Tears..drop,drop, Remebrance of Allah , Please Remove the Dryness Off My Heart

A feeling so great, its been to long, its the feeling of being connected, close and attach to the Source of Peace, the beautiful feeling you get when you sincerely remember Allah.....

Its been a while,let the tears pour like the rain storm.... drop,drop, moisturizing the dryness of my heart...oh Allah allow the remeberance of Allah to remove the dryness off my heart..

Ramadan where you at? I miss you and your effect on me, you increased my attachment to my Lord, nothing better then that....

As you await for the taraweeh vacation prepare your heart for the journey thats coming soon inshAllah. Just like the traveller who prepares themselves for a trip overseas multiple months before, prepare for the upcoming journey......the upcoming spiritual journey to Allah, preparation starts now.

A Meeting With Allah | Ibn al-Qayyim | HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgEGDkiAT80&feature=share

Re Post:
http://hudawritess.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html

Monday, July 30, 2012

The Vacation Called Taraweeh: Rest

An Exclusive Vacation Called Taraweeh:

When: Ramadan
Location: Any Masjid
Destination: Allah
Cost:Priceless
Goal: Rest & Relax
Passport: A heart that remembers Allah

NASPA Region 2 Conference

 as I mentioned in an earlier post, I will be presenting in the upcoming NASPA ReGion 2 NYC Conference.

http://www.naspa.org/regions/regionii/regconference2013.cfm

Program Title:

 Representing a Diverse Student Body: The Need for Diverse Professionals

Program Abstract:

Colleges and Universities such as Rutgers University, New Jersey City University, City University of New York, and many other colleges in the metropolitan area present themselves as the most diverse colleges in the nation, but the question I pose is: Is the diversity of the student population reflected and represented in the staff and faculty members (specifically administration) of these institutions? As our student population becomes more diverse than ever, I believe the administration also needs to reflect this diversity.

 Upon graduating from New Jersey City University, which is considered a highly diverse school I realized the importance of diversity, and what diversity is all about. Colleges do not use the term or description “Diverse Environment” simply for marketing reasons, but rather they are encouraging students to acknowledge and realize how the real world is: a place filled with people of different ideas, values, cultural and religious backgrounds which require respect towards one another. Diversity is not just a matter of having a bunch of people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds in the same place at the same time, but rather it is when you can get those people to respectfully exchange ideas and get along with one another. Diversity helps us build bridges and promotes the feeling of community. Although it is great when colleges tell you about their diverse student population, I think it is time for colleges to also acknowledge and create a diverse staff also.

While I was a Student Ambassador at a diversified community college I realized the importance of having an administration of different cultural and religious backgrounds. The diverse staff can better serve the diverse student population and their needs. I believe this lack of diversity in the field of higher education presents a challenge to students who are looking for role models they can relate to, seek advice from , or seek help to overcome different challenges they face as an underrepresented group. Among my goals is to serve as a role model for first generation students in the United States who seem to be underrepresented in the field of Higher Education Administration. We need to diversify the professional ranks of higher education.

Goals of Presentation & Learning Outcomes:

The goals and learning outcomes of the presentation is to present the audience the growing need and importance of having a diverse administration in the Higher Education field

•To acknowledge the importance of having a diverse crew of staff members, and administrators at diverse colleges.
•To encourage Higher Education Administrators to learn how to serve students of diverse backgrounds, especially immigrant students and first generation students who have major challenges upon going to college.

Relationship of the program to the Conference Theme – Bridging Communities, Transforming Lives:

 The theme of the conference is Bridging Communities, Transforming Lives. Through this presentation there is an encouragement of diversifying the professional ranks of higher education administration. When colleges have academic, admissions, or financial aid counselors, or vice presidents, or professors of a diverse background, students may find it easier to relate to them and this can bridge our college communities. For an example, if you have a foreign exchange student from Germany, the student would love to have a counselor who speaks their language. Another example, if a college has a new freshmen first generation student, the student would want to speak to someone with a similar background. Another example, if an immigrant student is trying to enroll in ESL courses, and English is their second language, it would help if there was an admissions counselor who spoke their language. Through the diverse staff, you are transforming the lives of many students, not just some students. You are trying to serve all the students that are represented at your college.

