Category: Islamic Stories

Sikaki was a skilled artist an artisan. With great expertise and interest, he made such a nice and

beautiful ink pot that it could be presented to the king. He expected that, appreciating his artistic

skill, the king would encourage him as far as possible. So, with countless hopes and thousand of

desires, he presented that ink pot to the king. In the beginning the king was very impressed by his

artistic skill but afterwards an unpleasant event occurred that caused an extraordinary change in

Sikaki’ s life and way of thinking.

When the king was observing the skilled artistry of the beautiful inkpot and Sikaki was lost in the

world of thoughts, the people informed that a scholar-literary person or jury is about to enter the

court. As soon as the scholar entered, the king got so much absorbed in welcoming and talking to

him that he forgot Sikaki and his skilled artistry. This incident caused an adverse and deep effect

on the heart of Sikaki.

He realized that now he would not receive the encouragement he had expected and all his desires

and hopes are useless now. But Sikaki’s high spirited mind did not allow him to be in peace, so he

started thinking as to what should he do. He decided to do what the others have done and go on the

same way that the others have gone (up till now). Therefore, he decided to search for his lost hopes

in the world of knowledge, literature and books. Although for a wise man who has passed the days

of his young age, it was not easy to study with young children and to start right from the

preliminary stage. But he did not have a choice After all whenever the fish is taken out of water,

it is fresh.

Worse than that, in the beginning he did not find any sort of interest in himself regarding reading

and writing. Perhaps spending a long time in artistic works and handicraft was the reason for

stagnancy in his scientific and literary talent. But neither his advanced age nor lack of capability,

none of these could change his decision. With great enthusiasm and zeal for attaining knowledge,

he strictly got busy with his studies, until another incident occurred:

The teacher who was teaching him Shafi’e jurisprudence (fiqh Shafi’e), taught him this lesson:

“The teacher believes that the skin of a dog becomes clean (tahir) after tanning.” Sikaki repeated

this sentence a lot of times so that at the time of examination he should be able to succeed. But

when he was asked to answer this question, he said: “The dog believes that the skin of a teacher

becomes clean after tanning.”

The audience upon hearing this answer started laughing. It was clear for everybody that this old

man is absolutely incapable of reading and writing. After this incident Sikaki not only left the

school , but he left the town and went towards the Jungle. By chance, he reached the

foot of a mountain, where he saw that the water is falling drop by drop from the top

and due to the continuous falling of water, a hole had been formed in that hard stone.

He reflected for sometime, a good idea crossed his mind like lightning. And he said:

“Maybe my heart is not ready to accept (knowledge) but it is not harder than this

stone. It is impossible that continuous studying and hard work would be ineffective.”

Therefore, he came back and with hard work, he got busy in the attainment of

knowledge. As a result he was reckoned as one of the popular scholars of his time.

You never be too old to learn something new.

Ghulamhusein was a popular social figure and a keen host of guests coming to him from distant

lands. He lived in Moshi, a beautiful small town at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He was

generous and hospitable to one and all. One of his hobbies during leisure hours particularly on

Saturdays and Sundays was to play the game of cards with his friends. For hours they used to get

together where they enjoyed the game. It was not with the aim of gambling but rather just for

pleasure and pass time.

Once in the midst of a lively game of cards, his servant came to inform him that a guest of his was

seriously ill at the guest house and needed his immediate attention. He sent the servant back saying

he would come soon. But he was so much engrossed to withdraw from it. So he continued to play

with keen interest.

After a while, his servant came again to report that the condition of the guest was

deteriorating and needed his urgent attention as there was no one else to attend.

But Ghulamhusein was so deeply engrossed in the game that he did not want to be

disturbed. As such, again he sent the servant back promising to come soon.

By the time he could be free from the very mind captivating game of cards, the

servant came for the third time. But this time he reported that the guest of his a

poor traveler from distant lands had already died. This news gave a shock of his life to

Ghulamhusein. It convinced him of the evil and harmful effect of such an indoor game. There and

then he vowed never to indulge himself in such a game.

Is this not an eye-opening example of an intoxicating and mentally distracting game of cards,

commonly played today either as a pass-time or for gambling purposes? Perhaps it also explains

the philosophy behind absolute Islamic forbiddance to play or watch such a game, even without

the chance of gaining or losing money. It is meant to be prevention than a cure, lest man is one day

tempted to use the game for gambling purpose.

“Abstention from sins is better than

seeking help afterward.” Imam Ali (AS)

The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and

London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black

man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess. Madam,

what is the matter, the hostess asked you obviously do not see it then?

