A Few Square Feet

As I offered my Salaam at the end of the Maghrib prayer this evening and sat down to recite a few words of Tasbih (Glorification of God), I pondered over the reality of that moment. I compared how my prayer and its feel has changed over the past couple of years. Alhamdulillah, a wave of satisfaction washed over me. I thought of the few square feet of rug, the prayer mat, that I was sitting on and then the few square feet of the grave that I'd be buried in. These are the two only real places that we are supposed to think about and prepare for while we are alive because they form the foundation of our next life for us. 

The world is a very attractive illusion that offers all forms of fortune and entertainment. It seeks to pull us away from preparing for these two places that we are to remember always: prayer and the grave. Shopping, food, events, shows, and the big show that the world puts up blind us to the extent of forgetting that the real deal of being alive is to bow down to the One who gifted us all this to begin with.

We prepare, in fact over prepare, for the most common of worldly things: a dinner party, a job interview, an assignment, an exam, and even before receiving a phone call we brace ourselves to face it. The real preparation is that for offering one's prayer and to prepare for one's death. 

Preparing for prayer is underestimated to be only the performing of Wudu (ablution). You need to ask yourself, "Am I worthy of facing my Creator?" and the very answer would suffice to bring you down on your knees.

Al Kahf Tales

Each Friday there is a great emphasis on the recitation of Surah Al-Kahf i.e. the chapter from the Quran, called "The Cave". It would only be foolish to miss out the brilliant opportunity that Allah (swt) has blessed us with in form of Surah Al-Kahf. It is the very gift that illuminates our lives and allows us to have our sins from the past Friday forgiven. Of course, this cannot be misinterpreted as a ticket to clearing the record of bad deeds so you could commit them again. Al-Kahf contains some very valuable morals through 4 great stories from the past times. There is a message about "Time," conveyed through the story of the People of the Cave, a message of "Knowledge," conveyed through the story of Prophets Moses and Khizr (peace be on them), and a message of "Power," conveyed through the tale of the great warrior ZulQarnayn.

The Importance of Surah Al-Kahf
Besides the gift of our past week's sins being forgiven, Al-Kahf is a shield of protection from the Dajjal, Anti Christ as known to the world. The first ten and last ten ayahs (verses) of Al-Kahf secure a person from the evil of Dajjal.

Why Was Surah Al-Kahf Revealed?
When Prophet Mohammad (saww) announced prophethood and began conveying the Word of Allah to the people, several doubt arose about his authenticity and credibility. This was because they were the dark ages of Arabia and also there had been several accounts of false prophets. 
The Quraysh (the tribe of the prophet) sent 2 men, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith and `Uqbah bin Abi Mu`it, to the Jewish rabbis in Al-Madinah, to ask them about Prophet Mohammad (saww) while describing the Prophet to them and conveying his message to them. The Jews were considered the people of the first Book (Tawrah) and their knowledge about the chain of prophets from Prophet Adam (a.s.) right down to Prophet Moses (a.s.) was considered authentic. They knew what prophets had been like and what knowledge they were to possess when Allah chose them as men of knowledge.
So they set out and when they reached Al-Madinah, they asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah . They described him to them and told them some of what he had said. They said, `You are the people of the Tawrah and we have come to you so that you can tell us about this companion of ours.' 
They (the rabbis) said, `Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, and if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story For theirs is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who travelled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story And ask him about the Ruh (soul or spirit) -- what is it If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.' 
So An-Nadr and `Uqbah left and came back to the Quraysh, and said: `O people of Quraysh, we have come to you with a decisive solution which will put an end to the problem between you and Muhammad. The Jewish rabbis told us to ask him about some matters,' and they told the Quraysh what they were. Then they came to the Messenger of Allah and said, `O Muhammad, tell us,' and they asked him about the things they had been told to ask.
The Surah was revealed  for the purpose of blessing Prophet Mohammad (saww) with the knowledge of the 3 questions that the Jewish rabbis had put forward and also to console him and the Believers that they shouldn't waste themselves in regret over the disbelief of the idolators and non-believers.

Source:
http://www.theholybook.org/content/category/1/134/2/

Eid Buzz: Sweets & Treats and some words to treasure

Eid is the most fun festival of Muslims around the world. It's a blessing alhamdulillah. Family and friends are all in a festive mood and arranging reunions over lunches and dinners. A couple of sisters arranged for special Eid treats for their families. 

