Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Moral Stories (Part 01)

Author: Ahmed .H. Sheriff

www.alhassanain.org/english

Notice:

This workis published on behalf of www.alhassanain.org/english

The typing errors aren’t corrected.

Table of Contents

Preface 4

The Khoja Who Discoverd the Truth 5

Shaddad's Paradise On Earth 8

Ka'aba Against The Might of Elephants 10

Lessons From The Life of an Ant 12

Ghulamhusein and The Game of Chance 14

Where Music Leads To 16

Do Stars Influence Our Destiny? 18

The Tragic End of an Oppresive King 21

In Willing Submission To The Will of Allah 23

The Chosen Five Dignitaries of Islam 24

Allah is The Guide For Every Creature 26

The Value of Sincerity of Purpose 28

LOVE FOR ALLAH AND FOR HIS SAKE ONLY 30

CONSEQUENCES OF INGRATITUDE TOWARDS ALLAH'S BOUNTIES 32

A Unique Exapmle of Islamic Brotherhood 34

A Splendid Example of Staunch Faith 36

A Valiant Woman of Faith 37

Greedy Even in Old Age 39

ISLAMIC EQUALITY AND FAIRPLAY IN PRACTICE 41

Preface

It is a recognized fact that relating of stories is one of the best venues of making think and reform their ideas.And those true stories of important events in the past afford opportunities to readers not only to reform their ways of thinking but also uplift their moral standards.

The Holy Qur'an tells us about the prophets who were asked to relate to their people stories of past events (ref: 7:176) so that they may think. Parables are also mentioned in the Holy Bookso as to warn people against pitfalls in their ways of life asweel as to provide examples of virtue and vice. The aim has been to bid people to do good and forbid them from doing bad.

I haveendeavoured in this booklet to relate stories extracted from thepast history , adding explanatory notes and relevantquatations form the Holy Qur'an andahadith .

It is hoped that this will serve to acquaint readers to the true Islamic values as well as in uplifting moral standards where needed. Itis also aimed at helping lecturers in schools and in public gatherings.

Readers are requested to accord due respect to this booklet in view of the Holyquatations contained in therein.Also to help us in circulating it asas to spread the benefit as widely as possible.

Ahmed H. Sheriff

P.O.box 83856

Mombasa

Kenya

TheKhoja WhoDiscoverd the Truth

Over five hundred years ago, some people in India and Iran held a strange belief about God. They believed that God entered into everything in the Universe and that everything has the essence of God. The believers of this originally were Hindus as well as a sect of Muslims.

Among the leaders of this beliefwere PeerSadruddeen , an ancestor of the Aga Khans in Iran as well as one Hindu known asSahadeva Joshi.

With this belief, they made up areligion which theylabelled as SatPanth meaning Right Path. The followers of this new path came to be known asKhojas which is said to be a Sindhi word derived from the word "KHOJ" meaning to search.

Perhaps it meant that theKhojas are those people who originally made deep search to find a religious path. It is also said that the word KHOJ A is derived from the wordKhwaja meaning a man of distinction a title awarded by the Peer to the newly converts to the SatPanth .

The creed of this new religionis based on incarnation of God i.e. God entered into some human beings, as believed by Hindus. To nine incarnations of Hindu God Vishnu, they addedHazrat Ali (A.S.) as the tenth incarnation.

They believed in him as God as didAlawites - theNusairies in Syria. They proclaimed themselvesShias as well, meaning the followers ofHazrat Ali (A.S.) and his family.

Itis mentioned that a Persian mystic by name AliItahi had come to Kutch in India. He took with him some eagerKhojas to Iran and introduced them to the ancestors of theAgha Khans.

Itis thought that these firm believers in the new religion and the close followers of PeerSadruddeen came to be known asBawas . After the death of the Peer, they became the guardians of the religions of theKhojas .It is theseBawas who preached that theAgha Khans were incarnation of God and included this belief in the GINANS - the prayer book read usually inJamat Khanas .

