It's Not Your Game

We've been created out of clay and we've been vested with brains that make us the most complex and the most finest creations in the universe. SubhanAllah. And yet, sometimes, we choose to act like the most foolish. We have developed a misconception that we control our lives and we make our destiny. WAKE UP CALL ... we don't.

Once again I received a video from My Spiritual Fix and it got me thinking. It was entitled "Why Does Allah Do This To Me?" Do check out the video to hear Sh. Navaid Aziz address some very important points, inshAllah, some of which have inspired this article.

If we read the 99 names of Allah (swt) we would understand the true greatness of His all-encompassing entity. He is our Rabb - the Nurturer and the Planner of destiny. And not only our destiny, my dear sisters, but the destiny of even the tiny, microscopic bacteria that live in a human being's intestine. The giant, mammoth, blue whale ... the largest known mammal on earth - sustains itself by eating the most tiniest of birds. These birds never cease to exist. Who controls this cycle of life? Allah (swt). We consume millions of chicken, and cattle everyday. The supply never exhausts. Who controls our sustenance? Allah (swt).

This is destiny ...

Everything is predetermined. It's like we are the pawns on the chess board and Allah (swt) has the game plan. People who become overly engrossed in worldly success feel that they have it going for themselves. But Allah (swt) knows best. You may not wake up the next morning to tell the tale. Who're you gonna call? Game finish! This is called the Qadar of Allah (swt).

It is foolish, really, if one doesn't acknowledge the Qadar of Allah (swt). The sun rises by His command, sets by His command, the moon and the stars appear by His command and life and death come by His command. So if we sit and make long term plans for ourselves without saying InshAllah "By the will of Allah" - it signifies we're way too overconfident about ourselves being in control of our lives.

Similarly, we should also acknowledge that the trials and tribulations that come our way are also the Qadar of Allah (swt) and He has great Wisdom in His plans. Every plan that Allah (swt) makes is a Masterplan. And He has a Master Plan for each one of us regardless of us being Believers or non-Believers.

The common reaction to trials and tribulations is COMPLAIN. And the question "Why did Allah do this to me?" or "I'm the only one it happens to" or the like.

Who are we to question? This is not our life to live. It belongs to Allah (swt) and the game belongs to Him too. He plans each situation and we have to live through it. The strategy to win this game is to acknowledge the trials and tribulations as either challenges to test our character further to its limits if we are good; and as punishment to purify our deeds if we are wicked.

Lessons are to be learnt from each trial; each tribulation. And gratitude has to be offered. This is one of Allah's ways to provide us opportunities to make a difference in shaping our destiny. This is not granting control but an opportunity.

Sh. Navaid elaborates on a narration by Umar ibn Khattab (r.a.) who said that when they were faced by a trial they would thank Allah for 3 things:

1. The trial was not in our Deen

2. The trial was not as great as it could have been

3. Allah allowed us to be patient in the trial

Sh. Navaid elaborates that for every trial we should be thankful that:

1. The trial is not in our Deen i.e. it does not shake our Imaan and that our belief does not waver.

2. The trial is not as great as what some others face in this world. Millions of people go through greater tragedies in life. We have before ourselves the example of RasoolAllah (saww)'s life. He was a prophet and he went through challenges! Who are we to complain? He was born a posthumus child; never got the love of a father, and his mother passed away when he was 4. His grandfather passed away when he was 6. The only of his kin was his uncle Abu Talib (r.a.). The love of his life, Ummul Momineen Khatija (r.a.) passed away, he saw all his children pass away in his lifetime except for his daughter. When he embarked on the mission to spread the word of Allah (swt) he faced repulsion from the people who loved him, was sent into exile out of his hometown, he was stoned and slandered by people for whom he sought good. Should we still complain? Have we faced greater tragedies?

And how did things work out for RasoolAllah (saww)? His stance was elevated in this world and the HereAfter. He is remembered throughout the day in the Adhaan and the Salaah. He was patient!

3. We should be thankful that Allah allowed us to be patient in the trial. RasoolAllah (saww) was patient and "Innallaha ma'as sabireen" Indeed Allah is with the patient ones.

Ibn Abbas (r.a.) reported from RasoolAllah (saww) that: "Remember Allah in times of prosperity and Allah will remember you in times of adversity."

SO ...

STOP COMPLAINING!

