Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth     [24. Surah Noor : Ayahs 35 to 40] "Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 36] "In houses which Allah has permitted to be exalted and that His name may be remembered in them; there glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings" [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 37] "Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 38] "That Allah may give them the best reward of what they have done, and give them more out of His grace; and Allah gives sustenance to whom He pleases without measure." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 39] "And (as for) those who disbelieve, their deeds are like the mirage in a desert, which the thirsty man deems to be water; until when he comes to it he finds it to be naught, and there he finds Allah, so He pays back to him his reckoning in full; and Allah is quick in reckoning." [24. Surah Noor : Ayah 40] "Or like utter darkness in the deep sea: there covers it a wave above which is another wave, above which is a cloud, (layers of) utter darkness one above another; when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; and to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light."   Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

veryday some people are asked to seek counseling to control anger. Schools, corporations and organizations have peer mediation sessions and seminars with the intent to resolve conflicts. These therapy sessions facilitate people from harming themselves, as well as others. In some people pride, arrogance and stubbornness and denial prevent them from seeking this counseling.

Anger is an emotion, which is in creation. If it is used correctly then the results will be positive. On the other hand if it is used incorrectly, then the outcome would be negative or detrimental.  Anger is an enemy within us, which should be defeated.

Everyday everyone experiences problems that can either strengthen or weaken us. Many things cause one to become angry. It is our responsibility to recognize and properly use anger in positive ways to benefit us.

Detrimental effects of Anger ¹

Causes of anger are stress, economic pressures of life, not meeting emotional needs in a healthy way and  disappointments in life. Causes of anger can be of our own choosing or can be linked to others or circumstances.  Past mistakes should be used as a learning experience to build from and not an experience that restricts, limits and impedes productivity.

For their current state of mind and conditions, people look for scapegoats and blame their parents, teachers, counselors, associates or friends, former sexual partners or spouse(s), etc. Various forms of exploitations, discriminations, injustices and abuses may have victimized them.  These negative experiences result in people acquiring quick tempers and will lash out at anyone in their immediate environment. Many times innocent children, teens and adults are harmed in the process. Regrettably, these unresolved conflicts could lead to emotional and mental damage, physical injuries and homicides.  Now and then these terrible consequences continue via resentment, revenge and retaliation, a vicious cycle of human misery, suffering and self-destruction.

As believers we must seek advice and protection from Allah (SWT) our Creator.

We read in the Qur'an: "If a suggestion from Satan assails thy (mind) seek refuge with the Creator, for He heareth and knoweth  (all things)."

Also:" Those who have regard for the Creator, when a thought of evil from Satan  assaults them, bring The Creator to remembrance, when lo! They see (aright)!" ……The Noble Qur'an 7: 200-201

All sorts of thoughts or suggestions enter the human mind  all the time. Therefore one should shield one's souls with prayer, gratitude and good deeds to the best of one's ability. These are the fundamentals    to receiving The Creator's Grace and Mercy. If one is not conscious of one's negative influences that cause transgression into outburst of rage, one would be surprised and disappointed and regretful of such disrespectful behavior.

One has to constantly struggle to relieve oneself from stressful situations and conditions. When anger is properly understood then its positive use should be directed toward correcting, improving and eliminating undesirable conditions. Individually and collectively, people should channel anger and desires to become active to change, improve and eliminate defects, deficiency, immorality, exploitation, injustice, corruption, incompetence, irresponsibility, dysfunctional and non-productive behaviors, institutions and conditions that cause human misery, confusion and suffering.

With these changes, improvements and eradication of social, economical, political, educational, cultural and spiritual defects and diseases, we should always use human intelligence and moral excellence as our base.

Anger Management According to Qur'an and Sunnah ²

 

 This is the most important rule of behavior for a Muslim. In Surah Al-Imran 3:134, we learn that, “…those who control their anger and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loves those who do good.”

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is noted by Bukhari in his Sahih as saying: “Don’t be angry.” And he repeated this several times.

There is a harm in anger or being angry. It is a trap from Shaitan. Abu Dawud in his Sunan noted that the Prophet (saws) stated: “Anger comes from the Shaitan. The Shaitan was created from fire and fire is extinguished only with water. So when one of you becomes angry, he should perform wudu.”

We should think first, and not lose control. It is very easy for us to let go of our tempers and blow into a rage. However, we should try to remain as calm as possible. The Prophet (saws) advises us: “When one of you is angry while standing, let him sit down and if his anger goes away that is good; otherwise let him lie down.” (Abu Dawud)

How silly it would be to be lying down whilst screaming at the top of your lungs. It is quite an effective technique. We can also remember the advice of our contemporary advisors in anger management, who tell us, that before speaking when angry, count to ten and you will notice that you are more clear-headed and not speaking off the cuff.

