Paradise and Hell

If I Only Knew…

- Taken from http://annoor.wordpress.com/

In the majlis at night, on Monday, November 12, 2007, in the Khanqah Imdadia Ashrafia, of Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi Pakistan, our beloved Shaikh, Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (damat barakatuhum) mentioned a true story of a young man who fell in love with a girl. It so happened that this girl suddenly died and due to the fact that the young man was so infatuated in the love of this girl that he eventually lost his sanity in thought of her. He became completely insane and would aimlessly wander around reading this couplet:

If I only knew, then I would not have fallen in love with you….

At that time, many years ago, Hazratwala (damat barakatuhum) would give time at his dawa-khana (herbal medicine clinic) and noticed this young man roaming the streets mumbling these couplets to himself. So Hazrat sent someone to inquire what the story behind this was. When they inquired, they were informed of the above occurrence.

Hazratwala then explained that so many young people have destroyed their lives and wasted their precious youth over these perishing “idols”.

Anyone who surrendered their heart to the perishing “beloveds” of this temporary world eventually ended up utterly disappointed with their so-called “beloved”. This is because the love of those that pass away will also perish one day.

As for those intelligent people who surrendered their hearts to the True Beloved (Allah Subhanahu wa Ta`ala), because of the fact that their Beloved is eternal, their love is also eternal and that love eventually grants them eternal union with their Beloved.

Maulana Jalalud-Deen Rumi (rahimahullah) writes in his Mathnawi:

Love of the dead is not enduring, because the dead one is never coming back to us;

But love of the Ever-Living (Allah Ta`ala) is every moment fresher than a blossom in the heart and soul.

Choose the love of the Living One who is everlasting, who gives you to drink of the wine that increases life.

Choose the love of Him from whose love all the prophets gained power and glory.
Do not say, “We have no admission to that King.” For dealings with the generous are not difficult.

Ne'mate hidaayat sey badker koi ne'mat nahi hain ( Friday Bayaan, 21st March 08)

- Transcribed from the lectures of Aalim Saab(Damat Barakatuhum)

Allah ta'ala ney iss zindagi mein bahut sey ne'matein ata farmayi hai, kuch maad'di ne'matein hai aur kuch maanvi ne'matein hai. Jo maad'di ne'matein hai, unka ehsaas toh takhreeban har insaan karta hai aur woh ne'matein charo taraf phaili huwi hain. Aur ne'matein maad'di ho key maanvi ho itney zyaada hai key insaan ager unka shumaar karna chahey toh unka shumaar nai karsakta.

Allah ta'la ka irshaad hai- " Ager tum Allah key ne'mato ko shumaar karna chaho toh unko shumaar nahi karsaktey ". Jaisey insaan baarish key khatro ko nahi ginsakta waiseyhi Allah ta'ala key ne'mato ko, uskey ehsaanaat aur in'amaat ko shumaar nai karsakta. Ne'matein uski beshumaar hai balkey unn ne'mato mein sabsey badi ne'mat woh Allah aur uskey Rasuulo per Imaan hai key iss ne'mat sey badi koi ne'mat nahi, iss daulat sey badi koi daulat nahi. Isliye key jitni iss duniya ki ne'matein hai, unn ne'mato ki hadd hai, waha pahunchker ye ne'matein khatam hojayengi lekin Imaan ki ne'mat kahiye ya Hidaayat ki ne'mat kahiye - ye woh ne'mat hai jo kabhi khatam honey wali nahi hai, balkey iskey faidey hamesha hamesha saath rehney waley hai.

Duniya key inn ne'mato key mutaliq insaan bahut ehsaas rakhta hai key badi ne'matein hain, lekin unn sab ne'mato ka maa'mla ye hai key maut key saath woh saari ne'matein khatam hojaney wali hain. Ab yehi haal duniya key museebato ka bhi hain, jin museebato ko insaan bahut bada samajta hai woh sab maut key saath khatam hojaney wali hain. Inn mein sey koi bhi cheez baakhi rehney wali nahi hain. Lekin uskey baad ki jo zindagi hai woh hamesha hamesha ki zindagi hain, wahan key ne'mat bhi hamesha ki hain, wahan ki museebat bhi dai'mi hai toh asal ne'mat toh woh hai jiskey zariye sey insaan baad wali zindagi ko kamyaab banaley.

