Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam

Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam0%

Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam Author:
Translator: Sayyid Akhtar Husain S.H. Rizvi
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
Category: Islamic Personalities

Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam

Author: Ayatullah Ali Dawani
Translator: Sayyid Akhtar Husain S.H. Rizvi
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
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Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam
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Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam

Portraits of Youths In Holy Quran and the History of Islam

Author:
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
English

Musa and daughters of Shuaib : Astonishing StoryOf An Exemplary Young Man

The stay of Yusuf (a.s ) in Egypt and his becoming the ruler of that country became the cause for ProphetYaqub and his household to leave Palestine for Egypt.So they came to live there. As the name ofYaqub was Israel his progeny called themselves Bani Israel.Yaqub (a.s ) was the son of ProphetIshaq (a.s ) who was the second son of Ibrahim (a.s ) through Sarah. Bani Israel, or the progeny ofYaqub were living here for a long time a life of happiness and prosperity. But then, they were gripped in severe trouble when one of the Pharaohs began to oppress them mercilessly. As they were muchoppressed they were known as immigrants in Egypt, who had come there through Yusuf (a.s ) who himself was also an immigrant. Now they had occupied key posts of administration.

The oppressor Pharaoh considered them as outsiders and hence disliked them. Another reason why the Pharaoh was dealing harshly with Bani Israel was that, like Nimrod, the Pharaoh also depended for consultations on ignorant persons who flattered him to such an extent that he began to call himself God and put pressure on all Egyptians to believe that he was god instead of the Only One God.

Thecourageless Egyptians too bowed before him and accepted the Pharaoh as their god on earth blindly and obeyed his orders. But among them were also the Bani Israel who were God-worshippers. They knew that they were the progeny of God’s true messengers Ibrahim,Ishaq andYaqub . They refused to accept Pharaoh as god. Their denial to obey Pharaoh made the latter all the more oppressive towards them making their life unbearable.

The cruel hand of the ruling Pharaoh oppressed Bani Israel like anything and also did not spare his own populace. There were some tribes who dared to raise their heads but they were suppressed by force. He killed their men folk and spared the women (to mourn their murdered men). This is why the Pharaoh is known as one of the most corrupt mischief-maker rulers of the world.[22]

The Pharaoh had oppressed Bani Israel to such an extent continuously that every one of them was deprived with each and every facility of life and put to every trouble. They could not see any ray of hope to become free. In themeantime yet another calamity befell them. A court astrologer of Pharaoh informed him that a child will would be born in Bani Israel who would end the monarchy of Pharaoh and reduce him to nothing, and that child was then in the womb of his mother.

This dreadful news made the Pharaoh extremely unhappy even though he was claiming to be god who could give life to anyone he wished and to cause anyone he wished to die. He had all material means to rule over people, which had made him extremely proud. Yet this news made him very restless and he feared that his sovereignty was about to end soon.So he prepared a heinous plan. He decided that every child in the womb of a woman belonging to Bani Israel should be destroyed before birth and those who were already born should be killed.

Under this cruel plan, the spies of the Pharaoh kept an eye on the womenfolk of Bani Israel. There tore up the belly of every pregnant-looking lady, killing the male child and allowing the female child to live. This torture continued for quite a long time.

But the powerless man forgets that his might is nothing before the Might of the Real Possessor Almighty Allah. He despite all that is in his hands can never thwart God’s design and planning. The Most Merciful God brings to life that He wants, instantly.[23]

History bears witness that unwise communities have formed fronts against the Divine Messengers of God and tried to destroy them to prevent them from doing their missionary work. But they have always failed badly and died disgracefully. For example, monarchs like Nimrod, Pharaohs, and Hamanetc who were rebellious rulers were wiped out and no one remembered them. But the voices of God’s messengers like Ibrahim, Ismail, Yusuf, Isa and Muhammad are ringing in our ears even today in every part of the world.

Despite all hindrances and objections and the huge spy network, Musa’s honorable mother did become pregnant and Musa’s conception took place in her holy womb. By the power of God no one could trace any sign of her pregnancy until the time of coming in the world of the child about whom the Pharaoh was told that he would ruin his rule and end his corrupt oppression.