She responded. You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such

a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat. Be calm please, the hostess replied.

Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available. The

Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. Madam, just as I thought, there are no

other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is

also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class.

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. It is not usual for our company to

permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class However, given the circumstances;

the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting.

She turned to the black guy, and said. Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please take your hand

luggage because a seat awaits you in the first class. At the moment, the other passengers who were

shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

This is a true story against racism, which is not usually told. All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an

Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a

white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over white except by

piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims

constitute one brotherhood.

The story goes back some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for

wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated

when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless,

the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for

you, Daddy.”

The man was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction, but his anger flared again when he found

out the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a

present, there is supposed to be something inside?” The little girl looked up at him with tears in

her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They’re all for you,

Daddy.” The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her

forgiveness.

Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that

gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an

imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with

unconditional love and kisses… from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is

simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this.

Sayyed Jawad Ameli, a great Mujtahid, was having his dinner when someone knocked at his door.

A servant from his master, Ayatullah Sayyed Mehdi Bahrul Uloom, appeared and said: “Your

master has sent for you to come immediately. He has just sat down for his dinner but refuses to

eat until he sees you.”

There was no time to lose. Sayyed Jawad Ameli left his dinner and rushed to

Ayatullah Bahrul Uloom’s residence. Just as he entered, the master looked

disapprovingly at him and said: “Sayyed Jawad! You have no fear of Allah!

Don’t you feel ashamed in front of Allah?” This came as a shock to him, as he

could not remember doing anything to incur the wrath of his master.

He said: “My master may guide me where I have failed.”

Ayatullah Bahrul Uloom replied: “It is now a week that your neighbor and his family are without

wheat and rice. He was trying to buy some dates from a shop on credit but the shopkeeper refused

to grant him any more credit. He returned home empty-handed and the family is without a morsel

of food.” Sayed Jawad was taken by surprise. “By Allah,” he said, “I have no knowledge about this.”

That is why I am displeased all the more. How can you be unaware of your own neighbor? Seven

days of difficulties have passed and you tell me you do not know about it. Well, If you had known

and ignored him despite your knowledge, then you would not even he a Muslim, Ayatullah Uloom

adjoined. Then he instructed him to take all the dishes of food before him to his neighbor. “Sit with

him to eat, so that he does not feel ashamed. And take this sum for his future ration. Place it under

his pillow or carpet so that he is not humiliated, and inform me when this work is completed, for

not until then shall I eat.” “That man is not from me who sleeps contentedly while his

neighbor sleeps hungry.” Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

A person once heard a pious Muslim say that “For the last thirty years

I am repenting for a sin and I don’t know how Allah will deal with me regarding it?”

The listener asked: “What was your sin?”

The pious Muslim said: “I used to have a shop in the Bazaar. One day I heard that the

whole Bazaar was burning so I rushed to see my shop. When I reached there I saw that

except my shop all the shops were razed to the ground. I said ‘Al-Hamdo lillah’ (All praise to Allah);

but immediately I realized my mistake. How can I call myself a Muslim when I couldn’t feel the loss

of my neighbors? That is why I am repenting for that lapse on my part for the last thirty years.”

Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it

and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.

The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was

attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the

branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall

on the ground very soon.

The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black

snake had come & settled directly under him. Snake opened its mouth right

under the man so that he will fall into it.

The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to.

He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey falling from it.

The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted

one of the fallen drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste. So, he

wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the honey sweetness.

Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on

the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him. After a while, he

woke up from his sleep.

To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of

Islam. The scholar said, the lion you saw is your death. It always chases you

and goes wherever you go.

The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day. Black one is the night and the

white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take

you closer to death. The big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave. It’s there, just waiting for

you to fall into it. The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world.

We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it’s very sweet. Then we taste another drop

and yet another.

Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time,

we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.

“This world is like a serpent, so soft to touch, but so full of lethal poison. Unwise people are allured

by it and drawn towards it, and wise men avoid it and keep away from its poisonous effects.”

Imam Ali (AS)

Once upon a time. There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4thwife the most and

adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her & gave her

nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rdwife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to

his friends. However, the merchant is always in fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2ndwife. She is a very considerate person, always patient & in fact is the

merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his

2ndwife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1stwife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in

maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the

merchant did not love the 1stwife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of

his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How

lonely I’ll be!” Thus, he asked the 4thwife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing

and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”

“No way!” replied the 4thwife and she walked away without another

word. Answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rdwife, “I have loved you so much

for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me

company?”

