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A son took his old mother to a restaurant for an evening dinner. His mother, being very old and weak, while eating, dropped food on her clothes. Other diners watched her in disgust while her son stayed calm. 

After she finished eating, her son who was not at all embarrassed, quietly took her to the washroom, wiped the food particles, removed the stains, combed her hair and fitted her spectacles firmly. 

When they came out, the entire restaurant was watching them in silence, not able to grasp how someone could embarrass themselves publicly like that. The son settled the bill and started walking out with his mother. 

At that time, an old man amongst the dinners called out to the son and asked him, “Don’t you think you have left something behind?”. The son replied, “No sir, I haven’t”. The old man retorted, “Yes, you have! You’ve left a lesson for every child and hope for every mother”. The restaurant went silent.  The young man replied, “My mum had to bear the shame of me embarrassing her when I was little, I see no reason why I can't do the same for her.” 

The love of parents to their children as well as their labour to them will never be in vain.

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As shared by sister Rayhaanah Omar On DQ Girls : Please note, due to the nature of this document, I wish to remain anonymous. May Allah Ta’aala save me from pride and fame in this world.

 السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُُ The intention of sharing my ramadaan practise is solely and only to inspire people to make the most of this holy month, to spend this month in ibaadah to the maximum. May Allah keep me sincere,aameen. Before the ramadaan in 1993, I was reading up on the holy month to familiarise myself with it and to prepare myself spiritually. I was reading the virtues of Ramadaan and I came across the statement of Hazrat Sheikh Zakariyya R.A., where he mentioned that in his home were quite a few women and during the month of Ramadaan, his granny used to read 40 paras a day. That was 40 quraan in in 30 days! Subhaanallah, I was simply amazed and in awe of such a noble and seemingly impossible deed. Remember that this did not take place during the time of OUR BELOVED Prophet Muhammad [sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam], but during the time of my great grandmother or grandmother’s time. Yes, between 60 to 90 years ago. I asked myself what stops us from doing so? Why do I feel 4-7 quraan khatams I make every year is sufficient? I also read up on the virtues of ishraaq and salaatud duha. When the Ramadaan of 2003 commenced, after sehri, I would read tahajjud, then read quraan after that until fajr, then read quraan until ishraaq. After ishraaq, I slept for an hour then I was up again. I used to read quraan all the time in between my saalah and cooking and daily household chores. I would not be idle for even a few minutes but after zuhr I used to rest for about half an hour in the name of qailulah. Lo and behold, before I went to sleep that night, I completed one quraan! If the first day I had such an achievement, I could do so everyday. It was a race against time. If I wasted an hour, I had to spend extra time to catch up. I also attended the local taalim once a week and a good 2 hours used to go. I would not sleep until I caught up. I was sleep deprived as well but I was getting a sweetness out of this. It also brought me to the realisation of the hadith regarding the ibaadah one did in one's youth. I was 20 years old and single and I was running a home. My parents were at work daily so I had to see to the chores at home. All praise to Allah, I completed 25 quraan that ramadaan. Allah has made it possible for me every ramadaan to read at least 15 to 18 quraan every year. Now I’m a mother of three, my latest being 3 months old. I’m no more reading so much with these added responsibilities and sometimes no maid or part time assistant. But I still read plus minus 10 quraan.May Allah keep me strong and free from pride. My sister used to teach teenage girls at home. I never wanted anyone to know about this, but my sister told her students to make them aware that to read lots of quraan is possible. Don’t be satisfied with reading just one. Slowly it began to spread around. People know me as the one who reads a quraan a day. Allah makes it possible , with effort from our side, aameen. Then we have the critics. Some say you read so much you will go off your head. Some said I shouldn’t be finishing a quraan in under three days. I used to read the virtues of quraan and in there its stated that sometimes Sayidina Uthman R.A. Used to recite one quraan in a single rakaah of his witr salaah. In the same way, Abdullah bin Zubair used to recite the whole quraan in a single night. Saeed ibn Jubair read out the whole quraan in two rakaah salaah inside the kaaba. Thaabit Banaani used to recite the whole quraan in one day and night. Our ancestors in deen differed from one another in their practise of reciting the the entire quraan. Some of them completed one khatam daily as was the practice of Imam Shaafi in months other then the month of ramadaan who read 2 khatams a day in ramadaan. Its stated that imam Abu Hanifa used to complete 61 khatams in the month of ramadaan, one in taraweeh and daily one khatam and nightly a khatam as well. To recite a quraan a day takes a lot out of us as our time has no barakah, we are weak in imaan but it is possible. I also did this because I have an extreme love for the quraan. May Allah ta’aala accept my sincerity and make us excel in such noble deeds. May this inspire people to make as much salaah and tilaawah as possible in this holy month. Our freezers and accumulated savouries does make it possible. But we have to be at home and not driving around and doing shopping at all to achieve this in the month of ramadaan. If any one endeavours to do so, please do not neglect your spouse and children in this case. I do not read so much now as I have a family with 3 small kids and do what I can within my ability and capacity. Firstly I need to say all this is due to my parents sending us to madressa from 3 years of age, Allhamdulillah I'm very fluent in quraan recitation with tajweed. If it wasn’t for my parents who encouraged us in matters and importance of deen, I doubt I would've been making efforts in striving to do good deeds. I may not seem prosperous in terms of this world as I have no worldly degrees but inshallah, I sincerely hope the little I do will be my ticket to jannah. May ﷲ͜عَزَّوَجَــــل  grant my parents the best of both the worlds as I cannot in anyway repay them for what they have done for me in terms of my deen and dunya. The least I do in ramadaan for my parents is the first quraan khatam I make goes to my father, then my mother who also reads a lot of quraan although she has to still go to work 8-5 daily. May Allah grant my parents long life blessed with good health and khaatima on imaan, aameen. May ﷲ͜عَزَّوَجَــــل  make all this recitation a means of my companion in the qabr and a noor for me on the day of Qiyaamah. 🍁̶«̶ آمـــــين يَارَبَّ الْعَــــالَمِينْ «̶🍁 SISTER IN ISLAAM

