The Storm

When you are there, standing in the middle of a raging storm, you're unable to imagine a way out. All seems dark and eery and the worst possible thoughts begin to cross your mind. Your heart becomes engulfed with fear, your eyes begin to swell with the tears, your mind becomes clouded with worries and uncertainty, your body begins to shiver, you don't know which way to turn, where to seek shelter, how to continue walking. 

So you stand still. You close your eyes. With streams of tears falling down your face, you pray hard. You turn your face to the heavens. You breathe. You close your mind off all the negative thoughts. You let go and you let God...

And suddenly, the storm begins to calm. The darkness begins to fade away as the brightness of the sun appears from behind the grey clouds. You open your eyes, startled. Your heart begins to beat at its normal pace. You've found hope. Your witnessing a miracle. You have acknowledged your lack of control and allowed Him to take care of your affairs. You smile. And you begin to walk, with fatigued limbs and tired eyes you walk, and with each step you grow in hope and in strength. Your lips continue to move as your make sincere prayer, and your passion is reignited, you breathe in the fresh air of nature, and you set off again to continue the journey of chasing your dreams.

Because there is faith in the absence of control...

Let Go and Let God...

It's the best feeling to let go and let God. To observe His plan unfold. To walk under the trees and smile at the sight and sound of nature. To sit and read a book and clear your mind of every other thought. To laugh and smile with a child as it continues to babble away. To take in the beautiful scent of cooking pancakes and to hug your parents so tightly; appreciative that they are with you today. To revel in gratitude as you place your forehead to the ground, and to swing on a swing and live in the moment.

Is it wise to cross the bridge of the future before you even get there?

But we're human. And so even whilst we try and live in the moment, at times, we fear, worry, dwell, think, panic and stress. So how can we fight these thoughts? Lift the weight of worries from our heart? Du'aa and prayer.

By pouring your worries out to Him. Feel. Let go of those thoughts by speaking to Him. Cry them out in prostration. Let the tears fall. Tell Him everything. Your hearts every worry and your minds every concern.

Then lift yourself back up. Bake another cake, hug your parents tightly, laugh with the siblings and crack another joke, cradle a baby in your arms, and swing on the swing - higher this time! Smile. For you have let go and let God. smile emoticon

Islamic Curriculum For Children Aged 5-10 years, Written By Shaykh Akram Nadwi

5 years old:

- Arabic Alphabets.

- Memorizing al-kalimah al-tayyibah, kalimah al-shahadah, tasbih Fatimah, ta`awwudh, basmalah, surat al-fatihah and surat al-ikhlas.

- Reading moral stories.

- Teaching basic manners of eating and drinking.

6 years old:

- Nurani Qa`idah.

- Memorizing from Surat al-fil to Surat al-nas.

- Teaching basic manners of cleaning and practical teaching of the wudu’ and the prayer.

- Stories of the Prophets by Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi (part 1).

7 years old:

- Reading the last (30th) juz’ with correct pronunciation.

- Memorizing from Surat al-`asr to Surat al-nas.

- Stories of the Prophets by Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi (part 2).

- Memorizing du`as (before and after eating, going to bed, getting up from sleep, going to the toilet and coming out from it)

8 years old:

- Reading 1st to 7th juz’s with correct pronunciation

- Memorizing from Surat al-qadr to Surat al-nas.

- Sirah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by Abu al-Hasan Ali Nadwi.

- Memorizing du`as (at morning, evening, going out, going to the masjid, entering into the masjid and coming out from the masjid).

9 years old:

- Reading 8th to 20th juz’s with correct pronunciation.

- Memorizing from Surat al-duha to Surat al-nas.

- Stories of the Companions: 4 caliphs, Khadijah, `Aishah, and Fatimah.

- Memorizing du`as (at travelling, coming back from travel journey, getting disturbing news, sneezing, after eating at someone else’s home etc.).

10 years old:

- Reading 21st to the 30th juz’s with correct pronunciation.

- Memorizing from Surat al-buruj to Surat al-nas.

- English translation of Surat al-fatihah and last 10 surahs.

- English translation of Forty Hadiths by Imam al-Nawawi.

The Butterfly And Its Chrysalis

To the butterfly, the shell of chrysalis is but a period of darkness. A long, period of anticipation, hope and expectations. To the human however, it is the most beautiful thing in the world. From the outside, the chrysalis appears to be but a wonderful, beautifully woven, silk shell, and a form of protection and security for the blossoming butterfly inside.

Sometimes, we view are struggles as dark periods of solitude and loneliness. Yet, sometimes it's our struggles we find security, meaning, healing, hope, anticipation, excitement happiness and most importantly, growth. Just when we think we can not stand the shell of our hardship no more, He causes us to break through. Just when we're about to give up every ounce of hope, He transforms us from a small vulnerable pupa, to a strong, most beautiful butterfly.

Maybe the struggle you are facing is going to to launch into something great. Maybe you need to grow in your shell of your chrysalis a little more, before you emerge as something much stronger and spectacular.

My Dear Child

Come,
Come to me my dear child,
Run,
Run to mama,
Speak,
Speak what is in your heart,
For mama knows, she knows.
She knows and
She has experienced,
She once walked in your very shoes,
She too fell,
Face flat on the floor,
and yes, she did, she cried,
and she cried,
Because it hurt.
You're hurting I know,
Something is keeping you awake at night,
Causing twinkles in your eyes,
Even though,
They light up my heart,
When I gaze into them,
Causing my heart to melt,
My own eyes to twinkle,
At the innocence in them.
Mama has known sadness,
And it has made her kind,
So be open, dear child,
Be open,
Share with Mama,
Your champion supporter,
Your first teacher,
Your bestest friend.
Hold my hand and let me guide your steps,
Wipe your tears,
And peck your cheeks,
Come,
Let's walk,
Let's ride the waves together,
For although you will forever be my little one,
You are also my number one friend.
So come,
Hold on tight,
With your little fingers; how fragile.
This life was never meant to be an easy ride,
So let's walk it together, hand in hand,
Side by side,
Till the very end.