3 Pieces of Advice Vs 20 Years of Salary

A very poor newly wedded, young couple lived in a small farm. One day the husband made the following proposal to his wife:
Honey, I will leave the house: I will travel faraway, get a job and work hard in order to come back and give you the comfortable life that you deserve. I do not know how long I will stay away, I only ask one thing, please wait for me, and while I am away, you should be faithful to me, because I will be faithful to you.

So the young man left. He walked many days until he found a farmer who was in need of someone to help him. The young man offered his services. He was accepted. Therefore he discussed the terms with his boss: Let me work for as long as I want and when I think I should go home, please relieve me of my duties. I do not want to receive my salary. I ask you to save it for me, until the day I leave. The day I decide to go, please give me the money and I will go my way.

They agreed on that. So, the young man worked for twenty years without holiday and without rest. After twenty years, he came to his boss and said: – Boss, I want my money, because I am returning to my home.
The boss replied:
– All right, after all, I made a deal with you and I will stick to it. However, before you go I want to offer you something new: I will give you all your money and send you away; or I will give you 3 pieces of advice and send you away. If I give you the money, I do not give you the 3 pieces of advice. And if I give you the 3 pieces of advice, I will not give you the money.
Now, go to your room and think about your answer.

He thought for two days. Then he went to the boss and told him:
– I want the 3 pieces of advice. The boss stressed again:
– If I give you the 3 pieces of advice, I will not give you the money.

And the man replied:  I want the 3 pieces of advice.
The boss then told him: No. 1: Never take shortcuts in your life, shorter and unknown paths can cost your life.
No. 2: Never be too curious, for curiosity towards evil can be deadly.
No. 3: Never make decisions in moments of anger or pain, because when you repent, it could be too late.

After giving these 3 pieces of advice, the boss said to him:  Here, you have 3 loaves of bread, 2 are for you to eat during the journey and the last is for you to eat with your wife when you get home.

So, the man went his way, after twenty years away from home and from his wife, whom he loved so much.

After the first day of travel, he found a man who greeted him and asked: Where are you going?
He replied: To a distant place which is about 20 days away if I continue walking.
The man said to him: Ol’ boy, this path is too long! I know a shortcut that is very safe and you will arrive in 5 days only.

The man began to follow the path suggested until he remembered the first piece of advice. Then, he
returned and followed the long path. Days later he learned that the shortcut led to an ambush.

After a few more days of travel, he found an inn by the roadside, where he could rest. He paid for a room and after taking a bath he lay down to sleep.  During the night he woke up as he heard a terrifying scream. He rose to his feet and went to the door to check what happened. As he was opening the door, he remembered the second piece of advice. Therefore he returned, lay down
again and slept.

At dawn, after breakfast, the owner of the lodging asked him if he had not heard the scream at night. He affirmed that he heard. Then, the host said: Were you not curious to see what happened? 
And he replied: No, I was not.
Then the host said: You are the first guest to leave this inn alive. My neighbour is completely crazy. He usually shouts at night to call someone’s attention. When some of the guests come out, he kills them and buries their bodies in the backyard.

The man continued his long journey, eager to arrive soon. After many days and nights walking, he was very tired, but he finally saw his house far away. It was night. He saw some light coming out of the window of his house and was able to see the silhouette of his wife. But he also saw that she was not alone. He came closer and saw there was a man with her. She softly caressed his hair. 

When he saw that scene, his heart was filled with hatred and bitterness. He decided to rush at and kill them both mercilessly. However, he took a deep breath and he remembered the third piece of advice. Then he stopped, reflected and decided to sleep
outside that night. He slept in the midst of the bushes, determined to make a decision the next day.

At dawn, he was calmer and thought: I will not kill my wife and her lover. I am going back to my boss to ask him to take me back. But before I go, I want to tell my wife that I have always been faithful to her.

He went to the front door and knocked. When his wife opened the door and recognized him, she cried and embraced him warmly. He tried to push her away, but he was not able. Then, with tears in his eyes he told her: I was faithful to you but you betrayed me.
She was shocked, so she replied: How did I betray you? I have never betrayed you. I waited patiently for you for twenty good
years.

Then he asked: How about the man that you were caressing yesterday?
And she said: That man is your son. When you left, I discovered I was pregnant. Today he is twenty years old.

Hearing that, the man asked her forgiveness. He met and hugged his son. Then he told them all the things he had experienced while away. Meanwhile, his wife prepared some coffee for them to eat together, the last bread given by his boss.

After a prayer of Gratitude, he broke the bread. When he looked at it, he found all his money inside. In fact, there was even more than the right payment for his twenty years of dedication and hard work.

Our Creator is like this boss. When he asks us to make a sacrifice, he wants to give us more than what we give Him. He wants us to have His unique wisdom as well as the material blessings.

The Sheikhs Parrot

There was a Sheikh who was teaching his students Aqeedah (faith), He taught them ‘la ilaha illa Allah’ and explained it to them.
The Sheikh loved keeping pets, so he was given a parrot by one of the students as a gift.

And with days the Sheikh started to like the parrot.  He used to take him in his lessons, until the parrot knew how to say la ilaha illa Allah, He would to utter it night and day.

One day the students found their Sheikh crying and sobbing.  When they asked him the reason, he told them that a cat attacked the parrot and killed it.  They said: Is this the reason you are crying! If you wish we will bring you another parrot better than that one.

The Sheikh said: I am not crying because of this… But it made me cry when the cat
attacked the parrot.  It was shouting and screaming until it died.  He use to say la ilaha illa Allah a lot.  However, when he was attacked by a cat he forgot to say it.
He did nothing but scream!  Because he used to say it with his tongue only, and his heart did not learn it, so it didn’t feel it!

Then the Sheikh said: I am afraid to be like this parrot, we live our lives repeating la ilaha illa Allah with our tongues, but when death comes we forget it because our hearts did not know it.

