The Baby In The Womb

When a woman reaches her 16th week of pregnancy, the baby in her womb begins to develop the ability to hear. It starts to recognise and make itself familiar with it's mothers speech as well as other sounds.

In fact, it is also scientifically proven that, if there is a certain tune that the mother sang in pregnancy, the child would remember that tune even after it's born!

SubhanAllah. Now imagine, if a pregnant woman was to recite Qur'an regularly and loudly while she was carrying her baby in the womb. Imagine the effect it will be having on the baby? When that child is born, he or she will remember the recitation of the Quran and be familiar with it from a very young age. Not only that, but a child may preserve the tune/recitation in their memory.

If something like this does not amaze you and remind you of the Greatness of Allah, then what will? 

When they say, 'start your children early', it does not mean when they reach 4, 5,6. Rather, Islam stresses that it all starts when the baby is in the womb. 

So, the lesson to take away is... start your kids early!

The Child Scholar ['Abdullah Ibn Abbas]

So there's an amazing book I once read about the child companions around the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam). It was a beautiful book which highlighted the piety, taqwa, maturity and intelligence of the children at the time of the rise of Islam.

Today, I wanted to just discuss one of those companions. His name was Abdullah ibn Abbas who was born three years before the Hijrah. At the time ofthe Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam)'s death, he was only 13 years old.

Yet, he was able to accomplish so much before the messenger of Allah passed away. When Abdullah reached the age of discretion he attached himself to the service of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam), he would rush to fetch water for him to make wudhu with, and at other times he would stand behind the Prophet in prayer and accompany him on his journeys. Such that he became the shadow of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam).

As he grew physically, he also grew in his knowledge of the deen. He would rush to seek knowledge. He was a child who was enthusiastic and whose heart was pure and uncluttered allowing him to commit the Prophets words to memory.

The Prophet would often draw Abdullah Ibn Abbas close to him and make a beautiful Du'aa for him. He would say,"O Lord, make him acquire a deep understanding of the religion of Islam and instruct him in the meaning and interpretation of things."

And undoubtedly, his Du'aa was accepted.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas became one of the most learned and knoweldgeble men. People, young and old, would go to him to ask him for a matter pertaining to a religion, and he would answer in accordance of what he learnt from attending the assemblies of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) when he was alive.

As Abdullah's knowledge grew, he grew in inner beauty as well as outer beauty. Masruq ibn al Ajda said of him: "Whenever I saw Ibn Abbas, I would say: He is the most handsome of men. When he spoke, I would say: He is the most eloquent of men. And when he held a conversation, I would say: He is the most knowledgeable of men."

My question is, where are the Abdullah ibn Abbas's of our Ummah? Do we, or our children even know of these child companions who dedicated their childhood, youth and adulthood in learning and spreading the deen?

Lets have high aspirations for our children and lets educate them about these beautiful people, so they aspire to be like them, inshaAllah.

The Pros and Cons Of Studying From Home

"So, what are you going to do after college?" was the one question every person I came across was curious to know all through my A-level years. At first, my reply would be "I don't know yet." However, after some time thinking over things, I finally decided that I wanted to stay home and study online.  The decision itself was easy to make, as ever since the introduction of 'student loans' and the unaffordable cost of going to uni, I decided that there was no way I wanted to deal with any form of usury regardless of the difference of opinion on the matter. It was something I just didn't want to get myself into.

Nevertheless, a few months before completing college, I went through a period of doubt and confusion. Thoughts flooded my mind. Was I taking the right step? Was it something I would be able to handle? All my friends had opted for university, and they just could not fathom why on earth I wanted to study from home? Although they didn't say, I knew for a fact the majority were assuming I was either a) forced to study at home by the parents b) Didn't get the grades for uni or c) I was engaged and thus marriage would not enable me to study further. Typical! 

Yet, what if I told you that a) I wasn't at all forced to stay at home and study, in fact, my mum till the last minute was discussing so many options with me b) my grades were in fact great, Alhamdulilah, and would not have affected by entry into university, and c) Nope, I wasn't engaged or married, and even if I was, that shouldn't effect mine or anyone else's choice to study. Who said both cannot be done simultaneously? Anyhoo. Seen as I am rambling on a little now, I might aswell get straight into the main purpose of this post. 