TheBawas had considerable influence over theKhojas as they also controlled the various ceremonies concerning marriage and death, etc. TheKhoja faithful who took their lessons from theBawas came tobe known asBhagats .

TheKhojas were mainly a trading community resident in Bombay, Karachi as well as lesser numbers in towns and villages of Kutch and Kathiawar in India. Some of them migrated to Zanzibar and other East African towns during the years 1850 - 1900 to expand their business. TheKhojas in those days were rather ignorant and simple people.

They became influenced by social traditions of theHindus, some of these traditions are still to be seen in marriage ceremonies although many have disappeared with the times.

Despite being involved and surrounded by peculiar andunlslamic beliefs and traditions,, historical records show us that theKhojas were deeply devoted towards Imam Husain (A.S.).

They would spend large sums to commemorate the martyrdom of the Imam. Those who could afford would regularly travel to Karbala and other Holy places to pay their homage at the shrines of the Imams.

Sometime during 1860 - 70 A.D., a Shiite Muslim from Madras, India, by name ofMulla Qader Husain is said to have gone to Karbala on pilgrimage as well as to stay therefor the purpose of acquiring more knowledge inShiism .

While there by chance hecame into contact with some prominentKhoja Zuwwars - pilgrims from Zanzibar as well as Bombay. Among them wereNurmohamedbhai ,Mukhi Hashambhai Dossa andDewji Jamal. On their visit to him,Mulla Qader would teach them the recitation of HolyQura'n as well as Islamic rules about cleanliness, prayers, etc.

Mulla Qader once described to them the merits ofHazrat Ali (A.S.). SuddenlyNurmohamedbhai said "WeKhojas believe that Ali (A.S.) is God" On hearing this, theMulla was greatly astonished. On further discussion, he learnt that "Khojas also believed that Ali was the tenth incarnation of God and the Aga Khan the forty-sixth incarnation ofAly or God."

Obviously this belief is in absolute contradiction to the basic principles of Islamic belief inTawheed - the Oneness of God. Belief in any form of human relationship with God such as entering of God into human bodyis considered as SHIRK - polytheism. The pure belief in the absolute Unity of Allah is the foundation of Islam and one who contradicts itcannot be called a Muslim.

"Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides this to whom He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he indeed strays off into a remote error." (14:116)

Thus Mulla Qader became deeply concerned about the ignorance of theKhojas and did his best to correct their beliefs. He took them to theMujtahid SheikhZainul Abedeen and reported their plight.

TheMulla was invited byDewji Jamal to accompany him to Bombay and Zanzibarso as to impart the knowledge of true Islam to theKhojas but he was not willing to leaveKerbala .Finally at the insistence of theMujtahid SheikhZainul Abedeen he agreed and left for Bombay where he first stayed withDewjibhai .

In Bombay,Mulla Qader started aMadrassa in which he taught the rules and tenets of true Islam according toShia Ithnasheri beliefs. Gradually he also led a congregationalprayer which was first attended by 15/20 people later expanding to 50 and more persons.

This had tobe done secretly inside a house in order to safeguard the lives of the faithful who had separated from the main stream ofAgha Khani sect ofIsmaili Khojas .

On separation thus of theKhoja community into two different sects of theIsmailis as followers ofAgha Khan andIthnasheris as followers of Twelve Imams, there were repeated incidents of trouble between the two sects. TheIthnasheris were boycotted in matters of business, social contacts, burial, etc.

So harsh was the friction between the two that at times criminalswere hired to stab the converts and murders took place.

But so firm and staunch were those handful in their faith that they could not be drawn away from the path of truth they had discovered. Their courage is indeed worth appreciating and taking lesson from.

Today theKhoja Shia Ithnasheries numbering more than 100,000 are prosperously scattered throughout the world in India, Pakistan, East Africa, Madagascar as well as Europe, USA, Canada. They not only maintain their Islamic traditions but also contribute their time,energy and money for the propagation of truth.

