Ramdaan Series 1442

 Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] 

Abu Haazim (rahimahullah) mentions, “We did not hear of any person in the blessed city of Madeenah Munawwarah who would sponsor more animals to serve as conveyances in the path of Allah Ta‘ala than Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).”

Abu Haazim (rahimahullah) then narrated the following incident:

On one occasion, two Bedouins came to Madeenah Munawwarah, seeking a person who would provide them with conveyances to go out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. On enquiry, they were directed to Sayyiduna Hakeem bin Hizaam (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

When they came to his home and presented their need to him, he said to them, “Do not hurry, I will come out shortly.” He then picked up his stick and came out with two of his slaves.

He then proceeded to walk with them, and whenever he passed by a pile of dirt or a heap of rubbish, and saw a strip of cloth that could be used in preparing the saddle and other equipment of the camels that were used as conveyances in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, he would use the tip of his staff to pick it up. He would then shake the strip of cloth (in order to remove the dust and dirt from it), after which he would give it to his two slaves, instructing them to keep it with the other possessions in their equipment.

Observing this, one Bedouin said to the other, “By Allah, (how can this man help us when it seems that he is so poor that) he only possesses the strips of old material that he finds and picks up!” However, his companion said to him, “Do not be hasty (in jumping to conclusions)! Let us see what transpires.”

They continued to the market where Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw two large, fat, pregnant she-camels that were for sale. He purchased the two camels together with their saddles and equipment. He then said to his two slaves, “Use those strips of cloth to repair any portion of the equipment that requires mending.” Thereafter, he loaded the two animals with food, wheat and fat, after which he handed the two camels to the two Bedouins, together with money for their expenses.

On seeing the generosity of Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the two Bedouins were amazed. One said to the other, “By Allah! Never have I seen a man who picks up discarded strips of cloth who is better than the one I saw today (i.e. despite him picking up discarded strips of cloth, which is normally the quality of one who is very poor and unable to help others, he is wealthy and spends abundantly upon others)!”

(Tabraani - Majma‘uz Zawaaid #16017)

Lessons:

1. When a person acquires abundant wealth, then generally, one of the first concerns he has is to invest it, thus ensuring that it remains secure and also increases. In this regard, the best ‘investment’ is the investment of the Hereafter through spending in the path of Allah Ta‘ala to support works of righteousness. This investment will never depreciate and lose value, and will always remain safe and secure. Furthermore, this investment will assist us on the Day of Qiyaamah when our wealth of the world will have no value whatsoever.

2. Sayyiduna Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was extremely wealthy, and he was very generous as well. Perhaps the reason for him being blessed with so much of wealth by Allah Ta‘ala was that he valued every bounty of Allah Ta‘ala – to the extent that he even valued the strips of material that others had discarded and tried to find use for them. If we value and appreciate the ‘small’ bounties of Allah Ta‘ala, then He will bless us with more bounties and greater bounties. Thus, we should ensure that we clean our plates and utensils after eating, eat the crumbs that fall on the dastarkhaan, etc. Likewise, instead of discarding the 10c coin we receive as change, we should keep it or at least give it to someone else who will benefit from it.

Ramadaan Series 1442

Du‘aa Series – Part One

As we traverse the journey of life, we find that the entire road is not scenic and picturesque. Rather, the road is intermittently dotted with various hurdles and challenges. In these moments of difficulty, each person looks around him, imploring assistance and seeking a helping hand.

When we ask any person for help, then it always has disadvantages. He may assist us, but it may be done grudgingly. If he assists us happily and wholeheartedly, then he may be prepared to render assistance once, twice or maybe thrice. If we thereafter implore him for further assistance, he may become irritated, or may even lack the means and resources to help us further. At times, we wish to ask a person for help, but the person is inaccessible and cannot be contacted. Often, a person renders assistance, but thereafter reminds you of his favour and regards you to be indebted to him. Sometimes, we mention our problems to a person, hoping to garner sympathy, but instead receive harsh criticism and a stern rebuke.

There is only One whom we can continue to ask, and the more we ask Him, the happier He becomes. He rewards us for asking Him, and also fulfils our requests. He can be ‘contacted’ 24/7, from any portion of the earth, sky or even from space. Even a person who is totally helpless can reach out to Him for assistance. His treasures are never depleted and He is always prepared to shower His blessings on us. Never does He give grudgingly and never does He become irritated by us begging Him for help. When we ‘offload’ our problems and burdens by speaking to Him, He fills our hearts with solace and peace that cannot be described. That Most-Generous and Most-Kind Being is Allah Ta‘ala, and it is through du‘aa that we turn to Him and beg Him for help.