NASPA Reviewer Comments:

1. Relevance to Conference Theme
• The proposal addresses the them of Building Communities by identifying the need for a diverse staff with whom varying identities can connect.
• Good tie in to the conference theme. Interesting topic to examine.
2. Proposal Content
• I've never seen a program like this before. Usually, these programs look at students and not staff.
3. Evidence of Solid Foundation for Proposal Content
• The proposal does not demonstrate a grounding in theory or research, nor does it provide a cogent model or practice for achieving diversity.
• I would include more research strengthen the argument. It seems like a lot of personal thoughts over research based evidence.
4. Adherence to Proposal Submission Guidelines
• While the proposal articulates a need for a diverse staff it does not demonstrate how this session will achieve more than a call for such a need.  
5. Engaging Program Format
• Indicates a lecture and a panel discussion.
• I feel that this presentation will spark great dialouge on the topic of diverse staffing to help support diverse students.
6. General Comments Regarding the Proposal
• It is challenging to see how this will serve as a learning opportunity for participants with no particular stated outcomes other than an encouragement of a diverse staff.
• Seems like a great presentation and could spark good debate and dialouge amongst atendees.

Khadijah:She Was Prophet Muhammads Boss, Wife, Um Al Mumin, Successful!

Khadijah: the Prophets boss, the Prophets wife, Um Al Mumin,

talk about successful.

 

 

I came across one chapter within the ""In The Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons From the Life of Muhammad" book  titled,"The "Truthful" and Marriage" and it is about Khadijah, whom I want to refer to as Muhammads BOSS, yes, and he had no problem with that, he even married her because she intitated the marriage!.....it was one of the most romantic stories of our deen.

 

Khadijah made me re evaluate the status of women in Islam, and how everything we are discouraged to do such as be successful, and initiate men for marriage is exactly what she did.......

 

This chapter made me realize that our cultural teachings

go against two things the Boss of  Prophet Muhammad,  the Prophets wife,

Um Al Mumin was all about :

 

1. In our culture, they try to make it seem like Islam does not encourage women to become educated, become doctors, business women, and etc, but how we can ignore one of the most  influential women in the life of Prophet Muhammad?

 

Prophet Muhammads 1st wife: Khadjah, she was his boss and then she became his wife <3

 

"One of the wealthies traders in Mecca was a woman called Khadjah bint Khuwaylid" (Ramadan 23).

 

2. Women can propose to a man for marriage

Prophet Muhammads boss approached him for marriage.....and he said yes!!

 

Now how you going to tell me that women cant be successful, cant work, cant initiate marriage, but Um Al Mumin did it all.........

 

"Khadjahd then told one of her firneds, Nufaysh, to approach Muhammad and see weather he would be interested in marraige" (Ramdan 23).

Let us follow the true role model of Islam: Khadijah

 

Dont let anyone convince you that being a successful business women, doctor, teacher, dean, is not approitate for a Muslimah...

 

On that note, I will be a presenter at the NASPA Region 2 Conference in NYC!! I will speak on the following title: Representing a Diverse Student Body: The Need for Diverse Professionals

 (NASPA is a huge association for people interested in Higher Education Administration)

 

InshAllah!

 

At first I was considering not to include the fact that I am hijabi in my "background section" because I thought it would effect my chances of presenting, but humdAllah I got accepted!! 

Dont let your Muslim idenitiy stop you from being successful,

just think about Khadjiah when anyone tries to discouarge you!!!!!!!

Heres the part where I didnt really want to mention but I did alhumdAllah!

 

"She realized there were lots of people of Arab descent, and a Muslim background who needed help applying, but found it difficult due to multiple reasons such as the language barrier as English was their second language. She served as a role model for these people as she comforted them and translated for them in Arabic.   They lacked confidence approaching non-Arabs, but they came to Huda with big smiles as they were confident she would be able to understand them due to their similar backgrounds. Huda realized the need for more women like her in the field of Higher Education Administration.     Huda hopes to become the first Muslim, and Arab women Dean to serve in a Higher Education Institution in the New York, or New Jersey area."