Eid Sweets & Treats

Sr. Almas Akhtar, from Milton, Keynes, makes cake pops. She runs the "Scrumptious Pops" page on Facebook. You can join in her delicious creativity at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrumptous-Pops/209343185771761 She baked a gorgeous Eid cake that she was happy to share the photo of with us.

This is beautiful, mashAllah! She takes personal orders and makes gift baskets as well. So, if you're in the area and you need to add some spark to that birthday bash or a tea party, Sr. Almas is the one you need to call. Check in on her Facebook page for more info!

Another one of my friends, Little Prince's Mommy (as she calls herself), set out a delicious Eid table for her family and friends. There was cake too! Alhamdulillah!

I was going through my Facebook feed and came across a beautiful message by Sr. Ghazala. She wrote: 

"Day 4.5 without electricity. At least the gas came back. Alhamdulillah for having water though. Alhamdulillah for a lot of things. You don't realize how much you take things for granted until you lose it. People around the world don't even have homes, running water, or electricity, or food as it is. Or all living in poverty or drought. Be grateful for your blessings and thank God."

This got me thinking of the people in Somalia where new zones have been added to the list of emergency areas of famine and drought. I Googled and found out how they celebrated their Eid. It brings tears to the eyes to see how they're getting their holiday food from aid camps. 

Be thankful! Each minute and say alhamdulillah at every little joy in life. It could have been you in that queue today on Eid. But Allah (swt) planned otherwise. Alhamdulillah.

LaDecence Hijabs & Accessories Eid Fest 2011

LaDecence inaugurated a fabulous Eid Sale, 20% off, on all their merchandise to celebrate Eid. News went out, announcing the sale, on their website www.ladecence.com  

MashAllah, they sold out a lot of popular scarves, brooches, and teekas. Congratulations!

After Chaand Raat (Eid eve) the sale was reduced to 10% and is still running on their new stock while it lasts. Grab your September Prints, ladies!

Imam Safi Khan at the Dar-us-Salaam mosque in Maryland made a beautiful dua'a on Eid that I wish to share:

 "May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make this a wonderful Eid for you and your family. May He accept your praying/fasting and may He keep your Iman strong. May He bless you with the guidance, motivation, courage, strength and determination to maintain your Taqwa. May He endow you with ever higher levels of Iman, Taqwa, & Tawakkul. May He inspire you with new ideas and creative solutions to our ummah's trails. May He grant you Jannatal Firdaws. TaqabbalAllahu minna wa minkum."

ProductiveMuslim.com Eid Animation

That's all for today! Have a great 2nd/3rd day of Eid tomorrow!

Eid Buzz: Lively Eid Morning!

Assalamoalekum! 

Eid Mubarak!

I'm checking out some beautiful Eid photos of sisters and their families on Facebook. The spirit has definitely set in! As I wait for my turn for a shower, let me share some friends' Eid photos with you!

THG Eid Outfits

First off are the outfits! Sr. Izza, the genius mind behind The Hijabi Girl vlogging/blogging series has initiated an Eid Giveaway! The deal to participate is to compile a photo(s) of your complete Eid outfit and put them up. The winner would be randomly selected. I'm sharing some photos here, starting with mine!

wow!!! Those are some seriously gorgeous outfits mashAllah!

Eid Decor

Some of the sisters have also decorated the house for Eid! How awesome is that, mashAllah!

On a fellow blogger, IHijabi's page I came across an Eid balloon! Never knew those existed!

Eid Breakfast

As I mentioned yesterday in my Chaand Raat entry, the Eid menu definitely has sweet stuff! We had fruit trifle and kheer! Odd number of dates is Sunnah, and so ... one date :)

Eid Prayers

5000+ Muslims gathered in a sports complex in Maryland, USA to glorify Allah (swt) and thank Him for His blessings that He showered during Ramadan. It is always a beautiful sight to see thousands of people bow their heads to Him and raise their voice to say the Takbeer (glorification verses).

Stay tuned in to the Eid Buzz on Sisterly Yours, there's more to come. Of course ... there are 3 days to Eid!

Chaand Raat: Eid Eve

Assalamoalekum!

As the new moon is sighted, the month of Ramadan comes to an end and the 3 day festival of Eid ul Fitr begins for Muslims around the world. The new month of Shawwaal begins with a festive arrangement of eating, drinking, and being merry with friends and family. Alhamdulillah! (Praise Allah). The eve in which the new moon is sighted is called Chaand Raat in India/Pakistan and it marks the start of Eid preparations.

