Abu Bakr's fear of Allah

One day Abu Bakr (RadhiyAllah anhu) entered a garden where he saw a bird standing under the shade of the tree. He sighed deeply and said: O bird! how lucky you are. You eat from tress and take shade under them. when you die you do not have fear of reckoning on the day of judgement. I wish i were just like you.

It is said that Abu Bakr had a slave who used to give him a portion of his daily income as the masters share. Once he brought him some food , and Abu Bakr took a morsel out of it. Then the slave said to him:" you always inquired about the source of what I bring to you, but today you have not done so". Abu Bakr replied "I felt so hungry that i failed to do that. Tell me now, whence did you bring this food".

The slave said: "Before embracing Islam, I practiced soothsaying. During these days, I came across some people for whom I practiced some of my charms. They promised to pay me for that later on. I happened to pass by these people today, while they were engaged in a marriage ceremony, and they gave me this food". On saying this Abu Bakr exclaimed " Ah You would have surely killed me? Then he tried to disgorge the morsel he had swallowed, but he could not do so, and his stomach had been quiet empty. Somebody suggested him to take some water to his fill and then reach it. Thereupon Abu Bakr sent for a goblet of water and kept on taking water and forcing it out , till he vomited the morsel.

Somebody remarked "May Allah have Mercy on you! you put yourself to such a trouble for a single morsel. To this Abu Bakr replied : " I would have thrust it out even if I had to lose my life for I heard the Prophet Peace be upon him say " Any flesh which has grown out of unlawful earnings will not enter Paradise" I therefore made haste to clear my stomach from this morsel lest any portion of my body should receive nourishment from it".

Abu Bakr used to say " I wish I were a tree that would be cut and done away with it".

When Abu Bakr was praised he used to say : "O Allah you know me better than I do, I know my self better than them . O Allah let me be better than I think I am, forgive me for what they do not know about me, and do not hold me accountable for what they say about me".

Source: Biographies of the rightly guided Caliphs

The story of Abdullah bin Salam and Jews

Anas bin Malik said, "When `Abdullah bin Salam heard of the arrival of the Prophet(Peace be upon him) in Al-Madinah, he was working on his land.

He came to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and said, `I am going to ask you about three things which nobody knows except a Prophet. What will be the first portent of the Hour What will be the first meal taken by the people of Paradise Why does a child resemble its father, and why does it resemble its maternal uncle'

Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, (Jibril has just told me the answers.)

Abdullah said, `He (i.e. Jibril), among all the angels, is the enemy of the Jews.

Allah's Messenger(Peace be upon him) recited the Ayah,

Whoever is an enemy to Jibril (Gabriel) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur'an) down to your heart. 2:97

Allah's Messenger then said, 'The first portent of the Hour will be a fire that will bring together the people from the east to the west; the first meal of the people of Paradise will be the caudate lobe of the liver of fish. As for the child resembling his parents: If a man has sexual intercourse with his wife and his discharge is first, the child will resemble the father. If the woman has a discharge first, the child will resemble her side of the family.'

On that `Abdullah bin Salam said, `I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and you are the Messenger of Allah.

`Abdullah bin Salam further said, `O Allah's Messenger(Peace be upon him)! The Jews are liars, and if they should come to know about my conversion to Islam before you ask them (about me), they will tell a lie about me.

The Jews came to Allah's Messenger , and `Abdullah went inside the house.Allah's Messenger asked the Jews, `What kind of man is `Abdullah bin Salam'

They replied, `He is the best among us, the son of the best among us, our master and the son of our master'.

Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, 'What do you think if he would embrace Islam'

The Jews said, `May Allah save him from it.'

Then `Abdullah bin Salam came out in front of them saying, `I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah(Peace be upon him)'.

Thereupon they said, `He is the evilest among us, and the son of the evilest among us.' And they continued talking badly about him.

Ibn Salam said, `This is what I feared, O Messenger of Allah! (Peace be upon him).'''

Source : Tafsir ibn katheer

Please read. A call to returning to Allah

O Muslims who are negligent with respect to Allah, now is the time for you to repent to Allah, your Lord Who created you and has provided you the good things and has given you abundant bounties, both open and secret. He is the One Who gives you death and then resurrects you and recompenses you with a compensation that is commensurate with your deeds. If your deeds are good then your recompense will be good. If your deeds are evil, then your recompense will be evil. Now is the time for you to return to Allah before you experience the event that brings an end to all pleasures, makes you leave the people and cuts off all your hopes. Now is the time for your tears to flow in sorrow and remorse due to your past negligence with respect to the religion of Allah. By Allah, none of you knows if you are alive in the morning whether you will live to evening or not. If you are alive in the evening, you cannot know if you will be alive in the morning or not. Then you will proceed with what you have done of deeds. If they were righteous deeds, you will be successful. If they were other than that, that, then is is the great loss.

Allah says in Quran:

And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive. Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allah and that I was among the mockers."(59:18-20)

Know that Allah did not create us without a purpose. He created us to worship Him alone, for Whom there is no partner.

Allah says in Quran:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (51:56)

Know that when Allah created us to worship Him, He did not leave us without any guidance. Indeed, He sent to us the best of the Messengers, our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in the same way that He sent to every nation it’s Messenger. He revealed to him the Quran, the best of the books, in order for him to be a Warner for all the worlds. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) conveyed the message, fulfilled his trust, advised the community and strove in the way of Allah as is His right. There is no good but he guided the nation to it and there is no evil except that he warned them about it. On the day of resurrection, he will come as a witness on what he conveyed just as all of the previous prophets will come as witnesses against their people. There will be no argument for anyone against Allah after Allah had sent the Messengers.

Now is the time for you to know that whatever occurred to the people of Ignorance, of enmity, fear poverty, division and destruction, was because of their staying away from revelation and their delving into lusts and desires. Now is the time for you to know that what the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) and those who followed them in good obtained affection, love and safety , riches , blessings, power and leadership in the world and the hereafter was because of their sticking to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah.

Now is the time for you to know that what is afflicting the Muslims and their rulers today of division misunderstanding, weakness, being overpowered and ruled by enemies is all because of their distancing themselves from and their heedlessness of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) except for those whom Allah wills. The number of Quran reciters are many today than they were during the time of the companions. However the difference between two sets of reciters is that if one of the companions would learn ten verses of the Quran, he would not go beyond them until he learned their meanings and applied them. Many of the Quran reciters today recite all of the Quran, yet they do not act in accordance with it. In fact they are very far indeed from what the Quran is saying. The proof for that is they do not take on the character and manners preached by the Quran and they do not implement its commands. This is what leads them to their state of evil and their being far away from the truth.

If you understand that, then you must know that there is no savior for us and no happiness in either this life or the hereafter except by retuning to Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace be upon him).This must be a sincere return to those sources, a return that springs from the heart. The result of the return is our acting in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah in every aspect of our religious and worldly lives. This is the path of rescue, success and happiness in the two worlds.

O mankind! This is the time for repentance, doing good deeds and fleeing from what is forbidden. So repent to Allah before the fate of death reaches you. It is only a few days, a few hours or a few minutes away before you travel to the hereafter. You will be left in the grave pit alone. Your father, child, spouse, best friends and wealth will not accompany you. You will be laid to rest within your deeds alone. If the deeds were righteous then you will have felicity, delight and bliss. If they were evil, then for you will be punishment, gloom and grief.

