I found this nice poem at another site here
I am a Muslim Woman
Feel free to ask me why When I walk, I walk with dignity When I speak, I do not lie
I am a Muslim Woman,Not all of me you’ll see But what you should appreciate Is that the choice I make is free
I’m not plagued with depression I’m neither cheated nor abused I don’t envy other women And I’m certainly not confused
Note, I speak perfect English Et un petit peu de francais aussie I’m majoring in Linguistics So you need not speak slowly I own my own small business Every cent I earn is mine I drive my Chevy to school and work And no, that’s not a crime
You often stare as I walk by You don’t understand my veil But peace and power I have found For I am equal to any male
I am a Muslim Woman So please don’t pity me For God has guided me to truth And now I’m finally free!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Heart Unmoved, A Spirit Uninspired
I got this article from Al-Jumuah Magazine, may be you know it or you must have read it before. But I wanted to post it here cause it's relevent to todays times and also there are many who cannot afford to buy the Magazine itself.
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We grew up in a world of video games , music , songs , commercials and movies . All these were aimed at one thing : to capture our attention and entertain . Those who make such things spend there lives studying how to take hold of the hearts of even those uninterested viewers . This constant bombardment with stimulation of every kind has , in a sense , made our hearts lazy . In order to be moved , there must be flashing lights , charismatic speech , or something otherwise dramatic . The result : our younger brothers and sisters suffer from attention deficit disorder ( ADD ) , we , the Muslim youth raised in America , suffer from what the Qur'an calls: qaswatl qalb or hardness of heart .
This hardness of heart has , unfortunately , left us with a huge empty space in our chest . And this emptiness , we seek to fill with what first seizes our hard-to-hold attention . Often times this may not be what is most deserving of attention but rather , simply what is most readily available and most openly attractive and alluring . Some of us may turn to music or painful obsession , disguised as love . Even those youth who search for an Islamic solution to their emptiness have tended to prefer such Islamic speakers whose speech is more entertaining and captivating to those whose actual message may hold more substance .
This tendency to seek what is on display is discussed in the Surah of Al-Araf [ 7:169] . Allah describes those who came after the Prophets , alayhemus-salam , and die by saying that they chose arada hatha al-adna . Arada literally means , '' that which is on display .'' Here Hatha means '' of this '' and al-adna means , '' that which is lower or closer.'' Thus one of the causes of their ruin was that they chose what was on display even if it was lower . They preferred that which was closer and easier , rather than searching for that which was truer , purer , and more lasting .
The Qur'an does not come with the same flashing lights as does the entertainment and advertisements that surround us today . The Qur'an captures only the hearts of those open to its message , and those willing to strive for the Truth expounded in it . Allah says , '' This is the Book about which there is no doubt , a guidance for those who have Taqwa.'' [2:2] . We know that it requires a great deal of hard work and struggle to embark on the only straight path . And so we often search for easy answers , quick fixes for our painful ailments . We look to other than Allah to fill our emptiness .
Allah knows us far better than we know ourselves . He knows the diseases that overtake our hearts . He knows the emptiness that fills our lives . Allah says , '' And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him , and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein '' [ 50:16 ]. And so Allah , in His ultimate mercy and kindness , has also given us the cure . Allah says , '' Oh mankind , there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.'' "Say , 'in the bounty of Allah and in His mercy-in that they accumulate .' '' [ 10:57-58 ] . The true pleasure of the heart , which comes only through the remembrance of Allah , is greater than all else that we can accumulate . It is Allah who calls man to the home of peace . It is crucial to mention here that this is the only home of peace , i.e. , the one in the Hereafter with our Creator . The only source of peace is Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala . It is vital to understand that there can be no other source of true happiness and fulfillment , in this life or the next . Imam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the one who does not partake in the Paradise of this life will not partake in the Paradise of the Hereafter .
It is clear to most of us what the Paradise of the Hereafter is . Yet the question remains as to what the Paradise of this life is . How does one achieve true happiness in this life ? The truth is , in this life ; unless one's heart is full with the remembrance of Allah , nothing else can fill them or provide them with true pleasure .
It must become clear to us that a life lived in any other way , for any other cause , with any other goal , is not life , but is death . Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala , tells mankind , " Oh you who believe answer Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life ; and know that Allah comes in between a man and his heart , and that it is He to which you shall ( all ) be gathered .'' [ 8:24 ] . We must , therefore , understand that all of us are dead except those who believe and truly understand the Reality . Those who are heedless to the truth will face this Reality , and then what they call death will actually be an awakening to the truth that they did not see in their death here on earth .
Thus our hearts will continue to be dead , our lives will continue to be empty so long as we do not understand this truth and continue to search for easy answers in places other than those mentioned by Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala , and His messenger , sallallahu alyhe wa sallam .
