Palm Tree

Samar ebne Jandab owned a palm tree in one of the  Ansaar’s (people who welcomed the Prophet to Madineh) garden near the private house of one immigrant that lived there with his family. Samare would come along once in a while to see and tend to his palm tree or to select some dates. And of course according to the rule of Islam he had the right to come and go from the house to tend to his tree.

Whenever Samare wanted to go get news about his palm tree, without any announcement he intrudingly barged in the Ansaar’s house and even nosily watched and glared at everything going on within the house.

The landlord pleaded to him not to come in the house  unannounced.  He didn’t accept.

Left with no choice, the owner stated his complaints to the Prophet, “This man enters my house unannounced. Can you tell him not to arrive surprisingly, without  declaring his presence, so that my family knows when he enters, and  to cover themselves from his wandering eyes?”

The Holy Prophet called for Samare and said to him, “Someone has issued a complaint against you. They say that you enter their house unannounced and you watch his family in a way that they  do not seem to like. After you leave this place, ask the owner’s permission  and declare your presence before you enter the house.” Samare didn’t obey.

The Prophet suggested, “Then sell the tree.” Still  Samare didn’t accept. The Holy Prophet raised the price on the tree, but Samare still didn’t listen. The Prophet raised the price even higher, but it was still not accepted. Then the Holy Prophet stated, “If you sell this tree there will be a tree for you in heaven”  The stubborn Samare still didn’t succumb to the Prophets offer. He made it clear that he was neither going to give up on his tree nor arrive in the garden with permission of its owner.

Then in this case the Holy Prophet stated, “You are a bothersome man who is stubborn and difficult, and in the religion of Islam there is no place for being bothersome and being stubborn about a bad action.” Then he faced the Ansar and said to him, “Go and rip the tree out and throw it in front of Samare.”

The Ansar did as he was told. then the Prophet stated to Samare, “Now go and plant this tree wherever you wish.”

Level of Loyalty

What Has Happened to Your Sons?

After the Shahadat of Imam Ali and the permanent throne of Kelafat left for Mo’aviy Ebn Abu Sofyan; whether he wanted to or not, there was some encounters between him and the faithful companions of Imam Ali. Every effort of Moaviyeh was towards getting Imam Ali’s companions to confess that there is no benefits with being loyal and friendly companion with Imam Ali, and to try and get them to say that they have lost everything following Imam Ali and his path. He hoped to hear one statement or deceleration of regret and disappointment from one of his companions, but this wish of Mo’aviyeh never came true. After Imam Ali’s death, hiscompanions became more aware of Imam Ali’s Greatness and characteristics. In this sense, they showed bravery, boldness, and truthfulness for Imam Ali by the many sacrifices that they made while Imam Ali was alive, because of their friendship with Imam Ali, Imam Ali’s just rules and brilliant regulations, and for the sake of his vast Islamic knowledge. Sometimes the result of Mo’aviyeh’s plan would go unsuccessful for so long that even Mo’aviyeh would be disappointed with himself, so much that Mo’aviyeh and his relatives would succumb to the feeling and the responses of Imam Ali’s loyal followers.

One of these faithful, loyal , and sacrificial followers was Adi the son of Haatam. In the political stances of his tribe Adi was the governor. He had many sons. His sons, himself, and his tribe were all devoted soldiers to Imam Ali. Three of his sons whose names were Tarfe, Tarif, and Taaref became shaheed side by side with Imam Ali in the battle of Seffain..

After the incident of Siffain many years later, when Imam Ali became Shahhed and Mo’aviyeh became the new permanent Kalife, accidenttally Adi and Mo’aviyeh met each other. Because Mo’aviyeh wanted to resurface the bad recollection for Adi and also get him to Declare and confess that how much loss and harm befell upon him by following Imam Ali, Mo’aviyeh asked him, “What happened to your sons Tarfe, Tarif, and Taaref.

Adi replied, “In Siffain, side by side of Imam Ali, they became shaheed.”

Mo’aviyeh slyly retorded, “Ali did not follow justice with you.”

Adi replied, “Why?”

“Becasue he threw your sons in front of the battle field and he hid his own sons behind.”

Adi replied, “It wasn’t Imam Ali that did not follow justice with me, it was I who wasn’t just with Imam Ali. “

Mo’aviyeh asked with confusion, “Why?”

Adi answered, “Because he died and I stayed alive, I should have sacrificed my own life when Imam Ali was still alive.”

