In the pursuit of knowledge

Contemplation and Reflection

2015-05-29T11:22:00.001+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

Subhanallah it has been four months since I last blogged. I have had quite a busy and interesting time of late.

I have been busy with a course which has caused much contemplation and reflection of my life, where it is at the moment and where I would like it to head. Contemplation and reflection is something I hope to incoporate into my life at least on a weekly basis.

Recently I listened to a short reminder which mentioned that we are not grateful for the creations of Allah that surrounds us. We have gardens in which beautiful flowers grow, we take a deep breadth and the fragrance fills our lungs but we take it for granted that the flowers grew there. If we took time out to contemplate on our Lord, His creations and our lives then we will be people who are grateful.

If we don't reflect and contemplate then we live our lives as if there is no purpose to it, we drift and allow circumstances and events to carry us as if we don't have the skills to navigate this world for ourselves.

Reflection and contemplation forces us to confront issues in our lives which needs addressing but we have been unwilling to look at because it is painful or we are currently unwilling to change it. We need to confront issues in our eeman, our character and our relationships with others. Once we contemplate and reflect and we find that what we see falls below standard which is required of a believer then we take steps to correct it. We must correct it.

Everyday we leave our lives just drifting without any direction towards what pleases our Lord is a day wasted and a day in which we are closer to our graves.

We are therefore advised to take time out to contemplate and reflect and slowly take the required steps to transform our lives so that we meet our Lord at the appointed time in a state in which HE is pleased with us and earns us jannah by HIS will.

Keeping good company

2015-01-06T17:23:00.003+00:00

Bismillahi rahmani raheem.

Alhamdulilah. I have had an interesting few weeks. I have been guided and the darkness that threaten to overwhelm me as been lifted by the mercy of Allah.

May Allah enable us to be of those who return to Him always and may He not cause us to die in a state which He is displeased with us. Ameen.

From the occurrences of the past few weeks and life in general is the importance of keeping good company, this cannot be underestimated. Subhanallah what joy is felt in the heart when you are surrounded by happy and positive people. Why are they happy? The connection they have with their Lord is strong and special and they know that although they don't have the power to bear their burden Allah (subhanallah watahala) will take care of it for them.

As you observe them you see them content with their faces bright and their demeanour relaxed. You look at them and you wish to feel the same and have the same connection with your Rabb. Although you might not have that connection now, do not worry, stick with these excellent companions. For as you remain in their company you hear words of comfort and you pick up the good habits and acts of worship which has brought them to their current state.

Never despair and think you cannot attain it or better their level, for they were in a position similar to yours not so long ago. What did they do? They turned to their Rabb with true repentance, seeking His mercy and He responded to their duas by granting them that which they requested and much more.

Your Rabb is waiting, eager for you to return to Him and He has showered you with His mercy by granting you good companions. Hold firm to these people for they give you words of advice from the Quran and sunnah during times of trials and ease. They love for you what they love for themselves. There is no ill feeling or jealousy and they wish that by loving you for the sake of Allah you are both met with the mercy of your Lord.

Stick to them even if you feel they nag and constantly reproach you for some of your actions, the advice you take from them which enables you to turn to your Rabb just before the Angel of death came upon you, might be what has ensured you are not of those who lost this life and the next.

Just imagine you successfully managed to push them away and there was no one to advice you and the Angel of death met you in a state in which Allah is displeased with you. O what a loss!

May Allah save us from losing both this dunya and the akhirah and may we be granted the companionship of those whom He loves and those who would constantly call us to the obedience of Allah (azza wa jal).

Ameen.

Changing and making changes

2014-10-27T13:04:00.000+00:00

Asslam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope and pray this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. Alhamdulilah. Glory be to the one who sees and hears everything. The Lord of all that we see around us, that we have knowledge of or are ignorant of.

The past few weeks have been very busy, exciting and stressful (to a lesser degree). Lots of travelling and visits from family members. Alhamdulillah. Lots of self-discovery and reconnection with loved ones and those whom Allah has bound to me through blood.

May Allah (subhanahu watahala) enable us to be able to please HIM in every action and draw closer to HIM through ways which HE loves. Ameen.

I am excited about a few courses I am due to start online. Read lots of testimonials from others on it and I feel I need every help I can get to boost my eeman and draw me closer to my Lord.

Alhamdulilah I have been able to let go of a major distraction in my life. I found it wasn't allowing me to be productive and also inhibiting me for enjoying my acts of ibadah. I have wanted to leave it for some time but kept going back to it. I kept making dua to Allah to enable me to draw closer to Him and worship HIM in the best possible manner.

Then one day Allah provided me with a means by which to remove this distraction and subhannallah I have removed it and not missed it bit. I have found that I have been feeling closer to my Lord since.