I wanted to write up a post for all those people out there who may be considering open or online university. I wanted to shed both the positives and negatives of studying from home, which I have encountered thus far. I really pray it helps you get a more broad and true understanding of life as an online uni student. Enjoy! :)

Pro's

Since its always good to start with the positives, I thought I'd list the several pro's of online studies. Note: I am not studying through open univerity but 'Islamic online university' and to all those raising their eyebrows right now, yes it is recognised, yes it is professional, and yes its awesome.

Where was I? Oh yeah, so to proceed...

Flexibility: I am not even kidding, but its the best feeling ever to know that, even if something pops up whilst I am studying, such as a text from mum telling me to begin cooking because she's going to be home late, or a sudden text from the auntie, saying I need to babysit the munchkin for a short while, I can say yes, without feeling stressed or pressured into it, because of my workload. Alhamdulilah. Its one of the best things about studying from home. The fact that, even if you fail to complete your work in the morning, you have the evening to catch up, and that you can sort your priorities based on what is urgent and needs doing first. I cannot emphasise how important it is to maintain a balance in your life. We always talk about balance in life, but it all begins in refining our days. I have found that studying from home enables me to make time for studies, family, cooking and even my own hobbies and interests, some which were impossible for me to do when I was in school or college.

References to Islam: One of the reasons why I love studying through IOU, is because whatever I learn, whether its about child psychology, personalities or even counselling etc, it in someway links to and refers back to the Qur'an and Sunnah. Its amazing when you discover how science and religion, when combined, can provided a whole new level of understanding. Sometiems when I'm studying or listening to lectures, I can easily become bored, and then all of a sudden, an ayah from the Qur'an will play which relates to the subject at hand, and I am instantly intrigued and motivated to carry on listening. Sometimes I even forget I am studying a degree!

Skills: Studying from home is not easy. Although its enjoyable it does have its challenges. However, through these challenges I have noticed how it teaches you skills, every single day. It teaches you patience, time-management, discipline (this!), multitasking and so many other skills. Some days, you literally have to tell yourself out loud "No, you're going to work." No matter how tempted you are to log into Facebook, or bake that cake. You have to tell yourself NO, and thats you learning how to be disciplined and learning how to juggle your priorities.

Not an obstacle: A lot of people I've spoken to, and this is not a generalisation, but rather what I've heard from others. They have told me that there are certain things they want to do, or would like to do, however feel they can't to do it, until they have competed university. Of course, I totally understand them. University is a full time commitment and involves a lot of effort and sacrifice. However, with online university, I've noticed that it doesn't act as an obstacle when it comes to doing others things in life. Whatver it is, whether you want to settle down and get married, plan for a baby, travel abroad, do some voluntary work, work part-time, or even full-time, if your like totally disciplined, then with open university, it is a lot LOT easier. Its like packing your degree in a suitcase and taking it with you, wherever you are. 

Learn at your own pace: I've always been someone who hates being 'controlled in what I study by other human beings.' I found that in school and college they literally throw information at you. Tell you it needs to be done by this date, and if its not done, you're a sheer failure, or you just don't listen. Ok, thats great, but hey, where's the whole 'enjoy what you learn' gone. SubhanAllah, I feel like much of my GCSE years, I din't learn because I didn't enjoy it. They told me do this, because you've got to pass this exam, and become this in life. That's it. With online university, I am studying something which I love learning about, in a way that suits me and my lifestyle. There's deadlines of course, and exams, but there's also that recognition of individual circumstances and the constant reminder that we're learning for the sake of Allah, because we love knowledge and want to seek it and benefit others with it.

No Riba: Wallahi, I am so grateful for the fact I din't have to take out a student loan which involved Riba to study a degree. All I'm going to say, that it is one of the best choices I have made. If you sacrifice something in the fear of disobeying Allah, He will grant you something so much better. Believe that.

Cons:

Now to the negatives. I'd be lying if I said there was absolutely no negatives, so here are some general ones. :)

Sacrifice! Yup. Some days you may be awake till midnight, competing assignment or modules, other days you may have to begin your day at 5am and work till your completely zonked out. As an online university student, be prepared to sacrifice some things. Like, your sleep. A lot of people think that online uni students can chill, relax, and even sleep in. Nu-uh. In fact, my mornings mean so much to me right now. If I end up sleeping in, thats literally me behind on a day's uni work, which isn't good, because you have to complete the designated work for that day if you want to keep on task. That means, getting up early, praying, quickly eating your breakfast, cleaning the house, do a few other things, get on with your uni work and get it completed before the parents come home from work, kids come back from school, and the other responsibilities begin!

