Yearning to be a Devotee of Allah

Behind the Veil: Don't Oppress Me By Stripping Me of My Right to Wear the Veil

2009-10-08T21:14:00.000-07:00

I hear and read of all the commotion going on in Europe, Middle East, and now Canada about people having a problem with a simple piece of harmless cloth I choose to wear on my face. The problem arises from either ignorance about the matter or differences with it.

I had decided to wear the veil at the age of eight-teen. Thank you very much, but it was out of my own choice. Neither was I married nor did my family encourage it. I was the first amongst my family to adorn the niqab. I feel very comfortable wearing the veil as I feel people do not judge me or treat me a certain way due to my looks. I have attended University wearing the niqab. I've traveled in public transportation with the very veil that I feel enhances my identity instead of hiding it. You may ask how so? The niqab has given me the opportunity to express myself without men in particular judging me or treating me for the way I look. I don't have to worry about looking pleasing to the eye to people who see me walking down the street. I choose to be known for my inner voice, my personality, and intellect. In the comfort of my home or private gatherings I confound to a different dress code. I am happy in own shoes and I don't wish to force people to start wearing the veil just like that I don't wish for people to force me out of my shoes.

A women in Canada can go outside in a bikini. I should be given the right to cover my face. Covering the face is not something uncommon in our society. In fact it is done by us in winter with thick scarves. It is also done by us by masking us from viruses, more recently the H1N1.
I am not asking to vote in veil or cross borders, or not to have a license without a veil. All I am saying is that I should have the right to wear a niqab wherever I so desire and if for identification purposes I need to reveal my face temporarily then I am willing to.

The niqab is not a threat. Niqab wearing women do not bite. We are not criminals. There hasn't been a history of us committing crimes. A women should be given the choice to wear the niqab or not in this country for the sake of freedom of choice and religion.

Revival

2008-09-25T00:06:00.000-07:00

Insha'Allah there will be a revival of this blog.

Watch this space.......

It has been almost 2 years since I have last published a post on this blog.
..

......

...........

The wedding gift

2006-10-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

"And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous. (Al-Qur'an 25:74)"

And once again another teaching experience....

2006-08-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Through the Grace of Allah(SWT) once again, I got another opportunity to teach (alhamdulillah). This time a bit of a different experience. Unlike before teaching from morning untill afternoon and then returning home from a hectic day, this time we had to live in a different city, leaving the comfort of our homes...Indeed a small sacrifice, but definitely nothing compared to the sacrifices the Sahabah (RA) made or many of our pious brothers and sisters make even in this age. We had children from the ages 5-15 and we taught them various subjects from learning how to recite the Qur'an, to the life of the Prophet(SAW), to Aqi'dah and Fiqh. It seemed like 6 long weeks. We drove back home every weekend(2.5 hr drive) and then drove back every Monday morning, spending the weekends at home and weekdays there. It was a challenging task dealing with kids of all ages and with different backgrounds. Alhamdulillah, today was the last day. A day of happiness. A day to say goodbye. Parents thanked us for our efforts. We recieved gifts from some students. Some students even wrote us handwritten cards thanking us and asking us to come back. Some parents even offered us to stay at their place next time we come by the city. Alhamdulillah, it really felt like we made a change and it felt a bit nice that the kids had learned something due to our efforts. Finally, we're driving back home, a bit excited and relieved, the next thing we see is that a man runs in front of our car and our car hits him! Both of us scream. Shocked. Apparently, the man had gotten out of the bus and was running in the middle of the street to the other side to catch another bus? We weren't able to see the man due to the bus. It felt very horrible that we hurt someone. My husband immediately called 911. Other people came on the scence. Very soon the police and the ambulance came and took the man. They said he may have a broken collarbone. Horrible feeling to have hurt someone so much unintentionally. Thinking deeply why did this happen. Why us? Why our vehicle? Even the cop told us that it wasnt really our fault, but I still feel very guilty. My husband keeps telling me it's because Allah had planned it this way and it was destined to happen. Indeed, he is correct, but under shock I felt horrible. A terrible feeling in my stomach. Not even able to even cry it out. The incident keeps replaying in my head. And I think and think..And it hits me that it was only through Allah's will that we were able to help the children there. It was only through Him(SWT) that anything good happened. We can NEVER give ourselves the credit for anything positive. Perhaps, we might have gotten a bit too excited about it and started giving our own self the credit for the progress in the children. There is no need for us to even feel self-righteous about it, because just like we can help people we can also hurt them unintentionally. Perhaps, it was a lesson from Allah to not even dare to let our head's become big and think we can only help people. It is not us who is doing the helping, but it is really Allah(SWT) helping the people and we're used as a means to reach out to them.
Alhamdulillah and through this experience we came out learning more than what we bargained for.
May Allah forgive us for hurting the individual unintentionally...
Ya Allah please forgive us..
May Allah cure him soon...Ameen

Please make du'a...

Kids are so innocent

2006-03-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

Allah(SWT) has granted children so much innocence! Subhan'Allah, it is truly amazing. Sadly, as a child grows up, he/she is polluted by the fitnah of this dunya.
I love kids (especially Hamza school ones).
-The handwirtten cards
- The big group hugs
-The baked cakes
-Free period
-Nasheeds
-The unforgettable laughs in reponse to my corny jokes
-The memorable school trips

Every child is born of the nature of purity and submission to Allah.

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Abu Hurayra said, "When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was brought new dates, he said, 'O Allah! Bless us in our city and in our mudd and sa', blessing upon blessing.' Then he would give one to the youngest of the children with him."

'Amr ibn Shu'ayb reported from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who does not show mercy to our children nor acknowledge the right of our old people is not one of us."

Ya'la ibn Murra said, "We went out with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and we were invited to eat. Husayn was playing in the road and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, raced the people and then spread out his arms. The boy began to run this way and that and the Prophet made him laugh until he caught hold of him. He put one of his hands under his chin and the other on his head and then embraced him. Then the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn. Allah loves anyone who loves Husayn. Al-Husayn is one of my distinguished descendants.'"

Yusuf ibn 'Abdullah ibn Sallam said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, named me Yusuf and let me sit in his room and stroked my head."

(Al-Adab al-Mufrad al-Bukhari)

Traveller

2006-03-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Why is packing so difficult?
Unsure what to take and what to leave behind?
Feel a sense of attachment with your belongings?

The Prophet (SAW) said:

"What relationship with the world have I? My similitude is like a traveller on a mount, halting in the shade of a tree (for a short while only to leave it again, and proceed along the sojourn)."

The traveller rests a while in the shade and then moves on again.

Comments off.

2006-02-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

Asalaamualaikum,

Note: Sorry, I took down the comments on the last post and I turned the comments off for that particular post. The comments were getting a bit too personal. =) However, I still have them, but not for everyone to view. It's not anyone else's business anyways rt? =P
Initially, I took down the entire post, but upon request I decided to put the post back up with minor edits.
Thanks for all your kind words. I really do appreciate em', but probably don't deserve em'.

Anyhow, listen to Shaykh Husain's new lecture. It's awesome as usual masha'Allah. =)

Intentions and Positive Thinking

Looking back....

