Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam) and the tyrant

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RadiyAllah anhu):

Prophet Ibrahim Alaihi Salam (Abraham) did not tell a lie except on three occasion. Twice for the Sake of Allah when he said, "I am sick," and he said, "(I have not done this but) the big idol has done it." The (third was) that while Ibrahim Alaihi Salam and Sarah (his wife) were going (on a journey) they passed by (the territory of) a tyrant from among the tyrants.

Someone said to the tyrant, "This man (i.e. Ibrahim Alaihi Salam) is accompanied by a very charming lady." So, he sent for Ibrahim Alaihi Salam and asked him about Sarah saying, "Who is this lady?" Ibrahim Alaihi Salam said, "She is my sister." Ibrahim Alaihi Salam went to Sarah and said, "O Sarah! There are no believers on the surface of the earth except you and I. This man asked me about you and I have told him that you are my sister, so don't contradict my statement."

The tyrant then called Sarah and when she went to him, he tried to take hold of her with his hand, but (his hand got stiff and) he was confounded. He asked Sarah. "Pray to Allah for me, and I shall not harm you." So Sarah asked Allah to cure him and he got cured. He tried to take hold of her for the second time, but (his hand got as stiff as or stiffer than before and) was more confounded. He again requested Sarah, "Pray to Allah for me, and I will not harm you." Sarah asked Allah again and he became alright. He then called one of his guards (who had brought her) and said, "You have not brought me a human being but have brought me a devil." The tyrant then gave Hajar as a girl-servant to Sarah.

Sarah came back (to Ibrahim Alaihi Salam) while he was praying. Ibrahim Alaihi Salam, gesturing with his hand, asked, "What has happened?" She replied, "Allah has spoiled the evil plot of the infidel (or immoral person) and gave me Hajar for service." (Abu Huraira then addressed his listeners saying, "That (Hajar) was your mother, O Bani Ma-is-Sama (i.e. the Arabs, the descendants of Ishmael, Hajar's son).

Sahih Al Bukhari 4:578

Some of the wise saying of Prophet Idris (Enoch)

"Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord."

"None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others."

"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."

“There is no better way to thank Allah for His favors than to be kind and generous to His creation.”

“When you invoke Allah make your intention sincere and pure.”

“Wisdom is the life of the soul.”

“Do not be jealous of people for the things they have, for their enjoyment of those things is short lived.”

“Nothing can make one feel rich when one seeks to have more than bare necessities.”

Collected from "Stories of the Prophets"  & "Atlas of the Quran" 

The asceticism of Easa (Jesus)

Ibn Abu Ad-Dunya narrated from Fudail bin Iyad, saying: Prophet Easa (Alaihi Salam) was asked:” O Jesus! How do you walk on the water? “ He replied: “With my faith I have (in Allah) and certainty” They said: “But we also have faith as you have faith and we also have certainty as you have certainty”.

Jesus said: “So come and walk”. So they walked with him on the waves and they drowned. Jesus said to them: “What happened to you” They said “We are frightened of the waves” Jesus said: “Do not you fear the Lord of the waves?”

Then he took them out of the water. Then he stroked the earth with his hand and took its dust, and when he opened them there was gold in one hand and pebbles in another. He asked them:  “Which one do you like most.” They said: “Gold”  He said “But they are just the same to me”.

Jesus wore clothes made of wool, ate from leaves, and had no home, no family, no wealth and property and nothing to save for tomorrow. It is said that he ate from the earnings of his mother out of her spinning work.

Sha’bi said: whenever the Day of Judgment was mentioned to him, he cried and said:” It is not befitting for the son of Mary that the Day of Judgment is mentioned in front of him, and he keeps quiet”.

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the kings and rulers have left the wisdom for you, you leave the Dunya (the materials) for them”.

He also said: “Ask me, I am kindhearted person, and I am insignificant in my own eyes.”

He also said to his disciples: “Eat of barley breads and drink of pure water and go out from this world feeling safe (from harm). The sweetness of this world is the bitterness of the Hereafter and the bitterness of this world is the sweetness of the Hereafter. Allah’s true slaves do not live in luxuries. I am saying truly that the worst of you is a scholar who gives preference of his desires over his knowledge. “

It is also reported from him sating “O weak son of Adam! Fear Allah wherever you maybe, live in this world like a guest and take the mosques as a home, and teach your eyes to cry, and your body to endure, and your heart to reflect. And do not worry about tomorrow’s provision, because it is a sin.”

