Followers

Sunday 30 May 2010

Key To Happiness

If you know Allah and worship Him, you will have found happiness and peace. Even if you are living in a hut made of mud.
But if you deviate from the true path, your life will truly be wretched, even if you are living a life of luxury and comfort in a large mansion. If this latter case applies to you, then you do not have with you the key to happiness.

And we gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. (Qur'an 28: 76)

Pause to reflect

Truly, Allah defends those who believe.  (Qur'an 22: 38)

In other words, He protects them from evil, both in this world and in the Hereafter. In this verse, Allah enlightens us, warns us, and gives us glad tidings. He repels evil from the believers in proportion to their faith. The evil of the disbelievers, the evil whispers of the Devil, the evil in their own selves, and the evil of their deeds - all of these does Allah ward off from the true believers. 

When calamity falls, its burden will be lightened from them. Every believer has a share in this divine protection. Yet it varies according to one's level of faith: some will receive less, others more.
Among the fruits of faith is that it gives solace to the believer in times of hardship.

... And whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart...  (Qur'an 64: 11
 

Saturday 29 May 2010

It is 02.20am...


The time is 02.20am. As I am writing this post it feels as I am the only person awake..:)
My son came back from the masjid tonight, nursing a terrible migraine. Earlier in the day he had played football. I think the combination of tiredness and possible dehydration triggered off the migraine.
I felt hopeless as I could not help him in his pain except by giving him some painkillers which he promptly brought up. :(
As I was sitting in the dark ( lights off as they were causing him more pain), with him, I was getting very upset and had feelings of helplessness.
There was nobody to ask or anybody who could help to ease his terrible  pain except ALLAH.
ALLAH says in the Qur'an:
 “We sent down (reveled) of the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy to those who believe” (Surah 17-Aya 82).
So I started reciting Surah Al-Fatiha and the last 2 Surahs of the Holy Qur'an.
[Narrated 'Aisha: Whenever Allah's Apostle became ill, he used to recite Al-Muawidhatan (i.e. the last two Suras of the Qur'an) and then blow his breath and passed his hand over himself.Book #59, Hadith #714)].
Shortly afterwards Alhamdulillah, he started feeling better or at least the pain eased off and now he is asleep.
For me is now very difficult to shake off the anxiety but Inshallah as it is nearing time for Fajr Salaah , the prayer and the new day which is just an hour or so away will disperse the shadows of this uncomfortable night.
Jazakallah for reading
Wa salam



Sunday 23 May 2010

Self-Contentment...


It has been just an ordinary weekend.This morning the day started with  brilliant sunshine streaming through the windows.Though  I am never sure about hot days, today I was determined to enjoy the day. So I found pleasure in...
It was a pleasure to leave the patio doors open and allow the slight  breeze to caress my face. It was a pleasure to cook a meal and sweat over the hot stove ( special recipe fried chicken)..LOL  It was a pleasure to listen to the happy, excited children and smell the barbecue smoke drifting  in the gardens.( No complaint about ruining the washing hanging in the garden)!!
It was nothing extraordinary about today.But it was a special day. It was another day that was gifted to me to spend with my family and appreciate the beauty of the change of the seasons. Another opportunity to see, smell, hear, do and appreciate.
So I did not need a retail therapy trip, hoarding things that I do no need. I had all I needed today. Alhamdulillah.! I felt content.
Being able to find happiness and contentment in our own lot is a great blessing from Allah



There are so many pleasures and blessings in our lives if only we look, find them, appreciate them and be happy.
Inshallah you had a happy and content weekend too.

Salams :)


Wednesday 19 May 2010

A Message in time and place...



" One day I will grow up to be..."
Did you use to say this, or maybe you are still saying it?
I remember  how when I was younger, I always had  "aspirational dreams" that used  to change often..LOL!
As for all of us,  some of  my dreams were  realised, some did  not,
But what really matters is that I had a wonderful  journey trying to realise them and solid foundations.
Home is where we get our first foundations for feelings, skills, behaviour, attitude and ways of life.
 My father used to be the most influential person in my life. He used to guide me, encourage me and was a brilliant example of self sacrifice, integrity, hard work, affection, love and so much more that plain words can not even begin to describe.He always made me feel protected and valued and made me feel that everything is possible as long as you want it badly enough. Sadly I lost my dad in 2002. His death left a  huge gap in my life.

