The Everyday Heroine.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

When many people think of Egypt, they think of the great, historical monuments: the iconic Sphinx, the awe-inspiring pyramids, the enduring flow of the Nile that has nourished the banks of this desert land for thousands of years.

Others think of Egypt's impressive Islamic history: the mosques and madrassahs of the Mamluks, the ancient Islamic section of Old Cairo and the great fort built by Salahuddin himself.

In this land, many mighty heroes have risen and fallen, as they have all over the world. But the hero that I wish to celebrate here is of a much humbler kind.

She is the woman who looks at the world around her with an alert eye and open heart. Where others see catastrophe, she sees opportunity; where others sense only despair, she senses hope; where others throw their hands up, she rolls up her sleeves.

This is the everyday heroine who makes a satisfying, nutritious meal for her family from the simplest ingredients every night, who knows how to cure a sore throat with the contents of her store-cupboard, who knows how to make a child feel like the champion of the world for learning how to spell the world 'beautiful'.

This is the everyday heroine who juggles pregnancy, weaning, learning Surah al-Fatihah and advice on dealing with peer pressure.

This is the everyday heroine who always has time to listen, knows when to talk and when to remain silent.

This is the everyday heroine who sets up a recycling group in her local area, who hosts coffee mornings for new Muslims, who volunteers at a local charity, who lifts up her child so that he can put 5p in the collection box.

This heroine will never make a Power List in any of the broadsheets. She will not be shortlisted for an award, nor will she be granted a medal for her achievements.

But in the eyes of Allah and those who know and love her, she is a hero every single day of the year.

May Allah reward all you heroines out there, every single one of you. Long may you rise every morning to be a hero to your families, your friends and your local community.

May Allah grant you sincerity and accept your righteous actions. May He bless your time and aid you in your cause.

And, if you happen to know one of these heroines, do me a favour: make dua that Allah accepts her work and lightens her load - then tell her how much you appreciate her, maybe even with a card or flowers. 

Chances are, you will make her day, Insha Allah.

With love and salaam to all the wonderful heroines I have met and continue to meet on this amazing journey called life.

(Na'ima B. Robert)

I found the above article in an old magazine yesterday and wanted to share it with all of you. May we all strive to become and to raise everyday heroines - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

The First Freedom Fighter

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

She lived in the greatest palace of her time, with many slaves, male and female at her command. Hers was a life of luxury and ease.

Her name was Asiyah bint Muzahim, wife of Pharaoh - may Allah be pleased with her - one woman, physically weak, but she was a believer who was at peace in her palace. The light of faith had dawned in her heart and she challenged the system of ignorance at the head of which was her husband.

She had deep insight and did not care about palaces and luxurious furnishings or having many slaves and servants. Hence, she deserved to be mentioned by the Lord of the Worlds in His Holy Book, where she is given as an example for those who believe, as Allah, the Exalted, says:

And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said: "My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his work, and save me from the people who are wrongdoers.

(Quran 66:11)

The scholars said, commenting on this verse:

Asiyah chose the Hereafter over this world. She also deserved to be mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) among the perfect women, when he said:

Many men attain perfection, but no women attained perfection except Asiyah the wife of Pharaoh and Maryam bint Imran, and the superiority of Aishah over other women is like the superiority of tharid (bread, meat and broth) over other foods.

This is Asiyah the believer, the lamp that shone in the darkness of Pharaoh's palace. Who could light a lamp for us that shines with such patience and steadfastness, calling us to Allah, the Almighty?

(Dr. A'id al-Qarni)

Wasalaam!

Morning and Evening Prayers

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

This morning, I came across these two videos on YouTube. One contains the Sunnah duas to pray in the morning, and the other for the evening.

Morning prayers

Evening Prayers

I hope you benefit from them and share with others, inshallah!

Wasalaam!

A Beautiful Dua of Prophet Musa (a.s)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Wasalaam!

