Under Cover Pearls

In order to receive

2012-02-17T16:18:00.002Z

"When he has renounced the world so that he does not take to it on account of his (own) desire nor in compliance with the urges of his own self but just to fulfil the commandment of God, he is then commanded to talk to the world and establish contact with it because now there is a portion for him in it which cannot be discarded and which has not been created for any other reason."
- Abdul Qadir Gilani

Sincerity in seeking piety

2012-02-06T21:51:00.003Z

The Spring of springs.

2012-01-31T01:21:00.004Z

"From Makkah, To Madinah

From Al Aqsa, To Al Jannah

From Al Jannah, To Allah!!!"

... caught in a recitation by Manaqib.

Deaf Umrah Appeal

2012-01-23T00:04:00.004Z

Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sa) said:

“A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection…” [Bukhari and Muslim].

Our Deaf Muslim brothers and sisters need our assistance in helping their dream of going on Umrah become a reality....

Imagine...if you couldn't hear the Qur'an, narrations of Hadith and melodious qasidahs. If you couldn't fully appreciate the adhaan in its touching glory. If you lived in a world where sound simply didnt exist. Many of our brothers and sisters do and for them, the opportunity to visit Umrah with British Sign Language Interpreters in a unique and often once in a lifetime opportunity. Al Isharah is a charity who works tirelessly for the religious needs of Deaf Muslims and inshaAllah is planning their 3rd Deaf Umrah in March. Please watch the appeal video and please please give of what you can- May Allah reward you all for your pennies, pounds and duas!

www.justgiving.com/deafumrah

Standard protocol

2012-01-17T21:33:00.002Z

A "I just hope I get a jobbbbb"
H "seek(h) and you shall find!"
A "no no, Muslim and you shall find"

That Hand Shake...

2012-01-12T22:17:00.004Z

... you know the one. The one that prevents you from preparing adequately for any interview because that moment in itself marks the pinnacle of the whole event and informs you of how well the interview will go.

But I go off point somewhat.

Today, I heard one of the nicest things I have heard from a non Muslim thus far in life. A comment so unexpectedly courteous that it deserves to be noted to be remembered. As Muslims we are taught to be of those who put others at ease. Subhannallah, the manner in which I was put at ease is smile rendering.

The legal world. Full of men and handshakes. My world. A female and more interested in grand sheikhs. With an upcoming legal competition I will be participating in, I decided to inform my competition partner about my preference before hand (excuse the pun!), in the interest of full disclosure and what not and to make the whole situation less awkward if it came down to it.

"....So I just wanted to inform you of something. *pause* I don't really shake hands of men and so in the competition I won't feel comfortable shaking the opponents hands. It's a religious belief. I just wanted to let you know beforehand so that you ar awarw and to let you know that I still want to keep things professional without offending" (or to that effect)

He was silent at first.

Then said, in a manner of kindness,

"Don't worry. I am sure the judges have met many different people in their time and are used to such situations!" (or to that effect)

Yehp. Pretty normal nice thing.
Phew.
But then...

"For all you know you all (competitiors) might have the same belief of not shaking hands and I might be the only strange one there going upto people forcing my hand on them and embarassing myself."

And thus it was. Having felt and indeed been a minority of somesort all my life, I was made to feel, by a English non muslim male, completely at ease and infact part of the majority.

The power of words eh. The sharing of sentiments. Maturity of intellect. Alhamdulilah.

How many an ayah of the Quran and hadith come to mind about Allah stating that if his servant seeks to act in obedience to Him, He indeed facilitates it and He indeed Comes even nearer. May Allah enable us and make it easy for us to be of those who seek to act in obedience to Him, seek His Nearness in our daily works and when faced with dunya keep loyal to the essential priorities. Ameen!

Message for the Youth!

2012-01-08T21:31:00.004Z

....and not so youth.

Imam Asim tells it like it is, in the below video, discussing an issue which is greatly neglected in our times. Subhannallah, a hard hitting lecture, one that every single youth of today NEEDS to watch.

If you've made it this far, when there are so many other places you could currently be on world wide web, then consider that maybe it is worth you spending the time to watch the video...?! It is definately worth it indeed.

Unbelieveable

2012-01-04T22:34:00.002Z

...Except for those who believe in Allah's Immense Karam.

Ok, so perhaps there are more unbelievable stories out there, but when one such beautiful moment touches oneself, how can one not Praise The Lord of The World, through Whom all motions are commanded and nothing becomes but through His Saying "Be" and it is.

The moment I am talking about is very simple. But there is beauty in simple things:

Meeting someone at the exact moment after thinking about them.

It happens often. I'm sure it's happened to all.

As simple as that is, thoughts work fast alhamdulilah and each action builds momentum towards the next. Thinking about spending the afternoon with someone, when in probability terms it wouldn't be likely. Turning around, only to see them driving past. Them seeing you, only because you turned around. What's in a moment? Everything! Subhannallah. Allah answers prayers that we don't even realise we make! One naat rings in my ears "Iss Karam Kaa Karoon, Shukr keseh adhah" - apologies for any mis-spelling, though its the sentiments carried within!

Subhannallah. His Mercy is actually so Substantial and so Manifest and so Great and so Generous that it would be unbelieveable (in the "woahhhhh no way man" kinda way) except for those who believe.

It could have been my sudden compelled action-that I turned around and her car passed at that moment that joined us, it could have been my thoughts, intrisic duas that I didn't know I made that joined us. But neither of the two are worthy I don't think. I guess its the duas of my mother yearning to see her daughter, that Allah Answered.
Mothers.
The Rasool.
Allah.
Treasure.

"Keep Working For Good" - Imam Zaid Talk, UK, 2011

2012-01-01T22:20:00.005Z

Asalamalaikum,

So the below notes are a selection from notes taken during Imam Zaid Shakir's visit during his trip the UK in Summer 2011, at the Traditional Halaqa, arranged by Shifa Trust.

The talk was entitled "The End of Time" and was largely about the Signs and the Mehdi, though here I detail some more general and inspiring notes of advice and wisdom given.

As with all notes uploaded on here, please forgive any mistakes, all of which are reflective only on the inabilities of the one who heard the message [myself] and not on the one who conveyed the message.

---

"The best way of preparing yourself for the end of times is to follow the ways of Rasool.

The Prophet didn't give the sahaba a list of signs to look for, but asked them what they had done to prepare for it.

The Prophet (saws) said, "You will be with those whom you love" and so we follow Allah's command and the Prophets example. That's the best we can do to prepare ourselves.

Divorce your heart from this world as Allah will love you - The love of Allah shouldn't be in our heads, it should be in our hearts. But with the dunya, we must keep it in the thought process (working on projects, working hard etc) and not in the heart.

The dunya can be in your hand and you use it for good. If it doesn't affect your heart, that's fine

One should always look to the direction He is sending one in. Maybe if you accept what Allah has given you, He will Give you through acceptance what you look for through divergence.

If we have good ettiquettes with Allah, He will give us what we are looking for, in the situation we find ourselves in.

Keep working for good, even at the end of times- if the final hour is coming and you have a seed in your hand, you should plant it. Stay in a good state.
--

Whoever acts on what they know, Allah gives them knowledge of what they don't know.
If Allah Gives us knowledge, then what we can achieve is limitless.

The first stage towards this is the person acknowledging thier need for Allah.
We say we rely on our brainpower and intellect- yet what have we done for the deen? Yet look at [the success of] those who relied on Allah! Give yourself to Allah. He Will Enrich you. Uplift you. Empower you. No one humbles themselves for the sake of Allah except that He Elevates them. How much further can we go replying on ourselves? How much more of a mess can we make?

To overcome challenges we have to humble ourselves.

--

The Prophet (saws) gave us a distinction which he didn't even give to his sahaba- that of being his brothers and sisters despite never seeing him (saws). This is a bushra [glad tiding] for us!!!

"Amongst people most intense in love for me in this Ummah are those who do not see me but love me. And they give their family and wealth just to see me" - wheras the sahaba saw his noor in its entirity.

The Prophet (saws) thus extends to us and praises us in love for hum and places its worth higher than that of the Sahaba. This is a class dinstinction. However, in regards to individuals, the best were them, the khulafaah al rashideen.

We must invoke, "Oh Allah, forgive us and those who preceeded us in Islam and don't place any ranquer in our hearts against them" --> we must have good opinion of all believers, people have been honoured with Islam and only those worthy are honoured.

We should thus uphold the 'izzah [respect] which Allah has given to the believers. We have to love the people who say La illah illAllah. Remember the parable of the believers, that we are one ummah, likened to one body. We don't have time for a bad opinion. This is a violation of others' rights! This puts a barrier between you and this is not right.

Give people the benefit of the doubt that they are atleast as good a muslim as you are if not better. --> we are all in this together.

--

If we don't appreciate the advantages we have, Allah will take them away.

Allah didn't Put you in a refugee camp. He Put you here. He Gave you the opportunity to serve the people. To work for Islam. We have to know our place. Shed light for people. Be light for people.

--

Realise that who you marry is part of a historical process.

If someone comes and you are pleased with their religion and character, marry him; or there will be great fasaad on the earth.

--

If we were more spiritually connected, we wouldn't be so deeply haunted, not would we have so many faults.

Ask Allah for His lufdh- His Gentleness as He Unfolds His decree in our life.

If we want good and seek good, we will find good and find it wherever we are.
"I am as My Servant Thinks I am." This is encouragement.

--

Wherever water flows, flowers grow...

2011-12-30T19:57:00.002Z

When God desires to give us His assistance,
He moves our tendency to lamentation.

O happy are the eyes lamenting Him!
How blessed are the hearts that burn for Him!

When weeping ends there is a smile at last.
How happy is the man who is far-sighted!

Wherever waters flowing, flowers grow,
and mercy flows wherever tears are flowing.

Groan like the water-wheel and be moist-eyed
that green may grow the meadows of your soul.

If you want tears, show mercy to the tearful;
if you want mercy, show the weak your mercy

(Masnavi 1.821-826)

The secret talk

2011-12-28T19:36:00.003Z

Narrated by Safwan bin Muhriz (Radi-Allahu 'anhu):

A man asked Ibn 'Umar, "What did you hear Allah's Apostle saying regarding
An-Najwa (secret talk between Allah and His believing worshipper on the Day
of Judgment)?"

He said, "(The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said), "One of you
will come close to his Lord till He will shelter him in His screen and say:
'Did you commit such-and-such sin?' He will say, 'Yes.' Then Allah will
say: 'Did you commit such and such sin?' He will say, 'Yes.' So Allah will
make him confess (all his sins) and He will say, 'I screened them (your
sins) for you in the world, and today I forgive them for you."'

Bukhari

May Allah [swt] make us of those whom He keeps His cover on in this world and the next, and may He [swt] enable us to make a sincere and lasting repentance before the certainty [death] draws upon us, aameen

Burda Class 3

2011-11-29T00:50:00.007Z

"There's much in Inshaad.
There's Ilm. There's meaning.
And it lifts the spirit and takes it to more than its normal everyday life.
...More than most people know!"
- Shaykh Jihad

(Ayywa, I missed the write up of the notes of chapter 2. This now makes this kinda disjointed as class 3 was a continuation of chapter 2, but ahh, the class was filled with many stand alone pearls too!... so here are some stand alone pearls...)

