Pen Marks

New Blog

2009-07-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Alaykum!

I'm all done alhamdulillah! Here's the new url:

http://www.pen-marks.com

For now I'll be moving my favorite posts from here to there, but it that won't take too long hopefully.

So update your blogrolls and links. I'll keep this blog open though.

Moving...

2009-07-01T13:37:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Ar-rahmaan Ar-raheem,

I know I've been slacking off these days, but I'm back with a new announcement! I'll be moving Pen Marks to a new domain. Inshallah I'll be finished with everything some time this week.

I will post the new address as soon as the site is ready.

Cya then!

Sadiyah

Get some light...

2009-06-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

For the handles of some watches to be able to glow in the dark it is necessary that the watch receives enough light during the day.

Similarly, if we want to glow in the darkness of the grave, if we want to shine of the day of Judgement, if we want to guided by the light of Imaan then it is inevitable that we provide ourselves with this light during our lifetime. It is necessary to prepare for the darkness while there is still light.

Like the saying goes, do not start digging for a well when the fire has commenced. Meaning that it is hopeless and too late to start digging for a well when the fire has broken out; there is no time for that now. Similarly, it will be hopeless to start searching for the light in the grave if we have not prepared luminous acts beforehand.

All men have eyes!

2009-06-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

لسانك لا تذكر به عورة امرئ *** فكلّـك عورات وللناس ألسـن

وعينك إن أبدت إليك معايباً *** فدعها وقل : يا عين للناس أعينُ

Let not your tongue mention the shame of another
For you yourself are covered in shame and all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say: “O my eye! All men have eyes!”

Short Break

2009-06-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

Inshallah I'll be driving with my aunt to the rainy city tomorrow for two or three days (about a two to three hour drive from Portland.) I probably won't be posting untill i get back but inshallah, if I get a chance I'll try to update with a post. I've been to seattly many many times, in summer, fall, winter, and spring. Yet every time we drive over there, it rains - which in my opinion is really cool - but it does ruin our plans many times.

Inshallah pray for a safe (and fun - hopefully) trip.

A mother's heart

2009-06-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

أغرى امرؤ يوماً غلاماً جاهلاً * * * بنقوده كيما ينال به الوطر

One day a man tempted an ignorant boy Using his money, in order to achieve his objective

قال ائتني بفؤاد أمك يا فتى * * * ولك الدراهم والجواهر والدرر

He said, “O young one, bring me the heart of your mother And money, jewels and pearls will be yours!”

فمضى و أغرز خنجراً في صدرها * * * و القلب أخرجه و عاد على الأثر

So he went and plunged a dagger into her chest And took out the heart and returned the way he came

لكنه من فرط سرعته هوى* * * فتدحرج القلب المعفر إذ عثر

But because of his haste, he fell And the dusty heart rolled away as he stumbled

ناداه قلب الأم و هو معفر * * * ولدي حبيبي هل أصابك من ضرر

The heart of his mother called him, and he was covered in dust, “My son! My beloved! Are you hurt?!”

فكأن هذا الصوت رغم حنوه * * * غضب السماء به على الولد انهمر

The voice, although it was so gentle, yet It was like the wrath of the Heavens had fallen on the boy

ودرى فظيع خيانة لم يأتها * * * أحد سواه منذ تاريخ البشر

Thus he understood the enormity of his betrayal that nobody Had committed but him in the history of mankind

فارتد نحو القلب يغسله بما * * * أجرت دموع العين من سيل العبر

So he rushed back to the heart washing it with the tears Of his eyes that flowed from the flood of sorrow

و يقول يا قلب انتقم مني و لا * * * تغفر فإن جريمتي لا تغتفر

And he said, “O heart! Take your revenge from me and do not Forgive, because my crime is unforgiveable.

و إذا غفرت فإنني أقضي * * * انتــحارا مثل من قبلي انتحر

And if you forgive then surely I will kill myself Like those before me who have committed suicide.”

فاستل خنجره ليقتل نفسه * * * طعناً فيبقى عبرة لمن اعتبر

So as he unsheathed his dagger to kill himself, A stabbing that would remain as an example to those who seek lessons,

ناداه قلب الأم كف يداً و لا * * * تذبح فؤادي مرتين على الأثر

The heart of the mother called him saying, “Stop your hand and do not strike my heart twice in succession!”

Prejudice

2009-06-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

If we were to wake up some morning and find that

everyone was the same race, creed and color,

we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon.

George Aiken

No where to run..

2009-06-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

I downloaded a certain app a few days ago. I pretty much loved it. It's basically a database for Dua's and supplications. Last night while i was going through them, I found one very very short Dua that melted my heart. Its just beautiful in its power and simplicity, and I am sure it can break the hardest heart down...

لا ملجأ منك إلا إليك
لا ملجأ منك إلا إليك
لا ملجأ منك إلا إليك

There is no sanctuary from You except to You
There is no sanctuary from You except to You
There is no sanctuary from You except to You

Abu Bakr

2009-06-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

I've made up my mind of who's my favorite Qari. Before, I couldn't decide between Shuraim and Ghamidi, but now I have a new favorite.....

Abu Bark Ash-Shatery!

He is simply, mashallah, amazing! There's something about his recitation that just fills you up with a love for Quran and makes you want to listen to that surah over and over and over again.

Isn't it nice?

A Change?

2009-06-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

I think my blog needs a change of looks, yet I'm hesitant... and a bit lazy. What do you think? Should i change the layout? Yes? No? Maybe?

Just 3

2009-06-09T15:35:00.001-07:00

Just 3 more days of school! I'm so relieved, its like a heavy burden was taken off my back Alhamdulillah. Now I'm really looking foward to summer break.

Another thing, I just bought a 8 GB iPod touch, 2nd generation on Saturday. I would've preferred the iPhone more but this one is pretty cool too. I spent the entire weekend downloading apps and putting mp3's and videos on it.

(PS. I just noticed the number of followers on my blog is 9 now. Kool.)

My first Tag

2009-06-05T12:51:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Ar-rahman Ar-raheem,

Let's see, I've been tagged by CooL Muslimah, lol my first one since starting this blog,

1. Do you think you are hot?
The weather is pretty cold today actually.

2.upload your favorite picture of you?
Here? No thanks lol

3.why do you like nature?
Nature is beautiful if you take out the insects and other critters. Its part of Allah's creation and its a means aof reflection.

4.when was the last time you ate pizza?
Yesterday

5.The last song you were listening to......?
Nasheed by Abu Ali last night called Tamanna

6.What are you doing right now besides this?
I'm suppose to be studying, besides that i'm eating.

7.What name would you prefer besides yours?
Layal or Aisha

8.people to tag:
Noor

Asmi

9.who is no.1?
My mom

10.no.3 is having a relationship with?
No one

11.Say something about your best friend?
She's changing. (in a good, no great way)

12.how about your enemy?
He's getting pretty stubborn *frowns*

13.who is the best person in the world?

Muhammed (PBUH)

Severe Thunderstorm

2009-06-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

It rained really hard today. They called it a 'severe thunderstorm' on the news and were making a big deal out of it, but I really liked it. It had been scorching hot the past few weeks so the rain came as a relief, alhamdulillah. It also put me in a mood to write so I modified my story that I’m working on.

Alhamudulillah for the rain.

Secrets - Prologue -

2009-06-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

- Prologue -

Adam inserted the key that the Residential Life Manager had given him into the door’s lock. The manager had told him that he would be sharing his room with two new students. Adam went inside and saw some shoes on the rack. “I think they’re probably here by now.” Adam thought out loud and walked into the living room. “Hey… what on earth?!” He took a step back startled by what he saw. Two boys about his age were in the living room both with their foreheads touching the floor. They had small green colored mats under them. Adam watched them as they rose up and down at the same time. He noticed how calm and soothed they looked. When they finished they both stood up and one of them took away the rugs.

“What were you doing?” Adam asked in a state of shock. He had never seen anyone do such movements before.
“You must be Adam.” One of the boys grinned. “I’m Muhammed, and this is my cousin Nuradeen.” The other boy nodded at Adam as a form of greeting. “We were praying.” Muhammed went on.

Oh that, Adam thought. Praying. He had heard enough about religion from his parents. “Oh.” He replied nonchalantly and hurried to the room to change.
The next morning he woke up to find breakfast on the table.
“Good morning.” Muhammed seemed cheerful.
“Good morning.” Adam replied sleepily. They ate in silence for some time.
“So… what are you guys?” Adam found himself asking.
“Hmm? What do you mean?” Muhammed raised one eyebrow and turned his head a few degrees questioningly.
“You know, with that prayer and all.”
“Muslims.” Was the reply.
“So because you’re Muslims, you have to wake up at 4 AM to pray everyday?” Adam asked. He had been awakened this morning to the cousins’ prayer. He was shocked that anyone would wake up that early just to pray.
“We pray five times everyday. Fajr, the morning prayer is just one of them.”
“What about the call you were making?” He asked Nuradeen.
“It’s called the Adhaan; it’s a call to prayer.” Nuradeen answered as he sipped his morning coffee. They were quite for a moment.
“So you guys pray to that guy?” Adam asked breaking the silence.
“Guy?” The two cousins asked simultaneously.
“Yeah, he has the same name as you.” Adam nodded towards Muhammed.
“Muhammed, peace be upon him was only a Prophet just like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. We don’t pray to prophets. We pray to God.” it was Muhammed who corrected him.
“Jesus wasn’t a Prophet, and neither was Muhammed.” Adam argued.
“Who said that?” Muhammed asked with challenge in his voice.
“What?” Aaron asked slightly caught off guard.
“They were both Prophets from God. And they were both given the same message.”
“What proof do you have for that Muhammed was a Prophet?” Adam surprised himself with his question.