Keep making dua to Allah regarding all your affairs.

I also misplaced a phone charger yesterday; this is a major issue in the modern day with our all functioning phones. I remembered an article I read which states that the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wasalam) turned to salah whenever he came across a difficulty/ wanted ease in an affair. The article encouraged that we went back to this sunnah. While I was turning the whole house upside down for the charger I kept making dua to Allah to enable me to find it. I then went to make my salah and kept thinking Allah will assist me (read another article which states that the believer should always think the best of their Lord), although I didn't find it i discovered that I had another charger that would charge my phone. Alhamdulilah I felt contentment even though my charger still hasn't turned up.

I thank Allah for enabling me to utilise the Quran and the hadith of the Rasul (sallalahu allayhi wasalam) in all aspects of my life.

I encourage us all to keep learning and striving to achieve this goal of having absolute trust and believe in Allah and utilising the Quran and the hadith. I pray Allah enables us to keep drawing close to HIM and to remember HIM all the time. Ameen.

May Allah remove all the distractions and barriers that would prevent this from happening from our paths.

Amina

Long lost sister blogger

2014-07-16T10:48:00.000+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

Today is the 18th of Ramadan 1435. Subhanallah it has been over a year since I last wrote a post.

I really cannot explain why I have been away from my blog for so long. Perhaps it is laziness, being more busy in my personal life (mis-management of my time) or the fact that I have been writing almost daily in a paper journal.

Life has carried on as normal, people have died and others born. I moved to a different city, started a new job and got carried away with what has been going on in my little world.

Alhamdulilah this ramadan has been progressing well and the main goal I had before ramadan is on track. I was excited for ramadan to start. Immersed myself in preparing before hand, reading articles and personal experiences from various sources online on how to ensure you have a productive ramadan and alhamdulilah it has been so (search for productive muslim website).

I do not pretend that there haven't been hiccups along the way. Getting angry with family members and not showing enough restraint and patience. Inshaallah I have these remaining days to work on this. May Allah make it easy for me and for all of us in all our struggles.

During these past 16 months there have been trials and tribulations as it is with everyone. What we need to realise is that we would not get everything we want in this life. If we constantly remind ourselves that this life is temporary and it is only a means for us to do as many good deeds that pleases Allah (subhannallah watahala) so that we can have everything we want and more in the hearafter, it makes the tests and trials easier to bear inshaallah.

You wear a lot of hats particularly as a woman; wife, mum, daughter, sister, friend, employee to name but a few and yet all these hats make us forget the most important hat to wear is that of a slave to our Rabb, Allah (subhanallah watahala). When we forget this we then just do the bare minimum. So we pray our 5 daily salah not paying attention to praying it on time or with maximum concentration. We neglect the recitation and understanding of the Quran and sunnah, fasting other than ramadan, waking in the night for tahajjud and so on.

So we go about our daily chores with our modest clothing fulfilling the salah as an exercise for our limbs but our hearts are elsewhere; what to cook, what to buy, when to pick kids up and etc.

Yet all these will come to an end and then we have to stand before our Lord and give account of how we spent our time especially those hours spent endlessly browsing shopping websites and TV channels.

O Allah please keep our hearts steadfast on your deen and enable us to draw closer to you and do not let us leave this world in a manner that you are displeased with us.

O Allah forgive us in this month of forgiveness and raise us with those whom you love and who look forward to their meeting with You.

O Allah grant us the best in this world and the next. Ameen.

I hope that inshaallah it would not take me another sixteen months to write another post.

A "Modern" phenomena

2013-02-27T12:08:00.002+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu.

I hope the blog meets you in the best of eeman and health.

I watched a programme on TV a few weeks back about Muslim reverts. The presenter was at a loss as to why more British women where coming into Islam from as she put it a “liberal” society to a religion where you “can’t drink”. The presenter describes herself as a modern British Muslim.

I kept wondering what being a modern Muslim woman meant. To her being modern included being able to work, loving fashion, leaving your hair uncovered, drinking and going out.

Lately I have found the word “modern” to be annoying especially when used alongside veiled Muslim women and integration. I do not know if this word has crept into the Muslims speech due to the pressure we feel to show that we are perfectly capable of integrating into our communities and to show that Islam is not at odds with the British way of life.

Why does covering the hair or face and not drinking or going dancing in the club mean that a Muslim woman is not modern. Why is a woman who stays home to look after her home and family not modern? Some women who aren’t Muslim stay home to look after their children. No one accuses them of not being modern.

Do we define what is expected of us as Muslims by the society or by our Lord and Creator?