Hijab-ified

The Hijab 

THE FIRST STEP

The first step is always the most difficult. Nobody ever has an easy first foot out. Don't tell me you set your foot out of your baby crib and ran a marathon on the China Wall. Because I am NOT believing that. The minute you make a footprint on the shores of this world walking towards the tranquil of faith; the waves from the social turbulence begin attacking before you could even make a trail.

The first Hijab steps have to bear with a LOT of challenges:

• Names-calling: Ninja, Turtle (yeah, two names, not Ninja Turtle), Potatoe Head, Housemaid (Maasi), and what not ...
• Assumptions: "She's under peer pressure", "She's trying to please somebody; the family of the boyfriend she is pursuing for marriage; the guy himself maybe", "It's her twenties hormones, she'd get over it"
• Fashion advice: "If you loosen it a bit your face would look less fat", "If you show a bit of hair you won't look this round" - Okay, fat and round ... anything else?

HIJAB SEQUELS - The poorly directed

When a Muslimah is going through the stage where she is confused about her Hijab decision. there are several styles she may try to please herself. This is basically a stage of self esteem issues where you wish to please others and satisfy their critics and comments rather than pleasing Allah (swt). And so ... come the Hijab sequels. And we ALL know that badly directed movie sequels are never better than the original because you always manage to kill the real essence or two of the original screenplay. Look what happened to the SAW series. Okay ... bad example. But hey ... mutilating the Hijab is pretty much gore and disgust right?

There are sisters who would partially cover their heads and consider it as "something is better than nothing". There is no halfway Hijab solution, ladies. There was the halfway Hijab, the transparent Hijab, the accesorized Hijab with earrings and neck showing ... and of course the airbrushed Hijab when you think it is okay to wear lipstick and kohl. 

Why were these transitions happening? Simple! The sisters have gone nuts! :) And besides that there are self-esteem issues. Unless you learn to love yourself in your Hijab those bits about the Ninja Turtle would hurt you. And you've got to learn ... you've got to discover how to feel beautiful and comfy in your Hijab.

HIJAB-ification

Mind you - my beautiful fashion frenzied sisters - that Hijab is not only to bandage your head up with a cloth and leave the rest of you like an uncovered jar of honey. There are bugs out there and you are sacred trust. Hijab is an entire psychology; a lifestyle change, which includes your ENTIRE dress code, your makeup, your walking style and your speaking style. EVERYTHING has to be themed to reflect modesty and piety! We're talking about the Muslimah brand here, ladies, no CK, no DKNY, no Gucci, no nothing! Brand: Muslimah! 100% HIJAB-ification.

WEAR THE CROWN WITHOUT THE HUMP

No camel humps please, thank you. They look GORGEOUS on camels. Unless you wish to be one. Women with camel humps have been cursed by the way. Read the hadith in the graphic above. The Hijab has to cover ALL of your hair. Do not try showing off the new Garnier Fructis volume effect or the highlights. You can have a full open hair parade in your house before all mahram members, or in an all ladies party, etc. But a no-no in public.

Hijab is the crown that a Muslim woman wears on her head. Wear it right to LOOK like modest royalty. 

DON'T BE A COSMETICS PARADE IN THE HIJAB

I know that the Loreal, Maybelline, Mac and etc. are awesome but not in public, ladies! Once again ... wear them before the ladies - and your mahrams!  And if your intention behind the Hijab is purely to please Allah (swt) then I can bet on it He would make you look beautiful. So get rid of your inferiority complexes. You can always put on a colorless chaptick in case your lips are chapping off.

Also, you cannot pluck your eyebrows! You can remove the extra hair you have on the area above the bridge of your nose which is NOT part of your eyebrows. BUT ... you cannot choose to shape your eyebrows or thin them out. Believe me, they just invented plucking for nothing! If you have super thick eyebrows and you thin them out, your eyebrow line would show like a swollen plump wad of skin. Because the skin from where the tuffet of hair grows out is a bit thicker! Stop ruining the natural look.

You can always clear the nasty facial hair like if you have a moustache growing or a beard!

ACCESSORIZE not EXCESS-orize 

Accessorizing the Hijab is a beautiful art but again ... who are you doing it for? If it's an all ladies party - go for it. If it's your wedding, mashAllah. But if you're off for groceries or window shopping and you have earrings dangling - astaghfirullah. There is no way you can find it okay to show your adornments to men. What shows of you naturally is just fine. But earrings, bangles ... reserve them.