Lonely soul: Yeah, its true. People actually think I am socially deprived. That is true on some level, but not entirely true. Ok, I've never been such a party animal anyway, I've always been  a 'homey' type of person who has although has a particularly large group of friends, there's probably only a close few I interact with everyday. Although, yes I am going to be honest, staying at home has made me want to stay at home even more. That is a con, yes, because I am not interacting with other people, as much as I would do if I was at an actual uni. But hey, that doesn't mean I lock myself in a prison day and night. Rather, I have made it a must to get out of the house, whether its to visit my grandma, attend archery, boxercise, driving lessons, halaqahs. I will to do it, or else, then I would be socially deprived. Alternatively, we have the huge gift of technology which means in my spare time, I Skype friends (who are all in either Riyadh or other parts of the world *sob*) , go out with family, or babysit. Ok, thats at home too but its still socialising, right?

Resources: No, I don't have a lab, or a classroom, or a lecturer who visits me everyday, or or or....However, I do have my kitchen? If I ever needed to experiment anything, which I highly doubt I will have to in Psychology, then there's always a way around it. So yeah.

Food, food and more food: This hasn't been such an issue for me. In fact, since I begins studies at home, I've began to eat less. There really is not much free time to go fetch out crisps, chocolates and sweets, when you have to be constantly writing up notes from your lectures. However, this is an issue for some. Due to the lack of motivation (which happens to me also at times), we end up sitting there stuffing ourself with whatever we find. A lot of people say that they would not be able to study at home because they won't be able to disincline themselves and would end up eating all day long. My solutions? Create a timetable, have a plan. Eat 3 meals everyday, keep a glass or bottle of water next to you, buy healthy snacks and if you feel peckish, just go grab that banana! You're at home, meaning you have more time prepare healthy meals and *choose* what you eat.

Prepare to sit all day long: You can say that again. You will be sitting so much, you'll almost forget how it feels to walk long distances. However, best way to sort this issue out, is to try and exercise this muscles everyday, someway. Go for a walk, do some cardio at home, clean the house. Just make sure those muscles are working in some way.

Source: delightfullybritish.deviantart.com

"Niqab? Never!" [Why you should never say never]

I was a girl, to put it bluntly, who really disliked the Niqab. When my mum first began wearing it, I was a bit unsure about her decision. When I saw girls who had it on, I would instantly think that they were forced to wear it or had to wear it for Madrassah or as part of their uniform. Niqab just wasn't for me. I felt it was extreme, that it was taking Hijab on another level. That it was something more culturally influenced than islamic.

It was only after my Umrah trip that my thoughts changed. When I was there, I was literally surrounded by Niqabis, everywhere! The fact that it was extremely hot didn't bother them a bit and I was amazed at how they did it. I felt like I was missing out on something great, these sisters seemed so relaxed, so confident, so proud to be wearing it, and I really admired them. In fact, as most people say, Saudi is one place where you just feel the need to cover your face - and so I tried it and fell in love with it.

Niqab in Saudi was easy. And I know many sisters believe that it's harder in the UK, which is somewhat true. However, it's all about how you handle it. Since wearing the Niqab, I feel so free, so liberated. I feel like a queen. :D It feels amazing to know that I can walk the streets and no man can have the opportunity or right to stare at me.

OK, I admit I do get stares from non-muslims who find it shocking that I could cover my face in this heat, but wallahi it only makes you stronger and it only gets them to reflect on an individuals motive behind wearing the veil.

My point is, sisters who are thinking of wearing the Niqab, but are in doubt, or are receiving negative advice about it...just go with what your heart inclines towards. My heart felt uncomfortable going out without something covering my face,  Even if you try wearing it for a period of time - go ahead. There's no harm in trying :) and if it does get difficult, there's always an option of taking it off.

SubhanAllah, it's amazing how your thoughts and perceptions of things can change.

May Allah, the Turner of hearts, keep our hearts firm on His religion.

Aiza [The Palestinian Orphan]

"Salaaaams girl!”

“Hey, walaikum Asalaam, Aiza.”

“Did you get a good nights sleep last night?” I questioned as I continued chopping the vegetables.

“Not really." She paused.