The dictionary meaning of Modern is:

1. Of or pertaining to present and recent time; not ancient or remote: modern city life.

2. Characteristic of present and recent time; contemporary; not antiquated or obsolete: modern viewpoints.

Islam is modern – if we take the dictionary meaning of modern. Islam relates to our everyday life to how we’re now. Of course everything we do as Muslims is with the hereafter in mind but Islam gives us a moral structure as to how we interact with friends, family and neighbours. Islam speaks to us on care for elderly, parents, children and animal welfare. This are issues which relates to every society and time whether 10 years ago or 2013.

I find people describe what being modern is in a way which excludes certain group so that they can they turn around and say “see you aren’t modern enough”.

A Muslim woman who stays at home brings up her children to the best of her ability to worship Allah (SWT), respect their environment, neighbours and contribute to the society at large is “modern”. If a Muslim woman also chooses to go out to work for whatever reason contributing to society through taxes and expertise, she is also “modern”.

What is important integration is that you care not just for yourself and family but the community and society in which you live. You don’t have to go to the pub on the weekends to care what you can do to improve the lives of others. Why must the Muslim woman engage in everything the society deems “ok” if it is against her principles? Do we accuse people who are tee-total (not Muslim) of not being modern?

Muslim women already engage in society; they are students, entrepreneurs, employers, employees, sisters, mothers and wives. We must not allow ourselves to be pressured into giving up aspects of our deen just because the issue of the veil and integration is the main topic of conversation lately in the media.

Not a lot of people know what is going on in their communities anyway especially in big cities. We have all become individualistic but I guess it is easy to blame the Muslim woman who is going about her life in the best way possible to please her Lord and contribute to society. We must ensure that we do things to please only Allah (SWT) and then Allah (SWT) will put the love for us in the hearts of men.

A Delayed Response - Coping with Adversity - Islamic Articles - A2Youth.com

2013-02-18T13:07:00.001+00:00

Salam alaykum,

Found this article online. It was the reminder which I needed and provoked some thinking on my part. I pray Allah enables us to continue to ponder HIS mercies on us and be of those who draw closer to HIM.

Ameen.

A Delayed Response - Coping with Adversity - Islamic Articles - A2Youth.com

After every difficulty comes ease

2013-01-31T12:58:00.000+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope this post meets you in the best of eeman and health. Alhamdulilah the snow has given way to the wind and a little bit of sunshine. Everyone was excited for the start of 2013 yet tomorrow heralds the beginning of February. Some have found that it is not easy keeping to their new year’s resolution. Others have been successful in achieving the goals they set out for themselves.

How wonderful is Allah (Subhanahu watahala), His knowledge encompasses everything. That which happened in the past, what is currently happening and that which would not happen but Allah knows what it will be if it did happen. If we truly believe this then that should make it easier to be less stressed about our current state of affairs. It should be easy to put our trust in our creator.

People are going through difficult circumstances whether it is the loss of income or health, they are not sure what the future holds, where the next meal will come from or where they will be able to rest their heads at night. Of course these uncertainties lead to anxiety and despair. Insha’Allah with dua and much effort things can change and get better.

It is important that at times of difficulty we stay true to our Islamic faith. We keep up doing what pleases Allah and leaving that which displeases HIM. Do not compromise in your religion at these anxious moments. For instance a woman who wears the hijab shouldn’t take it off due to fear of loss of income or securing a job in which she will be doing things which are against the tenets of her religion. Do not assume that I think it is easy because these times of difficulty bring with it a feeling of loneliness and desperation. Be rest assured that the help of Allah (Subhanahu watahala) is near.

Truly Allah (Subhanahu watahala) does not place a burden on man beyond that which he can bear; it is due to a lack of patience that man fails to reap the ease that comes after.

For those amongst us who Allah (Subhanahu watahala) has blessed with wealth and health it is important that we care about family and friends in challenging situations. They might not want to seek help but we should offer it without diminishing them in the process. The wealth which has been bestowed upon you is a test just as the difficulty they are going through is a test for them.

The change in circumstances for the better is sometimes so sudden that it takes you by surprise. The help you need comes from a source which was unexpected. You get a phone call asking you to come for a job interview after you have applied for a series of jobs without success. With the job comes food on the plate and a roof over your head. Put your trust in Allah (Subhanahu watahala) and the difficulty is soon gone.

Returning after a mini break

2013-01-18T18:24:00.002+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

It has been ages since I last blogged. A lot has happened, really too much to put into writing. Not that I am much of a writer. I have to think of what I want to write for ages before it actually gets on the screen.

As I mentioned in an earlier blog I have started writing in a little journal (which I carry around in my handbag). I can report that I am still writing in my journal but not with the regularity with which I first did. I like writing and documenting things I would like to do or achieve now or in the future. I have not gone back to read what I have written but I am sure I will cringe when I read it.

Aside from the journal I have not been up to much, I have been trying to read more and listen/attend more Islamic lectures. I have also tried to do this physically and not just procrastinate. I will confess that I find it difficult as there seems to be so little time in the day but we cannot use that as an excuse.

