The beauty of the winds

The gusts of the wind sweeps under my feet,
And as I continue to tarry along.
Underneath my shoes, I hear the crunching of leaves,
As the wind continues to howl.

Tiny chills travel up my spine,
And so I hug myself in my furry coat,
Afraid of being swept off the ground.

I stop to find a place of retreat.

How amazing it is, that something can be both a gift and punishment,
Both a mercy and a destroyer.
What would the world be without the breath of wind,
Brushing against my cheeks.

My Lord swears by the Winds in His sacred book,
From the winds which are like wild horses,
Preparing to be unleashed.
Carrying in them, tiny droplets,
Waiting for their Lords command to Be.

Or like those winds so merciless,
Travelling here and there,
Seeking out to destroy and cause destruction,
Like it did to those of old.
A source of pain; a source of death.

To the Merciful winds, that serve to spread,
Dispersing the clouds so white,
And from them fall, the source of all life,
Rain, rain,
And pollen too.

Random acts of Mother nature, they say,
If only they but knew,
That these are calculated acts of my Lord,
He, who Created me and you.

So next time you feel the touch of the wind,
Or feel the shivers in your spine,
Don't forget that even the wind has a purpose to fulfil,
As it submits to its Lords command.

Yet, here you are, O slave of Allah,
Lost in the illusion of this world,
Don't get caught in the rat race of life,
For you too have a purpose to fulfil.

Inspired by the ayahs:
"By those [winds] sent forth in gusts, And the winds that blow violently, And [by] the winds that spread [clouds]." [77:1-3]

Miracles do happen [The Power of Du'aa and Tawakkul]

I went to meet a sister today who just recently came back from Hajj. Before she went, she was telling me and my mum about her incredible experience of how Allah opened doors for her to go for Hajj this year.

She told us that she had absolutely no means to perform Hajj. In the sense that, she couldn't afford it, she had not made any plans, and things just seemed really tight. However, after listening to a reminder, she decided that, although things seemed somewhat impossible, she would still go ahead and make Du'aa for it, as well as PREPARE as though she was going for Hajj.

So she went and brought a book on Hajj and began reading it, she started preparing in every way possible as though she was about to embark on this journey of a lifetime. Bear in mind, she still hadn't got the money, and she had no idea how it would come in such a short space of time.

She began to have certainty in her Du'aa. To the point, even when people met her and asked her if she was going for Hajj this year, she would reply: "Yes, inshaAllah."

And so she persisted in doing this... preparing and making Du'aa, preparing and making Du'aa, and no more than a few months later, not only had Allah opened the door of Rizq for her, He had also accepted her beautiful Du'aa, and so she was invited to be amongst the millions who performed Hajj this year.

Lesson: Have certainty in your Du'aa. Many of us give up too easily, some of us lose hope, and others don't feel that Khushu' in our Du'aa. Remember Du'aa is an act of worship, its about you acknowledging that your weak in front of your Creator, the Most Great, and the one who can give you an entire Kingdom and more. Don't feel shy in asking Allah for something big or lofty, for in His eyes nothing is impossible and no Du'aa is too big. Ask Allah for your Akhirah, make it a priority, and link it to every Du'aa you make for the Dunya, but always remember, that He can and *will* open doors for you. Just keep going, devote yourself sincerely to Him, seek forgiveness, keep on making Du'aa, have certainty, and watch how He surprises you. 

This sister taught us that certainty and reliance results in amazing results. Rely on the creation, and you will be disappointed. Rely on Allah, and He will give you better than you want and ask for. 

The Marshmallow Test

...So just covered a module on the 'Marshmallow test' which basically is a test carried out on young children to teach them self control. One of the key success factors for kids is for them to be able to say 'no' to themselves.

It was pretty cool actually, and some of you may want to try it out.

You sit the child down and place a marshmallow (or anything else they love; sweets etc.) in front of them. You tell them that either they can eat the marshmallow now, or after you come back. If they choose the latter option, they will get not one, but two marshmallows.

Research Psychologists actually followed these kids who did the marshmallow test when they were younger, for 18 years! And studies showed that kids who held off eating the marshmallow till the person came back, did better at school and generally in life. 

Check out Dr. David Walsh's book "No!" for further reading and info.

‪#‎SelfControl‬

‪#‎PsychologyGem‬

Meet the Musaafirah!

