A sheikh's job

When a student of Islam begins he either knows everything or knows nothing:

Everything is either knowledge, without wisdom
--or everything passes in one ear and out the other.

The first job of a sheikh, therefore, is to guide the student foundationally and tell him, "Focus on this, this is important. Do not focus on this
--this is only the background."

Talking through sadness

Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do (36.055)

Miriam noticed her mother sitting by herself in the backyard. Her mother had been sitting there for a long time.

"Are you sad Ummie?" Miriam asked.

"Yes, I suppose I am," she replied as Miriam sat down beside her.

"Why are you sad?" Miriam asked.

"I am not sure," said her mother. "I guess I was sad without even thinking about it. I am glad you asked, alhamdulillah."

"Are you upset with me?" asked Miriam, "Did I do something wrong Ummie?"

"No, no," her mother replied as she gently kissed her. "You are a real joy to me."

"Are you feeling ill?" Miriam asked.

"No," said her mother. "Sometimes I just feel a little sad. There is nothing wrong. Insha'Allah I will feel better soon."

"What makes you feel better?" asked Miriam.

"Well, your helping me right now," said her mother. "It makes me feel good just to chat with you."

"I like it too," said Miriam. "I don't like to see you sad."

"Please don't worry," said her mother. "When some people are around, I pretend to be happy when I'm not. You are my child, so I don't have to pretend around you."

"When I was sick, we prayed a dua'a to Allah (swt)." Miriam said.

"Yes," her mother said, "and I am grateful that Allah (swt) helped. Sometimes when I'm sad I forget to offer salat or to make a dua'a. Thank you for reminding me to ask for the help of Allah (swt)."

"You told me Allah (swt) is with me even when I hurt," said Miriam.

"That's right!" said her mother. "And He is with me even when I am sad. You've been a real help Miriam. Let's have a cup of tea!"


Questions

1) When your sad, can you ask someone for help? Whom?
2) Do you help other's when they are sad? How?
3) Is everyone sad sometimes?


Dua'a

Oh Allah, cleanse my heart of sadness and let me live and die as one of the sincere, humble Muslims.

Our Quran

i

The only way to give
the right guidance is
through devotion to
our Quran.


ii

Our Quran gives the power
to guide even those who are
very far, even if you have
no idea what they need.


iii

When a believer is
devoted to our Quran,
even those who are very
far hear its voice crying out:

But verily it is Truth of assured certainty (1).


iv

This cry of our Quran will
bring everyone to Allah



1 (69:51)

Domestic Transformation

Fill your house with the books of our deen, and your house becomes a house of wisdom. Affix sadaqah boxes to its walls, and your house becomes a house of charity. Bring those who need a warm home to your table, and your house becomes a lamp in the darkness.

(untitled)

charity
brings
abundant
Peace

May I Watch TV?

I swear by the time, most surely man is in loss, except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience. (103: 1-3)

"May I watch a little TV Ummie?" Hajar asked her mother.

"What are you going to watch inshall'Allah?" her mother asked.

"I am not sure," said Hajar. "I'll find something."

"That's is not the way to use television." said her mother. "You should not turn it on just to see what is there; you should turn it on to see a program that you want to watch."

"But I don't care what's on!" exclaimed Hajar. "I am bored and don't have anything to do."

"Hajar, unfortunately I am busy right now and cannot spend time with you." said her mother. "I've got to finish making dinner."

"Then let me put on the TV," said Hajar.

"No," said her mother. "The television is not a babysitter. Get the TV Guide and I'll see if there is anything on for you to watch."

"Why do you care so much about what I watch?" asked Hajar. "I won't watch any haraam shows that you don't like."

"I just don't want you to get into the habit of using television as a 'thing' to do," said her mother.

"TV isn't bad Ummie." said Hajar.

"No, TV isn't bad," said her mother. "In fact, television is a good thing, but we must use it correctly."

"What's the right way?" asked Hajar.

"You can watch programs that are enjoyable, or those that teach you something," said her mother. "But don't use the TV to fill the time when you have nothing else to do."

"Why not?" asked Hajar.

"Allah (swt) has given you many fruitful things to do. That is why you should learn to do things that help you build up your faith," said her mother. "If you read a book, you are doing something -- not just watching. If you play outside, your getting exercise and enjoying the flowers, trees and other things that Allah (swt) has created."

"What else could I do?" asked Hajar.

"You could help me cook our dinner," said her mother.

"I think I'll go get my Quran," said Hajar.


Questions

1) How much time to you spend watching television?
2) What could you do other then watch the TV?
3) How does Allah (swt) help us spend our time in a good way?


Dua'a

Oh Allah, don't let me ever turn away from You, no matter how many trials and difficulties You test me with. Let these difficulties serve to make me a stronger Muslim and more sincere to You.

Spiritual Career

Islam is not a hobby nor a luxury --it is your purpose of existence. When you are reciting the Quran, or meditating or offering salat, nothing else exists.