La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa Billah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

A young man was jailed and his mother had no one else but him. She could not sleep and distress took hold of her completely. She wept until she could weep no more, then Allah guided her to say, La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no power and no strength except with Allah).

She repeated these great words, which are one of the treasures of Paradise, and only a few days after she had despaired of her son ever coming out of jail, he was knocking at the door and she was filled with joy. Such is the reward of one who puts her trust in Allah, calls upon Him constantly and delegates all her affairs to Him.

So you should recite this dhikr, La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, for these great words are the secret of happiness and success. Recite them a great deal, chase away the specters of grief and distress with them, and receive the glad tidings that Allah will soon grant you happiness and a way out.

Beware of losing hope or becoming frustrated, for there is no hardship but it is followed by ease. This is how it has always been, and always will be.

Think positively of Allah, the Exalted, and put your trust in Him; seek that which is with Him, and wait for a way out.

Wasalaam!

The Month of Shawwal

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

When Ramadan ends, the month of Shawwal begins – on Eid ul Fitr day! When Shawwal begins, our test begins. We have just spent a whole month boosting our Imaan - it is up to us now to continue performing these good deeds throughout the rest of the year.

The scholars say that the sign of acceptance of good deeds in Ramadan is that we remain firm and regular on our good actions after this month is over – our connection with Allah should be stronger than ever!

We should ask ourselves: does Allah deserve to obeyed properly only in this one month? Does Allah deserve to be worshipped properly only in this one month? He looks after us during the rest of the 11 months so we owe Him at least this much.

Some Advice to help maintain an Islamic lifestyle after Ramadan

·       Keep up with the recital of the Quran. Keep your target small but consistent. A Hadith says that the most beloved deed to Allah are the regular ones, even if they amount to little in quantity. Why are the Muslims in such troubles today? Because they have left the greatest gift of Allah, and so they have lost the help of Allah.

·       Keep listening to Islamic lectures online etc – these are very beneficial and will give your Imaan a boost!

·       Study Islam and increase your knowledge about your religion and the Shariah. Try and learn the simple rulings, improve your tajweed or read the life story and sayings of the Prophet (saw). The more we learn about our religion, the more we will begin to recognise our creator and realise what He expects from us. This will help us to do things which please Allah and keep away from those things that anger Him.

·       Finally, the most important, regular 5 times Salah and to make dua at least once a day! Salah when performed 5 times a day will prevent you from almost every major sin: Indeed the prayer wards off indecency and lewdness (Surah Ankabut).

Stay firm on salah in times of happiness and fear, day and night, when free and when busy.

With salah comes dua! What can be said of the person who makes dua to Allah 5 times a day after each salah? You will find that all your worries and troubles will be gradually eased. You will become happy and content for you will come to appreciate and see that Allah does everything in His own time, according to his own wisdom and always does things which are best for us!

There is a saying: When Allah answers your dua straight away, it is because He is testing your faith. When Allah does not answer your dua straight away, it is because He is testing your patience. When Allah does not answer your dua at all, it is because He has something better for you. Those who happily leave everything in Allah’s hand will see Allah’s hand in everything.

Remember, regardless of your past, your mistakes and your ignorance, it’s a new start for all. If the likes of Hazrat Umar (ra) were transformed from the strongest of enemies to the 2^nd greatest companion, and was buried next to the Prophet (saw), then there is hope for us all. As long as we are willing to take advantage of Allah’s mercy by repenting over the past and making firm good intentions for the future.

A verse in the Quran reads in Surah Nisaa Verse 147:

What would Allah do with your punishment if you are grateful and believe? And ever is Allah Appreciative and Knowing.

This verse shows us that the way to Allah is simple - we must be grateful to Him and believe in Him. This means that we should act upon all His commands and follow the way of His beloved - the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Six Fasts of Shawwal

Shawwal is the first of the 3 months named Ashur – ul – Hajj – the months of Hajj. We should try and keep 6 optional/nafl fasts in this month.

