The Giant Ship Engine that Failed

Greetings Reader! As most of you know, I’ve been debating people about religion issues for a long period of my life. I learned from my debates that simple logical examples, stories, soft words can win hard hearts or as many of you name them: “The Close Minded”. I learned that even if you are a master of logic, if you are not being soft you are driving them away. As some of the scholars said: “In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest” That’s why Knowledge is a must for anyone who wants to debate, knowledge not only about the subject but knowledge on how to debate as well.

One of the major issues that Non-Muslims find in Islam is the fact that if a person who was a hard-worker and he spent his time working to help others, he still may go to hell if he didn’t believe in the existence of Allah or was associating creatures with the creator in their worships. I already gave several dozen examples to prove why it’s logical. Today I will use a story most of you might be aware of, the story of the Giant Ship Engine that Failed.

The following is an incident about an engine failure in a giant ship. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life.  He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. "What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!" So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill." The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $ 2.00

Knowing where to tap $ 9998.00

Dear Reader, effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference. You may make great effort to reach your destination but before wasting your effort know the way the leads to your destination. God is just, even though those who wasted great efforts in helping people, he granted them fame in this world, they received their reward, but the reward in the hereafter requires you know the way to your destination. Not only knowing the way as you know Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice so you have to make an effort to walk toward that destination as well. There is no jewel in the world comparable to learning; no learning so excellent for Human as knowledge of what Allah loves and what Allah hates. Knowledge in Islam is highly valued. Knowledge will benefit us in this world and in the hereafter.

Enlightened Perspective

Good Morning Reader, I usually start my day by reading something before I start doing anything. This morning I've come across a lovely post by Andy Rooney, I thought we all may learn few things as well.


I’ve learned … That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned … That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned … That just one person saying to me, “You’ve made my day!” makes my day.

I’ve learned … That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned … That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned … That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned … That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned … That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned … That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned … That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned … That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned … That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned … That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned … That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned … That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned … That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I’ve learned … That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned … That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned … That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned … That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned … That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned … That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.

I’ve learned … That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned … That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned … That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned … That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned … That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

I’ve learned … That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned … That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned … That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I’ve learned … That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned … That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned … That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life-threatening situation.

I’ve learned … That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

الأم

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته, إخواني و أخواتي, لقد أوصانا ربنا سبحانه و تعالى في القرآن الكريم بالأم، وكرر تلك الوصية لجنس الإنسان كله لفضل الأم ومكانتها فقال سبحانه: (( و وَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَى وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ)). الأم يا أعزائي من روائع خلق الله, وصلتني رسالة جميلة أنقل لكم بعض كلماتها...

كـبرنا وأكتشفنا أن الدواء ليس عصيراً... كـبرنا وأكتشفنا أن جدي لن يعود ثانية كما قالت أمي.... كـبرنا وأكتشفنا أن هنالك أمورٌ تخيفُ أكثرُ من الظلام... كـبرنا لنجد أن مشاكلنا ما عادت تحل بقطعة حلوى أو فستان أو حقيبة... كبرنا واكتشفنا أن والدينا لن يمسكا أيدينا بعد الآن لعبور الشارع أو منعطفات الحياة... كـبرنا جداً .. وعرفنا ان قسوة أمي كانت حب.. وغضبها حب.. وعقابها حب.. فيالها من حياة وما أغربها من دنيا وما أقصر العمر

عذراً فيثاغورث فأمي هي المعادلة الأصعب...  عذراً نيوتن فأمي هي سر الجاذبية... عذراً أديسون فأمي هي أول مصباح في حياتي...  عذراً روما فكل الطرق تؤدي إلى حب أمي...  عذرا للجميع! فمهما أحببتكم فلم ولن احب احدا مثل ما احببت أمي سوى ربي و رسول ربي...  أمي امرأة لن تتكرر في هذه الحياة...

قال الله سبحانه و تعالى: ((وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَن عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَة وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا)) بكى رجل في جنازة أمه فقيل له : و ما يبكيك ؟ قال : و لم لا أبكي و قد أغلق باب من أبــــواب الجنة!!!

The Shopkeeper

Greetings Reader! Here is another popular story I would like to share with you. If we see and listen with our hearts we could learn from every possible thing around us, sadly only few who does have such eyes and ears. How many times we came across people we thought they were nothing but later on we realized they are the best. I personally had a friend who I had a bad impression at first but then turned to be one of the greatest people I ever knew in this life. This story gives us a lesson to not judge based on your assumptions and what you see, there are always things we are not aware of. I don't want to spoil the story with my introduction, let's start reading together...

There lived a pious man all by himself, who spent most of his time in praying, fasting and praising Allah. Almost all his waking hours were utilized in meditation and devotions. He was very happy with his spiritual progress. No wicked thoughts came to his mind and no evil temptations entered his heart. One night, he dreamt a rather disturbing dream. He saw that a shopkeeper in the town was far superior to him in spirituality and that he must go to him to learn the basics of true spiritual life.

In the morning, the pious man went in search of the shopkeeper. He found him busy with his customers, selling goods and collecting money with a cheerful face. He sat there in a corner of the shop and watched the shopkeeper carefully. No signs of any spiritual life at all, he said to himself. His dream could not be true. But then he saw the shopkeeper disappear to pray his Salah. When he returned, he was busy dealing with money matters again.

The shopkeeper noticed the pious man sitting in the corner and asked: "As Salamu Alaikum, would you like something, brother?"

"Wa Alaikum As Salam. Oh! No! No!" said the pious man. "I don't want to buy anything, but I want to ask you a question." He then related his dream.

"Well, that is very simple to explain," said the shopkeeper, "but you will have to do something for me before I answer your question."

"I will do anything for you," replied the pious man.

"All right! Take this saucer; there is some mercury in it. Go to the other end of the street and come back fast within half an hour. If the mercury falls out of the saucer, you will hear nothing from me. There you go now."

The pious man took the saucer and started running. The mercury nearly wobbled out of the saucer. He saved it just in time, and slowed down. Then he remembered he had to return within half an hour, so he started walking at a fast pace. At long last he returned puffing and panting. "Here is your mercury, safe and sound," he told the shopkeeper. "Now tell me the true interpretation of my dream."

The shopkeeper looked at the pious man's weary condition and asked him: "Well, friend, how many times did you remember Allah while you were going from this end of the street to the other?"

"Remember Allah!" exclaimed the pious man. "I did not remember Him at all. I was so worried about the mercury in the saucer."

"But I do remember Him all the time," said the shopkeeper. "When I am doing my business, I am also carrying mercury in a saucer. I am fair, honest and kind to my customers. I never forget Allah Ta'ala in my dealings with other men."

 

"Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑Salaah) nor from giving the Zakaah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills" [Al Quran, Chapter 24 Verses 37-38]

If You Plant...

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust. 
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

But...

If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.

~Author Unknown~

The Emperor and the Seed

Greetings Reader, here is another classic story with a great lesson to all of us. The reason I am sharing such stories wishing we could apply some of the beautiful lessons in them. One of my favorite stories was the story of the Emperor and the seed, you may have heard many different versions of the story, but the one I am sharing is the most suitable.

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by-still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed.

Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But honest about what happened, Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful-in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!" All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!" When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor? Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

The Prophet Mohammed (Peace and bllessings be upon him) taught, "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to Al-Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8:116]