A Woman’s Example of Patience

January 22, 2011

Throughout the early Islamic history there are many examples of brave and strong women.  One of these women was Um Shuraik, who endured harsh treatment from Quraish people, but her wisdom and patience brought great rewards..this is also a wonderful example of the verse in the Qur’an, “Verily, with hardship there is relief” (Qur’an 94:6)  This sentence is repeated twice!

Also a Hadith Bukhari: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship).”

The Qur’an is full of many verses which urge us to be patient!

Please watch :

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Which People are The Best?

January 22, 2011

Recently I read this hadith (saying of the Prophet Mohammed, or things he allowed or did) and was really touched.  Then I started to think that maybe if all people would work on keeping or making their hearts “white” then other acts of goodness, righteousness,,, will follow naturally.   How many of us walk around with bitter feelings, ideas, attitudes, or anger against a neighbor, co-worker or relative?  Can the list go on?  It does for many of us.  Anger, hatred, impatience, ingratitude and many other attributes can cause “black spots” on our heart.  After reading this hadith, I felt that the definition of a pure heart was very clear and something we should all work towards…

 

 

 

Abdullah ibn Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) was asked, “Which people are the best?” He said, “The best people are those whose tongues are truthful and their hearts are Makhmum….They said, “We know the meaning of a truthful tongue, but what is a heart that is Makhmum?” He said, “It’s a heart that is pious and pure with no sin. This heart has no unfairness, no envy and doesn’t hold malice.”

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This Life Needs Patience and Gratitude

January 14, 2011

So many of us do not have this vital trait in our lives.  We rush around daily trying to manage all of the demands placed upon us, yet we do so in a very rushed and sometimes rude manner.  If we consider all of the verses written in the Holy Quran, we can clearly see that God has placed a very high value and importance upon patience.  Whether we are dealing with a lazy, demanding or incompetent boss, annoying coworker, frustrating relative or impudent children, we must make the effort to handle each situation with patience, gratitude and tolerance.  Many times I wonder why a person is being rude, cold or demanding and I eventually find out I cannot comprehend what his or her day has been like; the personal problems they may be dealing with on top of heavy work load or horrible upper management.  Patience and gratitude surely work hand in hand for we should feel gratitude for our situation and know that no matter how bad it may seem, we are better off than many others in this world.

Below is a video by the renowned scholar Abu Bilal Philips:  I do hope that you gain benefit and follow up with other videos he has posted.

 


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The Value and Dedication of our Mother

August 28, 2010

From Rochester, New York, Amir recites a poem about his mother.. an example of many mothers and the duties of man.  It is just beautiful..”simply beautiful to hear a MAN who was raised by his MOTHER acknowledge the part she played in his development.”    Enjoy…

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My Way Back to Hijab

August 27, 2010

Some things are, like they say, one step forward and two steps back.  But, as guest writer Bisma shares, with pure intentions and persistence, and help from Allah ta’ala, it’s possible to come out ahead.

My hijab story is like a secret diary no one should ever read. It is filled with horrible facts about me and points to my mistakes and weaknesses. My journey to hijab is filled with fear, negativity and regret. So I warn you: read with caution.

The most important thing you should know is that I used to wear hijab, but eventually took it off. I hate saying it, admitting to the world that I was one of those ignorant girls who went backwards after putting on the hijab, instead of moving forward with my deen. But it’s what I did and I can’t change that.

I first put on the hijab due to an extreme iman rush after an Islamic conference and pressure I felt from my community members, because, masha’Allah, almost all the girls I knew already wore hijab and were so religious. I always felt like an outcast not wearing it, so I decided to just do it.

After putting on the scarf, however, I was extremely self-cautious. I would feel fine wearing it when I was around my religious friends; but, when I was with other “normal” people, I was ashamed. I tried to cover while still blending in: wearing hoods and hats to cover my hair, instead of proper hijab. I didn’t understand that “hijab” was true modesty, not only in dress, but in actions as well. I treated the hijab simply as a cloth on my head.

During that period, I regretted the day I decided to wear the hijab and every bone in my body screamed at me to take it off, but I was afraid of what people would think of me. So I continued my self-loathing and wore the scarf. I felt horrible because I knew I wasn’t getting reward from Allah ta’ala. After all, I only kept on my hijab from fear of people’s judgment, rather than fulfilling the command of my Lord.

The regret continued and became stronger each day. I woke up miserable, knowing I had to put on my hijab. I hated going out, especially with my husband, because I felt that every other girl looked beautiful to him except me. His consolation only made it worse. I didn’t believe him when he said I looked beautiful, because I felt ugly, inside and out. I was always irritated and fighting with everyone around me. Read the rest of this entry »

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25 Dua or Supplications to Keep with You

