Over-dramatic

subHan Allah, I overdramatize my situation sometimes, I really wish I didn't. al-Hamdu liLlah for my health, al-Hamdu liLlah for the home I have, for the family that loves me, for the things I forget to be grateful for, and for all the things I am unaware to be grateful for.

ya Rab, al-Hamdu liLlah for good reminders.

Happy al-Hamdu liLlah

Today was a sweet day.

al-Hamdu liLlah, after going to Arabic class, and to IB's Halaqah, I decided to get something to eat. Knowing I was going to meet up with a friend BB I decided to get her coffee on my way back from getting some food for myself, I feel it would be rude for me to eat in front of her while she doesn't have anything. Anyways, so I picked up some coffee because I know she loooves coffee, al-Hamdu liLlah. I realized I had not zipped up my purse after putting money in it, it's not that I care much for money, people are free to take it and do whatever they want with it, it's just money, but the fact of the matter is, my dad works hard to provide for all of us, so I need to be responsible. I decided to zip my purse up. But take a guess who forgot she had coffee in her hand??? ME!!! al-Hamd liLlah, after I zipped up my purse I noticed the cup was upside down and had spilled all over my left side. When I saw all this coffee over me I kind of stood for a moment, turned the cup right side up, (al-Hamdu liLlah it did have a cap over it) and just looked at my clothes, I didn't even make a sound, I just kind of stared at the coffee in awe, I was thinking ~al-Hamdu liLlah~

I walked into the cafeteria literally dripping with coffee, and I got napkins and soaked out as much as I could off of my clothes. Then I went back to BB with my food and her cup of coffee, I told her, "you don't heave to drink it, I understand the cup has coffee all over it, but I got this for you, I tried to clean it up." Barak Allahu Fiha she appreciated the thought, and even laughed it off after looking at my clothes. Even when people spill food on them, it's not that much, the coffee soaked my whole left side, it was as if I showered myself in coffee (my left side anyways). She still drank the coffee, again Barak Allahu Fiha, she has a heart that is soft and beautiful in many ways.

I went home in a very cheerful mood, I saw my grandparents at my house, and my grandpa said jokingly, "you know yesterday when you were wearing that black scarf and black skirt [heeey, I had a blue top I wasn't wearing all black, hehe] you made me sick, I went home sick!" My family hates it when I wear black, but sometimes my black scarf is all that matches. [easy there, i don't match all the time! once I wore something and my friend AE said, "why? why? explain to me why?" .... uh, because it's clothes -smiles- i'm getting there! i'm getting there! pretty soon I shall receive that ribbon at the Dollar Tree that says, "I can dress myself" in sha' Allah ya RAB] .. Anyways, I look at my grandfather and smile, "so Sedo, you must be very healthy today, I'm wearing purple and blue, NO BLACK -big wide smiles-".. then my grandparents both nodded their head in agreement with what I was wearing. Today I wore a long purple coat with loose blue jeans, but I don't like wearing pants, I'm trying to stick to skirts only, I feel skirts are better, less body showing. Well, my grandparents loved the whole pants and a coat look, they said it's more "modern"... eh, al-Hamdu liLlah for everything, I still love my skirts more.

Still I don't know why, I'm just really happy, hayka, I'm just happy. So then my grandpa said, "Why are you so happy? What's the reason you're sooo happy? Did you find out something? is there news you are not telling us? We want to be happy with you!" I'm thinking in my mind, ~good question, why am I happy? Nothing new or exciting had happened~, I guess it's the optimistic attitude I decided to take on lately, it's just making life sweet, al-Hamdu liLlah. I realized I think too much, and that I need to just make du`a', put in whatever effort I can when I need to, and not worry. That was my problem, khalas, I just worry too much!!! -smiles Tooo much! Hmm, I think I know why I'm so happy, it's raining, yesss it's raining -smiles- It just hasn't rained in such a long time, and al-Hamdu liLlah here it is, it's such a blessing really.

All in all, I'm happy. Why? Because ... Why not? -smiles-

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During The Rain:

Narrated Sahel Ibn Saad (may Allah be pleased with him); that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

Two will not be rejected, Supplication after the Adhan (call of prayer) and at the time of the rain.

[Reported by Al-Hakim and Abo Dawood].

Optimism... subHan Allah

I was thinking today, a believer MUST have optimism in order to be a believer, they have to have optimism... it's absolutely essential! There's no such thing as hopelessness for a believer, and there is no such thing as despair. Allah is indeed near, "Hasbuna llahu wa ni`m al-wakil"... the aid of Allah is indeed near, and He is our protector and the best of aid.

Today, I was in the masjid staying extra hours as usual with children. al-Hamdu liLlah, and while I was there the phone rang. The people on the phone asked to speak to an Imam, but I was the only adult in the building aside from children. Well, I asked if I could help, thinking they would give me a general question, but ooooh noooo, I was wrong... they pretty much told me this huge issue this family was dealing with. I told them I am not a scholar, and they still wanted my advice. Reluctantly, I did, I gave them whatever advice I felt would be best in their situation and told them they are free to call me whenever they would like if they just need someone to talk to. ya Rab.. ya RAb.. now they want to meet with me, Allah Ar-Rahman. I realized I do not, I absolutely do not want to ever become a counselor or a psychologist... when people trust you to help them, their problem just becomes your problem, and I found that much of the day I was just thinking about them, and how I wanted things to be better. ya Allah.