Du‘aa has been described in the hadeeth as being the weapon of a believer, as through turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa and securing His divine assistance, one is able to overcome any obstacle, hurdle or difficulty. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once said to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “Shall I not show you something that will save you from your enemies and increase your sustenance? Make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala day and night, for indeed du‘aa is the weapon of a believer.” (Majma‘uz Zawaaid #17153)

As an Ummah, many of us have lost the habit of engaging in du‘aa. If we understood the powerful effect of du‘aa, the dynamic results it produces and the immense rewards we receive for it, we would strive to engage in du‘aa at every available opportunity.

Such is the blessing of du‘aa that it costs us nothing and our ‘connection’ to Allah Ta‘ala is instant. Furthermore, the results of the du‘aa are GUARANTEED to never disappoint.

In one hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) explained that when a person makes du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala, then it is not necessary that Allah Ta‘ala will grant him exactly what he asked for. However, this does not mean that his du‘aa went unanswered. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that on making du‘aa, Allah Ta‘ala will grant a person one of three things. The first is that Allah Ta‘ala will grant him what he had asked for quickly. The second is that Allah Ta‘ala will (not grant him what he requested, but will) instead keep the reward of the du‘aa for him in the Aakhirah. The third is that Allah Ta‘ala (will not grant him what he wished for, but) will avert from him a calamity (that was otherwise meant to afflict him) equal to what he had asked for. (Musnad Ahmad #11133)

Hence, though it may outwardly appear that the du‘aa has not been answered, the reality is that Allah Ta‘ala knows what is best for us and thus deals with us with more love and compassion than even parents shows their beloved child.

The month of Ramadaan is the ideal time for us to reconnect with Allah Ta‘ala through the blessing of du‘aa. The du‘aa of a fasting person is accepted, the du‘aa at the time of sehri is accepted and the du‘aa at the time of iftaar is accepted. Likewise, the du‘aa made after the fardh salaah is accepted. We should thus avail of these golden moments and stretch our hands forth, begging Allah Ta‘ala and placing all our needs before Him – needs of this world and the next. We should call our young children, make them sit beside us and teach them to make du‘aa as well. In this way, the habit of turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa will insha-Allah become firmly entrenched in their hearts.

Insha-Allah, in the weeks to come, we will discuss various aspects relating to du‘aa, so that we can inculcate within ourselves the noble habit of constantly turning to Allah Ta‘ala in the correct manner.

The Power of Repetition

There was once a class of students who were determined to get a day off from school. Hence, they put their heads together, scheming and plotting, and eventually came up with a plan.

When the teacher entered the class and called the first student to read his lesson, the student remarked, “Sir! You look quite sick!” The teacher brushed him aside and replied that he felt perfectly healthy. Then, when the second student was called to the desk, he also made a similar remark, even going as far as to suggest that Sir looked flushed and may even have a fever. Thereafter, every student who came to the desk ‘sincerely’ sympathized with the teacher, insisting that he looked dreadfully unwell, until the teacher was finally convinced that he really was sick, thus sending the students home so that he could rest.

In the story above, the teacher was perfectly healthy and fine. However, when the same information was repeatedly drummed into his head, it completely changed his perception and reshaped his reality, until he actually began to feel sick and miserable.

In the same way, through the different forms of media, be it the news or even WhatsApp messages, the same message is currently repeated, day and night – the message of death and disaster unleashed by the coronavirus. The result of the corona “overload” is that many people now suffer from stress and anxiety and live with the perpetual fear that corona could strike them at any moment.

While the coronavirus is certainly a serious disease, and contracting the illness is not a trivial matter, it is vital for us to view the issue in the correct perspective and not lose sight of the broader picture. If we fail to do so, the overwhelming fear and anxiety may have such an impact on us that that we may perhaps suffer even more health complications than those caused by the virus.

In order to gain some perspective, consider the following 2017-2018 statistics for SA:

1. There are approximately 56 murders a day.

2. Over 40 people are fatally injured in car accidents daily.

3. There are 110 cases of rape reported daily (and only 1 in 13 rapes are reported).

4. 45 cars are hijacked daily.

