As Salaamu Alaykoum all!

I hope you are all in the best of health and Imaan.
After waking up to the sun glistening right onto my face, I suddenly felt the urge to write a random post.
I have been away for quite a long time from the net and writing posts. Since my last post a lot of changes have taken place in my life, good changes Alhamdulillah. I feel one step closer to Allah (swt). The reason as to why I wanted to share this with you all is for all of you, who are stuck in a certain stage in your life, to realise that it is never too late to make the slightest difference. You may all seem slightly puzzled to this peculiar change that I am talking about, however, we are all stuck in one form of routine or another that is stopping us from truly strengthening our Imaan and expanding our knowledge on the deen of Islam.

My eyes have been glued to a book that my father got for me, it is called ‘Enjoy Your Life’ by Dr. Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahaman Al-’Arifi. It is one of the most astoundingly mind nourishing books one could ever read. Through this book alone I have learnt so much about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saaw). In a nutshell, this book opened my eyes to many things in my life, that I had taken for granted, and allowed me to make a difference in myself.

If any of you would like to read this book, then you can do so online: http://www.kalamullah.com/enjoy-your-life.html or you can purchase your own copy, which I highly recommend.

That’s all for now, however, I will attempt to write a post every week Insha’Allah.

If there are any suggestions then please do not hesitate to leave a comment.

I wish you all a great and productive week ahead, with the will of Allah (swt).

WasSalaamu Alaykoum Wa Rahmatulahhi Wa Barakatuhu

Recently I have realised that trust is complicated, yet at times one might think they have complete trust in an individual but time proves them to be wrong. The reason is that there always is more than what meets the eye. In my entire lifetime I have met many people, however, during some stage I am pulled away from such people. There is a force pulling me away from what Allah (swt) dislikes for me, to the naked eye I appear as a vile, cold, heartless person, yet inside I feel a sense of satisfaction in my loneliness.

The point that I am trying to make is that as much as I would like to be there for people I just can’t because something pulls me back from making mistakes. To be frank I do not care much for the judgements of others over the type of person I may be, all that I am certain of is Allah (swt) knows everything and sees everything.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا…
…And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out [of every difficulty]
(Qur’an 65: 2)

As the above verse, from the Holy Qur’an, suggests our duty is towards Allah (swt). Therefore, it is essential that everything we do and strive for in our lives is in pleasing Allah (swt) as well as fulfilling our duties towards the creator of the universe. Life is not as dandy as that indicated through words.

“This is true happiness, the happiness of faith, and no one can feel this happiness except the one whose mind, heart and soul are filled with the love of Allah. The one who truly has control over happiness is the One True God, so seek happiness from Him by worshipping and obeying Him” -Dr Ai’th Al Qarni

My joy –
My Hunger –
My Shelter –
My Friend –
My Food for the journey –
My journey’s End –
You are my breath,
My hope,
My companion,
My craving,
My abundant wealth.
Without You — my Life, my Love –
I would never have wandered across these endless countries.
You have poured out so much grace for me,
Done me so many favors, given me so many gifts –
I look everywhere for Your love –
Then suddenly I am filled with it.
O Captain of my Heart
Radiant Eye of Yearning in my breast,
I will never be free from You
As long as I live.
Be satisfied with me, Love,
And I am satisfied.
-Rabia of Basra

May the peace and blessings of Allah (swt) be upon us.

As Salaamu Alaykoum
The emotion of love is a profoundly beautiful part of life. I see it as preparation for the afterlife, for we are bound to view everything around us with the eye of love. The signs of Allah’s love are found all around us, you only have to look at; nature, your family, your most beloved friends, the Ummah of Muhammad (saaw) to see love in its most beautiful form. Love is truly a gift from Allah (swt), it is one of the many great blessings that He bestows upon us:

1.
وَحَنَانً۬ا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةً۬‌ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّ۬ا
And compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout
(Quran 19:13)

2.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَيَجۡعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ وُدًّ۬ا
Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love (Quran 19:96

3.
وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَنۡ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا لِّتَسۡكُنُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَڪُم مَّوَدَّةً۬ وَرَحۡمَةً‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect (Quran 30:21)

Mutual love is between two people who love Allah (swt) with sincere respect and demonstrate the morals that gain Allah’s satisfaction. Allah (swt) places love in all of his most beloved servants and He ensures that such a love is in fact reciprocated. However, humans can get too caught up forgetting Allah (swt) is the real source and owner of love. Those in search of true love are to adhere to the Quranic morals and supplicate to Allah (swt). All those unfortunate individuals who do not adhere to the Quranic morals undoubtedly live a life bereft of true knowledge, hope and love.

With love comes sacrifice. Once we are ready to be bestowed with the blessings of love then we are ready to sacrifice in the name of Allah (swt), with His power and will. Therefore, we are to be self-sacrificial. One of the sincere believers’ most identifiable characteristics is that they will freely put their own interests below those of other believers. Allah gives one such example in the Qur’an, when recounting the Makkan Muslims’ emigration to Madinah, and how the Muslims in Madinah welcomed them.

The Qur’an informs us of the beautiful morals of the believers in the following verse:

وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ يُحِبُّونَ مَنۡ هَاجَرَ إِلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمۡ حَاجَةً۬ مِّمَّآ أُوتُواْ وَيُؤۡثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بِہِمۡ خَصَاصَةٌ۬‌ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهِۦ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ
Those who entered the city and the faith before them love those who flee unto them for refuge, and find in their breasts no need for that which hath been given them, but prefer (the fugitives) above themselves though poverty become their lot. And whoso is saved from his own avarice – such are they who are successful (Quran 59: 9)

To love is to be forgiving:
وَلَا يَأۡتَلِ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡفَضۡلِ مِنكُمۡ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤۡتُوٓاْ أُوْلِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱلۡمُهَـٰجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ وَلۡيَعۡفُواْ وَلۡيَصۡفَحُوٓاْ‌ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغۡفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ
And let not those who possess dignity and ease among you swear not to give to the near of kin and to the needy, and to fugitives for the cause of Allah. Let them forgive and show indulgence. Yearn ye not that Allah may forgive you? Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (Quran 24: 22)

To love is to be humble:
فَبِمَا رَحۡمَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَوۡ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلۡقَلۡبِ لَٱنفَضُّواْ مِنۡ حَوۡلِكَ‌ۖ فَٱعۡفُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him) (Quran 3: 159)

To love is to be patient:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱصۡبِرُواْ وَصَابِرُواْ وَرَابِطُواْ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
O ye who believe! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that ye may succeed (Quran 3: 200)

To love is to be faithful:
فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمِهِۦ عَلَىٰ خَوۡفٍ۬ مِّن فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَإِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لَعَالٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِن كُنتُمۡ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ فَعَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلُوٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّسۡلِمِينَ
But none believed in Moses, save some scions of his people, (and they were) in fear of Pharaoh and their chiefs, that he would persecute them. Lo! Pharaoh was verily a tyrant in the land, and lo! he verily was of the wanton. And Moses said: O my people! If ye have believed in Allah then put trust in Him, if ye have indeed surrendered (unto Him)! (Quran 10: 83-84)

To love is to be merciful:
لَقَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِڪُمۡ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيۡهِ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيۡڪُم بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.
(Quran 9: 128))

To love is to be a an honest and truthful slave of Allah (swt)

Along the road, you were my companion
Seeking the path, you were my guide

Rarely did my heart desire another lover
Then when it did, you came to me in the other.

Enjoy!

Who is at my door?

He said, “Who is at my door?”
I said, “Your humble servant.”
He said, “What business do you have?”
I said, “To greet you, 0 Lord.”

He said, “How long will you journey on?”
I said, “Until you stop me.”
He said, “How long will you boil in the fire?”
I said, “Until I am pure.

“This is my oath of love.
For the sake of love
I gave up wealth and position.”

He said, “You have pleaded your case
but you have no witness.”
I said, “My tears are my witness;
the pallor of my face is my proof.’
He said, “Your witness has no credibility;
your eyes are too wet to see.”
I said, “By the splendor of your justice
my eyes are clear and faultless.”

He said, “What do you seek?”
I said, “To have you as my constant friend.”
He said, “What do you want from me?”
I said, “Your abundant grace.”

He said, “Who was your companion on the ‘ourney?
I said, “The thought of you, 0 King.”
He said, “What called you here?”
I said, “The fragrance of your wine.”

He said, “What brings you the most fulfillment?”
I said, “The company of the Emperor.”
He said, “What do you find there?”
I said, “A hundred miracles.”
He said, “Why is the palace deserted?”
I said, “They all fear the thief.”
He said, “Who is the thief?”
I said, “The one who keeps me from -you.

He said, “Where is there safety?”
I said, “In service and renunciation.”
He said, “What is there to renounce?”
I said, “The hope of salvation.”

He said, “Where is there calamity?”
I said, “In the presence of your love.”
He said, “How do you benefit from this life?”
I said, “By keeping true to myself

Now it is time for silence.
If I told you about His true essence
You would fly from your self and be gone,
and neither door nor roof could hold you back!

-Rumi

As Salamu Alaykoum!
Determination is one of the dominant attributes of a faithful believer. A Muslim should never lose their enthusiasm nor their devotion towards the school of life and the ultimate goal of the hereafter. A determined soul puts up with struggle and grievances in order to please Allah (swt). That is why, no difficulty proves to be a hindrance to a believers endeavours. The ultimate goal is indeed to deserve the Mercy and favour of Allah (swt), therefore, a believer shapes his life accordingly.

Whilst conversing, about Islam, with a relative, a question was raised by this young man “why do Muslims suffer the most?” The simple answer to this is that Allah (swt) puts our determination to the test in many different ways; either through difficult trials of grievances or difficult decision making.

This is clearly evident in the following verse of the Qur’an:

We shall test you with fear and hunger, with loss of life and property and crops but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. (Al-Baqara: 155)

The patience of a believer is continuously tested, a believer with a determined soul is most undoubtedly loved by Allah (swt) as suggested in the following verse:

How many of the prophets fought (in God’s way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God’s way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast. Their only words were: “Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty; make us firm of foot and help us against those that resist faith.” (Al-Imran: 146-147)

Suffering is a part of this life, it is a trial that we must all undergo. It is through such trials that a determined soul grows in faith/Imaan and learns the meaning of divine love.

In order to gain divine love a believer must go through trials. I am a determined soul striving for the love of my Lord, every struggle I have been through in my life is a blessing as it has given me the ability to get closer to Allah (swt).

Live life for Allah!

WasSalaamu Alaykoum

I think it is extremely crucial that we answer the above questions honestly. I do not think we are grateful enough for our lives, in fact we can never show our full gratitude to Allah (swt). The Most Merciful is always giving love abundantly, as His slaves we need to realise that all we truly need is love and what greater love is there than divine love?

I have been through so many trials in my life and to this minute I am living through one trial after another, but I intend to succeed through each one with a great big smile drawn upon my face. There truly is nothing we can do except prostrate to Allah (swt), be ever so thankful and smile.

It is easier said than done, however, let us smile for the future to come, for the hope that there is, for the love we all have. Never stop the elevation of your soul through times of hardship and grief, it is through such trials that you should seek the love of Allah (swt) the most.

I write such utterances with a thankful heart, a soul full of love and a mind of wisdom. I write this as the loving slave of Allah (swt).

Love my dear souls.
Love Allah and you shall never be disappointed.
Do not forget to always thank Allah.

Thank you Allah

-Gulan

I will be trying my best to update the website frequently InshaAllah.
I do require your patience, and as usual please do email me your suggestions.

JazakAllahu Khairan for your patience

WasSalaam

-Gulan

First of all I would like to give you all a warm welcome to my new blog. The main focus will be on love, I will be expressing my emotional thoughts, poetry and utterances on many things, but primarily on divine love. Throughout my life I have been through a difficult journey and having grown up in the west has made everything that little more difficult, nevertheless, I thank Allah (swt) for my life.

The name ‘ The Soul of a Rose ‘ was an inspiration from my original name. I will be sharing with you all the words of my soul, hence ‘ The Soul of a Rose ‘. I hope you all enjoy my blog and upcoming entries. Most importantly I pray that Allah (swt) is satisfied with every blog entry, for He is aware that Islam is my guide through this blog and most certainly through my life.

Your sister in Islam.

I sail to you in the ocean of my dreams
To a far away distant place
Of great beauty and tranquility
Where pain and suffering do not exist,
Where we give praise for our joy and happiness,
Where our love intertwines with a love for all things

O beloved keeper of my heart
The companion of my soul
You have reached out and touched the essence of my being
And shown me the way to a higher plane

Your love has awakened me from my years of slumber
A beckoning call to the spiritual world
Where my body is mist in the mountains
This is where my heart belongs
This is where my soul lives…

During many difficult stages in my life I realized that my comfort and joy were to be found in the amazing words of Allah (swt). I am not sure what I would have done without Islam and my love for Allah, I fell at many hurdles and the only thing that brought me back up was my love for Allah.

I want to share this amazing poem with you all, I hope you all see in it what I saw, and feel what I felt, and cry the tears of love that I cried.

Look at Love…
Look at Love…
how it tangles
with the one fallen in love
look at spirit
how it fuses with earth
giving it new life
why are you so busy
with this or that or good or bad
pay attention to how things blend
why talk about all
the known and the unknown
see how unknown merges into the known
why think separately
of this life and the next
when one is born from the last
look at your heart and tongue
one feels but deaf and dumb
the other speaks in words and signs
look at water and fire
earth and wind
enemies and friends all at once
the wolf and the lamb
the lion and the deer
far away yet together
look at the unity of this
spring and winter
manifested in the equinox
you too must mingle my friends
since the earth and the sky
are mingled just for you and me
be like sugarcane
sweet yet silent
don’t get mixed up with bitter words
my beloved grows
right out of my own heart
how much more union can there be