Anyways, I feel like that call happened for a reason, and after hearing what others must go through it makes me sooo grateful for my life, and the set of hardships Allah has given me. My hardships are not even hard, well, maybe a little cuz how else would they be called hardships? hehe, khayr in sha' Allah. But seriously, al-Hamdu liLlah for our difficulties in life... there are always people dealing with thigns that are even more difficult. For example, the death of a father, or the illness of a child, subHan Allah.

I realized that with any difficult situation, one must ... ABSOLUTELY MUST... have optimism. No matter how bad things get, optimism is absolutely important. It's healthier, it's wiser, it's just... a really nice quality to have. WHY NOT BE OPTIMISTIC? -smiles-!!! More gets done that way.

I find that grateful and optimistic people usually get what they want... usually.

Here's an easy example, a child brings you a flower you say "thank you" and hug him or her, and just let them know how grateful you are for their flower. Meanwhile, you are optimistic that they know you are truly sincere about your gratefulness, and from that, just watch and see how many more flowers you will get, and how many more hugs, and how much more happiness life will throw your way.... yes, optimism is wonderful.

al-Hamdu liLlah for optimism.

al-Hamdu liLlah

After such a long day, it's so calming to sit back and to just imagine oneself at a calm beach, to close ones eyes and listen to the sounds of the waves. al-Hamdu liLlah for nature, and al-Hamdu liLlah for everything.

Powerful Speech

Especially the last 10 min. of Part 1 -- seriously one of the best speeches I have ever heard:

http://www.brothermalcolm.net/mxwords/whathesaid24.html

in sha' Allah the link works.

Hummingbird

I was waiting in the drive through line at Taco Bell, and with my window opened I was staring at the flowers and at a hummingbird. I wanted the hummingbird to stop flying and to rest for just a little bit, but it just kept going from one flower to the next ... very busy-like.

Then all of a sudden it came really close to my window, for a second I thought it was going to enter into my car, I was surprised the bird wasn't afraid of me, subHan Allah. I just stared at this bird for the 2-3 seconds it came by my window. It was as if time for a little while stopped as I was in awe staring at this creature.

It was so beautiful, nature is so beautiful, al-Hamdu liLlah for these sights on earth that delight the eyes... al-Hamdu liLlah. What a breathtaking moment that was! subhan Allah.

subHan Allah, wa al-Hamdu liLlah, wa la illaha illa Allah, wa Allahu akbar -smiles-

From Surah Yunus (Jonah)

5.
It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Signs in detail for people who have knowledge.

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ ضِيَاء وَالْقَمَرَ نُورًا وَقَدَّرَهُ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعْلَمُواْ عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ مَا خَلَقَ اللّهُ ذَلِكَ إِلاَّ بِالْحَقِّ يُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
6.
Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are Signs for those people who keep their duty to Allah, and fear Him much.

إِنَّ فِي اخْتِلاَفِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللّهُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ لآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَّقُونَ
7.
Verily, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, but are pleased and satisfied with the life of the present world, and those who are heedless of Our Signs ,

إَنَّ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءنَا وَرَضُواْ بِالْحَياةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاطْمَأَنُّواْ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ آيَاتِنَا غَافِلُونَ
8.
Those, their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn.

أُوْلَـئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمُ النُّارُ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْسِبُونَ
9.
Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah along with the six articles of Faith, i.e. to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection, and Divine Preordainments - Islamic Monotheism], and do deeds of righteousness, their Lord will guide them through their Faith; under them will flow rivers in the Gardens of delight (Paradise).

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ يَهْدِيهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِإِيمَانِهِمْ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الأَنْهَارُ فِي جَنَّاتِ النَّعِيمِ
10.
Their way of request therein will be "Glory to You, O Allah!" and "Peace and Safety" will be their greetings therein (Paradise)! and the close of their request will be: "All the praises and thanks are to Allah, the Lord of Worlds."

دَعْوَاهُمْ فِيهَا سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلاَمٌ وَآخِرُ دَعْوَاهُمْ أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
11.
And were Allah to hasten for humankind the evil (they invoke for themselves and for their children, etc. while in a state of anger) as He hastens for them the good (they invoke) then they would have been ruined. So We leave those who expect not their meeting with Us, in their trespasses, wandering blindly in distraction.

وَلَوْ يُعَجِّلُ اللّهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ اسْتِعْجَالَهُم بِالْخَيْرِ لَقُضِيَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَجَلُهُمْ فَنَذَرُ الَّذِينَ لاَ يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءنَا فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

____________________________________________________________

subHan Allah, the Qur'an has exactly the words I need to hear. al-Hamdu lilLahi Rabil `alamin.

Dance is cool...

subHan Allah the class I am taking "watching the dance" is really cool. We watch movies of all types of different dancing, and we have a new face come to teach each week about what makes their dance special and unique. Today we watched an Indonesian dancing film, and the man who came to speak about it brought in props, and even preformed for us, the class is really entertaining... no wonder Aishah (ra) loved watching people dance, it's really cool.