Cover Girl VS Covered Girl

Hijab is a dress code. So it is not okay for you to reveal the curves and shapes. It is not only to wear a loosely fitted shirt but also to take an extra cover over your chest to absolutely erase all impressions of it. The extra cover is mentioned in Surah al Nisa in the Quran i.e. a whole chapter on Woman. It seriously says “extra cover” over the chest. So a shirt won’t do. The Hijab wrap should extend all the way. Or take an additional scarf. Or wear a jacket. I figured coats and jackets would be brilliant for the winters and extra scarf would work beautifully for the summers. The arms too need to be covered all the way till only your hands are uncovered.

To avoid throwing away my entire wardrobe – because I never wore strictly full sleeves – I purchased some sleeve extensions from eBay Alhamdulillah. They have it there and you can buy them. They’re in various colors so you can always tone them with your shirt’s color or contrast them.

Also, it is mentioned in the Quran and hadith that when a Muslim woman walks, people should be able to make out the shape of her body and the distinction between both her legs when she walks. A Jilbab is the best option but sometimes we have personal intolerance for it, or there are cultural issues. It’s better not to attract unwanted attention in a western country. The long gypsy skirt is a great alternative. Either that or really baggy trousers. My personal style is the gypsy skirt. It doesn’t have a tight fitting, not body hugging and when coupled with a super loose shirt and a Hijab it is a brilliant dress! 

O! And by the way ... the feet too are part of your awraah (the parts to be covered) according to the Ruling of Fiqh (Islamic Code of Conduct) about covering feet. Some schools of thought make it permissible for feet to be uncovered. But the Hadith narration says that when Rasool Allah (salAllahu alehe wa alehi wassalam) pointed only to the face and the hands when he was asked which parts of a woman can be uncovered. So I got socks! Loads of them! 

Keep your feet decorated with Henna if you like, wear anklets, whatever ... but make sure there are no non-mahrams around!

Take special care about the fact that you cannot pray with NAIL COLOR on! Why? Because your Wudu (ablution) - the washing and cleaning ritual before the prayers - is VOID when you have nail color on since it forms a thick non-penetrable coat over your nail so your nail is still unclean inside. And there is no such thing as making Wudu and applying nail color and assuming they are clean under there FOREVER! So you might as well stop using the nail color . And if you are a crazy nail art and color fan then buy those glue on nails and paint them with all the colors of the rainbow if you want! OR ... WAIT TO GET YOUR PERIOD when you won't be praying and can apply the nail color. Phew! If it's that big a deal. But WAIT ... you cannot really go public with that because WAKE UP CALL!!! it is an adornment. So you've got to cover it up and show it at that ladies parties where you can show it off. 

I don't like all that hassle of doing all this so I quit nail color altogether. I'd probably put some on my wedding day and make my husband remove it later on because I have really lost the hang of the smell of nail color remover. 

Also ... according to the Ruling of Fiqh (Islamic Code of Conduct) it is against the Fitraah principle to allow the nails to grow long because it is unhygienic AND the appearance of long nails is repulsive because animals have long talons and claws. Men and women with long nails are condemned. I know I don't wish to be listed as in resemblance to an animal!

Cut the Givenchy Overload Out

A woman who sprays herself in perfume and walks out like a fuming bouquet is described as being equal to an adulteress who invites people towards herself. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere near that term. Do you?

It doesn’t imply here that you roam around with foul body odor! Please! There’s always a Halal way to things. Bathe early morning and use a mild body spray INSIDE your clothes – preferably on your undergarments – spray a good, effective body spray in SMALL quantities. This shall not smell all rosy out of your clothes and will also keep body odor away! And NO! Even Itar or Musk are not Halal for a woman to use explicitly. 

AN IDEAL MUSLIMAH

Sisterly Yours Facebook Page

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Assalamoalekum!

After great thought and consideration, the Facebook Page for Sisterly Yours has finally been introduced, alhamdulillah. It was a skeptical decision because it demands a lot of time and effort. But inshAllah, once the first has been taken, the journey will become easier. 

Though the Page is still under construction - some parts of it - here are some of the key descriptors on its Info page.