Don't say "I'm everything" and don't say "I'm nothing" as they are both about the I. Say Allah.

What we want is 'Arifeen. We want enlightened knowing. And knowing is different from knowledge as knowing is a state of being.

"Actions are like lifeless forms. And the life is the sincerity within them. This is the secret within them" - Ibn Attaillah

It is the responsibility of believers to protect their friends from their nafs.

If your friends are not telling you when you are stepping over the line, then they are not friends.

Muraqabah is not glamourous. It's not going to get you on TV. It will keep you off TV. But it's what keeps a believer real.

Were a person not to cry except over the moments lost in not worshipping Allah, this would be enough for one.

Don't be self satisfied. but know that the feeling of remorse is a blessing and a lot of people don't have it. You have been blessed with the Nafs-alawwamah! But don't stay there! Work at it!

Remorse is repentance. You should be crying over your situation and where you've got to. If you think about it deeply, it will be hard not to cry.

We are either in a moment of ibaadah or of tawbah. And the tawbah becomes the ibaadah of the moment. This doesn't mean we sin and reassure ourselves that we will settle for making tawbah. As we are not promised any next moments. And the last thing we want is for our last moments to make us lose.

Your job is to park yourself and wait on the doorstep. The Muslims' hanging on the door of the Kaabah is symbolic of Allah opening the door to the slave. And whether He Opens the door or doesn't, tell Him you don't care- you'll be there waiting.

Takleef is following something in which there is difficulty in it. A person can get to a point where they go head over heel for their beloved. They will do anything for them. One can get to that level in their ibaadah. Sometimes it's easy. Sometimes it's difficult. And there's beauty in it when it's difficult. Because it's for Allah.

"Contradicting the ego is the foremost level of ibaadah".

Look at what shaytaan did to Adam and he told Adam he was his friend. Yet the Shaytan has told you openly that he will deceive you! Shaytaan is the open enemy and the nafs is the enemy within.

Increase the 'Aql which you may need to go to. Learn and attend classes so when the ego striked, there is soundness in your 'Aql. Exposure to good gets us to that point.

Alhamdulilah for the following which answers thoughts that had recently been playing in my head for a while, namely about the Muslim living in the West and how we can stay balanced when seeking to be professionals and seeking to sell ourselves in an atmosphere where you had to be full of it (hey, I'm going into the legal sector afterall!)- alhamdulilah Shaykh Jihad discussed it with such clarity!!:
The non Muslim world is telling us to be confident in our own selves- in the nufus. The believer can still engage on these terms as their confidence is not in themselves but in Allah and their belief in the Rasool.
Rise to the challenge and do your best- if you are put in a situation which you did not solicit per se (e.g someone asking you to do something like teach a class etc), Allah has opened a door for you. So ask Allah for tawfeeq. And that is how a muslims can engage in a world which tell him to be confiden about himself. Remember, don't say "I'm everything" and don't say "I'm nothing", say "Allah!"

Ma

2011-11-22T01:39:00.000Z

Blessed is your face
Blessed is your name
My beloved
Blessed is your smile
Which makes my soul want to fly
My beloved
All the nights
And all the times
That you cared for me
But i never realised it
And now it’s too late
Forgive me

Now i’m alone filled with so much shame
For all the years i caused you pain
If only i could sleep in your arms again
Mother i’m lost without you

You were the sun that brightened my day
Now who’s going to wipe my tears away
If only i knew what i know today
Mother i’m lost without you

Ummahu, ummahu, ya ummi
Wa shawqahu ila luqyaki ya ummi
Ummuka, ummuka, ummuka ummuka
Qawlu rasulika
Fi qalbi, fi hulumi
Anti ma’i ya ummi
Mother... mother... o my mother
How i long to see o mother
“your mother, your mother, your mother”
Is the saying of your prophet
In my heart, in my dreams
You are always with me mother

Ruhti wa taraktini
Ya nura ‘aynayya
Ya unsa layli
Ruhti wa taraktini
Man siwaki yahdhununi
Man siwaki yasturuni
Man siwaki yahrusuni
‘afwaki ummi
Samihini...
You went and left me
O light of my eyes
O comfort of my nights
You went and left me
Who, other than you, will embrace me?
Who, other than you, will cover me?
Who, other than you, will guard over me?
Your pardon mother, forgive me

Know Yourself

2011-11-11T01:01:00.002Z

"Become realised in your attributes and Allah will strengthen you with His.
Realise your humility and He Will Strenghthen you with His Pride.
Realise your incapability and He Will Strengthen you with His Ability.
Realise your weakness and He Will Strenghten you with Hus Power"

Ibn Atta'illah Sikandari

Rouse

2011-11-01T15:35:00.004Z

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Every now and again, you may find that you're roused from your sleep. Not the sleep of your eyes, nor the rest of your body, but rather, the slumber of your soul. You may find that you are suddenly given a jolt of life, not like the gentle rousing from your physiological sleep, but like the striking of something solid, hard and cold, striking at your heart. You're struck and you sit, bolt upright, suddenly alert, and very, very awake.

[This message was written and emailed to me by a friend. MashaAllah, may Allah reward her. She doesn't usually like her words publicised, but has given permission this once. I would encourage you to read on, for the issue is too important and the sentiments too sincere to ignore!! Read and take action. Sign the petition & spread the message.]

When I refer to sleep here, then know that i refer to the slumber of the muslim ummah. and when i refer to being roused, then i refer to the times, the few, odd, occasional - but significant - times, where we, as an Ummah, as the Ummah of Muhammad [saw], rouse out of our deep slumber, and for some brief, sparing moments, we stand united, we stand tall, and we fight for a cause. a real cause.

So you may find yourself roused every time the muslims in palestine are massacred and butchered, you may find yourself suddenly awake, bolt upright, fire burning inside you, and your limbs expending all efforts to help your brethren. you pray, you encourage others to pray. you make sincere du'aa and your heart hurts. you give sadaqah and you invite others to give sadaqah. or then you may have found yourself roused when the earthquakes, landslides or floods hit indonesia, japan, somalia, pakistan. and you are not somali, or pakistani, or japanese, but it bothers you nonetheless. you struggle to see what's happening in the world around you, thousands of miles away from you, yes; but in your world, in your waking reality, as you watch. so you don't watch. once more you're roused, and suddenly you're awake, and again, your expending your efforts. you're making du'aa, your doing charity appeals, you're encouraging others to give of their wealth and you too are striving with your wealth.

So you see, every now and again, we, as an Ummah, we rouse out of our sleep, and we unite together, one body, fighting for one cause. we wake out of our deep sleep, and we make something magnificent happen to someone, somewhere on the other side of the world. someone, somewhere, who you'll never meet. someone, somewhere, whose house you'll never visit. but still it'll bother you; to see them cry, to see their children cry, to see their homes washed away. and so, for those brief moments, you, the glorious Ummah of Muhammad [saw], will stand together, and you will fight for a cause, and you will succeed in bringing some relief to the afflicted. MashaAllaah tabarakAllaah.

Well today, upon us is a cause that is not on the other side of the world. it is not to do with someone, somewhere, who you'll never meet. it's to do with someone, right here, in our midst. Someone who, if he was a free man, who knows? perhaps you would pass him by in the street some day. perhaps you would live near him. his is an ordinary face, like yours and mine. except, his is a face that has been shut off from the world - your world - right here, in the midst of your existence. His is the face, body, person and soul that has been locked up and deprived of the love of his parents, the love of his family, the salaam of a brother in the street, the adhaan in a masjid, for 7 plus years, as he sits, waiting to be extradited, whilst a single charge has yet to be brought against him. He is Babar Ahmad. Your brother, my brother.

And his is the cause, that today MUST rouse, nay, DRAG us out of our deep sleep. For it would be a mighty shame on you, and a mighty shame on me, if the 100,000 signature petition fighting to keep him in the UK, doesn't meet its target. it would be an enormous shame on each and every one of us, and the way i see it, the onus WILL be upon us.

Now alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, the petition is well on it's way, mashaAllaah tabaarakAllaah. And everyday, the number of signatures is increasing, and more and more sharply, to the degree that we now have 70,000 plus signatures, mashaAllaah walhamdulillah. However, we still have 30,000+ signatures to go, and little more than 10 days to do it in, so suffice to say, time is of the essence.

But I know, with certainty, that if we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, with a firm, sincere intention, expending all our efforts, and seeking the aid of Allaah [swt], beseeching and imploring Him, most High, for brother Babar's victory, for YOUR victory, I know that we'll definitely make it. Print off copies of the petition, go round to the local communities and have them signed. If you think you're dosing in and out of sleep, let me assure you the people around you are in a far more comfortable state of sleep than you. As far as they're concerned, if it's not happening at their doorstep, it's not their problem. MAKE IT THEIR PROBLEM. We Muslims, besides our love for sleep, also love to laze around generally! We can't be bothered to click that link on that website that everyone keeps talking about. And so what if i don't do it? Surely, someone else will. That's our mentality. And right now, it's gotta change. Real swift. So spoon feed those around you, do all the hard work for them, all they have to do is sign your petition, and you can upload the details on their behalf.

And beyond all that, if you feel that you have done all that you can [I haven't], and you have exhausted your limbs for the sake of Allaah [I haven't], then rest. Rest your limbs and put your heart to work. Supplicate for brother Babar Ahmad. Supplicate for his success, for his relief, for his victory. For du'aa is the weapon of the believer. In these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, beg and beseech Allaah, even for a few moments, as no doubt his elderly parents will have, day in day out, for more than seven years, waiting in angst to see their son home again. Prophet Ya'qub alayhis salaam lost his sight due to the grief he felt over losing Yusuf alayhis salaam. And he said, let me alone, for I only complain of my sorrow to Allah.

Brother Babar's parents have never complained to you, they have never complained to me. But I have no doubt that they have complained to Allaah. And now is the time for their relief, by the mercy of Allaah. And though this is a magnificent test for them as a family, it is equally a test for us, to see how willing we are to wake out of our sleep, to drag one another out of our slumber, and to make a real difference to another Muslim bi'ithnillah.

How helpless do we feel, how much does it hurt, to see those children dying in Somalia, and to be stuck here, being able to do little more than raise money? How stuck did we feel, who's heart didn't cry when Aafia Siddiqui was given 84 years in a questionable trial and court hearing? And yet here is Babar Ahmad, at your doorstep, and here is your chance to stand tall, free of all restraints, and to do something, like you've always wanted to.

Wallahil adheem I have no doubt, absolutely no doubt, that when you and I stand together, sincerely, for the sake of Allaah, and strive in this cause, begging and beseeching Allaah all the while, I have no doubt that the Help of Allah will come. And when the Help of Allaah comes, nothing in the heavens and the earth can withhold it. Nothing can stop His relief and His Mercy descending. And Babar Ahmad will be victorious, inshaAllaah.

And may Allaah [swt] grant us success, and make this struggle a momentous occasion of strength and victory for the Ummah of Muhammad [saw]. Aameen Ya Rabbil 'alameen.

http://www.freebabarahmad.com/

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/885

Just as the seasons change

2011-10-30T16:31:00.002Z

"Inform the night of a coming morning, the light of which will permeate the mountains and valleys. Give to the afflicted tidings of a sudden relief that will reach them with the speed of light or with the blinking of the eye. If you see that the desert extends for miles and miles, then know that beyond that distance are green meadows with plentiful shade. If you see the rope tighten, then know that it will snap. Tears are followed by a smile, fear is replaced by comfort and anxiety is overthrown by serenity"

Don't Be Sad, Dr Aid al qarni

2011-10-30T16:24:00.002Z

"The more I try not to cry,
The more the tears flow from my eyes...
And when I try to change my heart,
The more I feel so torn apart..."

Qasida burdah

Burda Class -Chapter 1

2011-10-02T23:45:00.011Z

A couple of notes from the class I have been waiting my whole life to attend! Subhannallah indeed!! How blessed am I to be attending a class dedicated to delving deep into the meanings of the greatest love poem ever written. Only the lover can truly understand what another lover means in their poetry. And even then, they will only understand if their love is of the same kind. I hope I can attain that real love. I hope you can too.

These notes go to the core essence of the name of this blog. Under Cover Pearls. For how many of us have read the Burda.. heard the Burda.. held the Burda... yet not truely understood the intense meanings encapsulated within it? The pearls are indeed there. Yet one must seek and strive to unravel them, like anything in life. Alhamdulilah for this course. Forgive me in advance for any inconsistencies in the note taking. I write notes to assist the revision of reflection later on. But the moment of receiving such blessed information is to be savoured too, and thus naturally gaps occur as the thoughts travel with the teacher...

---------------------------------------------------

The lovesick bewails the pain of seperation from the beloved. For every action and thing reminds him of his beloved. He reproaches those who turn away from his beloved. These are the topics of the first chapter.

The genre of the burda is not religion- it's Love & Praise of the Beloved

In regards to the first couple of verses, Imam Busairi asks another person of their love - the poets would often draw out a second person to question- it symbolised how lonely they were- a lonely person with a virtual friend. Busairi extracted from himself a virtual interlocutor, who "mixed his tears with blood" and Busairi seeks to ask why this is. There is a question of debate, however, between who really is the questioner and who is being questioned.

'Tears of blood' is imagery for crying so much. Tears from the eyes are cool in happiness and hot in sadness.

"I remembered the days we shared and the nights that have long since passed. And because of my remembering, tears did flow" - said another.

The lover is constant in thoughts of the handsome and beautiful qualities of the beloved. Thus when wind breezes from the direction of their land, the lover believes it contains their fragrance. "Is there any return for me to the land of the beloved?" they contemplate.

Thus, when we feel a breeze coming from the south east, coming from the direction of the Qibla, we ought to know and think where is is coming from! The gentle breezes are opportunities which Allah Gives you, where you may find some opening.

Lightning coming from the South should be a moment. A moment of intimacy. A moment of remembering Rasoolullah. A moment of thinking of the Burda.

[ Forgive the interjecture, but now this was a life altering moment you see...for I always loved standing in the breeze. But imagine standing in the breeze and for that moment imagining it to be a gust of wind which carried forth from the holy lands... forget the practical technicalities.... just IMAGINE!! ]

Busairi presents his virtual companion as if he is someone in denial...

"You say stop and yet they continue in their downpour"

Love has been described as a transparent purity between the love and the loved. This is what we want between ourselves and Allah. The way to be honest with Allah is to be honest with yourself. Stop fooling yourself.

"Now I have meaning because I have immersed myself in remembrance of the Beloved" said another. Everything is an effect of the beloved.

It was the habit of the poets to suffice themselves with locations/ things in the region of the Beloved. See for example, Chapt 1, line 10, in reference to 'the tree' and 'the mountain'.

"How can you continue to deny the love, when the power of your love has etched marks on your face?!" - In short, he tells himself to give up pretending!! Line 13

Feel the pain of Sacrifice and what do you get in the end? TRUE LOVE

The chapter goes then onto debates with the poets reproachers...

Another poet has said in a similar vein:

"Oh my reproacher, do not blame me...
There is no blame on the belover...
Instead come close to me...
For indeed in matters of love,
I am an Imaam!"

Shaykh AbdurRahman Al-Shaghouri has said:
"Oh criticizer who has criticized because of ignorance. He has criticised a lover who has reunited with his Beloved. (But) If your criticizing is honest, then in the next moment, you will automatically taste the taste of love."

--
Whose hearts are sensative to the subtelties?!
We live in a time when hearts are asleep, many hearts are dead. The hearts have become numb at the very least, so whose hearts are awake to the subtelties?

It is important to know that there are two hearts. The pumping heart and the spiritual heart.

A sound heart is a healthy heart. The sign of a healthy heart is love of Allah and Rasool.

It is the exaltation of the beloved in the heart that prevents the lover from listening to anyone else!

"....The Lover Never Glances Away...." --> Travel to Allah, even if crippled and broken.

---
Teacher: Shaykh Jihad Brown

To Note: 1) Notes are in some places paraphrased for understanding. These are a selection of general notes. More detailed explanation was made and notes taken in regards to what lines mean specifically what, though have not been shared in depth. 2) Shaykh Babikir spoke afterwords, notes taken of his reminders may be uploaded later inshaAllah.

Resolute Reflection on Reality Far Reaching

2011-09-28T20:40:00.003Z

We learn to smile in the playground. In the underground is where we learn to frown. May it not be a reflection of the state when we're finally under-the-ground, may the smiles carry forth, may eternal bliss be found. (Ameen)

The dua of elders

2011-09-26T22:13:00.001Z

"When an elder dies, one of your doors for dua has closed. So while they‟re living, make the best of that relationship and ask them for their duas" - Imam Tahir Anwar.

So many deep meanings in life, hidden within the beauty of every relationship we have, subahannallah.

Be with whom you love

2011-09-26T10:13:00.002Z

"The disbeliever is bewildered by creation but the believer is bewildered by the Creator"
-Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah:

Conversations like these

2011-09-12T21:47:00.005Z

Sibling3: "Imagine walking on the Siraat...Its thinner than a hair! That's well scary."
Sibling1: "First we have to get through the Day of Judgement."
Sibling3: *GULP*
*Silent Reflection*

Realities are great. Reflection required. Reminders best shared.

Baggage requirements

2011-09-12T21:45:00.001Z

"The one who doesn't realise he requires patience and fortitude in the path to Him doesn't travel..."
- Shaykh Nuh

Human classifications

2011-09-05T00:44:00.000Z

‎"All humans are dead except those who have knowledge...and all those who have knowldge are asleep, except those who do good deeds... and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere... and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry."- imam shafi'i

Your Mirror

2011-08-22T11:33:00.002Z

"If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?"- Rumi

Kids Ramadhan Summer Camp 2011

2011-08-06T15:56:00.004Z

www.thedaffschool.com

Thinking about how to keep the children busy, inspired and happy this summer Ramadhan season?
Then the following is an opportunity not to be missed...

Desert Echo Daff School, in conjunction with 23rd Sahaba Scouts Presents...

KIDS RAMADHAN SUMMER CAMP 2011

With classes and workshops including:

Islamic Essentials: 99 Names of Allah, Quranic Stories, Muslim Heroes and Special Duas

Islamic Expressions: Daff Classes, Muslim Choir, Nasheed Writing and Calligraphy

Taught by young, enthusiastic and experienced teachers. All CRB checked.

When: 9th - 11th and 16th - 18th August 2011
12 - 4pm

Who: 6 - 13 year olds

To book a place:
Email bookings@thedaffschool.com

http://thedaffschool.com/page12.htm

Learn from Prophet Ayyub

2011-08-03T14:35:00.005Z

Learn from the story of Prophet Ayyub, peace be upon him.

He faced trials, yet remained faithful. He faced tribulation, yet did not doubt His Lord. He faced tests upon tests, yet kept focused. He was sincere in love, sincere in patience and sincere in worship.

His wealth was taken. His children were taken. His health was taken. His support system taken.
And we have the audacity to complain about our situations. We must learn from the story of Ayyub alaihisalam.

It was Shaytaan who was jealous of Prophet Ayyub's devotion to his Lord. Shaytaan who thought he would flinch in the face of trials. And Shaytaan it was who sought to destroy him. But sincerity cannot be so easily destroyed. May Allah protect us, protect our faith and grant us sincerity.

Gather strength from the story of the trials of Ayyub. Gather courage from the stories of the Prophets. Gather love in your heart for them, and in the hereafter you will surely be with those you love.

(And who knows, Oh self, these moments may be the sweetest in disguise. A cleansing for us, though we know not, for we only see the apparent, while there is much work happening in the unseen world! And remember how we are advised that although we may not want something, it is good for us! Subhannallah. Appreciate the moments you are in and give thanks for giving thanks is a blessing and have trust in Him who Created you from dust!)

Serious Swimming Through Barakah :)

2011-07-30T17:35:00.002Z

I don't usually do this. Sit by an open window eating a bowl of strawberries that is. But the weather makes it tempting and the situation is thus, that I find I don't know what to do with myself for a little while. It's the static state that arises post some serious swimming through barakah. Yes, the reason is quite clear.

I've looked at my brothers collection of books since returning. Too afraid to pick up a few, for fear of the fortune they contain. I don't think my purse is big enough to hold such big balances. Others I pick up and skim through. And a few are chosen and kept in the selected 'Ramadhan pile', quick before the nafs which loves laziness and the remaining shayateen catch up with me!

But the feeling still lingers. The yearning for something, the feeling that something is missing. There are many things I am missing. And will be missing.

I will miss sitting on the floor and writing on the selected green floor table. Sharing treats and jokes and revision with the sisters before the teachers and swarm of brothers come into the classroom.

I will miss hearing the adhaan recited live in a melodious tone. Sharing in the repetition and the dua. The post salah group adhkaar, with souls who have experienced and souls who are fresh in the sea of bliss.

I will miss sharing salams and smiles with sisters, eyes glistening because we know something which to others may still be a mystery. There's something special about sharing the experience of learning Sacred Knowledge with someone, I feel. They heard my most puzzled questions to the teacher. I heard theirs. Together we were placed in a zone of knowledge and barakah.

I will miss being able to ask whatever was on my mind and have the question, big or small, coherant or confusing be answered by some great shuyukh of our time. I know that the answers will, so long as Allah grants my memory protection, stay with me.

I will miss running at 5am in the morning to get to a tajweed class, alhamdulilah I now know trainers and khimar work well for a work out.

I will miss seeing so many others as passionate about the daff as I am. I can't help but smile to myself at people who hold the same love for something as I do.