“No!” replied the 3rdwife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to

remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2ndwife, “I always turned to you for help and

you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep

me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2ndwife.” “At the very most,

I can only send you to your grave.” Answer came like a bolt of thunder & merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out: “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant

looked up and there was his 1stwife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could

have!”

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4thwife is our body. No matter how much time and

effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.

Our 3rdwife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

The 2ndwife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when

we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

The 1stwife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth & sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cul-

tivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.

Caliph Haroon Rashid desired that any one who had seen the Holy

Prophet (SAW) in his lifetime be brought before him. After some time

a very old woman was brought before the Caliph. The Caliph asked the

old woman, “Did you see the Prophet yourself?” She said, “Yes! Sir.”

The Caliph then asked her if she remembered any narration from him.

She said yes and said, “When old age comes two things become young,

one is hope and the other is greed.” The Caliph thanked her and gave her

one hundred dinars. The woman thanked Caliph and she was taken back.

Half the way some thought passed through her mind and she desired

to be brought before the Caliph once more. When she was shown in, the

Caliph asked, “Well, why have you come back?” She said. “I just came to

inquire whether the monies you gave me were once for all or is it to continue every year?”

The Caliph thought. “How true is the Prophet’s (SAW) word?” she has hope of life even now and

she has greed for money too. The Caliph said, “Don’t worry; you will be paid every year.”

She was taken back but on the way she breathed her last.

There was a young couple who led a very happy life together. The only thing that they worried

about was, whether their happiness would last forever or would they too would have to face

problems. One day, they heard that a wise old man had come to town; he could solve all kinds of

problems and guide people. So the couple decided to visit the wise old man and tell him their

source of worry.

The wise old man told them; “Travel around the world and seek a man and a woman who are

perfectly happy as a couple. When you find such a couple, ask them for a piece of cloth from the

man’s shirt, then keep that piece of cloth with you, and you always remain happy.”

The young couple began their journey, to find the happiest couple in their world. In one place

they heard that the governor and his wife were the happiest people, so they went to their palace

and asked them, “Are you the happiest couple?”

The governor and his wife replied, “Yes, we are happy in every way except for one thing;

we do not have any children.”

Well that didn’t make the governor and his wife the happiest couple. So they continued their

journey. They arrived in one city where they had heard that the happiest couple lived.

They went to their house and asked them, “Are you the happiest couple?”

The couple replied, “Yes, we are really happy in every way except that we have too many children

which make our life a bit uncomfortable.”

No, this couple did not sound to be the happiest. And, so they continued their journey. They visited

many countries, cities, towns and villages asking the same

question but they did not find what they were looking for.

One Day the young couple came across a shepherd in the desert.

The shepherd was grazing his sheep when his wife and child

came along. The shepherd greeted his wife and gently patted

the child she was carrying. She laid the mat and started to eat

contentedly. The young couple came to them and asked them,

“Are you the happiest couple?”

The shepherd and his wife replied, “Nobody is unhappier than

the king.” The young couple immediately realized that they were

the happiest couple and asked them for a piece of the shepherd’s

shirt, so that their happiness too would last throughout.

The shepherd said, “If I give you a piece of cloth from my shirt

then I will be left without any clothes since I own just one shirt.”

The young couple at once understood that it is very difficult to

find perfect happiness anywhere in the world. The couple decided to return to their own country.

They went to the wise old man and related all that had taken place. They also complained that his

guidance was difficult to abide by.

The wise old man laughed and said, “Was your journey useless or did you learn something from it?”

The young man replied, “Yes, after this trip I have learnt that in this world, nobody is perfectly

happy, only that person is happy who does everything to please God.”

Holy Quran (2:38) says:

“And whosever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.”

The wife said, “I have learnt that in order to be happy it is important to remember two things;

first, all human beings should be thankful and contented with whatever they have.”

Holy Quran  (14:7) says:

“And your Lord declared publicly: if you are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.”

And secondly, for ultimate happiness one must always practice patience.

Holy Quran (2:45) says: “Seek help through patient perseverance and prayers.”

After that, young couple thanked the wise old man for his guidance and returned home. The wise

man prayed for them and said, “Indeed the sign of happiness is in their heart and they have good

manners and if the lifetime is spent in pleasure of God there would be no differences in the exis-

tence of mankind.”

Holy Quran (20:123-124) says: “Whosoever follows My (Allah’s) guidance, will not loose his way or fall

into misery But whosoever turns away from My message, verily for him is a miserable life.”