Assalaam Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakauhu  So, who exactly am I? I am a deeply curious Muslimah and second year Islamic Psychology student, who was born and bred in the UK and is currently still residing there. I am an avid writer, blogger and aspiring author who is the midst of publishing her first book, Alhamdulilah. My passion for children, world peace, religion, psychology and writing is what led me to setting up this blog. Through this means, I hope to write to inspire hearts, touch lives and educate by means of the pen. The more I learn about by beautiful faith, Islam - one the greatest gifts in my life, the more I always amazed and intrigued. Islam, the religion of peace, provides me with the perfect tools and guidelines as I travel on the road of Life. I've been running this blog for around two years. It all began when I realised that so many thoughts entered and left my brain in the day that I couldn't keep up with them all! Thus, I decided to set up a blog whereabouts I could store my daily reflections and ponderings, in hopes that another person may be inspired by or benefit from them.  Writing down on random pieces of paper didn't quite do the job for me, as I would end up losing papers or scribblings things down in my journal, which most of the time, I struggeld to make sense of after. This blog is a place for me to portray the beauty of Islam and how it impacts my life. It is a place to share my personal experiences and lessons that I learn through everyday encounters. Its a place for me to ramble on about my dreams, goals and ambitions, and its also here to give you an insight into the life of a veiled Muslimah. As many fail to see beyond the veil, I feel its my responsibility to show the world the truth of how Islam liberates women. There are two reasons behind why I chose 'Al-Musaafirah' as the name for my blog: 1. Due to the beautiful narration of Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam): On the authority of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of my shoulder and said, ‘Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveller along the path.” And ibn Umar would say, “If you survive till late afternoon, do not expect [to be alive in] the morning. If you survive till morning, do not expect [to be alive in] the late afternoon. Take from your health before your sickness and your life before you death.” (Recorded in al-Bukhari) 2. Secondly, I am someone who frequently becomes consumed with Wanderlust! I have a dream to travel to different parts of the world to explore and marvel at the beauty of Allah's creation, as well as absorb inspiration and ideas from the surrounding beauty that may help in my writing.

Travelling allows one to experience different cultures, meet different people, and allows you to truly reflect and ponder over the wonderful and diverse creation of Allah.

Word of warning: You may find ALOT of repetition on my blog, but hey, everyone needs the same reminder over again some times. :) 

Random fact: I am obsessed with babies, so beware of finding lots of cute, kiddy reminders on here as well as my aspirations of motherhood. 


See, I've already began rambling. If your still curious, check out my archives to see all my previous posts and musings. 

I hope it inspires and benefits ya'll.


Happy reading!

Madiyah 

What's it like to wear the Niqab in the west? [My personal thoughts]

Assalaamu alaykum Warahmartullahi Wabaraktuhu,

Pray ya'll are well and in the best state of health and Imaan. :)

Okay, so recently I had a sister email me, asking me about my whole Niqab experience, as well as other questions. When I first began wearing it, a lot of sisters who knew me would ask me similar questions, for example, why did I wear it? Was it a bad decision etc? So, I decided to answer some of those questions here, inshaAllah, and give you all a bit of an insight to how it is wearing the Niqab in the West.

If you have any other questions, drop me a comment below!

Bismillah,

1)Why do you wear it? Why do women wear it?

My ultimate reason for wearing the Niqab was because, after Umrah, I felt like I needed to change myself in certain ways. One of those ways was by doing something optional; out of my own individual choice. I don't believe the veil is obligatory, but desirable, and so I wore it in order to seek the reward and pleasure of Allah. Moreover, after wearing it for a while in Madinah, it had become a huge part of me, such that when I returned to the UK with it off, I felt bare, as though something was missing. The veil gives me comfort and allows me to feel protected, by the will of Allah.

2. Why don't you talk to guys?

In Islam, Allah has laid down certain rules and limitations which Muslims have to stick by. There will be times, and especially living in the West, it is a given, that you will have to, at some point, interact with the opposite gender. Whether that is at school, college, uni or the workplace. Its going to happen. However, the beauty of our religion is that is gives us guidelines on how we should interact. To be honest, wearing the veil makes me question my actions so much more, as now I am representing a Muslim woman, hence, my actions need to conform to what my identity shows.

That is why we avoid talking to guys unnecessary. If we need to, then we maintain a formal, professional and to the point disposition, as to not get into any fitnah (temptation).

