead." 

Suddenly, the moment he had lifted the bird out of the cage, she swooped up, flew out of the window and landed on the nearest roof slope. She turned to him and said, gratefully, "Thank you, merchant master, for delivering my message. That bird's reply instructed me how to win my freedom. All I had to do was to be dead. I gained my freedom when I chose to die."

"So now I fly to my beloved who waits for me. Good-bye, good-bye, my master no longer." "My bird was wise; she taught me secret," the merchant reflected. 

Moral: If you want to be with the ones you love, you must be ready to give up everything, even life itself. And then, by Allah (SWT), you will win your heart's desire. 

Resources: Islamic Websites

Why MOTHER's Right is Greater than Father's?

Someone asked the Messenger of Allah (saw), "Who has the greater right over children, the mother or the father?"

The Messenger of Allah (saw) answered, "The mother's right is greater than the father's." He was asked three times, and each time the answer was the same. The fourth time, Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "The father's right is next."

"Why do you give the mother three rights to the father's one?"

The Messenger of Allah (saw) replied, "Your mother carried you for nine months in her womb, than gave you birth. After that she gave up her sleep for your sleep, suckled you, carried you in her arms, and cleaned you. For years she cooked for you, fed you, and served you food. She did your laundry. When you were forty, fifty, sixty, she still followed your progress with interest. Your father sowed you in your mother's womb, provided your food, and made sure you had clothes to wear. Can this be compared with your mother's role?" 

And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents - his mother bears him with faintings upon faintings and his weaning takes two years - saying: Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming. And if they contend with you that you should associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them, and keep company with them in this world kindly, and follow the way of him who turns to Me, then to Me is your return, then will I inform you of what you did. Noble Qur'an (31:14-15)

The questioner went on, "Well, I wonder if I could ever repay my mother for all the help and service, however much I might do for her?

The Messenger of Allah (saw) replied, "you could not repay so much as one night's due!

"But suppose I carry my mother on my back for years, clean up after her, cook for her, and feed her. Suppose I attend to those same services as long as she may live?" "There will still be this difference between you: your mother looked out for you to live, while you are waiting for her to die."

Resources: Islamic Website 

Moral ; Mother is like an angel that guard us start from her womb (rahem) until we were able to live independently.. and still be surveying on us until the end of her life..

Be Thankful To God

Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. the legendary Wimbledon player was a prominent African American Tennis player who was born and raised in USA, was dying of AIDS. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease?"

To this Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. replied: The world over

5 00 children start playing Tennis,

50 000 learn to play Tennis,

5 000 learn professional Tennis,

50,000 come to the circuit,

5000 reach the Grand Slam titles,

50 reach Wimbledon,

4 to semi final,

2 to the finals,

When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?"

And today in pain I should not be asking GOD "Why me?"

Be thankful to GOD for 99.99% of good things in life.

When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I am always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?' - Sydney J. Harris

Invite others towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Learn from your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith in GOD and drop the fear.


Resources: Islamic Website

A Prayer that granted

There was a story about a man, he was lame in one foot and like other multi-theists, he worshiped idols. He had also once been the custodian of one of the idol temples of the city of Medina.

With the spread of Islam, people gave up idolatry and came to believe in the Oneness of God. However, he continued to believe in idols. With complete sincerity, he worshiped the idol he himself had made. He prayed to it for hid needs.

The young children of the city stole his idol many times and threw it among the rubbish so that he would stop worshiping idols. However he continued to worship the idols. He would take a great deal of trouble finding it and then he would take it home, clean and scent it and start worshiping the idol again.

He used to say to the idol: "If I only knew who takes you, I would make him pay for it. But believe me I do not know who he is!".

He continued in this way worshiping idols until one day he was faced with a strange scene, he saw that someone had tied his idol to the corpse of an animal and had thrown it in the middle of pit!

Upon seeing this, he was taken aback. In fact, he could not believe such an insult had been made to his idol. He decided to take the idol to his home again and apologize when suddenly an idea occurred to him. He asked himself, "Really, what sort of a god is this idol?.. Why is it so helpless and miserable?.. Why is it unable to defend itself?.. How can such a weak thing be my protector?" ..and thus he came to realize the truth and to hate such a weak god who was unable to do anything. 

