Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Do Stars Influence Our Destiny?

Once Imam Ali binAbi Talib (A.S.) was leavingKufa - (the then capital of his caliphate in Arabia) - to go to a place calledNahrawan in order to quash the rebellion of theKharijites . One of his companions by the nameAleef told him not to undertake the journey just then.

Why? Because according to the findings of astrology, it was not an auspicious moment, and this journey would not end into victory. Ali binAbi Talib (A.S.) replied in these words:

(Nahjul Balagah sermon 79)

"Do you think you can tell the hour when a man goes out and no evil befall him or can warn of the time at which if one goes out harm will accrue? Whoever testifies to this falsifies the Qur'an and becomes unmindful of Allah in achieving his desired objective and in warding off the undesirable.

You cherish saying this so that he who acts on what you say should praise you rather than Allah because according to your misconception you have guided him about the hour in which he would secure benefit and avoid harm."

After replying toAleef , Ali binAbi Talib (A.S.) turned towards those who had gathered there and said:

"O' People! Beware of learning the science of stars except that with which guidanceis sought on land or sea, because it leads to divining and an astrologer is a diviner, while the diviner is like the sorcerer, the sorcerer is like the unbeliever and the unbeliever would be in Hell. Get forward in the name of Allah."

Contrary to the astrologer's advice, Ali binAbi Talib proceeded at the same moment toNahrawan and returned victorious from that war.

Millions of people in the world have the tendency of consulting horoscopesinorder to seekinformatian about the future trends of theirlives which they believe to be under the influence of the movement of stars and planets.

In our African Society, we have a section of people who frequently consult theso called MWALIMUS or WITCHDOCTORS to seek the secrets of their sufferings and to find out the future outcome of their ills.

These people suffer from superstitions,psycholgical fears or imaginary sicknesses. The MWALIMUS OR WITCHDOCTORS who considerthemselves to be the experts on prediction based on the movement of stars, have some set imaginary answers and cures to offer and in so doing they go on minting money from the ignorant people.

How strange it is to suppose that our business, adventures, our health, ourlife and death are predetermined by the position of the stars and planets and are under the influence of their movement? What is overlooked is the fundamental fact that bothman and the heavenly bodies - the stars - the sun - the moon etc., are under the indisputable authority of the Creator Allah.Man's desting present and future well-being is all controlled by Him and Him alone.

It is one of those humanweakness of enslaved mentality which tend to bow down to a body created like himself rather than recognize and have faith in the full and supreme authority of the Creator Allah.

But why is it that so many people, including the educated and intelligent, are willing to place their faith on what the astrologers have to say?

The answeris, that day by day, tremendous vacuum isoccuring in the lives of many who previously truly believed in God. Worldly pleasure and occupations have so much overtaken their minds that they can hardly pause to think and recognize the true aim of life and the Supreme Powers of the LIFE - GIVER.

As such, they become desperate andinorder to find some sort of peace for the disturbed mind, they doing to anything that may possibly give them some sort of consolation.Humanbeings , by nature, must have something in which to believe, and in the absence of a meaningful faith in God, reliance is place on superstition, occultation, magic, witchcraft, etc

Astrology does not demand its followers togo to church or mosque nor perform rituals nor adhere to any moral commandments. All one has to do is to buy newspapers or books and follow up what is published about the horoscopes.Or at times.approach an astrologer or aMwalimu , pay his fees of a few shillings and seek information about the future.

During the times of ImamJaffer AlSadiq (A.S.), discussion and debates on various sciences in the world (and particularly in Arabia) were at their peak.

People of different beliefs and religions used to attend discourses by the Imam. One of those sciences dwelt upon was astrology and the Imam expressly asked the people not to believe in it.

AbdulMalik binAayun was counted among one of the great traditionalists as well as scholars in Islam. He was also an expert in astrology; and had strong faith in the effect of the positions and movements of the stars on daily lives of human beings. He had accumulated a number of books on this subject and was always referring to them. Before taking any decision or starting any work, he would make astrological calculations to find out what guidance and trend he could get from the position of the stars.

Gradually it became his habit; and not even a small piece of workcould be done without priorastrotogical calculations. Day byday he became more and more mentally engrossed in basing all his actions on the good or bad omen of the stars. He became jealous of the people who accomplished their daily work by having confidence in God and who never worried about the positions of stars.