2006-02-25T19:51:00.000-08:00

Asalaamualaikum,

I haven't really posted much on my blog lately. Just been busy with things...
So, right now I was going through all my previous posts since April 2005 and it was quite interesting. Even though, I don't post personal posts on here much, it's still amusing to look back in the past and relate it to the events and situations you were in.
This somehow again brought me into a deep thought about the past. Reading old posts and dates just got me thinking what I was involved in at that time and who were the people I knew...etc...
You know, it has you really thinking about the people that were in your life at one point and then you wonder where they went. Certain people at some points in your life play such a major role and then due to circumstances and time you somehow grow apart and move on your separate ways. There are always some *special* people that leave such a remarkable effect on you that you can never forget. Those people hold a very *special* place in your heart. I guess it is a part of life that you meet, become close, and may move on. If you think about it, it is kinda sad...A friend of mine uses this interesting quote in her away message, "Don't ever tell anyone anything, because then you start to miss them." It sorta fits with what I'm trying to get at ...Uhhh did i just figure out what was bothering me?
[clipped]

Anyhow, this entry was suppose to serve some other purpose as well, which I'm trying to figure out at the moment. Yeah, so as I was typing, although we may be physically distant, busy with our own lives, and maybe not even share the same interests anymore, but that amazing bond cannot be forgotten or shared by another. All this sounds sooo cool, but wait a second lets think back for a second. Why was this person so important? Other than the common things you shared and the fun times you had together, there must be something more to it. Maybe he or she offered some sincere advice to us or was there for us when we really needed them. The bonds with these *special* individuals were definitely not based on materialistic things. There were certain aspects of his/her character which totally exemplified our Beloved Prophet(SAW)'s charcter.... be it their innate shyness, their eagerness to learn the deen, their generousity, their steadfastness in Salah, or perhaps their nature of refraining from lying, even if it gets them in trouble. =)
From our end, the thing more important to see is if we were able to affect someone's life in a positive way. Were you really there for this person when he/she needed you? Did you offer sincere advice? Was the advice going to help this person in his or her akhairah? Were you a positive influence or instead assisted/aided in sin? Did your character exemplify that of a true muslim, so that he or she can always remember you as one? Lets admit it guys, none of us are perfect and we all fell short somewhere. We all need to work on the way we interact with individuals be it our friends, our family members, our coworkers and so on. "Meet people in such a manner that if you die they weep over you and if you are alive they yearn for your company." -Ali ibn Abi Talib(R.A).

May Allah(SWT) forgive us for misguiding others knowlingly and unknownlingly and may He grant us the noble character of our beloved Prophet (SAW).....
Ameen

Surah Maryam

2006-02-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.sparklywater.com/files/flash/maryam.html

Allah ko apna banalo

2006-02-13T21:16:00.000-08:00

Maulana Hafiz Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi(DB)

Beloved Nabi (SAW)

2006-02-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

Oh Allah! Send your blessings upon
Our Master Muhammed, our guide, our beloved
In every heartbeat, in every breath, and sigh
Every teardrop shed
By those who yearn for the light of his beauty
Who pass days and nights seeking his company
From creation's dawn, every moment, every hour
Until the rising of the Last Day will come

~Beloved Nabi
Talib al-habib

2006-01-18T15:09:00.000-08:00

How long will you keep pounding on an open door

Begging for someone to open it?

-Rabia Basri

Sins lead to misery

2006-01-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

Sins lead to misery in this world and hereafter. Your heart becomes darker and darker until you repent. Your left with sorrow, regret, and loss of self-respect. It is only through the dhikr of Allah that the heart finds peace. Don't look for it elsewhere. Previously stated here.
Have low or no expectations from this dunya and its people. Insha'Allah you'll never be let down or disappointed. Tried and tested.

Talk and walk

2006-01-01T22:53:00.000-08:00

(O women!) "If you fear (Allah), then do not tenderize (your) talk, because then he in whose heart there is the disease (of lust) will crave. And, speak a righteous talk. And (furthermore), remain glued within your homes, and do not make an exhibition (of yourselves) like the displays of (the pre-Islam) jaahiliyyah."

- Qur'aan

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May Allah guide us all and forgive our shortcomings...

Ameen

How close is our Lord to us?

2005-12-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

"We indeed created man;

and We know what his soul whispers within him,

and We are nearer to him than the jugular vein."

(Al- Qur'an 50:51)

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:Sigh:

The depth within those words says it all.

The Fast of Maryam (a.s.)

2005-12-04T17:57:00.000-08:00

This lecture was given this Ramadhan in I'tikaf 2005 by Shaykh Husain.
Skip to 16:00 to hear the part when Shaykh Husain talks about Maryam (a.s.)

The Fast of Maryam

An innocent question

2005-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

In his childhood, Husain (R.A) asked his father Ali (R.A.), "Do you love Allah?" He replied "Yes." Then he asked, "Do you love my maternal grandfather( i. e. Prophet [SAW])?" He again replied. "Yes." He then asked, "Do you love my mother( Fatimah[R.A.])?" Again, he replied, "Yes." Finally, he asked, "Do you love me?" And Ali (R.A.) replied, "Yes." Husain (R.A) innocently asked, "Dear father, how have you combined so many loves in one heart?" Ali (R.A) explained, "Son, your question is an excellent one. The love that I have for your maternal grandfather, for your mother, and for you is because Allah (SWT) has commaned all these loves. Hence, all these loves are in fact branches of love for Allah." Upon hearing this, Husain (R.A.) smiled understandingly.

~Extracted from Love for Allah

Such an innocent question, yet so much wisdom behind it. May Allah help us love only those, whom he has commanded us to love. This is a form of worship in itself.

Ameen.

Our fitrah

2005-11-15T21:19:00.000-08:00

From the time of birth every person is blessed with a seed of love. Love is a part of our fitrah. Everybody has this seed of love in their heart, but many of us fail to direct it towards it's true essence. Gravitational force is nothing but attraction. Even flowers show their love for the sun. They lean towards the sun. Flowers make a 180 degree turn for their love for the sun.
How can sinners like us refuse to turn our full attention towards our Beloved Allah(SWT)?

Pause your heart on the remembrance of Allah(SWT). Remember Allah(SWT) from the depths of your heart. The heart of the believer always has Allah (SWT) in it.

~Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmad -12/18/04

Adhering to the Sunnah of the beloved Prophet (SAW)

2005-11-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

"If you truly love Allah, follow the Prophet (SAW), Allah will love you...."

Adhering to the sunnah

I'tikaf: Spiritual Retreat for Women at Home

2005-10-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Is it allowed for women to do Itikaf at home for the last ten days of ramadhan? What are the rules of itikaf and is she allowed to spend time playing with her grandchildren and socialising with her family?

Walaikum assalam,
Yes, it is permitted for women to do i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) in a specific place in their house, whenever they have the time and are able to do so without neglecting their family duties and other responsibilities.

The same considerations would apply as in any other i'tikaf: one's primary concern during the time should be towards worship, and unnecessary worldly activity should be avoided.

Even when one is in their monthly period, it is recommended in the Hanafi school to sit in a designated place of prayer (musalla) at home, after having made wudu, and make dhikr for the time it takes to pray.

It is recommended for women to designate a place in their houses as their 'masjid'. They can do i`tikaf there at any time, even for a brief period of time, [Radd al-Muhtar] and attain the great rewards mentioned in the hadiths for i`tikaf (as long as they fulfill their other worldly and religious duties, as is the case for men).

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, "Whoever stands the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and seeking reward shall have their previous sins forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim]

May Allah give us success to follow the guidance of His Beloved (Allah bless him & give him peace).

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

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RE: I'tikaf: Spiritual Retreat for Women at Home? Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

In relation to the above - I am hearing from some brothers that women cannot even go into the kitchen (?!) but must solely remain in that specific room until the period of 'itikaf is over. Please can you mention what can and cannot be done for a woman while she is in 'itikaf in her own home.

Walaikum assalam,
The i`tikaf needs to be in a specific place (e.g. a quiet room), which the woman should designate as her place of worship (musalla) not "in her house." [See article below.]

The full communal sunna i`tikaf is for the entire ten days (in the mosque, for men). This is not expected of those working or housewives, for that matter. Rather, the fiqh principle that, "If something cannot be done completely, it should not be left completely."

Thus, whenever free of pressing responsibilities, women should go to their place of worship, intending i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), even if only for a short amount of time, and keep themselves busy as much as possible in worship.

When she has to do something important, such as go to the kitchen or go shopping or visit a sick neighbor, she can leave her i`tikaf and return when able.

Such an i`tikaf is valid (and recommended) even outside Ramadan for women. In fact, it is best for them to intend i`tikaf every time they enter their place of worship (musalla) even for their daily prayers.

It is not valid for men to do i`tikaf in other than a mosque. [Durr]

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

Source

Feelings of a Girl

2005-09-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

A fear that can never be overcomed.
A love that is impossible to betray.
A passion so intimate that it is unable to be expressed.
An emotion so deep that it can make anyone drop dead.
A willingness to die any death, suffer any hardship, and endure any pain for this fear, love, passion, and emotion.
These are the feelings of a girl towards her CREATOR.