 As a parent  myself , I am  blessed and entrusted with the care of my own children, Alhamdulillah!.

So now is my turn to provide all that that I was provided with. To keep on going when I am tired, to keep on smiling, when I want to cry,to help them in the journey of this life, to help them  reach and touch their "dreams" with One Destination and Goal.

 The Ultimate "Goal" to be pleasing to Allah and achieve "What's good in this Life and What's Good in the Hereafter", Inshallah . With destination: Jannah, Inshallah.

They say: Children are living messages we send to a time and place we will never see.

I am my parents message to this time and this place as my children will be of mine.


We read in the Qur'an:
"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour." 
(  سورة الإسراء  , Al-Isra, Chapter  #17, Verse #23)




"Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established." 
(
  سورة إبراهيم  , Ibrahim, Chapter #14, Verse #41)














Tuesday 18 May 2010

Kindness

Asalamu Alaykum :)
I thought I will share some quotes about kindness.Kindness has become such a commodity though it costs nothing.
If we all were to look into our hearts we would find that we have unlimited reserves of kindness, gifted to us by Allah, The All Mighty. Please do not hesitate to share this treasure n your heart with others...



In a Hadith in Sahih Muslim we read:


'A'isha, the wife of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: 'A'isha, verily Allah is kind and He loves kindness and confers upon kindness which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness).  (Book #032, Hadith#6273)


Saturday 15 May 2010

My all time favourite book

Photo courtesy of Flickr


 MashaAllah,I love reading.
By opening a book I often realise how much knowledge is out there for me to discover.
I discovered the joy of reading very early on in life. Television was never a favourite with me. And I carried on my reading through my adult years.When the children were little, I had less time but I still was getting through the odd book here and there. LOL
I love books. When the house quietens down for the night I like nothing better than to" bury" myself  in the pages of a good book. Through its pages I could be  learning about anything at all. Science, Nature, New discoveries,or it could be about people and their problems. In some of the books the characters are fictional in others are real. Some of the stories are from times gone by, period novels. I appreciate that however much things have changed, the fact remains that they had and we have problems, different though they might be.
We have more technology in our fingertips, running water, electricity, all gadgets when " they had to kindle the fire" and wash in the tub but also we are more isolated and self centred. When I finish a book is like saying goodbye to a good friend. I always send a silent " thank you" to the author for the knowledge they imparted with
But there is one Book different than all others, my favourite Book...
My favourite Book- The Holy Qur'an
Author- The Lord of the Worlds
Every time I open the Holy Qur'an it is for sure that I  will learn something new.
It never dates and is the best " councillor" to my problems and the problems of humanity. Allah talks to us through its pages and by His permission we can see the answers to long or short term problems ,staring at us. Though is not a Science Book we learn about science. Though is not a History Book we learn about History. The Holy Qur'an does not give us only the answers. It encourages us to think and find answers for ourselves.It satisfies our need to learn and develop spiritually but also practical with solutions to social and other matters.
Glorious, Majestic, Noble. The Book with no Comparable. Every Muslim's must be favourite Book. The Holy Qur'an.




Friday 14 May 2010

Can you see beauty?




Lets all take time to look and appreciate the artistry of Allah. I have only just now realised that for most of the years of my life I had been unaware of the beauty that surrounds us and the Divine Order that guides and controls things. Alhamdulillah, for Allah Guiding me and Helping me out of Ignorance and into the Light!

Wednesday 12 May 2010

The empty criticisms and the "nit" picking...


