Reflecting on His Mercy

Assalamualikum

Bismillah,

I think when one can truly reflect on their thought process of how they see the world and how they perceive their Creator. Then that can be considered a huge blessing from Allah swt because it allows us to see where our doubts lie and also reveals to us our real feeling regarding expectations and aspirations as Muslims worshiping Allah swt alone.

When I faced a similar situation where my expectation for things to go my way were very high: so high that looking back I think I felt if I didn't get what I wanted or rather deserved then I would be a complete and utter mess and can't move on with my  life. Allah swt knows best and my worst fears came true: I did not get what I wanted but Alhamdulillah I got what I needed in my current circumstances. Initially I was not able to see that and for me to tell you that I got what I needed is an achievement too. Words fall short of the void that was created in my life by the calamity and I don't like to discuss what really happened but I can tell you this: in this trail there was and is and always will be one of the greatest life lessons for me:

We need to be aware of how we view our relationship with Allah swt as compared to the people around us. I think often times we equate or judge or relationship with Allah on similar terms as we do with human beings. In some ways this is completely reasonable because as humans our knowledge of things is based on our experiences to a great extent . So, for someone who has never really given any thought towards having any ties with Allah swt or what it means to be close to Him, naturally that person will look at this relationship in the same way as she would see her relationship with another human being who is close to her e.g her mom or dad or brother etc.

But you know what? Allah swt is closer to us by His Knowledge compared to all those people. When we are in pain the ones we love surround us and offer comfort in the form of hugs, kisses and soft words. Some may give you hope by reminding you that Allah is the Disposer of all affairs,He will give you something better then what you lost. I too experienced something similar. I took comfort in the fact that people understood my pain and were so generous with their love and support for me . But through all of it I couldn't help but notice how during all this time Allah swt knew me better. How He gave me what I needed the most and how openly I could share my pain with Him without having to articulate it into proper words or sentences. I didn't have to pretend in front of Him or hold myself together, because I knew He knew I couldn't.

There would be days when pain would wash over my whole existence like a tidal wave: obliterating everything that came in its way. My pain would overpower reason, sensibility and simple comforts like sleeping and eating . It made me turn to Allah more and I was grateful that I was given the tawfeeq to turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. It also made me ponder that sometimes we focus too much on always receiving something from Allah swt and not on what we are giving for His Sake. What we give up or spend in His Name, it is for our own benefit , we aren't doing Allah any favors, He is the Sustainer the Cherisher. Our relationship with Allah swt may not be a two way street. When He gives us something , We can never even begin to repay Him no words of thanks would ever be enough but even then we should try and acknowledge the blessings we have received from him and its something we often don't do and how appropriately has Allah swt described humans when He said :

Verily, man is extremely ungrateful to his Lord (Surah Al Adiyaat 100 : 6)

I think sometimes we cling too tightly to the fact that we will receive what we know is best from us from Allah swt. We forget that Allah knows best what we are need of and when we don't get what we want its a big blow for our system. If we could just accept that what we didn't receive is also a blessing from Him, even if we cant see it , we should pray that Allah makes us understand the situation in way that our heart accepts that which has been taken from us.

People would tell me that don't ask Allah for this or that just ask Him to give you that which is khair for you. It would make me upset because it made me feel that in some way I am losing hope in Allah that what I haven't received right now will never be mine or He cant give it to me. I say, ask Allah for khair but at the same time do ask for that which is in your heart even though He Understands even before we say it, just to be able to ask for something repeatedly without holding ourselves back is therapeutic and it brings you closer to Allah. Makes you more hopeful in His Mercy and Might.

I also realized that when trails come the void that is created in our lives is the perfect arrangement for us to reflect on ourselves and the relationship we have with Allah . While we also envision His Mercy to be an instance where we are blessed with our deepest wishes and numerous comforts in the form of worldly luxuries. His Mercy also lies in those sleepless nights, illness and grief, it is up to us whether we look beyond the pain and search for His Love or drown ourselves in sorrow never to return to the surface.