Allah has stated about the Hell fire:

There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); this is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished. Then We shall save those who use to fear Allah and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell). (19:71, 72)

That passing over the Hell fire by mankind is when they pass over it on the Day of resurrection, over the bridge that is suspended over the side of the hell fire. That bridge is sharper than a sword and hotter than a coal. People will pass over it according to their deeds. The pious and God fearing will be rescued from falling in to the fire. The evildoers will be captured by their crimes and shall be flung in to the hell fire,being piled upon one another therein. If the fire is to be passed over, how can we, O slaves of Allah be rescued from it except by fear of Allah, obedience to Him and returning to Him?

Allah has said:

O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord (by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all evil), and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, let not then this (worldly) present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.(31:33)

Source: The delight of faith

Sulayman and Abu Hazim

It is narrated that when Sulayman ibn 'Abd al-Malik (Caliph) entered Madeenah as a pilgrim, he said, "Is there any man here who met a number of Sahaabah" They said, "Yes, Abu Hazim". So he sent for him, and when he came, he said to him: “O Abu Hazim, why do we dislike death?". Abu Hazim said, "All your effort has been for the sake of the world and you have neglected the hereafter, and you hate to leave that for which you have striven to go to that for which you have made no preparation." Sulayman said, "You have spoken the truth"

Then Sulayman said "I wonder what is stored for us with Allah? Abu Hazim said, "Check what you have done in accordance with the Book of Allah?" (I.e. refer your deeds to the Book of Allah and see how far you followed the Book). Sulayman said, “Where will I find it" Abu Hazim said “in the aayah:

Verily the Abraar (pious believers of Islamic monotheism) will be in delight (paradise); and verily the fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners and evildoers) will be in the blazing fire. (Hell)

Sulayman said, "And where is the Mercy of Allah?" Abu Hazim said," The Mercy of Allah is close to those who do good." Sulayman said, "I wonder how I will appear before Allah?" Abu Hazim said "The one who does good is like the one who has been absent when he comes back to his family, but the evildoer is like the runaway slave when he comes back to his master". Then sulayman wept loudly, and said, "Advise me." Abu Hazim said "Beware lest Allah sees you where He has forbidden you to be and does not find you where he has commanded you to be.”

Source: The Minor resurrection by 'Umar S. al-Ashqar

A sermon of Hasan al Basri

Habib al-’Abid reports: Once, when I arrived in al-Basrah, I was surprised to see that the markets were closed, and the streets empty.

I called out, “O people of Basrah, is this some kind of holiday of yours that I am unaware of?”

Someone answered, “No, but al-Hasan al-Basri is in the main gathering place (of basrah), giving a khutbah to the people.”

I hurried to his gathering , and when I arrived there, I saw him sitting down on some high ground .

He was saying:

“O people, prepare for departure, for very little time remains from this world.

Prepare to move (to the akhirah), for there is no way to stay here.

Do you not know that you will soon be surrendered to the place of trial?

Do you not know that each one of you will soon be alone with his deeds and that you will be presented (with your deeds) to Allah on the day of judgment?

He forbade you from sinning, but you have not stopped sinning.

He (threatened) you with the hell-fire, but you are neither afraid nor terrified of it.

He has encouraged you to seek our Jannah, but you do not (seem to) desire it or long for it.

Your white hairs are warning you of approaching death, so what are you waiting for?

O white-haired one, you are able to perform good deeds , so what is your excuse.

O one who obeys his mouth and his desires, who wastes his share of the akhirah by taking his entire share in this world, who persists in committing sins and evil deeds , if only I knew : what your excuse will be before him?

What argument will you put forth when you go to him? You are lost and misguided, so ask Allah, the All-Mighty, to forgive both me and you.”

(al-Mawa’idh wal-Majalis’ , pg 181)

Taken from istighfar.wordpress.com

A thin shaytan

Ibn Abi’d-Dunyâ narrated from some of the salaf that one shaytân met with another, and asked him why he was so thin. The other shaytân replied, “Because I am a with a man who mentions the name of Allah when he eats, so I cannot eat with him, and he mentions the name of Allah when he drinks, so I cannot drink with him. When he enters his home he mentions the name of Allah, so I stay outside.” The first shaytân said, “But I am with a man who does not mention the name of Allah when he eats, so I eat with him. He does not mention the name of Allah when he drinks, so I drink with him. When he enters his home he does not mention the name of Allah, so I enter with him."

Source : Uddat as-Sâbireen wa Dhâkirat ash-Shâkireen by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

How Shuhaib ar-Rumi came to Islam

About twenty years before the start of the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) mission, that is about the middle of the sixth century CE, an Arab named Sinan ibn Malik governed the city of al-Uballah on behalf of the Persian emperor. The city, which is now part of Basrah, lay on t he banks of the Euphrates River. Sinan lived in a luxurious palace on the banks of the river. He had several children and was particularly fond of one of them who were then barely five years old. His name was Suhayb. He was blond and fair-complexioned. H e was active and alert and gave much pleasure to his father.

One day Suhayb's mother took him and some members of her household to a village called ath-Thani for a picnic. What was to be a relaxing and enjoyable day turned out to be a terrifying experience that was to change the course of young Suhayb's life forever. That day the village of ath-Thani was attacked, by a raiding party of Byzantine soldiers. The guards accompanying the picnic party were overwhelmed and killed. All possessions were seized and a large number of persons were taken prisoner. Among these was Suhayb ibn Sinan.

Suhayb was taken to one of the slave markets of the Byzantine Empire, the capital of which was
Constantinople, there to be sold. Thereafter he passed from the hands of one slave master to another. His fate was no different from thousands of other slaves w ho filled the houses, the palaces and castles of Byzantine rulers and aristocrats.

Suhayb spent his boyhood and his youth as a slave. For about twenty years he stayed in Byzantine lands. This gave him the opportunity to get a rare knowledge and understanding of Byzantine/ ire and society. In the palaces of the aristocracy, he saw with his own eyes the injustices and the corruption of Byzantine life. He detested that society and later would say to himself:

"A society like this can only be purified by a deluge."

Suhayb of course grew up speaking Greek, the language of the Byzantine Empire. He practically forgot Arabic. But he never forgot that he was a son of the desert. He longed for the day when he would be free again to join his people's folk. At the first opportunity Suhayb escaped from bondage and headed straight for Makkah which was a place of refuge or asylum. There people called him Suhayb "ar-Rumi" or "the Byzantine" because of his peculiarly heavy speech and his blond hair. He became the halif of one of the aristocrats of Makkah, Abdullah ibn Judan. He engaged in trade and prospered. In fact, he became quite rich.

One day he returned to Makkah from one of his trading journeys. He was told that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the son of Abdullah had begun calling people to believe in God alone, commanding them to be just and to do good works and prohibiting them from shameful and reprehensible deeds. He immediately enquired who Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was and where he stayed. He was told.

"(He stays) in the house or' al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam. Be careful however that no Quraysh sees you. If they see you they would do (the most terrible things to you). You are a stranger here and there is no bond of asabiyyahi to protect you, neither have you any clan to help you."