It is important for us to seek the appropriate knowledge which will be useful for us when we leave this temporary abode. Everyone finds it difficult to juggle family life and the stresses and strain of work but inshaallah it is important to find the time. We do find time for things which are of less importance.

May Allah make it easy for us all inshaallah.

Journaling - fun thing to do

2012-10-03T14:32:00.001+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu. Alhamdulilah rabbil alamin. I hope this post meets you in the best of eeman and health. Hope the stresses and strains of this world have not overwhelmed you. Inshaallah by holding on to the rope of Allah (subhanahu watahala), following the Qu’ran and the sunnah of the Prophet (Sallalahu alayhi wasalam) this shouldn’t be the case.

I recently purchased a little journal (A6 size) to start documenting everyday things that takes place in my life. Although I have been writing in it in the morning as that is the time that is most convenient for me it seems it has helps a bit with de-cluttering my mind as suggested. It mainly contains changes I notice in people around me and how I want to improve myself physically and spiritually. It also contains things I would like to remember to make dua about. It has been interesting to write in this way because I find that by the time I put down what has upset me I am much calmer about the whole situation. Also it is useful for putting down new ideas and for setting goals which inshaallah in future you can be able to see if you achieved them. You never know it might make you the next bestselling authorJ.

Journaling by writing what has happened in your day, how you behaved or interacted with others, acts of ibadah that you carried out could be a way of drawing close to your Lord and increasing in your eeman. It will highlight any bad behaviours which you can endeavour to rectify and help you increase in the good deeds and acts you perform.

May Allah (subhanahu watahala) enable us to be amongst those who reflect and think of the meeting with HIM.

Go on, get a little book today and start journaling your everyday experiences, activities and ideas. Find out what works for you. Share your thoughts with us all if you want.

PS: If you want to write about personal matters, guard your journal well from prying eyes!!!

Know yourself better this ramadhan

2012-07-24T17:27:00.000+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

Alhamdulilah we are blessed to have witnessed the start of the month of Ramadhan. While we have been given the opportunity to get closer to Allah (Subhanahu watahala), to increase in our good deeds others have not been so lucky. May Allah (Subhanahu watahala) enable us to use our time productively seeking only HIS pleasure. Ameen.

Al-Bukhaari (1899) and Muslim (1079) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

One of the blessing of the month of ramadhan is the chaining of the shaytan and shayateen, why then is it still difficult to carry out acts of ibadah. The scholars say that although the shayateen are chained they still have some influence although greatly reduced. Also perhaps the fact that we are fasting suppresses these desires of falling into skin. We learn more about our characters in this blessed month than at any other time. This provides us with the opportunity to rectify it where ever it is deficient inshaallah.

If during ramadhan we still find it difficult to wake up for qiyam u layl perhaps, then that is more out of laziness on our parts rather than being led astray by shaytan. If we are able to carry out more acts of ibadah above that which we do at other times of the year then we have to keep making dua to Allah (Subhanahu watahala) to protect us from the traps of shaytan and his minions. Purifying our intentions will give us the strength to carry out all the acts of ibadah that will draw us closer to our Rabb. If we are doing it 100% for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu watahala) then HE (Subhanahu watahala) will make it easier to carry out acts of ibadah inshallah.

May Allah enable us to draw closer to HIM seeking only HIS pleasure and reward. May Allah enable us to use this period when we are protected from the traps of shaytan to increase our good deeds and be blessed with Jannah. Ameen.

Waste less, recycle more

2012-07-06T00:21:00.001+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope you are all in the best of health and eeman. We are currently about two weeks away from the month of ramadhan. May it reach us in good health. We should all try to understand the fiqh of the month before it reaches us inshaallah. May Allah enable us to reap the full rewards of this blessed month.

I recently had a beautiful sister come to visit me. I last saw her about 2 years ago. Alhamdulilah she is doing well. While we were in the kitchen she gave me a coffee cup to dispose and I put it aside as it was going to the recycle. She then asks if I recycle, after replying in the affirmative we went on to discuss how some other people find it difficult to recycle. This provided me with a topic to blog about, so here goes:

Islam teaches us not to be wasteful or excessive with the wealth Allah (subhanallah watahala) has provided us with.

O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. (Q7vs31).

...Eat of [each of] its fruit when it yields and give its due [zakah] on the day of its harvest. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.(Q6vs141).

We should try as muslims to fill our plates with just what we can finish as this helps to reduce food wastage. Most of us have fridges and freezers so even when we can't finish what is on our plates we can put the rest in the fridge to have later. The way we eat and drink in front of our younger ones and children will also teach them about the importance of not wasting food.

