For the favours and comforts which we enjoy, shouldn't we be thankful to it?

Human beings have been conferred with numerous blessings. Health, wealth, family, safety, well being, peace are some of those. Being a Muslim, I feel that indeed it’s a greatest blessing from my Lord for being a son to Muslim parent and HE given me the Eeman.

From Dawn to dusk, birth to death, we cannot count onto the blessings of our Lord. As Allah says in His holy quran, “And if you should count the favors of Allah, you could not enumerate them; Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” Quran 16:18

 وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Before the birth, HE protected you in three layers of covering inside mother’ womb; provided with necessary food & nutrition intake through your mother and made to breathe through her.

After ten months, opened a new world for you; Induced care & affection onto your mother’ heart; she cares for you more than anything else in this world; even when she is fast asleep, would wake up at once on hearing you cry; knows much better the reason for your cry, whether it’s for food or even your slightest discomfort. Aren’t this mother’ love a blessing from your lord?

Made you to dwell in mother’s lap for two years in the best comfort; and there on placed you on father’ shoulder in growing age. Then provided with different modes of transport to travel in adolescent age; even after death, made four to carry you in their shoulders

Living with all these countless blessings, what are we going to do for HIM in return? Allah repeatedly asks this in holy quran.

There are ways to be thankful for His blessings

 First: Firstly, knowing and realizing the blessings

When Allah bestowed a favour and we realized that it’s a blessing, thus we’ve thanked Allah (swt).

Once, Inb Taimiya was asked about his present condition. He replied, “I’ve been living very happily with the two blessings bestowed upon me by my Lord”

1. My sins which were hidden from others. Allah saved me by hiding it so that none could be aware

2. Has placed my love in the hearts of followers, for which I don’t have any special quality. I’ll be ever thankful for these two blessings

From the moment when life hung without any balance on the mother’ womb and until the time it reaches the grave, Allah’s grace & blessings are enormous and abundant

  Second: Remembering those blessings

Allah says in His holy Quran, that to remember the grace & blessings of Allah unto you.

After elaborating all the favours He given us, advises us about what we want to do in return for these favours. The Most Beneficent just asks us to remember on those blessings

Indeed in this remembrance, there is greatest message for us.

When all the grace and favours in terms of wealth, kingdom and others were given to Prophet (PBUH), he used to remember the earlier days and once said, recollecting how Khadija (RA) helped him in troubled times. “She (Khadija RA) believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.”

When Moosa (AS) asked, Oh my Lord, You have conferred upon me so many favours. How would I express my gratitude? Lord replied, “You have now already thanked for it”. When the moment you thought about it, you already expressed the gratitude for it

Third: Being humble

Humility can guide us to Paradise, just as it’s opposite, Arrogance (kibr in Arabic) will only lead us to Hell. It’s the arrogance of Shaitan that caused his expulsion from Paradise and made to be cursed when refused to humbly obey God’ command and prostrate before Adam

Enjoying the grace of your Lord, and being humble towards Him, is a sign of success. As the Quran states, about the qualities of believers who submitted humbly to the commands of God

Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers (Quran 23:1-2)  

There are numerous sayings of Prophet Mohammad on humility –

Shall I not tell you about the companions of Paradise? They are every humble person considered weak, but if they gave an oath by Allah it would be fulfilled. Shall I not tell you about the companions of Hellfire? They are every harsh, haughty, and arrogant person. – Prophet Mohammad

Fourth: Spread the word about your Lord’ favours to others

Speaking about the blessings of Allah is gratitude and ignoring them is ingratitude – Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)

Holy Quran says,

Telling about the graces to others which your Lord given is nothing to do with being pride. Instead it’s a form of thanking your Lord. As the Quran itself asks to proclaim it.

 “And proclaim the Grace of your Lord” (Quran 93:11)

  

Thank you!!

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

www.arabictranslationcentre.com

  

Know your weakness, that's the greatest strength!!