 

 

"So remember Me; I will remember you" Quran 2:152

Remembering Allah with your heart:

oh how I wish I can fully achieve this especially in salat....

On Tuesday I was at my new school and while I was working I realized it was Asr time. Although I make my salat across the street at the salat room, I knew it would be easier to just tell my boss that I needed a quiet place for 5 minutes.

Right when I thought of asr prayer, literally like 2 minutes later a Muslim coworker  came to me and told me that there was an empty office to make salat in. I told him subhanAllah I was JUST thinking about where I was going to make salat! He showed me the office space and he even placed a salat rug.

At that moment I was reminded of the beautiful ayah

 

" So remember Me and I will remember you"

Surat Al Baqarah Ayah 152

You probably read this ayah multiple times, but how many times did you actually contemplate upon it or apply it to events that happen in your life. I dare you to try this....this is how you build your faith in Allah!

On Wednesday the topic of the Purification of the Soul lecture was on the remeberance of Allah, here is what Sheikh Al Hayek taught us :

"Remembrance of Allah" Dhikr" and how this is the best means for the process of "tazikyah: Purification of the soul.

The Arabic word for person is "insan" which has the Arabic root word forget, and the plural form of this word is "nas" people which also has the Arabic word forget in it.

The remembrance of Allah is not just an obligation

If we were really sound and at peace we should and could not forget Allah

We forget Allah even though He is everywhere you go:

"and He is with you wherever you are"
Surat Al Hadid Aya 4

Remembrance of Allah is essentential to your life, it is a state of the mind and the heart

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلي الله عليه وآله وسلم: مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ وَالَّذِي لَا يَذْكُرُ رَبَّهُ مَثَلُ الْحَيِّ وَالْمَيِّتِ
The Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم) said,

“He who remembers his Lord and he who

does not are like the living and the dead.”

The essence of remembrance is to be aware and conscious of Allah.

"And be not like those who forgot Allah ,  so He made them forget themselves"
Surat Al Hashr ayah 19

The state of remembrance is an inner state of the heart.

"Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest"
Surat Ar Rad Ayah 28

Look at the following ayah, although Allah is telling us that the result of the prayer is to prevent you from doing bad, there is  a more important result which is the remembrance of Allah

"Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do"

Surat Al Ankabut Ayah 45

One of the great women of Islam once said:

"Much of our istfighr needs istifghar"

We pronounce istfighar but our hearts are not sincere

We ended this class with my story and the ayah and I want to end this post with that ayah

" So remember Me and I will remember you"
These are the words of Allah!
2:152

AlMaghrib, Notes, Surat Noor Tafsir, Light Upon Light

 

This weekend I took the AlMaghrib class on Tafsir Surat Noor at Qableet Tayybah.

 

So right when I sat in my seat, I realized that the same aya I wrote about in December was on the board...I was about to cry from excitement knowing that I would finally get a better understanding of this ayah

 

Back in December I wrote the following post titled "Light upon Light" which is about one of my favorite ayas mentioned in Surat Noor (and a reason why I took the class!). Here is that post:  http://hudawritess.blogspot.com/2012/12/light-upon-light-allahs-light-amazing.html

 

Although this class is a tafsir of all the ayahs in this Surah, in this post I want to focus on the ayah about Light Upon Light.  Maybe I will create other posts with other ayahs I learned about as it helps me remember what I learned.
 

Upon writting this post I had radioquraan.com playing and they play random surahs just like a radio...and guess what the ayahs were about? Allahs light on the Day of Judgement...<3<3. Surat Hadid to be excact. Its about the hypocrites on the Day of Judgement begging for the believers light.....!  I actually really learned these ayahs through another Almaghrib class when they showed us the ayas///it seriously makes you cry heres that video in case you  wana hear and read these ayahs :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC6eTT8rcYg

Dont be that person on the Day of Judgement who was not able to attain Allahs Light...