Besides recycling food (i.e. using up left overs) we should also try to recycle papers, plastics, tins and so on. These materials are re-processed and used to produce new packaging and products. These enables us to be less wasteful and be more caring towards the earth. After all Allah (subhanallah watahala) created the earth with all the beauties contained in it for us to enjoy, get our food and wealth from it.

We should concern ourself with where our waste goes, notice that it takes up a lot of landfill. This is an area of land that is no longer available for people to live or farm on. Think of the legacy left to future generations.

Being less wasteful will inshaallah bring about the blessings and mercies of Allah (subhanallah watahala) to us and what we have bee blessed with.

May Allah enable us to be better muslims, neighbours and inhabitors of the earth.

In need of sisterly company

2012-04-22T19:07:00.001+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope and pray this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. I cannot believe that it is over three months since I last blogged. It was not intentional I assure you, there has just been various activities going on.

How have you fared? How is your eeman and what have you been doing to keep it at the very high level which we all aim to be at. I have been meaning to blog but was also encouraged when a sister asked for the web address as she wanted to read the latest posts.

Lately I find myself missing some sisterly company. During the four years when I was pursuing my undergraduate degree there was such a vibrant Muslim community with sisters who were beautiful inside and out. We met regularly; socially and religiously and I found out that both facilitated your remembrance in Allah (SWT) and you learn a lot more about the deen of al Islam.

Since then I have not found a vibrant sisters community spirit. The blame lies solely with me as I have kept to myself with the excuse that I have been too busy. This is a shame as the company of a Muslim sister is not to gossip, backbite or discuss the latest fashion trends (maybe a tiny bit) but it helps with making you feel a little happier and it drives the yearning to learn more about your deen.

As I move to another phase of my life and I move to another city I find myself in need of that wonderful sisterly company. I find that I need the energy and rejuvenation that such company brings. Therefore I was very happy when I secured two sisters numbers. Inshaallah I hope to call them and see what activities are going on amongst the sisters within the community.

I guess the most important dua in these situations is that Allah guides us to the right company, that which will benefit us and help with increasing our eeman.

The Silly Question

2012-01-16T14:41:00.000+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. I was having a nap yesterday and woke up to a discussion on TV asking if there is any evidence for the existence of GOD. The question is provocative and plain silly.

I find that those that don't believe in God always go out of their way to want to disprove HIS existence. If you don't believe that is your prerogative why are you so concerned to disprove my believe in HIM. Inshaallah, stick with your judgement and I with my belief and we would all find out soon enough anyway.

They (atheists) also like to portray that they are intelligent and those who believe are lacking intellectually. They are rational and logical and those who have a belief in GOD are lacking in this. What they fail to realise is that there are lots of people who do not see any conflict between their religious belief and their love for science and consider themselves very rational human beings. I include myself in this category.

I love science and innovation, I have dedicated myself to science and research for all my adult life but I strongly belief that it strengthens (not otherwise) by belief in Allah (subhanallah watahallah). There are manifest signs of the creator everywhere I look in the heavens and on earth.

An audience memeber on the program made a very interesting point which as usual the atheists couldn't comprehend. He said that the scientists believe in the existence of Higgs Bosson, indeed they spent a lot of money on building a Large Hadron Collider to investigate the existence of this particle. Why then do they believe in the existence of a particle which there still isn't any evidence for? But they fail to believe in GOD which there are signs if they only apply a little of their intellect and sight to see.

The Qur'an tells us in several ayat that if we ponder, look and think we would see the signs of the creator in everything around us. The Qur'an also said it is only people of understanding who can see this. Should we be surprised that with all the intelligence the atheists proclaim they have they are not able to see the signs all around them? No, because the Qur'an mentions in several verses:

The likeness of those who disbelieve is as the likeness of one who calleth unto that which heareth naught except a shout and cry. Deaf, dumb, blind, therefore they have no sense. (Q2vs 171)

Then will you make the deaf hear, [O Muhammad], or guide the blind or he who is in clear error? (Q43 VS 40)

And whoever is blind in this world (i.e., does not see Allah's Signs and believes not in Him), will be blind in the Hereafter, and more astray from the Path. (Q17 vs 72)

The promise of my Lord is true.

2011-12-19T16:26:00.000+00:00

Assalamu alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I seek the help of Allah and ask for His forgiveness for any sins I have committed, will comit in the course of writing this blog and afterwards inshaallah.

I hope you are all doing well. Just been reflecting a little bit and what I discovered even though I was certain of it, is that the promise of Allah (SWT) is true. If we all reflect enough we would find evidence for this promise in our lives.

How often have we done something for the pleasure of Allah (SWT) e.g. given to charity and something happens afterwards (perhaps not on the same day or week) wereby Allah has given us more than we initially gave to charity.