Musa (a.s ) was born quite secretly by the might of God. But his mother became fearful that being a woman she would not be able to protect her son from the hands of merciless men appointed by Pharaoh for constant watch. But Almighty Allah revealed to her, asking her to take the child in her arms affectionately and to suckle him and if danger arises drop him in the river Nile without any anxiety as Allah would return him to her very soon and would give him a high rank of a great messenger.[24]

This hidden divine announcement calmed the anxious mother’s heart and she began to nourish her son comfortably and three months passed away in this manner.[25]

Musa’s mother observed that Pharaoh’s agents were becoming more and more oppressive and she became fearful once again. She prepared a small box and placed her dearer- than-life child in it and floated the box in the river waters as commanded by Almighty God. Simultaneously she instructed her daughter (Musa’s sister) to stroll by the bank of the river observing the sight so that the child may not be harmed. Musa’s sister then saw that some of the coastguards of the Pharaoh’s riverside palace dived into the river and fetched out that box. How were they to know that they were not carrying a box but were paving the way to their own destruction![26]

It should be kept in mind that Pharaoh’s wife had seen that box floating in the river and that it was she who had ordered her servants to bring that box to her. When the box wasopened she saw a moon-like little child joyfully sucking its thumb.

Pharaoh’s wife, the lady named Asiya, was very much attracted with the newfound baby.So she said to Pharaoh, “This is the coolness of my eyes and yours. Do not kill him. He may prove beneficial to us later on or we

may adopt him as our son.” But these people did not know what was the secret behind this entire happening.[27]

On the other hand, Musa’s sister entered Pharaoh’s palace and became a resident servant of his wife, the queen. She saw that ladies who were called to suckle Musa failed as Musa turned away his face from every one of them. Musa’s sister told the queen, “I know a very good wet nurse. If you sodesire I may call her. Maybe the baby will suck at her.”[ 28]

At first, the royal guards suspected some plan in this but when all of them saw that the child was not turning his face to anyone of the midwives, they were obliged to bring Musa’s mother, guided by his sister, to the palace. No sooner than Musa’s mother placed her breast in the mouth of the child, Musa began to suckle. In this way Almighty Allah returned Musa to his respected mother so that she might be happy and not remain sorrowful, and know that God’s promise always comes true though many people are not aware of this truth.[29]

Musa (a.s ) began to be nourished under affection of the Pharaoh and his wife Queen Asiya. Being his wet nurse Musa’s mother was also accorded much respect in the palace. Drinking pure milk of his mother Prophet Musa was brought up nicely and entered his youth.

When Musa (a.s ) became major people could see that he was a handsome, healthy and a strong young man. His arms were strong, face radiant, forehead broad and eyes bright. His youthfulness was indeed worth observing. He was recognized as the son of King Pharaoh and Queen Asiya. He possessed every comfort and had full freedom. On the otherhand his wisdom and intelligence had also become a talk of the town. But the people did not know that these were the signs of his prophethood, which was to bring a revolution one day; that it would be a revolution to free people from the bondage of Pharaoh and break the ego of the proud despot.

By and by poor, needy and oppressed people began to realize that Prophet Musa was very kind and sympathetic towards the enslaved masses.So they sought his help in times of trouble. Musa (a.s ) also rushed to help them in every possible way.

One day Musa (a.s ) by chance entered a town calledManaf and saw that a servant of Pharaoh was quarrelling with a man from Bani Israel. The Israeli requested Musa to help him. Musa stepped forward and gave a hard fist on the face of the royal servant, which proved fatal instantly. Musa (a.s ) repented for this hard hit and said to himself: This can only be called an act of the devil. He prayed to God saying: My Lord! I never intended to kill this man. I am so repentant and ashamed. Please pardon me.[30]

After some days he once again saw that Israeli quarrelling with another man of the Pharaoh. The Israeli once again called Musa (a.s ) to help him. But Musa (a.s ) warned the Israeli saying that he appeared to be a quarrelsome man and that sometime back he was also fighting with another man. But when he saw that the life of the Israeli was in danger he tried to scold and turn away the man of Pharaoh. But the Pharaoh’s man thought that Musa was about to attack him so he said, “O Musa! You seem intent to kill me as you had killed another man earlier. It means, you want to become oppressive and do not want to make peace.”[31]

In this way the Israeli exposed the secret of the earlier killing. Pharaoh’s men gathered intelligence of the whole affair and reported to the king who ordered Prophet Musa’s arrest.