-Unknown sister

With every heart-beat....

2005-09-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

Sitting on a prayer mat
Desiring for you to be my friend
With every heart-beat echoing your name

What a shame!
My faithfulness towards you twickers
Each time I glance elsewhere
Your Direction is what I seek
With every heart-beat my heart awaits your Guidance

What a shame!
How can the soul ever feel alone?
When you're there to answer every call
Your Love is what I need
With every heart-beat my heart yearns for your closeness

What a shame!
I sin left and right
Drowning in heedlessness.
Your Mercy is what I want
With every heart-beat my heart begs for forgiveness

To be continued....

Loving for Allah's sake.

2005-09-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever came across a fellow muslim that you automatically "clicked" with?
A sense of familiarity with them without even a known past together?
A sense of tranquility they bring to your heart just by speaking to them for the sake of Allah(SWT)?
Encourgement to even become closer to Allah(SWT)?
Feels like your soul is naturally attracted to their company?
Do you know that according to a hadith all the armies of the souls had once been assembled together?
Those who recognized one another in that realm have a mutual affection in this world while those who had developed no affinity there, remain strangers even here.

*Post dedicated to my sisters in Islam whom I love soley for the sake of Allah(SWT)*

Abstinence from the world.

2005-09-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Short on time. Came across this hadith...subhan'Allah

"Excercise abstinence from the world and Allah will love you, and obstain from what people have and they will love you (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)."

2005-08-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

Did you start preparing for Ramadhan yet?

***Newly launched***

"...a group of sisters have gathered together in attempt to bring each and every reader information regarding this blessed month. A collective effort will be made in order to present readers with information regarding the status of this holy month as well as methods in which we can attain the maximum benefit through performing certain acts and by refraining from others"

Attaining Fina-e-Qalbi

2005-08-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Attaining fina-e-qalbi: Annihilation of the Heart-

Translation of a talk given by Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (damat barakatuhum)
Listen to the Audio in Urdu

"And that person who was dead, we gave him life and we granted him a light because of which he walks amongst people." (Surah al-An'am, Verse 122)

A heedless person is like a corpse, whereas truly alive is the one who is constantly engaged in remembering Allah. Through the abundant remembrance of Allah the heedless heart of a person is transformed into a living one. Hence, this light of nisbah (spiritual connection) is such a blessing that it gives life to the heart that was once dead and devoid of the remembrance of Allah.

Different people display different signs of the attainment of this light. This light in the language of our mashaikh (spiritual elders) is also called faidh, barakah, rahmah, and noor. All these words point to the same blessing. Attainment of faidh means the attainment of illumination. When a person gives bayt (pledges allegiance) to a shaykh and engages in the remembrance of Allah (dhikr) he attains faidh through this dhikr and his heart fills with noor. His heart attains peace as a result.

Light and darkness cannot coexist in the same space. Whenever noor enters the heart of a person he achieves tranquility, and whenever his heart is engulfed by darkness he is in a state of perpetual anxiety. Darkness causes unrest and confusion while noor brings peace.

Engaging in dhikr and muraqabah, praying, and coming to the mosque are all righteous acts that attract the noor of Allah which makes us feel light and at ease. This inexplicable happiness is because of the attainment of faidh and cannot be adequately expressed in words. We experience this elation despite the overwhelming amount of worries in our life. Who is there in this world that is not plagued by problems? Indeed, this world is the very place of troubles. One has to face different difficulties at different stages of one's life but attaining tranquility in the heart despite these worries and challenges is a proof of the attainment of faidh.

At times a person has pleasant dreams in which he may be visited by the auliya (friends) of Allah, the Prophet, or even by Allah Himself. For the majority of the time such dreams are indicators of the attainment of faidh and noor. On the other hand, if the person lives a life of heedlessness then his dreams may be very frightening. He may dream that various animals are chasing and attacking him, and is likely to be persistently haunted by such bizarre and frightening dreams. Hence, a sign of the attainment of faidh may be that a person receives mubasharaat (glad tidings).

In some people the faidh causes the fire of the love for Allah to burn so intensely that its heat can be felt throughout the body. Sometimes an indication of the attainment of faidh is that at times seekers experience a sleep-like state while in muraqabah. In reality this is not sleep but rather it is a drowsiness that is called nuaas in Arabic. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

"Remember he covered you with a sort of drowsiness (nuaas), to give you calm as from Himself" (Surah al-Anfaal, Verse 11)

On the night of the Battle of Badr, Allah sent His sakina (serenity) down onto the Prophet and the Noble Companions. This sakina took the form of nuaas, about which Allah says:

"But Allah did pour His calm (sakina) on the Messenger and on the Believers." (Surah at-Tauba, Verse 26)

The descent of this kind of sakina is a mercy, and we also know from the sayings of the Prophet that a deep tranquility descends upon those who remember Allah. When sakina descends it overwhelms the heart and the person experiences a state akin to drowsiness that an ordinary person mistakenly assumes is sleep as he cannot distinguish between the two.

However, sleep is different from the drowsiness felt due to the descent of the mercy of Allah. A person who consumes an intoxicating drug might experience a state mirroring the effects of sleep. The person is not physically experiencing sleep but the drug is altering the state of his mind. Similarly a person's mind can attain a state of drowsiness because of this rahmah.
This is one reason why our elders have said that one should not worry if one experiences drowsiness during muraqaba because it is in fact a sign of the mercy of Allah. The example of such a person is like that of a beggar who waits outside the door of a rich and generous person in the hope of being given something. He waits there all day and during that time drowsiness or even sleep may overtake him. Now when the owner of the house asks his attendants the length of time that the beggar has been sitting at his doorstep, will they subtract from their estimate the one or two hours that the beggar might have dozed off or rather say that he had been sitting there since Fajr? Indeed they will say that he came after Fajr and the time he napped will be included in his waiting time.

Similarly, even if a person dozes off after having sat down with the intention of muraqaba, the time he dozed will be included in his muraqabah. These days it is even easier to understand this concept. If we connect our cell phones with a charger it makes no difference whether the screen is on or off because the charging takes place in either case. Similarly in muraqabah whether the screen of the person is on or off he continues to benefit from the faidh because the connection has been established.

Other manifestations of faidh are that hearts become more attentive towards the Hereafter; towards the grave, resurrection and Paradise. Furthermore, faidh softens a person's heart and it overflows with the love and remembrance of Allah. Now what are the consequences of the attainment of this faidh on the heart of the believer?

If a person regularly and abundantly engages in dhikr a time comes when his heart becomes jaari (set in motion). What is meant by the heart becoming jaari? This has several meanings.
One is that a person experiences a movement in his heart. Just as we may feel a muscle in our body quiver at times, the heart muscle of a person also gains some movement because of dhikr. His heart experiences intense attention towards the name of Allah. It is important to distinguish between the regular palpitation of the heart and the heart being jaari. The beating of the heart is the pumping of blood seventy to eighty times a minute, but movement due to abundant dhikr is two to three times faster than the beating of the heart and is experienced as a delightful tickling in the heart. This is referred to as taharruk (movement) which soon after transforms into tazakkur (remembrance) where the person actually perceives his heart calling out the name of Allah.

The heart is the control center of the body and the limbs respond to the decisions that the heart processes. Hence the limbs will act righteously only if the heart is pure and vice versa. Consequently some elders have said that the heart becoming jaari means that the commands of the righteous heart are accepted by every other part of the body and thus the body becomes subservient to such a heart. Another opinion is that a heart becomes jaari when a person's body begins to obey the commands of Allah, the shariah.

If a person thinks that his heart is jaari he should see if he is obeying the commandments of Allah. It is a blessing if he is but if not, then what is the use of dhikr if it does not take one towards the inculcation of the sunnah of the Prophet? These blessings are attained with muraqabah and and we should try to perform dhikr abundantly so that Allah will bless us with His favors.

Once a heart becomes jaari one attains such immense pleasure that he cannot forget Allah for an instant even if he tried. We should all ask Allah for this blessing because this is a grand station from which there is no return. About this our elders have said that a fani (one who has achieved annihilation) never returns.