But most of all I guess, I will miss the peace. And miss the barakah in the time. And miss knowing that angels were present.

And I will miss phoning my family and telling them about how glorious my day was and what I had learnt. For now its no longer about telling them what I learnt, but acting on what I learnt, and that is the real test- the application of knowledge 'learnt'.

Pricked By A Thorn

2011-07-03T17:14:00.004Z

The Prophet peace be upon him said,
"No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sin for that."
[Bukhari]

Subhannallah. Such is the Mercy of our Lord. There are always people who are going through trials, some small trials, some life changing trials. As another quote I once read states "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone is facing some kind of battle." That quote inspires my being and I hope I can live by it. But what of the reassurances and promises we have from the Lord of the Worlds? As informed to us by His Most Beloved of Messengers? Subhannallah, the Court of Allah is Most Just.

I know of a few people recently who are facing ongoing trials. I was talking to my brother and I must have slipped out, in reference to someone we know being tested, "Don't you feel sorry for so and so?". My brother's reply, short and succinct as it was, echoed the hadith above,, and was the best response possible. "Why should we feel sorry for them, when Allah is relieving them of their sins and rewarding them?"

It's amazing the way in which the world works.

Yet, this does not rid us, fellow human beings, to care and show concern and thought for those suffering. In dua as we all are aware, there is power. But we have also been told that there is a right and reward in visiting the sick. Just imagine, that through merely visiting a person who is unwell, WE( fit, healthy, able to joke and smile, far from the pain that they feel) gain the reward! "Which of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?!" - this ayaah whispers throughout most of this life we live. But, it was only recently that it struck me as it did. I was on the phone speaking to someone who isn't well and I told them I would not be able to visit them. In what can only be described as a plea, they said "Don't you know that visiting the sick is rewarded and required of Muslims?!" In this life too, there is relief for those being tried. That relief comes through seeing their brothers and sisters. Through being shown that they are loved. Through being told that they are not alone.

And which of us is alone, when Allah is by our side?

Al-Qalb

2011-05-30T11:09:00.003Z

"Allah has full knowledge of man's heart, for the heart in relation to Allah is like the tongue in relation to mortals."

-imam al ghazali - book 12 ihya ulum ad din

"Verily there are signs for those who reflect!"

2011-05-23T01:24:00.006Z

"In the fast paced consumer world we live in, we hardly get time to stop, time to think about what is really happening around us, what is happening to us. Be one who reflects. Be one who contemplates. Think. Smile. Appreciate...and most importantly thank The Magnificent, The Giver, The Generous, Our Lord."

Say, “Are the ones who are blind in respect of the mind equal to those who are endowed with mental perception and understanding? Will you not then THINK & REFLECT?” [6:50]
And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are Ayaat [proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.] for those who THINK & REFLECT! [13:3]
We have sent down unto thee the Message; that you may explain clearly to men what is sent for them, and that they may THINK & REFLECT! [16:44]

Lifelong bitterness vs. Lifelong sweetness

2011-05-20T11:44:00.003Z

"The pleasure of sinning is short. Then, the consequences are very dreadful. The Muslim Scholars say, “A sin will breed another sin”. When you perpetrate a sin, what happens? The pleasure and delight precedes the sin and the bitterness comes after. Whereas the doing of the good deed, the bitterness/ hardship precedes and the pleasure comes after. When you want to commit a something shameful, something haram, a misdeed, you are thinking only of the pleasure, the fun you will have. The moment you finish such a horrible act, you feel bad about yourself, you hate yourself, you might cry. You feel your chest tighten like someone is squeezing your chest. That is the bitterness you will have until you enter the grave. The sweetness which you think of is limited and short, while the bitterness will remain the rest of your life. The opposite is true of good deeds. It is difficult at first, you feel bitterness only. Something against the nafs. But, for example, if you get up for fajr, despite the cold, difficulty in leaving the bed and making wudu, if you do so, what do you feel after the Salah? Sweetness, goodness, lightness. In Tarawih, with the long rakah, you feel tired, you feel hardship. But afterwords, you feel sweetness. The sweetness comes after doing the good deed. The opposite is true with sin, whereby the bitterness follows, and lasts forever."

As explained by Dr Salem Al Amry -"The Satanic Trap Talk"

Fear, Hope, Love

2011-05-15T21:35:00.004Z

Abu Bakr al Siddiq (ra) said, "Worshippers are of three groups, each group has three signs by which it is known- a group who worship Allah The Exalted out of fear, a group who worship Allah out of hope and a group who worship Allah out of love.

For the first group, there are three signs; they disparage themselves, they deem their righteous deeds to be few, they deem their evil deeds to be plenty.

For the second group, there are three signs; they are an example to others in all situations, they are the most generous of all people in spending their wealth, and they have the best of opinions amongst creatures regarding Allah.

For the third group, there are three signs; they give away what they love most and do not care as long as their Lord is pleased with them, they do that which will displease their nafs and please their Lord, and they are with their Lord in every situation, whether it be in following His commandments or avoiding His prohibitions."

- as cited in "Preparing for the Day of Judgement" - Imam ibn Hajar al Asqalani

[ on a side, yet smile rendering note, my older brother, May Allah grant him the best of both worlds, gifted me this book. In books which he gifts me, he always writes something on the first page, usually a dua. In the front of this book, with words of sincerity, one finds:

"This book is a gem. Gems are looked after and seen as precious for their value. When disheartened, a look at the beautiful raises the spirit. Allah is Beautiful and Loves beauty."

May Allah allow us all to realise the worth of the pearls of the deen, and be among this who are granted the opportunity to look at beauty, and associate it with The Truth, ameen!! ]

May the One for whom you love me, Love you

2011-05-13T23:17:00.002Z

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, "Where do you intend to go?'' He said, "I intend to visit my brother in this town.'' The angel said, "Have you done any favour to him?'' He said, "No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.'' Thereupon the angel said, "I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)" [Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith points out the following:

1. The great merit of visiting Muslims for Allah's sake.

2. The bond of brotherhood in Islam is much stronger than the bonds of blood relationship and worldly interests and, therefore, comes before them in preference.

3. Whoever loves someone for Allah's sake, Allah will love him in a manner that suits His Majesty.

- Riyadh as Saliheen

A Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T18:30:00.003Z

"One can't help but imagine
what the Real Royal wedding would have been like.
A union conducted by the King of the Worlds.
Simplicity in the physical realm,
attended by crowds of Angels in good stead.
Overpowering in the spiritual realm,
that day...
when Fatima, the best of women, was wed!"

To choose and To be chosen

2011-03-12T17:59:00.009Z

You don't choose happiness

Happiness chooses you

Laughter of the soul, graciously granted

When you see your dreams come true

You don't choose the wind that blows

As it blows past, it chooses you

To make you believe, in the unseen

You see, blessings have proof

You don't choose beauty

In it's radiance it chooses you

To make you realise, that you hold the prize

Clearly you are among the blessed too

And you don't choose your tests

The hardships choose you

A trial of life, to test your faith

You may possess strength you never knew

But you do choose your friends

In its sincerity friendship is chosen by you

To make you decide what qualities override

The opportunity to decipher the bad from the good

And you do choose how you spend your time

Your actions are chosen by you

Reason over feeling in a choice

Is a formula used by few

You have the power to choose your words

What leaves your mouth is chosen by you

Will you be one who keeps clean their tongue...

Be one who is known by the integrity of truth?

And you choose your intentions

The reasons behind what you do is chosen by you

Will you be moved by sincerity or greed...

Will you be kind hearted or cruel?

Ultimately you choose your faith

How you walk over the bridge of life is chosen by you

Whether in firm belief of The Lord or in ignorance

In the afterlife you will surely receive what is due

Under Cover Sis

Modesty is protection

2011-03-03T01:49:00.001Z

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest.”

(An-Nur: 30-31)

Never has the gift of your Lord been restricted

2011-02-25T00:57:00.003Z

"Whosoever desires the hereafter and strives for it with a sincere striving, and he is a believer, the striving of these shall find favour"

"All of them We Aid, these as well as those and the Bounty of your Lord is not restricted"

"Behold how We Caused some of them to excel others; and surely the hereafter is much greater in degrees, and greater still in respect of excellence"

- Surah 17, Verses 19 -21

Evenings are best spent like this

2011-02-15T19:41:00.003Z

~ With those who are deep in their love .♥. Simply electric in their rememberance of the loved .♥. Purely sincere in their seeking nearness to the loved.♥.

WOWness ~
♥ ~ Allahuma salli ala almustafa, habibna muhammad, alayhisalam ~ ♥

# Thoughts only of Muhammad (pbuh), in my heart, that's enough for me #

2011-02-07T22:30:00.003Z

. ♥ .

This Flame is Nothing....

2011-01-27T11:37:00.002Z

[I can't remember the source of this story, possibly received it in an email, a while back]

Qari Muhammad Qayyam (may the mercy of Allah be upon him) related that a great deal of fighting and bloodshed had started prior to the Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947. He said that a very beautiful daughter of a very rich man in a certain community stepped out of her house to visit her aunt, who lived no more than a few streets away. Suddenly a riot erupted as she had gone halfway and she found herself trapped with apparently nowhere to go. She saw a mosque nearby and quickly went inside, sitting in the women’s section. The rioting continued late into the night and this girl did not know what to do.

The custodian of the masjid was a very young student there and late at night when he walked through the masjid before locking up he noticed this beautiful young lady. He was a respectful young man who feared Allah and so politely asked her to leave, saying that if she was found there then both would be dishonored and thrown out. She pleaded with him because of the extreme danger outside and so he agreed that she could spend the night, and sat down to study at the opposite end of the masjid.

The girl was unable to sleep with the events of the day in her mind and so watched the young man sitting studying by candle light at the opposite end of the masjid. She kept watching him and was very surprised at something she saw. From time to time this young man would extend his hand and keep it over the open flame, only withdrawing it when the flame obviously became unbearable. He then would resume his studies and continued this throughout the night until the dawn broke.

The young man called the adhan and asked the girl to leave before the congregation started coming to pray since now everything was calm outside. She agreed on the condition that he tell her why he was placing his hand on the candle flame throughout the night. The young man said that that was his own business and so the girl refused to leave until he told her what she wanted to know. The young man gave in and said, “I am at the age of youth and strong desire. We were alone and my desire was increasing, and although I was studying the shaytan would occasionally put temptation in my heart. Hence whenever I would feel any temptation I would put my hand on the flame and my fingers would burn. I would say to myself that this flame is nothing compared to the fire of Hell.”

The girl left the masjid and reached home, calming her parents’ fears as to what had happened to her. She also confided in her mother that she wanted to marry the custodian of the mosque near their house. She related the night’s events to her parents and said that only such a man with true fear of Allah in his heart can be true to his wife. Only such a man who truly fears Allah can fulfill a wife’s rights properly.

Hence the poor custodian of the mosque earned the daughter of a rich household in marriage. He received this honor not because of his looks but because of his character. Everything disintegrates and turns to dust but character remains strong. Honor is not bestowed because of handsome clothes or beautiful jewelry but because of what is in the heart. Knowledge is only beneficial when it is captured within the heart, and not merely written in books.