Moon Sighting or Moon Fighting :)

Sighting the moon is usually not an easy task. Some people see it in their area and some might not, specially if the clouds set in! Tonight is one of those nights and a couple of places are still trying to hunt for a crescent. All mosques and community centers have moon sighting committees comprising of knowledgeable Sheikhs and Imams. They, along with the public, sight the moon using their naked eyes, a pair of binoculars, or a telescope, and give the verdict.

Eid announcement on ISNA.net

One of the rulings of Islamic faith recommends that the majority party's word should be taken as to when should one mark the end of Ramadan. Our's in North America is the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) which has given its verdict that Eid ul Fitr will be tomorrow, inshAllah. The moon's been sighted. Some of my friends are still waiting for the local mosques they've been following to give their verdict. 

I am missing Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman who is the head of the Hilal (moon) committee in Pakistan and he sights the moon along with all other religious heads of the country. He has his special charm on Chaand Raat when he shows up live on all TV channels from the seminar of Hilal Committee with the announcement of whether or not the moon's been sighted. The result is kept a suspense till the last minute and he makes sure he reveals it really, really slow! I miss him this year in USA.

Eid hugs are exchanged as soon as the moon is sighted and Eid is announced.

Chaand Raat: Eid Eve Festivities

As soon as the news of the moon being sighted is announced, it is a GO signal for people to get set for Eid the next morning. Everybody gets out their best clothes as the Sunnah (lifestyle of Prophet Mohammad (saww)) prescribes us to. Usually, these clothes have been bought earlier for Eid. The idea is not to wear new clothes, but the best one can afford. 

The ladies are the most active! They're getting together matching Hijabs, bangles, jewelry, and shoes to go with their Eid outfits. Women in Pakistan/India apply henna on their hands and feet. It's such a beautiful Eid tradition. Eid bazaars are all over the place in Muslim countries. Muslim communities in western countries arrange for Eid bazaars at reserved venues in the area. 

But there's nothing like Eid in Karachi! The buildings are lit up with decorative light bulbs, people are crowded on the streets getting in and out of the bazaars, and mithaai (sweets) shops are selling out!

Sweets are also being made at home for family and friends who'd come to visit on Eid day. Sheer Khurma (right), a vermicelli and dry fruits pudding, and Kheer (left) a rice pudding are traditional Eid treats in Indian/Pakistani culture.

Gifts and treats are prepared to send and share with friends and family the next day. The spirit is about sharing the love, peace, and blessings earned during Ramadan with loved ones. Telephone lines jam as people call up their friends and family all over the world to wish them a happy Eid. 

As the preparations reach completion (they're never really complete!) people march off to bed. Everybody is scheduled to attend the huge Eid prayers event very early next morning on Eid day. 

Stay tuned for more on Eid, inshAllah.

Ramadan Diaries: Jumu'ah tul Wida (The Last Friday)

This Friday was Jumu'ah tul Wida, the last Friday, of Ramadan. It marks a special occasion because in majority of the mosques around the world, it is when the Quran's recitation, all 30 chapters, reaches completion in the daily night time congregational prayers. Additionally, it's a Friday which is in itself a day of commemoration for Muslims.  

The crowds are huge in mosques around the world, mashAllah, and the sermons delivered during the afternoon Jumu'ah prayer is also specially themed to suit the end of Ramadan. 

The actual deal is the reminder that the most blessed of months, Ramadan, is concluding and it is when Muslims should acknowledge their lifestyle and its shortcomings. Those who have sincerely changed themselves for the better during the month of prayers, fasting, and repentance, make a pledge to themselves to maintain the lifestyle of piety and devotion, inshAllah.

Some mosques distribute sweets to commemorate the completion of the Quran. People congratulate each other and make dua'as (call upon Allah for grant of desires).

This year, in the USA, Jumu'ah tul Wida was followed by the eve of 27th Ramadan. The night is considered to be the most agreed upon night that could be Laylatul Qadr. So the day was blessed with the blessings of Friday and the night was illuminated with the rewards of Laylatul Qadr, alhamdulillah!
We engaged in extra supplications due to Hurricane Irene that was expected to hit on Saturday. It was the sincerity of the prayers and supplications that the big storm passed by without claiming too many lives!

Ramadan Diaries: Laylatul Qadr - Qayam ul Layl

The last ashraa (10 days) of Ramadan is upon us and the pursuit for finding Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) has already begun since the eve of 21st Ramadan. Today is the eve of the 23rd, the second odd night in which we continue to find Laylatul Qadr. 

