Letters To My Precious Mother... (6)

Sidr Trees of Dammaj

Alhamdulillaah… the batteries were revied temporarily which means we will be having water and electricity until we make alternative arrangements... Phew! What a relief! We were also informed that a brother from Al-Hind (India) had purchased a large motor to supply electricity for the larger part of the day.. that was news to rejoice.. Alhamdulillaah… this means we will have electricity insha-Allaah from the first Adhan until around 6 am., thereafer from 8 to 12:00 noon.. the next shift would be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30p.m. Wow! This was good news indeed to the locals and the foreigners alike.. Hmm.. we could use our electric appliances,, may be run a refrigerator for 6 hours a day…relax under the fan (may be)!! Smile! This is the first time ever such a project was initiated. We were thrilled to see the electricity polls and meters fixed too.. Those who could afford had already got the wiring and meters fixed to their homes… waiting anxiously for the inauguration!!

Dammaj has natural underground springs and Allaah has blessed this valley with ample water. Alhamdulillaah. It is just that very few have the necessary pipes connected to their homes from the springs to get regular supply of water. If one is able to afford an overhead water tank with a sump and a motor to pump the water up, then there is sufficient regular water supply, bi’ithinllaahi.

Those who cannot afford direct water supply to their homes have to fetch water in ‘the Dammaji car’, which is a unique mode of transport found only in this valley… this vehicle needs no petrol or diesel but muscle power.. lol! It is a common sight to see men folk and children use 'the Dammaji car' to fetch groceries (substitute for fancy supermarket carts), mode of transport for kids, use it for whatever purpose this wheel barrow may serve. Alhamdulillaah! Usually there is one common wheelbarrow shared amongst a few house holds. How creative!!! 

 To be continued bi’ithnillaahi…

The Characteristics of the True Believer – 6

                      Al-'Allaamah 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir As-Sa'dee
                              From the book: Essential Q&As about Eemaan (p.58-63)

The disbeliever knows nothing of tawakkul, nor does he look to other than his own weak, humiliated self. Allaah has given him abilities that he uses only to benefit his self, and thus caused them to become useless. If he attains some things that he loves, then he is only being led into a gradual punishment. 

The believer meets all blessings that come his way with thankfulness, and he uses them to benefit himself in a way that will cause more good to come.

The disbeliever meets blessings with exuberance and pride, busying himself with the blessing rather than the One who gave it to him, and thus does not offer any thanks. He uses the blessings for his lowly goals. With all his exuberance, his blessings are quick to part from him. 

The believer meets calamities with patience and counts on Allaah's Reward, hoping for Allaah to remove the difficulty. The goodness and the reward that Allaah gives him in place of his loss is greater than the beloved thing he lost or the hardship he endured. 

The Characteristics of the True Believer – 5

                         Al-'Allaamah 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir As-Sa'adi
                                    From the book: Essential Q&As about Eemaan (p.58-63)

The disbeliever is rash, harsh, and full of worries and dismay. He lies and is not trustworthy. He is quarrelsome with an aggressive temperament. 

The believer does not render himself completely to other than Allaah. Both his heart and face have become safeguarded against submitting fully or rendering themselves to other than their Lord. He is virtuous, strong, brave, and generous. He has integrity, and chooses what is good.

The disbeliever is upon the opposite of that. His heart is attached to the created beings. He fears their harm and hopes to benefit from them, expending all of his energies for them. He is not virtuous, nor is he strong or brave, unless it is to achieve his lowly motives. He has no integrity, nor does he care if what he earns is pure or filthy.

The believer combines seeking after the means that benefit him and placing his trust in Allaah, relying on Him, and seeking help from Him in all his affairs. He finds that Allaah the Most High helps him. 

To be contd.. bi'ithinillaahi