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Tuesday, 24 March 2015
~ Change ~
You might feel hollow inside
Filled with sadness … hard to swallow
But soon all will be over
Replaced with delight
Just call upon Him and He will set things aright
Taking you out of darkness into the light
Lifting your distress out of sight
How many times we fail and fall
Not having the courage to let go
To stand up straight and tall
But it will never last forever
With patience and prayer
Allow things to flow
The process is slow
But your face, again, will begin to glow
The Restorer and Turner of the Hearts
Will see you through big and small
Remember, He only wants good for us all
We are limited to what we see
But He only needs to say Be
And He can change the conditions of both you and me
So just smile and let your emotions blow away
Release your heart and let it sway
Only then will you be alive
And begin to tread the right way
Written by Awais Mahmood
Friday, 13 March 2015
Purposeful Knowledge ...
Imaan Maalik (ra) said:
“Knowledge is not relaying an abundance of narrations, but rather it is light that Allaah places in the heart.”
[Al-Jaami’ Li Akhlaaq Ar-Raawee Wa Aadaab As-Saami’, 2/174]
Thursday, 12 March 2015
~ Love of the Creator ~
Allah ...
In Him, hopelessness is none existent.
Love is in no way lost.
How can I say 'I have no one':
When my Lord says "We are closer to him than his jugular vein" (Surah Qāf:16)
How can I despair and give up when my Lord says:
"Truly where there is hardship there is also ease" (Surah Ash-Sharĥ:6)
And:
"He is with you wherever you are" (Surah Al-Ĥadīd:4)
So:
"I complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah" (Surah Yūsuf :86)
How can I feel down when the person who cared for me before I was born (ﷺ) said:
Allah the Almighty says:
"O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it." [Tirmidhi]
And Remember.
When my lover Al-Wadud says:
"O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Surah Az-Zumar:53)
I turn to you and supplicate:
"Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established." (Surah 'Ibrāhīm:41)
"Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al-Baqarah:201)
Make me amoung those with radient faces:
Looking at their Lord. (Surah Al-Qiyāmah:22)
And
Those who recieve:
"Peace," a word from a Merciful Lord. (Surah Yā-Sīn:58)
And to You is our final return.
Ameen. Ya Rabbil 'alamin.
How can I say 'I have no one':
When my Lord says "We are closer to him than his jugular vein" (Surah Qāf:16)
How can I despair and give up when my Lord says:
"Truly where there is hardship there is also ease" (Surah Ash-Sharĥ:6)
And:
"He is with you wherever you are" (Surah Al-Ĥadīd:4)
So:
"I complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah" (Surah Yūsuf :86)
How can I feel down when the person who cared for me before I was born (ﷺ) said:
Allah the Almighty says:
"O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it." [Tirmidhi]
And Remember.
When my lover Al-Wadud says:
"O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Surah Az-Zumar:53)
I turn to you and supplicate:
"Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established." (Surah 'Ibrāhīm:41)
"Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al-Baqarah:201)
Make me amoung those with radient faces:
Looking at their Lord. (Surah Al-Qiyāmah:22)
And
Those who recieve:
"Peace," a word from a Merciful Lord. (Surah Yā-Sīn:58)
And to You is our final return.
Ameen. Ya Rabbil 'alamin.
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
The Weight Of Knowledge ...
"When Allah granted Prophet Yoosuf (`alayhis-Salaam) physical beauty it caused him to be locked up in the prison; but when Allah granted him knowledge (when he interpreted the dream of the king) it not only took him out of prison, but elevated his rank in society, clearly showing us the virtue of knowledge and that physical beauty does not mean anything."
Ibn al Qayyim [Al-‘Ilm wa Fadhluhu wa Sharafuhu p. 32].
Ibn al Qayyim [Al-‘Ilm wa Fadhluhu wa Sharafuhu p. 32].
Monday, 9 March 2015
~ Beauty of the Heart and the Mind ~
Beauty fades while character remains.
Don’t put your-self on display like how others behave.
Your value as a Muslimah is far greater than any label or picture can portray.
Believe in yourself and none can sway you from the right way.
Belief in Allah is what gives you true value.
Just put your trust in Allah …
And whatever is written by the Pen will be yours which no one can prevent.
Your value is greater than what you can possibly comprehend.
Spend your path in the way of the creator and you will find true happiness sooner or later.
Believe in yourself and none can sway you from the right way.
Belief in Allah is what gives you true value.
Just put your trust in Allah …
And whatever is written by the Pen will be yours which no one can prevent.
Your value is greater than what you can possibly comprehend.
Spend your path in the way of the creator and you will find true happiness sooner or later.
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Friday, 6 March 2015
No State Is Forever ...