“Listen, in this argument, there can be only two possibilities. First, that Muhammed peace be upon him, was a prophet from God, or second, that he was an apostate, a false prophet. Agreed?” Muhammed asked him. Adam nodded in reply.
“So using what we know of his teachings, sayings, and acts, we can conclude is he’s real or not. First, let’s look at the environment which he was in.” Muhammed stood up to get a pen and paper. “He lived in Makkah, with the highest tribe when it comes to status. If he was going to pretend to be a prophet, he knew he would be challenging their gods, idols, honor, and status. So he has to have a motive because he could get mocked, expelled, or even killed. So what could his motive have been?” It took a few seconds for Adam to realize the last question had been addressed for him to answer.
“Money?” He asked indifferently.
“Money? It can’t be.” Nuradeen spoke up as he stood to take the empty dishes to the kitchen.
“Why not?” Adam asked surprised by Nuradeen’s confidence.
“When his tribe couldn’t take it anymore, they offered that they would make him their kind and give him all the power, wealth, and women he asked for in exchange for him to stop preaching. But…” Nuradeen placed the plates in the sink and came back, “but, he refused. So you can remove wealth, power, fame, and women from your list.” He sat back into him chair.
“Maybe he was crazy or had mental problems?” Only after the words left his mouth did Adam realize how silly they sounded, but they didn’t show any reactions.
“You only have to look at that from one angle, and you can cross that out.” Muhammed reached for a book that was on a small stand. Adam had seen him and Nuradeen reading from it that morning. “The Quran was sent down in a period of twenty-three years, yet it never contradicts itself and it remains consistent. If we assume that he was the one who wrote it, then he couldn’t have been crazy or with any mental problems, because this kind of thing,” he said as he pointed to the book “isn’t and can’t be the works of a crazy or mentally challenged person.”
Adam felt like he was being attacked. Muhammed was so confident with himself that it scared him. What was it that was giving him that self assurance? He didn’t know, but he did know that he had to get away from that table if he feared for his beliefs.
“I have a class I have to get to.” He excused himself while knowing that he didn’t have any classes for another hour.
“Ok, we can finish our conversation later.” Muhammed grinned. Adam only slightly nodded, but he knew that he didn’t want to have another conversation like that one ever again.

Adam leaned against the kitchen counter with a cup in hand, and although he didn’t want it to be, his mind set on the first conversation he had had with his roommates. It had been a month since that conversation. Adam’s interest and curiosity had risen and grown uncontrollable and despite his disinterest for religion, he had read dozens of books on Islam. He lifted his teacup to his lips. The moist steam from the teacup momentarily warmed his face. He stared hard at the box of books that sat on the table. He had asked Nuradeen for some books on Islam and he had given him a box full. Now that he was finished he had to return them.

Sipping the last bit of the tea, he washed the cup and went to the room to lie down on his unmade bed. Adam was pleasantly surprised that he had read them all, but his mind wished that he hadn’t. All his beliefs, everything he had believed in were crushed. All the doubt he had of Islam were not there anymore. He had read everything he could about it, from the prayer to the fasting. All doubts had disappeared, yet he longed for them. He wasn’t ready to submit or at least that’s what he thought. The truth was that his mind had already submitted, had already accepted Islam to be the right religion, the right way, but he was not ready to face the truth, not yet.

“Why me?” He thought. Why did he have to know the truth? He didn’t want to live knowing that he was turning away from the ‘truth’. Not then, maybe when he turned old, sixty, even seventy maybe, but now as a college student. He wouldn’t be able to handle all that stress. What would his parents say? Adam shivered the thought of his parents finding out that he had become a Muslim. He sighed and turned on his bed as he heard the door open and close.

“Are you awake?” Hearing Nuradeen’s voice, he sat up.
“No. Do you need something?” Adam asked.
“Just wondering if you wanted to go somewhere with me.” He remarked as he took a gray colored sweater from the closet.
“Somewhere?” Adam asked surprised.
“There’s a lecture at the local Masjid, I thought you might want to come and listen.”
“Ok.” Adam replied hesitantly.
“Chill, it’s not that scary.” Nuradeen chuckled as he took a turn.
“I’m not scared.” Adam stated even though he knew he was very nervous.
“You look like it.”
“I’ve never been in a Mosque before.” Adam changed the subject.
“It’s ok. It’s just an hour long lecture followed by a questions and answer session. We’ll be sitting down on the floor, no chairs except for the old men and the guys with back or leg problems.”
“Will you guys be praying?”
“No, Maghrib isn’t for another three hours, but you’ll see that people will be praying two units of voluntary prayer when they enter. It’s a practice of the Prophet to pray when you enter the Masjid.”

Adam entered with Nuradeen. There were shoes all around the shoe shelf. Following Nuradeen, he placed his sneakers on a higher shelf and entered with his socks and sat down as Nuradeen prayed. There were many people already there ready to listen. He looked around at the different faces of different colors and races sit together. Men old and young spoke to each other. They seemed like one big family. A part of Adam longed and wanted to be part of them.

“Bismillah Ar-rahmaan Ar-Raheem,” The strange words echoed through the building. Adam turned to the origin of the voice. He was a man with a long dark beard with a little white here and there. His voice had a slight Middle Eastern accent but he spoke strongly and clearly. Nuradeen had told him that he was called the Imam, but his name was Rashid. Adam listened to him intently.

“You ok?” Nuradeen asked later. Adam wiped away the tears that were falling. The Imam’s words were ringing in his ears. “If you don’t submit now, when will you? Next year? Next decade? How do you know that you’ll be still living, walking, and talking by then? You don’t know. That is why, that is why there is no time better than the present. Don’t put anything off to later.”

“Nuradeen?” He looked up. Most of the people had left.
“Yeah?”
“There is no time better than the present. I won’t put it off any more. I want to, I want to become Muslim.” His voice shook.
Nuradeen smiled. “Now?” Adam nodded.

He followed Nuradeen to the front of the room where the Imam was talking to someone, Muhammed. They both turned to us.
“Imam, this is Adam. He wants to take the shahadah.”

Except Allah

2009-06-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Ar-rahman Ar-raheem

"And if Allah touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, there is none who can keep back His favour; He brings it to whom He pleases of His servants; And He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

- Qur'an, surah Yunus; 10:107

Nobody Can Remove Hurt Except Allah.

Even if someone tries to cause you any hurt, stay firm in your belief and remember that no one can cause you any pain if Allah does not desire it for you .

It's been a while...

2009-06-02T15:39:00.000-07:00

...more than two weeks actually since i posted. I've been getting quite a lot of comments lately alhamdulillah and i thought i should keep up with the blog world and start posting regularly again.

It's funny how quickly May passed by, it's already June and I don't think I was ready for a new month. Glancing at my planner I have too many things to do this week and also the next. But with school finishing soon, inshallah I'll have more time to do better things than worry about all my appoinments and scheduled events.

I also got my hands on Anwar Awlaki's Hereafter series thanks to a close friend of mine. I can't wait to listen to them.

A Road not Taken

2009-05-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Ar-rahmaan Ar-raheem..

I never did decide on my favorite poet seeing that there are so many, but if I had to make a top five list, Robert Frost would deffenitly be on that list.

It's strange how another's words can often express one's own experience so well that it is as if one had written them!

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood,and I
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

A Routine

2009-05-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

This action of sheer glory,
this routine of pure delight.
Allows the soul to rest in ease
as it sleeps throughout the night.

And when the ignorant insult their own
knowledge when they call us filth and dirt,
It really doesn't matter what they think,
so long no one else gets hurt.

And when we stand as equals,
rows of prayers known as Salah,
Wudu, it keeps us presentable
during our meeting with Allah.

Pain or no pain?

2009-05-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

I still remember something that my favorite Shaykh, Muhammed Al-Aryfy said in one of his lectures. He said “Sometimes, Allah (swt) has to put us through pain so that we return to him." I was just thinking that subhan Allah we are so heedless that unless He subhanahu wa ta’ala puts us through a difficulty or calamity we wont return to HIm.

And I honestly fear that, because I don’t wish for a huge calamity to befall before I “wake up” and realize what this life is about. Knowing this I don’t know what still prevents me or hinders me from returning or coming closer to Allah. Why am I not awake? The eyes have been dry for too long and I’m just frustrated with myself. But I know nothing happens over night. We are so used to having things done in an instant rather than making an effort and working towards it and being patient. Nothing happens over night and we must strive for the love of Allah because this is something very precious. This is the love of Allah, not a human. We try so hard to earn the love of people that we respect and honor and we are so afraid to be rejected by them. But what about the love of Allah, our Creator, Sustainer, Nourisher? We stand before Him 5 times a day but even during that time, during this personal time, our thoughts wander about the affairs of this world.

Your salah, your prayer, truly shows what type of person you are, what you are concerned with, what you spend your time on. You want a picture of your self, look to your salah- you will find it, the real you.

May Allah (swt) help us to see what this life is truly about and help us to work towards the hereafter. Ameen

Reminders for...me

2009-05-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

Bismillah….

I’ve posted a lot of posts advising others on different matters of the deen and etc. And I just wanted to dedicate this post reminding myself that I am in most need of the advice I give and I need to apply it first and foremost. I need to work on everything I post. The reminders and advice is for me to look back on and apply. So with that being said, I ask Allah (swt) to help me and all of us follow and implement the haqq when it becomes clear to us and to protect us from preaching and advising what we don’t practice ourselves. Ameen thuma Ameen.
We don’t wish to be hypocrites and we don’t wish to have any characteristic of theres. May Allah protect us and make us amongst the true believers

My goal....crushed...

2009-05-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

Remember this post? On May 11 2009, one person finally decided to stand in my way and stop no rather crush that goal.

That person was very stubborn

Immovable

That person was....

....me.

...and he died!

2009-05-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ash`ab was about to relate a story to a ruler, and he began: “There was a man…” But at that point he noticed a tray of food being brought to them. He paused as he was staring at the tasty food. The ruler said, “Yes…and then?” Ash`ab said, “And he died!”

lol

Tripping & Falling

2009-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Not every failure is the end. While walking down a path, someone may fall over a stick, a branch of a tree, their untied shoelace, or whatever; but that path beneath their feet does not disappear. It is still there for them to get up…dust themselves off and move on…that is, ofcourse, if they want to. If they want to just sit there, crying because they fell, there is noway that that person would have a bright welcome at the end of the journey. I mean, for starters, the person would not even finish would they?

And it feels really good, when you finally accept the facts about life that are there to trip you and you avoid them as best as you can. And if you do fall then just get up and you have trust in Allah in every matter and don't give up!

True Brotherhood

2009-05-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

On the day of the battle of Yarmuk, I went out to find my uncle on the battlefield, and I had with me a container of water. I said to myself that he had some life left in him, then I would quench his thirst with the water and wash the dirt from his face. Suddenly, I came across him, and he was going in and out of conciousness. I asked him: “Do you want me to give you some water?” so, he nodded his head. Suddenly, he heard another wounded man in the distance calling out in pain. So, my uncle motioned for me to go tend to him. I went to him and saw that he was Hisham, the brother of ‘Amr bin al-’As. I came to him and asked if he wanted me to give him some water, and suddenly, we heard the sound of another man calling out in the distance in pain. So, he motioned for me to go tend to him. I came to him to find that he had already died. So, I went back to tend to Hisham only to find that he had died as well. Then, I went back to tend to my uncle only to find that he, too, had died.” So none of them, in their love for others had died without quenching their thirst. Such a proof of sacrifice and brotherhood is unparalleled in human history.

