In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

            As-Salaam Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakaatuh

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1) Fortune and Misfortune

THE Holy Qur'an says: So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers. If a wound (or killing) has touched you, be assured a similar wound (and killing) has touched others (disbelievers). And so are the days (good and not so good), that 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 wrongdoers) - 3: 139-140.

Believers must not lose heart, nor should they allow grief to overtake them because of what may happen. Eventually if they remain steadfast they will gain the upper hand, because they have faith. Believers submit themselves only to God, while others are worshiping false deities and worldly desires.

The above verses make it plain to the believers that they are indeed on the path of truth. The verses tell the believers that they follow a way of life established by God while the methods followed by other groups have been devised by His creatures.

Moreover, their role is noble, because they have been selected for a position of trust, to convey God's guidance to all mankind. Other people are unaware of this guidance, and have gone astray. Their place on earth is righteous, and it is the righteous that will inherit the earth. Therefore, believers have to demonstrate the strength of their faith by not losing heart and not grieving. The rules determined by God make it possible that they may score a victory or suffer a defeat, but in due course, after enduring the test and striving for God's cause, will be in their favor.

"If a wound (or killing) has touched you, be assured a similar wound (and killing) has touched others (disbelievers)."

The misfortune which is said to have befallen the Muslims and the fact that a similar one befell those who reject the truth may be a reference to the Battle of Badr, in which the idolaters suffered a heavy defeat.

On the other hand, it may be a reference to the Battle of Uhud, in which the Muslims were initially close to victory but later came close to defeat. What the Muslims suffered was fair reward for their disagreement and disobedience. Moreover, it represents an aspect of how the rules of nature established by God never fail. The disagreement among the rearguard of the Muslim army was the result of their greed. In any campaign of struggle, God grants victory to those who strive for His cause, without regard of the petty gains of this world. Another rule of nature which is seen in full operation is the dealing out of fortune and misfortune among people according to their actions and intentions.

In this way, true believers are distinguished from hypocrites. Mistakes are identified and the way ahead becomes very clear.

When hardship is followed by prosperity and the latter is followed by another hardship, people's true characters emerge. They reveal how clear their vision is, how much they panic and how patient in adversity they can be, as well as how great their trust in God is and how submissive to His will they are.

Thus true believers are distinguished from those who are hypocrites. Their true intentions are apparent to all. The believers who submit themselves to God are strengthened by the fact that those who do not truly submit to God are identified and excluded. God knows all secrets and He is aware of those who are true believers and those who are not. But the alternation of days of fortune and misfortune does not merely reveal secrets; it also translates faith into action and compels hypocrisy to express itself in practical measures. Hence, it is action that merits reward.

God does not hold people to account for what He knows of their position, but He counts their actions for or against them. The cycle of hardship and prosperity is an accurate criterion. Prosperity is as good a test as hardship. Some people may withstand hardship but become complacent when they are tested with ease and prosperity. A true believer is one who remains steadfast in adversity and is not lured away by prosperity. He knows that whatever befalls him - good or evil - happens only with God's permission.

In the process of moulding the Muslim community and preparing it for the role of leadership of humankind, God tests it with hardship after prosperity and with a bitter defeat after a spectacular victory. Both happen according to the laws of nature which never fail. That is because God wants the true believers to learn what brings them victory and what causes defeat. Thus, they become more obedient to God and reliant on Him. Through the cycle of fortune and misfortune they become aware of the true nature of the Islamic way of life and what is required to implement it.

- Source: Jeddah Dawah Center

2) Are You A Responsible Citizen?

While we are busy in enjoying our lives with our families and friends, it’s almost mandatory to consider our role for the improvement of our environment, our surroundings and less fortunate community members.  In my personal opinion, it’s not something which should be requested by the government; instead it’s a prime duty of every responsible citizen. In fact, this is the ‘virtual’ tax which every citizen should pay back to the society for the services which he/she enjoys in routine life. This article is sort of a self-audit guide which covers some of the critical aspects of social responsibilities on the basis of which you can analyze yourself on whether you are a responsible community member:

1.   Do I observe people around me who need financial needs? Do I assist them in their crisis?

2.  Do I visit any orphan, old age houses or any hospitals once in a month to help the needful people?

3.  Do I take care of environment by using recyclable things?

4.  Do I encourage others (including my children) to throw garbage only in the dedicated bins?

5.  Whatever skills I have (doctor, engineer, lawyer etc), Do I do any free of cost service to the needful society members every month?

6.  Do I contribute in charity projects on monthly basis?

7.  Have I ever donated blood?

8.  Do I stop the evil and contribute to the good? (Stopping sometimes does not mean stopping by hand, it means involving the relevant Law and Order authorities to address the issue)

If answer to any or some of these questions is NO, then it’s time to start performing your civic responsibilities starting today. The first thing you can do right now is to share this article to others and generate a ripple effect.

 Remember, if everyone of us start playing his/her role, we can bring peace, happiness and prosperity on earth !

 

Courtesy: 0033-mjunaidtahir-paradigmwisdom-02Apr12- Are You a Responsible Citizen?Compiled, edited and adapted by Khalid Latif

www.thekhalids.org<

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