Source: Stories of the Prophets (P.568) by Imam Imaduddin Abul-Fida Ismail Ibn Kathir Ad-Dimishqi 700-774H / Rendered into English by Rashad Ahmad Azami

The Story of the Cow and the Dutiful Son

Among the Children of Israel there lived a very rich man; he had a cousin who was poor and who was also his only inheritor. The latter felt that the former was slow to die, and so killed him in order to acquire his estate. He then carried him to another village and hid his body there. 

Pretending that he was seeking revenge, he took some people to Moses (alayhis salaam), accusing them of the murder. They proclaimed their innocence before Moses, who was not sure of what really happened. They asked him to invoke Allah to expose the true murderer. He ordered them to slaughter a cow, the story of which is related in the Qur’an:

“They said, ‘Do you make fun of us?’” ( Holy Quran 2:67)

Meaning, ‘we ask you about the murderer, yet you order us to slaughter a cow!’ They said that because of the apparent disparity between the two matters and because they did not know the wisdom behind his request. Moses said:

“I take Allah’s Refuge from being among Al-Jahiloon (the ignorant or foolish ones).” (Holy Quran 2:67)

Meaning, ‘I seek refuge in Allah from being among those who mock the believers.’

When the people realized that the command to slaughter a cow was really from Allah (the Exalted), they asked Moses to describe it for them. Had they gone to any cow and slaughtered it, that would have been enough for them; however, they were severe upon themselves, and so Allah was severe in dealing with them. And there was wisdom behind that.

Prior to that time, there was a righteous man whose son was still a young boy. The father owned a young cow, which he took to a field, and said, “O Allah, I leave this with You for safekeeping until my son grows up.” The man died and the cow remained in the field. At the time of the story, the cow was neither old nor young, and it fled from all those who saw it or came near it. The son, now of age, was dutiful to his mother. He would divide his nights into three parts: he would pray for one-third of the night, he would sleep for one third, and he would sit with his mother for one-third.

In the mornings, he would go to gather wood, which he would then carry on his back until he reached the marketplace, where he would sell the wood for whatever price Allah willed. He would then give one-third of the profits to charity, he would eat from the proceeds of one-third, and he would give one-third to his mother.

One day, his mother said to him, “Your father has left behind for you a young cow, and he asked Allah to keep it safe for you in such and such field, so go there and invoke the Lord of Ibrahim, Isma’il, Ishaq and Ya’qub to return that cow to you. The sign that it is the right cow is that when you look at it, you will imagine that the rays of the sun are coming out from its skin.” It was called the golden one because of its yellowness and its beauty.

The boy went to the field indicated to him. There he saw a cow grazing, and it was the very one that his mother described to him. He called out loud, “I ask you (to come) by the Lord of Ibrahim, Isma’il, Ishaq and Ya’qub.” It came to him in a hurry until it was standing in front of him; he took hold of its neck in order to lead it. By the Will of Allah, the cow spoke, saying, “O young man who is dutiful to his mother! Ride me, for that is easier for you.”

The young man said, “My mother did not order me to do that; rather she said: ‘take it by its neck’.”

The cow said, “Go, for indeed, if you ordered for a mountain to be cut from its roots so that it would go with you, it would have gone with you because of your dutifulness to your mother.”

The young man then took the cow to his mother, and she said to him, “Indeed you are poor, you have no wealth, and gathering wood during the daytime is very difficult upon you, and so is standing in the night. So go and sell this cow.”

The young man said, “And how much should I sell it for?” She said, “For three dinars, and do not sell it without first seeking counsel with me.” The cow was as his mother said, worth three dinars; when the boy reached the marketplace, Allah sent to him an angel, in order to see his ability and in order to test him – how dutiful was he to his mother, though Allah had full knowledge of that.

The angel said to him, “For how much will you sell this cow?” He said, “For three dinars, and I stipulate the pleasure of my mother (in this transaction).”

The angel said, “I will pay six dinars, but you must not seek the counsel of your mother.”

