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. 

Friday - The day of Darood Shareef

According to Abu Dawood: 
Rasullulah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said: 

'Recite Durood on me in abundance on Fridays, for Durood is presented to me.' 

 

The Virtues and Blessings of Reciting Durood Upon Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam :

• Allah will send ten mercies upon the one who recites Durood, just once upon Rasullulah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam


• Allah will forgive ten of his sins


• Allah will raise his rank ten times higher in Paradise


• Allah will grant him ten rewards

• The reciting of Durood before Du‘aa brings hope of its acceptance

• It will bring intercession of Rasullulah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam on the Day of Qiyaamah


• It is a cause of forgiveness


• It brings the Pleasure of Allah


• It will bring the reciter nearer to Rasullulah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam on the Day of Qiyaamah

(taken from Veiled Gems -Towards Reformation of the Soul)

A beautiful Nasheed definitely suitable for Friday

A Woman's List for Ramadhan

Most ladies are accustomed making lists for everything; purchasing groceries, vegetables and meat, household items, clothes and accessories.  Some write down on scraps of paper, some in books and some keep their lists in their heads. Some are becoming high tech and making their lists on their cell phones or ipads.

Making lists is part of a woman’s capability of organization and multi-tasking. In fact, many housewives and working women rely upon these lists to accomplish all the tasks of the household as well as those in their workplaces.

When Ramadhan begins, ladies also make lists; lists for cleaning, shopping and invitations for Eid ul Fitr. Some ladies also make lists for items for aftari; either at their homes or in the masjids and most importantly lists for Eid clothes for everyone in the family.

  But this year in the midst of making all these lists, stop a minute and think! 

Will making these lists and accomplishing all these tasks assist us when die?

At that time, will we be able to enjoy our homes, guests and eat delicious food. At that time, we would not be wearing the latest or most expensive dress, cosmetics and perfumes. We would be bathed in warm water; camphor will be put on us and we would be wrapped in white cotton.  Many of the things that we consider to be important here in this world would be of no consequence when we enter our graves (qabr).

This year as we begin Ramadhan, we could consider; in addition to all the other lists, making a different kind of list; a list to assist us in the hereafter. We could choose one, a few or as many as possible of the following:-

1. Making arrangements to learn to read the holy Quran if we haven’t already done so.

2. Listening to recitations of the Quran by famous reciters such as Mishary Raashid al-Aafaasee, Shaik Abu Baker Al-Shatri, Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary. These can be obtained from the internet and can be used when doing individual reading to assist in pronunciation. Every afternoon after Asr or Maghrib, I listened and followed Al-Aafaasee’s recitation of Surah Yaaseen so that I could now read it myself, morning and evening.

3. Memorizing some new verses of the Quran this year Ramadhan, so that we are able to read them in salaat for the rest of the year.

4. Reading or attempting to read the entire Quran this year Ramadhan. If we make a sincere intention, then perhaps with the permission of Allah, we could achieve it.

5. Teaching/encouraging someone to read the Quran. I can still remember being a nine year old child and as soon as I had learnt to read the Quran, teaching a middle-aged woman to read the Quran in the old masjid in Princes Town and being so pleased when she had completed the Qaida and could read the Quran herself.

6. Buying and reading a book such as:

• Bahishti Zewar by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.).
• Uswai Rasool-e-Akram by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Hai

7. Recitation of zikr (planning and fulfilling a quota of zikr for the day or the entire month) such as

• The first kalima
• The third kalima
• Darood Sharif
• Asma ul Husna

8. Listening to programmes by lecturers such as:-

1. Maulana Yunus Patel- the sufi whose simple style and clear soothing voice resonates in the heart. His lecture on 20.07.2004 on Sukoon e dil (peace in the heart) renders sukoon to the listener and his zikr majlis on 25.01.2001 brings tears to the eyes. These lectures and many others can be found on his website and are free to access.
2. Maulana Naeem Motala- the sheikh whose powerful zikr majlis of the first kalima and 40 durood is so very captivating.
3. Maulana Suliman Katani – the charismatic speaker whose fascinating lecture on “Death- The Forgotten Love Story” is mind boggling.
4. Imam Anwar Al Awlaki – the controversial martyr, whose series on the ‘Lives of the Prophets’ bring them to life from the Quran and Hadith.