Ne'mate hidaayat sey badker koi ne'mat nahi hain, Imaan sey badker koi ne'mat nahi hain, Isi wajeh sey Allah azzawajalla ney Quran-e-majeed mein Janab-e-Rasulullah(saws) key iss duniya mein tashreef avari ko eik Ehsaan-e-azeem aur ne'mat-e-azeema key taur per zikr farmaya. Toh sabsey badi ne'mat aur sabsey bada ehsaan goya Allah ney ye farmaya key insaano ko zalaalat aur gumrahi sey nikaalker hidaayat ki roshni ata farmaya, ye sabsey badi ne'mat hain jo Allah azzawajall ney ata farmayi hain.

Rabbula'alameen ney Nabi aur Rasuul ki sifaat zikr farmayi toh sabsey pehley sifaat Allah ney kya zikr farmayi aur goya Huzur ki seerat, Huzur ki iss duniya mein tashreef avari sey sadiyo pehley kaun bayaan farmaraha hain? Rabbula'alameen bayaan farmaraha hain. Kiskey saamney bayaan farmaraha hain? Kaleemullah Musa(as) key saamney bayaan farmaraha hain aur farmarahey hain key Uss Nabi ki sabsey pehli sifaat ye hain - Woh logon ko bhali baat ka hukum dengey aur buri baat sey rokingey, kyun? - Isliye key woh iss duniya mein Tabeeb-e-ruhaani bankey aarahey hain, saarey nabiyo key sardaar bankey aarahey hain, shifa ka woh nusqa lekey aarahey hain jo kaamil nusqa hain, aur unka kaam hi ye hain key woh insaano ko ruhaani aur maanvi beemariyo sey najaat dey lehaaza unki pehli sifat yehi hain - woh logon ko ma'aruuf ka hukum dengey aur munkar sey rokingey , acchi baat ka hukum dengey aur buri baat sey rokingey, isiliye Janab-e-Rasulullah(saws) ney ummat ko bhi apni inn sifaat ki pairvi aur itteba ka bahut taakeed sey hukum farmaya.

Aur eik martaba Hazrat-e-Ayesha(rz) farmati hain key Huzur(as) ney wudhu farmaya aur logon mein ayelaan farmaya key jama hojao aur aap masjid mein tashreef legaye, aapki iss kaifiyat sey mujhey khayaal huwa key kuch ahem baat aap irshaad farmayingey toh main hujrey key darwazey sey kaan lagaker baithgayi key aaya kaunsi ahem baat hain jiskey liye Huzur ney logon ku jama farmaya aur wudhu farmaker tashreef leyjarahey hain. Aap gaye, mimbar chadey, aap ney Allah ki hamd-o-sana bayaan farmayi, phir itni baat farmayi key dekho logon -" Zaroor ba zaroor acchi baat ka hukum karo aur buri baat sey roko warna khareeb Allah tumper apni taraf sey pakad aur azaab musallat farmayega, phir tum duwaein mangogey mager tumhari duwaein khabool nahi hogi, itni baat irshaad farmaaker mimber sey utar gaye aap(saws).

Aap ney bahut taakeed farmayi hai haditho key ander. Aap ney farmaya eik musalmaan ka kaam isi key liye zindagi guzarna hain jis kaam key liye Huzur ney zindagi guzaari, Huzur ka ghulam ko bhi usi kaam key liye zindagi guzarna hain, aap ney jiss kaam key liye apni zindagi ko waqf farmaya, aap key ummat ko bhi usi key liye waqf karna hain. Huzur ki ummati ho aur iss kaam sey ghaafil ho, ye kaisey mumkin hain merey dosto? Huzur ki ummati aisa nahi hosakta, woh acchi baat ka karna aur buri baat sey rokna woh apna mission banayega, isliye key woh logon ko nafa pahunchaney key liye hain. Woh rehmatullila'alameen(saws) ka ummati hain, aur Rehmatullila'alameen iss liye iss duniya mein tashreef laye takey logon ko woh nafa dey jo hamesha baakhi rehnawala hain, woh currency dey jo uss payedaar mein chalney wali hain jiss payedaar mein koi currency nahi chaleygi, neki aur hidaayat ka raasta deney key liye aap iss duniya key ander tashreef laye, lehaaza aapki sabsey pehli sifat ye hain aur har ummati ko iss sifat ko apnana zaroori hain.