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SOME DAY & ONE DAY

A friend of mine opened his wife's wardrobe and picked up a silk paper wrapped package.

"This," he said, "isn't any ordinary package."

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper in the box and the silk satin dresses inside.

"She got this the first time we went to New York, 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on, was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is it."

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house. His wife had just died.

He turned to me and said, "Never save something for a 'special occasion'. Every day in your life is a 'special occasion'".

I think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.

I spend more time with my family, and less at work.

I understand that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.

I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day.

I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

The words 'Someday....' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.

If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen to or do it now.

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

[theamtg-blog]

Glad Tidings for Muslim Women!!!

Asmaa’ bintu Yazeed Al-Ansaariyyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), a Sahaabiyyah from the Banu ‘Abdil Ash-hal clan, once approached Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) while he was seated among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and addressed him in the following words:

“May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! I have come to you as a representative of all women. May my life be sacrificed for you! Every single woman, in the east and west, whether she has heard that I will come to you or not, will have exactly the same question as myself. Verily Allah Ta‘ala has sent you with the truth to men and women. We brought imaan in you and in Allah Ta‘ala who deputed you.

We, the women, live with restrictions and limitations. We don’t leave the confines of our homes. We allow you to fulfill your needs with us, and we bear your children. You, the men, have been favoured by your being able to attend the jumu‘ah salaah and other salaahs in congregation. You are able to visit the sick and be present at funerals. You perform hajj after hajj and even more virtuous than that is your fighting in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. When any of you men leave your home to perform hajj or ‘umrah or to guard the borders of the Islamic territories, it is none other than us women who protect your wealth for you. We sew your clothes for you. We raise and care for your children. Don’t we have a share in your reward O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)?”

On hearing the complaint of this woman, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned his face towards the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and asked,“Have you ever heard a woman ask a question regarding her deen more excellent than the question of this woman?” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) replied, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! We never imagined that a woman could be inspired to ask a question of this nature!”

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) turned back to her and said, “Return, O woman, and inform all the women you represent that for you to display excellent conduct with your husband, seek to keep him happy and try your utmost to comply with his ways will equal all the deeds you mentioned.”

Asmaa’ (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was so delighted to hear this, that as she walked away she continued to exclaim “Allahu Akbar!” and “La ilaaha illallah!”. (Shu‘abul Imaan #8369)

Lessons:

1. Having a different role to a man does not make a woman backward or suppressed in any way. She has an equal chance to strive for the Aakhirah by fulfilling the role Allah Ta‘ala has chalked out for her. It is actually easier for a woman to earn Jannah as all her efforts are made from the comfort of her home.

2. Fridges are designed to fulfill one purpose and stoves are designed for another. A good fridge is one that keeps its contents chilled and a good stove is one that generates sufficient heat to cook. If a stove is cold or a fridge becomes hot, they will both be considered “out of order”. Similarly, men and women are different in the purposes for which they were designed. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) therefore taught us that a woman who fulfills her purpose – which largely revolves around her remaining in the home – will actually receive the same reward as that man who leaves his home to fulfill his purpose – which largely involves leaving the home. A woman wishing to behave like a man by adopting the acts of worship specific to him is like a stove behaving like a fridge

[theamtg-blog]

A man, an avid Gardener saw a small Butterfly laying few eggs in one of the pots in his garden. Since that day he looked at the egg with ever growing curiosity and eagerness. The egg started to move and shake a little. He was excited to see a new life coming up right in front of his eyes. He spent hours watching the egg now. The egg started to expand and develop cracks. A tiny head and antennae started to come out ever so slowly. The man's excitement knew no bounds. He got his magnifying glasses and sat to watch the life and body of a pupa coming out. He saw the struggle of the tender pupa and couldn't resist his urge to "HELP". He went and got a tender forceps to help the egg break, a nip here, a nip there to help the struggling life and the pupa was out. The man was ecstatic!! He waited now each day for the pupa to grow and fly like a beautiful butterfly, but alas that never happened. The larvae pupa had a oversized head and kept crawling along in the pot for the full 4 weeks and died! Depressed the man went to his botanist friend and asked the reason. His friend told him the struggle to break out of the egg helps the larvae to send blood to its wings and the head push helps the head to remain small so that the tender wings can support it thru its 4 week life cycle. In his eagerness to help, the man destroyed a beautiful life! Struggles help all of us, that's why a bit of effort goes a long way to develop our strength to face life's difficulties! As parents, we sometimes go too far trying to help and protect our kids from life's harsh realities and disappointments and We don't want our kids to struggle like we did.

Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Dan Kindlon says that over-protected children are more likely to struggle in relationships and with challenges. We're sending our kids the message that they're not capable of helping themselves. To quote clinical psychologist, Dr. Wendy 's Moral: "It  is  Our Job  to  prepare  Our  Children  for  the  Road & Not  prepare  the  Road for  Our Children"

[theamtg-blog]

May your day be a Shay Day!

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realise true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'

I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs, but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognising that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'.

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the match

[theamtg-blog]

LAST SERMON OF HOLY PROPHET MOHAMAD.

THIS SERMON WAS DELIVERED ON THE NINTH DAY OF DHUL-HIJJAH 10 AD IN THE URANAH VALLEY OF MOUNT ARRAFAT

"O people, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your lord and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest). Therefore all interst obligation shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in things, so beware of following him in small things.

O people, it is true that you have the right with regards to your woman, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your rights then to them belong the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it approve, as well as never commit adultery.

O people, listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five time daily prayers (salat) fast during the month of ramadan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every muslim is the brother of another muslim. YOU ARE ALL EQUAL.. No body has superiority over another except by piety and good action.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer for your deeds. O beware, do not stray from the part of righteousness after I am gone.

O people, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore people, understand my word, which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my SUNNAH and if you follow these you will not go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again, and may the last understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O ALLAH, that I have convyed your message to your people"

[theamtg-blog]

WHAT IS THE VALUE OF LIFE?

A little boy went to his old grandpa and asked,

"What's the value of life?" The grandpa gave him one stone and said, "Find out the value of this stone, but don't sell it."

The boy took the stone to an Orange Seller and asked him what its cost would be. The Orange Seller saw the shiny stone and said, "You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone." The boy apologized and said that the grandpa has asked him not to sell it.

He went ahead and found a vegetable seller. "What could be the value of this stone?" he asked the vegetable seller. The seller saw the shiny stone and said, "Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone." The boy again apologized and said he can't sell it.

Further ahead, he went into a jewelery shop and asked the value of the stone. The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, "I'll give you 50 million for this stone." When the boy shook his head, the jeweler said, "Alright,alright, take 2 gold necklaces, but give me the stone." The boy explained that he can't sell the stone.

Further ahead, the boy saw a precious stone's shop and asked the seller the value of this stone. When the precious stone's seller saw the big ruby, he lay down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby and bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby. "From where did you bring this priceless ruby?" he asked. "Even if I sell the whole world, and my life, I won't be able to purchase this priceless stone.

Stunned and confused, the boy returned to the grandpa and told him what had happened. "Now tell me what is the value of life, grandpa?" Grandpa said, "The answers you got from the Orange Seller, the Vegetable Seller, the Jeweler & the Precious Stone's Seller explain the value of our life...

You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but people will value you based on their financial status, their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don't fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value."

Respect yourself. You are Unique. No one can replace you!

[theamtg-blog]

Maalik bin Dinaar (r.a.)’s Repentance on 15th Sha’baan

Maalik bin Dinaar (rahimahullah) was one of the renowned pious men of his time. In his early life, he was not a pious man, & when someone asked him how he came to repent of his sins & abandon his evil ways, he related the following story about himself:

I was a policeman in my youth, & was addicted to wine. I drank day & night & led a care-free life. I bought a beautiful slave girl whom I loved most dearly. I had a daughter from her, & I was very fond of her. When this baby daughter began to walk & talk, I loved her all the more &  she was very fond of me as well. The innocent child had a strange habit. Whenever she saw a glass of wine in my hand, she would snatch it away and spill it on my clothes. Being fond of her, I did not scold her. As fate would have it, my innocent child died when she was two years old & I was stunned with shock & heart-sore.

 On the 15th night of Sha’baan, which happened to be the night of Jumu‘ah as well, I was dead drunk & went to sleep without performing my ‘Esha Salaah. I had the most horrible & terrible dream, in which I saw that it was the Day of Resurrection with men coming out of their graves, & being driven to the place of assembly. I was also one of them.

 Suddenly I heard the noise of something following me. Looking back I saw a huge snake chasing me, close behind. Ah! It was a most horrible sight, the snake had blue cat-like eyes, its mouth was wide open & it was rushing towards me most furiously. I ran faster in terror, desperate for my life, the horrible snake still running after me & drawing closer. I saw an old man, dressed in elegant clothes, with rich perfumes wafting all around his person. I greeted him saying: “Assalaamu ‘alaikum” & he returned my greeting. I said: “For the Sake of Allah, save me.” He said:“I am too weak to help you against such a mighty enemy, it is beyond my powers. But you must go on running, perhaps you may find some help to save you from it.”

Running wildly, I saw a cliff in front of me & climbed it, but on reaching its top, I saw beyond it the raging fire of Jahannam, with it’s most horrifying spectacles. I was so terrified by the snake that I nearly fall into the fire. Meanwhile, I heard a voice calling aloud: “Get back, for you are not one of them (inmates of Jahannam).”