He said, “If you gave me money that weighed as much as this cow, I would not take it except with the pleasure of my mother.” He then returned with the cow to his mother and told her of what had happened. She said, “Return and sell it for six dinars, but stipulate my pleasure.”

He went to the marketplace and the angel came again and said, “You sought the command of your mother?” He said, “She ordered me not to sell it for less than six, on condition that I first seek her order.”

The angel said, “Then I will give you twelve, on the condition that you do not first seek her command.” He refused, returned to his mother, and informed her of what happened. She said, “Indeed the one who was coming to you is an angel in the shape of a man in order to test you.” She instructed her son to ask him if he comes again: “Do you order us to sell this cow or not?” The young man did in fact pose that question, and the angel asked him to go to his mother and say to her: “Keep this cow! For indeed Moses, the son of ‘Imran, will buy it from you for one who was murdered from the Children of Israel. Do not sell it except for enough dinars that can fill its skin.”

Allah decreed that the Children of Israel had to slaughter that exact cow. As they continued to ask after the description of the cow that they were supposed to slaughter, Moses described the cow that belonged to the dutiful son, which was his reward for his dutifulness to his mother – a blessing, favor and mercy from Allah. When he stipulated the said price, which was of course very high, they had no choice but to buy it from him.

Allah ordered Moses to command his people to strike the corpse of the one who was murdered, and when they did that, he stood alive by the Will of Allah. And he said: “Such and such person killed me,” referring to his cousin, and then he died again in that very place. His murderer was thus prevented from inheriting his estate.

Source: http://forums.almaghrib.org/showthread.php?t=26412 quoted from Gems and Jewels by Abdul Malik Mujahid

International Patents for Quranic eye drops

For the first time, an Egyptian scientist manufactures drops for treating cataracts inspired by Yoosuf's shirt.

This is an interview with Prof. Dr. ‘Abdul Basit Muhammad sayyid a researcher in the National Research Center in Egypt who acquired two international patents after manufacturing eye drops to treat cataracts, inspired by the text of Soorah Yoosuf.

Q. Every idea has a beginning. What was it and how did this research begin?

A. It began with the Holy Quran. One day at Fajr I was reading the Book of Allah, in the story of Yoosuf (Joseph) peace be upon him. That amazing story made me pause and I began to think of the verses which tells the story of the conspiracy of Yoosuf’s brothers against him, and how his father ended up after he lost him, how he lost his eye sight and was affected by cataracts, and then how the Mercy of Allah reached him in the shirt of healing which the bringer of glad tidings threw on his face and he regained his sight.

 I began to wonder what could have been in Yoosuf’s shirt so that this healing could take place and his eyesight could be restored. Although I believe that the story tells of a miracle which Allah, Most High, caused to happen at the hands of one of His Prophets, namely Yoosuf, peace be upon him, I realized that in addition to the spiritual aspect that may be understood from the story, there was also a material aspect which we may understand through research and which would confirm the truthfulness of the Quran which tells us this story as it happened. So I began to research until Allah guided me to this matter.

Q. Can you explain scientifically the meaning of the whiteness that effects the eye or what is called cataracts?

A. The whiteness that affects the eye or cataracts is a kind of opacity which happens in the lens of the eye and prevents light from entering either partially or completely, according to the degree of opacity. When this opacity reaches the ultimate limit, the vision is weakened to such an extent that the patient cannot see the movement of a hand close to the eye and he cannot distinguish anything that he sees.

To explain contracts in scientific terms, the lens of the eye is formed of a capsule which contains protein, and this protein consists of what is called Alpha crystalline, Beta crystalline, Gamma crystalline and albumin. It is changes in the denatured protein that causes opacity, which begins and then increases gradually. This protein in the capsule of the lens is arranged in harmonious manner in a small shape, in other words, each type of it is arranged in small shape composed of two arms folded around one another in harmonious, manner so that it can perform its function of letting light through that falls on the eye. Changes in the nature of this protein indicate a change in the degree of harmony and precise order. This change leads to random distribution. To make it clearer for the reader we can liken it to the white albumin, which is transparent and allows light to pass through or makes it turns in to random distribution and becomes opaque and it is not possible to see things through it. This is the opacity.  

Q.How are cataracts treated according to current medical methods?

