Islamic Reminders

Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,
Ramadan 5/30
The Ship
Source:http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/100MoralStories.pdf
(Page 63)

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree
on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained
barren. After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship
was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing. Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing. Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at
his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you
leaving your companion on the island?” “My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.” “You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.” “Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?” “He prayed that all your prayers be answered.” For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

Moral: We must make dua for our families, friends and other Muslims. Our dua alone isn't as powerful as a dua made for us by another person. Let us make dua for others especially on this blessed moth of Ramadan. insh'Allah

JazakaAllah, I will continue to post as long as I find stories.insh'Allah

Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,vote for Eid to be a school holiday insh'Allah :http://www.kirotv.com/surveyresults/...x.html?taf=sea

Ramadan 6/30
The Illusion of Reflection
Source:http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/100MoralStories.pdf
(Page 65)

Once there was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a beautiful diamond necklace. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird might have stolen it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it. One day a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted, filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward. He put his hand in the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but some how missed it and didn't catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again, this time he walked in the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But strangely, he still missed the necklace!

He came out and started walking away, feeling depressed. Then again he saw the necklace, right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting thing to do as the river was polluted, and his whole body would become filthy. He plunged in, and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came out feeling very depressed that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000. Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what was the matter. The clerk didn't want to share the secret with the saint, thinking the saint might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell the saint anything. But the saint could see this man was troubled and being compassionate, again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it.

The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He
told the saint about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing. The saint
then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, toward the branches of the tree, instead
of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and true enough, the necklace was dangling on the branch
of a tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the real necklace all this time.

“Happy is the man who always kept the afterlife in his view, who remembers the Day of Reckoning through his deeds, who led a contented life and who was happy with the lot that Allah hath destined for him.” Imam Ali (AS)

Moral: This story contains symbolism that we can reflect upon. Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world. We can never achieve the happiness we are looking for no matter how hard we endeavor in material life. Instead we should look upwards, toward Allah swt, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after the reflection of this happiness in the material world. This spiritual happiness is the only thing that can satisfy us completely. insh'Allah

Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,
Ramadan 7/30
A Teacher's Protest
Source:http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/100MoralStories.pdf
(Page 67)

There was no timetable nor a room designated for prayers in the School. The School was ‘secular,’ hence prayers were not supposed to be allowed. After being interviewed and accepted by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said in protest: “Let me see if I’ve got this right.” You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I’m
supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits. You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self-esteem. You want me to teach them firm belief in God, patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and
fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, & how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, and encourage respect for their elders and future employers.

And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, & report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a few books, a bulletin board, and a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps! You want me to do all of this, and you expect me NOT TO PRAY.

You expect me not to pray when Holy Quran (Baqarah 2:45) says: “Nay, seek (Allah’s) help with patient perseverance and PRAYER: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.”

“O my Lord! Make me and my children among those who establish prayers.” (Ibrahim: 40)

“Indeed it is the Prayers, which helps to refrain from indecent acts and evils.” (Ankabut: 45)

You want me to do all of this and you expect me not to pray when SUCCESS of every one depends
on Prayers. Holy Quran (Al-Mu’minuun: 9) says that successful believers are: “...... those who are punctual in their prayers.” Dear sir, since I am sure that I will not be able to fulfill your expectations, nor I will be successful in my career WITHOUT prayers, “I resign willingly from the post.” The Administrator looked down for a while then suddenly declared: “Young man, go ahead with your job. You have taught me a very important lesson today: Without prayers and help from God, no work is a success. We shall make special arrangements for prayers from today.”


Moral: We must pray to Allah swt in order to have success. insh'Allah

Assalam Walkium brothers and sisters,

Please visit my blog designed just for Islamic Reminders. insh'Allah


Under Construction:

www.IslamicReminders.com

Assalam walkium brothers and sisters, I will be posting some of the old islamic reminders and they will also be posted on my blog.insh'Allah

http://islamicreminders.com

The Wooden Bowl

Source:http://www.islamcan.com/cgi-bin/incr...08410659.shtml

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled,his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Moral:We should respect our parents and others will follow. If you are a good role model others will want to do what you do and therefore they can become a good role model.This cycle can be repeat and the you can be responsible for starting that cycle.(Insh’Allah)

Those who are Lucky

Source

Ibne Abbas (RA) narrates: Rasulullah (SAW) said: The Shahid (martyr) will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and made to stand for reckoning. Then the giver of Sadaqah (charity) will be brought and made to stand for reckoning. Then those people will be brought who suffered many trials and hardships in the world; for them neither the Scale (of justice) be established nor will they be subjected to the appearance in the Court (for accountability). They will be bestowed with such immense rewards from Allah that people who had lived (in this world) in ease and comfort would desire that their bodies had been cut with scissors (in the world) for the reward it would have bestowed them (today). Source: Tabarani and Majma uz Zawaid.

Moral: Subhanallah! If we are going through trials and hardships, then we shouldn’t think that we are among the unlucky ones, rather we are indeed among those who are lucky. So if you ever suffer a hardship you should be happy for it can clear some of your sins.insh’Allah

format_quote Originally Posted by egyptballer

I will now start posting the Islamic Reminder emails here.inshAllah


Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,

Advertisement: Islamic Bookstore Grand Opening

http://www.jannahbookstore.com/

New Store Opening

SOURCE:http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/mis13.asp#store

A store that sells husbands has just opened in Nairobi, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates. You may visit the store ONLY ONCE!
There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch . You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband...
On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord.
The second floor sign reads: Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids.
The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking.
"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.
She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads: Floor 4 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead good looking and help with the housework.
"Oh mercy me" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!" Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads: Floor 5 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the housework, and have a strong romantic streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign reads: Floor 6 - You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please.
Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!