At this critical moment, a faithful person among the people of Pharaoh (Believer of the People ofFiron ) tried his best to save Musa (a.s ) from arrest. First ofall he, very secretly sent Musa (a.s ) to his town. Then he told him, “As the Pharaoh has spread a wide network of his agents everywhere in his territory it is better you leave this place and migrate somewhere else.”[ 32]

Musa also thought it advisable not to take any more risk.So he left the town and moved towards Palestine. He traveled for ten days to leave the desert of Sinai behind him. Then he advanced towardsMadayan after a troublesome journey. On entering the limits ofMadayan , which was under the trusteeship of Prophet Shuaib (a.s ), Musa (a.s ) found himself a helpless foreigner. No one knew him there. But what consoled him was a feeling that now he was out of the sight of Pharaoh’s secret service agents and hoped that he would be able to live a peaceful life there - God willing. The people ofMadayan were Arabs and so was Shuaib (a.s ).

On the outskirts ofMadayan , Musa saw some people gathered around a well all of whom wanted to water their animals. He found two women waiting their turn, as they wanted to water their sheep when the men folk dispersed.

Helping the weak has always been a part of the nature of God’s messengers and divine representatives.So Musa (a.s ) went forward and asked the ladies, “Why are you standing far away? To what tribe do you belong?” The young ladies who were Shuaib’s daughters, replied, “We want to water our sheep but cannot do so before the rush is over. Our father is aged and weak and has none to help him except us.” Musa who was till then hearing with his head down now raised is head to find that the two youthful bashful ladies were figures of respectable modesty. He was astonished. He thought over the entire issue and about the dignity and honor of the two ladies. He then told them, “It is not advisable for you to keep standing here in the presence of so many people. If you permit, I may take your sheep to the well and water them.” The respectable ladies did not think it proper that an alien and unknown man should help them by moving other people aside for giving water to their animals.So they did not agree with Musa’s proposal.

Prophet Musa asked again, “Is there any other well over here?” The ladies replied, “There is a well nearby which is covered with a big rock. When need arises somesandows remove the heavy rock and get water therefrom.” Prophet Musa went to that well along with the two young ladies and removed the heavy rock with his strong and powerful arms. The ladies gave water to their sheep comfortably, thanked Musa (a.s ) and went home.

Musa (a.s ) replaced the rock and slept under a nearby tree as he was, by now, quite tired. His feeling of loneliness grew and he prayed to God Almighty, “My Lord! I am in dire need of Your Mercy and Kindness.”

When the daughters reached home somewhat late Shuaib (a.s ) asked them for the reason of the inordinate delay. They narrated what had

happened and also told their father that the gentleman who helped them was resting under a tree near the well. Prophet Shuaib sent one of his daughters to summon Musa so that he could observe him closely. The daughter approached Prophet Musa in a very modest and dignified manner and said, “My father has called you so that he can give you the remuneration for watering our sheep.”

Prophet Musa was a solitary person in this area and he had no place of his own.So he took benefit of this chance and accompanied the lady. Incidentally a strong wind began to blow the dress of this beautiful girl who was trying hard to cover her body properly. Naturally Musa’s eye fell on this unusual scene and it was indeed very distressing for a messenger of God. He never liked that his eye should fall on another woman even involuntarily.So he, with a view to protect his eyes, and also in order to safeguard the dignity, respect and honor of the girl asked her, “Kindly stop for a while. Let me step forward and walk ahead of you. When there is crossroad, please throw a stone to guide me in which direction I should walk further. In this way I will reach your home in an appropriate manner - God willing.”

The girl also was, after all, a daughter of a God’s messenger and she at once knew the intention of Musa.So she got all the more impressed with his strong moral character and told herself: Indeed this gentleman, besides being righteous, also possesses very high moral qualities.

Musa entered the house of Prophet Shuaib (a.s ) and saluted and after a while narrated to the great old gentleman what had happened to him since his birth until then. Shuaib said, “You may stay here fearlessly. You have distanced yourself away from the reach of the Pharaoh. God Almighty has protected you.”

Now one of the daughters told her father, “Dear father! It is better to take benefit from this gentleman’s capabilities and services as the best servant or employee is one who is honest as well as strong physically, morally and spiritually.”

In this way, Musa the honest youth who had traveled for hundreds of miles in red hot sandy land got a chance to breathe comfortably in a distant city and that too in the house of a God’s messenger!