When he told his students, they started crying in fear of lack of honesty in saying la ilaha illa Allah.
___________
I ask Allah give us death with ” ﻻ ﺍﻟﻪ ﺍﻻًﺍﻟﻠﻪ
” in our hearts and upon our tongues,

aameen!

Honesty and Truth

A honest and truthful girl.

One night, as per his usual practise, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – was walking around Madina Shareef with his slave.

In fact, it was his habit to walk around the streets and pathways of Madina Shareef during the night with the intention of looking after the people in the blessed city and also to see that no harm came to them. As he walked along, at a certain stage, he felt tired and he decided to lean on the wall of a certain house to have a small rest. Morning was also fast approaching.

From this house, the voice of an old lady was also heard and she was commanding her daughter to mix some water with the milk. However, her young daughter was refusing to do this. The daughter told her mother that the Ameerul Mo’mineen had prohibited people from mixing water in the milk and he had also publicly made this announcement. However the mother said, “At this time, ‘Umar is not watching you that you should be so frightened.” However, the young girl mentioned, “Even if ‘Umar is not watching at this moment, the Creator of Umar is still watching.”

Hadrat Sayyiduna Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – who was listening to this conversation was extremely impressed by the honesty of this young girl. He then ordered his servant to keep an eye on this house.

During the day, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – found out that this girl was the daughter of Hadrat Sayyiduna Sufyan bin Abdullah Saqafi – may Allah be pleased with him – and whose name was Umme Amaarah.

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – came to know about this that she was not yet married, he called all his sons and asked them which one was prepared to get married. Among his sons, Hadrat Asim – may Allah be pleased with him – replied that he was prepared to marry this girl.

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then approached the family and had his son Hadrat Asim marry this young girl. The first child that was born was a girl whose name was Umme Asim. This was the granddaughter of Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him. When she became mature, she married the son of Marwan bin Hakam whose name was Abdul Aziz. From this marriage, the first child born was a boy and his mother, Umme Asim, gave him the same name as her grandfather, ‘Umar. This child later on was to become known as the famous Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin Abdul Aziz – may Allah be pleased with him.

Secret Bags of food

“My boss drove a luxury car everyday and it was my duty to greet him and to open the gates for him, as I worked as a watchman in his villa. But he never responded back to my greetings.


One day he saw me opening the garbage bags outside the villa in search for any leftover food. But, as usual he never even looked at me, it was like as if he never saw anything!
The very next day I saw a paper bag at the same place, but it was clean and the food inside was covered well. It was fresh and good food like someone had just brought it from the supermarket. I didn’t bother as to where it came from, I just took the paper bag and I was so happy about it.
 
Every day I found this paper bag at the same place with fresh vegetables and all that we needed for home. This became my daily routine. I was eating and sharing this food with my wife and kids. I was wondering who this fool could be?! To forget his paper bag full of fresh food everyday.
One day there was a big problem in the villa and I was told that my boss has died. There were too many guests coming to the villa that day and I didn’t get any food that day, so I thought that one of the guests must have taken it. But the same thing happened the 2nd day, the 3rd day and the 4th day.
It went on like this for a few weeks and I found it difficult to provide food for my family, so I decided to ask the wife of my boss for a raise in my salary or else I would quit my job as a watchman.
 
After I told her, she was shocked, and asked me, how come you never complained about your salary for the last 2 years? And why is this salary not enough for you now? I gave her so many excuses but she was never convinced!Finally in the end, I decided to tell her the truth, I told her the entire story of the bag of groceries, and as to how it was my daily provision. She then asked me as to when this stopped? I told her after the death of her husband. And then I realized that I stopped seeing the paper bag immediately after the death of my boss. Why didn’t I ever think of this before? That it was my boss who was providing this for me? I guess it was because I never thought that a person who never replied to my greetings could ever be this generous!
 
His wife started to cry and I told her to please stop crying and that I’m really sorry that I asked for a raise, I didn’t know that it was your husband who was providing me with the meals, I’ll remain as a watchman and be happy to provide my service. His wife told me, I’m crying because I’ve finally found the 7th person my husband was giving this bag full of food. I knew my husband was giving 7 people everyday, I had already found the 6 people, and all these days I was searching for the 7th person. And today I found out.
 
From that day onwards, I started to receive the bag full of food again, but this time his son was bringing it to my house and giving it to my hand. But whenever I thanked him, he never replied! Just like his dad!
One day, I told him THANK YOU in a very loud voice! He replied back to me to please not be offended when he doesn’t reply, because he has a hearing problem, just like his dad!” Oh! We have been wrong so many times judging others without knowing the true story behind their actions. Be kind and courteous in dealing with others, for everyone is fighting a hard battle. Be careful, not everything is about you. Before you assume, there is this thing called ASKING.
 
Don’t just jump to conclusion, because that is truly not an exercise, it may cause you more harm at the end of the day. Many of our problems are caused by how we process what happens around us. Don’t judge a situation you have never been in. Be humble enough to learn. You do not know it all. Lets change the way we feel about ourselves and others.
 
There are two sides to a story. Don’t believe everything you hear.
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
 
May Allah Ta‘ala make us from the righteous. آمــــــــــين ثـمّ آمــــــــــين  

The Spirit of Ramadan

Asad opened the refrigerator door and peered inside. His eyes fell on a huge chocolate cake and some sandwiches, the leftovers from yesterday’s tea.

“Oh God! Why am I being punished like this?” He groaned silently.

It was the first day of Ramadan and Asad was fasting. He had just returned from school and was feeling ravenous. After dropping his heavy backpack on the bedroom floor, he made a beeline for his favorite spot in the house, the kitchen. But fasting meant no food for at least four more hours. He would have to wait till sunset to break the first fast of the month.

Just for a second, Asad felt sorely tempted.

“Who would know if I eat a slice of the cake?” he mused. His parents weren’t home, his grandparents were resting and his baby sister, Fatima was too young to tell tales.

