I think that part of finding your peace is to get comfortable with the understanding that you won’t always live-up to everyone else’s definition of whatever emotional need they’re currently experiencing because you’re human and you don’t have all the solutions. And you don’t need to. Re-read that last sentence and get comfortable with it, write it down if you like. YOU ARE ENOUGH.

People won’t always present you with the emotional responses you’re looking for. And that’s okay. Because whilst we all thrive when we receive the love and emotional care our souls yearn for; we do not allow our happiness to be totally dependent on something someone else may or may not give us. Maybe happiness, like love, is a gift we must give ourselves before anyone else can give them to us.

The people around us don’t know how much of sincerity we have but their hearts can always perceive the purity of our intentions. (Take a moment to appreciate the love that your loved ones have for you. Your kids, spouse, siblings may drive you mad but they love you in a way that no other human can).

We don’t question the sacrifices we make for our loved ones and maybe that’s because when we set aside our notions of love, for the ones we love, we begin to realise that often, our deepest feelings are the guides we’ve been searching for.

Looking around I’ve been privileged (as have you, no doubt) to witness many teachers of pure love…

The mother who skips a meal so that her hungry child will have something to eat

The father who gives his jacket to his little girl even though it’s cold and he’ll get soaked in the rain

The wife who waits for her husband to get home so that they can share a meal together

The husband who might not remember to get her flowers and chocolates but will move mountains to be there for his wife when she needs him the most

The parents who relinquish their dreams so that their children can pursue theirs

The stranger who buys a homeless person a meal

The salesperson who works 10-hour shifts so that her child can get a good education

The toddler who will get a scolding from her mum/dad and even be reduced to tears, but will never ever think of loving her parents any less

Acts of pure love aren’t always celebrated by large crowds or captured by a photographer. The heroes and heroines of everyday life don’t see their names on billboards. Society doesn’t know them or acknowledge them. Whether we know it or not, we respect them because they don’t ask whether their sacrifices are logical or financially rewarding. Their actions answer the one question our souls ask us daily, “Have you loved truly?”

P.S. (Maybe we’re not supposed to know what Love looks like so that we don’t restrict it to just one form.So that we don’t express it in just one way. Maybe we’re supposed to stop worrying about the definition and immerse ourselves in finding ways to live it)

Originally published at http://www.junaidkajee.com/what-does-love-look-like/

Read more at www.JunaidKajee.com/Blog

]]> 2230 http://myummah.co.za/site/2015/06/16/ramadaan-and-the-quran/ Tue, 16 Jun 2015 09:55:39 +0000 http://myummah.co.za/site/?p=2174 Ramadaan and the Quran

By: Bint Muhammad S.K.

“The month of Ramadaan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month (or, whoever is present during the month), let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Al-Quran 2:185)

He was terrified, trembling with fear, as he said to her, “Cover me… cover me” – those famous words that resonate with the story of a man who grew up in a time of corruption upon corruption; who was pure of heart despite it all; who would treat well even those that harmed him… who was approached by an angel and commanded to “recite”… But he could not recite, and the angel squeezed him, and again commanded him to recite – thrice, until the first verses of the noble Quran were revealed to him, there in the cave of Hira, in the blessed month of Ramadaan… And he, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), recited the verses, then fled home to his wife…
(See The Sealed Nectar by Saifur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri 1979:137-144, for a more detailed narration)

Let us step forward into the present…The blessed month of Ramadaan is one in which many Muslims strive in practicing Islam: men who do not have beards start to grow them, women who do not don hijab try to do so, the television is put in its “kafan” (shroud) and shunned, and people’s spirituality “flies on a high”. In addition, this month is somewhat reputed for competition in Quran recital – particularly between the Huffaadh (memorisers of the Quran). Sounds good? Yes, of course…

However, certain issues need to be addressed and resolved, first of which is: Ramadaan is not the only month in which we should be practicing Islam – the effort should be lifelong, and in all aspects of our lives In Sha Allah. Secondly, the objective of reciting Quran in Ramadaan is not that we complete the most khatams. Indeed, the reward of every good deed is multiplied in Ramadaan, but focus should be more on quality than quantity. Sheikh ‘Abdullah Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) has said regarding recitation of the Quran, “It is better not to finish it in less than three days, because three days is the shortest period that the Prophet (PBUH) instructed for ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘As… Reading the Quran in less than three days may lead to a hasty reading, one that is bereft of contemplation” (Fatawa Islamiyah vol.7:30). My sister, my brother, if we speed through our recitation of the Quran with much of it inaudible; without tranquility, tajweed (proper pronunciation) and taghanni (melodiously)… how much of justice will we be doing to it?

May Allah guide us, accept from us, and make this Ramadaan a time of lasting reformation for us all.

“Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ For the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.” (Al-Bukhari)

Also, Sahl ibn Sa’ad reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said:

“Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty.” (Ibn Khuzaymah. Sahih)

Fasting is a Shield Against the Fire

“Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” (Ahmad. Sahih)

Fasting is a Means for One’s Sins to be Forgiven

“He who fasts Ramadhan, due to iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Supplication of the Fasting Person is Answered

“There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be granted.” (Al-Bazzar and Ahmad. Sahih)

Fasting is an Expiation for Various Sins

“Perform the Pilgrimage and the Lesser Pilgrimage for Allah … but whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head must pay a ransom, either by fasting or by charity … ” [Al-Qur’an 2:196]

“Never may a believer kill a believer unless by mistake … and those who find this beyond their means must fast two consecutive months. Such is the penance imposed by Allah; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.” (Al-Qur’an 4:92)

And more (5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4).

Fasting is a Shield Against One’s Base Desires

“O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Once we realise the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing fasting in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah’s sake, and no intention is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all one’s sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the Hereafter. We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we perform fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents and friends, or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps because we simply want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any problems? A Muslim who realises that only that which is with Allah remains, and that He is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those to which the Prophet, upon whom be peace, alluded to in the hadith:

“On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out, ‘Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed.’ ” (Sahih al-Jami’)

Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah (Radiallahu Anhu): Allah’s Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) cursed the accepter of interest and its payer, and one who records it, and the two witnesses; and he said: They are all equal (Muslim).

“Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity” (Quran 2: 276).

Abu Huraira (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: On the night of the Miraj I came upon a group of people whose bellies were like houses. They were full of snakes which could be seen from outside their bellies. I asked Gabriel who they were, and he told me that they were the people who had practiced Riba (Interest). (Ahmad, Ibn Maja)

Abdullah ibn Hanjalah (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: A dirham of Riba (interest) knowingly taken by a man is a sin worse than committing Zina (fornication) 36 times (Ahmad, Daraqutni).

Inheritance and wills

“And unto each We have appointed heirs of that which parents and near kindred leave; and as for those with whom your right hands have made a covenant, give them their due. Lo! Allah is ever Witness over all things” (Quran 4:33)

Ibn Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: It is the duty of a Muslim man who has something which is to be given as a bequest not to have it for two nights without having his will written regarding it. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Anas related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: If anyone deprives an heir of his inheritance, Allah will deprive him of his inheritance in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. (Ibn Maja)

How do you earn your money?

Abu Huraira (Radiallahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: A time will come upon the people when one will not care how one gains one’s money, legally or illegally. (Bukhari)

It is reported by Jabir (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: The flesh and body that is raised on unlawful sustenance shall not enter Paradise. Hell is more deserving to the flesh that grows on one’s body out of unlawful sustenance. (Ahmad).

Abu Said (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: The truthful and trustworthy businessman will be in the company of Prophets, saints and martyrs on the Day of Judgment. (Darimi, Tirmidhi)

Debts

It is narrated by Abu Musa Ashari (Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: After the major sins which must be avoided, the greatest sin is that someone dies in a state of debt and leaves behind no asset to pay it off. (Darimi)

Loans

Abu Qatadah (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: If anyone would like Allah to save him from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection, he should give more time to his debtor who is short of money, or remit his debt altogether. (Muslim)

The poor and your wealth

“Hast thou observed him who belieth religion? That is he who repelleth the orphan, and urgeth not the feeding of the needy” (Quran 107: 1-3).

Safwan ibn Salim (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari)

Hoarding

“O you who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of God, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom” (Quran 9:34).

Charity and punishment

It is narrated by Anas bin Malik(Radiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: Verily charity appeases the wrath of Allah and eases the sufferings of death. (Tirmidhi)

Extravagance

“Give the kinsman his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and squander not (your wealth) in wantonness. Lo! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils, and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord” (Quran 17:26-27).

Amr ibn Shuaib (Radiallahu Anhu), on his father’s authority said that his grandfather related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: When you eat, drink, give charity and wear clothes, let no extravagance or pride be mixed up with what you do. (Ibn Maja, Nasai).

Being a Miser

Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser’.(Bukhari).

Abu Said Khudri (Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: There are two habits which are never present together in a believer: miserliness and bad manners (Tirmidhi).

Jabir (Radiallahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful. (Muslim)

Moderation in giving

“And let not thy hand be chained to thy neck nor open it with a complete opening, lest thou sit down rebuked, denuded” (Quran 17:29).

(In reference to the slaves of Allah) “And those who, when they spend, are neither prodigal nor grudging; and there is ever a firm station between the two” (Quran 25:67).

Bribery

“And eat not up your property among yourselves in vanity, nor seek by it to gain the hearing of the judges that you may knowingly devour a portion of the property of others wrongfully” (Quran 2:188).

Contentment

Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: Wealth is not in having vast riches, it is in contentment. (Bukhari, Muslim).

Envy in wealth

Ibn Masud (Radiallahu Anhu) said I heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) saying: There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to the others. (Bukhari).

Business conduct

Jabir(Radiallahu Anhu) related that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: May Allah show mercy to a man who is kind when he sells, when he buys, and when he makes a claim. (Bukhari)

You’re responsible for YOUR life.No matter how long you wait, nobody is going to walk-up to you and hand you a great life. Nobody is going to face your fears and conquer your doubts so that you can start experiencing the power of the potential you were born with.

You’ve got to commit to doing everything you can to lead a truly brilliant life. Starting now, make the decision to unshackle yourself from excuses. Stop evading responsibility and start building the best possible version of your life.

2. Stop waiting for ‘things’ to get better

The world over,millions of people find themselves unhappy with their lives, careers , health & relationships. Only a very small percentage of these people will actually do something about their unhappiness. They are the people who will ask themselves how they can improve their lives instead of saying, “Why me?”. They are the ones who increase their self-worth by constantly increasing their knowledge and nurturing their talents. They read great books while others complain. They listen to the thoughts of great minds while others spend hours playing games online. They act while others dream.

They show the world that they will do everything in their power to build great lives. Stop waiting, start living.

3. Stop waiting for ‘One Day’

‘One day’ doesn’t exist. It isn’t going to come.  No calendar in the world has a day called ‘one day’.  Stop waiting for this fictitious day to start getting fit. Stop believing that ‘one day’ you will start spending more time with your family. You postpone your life when you tell yourself that one day you will pay attention to the issues and people that matter the most.

Make smaller plans but get something done. Make progress. Don’t start today…start now!

When you can’t go on anymore, remember that hope and despair are two forces that grow stronger according to your belief in them. Everytime you face a problem, you’re given the choice of believing in hope or in despair. The more you choose to believe in hope, the stronger & bigger it becomes. Choose to believe in despair and the voice of hope starts growing weaker and weaker.

When you can’t go on anymore, remember that pain and discomfort are there to force you to grow. They’re there to convince you that you absolutely have to stand up and take charge of your life. Nobody else is going to do it for you. The moments that hurt us are pushing us towards being courageous enough to making the changes our lives need. You need to use the hurt & not let it use you. Look for the lessons it’s teaching you; they’re invaluable.

When you can’t go on anymore, you have reached the starting line. Your journey until this point was practice. The real work starts now. The need for pure grit, relentless determination & unrivaled enthusiasm has never been as urgent as it is when you think you really can’t go on anymore. This is when you’ve got to dig deep and show yourself that no matter how difficult it may be, you can achieve your goal.This is the time for tough choices and real progress.

Go out and start building the life you want to live!

Originally published on www.JunaidKajee.com

Read more at www.JunaidKajee.com/blog

7 Tips for Understanding the Quran

1. Always purify your intentions
2. use a reliable translation if you dont understand arabic
3. Never study a verse in isolation from other verses and hadith on the topic
4. Prioritize the explanation of the Prophet and his companions
5. Check if there is a reason for revelation and understand its relevance
6. Always clarify Fiqh and Aqeedah verses with a scholar
7. Familiarize yourself with the sciences of the Quran (Uloom Al-Quran) for a deeper understanding

So how does it work?

Leave a trace of your kindness wherever you go.
Leave a mark of goodness wherever you traverse.
Leave a legacy behind and keep walking on.

It’s incredible to know how much Allah loves us despite our shortcomings, how much He guides us despite our stubbornness, how much He forgives and overlooks despite our persistence, but most of all, it’s amazing to know how much He protects us from all different kinds of evil and crises because He knows just how weak and powerless we are. Without Him, we would’ve been destroyed a long time ago by our very surroundings.

Surah al-Hajj is the only Surah where there are 2 points/verses of sujud (prostration). This is interesting because the sujud is a significant mark of submission, and the entire story of Ibrahim (as) and the rites of Hajj that we perform today are all about submission and submitting to a Command Allah.

May Allah accept the Hajj of the Hujjaj, and accept our acts of worship and submission although we may are not in the sacred vicinity.

“And proclaim to Mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel. They will come from every deep and distant mountain highway.” [al-Hajj: 27]

“When his Lord said to him (i.e. Ibrahim), “Submit”, he said “I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds.”” [al-Baqarah: 131]

“Do not accompany three: the arrogant, the ignorant, and the one who betrays you. Give people three: love, fulfillment (of promise), and sincerity. Strive for three: to love, to laugh, and to forgive. And avoid three: that you should hurt, that you should hate, and that you should betray.”

– Unknown

“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”

– Emily Dickinson

originally posted on
http://fajr.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/fajr-reflections-2/