This incident was reported by ‘Abdullah bin al-Mubarak in ‘az-Zuhd’ (1/185), Ibn Hajar in ‘al-Isabah’ (7/34), and also in Ibn al-Mubarak’s ‘al-Jihad’ (1/100) by way of Abu al-Jahm bin Hudhayfah al-’Adawi, by way of ‘Umar bin Sa’id. The muhaqqiq of ‘al-Jihad’ mentions that the chain’s narrators are all trustworthy, and Allah Knows best

Who wants Swine Flu?

2009-05-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

Who wants Swine Flu?

The answer is no one, so avoid people and places that are affected by the virus.

The next obvious question is: Who wants Hell Fire?

Take Precautions Now!

Oink oink

2009-05-07T09:05:00.000-07:00

Allah says in the Quran,

"Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah." [Al-Qur’an 5:3]

Subhanallah. Looking at the news and all these reports about the Swine Flu, it just makes you stop and reflect. There are somethings Allah orders us to do or obstain from, and we may not know th reason but we obey. But subhanallah sometimes things happen in life that make you think how great Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is.

People

2009-05-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

A (very very very vey wise) Poet once said,

لاَ تَعْمَلْ للِنَّاسِ شَيْئاً

وَ لاَ تَتْرُكْ لَهُمْ شَيْئاً

“Don’t do anything for the sake of people!

And don’t leave anything because of them!”

Recordings of the Tafseer Classes

2009-05-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Recordings of the Tafseer Classes

By: Nouman Ali

Surah Al-Naba: (Being Edited For Sound Quality)

Surah Al-Naziat: Part 1 Part 2

Surah Abasa: Part 1 Part 2

Surah Al-Takwir: Part 1 Part 2

Surah Al-Infitar: Part 1 Part 2

Surah Al-Mutaffifeen: Part 1 Part 2

There are days

2009-05-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

There are days..

Written last year with a certain friend in mind :)

There are days when bubbling from us comes the innocent child within,
who giggles at the little things and wears a silly grin.

There are days when joy grabs a hold of you and me
wraps us up in all its splendor, lifts us up and sets us free.

There are days when sorrow wraps us in its cloak of grief and fear,
'till our hearts ache to the breaking, 'till our eyes can't shed a tear.

There are days when love bestows us with its wonderment and light;
with its beauty and its mystery, its power and its might.

There are days when rewards us and seems to make amends
by granting us a marvelous gift, the precious gift of friends.

There are days when ilm calls to us as we sit collectively
And share the knowledge that Allah bestowed to you and me

There are days when all we can do is raise our hands together
And thank Allah for letting us be with each other

Jewels

2009-05-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Taabi'ee 'Ataa bin Abee Rabah رحمة الله عليه advised the king of his time Hishâm bin abd al-Malik with the following jewels..

...أتق الله في نفسك
...وأعلم أنك خلقت وحدك
...وتموت وحدك
...وتحشر وحدك
وتحاسب وحدك

Fear Allâh in regards to yourself,
Know that you were created alone...
...And that you will die alone,
Be resurrected alone....
.....And taken into account alone

Today...Tomorrow...

2009-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

If the future looms then the past lingers. It’s all there, a part of me I leave behind. Whether it be on the blog, on forums I’ve participated in, things I’ve said to people, my moments of anger, my moments of passion, my grade 4 report card. It is all there, a part of me that has happened.

But the past is gone. I cannot change it, I cannot control it. It has happened and that is that. I don’t have full control over the future, but the future does offer an illusion of control.

So yes, the future, it scares me. How can any one with certainty say “tomorrow” or “next year”? “Next year” is even scarier than “tomorrow” because there are hundreds of “tomorrows” within a “next year”.

“Oh, I missed the event? I’ll go next year.”
“Let’s meet up next week.”
“I’ll do it tomorrow.”

How can one be so certain? I certainly cannot.

I suppose this is why we say “inshallah”. An insurance of sorts, or recognition of the certainty we’ve uttered but by ourselves cannot afford. Saying inshallah has now become a second nature for me. Often I'll find myself saying it or typing it when it's not even needed.

So, today is an opportunity, tomorrow is a privilege.

Quran Competition - Ilmination Finale

2009-05-01T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Finale Has Arrived!

Saturday
May 2, 2009

6:00 pm EST
5:00 pm CST
4:00 pm MST
3:00 pm PST
** 11:00 pm BST **(UK)

*** 4 Qabeelahs Compete ***

Durbah...

Hayl...

Mass...

Tayybah...

www.ilmination.com

Tafseer Classes!

2009-04-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

Bismillah ar-rahmaan ar-raheem,

Nouman Ali Khan of Bayyinah Institute is holding tafseer classes of Juz Ammah every Wednesday night! Search for his videos on Youtube, they're simply amazing mashallah!

Here's the link for his tafseer classes http://www.bayyinah.com/dream/

The next one will be on the 6th of May, 8:30 PM Eastern Time, 5:30 PM Pacific time.

Don't miss them!

2009-04-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Bismillah..

I glanced at my planner today and saw that there's only 7 more weeks of school. At first I nearly panicked with all the work i have undone and have to finish by May, but that feeling left after realizing that I would have three months of free-time. (unless my parents enroll me into the American school which starts in summer)

I have 8 more Surah's to finish the Quran, and I'm starting to doubt that I will be able to finish by the end of summer (My dad promised to take me to Hajj if I did) but at the pase that I'm going right now, I'll be lucky if I finish half of what I have left..

Inshallah khair...

Silver/Gold

2009-04-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

اذا كان الكلام من فضة فالسكوت من ذهب

If speech is from silver, then silence is from gold/is golden.

I rather gold then silver.

I rather keep quite then suffer

Because every time that I utter

I will be questioned about every single letter

-By me

CAN'T WAIT!

2009-04-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

Kamal's Joke

2009-04-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

I love his scense of humor lol.

Records

2009-04-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

(Allah said,

`If my slave intends to perform a good deed, then record it for him as one good deed; if he performs it, then record it for him multiplied ten folds. If he intends to commit an evil act but did not commit it, then record it for him as one good deed, if he left it for My sake. But if he commits it, then write it as one evil deed.')

[recorded in Bukhari & Muslim]

So from the hadith above - we can say this:

intention of a good deed = 1 good deed recorded.

intention + act of doing good = 10 to 700 (or many times over) good deeds recorded.

intention to do bad, but doesn't do it = 1 good deed.

intention to do bad, and does it = 1 bad deed.

PROCRASTINATION and LAZINESS

2009-04-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

How do you determine who is a lazy person? Perhaps the best way is determining if he woke up for Fajr Salaat or not. If a person can manage to overcome the first hurdle in his day, he will be able to overcome all others. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "During your sleep, Satan ties three knots at the back of your necks. He whispers the following into them: The night is long so keep on sleeping. If the person wakes and praises Allah, then one of the knots is unfastened. And if he performs ablution, the second knot is unfastened. When he prays, all of the knots are unfastened. After that he will be energetic and happy in the morning. Otherwise he would get up listless and grouchy." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Imam al-Bukhari also records that our Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about a man who sleeps until the morning comes, that is, after the time of the dawn prayer. He said: "That is a man whom Satan has urinated into his two ears."

Procrastination and laziness are two of Shaytan's strongest strategies to stop us from performing good deeds. It is necessary for the wise person to take matters into his/her own hand and harness his/her energy in a positive way everyday. The person who breaks the back of Shaytan in the start of the day will not just pass his time day dreaming and in mindless pursuits, he will make sure that every second of his time is spent fruitfully. In summer, Fajr is a lot earlier so we struggle to get up, but our struggle could gain us more reward. So let us break the back of Shaytan and kick-start our day with Salaat!

Update!

2009-04-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Alaykum,

I haven't updated in a while...

Yesterdays Bazaar was amazing! We raised a lot of money for our Youth group just by selling CDs, DVDs and books =)

My dad bought a laptop from this guy who was selling it, and he gave it to me. Its an HP Pavilion zv600. It's kinda big with a 15' widescreen but i like it (except that its missing two keys). I'll have to get them fixed inshallah.

For any portlanders who read this, there's a meeting later today at 1:30 right after Duhr!

My Goal

2009-04-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

My goal is HUGE
And nothing can stand in its way inshaAllah.

If you can’t conquer yourself you can’t conquer anything.
Shaykh Muhammad IbnFaqih

Imam Siraaj

2009-04-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Imam Siraaj once said a brother came up to him and said "Imam we love listening to you, your great, you recharge our batteries"

Imam Siraj replied, 'Alhamdulliah that is good, ... but I'd rather fix your alternator then giving you a quick charge and die out. We dont speak to be listened to for a quick charge and then the people continue as they were... and when that charge goes down the people go for another "recharge" by going to another lecture... '

He said:

'I'd rather inspire a change in you that will keep you focusing on this religion then relying on people to give talks to motivate you. We should be motivated just because we have the greatest religion and the promise of Allah that we will be successful if we follow his law.'

He is someone you will remember even if you listen to him only once...baraka Allahu feeh

Ramadaan!

2009-04-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Alaykum,

Last saturday as we worked on the bulletin board, i read a a short article on how the Sahabah would ready themselves for Ramadan six months before it started. Then they would spend the six months that follow it in sincere Dua, asking Allah to accept their fast. Well Ramadan is going to be knocking on our doors again in five months inshallah.

Just now i read a post on this blog on how to get ready for Ramadan..

1) Become timely with all five of our daily prayers, and focus our hearts in our prayers.

2) Read more of the Quran each day.

3) Listen attentively to the recitation of the Quran.

4) Learn more about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his way, his life, etc. and send more greetings to him, sallalLaahu 'alayhi wa salam.

5) Participate in wholesome community activities.

6) Listen to lectures (these are easily available online) or attend classes regarding Islamic matters as a way to inspire us to improve.

7) Find ways to express compassion to loved ones, colleagues, and those who we surround ourselves with.