“Whoever completes the fasts of Ramadan, then adds to them the fast of six days in the month of Shawwal, it will carry the reward of fasting the whole year” (Muslim)

How does this work? Ramadan was 30 fasts, if we add the 6 fasts of Shawwal that is 36. Every good deed in Islam is multiplied by 10 and 36 multiplied by 10 is 360. There are 365 days in a year but fasting on 5 of these days is forbidden so that equals to 360!

In the Hadith, it mentions that anyone who does this always it’s as though he has fasted his entire life!

It’s better to keep any qadha fasts of this Ramadan first, then these six fasts. The six fasts do not have to kept straight away but in any order – as long as they are in Shawwal.

May Allah accept all our worship during Ramadan, and give us the ability to carry on worshipping Him properly throughout the rest of the year - Ameen!

Wasalaam!

The Story of Prophet Yunus (as) and Ayat -e- Karimah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Ayat -e- Karimah is in Surah Ambiyah, Verse 87.

 

There is no God except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrong doers.

To speak about the Ayat-e-Karimah, we have to tell the story of Prophet Yunus (as). He was also called Dhun-Noon. Why? Because it means the Companion of the Big Fish or of the Whale.

 Allah sent the Prophet Yunus (as) (Jonah) to people who lived near Iraq, to tell them about the oneness of Allah, and to warn them about the punishment of the previous people. But his people were not listening to him.

And so his patience with them started running out, and he decided to leave and go somewhere else in the hope that other people may accept his message. But Allah hadn't given him permission to leave. 

So, the Prophet Yunus (as) went so far that he reached the coast, and found a goods ship about to depart. He boarded it and it set off.

Whilst they were sailing in the sea, they were met by a large storm and the ship started to sink. The people decided to get rid of their goods to lighten the ship – so they threw everything out, and even then the ship was still sinking!

Then, they started to look at the people on the ship, and they said to be fair, we need to draw lots e.g. names in a hat. Whoever’s name comes out, must be thrown overboard to lighten the ship. The first name that came out was Prophet Yunus (as) but the people refused to throw him overboard because they knew he was a good and blessed man. They tried again, and his name came out again, and then they tried again and his name came again. So they told him that he had to jump out.

As he jumped out, Allah commanded a whale to swallow him. So a whale came and swallowed him whole. He was now unconscious in the belly of the whale. After a while, he gained consciousness.

Allah says in the Quran - Surah Ambiyah, Verse 87:

And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."

 Prophet Yunus (as) thought that he was going away for the right reason i.e. to call other people to Allah – but remember Allah hadn't told him to leave – he left by himself!

When he awoke, he realised where he was – in the stomach of the whale. He fell prostrate and did sajdah in the belly of the whale, in the darkness of the sea, in the darkness of the night, and he admitted that he was wrong to have left the people.

What dua did he make?

He made such a powerful dua that it is mentioned in the Quran, and we as Muslims are allowed to use this dua because Allah says about the dua “that is how we will save those who believe”.

So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.

(Surah Ambiya - Verse 88)

 Prophet Yunus (as) admitted he was wrong, and he humbled himself in front of Allah. This is a lesson for us today that whenever we commit a sin and we repent to Allah, we need to admit that we are wrong, and that we need Allah. We need to be humble in front of Him and realise that we are the slaves and He is our Master.

Allah says:

And had he not been of those who exalt Allah, 

He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verses 143 and 144)

This means that before this happened, Prophet Yunus (as) was always remembering and worshipping Allah, and that is why now that he called out to Allah, Allah helped him.

The lesson for us is that if you are close to Allah and remember and worship Him in times of happiness and ease, then He will be there for you in times of difficulty.

This is what happened to Prophet Yunus (as).

Allah says:

But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verse 145)

He was sick meaning that his skin had been affected by the inside of the whale, and he had no clothes.

And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verse 146)

The plant grew, and so he covered himself with it and was cured through it.

And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.

And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.

