Children's Corner

Once upon a time, during the rein of Shah Abbas, a seaman with his crew sailed the seas, attacking the cargo vessels of the king, plundering from it all the valuables, taking the merchants prisoners and finally sinking their ships. He would then proceed to leave the merchants in a lonely island, where they would be rescued by some other ship, which was passing that way. Finally, the pirate lost on his luck when he unwittingly attacked a military ship, which had been disguised as a merchant ship to capture the pirate. The ruse worked and the pirate along with his crew were brought in chains before the Shah, who asked him angrily, how he dared to trouble his ships, as he had done for so long.


“Your Majesty,” replied the pirate, “I will tell you the truth, if you promise me to spare my life and my companions. In return, I will abandon the dishonest trade forever and become a law-abiding citizen in your kingdom.” The Shah agreed to this condition. The pirate continued: “You should rather ask yourself the answer about why you trouble the people in different parts of your kingdom. I am the master of a single ship, and do but little harm, while you are the master of a huge fleet of ships that carry desolation and war, wherever they sail on the sea. I am called as a robber, whereas, you are called as a king and a conqueror. If our fortunes had only changed, then I would have become more successful, while you would have become less successful and our fortunes would have reversed. But Allah (swt) has decreed it otherwise, and I now stand before you as your prisoner craving your mercy, and leave your Majesty to question your conscience, the difference between the two of us.”


The Shah was so struck by the remarkable argument of the pirate before him, that he not only forgave the pirate but made him a wealthy prince within his empire for giving up his wayward life, and he ordered his military men to cease all military operations into the neighboring territories and concentrate only on securing the borders of his kingdom, and from that day the Shah devoted everyday of his life working towards the welfare of his subjects, and soon won their affection.

The Qur’an was revealed in about 22 years and 5 months. This period extends from 610 AD i.e., from the beginning of Muhammad’s prophethood until his death in 632. He received revelations from time to time in this period. Thus, he received on an average 5 Surahs, or 283 Ayats every year, i.e., 24 Ayats per month. This period is divided into two phases: Makkah and Madina. Along with the name of each Surah, it is mentioned whether it belongs to Makkah or Madina period. Of 114 Surahs, 90 belong to Makkah period (covering approximately 13 years); and remaining 24 (covering about 10 years) to Madinah.

Musandam, with its spectacular fjords, is the ‘Norway’ of the Middle East. This northern province of Oman is separated from the rest of Oman mainland by the United Arab Emirates. Barren mountains that rise up to 2,000 metres or 6,500 feet above sea level jut out like fingers into the sea, creating countless inlets and coves. (KJ)

The bounteous city of Ash-Sham was a thriving center of commerce from the third millennium BCE, and has been the melting pot of people professing the three ancient revealed religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The most prominent landmark of this city is the great Umayyad Mosque, which is believed to contain the severed head of Yahya (pbuh) who is know as John, the Baptist among Christians.


It has been the ancient prayer house of a number of Muslims until today, when the city passed into the hands of the Muslim forces led by Khalid bin Waleed, a leading general and sahabi, captured it in a war with the Byzantine forces. The archaeologists working in this city have unearthed numerous artefacts, and are of the opinion that the city has a much older history than its Christian and Jewish past. Nonetheless, this magnificent city has withstood the ravages, wars, and the havoc that has been done to it, in its past, and it survives today as a thriving metropolis; and the capital of Syria. A visitor to the city will be greeted by countless Roman monuments, Christian castles built by Crusaders, and its beautiful modern mosques. Damascus is a city, which offers an authentic history for the sightseers who wish to unlock the mysteries behind its ancient architectural marvels.

According to Abu Hurairrah (Allah be pleased) the Prophet (Pbuh) said: By Allah he is not a Momin, By Allah he is not a Momin, By Allah he is not Momin! It was asked, “ Who? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,” The man whose neighbours are not safe due to his mischief’s that means he who harasses his neighbours. (Muslim)


There is a hadith in Sahih Muslim. According to Anas, the Prophet said: He will not enter paradise whose neighbour is not safe from his mischiefs.

Once the Sultan of Turkey consulted his Grand Vizier and asked him to find an honest man to work as collector-in-chief of the the taxes of his empire. The Grand Vizier advised the Sultan to invite all the applicants to his palace. 


“I will show you an honest officer who can be the chief of all the tax collectors without stealing anything from it when you ask the applicants to dance in front of you.”


The applicants arrived at the invitation of the Sultan, and they were told to advance before the Sultan one at a time, through a dark empty corridor. As soon as they assembled before the Sultan to the last man the Sultan addressed them: “Now, Gentlemen, my first test for you is that I should very much like to see you all dance in front of me.” 


But, to the Sultan’s astonishment all the applicants refused with many blushes, and pleaded with the Sultan to spare them from this trial, except one man who danced cheerfully and well. 


“This is the honest man,” said the Grand Vizier, pointing to the dancer. 


In the dark corridor, the Grand Vizier had placed sacks of gold coins, which were minted for the Sultan, and all the dishonest men had filled their pockets to the full as they passed through the dark corridor and advanced towards the Sultan. If they had danced, their pockets would have jingled with the gold coins, which they had stolen from the money sacks, and so they refused the command of the Sultan.


Naturally, the dancer was selected for the position, which was a highly paid job, and the Grand Vizier had ordered his guards to empty the pockets of each applicant as they left the presence of the Sultan in the Durbar Hall.

Wisdom is an important quality possessed only by believers. However, there is a great difference between the concept of wisdom as it commonly figures in society and the wisdom presented by religion. The wisdom referred to in the Quran is a concept totally different from intelligence. Intelligence is the capacity of the brain which a human being biologically possesses. Intelligence neither increases nor decreases. Wisdom, on the other hand, is granted to believers, who are pious and who fear Allah, as a great blessing. The level of wisdom of the individual increases in parallel to his piety.


