Join us for a new Inspirational Short Story or Poem that captures and reflects on the spirit of service and volunteerism. Enjoy these stories with your family, children, seniors, and friends!
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Sunday, April 18, 2021
Though you read a hundred volumes without a pause,
you won't remember a single point without the Divine decree;
but if you serve God and read not a single book,
you'll learn rare sciences within your own heart.
Mawlana Rumi - Mathnawi VI:1931-1932; Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski "Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance" Threshold Books, 1996.
Monday, April 19, 2021
“A group of faithful once approached a knower (one who called people to the faith) and said: “We are obligated to show our gratitude to you for three reasons: our thanks to you for having called us to that religion; our thanks for the knowledge to which you directed us; and our thanks for the religious practice you ordered us to perform. So explain to us how we show our thankfulness. As for showing thankfulness to the Knower (who guided you), that is through obedience to him. As for thankfulness for the knowledge (he gave you), that is through putting it into action and calling others to it.”
The Master and the Disciple. Edited and translated by James Morris, page 63-64
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
May I be a protector to those without protection
A leader for those who journey,
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.
May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.
May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed
And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space…..
Eighth-century Buddhist saint Shantideva, From: Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Years ago, the mother of one of Ottoman sultans was devoted to charity. She built mosques and a great hospital and had public wells dug in parts of Istanbul that were without water. One day, she went to watch the construction of the hospital she was having built, and she saw an ant fall into the wet concrete of the foundation. She lifted the ant out of the concrete and set it on the ground. Some years later she passed away. That night she appeared to a name of her friends in their dream. She was radiant with joy and inner beauty. Her friends asked her if she had gone to Paradise because of all her wonderful charities, and she replied, “I am in Paradise, but it is not because of those charities. It is for the sake of an ant.”
Mother of Ottoman Sultan, (Essential Sufism – Page 216)
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Ibn Arabi was a 12th-century mystic. While journeying to Baghdad, he stopped at a rest house in Damascus. When he awoke the following morning, another guest saw him and immediately recognized him. “Where are you going,” asked the man. “Can I join you?” For the man knew that to be in the company of such a learned teacher was a great opportunity to acquire knowledge and wisdom.
“You want to come with me,” asked Ibn Arabi. “Ok you can come, but when two people are traveling together one must be the leader and the other the follower. Which do you want to be?”
“Of course I will be the follower,” said the man. “As you wish,” said Ibn Arabi. “Then I will be the leader and you will be the follower. But since I am the leader there is
one very important rule you must follow. Whatever I say, you must agree to.”
“Of course,” said the man, and they were on their way.
Just as they were about to leave, Ibn Arabi picked up his own belongings and the luggage of his companion. The man protested. “How can I let you carry these? Please, let me.” “No,” said Ibn Arabi. “I will carry it all. Remember I am the leader and you must listen to me.” OK the other man hesitantly agreed. They commenced their journey.
As night came, it started to rain. No, we are not talking just a little rain; it was a torrential downpour. The two men took shelter under a tree. However, even the tree could not shelter them. Ibn Arabi took off his shawl. He covered himself and his companion. Again the man protested. Allow me to use my shawl, please, let me do that. No. Ibn Arabi again reminded him, I am the leader and you are the follower. The man was quiet.
For five hours Ibn Arabi held the shawl up and sheltered himself and his companion. In his mind the man kept thinking, I should have asked to be the leader. Had I known what it meant to be the leader, that is certainly what I would have chosen.
The Leader and the Follower: The Story of Ibn Arabi
Friday, April 23, 2021
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said: Allah the Exalted will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit me. He will say: O my Lord, how can I visit you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant was sick and you did not visit him and had you visited him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed me. He will say: My Lord, how can I feed you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant asked you for food but you did not feed him and had you fed him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for a drink but you did not provide for me. He will say: My Lord, how can I give you drink when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: My servant asked you for a drink but you did not provide for him and had you given it to him you would have found me with him.
Sahih Muslim 2569, Grade: Sahih
Saturday, April 24, 2021
A long time ago there lived an old woman who was carrying a heavy load along the road. It was a bit
difficult for her, but she was managing as best she could. A young man asked if he could help her with
her load, and she readily obliged. Here is the conversation that transpired: “It would be such a
pleasure to have you come along with me. I accept your gracious offer of kindness and company,” she
said. She was a very talkative woman and the young man did not want to interrupt her. So, he let her
speak the entire time they were together. “But as we walk along young man, and as you help me with
my load, I have only one request as we travel down this road. Don’t talk to me about Muhammad!
Because of him, there is no peace and I have trouble in my mind. So, don’t talk to me about
Muhammad! And as we walk along together, we will get along just fine.” She continued: “That man
upsets me so – so much more than you could know! I hear of his name and reputation everywhere I
go. Though his family and his clan once knew him as an honest man, he’s dividing everyone with his
claim that God is one! He’s misled all the weak, the poor, and the slaves. They think they’ve all found
wealth and freedom by following his way! He’s corrupted all the youth with his twisted band of truth.
He’s convinced them that they are all strong and gave them somewhere to belong. So, don’t you dare
talk to me about Muhammad!” They reached their destination, and the man helped the woman put
away her belongings.
The old woman, with a wide smile of gratitude at the stranger’s kindness, turned to him and said “Thank you now, young man. You’ve really been so kind. That generosity and smile is very rare to find these days. Stay away from Muhammad, don’t heed his word or emulate his way. If you do, you will never have true peace and all you will find is trouble.” As the young man turned to walk away, she stopped him. “Now before we part and go, if it’s alright just the same, may I ask you dear young man, who are you? What’s your name?” He told her, and she stopped in her tracks. “Forgive me, but what was that? Your words weren’t very clear. My ears are getting old, and sometimes I have a hard time hearing. You know, it’s rather funny, but I’m sure I must be wrong. Yet, I thought I heard you say that your name is Muhammad.” “I am Muhammad”, the Prophet (PBUH) told the woman.
Story of the Prophet and the Lady (From Ibn Kathir’s book “Al-Sira Al-Nabawwiya”)