He then reproached himself for having been an idolater. It was then that the spark of faith lit up his heart so that while shedding tears of remorse, he started repenting. In this way he came to believe in the unique God and he became one of the most devoted Muslim.

A few years later, when the multi-theists attempted to fight and destroy Islam, he hurried to help God's religion and thereby left a splendid reminiscence. Each of the Muslim hurriedly tried to be the first to announce his readiness to help the Holy Prophet of Islam in fighting against the enemies of Islam.

The city of Medina was over-excited. People were getting themselves ready for a great war with the infidels and multi-theists of the Quraish in order to give them the punishment they deserved and to prevent their further oppression. Each of the Muslims hurriedly tried to be the first to announce his readiness to help the Holy Prophet of Islam in fighting against the enemies of Islam.

Amr bin Jamuh, the lame man whom we have already mentioned was, like other Muslims, desirous of defending Islam alongside the Holy Leader of Islam. But each time he remembered that he was lame in one leg, he became rather annoyed and worried lest the Holy Prophet should not allow him to go to war.

Amr had three sons who were all ready to go to the battlefield. However, he himself was sad and said, "Today I must stay at home and not go to the jihad (religious and spiritual struggle in the way of God) on account of my lame leg! It will be a dishonor if I die in bed while I know my jihad is necessary and useful for the cause of Islam. Why should I not fight for the cause of God and achieve the sublime honor of martyrdom?" As Amr was thus talking to himself, a thought occurred to him, which made his heart tremble with joy and his eyes flash with eagerness. He seemed to have found the solution to his problem. 

Limping, he ran towards his house and called his wife, Hind, in a loud voice. Hind went to her husband rather amazed and asked, "Amr what is the matter?" "Hurry up. Hurry up. Bring me whatever is left over from my son's war equipment. I want to take part in this battle. Hurry up..."

"What are you saying, Amr. God has exempted people like you from fighting..."

"Stop saying that. Do you want your husband to stay at home while your sons acquire the glorious blessing of martyrdom? I swear by God that I, too, am longing for martyrdom and wish to defend Islam as my sons do. Of course, I love you, but I cannot prefer my love for you to my love for meeting my God. Moreover, though God has exempted me from fighting, He has not prohibited me from doing so. Now please prepare my things quickly."

Seeing that her husband was so determined to take part in the battle and would by no means change his mind, Hind did not say anything more and hurriedly got his things together. However, as she was worried about her husband, she quickly went to the chief of the tribe and her family to see if they might be able to convince him from going to the battlefront. She then returned to her home with them.

Amr was quite ready. He had put on his chain, put his helmet on his head, drawn his sword out of its sheath and was looking at them.

When Amr observed that his wife had gathered the chief of the tribe to prevent his going to war, he turned to him with a determined face and said, "Do not insist. It is useless. I will not change my decision!"

But the chief of the tribe went on insisting that he should not go to the battlefront. Their reasoning was that it was impossible for a lame man to fight. The old man was not able to make them understand that his love for God and for martyrdom could not easily be driven out of the heart of a Muslim.

 

 Finally, he had no choice but to go to the Holy Prophet with his family and with the chief of the tribe and to obey whatever command he would give him.
When they were in the presence of the Prophet, Amr said, "Oh Prophet of God, my relatives want to prevent me from going to the jihad. They want to imprison me at home while I am so eagerly desirous of jihad and fighting for God's sake with this very lame leg."

The Holy Prophet answered, "Oh Amr! God has exempted you from jihad. Fighting is not a duty of yours."

"I know oh Messenger of God, but I ask that you allow me to fight against the enemies of Islam alongside you. I beg of you not to disappoint me..."
When the great Prophet saw that the fire of faith was so enflaming in Amr's pure heart, he gave him an affectionate look and then addressing his relatives and the chief of his tribe, said, "Do not disturb him. Let him go to the battlefield. Martyrdom is his heart's desire. Perhaps God will grant him this blessing." And thus Amr went to the warfront.

