al-hamdu lillah

i didn't have firefox open so i didn't see an update til now.. -sigh-

aw, exhausting day... khayr, no worries.

May Allah ease your way. Amin.

Beautiful Day...

bismi Allah, wa astaghfur Allah, wa al salatu wa al salamu `ala rasuli Allah

ya Rabb... ya Rabbi... ya Allah... ya Rabb...

I'm seriously getting to a state of Iman that I want, subhan Allah, I feel it where it I want it to go. It's getting there, but currently I feel it is high and on increase... al-hamdu lillah... wa astaghfur Allah... astaghfur Allah.. astagh fur Allah

I feel like, a closeness to Allah... that I'm learning about how loving He is to us, and subhan Allah... it's just that... you know how Allah is what you think of Him, sometimes I feel like when I get distressed Allah's right above me saying, "la tahzani"... it's this warmth I feel, a very deep love for Allah, a happiness that has spread in my body like cold water after summer's day fast... Rabbi..

Today, at school, it was so nice. With Allah's mercy I found the perfect combination of work and play with my students. They had a substitute yesterday, and they told me how she didn't allow them to go to centers. I told them, then today, I'll make sure you get extra time.

I bought for them a CD player, and I put the CD of Yusuf Islam talking about the Life of the Prophet Mohammad (salla Allahu `alayhi wa sallam) and so many of the children sat during their free time to listen, it was really nice. I put Graham crackers next to the Islam center, and I told them whomever visits the Islam center gets to eat in class and sit on the bean bag. -smiles- So, imagine half the class at the center reading the 'ahadith of the prophet to each other, and reading the Qur'an, and listening to Qur'an, and... ya Rabbi, my heart what a beautiful sight that was for me, how beautiful.

During my break I went to the fourth grade class. The teacher wasn't there so I filled in. Their class had a name calling problem. Together we came up with classroom law and consequences for such a bad habit. I also gave them an assignment in which they had to write about leadership and what qualities a leader must have. I also had them clean the class as a team and just for fun I told them, try to get the class perfectly spotless in 5 min. let's see if it can be done. Then I timed it, and subhan Allah, they did it. barak Allahu fihum. I also gave them a talk about how none of their good deeds are lost with Allah... that even to the atom, every single tiny thing that they do is recorded and kept.

Later the fourth graders followed me to my classroom. They witnessed my class in action. My class is so incredibly respectful, subhan Allah. I asked them, "we have guests, what should we do for the fourth graders?" They said, "give them candy!" -smiles- subhan Allah, we treat our guests as kindly as possible. After my class had finished their practice work I had them go to centers, and I told the fourth graders they are free to go to the centers as well. The girls spilt all the glitter on the floor, I didn't say a think. lqtm, spilling things in class is routine, they just saw what they did and cleaned it. I loved observing that, seeing that they just didn't make a fuss about it and got to work. -smiles- and not only that, but they all helped each other.

They were so good to each other, and very kind to our guests. I'm very proud of them. Please if you're reading this, make du`a' for my class... they're amazing people! Pray that Allah guides their heart to have a strong love for Him, and that Allah is always their guardian... always their closest companion.. ya Allah.

Spreading Heart

bismi Allah... bismi Allah... bismi Allah... and astaghfur Allah just because i feel closer every time i say it to Allah, and astaghfur Allah because this word makes me happy.. and astaghfur Allah because tension leaves my body.. and astaghfur Allah because my heart widens.. and astaghfur Allah because i'm such a sinner.. and astaghfur Allah for what I will say that contains any vice.. any vice.. any vice at all... astaghfur Allah wa atubu ilayk ghufranika ya Rabbil `alamin...... astaghfur Allah.

wa al-salatu wa al-salamu `ala habbibina Muhammad salla Allahu `alayhi wa sallam...

Today I left the house some time around 5 in order to get to school by 6 am. There was a limousine waiting to take us to a spelling bee. Driving to the school I noticed the sky, it was a pink and purple.. so beautiful. I felt like taking a picture of it, just to remember the beauty of that morning... truly, subhan Allah.