"I was just thinking about Rimsha all night. What happened yesterday triggered so many painful memories.” Aiza kept her head lowered as she sat on the chair in front of mr.

“Oh, yeah I do feel sorry for her… “ I said as I cleaned my hands with a tissue. "May Allah grant her patience."

“Ameen."

"Right…” Aiza prompted. "How can I help?"

"Carrots?" 

"Sure!"

Swiftly, she began chopping away.

Suddenly, out of the blue, Aiza lowered her eyes, dropped the knife she was holding, and began to fiddle with her fingers. Her mood suddenly turned solemn and sorrowful.

“Umm… is everything ok Aiza?” I asked spontaneously.

Aiza didn’t say a word and continued twiddling her fingers.

“I’m…I’m sorry.” I said for no reason except that I felt so uncomfortable.

“I miss my parents, Inayah.” Aiza sighed and the turned her head, staring out of the nearby window, as if she was lost in her own world…her own thoughts.

I lifted my head and gazed into Aiza’s grey-ish eyes. A soft smile formed on her angelic face. I stared back at her, wide-eyed, as a a stab of fear penetrated through my heart as I prepared to hear what was going to come next.

“I’m Palestinian.”

I opened my mouth slightly in curiosity; somehow getting the vibe that what she was going to say next would hit me hard.

“It was a sunny day in the city of Gaza, me, my older brother Yusuf and my two beautiful parents…”

She stopped and smiled again as she recalled memories of her mother and father.

“We were sitting in one of the parks in Gaza. It’d been a while since we had stepped foot out of the house due to all the violence that was spurring up.”

I sat silently, taking in each word that was leaving Aiza’s lips.

“When suddenly…”

Aiza swallowed. He eyes began to well up and a quick tear rolled down her rosy cheeks.

“Aiza…don’t cry dear. Aiza…” I continued but she shook her head.

More tears began to fall down her face.

Taymiyyah, who was standing on the other side of the kitchen rushed over to see what was going on. I mimed and signaled to her that everything was ok and that I was dealing with it, and so she rushed back.

“Oh, I am so sorry Inayah.” Aiza lifted her head and grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes.

“No, don’t be sorry. I understand how you must be feeling right now. Don’t hold it in. Let it out. I am here for you.” I reached out my hand and grabbed hers. We sat there silently for a few seconds. 

“Thankyou. It’s just that… I still remember that moment the snipers started shooting at my family and me. All I could hear was the sound of bullets and painful screams of my older brother and my parents."

I bit my lip. My eyes were filled with tears. My heart was racing as she began to recall her story.

Aiza wiped another tear. 

"But you know what…. God saved me. As soon as I saw them, I went and hid in our picnic basket I was only young at the time, but small enough to fit in that big basket my mum would take with her.” Aiza let out a slight chuckle.

“O, Ummi  loved that basket you know.” Aiza turned to me and looked into my eyes. She wiped the tears from her eyes again, which were now red and sore from crying so much.

“It was a long, cold night. Spending a night in a park, on my own, with my families bodies right next to me. It was only when a nice passerby came and saved me and took me into his care that I felt an ounce of hope enter my heart…”

I stood up and went to sit next to Aiza.. What I was hearing was unbelievable. I was so shocked that I was speechless. I was trying my best to stay strong for Aiza, trying hard to fight back those tears. She was an orphan and a scarred refugee.

“Long story cut short… Alhamdulilah, my relatives here in the UK, Hafsah, and her sister fostered me. They treat me, as I am their own. Yet, no matter how much they did and still do for me, nothing can repay what my family did for me, and absolutely nothing can beat my childhood memories in my beautiful hometown, Gaza. I miss it so much, Inayah.” She turned to me and dropped her head on to my shoulder.

I drewAiza close to me and reached out to give a hug. She hugged me tighter and I could sense she just needed someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on.

A tear slid down my cheek as I imagined Aiza’s story. I was so touched. My heart felt so soft as though it was going to melt. I was truly humbled. The pain Aiza had gone through seemed so severe that it had struck a cord in my heart.

“I am so sorry to hear all of this, Aiza. You story has moved me so deeply I said.” My voice was quivering.

Aiza turned to face me. A smile formed on her face.

“Alhamdulilah. Everything happens for a reason, right. If it wasn’t for what happened, I wouldn’t have met such awesome people, nor would I be volunteering for this organisation right now, nor would I have set-up my own charity to help the people of Gaza.”

