What is Our IQ....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "The most intelligent person is the one who remembers death often."

If a person is thought to be very intelligent, yet fails exam after exam, soon all those around him/her will begin to think that he/she is not really very intelligent after all. To get through life with our faith intact, with good deeds, and with Allah’s pleasure as our greatest goal, is the biggest exam we will ever face.

If we fail the exam of life we cannot call ourselves intelligent, regardless of what else our “intelligence” allowed us to accumulate of education, wealth, fame or pleasure. These will all go to waste with our death, while we will still have to stand before our Lord and face the consequences for eternity.

Our intelligence would have failed us if it didn’t give us the sense to properly attempt the biggest exam of our life. Such intelligence is cursed! In an examination hall if we start watching a movie, or discussing the score of a game, or pull out a lavish meal to eat, would we be considered sensible? No matter what your I.Q., we’d be considered foolish and stupid.

This life is one big exam. Are we busy answering the questions of what to believe and what to do or are we busy entertaining ourselves? The time for enjoyment is later. Those who prepare and do well in the exam of life will be considered the intelligent ones for eternity.

The people in Hell will say about themselves, "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!" [Al-Quran 67:10]

We are so engrossed in our various pursuits that the reality of death does not occur to us. Constant remembrance of death would keep us from getting easily distracted by the glittery entertainment beckoning and attracting us from all directions, preventing us from seriously attempting the exam of life. Keeping death in mind would help us abstain from sin and motivate us to do good deeds without delay.

We need to constantly remind ourselves that the most intelligent person is the one who gives the exam of  his/her life with full attention, since there are no re-takes.

Pearls of Wisdom....347

1. O All-Knowing, You opened my heart to the way
    of supplication. Yearning for Your love is glorious
    and grand; lust for other love is disgraceful and
    corrupt. Your divine court is the infinite plane.
    I leave behind the throne of honor, for the real
    throne of honor is Your way.

2. Because of your humility God granted you
    the gift of insight. Go toward the peach tree,
    which has sprung to life. It has become lush
   green by the command "Be!" Beneath its
   shade all your needs will be fulfilled. Such
   is divine alchemy that the crooked become
   straight. As God revealed, "Its roots are firm
   in the earth, its branches in the sky."

3. God calls Himself "Seeing" so that His ever-
    watching eye may scare you away from sinning.
    Whether the breeze be cold or hot, the Cognizant
    is aware, not absent, O infirm man.

4. Flee to the shelter of God's grace. He showers
    our souls with His grace. When He provides
    shelter, how can you lack shelter?  Fear not;
    water and fire will become your army. Did the
    sea not help Noah and Moses?  Did it not seek
    vengeance upon their foes?  Was not the fire a
    fortress for Abraham?  Did it not raise the smoke
    of despair in the heart of Nimrod?

5. When Ahmad passed beyond the Lote tree at
    boundary of Paradise, the Angel's frontier, he
    said, "O Gabriel, come fly with me." But Gabriel
    replied, "I cannot escort you. My wings beyond
    that point will be consumed. But the station of
    the pure before the Most Pure is nothing short
    of wonderment."  [Mawlana Rumi]

Lesson of the Day 1316

Ayahs of the day:
And be conscious of the day when you will be returned to God; then every soul will be requited for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged. [2: 281]

Hadith of the day:
The strong person is not the one who can overpower others (in wrestling); rather, the strong person is the one who controls himself when he gets angry. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
He who truly fears his Lord has freed his tongue from vain talk, He whose heart is in the awe of his Lord, every thing in creation is in awe of him. [Fudhail ibn Iyaadh]

Guidance of the day:
Gentleness toward believers is to show compassion and solicitude for them. This is one of the noblest characters and most superior attributes. Compassion for Muslims is a duty and an incumbent right, but for weak, the destitute, and the afflicted it is even more of a duty and a priority.