Sometimes it is very difficult to put pen to  paper or on this instance use the keyboard, lol, to describe feelings.
Yesterday I was saddened by criticism on a project that I have undertaken and I have spent a lot of time on, for the past few months. Nothing major, just some as we call it " nit picking" comments with no offers of volunteering time or effort to help resolve possible mistakes . So that's why it hurt so much . It is very easy to be an outsider offering criticism and that's all. Just plain criticism with nothing else to offer.
When one is involved in dawah projects through the net, is very difficult to distinguish the genuine from the fake reader and critic.
People who are genuine as far as I am concerned, instead of making remarks, should offer help, guidanceand encouragement.
The ones who do not like our efforts, the ones with  hidden agendas, obviously will use different methods  to demotivate and demoralise and try to halt our efforts.
Alhamdulilla!
. Giving myself time to think,  I came to my own decision to carry on with my efforts regardless.
In fact I will use the comments in a constructive way and I will try  to better my efforts. Everything we do is to please Allah, The Exalted. The creation is another matter.
To all my readers who commented on yesterday's post a Big Big Thank You. May Allah Bless you.

And Allah Knows Best

Tuesday 11 May 2010

When your best is not good enough...


Today I feel slightly disappointed. :( In fact I feel absolutely and totally upset.
Sometimes your best is not good enough. Do you get days like this? How to you react to criticism?
Inshallah, tomorrow I will expand on this topic and my feelings.



Monday 10 May 2010

Simple tastes!


Asalamu Alaykum

I have a confession to make.I seem to be the only one in our family whose favourite dish is ... guess what!

Lentils and Rice. Plain , simple and heart warming. LOL

I usually ask the children what they would like for dinner. Sometimes like today I just take the initiative.LOL

As the pots are simmering and the aroma is drifting towards my study, I prepare myself for a little confrontation...

" Mum! You know we do not like this... especially with no chicken or meat ... not again! "

I can assure you I do not indulge myself very often. But it is good sometimes to have a break from all the meat dishes. Just for a day. So I chose today.

Lentils contain high levels of protein, minerals, fibre, iron and so on.

I really  like the comforting taste especially on a grey day like today.

But at the end, they still appreciate the food!

Alhamdulillah


Saturday 8 May 2010

To give or not to give?


Sometimes is very hard to tell the difference...
It can be very difficult the distinguish between your professional career beggar and the one in genuine need.
I was approached today in the street by a lady, supposedly asking for enough money for a bus fair to visit her daughter.
I could just imagine what my companion was thinking:
" If you give it,  it's all going to go to drink, cigarettes or even worse... You are being silly even to consider.... you are so gullible...No, don't even think about it... You are so trusting.."
I was thinking " What if it is genuine.... What if it an emergency and how will she get to destination... What if it is a matter of  domestic violence, illness, threat...?"
It was a battle between reason and doubt.
Don't get me wrong. It was not even the amount of money. The sum was so small. It was a matter of if I should or shouldn't.
So I had to make a  decision and I did.
I based my decision on the following:
My Intention: My intention was to help another human being in distress, for the sake of Allah.
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."  Bukhari (Book 1, Hadith 1)


The Need of the Person asking:
 Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Acts of begging are lacerations with which a man disfigures his face, so he who wishes may preserve his self-respect, and he who wishes may abandon it; but this does not apply to one who begs from a ruler, or in a situation which makes it necessary. Abudawud  (Book 9, Hadith 1635)

And I was also by Allah's permission in the better of the two positions, the position of giving:

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower (hand) is that of the beggar."  
 Bukhari (Book 24, Hadith 509)


So I gave the money...
What would you do?