Even if we think there is no physical evidence that Allah has given us something greater for it in this world we have a feeling of joy and contentment which we want to continue. Also be rest assured that inshallah it has been written for us and it might be what tips the balance in our favour on a day when we all need the mercy of our Lord.

As a muslim we go through times of trials and tribulations, we must be patient during these times no matter how difficult. When ease follows know that Allah is the one who is to be praised and thanked for it. The promise of our Lord is true if we are of those who are patient.

And they will say, "Praise to Allah , who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers." (Q39 vs 74)

Do not despair of your current state even though you try to keep your 5 daily salah accurate and on time, you pay you zakat and give to charity. Do not despair that your colleague at work or friends who doesn't strive as hard as you seem to have it all. This is shaitan trying to trap you and lead you astray.

O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver. (Q35 vs 5)

It is important to always remember that this world is not the goal. The hearafter where we would be for all eternity is the goal. So everything we request for in this world should be geared towards that.

Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all. [Therein are] gardens of perpetual residence which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise has ever been coming. (Q19 vs 60-61).

Therefore if we don't get that car we asked Allah for, we know that Allah will replace it with something better inshaallah. The promise of Allah is true and you must belief in this as a muslim.

[It is] the promise of Allah . Allah does not fail in His promise, but most of the people do not know. They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware. (Q30 vs 6-7)

May Allah give us strength and sabr at the most desperate and difficult of times and may He enable us to be grateful to Him when our duas have been answered. Ameen.

Love and Sisterhood

2011-11-21T20:28:00.000+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope this email meets you in the best of health and eeman. I have been clearing up the contact list on my phone. Over the years you accumulate numbers aplenty. Some numbers you don't remember who owns them or what circumstance you came to meet them. Others you discover you haven't spoken to in two, three or more years. Your mind get drawn to the memories and shared adventures. You wonder what they are up to. So I began by emailing one such sister who I haven't been in touch with since 2006 at most. Subhanallah I received a reply immediately, she remembered me and my heart filled with joy that she was ok. She informed me of her lucky escape when the building she worked in was destroyed. Subhanallah.

When I started uni as an undergrad (2002) I met a family at jumuah prayers on my very first day. They welcomed me and promised my mum to look after me. I was usually invited to their house for dinner and struck up a strong friendship with one of their daughters. They moved to a different city and during the holidays I would still go and visit, have a sleep over and all that. The mum always referred to me as her daughter and she treated me as such. For the past three years we lost touch. So today I called but none of the numbers I had worked and was told they moved out of their house 2 years ago when I called their landline. I panicked wondering what had happened to them. Luckily I had the email address of my friend, their daughter. She responded immediately informing me that she had gone to settle in a different country but her mum was still here. She had finished uni and done her masters. Mashaallah. Armed with a new number I called her mum and the first thing she said to me after exchanging salam was "is that my Amina". My heart was filled with love and joy. Alhamdulilah the whole family is well.

What bound us together then and still does now is that we are muslims, we share a love of Allah (subhanallah watahala). We are not from the same country or anything but we found ourselves as muslim sisters and that love is what made me look for her after all this years and it is what made her always think of me despite not hearing from me for all these years.

May Allah unite us under His shade on a day when there would be no shade except His.

Love only for the sake of Allah (subhanallah watahala), it is the only thing that sustains relationships.

WHAT A YEAR IT HAS BEEN

2011-11-16T11:25:00.002+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

Subhanallah we are already in mid November, the year has flown by so so quickly. A lot has happened both in our little world and the world at large. I am sure we have all experienced times of joy, excitement and dissapointment. Hope we have all been able to dig deep into our pool of eeman at all times of changing situations and emotions.

During the times of joy and success we remembered to thank Allah for His kindness and mercy on us. We remembered that we would have to account to Him alone on how we used all the things we have been blessed with.

When dissapointments strike we are assured that Allah would see us through, we turn our faces towards Him and seek His help through dua and patience. We keep our tongues moist with His remembrance and we look at those who are in a worse position so that we remain grateful and not sinful.

What does the year ahead hold? No one knows except Allah (subhannallah watahala). We plan, we pray and we hope for His mercy. Remember those whom we have lost this year, therefore do your duties to Allah today and leave tomorrow for tomorrow. Do not postpone as you don't know if you would be here on the morrow.

Love, be kind and enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. Surely as the sun sets and rises every hour leads closer to the meeting with our Lord. So keep your duty to Him, obey your paents and try to be just in all matters.

May Allah forgive us for our short comings and grant us the best in this life and the next.

Ameen.

Increasing and decreasing eeman

2011-10-23T10:47:00.000+01:00

Assalamu alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope you have all been in the best of eeman and health. I cannot belief the last time I blogged was before ramadhan. How time flies? I hope you all had a successful ramadhan, filled with the reading of the Qur'an, reduction in gossip and back biting and performing lots of tahajjud.