[Surah Tur v.38] "Or have they a stairway (to heaven), by means of which they listen (to the talks of the angels)? Then let their listener produce some manifest proof."

InnAllah ma'asabireen

2011-01-21T00:57:00.003Z

And do not struggle and scream claiming "there are bad times too!"
for every soul is for sure given its fair share
But when times are tough, seek His help, in Him trust
and know that no one is tested more than they can bear

...

For the Single'ns

2011-01-12T23:16:00.004Z

May the ability to be inspired and benefit from the good of others continue in an ever revolving circle! Ameen!

The below is an amazingly written(and timely found) piece by the brother at http://www.dreamlife.wordpress.com Jazakallah khayr.

"Reliance”

They tell you to be patient.
They say your time will come:
what is meant to be will be;

And all that lies between now and then
is a trial of Faith,
a lesson in patience,
a Revelation of your ultimate reliance on the One.

You seek that which, you feel, will complete your heart;
complement your mind;
bring lasting comfort to your soul.

You wish for the bond of love and tranquility,
placed between your hearts;
you yearn for the one who will be a garment to you,
and you fulfilling the same blessed purpose for them.

You dream of a future,
a life no longer alone.
A companion to share with you all the extacy and agony you will face within your journey.
Someone who will walk with you,
side by side,
hand in hand,
down the beautiful path that leads back the One to Whom we belong,
the One to Whom is our return.

And though you will face that Day alone,
your bond – and all it manifested itself as – gives you hope
that, together, you were each other’s helping hand.

You enjoined what was good,
and forbade what was evil;
You had a common goal, a beautiful goal;
and the support of each other was your safety net:
you had a home in their arms,
and when they held you,
nothing could harm you -

For you were right where you were destined to be,
wrapped in the love of the one who you held so dear,

and the two of you,
wrapped in the Love of the One Who brought your souls into existence,
then shaped you over time – through pain and joy, preparing you for the pure, everlasting union that was always in existence – though you did not know it until it came to your senses:
manifested itself in front of your eyes.

He alone, you worshipped;
He alone, you asked for help.

And though, at times, you grew frustrated,
wondering when the help would come;
when it would be your turn -
in truth, the Help was always there.

It was just for you to accept -
with your heart and your mind,
beyond the superficial rhetoric -
that everything has its appointed time.

So on that Day,
as you stand before Him,
you do so in the knowledge that your lives,
your souls,
though beginning separated;
were brought together at the appointed time.

And all that came before was not a waste -
on the contrary,
it was a treasure chest:
a collection of thoughts, feelings, experiences;
all part of your preparation.

Yet you did not see it that way,
in your haste to attain that which you so cherished.

But the past has passed,
and all is put into perspective now.

And though we cannot conceive what awaits us in the Hereafter
– for Paradise begins where the imagination ends -
we know who we wish to share it with.

So, look past the immediacy of these moments without them;
and remember what awaits you in your future.

Take lessons from the past.
Be thankful for the present.
Be hopeful for the future.

Seek help in patience and prayer;
ask of Him Who is of infinite bounty.

Tell Him all that you fear,
all that you dream of,
all that you want;

Open up to Him and pour out every ounce of the hurt you feel.
Let it all go.

For when you have done so,
when your troubles have been released,
you will be brought back to the truth and comfort of your ultimate reliance on the One:
your Eternal Companion; closer than you can imagine.

Keep the faith, always.

May your calling be victory!

2010-12-27T00:50:00.006Z

It's an exam which many have sat

Some are currently sitting

Others are yet to sit

3 hours is all it is

But each hour feels like a number of years.

Childhood. Maturity. Old Age.

Though most exams are three hours, there's a great unknown,

whether yours would be one, you weren't prior told.

Some classmates' exams are taken by the examiner early,

without notice the end has come for their turn,

they must leave the exam hall at once,

leaving us to pray for their success,

and from their methods learn.

Others get a golden ticket, a longer timed exam,

the only problem is the more time you got the more mistakes you can make

and the more likely you'll forget the plan.

So too is it true that the longer the exam, the harder it gets to find the pages

which were wrong and the parts to rub out

for realisation and rectification has many stages.

Some choose to submit their exam in early, though this is against the rules,

they give up, sometimes due to their fellow classmates,

sometimes due to other pressures of the examination room.

But alas they didn't realise,

before choosing to depart,

that you must stick to the end of the time given,

to even be considered for a final mark.

Ah, the final mark.

We will all gather soon to find out our results

and our Examiner will be Most Kind with feedback

every word that was written will be annotated clearly, with a tick or a cross-

the marks weighed on a scale to keep track

Graduation will be held on a thin bridge,

not really what most would call ideal,

for those who fail will realise it then,

but there's no chance of retakes or repeats!

It said so on the instructions of the exam,

but not everyone did read.

But those who read and did pace themselves

may find they passed with flying colours indeed.

Even those with basic pass grades will have such joy on their faces

such joy that joy will be realised never to prior have held any meaning!!

What can be said then of those who got the best mark in the class?!

Amongst a class of trillions of billions of millions of students,

how amazing if one has a top mark!

They will be sent to a unique VIP graduation party

where the Headboy and school prefects too will be

Their calling shall be victory.

Understandably, the exam seems mystical and many will not believe what I profess

For surely you must be questioning; "such rewards for but a 3 hour test?!"

Know that this is the examination hall

You are in the 2nd hour of the exam

The exam better known as Life itself.

It's the circle of life

2010-12-04T23:42:00.001Z

"This world is a mountain, and our deeds are a shout echoed back to us"

-Tales from the Masnavi

Concealed in words

2010-11-28T21:11:00.003Z

An Iranian Prince once composed a verse of poetry...

"A black and white pearl is rare indeed"

He tried his best to add a second verse to this, but failed. He requested a number of other poets to help, but none of them succeeded. In desperation, he wrote to the King of Delhi, requesting for a second verse to be sent to him. The poets of Delhi were also unsuccessful. Zaibunisa Makhfi, the daughter of Alamgir Aurangzeb, was one day applying antimony and a teardrop fell from her eyes. Immediately, she composed the second verse:

"A black and white pearl is rare indeed,
Except in the surma mingled teardrop that falls from the eyes of the beloved"

The king sent the verses to the Iranian prince. After reading them, he requested that the poet be sent to him. Zaibunnisa wrote back with her answer in poetic verses:

"As the fragrance is concealed in the petals, I am concealed in my words.
Whoever desires to see me should read my verses"

~ A righteous and intellegent woman realises that her beauty is not to be subjected to the lustful glances of all and sundry. ~

-Khawatine Islam ke Iman Waqi'at, p230
as quoted in "Pearls from the Path", compiled by Moulana Afzal Ismail, Vol 2

Take Care of Today

2010-11-25T03:10:00.002Z

"The beautiful day is the day on which we have control of our affairs and our affairs do not control us. It is the day on which we control our desires and we are not controlled by them like slaves.

Some of these days I can remember an will never forget.

Every day on which I managed to save myself from the vicious cycle of worrying about what I can and cannot do in this wonderful day.

How wonderful is the day on which I was hesitating whether to do a deed for which people would praise me or a deed for which no one would praise me, and no one would know about it, so i forsook the praise of people and was content to do an action which I will remember for as long as I live, but which no one will hear about.

How wonderful is the day on which I felt my pockets were filling with money but my conscience was devoid of dignity, so i decided that I would rather be penniless and have a clear conscience.

These days are wonderful, and the most wonderful thing about them is that my worldly gain on these days is very small, but the fact that I gained self respect from my actions far outweighs that and what I gained on such days is great, praise be to Allah, The Exalted, The Merciful. "

-Extract from my favourite book, the oft quoted book on this site, "You Can be the Happiest Woman In The World", Dr A'id Al Qarni

Desert Echo Daff School

2010-11-02T00:38:00.001Z

www.thedaffschool.com

^ Institution for the promotion of the traditional beat.

Daff classes for women and children accross the UK.

Forget not your blessings

2010-08-29T00:22:00.003Z

Lessons from Rabe'a Al Adawiyya

Once Rabe'a saw a man with a bandage tied around his head.
"Why have you tied the bandage?" she asked.
"Because my head aches," the man replied.
"How old are you?" she demanded.
"Thirty," he replied.
"Have you been in pain and anguish the greater part of your life?" she enquired.
"No," the man answered.
"For thirty years you have enjoyed good health," she remarked, "and you never tied about you the banage of thankfulness. Now because of this one night you have a headache, you tie the bandage of complaint!"

2010-08-19T23:37:00.003Z

Ramadhan Mubarak.

And with the greeting, some traditions of The Prophet (sallalhu alayhi wa salam); a reminder of 30 obligations on all believers towards their brothers and sisters:

1. Forgiving their mistakes
2. Being merciful to them when they are in a strange land
3. Guarding their secrets
4. Giving them a hand when about to fall
5. Accepting their apologies
6. Discouraging backbiting about them
7. Persisting in giving them good advice
8. Treasuring their friendship
10. Visiting them when they are ill
11. Fulfilling their trusts
12. Being with them at the time of their death
13. Accepting their invitations and their presents
14. Returning their favours in kind
15. Being grateful for their assistance
16. Protecting their honour and prosperity
17. Helping them meet their needs
18. Making an effort to solve their problems
19. Guiding them to the things they have lost
20. Answering their greetings
21. Taking them at their word
22. Accepting their bestowals
23. Confirming them if they swear by something
24. Being kind and friendly towards them
25. Helping them when they are being unjust
26. Helping them when they are the victim of injustice
27. Refraining from feeling bored with them
28. Not forsaking them in times of trouble
29. Whatever good you like, like for them
30. Whatever evil you dislike, dislike for them

Face it...

2010-07-07T23:11:00.000Z

...in life, you'll be tested at times
The devil, he's bright, don't let him mess with your mind
Yo, we're blessed, the Divine, which is the best for mankind
So He (God) gives us exams so don't get stressed out and whine
Even the best of all humanity was tested Himself
Allah can test us with calamity or test us with wealth
Can you hold back from profanity and focus yourself
Or maybe keep away from vanity and function in stealth
It's tough, trust me I know that it's rough
But after pain comes ease and you'll be blessed from above
I hope when the time for my test comes along I will cope and I'll find I'll be blessed when I'm strong
So my people, when life is a mess
You gotta focus and realize, this could be your test.

Dimensions of Salah

2010-06-15T23:26:00.001Z

In regards to the outward and inward aspects of prayer, both fitting together: "If you don't lock the chest, the treasure won't be safe.But if the treasure is not present, the chest will be pointless"
-Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Kick start the summer with some Praise

2010-06-07T12:28:00.004Z

Post Exam-stress Therapy. :) Alhamdulilah.

Youth is the time to utilise your time efficiently

2010-05-27T22:05:00.004Z

Excellent reminder for myself. Subhannallah. Always to the point, is Shaykh Hamza

Coz it's that time of year

2010-04-26T15:56:00.005Z

اللَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْـتَنِي وَ عَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي
Oh Allah! Make useful for me what You taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me

للَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فَهْمَ النَّ بِيِّينَ وَ حِفْظَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ
Oh Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the prophets and the memory of the messengers, and those nearest to You

إِنَّكَ عَلَى مَا تَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ وَ أَنْتَ حَسْـبُنَا اللَّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Oh Allah! Nothing is easy except what You have made easy. If You wish, You can make the difficult easy

May we be among those who study to serve Him and who work to serve Him. May we be students who are eager to learn and eager to benefit, may we apply what we know.
May Allah allow us to be among those who are persistent in their studies and work with steadfastness. May Allah allow us to be those who are kept afar from the dangerous world of procrastination!! May Allah allow us to make a positive contribution to the Ummah!! Ameen.

Any duas would be appreciated :)

Further, any ideas for a Law dissertation would too be appreciated!!

2010-04-22T13:47:00.001Z

"So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith."

-Surah Al-Imran

2010-04-06T13:29:00.003Z

"He who recites the Quran fluently will be in the company of the noble and virtuous angels,
and he who recites the Quran haltingly and with difficulty will have a double reward"

Bukhari & Muslim

May Allah enable us to be among those who though difficult, persist with recitation of the Quran, and may it thus be made easy for our tongues to recite the Divine words, may we be of those who seek to love the Quran, read the Quran, memorize the Quran, understand the Quran, embody the Quran and teach the Quran. May Allah allow us to be in the company of His blessed angels, Ameen.

Mutual Love

2010-04-02T23:54:00.003Z

The Messenger of God (sallallahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Exchange gifts and mutual love arises, shake hands and enmity will fall away"

Ibn Asakir

Holding their hands for a while... their hearts forever. Mother.

2010-03-24T17:57:00.004Z

It is said that under a mothers feet lies paradise. For the months which she held you, in our case held two. She would talk to us and tell us to look after each other. In reality she was the one taking care of us. Allah was Taking care of her. For the hours in labour she faced in pain, and yet for such an assault never did she complain. For the years spent weaning, caring and raising, for us to take our fathers name. Why did she only work part time? So her face we’d see after school, be there rain or shine. For the patience endured during moments of rebellion, for the wisdom which penetrated through any advice given. For the warm hugs, the warm words, the warm smiles, for making me feel like her most loved child...and when there are 4 adult children each claiming to be the most loved, that says something.

In her eyes I see love, my mother.

In her arms I feel protection, my mother.

And under her feet I envisage paradise, my mother.

2010-03-12T22:02:00.001Z

"Men and women are not equal.
They are mutually superior"

-Sidi Moez Masoud

Muhammad ARasool Allah

2010-03-05T22:54:00.004Z

**||**||**||**

(إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا (٥٦

Lo! Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation. (56)

**||**||**||**

“If it was not for his Light, the universe and man, and all things, would be nothing. Yes, certainly such a person is necessary in such a wondrous universe; otherwise the universe and firmaments should not be in existence.”
-Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

Salaamun Salaam

2010-02-14T15:36:00.004Z

".... 'Umayr wished them good day- a salutation of paganism- and the Prophet said: "God hath given us a better greeting that thine, O 'Umayr. It is Peace, the greeting of the people of Paradise"...."

- Muhammad (saws), Martin Lings, p157

Peace be upon Allah's Rasool

2010-02-09T22:32:00.007Z

Back in the summer last year, I wrote a long post about a most amazing mawlid that I had the blessed opportunity of attending. I wrote about a truly heart warming urdu/arabic blend of the Burda, one of the most catching I had ever heard. It was sung with such zest and power and love. Below it is, to get us into the Rabbi Ul Awwal spirit. Get your copies of the Burda shareef at the ready and join in praise of the best of creation!!

***NOTE! - In order to hear with clarity, you can switch the automated nasheed on pause/stop. The player is on the right hand sidebar .... scroll down under the links and under the Barzanji Mawlid link it can be found. Press pause or stop inshallah. ***

Establish Goodness

2010-01-31T12:10:00.003Z

"A Muslim is a universal citizen. Wherever you are able to establish goodness, that should be your place of residence."

-Imam Yasir Fazaga

Life Outlook

2010-01-14T17:19:00.005Z

"It is amazing how people overlook the blessings bestowed on them by the Grace of God and covet what the wealthy enjoy. Had they observed those inferior to them they would have seen the wonderful gifts with which God Blessed them.

More amazing is the fact that they notice those inferior to them in religion, but seldom those who are better than themselves."

-Al Ghazzali, Ihya Ulum Id-Din

True Friendship

2010-01-02T12:11:00.003Z

A friend is not a true friend
unless he protects his friend in three situations:
in his misfortune
in his absence
and at his death

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib

The Moment

2009-12-28T19:45:00.004Z

"And when you look there (in paradise),

you will see a delight and a great dominion.

Their garments will be of fine silk and rich brocade.

They will be adorned with silver bracelets,

and their Lord will give them a purifying drink.

And it will be said; "Verily, this is a reward for you,

your striving has been accepted"

(Al Insaan, Ayah 20-22)

Ashura

2009-12-18T21:15:00.002Z

Muharram has arrived, alhamdulilah.

Below are some reminders taken from Sunnipath

The Day of `Ashura: The Tenth of Muharram

It is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he was asked about fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram]. He said, 'I did not see the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fast a day while more avid to seek its virtue than this day, meaning the Day of `Ashura.
Bukhari and Muslim

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) used to fast this day even in Mecca, though he had not yet ordered others to do so
As mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim.

It has been reported in both Bukhari and Muslim from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him), that, 'When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) reached Medina, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura, so he asked them, 'What is this day you are fasting?' They said, 'This is a tremendous day. Allah saved Musa and his people on this day and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Musa fasted it out of thanks, so we fast it too' The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, 'And we are more deserving of Musa than you are.' So he fasted this day, and ordered that it be fasted.
Bukhari and Muslim

At the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) made the determination not to fast this day alone, but with another day [ either before or after it], in order to be different from the People of the Book.

It has been reported in the Sahih of Imam Muslim (Allah have mercy on him), also from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that, 'When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) fasted the Day of `Ashura and ordered his companions to fast it, they said, 'O Messenger of Allah! This is a day that the Jews and Christians venerate.' So the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said, 'When next year comes if Allah wills we will fast the Ninth [of Muharram with it].' But the next year did not come before the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) passed away.'
Muslim, Abu Dawud

And it is reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad (Allah have mercy on him), from Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, 'Fast the Day of `Ashura and be different from the Jews by fasting a day before it or a day after it.'
Ahmad

Raihan- Ya Nabi Salamun Alaik

2009-12-13T15:44:00.003Z

Mashallah- the real revivers of anasheed to a western audience!

*Note- if you want to stop the automatic nasheed that comes when you come to this page, scroll down and on the right hand bar you will see a 'my mp3 player' gadget type thing. Click the stop button*

2009-12-11T17:53:00.002Z

When He Gives you, He Shows you His Graciousness

When He Withholds from you, He Shows you His Power

-in both He is Making Himself Known to you and Drawing nearer to you the existence of His Kindness

-Ibn Atta'illah

Human Committment

2009-12-08T00:08:00.009Z

" If someone claims to love Allah, but has great difficulty in loving or respecting the human beings around them, then we have a right to be a little suspicious of their claim... The muslim who neglects his or her human committments has forgotten that there will be a day when all the books are opened and does not realise that perhaps their book will record that they failed those whom they should have been loving and helping, when they were really needed by them...."

-For Heavens Sake, Ruqaiyah Waris Maqsood

Subhannallah.

The above reminded me of a talk on marriage by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, and particularly the point he made regarding why marriage is 'half ones faith', I quote from my sad excuse for notes...

" You have to understand that the Deen has two halfs. One half relates to your relationship with Allah, your faith and worship. The key to it is ikhlaas and sincerity. The other half is your dealing and conduct with God's creation. That has a key, the key of which is a good marriage. This has one vital quality, mentioned explicitly by Rasoolullah, 'Deal with people with good character'..."

I am tempted to continue to write up the notes from the fantastic talk, but I do not want to focus, for this post atleast, on marital relationships only. I understand why marriage is 'the key' though, considering it is that base which will pave the way for the future. A strong wholesome marriage, level headed parents, will raise children of adaab, who will seek to serve their fellows, seek to build good character, a live example of which they witnessed in their parents, who lived by what Rasoolullah taught. Inshallah one can hope. It's the circle of life.

Focus on serving those close to you, for now, oh self. For you know not what will weigh heavy on the scales on the Day it matters. Let me repeat oh self, incase you forget...
"The muslim who neglects his or her human committments has forgotten that there will be a day when all the books are opened and does not realise that perhaps their book will record that they failed those whom they should have been loving and helping, when they were really needed by them...."

And actions speak louder than words.

Signs

2009-12-04T22:21:00.003Z

Subhannallah. The creation of The Creator. How wondorous it is!

Simple things deserve attention. Have you ever thought about the grip of the hands? How perfect Allah has made hands and the way in which they fulfil their jobs. Have you ever thought of the job of the thumb? Joint to the fingures but unique it its abilities. And the feet too. These are our life tools. Taking us where we must go from day to day and helping us establish our dreams. Amazing.

It was these thoughts that kept me company on my walk home from University. How super the thought process as well. Able to move from thoughts, able to link various memories and issues, able to appreciate. Amazing.

At home, my family members were watching 'Life' on BBC1. Something to do with killer squid. They were filming deep in the ocean, these remarkable killer squid, with astounding features, huge mouths and a weirdly wonderful nature. Subhannallah. Amazing.

To think, that Allah is the Creator of EVERYTHING. To think, He is the Controller of EVERYTHING. To think. Its simply marvelling. And our minds cant even appreciate 1% of it. For how much to we actually know? Not much of anything. How do we appreciate for that which we dont know, all the secrets the world holds, all its beauty.

"And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith." (45:4)

May Allah allow us to ponder about the vast beauty of His creation and the Greatness of Him, the Creator, May Allah allow us to be among those who have faith, Ameen.

The only certainty of life. Death.

2009-11-29T17:11:00.001Z

In an authentic Hadith reported by Ibn Majah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “In the past I have forbidden you from visiting graves, but now you may do so, for it might remind you of the next world.”

Hajj- The month when the city glows

2009-11-21T20:19:00.012Z

Labayk Allah, Huma Labayk.
It's a journey for Allah that I wanna make.

Bound to the sound when the Hajjis go round,
In the place where we face they put their heads to the ground.
Bowin' in submission with conviction of steel.
It's a feeling of peace, I someday hope I can feel

When the month it comes around, its called the month Dhul-Hij
People come from every place on this planet to do it.
It's the Hajj, is a journey to the house of Allah
Where over two million different people come from near and from far...

By car, and by boat and by plane and by the camel
Some brothers even do it by foot just with a sandal.
But when they arrive and then city just glows.
You'll understand the reasoning why everyone goes

Seeking forgiveness from Allah, in every step that they take
Here I am for my creator, Yah they cry out labayk

Yo! I'm looking forward to the trip ta Hajj!
Going' to Mecca and Madina with the entourage"
Yo! I'm looking forward to the trip ta Haj!
Comin' back like as a haji like Malik al Shabaz.

From Madinah to Musdelifa, sights that you never saw,
Best of all the trips ain't nothing less that I will settle for
Dawn of lhram, where we all put on white,
Putting on the sheets so that we all look alike

Doing tawaf around the Qaba kissin' the black stone if you can,
But you haven't done nothing till you've done Zam-Zam
Gettin' on that bus so you can get to Ararat,
Getting all those pebbles used to stone the Jamarat.

Pacing back and forth between the Saffa and the Marwah
Commemorating what was done for Ishmael by Hagar
Sacrifice a lamb then go ahead and shave your held
Joining in the feasting after all the prayers are said.

Now nothing beats this trip not even Taj Mahal
Cause there's Africans, Indonesians from Egypt and all,
I'm looking forward to this trip I someday hope I can make
Here I am for my creator and when I cry out Labayk !!

10 things that wipe out 10 other things

2009-11-16T16:32:00.003Z

1. Righteousness wipes out evil deeds
2. Pride wipes out knowledge
3. Repentance wipes out sin
4. Lying wipes out livlihood
5. Justice wipes out oppression
6. Grief wipes out life span
7. Charity wipes out calamity
8. Anger wipes out intellect
9. Haughtiness wipes out generosity
10. Backbiting wipes out good deeds

Subhannallah. That above was a real under cover pearl for me. The above I copied from a poster in my room, a poster that was there when I moved into my room, aged 10, and when my older brother probably had the room before me. It was just always there, on the wall, not really paid attention to, as it made up the fabric of my room. When I was young, I never really understood half the words either, so didnt really read it properly. It was only when changing my room lay out when I was a little older that I paid real attention to it. And year by year, as experiences of life increase, each of the ten things make more sense, not just in theory, but in practice. And now, I am forced to pay real attention it it. Subhannallah.

I like how not only does the list warn you to keep away from certain traits if you want to succeed, but also grants you hope through positive characteristics, which if applied will bring benefit. Ahh, mothers and their subtle ways of teaching the good and warning against the evil!

Under cover pearls indeed.

'Revolution of the hearts'

2009-11-10T19:20:00.002Z

Asalamalaikum

Below are some notes taken of Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murads timely reminder about charity and change. He gave the short talk at the Shaam Tour for Orphans, these are a few notes from the London event at Friends House.

"All fasaad is to do the the corosion of the soul. Allah has created all creation to obey Him, except human beings (free will). They are capable of being the highest of all creatures or the lowest, both physically and spiritually. This is the paradox of humans. It is part of the greatness and the tragedy of the human.

If we look at 'doing good', it is overwhelmingly done individually or by organisations. But people who are such are people whose religion is upbeat and whose hearts affect others. They have been brought up to a high decree. "Allah has slaves singled out for discharging the worries of others". This is why out civilisation is distinguished from others.

The Ulema, when they are with those who can help the needy, they are upbeat, with good news, so they give happily to the needy, not because of (feeling pressured from) guilt, as is used by many christians.

Corruption on the earth is not new, but exassperated. The solution must be a classical one --> the restoration of the quality of peoples souls --> so they are refuges for the poor, the widows, the orphans.

The real revolution that is required in this day and age is the illumination of hearts.

The Ummah has tremendous resources, but equal poverty. The solution, is through living holy lives. We need to tuen within, create a revolution within and then Allah will do great things.

There is a culture of blame among us. Rather than pointing the finger of blame on other people, organisation, sects, we have to point the finger of blames at ourselves. "Allah will not change the condition of people until they change themselves".

The revolution required is the revolution of the hearts.

Rather than always talking about guilt factors and sins, seeing beauty in the deen and Allahs attribute of being Arhamurahimeen, are qualities that melt the heart."

Naseeha for students

2009-10-30T21:33:00.003Z

Mashallah, some great advice. May Allah continue to guide us to Him and allow all the students to make right their intentions and work for His cause, with the best of their abilities. Ameen.

Be not decieved...

2009-10-16T10:01:00.005Z

A poet said:

Do you not see how the two ever renewables [day and night]
Wear us out, while we jest in secret and in public?
Trust not this world and its pleasures,
For its homes are not real homes,
And work for your benefit before your death
And be not decieved by the abundance of friends and brothers.

Closer to the Nabi..

2009-10-12T20:04:00.005Z

I found a poem written by a friend, who put into words the exact feeling, i guess, of when one leaves a noble land or noble company, of when one must part after a suhba or rihla or such. I could go on, but I'll let the words below do the talking.

Closer to the Kabaa, closer to the Nabi
But soon I'll be leaving this spiritual retreat

The sunrises, the sunsets and all that past me by,
Spending time with, sitting, facing, people with maqams so high,

The burst of barakah, as I stepped onto the land,
The time between then and now slipped away like quick sand,

Closer to the Companions, close to the awliyah,
But soon i shall be leaving after an inspirational year,

Teachers with knowledge, haals and hearts alive,
Sisters, so special, sincere, ready to strive

Knowledge given from the one who was given through and through,
Sacred opportunities, rare moments of immersion in the truth,

Closer to the heart it was, closer to my soul,
But soon it'll be memories that I willfully hold,

How does one say goodbye? How does move on ones way?
How does one part with treasure that is so rare?

How does one keep hold of the precious pearls that filled the heart?
How does one keep a grasp of those motivational sparks?

Closer to the message, closer to the revelation I was,
And I pray that I'll be able to continue learning, gaining and giving to the cause.

The Reality of Life

2009-10-08T16:11:00.003Z

"The adhan is made in the baby's ear at birth
While the prayer is delayed till death
A sign that life is short
Just like the time between adhan and prayer."

A pearl among pearls, found in the excellent book,
'The Value of Time' by Shaykh Abd' al Fattah Abu Ghuddah

Eid Mubarak

2009-09-20T11:03:00.002Z

A very powerful khutba, given by shaykh Hamza on Eid ul Fitr 2008 is my Eid present to you.

May Allah bless you all with all that is good in this life and the next and guide you to Him, Ameen!

Humility

2009-09-14T20:30:00.001Z

The Envier

2009-09-06T20:05:00.003Z

"By His Wisdom, Allah has made a man's face a mirror which reflects the thoughts that are hidden in his mind and heart. The effects of sickness are seen in the sick man's face, the sorrow of one who is grieving and depressed shows on his face, and the good health of one who is sound is reflected on his face. If a person is happy and content, his hidden thoughts show on his face and through slips of the tongue. If a believer is true and sincere in his faith and humble before the Most Merciful and reads the Quran frequently, that joy and light will show on his face; his nature will be humble and kind and his speech will be polite and noble. The opposite is also true; the effects of an evildoers immortal actions and sin will be reflected in his face and in slips of the tongue, even if he outwordly resembles those who are righteous.

By the same token, the envier who resents the good things that people have and wished that the blessings of Allah be taken away is sick at heart and lacking in faith. No matter how much he tries to conceal what he feels inwardly, he will soon let out the envy that he feels.

The issue of the evil eye includes all people, even those who are righteous if they do not pay attntion to it, whereas envy is only limited to certain people. Hence the envious person has certain characteristics by which he may be distinguished, such as the way he looks and smiles, the expression on his face and the way he speaks. All of that points to what is in his heart. Whatever a person conceals in his heart will inevitably show on his face and through slips of the tongue and in his movements and expressions.

What are the characteristics of the envier?

The envier is always angry at the decrees of Allah.
The envier always complains and rarely thanks Allah, even if he owns the whole world.
He follows up the mistake of the one whom he envies and tries to seek out his faults, and exposes them and exaggerates about them before others.
He conceals or ignores or belittles the good qualities and distinguishing characterisitics of the person whom he envies.
The envier cannot speak in front of the one whom he envies without addressing him in a laughing jocular anner, but deep down he is filled with hatred and resentment which is clear by the way he looks at him
He clearly criticises the one he envies, with or without evidence
He looks for opportunities and makes the most of any chance to harm the one whom he envies.
Finally, the envier is a troubled man, due to the resentment that is always festering in his heart, so depression and dullness show on his face.

Since envy is a serious disease of the heart, diseases of the heart can only be treated with beneficial knowledge. Such knowledge concerning the disease of envy means understanding that envy will harm you in this world as well as being a sin which incurs the wrath of Allah and avoiding envy is one of the means of entering paradise."

-Extract taken from 'The Jinn and Human Sickness' by Dr Abu'l-Mundhir Khaleel ibn Ibraheem Ameen, Maktaba Darusalam.

Subhannallah, I thought it an ample reminder in these noble days, that I be reminded (and remind) of having good character and the importance of looking at oneself and asking Allah for protection of being of such people such as the enviers. Envy is a serious disease which in this day and age doesnt seem to be taken seriously enough. May Allah protect us of being enviers and protect us from being in the company of or the target of such enviers. May Allah allow us to help the Ummah in the best of ways but make discreet our achievments and allow us to humble ourselves for His Sake. Ameen

Al- Fatiha

2009-09-04T19:36:00.003Z

It was narrated by Abu Hurayra, that he heard the Messenger of Allah say,
"Allah has said,
"I have divided the prayer in half between Me and My slave, and my slave will have what he asks for. When he says, 'Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds', Allah says, 'My slave has praised Me!', When he says, 'All Merciful, Most Merciful', Allah says, 'My slave has lauded Me!', When he says, 'Master of the Day of Judgement', Allah says, 'My slave has glorified Me!', or 'My slave has entrusted himself to Me!', When he says, 'You Alone we worship and You Alone we ask for help', Allah says, 'This is between Me and My slave and My slave will have what he asks for.' When he says, 'Guide us on the Straight Path, the Path of those You have Blessed, not of those with anger upon them, nor of those misguided', Allah says, 'This is My slave, and My slave will have what he asks for.'
-Narrated by Muslim

A worldly payoff...

2009-08-28T16:13:00.004Z

Subhannallah. Reciting the sweetest of words comes before eating the sweetest of sweets!

Source: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/08/ramadan_2009.html

Into Ramadhan We Head

2009-08-19T20:44:00.005Z

Ibn Rajab Selection
Translated By Imam Zaid Shakir

In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful

Ibn Rajab, May Allah Have Mercy on him, says in Lata'if al-Ma'arif:

In that Satan has been chained up during the month of Ramadan; and the fires of the carnal lusts have died down due to fasting; and the authority of the soul's vain inclination has been placed in isolation, and power has been turned over to the rule of the intellect, which rules justly; the sinner now has no excuse.

The clouds of heedlessness! Disperse from over the hearts.
The suns of piety and faith! Rise for this new day.
The pages wherein are recorded the deeds of the Fasting people! Elevate yourselves.
The hearts of the fasters! Be filled with humility.
The feet of those exerting themselves strenuously in their devotions! Prostrate to your Lord and bow in humility to Him.
The eyes of those passing the night in prayer! Do not sleep.
The sins of the penitent! Do not return.
The earth of the soul's vain inclinations! Absorb your water.
The sky of the elevated souls! Hold back your rain.
The lightning of longing for the Divine! Shine for the lovers of God.
The intimate thoughts of the Gnostics! Graze in the pastures of Godly bliss.
The aspirations of all who love other than God! May you find no contentment with your imperfect beloved.
Junayd! Be overjoyed.
Shibli! Come quickly.
Rabi'a! Listen carefully.

During these days the tables of Divine Blessings have been spread out for the fasters, and there is no one who has not been invited to the feast. The Almighty says, "O our folk! Respond to the caller of God." Al-Ahqaf: 31

O the lofty spiritual aspirations of the believers! Hasten. Paradise is for one who responds promptly and attains the blessings. Woe unto whomsoever is turned away at the door, and misses the invitation.

May Allah enable us all to respond in the best of ways to the invitation He extends to us during this blessed month, Ameen.

Please remember my family & I in your duas inshallah

The Grand Burdah Night Experience

2009-07-31T00:42:00.013Z

Asalamalaikum.
Below is an account i wrote on a beautiful night last week (30th July 2009), which Allah granted me the ability to attend alhamdulilah.

Subhannallah. It's been a long time since I attended an event afterwhich I was so awe inspired and wanted nothing more than to rush home to undercoverpearls to blog about it and share the jewels. But tonight was the night. Subhannallah.

I attended The Grand Burdah Event. Praising the Beloved Rasool Muhammad (salalahualayhiwasalam) through reciting the Burdah, anasheed and qasidas.

I cannot express to you how I felt on the journey to this event. Being someone who is so so inspired by Mawlids and especially the beautiful Qasida Burdah, being someone who loves such gathering of dhikr, lets just say I was excited alright. And the TomTom helped my anticipation by giving the countdown to how long til we reached our destination much to my brother aka the drivers dismay. Takbir for brothers who accompany their sisters to such events. Allahuakbar.

It was an extraordinary line up alright. A beautiful event on many many levels.

First a short video clip played with quotes from our dear scholars, Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf talking about the magnanamity and universality of the Qasida Burdah Shareef. It was a really thoughtful way to start I thought, with two of the greatest scholars of the western world giving their insights into the Poem. Though not with us in person, their presence was still greatly felt Alhamdulilah.

The stage was brought alive with some heart rendering Quran recitation, afterwhich the 'compere' for the night, Imam Khalid Hussein came and introduced the event with a short description of the Burdah Shareef and how it was written aswell as the importance of praising the Beloved. Mashallah, he was so eloquent and brought some Ba'alawi barakah to the room. He also united the audience in encouraging Salawat, which was a new experience. I have been to many events in my time alhamdulilah, but subhannallah, never to one where the MC recited salawat and expected the audience to complete it! It was beautiful. And the Pakistani styley 'Nareh Risalah- Ya Rasoolullah' was also enthusiastically blasted by the Asians in the room. What does that actually mean? To my (lack of) understanding, is it like saying 'Revelation! Oh Rasoolullah' ....? Im probably wrong. Please someone shed some light =)

Ahbab Al Mustapha opened the night with probably my favourite rendition of the first chapter of the Burdah of all time. Its the first one on their CD, and its just got a quality beat! Absolute quality! Takes you to the desert, takes your imagination to the times of Rasoolullah, takes your heart to a place which yearns to see him, sallalahu alayhi wasalam, takes your thoughts to a place where it never wants to leave. Subhannallah, thats what that rendition by Ahbab Al Mustapha does for me. I guess its done its job alright! They didnt bring their whole gang with them, i think theres many who are part of their crew, but mashallah, those who represented, did so well!! And they are coming out with a new album i heard inshallah!

Mesut Kurtis was the next artist to bless the stage. He came on with such passion mashallah, never stopping his smile for even one moment while on stage, subhannallah. Such love he seemed to hold for the Burdah. May Allah enable us to have such love for this important document of praise for the best of creation! I love listening to the Burda/Salawaat sung in Turkish. The language is so sweet, a bit like Urdu in its wring and tone, and praise and statements depicting love always sound so much better in sweet languages mashallah.

The legend that is Junaid Jamshed followed. Subhannallah, Junaid Jamshed is amazing. Simply, amazing, may Allah grant him continual Tawfeeq and raise his status in both worlds. So sincere. he so yearningly said that we should recite the durood so they hear it in Madina. What a beautiful thought indeed. This wish made me smile. A lot. Just imagine! Subhannallah. I love all Junaid Jamshed's songs, and like i explained above, i do think its to do with the sweetness of the language. Oh, and also having memorized the words to all the songs, made it much easier to join in the Praise of the Beloved!

Khalid Belrouzi came on next, emerging from the right hand side of the stage, where he had been sitting prior, in a silloette like figure, with the Morrocan Jalabiyyahs hood hanging over his face, holding a falling misbaha in his hand. What a creative enterence mashallah. But more than that, the fact that he was sitting in that position throughout the begining and the other performances, led me to think before, even before knowing it was a performer, that subhannallah how much reward that person would be getting for their patience. My brother thought it was a dummy figure as it was quite far away, but I told him that the misbaha was moving! May Allah reward him for his efforts. To my utmost delight, Belrouzi was joined by Idris Philips (performs with Dawud Warnsby) and Hussein (singer for Jamal records). Brother Hussein and Belrouzi did the MOST amazing remix of urdu naat with an arabic qasida, it was really so artistic mashallah, but also one of the more upbeat tunes of the night. Belrouzi was really wrapped up in love and it could be seen in the performance. Amazing mashallah.

After Maghrib Salah and some hardcore fundraising, the Hamami Munshids came into my life. Allahuakbar. Their group was formed under the guidance of Shaykh Samir Al Naas . They were led by Sheikh 'Abdur-Rahman Hammami and they were also the only performance of the night to be playing the daff live, which in my eyes is always the best touch! Nothing beats live beats! Their voices were very powerful mashallah, and they had a great connection with each other. There were 6 of them and each had a solo part, which was especially nice to watch, as they each had their own style of singing, each bringing joy to the heart and salawat to the tongue. Their performance was, in my eyes atleast, breathtaking Mashallah. (In exciting news, I hear Manaqib Productions will be releasing Shaykh Hammami's Album this August! May Allah reward them for this venture mashallah! )

Events such as these and the people who make it happen are a means for us to increase our love for Habibullah and be inspired by others as they encourage dhikrullah and salawatusalam. I do believe it is important not to restrain our thanks to them and also praise them for the gifts which Allah has blessed them with, namely the ability to move souls towards dhikr. I did want to make note that that is my intention when I describe the singers and their stage presence and how i felt during the event.

For the finale, all the performers joined on stage to sing Tala Al Badru Alayna, and the rapour that all the artists have with each other was really inspiring mashallah. Alhamdulilah I have been to many 'nasheed concerts', but this was no way like those. All the singers were caught up in the clouds of love for Rasoolullah and love for the ummah. It was really beautiful to see at the end, when Khalid Belrouzi did a solo and Junaid Jamshed put his kufi on Belrouzis head. Then Shaykh Samir noticed this and put his kufi on Jamsheds head. So as not to leave Mesut Kurtis out, he also gave him something too. The emotions were just so genuine and warm, subhannallah. It must also be noted that being part of such a beautiful, respectful crowd was also an honour mashallah.

At the end Imam Khalid made a special dua for the organizer, one of whose fathers passed away just a few days before the event, May Allah have mercy on his soul. The dua that was made was so moving, subhannallah.

Cloud 9. How does it feel? Well lets say i feel like i'm on it now. Subhannallah. A glimpse of how those who live and breathe dhikr feel on a day to day basis. I feel blessed to be able to catch even a glimpse of this feeling of sukoon and all because I was by Allahs Mercy in such a gathering of remembrance today. With Allahs people. With lovers of the Rasool. Subhannallah.

As long as Allah gives me the ability, I really shall be savouring the memory of tonights illuminating gathering for many years to come.

ps- there are recordings available on youtube if you search, i havent linked them as we were asked not to film and the charity will be puting the event on dvd to sell with money going to the gaza appeal inshallah =)

Allah is Sufficient for us

2009-07-18T20:06:00.005Z

When the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wasalam) and his Companions (radiAllahu anhum) were threatened by the impending attack of the enemy, they said:

"Allah [Alone] is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs [for us]. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty."

[Surah al-Imran; 3:174.]

'Coz your soul is worth it!!

2009-06-17T01:52:00.002Z

On the down and out? Running with no where to go? Need an imanRush? DhikrAllah is the cure. Its effective. Its uplifting. Its rewarding.

Tasbihs. Coz your soul is worth it!!

The Water of Repentance is the Purest Water

2009-06-13T20:30:00.003Z

"Repentance cleanses the heart with the water of tears and the fire of regret which burns in the heart, and with a feeling of humility and tears in the eyes. This is the first step for those who seek a path to Allah, it is the capital of those who are successful and the key to correcting those who have gone astray.

The one who repents prays to Allah and beseeched Him, weeping. When others relax he does not, when others are still, his fear does not rest and the longing of his heart never ceases. He stands before his Lord with a grieving heart and distressed mind, bowing his head and trembling when he remembers how many sins he committed. His grief overwhelms him and tears flow.

He prepares himself to be a winner tomorrow and to shed his worldly load so that he may pass quickly over the bridge of Hell"

-Exerpt from 'You Can Be the Happiest Woman in the World' by Dr A'id Al Qarni, International Islamic Publishing House

Subhannallah, May Allah enable us to be among those who realise our wrongdoing and turn to Him with sincere hearts, Ameen. May Allah continue to guide us to Him and allow us to be with those who pass over the Final bridge with ease, Ameen. May this not merely be another reminder we are affected by for the short while we read and ponder over it, rather, May Allah enable us to actively LIVE this reminder. Ameen

Oh Traveller of the World...

2009-05-19T17:35:00.000Z

Is yours a house of barakah?

2009-05-12T21:34:00.003Z

Have you got Honey, Vinegar and Dates at home? Go check....

A house of Barakah has Vinegar,Dates, Honey!!! ....(among other things of course!) why?

"A household which has vinegar will never suffer from poverty" hadith

"A house without dates has no food." hadith

"For there is no house in which honey is kept for which the angels will not ask for mercy.." hadith

^ read the above on deenport, and found it highly enlightening, so thought to share. subhannallah, the Rasool (saws) taught us so much about every aspect of life. Ya Rabbi Salli Ala Muhammad, Ya Rabbi Salli alayhi wa salam.

Reaffirming

2009-03-28T21:27:00.002Z

“If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.”

-Al Hajj Malik al Shabazz [Malcom X]

Marhabban Marhabban al Rabbi ul Awwal.

2009-02-26T16:37:00.005Z

My Lord, Send Your Mercy upon Muhammad

Your Beloved, The Intercessor, The one whose intercessuion is accepted.