As the battle broke out, all saw Amr attacking the core of the enemy's army like a powerful, angry lion and shouting, "Where are you, enemies of God? I challenge you all because I desire to meet my God."

His sons, too, were busy fighting and creating memorable legends on the battlefield. God witnessed the combat of the brave fighters who were defending their divine faith. Amr and one of his sons fought and fought and were so severely wounded that they finally fell to the ground while their bodies were covered with blood. Thus they sacrificed their lives for their truthful faith. Like a faded tulip, Amr was resting in the middle of the battlefield.

And after a while, the battle ended. The women of Medina hurried to the battlefield to see what had happened to their combatant men.

Some had spread the rumor that the Prophet had been martyred. They were all anxious to know whether that heart-rending news was true.

Ayesha, the Holy Prophet's wife, was among these women. As she, was going towards the battlefield, she saw that Hind, Amr's wife, had put the corpses of her martyred husband and son on a camel and was holding its halter in her hands, but the camel refused to move on!

Ayesha asked her, "What news can you give me?"

Hind answered, "Many thanks to the Gracious God for the Holy Prophet is safe and sound. I feel no sorrow as long as God's Prophet is healthy and safe."

Ayesha asked her, "Whose corpses are these?"

"These are the corpses of my husband, my son and my brother and I want to bury them in Medina. But I wonder why the camel does not go ahead and seems to be inclined to return to the battlefield."

No matter how hard Hind tried to make the camel go to Medina, she failed and instead she observed that the camel started going towards Uhud in which place the battle had taken place.

Hind had no choice but to follow the camel and when she reached Uhud she went straight to the Holy Prophet and told him the whole matter.

The Holy Prophet of Islam asked, "Did Amr not say anything when he was leaving Medina for the battlefield?"
"Yes, he did, oh Prophet of God. He begged God not to return him to Medina."

"Then his prayers have been heard by Almighty God. Now we will bury the three of them in Uhud."

After the three bloody bodies had been buried, the Holy Prophet said to Hind, "In the next world, too, they will be together. How blessed they are!"
While shedding tears of love for God and for the believers, Hind asked the Holy Prophet, "Oh Prophet of God, please pray for me so I too might join them and share in their blessings." And the Holy Prophet prayed for all of them. 

* This is the true story based on The history of Holy Prophet Muhammad Shalallahu alaihi wasallam during The battle of Uhud.

"Think over it that by simply granting you the privilege of praying for His favors and mercy, He has handed over the keys of His treasures to you. Whenever you are in need, pray, and He gives His favors and blessing". - Imam Ali a.s

Resources: Islamic Websites

*Moral: When we were taking a step to embrace ALLAH SWT.. He will be running to embrace us with His love.. A small step taken with sincerity can bring a big effect in our life.

The story of Three Good Friends

Waqidi, who was one of the greatest scholars during the time of Abbasid Caliph Mamun Rashid narrates the following incidents.

I had two friends, one of who was Hashemite. Our friendship was so sincere, that we were in fact one soul in three bodies!

Once during Eid Festival season, I had no money. My wife said to me, " You and I can tolerate these hardships, however, I am very much grieved because our children see other children wearing new dresses and adorning themselves for Eid Festival, whereas their own clothes are old and torn. See if you can get some money so that i can make new clothes for them".

I could not think of any solution to the problem, so I wrote a letter to my Heshemite friend and requested him to assist me.

My Heshemite friend sent me a sealed bag and informed me that it contained 1000 dirhams. I had not yet opened the sealed bag when someone who sent by my other friend came. He informed me about my friend's financial difficulties and sought help from me. I gave him the same sealed bag to take it to my friend. I then went to the mosque with a heavy heart. As I felt ashamed to face my wife, I spent the night there. When i went home in the morning, to my surprise, she received me with a cheerful face and was pleased at my having done good to my friend and having considered his needs before considering my own.

In mean time, my Heshemite friend arrived at my house and asked me curiously, "Tell me the truth. what have you done with the bag of money which I had sent to you yesterday?".

