How quickly it has drawn near

Peace

Well...Another month of Ramadan just round the corner!Less than two weeks to go!
The time has just flown by...i guess what our Grandma's/pa's say is correct...
That there is no Barakah (blessing) in time these days.

I wont be at home this Ramadan.Hmmmm...well,i'll miss my mother obviously and also my dads making sure we
all make the most if this month...but it'll also be a good experience for me,
will i pray and make an effort without any pushing?Hoping to see some positive results!

I was thinking today...not that its a big deal,thinking i mean,but regardless...i was thinking
of what Ramadan was like when i was like 11?In junior school...well in that day
muslims-most-really had some respect for this blessed month.You wouldn't hear
music blasting from cars...not so many sisters bare headed.At least in Ramadan they endeavored to cover their hair...the males put on their skull caps...but now,
even all that is gone with the wind.The music blasts,its just like any old day,any old month.
I wish we could be like we were in those days....

But i guess its too much to ask for.Anyway,i intend on making an effort this Ramadan.
And i hope every muslim makes an effort too!

Phenomenal...

Pretty women wonder where
My secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a
model's fashion size
But when i start to tell them
They think i'm telling lies
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
Thats me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees
I say
Its the fire in my eyes
& the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
& the joy in my feet
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
Thats me.

Now you understand
Just why my heads not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
Its in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need of my care
Cause' i'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
Thats me.

Students of Deen!

Offering some Naseehah (advice) to those pursuing the knowledge of Deen (Islam),
Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thaanwi said:

'I address the students of deen with utmost respect.I have some advice to offer..Your need (to the community) is only on account of knowledge,and righteous deeds.Without these you have no value.Remember that the more delicious a food is,the quicker and more does it deteriorate and develop a foul smell.Just as it is beneficial in its condition and goodness,so too will it be corrupt and harmful in its state of corruption and decay.It is therefore essential that you become concerned with your Islaah,(moral reformation).

Your islaah can be achieved in two ways.One way is to search for a pious teacher from whom you acquire the knowledge of Deen.Never join the company of an irreligious teacher.The time of acquiring knowledge is the period of sowing the seeds.

Secondly,after having spent some time in the acquisition of knowledge,stay in the company of some AhlAllah (pious people).Only then will you gain the qualification for becoming a servant of deen.

Nowadays,students deceive themselves with the idea that they will practice righteousness after completion of their studies.This is a downright wrong idea,which will deprive the student from righteous deeds through his life.He will not gain the ability for performing good deeds.Remember that first impressions do not return.The initial impression and effect should be valued.The impression which one gains while acquiring knowledge and the effect of having gained awareness of deeds of reward are sin are special in the initial stage.If the student takes advantage of this initial impression and act accordingly,it will benefit him enduringly.If he ignores the impression (i.e tawfeeq) and abstains from giving it practical expressions in the form of righteousness and abstention from sin,the ability will be eliminated.This ability will not easily return.

If the injunctions and warnings of the holy Qur'an and Ahadith,which you are pursuing academically,do not exercise an influence on your heart during your student days,what hope is there for the future.When you study with the intention of the days of knowledge pursuit not being the time for righteous deeds,then,O'honourable friend,there can not be hope for the knowledge to exercise a beneficial influence on your later life.'

Time...

Peace & Blessings

Old as the stars probably,but this short piece is definitely something to ponder over.

To realise the value of one year,ask the student who failed a grade.

To realise the value of one month,ask the mother who gave birth to a premature baby.

To realise the value of one day,ask the editor of a daily newspaper.

To realise the value of one hour,ask the bride waiting to be wed.

To realise the value of one minute,ask the man who just missed the train.

To realise the value of one second,ask the person who just avoided an accident.

To realise the value of one milli-second,ask the Olympian who qualified for the bronze.

Treat everyday as your last.
Treasure every moment you have.
And remember that time waits for no-one.
Today is history.Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
The gift of life.

The Two Wolves Inside Of Us...