Aur Quran-e-majeed mein Allah ta'ala ney Imaanwalo ki jo sifaat zikr farmayi key Imaanwalo ki dostiya isii buniyaad pey hoti hain - "Jo eik dusrey ko acchi baat ka hukum detey hain aur buri baat sey roktey hain, aur namaaz khaayam kartey hain, aur Allah aur uskey Rasuul ki ita'at kartey hain, Allah inn per rahem farmayega aur Allah bada zabardast hikmatwala hain". Aur munafiqeen ki sifat bayaan farmayi - "eik dusrey ko burayi ka hukum detey hain, acchey kaamo sey roktey hain, aur apney haato ko rokletey hain, bhaley kaamo mein maal kharch nai kartey, Allah ko bhool baithey hain, Allah ney bhi unko apni rehmat sey nikaaldiya key ye nafarmaan hain". Gharz ye key Huzur(as) ki pehli sifat Allah azza wa jalla ney Hazrat-e-Musa(as) key saamney aapki iss duniya mein tashreef avari sey sadiyo pehley bayaan farmayi - Neiki ka hukum kartey hain aur burayi sey roktey hain, aur iss ummat ki bhi yehi sifat zikr farmayi - tum behatreen ummat ho aur isliye behatreen ummat ho isliye key tumko logon key nafey key liye nikalagaya hain, kaunsa nafa? - woh nafa jo hamesha baakhi rehney wala hain aur uss nafey ko aam karney key liye tumhey amar bil ma'aruuf aur nahi a'nil munkar ko apna odhna aur bichauna banana hain, ye farmaya , isliye tum khair-e-ummat ho, sabsey behatreen ummat ho.

Hazrat Ubai ibn Aamir(rz) pahunchtey hain Rustam key darbaar mein, kyun gaye?- mulk aur zameen fatha karney key liye nai gaye, khazaney jama karney key liye nai gaye. Khazaney unkey khadmo mein aaye aur unhuney usey thukradiya. Gaye toh Rustam ney poocha- kyun aaye ho, maal tumhey chahiye, hum maal tumhey dedingey. Farmaya -" hum maal key liye nahi aaye hain, Allah ney hamein bheja hain taakey hum Allah key bando ko bando ki bandagi sey nikaalker Allah ki bandagi mein le aaye, tamaam mazaahir aur zindagi guzarney key jitney tareekhey hain un sab key zulm sey nikaalker Islam ki adl ki taraf le aaye, aur duniya ki tangiyo sey nikaalker duniya key wussato sey aashna karey hum. Aapney apni ummat ko aisehi banaya, sahaba ki aiseyhi tarbiyat farmayi, aur isii kaam apni zindagi ka mission banaya.

Allah ney farmaya - bas jo uss Nabi per Imaan layingey, unki ta'zeem karingey, unki nusrat karingey yani unkey deen ki madat karingey, aur uss nuur ki pairvi karingey, uss kitaab ki pairvi karingey unkey saat utarigayi hain wahi log falah aur kamyaabi paney waley hain.