9. Learning about the history of Islam. Our role models should be the wives of the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam), and in reality, they are his legacy to us as women. We should consider the support provided by Sayyidah Khadijah in the earliest days of Islam. The obedience of Sayyidah Saudah and the manner in which she took care of the children of the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa sallam) after the death of Sayyidah Khadija. The scholar Sayyidah Ayesha and the impact her knowledge has had on Islamic history.

The month of Ramadhan is special to Muslims and is eagerly looked forward to by many. It is in Ramadhan that we develop taqwa and we build our shields that will protect and safeguard us for the rest of the year.  However, the strength of our shields will depend upon how much effort that we, as women put into building them. This is why I urge you as well as myself for this Ramadhan;-

MAKE A LIST AND USE IT!

Old Age

I have realized that I am getting older and I need to take care of myself. 

So I bought myself a tablet organizer and decided which would be the best vitamins and tablets to use at this point in time.

I particularly  like this tablet organizer because I can fill it once a week and just grab one pill box per day

I also really like the fact that the little pill boxes fit nicely in my handbag and is separated inside in two sections for morning and evening with the days clearly printed on the outside.

The Lighted Lamp in the marketplace

Aha! A Conflict!

Let’s embrace this opportunity to get to know each other……………………..

     Jalaluddin Rumi (rahmatullah alaihe) in his famous Mathnavi tells of a man who took a lighted lamp during the day and proceeded to the marketplace.

Someone asked him, “What is wrong with you? What need is there for a lamp during the light of day?”

He replied, “I am searching for man everywhere. I do not see even one man.”

The person said: “But this market is filled with men.”

The man replied, “No, there are no men in this market, only the outer forms of men. These are only bread-eaters and persons involved in their own desires. All the persons you see in this market are all carriers of attributes contrary to true manhood”

IMAGINE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     All of us are products of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam), the first man, who was created out of a mixture of all the different types of soil on the earth. Ask any farmer and he would tell you of the differences that can exist in the soil in terms of texture, colour, vegetation, yields and so on.  As such, each of us would not only have faults and shortcomings but each of us is also different in some way or another.

     In spite of the fact that we are different, every single one amongst us looks for perfection in our dealings with each other. We totally forget that we are not masoom (sinless) angels made of light but we are the progeny of Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam). It is therefore only natural that conflict would occur. The challenge however is not the fact that there are problems and conflicts but the most important point is how we as individuals and Muslims deal with these problems and conflicts with others around us.

      Unfortunately most of us do not realize that conflicts provide an opportunity for us to develop greater interaction amongst ourselves. Many of us become angry to the extent that we sometimes attack the other person’s character. Or worse yet, we begin to hate that person and forget the actual problem.

    But, perhaps we should stop for a minute and consider what Allah Azza Wa Jal says in the Holy Qur’an,

                    ‘We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,

                    Then do we abase him (to be) the lowest of the low’ (95: 4-5)

Do we really wish to become the “lowest of the low?” Rather than that, we could explore alternatives such as:-

• §  Being hard on the problem but soft on the person and their character
• §  Focusing on what needs to be done and not our positions on the issues
• §  Emphasizing common ground between persons
• §  Being inventive/innovative about  options that could be considered
• §  Making clear agreements about solutions preferably with available witnesses

    And we should also consider that:

          ‘It is not permissible for a man to forsake his Muslim brother for more than three days, each of them turning away from the other when they meet. The better of them is the one who gives the greeting of salaam first.”(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5727; Muslim, 2560).

And also:

           ‘On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who love one another through My glory? Today I shall give them shade in My shade, it being a day when there is no shade but My shade.'" [Bukhari (also by Malik).]’

     In the final analysis, the key to our stay here on this earth is to please that Allah Aza Wa Jal who has given us life for a time and will call us back to account for our deeds. 

So a person who is fit to be called a ‘man’ created in the ‘best of moulds’ according to the story from the Mathnavi is one who becomes adorned with deeds and character which lead to the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. That Allah Ta’ala who wishes us to love one another for His glory, not our gratification.

     

     So the next time there is a conflict…………………

     Embrace the opportunity to learn about one another;

     Forget petty differences! Because we are all different…………………..

     Why do we do this!

     

Because, just perhaps, by making allowances for Allah’s creation, He may just forgive us for all our misdeeds and have mercy on us when we stand before Him with our arms outstretched on that great day to answer for our deeds here in this dunya.

Things Below the Surface



Sometimes there are things just below the surface of reality. And we may be blinded by so many things and as such we are unable to detect it.

In such a case, we can't blame anyone except our own selves that we do not have the sight to see what is just below the surface.

But the most fascinating thing is that if we leave things alone, then the 'sharks' that are hidden beneath the surface are betrayed by their 'fins' that just skim the surface of reality.

We must always remember that Allah knows who belongs in our lives and who doesn't. We should therefore trust and let go. If we were to do  that then whoever is meant to be there, will still be there.  

Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest

A soothing zikr majlis that brings tears to the eyes by the gentle sufi, Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (R.A.) 

A powerful zikr majlis by Maulana Naeem  Motala that resonates in the heart. Maulana Motala says that

'Zikrullah ignites the flame of the love of Allah Ta'ala in our dead heart and gives spiritual life to our Heart' 

Muslim Women-the Hidden Jewels of the Muslim Community

     Ramadhan will be starting soon and it is important that we prepare not only our physical surroundings but our psychological being to welcome this great month.
     
Muslims today live in the last days. We are fortunate to live in the best time and also in the worst time in the history of mankind.     It is the best of times because we live in the era of technology where the world has become like a global village. It is because of this and the volume of information that comes to us via the telephone, television and internet system that we can learn about events taking place throughout the world as they occur.      

We also live in the worst time in all history because we live the age of Dajjal. This is the time when it is difficult to follow the path of Islam. In fact, following the path of Islam in these times can lead to suffering, persecution and even death. We know this becuase in many parts of the world today, our Muslim brothers are dying and we see on television our Muslim sisters in tears. It is in these times that the Muslim women must shine like the most precious and valuable jewels of the entire Muslim community. A valuable, beautiful jewel has many facets and so too does the Muslim woman.

     The world looks at our Muslim sisters in their hijabs and black burqahs as a sign of backwardness and fanaticism. What they have not realized is that the black burqahs and the hijabs is a form of protection and comfort. Muslim women are beautiful but if her beauty is not seen, then she will not be attacked by physical eyes, hands or unseen evil beings. She will therefore be more protected and comfortable to move around in society for her daily needs.     Just as we love jewellery and just as a jewel shines for all to see, so to must the Muslim woman shine in her dealings with all. She displays love and kindness to children and to her Muslim sisters. This means that wherever she lives, she will try to assist those in need and at the very least remember those Muslims who are being persecuted in her prayers.      

      Another facet of the Muslim woman’s character is that she has endurance and faith in Allah. Therefore in the face of difficulties and problems in this world, she will be a source of strength to others, as she will have in her heart the verses from the Holy Qur’an:-            

Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere- (Al Qur’an 2:155)     

The Muslim woman is the repository of knowledge for the Muslim community. The women are the first teachers of Islamic knowledge and they are the ones to instil in the hearts of their children, love for Islam. It is also important to remember that in countries where Muslims are attacked and killed, it will be the Muslim woman who will carry the torch of Islamic knowledge. She must not only have Islamic knowledge but academic knowledge as well so that she can understand issues as they occur in the world and be able to combat the propaganda instilled by others about Islam. This is one of the most crucial facets of her character in today’s world.     

Another aspect of the Muslim woman is that she follows the laws from the Holy Qur’an where it says:-          Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that ye may learn self-restraint (Al Qur’an 2:183)So it is that the Muslim woman fasts in the month of Ramadhan. 

In addition to this, she prays and recites dhikr to develop her self spiritually. It is, therefore, she who would more fully understand the verse in the Qur’an:-          

And hold fast altogether by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided amongst yourselves. (Al Qur’an 3:103)

So it is that the Muslim woman recognises another Muslim woman wearing a hijab and feels a connection with her even if they never meet. The Muslim woman knows that she may never live to see the Prophet Isa (May Allah be pleased with him). She also knows that she may never see Dajjal with her eyes and may never have the opportunity to join the army of Imam Mahdi. But as a Muslim woman, she would ensure that her children and future generations would recognize them and be able to join them when they do arrive. The only way she can do this is to develop her own qalb (heart) and then assist those around her to develop theirs.       

It is in the month of Ramadhan that the Muslim woman would further develop all the facets of herself. As such, the Muslim woman knows that all knowledge comes from Allah and she welcomes Ramdhan as it is the training ground to develop all her capabilities. She also welcomes Ramadhan as it provides sanctuary in the last days of our world.