Peace & Blessings....

I read this short tale a while ago,it really enabled me to think of how less we try to stop ourselves doing bad.We have a choice between doing good and bad.We are good at laying the fault at shaitans feet,but if we were really strong in faith,and if we tried we would be able to free ourselves from him....at the same time free ourselves from our own evil thoughts.

An old Indian grandfather said to his grandson,who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice...

'Let me tell you a story.I too,at times have felt a great h8 for those that have taken so much,with no sorrow for what they do.But h8 wears you down,and does not hurt your enemy.
It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would vanish.I have struggled with these feelings many times....'

He continued:

'It is as if there are two wolves inside me:
One is good and does no harm.He lives in harmony with all round him and does not take offence when no offence was intended.He will only fight when it is right to do so,and in the right way.He saves all his energy for the right fight.
But the other wolf,ahhh!
He is full of anger.The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper.He fights everyone,all the time,for no reason.He cannot think because his anger and his h8 are so great.It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.Sometimes it is hard to live with there two wolves inside me,for both of them try to te me spirit.'

The boy looked intently into his grandfathers eyes and asked,'Which one wins grandfather?'
The grandfather smiled,and said quietly....

'The one i feed...'

Helping Hand

Peace & Blessings

Walking back from Asda the other day,i spotted an old man walking along,huddled in
an inadequate coat against the rain.He gripped a walking stick in one hand and several
bags in the other,he had difficulty walking.Anyone would have felt pity at the sight.Actually
i'm sure you would see plenty of old people like this around.With no one to help them carry there bags,or offer them a lift home.if i hadn't been carrying a bag in each hand,i would
certainly have stopped and asked if i could assist.

As muslims,shouldn't we know better?We have our Prophet Muhammad,the mercy to both the
worlds for a beautiful example.The man who mended his own clothes,and helped with the
housework,the man who never sent away a beggar empty handed,the man who told us to be kind
and caring towards our fellow sisters and brothers...is no other than our prophet,Gods greatest
messenger,Muhammad,peace be upon him.People these days seem to favour following the
examples of irresponsible 'pop stars' and what not,if people followed the example of Muhammad,the world would be a better place.

The messenger of Allah,Muhammad peace be upon him said:'Whoever relieves a believer of distress in this world,Allah will relieve him of some of the distress on the day of resurrection.Whoever makes things easier for those who are in difficulty,Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the next.Whoever conceals the faults of a believer in this world,Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the hereafter.Allah will help the slave so long as the slave helps his/her brother/sister.' (Mishkaat)

InshaAllah (God-Willing) lets take a lesson from the Prophet and help others and therefore,help ourselves...

Thoughts...

Peace & blessings

Thought id type down a few thoughts on my blog for a change!
...iv been thinking a lot these days.All these atrocities committed in the world today....
and the media never lets up blaming the Muslims...its gone past the point when you can say
oh,omg,astaghfirAllah,how can muslims do this?because now its getting extremely
difficult believing the media,considering all the media does is directly target the muslims,
blame all and sundry act of 'ter rorism' on us muslims and cause more racial discrimination
and unrest.I don't believe that my muslim brothers and sisters are responsible for these
acts,but if they are,then any muslim can clarify for you that Islam forbids the killling of in nocent
people.
Now looking at it from a different point,IF-and its a big IF- these people ARE muslims,
can you honestly blame them?Palestine...the situation is always reported biasedly on the
news,palestinians are always the 'baddies' and israel is oh so good.well actually,read
what a jewish rabbi has to say on the matter of the zionists oppressing the palestinians:

'We have come to Boston today to protest the celebration of the founding of the blasphemous
and heretical zionist state taking place here.we represent Torah true jews who remain loyal
to authentic judaism,who know that the root cause of the conflict and instability
plaguing the middle east and hence the entire world,is the heresy against God,called
zionism,and the heinous crimes committed in the name of its ille getimate 'state of Israel.'