We believe, that a woman is like a pearl, protected and treasured. Her beauty, which can be seen through her speech or actions, is kept for her husband's eyes and ears only. :)

3. Half the people I know wearing it give it a bad name. They see it as an escape route from their sins and look down n other people. Doesn't it defeat the purpose of wearing one if you're worse than most people anyway?

Like you said, that's 'half the people you know' - which means, its not the case of the majority. The minority who do that may see it as an escape route from whatever, but at the end, it all boils downs to intentions. If they are defeating the purpose by wearing the veil for purposes which go against Islam, then Allah will judge them individually. We just have to do our job of reminding. Its like those who wear the Hijab, yet walk around bobbing their head to Music. 

Sincerity and purity of intention is key.

4. Since you started wearing it do you feel as if your relationship with your Lord has strengthened?

Absolutely. I'm not going to lie, but when you first start wearing it, ts no easy thing. Especially here. You do feel odd, strange and uncomfortable, especially when your roaming around town with it on. However, Allah makes it easy, and you definitely feel stronger, and grateful for your identity as a Muslim woman.

5. How d you eat?

Haha! I pick up the morsel of food, lift my Niqab slightly... I then look around making sure no one is staring at me weirdly, I then take the morsel of food and pop it in my mouth as quickly as I can. It has to be a fast process or else you'll have food falling everywhere! Mind you, ice-creams and smoothies are difficult to consume when you're wearing a Niqab. Either you go sit in the car and slurp down your ice-cream or have to wait till you get home. :/ 

Sacrifice right? :)

6.Do you feel your Niqab inhibits your ability to socialise? If so to what extent?

No way. Not at all. I know Niqabi's who have the most amazing social parties EVER. Ok, they might live in Saudi, but seriously, socialising ain't a problem at all for all the Niqabis I know. Rather, it makes things such much easier. I wear make-up so much more now that I wear Niqab, only because I know its covered from the eyes of men, so once I reach the location for our sisters only, halal party, I can pull it off and let the party begin! :D

7. Can you see properly?

Err.. yeah. Alhamdulilah!

8. Can you breathe properly?

Always get asked this one. Yes, Alhamdulilah, breathing under a Niqab is easy. In Saudi, I do remember moments where I had to lift it up to get some air, as it was burning hot, however, normally one can breath fine. :)

9. Do you think your Niqab restricts your approachability? In general do you feel as if you have to make an extra effort with people?

With some people, yes. However, I've met non-muslims who have become intrigued and curious when I've worn the Niqab. They want to know more about it, and more about me as a person. They get so surprised when I tell them that veiled Muslimahs, are educated, do have a life, and are pretty much normal human beings!

10. Do you find it difficult wearing one in todays society what with such negative media?

Not really. In certain areas only. I feel people need to see beyond the veil.

11. Do you feel safe like more with it or without?

With it! A millions times over.

12. Do you think the general public feels safe around you?

Ask them. :p

13. Has it restricted you in terms of what you wanted to do as a career?

Nope. I aspire to be a full-time mother and a part-time councellor, and in no way do I feel my Niqab restricts that, inshaAllah. :)

14. Don't you feel suffocated?

Nope.

15. Do you feel paranoid?

Noope.

16. Whats it like to sunbathe at the beach?

Haven't tired it yet! Will let you know once I do. :D

*Imagines laying on the sand, watching the birds fly across the beautiful sky, through Ted Baker sunglasses, which are sat effortlessly on top of my black Niqab*

17. If you had a choice would you take it off?

Noope. I pray I am able to stick to it inshaAllah.

18. Do you feel you're more likely to be abused? Whether verbally or physically?

Certain areas, yes. Therefore, if I am travelling to a place I know that is possible and has happened before, and if my fathers with me, then I will take it off. Sometimes you have to make a wise decision which will benefit you and others around you.

19. Don't you feel like strippng sometimes?

Sometimes! If I've been out for a loooong time. The best thing is getting home into your PJ's. Can't beat it. :)

20. How do you feel you express your identity? When would you prove your identity?

Through my appearance, words and actions.

21. Do you know Batman?

I AM Batman. ;)

22. Have you seen a change in peoples actions around you since you started wearing the Niqab?

Umm.. yeah, initially I did. Now, they've just got used to it. As they say, 'be yourself and the world will adjust.'

23. How has it impacted your day to day life applying for jobs?

Haven't really been applying for jobs tbh. Actually, I did apply for one recently, and of course now that I wear the Niqab, I have to apply to places where I know there will be a majority female-only environment.