Moral:We should be careful of greed and be happy with the blessings Allah(SWT) blessed us with .inshAllah

haha thats hell funny. :laugh:

format_quote Originally Posted by egyptballer

Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,this story really opened my eyes and inshAllah it will benefit you too.I also didn't right the moral for this story.^

Human Brain

SOURCE:http://moral-stories.blogspot.com/20...-our-life.html

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind , She hated everyone , except her loving boyfriend , He was always there for her , She told her boyfriend , ( If I could only see the world , I will marry you )

One day , someone donated a pair of eyes to her , When the bandages came off , she was able to see everything , including her boyfriend.

He asked her : (Now that you can see the world , will you marry me ?) The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind too , The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her , She hadn't expected that , The thought of looking at them the rest of her life , led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears , Days later wrote a note to her saying : ( Take good care of your eyes , my dear , for before they were yours , they were mine )

[T]his is how the human brain often works , when our status changes ,Only a very few remember what life was like before , and who was always by their side in the most painful situation.

Life Is a Gift of GOD keep some positive thoughts in your mind...

^Moral:Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion. --

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and thank GOD. ...[inshAllah]
COMPILED BY: ABU AMMAR

love this reminder:'(

A Thousand Camels

Source

In the times of Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. “Five per cent,” they said. He answered that he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote. He said to them, “I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred to a dirham (Arabian currency).” He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Ta’ala mentioned this profit. “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.” (2:261).

“O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!” said Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu).

Source: Related by Shaikh Habibullah Mukhtaar in his book “Bringing Up Children in Islaam” in the chapter of Generosity.

Moral: Dear readers, what ever we give for the sake of Allah is really ours and whatever we keep with us will one day be someone else’s. Let us follow the footsteps of our Prophet and the pious Sahabah, with whom Allah was pleased with, by helping the needy ones in this blessed month of Ramadan. insh'Allah

*NEW REMINDER*
Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,
Ramadan 21/30

Please Visit:
http://islamicreminders.com/

Puppies for Sale
Source:http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/100MoralStories.pdf
(Page 70)

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the Eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.” The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a book?” “Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, “Here Dolly!” he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this One noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up....

“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs
would.” With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”


Moral: This world is full of people who need others who understand.insh'Allah

Assalaamu `alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh brothers and sisters,

Please Visit:
http://islamicreminders.com/

A Sense of a Goose
Source:http://www.ezsoftech.com/ebooks/100MoralStories.pdf
(Page 75)

Next autumn, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in a “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are heading the same way we are. When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What message do we give when we honk from behind? Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their own group.

Moral: We must stand by our brothers and sisters and we will be stronger when united.insh'Allah

Are You Ready?

Source:http://www.islamcan.com/cgi-bin/incr...60588034.shtml

He was a student, probably in his early twenties. I didn’t know his name–I really didn’t care. All I know is he was going for a lay-up while playing basketball, lost his balance and fell on the ground–flat on his back.

We thought he would shake it off and continue the game–so no one really cared. To everyones surprise, he never got up. At first a few people on his team (later everyone) went up to him but he just wouldn’t reply.

CPR did no good. The ambulance personel couldn’t save him from dying. The result at the ER was no better. HE WAS DEAD!

As I came home tonight, I thought to myself, it could have been me going up for that lay-up. It is very possible that I could be laying in the cold city morgue, right this minute, as I type this e-mail.

Am I ready to die? Did I communicate with Allah today? Did I perform my daily prayers? Did I seek the pleasure of Allah?

Did I treat my parents and family with respect and love? Did I give any at all in charity (sadaqa) today? How many times did I remember Allah and recount His name?

The entire day I made time to go to school, check my e-mail, read the news, chat with friends, watch TV, play basketball…….but did I even once say “Estagfirullah”? Did I ask Allah to forgive the sins that I’ve commited today? NO! Not once.

Did I say “Elhamdulillah” other than in my daily prayers? NO! Not once my friends. Would you like to know why? Because I was too caught up with myself and my daily activities.

Well, guess what. I could have lost my life during a lay-up in a basketball game and what do I have with me? Not a thing. Nothing that I did today do I get to bring with me to the grave. Nothing.

A few words that I could have uttered were the only things that I could have brought with me. A few words that would’ve taken a few seconds of concentration out of the 24 hrs. that was alloted to me.

A few cents in charity instead of cold drinks and candy bars could have saved my soul. But I insisted to continue with my careless attitude. Thank God it wasn’t my turn to go, because I sure wasn’t ready.

Now I close my eyes and say Alhamdulillah. Now I look back and say Astagfirullah. Now I have a different attitude. Now, I want to prepare for my turn.

Moral: Did you perform your prayers today? Did you give in charity and love? Did you ask for forgiveness yet? Do you care? I’m asking because I don’t want to see you fall, knowing you aren’t ready for your turn insh’Allah.

If you want to continue to read Islamic stories I have moved most of them to islamicreminders.com