A.Up until the current time, treatment has focused on surgery, whether it is the traditional method of removing the opaque lens or siphoning off the protein of the lens and implanting a lens in part of the capsule. In either case, of course the strength of vision does not return to the way it was.  

Q.How did you reach a solution to this chronic problem from the holy Quran?

 A. As previously stated and as I indicated, the lens of the eye is formed of a capsule containing protein that is distributed and arranged in small form, and changes in the nature of this protein or changes in the way it is arranged, lead to random distribution, which causes opacity. Hence I began to think of finding a substance that would isolate the protein that is not in harmony by means of a physical process. Not a chemical one, so that it would go back to its proper, harmonious, folded status. Because no previous research was to be found on this matter in the scientific periodicals, I was faced with difficulty on how to begin or how to find a starting point. We found the first glimmer of hope in Surah Yoosuf, where it speaks of Yaqub (Jacob, Yoosuf’s father) in the passage where Allah says:

And he turned away from them and said: "Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!" And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing.” (Soorah Yoosuf, 12:84)

What Yoosuf did, on the basis of revelation from his Lord, was to ask his brothers to take to their father a shirt of healing:

"Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family." And when the caravan departed, their father said: "I do indeed feel the smell of Yoosuf, if only you think me not a dotard (a person who has weakness of mind because of old age)."  They said: "By Allah! Certainly, you are in your old error." Then, when the bearer of the glad tidings arrived, he cast it (the shirt) over his face, and he became clear-sighted. He said: "Did I not say to you, 'I know from Allah that which you know not. (Soorah Yoosuf 12:93-96)

Q: What could there have been of healing in the shirt of Yoosuf (peace be upon him)?

A. After thinking about it, we could not come up with anything other than sweat. So our research was about the components of human sweat. We took lenses that had been extracted from eyes by traditional surgical methods, and we soaked them in sweat, and we found that gradual transparency began to occur in these opaque lenses.

The next question was: Were all the components of sweat effective in this case, or was it just one of these components? By separating them, it was possible to reach one of the basic components, which is the compound urea, which can be chemically prepared. By carrying out experiments on laboratory animals in which opacity or whiteness of the lens of the eye had been introduced by means of rays or  by means of what is called opacity caused by galactose, it was found that this chemically prepared galactose caused whiteness of the lens. It was also proved that they had this disease by means of an examination using slit lamp and ultra sound waves, and by shining red lights on the lens of the eye.

After that, the matter required carrying out tests on a physiological sample done on the computer, which takes half an hour and costs 0.25 million dollars. Opacity was introduced to the lens of the eye and the amount of light passing through it was calculated by computer before putting drops in the eye. It was found to be no more than 2 percent, and after putting the drops in the eye it was found that the amount of light passing through increased from 2 percent to 60 percent in a quarter of an hour, then to 90 percent after 20 minutes, then to 95 percent after 30 minute, and to 99 percent after an hour.

Q. Are there any side effects to using sweat?

A. Not at all. This was a matter of great concern especially since sweat is regarded as an expelled waste product and especially the effective substance in sweat which as we have stated above is a derivative of urine. Hence it was essential to carry out official experiments on laboratory animals and give them these compounds in a concentrated form that was 10 times stronger, either by mouth or by injections in the pericardium. No side effects or toxic effects were found at all; it did not affect the functions of the liver, kidneys, brain or blood.

Q.This has to do with experiments on animals, namely rabbits, and on physiological samples. What about experiments on humans?

A. The results of experiments carried out on 250 volunteers recorded the disappearance of this whiteness and restoration of eyesight to more than 90 percent, as for the cases which did not respond it was found in clinical examinations that the protein of the lens had become transparent, but there were other reasons, such as disease of the retina, which meant the eyesight was not restored to its natural levels. And as for its effect on the heart, no such side effect was seen, and there were no effects on the function of the liver, kidneys , brain or blood.

Q. Are there diseases other than cataracts which can be treated by these drops?

A. Yes, there is also whiteness of the cornea. Weak eyesight may results from thrombosis or changes in the nature of the corneal protein. It was also proved by means of experiments that putting these drops twice a day for two weeks takes away this whiteness in the pupil or iris of the eye, application of these drops restored the eye to good health after two weeks.