Suhayb went cautiously to the house of al-Arqam. At the door he found Ammar ibn Yasir the young son of a Yemeni father who was known to him. He hesitated for a moment then went up to Ammar and said:

"What do you want (here), Ammar?"
"Rather, what do you want here'?" countered Ammar.
"I want to go to this man and hear directly from him what he is saying."
"I also want to do that." "Then let us enter together, ala barakatillah (with the blessings of God)."

Suhayb and Ammar entered and listened to what Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was saying. They were both readily convinced of the truth of his message. The light of faith entered their hearts. At this meeting, they pledged fealty to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) declaring that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

They spent the entire day in the company of the noble Prophet(Peace be upon him). At night, under cover of darkness, they left the house of al-Arqam, their hearts aglow with the light of faith and their faces beaming with happiness.

From Alim® Online

The story of a young Muslim girl

This a true story that happened with a caller to Islam from Egypt called Amr Khalid, he said three days ago I received an e mail from a young lady from Australia, and the e mail reads as follows: and I quote:

I am a young Lebanese lady that has a Muslim father and a Christian mother, for the first ten years of my life I lived in Lebanon then we migrated to Australia which brought an end to my relationship to my connection with the Middle East.

I am currently 22 years of age and after migrating to Australia, my association with my religion also ended completely. The only thing I know is that I am a Muslimah, that's it.

I dont know what the Quran looks like, I dont know how to pray and the religion plays no significance in my life. My mother and father separated each one re marrying another person. I entered university, my mother and father left Australia leaving me behind alone with no family, no brothers and sisters, I know nothing about my ancestry in Lebanon, I lived alone and I had to work to spend on myself, I attended university in the morning and worked at the bar in the evening, I have a boyfriend and have not left out any haram except having done it without any shame. I am fully westernized, I know a little bit of Arabic and because I am extremely beautiful, I joined the beauty competition in New Zealand and won in this competition. I am planning to join a beer competition in New Zealand and I am currently modelling for magazines. During this time I used to visit a Lebanese family residing in Australia and I saw a Ramadan episode on television talking about modesty, the episode had its web addressed displayed. I went through a nervous breakdown; it was as though this episode was addressing me directly.

I am sending you this e mail to ask, is it possible for Allah to accept me, in other words forgive me? And this is where Sara's e mail ends. Subhanallah! This caller to Islam wrote back advising her about the conditions of repentance and that Allah will of course forgive her if she repents.

Two days later she contacts Amr Khalid and she says: I have repented to Allah and I have left my boyfriend and promised never to see him again, after another two days she contacts him and she says: I want to learn how to pray, then another two days passed and she says: I would like some Quranic audio tapes, so he sends her some tapes via DHL Korea.

A week goes by and he doesn't hear from her until she contacts him and informs him that she has retracted her beauty title of that particular city, then came the surprise, she contacted him saying, I have put on the hijab, however the story doesn't end here, two days after putting on the hijab she experiences a sharp pain so she goes to the doctor who diagnosis her with brain cancer and that her days are limited, she enters the hospital to be operated on, the success rate of this operation as informed by the doctors in Australia is 20 percent, this is what the doctor said. As for Sarah, listen to what she had to say,

she said: I am pleased to meet Allah, I am happy that I repented prior to finding out about my illness, I don't know whether my mother and father will know about my situation, If I live, I will support your website, for this website is my window to Islam.

To Allah we belong, and to him is our return.

May Allah have mercy on Sara who died at the age of 22.

They buried her with the Muslims in New Zealand, prior to her death, she sent a short letter to Amr Khalid saying: I lived far away from my Lord for 22 years but I repented and turned back to Allah 3 weeks ago, I don't know many Muslims besides you and this internet forum, I urge you to make du'a for me that Allah have Mercy on me and to forgive me, make du'a to Allah to guide my mother for she does not know anything about me. Signed Sarah.

From a lecture by Billal Danoun

A complaint about Sa'id ibn Aamir

In the caliphate of Umar bin al-Khattab he made Sa'id ibn Aamir Al-Jumahi the governor of Syria. Umar ibn al-Khattab once went to Syria to examine conditions there. When he arrived at Homs which was called little Kufah because, like Kufah, its inhabitants complained a lot about their leaders, he asked what they thought of their flair. They complained about him mentioning four of his actions each one more serious than the other.

"I shall bring you and him together," Umar promised. "And I pray to God that my opinion about him would not be damaged. I used to have great confidence in him."

When the meeting was convened, Umar asked what complaints they had against him. "He only comes out to us when the sun is already high," they said. "What do you have to say to that, Sa'id?" asked Umar. Sa'id was silent for a moment, and then said, "By God, I really didn't want to say this but there seems to be no way out. My family does not have a home help so I get up every morning and prepare dough for bread. I wait a little until it rises and then bake for them. I then make wads and go out to the people."

"What's your other complaint?" asked Umar. "He does not answer anyone at night," they said. To this Sa'id reluctantly said, "By God, I really wouldn't have liked to disclose this also, but I have left the day for them and the night for God, Great and Sublime is He."

"And what's your other complaint about him?" asked Umar. "He does not come out to us for one day in every month," they said. To this Sa'id replied, " O Amir al-Mu'mineen and I do not have any clothes except what's on me. This I wash once a month and I wait for it to dry. Then I go out in the later part of the day."

"Any other complaint about him?" asked Umar. "From time to time, he blacks out in meetings," they said. To this Sa'id replied, "I witnessed the killing of Khubayb ibn Adiy when I was a disbeliever. I saw the Quraysh cutting him and saying, "Would you like Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to be in your place?" to which Khubayb replied, "I would not wish to be safe and secure among my family while a thorn hurts Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to." By God, whenever I remember that day and how I failed to come to his aid, I only think that God would not forgive me and I black out."

Thereupon Umar said, "Praise be to God. My impression of him has not been tainted.

Source: Companions of The Prophet (Peace be upon him) Vol.1, By Abdul Wahid Hamid

Some stories from early Muslims regarding death and grave

Fadala b. Dinar said, "I was with Muhammad b.Wasi' when he was very near to death. He began to say, "Welcome to my Lord's angels! There is no strength nor power except by Allah!" I smelled the sweetest fragrance that I had ever smelled. Then his eyes glazed over and he died”.

Ibn Abi'd-Dunya mentions that on the day 'Umar b. 'Abdu'l-'Aziz died, he said to those with him, 'Sit with me.' When they sat down next to him, he said, 'I am the one you commanded and I failed you.You forbade me and I rebelled.' He said this three times. Then he said, 'But there is no god but Allah.' Then he lifted his head and stared. They said, 'You are looking very intently, Amir al-Mu'minin,' He replied, 'I see a presence which is neither man nor jinn.' Then he died.

Thabit al-Bunani said, 'Once I was walking among the graves and I heard a voice behind me, saying, "Thabit! Do not be deceived by their stillness. How many people in them are suffering!" I turned around, but did not see anyone.'

A girl died in the al-Jarif plague. Her father met her in a dream after her death and asked her to tell him about the Next World. She replied, “My father, this is a big subject you have raised. We know but cannot act. You can act but do not know. By Allah, one or two acts of glorification and one or two rak'ats of the prayer in the book of my actions are preferable to me than the world and all it contains.”

When Abdul Azeez b.Sulayman al-abdi died one of his companions saw him in a dream wearing a green garment with a crown of pearls on his head. He asked him how he was and what the experience of the taste of death was like and what things were like where he was. He replied, 'Do not ask about the intensity of the grief and sorrow of death! However, Allah's mercy concealed all our faults and we encountered nothing but His bounty.'

Ibn Abi'd Dunya mentioned that one of his companions said, “ My brother died and I saw him in a dream. I said, "How was it when you were placed in your grave?" He replied, "Someone brought me a fiery flame and if it had not been that someone else made supplication for me, I think he would have hit me with it.”

Bashar b. Ghalib said, “ I saw Rabia on whose half I make frequent supplication, in a dream. She said to me, "Bashar b. Ghalib! Your gifts have been brought to me on plates of light, covered in silken cloths." I asked, "How can that be?" She replied, "That is what the supplication of living believers is like. When they make supplication for a dead person, that supplication is answered for them on plates of light, veiled in silken cloths. Then they are brought to the dead person for whom the supplication was said and they are told, 'This is the gift of so-and-so to you.' "

Amr bin Dinar said “ the sister of one of the men of Medina died and he buried her. When he came back from the burial, he remembered that he had left something in the grave. He asked one of his companions to help him. His companion related that they had dug up the grave and found what they were looking for. Then the man said, "Let us dig further and find out what has happened to my sister."He lifted up one of the stones covering the burial cavity and found the grave filled with fire. He replaced it and filled in the grave again. Then he returned to his mother and asked, "What was my sister really like?" She replied, "Why do you ask about her when she is dead?" He said, "Tell me."She said, "She used to delay the prayer and she also used to go to our neighbors' doors, put her ear to them and then tell other people what they said!"'

One of the early Muslims said, "We passed by a watering-place on the way to Basra. We heard the braying of a donkey and asked the people there what the braying was. They replied that it was one of the men who used to be with them whose mother had asked him for something and he had told her to bray like a donkey. Since his death, this braying had been heard every night from his grave.”

Source: "The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh

Some inspiring events from the life of Haroon Rasheed

One day Ibn Sammak was sitting with Haroon. Haroon felt thirsty and he asked for water and water was brought.

When he wanted to drink Ibn Sammak said, "O Amir al- Muminin! Stop for a moment."

Haroon Rasheed said "Yes"

Ibn Sammak said, "If you can't get water when you are most thirsty how much will you spend to get a bowl of water?"

Haroon Rasheed said," I shall exchange it for half of my realm."

Ibn Sammak said, "Now, you make drink."

When he finished Ibn Sammak said, " O Amir al- Mumineen! if this water remains in the abdomen and does not come out, how much will you spend to take it out."

Haroon Rasheed said,"Half of my realm if need be."

Ibn Sammak said, "Enough. Now you must know that the price of your whole realm is equal to a bowl of water and a bowl of urine. You must not be proud of it."

Haroon Rasheed burst into tears and continued to weep for a long time.


When the Romans deposed their Queen and made commander Nagfoor their king, Nagfoor sent a letter to Haroon Rasheed which says:

"The Queen, because of her natural weakness and too much pressure, came to terms with you and continued to pay you the jizya. This was her foolishness. Now you must repay all the taxes you have collected from us and promise to give payments as a fine or we will punish you with our swords".

When this letter was received and read by Haroon Rasheed, he flew into such a rage that the officials and ministers around him had no courage to remain sitting there and left the court. Haroon wrote on the back of the same letter:

"In the name of Allah Who is most Beneficent and Merciful. From Amir al-Mumineen Haroon Rasheed to the Roman dog. You, the son of unbelief, I read your letter. You will see its reply with your own eyes. You need not read it. That is all".

He wrote the above reply and sent back the letter and on the same day left Bagdhad with the army for the Roman territories, arriving there he besieged its capital Harculah. Nagfoor was at a loss and finding himself powerless to resist, begged him to be excused and promised to pay more jizya than before.


Once Haroon Rasheed requested a righteous and pious man to advise him.

He said, "If your friend is such as makes you fear leading good results he is better than the friend who makes you careless of and indifferent to fear leading to bad results."

Haroon Rasheed requested him to explain what he said.

He replied, "If anybody who tells you that on the day of judgement you will be questioned about your subjects and so you fear Allah much it is better than he who tells you that you are from among the family of Prophet(Peace be upon him) and that the virtue of your proximity to the Prophet(Peace be upon him), all your sins will be forgiven".

Hearing it he wept so much that those sitting near by began to feel pity for him.


When Haroon Rasheed was about to die he ordered a grave to be dug. And he had his cot shifted to the graveside and lying on it he continued to look at the grave and in that state he died.

Information taken form "The history of Islam" by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

To the Hell and Paradise because of a fly

Ahmad reports that Tariq bin Shihab narrated that Allah's Messenger (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said:

"A man entered Paradise because of a fly, and a man entered Hell-fire because of a fly."

They (the Companions) asked, "How was that possible O Messenger of Allah?" (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him).

He said,

"Two men passed by the people who had an idol by which they would not allow anyone to pass without making sacrifice to it. They ordered one man to make a sacrifice. He said, 'I have nothing to present as an offering.' The people told him, 'Sacrifice something, even if it be a fly.' So he presented a fly (to their idol). They opened the way for him, and thus he entered the Hell-fire. They said to the other man, 'Sacrifice something.' He said, 'I will never sacrifice anything to any other than Allah, Most Majestic and Glorious.' So they struck his throat and killed him; and he, therefore, entered Paradise." (Ahmad)

Miscellaneous accounts about death

When al-Hasan ibn Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) was dying, he asked people to take him out to the hall. Then he said: “O Lord, I trust myself in you”.

On his death Muadh ibn Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Look if the day has broken? “They looked and answered negative. Later on, he was informed that it was morning. Then he remarked: “I seek refuge in Allah from a night whose morning leads to Hell-fire. Welcome to death, an absent visitor and a beloved returning while we are defected. O Lord, I used to fear you, but now I expect good from you. You know that I never loved this world or long stay in it. I used to observe fasting on extremely hot days, praying at long nights of winter, and joining scholars in their circles of knowledge”.

Abu Muslim said:”I visited Abu Ad-Darda(May Allah be pleased with him) on his death. He said, “Would you get prepared for this day and for this hour? “Then he breathed his last”.

Salman al-Farisi(May Allah be pleased with him) wept on his death. Asked about this, he said: “The Prophet (Peace be upon him) commanded us to have sufficient provisions for the hereafter”.

Al-Mazini said that he visited Ash-Shafi’i on his deathbed. He said, “I asked him, how are you?” He replied,” I am leaving this world, leaving my brothers, meeting my sins, drinking the cup of death, and returning to the Almighty. But I do not know to Hell or Paradise my spirit will be admitted”.

Abu Ad- Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) was once asked about his visit to grave. He said “I visit people who remind me of death. They never back bite me when I depart”.

Maymun ibn Mahran said, “I joined Umar ibn Abdul Azeez in his visit to graves. Beholding them he wept and told me, “Maymun , these are the tombs of the predecessors from the Banu Umayyah. Look, as if they never shared this world’s delight. Do you not see them lying being exemplary to others. They have decayed”. Then he shed tears and said, By Allah I know non better that the dead who have been saved from Almighty’s torture”.

