Be patient

Imam Ali (PBUH) says:

“ وَ عَوِّدُوا أَنْفُسَكُمُ الْحِلْمَ

And train yourselves to patience.”

In the Quran, God says to the believers: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer, for God is with the patient.”[Al-Baqarah 153]

A person deserves to train himself to be patient and to practice patience in various circumstances: patience in jihad, patience in poverty, patience in enduring difficulties, patience in providing for the expenses of life and family, patience in raising children, patience in helping someone who has suffered, patience in the face of the words of ignorant people, patience in the absence or death of loved ones, and in short, in any place where patience is needed.

The leaders of Islam, each with their behavior and words, have invited their followers and those who seek truth and happiness to happiness and perfection so that they do not get confused and lost in the wilderness of life, and by guiding and presenting a series of moral principles and social regulations, they have organized their life relationships.

The Holy Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.s.) and the Infallible Imams (a.s.) have, on the one hand, expressed moral virtues and their effects and consequences in their speeches and have encouraged Muslims to do so, and on the other hand, they have identified and introduced the roots and causes of moral vices and diseases and have also explained their treatment methods. By carefully reading these speeches, Muslims can act accordingly and pave the way for their salvation. For example, Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (a.s.) has, in a speech, precise and valuable moral advice that, if followed carefully and acted upon, can remove many problems from the face of man.

- Be a good person

ذَلِّلُوا أَخْلَاقَكُمْ بِالْمَحَاسِنِ وَ قَوِّدُوهَا إِلَى الْمَكَارِمِ

“Humble your character with good deeds and direct it to the noble ones.”

The Quran defines good deeds as follows: “Good deeds are not that you turn towards the East or the West. The good deeds are those who believe in God and the Last Day, and believe in the angels, the Scriptures, and the prophets. He spends his wealth, in spite of what he loves, on relatives and orphans, and on the needy and the wayfarer, and on beggars and on the freeing of slaves. He establishes prayer, gives zakat, fulfills his covenant, is patient in poverty and illness, and is steadfast in battle. "Those are the ones who speak the truth, and it is they who are the righteous." [Al-Baqarah 177]

The Kaaba is a blessed house that whoever enters it is safe. It brings reward for the pilgrim and the Maqam of Ibrahim, which God has commanded us to make a place of prayer, is located there. God has also commanded us to go towards it, worship, pray, thank and praise it, and to turn towards it in all prayers day and night, wherever we are.

When we go towards the Kaaba, we should remember the efforts and efforts of Prophet Ibrahim and Ishmael (peace be upon them), but our worship should be exclusively for God. Praying with humility at the Maqam of Ibrahim has a lot of reward and reward and increases the status and status of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), because the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Whoever abandons a good Sunnah, he will have its reward and the reward of whoever acts upon it until the Day of Resurrection."

The House of God has witnessed an endless stream of pilgrims since its reconstruction by Abraham and Ishmael (peace be upon them), and there is not a moment when the magnificent Kaaba does not welcome pilgrims from all over the world. They come there with great joy and enthusiasm to answer the call of their Lord.

If we want to describe the Kaaba as it deserves, it is better to leave the choice of words to the Commander of the Faithful, Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), and see together how he described it in Nahjul Balagha: “He has made pilgrimage to His House obligatory upon you, and let all Muslims enter the Qiblah, and let all Muslims enter the Qiblah, and enter the Qiblah. Take refuge in it like cattle and like doves, and for the believers two signs: humility in proportion to His greatness and confession of His glory. And He chose from among His creatures, when they heard His call, they listened to it and bought it with their hearts and souls. They set out and followed the footsteps of the prophets and, like the angels around the Throne, stood on the foot of servitude, adding to the profit of the market day of worship at every moment and stealing His forgiveness from each other when they entered. God made the Kaaba a symbol of Islam and a safe house for refugees and made going to the house obligatory and made it known to the rightful owners and called the servants to visit it and said: Visiting the house is obligatory upon whoever is able from God Almighty, and whoever refuses, God is self-sufficient.

Have you not seen that God, the Blessed and Exalted, tested the first person from Adam (peace be upon him) to the last person in the world - by making sacred stones - speechless and useless, who neither see nor hear. So God made it a house of holiness and prepared it for the coming and worship of His people. So He made that house a rock that is harder than all the rocks on earth and has the least possibility of growth. To a valley narrower than other valleys, between hard mountains and soft sands that are difficult to pass, and springs whose water is scarce, and in which camels do not fatten, and horses, cows, and sheep do not find grass.

So He commanded Adam and his children to face that house - and to respect it - so the house became for them a place in which to take the benefits of the journey and a destination where they left their burdens. Hearts on the way to meet Him, from waterless plains and plantless crevices, deep valleys and isolated islands in the vastness of the sea, who shook their shoulders in contempt and praise at the house and ran dusty and disheveled. They threw aside their clothes and made their beautiful creation ugly by letting their hair grow. A great test, a difficult test, and a clear test for the emergence of disobedience from obedience. God made the pilgrimage to the House a source of His mercy and a means of reaching Paradise.

And if God Almighty had willed, He would have placed the House of Jerusalem and His great place of worship among gardens and streams and rivers and in soft and flat lands and in unbroken palm groves and distant fruits and mansions and connected settlements among good wheat fields and greens and gardens full of greenery and gardens that have opened around it. The dry tombs, and palm groves, and roads of prosperity, would have been a small reward and a small test. And if the foundation on which the building is built and the stones on which the house is built were of green emerald and red ruby, with perfect brilliance and brilliance, it would have reduced the finding of two hearts in the breasts and would have removed the efforts of Satan from the hearts and would have arisen doubts and doubts from the people. "But God tests His servants with various hardships, and through conflicts He compels them to worship Him, and He tests them with unpleasant things in order to turn away personal gain from Himself."

This miracle from the sky that bubbled up in the heart of the earth is not just a source of water, but a sign of God’s endless grace, with every drop of it containing a story of faith and belief. In a world full of chaos and physical and spiritual thirst, Zamzam water is like a light that frees hearts from darkness and gives them the manifestation of faith. With every sip of it, not only the body is nourished, but the soul rests in an embrace of peace and spirituality and feels connected to a source of truth.

In the heart of Islamic history, when the Prophet Hagar was left alone in the arid deserts of Mecca with her child Ishmael, God poured His mercy into the heart of the earth. This water, which bubbled up in the heart of the desert as a sign of divine grace and a response to human need, is still flowing today and attracts millions of Muslims every year. The moment Hagar sought refuge in God and cried out in the heart of the desert at night, God sent her Zamzam in response to this prayer. This story is not just a historical narrative, but in every moment of it, a great truth is hidden; that in the heart of the darkness of life, there is always a light from God for guidance and peace.

When I took the first sip of Zamzam water, it was no longer just the taste of water that sat on my tongue; it was a taste of faith, of miracle, of light and of a spiritual connection that I had never experienced. At that moment, it was as if a new spirit was breathed into me. My body was freed from thirst, but what interested me most of all was the peace that spread in my heart and soul. It was as if the whispers of truth were hidden in the heart of that water. At that moment, I said, "O God, do not deprive me of this endless blessing. This water not only quenches the body, but also quenches my soul's spiritual thirst."

Zamzam Water and Connection to Divine Mercy

One of the pilgrims was standing next to me and pointed to the Zamzam water with a loving look. He said, "This is the water that God sent to Hagar and Ishmael. Every drop of it is full of blessings and every sip is a message of Divine Mercy." At the heart of these words, a deeper truth flowed than anything I had ever experienced in my life. At that moment, I realized that every drop of this water is like a spiritual connection with the Creator of the universe. Water that quenches not only the physical thirst, but also the spiritual thirst of man. In the hearts of men who drink from this water, a call for closeness and connection to the divine essence is truly heard.

Zamzam water is not just a physical blessing, but it also carries a message of purity and innocence. This water reminds people that in the midst of a life full of dust, one can always reach a pure source that returns everything to light and truth. For me, every sip of this water is like an invitation to a life in which one can always benefit from divine purity and purity. I wished that this purity, this light and this blessing would always flow in my life and I would benefit from it.

Zamzam water is more than a source of water. This water is like a light from heaven that cleanses hearts from turbidity and teaches them the true meaning of life. This water not only gives life to the human body, but also gives life to his soul. In every drop of it, there is a truth of the divine existence, and every step that pilgrims take next to this water is like a step towards awareness and enlightenment. Zamzam water reminds all those who drink it with a pure heart and complete faith that in any situation, God's mercy and guidance are always available.

The Black Stone, this unique black stone with white veins, has found an unparalleled place in the heart of Islamic history. This sacred stone was gifted to Prophet Abraham (AS) by the angel Gabriel as a sign of divine mercy. According to narrations, the Black Stone was originally white, but the passage of time and the sins of humans turned it black. This color change is perhaps a symbol of the impact of human actions on the earth and the sky.

This precious stone is enclosed in a beautiful silver frame, a frame that has been restored and protected many times by various Islamic caliphs throughout history. More than a historical object, the Black Stone is a symbol of faith and devotion. Touching or kissing this stone during the Tawaf of the Kaaba is a wish and a recommended practice for Muslims.

Pilgrims who visit the Kaaba experience moments in front of the Black Stone that are deeply etched in their souls. Touching this stone not only means performing an act of worship, but also strengthens the feeling of closeness to God and connecting to the spiritual heritage of Islam. For many, standing before the Black Stone is a moment of reflection on the grandeur of creation and an opportunity to return to oneself. The tears that are shed in these moments are a reflection of hope, love and repentance.

The history of the Black Stone, like its spirituality, is full of ups and downs. The stone has been damaged at various times and was even stolen from the Kaaba for a while during the Abbasid period. But by returning to its place, it once again demonstrated the strength and stability of faith. This eventful history is a testament to the persistence of divine values ​​​​in the face of the adversities of time.

More than a stone, the Black Stone is a reminder of the connection between earth and heaven. Kissing or touching it is an opportunity for pilgrims to understand the true meaning of faith and devotion. This stone is like a bridge that brings man closer to his Creator and keeps the hope of returning to the source of light alive in the hearts.

In addition to its devotional role, this sacred stone is a reminder of God's endless mercy. When pilgrims, with passion and love, walk towards the Black Stone, they understand the eternal message of this stone: "Life, with all its hardships and sins, is an opportunity to return to God."

Ultimately, the Black Stone is a symbol of history, spirituality, and hope. A piece of paradise that remains shining in the heart of the Islamic world, it reminds every human being who sets his eyes on it of the message of returning to God. This stone is not only a part of the Kaaba, but also an endless legacy of love and faith that calls to itself the soul of every Muslim.

Inspirational Messages:

So remember Me, that I may remember you. And be grateful to Me, and do not deny Me. (Quran 2:152)

And He found you lost and guided you (Quran 93:7)

Surely, with hardship comes ease. (Quran 94:6)

And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. (Al-Baqarah/195)

And He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 85:14)

And do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 39:53)

“And Allah is the best. Allah is the best.” (Quran 8:30)

“And He is with you wherever you are.” (Quran 57:4)

Surely, He is the Knowing, the Powerful. (Quran 35:44)

God does not burden a soul except to its capacity. (Quran 2:286)

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, and over it the angels are stern and severe. They do not disobey what God commands them, but they do what they are commanded. (Quran 66:6)

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds. For them is a reward that will never end. (Quran 84:25)

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds and enjoin the truth and enjoin patience. (Quran 103:3)

And seek help in patience and prayer. Indeed, it is hard except for the humble. (Quran 2:45)

Those who are patient, truthful, obedient, spend [in the way of God] and seek forgiveness before dawn. (Quran 3:17)

These verses convey themes of guidance, gratitude, perseverance, forgiveness, and mercy from God. They inspire and encourage those who seek wisdom and spiritual strength.

From Quranexplorer

Surah Ghafir, verse 60

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ

Your Lord has proclaimed, “Call upon Me, I will respond to you..."

When ever you need help just call Allah, surly He respond fast.

On the eve of the 38th Golrizan Celebration of the National Blood Money Committee, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, allocated 40 billion rials for this pious cause.

The Golrizan Celebration is held every year during the holy month of Ramadan, under the auspices of the People’s Committee for Handling Blood Money Matters and Helping Needy Prisoners, with the presence of a group of officials and benefactors in Tehran and various cities across the country.

Palestinians in Gaza are going hungry as Israel’s blockade causes high prices and food shortages, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning its stocks could run out in less than two weeks.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed 48,440 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s war on Gaza while 111,845 people have been wounded. The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.

Source:

Aljazeera

Beijing says the United States is using the fentanyl issue as a “flimsy excuse” to raise tariffs on Chinese imports, vowing to fight “till the end” if Washington is hell-bent on waging a trade war.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks in a post on Twitter on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing China of failing to stop the export of chemicals used in the production of opioid fentanyl.

“The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to raise US tariffs on Chinese imports. Our countermeasures to defend our rights and interests are fully legitimate and necessary,” Lin said.

He went on to say that the US is responsible for the fentanyl crisis in the country, adding that China has taken “robust steps” to assist Washington in dealing with the issue.

Lin further noted that imposing tariffs is not going to solve the problem and will just undermine dialogue and cooperation, stressing that coercion and intimidation is not the right way of dealing with China.

The Chinese official also said, “If the US truly wants to solve the fentanyl issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China by treating each other as equals."

“If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end,” he added.

China sets 5% growth target

Meanwhile, China has also set a target of “around 5%” growth for 2025, amid escalating American tariffs on its export-driven economy.

The target “underscores our resolve to meet difficulties head-on and strive hard to deliver,” Premier Li Qiang, China’s No. 2 official, said on Wednesday as he delivered the government work report at the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s rubber-stamp legislature.

Li further said that “with the dedicated efforts of our people across the country, we can prevail over any difficulty in pursuing development.” 

“The giant ship of China’s economy will continue to cleave the waves and sail steadily toward the future," he added. 

On Tuesday, Trump imposed new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with fresh duties on Chinese goods, sparking an international trade war. 

The move came after Trump declared that the top three US trading partners had failed to do enough to stem the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the country.

He also said further tariffs would follow on April 2, including “reciprocal tariffs” and non-tariff actions aimed at balancing out years of trade imbalances.

"Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it's our turn," Trump said, citing high duties imposed on US goods by India, South Korea, the European Union, China and others.

Shortly after Trump’s latest tariffs took effect on Tuesday, China said that it was imposing its own broad tariffs on food imported from the United States and would essentially halt sales to 15 American companies.

Beijing retaliated with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of US farm exports.

Canada planned to put tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods.

Mexico also said it will impose retaliatory tariffs on US products that will be announced on Sunday.  

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