Q: Do you think that this research represents an incentive to do more research and applied studies based on the texts of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah?

A. Definitely. The miracles of the Holy Quran never cease. I believe that focusing on studying the texts of the Quran and Sunnah with awareness will open new horizons in all fields, to serve mankind in all places.” 

Source: Islamic Medicine by Yusuf al-Hajj Ahmad, P. 395

(The article found in the website is an abbreviated version of the original)

Jacob and the Angel of Death

It was said that that the Prophet Ya’qub (Jacob) ‘Alaihi Salam said to the Angel of Death, “I need something from you, and the angel of Death asked him what he wanted. Ya’qub said, “That you inform me when my term comes to an end, when the time comes that you capture my soul. “ The angel of Death said, “I will send two or three emissaries to you.

When Ya’qub’s term came to its expiration date, the angel of Death came to Ya’qub who asked, “Have you come to visit or capture my soul?” He said, “To capture your soul” Ya’qug said, “Did you not tell me that you will send me two or three emissaries?

The Angel of Death answered him , “Yes, and I did; the white hairs you have that used to be black, the weakness in your body after it was strong and your becoming bent after it was straight. These are my emissaries” 

Source: Silent Moments by Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim

A brief description of Jesus, son of Mary

Maryam the daughter of ‘Imraan was a pious and righteous woman… She strove hard in worship until she had no peer in matters of worship… The angels gave her the glad tidings that Allaah had chosen her:

“And (remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allaah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime).’

O Maryam! ‘Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allaah, by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with Ar-Raaki‘oon (those who bow down)’”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:42-43]

Then the angels gave Maryam the glad tidings that Allaah would bestow upon her a child, whom He would create with the word “Be! And it is.” This child’s name was the Messiah ‘Eesa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary)… He would be held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and he would be a Messenger to the Children of Israel… He would teach the Book and wisdom, and the Tawraat (Torah) and Injeel (Gospel) … And he would have attributes and miracles that no one else would have, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(Remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allaah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [“Be!” — and he was! i.e. ‘Eesa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary)] from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Eesa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allaah.

He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.’

She said: ‘O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.’ He said: ‘So (it will be) for Allaah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” and it is’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:45-47]

Then Allaah tells us the rest of the glad tidings of the angels to Maryam of her son ‘Eesa (peace be upon him), and of the honour of ‘Eesa, and how He would support him with miracles:

“And He (Allaah) will teach him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom), (and) the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).

And will make him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): ‘I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allaah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allaah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.

And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Tawraat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allaah and obey me.

Truly, Allaah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path’”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:48-51]

Allaah is absolutely perfect in His powers of Creation. He creates what He wills, how He wills… He created Adam from dust without a father or a mother, and He created Hawwa’ from the rib of Adam from a father but without a mother. He has caused the descendents of Adam to have both a father and a mother, and He created ‘Eesa from his mother without a father… Glory be to the All-Knowing Creator.

Allaah has explained clearly in the Qur’aan how ‘Eesa was born. He says (interpretation of the meaning:

“And mention in the Book (the Qur’aan, O Muhammad, the story of) Maryam (Mary), when she withdrew in seclusion from her family to a place facing east.

She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Rooh [angel Jibreel (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.

She said: ‘Verily, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allaah) from you, if you do fear Allaah.’

(The angel) said: ‘I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son.’

She said: ‘How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?’

He said: ‘So (it will be), your Lord said: ‘That is easy for Me (Allaah). And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allaah), and it is a matter (already) decreed (by Allaah)’ ”[Maryam 19:16-21]

When Jibreel told her that, she submitted to the will and decree of Allaah, and Jibreel breathed into the sleeves of her garment:

“So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).

And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date palm. She said: ‘Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!’”[Maryam 19:22-23]

Then Allaah provided Maryam with water and food, and commanded her not to speak to anyone:

“Then [the babe ‘Eesa (Jesus) or Jibreel (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: ‘Grieve not: your Lord has provided a water stream under you.

And shake the trunk of date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe dates upon you.