A couple of weeks ago we were required to go to the theater and watch a performance by Meredith Monk, it was a vocal and dance ensemble, it was literally the weirdest thing I've seen in my whole life! The lady literally went on stage and did this: "Laaaaaay looooow lay low LAY low .. [then really quickly] lay low lay low lay low lay low lay low .... [tongue clicking sounds] la la la l alalalal la la [click click]... lalalallalalalalal [click click]" And the dance was absolutely, weeeeird!!! There was this man that came out and he looked like he was trying to get a spider off of him, frantically moving around the stage going crazy, absolutely crazy! I can't even begin to explain half of the stuff I saw with that performance it was weird. The audience was *silent* my cousin who I coaxed to go with me, kept whispering her interpretation of what is going on, and I felt like I was going to explode trying to hold my laughter in.

Usually when I try not to laugh I recite surah al-fatiha in my mind, and my laughter just calms down... but this time, I don't know, I had to sink in my seat close my eyes tight, hold my cousin Manals arm and force this laugh to stay inside of me. al-Hamdu liLlah... al-Hamdu liLah... I didn't laugh!

I'm really glad I took this class, it's educational and fun in so many ways.

Today in my car on my way to school, I was singing to myself, "layyyy loooooow, laaaay loooow, lay low lay low lay low lay low.. [click click]".... ya Allah, it was soo catchy! -smiles-

al-Hamdu liLlah for everything, I better read for the discussion tomorrow, khayr in sha' Allah.
-smiles- I never knew there was so much meaning and symbolism and methodology to dancing,

subHan Allah, wa al-Hamdu liLlah wa la illaha illa Allah, wa Allahu akbar!

Khayr in sha' Allah

I have been thinking lately about how trusting Allah pretty much eases the heart. It really does, al-Hamdu liLah.

I find that oftentimes I'll worry about how things in my future might end up turning out the way that I don't want them to. I need to remember that Allah knows what is best for me, and that I should be content with everything that has been put forth my way. What's the point of not being happy with what I have been given? al-Hamdu liLlah for everything.

al-Hamdu liLah for the gift of salah. Sometimes while I pray random thoughts will try to creep in and destroy my focus on Allah, but I shew them away, I think to myself ~this is my only time to be away from this world, this is my greatest source of happiness, let me enjoy it~ and the random thought just fades away, and I continue in my Islamic serenity. It's peaceful, it's happy, ... but in sujud, it's different, I just spend time in that position talking and talking and talking, knowing for sure Allah is listening, Allah is accepting, Allah is merciful... and then I lift my head from the floor relieved to get all my worries out, and all my complaints said, and just calmed knowing I was listened to.

khayr in sha' Allah for everything that Allah has planned. al-Hamdu lilLah.

Du`a' is really important, it's nice to have a circle of friends making du`a' for each other, it's such a beautiful way of doing things, al-Hamdu liLlah, thumma al-Hamdu liLlah.

Just Right

I went to Sammy's today with friends to eat, subHan Allah that's the only place I like going to when it comes to outside food. Everything they serve is fresh, it's sooo fresh! They literally make your order when you order it, their service is really slow, but that is because they are taking their time preparing your food. I ordered my grilled zabiha chicken sandwhich and mango drink, and I saw the lady make it, and she took her time to make sure it was juuuuust right! and it was! .. mm mm yummy! al-Hamdu lilLah.

For dinner at home, I decided to eat some microwave-able dish, and it was good al-Hamdu lilLah, but home-made freshly cooked food is the best. There's something about a person really sitting there and putting in their time and care in the meal. Even when baking a cake, when your time is put to make sure everything is done "just right" the cake comes out deliciously delicious.

The more effort and care, the better the food tastes. I remember sitting at my aunts house and she is just super precise when it comes to measurements and food, she has to make sure it's... ahuh... "just right." -smiles- subHan Allah, and she is the families best cook! Why? I'll tell you why... because.. it's just right!

By the way, my grandma makes the best grape leave dish... subHan Allah... it's... just right! -smiles-

Lots of things are just right, subHan Allah, it brings me back to the story of the 3 bears... although there were 3 different dishes, there's that one dish that was... just right.

al-Hamdu lilLah for the things that are just right.

"Goodnight"

I looooooooooove my mom!

She walked all the way to my room to tell me "good night"... May Allah bless her. Amin.

coolness I may be an inventor!!! yay!

So, I had an invention idea... and I got really excited about it, because I feel it is sooooooo cool!

Yesterday, or the day before, I don't remember exactly, I emailed some inventor group online and pretty much entered in all the information about my product I could, and about myself. Today, I got an email back from them saying that they liked my idea, and that I should be expecting a phone call soon for a further analysis of my product. -smiles-

Could it be a hoax? Sure can be! But, eh, if it's not, and it all goes through, that would be pretty cool.

make du`a' -smiles- because Allah definitely hears you!!!

Huh?

