The Long Road Ahead

Asalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakatu

I just decided to have a look at a few WordPress themes and this took to my liking, what do you think? It seems relevant with the Road, maybe im making my self feel better lol.

We needed a fresh feel anyway : )

The Journey Continues…

Yes!  Certainly, the help of Allah is near!” 

[Surah Baqarah 2:214]

These last two weeks have been tiring and have done my head in. I have traipsed around this strange city in search of an apartment suitable for the abode of a human being and at a reasonable price. Two criteria I think that are alien to Egyptians when the summer approaches.

Yesterday I left the flat at 10.45 am to go to my class and returned at 9pm. Yes, 9pm. As, after class I went house hunting, again and to no avail. By the time I hit the sack last night, the only feeling I had left (as I had lost feeling in my legs) was how am I going to sort this out? Don’t get me wrong I wasn’t in despair, I was just knackered and in dire need of divine intervention. And Alhamdulillah it came.

The search was a little less ordinary, because I was looking for a decent place for myself, then for myself and two brothers, then for myself and possibly another brother and then for myself again. Other people are always a headache!

However yesterday, out of the blue I was introduced to a brother from England, a brother who accepted Islam a year ago and had left his University placement to come and learn his religion – Taqabal Allah, and he unlike the others I have met (apart from TK obviously) was Muta’aqid, i.e. sure, of what he wanted. A nice place for a decent price.

And subhanAllah, Allah relieved me of having to search for a place with the indecisive today, and took me and Yousaf (my new flat mate) to a nice apartment, not too far from all what we want, i.e. Masjid Bilal, Masjid Bilal and Masjid Bilal at a not too expensive rent; be patient pickies will follow.

Anyway, make dua for us and inshAllah I will post once we move in on the weekend, and remember the amazing aforementioned ayaat, and inshAllah, all will be good.

Yes!  Certainly, the help of Allah is near!

[Surah Baqarah 2:214]

The Journey To Continues…

And Let A New Summer Begin…. 

Today I prayed Jummuah as per usual at our beloved Masjid Bilal and heard an amazing khutbah, parts of which I want to share with you today, as it is just as relevant to us here as Muslims across the world. Why you ask, because it was about, The Summer.

Summer in the Muslim lands is increasingly like summer in the Non-Muslim lands, i.e. a time people minimise the clothing they wear. This fitna is one which is growing in the Muslim lands, where the hijaab has already mutated into a fashion statement of a people torn between bollywood and
hollywood, and by the time of summer, often either mutates to a transparent covering or even goes into hibernation until the winter. 

The Shaikh, opened with the hadith; 

“I was shown the hellfire and most of its inhabitants were women” [Al-Bukhari]

And highlighted how the streets of
Cairo were now an evidence for the women folk to enter the hellfire through their mass abandonment of hijaab and free-mixing with the ‘men’ (I use the word men, in the loosest sense of the word). Through the course of the Khutbah he shared the responsibility for us all, the believing men and the believing women to deal with this issue.

His advice to our sisters was clear, and straight from the book of Allah; 

” And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts from sin and not show of their adornment except only that which is apparent, and draw their headcovers over their necks and bosoms and not reveal their adornment except to And that they should not I strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And 0 you Believers! Turn you all together towards Allah in repentence that you may be successful.” (24:31) 

But through the beauty of Al Islam and the heightened position of our mothers, sisters and wives, he highlighted how this was more of an issue for the brothers. He like many of us, posed the question, ‘Where are the men?’ 

He highlighted how, Allah says; 

And say to the Believing men to lower their gazes (from strange women) and protect their chastity” (Surah An-Noor: 30)

And that really we, as the men of the Ummah, have to take our responsibility on ensuring our women do not fall into the trap of disclosing themselves, in summer or out of summer and we do not become from among the Dayooth. As the Messenger of Allah has said; 

Each one of your is shepherd. And each one of you will be asked about your flock. A ruler also is a shepherd and he will be asked about his flock. And every is a shepherd to his family. And a woman is the custodian of her husband’s house and his children. Thus each one of you is shepherd, and each one will be asked about his flock.’ Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (On the Authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar) 

His reminder was something we all need to take and share with our loved ones, and that must transend the boundries of blood. As Allah has said,  

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin the ma`roof (all of Islam), and forbid the munkar (all that is evil; kufr): they observe regular prayers, pay Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” ( Surah 9:71)

Therefore I see this as a reminder first for myself and then to us all, the time of summer for some of us has begun and for many more is soon to be upon us, lets make sure we can make this a time for Dawah and warning people this heat that they are seeking to deal with is nothing compared to the heat of the ever after for those whose abode is Hellfire (May Ar Rahman Protect us from This).  

