Latest news with #Al-Amin
Arab Times
15-05-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Al-Rashid thus proved to his wife, who was more worthy of ruling
ACCORDING to the well-known rule, a liar is someone who praises himself. It is common for people to praise their own qualities while hiding their flaws. Mothers often praise their children, wishing them to be the best among others. Only experience reveals the truth, showing who is truly worthy and who is unreliable. The following lines reveal the truth about those who can be relied upon to bear responsibility, who possess intelligence and insight, and how they make sound judgments without needing guidance. Leaders are made from such individuals. The heroes of our story today are Caliph Harun Al-Rashid and his wife Zubaydah. One day, Harun Al-Rashid sat on the balcony of his palace, engaging in a conversation with his wife Zubaydah about their two sons Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun. Zubaydah began to praise her son Al- Amin, highlighting his intelligence, courage, and high spirits. Harun Al-Rashid responded, 'The qualities you mention belong to Al-Ma'mun, not Al-Amin.' An argument ensued between them, with Zubaydah insisting that these qualities belonged to Al-Amin, while Harun Al-Rashid insisted they were the qualities of Al- Ma'mun. He then vowed to prove that his opinion was correct. The following night, Al-Rashid invited his two sons, Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun, to his council and conversed with them until midnight. Al-Rashid asked the council to adjourn, and both sons went their separate ways. Less than an hour later, Al-Rashid summoned Zubaydah. When she arrived, he instructed his chamberlain to summon Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun. Shortly after, Al-Amin entered, dressed in his finest and most luxurious clothes, carrying the scent of perfume. A moment later, Al- Ma'mun entered in his battle dress, with a sword slung around his waist and leaning on his spear. Al-Rashid asked, 'What made you come to my meeting in your battle dress?' Al-Ma'mun replied, 'Father, I left your meeting only a short time ago. If you had wanted something, you would have informed me. Your summoning me at night, so soon after I left, made me think something important had occurred. I wanted to be prepared. Perhaps you needed me for an urgent matter, and I couldn't afford to waste time. However, if this is for a regular matter, taking off my weapons is one of the easiest things.' Al-Rashid looked at Zubaydah and smiled. Nothing happens to a person except by God's will, and He grants them the strength to endure it. This is what God affirms in the Holy Quran: 'Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.' (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 286) So don't be saddened if you are forced to coexist with something that pains you. Smile, for the Most Merciful says: 'But perhaps you dislike a thing that is good for you.' You may go through moments that feel like the hardest in your life, until, suddenly, God's mercy reaches you through someone who heals your wound, eases your burden, and fulfills your need. In that moment, it is as if you had never suffered at all.
Arab News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese army expands presence in areas along Litani River
BEIRUT: A large contingent of the Lebanese army entered Yohmor Chkeif, north of the Litani River in Nabatieh governorate, southern Lebanon, on Wednesday. Rockets were launched from the area toward Israel last week. A security source said forces patrolled the village, which is surrounded on three sides by the river. A video shared on social media appeared to show the troops entering the village. The residents of another village north of the Litani River reported seeing Lebanese army Cessna drones in the skies over Nabatieh on Wednesday. An army unit, in cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, recently entered Zawtar Al-Charqiyeh, which is located in the same governorate. Ali Al-Amin, the editor-in-chief of the Janoubia news website, told Arab News the region is characterized by its valleys, mountains and rugged terrain. Under Hezbollah directives, only civilians are allowed in the area. But a Lebanese army unit entered Hezbollah military sites in Wadi Zawtar Al-Charqiyeh, close to the river, he added. The valley was targeted by at least 200 raids during the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah. It reportedly contains large Hezbollah camps, training centers and weapon storage facilities. The arrival of the Lebanese army in the area effectively marks the end of Hezbollah's military presence there, Al-Amin said, though the group has not officially stated this. He suggested that Hezbollah might have reached an understanding with the army behind closed doors. Last week, the army seized empty rocket launchers that had targeted Israel twice in the space of a week. An investigation has been launched in an attempt to identify those who fired the missiles. They remain unknown, although the Lebanese army said it arrested suspects from Syria and Palestine. The launch of the rockets resulted in a significant deterioration in the security situation in Lebanon, jeopardizing the ceasefire agreement as retaliatory Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern suburbs of Beirut for the first time since the peace deal came into effect four months ago. Dozens of people were killed or injured by the Israeli strikes. Army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haikal inspected the South Litani Sector Command two days ago and reinforced the Lebanese military's commitment to the implementation of UN resolutions and the ceasefire agreement. Army command said the general had highlighted the continued presence of Israeli forces in occupied Lebanese territory as the main obstacle to deployment of the army south of the Litani, and reinforcement of the ceasefire. Further Israeli violations of the peace agreement were reported on Wednesday. According to media reports from southern Lebanon, the Israeli army 'opened fire on a citizen from the border town of Odaisseh, injuring him slightly while he was driving his car on the Kfarkela-Odaisseh road.' The Ministry of Health also said a citizen was wounded by Israeli gunfire in the Odaisseh area. The Israeli army also continued to target shelters being built by residents in border areas near homes destroyed during the conflict. A combat drone destroyed one such shelter in the center of the town of Yaroun but no casualties were reported. At dawn, Israeli vehicles and demolition equipment based in the Labouneh area east of Naqoura, inside Lebanese territory, advanced toward Ras Naqoura. According to the National News Agency, they raised a dirt barrier that blocked the road on both directions opposite the Israeli Jal Al-Alam site, which overlooks the towns of Naqoura and Alma Al-Shaab. The latest developments come as Russia Today reported that Lebanese security officials had received 'concerning signals' suggesting that Israeli authorities intend to resume their campaign of targeted assassinations. A security source said Tel Aviv is committed to dismantling Hezbollah's military arsenal and considers the Lebanese government's efforts so far to achieve this to be inadequate. The rising tensions followed a pre-dawn Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs on Tuesday that killed Hezbollah member Hassan Badir and his son. Civilians in a neighboring apartment were also reportedly killed. In a separate security operation, the Lebanese army said on Wednesday it had shut down two illegal border crossings in the Hermel and Mashari Al-Qaa regions as part of its ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and unauthorized movements across the country's northern and eastern border with Syria.