“Somebody would know, “a little voice argued inside his heart. “He, who knows everything, since He is our Creator.”

Asad slammed the fridge door shut in frustration. He was fourteen and felt ashamed of his momentary weakness. He went to the living room where a maid was spooning Cerelac into Fatima’s little mouth. Fatima gurgled and grinned at her older brother who bent down to give her a hug. Asad looked at the pale yellow concoction that was smeared across her face and swallowed hard. Even Cerelac smelled good at this hour.

He flopped down on the sofa in disgust and switched on the television.

“Maybe a nice program will take my mind off food for a while,” he thought, aggressively pressing down the channel buttons on the remote control.

He paused at BBC channel where a cute anchorperson was presenting a report. Asad stared at her for a while without registering the news but then some live images made his attention snap back at the report. Rachel Hayward was talking about intense, widespread poverty and famine in Africa where millions of children perished each year due to hunger and malnutrition.

Asad stared at the disturbing pictures of dark brown skeletal children with distended stomachs. Flies hovered around their faces and their naked bodies, as mothers listlessly tried to wave them away. Their misery was writ large on their faces and their empty eyes bore testimony to man’s inured ways.

Asad thought with a guilty pang about the uneaten pizza he had thrown away in a fit of temper last night. He had ordered his favorite Chicken Supreme but the delivery boy had brought some other pizza and would not take it back. Asad had paid for it and just to show the impertinent delivery guy what he thought of his services, had tossed the pizza into the trash can outside his house. It had felt so good at that time but now he felt like a total jerk.

He remembered how his grandmother always chided him when he left rice uneaten on his plate that was later scrapped off by the servant and dumped in trashcan. He remembered the lavish meals he and his friends ordered in college canteen and then discarded because they could not eat a bite more. If excess, extravagance and waste were crimes, then he was guilty of each one of them.

He changed the channels once again and put on MTV. He had a huge crush on Beyonce but after witnessing the BBC report, the music seemed too loud, too cheerful and even obscene. He switched the television off.

“What is wrong with me today?” He thought uneasily. “It must be the lack of food that is making me so restless.” He glanced at the stately golden clock adorning the living room wall. Only twenty minutes had passed and he still had more than three and a half hours to kill.

“I’ll go to Bilal’s house.” He decided, thinking about his friend’s house across the street. “Maybe a few rounds of computer games will improve my mood.”

When he stepped out of his house, he saw was a couple of dirty, bedraggled children foraging through the trash can. The older kid, who seemed about 5 yrs old, dragged a piece of dried chapatti out of the refuse heap and brushed away blackened mango peels from it. He broke it in two and offered the other half to his younger sister. Asad stood rooted to the spot in horror.

“Hey. Don’t eat that. It’s terribly dirty and probably mouldy too,” he shouted but the duo quickly crammed the hard chapatti into their hungry mouths and scampered off.

“Why had I never noticed such things before?” he wondered.

Asad had never been hungry in his entire life so poverty, deprivation, and hunger were concepts that he had never thought about.If the home cooked meal was not to his liking, he always ordered his favorite foods from upscale restaurants and had them delivered home. He had a credit card, a gift from his father on his fourteenth birthday and he used it for lavish meals whenever he wished.

Now hunger due to the obligatory fast was forcing him to look at the plight of the less fortunate and the more he saw, the more disturbed he felt.

He crossed the street and saw a construction crew at work. Bilals’ father was having a wing added to his already imposing residence. Asad paused to admire the skill of an old carpenter who was busy smoothing a rectangular block of wood. Wood shavings littered the floor around him.

“Are you fasting, babaji?” He asked respectfully.

The old man looked up and wiped the perspiration from his brow.

“Aye, son. Work is no excuse for not fasting,” he replied.

Asad could not imagine fasting and then working in the relentless summer afternoon heat. He looked around at the laborers, mason, and brick layers working in a rhythmic method.

“What do you eat for iftaar?” he asked out of curiosity, referring to the evening meal. He imagined the lavish food that got prepared in their kitchen everyday. It took their chef at least two hours to put together an afternoon tea.

The old man smiled,” Whatever Allah provides for us, son. He is Merciful and Most Gracious.”

“Does Mr. Haroon provide you with meals?” Asad persisted. He knew Bilal’s father was rather tight fisted. He would have insisted that the men put in whole shifts instead of cutting down their working hours in deference to Ramadan.

“What do rich men know about empty stomachs, my son,” the old carpenter replied, moving his plane over the wood in a smooth, fluid motion.

With bile rising in his throat, Asad turned back towards his house. His mind was in turmoil and his heart ached. In the living room he paced restlessly and then saw some CDs that his grandfather was fond of listening. He put on one in the magnificent stereo system that his father had recently purchased. It was recitation of the Holy Quran. As the soul stirring voice of Qari Saad Al Ghamdi reciting Surah al Baqarah filled the room, Asad felt waves of serenity hitting him. He felt engulfed in peace and tears shimmered in his eyes.

“Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their spending by stressing their benevolence and causing hurt, will find their reward secure with their Lord. They have no cause for fear and grief. ”

Asad spent some time listening and absorbing the message from Allah. Then he took a bath and said his prayers. His parents came home and the smell of iftaar being prepared filled the house.

As the entire family gathered for breaking the fast, Asad looked at the dining table laden with a variety of food ___ sandwiches, cake, fruit cocktail, tempura, triangular samosay, fried chicken pieces, dates and a variety of other dishes.

“Mom, do we need to cook so much food for one meal that no one can possibly finish?”

“What’s on your mind, son?” his father asked, surprised by his son’s unusual question.

“Dad, Mom’s on a diet, grandparents can’t eat fried and salty food as per doctor’s orders and Fatima can’t eat solid food. That leaves you and me to finish at least eight dishes. It’s pure waste.”

“Asad, what is wrong, son?” His mother asked concerned about her son’s state of mind.

