Story of an Idolator

Abdul Wahid b. Zaid (mercy be upon him) who belonged to a lineage of saints said, “We were once sailing in a boat. A gush of wind blew away our boat to an island where we saw a man busy adoring an idol. We asked him what he was worshipping. He pointed towards the idol. We said to him that this idol was made with his own hands. How could he worship it? The God whom we worship creates all such things Himself, and so deserves to be worshipped, alone.”

He then asked us, who do you worship? We told him, “We worship the Great God (Allah) who lives in the highest heaven. He alone controls the heavens and the earth. All other creatures whether human or animal depend on Him for their sustenance.” He further asked how we came to know about this Glorious God. We replied, “He sent His final Messenger (Peace be Upon him) to the whole of mankind to teach them about His Greatness.” He proceeded to enquire “Let me know of the place where this Prophet of God is?” We replied, “After the Prophet had completed his mission by conveying the message of God he died and returned to his Lord”.

He continued to ask, “Did this Messenger of God leave behind a thing for your guidance?” We explained, “Yes, he left behind a Book (the Qur’an), which was revealed by God. He asked to see the book. We offered him the Holy Qur’an. He told us he was unable to read and so we recited a few verses for him instead. During the course of its recital he repeatedly wept until we stopped. He finally asserted, “This can only be from Allah, the Most High”, and immediately confirmed his Faith in Allah and His Messenger.

We informed him about the duties of Islam and also explained some verses of the Holy Qur’an. After the late night prayer we went to bed and the man continued to ask questions. “Does Allah sleep at night? he wondered aloud as we lay comfortably in our beds. “Our Exalted God is Everliving and Everlasting. He does not sleep or rest!” we exclaimed. On hearing this he cried, “What disobedient slaves you are! Your Lord keeps awake, whereas you sleep!” We were dumbstruck by his remark. When we were about to return from this island, he begged us to take him with us to allow him to learn more. We agreed.

On reaching the city of ‘Aabadan, says Abdul Wahid, I said to my companions, “This man is our brother, therefore we should provide him with some livelihood”. Some dirhams were offered to him but he refused to accept them and exclaimed, “What is this?” We replied, “These are some dirhams for your expenditure.” He said, “It is enough that.you have shown me the right path. I was upon error and Allah guided me. I did not even worship him yet He neither destroyed nor killed me. I am so grateful to Him and you.

After a few days, we were told that he was about to breathe his last. We went to see him and asked him if there was any need of his to be satisfied. He said no and that he was happy with all that he had gained from Allah. Abdul Wahid said, ” I was all of asudden, overcome by sleep and hence slept there.

While sleeping, I saw a very fertile grden wherein was avery fine vault; a throne occupied by a very beautiful girl, a beauty that I had never seen before. She said to me , ‘By Allah, I returned him to His Lord quickly’, By seeing her in such a state I became very anxious. He addeded, ”When I woke up , the man had passed away. We managed to bury him immediately.”

Again at night, said Abdul Wahid; ”I witnessed the same garden, the same vault and the same girl sitting besides the man who had died. She was recitting the following Qur’anic verse, the transalation of which is ”And the Angels vist them from each door and send them their compliments, glad tiddings for peace and safety against each kind of misfortune. All this is the fruit of your contentment (and steadfastness for the religion of Islam). There is therefore a good reward for you in the Hereafter.”

This story of the idolator shows the Greatness of Allah and His Mercy towards the man who previously worshipped idols. He sent the people to the island as a means to guide the idolator and thus rewarded him a magnificent rewardin the hereafter.
”O Master of the world ! Whom Thou giveth to, nobody can withhold and whom Thou giveth not, no one can confer upon him.”

Make the Right Effort

This is the story of the giant ship engine that failed. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom.

Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man searched into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. & instantly, the engine lurched into life & got started.

He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for £10,000.

“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”
So they wrote the old man a note saying “Please send us an itemised bill.”
The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer …..£2.00
Knowing where to hammer..£9,998.00

Total £10,000

Moral of The Story:
Effort itself is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life,
‘Makes all the difference’.  So often we see people striving, working and making effort tirelessly, often for years only for them to later on realise that they were all misplaced and how they wish they had spent the time and effort on something more fruitful.  This reminds me of a quote I once read a long time ago:

“My worry for you is not that you fail to succeed, but that you succeed in the wrong thing.”