Merey dosto aaj hamaari bahut badi kotaahi ye hain, key humney uss mohsin ki seerat ko jaanney key liye jiska ehsaan sabsey zyaada hamarey uper aur puuri insaaniyat key uper hain, jo aapki ghulami mein daakhil huwa aur aapki ummat ka fard hain, ummat-ejabat mein daakhil huwa, khubool karliya usney toh bada ehsaan, aur baakhi insaaniyat aur purey aalam per jiska ehsaan hain, uski seerat ko janney key liye hum kya karrahey hain, balkey hamein mustaqil aapki seerat ko padney ka ehtemaam karna chahiye. Apsos key hummein kitney log hain jo Huzur ki seerat ko padhey huwe hain, hamarey baccho ney kitna padha Huzur ki seerat ko. Hamarey baccho ney roti key chand tukdey haasil karney key liye aur libaas key chand chindiya haasil karney key liye, aur kya mileyga uss taleem jiss taleem mein humnein hamari aulaad ko lagaya huwa hain, kya me'raaj hai uski, bas uski me'raaj ye hain key aadmi ki zindagi raahat aur aaraam wali hojaye, raahat aur aaram key asbaab miljaye, uskey liye hamarey bachey ney jo padha nursery sey lekey education key jiss marhaley tak bhi pahunchey ho, toh dekha jaye manoe aur tanoe key kitaabey bhi padli, huzur ki seerat kitni padhi hamarey baccho ney, hamara baccha akhbaar padta hain, magazine padta, hum usey comics laakey detey hain, hum usey khurafaat lakey detey hain, aur apney nafs key khaahish key liye aur apney baccho key na-zeyba khahishat puuri karney key liye har khisam ki ghalat cheezein bazaar sey khareed ker aur kiraye per laakey detey hain aur faraham kartey hain, humney apno baccho ko Huzur ki seerat ki kitney kitabey di, hamarey bacchey abhi khel kuud ki hi umar mein hain lekin kai kilo kitabey padchukey hai woh, lekin Huzuur ki seerat ki usney kitney kitabey padi, kya faraham kiya humnein usey. Phir bada bhi ye sonchey key humney huzur ki seerat ko kitna pada hain, Aap(saws) key seerat sey mutaliq kitney safey hamnein iss zindagi mein padhey, kisikey 30 baras guzargaye, kisikey 50 baras guzargaye, kisikey 70, 80 baras guzargaye, itni arsey mein huzur ki seerat kitni padi, kitna pada. Sonchney ki baat hain merey dosto, kis khadar apsos ka muqaam hain key hamnein apney sabsey badey Mohsin Sarwar-e-aalam(saws) key seerat ko janney key liye kitna waqt nikala.

Aapki seerat jab padhingey aapki ma'arifat aur pehchaan paida hogi, aur jab aapki ma'arifat badeygi toh aapki mohabbat badeygi aur jab aapki mohabbat kaamil hogi toh itteba aasaan hojayegi. Jaisey kisiney apney aziz ko nahi dekha, leney station per gaya, airport per gaya, aur dhoond raha hai, idher sey udher, saamney sey das baar gazargaye mager kuch nahi huwa, ab usney poocha himmat karkey key main fala saheb key liye aaya hu, unhuney kaha woh toh main hi hu, toh ab tak toh das martaba saamney sey guzargaye mager kuch nahi huwa, lekin ab jab pehchaan hogayi toh mawanaqa karney lagey isliye kuch der pehley pehchantey nahi they aur ab pehchangaye.

