In assalaamu

The Day of "Ashoora

We are in the holy month of Muharram. Today is 'Ashoora, the 10th of Muharram.

Today we fast to celebrate the victory of the Prophet Musa (alaihis sallam). He led his people out of bondage in Egypt away from Pharaoh. 

 

This year, I am hoping to fast on the 10th and 11th of Muharram

My Fancy Sewing Tie - Completed

 

Preparations for Embroidery

I have joined the Take A Stitch Tuesday Facebook Group. However, I have not been able to get the time to do any of the stitches as yet due to the quantity of work at my regular job. I have been rather jealously looking at everyone else's work.

I have been able over the last few days, to organize so that I can do some embroidery. 

I wanted to make a long sampler with each of the stitches...

Firstly, I sourced some material. In Trinidad and Tobago, this fabric is called brown cotton even though it is off-white. It is a cotton material that looks natural. 

I cut four long strips as you can see in the picture and then I used a regular pencil to draw lines. I decided that 8" X 4" would be a good sample size that I could use.

A close up of the pencil markings on the fabric. I haven't decided as yet if I'm going to use a back stitch for the lines.

I also have one of my chatelaines. 

And for this I made three chatelaines with split rings of stranded embroidery cotton. Stranded embroidery cotton is easily available here.

Sigh..........

To get other types of thread for embroidery, I'd have to purchase them online. Later on, I may decide to do that.......

I'm currently pleased with myself...

I have organised so that I can start stitching very soon.

Islamic Year - 1438

Today is the first day in the new Islamic Year 1438 A.H.

It marks 1438 years since the Holy Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina.

It is also the start of  Muharram; the second holiest month of the Islamic year after Ramadhan.

Muharram means 'forbidden' so many Muslims fast during this month. And in fact fighting is forbidden during this month.

Abdal-Hamid Kishk - Abu Yazeed and the Pope

The following was a video that I found while surfing the internet. I am not sure if it is about a true incident, but I was so fascinated with it.

What drew me to it even though I did not understand most of what was said was the voice of Abdal-Hamid Kishk. I felt as if it pulled at my heart. I like this video because of the subtitles.

Abdal-Hamid Kishk was born on March 10, 1933 and died December 6, 1996. He was an Egyptian preacher, scholar of Islam, activist, and author.

Abdal-Hamid Kishk was born in Shibrakheet, a small village near Alexandria, Egypt. His father died before Abd al-Hamid reached schooling age. He joined one of the schools of Azhar and by the age of 8 he had memorized the Quran. It was at this time that he was inflicted by an illness which took his sight. 

However, rather than demoralize him, the loss of his sight encouraged him to learn more and persevere further. He graduated as a scholar from the faculty of Usoul al Din in Azhar and was appointed as an Imam, giving khutbas throughout Egypt.

According to Kishk, the greater jihad is a continuous struggle aimed at subduing one’s baser nature and attuning oneself to Allah’s moral standards. It is the basis for personal moral development, creating pious and philanthropic activism, promoting justice and prosperity in society, while combating ignorance, injustice and oppression. 

As a result of this greater jihad, says Kishk, Islam "heals those societies which follows its guidance and are built on consciences which have been awakened and hearts which have been illuminated by the light of belief.

The choice to wear the hijab

A few days ago, I was speaking to a convert 

From the Mathnawi

   

     
A certain saintly man used to always perform his salaah with the congregation in the mosque. One day as usual he went to the mosque for salaah. As he reached the door of the mosque, he heard the voice of the Imam saying: "Assalaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah" indicating that the congregational salaah had ended. Realizing that he had missed the congregational salaah, the pious man was filled with so much sorrow that he sighed: "Ah!" Such a sigh came right from the depths of his heart. "The saintly man missed the congregation and 'Ah!' was uttered in sorrow and in his 'Ah' the blood of his heart could be smelt".

     Inside the mosque, there was another saintly person with a
spiritual insight. When he came out of the mosque, he saw a celestial light, which went right up to the Throne of Allah Ta’ala.  He discovered that the light was the sigh of the person who had missed the congregational prayer. He said to the pious one: "Hazrat give me that 'Ah!' and in exchange accept my Salaah which was performed with the congregation.”

The saint did not, at the time, understand the real value of his "Ah!" and exchanged it for the Salaah with congregation. That night the other saint saw a dream wherein a voice from heaven said to him: "O man, you have purchased and acquired the water of life, the water of health and have made a very good exchange in getting that 'Ah!' because that sigh was uttered in the fullest sincerity".

"That night a messenger from on high brought the message that through that transaction he had acquired the water of life and of health. And said: Through this transaction that you have made,
Allah Ta’ala has accepted the Salaah of all mankind of the present time."

From this we can learn the following things:
One should not look down upon anyone. Sometimes even a great sinner repents so sincerely, with such a presence of heart and in such a heart-rending manner that his repentance becomes superior to all his other deeds, with the result that we do not know from where to where he reaches.
Maulana says:
"Taubah (repentance) is a strange means of conveyance. It causes one to reach speedily from humbleness and lowliness Up to acceptance and great heights". From this, we also learn that when there are shortcomings and faults in our deeds, we should have sorrow, grief and remorse and we should cry before Allah Ta’ala seeking forgiveness and pardon. In the story all that was included in one" Ah!”

Ramadhan - Recharging the Batteries

It's the Holy month of Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and comes once a year. 

During this month, Muslims fast by not eating or drinking anything from dawn until sunset. 

Muslims also refrain from ill-speaking anyone and from having sexual intercourse during those hours as well. There are also extra prayers to be said at this time as well.

It is considered the time to recharge our batteries, because eating, drinking and sexual intercourse is food for the physical bodies, the nafs. Refraining from these physical activities, would weaken the physical body and hence the nafs.

However, food for our spiritual body, the ruh, is the dhikr of Allah, reading of the Holy Qur'an, extra prayers or Salaah and Zakaah. During this month, therefore, we get the opportunity to strengthen our Ruh by focusing more closely on all aspects of ibadah.

Sehri and Iftar

Sehri

• Taking of Sehri is Sunnah. If one is not hungry and has no desire to eat, then two or three dates or some other light food may be taken or some water at least should be drunk.
• If anyone woke up and did not eat anything as Sehri but only chewed a beta leaf, then he will get the credit of Sehri.
• As far as possible the taking of Sehri should be delayed but not so much that the dawn may appear and put the fast in doubt.
• If Sehri is taken early but continued to take tea etc. for long and gargled near dawn, then the credit of delayed Sehri is gained.
• If anyone did not wake up for Sehri and all remained asleep, then fast should be observed without it. It is a sin and also cowardice not to keep a last because of not eating Sehri.
• It is permissible to take Sehri till Fajr time starts and not after that.
• If any one woke up late for Sehri and under the impression that it was still night took Sehri but it revealed later that it was after dawn, then the fast was not accomplished and it should be kept as a missed fast but recompense is not due. But even then nothing should be eaten or drunk and one shouldbehave like fasting ones. In the same way if fast is broken thinking that the sun had set but the sun appeared after a while, then the fast is breached and should be kept as a postponed fast but no recompense is due, and it is also not proper how to eat or drink till the sun has actually set.
• If the waking up was so much delayed that it was suspected to be dawn, then to eat or drink anything now is execrable and it would be a sin to do so. It after eating something it was confirmed that it was dawn, then a missed fast should be kept and if it is still doubt then a postponed fast is not essential. But as a precaution a postponed fast may be kept.
• The dua that can be said at the time of Sehri. It is always better to say this dua the night before in case one wakes up late.

Iftar

• It is appreciable to break the fast as soon as the sun has definitely set. To delay after that is execrable.
• On cloudy days the fast should be broken with some delay till it is definite that the sun would have set. The watches or clocks should not be relied upon as they may go wrong. Even if someone has called the Azaan and the setting of sun is still doubtful, fast should not be opened till your own heart is satisfied about the time.
• It is appreciable to break the fast with dates or with some other sweet thing, but if any of these is not available, then with water. Some men and women open fast with a bit of salt and think it to be creditable. It is a wrong belief.
• The dua to be said at the time of Iftar

Ramadhan Mubarak -The Fasting Timetable

The crescent moon (hilal) sighting and Ramadhan

Last night everyone was looking for the new moon so that Ramadhan 1437 AH could commence. The new moon was born at 2:59 (UT) on Sunday 5th June 2016. Since the new moon was so young it was not expected to be visible to the naked eye in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados or Guyana.

Since most Muslims in our country follow the actual sighting of the moon in our part of the world, the Ramadhan did not start today. However, since in Islam we follow the lunar calendar, then a month can only have 29 or 30 days. 

As such we know for sure that the Holy month of Ramadhan will commence tomorrow Tuesday 7th June 2016.

Ramadhan Mubarak to all Muslims throughout the world.

Cleaning

Bothered...........
Since 2014, I have not gotten a chance to deep clean the house. 

Very delinquent of me, I know. 

Now I have a myriad of excuses.....
We have a family business and there were audits in 2014 for most of the year. I had to travel to England in August 2014 and my son got married in October 2014. And work is always so hectic and earlier this year, there was another audit.
So it was very hectic.
However in August 2014, my son ensured that the house was 'spick and span' because he wanted to get married.
So now it is time to get cracking and clean. 

I have bought and gathered implements such as scrubbers, buckets, cleaning cloths and spray bottles 

And I have done some research.

I have a wooden painted house and my research tells me that I can use dishwashing liquid (Sqezy) and vinegar. 

So I made this mixture, one-third dishwashing liquid and two-thirds vinegar, filled in a spray bottle, sprayed the walls and then wiped with clean water. My son was home and helped with the high parts of the walls that I couldn't reach.

Worked like a charm and I didn't have to use any bleach. 

Bleach irritates my fingers.

So it was a flurry of cleaning.

So the walls on the inside of the house is sparkling clean. 

I just have some packing and organizing to do.

I am extremely pleased. 

Ramadhan is expected to start soon.

Its the first year that I have done so much cleaning before the holy month actually starts. 

A Chatelaine - Rings

I do not get much time to sew. Because of that, sometimes I misplace things so that I have to spend time looking for needles and such like instead of sewing.  

I very recently went to a craft shop and while waiting to be attended to, saw the large ring in the photograph. and realized that it can fit through my hands. I bought on and use it to make a chatelaine. 

Basically what I did was to attach split rings to the large ring and then attached cute little items to each split ring.

The scissors case took the longest to make. It was made with pink felt with the same rose patterned flannel on the inside. 

A Bitter Melon turns Sweet

Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) was employed by a rich man. Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) had such great love for Allah Ta’ala and contact with Him, that it created within him high moral character and exemplary habits. This was a clear sign of his nobility and nearness to Allah Ta’ala. The details of which are described in Surah Luqmaan in the Quran Sharif. 

The nobility of Luqmaan's (Alaihis Salaam) character had a great effect on his master, to such an extent that the master considered him as a great friend and a beloved companion. 

Although he was the master, yet in fact the master became like a slave to his employee. “It is the miracle of love that the king  became a slave of his beloved".

It then became the practice of the master that whenever he had something special to eat, he would first feed Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) of it and after Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) had filled himself, he would then eat the leftovers.

Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) would consider the love of the master and his habit therefore he would eat moderately and send what was left over to the master. One day, during the melon season, the master received a melon from somewhere. At that time Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) was not present. The master sent one of his slaves to go and call him. 

When Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) arrived, the master cut the
melon into slices and slice by slice gave them to Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) to eat. As he ate the slices, the master inwardly became pleased at the effect his love was having upon Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam).
Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) ate the slices of melon with great pleasure and all the time expressed thanks for the favor shown to him by the master. 

When just one slice remained, the master said: "Let me eat this slice and see how sweet this melon is". Saying this, he put the slice into his mouth. Immediately, such bitterness spread from the tip of his tongue down to his throat, that he fell down unconscious and remained unconscious for a whole hour. 

When he regained consciousness, he questioned Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam), "O Beloved one, how did you manage to so heartily eat those slices of melon? Just one slice of the melon had such an effect on me, how did you manage to eat so many slices?"

Hazrat Luqmaan (Alaihis Salaam) replied, "From your hands I have received hundreds of gifts. The burden of your kindness has bent my back. Hence, I felt ashamed that the hand that had granted me so many favors, if one day some distastefulness or bitterness should come, how can I turn away from it? O Khawaja Saheb, the pleasure of knowing that it comes from your hands has changed the bitterness of the melon to sweetness"

Istighfar - Seeking Forgiveness

Rasulullah Sallalahu alayhi wa Sallam used to recite :

أستغفرالله ~ Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness of Allah)

at least 100 times a day.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: 

“The one who [regularly] says Istighfaar,  Allah Azza Wa-Jal will open a path for him from all difficulties, remove him from all sorrow, and grant him sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources.” 

[Abu Dawud]

As Salaamu Alayka

Today is Friday.

It is the day of Jumma and the day to send Darood Sharif on the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). 

Here is a lovely song with no music from someone with a very nice voice. 

It is a wish in the heart of every believer to meet and greet the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

Protection - The Barrel of a Wave

I am a Muslim woman who  wears a hijab.

I can't swim at all.

Neither can I dive. 

So I may never experience the thrill and the joy that surfers like this man would experience riding a huge wave.

But the strangest thing is that I feel as if I am standing like this man, in the barrel of this huge gigantic wave. It is an awesome feeling.

Incredible in fact, as if I'm inside and this beautiful wave is all around protecting and taking care of me.