One day Prophet Shuaib told Musa, “I intend to give you one of my daughters in marriage but on condition that you live with us for eight years and look after the sheep. If you extend this stayupto ten years it would be much better.But, I make God a witness that I am not putting any force on you. O Musa! I am among the righteous servants of Allah and therefore I can never apply any kind of force to anyone in any matter.”

Musa (a.s ) agreed and married Shuaib’s daughter. Her name wasSafura , the girl who was sent to summon Musa and who remembered that Musa was anxious to save his eyes from falling on her body when the wind blew strongly.

By and by Musa completed ten years in Prophet Shuaib’s service with perfect honesty and love and did his job painstakingly. He left no stone unturned in taking full care of the sheep. On completion of his ten-year service, Musa sought permission to leave for Egypt and visit his mother and

younger brother, Harun. Shuaib (a.s ) allowed him and Musa (a.s ) moved with his wife towards Egypt. After entering the Sinai desert Musa decried a fire radiating on a hill. When he wentthere he saw that there was a spruce fir tree from which flames of fire leapt out but without burning the green tree! Musa was observing this phenomenon with abounding wonder when a voice reached his ears from the direction of the tree: It was a revelation from God saying: From now onwards you are a messenger of God and a guide for His creation. Go to Egypt for guiding the Pharaoh and his misguided community.[33]

Thus a shepherd attained his goal after serving Shuaib wholeheartedly for several years.

David and Goliath : A Youth FullOf Faith Encounters An Experienced Warrior

It was a dreary and desolate desert for miles and miles and the Bani Israel, after their exit from Egypt roamed in this lonely desert for years in search of shelter. Many died and those who survived remained painfully restless. After a longtime some of them entered the holy land of Palestine and settled there. It was a fertile region where Bani Israel worked hard for a living, which became satisfactory after some time.

In that era it was the only God-worshipping sect so God shed His mercy on them and that too in such a way that He gave to them the Ark of the Covenant wherein was the secret of their unity and survival so that people may preserve it as a relic from God and that they may, looking at it, never forget to remember Almighty Allah and seek His protection in times of trouble and hardships of war and so that they may find it a source of solace of the hearts.

Hardly two generations had passed when the moral structure of Bani Israel decayed. They began to disobey God, to revolt against God through dishonesty and every other evil behavior and filled the atmosphere with corruption. Sinfulness spread throughout their society and their people lived a life full of immorality and shamelessness.

The idol-worshipper community of Palestine was fed up by the troublesome mischiefs of Bani Israel so they united to drive Bani Israel out of their land or kill them wherever they were found and confiscate their wealth, property and houses and separate their sons from fathers and vice versa and also take away the aforesaid Ark of Covenant from them.

The idol-worshippers of Palestine were a powerful community. Their constant attacks broke down the power of Bani Israel and disgrace became their destiny while their pomp turned into dust.

When seven years of such troublesome and disgraceful conditions passed away, God raised among them His messenger named Saul. Leading persons of Bani Israel approached him in a significant number and requested him, “Kindly announce your honor’s kingship so that you may provide for us means of making our lives righteous and that we may become united, integrated and able to wage a war in the path of God.”

Shamoil asked them, “Are you sure if I announce my kingship and a time for fighting comes before us, you will not flee from battlefield on seeing the enemy’s army?”

They replied, “How is it possible for us to find excuses at such a critical moment making us more vulnerable when we have been driven out of our homes and our sons are snatched away from us. We are quite ready to face the hardship together.” ThenShamoil (a.s ) said, “Then fear God and do not disobey His commands. He has appointedTalut as your commander and king.”

Till that time God’s prophethood had remained in the progeny ofLavi the son of ProphetYaqub (a.s ) and wealth and rulershipwas in the progeny of Yehuda, another son of ProphetYaqub . The community chiefs askedShamoil (a.s ), “Talut comes from the progeny of IbnYamin the youngest

son of ProphetYaqub (a.s ). How did he get kingship? How can he rule over us?”

Bani Israel had always been material-minded. They had never been convinced of fact and truth that there also is a power beyond the apparent world. They relied only on what they could perceive through physical faculties without any regard for the spirit.So a number of them who considered themselves members of Yehudi race did not come forward to be united under the flag of a king lacking in wealth.