Ab Huzur(as) key seerat padhingey, aap ki ma'arifat badeygi, aapkey kitney ehsanaat hai hamarey uper. Is duniya mein Allah ney Huzur key sadqey wa tufail mein hamein jo izzat dee hain, toh hammein sey koi adna izzatwala aisa nai hai key jiskey uper raasta chaltey waqt kachra daaldiya gaya ho, hammein sey koi adna izzatwala bhi aisa nai hai key uskey raaste mein logon ney kaantey bichadiye ho, hammein sey shaayad koi aisa nai hai key jiskey gardan per oont ki odhdi ( odh'di - oont kaantney key baad uskey pait mein sey jo samaan nikalta hai jismein ghilazat aur gandagi hoti hai ) jiskey gardan per oont ki odh'di rakhdiya gaya jo poorey aalam mein, saari makhlooq mein khuda key baad sabsey buzurg hain, kisikey saath aisa nai huwa key usko patthar marey gaye ho aur phir uskey jism sey khoon behney laga ho aur iss khoon ko pochneywala aur tasalli deneywala bhi koi na ho, Huzur(as) tashreef leyjarahey they, logon ney pathar marey, aapkey husn-e-mubarak sey khoon behraha hain, aapkey koi bacchey, aulaad bhi nai hai badi, aapki choti choti sahebzaadiya hain, woh aati hain, aur aapkey chehrey mubarak sey khoon ko dhoti hain aur apney waalid ka chehra dhoti hain, ismein sey koi adna darjey key cheez bhi hummein sey kisi ko nahi mili mager ye jo kuch hamein izzat mili huwi hain, ye sab sadqa hain Janab-e-Sarwar-e-aalam (saws) ka, hum ager Huzur ki seerat padey hotey toh hamein maluum hota Huzur ka kitna bada ehsaan hain, aapkey Sahaba ka kitna bada ehsaan hain, jinkey sadqey-wa-tufail mein aaj hamein ye zindagi mili huwi hain, aur duniya mein sabsey badi ne'mat hidaayat ki ne'mat mili huwi hain, hum ager Aapki seerat padtey toh jaantey.

Merey dosto hamara kaam ye hai key hum Aapki seerat ko padhey aur merey dosto Huzur-e-paak(as) iss duniya mein eik kaam key liye tashreef laye, aapney uss kaam ki zimmedari ummat key supurd farmayi, Aap(saws) ney awaaz lagayi aur Aapney logo ko jama kiya, Aapney isliye jama kiya key iss kaam key taraf bulaya - key Allah ka kalma sarbuland hojaye. Merey dosto kaam ummat key supurd kiya gaya, hammein sey har shaks ki zimmedari hain key aapkey tareekhey ko zinda karey, aapkey sunnat ko zinda karey, aapkey deen ko zinda karey. Ghairo key tareekho toh aagaye, baccho ney hamarey angrezo key bol sikhliye aur angrezo ki tehzeeb sikhli aur ghar mein uska toh charcha hain mager Huzur ki sunnat ka charcha nahi, Sunnat ajnabi bangaayi.

Deen key woh bunyadi ehkaam jin pey puuri ummat muttafiq hai, woh ummat key ander sey nikaltey jaarahey hain, baaz waqt ummat apni jehaalat aur nadaani sey unn cheezo per ladrahi hai jo cheezein dusrey teesrey darjey ki hai mager jo cheezein pehley darjey aur number eik ki hain woh sab ki zindagi sey nikalti jaarahi hain, illa Mashallah. Hamari shaadiya hoti hain, hamari kitni dulhaney namaaz padti hain? hamarey nikah hotey hain kitney dulhey namaaz padtey hain? Hamarey Nabi(saws) ka tareeqa haya wala tareeqa tha, behaya wala tareeqa ab hamarey gharo mein aata jaaraha hain, koi ikhtilaafi cheez nai Huzur key wazeh irshadaat maujuud hain key Rasulullah(saws) ney la'anat farmayi hai uss aurat per jo mardo ka sa libaas pehney aur uss mard per jo aurto ka sa libaas pehney, mager ye sailaab hai jo tezi key saath hamarey gharo mein daakhil horaha hain.

Behayayi aur Nangapan shaytaan ka hathyaar hain jiskey zariye sey woh sabsey zyaada apna waar chalata hain, lekin apsos key ab hamara haal kya horaha hai - eik zamana woh tha key log nangey sar logon key saamney aaney sey sharmatey they aur ab masjid mein sharmgah aur satr bhi mehfooz nai.

Hamarey deen ka muttafaqa masla hai, Ulama sey maloom karliya jaye - koi shaks bismillah padkey sharaab piye kaafir hojata hain. Bismillah padkey sharaab nai peesaktey, rishwat nai leysaktey. Merey paas eik ghareeb naujawan aaya (kyunkey ghareeb tha, madat ka taalib bankey aaya), fehrist dikhayi, toh fehrist mein likha huwa tha - sabsey pehley Bismilla hirrahma nirraheem, phir likha huwa tha Quran-e-majeed, phir likha huwa tha Jaanimaaz aur phir likha huwa tha 20,000 jodey ki rakham, na'auzibillah minzaalik. Luut khasot, ladki walo per zulm aur woh Allah ka naam lekar key, bismillah likhker, Quran-e-majeed likhker, Jaanimaaz likhker, chodo unn maslo ko ekhtelaafi, unko rakho thodi der key liye eik taraf, unn cheezo ko jo sab mein muttafaqa aur bunyadi hain dekho unka kya haal karrahey hain.

Lehaza merey dosto hamein bhi Huzur ki ummat honey ki haisiyat sey Amar bil Ma'aruuf aur Nahi a'nil Munkar ka kaam tareeqey key mutabiq karna hai, acchi baat pehlana aur buri baat sey rokna, islaah ka kaam karna, Huzur ki sunnat ko zinda karna, aur Huzur ki seerat ko padney ko apney zindagi ka mamuul banana hamari zimmedari hain.

Allah hum sab ko apney Nabi-e-paak(saws) ki kaamil azmat naseeb farmaye, kaamil muhabbat naseeb farmaye, kaamil ittaba naseeb farmaye, aapki shafa'at sey mahez apney fazl wa karam sey behraawar farmaye, Islam ki zindagi aur Imaan per khatema naseeb farmaye.

Imam Abu Hanifah(ra) and the Atheist

Long ago in the city of Baghdad, there was a Muslim empire. On one side of the River Tigris were the royal palaces and on the other side was the city. The Muslims were gathered in the Royal Palace when an athiest approached them. He said to them, 'I don't believe in God, there cannot be a God, you cannot hear Him or see Him, you're wasting your time! Bring me your best debator and I will debate this issue with him.'

The best debator at the time was Imam Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. A messenger from amongst the Muslims was sent over the River Tigris to the city, where Abu Hanifah Rahimullah was, in order to tell him about the athiest who was awaiting him. On crossing the River Tigris, the messenger conveyed the message to Abu Hanifah Rahimullah saying, 'Oh Abu Hanifah, an athiest is waiting for you, to debate you, please come!' Abu Hanifah Rahimullah told the messeneger that he would be on his way.

The messenger went over the River Tigris once again and to the Royal Palaces, where everyone including the athiest awaited the arrival of Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. It was sunset at the time and one hour had passed, but Abu Hanifah Rahimullah still hadn't arrived. Another hour had passed, but still there was no sign of him. The Muslims started to become tense and worried about his late arrival. They did not want the athiest to think that they were too scared to debate him, yet they did not want to take up the challenge themselves as Abu Hanifah Rahimullah was the best of Debators from amongst the Muslims. Another hour passed, and suddenly the athiest started laughing and said, ' Your best debator is too scared! He knows he's wrong, he is too frightened to come and debate with me. I gurantee he will not turn up today.'

The Muslims increased in apprehension and eventually it had passed midnight, and the athiest had a smile on his face. The clock ticked on, and finally Abu Hanifah Rahimullah had arrived. The Muslims inquired about his lateness and remarked, 'Oh Abu Hanifah, a messenger sent for you hours ago, and you arrive now, explain your lateness to us.'

Abu Hanifah Rahimullah apologises for his lateness and begins to explain, while the atheist listens to his story.
'Once the messenger delivered the message to me, I began to make my way to the River Tigris, and on reaching the river bank I realised there was no boat, in order to cross the river. It was getting dark, and I looked around, there was no boat anywhere nor was there a navigator or a sailor in order for me to cross the river to get to the Royal Palaces. I continued to look around for a boat, as I did not want the athiest to think I was running away and did not want to debate with him.

I was standing on the river bank looking for a navigator or a boat when something caught my attention in the middle of the river. I looked forward, and to my amazement I saw planks of wood rising to the surface from the sea bed. I was shocked, amazed, I couldn't believe what I saw seeing. Ready made planks of wood were rising up to the surface and joining together. They were all the same width and length, I was astounded at what I saw.

