Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Gifts and memories........

Alhamdulillah, yesterday me and a friend went on an Al Kauthar promo. Alhamdulillah i felt it was a productive day. Month of Mercy is approaching us and we really hope we can get at least 200 people. Although i think, being realistic, the numbers are good so far, considering it is the North and that even free events don't often pull people in by the hundreds.

Anyway, so we went to the new Islamic shop in Oldham (Kings Street, Near Oldham Town Centre). Now i have to say i was feeling apprehensive about going there, because the bros who have set it up were people i went to school with. Masha'Allah im so happy for them that they had set this up and that they were positively contributing to the field of Dawah and catering for the needs of the muslims in Oldham. Alhamdulillah. Really you must check it out, it is a nice little shop, with tasteful jilbabs and jubbas. A range of books and hey they definitely in my good books because they have lectures by Shaykh Tawfique Chowdhury there and my other source of knowledge - Imam Anwar al awlaki, masha'Allah.

Well as i predicted, one of the bros recognised me, despite not being able to see me. Alhamdulillah this bro is happily married. He had a really confused look as he asked 'is it Roshanara?' i answered in the affirmative and he started grinning! He was like 'raass it's been ages what you up to.' I returned the politeness and asked about his wife. And then he was like 'yeh we were just talking about you the other day!!' As you can imagine my jaw dropped, obviously he didn't see it!! I asked what do you mean, why? But it was all innocent unmysterious talk. Alhamdulillah. Anyway, i congratulated him for the shop and went browsing. I saw a bag I liked, but did not need. Naturally i voiced my admiration. This sweet brother said 'take it, have it, gift from me.' I was 'no, no its ok, i dont want it.' he insisted, i insisted no, until my friend said you're not supposed to refuse gifts. I felt so touched.

All of this was in complete innocence,there is no hidden agenda. He is married and we never had any inclination towards one another at any point in our life. But it did remind me that masha'Allah he was always a decent sweet brother and he was still that same person which was nice to know. Alhamdulillah, although it was difficult i still did manage to keep my barrier and told him so, reiterating that we're not the same as we were before hanging out. But he just saw it as i did - a brother and sister sharing a memory of who they were in the past and seeing what they have become now.
It was a pleasant day and hey i wasn't going to complain im the owner of a very chic black sequenced bag!!

Visit Al Aqsa! http://www.alaqsadirect.com/

'If You are pleased with me, then i do not care...'

You know Allah is great. Of course you know. Alhamdulillah.
These past few days and the coming days i feel Allah is helping me. Don't ask, it's just a feeling. And i need it, i need that assurance from my Lord. If i feel Allah is happy with me, it keeps me going, it encourages me to do more good. If i feel Allah is not happy i feel it too and it makes me feel rotten to the core. Something will happen to indicate that, like having a fall out with mum (NOTE* this is how i interpret, may not be the case in either)
And unfortunately instead of that instilling fear in me i become more neglectful to a point where i feel helpless then i call to Him to save me and give me a way out. and He does, Alhamdulillah.
LESSONS:
* Call upon Allah sincerely no matter how bad you or it gets.
* If Allah is pleased with you nothing else matters, no matter how bad things are.

Being Giants.......

Haha, yes thats strange coming from me..........But no we're not talking physical giants here. We're talking think big, aim high and be the best.
And who else but could inspire me like that.......Yes you faithful Al maghribers, no one but our dear think tank of a teacher Muhammad al shareef, masha'Allah. SubhanAllah i've had this lecture of his 'On The Shoulders of Giants' for ages on my comp but never actually heard it. But Alhamdulillah, with a bit of spare time i had at 2am last night i downloaded it on to my MP3 (Ipod what?!). And subhanAllah, listening to it on the bus this morning, made me want to somersaults on the bus, or rather my eeman was doing somersaults, Alhamdulillah, made me realise i still have my companion - eeman. Now to nurture it...........