(Surah As-Saffat - Verses 147 and 148)

Prophet Yunus (as) was then sent back to his people, and he was shocked when he went back. Whilst he had been away the punishment he had promised them started hovering above them as dark clouds, and they realised it was a punishment. So they all believed in Allah and in Prophet Yunus (as) This is one of the only prophets whose entire nation believed. Allah mentions the benefits of them believing – we diverted the punishment and we granted them joy for a little while.

So, the dua of the distressed is always heard and answered. Prophet Yunus (as) didn’t say cure me and get me out of here, he just said the Ayat -e- Karimah verse saying that he was wrong, and so Allah had mercy on him.

 The key is to admit your guilt. Allah knows what you want to say even though you can’t get the words out. He understands everything that you want even better than you do.

May Allah give us all the ability to act upon all the lessons that are learnt from the story of Prophet Yunus (as) - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

The Prayer of Umm Salamah (ra)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Once while Umm Salamah was nursing her sick husband, Abu Salamah (ra), he said to her: "I heard the Prophet (saw) saying. Whenever a calamity afflicts anyone he should say, "Surely from Allah we are and to Him we shall certainly return." And he would pray, 'O Lord, give me in return something good from it which only You Exalted and Mighty, can give."

Abu Salamah (ra) remained sick in bed for several days. One morning the Prophet (saw) came to see him. The visit was longer than usual. While the Prophet (saw) was still at his bedside Abu Salamah (ra) passed away. With his blessed hands, the Prophet (saw) closed the eyes of his dead companion. He then raised his hands to the heavens and prayed:

"O Lord, grant forgiveness to Abu Salamah (ra). Elevate him among those who are near to You. Take charge of his family at all times. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Worlds. Widen his grave and make it light for him."

Umm Salamah (ra) remembered the prayer her husband had quoted on his deathbed from the Prophet (saw) and began repeating it, "O Lord, with you I leave this my plight for consideration . . ." But she could not bring herself to continue . . . "O Lord give me something good from it", because she kept asking herself, "Who could be better than Abu Salamah (ra)?"

The Muslims were greatly saddened by the plight of Umm Salamah (ra). Both the Muhajirun and Ansar felt they had a duty to Umm Salamah (ra). When she had completed the Iddah (four months and ten days), Abu Bakr (ra) proposed marriage to her but she refused. Then Umar (ra) asked to marry her but she also declined the proposal.

The Prophet (saw) then approached her to ask for marriage, and she replied:

"O Messenger of Allah (saw), I have three characteristics. I am a woman who is extremely jealous and I am afraid that you will see in me something that will anger you and cause Allah to punish me. I am a woman who is already advanced in age and I am a woman who has a young family."

The Prophet (saw) replied: "Regarding the jealousy you mentioned, I pray to Allah the Almighty to let it go away from you. Regarding the question of age you have mentioned. I am afflicted with the same problem as you. Regarding the dependent family you have mentioned, your family is my family."

They were married and so it was that Allah answered the prayer of Umm Salamah (ra) and gave her better than Abu Salamah (ra). From that day became the mother of all believers, Umm al-Mumineen. This was the title given to the blessed wives of the Prophet (saw).

The dua`a’ (supplication) that the Prophet ﷺ (peace be upon him) had taught to the ummah (Muslim community) for times of difficulty: 

“If a servant of Allah is afflicted with a misfortune and says: ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un, Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wa akhlif li khairan minha‘ (Verily we belong to Allah and truly to Him shall we return. O Allah! Protect me in this calamity that has befallen me and replace it with something better), Allah will accept his prayer, grant him reward for his affliction, and replace it with something better.

May Allah give us the ability to recite this prayer in times of difficulty - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

Dua for the End of a Gathering

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ

"O Allah, You are pure, I praise You and testify that there is none worthy of worship besides You. I seek forgiveness and pardon from You".

If there was good talk in the gathering, this dua will seal it, and if there was futile and vain talk, then this dua will recompense for it.

(Tirmidhi Targheeb)

Wasalaam!