Shaddad's ParadiseOn Earth

'Aad ' was a descendent of Prophet Noah. Thousands of years ago, his people had lived in the deserts of "AL-AHQAF" around Oman andHadhramut in South Arabia. They were strongly built and very tall. They believed in no God but worshipped idols.

Prophet 'HUD'was sent by Allah to preach and guide them on the right path. He advised them to worship one God as taught by Islam but they paid no heed. Allah punished them by stopping rain and drought over took them for years.

Then some people went to Prophet 'Hud ' begging him to pray to Allah for the rains. The Prophet prayed and instructed them to return to their villages. Thereafter it rained and people prospered.But never did they amend their conduct nor abandon their faith in idol-worship. Al last they were destroyed bypunishement from Allah.

When 'Aad ' died, he left behind two sonsShaddad andShadeed . After some timeShadeed also died andShaddad became the ruler of his kingdom. He had appointed several governors in the areas over which he ruled. He grew so arrogant that he even claimed to be God and compelled his people to worship him.

Allah sent Prophet 'Hud ' to approach 'Shaddad ' advising him to correct his wrong thinking and conduct. In response, he once asked the Prophet what reward he could expect if he were to put his faith in Allah and worship One God. Hewas told that he would have a place in paradise.

Shaddad inquired what sort of place it was. The Prophet described it as a blissful place where the righteous and true believers in Allahwould after death enjoy the best ofevery thing . 'Shaddad ' responded saying it was nothing since he could also build similar place or even a better one on earth.

He then resolved to build a huge and beautiful paradise of his own on earth. He sent someone toZohak Tazi - who ruled Iran with request to purchase all available quantity of gold and silver.

He also sent people around to other places and acquired large quantities of valuable items including muskand amber etc . He then gathered all his experts and architects and gave them instructions to construct amagnificient 'paradise' on earth.

A place with good climate and scenery somewhere in south Arabiawas selected . High palaces and towers with walls inlaid with gold and silver were constructed. Beautiful pearls andemaralds were spread on floors instead of sand.

Trees made of gold with branches hanging withmusks and amberwere put up in plush gardens.Everytime the windblew, the sweet scent OT their perfume would spread around. Pretty womenwere accommodated there to beautify the dream setting. All valuable metals and materialswere supplied and it took some three hundred years to complete it.

In thosevery olden days, people used to live very long. Prophet Noah had lived for 900 years.Similary Shaddad was informed that he would live about that long.So he was extremely anxious to enter and live in his lavish man made paradise before his death.

He gave orders to all people to proceed to the walls of dazzling city of high andmagnificient pillars described in the holy Quran as IRAM ZATIL IMAD. Then he himself came out of his residence inHadramont with his large army for opening ceremony. As he neared the paradise of his imagination, suddenly he saw a deer with trunk and legs of gold and silver.

He gave chase to capture it but in sodoing he got separated from his army. Now alone, unexpectedly he was faced with a frightfulhorseman who in raised voice said: "OhShaddad ! You imagined that you will be saved from death and livefor ever after entering this man-made paradise on earth."

Shaddad on hearing this trembled and inquired who he was. "I am MALAKOL MAUT" - (the angel of death) came the reply.

"What do you want and why are you obstructing me?" askedShaddad . "I have come to take away your soul", he replied.

Shaddad pleaded for sometime at least to be able to enter his paradise but the angel of death refused saying he had no permission from Allah to do so. He then fell from his horseback and his soul instantly departed from his body.

His army heard a deafening and frightening sound from the sky andthey also perished on the spot. None of them couldfulfil their ardent desire of entering thefictitous paradise. Thewhole decorated structure crumbled and got buried under the Arabian sands.

What a splendid example of the consequence of one who thought he could challenge the Might of Allah, who had become arrogantas a result of this enormous wealth. What a tragedy that he could not even step into his man- made paradise.