Anyway, the audio basically was saying that we should not be afraid or hinder our potential. You want your son to be the next imam of Makkah, you go for it. You want to be a scholaress, girl we're waiting for you!! In fact we could be anything we want as long as it is something pleasing to Allah and we are sincere in our intention and action. And this point he said towards the end really hit home. He said in Cananda there was a stall selling T-shirts and it had splattered over it AIM LOW.....THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED.
And subhanAllah i myself have thought that and i've definitely have been advised to be like that numerous times by different individuals. Or the 'don't get your hopes up that way you won't get disappointed.' Granted we should be realistic and not live in some fantasy world. But indeed the person who has no hope or ambition must live a sad and miserable life. Its like vowing not to love in case you get hurt. And what miss out on all the opportunities of Mercy Allah has blessed us with. Same priniciple. Such people are miserly with their time, energy and abilities. If you don't achieve it; try again. Big deal, we fail right. Oh did that really hurt your ego? So we stop ourself from doing something we can do but refuse to do because we don't want to fail...again.

I speak to myself, because in my head im counting the things that i've refrained from doing because i don't want to fail or feel miserable over. We have to handle our failures and mistakes, its all part of being human. Hence the du'aa in Surah Al Baqarah 'O our Lord forgive us if we forget or fall into error.' Our Lord knows us better than we do. And He, subhana wa Ta'ala knows our capabilities. So if we have an idea bring it into existence, because Allah put it their in the first place (Still being realistic with oneself though). And don't burden yourself more then you can bear because Allah, the Most Merciful does not task us more than we can take on.

At the end of it, and this is how our dear brother Muhammad al Shareef concludes, we will only fly high if our worship of Allah is the dominating force in our life. We must have that connection with our Lord, the stronger the connection the higher we go. He gave an example of a kite. The longer the string, the higher it will fly. The string is our eeman. The kite is our ability.
You know when you're on eeman high you feel like you're walking on air. But as for many of us we have our sins dragging us down to earth. SubhanAllah we have so much of ourselves to deal with. Starting with repentance because as Adam (Alayhi salam) knew it was the only way forward and our Merciful Lord accepted his words of repentance. So he still saved himself a place in Jannah. We can aswell, bi tawfique Allah.
Aim high, aim for the highest place in Paradise. Insha'Allah.

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Counselling Course

Insha'Allah i will be embarking on a new adventure begining Sat 15th September.
No really i'm excited as this is something new.
The course is a level 2 counselling course.
Its with Lifelong learning, Oldham Centre (meaning Oldham Library).
Costs 80pounds 80p
12 weeks course.
Recognised awarding body
Saturdays 9.30-12.00pm

There are no exams and not even much written work. But assessed on attendance in classes, a presentation, a workbook and personal journal, and some other pieces of work.
It does not make you a qualified counsellor. you have to study few more levels for that. but it acts as a stepping stone and gives you some insight and much needed skills.
So if anyone is interested check it up on the net. Its much cheaper than doing it at colleges.

As you know our ummah is in much turmoil on many different grounds. If we can't help our brothers and sisters being physically persecuted around the world, at least we have the ability not to mention the obligation to help prevent the psychological and idealogical persecution going on in our own communities. so insha'Allah we can reach out to those who call us and give them the opportunity to live a life of goodness and a way out from the torture they are subjected to, physically, mentally and emotionally. There are horror stories that no horror movie could even portray. No, i know it won't solve all the problems, but at least to do our bit to contribute right.
May Allah help us and rectify all our affairs. Ameen

Chasing dreams of past, present and future


For a year and a half now i've been wanting to undertake a course in counselling. Circumstances didn't allow me to last year, but this year Alhamdulillah, i've actually gone ahead and enrolled!! (will give the course details)
I've paid so there's no going back now, unless i want 80pounds down the drain, which i don't!
I'm really looking forward to it! Especially when i saw that my fellow bus friend also turned up at the open day yesterday. See we used to have converstaions on the bus encouraging one another to go for it. She's also doing Social work aswell, masha'Allah and i think, correct me if i'm wrong she's getting a bursary for it? See i'm quite wistful because once upon a time it was an ambition of mine which brings me on to the past..........