5. 380 people are mugged daily.

Despite the disturbing statistics above, and the fact that almost every person personally knows multiple people who have suffered hijackings, robberies, murders and car accidents, life goes on and the majority of people continue in their day-to-day lives without succumbing to anxiety, stress and worry.

The reason is simple – these topics seldom make it onto the front page of the news anymore, and there is seldom a hype created around these topics (unless a prominent personality is affected). Hence, people had the correct perspective, due to which they sufficed on adopting the permissible means and taking reasonable precautions, while relying on Allah Ta‘ala and entrusting their wellbeing and safety to Him.

Conversely, the hype that has been created around corona is perhaps unprecedented in recent history, and it is this unrelenting repetition of CORONA-CORONA that is now changing people’s perception and reshaping their reality.

In essence, people are so steeped in the ‘zikr’ of corona, that this ‘zikr’ (continuously speaking or hearing about something) has created a lasting impression on their hearts and minds. The power of this impression and mindset can be easily understood by considering the billions of people who have voluntarily made such sacrifices and lifestyle changes (remaining in the home, covering the face, etc.) which they were previously unprepared to make for any reason.

By contemplating over this total transformation, which resulted from the ‘zikr’ of corona, imagine what would happen if instead of speaking about corona all the time, we began to make the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala! Imagine how our lives would be transformed if we decreased the media, and instead spoke of Allah’s greatness, His love for us, His mercy and His compassion! Naturally, if we revived the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala in our lives, through recitation of the Quraan Majeed, speaking of Allah Ta‘ala, conducting home ta’leem, engaging in du‘aa, etc., our imaan and Deen would be revived, together with us feeling a deep sense of comfort and peace of mind.

May Allah Ta‘ala protect us from all diseases and bless us to remain engaged in His zikr, Aameen.

Sayyidah Safiyyah r.a. (eBook)

Sayyidah Safiyyah r.a. (eBook)

Allah Ta‘ala has declared the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) as those who are truly worthy of being followed and taken as role models.

In order to acquaint the Muslim women of this age with the lives of the Sahaabiyyaat (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna) so that they may take guidance from their exemplary lives and choose these illustrious and pure women as their role models, Uswatul Muslimah (Role Models for the Muslimah) regularly conducts programmes on the lives of the Sahaabiyyaat (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna), highlighting pertinent lessons that are applicable to our daily lives.

This eBook is a transcript of the programme that was conducted on the pure life of our beloved mother, the honourable wife of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Sayyidah Safiyyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).

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An Address to Young Girls (Part 1)

“A Muslimah’s Guide to Living a Blissful Life” 

My Dearest Daughters'

Let me give you a picture of the life of comfort that you currently enjoy in your home as well as the life that you will be leading in future, when you will move into someone else’s home.

One day you will move out of your parents’ home and live in another person’s home. Although you conduct yourself and behave in a certain way in your parents’ home, you will be expected to conduct yourself and behave differently tomorrow when you are in someone else’s home. The conditions and situations that you face in your parents’ home are different, whereas the conditions and situations that you will encounter tomorrow will be entirely different.

Through the grace of Allah Ta‘ala, we currently live in the care of our parents. Hence, due to their care and protection, it is very difficult for any harm to afflict us. However, when we leave our parents’ care, who will be there to take care of us? Whenever we ‘pulled up’ our faces, behaved in a surly and sulky manner, displayed bad manners or an ill-temper, desired comfort and luxury and acted with laziness, refused to share something with others and showed selfishness, our parents overlooked our faults and did not expose us. Who will overlook our faults tomorrow, when we leave our parents’ home?  Why would others be prepared to tolerate and put up with our bad behaviour?

If you have understood this well, then while living a comfortable life under your parents’ roof, you will learn how to live correctly in their home, as well as how to conduct yourself tomorrow when you will move into someone else’s home. You will learn and identify those qualities and aspects which form the foundation of a happy and peaceful life.

My dear daughters! Listen attentively to what I am going to tell you! If you want to live a comfortable, enjoyable and happy life, then accept the advices that I am going to give you and ensure that you practise upon them. If you do so, your entire life will be one of happiness.

