Pearls of Wisdom

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah has full knowledge of all things.” (Al-Ahzab 33:40)

Young people today see a lot of pomp and ceremony when it comes to politicians and leaders. It seems as though the more authority you have, the more the red carpet is laid out, the more special attire and finery you are expected to wear, and the more freedom you have to express your opinions — whether they are held up by evidence or not, and no matter how much they may offend others.

But let’s take a look at the final Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and see the stark difference between what is now and what was before.

“Which one is Muhammad?” So humble was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that strangers looking for him in the mosque in Madinah had to ask this. Sitting in the row of believers for the daily prayers, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), with his simple and modest bearing, could not be distinguished from anyone else.

He was so calm, so dignified, and so peaceful that no one could single him out as the leader. Children and youth could approach him to receive a warm greeting or to ask this great, yet humble, man a question or some advice. In quiet prayer he looked like any other simple man. There was no sign here of the great warrior, the skillful negotiator in times of war and peace, the statesman. There was no sign either that this was the man, from among all men, was chosen to receive the Creator’s final message to mankind.

In the mosque his focus was on Allah alone. He was like every Muslim who enters the mosque to pray. And yet, unlike any other Muslim, he had been chosen as the Seal of the Prophets, the most honorable and the noblest of men. He was the one whom Allah selected to guide all mankind.

Disadvantages in Youth
Orphaned by the age of 6 and born in a relatively unimportant region of the world to a simple family, Muhammad could neither read nor write. When commanded by the Angel Jibreel to recite the first glorious verses of the Qur’an, Muhammad could only respond that he was unable to read or recite them.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had neither power nor wealth. He possessed none of the things that the world considers important. Yet Allah chose him from all men in the world to be what the Qur’an calls “a mercy to mankind.”

A Mercy
This is the role that young Muslims should take on in this world that is so full of turmoil and hate. The youth are the standard-bearers of the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and it is a message of mercy.

In his person, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy to all the people on earth. One so kind, so pious, so devout in prayer and obedience to the will of Allah had been chosen as the guide for mankind.

We should ask ourselves, how closely are we living our lives according to the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)? If we are living in his way, no problem will be too great to overcome, our future will appear clear before us, and the challenges of young adulthood will seem small. If young Muslims join in the ranks of the followers of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), they will be joining the ranks of the merciful, pious, and just people through all the ages, from the beginning of time. Indeed, Allah opens the way for those who sincerely obey Him and His Messenger.

Your Friends
Good people should surround themselves with good friends. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was surrounded by people who sought the pleasure of Allah. Ask yourself: Who do you mix with and why? Your friends reflect who you are.

At the end of his life, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was laid to rest in the earth, his funeral was attended by his heartbroken friends and Companions. They had been with him for so long, many since the time of the first revelation of the Qur’an some 23 years before, and now they were to be left alone, without a guide for the first time in so many years.

Imagine yourself living at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); imagine walking in his blessed footsteps. If you follow his Sunnah, you are walking in his footsteps today.

His body was not laid to rest in some grand tomb as one might expect for so important and so influential a man. Rather it was placed in the earth beneath the spot where he used to sleep on a simple mat. It fell upon Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him), his friend from before the time of the first revelation, to deliver the funeral sermon. Abu Bakr had to try to make sense out of this tragedy for the crowds assembled before him. At this key moment in the development of Islam, they eagerly awaited what Abu Bakr, the closest friend of the Prophet, would have to say. His words to them were filled with wisdom. “O men,” he said, “if anyone worships Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead. But if anyone worships Allah, then know that Allah is alive and will never die.”

Only Human
Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) told the Muslim faithful that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the greatest man to have lived but he was not the Lord of all creation. He was a man like all men. And this is what makes Islam so extraordinary. There are now nearly two billion Muslims in the world, and we are attentive to what our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said or did. Each one of us proclaims at least five times a day that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah. It is the core of our faith. In the same breath in which we declare belief in the One true Lord of mankind and all that exists, we declare belief in His Messenger.

The love and reverence which we have for Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is both real and deep. We see him as the gentlest, the kindest, and the sweetest of men, and yet he remains for us precisely that: a man. Neither a god nor a saint. We do not ascribe to our Prophet magical powers. It would be a blasphemy for us to do so. We see him as a simple man, chosen from among men, with the same cares and worries we might have.

But in Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) we see that it is possible for us to dedicate all our lives to Allah and to live under His guidance, yet live in the midst of life. Not divine, but human like us, Prophet Muhammad showed us by his life and example that Islam is the perfect way of life and that it is possible to achieve happiness by following this way.

If you find your life is taking you in another direction, stop and think. Don’t make decisions in your youth that will take you on a different path that heads away from that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Something Special
In Islam there are no priests or popes. That, perhaps, is the secret of Islam. There is no special knowledge reserved for a professional religious class. There are no go-betweens between the Creator and the created.

Islam is ours for the taking. How many of us reach out and take what Islam has to offer? How many of us are shining examples of mercy and justice that Islam can develop in us?

Each of us can fall prostrate before our Maker and say what we need to say without the help of anyone else. Just you and your creator! We can see this clearly inside any mosque. Muslim men and women, each in their own place, gather in the mosque for the five daily prayers. They pray together as a community, in congregation, receiving blessings for doing so, yet it is obvious to anyone who looks on that each Muslim is concerned with speaking to his or her Lord individually. It is perhaps this, more than anything else, that makes the place of Prophet Muhammad so strong in the heart of every Muslim.

Muhammad was a man and he found it possible, with Allah’s help, to live out every requirement of Islam. So you and I, then, can try to do the same and, with

Allah’s help, we can live out our faith like our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1162385855954&pagename=Zone-English-Youth%2FYTELayout#**1

______________________________________________

Idris Tawfiq is a British Muslim writer who lives and works in Egypt. He has spent many years working with young people. He was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom and, perhaps more remarkably, before embracing Islam he was a Roman Catholic priest. You can visit website at www.idristawfiq.com.

Rasul Allah, sal Allah alayhi wa sallam, said, “Anyone who
believes in Allah and the Last Day (of Judgment) should not harm
his neighbor. Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day
should host his guest generously. And anyone who believes in
Allah and the Last Day should say what is good or keep quiet.”
- Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 47

[Lessons from this Hadith]
Did you send out a bad mouthed email to someone recently? Did
you post something in a chat room or forum that you shouldn’t
have? You are Muslim, so make sure whatever comes out of your
mouth is something that will bring you closer to Allah. If it’s
not, then keep quiet. Test yourself, for the next 3 days, before
you say anything, ask yourself, “Is this something good to say?”

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef

PS Have you seen this lately? www.powerworkshops.org

—

DiscoverU, 1 Stafford Rd., East, Suite 141, Nepean, ON, K2H 1B9, Canada

The following program is geared primarily toward current college
undergraduates. Please apprise those within your circle of family and
friends. Thanks.
-anm

The Muslim Public Service Network (MPSN) is Now Accepting Applications
for its 2007 Summer Internship Program

Through the MPSN Summer Internship Program, the current generation of
American Muslims is emerging into the public service and public policy
arenas. The Summer Internship Program is designed to bring American
Muslim students from diverse backgrounds to Washington, D.C. to live,
study and work together while creating a cohesive network of talented
American Muslims pursuing careers in public service and public policy.
MPSN’s internship component is combined with a comprehensive academic
curriculum, professional guest speakers, mentoring, networking, and
community building.

The MPSN Summer Internship Program runs from June 1-August 15, 2007.

MPSN Curriculum
The MPSN academic curriculum is designed to complement practical
experience gained in the field. Renowned scholars and experts teach
the interactive seminars, and will enrich participants’ knowledge of
Islamic perspectives on the most urgent issues in current American
public policy. Interns will also see the dynamics of politics on
Capitol Hill, attend congressional hearings and partake in the diverse
political culture of Washington, D.C. Interns will attend workshops on
government affairs by Capitol Hill staffers, senior government
officials, and professionals representing a broad spectrum of policy
making institutions.

Building Networks
Over 14 years, MSN/MPSN has built a growing network of alumni
comprising over 200 individuals working in a wide range of fields
including government institutions, think tanks, media, public health,
environmental policy, education policy, economic development, law and
other public policy non-profit organizations. As a result of this
innovative program, talented American Muslims are established on
policymaking career paths and making meaningful contributions to
American society.

Commitment to Diversity and Community Building
Diversity is a unique aspect of MPSN, and the program draws interns
from varying communities within the American Muslim community to live,
work and study together. The program aims for a MPSN class that is a
microcosm of the American Muslim community to foster a heightened
understanding and appreciation of the diversified experiences that
shape the American Muslim community.

MPSN is an intensive experience both personally and professionally.
Living among a diverse group of peers-with a full spectrum of
political and Islamic perspectives-requires interns to be open-minded and willing to
engage
respectfully in challenging debates. The MPSN environment is built on
mutual respect, understanding and willingness to learn from each
other.

For further information and admissions details, please visit:
www.muslimpublicservice.org

Admission is very competitive and spots limited. It is best to apply
early as acceptances are granted on a rolling basis.

Sincerely,

Alejandro J. Beutel
Program Specialist
Muslim Public Service Network
mpsn.ps1@gmail.com

You thought you never knew the taste of suffering until you met a grumpy woman who is mean and makes your life like hell. Is this the woman you married? Do you feel that you will not make it to the following year? Read about the trials and tribulations of one.

* * *

When it was my time to marry, despite was what was being said, I made-up my mind to marry a woman from my community. Of course I recognized the implications of marrying locally. I had a very bad life - the home was permeated with a cloudy atmosphere which was full of sadness and sulkiness. Breakfast time consisted of my wife yelling, and I dined to her wailing and weeping. At supper and bedtime, I was assured nothing remained unchanged by her cursing me.

