Some of my recent thoughts, ponderings and personal reflections...
Taking control of your thoughts is an incredibly powerful gift sent from Allah. But when He grants you the ability to take those thoughts and turn them into a conversation with Him, then it is not only appreciated as a valuable gift, but an amazing, life-changing weapon. Du'aa is truly a game changer. Use it.
Every tear that falls from your eye, every bead of sweat upon your forehead, every pang of hunger or thirst you experience, every moment of weakness - if was for His sake, will transform into mountains of good deeds for you on the Day of Judgement. So keep going. For your efforts do not go unnoticed by Ash-Shakur (the all-appreciative).
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said:
“If a caller were to call from the sky saying, ‘O people! All of you will enter Paradise except one’, I would fear that it was me. And if a caller were to call from the sky saying, ‘O people! All of you will enter Hellfire except one’, I would hope that it was me.”
"So, why don't you erase your sins with a few words,
and weep over them in regret and sorrow,
then meet this new year with repentance,
perhaps the past can be erased with what follows."
-Ibn Rajab [Lata'if al Ma'arif]
Allah is not only the Ever-Loving, but He is also the Beloved. The One who loves as well as One who is Loved by the believers.
Du'aa is a beautiful gift given to the believers through which they are able to ask from their Lord, seek His guidance, and overcome their battles. For there is no weapon more powerful than a Du'aa that comes from a faithful, believing and hopeful heart...
و إذا سألك عبادي عني فإني قريب أ جيب دعوة الدَّاع إذا دعان
It's all a matter of faith. If you really believe in something, you will work hard for it. If you really want something, you will exert effort in getting it. If you really are sincere, then you will not be hindered by the opinions of the people. If you really have faith, your heart won't waver when it supplicates. Faith makes all the difference. It's what makes the impossible seem possible. And Allah is the Most generous of Providers.
Even if you feel like you’ve taken every mean under the sun, then know, that there is forever a mean you can take, anytime, anywhere, any situation, and it is the most powerful mean and weapon you have with you.
It is Du’aa.
How delicate is the human heart? How amazing is this piece of flesh? One moment it is strong, the other it is weak. And even when it continues to be broken by the weight of life's struggles, by the bitterness of betrayal - faith seeps it's way into those cracks - those gaps, strengthening it, holding it together by the permission of Al-Jabbar. We often don't realise, that every time our heart breaks a little, we don't get weaker, but stronger, *if* we turn that moment of weakness and neediness, into a moment of resolve and determination. Into reliance and faith upon the One who has the ability to join all those tiny peices of your fragile heart together; such that the morsel of flesh becomes not a symbol of despair, weakness and sorrow, but of hope, faith and unwavering strength.
Sometimes it's not about the outcome, but the conversation itself. And thus, every second you spend in supplication is never a waste. You're stacking up rewards after rewards through the simple act of asking. And the response? Even that's guaranteed. So are you ever at loss when you make Du'aa?
“My sin burdened me heavily. But when I measured it against Your Grace, O Lord, Your forgiveness came out greater.” – Imam Shafi (r)
She is a young girl with vibrant dreams, who refuses to allow her age, gender or other factors, to act as barriers towards her goals. So with a faithful heart and trust in her Lord she takes her course, knowing full well He will guide her steps, and with certainty that He will make her goals, dreams, aspirations and ambitions, blossom into a beautiful reality.
The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less."
-- Joseph B. Wirthlin
A poet said,
“Whoever is shown mercy in Ramadhân is marhûm (blessed, receiver of mercy), whoever prohibits for himself its good is mahrûm(devoid of blessing and good) and whoever doesn’t take provision and sustenance from it is malûm (has no-one to blame but himself).”
اللهم بللغنا رمضان و بارك لنا فيه ♡
Our hearts are like babies. No matter who's carrying them, they'll always yearn for the scent of their mother. The heart can be passed on from one person to another, but our ultimate source of peace and contentment is God alone. Like the mother, there's no other substitute. - Saima M
"Be a man whose feet are firm in the ground while his ambitions are in the stars!" - Ibn Al-Jawzi رحمه الله
He raised his hands in the darkness of the night, beneath the twinkling stars he sat and glorified. He continued to ask, until slowly, the sweetness of conversing with His Lord began to become sweeter than the need itself. The essence of Du'aa began to unveil. His hopes soared, his fear was extinguished and his worries subsided. And only then did he truly realise, that sufficient was Allah as a Trustee and the Best disposer of his every affair.
"The bigger desire you have for a sin, the greater your imaan (faith) if you leave it." - Sheikh Ibn Utayhmeen (r)
Allah brings challenges to us not as obstacles in our path, but as opportunities to help us grow. Either we leap over the hurdles and continue the journey on, or turn around and walk away. Embrace the challenge. Let it motivate you to aim higher and inspire you to become stronger. Turn the O of obstacles into the O of opportunity and soon, you will find yourself enjoying the journey of growth more and more each day.