Some people raised objections to this and asked why it is that a fani cannot return. To this objection our elders responded by asking whether a fully ripened fruit can ever return to its former stage of growth? Can a child ever return to infancy after having attained maturity? The answer to both these questions is negative. Similarly, once a person has attained this blessing Allah protects him from sin in such a manner that the question of him falling back into error does not arise. This is called fina-e-qalbi (annihilation of the heart) and we should all pray to Allah to grant us this blessing.

Tasawwuf.org

Sores on the heart

2005-07-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

The disease of the heart is the worst disease of all, and the worst disease from the dieseases of the hurt is to hurt someone so that their heart breaks. Tasawwuf's highest aim is to make others happy and content while bearing a broken heart within oneself. The lowest aim in tasawwuf is not to hurt people when one cannot bring them happiness.
The traveler gets sores on his feet from traveling in this world, while the traveler in the spiritual realm gets sores on his heart.

Extracted from Wisdom for the Seeker
-Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmed

Imperfections

2005-07-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Asalaamualaikum,

Subhan'Allah, it has been a while since I last posted on here.Today's post will be more of a personal insight, which I'm not sure if its a good idea or not. I'm not a good writer nor do I have a blessed insight. I'll probably end up deleting this post soon...Lets see....

:scattered thoughts:

Bismillah

Today, I was told by an aunt that I look slightly pale and I should eat more fruits. Somehow(don't ask how) I ended up on a deep thought from one thing to another. I began to think how there are so many imperfections within me; imperfections in appearance and character. I was thinking about all my shortcomings and faults. This thought went beyond me and went onto mankind (its funny how my brain works). I started to think how we all lack something or the other. Some people are overweight and they want to loose weight, but they can't. Others feel they are too skinny and want to gain weight, but are unable to do so. If you don't have the weight issue, you may have other issues. These imperfections go beyond the looks and whats more harmful are the imperfections in our character, in the way we practice our deen...etc...

Do you ever ask Allah to make you sinless before sleeping at night? Did you ever feel so frustrated by your sins, that you said to yourself "I wish I can be a perfect muslim and not commit sins anymore?" Did you ever get the feeling that you only want to please Allah and you wish all obstacles be removed from the path?
The fact of the matter is no matter what state of piety we reach, we will sin. Man is sinful. However, we should make the sincere effort of trying to stop once we realize.

Whatever good we have in this world is due to the Mercy of Allah. Then why do we become so arrogant at times? How dare we look down on another muslim? Can we honestly look at ourselves and say we are perfect?What really do we have in this world that we can say honestly "it's mine"? How long will it stay ours? Even our own bodies are an amanah and we are suppose to take care of them. Whatever part of the body we use to sin will testify against us on the day of judgement.

And like always this brings me back to my usual conclusion.

Only Allah is perfect :)

It is only through his Mercy we have anything good in us. Allah(SWT) made the Prophet(SAW) perfect so he can be an example for mankind.However, not to worry, Allah will never forget his obedient servants. Allah promises the inhabitants of Jannah a perfect life. They would be made to look pleasing to the eye. Their character would be sinless. May Allah(SWT) make us amongst them....ameen

JUSTICE

2005-07-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

Islam is a Deen of justice and compassion. Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi (rahmatullah alayh) states in his Maaariful Qur'aan:
"The Qur'aan Kareem teaches fairplay and justice for both friend and foe. All are equal in this respect. Regardless of how brutal your enemy was and how much he had persecuted you, it is your obligation to treat him with justice. Islam is unique in this. This is the speciality of Islam. It safeguards the rights of even enemies. Islam does not compensate injustice with injustice. It responds with justice."

Female Devotees of Allah

2005-07-03T16:07:00.001-07:00

For more stories of Female Devotees of Allah click here....

http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4752

The Lion(?) Of Syria

2005-06-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: SHAYKH AHMED ALI'S LECTURE, WHICH MENTIONS THIS STORY HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE COMMENTS.

The story below is truly inspiring!!

Khaalid bin Al-Waleed had besieged Damascus. He had sent a Muslim blocking force to the north to prevent Roman reinforcements from coming to replenish the garrison at Damascus. At the head of this army was the commander Dhiraar - the lion of Syria who used to fight amongst the armoured enemies of Islaam naked from the waist up! He was a fierce warrior who had unfortunately been captured by the Roman reinforcements since their army was twice the strength of the Muslims, and he had launched headlong into the ranks of the enemies by himself, killing so many of the foe that his companions could not keep up with the pace. Soon he was too far into the ranks of the Romans, and was surrounded and captured. Khaalid bin Al-Waleed, upon hearing this, mobilized 5,000 from amongst the besieging force at Damascus and rode like the wind to come to the aid of the Muslims.

As Khalid approached the battlefield he suddenly saw a Muslim rider flash past him from behind and gallop off towards the Roman front. Before Khalid could stop him, he was gone. A slim, lightly-built person, dressed in black, this rider wore a breastplate and was armed with a sword and a long lance. He sported a green turban and had a scarf wrapped around his face, acting as a mask, with only his eyes visible. Khalid arrived on the battlefield in time to see this rider throw himself at the Romans with such fury that everyone present thought that he and his horse must both be mad. Raafe saw this rider before he saw Khalid and remarked, "He attacks like Khalid, but he is clearly not Khalid." Then Khalid joined Raafe. (second in command)

Khalid took a little time to organize Raafe's group and his own Mobile Guard into one and deploy it as a combined force for battle. Meanwhile the masked rider treated the Muslims to a thrilling display of horsemanship and attacks with the lance. He would go charging on his own, strike the Roman front at one point and kill a man; then go galloping away to another part of the front, again strike someone in the Roman front line and so on. A few Romans came forward to tackle him but all went down before his terrible lance. Marvelling at this wondrous sight, the Muslims could still see nothing more of the warrior than a youthful figure and a pair of bright eyes shining above the mask. The rider appeared bent on suicide as with his clothes and lance covered with blood, he struck again and again at the Romans. The example of this warrior put fresh courage into the men of Raafe, who forgot their fatigue and went into battle with renewed high spirits as Khalid gave the order to attack.

The masked rider, now joined by many others, continued his personal war against the Romans as the entire Muslim force attacked the Roman front. Soon after the general attack had begun, Khalid got near this rider and called, "O warrior, show us your face." A pair of dark eyes flashed at Khalid before the rider turned away and galloped off into another assault at the Romans. Next, a few of Khalid's men caught up with him and said,

"O noble warrior, your commander calls you and you turn away from him! Show us your face and tell us your name so that you may be properly honoured."

Again the rider turned away as if deliberately trying to keep his identity a secret.

As the masked rider returned from his charge, he passed by Khalid, who called to him sternly to stop. The rider pulled up his horse, and Khalid continued, "You have done enough to fill our hearts with admiration. Who are you?"

Khalid nearly fell off his horse when he heard the reply of the masked rider, for it was the voice of a girl!

"O commander, I only turn away from you out of modesty. You are the glorious commander, and I am of those who stay behind the veil. I fight like this because my heart is on fire."

"Who are you?"

"I am Khaulah, sister of Dhiraar. My brother has been captured, and I must fight to set him free."

Source

A thought.

2005-06-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

"Man lets' you down,

Allah(SWT) never does."

When will we stop expecting from others?
Disclaimer: Man as in Mankind.

Fitnah

2005-06-21T23:29:00.000-07:00

I think we need these signs everywhere.

Caution: Times of Fitnah......

Yes, even the summer holidays are a blessing of Allah!

2005-06-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Sikander Ziad Hashmi
sunniforum.com

Description: Summer holidays can be a time of boredom or enjoyment. But whatever the case, we can always channel our free time into doing something useful.

Alhamdulillah, the exams are over (or are almost over), and the summer holidays are finally upon us!

As you read the title, you probably thought, "man, these religious types call everything 'a blessing of Allah'!"

But think about it. The holidays give you time to chill and relax after an agonizing 8-10 months of school. It's especially good because it's summer and you don't have to spend your days indoors, in class, while others enjoy the warm weather and the sunshine. So in some respects (at least), the holidays are a blessing from Allah.

