A Common Muslim Chain Letter Please read the following paragraph, which is a mail I just received, I found it very interesting and quite true. Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters This is a letter from Saudi Arabia. It is addressed to all Muslims. It is the words of Sheik Ahmed, the watchman of the Prophet Muhammad's mosque (PBUH). On Friday night after reciting the Holy Qur'an he slept and dreamed and saw the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet said to him, "Sheikh Ahmed, this Friday people died, but none went to heaven; the women about six thousand (6,000) did not follow what their husbands tell them anymore. The believers who have money do not help the poor people. People do not perform their pilgrimage as was prescribed. The Muslims do not say their prayers regularly, let alone how it is supposed to be 'Sheik Ahmed, tell the Muslims that this should not be so. Be true Muslims, in every respect. And spread this message to all Muslims so that it can spread and get to other Muslims in this world. Anyone who produces this and spreads out to other Muslims will see the REWARD. The prophet (PBUH) will count such a person to Paradise. The Muslim who receives this letter and refuses to disperse it among other Muslims will not see benediction (INCH ALLAH)'. Those who are indebted must write. Allah in his infinite mercies will send help to pay his debt. I, Sheik Ahmed, if what I said is a lie, may the prophet (PBUH) not send his divine benediction to me. Dear Muslim men and women, you must follow the religion the way the prophet honored it like the divine revelation it is Ask for forgiveness, fast every Monday. Spread this letter to all Muslims. Anyone who does this will Insh ALLAH see the opening of the prophets desires and success will follow. He will see the things he had never seen before. This is not a letter to be kept. It must be dispersed in large quantities. I am appealing to anyone who comes across this letter to kindly circulate it in large volume. Thank you. Would you please give your opinion regarding this mail (if you have time)? Wassalam, Basit, Lahore Shahid Qureishi, Pakistan Reply I really do not want to comment on this letter, however there are a few things that need to be understood in this regard. First of all, Muslims, generally take such letters very seriously, because of their belief that whoever sees the Prophet (pbuh) in his dream actually sees the Prophet (pbuh) in reality. In a previous response to a related question, I have already expressed my opinion that this is not necessarily true for us or for such other people who have not seen the Prophet (pbuh) in reality [1] . Once this concept is corrected and clarified, then all that remains in this letter is a personal experience of another fallible human being. The basic message entailed in the letter, i.e. admonition against avoidance of practically submitting to God's guidance (Islam) is adequately and effectively covered in the Qur'an. It is, indeed, our duty as Muslims to read, understand, practice and propagate the message of the Qur'an, to the best of our abilities. This is not only the natural corollary of our belief in the Qur'an, but is also an explicit directive of the Qur'an as well as the Prophet (pbuh). I would therefore suggest all those Muslims, who are truly concerned about their success in the hereafter and who have the ability to spread the message of Islam, to concentrate all their energies and abilities in trying to understand and practically adopt the true message of the Qur'an and, subsequently, in spreading the word and the message of the Qur'an in their circle of acquaintances. The Qur'an has promised this to a sure way of success in the hereafter (see Surah Al-Asr ). As you would be well aware of the fact that such letters (as the one you have sent) have been in circulation for the past many years (especially in the sub-continent). They have had absolutely no effect on calling Muslims to live a life that is practically in keeping with the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah . They have only added to the already existing set of dogmas of the Muslims. I would, therefore, suggest that anyone who truly has the time, energy and ability to spread such dogmatic letters, should use this time, energy and ability to understand the true message of the Qur'an and teach, or at least help others in teaching, it to others. The Qur'an as well as the Prophet (pbuh) has promised salvation and eternal success for all such people. I hope this helps. In case any aspect of question remains unanswered, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience. May God guidance to the path of his liking. Regards, The Learner [1] For details, please see my response titled 'Seeing the Prophet in a Dream' ( http://www.understanding-islam.com/rpr/pr-023.htm ).