My companions. So far yet so close. Oceans and seas separate us. Yet the love of Allah connects us. And even when the hustle and bustle of life seeps it's way in, we hold hands tighter determined together to tackle the winds. Through the joys and the pain, through the turn and the twists, by each others side, we continue to walk, and smile and cry and remind and advise, till we meet for eternity in the gardens of bliss, inshaAllah.
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You are strong when you know your weaknesses. You are beautiful when you appreciate your flaws. You are wise when you learn from your mistakes. -Anon
By honouring the limits and boundaries of Allah, you are doing one of the greatest forms of Shukr. And have you not heard the words of your Lord?
لإن شكرتم لازيدنكم
"...If you are grateful, I will *surley* increase you in [favour]."
Allah never does anything without purpose. Every encounter, cirumstance, experience, and relationship was uniquely designed and decreed for you. Each piece of the puzzle perfectly makes up the greater picture of your life, although you are unable to comprehend it yet. Life continues moving forward, and it is only when we learn to move with it, that everything behind us will begin to make sense. It is only when we begin to let go of the past, appreciate the present, and hope and pray for the future that our hearts will feel content. Allah is 'Aleem. He knows what was, what is, what will be, and how something would have been if He had decreed for it to happen. He knows which piece of the puzzle you are in right now, and He will bring everything together so perfectly. Keep holding on and persevere. It'll all make sense soon.
He knows. Even those unspoken words. Those secrets. Those yearnings. Those pure intentions. Those dreams. That vision. He knows it all. He is sufficient for you as a Protecting friend.
Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him - said: "Look, O' pauper, when you have starved your day with thirst and hunger, and revived your night with long prostration and bowing in front of Allah, you think [that means] you are fasting! And you are certain of this, in your ignorance.
Where is your humility and submissiveness? Where is your shame in front of your Lord?
Do you assume that you are close to Allah, with the people of true fasting, the winners in the month of Ramadan?
No, By Allah, you are not. Not until you purify your intention and empty it [of all that pollutes it]. Not until you purify and beautify your heart. Not until you leave lowly actions and don't return to them. "
[Source: Bustan al wa'idheen wa riyad alsami'een by ibn al Jawzi]
There is faith in absence of control.
Bask in gratitude for the blessings you have at this very moment. Firstly, your heart will be filled with happiness and contentment and not fear, worry or disappointment. And secondly, He will increase you. For have you not heard the words of Allah?
"If you are grateful, I will surley increase you." (14:7)
You can never lose when you are grateful.
Shaytaan most probably works his hardest before Ramadhan. For he knows that shortly he will be locked away unable to influence the actions and ideas of man. So, he does his best in causing as much damage as he possibly can before the blessed month comes in. He toils harder. Yet, the believer is always on guard, and so he rises above the devils whispers, ensuring that he ups his game and worship, strives harder, and prepares his heart for the beautiful month of mercy.
Don't give in to his whispers. Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah. Busy yourself in purifying your heart and be determined and sincere in your aim for a fruitful and beneficial Ramadhan.
"I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change." -- Jim Rohn
Her smile was a mask worn to remind herself and others that hope always prevails. Always.
He is taking care of you. Guiding your every step. Listening to your every call. Watching your every tear. Responding to your every plea. Keep going. Those who were successful were those who kept going even through the storms. How else would they appreciate the brightness and the light at the end of the tunnel had they not continued the walk through the dungeons? #AlwaysHope#HeKnows #KeepGoing
“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
"Whenever I’m unclear on an issue, I seek Allaah’s forgiveness a thousand times until He solves my problem."
- Ibn Taymiyyah | [العقود الدرية]
There are some people in my life who are living answers to my Duaas. May Allah preserve them. #Gems
Marriage should not be the goal itself, but a means to other goals. It should help facilitate your other dreams. Teamwork, support, and the right companionship are key when pursuing a greater vision.
Sometimes, all it it takes is one prayer to change everything.
Always live in the moment. Absorb the blessings He has gifted you. By doing this you live will life feeling more content and grateful. And the more you are grateful the more He will increase you.
"Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it." - Ali Ibn Abi Talib رضي الله ...
Allah will give. In that you should have no doubt. But before He gives, He may teach you a few lessons. So pesevere and have patience through them. Perhaps you will appreciate the gift better when you've had to ride the stormy waves to receive it.
Do you know what kind of person really, truly inspires me to want to become better and work harder? The one who toils, sacrifices, works hard, and battles their way to success. That person who, when they have a will, are determined to make a way. That person who will shut out any negative thoughts and keep their eyes fixed on the goal no matter how difficult it may seem. Those people are heroes in my eyes. The kind of people I want to forever hold close.
The arguments with owns soul, the battles with ones flaws and weaknesses, are often the greatest personal struggles.
Tawakkul is a two way thing. You do your utmost best, you take whatever means in your scope, and *then* you place your trust in Allah. You will never be disappointed when you trust that He will give you what is good for you. So aim high, dream big and have great expectations. Absolutely nothing is impossible for Him.