A 10 year old boy in Japan wanted to become Judo champion. But lost his left arm in a car accident; It’s a herculean task to become Judo champion for anyone with strong physique. But this poor lad, without an arm, what would he do? Knocked the doors of the trainers to train him for a champion but turned down citing his physical condition. Finally, one among them agreed to do so

Started to practice; The master taught him a single stroke. Days, weeks and even months passed by, but it seems he didn't teach any further moves than this. The boy got exhausted.

My dear master, will this single stroke enough for me to become Judo champion? Or would you teach me any other else? the boy questioned

“Be efficient and strong in this alone”, replied the master. The boy continued his practices and the championship tournament approached.

First Fight – a fierce contender against this boy with knowledge of single stroke; Whistle blown.. the boy won the fight and taken everyone by surprise. Defeated his opponent in the second fight as well; reached the semis; struggled a little but won in that match too.

The Final Match – a mighty opponent who won championship title many times before; felt pathetic on seeing the situation of this one handed boy; But he is nothing short of anything. Match started. The boy was thrashed in the first round. Audiences were shocked to see the boy’ condition and decided to stop the fight. “No, let him fight” answered the master. The opponent entered the ring without life-gear to fight with him

The boy showed his single mastered stroke on the opponent strongly and knocked him down. The boy crowned as champion. None could believe this, even for himself. The match organizers were completely shocked.  He met his master later that evening with due respect and asked him

“Master, how come I won this contest?” with the knowledge of the single stroke alone, the boy.

With a smile on face, the master replied, “there are two reasons for your success. One is, you have learnt one of the most difficult strokes in Judo. Secondly, the opponent has only one option to defend this stroke that is to block your left hand. But you don’t have left hand!! This weakness of yours turned into greatest strength and made you as a champion!!”

I'm Life, why worried & grieved?

For man was created weak (Quran 4:28) 

  خلق الانسان ضعيفا_القرأن 4:28

God created human beings with weakness. Haste, illness, hunger, thirst and sleep are the list of weaknesses and sadness is one among it. Who’s the one free from sad & grief?

No one spared from sorrow in this beautiful world. Reason for these might differ from one to another, but can’t find anyone absolutely freed from this. For some, enormous wealth wouldn't bring complete joy; lack of wealth would be big concern for some. Joint family may be burden for some and living lonely may affect some. Sickness, spouse, children, business and thousand other factors make human beings to feel sad

Man should cross 8 important aspects in this world –Happiness, sorrow, living together, leaving / departing, difficulties, ease, sound health and ill-health

 A world free from sorrow is paradise alone, mentioned in the holy Quran –

 “Praise be to Allah who hath put grief away from us. Indeed, our Lord is Forgiving and Appreciative’” (Quran 35:34) – will be said by the paradise dwellers once entered inside

Based on this Quran verse, it’s been said that for those whom grief & sorrow hadn't been decreed from their lord, then let them fear Hell Fire as grief & sorrow are identification marks of the paradise dwellers

Prophets from the time of Adam (AS) till Mohammad (PBUH), faced much more pains & sorrows than us in their lives. There were instances when they struck with loads of difficulties. So it would be very apt to say that grief is as protecting shield for the righteous.

Prophet Jacob (AS) hooked into grief when lost his lovable son Joseph (AS). Quran describes,

وَتَوَلّىٰ عَنهُم وَقالَ يا أَسَفىٰ عَلىٰ يوسُفَ وَابيَضَّت عَيناهُ مِنَ الحُزنِ فَهُوَ كَظيمٌ

“Oh, my sorrow over Joseph”, and his eyes became white from grief, for he was of that a suppressor” (Quran 12:84)

When Persian Empire surrendered and brought under Islamic rule, entire Islamic world celebrated except Abu Darda (RA), a companion of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), cried in sorrow & grief. When asked the reason about it after Allah had glorified Islam and Muslims. He said, that how mighty a rule / country can be, but if goes astray / deviate from the commandments of its creator, then will suffer humiliation, this is the lesson learnt from Persian fall down

 The same applicable for destruction of Baghdad at the hands of ruthless Mongols in 1258 AD

 Why feel sorry for this worldly life?

When a person crossed his worried companion, wanted him to respond for three questions –

Would anything happen to you without your Lord’ will?

Will anything fall short of you than that had been determined & decreed for you by your creator?