The primary characteristics of a man of wisdom is his fear of Allah and observing his duty to Him., following his conscience all the time, evaluating everything he sees according to the Quran and seeking Allah’s approval every moment. No individual, be he the most intelligent, most knowledgeable and most intellectual person on earth, will possess ”wisdom” if he lacks these qualities, and lacking the ability to understand, he will not be able to see many truths. Allah has described what damage is done by a lack of wisdom: ‘The worst of beasts in Allah’s sight are the deaf and dumb who do not use their reason.’ (surah Anfal:22). A man of wisdom also has vision. He makes correct and proper choices. Wisdom enables him to have a grasp of the essence of events and see the inner truth of things.

Adam was the first man as well as the first prophet of Allah on earth. Adam, in Arabic, means ‘man’ for which reason man is called Aadmi. The Quran says that Adam, and hence man, was created from earth (clay). (30:20). After he was created, Allah told the angles: “I am about to place a khalifa (viceroy) on the earth. (2:30) Allah directed the angels and the Jinn to prostrate before him. All the angels complied; but Iblis, the satan (from the jinn) did not obey. (2:34) As a punishment for this, Satan was banished from the garden of heavens. (15:34,38:77). The Qur’an says that he became a disbeliever (kafir) as a result of this disobedience. The lesson this story conveys is that satan always hates man and ever works for his downfall.

The Prophet’s (Pbuh) whole life was shaped by thoughts of the hereafter. He loved his children, but not in any worldly way. Ali’ ibn Talib, Fatimah’s husband, once told Ibn Wahid a story about the Prophet’s most beloved daughter. Fatimah’s hands, he said, were blistered from constant grinding; her neck had become sore from carrying water; her clothes would become dirty from sweeping the floor. When the Prophet had received an influx of servants from some place, Ali suggested to his wife that she approach her father and ask for a servant. She went, but could not speak to the Prophet because of the people who were surrounding him. Next day, he came to their house, and asked Fatimah as to why she wanted to see him. Ali told the whole story to the Prophet, and said that she went to him on his advice. “Fear God, Fatimah,” the Prophet said, “Fulfill your obligations to the Lord, and continue with your housework. And when you go to bed at night, praise God (subhanallah) 33 times, and Glorify Him (Alhamdulillah) the same number of times, exalt His name (Allahhu Akbar) 34 times, and that will make a full 100. This would be much better than having a servant.’ “If that is the will of God and His Prophet,” Fatimah replied “ then so be it.” This was the Prophet’s only reply. He did not provide her a servant.

It is enough for man to say sincerely that he repents to Allah for his sins and mistakes, ask forgiveness from Him and pledge not to repeat them again. Allah says: “But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and amends his conduct, Allah will turn towards him. Allah is Ever-forgiving and Most Merciful.” (5:39)

Truly, those who sell Allah’s covenant and their oaths for a small price will have no portion in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and theirs will be a painful punishment. (3: 77)


The meaning of this verse is that if one gains some advantage in this world by taking a false oath, he will have no portion in the reward of the Hereafter. Allah will neither speak to him (to ease his situation) nor look at him (with mercy and forgiveness)

The first type take the Qur’an as a merchandise by which to earn their bread.


The second type uphold its letters and lose its laws, aggrandizing themselves over the people of their country, and seeking gain through it from the rulers. There are many reciters from the Qur’an that belong to this type. May Allah not increase them.


Finally the third type have sought the healing of the Qur’an and placed it on the sickness of their hearts, fleeing with it to the places of salaah, wrapping themselves in it. Those have felt fear and put on the garment of sadness. Those are the ones for whose sake Allah sends rain and victory over the enemies. By Allah! That kind of reciters of the Qur’an is more rare than red sulphur.


Al-Hasan Al-Basri

Once the Sultan of Turkey consulted his Grand Vizier and asked him to find an honest man to collector-in-chief the taxes of his empire. The Vizier advised the Sultan to invite all the applicants to his palace.


“I will show you an honest officer who can be the chief of tax collectors in the Empire. But I will place a condition before them. They will have to pass through a dark corridor and dance before you when they appear in the court. The applicants arrived at the invitation of the Sultan, and they were told to advance before the Sultan one at a time, through a dark empty corridor. As soon as they assembled before the Sultan to the last man the Sultan addressed them: “Now, Gentlemen, my first test for you is that I should very much like to see you all dance in front of me.”


But, to the Sultan’s astonishment all the applicants refused with many blushes, and pleaded with the Sultan to spare them from this trial, except one man who danced cheerfully and well.


“This is the honest man,” said the Grand Vizier, pointing to the dancer.


In the dark corridor, the Grand Vizier had placed sacks of gold coins, which were minted for the Sultan, and all the dishonest men had filled their pockets to the full as they passed through the dark corridor and advanced towards the Sultan. If they had danced, their pockets would have jingled with the gold coins, which they had stolen from the money sacks, and so they refused the command of the Sultan.


Naturally, the dancer was selected for the position, which was a highly paid job, and the Grand Vizier had ordered his guards to empty the pockets of each applicant as they left the presence of the Sultan in the Durbar Hall. (KJ)

A wealthy man went to his garden, where his eyes fell upon the beautiful wife of his gardener. He sent the man away and said to the woman. “Shut the gates.” She replied, “ I have shut them all except one, which I cannot shut.” He asked, “which one is that?” “The gate,” said she, ”that is between us and God.” On receiving this answer, the man repented and begged to be forgiven. (Jami)