“Mom there are people out there dying of hunger. There are people who have a handful of dried dates to eat and yet work all day on rich people’s mansions and then thank God for His blessings.”

“Asad, we do pay zakat and charity to help those in need. I am very happy that you are being so thoughtful and caring, but we cannot eradicate poverty on our own,” his father reasoned.

“Yes, but maybe this Ramadan we can share our food with those whose needs are greater than ours, father. May I?” Asad asked with a tilt of his head towards the food.

The grown ups looked bemused but Asad felt a gleam of pride in their eyes. He went outside and invited the laborers for iftaar. At first hesitantly and then with joy and gratitude they accepted his offer.

Asad’s servants laid out linen on the green grass of their beautifully manicured lawn and the men took off their shoes and sat cross legged waiting for the Maghrib azaan which would signal the time to break the fast.

As Asad passed out fresh dates and fruit to about two dozen men in the garden, the old carpenter said smilingly, “Didn’t I tell you that Allah is the best Provider and we eat out of His provisions.”

For the first time in the day, Asad laughed aloud in joy.

“Thank you for teaching me the true spirit of Ramadan, babaji . It is not about mindlessly abstaining from food and drink all day but understanding the needs of others and pleasing Allah to gain His blessings that Ramadan is all about. Sharing and caring, that’s the true spirit of this holy month.”

“Aye, and praying too. Now help this old man get up so that I can say my prayers, young man.”

Happy and satiated, they all went to the local mosque to offer their prayers and thank Allah for all His blessings.

By Gulrukh Tausif

Making Assumptions

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops – a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on, six foot eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!” and sat down at the back.

Did I mention that the driver was five foott three, thin, and basically meek?
Well, he was. Naturally, he didn’t argue with Big John, but he wasn’t happy about it. The next day the same thing happened – Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John
was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer and so he signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what’s more, he felt really good about himself.

So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said,
“Big John doesn’t pay!” The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger,
and screamed, “And why not?”

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, “Big John has a bus pass.”

MORAL / LESSON:

The moral of this incident/story is quite self evident. However, it is a lesson that many of us seem to overlook and disregard in the many activities and chores of our life.

We learn from this incident that a person should not be hasty in making assumptions and judging a situation or an individual from what seems to be the apparent.

It is essential that a Muslim assumes the best of his fellow being and gives him the benefit of the doubt. If possible, one should allow the fellow being to explain himself as to clear any doubts one may have.

Our Nabi صلى الله عليه و صلم has stated that being hasty is from Shaytaan whilst steady composure is from Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

In the same manner ‘Ulamaa have stated that if there is a single reason for doubt in a matter relating to a person then that doubt should have an effect on the decision that is made.

In conclusion, one should take all factors into consideration and avoid hastiness in judging an individual. Instead, one should try to make the matter clear as to avoid placing false accusations on anyone.

Jazakallah to Maulana Zain for writing up a moral for the story.

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch10

As Ahmad walks towards the magical gates, they slowly open releasing an incredible scent out in the open. Ahmad’s hair is pushed back as the wind gently strikes against his body.

He enters the large magical dome, and there before him is an incredible garden of literally thousands of large colourful flowers and bushes never seen by man. Streams of blue and green water pass through the land like meandering rivers, the water passing along at a generally fast speed. As the water hits against the banks of the rivers, splashes of water rise and suddenly turn into hundreds of colourful fruits resembling bubbles, floating around, waiting to be picked by someone and eaten. All along the banks of the rivers are magical gems and rubies in colours unknown to man. Ahmad runs towards the river laughing and in an ecstatic mood. He quickly places his arms deep within the magical water, which feels so soothing and cool. He takes some water in his hands and takes a sip. The flavour is beyond imagination, similar to that of a magical tropical fruit. He finds one of the floating fruits resembling a bubble and takes it in his hand. He takes a bite, his teeth easily sinking into the almost see through fruit. He cannot believe the flavour, something indescribable. He spends time enjoying the fruit around him when he suddenly hears laughing in the distance. He turns around in shock and there in the distance is a small group of Muslims sitting together enjoying a Hugh feast. He smiles and quickly runs up to them.

“Assalaamu’Alycom dear Brother. Come join us.” One of the Brothers calls to him smiling.

“Wa’laycom Assalaam!” Ahmad says excitedly.

He is given a golden plate full of rice, lamb and salad. The food looks flawless. Not a single defect can be found in the food.

“Mashah’Allah! So this is it? No more sadness and worry? I still cannot get over the excitement that there will never be any boredom, sadness, pain or worry!” Ahmad says.

The Brothers around him laugh.

“Wait until we enter Paradise and see the Face of our Allah.” One Brother says.

“AllahuAkbar!!!” All of the Muslims call out.

Suddenly a multi coloured cloud appears over them and a shower of gems fall upon them like snowflakes. Each gem is edible, a delicious sweet given to them by Allah. An angel suddenly appears to the Muslims and says, “Dear Slaves of Allah! This is a small gift from Allah to thank you for praising His name.”

“AllahuAkbar! AllahuAkbar! AllahuAkbar!” The Muslims continue to scream out in extreme happiness, tears appearing from their eyes. Just the thought of Allah loving them is beyond words and description. No gift can ever be compared to being loved by Allah.

Time passes on, not affecting the Muslims within the magical dome.

Ahmad lays upon a bed of a material made only for the pious, watching above as small gem like leaves float around in all directions, releasing a beautiful scent attaching to anything it touches.

Ahmad slowly looks to the left and what he sees is something he could not possibly imagine would happen.  There, before him, is his mother, father, two brothers and his sister! His whole family is there before him!

“Mama! Dada! My Brothers and Sister!!!” He rushes towards them and hugs them tightly.

“My son! My son!” His mother cries out, crying out of extreme happiness.

“How? By Allah how?!” Ahmad calls out in tremendous exhilaration.

“Well by dear Son. 10 years after your death, we went to Hajj. It was the most exhilarating experience ever. Nothing could be compared to standing among all the Muslims bowing down to Allah.

While in Salat al-Layl (night Prayer), your mother and I made big Du’a to Allah to grant us a place with you in the Hereafter. After coming back from Hajj, we were all in our car driving back home reciting Qur’an, when suddenly we were struck by a truck and we all died by the will of Allah.”

“SubhanAllah! What is also shocking was when you mentioned 10 years! It feels I was here for only a few days! I thank Allah so much that He has united my family with me!”

An angel suddenly appears before the family.

“No more sadness, no more division. You were united upon the Earth and were separated at death. You have now united for the second time, and unity will be for eternity. You will be a family forever. You will enter Paradise together, without end. You will be loved by Allah forever!” The angel calls out smiling towards them.

“Lah Illah Ha Illallah! Takbeer! AllahuAkbar!” The family call out hand in hand.

“Mama! Dada! And my dear brothers and little sister! Come and I will show you around, for there is so much to show you in here, and even with this, I have only seen a fraction of what is in this Hugh magical dome. Imagine what will be in Paradise!!!” Ahmad calls out in excitement indescribable.

There they went: Ahmad, his mother, father, brothers and little sister, off to enjoy a magnificent feast with the rest of the blessed brothers and sisters within the magical dome of wonder. Muslims that will be united forever. A unity that will grow for eternity to come. A love and family bond that will continue to grow between them forever and ever.

The End.

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch9

Slowly the soil of the ground is thrown over the body of Ahmad. Minute by minute the hole of the grave begins to fill. Family, relatives and friends watch down in sadness, some crying out of grief, others crying out of fear that one day they will be in Ahmad’s situation, dead.

They all sit around Ahmad’s grave until the time appointed. As they walk away, Ahmad’s soul is instantly taken up outside the Gates of Paradise. There before him is the most magnificent doorway he has ever seen in his life. The size of it is beyond the imagination of any human being. Larger than a galaxy, made out of magical gold and silver bricks, a light of honour glimmering continuously from the gates. The gates prevent any eye in seeing the other side while all that is smelt and heard are the smells and sounds of Paradise beyond. Smells of unbelievably beautiful musk spreads forth from the gates of Paradise, while the sounds of magical water, the chirps of animal’s unheard of and other sounds unrecognizable to the ear can be heard. Magical walls beyond beauty spreads further than the eyes can see on both sides of the gate.

A smile spreads across the face of Ahmad while a feeling of incredible excitement enters his soul.

“Please let me in! I would love to see what is beyond those gates!” Ahmad calls out.

“Be patient Ahmad, for you will one day be allowed to enter those gates, for the gates and walls you see are the beginning of a Paradise wider than the Heavens and the Earth. A size you cannot even imagine, a size you will never be able to perceive even when you step foot into Paradise. It is a land where your dreams will come true; a land where no sadness or boredom is ever felt; a land where only desires and happiness are fulfilled; ask, and you will be granted; walk the lands of Paradise and forever you will come across things beyond your imagination.

Oh Ahmad. Prepare yourself for you have not even seen beauty. Prepare yourself for a land of unbelievable joy.

But now prepare your eyes for the greatest of beauty, a beauty beyond magnificence. Prepare yourself for the day you meet the Creator of all, Allah Subhanahuwata’aalah who is well pleased with you.” The angels call out.

Shivers passed along the spine of Ahmad when he heard those words.

“I cannot wait to meet Allah! But I am so ashamed to meet Him because of the bad things I have done.” Ahmad says.

“Do not fear Him now and do not be shy, for Allah is also looking forward in meeting you Ahmad.” The angels call out.

“AllahuAkbar!” Ahmad screams out as a feeling of mixed emotions of extreme happiness and extreme anticipation enters his soul.

The angels with Ahmad follow on in the praises of Allah, until all angels around begin the glorification of Allah, until the sound of praise begins to shake the ground beneath, the words passing through the air like a soothing wind.

Back on Earth Ahmad’s father and his wife prepare for bed. Both kept very silent that night, only making continuous Du’a to Allah.

The next morning at Fajr time, Muhammad rises from his sleep smiling and in what seems to be, a very excited state.

“‘Aliya! ‘Aliya! Wake up!” Muhammad shouts out shaking his wife waking her up.

“Ahmad!” ‘Aliya surprisingly calls out as her eyes open up.

“I dreamt of Ahmad in a beautiful kingdom!” Muhammad says excitedly.

“What?! AllahuAkbar! I dreamt of the same thing!” ‘Aliya calls out.

“This could be a good sign!” Muhammad says.

Moments later the phone rings. Muhammad picks it up only to find the Imam of the local Masjid on the other side of the line.

‘Aliya looks into the eyes of her husband and notices his face light up with even more happiness and hope.

After a couple of minutes Muhammad puts down the phone and tells his wife the amazing news. The Imam had the exact dream as Muhammad and ‘Aliya! After they made Salat and for the past hour, phone calls poured in from relatives and friends. Allah has made Ahmad as a good example to all, and has made all those who knew him to dream of his good condition in the Hereafter.

That day, Mo and the girl were buried. Very few turned up to their burial, not even their own parents…

“No more pain! Please!” Mo screams out.

Mo and the girl watch on in terror as their bodies approach their burial grounds. From the depths of their graves they watch on in terror as thousands of hideous and grotesque insects pour into their grave. Inside their grave scorpions the size of a small baby with long spidery legs six foot in length scuttling along the ground can be seen by only the dead.

Black snakes well over 20 foot with the most terrifying face ever imaginable with dozens of large sword like teeth are also present. Thousands of large wet worms with hundreds of spiny legs embedded along the side of their bodies squirm around only to cause sever pain with the bites from their small jaws and the prodding of their spiny legs.

Mo and the girl scream in absolute terror as their bodies are placed within their graves. The insects force their way into their mouths crawling down their throats. Some insects are so large that Mo and the girl’s mouth are forced open so wide that their jaws end up breaking and their cheeks tearing. Their screams continue and then begin to gurgle in their own vomit as the insects crawl down their throats. Some worm like creatures begin to eat their way back out of their throats, while others continue down into their stomach only to burst out of their abdomen. The large scorpions dig their claws and poisonous stings without mercy into the eyes and face of Mo and the girl. Each time the flesh, sinew, and muscle is torn off from their bodies; it is only replaced again and again so the pain never ends. After a while, that felt like a lifetime for Mo and the girl, the insects scuttle off. Suddenly the walls of their grave begin to slowly close in on them. They scream in absolute terror and panic as the walls of their graves slowly crush them to almost death. Their shoulder blades slowly come together in a sick crunch as their own stomach and insides pour out from their mouths and nose.

After the Crushing of the Grave, Mo and the girl, each one alone, in a separate dark “room” watch on in terror as Munkar and Nakeer approach them at the same time. After the Questioning of the Grave, and the torture from the blind, death and dumb one, the “room” automatically turns into a torture chamber beyond imagination.

Mo screams in terror as angels in horrifying forms approach him carrying large iron nails and hammers.

“Please no!!!” Mo screams out as a large nail is placed over his left eye and then without hesitation hammered into his skull. The same was done to his right eye. After this terrifying ordeal, the angels without mercy begin to hammer at least another dozen nails into his skull.

“This punishment is for every time you touched a woman Allah has forbidden you to touch!” The angels scream out, letting Mo know why he is receiving such torture. Each time the nails were hammered through his skull, his skull would return back to normal only to be treated to the same punishment.

The girl also received the same punishment as Mo, but for her another angel approached her carrying two very large iron hooks. Despite her crackling scream and cries, the angel forced the hook through her tongue ripping it out of her mouth. Then the angel placed the other hook through her belly button, ripping the flesh off her abdomen exposing her insides. Her stomach and other organs emptied out onto the dark murky floor.

“This is for the piercing you did upon your tongue and your belly! Tell me now with the pain you feel was it really worth it? Did you gain eternal pleasure? Did it wipe out every form of depression upon this Earth?”

“No! Please stop! I only did it because I was tempted by it! I was planning to get rid of it!” The girl screams out.

“Your excuses are nothing but air! You knew it was forbidden yet you denied your Lord, thinking that He will let you live only so you can live through your desires and then you hoped to grow bored of it. Know this; those who want to enjoy their pleasures thinking that they will grow out of it, the only thing that is growing is the torment and pain they will feel in the Afterlife!” The angels call out sternly to her.

Back with Ahmad, the angels of mercy escort him towards the largest and most beautiful building he has ever seen in his entire life. It looks like a giant dome made out of purple emerald, the size of which can hold many Planet Earth’s with ease. Large crystal frame windows line the sides of this incredible emerald dome, while colourful plants and little ponds line the whole circumference of it.

“SubhanAllah! Am I going to go in there?!” Ahmad calls out excitedly.

“Of course you are Ahmad. This is your place of stay until the coming of the final hour.” An angel says smiling towards him.

“AllahuAkbar!” Ahmad calls out.

Each step Ahmad takes towards the doors of the magical emerald dome, his excitement reaches a new level beyond description.

Chapter 10

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch8

“Ya Rubb! How can this be so beautiful in what I am seeing?!” Ahmad says as tears roll down his face.

“Oh Ahmad! You have seen nothing yet. We have not even come close to the Doors of Eternal Beauty!” The angels call out to him as they begin their ascent through the Seven Heavens.

Up they rise, faster than the speed of light. A beautiful wind gushes upon the face of Ahmad as he sits within the casket of beauty. He looks around in absolute amazement as he passes each of the Seven Heavens, and he notices that the next one he enters seems to be more beautiful than the last! Comfort indescribable sets in the soul of Ahmad, a feeling of happiness completely protected against any speck of sadness or worry.

On the other hand, Mo and the girl burn continuously in the garments of fire as the Angels of punishment bring them up through the Seven Heavens. The pain and torment they experience are so bad that they are unable to view the spectacular scenery surrounding them. Every nerve within their bodies is afflicted with agony beyond imagination. Their bodies are prevented from going into shock; no end to the pain; continuous tears pour forth from their dark reddening eyes.

“Ya Allah! If I truly knew death was this bad I would have been your best servant! Please Allah! I now know! Please send me back and I will be the best!” Both Mo and the girl scream out.

“No more sound from you! You said you were Muslims yet you did not obey Allah! You were warned by your family yet you did not take heed! You knew about Hell and the punishment from Allah yet it did not scare you to turn back to Him! This is your reward for choosing the life that you wanted! You fell for your desires and you did not want to sacrifice the sinful fun for pleasing Allah! Now you will face the pleasure for the sinful; Hell will be your abode! Now you will soon see the pious enjoying their lives within the Garden of Eternal Delight! See then and tell me what the real entertainment is; the pleasure of the World that is now gone from you forever, or the pleasure of Paradise that will last forever! See then and tell me who are those who show true happiness; those sinful people on this Earth looking to seek pleasure while the pious cry to Allah, or those who used to cry to Allah now dwelling in Gardens of Eternal Delight while those who tried to seek pleasure on this Earth now screaming for eternity in the depths of Hell-Fire!” The Angels call out, each word sending shivers down the spines of Mo and the girl.

“But the pain is too much! I cannot bare it no more! Please take away some of the pain!” The girl screams out.

“Pain?! You have not even felt pain! You have seen nothing yet! For you the terrors of the Grave await you! For you, the horrors of the Day of Judgment are approaching! And for you, the final resting place of a pain and terror beyond your wildest imagination awaits. It is Jahannam, the final abode for the disobedient servants of Allah who underestimated His anger and punishment!”

Back on Earth the parents of each of the youth who passed away help in the preparation of the burial and the washing of the dead.

As an honour from Allah to Ahmad, Allah placed noor (light) within the face of Ahmad’s dead body and a smile that spread across his face. Each person who saw a glimpse of his face was left amazed at the sight.

“Inshah’Allah this is a good sign from Allah.” Ahmad’s father says as tears roll down his face.

“I am sure it is, Inshah’Allah.” The Sheik of the Masjid says as he stood next to Ahmad’s father.

Far from noor, the faces of both Mo and the girl were disfigured. Their faces suffered major trauma from the accident, but little did people know that this was from Allah as a curse upon their bodies.

The first to be led to Salatul-Janaazah was Ahmad. At the front row Ahmad’s father stood along with the rest of his children. The mother stood far at the back along with the rest of the Muslim Sisters. Amazingly that day, literally hundreds of pious Muslims with big beards and Islamic clothing came to pray Salatul-Janaazah for Ahmad. Ahmad’s father Muhammad turned around in absolute astonishment as he watched crowds of Muslims trying to squeeze in for a space in Prayer. Muhammad was so moved by what he saw and thanked Allah continuously in his heart for allowing so many Muslims attend, tears poured from his eyes.

In fact, there were so many pious Muslims that day, Salatul-Janaazah had to be repeated three times to allow those who waited outside to come in and make the Salat. Again, almost no body knew that this was another honour from Allah towards Ahmad

As for Mo and the girl, there was a surprisingly major setback in sorting out the death certificates etc, therefore preventing both of them being buried on Friday. Yet again, almost no body knew that this was another humiliation upon them for their disobedience towards Allah.

“AllahuAkbar!” The Imam calls out for the start of the first Rekk’a of Salatul-Janaazah. A feeling of fear and love of Allah passes through the air and through the hearts of the Muslims within the Masjid without them knowing, as Angels within the room constantly make Du’a towards Ahmad asking Allah for mercy, forgiveness and reward upon his soul. The only sign upon this Earth of this happening was the feeling of absolute concentration and crying towards Allah as the Muslims stood in Salat.

As these Muslims prayed towards Allah to ask Him to have mercy upon Ahmad, the angels with Ahmad already arrived to the Seventh Heaven and had his book written down in ‘Illiyun and back to Earth they headed. While those on Earth prayed for Ahmad, he was being treated to a death of honour, and yet an honour greater than this awaits him.

After Salat Muhammad turned around to the Sheik and asked with tears still in his eyes, “What about Mo and the girl?”

“There is a delay with their death certificates. The time the parents are finished sorting that out, the burial most likely will be on Saturday. Anyway, let us get going to the burial site.” The Sheik says as he compassionately takes Muhammad’s arm and guides him to the car.

The Angels with Ahmad have now come back to Earth, and the soul of Ahmad waits over his dead body. The body has now arrived to the burial ground. There, before Ahmad’s eyes is his own burial spot. Radiating light of different colours spring forth from his grave. Sounds similar to that of a miraculous waterfall and the falling of leaves can be heard in the distance, but the beauty of the sound multiplied thousands of times more than that of Earth. The smell from the foods of Paradise can be smelt from the distance; from food that cannot even be imagined or created upon this Earth.

“Please, please, let me get into my Grave!” Ahmad screams out in extreme excitement.

“Ahmad! Be patient, for I cannot even imagine how you will act when you set foot within Paradise!” The Angels say to him smiling.

Ahmad is in so much excitement and so determined to get within his grave, that this even has an impact upon his dead body!

As his body is carried towards the grave by his grieving father and other members of his relatives, the dead body becomes awfully light!

“SubhanAllah! My son’s body seems so light!” Muhammad says.

“Mashah’Allah. Those who are pious, their dead bodies seem light since the soul wants to get into the Grave, while that of the disbeliever and the disobedient, their bodies seem heavy since the soul does not want to enter the grave because of the horrors of what they see.” The Sheik says.

The closer Ahmad gets to his Grave, the greater his anticipation and happiness becomes. With all the joy he is experiencing, he does not even notice the surrounding events taking place!

The final time Ahmad’s dead body will see the light of day has now come. Muhammad gets inside of the grave along with the local Sheik. For the last time upon this Earth Muhammad takes his son in his arms and carefully positions him down into the grave. For the last time on this Earth, Muhammad looks into his son’s eyes and stares at him. The Sheik spots the tears developing in Muhammad’s eyes, his body beginning to shake with the sadness.

“Muhammad. Keep firm and patient.” The Sheik says to him quietly and calmly.

“Yes Inshah’Allah, but words cannot describe the feeling of burying my own son.”

“This is Qadr of Allah and this is surely a great test. Keep firm upon the path of the Sunnah and Qur’an and you will meet him again face to face, Inshah’Allah.”

If only his father sees the state of Ahmad now, he will surely smile and cry out of absolute happiness. Little does everyone know that Allah is going to send a sign upon them all of the condition and state of Ahmad!

Chapter 9

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch7

Ahmad stares to the ground and continues to cross the road.  Shaytan senses the presence of death and rushes towards his enemy,  Ahmad.

“Look at the woman Ahmad! She is beautiful! Look at her to get rid of your satisfaction..!” Shaytan whispers into his ear.

Suddenly a truck several yards from the group automatically looses control. A loud screech is heard from the group as they turn around and spot the truck skidding towards them! Ahmad sees that the pious Muslim elderly Sister is in the line of collision! He drops the bags and rushes towards the Sister.

“By Allah, if I am going to do something for Allah, I will save this Muslim Sister to make Allah happy..!” Ahmad says to himself as he rushes to her and pushes her out the way. In those moments the truck smacks into Mo and the girl he is with knocking them flying into the air. Next in line is Ahmad. Ahmad manages to push the elderly Sister out of the way but is caught up in the collision. Within seconds all three teenagers are lying in pools of blood.

“Oh Allah, I am scared!  I don’t want to die like this, I did not even do my full five prayers yet! I did not fast…” Ahmad slowly says as tears roll down his face. Blood pours from the side of his body and skull.

The collision made enough sound for people to rush out of their homes. Even the Imam of the local Masjid came rushing out. The Sheik spotted Ahmad in the distance and ran towards him as fast as he could.

“Ahmad!” The Imam calls out as he rushes towards him taking hold of his bloodied hand.

“Pronounce Shahada!” The Imam calls out.

Suddenly a strange cold breeze is felt by Ahmad. In confusion he looks up and what he sees is something he could have never imagined in his life.

Two groups of astonishing angels begin descending from the sky. One group shining like the sun. Wings spreading as far as the eyes can see. A radiating beauty spreading from their faces and bodies, with comforting arms stretching forth. The other group on the other hand, have faces and bodies dark and terrifying, faces of extreme horror. Sounds of thunder bursting from their mouths carrying tools of torture within their hands.

” Lah He Lah Ha Ilallah!” Ahmad begins to call out.

The Imam smiles, tears rolling down his face. He spots sweat appear upon Ahmad’s forehead. The Imam knew that one who dies with sweat upon the brow is a good sign.

Ahmad still has no idea which groups of angels are going to whom. Suddenly Ahmad feels a relief that no human can ever feel in this life as he realises that the angels of extraordinary beauty are looking at him!

Ahmad raises his hands towards theirs, wanting to get away from the pain.

“No more crying Ahmad. Come to us. We are your friends. We love you so much Ahmad. We will look after you and care for you until you meet Allah who is very happy with you!” The angels call out as their hands come into contact with Ahmad’s. Slowly they take Ahmad’s soul more gently than a caring mother lifting her new born child.

Tears flow down the cheeks of Ahmad as he is left in absolute shock of what he is seeing. He spots an unbelievably looking cradle like bed made of a beautiful light of different colours being carried by one Angel. As the Angels slowly place his soul into the cradle, another Angel sprinkles a beautiful smelling musk never smelt by man upon Ahmad. Like little twinkling stars, they slowly fall upon Ahmad like small colourful snowflakes.

While Ahmad is being treated to this death of honour, the other group of terrifying Angels of torture headed towards Mo and the girl he was with!

Like a skewer being ripped through wet cotton wool, the Angels tear away at Mo’s and the girl’s soul. The Angels with Ahmad prevent him from hearing the screams of the two so that he can be at peace as much as possible.

“Oh Allah no! Please! I am a Muslim, I am a Muslim!” Mo screams as the Angels of punishment rip his soul out, veins and arteries dangling from his body.

“Muslim?! Do not degrade the name of Muslim! You disobeyed Allah and you lived in denial of Allah’s punishment! Now you will suffer for now and forever!” The Angels scream out to him in thundering voices as they throw his and the girls soul into a bed of dark black fire.

“May Allah curse you Mo! You guided me to this! May Allah give you a double punishment!” The girl screams out as her flesh and bone is left exposed as she burns slowly and agonisingly in the bed of fire.

“I did not force you to sin! You came to me willingly!” Mo cries out.

“Quiet! Save your arguments for The Day of Judgment!” The Angels scream out to them.

Both Mo and the girl look up and spot Ahmad.

“If only I listened to Ahmad on the road I may have been with him now” Mo says to himself as tears pour from his eyes from both the agony and the regret.

Back on Earth Ahmad’s parents have come onto the street to see what has happened.

Suddenly Ahmad’s father spots his son lying in a pool of blood on the road.

“Ya Allah no!” Ahmad’s father screams out as he rushes towards his son.

The Imam spots Ahmad’s father rushing towards the body. He quickly gets up and tries to prevent Ahmad’s father from approaching the dead body.

“What happened?! Is he ok?!” Ahmad’s father cries out.

The Imam takes Ahmad’s father by the shoulders and embraces him in his arms.

“Allah has taken Ahmad back to Him.” The Imam slowly says.

“Ya Allah! My son, my son!” Ahmad’s father says as he almost collapses to the floor.

The Imam slowly helps the father to sit upon the ground.

“Muhammad, listen to me. Your son has turned back to Allah. I saw him crying so much in the Masjid today. He was there for about two solid hours all by himself seeking forgiveness. I had a beautiful talk with him and he even bought you some gifts to try and please Allah in making you happy. Best of all dear Muhammad, he pronounced the Shahada before going, and not only that, but he saved an elderly Muslim Sister. He looked up into the sky and smiled just before his breathing stopped. Take this.” The Imam said as he handed the bag of gifts Ahmad bought for his parents.

Ahmad’s father was still in shock as he held the gifts in his hands. Slowly he lifted the gifts out of the bag. There he found a beautiful bottle of musk for himself and a delicious box of chocolate.

He read the following message attached to the musk:

“Dear beloved father. This is for you. I love Allah more than anything and I will do everything in my power to make you and mama happy. I cannot wait for tonight to pray ‘Ishah prayer with you at the Masjid!”

Tears poured from Ahmad’s father’s eyes.

“My son has made me proud! AllahuAkbar! AllahuAkbar!” Muhammad got up and ran towards his wife who had made her way back into the house seeking Allah to forgive her son.

“‘Aliya! ‘Aliya! Look at what our Ahmad got for us!” He quickly handed the box of chocolates to his wife and asked her to read the message:

“Dear beloved mother. These chocolates are for you. I have hurt you both physically and mentally, and by Allah it will never happen again. From now on I vow to make you smile and never frown. I vow to make you happy and never sad. By Allah, we will pray to Allah together, and Inshah’Allah we will walk into Paradise together as one big family.”

“SubhanAllah! Lah He Lah Ha Ilallah! My son turned back to Allah!” ‘Aliya cried out.

Muhammad told her the story of what the Imam told him.

Nobody knew of the honour and beauty Ahmad was experiencing, while nobody knew of what the terrors Mo and the girl were going through.

Chapter 8

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