Zionism!an ideology that is antithetical to judaism,one formented by unabashed atheists,
heretics and even some ostensibly 'religious' collaborators who have sold there souls to the
irreligious zionists for money and power.'
Rabbi yisroel feldman of neturei Karta
(at a rallyhosted by the new england committee to defend Palestine,to protest the'Boston
celebrates Israel festival.')

interesting isn't it.Not to mention the disgusting attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
Yep,its disgusting and saddening.
Although i do not believe that Muslims are committing these atrocities,if it IS Muslims
then a true muslim will condemn such acts,as Islam does NOT support such acts.
Do Not Judge A People Because Of The Actions Of A Few.

Al-Quds

When i was the first Qiblah,you faced
praying me.
What a sacred place i am,why don't you see.

The cities of Makkah & Medinah are sacred to you.
These are cities sacred to Allah,but i am also sacred to
him.

Now that i am in danger,look how you have deserted
me.
The enemies are planning to take over,yet
you are watching peacefully.

Please get up,O' dear Muslim,and show the world you
care!
Come on and lets be united,so then they wont dare!

And if you dont do something to show that you love me,
on the day of Qiyaamah,it will be Allah,you,and
me.

Take heed oh muslims,and help the suffering Muslims in the land of Palestine.

My Beloved...

There was a time in my youth
when Islam was only a custom.
They said,'Say Laa Ilaaha Illallah
And pray,you'll go to heaven.'

AH,how simple,
no struggle in this,
just a word,and a simple act.
Thereafter,im absolved in this world,
with my 'assured' place in paradise intact.

But this was not to be my fate
for ALLAH chose to guide my heart.
I learnt of a man who struggled so hard,
When his mission was difficult from the start.

The story of someone who had morals
spoke gently,kindness as he knew.
Never fearing to say what is right,
his conviction in ISLAM was true.

The touch of his hand was as soft as silk,
to comfort the crying child.
To mend his clothes,or do the chores,
never complaining,he always smiled.
A living he made with his bare hands,
the same that held his mighty sword.
Valour shone from the edge of his blade,
every heart and soul he adored.

His smell was always of musk,
and cleanliness he kept at his best.
Stark contrast with the heroes of today,
who stink of b eer and sweat.

He held the hands of his companions,
unashamed to make children happy.
So modest,so humble,a perfect example,
that even a stranger could recognise him.

His eyes slept very little,
for nights were precious.
His prayers he treasured much greater,
To wake and pray in the depths of night,
Seeking forgiveness,and being near to his creator.

He broke his teeth for me at Uhud,
and bled for me at Taa'if.
He cried for me,tears of concern,
Just so i could have this belief.

His enemies admired his teachings,
Uniting every religion,every clan.
Till ISLAM came to every corner of this world,
yet,indeed,he was only a Man.

To own a house,or build his wealth
was not his main concern.
To establish ISLAM was more essential,
to bring us under a Higher Authority.

Don't you want him to plea for your case,
when before Allah,the judge,you stand?
Don't you wish to be around his fountain,
a burning desire to drink from his hand?

So love him more than all creation,
our leader,OUR Beautiful Prophet
MUHAMMAD~was a mercy to all mankind
and to me,he is MY BELOVED!

Who is a poor man?

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrated that the Holy Prophet peace be upon him
asked the companions:'do you know who is a poor man?' The companions answered:
'He who has neither money nor property is poor in our eyes.'

The Holy Prophet peace be upon him said:'The poor man amongst my people is he
who shall come with an abundant amount of prayers,fasts and charity
on the day of judgement,but who would also have abused someone,produced
false charges against an individual,stole someones belongings,or beaten
or killed a person.'

The complaints of the oppressed people will be heard by Allah and a case made out for each
of them.The wrongs they suffered will be made amends for by the good deeds of the wrong
doers.On the day of judgement the good deeds of the individuals shall be the currency,
with which the dues shall be paid.

