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Model Story Part-II By Afzal Hussain (M.A.L.T.) |
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Contents
1.Keen Interest in Learing
Chapter 1 Keen Interest in Learning Long ago there was a great Islamic scholar. He is known as Imam Malik. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), had passed away and the era of his Companions had also ended. Imam Malik gave lessons of the Quran and the Sayings of the Messenger (peace be upon him) in Madina. Students from far and near came to learn from him. One of his students, Yahya, had come all the way from Spain to Madina in his zeal to acquire Islamic knowledge from him. One day when Imam Malik was giving lessons, a crowd passed by shouting ‘an Elephant, an Elephant.’ Elephants being rare in Arabic, all of Imam Malik’s pupils rushed out of the classroom in their curiosity to see the strange creature. Yahya, however, did not move from his place. Imam Malik asked him why he too was not curious to see the elephant which is not found in Spain as well. “Respected teacher”, replied Yahya, “I have come here from such a distant land not to see an elephant, but to learn from you and stay in your company to gain knowledge.” Imam Malik was very much pleased with this reply. He smiled and said, “You are a very intelligent boy”. Imam Malik said these words Mercy, made Yahya a great and highly intelligent scholar of Spain. EXERCISE
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Why was Imam Malik (RA) pleased
with Yahya? Chapter 2 Reverence for the Quran Mehmood of Ghazni was a famous king. For various reasons he invaded India no less than seventeen times. One night while he was about to go to bed his eyes fell on a copy of the Quran placed in a niche in his bedroom. What could he do now? If he sleeps stretching his legs towards it, it would amount to showing disrespect to the Holy Book. He thought, why not change the direction of the cot itself? Better it would be if the bedstead is turned that side. Hence he turned the direction of the bedstead towards the niche. This done when he was preparing to sleep, it occurred to him that it would be unbecoming on his part that the Divene Book should be within his reachb in his room and he should go to sleep instead of reading it with understanding and acting upon its commands. Then he thought of putting it in the adjoining room and then go to sleep. No sooner did this thought occur to him than did the king tremble with fear. He thought how great would be his impudence if he were to remove the Book of Allah just for the sake of his won comfort. To be or not to be, was the dilemma which the king faced. He could neither remove the Holy Book, nor sleep in this pensive mood. He thus remained awake the whole night. EXERCISES
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Why could Mehmood not sleep the
whole night? Chapter 3 Self-Help is the Best Help Hadrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (R.A.) was the Caliph of Muslims. He was exceedingly pious and simplicity was the hall mark of his character. One day a visitor came to him when he was engaged in writing something in the light of the lamp. By chance the oil in the lamp had almost exhausted. After a while the lamp flickered and then went out. The guest then said: “You do not worry, I will put it right.” Thereupon the Caliph said: “It is improper to take service from guests.” Then the guest suggested: “Well, then I will wake up the servant and he will put it right.” “No. No. Do not wake up that poor fellow. He has just now gone to sleep. He would be unnecessarily put to trouble.” So saying, the Caliph himself got up, put oil in the lamp and brought it back. “After all you took the trouble yourself,” said the guest. The Caliph replied: “Sowhat? Where is the question of trouble in it? When I went to put oil in the lamp I was Umar, and when I have returned, then too, I am the same Umar.” With this answer the guest was rendered speechless. EXERCISES
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Who was Umar bin Abdul Aziz
(R.A.)? Chapter 4 It is an event which occurred when the beloved Prophet (PBUH) had already migrated to Madina. Even there the enemies did not allow him to rest in peace. In the second year of Prophet’s migration to Madina the enemies of Islam in Makka gathered big force and set out to wage battle against Muslims. The Muslims too made preparations for the battle. Men, women and children who were all devoted to Islam offered to be enlisted willing to hazard their lives for the cause of ‘Deen’ (religion). But the Prophet (PBUH) excused the young ones saying they were too young for the battle and that they may take part in Jehad after they grew in age. Amongst these youth was one whose name was Rafe’. The Prophet did not accept his service for the reason that he was too short-statured to be enlisted for the battle. Rafe’ had earnest desire to participate in the Jehad, and was quite intelligent. He at once thought of a plan. He came before the Prophet (PBUH) and stood on his toes, thus raising his height, and said: “Look! O Apostle of Allah! I am qujite tall. I can sweep the enemies with my sword and finish them up.” Seeing the ardent desire of this youth, the beloved Prophet (PBUH) enrolled him in the army. Just then, another youth whose name was Samra came forward and said: “O Apostle of Allah: jwhy not you enroll me too in the army? Battles are after all trails of strength , and I am stronger than Rafe’. What does it matter is I am short-statured? You allow me to wrestle with Rafe’ and then see the result.” The Prophet (PBUH) agreed to the proposal of Samra and there was about between him and Rafe’. Samra threw Rafe’ on the ground ion his back. Thus Samra too managed to join the Islamic army.
