What is Love?

What is love?

Is love just an emotion;

a fleeting feeling?

Or is love more than but what a heart feels?

Love is to endure sleepless nights so your child sleeps peacefully,

Love is working day and night to provide for your family,

Love is the man of your dreams, a man of deen,

Love is a bird that guards her eggs under her smooth, soft wings,

Love is caring for an orphan and her young siblings,

Love is a warm kiss on the cheek of a new born baby.

Love.

Love is placing your forehead on the ground; a love story only those who pray will feel,

Love is lifting your blanket just before dawn, a feeling so surreal,

Love is the feeling of thirst and hunger on a long summer’s day,

Love is helping your fellow Muslim, going out your way,

Love is tears that fall from your eyes whenever you hear His name,

Love is shouting Takbeer to a fellow new-muslim,

Love is standing feet to feet, shoulder to shoulder under the dusky night sky,

Love is dreaming of Jannah, under the shade of a huge tree will you lie,

Love is gazing at the Kaab’ah and whispering a sincere Praise,

Love is walking into Madinah, fixed is your gaze,

A Familiar Soul

Thought I'd share this mini post I came across. Found it very beautiful. :)

She fell in love with his smile, which covered up his flaws. His kindness struck her like a sweet fragrance, and his generosity pulled her from the depths of her shadows. He was different to the hardened souls she'd encountered, wrapped in their self-righteousness and harsh ways. He was a stark contrast from the ones that sought to control, stuck on the cover of their novel, unable to turn the page and appreciate that the world was far from black and white.

He was colourful, considerate like the rainbow, appreciating her shades of complexion, rather than living in the fake photoshopped age.

His piety was reflected in more than his words, it went deeper, and in turn, touched her heart.

‪#‎freewriting‬

(Written by Sr Alima Ashfaq)

She had come across many people before, but no one was quite like this soul. There was a sudden connection, like she knew them from another world. It was so casual, so normal she thought, for them to be in her life. Its like they were never not there, never not part of her journey. With that, she invoked her Lord, asking for good in this world and the next, and she decided to practice patience, until her Lord would unite her heart with theirs. 

Forgotten Heroines [Hafsah Bint Sireen, and her mother Safiyyah]

One of the greatest scholars from amongst the taabi'een was a man by the name of, Muhammad Ibn Sireen. It is said that his mother, Safiyyah, was one of the most prominent women scholars at that time who would teach Ibn Sireen and her other children. Safiyyah was born into slavery, such that know one even knew the name of her father, neither did she know her parents. When Islam began to spread, Abu Bakr, freed Safiyyah and she became one of his rare students. Even after he passed away, Safiyyah continued to learn and study from Ayesha. She was such a noble woman, that Ibn Katheer said [paraphrased], "There is no Janazah in history after the Janazah of Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam, where they had that many noble people attend." It is narrated that Ubayy ibn Ka'ab led her Janazah and three of the mothers of the believers, who were alive at that time, attended her funeral.

Safiyyah had a daughter called Hafsah Bint Sireen, who would learn so much from her mother. Due to this righteous upbringing, that she memorised the entire Qur'an by the age of 10, had mastered all the Qira'aa by the age of 12, and was so knowledgeable in hadith that even her brothers would study under her, including Muhammad Ibn Sireen, who is said to be the greatest scholar of that time.

"I've not met anyone more knowledgeable than Hafsah " - A Tabi'ee

#ForgottenHeroines

A Pure Union [Aasim bin Umar Al-Khattab and Umm Layla]

Once Umar Ibn Al Khattab was with his son, patrolling the streets of Madinah, making sure everyone was well. As he was walking with his son, Aslam, they stopped outside a house wherein a mother and daughter were immersed in a conversation.

Umar (ra) heard the mother tell her daughter to add water to milk, so that it increases in quantity so that they could sell it and make more profit on it. At that time, the mother or daughter were unaware that Umar (ra) was listening, and so the mother spoke saying, "Where is Umar right now?" (i.e - he isn't watching so go ahead and do it.) However, the daughter was someone who feared Allah, and so she replied obediently saying: "O my mother, I am not going to obey him in public and disobey him in private. If Umar did not see, then the Lord of Umar sees us right now." 