“The heart is a confusing, altering thing. No state is forever. No state of bliss lasts forever. But no state of pain does either. They all pass. So if you experience happiness, ask Allah to make it forever in jennah. And if you experience sadness, ask Allah to make it a means of purification and elevation for you. And know that this too shall pass.”
—
Yasmin Mogahed
—
Yasmin Mogahed
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Reward ...
"And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
[Surat Hūd (11:114-115)]
And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."
[Surat Hūd (11:114-115)]
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Hijaab ...
I know a lot of sisters are feeling anxiety wearing the hijab right now. I know how it feels like to be targeted just because of my hijab. I've never shared this story in public before but I hope sharing it now will help those who are feeling vulnerable in the current climate.
When the first Iraqi war happened, I was a 4th grader, ironically living also in the state of North Carolina. I grew up in North Carolina, and I remember as a kid loving hijab because all the loving teachers and moms at the Masjid Sunday school wore hijab. I wore hijab before its time at my public elementary school because I just loved the idea that Allah had given me a Muslim uniform. I was too young to understand modesty. For me it was about feeling proud to be Muslim. And also one more thing: my biggest fear in Sunday school stories about the Day of Judgment was about what would happen if my scales of good and bad deeds were EQUAL?! Lol, I figured I would need some "extra credit" like in school, to get me ahead. When the war started in Iraq, some family friends told my parents maybe it would be better if I didn't wear hijab to my public school because I could be targeted. My parents left the choice to me, saying they would be ok with it either way. I wanted to keep it on. Hijab was my "extra credit" with God.
One morning when my younger brother and I were waiting for the school bus in front of our home, a car came screeching to a halt a few yards in front of us. A man came out, rushing towards us with his face red. He had orangish hair and looked flustered, huffing and puffing as he walked. He didn't see my dad coming to stand with us as he was hidden by some trees while walking forward. My dad appeared in between this man and us. The man looked shocked and started backing away. My dad talked to him and the man said he was driving by and saw my headscarf and he just wanted to practice his Arabic because he had once visited 'Arabia'. This, at 7:30am on a weekday morning. My dad offered to give him some pamphlets about Islam but when he bent down to open his briefcase, the man ran to his car and drove away. My dad had wanted to delay him long enough to get his license plate number. It wasn't until a few days later hearing my parents recount the story with others, that I realized in that incident, my younger brother and I were almost kidnapped. Again, I was given the option to not wear my headscarf. I remember one thing I kept hearing my mom say, "May Allah protect them, who better than Allah to protect them." I was young but I knew I didn't want someone else to have any influence in what I do for Allah. It was my choice. It was my extra credit. If they don't like it, it was their problem, and Allah would protect me just as He did that morning. I remember feeling afraid sometimes after that in public, but I would remember what my mother said, and it would make me feel better, protected, and I would know I was not alone. Allah was with me.
This was my first experience with hijab related hate. The same lesson held true through so many political upheavals afterwards where Muslims were targeted. It gives me great comfort that in Islam my moment of death cannot be affected by anything. It is written. It cannot be delayed, it cannot be advanced. Whenever that moment comes, I pray it is with hijab, a choice I made for God when I was in elementary school, one that millions of Muslim women make for Him everyday, one that Razan and Yusor made even when their neighbor made hateful and threatening comments to them.
This Prophetic narration aslo brings me great comfort. Just as life and death are in the control of Allah, so too are harm and benefit.
Abu al-‘Abbas ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas(ra) reports:
“One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said, ‘Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of God, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of God. If you need help, seek it from God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if God had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if God had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.’ ” (Related by Tirmidhi)
If you're afraid, it's OK. If you feel anxiety, it's OK. Whatever choice you make is yours to live with and between you and God, so you will receive no judgements from me Insha Allah. This message is just for support and to say I understand, I've been there. I feel it too. For sisters who want to keep it on, stay resilient. You have a right to feel defiant in the face of such reckless hate. Wear it with pride, use it as a means to exemplify the message of love, peace, generosity, and kindness in Islam. Let it be your flag of courage and honor. Allah is with you, He is the Most Excellent Protector, The Most Excellent Helper. For sisters who want to remove it, Allah is still with you. He is still your Protector and Helper. You don't have to explain to anyone what choice you make. If any sister wants to talk to me directly about what they are going through, I am at your service Insha Allah. For all of us, let us never forget to continuously seek strength from Allah as He loves to answer those who call on Him.
There is no strength, protection, or help except from Allah.
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Its Okay Not To Be Okay...
How are you?
I mean the real you.
The you thats been stuffed inside, hidden beneath a shell.
The you that comes out when no ones around.
The you that your soul is made up of;
that part of you, the whole you, the real you...
The you thats been stuffed inside, hidden beneath a shell.
The you that comes out when no ones around.
The you that your soul is made up of;
that part of you, the whole you, the real you...
How are you
And don't say you're fine.
Because you're not.
How could you be
You've been torn apart from your very own existence - torn apart from your Maker.
To a place galaxies and milky ways apart.
Where no one quite understands you.
Where no one understands that the smile stuck on your face has been glued on by tears.
Where no one understands that when you say you're okay, you're not.
You're far from it.
But its okay not to be okay.
And don't say you're fine.
Because you're not.
How could you be
You've been torn apart from your very own existence - torn apart from your Maker.
To a place galaxies and milky ways apart.
Where no one quite understands you.
Where no one understands that the smile stuck on your face has been glued on by tears.
Where no one understands that when you say you're okay, you're not.
You're far from it.
But its okay not to be okay.
This is not me saying it but the Lord of you and me.
He says;
"Oh my servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of ﷲ Indeed, ﷲ forgives all sins. Indeed it is He who is the forgiving, the merciful" - 39:53
And with that in mind, I returned to my Lord.
I left the whispering tempations of this Dunya.
I turned away from faces from whom I was forever waiting for a "how are you?".
He says;
"Oh my servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of ﷲ Indeed, ﷲ forgives all sins. Indeed it is He who is the forgiving, the merciful" - 39:53
And with that in mind, I returned to my Lord.
I left the whispering tempations of this Dunya.
I turned away from faces from whom I was forever waiting for a "how are you?".
And instead I faced the Qiblah.
I turned to ﷲ
The One who calls me five times a day.
The One who descends from His majestic throne in a manner that befits Him every night to the lowest heaven;
For you. For me.
And I said the following;
Oh my Lord, the King of all Kings and everything on the heavens and the earth.
Oh my Lord, the King of all that is seen and all that is unseen.
Glory be to you, the most majestic, the mightiest and the most merciful.
I call to You with nothing but a broken Heαrt .
I call to You with nothing but a worn out soul.
I call to You with nothing but myself.
My entire self.
Because I know that is all you ask for;
Myself.
I turned to ﷲ
The One who calls me five times a day.
The One who descends from His majestic throne in a manner that befits Him every night to the lowest heaven;
For you. For me.
And I said the following;
Oh my Lord, the King of all Kings and everything on the heavens and the earth.
Oh my Lord, the King of all that is seen and all that is unseen.
Glory be to you, the most majestic, the mightiest and the most merciful.
I call to You with nothing but a broken Heαrt .
I call to You with nothing but a worn out soul.
I call to You with nothing but myself.
My entire self.
Because I know that is all you ask for;
Myself.
In a world where people expect more than myself or the false version of myself,
You want myself.
Me with all my sins and my sorrows.
Me with all my broken-ness and tiredness.
You want ME.
So I surrendered.
Because isn't that all what we want?
That night I turned to Him with a heavy heart and that night I re-turned to Him with a lighter heart.
Its okay not to be okay.
Just make sure you tell ﷲ that you're not okay
You want myself.
Me with all my sins and my sorrows.
Me with all my broken-ness and tiredness.
You want ME.
So I surrendered.
Because isn't that all what we want?
That night I turned to Him with a heavy heart and that night I re-turned to Him with a lighter heart.
Its okay not to be okay.
Just make sure you tell ﷲ that you're not okay
Friday, 6 February 2015
True Value ...
A girl bought an iPad. When her father saw it he asked, "What was the first thing you did when you bought it?"
"I put an anti-scratch sticker on the screen and bought a cover for the iPad," she replied.
"Did someone force you to?"
"No."
"Don't you think it's an insult to the manufacturer??"
"No dad, in fact they even recommend using a cover for the iPad."
"Did you cover it because it was cheap and ugly?"
"Actually, I covered it because I didn't want it to get damaged and decrease in value."
"When you put the cover on didn't it reduce the iPad's beauty?"
"I think it looks better, and its worth it for the protection it gives my iPad."
"I put an anti-scratch sticker on the screen and bought a cover for the iPad," she replied.
"Did someone force you to?"
"No."
"Don't you think it's an insult to the manufacturer??"
"No dad, in fact they even recommend using a cover for the iPad."
"Did you cover it because it was cheap and ugly?"
"Actually, I covered it because I didn't want it to get damaged and decrease in value."
"When you put the cover on didn't it reduce the iPad's beauty?"
"I think it looks better, and its worth it for the protection it gives my iPad."
The father looked lovingly at his daughter and said nothing else.
#Hijab
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
Sinners ...
“Both Jannah and Jahannam were made for sinners. Jahannam was made for the arrogant sinner, whereas Jannah was made for the repentant sinner.”