8) Attempt voluntary fasts, perhaps three times a month (on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month) or on each Monday and Thursday - both of which were practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a shaykh once said, "sawm nurtures taqwa" (fasting nurtures God consciousness).

9) Work on improving our character, rectifying our errors, and repenting for our sins.

10) Work on developing a relationship with Allah, a relationship that we are all responsible for developing ourselves. Whatever you consider beautiful and necessary in a relationship, even complaining, take it to Allah.

11) Make a sincere effort to reflect on the bounties, blessings, and signs of Allah in all aspects of our existence.

12) And if we cannot do any of that, then perhaps we can at least try to grasp the essence of our deen again.

Music

2009-04-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem,

Some quotes from Kamal el-Makki's lecture, The End of Music

"Halal things usually have good or positive discriptions, and they are surrounded with good things. Likewise, Haraam things are surrounded by things that are haraam, not permissible, or generally bad. When people gather around music, that gathering usually contains alcohol, intermingling, or other wrong things. Also you won't find the 'good' people in the gathering. People like the Imaams or shuyookh."

"The feeling you get from Music does not bring you any closer to Allah."

"Music and Quran cannot exist in the same heart simultaneously."

"Which is better for you and strengthens your Imaan and connection with Allah, Quran or Music?"

"Music opens the doors to evil."

"Wich one does Allah love more? Music or Quran? Quran! So why don't you love what Allah loves?"

"The arabs call singers, 'fanaan'. The origin of the name is 'striped donkey'. When the righteous people first saw these people they gave them a befitting name, donkeys."

"Music wastes your time."

"Music diverts you away from the dhikr of Allah."

The Pope and The Rabbi

2009-04-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

No comment lol, just read =)

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He’d have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they’d have to convert or leave. The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a ’silent’ debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite each other.
The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. The rabbi looked back and raised one finger. Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head. The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat. The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. The rabbi pulled out an apple. With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the rabbi was too clever.

The Jews could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened. The Pope said, ‘First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs.

‘Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us.

‘I pulled out the wine and water to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.

‘He bested me at every move and I could not continue.’

Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he’d won.
‘I haven’t a clue’ the rabbi said. ‘First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. ‘Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here.’

‘And then what?’ asked a woman.
‘Who knows?’ said the rabbi. ‘He took out his lunch so I took out mine.’

Help Imam Siraj Wahaj

2009-04-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

Zero Dude

2009-04-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

“A man is like a zero. His true value is based on where he places himself, before or after a number.” - Sh. Waleed Basyouni

Someone once said...

2009-04-06T09:31:00.001-07:00

“If A = success, then the formula is A = X + Y + Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut”

Death isn't for the Dead

2009-04-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

I remember one of my teachers commenting that death isn’t for the dead. It’s a reminder for the living. Funny how we take everything for granted. Funny how we can live days and not think about death. Sometimes we just need a reminder to slap us back into reality... 'Every Soul shall taste death'

*sigh*

And sorry for the completely random picture.

A Corrupted Soul…

2009-04-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Al-Shams (The Sun)
Chapter 91: Verse 10

“And he fails who corrupts it.”

A Corrupted Soul…

The Arabic word al-khaibah has many aspects to it, including:

1) weakness in one’s soul, as the soul does not have the strength and courage to follow what it knows is the truth;

2) hesitation and confusion as every time it wants to do good, the soul drags it back down and fights it;

3) true psychological humiliation as he is worshipping something that has no benefit to it and it is not worthy of a human being to be worshipping something of that nature;

4) cowardice and stinginess as his soul knows that he is disobeying his Lord and he cannot look forward to anything positive; hence, he has to hang on to his life and everything that he possesses in the strongest fashion;

5) loss of modesty and dignity as his soul drives him to do shameless acts to the point that he accepts them, supports them and loses all shame concerning them.

This is all part of the reality that happens to him in this world. And that is all much less than the disgrace that he will face in the Hereafter.

“Purification of the Soul: Concept, Process and Means” - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 478, 475

How to give Shahadah in 10 min

2009-04-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

An 8 Year old..

2009-04-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

A story of an eight-year old:

“One of the hadith scholars that Imam Bukhari took from, Hisham ibn Ammar narrates a story that happened to him when he was 8 years old. He says, “My father sold a house of his for 20 Deenaars so that I could go for Hajj (and study Islam). When I arrived in Madinah, I went to the circle of Imam Maalik. He was sitting amongst his students like a king. People would ask him questions and he would answer. When I entered the crowd and my turn came up I said, ‘Haddithnee (recite to me)!’ He said, ‘Rather you read.’ I said, ‘No, you haddithnee!’ Imam Maalik said, ‘No you read!’ When I talked back and argued, he got angry and said to another student, go with this boy outside and smack him 15 times!’ That student took me outside and smacked me 15 times with a stick and then brought me back to Imam Maalik. I said, ‘you have Dhulm (wronged) me! My father sold his house so that I could come to you and be honored by listening to your teaching and seek knowledge from you. And you smacked me 15 times without any crime on my part, I shall not forgive you!’ Imam Maalik then said, ‘What is the expiation for this Dhulm (wronging)?’ I said, ‘You have to recite 15 hadiths to me, that is the expiation.’ So Imam Maalik began reciting the hadith to me until he completed 15. When he ended I told him, ‘beat me more and read more hadith to me.” Imam Maalik laughed and said, ‘be off.’ – From the book Ma’rifat Al-Qurraa’ al-Kibaar by Imam Adh-Dhahabi.”

When Abu Bakr and Umar Nearly Lost Everything

2009-04-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

The Prophet, sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was once sitting with his companions when they were approached by some horsemen as delegates from the tribe of Banu Tamim. As with any tribe coming to accept Islam, the Prophet wanted to select a leader for them. Naturally, recommendations for the man best fit for this job came from his closest companions, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them.

Abu Bakr recommended that the Prophet make al-Qa‘qa‘ ibn Ma‘bad, member of Banu Mujāshi‘, take the position. ‘Umar disagreed, suggesting that the Messenger of Allah instead choose a man named Al-Aqra‘ ibn Habis.1 Disagreement between the two turned to debate, debating turned to arguing, and soon the two began raising their voices so loud, they drowned out the voice of the Prophet.

Just then, Allah revealed the following verse to the Prophet, sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

Believers, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not.

This story gives us a handful of lessons from the revelation of just one verse.

Respect The Prophet (SAW) by Not Speaking Above Him and His Way

Allah was telling both Abu Bakr and ‘Umar that what they were doing was uncalled for. When one speaks near the Prophet, they can’t speak louder than him, out of respect and reverence for the man who is the messenger of God himself.3

This command from Allah goes beyond mere volume. When issues arise in matters of the Sunnah, we can’t speak out over or against it. As Ibn ‘Abbas said, this means do not contradict the Sunnah in your actions, statements, or even your intentions.

The attitude towards to the Sunnah should be like that of Imam Malik’s. When students came to his house wanting to learn fiqh or ‘aqidah, he would come out and teach them. If they wanted to learn ḥadith however, he would make ghusl before coming out and recite the verse “Believers, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech…” before he began his lesson, to remind himself and his students that what they were about to study has to be respected at the highest level.

How ‘Umar Reacted - Learning From and Acting on Mistakes

After this verse was revealed, it was narrated that whenever ‘Umar would speak to the Prophet, he would speak so quietly that you could barely hear him. In fact, Abdullah ibn Al-Zubair said that sometimes the Prophet asked ‘Umar to repeat himself because his voice was so soft.

With the coming of a commandment from Allah, ‘Umar immediately followed it and practiced it in his daily life. He didn’t second guess it or try to just half-way act on it, nor did he delay it or temporarily follow it. He immediately acted on it in full permanently.

See if you have anything in your own life that you’re struggling to come to terms with. You may know that something is forbidden or obligatory for you to do. Are you acting on it like ‘Umar would?

The Thabit Approach - Dreading Losing One’s Deeds

When Thābit ibn Qays Al-Shammas, a Sahabi who used to speak in a loud voice because he was hard of hearing, heard this verse, he was devastated. Since the verse said that those who speak above the Prophet would lose all of their deeds without them even knowing it, he thought this warning included him, as well. Immediately Thābit went home in despair and didn’t come out to the point where the Prophet and Sahaba noticed his absence.

When they visited and asked him where he’d been, he said he had been terrified of losing all of his deeds because he, too, used to speak above the Prophet, even though he was only speaking loudly because of his hearing problem. Later the Prophet consoled him by telling him that he was a person of paradise.

Even though the warning of losing all deeds was specifically for Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, Thabit still feared for his life it applied to him. When we hear Allah warning or condemning anyone in the Qur’an, we should take the Thābit approach and fear that it applies to us as well.

How Shaytan Exploits Our Disagreements

When Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were arguing, they were doing it at the worst time in the worst scenario. In front of them was the Prophet and around them were the delegates from a new tribe that wanted to accept Islam.

Shaytan will do whatever it takes to destroy any chance of Islam prospering. Here, he made two Muslim brothers escalate their disagreements to the point where an issue greater than choosing leadership, respecting the Prophet, was being ignored.

When things get heated in your disagreements with family, friends, or in da’wah work, never let Shaytan use your differences to his advantage. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar had both Allah and His messenger to correct them. We need to be more cautious so as to not let it happen to us.

Sensitivity to Making Mistakes

This story shows that the Sahaba weren’t superhuman beings who didn’t make any mistakes whatsoever. What made them extraordinary and models for us, instead, was how they reacted to their mistakes.

Unfortunately many Muslims think of the Sahaba as angels, perfect beings that make no mistakes. The Sahaba never reached perfection. Instead, they reached human perfection: being sensitive to and reacting to ones’ mistakes in the best possible manner.

Danger of (حبط)- Losing All of One’s Deeds

Imagine if you found out that you and your family lost everything you ever owned and went bankrupt. No more assets, no more house or cars, and no money. Now imagine you lost all of your good deeds. Which of the two would you feel more devastated at?

The Sahaba thought of losing one’s deeds as one of the worst things that could ever happen to them. When Thābit was asked about his despair, he cried out, “an evil matter!”, referring to the thought of losing his deeds. Ibn Abi Mulaykah, who narrated the dispute between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, said the two “almost earned destruction” when they raised their voices above that of the Prophet’s.

Allah mentions the word ḥabaṭa in reference to losing all deeds 16 times in the Qur’an. We should study up on what sins lead to bankruptcy of all deeds and make it a point to never fall into them. If even the best Muslims, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, could have lost it all, then we most definitely can to.