I keep a large monthly calendar in my room to keep organized, and for some reason I put that my paper on Apocalyptic Dualism (which is worth 40% of my grade) is due on the 21st of February. Going through some pretty lengthy and dense readings on Hitler, KKK, and entering into The Turner Diaries, I was trying to figure out, ~how in the world am I going to get this paper done by tomorrow~ ... Obviously, I would have found a way to finish it, lots of du`a', fruits, hyperfocusing, ya... all that good stuff. However, I happened to look at the paper and I notice the date said it wasn't due until the 7th of March!!! Whaaaaaat!?! Wait a second!!! (1 sec. thanks for waiting) Why then would I put on my calendar it is due on the 21st? Where is my mind? subHan Allah... but you know what? al-Hamdu lilLah... and you know what else... la illaha illa Allah... oh and one more thing... ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!!!! -smiles-

I finished up so much reading, I have so many notes already set, I just saved myself so much work. OH this feeling is grea'... like.... grea' ... so totallyyyyy grea' ! al-Hamdu lilLah.

subHan Allah

Surat Al-Bakarah, gets Shaytan [Devil] away from the house, al-Hamdu lilLah.

Launch in external player

deep stuff

Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;

These are the beginning two verses of a poem by Richard Lovelace that I read in highschool and I liked it so much that I still remember it today.

al-Hamdu lilLah

soooo cute!

Now that's cute... sooo cute!!! -smiles-

Can a smile get any bigger than that?

Patience...May Allah give us the strength to be patient.

Patience ~ the capacity to endure hardship, difficulty, or inconvenience without complaint. Patience emphasizes calmness, self-control, and the willingness or ability to tolerate delay:

Our patience will achieve more than our force (Edmund Burke).

Rememberance of Allah, Qur'an, Prayer, ... all that good stuff help with patience.

If put in a difficult or un-fun situation, there's no point in drowning in misery and thought, it's better to make the best of it... so for myself, and for those out there who may need some help with patience we will start with a du`a', and then I will continue to tell jokes, humor sometimes comes in handy.






Hasbun Allah wa ni`m al-wakil

Allaah is sufficient for us, and how fine a trustee (He is).

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Now for some fun:


Smart Cape Bretoner


These three men were stranded on an island: a Nefoundlander, a Cape Bretoner and a Quebecian. The three searched the island to try to find a way off when the Nefoundlander came upon a lamp with a genie. The genie poped up and said, “I will grant three wishes, so that's one for each of you.” So the Newfoundlander goes, “Well I wish I was back in Newfoundland.” So puff, he was sent to Newfoundland. Then the Quebecian jumps up and says me next me next, I know exactly want I want. TheQuebecian says, “I would like to build a wall. I want this wall to be 1000 feet high and I want it to surround Quebec, so that nothing can get in and nothing can get out, and I want to be in Quebec.” So the genie says okay and builds the wall, and now Quebec is officially separate from the rest of Canada and the Quebecian is back there.So now the Cape Bretoner gets up and says, “Tell me more about this wall.” So the genie tells him, “This wall is 1000 feet high and surrounds Quebec and noting can pass in or out of Quebec.” So the Cape Bretoner says, “Okay. Fill it with water.”

~~~~~~~~~hehe, that's so wrong~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two missionaries in Africa were apprehended by a tribe of very hostile cannibals who put them in a large pot of water, built a huge fire under it, and left them there.
A few minutes later, one of the missionaries started to laugh uncontrollably.
The other missionary couldn't believe it! He said, ''What's wrong with you? We're being boiled alive! They're gonna eat us! What could possibly be funny at a time like this?''
The other missionary replied, ''I just peed in the soup!''

~~~~~~ewww! but still, hehe~~~~~~~~

Fun Things to Do at a Drive-Thru


1. Drive through the drive-thru in reverse and let your passenger order.

2. Ask the price of almost everything on the menu and then order something that you didn't ask the price for.

3. Tell the employee that your window is broken. Order and then pay with your door open. When the food comes, roll down the window and snatch your order from their hands.

4. Go to McDonald's and demand a big breakfast at 11:30 at night. Put up a fight.

5. Pay for a large order in pennies and nickels.

6. Order in another language. Be careful what neighborhood you're in.

7. When asked if they can take your order, tell them you are just window-shopping and drive on.

8. Laugh sadistically when asked if you would like ketchup.

9. Ask the cashier how they fit into that little box.

10. If they make you wait, make them wait when they come back on.

11. Demand to speak to the manager. When they come on, complain that you did not like the way the employee said, "May I take your order?"