So eat and drink and be glad. And if you see any human being, say: “Verily, I have vowed a fast unto the Most Gracious (Allaah) so I shall not speak to any human being this day”’”[Maryam 19:24-26]

Then Maryam came to her people, carrying her child ‘Eesa. When they saw her, they thought that she had done a terrible thing and they denounced it, but she did not respond to them. She indicated that they should ask this infant, and he would tell them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: ‘O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariyy (a mighty thing).

O sister (i.e. the like) of Haaroon (Aaron)! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.’

Then she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?’”[Maryam 19:27-29]

‘Eesa replied to them straight away, even though he was a child in the cradle:

“He [‘Eesa (Jesus)] said: ‘Verily, I am a slave of Allaah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;

And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salaah (prayer), and Zakaah, as long as I live.

And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.

And Salaam (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!’”[Maryam 19:30-33]

This is the information about ‘Eesa ibn Maryam, the slave and Messenger of Allaah. But the People of the Book differed concerning him. Some of them said that he was the son of God, and some said that he was the third of three (“trinity”), and some said that he was God, and some said that he was a slave and Messenger of God. This last view is the correct view. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Such is ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). (It is) a statement of truth, about which they doubt (or dispute).

It befits not (the Majesty of) Allaah that He should beget a son [this refers to the slander of Christians against Allaah, by saying that ‘Eesa (Jesus) is the son of Allaah]. Glorified (and Exalted) be He (above all that they associate with Him). When He decrees a thing, He only says to it: “Be!” and it is.

[‘Eesa (Jesus) said]: ‘And verily, Allaah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him (Alone). That is the Straight Path. (Allaah’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism which He did ordain for all of His Prophets).’

Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about ‘Eesa (Jesus)], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that ‘Eesa (Jesus) is the son of Allaah] from the Meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire)”[Maryam 19:34-38]

When the Children of Israel deviated from the Straight Path and overstepped the limits set by Allaah, they did wrong and spread corruption on earth, and a group among them denied the resurrection, Reckoning and punishment. They indulged in their desires and in physical pleasures without expecting to be brought to account. At that point, Allaah sent to them ‘Eesa ibn Maryam as a Messenger, and taught him the Tawraat and Injeel as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And He (Allaah) will teach him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] the Book and Al-Hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah, the faultless speech of the Prophets, wisdom), (and) the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel).

And will make him [‘Eesa (Jesus)] a Messenger to the Children of Israel”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:48]

Allaah revealed to ‘Eesa ibn Maryam the Injeel (Gospel) as guidance and light, confirming that which had come before it in the Tawraat:

“and We gave him the Injeel (Gospel), in which was guidance and light and confirmation of the Tawraat (Torah) that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”[al-Maa’idah 5:46 – interpretation of the meaning]

‘Eesa (peace be upon him) foretold the coming of a Messenger from Allaah after him, whose name would be Ahmad. This is Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allaah unto you, confirming the Tawraat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.’ But when he (Ahmad, i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: ‘This is plain magic’”[al-Saff 61:6]

‘Eesa (peace be upon him) called the Children of Israel to worship Allaah alone, and to obey the rulings of the Tawraat and Injeel… He started to dispute with them and to explain the error of their ways. When he saw how stubborn they were and how the signs of kufr were manifest among them, he stood among his people, saying, Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allaah? The disciples believed in him, and their number was twelve. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Then when ‘Eesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: ‘Who will be my helpers in Allaah’s Cause?’ Al-Hawaariyyoon (the disciples) said: ‘We are the helpers of Allaah; we believe in Allaah, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allaah).’

Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger [‘Eesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth, i.e. Laa ilaaha illallaah — none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah)”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:52-53]

The Simple Life of Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

If we compare the life of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) before his mission as a prophet and his life after he began his mission as a prophet, we will conclude that it is beyond reason to think that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was a false prophet, who claimed prophet hood to attain material gains, greatness, glory, or power.