Would a single second precede or delayed from the life span given by your Lord?

 Replied – NO

 Then what’s the point of being sad?

 Whatever decreed upon us, would surely reach. No matter where we are!!

Best,

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

www.arabictranslationcentre.com 

  

Where I learnt discipline?

All the religion preaches discipline. Would like share my views on Islamic disciplines

Islam teaches discipline in all facets of the human life; it’s the foremost important factor which is in line with prayer and worship. While performing due obligations, Islam instructs to do it carefully as any slight deviation would result in loss of that duty as time goes on. Those who aren’t mindful towards their responsibilities, won’t realize or learn it

Devil cannot cheat human being by disguising evil as good. Instead make him to delay or negligent towards the mistakes. Negligence in prayers and carelessness in committing sins are the two great weapons of devil

So that’s why following been said by our forefathers –

Adam (AS) expelled from Paradise due to one sin,

Devil made permanent resident of hell fire due to one sin,

So don’t be negligent whether it’s being just one and going ahead with it. Also don’t underestimate even a single good deed, as it might be weighing your balance scale on the judgement day

Islam always foresees any issues with a long term perspective –

To get rid of bigger sins, then it’s a must to distance ourselves from smaller ones

Those in power want to be freed from corruption, should avoid accepting even the permissible gifts

Those who like to safeguard from the clutches of usury, should be very careful in dealing with debts

We used to abstain from nine tenths of the Halal (permitted ones) fearing it may contain usury – Umar bin Khattab (RA)

Although prophet’ companions were very needy, their discipline to refrain from asking others, which Allah proudly says in the holy quran –

Because of their restraint, an ignorant would think them self-sufficient, but you will know them by their (characteristic) sign. They do not ask people persistently (or at all). And whatever you spend of good to those – indeed, Allah is aware of it (Quran 2:273)   

Discipline in various aspects –

Discipline while criticizing others:

When false propaganda spread out against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)’ wife Aysha (RA), Prophet asked his family members view on this. Among them is Zaynab bint Jahsh who is another wife of Prophet Mohmmad – testified in favor of Aysha (RA), saying "I know nothing of Aisha except what is good." She was famed for her generosity, excellence in morality and helpfulness. She worked for her sustenance and would spend her earnings in the way of Allah and on the poor”

Discipline in earning livelihood:

Once an employer handed over a volume of materials to his employee and asked to sell those and return back. There were some un-noticed damaged stocks as well, but sold those without informing the defects to the buyer. Is this earned sum permitted or prohibited?

There are two different opinions whether to take this money or not!! One is let the amount equivalent to the material given as charity so that the profit alone retained, other is that, its sufficient if the profit alone spent on charity. Both are acceptable

In this situation, the employer after knowing this, felt guilty about it. Decided to give away in charity the material cost, profit earned and locker safe in which this earned money was kept

Discipline in bringing up a child:

Only a disciplined mother can fetch a disciplined kid to the society. All those who teach essential disciplines to kids, should be practicing those.

Other form of disciplines? Hope you could share your own!!

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

Website: http://www.arabictranslationcentre.com

Live your Insight!!

Among the favours bestowed on us, Knowledge is an excellent thing. There are two types, knowledge through external sources and insight knowledge which is the deepest level of knowing the life’s meaning. To obtain this valuable insight, it’s mandatory to purify the heart & soul so that to truly grasp the underlying nature of knowledge and the essence of wisdom

As how a blind can’t see the world the same whose heart is blind cannot get any deep insight. It’s the truest understanding of your life and the bigger picture of how things intertwine

Those who got insights are the ones rightly guided. Further, they can easily judge and settle any issues without much difficulty

It’s revealed that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) requested his Lord to enhance soundness of his heart

As how water gives life to barren land, inner insight provides light & hope to the heart

Those who obtain clear insight will see truth as truth, evil as evil and good as good. When encountered any situation, would able to handle with a long & clear perspective

Prophet’s advice to think with long term perspective –

Prophet (PBUH) sent Ali (RA) to Yemen as an Arbitrator. Ali (RA) said, O Prophet, you are sending me as a Judge but I’m a young person without good knowledge on how to deliver judgment. Then Prophet (PBUH) said, may Allah (SWT) make you very firm and just. Don’t deliver any orders without fully hearing from the defendant and respondent

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ   (القرأن 8:29)

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (a guidance on how to differentiate good & bad) and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty (Al Quran 8:29)   

---

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

Website: http://www.arabictranslationcentre.com

Purify the Souls and win the enemies

Root cause for all the problems faced by humans in their life span is not being aware of who are their friends and enemies?