12. When asked if they can take your order say, "Why, can I take yours?"

13. If they ask you to wait, order anyway and keep doing it till they yell at you.

14. Pretend your car has broken down. Ask for assistance moving it. When they come out, drive away.

15. Tell them you have to use the bathroom.

16. Order a cup of water and two napkins. That's it.

17. Don't order when they come on. Just sit there. If a line forms behind you, get out of the car and cause a scene.

18. When they hand you your food, hand them a bag with all the trash from your car in it.

19. Just stare at them when you pay and get your food. Don't break your stare.

20. Honk your horn the whole way through the line.

~~~hehe, funny, but seriously don't do them -smiles- please... hehe. ~~~

Patience ..... -smiles-..... al-Hamdu lilLah.

The phone that never stops ringing...

subHan Allah we have in our home a phone that literally... no joke... literally rings about every 5 minutes.

When we had guests over for a week at my home, I answered every call because the guests might be annoyed with the constant ringing. However, after about 3 days, I just let it keep ringing again, people have lives you can't answer the phone every 5 minutes and say "hello"... especially when the person on the other line says the same thing, "Where's your mom?".. "she's not here".. "okay bye" and then in 5 minutes, "hello"... "did your mom come back" .. "no not yet, call her cell."... "okay bye".... another 5 minutes, "hello"... br. or sis. #2 "where's your mom"... "she's not here".. "okay bye."

Now, keep in mind my mom comes from a family of 7 children, and about 5 of her brothers and sisters live 5 minutes away from my house. This is not including the calls from my grandparents, and distant relatives who also live near by. The phone doesn't stop.

So, when I let the phone keep ringing the company we had understood. They actually laughed, they knew how annoying it would be to answer and repeat the same words, again and again.

Anyways, this is not being rude because al-Hamdu lilLah if there is something urgent the person on the other line leaves a message, and we get back to them in a matter of seconds. However, this is not so cool when someone else is trying to call the house, and they don't know that if my mom's not in the house the phone will keep ringing. -sad face- I don't know, if someone wants to get in touch with my mom, they need to call her cell phone, because the house phone will most likely not be answered.

Strange eh? ... al-Hamdu lilLah.

Words that calm the heart

"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness." -Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya




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Random thought:

Don't cashews and walnuts look like brains?

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More randomness:













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When I saw this picture I laughed:
























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Life:

al-Hamdu lilLah for du`a'

al-Baqarah v. 186


Wa 'idhā Sa'alaka `ibādī `annī fa'innī Qarībun 'ujību Da`wata ad-Dā`i 'idhā Da`āni falyastajībū Lī wa Līu'uminū bī la`allahum yarshudūna.


And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

Strengthen the Spiritual Relations & Defending the Prophet Muhammad - Munir Qtaish

http://www.ikhutbah.com/podcast/index.php?id=10

al-Hamdu lilLah

subHan Allah ... because I was thinking about my mother a lot lately, I just picked up the phone on my way to school this morning and just said, "You know mom, if I'm giving you a hard time with anything I don't mean to, subHan Allah, I know we don't agree on everything but in sha' Allah we can work together on this." al-Hamdu lilLah then we had a really nice bonding moment, Allah indeed has decreed things to be a certain way.

I talked to the professor that leads the halaqah at my school, and he gave me really good advice, that if I don't feel like I'm being listened to, then I need to go to the people that they listen to in order to get them to understand my position. I already knew this, but I felt helpless because I really couldn't think of anyone who would help me, but then I thought, well, just because I think they won't help doesn't mean that they won't help. -smiles-... so I called my aunt, who is a big influence on my mom. After talking to her, I got her to say, "Okay, I'll talk to your mom and help her agree with you."... ya Rab khayr.

Now that I saw a door crack open I want to pull it all the way. I'm going to go one by one to everyone around my mom and dad and get them to agree with me. -smiles- In a way this is very exciting, khayr in sha' Allah.

al-Hamdu lilLah for everything.

do you see what happened because you didn't listen to your mom...

subHan Allah... these words keep repeating in my mind, they keep repeating, and repeating.

Saturday I went to Jamilah's house, al-Hamdu lilLah, I love going there, it is one among only a few homes that I know of filled with the rememberance of Allah.

When I arrived there, we just sat and spoke to each other, even though she is my tajwid teacher.

-smiles- Every time I think about her right away I can hear her say, "Allah Kariiiiiiiiiim" -smiles- indeed God is Generous.

After about 10 minutes, we set the clean carpets on the ground so that we may pray, and the next thing I know Jamilah runs into the house holding her sons head, and I see blood coming out through her hands. She took her hand off his face for just a little bit, and I saw it, a deep cut next to his left eye, subHan Allah so close to his eye.. sooo close, just pouring blood.

I felt my heart squeeze in, and then Jamilah says, "I don't know what to do?" I have never been in such a situation so I wasn't too sure either. I ran to the phone, and came back and said, "All I can think of right now is to call 911, I'm going to call 911." While I was about to dial the number the neighbor came, and she said, "no that won't be necessary just get his medical card and we'll go in my van right now straight to the hospital."