The Past
Im a bit of an Linguistic person, although i don't have good grammar or speech articulation or extensive vocabulary! But since primary i've loved the English classes, then to secondary school and even i took English Language and English Literature as two seperate A'Levels! crazy i know. But it was actually very clever of me, because it meant i had very little revision to do and since i know myself that i hate revising and rubbish at revising it was a very good move. Alhamdulillah it got me the good grades. My parents were happy! ( Really it does fill me with pride when i remember how happy my mum was with me that day).

Anyway, throughout these years i've wished to do something along the social lines, you know bring out the humanitarian in me. But wasn't able to in college because i wanted less revision, so i didn't do Sociology, my sisters persuaded me to do Psychology instead, which i didn't mind (although it was my lowest grade). So it was my degree that had to suffer the humanitarian me.....I did social policy degree, and in my 3rd year i realised "My God! i don't even like this degree, neither am i any good at it. It was tad bit too late considering my exams were in the next couple of months. I was at a graduate fair and there were all these options in front of me. And there was Dipsw ( a diploma in social work), the dream i wanted to follow, but that dream was 2grand and over in costs and meant i had to get at least a 2.1, which i knew i was not going to get and it meant two years more of study but after my hatred for my degree i wasn't about to study more!! So that put a stop to that dream. But something else caught my eye..........hmm Child Psychologist/Educational Psychologist. Interesting........But my friend dragged me away, saying 'you're doing a Social Policy Degree you can't change it in your final term!' Valid point. she always knock sense in me, sometimes literally. Aww i miss her.

The Present
Now 5 years later (subhanAllah has it been that long). Well actually a bit more of the past. My life took on an unexpected turn, i became a nursery nurse! that was never part of my dreams. Oh but how i loved it. And hey now i got an NVQ under me! Working at Hanifah Pre-school was one of the best things that happend to me by the Grace of God. But in my 5th year there i went down hill. I just did not have it in me to work with children anymore. I had to get out. I needed a different direction in life...........and indeed Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) gave me that, but only for a brief time. And life is funny because we think we know, but really we do not. And thats why i now truly know the meaning of we plan and Allah plans..............On the outside this has been a ver chillout period for me. Meaning i've looked for jobs, but not really bothered. Worked at another nursery but really didn't want to continue. Now im just doing some Islamic lessons for kids here n there. Being at home, with family, my neices and nephews take up so much of my life masha'Allah, tabarakAllah! Not been committed to anything in particular and neither do i want to be. It's been different. Not so relaxing as it seems. *Sigh*. Now is time for change again.............

The Future
So here i am again back looking to the near future insha'Allah.........I searched to my humanitarian self and i discovered counselling. And i thought yes this is me! I can be a service to people, just listen to them, try and make their lives better. Try to help them acknowledge of the root of their issues. But mostly it is for me. For me to drown out my own insignificant set of issues. So that i don't have to focus on myself. That i will be so overcome with the severity of others, i will not have time or energy to concentrate on myself. And i hope by working with magnitude of others it will put things into perspective for me and will expose the true nature of my minute worries. That Allah may look upon me with Mercy and help me through my days if i help others. That working with others will make me more of a grateful servant, insha'Allah, seeing that others are in far worse situations.

Essentially though i want to send off positive vibes to people. So people think oh i'll have what she's having and that is Islam! So i would like it to be subtle Islamic guidance. I pray Allah helps me on this path and keeps me sincere.

And what was the point of my post i don't even know. Yeh well its my blog so it doesn't matter!!But honestly i guess it was for me to put things into some kind of structure to see where my years have gone and what i've actually done.
Quite sad really, because in writing this i've painted a picture of myself that i can clearly see. I say and say but just do not do the do.
Insha'Allah this enrollment will be the begining of something new and fantastic...........