Now, many of us find ourselves with nothing to do during the holidays. The first few days usually feel good, then the boredom settles in. And along with the boredom, comes the devil. As the saying goes, "an empty house is the devil's workshop". So as we get bored and realize we have nothing to do, shaitaan hops in and gladly sets up shop.

Obviously, the key here is not to let the boredom (and shaitaan) settle in. And what better way to achieve that than with something that adds bonus points to our good deeds account?

This is a great time for us to do all the good things we find difficult to do during school days, and things that we haven't done in a while. Haven't picked up the Quran since Ramadhan? This is a good time to recite a bit - even if it's only a page or a few lines a day. Was missing salats the norm during school days? Maybe we can try to pray on time, at least during the holidays. If we're already punctual in our prayers, perhaps we can pray those Sunnah and Nafil salats we never seem to have time for.

By far, the simplest thing we can all do is Zikr (remember Allah with His praises). It's nice and discreet; nobody can make fun of us for trying to show off by trying to look "religious". It doesn't disturb anyone and can be done easily, almost anytime. Believe it or not, Allah has ordered us to do Zikr in the Holy Quran:

O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. (Al-Quran, 33:41)

Seriously, think about it. How long does it take to say Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, or Allah-hu-Akbar? It takes about a second, yet it can bring great rewards. We can do Zikr while lying awake at night, while walking down the street, on the bus, or while surfing the Net - just to name a few.

The holidays are also the time for chilling out with our friends. It's critical that we have good friends - friends that bring us closer to Islam and Allah, because friendship has a profound effect on the way we act, the way we think, and the things we end up doing. If your friends stop by the Masjid to pray while on a shopping trip, most chances are you'll join them in doing so as well. On the other hand, if your friends stop by to "check out" members of the opposite sex, most likely you will too. Our friends are obviously the people we usually hang around with. Allah, the All-Knower, has said in the Holy Quran:

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). (Al-Quran, 9:119)

Allah commands us to stay in the company of (i.e. "hang around") those who are true in "words and deeds", which means that we should associate ourselves only with the righteous.

May Allah protect us from bad company, and may He allow us to bring our holidays to good use.

Shaytaan's Temptations and the Youth

2005-06-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite lectures by Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed....

Shaytaan's Temptations and the Youth

This excellent lecture by Shaykh Kamaluddin addresses the common problems our youth face in today's society. He takes the listener through a step by step journey of how one falls into the traps of shaitaan. He also gives examples of pious youngsters who sucessfully pass the trials. May Allah(SWT) protect and guide us all...Ameen

The Station of Al-Khawf (The Fear of Allah)

2005-06-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

The Al-Khawf or fear station is one of the most splendid stations of the road and the most beneficial to the heart. It is also mandatory upon everyone. Allah said, "So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are believers." [3:175], "And fear none but Me." [2:40], "So fear not men but fear Me." [5:44]

Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, also praised His people in His book, saying, "Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord . . . It is these who race for the good deeds and they are foremost in them." [23:57-61]

Al-Hasan al-Basri said, "By Allah, they performed the acts of obedience and Struggled in them and they were afraid that their deeds will be rejected." The believer has combined good deeds and fear and the hypocrite has combined bad deeds and a sense of security.

Other terms have similar meanings to al-khawf but are not synonymous, such as Wajal, khashyah and rahbah. Abu Al-Qasim Al-Junaid said, "Khawf is to expect punishments as long as you breathe." It has been said that khawf is the Restlessness of the heart because of the remembrance of the cause of fear. It has also been said that khawf is the strength in knowledge of the rulings and decrees. This is the reason for khawf and not khawf itself. It was also said that khawf is the escape of the heart from the occurrence of adversity when the heart senses it.

Khashyah is more specific than khawf. Khashyah is a quality that is particular of the people knowledgeable of Allah. Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, says, "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah." [35:28]

As a result khashyah is associated with knowledge. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, is reported to have said, "Indeed I have the most piety for Allah and have the greatest khashyah for Him(Bukhari and Muslim)." And he is the most knowledgeable of Allah.

Khawf can be likened to a movement or a reaction but khashyah is involvement, action and tranquility. A person who sees the enemy, floods or similar causes of fear will have one of the following two reactions: movement; i.e., running away from the cause, which is the state of khawf; or staying calm and staying in a place where the cause cannot reach him, and this is khashyah. Rahbah is diligence in running away from adversity. The opposite of this is raghbah or longing which involves the travel of the heart toward its desires. There is symmetry between raghbah and rahbah both in their pronunciation and meanings.

Wajal is the shivering and breaking of the heart when remembering the One it fears, His authority, punishment or seeing Him.

Haybah is khawf associated with glorification and reverence. It's peak is achieved when love and knowledge are strongly combined. Ijlaal is glorification associated with love.

Khawf is for the common believers, while khashyah is for the knowledgeable and the scholars. Haybah is for those who love and Ijlaal is for those who are close (to Allah). The presence of Khawf and khashyah is according to how much knowledge is there, as the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "Indeed I am the most knowledgeable of Allah amongst you and have the most khashyah for Him." (Bukhari and Muslim) He also said, "If you would know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much. You would not have joy with your wives in bed and you would go out to high places and pray fervently to Allah, The Mighty (Ahmad, Tirmidhi and others)."

The person with khawf resorts to fleeing and holding. The person with khashyah resorts to holding to knowledge. Their similitude is like a person who has no knowledge of medicine and a skilled, highly trained and educated physician. The former resorts to diet and escape for treatment of his ills while the doctor resorts to knowledge of diseases and medicines.

Abu Hafs said, "Khawf is the whip of Allah. He corrects with it those straying from His door." He also said, "Khawf is a light in the heart, with it one can see the good and evil. Everyone you fear you run away from except Allah. When you fear Him, you run away to Him." The person with khawf is a person fleeing from His Lord to His Lord.

Abu Sulaiman said, "When khawf departs from any heart, it falls apart." Ibrahim bin Sufyan said, "When khawf settles in the heart, it burns the places of vain desires within it and it kicks out the love for this world." Thun-Nun said, "People are on the road (meaning the Straight Path) as long as they have khawf. When they lose it, they stray from the road.

"Khawf is not sought itself. It is simply a means sought to obtain something else. It disappears when the cause of khawf disappears. That is why the people of Paradise will have no khawf, nor will they grieve.

Khawf is related to deeds and actions, while love is related to Allah and His Attributes. The love of the believers to their Lord multiplies when they enter the House of Bliss and they will have not fear. For that, the station of love is greater and higher than the station of khawf.

The truthful khawf is what comes between the person and the prohibitions of Allah. If khawf exceeds that, then there may be a concern for getting into despair and hopelessness. Abu Uthman said, "The true khawf is being cautious of committing sins manifest or hidden.

"I heard Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah say, "The commendable khawf is what restrains you from the prohibitions of Allah."

Al-Harawi said, "Khawf is to slip away from comfort and security by recognizing the warning of Allah." The beginning of khawf is to fear the punishment. This is the kind of khawf that produces sound emaan (faith). This can be attained by believing in the warnings of Allah and remembering the sin. Khawf is preceded by feeling and knowledge. It is impossible that a person may have khawf without having feelings of fear.

Khawf is associated with two things: first, the thing feared; and second, any thing that may lead to it. Khawf can then be as great as the feeling of the person to the feared thing and what leads to it. When a person doesn't think that something would lead to the object that should be feared, then would not fear that thing. The same is true if he does not know the measure of the fearful thing then, he would not have the correct fear.

Khawf (fear) and rajaa' (hope) complement one another. The similitude of the heart in its travel to Allah is like a bird. Love is its head, and khawf and rajaa' are the wings. When the head and both wings are sound, the bird is capable and skilled in flying. However, when the head is cut off, the bird will die. When the bird loses a wing, it then becomes a target for every hunter and predator. The scholars favored, however, the wing of khawf over the wing of rajaa', especially when the person is young and healthy. They favored the wing of rajaa' over the wing of khawf when the person is about to leave this world.