The much heard phrase by the duat here is, ‘but I still love the Prophet’ (hence the festivities that are on the way here, for the mawlid, love the messenger of Allah, by ignoring his message, but eating Halwa and parting in his name, which has to be the most bizarre of the bidaat in the Ummah, May Allah save us from this and keep firmly in our hearts the words of the Messnger, “Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His Angels and the whole of mankind.” Reported by Bukhari “… and every innovation is misguidance and all misguidance is in the Hellfire.” Reported by an-Nasaa’ee).

I sign out with the good tidings the messenger of Allah, (PBUH) gave to our women folk; 

“If a woman prays her five, fasts her month, guards her private parts, and obeys her husband, then it is said to her, ‘Enter into

Paradise from any of the gates you wish’”  [Musnad Ahmad] 

May Allah guide us all and ensure we always remember that Allah has made clear; 

“I have not created the jinn and mankind except for the purpose that they worship Me”  [Sūrah 51:56]The Journey Continues…

Control IT, Before it controls YOU!

Life in Egypt is moving at a rapid pace now, even more so as we have changed from two in a class to one on one. We have now been studying for 3 months and Subhan’Allaah it feels like we just arrived at Cairo international and the images of the black room with the cloud of smoke are all too vivid in the memory.

Whenever a person travels he learns many valuable lessons that stand him in good stead in future years. One of those lessons is controlling oneself and especially the Tongue! How many times, have we spoken without thinking? Or said a word to someone, without realising what it means?

Allah says in Surah Al-Nur :

“On the Day their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.” (24:24)

For the next few seconds, just take a back set and reflect on the Ayaat above!  Ask yourself:How did I use my tongue today?  Did you think, before you spoke?  

Sadly for many of us, we say use our tongue in such a manner that we find it the norm to curse etc. Our Holy Prophet educates us with good manners saying: Either you speak a useful and good word, or be silent which is better for you than speaking evil words. And certainly, if you speak bad words it may cause you problems and harm and make you regret and wish you had kept silent and had not spoken. So just learn to ZIP IT… 

This reminder if first of all to myself, and then those reading bi’ithnillaah.

May Allaah excuse our Shortcomings and grant us the Tawfique to guard our tongue. Aameen

The Journey Continues…

“but the best of planners is Allah” (Al-Anfal V.30). Now the focus of this entry is simply, don’t plan. You, me and the whole rest of bani Adam cant really get too far with it. 

Today was my first day of studying four hours at the mahad, and I had it all planned out. You see I wanted to have a month of intensive study before I return home next month (my dear mum is having an operation, so I am going back for a few weeks you see), so that I can take plenty of homework with me and not fall too far behind. I had it all planned out in my ickle brain, I was gonna seek to do a couple hours before class, then the class and then a few hours before the day ran out. The idea clearly being too make the most of the next month. Yet, subhanAllah, things have got off on a bad foot. Yes. Guess what? I am sick. Let me rephrase, ill. Alhadmulillah, I awoke this morning just fine, but now I come to think of it, it all went sour, as my plan was being formulated in the old ‘Ratz’. I started my homework and embarked upon a sneezing frenzy, which pretty much carried on all day. Almost like a comedy, I sneezed through my homework, through the bus ride (not to the joy of my fellow passengers), through my class, through my bus ride home, through my salawaat, until now. I am on a break from sneezing, Alhamdulillah, lets see how much it lasts. 

I really need your duas right now, as I need to up the work load.  I better get off now, as I need some tissues. The Journey Continues….

It is only the Shaitan that causes you to fear from his friends, but do not fear them, and fear Me if you are believers. And let not those grieve you who fall into unbelief hastily; surely they can do no harm to Allah at all; Allah intends that He should not give them any portion in the hereafter, and they shall have a grievous chastisement. Al Quran, 003.175-6  

I read the article below and it prompted the train of thought which will pan out through this entry, should you be patient enough to navigate it with me. 

A man who lost his three daughters in the Indian Ocean tsunami has become a father again – to female triplets. Darmi Ali, who had remarried after also losing his wife when the huge waves hit the Indonesian province of Aceh in 2004, said he was “overjoyed”. “I lost my three daughters, and now they have been replaced by three other girls,” he said. www.bbc.co.uk 

The Tsunami struck Indonesia nearly three years ago and its devastating effect was brought to our screens across the globe. Its sheer power was amazing and reaffirmed our belief in Ar Rahman and how swift he can be in reckoning. Now, reading this story, it made me think subhanAllah this brother must have been devastated by the loss of his family in the Tsunami, but maybe he was from those who reflect and made the Hamd of Allah, and Allah heard his prayers and replaced what he had lost? Just Maybe? Maybe he was not of those who said, ‘why me?’  And this is what I wish to speak about, increasingly we are becoming a people seeking to apportion blame, questioning why certain trials befall us and are becoming of those who fear worldly misfortune. Yes, Wahan has befallen us.

