by Rami Mahmoud Elsawah
Author's note: I apologize for last week's piece. After contemplating on why things haven't been going right all and that I could not concentrate on my Salat "(See: 'The prevention of knowledge' for more info)" I determined that it would be best to remove the article. So alhamdullilah here is a nice, happy, G-rated article suitable for all adult and children Hidayaites alike. Wa Jazzakum Allah Kull Khair
Ibrahim (peace be upon him):
“Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet.”(19:41)
Superpowers:
-Super obedience; He was ready to sacrifice his son.
-Super tawakkul; He went into the fire without fear.
-Can stand up to tyranical kings without fear of punishment.
-Ability to develop concept of tawhid through contemplation, du’a and trial and error.
Accomplishments:
-Taken by Allah, Lord of the Worlds, as Khalil.
- First to name us ‘Muslims.’
-Traveled throughout the Middle east (Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Mecca).
-Gave birth to two messengers at a late age.
-Defeated Nimrod in a battle of wits and Tawhid.
Quote: “Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm? Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah. Have ye no sense?" (21:66-67)
Moses (peace be upon him):
Also mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet." (19:51)
Superpowers:
-Super Strength, could kill a man with a single blow.
-Super Knowledge, was taught by the best teachers of the age at the Pharoah’s expense.
-Bringer of Allah’s signs (Flood, Locusts, lice, frogs, blood, parting of the Red Sea)
-Defeated the Pharoah's magicians who immediately submitted to the true worship of Allah, even when subjected to cruxification and the cutting hands and legs.
-Super Patience, had to deal with Bani Isra’il and all the troubles they put him through.
Accomplishments:
-Talked to Allah.
-Survived the slaying of the first sons of Egypt by Allah’s will.
-Became the knight in shining wool when he saves his future wife and demonstrated great charachter.
-Stood up to Pharaoh, mightiest earthly ruler of the time.
-Led the Exodus of Bani Isra’il.
-Led his people to the promised land but never got to enter it becuase of their cowardice.
Quote: "O my Lord! expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech, So they may understand what I say: And give me a Minister from my family, Aaron, my brother; Add to my strength through him, And make him share my task: That we may celebrate Thy praise without stint, And remember Thee without stint: For Thou art He that (ever) regardeth us."
Isma’il (Peace be upon him)
"Also mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was an apostle (and) a prophet." (19:54)
Superpowers:
-Eldest son of Ibrahim (Peace be upon him)
- ZamZam is brought forth upon his extreme thirst. The well becomes the reason for the settling of bedouins and the city of Mecca is founded.
-Is exchanged with a sheep when about to be sacrificed by his Father.
Accomplishments:
-Fulfilled his promise to Allah.
-Extreme Tawakkul and Obedience in Allah.
-Co-Built the Kaaba with his father Ibrahim (peace be upon him)
-Guided and taught his people (of Mecca) in proper worship and the oneness of Allah.
Quote: “O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!” (37:102)
Salaam Akhi:
Excellent Excellent post...Masha'Allah
What gets to me each time when I envision Prophet Musa (Alaiy-hes-Salaam) "talking" to ALLAH during his life time on earth. This is a favor that Allah had bestowed to NO human being other than Hazrat Musa (Alaiy-hes-salaam). WOW! what a Blessed occasion and what a blessed venue and what a blessed man to have heard Allah speak directly....Simply Amazing!
Personally, for me, there is nothing that I am looking forward to than be able to have a 1-1 with ALLAH in the hereafter...nothing can come close to that experience in jannah...(Insha'Allah if I make it there..I can only be hopeful of Allah's Mercy).
Back to the post...Brother Rami, thank you once again...May Allah bless you and your family...Ameen.
Ma'Assalaama
on March 12, 2005 12:59 PMWaaleikum Asalaam Warahmatullah Wabarakatu,
Jazzakum Allah Kull Khair and may Allah bless you and your family also.
You are also right, the highest prize in Jannah is seeing Allah subhanna wa taala. The higher up you are in Jannah the more you get to see Him. May Allah allow us to enter Jannat Al-firdaus and be pleased with us.
on March 12, 2005 7:21 PMAhhhh being in the presence of the Divine Countenance...(girly sigh)...
MashaAllah br. Rami, I really enjoyed this piece (and I am sure my lil cousins did as well inshaAllah). I do hope that this will be continued and we will be given more superhero profiles.
They should make trading cards out of this stuff...Thats it, I am going to make trading cards...
(Btw, Hidaya and especially br. Rami will be proud to know that I skipped on the diamond and chose a cubic zirconium that pleases me greatly alhamdulillah...next step, hybrid...)
on March 17, 2005 12:15 PMMasha'Allah, Rami, I really liked this post! It's really a great way to look at the prophets (peace be upon them all) as well as a great teaching tool for kids. I remember reading an article about a (non-Muslim) getting her kid to understand and love and appreciate God by using what he knows - superheroes. Since he looked up to heroes like Superman and the hulk, she explained to him that God is not a superhero...He's much more. He's stronger than Superman, more powerful than the Hulk, etc.
For kids, I think it would be great to teach them about Prophets in a way that's entertaining and in a way they'll understand. I know for myself I gained a much higher appreciation for them upon reading this.
Sr. Justoju...MAKE TRADING CARDS! That would be so awesome! Actually, I think it's a great idea. Rather than wasting their time with Baseball cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards or whatever the new fad is now, I think it would be great for kids to have their own mini stories of the Prophets in the palms of their hands. Great learning tool as well. Now, I'll just wait for someone to say how blasphemous it is or something. :P
And congrats on the Cubic Zirconium!! The best thing about them is that if you lose it...it's ok! And if it's stolen...it's ok! And if someone gives you hasad (because they think it's a diamond) it's ok! It's easily replaceable and is not a great loss as a multi-thousand dollar diamond ring. :) And you can rest easy knowing that the blood of Muslims is not on your hand (literally ;).
on March 18, 2005 2:37 PMAsalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatu,
Jazaks everyone.
"He's stronger than Superman, more powerful than the Hulk, etc."
Cool!
"Btw, Hidaya and especially br. Rami will be proud to know that I skipped on the diamond and chose a cubic zirconium that pleases me greatly alhamdulillah"
I'm sure the children of Sierra Leone will be very happy too insha Allah.
"...and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people."(Qu'ran 5:32)
Wasalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatu
on March 18, 2005 4:27 PMsalaam;
There are companies that make diamonds in different colors as well. DeBeers are not too happy about it, but as far as the looks and structure go, they're exactly the same as the ones from the mine. They're also not very cheap.
I dont know about multi-thousand $ diamond, but 1 carat is a good size for an engagement ring.
on March 18, 2005 5:41 PM