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We grew up in a world of video games , music , songs , commercials and movies . All these were aimed at one thing : to capture our attention and entertain . Those who make such things spend there lives studying how to take hold of the hearts of even those uninterested viewers . This constant bombardment with stimulation of every kind has , in a sense , made our hearts lazy . In order to be moved , there must be flashing lights , charismatic speech , or something otherwise dramatic . The result : our younger brothers and sisters suffer from attention deficit disorder ( ADD ) , we , the Muslim youth raised in America , suffer from what the Qur'an calls: qaswatl qalb or hardness of heart .
This hardness of heart has , unfortunately , left us with a huge empty space in our chest . And this emptiness , we seek to fill with what first seizes our hard-to-hold attention . Often times this may not be what is most deserving of attention but rather , simply what is most readily available and most openly attractive and alluring . Some of us may turn to music or painful obsession , disguised as love . Even those youth who search for an Islamic solution to their emptiness have tended to prefer such Islamic speakers whose speech is more entertaining and captivating to those whose actual message may hold more substance .
This tendency to seek what is on display is discussed in the Surah of Al-Araf [ 7:169] . Allah describes those who came after the Prophets , alayhemus-salam , and die by saying that they chose arada hatha al-adna . Arada literally means , '' that which is on display .'' Here Hatha means '' of this '' and al-adna means , '' that which is lower or closer.'' Thus one of the causes of their ruin was that they chose what was on display even if it was lower . They preferred that which was closer and easier , rather than searching for that which was truer , purer , and more lasting .
The Qur'an does not come with the same flashing lights as does the entertainment and advertisements that surround us today . The Qur'an captures only the hearts of those open to its message , and those willing to strive for the Truth expounded in it . Allah says , '' This is the Book about which there is no doubt , a guidance for those who have Taqwa.'' [2:2] . We know that it requires a great deal of hard work and struggle to embark on the only straight path . And so we often search for easy answers , quick fixes for our painful ailments . We look to other than Allah to fill our emptiness .
Allah knows us far better than we know ourselves . He knows the diseases that overtake our hearts . He knows the emptiness that fills our lives . Allah says , '' And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him , and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein '' [ 50:16 ]. And so Allah , in His ultimate mercy and kindness , has also given us the cure . Allah says , '' Oh mankind , there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.'' "Say , 'in the bounty of Allah and in His mercy-in that they accumulate .' '' [ 10:57-58 ] . The true pleasure of the heart , which comes only through the remembrance of Allah , is greater than all else that we can accumulate . It is Allah who calls man to the home of peace . It is crucial to mention here that this is the only home of peace , i.e. , the one in the Hereafter with our Creator . The only source of peace is Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala . It is vital to understand that there can be no other source of true happiness and fulfillment , in this life or the next . Imam Ibn Taymiyyah explains that the one who does not partake in the Paradise of this life will not partake in the Paradise of the Hereafter .
It is clear to most of us what the Paradise of the Hereafter is . Yet the question remains as to what the Paradise of this life is . How does one achieve true happiness in this life ? The truth is , in this life ; unless one's heart is full with the remembrance of Allah , nothing else can fill them or provide them with true pleasure .
It must become clear to us that a life lived in any other way , for any other cause , with any other goal , is not life , but is death . Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala , tells mankind , " Oh you who believe answer Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life ; and know that Allah comes in between a man and his heart , and that it is He to which you shall ( all ) be gathered .'' [ 8:24 ] . We must , therefore , understand that all of us are dead except those who believe and truly understand the Reality . Those who are heedless to the truth will face this Reality , and then what they call death will actually be an awakening to the truth that they did not see in their death here on earth .
Thus our hearts will continue to be dead , our lives will continue to be empty so long as we do not understand this truth and continue to search for easy answers in places other than those mentioned by Allah , subhanahu wa ta'ala , and His messenger , sallallahu alyhe wa sallam .
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The True Message of Islam
Masha Allah this brother is so eloquent in his speech.
This is the true meaning of Islam. This is an inspirational clip calling up on all humanity to understanding and dialogue. Moez Masoud recited the following verse of the Quran. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Quran Chapter 49:13 Al Hujrat (Meaning Inner Apartments, Chambers).
This is the true meaning of Islam. This is an inspirational clip calling up on all humanity to understanding and dialogue. Moez Masoud recited the following verse of the Quran. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Quran Chapter 49:13 Al Hujrat (Meaning Inner Apartments, Chambers).
Friday, December 12, 2008
Mini Questionaire
I got this one from Sis.Aalia, so here are my answers:
What does next year have in store for me? Finishing my courses, getting married Insha Allah, the rest Allah knows best ......
Whats my love life like? You've gotta wait for that answer ....
What do I say when life gets hard? Alhamdulillah in all situations .....
What do I think when I get up in the morning? Make dua that all my good dreams come to reality .....