The Holy Quran has truly described such people in these words:

"Nay! man is most surely inordinate,

Because he sees himself free from want." (96: 6-7)

Ka'aba Against The Might of Elephants

During the sixth century around 570 A.D., before the advent of Islam, the part of Arabia known as Yemen was under the rule of the Abyssinian Christians who had driven away the JewishHimyar rulers.

The Abyssinian viceroy in Yemen wasAbraha Ashram. He was determined to build great church inSan'aa , present capital of Yemen,so as to make it a leading centre of commerce and place of pilgrimage for the Christian world. He was convinced that this dream could only be realized if he could first destroyMecca which was then a huge centre of commerce and pilgrimage.

Intoxicated with power and fired by religious fanaticism,Abraha finally made his vicious plans. Accompanied by a big herd of elephants and other animals, he led an expedition and marched to destroy the HolyKa'aba in Mecca.

The Arabs in those days hardly had any opportunity to see an elephant in their lives.Hence the army ofAbraha is described in history as 'ASHABUL FEEL' i.e. the army with elephants.

Abraha camped his army on the outskirts of Mecca preparing to attack and destroy the holyKa'aba . During the course of preparation, his army stole some 700 camels belonging to AbdulMuttalib - the grandfather of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)The camels were grazing in the open fields outside the city.

Abraha sent a message to AbdulMuttalib who was the supreme chief of Mecca, informing him his intention of destroying the HolyKa'aba . AbdulMuttalib replied that he would meetAbraha in person and talk to him. When he approached the invading army's camp, hewas received respectfully and given anhonourable seat nearAbraha .

As the two men talked, AbdulMuttalib said that he had come to complain aboutAbraha's army stealing his camels.Abraha answered, "I have come to conquer Mecca, your place of worship, and you worry about your camels?" AbdulMuttalib repiied , "I am theowner and responsible for the camels so I have come for them. TheKa'aba belongs to God and it is the concern of the owner of that house whether to save it or not."Abraha , amazed by the reply, returned Abdul.

Muttalib's camels to him but was determined to attack the city. AbdulMuttalib advised his people to move into the hills for safety.

AsAbraha entered the city a huge flock of tiny birds, like a patch of cloud appeared in the sky. Each bird had a small pebble in its tiny beak and dropped it on the invading soldiers. The stones fell exactly on the men and theywere instantly killed and fell prone on the ground.

Abraha was spared but one bird flew above him. The king asked him what kind of birds had acted so miraculously.Abraha raised his eyes to thesky and saw the bird and pointed out it to the king; the bird dropped the stone andAbraha was instantly killed. After the miraculous event,Abraha's armywas found lying on the ground as bits of some withered and crunched grass rendered useless for any purpose.

Is this event not a clear miracle proving the sanctity of theKa'aba and the people whowere truly attached to it such as AbdulMuttalib and the people of his house?

Had he not shown his utmost confidence in Allah as the real protector of the Holy Shrine and guided his people to safety, they would have perhaps bowed down to themight and pomp ofAbraha and made a truce with him.Consequently the history of Mecca and the holy shrine as well as the glory of Islam would have been different.

Another important lesson to draw from this event for men of all ages is that a man intoxicated with power can prepare armies and armaments against God's holy plan, but such a man's action will be his own downfall, he cannot prevail against God.

The HolyQura'n has in eloquent words described this incident as follows:

"Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?

Did He not cause their war to end in confusion, And send down (to prey) upon them birds in flocks, Casting against them stones of baked clay, So He rendered them like straw eaten up" (105: 1-5)

LessonsFrom The Life of an Ant

ProphetSulayman once was sitting on the bank of a lake deeply engrossed in the beauties of nature around and appreciating the various forms of Allah's creation on earth.

Suddenly the Prophet's attentionwas drawn towards an ant creeping forward with a grain of wheat in its mouth. As it reached near the water, a tortoise came out, opened its mouth and the ant crept into it. The tortoise closing its mouth disappeared under the water.