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The Weeping Willow

(This is for you Umm Maymoonah. For your love of willow trees and surah Al Baqarah)

The darkness had arrived. But it didn't make a difference to The Tree. Day and night were the same. The Tree would stand alone. The morning light provided no comfort, except for, of course, the fact that it was essential for the sun to shine sometimes in order to survive. Survival of the fittest, The Tree smiled bitterly to himself. But only The Tree wasn't the fittest. In fact it was barely surviving. Loneliness is a killer......'Your too far out' they would say. 'It's not a proper place for our kind.' Meaning what? Am i not a tree, like you?

He knew the truth. It had nothing to do with the location as their branches reached out far and wide. He knew full well what they meant by 'our kind.' He was of an odd nature compared to them. His branches drooped whilst theirs expanded out. His trunk was hidden by waves of shadow, even if it was to be seen it was crumbled and wrinkled unattractive to the eye. Theirs a deep brown, strong and hard, perfect for climbing. Their leaves green, a forest green. But depending on seasonal change they shone golden and orange and at peak times they jewelled red. Not to forget being decorated with the pink and white blossoms under the crisp spring sky.
And me......Pale yellow fragile leaves, which naturally drooped as the downturn of a mouth would. In the rain they would become brown and give away to nothingness. Nothing but the remains of unwanted mess under shoes squelching in the mud. At my best, my leaves would turn a light shade of green (i rather like the colour) but my fellow trees would still scorn. Ooooh fancy that, faded green, whos known a tree to be of that colour. Indeed you are strange species. Rejected and hurt, i turn away. I have still some dignity left, i do not let them see me weep. I try to lift myself, but to no avail. I am weighed down by my branches. And there i remain. I stand alone again.

But then one early morning, before the morning sun rose, my life changed. Dramatically. Oh i will never forget that day of sweet sounding melody. I awoke like i do; just in time to see the pink horizon. This is my daily dose of hope of a better day. And the Lord above chose today to be that day, Alhamdulillah! (how can i not praise my Lord, the bestower of unexpected bounties). I felt a movement against me. Ok wake up, dream time finish, i told myself, you know in reality there is never any sign of life around me. But there it was again. The shuffling, the exclamations of delight, the warmth of a presence. Allahu Akbar! This was no dream. This was a different kind of motion. Whilst i was trying to figure out what this was, earnestly frowning at this strange visitor. The most beautiful sound came out. If i had a heart it would literally stop. Pleasure was not something i was familiar with, but this i knew to be pure pleasure. I crouched further to be in closer range so i could make out the words. And did they flow out. They carried out to reach the heavens i'm sure. They said
"Alif Lam Mim.
This is the Book, whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al Muttaqoon.
Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As salat and spend out of what we have provided for them, (spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives and also give in charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause.)"
{Al Baqarah: 1-3}

I knew then what it was. It was The Book that our Lord had blessed the humans with. The divine scipture promised to be protected by God Himself. And i the weeping willow was shelter to the recitor of these beautiful words. Never had any object of nature reached such a status to give refuge to one reading the Qur'an. This person had voluntarily come to me. Out of all the trees, i was the most appropriate location. Why? Because it was the humilty of my branches that stood out against all the upright boastful trees. This person did not want their identity to be known out of shyness. She wanted to be hidden from everything else but Allah as it was Allah's Pleasure alone she was seeking. She knew the angels would surround the recitation at dawn time and she wanted them to go and report to Allah. We knew while the world was sleeping we were awake in harmony. How blessed i felt at that moment. Allah chose the ground under me to bear witness to her faith. In that instance i recalled the story of the tree that cried when the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) moved away from it. I could now empathise the loss it must have felt. This moment, this memory will only die with me and not before.

I no longer wallowed in my loneliness, instead i looked forward to the morning dawn as my beautiful earthling would use my branches to carry out the Words of Allah to the world. Alhamdulillah im am The Weeping Willow, with a new meaning to life.

You can imagine how much the recitation of the following verses delighted me as they rose to the top of my trunk . I felt beautiful like i had never felt before. A true honour for the creation of His Majesty's trees..............
"See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky.
Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord, and Allah sets parables for mankind in order that they may remember.
And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth, having no stability.
Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are zalimun and Allah does what He wills."
{Ibrahim: 24-27}






Women Role Models

We all desire to be something or someone better. It is human nature to be dissatisfied with oneself. Our efforts to enhance our lifestyles are limitless. We are always looking for new ways to improve our selves. However, we have to channel our desires to excel in a certain direction. I want us to ask ourselves, if there was someone I wanted to imitate, who would it be? Who could we take as an example, a standard to measure ourselves against? Would it be the stick thin models of today, who don’t even have the common sense to realise they are being exposed and disposed of whenever it suits the fashion industry. Or would it be the Bollywood stars, who are not even recognised for their acting skills these days, but rather because their parents were legends in this industry of idol worship.

If they are the role models we wish to live up to, then sisters, the glitz and the glamour of that superficial world will keep us far from the fragrance of Jannah. There is no room for such women in Jannah, for Jannah is for the pure believing women. And that’s who we want to be recognised as - believing women, the muslimaat, the mu’minaat, the muhsinaat. These were the titles of pious women before us. Real women. Empowered women. Women with firm belief and unwavering strength. Women who can teach us a thing or two about living and dying. They knew the way to success in the dunya and the akhirah.. We must look into the lives of those who preceded us, not just in history but preceded us in Jannah. Why were such women promised Jannah by Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds? What did they possess, that so many of us lack today?

There are many sahabiyas who have their own story to tell. If we want to talk about the first martyr in Islam, then she is Sumayah (RA). If we want to position ourselves in the battle of Uhud, then we will find it was Nusaybah (RA) who protected the prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), when many men fled from the battlefield. If you want to know who jumped in the ditch as found in suratul Burooj, then it was the mother along with her new infant. Extraordinary women. Four other women, whom we should be very familiar with and to whom we should be in awe of. Whom we should imitate, aspire and desire to be like. The four women who were promised Paradise by Allah(subhana wa ta’ala). Knowing this, how can we not want to follow their footsteps all the way to Jannah, insha’Allah.

These were rare women, with rare qualities. First a story of courage, conviction and constancy of Aasiya,(Alayhi salam) the wife of Firawn. She was married to the tyrant who’s kufr knew no boundaries. She, through her noble speech managed to convince firawn to keep Musa (Alayhi salam) and to bring him up in their kingdom, despite firawn’s cruel rampage of killing baby boys. Whilst her husband was declaring to be god, she was affirming her faith in the One True God. She did not cease to believe in Allah, although she knew the consequences would be severe if firawn found out. She did not fear her husband. She did not have room in her heart to fear him, because her heart was full of taqwa of Allah(subhana wa ta’ala) She did not even cower, when it reached head on confrontation with firawn, when he threatened her life because of her belief in Allah, Almighty. Such was the status of this woman that Allah mentions her strength in the Qur’an

"And Allah gives an example for those who believe: the wife of pharaoh. (Remember) when she said, 'My Lord! Build for me a house with Thee in the Paradise, and deliver me from Pharaoh and his deeds; and deliver me from the unjust people.”
{At-Tahrim:11}

This brave lady, in the face of death, started laughing, when her husband tortured her, because she was shown her place in Jannah. She knew her Lord was pleased with her, what more could she want? None of this worldly life mattered to her; she was leaving a kingdom of power and glory behind to be in a better place, a place closer to her Lord. Her imaan had raised her ranks with Allah and that’s why she is one of the four women promised Jannah. We need to build our imaan to such a level, so that we can join our courageous teacher Aasiya in Jannah, insha’Allah.