I told him the whole incident. After hearing me out, he bowed his head down for a moment and then said, "yesterday when you sent me a message and asked for help, I had no money except this sealed bag. I sent it to you and wrote a letter to our friend seeking help. He sent me my own sealed bag and I could not understand the matter till you just explained to me".

The end of the story Waqidi says, "the three of us divided the money amongst ourselves and one hundred dirhams out of it was given to my wife. When Abbasid Caliph Mamun Rashid heard about this strange incident he sent me enquired about the matter. I related the entire incident to him. Abbasid Caliph Rashid then ordered that 2000 dinars should be given to each one of us and 1000 dinars to my wife as a gift."

F - Few, R - Relations, I - In, E - Earth, N - Never, D - Die

Resources: Islamic websites

True love Story - Salty coffee.

A boy met her girl friend in his party. She was so outstanding that many guys chasing after her, while  he was so normal that nobody paid attention to him.

At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised, but due to being polite, she accept the request. They sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she felt uncomfortable, she said, " Please let me go home"..

Suddenly the boy asked the waiter, "Would you please give me some salt? I would like to put it on my coffee".

She stared at him, so strange! Hs face turned red, but still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it.

She asked him curiously "Why you have this hobby?

He replied, " When I was a little boy, I was living near the sea, i like playing in the sea, and I could feel the taste of the sea, just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I always think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss my hometown so much, I miss my parents who are still living there" While saying tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched. That's his true feeling, from the bottom of his heart.

A man, who tell out his home sickness, he must be a man who loves home, cares and has responsibility of home. Then she also started to speak about her far away hometown, her childhood, family and all. That was really nice talk, and also a beautiful beginning of their  love story.

They continued to see each other.  She found that actually he was a man who meets all her demands, he had tolerance, kind heart, warm and cheerful. He was such a good person but she almost missed him! Thanks to his salty coffee.

Then they got married and living the happy life and every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee, as she knew that's the way he liked it always.

After 40 years suddenly the man passed away, and left her a letter, in which said: " My dearest wife , please forgive me, forgive my whole lie which I told you. This was my only lie I said to you - " The Salty Coffee"

Remember the first time we met? I was so nervous at that time, actually I wanted some sugar but I said salt. It was hard for me to change, so I just went ahead. I never thought that could be the beginning of our love stpry! I tried to tell you the truth many time in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I promised nit to lie to you for anything in my married life.

Now I'm dying, I am afraid of nothing, so I tell you the truth: I don't like salty coffee, what a strange and bad taste. But I had the salty coffee for my whole life ! Since I Love You, I never feel sorry for anything I do for you.

Having you with me is the biggest happiness for my whole life, If I can live for the second time . I still want to know you and have you in my life, even though I have to drink the salty coffee for my whole life.

As she finished reading the letter, the letter totally wet because of her tears. and someday, someone asked her : "What's the taste of salty coffee? and she replied " It's very Sweet"........

Utilize Precious Time by Reading Al-Qur'an

 Since Last night I has been unwell. When I got back from work this evening I decided to go to the hospital despite my exhaustion. There were many waiting, perhaps we will be delayed by more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room.

There were many faces, young and old, but all silent.

Some brothers made us use of many booklets available in the waiting room. Some of those waiting had their eyes closed, while others were looking around. Most were bored. Once in a while the long silence broken by nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on the one whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly, then the silence returns.

A young man grabbed my attention. He was reading a pocket-sized Noble Qur'an continuously, not raising his head even once. At first I did not think much about him. However after one hour waiting my casual glances turned into deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he utilizes his time, One hour of life wasted! Instead of making benefit of that hour, it was just a boring wait. Then call for prayer was made. We went to prayer in the hospital's masjid (mosque). I tried to pray close to the man who was reading the Noble Qur'an earlier in the waiting room.

After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I was of him and how he tries to benefit fro his time.

He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or regretting their waste. He said that he started carrying the pockets-sized Noble Qur'an around when a friend encouraged him to make full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste gets to read much more of the Noble Qur'an than he gets to read either at home or in the mosque. Moreover, besides the reward of reading the Noble Qur'an, this habit saves him from boredom and stress.

he added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours. Then asked, when will you find one and half hours to read Noble Qur'an? I reflected, how much time do we waste? How many moments of our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by? Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Noble Qur'an? I came to respect my companion and I discovered that I am to stand for account and that time is not in my hand, so what am I waiting for? My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number, I went to the doctor.