After a while, the tortoise again sprung out of thewater and standing on the bank opened its mouth and the ant came out.But this time it had no grain of wheat in its mouth. The Prophet became anxious to know what had been happening under water.

On inquiring, the ant explained that at the bottom of the lake, there was a stone and underneath it there was another antwho was blind.

Allah had created it there and because of blindness, it could not move out.I have been appointed by Allah to provide its daily sustenance with the assistance of the tortoise.Hence I do perform this dutyeveryday .

ProphetSulayman in response to his special prayer to Allah was granted kingdom and was given power over the forces of nature, over theJinns and devils and the birds and other living creatures. He was also endowed with knowledge of their language hence his ability to speak to the ant.

Let us ponder over one thing. If a tiny creature like an ant living under a stone at the bottom of a sea is not denied its sustenance, why shouldman - the noblest of all creatures ever suspect loss of his sustenance from Almighty Allah.

ProphetSulayman's subjects were of various types and they lived peacefully and co-operatively by his discipline,justice and good government.Jinns , men and the birds gathered in groups before him. On their long marchout once they came to a lowly valley of ants.

This valley contained huge deposits of invaluable metals like gold,silver and precious stones.This precious place was guarded by Allah with extraordinary kinds and sizes of ants.On account of this, none could approach the place on foot nor mounted.

When the chief of the ants saw the pomp and the glory of the huge army ofSulayman approaching towards it in the air, it sounded the caution to all of its kind in the valley to get into their holes lest theyget trampled down and crushed.

ProphetSulayman smiled at the precaution taken by the ants and ordered his companions to wait until the ants went into their holes and to be careful not to cause any harm to the ants when passing through. He prayed to Allah to make him grateful for Hisfavours and todo good deeds that please Him and to admit him among His righteous servants. Addressing the chief of the ants, the Prophetis reported to have said:

"How could my people hurt you and your like as they are floating in the air and don't you know that I am the apostle of Allah and would never act unfairly?"

The Chief of the ants replied:

"Oh apostle of Allah! My cautioning my flock was not for fear of hurt but to prevent them getting astray and forgetting the glory of Allah after seeing the glory of your army or your pomp and glamour and be tempted by them."

That even the humblestcreatures of Allah like the ant is endowed with the necessary wisdom to live and protect its life is apparent from this. Besides oneshould not be overtaken by the glory of the worldly pomp of the rulers and kings as to forget the glory of the creator Allah that is what the ant teaches us.

On the otherhand the prayer of ProphetSulayman indicates his humility before Almighty Allah who had bestowed upon him control over the forces of nature.

That one should utilize God's bounties for righteousness and for good to others is also the lesson we derive. Despite all his possessions and glory as the king ruling over a vast empire and having control over various creatures, ProphetSulayman used to fast the whole day, weave baskets and sell them. From the return of his ownlabour , he used to purchase loaves and eat them sitting along with the poor.

In one of his sermons inNahjul Balagha , Imam Ali (A.S.) exhorts people to ponder over the power of Allah's creation and citing example of the creation of an ant he says:

"Had they pondered over the greatness of His power and the vastness of His bounty they would have returned to the right path and feared the punishment of the Fire; but hearts are sick and eyes are impure. Do they not see the small things He has created, how He strengthened theirsystem and opened for them hearing and sight and made for them bones and skins? Look at the ant with its small body and delicate form.

Itcan hardly be seen in the corner of the eye, nor by the perception of the imagination - how it moves on the earth and leaps at its livelihood. It carries the grain to its hole and deposits it in its place of stay. It collects during the summer for itswinter, and during strength for the period of its weakness.

Its livelihoodis guaranteed , and it is fed according to fitness. Allah, the Kind, does not forget it and (Allah the Giver) does not deprive it, even though it may be in dry stone or fixed rocks.

If you have thought about its digestive tracts inits high and low parts, the carapace of its belly, and its eyes and its ears in its head you would be amazed at its creation and you would feel difficulty in describing it. Exalted is He who made it stand on its legs and erected it on its pillars (of limbs).