What song will I dance to at my wedding? Well it's only music that's haram except for duff which will definetly be there at my wedding and all those nice wedding songs along too Insha Allah. As for dancing, well I heard one Shaykh on radio say that if I'm alone or with women only theres nothing wrong with one or two steps, but ofcourse doing disco and Michael Jakson steps are not allowed. Nah anyways I'm a shy person so I won't most probably ......
What do you want as a career? mmm ..... it's difficult to choose ..... but yes I wanna be a successful Daiyah ....
Your favorite saying? "It's never too late to be what you might have been."
Favorite place? First: Al-Firdaus Al'Ala, Second: will tell you later .....
What do you think of your parents? That they are my parent's .....
Where would you go on a first date? Going on date if you mean the Western type one, I definetly won't go for that Insha Allah. But if you wanna know about where I'd like to go with my hubby for date then you've gotta wait ......
Describe yourself? Inquisitive, Organised, Enigmatic ......
What is the thing I like doing most? Spending time with my Computer ....
What is my state of mind like at the moment? Tensed .....
How will I die? As a Mo'minah, Ameen ....
What do you do when you see your friends? Give salams and hug'em tightly .....
How does your boyfriend/girlfriend make you feel? Sorry I don't keep boyfriends ....
How does your ex make you feel? This question is not applicable .....
If you were to die today, you would feel (like)?: I would feel a bit nervous though ....."what will I answer Allah?" "Will it be Hell or Heaven?" ......
What does next year have in store for me? Finishing my courses, getting married Insha Allah, the rest Allah knows best ......
Whats my love life like? You've gotta wait for that answer ....
What do I say when life gets hard? Alhamdulillah in all situations .....
What do I think when I get up in the morning? Make dua that all my good dreams come to reality .....
What song will I dance to at my wedding? Well it's only music that's haram except for duff which will definetly be there at my wedding and all those nice wedding songs along too Insha Allah. As for dancing, well I heard one Shaykh on radio say that if I'm alone or with women only theres nothing wrong with one or two steps, but ofcourse doing disco and Michael Jakson steps are not allowed. Nah anyways I'm a shy person so I won't most probably ......
What do you want as a career? mmm ..... it's difficult to choose ..... but yes I wanna be a successful Daiyah ....
Your favorite saying? "It's never too late to be what you might have been."
Favorite place? First: Al-Firdaus Al'Ala, Second: will tell you later .....
What do you think of your parents? That they are my parent's .....
Where would you go on a first date? Going on date if you mean the Western type one, I definetly won't go for that Insha Allah. But if you wanna know about where I'd like to go with my hubby for date then you've gotta wait ......
Describe yourself? Inquisitive, Organised, Enigmatic ......
What is the thing I like doing most? Spending time with my Computer ....
What is my state of mind like at the moment? Tensed .....
How will I die? As a Mo'minah, Ameen ....
What do you do when you see your friends? Give salams and hug'em tightly .....
How does your boyfriend/girlfriend make you feel? Sorry I don't keep boyfriends ....
How does your ex make you feel? This question is not applicable .....
If you were to die today, you would feel (like)?: I would feel a bit nervous though ....."what will I answer Allah?" "Will it be Hell or Heaven?" ......
Keep Your Dreams
I love Inspirational stories, so here's one I recieved by e-mail. I like it very much and often read it to boost myself when I feel low or I start doubting the reality of my dreams. Hope you all like it too.
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I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.
The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, "I want to tell you why I let Jack use my house. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy's high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.
"That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.
"He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.'
"The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?'
"The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you'll have to pay large stud fees. There's no way you could ever do it.' Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.'
"The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.' "
Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.
He stated, “You can keep the F and I'll keep my dream."
Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, "I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace." He added, "The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week." When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids' dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours."
"Don't let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what."
Source Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.
The last time I was there he introduced me by saying, "I want to tell you why I let Jack use my house. It all goes back to a story about a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy's high school career was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.
"That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.
"He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class.'
"The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?'
"The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you'll have to pay large stud fees. There's no way you could ever do it.' Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.'
"The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.' "
Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all.
He stated, “You can keep the F and I'll keep my dream."
Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, "I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace." He added, "The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week." When the teacher was leaving, he said, “Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids' dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours."
"Don't let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what."
Source Unknown
Busy .... Busy
Yup you read that right I'm really busy coz during Ramadan and Hajj seasons we have lots of guest coming to our house, so almost every other day we have guests. Otherwise we have to invite them all togehter at once, but sometimes it's not possible coz just in one group there are so many people and our house isn't that big, so we have to divide them. Sometimes three groups on three different days. It sure is really tiring though. Helping with the cooking and washing. Anyways if I'm not able to post anything pls don't mind.
Welcome to My Corner
Ok I've made this new blog for everyone and anyone to read, coz My Journal is only for selected people whom I've invited ....... so enjoy the things I'll b writing about ..... :)
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