The Garbage Thrower:

She thought till late at midnight and finally decided how to take revenge from him. She could not sleep all night, because she was too eager to take revenge for the idols she worshiped. Even before the first ray of sunlight had entered her window, she was busy sweeping her house. She saved all the garbage in a basket, placed it on the roof of her house and proudly looked at it for a while, then with an impatient look on her face, she looked at the street that she lived on, and thought, "No one has ever seen him angry. Everybody will praise me when they will see him shouting at me and getting mad. They will laugh at him and make fun of him." She looked at the basket again and grinned.
Meanwhile, she heard footsteps, announcing the approach of the end of her waiting. "Finally my prey has arrived," she thought, as she saw a man dressed in clean, white clothes coming that way. She picked up the basket in her hands and threw all the garbage on him when he passed by. Much to the woman's disappointment, he did not say anything and continued on his way.
She did the same the following day thinking, "Maybe this time I will be able to annoy him." But he was too gentle to shout at a woman. She misinterpreted his attitude as fear and decided to repeat the same mischief everyday in order to keep him frightened, so that he might stop preaching the Oneness of God.
This gentleman whom the woman hated so much was Muhammad (pbuh), the last prophet of Allah Almighty. He did not want to disappoint the woman and so continued to walk down the street everyday, instead of picking an alternate route, and prayed for the woman to recognise the Truth.
One day, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not find the woman to be on the roof of her house with the basket. This worried him, because he thought something must have happened to her for not being over there. So he knocked at the door. "Who is it?" asked a feeble voice. "Muhammad bin Abdullah," was the reply, "can I come in?" The woman feared, "I am sick, and too weak to fight or talk back, therefore Muhammad has come to take revenge for what I have been doing to him." But the permission to enter her house was in such a gentle voice that she allowed him in.
Muhammad (pbuh) entered the house and told the woman that not finding her on the roof had worried him and he thus wanted to inquire about her health. On finding out how ill she was, he gently asked if she needed any help. Hypnotised by the affectionate tone in the Holy Prophet's (pbuh) blessed voice, she forgot all fear and asked for some water. He kindly gave her some in a utensil and prayed for her health, while she quenched her thirst. This made her feel very guilty for being so cruel to him in the past and she apologised for her mean behaviour. He forgave her and came to her house everyday to clean it, to feed her and to pray for her, till she was on her feet again. The kind attitude of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) inspired her into the recognition of the Truth, and his prayers were answered in the form of yet another addition into the growing number of Muslims.

Strengthening our Faith through Knowing Allah

Living in the West, it seems that we are surrounded by people who do not understand our faith. Confused by our surroundings, we must ask ourselves 'Do we understand our own belief system?' Our imaan is not always strong, and sometimes we find ourselves slipping away from the right path through no fault except our own ignorance, especially as to how we may strengthen our faith and ourselves in order to combat our inner desires as well as the temptations it calls us to.

Many of us find ourselves embracing Islam, or revisiting (when more mature) the Islam we were once taught through loved ones, but with a much more sincere approach. Through a lack of what should be basic knowledge, we appear to enter a state of emotional faith that places us on an almost transitional level. We rarely begin on the basis we should be working from, and we are reliant on any small conversation to guide us or help to maintain the uplifting and exciting feelings we have found. Iman has been specifically described in videlicet terms as in the Hadith narrated by Umar (ra):

"One day we were sitting with Allah's Messenger (pbuh)and a man suddenly appeared before us, wearing a very white dress, having very black hair, without any signs of journey upon him. He approached until he sat before the Prophet (pbuh)with his knees touching the Prophet's knees and he placed his hands on his thighs and said 'Oh Mohammed, inform me about Islam' Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said 'Islam is to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Mohammed is the messenger of Allah, to offer the salat, pay zakat, fast during the month of Ramadan, and to make Hajj if you are able and have the means to make the journey..' The man said, 'You spoke the truth.' We were surprised at his asking and confirming at the same time. He said 'Inform me about Iman'. The Prophet (pbuh) said 'Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, and Messengers, the Last day and to believe in His divine preordaining of all that is good and evil.' He again said 'You spoke the truth.' He said 'Inform me about Ihsan.' He (pbuh) said 'Ihsan (perfection) is to worship Allah as if you see Him; if you can't see him, surely He sees you.' He said, 'Inform me about the Hour.' He (pbuh) said, 'The one asked has no more knowledge of it than the questioner.' He said, 'Inform me about His signs.' He said, 'The slave girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see the barefooted, naked, impoverished shepherds competing with each other in tall buildings.' Then the stranger left. The Prophet (pbuh)remained seated for quite a while, then he asked Umar 'Oh Umar, do you know who the questioner was?' He said, 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said 'That was Jibreel, he came to teach you your religion.'" [1]