I felt a bit relieved & began to run in the opposite direction. The snake also turned around & came after me. I saw the old man again & said to him: “Old man, can’t you save me from this python, I asked you before, but you did not help me.”

The old man began to cry & said: “I am too weak to help you against such a mighty snake, but I can tell you that there is a hill nearby where they keep the sacred trusts of the Muslims. If you go up that hill you might find something of yours, kept in trust, which might save you from the snake.”

 I rushed towards the hill, which was round in shape, with a large number of open curtained widows. The windows had golden shutters studded with rich rubies & most precious jewels, on each shutter hung a curtain of the rarest of silk. When I was going to climb the hill, an angel called out: “Open the windows, raise the curtains & come out of your closets! Here is an unfortunate man in misery. May be you have with you some trust of his that might help him in his distress.”

The windows opened at once, the curtains went up  there issued forth from the windows a host of innocent children with faces bright as the full moon. By this time I was utterly despondent, for the snake had drawn very close to me. Now the children called their friends: “Come out quickly all of you, for the snake has drawn very close to him.”

Hearing this, more children came out in crowds & among them I saw my own dear daughter who had died some time ago.She began to weep, exclaiming: “By Allah, he is my dear father!” She jumped on a swinging cradle, which seemed to be made from heavenly light & darted to me. I took her to my bosom; she lifted her left hand towards me & with her right hand motioned the snake away. The snake went away immediately. Then she gave me a seat & sat in my lap & began to stroke my beard with her right hand saying: “My dear father: 

 أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ

‘Has not the time come for the people of imaan that their hearts surrender to the remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala.’

 I was moved to tears & asked her: “My daughter, do all of you know the meaning of the Quraan?” She replied: “We understand the Quraan even better than you.” I asked her: “My dear child, what was this snake?” She said: “It was your own evil deeds which had made it so strong, it was about to push you into Jahannam.” I asked: “Aиϑ who was that old man?” She replied: “Those were your good deeds. You had made them so weak that he could not help you against the snake.” I asked: “What are all of you doing on this hill?” She replied: “We are the children of the Muslims who died in infancy. We shall live here till the Day of Resurrection, waiting to be reunited with you when you come to us at last & we shall intercede for you by our Lord.”

I then awoke terrified, &  repented to Allah Ta‘ala from all my evil habits aиϑ ways. (Kitaabut Tawwaabeen – Ibnu Qudaamah, pg. 156)

 Lesson: Allah Ta‘ala has blessed us with yet another chance to witness this great night (15th Sha’baan/ Saturday night). Let us capitalise on this opportunity & make sincere taubah from all sins before it is too late. We should also strive to ‘strengthen’ our good actions, & ‘starve’ the snake of our evil deeds, so that we would not have to face any difficulty in the Hereafter.

    آمـــــــــين يا رب العالمـــــــــين‎

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HIS LAUGHTER, HER LOVE

A house full of laughter is a home full of love and, truly, the home of Rasool Allah (SAW) rang with laughter whenever Sawdah bint Zam’ah (RA) was present.

Most people overlook Sawdah, even though she was the first woman whom Rasool Allah (SAW) married after the death of Khadijah (RA). Sawdah was much older than ‘Aishah bint Abi Bakr (RA), whom Rasool Allah (SAW) married shortly after and it’s commonly known that she gave up her allotted days and nights with Rasool Allah for ‘Aishah’s sake. According to many narrations and by her own admission, Sawdah wasn’t particularly beautiful, either – she is described as “elderly and fat.” What many don’t realise, however, is that it was her age which Rasool Allah (SAW) appreciated – or, rather, the qualities associated with it: wisdom, maturity and understanding.

Sawdah was the first stepmother for the daughters of Rasool Allah, especially for Fatimah (RA), who was still quite young at the time. She had a nurturing personality and a sense of humour which endeared her to her husband, her stepchildren and her co-wives alike. It was known that when Rasool Allah (SAW) was feeling sorrowful or grieved due to the hardships related to the da’wah of Islam, it was always Sawdah who was guaranteed to make him smile with a quick-witted joke and Sawdah who offered him advice and comfort without requesting anything from him except his company.

Once, when Rasool Allah’s face was drawn with weariness, she teased him, “O Messenger of Allah! I prayed behind you yesterday and you prolonged the prostration for so long that I nearly had a nosebleed!” Her husband, the beloved Messenger of Allah (SAW), threw his head back and laughed so hard that his molar teeth were visible. The sorrow in his bearing disappeared and his smile lit up the heart of Sawdah with joy. (Tabaqaat al-Kubraa)

And while many women would have felt jealous at the arrival of a younger, beautiful wife, Sawdah took ‘Aishah under her wing immediately. It is related that amongst the wives of Rasool Allah (SAW), no two of them were closer to each other than Sawdah and ‘Aishah.

Sawdah’s sense of humour made it easy for the other wives to get swept away in the fun. Hafsah and ‘Aishah in particular used to enjoy getting up to pranks and Sawdah was sometimes their target.

Once, ‘Aishah and Hafsah were sitting together when Sawdah came to visit them, bedecked in finery. Raising their eyebrows at each other, Hafsah said to ‘Aishah, “Rasool Allah will come and see her and forget about us!” Then, with a gleam in her eye, Hafsah told Sawdah, “The one-eyed one is coming!” (i.e. implying the Dajjal.)