I was shocked by this young girls wisdom and contentment.

“Wow… you have your own charity?”

“Yes. I made a firm promise that when I grew up I would dedicate my efforts into starting my own charity to help my people.”

“May Allah bless your efforts and may He bring ease to the people of Gaza.”

“Ameen.” Aiza replied.

“Yusuf was such a great brother you know.”

I could see that Aiza felt so much better talking about her family. It somehow consoled her heart and so I was ready to hear all she wanted to say.

“We used to play together all the time. Fly kites in the neighborhood, race each other and have water fights in the gully of our home!”

“That sounds so fun!” I said, smiling a huge smile.

“It was… and ummi and baba were the best. They were the best parents I ever had even though I only knew them for 7 years.”

I smiled.

“Don’t worry. You’re going to spend eternity with your parents in Paradise, InshaAllah. Just imagine, you, Yusuf, your parents, walking hand in hand into Paradise, eating from its beautiful fruits, drinking from its rivers of milk and honey and then together getting to see your Lord.”

“That’s a moment I make Du’aa for every minute of every day.” Aiza exclaimed.

“May Allah make it a reality, ameen.”

Aiza’s face was now lit up with joy. All the pain she was feeling moments ago was wiped away by one discussion on Paradise and its unimaginable beauties.

“JazakAllah Khair, Inayah.”

“No, Jazakallah Khair to you for sharing your story with me. For trusting me. Wallah, you have inspired me so much and I will keep you and your family - who are now flying in the hearts of green birds, in my precious Du’aas.”

“Aww, your amazing. Thankyou so much. Please do keep us in your Du’aas.”

“You’re the amazing one!” I retaliated.

Moments later, myself and Aiza decided to go for a walk outside to feel the breeze of the fresh air.

As we sat on the green grass, my mind was still on what Aiza had just told me.

It goes to show, sometimes you may meet a person whose smile radiates the room, yet through those beautiful eyes and huge smile, may be a dark painful story, one which hurt to tell but leaves millions inspired when told.

The Most Touching Conversation In The Seerah [Asmaa and Abdullah Ibn Zubayr]

Recently, I have been going through the Greatest Mums of all times series, and in there, one of the Ustaadh's mentioned a beautiful story about a beautiful woman, wife, mother and servant of Allah. It is said to be one of the most touching conversations between a mother and son ever to be recorded in the Seerah, and one which is sure to bring tears to your eyes, and will cause your hairs to stand on end.

It is no other than the story of Asmaa bint Abi Bakr and her son, Abdullah Ibn az Zubayr.

Asmaa was a woman who lived a life of great struggle. Even pre-marriage, she was known for playing a prominent role in the Hijrah. Her role was to tie the food of her father, Abu Bakr and Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam) with two belts, which she wore around her waist. Thus, she became known as "Dhaatun-Niqaatain" - 'The Woman with the two waist belts.' Due to this act of goodness, it is said that she will be recompensed with two waist belts (pieces of cloth) in Jannah.

Even when she married Az Zubayr, she worked hard day and night. She married him despite the fact he had no land, no wealth and no servant. She says in a hadith narrated by Bukhari, that she would graze her husbands) horse and camel, she would ground the flour, and do all the other chores. She wasn't very good at baking bread, so she would get some women from the neighbourhood to help her with the task. She worked so hard that once when Abu Bakr gave her a maid, and she felt as though she had been freed from slavery.

Now, I want to fast forward to a 100 year old, Asmaa bint Abu Bakr, and I want you to imagine you are witnessing this conversation between her, and her son Abdullah.

The Ummayyadh caliphate at that time was Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf. He was a cruel and tough leader who set out to kill Az-Zubayr, someone who dedicated his life to the service of Islam.

Now, just before he was killed, a conversation took place between Abdullah and his mother, and it goes as follows...

[Paraphrased]

Abdullah is just moments away from being killed, and before he leaves, he decides to speak to his mother for the last time. Still unsure and doubtful of whether he should leave, he, goes and consults his mother for her advice. He says:

"O Umm, what do you think I should do?" (i.e - should I surrender?)

Asmaa, his old, weak and frail mother, whose heart was flooded with strength and bravery, replies to her son with a most powerful statement, by saying:

"Wallahi! A dignified strike with a sword is more beloved to me than a humiliating lash of a whip!"