Through all this, I saw how Jamilah acted towards such a crazy happening. She was sooooo calm, she saw him and said, "al-Hamdu lilLah"... "nashkur Allah, al-Hamdu lilLah"... "al-Hamdu lilLah it didn't hit your eye, it could have hit your eye, al-Hamdu lilLah"... then she went and prostrated to Allah.

While her son was dropping blood, and tears, she held him and said, over and over, very calmly, "do you see what happens when you don't listen to your mom?... "do you see what happens when you don't listen to your mom? ... "I told you to not play over there... do you see what happens when you don't listen to your mom?".. "do you see what happens when you don't listen to your mom?" ... while she was saying that I just stood frozen, staring at her son, and listening to her words. Then I thought to myself, am I listening to my mom? am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Is Allah showing me something, bringing something to my attention?

In a matter of a few minutes the van was set up outside, and I told Jamilah not to worry about a thing and that I will take care of her children.

I took care of her children for about 5 hours until their father came home. In those 5 hours the biggest task was the baby, the children who were a little older pretty much entertained themselves. Being in the home and making sure that her daughter did her homework, that her children were safe, that the baby was fed and alright, and happy was a rather interesting experience. I'm known as the "free" babysitter, it's not something I want to be paid for, I just like doing it.

Through that time, I thought about what being a mother would be like. I have always babysitted but I never really thought about myself as a mother while babysitting. I had to deal with a child's tears, I had fun dancing with the baby (soooo cute!), although once it started getting dark, I really wanted the baby to sleep because I was getting really tired hehe and he had sooooooo much energy!!! Barak Allahu Fi, I had to heat up the mlukhiya and to have snacks available when they got hungry... and so on.

Through this time, I thought about my future plans. Honestly, if I am to ever have children I do not want to work, subHan Allah they need so much attention, it really is a 24 hour job.

Another thing came to mind, I thought about my mother, how much she must have gone through raising me. This is not an easy job, I only took care of these children for 5 hours, what about every single day for many many years... subHan Allah, May Allah bless our mothers for their patience, and hardwork raising us. Amin.

Again, those words, "do you see what happened because you didn't listen to your mom"... ya Allah.

What if you want to listen... only, there is something good you want as well, subHan Allah, wa al-Hamdu lilLah, wa la illaha illa Allah, wa Allahu akbar... (that always feels good)

al-Hamdu lilLah for everything, the best One to complain my struggles to is Allah, and al-Hamdu lilLah this can only bring good... because Allah is the One who can truly easy any difficulty I may have.

Tawakalna `ala Allah. We have put our trust in Allah.

subHan Allah

Crazy incidents of driving to the backdrop of verses from the Holy Qur'an.

Verses in the video are from the last three verses in Chapter 63 of the Holy Qur'an:

9: O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.

10: And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".

11: But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do.

al-Hamdu lilLah... calms the heart.

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بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ


صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ



A prayer performed by someone who has not recited the Essence of the Quran during it is deficient (and he repeated the word three times), incomplete. Someone said to Abu Hurayrah: [Even though] we are behind the imam? He said: Recite it to yourself, for I have heard the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be up on him) say: Allah (mighty and sublime be He), had said: I have divided prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. When the servant says:

Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin, [All praise and thanks be to Allah,The Lord of the Worlds.]
Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My servant has praised Me.
And when he says: Ar-rahmani r-rahim, [The All-Merciful, the Mercy-giving]
Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My servant has extolled Me,
and when he says: Maliki yawmi d-din, [The Master of the Day of Recompense]
Allah says: My servant has glorified Me - and on one occasion He said: My servant has submitted to My power.
And when he says: Iyyaka na budu wa iyyaka nasta in, [You (Alone) we worship,And You (Alone) we ask for help]
He says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.
And when he says: Ihdina s-sirata l- mustaqim, siratal ladhina an amta alayhim ghayril-maghdubi alayhim wa la d-dallin, [Guide us to the Straight Path, The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace,Not (the path) of those who earned Your Anger,Nor of those who went astray]
He says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.

Today

al-Hamdu lilLah for today's khutbah it was so good.

The Khutbah was primarily focused on judgment Day, one hadith he narrated that I want to post as a reminder for myself, and for others who are interested is this:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet [salla Allahu `alayhi wa salam] said,

"Allah will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are)

[1] a just ruler,

[2] a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah (i.e. worships Allah sincerely from childhood),

[3] a man whose heart is attached to the mosques (i.e. to pray the compulsory prayers in the mosque in congregation),

[4] two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only,

[5] a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah,