I continued to look into the middle of the river, and then I saw nails coming up from the sea floor. They positioned themselves onto the boat and held the planks together, without them being banged. I stood in amazement and thought to myself, 'Oh Allah, how can this happen, planks of wood rising to the surface by itself, and then nails positioning themselves onto the boat without being banged?' I could not undertsand what was happening before my eyes.'

The athiest meanwhile was listening with a smile on his face. Abu Hanifah Rahimullah continued, 'I was still standing on the river bank watching these planks of wood join together with nails. I could see water seeping through the gaps in the wood, and suddenly I saw a sealant appear from the river and it began sealing the gaps without someone having poured it, again I thought, 'Ya Allah, how is this possible, how can sealant appear and seal the gaps without someone having poured it, and nails appear without someone having banged them.' I looked closer and I could see a boat forming before my eyes, I stood in amazement and was filled with shock. All of a sudden a sail appeared and I thought to myself, 'How is this happening, a boat has appeared before my eyes by itself, planks of wood, nails, sealant and now a sail, but how can I use this boat in order to cross the river to the Royal Palaces?' I stood staring in wonderment and suddenly the boat began to move. It came towards me against the current. It stood floating beside me while I was on the river bank, as if telling me to embark onto it. I went on the boat and yet again it began to move. There was no navigator or sailor on the boat, and the boat began to travel towards the direction of the royal palaces, without anyone having programmed it as to where to go. I could not understand what was happening, and how this boat had formed and was taking me to my destination against the flow of water. The boat eventually reached the other side of the River Tigris and I disembarked. I turned around and the boat had disappeared, and that is why I am late.'

At this moment, the athiest brust out laughing and remarked, 'Oh Abu Hanifah, I heard that you were the best debator from amongst the Muslims, I heard that you were the wisest, the most knowledgable from amongst your people. From seeing you today, I can say that you show none of these qualities. You speak of a boat appearing from nowhere, without someone having built it. Nails positioning themselves without someone having banged them, sealant being poured without someone having poured it, and the boat taking you to your destination without a navigator against the tide, your taking childish, your talking rediculous, I swear I do not belive a word of it!'

Abu Hanifah Rahimullah turned to the athiest and replied, 'You don't believe a word of it? You dont believe that nails can appear by themselves? You dont believe sealant can be poured by itself? You dont believe that a boat can move without a navigator, hence you don't believe that a boat can appear without a boat maker?'
The athiest remarked defiantly, 'Yes I dont believe a word of it!'
Abu Hanifah Rahimullah replied, 'If you cannot believe that a boat came into being without a boat maker, than this is only a boat, how can you believe that the whole world, the universe, the stars, the oceans, and the planets came into being without a creator?
The athiest astonished at his reply got up and fled.

Transcribed from a lecture delivered by Shaykh Ahmad Ali.

- Taken from http://www.haqislam.org/stories/abu-hanifah-and-the-atheist.htm

THE SMILE

PICTURES FROM POLICE----------------------------A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar, a Rs400/- speeding ticket was included. Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of Rs100 notes X 4. The police responded with another mailed photo -- of handcuffs.

Daddy - Can I have $10?

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A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

"Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man.

"Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"

"That's none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.

"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy.

"If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour."

"Oh, " the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, "Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?"

The father was furious. "If the only reason you want to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you're being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don't have time for such childish games."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy's questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money. After an hour or so , the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. May be there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door. "Are you asleep son?" he asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the man. "It's been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here's that $10.00 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, beaming. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

"Why did you want more money if you already had some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have $20.00 now... Can I buy an hour of your time?"

Woman of piety

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Hazrat Maulana Masihullah (ra) said: I take oath by Allah and say: Give women Deeni education and then see their superiority. You will then witness in them intelligence, understanding and even accomplishment in such worldly affairs which pertain to them. Women who possess degrees of B.A. and M.A. cannot compete in understanding and intelligence with women who have acquired Deeni knowledge. Yes, in deception and schemes the Western educated woman may be ahead. But, remember that words of intelligence will only come from a woman of piety.”

- Taken from http://www.readislamicbooks.com/idx.php/12/153/Education/article/MUSLIM-WOMEN-GOING-TO-COLLEGE.html