Sawdah panicked and asked, “Where can I go, where can I go?!”

Looking serious, Hafsah pointed at a tent outside – one where people would abandon unwanted items and which was full of cobwebs and other creepy-crawlies. Picking up her skirts, Sawdah fled to the tent and Hafsah and ‘Aishah broke into peals of laughter.

They were still laughing when Rasool Allah (SAW) joined them and asked them about the cause of their mirth. The two women were laughing so hard that they couldn’t even speak and all they could do was point at the tent where poor Sawdah was hiding in fear.

Filled with love for Sawdah, Rasool Allah (SAW) rushed over to her and reassured her that it was not yet time for the Dajjal to come and helped her up, brushing off the cobwebs and comforting her. (Musnad Abi Ya’la, Tabarani and al-Haythami)

Despite all this, Sawdah remained as easy-going as ever and deeply fond of ‘Aishah in particular. The affection was mutual, such that when Sawdah passed away ‘Aishah wept and said, “No woman is more beloved to me than Sawdah, whom I would rather be than anyone else.”

Today, when many Muslim men express boredom with their spouses or complain about the waning beauty of their wives, Sawdah’s marriage to Rasool Allah (SAW) is a reminder that physical beauty is not the only thing that matters.

There are many different types of love and every woman is to be loved, respected and valued for who she is – without being compared to others or belittled for what she may lack in comparison to other women. In a marriage, the human heart requires more than just outward beauty and Sawdah’s warm, loving personality was a perfect example of why Rasool Allah (SAW) found such comfort and joy in her.

As the famous hadith states, even a smile is a sadaqah, so for every woman who loves to laugh and make others join in her joy is a mountain of reward, insha Allah – just like Sawdah (RA), the beloved wife of Rasool Allah (SAW

[theamtg-blog]

NEVER REGARD ANY GOOD DEED AS INSIGNIFICANT

A man woke up early in order to have his morning devotion. He got dressed, set on his way to Allah's house.

On his way to the MASJID, the man fell and his clothes got dirty.. He got up, brushed himself up, and headed home.

At home, he changed his clothes, and was, again, on his way to the MASJID.

On his way to the MASJID, he fell again at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home.

At home he, once again, changed his clothes and was on his way to Allah's house.

On his way to the MASJID, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I saw you fall twice on your way to the MASJID, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way.

The first man thanked him profusely and the two went on their way to the MASJID.

Once at the MASJID, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and offer SALAAH with him.

The second man refused.

The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same.

The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.

The man replied, 'I am Satan'. The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the MASJID and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the MASJID, Allah ( s.w.t) forgave all of your sins.

I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to MASJID. Because of that, Allah (s.w.t) forgave all the sins of the people of your household.

I was afraid if I made you fall one more time, then Allah (s.w.t )will forgive the sins of the whole nation (world)so I made sure that you reached the MASJID safely.'

Do not put off the good you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

♦♦♦ Beautiful woman, Who wanted to get married ♦♦♦

There was this beautiful woman, who wanted to get married, but she wanted a very pious husband, so she said that she’ll marry the man who recites the whole Quran every single day, fasts for the whole year and stays awake and worships Allah all throughout the night.

She was a very beautiful woman, and a lot of suitors wanted to marry her, but they knew they couldn’t fulfills the conditions she set. Until this one man stepped forward and said he could fulfills them. So the Imam got both of them married.

After the first night of the marriage, the wife sees that the husband doesn’t recite the whole of the Quran, nor does he fast, nor does he stay awake in the worship of Allah, she decided to let it roll on for a few weeks to see if there were any changes, there weren’t, so she filed a complaint and asked for a divorce.

They are both taken in front of the judge, and the judge asked, ‘What were the conditions of the marriage?’ the man replied ‘They were for me to recite the whole Quran daily, keep fast for the whole year and to worship Allah all throughout the night.’The Judge asked, ‘ did you fulfill them?

The man calmly answered, ‘…yes.’The judge answers, ‘you lie, your wife has said that you don’t, that’s why she’s asking for a divorce’.But the man insisted that he had fulfilled the conditions, so the judge asked, ‘did you recite the full Quran everyday?’

The man answered yes.

The Judge, baffled asked, ‘how? How can you do that?’

The man coolly answered, ‘I recite Surah Ikhlas three times a day and according to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), reciting Surah Ikhlas three times is equivalent to reciting the whole Quran.’

The Judge was intrigued, so he asked, ‘how did you fast the whole year?

The man answered, ‘

I fasted for the whole month of Ramadan, then kept another six fasts in the month of Shawwal, according to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), keeping all of the fast of Ramadan then keeping six fasts in the month of Shawwal, is as if you have fasted for the whole year.

The Judge remained silent, he couldn’t give a reply saying the man was wrong, so finally he asked, ‘ how did you stay awake all night and worship Allah, when your wife saw you sleeping?

The Judge thought the man wouldn’t be able to answer this one, But the man, cool as a cucumber answered, ‘I prayed Salatul Isha with jamaat, then the next day prayed Salatul Fajr with jamaat, according to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), the one who prays Salatul Isha and Salatul Fajr with jamaat, it is as if he had stayed up all night worshipping Allah.’