But I want to achieved something now. After I left the hospital I quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Noble Qur'an. I decided to be mindful of how I spend the time.

Moral; When we lose a our money or car  we are still able to replaced it but, the time that passed by cannot be replaced!

Resources: Islamic Inspirational stories

Elephant Story - Changes for Survival, Survival Story

As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

I saw a trainer near by and ask why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. " Well, he said, when they were very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believed they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free".

I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

It has been said throughout history that whatever you believed, with conviction, you can achieved. Don't be like the poor elephant and go through your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or developed years ago. take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserved the best!

Moral: Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

Resources: Islamic websites

Everything Happens For A Reason

Once upon a time there was an African king who had a close friend that he grew with. The friend had a habit to face each situation that happened in its life (positive or negative) saying: " That is good! Almighty ALLAH knows more".

The king and his friend one day left for a haunt. The friend loaded and prepared the weapons for the king. Apparently, the friend had made something missed in the preparation of one of the weapons, the king shot and took his thumb away. When examining the situation, the friend observed as always: "That is good! Almighty ALLAH knows more". The king answered, "No, this is not good! He commanded the soldier who arrested his friend and put him in prison.


After one year, the king was hunting in a region where, cannibals appeared, and captured the king and took him to their village. They tied his hand, and piled up the firewood. When the cannibals came aloser to the fire they noticed that the king did not have the thumb. As they were superstitious, they never ate who had a part of his body missing.

Thus , after setting the king free, they banished him from the village. When the king arrived at its palace, remembered the incident about his thumb and felt remorse for the treatment given to his friend. Immediately, he pays a visit to the prisoner and speak with his friend. " You were right", said the king " It was good that I lost my thumb". The king started to tell his friend everything that happened to him. "I am sorry that I have ordered you to prison for such long period. It was a great mistake".


" No" The friend said, "That was the good decision because Almighty ALLAH knows more". "What do you mean by that? How it can be good decision ? I ordered my best friend to prison?" The friend answered: "Remember that Almighty ALLAH knows more? And if  I was not in the prison certainly I would be with you in the hunt, then you know what would have happened to me?

"HE knows what is before them and what is behind them to ALLAH are all affairs turned back". - Noble Qur'an, Surah Al-Hajj (22:76)

Moral: Do not judge the facts or events for the immediate results! Almighty ALLAH, the Highest the Omniscient and the Wise, knows more. When we faced by circumstances that are no good, we react quickly, " This is not good". But perhaps we did not know the reason behind it. It can become a good thing also. Hence, from next time onward, when we face any type of situation. Let us not jump into any conclusion, always remember. This life is a test. The good and the bad, nothing happen without any reason. our mind is not prepared to understand the reason.

Resources: Islamic Website

Marriage

A group of people went to ask the three brothers of Banu Ghannam for a solution for their complicated question.

As they met the first one, who was an old man, and ask him for a solution, he referred the to his brother saying, "You may find a solution with him because he is older than I am, you can find solution with him".

When they went to meet his brother, they found a middle-aged man. Having sought a solution from him, he said " you may see my third brother and because he is older than I am, you can find solution with him".

Hence they went to the third brother and meet a young looking man. As they could no longer conceal their astonishment, they ask him about his two brother and his manner. " He answered " My brother whom you first met is the youngest among us. Unfortunately, he had to suffer the  misbehavior's of his ill-tempered wife because he anticipated an intolerable matter if he would divorce her. His wife therefore has been the main reason beyond his growing old at an earlier time. The second one you met is the middle among us. His wife has gathered both good and bad mannerism. She sometimes pleased him, but she also displeased him. Hence you can see him as middle-aged man. I have a well-mannered wife who never shows misbehavior's with me. Hence I could keep my youth with her.

Resources; Islamic websites

Holy Prophet Muhammad saw said: " The sleep of a married person is better with ALLAH SWT than an unmarried one who fasts during day and keep vigil at night, establishing prayers."

Moral: A good marriage keeps youth last longer, while bad marriage can make people look older than their real age.! So, when you want to get married, be sure that you are really ready, because marriage comes with happiness and great responsibilities.

One Very Special Seed!

An emperor in far east was growing old, and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing his assistant or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day and said " It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you".

The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here after one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!".

One boy name Ling was there that day and he, like others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. 3 weeks.. 4weeks.. 5weeks.. went by. Still nothing, By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like failure. Six months went by, still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however, he just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finnaly went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling's mother told him to bring the empty pot and be honest about what happened, Ling felt sick to his stomach but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful in all sizes and shapes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the others kind laughed at him, a few felt sorry for him and just said "Hey nice try".

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide at the back. " What a great plant. trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!" All of a sudden, the emperor spooted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front, Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!".

When Ling got to the front, the emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling, " He replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, " Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?! Then the emperor said, " One year ago, I gave everyone here a seed, I told you to take the seed, plant it water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow. All of you, except Ling. have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one  who will be the new emperor!"...

Resources: Islamic websites

Moral: Courage and Honesty are all that matters!

A Carpenter Story

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire, and he hold his boss of his plans to leave and live a more leisurely life with his wife. He would miss the paycheck, he could get by, but he needed to retire.

The contractor was sorry to see a good worker go, and he asked the carpenter to build just one more house as a personal favor.

The carpenter said yes but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, the contractor come to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. " This is your house," contractor said. "It's my gift to you".

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into building. Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built.

If we could do it all over again, we would do it much differently. But we cannot go back!

Moral: You are a carpenter of your life. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Your attitudes and choices you make today build your "house" for tomorrow..

resources: Islamic websites

What Goes Around Comes Around

There was a companion of the king who visited him all the time. He would sit beside him and say, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil for his evil will be sufficient for him.'

Another man envied his position with the king and his good speech. The envious man came to the king and related: "Your companion that sits beside you claimed that you had a bad smell."

The king inquired, "But how can I verify this?" , the man replied, "Call him to you. He will put his hand on his nose as he gets closer to you"

The king said, "Leave, and I will see". This man left the king and invited the king's companion to a meal that he had placed much garlic in.

The companion of the king ate and then went to the king as usual and said, "Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil, for his evil will be sufficient for him.". The king said to him, "get closer to me!" The man moved closer, and placed his hand over his mouth so that the king would not smell the odor of garlic.

The king thought to himself, "That man was truthful." The king the hand-wrote a letter and gave it to the companion. The king never wrote anything unless he wanted to give someone a prize or gift.

But this letter was written to one of his administrators and contained the following message; "when the bearer of this letter comes to you, slaughter him and skin him. Then fill his skin with straw and send him back to me".

Later the envious man met the companion of the king on his way and asked, "what is this letter?"

The companion of the king replied, "The king has given me a gift".

The envious man asked, "Would you give it to me?"

The companion of the king said, "It's yours".

The envious man took it and went to the administrator. The administrator said to him, "This letter is a command from the king to slaughter you and skin you".

The envious man announced, "This letter is not mine. I beseech you in the name of ALLAH to check with the king before you do anything".

The administrator informed him that there would be no changes to what the king had written. Then he slaughter him, skinned him, filled his skin with straw, and sent him back to the king.

In meantime, the companion of the king returned to the king as usual. The king was shocked and demanded, "What happened to the letter?"

Companion of the king said, "So.. and so... met me and ask me for it, so i gave it to him".

The king then challenged, "Have you said that i have a bad smell?"

The companion of the king rebutted, "No!"

So the king asked, "Then why did you place your hand over your mouth?"

The companion of the king answered, "So..and so.. provided me s food that had much garlic in it and I hated that you might smell it".

The king declared, "You are truthful. The evil of the evil-doer is sufficient for him".

Noble Qur'an says: "Whoever righteousness benefits his own soul; Whoever works evil, it is against his own soul: Nor is your Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His servants. (41:46)

Resources: Islamic websites