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Written by abdul baqi

Monday, 12 February 2007

UN, World Bank, NGOs and else, all try to bring development to this globe.Islam also has it's own definition and methodology to achieve development. Let usread here few verses and hadiths.

Verse 1

Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a truebeliever (of Islmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this worldwith respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly areward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in theHereafter). [surah an-Nahl 16: 97]

This verse clearly relates the adherence to Islam with being happy in this world and the hereafter.

Verse 2

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqw (piety), certainly, Weshould have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but theybelied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used toearn (polytheism and crimes). [surah al-Araf (7): 96]

This verse relates between believe and Taqwa (piety) and the economic development of a society. Also, it

shows that the calamities that comes to mankind are because of their ill deeds.

Verse 3

Indeed there was for Saba' (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place - two gardens onthe right hand and on the left; (and it was said to them:) "Eat of the provision of yourLord, and be grateful to Him." A fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. But they turnedaway (from the obedience of Allh), so We sent against them Sail Al-'Arim (floodreleased from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producingbitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees. Like this We requited them

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because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requite in such a wayexcept those who are ungrateful (disbelievers). [from Sura Saba (34) verses: 15-17]

The story of Sheba indeed gives a clear evidence that development and provision is strongly ties with being

thankful to Allah, and that calamity, economic downfall and devastations are strongly tied with being

unthankful to Allah.

Verse 4

And Allh puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure andwell content: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its

people) denied the Favors of Allh (with ungratefulness). So Allh made it taste theextreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him)) which they (its people) used to do. [surah an-Nahl(16) verse: 112]

This verse clearly states that two main pillars of happiness and development (Security and self-content) are

attained through being thankful to Allah. When a community starts to deny their faith, then the two pillars of

un-happiness starts to get strong: extreme hunger and fear.

Verse 5

( 3)( 4)

So let them worship (Allh) the Lord of this House (the Ka'bah in Makkah). (He) Whohas fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear. [the last two versesfrom Surah Quraish (106)]

Verse 6

( 81)( (82

Prophet Ibrahim Said to his people:

And how should I fear those whom you associate in worship with Allh (though theycan neither benefit nor harm), while you fear not that you have joined in worship withAllh things for which He has not sent down to you any authority. (So) which of thetwo parties has more right to be in security? If you but know." It is those who believe

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(in the Oneness of Allh and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their beliefwith Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allh), for them (only) there issecurity and they are the guided. [surah al-Anam (6) verses: 81,82]

This verse clearly indicates that worshiping anything other than Allah will result in feeling insecure in thisworld and the hereafter. To the contrary, adhering to Monotheism will result in feeling secure, because the

monotheist surrenders to a single supreme power (Allah), and thus feels secure from dangers. This is an

important pillar of happiness.

Verse 7

( 11)

No calamity befalls, but with the Leave (i.e. decision and Qadar (DivinePreordainments)) of Allh, and whosoever believes in Allh, He guides his heart (tothe true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him byAllh from the Qadar (Divine Preordainments)) and Allh is the All-Knower ofeverything. [sura at-Taghabun (64) verse 11]

This verse shows the virtue of faith in the Divine Preordainments. Muslims believe that any calamity befallsby Divine leave, and that Allah knows about it. And that Allah will give reward to those to stay steadfast.

This is why, today, most Muslim countries are poor, yet the less in terms of rates of suicide. Whereas, the

most developed countries (i.e., Scandinavian countries) are the topmost in development, yet the topmost as

well- in the rate of psychological breakdown, and suicide.

Hadith 1

Recorded by Imam Ahmad from `Abdullah bin `Amr that the Messenger of Allah said:

He who submits (becomes a Muslim) has succeeded, is given sufficient provisions,and is content with Allah for what he is given. [It was also recorded by Muslim]

This hadith shows the three pillars of success (happiness and development):

submission to God, getting the basic provisions, and being content (i.e.,not greedy )

Hadith 2

Reported by at-Tirmidhi:

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He among you who wakes up in the morning feeling secure, has a good health andhas the provision of that day, as if then- the whole world is been in his possession.

This hadith defines the real king who posses the whole globe-: 1. security 2. health

3. basic provision.