The Judge sat there looking at the man; the final verdict was about to be released…He said to the man and his wife, ‘…go, just go, there is nothing wrong with this marriage’…

Moral : ISLAM IS A VERY EASY RELIGION IF WE FOLLOW IT PROPERLY

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

A CHANGE THAT SHOOK A CONTINENT

This Ramadan, Cii Radio’s Mufti AK Hoosen embarked on a multi-country tour of South America, inspecting the Islamic infrastructure in various regions and offering encouragement to numerous South African Ulama who have settled in the region.

Ruminating on a touching encounter he had in Venezuela, Mufti AK Hoosen shared the following inspirational story about Haazim, a young Palestinian immigrant whose sincere efforts for Deen have significantly transformed the Islamic landscape of the continent:

Haazim was a young Palestinian brother, whose family settled in South America decades ago. The family was very affluent but also far estranged from the practices of Islam. Allaah SWT endowed them with wealth you cannot dream of. They literally own an entire fleet of private jets and aeroplanes.

Subhanallah! A South African Jamaat visits the region, invites the Muslims of the area to Allaah, and the entire life trajectory of this family changes.

This young boy, Haazim, develops a soft spot for the visitors and begins to serve them enthusiastically. It is becoming clear that Allaah SWT has destined that he be a means of Hidaayah for thousands of people.

He associates himself with the ideals championed by the Jamaat, and almost immediately draws flak from his own blood. They oppose his affiliation to the cause totally. Matters deteriorate so badly that Haazim is disowned.

Yet, the young man remains steadfast as a rock. He fends for himself and matures. He sells the lone car that is still registered on his name to raise capital for a journey he is thirsting to undertake. He heads of to the Indian subcontinent to immerse himself in the work and learn the principles of Dawah (Tabligh).

On his return to Venezuela, fountains of Divine Blessing begin showering upon him. He is selected to represent his country at the International Qur’aan Memorization Competition in Makkah, even though he is not a Haafidh. He is judged to be the most knowledgeable youngster in Qur’aan in the entire nation. In Makkah, Allaah SWT honours him with an opportunity to enter the Kaa’bah even though he is barely 20.

All the while, Haazim’s relationship with his family remains rocky.

Haazim gets married. Soon, his wife gives birth to a baby girl, Maryam.

Haazim is recognised across Venezuela as the livewire of the effort of Dawah and Tabligh. His stature is magnified because of his association with an influential and affluent immigrant family.

Then, one day, Haazim inexplicably prepares a copy of his will. There is a Nikah in the family, which his wife requests to attend. He agrees to take her there after he performs Isha.

On his way to the Masjid – the Jamiah Masjid in Valencia – as Allaah SWT decrees, Haazim meets up in an accident. Just 26 years old, and his soul is reunited with his Rabb.

There is a secret, as yet unrevealed. His wife is pregnant, but she intended to disclose the good news to him en route to the wedding after Isha.

For one half of his life, he was Ma’soom, and from the age of 13 he was in the path of Allaah, propagating and teaching the Deen.

Haazim is honoured further with the death of a martyr. Thousands of people flock to his funeral and send condolences from all parts of South America. Many attest to having learnt so much about the Deen from this young warrior.

His parents and siblings are ashamed: We opposed our son, but just look how bitterly people are mourning his departure. Look how much honour he has managed to garner.

The family experiences a re-awakening. They now follow in Haazim’s footsteps and also align themselves enthusiastically with the work of Deen. Their entire fleet of private jets and coffers of wealth are put at the service of the Deen.

One youngster makes so much sacrifice that today South America – Brazil, Argentina, Venezula and other countries – is dotted with Madaaris and Islamic Institutes bearing Haazim’s name.

During my visit, I went to the graveyard were Haazim in buried and made special Dua for this distinguished Da’ee. All the graves surrounding his sported huge tombstones and memorials, but his was totally unmarked. So simple. You could feel it, that this man was specially accepted by Allaah SWT, InShaaAllaah.

Haazim’s wife gave birth, and young Mohammed and Maryam together with their mother, today continue holding aloft the torch of lofty ideals set into blaze by their beloved father.

You must imagine, it could never have been easy for a young man with no feet to stand on, to confront the pressure of his entire extended family. It would have been immensely difficult. But Haazim was sincere, he had Istiqamah, and hence became Maqbool(accepted) by Allah SWT.

We make Du'aa, Allaah SWT also makes us Khaadim

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

STELLAR FIGURES IN HISTORY

Ramadān. To help us truly value the month of Ramadān, we need to take lessons from the Ramadān of those who did value this blessed month. Let us take a glimpse at how our pious predecessors spent the month of Ramadān:

•  Aswad ibn Yazīd rahimahullāh would complete the Qur’ān every second night in Ramadān. (Siyar-A‘lām-An-Nubalā’)

•  Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr rahimahullāh would spend the time between Maghrib and ‘Ishā’ [which normally people spend in resting] in tilāwah and would recite the whole Qur’ān in one sitting. (The ‘Ishā’ salāh would be delayed.) (Ibid)

•  Hammād ibn Abī Sulaymān rahimahullāh would feed 500 people for iftār during Ramadān. (Ibid)

•  Qatādah rahimahullāh would complete the Qur’ān every third day during the first twenty days of Ramadān and every night in the last ten days. (Ibid)

•  Ibn Shihāb Zuhrī rahimahullāh would say, “Ramadān is nothing but for tilāwah of the Qur’ān and to feed people.” (Latā’if-ul-Ma‘ārif)

•  Imām Abū Hanīfah rahimahullāh and Imām Shāfi‘ī rahimahullāh would complete the Qur’ān twice daily in the month of Ramadān, with the latter completing the Qur’ān one more time during the night of ‘Īd and yet again during the day.