Before his mission as a prophet, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) had no financial worries. As a successful and reputed merchant, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) drew a satisfactory and comfortable income. After his mission as a prophet and because of it, he became worse off materially. To clarify this more, let us browse the following sayings on his life:

- Aa'isha (May Allah be pleased with her) , Muhammad's wife, said, "O my nephew, we would sight three new moons in two months without lighting a fire (to cook a meal) in the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و سلم) houses." Her nephew asked, "O Aunt, what sustained you?" She said, "The two black things, dates and water. And the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) had some Ansar neighbors (from the Supporters) who had a "milk-giving" she-camel and they used to send the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) some of its milk." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

- Sahl Ibn Sa'ad, one of Muhammad's (صلى الله عليه و سلم) companions,said, "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) did not see bread made from fine flour from the time Allah sent him (as a prophet) until he died." (Al-Bukhari and Al-Tirmithi)

- Aa'isha said, "The mattress of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), on which he slept, was made of leather stuffed with the fiber of the date-palm tree." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Amr Ibn Al-Hareth, one of Muhammad's (صلى الله عليه و سلم)companions, said that when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) died, he left neither money nor anything else except his white riding mule, his arms, and a piece of land which he left to charity.( Al-Bukhari and Mosnad Ahmad)

Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) lived this hard life till he died although the Muslim treasury was at his disposal, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula was Muslim before he died, and the Muslims were victorious after eighteen years of his mission.
Is it possible that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) might have claimed prophet hood in order to attain status, greatness, and power? The desire to enjoy status and power is usually associated with good food, fancy clothing, monumental palaces, colorful guards, and indisputable authority. Do any of these indicators apply to Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)? A few glimpses of his life that may help answer this question follow.

Despite his responsibilities as a prophet, a teacher, a statesman, and a judge, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) used to milk his goat, mend his clothes, repair his shoes, help with the household work, and visit the poor and the sick people. He also helped his companions in digging a trench by moving sand with them. His life was an amazing model of simplicity and humbleness.

Muhammad's (صلى الله عليه و سلم) followers loved him, respected him, and trusted him to an amazing extent. Yet he continued to emphasize that deification should be directed to Allah and not to him personally. Anas,(May Allah be pleased with him) one of prophets (صلى الله عليه و سلم) companions, said that there was no person whom they loved more than the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), yet he did not allow them to stand up for him as other people do with great personalities.

Long before there wasn't any prospect of success for Islam (in the eyes of the polytheists) and at the outset of a long and painful era of torture, suffering, and persecution of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) ) and his followers, he received an interesting offer. An envoy of the pagan leaders, Otba, came to him saying, "...If you want money, we will collect enough money for you so that you will be the richest one of us. If you want leadership, we will take you as our leader and never decide on any matter without your approval. If you want a kingdom, we will crown you king over us..."

Only one concession was required from Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) in return for that, to give up calling people to Islam and worshiping Allah alone without any partner. Wouldn't this offer be tempting to one pursuing worldly benefit? Was Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) hesitant when the offer was made? Did he turn it down as a bargaining strategy leaving the door open for a better offer? The following was his answer: {In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful} And he recited to Otba the verses of the Quran 41:1-38. The Following are some of these verses:
"A revelation from (Allah), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; a Book whereof the verses are explained in detail; a Quran in Arabic, for people who know, giving good news and warning, yet most of them turn away, so they do not listen." (Quran, 41:2-4)

On another occasion and in response to his uncle's plea to stop calling people to Islam, Muhammad's(صلى الله عليه و سلم) answer was as decisive and sincere: "I swear by the name of Allah, O Uncle!, that if they place the sun in my right-hand and the moon in my left-hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either the Almighty Allah makes it triumph or I perish defending it."

Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and his few followers did not only suffer from persecution for thirteen years but the unbelievers even tried to kill Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) several times. On one occasion they attempted to kill him by dropping a large boulder, which could barely be lifted, on his head.
Another time they tried to kill him by poisoning his food.

What could justify such a life of suffering and sacrifice even after he was fully triumphant over his adversaries? What could explain the humbleness and nobility which he demonstrated in his most glorious moments when he insisted that success is due only to God's help and not to his own genius?

Are these the characteristics of a power-hungry or a self-centered man?