It is out of Allah's infinite mercy that people experience His Mercy even when they do not acknowledge His Presence but instead of always focusing on His Mercy we need to see are we committed to being Muslims and worshiping Allah or do we just have this laid back attitude where we shed tears and curl up in a ball and forget to pray thinking Allah is Merciful? May Allah never put us in a trail where we begin to harbor such misconceptions about Him. Ameen

Distant

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah

We all don't think alike and we all don't share the same views. We appear to be walking on the same road but even then we don't seem to agree on the route to take. We all want the same goal but some are blinded by other temporary , attractive looking distractions and sadly that is where they send their entire lives: Consumed by it, involved in it and lost. 

I learnt a very important and deep lesson a few days back and for that I am so grateful to Allah swt a lesson among the many I will cherish and I hope that somewhere out there you benefit from it too:

Many of us stumble upon Islam quite literally. We didn't expect to fall in love with it and as you may agree with me the deeper we searched into it the more it consumed us, impressed us and took hold of us ,Alhamdulillah. For some of Islam became the very air we breathe, the eyes through which we see the world and for us the world changed: upside down and inside out. 

We were never the same... We took the steps to become better Muslims and by no means is anyone ever perfect but we try. But as some of you can relate that even when life took a whole new meaning for us, we were still living in the same world , where there exist a myriad of problems  and one of those problems was that of those who do not see Islam the way we do.

We call them "non- practicing folk". In a group of "practicing" Muslims you will find notes being exchanged on them: how they act, what they have to say about Islam and how their behavior drives a Muslim up the wall, angers them etc...

Many times these non- practicing people are very close to us: they are our family. And as we become closer to our Deen and begin to understand what is right from wrong we tend to sometimes forget that these very people are still deserving of our love and attention no matter what they think of Islam. Its not just about those in our families but also people in general that we meet or we see on TV. 

One look at their attire or the sort of job they do, our mind is already made up : oh! Just some misguided , snobby person. We may even begin to pity them feel sorry for them and even hate them because they made fun of our clothes or appearance or whatever.

We forget that back when Islam was not part of our lives we were in a similar category as the people we now seem to pity, hate and look down upon. And you know what the more shocking thing is ? That even in our hearts sometimes we stop seeing these individuals as people! As human beings! Deserving of our respect if not love. We see the exterior : a facade of a mind closed to the possibility that Islam is something "practical" with today's fast paced world. We see their inappropriate manner of dressing, demeanor and bad habits and we think we have this person figured out. 

Do you know what we fail to see or more importantly don't even try to see? That behind this facade is a person a person in need of out time, our respect and possibly help (helping someone doesn't mean you pity them) We hide from them like they are vile and disgusting, we refuse to sit with them because they have something mean to say to us. We go to such great lengths to avoid them and in the end we think we saved ourselves: Dude that guy is going to Hell and I'm staying the Heck away from him. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth . 

Inside could be a person who if we took out the time to understand and speak to politely might just turn around and see Islam and Muslims differently. You may know this person because they do XZY on a Saturday night but you know what Allah knows them better, infact way better. All you and I are meant to do is try to be nice that is just the first step. Dont go on the appearance, dont judge them by their past just be nice and Insha'Allah we will be taking this discussion further from there :) I hope this was helpful to you as it was to me.

These tears they threaten to fall

Assalamualikum wa rahmatullahi wa baratakuh

Ever had something taken from you?
Ever been asked to rip someone's love out of your heart?
Ever been asked to wait and wait?
Ever been told its not your time?

I have.

So, maybe I understand your pain and you understand mine
what comfort can I give you ? When I myself am looking for it?
All I can tell you is that your pain is not going unnoticed
Your tears and not unseen, even though you may quickly wipe them and smile for the world to see
Your Allah Sees you
He catches You everytime you fall
He Loves you more so when you turn to Him
Love Him back

Because as each day passes and the wound that you dress with hope and comfort starts to bleed afresh
You call out to someone and no one hears you, forget them they will never hear you
Just ask Him to help you and believe that help is near ...
Help is near


And verily, your Lord will give you (all good) so that you shall be well-pleased. (Surah Dhuha - 93 : 5)

Ramadan Reflection: The wisdom and depth of a date at iftaar time

Assalamualikum 

Bismillah,

As the Adhaan is called, most hands reach for it. Putting it in our mouth signifies the end of another fast . Another spent day in worshiping Allah in the most subtle ways, but giving up food ,drink and our desires and of this only Allah is Truly Aware, SubhanAllah. 