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, “Death has exposed this world, leaving no delight for sensible people therein”

When Ibn Umar remembered death, he trembled like birds. He used to convene with the jurists every night talking about death and the hereafter. Then they shed tears as if they were in funerals.

Hamid al-Qasyrasi said: “Though we know death is certain, we have not prepared ourselves for it. Though we know paradise is definite, we have not worked for it. Though we know the hell fire is sure, we have not feared it. So why are you delighted? What are you waiting for? Death is the first visitor from the Almighty bringing good or evil tidings. Brothers get closer to your Lord”.

Habib Ibn Muhammad’s wife said that Habib used to tell me,”If I die today get so-and-so to bath me”. She was asked if he had seen a dream of his death. She replied that he used to tell her likewise every day.

Source: Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qadisin (towars the hereafter) by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi Translated by Wa'il 'A.Shihab

Whispers of the night

By Sheikh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq

I pounded on the door of mecy as the world slept
and humbling myself before my Creator I wept

Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt
and dejectedly began to lament what I felt

With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears
and in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears

with a poignant emotions raging in me so fierce
I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce

Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried
Thou art the only refuge and succor for one so tried

'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan
Sufferings of mine only to thee known

Pains and torments that I can no longer bear
Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care

For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all
and only Thy Forgiveness that restores those who fall

'Tis to thee alone Oh benevolent that I extend my hands in plea
To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee

Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty
Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save me Thy Mercy

A camel prostrating to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)

It is reported on the authority of Anas RadhiyAllah anhu that he said:

There was a family from among the Ansar who had a camel upon which they used to water their crops and the camel became difficult for them to handle and would not allow anything on its back. The Ansar went to the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) and said:

"We have a camel which we used for watering our crops and now it has become difficult for us to handle and refuses to let us put anything on its back,and now the crops and the date-palms have become dry."

The Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) said to his companions: "Get up"

So they stood up and he (May peace be upon him) entered the orchard and found the camel in a corner. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)walked toward it and the Ansar said: "Oh ,Prophet of Allah!(Peace be upon him) It has become like a wild dog and we fear that it will harm you."

He(Peace be upon him) said: "It will not harm me."

When the camel looked towards the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him),it approached him and fell down in prostration before him. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) took hold of its forelock and led it along ,more subdued than it had ever been and put it to work.

His Companions said: "Oh! Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)! This animal which is without reason or understanding has prostrated to you, while we are rational beings, so we have more right to prostate to you."

He (Peace be upon him) said: "It does not befit any human being that he should prostrate to another human being. If it were right for human being to prostrate to another human being , I would have commanded the wife to prostrate to her husband, due to his great right upon her. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if from his feet to the parting of his hair was a boil flowing with pus and she were to face him and lick it up,she would not have fulfilled his right upon her."

Source: "Miracles of the Messenger" (Peace be upon him)prepared by Darussalam Research devision

The great Imam Sufyan bin Unaynah as a young boy

Ziyad ibn 'Ubaidullah ibn Khuzai ibn 'Abdullah ibn Mughaffal said: I heard Sufyan ibn Uyaynah say:

"My father was a money changer in Kufah and he fell into debt,so he brought us to Makkah. When we came to the Masjid for Zuhr prayer , I reached the door of the Masjid and found a Shaykh on a donkey.

He said to me, "O boy, hold on to my donkey until I enter Masjid and pray."

I said to him, " I will not do it unless you narrate to me."

He said, "And what will you do with hadith?".and he deemed me too young.

I said,"Narrate to me."

He said,"Jabir ibn 'Abdullah narrated to us, and ibn 'Abbas narrated to us," so he narrated eight hadiths to me. I then held on to his donkey, and began to memorize what he narrated to me.

Once he had prayed, he came out and said" What benefit did you acquire from what I narrated to you? You held me up."

I said," You narrated such and such." So I repeated to him all that he had narrated to me.

He said," May Allah bless you,come tomorrow to my gathering." And the Shaykh was none other than 'Amr ibn Dinar.

Shu'bah ibn al-Hajjaj said, "I saw ibn 'Uyaynah as a young boy with long tablets in the presence of 'Amr ibn Dinar ,and he was wearing a qurt(a ring place in the ears of the children) in his ear."

Ibn al-Madani said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah say, "I sat with 'Abdul Karim al-Jazari for two years. He used to say to the people of his town,"Look at this young boy, he asks me while you do not asks me."

Ghayath ibnJafar said: I heard ibn 'Uyaynah saying," The first person to sit me against the pillar was Mis'ar ibn Kidam. I said to him, " But I am still young." He said," But you have narrations from az-Zuhri and 'Amr ibn Dinar."

The biography of Imam Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah by Salaahud-deen 'Ali Abdul Mawjood

How some of the pious feared Allah

Abu Bakr Siddiq RadiyAllah Anhu said, “ I wish I were no more than a hair on the side of a believing servant”. Whenever he got up to do the prayer he would be trembling like a leaf out of fear of Allah.

Umar bin Khattab RadiyAllah anhu was once reading Surat-Tur and when he came to the verse
Surely the doom of your Lord will surely come to pass (52: 7)
And he wept so intensely that he fell ill so that people came to see how he was.

When Umar radiyAllah anhu was on his death bed he told his son, “Put my cheek next to the earth so that Allah may forgive me.” Then he said, “ I am doomed if Allah does not forgive me” he repeated the same words three times and then he died.

When Umar used to read the Quran at night and read an Ayah that filled him with fear, he would stay indoors for days on end so that people come to visit him, thinking that he was ill. His frequent weeping etched two dark lines on his face.

Ibn Abbas once told Umar ,”Allah has brought many countries into the Muslim Ummah through you, And through you many victories has been won. Umar replied, “All I desire is to be saved, I desire neither reward nor punishment”.

Uthman bin Affan RadiyAllah anhu used to cry until his beard was soaked each time that he stood at a grave. He used to say , “ If I were standing between the garden and the Fire, not knowing in which one of the two I would end up I would rather be turned into ashes before I learned my fate.”

Abu Darda RadiyAllhu anhu used to say “If you knew what you will encounter after your death you would never eat with any appetite, nor drink thirstily, nor enter houses to shelter but you would go to open spaces and beat your breast and weep at your lot. I wish I were a tree to be cut up and destroyed.

Ibn Abbas RadiyAllah anhu had skin under his eyes which looked like worn out sandal leather , due to his frequent weeping.

Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor him, was once overwhelmed with sadness after completing the dawn prayer; He said, " Never did i see anything like the companions of the Messenger of Allah. Their hair was disheveled. Their faces were pale, they were covered in dust, and the space between their eyes looked like the knees of goats. They had spent their night in prayer and in recitation of the Quran either on their feet or in prostration. When the dawn came they would spend it in remembrance of Allah,swaying like a tree on a stormy day, with tears flowing from their eyes till their clothes soaked. By Allah it seem to me the people around me now have passed the night in fast asleep." Then he got up and was never seen laughing until he was stabbed to death by Ibn Muljim.

Musa ibn Mas'ud said: "Whenever we sat in the company of Sufyaan at Tawri, we would feel as if the Fire had surrounded us because of the fear and panic we could see in his eyes."