I am first going to tell you how to live and conduct yourself in your parents’ home in such a way that your parents’ home will serve as a training ground for you, through which you will gain great experience (which you will require very much later on in life). I will thereafter tell you how to behave and conduct yourself in the home of your in-laws so that you will be well prepared and equipped for all that you may encounter.

If you learn these aspects correctly, you will remain safe from the harm of people. In fact, (you will win the hearts of people due to which) they will only want to give you ease and comfort. Your parents will then be pleased with you. When they see your excellent character, good qualities and the manner in which you conduct yourself, their hearts will brim with happiness and joy. Likewise, your husband will be pleased with you and will always treat you with kindness and sympathy. Let alone your husband, all your relatives and family members will be sympathetic towards you and will always be ready to assist you. You will acquire the excellent character that your elders possessed before you. When people see how organized and efficient you are, they will all be pleased. In this manner, people will hold you in high regard, honour you and treat you with respect.

The gist of what I am saying is that while you are in your parents’ home, you need to learn how to completely take charge of the home. If you have equipped yourself in this manner, then you will be taking those very same skills with you when you go to the home of your in-laws.

In this regard, you must realize that the very first thing which you will need to pay attention to on entering your new home after marriage is the household and domestic affairs. It is your capability and efficiency in this department that will be the gauge through which your in-laws will assess and judge you. They will view the cleanliness and hygiene of your home, the manner in which you entertain your guests, whether you display courtesy and good character when meeting and interacting with family and friends and whether you are accomplished and capable with your hands (i.e. in performing basic tasks that relate to your hands, such as cooking, baking, sewing etc.). It is for this reason that the most important skills which you will require are domestic skills and the skill of efficiently running a home. These skills are so important that if you do not acquire them, then it is as though you are completely incapable and cannot do anything at all.

Today (at your parents’ home), at least you have people who can teach you these skills and give you guidance. Tomorrow, there will be no one who will care for you. You will have to handle your own problems. If you do not prepare and equip yourself with the appropriate skills and qualities today, you won’t cope and manage with your responsibilities tomorrow, and if you do eventually cope, it will be through learning the ‘hard way’ and repeatedly ‘burning your fingers’. Carelessness will become your nature and will be entrenched in you. As a result of your carelessness and negligence, you will always suffer embarrassment in front of others. When this is the case, how will you ever gain respect and enjoy happiness?

(to be continued Insha-Allah)

Mayyit Etiquette

Having recently lost another grandparent I have once again observed the inappropriate things people do at funerals. Therefore I would like to educate one and all about what to do and what not to do at funerals. In Shaa Allah we will share it with our loved ones so that the knowledge spreads and so that we do not become the perpetrators of such behaviors.

Do NOT:

*First and most important, if you are experiencing your menses please do not sit in the room with the janaazah. The angels of Mercy will not descend near the body if you sit there.

*Don't just sit around and wait for someone to talk to. Pick up a Yaseen kitaab or Para of the Quraan and read for the deceased. If you are in your menses make dhikr. Don't sit around like a piece of glass. This applies to the men too. The men in general have a tendency to sit and talk and do nothing. You're not exempt from praying.

*The most cliché one but I'm going to say it anyway: do not gossip. A person just passed away but we don't take lesson from them, we don't think that one day our bodies will be lying there too. How can one even think about gossip at a time like that?

*If the deceased was not your mahram (females) or your female family member with whom you cannot marry (males) then please do not insist on seeing their face.

*Don't stand in the way such that you obstruct close family members from seeing the deceased, especially before the janaazah is picked up.

*Do not whatsapp or BBM or use any social media for that matter while you're in the room with the deceased.

*Do not come without wudhu and then decline to read on that basis

*Do not read with a scarf that is see-through or with three-quarter sleeves (females).

*Do not boss the family around. Give your suggestion and if they choose to follow it Alhamdulillah. If they choose not to follow it don't get angry.

*Don't bother the bereaved family by asking for a burka or abaya to make namaz in. Come dressed decently in the first place.

*If you are served food do not send back the food and demand that it be heated

*When you're done eating don't linger on the table and make idle chit chat. Get up, clear your dirt away and offer to serve the family. It's been a long day for them and they're hungry too. If you sit and chat and don't bother to pick up after yourself you just make it more difficult for the family

*In the days that follow the funeral do not just pitch up at the family's house and expect food. It places undue pressure on the family to feed these uninvited guests who just pitch up unannounced.