Then I got to school, and the limousine was huge, it was exciting going in there with the children. The children were so excited and that made me happy, subhan Allah happiness is contagious.

Before we left, one of the fathers told me to watch out for his daughter because she is extra shy. subhan Allah, she was shaking.

There are different levels of shyness, and to me the most horrible stage is the "shaking" stage. If any limbs shake, that's when it's bad. For instance, my lip twitches when I feel really shy or nervous, or my knees, subhan Allah I know the feeling.

I took the girl who was worried to the side and I told her. Make du`a', although you think that this competition is about who knows the words, truly it's about who puts their trust in Allah the most. If you make du`a', you're a winner. Then she said, "I want to get first place." I told her, "what if someone studied more than you did? what if someone worked harder, isn't that person more deserving? make du`a' that the most deserving person wins, even if it's not you." She smiled. I told her, "listen, you're making du`a', you've already won, and not only that, think of it this way.. which goal are you more interested in Jannah? or the Spelling Bee?" She smiled, "Jannah." Then she explained how calm she felt and happy she was.

So it was time for her to go up, and subhan Allah, on the first round she was so shy and scared that she misspelled the word. She came back saying, "I did that on purpose I couldn't stand being up there, i'm too shy." I told her, "don't worry about it, I love you all the same." At that point I kissed her head and squeezed her next to me. I felt her body still shaken, and after just a few minutes, she had calmed down. Barak Allahu fiha.

I let everyone in my group know that I sincerely didn't care if they got first place. I told them have a great time competing and do the best you can, and you should be proud of your own effort. It calmed them down, and subhan Allah, we had a great time. No one got a trophy, but that's okay, when we were on our way back to the school all the children were laughing, saying that they'll try harder next time and they were all just really enjoying themselves. al-hamdu lillah. They did the best that they could do, and there's nothing more that I can ask for than that.

I know that my students had memorized completely the first grade and second grade spelling list, and I know that they know all the words on there... so, if they stumbled on stage, it really doesn't matter, I know they know it, and they know that they know it... and more importantly Allah knows how much they studied. -smiles- Dunya, it troubles people too much sometimes.

I saw children in the hallway crying frantically to their parents. I saw children complaining about losing. I mean, what for? subhan Allah, the students from our school were content with themselves and had a good time.

There's nothing more that I hate in a student than lack of effort. As long as I can see that they are truly putting in everything they've got, then I am very content with them and with all my heart make du`a' for their success. I notice sometimes my students get lazy, but quickly I snap them out of that. If things aren't done right away, then slowly and surely a personality of procrastination, and laziness develops, and it's such a taxing vice!!!

subhan Allah.

Then I came home spoke to one of my friends on the phone, and listened repeatedly to Anwar Awlaki's CD's about the 25 promises of Allah. I felt my heart widen, spread... and it just...

it made me want to quit every vice I'm doing, every single sin. My Iman feels at the level that I want it to be, high, very high al-hamdu lillah.. and I know it's high because I feel as though Allah's so near. It's a closeness feeling a feeling of... ya Rabb... like Allah is right over me, as though I can see him there, and I'm afraid to lift my head and see His Greatness from its magnitude and intensity. Allahu akbar!

Jannah and Your 5 Senses:


Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

"Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.' If you wish, recite:

`No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.''' (32:17)

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,- their eternal home: Therein shall they have companions pure and holy: We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening. ( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #57)


Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah. that is the supreme felicity. ( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #72)


The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water). ( سورة الحجر , Al-Hijr, Chapter #15, Verse #45)





Their thirst will be slaked with Pure Wine sealed: The seal thereof will be Musk: And for this let those aspire, who have aspirations: With it will be (given) a mixture of Tasnim: A spring, from (the waters) whereof drink those Nearest to Allah. The seal thereof will be musk: And for this let those aspire, who have aspirations: ( سورة المطففين , Al-Mutaffifin, Chapter #83, Verse #25-27)











They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: the Fruit of the gardens will be near (and easy of reach). ( سورة الرحمن , Al-Rahman, Chapter #55, Verse #54)

But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever). ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #25)



(Namely) those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to them), "Peace be on you; enter ye the garden, because of (the good) which ye did (in the world)." ( سورة النحل , An-Nahl, Chapter #16, Verse #32)


gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their fathers, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation): ( سورة الرعد , Ar-Rad, Chapter #13, Verse #23)

For them will be gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on! ( سورة الكهف , Al-Kahf, Chapter #18, Verse #31)

gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. ( سورة فاطر , Fatir, Chapter #35, Verse #33)

children... love... care

There has been a child that has been troubling me, his actions are clearly wrong... and today, he repeated something I had scorned him for the other day.

