01-05-2007, 05:08 PM
One of the characeristics of Muslim behavior is to make 70 excuses for our brothers/sisters.
The Prophet once told the sahaba about a man among them who will be of those to enter the paradise. Naturally they were curious as to what makes this man special that the Prophet is giving news of his status. One of sahaba asked that man if he can be his guest for 3 days. The man agreed to host him, and the sahaba eagarly anticipated what he will find of this man that that he has earned Jennah.
For three days the sahaba watched the man handle every aspect of his day. But to his amazement, the man did nothing out of the ordinary. He didnt spend the whole night up in prayer, but prayed what was fard. He didn't fast optionally. In fact nothing seemed special to this sahaba.
At the end of the 3 days he told the man what the Prophet had said about him, and he revealed that the reason he asked to be hosted by the man was to see what he was doing exceptionally that he could learn from. That man told the sahaba that he in fact does nothing special at all, but at the end of the day before he sleeps, he forgives anybody who may have harmed him intentionally or unintentionally, and he slept each night with no bad feelings in his heart for the people.
Too often we let emotions control us rather than controlling our emotions. We can learn alot from the simple story of this man.
In the end alhumdulilah we are Muslims and insha Allah we do our best here, and anyplace to earn the pleasure and approval of Allah the almighty, and not of his creation.
May Allah guide us all and help us in our quest to learn and apply knowledge, Ameen.
Love, Jennifer