Notice the mentioning of the pillars of Islam first, as one must know what he or she is required to embark on if they wish to become a practising Muslim. The shahadah carries with it a great deal of important and influential status, so significant is it that we must refer to our shahadah as our first operation amongst conviction and therefore must know of Allah and His messenger.

As our pillars of imaan are cited, we must take clear note of them. We are told at the end of the hadith that Jibreel (as) came to "teach you your religion", and we must understand the importance of this hadith as we live in our common world. In this hadith, faith is described and we are afforded a precedent to follow, in order not to confuse ourselves with this life and the hereafter.

What I would refer to as an emotional faith seems to posses and occupies many of us and we are often inclined to this state as an initial reaction to the zeal of practicing Islam and uttering our first shahadah. Being overwhelmed by the emotion that this first shahadah can bring, we become addicted to the emotion it creates. Similarly likened to the feeling of love, it has a domineering influence and can easily become addictive. The upkeep of this imaan is extremely difficult as it has no firm basis, and inevitably at times we become overwhelmed with other emotions that just as easily overpower our faith. If imaan is based on a feeling or emotion, it will become submissive, just as fear can override happiness, love can override sadness, and so on. We try to hold on to this imaan with nasheeds that we believe strengthens our faith, seemingly becoming reliant on other people to 'lift' and 'help' us. This is a dangerous and somewhat lazy way of establishing our faith, and though in the beginning natural, a dependence on this feeling of zeal has no basis in the deen.

We have to endure many hardships and calamities in our lives, and in this state of imaan we do not stand a chance. At one point or another we will find ourselves weakened without even noticing. Learning and studying other branches of what could be politics and global legislation before our grounding upon the pillars of faith could almost certainly be described as a deception of Shaytaan helping us to believe we are gaining knowledge and that it is helping us succeed. While all of this is happening, he is helping us to bypass what we really need to adhere to - our basis and rationale that is Tawhid.

How many of us are clear on the Names and Attributes of Allah, without premise? Knowing Allah is a very important part of our relationship with Him, and once gained, this knowledge is never lost forming a firm basis for our Tawhid, and subsequently, our faith - true faith. Knowing Allah makes a person love as well as fear Him, it helps us place our trust in Him, increasing sincerity in all actions. This is the essence of human happiness. There is no other way of knowing Allah except by knowing His most beautiful names and understanding their meanings. We are strengthened in our relationship with Him, by increasing our first pillar of imaan by knowing Allah.

As Sheikh Abd Al-Rahman ibn as-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"Believing in, and knowing the most beautiful names of Allah includes three types of Tawhid: Tawhid al Rububiyyah (unity of Divine Lordship), Tawhid al Uluhiyyah (unity of Divine Nature) and Tawhid al Asma wa'l safaat (unity of Divine Names and Attributes). These three types of Tawhid form the essence and joy of faith (joy here implying peace and relief from stress), and his knowledge is the basis and purpose of faith. The more a person learns about the Names and Attributes of Allah, the more his faith increases and the stronger his conviction becomes." [2]

Also, Ibn Al Qayyim Al Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy on his soul) said:

"The key to the call of the Messengers, the essence of their message, is knowing Allah through His Names, Attributes and Deeds, because this is the foundation on which the rest of the message from beginning to end is built." [3]

If we occupy ourselves with the learning of Allah, we are doing what we were created for. The meaning of imaan is not merely to think we believe in Allah, or blindly assume that we know Him, for real imaan is based on solid knowledge, and a true dependence is based on a reliant trust.

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) spent over a decade with his sahabah in Makkah, strengthening their faith even before the inclusion of prayer which occurred in Medina. Most early chapters are those of imaan and can be related to the pillars. Belief is penetrated by a cognitive, astute and sophisticated wisdom - all through knowledge.

Allah the Most High says in the Qur'an:

"except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly (that there is no god but Allah - la illaha il-Allah) and they know - (in their hearts the meaning of the words they utter with their lips)." [4]

Our whole lives have been based on knowledge. We were never born with wisdom. We are only at the stage of ability we possess now through knowledge and guidance we have been allowed to acquire, given by Allah through our environment. Let us not retire to anything less when it comes to our deen, and knowing our Creator.

It can always be a taboo subject when admitting we are slipping in our efforts to maintain a hold on our faith, and hence, we don't always refer to such subjects. Through complete understanding of who Allah is, and our knowledge building us instead of our emotion, we hope to accomplish our relationship with Allah that we so desperately need and live for. In procuring such knowledge we will find our emotions are of a deeper and more meaningful level of faith. We must know our Lord to satisfy ourselves, and render ourselves a true imaan, fully restored which no emotion can sway, emotions that register as a result of knowledge.

The Story of Lut (Lot)

Prophet Abraham (PBUH) left Egypt accompanied by his nephew Lot (PBUH), who then went to the city of Sodom (Sadum), which was on the western shore of the Dead Sea.

This city was filled with evil. Its residents waylaid, robbed and killed travellers. Another common evil among them was that men had sex with men instead of with women. This unnatural act later became known as sodomy (after the city of Sodom). It was practiced openly and unashamedly.

It was at the height of these crimes and sins that Allah revealed to Prophet Lot (PBUH) that he should summon the people to give up their indecent behavior, but they were so deeply sunk in their immoral habits that they were deaf to Lot's preaching. Swamped in their unnatural desires, they refused to listen, even when Lot warned them of Allah's punishment. Instead, they threatened to drive him out of the city if he kept on preaching.

Almighty Allah revealed: "The people of Lot (those dwelt in the towns of Sodom in Palestine) belied the Messengers when their brother Lot said to them: 'Will you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islamic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Go you in unto the males of the ) 'Alamin (mankind), and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your wives? Nay, you are a trespassing people!"

They said: "If you cease not, O Lot! Verily, you will be one of those who are driven out!"

He said: "I am, indeed, of those who disapprove with severe anger and fury your (this evil) action (of sodomy). My Lord! Save me and my family from what they do."

So We saved him and his family, all, - except an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind."Surah 26: 160-171

The doings of Lot's people saddened his heart. Their unwholesome reputation spread throughout the land, while he struggled against them. As the years passed, he persisted in his mission but to no avail. No one responded to his call and believed except for the members of his family, and even in his household, not all the members believed. Lot's wife, like Noah's wife, a disbeliever.

Allah the Almighty declared: "Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were under two of Our righteous slaves, but they both betrayed their (husbands by rejecting their doctrine) so they (Noah and Lot) benefited them (their respective wives) not, against Allah, and it was said: "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!"" Surah 66:10

If home is the place of comfort and rest, then Lot found none, for he was tormented both inside and outside his home. His life was continuous torture and he suffered greatly, but he remained patient and steadfast with his people. The years rolled by, and still not one believed in him. Instead, they belittled his message and mockingly challenged him: ""Bring Allah's Torment upon us if you are one of the truthful."" Surah 29:29

Overwhelmed with despair, Lot prayed to Allah to grant him victory and destroy the corrupt. Therefore, the angels left Abraham (PBUH) and headed for Sodom the town of Lot (PBUH). They reached the walls of the town in the afternoon. The first person who caught sight of them was Lot's daughter, who was sitting beside the river, filling her jug with water. When she lifted her face and saw them, she was stunned that there could be men of such magnificent beauty on earth.

One of the three men (angels) asked her: "Oh maiden, is there a place to rest?"

Remembering the character of her people, she replied: "Stay here and do not enter until I inform my father and return." Leaving her jug by the river, she swiftly ran home.

"Oh father!" she cried. "You are wanted by young men at the town gate and I have never before seen the like of their faces!"

Lot felt distressed as he quickly ran to his guests. He asked them where they came from and where they were going.

They did not answer his questions. Instead, they asked if he could host them. He started talking with them and impressed upon them the subject of his people's nature. Lot was filled with turmoil; he wanted to convince his guests, without offending them, not to spend the night there, yet at the same time he wanted to extend to them the expected hospitality normally accorded to guests. In vain he tried to make them understand the perilous situation. At last, therefore, he requested them to wait until the night fell, for then no one would see them.

When darkness fell on the town, Lot escorted his guests to his home. No one was aware of their presence. However, as soon as Lot's wife saw them, she slipped out of the house quietly so that no one noticed her. Quickly, she ran to her people with the news and it spread to all the inhabitants like wildfire. The people rushed towards Lot quickly and excitedly. Lot was surprised by their discovery of his guests, and he wondered who could have informed them. The matter became clear, however, when he could not find his wife anywhere, thus adding grief to his sorrow.

When Lot saw the mob approaching his house, he shut the door, but they kept on banging on it. He pleaded with them to leave the visitors alone and fear Allah's punishment. He urged them to seek sexual fulfillment with their wives, for that is what Allah had made lawful.

Lot's people waited until he had finished his short sermon, and then they roared with laughter. Blinded by passion, they broke down the door. Lot became very angry, but he stood powerless before these violent people. He was unable to prevent the abuse of his guests, but he firmly stood his ground and continued to plead with the mob.

At that terrible moment, he wished he had the power to push them away from his guests. Seeing him in a state of helplessness and grief, the guests said: "Do not be anxious or frightened, Lot, for we are angels, and these people will not harm you."

On hearing this, the mob was terrified and fled from Lot's house, hurling threats at him as they left. The angels warned Prophet Lot (PBUH) to leave his house before sunrise, taking with him all his family except his wife.

Allah had decreed that the city of Sodom should perish. An earthquake rocked the town. It was as if a mighty power had lifted the entire city and flung it down in one jolt. A storm of stones rained on the city. Everyone and everything was destroyed, including Lot's wife.

Allah the Almighty recounted this story: "And tell them about the guests (angels) of Abraham. When they entered unto him, and said: "Salaaman (peace)!" (Abraham) said: "Indeed! We are afraid of you."

They (the angels) said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom." (Abraham) said: "Do you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken me? Of what then is your news?" They (the angels) said: 'We give you glad tidings in truth. So be not of the despairing." (Abraham) said: "And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?" (Abraham again) said: "What then is the business on which you have come, O Messengers?"

They (the angels) said: "We have been sent to a people who are Mujrimeen (criminals, disbelievers polytheists, sinners). (All) except the family of Lot. Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction)."

Except his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed).

Then, when the Messengers (the angels) came unto the family of Lot, he said: 'Verily! You are people unknown to me." They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting. And we have brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation) and certainly, we tell the truth. Then travel in apart of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered."

And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning.

And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of the young men's arrival). (Lot) said: "Verily! These are my guests, so shame me not. And fear Allah and disgrace me not." They (people of the city) said: "Did we not forbid you to entertain (or protect) any of the 'Alamin (people, foreigners, strangers, etc.) from us?" (Lot) said: "These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so)."

Verily, by your life (O Muhammad), in their wild intoxication they were wandering blindly. So As-Saiha (torment - awful cry, etc.) overtook them at the time of sunrise; and We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay. Surely! In this are signs for those who see (or understand or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allah). And verily! They (the cities) are right on the highroad (from Mecca to Syria, i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now). Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers." Surah 15: 51-77

Allah the Exalted also declared: "So We saved him and his family, all, - except an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind. Then afterward We destroyed the others. And We rained on them a rain (of torment). And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned. Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. " Surah 26: 170-175

The book was closed on the people of Lot (PBUH). Their towns and names have been erased from the face of the earth. Gone are they from memory. One book was closed of the books of corruption.

Lot (PBUH) proceeded towards Abraham (PBUH). He visited him, and when he recounted the story of his people, he was surprised to learn that Abraham (PBUH) already knew. And so Lot (PBUH) continued to invite people to Allah, as did Abraham (PBUH), the patient one who turned to Allah repentantly, and the two held firm to their mission.

The Story of Enoch (Idris)

Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful: "And mention in the Book (the Qur'an) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth, (and) a prophet. And We raised him to a high station." Surah 19: 56.57
Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam and his son Seth. Enoch was the fifth generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the people back to his forefathers' religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned away.


Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.


He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (PBUT). It is reported that he was the first to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise sayings are:


"Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord."


"None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others."


"Do not envy people for what they have, as they will only enjoy it for a short while."


"He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it."


"The real joy of life is to have wisdom."

Qasas Ul Anbiya ( Stories of Prophets )- Hazrat Adam

Educative Islamic Cartoons.Siyam (Fasting)