Conclusion

In just these few verses we learn so much about interacting with one another in the best ways. We know that Muslims quarrel and get into fights with one another; disputes are something that is natural between us. However, it’s how we deal with those disputes afterward that make will make us the best from mankind. The next time we fall into a dispute with our Muslim brothers or sisters, we should remember the way Abu Bakr and ‘Umar acted and reacted, as well as make sure we respect the Prophet, sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his way without becoming clouded by our situation.

The Medinan Period Part 2

2009-04-04T21:50:00.001-07:00

After over three years of waiting, fans will be pleased to hear that Imam Anwar is back on the Islamic audio CD scene with part 2 of the Medina Period of the Life of Muhammad sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. I'm thrilled, now i just have to wait till people start uploading it online, or i can go and buy the series... but the price will probably be kinda high-ish.

Here’s an audio preview clip from Part 2: (download)

Al-Basheer says Part 2 of the Medina Period is “coming soon” on their new iTunes-esque muslimstreams.com.

I’m looking forward to getting my copy for two reasons. One, I get to hear Part 2 of the Seerah (life) of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Two, this means we’re one step closer to the releases of CD sets on the lives of ‘Uthman and ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with them. The Meccan and Medinan Series were AMAAZING! Also his series on the life of the Khulafaa' is really great too. I haven't finished listening to Umar though...

You can find most of his lectures here

SW Airlines

2009-04-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know what my mom would do if our flight attendent did this when we were going to Minnesota lol =P

Islam & Hijab

2009-04-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

In response to people who say that Islam is in my heart so I don't need to show it by wearing hijab, Shaykh Saed Rageah responded:

"If Islam was in here (pointing to heart) then it would show up here (pointing to head symbolizing the hijab)

- Shaykh Saed Rageah

By the Fig and the Olive

2009-04-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

قال تعالى

وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ (1

وَطُورِ سِينِينَ (2

وَهَذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ (3

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ (4

Allah said: "By the Fig and the Olive (1) and the Mount of Sinai (2) and This City of Security (3) We have indeed created man in the best of moulds (4)" (97:1-4)

Explanation: The Fig and the Olive are actually meant to be locations not food.

Also did you notice that the first three verses talk about the best 5 people on Earth . أولو العزم .
(1) The Fig (At-teen) = it resembles the location where Nooh had his ship
(2) The Olive (Az-zaytoon) = where Issa (Jesus) -alayhe as salam- was born
(3) Toor ( The mount of Sinai) = When Musa alayhe as salam has talked to Allah
(4) This city of security = Makkah when Ibrahim alayhe as salam made dua that it would be a safe city and that Allah would send a prophet amongest them, which is Mohammad -be peace upon him- and he was from Makkah as well.

I Spy with my little eyes..

2009-04-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

I remember playing that game with my siblings (not that we don't anymore, but it just seems too kiddish now. Only our friend boredom can make us play it again). Yesterday i was watching the little Pre-schoolers and kindergartners for a few minutes. As they waited for their parents to pick them up, one girl decided to introduce the 'I Spy' game to them and they quickly started spy-ing on different things. Kids are funny sometimes (if not all the time). Here's short excerpt from thier game:

Girl1: I spy with my little eye something white!

So the rest of the kids start guessing their heads off. After 10 (it seemed like 10) minutes of torture she finnaly game them the answer: A white piece of paper that was stuck in one of the girls' hair. =)

Speaking about eyes, my eye sight is getting WORSE! Mom's quote: you're not even 16 yet and an old lady probably has better eyesight =P

Alhamdulillah 'ala kuli 7aal

A short passage

2009-03-31T16:14:00.001-07:00

Here's a short passage from a story i was working on last summer..

Her words were so familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I had heard them before.

“You’re beautiful Huda, but true beauty lies within. You can be the world’s prettiest girl and have a heart that is darker than a moonless night. At the same time you can be the most ordinary looking girl and have a heart that is free from all animosities, and sins.”

“But…”

“Come on Huda, don’t tell me you aren’t ready. How do you know you will have time to wear it later?” We stopped at a stoplight and she stared at me.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“How do you know you’re gona be here later? You might die this second you know. Try for once to think about the present instead of the future. Just remember, anything that happened yesterday is gone. You can’t change it anymore. And anything that’s gona happen is not in your will. You have no say in the matter at all, and you don’t even know if you’re gona be there to see it. You just have to focus on your present, today. Don’t say I will or I’m going to do something for myself later, because you are not a predictor of anything.”

I didn’t say anything. Something was bugging me and it wasn’t just her words. I opened the window and stared out of it as Halah kept on talking. The breeze was cold against my face. Suddenly I heard Halah gasp. I turned to her and saw her face pale. I followed her gaze just as I heard a loud screech. A pick-up truck was out of control. The blue blur spun in wild circles as it came closer and closer to our car. A scream came out of my mouth.

I recovered later only to find myself in an ultimate darkness. My eyes... open your eyes, I thought. I sat up painfully and saw a group of people around me. When I looked to my right I gasped. Halah was lying next to me. Her face had blood streaking down from her forehead. Her once white Hijab was now soaked with blood.

“Halah!” I cried as I placed her head on my lap.

She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at me.

“Huda…don’t forget…my words.” She struggled to say. Every word causing her pain.

“Don’t forget your Hijab Huda. Please!” her words were getting strained. Her eyes looked away from my face. They seemed to be staring at something.

“Huda, be good. We’ll meet again Inshallah…in Jannah.”

The words were trapped in my throat. I wanted to speak but I couldn’t.

“It’s beautiful. I can see it now…I can see it Huda. We’ll meet there. Promise me you’ll be a good Muslim.” Her eyes penetrated mine. “Do you promise me?” I felt myself nod. “I’m leaving Huda. I’m sure of it…give my Salams to Umi.” She said referring to mom. She gave me a weak smile.

“No! Halah! You can’t! Please!” I found my voice.

“It’s not my choice my little sister…If my time is over, there’s nothing I can do to change that…” she paused and her face shined as she gazed at something only her eyes could see. I heard sirens in the distance. They were coming closer and closer.

“Huda…good bye…I can see the angels Huda. They’re coming closer. They’re carrying something.” She narrated what she was seeing. “They’re carrying a gold cushion. Huda, this is so elegant.” She looked back at me again as if saying bye.

“La ilaha Ila Allah.” Those were her last words. I felt her whole body stiffen then she went limp in my arms. My tears started to leak out.

The best of stories..

2009-03-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

In school they teach us some literary techniques that western authors would use as a sign of their excellent writing skills in their stories etc. SubhanAllah, I noticed that some of these tools are used in "the best of stories" in the Qur'an, the story of Yusuf (alayhis salaam).

For example,

Foreshadowing: is used when the dream of Yusuf is shared with his father in this beginning.

Symbolism: is used through the shirt.

Conflict and Resolution: Yusuf's brothers plotting against against him and putting him at the bottom of a well was the conflict, but it was resolved when the caraven came and found young Yusuf, taking him to Egypt. There are other examples of C&R too.

There' also a theme of 'literary circles'; whats shown in the first part of the story reflects the second part. Some examples:

1st part of story (purple), 2nd part of story (green)

1) Dream of Yusuf's family prostrating
1) Yusuf's family prostrating to him after reuniting at end

2) Yusuf consoled by Allah when thrown in the well
2) Yusuf consoled by Allah when thrown in prison

3) Yusuf's shirt thrown to his father by his brothers (to show 'fake blood' evidence he 'died')
3) Yusuf's shirt thrown to his father by a messenger after Yusuf orders his brothers to when they know of his real identity

4) Yusuf encounter with Master's wife & her friends after she tries to seduce him again
4) Yusuf encounter with Master's wife & her friends after they are brought by the king to confront them about their injustice to Yusuf

5) Yusuf's brothers jealous argument with their father, trying to persuade him to allow them to play with him (that they will be careful with him and look after him..)
5) Yusuf's brothers argument with their father, trying to persuade him to allow them to take their younger brother, Benyamin with them to the King (that they will be careful with him and look after him..)

6) Yusuf taken by his brothers to 'play', and their promise to bring him back is broken
6) Benyamin taken by his brothers to get their allocations, and then "arrested" by Yusuf for "stealing", their promise to bring him back is broken

7) Brothers rejected by Yusuf (now position kings court), after they try to get their allocated food
7) Brothers rejected by Yusuf towards they end because their brother "stole"

8) Yusuf asked to give advice about dream interpretation by 2 imprisoned men
8) Yusuf asked to give advice about dream interpretation of the King

9) Yacub putting his faith in Allah's hands after learning of Yusufs loss; states that "Nay, but your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, (for me) patience is most fitting: Against that which ye assert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought".
9)Yacub putting his faith in Allah's hands after learning of Benyamins loss; states very similar verse: "Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom."

10) Verse at the begining when Yusuf taken by the rich Master after rescue from well: " Thus did We establish Joseph in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of stories (and events). And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not.

وَكَذَلِكَ مَكَّنِّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلِنُعَلِّمَهُ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الأَحَادِيثِ وَاللّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ

10) Verse when Yusuf given a position by the King after release from prison: (12:56) "Thus did We give established power to Joseph in the land, to take possession therein as, when, or where he pleased. We bestow of our Mercy on whom We please, and We suffer not, to be lost, the reward of those who do good.

وَكَذَلِكَ مَكَّنِّا لِيُوسُفَ فِي الأَرْضِ يَتَبَوَّأُ مِنْهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاء نُصِيبُ بِرَحْمَتِنَا مَن نَّشَاء وَلاَ نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

What if

2009-03-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

*What if you knew about all that I do? The things that I think? The me that is true?
Would you call me a hypocrite? Call me a liar? Would you curse out my name or would you damn me to fire? Would you know what to say or would you just walk away afraid the me I've tried to hide would too closely resemble the truth of you that lies inside?*

- Dawud W. Ali

Knock knock?

2009-03-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

Many times we get annoyed when someone enters our room without knocking. But what about the silent guest that will stand at our doors one day and knock? And heedless to your cries and begs he will enter and take that which you cherished for so long. That which you may or may have not taken care of it. That soul which for so long you thought was yours. He’ll take it and travel with it to the next world. So... are you ready?