Al Hasan al Basri was once described as follows "Whenever he aproached us it would seem as if he has only just returned from the burial of his best friend, and when he sat in a company , it was as if he was a prisoner sentenced to death by having his head cut off. And when ever the Fire was mentioned it would be as it had been created especially for him".

It has been related that Zurarah ibn Abu awfa led some people in dawn prayer and recited surah Al-Mudhathir from the Quran. When he reached the words
For when the trumpet sound that will be that day-a Day of distress (74:8-9)
He gasped and fell dead.

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al- As is reported to have said, “Weep , and if you cannot weep then pretend to weep, I swear by Him in Whose Hand my life is, that if any of you really knew you would plead until your voice went, and pray until your back is broken".


Source : The purification of the soul by Ahmed Farid

Conversation between Ribi bin Amir and the Persian army commander

Before the battle of Qadissiyyah the commander of the Persian army, Rustam sent words to the Muslim Commander sa’d bin abu Waggas to depute one of his trusted men for negotiations.

Sa’d sent rib’i bin Amir. Rustam adorned his court with unwanted splendor and pomp to prepare for the audience with the Muslim ambassador. The entire court was carpeted with cloth of gold, the pillows were of rich silk, while gem bedecked throne was placed in the center.

Rib’i came right up to the richly carpeted floor and dismounting from his horse, attached the reins to a pillow. He then moved on supported by a spear piercing in to the carpet and cutting it and making holes in it with its point and sat beside Rustam. The courtiers made an attempt to pull him down from the throne and disarm him. Thereupon Rib’i thundered. “I have come on invitation and not of my own. Our religion strictly forbids anybody sitting like God and the rest standing before him with their hands folded. Now Rustam intervened and asked them not to do anything against the will of envoy.

However, on second thought rib’i dismounted from the throne, slit a portion of the carpet with his dagger and sat on the earth and said addressing Rustam, “We are not at all need of your carpet. The earth spread by Allah the Almighty is enough for us. Rustam then asked Rib’i through the interpreter, “What is your object in waging war against us.” Rib’i replied, “We intend to bring the slaves of Allah the Almighty to the expanse of the next world from the narrowness of this world and promote justice and Islam in place of atrocities and false religion. Any one who adopts justice and Islam will find us non –interfering in regard to his wealth, property and country. But we shall fight with whoever stands in our way until we go either to paradise or attain victory. If you seek to pay jizyah we shall accept it and will cease to go against you and you will find us standing by you if and when you need us for the safety of your life and property. "

Having heard this Rustam asked,”are you the chief of the Muslims. Rib’i replied “No, I am an ordinary soldier. But each one of us even the most ordinary can speak on behalf of the most powerful person and every person have full power in every matter".

The utterance of Rib’i left Rustam and courtiers dumb founded. Rustam then said,” the scabbard of your sword is quite rotten.” Ribi drew his sword out of the sheath and said “it has been tempered very recently”. Rustam again said, “The blade of your spear is very small. How can it be any use in battles? “ Rib’i replied “ this blade pierces deep in to the chest of the enemy and goes across it. Have you not seen that a spark is enough to burn down an entire city? “Well I shall ponder over your utterance and hold consultation with my men of sound judgment”. Rib’i got up and rode to Sa’d bin abu Waggas.

Source: History of Islam (part 1) by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

This life of deception

by Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim

This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So! be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldly life.

Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind.

Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them, while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.

The first category, are those, in which Allah says,

(They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.)(Al-Baqarah, 2:5)

However, the other category, are those to whom Allah says

(0 you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).(Al-Mursalat, 77:46)

When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,

(This is your Day which you were promised). (Al Anbiya’, 21:103)

Source: Al-Fawaid

A beautiful saying of Amr bin al-As on his death bed

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Shamasa Mahri that he said: We went to Amr b. al-As and he was about to die. He wept for a long time and turned his face towards the wall. His son said: Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him not give you tidings of this? He (the narrator) said: He turned his face (towards the audience) and said:

"The best thing which we can count upon is the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him). Verily I have passed through three phases.

(The first one) in which I found myself averse to none else more than I was averse to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and there was no other desire stronger in me than the one that I should overpower him and kill him. Had I died in this state, I would have been definitely one of the denizens of Fire.

When Allah instilled the love of Islam in my heart, I came to the Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Stretch out your right hand so that I may pledge my allegiance to you. He stretched out his right hand, I withdrew my hand, He (the Holy Prophet)(may peace be upon him) said: What has happened to you, O 'Amr? replied: I intend to lay down some condition. He asked: What condition do you intend to put forward? I said: I should be granted pardon. He (the Holy Prophet)(may peace be upon him) observed: Are you not aware of the fact that Islam wipes out all the previous (misdeeds)? Verily migration wipes out all the previous (misdeeds), and verily the pilgrimage wipes out all the (previous) misdeeds.

And then no one as or dear to me than the Messenger of Allah and none was more sublime in my eyes than he, Never could I, pluck courage to catch a full glimpse of his face due to its splendor. So if I am asked to describe his features, I cannot do that for I have not eyed him fully. Had I died in this state had every reason to hope that I would have be among the dwellers of Paradise.

Then we were responsible for certain things (in the light of which) I am unable to know what is in store for me.

When I die, let neither female mourner nor fire accompany me. When you bury me, fill my grave well with earth, then stand around it for the time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may enjoy your intimacy and (in your company) ascertain what answer I can give to the messengers (angels) of Allah".

Muslim: Book 1 : Hadith 220

Abdullah bin Hathafah's courage

A story which shows the steadfastness of the Sahabah

In 19th hijrah ‘Umar bin Khattab رضى لله عنه sent an army of Mujahedeen to war. 'Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه was also a soldier in the army. The roman emperor was receiving regular news bulletins regarding the advance of this army. He knew that the Muslims were resolute and truthful people who would sacrifice their lives for Allah. He had told his armies that if they captured any Muslim alive they should bring the captive to his court. It was the will of Allah that 'Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه was taken prisoner. They took him to the court of Caesar and told him:

"We have brought a prisoner who is a Companion of the Prophet(Peace be upon him) and who was one of the first to accept Islam."

When ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه was brought before the Emperor of Rome, he gave him a penetrating look and said: “I have a plan.”

‘Abdullah رضى لله عنه asked him: “What is your plan?”

He replied: “ I invite you to convert to Christianity. If you do so, I will free you and treat you with all due respect.”

‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه answered boldly and resolutely: “This is absolutely impossible. I think it is a thousand times better to die than to accept your invitation.”

The Emperor said: “I think you are a brave man. If you accept my invitation, I am even ready to share the rule over my kingdom with you.”

The shackled prisoner smiled and answered: “By Allah! You need have no hopes that I will turn against Islam for a moment, even if you give me your kingdom plus the whole peninsula of Arabia!”

The Emperor was enraged and shouted that he would kill him. ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه answered calmly: “You can do whatever you please."

The Roman Emperor ordered that he be put to death. He instructed that his feet should be fettered and he should be chained. Arrows were to be shot at him so as to pierce his palms. After this was done, Caesar again invited him-for a third time-to accept Christianity. Again ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه refused to accept Christianity. Finally, Caesar ordered that a huge cauldron be placed on a fire and ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه be brought down from the stake. When the oil started to boil, he ordered that two of the Muslim prisoners be brought. When they were presented before him, he ordered that one of them should be thrown into the boiling oil. The moment he was thrown in his flesh began to separate from his bones.