Everyone should know their friends and foes.

Especially when walking in the path of spirituality, to maintain constant contact with our Creator, we should definitely win our enemies

Who are our enemies?

Man has two enemies; one is Satan and the second is his own soul (Nafs)

Remember how Satan made our forefathers Adam and Eve to slip from the Paradise?

In Quran, Allah states that He allowed Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise and to eat from all of its fruits, except one tree.

Thus, Satan envied them and plotted deceitfully, whispering and suggesting treachery. He wished to rid them of the various favors and nice clothes that they were enjoying.

And We said, "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat there from in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers." Quran – 2:35

But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, "Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time." Quran – 2:36

Quran on Satan

Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak” [4:76],

Whereas about the nafs the Qur’an says, 

”Indeed the nafs is supremely commanding to do evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” [12:53].

The above shows the soul having upper hand over Satan

Your worst enemy is your soul that is between your two sides – Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Then who is the strongest person?

Strongest person is the one who subjugates his soul and works for what is after death. And the incapable is the one who follows his desires and merely hopes in his Lord

Things to purify the hearts:

When any one concentrates diligently and steadfastly involved in the process of purifying his heart, then all the aspects of life will turn to its best for him. Although there are many ways for the process of conditioning a heart, let’s ponder over the following three –

1) Should allot time every day to speak with our soul – take account of the good and bad deeds done on that day

Whosoever questions himself and corrects in this world, then Allah (SWT) will ease his questioning on the Day of Judgment – Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

2)      Take revenge against the soul

When committed a sin or missed a good deed, then take revenge against it by doing enough amounts of good deeds to balance it

3)      Read the life history of those who strive hard to conquer their souls and won the worlds

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

Website: http://www.arabictranslationcentre.com

Aim Aspire Desire

The qualities of “Liking” is very predominant in the entire human race, termed differently as aims,  ambitions, desires, thoughts, wishes etc.

Sick desire to become healthy,

Poor desire to become rich,

Rich desire to become influential,

Influential desire for power & position…

The feeling of Liking / desire, covers all the stages of human life – childhood, adolescent and Old age.

Half-naked doesn’t refer to the person lacks clothing alone, but also the one who lacks the desire

Desiredness of high regarded people is equally high as per their stature, and desiredness of low lying people is at bottom of the table

There is no limit for human desires. It’s beyond their vision & boundaries. Even the hearts of aged people desire for two things:

1)      Worldly riches

2)      To live long

When one desire fulfills, it’s the birthplace for the second and this is universal fact. Consider this example –

During school days, we desire to settle in a good paying job

Once settled, and then wish to marry a nice life partner  

Once married, and then wish for children

After blessed with children, desire to build a home

Then go for cars, riches etc.. the list is endless unless our soul rests

It’s very uncommon, to find anyone who wholeheartedly says that he got all what he wished.

Desires are reflections of our souls. There is no one who successfully fed their souls

Best example of it is that of a nursing child. Unless the mother stops the habit, will continue even till its adolescent stage; when mother ceases this habit, naturally the child stops it

If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys of riches, he would long for the third. And the stomach of the son of Adam is not filled but with dust – Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Aspire and Desire!!

Desires which are truly meaningful then they are highly appreciated. If one desires to fulfill commandment of his Lord then this means whatever he wished are meaningful

At times, these desires turn out to be life’s ambition. The world’s successful inventions are those of the desires of its inventors

Desire more when you’re alive, because once the angel of death meets you or in other words – when the soul at death reaches the throat and departs away, you can desire but the probability of its fulfillment is very limited

Arabic Translation Centre (ATC)

Website: http://www.arabictranslationcentre.com