Once he explained his trouble to ImamJaffer AlSadiq (A.S.) who expressed his surprise that AbdulMalik had this undesirable habit and told him: "I command you to go and set fire to all those books"

He went and did as hewas told .Thus he released himself from the burden of mythical andimaginery influence of stars, and then he felt at ease and quite relaxed in doing all his works by relying on God.

Hasheena state that he approached ImamJaffer AlSadiq (A.S.) and said to him that there lived a man on their Island, who could reveal to them unknown matters, for example where and with whom stolen goods arelying . The Imam responded by saying:

"The Holy Prophet (S.A. W.)has said that one who goes to ask about anything from magician, soothsayer or a liar and believes in what he says certainly becomes an infidel (unbeliever) and denier of all the heavenly scriptures revealed by Allah"

The fact is that an astrologer, soothsayer magician or any type of fortune - teller poses as a divine person, who thinks that he can forecast one's benefit or harm through the art of astrology thus, instead of praying to Almighty Allah for warding off calamities and misfortunes, or offering thanks to Allah for bounties HE has bestowed, he becomes indifferent and self confident in every matter.

Should he by chance prove successful in some of his forecasts, he would expect tobe praised and be depended upon by more and more people. This leads to atheism and is against the spirit of the teachings of the HolyQura'n in which the Almighty Allah says:

"Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised." (27:65)

Thus to approach fortune-tellers, palmists, astrologers and such others who claim to have power to peep into future and to know of hidden matters is to display lack of true faith in the Will of Allah, It is against the teachings of Islam and leads to infidelity.

The Tragic End of anOppresive King

Nadir Shah was King of Persia, a famous conqueror around early eighteenth century. He conquered India and with little resistance reached Delhi during 1739. Irritated and angered by some commotion by the inhabitants, he caused general massacre and set fire to houses in Delhi. Thousands of peoplewere killed .

During the last night of his fife, Nadir Shah was seeing terrible nightmares and had lost mental peace and sleep. He would get out of his bed now and again, returning to it to get some comfort and sleep but to no avail.

It was terrible torture for the Shah but no one dared to approach him to find the reason. Only one person could dare to do so and he wasHusainali Muinul Mulk , a trusted friend of the Shah. He approached him and asked the reasons for his restlessness and lack of sleep.

The Shah said that it was a deep personalsecret which he would reveal to him on condition that he did not tell anyone otherwise the punishment would be by death.

Nadir Shah then related his secret saying that before he came on the throne of Iran, he had seen a sensational dream. He had seen two prominent andgilttering personalities come to him and with muchhonour , they took him to a place. There tenmore glittering personalities were seated with much dignity and awe.

The Shah was then ushered before one of them and a dazzling swordwas respectfully tied around his waist. Thereafter one high personage said to him, "You are being designated for theupliftment and welfare of Iran provided people are treated well."

Since then, the Shah added he had made progress in every sphere in his life. Not only had he succeeded in sitting on the throne of Iran but he also extended domains. Having attacked at the cost of thousands killed, India also fell and came under his rule.

Revealing his secret further toHusainali , Nadir Shah went on to say that night he saw a very frightening dream when he went to sleep. He saw the same two prominent and glittering personalities again but this time it appeared as if they were not in good mood as in the previous dream.

He saw he was being dragged and made to appear before the same high personages in whose presence hewas previouslyhonoured with the gift of a dazzling sword and good news about his future. This time in harshtone he was asked if such was the way of treating the Muslim masses? The Shahadded that "I was asked to surrender the sword which was removed from my waist.

Then withmy hands tied around my neck, I was dragged from one place to another. This dream has terribly upsetme and I am unable to sleeptonight,"he concluded.Alas the kingly life of Nadir Shah was destined to meet its tragic end as a result of his massacres and crimes.

He passed that night restlessly and as the morning setin, he was killed by his enemies. He departed from this worldneither with head over his body nor with the kingly crown over his head.

The fact is that Nadir Shah had misused the good omen he first received in a dream. He thought he had become high and mighty and could do whatever he liked. He had misunderstood, as many of us today do, that the blessings of kingdom, wealth,power or high status in life are signs of divinefavour .Wordly blessings toman are but temporary means of testing the strength of faith and action in obedience or disobedience of God's commands.

Among the sins andcrimes which attract severe punishment in this life as well as in the next is oppression of people.

and they who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back. (26:227)

In Willing SubmissionTo The Will of Allah

AbuTalha was one of the respected companions of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) His wifeUmme Salim was a woman of strong faith in Allah. They had a young son who was very dear to them. Inparticular the father was deeply attached to him. His name wasSalim .