If you have this light of gudiance which Allah only places upon whom He wills, thentake care of it and work on increasing it....

What is Allahs Light as described in the Quran?

Here you go...and sorry if its complicated, the sheikh did not spend alot of time on these ayahs but I hope you learn something!!


 

 

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.

So heres the basics before you go to the aya descriptions:
1. These ayahs are a parable to Allahs Light of Guidance
2. "The niche" = representsheart of the beleiver
3. "The lamp"=represents the Quran, ayat, and faith that is in the heart
4. "The oil"= represents the fitrah to beleive in Allah
5.  All of these things combined make the light at its best....causing all to shine, this light is so bright just like the "brilliant star".
 

 

The Surah is named after this ayah (Surat Noor)

 

 

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth:
 Allah guides everything in the heavens and the earth. He is in charge of all of the earth and heavens.

 

The parable of His light is as a niche: the example of His light, His Light is like: the niche, this is kind of like a sculpture in the wall (google images,niche wall)which helps the light reflect.

The niche represents the heart of the believer <3

 

and within it a lamp, the lamp is in glass, the glass as it were
a brilliant star:

the lamp with the glass helps spread the light even more, this lamp represents the ayat of Allah.

This lamp is very shiny just like the bright stars.. The lamp, the glass, the stars, all give extra light.

 

lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east or the west, whose oil would almost glow forth, though no fire touched it:

this is a olive tree, and it is neither of the east or west because the sun is always shining upon this tree causing its oil to glow.The oil is so pure it will shine and glow without light.  The glass itself is shinning also.
 

The oil is the fitrah of the Muslim, the fitrah is to believe in Allah.
 

You gain this extra light as believer through good deeds, obedience to Allah.

 

The example of the believers life is like the niche,
 everything combined makes the light bright at its best.

 

Light upon light!!:

when the two lights (the light of the oil, and the light of the fire) are combined they give light and neither of them can give light without the other.

 

The light is giving light, the lamp is giving light, the oil is giving light everything is giving  light!

 

Similarly the light of the Quran and the light of faith give light when they are combined, and neither can do so without the other...!!! subhanAllah!!

 
Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things:

Allah gives this Light of guidance to whom He wants. He gives use examples (Such as the light of the lamp,niche, glass,oil)
 

Other commentary from online sources:  

the lamp is in a glass, means, this light is shining in a clear glass.

Ubayy bin Ka`b and others said,

"This is the likeness of the heart of the believer.''

Ubayy bin Ka`b said,

"The lamp is the light, and this refers to the Qur'an and the faith that is in his heart.''

 

"the parable of the light in the heart of the believer is as a niche. So the heart of the believer and what he is naturally inclined to of guidance and what he learns of the Qur'an" : Ibn Abs

 

The parable of His Light,

There are two views concerning the meaning of the pronoun (His).

The first is that it refers to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, meaning that the parable of His guidance in the heart of the believer is كَمِشْكَاةٍ (as a niche).

This was the view of Ibn Abbas.

The second view is that the pronoun refers to the believer, which is indicated by the context of the words and implies that the parable of the light in the heart of the believer is as a niche. So the heart of the believer and his fitrah is towards the oguidance and what he learns of the Qur'an

 

 

 

Rants, Intentions, Mustfah Hosny, Words Episode 28, Good Work but Negative Reactions"

 

SubhanAllah!! I was literally just ranting to someone about alot of the points that are mentioned in this Mustfah Hosny lecture ( I attached it below), moments before I came across this lecture... I loveee when that happens humdAllah!!

 

So I was ranting about the following things (you will see the connection to the lecture)

 

Rant :

The  Arab concept of "Aib" shame and how this affects what you try to do for the sake of Allah...

For an example, my parents know I am in the Masjid, but the arabs around me dont know so when I come home at 11 pm its like oh look at her..blabla, this "worry" of what people will think of me even though I know my inetions is something that comes from the shytan. Its a battle with the shytan who wants you to stop going to the masjid, or that meeting or that lecture.

 

You cannnnnnnt let him convince you that you should stop going to the Masjid, MSA, etc because of what people will think or say about you, because this lady thinks you are trying to get married, and this one thinks you are a "Sayiaah" another stupid arab concept for girls who go out alot !!!

 

Rant : Everything is about marriage!

 

When people see a young women or man active in the masjid they assume they are just trying to get married (so annoying!)...

 

There are some youth who are in this msa meeting,that lecture, all these youth committees, and that volunteering event but than they disappear after they get married! It makes you question are we doing what we do  to get married ( we all seem to fall into this which is OKAY, because it is a HALAL intention).

 

I alwaysssss find it very interesting how the the the very first Hadith of an nawi is about intentions and how the mans intention was for marriage and thats what he was rewarded for! The Prophet knew people would intend to do stuff for marriage why else would he teach this Hadith.

 

If going to the masjid,lectures, events and everything else is keeping you away from your role as a wife than i understand but I'm sure if you put Allah first and working for HIS home as your priority He will place barakaa in your time and barakaa in your own home. No one can argue against this theory.

 

 

Heres the Mustfah Hosny lecture that was so on point in response to my rants and he also covers other stuff like facing negativity from people when you are trying to do good.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRXAyry-oEI

كلمة - الحلقة 28 - خيرًا تعمل شرًا تلقى - مصطفى حسني

 

 

 

Todays word is about "Good work, but negative reactions" (like bad reactions from people, negtaivity!)"

 

 

Between you and Allah there should be iklhas: sincerity when you are trying to do good work.

 

You do whatever good for the sake of Allah. Oh Allah I am your slave, I want to please You.

 

Sometimes you do something good and say you are doing this for the sake of Allah, and you dont find the postive response you are looking for from the people,  or you can be successful in this test and say it doesnt matter what people think I did this for the sake of Allah, and Allah will make you of the "muhsineen" good doers, the ones who were best with Allah, " Inaa Allah maa al muhsineen" Indeed Allah is with the good doers.  Or you can fail this test and say because I did not find the positive reaction I was looking for from the people, than I am going to treat people badly and this will ruin your manners, and your iklhas sincerity, and that your action was not for the sake of Allah to begin with.  For this reason Allah puts a person in this test so they can think am I doing this for the sake of Allah or not?? But if you have patience (with negativity from others) than you have achived ikhlas, sincerity.

 

"And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah" 73:20 Quran

 

It is better in this dunya, and even greater in the after life..

 

 

I know a story of a person who used to work very hard in his company. And because he is so nice, his boss used to throw extra work on him , but the worker never complained. Once he was leaving from the Masjid, and he came across his friend from a very long time ago who was in the same college as him, his friend asked him where have you been, I am looking for an employee. And than he took him to work at his company in which his status was raised, people respected him, the work load was light and basic. This story can be a simple one for the one who used to work very hard but didnt find a good response from his company, but then Allah gave him much more because

 

"Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good." Quran Surat Yusuf aya 90

 

(Personal note, subhanAllah this aya he quotes is from Surat Yusuf, right before he quoted it I keept thinking about Prophet Yusufs story and how Allah raised his status from a prisoner to king!!)

 

If you did something for the sake of Allah, Allah will not forget you.

 

I know another story of a girl who was very patient with her parents who used to always fight with her, and then Allah sent her a very good hausband who was kind and caring to her. He changed her life of fights and misery to giving and caring.

 

If you ever do something good for sure no doubt you will find it with Allah... He will provide for you in this life and the afterlife.

 

I have a challenge for you, what do you think of forgiving someone so Allah will forgive you?

What do you think of doing something good for someone who is bad to you but still do good. Allah will see that good of you.

 

Arent there times when Allah brings us good and He sends us naaim (gifts, blessings) even though we acted wrong.

 

Sometimes we know we are not doing good, but Allah continues to send us His blessings and gifts. Would you like it if Allah stoped sending you good because of your bad actions?