After hearing this, Umar (ra) was deeply impressed. He ordered his son Aslam to mark the house so they could return later. He then went home and gathered his sons, and asked, "Which one of you is not married yet?" One of his son's whose name was, Aaasim, replied that he was not yet married. Thus, Umar (ra) sent Aslam to enquire more about the girl and her family, for his brother. He discovered that the girl was not married and so was available, and that she lived alone with her widowed mother.

As soon as Aslam returned, Umar (ra) took his son Aaasim to the woman's house so that he could propose to her for marriage. Soon, they were married. It is narrated that Aasim's wife gave birth to a daughter called Layla, who later also married and gave birth to the amazing, Umar Ibn Abdul 'Azeez.

Layla bint Aasim, the mother of Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez was a women who promoted justice. She was married to Abdullah Ibn Azeez bin Marwaan, who was a powerful authority at that time. Yet she always reminded him to be fair and just in his dealings. As a result, Umar ibn Al Azeez was raised in a household of peace, justice, fairness and tranquility. May Allah be pleased with them all.

Lesson: The woman who married the daughter of Umar bin Al-Khattab is an example and role model for us all. Her Taqwa in Allah caused her to be raised in ranked and honoured in this world and the next. Her marriage stemmed from a pure intention and the Taqwa of Allah. The purity of the reunion continued throughout their progeny, and from their offspring rised the next leader of the Muslims, and a man who till today, remains famous for his sincere dedication to serve the deen of Allah and lead it to victory. Marrying a righteous spouse, working together in righteousness, and in raising righteous children, will result in a righteous and beneficial legacy, inshaAllah.

Call them by a Kunya! [Giving children a sense of responsibility]

I recently heard a reminder on parenting and how calling children by a Kunya (teknonym) would result in them having a more sense of responsibility. Calling your children with nicknames such as ‘Abu Abdullah’ or ‘Umm Kulthoom’ would make them feel older and more responsible; like an adult. This is quite an interesting concept and is also a beautiful sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) who would call the little children around him by their Kunya. 

An example of this is in a hadith which is reported in Bukhari where Anas (Radiyallahu Anhu) narrates:

“The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) was the best of all the people in character. I had a brother called Abu Umair, who, I think, had been newly weaned. Whenever he was brought to the Prophet, the Prophet used to say, "O Abu Umair! What did Al-Nughair (do)?” Al-Nughair was a nightingale with which he used to play.” [Bukhari]

Do you know how this changes the psychology of the children? Try it! When you call your child ‘O father of so and so’ or ‘O mother of so and so’ and then you tell them to stop being naughty they will instantly think ‘Wow, I’m a father, I’m big, I must stop being naughty now.’ 

The Queen Of The Home

In English she is known as a 'Housewife'.

In Arabic she is known as ربةالبيت meaning 'The Queen of the house'

See the huge difference? The Arabic language is full of profundity and meaning. 

Islam gives the ‘housewife’ such an honorable status by calling her a Queen, such a high rank and a lofty position.

Every woman is a Queen in her own home. The husband her King, the children her prince and princess, and the house her kingdom. 

Every woman's dream of becoming a Queen could quite possibly become a reality, inshaAllah.

Aminah and Abdullah [Teaching Children]

“I will need to use the small screws.” Abdullah said to himself whilst collecting all the small screws from the floor and putting the rest beck in his dad’s tool box.

Just then, Aminah walked into the room with a painting in her hand.

“Look! Look what I’ve made!” Aminah had a huge smile on her face as she waved her painting to her dad and big brother.

“Not now, Aminah!” Abdullah said loudly and quickly as he was too busy screwing in the nail into the cupboard.

“B-but…” Aminah said in a low tone. Her deep brown eyes looked sorrowful and she held the painting close to her chest.

“I drew this especially for you, Abdullah.” Aminah continued, her voice showed that she was getting upset and angry.

Abdullah, too busy focused on his work, didn’t hear what Aminah said, and Abi was too busy concentrating that he hadn’t even noticed Aminah walk into the room!