Again he turned his attention towards ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه and asked him: “Even now you have a chance to accept Christianity.”

But he refused him more forcefully than before. Caesar had no other choice now but to order that he too be thrown into the boiling cauldron. When he was brought near the oil, his eyes filled with tears and brimmed over. When Caesar’s men saw this, they told him that the prisoner was crying. Caesar thought that it must be due to sheer panic. Caesar said: “Bring him to me.”

When he was brought to Caesar, he again invited him to Christianity. But, ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه refused again!

Surprised, Caesar asked, “Then why did you cry?”

‘Abdullah رضى لله عنه replied: “When I saw the scene I felt sorry that I had only one life. I wished that I had a thousand lives to sacrifice in your boiling cauldron for Allah (swt).”

Caesar was stunned momentarily into silence when he heard this. Finally he said:“All right I will release you if you kiss my forehead.”

‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه asked him: “Will you release the other Muslim prisoners as well?”

He says in his report of the incident that he was thinking to himself, it would not be too big a price to pay for the release of so many captured Muslims. Then approaching Caesar he kissed him on his forehead. Keeping to his promise, Caesar ordered that the prisoners be given into the custody of ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه. As soon as he got his freedom, ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه went to ‘Umar bin Khattab رضى لله عنه and narrated to him all that had happened.

‘Umar bin Khattab رضى لله عنه was very happy and said: “Every Muslim owes a duty to ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه and it is compulsory that each of us should kiss his forehead. I will kiss him first.”

Then he took the lead and kissed ‘Abdullah bin Hathafah رضى لله عنه on his forehead.

Source: Commanders of the Muslim army by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar

Striving in Worship of Salaf

The Salaf have understood the Deen of Allah as well as the essence of this life and its inescapable leading to the Hereafter, so they felt aversion for the distractions and the tribulations of the world. They found no sleep and their heart kept away from desires. They kept above the insignificant concerns of life. Their biographies abound with stories that show their striving in righteousness, repentance and their strong will in worship and humbleness.

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, "Whoever competes with you in the Deen then try to surpass him, and whoever competes with you in the matters of this life then throw it back at him." Whenever he missed a Salah in congregation, ibn `Umar radhiallahu `anhu used to fast one day, pray for one whole night and free a slave.

Abu Musa al-Ash`ari used to apply himself so much in worship at the end of his life that he was told, "Why don't you slow down and be gentle with yourself?" He replied, "When the horses are released for a race and are close to the finish line, they give all the strength they have. What is left of my life is less than that." He maintained the same level of devotion and worship until he died.

Mawriq al-`Ajli said, "I did not find an example, for the believer in this life, better than a man on a plank in the sea, imploring, 'O Lord, O Lord', hoping that Allah would save him."

Usamah said, "Whenever you see Sufyan ath-Thawri, it is as if you see someone in a ship fearing to drown. One would often hear him say, 'O Lord save me, save me!" Fatimah bint Abdil Malik, the wife of the Khalifah `Umar ibn `Abdil-Aziz said, "I have never seen a person offering a salah or fasting more than he did, or a person fearing the Lord more than him. After offering Salat-ul-Isha, he would sit down and cry until he becomes sleepy, then he would wake up again and continue crying until sleep overtakes him."

Amir ibn Abdullah was once asked, "How can you tolerate being awake all night, and thirsty in the intense heat of the day?" He replied, "Is it anything more than postponing the food of the day to nighttime, and the sleep of the night to daytime? This is not a big matter." When the night came, he would say, "Remembrance of the heat of hellfire has taken sleepiness from me." And he would not sleep until dawn.

Ahmad ibn Harb said, "I wonder how the one who knows that above him, paradise is being embellished, and below him, the hell-fire is being kindled, and yet sleeps between them!" Waqi` said, "Al Amash was almost seventy years old and he never missed the first takbirah (for salah in the masjid). I used to visit him frequently for more than two years and never saw him make up for even one rakah."

Abu Hayan related that his father said, "Ar-Rabi` ibn Khuthaym was crippled and used to be carried to the congregational salah. So people told him, "You have an excuse (for not coming)." He said, "I hear 'hayya `alas-salah', the call to salah; so if you can come to it even by crawling, do so", paraphrasing a hadith.

Abull-Mawahib ibn Sarsari said concerning Imam Abul-Qasim ibn Asakir, "I have never seen the like of him, and none had encompassed as many good characteristics as he did concerning his adherence to one way for forty years, making salah in the first row unless he had an excuse, i`tikaf during Ramadan and the ten days of Thul-Hijjah, and the lack of desire to accumulate properties and build houses, as he forbade himself these. He turned away any position of imam or speaker, though they were offered to him, and he devoted himself to enjoin good and forbid evil, and he would not fear anyone in that."

Source: Al-jumu'ah Magazine

The Cobbler's Hajj

It is related that a noted Muslim scholar Abdullah bin Mubarak, had a dream while he was sleeping near the Kaaba.

Abdullah bin Mubarak saw two angels' descend from the sky, and start talking to each other.

One of the angels asked the other: "Do you know how many people have come for Hajj this year?"

The other angel replied: "Six hundred thousand have come for Hajj."

Abdullah bin Mubarak had also gone for Hajj that year.

The first angel asked: "How many people's Hajj has been accepted?"

The second replied: "I wonder if anyone's Hajj has been accepted at all."

Abdullah bin Mubarak was grieved to hear that. He thought, "So many people have come from all over the world, crossing so many obstacles like rivers, jungles, mountains, suffered so many hardships, and meeting so many expenses. Would their effort be wasted? Allah does not let anyone's effort go to waste".

He had thought only so far when he heard the other angel speak: "There is a cobbler in Damascus. His name is Ali bin al-Mufiq. He could not come for Hajj, but Allah has accepted his intention of Hajj. Not only will he get the reward for Hajj, but because of him, all the Hajjis will be rewarded.

When Abdullah bin Mubarak woke up, he decided he would go to Damascus and meet that cobbler whose Hajj intentions carried such a lot of weight.

On reaching Damascus, Abdullah bin Mubarak inquired if anyone knew a cobbler named Ali bin al-Mufiq. The town people directed him to a house. When a man appeared from the house Abdullah bin Mubarak greeted him and asked his name. The man replied "Ali bin al-Mufiq".

Abdullah bin Mubarak asked: "What do you do for a living?"

Ali replied: "I am a cobbler". Then Ali asked the stranger's name that had come looking for him.

Abdullah bin Mubarak was a very well-known scholar of Islam, when Abdullah bin Mubarak introduced him self, the cobbler was anxious to find out why such a well known scholar was seeking him out.

When Abdullah bin Mubarak asked Ali to tell him if he had made any plans to go for Hajj. Ali replied "For thirty years I have lived in the hope of performing the Hajj. This year I had saved enough to go for Hajj, but Allah did not will it, so I couldn't make my intention translate into action.

Abdullah bin Mubarak was eager to find out how could this man's Hajj be accepted and blessed for all the people who went for Hajj that year when he didn't go for Hajj in the first place. While talking to the cobbler he could feel a certain purity in his heart. Islam regards greatness not in wealth or in power, but in civility, in good manners and the goodness of heart.