Mo’aviyeh saw that his intention hadn’t come true. In a way he was very inclined to hear about Imam Ali’s characteristics and qualities from the people who learned these things from Imam Ali by being at his side, countless nights and days. He begged Adi to describe Imam Ali’s qualities to him just like when Adi saw it himself. Adi replied, “Don’t bother me.”

Mo’aviyeh retorted, “You have to explain it to me.”

Then Adi finally describes Imam Ali as, “I swear to god, Imam Ali was very open minded and powerful. He spoke with justice. Knowledge and wisdom poured from his essence. He hated the hypocrisy, deceit, and the light of the world and he was friends with the night and the loneliness of the night. He cried a lot and thought a lot. Whenever he was alone he took tried harder to take control of his nafs and he thought of the disappointing recollections he had. He wore small clothing and lived a destitute life. When he was amongst us he became like one of us. Whenever we wanted something from him he would accept and whenever we went to visit him he would keep us close and he wouldn’t distance himself from us. His reverence and grace was so much that we were reluctant to speak and converse in front of him and he was so great that we couldn’t stare at him. When he smiled his teeth shone just like diamonds. He respected the honest believers and he was friendly with the indigent and the helpless. Neither the strong had a fearful oppression of him nor the helpless was disappointed of his justice. I swear to god! One night I saw him with my own two eyes standing for prayer in the adytum and when the darkness of the night had engulfed everything, his tears were rolling down his face and beard. Just like a snake he turned (In the process of crying). And he would escape and run just like the afflicted.

I think I can hear his voice (Metaphorically), he talked to the world saying, ” O world, you have come to show me yourself! Go and trick someone else. Your materialistic happiness does not matter the least to me.” He sighed loudly then continued, “I sigh from the few little good deeds that I have, from the long journey of my life that I have to undergo successfully, and from the small amount of companions.”

When the explanation of Adi reached this point, uncontrollable tears rolled down Mo’aviyeh’s face. After a while, he dried his tears with his sleeves and said, “May Allah bless Abu- Hassan. His actions were just as you explained. Now tell me, what are your feelings at the loss of him?”"

Adi replied sorrowfully, “Juts like a mother whose dearest child, was laid decapitated on her lap.”

Mo’aviyeh unsurprised by what Adi said asked his final question, “Are you ever going to forget him?”

Adi said, “Is the world ever going to let me forget him?”

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Imam Ali (a.s) stated,

“Patience is like a head on a body. If a body had no head the body would be useless.”

Meaning that if a pious mo’amen who has faith in Allah doesn’t have patience his faith is useless.

The Virtue of Hope and Patience

Two Pieces of Bread

One day a very poor man who was once rich went to Imam Sajad’s house and said to him, ” I was once a rich guy but when I lost my job I lost everything. Now I can’t even provide food for my family.” Then he sighed and asked, ” Can you help me?”

Imam Sajad replied, ” I don’t have anything at the moment in the house, but be patient and Allah shall grant you, your necessity.”

Then the man left the house a bit dismayed but still hopefully and thankful to Allah. When he stepped out the door the Kaafars that did not believe in Islam and certainly not its Imams (Apostles) mocked him by saying, “Didn’t you say your Imam was capable of doing miracles, then he could have easily provided you with food. What is this religion that its Imams don’t even care about the well beings of their followers?!” When the man heard this he got so furious so he went inside to tell Imam Sajad his concerns. When the Imam heard about this he said, “I only have two pieces of bread which I’m going to give you. But Allah is beneficent so be thankful and patient and he will grant you what you need.” The man stepped outside and saw that the breads were dry to the point that it was almost inedible.

On the way home he saw a fisherman and he saw that he had a spoiled fish. So he asked for it in exchange for his dry bread. The fisherman looked at him and saw his cloth and their poor quality so he accepted. The fisherman thought to himself that after all the fish was spoiled. After a while the poor man saw a store and thought that he also needed salt along with the fish so he went inside the store and asked the owner, ” I have no salt at my house will you please be kind enough to accept this piece of bread for some salt?” And the store owner also looked at the poor man’s outfit and accepted.

When he got home the man told his wife what had happened and she responded, “It’s alright. God is grateful and beneficent. He will help us.” Then when they opened the fish to clean it they saw that inside it was a diamond. The poor man and his wife and children stared at it in shock and at once they knew what Imam Sajad meant by patience. The they heard the knock at the door. They stared at eat other. They were all sharing the same thought, “Could that be the fisherman coming to get his diamond back?!” But when they opened the door the fisherman returned his bread saying, ” This bread is too dry I cannot eat it, but you can have the fish though I don’t want it back.” After awhile the store owner knocked on the door with the same response.

So the man got another job. He could provide abundant food for his family. All by staying thankful and hopeful to Allah and also patient.

So:

Who ever is patient wins.

Do you think Allah loves others more then you? And do you think He helps others but not you.
Here is one example. One day a man went to a state for a visit, and he had a flight back home that morning. He woke up late that morning and by the time he got to the airport he had missed his flight and every flight was booked for a while. He became extremely mad that morning. When he got back to his hotel room he turned on the TV, listened to the news, and heard that the plane that he was going to take but missed had exploded. See Allah (SWT) helps you even if you don’t ask for it or even if your mad.

بسم الله الرّحمن الرّحيم

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Dealing With Bad Behavior

By: Mohammadamin

Source: Dastanne Rastan

A very muscular and tall person who had an athletic body and tanned face was walking with firm and confidently steps through the streets of Kufa. From another point of view, a store owner was sitting in his store. And to provide the means of laughter to his friends, he threw a fist full of garbage on that man. The man continued walking in the same firm and confident manner, without lowering his eyebrows and without paying any attention as though nothing had happened. Right when he got far enough, one of the shop owner’s friends asked him, “Did you recognize this man who you greatly insulted?”

No, I did not recognize him. He was a man just like the thousand others who cross this shopping center in front of our eyes each day. So, who was this person?

Wow! You didn’t recognize him? This man is the famous general of the army (Or commander in chief) called Maleke Ashtar Nakayi.

Wow! This man was Maleke Ashtar?! The Malek whose name brings a shiver down the spine of his enemies?

Yes he was that Malek.

“What have I done! Now he is going to order a harsh punishment and imprisonment for me. I am going to run this instant, fall down to my knees and beg for him to change his mind about me and forgive me. He ran in the pursuit of Malek Ashtar. He saw that Malek had changed his course towards the mosque. He followed him to the mosque and he saw him standing, doing his prayer. He waited till he said his salam . (The end of the prayer ritual.) Then he went crying towards him and introduced himself by saying, “I am the idiot who acted stupidly and insulted you.”

Malek replied, “ But I swear to God! I wouldn’t have came to the mosque but for your sake because I understood that you are very malicious and confused, that without any reason you bother people. I felt sorry for you, I came to pray for you and ask God to guide you towards the right path. No I didn’t have the intention that you thought I had in mind for you.”

Malek Ashtar The Fearless Warrior

By: Mohammadamin

Source: Imam Reza (A.S.) Network

Malek Ashtar was Imam Ali’s right hand man who was even trained by Imam Ali himself. He was a brilliant commander in chief of some of Imam Ali’s armies and he also participated in most if not all of the wars that he was alive at the time and which Imam Ali had fought in. In the war he fought humbly, fiercely, and bravely. Because of that and because he when ever his enemies heard his name they would get scared he got the nickname the fearless tiger. He let the cowards flee and spared the wounded. But off the battlefield you couldn’t have recognized him since he was so humble and dressed like a beggar and lived a simple life. He was a god fearing man which was one of the strong treasons that Imam Ali loved him so much. And that’s why Mu’awiya went after him.  Other reasons were that he was appointed governor of Egypt.  If Maleke Ashtar reached this position he would have turend the people of Egypt into devout Shias.

These were the reasons that Mu’awiyah poisoned the honey that was given to him.  On his deathbed, Maleke Ashtar said, “In the Name of Alalh, the Most Gracious the  Most Merciful, We belong to Allah and to Him is our return.”  Imam Ali (AS) had suffered the loss of a great companion by his passing.

A Story from Tamashaye Aftab

By Mohammadamin

On Friday night, the house of the Shaik was ready for the guests. No one but himself knew who was invited to this weird gathering. Shaik Ali and Abdolkarim had sat down and were moving the names around. These people who were now entering the house one by one were picked from the thousands of shiyyes in the town of Helle so they can prove their loyalty. Shaik Ali was strolling behind the door of the yard. Whenever anyone knocked he would run towards the door. And he would open it himself. But there was no sign of him. Nervousness and waiting was making him miserable. He looked inside the rooms. Now, everyone had came and it was his turn to come.

The moments dragged by. He sat along the curb against his yard. He thought to himself, “Did I make a mistake? Was the plan scheduled for another night?”

He felt that the yard was brightening. He thought someone had a lantern in their hand and had came to the yard. But this was not a lantern. He brought his head up above his head at the top of the roof, a very bright light was spreading around.

It was like the moon itself had landed on the roof itself. At first he was horrified, but really soon he smiled. It was clear that Molla had came. Several moments later a voice filled the house, The same heartwarming sound.

“Abdolkarim the butcher, come up”

Abdolkarim came out of the room. He clumsily found his shoes among the pile of shoes outside and he went up the stairs. Shaik Ali was standing beside the stairs (Downstairs not at the roof) and he wished he could be in the butcher’s place. Some time passed quietly and slowly. Then suddenly the sound of water coming down the gutter! Blood!?

Now everyone was looking at the yard from the room’s window. The yard that was now coated with blood. Shaik Ali was seeing that some people were pale and others shivering.

Once more the voice filled the house.

“Shaik Ali, come up”

Shaik Ali went up two steps at a time and got himself to the roof. Now he really wanted to see the Imam. When he reached the roof, he saw the butcher who was standing next to the Imam and who had killed one of his sheeps. Now he understood that the blood from the gutter was the sacrificed sheep’s blood. He got himself to the Imam. He wanted to throw himself at his feet and kiss him. The Imam looked at Abdolkarim and said, “Now the second sheep!”

Then he turned to Shaik Ali and greeted him, “How are you Shaik Ali? Do you remember what I told you the other day? I have come tonight to show you that you are complaining too much to us.

“Now go call your friends. The ones that you picked with Abdolkarim. Go tell them to come up.” Shaik Ali was ashamed. He put his head down and was listening.

Shaik Ali took several steps towards the stairs, but he stopped. He was afraid that when he would return Imam would have been gone. But when he heard Imam say, “Don’t be afraid Shaik Ali I will wait here until you return.” With happiness he ran first to the yard and from there to the room. With excitement he opened the door. He wanted to yell, “The Imam has permitted….”

But he froze right at the door of the room. No one was there. The room was empty and everyone had gone. Some had even left their shoes.

He had to return to the roof. Shame had took over his whole body. But when he reached the roof he saw the same failure smile on Imam’s face, “Didn’t I tell you Shaik Ali? Did you see how they escaped? These people are scared of our return. These poeple, don’t know that when the return comes, the world will become a flower field. (As in peaceful) There would be real justice and relaxation on that day. The blood of the wrong person shall not be shed and even the sleeping would not be awoken for nothing. They don’t know about our goodness. I am in search of followers who want to rule with justice, even if it turns out bad for themselves. Not the people who will always do anything, for their own benefit. The people who want the truth even if it hurts them or does not benefit them will be my followers. So you see, Shaik Ali? Don’t complain to us anymore. These are the people of the town Helle that you were so fond of. Judge other places(towns or cities) he same….

Shaik Ali was quietly weeping on the rooftops. The Imam had left.

Waiting

A Story From Tamashaye Aftab

By :Mohammadamin

It was time for the speaker to give his lecture.  He said besmellah and stood up from the place he was sitting. The people sent a salavat. Shaikh Ali himself began whispering a salavat. Slowly, he created a path from the many people standing up to show their respect, and he began moving forward. Now he had reached the minbar (A pulpit that is use in a mosque for a shaik to sit on top and teach)  His feet did not have that much strength. He wanted to sit on the first step and from there, talk to the people. But he knew that in order to see everyone; he must at least move up two steps. He didn’t have a choice, he put his hand on his knees and said Ya Ali then proceeded up.

Now he was sitting on top and like always reciting his usual doa (prayer) under his lips. He always began his talk with this doa. When his doa finished, he brought his head up and looked at the people; they were sitting tightly packed and their eyes were focused on him.  His friends and companions had filled the front rows. And as for the others he mostly recognized and knew them. Everyone was from this town and when they saw Mr. Shaik Ali in the streets and shopping centers of the town of Heller, they greeted him warmly and went off to their business. Even the yard outside the mosque was filled with people.

What good people they were and what solid faith they had. And it was because of this that he preferred living amongst this people rather than others.

He began his talk. He read an Ayah and hadith, and he said a little about the immaterial and insignificance values of this world. And at the end of his talk, like always, headed towards Karbala and stated the poor and oppressed Aba Abdellahel Hossien. And the people had a certain mood and they were all crying. And then he stated ;

“Tonight is the night of Friday. God’s doors of blessing and mercy are open. The mercy and forgiveness of Allah in this night has a different power. It’s a pity to ask little from him. If the main problem is solved, everyone of or little wants are granted. You are next to the sea of the blessings of Allah.  Ask of him the appearance and arrival of Hazrate Mahdi. “

Then he wanted the for the people to sit towards the Qibla, and they did so.

“Now that you are sitting faced to the Qibla whisper with me and read this doa. Oh Allah we are complaining to you because the Holy Prophet is not amongst us . We are hoping the Prophet was here to take our hands and guide us. He would have guided us on the right path and leaded us. ” When he wanted to say the second sentence, he couldn’t control himself and he started to weep and cry. And the people slowly cried with him. When he quieted down, he continued:

“We don’t even see our Imam (Mahdi) to tell him our worries and problems and to ask for solutions to those problems. And our enemies are grand and they won’t leave us alone. “

When he said this sentence he remembered his visit to Samera. How much he was heartbroken when he sat next to the shrine of Imam Askari.

Now he must continue with his Doa and he said “Our numbers are low” But he stared at the people. He saw hundreds of people sitting in the mosque and along with him praying and worshiping Allah. He knew that in this town of Helle alone there are other mosques just like this one with hundreds of people surly doing what they are doing. He sensed that he couldn’t say this sentence with ease. “We are not low in numbers. This many obedient people! I have lived many years among these people I know them and understand what type of people they are. No! our numbers are not low.”

Shaik Ali was lost in his thoughts and the mosque was silent. Little by little the people poked their heads up and they saw Mr. Skaik Ali who was sitting on top of the minbar motionless. Whispers were rising throughout the crowd. Ibrahim who was the caretaker of the mosque, who was sitting at the base of the minbar, was worried before everyone. Then he realized that the Skaik was not feeling well. He jumped up and went up the steps of the minbar and slowly put his hand on The Shaiks foot. Just like a person who had just been sleeping, Shaik Ali suddenly awoke. He stared at Ibrahim. Then his eyes fell upon the people who were frozen with shock looking at him. He could see the worry and nervousness in most of the people’s faces. Everyone was waiting. He had no choice. He continued the Doa.

“Our numbers are low. The world has been harsh to us and it has won.”

He came down from the Minbar. He didn’t wait for anybody. His friends wanted to ask about what happened and how he feels but he didn’t have the patience for anyone. He got himself to the street very early. It wasn’t the first time that thoughts like this had entered his mind.

He had read the hadith many times: If there is three hundred thirteen people meaning only the number of the partners of the prophet in the war of Badr, are ready to help Imam Mahdi he will appear. Now with his own eyes he was seeing more than that number but Imam Mahdi still hasn’t appeared. He pulled his cloak over his head and walked towards his house. He wanted to put his decision for tomorrow morning in action. He had to sleep early. When he awoke, he completed his morning and mostahab prayers and now he was moving forward in one of the deserts outside of town. He wanted to go somewhere so no one could bother him so he could comfortably and simply talk to his Imam. When he was a good distance away from the town, he chose an unpopulated area. He sat on the dirt towards Qibla. He got busy with prayer and Doa. And sometimes in the middle of his Doa’s he felt great pain and cried. After his Doa he began talking comfortably to Imam:

“Sir you know it yourself that how much the people of this town respect and place value in me. I don’t consider myself like that but they think I’m a holy person. They ask me about when you will come but I don’t know what to tell them. Didn’t you say that when you had enough helpers and devoted people you would come? You yourself are aware of these people’s behavior and feelings. So many good and devoted peoples are not enough? Then what are you waiting for?

Until when should we wait for you? I for one am very tired and I don’t understand what good is there in this long wait.

He heard a footstep which was getting closer. His eyebrows went under. He didn’t know what bothersome person would come and interrupted his loneliness. How hard he had tried to find a secluded place. Now….

He turned around. A man was standing ahead smiling. He wore an Arabic white clothing. His face was familiar; but he didn’t look like he was from the town. He stopped his frowning. In the appearance of this man was a calmness that washed all of his anger away. He also had no choice; he must reply to the man’s greeting.

“Salamon Alaikum. I don’t recognize you. It seems like you are not from this place?

The man asked with the same smile:

“Mr. Shaik Ali what’s going on. Why have you started this noise and ruckus? With whom are you fighting and complaining?

Shaik Ali wanted to ask him from where do you know me? But he changed his mind and answered:

“I was talking to my master. I was complaining.”

The man smiled and said:

“The time for his appearance has not come. The people are not ready yet. You are wrong. They would be afraid of the smallest events.

Shaik Ali retorted:

“No brother, you have no idea. In the town of Helle alone there are thousands of pure shias who are waiting for the master to appear. This very last night I hoped you were there in the mosque…

While the man was turning around to go away he said:

“Come with me, I want to take you on a journey. Are you ready Shaik Ali?”

Now Skaik Ali stood up with worry and stared at the familiar stranger. He answered, “Yes I am ready.”

The man said:

“In this town there is truly only two people ready for the arrival one of them is you and the other one is Abdolkarim the butcher.

Shaik Ali began to shake and with bewilderment listened. The stranger continued:

“On Friday night invite only the people that you are most sure of to your house. And tell Abdolkarim to keep alive two sheep’s that he wanted to sacrifice and bring them at the top of the roof. I shall come myself.”

The stranger was getting farther away, but with each step that he took, Shaikh Ali longed for him. When the realization sank in the knees of the Skaik buckled and he fell to the ground. He began to weep very loudly. He couldn’t believe that this stranger could be him. In the mist of crying he blamed himself and kept saying; “Why didn’t I recognize him. Why did I act rude?!”

An hour past. Now he must get up and return to the town. He had a important job to do. He must go in search of Abdilkarim the butcher.

To Be Continued In the Next Post Inshallah

The Complaint of a Neighbor

By: Mohammadamin

A person came towards the holly Prophet with a complaint against his neighbor who bothers me and prevents my peace. The holly Prophet replied, “Change your ways and be patient and endure your neighbors behavior, and do not bother your neighbor and make loud noises in exchange for his bad actions.”After a while, he came a second time and complained again. The holly Prophet still replied, “Be patient and endure.” For the third time he came and said, “Oh, holly Prophet! This neighbor of mine, will not let go of his ways, and he will keep being the cause of me and my families grievance, worry, and annoyance.”

This time the holly Prophet said, ” When Friday comes, take all of your belongings and furniture and put it in the path of the people who are coming and going and the people who could see it. The people are going to ask you why have you placed your belongings here? Then say because of your bad neighbor and state your complaints and grievance to the people.”

The complainant did just that. The bothersome neighbor thought that the holly prophet would forever continue demanding patience and endurance, he didn’t know that when it came to defending your rights and standing up against evil, Islam wouldn’t respect nor would it support that idea and would not hesitate to stand up to what’s right. The instant that he found out about the situation, he went and begged and pleaded for the man to return all his belongings and possessions to his house. Then he promised and made an oath never providing disturbance and annoyance for the man.

Source: Dastane Rastan

بسم الله الرّحمن الرحيم

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

In the Region of Mena

By: Mohammadamin

The people that had went to hajj were gathered in a place called Mena. Imam Sadeg and his companions had, just for a moment, sat down at a place and enjoyed the grapes that were in front of them. A poor person came and asked for help. Imam picked up some of the grapes and went to give it to the poor person. But, the poor person did not accept and he instead said, “Give me money.”

Imam replied, “I don’t have any money” The poor person got disappointed and left.

After the poor person walked some steps, he changed his mind and said, “So, just give me the grapes.”

Imam stated, “I can’t.” And he didn’t even give him the grapes this time.

It didn’t take that long for another beggar and vagabond to show up. Imam got some grapes and gave it to that person too.

The poor person took the grapes and said, “I praise the merciful lord of the worlds for my food.” After hearing his sentence, the Imam stated for the person to stop and then filled his two palms full of grapes and gave it to the man.

For the second time the poor beggar praised God.

Imam still said, “Wait and don’t go.” Then he turned to one of his companions there and asked, “How much money do you have with you?” He checked and found that he had 20 Durham (The unit of money in that region), therefore with the command of the Imam he gave the money to the poor person. For the third time, the beggar praised and thanked Allah and stated, “Praise is most exclusive to and belongs to Allah. Oh Allah! You are the most beneficent and you have no partner. (Meaning there is only on God since Islam is a monotheistic religion)”

The Imam, after hearing this sentence, took off his cloak and gave it to the poor man. After this the poor beggar changed his sentence and said a praiseful sentence toward the Imam himself. Imam did not give anything to him anymore and the poor man left.

The companions and partners (Of Imam Sadeg) said, “We have presumed that if the vagabond continued praising god, the Imam would have still continued to help him. But, because he changed his tone and praised and thanked the Imam, the help got discontinued.

Source: Dastane Rastan

Be Grateful of Your Blessings!

There was a similar situation with me and brother Islami in one of our Saturday session not so long ago. He was giving out snacks which was chips and he gave me a random type but I didn’t accept it (Because I didn’t like the type) and I took too long to pick another kind so he said that I can’t get one anymore. This is just like situation with the first beggar and how he changed his mind . But brother Islami gave me one at the end. But life is not always like that. You should never beg someone for anything. You should Try your hardest to provide your needs and necessities for yourself. And if you are lucky to be given a blessing you should not refuse it. You should accept it and thank and praise God first and then the person that gave it to you. But of course you all ready new that. Right?!

Please Recite:

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4) Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (5) Show us the straight path, (6) The path of those whom Thou hast favoured. Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (7)

بسم الله الرّحمن الرّحيم

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Ebn Seena and Ebn Moskooye

ا

Abu Ali Sina

Mohammadamin

Abu Ali Sina had not even reached the age of twenty when he took over and mastered the entire science and biology of his time, consisting of divine science, natural science, mathematic science, and religious science. One day he was attending the educational meeting and gathering of Abu Ali Ebn Moskooye , who was one of the famous scholar of that time period. With utmost pride, he showed a pecan in front of Ebn Moskooye and demanded to know the circumference of it.

Abu Moskooye put a series of books that were about the knowledge of respectful and social behavior and behavioral training (Called the book of Tahaaratol Araag) in front of Abu Ali Sina and said, “You should first correct your own behavior, then I will figure out the circumference of a pecan. You are more in need of correcting your behavior than I am of ascertaining the circumference of a pecan.”

Abu Ali was ashamed by these sentences and these sentences helped and assisted his behavior throughout his whole life.

Source: Dastan Rastan

Abu Ali Sina’s tomb

Some Background on Abu Ali Sina

On his father’s death, Bu Ali left Bukhara and traveled to Jurjan where Khawarizm Shah welcomed him. There, he met his famous contemporary Abu Raihan al-Biruni. Later he moved to Ray and then to Hamadan, where he wrote his famous book Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb. Here he treated Shams al-Duala, the King of Hamadan, for severe colic. From Hamadan, he moved to Isfahan, where he completed many of his monumental writings. Nevertheless, he continued traveling and the excessive mental exertion as well as political turmoil spoilt his health. Finally, he returned to Hamadan where he died in 1037 A.D.
He was the most famous physician, philosopher, encyclopaedist, mathematician and astronomer of his time. His major contribution to medical science was his famous book al-Qanun, known as the “Canon” in the West. The Qanun fi al-Tibb is an immense encyclopedia   of medicine extending over a million words. It surveyed the entire medical knowledge available from ancient and Muslim sources. Due to its systematic approach, “formal perfection as well as its intrinsic value, the Qanun superseded Razi’s Hawi, Ali Ibn Abbas’s Maliki, and even the works of Galen, and remained supreme for six centuries”. In addition to bringing together the then available knowledge, the book is rich with the author’s original contribution. His important original contribution includes such advances as recognition of the contagious nature of phthisis and tuberculosis; distribution of diseases by water and soil, and interaction between psychology and health. In addition to describing pharmacological methods, the book described 760 drugs and became the most authentic materia medica of the era. He was also the first to describe meningitis and made rich contributions to anatomy, gynecology and child health.
His philosophical encyclopaedia Kitab al-Shifa was a monumental work, embodying a vast field of knowledge from philosophy to science. He classified the entire field as follows: theoretical knowledge: physics, mathematics and metaphysics; and practical knowledge: ethics, economics and politics. His philosophy synthesizes Aristotelian tradition, Neoplatonic influences and Muslim theology.

Lesson:

· No matter how  wise and knowledgeable we are we should not think too highly of ourselves. High pride of one’s self always leads to problems, like in this case behavioral problems.

· We should never be disrespectful to any one especially to our parents, other relatives, and other people.

Think About It!

Do you follow these descriptions?

Be honest. Are you really thinking equally of yourself and are you also respectful to everybody?

Comments:

Comment and add your questions, opinions, and thoughts and I would reply to them.

Respect Ahead