Animal of gold

When Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام came to Egypt with Bani Israel after Pharaoh drowned in the “river Nile”, then Allah Almighty promised to bless him with the “blessed Torah”. Moreover, for this purpose, Allah Almighty ordered him to stay at “Koh-e-Toor” [Mount Sinai] for 40 days. Therefore, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام went to Koh-e-Toor. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 1, pp. 124-125; summarized)

Who was Saamri?

There was a person called “Saamri” in Bani Israel. As soon as he was born, his mother left him in a cave. In his childhood, Sayyiduna Jibra`eel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام used to feed him milk with his finger; because of this reason, Saamri used to recognize him. He was an extremely misguided person and the one who would misguide others. (‘Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, pp. 114; summarized) He had the skill of crafting things by melting gold and silver. People would give importance to what he said and act upon it.

Calf of gold and silver

Thirty days after the departure of Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, Saamri gathered jewellery from Bani Israel and melted it to mould into a calf. He had the soil of the place where the horse of Sayyiduna Jibra`eel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام set foot. As soon as he put that soil in the inanimate calf, it started making noise like a cow. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 3, pp. 434-435; summarized)

Worship of the calf

After this, Saamri started misguiding people saying that this calf is your and Musa’s god. (Ibid, vol. 6, pp. 230; summarized) Therefore, falling prey to his misguidance, everyone except twelve thousand people in Bani Israel started worshipping the calf.

End of the calf

When Sayyiduna Musa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام came back (from Koh-e-Toor – Mount Sinai), he was extremely furious because he had come to know about what Saamri had done. Therefore, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام reprimanded his people^[1] and asked Saamri for the reason of misguiding people. He said: ‘I did so because I felt like it.’ Upon hearing this, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام said: Go away! Your punishment is that whoever would want to meet you, you will say, ‘Nobody should touch me’. He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام also gave him the further news of the torment of the Hereafter. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 6, pp. 236; summarized)

Moreover, He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام broke the calf into pieces, burnt it and threw its ashes into the river. (‘Ajaaib-ul-Quran ma’ Gharaib-ul-Quran, pp. 115-116; summarized)

Punishment of Saamri

People were forbidden from meeting and talking to Saamri. If anyone’s body would coincidently come into contact with his body, then both of them would be inflicted with a severe fever. He kept wandering in jungle saying ‘nobody should touch me’. (Siraat-ul-Jinaan, vol. 6, pp. 236; summarized)

Punishment of the nation

Those who worshipped the calf were sentenced to be killed by the rest of the people of the nation. Seeing this, he عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام beseeched earnestly in the Merciful court of Allah Almighty for the forgiveness of the rest of the people. This request was accepted. Therefore, rest of the people were forgiven. (Ibid, vol. 1, pp. 126; summarized)

Madani pearls derived from the parable

Dear Madani children!

٭   Ambiya of Allah Almighty are kind and affectionate.

٭   Sins of the Ummah are forgiven with their (Ambiya’s) intercession.

٭   Disobeying Nabi is a sin and it brings about torment.

٭   We should try to become obedient slaves and true devotees of the Beloved Rasool so that we are blessed with a “bright future” in this world and the Hereafter.

In our beloved homeland Pakistan, two-month or even longer summer vacations are given in all schools including ‘Dar-ul-Madinah (Dawat-e-Islami)’. In some areas winter vacations are given due to extreme cold weather.

Dear Madani children! There are some practices we should avoid during vacation:

1. Showing laziness in completing vacation assignment

Students should preferably complete their vacation assignments which are given to them by their teachers. They should fix a certain amount of time of the day for a certain amount of assignment daily. After finishing that piece of work, they should start doing some other task.

2. Showing stubbornness to go on outings

Children should not show stubbornness to go on outings excessively during vacation. Vacations are for them, not for their father or elder brother, they have to go to work; and they will become worried, if the children continue showing stubbornness to go on outings.

3. Making mischief and disturbing the family

Mischiefs of some children increase a lot during vacation. They get into various kinds of pranks and the acts of reckless behaviour and become the cause of distress and anxiety for their parents, and harass and tease their younger siblings as well as they damage the household items etc. This is not a good practice. It causes trouble to our parents and siblings. During vacation and even during the normal routine, children should refrain themselves from making mischiefs and causing trouble for others.

4. Showing stubbornness to buy new stationery and school bags after vacation

When vacations are over and classes restart, some students show stubborn attitude demanding their parents to buy them new bags, pencils, sharpeners etc., despite they have all these stationery items even their bags are also in good condition. Good children should not become stubborn and demand these things rather they should use whatever they already have.

5. Not taking care of books, note-books and stationery during vacation

Children should take care of their things during vacation such as books, note-books, pencil, eraser, sharpener etc. They should not place them anywhere carelessly otherwise they will lose these things or these things will get damage. When they start going to school, they have to look for each and every thing or they have to buy new things.

6. Taking extra days off after vacation

After vacation when schools reopen and classes start, some children take extra days off themselves. They should avoid this practice. It disturbs the studies as well as affects student’s record.

7. Showing laziness in going back to school

When schools reopen after vacation, sometimes students show laziness for many days. Staying asleep until late morning and going to school late etc. This is not a good practice. Only those people who are punctual are successful in the world.

O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! Enable us to spend our vacation in a good way and grant us success in the world and Hereafter.

May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ make us pious!

اٰمِيۡن   بِجَاهِ   النَّبِيِّ  الۡاَمِيۡن   صَلَّى  اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى  عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

There was an old ant whose name was “Doly” that used to live alone due to pride and arrogance. She did not use to talk politely to anyone. One day, at noon, she felt hunger and came out of her nest in search of food. On the way, she saw a big and mouth-watering crystal of sugar. Very quickly, she moved forward and began to drag it towards her nest. Other ants were passing but she turned her face away from them due to pride and did not even talk to them. But it was quite a big crystal of sugar and the weather was very hot too! The proud ant became tired soon. Suddenly, she saw that two neighbouring baby ants whose names were “Chunnu” and “Munnu” were coming towards her. After both of them came to her, they respectfully asked about the situation she was in. Instead of giving a reply, she said proudly and angrily with an angry face, ‘Who are you to ask about me. You want to take my sugar crystal in the name of asking about me.’ “Doly” was now moving towards her nest along with the sugar crystal, tired. A little distance from her nest, she slipped, spraining her foot. Due to pain, tears began to flow from her eyes and she sat on the way, leaning against the sugar crystal. Time passed in the same condition and evening fell.

In the evening, “Chunnu” and “Munnu” were returning from play along with their friends when they saw that “Doly” was still sitting on the way with the sugar crystal lying beside her. As they were passing her, they heard someone crying. Turning their heads, they saw here and there but found no one there. All of a sudden, they saw large tears in the eyes of “Doly”. Coming forward, they said, ‘O aunt! Why are tears in your eyes?’ “Doly” replied, crying, ‘I have sprained my foot and I have been sitting here since noon for this reason. I cannot even go to my nest.’ “Chunnu” said quickly, ‘Do not worry. We are going to bring others here.’ Saying this, both of them ran towards their nest and brought their mother ant, elder sister ant and the neighbouring ant within a short while. All of them picked up “Doly” and brought her to her nest and laid her gently. The neighbouring ant applied ointment to the foot of “Doly” and bandaged it. “Chunnu and Munnu” along with their friends brought the sugar crystal and placed it at a corner of the nest. “Doly” was now very ashamed of her previous behaviour and was apologizing to all for her bad manners. All forgave her. Today, “Doly” realized that there is a great benefit in good manners and sociability. There is nothing in arrogance and haughtiness.

Dear Madani boys and girls! We should also have good manners and sociability. We should meet all with a smiling face. Smiling is a very lovely Sunnah of our Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ . Showing arrogance and staying aloof with a stern face are not good habits. We should protect ourselves from the bad habit of arrogance and should adopt good manners.

It was the first day of school after vacation. All children were dressed in the new uniforms and had worn new shoes. The moment teacher entered the classroom, all students stood up as a mark of reverence. Shortly after the class started, principal called Haamid in his office.

Principal: All students have come wearing new uniforms and shoes, why are you not wearing new uniform and shoes?

Haamid: My mother said, we would buy uniform and shoes some days later.

Principal: These things were supposed to be bought earlier. Have your parents forgotten the rules of school that new uniforms and shoes are bought for students each year?

Haamid: Last month, my father met an accident and suffered a bone fracture on one leg. It will take 3 months to remove plaster cast.

Principal: You have two days. Go with your mother and buy these things.

Haamid: But listen to me sir!!!

Principal: You will not be allowed to sit in the class after 2 days. Now you can go.

With his head bowed, Haamid came out of the office quietly. All children were busy playing, eating and drinking (water etc.) in break time but Haamid was weeping, sitting in his classroom.

After a while, Saleem entered the classroom.

Saleem: O my friend, Haamid! Why are you weeping?

Haamid: My father has a plaster on his leg; so, he is not going to work. Whatever money we had saved at home, we are using it gradually for food. If we fail to buy new uniform and shoes until 2 days, I will not be allowed to sit in the classroom. Now I do not understand what should I do? Saleem was greatly saddened to learn about it.

At evening tea time, Saleem talked to his father

Saleem: Dear father! How much did my new uniform and shoes cost you?

Saleem’s father: 1500 rupees. But why are you asking?

Thereafter Saleem related the whole story to his father and went on requesting him:

Saleem: I want you to do something for Haamid.

Saleem’s father: We are not rich, how can we help him?

Saleem: It is not necessary to be rich to help someone. If you try, perhaps you will be able to afford to help him.

Saleem’s father: Dear son! You know that I am doing a job, and I have spent sufficient amount in this month on the uniforms, books and notebooks of you and your siblings; so, it is difficult for me to help Haamid.

Saleem: Dear father! You had brought a book, ‘Behtar Kaun’ (Who is better), a publication of Maktaba-tul-Madinah. It is stated in that book, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْهَا humbly said to the Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, “O Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! In the valleys of Jannah, who will gain the closeness of the mercy of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ?’ The Beloved Rasool صَلَّى اللہُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘One who will revive my Sunnah and remove the trouble of my distressed Ummati.’ (Behtar Kaun, pp. 129)

Dear Father! You also make us understand that we should help the distressed people, and removing their difficulties is a practice of the good people.  You say this thing too: ‘By helping a poor person, one attains such pleasure which cannot be described in words and no one can feel it except the person who has privilege of doing it.’ After listening to Saleem, Saleem’s father became very happy as he was witnessing the reflection of his good Tarbiyyat. Father looked at Saleem’s mother:

Saleem’s mother: Saleem is right. Though we are not rich, we are also not poor enough that we cannot help someone with a little amount.

Saleem’s father stood up instantly and said holding Saleem’s hand: Let’s go dear son Saleem! We will buy new uniform and shoes for Haamid just today, there should not be any delay in carrying out righteous deed.

Soon thereafter, Saleem and his father were ringing the doorbell of Haamid’s house.