Thursday 6 May 2010

Do not lose


Do not lose

Excerpt from the Book " Don't Be Sad"
Photo courtesy of Flickr

Allah answers the prayer of the disbeliever who is in distress; so how much more can the Muslim expect who doesn't associate partners with Him?
Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps second in popularity in India only to the Buddha, was on the verge of slipping were it not for his dependence on the strength of prayer. And how do I know this? Because, he himself said, "If I didn't pray, I would have gone mad a long time ago. This was the effect of prayer, and Gandhi was not even a Muslim. Unquestionably, his falsehood was great, but what kept him going was that he was on a path.
And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.  (Qur'an 29: 65)
Is not He [better than your gods] who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him...  (Qur'an 27: 62)
(And they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: `If You [Allah] deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful.  (Qur'an 10: 22)
Despite a thorough search through the biographies of Muslim scholars, Muslim historians, and Muslim writers as a group, I have failed to find a single one of them who fell prey to anxiety, confusion, and mental illnesses. The reason is that they lived in peace and serenity, and that they lived uncomplicated lives that were free from all forms of affectation.
But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad, for it is the truth from their Lord, He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state.  (Qur'an 47: 2)
 Contemplate the following statement of Ibn Hazim:
"There is only one day separating kings and me. As for yesterday, their taste of it has vanished, and both they and I equally fear what tomorrow will bring. Thus there is only today. And what will today bring?"
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
"O' Allah, I ask you for goodness today: in its blessings, success, light, and guidance."
O' you who believe! Take your precautions...   (Qur'an 4: 71)
And let him be careful and let no man know of you.   (Qur'an 18: 19)
And they said nothing but: `Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions [in keeping our duties to you], establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.   (Qur'an 3: 147)

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Khawlah bint Tha`labah

Excerpt from the Book 2 The Ideal Muslimah" Page 27



Islamic history is filled with the stories of great women who kept the rule of Allah (SWT) in mind at
all times and did not deviate from it or look for alternatives. Among these stories is that of Khawlah
bint Tha`labah and her husband Aws ibn al-Samit, narrated by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud, and
quoted by Ibn Kathir in his tafsir of the beginning of Surat al-Mujadilah. Khawlah said:
"By Allah (SWT), concerning me and Aws ibn al-Samit, Allah (SWT) revealed the beginning of
Surat al-Mujadilah. I was married to him, and he was an old man who was bad-tempered.
One day, he came in and I raised a particular issue with him again; he became angry and
said, `You are to me as the back of my mother.' Then he went out and sat for a while in the
meeting-place of his people. Then he came back, and wanted to resume marital relations
with me. I said, `No way! By the hand of the One in Whose hand is the soul of Khuwaylah
(i.e., Khawlah), you will never get what you want from me after saying what you said, until
Allah (SWT) and His Messenger decide between us.' He tried to force himself on me, but I
was able to resist because I was a young woman and he was a weak old man. I pushed him
away, then I went to one of my (female) neighbours and borrowed a cloak from her and went
to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). I sat before him, told him what (my husband) had done to
me, and began to complain to him about my sufferings because of my husband's bad temper.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, `O Khuwaylah, your cousin is an old man, so fear Allah
(SWT) with regard to him.' I did not leave him until Qur'an was revealed concerning me: he
was overcome as he usually was when Qur'an was revealed to him, and when it was over, he
said: `O Khuwaylah, Allah (SWT) has revealed Qur'an concerning you and your husband.'
Then he recited to me:
( Allah has indeed heard [and accepted] the statement of the woman who pleads
with you concerning her husband and carries her complaint [in prayer] to Allah:
and Allah [always] hears the arguments between both sides among you: for Allah
hears and sees [all things]'. If any men among you divorce their wives by zihar
[calling them mothers], they cannot be their mothers: none can be their mothers
except those who gave them birth. And in fact they use words [both] iniquitous and
false: but truly Allah is One that blots out [sins], and forgives [again and again].
But those who divorce their wives by zihar, then wish to go back on the words they
uttered - [it is ordained that such a one] should free a slave before they touch each
other: this are you admonished to perform: and Allah is well-acquainted with [all]
that you do. And if any has not [the wherewithal], he should fast for two months
consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so, he should
feed sixty indigent ones. This, that you may show your faith in Allah and His
Messenger, those are limits [set by] Allah. For those who reject [Him], there is a
grievous Penalty.) (Qur'an 58:1-4)
He told me, `Let him release a slave.' I said, `O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), he does not
have the means to do that.' He said, `Then let him fast for two consecutive months.' I said,
`By Allah (SWT), he is an old man, he is not able to do that.' He said, `Then let him feed
sixty poor people with a wasq of dates.' I said, `O Messenger of Allah (SWT), he does not
have that much.' He said, `Then we will help him with a faraq of dates.' I said, `And I will
help him with another faraq, O Messenger of Allah (SWT).' He said, `You have done right and
done well. Go and give it in charity on his behalf, then take care of your cousin properly.' And
I did so."
Khawlah bint Tha`labah could not bear to stay for one moment with her husband after he had
spoken the words of zihar to her, which was a form of divorce at the time of jahiliyyah, until she
had referred the matter to the Prophet (PBUH), so that she might know how Allah (SWT) would
judge between her and her husband. She did not even have a suitable garment with which to go
out and appear before the Prophet (PBUH), so she borrowed a robe from one of her neighbours,
and rushed to where the Prophet (PBUH) was sitting, so that she could hear Allah's (SWT) ruling
concerning her, and follow it.
It comes as no surprise that this great woman enjoyed such high standing among the Sahabah
who were her contemporaries and knew her virtues, above all `Umar ibn al-Khattab (RAA). She
met him one day outside the mosque, when al-Jarud al-`Abdi was with him. `Umar, who was the
khalifah at that time, greeted her, and she said to him, "O `Umar, I remember you when you were
called `Umayr in the marketplace of `Ukaz, taking care of the sheep with your stick. So fear Allah
(SWT) in your role as khalifah taking care of the people, and know that the one who fears the
threat of punishment in the Hereafter realises that it is not far away, and the one who fears death
fears missing some opportunity in this life." Al-Jarud said, "You have spoken too harshly to Amir al-
Mu'minin, woman!" `Umar said, "Let her be. Do you not know that this is Khawlah, to whose words
Allah (SWT) listened from above the seven heavens? By Allah (SWT), `Umar should by rights listen
to her."