“I hate you sometimes, Abdullah!” said Aminah growling. Her cheeks grew red. Suddenly, a hint of guilt entered her heart.

Aminah slowly walked out of the room; her eyes filling with tears. She made her way up the stairs and into her bedroom.

Aminah jumped onto her bed, staring down at her painting. She had beautifully painted a picture of Madinah for Abdullah because she knew how much he really wanted to visit it as it was his most beloved place. Aminah wanted to do something special for her elder brother.

The painting was splashed with different colors, mostly cream for the Masjid walls. There were tall palm trees and the sky was crayoned in a summery blue colour. She had never been to Madinah but had heard lots about the city of the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and her heart ached to go.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Aminah quickly lay down on her soft bed and pulled a pink blanket over her body.

“My Aminah…” came a familiar voice from behind Aminah.
Ummi sat down beside her, stroking her head.

“Don’t be upset. Abdullah was busy and didn’t mean to upset you.”

Aminah sniffled.

“But Ummi, I made it especially for him and he didn’t even want to look at it?” she cried, now staring back at her mum, looking into her golden eyes.

“No, sweetie. He was just so engrossed in helping Abi, he didn’t realize what you had made for him.”

Aminah sat up and gave her mum a hug, squeezing her tightly.

“Shall I tell you a story?”

“Yes, please Ummi!” Aminah wiped away her tears.

Aminah adored story writing and storytelling.

“Ok, here sit in my lap and I will tell you.”

Aminah rushed to cuddle up in her mother’s arm.

“So, one day whilst the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam)…”

Ummi paused.

Aminah sat up.

“And then…” she said wide-eyed.

“I’m waiting for you to say Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam!” Ummi laughed.

“Remember whenever we hear it, we have to repeat it, it means “May Allah’s peace be upon him.” Ummi grinned.

“Oh yes, silly me.”Aminah shook her head in disappoint.

“Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam!” she chirped.

Ummi kissed her daughters forehead.

“So, where was I, oh yes…He was sitting with some very well-known leaders of Quraysh and was calling them to accept Islam.”

“Ummi, were these leaders really popular?”

“Yes, and they were staunch enemies of Islam too.”

“SubhanAllah” Aminah raised an eyebrow.

“And then, suddenly a blind man approached the Prophet, Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam…”

“_Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam” Aminah said proud that she had remembered this time.

“…as he wanted to ask him an important question. The blind man kept interrupting, and so the messenger of Allah turned away from him just slightly so he could continue talking to the leaders.”.

“But remember, he didn’t do this to the blind man on purpose, but unintentionally.” Ummi added.

“Yes, because the Prophet, Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam, was a very kind man and didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.”

“That’s right, Aminah. It was only a minor mistake the messenger of Allah, may peace be upon him, did by turning away from the man. But, Allah sent down verses to correct his Prophet, out of great love for him.”

“Which verses were they, Ummi?” Aminah gathered her eyebrows thoughtfully.

“The verses are in Surah Abasa, chapter 80 in the Holy Quran.”

“Wow! Ummi! I’m on that Surah now! I’m learning it off by heart!” Aminah said excitedly flapping her hands.

Ummi chuckled.

“MashaAllah, that’s amazing!” Ummi cuddled Aminah.

“Now, tell me Aminah, what do you learn from this story?”

“I learnt that, when people upset you, make excuses for them because they may have hurt your feelings accidently.”

“MashaAllah, that is absolutely correct, Aminah. Sometimes people will do things and without realizing, they may hurt your feelings but sometimes you got to make excuses for them.”

“Yeah…So, does that mean that I have to make excuses for Abdullah too?”

“Yes, dear.”

“I feel bad for Abdullah now.” Aminah bit her lip.

“You can still apologies. There is an old quote that goes like this…” Ummi closed her eyes trying hard to remember it.

“Oh, I got it! “If a friend makes a mistake, make seventy excuses for him. If your hearts can’t do this, then that is a weakness in your own selves.”

“SubhanAllah…” Aminah was amazed at how making excuses for someone was so important and how it was part of good character.

“You feel better now?” Ummi gazed at Aminah’s chestnut eyes.

“Loads better.” Aminah smiled and gave her mum a kiss on the cheek.