Encouragement! [Quote - 675]

We are all human beings. All of us share, to different degrees, the strengths and weaknesses that are endemic to the human race.

And our lives are modulated not only by our thoughts -- that is how most Jama'at Islami people in India, and good people they are, seem to think, to this day, almost, I believe -- but also by our emotions.

In all kinds of important ways, it is not only our head, but it is also our heart that makes us do what we do.

In fact, emotions are in the driver's seat when it comes to living our life as humans. 

So, that means we all can use some words of kindness, compassion, support and encouragement from each other from time to time.

Qur'an says: 

"Just say something nice to people."

Qul Linnaasi Husnaa!

Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, says -- in paraphrase:

"If you can't say anything nice to people, at least greet them with a smile."

So, do you think this Islam could have come from any source other than Allah?

END

Hope amidst All This Pain and Hurt?
But That Is the Way to Go -- If You Are a Muslim! [Quote - 673]

When we look at the world around us, it gives us a lot of pain. But that is a sign of a heart that is not dead. Not fully anyway. Dead hearts don't feel anything. They just are dead.

Things are what they are in the world. Problems of every kind and description abound. 

The point is first to do our best to understand them. And then to set about systematically to address them -- and looking for solutions for them.

Search for solutions is neither easy nor short-lived. It sometimes extends over years and decades. And sometimes even generations.

The important thing is never to give up. But to continue looking and searching. 

It is Allah's promise in the Qur'an that you look hard enough, and Allah will guide you to the answers:

Walladheena Jaahadoo Feenaa,
La-Nahdiyannahum Subulanaa!

Allah's world is sweet and wonderful -- such as it is. And there is a lot of room for hope and optimism. 

And where there is none, hope must be generated. Optimism must be created. 

It is a candle that must be lit in every heart.

That is what Islam came into this world to do. 

And that is the job of the Muslims today: to light that fire of hope in every heart.

To tell everybody what the Qur'an says:

A-laa Inna Nasrallahi Qareeb!

Meaning: Good days are just around the corner. Keep up the effort. Don't lose heart. 

The world needs to be shown that there is a better way -- with better likely outcomes. 

That is part of the job of Muslims in today's world. To rise to levels of being part of the solution. And not just be part of the problems that plague the world.

END

Sometimes It Is a Trickle, Sometimes It Is a Flood! [Quote - 633]

Most people don't understand a simple thing about the way Allah does things. Or what it means to Work for Allah.

When those Working for Allah issue forth -- spread out that is -- on God's earth and leave no stone unturned to invite people to come to Allah, the response to their work is far from predictable. 

And far from uniform.

Sometimes it is a trickle, sometimes it is a flood. Sometimes it is a drizzle and sometimes it is a downpour.

From massive to meager, from instant to delayed, the response to your work is all Allah's doing. It is not a direct outcome of your work.

The untiring efforts of Prophet's Muhammad, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam, covering a span of two decades, were, toward the end, rewarded by the floodgates of acceptance opening and men and women -- Annaas -- rushing into Islam in waves:

Wa Ra-ayitan Naasa Yadkhuloona Fi Deenillahi Afwaaaja (110:2).

Other Prophets of God, Alaihimus Salam, such as Hazrath Lut, Alaishis Salam, were left wondering if there was not a single decent human being among those they were targeting and working for so long and so hard to win over for Allah. 

So much so that they ended up saying:

A-Layisa Minkum Rajulun Rasheed (11:78).

Paraphrase:

"Is there not one decent human being among you?"

Or, as in another case -- also in relation to Hazrath Lut, Alaihis Salam -- as Allah and his angels looked, before proceeding to destroy the entire community of rebels against God, and his Messenger Lut, Alaihis Salam, they could not find more than a single household in that entire community that happened to be Muslim:

Fa-Maa Wajadnaa Fihaa Ghaira Bayitin Minal Muslimeen (51:36).

Go figure Muslims!

And those of you Working for Allah: take heart! 

So long as you keep doing your work, and keep doing it right, there is no such thing as failure in your lot!

It is all success -- from beginning to end.

So, just go and do your work and do it right -- the way Allah asks you do it:

Fa-Lidhaalika Fad-'u Wastaqim Kamaa Umirta (42:15).

Paraphrase:

"So, go and invite people to Allah, as you are asked to do, 
And don't falter in your mission!"

End

The Way Allah Does Things [Quote - 632]

Most people do not understand that Allah has his own way and his own meticulous calculus of doing things.

Therefore, what happens in the world is what Allah decides should happen. And it does not always coincide with what you and I wish would happen.

And it is all to the good!

Therefore, to submit to Allah's decision, and to accept it with an open heart, and in fact to rejoice in it and to celebrate it, is a level of Iman that is much to be envied and that is not given to all.

So, people, let us all go back to the drawing board and retool. Let us learn to understand and accept and enjoy and celebrate Allah's decisions for us, and for his world, even as we work day and night to help to make his world a better place, in itself and for all of this creation.

END

When Allah Has Issues with People [Quote - 611]

There are all kinds of people in this world.

There are those with whom Allah is pleased. They are the people who have really made it in this world.

Theirs is a story of success and joy.

Ulaa-i-ka Humul Muflihoon.

And then there are those with whom Allah has issues.

Not really the kind with whom Allah is totally displeased. And who then are subject to Allah's wrath.

And who are lost without hope.

Like:

Ghairil Maghdoobi Alaihim!
Wa Laddaalleen!

But people for whom there still is some hope, no matter what a tiny fraction that hope maybe.

They are people whose chain Allah yanks a little bit. They are people whose attention Allah wants to get.

They are people to whom Allah wants to give another chance. It is a kind of a silent but persistent ringing of the alarm clock, trying to wake you up for Fajr (Morning) Prayer when you don't really want to get up.

And, Allahu Akbar, how many chances does Allah give us! Every moment and every situation in our life.

Every single one of us!

A little bit of gratefulness will go a long way. But we all know who we really are as people, as a species: miserable, ungrateful wretches.

Qur'an:

Innal Insaana La-Zaloomun Kaffar!

Paraphrase:

"Surely, human being is a most ungrateful, miserable wretch!"

END

Speechless in God’s Universe?
Just Say: “Alhamdu Lillah!” [Quote - 579]

How often has it happened to how many of us: We all end up saying, more often than not, more frequently than we should, how speechless we are! How overcome we are with life and its kaleidoscopic situations.

How we are short of words and expressions as it were. How we don’t know what to say, for example. That is, how we are short of the right thing to say.

I am sure this is true of most if not all of us.

But here is what I think: Why are we speechless to begin with, why are we short of words in God’s Universe?

All we need to do, at least those of us who say they believe in the Qur’an, is to turn to the Qur’an for answers – and for words to say: whenever we need to say them, whatever the occasion and whatever the context.

For, the Qur’an has words – and ideas – to fit all occasions.

Here are some clues as to what those words could be that people should be saying. Let us start with Alhamdu Lillah! There is no better or finer set of words for anyone to utter – in any context or situation, regardless of time or place.

Alhamdu Lillah! means “All Praise Is to God!” That means, among other things: “Thank You, God!”

And now what excuse or right context or situation do you need to say “Thank You!” to your maker, considering everything you have is from him, and everyone of those things -- whether it is your hand, foot, tongue or eye -- was given to you free?

So, next time you think you are speechless, or short of things to say, just say “Alhamdu Lillah!” and get on with your life. It will cover all situations and meet all your needs.

END

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