An example that springs to mind which I have heard from our scholars is that people strive to do a lot of good a’maal but fail to refrain from committing sins, and they explained this point by using the example of a petrol tank with a hole in the bottom, we keep on filling it with petrol, little realising our loss of fuel from the hole in the tank.

May Allah give us the ability to reflect, learn and act on the above.

The Necklace

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

“Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?”

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl’s upturned face.

“A dollar ninety-five. That’s almost $2.00. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma.”

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday,Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, “Do you love me?”

“Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She’s my very favorite.”

“That’s okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.” And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, “Do you love me?”

“Daddy, you know I love you.”

“Then give me your pearls.”

“Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.”

“That’s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.”

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. “What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?”

Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, “Here, daddy; this is for you.”

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time… He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.

So it is, with God. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of?

Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Reposted from Dec 2009

Charity wrapped in Dignity!

She asked him, “How much are you selling the eggs for?”

The old seller replied to her, “Rs.5/- for one egg, Madam.”

She said to him, “I will take 6 eggs for Rs.25/- or I will leave.”

The old seller replied, “Come take them at the price you want. May God bless us, and maybe this is a good beginning because I have not been able sell to anyone today.”

She took it and walked away with a feeling that she has won. She got into her fancy car and went to pick her friend, and invited her to a posh restaurant.

She and her friend sat down and ordered what they liked. They ate a little and left a lot of what they ordered.

Then she went to pay the bill. The bill was Rs.1,400/-. She gave him Rs. 1,500/- and said to the owner of the restaurant: “Keep the change.”

This incident may seem quite normal to the owner of the restaurant. But it is very painful for the poor egg seller.

The bottom line is:

Why do we always show that we have the power when we buy from the needy and the poor? And why are we generous with those who do not need our generosity ?

Every time a poor child comes to me to sell something simple, I remember a tweet from the son of a rich man who said, “After performing salah in masjid, my father would go out and buy simple goods from poor people at expensive prices, even though he did not need them. Sometimes he used to pay more for them. I used to get concerned by this act and I asked him about it. Then my father told me: ‘It is a charity wrapped with dignity, my son.'”

Compare these two stories of social hypocrisy.

The first one is disappointing and the second one is inspiring.

May God enlighten our vision.

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 – 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

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch6

Ahmad felt pure. A feeling of a happiness that is indestructible; and this happiness is one that can only be felt after doing a deed pleasing to Allah while continuing on a right path.

Ahmad walked down the street listening to the birds around chirping, praising Allah in ways He (Allah) knows best.

Suddenly Mo came around the corner unexpectedly.

“Ahmad! So good to see you again!” Mo called out.

Ahmad smiled.

“Where are you off too?” Mo asked.

“Well…I…To be honest Mo, I am going to the Masjid.”

“What!!! Are you mad?! That place?!”

“Listen Mo. You won’t understand until you open your eyes.”

“And are your eyes open?”

“I am at least trying.”

“Ha! You can live your life in boredom Ahmad, but at the end of the day, some day I will be in the same Heaven as you, and then you will regret not having fun now.”

“Mo! How are you so sure of entering Paradise?”

“Yes! Because Allah and His Prophet (saws) said.”

“We are in no situation to start interpreting Hadith Mo. Anyway, do you really think that the people of Paradise will regret not doing sinful things? In fact it would be the complete opposite.”

“I cannot believe you have gotten brainwashed Ahmad. But I know a way to change your mind…” Ahmad smirked towards Mo and quickly ran off.

“…Oh no! What is he up too..?” Ahmad thought to himself.

Ahmad continued on towards the Masjid.

As Ahmad walked towards the doors of the Masjid, the hairs on his body stood on end.

“…This is it…” Ahmad said to himself as he opened the door of the Masjid and entered.

Inside was empty. Inside was very quiet. Ahmad walked over to the corner of the Masjid and sat down facing the Qibla.