So Abdullah smiles at his mother and continues to take heed to her words. She goes on to say:

"All Praise is due to Allah who put you upon that which is beloved to Him, and that which is beloved to me."

"Come closer to me, O my son, let me sense your smell for the last time."

Now, just close your eyes and imagine this. An old woman, of a hundred years old, is requesting to hold her son for the last time, knowing that this was last time she would ever see, touch and smell him. The son who was the coolness of her eyes, and a delight to her heart.

So Abdullah comes closer and embraces his old mother with a hug. Whilst doing so, Abdullah lowers himself to kiss her hands, her feet and her forehead. As he does this, Asmaa's frail hands touches Abdullah's shield, and so she says to him:

"What is this you're wearing, my son?"

Abdullah then replies,

"O Umma, its a shield, its armour"

He said, “I am afraid I will be mutilated by the people of Sham, I am afraid that they will cut up my body after they have killed me”

And the brave Asmaa then cries,

"After someone has died it won’t make any difference what they do to you if you have been killed.”
(i.e - So what if he mutilates you! You are standing up for the truth!)

Abdullah, with a heart of honesty, then replies,

"I did not come to you except to increase myself in knowledge.” 
(He is also reported to have said, "I wore it so that you could be comfortable.")

She says:

"This is not the way a person who was seeking the pleasure of Allah should dress."

Abdullah then takes off his armour, obeying his mothers request and advice.

She then looks to him and says,

"Tighten your Siwaar." (so that his awrah doesn't expose when he's killed)

Look at what she was concerned with! She was ready to accept her son as a martyr but did not want his Awrah to be exposed in the process!

So Abdullah tightenes his siwaar, again obeying his mothers request.

As Abdullah gets up to walk away, his 100 year old mother, Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr, a woman who lived a life of great hardship and toil, watches him as he leaves.

So he stops and turns to his mother. Imagine how Abdullah must be feeling. He just said a farewell to his mother, knowing that this was probably the last time they would ever meet. Similarly  she gazes at her son, the one she carried for months long, the one she raised, the one who served her and loved her, and here he was, walking away from het loving embrace and towards his death.

And so it is reported that he turns back to her and requests her her Du'aa,

i.e - "Make Du'aa for me"

At this moment, imagine the emotions? The heaviness that he must have felt in his heart. The lump in his throat, the tears in his eyes. Imagine all this. Yet, he knew that if anything, it was his mothers incredible and powerful Du'aa that would benefit him. He was doing this for a just cause, for the honour of Islam, and so despite the feelings of sadness right then, he would continue to fight for the truth, even if that meant parting with his beloved.

Asmaa, after hearing this, immediately raises her weak hands to the sky, and makes Du'aa for her son. 

A short while later, Hajjaj crucified him and said, "No one must put down his body except Asmaa (radiallaahu anha ), she must come to me and ask permission of me and only then will his body be put down”.

Asmaa (radiallahu anha.) refused to go and ask permission to put down her sons body and it was said to her,

“if you don’t go his body will remain like that.” So she said ” let it be then”.

Until eventually, Hajjaj came to her and said,

“what do you say about this matter” and she said,

"Verily you have destroyed him you have ruined his life and with that you have ruined your hereafter.”

It is said that Asmaa would spend so much of her time in worship and dhikr after her son's death. Not long after her son's martyrdom, Allah took her soul too, whilst she was in her Salaah. It is also reported that Az-Zubayr's family, all died whilst they were in Salaah. A noble family, a noble progeny, and a noble ending. May Allah be pleased with them and shower His mercy upon the family of Zubayr.

The Travellers

We're all travellers on a journey, each one of us experiencing our own life's challenges; each one of us walking our own path. Then at some point in that journey, we come to a crossway, there, Allah allows us to meet other travellers, who too are walking their own journey.

These travellers may still be miles and miles apart from you, across oceans, sand and sea. Yet, Allah allows you to come together, only to serve His cause. Once they were strangers to you, but now, Allah makes them your companions in faith.

That's the beauty of Islam. It doesn't focus on culture, race, ethnicity or background. It focuses on faith and belief.

Amazes me everytime I think about this wonderful gift. Every time I receive a message from a fellow traveller, and every time I ponder over the cause He united us for. Simply amazing. 

‪#‎YMP‬ ‪#‎Islam‬ ‪#‎Unity‬