—
Sh. Tawfique Chowdhury
—
Sh. Tawfique Chowdhury
Sunday, 1 February 2015
The Invincibility of Patience - Abdel Rahman Mussa
Sometimes, when you have been wronged… Wronged so badly that you’re left without any recourse or means to defend or change things… in those times, your only defence is resilience and patience. To bide time.
At those times, others looking at you might judge you to be weak or foolish. “you’ve lost, just admit it” they may say.
But those fools were never in the fight, they are bystanders, jealous and spiteful of your courage, your resilience. Though they may seem to have more than you and though they may seem not to have been affected by that which trials you… the truth is that what they have is superficial, a veneer that doesn’t even belong to them.
Slaves they are, enjoying the scraps that their masters feed them only to keep them alive.
They ask you to give up the courage that makes you strong in a pretence of wanting you to have mercy on yourself. Secretly they hope that you do not outshine them.
But patience allows the oppressed to grow an innate strength so powerful that pain or pleasure both lead to growth and enrichment. In that time, the oppressor grows weak and his outwardly power erodes and implodes.
When the time is right, Allah (swt) changes the smallest of factors. Variables that you did not notice due to their supposed insignificance. The game changes completely and suddenly that which made you weak is your very strength.
“And seek assistance in patience and prayer and it is burdensome (to do so) except for those in awe of their Lord”
Al Baqarah, 45.
Our nation is not one that can be destroyed.
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
A Way Out Of Difficulty ...
Ibn al-Jawzi said:
“Something was causing me a great deal of grief and distress, and I started to think long and hard about how to get out of this situation by any means, but I could not find any way out. Then I came across this verse (in the Qur’an):
‘…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out [of every difficulty].’ (65:2)
“Something was causing me a great deal of grief and distress, and I started to think long and hard about how to get out of this situation by any means, but I could not find any way out. Then I came across this verse (in the Qur’an):
‘…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out [of every difficulty].’ (65:2)
Monday, 19 January 2015
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Beautiful Character of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) ...
Learn more and share more about the greatness of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Hassaan bin Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) describes him with the following couplets:
“My eyes have never seen anyone more perfect than you
No woman has given birth to anyone more handsome than you
You have been created free from all defects
As if you were created the way you wished”
Friday, 16 January 2015
Seeking Knowledge ...
“Whenever I set myself the task to learn, I realize how little I know and the more I learn, the more I realize how ignorant I am”
Thursday, 15 January 2015
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Beauty...
Know that beauty is two types: external and internal. Internal beauty is loved for itself; it is the beauty of knowledge, reason, generosity, chastity and courage. That inside beauty is what God looks at and loves in His servant. Moreover, inside beauty beautifies the external image even if it is not appealing, when the person is covered with reverence, sweetness and beautiful manners as much as his soul acquires of those features. A believer is granted reverence and beauty according to his faith, so he is revered by those who meet him and loved by those who deal with him. This is commonly observed as you can see the righteous, charitable and well-mannered man projecting the nicest impression even if he is plain in looks, especially when he has been blessed with keeping night prayers as they illuminate the face and beautify it.
Ibnul-Qayyem al-Jawzy
Ibnul-Qayyem al-Jawzy
Monday, 12 January 2015
Rely on Allah ...
“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” [Qur’an, 65: 2-3]
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Saturday, 10 January 2015
True Value ...
Meet the people in such a manner that if you die, they should weep for you, and if you live, they should long for you.”
– Ali Ibn Abi Talib raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him)
Friday, 9 January 2015
Fill the Emptiness of the Heart with the Remembrance of Allah . . .
Ibn AlQayyim (ra) said,
In the heart there is a dispersion that is not collected except by turning towards Allah..
And there is a loneliness that is not removed except by the company of Allah in seclusion..
And there is a sadness that is not pushed away except by the happiness of knowing Him and dealing with Him truthfully..
And there is an anxiety that is not stilled except by gathering yourself to Him and fleeing from Him to Him..
And there are fires of remorse, that are not extinguished except by contentment with His commands, prohibitions and decrees, and embracing patience regarding that until the time of meeting Him...
And there is severe desire, that will not cease until He alone becomes the desired..
And there is an emptiness, that is not filled except by His love and continuous remembrance of Him and sincerity to Him, and if one were to be given the entire world that emptiness would not be filled ever!
Thursday, 8 January 2015
Dua ...
When my Dua is accepted I become happy because this is my wish, but when my dua is NOT accepted I become more happy because this was Allah’s Will."
Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA)
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Friday, 2 January 2015
Thursday, 1 January 2015
~ Winter Days ~
Winter has come
And the sunshine has gone
But the light of the believers is oh so strong
With the days short for fasting
And the nights long for prostrating
Only if we knew the benefit
We would wish it were everlasting
On the Day when our deeds are weighed
We will be thankful for these blessed winter days
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