Following Hadith taken from "Gardens of the Righteous" : The Holy Prophet (saws) directed: Refrain from sitting in the streets.  It was said to him: Messenger of Allah, we cannot help sitting in the streets.  There is no other place where we can sit and discuss matters.  He said: In that case fulfill the obligations due to the street.  He was asked: What is due to the street? He said: Restraining of looks, removal of obstructions, reciprocation of greetings, enjoining good and forbidding evil (Bokhari and Muslim)...

Continuing our series of weekly extracts of writings from Hazrat Masih-e-Maud (as) from "Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam": God's inscribing faith on their hearts with His own hand and helping them with the Holy Spirit means that no one can achieve true purity and righteousness unless he receives heavenly help....

Following Hadith taken from "Gardens of the Righteous" : The Holy Prophet (saws) said: The case of those who observe the limits set by Allah and those who are careless about them is like passengers on a ship who cast lots to determine who should occupy the upper deck and who should be on the lower deck. Those who were on the lower deck passed through those of the upper deck whenever they had to fetch water. So they said to the occupants of the upper deck: If we were to bore a hole through our part, we would not have to trouble you. Now, if the occupants of the upper deck were to leave the others to carry out their plan they would all perish together; but if they were to stop them they would all be saved (Bokhari)...

Continuing our series of weekly extracts of writings from Hazrat Masih-e-Maud (as) from "Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam": It should be remembered that the highest spiritual condition of a person in this life is that he should find comfort in God and all his satisfaction, and ecstasy and delight should be centered in God.  This is the condition a person is bestowed the heavenly life in this very world in return for his perfect sincerity, purity, and faithfulness...

Following Hadith taken from "Gardens of the Righteous" : Hadhrat Ubadah ibn Samat relates: We made a covenant with the Holy Prophet (Saws) to hear and obey in adversity and in prosperity, in hardship and in ease; to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute the assumption of authority by others, except in a case of open repudiation of faith such as is condemned by clear authority; to tell the truth in every contingency and not to mind in that behalf any reproach or rebuke (Bokhari and Muslim)...

Continuing our series of weekly extracts of writings from Hazrat Masih-e-Maud (as) from "Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam": Neither the sun or moon can move outside its orbit.  Were there not a Regulator of the whole of this system behind the scenes, the system would fall into chaos...

Following Hadith taken from "Gardens of the Righteous" : (signs of hypocrisy) When a hypocrite speaks, he lies; and when he makes a promise, he does not fulfill it; and when he is entrusted with anything, he acts dishonestly; and when he makes a contract, he breaks it; and when he engages in a dispute, he uses foul words. (Bukhari)...

Continuing our series of weekly extracts of writings from Hazrat Masih-e-Maud (as) from "Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam": It is equally stupid to enquire how can God speak unless He has a tongue to speak with?  The answer is: Has He not created the earth and the heavenly bodies without physical hands?...

Following Hadith taken from "Gardens of the Righteous" : The Holy Prophet (saws) said: He who from among you observes something evil should reverse it with his hand; if he is unable to do that he should condemn it with his tongue; if he is unable to do that he should at least resent it in his heart (Muslim)...