“Ya Allah! Forgive me! I am so scared of you now. I have done so much that you hate, yet you did not take my soul…” For two whole hours Ahmad cried and spoke to Allah. Tears streamed down his face. In fact, he cried so much the carpet beneath his face was wet with tears.

Time past on. Suddenly the local Sheik entered the room and spotted Ahmad. He stood for a moment listening to Ahmad’s Du’a. He was so moved by it, his eyes began to shed tears. He slowly approached Ahmad and carefully comforted him. Ahmad jumped slightly.

“Oh Sheik…I…I am sorry for…” Ahmad said embarrassed, but before he could finish the Sheik said:

“Ahmad. It’s ok. I see that you feel embarrassed, but that is good. It is better to be embarrassed than one who shows off.” The Sheik said as he smiled towards Ahmad.

“Your father and mother would be really proud of you. But most and best of all, you have submitted your whole self to Allah.” The Sheik continued on.

“I angered my parents oh Sheik. How can I make them happy?” Ahmad said.

“You have already made them happy when they see you now. Your father is very proud of you.”

“I mean, I want to get them something nice, as a gift.”

“Hmm. Well, you can get your mother some flowers or chocolate, and your father some perfume maybe?”

Ahmad smiled and said, “Wonderful idea. I will do that.”

“Here.” The Sheik said as he handed Ahmad two small pieces of paper and a pen.

“Write a small message to each of your parents and stick it on the gifts when you buy them.” The sheik said.

Ahmad began to write down small messages to his mother and father on the separate pages.

“Jazak Allah Kher Sheik. I cannot wait to get back and see my parents smile!” Ahmad said ecstatically as he got up.

“Barak Allah Fekum Ahmad! I cannot wait for ‘Ishah prayer tonight to see you and your father come Inshah’Allah!” The Sheik replied smiling.

“You will see us both Inshah’Allah!” Ahmad answered.

Ahmad gave the Sheik a big hug and began to make his journey towards some local shops.

Ahmad spent some time selecting some gifts for his parents with the money he got. He managed to buy some lovely perfume for his father and a delicious box of chocolates for his mother. After buying the gifts he stuck the small messages on them and prepared his blessed journey home.

Time ticks away…Not a single Human or Jinn on this Earth has realised that Allah has just ordered the Angels of Death to prepare to take a few peoples soul including Ahmad’s…!

Ahmad begins his journey home still constantly seeking Allah’s forgiveness…Mo with a half dressed girl in his arm spots Ahmad from a distance and smirks making his way towards Ahmad preparing to perform his disgusting sinful plan…A pious elderly Muslim lady prepares to cross the road…Ahmad begins to cross the road…Mo quickly runs to the centre of the road and calls out, “Yo Ahmad! Look at the chick I got for you! She can be yours right now!”

“…Oh no! Ya Allah help me…!” Ahmad says to himself trying his best to keep staring towards the ground, knowing that his weak point are women…The pious elderly Muslim lady begins to cross the road…And then death prepares to strike from all angles!!!

Chapter 7

The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch5

Both Ahmad’s parents sat around his hospital bed as he lay there unconscious.

Suddenly Ahmad’s eyes began to flutter, and then after a minute his eyes slightly opened.

“AllahuAkbar! My son! How are you feeling?!” Ahmad’s mother asked as she bent over holding her son’s hands with hers. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.

“…When I saw that car coming towards me…I thought that was it…I was going to die…” Ahmad quietly said.

“How long were you waiting here?” Ahmad asked.

“About 11 hours. We made Salat in this room.” Ahmad’s father calmly said.

“…My parents stayed up for me all those hours and continued their worship too Allah. I can’t even sit down with my parents for a minute without having to do something that Allah hates…” Ahmad thought to himself.

Suddenly tears pored from his eyes. Ahmad’s father cuddled him and asked, “What makes you cry Ahmad?”

“Em…Not sure…Just happy to be alive?” Ahmad answered rather confused embarrassed to tell his parents how he was feeling.

After two days in the hospital, Ahmad was released. His left arm was supported in a sling so the shoulder could recover after the dislocation it suffered. That night while Ahmad lay in bed resting, his friend mo called him up.

“Ah Ahmad! I heard that you are safe back at home, that’s why I decided to call you up.” Mo said on the phone.

“That’s nice.” Ahmad answered.

“Listen Ahmad. Since that night was messed up and you could not go to the nightclub, do you want to come down tonight? I was so angry when you had that accident! You should have seen the girls I chatted up at the club when you were brought to hospital!”

“Mo. To be honest, I really don’t want to go. Say if this is a warning from Allah?”

“Warning?! Are you mad?! Don’t tell me you are becoming an extremist! You know they have the most boring of lives!”

“They may have a boring life now, but they sure have everything when they die!” Ahmad answered.

“Come on Ahmad! We are Muslims! We will go to Heaven. Ok, we might be punished in Hell for a little while, but we will all eventually go to Paradise, so what is there to worry about? Besides, Allah is merciful! He said if you believe, He will forgive you!” Poor Mo spoke without knowledge.

“Hmm. I don’t know. Let me think about it. Surely not tonight as my arm is still in a lot of pain, but tomorrow I will give you the answer.”

“Ok. Don’t forget to call me tomorrow! I have to now sit down in this boring house and listen to my father reading Qur’an. Man! They have such a boring life; I don’t even know how they can smile!”

After the phone call Ahmad sat down on his bed in shock. This is the first time for Ahmad to let down an offer out of fear of what Allah can do to him! Ahmad tried holding back his tears.

“…How can Allah ever love me? Look what I have done. I have never committed a minute of my patience and time for Allah. I have physically hurt my mother and yet she still loves me. How can Allah ever forgive me…?” Ahmad thought to himself.

Another night has passed, and only 4 days until the appointed time of his death.

The next day Ahmad’s arm was still in a lot of pain. Ahmad rejected Mo’s offer in going to the local nightclub that night. Ahmad spent the whole day thinking about life…

Days pass and now we enter the final day of Ahmad’s life…

Nobody knows, not even the angels of death.

The day is Thursday. Ahmad wakes up early after having a bad dream. Fortunately his arm is out of the sling.

Ahmad slowly goes down the stairs and sits at the kitchen table. No-body seems to be at home. He finds his fathers work on the table. He picks up his work to move it to the desk. As he is carrying his fathers work a small diary accidentally falls on the floor. After his father’s papers had been put back carefully, Ahmad curiously opens up his father’s small diary, and there written on the front page are the words of Allah from Qur’an:

“”Oh my servants who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the mercy of Allah. Truly, He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (39:53)”

Ahmad suddenly burst into tears. His hands begin to shake and his vision becomes blurred. He flicks through a few pages and reads the following:

“…I was away from Allah. I sinned against my soul. Far away was I from Allah. I turned to Allah and then fell into sin again when my two sons were born…” Ahmad flicks through more pages and what he reads shocks him even more…

“…My little Ahmad, my third son. He is five years old now. It is him who turned me back to Allah. He saw me once watching tv and asked, “If a Sheik came into the room and saw you, what would you do?” I answered, “I would quickly turn off the tv”. My son answered me back, “But baba! Allah is watching you all the time and He is more pure than all the Sheiks in the World!” My mouth dropped. I felt disgraced with myself. I turned back to Allah, vowing to keep my duty to Allah. My wife ‘Aliya also made the vow…” Ahmad continued to read on…

“…My Ahmad has mixed in with the wrong crowd. I see him moving away from his religion. I have failed. My son changed me by the will of Allah. How can I change him? What of my actions will make my son turn back to Allah?…”

Ahmad closed the diary, tears rolling down his face. Ahmad got hold of a pen and paper and wrote down the following:

“My Father. I have read your diary. I changed you when I was a child through my questioning by the will of Allah. Your words of your diary have turned me back to Allah by His will and Command.” Ahmad slipped the page into his father’s diary on the last page he had read.

Ahmad got up and for the first time on his own he performed Wudu. Ahmad put his clothes and shoes on and walked towards the masjid.

Unfortunately little did Ahmad know that Mo, his friend, was going to take the same road as him! Will Mo influence him back to the road to Hell? Can Ahmad influence Mo to the road towards Paradise? Will Ahmad continue on the road he is on?

Chapter 6

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