You are your own person. Your life is uniquely designed. Your struggles and tests are catered just for you. The people in your life have been especially picked for you. Your relationships have been wisely decreed for you. Don't compare your life with another's. Be yourself. Honour your story.
"Work with the means as though they are everything. Then, rely on Allah as though the means are nothing. That is true tawakkul."
-Dr.Ratib al Nablusi
If you're intending something for the Creator, then prepare for the struggle and the strong winds. You will have to fight your way forward. It's easy to please the people, but it requires effort, sacrifice, determination and struggle to please the Creator. But remember, anything done for other than Allah, may appear easier in the short run, but in the long run it will lack barakah. Whilst something intended for Allah may come with struggle and strife but it will be filled with barakah and will benefit you both in the dunya and the akhirah.#Intentions
And it may be that He will give you that which your heart yearns for. Just not in a way that you ever imagined, but in a way that He wishes. And His way is always the Best way. So accept it with open arms. #EmbraceYourStory
Perhaps a warrior meets another warrior on the battlefield. Where they both make a pact to fight side by side through the heat of a heavy war. Where they strive to utilise their ultimate weapon (Du'aa) in overcoming the strongest fighters. And so they muster up every ounce of courage and strength to defeat the hidden enemies - arrogance, lust, desire, envy, greed and selfishness. In hopes that they may leave the battle stronger than before. And in hopes that they can together savour the beauty of the victory which was all worth fighting for.
He made the fire a coolness for Ibrahim (as). He will make the hardest task a breeze for you. Have conviction.
Because the sweetness of victory will make you forget the bitterness of the battle. The blood, sweat, tears will all be worth it. Every moment of it. Trust Him.
If its comfort that you are seeking, then rush to the recitation of His words. Let your heart be softened by the greatest most grand speech. Allow your eyes to be washed with tears; allow them to fall and clear your vision. Turn your overwhelming sadness into an overflowing softness. Only in His words will you find true healing, strength and the one thing you are most seeking... answers.
There are those friends who are oceans, seas, and even lands apart, yet they will always lend you a shoulder when you need it the most. They will remind you when you forget, and will pop your bubble of darkness through warming smiles and consoling laughter. They are the true friends worth holding onto.
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He will make everything fall into place so beautifully. And in that, I have faith.#Tawakkul
Beneath the surface of hardship and struggle, awaits a treasure; a hidden wisdom, and a beautiful blessing. Keep digging deeper. Keep searching. The extraction of anything is always the most painful process.
Alhamdulilah for memories. For both the good and the (perceived) bad ones.
May we forever remember those moments our smiles widened, eyes glittered, hearts softened, wounds healed, faith strengthened, and our hope was rekindled. It's through both our happy memories and personal battles that He shaped us to become who we are today.
“Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.”
― Thomas Jefferson
We are so weak. Fragile creatures. As flimsy as a tiny peice of thread. And breakable too. We are easily dragged away with the winds. So accepting of his whispers. Highly forgetful. Blurred is our sight. Lifeless is our heart. Clouded is our mind with thoughts of this deceptive world. As we continue to drown in illusions and false hope. Yet, how do we regain our strength? Fight the whispers? Strengthen out faith? Shelter ourselves from the raging storms? Keep firm our feet through the gust of winds? And wash our eyes after they've remained so dry?
Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (39:53)
Imam Shafi' said, "Journey to Allah while lowly and broken."
What is this life but a series of tests? One after the other. Some in the form of ease, others in the form of hardship. Some a test of patience, others a test of piety. Some that cause you to cry tears of pain, others that bring tears of joy.
A journey of both the highs and the lows, a test of peseverence and of gratitude. Each test a reminder of our only true purpose of existence; to worship and submit to Him.
Whenever you feel the tests of life weighing down upon your shoulders, remember, a smooth sea never made a good sailor. So ride the waves, for His pleasure is always worth striving for.
"But healing is beautiful, and success comes after failure. And when you are at the bottom, you learn how to build up better than before. You may not know it now but the awkward and imperfect scabs on your heart make it beautiful." - Asmaa Hussein
Deal with children gently and mercifully. Give them the best memories. Refrain from cruelty and harshness. For a child never forgets.
"Hope is a thing with feathers, that perches on the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all." - Emily Dickinson
"If human babies are to develop eventually into healthy, independant, and society-minded adult individuals, they absolutely depend on being given a good start, and this good start is assured in nature by the existence of the bond between the baby's mother and the baby, the thing is called love. So if you love your baby he or she is getting a good start.
Let me quickly say that I'm not talking about sentimentality. You know the kind of person who goes about saying, 'I simply adore babies'. But you wonder, do they love them? A mothers love is a pretty crude affair. There's possessiveness in it, apetite, even 'drat the kid' element; there's genrousity in it, and power, as well as humility..."
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- ['The Child, The Family & the Outside Word by D.W Winnicott]
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