Convert a Lemon into a ٍSweet Drink!

An intelligent and skillful person transforms losses into profits; whereas, the unskilled person aggravates his own predicament, often making two disasters out of one.

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was rejected from the city of Taa'if after being forced to leave Mecca, people threw stones at him until his blessed legs bleeded, yet he said "Maybe Allah will raise amongst them those who worship Him alone".

Imam Ibn Taymiyah was put into prison; he later came out an even more accomplished scholar than he was before.. His rather famous quote reflects his optimistic view of this world:

"What can my enemies possibly do to me? My paradise is in my heart; wherever I go it goes with me, insepa­rable from me. For me, prison is a place of (religious) retreat; ex­ecution is my opportunity for martyrdom; and exile from my town is but a chance to travel."

Therefore, if you are afflicted with a misfortune, look on the bright side. If someone were to hand you a glass full of squeezed lemons, add to it a handful of sugar. And if someone gives you a snake as a gift, keep its precious skin and leave the rest.

[And it may be that you dislike a thing that is good for you...] (Quran 2: 216)

Look at the other side of a tragedy - a circumstance of pure evil does not exist, and in all situations one can find goodness and profit and reward from Allah.

[Is not He [better than your gods] Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him...] (Quran 27:62)

From Whom do the weak and the oppressed seek victory? Who does everyone beseech? He is Allah. None has the right to be worshipped except Him.

Therefore it is most advisable for you and I to invoke Him during times of both hardship and ease, to seek shelter with Him in difficult times, and to plead at His doorstep with tears of repentance; then will His help and relief quickly arrive.

[Is not He [better than your gods] Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him...] (Quran 27:62)

He saves the one who is drowning, gives victory to the oppressed, guides the misguided, cures the sick, and provides relief to the afflicted.

[And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only...] (Qur 'an 29:65)

Learn the prophetic supplications with which you can call to Allah, supplicate to Him, and seek His aid. If you are persistent and sincere in your supplication, you will achieve freedom from worry and anxiety. He is near; He hears all and answers those who supplicate to Him.

If you are living through affliction and pain, remember Allah, call out His name, and ask Him for help. Place your forehead on the ground and mention His praises, so that you can obtain true freedom. Raise your hands in supplication, and ask of Him constantly. Cling to His door, have good thoughts about Him, and wait for His help - you will then find true happiness and success.

(Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.)(Quran 13:28)

Shaykh `Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarnee
Don't Be Sad
Transl. Faisal ibn Muhammad
© 2002 IIPH

Love of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala

Ibn al-Qaiyim mentioned ten causes that result in Allah's love for His slave and the slave's love for his Lord. [These ten are:]

First, reciting the Qur'an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.

Second, getting closer to Allah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: "My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him." [al-Bukhari]

Third, continual remembrance of Allah under all circumstances, with one's tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one's love of Allah is determined by this.

Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.

Fifth, the heart being avid of Allah's Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge.

Sixth, observing Allah's kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.

Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allah.

Eighth, being alone with Allah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.

Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefitting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.

Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah.

These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.

Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
Madarij as-Saalikeen, vol. 3, pp. 17-18.
Quoted in "The Delight of Faith" by Abdullah bin Jarullah al-Jarullah
(Transl. J. Zarabozo; © Dar as-Salaam, 1996)

بیدار لمحوں کا اک جزیرہ ۔ طیبہ خلیل

عزیز ساتھی
اس وقت کے سمندر میں بہتے بہتے
اگر کبھی جو اس کی لہریں
بیدار لمحوں کے اک جزیرے پر
تم کو اتار دیں تو
ذرا ٹھرنا، ذرا سنبھلنا
ذات اپنی سمیٹ کر
لمحہ بھر کو
دل کی آنکھوں کو کھول لینا
تو اک اجالا
جو تمھاری آمد کا منتظر ہے
وہ اپنی ذد میں تم کو لپیٹ لے گا
تمھارے اندر کا سب اندھیرا سمیٹ لے گا
تمہیں لگے گا کہ بیتے لمحوں کے
سراب سارے تو عارضی تھے
گلاب سارے تو کاغذی تھے
اس روشنی کے بجھنے سے پہلے
لمحہ بھر کو ذات اپنی
اس میں دیکھ لینا
کہ یہ روشنی جو بجھ گئ تو
پھر کبھی نہ پا سکو گے
بیدار لمحوں کی روشنی میں
اگر ندامت سے تمھاری آنکھیں
چھلک پڑیں تو
اپنی آنکھوں سے گرنے والا
ایک ایک آنسو سمیٹ لینا
اسے اپنے دل پر لپیٹ لینا
خیال رکھنا کہ
وقت کی لہروں میں بہتے بہتے
تمھارے آنسو کہیں کھو نہ جائیں
مجھے یقیں ہے تمھارے آنسو
تمہیں کبھی ڈوبنے نہ دیں گے
تمہیں کبھی ڈوبنے نہ دیں گے

The flame of faith - By Tayyaba Khalil

In the deepest dreams
In the realm of light
You feel strong
the flame
kindled by hope
by fear.
The flame which
set ablaze
the selfish self.
To ashes it burns
The false, The rust
The world of lust.
The pain,
The sweet pain
dwells inside
the weary heart.
The tears of regret
take all over.
With deep trust
cherishing the truth,
Nothing be seen
but light of purity.

رات اک زلزلہ جو آیا تھا۔ طیبہ خلیل

رات اک زلزلہ جو آیا تھا
ساتھ اپنے کتنا ہی خوف لایا تھا
گہری نیند سونے والوں کو
جس نے اک آن میں جگایا تھا
زندگی سے پیار کرنے والوں کو
یکد م سے موت کا خیال آیا تھا
اک عجب خوفناک آواز نے جب
سبک رفتار دھڑکنوں کو دوڑایا تھا
بے یقینی سے دیکھتے تھے سائباں کی طرف
دھوپ سردی سے جس نے انھیں بچایا تھا
کھل گئی اس گھر کی حقیقت ان پر
جس کی محبت نے راہ سے ہٹایا تھا
یہ زباں جس رب کے زکر سے غافل تھی
پھر لبوں پر اس کا ہی نام آیا تھا
پھر چند لمحوں بعد جب وہ بھونچال تھما
جس نے غافل ضمیر کو چونکایا تھا
تو اس رب کے شکر گزار ہوئے
جس نے اس آفت سے انھیں بچایا تھا
مگر یہ سوچے بغیر پھر سو گئے
کہ یہ زلزلہ کیوں آیا تھا
کیوں مہرباں رب نے اپنے بندوں کو
اک میٹھی نیند سے جگایا تھا
مگر جواب اس کا تب ہی پائیں گے
جب اک زلزلہ دلوں میں آئے گا
جب یہ خوف دل میں ہر پل سمائے گا
کہ اک زلزلہ پھر یہاں نہ آجائے
اور ساتھ اپنے کچھ لاشوں کو
خالی ہاتھ وہاں نہ لے جائے