Saturday 1 May 2010

O Muslim Women of Knowledge!

O Muslim Women of legacy
O Women of knowledge, honour and dignity
The books on the shelves lay
Pleading to their Lord out of disarray
The term ‘liberation’ lies in decay
For you the shelves cry out each day
The world awaits your way
To pick up the heritage lost, forgotten and withered away…
They define Islaam’s Scholars as Misogynist
Yet they have not enjoyed our history nor lived within its midst
So come with me and explore the lists
Hearts throbbing, their presence is truly to be missed…


When will you come forth to brighten the gloom?
Amidst the so-called ‘progressive’ doom,
Where are you O Women who carried knowledge within your hearts?
And did not play with it like darts…
Come again! Rise again! And once again rule the hearts.

O Women of Knowledge
O beautiful lakes from which only good flowed
Your examples are alive and within the dark glow
Causing Muslims to love your way
And search for your example today
Many sought knowledge within your presence, zealous
Within Masjids that truly needed to be spacious…

For you many stood from around the globe in a line
To gain knowledge which you did refine and define
Sahih Al Bukhari, Muslim and others full of light
Are waiting for the female scholars once again to come and hold them tight
Where is the knowledge that made men come
Even if they possessed knowledge of great Height?
Sincerely seeking knowledge for Allah alone,
To whom belongs all might,
- Humbly, meekly and standing in front of their Muslim Sister out of sight…

The Niqaab was your shield
And did not cause you to yield
You spread the Words of the deen
So they flocked from all corners so keen

Your voices you did not decorate and manipulate
Today, scarcely to be found
Are characters so sound
And such sincere knowledge spreading wide and far,
Without tape recorders, internet or even the microphone!
For the pursuit of knowledge you did not travel alone
But with your mahrams or within the paradise of your homes

We ask Allah to forgive us
Since we are truly witnessing times which are tough
The enemies of Islaam are becoming even more rough
Making excuses to target Muslim Women and to have a laugh
Because we have forgotten our legacies
We have fallen into jeopardy
Becoming targets for this kind of monopoly

Let’s seek knowledge and defend our stance
Using knowledge as our lance
So as they watch and dance
The legacies of our female scholars we bring back,
Imitate… and enhance. 


From: IdealMuslimah.com