A strong person controls his/her anger. The Prophet (saws) stated: “Who is strong? He who controls himself when angry.” (Muslim)

It is said that he mentioned anger, saying, “Some are swift to anger and swift to cool down, the one characteristic making up for the other; some are slow to anger and slow to cool down, the one characteristic making up for the other; the best of you are those that are slow to anger and swift to cool down and the worst of you are those who are swift to anger and slow to cool down.” He continued, “Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendant of Adam. Do you not notice the swelling of the veins of his neck and the redness of his eyes? So anyone who experiences anything of that nature, he should lie down and cleave to the earth.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Allah’s messenger (saws) also said: “No one has swallowed back anything more excellent in the sight of Allah, Who is Great and Glorious, than anger he restrains, seeking to please Allah Most High.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Bukhari in his Sahih relates to us that the Prophet was present when a man became angry to the point that his jugular vein was swelled. He told this man, I know a word the saying of which relaxes he who says it, “Seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan.”

 

Anger Management in Hadith ³ 

Don’t get angry-The beginning

 According to Abu Hurayrah a man asked the Prophet (S) for an advice. The Prophet (S) replied: don’t get angry. And he said it three times.

Abdullah Ibn Umar said that he asked the Prophet (S): What protects me from the anger of Allah? The Prophet (S) replied: don’t get angry.

 

Behavior of the Prophet (S) 

1.          His anger was never to defend himself but to ensure the dominance of Allah’s Word: Protection of boundaries. 

2.          His character was the Quran.  

3.          He did not confront people with what he dislikes, but the anger shows on his face.

4.          A man told the prophet: his judgment was not made for the sake of Allah (SWT). The Prophet became angry as shown by the changes on his face. Then the Prophet (S) said: “ Prophet Moses was hurt by his people to a larger degree and he was patient.”

 

Meaning of  “ Don’t get angry” 

1. Learn to prevent anger before it happens by acquiring the righteous characteristics of generosity, shyness, forgiveness and ease of interaction with others. When these qualities are internalized the person will be in a good position to manage / control his anger when it fires. 

2. If angry do jihad to control your self by not hurting others until the force of anger declines. An example was given by Prophet Moses who restrained anger until anger left him quickly as if nothinghappened

 

Impact of anger on Decision-making 

1.          “ When angry don’t judge between two people”

2.           “ When angry don’t divorce” for anger paralyzes thinking.

Degrees of Anger 

Too strong: extremely dangerous because it hampers perception, thinking and actions. (Undesirable). 

2.          Too weak: persons who never get angry cannot fix their own weaknesses. They cannot improve because they don’t have enough anger that makes them counter oppose the force of their desires. (Undesirable)

3.          Moderate: The best position is the moderate position between the two extremes. (Desirable)

 

PREVENTION

Building the personality of a believer 

1.  Ibn Abbas narrates: Oh son of Khattab I swear by Allah that you don’t give us enough and you don’t judge among us justly. Omar became angry to the degree of thinking to hurt him. One of the Sahabah (Al Hur bin Kays) reminded Omar with Quran 7:199.

“ Take what is given freely (be easy in dealing with them and avoid causing them difficulty) enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant” this man is one of the ignorant. Omar responded positively; he managed his anger and did not hurt the man. 

2. “ And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities and when they are angry they forgive (Quran 42:47)

3. Wing lowering

“ And lower your wing (show kindness) to the   believers (Quran 15:58) 

“   (They are) humble toward the believers”  (Quran 5:54)  

4. Anger is the sign of weakness not a sign of strength. The Prophet (S) said: “ Strong is not the one who wrestles others to the ground, but strong is the one who controls himself when angry”

5.  “ I am warning you of Zun which is thinking badly of others; Zun is the most unreliable form of interaction, don’t follow each others shortcomings; don’t spy on each other; don’t compete with each other; don’t envy each other; don’t hate one another; don’t plan evil to each other. And be true servants of Allah – brothers in faith”

6.  “ And hasten to forgiveness from your lord and a garden (Paradise) as wide as the heavens and the earth prepared for the righteous” (Quran 3:133)

“ Who spend (in the cause of Allah) during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good” (Quran 3:134) 

“  And pardon them and overlook (their misdeeds). Indeed Allah loves the doers of good” (Quran 5:13)

7. Bad neighbors do not pardon / forgive.

Hadith “ Three awakir (evil ones)" 

·         A leader who does not thank you if you do well and who does not forgive you if you make a mistake,

·         And bad neighbors who buries your good deeds and broadcast your bad ones,

·         And a woman who hurts you in your presence and cheats on you in your absence. 

8. Mix with people and tolerate their hurts with patience.

Hadith  

“ The believer who mixes with people and tolerate their hurts is better than the believer who doesn’t mix and does not tolerate”  

9. Al Hassan said, “ If a person is able to control himself against the following four forces, Allah (SWT) will protect him from Shaytan:

 

• Wishes / wants: trying always including haram

• Fear: attempts to self defend in any way including the haram ways

• Desire: examples are Zina (fornication and adultery) and stealing.

• Anger: blood boiling to protect and / or take revenge.

Anger is expressed in aggressive words (hurting others) or aggressive deeds (killing, beating and other types of aggressive overt behavior)  

Treatment 

1.          Seek refuge in Allah (swt) 

“ And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refugee in Allah, He is hearing and knowing (Quran 7: 200)

2.          Do wudu (washing specific parts of your body with water) according to the tradition of the Prophet (S). 

The Prophet (S) said, “ Anger from Shaytan; Shaytan from fire; fire is put out by water; so when angry do wudu” 

3.          Change body positions

“ If one of you gets angry while standing he should sit. If he is still angry he should lie down”  

To say this hadith in other words:

·         Lying down is better than sitting

·         Sitting is better than standing

·         Standing is better than walking

·         Walking is better than Sa’y, which is somewhat between walking and running. 

4.          Cheek to the ground.  

Since anger is a product of pride, the Prophet (S) said, “ whoever gets a little angry should stick his cheek to the ground” 

5.          Psycho-physical approach 

Diverting attention away from the cause of anger and participate in strenuous physical activity aiming at letting steam out and relaxing of muscles. 

The Prophet (S) used this approach to manage the tension of the Sahabah on their way back from the battle of Bani Al Mustalq. Abdullah bin Obay – the head of the hypocrites said, “ If we return to Al Madinah, the more honored (for power) will surely expel there from the more humble” (Quran 63:8) 

The Sahabah became angry and the Prophet (S) ordered them to continue marching for two days. When the Sahabah took rest, they slept and forgot the anger. 

6.  When angry be quiet, don’t speak, be silent. 

“ Teach, simplify, don’t complicate and if you get angry be silent”. 

7.  Positive interpretation of events.  

In the story of a tribe called “ Nose of the She – Camel” Hadrat Omar (RA) changed events by reinterpreting the story from negative to positive.

For further reading please visit: http://anger-management.tip4u2.com/ 
 

REFERENCES:  

1.  Jamal R. Rasheed. Understanding and Managing Anger. Muslim Journal, January 2, 2004, p.23 and p.29)

2.  Samantha Sanchez Negm   News: Latino Muslims  (Reprinted from La Prensa - CA)                     Printed in La Prensa. A Publication of the Press-Enterprise Co. February 2001       http://www.orgsites.com/ny/latinodawah/_pgg5.php3

3.  Dr. Mohamed Saleh. Anger Management Islamic Approaches.

www.bcmavictoria.com/docs/AngerManagement.doc

 

فـــــــــرعـون This is the closest picture taken of Pharaoh Ramesses II Here's the story of France with Pharaoh Ramesses When Francisco Mitra became the president of France in 1981 France requested from the Egyptian government to host the mummy of Pharaoh  For the purpose of running laboratory and archeological examinations on the mummy of the most notorious dictator ever lived on earth Upon arrival, a very royal attendants were there including the French president himself and all ministers who bowed in honor for the mummy  When the ceremony ended, the mummy was carried to a specially-designed section at the Archeology Centre of France Were it started to be tested by the greatest French archeological and anatomical scientists in order to discover more about such a great mummy The scientists were headed by Professor Maurice Bucaille Scientists were trying to restore the mummy while Professor Maurice was mainly concerned with how did this mummy die!     The final report of the scientists was released late at night which states that the remaining salt in the mummy is an overt evidence that it was drawn in the sea, and the body was rescued very shortly where it was immediately embalmed to be saved An amazing thing was still confusing Professor Maurice is that how could this body possibly be safer than any other mummy despite being taken out of the sea up until this time  Professor Maurice was writing his final report on what he thought would be a new discovery about saving Pharaoh's body immediately after his death and embalming it  And there, someone whispered to him that Muslims claim to know something about the drowning of this mummy Yet the Professor firmly denied such thing saying that it's impossible to discover this without the development of science and without using his high-tech and complicated laboratories   and computers   To his surprise, he was told that Muslims believe in a book called "Quran" and this Quran narrates the story of Pharaoh's drowning and ensures the safety of his body after his death as to be a Sign to mankind. The Professor couldn't believe his own ears and started to wonder: How can a book existed 1400 years ago speak about the mummy that was only found 200 years ago, in 1898??!! How can that be possible while the ancient Egyptian heritage was discovered only a few decades ago and no one knew about it before??!! The Professor sat down pondering on what he was told about the book of Muslims while his Holy Book narrates only the drowning of Pharaoh without saying anything about his body "Is it possible that this mummy in front of me is the one who was chasing Moses??!!" "Is it possible that Muhammad knew this 1400 years ago??!!"  The Professor couldn't sleep that night till they brought him the Old Testament where he read: "the sea drowned Pharaoh and his army, no one else was left alive" He was surprised that the Holy Book didn't mention about the destiny of the body and that it will be saved When the scientists were done with the mummy, France retuned it to Egypt , but Professor Maurice couldn't rest for a moment since he was told that Muslims know about the safety of the body. So, he decided to travel and meet anatomy Muslim scientists and there he spoke about his discovery of the safety of the mummy after its death in the sea and so on. One of the Muslim scientists stood up and simply opened the Quran and pointed to the Professor at one verse: "This day shall We save you in your body, that you may be a Sign to those who come after you! But verily, many among mankind are neglectful of Our Signs" (Quran 10:92) The Professor was struck when he read that and immediately stood in front of the crowd and said loudly: "I believe in Islam, I believe in Quran" Then he went back to France with a different face he traveled with. In France , he dedicated 10 years investigating the scientific discoveries and comparing them with the Quran and trying to come up with one scientific contradiction with the Quran. Finally he quoted one verse from the Quran to be his conclusion: "No falsehood can approach it (this book) from before or behind it: it is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all praise" (Quran 41:42)   As a result of all years of his research, Professor Maurice wrote a book that shook all Europe , especially the scientists there "Quran, Torah, Bible and Science: A Study of the Holy Books in the Light of Modern Science" All copies were sold out at a very short time  I personally visited the Cairo Museum where the mummy is preserved and there you get astonished at the scenery of thousands of people from all over the world visiting the place everyday , unfortunately, many of the tourists there would think: "Woow, look at that! Amazing!! So nice to see people of all times!! Without realizing the intended lesson that Allah has kept this body a Sign to all mankind of anyone who denies Allah and His messengers. In another chapter in the Quran: "When Moses came to them with Our clear Signs, they said: This is nothing but sorcery faked up: never did we hear the like among our fathers of old! Moses said: "My Lord knows best who it is that comes with guidance from Him and whose end will be best in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrong-doers will not prosper. "Pharaoh said: "O Chiefs! No god do I know for you but myself: therefore, O Haman! Light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a lair!" And he was arrogant and insolent in the land, beyond reason, - he and his hosts: they thought they would not have to return to Us! So We seized his and his hosts, and We flung them into the sea: now behold what was the end of those who did wrong! And We made them (but) leaders inviting to the Fire; and on the Day of Judgment no help shall they find. In this world We made a curse to follow them: and on the Day of Judgment they will be among the loathed (and despised)." (Quran 28: 36-42)   So now, "Has not the time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and the Truth which has been revealed to them, and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors. Know you (all) that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Already have We shown the Signs plainly to you, that you may learn wisdom. For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beatiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credits), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward. And those who believe in Allah and His messengers- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the Witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: they shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs,- they are the companions of Hell-Fire " Quran 57: 16-19   ""

Material Comfort or Spiritual Happiness

 by Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. 
President
Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.

The deaf disciple Hatim Asam tells his teacher Shaikh Shaqiq that he learned Eight principles or Useful Insights by being in his company for 30 years. Here we will dwell on the eighth(last) insight. Explaining the Eighth Insight, Hatim Asam says "I saw everybody is dependent on created things. Some depended on the dirham(silver coin) or the dinar(gold coin) and others on wealth and possessions. Some depended on a craft or vocation while others depended on people like themselves. But after I reflected upon the verse: "And he who puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him, Allah will surely accomplish his purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion." I firmly placed my trust in Allah for He, most certainly, is sufficient for me and the most excellent of those in whom we can trust." 
 

His teacher Shaikh Shaqiq then said: "May Allah grant you success. Indeed I have looked into the Torah, the Injil (Gospel), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Furqan (Qur’an) and found that these eight principles constitute the essence of that which is contained in these four books. He who acts in accordance with these principles acts in accordance with the teachings contained in these four books."  
 

"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. 

And if anyone puts his trust in Allah sufficient is (Allah) for him.

For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has

Allah appointed a due proportion."… Surah Talaq, 65: 3 (Al-Qur'an) 

And remember Zun-nun(Dhu'n-Nun- Lit. "Lord of the Fish" = Jonah=Yunus), when he departed in wrath(anger): He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the depths of darkness, "There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong!"   

So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith.-Qur'an, Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:87-88 

Yet there are men who take for worship others besides God, as equal to God: They love them as they should love God. But those of faith, are overflowing with love for God. If only the unrighteous could see, behold they would see the penalty: that to God belongs all power, and God will strongly enforce the penalty." ( Qur'an, 2:165). 

Imam Al-Ghazzali, in his seminal (creative or original) work "Ihya Ulum Id-Din" says: "Even before accomplishing enlightenment, a person knows that everything attests to the existence of God. But these virtuous feelings of innocence disappear as he begins to mingle with corrupt society, because worldly affairs hinder him from swimming in the vast ocean of insight." 

Separation from the World 

A person with a religious goal cannot brook(tolerate or bear) the standards of worldly life. A worldly lifestyle that consists of seeking pleasure, wealth, fame, and material comforts will inevitably distract one from pursuing any spiritual purpose. Hence the aspirant must separate himself from the world or maintain some detachment from it. Separation from the world can be achieved either by physical isolation in a monastic community (which is forbidden for Muslims) or by living an outwardly ordinary life yet without attachment to its prevailing values. 

The scriptures contain numerous admonitions to avoid conforming to the world and its values. The wise manregards the worldly achievement as an illusion; he keeps his mind free of worldly cares. He does not delight in worldly pleasures, but devotes himself to pursuing his spiritual goal. He lives detached from worldly thoughts and sense impressions. He measures achievement by spiritual progress, rather than by the standards of worldly success. 

The streams of this world are dirty and its springs are turbid. Its window dressing and its show is beautiful but destructive. It is a quickly ending deception, a speedily fading light, a hurrying shade, and a weak and unreliable protection. It is so deceptive that it waits till those who abhor it start taking interest in it, and those who do not know its deception are attracted by it, and are satisfied with it, then it shows scanty regard for them, it snares and captivates them, and tying the rope of death round their necks drags them to their graves. ..Nahajul Balagha, Khutba 86 

Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveler…Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 40 
 

A man came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act, which, if I do it, will cause Allah to love me and people to love me." The Prophet (SAW) said, "Renounce the world and Allah will love you; renounce what people possess and people will love you." Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 31

What is World?

The life of this world can be defined as working, eating, drinking, sleeping, marrying and other related acts of living. Does Islam refrain from these things? Do earth, sky, animals, vegetables, and trees are bad things that a human being should avoid them?

Does Islam prohibit earning a living, acquiring of knowledge, business and production, and sexual relationship? Absolutely this is not the case, because God- Almighty has created all of the above things, and in case they were bad, He would not have created them. God-Almighty regards them as His Beautiful Bounties that should be conquered by human beings and should be utilized for their advantages. The wealth and property not only is not reproached (rebuked or blamed) but on the contrary has been introduced as blessing in the Holy Qur'an as follows: "If he leaves wealth, that he bequeath unto parents and near relatives in kindness. - The Qur'an (2:1 80).

Earning a genuine living by lawful means not only has not been reproached, rather has been regarded as one of the best kind of worship. Following is an example:

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w) said: "Worship(Ibadah) consists of seventy acts and the best among them is the act of earning a genuine living through lawful means. - al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-78. 

Imam al-Baqir (r.a) has said: "Whoever endeavors sincerely for earning a genuine living (through lawful means); becomes self sufficient in taking care of his expenditures; maintains a reasonably comfortable standard of living for his family; shows benevolence to his neighbors - such a person will meet God-Almighty in the Hereafter, while his face will be shining like the full moon. - al-Kafi, vol.5, p-88. 

Imam al-Sadiq (r.a) said: "Whoever strives for earning a living for his family is tantamount to a warrior engaged in Jihad for the sake of God. - al-Kafi, vol. 5, p-88. 

The Islamic traditions emphasize the importance of work, farming, agriculture, trade, and even marriage. The life styles of the Prophet (S.A.W.) and Khulafa-e-Rashidoon (r.anhum) indicate that they too have worked for earning a living. Ameerul Muminoon (Commander of the Faithful) Imam Ali (r.a.), the leader of the pious, also made endeavors and worked hard for earning a living in his life. Therefore, what is really meant with this reproached (rebuked or blamed) world? In the opinion of some people it is not the world that is reproached (blamed) rather it is the attachment to world that has been strictly condemned. e.g. the Noble Qur'an says:  

"Beautified for mankind is love of the joys (that come) from women and offspring, and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and horses branded (with their mark), cattle, and land. That is comfort

of the life of the world. God-Almighty with Him is a more excellent abode. - The Qur'an (3:14). 

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (r.a) said: "Be careful not to attach yourself from this (transient) world, because love of world is the root of all sins and origin of all catastrophes." - Gharar al-Hukm, p-150. 

Imam al-Sadiq (r.a) said: "Attachment to the world is the basis of all sins and transgressions." Bihar al- Anwar, vol. 3, p-7. 

From these types of traditions it could be inferred that what is condemned is the attachment to these worldly affairs and not the affairs in themselves. Here the question arises whether absolute attachment and love to worldly affairs is condemned and should not a man have any attachment to his wife, children, house, wealth, and food? How could such a thing be expected? Because, the attachment to these affairs is a natural thing for a human being; God-Almighty has incorporated these attachments within his primordial nature, and that is the way human beings have been created by Him. Is it possible for a man not to love his wife and children?

Is it possible not to love clothing, delicious foods, and other beautiful things of this world? If, love of these things was prohibited, God would not have created human being with these tendencies. A human being, in order to keep himself/herself alive, requires these things, and accordingly he/she has been created in such a manner that he/she should feel a natural inclination towards these affairs. Ameerul Muminoon (The Commander of the Faithful) Imam Ali (r.a) said "The human beings are the children of this world and they should not be blamed for loving their mother. "- Nahajul Balaghah, Qasar-33. 

The Islamic traditions recommend that one must love and show affection towards one's spouse and children. The Noble Prophet (SAW) and Khulafa-e-Rashidoon (r.anhum) too had shown affection towards their wives and children. Some of them liked foods and showed interest in them. Therefore, sky, plants, trees, mines (gold, diamonds), animals, and similar other God's Bounties are neither bad nor condemned. Similarly, wife (spouse), children, wealth and property, affection shown towards these things and life of this world, are not only not condemned, rather in some of the traditions, the world even has been praised. Following is the example:

In reply to a person who has condemned the world, (Ameerul Muminoon) the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (r.a.) said: Verily this world is a house of truth for those who look into it deeply and carefully, an abode of peace and rest for those who understand its ways and moods, and it is the best working ground for those who want to procure rewards for Hereafter(Aakhirah). It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for friends of God and for angels. It is the place where prophets receive revelations of the Lord. It is the place for virtuous people and saints to do good deeds and to be given rewards for the same; only in this world, they could trade with God s favors and blessings and only while living here they could barter their good deeds, with His Blessings, and rewards. - Nahajul Balaghah, Short Saying No. 130 

Imam al-Baqir (r.a) said: "The world is the best support for the Aakhirah ( Hereafter). - Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 73, p42 7. 

Imam al-Sadiq (r.a.) said: "Any one who does not like earning a living by lawful means to maintain his prestige, to pay his obligations and to take care of his relatives, then - such a person lacks any merit and goodness. - Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p.72. 

Therefore, what is meant by the condemnation of world and its love and attachment, which is the roots of all evils? From the Qur'anic verses and traditions it could be inferred that, what is condemned is the worldliness and becoming infatuated with it, and not the creatures of the world, its life, and genuine liking of worldly affairs in themselves. Islam, demands people to recognize the world the way it is and then they should appraise its worth accordingly; they should also discover the exalted Divine Goal behind their own creation as well as the world, and should move in that direction. If they acted in this manner - they belong to the Aakhirah (Hereafter), otherwise they belong to the worldly group. 
 

World's Reality 

What is the reality and nature of world from Islamic point of view?

Islam believes in the existence of two worlds:

The first one is the same material world where we live and is called world. The other one is where we will be transferred after death and is called Aakhirah (Hereafter or the Next World).

Islam believes that the life of a person does not terminate at his demise, rather he will be transferred after death to an eternal abode known as the Next World. Islam regards this world as perishable, transient, and a temporary abode, while considers the Aakhirah (Hereafter or the Next World) as a permanent and eternal abode. 

Man has not came to this world in order to live for a short while and finally to die and be destroyed, rather he has come into this world to achieve self- perfection through acquiring knowledge, good deeds, and training - and to live happily forever in his eternal abode in the Next World. Therefore, the world is like a form land for cultivation of fruits for Hereafter, place for acquiring knowledge, and a place for making arrangements for provisions of a journey.

However, man for the sake of his survival and in order to live in this world has no other choice except to utilize Divine Bounties, which have been created for his consumption. But utilization of these Divine Bounties should be regarded as a mean and not an end in itself. 

The aim of creation of human beings and world was not just to have comfortable luxurious life and to take the maximum advantage of worldly pleasures, rather there was an exalted and superior goal behind it e.g. the nourishment of the Jewel of Humanity (Jowhar-e-Insaniyat) through attaining self-perfection and ascending towards God's Nearness. Following are few examples of Islamic narrations in this matter: 

Ameerul Muminoon (The Commander of the Faithful)Imam Ali (r.a.) said:

"Certainly this world has not been made a place of permanent stay for you. But it has been created as a pathway in order that you may take from it the provision of your (good) actions for the permanent house in Paradise). Be ready for departure from here and keep close your mount for setting off" - Nahajul al Balaghah, Sermon-123. 

And said: "Remember that this world is a thoroughfare, a road upon which people are passing night and day, and the Next-World (Aakhira) is the abode of permanent stay. While, passing along this road make provision for the next where you will reside forever. Do not go with a burden of sins and vices before the One (Almighty Allah), Who knows everything about you. Remove vicious ambitions from your mind before death removes you from your surroundings. Remember, that you are being tried in this world, and are created to be given a permanent residence in the Next World. When a man dies people ask what he has left behind as a legacy, and angels want to know what he has sent forward (good deeds and good words). May God have mercy upon you, send something in advance to the place where you will have to follow; it may be a sort of a deposit with God to be repaid to you on your arrival. Do not leave all of your s behind, it will be a drag upon you. - Nahajul Balaghah, Sermon-203. 

He further said: "Remember, that this world which you covet (desire enviously) so ardently and attempt to acquire so earnestly, and which some times annoys you and some times pleases you so much, is neither your home nor a permanent destination. You have not been created for it, nor invited to it as your resting place. It shall neither remain with you for ever nor will you remain in it eternally. If, it has enticed you with its charms, it has also warned and cautioned you of real dangers lurking in its folds. Take account of the warnings it has given you and do not be seduced or deceived by its allurements. These warnings should desist you from being too greedy or too covetous to possess it. Try, to advance towards the place where you are invited for eternal bliss, and turn your face away from the vicious world. - Nahajul Balaghah, Sermon-173. 
 

Summary:

Therefore, as we can see the reality or the nature of the world in these narrations has been described such as: passage, a house of vanity, and deception etc. The human beings have not been created for this rather for the Aakhirah or Hereafter; they have come here to nourish their humanism through knowledge and deeds and to arrange provisions for their eternal journey. 
 

Bounties are Allah's Grace

According to the Qur'an, bounties are not bestowed on men as a result of any good they do. They are given to them as a grace from God. God is Rahman, which means that He initiates good and gives it gratuitously, and does not wait until people take the initiative of doing something good and only then reward them for it. Bounties, whether they be spiritual or material, are given to men by their Lord out of pure Rahma(Mercy) and Fadl (or grace). If they are grateful the bounties shall be maintained and even increased. But if they commit acts, which express ungratefulness, then He punishes them by withholding from them some, if not all, of His bounties. But if they repent and return, the bounties also return.

This is very well exemplified by the case of Adam. At his creation God put him in the best of conditions. He granted comfort. But when he ate of the forbidden tree, he lost some of this.

The same principle applies to other communities and nations who are often referred to in the Qur'an as qura or ahl al-qura. One can look into the sunan that govern the decline or destruction of ungrateful nations, and then turn to those that govern the survival and ascendancy of grateful ones. Here are some examples of what happens to ungrateful nations.

The people of Saba who lived between two gardens were told to eat of the provision of their Lord and to be grateful to Him. But they turned away and so the flood of Iram was sent to them and in exchange for their two gardens they were given two other gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk, and here and there a lote tree. Commenting on what happened to them God says," We awarded them because of their ungratefulness. Punish We never save the ingrates" (Qu'ran 34: 17)

We are also told about "a township that dwelt secure and well content, its provision coming to it in abundance from every side, but it disbelieved in God's favors, so God made it taste the garment of death and fear because of what they used to do." (Qu'ran 16:112)

What are the causes of hardship, unhappiness and fall of nations.? 

Decline or destruction is therefore the ultimate and inevitable destiny of any ungrateful nation, any nation which rebels against God and follows the path of immorality. But this ultimate destruction is brought about in accordance with principles. Here are some of them.  

a. Destruction or chastisement does not befall a nation until it is sufficiently warned. This warning can come to them through the medium of a Messenger from God. (Qur'an 27:59; 26:208-209; 7:4-5). A hadith of the Prophet affirms that no nation is destroyed until it admits that it has no one but itself to blame for such destruction. This is confirmed by the following verse:

"That is because thy Lord would never destroy the cities unjustly, while their inhabitants were heedless." (Qu'ran 6: 131)

We may deduce from this Divine principle or Sunna that given two societies, which are equally corrupt and ungrateful, the one, which has been sufficiently warned, will be destroyed before the one, which has not been warned. Hence we see in the stories by bygone nations related in the Qur'an that their destruction and downfall followed their rejection of God's Prophets.

b. Destruction is not immediate; i.e. not every nation is destroyed or caused to fall immediately after it shows signs of ungratefulness. Again this is a result of God's Rahma. He gives gratuitously and in plenty but does not take away immediately.

"But thy Lord is the all-forgiving, full of mercy. If He should take them to task for that they have earned, He would hasten for them the chastisement; but they will have a tryst from which they will find no escape. And those cities, we destroyed them when they did evil and appointed for their destruction a tryst." (Qur'an 18: 58-59)

c. The fall of every nation as we read in the verse above has a definite time, which can neither be deferred nor hastened.

"Never a nation have we destroyed, but it had an assigned term and no nation outstrips its term or puts it back." (Qur'an 15:4-5)

d. Before a nation is destroyed it might be put to serve hardships that might cause it to repent and return to the right path:

"Corruption has appeared in land and sea, for that men's own hands have earned, that He may let them taste (the consequences of) some part of that which they have done, that haply so they may return (to the right path)." (Qur'an 30:41)

e. Punishment is not meted out for all sins in this world otherwise all people would have been destroyed:

"If God should take men to task for (all) their evil-doing, He would not leave on the earth one creature that crawls." (Qur'an 16:61) . 

 

What causes the rise of nations and their material and spiritual prosperity?  

Primarily there are the normal human conditions in which all of us should be and in which God loves to see us. God creates everyone of us at the hour of birth with a good nature, the essence of which is the acknowledgment that he or she is the servant of the only one Creator. This acknowledgment constitutes the essence of our humility, and is both the spring and the lifeblood of everything that is good in us: sound reasoning, moral sense, aesthetic taste, brotherly feeling, etc. Moreover God created everything around us for the purpose of serving us(mankind). Our normal state is therefore one of internal happiness and peace of mind which come as a result of a natural acknowledgment of our servitude to God, an acknowledgment which finds justification in the Divine message which is conveyed to us through God's messengers. It is also one of external bliss which is the result of everything being subservient to us and meant for the satisfaction of our needs. Every one of us is born with that internal state of happiness, but alas none of us finds himself/herself in that material comfort. People who passed away before us have changed that internal state- internal state of happiness, but alas none of us finds himself/ herself in that material comfort. Many of those who went before us have changed that internal state in which God created them and have thus caused Him to withhold many of his bounties from the world. But God is too merciful to make the situation a hopeless one. Still the door is open for every group of people who returns to the path of God to enjoy that material bliss.  

Here are some of the kinds of happiness that such a people are promised in the Qur'an.  

A. Material comfort:

"If the people of the towns had but believed and kept from evil surely we should have opened out to them blessings from the sky and from the earth. But they rejected the truth and so we caused them to suffer for their misdeeds." (Qur'an 7:96; 5:66)

B. Spiritual Happiness:

"Whosoever does right, man or woman, and is a believer, We shall cause to live a good life." (Qur'an 16:97)

C. Victory Over Their Enemies:  
 

To the extent that a people have faith in God and trust in Him, and to the extent that they obey Him, to that extent will He be with them.

"God is with those who believe." (Qur'an 3:68; 22:38; 47:7; 40:51)

And if God defends them and helps them, then nothing can conquer them. (Qur'an 37: 171-173; 2:249) . 

 

And so long as they keep their covenant with God, they shall always be their own masters and never shall they be subjugated by unbelievers.

"And never will God grant to the unbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers." (Qur'an 4:141)

"Might belongs to God, to His Messenger, and to the faithful." (Qur'an 63:8)

Nations do not rise and fall haphazardly and without any laws that govern their coming into being and passing away. History is not a single track, which every nation has to tread, whether it likes it, or not. Our social world is governed by its Creator who causes nations to rise or fall, to prosper or suffer, to be victorious or subjugated, in accordance with the moral law of gratitude. 

 

Why our Du'a is not accepted 
 

WHY PRAYERS ARE NOT ANSWERED

"You know Allah, Yet you do not obey Him, 

You recite the Qur'an, yet you do not act according to it, 

You know Shaitaan (Devil), yet you have agreed with him, 

You proclaim that you love the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa 

sallam, yet you abandon his Sunnah, 

You proclaim your love for Paradise, yet you do not act to gain it, 

You proclaim your fear for the Fire, yet you do not prevent yourselves from sins, 

You say "Indeed death is true", yet you have not prepared for it, 

You engage yourselves with finding faults with others, yet you do not look at your own faults, 

You eat of that which Allah has provided for you, yet you do not thank Him, 

You bury your dead, Yet you do not take a lesson from it."

Ibn 'Umar reported that the Prophet, Peace be upon him, used to supplicate, "O Allah, I seek refuge in You against deprivation of Your bounties, against loosing Your security, against the suddenness of Your wrath, and against everything that might cause Your anger."