When we say find we do not mean we're literally on a discovery mission. Our mission is spiritual. As the tafsir (exegesis/explanation) of Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter: The Grandeur) in the Quran tells us, Laylatul Qadr is the night in which Allah (swt) delivered the entire Quran from His hidden treasures (Loh e Mehfooz) to the heaven of the world (Bait ul Izzah). It is from there then that the angel Jibrail  alehe salam (Gabriel peace upon him) used to bring it bit by bit according to Allah's command, to His messenger Mohammad sallalahu alehe wa'alehi wasallam (peace be upon him and his family). 

The Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)) tell us that Laylatul Qadr is a hidden night. It could be any night from the last odd nights mentioned above. A large number of scholars, though, have agreed upon the 27th to be Laylatul Qadr. However, Muslims commemorate all odd eves of the last 10 days and offer special prayers and make special supplications to Allah (swt).

There is no prescribed method in the Quran and Hadith that tells us how to pray in these nights except for the information that whoever commemorates it shall receive endless merits in this world and the next. The night begins right from after sunset and according to the verse of Surah Al Qadr in the Quran, it lasts till Fajr (dawn). Allah (swt) descends from His throne, all the way down to the lower most of the 7 skies. He asks His servants (that's us!) to ask for what they desire. He has promised the grant of good desires, the forgiveness of sins, and refuge from Hell Fire. Only those who ask are rewarded!

The best worship is to stay awake and pray during these nights. There are basically 4 goals to all worships:

1. Worship and exalt Allah (swt)


2. Seek forgiveness 


3. Send Durood (peace and salvation upon Prophet Mohammad (saww) and his family)


4. Make Dua'a (supplicate) for good desires

Let's review them one by one and how you can offer these in various ways during these nights.

Exalting Allah (swt)

The daily prayer method is the best for of worship. You must offer the Maghrib (sunset) prayer and the Isha (night) prayer which are obligatory. Offering these with sincere heart would earn you great rewards because all deeds are multiplied during these nights. Additionally, you can offer 2 Raka'ahs (units) of prayers while reciting Surah Al Qadr after Surah Al-Fatihah. You can offer as many of these supplementary (nawafil) prayers as you want. Recite the Tasbih in which you chant praises for Allah (swt). The 3 chants are Subhaan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar. They mean "Allah is the Exalted," "All praise for Allah," and "Allah is Great." You can also find some beautiful verses from the Quran, to recite, such as Ayat al Kursi, which exalts Allah (swt) in the most beautiful way.

Seeking Forgiveness

Perform a lot of Wuzu (ablution) in these nights because it rids you of sins, inshAllah. Each time you use the bathroom, refresh your wuzu. Repent from the depths of your heart and in full acknowledgement of your sins. Do not let egos clash!

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning,a You love to pardon, so pardon me.'


Recite the above dua'a that Prophet Mohammad (saww) prescribed to Hazrat Aishah when she asked him what to recite while she is in pursuit of Laylatul Qadr.

Duaa e Qunoot is a beautiful invocation as well. Usually it's recited in the Witr prayers of Isha but if you study the meaning, it's a beautiful way to invoke Allah and beg for His mercy while accepting His Majesty.

Durood: Sending Peace and Salvation to the Prophet (saww) and his family

No prayer and no supplication is complete without sending peace and salvation upon Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings on him) and on his family. Durood e Ibraheemi is the Durood we recite in our daily prayers and it also includes Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem) and his family. 

Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings on him and his family) is an essential entity in Laylatul Qadr because he was the very blessed soul through whom the Quran reached us later after it was descended from Allah's throne to Bait ul Izzah. 

Make Dua'a

Laylatul Qadr is the night in which destinies of people are made or marred. This is the night in which Allah (swt) commands the angel to close the accounts of people's deeds and open new ones. Decisions regarding a person's eternal stay in heaven or hell are taken. Those who have performed their duties well, those who have repented and intended not to wrong again, their fate is liberated from hell fire. And those who have not been good, they earn the eternal life of doom. 

While pursuing Laylatul Qadr, pray for forgiveness, pray for the end of troubles of you, your family, and the world at large, pray for strength of your faith, pray for means of livelihood, pray for good life partners, pray for good education and increase in religious knowledge, pray for the good desires your heart holds.

Have beautiful odd nights in pursuit of Laylatul Qadr.