Day: 10 October 2020

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Anecdote about Three FriendsOnce the Messenger of Allah (SWT), was sitting amidst his companions (Sahabah) in the mosque, when all of a sudden Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said “Today I shall narrate a story to you all, which will reveal three riddles for all of you to solve”. This hushed the crowd and they all listened to what Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had to say.

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) continued by saying that once a man got to know that the days in his life was numbered and very soon he would be confronted with death. With this knowledge he feared his loneliness in the grave and went searching for true friends who would help and accompany him.

 

He knocked on the door of his first friend and asked whether he would help. To this the friend said, “of course, what are we here for.” But then the man went on to say that he had very few days to live after which he required help. As soon as he uttered this statement, his first friend said “I am sorry but when death does us apart, there is nothing we can do for you but buy you a place in the graveyard and some cloth /shroud (Kafan) to cover your dead body.” Grieved but looking forward to his next friend, the man moved on.

 

On the second door, when he came face to face with his second friend, and after narrating the entire story of his death and asked for help, the same answer was his fate again. The second friend said “I have been there with you all your life and can help you here. But there’s nothing I can do for you after you die except take your corpse to the graveyard and bury you.”

 

Lost in agony and despair, he headed for the third friend, very sure that he would receive the same answer but there was a tinge of hope left. When he confronted the third friend, and told him that he required help, the friend eagerly volunteered to help. But the man continued to say that I need help after I die. To which the third friend replied, “Do not worry, my dear friend! I shall accompany you to the grave, be there with you in the grave, even when the angels arrive for questioning (Munkar and Nakir), then assist you on the Pul-e-Sirat (bridge) and then lead you to heaven. “To this the man heaved a sigh of relief and then passed away in peace.”

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) then turned and asked his companions if anybody could identify the three friends and the man. When the prevailing silence didn’t dissolve, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) continued to say, “The man in the anecdote is any other human being.” The first friend is “money/wealth”, things that help us only in life and not after we die.

 

The second friend is our “family/children/sons and daughters”, we strive for them all our life and all they give us is a shoulder to the grave.

 

And the third and most important friend is “Aamal (deeds)”. Who accompany us all the way through.

 

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)Moral of the Story: Do not strive for materialistic values that will give you nothing and help you in no way in your eternal life. But work hard and pray and ask forgiveness from Allah (SWT). The good deeds assist mankind where every other thing loses value in the life hereafter!

 

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):

 

“There are three friends of Human being – Wealth, Family and His Aamal”.

 

“Whoever rectifies his hereafter affairs, Allah (SWT) will rectify his worldly affairs and whoever rectifies what is between him and Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will rectify what is between him and [the] people.”

 

“At the moment when the coffin of a person is being lifted and carried, the concerning soul follows its corpse and regretfully calls: ‘O you my children and my relatives! Beware that the world does not cheat you as it did me. I gathered wealth regardless of it being lawful or unlawful and left all of it for others. Now I am left with its burden upon me while they enjoy the fruit of it; therefore, avoid that which is similar to what happened to me’.”

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Bedouin A Bedouin entered Madinah, and went directly to the Masjid, so that he may get some money or gold from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When he arrived, he saw Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sitting among his companions (Sahabah). He asked his need. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave him something. Bedouin was not content, and moreover he used harsh and inappropriate language against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The companions became very angry, and were ready to hurt him. But Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prevented them from haste.

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took the Bedouin to his home, and gave him some more. The Bedouin saw that the residence of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) wasn’t like those of the heads of governments, and there is no luxury in his home.

 

The Bedouin became content with the share, and thanked Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). At this time, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked him: “You said a harsh word yesterday, which caused anger in my companions. I fear that they will hurt you. Would you be willing to show your appreciation in front of them, so that their anger be resolved, and they don’t hurt you?” The Bedouin said: “Sure.”

 

The next day, the Bedouin came to the Masjid. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) addressed his companions: “This man says, he is content with his share, is it true?” The Bedouin said: “That is true.” Then he repeated the appreciation that he had shared with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the companions smiled.

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) addressed the group: “The parable of me and these types of individuals is like that of the man whose camel was running away from him. With the [thought] they could help the owner, people were running after the camel. The camel was frightened and ran faster. The owner called on the people, please leave my camel alone, I know better how to calm it. When the people stopped chasing the camel, the owner followed it calmly, with a fistful of grass. Then without the need for running, yelling, he showed the grass to it.”

A traveler once came to the mosque to see Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). After greeting Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), he was asked where he was from. The traveler replied that he came from very far just to get a few questions answered. Following is the dialogue between the traveler and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Traveler: I do not want punishment (Azaab) to be written in my account. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Behave well with your parents. Traveler: I want to be known amongst people as an intelligent person. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Fear Allah (SWT) always. Traveler: I want to be counted amongst Allah’s (SWT) favorites. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Recite Noble Qur’an every morning and evening. Traveler: I want my heart to always be enlightened (Roshan and Munawar). Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Never forget death. Traveler: I never want to be away from Allah’s (SWT) blessing. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always treat fellow creatures well. Traveler: I never want to be harmed by my enemies. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always have faith in Allah (SWT) only. Traveler: I never want to be humiliated. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Be careful of your actions. Traveler: I wish to live long. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always do good towards blood relations (Sile Rahm). Traveler: I want my sustenance to increase. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always be in ablution (Wudu). Traveler: I wish to stay free of punishment (Azaab) in the grave. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always wear pure (Paak) clothes. Traveler: I never want to burn in hell. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Control your eyes and tongue. Traveler: how do I get my sins forgiven? Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always ask forgiveness from Allah (SWT) with a lot of humility. Traveler: I want people to respect me always. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Never extend your hands of need at people. Traveler: I want to always be honored. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Never humiliate or put down anyone. Traveler: I don’t want to be squeezed in the grave (Fishar-e-Qabr). Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Recite Sura-e-Mulk often. Traveler: I want my wealth to increase. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Recite Sura-e-Waqia every night. Traveler: I want to be safe and at peace on Day of Judgment. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Do remembrance (Zikr) of Allah (SWT) from dusk to night. Traveler: I want to be in full attention and concentration during prayer (Namaaz). Prophet Mohammad (pbuh): Always do ablution (Wudu) with concentration and attention. Note: The reward for Sile Rahm has been described by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in one of his traditions. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) says: “When a person goes towards his relatives so that he can fulfill his rights with his life and his wealth, Allah (SWT) bestows upon him the reward of a martyr at every step he takes. He (Allah) writes down forty thousand Hasana (the unit of Divine rewards) and He erases forty thousand of his sins and He elevates him by forty thousand grades. The person achieves the position of one who has worshipped Allah (SWT) for a hundred years.” At another place Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) says, regarding the rewards for Sile Rahm: “The reward for Sadaqah in the way of Allah (SWT) is ten times, whereas the reward for giving a loan is twelve times (because in giving a loan the dignity of the Loaned is maintained). The reward for the good behavior to the believing brothers is twelve times and the reward for Sile Rahm is twenty four times.”

 

And when those who believe in Our communications come to you, say: Peace be on you, your Lord has ordained mercy on Himself… Noble Qur’an (6:54)

 

Our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sitting one day with his Companions (Sahabah) and they were talking together. A person came in without asking permission and didn’t even offer his Salaam (Islamic Greeting).

 

“Why didn’t you say Salaam (Peace be on you)?” and “Why didn’t you ask permission to come in?” questioned Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

 

“Go back. Ask our permission and greet us with your Salaam (Peace be on you) before you come in,” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) instructed.

 

Regarding Salaam (Islamic Greeting), Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has told us:

 

O Muslims! You will not enter Paradise unless you are kind to each other, unless you warmly say Salaam (Peace be on you) to each other whenever you meet.

 

Always say Salaam (Peace be on you) in a loud voice and reply in the same way.

 

Allah (SWT) loves most the person who says Salaam (Peace be on you) first and gives him better rewards and blessings. First give your Salaam (Peace be on you), then say whatever you have to say.

 

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When you meet each other then initiate greeting (Salaam) and embrace; and when you separate from each other, then depart with seeking forgiveness.”

 

Imam Hussain ibn Ali (as) said: “Seventy rewards is the share of the one who initiates a ‘greeting (Salaam)’ and only one reward belongs to the one who returns the ‘greeting (Salaam)’.” (When two people see each other, the initiator of the exchange of greetings receives a greater reward.)

 

Imam Sadiq (as) said: “He who initiates a greeting is more beloved with Allah (SWT) and His Messenger.”

 

Note: Salaam – An Arabic word meaning peace and greetings, which Muslims uses in everyday life as per the teachings of Islam.

 

Always Tell the TruthTelling the truth is a very good habit. If you always speak the truth, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble! Here is a story of a man who did a lot of bad things, but his promise to tell the truth saved him.

 

Once a man came to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and said, “O Messenger of Allah (SWT), I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Give up telling lies first and always speak the truth.” The man promised to do so and went home.

 

At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought for a moment about the promise he made with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). “If tomorrow Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asks me where have I been, what shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing? No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell the truth, everyone will start hating me and call me a thief. I would be punished for stealing.”

 

So the man decided not to steal that night, and gave up this bad habit of stealing.

 

Next day, he felt like drinking alcohol, when he was about to do so, he said to himself, “What shall I say to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) if he asks me what did I do during the day? I cannot tell a lie, and if I speak the truth people will hate me, because a Muslim is not allowed to drink alcohol.” And so he gave up the idea of drinking alcohol.

 

In this way, whenever the man thought of doing something bad, he remembered his promise to tell the truth at all times. One by one, he gave up all his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a very good person.

 

If you always speak the truth, you can be a good person, a good Muslim whom Allah (SWT) likes and favors. If Allah (SWT) – our Creator – is pleased with us, He will reward us with Heaven, which is a place of happiness and joy.

 

Moral of the Story: Make a promise; I shall always speak the truth and never break it.