•  Imām Mālik rahimahullāh and Sufyān Thawrī rahimahullāh both would leave their everyday engagements and spend the whole time in the recitation of the Qur’ān. (Latā’if-ul-Ma‘ārif)

•  Imām Bukhārī rahimahullāh used to complete the Qur’ān 41 times in the Month of Ramadān; once every day, once during the whole month in the tarāwīh prayer, and ten juz daily in Tahajjud salāh.

•  Hājī Imdādullāh rahimahullāh never slept in the blessed month of Ramadān. After the Maghrib salāh, two huffāz led him in nafl salāh, reciting one juz each until ‘Ishā’ salāh. After ‘Ishā salāh, two huffāz would recite one after the other until half the night, and then another two huffāz would recite one after the other in Tahajjud salāh. In essence, the whole night was spent in worship.

•  Hadrat Mawlānā Rashīd Ahmad Gangohī rahimahullāh, even at the age of seventy, would spend all his time in worshipping Allāh ta‘ālā, fasting - despite the heat, and performing twenty raka‘āt nafl after the Maghrib salāh, reciting at least two juz in them. He would then also spend two and a half to three hours during the night in Tahajjud salāh, amongst his many other devotions during the day.

•  Shaykh-ul-Hind rahimahullāh would spend the whole night listening to the Qur’ān. It was common that he would stand in one place and the reciters would change over and take rest.

•  Qāri Fatah Muhammad Pānipattī rahimahullāh during his later life would spend the time after tarāwīh salāh until subh sādiq reciting ten juz of the Qur’ān, taking extra care in tajwīd.

•  Mawlānā Manzūr Nu‘mānī rahimahullāh states that Mawlānā Ilyās rahimahullāh daily average of tilāwah in Ramadān was 35 juz, with concentration and understanding of the text. Moreover, the women folk in his home, together with their daily practices of dhikr and tasbīhāt, at times, would complete a whole Qur’ān in one day.

•  It is stated about Hadrat Mawlānā Yahyā rahimahullāh that, during one Ramadān which he passed in mīrat, he would recite the Qur’ān once daily and would complete it by the time of iftār.

•  Shāh Abd-ur-Rahīm Raipūrī rahimahullāh used to spend the whole night reciting the Qur’ān, and in twenty four hours he would rarely sleep more than an hour.

•  Shaykh-ul-Hadīth, Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh himself completed one Qur’ān daily during the month of Ramadān, and he kept up this practice for more than forty years.

Let us also value this blessed month and make the most of this great opportunity granted to us by Allāh ta‘ālā by making full use of its every moment and by using it to maximise our rewards, acquire taqwā and achieve salvation in the Hereafter. Even if it’s something as simple as inculcating the sunnah dress into our life, let’s take that step because one small step can lead to really big changes. Āmīn.

© Riyādul Jannah

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

DO YOU REALLY TRUST ALLAH MORE THAN YOUR LOVED ONES?

One day a husband and wife were going back to their village after meeting their relatives who lived in another village. There was a river between the villages which they had to cross if the needed to travel to the other village. The couple got into their boat to cross the river. When they were halfway into the river, a big storm arose. The husband was courageous and brave, but the situation was hopeless. They could do nothing to save their lives. He did not fear the storm, but his wife was afraid and started trembling with fear. There was no sign of fear on the husband’s face. He didn’t utter a word and just sat there calm and quiet as if nothing was happening.

On seeing her husband sitting quietly, the wife said, “We are about to die. Are you not afraid of this storm? How can you sit so calmly? Are you mad or something? Are you a stone or something? We are on the verge of dying. Aren’t you scared of death? ” The man laughed, took a knife out of his bag and held it at his wife’s neck. He asked her, “Are you afraid now?” She laughed and said, “How can I be afraid if the knife is in your hands? I know that you love me so much” He put his knife back in his bag and said, “This is my answer. Just like how you know I can’t kill you, and you trust me so much, I know God loves me much more than I love you. So why should I be scared? The storm is in God’s hands and I trust Him with all my heart, Whatever He will do will be for our own good. If we survive that would be for our good. If we don’t that would be for our own good as well, we know nothing while God knows everything. He knows what is best for His creation.” Moral of the story : Don’t become devastated if a calamity befalls you. Do not lose hope even if you feel the situation is hopeless; just put all your trust in God. If you are facing hardship then know  that God knows you are strong enough to deal with it, otherwise it would never have come to you in first place. I hope you enjoy, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

THE NECKLACE

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. The eid's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Zaynab got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbour and asked Mrs. Marshall if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On the eid festival day, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Zaynab loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday madrasah, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Zaynab had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Zaynab, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite." "That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Zaynab's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. Allah bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Zaynab was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Zaynab? What's the matter?" Zaynab didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Zaynab's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Zaynab. He had them all the time… He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff, so he could give her the genuine treasure.