Abu Sulaiman said, "The heart ought to have more khawf. When rajaa' dominates, it ruins it." It was also said, "The best state is to have the same amount of khawf and rajaa', but to have more love. Love is the boat, rajaa' is the leader, khawf is the driver, and Allah is the One Who helps those reach the goal by His Grace and Generosity."

Source -Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeyah
Compiled, edited and adapted by Khalid Latif, e-tabligue

Suratul Abasa

2005-06-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Surah Abasa (He frowned)

Click here to listen

1. (The Prophet) frowned and turned away,
2. Because there came to him the blind man (interrupting).
3. But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow (in spiritual understanding)?-
4. Or that he might receive admonition, and the teaching might profit him?
5. As to one who regards Himself as self-sufficient,
6. To him dost thou attend;
7. Though it is no blame to thee if he grow not (in spiritual understanding).
8. But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly,
9. And with fear (in his heart),
1o. Of him wast thou unmindful.
11. By no means (should it be so)! For it is indeed a Message of instruction:
12. Therefore let whoso will, keep it in remembrance.
13. (It is) in Books held (greatly) in honour,
14. Exalted (in dignity), kept pure and holy,
15. (Written) by the hands of scribes-
16. Honourable and Pious and Just.
17. Woe to man! What hath made him reject Allah;
18. From what stuff hath He created him?
19. From a sperm-drop: He hath created him, and then mouldeth him in due proportions;
20. Then doth He make His path smooth for him;
21. Then He causeth him to die, and putteth him in his grave;
22. Then, when it is His Will, He will raise him up (again).
23. By no means hath he fulfilled what Allah hath commanded him.
24. Then let man look at his food, (and how We provide it):
25. For that We pour forth water in abundance,
26. And We split the earth in fragments,
27. And produce therein corn,
28. And Grapes and nutritious plants,
29. And Olives and Dates,
30. And enclosed Gardens, dense with lofty trees,
31. And fruits and fodder,-
32. For use and convenience to you and your cattle.
33. At length, when there comes the Deafening Noise,-
34.That Day shall a man flee from his own brother,
35. And from his mother and his father,
36. And from his wife and his children.
37. Each one of them, that Day, will have enough concern (of his own) to make him indifferent to the others.
38. Some faces that Day will be beaming,
39. Laughing, rejoicing.
40. And other faces that Day will be dust-stained,
41. Blackness will cover them:
42. Such will be the Rejecters of Allah, the doers of iniquity.

Whispers of the Night

2005-06-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

I pounded on the door of mercy as the world slept

And humbling myself before my Creator I wept

Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt

And dejectedly began to lament what I felt

With a torn heart I gave a tongue to my woes and fears

And in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears

With poignant emotions raging in me so fierce

I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce

Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried

Thou art the only refuge and succour for one so tried

'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan

Sufferings of mine only to Thee known

Pains and torments that I can no loger bear

Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care

For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all

And only the forgiveness that restores those who fall

'Tis to thee alone Oh benevolent that I extend my hands in plea

To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee

Forgive my sins and grant me my desires

Oh Almighty Reject me not,for nothing can redeem me save Thy mercy.

-Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh Ul Haq

WITH THOSE WHOM YOU LOVE

2005-06-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"On the Day of Qiyaamah one
will be resurrected with those
whom he/she had loved."

-----------

Let us take heed of whom we love.

The Scientific effects of saying ALLAH...Truely amazing!

2005-05-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Vander Hoven, a psychologist from Netherlands, announced his new discovery about the effect of reading the Qur'an and repeating the word ALLAH both on patients and on normal persons. The Dutch professor confirms his discovery with studies and research applied on many patients over a period of three years. Some of his patients were non-Muslims, others do not speak Arabic and were trained to pronounce the word "ALLAH" clearly; the result was great, particularly on those would suffer from dejection and tension.'Al Watan,' a Saudi daily reported that the psychologist was quoted to say that Muslims who can read Arabic and who read the Qur'an regularly can protect themselves from psychological diseases. The psychologist explained how each letter in the word "ALLAH" affects healing of psychological diseases. He pointed out in his research that pronouncing the first letter in the word "ALLAH" which is the letter (A), released from the respiratory system, Controls breathing. He added that pronouncing the velar consonant (L) in the Arabic way, with the tongue touching slightly the upper part of the jaw producing a short pause and then repeating the same pause constantly, relaxes the aspiration. Also, pronouncing the last letter which is the letter (H) makes a contact between the lungs and the heart and in turn this contact controls the heart beat.

What is exciting in the study is that this psychologist is a non-Muslim, but interested in Islamic sciences and searching for the secrets of the Holy Qur'an. Allah Ta'alah says," We will show them Our signs in the universe and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (Qur'an) is the truth ." (Holy Qur'an 42:53)

[Translated from the Qatari "Arraya" Daily Sunday, 24 March, 2002]

All Day Event--Sat. June 4th

2005-05-26T21:28:00.000-07:00

The continued "Becoming Closer to Allah" Event series.

An all day event for everyone. Please come and bring your families. Scholars from all around the world will be joining us. Allah (swt)' s Mercy is attracted to gatherings of those who remember Him, and to those who love and obey Him. Consequently, the path to Allah's love becomes an easy road to travel if one comes in the company of and spends his life in the service of those who seek Him. In this program, authorized traditional scholars and senior students of sacred learning will be addressing the seekers of their Lord Almighty, Allah (swt).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday June 4th, 2005

Hadrat Hafidh Shaykh Zulifiqar Ahmed(DB)

will be joining as well as many of his senior students

Islamic Center of Long Island

835 Brush Hollow Road

Westbury, NY 11590

Time: 10:30AM-8:30PM

Click here for more information.

Allah's Grace

2005-05-18T19:47:00.000-07:00

Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan, 'Should you attempt to count the bounties of Allah, you shall be unable able to do so. '

The graces of Allah are innumerable. You may lose track of numbers but still the bounties will not terminate. He created you in the wombs of your mothers, he sustained you in the darkness of those wombs, delivered you softly into this world and nurtured you in infancy. Every breath is a bountry, every second wherein we are able to see, to hear, to smell is a bounty. It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Mas'ood (Radhiallaahu Anhu), 'On the day of Qiyaamat, 3 courts will be convened: In the first court, the virtues will be accounted, i.e. the good deeds, viz. fasting, Zakaat, Hajj, etc.; in the second court, the bounties of Allah shall be accounted for and in the third the sins shall be accounted. On the day of Qiyaamat, one will be questioned about the bounties of Allah.

It is stated from Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that one shall be reminded about the health of his body, his eyes, his ears, etc.
"The hearing and the sight and the heart. Each one will be questioned."
Everyone will be required to render account for the proper use of eyes, ears and heart. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) also said, "The bounties regarding which one will be questioned include peace of mind, which is a great blessing as well as physical health." In the Tafseer commentary on this Aayat, Mujahid has stated, 'Every worldly pleasure is a bounty for which one will have to account.'
It is stated in one Hadith, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Among the bounties to be questioned first on the day of Qiyaamat, is physical health and the second being cold water.' Cold water in itself is such a great blessing of Allah, our condition is such that let alone thanking Allah, never do we even acknowledge it to be such.

Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) came across a Leper who was blind, deaf and dumb. He asked his companions, 'Do you seen any bounties of Allah in this person?' They replied, 'Apparently none.' Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said, 'Can he not urinate properly?' i.e. Even the ability to relieve oneself comfortably is among the bounties of Allah. That is why on exit from the toilet, we recite the Du'aa:
"I beg your forgiveness. All praise to Allah who has removed from me this discomfort and granted me relief."

This shows that a man is duty bound to show his gratitude to Almighty Allah for His unlimited favours at all times and under all conditions. Therefore, we should strive to our utmost to earn as many virtues as possible and should not rest content at any stage as on the day of Qiyaamat only will a person realise the amount of sins committed unknowingly through his eyes, ears, nose, and other parts of the body. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Every one of you will come face to face with Allah. There shall be no curtain, nor any lawyer or an to advocate your cause. Deeds shall be heaped on either side and the fire of hell will be before you and therefore ward off this fire in any way you can.'