He who does not find in himself pity and compassion when faced with the weak and the afflicted among Muslims, his heart is hard, overcome with callous, deprived of compassion. It is part of being gentle and soft hearted to feel humility in the heart and weep abundantly in fear of God. This is a noble attribute and a praiseworthy endeavor. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al Haddad]

Food for thought:
In happy moments, praise God.
In difficult moments, seek God.
In quiet moments, worship God.
In painful moments, trust God.
In every moment, thank God.

Are We Lucky.....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “How lucky is that man who adopts humbleness without having scarcity, who considers himself inferior without having to beg for anything, who spends his own earned money in the right causes without disobeying Allah, who is kind to those having little means, and
who remains in the company of learned men.” [Tibrani]

In this hadith we are told who an enviable person is:

1.    A person who is humble despite having that which makes people proud.
2.    A person who earns and spends in the path of Allah.
3.    A person who is kind to those less privileged.
4.    A person who benefits from the companionship of the learned.

Having wealth does not make one lucky; but having earned it honestly, by one's own hands and, moreover, having spent it on those things which earn Allah's pleasure, while obedient to Allah (Subhana wa Ta'ala), are what entitles one to be counted among the lucky. Wealth that is accompanied by arrogance and ignorance (ignorance of what will earn Allah's pleasure), is extremely unlucky.

Can we count ourselves among those who are really lucky? 

Pearls of Wisdom....346

1. The saints are My children in exile,
    torn away from My dominion and glory.
    Despised and alone they endure their trials;
    in secret I am their intimate friend.

2. Why should I grieve because of a thorn?
    Once it made laughter known to me.
   Whatever you lost through the stroke of destiny,
   know it was to save you from adversity.
   One small affliction off greater afflictions;
   one small loss prevents greater loses.

3. Are you oblivious of the bounty of God who
    invites you to come yonder?
    The whole world of six directions is brimming
    with His bounty. Wherever you turn, His munificence
    is manifest.

4. Practice patience; it is the essence of praise.
    Have patience, for that is true worship.
    No other worship is worth as much.
    Have patience; patience is the key to all relief.

5. I am a bridge across the ocean for my devotees,
    but become a dragon for the Pharaoh.
    Rejoice, O lovers, entreat God.
   The same door has been opened again.
   The fruit is beckoning, "Eat of me."
   The water of life is inviting, "Drink of me."

6. Bitter is made sweet through love;
    copper becomes gold through love.
    Through love dregs become clear;
    love heals all pain.
   Through love the king becomes slave;
    love brings the dead to life. [Mawlana Rumi]

LESSON OF THE DAY 1315

Ayahs of the day:
O you who believe, be conscious of God, and disperse that what remains of usurious interest, if you are believers. And if you do not, then take heed of war from God and God's messenger. But if you repent, you may have your capital; do not be unfair and you will not be treated unfairly. [2: 278,279]

Hadith of the day:
How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good, and that does not apply to anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
The wealthiest person is the one who has abundance of taqwa. [Dhunnun al Misri]

Guidance of the day:
Nothing is more harmful to mankind, in this world and the next, than sins. Almost no evil nor harm befall them except due to these. Therefore, a believer should be wary of sins to the extreme and ever remain as far away from them as possible. Should he commit  one, he must hasten to repent to God, for He accepts the repentance of His servants, pardons evil deeds, and knows what you do.

Those who do not repent, they are unjust. They have done themselves an injustice by falling into sin, then persisting in it by not repenting as God had commanded them, while promising them to accept it. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al Haddad]

Food for thought:
Spiritual courage is to wage war against one's egotism and to resist one's appetites. Moral courage is to speak the truth even when bitter, to be a witness for the truth even against oneself or one's kin, and to enjoin good and forbid evil against opposition.

We need to focus on ourselves....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "O you who have entered Islam with your tongues but whose hearts faith has not entered: do not slander people, and do not search out people's shameful points. Whoever searches out the shameful points of his brother, Allah will search out his shameful points, and if Allah searches out a person's shameful points, indeed He will disgrace him even if he should remain in the middle of his house." [Abu Dawud]

This hadith teaches us a number of things:

1. It points to the difference between being a Muslim and being a Momin. A person who has embraced Islam but not reformed his/her heart and inner self through it, is called a Muslim but not a Momin.

2. One characteristic that differentiates a Muslim from a Momin is that a Muslim may be on the look out for people's hidden flaws and shameful secrets: but a Momin would never waste his/her time in such a disgraceful activity. This is because a Momin knows that in the Final Reckoning he will be asked about his/her own faults and not the faults of others.

3. The punishment for someone who tries to find flaws in others is that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) will surely disgrace him/her by making his/her  shameful deeds public. These may be things we considered done and hidden forever. But if Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) chooses to disgrace somebody, there is nowhere he/she can hide to escape the wretchedness of disgrace.

We waste so much time looking for and discussing the faults of others. Allah  (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says, Believers, you are responsible for your own souls. Those who stray cannot harm you when you heed guidance. To God is where you will all return, and then God will tell you about what you used to do." [5: 105]

We need to focus on that which is our foremost responsibility and in our control  --  Our own selves!!!

Pearls of Wisdom 345

1. During prayer I give myself over to the Lord
    delight myself in zealous worship.
    The window of my soul opens wide
    and the Book of God comes in view
    to fill my house with grace and light.

2. Demolish this house that a hundred more
    may be built. Do not be afraid that treasure
    lies beneath this house. A thousand houses
    more shall you build with just one treasure in
    hand. This house is destined to fall to ruin.
   That treasure is bound to be unearthed, but
   then that treasure will not be yours.

3. Your power comes from the power of God,
    not from the veins or the beating heart.
    The power of the saints comes from God,
    not from feasts and trays of provisions.
    They are created from the light that
    transcends the angel and the spirit alike.

4. The light of God is an ornament of wisdom.
    That is the meaning of "light upon light."
    The light of reason draws toward the earth.
    The light of God carries you aloft.
    Things of reason are of the lower world.
    The light of God is an ocean,
    reason merely dewdrop.

5. Knowledge has two wings. Conjecture is
    one wing. Conjecture alone is lacking and
   cuts short the flight. The one-winged bird
   continues to struggle, hoping to reach the
   nest somehow with one wing. And then wisdom
   shows his shining face. Delivered from conjecture,
   the bird now spreads both wings (and soars once
   again). [Mawlana Rumi]

LESSON OF THE DAY 1314

Ayahs of the day:
God deprives usury of blessing, and grants increase for charities. And God does not love any ungrateful sinners. [2: 276]

Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or else keep silent. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
Even after burying your own parents you take no lesson; knowing with certainty that death is inevitable, you chose to remain heedless of it, and knowing full well that you have many faults, you actively seek out the faults of others. [Ibrahim al-Adham]

Guidance of the day:
The best of the hearts, the most beloved by God, is that which is clean and pure of falsehoods, doubts, and all other evils, and receptive to the truth, right guidance, and all that is good and correct.

A hadith says, Four are the hearts: A heart that is smooth, containing a luminous lamp, this is the heart of a believer and the lamp within is its light. A heart that is black, turned upside down, this is the heart of the disbeliever. And a heart made of layers, containing both faith and hypocrisy.

Faith increases by persevering in good works in abundance and with sincerity. As for hypocrisy, it increases by evil works such as abandoning duties and committing prohibited acts. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Things do not change we do. Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.

Eid Mubarak & Something to think about....

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...We will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again..

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling... It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.... Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied..

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?'

Which one are we? Are we the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do we wilt and become soft and lose our strength?

Are we the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did we have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have we become hardened and stiff? Does our shell look the same, but on the inside are we bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or are we like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. Are we are like the bean, when things are at their worst, we get better and change the situation around us. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do we elevate ourselves to another level? How do we handle adversity? Are we a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May we have enough happiness to make us sweet, enough trials to make us strong, enough sorrow to keep us human and enough hope to make us happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; we can't go forward in life until we let go of our past failures and heartaches. When we were born, we were crying and everyone around us was smiling.. We need to live our  life so at the end, we are the one who is smiling and everyone around us is crying.

May we all be the COFFEE!!!!!! !

Pearls of wisdom....344

1. The words of the Qur'an have both an outer and
    an inner meaning, the latter overpowering. Do
    not regard the surface alone, for the devil never
    regarded Adam as mere clay. The surface
    meaning of the Qur'an is like a human torso,
    features visible, but the spirit hidden.

2. Little by little God takes the beauty away.
    Little by little life's luster decays.
    Listen to the passage, "To whom We
   grant a long life, those We cause to decline."
   Seek the essence and not the structure.
   The beauty of heart shall forever abide, for it
   is enriched with the water of life.

3. Every prophet to the world came alone,
    within him carrying a hundred unseen worlds.
    The cosmos was charmed by his depth
    and folded itself into his modest frame,
    The foolish thought he was lonely and weak.
    With the King as his companion,
    how is he weak?

4. We honored man by the gift of free will.
    Half of him is honeybee, the other half snake.
   True believers are stores of honey.
   Stores of poison are those who do not believe.

5. Many prayers are declined because of the
    rank odor of a corrupt heart rising through the
    beautiful words. Let the words be wrong, but
    the meaning right. That flawed utterance is
    dearer to God.  [Mawlana Rumi]

••• Never to Give Up •••

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

 Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and begin to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.

With every shovel of dirt that fell on his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and totted off!

Moral -- Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick is to not to get bogged down by it.

We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping. And by never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

LESSON OF THE DAY 1313

Ayahs of the day:
Those who consume usurious interest are only in the sort of business in which one maddened by Satan's touch engages. That is because they say trade is like usury; but God has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Whoever gives this up with admonition from his Lord comes to him, let bygones be bygones; his case is up to God. But those who repeat are inmates of hellfire, wherein they remain. [2: 275]

Hadith of the day:
O people, repent to Allah, for I repent to Allah one hundred times a day. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
Repentance of liars is mere lip service, for the true repentance liberates one from sins. [Rabia al Basari]

Guidance of the day:
A distracted heart is that which is distracted from remembering death often, as well as what comes after it, the conditions of the blessed and those of the wretched, and not to dwell on these at length.

It is distracted not  assiduously to keep company of those who know God and His religion, who remind of His days, His graces, His promises, and His threats, who exhort, with both words and deeds, to His obedience and to avoiding disobedience.

Those who are unable to find such people should make up for that by reading their books. However-God willing -- the earth will never be entirely devoid of them, even when  corruption is rife and falsehood and its champions dominate, when everyone has turned away from God and from supporting the truth, except those whom God wills, and a very few are they. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Be slow of tongue and quick of eye. Among mortals second thoughts are wisest. Deliberate with caution, but act with decision; and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness. It is a good thing to learn caution from the mistakes and misfortunes of others.

Let us partake in this tremendous blessing...

As Salaam Alaykum wa RahmatuLlahi wa Barakatuhu and Ramadan Mubarak,

I pray this message finds you in a state of well-being,

As many of you know, I've had the blessed privilege of teaching at the Islamic Institute of Education (IIE) in Elgin, IL for the last 12 years. Over those years i have witnessed first-hand the fruits of the sincerity and selflessness of everyone dedicated to serving the Islamic legacy of sacred knowledge.

In particular, I wish to commend the tireless efforts of Maulana Abdullah Saleem and his entire family, who have devoted their lives to producing the next generation of Ulema in the United States. It is not often that one sees an entire family so committed to the vision of one man. This, in itself, can be seen as a sign of Allah's acceptance of their efforts.

My appeal is to everyone reading this message; that we also partake in the tremendous blessing of this noble effort by contributing a small but consistent, monthly amount, such as $20-a-month ($10 each for IIE and Musjid ul Islam). Let us go one step further and intend thereby sadaqa jariya for our parents -- making them a part of this noble effort is the very least we can do for every thing our patrents have done/ and are doing for us.

Please visit  www.iieonline.org and make your contribution for Allah's good pleasure.

May Allah Almighty  bless you, your parents, and all your loved ones, thereby, ameen!

Heart touching story....

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes & went directly to the surgery block. He found the boy's father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor. On seeing him, the dad yelled:

"Why did you take all this time to come? Don't you know that my son's life is in danger? Don't you have any sense of responsibility?"

The doctor smiled & said:
"I am sorry, I wasn't in the hospital & I came as fast as I could after receiving the call and now, I wish you'd calm down so that I can do my work"

"Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies now what will you do??" said the father angrily

The doctor smiled again & replied: "From dust we came & to dust we return, blessed be the name of God". Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go & intercede for your son, we will do our best by God's grace"

"Giving advises when we're not concerned is so easy" Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy,
"Thank goodness!, your son is saved!" And without waiting for the father's reply he carried on his way running. "If you have any question, ask the nurse!!"

"Why is he so arrogant? He couldn't wait some minutes so that I ask about my son's state" Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: "His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son's surgery. And now that he saved your son's life, he left running to finish his son's burial."

"Moral-Never judge anyone because you never know how their life is & what they're going through"

Let's resolve to learn to control our anger this blessed month of Ramadan....

"The strong is not the one who is physically powerful, but indeed, the one who controls himself when angry." [Bukhari]

1. He who angers you controls you.

2. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.

3. Anger is a momentary madness, it is only one letter short of danger.

4. Anger begins with folly, and ends with regret -- how much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.

5. Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which you are angry and grieved.

6. Speak when you are angry -- and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.

7. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.

8. No man can think when his fists are clenched.

9. Anger is a killing thing -- it kills the angry man, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before it, it takes something from him.

10. Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- imagine what it will do to the person's hand who is holding it.

11. Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.

12. Anger blows out the lamp of mind -- thus an angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason.

13. When a man is wrong and won't admit it, he always gets angry.

14. Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.


15. Anyone can become angry -- that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way -- is something we all need to practice.

16. The best remedy for anger is delay.

Also repeating after ever salah seven times"Ya Subbooh, Ya Quddoos, Ya Ghafoor, Ya Wadood", will help us control our anger, inshaAllah. 

Pearls of Wisdom 343

1. When the mirror of the heart becomes pure
    and clear, impressions of the other world
    will become manifest. The image and the
   image maker will become visible, like the
   carpet and the carpet-spreader.

2. The falcon made the king's hand his joy,
    and became indifferent to the search for
    carrion. All animals from the gnat to the
    elephant are of the family of God and
   depend on Him for sustenance. What a
   sustainer is God!

3. Do away with superfluous speech, and
    sacrifice what you hold dear, that His grace
    may utter praise of you and the heaven be
   envious of your exalted estate.

4. When God's decree becomes your pleasure,
    you become a willing slave,
   not because of burdening yourself,
   not on account of recompense,
   but by virtue of the nature now so pure
   that whatever divine edict may take you,
   living and dying appear the same.
   You live for God, not for riches;
   you die for God, not from fear or pain.

5. The face of David shone with His glory,
    and the mountains sang His praise.
    The mountains sang along with David;
    both elated in praising the King.
    He hears the melody of the pure-spirited,
    every moment, every place. [Mawlana Rumi]

LESSON OF THE DAY 1312

Ayahs of the day:
Those who give their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; no fear will be on them, and they will not sorrow. [2: 274]

Hadith of the day:
There shall remain a group in my nation, successfully upholding the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them, till the day of judgment. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
The wealthiest person is the one who has abundance of taqwa. [Dhunnun al Misri]

Guidance of the day:
Distraction is blameworthy and may induce extreme harm. The distracted heart is that which does not awaken and become attentive when exposed to counsels or rebukes. It does not take them seriously, being so distracted and forgetful, so engrossed in its playthings and trivia, in the attractions of this worldly life and the pursuit of his passions.

It is to be distracted to read or listen to the Noble Qur'an, but neither reflect upon it, nor attempt to understand its meanings, neither obey its injunctions, nor its prohibitions, and neither accept its counsels, not it rebukes. The same applies for the traditions of the Messenger of God -- may blessings and peace be upon him -- and the discourses of the virtuous predecessors --may God be pleased with them. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature is that he wants to live humbly for one. The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just. Respectable men and women content with good and easy living are missing some of the most important things in life. Unless we give ourselves to some great cause we haven't even begun to live.

Allah is Generous, loves generosity....

Sadaqa -- Proof of Imaan, Key to Allah's pleasure, His forgiveness, barakah in sustenance, well-being, and every single good in this life and the Hereafter.

1. O believers, give of what We have provided for you, before there comes a day in which there is no barter, and no friendship, and no intercession. The scoffers are the wrongdoers. (2: 254)

2. Those who give of their wealth in the way of God are like grain that sprouts seven ears with a hundred kernels in each ear. And God may choose to multiply what anyone has, at will. And God is all-embracing, all-knowing. (2: 261)

3. Those who spend their wealth in the way of God and then do not follow what is spent with reproach or with abuse have their reward with their Lord; they will not suffer fear, nor will they grieve. (2: 262)

4. If you reveal acts of charity, they are excellent in themselves, but if you conceal them and get them to the needy, that is better for you. It will expiate some of your evils, And God is aware of what you do. (2: 271)

5. Those who give of their wealth night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; no fear will be on them, and they will not sorrow. (2: 274)

6. God deprives usury of blessing, and grants increase for charities. And God does not love any ungrateful sinners. (2: 276)

7. And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord, and to a garden broad as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the conscientious -- those who spend in good times and bad, and those who restrain their anger, and those who forgive people; and God loves those who do good. (3: 133, 134)

8. And whatever you spend on the cause of God will be repaid to you, and you will not be wronged. (8: 60)

9. And give what We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says, "My Lord, why didn't You let me stay awhile -- I would have given charity, and would have been among the righteous." (63:10)


1. The Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The most rewarding charity is that you give when you are healthy and miserly, fearing poverty and hoping for riches." [al-Bukhari]
                                 
2. "Charity does not decrease the wealth. No one forgives, but Allah will increase him in honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but Allah raises him in status." [Muslim]

3. Allah Most High says: "Spend, O son of Adam, so I will spend on you." [Hadith Qudsi/Bukhari]

4. "Beware of stinginess, for stinginess destroyed those who came before you." [Muslim]

5. "Indeed charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord and it protects against the evil death." [al-Tirmidhi]

Pearls of Wisdom....342

1. He that was born in the dark water of material
    wealth, how could he tell the freedom of open
    country from the dismal prison of the well?
    When you relinquish the ego for fear of God,
    the elixir of His fountain will arrive.

2. Relying upon the promise of "tomorrow,"
    many people have wandered around that
    door, but that tomorrow never comes.

3. When you experience pain,
    ask God for forgiveness.
    By the command of the Creator,
    it be eliminated.
    For when He decrees, pain becomes joy,
    and fetters become freedom.

4. Hardship may dishearten at first,
    but every hardship passes away.
    All despair is followed by hope;
    all darkness is followed by sunshine.

5. When clutches of the "self" break away,
    they clap their hands and break into dance
    as their imperfections fade away.
    The musicians within strike the tambourine,
    and the seas burst into foam at their ecstasy.

6. Wisdom is the table, not bread or meat.
    Wisdom is the light, food for the soul.
    No nutriment can compare to the nourishment
   of light. Nothing can nourish the soul but light.
   Rid yourself of material needs and be set free.
   Taste the original victual, the dainty morsel of
   light. [Mawlana Rumi]