As I look at this small brown fruit , I can't help but marvel at its size and the benefits we reap from it. I also feel that it signifies something much more then just the fulfillment of a beloved Sunnah at iftaar time. I feel it the one thing that we all agree on a Muslims. What we call the Ummah is now fragmented in to a million different pieces. We all have our differences and you will find us constantly bickering and disagreeing about something or the other . Even this Blessed Month was marked by differences even in the same country people don't fast at the same date and have Eid at different days too. We disagree when the moon was sighted or if it was sighted at all and the list goes on. But I think whenever and where ever we open our iftaar: separated by millions of miles, cultures , time zones when we break our fast there is no argument that to open the fast one must eat dates (there is the option of water but you associate breaking your fast with the date.) 

It may seem like an insignificant thing and an almost non existent similarity in the face of our differences as Muslims but nonetheless we agree on it. 

We all savor the sweetness of the date, we relish that moment as our hand hovers close to our mouth and we seek the acceptance of duas right before the sweetness obliterates all other sensations in your mouth that we feel throughout the day as we fast.Just as we all savor the sweetness of the date, you will agree with me that we are united in purpose to fast too. We are all hoping that Allah will be Pleased with us, Will Bless us and our family members and grant us freedom from our sins. Of course, there are exceptions to that rule but the general spirit of Ramadan  is the same.

It makes me hopeful when I see how unanimously we agree on something that is from among the vital tenets of our faith. There is no bickering and no arguing that this THE MONTH to worship and please Allah. It also leaves me wistful that as Ramadan leaves us we will be even more bent on keeping up our differences. I try to justify the reasons why we are so fragmented, why we  also find a reason to disagree on matters that are clearly defined by the Qur'an and demonstrated in an exemplary form by our Beloved Messenger of Allah (pbuh) . Its uncomfortable to realize that sometimes there is no other explanation except that we follows our Nafs more then we follow Allah's Command , is it not true? 

I pray that just as we accepted that meaning and spirit of fasting to heart we are guided to take all the commandments of Allah to heart the same way, without hesitation , without argument. And I pray that just as we accepted that eating dates are not only the Sunnah at iftaar time but also so very beneficial for us for we can take Allah's Commands to heart and not always feel that they are something up for debate and very beneficial for us. I know truth always shines though the depths and misery of lies and fabrications and as I break one more fast with the same bountiful date I feel that one day the light of Imaan will shine though and we break free from the shackles of differences and misgivings that tear us apart on the inside as an Ummah. 

Ramadan Reflection: There is no going back

Assalamaualikum,

Bismillah,

Alhamdulillah, many of us know that in Ramadan you have to be extra careful in terms of your bad habits especially those that displease Allah (swt) but I find that for some people the take on this "cautiousness" is that one avoids bad deeds from dawn till dusk just like food and then when iftaar time comes I can go back to being my old self for the few hours that I have prior to Suhoor time.

Can you identify with such a person? Obviously no one will say it out loud but a lot of us can. I want this Ramadan to be the one where I look back at my sins and say that ; "its over" . Ramadan was , is not and never will be that one month where you give up your bad habits out of cultural significance of this month or to identify yourself with the "fasting" crowd. You give up sins so that you train yourself to never ever ever go back on them Insha'Allah. It is for Allah's Pleasure. And no doubt He is the Most Appreciative of our efforts. 