[6] a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity),

[7] and a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears."

(Book #11, Hadith #629)

subHan Allah, he spoke about how close the sun will be, and how people will be waiting for 15,000 years sweating, and he explained that for the believers the waiting will only be the length of 2 rakah's.

Then when we prayed I was so happy because he had such a heart shaking voice, heart shaking in the sense that it helped with one's humility in front of Allah. When he recited the first chapter Al-Fatiha, he paused for a little bit after each verse, and that silence in between was filled with deep reflection, that silence was so powerful. Imagine each verse recited so beautifully and then there is a pause, and that sound comes again, subHan Allah ... those are Allah's words, so beautiful.

Then after the Friday prayer had finished and people were praying their sunnah prayers, I noticed the woman praying next to me didn't put her nose on the ground when she put her head on the floor in prostration. I wanted to tell her something, because, I seriously hate it when I do something wrong and someone doesn't correct me... but I just didn't want to say anything because she was much older. I was going down the stairs and I bumped into another very close friend of mine BB -smiles- I told her that I saw a lady that I want to help but I don't know if I should tell her anything, and al-Hamdu lilLah being the BB that she is, she narrated for me a couple of ahadith and told me to go ahead and tell her.

So, I went back upstairs, I waited until she was done praying and then I told her, "I want to show you something I noticed in your prayer, in sha' Allah try to put your nose on the ground too when you go down, it is important to have both the nose and the forehead touching the ground." Then she said, "Oh, I don't do that, I didn't notice." Then I asked her where she was from, because she had a Arab accent, and she was from Palestine, just like me and we talked for about 2-3 minutes.

But I left feeling a little content that now she knows how to do it, and a little troubled too. Troubled because I don't feel I am good at correcting people, I need to learn some way of helping others, without it seeming like I'm giving them advice, but that they got it on their own... ya Allah, I don't want to be a fault finder, how there are still sooo many lessons I need to learn, Allah Ar-Rahman. subHan Allah, anytime I feel like I'm under any stress I like to say, "Ar-Rahman" it reminds me of Allah's compassion, and I instantly feel more at peace.

Then afterwards I met BB's new roommate and BB asked if I was free to go out to eat with them, and al-Hamdu lilLah I was, and I did. We went out to eat at my favorite restaurant, it's a place that literally takes time preparing your food for you. When I ordered lemonade, I could taste that this lemonade was freshly squeezed lemons mixed with water and sugar, so good, sooo good, al-Hamdu lilLah for how fresh and tastey all of their food was.

While we were out we bumped into two more friends, yay! cool! and we talked about school and I guess one of the sisters was overburdened and we had a discussion that really al-Hamdu lilLah was awesome. We were talking about human weakness. My friend BB said something like, "Allah does not give us more than we can bear, and we are the ones that make ourselves weak, it's our mind that can either strengthen us or weaken us." subHan Allah, this was such a good point, such a good good point, Barak Allahu Fiha, indeed we make ourselves weak, we need to have a strong mind, we are in control of how we feel and what we can do about any given circumstance. subHan Allah reminders definitely benefit the believers.

al-Hamdu lilLah then when I returned home in my gmail box I recieved a gmail from one of my students that's just going to take time to answer. subHan Allah, I love it when people ask questions, I love it when people are curious, I love the eagerness that some people have to learn and study. I believe it takes humility in order to ask a question, or to request help. I love the humility in wanting to learn, I love it so much.

... so that pretty much was my day, it's definitely not everything that happened, but al-Hamdu lilLah (praise Allah) for everything.

Serious Issue!!!

A Danish Magazine has published a series of obscene comics ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Twelve offensive caricatures were published in September 30, 2005 and republished again on January 10, 2006 in a Norwegian Christian Magazine. The Norwegian and Danish governments have both refused to apologize or retract the publications.
In response, Islamic countries have shut down their Danish and Norwegian embassies, recalled their ambassadors from the region, and are declaring massive boycotts of all Danish and Norwegian products. The two countries remain defiant, and have persisted in publishing obscenities against Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). France, Spain, Italy, and Germany have also printed these cartoons as a challenge to the Muslims worldwide.
DENMARK INSULTS THE PROPHET—EUROPE FOLLOWS
ACTION ALERT
Sign the petition letter in defense of our noble prophet and in protest of this attack.
Boycott ALL Danish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, and Spanish Products NOW
(List of products provided on next page)
Tell your local Muslim Grocery Store!
Join the Ummah in taking action against the attacks on our beloved Prophet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Page 1
Denmark:
•
A.P. Moller-Maersk
Group
•
Arla Foods
•
Bang & Olufsen (B&O)
•
BoConcept
•
Carlsberg
•
Coop Norden
•
DALI
•
Danfoss
•
Danisco
•
Danish Crown
•
DSB
Ecco Sko
•
FDB
•
GN Store Nord
•
Egmont
•
F.L. Smidth
•
Group 4 Falck
•
Grundfos
•
H. Lundbeck
•
ISS
•
Jamo Group
•
JYSK
•
LEGO Group
•
Maersk Air
•
NEG Micon
•
Novo
•
Post Danmark
•
Royal Copenhagen
•
Secunia
•
SimCorp
•
William Demant
France:
•
Aaton
•
Accor
•
Areva
•
Air France-KLM
•
Aixam
•
Alcatel
•
Alstom
•
Altran
•
Atlas Telecom
•
Atos Origin
•
Breguet
•
Brittany Ferries
•
Bull
•
Chantelle
•
Christian Dior
•
JCDecaux
•
Keolis
•
La Poste
•
Lafarge
•
Lagardère Group
•
Lancôme
•
Lampe Berger
•
LOOK
•
L'Oréal
•
LVMH
•
Michelin
•
Montagut
•
Nicolas
•
Pernod Ricard
•
Pierre Fabre Group
•
PSA Peugeot Citroën
•
Total
•
Ubisoft
Germany:
•
adidas
•
Aldi
•
Bayer
•
Bosch
•
BMW
•
Continental
•
DaimlerChrysler
•
Mercedes-Benz
•
T-Mobile
•
T-Online
•
Eclaire
•
Hugo Boss
•
Klöckner
•
Lidl & Schwarz
•
Lufthansa
•
Porsche
•
PUMA
•
Schering
•
Spaten Braue
•
Schwarz Pharma
•
Siemens
•
Suedzucker
•
Talkline
•
Tchibo
•
Volkswagen Group
•
Audi
BOYCOTT ALL DANISH, FRENCH,
GERMAN, NORWEGIAN, SPANISH, AND
ITALIAN PRODUCTS
Page 2
Norway:
•
Den norske Eterfabrikk,
•
Freia, chocolate and
sweets
•
Funcom
•
Innerloop
•
NextGenTel
•
Norwegian, airline
•
Opera Software
•
Scandinavian Airlines
•
Tine, dairy products
•
Snofrisk
•
Jarlsberg
•
Ski Queen
•
Trolltech
•
Visma
Spain
•
Alsa
•
Balay, owned by Bosch
•
Festina
•
Lladró
•
NH Hoteles
•
Spanair
Italy:
•
Ferrari
•
Fiat
•
Luxottica
•
Chicco
•
Peg Perego
•
Saeco
•
Panini
•
Zenith
•
Parafernalia
•
Mivar
•
Seleco
•
Telit
•
Barilla
•
Berlucchi
•
Buitoni
•
Campari
•
Cirio
•
De Cecco
•
Ferrero
•
Illy
•
Lavazza
•
Motta
•
Perfetti
•
Benetton
•
Bolgheri
•
Luigi Borrelli
•
Brioni
•
Bulgari
•
Calzaturificio di Varese
•
Cantarelli
•
Davide Cenci
•
Della Valle
•
Diesel
•
Ellesse
•
Fendi
•
Fila
•
Fiorucci
•
Gucci
•
Invicta
•
Kappa
•
Kiton
•
Max Mara
•
Loro Piana
•
Luxottica
•
Navigare
•
Stefanel
•
Superga
•
Valleverde
•
Visconti di Modrone
•
Ermenegildo Zegna
•
Valentino
•
Giorgio Armani
•
Renato Balestra
•
Rocco Barocco
•
Basile
•
Laura Biagiotti
•
Borsalino
•
Brioni
•
Caraceni
•
Roberto Cavalli
•
Cerruti
•
Sorelle Fendi
•
Salvatore Ferragamo
•
Gianfranco Ferré
•
Elio Fiorucci
•
Sorelle Fontana
•
Bruno Magli
•
Ottavio e Rosita Missoni
•
Moschino
•
Luciano Soprani
•
Trussardi
_______________________________________________________


Ambassadors of Denmark, and France,

I greet you with the traditional greeting of Islam: may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.

I am writing in regards to the recent publications by the Danish news agency Jyllands-Posten. A series of twelve highly offensive and degrading cartoon caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have been the center of recent international controversy, and rightly so. These cartoons have slandered a religious figure, insulted the over one billion adherents to Islam, and have created an international incident that is quickly creating factions. Rather than using the newspaper as an instrument to educate and spread truth, Jyllands-Posten has mocked the most beloved leader of Muslims worldwide. Muslims cannot stay silent when seeing such an attack on their beliefs.

One of these cartoons has the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) wearing a turban, that resembles a bomb, wrapped around his head. These images reinforce the negative stereotype that Muslims are terrorists. I know that all of the Muslims who have read, viewed or learned of this news are equally saddened and disturbed by this lack of sensitivity. These images are obviously meant to discriminate and provoke.
Jyllands-Posten cannot justify its actions by hiding under the guise of freedom of speech; by publishing cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), respect was not shown to the rights of others to their faith, dignity, honor and principles. It is universally held that the right to free speech is limited when attacking the rights and beliefs of others—in this case, this is outright libel against a figure who is significant to over twenty percent of the world’s population.
Undoubtedly, what the Danish newspaper published is harmful also for the more than two hundred thousand Danish citizens, who will suffer as a result of their government’s lack of propriety and honor. I am fully endorsing the international boycott of Danish products, and joining the millions of citizens around the world in demanding an immediate retraction of the cartoons.

Furthermore, the recent republishing of these cartoons by papers in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain is morally reprehensible. I stand with the global Muslim community in condemning their provocative attacks on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). An apology cannot make up for their utter disregard for the beliefs of others. We call upon the United Nations to pass a resolution demanding that respect be shown to other people’s beliefs and faith, in order to promote tolerance and peace. This widespread effort to dehumanize the Muslim faith will not be accepted by Muslims. We will continue our massive civil disobedience and boycott.
Denmark, and the European countries that have sided with it, must deal with this issue justly. If they do not, they will continue to be seen as a region wracked with Islamaphobia, without regard to its citizens multi-faceted belief systems, and bent on creating conflict.

For the cause of justice, equality and respect for all faith traditions, I hope this matter is dealt with promptly and equitably. I look forward to hearing positive news.

Sincerely,

__________________________________________



Ambassador Jean-David

Embassy of France

4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 944-6060
Fax: (202) 944-6040
Email: info-washington@diplomatie.gouv.fr


Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen
Embassy of Denmark
3200 Whitehaven St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 234-4300
Fax: (202) 328-1470
Email: wasamb@um.dk


____________________________________________________

Online petition:

http://www.petitiononline.com/moh12345/


____________________________________________________

OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY MUSLIMS LOVE THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (BLESSINGS AND PEACE BE UPON HIM) SO MUCH!!!

http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/prophet/asblessing/