*In grief people sometimes say or do things that they otherwise would not do. Grief makes people do strange things. Don't hold grudges against the family for their behavior during their time of grief.

*Don't make unnecessary dishes. Clean up after yourself and your children.

*Do not complain that you don't eat this food or that food. If you don't eat what's being served go eat at home.

* Don't stand in the way

* Don't obstruct the opposite gender from getting in and out of the house

*In the days following the funeral do not visit late at night, nor should you stay till late. Some of the family members have to go to work the next day. Be considerate

Do:

*If you are in the position to do so then make something for the family to eat on the day. Death is always unexpected even when the person is sick. No one would have had time to cook or make food. Therefore if you can bring something for the family because it's usually a long tiring day for them and they're usually starving.

*In the days that follow cook a pot of food for them. They're bereaved, cooking food is the last thing on their mind.

*Do come with wudhu and read something. Even if it's not Quraan at least make dhikr with the intention of esaale thawaab for the deceased.

*The family doesn't have time to go out and buy groceries, therefore if you can lighten their load by doing some shopping for them do so. Even supposedly mundane things like bringing soap or toilet paper that will help.

*Do offer your support to the family. It doesn't have to be monetary contributions. Just being there emotionally for them helps.

*Give the family some space. They've been through a lot. Sometimes they just need some time alone

*If space in the funeral home is limited and you're still young get up so that the old people can sit

*When food is being served let the old people eat first

Reblogged from aspiringtobeabettermuslim.wordpress.com author desertrose18

Making Amends

Toothbrush? Check! Charger? Here! Hairbrush? Packed! Clothing? In the bag! Visa? Oh no, we haven’t got that! Before embarking on any trip, especially to a foreign country, every traveller makes certain preparations. Although packing the appropriate provisions and essentials forms an important part of the preparation, perhaps the most important part is for one to ensure that their travel documents are in order. When one arrives in a foreign land, the very first thing examined is the passport and visa. If they are in order, one will be granted entry and the remainder of the trip will be ‘smooth sailing’. However, if there is a problem with the passport or visa, then since the very first requirement has not been met, packing all the essentials and converting all the currency will be of little avail and assistance. Similarly, whether we are rich or poor, well-travelled or house-bound, there is one particular journey that each and every one of us will have to make. Furthermore, none of us knows the date of departure, and so it is vital for us to constantly remain in a state of preparedness. This is the once-in-a-after-lifetime-journey to the Aakhirah (Hereafter). Just as the first requirement on landing in a foreign country is the passport and visa, on landing in the Aakhirah, there will also be a first requirement. Meeting this requirement will ensure that the remainder of the checkpoints will go smoothly, while failing to meet this requirement will put us on the rocky road to further misery and difficulty. In this regard, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has forewarned us that the very first thing which we will be required to present on the Day of Qiyaamah will be our salaah. If our salaah meets the grade, then Allah Ta‘ala willing – the rest will be smooth sailing. However, if we fail to meet the very first requirement, we can well imagine the difficulty that will thereafter ensue. It is thus absolutely necessary that we get our salaah in order. Firstly, we should ensure that we perform our five daily salaah on time, and secondly, we should perform the qadhaa for any salaah that we have outstanding. If we fail to make amends for our salaah before our eyes close, we will regret, suffer and lament after our eyes close. At that time, it will be too late for us to make any amends. We thus need to perform all our salaah before our salaah (janaazah) is performed. In this regard, a few important masaa-il and guidelines of performing qadhaa (missed) salaah will Insha-Allah be posted next week. May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with the courage and determination to make amends for our salaah, Aameen.

Missing Ingredient to living your life?

Like a lot of folks these days, I’ve been groomed to push myself toward achievement in most areas of my life. It seems that, in the current culture, it’s no longer cleanliness that we deem closest to Godliness; it’s busy-ness. If our Google calendars aren’t a veritable rainbow of appointments and meetings, if we’re not constantly exhausted and worn down, we must be lazy or falling behind somewhere.

Not only is this constant push toward over-doing affecting adults, it’s clearly being transmitted to the next generation. When kids aren’t at school, they’re at a sport’s practice, a tutoring session, a club meeting, a study group gathering…Something

Of course, none of these things are negative on their own, but when they’re all taken together, it raises the question: where is the time to unwind? I’ve lost count of how many I work with who have wearily told me their pages-long weekly schedule. I once let my young one lay down for because she had a fever, but still had to get to a swimming lesson afterwards.