Now lets learn a lesson of piety and purity. Where in history will you find a woman as chaste as the mother of prophet Isa (Alayhi salam). She came from the noble family of Imran, who hold the honour of having a surah in the Qur’an in their name. Maryam (Alayhi Salam) was a devout worshipper and was rewarded by Allah for her sincerity. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala ) provided her with sustenance from sources we will not even begin to imagine, He, made sure this devout servant of His was properly taken care of, these incidents we find in the Qur’an

“So her Lord, accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyya. Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said ‘O Maryam! From where have you got this?’ She said, ‘This is from Allah.’ Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.”
{Al-Imran: 37}

SubhanAllah, a true blessing from Allah. She was able to keep herself away from the fitnah of worldly desires. Thereafter, came about the miraculous birth of the prophet Isa (Alayhi salam). Allah did not just choose anyone; He chose the best of women for this great responsibility. When the angel Jibreel (Alayhi salam) came to her with glad tidings of a son, her first reaction was to screen herself. Haya, my sisters. She was able to say
“How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?”
{Maryam: 19}

No other woman has this honour and that’s why Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth chose Jannah as Maryam (Alayhi salam) place of residence. Such high positions we can only aspire to, insha’Allah.

The third woman of Jannah is our dear mother, Khadija (Radi Allahu anha). The first wife of the prophet(Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). What can we say about the first woman to submit to the deen of Islam. A woman with her wisdom and insight, was able to comfort and advise her husband when he (sallallahu alayhi wa sallan) came to her shaking from his first experience of revelation. Her constant support and words of encouragement helped him in his mission to spread the word of Allah. She struggled alongside the prophet(sallallahu alahi wa sallam), she felt the pains of hunger as he did. Such was the love for his god fearing wife, that the prophet(sallallahu wa sallam), visited her friends, even after she had died and returned to her Lord. How can we not want to imitate the character of Khadija (radi Allahu anha), when the prophet(Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said this about her
‘I have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe in me, and accepted that I was truly a prophet and a messenger of Allah. She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed to have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that Allah has blessed me with children.’
The deep rooted faith of this believing woman granted her Jannah, an exchange she earned for the hardship she faced as a result of her support of Islam and her husband the prophet of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).

The legend of Khadija (radi Allahu anha) lived through and was bought to life by her daughter Fatima (radi Allahu anha). How can we expect anything short of excellence, when her father is the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and her mother is Khadija (radi Allahu anha). She didn’t live the riches of this world. She didn’t make demands on her parents as many of us do now. Yet she was given the best of life, as her father taught her how to make dhikr of Allah in times of difficulty. Also the prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) married her to the best of men - Ali(radi Allahu anhu). This kind, sweet and gentle woman, was immensely loved by the prophet (sallallahu alayhi was sallam). She was the first to defend her father if he was hurt or ridiculed. It was this little girl who came running to her father whilst he was in prostration, with her delicate hands and tears falling, she removed the filth and dirt which had been placed on the prophet(Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) out of mockery and pure malice on the request of Abu Jahl,. For this, her reward was not only paradise but she is to be the leader of all women of Jannah, her father bought this good news to her in his last days. The prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) told Fatima(radi Allahu anha)
‘Would you like to be the leader of the women of Jannah?’
Not only that, but she is the mother of the two youths who will be the leaders of all the youth in Jannah Al Hasan and Hussain(radi Allahu anhum). She followed her father in death six months later, with the promise of Jannah. May Allah unite us with her in Jannah. Ameen.

Moving on to the woman, who the prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was not shy to say that she was the most beloved to him. Ai’sha(radi Allahu anha). The great scholar of Islam. The great woman, in whose lap, the prophet(sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) lay his head in extreme illness. This woman, who was held in high esteem by all and who taught us a great deal of this deen. She was known for her intellect and sharpness. Her sincerity, generosity and no doubt her much loved feisty demeanour. Allah came to Ai’sha (radi Allahu anha) defence when He sent down revelation to clear Ai’sha(radi Allahu anha) of blame and slander propagated by the hypocrites. The prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was told by Jibreel (alayhi salam).
‘She is your wife in this world and the hereafter.’ (Tirmithi)
And insha’Allah, if we commit ourselves to Allah the way she did and utilise our skills, then insha’Allah, we may be blessed with her delightful company in Jannah.

All these women who lived either before or during the time of the prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) were never to be matched, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take from them or do our best in following them, because we too can share their courage, chastity, wisdom, sincerity and devotion. In fact it has been proven that such women have existed in our times. Zainab Al-Ghazali being a prime example. Her strong belief in Allah and commitment to the da’wah was met by nothing but pain and struggle, but that did not stop her from spreading the message that the prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) bought to us. Her words penetrate through the hearts of those who want to tread the straight path, those who won’t rest till the Word of Allah is made uppermost. In her own words to her husband, she said
‘…but da’wah will always remain rooted in me…I know that it is your right to command me and that it is my duty to obey you, but God in our souls is greater than our souls, and His Da’wah is dearer to us than ourselves.’
If we comprehend her message then we will realise how much work we have to do with ourselves and those around us, for we are servants of Allah with a message to convey.

Such work is being carried out even now, by our dear sisters in Islam. Masha’Allah, Allah has blessed us with personalities such our sister in Islam Yvonne Ridley, who is no stranger to the muslims or non-muslims. Chase up her story, awe inspiring indeed and masha’Allah she is someone who appreciates the deen. She has even challenged the tyrants of today to break our wall of muslims, standing together in ranks as a Jamah for salah. Look around you, there are people still striving in the way of their Lord. Our mothers, sisters and daughters around the world are suffering to enable us to worship Allah properly. They are our role models. But do we appreciate their efforts? What do we give them in return? At least let us remember them in our du’aas.

So sisters, we know exactly where to look for role models. In our history pages and in our own hearts, because somewhere in yourself there is your faithful companion, your imaan. It just needs to be nurtured with the prophetic guidance and righteous deeds and insha’Allah we shall be amongst those women of Jannah.

“O the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord – well pleased (yourself) and well pleasing (unto Him)! Enter you then among My (honoured) servants, and enter you My Paradise.”
{Fajr: 27-30}

'Be my witness, O Allah!'

Remember when i said i would post something worthwhile. Well here it is!! It is the parting advice of the prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam). This is something that touches me every time i read it. It is something i hold very dear to me as the priniples laid out is our guidance for good living. I have it framed near my bedside, in a sky blue and ocean blue background of mountains way over yonder. Also i love it so much that Alhamdulillah i implemented the love for your brother what you love for yourself. So i gave it to a few of my friends as a personal wedding present. And i every time i go to their house, i see the wise words sitting there. Everytime i see it, i get a warm feeling inside. SubhanAllah, you guys its the little things that matter sometimes and often we don't realise it. JazakumAllah Khayr.
Anyway, i hand it over to the our beloved prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam).
Please do contemplate..........

The Prophet Muhammad’s (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) Last Sermon

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H
In the Uranah valley of Mount Arafat
After praising, and thanking Allah Rasoolullah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

“O people lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O people, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet you LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deed. Allah has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn’ Abb’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived….

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O people listen to me in earnest, worship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O people, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last one understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.
Be my witness, O ALLAH, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Oh!

Well this is a surprise, all these days i thought i couldn't post becasue in the recent past it just wouldn't allow me to on the laptop but Alhamdulillah its letting me.

Anyway. not a good time for discovery, do actually need to get some sleep.

insha'Allah i'll get something of a beneficial nature on here soon insha'Allah.

Seriously i wonder where do all these bloggers get time to blog........