VISION
Sisterly Yours envisions to blossom bonds of sisterly love amongst Muslim sisters; wherever they may be, by promoting an online community that's informal and funky and also informative with a prospering pool of knowledge, inshAllah.

MISSION
Sisterly Yours would be a good humored; yet informative, podium for sisters to share and discover life on. Whilst illuminating lives with reflections from the Quran and Sunnah, Sisterly Yours would bring forward Halal entertainment, personal management and self-development, inshAllah.

GOALS
InshAllah ...
* Discover the creative genius in sisters by promoting their skills and projects.
* Provide a pool of informative media from various faith and sisterly projects.
* Share Halal fashion and entertainment.
* Learn important lessons from the Word of Allah (swt) in the Quran
* To inculcate "A Sunnah A Day" into our lives

✿ⓈⒾⓈⓉⒺⓇⓁⓎ✿ⓎⓄⓊⓇⓈ✿
Sisterly Yours started off with a blog about sisterly articles in early 2010 but is now moving on towards becoming a faith, Halal fashion and entertainment, and personal management portal for Muslimah sisters; wherever they are!

When you're angry and you know it ...

RasoolAllah (saww) said: "The strong amongst you is not who is able to put others down but the strong is the one who can control himself at the time of anger."

Truly! A person's greatest challenge is to overcome anger which is basically Shaytan (the Devil) invoking us. It makes us loose our calm, our peace of mind, and stiffens our heart, mind and soul! Have you ever seen a volcano at the brink of eruption? It blows up, destroying not only itself but also everything that it touches on its way down and when it cools - there's nothing left but destruction. Our anger is a volcano as well. It corrodes us when it boils inside us and when we blow up it hurts everybody and everything that's there. 

When I watched Sh. Navaid Aziz's video on anger called "Why Is The Incredible Hulk The Weakest Superhero?" I got to hear some of the important pointers about ANGER - another one of Shaytan's tricks to cut off our connection with Allah (swt) and eventually the rights of the people (Huqooq ul Ibaad). The highlights of the video are typed in blue. But you've got to watch the video to hear the brilliant examples and enjoy the good humored, funny bits by Sh. Navaid Aziz.

Allah (swt) has placed anger in human beings' hearts for 2 purposes:

1- Defense mechanism

2- Motivator

So this means that anger has been built into our systems for a cause. 

ANGER AS A DEFENSE MECHANISM

It stirs up the kind of strength we need in our bodies to revolt against a threatening situation. I've been a pre-medical student before I switched to Business college, so I can actually tell you what purposes can anger serve for the human body to make it our defense mechanism. Basically anger sets off adrenaline which is called the "flight or fight hormone". 

It increases the heartbeat so more blood is pumped to the muscles of our limbs (hands and feet) which makes them pick up power! It dilates the pupils of the eyes so we are able to see better in less light! It makes the muscles of the vocal chord tighten so we are able to scream better! 

So when in combat to protect ourselves - a VALID situation - anger is our aid to put up a worthy and powerful struggle.

ANGER AS A MOTIVATOR

What? Anger can motivate us? Yes! Anger can drive us towards either the Good or the Evil. But that's your decision. You may choose to channel the explosive energy of anger towards the Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah (swt) and become more focused towards fighting down Shaytan. OR, you may choose to become The Incredible Hulk and break walls down, stomp over people and run into buildings!

Sh. Navaid says in the video:

"Majority of people use anger as a destructive tool and are counterproductive; when angry, towards our cause."

Anger gradually builds up; if not dealt with and done away with, and would eventually explode! The energy shoud

CONTROLLING ANGER

Here are some of the ways mentioned by Sh. Navaid in the video which would help you control your anger. And they're in light of the Quran and Sunnah so you KNOW they're not home remedies!

1. Make Istiadah - remember Allah (swt) 

Allah (swt) says in Surah Kahf (Chapter: The Cave): "Remember your Lord when you forget Him." And what happens when we are angry? We forget entirely about the existence of Allah (swt) and that He is watching what's in our hearts and that which we say and do! This is the Devil's working! Spring into action and deploy Dhikr Allah!

RasoolAllah (saww) said that one must recite "A'audhubillahi Min ash Shaytanir Rajeem" "I seek refuge from the accursed Satan" when one is angry.

2. Change the environment

Staying in the same environment would not help you overcome your anger if you are a beginner and your control is weak. You need to change the room!

3. Go make Wudu

Wudu has cooling elements. Not only does it help you fall asleep when performed at night before getting into bed, but when you're angry it helps you alleviate that anger!

4. Changing your physiology

RasoolAllah (saww) instructed that if you get angry and if you are standing you should sit down and if you are sitting then you should lay down. 

Scientifically, when you change position, it helps regulate the flow of blood and it also brings about some displacement in your brain which breaks down the rage syndrome building up inside the body.

5. Smile!
This is probably the toughest challenge; smile when you are angry. Or turn in to humor. Snap out of it. Smile is Sunnah and there's no better remedy than a Sunnah inshAllah.

6. Count from a 100 backwards

MORE ANGER MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Venting and sharing frustration usually results in worsening the state of anger. Also, it makes you indulge in a lot of Gheebah (backbiting) and evil mouthing. Try a quiet reflection. 

In your mind try sorting out; through breakdown of events and causes, as to what sparked your fury. A lot of times we release anger on people or over things that are not the real cause of our anger itself!

Indulge in an activity of choice; something that pleases you and relaxes your mind. Try something you are passionate about. Cook! Paint! Sow! Or maybe treat yourself with a snack or beverage!

If you find solace in Salaah go for it! Offer 2 Nawafil and inshAllah Shaytan would be POOF! Gone!

PRECAUTIONS

You need to treat your mind, body and soul well so they do not become breeding grounds for anger and evil! Eating and sleeping well helps keep the mind, body and soul at peace. Make sure you are not overlooking your meals and your sleep so that you do not get agitated easily. 

Also, remember a theory I learnt in Quality Control studies at Business College: "Garbage In Garbage Out". Do not put elements of anger and agitation into your mind. These come primarily from TV, Radio, and other media and also from the company you keep! You may not know but they subconsciously manifest into your mind.

EFFECTS OF YOUR ANGER ON FRIENDS/FAMILY/OTHERS 


A person who has a hot temperament becomes a prick for his family and friends. He ends up not just annoying and hurting people but eventually they might walk out on him. If he is a husband then he is overlooking the duty of being kind, generous and soft-spoken with his wife. If he is a father he is setting a bad example and promoting an environment of tension, stress and chaos in the house for his children. If he is a brother then he is being too hard on his sisters who expect him to stand guard for them. If he is a son and he directs rage towards his parents ... I think you know the story ...

Friends eventually boycott such a person because he cannot handle good wit and good company without being snobby and angry. People at the workplace develop bitter feelings towards such a person.

EFFECTS OF ANGER ON YOURSELF

People tend to take anger very lightly when it is a serious matter if it has become a characteristic of someone's personality. The state of an angry person is like that of a balloon. It is okay when he feels a bit stressed, tense and agitated. He should make provisions to overcome this. Feeling angry too is understood because we are human after all. But this is the area of concern now. If the anger incorporates itself into one's personality then it transforms into aggression. And a person who cannot let his aggression out in public; he takes to domestic violence! Beating the spouse or the children. This applies on both men and women! If you look at the balloon in the graphic you'd know what you're headed towards if you develop aggression! And when you POP ... you end up in a mental asylum.


CONSEQUENCES

There are several consequences of anger that I can point out besides the ones in blue that Sh. Navaid already mentioned:

1. Divorce
2. Violence
3. Murder
4. Vulgarity 
5. Rape
6. Verbal Abuse (abusive language)
7. Gheebah
8. Revenge
9. Etc.

REMEMBER ...

Allah has prepared Paradise for the Muttaqeen and He mentions 2 attributes of the Muttaqeen in Surah Al Imran. They are the ones who "control their anger" and "forgive the people"

InnAllaha Ma'as Sabireen "Indeed Allah is with the patient ones"

Written Regret

Assalamoalekum,

I received a little something from Sheikh Navaid Aziz'z  My Spiritual Fix program to which I am subscribed via the website. It clicked a very important issue that I would like to share with all my sisters, inshAllah, and in particular with those who are active as writers/bloggers or use social media more frequently. 

Here's what Sheikh Navaid had to say in the email:

"Do you remember that e-mail you regret writing? The one where you knew you shouldn't have written but did anyways?

As our times progress so must the way we show restraint. Especially when it comes to e-mails, text messages, and social networking it's important not to be impulsive. Life is filled with many trials and will often not go the way we plan, but why make things worse by doing something we will regret (and more than likely apologize for later on...Come on, you know you always end up apologizing, we all do!). So here is a nice tip for you. Next time you're angry and have the urge to tweet or respond to an email, try this instead:

Open up a word document and type up what you want to say. Wait 12 hours, 24 would be best, reread what you wrote. If you still feel like sending it then, and more than likely you won't, then go ahead. If not you can now adjust the message to something that is well thought and more likely to get you the results you desire."

I could really relate to this message because I maintain a personal journal. And lately I have discovered a downside to writing emotions. Negativity, I believe, should not be penned down. Lord Byron once said that if he didn't write down everything he would go mad. But I feel that if negativity is written down it reinstates itself. Also, whenever you glance back at the pages you live it all over again. 

Most of our personal journals, or replies to people's statuses on Facebook or cross-commenting, or replies to text messages are done on impulse. There is no rational thought involved behind it. Undoubtedly, social media have made communication come cheap. It comes cheap; it comes easy, and so it is often thoughtless. 

One of Hazrat Ali (r.a.)'s wise quotations state that an arrow from its bow and a word from the tongue cannot be undone. Similarly, spoken or written expression based on negative impulse is never getting a second chance. 

There is a reason behind why anger is Haram (forbidden). It has an effect similar to that of alcohol and it makes you "act under influence". Communication accidents are so common. We say things we do not mean and eventually end up making a very wrong impression in others' minds. 

Sometimes, personal life bloggers or people who keep private journals argue that unless they write down the negative incidents and inscribe every detail of the "evil" they suffer in their lives, they would not be able to survive! On the contrary, if one invests their energy into positive writing they would definitely work out better. Writing down rage would further instill the rage into your soul and it forms a shell around you. It is always wise to calm down before you write back.

Actions may speak louder than words; but words alone can rip a heart to shreds. Be careful.

Sisterly yours,

@num @.

GRATITUDE - Fundraising Dinner & Family Night

* Scroll to the bottom of the entry for Gratitude videos of Baba Ali

Saturday, December 18, 2010

GRATITUDE (Shukr) "Reaching Higher Altitude" was a fundraising dinner and family night arranged by the Dar us Salam (DUS) community at the Marriot UMUC Inn & Conference Center.

It featured the knowledgeable fundraiser Siraj Wahhaj, Imam Safi Khan of Dar Us Salaam mosque and Al-Huda school and the striking, Muslim comedian Baba Ali of Ummah Films.

The evening started off with the Maghrib Salaah performed, alhamdulillah, in congregation by brothers and sisters from all over DC. Haroon Baqai of Al Huda school presented an opening speech followed by a presentation on the journey of Darussalam through the years. The purpose of the fundraiser was established for the generous audience and the blessed mission and vision of Al Huda and DUS as a whole were outlined. Aqabah Karate; a martial arts program of DUS, was also introduced and reviewed to the audience via a video documentary. Cheers of SubhaanAllah and Takbeer went up as the audience watched the martial arts antics performed by the young Muslim youth; both girls and boys. 

Imam Safi Khan took the stage to speak comprehensively in light of the Quran and Sunnah about Gratitude (Shukr). He emphasized on how we live lives better than the rest of the world and yet the spirit of "Shukr" is missing from our hearts. In his speech he mentioned how he and some of his friends placed the stepping stones of DUS in their youth and how over the ages the institution has transformed into one of the most prestigious Islamic centers of North America. He reviewed some very heart-moving stories of sacrifice and determination of his staff members in establishing a school for Muslim children. 

Generous donations were given by people from the audience as Imam Siraj Wahhaj declared the fundraiser open. There were donations of cash, checks, as well pledges made. Imam Siraj Wahhaj emphasized the value of charity and giving in a society bulging with greed and massive consumptions. 

The UMUC's banquet management facilitated a delicious three course dinner for the guests. For starters was a wholesome plate of salad and greens served with bread rolls and dressings to top. The main course was a scrumptious chicken with saucy topping served with sprouts and cajun rice. A hearty apple pastry was the finale of the delicious 3 course dinner.

The second half of the show was the highlight of the evening. After an adorable Nasheed recital by young kids from Al Huda school, the stage came to life with the coming of Baba Ali of Ummah Films. The witty, young comedian was welcomed with thundering applause. His presentation "Kool Kids ... Kool Conversation" was an interview with a bunch of adorable kids from Al Huda school. Their innocent answers sent the audiences rolling down the aisles with peels of laughter! And of course, Baba Ali had his own share of funny stories to narrate.

Enjoy the video clips here.

Allah Calling

It was through sister Navin Siddiqui; a dedicated sister working towards becoming a Niche Hero in areas of money and finance, that I came across a beautiful lecture by Sheikh Navaid Aziz called "He Who Has No One Has Allah". His light-hearted but soul shaking expression and narratives were enough to well up tears of repentance and devotion in my eyes.

He opened the lecture by dedicating it to every individual who has been abandoned by a father, who has loved someone but for some reason was abandoned by the beloved, and to someone who lost someone to death. It was the start of delivering a great perspective on how a person is to address the trials and tribulations pounding down hard upon him in this life and how it is not a curse or a punishment of everlasting doom but it is Allah calling! 

The beautiful points made in the lecture inspired me to write this entry. I shall preserve the stories and examples and the details for you to listen in the video itself because only then can the same emotions be stirred up to melt your heart. However, I shall convey a few personal thoughts here.

Shaytan In The World of Pain & Suffering

The Sheikh said that there are people in this world living in different kinds of pain but it all comes down to the fact that Shaytaan always tries to bring man down and waver him from thanking Allah. That is so true. The world is a place of pain and suffering, really. And there is no soul that has not tasted pain, trials and disappointments. Shaytaan needs not much but a tiny little speck of melancholy, sadness, and depression to launch his fatal attack on Man. Because this is where he catches you off guard.

To Him We Shall Return
At times people are thriving in great joys, great luxury and abundant wealth, fame and fortune. These are not always gifts - these are tests as well. Sheikh Navaid Aziz referenced the jist of a beautiful verse from Surah al Baqarah from the Quran and explained that Allah says in Baqarah that surely we shall test each one with loss of wealth, of life and of profit and blessings of Allah go to those who say “inna lillahi wa inna ilehe rajioun” (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return) and those people are guided truly. As for those who attach their hearts to the glitz and glam of this duniya; they'd have lots to loose, because they are deaf to Allah (swt)'s call. 

It's About How You Would Die!
A beautiful perspective that formed the central idea of the lecture was the fact that the journey of life that we live and how we live and what we did throughout is not going to matter but the state in which we die is going to make or mar our fate of the Hereafter. Only a true Believer; and someone who had answered the "call of Allah" would die in a prestigious state - no matter how he'd lived his past. And it is in this very state that he will be brought back to life on the Day of Judgment. 

A lighthearted example in the lecture stirs awake the most crude of all realities. A lot of people utter a 4 letter word in case they hit a car. Imagine if you died upon that word? You die in that state before Allah (swt). You always want to pay attention to the last action. How do you react to the Qadar of Allah? Not many of us Muslims stop to ponder over this. We are least bothered about our routines and our lifestyles. We are least bothered about what state would we be in when Allah would make His final call for us.

A very famous quotation that I remember writing as a beginner to many of my high school essays goes: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow" I do not know who said it but the beauty of it is that it is exactly what a Believer should be doing. I remember reading about the lifestyle of Asadullah (Lion of Allah) and the 4th Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talin (r.a.) He narrated that it was only one night of his entire life when he slept in peace. And it was when Rasool Allah (saww) had come to him and informed that "tomorrow" i.e. "the next morning", Hazrat Ali (r.a.) was to go and collect the booty left behind after a war. Such should be the life of a Believer - that he understands the uncertainty of this world and lives as if there is no tomorrow and worries about what state of Imaan he dies in.

Built For The Testing

This world is a labyrinth of trials and tests - it is not a eternal exotic resort where you can cushion your life and dream of a 'happily ever after'. Trials are what Man has been created for. Sheikh Navaid Aziz highlighted the two roads a Believer can opt for. When it comes to trials and tests you can either deal with pain; acknowledging it and believing that only Allah is your saviour, and get closer to Allah or you can delay by seeking help and pity of others and delaying the suffering. I would like to add this a bit about Shirk. I have observed that when people are afflicted by troubles and calamities, for some strange reason they do not address Allah (swt) alone. There are always some intercessors that they tend to associate with Allah (swt) in their dua'a. This is where you fail the test.  

Shaytan's Scheme: Depression and Destruction

Shaytan is always on his toes and on the lookout for calamities to strike us because he knows that this is where we would go weak at our knees and our Imaan would buckle. And this is where he deceives us and diverts us away from turning to Allah (swt) and indulging in self-destructive activities or social Fitnaah. Sheikh Navaid Aziz exemplified that when someone is betrayed by somebody and thinks about dealing with pain then their most probable option is prolonged social isolation! How true is that? Subhaan Allah. We tend to leave the social circle, the family and productive life and isolate ourselves into a hermit shell of depression. This shell begins to grow on us and inside this cocoon of depression and gloom - Shaytaan breeds his fitnaah. He corrupts our Imaan and makes us feel that nothing - not even Allah (swt) - can help us. But that’s Shaytan creating a bigger mess! Also, the women tend to pick up phones and dial their friends and discuss the troubles and problems. It is always healthy to vent but great many a times it is the work of Shaytaan who is broadcasting the tale of our sorrow to the world through our own tongue.

Both; telephone gossips or sharing for social pity and prolonged isolation, are unhealthy options to cope with pain. The best way is to turn to Allah (swt) and feel the connection. The awkward situation between you and Allah when you are on the prayer rug and when you have surrendered yourself guilty before Him and you are repenting from the depth of your soul is the most IDEAL situation you could ever be in.  I absolutely loved the words by Sheikh Navaid when he said that hide the sin, turn to the Quran and turn in to Allah (swt). Death is the easy way out do not turn yourself in. Allah (swt) wants you to turn to Him. He (swt) wants to help you!

Pain Is What You Make of It
It was striking how Sheikh Navaid sorted out pain and suffering to be both negative and positive at the same time. He went on to say that pain and suffering only becomes negative when it creates a barrier between Allah but it becomes positive when it brings you closer to Allah (swt). Truly, what a wise statement. Because I have observed how people; the youth in particular, are whiplashed by their pains and trials and instead of succumbing to Allah (swt)'s mercy they fall prey to self-destruction. Contemplating suicide, self-mutilation i.e. cutting the skin with blades and sharp objects, drugs and alcohol, wasting away and the like ... they are all symptoms of an individual who takes their pain negatively and are misguided towards the worst.

Blessing in Disguise
There was also the beautiful bit about Maslihah in the lecture. Sheikh Navaid went on to say that there is a blessing in trials that we don’t perceive. There is always a hidden blessing in the punishment Allah (swt) inflicts upon us. Allah wishes for us to be purified of some sin committed on our behalf and so He brings forth a punishment which really is a blessing in disguise asking us to turn to Him and seek refuge. 

No Greater Than The Soul Can Bear
The lecture addressed Allah's philosophy of persecution that Allah (swt) does not burden a soul more than it can bear. It may feel like you are being persecuted the most but there is always someone who is suffering more. Sheikh Navaid Aziz quoted statistics and spoke that any individual living in the West is in the 5% elite population of the world. So if you live in the Americas or Europe - know that you have very little to complain about. The rest of the 95% percent drinks brown muddy water and wears shoes that they make out of water bottles.

A Believer's Patience
Umar ibn al Khattab (r.a.) narrated from personal experience how they were grateful when they were inflicted by Allah (swt)'s test and such should be the state of the heart of a Believer. He said that when we were tested we were grateful for this trial wasn’t in our Deen, it was not as great as it could’ve been and Allah allowed us to be patient in that trial! 

Why is patience important? Rasool Allah says that he who is patient in trial incurs the pleasure of Allah and if not then he incurs the wrath of Allah. The patient get the Salawaat and Rahmah of Allah. They are the ones who are truly guided. They are the ones who truly recognize the call of Allah (swt).

So I believe that each one of us should reshape our perspective and instead of whining and complaining and looking for pity or self-pitying we should recognize that it is Allah (swt) calling. It is very easy to blame something or someone for our trials and tribulations. 
"I am cursed!"
"Its black magic; it's voodoo"
"I am a hopeless human being"
"I should kill myself"
"He is nowhere. He is just watching me suffer"
"Why did He give me such a life, death could have been better"
"Cutting helps me ease my pain of the soul"

All of these are statements of Kufr - Disbelief and I sincerely hope none of you wish to be one of them because we believe in the Merciful!