Savasana (or “rest,” or “that part where we lay down”) needs to be their favorite aspect. Yes, there are certainly members of the business crowd who tiptoe out when the lights go dim, but I’ve come to understand that for the lion’s share of working, savasana reigns supreme. And rightly so! I often joke, “When else does someone let you to lay down for 10 minutes?”

The thing is, if we let ourselves, we could do this at any time (okay, maybe not during a meeting or in the produce department). I think the key word here is “let.” When your teacher stands before you and tells you it’s time to rest, you have just been given permission to do so. You’re allowed. You are told that it is okay, in that moment, to simply be.

As my personal practice has evolved with study, experience, and age, I’ve come to fully embrace the extraordinary importance of giving myself that kind of permission. This brings me to the point of this piece: I want to empower everyone who reads this to grant themselves the time and space to step back, unwind, and let themselves be.

I want all of us to welcome the radical idea that living a full life and loving oneself means allowing that time to chill. Give yourself permission to stop taking calls and emails after work hours so you can sit outside and chat with family. Allow yourself to take time to rest after meals. Grant yourself the mental space to put aside a stressful situation and deal with it when you have the time and energy to process. You are allowed to skip the gym after a long day. It’s okay to say “no” to a project or a social engagement solely on the basis of not feeling like it. 

Forgo a utilitarian shower in the morning for a leisurely bath in the evening. Accept that, every once in awhile, you can let someone else do the cooking. Embrace the relaxed feeling of sitting to read or making tea first thing in the morning, before gazing into the light of your phone. Take a bike ride without anywhere to go. Unplug for an entire weekend so you can read a book cover to cover. Leave space in your agenda for doing nothing, and don’t feel guilty about it. We have such precious few moments on this earth, ask yourself if all of this time consuming chatter is serving your self or your purpose here.

If nothing else, I implore you to ask yourself: what is this lifestyle teaching your children, our children? From where I sit, it seems the lesson is that our value as people is directly tied to your obligations. Grace, humility, presence of mind—none of these matter if you’re not running yourself ragged. This notion has become so ingrained that we don’t even realize it’s happening.

Ask yourself, when is the last time you (or your child) had an entire weekend without commitments? When is the last time you took a nap, or a bath? These are important activities for nurturing the body, the mind, the spirit. It’s no secret how deeply healing mindfulness is. But is it even possible to be mindful when you’re living in a never-ending whirlwind of commitment?

So please dear reader, give yourself—and your children—permission to rest J

Not sure of the origin of this, however it was sent via e-mail from a very dear friend - AC 

Aid Worker in Syria ~ Let's Donate Generously

Aid Worker in Syria ~ Let's Donate Generously

When Maseeha SaIoojee was in madrasah, my principal, Ml. Ebrahim Mia (rahimahullah) advised that we daily make a sajdah of shukr (prostration of gratitude) for the fact that Allah keeps rizq (sustenance) in His hands and that we are not dependent on people for it.

Today, I am constantly reminded of just how Allah is Ar-Razzaq (the Sustainer). I am really not exaggerating when I say that every single time that our (mine and my husband's) personal funds were about to be depleted, Allah has sustained us in ways unexpected. Every single time without fail.

Just recently we were nearing the end of our funds. As an aid worker in Syria, an income is not consistent. If the charity received excess funds for the workers, they are given a wage. If not, they rely on whatever other work they might do or money sent from family etc.

Occasionally we get anonymous donors who support the work we do here, may Allah reward them. Their money is invested for the day of qiyaamah into projects that will benefit the ummah.

Today, I was simply informed that a gift was made to me from an anonymous person. I have absolutely no idea who this person is but at whoever it is, May Allah reward you for taking the time to think of me and may He replace what you sent me with multiplied reward in the hereafter. Aameen <3 span="">

Contributions towards the madrasah project can be done with the following details: 

THE TWO LIGHTS FOUNDATION
PROJECT ACC
FNB ACC 62581568931
branch 252245
Reference: Maseeha Madrasah

Contributions towards the organisation for any other charity projects can be sent with the following details: 

THE TWO LIGHTS FOUNDATION
PROJECT ACC
FNB ACC 62581568931
branch 252245
Reference: One Wish

Fatimah Khanum

FATIMAH KHANUM

Seven centuries had passed since the Zubaydah canal which brought water to Makkah from outlying springs. The passage by now had reached a bad state of repair, with the wells and springs having dried up and the canal now being full of sand/stones.