Abdullah bin Mubarak further asked: "why could you not go on Hajj?". In order not to disclose the reason, Ali again replied "it was Allah's will".

When Abdullah bin Mubarak persisted, Ali revealed: "Once I went to see my neighbor's house. His family was just sitting down for dinner. Although I was not hungry I thought my neighbor would invite me to sit down for dinner out of courtesy but I could see that my neighbor was grieved about something and wanted to avoid inviting me for dinner.

After some hesitation the neighbor told me: "I am sorry I cannot invite you for food. We were without food for three days and I could not bear to see the pain of hunger of my children. I went out looking for food today and found a dead donkey. In my desperation I cut out some meat from the dead animal, and brought it home so that my wife could cook this meat. It is halal (lawful or permitted) for us because of our extreme condition of hunger, but I cannot offer it to you."

Ali continued: "On hearing this, my heart bled with tears. I got up and went home, collected the three thousand dinars I had saved for Hajj, and gave my neighbor the money. I too had to go hungry but that was to save money for Hajj, but I thought helping my neighbor during his difficult times was more important. Although I still desire to go for Hajj if Allah wills."

Abdullah bin Mubarak was greatly inspired by the cobbler's story and told the cobbler of his dream.

God is merciful and shows mercy to those who do likewise to his creatures. This act of compassion on the part of the cobbler was so pleasing to God that it not only earned him the reward of Hajj but was extended to all the people who came for Hajj.

Hajj is a journey that can ignite the soul to be reminded of the time it was created and takes it beyond the dimensions of this life to the time it will meet the creator.

The sincere performance of Hajj can transcend a person's day to day life into a spiritual awakening of the highest magnitude. A successful Hajj experience connects us to our creator and the greater compassion of humanity.

Source: www.Islamicity.com

The story of a great muslim woman, Umm Sulaym

Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported:

Maalik ibn Anas said to his wife Um Sulaym – who was the mother of Anas – “This man – meaning the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – is forbidding alcohol.” So he left Madeenah and went to Shaam (Syria), where he died. (i.e., he fled from Madeenah when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came there, because he did not like the ban on alcohol, and he died as a kaafir or non-believer in Syria).

Then Abu Talhah came and proposed marriage to Um Sulaym, and spoke to her about it. She said, “O Abu Talhah, a man like you would not be turned down, but you are a non-believer, and I am a Muslim woman. It is not right for me to marry you.” He said, “This is the chance of a lifetime!” She said, “What chance?” He said, “The yellow and white (i.e., he was tempting her with a mahr or dowry of gold and silver).” She said, “I do not want any yellow or white. I want you to become Muslim. If you become Muslim, that will be my mahr, and I will not ask you for anything else.” He asked, “Who could help me with that (i.e., to become Muslim)?” She said, “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will help you.”

So Abu Talhah went to look for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who was sitting with his Companions. When he [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)] saw him, he said, “Abu Talhah is coming to you with the light of Islam shining on his forehead.” (This was one of the miracles of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): he knew that Abu Talhah would become a Muslim even before he spoke). Abu Talhah told the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about what Um Sulaym had said, and he married her on that basis. Thaabit (i.e., Thaabit al-Banaani, one of the people who narrated the story from Anas) said: “We have never heard of any mahr greater than this, she accepted his Islam as her dowry.”

So he married her, and she was a woman with nice eyes, rather small. She was with him until she bore him a son, who Abu Talhah loved very much. The child became very ill, and Abu Talhah was very upset and distressed by the child’s sickness. Abu Talhah used to get up to pray the morning prayer, he would go to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and pray with him, and would stay with him for almost half the day. Then [Abu Talhah] would come to take a nap and eat, and when he had prayed Zuhr [mid-day prayer] he would get ready and leave, and would not come back until the time of the ‘Isha’ [night-time] prayer.

One evening, Abu Talhah went out to see the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (according to another report: to go to the mosque), and the child died (during his absence). Um Sulaym said, “No one is to tell Abu Talhah about his child’s death until I have told him.” She covered the child up as if he were sleeping, and left him in a corner of the house.

Abu Talhah came back from visiting the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and brought some people from the mosque with him. He asked, “How is my son?” She said, “O Abu Talhah, from the time he fell sick, he has never been as calm as he is now, and I hope that he is resting.” (She spoke vaguely so as not to upset him; this was not a lie. She was referring to the calmness of death and the child finding relief from the pain of his sickness, but her husband took it to mean that the child’s condition had improved). She brought the meal and they all ate dinner, then the people left. Then he went to bed and lay down, and she got up and put on perfume and adorned herself, making herself more beautiful than she ever had before. (This was a sign of her patience and great faith in the will and decree of Allaah. She was seeking reward from Allaah and concealing her feelings, hoping that she would become pregnant that night to make up for the loss of her child). Then she came and lay down in the bed with him, and when he smelt the perfume, he did as men usually do with their wives (this is the narrator’s polite and circumspect manner of referring to what happened between them).

At the end of the night, she said, “O Abu Talhah, do you think that if some people lent something to some others, then they asked for it back, do they have the right not to give it back?” He said, “No.” She said, “Allaah, may He be glorified, lent your son to you, and now He has taken him back, so seek reward with Him and have patience.” He became angry and said, “You left me until I did what I did (i.e., had intercourse), then you tell me that my son has died!” Then he said, “Innaa Lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon (Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return – the words uttered by Muslims when faced with news of death or calamity) and he praised Allaah. In the morning, he did ghusl (full ablution) then he went to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and prayed with him, and told him what had happened. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “May Allaah bless you for last night.” She conceived a child (thus the Prophet’s prayer for them was answered).

Mother of Umar ibn Abdul Azeez

"Narrated `Abdullah ibn Zayd ibn Aslam, from his father, from his grandfather, who said: `When I was accompanying `Umar ibn al-Khattab on his patrol of Madinah at night, he felt tired, so he leant against a wall. It was the middle of the night, and (we heard) a woman say to her daughter, "O my daughter, get up and mix that milk with some water." The girl said, "O Mother, did you not hear the decree of Amir al-Mu'minin (chief of the believers) today?" The mother said, "What was that?" The girl said, "He ordered someone to announce in a loud voice that milk should not be mixed with water." The mother said, "Get up and mix the milk with water; you are in a place where `Umar cannot see you." The girl told her mother, "I cannot obey Him (Allah) in public and disobey him in private."

`Umar heard this, and told me: "O Aslam, go to that place and see who that girl is, and to whom she was speaking, and whether she has a husband." So I went to that place, and I saw that she was unmarried, the other woman was her mother, and neither of them had a husband. I came to `Umar and told him what I had found out. He called his sons together, and said to them: "Do any of you need a wife, so I can arrange the marriage for you? If I had the desire to get married, I would have been the first one to marry this young woman." `Abdullah said: "I have a wife." `Abd al-Rahman said: "I have a wife." `Asim said: "I do not have a wife, so let me marry her."

So `Umar arranged for her to be married to `Asim. She gave him a daughter, who grew up to be the mother of `Umar ibn `Abd al-`Aziz.'"

Source : "Ideal Muslimah" by Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Hashimi (Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab) quoted from Ahkam al-Nisa' (pp. 441, 442) by Ibn al-Jawzi, Sifat al-Safwah and Wafiyat al-A'yan