But lets make these efforts such that they last throughout the year. One should not put a facade of piousness in this month and in the back of her mind be thinking a few more days till I can go back to listening to music. Do yourself a favor and start thinking of ending that destructive relationship you have with your sins. You may think it reaps rewards now when they make you feel elated and happy but remember that misery of facing Allah's Anger and Wrath is something you and I can never comprehend or be prepared to face. So, why should I act like an idiot and continue with my sins . I should take strides, small steps , baby steps or crawl towards giving up my sins and believe me no effort goes to waste when you are on the right track. Be a new you this Ramadan, don't leave this month thinking "what did I get out of it?" For there is no going back to your old ways if reaching Jannah means anything to you.

‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 

“Ramadan has arrived to you, a month of barakah (blessings). Allah envelops you (with His mercy and blessings), so He descends His mercy, erases the sins, answers the du’aas, and He watches in (this month) your competition / race for goodness, and He boasts to His angels about you. So let Allah see the best from you, for truly, the miserable one is the one who is prevented Allah’s mercy.” 

(Tabaraanee, saheeh)

Ramadan Reflection: Does it ask too much from us?

Assalamaualikum,

Bismillah,

So, half of Ramadan is gone and where did this time go ? Only Allah (swt) knows best. I guess each  one feels a different emotion knowing that half of the this precious month is gone but one overwhelming feeling that I feel right now is exhaustion and I am not at peace with this emotion. In fact the more it haunts me and makes me want to shorten the length of my spiritual acts the more I want to take a sword and kill it. 

I think to myself... why , why why? Am I so exhausted some days wanted to reunite with my bed after Taraweeh and sometimes during Taraweeh.

It is just one month and here I am feeling like I need more then ever to sleep through this blissful and amazing month. I feel ashamed . I do. While I do say that I feel that sometimes when we think of this month I felt that there was this set pattern of worship that all the "practicing" Muslims ought to do. Like no going in the kitchen close to Iftaar time ever and always having this one hour before Iftaar where you make dua and you make dua and you make dua. Well I learnt that no it wont be like that for everyone and more so when the people around you arent so enthusiastic about the month as you are. 

And only Allah truly knows the feelings I have about this month, they too vary but the overriding feeling is that there should be less and less regret once this month goes .

I can  look at myself and say I tried to make this month matter and be hopeful that Allah will accept our deeds from us because really if we didnt have that hope that what are we hoping for we might slump back to bed and not bother with any extra worship .

Does this month ask too much from us? With the heat and the fatigue and the hunger? I would say that is life. Sometimes life asks too much from us , people ask too much from you wanting you to be everything and do everything and out of your overriding sense of love for them we turn our lives around and try to be what they want us to be . If this month is particularly hard for you find yourself stressing out about the Taraweeh prayers you lead or attend where your attention falters and your mind goes blank. Know that that is your test from Allah and don't go through this test feeling awful just keep coming back and keep trying , don't give up! This month does ask too much but coupled with Allah's infinite Mercy we pull through and our lives and our Aakhirah can change forever! Here is your chance! Seize it !

Ramadan Reflections: Silence is Golden

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah,

Although Muslims are told to watch what comes out of their mouths all year round but in Ramadan we are reminded to be especially careful;

 It is related that Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet (pbuh), said,

 "Allah is not in need of anyone abandoning his food and drink who does not abandon lies and acting by them while fasting."

(Sahih Bukhari)

As human beings I feel that those of us who are the talkative lot have a lot to say. But how much of it is really important? If we look back and think of all the things we talk about during the day and night , you will find that much our time is spent talking about things that hold little value for us and especially for our Aakhirah.

Sure it seems interesting and even "therapeutic" at the time as we discuss films stars, their broken marriages, their taste in clothing and shoes or the latest "news" about our not so friendly neighbor  But is any of that really important? Because when there is actually a need to talk we close our mouths and look the other way. 

I know it seems like an impossible task to weigh everything we say before we actually say it but we should at least try this Ramadan to speak less, avoid unnecessary arguments about this that and the other, not talk about the small injustices meted out to us by other people's words and actions. I know that when we are upset and there are plenty of times when we get upset in Ramadan but lets not use that anger to complain and backbite rather lets complain to Allah. He is the All Hearer, All Knower . 

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever remains silent is saved.”