It was 965 AH (1557 AD) when a Turkish princess Fatimah, daughter of the Uthami ruler Sultan Salim came along. She took the task to rebuild and redevelops the 'Zubaydah canal'. The rebuilding of the canal was extremely difficult ad involved Egyptian, Syrian and Yemeni engineers and masons.

On their route, there was a large rock 50 feet wide and 2000 feet long, which looked as if it was going to stop the efforts. The chief of the project lost his heart in fear of not being able to overcome it. Fatimah refused to accept that. In this time period dynamite didn’t exist, rather the only way to cut through such large rocks would be to heat them up with coal to high degrees and them to cut the stones with sharp tools. It took hundreds of workers, who burnt millions of tons of fuel. In 979 AH (1571 AD) the rock was conquered. Soon afterwards water again began to flow to Makkah on the repaired Zubaydah canal.

The event was celebrated with a great feast/party, which involved not only the everyday people but also the government officials. Due to her commitment to rebuilding the canal, Fatimah was nicknamed 'Zubaydah Thani' (Zubaydah the second).

(ref: 'Leading Ladies: who made a difference in the lives of others - Published by Idara Talifat e Ashrafia)

Deliverance for the Suffering Ummah | Palestine | Masjid-e-Aqsa

Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)

During a trip to the United Kingdom, I gave a talk in a Masjid in London. In the vicinity of the Masjid, Jews predominantly reside.

In that talk, I mentioned that once, when Haaji Bhai Padia (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) was travelling by air, a Jewish Rabbi was seated next to him. In conversation, the Jewish Rabbi said to Haaji Bhai Padia (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh): “We are not afraid of the Muslims today, because Allah’s help is not with them, nor with us. Today, everything is about power: The one who has more arms and more ammunition, wins. We have more, and we are more powerful. However, when the Mosques (Masaajid) of the Muslims start filling up for the Fajr prayer as the Masjids get full for the Jumu’ah prayer, we will not be able to fight the Mu slims, because Allah’s help will be with them, and we can never overcome the one who is assisted by Allah.”

After this talk, a young man came to me and informed me that he is from India (or Pakistan). He said: “I go home once a year. Each time, on my return, my neighbour, who is Jew, asks me: ‘How many people are attending the Fajr prayer?’ …This is the question posed to me every time. Once, I asked him: ‘Why do you always ask me this same question?’ He said: ‘Today, we have no fear for the Muslims, but when their Masjids get full for the Fajr prayer as they do for Jumu’ah, we will not fight them as Allah’s help will be with them and we cannot fight Allah.

”Abdullah S’aud is a brother from South America, whose homeland is Palestine. He related that he was a little child when his family was exiled to South America. At that time, Ariel Sharon mentioned to the father of Abdullah S’aud: “You will come back; but not today and not tomorrow. You will come back when your Masjids are full for Fajr like how they are for Jumu’ah.

”We clamour and we shout and we cry, for the rise of Islam, yet we do not rise for the Fajr Salaah. Our hypocrisy becomes evident in the light of the Ahadith. There is no doubt of a person’s Nifaaq (hypocrisy) if he is absent from the Fajr and Isha Salaah, in the Masjid.Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are ‘Isha and Fajr, but if they only knew what they contain, they would come even if they had to crawl.

”[1]Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “A person who does not go for Salaah after hearing the Azaan is committing a great wrong and is doing an act of Kufr (disbelief) and Nifaaq (hypocrisy).

”[2]Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (Radhiyallahu ‘an hu) had said: “If you neglect the Sunnah, you will go astray. Verily, I have seen a time when no one stayed away from the congregational prayers except for the hypocrites who were well known for their hypocrisy or a sick man. I remember that a man would be brought leaning on two men and put in the Saff (row) to attain its reward and escape the sins of missing it.”

[3]If the entire Ummah performed Salaah - established Salaah - the entire Ummah would be in the protection of Allah Ta’ala, the One who is Al-Mighty and All-Powerful. No power on the surface of the earth will be able to overcome or defeat a people in the special protection of Allah Ta’ala.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Whoever prays the dawn prayer (Fajr), then He is under Allah’s protection. So beware, O son of Aadam, that Allah does not call you to account for being absent from His protection for any reason.