It is stated in the Hadith, "On the day of Qiyaamat, first shall you be reminded of the blessing of good health and being granted cold water to drink. You will not be allowed to move from the court of Allah Ta'ala until you have answered 5 questions: a) How did you spend your life, b) How did you utilise your youth, c) How did you earn your wealth, d) How did you spend it, e) How did you act upon your acquired knowledge."

Al-Inaam

May Allah(SWT) make it easier for us....

Ameen

Days of Couch Potatoes

2005-05-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

By Khalid Baig
Posted: 26 Rajab 1425, 11 September 2004

Probably one of the most prominent, pervasive, and powerful products of this age is the media, and especially the television. Its control over our thoughts and actions is mind boggling. Among its corrosive effects is that on physical health. In April 2003, for example, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported results of a six-year Harvard study: watching four hours of television a day increased risk of obesity by 50 percent and of diabetes by 30 percent. It referred to the couch potato syndrome, the damaging combination of junk food diet and inactivity, which is a serious public health hazard.

But the television produces couch potatoes not just physically but also mentally and intellectually. It entertains, it captivates, and it dictates what we will think and talk about. And like superbly programmed robots, we act on its cues. We worried about Somalia when the media talked about famine there, although that was a couple of years after the famine had set in. And we forgot it the day it was replaced by other hot news. We worried about Bosnia and Kosova when they were in the headlines. Not a day before or after. Afghanistan concerned us when the media producers decided it was important and to the extent they dictated. Atrocities in Afghanistan did not provoke the same reaction as those in Iraq; the difference was not in the seriousness of the atrocities but in the cues issued by the media machine.

And even when we do focus on the latest hot spot, what do we do beyond talking about it? Do we work on solutions for any of the problems about which we are so eager to get the latest reports? If that were the case, just one day's news might be sufficient to keep us busy for a whole year. But every day we are ready to receive another batch of headlines, while quietly trashing yesterday's reports like stale produce in a grocery store. Imagine a company president who receives reports about problems throughout his company and about changes in the economy that will affect him. He reads them with interest and talks about them with passion but does nothing. Every day. Of course such a president will not survive in a business. But are we not doing the same thing? We seek the latest news but the question, what we will do with that news, does not bother us. As a result of this divorcing of "information" from the possibilities of action, our interest in it is so superficial. Fickle. Here now, gone the next hour with the next headline. The modern media machine has turned life into a spectator sport.

But life is not a spectator sport and it is a terrible mistake of incalculable proportions to treat it as such. Information is valuable but only if it is sought for action. Ultimately the value of our life is to be determined not by the "information" we gathered but by the actions we performed. The Qur'an says: "He has power over everything, the One Who created death and life that He may test which of you is finest in action." [al-Mulk, 67:1-2] This is a central message of Islam and it changes our entire outlook on this life.

But life is not a spectator sport and it is a terrible mistake of incalculable proportions to treat it as such.

Further, we must remember that every one of us is responsible for his or her own actions and inactions. We will not be able to blame others for our failure to act. Nor shall we get credit for actions in which we had no part. "That no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another- And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for." [an-Najm 53: 38-39]

The above verse also establishes a fundamental principle which dictates that no one can be punished for the crimes of others. It has serious legal implications. For example, the practice of capturing family members of a criminal, let alone a suspect, remains clearly prohibited in Islamic law. The jahilya societies of yesterday and today, on the other hand, are distinguished by violating this essential principle of justice. However in the Hereafter no one will be able to shift blame or steal credit. We will be facing our own actions.

This has far reaching consequences for us here as well. The paramount question then becomes, what are we doing to change the situation? Did we do everything we could? Or were we too busy complaining about the darkness to light our own little candle? For the Qur'an says: "We do not impose on any soul a duty except to the extent of its ability." [al-Araf, 7:42] It also assures us that we cannot fail when we do the right thing regardless of what everyone else is doing. "O you who believe! take care of your souls. No one who goes astray will harm you, provided you are guided." [al-Maida, 5:105].

A million gripes will not remove darkness but a single candle will. Inaction breeds frustration and despair. Initiative, personal responsibility, and action, on the other hand, can dramatically change our condition. Consider the issue of education in the Muslim world. There is concerted effort to remove any traces of an Islamic identity and replace it with secular and anti-Islamic messages. The response, though, has been of feeble protests. Yet so much could be done. In the USA, for example, when some parents felt a similar problem, they started home-schooling. Private schools were established and textbook publishers produced books that reflected their values.

All this and more could be done in Pakistan, Egypt, or Saudi Arabia. Parents groups could organize to meet with book publishers and school officials asking them not to publish, sell, or use the recently introduced poisoned books. Alternate textbooks could be published privately and private schools established. In fact the Muslim tradition is a bright one. Ibn Sirin said: "This knowledge constitutes your religion so be careful whom you take your religion from." How can those guided by this face the corruption of their education system with resignation?

Imam Hasan Basri, Rahimahullah, said: "O son of Adam. You are a collection of days. When a day passes, a part of you passes away with it." None of us knows how many days are left in us. Can we afford to live another of those days living the miserable life of a couch potato?"

Albalagh

Hardships of this World

2005-05-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

ARE HARDSHIPS OF THIS WORLD A MERCY OR A PUNISHMENT?

According to some narrations, it appears that the hardships of this world are a mercy of Allah, full of virtues. It is narrated in the Hadith that the most difficult hardships come upon the Ambiya, alayhi salam, thereafter upon the Awliya Rahimahumullah, etc. according to their stages.

Apparently contradictory to this, it appears in many ayat and ahadith that the hardships of this world are due to our sins. According to some Ahadith, it is a sign of Allah's wrath.

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahimahullah has given a beautiful explanation of it as narrated by Allamah Ibnul Jauzi Rahimahullah:

"Shaikh Jilani Rahimahullah says that there are three aspects of difficulties and hardships. In some cases it is a punishment and the wrath of Allah, in some cases it is a compensation for sins and in some cases it raises the status. The condition of each difficulty can be determined as follows:
If the recipient gets angry on the taqdir [predestination] of Allah and complains about it, then it is a sign of the wrath of Allah and His punishment.
However, if the recipient practises restraint [sabr], then it is a sign of compensation of his sins.
And if with patience, the recipient is also happy and experiences contentment, then it is a sign of his status being raised."

From the above, it is related that the difficulties of the Ambiya and the Awliya Rahimahumzillah is of the third type. The difficulties of the general Believers [Mu'min] is of the second type. The first type is that of non-believers.
May Allah Azza wa Jal save every Muslim from this first type. Amin.

-Mufti Muhammad Shafi
Published by: Madrasah Arabia Islamia P.O. Box 9786, Azaadville 1750, Krugersdorp

Nasheed heard on the streets of Mecca and Madinah

2005-05-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Muhammad Nabeena

Let Go Of Your Worries

2005-05-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

Let go of your worries
and be completely clear-hearted,
like the face of a mirror
that contains no images.
If you want a clear mirror,
behold yourself
and see the shameless truth,
which the mirror reflects.
If metal can be polished
to a mirror-like finish,
what polishing might the mirror
of the heart require?
Between the mirror and the heart
is this single difference:
the heart conceals secrets,
while the mirror does not.

-Maulana Rumi

The Divani Shamsi Tabriz, XIII

Becoming Closer to Allah Event Series- May 6th

2005-05-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

"Becoming Closer to Allah (swt)" is a series of programs started in December 2004 in New York to arrange gatherings of sacred learning. Allah (swt)' s Mercy is attracted to gatherings of those who remember Him, and to those who love and obey Him. Consequently, the path to Allah's love becomes an easy road to travel if one comes in the company of and spends his life in the service of those who seek Him. In these programs, authorized traditional scholars and senior students of sacred learning address the seekers of their Lord Almighty, Allah (swt).

A program for both Brothers & Sisters

Shaykh Hafidh Sohail Irfan (db)

Friday-May 6th, 2005

8:00pm Maghrib Prayer

8:30pm Bayan & Dua by Shaykh Hafidh Sohail Irfan (db)

9:30pm Dinner

Venue: Elk's Lodge 901 Lakeville Road New Hyde Park ,N.Y- 11040

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information please contact:
Br. Husain- 631.974.1823
Br. Muhammad- 516.353.8394

Email: aassny@gmail.com

The Mindless Dating Game

2005-04-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Many unmarried people these days search for “love” in a series of premarital relationships, which far from yielding happiness, lead to nothing but spiritual degeneration, loss of self-respect, heartache and misery.

