Learning to Teach

He studied Indian history so hard that he not only became an accomplished history teacher; he also established himself as a historian of the same class as Sir Jadunath Sarkar and Dr Surendra Nath Sen. The Heras Institute of Bombay stands today as a living memorial to Fr Heras and his life-work. If one has a purpose in life, then one will overlook all other considerations and concentrate on achieving one’s goal. Everything one does will be aimed at that end. One will not act on the basis of mundane and temporary profit; one will undergo loss, and endure hardship, if it serves to bring one closer to one’s goal. There are many Muslims in the world today who say they would like to accomplish “missionary work:’ But are they ready for the selfless struggle that work entails? Translated by Mohd Jawaid Nehal Those who do not fear God cannot fathom the states of the godly The expedition to Tabuk was undertaken under very difficult circumstances. Abdullah Ibn Abbas tells of how the Prophet asked the Muslims to give alms in aid of the expedition. People would contribute according to their means. Abdullah Ibn Auf gave two hundred “auqiyas,” which was more than of anyone. The Prophet asked him whether he had left anything for his household. Abdul Rahman said that he had. “How much?” the Prophet asked. “However much (in) blessing and reward that God and His Prophet have promised,” Abdul Rahman answered. Abu Aqeel Ansari contributed one “Sa’a” of dates. He brought them to the Prophet, saying how he had earned two “sa’as” by pulling water for a Jew all night. He had given one sa’a, which amounts to about four kilos, to his family, and brought another to the Prophet. But still he felt ashamed. “I’m sorry, I had nothing else to give,” he said to the Prophet. But the hypocrites of Madinah poured scorn on the Muslims’ donations. Some they accused of ostentation, and concerning others they said: “This person needs the sa’a that he is giving away more than anyone else.”