NEWSLETTER

Wednesday, 08 Jumaadal Ula 1432 H / 13 April 2011

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A great warrior king's last words

A famous warrior, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that", said the warrior, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury". The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin".

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. The kings favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?" At this the king/warrior took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

Lessons to learn from last 3 wishes of the King...

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world".

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last...

LESSON TO LEARN

* Your good health is in your own hands look after it!
* Wealth is only meaningful if you can enjoy while you are still alive and kicking!
* What you do for yourself Dies with you!
* But what you do for others lives on.

VISITING THE SICK

One could keep marvelling at just how comprehensive the teachings of Deen are. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has taught us the finer details of many such actions which apparently may seem trivial. However, there are oceans of wisdom in these teachings. The true benefits of these aspects can only be realized when one will translate these teachings into practice.

VIRTUES

The fact that it is a Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is sufficient as a virtue. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would not only visit his companions and family members when they were sick. He also once visited a young Jewish lad who had fallen ill and had also visited the leader of the munafiqeen, Abdullah bin Ubay.

It is reported that on the day of Qiyamah Allah Ta'ala will ask a person: "I fell ill and you did not visit Me?" "But how can I visit You, O my Rabb, when you are the Sustainer of the worlds,"the person will respond. Allah Ta'ala will then say: "Did you not know that so and so, who is my servant, was ill? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him?"(Sahih Bukhari).

Besides this, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has enumerated among the rights of a Muslim that he should be visited when he falls ill.

ETIQUETTE

While visiting the sick earns much reward, the proper Aadaab (etiquettes) must also be observed. Hereunder are some Aadaab which are mentioned in and deduced from various Ahaadith:

* Visit the sick only for the pleasure of Allah, to earn the rewards mentioned and to console the person.

* Do not lenghten the visit. It has been stressed in the Ahadith that the visit should be short. If the sick person himself desires that the visitor should remain longer, there is no harm in it.

* Commence the visit by asking about the health of the person. Talk lighthearted things and cheer the person up.It is also narrated that one should mention to him that he will Insha Allah recover and have a long life. Do not speak of such things which will make him despondent or grieve him further. One should mention the incidents of the pious people regarding how they reacted during illness.

* Mention to the person that illnesses cause the forgiveness of one's sins.

* Do not cry or express grief in the presence of the patient.

* It is preferable to place one's hand on the forehead of the sick person and make dua for him. Learn the duas that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) made for the sick and recite the same. There is great blessings in these duas.

* Besides making dua for him, one should also request dua for oneself from the sick person.

* Encourage the patient to engage in Salaah, Zikr, Durood, etc. (It should be noted that the sick person is never absolved of his Salaah. If he cannot perform his Salaah standing, he should do so while sitting. If this also is not possible, then he should do so in a reclining position. If it is not possible to perform Wudu, Tayamum should be performed. The relevant Masail should be learnt from the Ulama or from authentic literature).

* If the person is in hospital, abide by the times and rules of the hospital.

* If the doctors have recomended that the patient should not be spoken to, do not insist on speaking to him.

* If the patient is being visited at home, ensure that the visit is at an appropriate time.

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Ingredients

8 Medium sized pieces of Chicken
1 med onions chopped and liquidized
1 cup yoghurt
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp chopped mint leaves
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp ginger and green chilli taste
Salt to taste

Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnishing

Method:
Heat oil in a heavy- bottomed pan on med heat for about 2 minutes. Add the onion, ginger and green chilly pastes and fry on medium level for about 3 minutes or till the paste is lightly browned or till the chicken is tenderized Garnish with finely chopped coriander. The gravy can be thickened by adding maizina dissolved in some yoghurt before the chicken is fully cooked.

Coconut Rice

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked long grain rice
1 cups grated coconut
1 tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp hing
4 green chillies chopped
4 dry red chillies crushed
4 Tbsp butter or ghee
A few curry leaves and slat to taste
Handful of fried cashewnuts to garnish.

Method:
Heat butter/ ghee on med heat in a flat pot. Add the mustard seeds and fry till they splatter Now add the grams, red chilli bits, hing and fry for few seconds till till the chana dhal grated coconut. Saute on medium/ lw heat for about 4 min till the coconut is lightly brown in colour. Add the rice and salt to the coconut mixture and mix well. Keep on low heat for 2 minutes or till the rice is flavoured with the coconut mixture. Add some water to steam until done 1 ½ cups water, more water can be used until the rice is done steaming. Garnish with fired cashewnuts bits.

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