\r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n| Living \r\n the Quran |
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSurah Bani Israel \r\n (Children of Israel)
\r\n
\r\n [aka. Al-Isra (the Ascension)]
\r\n Chapter 17: Verse 11Translation:
\r\nMan prays for \r\n evil in the manner he ought to pray for good. Man is ever hasty.
\r\nCommentary:
\r\nThis is in response to \r\n the foolish demands that the unbelievers of Makka occasionally \r\n made upon the Prophet (peace be upon him). Again and again they asked \r\n the Prophet (peace be on him) to bring upon them the \r\n punishment of which he had so often warned them.
\r\nThis particular statement follows the preceding verse \r\n which promises a large reward for those who believe and do good and a \r\n painful chastisement for those who do not believe in the After-Life, and \r\n is intended to jolt the persons concerned into recognizing their folly. \r\n For, instead of asking for good, they are \r\n asking for God’s punishment. Do they have no idea \r\n at all of the havoc that God’s punishment wreaks upon those who \r\n are smitten by it?
\r\nImplicit in this statement is a subtle \r\n warning to the Muslims as well. Irked by constant persecution \r\n at the hands of the unbelievers the Muslims sometimes prayed that God’s \r\n scourge might seize the unbelievers. They did so without \r\n realizing that there were many among the unbelievers who \r\n were to embrace Islam and uphold its cause all across the world at one \r\n time or another during the future.
\r\nHence, it was deemed necessary to point out that \r\n man is impatient; that he is prone to ask for whatever \r\n he is immediately in need of and which he wants to have forthwith. However, \r\n after the passage of time, it becomes evident to him that had his prayer \r\n been answered instantly, it would have been no good for him.
\r\n[compiled from \"Towards \r\n Understanding the Quran\" Vol. V by Abul Ala Mawdudi, (The Islamic Foundation, UK), p. 27]
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| Understanding \r\n the Prophet's Life |
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBeware \r\n of Greed
\r\n"Beware \r\n of greed (avarice) for indeed greed destroyed those who came \r\n before you. It ordered them to cut off ties of relationship \r\n so they cut off ties of relationship, and it ordered them to \r\n be miserly so they were miserly, and it ordered them to commit \r\n sins so they committed sins."
\r\n
\r\n [Abu Dawud, Al-Hakim]al-Qaadee `Iyaad said: It is possible \r\n that this destruction is destruction in the Hereafter - and \r\n this is more apparent, and it is possible that it means destruction \r\n in both this world and the Hereafter. A number of people have \r\n said that avarice/greed (shuhh) \r\n is more severe than miserliness (bukhl) \r\n and causes the person to withhold to a greater degree. Some \r\n say that it is miserliness combined with covetousness. Some \r\n say that miserliness is with reference to specific actions whereas \r\n avarice/greed is general. Some say that miserliness is in particular \r\n actions and avarice/greed is with reference to wealth and good \r\n actions. Others say that avarice/greed is desiring that which \r\n one does not possess and being miserly about what one does possess."
\r\n[Compiled \r\n from http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=604]
\r\n
| Quotes \r\n to Ponder Upon |
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n"The \r\n debasement of the poeple proceeds from the corruption of their \r\n rulers, who get perverted on account of the demoralization of \r\n the doctors of religion. Had there been no self-seeking judges \r\n and religious scholars, the rulers would not have become so \r\n corrupt, for, in that case, they would have had to be mindful \r\n of the warnings of the Ulama."
\r\n[Ihya Ulum id-Din, Al-Ghazali, \r\n Vol II, p. 132]
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| Your \r\n Family | Your Community |
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n:: 10 Things You Can Do For Your Mom ::
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\ncontinued from issue 184 ...
\r\n6. Is your \r\n mom a bookworm?
\r\nIf so, buy a small cabinet and buy \r\n all of the books you can afford. Then take it to her \r\n home and set it up for her.
\r\n7. If your \r\n mom is a non-Muslim
\r\nIf your mom is a non-Muslim, try fasting \r\n for a day (Nafil or extra fasting), and keep thinking \r\n and praying for her. Ask Allah that He guides her \r\n and ask Him what you can do to help her understand \r\n her own Creator.
\r\n8. If your \r\n relationship has not been the best with your Mom
\r\nIf your relationship with your mom \r\n has not been the best, sit down in front of a year-long \r\n calendar or planner and mark down dates and things \r\n which you can plan to improve this relationship. Start \r\n off by making a formal first appointment. Then pick \r\n dates on which you can keep contact with her and build \r\n your relationship on a regular basis.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n[a continuing series based on \"10 Things \r\n You Can Do For Your Mom\" by SoundVision.com]\r\n