24. Do you always wear it?

I wear it most of the time. Only when I go out of town, and feel that their may be a potential threat, then me, my mum and my father will come to a collective decision to remove it for that time. However, I do hope I can wear it permanently. 

25. How long have you been wearing it?

1 year and 5 months to be exact, Alhamdulilah. :)

26. Do you feel conscious when going to a new place or seeing new people?

No. I love meeting new people!

27. Do you think you personally have to reach to more people to try and break the stereotype? Considering you've been on both sides of the table ie not wearing a Niqab to wearing the Niqab?

Yes, definitely. In fact, I feel its a responsibility upon my shoulders, to try and break those stereotypes by letting people know and showing them, that majority of VEILED WOMEN ARE NOT OPPRESSED INTO WEARING IT, THAT THEY DO HAVE A CHOICE, THAT THEY DO HAVE A LIFE, WEAR MAKE-UP, ATTEND PARTIES, CHILL, EDUCATE, WORK, etc etc. (Sorry for the cap locks.) But yes, I feel we need to reach more people and let them know, that the veil does not restrict us... it emancipates us. :)

28. Do you wear the NIqab even at home when answering the door?

I get my dupatta (scarf) and cover my face with it lol. Too much effort going and grabbing my Niqab. Oh, and I lose my Niqab a lot. Hence, I have to buy a spare...

29. How do you expect people to recognise you?

People usually recognise me through my voice or eyes. It may be surprising, but people recognise me instantly.

30. Were you forced to wear it by your husband or father?

Nope. I'm not married soooo, and my father in fact, advised me to think about it as he knew it was a huge decision I was making. But I was adamant, and after trying it for a while in Makkah/Madinah, I fell in love with it. Niqab isn't just a peice of cloth as some say, its beyond that, its a protection, its our identiy, our way of expressing our faith and guarding our modesty. If only some looked beyond the veil.

If YMP were book characters [Part 1]

If YMP were book characters, they would make the most epic, marvellous and exciting book. Since, YMP have people from several different backgrounds and places, and people of various different accents, there would be a wide range of diversity discussed in the book, which would perfectly highlight the true meaning of sisterhood. How, in Islam, everyone is the same, regardless of colour, background, culture, race etc.

Anyway, so I had this idea. I wanted to turn the YMP crew into book characters, meaning write a description about each of their personalities. And who knows, one day, our author, Safaa, may kindly put these in a book for us. :)

Bear in mind, I've never met these wonderful people, but  I feel like I've known then forever. And thats the beauty of YMP! You could be sitting in Bradford, in the comfort of your own home, yet still be assisting in organising conferences etc going on in Riyadh. So, hope the YMP enjoys reading this, as much as I enjoyed writing it! :)

Anka Baker, aka, Summaiyah. The girl with the sweet-tooth (teeth). Although, I must say, she seems to do an awesome job when it comes to burning off those calories (mashaAllah tabarakAllah). I wish I knew the secret! Anka is famous for her absolute love and obsession with Nutella. So much so, that Nutella has become a representation of Anka. You see Nutella, you remember Anka. :) Moreover, she makes the most scrumptious cakes, and desi desserts. If YMP was a bakery, she would be the next top baker!

Safoofi, aka, Safaa. Wait, thats Safaa with two 'a's, just in case any of you read that as 'Safa' and not 'Safaaaa.' Anyhoo. Safaa is notorious for her incredible writing skills, and her ambiance. You won't attend a halaal-party except that Safaa will be rocking the dance floor. The sound of her voice is enough to make you smile. When Safaa arrives, you know its time to get the party started! Moreover, Safaa is a girls of big dreams who like a butterfly, wants to reach great heights.

Feroze, aka, Hafsah. The girl with the most awesome american-riyadh-arab accent in the world! If you want some advice, be it on Qur'an or anything else, then Hafsah is just an audio note away! Hafsah dislikes the smile emoticon on Whatsapp, as she assumes its too fake. Nevertheless, her favourite emoticon is the little, cute monkey face, which she loves to use when something is extremely hilarious - you know, like the constant mention of her obsession with Webinars. [Sidenote: She isn't *really* obsessed with webinars - lets just say - she knows what I'm talking about! *inserts fake whatsapp smiley*]

Haff, aka, Hafsah Chinoy. Oh boy, do I love this girl! She is a leader in the making. Someone who doesn't watch things happen, but makes things happen. Where would YMP be without her. If there is anyone from YMP that inspires me to keep fit, its Haff. I haven't told her yet, but I love her variety of different Salads and healthy food she posts on FB. Ahhh - if we were all just that much disciplined!