Source: www.islam-guide.com

Story of the Heifer

Allah the Almighty says:

{And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his people: "Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow." They said, "Do you make fun of us?" He said, "I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al- Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish). " They said, "Call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is!" He said, "He says: 'Verily, it is a cow neither too old nor too young, but (it is) between the two conditions', so do what you are commanded " They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us its color." He said, "He says: 'It is a yellow cow, bright in its color, pleasing the beholders.” They said, "Call upon your Lord for us to make plain to us what it is. Verily, to us all cows are alike. And surely, if Allah wills, we will be guided." He [Musa (Moses)] said, "He says: 'It is a cow neither trained to tilt the soil nor water the fields, sound, having no other color except bright yellow. ' "They said, "Now you have brought the truth." So they slaughtered it though they were near to not doing it. And (remember) when you killed a man and fell into dispute among yourselves as to the crime. But Allah brought forth that which you were hiding. So We said: "Strike him (the dead man) with a piece of it (the cow)." Thus Allah brings the dead to life and shows you His Aya: (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) so that you may understand}. (Al-Baqarah, 67- 73)

'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, `Ubaidah As-Salmani, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, As- Sadiy and other earlier scholars said: An old man from among the Children of Israel was very rich, and he had some nephews who wished he would die soon to inherit him. One day, one of them on purpose murdered him at night and threw him on the road or at the door of one of his own brothers. In the morning, the people found the dead body and they disputed over him. His nephew the murderer came and began to weep and cry. Some people said: Why do you dispute over him? Why do not you go to Allah's Prophet (Peace be upon him)? His nephew came and complained to Musa (Peace be upon him). Musa (Peace be upon him) said: by Allah! Anyone who knows anything about this murdered man, he should let us know. But, no one knew anything about it. Thereupon, they asked Musa (Peace be upon him) to ask his Lord concerning this issue. Musa (Peace be upon him) asked his Lord and he was commanded to order them to slaughter a cow, {Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow. They said, Do you make fun of us?} i.e. we ask you about the murdered and you say so! {He said, I take Allah's Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun (the ignorant or the foolish)} i.e. I take Allah's Refuge from saying other than that He revealed to me; and that was His Answer to what you had wanted me to ask Him.

If you'd stand in front of the Prophet (saw) just one minute...

The companions concern over prophet (Peace be upon him) death.

The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all areas and horizons of Madinah. Anas said:“I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh(Peace be upon him) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died on.” When he died, Fatimah said: “O Father, whom his Lord responded to his supplication! O Father, whose abode is Paradise. O Father, whom I announce his death to Gabriel.”

Umar's (RA) attitude

‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing them: “Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not die, but went to his Lord in the same way as Moses bin‘Imran did. He stayed away for forty nights, but finally came back though they said he had been dead. By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) will come back and he will cut off the hands and legs of those who claim his death.”

Abubakr's (RA) attitude

Abu Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the Mosque, he dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘Aishah’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was covered with a Yemeni mantle. He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried. Then he said: “I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die
twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained.” Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: “‘Umar, be seated.” ‘Umar refused to do
so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying:
“And now, he who worships Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Muhammad is dead now. But he
who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says: ‘Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as
disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’” [3:1]

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it.”

Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: “By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it. Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had really died.”

Source:Ar Raheeq Al Makhtum

Prophet Uzair

Ezra Sleeps For 100 Years

Ishaaq Ibn Bishr reported, on the authority of Ibn' Abbas and others, that Ezra was a saint and a
wise man. He went out one day to his own farm, as was his custom. About noon he came to a
deserted, ruined place and felt the heat. He entered the ruined town and dismounted his donkey,
taking figs and grapes in his basket. He went under the shade of the khaiba tree and ate his food.
Then he got up to look at what remained of the ruins. The people had long been lost, and he saw
bones.
"Oh! How will Allah ever bring it to life after its death?" (Ch 2:259 Quran)
He said this not out of doubt but out of curiosity. Allah sent the Angel of Death to take his life.
He remained dead for one hundred years.
After one hundred years had passed and there had been changes in Israelite affairs, Allah sent an
angel upon Ezra to revive his heart and his eyes in order for him to feel and see how Allah revives
the dead. The angel said: "For how long did you sleep?" He said: "A day or part of a day." He
said this because he knew he had slept early in the afternoon and woke up late in the afternoon.
The angel said: "You remained asleep for one hundred years." He ate and drank the food which
he had prepared before he was overtaken by that long sleep. Then the angel revived his donkey.
Almighty Allah said:
"And look at your donkey! Thus We have made of you a sign for the people. Look at the bones,
how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was clearly shown to him he
said: "I know now that Allah is able to do all things." (Ch 2:259)