A Short Story

Ever thought – why should we read Quran even if we can’t understand a single Arabic word? This story illustrate that concept beautifully. And thanx Ashfaq for mailing me such a nice topic which I am sharing with my readers.

Al Quran

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early Sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandpa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

If you feel this post is worth reading, please share the topic/link with your contacts/friends. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh & his family) says: “The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally“.

99 Names of Allah

He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, The Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, The Wise.” (Quran 59:24)

99 names of Allah printed on a hand made wall mat

The 99 Names of Allah, also known as The 99 Attributes of Allah (Arabic: أسماء الله الحسنى transliteration: Asma’ Allah al-Ḥusná), are the names of Allah which we (the Muslims) believe are revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is quite impossible to translate the names and attributes of Allah perfectly from their original Arabic into English. Because Arabic is one of the nicest language which can express a lot using less words. However here are some fairly close explanations of those names. Continue reading 99 Names of Allah