 

Dont stop doing good even if you see bad from people! Do the good for the sake of Allah, you will become sincere,

Mustfah Hosny, Words Episode 22, The Generous Forgiving Person

 

 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvRudCocqQg&list=UUwttCEi9Fq1DgTd5Anil6rQ&index=1

 

 

كلمة - الحلقة 22 - المسامح كريم - مصطفى حسني

 

Todays word is on the heart of every person who has a good heart. It is a quality that Allah always loves to see, and for it to be in every household, and for all of us to be a person of this quality.

 

The word of today is the generous forgiving person.

 

Allah loves forgiveness, that is why He describe Himself as the Most Forgiving, and He taught us to also have this quality of forgiveness. For it be apart of our character to forgive.

 

Before I speak about forgiveness, I know that lots of people have been wronged, and hurt greatly which makes forgiveness difficult. That is why Allah sent down the signs in this dunya, and on the Day of Judgement He will save those who forgive. They will have their rights.

 

 

Today I speak about the hundreds of problems, the fights that happen due to our weakness, and the characteristics we need to work on. Let us agree that 50 out of 100 percent of our problems can be solved if we forgave one another.

 

In our religion this form of forgiveness is called "Islaah Daat Albayn" like the makeup between the two who were not talking, etc.

 

The Prophet said: "Shall I not inform you of a level higher than salah, siyam (fasting), sadaq (charity)" The people replied: Yes ofcourse tell us

he said:  the makeup between two people, the ties or relations.

Than he said:  breaking and cutting of relations is like the shave/cut. It does not just cut the hair, rather it cuts the deen (religion)."

 

When we fight with each other, and lose each other, and we dont want to makeup, there is a corruption. This breaking of relations ruins the deen religion, because Allah does not like to see this type of broken relation.

 

One of the signs of the hypocrite is that " Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner".  The hypocrite can go for 1,2,3,5 days, no even months!  without talking to their brother/ sister or whoever.

 

For those of you who think that if you forgive someone you will become and seem weak:

the Prophet said: There are 3 I swear upon

1. When you pay sadqa (charity) you will not lose or decrease in money/wealth, Allah will place barakaa (blessings) in the rest of your money.

2. If someone forgives someone who wronged them, Allah will only increase them in honor !

 

Honor is in the power of Allah, and He only honors whom He wills.

 

 

The Prophet was crying as he was telling a story about two people asking for their rights on the Day of Judgement, and the Prophet said, Indeed the Day of Judgement is Great day, people will direly need others to forgive them.

 

Allah tells the one who was wronged/oppressed but still forgave: raise your head, and look to the gardens,

the oppressed one raises his head and looks and he says: Oh Allah I see mountains of gold and sliver, and (other stuff described in the Quran about Jannah), which prophet is this for!? For which truthful man!?

 

Allah replied for the One who gave "Atamaan" (I dont know how to translate the word) but maybe something around good, kindness, etc.

The man said: Who is the ownership who gave the tamaan?

Allah replied: You gave the tamaan , you own it.

The man said: But why!

Allah replied: Because you forgave your brother

The man said: I forgive my brother!

Allah replied: Take the hand of your brother and enter Jannah

 

 

 

After telling this story, the Prophet said:

Be concicous of Allah (Fa Ataqwaa Allah) and fix your relation's with others, because Allah will fix your realtions between the beleivers on the Day of Judgement.

 

After this hadith, the Prophet implies fixing your relations with people at this moment before this moment on the Day of Judgement.

Through this story he is telling the one who wronged the other person, why dont you forgive your brother now in case he doesnt forgive you on the Day of Judgement, and to the one who was wronged, he is telling him what if you forgave your brother now and Allah will give you this amazing place in Jannah which will be written for you from this moment.

 

Yallah Ya Jamaah (Mustfaah Hosny, and Yasir Birjas both say this alot lol, it means come on people!)

 

"AlMasmih Al Qarim" The generous forgiving person.

 

 

If the wrong was not of sin or blood, than forgive,forgive so Allah can forgive you..

 

And if you cannot forgive, I am not going to force you because I know there are hearts that still cannot forgive, but remember

 

Holy Quran 16:126-127

 

 

And if you punish (your enemy, O you believers in the Oneness of Allah), then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).

 

 

And (endure) patiently, and in no way is your patience with the help of anyone except with Allah. And do not grieve for them, nor be straitened for whatever they scheme. 

 

 

 

Mustfah Hosny, Words Episode 17, AlSalat, Prayer

 

 

 

كلمة - الحلقة 17 - الصلاة - مصطفى حسن

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y288wupeUlI&feature=em-subs_digest&list=TL90BkRXNBjjc

 

 

The word of today is a word the Prophets knew very well because it is very beloved to Allah, it is a huge door of the doors to Jannah, and it is what the Prophet Muhmmad used to tell Belal to bring us tranquility with...it is the word of Salaat, prayer.

 

Did you ever think about why Allah wants you to make prayer? Did you ever think about why Allah made the salat a pillar of Islam, an obligation? Can you say that there is something special that Allah benefits from when we make salat?

 

No people, Allah wants us to make salat for our own selves, because He knows it helps us, brings our hearts peace (mutmanah) in this dunya (world) and the akhirah (afterlife).

 

Any improtant person you want to meet with, there is a protocol. First you have to present your questions in an organized manner and give it to them, and if you get a reply there will be a certain time or place where you can meet this important person, and the time is limited to that persons availability, and you can only talk about certain points, you cant go off topic.  If you go over time, the important person will start to look at their watch, and he/she will get up and say you took to much time,

except Allah..

 

Anytime you want to meet with Him, any place, any talk you want to mention, you can come to this it is the time of Salat. There is nothing that tells you you took to long in your salat...

The Prophet said: Whoever leads the people in prayer, shorten the prayer for there may be a old man, or a weak man praying behind you, but when you make salat alone, make it as along as you want.

 

Allah made the salat an obligation, and the salat is the "Waslaa" connection, because Allah loves to connect or reach to you. Allah does not need you, but the salat is for you.  It is fard (obligation) to make the connection (salat) is for your own self.

 

In some of the best psychological, etc books, the scholars write that in order for a person to live peacefully, in sakinaah, tranquility,  you need a connection with the Creator.

 

In the famous book, Eat, Pray, & Love, its like the book was telling the readers you always have to have a connection with your Lord.

 

 

Why is it that the first thing we will be judged upon on the Day of Judgement is the Salaat?

 

You know why? Because the salat tells you " I love Allah". I love having the connection with you  oh Allah.

 

Allah made the salat only 5 times a day, not 50.

 

The Prophet said that in between the fards Allah erases your sins.

 

Allah erases your sins because you took this decision to stand up for salat.

 

The salat has three types of times

 

1. Waqat AlIsthabab, Loved: It is the first 30minutes after the adhan.

For an example, Duhr was made at 12:00, but you prayed within the first 30minutes.

 

2. Waqat AlIbhaha:  After 30minutes but 30minutes before the next prayer

 

3. Waqat AlQaraha, Disliked : 30minutes to the next prayer

 

Dont wait until the last 30minutes to make your salat, try your best to make salat in "Waqaat AlIsthabab" the most beloved time to Allah.

 

Yallah,

The salat is a decision, make the decision, and say

"Oh Allah alshukr (gratefulness) to You, that you have guided me and allowed me to listen to this lecture, and I want to make tawbah (ask for forgiveness) for all of the fard salats I missed, didnt make on time, lazy, and that I did not make you Akbar (Greater), when I heard the call to prayer, "Allahu Akbar" Allah is Greater, that I allowed what is in my heart to be greater, Oh Allah I will try my best to never miss a fard or be late to salat, because I love You, and I like to reach (connect) to You, just as you love for us to reach to You.

 

Mustfah Hosny, I am Sorry, Ana Assaf, "Words" Audio Series, Prophet Muhmmads Forbearance

Mustfah Hosny, my favorite Arabic speaker has a new audio show called "word" and basically its just 5-8 minute audio sessions on different words. Even with 5minutes you learn SO much with him mashAllah. At the end I also shared a chapter about the Prophets Forbearance I came across.

 

The Word: Second Episode: I am Sorry, Mustfah Hosny

 

كلمة - الحلقة 2 - أنا آسف - مصطفى حسني

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eijXiLE8bu4&list=UUwttCEi9Fq1DgTd5Anil6rQ&index=22

Introduction

How much do words have an impact on the souls. Words can make you glad or sad, a word can inspire you or discourage you.....Everyday we will learn a word, and understand it and use it, if there is good in the word we will use it, if there is bad in it we will leave it.

 

Ana Assaf, I am sorry means that I acknowledge my mistake. Or let me tell you, sometimes people are not wrong but they still say I am sorry, which is like saying even if I am not wrong, I want our relationship to go back to good, it doesnt matter who is wrong , what matters is that we stand next to each other, and our hearts are kind to one another. I am sorry means I dont want to see you mad, I care, you are valuable to me. I am sorry, is a word of the strong people who are not impacted of waswas (whsiperings) which tell them that you are weak if you say sorry.

 

The person knows that the word I am sorry, and I will forgive you, Allah loves very much

 

 

 

"...and let them pardon and overlook. 

Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? 

And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful"

 

 Surat Al Noor aya 22

 

I am sorry is a word the arrogant do not understand and they will never tell you I am sorry, or if they do tell you I am sorry its from the edge of their nose (Arab proverb) for the sake of themselves (maslhaa), nor does the arrogant accept apologizes. They think it is not enough.

 

I am sorry to my mom and dad who always missed me when I was to busy working. Or I am sorry to my mom or dad if you died and you needed my duaa I did not make duaa for you.

I am sorry to my son if I never made time to spend with you.

 

 

 I am sorry to my daughter if you started looking for a man early in your life to bring you love and care because as a father I was always cold and mean and I never sat and spoke to you.

 

 

 I am sorry to my soul I did not teach you enough, I did not bring you closer to Allah. I am sorry to my soul when I listened to your whims and desires and I did not stop you, instead I listened to you and I lost you.

 

 

I am sorry to my religion that I shouldve given more honor, but instead my bad manners and my low level of mercy to the people around me made them hate when I was religious.

 

 

I am sorry to every person who taught me beneficial knowledge and I never made duaa for Allah to have mercy on them.

 

I am sorry oh Prophet Muhmmad, you always wanted to meet me and you made duaa for me but my heart is cold towards you, and I dont know much about you, and that is why I cant do what you did for me.

 

I am sorry oh my Rabb for every blessing you bestowed upon me, so that you can tell me I am your Rabb and I wanted to see you glad, but instead my shukr (gratefulness) to You was of bad deeds and making you angry.

 

 

I am sorry oh Egypt (he is Egyptian) for singing Egyptian country songs but I didnt help rebuild you or make you a better place.

 

"I am sorry"

Dont ever allow this word to be heavy on your heart.

 

 

 Around the same time of coming across this video, I also came across the chapter "Prophet Muhammads Forbearance" in the book titled, "Muhamad As If You Can See Him". If you ever want to read a serah book about the Prophets life or characteristics, than pick this book, gives excellent desciprtions and makes you wana cry and be like the Prophet.

 While I was reading the book I saw that the author was the author of my favorite book Dont Be Sad.

 

The chapter said:

 

"To be a forbearing person is to be tolerant, patient, moderate, lenient and forgiving"

 

"The Prophet was the most forbearing of people. When personally wronged, he would restrain his anger and forgive the person who wronged him"

 

"Bedouins were notorious for being rude and inapproaite in their behavior towards the Prophet, and yet the Prophet reciprocated their harshness not with harshness of his own, but with forbearance and forgiveness.

Allah said, "So overlook oh Muhmmad their faults with gracious forgiveness" Quran 15:85

 

"Everyone who came to know the Prophet, were immediately impressed by his smiling countenance, easy going manner, friendly demeanor and forgiving manner"