Nisa, aka, the girl who may surprise with the most beautiful messages from time to time! They say, such beautiful actions are done by beautiful souls. Nisa, meaning woman, is a great representation of a woman in Islam. She has the most "I can so relate to this!" posts on FB, which serve to be great reminders. Oh and lets not forget her wonderful range of nail polishes!

Samshine, aka, Sameera. You know when you meet someone and you instantly click? Like immediately? Its like you've known them forever? Yes, thats Sameera. The one person you can constantly go on about your dreams to, and she will happily smile along with you, encourage you, and seal it with a Du'aa for you, which will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Strangely, Samshine and myself seem to be so sync! She'll write something about something, that I was just thinking sometime ago, and I'll be like: "Wow, this sure is freaky!"

Nimrah, aka, the one who comes up with the most epic lines of poetry. She's like one of my biggest fans on Instagram (woop!), and is the next poet/author in the making. She is someone who carries a wicked sense of humour, and is also a book worm. Her poetry will make you laugh and cry at the same time. Want a read? Here you go..

"And he whispered,
How much do you love me?
I gazed up to him, and replied,
Kaiku damm karre?"

Hahahaha, yeah, you can stop laughing now!

Since my legs are aaaaching now for sitting in one place for so long, I shall write-up descriptions for the rest of my beloved crew in Part 2, inshaAllah. Watch this space. :)

Living in Madinah [Just a dream?]

Many people wonder why I always go on about this dream of moving to Madinah one day. How I would love to reside and live in the city of Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam). I've had this 'dream' for a while now. In fact, ever since I was young I've always had in my mind, this idea of 'making hijrah' or moving to Saudi Arabia. Yep, its always been Saudi and nowhere else!

However, as I have grown in my knowledge and experience, I have come to realise that no country is perfect. Whether you're living in the United Kingdom, or whether you living in Makkah - also known as 'The Mother of all Cities' - there will always be flaws and difficulties you have to encounter. There will be things you dislike. When you're young, you kind of put all the negativity you hear to the side and try and focus on what you want, and how you imagine the place to be. However, by meeting people who live there, or have moved there, and after hearing their stories and discussing it with them, you come to the conclusion that wherever you are in the world, there are going to be certain things about it that you will like and certain things you will dislike. That's because, no place in this dunya is perfect, nor will it be perfect forever, because that is only Jannah - the perfect and eternal place where their will be nothing you dislike. Everything will be amazing there, flawless. So regardless of where we are in the world, our main focus should be in pleasing Allah - whether your in the east or the west.

With that being said, I still have my reasons for wanting to move to Madinah. After thinking about it, and pondering over it, and finally having the opportunity to visit it, I can say that Madinah did certainly capture my heart. Recently, I have been researching about the virtues of Madinah, and I have found that many hadith portray how beloved Madinah was to the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam). How he would hasten to want to enter it, and how he spoke of its great merit and virtues. It is where Islam began to propagate, where the rules of the Shariah were established, and where the most amazing individuals and giants lived!

Hence, Madinah is a place, not only which is blessed, but one which is packed with Islamic history, because that is where the religion of Islam truly began to prosper. For me, wanting to move to Madinah or Riyadh which is also in Saudi and also somewhere I would consider, is not based on the view that it these places are perfect, but rather, the view that it is a place where Islam can be easily practiced, and where there ere more opportunities to learn Arabic and the seen first hand, at the feet of the scholars.. Moreover, living in Madinah or Riyadh doesn't have to be permanent, but perhaps a place to build the foundation or basis, more so for the next generation, inshaAllah.

Wouldn't it be lovely to allow your children to grow up in an environment where they can hear the call to prayer 5 times a day, where they are just steps away from the beloved Masjid of their beloved Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) and where they can touch, feel, taste Islam?? A place where they can walk on the same grounds, their role-models, walked upon more than 1400 years ago?

