That Hand Shake...

... 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!

Learn from Prophet Ayyub

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 :)

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'.

Concealed in words

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

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

Youth is the time to utilise your time efficiently

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

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

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.

Allah Knows

Subhannallah. Sometimes, a good old nasheed does the trick.

I love nasheeds because their lyrics are to the point, bold and easy to ponder over, subhannallah. They offer food for thought.

Allah knows is one of my favourites, its lyrics are so simple yet so powerful. Every emotion is described, and i listen to it and always ponder over Allahs Knowledge of each thought regarding each aspect of each part of each of our lives. Its amazing.


"...When you feel all alone in this world
And there’s nobody to count your tears
Just remember, no matter where you are
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you carrying a monster load
And you wonder how far you can go
With every step on that road that you take
Allah knows
Allah knows


No matter what, inside or out
There’s one thing of which there’s no doubt
Allah knows
Allah knows
And whatever lies in the heavens and the earth
Every star in this whole universe
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you find that special someone
Feel your whole life has barely begun
You can walk on the moon, shout it to everyone
Allah knows
Allah knows

When you gaze with love in your eyes
Catch a glimpse of paradise
And you see your child take the first breath of life
Allah knows
Allah knows


When you lose someone close to your heart
See your whole world fall apart
And you try to go on but it seems so hard
Allah knows
Allah knows

You see we all have a path to choose
Through the valleys and hills we go
With the ups and the downs, never fret never frown
Allah knows
Allah knows

Every grain of sand,
In every desert land, He knows.
Every shade of palm,
Every closed hand, He knows.
Every sparkling tear,
On every eyelash, He knows.
Every thought I have,
And every word I share, He knows.
Allah knows ....."

This, along with "test" by Native Deen are really my moments of reflection, moments of weakness, fragile state nasheeds which reinvigorate the ideas of Allahs Love again and inspire me. Alhamdulilah.

Materialism

Asalamalaikum.

So recentley, i lost 3 of my favourite possesions. My tasbih [prayer beads], which broke in the college toilets [yes, you can laugh! ...here is the story and be warned, the english is not perfect :look: ] ok when i say recentley, that event was actually about a year ago, but so traumatic its been embedded in my memory.

Last week, i also lost my palestine badge, which for all who know me, is always, always in my possession. Ive been called palestinian so many times because of that badge. I have entered into conversations with so many people, muslim and non muslim, who i wouldnt have if it was not for that badge. Now i miss it.
I also lost my favourite hijab pin, in the whole world. And no it wasnt made by me like the rest of them. It actually did its job. Shucks.

So i was so moped about this, telling my friend about my minute loss, when she stated, twice in the same day, "you are such a materialist you know".

*gasp*

I am not a materialist. atleast i didnt think i was. There are a few possessions of mine, which yes i admit i am frantic over. But notice how they are all related, somehow to the deen. But that made me think about materialsm. Am i materialist? Allow me, what is materialism?

Materialism, according to the dictionary definition is "Interest in and desire for money, possessions etc, rather than spiritual or ethical value". Subhannallah!! Is it a sin to be materialistic? Is there a difference between materialism and merely liking certain things?

Well, i had to sunnipath this one....

Islamically, there is nothing wrong--in of itself--with consumption and
enjoying worldly comforts, as long as this doesn't lead to "worldliness."

The worldliness that the Qur'an and Sunna censure is, as Ibn Ata'illah
states, "That which busies you away from Allah." Thus, when our worldly concerns and consumption become blameworthy when they leads us away from Allah and from pursuing next-worldly benefit.

In this vein, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
explained that it isn't from arrogance or reprehensible conduct to eat well or to dress well. Rather, he stated (Allah bless him and give him peace) that, "Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty."

As for wastefulness, it is defined by the scholars, in light of the
Qur'an and Sunna, as, "Spending beyond considered need or benefit."

And Allah alone gives success.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

So alhamdulilah. Good reminder. So anyways, although i know i try not to be materialistic, i still believe there were some very big lessons to be learnt through the losing of these particular things.

1. The tasbih. - i used to obviously use it for dhikr, but i also used to make a fashion out of putting it round my neck. That stopped sure enough through that experience. It was wrong to use something like that as a fashion statement. Even if i wasnt intentionally seeking attention, it was attracting attention. Big no no.
   
2. Filistine badge. Support of them does come through wearing a badge. yes it does. but duas and sadaqah is the better support. Give directly to the oppressed brothers sisters mother fathers out there. Talk less and act more. Big lesson! Hard lesson!
   
3. Hijab pin. Lesson? Dont run for the bus when your hijab pin is loosening. Coz no, it will not stay on. no matter how much you think it secures your hijab, it can fall out. Good idea yes. Miracle no. And also, tone it down! Hijab = modesty. Not an excuse to dress like a flamingo with glitzy butterflies and hearts popping out of your head.
   
   And the biggest lesson of all? Think about your actions. Even about the actions you dont usually think about, or the ones which are just so part of your schedule, inbedded in your daily living, your being, part of you. Stop and look at yourself for a moment, what you do and why you do it, especially if it is a habit. Is it to be cool? Is it to be accepted? Is it to be noticed? Or is it for the sake of Allah?
   
   If its not for the sake of Allah, then really, its not worth it.

The termination of youth

Asalamalaikum

Subhannallah.

So today, as is usual on my bus journeys to and from college, i see and hear and ponder over many things. Sometimes these thoughts are very random, other times im simply marvelled at the beauty of Allah Ar-Rahman.

So today, i was at the busstop freezing in the typical british weather [ which i love so much]and waiting for the bus. So were this old couple. They were really old, subhannallah, and it was just so beautiful to see them both together, standing by each other, truley companions!! ... If I was cold, and they were 60 something years older than me, i can only imagine how they must have felt.

Then, to propell my thoughts further, a kitted out car went past, blazing and i mean blazing loud obnoxious music. Subhannallah, i dont know what it was, but this moment suddenly made me think of the hadith:

Take advantage of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you become occupied, and your life before your death.

Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas (ra)

I felt sorry that we all had to hear this music, and especially for the old couple who suddenly seemed distressed by it. Subhannallah, this youth finds pleasure in such an activity, but one day, as i was looking to these elders, his youth will be gone, before a flash of his eyes, his enjoyment period will be over, MY youth will be over, and what would i have achieved? To think that this old couple too were young once aswell, subhannallah, it just made me think of life as a whole.

Our lives are going, they are gifts given to us by Allah, He has blesed us with this chance to prove ourselves, and we shouldnt take it as mere play. Who knows when this gift will be taken back, when our lives will end, when we will be called on to answer as to how we spent our lives..?

Inshallah i hope we can all realise Allahs magnificence and His generosity and the temporary status of this world, and May He guide us all to Him Ameen.