May Allah be pleased with these valiant
soldiers of Islam. Chapter 5 Sultan Bayazeed was a renowned king of the Turks. He was very courageous and justice loiving. He was submissive to Allah, pious and given to regular prayers and fasting. But he had a short-coming. He did not offer prayers in congregation. Here is an incident which occurred in his life. Once the Sultan appeared as a witness in a certain case. However, the learned Qazi refused to accept his evidence. The Sultan himself was justice-loving and knew also that the Qazi’s too was a person of high integrity. As such the Qazi’s decision did not anger him, but he did ask him the reason for his refusal to accept his testimony. The Qazi said: “According to Shariyat, no reliance can be placed on the evidence of a person who does not offer his regular prayers in the mosque in congregation. In the light of this you can yourself understand why your evidence has been rejected. This judgement had deep impact on the mind of the Sultan, and forever afterwards he observed regular prayers in the mosque in congregation. EXERCISES
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Who was Sultan Bayazeed? Chapter 6 Sultan Naasiruddin was the only king of India who was truly very pious and liveda very simple life. Although a king, his mode of life was altogether different from other kings. He never took a single paisa from the government treasury for his personal expenses. He used to write the Holy Quran in his own handwriting in six months. In this way in a year he used to complete two manuscripts of the Holy Quran. Out of the price of these two copies of the Quran he used to provide for his living for the whole year. At times he used to supplement his income by making caps. With such meager income, how simple must have been his living is obvious. The Sultan had only one queen. She too was an exceedingly simple and pious lady. The Sultan earned his living after hard labour and the queen cooked food with her own hands. In this way both led a contented life. One day while then queen was cooking food, accidently she burnt her fingers while removing baked bread from the hot iron plate. She went to the sultan and entreated: “It would be a great favour to me if you could employ maidservant to assist me.” The sultan replied: “My beloved. You know very well how meager Government treasury is. The treasury is a public trust and its amount has to be spent exclusively for the public good and welfare of the people. We have no right to spend anything out of it for our own needs. How can then I employ a maid servant?” This reply silenced the queen and never afterwards she asked him for a maid servant for herself. EXERCISES
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Why did the Sultan turn down the
request of his queen? Chapter 7 Showing Kindness to Animals Many many days ago there lived in the city of Ghazni a person whose name was Subaktagin. He was in fact the head of a tribe but was quite poor. He spent most of his time in hunting. One day as he was out hunting he noticed a deer and its young one grazing. Subaktagin spurred his horse to catch the deer and the young one. But ran for their life to escape from the horseman. The young one was after all a young one. How fact could it run? It was soon tired and slowed down. Subaktagin caught it and returned home with it. The doe, in her affection for her young one, helplessly followed the hunter as he was speeding away. Subaktagin sighted her as he glanced back. Her depressed and dis-spirited look and beseeching eyes begging for her young one moved Subaktagin’s heart and taking pity on both he let off the young one. The moment the young one was let off, it sprang to its feet and ran to its mother, and both happily bolted away in the jungle. In the night Subaktagin saw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in dream who said to him: “Subaktagin! You took pity on the helpless doe. This action of yours has pleased Allah. Your name has been listed in the rank of kings. Very soon you shall be a king. But beware, after becoming a king do not be proud and oppressive. Treat your subjects with similar kindness as you have shown to the doe and her young one.” Thereafter a day came when Subaktagin did in fact become a king. He remembered this event throughout his life and treated his subjects with utmost affection and kindness. EXERCISES
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Why did Subaktagin let off the
young one of the deer? Chapter 8 Fulfilling One’ s Promise The story relates to a period when our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was yet in the prime his youth. Allah had not yet conferred Apostlehood on him. He was then engaged in trade activities. One of his companions in trade was Abdullah. Both often transacted business deals with each other. One day the Prophet and Abdullah made a business deal. The settlement was arrived at in part when Abdullah had to go on some errand. While going away he asked the Prophet to wait for him there only and said he would soon return to complete the terms of settlement. The Prophet agreed and said he would wait there. However, Abdullah forgot to come back. For full three days he did not remember what he had promised to the Prophet. On the third day when he remembered it he came running to the spot where three days ago both had met and made the agreement. On reaching there he found that the Prophet was seated at the same spot waiting for him, as per his promise. Abdullah felt much remorseful over his forgetfulness but not a wrinkle of frown appeared on the forehead of the Prophet (PBUH). All he said in a soft tone was this much only: “Abdullah! You put me to great trouble. For the last three days I have been waiting here only for your return.” EXERCISES
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What work did the Prophet
(PBUH) do when he was in the prime of youth? Chapter 9 Showing Respect to Teachers Haroon Al-Rashid was a great and renowned king of Muslims. His son’s name was Mamun. He was brought up with utmost love and pampering. The result was that he was spoiled and grew to be a naughty child. All the servants of the royal palace were fed up with his mischievous pranks. He used to beat up even elderly persons and all of them used to bear it meekly because he was the son of a great king. This spoiled him further. When Mamun grew up, a teacher was appointed to give education to him. When the teacher went to the royal palace to give him tuition he called for Mamun but he was busy in play and sport and did not respond to the call of the teacher. The teacher then sent for him through the palace servants, but the servants returned complaining to the teacher that the naughty boy does not listen to any one and that he beat them which they had to suffer helplessly. The teacher got an idea about the nature of Mamun. He somehow managed to call Mamun outside and immediately gave him seven beatings with a cane. Mamun sobbed and cried with pain. Never before was he subjected to such treatment and torment. However, out of reverence for the teacher, Mamun did not utter a word. Tears flowed from his eyes but he remained quiet. Just then, the king’s minister happened to pass that way. Mamun remained seated quietly before the teacher and was reading out his lesson. When the minister went away, the teacher asked: “Mamun, how is it you did not complain to the minister about the punishment you received?” Mamun said: “Respected sir, your punishment was for my good and welfare, so how could I complain to any one about it. He was after all a minister, if at this juncture even my revered father, who is the king, had come or asked anything, I would not have complained about it.” EXERCISES
1. Why did Mamun bear the punishment of
his teacher? Chapter 10 Sympathy Towards the Orphans You must have heard the name of Hatim Tai. He is renowned for his generosity. A great and revered saint sprang from his clan whose name was Dawood Tai. For quite a few days Dawood Tai had not tasted meat. One day he decided to have his desire fulfilled. Accordingly he brought some mutton. The maid servant prepared a delicious meat-curry for him. When the food was served before him, Dawood Tai thought of some orphan children of his locality and asked the maid-servant about their condition. The maid servant replied: “They are suffering the pangs of poverty. God alone knows when their condition will take a turn for the better.” Thereupon Dawood said: “In that case these unfortunate children may be having no opportunity ti taste meat. Take this dish away from me and feed these poor unfortunate kids.” The maid servant entreated: “Sir, you too have not partaken of the meat for a considerable number of days. Why not you enjoy it yourself. These kids will be fed on some other day.” “No. I shall not eat it,” replied the great man, “you better feed them only. The meat they ear shall reach Allah whereas whatever I will have eaten will be rubbed in dust.” So saying, he sent the cooked delicious meat to feed the orphans, even though he had himself longed for it. EXERCISES
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Who was Hatim Tai? Chapter 11 Feeding the Hungry Hadrat Abdullah (RA) son of Hadrat Umar (RA) cared much for the poor. He never used to take his meals without having some destitute person or other with him. One day he desired to eat fish. Accordingly fish was sent for and his wife, Safia, mad a very delicious preparation of fish. Just as Hadrat Abdullah was about to start eating, a destitute called at his door and asked for something to eat. Thereupon he told his wife: “Give this food to that destitute.” Once some people complained to his wife that she did not take proper care of her husband. She replied to them: “What to do? I take great pains to prepare delicious meals for him, but he always gives it away to the needy who knocks at our door.” Then she thought of a plan. She asked all those beggars and destitutes who used to sit along the way to her husband’s house not to sit there any longer. She also sent instruction to them not to come even if they were sent for from their homes. As a result of this, one day when he came out of the mosque after prayers, he found none of the destitutes on the way. He then sent for them from their homes but they did not turn up. As he never partake of food without sharing it with some destitute or the other, that night, when none turned up, he too did not ta too did not take his meals and went to sleep on empty stomach… EXERCISES
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Who was Hadrat Abdullah (RA)? Chapter 12 Refrain from Begging Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was the chosen one of Allah. Allah sent him not but to show the straight path to mankind. For the good of mankind he suffered severe hardships without expecting any worldly return. Yet it is a pity that the ignorant and foolish people, instead of profiting by his sincere efforts, put obstacles in his way. They harassed him in many ways. They even planned to kill him. They forced him to leave his dear home-town, Makka, and to migrate to Madina. But they kept on harassing him even after that. On one occasion, these wicked men gathered a big force and mounted attack on Madina. The beloved Prophet and his faithful companions sacrificed a lot in their defence. Even young lads were well prepared to sacrifice their lives for the cause of ‘Deen’ (religion). To some, the Prophet gave permission to participate in the ‘Jehad’ (Crusade), but some others were not allowed to take active part in ‘Jehad’ because of their tender age. Amongst such younger ones was one Abu Saeed (RA) whose case was strongly pleaded by his own father who said: “ Respected Prophet,my son has a robust physique with sturdy bones. Do not be led away with his young age. You may please enroll him in the army.” But the Prophet declined. This caused great distress to the lad. The battle did take place and with Allah’s help the Muslims were victorious. But it saw the martyrdom of many eminent companions of the Prophet. Abu Saeed’s revered father was also martyred in this battle. The companions did not possess any wealth and whatever little they had, they had sacrificed it all in the way of Allah. Abu Saeed’s house too was left without any wealth.] Apart from his tender age, to add to his misfortune, he had neither in the house anything to eat, nor was there any earning hand to help him. He was in much distressed conditions. Save Allah and His Messenger there was none for him to look at for help. Therefore he presented himself before the Prophet (PBUH). He wanted to narrate his difficult condition and seek some help from him. But just seeing him the Prophet at once said: “Allah grants forbearance to those who seek for it. He who seeks purity , ‘Allah makes him affluent.” The moment these words came out from the mouth of the Prophet, Abu Saeed’s mind was changed. He did not ask for anything from the Prophet and quietly returned home. Allah was much pleased with him. While in his tender age only, Allah bestowed on him such profound knowledge and scholarlilness which few could match. EXERCISES
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Why was Abu Saeed (RA) not
allowed to participated in the ‘Jehad’ (crusade)? Chapter 13 0Long ago a Muslim king ruled over Delhi. His name was Muhammed Tughlaq. He was highly prudent and justice-loving. He loved to do justice to all people. One day while he was walking around he noticed that two boys were fighting with each other. One boy appeared rich and the other, poor. The boy who looked rich was scolding the poor lad who stood quiet and was weeping. The king thought that the rich boy must have beaten up the poor one. He therefore beat him with his cane as a punishment to him. In fact, the poor boy was at fault. The rich boy had started weeping only with the fear that he may be beaten up for his fault. In the reign of Muhammed Tughlaq the people had freedom to make complaints even against the king. Accordingly, the rich boy made a complaint to a judge against the king. The judge held that the king was guilty and ordered that the king should be punished for his guilt. The king got ready to receive punishment. He called the boy in his open court and gave him the very cane with which he had beaten him and told him to take revenge on him. At first the boy was hesitant, but when he was insisted upon in the name of Allah, he became ready to act. In the open court the king was given twenty one lashes by the lad. One lash of his fell in such a way on the king that his crown fell down. Yet the king never lost his temper and bore the punishment with good grace. All the countries were amazed at his just conduct. EXERCISES
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Who was Muhammed Tughlaq? Chapter 14 Hadrat Saeed (RA) was a companion of the Prophet. Once a woman made a claim against him regarding a house. The house in fact belonged to Hadrat Saeed (RA). The woman had made a false claim. But he did not put any defence and allowed her to take possession of the house. However, he said this much: “O Allah! If this woman is a liar then make her blind and a grave for her be in the same house.” The prayer of the companion was heard by Allah. As the woman had wrongly taken over possession of the house, a few days later she lost her eyesight. She could walk about only with the support of the walls of the house. She used to say: “The curse of Saeed (RA) has fallen on me.” One morning she got up. As she was blind she groped her way and accidentally fell into the well that was in the house. Thus the well in the same house which she had obtained wrongfully became her watery-grave. EXERCISES
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What is the result of making
false claim? Chapter 15 Hadrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (RA) was a renowned Caliph. He considered government treasury as a public trust and guarded it with great honesty. One day many apples were received in government treasury. As per rule he started distributing them amongst Muslims. Just then his own young child happened to come there. He was too young and innocent to understand as to whose apples they were. He saw his father distributing them only. He picked up one apple and started eating it. The apples belonged to the government treasury over which every Muslim had a right. How could the Caliph permit his own child to take it? It would have amounted to misappropriation. He therefore snatched the apple from the child. The child started crying. He tried to console the child but he went away crying and complained to his mother about it. The mother, consolingly, wiped his tears and got an apple from the bazaar and gave it to the child. When the Caliph entered the house he smelt the fragrance of the apple. He enquired from his wife if there was any apple that belonged to the government by any chance. The wife replied: “It is not the government’s apple. I have bought it from the bazaar and gave our child to eat. You had taken away the apple from him and he had come to me crying. I had to get one from the bazaar to silence him and cheer him up.” The Caliph replied: “What could I do, my dear? The apples belonged to the government, that is why I had snatched it from the child lest I should be reckoned by Allah as a faithless and dishonest person just for the sake of one apple.” This reply of the Caliph silenced his wife. EXERCISES
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Who was Hadrat Umar bin Abdul
Aziz? |
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