Friday 26 August 2011

Amazing Libyan doctors...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14689451

My utmost respect and admiration to the doctors, healthcare workers and volunteers in Tripoli, Libya for their courage, strength, professionalism in facing such an unimaginable devastating situation.

May Allah SWT reward you and may He give me the same qualities as these amazing people. I'm just not sure if I would be strong enough....

Thursday 25 August 2011

This is the story of Qarun...where did the wealth lead him..???

Al-Qur'an surah Al-Qasas, explanation as adapted from Tafsir Ibn Kathir

76. Verily, Qarun was of the Musa's people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: 'do not exult. Verily Allah likes not those who exult'

Qarun was a man who lived during the time of Prophet Musa (as). He was reported to be the son of Prophet's Musa's paternal uncle. He was not born rich but he asked Musa to make dua to Allah to make him rich. At first Musa disapproved and adviced him against it but Qarun was persistent and so, Allah SWT fulfilled his wish and gave him richness beyond any other men. It was narrated that the keys to Qarun's treasure were made of leather, each key like a finger, and each key was for a separate storeroom. when he rode anywhere, the keys would be carried on sisty mules with white blazes on their foreheads and white feet. After becoming wealthy, Qarun started to show terrible pride and so, the righteous people reminded him by giving advice, telling him not to be arrogant and proud of his wealth. Exult meaning...rejoicing and gloating

77. But seek, that which Allah has bestowed on you the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world; and be generous as Allah has been generous to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the mischief makers

His friends continue to advice him to use the richness that was given to him by Allah for good deeds, for jihad, da'wah, zakat, sadaqah and all forms of spending for the sake of Allah; it is also allowed for a rich person to spend a portion of his wealth for lawful enjoyment (halal things) like buying property, cars, horses, spending for his family BUT NOT for haraam things like going clubbing, girlfriends etc...and they adviced him to be generous and not to spend his wealth to cause mischief on earth such as the rich people today...who spend their wealth in destabilising the economy or corrupting the system.

78. He said: 'This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess.' Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount they had collected? But the criminals will not be questioned of their sins.

However, this is the response of Qarun...he believed that the richness that he possessed was due to his own knowledge but Allah SWT reminded him that countless generations before him were destroyed despite their strength and wealth...after all, the strength and wealth that people possess all belongs to Allah SWT. Allah SWT warns that the criminals will not be questioned because there is no hisab for them, they will go straight to the punishment.

79. So he went forth before his people in his finery. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given! Verily, he is the owner of a great fortune.'

So, Qarun used to walk around arrogantly and showing off and the people looked at him and wanted what he had... They wished that they too would be given the same wealth and fortune as Qarun...

80. But those who had been given the knowledge said: 'woe to you! the reward of Allah is better for those who believe and do righteous deeds, and this none shall attain except the patient.

There were others who could see beyond the shallowness of the wealth and status... they had the understanding of the hereafter and so, they reminded the people not to envy Qarun or to believe that the wealth he possessed is good for them rather, the reward of the hereafter is better.

81. So, we caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. then he had no group to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves.

This was the end of the life of Qarun...he was swallowed by up the earth together with his dwelling and richness.

82. And those who desired his position the day before, began to say 'Know you not that it is Allah Who expands the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His servants. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful.

So, the people who envied him before, who wished to attain the same position as Qarun repented and recognised their mistake. They realised that it is Allah SWT who gives the provision, who expands it to some and restricts it to some as a test for all of us. When Allah SWT gives us more, we should be grateful and spend the wealth for good deeds and when He restricts our provision, we should have patience and make dua to be alleviated from the difficulties.

We must always remember the story of Qarun and not to become arrogant, conceited and haughty in the event of being given power, position or wealth...as we too could be swallowed up by the earth or punished in another way.

'the disbelievers will never be successful' meaning...in the end...in the hereafter the disbelievers will never achieve success...will never attain Jannah.

Wallahu A'lam.





IN SEARCH OF THIS TRUTH

  I am in a quest to search for THIS truth. People ask, 'why are you still searching for the truth?’  You have found Islam.  You believe...