May Allah accept from us all our acts of ibadah. Ameen.

So have we all come down from our ramadhan high? When we worked hard to try to be so close to our Lord our eeman was high or have we tried inshaallah to keep our eeman at that level. The eeman naturally increases and decreases but what we have to ensure is that it does not dip below a level which would take us away from the fold of Islam.

So we keep our five daily salah, and keep our tongues moist with the remembrance of Allah (subhanallah watahala). We try to remember the favours Allah (subhanallah watahala) bestowed upon us and this should inshaallah help to increase our eeman. Also try to please our Lord by reading the Qur'an, waking up for tahajjud and so on. Always remembering our Lord.

May Allah enable us to be of those who are grateful and strive to obey Him. Ameen.

In need of eeman topup?

2011-06-19T22:32:00.000+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray that you are all in the best of health and eeman. Sorry it has been a while. Alhamdulilah. I attended a programme recently entitled "Are you well fed?" It was about being a well rounded muslimah who strives to achieve a balance in all aspects of her life, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

While at this programme I discovered that i really was in need of eeman topup (stole that expression from my sister). Following on from this programme I spoke to another sister friend of mine (the first time we met was at an islamic course) and we both chastised ourselves for neglecting our islamic education, sisterhood and eeman topup.

Although we all strive to keep up with our 5 daily salah we need reminders which refreshes our knowledge of our Lord, Allah (subhanallah watahalah) and the deen of islam, thereby focusing our minds on the aakirah and make sure we do not get swept away in the sea of the dunya.

So if we feel we are a bit of a downer in terms of our spritual, mental and emaotional well being, perhaps we are in need of eeman topup.

The struggle

2011-04-03T09:44:00.000+01:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray this email meets you in the best of health and eeman. I pray Allah (subhanallah watahala) continues to assist us all in our affairs and make our path easy for us. Ameen.

O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. (Q66vs6).

The path to protecting yourself and your family does not always run smoothly but it is a constant struggle.
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Q29vs69)

The acts of ibadah which we have been obligated to perform is for our own self as stated in the Quran:
...And whatever good you put forward for yourselves (i.e. salah, sadaqah, zakat, fasting and hajj) - you will find it with Allah . It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah . Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Q73vs20)

Sometimes we see people praying, fasting and doing other acts of ibadah and perhaps we say to ourself "I am not at the level of eeman that sister is at the moment". The sister is also struggling everyday to do these acts of ibadah. She is also juggling work, children and family. She keeps up her acts of ibadah because of the love she has for her Lord and the reward she seeks With Him. She also finds it difficult to wake up for fajr after spending the whole day running after the kids. Instead of looking at her, think of the reward with Allah (subhanallah watahala) and the repercussions if you do not find the mercy of your Lord and inshaallah this should provide you with all the incentives you need to keep on the right path.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: Messenger of Allah (subhanallah watahala) said, "Allah the exalted has said ' I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him and if he seeks My protection (refuge), I protect him."' [Bukhari]

I pray Allah (subhanallah watahala) continues to assist us in the struggle towards Him and blesses this struggle with Jannah Firdous. Ameen.

In the absence of yakeen...

2011-03-15T09:25:00.002+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. I am reading a book at the moment called " Be Steadfast". In it there are a list of conditions of La ilaaha illa Allah. Inshaallah I will try to summarise oner of the conditions which I think is very important.

Al-Yakeen (certainty)
Certainty is the absence of doubt or uncertainty. We have to be certain of the shahadah we make as Muslims and any doubt with regards to Islam can be equivalent to disbelief.

The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah . It is those who are the truthful. Q49 vs 15

"No one meets Allah with the testimony that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah, and he has no doubt about that statement, except that he will enter Paradise." (Muslim)

The absence of Yakeen (therefore the presence of doubt) exhibits itself in various forms. It leads people who pray and fast into having their palms read or those going through various trials in life going to so called herbalist for solutions (this happens in some part of the world). There is a big problem in the heart in which there is doubt because it could lead to the person leaving the fold of Islam completely.

The cure to doubt is to have the correct knowledge of Allah (subhanallah watahala), Rasul (salalahu alayhi wasalam) and the deen of al Islam. With the correct knowledge you would also be able to stand strong against those who would want to influence, mislead and place doubt in your heart inshaallah.

May Allah remove any doubt from our hearts and replace it with Yakeen so that we can be of those who are successful in this world and the next.

Little reminders

2011-03-13T21:00:00.000+00:00

Salam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray this email meets you in the best of health and eeman. The news recently has been filled with very terrible things, mainly the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I pray Allah (subhanallah watahala) forgives us our sins and continues to protect us all.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” Narrated by Muslim (2999).

What use a library of books?