August 12, 2010
(And when My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I respond to the dua (prayer) of every suppliant when they calleth on Me – Quran 2:186)
1. Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come and keep us safe from the torment of the Fire (2:201)
2. Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance and make our foothold sure and give us help against those who reject faith. (2:250)
3. Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or fall into error. (2:286)
4. Our Lord! Lay not upon us such a burden as You did lay upon those before us. (2:286)
5. Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear, grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us. You are our Protector. Help us against those who deny the truth. (2:286)
6. Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Your grace. Verily You are the Giver of bounties without measure. (3:8)
7. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and the lack of moderation in our doings, and make firm our steps and succour us against those who deny the truth. (3:147)
8. Our Lord! Whomsoever You shall commit to the Fire, truly You have brought [him] to disgrace, and never will wrongdoers find any helpers (3:192)
9. Our Lord! Behold we have heard a voice calling us unto faith: “Believe in your Lord” and we have believed. (3:193)
10. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and efface our bad deeds and take our souls in the company of the righteous. (3:193)
11. Our Lord! And grant us that which you have promised to us by Your messengers and save us from shame on the Day of Judgement. Verily You never fail to fulfill Your promise. (3:194)
12. Our Lord! We have sinned against ourselves, and unless You grant us forgiveness and bestow Your mercy upon us, we shall most certainly be lost! (7:23)
13. Our Lord! Place us not among the people who have been guilty of evildoing. (7:47)
14. Our Lord! Lay open the truth between us and our people, for You are the best of all to lay open the truth. (7:89)
15. Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and make us die as those who have surrendered themselves unto You. (7:126)
16. Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the evildoing folk, and save as by Your mercy from people who deny the truth (10:85-86)
17. Our Lord! You truly know all that we may hide [in our hearts] as well as all that we bring into the open, for nothing whatever, be it on earth or in heaven, remains hidden from Allah (14:38)
18. Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Your presence and dispose of our affairs for us in the right way. (18:10)
19. Our Lord! Grant that our spouses and our offspring be a comfort to our eyes, and give us the grace to lead those who are conscious of You. (25:74)
20. Our Lord! You embrace all things within Your Grace and Knowledge, forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and ward off from them the punishment of Hell. (40:7)
21. Our Lord! Make them enter the Garden of Eden which You have promised to them, and to the righteous from among their fathers, their wives and their offspring, for verily You are alone the Almighty and the truly Wise. (40:8)
22. Our Lord! Relieve us of the torment, for we do really believe. (44:12)
23. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins as well as those of our brethren who proceeded us in faith and let not our hearts entertain any unworthy thoughts or feelings against [any of] those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness and Most Merciful (59:10)
24. Our Lord! In You we have placed our trust, and to You do we turn in repentance, for unto You is the end of all journeys. (60:4)
25. Our Lord! Perfect our light for us and forgive us our sins, for verily You have power over all things. (66:8)

I’m not sure who wrote this program, but it’s pretty nifty. It just brings up the 25 Quran Duas on your PC on a little program. You can download it from here. and then you can also see the Arabic which is better.. or  http://www.jannah.org/quran/25quranduas.html

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What is Patience?

April 16, 2010

The Concept Of Sabr (Patience) in Islam ::::patience and gratitude

ALLAH Says: “Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)

Ibn al-Qayyim (d.750H) says: “And know that sabr (patient perseverance) is of three kinds: [i] sabr whilst (fulfilling) the orders of Allâh, [ii] sabr whilst (abandoning and keeping away) from the prohibitions of Allâh, and [iii] sabr with the Decree of Allâh with respect to afflictions and difficulties.”

Hardships and ease are a trial for us. Everything Allah chooses for you; from good or evil, is for your benefit. Whatever occurred to you could not have missed you and what missed you could never have reached you. Rewards are only for those who are patient with the Decree of Allah.

Panic and impatience cannot prevent Allah’s Decree. Shakwah (complaining) is contradictory to Sabr (patience). Allah alone can protect you from harm and ease your difficulties. Sabr is obligatory!

If the affliction results from acts of obedience to Allah, such as injury on the battlefield, losing money during Hijrah(migrating for the sake of Allah), losing a job because of accepting Islam or because one attempts to follow the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) like growing the beard, wearing the lower garment above the ankles, etc, then the affliction is a trial. Whoever bears it with patience will be rewarded and whoever exhibits annoyance may invoke the wrath of Allah upon himself.

If the affliction befalls due to sinful actions, such as illnesses caused by smoking, drinking, or using drugs etc, then the affliction is a punishment from Allah. Hasten to avoid all sinful acts and turn towards Allah in repentance and ask his forgiveness. Otherwise, know that the punishments of the Hereafter are far more severe and unbearable.

If the affliction is neither connected to a good deed nor a sin, such as other kinds of disease and sickness, losing a child, or failing in business, then you should evaluate your actions. If you are involved in some kind of disobedience to Allah then the affliction is a punishment for you and a reminder to leave your evil deeds. Otherwise, Allah has caused this affliction to test your patience. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “One amongst the inhabitants of Hell, who had lived a life of ease and pleasure in the world, would be made to dip in the Hell Fire only once on the Day of Resurrection. Then he would be asked: ‘O son of Adam, Did you find any comfort. Did you get any blessing?’ He would say: ‘By Allah, no, my Lord!’ Then a person, from the inhabitants of Paradise, who had led the most miserable life (in the world), would be made to dip once in Paradise and it would be said to him: ‘O son of Adam, did you face any hardship or experience any distress?’ he would say: ‘By Allah! No never have I experienced any hardship or distress’.” (Saheeh Muslim, No. 6738)

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Out of the Mouths of Babes: Bara’ah reciting the Holy Quran

March 30, 2010

This  is the beautiful recitation of a ten year old girl, Bara’a who’s mother died after severe cancer spread through her body.  On the day she was severely ill, the hospital called the father to come urgently.  Leaving his daughter in the car, he started to cross the road when he was hit by a passing car.  Left an orphan, Bara’a did not loose hope in the grace of Allah, God almighty.  As her parents taught her when she was younger to memorize the Holy Qur’an, here she is reciting about Prophet Ibrahim who was requested by God to sacrifice his son.

Subsequently, Bara’a also is suffering from cancer which has spread quickly though her body.  Until now her character  shows acceptance of God’s will in her life.  She is an example for all of us.  May Allah grant her mercy.

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