”[4]Boy cotting, sanctioning and marching may find a place in bringing attention to injustice and crippling an economy but they do not draw the assistance of Allah Ta’ala. The assistance of Allah Ta’ala comes only with obedience to Allah Ta’ala and with conforming to the Sunnah. Muslims, today, see some kind of solution in marching and boycotting – but sadly, do not see the solution where it is: In practically implementing the teachings of the Qur’aan and Sunnah.We will only overcome the forces of Zionism and the enemies of Islam taking the route of obedience to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).Our condition is that Salaah is neglected; the beautiful Sunnah is disregarded - there is no care and no concern to identify ourselves with Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam), by adopting the Sunnah Libaas (dress/garb), maintaining the beard one fist length and following in his noble footsteps. ...The majority do not wa nt to give up the song and dance, the interest and gambling, the western culture or the Hollywood/Bollywood culture, and all other sins. ...Then how will we invite Allah Ta’ala’s Nusrah[5], in this manner?Allah Ta'ala has His conditions. These will have to be met first, before we can overcome our enemies. Allah Ta’ala clearly defines His conditions and His promises:

“Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and perform righteous deeds, that He will, of surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them… So establish Salaah (Prayer) and give regular Charity (Zakaah); and obey the Messenger that you may receive mercy. ”
[Surah Nur 24 : 55 / 56]The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were able to overcome the super powers of their time because they were living Islam. The keys of Masjid-e-Aqsa were willingly handed over to Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Ameerul Mu’mineen, whose reign as the Khalifa saw the establishment of justice on the face of the earth. This justice was through the implementation of the Qur’aan Sharief and Sunnah and standing firm and resolute on its teachings.Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallahu ‘anhu), himself, said: “We are a people whom Allah Ta’ala elevated with Islam.” – i.e. true and sincere submission to Allah Ta’ala.

We talk about Masjid-e-Aqsa and the violation and desecration of Masjid-e-Aqsa by the Israeli Zionist forces. However, the condition of Masjid-e-Aqsa is only a reflection of the condition of the Ummah at large.
Sheikh ‘Ali Abbaasi, the Imam of Masjid-e-Aqsa, had asked Hadhrat Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Daamat Barakaatuhum), the principal of Madrasah Taleemuddeen, about the sad and distressing condition of Palestine and asked why there is no support from the Muslim countries.
Hadhrat Mufti Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) expla ined that he had read in the Tafsier of Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) that Allah Ta’ala has different systems for Masjidul Haraam in Makkatul Mukarramah and for Masjidul Aqsa.
Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh) had explained in his Tafsier that Masjidul Haraam is continuously under the protection of Allah Ta’ala. The Kuffaar will not be able to gain control of Baitullah, and the condition of the Muslim Ummah does not affect this protection. This protection has no interruption.

The condition of Masjid-e-Aqsa is centred and based on the condition of the Muslim Ummah. If the Ummah is obedient to Allah Ta’ala, then Masjid-e-Aqsa would be in their full control. If the Ummah is in the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala, then the Muslim Ummah loses control of Masjid-e-Aqsa and the land of Palestine. Control is handed over to our enemies.This is what we see today. A great majority of the Mus lim Ummah are heedless of the Commandments of Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu; even engaging recklessly in sins.

We raise our voices against the Israeli Zionist forces who desecrate our beloved Masjid-e-Aqsa; we march against the injustice, we wave the Palestinian flag everywhere, and we wear its colours in some way or the other - all in solidarity. ...However, if we are not performing Salaah and if, in our lives, there is disobedience to Allah Ta'ala, then let us understand the very, very sad reality: We are instrumental in the desecration and violation of Masjid-e-Aqsa and the oppression of the Palestinian people. Then our role is not constructive; rather it is destructive - because we are a contributing factor to the Israelis having control of Masjid-e-Aqsa. Imam Maalik (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) had said so aptly, in his time: "The last generations of the Ummah can only be reformed by that which reformed its first generations. What was not part of the religion then, cannot b ecome part of the religion now."The first step is establishing Salaah in our lives and working towards bringing the whole of Islam into our lives, practically. If we really want to solve our problems, this is the only way.May Allah Ta’ala forgive us, have mercy upon us, guide us, and grant us the understanding and the Taufeeq of becoming practical on dien. آمين