No other originator took part with Him in its origination and no one having power assisted Him in its creation. If you tread on the paths of your imagination and reach its extremity it will not lead you anywhere except that the Originator of the ant is the same as He who is the Originator of the date-palm, because everything has (the same) delicacy and detail, and every living being has little difference."

Ghulamhusein andThe Game of Chance

Ghulamhusein was a popular social figure and a keen host of guests coming to him from distant lands. He lived inMoshi , a beautiful small town at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

He was generous and hospitable toone and all . One of his hobbies during leisure hours particularly on Saturdays and Sundays was to play the game of cards with his friends. For hours they used to get together where they enjoyed the game. It was not with the aim of gambling but rather just for pleasure and pass time.

Once in the midst of a lively game of cards, his servant came to inform him that a guest of his was seriously ill at theguest house and needed his immediate attention. He sent the servant back saying he would come soon.

But he was so much engrossed in the game of cards that he did not feel inclined to withdraw from it.So he continued to play with keen interest. After a while, his servant came again to report that the condition of the guest was deteriorating and needed his urgentattention as there was no one else to attend.

But Ghulamhusein was so deeply engrossed in the game that he did not want to be disturbed. As such, again he sent the servant back promising to come soon.

By the time he could be free from the very mind-captivating game of cards, the servant came for the third time.But this time he reported that the guest of.his - a poortraveller from distant lands - had already died. This news gave a shock of his life toGhulamhusein .

It convinced him of the evil and harmful effect of such an indoor game. There andthere he vowed never to indulge himself in such a game.

Is this not an eye-opening example of an intoxicating and mentally distracting game of cards, commonly played today either as a pass-time or for gambling purposes? Perhaps it also explains the philosophy behind absolute Islamicforbidance to play or watch such a game, even without the chance of gaining or losing money. It is meant to bea prevention rather than cure lest man is one day tempted to use the game for gambling purposes.

But why do people become interested in such games of chance, be it cards, billiard ball or chess at casinos and gambling dens? A number of reasonscould be put forward for this.

A mentally active young man happens to look for a time-pass, away from his usual home or office environment, and, heis misled to believe that a casino or a billiard club is the best place for this.Or it is possible that he is tempted by a friend for his company to play a game.

But more than that, it is the greed and temptation of an easy and quick chance of making money by gambling. Again he is misled to believe that he is lagging behind whilst his friend and relatives mint millions of easy money in the gambling dens.

A gambler often spends hoursat the gambling dens at the expense of his valuable time for his other moral and religious duties towards his God and family . Should he lose in one game of chance, he is tempted to playagain and again till herecoveres his loss. Should he win and make some money, he is again tempted to play in order to double and treble hisday's easy earning from the game of chance.

Thus, the mind of a gambler becomescurrupt and his aim of life revolves round money. His goal of life ultimately is to mint money, more and more. His mind is so much distracted that he is no more able to concentrate in his normal job or studies. In the temptation of making more or easy money, his heart is all the time drawn and attached to the gambling table.

And when the tide turns against him and he incurs losses after losses in the gambling business, the time comes when he is obliged to dispose off his personal belongings to pay off the debts. The family life at homebecomes disrupted as a result and he is then detested and looked down upon by the society and his own family members.

Islam which has come as a total code of life for man, has condemned and forbidden every game of chance. The followingayats of the holyQura'n are a good guidance.

"They ask you about intoxicants and games of chance. Say: In both ofthem there is a great sin and means of profit for men, and their sin is greater than their profit.And they ask you as to what they should spend.Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you thecommunications, that you may ponder" (2:219)

Ithm as used in theQura'n is interpreted as that sinful condition in the human intellect and soul whereby he is distracted and kept away from reaching acts of goodness and perfection. Therefore, what it means is that drinks and gambling - two of the major sins in Islam - as the source of great harm to human body and soul.

"TheShaitan only desires to cause enmity and hatred to spring in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. Will you then desist?" (5:91)It is quite evident from the above verses of HolyQura'n that the enmity and hatred in addition to distraction from therememberance of Allah and prayers results from gambling and drinking.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w .) and hisprogency have strongly condemned the games of chance.

ImamRadha (a.s .) has said:

"Allah has described gambling as a filthy and impure act of Satan and has warned people to keep away from it"

Can a wise man and a true Muslim ever think of going near toSatanic games of chance and take the risk of ruining his life? Certainly not!!

Where MusicLeads To

Alamgheer was one of the pastMoghul kings in India. It is said he was a devoutmuslim and staunch upholder of Islamic tenets. He banned all luxury items in his kingdom including the listening to music. No one dared do so even privately in his home.

Those engaged in musical provision for their earnings, got together to discuss what to do. They decided to take out a procession on the streets of Delhi in protest.

So one day they staged a grand procession taking out a big JANAZA (coffin) and marched on the streets of the capital. They passed in front of the king's palace. They raised their voice as well as the JANAZA to make their amusing protest march conspicuous before the king who was then sitting on the front terrace.

The king became curious and wanted to know which eminent personality had died as tobe given such a grand funeral. Some leaders from the procession approached the king and in a lamenting and wailing tone told him that the coffin was in fact that of 'Music'. Since itwas strictly banned in the country, they were suffering loss of daily income. On hearing this, the king smiled and said:

"Very good! Dig the grave so deep as to ensure that the dead MUSIC does not rise again for hundreds of years to come."

Let us ponder over the reasons why Islam has forbidden the playing,hearing and even the handling of musical instruments.

The Islamicphilosoply of life dictates that this worldly life istranstional and a quick passing one, whereas the life hereafter is eternal and more important.Therefore Islam has forbidden those things which distract our attention from this fact and which lead us towards loose character and overlooking of the moral duties of our life.

A number of these forbidden things in Islam are not only morallybut physically and mentally harmful as proved by a number of modern scientists. Professor HorstHecheck of Vienna reports:

"The disharmonies of modern musicfreguently cause severe psychological and physical damage to musicians. Doctors and music experts say complaints range from nervousness,depression and headaches to ulcers and impotence"

The toxic effect of the musical soundcannot be denied . Some years before, itwas reported in a local newspaper inDaressalaam that a pregnant Hindu woman was much mentally engrossed in listening to a moving musical program in a cinema that she delivered a baby on the spot without realizing what was happening. The newspaper in criticizing the incident, remarked whether the place was a cinema hall or maternity home!

A professor of Columbia University in America, Dr. Adler, writes that a best melodious record of music can badly harm a human body nerves and the warmer the weather, more the harm. He also proved that music does upset the human nerves unnaturally causing considerable fatigue. The shaking effect of music also causes unnatural perspiration.

This research of Dr. Adler on music had such a widespread effect on the American people that manywere led to stop listening to music.

The belief that music was harmful for progressive nation reached a stage when a resolution to ban it by lawwas presented withrelevent proofs and arguments in the American senate.But in a nation where luxury and lust is widespread how many could be expected to vote for such a ban?

It may be claimed that music has a soothing-effect and assuch it is a good entertainment, but taking into consideration that it causes more harm than good, it becomes undesirable and one should abstain from it. Islam, as such, has forbidden music as we can see from the followingQuranic Ayat and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)

"But avoid theuncleanliness of the idols and avoid vain (false) words" (22:30) According to the interpretations of all the major sects of Islam theabove mentioned vain (false) words include false utterance and music.

It is worth noting that the divine instruction to avoid vain words (music) is inconjuction with the instruction to avoid theuncleanliness (pollution) of idol.Thus the condemnation of music is along with that of idol-worship.

The Prophet of Islam had said:

"Two kinds of voices are resented by Allah: the wailing at the time of a calamity and musical rhythm at the time of rejoicing." (Nafahat Risaliyya )