We never talked, but battled. Our home was gloomy with pale colors and mysterious features. It had no life and there were two life-giving aspects: the sun and visitors.

One day, a friend of mine invited my wife and me to lunch at his home. I was so scared that my wife would refuse, or that she would go and be at her worst, which is not much different from her best! I asked her gently and kindly to come with me and she agreed without a second thought, and she was polite . I wondered why!

We made the journey to my friend’s house. We were welcomed to a home that was full of light, joy, and happiness, the reason for which was the harmony between him and his wife. Happiness was their way, respect was their motto. Love guided them and brought light into their life. They were like Shahryar and Scheherazade of The Thousand and One Nights. No, they were like lovebirds that do not speak, but chant and warble. Their words to each other were those of a father and mother, a brother and sister, a husband and wife, a companion, friend, and healer.

I never wanted to leave, but we did, and I was filled with confusion. My wife was so different with my friend. Her face was softer, and she was calm to the point that she became a part of that harmonious unit. In fact, she was nothing like the she-devil that had come to make my life a misery. I did not know this woman that I have lived with for what seemed far too long.

“Allah guide my wife and make her like the wife of my friend,” I thought.

I became obsessed with it all, thinking about the reasons day and night, over and over. I was never able to figure out why they were so different from us. So I decided to go to my friend and ask, and he surprised me with an unexpected reason:

“Whoever ignores, forever loses; and whoever knows, wins the world and its bliss. A woman is a gift from Allah,” he said.

He continued, “Her heart is a spring of kindness, her bosom is the center of warmth, and her blood is a river of fragrance. She gives for no return, and she is tolerant with the love of good deeds. She respects her husband and guards his entity. Her beauty is in her spirit. Her charm and attraction are in her enlightened mind, awareness, and wise opinion. Had the case been different, grand men of letters would not have said ‘Behind every great man is a woman’ or ‘Women are half the society.’ So think, what happens if a man does not appreciate or respect his wife? You have no idea what the return will be if you embrace her with your kindness, with even one word!”

I left my friend in a thoughtful and light mood and returned to my wife seeking her forgiveness and regretting the life I had wasted without ever trying to understand her. From that moment, love blessed our home with respect. We lived more joyously and no less so than my friend and his wife.

* * *

And so ends my nightmare, and I pray to Allah Almighty that every man will come to know the true worth of his wife and to put an end to the life that he has wasted with his mind and his heart away from her and their marriage.

By Ms. Du`aa’ Hamdy
Translated By Ms. Yosra Mostafa

Du`aa’ Hamdy is a writer and the Executive Secretary at Islamonline.net (English Division).

Get a head start on financial literacy month

By Alfred Edmond, Jr., Bio
Black Enterprise Editor-in-Chief
March 21, 2007

April is National Financial Literacy Month! Since our weekly column is all about financial literacy, we’re going to begin celebrating early. You can join us by picking up the April 2007 issue of Black Enterprise (on newsstands now), which features Ariel Capital Management President Mellody Hobson, a leading champion of financial literacy, on the cover.

For the next six weeks, I will focus on tips and resources to help you improve your financial literacy. I also want you to take what you’ve learned and share it with others, especially our children.

Today, we’ll start with things we can do to increase the financial literacy of our kids:

1) Give them a weekly allowance, so they can get personal experience in managing money. Tie their allowance to your job’s pay periods. If they spend all their money, they don’t get more until you get paid. This will teach them to resist the urge to spend compulsively and help them to gain financial discipline.

2) Discuss financial matters as a family, so children understand that discussion and compromise are a part of financial decisions. Explain a) how bills come in, b) how and when they are paid, and c) why expenses (such as your rent or mortgage) are more important than others (the cable bill). Keeping your kids in the dark about family finances can result in unrealistic expectations or anxiety about money when they become adults.

3) Take the time to explain how credit works to your children when they see you using credit cards. Help them to understand that a credit card is not a piece of magic plastic that gets you things for free, but a way to borrow money to pay for goods and services–money that must be paid back with interest. Armed with this knowledge, your kids will be more able to resist the onslaught of credit card offers they’ll face as young adults (especially on college campuses) and be more responsible users of credit when they do get their first charge card.

A great resource for financial literacy for you and your kids is Banking on Our Future: A Program for Teaching You and Your Kids About Money (Beacon Press, $14.00) by John Bryant and Michael Levin. It’s a quick read that will help you and your children increase your understanding of financial issues and lessons together.

Alfred Edmond, Jr.’s column on Money Sense appears weekly at blackenterprise.com as well as on the Doug Banks Morning Show every Wednesday.

Copyright © 2007 Earl G. Graves, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Source: http://www.blackenterprise.com/printarticle.asp?id=2682