I’m going to be away, exploring a bit of Allah’s (subhanawata’lah) world.
Pray that my trip is spiritually enlightening, of all the times that I have travelled abroad this is the first time where my conscence’s tugging harder. I hope it lasts. I can’t think of something profound so will end it here.
Prayers needed, always.
Asalam o alaikum.
A friend of mine emailed me this article, and since it rang so true I have decided to post it. Makes sense doesn’t it?
The Keys to Humility
by A Muslim Brother
Many of us, Islamic blog writers, students of knowledge, activists, khatibs, or any of the groups of people in between who’s Islamic activities are public affairs, find ourselves in a
difficult situation. We know the importance of humility and know that it is constantly under attack.
From khutbah compliments, to blog comments, to proving a young brother or sister’s incorrect point of view to be incorrect and helping them understand a point of fiqh or arabic or ‘Aqidah - true humility is the part of our castles which shaitan unleashes his battering ram on day, after day, after day. We take the steps towards being humble, and then…recognize to ourselves that we have taken these steps, thus causing us to become proud of ourselves. It is a vicious cycle. More knowledge, more wisdom…more to lose in the battle for humility. And on top of this, how do we keep our “humility” from turning into a destruction of our self-confidence and sense of self worth? Where is the balance? How do we keep from shows of self-demeaning: “brother, if you know me you’d know I was a pile of…” types of extreme responses to compliments.
How do we protect ourselves? How do we truly remove the pride from our hearts? Is hearing the Hadith about pride really sufficient? Is that enough fuel for us to do the job?
1. Remember why humility is important. The Prophet said: “No one who has an atom’s worth of pride in his/her heart will enter Jannah.” Humility makes us beloved to Allah (swt) and makes us kind with people. It allows us to enter Jannah. It allows us to live out our deen well, because not having an inflated opinion of ourselves allows us to accept mistakes, and move forward to correct them.
2. The classic advice of: “There are people who are more qualified than you” is good, but not comprehensive. We will discuss the good first - For anyone who has studied some arabic, quran, tajwid, or fiqh, you can rest assured, unless perhaps you are one of the few mujtahid-level ‘ulama alive today, that there are thousands of people out there, if not millions, who know more than you do. They are far more qualified in the deen, and many of them are younger than you. There are people more dedicated than you, more active than you, and smarter than you.
This should not dissuade us, but should bring us back to Earth. Remember, Musa was not the least bit discouraged by his conversation with Al-Khidr. Rather, he went forward after this lesson, to build his nation into a great Ummah for the sake of Allah (swt) and establish the Shari’ah.
However, this by itself is not comprehensive. Because as many people as there might be who are more qualified than you, there will also be many who are less qualified. They will hear your khutbahs, speeches, articles, advices, and see your Islamic work and benefit. They will look up to you, ask you questions, and you will try to help them. You will teach tajwid, Quran, Sunday school, and many other things.
Thus, point 2 is not sufficient for us, and will still keep us in the vicious battle for our humility.
3. The comprehensive answer, often overlooked in this discussion, is simpler than we think, but easier said then done.
The answer, the key to humility - is an acknowledgment, a true, deep acknowledgment, that any accomplishment that you have ever made in your entire life of any kind, is NOTHING more than a grace and mercy of Allah (swt) that you really have not done much to deserve.
Everything you have done, you could only do because He let you.
Everything you have gained, you only gained because He gave you.
When a beggar receives 10 dollars from a rich man, he does not go to the rich man and pretend that he has earned this money. Nor does he go into the streets haughtily and pretend that he himself is rich. His clothes, his hair, his countenance, testifies to his true state.
Similarily, when we, the fuqara (the poor), have received such a charity from Allah, the Rich, of life, knowledge, deen, and rizq - our hearts and our actions testify to our true state as beggars. We thank Allah (swt) that he hid that from the people such that people cannot see that we are just beggars. But on the Day of Judgement, that state will be easily seen if we do not rectify it.
So brothers and sisters, the key to humility is not found only in looking above you to examples of people who are better. Rather, it is looking to your Lord,and recognizing your state when placed before him. It is in recognizing that the differences of human beings before Allah, are like a 4 yr old and a 4 yr and 1 month old arguing about who is older and thus, better. All of this talk of humility comes down to this relationship with Allah (swt) at the end, and realizing what His Rububiyyah (Lordship) over you, really means.
Be humble with Allah (swt) - that this Infinitely Knowledgeable Lord is always watching you, and humility with people will come. But if you try to be humble with people as the end and means, brushing off compliments and making false statements to try and seem humble, we will lose ourselves in our insincerity.
4. Lastly - do not let humility become a lack of self-confidence of source of self-degradation. Allah says:
“Wa la qad karramnaa bani Adam” - Verily, Indeed we have honored the Children of Adam
Bani Adam is a mukarram creation. It is honored. Allah fashioned Adam Himself and blew the Spirit into Adam. So one should not make extreme statements of “humility” by comparing oneself to feces, and filth and the like in our everyday conversations about humility and pride. You are honored by Allah with Islam and as a human being. Do not brush off this honor, nor seek honor in anything else except Islam.
Great scholars who wrote in this way with such statements, sometimes did so because they truly felt this way with a heavy humility due to their maqam with Allah, and other times as a form of mubaalagha (literary exagerration to show the weightiness of a statement or emotion) or tawkid (emphasis). Because we came across a few quotes does not mean it is genuine to start talking like this.
Recognize the balance in the first verse ever revealed:
“Read in the Name of Your Lord who created; created Mankind from a clinging piece of flesh” (96:1) and “He who taught Man by the Pen. Taught Man that which he did not know.”
See how Allah shows us an honor that we were created by Allah, our Lord, Himself! How special we should feel that we were fashioned by Allah personally. How honored that He (swt) taught us and our father Adam what he did not even teach any other creation?
Then how Allah balances this with “a clinging piece of flesh” showing us the lowly origin of our creation.
So let us seek our humility not through external gestures, but through a relationship with Allah. Let us keep balance in our humility, that we remember we are honored, but that before Allah we are dust. And let us pray that Allah makes us better than what the people think we are.
wa alaikum assalam
A Muslim Brother
Asalam o alaikum 
It’s been pretty hot in the city, and there are a few ways to keep your level of ima’an fiery. Since many of us do not have time on the weekdays, the weekends are best to rewind and reflect on Allah subhanawa ta’alah’s teachings.
On Saturdays between 8 45 to 9 45 pm, there’s a lecture by Sheikh Hashim. At 40, 14th street off Mujahid Phase 5. This is for men and women both, with due segregation.
On every Sunday, from Maghrib to Ish’aa there’s a dars for men and women at the Bait-us-Salaam Mosque, DHA phase 4.
What do these lectures do for me?
I feel when I am away from learned scholars of Islam and authentic Islamic reading material, I tend to lose sight of what I want to become. So in order to stay within my Muslim bubble, I need to increase my knowledge and practise what I learn.
The Holy Prophet peace be upon him, has said, ”On the day of Resurrection, Allah will surely resurrect those people whose faces will be shining and they will sit on pulpits of pearls. They will not be Prophets or Martyrs. Everyone will envy them.” A bedouin heard this and sat down before Holy Prophet peace be upon him. He said, ” O Messenger of Allah! Describe them to us so that we may recognize them.” He said,”Those people will come from different tribes and cities. Inspite of that they will love one another, and assemble together to remember Allah.” (Targhib)
So remember Allah publicly and privately. According to Hazrat Abu Sa’id may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said ” Many people there are in this world who will definately engage in zikr while there are on their beds. That will take them to elevated ranks.” (Targhib)
Qur’an:
2:153 O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and
prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
Surat Al-Baqarah 2:153
This is one of my favourite ayats from the Glorious Quraan because it really speaks to me. Whenever I see something wrong has happened in my life and I can’t do anything about it, I pray. In my sajdah I ask Allah subhan wa ta’lah for forgiveness. I tell Him my problems and ask Him for solutions. I used to cry in trying times because I felt helpless but when I openly shed tears in front of my Allah subhanuhu, I feel strangely empowered. Allah ta’ala has told us to find solace and prayer, and we find solace in bitching about the person who supoosedly wronged us(I do it too but working on it).
I am feel ashamed because my past has been marred by these mistakes that I considered insignificant. Another vice of mine is that I am impatient, how would you inculcate pateince in your life?
Asalam o alaikum.
It’s been long. Long and tiring. The whole semester. It’s uncertain if I will stay in the school and survive, I’m tired of fighting. Fighting with the system, against my naqaab. Tired of fighting with my family about my beliefs. It’s just a piece of cloth that covers my face. It’s just me who refuses to talk to na-mehrams, it’s just my eyes that try to avoid television and it’s just my ears that try to skip music, if it’s audible.
I’m changing my life, because I want to please my Allah(swt). I’m sure there a million other ways but I want to work along those which I find more important. Please let me follow my faith, I’m not as strong as other people. Strong enough to not snap back at you. Strong enough to push the tears out of my eyes. I really am not. If it’s a personal belief, please let it be.
They keep asking me why I want a bearded husband, why I want a religious man, when taqwa is in the heart? I want someone who’s rligious because he’ll let me be. He’ll accept and not contradict. We’ll grow in our faith together insh’ALLAH. Right now I am just stuck.
Pray for me, and my istaqamah.
Asalam o alaikum, I have been tagged by Digital Naqabi
Rules:
1. ON your blog, post the Rules & 10 things you have HOPE for in your life.
2. LINK Tag 10 people (we want hope to spread people!) and LINK the person who tagged you.
3. Comment/Notify the 10 People they’ve been tagged.
I hope to:
1. I hope to lead a pious life. It’s a lot of work. It’s a constant struggle, and and every single day I think I’ve failed, but Subhan’Allah every day is a new hope.
2. I hope to become a published author. Still. Haha.
3. I hope to be able to not let distractions and criticism affect me.
4. I hope to be able to love a healthy life, eat organic, more of home-cooked meals. Most of the time, I am not too fond of what they serve at school.
5. I hope to be a wonderful Muslim person. In every way, more kind, more giving, more loving, less judgmental, and definitely stop gossiping.
6. I hope to see a lot more of this world that Allah(swt) has created for us. There’s so much to see.
7. I hope to raise a good Muslim family someday. Insh’Allah.
8. I hope to exhale my last breath in a sajdah.
9. I hope to do my Hajj, soon. Insh’Allah.
10. I hope to learn to bake. I’m a lil’ technologically challenged (detest ovens) .
I’m not tagging but if you want to fulfill this one, consider yourself tagged.
Asalam o alaikum
I recently became a-couple-of-cups-of-tea-during-the-day-person. It’s such a pleasure, to come back from school and curl on the sofa, with my favourite mug of tea. I love my mugs to say the least. I wrap my hands around the super sized mugs and contemplate about life. It is said to remember Allah (swt) in good times too. That’s what I try to do, while I’m on the porch swing, listening to the fountain’s sweet gurgle, and watching the grass so green that I can almost inhale the freshness. I think of Him, in times of fear, sadness and happiness. It has started to come naturally to me Alhamdulillah.
I started doing hijab when I was nineteen, right after doing my a’levels. I don’t know what prompted that change, but I have a friend who an unapologetic hijabi. So far, I had only encountered uncool hijabi girls who had no mind of their own. This friend of mine spoke about books that I liked, and exuded confidence. I liked that, when I met her, I had no idea, hijab would come to me, in fact I would go begging to it. She prayed and asked me why I didn’t. I had no answer. How could I give her an answer, when I hadn’t even thought about it myself. I was in a state of numbness. Days passed and the mindlessness bored me, the book-lover friend lent me a book, a beautiful one, that had a religious thread running, it was on face, pretty secular. I’m wary of reading Urdu in general and I’m not proud of it, but this one just pushed me ten steps further. I began to question myself. The basic questions, I had the answers since my birth, but I guess they were buried pretty deep within. I’m still seeking answers and I’ve come a long way, from the hijab to sharai pardah. Alhamdulilah, the fear of Allah has taken its root in the aswad-coloured heart.
The best part about this Islamic identity is that I am continously reminded of the Islamic code of ethics. You see your beard, or your scarf, and you think, hey, was that I lie I just told, or did I cheat because I thought I would fail? It’s a reminder. Even if you end up doing something wrong, the consciousness stays within the heart. Once you’re aware, only then you seek forgiveness. I read the meaning of a hadith which stated, that one should overlook the faults of a believer. I’ve heard this one a million times, he has a beard yet he lies. She covers her head still she gossips. At least he has a beard, even if she gossips she still covers her head, they both will be rewarded for what they do. So forgive them.
{It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them.
Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have went away from you
pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them
consult them in the affairs (of the moment).
Then, when you have taken a decision, place
your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who place their trust
(in Him).} 3:159
Asalam o alaikum
As I mentioned to Sister A, that the purpose of this blog is to write about things that are worthwhile. Alhamdulillah in the life that I’ve lead, happiness has overshadowed all other emotions. Happiness brought with itself, a blanket of ignorance. For me, the grand wake up calls always follow a sad event. For example, the loss of someone I love, or when my prayers go unanswered, I’m pushed into this thinking mode. This reality check is a nai’mah from Allah-Jallah jalala hu, because I shudder when I think of the past. The mindless existence insh’Allah will not be my destiny anymore.
The most important feature of being a Muslim is the establishment of salah, and our Prophet sallalahu walaihee wasallam called it the “coolness of my eyes.” My eyes did not feel any coolness for a long time. It took me a long time to understand the significance of prayer, and I’m still struggling with offering my prayers on time. On time here means, as soon as the call for prayer is announced. Even though my childhood hasn’t been of the kind where I was told to pray, I’ve seen the gradual change in my family. It’s a beautiful feeling of harmony that has bound us all together. The act of submission to one Allah(swt) is truly a humbling experience.
There’s some research that I’ve done regarding salah and its importance, to keep me on the right track, and it feels goooood to share
Amr bin Shuaib relates from his father who relates from his grandfather, he reports the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, as saying “Command your children to offer ritual prayers while they are yet seven years old. When they attain ten years of age, beat them (if they are lax in prayers) and separate their beds (keep girls and boys away).” Abu Dawood.
Explanation taken from “A gift for women,” by Mufti Aashiq Elahi Buland Shehri. A hadith carried Tirmidhi tells us to teach ritual prayer to a child of seven years. The hadith asks us to command the children to offer the prayers at this age. The two ahadith tell us to teach and command a child of seven years to offer the prayers, and enforce the command when he/she is ten and if he/she is disobedient punish them.
When I was ten, my grandmother quoted this hadith to me, and I was appalled at the cruelness of this message, well to a ten year old, non practicing Muslim child it was cruelty of highest order. Now I understand the beauty and wisdom behind it, I just wish that I had been raised that way, where salah was a done thing from childhood. Islam needs to be nurtured from a very young age because of the limitlessness of knowledge that there is for a Muslim to seek, the sooner the better. According to many scholars the physical punishment does not mean a beating that leaves a mark on the child’s body, or damages him/her in a physical way. A slap on the face is highly disliked and not allowed.
When Holy Prophet peace be upon him, travelled to Mairaj, salah was Allah’s (swt) gift to his ummah. If it is so precious why do we not leave our work to offer salah, or are we also among a clan of disbelievers?
Another Hadith states, the covenant between them and ourselves is (about) as-Salah, so whoever neglects it turns to disbelief.
I love being a Muslim, Alhamdulillah, but salah has its haq or rights, and I need to fulfill them. I’ll share about salah and its huqooq next time around. Insh’Allah.
P.s. Missing the cheesecake kisses the bestfriend gave me 
Asalam o alaikum.
If my life was a thing, it would be potpourri. There’s so much that has happened, there’s so much more to come. I just can’t wait. Alhamdulillah, the purpose of starting a fresh new blog is to satisfy my craving for writing and to contemplate over things that are a source of sheer joy. May Allah make it beneficial for you and me.
Allah will grant a way out for anyone who heeds Him, and> provide for him in a manner he could have never anticipated.> Allah is enough for anyone who relies on Him; Allah will> accomplish His purpose. Allah has granted everything in due> proportion ~ Surat Talaq 65/2-3> >