So it is with Allah. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that He can give us beautiful treasures. Are you holding onto things that Allah wants you to let go off? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary possessions, relationships, habits and activities that you have become so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes, it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing. Allah will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.

[theamtg-blog]

YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE (part 2)

continued...

It was as if he was saying,”You chose to ignore me for the last 10 years, now what do you want?” He moved away from me to his room. I followed him and tried to get him to tell me what was wrong. He was reluctant at first but eventually informed me that he was upset because his brother Umar, who was supposed to take him for the Jumuah namaaz, had not arrived and he was afraid he would not get a place in the front row. 

I couldn’t bear to see his tears and forgot about my friends. I wiped his tears and asked him, “do you know who is going to take you to the Masjid today?”    

“Of course,” he said. “Umar. But he’s always late.”

“No,” I said. ‘m going to take you.” He thought I was mocking him and he started crying again. I took his hand and told him I would drive him to the Masjid. He refused and said he would like to walk as the Masjid was nearby. 

I couldn’t remember the last time I had entered the Masjid. It was full of believers but I managed to find a place for Salem in the first row. We read our salaah and after we had completed,  Salem asked me for a Quraan Shareef. I was surprised! How was he going to read when he was blind? I almost ignored his request, but I decided to humor him out of fear of hurting his feelings. I passed him a Quraan Shareef. He asked me to open the Quraan to Surat al-Kahf. I started flipping through the pages and looking through the index until I found it. He took the Quraan from me, put it in front of him, and started reading the Surah... with his eyes closed... Ya Allah! He had the whole Surah memorized. I was ashamed of myself. I picked up a Quraan... I felt my limbs tremble... I read and I read. I asked Allah to forgive me and to guide me. I couldn't take it... I started crying like a child. There were still some people in the masjid praying sunnah... I was embarrassed by their presence, so I tried to hold my tears. My crying turned into whimpering and long, sobbing breaths. The only thing I felt was a small hand reaching out to my face, and then wiping the tears away. It was Salem! I pulled him to my chest... I looked at him. I said to myself... you're not the blind one, but I am, for having drifted after immoral people who were pulling me to hellfire. We went back home. My wife was extremely worried about Salem, but her worry turned into tears [of joy] when she found out I had prayed Jumu'ah with Salem. From that day on, I never missed the congregational prayer in the masjid. I left my bad friends... and I made righteous friends among people I met at the masjid. I tasted the sweetness of Iman with them. I learned things from them that distracted me from this world. I never missed out on gatherings of remembrance [halaqas], or on the witr prayer. I recited the entire Qur'an, several times, in one month. I moistened my tongue with the remembrance of Allah, that He might forgive my backbiting and mocking of the people. I felt closer to my family. The looks of fear and pity that had occupied my wife's eyes disappeared. A smile now never parted from the face of my son Salem. Anyone who saw him would have felt that he owned the world and everything in it. I praised and thanked Allah a lot for His blessings. One day, my righteous friends decided to go to a far away location for da'wah. I hesitated about going. I prayed istikharah, and consulted with my wife. I thought she would refuse... but the opposite happened! She was extremely happy, and even encouraged me... because in the past, she had seen me traveling without consulting her, for the purpose of sin and evil. I went to Salem, and told him I would be traveling. With tears, he wrapped me up in his small arms... I was away from home for three and a half months. In that period, whenever I got a chance, I called my wife and talked to my children. I missed them so much... and oh, how I missed Salem! I wanted to hear his voice. He was the only one who hadn't talked to me since I'd traveled. He was either at school or at the Masjid whenever I called them.Whenever I would tell my wife how much I missed him, she would laugh happily, joyfully, except for the last time I called her. I didn't hear her expected laugh. Her voice changed. I said to her, "Give my salam to Salem," and she said, "Insha'Allah," and was quiet. At last, I went back home. I knocked on the door. I hoped that it was Salem who would open up for me, but was surprised to find my son Khaled, who was not more than four years old. I picked him up in my arms while he squealed, "Baba! Baba!" I don't know why my heart tensed when I entered the house. I sought refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan. I approached my wife, her face was different. As if she was pretending to be happy. I inspected her closely then said, "What's wrong with you?" 

"Nothing," she said. Suddenly, I remembered Salem. "Where's Salem?" I asked. She lowered her head. She didn't answer. Hot tears fell on her cheeks. "Salem! Where's Salem?" I cried out. At that moment, I only heard the sound of my son Khaled talking in his own way, saying, "Baba, Thalem went to pawadise, with Allah..." My wife couldn't take it. She broke down crying. She almost fell to the floor, and left the room. Later, I found out that Salem had contracted a fever two weeks before I'd returned, so my wife took him to the hospital. The fever got more and more severe, and didn't leave him, until his soul left his body.

I hope you enjoyed, take lesson and never forget to remember Allah(SWT) in everything you do.