2011-03-05T10:27:00.000+00:00

Assalam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I hope you are all in the best of eeman and health. Alhamdulilah for all of the gifts which Allah (subhanallah watahala) has bestowed upon us. This morning I was just thinking of some of the books that I haven't read in a while or haven't touched at all since I purchased them.

When we are trying to get to know a subject or to know it better we start borrowing or buying the necessary books. After sometime the books become redundant. We don't go back to it to refresh our memories or knowledge. With regards to religious books some of the main reasons we buy them is to improve in our deen or to make sure our children can have a reference point for their deen and answers to the questions which they may ask.

If we as parents, aunts and uncles don't read or refresh our memory (or knowledge) from these books how are we to encourage the little ones to pick up the books which would provide them with knowledge of their creator, prophet and deen. After all it is only with knowledge that they can serve their creator better.

The question we should ask ourselves is: Should I have an islamic library for the sake of it or ensure I read the books I already have?

May Allah make our affairs easy for us and maybe we could start with the Quran. This post is more of a reminder for myself than for you my brothers and sisters.

Patience – Sabr

2011-01-29T21:01:00.000+00:00

As salam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu, I hope you are all doing well. Alhamdulilah we just completed the tafsir of suratul Baqarah and I was going through my notes and came across a little section of patience. Insha’Allah I want to share what I learnt with you.

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Q2vs153)

Patience can be divided into two main parts:

1. Patience of evil

A person does evil knowing that it will bring the punishment of Allah (subhanallah watahala) but he still carries on with it.

Those are the ones who have exchanged guidance for error and forgiveness for punishment. How patient they are in pursuit of the Fire! (Q2vs175)

2. Patience on what is beneficial

This can be subcategorised into the following:

i) Patience on al Ma’ruf i.e. being patient on what Allah (subhanallah watahala) has commanded us. Despite the difficulty associated with maintaining the five daily salah, fasting, zakah, we are patient and carry on with it with the aim of obeying Allah (subhanallah watahala).

ii) Patience on keeping away from the prohibitions Allah (subhanallah watahala) has enforced on us even though shaitan might make it very tempting and despite all the cultural and peer pressures.

iii) Patience at the time of tests and trials

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (Q2vs155)

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity." (Bukhari).

Opportunity to repent

2011-01-26T18:51:00.002+00:00

Salam alaykum waramatullah wabarakatuhu,

I pray this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. Alhamdulilah there were very good contributions made to the last post. I pray Allah continues to increase us in eeman and knowledge. Ameen.

One of the pillars of eeman is to believe in Allah, which requires belief in the Names and attributes of Allah (subhanallah watahala). This requires having a good understanding of the names not just the direct translations.

Al Haleem is a Name of Allah (subhanallah watahala) which is usually translated as "the forbearing". It is from the word "Hulum" which means tolerance and al Haleem means "the one who delays the punishment". Perhaps it can be understood with this statement: Allah (subhanallah watahala) gave life to man, nourishes him, gave him all he needs to grow and develop. Man disobeys. Allah (subhanallah watahala) sent messengers and books to guide him and he still denies the existence of God.

Instead of him receiving the punishement at the time he disobeys, Allah (subhanallah watahala) delays the punishment on him, giving him an opportunity to repent and come back to Him (subhanallah watahala).

Subhanallah doesn't this explanation give a better understanding, enabling us to further understand the mercy of Allah (subhanallah watahala) on us.

May Allah (subhanallah watahala) enable us to be of those who return and repent to Him before a time when our repentance can be of no benefit to us.

And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped. (Q39vs54)

Jazakallah khayran.

Hope and Change

2011-01-12T14:27:00.001+00:00

Salam alaykum,

It has been a little while. I hope this post meets you in the best of health and eeman. I have been thinking of what to write in a while. I started a topic on humility but I haven't gotten round to completing it. If you have anything on that or any other thing please do post your ideas and comments.

I settled on hope and change. You might be thinking that how is hope related to change but here goes my thinking. Change is unavoidable, we see it everyday, month or year as we look at ourselves in the mirror, hear of a birth, a death or marriage. Change is also visible with the change in the seasons. We are both excited and fearful of change. We hope the change brings something of joy with it. We worry that we might not be able to handle the change or the consequences of it. This is were hope comes into its own. We hope and pray that it is for the best and we are patient on that.

As we grow old and become responsible and accountable for our deeds, we try to do what is right and hope for the mercy and forgiveness of our Lord.

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Q39 vs 53).

Hope in the mercy of Allah (subhanallah wa tahala), hope for His guidance and hope for His provision is what sustains us through all the changes we go through in life. Therefore when you are going through a change which you think you can't handle hold on to the hope of Allah's mercy. May Allah fill our hearts with tranquillity. Ameen.