Muhammed Ash-Shareef

2009-03-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite quotes from Muhammed AlShareef:

"Wear the makeup of iman: illuminate your face by praying Qiyam"

"If Jannah was a place of our desires, it would be a sad place because our creativity is limited''

"Some people don't do things for the fear of failure, but the fact that they didn't do anything makes them failures."

"Earth is soft enough to dig, but hard enough to sustain a building."

"Allah created you so when you follow His guidance, happiness is yours."

"Put Quran in your dawah, when you take it out, you fail"

"When the wave of fitnah hits, you only have with you the knowledge you’ve already gained."

"Did you login for Fajr today?"

"What does a child get when they get good grades? Candy! What do they get when they get bad grades? Go read the Quran NOW! In doing so, we are anchoring the child to link junk with pleasure and Quran with pain. No wonder many college students eat chocolate bars."

"There are times of happiness, and there are times of sadness. The bitter cold of the winter is not the end of the world. It is the time to plant new seeds, to show patience and get out of the winter as quickly as possible. The key is not to avoid the winters, no one can do that. But when the winter hits, show patience and gratitude so that it passes quickly."

"When you are being attacked, if you hold back your anger and stay silent for the Sake of Allah, you will see that Allah will protect you, and that the righteous people will become your defenders"

Captian Iman

2009-03-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

Masjed Assaber Spring Break Lectures

2009-03-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Masjed Assaber Spring Break Lectures by
Sheikh Mohamed Abdurahman & Brother Hamad Alshammary
Everyday from March 20 to March 28, 2009
for schedule and more information, download the flyer

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The lectures have been simply amazing so far! I'm so sad that there are only two more nights. Inshallah i will post the notes and lessons i got from the past nights soon.

Alhamdulillah some of the brothers have been recording the lectures. They didn't get the ones from the first two nights but here are the ones that have been recorded..

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Lectures on Riyaad us Saliheen:
The Book of Prohibited Deeds
Sheikh Muhammad

Part 1: mp3 wma

Part 2: mp3 wma

Parts 3, 4, and 5 haven't been posted yet..

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Lectures on Lama't Aletiqad

(a book on aqeeda-Islamic creed)

Hamad Alshammari

Part 1: mp3 wma

Part 2: mp3 wma

Parts 3, 4, and 5 haven't been posted yet..

Only God

2009-03-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But Only God Keeps You Going!!!

If..

2009-03-26T11:35:00.001-07:00

If Umar feared failure……

If Khadija had never asked……

If Uthman feared wealth…

If Salman wasn’t confident…..

And if in the face of death…Bilal had given up….

Who would have taken our Ummah to the next level?

أيها التاريــــــــخ

2009-03-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

أيها التاريــــــــخ لا تعتب علينا *** مجدنــا الموؤد مبحوح الحناجر
كيف أشكو والمسامـع مغلقات *** و الرجــــــال اليوم همهم المتاجر
إنها حــــــــــــواء تمضي لا تبالي *** إنها تجني من اللـــــهو الخسائر
أيهـــا التاريخ حدث عن رجال *** عن زمــــــــان لم تمت فيه الضمائر
هــــــل ترى يا أمتي ألقاك يوماً *** تكتبين لنا مــــــن النصر المفاخر
ذلك الحـــــلم الذي ارجوه دوماً *** أن أراك عــــــــــــزيزة والله قادر

Silat ar-Rahm

2009-03-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about the importance of Silat ar-Rahm recently and how many cases of people there are, who cut off relations with their families. More specifically, I was thinking about how Allah cuts off those who cut off the family relations.

To illustrate it, a person may cut off relations with a family member and in doing so, that person will avoid anything to do with that famly member: they'll move to a different city (and this has happened), they'll change all their contact info so that this family member can never contact or find them (and this has happened), they'll change jobs, change communities, basically cut themselves off from their previous lifestyle all so that they can avoid this family member. Sometimes, it gets so bad, that a family will refuse to go to the masjid, all because they want to avoid so and so whom they cut off relations with.

It's really sad but it happens. The meaning of this hadeeth might have been really obvious to you all, but seeing this "cutting off" take place before my eyes I really understood the impact of Allah cutting off relations with you. It's even more amazing how many people belittle this major sin as if it's nothing and they hold grudges for years and years, until even death.

May Allah strengthen and have mercy on those who have families who have abandoned them, rejected them, and cut off relations with them. And may Allah guide those families to repentance and join the relations which were broken, Ameen.

IWantJannah

2009-03-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

A nice poem written by one of the sisters on AlMaghrib

Rivers flowing underneath one's feet
A place where the true loves meet
All the sins we must defeat
IWantJannah

Allah's mercy falling down like rain
Paradise is where you shall feel no pain
Everlasting emaan rush is what you will gain
IWantJannah

A place that is so holy and high
Where Aa'siyah could see above the skies
No more disasters, heartaches or lies
IWantJannah

We hope to walk there hand in hand
To see the beauty of Jannah's land
Our eyes will be set on the sight that is grand
IWantJannah!

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

2009-03-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Salaam,

you may all know the sheikh has recently been diagnosed with cancer and his bills are just pilling up. May Allah have mercy on him and grant him Shifaa'.

Click here for the pic

...and you know not.

2009-03-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

"It might be that you dislike something and it be good for you, and it might be that you like something and it is bad for you..Allah knows, and you know not."

We somehow always fall into the trap of liking something, and while it did give us the temporary satisfaction, it ended up being bad for us in the end, and then we were left with
"Urgh Why'd I do that!" and learn from it.

And then there are those things that we have to grudgingly do at first, and we never realize how important it is in our lives to have it, until it really does help us. There are also those things that we have to understand about islam, but inside our character feels a bit NOT at ease with the matter, but it is good for us, and we don't know how, but it is, because He knows!

This quote is true for every matter of our everyday lives, so let's try and complain less, and see the good side of everything, as well as leave the wisdom up to Allah(swt), there's a reason behind it that you might never know until the day of judgement

The Sirat

2009-03-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

Picture this:

The sirat: ________ ______ _____ _____ _____ _______

Hell Fire: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

So if there are holes there, you will fall down into the fire right? So how do we fil lin those gaps?

The sirat: ________FAJR______ZUHR_____ASR_____MAGHRIB_____ISHA_______

Hell Fire: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now there aren't any holes. But if you leave out any of those Prayers you are likely to fall into the Fire...

I asked...

2009-03-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

I asked for wisdom...
And God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity...
And God gave me brains and the strength to work.

I asked for courage...
And God gave me danger to overcome.

I asked for love...
And God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors...
And God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed.

My Prayer has been answered.

Fajr

2009-03-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

FAJR time is AJR time!

Beware of Arrogance!

2009-03-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

Beware of Arrogance!

The Jews knew Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the last Prophet, but they still didn't believe due to their arrogance. They knew the truth but they took the path of falsehood. Allah increased them in their arrogance and made them see the false to be right and the right to be false. We should take heed and whenever faced by a decision follow the way of the Quran and Sunnah. If we know the truth, but don't follow it then we might keep spiraling down the wrong stairs. For example, a person commits a sin thinking its small or they'll do it just once. That person might get habituated to the sin and start to think it's O.K. Then he/she might keep commiting it and open the floodgates to commit more sins.

A wise scholar

2009-03-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

One of the scholars of the past said, "If I knew Allah had accepted a deed of mine, I would have wanted to die at that moment." Why? Because Allah only accepts the deeds of those with whom He is pleased. Always make du'ah that Allah accepts your deed.

Why?

2009-03-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Why is it that a trust that has been built over so many years can be shattered in a matter of seconds? Why is is that people change so much to a point that you think you don't even know them anymore? Why is is that people whom you've admired and looked up to can seem so 'hateful' to you? Why is that people don't walk foward in life but they decide to turn back? Why is it that for some poeple 'being good' seems like a dream? Why is it that some one can tell you something beneficial yet later goes against their own word? Why do people have to change to the negative? Why do we have to pretent to be something we're not? Why can't we all be brothers and sisters? Why? Why do we try so hard to do something that will harm us? Why can't we just be who we are and strive for the better? Why? Why does reality hurt so much? Why?

Khair Inshallah...

Surah Al-Fatiha

2009-03-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever contemplated on Surah Al-Fatiha? We read it about 17 times each day but when was the last time we really thought about it and contemplated the verses that we are reading?

Allah says:

"In the name of Allah the most beneficiant the most merciful"
So why don't i start everything with Allah's name?

"Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds"
So why do I still praise myself?

"The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
So why do I not repent to him after sinning and ask him for his mercy?

"Master of the Day of Judgement"
So why do I not fear him the way he ought to be feared?

"It is You we worship and You we ask for help."
So why do I seek other means besides the ones He gave me??

"Guide us to the straight path"
So why do I keep misguiding myself by not obeying his commands?

"The Path of those whom you've favored, not those who've earned your anger, or have gone astray."
If I can't find this path Oh Allah, than show it to me.

10 Types of Modesty

2009-03-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

Subhanallah i never knew there where different kinds of 'haya'. This is from Shaikh Raid (hafidahullah)

1) Haya' Jinaya
2) Haya' Taqseer
3) Haya' Ijlal
4) Haya' Karam
5) Haya' Hishma
6) Haya' Istisghar lin-Nafss Wa Ihtiqaran Laha
7) Haya' Mahabba
8) Haya' U'budiya
9) Haya' Sharaf Wa I'zza
10) Haya' Al-Mustahyi Min Nafsihi

1) Modesty upon sins
2) Modesty upon shortcomings
3) Modesty upon knowledge
4) Modesty upon generosity
5) Modesty upon decency
6) Modesty upon despise
7) Modesty upon love
8) Modesty upon enslavement
9) Modesty upon dignity
10) Modesty upon one’s self

Ten Sicknesses of The Heart

2009-03-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

1. You believe in the existance of Allah Ta'ala, but you do not fulfil his commands.

2. You say you love the Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu 'alahi wasallam), but you do not follow his sunnah (ie, his example).

3. You Read The Qur'an but you do not put it into practice.

4. You enjoy all the benefits from Allah Ta'ala, but you are not grateful to him.

5. You acknowledge Shaytan as your enemy, but you do not go against him.

6. You want to enter paradise, but you do not work for it.

7. You do not want to be thrown into hell-fire, but you do not try to get away (ie, do good deeds).

8. You believe that every living-thing will face death, but you do not prepare for it.

9. You gossip and find faults in others, but you forgot your own faults and mistakes.

10. You bury the dead, but you do not take a lesson from it.

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These are the words of Ibrahim ibn Adham concerning the verse:

"And your Lord says, 'Call on Me, I will answer your prayer...' " (s.40:60)

The people had asked him: "We make du'a and we are not answered"

So the great Scholar gave them that answer.

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"Have you ever tried to picture living forever, and ever, and ever? I'm sure you have, and it's impossible to think about.. It just shows us that we're trained to know that our life will come to an end..that's what I find so super scary.We know it deep down, but it's so hard to think about the grave, when we're surrounded by all these wordly distractions. It takes something dramatic to get us thinking.It's mind boggling to think that EVERY PERSON EVER CREATED is going to be standing there on the Day of Judgment. From Abraham Lincoln to any old cashier you see at the store, and everyone else before and after. Allah (SWT) is going to judge everybody fairly, and people will get their due punishment or reward.."

Bar in the Car

2009-03-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

How many times do we see people like these? Just yesterday I saw one at the exit of the freeway and i usually get this, 'should we give them something or now' kinda thought.

Here's a nice idea from one of the brothers on Al-Maghrib

You see them everyday.
Sitting on the sidewalk, sign in their hands, asking for some change.
It's become so commonplace, we hardly notice them anymore.
They ask, but we don't give.
We feed ourselves excuses while many of them go hungry...

.............."Oh they'll just use my money for beer!"

"They're just fakers getting rich off of donations!"

"They should go find some work instead of bumming around!"

Here's a project that addresses those issues while still helping the homeless and hungry. It is so simple and easy, you can start today and reap in the rewards, in sha Allah! It's called...

Bar in the Car

What you'll need:
* A box of granola bars (or anything that doesn't spoil in the heat).
* A car (it doesn't have to be yours).

Here's how it works:

Step 1) Put the box of granola bars in the car.
Step 2) Next time you see a homeless person, roll down the window a bit, and hand him/her a granola bar (roll down the window only a little, and only during daylight!)
Step 3) Make dua that Allah accepts from you.

That's it!

Benefits:

* You get the reward of feeding the needy, in sha Allah!
* They can't use a granola bar to buy beer or drugs! (and those who want money for beer/drugs usually will turn down the granola bar! lol)
* Even if they're fakers, you've simply fed someone. What's wrong with that? We feed wealthy people all the time at dinners and iftars!

So who's interested in getting this reward:

{And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful." So Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them radiance and happiness and will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].} [76:8-12]

If you're interested, go put granola bars (or whatever) into the car and then comment here saying:

"I got Bar in the Car! May Allah accept from me!"

Noooo! - Part Two

2009-03-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

Read Part 1 first

My head started to hurt again.

Mom wasn’t content with dad’s words she walked up to my bed and placed her hand on the person.

“Muhammad? Muhammad?” he didn’t reply back.

I couldn’t take it anymore and I started to shout. “Mom! I’m Muhammad. I’m right here! Why can’t you see me?” my words fell on deaf ears. She was shaking the person now, crying. I ran up and sat down next to her crying. “Mom!”

All of a sudden she screamed. I covered my ears and started to cry even more. My brother jumped out of bed awakened by her scream.

“Mom please don’t scream. Please don’t cry. I’m right here mom...” I tried again.

I looked up to see my dad walk up to us.
He placed his hand on the chest of the figure that was sleeping on my bed. After a few minutes he pulled his hand back slowly with tears escaping from his eyes.

“What’s happening?” my brother asked franctically.

My dad looked at him, his eyes moist with tears.
“Your brother has died, Ahmed. He died.”
He bowed his head with grief.

I started screaming and shouting, hurt that they couldn’t hear me.
Hurt that they couldn’t see me.
Hurt that they thought I was dead.

Unable to do anything I stood there watching them cry.

Ya Allah! What’s going on? Why can’t they see me? Why can’t the hear me?

All of a sudden I saw the same light again. Only this time it was brighter. Three things came out of the light and headed towards me. I stepped back away from them. Then I heard a sound. Listening closer it seemed like something being recited. The Quran? Yes, it was the Quran. The voice grew stronger and stronger. I felt shivers rising up my spine.

لَقَدْ كُنتَ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَاءكَ فَبَصَرُكَ الْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ

Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!"

Heedless of what?

I felt someone grab my hands. I looked up and saw the things pulling me towards them. I could see they were not human beings. Never in my life had I seen anything like them. My heart was filled with fear and terror.

I tried pulling away but I couldn’t. They were too strong.

“Come with us.” They said.

“Why? Who are you? What do you want?” I asked.

They pulled me again. I shouted at them.

“Leave me alone! Don’t take me away from my family. I have to convince them that I’m not dead!”

They started laughing.

“Don’t you know? Your time on this earth has ended. You are in fact dead.”

“How can I be dead when I’m breathing, walking, and talking? How can my time be up? I’m still young my time just began!”

They chuckled again. “You human beings are very funny. Yes, you are right. Your time has just begun. But sadly you’re not gona spend it here in this world.” They pulled me away slowly.

“Where are you taking me?!”

Shiekhs of Today Part 2

2009-03-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

Some Quotes by the Shiekhs of Today - Part 1 is here

“The sahabas were the prophet (S)’s homeboys! They are like the mailman… rain, sleet, or snow they were there. This is what is missing in our communities, pure organic love.” - Imam Suhaib Webb

“Niyyah comes from a word that means “the direction in which you travel” Your destination should be Allah. Your trajectory is to Allah. Niyyah is the Spirit of the action. An action is like the shell of the body, the soul is like a sound Niyyah, without a sound niyyah it is a dead body.” – Imam Suhaib Webb

“We should give Islam like the UPS guy, with a smile and without changing the package.” – Sh. AbdulBary Yahya

“Aim high” – Sh. Saeed Rageh

"Once you realize that you are not knowledgeable enough to graduate....there you finally have some knowledge!" -Sh. Muhammad Ibn Faqih

"If a person's intention is not pure then he will keep praising himself. When a person praises himself, it turns people off. Humility attracts people and ilm with pure niyyah teaches you to be humble."- Sh. Waleed Basyouni

"We all came out of our mothers' wombs knowing nothing. We all start out on an equal footing, but some accomplish greater things with their time. How? Hard work!!" - Sh. Waleed Basyouni

"Generally, Muslims don't give a good impression of Islam yet people are still becoming Muslim in large numbers. What would happen if we actually do make a good impression?" - Sh. AbdulBary Yahya

"Yes, we aim for perfection, but we learn to live with imperfection" Sh. Yasir Qadhi

"What are we doing with our lives, what are we really doing with our time?" – Sh. Yaser Birjas

"No Excuses, Just results." –Sh. Muhammad AlShareef

“Ilm mandates practice; practice what you learn, otherwise it will depart." -Shaykh Yaser Birjas

“How could a Mu'min be bored, when he has to save himself from the fire" – Sh. Yasir Qadhi

Spring Break Lecture Series

2009-03-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

There will be a Spring Break Lecture Series at the Masjid throught out the Spring Break... Here's the schedule:

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Friday March 20:
'Importance of Knowledge' - Sheikh Muhammed
Time: Maghrib - Isha

Saturday March 21:
'Al-Ihsaan' - Hamad Al-Shammari
Time: Maghrib to Isha
*They requested that you read Surah Yusuf before coming - I think there will be a lesson on it*

Sunday March 22 - Thursday March 26:
'Aqeedah' - Hamad Al-Shammari

'Book of Prohibited Deeds' - Sheikh Muhammed
Maghrib to Isha

Friday March 27:
'Some of the Youth Problems' - Hamad Al-Shammari
Maghrib-Isha

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For the Aqeedah and Prohibited deeds lessons, this is how they'll work:

Brother Hamad will be giving his lesson from 6:00 to Maghrib which is around 7:30. After Maghrib, the Shiekh will give his lesson until Isha.

Flow of Life

2009-03-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

At a young age I was totally unaware of death; the meaning of death and its existence were totally oblivious to me due to the lack of understanding. When I grew up a little and began understanding the meaning and existence of death I associated death with age and illnesses; when a person reached a certain age and becomes old, or if a person is exceedingly ill, he then dies and is buried.

However, after Islamic education and further understanding, which came with age, I began to learn that death was not associated with illness or age. Death can come to anyone at any time and no one is excluded from death.

Nevertheless, the human mind always has a feeling that death will never reach him or he will die when he is old. When a person is young and strong he feels that death is far from him and will not come to him for at least another few years; whilst still having this notion in mind that he will reach his old age.

I remember the football player I had read about and saw on Youtube that died on the soccer feild during a match; one minute he was standing the next minute ‘thump’ and he was on the ground… Dead.

Our life is such that we plan not each day as it comes, but we plan years ahead and have this ‘false’ confidence that we will complete these plans and maybe one day ‘retire’ after which death will come to us.

كن في الدنيا كأنك غريب او عابر سبل
“Live in this word as though you are a stranger or a passer-by”

We should live in this world like a traveller lives in a hotel or a country he does not reside in; always keeping in mind that this is not his permanent place of residence and therefore not getting too attached or comfortable. Our home is the hereafter whilst this world is a temporary station.

الدنيا سجن المؤمن و جنة الكافر
“The world is a prison for the believer and paradise for the disbeliever”

The world is full of restrictions for a believer just like a prison has restrictions for a prisoner. However, once we are free from this ‘jail’ (world) we will have no restrictions, Insha Allah.
The prison is a place where a prisoner is unable to unite with his beloved; it acts as a barrier and obstacle between a person and his beloved. In the same manner, a believer is deprived from meeting his beloved, Allah, due to the barrier of this world.

تحفة المؤمن الموت
“The gift of a believer is death”

Death, if seen with an open mind, is a gift not only to believers but to entire mankind. However, it is the believers that realise and appreciate this. Death allows this world to have enough space for its residence; otherwise the world would be overcrowded. Furthermore, it relieves people from old age and the illnesses and weaknesses that come with it.

Death is the only obstacle between a lover (believer) and his Beloved (Allah). Therefore, a believer sees death as a gift from Allah as it is a call from the Beloved to the lover. Moreover, it is the bridge that takes a lover to his beloved, Allah.

Watch your thoughts..

2009-03-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

One quote by Yasir Fazaga stuck in my head like a butterfly in a cage since 2 years ago...

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Worries?

2009-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

I wake up each morning - Allah has returned to me my soul, He has given me life once again after this small death. I could class it as another chance to free my soul from the fire of hell... Do we let this chance go day after day? Or do we make the most of this opportunity that thousands of people don't receive after they lay to sleep?

My daily routine is a mercy from Allah, His kindness and His affection. Man is not accustomed to surprises and shocks. Therefore, surprises arouse extreme forms of feelings, either they make him extremely happy or extremely sad. Our day to day activities are so normal that Allah is saving us from extreme sadness, He saves us from the worry of what will happen next and what we should do next...

Take a glance at the lives of those people who do not have any plans for the next minute, let alone the next day. The families of those people who are severely ill; the people who themselves are drowned in a see of illness; those children who have grass as their daily meal, not knowing what will be next on the menu... Shouldn't we thank Allah that our lives are so systematic that we are saved from a million worries a day? Should we not stop complaining about the few worries that befall us and divert our attention towards the millions we are saved from?

Seekers...

2009-03-14T20:29:00.001-07:00

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

“Seekers of this world are very numerous. Seekers of the hereafter are comparatively few. Seekers of the Lord of Truth (Almighty and Glorious is He), who are honest about their wish for Him, are the fewest of the few.”

~Shaykh Abdul Qadir al’Jilani Rahmatullahi’alay

Ajnabi

2009-03-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

It is in a person's nature that he does things according to his desires, and at times these are the things that cause him to sin. We retaliate against our Lord, Allah and then it is towards him that we have to turn.

There is a great difference in the forgiving nature of Allah and that of His creation; Allah is the Oft Forgiving and is ever ready to forgive us. But His wrath is also the same, if we continue to disobey Him deliberately, out of rebellion, and then it could be that He puts a 'seal' on our hearts so that we do not have the inclination to even return to Him for forgiveness. This will be Him turning his face away from us.

I remember of a Hadeeth where a couple of people approached the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam with a message from their 'Lord' (i.e. their king) and he, Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, turned his face away from them because they had cut their beards and had gone against his teaching and the teaching of Allah.

The true point is, what will we do if, on the Day of Judgement, he, Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, turns his face away from us? What answer will we give and what hope will we have?

May Allah save us all from this rebellion and from it being the reason that we become an Ajnabi (a stranger) in His eyes or the eyes of His Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Aameen.

The Dirty Robe

2009-03-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

Imam ibn al-Jawzi رحمه الله was once asked:

"Is it better for me to make Tasbeeh (praise Allah 'Subhanallah') or to make Istighfaar (seek forgiveness 'astaghfirullah')?"

He replied:

"The dirty robe is more in need of soap than perfume"

Who are we?

2009-03-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday March 14, 2009

Dear Journal,

Who we are and what we do?
Isn't life more important than a name and number and place?
Or is just simpler than we make it out to be?

In science we learn that Humans are from the kingdom Anamalia. So science is teaching us that we are animals by nature? I disagree with this, Allah created us different than animals. He gave us ‘minds’ he gave us an intellect to use. And by using this intellect we will acquire plenty...With our intellect we can acquire knowledge, money, status, and a lot more. But even if we have the best of names, accompanied by the best status and we are one of the greatest scholars, this name holds no value, no meaning without a way of life.

That is where Islam comes in my life. Islam is a way of life and teaches me how to behave, how to react, and hot to change myself from nothing, to something.

Alhamdulillah Ala Ni3mat Al-Islam...

Halaqah

2009-03-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, I should be giving the halaqah in the first Friday of April at the Masjid inshallah. Now I have to decide on a topic, actually I already have, but I'm not so sure about it..

Verbal Abuse

2009-03-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

Once, a person was verbally abusing Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was curiously watching with a smile. After taking much abuse quietly, Abu Bakr responded to a few of his comments. At this, the Prophet exhibited his disapproval, got up and left. Abu Bakr caught up with the Prophet and wondered, 'O Messenger of Allaah, he was abusing me and you remained sitting. When I responded to him, you disapproved and got up.' The Messenger of Allaah responded,

'There was an angel with you responding to him. When you responded to him, Satan took his place.' He then said ..

'O Abu Bakr, there are three solid truths: If a person is wronged and he forbears it (without seeking revenge) just for the sake of Allaah almighty, Allaah will honour him and give him the upper hand with His help; if a person opens a door of giving gifts for cementing relationships with relatives, Allaah will give him abundance; and, if a person opens a door of seeking charity for himself to increase his wealth, Allaah will further reduce his wealth.'

Bilâl

2009-03-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

It is reported that Bilâl – Allâh be pleased with him – never used to call the adhân for anyone after the death of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessing be upon him. He wanted to go for al-jihâd but Abû Bakr didn’t want him to go. So Bilâl said, “If you freed me [when I was a slave] for Allâh’s pleasure, then let me go.” So he went to Al-Shâm. When ‘Umar arrived in Al-Jâbiyah [during his Caliphate], the Muslims requested him to ask Bilâl to do the adhân for them, so ‘Umar asked him. He called the adhân one day, and never were as many people heard crying as on that day, as they remembered the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessing be upon him.

Its nice he had the honor of being the first to give the adhan in all three Major Masjids, An-Nabawy, Al-Haram, and Al-Aqsa...

Shiekhs of Today

2009-03-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Some Quotes by the Shiekhs of Today =)

"People always think that their prayers don't get answered if what they want doesn't come to them. Remember 'No' is an answer too." -Sh. Mohammed Ibn Faqih

"This is how some people answer fatwa questions: I don't know BUT, let me tell you anyway!" -Sh. Muhammad Alshareef

"Do not ask for a calamity, but when it does strike, be patient." - Sh. Abdul Bary Yahya

"Islam prospers in times of PEACE not war." - Sh. Abdul Bary Yahya

"Judging someone else's intentions only shows your own insincerity." Yasir Qadhi

"Allah won't judge them [other Muslims] according to your knowledge. Allah will judge them by their own knowledge!" - Yasir Qadhi

"Share the Khayr" - Sh. Yaser Birjas

" A day that starts with the Fajr prayer, is a day worth living" - Sh. Muhammed Ibn Faqih

"The more imaan you have, the less you think you have" - Sh. Yasir Qadhi

If you can't say "bismillah" (out loud or inside) before an action, you most likely shouldn't be doing it anyway. - Sheikh AbdulBary Yahya

What am I? I am Muslim. I choose no additional label after Allah has labeled us Muslim. - Sheikh Muhammad Alshareef

"When you realize your Servitude (to Allah swt), Your attitude is gratitude." Sh. Muhammed Ibn Faqih

"You have it so easy here. All you have to do is turn to Sheikh Google!" - Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

People always spend too much time to buy things they don't need with money they don't have to Impress people they don't like - AbdulBary Yahya

Specific Ways of Hitting

2009-03-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Here's another gem..

The Arabs have a number of words to express specific ways of hitting.

To hit on the front part of the head using the ball of the hand الراحة (the palm but not the fingers) : saqa’a صقع

To hit on the nape of the neck using the ball of the hand : safa’a صفع

To hit on the face using the ball of the hand : sakka صك

To hit on the cheek using the palm الكف outstretched (the ball of the hand including the fingers) : latama لطم

To hit on the cheek using the palm in a fist : lakama لكم

To hit on the cheek using both hands : ladama لدم

To hit on the chin and jawbone : wahaza وهز

To hit on the side of the body : wakhaza وخز

To hit on the chest and stomach using the palm: wakaza وكز

To hit using the knee: zabana زبن

To hit with the leg : rakala ركل

Every hit that makes a sound : safaqun صفق

A Dozen Words for Love

2009-03-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'll probably be posting a lot of Arabic gems and poetry from now on. Arabic is so deep, just take a look at this...

[حب] ‘Hub’ is love
[عشق] ‘ishq’ is love that entwines two people together
[شغف] ‘shaghaf’ is love that nests in the chambers of the heart
[هيام] ‘hayam’ is love that wanders the earth
[تيه] ‘teeh’ is love in which you lose yourself
[ولع] ‘walah’ is love that carries sorrow with it
[صبابة] ‘sababah’ is love that exudes from your pores
[هوى] ‘hawa’ is love that shares its name with ‘air’ and ‘falling’
[غرم] ‘gharam’ is love that is willing to pay the price

And those are only a few examples, there are a lot more words they use besides the ones above and each have their own meaning. Not one of them is a perfect synonym for the other. But try translate all those words in english or any other language and you'll probably end up with less than 3 words.

I want to give the Lecture in the Friday circle again, this time I'll be more prepared. I'll ask Khala Hamdia today inshallah =)

The Slanderer

2009-03-12T09:17:00.001-07:00

This is a hard-hitting fact:

من نمّ لك نمّ عليك,
ومن نقل اليك نقل عنك

Whoever slanders to you about others, will slander about you
And whoever reports to you, will soon report about you

The Prophet's Birthday

2009-03-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Celebration of Mawlid was introduced by the ruler of Irbil; Muzaffar ad-Din ibn Zain al-Din. He was assisted by Abdul Khattab Umar ibn Dihya, who composed a book al-Tanwir fi Maulid al-Siraj al-Munir, in an attempt to justify Mawlid celebrations. [Ibn Katheer, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Vol.I3 pp.144-146]

Ibn Katheer has reported on the authority of al-Sabt about Ibn Dihya: "He used to defame the Muslims and belittle them. He would make additions in his report and exaggerate. So, the people gave up narrating traditions from him and falsified him. …" [Ibn Kathir, al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Vol.I3 pp.144-146]

Celebrating Mawlid (the Prophet's assumed birthday) has no origin from the Book and Sunnah, rather it is an innovation from the one, who was known for making additions and exaggerations in the Religion. A practice that came into existence 600 years, way past the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), his Companions (radhi allahu anhu) and their followers, can never be a part of Islam because the religion of Islam is based upon the revelation from Allah. To introduce the celebration of Mawlid in the religion, one will have to break the seal of Allah, Who said: "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed my Favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your religion." [Soorah al-Maidah (5):3]

Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was sent as a guide and warner. Allah says: "We have not sent you, but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sins)" [as-Saba (33): 28]

And he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "There is nothing that will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from it." [Musnad ash-Shafa'ee and others]

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never celebrated his birthday, nor did he instruct or order his Companions (radhi allahu anhu) to do so. If Mawlid was an expression of love or an act of drawing closer to Allah, then he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) would have certainly guided his Companions (radhi allahu anhu) to it. Thus, Mawlid is neither an act of righteousness, nor an expression of love for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).

source: Who Really Loves the Messenger of Allah - In Light of Mawlid celebrations - From As-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter