Sisterly Yours on Top 100 Muslim Women Facebook Pages list 2011

The good news came unexpectedly this morning when I received a note from American Muslim Mom on the Sisterly Yours Page on Facebook. My Page which is a Facebook communique for my Muslim sisters blog "Sisterly Yours" has been listed in the top 100 Muslim Women Facebook Pages. MashAllah. 

This did not call for any prearranged applications to the list or anything which is why it was a beautiful surprise. Sisterly Yours stands at No. 65. May Allah bless me with more creative skills and productive ideas, ameen.

The list can be found at http://americanmuslimmom.com/top-100-muslim-women-facebook-fan-pages

Safar ul Muzaffar - 2nd month of the Lunar calendar

@ssalamoalekum!

Today was the 1st of Safar ul Muzaffar - the 2nd month of the Lunar Islamic calendar. A month's already gone by and by now we should have developed proactive plans and to-do lists to act out the resolutions we made during Moharram ul Haraam at the start of the Muslim new year 1432 A.H.

Safar means "Empty" and it was so called because houses used to be empty as the ban on going to war and conquering new lands was lifted after having prevailed throughout Moharram - the month of peace-keeping. It also means "Yellow" as when the months were named it was autumn and the scenery had shades of ochre. 

LINGERING MISCONCEPTIONS OF JAHILIYYAH (the illiterate)

Arabs of pre-Islamic times were illiterate and it was the age of darkness and ignorance. Some really absurd superstitions and myths were harbored in the Arab psychology at that time. There were misconceptions about Safar being a month of misfortune and calamities when evils would descend from the skies; ghouls, spirits and diseases! Excuse me, this isn't Halloween we're talking about, are we? Ghosts and witches roaming the earth? 

These superstitions have lingered and have found their way into the psychology of Muslims today. I have heard people say Safar is not a good month for marriages and celebration because it signifies calamities and evils. Some say it's a bad omen because Prophet Mohammad (saww) fell ill in this month before he passed away in Rabi ul Awwal; the month that followed.

REFERENCES FROM QURAN & SUNNAH TO REFUTE THE MYTHS

Allah (swt) says in the Quran: "No kind of calamity can occur, except by the will of Allah" (Surah 64 - Ayah 11) I personally looked up all Search Results from Sahih al Bukhari Online and got the following Ahadith references. Rasool Allah (saww) said: The pre-Islamic Arabs used to superstitiously fear worms which they say originated in lungs and ribs and caused a person's color to change to yellow! Also they used to fear a snake called Safar which they said lived in the stomach of man and used to bite when he was hungry. This was their explanation for hunger pangs! Ahadith certified that there was no such thing. So your hunger pangs are contractions of your stomach wall NOT the snake! "(There is) no 'Adwa (no contagious disease is conveyed without Allah's permission). nor is there any bad omen (from birds), nor is there any Hamah, nor is there any bad omen in the month of safar, and one should run away from the leper as one runs away from a lion '' (Narrated from Abu Hurairah) Diseases were considered to be superstitious bad omens. And RasoolAllah (saww) rectified that they were from Allah (swt) and only by His command they could infect another. "There is no 'Adha (no disease is conveyed from the sick to the healthy without Allah's permission), nor safar, nor Hama." A bedouin stood up and said, "Then what about my camels? They are like deer on the sand, but when a mangy camel comes and mixes with them, they all get infected with mangy." The Prophet said, "Then who conveyed the (mange) disease to the first one?" (Narrated from Abu Hurairah)

INCORRECT BELIEFS TODAY1. A Nikaah (marriage) performed in Safar would be unsuccessful. 2. Safar is full of misfortunes and calamities. 3. The month would bring bad luck if any trade is commenced in it. 4. The 1st to the 13th of Safar are bad luck. 5. A person who distributes food and money on the 13th would be saved from misfortune. 6. The last Wednesday of Safar is to celebrated and regarded as a holiday  So basically the kind of superstitions we have heard of come from the drama of innovation (Bida'ah) and that is exactly what we are supposed to avoid. There is no aspect of our Deen that reflects negativity and sadness and depression. And there are no days of morose and gloom. Each day is a blessing of life from Allah (swt) and certain days like the two Eids are for extra celebration.  The only misfortune and calamity for a Believer is to be shunned by Allah (swt).  Rasool Allah (saww) said: "Pray, O! Allah! Cause not anyone of us to be a wretched destitute" And then asked the Companions (Sahaba): "Do you know who a wretched destitute is? A wretched destitute is he who neglects his Salah."  We should seriously understand and believe in the Qadar of Allah (swt) - that He is Qadir over all that happens and that only He can send calamity or happiness. There is no power in any star, or person, or day or time which can become a harbinger of calamity for us. The good and bad that come our way are not omens; they are trials and tribulations destined for us to bear. Allah (swt) says in the Quran: "Whatever misfortune befalls you, it's due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin." (Surah 42 - Verse 30)

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!

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.

To A New Beginning, inshAllah.

@ssalamoalekum, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR brothers and sisters in faith!

12 months have gone by. The year1431 A.H is behind us now; 1432 A.H. is the new present - a new beginning, inshAllah. Time has been created as a witness. It records everything but speaks none; a silent witness. It will begin to unravel upon us; turn back and spiral into itself, as the Judgment Day would arrive. And then, it shall testify before Allah (swt) about us - good or bad, that we have to decide.

And so it is about time we take time by the horns; a raging bull that it is, and break its run. It is about time we utilize each passing moment to ponder, reshape, enact and reflect as good Believers - as good human beings. Each Islamic year gives us a new chance - 12 blessed months full of countless opportunities to reshape our destiny. Do we sleep through it in ignorance? Only waking to attend to the menial routine of material life? Or do we live each moment fully and enrich ourselves in knowledge and good deeds at the end of the lunar cycle?

If you haven't done anything for your Hereafter as yet - this is a wake up call. This is a new beginning. Make some wholesome resolutions this year and live through them. Embedded in this blessed year; as all others that have preceded since 1431 years ago, are blessed times that can take you to those gardens beneath which rivers flow. It's a free of cost; all expenses paid trip if you know how to invest now in all the right times and places.

Repentance is always the best way to start and of course a promise to never commit the same mistakes again. Next, is to schedule a proper way of life. There is no shame in making a To-Do list for your daily life because every good Muslim's life is planned.

YOUR NEW YEAR TO-DO LIST

There should be timings designated for:

1. Religious study and reflection
2. 5 times prayers
3. Self Grooming and Care
4. Work
5. Family life
6. A leisure activity

If you are neglecting of the areas then there are major stakes you are risking. They may be your Lord (swt), your loved ones, your future, your financial stability and above all ... your SELF.

May Allah (swt) forgive our past, strengthen our present and illuminate our future with the light of Imaan and Taqwah, inshAllah. Ameen summameen.

Sisterly Yours,
@num @.

How I spent my Arafah

This year was my first Arafah fast, alhamdulillah. The reason being it my first was because I was recently introduced to its utmost beauty. Immediately I realized what a major loss I had incurred having missed out on all the previous days of Arafaah in my life! This is an ultimate bonus deal where you get cleansed off your sins of the previous year and the next - pure delight for any Believer right? 

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah or the Day of Arafah is one of the great days mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah (swt) descends to the nearest heaven to answer the pleas for repentance and to reward the ones who observe prayers, fasts, or dhikr. How could I have missed out? 

This morning I woke up for my Suhoor along with my siblings, alhamdulillah. They too have been blessed with the conscience to be young devotees of Allah (swt). My stomach acid had caused me to miss out the previous Dhul Hijjah fasts, so I made a prayer of making it through the day without any pains or burns bothering me between my prayers and dhikr. 

I usually sleep after my Fajr prayers. Today, I chose to stay awake because I wished to observe the morning Chasht prayer. Alhamdulillah, I prayed Chasht which is considered to be a sin cleanser itself! I followed on with abundant dhikr, alhamdulillah, starting with the takbeer and tahmeed and reciting surah al Fajr which holds the mention of the ten blessed nights i.e. Dhul Hijjah. I allowed my dua'as to be sincere and I sought sincere repentance of my sins. I know what have I been and what have I done. I am not very proud of it and so I needed the spill of tears there! I begged Allah (swt) to have mercy on me and not to enlist me with those whom He dislikes. I prayed to be evicted from the blaze of Hell fire and I prayed for a life of purity and piety ahead, inshAllah, ameen.

Today was a mission against Satan - the Evil Whisperer and I know that not only the pilgrims of Makkah with their pebbles but me too have owned him - humiliated his guts - BADLY! And I have a message for him tonight after concluding my day of worship with a delicious Iftaar and prayers ...

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! SHOW ME WHAT YOU'VE GOT! I'D SHOW YOU ...!!!

Day of Arafah - Your Ticket to Paradise

It would be unfortunate if we do not realize the incredible beauty of the faith we belong to. Allah (swt) has studded our lives with nothing but opportunities upon opportunities to walk our way straight into Paradise. 

This; what appears to be a black cube studded with velvet ebony and strings of gold, is the epicenter of our very belief in the Oneness of our Lord. Some people are fond of having its majestic photos framed and hung up on the walls of their houses, others like to invest heavily on pendants and charms which are imitations of the House of Allah and feel that they are expressing devotion if they wear it around. Our faith is not about symbols and material objects. The reason this House i.e. the Ka'abahtullah was built by the prophets Abraham and Ishmael (peace and blessings be upon them) by command of our Lord. It is not worshiped! No material object is worshiped. But it is the center towards which every praying person in the world has to face towards - 5 times a day OBLIGATORY - to prove that he or she is part of the faith which believes in One Allah (swt) the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth. 

Today was a remarkable day. It is Dhul Hijjah (pronounced zill-Hajj); the last month of the Islamic calendar. And today was the 9th of Dhul Hijjah - the day when the final rite of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to the house of Allah (the Hajj) was performed. Billions of Muslim pilgrims from around the world; having invested a large chunk of their fortune, had set out about a month ago for the love of their Creator towards this great day. Today, with the final ritual of circumambulating 7 times around the House of Allah (swt) they concluded the most rewarding of all journeys of their life! It is said that a person becomes as clean and pure as a newborn child after performing the Hajj. Wow!

And Arafah - the grand finale event of the pilgrimage - is a day of great merits even for non-pilgrims around the world. It has its significance deep rooted in the very history of this earth's creation. Arafah is also the name of the great ground where the entire world's populace would gather on the Final Day! And this is the very ground where Adam and Eve (peace and blessings be upon them) reunited after being separated for hundreds of years in punishment for being expelled from Paradise.

The non-pilgrims can seek their way into Paradise by fasting the 9 days of Dhul Hijjah and in particular the day of Arafah. It is today when your fast would evict you (according to a hadith narrated from Sahih Muslim) from your sins of the past year and the year ahead. Can you believe this? You're being forgiven in advance for the mess you'd be creating (may Allah forbid you) next year! What more is it going to take you to acknowledge the GREATNESS of your Lord and the BEAUTY of your faith?

“There is no day on which Allaah ransoms more of His slaves from the Fire than the day of ‘Arafah. He draws close then He boasts about them before the angels and says, ‘What do these people want?’” (Sahih Muslim) 


Arafah comes once an year to cleanse our spirits of all evil. This is a day when Allah (swt) descends to the nearest Heaven to hear our pleas for repentance and to answer our prayers. Millions of people; on this day, are evicted from a terrible fate of burning in Hell fire and each one of us should strive to be on that list! 


It is not difficult. It takes prayers, dhikr and fasting or even one of the supererogatory acts of devotion for your Lord who had blessed you with the best. As the pilgrims chant "Labbaik Allahumma Labaik" "I am present O! Allah! I am present!" it is up to the rest of us to hold that belief of being accountable to our Lord and to indulge in deep prayers on this day.


Arafah shall take you through ... all the way to Paradise. Make sure you have your ticket.


Sisterly yours,
@num @.