Many of us may be aware of those being effected by the war on terror, or we just be of those struggling to find work, (because we think our appearance has something to do with it) or maybe we just got insulted in the street. Whatever the case we are becoming increasingly fearful. Yet, isn’t that what ‘they’ want. Isn’t this just part of the campaign against the Muslims; breading a fear culture?  I think so. We may have read the aforementioned ayaat many times, yet we may also be of those who are increasingly freaking out. How can this be? All I am seeking to say is that we need to be strong in our belief, be proud of who we are and open our religion and manhaj of Sunnah to the world. Show them the reality. Show them what we want is Islam and Islam for the Non-Muslims too. Not for any chauvinism or pride, but from a sincere desire to save those who have failed to accept Islam from the fire of hell. 

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him” Al Quran, 003.85 

We love Islam and we love it for all. We will not be made fearful by the attacks on our brothers or our sisters, we will not be terrorised by the prejudice we face and we will never accept a challenge to the Sunnah of Allah and that of his Messenger. Why? Well because our Lord, and everyone’s lord, has told us about this fear that is desired for us and nurtured for us by Shaytaan.  We put our Trust in Allah and are firm upon it. We do not question our faith, and our response for those that are being terrorised is to, well support them and their families as best we can. Fear of the creation is not in the heart of a Muslim, all we need to do is seek to be that Muslim. Lets return to putting our Trust in Ar Rahim and reap the benefits, like Mr Ali who made the news and prompted this entry. Surely there are no words better than the words of Allah and thus I sign of with the words of he, who is the only one worthy to be feared;   

Surely those who have bought unbelief at the price of faith shall do no harm at all to Allah, and they shall have a painful chastisement. And let not those who disbelieve think that Our granting them respite is better for their souls; We grant them respite only that they may add to their sins; and they shall have a disgraceful chastisement. 

Al Quran, 003.177-8

Dont Be Sad….

“And whoever turns away from My Reminder (The Quran), indeed he will have a depressed (i.e. difficult) life”.And maybe this is why we see in the Muslim world that organised Dawah of an independent nature is outlawed. Not from any sincerity to ensure a purity in the religion is maintained, (simply waiver a glance at the Muslim world and you will see the state interpretation of Islam, has a 21^st Century Fox twist to it) but simply to ensure the Muslims do not acquire a taste of Al Islam. As surely the taste of imaan is something that will challenge many of the problems people incur on a daily basis and that are the sources of major tax and government revenue. Now this hypothesis may seem a little bizarre, but after living here some time and being devoid of any active involvement in the call to the religion of Al Islam, I can understand why ignorance is widespread in the Muslim world. 

Speak to many a brother in the West and they will say they heard a lecture or someone shared some sincere words with them, and this was the point of Istiqaama for them. I.e. When they returned to Al Islam. Now put yourself in the shoes of someone living in a typical Muslim country, especially so in the
Middle East, it is very likely that this life changing lecture will not be heard or those sincere words will never be shared. 

Now apart from the state not wishing for a revival of a people who wish to see the state goverened by the laws of Ar Rahman, and all the social services and structures that go with it, I also think much is just about basic economics.  

Through my work here, I now lecture on Change Management to doctors at a medical school. And subhanAllah their interest in my work (which is amazingly strong, i.e. doctors come from as far a distance of 400km!) is driven by an explosive rise in depression diagnosis’s and those relating to substance misuse (excessive drug and alcohol consumption, to you and me). And I am sure that really these things would be solved by a good understanding of Al Islam, namely comprehension of Al Qadr. Yet the state is not interested in an Islamic based intervention. Not even as a trial? You may ask. And No, not even as a trial. Could it be due to the mass revenues associated with Alcohol and Cigarette consumtion, could it be due to the mass revenues generated for healthcare providers, or even the mass employment created in related sectors? And well, I would think so. 

Maybe you think I am on the conspiracy trail, but I assure you, I am not. I just believe, as a people we have turned away from the book, and I believe as a consequence we are suffering from the social ills which effect non-muslim societies (which incidentally ensure that the richest economies of the world, also have the highest suicide rates).

Anyway, I have to go, and just leave you with a little reminder that without the Quran we as human beings struggle, and a proof is the people that populate Muslim lands, most of whom are devoid of understanding of the book and thus struggle through life. I think this can be appreciated to some extent by some smart words, those of GG as he prefers to be known, and they are as follows;

What determines the quality of Happy Meters (the gauge of happiness within our hearts and minds) with advanced equilibrium mechanisms? The answer, Faith.

You will notice that when you have higher levels of faith, you are happier and content. Your heart becomes rich. You will obviously still deviate from the norm, but your faith in God will work as a catalyst (which cheap meters dont have) to bring you back to the high norm. Anything that increases your faith is also therefore a catalyst of the latter, this catalyst being the Quran. As Allah has said; “And whoever turns away from My Reminder (The Quran), indeed he will have a depressed (i.e. difficult) life”.The Journey Continues…