Thought of the Week

[Muslimah]

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983.

From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?

To this Arthur Ashe replied: ... "The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis,50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'. And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?' "

[Muslimah]

The meaning of enslavement to Allah versus owning slaves.

Alright, now what are the features of a master - slave relation?

The master purchases the slave in return for a certain amount of money, whereby, the slave becomes of a monetary value to the master in the sense that master may re sell the slave and invest the money. Slave performs whatever duties assigned by master. Master is not obliged to provide food and shelter, but he /she does of course according to minimum requirements. Slave is not allowed to go out, marry, entertain, object to heavy duty, ..etc. Master is not obliged to provide means to facilitate slave's duties, but it is the other way around, slave has to work under any condition.

I had met so many non Muslims specially atheists or agnostics who face major problem on this particular point. They criticise the idea of Muslims being enslaved to Allah, or called as Allah's Slaves in Quran. They argue that what type of a god is this who requires from those who believe in him to be slaves?

Now let us examine the Muslim (or more to say) Allah's slave, because not every Muslim or even Mu`min is enslaved to Allah. Allah Had Created this whole universe to be in the service of mankind (who the slave), Allah Subjected the whole universe, and in this I mean whole universe, skies, land, seas, rives, plants, animals, for the service of mankind. Allah Provides all possible means for mankind to perform their needed duties, provides what is needed to sustain themselves, enables them to sleep and rest, whenever they feel like, Allah Does not even compel mankind to believe in Him, and Allah Does this, I mean the subjection of universe for those who believe in Him or not. Instead of providing either monetary or physical benefit from the slave to the master, the master not only provides for the slave, but also protects him, cares for him, listens and grants the slave his needs, requests ..etc. Moreover, whenever the slave needs to speak to the Master who happens to be King of the Kings, Allah Is never occupied, sets forth a secretary to prevent or grant appoints, unlike the normal master - slave case of course, no need to elaborate, I am sure you understand. What kind of a Master is this? Isn't this Master is worthy that one willingly enslaves him/herself to Him????

When one does this, in addition to the aforementioned benefits that are even granted to those who do not believe, one feels honoured by being protected, and when you speak to Allah secretly, your secrets are not revealed, or scandalised. In addition, unlike the normal master - slave (who work for free), the master, in this case as we said does not receive neither monetary or physical benefit, but rather gives out in return for the manifestation of enslavement either in this Dunia or the Hereafter. But then of course those who are capable of enslaving themselves only to Allah shall receive different rank and treatment that no one can imagine but them and nothing in this whole world matters to them.

[Muslimah]

Hazrat Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah [sAWW](PBUH) said, "Seek among your weak ones, for you are given provision and help only because of the weak amongst you.''

[Abu Dawud Hadith # 2594].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Isra Ayat 30."Truly, your Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills" This Hadith mentions the reason for the acceptance of the invocations of the weak and poor. Since their hearts are free from the worldly vices and are gifted with greater sincerity and fear of Allah, their prayers are more acceptable to Him. This point has been mentioned more explicitly in Nasa'i which says: "Almighty Allah helps the Ummah because of the prayers, worship and devotion of its weak people". (Aun-ul-Ma`bud, Vol. No. 2, chapter Al-Jihad). The words which occur in most of the manuscripts of Riyad-us-Saliheen are (Abghow fi ad-duafa') and the translation quoted here follows these words. But in the manuscripts of Abu Dawud, the word (fi) does not figure in the text. In one manuscript, however, we find the words (Abghow fi ad-duafa') which means "For me search Muslims who are weak so that I find reason to support you with their prayers".

[Muslimah]

And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew.(Quran 29:64 )

[Muslimah]

Salman Al Faresy may Allah Be Pleased with him. Salman cried while dying, they asked him: what makes you cry. He said: the Messenger of Alalh salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam adviced us to only maintain provision similar to that maintained by a traveller, and I am dying now while surrounded by such supplies and provision. Those who were attending explained the items as a container to collect water, another bowl for water and food and a third container used for purification.

when Salman said the provision of a traveler, of course he meant the traveler according to the advice of our Messenger, mentor, and leader Mohammad Ibn Abdullah, he means here the least provisions that may be easily carried, unlike our situation when we travel carrying luggage large enough and pay excess to the airlines, may Allah Bestow Mercy on us ameen

[Muslimah]

Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near! ) (Quran 2:214

[Muslimah]

"Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Truly, I am going to create man from clay"*So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him."So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them:*Except Iblees (Satan) he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.*Allah) said: "O Iblees (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted[color"*[iblees (Satan)] said: "I am better than he, You created me from fire, and You created him from clay."*Allah) said: "Then get out from here, for verily, you are outcast.*"And verily!, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense."*[iblees (Satan)] said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected."*(Allah) said: "Verily! You are of those allowed respite*Till the Day of the time appointed."*[iblees (Satan)] said: "By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all,*"Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism)."(Sad: 71-85 )

[Muslimah]

And we still follow our fierce enemy who vowed by Allah's Mighty to tempt us??! Will you still follow him???? May Allah Curse him!

[Muslimah]

And walk not on the earth with...conceit and arrogance. Verily, you can neither rend nor penetrate the earth, nor can you attain a stature like the mountains in height. (Isra:37)

[Muslimah]

And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster. (Luqman: 18)