Okay, maybe I’m biased but…

Bismillah walHamdulillah

So having to work with any Islamic Organization, you find yourself having to meet a lot of new people. I still remember the point in time around when my ability to match the names with the faces was weakening, there were just too many new people! wa’alhamdu lillah

Now for sisters, we would complain (and some still do) that it’s hard because if the sister is not wearing hijab or does not “look” Muslim, then how are we supposed to approach her — I mean, what if she’s NOT a Muslim? (Guys, chill, worse things have happened lol)

Anyways, today I saw a girl waiting at a bus stop, she had a desi-look to her, and dare I say it, even though she wasn’t covered, she still had this “muslimah-air” to her. At first I was hesitant. I noticed a sister that I already know, waiting at the same bus stop, about a foot away from the other sister, so I went and spoke to her for a few, that got my mood a little up and ready. Then I turned, walked towards the desi-sister, stuck my hand out and smiled through my niqab and said “Asalamualaykum!”

She had a confused smile, and didn’t say anything at first, but I wasn’t backing down. I said it again “Asalamualaykum!” She gave in. “..Walaykumasalam?”

Bingo.

I decided to go with the straightforward approach. I asked her “you’re wondering how I knew you were Muslim, right?” (I don’t know what drove me to be that straight forward but I pray that she did not take it the wrong way, as Allah swt knows best what my intention was, but I did not mean to harm her with my words). And she smiled, still confused, and nodded.

And I just smiled back and said something like…”I can just tell… :) ”

Truth was that Allah swt just guided me towards her. This is what I truly believe, and same for all sisters. Allah swt is the One who allows me to notice them, where ever they happen to be when I walk past them.

So okay, I may be biased but the Muslims, (or I should say Muslimahs, for my case) they have this certain innocent air about them. Even if they’re not wearing hijab, or if they are wearing makeup, or are dressing in a way that the ‘very practicing’ sisters would not dress, it’s still there…and I just don’t know how else to describe it except as “innocence.” Like, maybe they just took a slight wrong turn somewhere, and are a little lost but they still have this feeling inside of them, that feeling that pulls them to Allah swt. Their hearts, inshaAllah, are still the hearts of a Muslim. And that feeling that allows them to still identify themselves as Muslims. It reminds me of a snippet by Dr. Mohammad Arifi, where he advised us to “expand the good.” MashaAllah the shaykh advises us, and in a humorous way:

And because these muslimahs believe in La ilaha ilaAllah, I love them for the sake of Allah. And may Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala guide them and me to what which is Most Pleasing to Him. Ameen

Reminds me of one of my favorite ayaat, the only way to explain this feeling in my heart:

Allah swt says: And He has united their (i.e. believers’) hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise. [Surah Al-Anfal: ayah 63]

Ibn Taymiyyah’s Advice on Da’wah

Written by Sarah

…

It reminded me of this GEM Dr. Reda Bedeir mentioned to us in the Eternal Journey Class:

Ibn Tamiyyah said that there are three pillars to Dawah
1. Ta’leef: get the people to love you, enjoy your talk and your company.
-In this stage don’t talk about the deen, just talk about what he likes. When the person starts missing you and your company. It’s about the dunya (ie what they like) right now.

2. Ta’reef: indirectly introducing the merchandise to him. You should indirectly share a story with him. Don’t say that smoking leads to cancer and Allah will punish you. Say for example that this is what happened with one of my friends.

3. Takhleef: Tell people to go back to Allah. You can be open and direct with him now.

He brought up to us how we usually jump to Takhleef right away, skipping Ta’leef and Ta’reef but if you have no relationship with them, they won’t listen to what you have to say. waAllahu’alim.

Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaama

Bismillah walHamdulillah

I usually don’t dedicate a whole post to the event of adding a new link on my blog’s “links” section, but I wanted to take some time out to write about the “Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaama” group. They send out daily Islamic emails, specifically geared towards sisters. The emails are short and to the point, but contain depth in their message. I would recommend that sisters subscribe to this emailing list, and that we all pass the news on, because I don’t know of another emailing list like this, mashaAllah.

To Subscribe, just email: sistersuponalistiqaamah-owner@yahoogroups.com

This is the link to their blog:

http://uponistiqaamah.blogspot.com/

Here is an example of a post:

On the authority of Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (May Allaah be pleased with him), he heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) say:

“Learn the Qur’aan. Ask Allaah for paradise by way of it before there comes a time where people ask for the wordly affairs by way of it. Indeed there are three types of people who learn the Qur’aan: A man who seeks to boast by way of it, a man who seeks to eat by way of it, and a man who reads it for the sake of Allaah.”

(Narrated by Ibn Nasr in his book Qiyaamul-Layl, Also by Imaam al-Albaani in as-Saheehah #285)

Who is Allah? by Ammar AlShukry

Who is Allah?
By Ammar AlShukry

iamammar.com

All my life, I have lived amongst people who I have had to describe my Lord too. As a child in Kindergarten I would explain why I could not switch my tuna sandwich for someone else’s ham or salami. “Allah told us not to.” As a teenager I would explain why I would not drink alcohol or date girls, “I’m Muslim, our religion forbids, it, it isn’t allowed by Allah.” They would ask me, “Does Allah care, about whether or not you drink wine or water?”, “Why does Allah mention himself in the Quran so much.” Why does Allah say this, and why does Allah do that.” In the years that Islam has been in the national spotlight, you hear it on the News “Muslims praise Aala, believe in Aala.” Today for a little while, I am going to remind myself…and whoever cares to listen…who is Allah.

1) He is the Rabb of Everything: Light from the sun, 93 million miles away, takes eight minutes to reach us. Some stars that you can see with your eyes, are 5,000 light years away. Others in galaxies are 2.5 million light years. How vast is the creation of Allah, and how powerful is the creator?

He brings vegetation from the earth to feed cattle and livestock, the worms in the mud are provided for by Allah, the whale in the ocean, he provides for all of them just as he provides for you and I.

2) He knows all. He knows what has and what will happened, he even knows what didn’t happen, if it happened how it would happen.

59. and with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. and He knows whatever there is In (or on) the earth and In the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. there is not a grain In the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written In a clear Record.

I was in the Haram in Mekkah for hajj, and as I sat gazing at the ka’aaba, there were faces as far as the eye can see, so much so that my eyes could not capture them, they were a blur. But their hands were raised up, different individuals, each raising their hand to their Lord in prayer. And He was their Lord, as privately and intimately as He has been mine all my life. He has been there for all of their moments, their successes and their tragedies, their every breath, he understands their languages, knows their history, and is closer to each one of them then their jugular vein, just as He is to me.

Multiply that by six billion people, multiply that by the number of insects, mammals, fish and other creatures on this earth and beyond it. He is Rabb Al’Alameen.

And no affair distracts him from another, no matter their number. He is not touched by sleep nor slumber. He fixated the sun at a distance so perfect that if moved any closer the planet would burn, and if it were to move any further the earth would be frozen. He made water a source of life for every living thing, it is so gentle that it will not irritate the eyes, and so powerful that it destroys entire cities and civilizations. He made the night and day interchange, the day so that we could seek livelihood, and the night so that we could rest. And if these two blessings were taken away from us, we would not be able to bring it back.

Say (O Muhammad): “Tell me! If Allâh made night continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an ilâh (a god) besides Allâh who could bring you light? Will you not then hear?”Say (O Muhammad): “Tell me! If Allâh made day continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an ilâh (a god) besides Allâh who could bring you night wherein you rest? Will you not then see?” (Al-Qasas 71-72)

So for those who have certainty and faith, what they see in the earth and heavens are some of his many signs. Last year a volcanic cloud of ashes hovered over Iceland, causing the shutting down of airspace over all of Great Britain to as far as Ukraine. All over the world people were paralyzed from travel. One volcano. What about a day with the following description:

And they ask you concerning the mountains, say; “My Lord will blast them and scatter them as particles of dust. (Taha:105)

3) He is the forgiver of sins. He is Ar-Rahman, there is no one else who is more merciful to us than Allah. For no one in such a status would allow to be treated the way that we treat Him.

“There is no one who is more patient with evil that he has heard than Allah, they attribute a son to Him and He continues to give them health and sustenance.” (Bukhari)

They ask us who is Allah? We say he is Ar-Rahman. He is Al-Ghafoor, He is Al-Malik. He forgives and loves to forgive. He extends his hands during the day to accept the repentance of the sinner at night, and extends his hand during the night to accept the repentance of the sinner during the day. If you take a step towards him, he takes multiple steps towards you. So if you ever find yourself distant from Allah than ask yourself who moved?

Second Khutbah:
He is Allah and even the word God, becomes too small for Him. For He chose, out of all of the Beautiful names that are His, He chose one of them to be the direct indication of His Divine Essence. He is Allah. Those who are slaves to their desires believe he is the Lord who forbids, but He is the Lord that Gives.

Whoever seeks happiness in Him is the only one who tastes happiness, and whoever seeks it in other than him will only find fleeting pleasures, that they will continuously have to chase. Whoever seeks honor in him is honored, and whoever seeks assistance in Him is not in need of any other. And He at the same time is not in need of any assistance and is not benefited by our worship.

There is nothing that we can be, nor ever hope to be, no title that we can acquire, whether it be a title of father or mother, husband or wife, daughter or son, that can ever be more lofty, more pure, and more fulfilling than being the slave of such an excellent Master.

He is the only one worthy of our hope, love, fear and obedience.

So worship Him.

A Love Story by Ammar AlShukry

Levels of Knowledge

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (May Allaah have mercy upon him) said:

“The first (level) of knowledge is (observing) silence. The second is listening attentively and memorizing it. The third is acting in accordance to it. The fourth is spreading and teaching it.”

(Lammad Durral-Manthoor minal-Qawlil-Ma-thoor # 173)

Sisters thinking about hijab/nikaab, ask yourselves: If u died today, do u want to meet Allah veiled or unveiled? — Sister Rebecca Salman

He’s my brother.

http://arabicgems.wordpress.com/

One of the first concepts encountered by those who decide to submit themselves to their Creator and accept Islam as their creed and way of life, is that a Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim, and that the bonds of faith are stronger than the bonds of blood. Thus one of the first words learnt by the new Muslim are akhee أخي (‘my brother’) and ukhtee أختي (‘my sister’), and in some cases these become the very words most frequented by the tongue of the Muslim.

Oftentimes though, a Muslim may feel disappointed or let down by his brother, the very feeling of which is a contradiction of what a brother represents to the Muslim and the Arabs, as told in part by the etymology of the word itself.

Some linguists believe that the word akh is derived from the word aakhiyyah آخيّة, which refers to a piece of rope the two ends of which are buried in the ground and attached to a small stone or stick, used to tie a horse or other animal in place so that it does not wander off. In this way should one be attached to their brother, so that they do not wander off from one another. Similarly, the brother should be like an aakhiyyah and ensure that his companion is kept close to the mark and does not wander too far away from it, but if it should happen, his brother shall draw him back to it.

Another group of linguists believe that the word akh is derived from the word wakhaa وخى, which refers to an aim, endeavour, or desire. This is because the two would share these same aims such that they are as one.

There is an Arabic proverb that states rubba akhin laka lam talid-hu ummuka رُبَّ أَخٍ لَكَ لَمْ تَلِدْهُ أُمُّكَ ‘There is many a brother for you to whom your mother has not given birth,’ referring to the full meaning of the word, as explained above. And indeed many can attest to the truth of this proverb.

You want to do good, do it, don’t delay

Bismillah walHamdulillah

I was once advised, along the lines of:

Wear niqab when you want to wear it the most, because you will never feel that way again. Even if you wear it later in your life, that same feeling – it won’t be there.

Regardless of whether or not this is entirely accurate (though I personally feel it is), the message remains, which is that you rush to do good, before you are unable to do it. If your heart is inclined towards good, you thank Allah swt for it, and you act on it. Or in other words, you thank Allah swt for it by acting on it.

“Allah says: ‘O family of Dawud, do thanks.’ As if ‘thanks’ is an action. Do the action of thanks. So you show gratefulness to Allah by using the blessing in the service of the Blessor, the One that gave them to you.” — Mohammad Elshinawy Abu Abbaad in A Test Called Life

You know the trials will come but you trust that Allah swt will provide for you ways out of your upcoming difficulties, from sources you could have never have imagined. It may be that a parent is against you wearing niqab, and then Allah swt shows you He is Capable over All things, by making that same parent, the one who becomes your support as you wear niqab. Impossible? Don’t doubt the power of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.

“… And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.“ Surah Talaq, 65:2-3

I was also advised, along the lines of:

Sometimes you just have to put it [the niqab] on, and walk out of the house, because the more you wait and sit around, the more chances you are giving shaytan to waswas (whisper) in your ear.

waAllahu ta’alaa A3lam

There is a test on every corner…

Bismillah walHamdulillah

SubhanAllah, I get the feeling that there is a test for me (and all of us) on every corner. That is the nature of this dunyah, one test after another. Even when it seems the tests have stopped, you open up your eyes and realize you’re in the middle of one right now.

The Prophet peace be upon him said, ‘That Paradise is surrounded by hardships and the Hell-Fire is surrounded by temptations. (Saheeh Muslim)

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“Alif-Laam-Meem. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe’, and will not be tested? And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make known, those who are true, and will certainly make known those who are liars.” [Surah Al Ankaboot, 29:1-3]

–Explanation: “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested?”. This is a rebuke in the form of a question, meaning that Allah will inevitably test His believing servants according to their level of faith. The stronger the religious commitment, the stronger the test.” [Tafsir ibn Kathir]

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“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” Surah Baqarah:214

And with every test that we face, we come out a different person. A sister once said, the person before the test, and the person after the test, they are two different people. And it was once said that “oranges are squeezed, so that you can have the juice that comes out of them” — or in other words, we are put through tests, so that the best of our qualities can come shining through.

This feeling of one test after the next, reminds me of something I heard once in a lecture:

“The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: The first part of this ummah were given their preservation (3aafiya), but the last part of this ummah will have tests, will have trials, will have difficulties they will undergo. A fitnah will come. One that will seem hard compared to others. One that will come and the believer will say ‘In this fitnah, in this trial, in this temptation, in this deception is my destruction, like I can’t defeat this one, I can’t overcome, surpass, I can’t deal with this one.’ And then it will pass. And another one will come. So whoever wants to succeed, brothers and sisters, whoever wants to pass in this difficult time, whoever wants to pass in this time, then let his moment of death come to him whilst he believes in Allah and the last day. Let his end come to him, firm upon La ilaha illallah, uncompromising in his belief in Allah, not wavering in those core elementary beliefs and principles of Islaam. Because we will live in a time, brothers and sisters, in which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: All of you, run and race, and be quick towards good actions, why, because the fitnah will cover you like the darkness of the night covers you. It will cover you, like the darkness of the night envelopes and covers you. A man will wake up as a believer, he will go to sleep in the evening, (not just as a munafiq, not as a faasiq, not just as a fahjar, but) as a KAAFIR, as a disbeliever. He wasn’t just a Muslim, he was a Mu’min, he had risen to the level of imaan, but the evening will come upon him and he will be in a state of disbelief, in a state of kufr. And in the evening, he will be a believer, a Mu’min, but by the morning he will be a kaafir. Why? Why will someone change his religion, leave Islam, renounce Islam, in the matter of a day, in the matter of a night, the hadith says: because he will sell his religion, (literally sell his religion), for a small price from this dunyah…He will renounce Islam, for the sake of name, for the sake of fame, for the sake of some kind of position…He will renounce his deen.”

— The End of Time: A New Beginning Part 1

aka The Return of Jesus a.s. by Uthman Lateef

Click here for audio:

For full series:

http://www.kalamullah.com/lectures.html

—

“You should rush towards virtuous deeds before you are overtaken by turbulent times like a portion of a pitch-dark night, times in which a person may wake up believing and lose faith by nightfall, or believe at nightfall and lose faith by morning, selling one’s religion for a paltry, worldly profit.” [Related by Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Ibn Hibban on the authority of Abu Hurayrah]