DON'T BE SAD Episode 114 DESPAIR NOT --- HANDICAPS DO NOT PREVENT SUCCESS

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*DON'T BE SAD*

Episode 114

*DESPAIR NOT --- HANDICAPS DO NOT PREVENT SUCCESS*

An interview was published in the Arabic daily 'Ukkaaz, with a blind man named Mahmood Ibn Muhammad al-Madani. He studied books of Arabic literature through the eyes of others. He would listen as others read to him books of history and commentaries on the classics. He used to have one of his friends read to him until 3 o'clock in the morning. Today, he is considered to be a reference book in literature and history.

Mustafa Ameen, a columnist for Ash-Sharq al-Awsat, wrote:

"Be patient with oppressors and wrong-doers for the only five minutes. After a short time, the whip will fall, the shackles will break, the prisoners will be released, and the clouds will dissipate, upon you, then, is only to be patient and to wait."

An Arab poet wrote:

"How many calamities cause one to lose patience?

But from them, the exit is with ALLĀH."

I once met with the Mufti of Albania in Riyadh. He told me of how the ruling communities imprisoned him with hard labour for twenty years. While serving his sentence in prison, he was constantly subjected to torture, darkness, and hunger. He would secretly perform the five daily prayers in a corner of the washroom, for fear of being caught. Though all of this he was patient and anticipated his reward with ALLĀH, until finally relief came.

Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 174:

فَانقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ

So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty.

Consider Nelson Mandela, the one-time President of South Africa, who for twenty years endured imprisonment. He sought freedom for his people and he struggled to break off the shackles of tyranny and oppression. He was steadfast and firm, and he almost appeared to be seeking out death. As a result, he reached his goal and achieved his worldly glory. ALLĀH, the Exalted, said:

Surah Hud, Verse 15:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيْهِمْ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فِيهَا وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يُبْخَسُونَ

Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein.

Surah An-Nisa, Verse 104:

وَلَا تَهِنُوا فِي ابْتِغَاءِ الْقَوْمِ إِن تَكُونُوا تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمُونَ وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرْجُونَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

And don't be weak in the pursuit of the enemy; if you are suffering (hardships) then surely, they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope from Allah (for the reward, i.e. Paradise) that for which they hope not, and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 140:

إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُهُ وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).