The average girl reaches the age of ten or eleven, she - sometimes with the knowledge of her parents, sometimes without their knowledge - becomes engrossed in and obsessed with the teen romance novel: a blonde, blue-eyed girl, with a perfect size 10 figure, falls in love with the football hero of the school, a few complications on the way (nothing major, of course), but things end happily after.

In these novels, girl and boy might hold hands, or there might even be a kiss, thrown in somewhere along the line.

By the time the impressionable reader of these novels reaches her late teens, she is sick of these story lines...and is searching for more.

And is most cases, “more” is usually available right there in her home, tucked away at the bottom of her mother’s cupboard, in the form of adult romance novels.

The holding hands, and the kissing has now made way for much more, as details of pre-marital passion, and the fulfilment thereof are graphically spelt out on these pages.

The reader is told what the “perfect body” is supposed to look like, the notion that sexual intercourse before marriage is sweet and romantic seeps through these pages...the feelings of degradation, and the many possible consequences thereof are conveniently left out.

A fairy tale is a fairy tale, we tell ourselves, a book is a book...they have no implications on real life.

Surely our daughters understand and accept this...

But we are deluding ourselves. These same “harmless” fairytales and books, have a detrimental effect on the thinking, lifestyles and attitudes of our children.

The first “crush”/infatuation our daughters experience in relation to members of the opposite sex, is often linked to false perceptions about “dating,” perceptions to which a wide variety of factors contribute.

And one of the main factors painting a sugar and candy image of pre-marital romances, are these shallow bits of reading material that our daughters are exposed to.

It is no strange co-incidence that girls grow up believing that a boyfriend is the key to happiness...after all they have barely started walking, when the stories of the poor ill-treated Cinderella, saved only by a dashing prince, and the beautiful Snow White woken up by a prince, and the doomed Rapunzel, saved from the tower by...who else - a dashing hero, are told to them.

And when they read romance novels, this theory is further reinforced - for, in the classic teen romance novel, the girl without a boyfriend, or “sweet sixteen and never been kissed” is the poor, laughing stock, who doesn’t have a date to the “prom.”

And on the pages of a typical adult romance novel, the heroine is always a successful, beautiful career woman, but, she feels, that “something” is lacking in her life...and that “something” is naturally a man.

It is improbable that the average teenager, would just read these books, and that there would be no impact on her mind.

It is usually exactly the opposite: she wishes she was the person on the pages of the book, and transfers her fantasies to her real life.

She might see someone at school, who is popular, and good-looking [i.e. the football hero], and so begins her first painful crush, which is accompanied of course, by sending him anonymous ‘Valentine’s Day' cards, or calling him and playing songs over the phone.

Shaitaan has set his trap, and the temptation to sin heightens, and each time the temptation is given in to, the girl becomes more daring.

By the time the boy “asks her out,” her nafs has gotten the better of her, and her head filled with the notions of how sweet holding hands before that first kiss must be, she cannot resist.

And so begins a “relationship.”

But this has all the ingredients that a classic romance novel does not....for those candy-coated pages do not tell you about the heartbreak, the tears, the mood swings and the countless negative aspects that are the central to these relationships and they do not tell you about the degradation and the loss of self-respect, with which people, especially women, emerge, after these relationships.

For there is no peace, no tranquillity in such relationships. The daily cycle, the moods, everything about the individual is affected.

There is a certain sort of darkness, a restlessness which fills the heart, and this restlessness affects the rest of the family too.

For it is now that all the arguments with the parents start: “Why can’t I go out tonight? All my friends are going?” And there are the mood swings, the fluctuating eating habits...if the phone doesn’t ring, then it’s a case of “I don’t feel like eating.” And then there is dishonesty...unable to tell her parents where she really wants to go, she makes the excuse of having to go to the library to study for tomorrow’s test.

The ending of each relationship is most often marked by a long periods of torture, in which the girl has to “get over” the boy.

Everyday life becomes a misery...her marks drop, daily moods start to depend on the current state of her relationship with the boy and many girls, totally misled by Shaitaan, even make dua for a “reconciliation.”

During this period the girl is ravaged by guilt, because deep down in her heart, she is aware that what she has done is haraam, and she also feels guilty about lying to her parents.

If there was a physical aspect to her relationship, then these feelings of guilt are deeply accentuated and coupled with a total loss of self-respect.

In the worst possible scenario, which is frequently happening, the girl, in an effort to improve her “self image,” may turn to various other ways...smoking, clubbing, drinking and drugs...or she may embark on a series of flings just to make herself feel “special” again.

In short the “relationships” so sweetly portrayed in romance novels, which speak only of chocolates, flowers and happiness, end right there: on the pages of the novel.

In real life, such relationships lead to nothing but unhappiness and heartache.

For how can there be any real happiness in a “love” inspired by Shaitaan?

This type of “love” far from being pure and sacred falls into the category of fornication.

And regarding fornication, Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Qur’aan:

“The woman and man guilty of adultery of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: And let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.” [Surah An-Nur: 2]

How can there be any long term happiness in a sin for which the punishment prescribed is so severe?

But while keeping in mind the above injunction, we should also not despair of the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala...for we cannot even comprehend the vastness of this Mercy.

We need to realise and to tell ourselves that there is only temporary satisfaction of the nafs in a pre-marital relationship. And we need to terminate any such relationship which we might be involved in, and sincerely make taubah to Allah.

As difficult as it might be to end such relationships, once we realise and acknowledge to ourselves that the novels to which we are exposed to from such an early age are totally based on a kuffaar way of life, which appears to be very appealing from the outside, but which bears no contentment, no real happiness, it will in sha Allah, be easy to do so.

In addition to painting a rosy picture of dating, these books also create a very wrong concept of what the ideal partner should be like. It is obvious that since they are kuffaar publications, there is no stress on piety, good akhlaaq, honesty and all the other qualities people should be searching for in a potential marriage partner. Instead these books promote superficial thinking, with all their emphasis on “good looks,” “size 10 figures,” “star football players,” “smart cars,”etc.

Parents should closely monitor the reading material which their children bring home and should teach their children about the beauty of nikaah.

We should realise, that while it is natural to be embarrassed to discuss such aspects of Islam with them, it is infinitely better for them, that we impart the correct knowledge of an Islamic way of life to them, than allow them to acquire the totally wrong concept of “love” from books, television, movies, and their friends and environment.

It should be explained to each teenager that the pre-marital relationships, the engagements, etc to which we attach such a great deal of importance in this world have nothing but a negative bearing on our lives in the aakhirah.

It should be time and time again instilled into their minds that pre-marital relationships are a sin...nikaah is an ibaadah.

Allah Ta’ala has Created men and women with natural desires, and He has created nikaah as an institution in which these desires maybe fulfilled. A nikaah in which both, husband and wife are striving to fulfill their obligations to Allah Ta’ala, such a nikaah will be filled with the mutual respect, love and inevitably, the contentment, which we hopelessly search for in pre-marital relationships.

Within the sacred context of a nikaah, in which both parties are obedient to Allah Ta’ala, and adhere to His Commandments, there can be no room for the loss of respect, feelings of degradation, etc. which goes hand-in-hand with “going out” with or “dating” someone.

We should always bear in mind that should we die in the company of a “boyfriend” or a “girlfriend” or even a “fiancé,” we will be leaving this world, having spent our last few moments of this life in the company of a non-Mahram.

Fatima Asmal

http://alinaam.org.za/

Bismillah- In the Name of Allah

2005-04-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

I'm starting this blog with the intention of it being a source of authentic knowledge for myself first and then for others insha'Allah. Initially, I want to sort out all my links into one site. So it is easily accessible for myself. Insha'Allah, later on, I plan to share the link with others.

Subhaana Rabbika Rabbi'l- izzati amma yasifoon, wa salaamun 'ala'l-mursileen wa' lhamdu li 'Llahi Rabbi'l-'alameen