Charity

'The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain
of corn;it groweth seven ears,and each ear hath a hundred grains.Allah giveth
manifold increase to whom he pleaseth;and Allah careth for all and he knoweth all things.'

-Quran 2:274-

'Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day,in secret and in public,
have their reward with their Lord:on them shall be no fear,nor shall they grieve.'

-Quran 2:274-

Six Bridges

Ibrahim Bin Adham said to a man during the circulation (Tawaaf) of the Ka'abah:

'Remember dear brother,you shall never be counted among the righteous
ones until you have crossed the six bridges.Firstly,that you close the door of
favours on yourself and open the door of hardship for yourself.Secondly,that
you refrain from love of honour and prefer humility.Thirdly,that you refrain
from comfort and accept hardship.Fourthly,that you discard love of sleep and
enforce on yourself love of remaining awake-for worship,Ibaadah.Fifthly,that you
discard riches and prefer poverty.Sixthly,that you disassociate yourself from hoping and
prepare for death.'

(Rowdh)

The Robes Of Humanity

A Student engaged in the acquisition of western education switched to Deeni (Islamic)
studies.Someone asked him the reason for cutting short his western education.
The student replied:
'I desired to don the robes of humanity,for it is well-known that people are identified
by there national garb.Allah Almighty has specified the type of garment in the Quran.he says:
'And the robes of Taqwa (God fearing) are best.

This robe of Taqwa is not obtainable without the knowledge of the Dean.True and perfect
knowledge of the Deen is in the arabic language,hence the robes of humanity lies in arabic.
I have,therefore,switched from english to arabic to commence my Deeni education.'

(Maulana Maseehullah)

The Western Youth

May seem a little harsh,but it holds an important message for us;to prepare for the hereafter.

He thought he was only twenty and was going to live to seventy.

The West taught him to be free and to acquire a useless degree.

Filled with selfishness and greed,never did he perform a single deed.

When told to change and repent,he said why?i'm happy and content.

If only he knew what contentment was,he may not have made such a loss.

Satisfaction is what he chased,with disbelievers he embraced.

The wrong he saw with his eyes,the tongue he used to utter lies.

But one night he was given a fright,he was told,'Take your final breath for in front of you is death.'

Your life,indeed you wasted,the punishment shall now be tasted

Now he lies below the ground,unable to make a single sound.

But one thing for sure,it was the only cure.

He finally stopped sinning.

The point being made here is not that do not acquire secular knowledge,as in this day and age
you cant get far without secualar knowledge,but the point is,acquire secular knowledge,fine,but
don't forget that your a Muslim and you have a duty as a Muslim to acquire Islamic knowledge also,and practice it and teach it to others.

Did You Ever Wonder...

When a christian or a Jew murders someone,religion (Christianity/Judaism) is not mentioned,
but when a Muslim is charged with a crime,its islam that goes to trial.

When a Jew practices his religion he is called 'Orthodox.'
When a Christian practices his religion he is called 'devout' but when a Muslim practices
his religion he's called a fundamentalist.

When a Jew or a Sikh grows a beard he's just practising his faith,and
when a Muslim does that,he's an extremist.

When a Nun is covered from head to toe,she's respected for devoting
herself to God,but when a Muslim woman does that,she's Oppressed.

When a western woman stays at home to look after the house and children,she's
sacrificing herself and doing good for the household,but when a Muslim
woman does so,she needs to be liberated.

Where's the justice in this???

If You Are...

...RICH,Follow the merchant of Makkah.
...Poor,Look at the prisoner of Shi'abe(valley) Abi Taalib.
...A King,study the life of the ruler of Arabia.
...A Subject,look at the Quraish.
...A Conquerer,look at the conquerer of Badr,Hunayn & Makkah.
...Defeated,take a lesson from the battle of Uhud.
...A Teacher,look at the holy teacher in the school of Suffah.
...A Pupil,look at him who sat before Jib'rael.
...A Preacher Of The Holy Book,look at the prophet in Makkah and when successful,
watch him preach on the pulpit of Madinah.
...Wishing To Be A Prosperous Business Man,look at him who owned the lands of Banu Nazeer,Khaybar and Fadak.
...An Orphan,do not forget the child of AbdAllah and Aaminah.
...A Young Man,read the life of Makkah's Shepherd.
...A Husband,do not forget the husband of Khadija and A'aishah.
...A Father,watch the father of Faatima and the granfather of Hasan and Husain...

IN short,whatever you may be,
unto the prophet muhammad is your guidance.

The Poison Of Betrayal

Once along his travels,Prophet Isa came across a snake,which complained about a certain
snake charmer that was hunting it.Addressing Prophet Isa,the snake said:
'Oh RoohAllah!Convey to the snake charmer that my bite is terrible.He will not escape
the consequence of my poison,which is fatal.Do warn him.'

After some time,when Prophet Isa passed by the same place,he saw the same snake
curled snugly in the snake charmers basket.In surprise,Prophet Isa exclaimed:
'You had that day issued such and such a threat.What are you doing in the snake charmers basket?'

The snake replied,'Oh RoohAllah!he has pledged to release me after a certain number of days.
If he betrays me by violating his pledge,the poison of his betrayal and deception is worse for him than my poison.'

The spiritual ruin caused by the poison of deception and betrayal is worse than that physical harm caused by a snakes poison.

The Poets Lament

Protect him whose father is d ead;remove the dust from his
rainment,and injure him not.Thou knowest not how hard is
his condition;no foliage is there on a rootless tree.Give not
a kiss to a child of thine own in the sight of a helpless orphan.
If the latter weep,who will assuage his grief?If he be
angered,who will bear his burden?See that he weeps not,
for the throne of Allah trembles at the orphans lament.With
pity,wipe the tears from his eyes and the dust from his face.
If the protecting shadow of his fathers care be gone,cherish
him beneath the shadow of thy care.

Upon my head was a kingly crown when it reposed upon the
bosom of my father.Then,if a fly settled upon my body,
many were distressed on my behalf.Now,should i be taken
in captivity,not one among my friends would come to aid me.
Well do i know the orphans sorrow,for my father departed in
my childhood.

-Bustan Of Sadi-

Spiritual Darkness

There is always spiritual darkness in the talk and writing of an irreligious
and deviated person even if he speaks or writes about the Deen,(Islam).On the
contrary,the conversation or the writing of a religious man radiate Nur (spiritual re)
even if it pertains to a worldly subject.

The reason for this is that the fountain of speech is the heart.The heart
exercises its effect on the tongue and in the writing.If the heart is spiritually darkened
such darkness will become manifest in one's speech and writing.If the heart glows
with spiritual brilliance,such light will glow in ones speech and writing.It is,therefore,
essential to abstain from the company of irreligious persons and from reading the books
of irreligious persons.The effect which the company of an irreligious person exercises will also
be the product of his writings.This then is the danger in studying the books of deviates and modernists who are defective in Imaan and wanting in virtuous deeds.

An Anecdote-(Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi)

1.Adopting a Holier than thou attitude

In the army of Gwaliar was a muslim soldier who was clean shaven.
Other muslim soldiers continually criticized him for shaving his beard.However,
he ignored their criticism and stayed clean shaven.Coincidentally,the King ordered that,
henceforth,all soldiers will have to be clean shaven.

The others told him:
'Now you may rejoice.All have to be like you.'

He replied:
'Until now i refrained from keeping a beard on account of the mischief of my nafs.
Now i shall not abstain from a law of the Sha'riah because of an order from a non-muslim
king.I shall rather work elsewhere as a labourer.'

He resigned and grew a beard while the others,who had criticized him shaved their beards.It appears in the Ahadith that whoever criticizes another persons action,adopting a holier than thou attitude,will not die before having committed the same misdeed.Only Allah Ta'ala was aware of the condition of his heart.

This is for my brothers out there^^at the same time we sisters should also take a lesson;never a judge a person.