Many people however, do ask: "If everyone moves to Makkah and Madinah or Riyadh or wherever, who will give dawah to those in the West?" My answer: "Establish your foundations and then go and spread Islam." In other words, if you think you are able to learn, study and truly grasp the Arabic language in the west, then thats amazing! Do it. However, if your a person, who likes a different experience, who likes to travel, perhaps your someone who enjoy listening to the Adhaan being called 5 times a day, and learning Arabic first hand by fluent, Arabic speakers, whilst being surrounded by the language - then let Madinah be one of your options. Learn your deen, build your healthy foundations, and then go spread it to the world. :)

Now, of course, I wouldn't just limit my choice to Madinah only, even though its a preference. Although, I would love to live in Madinah for a few years, and study there,  I do also have an inclination towards Malaysia and Riyadh. Mainly, because of the amazing things I have heard about the character of its inhabitants, and how Islam is practiced so openly and widely there. Not to forget the countless opportunities they have for one to study Islam - whether its at a famous university, or at a small institute or centre. The opportunities are vast!

And Riyadh, because some of the most beloved people in my life live there, whom I yearn to meet, and they have told me some great stuff about it MashaAllah TaabarakAllah.

I came across a couple of hadith I read regarding Madinah and its virtues. Thought I'd share some with you all. Oh, and some amazing, breathtakingly beautiful and stunning pics of Madinah. Enjoy! :)


Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "I was ordered to migrate to a town which will swallow (conquer) other towns and is called Yathrib and that is Medina, and it turns out (bad) persons as a furnace removes the impurities of iron. [Bukhari]

Narrated Sad: I heard the Prophet saying, "None plots against the people of Medina but that he will be dissolved (destroyed) like the salt is dissolved in water. ]Bukhari]

 Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "O Allah! Bestow on Medina twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah." [Bukhari]

 Narrated Anas: Whenever the Prophet returned from a journey and observed the walls of Medina, he would make his Mount go fast, and if he was on an animal (i.e. a horse), he would make it gallop because of his love for Medina.  [Bukhari]

A burden had been lifted..

Imaan lifted the screen of her laptop, switched it on, and waited as usual for her internet to load, before logging into her email.

Today was the day of Arafah. A day where millions had gathered in a blessed land, to perform the rituals of Hajj and to celebrate the great sacrifice of Ibrahim (as) which he performed thousands of years ago.

Behind her, her father was sat, his eyes fixed to the TV. He was watching the millions of people gathered on Arafah, people of all colours, races and ethnicity, some walking, others praying, and others invoking their Lord. It was an awe-inspiring sight. A sight which sparked a sense of joy and happiness. A sense of gratitude for being part of such a huge, simple yet beautiful Ummah.

Imaan turned back to her screen, and scrolled through the hundreds of emails she had received. Most of them were university emails regarding the assignment she had been stressing over for days.

Sisters Magazine       Don't miss this exclusive offer!
Croydon University  Assignment task: reply
Croydon University  Assignment task: reply
Sarah Ibraheem:              Really Sorry
Croydon University  Assignment task: reply

Suddenly, her eye caught sight of a familiar yet distant name. Imaan squinted her eyes to make sure she had read correctly. Sarah?... she whispered to herself. She clicked on the email wondering where she had heard of that name before. For a moment, she thought it was her instructor, who was also called Sarah, but as she began to read the email, it all began to come back to her. She read the email once, still not able to sink it in what she was reading, and then again, and then a third time.

It read:

Assalamu 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh 

This message may come out the blue but I just wanted to ask for you forgiveness incase I have upset you or hurt you in anyway. I pray you are well and studies are going well for you.

Really sorry

Sarah Ibraheem

Imaan froze. She wasn't expecting this. In fact, she never expected this. Ever since the huge conflict between her and Sara, ever since the enmity had grown between them, Imaan never expected Sara would ever forgive her. It would haunt Imaan, as she lay in bed every single night. Will Allah forgive me? she would think. "O Allah, let Sarah forgive me, so that I may attain your forgiveness!" was her cry in the depth of the night when her Lord would descend to the nearest heaven to hear her call. Even then, Imaan never thought the day would come.

It had been a year since her and Sarah had broken up. So many things had happened. Things that were too heartbreaking to repeat. She knew she had hurt Sarah and her entire family, she knew she was in the wrong, but she also knew Sarah was too. The final words Sarah shouted to her on that day which she thought was the final time she would speak to her once-upon-a-time best friend were: "Don't ever speak to me again, Imaan. Ever. You've ruined me and my family. Don't email me call me, nothing!"