Your spiritual career should have at least equal significance to your worldly career.

Just can't say

A smile speaks
What words can’t say
Joy opens one’s heart
Laughter gladdens one’s life

It’s real
It happens
It’s a truth
I believe it

Laughter rings in my ears
A joy-filled presence is still felt nearby
I seem to see His peace in a crowd

Masha'Allah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar

Will this iman lives on
In the physical realm
In the light of this life
Iman -- goodness -- kindness -- tenderness

A time will come
I will leave this place
And reveal all I did --
Have I inspired & taught with joy?

Sometimes just a smile speaks
What words can't say

Hurtful Words

Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy). (110:3)

Aisha was helping set the table for Iftar. When she moved a platter to make room for a jug of water, she knocked a glass off the table. Aisha started to cry as she looked down at the mess on the floor.

"You clumsy idiot!" yelled her brother Ismail. "How come your always breaking things?"

"Don't worry, Aishie," said her mother as she brought over a broom. "It was an accident. Help me pick up all the shards so that no one will be hurt by stepping on them."

"I am sorry I broke the glass Ummie," sobbed Aisha.

"I know it was an accident," said her mother. "Don't cry."

"But Ismail called me an idiot." said Aisha. "I didn't mean to do anything wrong."

"Well, she is idiot," said Ismail. "She drops things all the time."

"She is not an idiot," said her mother. "She is six years old and is just learning to be helpful. Please don't call her names -- words can hurt."

"Ummie, you called me an idiot yesterday when I tripped on the stairs," said Ismail.

"I am sorry that I said that," said his mother. "It was wrong of me. You are not an idiot."

"Then why did you yell at me for saying the same thing you said?" asked Ismail.

"I didn't know that I had called you that," said his mother. "When I was a child my parents always said I was stupid or called me an idiot. It made me feel very sad. I'm afraid I did the same thing to you."

"You don't think I'm an idiot?" asked Ismail.

"No!" exclaimed his mother. "Accidents happen, anyone can trip or drop things. I just spoke without thinking."

Then I guess Aisha isn't an idiot either," said Ismail. "That was my glass she broke. Can I go to the cupboard to get another one?"


Questions

1) Have you ever been hurt by name calling?
2) Do you think you've every hurt someone by name calling?
3) What words hurt you?


Dua'a

Oh Allah, please forgive me for all of the bad that I've done, and I continue to do. You are so Merciful and kind, please forgive me, and help me stay away from all that's wrong. It's so hard for me, and I'm so weak but You are the Strong. Please increase me in sincerity.

Heart to heart

If you correct your fellow believer and he or she does not listen,
then the onus is on you.

Words from the heart penetrate the heart.

haiku

Allahu akbar
Think good and it will be good
Allahu alam

Advice from a friend

Never despair.

Hajji

The pilgrim’s heart
should be filled with
reverence,
fear,
hope
and love.

simple

The essence of Islam is simplicity: in learning a great deal, praying a great deal and doing acts of goodness. You do not have to be too strict with yourself.

Simply do what you can.

(untitled)

sometimes
i get off the
straight
path

i know this
cuz a famous
grouse told me
so

Importance of Words

Words have important meaning --as a result conversation is important.

Speak poorly about someone and you shine light on all the unseemly in him, in yourself and in whoever happens to be listening. Once brought to surface, the wound begins to spread and all are hurt.

Speak well about the same person, and the goodness within him, within you and within all who participate will illuminate a corner in this dunya.

No Take Two

Does your faith burn? Allahu alam.
This dunya, Truth wrapped in darkness.
Smoke drifts thru our lives
Jinn are hidden -- everywhere.
The Shaytan tempt, here & there.
Will your effort do?
With no take number two!

Cloud

From the viewpoint of the faithful believer, all of creation is very good. The believer has great joy and pleasure in all Allah (swt) has made.

But when one believer makes a point of another's faults, that faithful joy is transformed into a cloud of suffering and heartache --which hangs over the head of the one who spoke those words.

Beatings

Walks in Palestine in
Israeli streets. Russian, English
& German voices. White
stones in the red sun's warmth.
The words & foreign tongues

Then anger gives stronger stimulation
Than you've ever known &
all peace, salaam, shalom loses
its charm & you are thrown
down on Allah's soil and kicked

Help

The very fact you know about someone who is in trouble means that in some way you are able to help. Otherwise, why would Allah (swt) allow this knowledge to cross your path?

untitled

Just who believes their
Inherent self is Islam?

Most will not take this seriously,
And therefore are trapped.

They are wrapped up in dreams, longings,
Hostility, and other drama,

All because they love the deen of ignorance
for the sake of themselves.

Perfect Pearl

Every believer you meet has a perfect pearl deep inside.

If you can't find it, the fault is yours. Roll up your shirt sleeves, double your efforts, and look harder and deeper.