Once youngSalim became so seriously ill that his mother lost hope of his survival. One day she sensed the end was imminent. Lest the dear father became too much upset on seeing the son die, she requested AbuTalha to go to the Prophet.

After he had left the house,Salim breathed his last.Umme Salim immediately shrouded the dead body in a piece of cloth and placed it inside a room.

Thereafter she went and cooked food for her husband. She adorned herself with perfume and sat waiting for him to return. When AbuTalha returned he inquired about the health of his dear son.

Umme Salim replied that he was asleep and it was better not to disturb him. Both sat down and ate their meal.And then lied down for a short rest. After "a while,Umme Salim woke up saying she wanted to ask him a question:

"Supposing someone entrusted us with a thing for some time and after comes and takes it back from us. Would you be unhappy with him?" "Certainly not" replied AbuTalha . "A thing on trust to us must be returned to the owner."

ThenUmme Salim decided to reveal what had happened to their son. She said, "Salim who was on trust to us has departed from this world. Allah the AllMerciful, has decided to take him back from us." So moved was AbuTalha to hear this said in this way that he exclaimed, "By Allah you are the mother of the son and as such more deserving to be consoled for this patience than I." AbuTalha then rose up for ablution and recited tworaka't prayers for the departed soul.

Thereafter he went to the Prophet and related the unusual patience displayed by his wife over the death of their dear son. The Prophet was very glad and thanked Allah saying that hisUmmat - his people were like those ofBani Israei . That is there were such people of forbearance and staunch faith as were tobe found among the people ofBani Israel.

The fact is that the death of a dear son should have caused the motherUmme Salim much grief.Instead she exercised a lot of self-control and patience so as to console her husband. It shows how deeply faithful and resigned to the will of Allah she was. What a splendid example of the power offaith which the Prophet of Islam had described in these words:

"A person ofIman (faith) in his religion is stronger than a mighty mountain. That is so because a mountain can be carved out whereas one cannot cut back any part of the faith of a believer since he holds it firmly with deep attachment."

The Chosen Five Dignitaries of Islam

A MIRACULOUS DISCOVERY OF SIXTY YEARS AGO.

It was in the year 1916 when the First World War was raging. A British Military patrol party was passing near a village namedOntra , a few miles from Jerusalem in Palestine. Suddenly the military party observed a strange light in the darkness of the night.

It was coming from a very old small hillock. The officer-in-charge ordered digging it. After digging twelve feet deep, they came across asilverplate about two feet long and one and half feet wide. When the platewas taken out , its lightdisappered . The party took the plate to their Commander Major A.N.Grandell whoscrutinised the plate in torch light and was wonderstruck.

The border of the platewas inset with precious stones and in the centre of the plate, something was written in gold in some unknown language. MajorGrandell sent the plate to the Commander of the ArmiesLieutt . General D.O.

Gladstone. He in turn sent it to the British Archeological Department. At the end of the war in 1919, research began into this unique plate. A committee of experts of ancient languages consisting of British, French,American and others was appointed.

After many months of strenuous research, itwas found that the inscriptions on the plate were in old Hebrew language used in the Old Testament (of the Bible.) On31st January, 1920 the following translation was submitted:

In Hebrew Language.

Yah AhmadMaqza

Yah EliAnsatah

YahBahtool Akashi

YahHasan Azofata

YahHasin ba Rafo

Eli, Eli, Eli,

English Translation.

Reach O' Ahmad

0' Ali, helpme

0'Batool , keep an eye

0'Hasan , Be Kind

0' Husain, grant us happiness

Ali - Ali - Ali

After the translation by experts, itwas decided that the silver plate should be kept in the archives of British Imperial Museum for display.But when the Lord Bishop of England came to know of it, he sent a directive on 1st March, 1923, that the keeping of this plate in the museum or any other public place would work against Christianity. The plate thereforemust be kept in Secret Church Chambers.Thus it was kept and it is still there in the same place.

Theabove mentioned discovery has been, quoted from "The Wonderful Stories of Islam" by Col. P. C.Implay , London, page 249, by the Ahmed Hussein Shah, Advocate, in his book 'The Straight Path'.

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) had said that the first thing tobe created by God before any creation was his LIGHT (NOOR).And that LIGHT then split to create AHLUL-BAIT, the household members of the Prophet.

Theyare known as the Holy PANJETAN, the household members of the Prophet. They are the chosen and top most five dignitaries of Islam. They are:

1. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) (also called Ahmad)

2. Imam Ali (A.S.) (also calledHaider ) the soul of the Prophet and his son-in-law.

3.Bibi Fatima (A.S.) (also calledBatool ) the only beloved daughter of The Prophet.

4. ImamHasan (A.S.) (also known asShabbar ) the son of Ali and Fatima.

5. Imam Husain (A.S.) (also known asShabbir ) the son of Ali and Fatima.

Their greatness lies not only in being closely related to the Prophet, beingpart and parcel of the FIRST CREATED LIGHT of the Prophet, but also in their supreme sacrifices for the cause of Islam.

God Almighty had chosen them asthe of supreme personalities of Islam and informed all the previous Prophets in advance of their eminently high position and their sacrifices in the cause of Islam. The previous Prophets always felt awed, by the names of PANJETAN.

Whenever theybecame surrounded by any misfortune, they prayed for God's deliverance with the help of the holy names of these five dignitaries.

The silver plate inscribed with the holy names of PANJETAN - the holy five dignitaries of Islam as related above, might have originated from one of the past Prophets and used for invoking Allah's mercy and blessing.

These five personalities are those whom Allah has exclusively kept away from all spiritual and physical impurityfor ever . They are those who have been infallible and sinless from birth to death Ali, Fatima,

Hassan and Husain (A.S.) are those whom the Prophet of Islam had identified exclusively as members of his House and that they are with the Qur'an and the Qur'an with them. They and the Qur'an are the supreme authority in Islam after the Prophet.

Whosoever adheres to both the Qur'an and the People of the Housewill be saved from going astray from the straight and true path of Islam.Ibn Abbas relates the apostle of Allah Said:

"Ali and Fatima and Hassan and Husain are my household members till the doomsday (qiyamat )"

When asked 'which are the two luminaries?' the Prophet said:

"Hassan and Husain and their father (Ali) is the light of the world and their mother (Fatima) is the full moon for dark nights"

AbuHuraira said: that the Apostle of Allah looked atAli and Fatima and Hassan and Husain and said:

"I am at war with him who wages war with you and am at peace with him who is at peace with you."

Allah isThe Guide For Every Creature

Hamid had an inquisitive mind and was fond of learning all about wild life, how they lived and behaved. He used to obtain different books on animals and keenly study them. This hobby induced him to go out to the woods in order to observe animals in their natural surroundings.

One day he accompanied his friend Abdul, Professor of Zoology and expert on animal life, to a nearby lake. They strolled on the shore and came over to see storks, with their long legs, calmly standing in the water to snap up passing fish with their long beaks. Storks thrive on fish. One of themforlonely stood aside, looking rather sick and unable to fly.

BothHamid and Abdul became curious to know what was wrong with that bird. As they went nearer, the bird tried to flee, but could not do so. It had a broken leg. Lovingly they caught hold of the bird and examined its leg. They were amazed to see that its injured leg had a plaster of dry mud over it.

On removingit they found the leg rather swollen. The bone was either fractured or broken.

Hamid was amazed to see this phenomenon and wanted to know more about it. Surely, someone had shown mercy to the bird and had tried to help. "Is there a doctor around here who attends to sick or injured animals?" he asked.

"No" replied Abdul. He added, "Before doctors could discover the benefit of plaster, this bird was already aware of it. It knew instinctively how to make use of mud to hold fractured or broken bone in place." The treatment of broken and fractured bones with lime plasteris well known in medical circles as Plaster of Paris.

Professor HenryMondoor - awellknown Zoologist Writes in one of his books on animal life that animals have amazing ways of curing their sicknesses. It is from observing such animals that medical experts have made discoveries about curing certain maladies.

It is mentioned that when a cat catches cold or suffers from headache, it immediately tries to find a particular herb which when eaten promptly cures this sickness. If it is notavailable the cat lies down in one corner to take complete rest.Alternatively it finds a warm place to lie down and thus feels better and is then able to move about normally.

No wonder if it is from this experience that doctors today advise patients suffering from cold to rest at home for some days.

One of the animals in the forest is a fox.it is cunning and has many enemies. It has to contend with snakes in the forest. When bitten by a snake, the fox immediately looks for a particularherb which it applies to the bitten part of its body. That herb makes in ineffective the poison from thesnake-bite .

A deer in the forest normally lives in the area where water is easily available.

This animal by nature swings and runs from place to place. In so doing, it sometimes develops excessiveacidity which causes it to suffer from rheumatic pain.

When this happens, the deeris seen to go and stand for quite a time in a particular furrow of mineral water. TodaySulphur bath or mineral wateris considered a natural cure for rheumatic pains even among human beings.

Now let us ask ourselves:

Who inspires a stork to use mud plaster for its fractured leg? Who guides a cat to find a particular herb to cure its cold? Who shows a fox how to remove poison from snakebite?

On deep reflection, we shall have to admit that it is no one else but the creator Allah who inspires them how to remedy their ills. It is HE who inspires the ways of acquiring sustenance andmeet the challenges of survival in this world. Onthis the holy Quran says:-

"He said: Our Lord is He Who gave to everything its creation,then guided it (to its goal)." (20:50)

However, itmust be remembered that it is not good to hurt animals deliberately. Islam teaches universal charity even towards animals.

The Value of Sincerity of Purpose

A storyis told of a man who approached three workers who were doing the same job. "What are you doing?" he asked each one of them separately and got different answers.

"I am cutting thestones " replied the first.

"I am earning mylivehood " replied the second.

"I am building amosque " replied the third.

Each of the three workers sawhimself linked to a different purpose each, one was to that extent, different from others, although all worked alike and were engaged in the same task.

Our two hands with which we work are in no sense different from the hands of any other person. The value of what we do depends upon the quality of the inner purpose in our heart with which we do our work. A true Muslim works to earn God's pleasure.

In the words of Imam Khomeini (ra ), the ultimatecriterian in evaluating men's deeds is the intent and the purpose of the doer rather than the external shape of people's acts. Sincerity of purpose and God-fearing motivation behind a Muslim's deeds were the principlefeature which distinguished his deeds from those of non-believers.

Islamic history provides glaring examples of how Muslims in minority ultimately triumphed over their enemies in much greater number and better equipped because of their faith and sincerity of their purpose.....

Islam has emphasized the purity of intent before every act of virtue.Hence of the conditions provided for IBADAT (acts of worship) the most important and the primary one is IKHLAS (sincerity of purpose). Not only one draws farther from Allah but he is discarded from divine blessings in acts where purity of intent is lacking. The followingayats in the Holy Quran provide a good guidance on the subject:

"Say: I am commanded that I should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience." (39:11)

"And call on Him being sincere to Him in obedience". (7:29)What do we really mean by IKHLAS - the purity of purpose?

When one embarks upon worship of Allah or does any act of virtue, he is required to discard allwordly thoughts from his mind and cast his full concentration towards Allah.

Heis expected to feel dependent on none but Allah for all hiswordly needs and put his trust in Him as the primary source of all blessings and reward. Heis desired to throw his full weight in praying for all his lawful needs from Him. His sole aim for every act of virtue should be to seek not worldly gains but the pleasure of Allah.

What is the effect and outcome of IKHLAS - the purity of purpose? Numerous instancescan be quoted of the lasting effect and fruitful outcome of actions and work done with absolute purity of purpose - for the pleasure of Allah and Him alone. The following story should serve a good example.

Itis related that when Prophet Adam landed on this earth from Heaven, all kinds of creatures came forward to pay their respects and welcome him on earth. To each one of them, Adam gave his blessings according to its qualification.

When a flock of gazelles came forward to pay their respects, he gave his blessings and patted them by passing his holy hand over their backs. The lasting effect of this was the growth of navel-bag of musk (a black substance well known for producing a good perfume).

When they returned home, another flock of gazelle on seeing the gift of musk asked them where theyhad got it from. They explained that Prophet Adam had patted them and passed his holy hand over their backs, in appreciation of their visit to him. The result was the growth of the navel-bag of musk.

This second flock of gazelle thought they too should get the gift. With this aim, they went and offered theirsalams and respects before Adam. The Prophet acknowledged and passed his hand over theirbacks also. But this time it showed no effect of producing the navel-bag of musk. They were naturally disappointed.

On their return home, they inquired the reason for this andwere told that it was because of lack of purity of intent and purpose. Their visit to Prophet Adam was for specific aim of reward of the naval-bag of musk whereas the first flock had paid the visit solely for the pleasure of Allah without any thought for reward.

Today themusk producing creatures are the progeny of that very first flock of gazelles.

LOVE FOR ALLAH AND FOR HIS SAKE ONLY.

Muslims should begin giving Islamic education to their children from their very tender age.

Ali (A.S.) delighted in company of his children. Once he was sitting in his house with his two young children,Abbas , his son, andZainab , his daughter.

Ali (A.S.) said toAbbas , "Say 'WAHED'" (meaning 'ONE'in-Arabic ). The boy uttered "WAHED". Ali (A.S.) then asked him to say "ISNAIN" (Two ).Abbas replied, "I feel ashamed to utter 'two' from the same tongue which just said 'ONE'." Ali (A.S.) hugged his son, pleased at such a charming expression.

Such a reply fromAbbas indicated how deeply devoted he was in his belief inTawheed - Oneness of God. That true and staunch believer in one God never likesto even imagine any association with One God.

Zainab then asked, "Dear father, do you love me?", he said, "Yes, of course, my children are like part of my heart". On hearing this, she said, "You also love God.

How can two loves beaccomodated in one heart of a true believer, the love of Allah and that of children?" Ali (A.S.) smiled and replied, "Love God and for the sake of His love, you love His creatures - children and fellow beings too. I love you for the sake of Allah."

Such deep thinking and words of trueTawheed onZainab's part, pleased her father and he gave her much praise and affection.

Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) once saw a young boy. He was gazing at the Prophet in such a way as his eyes and face indicated deep love and reverence. This attracted the Prophet who went and stood near him. He asked him, "My son, tell me, do you love me?".

The boy replied, "Yes, Oh the messenger of Allah, by Allah I do love you indeed"

Prophet: "Do you love me to the extent of your two eyes?"

Boy:"I do so more than my two eyes"

Prophet: "Do you love your father more thanmyself ?"

Boy:"Oh Prophet, my love for you is more than that for my father."

Prophet: "Do you love me to the extent you do your mother?"

Boy:"I love you more than even my mother"

Prophet: "Let me see, do you love me to the extent of your own life?"Boy:"Oh Prophet! Allah witness that I love you, even more than my own life"

The Prophetwas deeply moved at this reply and expressed his affection for him. Then he asked:

"Tell me, do you love me to the extent you do Allah?"

At this juncture , the boy smiled and said "ALLAH - ALLAH - ALLAH". That Allah is loved more than anybodyelse . Neither you Prophet nor anybodycan be loved more than Allah. Even if the Prophet is loved more thanothers ; It is FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH.

So moving were the words of the boy that everyone hearing this was much impressed. The Prophet turned to his companions and said, "You must be like this boy. Love Allah for all his blessings bestowed upon you. And love me for HIS sake and obey me."

The HolyQura'n describing those in love of Allah says:

"And those who believe are stronger in love for Allah". (2:165)

CONSEQUENCES OF INGRATITUDE TOWARDS ALLAH'S BOUNTIES.

Allah isRahman , the compassionate and looks after the welfare of all the creatures in the world. People should all the time thank Him for His kindness. In thepast there existed a thriving town at some place in the Middle East on the bank of a river known asBaliyan .

These peoplewere blessed with Allah's bounties and were extremely wealthy. It was the time of ignorance and people lived according to their whims. Ignorance is a disease and coupled with wealth, it may corrupt the mind and morals.

Drunk with affluence these people had lost their common sense and resorted to verylowly and filthy habits. Food was so abundant that they lost all respect for it and they used bread as sponge to clean things.

Almighty Allah, sent to themPropnet Danielinorder to preach and guide them on the right path.But so deeply arrogant and intoxicated they had become with their wealth, and so busy they were in extravagant enjoyment of their riches that they would not listen to him.

Prophet Daniel explained and warned them not to treat God's bounties with ingratitude lest theybe punished with His wrath and suffer shortages of food and absence of rains. Inresponse they jeered at him and argued that they had enormous surplus grains and foods which often was left to rot in the fields.

So gross was their negligence and ingratitude towards God's bounties that even a poor man had no respect for a loaf of bread. Once when a beggar came to Prophet Daniel to beg for food he gave him a piece of bread. He threw it away in total disrespect saying that it was useless as their king used to clean the lowly parts of the body with it.

Prophet Daniel became extremely frustrated and angry. He prayed to Allah for His wrath and punishment to overtake these people.Consequently divine wrath descended on them. Rains stopped and not a drop of water fell for seven years. All their rivers and springs dried up.

so extremely short of food and water they became that they started eating the very unclean and stinking pieces of loaves they had thrown away. They would scramble over a deadanimal, they had lost all the pleasure and peace of mind. Such were the harsh consequences of their misdeeds and ingratitude.

Shortage of food had become so acute that once two women went to Prophet Daniel to resolve their mutual dispute. They mentioned that they had earlier decided that each would slaughter her child in turn and they would eat its flesh. One of them had already done so but the other woman was now trying to find an excuse to back out from her pledge and refused to slaughter her child.

On hearing this story, Prophet Daniel wept at the turn of events and the pathetic situation of those people. Prophet Daniel deeply moved by this pathetic situation raised his hands in the supplication to Allah and prayed for the resumption of rains and His blessings so that those people may be freed from want and hunger. The wayward peoplehad got chastisement.

The lessons we derive from the above story are:

1. When people of a placeare blessed with extreme wealth and prosperity they tend to feel independent of Allah and turn their back in rebellion against His commands. They display ingratitude against His blessings by misusing them and indulge in extravagant spending in unlawful enjoyments.

2. As a result of the people's ungrateful and rebellious attitude, they attract divine punishment in the form of wrath such as lack of rain, oppression by unjust rulers, naturalcalamity and disaster, and absence of mental peace and security.

The holy Quran has drawn our attention on the subject in the followingayat :

"And Allah sets forth a parable: (Consider) a town safe and secure to which its means of subsistence come in abundance from every quarter; but it became ungrateful to Allah's favors, therefore Allah made it to taste the utmost degree of hunger and fear because of what they wrought." (16:112)

A UniqueExapmle of IslamicBrotherhood

Uhud is awellknown place a few miles outside Medina. One of the hardest battles of Islamwas fought at this place. It was indefence of Islam against the enemies - the non-believers who had come fromfar away places.

In thisbattle the Muslim fighters had set noble examples of self-sacrifice. Many of themwere martyred having fought bravely against the enemies.

Amongthem seven were fatally wounded and were breathing their last. All of them were also suffering from the pangs of thirst.

Someone came to them with a cup of waterhardly sufficient to quench the thirst of one man. On offering the water to one ofthem, the water-bearer was directed towards another injured fighter lyingbesides him.

This second fighter sent him to the third one near him, this third directed him to the fourth, and so it went ontill he reached the seventh warrior. When the seventh fighterwas approached , he told him that since the first fighter was very thirsty, he should be given the water first.

Thewater-bearer then returned to the first injured fighter fend found him already dead. He then went to the second thence to the third, finding each already dead.

This happened also with the remaining fighters, all having died by the time he reached. All of them departed from this world thirsty leaving behind in history a golden example of Islamicbrotherhood and self-secrifice for others.

Islam has laid much stress on the importance of mutual help,co-operation and sacrifice among Muslims. The Holy Quran dictates:

"The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you." (49:10) The Holy Prophet had said:

"One who starts his day without care for the affairs of Muslims is not a MuslimAnd Hazrat Ali (A.S) had said:

"Helping fellow Muslim brothers increases one's sustenance".

A non-believer had just embraced Islam at the hands of the Holy Prophet. He complained of hunger and the Prophet sent someone to bring food from his house.But unfortunately none was then available. The Prophet then asked his companions, "Who can host this newly converted Muslim brother tonight?"

Hazrat Ali (A.S.) came forward and offered to do so. Holding the new convert's hand, he took him to his house. He askedHazrat Fatima if any food was available. She replied: "Only a little provision, enough for the children".

Hazrat Ali (A.S.) in responsesaid "The guest must come first before ourselves and the children"

Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) persuaded the children to sleep hungry that night.And Hazrat Ali (A.S.) reduced the light of the lantern. He then invited the guest to the meal in the semi-darkened room. He sat with him pretending as if he was also eating but infact he did not eat lest the guest went hungry.

Hazrat Ali - Fatima and their children fed the guest for the pleasure of Allah while remaining hungry themselves. This self-sacrificewas so much appreciated by Allah that the followingayat in the Holy Quran was revealed in their praise:

"And those who made their abode in the city and in the faith before them love those who have fled to them, and do not find in their hearts a need of what they are given, and prefer (them) before themselves though poverty may afflict them, and whoever is preserved from the niggardliness of his soul, these it is that are the successful ones." (59:9)