And although Imaan vowed she would never do so; since that day she carried a huge and heavy burden upon her. A burden she knew she'd have to pay the price of on the Day of Judgement.  It was what worried her the most. It wasn't the fact that she was no longer in touch with her childhood best friend, someone she looked upon as her own sister, but it was the fact that she had hurt another soul, and needed to seek forgiveness.

But that morning on the day of Arafah, she received a surprise, and an answer to a Du'aa. With tears of joy in her eyes, she replied to the email swiftly and excitedly:

Walaykum Asalaam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu :)

Hope you're well!

I don't know how many times I've wanted to message you saying sorry, Sarah, but every time I came close to it, something always stopped me...

Please forgive me for all the ways I did hurt, upset and anger you. I don't want to be standing on the Day of Judgement without having cleared any wrong I did to you or anyone else.

Imaan

Her fingers hovered over the keys on the keyboard. She wanted to write more. She wanted to tell her that she had recently got engaged, and that she had moved to a different city. She wanted to tell her everything that they both would dream about when they were children, but she knew that would be pushing it. Regardless of how much she was aching to write more, she stopped herself and immediately clicked 'sent.'

Imaan logged out of her email, and turned to the TV screen. The Muslims standing on the plains of Arafah were now forming straight rows to get ready for Salaah. She watched with tears in her eyes, unexplainable tears. And as she saw them all fall into sujood, she couldn't resist but do the same. She switched off the TV, and fell into Sajdah. 

A prostration of thanks. As she did, as she felt her head touch the ground, she felt like a huge weight was being lifted. One that would cause her to shed so many tears and caused her so much grief and worry.

The burden had been lifted. No longer did she have to worry about not seeking forgiveness from a soul she hurt. No longer did she have to go through sleepless nights thinking about having to be accountable on the Day of Judgement for her behaviour towards Sarah. It was a clear, fresh start. A clean slate for her and for Sarah. Finally they could push the past to the back of their minds, and focus on their future, as they both embarked on their separate path, and their separate lives. Yet, one thing always made Imaan smile, that perhaps they couldn't  and wouldn't  best friends again in this dunya, but what was true, was that they could, if they both made it, be best friends again in Jannah.

And thats what forgiveness does.

It gives the person another chance.

it lifts the weight which feels heavy upon your chest.

And it is a breath of fresh air. Allowing you to leave your past where it belongs, and to focus on your future.

What a special gift, on a special day. Alhamdulilah ya rabb.

A Forgotten Heroin [Nusaybah Bint Kaab]

Picture taken from occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com

Umm Ammaarah, also known as Nusaybah Bint Kaab is a true heroin in Islam. A warrior whose love for Allah and His Messenger outshone every other love.

I want you to imagine this scene.

It was the Battle of Uhud, and Nusaybah Ibn Ka'b was standing besides Fatimah bint Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). They, and a few other sahaabiyat had volunteered to treat the wounded and injured warriors in this battle.

There was moment in the battle when Nusaybah decided to approach the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in order to serve him a vessel of water. As she came near, she saw the disbelievers chanting that the Prophet had been killed. She says, that as soon as she heard and saw the Prophet being attacked, she dropped her vessel of water and then her gaze fell upon one of the Muslims, who was running away from the battle-field instead of defending the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). So she used her strength and grabbed his armour and sword and stripped it off him due to her fury. She then got the sword and charged into where the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was being attacked. She narrates that she never knew how to use a sword, and had never used one in her life. Yet, she wielded the sword left and right as to strike anyone who would come close to the Prophet of Allah.

The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) says, that at that moment, he saw Umm Amaarah wielding her sword right and left in order to defend him. So he praised her for this.

One of the disbelievers known as Abdullah Ibn Qamee'a, ran into the crowd and struck Nusaybah between her neck and shoulder, and she suffered from a deep cut The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) upon seeing this said. "O, Ibn Umm Ammaarah! Ummuk, Ummuk!" Meaning, O the son of Nusaybah, (Habeeb), your mother, your Mother!

After the Battle, whilst Nusaybah is laying down, healing from her deep wound and in pain, she turns to the Prophet (Salallahu alayhi wasallam), and says: "Make Du'aa that we get your companionship in Jannah." Rasulullah (Salallahu alayi wasallam) raises his hands and says: "O Allah make them ( the family) my companions in Jannah." Umm Ammaarah (Nusaybah) then smiled and said: "I swear by Allah, I don't care what happens to me now in Dunya!"