Shamoil (a.s ) told them, “The Most Merciful God has madeTalut your king because he possesses all virtues required for military discipline and control. He is very brave, courageous and fearless and his wisdom and foresight is also exemplary and he got these virtues and qualification in inheritance. His physique is also very strong and symmetrical. He never steps backward in a battle. Above all he is appointed as your king by the Almighty Lord. God is great. He grants rule to whomever He wants.” Bani Israel had to acceptTalut as their commander but they also askedShamoil , “What is the proof that God has madeTalut our king?”

Shamoil replied, “The proof or evidence is that he will procure for you the Ark of Covenant which God had sent down for the peace of your hearts and minds and which contains the relics of Musa and Harun (a.s ) and is carried by angels. Is this not a sufficient proof?”

When Bani Israel went out of thetown they saw the said casket there and this satisfied them. They gatheredtheir might and an army of seventy thousand men rallied under the flag ofTalut butTalut had no trust in the major part of that army. He knew it well that this tribe, which had wandered in wilderness for years, had become totally demoralized. As they had become soweak they might not withstand the enemy assault and could flee from the battlefield.Therefore he decided to test their solidarity and integrity before going to war so that those who fail could be dismissed from the army or kept in the rear.

Talut informed his soldiers about the tactics of the enemy and then said, “God wants to take a test through a water canal. Whoever will drink its water will be disobeying my command. Who will remain patient will be allowed to drink only a handful of itswater. One who fails in this test will lose my trust and those who remain steadfast and patient, obeying my order, will gain my confidence and their rank will rise in my view.”

As the soldiers had walked quite a long time in hot sandyland they were very thirsty. Many of them were not prepared to obey the command ofTalut . They fell on the water and drank it fully. Only three hundred and thirteen of them were trustworthy and faithful who remained thirsty obeying their chief’s command. This test showed that the majority of them were useless and weak hearted. Only 313 of them were trustworthy and steadfast in their determination that could be relied upon. When the soldiers ofTalut crossed that canal (which had probably branched from a Jordanian river flowing in Syria) they saw Goliath advancing towards them along with his huge army in several battalions, well equipped with weapons. Observing their preparations, the soldiers ofTalut exclaimed, “We cannot confront this huge army. How long could we fight them? How can we defeat them?” But

the faithful 313 announced, “Almighty Allah has always made His few obedient servants victorious over the enemy’s major big armies. Why should we be afraid when our Lord is with us?” Among this group of courageous and brave minority group was a youth from the village of Bait Tam. He was the youngest of the brothers enrolled in the army ofTalut .

When the warriors ofTalut lined up to face the army of Goliath they prayed, “Our Lord! Grant us steadfastness and patience so that we may not step back while battling with the enemy and grant us victory.”

At this critical junctureTalut could see that those in his throng who were demoralized and fearful could not show the wisdom of even praying to God.Talut was giving encouragement to each andeveryone in his army. Once he addressed them jointly saying, “Today I promise that one among you who shows maximum bravery and kills Goliath will be given my daughter in marriage. I will make him the king and he will inherit me.”

The chief of the army, Goliath, was a very strong and toughsandow fromAmaliqah . He came forward and challengedTalut’s army: “Is there anyone among you who can fight with me?”

The fate of this fight depended on the life or death of this champion athlete. If he were to remain alive, it would be impossible for the army ofTalut to win.

At this fateful time the eyes ofTalut were searching the youths in his army to see who comes forward courageously but in hisarmy there was none who could show such tremendous bravery while the challenging voice of Goliath was ringing in the air.

Then suddenly came out fromTalut’s side a youth named Dawood. He approachedTalut and whispered to him, “Please allow me to fight Goliath.”Talut could see that on the one hand was an experienced champion fromAmaliqah and on the other this growing youth whose moustache was about to sprout.Talut told the youthful boy, “You are still young in age. Compared to this giant, your stature is also very small and unripe in experience. Be patient for a while so that anyone stronger than you may come forward. Then we will see.”

Now Dawood spelt out his iron will and strong determination in a serious and fearless manner saying, “Please do not look at my young age and short stature. God-willing you will see that this chief of the enemy army will be downed with my hands.”

WhenTalut saw that this youth was full of courage, faith and wisdom and that he is so strong in his determination and that there was not even an iota of fear in his heart and was insisting so strongly to fight with thiswell known champion he was obliged to accept his request and allowed him to fight with that giant. But, as it was then customary,Talut put the armor on that youth’s body with his own hands, placed an iron helmet on his head and handed him a spear. But as Dawood had never before worn such anarmor he removed it and also threw down both his helmet and the spear. He advanced only holding in his hands a stick with which he herded his sheep and a sling, picking up a few stones from the ground.Talut who saw this with astonishment asked, “Will you fight this champion warrior with stick and stones instead of arrows and spears?”

Dawood answered courageously, “Yes! With the help of God Almighty you will see how I use my simple weapons with wonder. These stones will write the story of the victory ofTalut and the death of Goliath.” Saying this, he came out of the ranks and stood before Goliath.

It was indeed a very strange battle scene. On one side was the proud and hopeful army of Goliath and on the other a small battalion of disheartened and overawed soldiers. All witnessed this astonishing encounter between two extremely unequal fighters.

Looking at the small, weak and young man who had come out to fight with him Goliath exclaimed sarcastically, “O youngster! Are you going to fight with me with this weak body and without arms and armor?”

Dawood replied, “I have gifted all war weapons to you. I will confront you only in this simple style because I have full faith in my Lord. You will soon see how those who have trust and faith in God win.” Then Dawood put a stone in his sling and began to rotate it around his head and once he found full strength in hisarms he dropped one of the strings of his sling, aiming the stone at the forehead of Goliath. The stone hit its target and blood began to flow profusely from Goliath’s head. At the next instant Dawood shot another stone which pierced the champion’s brain and he came down crashing to the ground. Within no time the 313 brave warriors ofTalut fell upon the huge army of Goliath, scattered them and returned victoriously.

After this great and manifest victory Dawood (a.s ) received the honor of beingTalut’s son-in-law. He became a great king of Bani Israel and Almighty Allah granted him prophethood as well as kingship.

Luqman -The Wise Sage : AdmonitionTo The Young Son

Luqman was not a messenger. He was a Hakim (the wise one). Almighty God had gifted him much intelligence and a high moral character. It is said that he was the son of Prophet Ayyub’s sister or aunt and lived during the time of Ayyub (a.s ).

The Holy Prophet has said that thoughLuqman Hakim was not a messenger, he was a very wise and farsighted man who worshipped only One God.

Once a man asked him “Are you the same person who used to graze sheep?”Luqman replied, “You are right. I am the same person. But why are you asking this question?” That man continued to ask, “From where did you obtain all this wisdom and intelligence?”Luqman replied, “This is a gift from God, which is granted by telling the truth and by refraining from useless things and by behaving honestly.” OnceLuqman went to see Prophet Dawood and found that he (Dawood) was molding iron like clay and making something with it. At first,Luqman (a.s ) thought of asking what Prophet Dawood was preparing. But he remained silent thinking it was better to wait and see what was being manufactured. He saw that Prophet Dawood made armor from molded iron; wore it and then turning toLuqman said, “How nice is this garment for the battlefield?”Luqman learnt everything without questioning and told himself, “Verily, silence is the best wisdom. But few people realize this.” Prophet Dawood said to him, “God has given you wisdom and you are the wise one.”

Luqman was previously in employ of a rich man. Once his master told him, “Slaughter a sheep and bring to me the best part of its body.”Luqman brought the animal’s tongue and heart. The next day the employer askedLuqman , “Bring to me the worst organ of the animal.”Luqman again brought its tongue and heart. The employer askedLuqman with astonishment the reason of bringing the same parts on both occasions.Luqman replied, “If the heart and the tongue are used in a goodway they are the best organs granted to everyone by Almighty God but if they are used unwisely and in a wrong manner no part of a body can be worse than them.”

Luqman was repeatedly giving admonitions and advices to his young son. As they are extremely useful for our day-to-daylife I am quoting them from Islamic books wherein they have been narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s .) as well as the Holy Imams (a.s ).

Luqman Hakim told histeenager son, “O my son! This world is like a deep sea. Many people have drowned in it.Therefore you should make a ship for yourself made up of Faith in God,Shariat , and obedience to divine commandments, trust in One God and righteousness and piety to sail through and for being successful in the next permanent life in the Hereafter. God’s help and guidance will be with you and you will attain salvation. If you drown, it will be only as a result of your sins.

O my son! Walk with your companions in a journey. Cooperate with them in good works but never in sinful acts, which defy God’s commands. If they walk on foot you should also walk with them and also help them in

their needs. Listen to those who are older than you. If they ask you to do something never say ‘No’ but always say ‘Yes’ because a negative response in itself is an evil thing.

O my son! If you miss your road during a journey, never continue to proceed further. If you find there that only one person is loitering over there, do not ask for guidance from him nor rely on him because no lonely person is trustworthy in a wilderness. He may be a thief.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s ) says that Almighty Allah granted wisdom toLuqman not because he was born in a noble family or was wealthy or healthy and handsome but only because he was religious minded, God fearing and God worshipping righteous man. He was living a life of contentment and patience. His thoughts were high and sight far reaching. No one ever found foul odor emanating from his body. He never slept during the day. He never sought others’ support in any meeting. He never indulged in a reckless or meaningless act. He was very modest. Nobody ever saw him at the time of taking a bath or answering calls of nature. He never laughed at anything nor frowned over anything, which could harm anyone or would result in any kind of loss. He never mocked anyone. Wealth never made him over joyful and poverty never made him sad. Whenever he heard a good word he would ask for its explanation and inquire about its source.

How much valuable wasLuqman in the sight of God can be measured by the fact that an entire chapter in the Holy Quran has been named after him. In this chapterLuqman is mentioned advising his youthful son. These are admonitions, which deserve deep thought. The Holy Quran has repeated his golden words for the guidance of the entire youthful race of human beings in a comprehensive manner.

It must be kept in mind that these are the meaningful words, which issued from the mouth of an affectionate father to his son who was dearer than his life. It is noteworthy that while repeatingLuqman’s words the holy Quran has adopted a very effective style so as to attract maximum attention of the reader of the divine scripture. Quran says “Luqman was giving admonitions to his son.”

The meaning would have been fully conveyed if it were said, “Luqman told his son”. But it would not have carried the same importance (This is Quranic eloquence which is unparalleled indeed). The words indicate that the tone ofLuqman was not harsh, dictatorial, bitter, neither insulting nor flattering. Rather it had heart-catching aspects of an affectionate father who preserves and protects the self-respect of his dear son while giving him the best kind of training.

Through this Almighty Allah, the Most Merciful desires that every father should admonish his children in the fine manner adopted byLuqman Hakim for adorning them with the best morals, which may appeal to their hearts and which may result in good luck and prosperity.

Luqman says to his son: My dear son! Never consider anyone a partner with Allah because polytheism is an unpardonable offence and an unforgivable sin, the greatest evil. My son! Even if one’s deed is as minute as a grain of mustard hidden in the earth or in the sky or on a mountain, Allah will invariably bring it forth because He is Omniscient and the

Knower of each and everything that you indulge in. O my son! Establish prayer and inspire others to do good deeds and make them intent on obstructing evil and when surrounded by troubles, seek shelter in patience, as this is the most pleasant deed in the sight of God. O my son! Do not turn your face proudly like egoists and do not walk on earth with self-centeredness, as God does not like any proud one walking with pride on His earth. Adopt the middle path while walking and do not raise your voice while talking because the worst of all voices is the loud braying of an ass.

In the words of the Holy Quran:

Andcertainly We gave wisdom toLuqman , saying: Be grateful to Allah. And whoever is grateful, he is only grateful for his own soul; and whoever is ungrateful, then surely Allah is Self-sufficient, Praised.

And whenLuqman said to his son while he admonished him: O my son! Do not associate aught with Allah; most surely polytheism is a grievous iniquity-

And We have enjoined man in respect of his parents- his mother bears him withfaintings uponfaintings and his weaning takes two years- saying: Be grateful to Me and to both your parents; to Me is the eventual coming.

And if they contend with you that you should associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, do not obey them, and keep company with them in this world kindly, and follow the way of him who turns to Me, then to Me is your return, then will I inform you of what you did-

O my son! Surely if it is the very weight of the grain of a mustard-seed, even though it is in (the heart of) rock, or (high above) in the heaven or (deep down) in the earth, Allah will bring it (to light); surely Allah is Knower of subtleties, Aware;

O my son! Keep up prayer and enjoin the good and forbid the evil, and bear patiently that which befalls you; surely these acts require courage;

And do not turn your face away from people in contempt, nor go about in the land exulting overmuch; surely Allah does not love any self-conceited boaster;

And pursue the right course in your going about and lower your voice; surely the most hateful of voices is braying of the asses.[34]