And when he did it, only this time it was something that belonged to me, I stared at him silent. I didn't look mad at him, or happy, I just stared... just trying to figure him out, I guess. Then he stood still staring back at me, and we just let time pass both of us staring. I was so harsh to him the other day, so I let my head down, kind of in shame of myself. I looked up, with my arms open and I said, "why don't you come here."

He walked near me, I said, "come sit here next to me." He came and sat, then he put his head in my lap and started to cry. I stroked his head, and rubbed his back. Then after he had calmed down a bit, he complained to me about every little problem and trouble he had. Everything that people tell him, and how he thinks about it. Akh.................... how I hate myself sometimes. Why am I adding to his hardships? -sigh-

The bell rang for it to be Arabic time for him. I decided I would take him out of his Arabic class and during my prep period I gave myself fully to him in my attention and concern, and we read a story together. Then he gathered himself together and said, "I'm going to go to Arabic now." I told him, "sure." So he left.

-sigh- .... ya Allah, ya Rabb.

Then in class, he said, "I'm your tiger friend!!!" He was a lot happier today than yesterday. Just about every child in my class has a nickname from me, and he is definitely my tiger friend. al-hamdu lillah.

I liked spending that time with him. I liked having him next to me, just to sit and let him cry. Then to read with him alone, it's nice, it's personal, it's meaningful. subhan Allah.

Children... they are... children. Ya Rabb.

I love how they love me. During recess their little hands tug on my hijab... one child put his little hand in my scarf pinched a little bit of my hair and pulled it out.. lqtm... that was the funniest thing ever. Just to be funny, I went and did it to a teacher. hahah.. it's just funny. The shock, the horror. Khayr, if there's no men around it's all in good fun, al-hamdu lillah.

-smiles-

I was doing the talent show after school and one of my students grabbed my head and kissed my cheek, and I couldn't get her off of me!!! As much as I wanted her off, because subhan Allah, it was time for her to go home, she wouldn't let go. -smiles- lqtm, you just can't get mad at things like that.

This girl almost every single time she walks into the classroom she comes with a new emotion and a new thing to say. For example, "I'm so sad teacher, I'm just so sad, teacher I'm so sad."
Why?... and dramatically said, "oh teacher! there's only 34 days left of school teacher."... -sad face- subhan Allah, that girl depressed me.

But I get my deepest joys from her witty remarks and questions. She asked me one day, "Teacher, did you ever lay a baby?"... lqtm, I never thought of it that way... hahahah! She took a story we read about chickens and applied it to humans.. haha. She's so clever.

I love them... subhan Allah.

-smiles-

Let's see... so today, my morning was amazing both my mother and my baby brother Amir told me Good Morning, and that they loved me. That was awesome!!!

Then I got ready to go to the class I'm taking about all the intricate details of fasting.

I finished getting ready and then I heard the door bell ring. In my heart I just hoped it was those missionary people, I love talking to them. So I peeked through the door hole, and YES! it was them!!! Today, it was Jehova's witnesses (spelling?) Anyways, we had a deep discussion, and then the lady at the door asked if I would be interested in their books. I told her, hold on a second, and I went to my room I got all the books they have, plus the AWAKE! magazine they have, and showed it to her. She had one book I didn't have, so now I have a new book added to my collection. -smiles-

Before I began talking I asked, "It sure is cold outside!! Please let me get you something warm to drink... can I make you some tea, would you like to come inside?" They smiled, al-hamdu lillah. Then, I told them, I love it when they come to my door and I would like for them to remind me about their faith. So I told them what I already knew, and they ofcourse added to it, so al-hamdu lillah. Then I told them, "we have so many similarities, and I want to point those out to you." Then I went on to explain how we are alike in so many ways, then I said, "but you know, there are a few things that I have faith in that is different." Then I went into the concept of Jesus, and how one needs not ascribe any partner to God, and I also explained how God told Adam to BE! and he was... and about how we see Jesus as a prophet and how that's more fitting, and how "just as they believe".. that Jesus is going to come back to earth, and I explained how he will then establish Islam to be the religion for all people.

They brought a man to come and talk to me. Right away he firmly put his hand out to shake mine, and I told him, I'm sorry I can't shake your hand. I started asking them questions like, "how did Jehova's Witnesses branch out from the pure form of Christianity when Jesus first came... I mean, how is it like what Jesus had first preached, and how did the split into so many denomenations in Christianity happen?".. He did his best to explain, but then I remembered how that happened, and I explained things like the Necea Council and how that ended in different branches...

The father left to ask some of the other members something, and his wife and daughter were talking to me, and they asked about the whole hand shake, and hijab.. so I explained more and more about how beautiful it is to be modest and to not conform to a society that disgraces your self respect and the dignity of your soul... Oh, and then the father came back, and he put his hand out again to shake my hand... and both the wife and daughter yelled at him, "NOOO"... lqtm, I laughed, I said it's okay.. and I told the women how much I respected that they understood where I was coming from.

The father asked me questions about if I watched TV, and a lot of `ibadah questions, and I explained to him how I do my very best to stay within my boundaries..

Anyways, a lot was discussed.. and al-hamdu lillah I felt good about the conversation, may Allah guide them. Amin.

So let's see, then i quickly rushed and got my keys and phone to go to the class.

Profound class, absolutely wonderful... today we went over the story of Ibrahim `alayhi salam because one of the students inquired about what `id al-adha was (she's a revert to Islam). Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely amazing story!!! subhan Allah.

Then, when it was time to pray Dhuhr, the shaykh brought his child to pray with him, and everytime he said, "Allahu Akbar!" the child repeated loudly, "ALLAHU AKBAR".. i tried to hold my laugh, it was just too cute, and I laughed.. I got up, and did my Wudu' again.. subhan Allah... subhan Allah... subhan Allah... it was way too cute!!! ya Rabb, children, they're wonderful.

al-hamdu lillah.

Then I went to eat at an Arabic restraunt, and I had a falafel sandwhich with a side dish of rice, and lemonade.

Then I came home, and went out with the revert Muslimah to the mall. Subhan Allah I feel so bad for her, because before she used to spend her time going out and having fun, and now she knows very few Muslims and her days are being spent with boredom and lonliness... ya Allah, subhan Allah. I hope, and I pray that something eases her days, and that a deep happiness sets in her heart every moment of the day. ya Rabb... ya Rabb... ya Rabb.. wa anta al-Wadud. We went to Express, and we both bought the same style shirt, I told her it would be really neat if we wore it at the same time next week. Then she came over to my house and I made her some tea, and we ate stringed cheese, and just chatted... then she went home.

Then I got a wonderful phone call... by Allah, it's such a ni`mah in my day, al-hamdu lillah.

Finally, I finished working on the fliers... and well, now i'm here. -smiles-

jazakum Allahu khayran for reading, wa barak Allahu fikum.

My Day, al-hamdu lillah -smiles-

bismi Allah, wa al-hamdu lillah, wa al-salatu wa al-salamu `ala rasuli Allah
-smiles-

So, I woke up in the morning:

al-hamdu lillahi ladhi ahyana ba`da ma amatana, wa ilayhin Nushur (Praise be to Allah Who gave us life after death, and unto Him will be the return)

For some reason this morning, I didn't quite feel like getting up... lqtm, but I had to, so I did.

Our devotion area is outside, and one of the parents came and complained how the children might get sick. I told her not to worry, I'll tell the Shaykh to say it a little faster... on my way to the Shaykh I got stopped by a students father who complained to me that a student from the 3rd grade hit his son during lunch time.

Then I had a flashback: I remembered his son running up to me and saying so and so hit me, so then I called the child's name who hit him so I could talk to him, but he never came... and I just ignored the matter.

Then his father said, "my son said you called the other boy, and then the other boy hid."

I thought, ~aha! so that's what that child did.~

I explained myself, "subhan Allah brother, I get complains from children at least every 5 minutes, it's hard for me to answer every single one with my full attention... in sha' Allah today, I will make it a point to talk to that child and let him know to keep to himself. I do see him playing rough in the playground, and I'll do everything I can to make sure he keeps to himself, in sha' Allah"... I then recommended that he talk to the office, and have them call the child in, I know that child and I've talked to him many times, but doesn't adhere to my advice so maybe that will shake him up a bit. So, the father went on to the office.

Then I quickly went to the devotion area, and all I could think about was how I told that lady I would tell the shaykh to speed up his du`a'ing -smiles- (new word there, du`a'ing)... So instead, I kind of forced it to be done faster by saying the du`a' louder than usual and at a faster pace, and al-hamdu lillah he caught on. -smiles- lqtm, ya Rabb, ighfirli.


So, then in class, we made shadow boxes!!! It was such a great project it came out so beautifully. Basically, what we did was this, I had them use tissue paper to make a tree inside, and flowers, and a sun, and clouds, and it came out so nice. Then on the glass part in the front, I had the verse in the Qur'an about trees taped on the front: A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens [14:24]

I loved the way it came out, barak Allahu fihum. Psst, you can buy shadowboxes from the Dollar Tree, such a great store for teachers!!!

Today, we also planted our corn seeds. They were starting to die in the class, so during recess the children gathered around and we planted it. It's so nice to see a seed sprout after planting it. As the whole class took a cup and planted the seed in it, I did one too. For some reason, my plant just grew wildly and the others had maybe one or two little seedlings. subhan Allah, the children were excited about my plant, but it's just so amazing how you can put a seed in and to see it grow. I felt bad for some children who waited and waited and their seed didn't grow at all, khayr, lqtm, I can't force the plant to grow. subhan Allah... subhan Allah.

Also, today we had a spelling test as usual, but I'm especially happy because one of my weakest students got 7 out of 11, and he usually doesn't do that good. al-hamdu lillah, it really made me happy, and I let him know how proud "of himself" he should be. Barak Allahu fi.

... let's see what else.. what else...

Today, I had to substitute for 4th grade for about an hour, so I actually had no break today, because I did that during my only break during the day. It was A LOT of fun. subhan Allah, I don't have to repeat to them to stay in their seats more than "once"... in first grade, I repeat that, over and over and over and over... and over and over.... and.... mhm.. over. -smiles- Khayr, I really enjoyed it, but I don't know, I love my first graders.

So, today, one child told me, "i told my dad, I hate school and I don't want to go to school.. then my dad asked me, 'why don't you like going to school what's wrong' then i told my dad, 'i'm just kidding i like school'.." .. these children are funny, subhan Allah. I got to a point this year, where nothing they say or do can affect me that much. For instance, during our state testing one girl didn't even do some questions because she didn't feel like, and she's a very "bright" child, that day wasn't her day... I surprised myself, I thought for sure something like that would annoy me, but really, subhan Allah, I know she's a great and she knows she's a great student she doesn't need a test to tell her that. -smiles- ya Rabb, this dunya, it's dunya.

Oh, afterschool I took the student that I was tutoring and took her to the Islamic bookstore next to the masjid. I bought a few CD's and a new Qur'an tape set, al-hamdu lillah, my students absolutely LOOOOVE listening to Qur'an (and they do stay pretty quite) we had some on today, and the students told each other, "shhh! shhh! don't talk the Qur'an is on!!!"... subhan Allah!!! I think someone out there who mentioned I should do this is a GENIUS!!! -smiles- lqtm. So I bought more.

I created a new system in my classroom. All the toys in there can be rented, but the Qur'an can be taken hom for free and returned the next day. subhan Allah, everyday something is rented, for instance... the cash register, you give me one good deed ticket, and you can take the cash register home and bring it back the next day. I even let them buy my board markers, or whatever interests them in the class... i love this system. One mother came in this morning with the Qur'an and the cash register and she said, "here you go teacher, she took this home with her."... lqtm, I told her, "listen, she didn't steal it, the students are allowed to rent stuff from my classroom with their tickets." -smiles- al-hamdu lillah.

Anyways, so then, I drove the girl I was tutoring back to her home, and decided to sit with her for another hour and a half reading. subhan Allah, I've learned so many techniques for teaching children how to read this year that I got from so many different places that I want to list what was the most successful and blog it, or put it somewhere for future reference. I would do that now, but I kind of want to get done, and in sha' Allah i'll make time for that later.

So, I went to her house, and ofcourse, I got presents! lqtm.. ya Rabb. I got a new skirt, and an egyptian cup and saucer that has a very intricate design of and symbols with blue and gold. subhan Allah... I fear going to that house, I always leave with gifts... ya Rabb, it's a good thing, but I feel overwhelmed.

Then I came home, around 5 and I was so exhausted that I prayed `asr and fell asleep. I missed my Qur'an class tonight and we were going to go over TaHa, subhan Allah that class is at 6:30 and I woke up much later than that. -sigh- That really bummed me out. Khayr, I have a class Saturday morning, that should be fun! I love that class... like, love love it! -smiles-

... I didn't have pasta roni -smiles-.. but i did have mahshi! -smiles- with meat!!! and... it wasn't "that" bad. -smiles-

Then, I went online for bit, and I read old mail that I had neglected from the Daily Reminder from the book Don't Be Sad... and while I was reading, I got a wonderful phone call. al-hamdu lillah, al-hamdu lillah, al-hamdu lillah...

That was my day, al-hamdu lillah... and jazakum Allahu khayran for sharing your day, barak Allahu fikum.

subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika ash hadu an la illaha illa ant astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk

SO FUNNY!!!

subhan Allah... i remember these, back in the day.

and -smiles-...

al-hamdu lillah

“But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: “Woe to you! The reward of Allaah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient in following the truth)”
[al-Qasas 28:80]

Whereby Allah guideth him who seeketh His good pleasure unto paths of peace. He bringeth them out of darkness unto light by His decree, and guideth them unto a straight path. ( سورة المائدة , Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #16)

Who is Allah With?

O ye who believe! Seek help in steadfastness and prayer. Lo! Allah is with the steadfast. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #153) ( Transliteration)

The forbidden month for the forbidden month, and forbidden things in retaliation. And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil). ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #194) (Transliteration)

And when Saul set out with the army, he said: Lo! Allah will try you by (the ordeal of) a river. Whosoever therefore drinketh thereof he is not of me, and whosoever tasteth it not he is of me, save him who taketh (thereof) in the hollow of his hand. But they drank thereof, all save a few of them. And after he had crossed (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: We have no power this day against Goliath and his hosts. But those who knew that they would meet Allah exclaimed: How many a little company hath overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave! Allah is with the steadfast. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #249) (Arabic, Transliteration)

(O Qureysh!) If ye sought a judgment, now hath the judgment come unto you. And if ye cease (from persecuting the believers) it will be better for you, but if ye return (to the attack) We also shall return. And your host will avail you naught, however numerous it be, and (know) that Allah is with the believers (in His Guidance). ( سورة الأنفال , Al-Anfal, Chapter #8, Verse #19) (Arabic, Transliteration)

And obey Allah and His messenger, and dispute not one with another lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah is with the steadfast. ( سورة الأنفال , Al-Anfal, Chapter #8, Verse #46) (Arabic, Transliteration)

Now hath Allah lightened your burden, for He knoweth that there is weakness in you. So if there be of you a steadfast hundred they shall overcome two hundred, and if there be of you a thousand (steadfast) they shall overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. Allah is with the steadfast. ( سورة الأنفال , Al-Anfal, Chapter #8, Verse #66) (Arabic, Transliteration)

Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on all of you. And know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). ( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #36) (Arabic, Transliteration)

If ye help him not, still Allah helped him when those who disbelieve drove him forth, the second of two; when they two were in the cave, when he said unto his comrade: Grieve not. Lo! Allah is with us. Then Allah caused His peace of reassurance to descend upon him and supported him with hosts ye cannot see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the nethermost, while Allah's Word it was that became the uppermost. Allah is Mighty, Wise. ( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #40) (Arabic, Transliteration)

O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him). ( سورة التوبة , At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #123) (Arabic, Transliteration)

Lo! Allah is with those who keep their duty unto Him and those who are doers of good. ( سورة النحل , An-Nahl, Chapter #16, Verse #128) (Arabic, Transliteration)

As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good. ( سورة العنكبوت , Al-Ankaboot, Chapter #29, Verse #69) (Arabic, Transliteration)

So do not falter and cry out for peace when ye (will be) the uppermost, and Allah is with you, and He will not grudge (the reward of) your actions. ( سورة محمد , Muhammad, Chapter #47, Verse #35)(Arabic, Transliteration)

Analogy of Our Relationship with Allah

I got this analogy from a lecture by Dr. Imad Bayoun and I felt it to be an amazing analogy most worthy of sharing:

When we look at a far away building, the building appears to be tiny; however, the closer we get to it the more enormous it becomes in its size.

Looking at the same analogy, the farther we are from Allah, the less we know about Him; however, as we come to know His attributes and as we near our selves to Him to achieve taqwah the more grand He becomes to us.

subhan Allah... let us now look at one of Allah's attributes, and draw ourselves closer to Him:

Al-Muta'ali
The Supreme One

He knows all that is beyond the reach of a created being's perception as well as all that can be witnessed by a creature's senses or mind -- the Great One, the One far above anything that is or could ever be!

`Ālimu al-Ghaybi wa ash-Shahādati al-Kabīru al-Muta`ālī.
All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High.

عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْكَبِيرُ الْمُتَعَالِ

Ar-Ra'd 13:9

sigh... ya Rabb

Astaghfur Allah

subhan Allah, I needed to see this. al-hamdu lillah.

Some verses on repentance:

Indeed Allaah loves those who constantly repent and those who keep themselves clean and pure [2:222]

O you who believe! Turn to Allaah in sincere repentance [66:8]

Say: O my servants who have been excessive in sins! Despair not of the mercy of Allaah. Who forgives all sins. Indeed He is the Forgiver, the Mercy -Giving[39:53]

And those who invoke not any other deity along with Allaah nor take the life which Allaah has made sacred except for just cause and whoever does that shall (not only) encounter sin but the punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Judgement and he will dwell therein in humiliation: unless he repents, reaffirms his faith and works righteous deeds. For them Allaah will change their evil deeds into good. Allaah i s the Forgiver, the Mercy-Giving [25:68-70]

and a couple of hadith:

The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
Allaah, the Glorious and Exalted stretches His Hand out during the night so that people may repent for the sins committed from dawn to dusk and He stretches out His hand during the day so that people may repent for the sins committed from dusk to dawn until the sun rises from the West

Anas bin Maalik reported that the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:

Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than a person who rides his camel in a waterless desert and the camel is lost; even though upon it is his provision and drink. Having lost all hope of finding it he sits down in the shade of the tree. While he is resting the camel appears in front of him. He gets hold of it by the nose-string and out of extreme joy says: O Lord you are my servant and I am your Lord. He says this out of boundless joy.

my heart.. ya Rabb... ya Rabb...

These verses caught my attention:

8.
Wa udhkur isma Rabbika wa tabattal 'ilayhi tabtīlāan.

And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion.
وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ وَتَبَتَّلْ إِلَيْهِ تَبْتِيلًا

9.
Rabbu al-Mashriqi wa al-Maghribi Lā 'ilāha 'illā Huwa fa ittakhidh/hu Wakīlāan.

(He Alone is) the Lord of the east and the west; La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). So take Him Alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs).
رَبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَاتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلًا

10.
Wa işbir `alá Mā yaqūlūna wa uhjurhum Hajrāan Jamīlāan.

And be patient (O Muhammad) with what they say, and keep away from them in a good way.
وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْرًا جَمِيلًا