‪#‎ForgottenHeroins‬

The Mother I Long to Be [Poem]

People may call me 'traditional' or 'backwards',
They may even say I'm too young -
To be dreaming about they day I hold,
My little one.

Yet, as I continue to learn and grow,
I come to realise, that a child is like a seed you sow.
With much love, warmth and exposure to deen,
With nurturing and 2 years of wean,
By the permission of its Creator,
It will submit to its Lord, 

With a heart that is keen.

For there is no job in this world more precious than a mother,
No job in the world that results in higher wages,
Than to spend your sleepless nights and tiring days,
In raising the child of your better other.

To know that you have been trusted with a a valuable gift,
One that you carried for 9 months long,
And then cradled in your arms, singing it a song -Of a Praise to the One who caused it to form,
From a tiny embryo to a human did it transform.

The coolness of our eyes, I hope for.
A coolness to all the world.

For, the Mother I long to be, is the mothers my heroes were,
My own mother, mama, ummi, whom words cannot do justice for.
To Umm Sulaim, the mother of Anas Ibn Malik,
Who raised Anas without panic,
Raising him in the company of the most blessed,
May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him.

To Taymiyyah, the mother of Taqiyudeen,
Who yearned to raise the next leader, next scholar,
Of the Muslimeen.
Pleasing Allah was a her ultimate goal,
Leaving a legacy, which would benefit her soul.

The Mother I long to be, is one of a mothering nature,
The one who longs to raise the next leaders,
The next bearers of the Qur'an,
So that together in Paradise, we can walk in,
Hand in Hand.

To all those, who call me backwards,
Take my words and read them well,
Raising a child is but a privilege,
A blessing, of which many are not aware.

So cherish your gift, with the utmost love and care.
Guiding its steps,
Paving it a road,
To a happy, eternal, end.


Inspired by the verse in the Qur'an: And those who say, "Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous." [25:74]

"He'll read and ascend the ranks of Paradise by it..."

Imam al-Jazari’s praise for the Qur’an bearer – taken from the Muqaddimah of ‘Tayyibat al-Nashr.’

وبعد: فالإنسان ليس يشرف *** إلا بما يحفظه ويعرف
A person is not honoured or raised
Except by what he knows and has memorised

لذاك كان حاملو القرآن *** أشراف الأمة أولى الإحسان
For that reason the bearers of Qur’an
Are the nobles of this Ummah and its righteous

وإنهم في الناس أهل الله *** وإن ربنا بهم يباهي
And they are the people of Allah amongst Mankind *
And indeed our Lord has boasted of them

وقال في القرآن عنهم وكفى *** بأنه أورثه من اصطفى
He spoke of them in the Qur’an, and it is sufficient
That He gives it (the Qur’an) to those He has chosen **

وهو في الأخرى شافع مشفع *** فيه وفوله عليه يسمع
And in the Hereafter, it is an ardent intercessor
And its statement is something surely heard

يعطى به الملك مع الخلد إذا *** توجه تاج الكرامة كذا
By it a person is given the dominion and immortality
And likewise, he is given the crown of honour

يقرا ويرقى درج الجنان *** وأبواه منه يكسيان
He’ll read and ascend the ranks of Paradise by it
And his parents will also be clothed by it ***

فليحرص السعيد في تحصيله *** ولا يمل قط من ترتيله
So let a person strive to attain it
And let him never tire of its recitation.

Do not marry 7 types of women ~

1. Al-Annaanah:
The woman who whines, moans and complains and ‘ties a band around her head’ all the time (i.e. complains of a headache or some illness but in reality she is not sick, rather she is faking).

2. Al-Mannaanah:
The woman who bestows favours, gifts, etc. upon her husband then (at that time or the future) says; “I did such and such for you or on your behalf or because of you.

3. Al-Hannaanah:
The women who yearns or craves for her former husband or children of the former husband.

4. Kay’atul-Qafaa:
The women who has a brand mark on the nape of her neck (i.e. has a bad reputation or doubts about her).

5. Al-Haddaaqah:
The women who cast her eyes at things (i.e. always looking at something to purchase, then desires it and requires her husband to buy it (No Matter What).

6. Al-Barraaqah:
The women who spends much of her day enhancing her face and beautifying it to such an extent that it will seem like it was manufactured.

7. Al-Shaddaaqah:
The woman who talks excessively..

Taken from the Book: ‘A Concise Manual of Marriage’ by Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen