Just another Muslimpad.com weblog
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
My blog has not been allowing me to do anything once I sign in, so that’s why I haven’t posted in soooo long. I truly meant to a bunch of times, but each time I did it messed up. Alhumdulillah now it’s working, I think something that sas did. So right now I need to pull an all-nighter for a test that I haven’t started studying for… =) inshaAllaah will update with blog posts later.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I’ve been very engaged in the whole situation in Ghazzah, as I hope the entire Muslim world is. The entire world should be, for that matter, as this is enough to make any person with a concept of justice shake to his/her core when they hear about these atrocities.
When I listen to people talk about trivial issues, I have a desire to shake them - to tell them that there are much bigger things to talk about. I wonder how they can go on about their lives as if everything is just peachy throughout the world. Then I realize that I do the same thing, as I watch my toddler-aged niece dart from place to place in the house. My thoughts are consumed by her and the joy she brings to us (Alhumdulillah). But the next second, my mood dampens as I remember that the Palestinian people are suffering as I relax comfortably in my home, without worry of a missile hitting my house or a potential invasion. I wonder why the Palestinian mother must be in constant fear of a glass shard from the shattered window piercing the soft flesh of her baby while most mothers are more concerned about their babies tumbling down the stairs.
I laugh with my friend, but abruptly stop as I wonder how I can laugh while there are families huddled together as their masaajid, houses, universities are bombarded. Of course, these people have been given this test by Allaah because they are able to handle it. But this does not excuse the rest of us from doing something about it. I should be making du3aa as desperately as the oppressed, for we are one nation, we are one ummah. What affects them should affect all of us. What hurts them should hurt us.
I am scared, though, that soon I will forget the plight of our brothers and sisters in Ghazzah (and all the others throughout the world). I am afraid that this will soon become a distant memory and the rage that this has incurred will disappear. The Western media (that of the U.S., at least) has been downplaying the situation since the beginning - worse, they’re making the Israelis seem like the righteous ones once more. How many people will, once again, buy into their scheme? Alhumdulillah, I noticed people (Muslim AND non-Muslim) are very fired up about this instance of inhumanity, but how long will it last? How long will we Muslims care so passionately about the condition of the ummah?
More importantly, when will we ACT upon our passion? Have we cried while sincerely making du3aa to Allaah? Have we done everything that is in our power (whether it’s having fundraising events to provide money for those who are in dire need of it, writing letters of condemnation to the leaders of the countries not helping, having protests to give da3wah and show solidarity, raising awareness of the situation to those who have been brainwashed by the media, etc.)? Of course, the best thing would be to defend the ummah in person but most of us have to help them indirectly.
And remember that the people in Ghazzah are not the only ones oppressed, rather they are just the most recent reminders. So please make sure you remember to make du3aa for the Muslims everywhere inshaAllaah.
I think I’ve been posting too many articles (though I’ve only posted 2 here), so I’ll just link you to the articles themselves (most of which I first read through forums):
Israel’s onslaught on Gaza is a crime that cannot succed - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/30/israel-and-the-palestinians-middle-east
What have the Palestinians got to complain about? - http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-so-what-have-the-palestinians-got-to-complain-about-1218135.html
Israel’s warped self-justification for murder - http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21575.htm
Gaza: the logic of colonial power - http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/dec/29/gaza-hamas-israel
Why bombing Ashkelon is the most tragic irony - http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-bombing-ashkelon-is-the-most-tragic-irony-1216228.html
Maybe it’s just that I’m more aware of what is going on in the world, but it seems like even the non-Muslims are more riled up about this than usual. I hope Israel has dug its own grave because now people are starting to see it for what it is (a self-imposed tyrant/invader/occupier of the indigenous people), though the world is very late in noticing and condemning. Khair, better late than never. For once, perhaps this will not be brushed under the carpet as all oppression regarding the Muslims has been in the past.
By Linda Heard, Arab News
http://arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=117661&d=30&m=12&y=2008
——
ONCE again Israel seeks to defend the indefensible in an attempt to cloak its crimes against humanity with the mantle of self-defense. As its American-manufactured bombs and missiles pound a virtually unarmed starving population, Israeli officials appear on just about every satellite news network singing from the same propagandist song sheet.
It’s all the fault of the terror organization Hamas which refused to renew the cease-fire, ” ‘We have a duty to protect our citizens in the south from rockets and mortars”. I’ve heard several saying “When we pulled out of Gaza we hoped Palestinians would forge a functioning territory but instead they chose terror”. In answer to questions concerning so many civilian deaths, they all insist that Israel is carrying out surgical strikes against “terror infrastructure” or they will excuse Israel’s bombardment of homes with “civilians are hiding launchers in their houses”.
Israel’s former ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman seemed nonplussed when one interviewer asked him whether the seven dead UNWRA student employees were launching missiles too.
Predictably, these merchants of untruths are given free rein to spin on most Western networks and disproportionate airtime as opposed to pro-Palestinian commentators.
Let’s dissect these fabricated Israeli arguments.
First, whatever one thinks of Hamas and it ideology, it was elected to office in free and internationally-monitored elections that were forced upon the Palestinian people by Washington as part of the Bush administration’s quest to democratize the Middle East.
Then, after congratulating the Palestinians on their new democracy, the US-led international community promptly condemned the new leadership as terrorist and threw its support behind Fatah, which was “ordered” to turn against Hamas. This divisive strategy worked to the extent Hamas was driven to Gaza where it has since struggled against all odds to provide its citizens with the barest minimum required to sustain life.
Those representatives of Israel who say since their country’s pullout there was no obstacle to Gaza becoming a flourishing enclave are disingenuous when Gaza’s borders are sealed and the people have no control over their coastline or airspace.
Even when the Fatah-controlled Palestinian National Authority managed Gaza, Israel did everything it could to destroy infrastructure including a $75 million airport built with donations from the EU, Japan and Morocco. And during this recent round of attacks, ministries, government buildings, police stations and a police academy were bombed which does not support Israel’s supposed wish to see a functioning Gaza.
While it is true that Hamas refused to extend the cease-fire, what incentive does it have to do so while Israel is waging a war of attrition on the people in its care? It seems residents of Gaza must choose to die slowly from starvation and lack of medicines or at the hands of the Israeli war machine. Secondly, Israel is, indeed, duty-bound to protect its citizens but just look at the numbers. Very few crude home-made rockets have resulted in casualties. I believe only one Israeli has died during this current onslaught that has robbed the lives of over 320 Palestinians and wounded up to 1,000; not including those still buried beneath rubble. Once more, Israel’s response has been disproportionate just as it was in 2006 when it slaughtered 1,200 Lebanese civilians in answer to Hezbollah’s kidnapping of IDF soldiers.
Third, when it comes to Gaza, said to be one of the most densely-populated areas of the world, there is no such thing as a surgical strike. Moreover, over half of Gaza’s population are children under 18. Even the smartest smart bombs could not cherry-pick between resistance fighters and innocents in such a packed environment. The Israeli government knows this and doesn’t care a jot, which translates to willful collective punishment, illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
But like its Washington master (or is it the other way around?) Israel is not constrained by international law or the Geneva Conventions that also require an occupying nation to provide for the well being of people under its occupation and to respect their dignity. As the willful killing continues, Israel merrily ignores pleas from France, Russia, the UN, the EU and Britain to end the violence. Why should it do otherwise when it has proved time and time again that it is a law unto itself and immune from international punishment?
Unsurprisingly, the only message from the US to Israel is “try to avoid civilian casualties”, which is nothing more than lip service to international humanitarian sensitivities. In effect, the Bush administration has blessed this, by many accounts, long planned operation, cynically timed to begin during a political vacuum in Washington and close to upcoming elections when candidates need to prove they’re tough to win votes. Tragically, there may be much worse to come. Israeli government officials including Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned the offensive could be widened as tanks line up on the border with Gaza and 6,500 IDF reservists are on standby.
Tomorrow, the Arab League is holding an emergency summit of foreign ministers to discuss the crisis. If only they will decide to do more than issue a joint statement of condemnation this time. Together they have so much clout. Now is the time for all Arab countries to gather together as one nation to say “enough is enough” before the streets of Gaza run with the blood of their desperate brothers and sisters. As the West closes its eyes and ears to Palestinian cries for help Arab leaders should heed the outraged voices on their own streets and act. Finally, the governments of Egypt and Jordan should do some soul-searching. Should they continue with peace agreements made in all good faith with a selfish, cruel state bent on destroying a people for its own ends?
To understand how frightening it is to be a Gazan this morning, you need to have stood in that small slab of concrete by the Mediterranean and smelled the claustrophobia. The Gaza Strip is smaller than the Isle of Wight but it is crammed with 1.5 million people who can never leave. They live out their lives on top of each other, jobless and hungry, in vast, sagging tower blocks. From the top floor, you can often see the borders of their world: the Mediterranean, and Israeli barbed wire. When bombs begin to fall – as they are doing now with more deadly force than at any time since 1967 – there is nowhere to hide.
There will now be a war over the story of this war. The Israeli government says, “We withdrew from Gaza in 2005 and in return we got Hamas and Qassam rockets being rained on our cities. Sixteen civilians have been murdered. How many more are we supposed to sacrifice?” It is a plausible narrative, and there are shards of truth in it, but it is also filled with holes. If we want to understand the reality and really stop the rockets, we need to rewind a few years and view the run-up to this war dispassionately.
The Israeli government did indeed withdraw from the Gaza Strip in 2005 – in order to be able to intensify control of the West Bank. Ariel Sharon’s senior adviser, Dov Weisglass, was unequivocal about this, explaining: “The disengagement [from Gaza] is actually formaldehyde. It supplies the amount of formaldehyde that is necessary so that there will not be a political process with the Palestinians… this whole package that is called the Palestinian state has been removed from our agenda indefinitely.”
Ordinary Palestinians were horrified by this, and by the fetid corruption of their own Fatah leaders, so they voted for Hamas. It certainly wouldn’t have been my choice – an Islamist party is antithetical to all my convictions - but we have to be honest. It was a free and democratic election, and it was not a rejection of a two-state solution. The most detailed polling of Palestinians, by the University of Maryland, found that 72 per cent want a two-state solution on the 1967 borders, while fewer than 20 per cent want to reclaim the whole of historic Palestine. So, partly in response to this pressure, Hamas offered Israel a long, long ceasefire and a de facto acceptance of two states, if only Israel would return to its legal borders.
Rather than seize this opportunity and test Hamas’s sincerity, the Israeli government reacted by punishing the entire civilian population. It announced that it was blockading the Gaza Strip in order to “pressure” its people to reverse the democratic process. The Israelis surrounded the Strip and refused to let anyone or anything out. They let in a small trickle of food, fuel and medicine – but not enough for survival. Weisglass quipped that the Gazans were being “put on a diet”. According to Oxfam, only 137 trucks of food were allowed into Gaza last month to feed 1.5 million people. The United Nations says poverty has reached an “unprecedented level.” When I was last in besieged Gaza, I saw hospitals turning away the sick because their machinery and medicine was running out. I met hungry children stumbling around the streets, scavenging for food.
It was in this context – under a collective punishment designed to topple a democracy – that some forces within Gaza did something immoral: they fired Qassam rockets indiscriminately at Israeli cities. These rockets have killed 16 Israeli citizens. This is abhorrent: targeting civilians is always murder. But it is hypocritical for the Israeli government to claim now to speak out for the safety of civilians when it has been terrorising civilians as a matter of state policy.
The American and European governments are responding with a lop-sidedness that ignores these realities. They say that Israel cannot be expected to negotiate while under rocket fire, but they demand that the Palestinians do so under siege in Gaza and violent military occupation in the West Bank.
Before it falls down the memory hole, we should remember that last week, Hamas offered a ceasefire in return for basic and achievable compromises. Don’t take my word for it. According to the Israeli press, Yuval Diskin, the current head of the Israeli security service Shin Bet, “told the Israeli cabinet [on 23 December] that Hamas is interested in continuing the truce, but wants to improve its terms.” Diskin explained that Hamas was requesting two things: an end to the blockade, and an Israeli ceasefire on the West Bank. The cabinet – high with election fever and eager to appear tough – rejected these terms.
The core of the situation has been starkly laid out by Ephraim Halevy, the former head of Mossad. He says that while Hamas militants – like much of the Israeli right-wing – dream of driving their opponents away, “they have recognised this ideological goal is not attainable and will not be in the foreseeable future.” Instead, “they are ready and willing to see the establishment of a Palestinian state in the temporary borders of 1967.” They are aware that this means they “will have to adopt a path that could lead them far from their original goals” – and towards a long-term peace based on compromise.
The rejectionists on both sides – from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran to Bibi Netanyahu of Israel – would then be marginalised. It is the only path that could yet end in peace but it is the Israeli government that refuses to choose it. Halevy explains: “Israel, for reasons of its own, did not want to turn the ceasefire into the start of a diplomatic process with Hamas.”
Why would Israel act this way? The Israeli government wants peace, but only one imposed on its own terms, based on the acceptance of defeat by the Palestinians. It means the Israelis can keep the slabs of the West Bank on “their” side of the wall. It means they keep the largest settlements and control the water supply. And it means a divided Palestine, with responsibility for Gaza hived off to Egypt, and the broken-up West Bank standing alone. Negotiations threaten this vision: they would require Israel to give up more than it wants to. But an imposed peace will be no peace at all: it will not stop the rockets or the rage. For real safety, Israel will have to talk to the people it is blockading and bombing today, and compromise with them.
The sound of Gaza burning should be drowned out by the words of the Israeli writer Larry Derfner. He says: “Israel’s war with Gaza has to be the most one-sided on earth… If the point is to end it, or at least begin to end it, the ball is not in Hamas’s court – it is in ours.”
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I JUST heard about our beloved brothers and sisters in Ghazza being attacked - and it was through a forum that I first read about it. I turned CNN on and they had this bogus program going on about legal reports. WHERE IS THE BREAKING NEWS? I remember when the Mumbai bombings happened, it was breaking news for DAYS. CNN headline news just talks about Caylee Anthony (for weeks on end). WTH IS THIS CRAP?
America, you need to get over your obsessive love of Israel and condemn terrorism, not only when Muslims do something you don’t like.
And Muslims (myself first), we need to wake up. We’ve been in a deeep slumber, but how can we be as we read the following things:
“Hospital officials said at least 205 people had been killed in one of the bloodiest days for the Palestinians in 60 years of conflict. Nearly half were members of the Islamist Hamas group’s security forces. Over 700 people were wounded.”
“Hospital officials said many of the dead were passers by, including 15 women.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE4BQ1IJ20081227
Ya Allaah, grant the Muslims victory over all and allow the Muslims to overcome the oppressors and tyrants. Ya Allaah, guide us to the Straight Path and give us true gheerah for the deen and the ummah.
Ya Allaah, grant the Muslims sabr. Accept the shahadah of those who have died. Ease the living’s pain. Ameen ya Rabb.
I’ve gotta go for now but PLEASE read take action (protest, etc).
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Narrated ‘Aa’ishah radiAllaahu ‘anha, the wife of the Prophet sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that she was told that ‘Abdullaah ibn Az-Zubayr (on hearing that she was selling, or giving something as a gift) said, “By Allaah, if ‘Aa’ishah does not give up this, I will declare her incompetent to dispose of her wealth.”
I said, “Did he (’Abdullaah bin Az-Zubayr) say so?”
They (people) said, “Yes.”
‘Aa’ishah said, “I vow to Allaah that I will never speak to Ibn Az-Zubayr.” When this desertion lasted long, ‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr sought intercession with her, but she said, “By Allaah, I will not accept the intercession of anyone for him, and will not commit a sin by breaking my vow.”
When this state of affairs was prolonged on Ibn Az-Zubayr (he felt it hard on him), he said to Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Al-Aswad bin ‘Abd Yaghooth, who were from the tribe of Bani Zuhra, “I beseech you, by Allaah, to let me enter upon ‘Aa’ishah, for it is unlawful for her to vow to cut the relation with me.”
So Al-Miswar and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan, wrapping their sheets around themselves, asked ‘Aa’ishah’s permission saying, “Peace and Allaah’s Mercy and Blessings be upon you! Shall we come in?”
‘Aa’ishah said, “Come in.”
They said, “All of us?”
She said, “Yes, come in, all of you,” not knowing that Ibn Az-Zubayr was also with them. So when they entered, Ibn Az-Zubayr entered teh screened place and got hold of ‘Aa’ishah and started requesting her to excuse him, and wept. Al-Miswar and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan also started requesting her to speak to him and to accept his repentance.
They said (to her), “The Prophet sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam forbade what you know of deserting (not speaking to your Muslim brethern), for it is unlawful for any Muslim not to talk to his brother for more than three nights (days).”
So when they increased their reminding her (of the superiority of having good relations with kith and kin, and of excusing other’s sins), and brought her down to a critical situation, she started reminding them, and wept, saying, “I have made a vow, and (the question of) vow is a difficult one.” They Al-Miswar and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan) persisted in their appeal till she spoke with ‘Abdullaah bin Az-Zubayr and she manumitted forty slaves as an expiation for her vow. Later on, whenever she remembered her vow, she used to weep so much that her veil used to become wet with tears. [Saheeh Bukharee, Volume 8 of Abridged English version, Chapter 62, hadeeth numbers 6073, 6074, 6075]
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah….
SUBHANALLAAH! The chapter under which this hadeeth is placed under is entitled “Al-Hijra [(to desert or) cut one's relation with another Muslim (i.e., not to speak to him on meeting him)]. This hadeeth, as indicated by the chapter, shows that it is haraam to cut off ties from the Muslims (as we know through other ahadeeth). What struck me the most about this hadeeth, however, is how much ‘Aa’ishah’s vow meant to the beloved wife of RasoolAllaah.
When I first read it, I was comparing it to the modern day mentality. These days, so many of us easily make “wallaahi” promises, yet it doesn’t really bear much weight on us. I know that in the past I have been guilty of saying, “I will just fast those 3 days” when thinking about breaking that promise. Alhumdulillah, I personally have gotten rid of that evil habit as breaking promises is something that is spoken harshly against in Islaam (just so everyone knows that I do not encourage what I did).
But I know I was not the only one who would say “Eh, all I’ve gotta do is fast 3 days, it’s ok.” And this is not a good thing at all as making a “wallaahi proimse” is a big deal. Imagine, you are SWEARING BY ALLAAH on a matter. And when many people break the promise thinking that it’s not that big of a deal, they must not have read the above hadeeth because ‘Aa’ishah radiAllaahu anha was heartbroken over her broken promise (and that was a GOOD broken promise because it is haraam to forsake your brother for more than 3 days OR cut ties with kin - from what I have read, keeping the sort of promise that makes you do something haraam is haraam upon you)!!! She weeped every time she thought of the broken vow until her veil became wet with tears! Even AFTER she freed 40 slaves, thereby ‘paying’ the expiation for the broken vow. Do we care that much about our (BAD) broken promises? How much do we regret them?
SubhanAllaah, many Muslims have forgotten or are ignorant of the magnitude of swearing by Allaah. It’s NOT a small thing and your vow must be honored unless it goes against Islaam!
Here is a hadeeth that further shows that:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that Muhammad sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, Three things are the sign of the hypocrite: when he speaks he tells lies, when he promises he breaks it and when he is trusted he proves to be dishonest. [Bukharee (Eng. Trans. 1/31/no.32) and Muslim (Eng. Trans. 1/40/no.112)]
Anyhow, back to the initial hadeeth I posted. I also loved that hadeeth because of the love between ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr and his aunt, ‘Aa’ishah radiAllaahu anha. That little grudge between them and the way they reconciled was so cute. SubhanAllaah. May Allaah allow us to be in their company and in even higher company on Youm al Qiyamah, Ameen.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever is mainly concerned about the Hereafter, Allaah will make him feel independent of others and will make him focused and content, and his worldly affairs will fall into place. But whoever is mainly concerned with this world, Allaah will make him feel in constant need of others and will make him distracted and unfocused, and he will get nothing of this world except what is decreed for him.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2389; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6510).
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “When a person spends his entire day with no other concern but Allaah alone, Allaah, may He be glorified, will take care of all his needs and take care of all that is worrying him; He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him, free his tongue so that it will speak only in remembrance of Him (dhikr) and cause all his faculties to work only in obedience to Him. But if a person spends his entire day with no other concern but this world, Allaah will make him bear its distress, anxiety and pain; He will leave him to sort himself out, and cause his heart to be distracted from the love of Allaah towards the love of some created being, cause his tongue to speak only in remembering people instead of remembering Allaah, and cause him to use his talents and energy in obeying and serving them. So he will strive hard, labouring like some work-animal, to serve something other than Allaah… Everyone who turns away from being a true slave of Allaah and obeying Him and loving Him will be burdened with servitude, love and obedience to some created being. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allaah), We appoint for him a shaytaan (devil) to be a qareen (intimate companion) to him.’ [al-Zukhruf 43:36].” Al-Fawaa’id, p. 159
InshaAllaah let us all aspire to be of the ones whom Allaah is pleased with due to our constant remembrance of Him. Wallaahil ‘adheem, I am the one needing this reminder the most, but I thought I can perhaps benefit everyone else by sharing.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
So….been quite a while since I’ve posted. Why? Well, mainly I just haven’t felt like it but also a part of it is that whenever I DID want to post, for some reason I could not get far on the admin panel without having a page come up saying “Internet Explorer Cannot Open Page”. I was just about to quit muslimpad, but then I was going to complain to Sas/Fatima and while describing my ordeal =(, I realized that it was IE…And then, bright little me JUST figured out to use FireFox (after how many months of attempting to sign in?). Anyways, congratulations Sairah (if you ever see this), I have finally succumbed to FireFox (for coming on this blog, at least). I must say, I quite like it.
Sometimes I checked how many people were still visiting my blog. Why even ONE person still visits itis beyond me. I haven’t posted for soooo long. Either I’ve got stalkers or people who stumbled across the blog from a search engine. Anyways, not many updates on my side. Please, update me on your life if I haven’t talked to you (friends, Muslims in general) lately.
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Describing Paradise, Allaah - the Most High - said:
“Indeed Allaah will enter those who believe and do righteous and correct actions into Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments will be made of silk.” [Soorah al-Hajj 24:23].
“Indeed the pious and obedient ones will be in Paradise, amongst gardens and water-springs. It will be said to them: Enter! In peace and safety. And We shall remove from their hearts any ill-feeling, so that they will be like brothers, facing each other on thrones. No sense of hardship will touch them, and they will be of those who never leave.” [Soorah al-Hijr 15:45-46].
Paradise: that precious sanctity to which, throughout the ages, the Believers run towards.
Paradise: a burning fame that was in the hearts of our Salafus-Salih (Pious Predecessors), a flame that spurred them to aim for the highest examples of valour in jihaad and sacrifice.
Paradise: that noble goal which aspiring eyes are fixed towards and which yearning souls long for, in all times and in all places. They find worldly afflictions agreeable to them for the sake of achieving Paradise. Indeed, to enter into it and remain in it is considered the greatest goal for the Believers, and it is a hope which is kept in view throughout life’s journey. How often has Paradise been the incentive and a motivation for goodness and truth, despite the dangers, afflictions and thorns that lie along the path - even if it involves certain death.
This was the case in the days of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, as Anas radhiallahu `anhu related: Once Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and his Companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah. When the disbelievers arrived Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “None of you shall proceed ahead of me in anything.” The disbelievers then advanced towards us and Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Rise-up to enter Paradise, whose width is equal to the heavens and the earth.” `Umayr ibn al-Humaam al-Ansaaree radiallahu `anhu said: O Messenger of Allah! Is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth? He said: “Yes!” `Umayr then exclaimed words of astonishment and excitement, so Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam asked him: “What made you say these words of astonishment and excitement?” He replied, “O Messenger of Allaah! Nothing but the desire to be amongst its inhabitants. Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam then said: “Indeed, you are surely from amongst its inhabitants.” So `Umayr then took some dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said: “If I were to live until I have eaten all the dates, then indeed this life would be too long. He threw away the remaining dates which were with him and he fought until he was killed. [Related by Muslim (no. 1901)]
This was also the stance taken in later times:
Abu Moosaa al-Ash`aree radiallahu `anhu, whilst in the presence of his enemy, narrated: Allaah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, the gates of Paradise are beneath the shade of swords.” A man who was in a shabby condition got up and said: Abu Moosaa! Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allaah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam? So he said: Yes! He returned to his friend and said: I bid you salaam (a farewell greeting of peace). Then he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, then rushed it into the thick of the enemy and fought them until he was slain. [Muslim (no. 1902) and at-Tirmidhee (no. 1659)] (From the book: Jannah (pp.5-6) of Shaykh `Alee Hasan)
Imaam ash-Shaafi`ee (d.204H) - rahimahullaah - said:
“O my soul! It is not, except a few days of patience;
As if the extent were but a few dreams.
O my soul! Pass quickly on through this world;
And leave it, for indeed life lies ahead of it.”
[Related by Ibn Rajab in Fadl `Ilmus-Salaf (p.63)]
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Beautiful excerpt from the Paradise on Earth lecture by Murtaza Khan. Watch with your eyes, hear with your heart.
 Hm, I dont know how to embed it onto here, but I’ll just give the link then:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YrwbblKaDJ0
 oh and jazakAllaahu khairan to the person who sent this to me.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
My emaan is a bit low presently. I can feel my heart hardening too. I know it’s due to my sins (of which there are many) and I know what I should do to solve it (repent sincerely & regretfully & make the resolve to never commit those sins again). I tried doing that too. However, there’s something different now.
When I usually repent, I can feel myself getting lighter. My heart and soul feel better. I can almost feel the sins being lifted off of me. SubhanAllaah but now, I feel just the same as before repenting. Ya Allaah, how bad have I become that I can’t make myself fear Allaah enough so that my repentance truly means something to me and has a better chance of being accepted?
Please advise me, what do you do when you fall into this type of rut? I desperately need to get out of it. It’s so amazing that when the emaan is down, life just doesn’t have the same meaning anymore. I need to get back to my normal self at least (even though that’s not good either, but it’s better than where I’m at right now).
I know the basics…listen to the Qur’aan and contemplate on the meaning. I would be doing that right now but I’m currently at my college and I forgot my card at home so I can’t check out headphones. Oh well, I guess I’ll just read the Qur’aan from the computer screen and contemplate it. But what else should I do besides this and increasing the remembrance of Allaah (Alhumdulillah just checked, I remembered to put Husnul Muslim in my bag)?
 I went googling and I found a poem about emaan. This pretty much describes my state right now:
 What happened to those days when my Emaan was strong?
When I wouldn’t dare think of doing anything wrong
When my yaqeen in Allah(swt) would lead me through
The good and bad .. the old and new
What happened to those days when my du’aa was sincere?
When there was absolutely nothing on earth that I would fear
When I was certain that Allah(swt) was really near
And would run to Him and leave all that is dear
What happened to those days when I could read and recite Quraan well?
When I bought al-janna and this dunya I would sell
When my heart was pure and all full of light
When my qiyam was my only source of strength and might
What’s wrong my nafs .. why did you fall?
Don’t you know that Allah(swt) knows and hears your call?
A little test like this one shouldn’t beat you so
It shouldn’t pull you down to a level so low
Don’t you know that Allah(swt) chooses what is best
And that this is all a previously planned test
Don’t you know that He(swt) hears your soul .. He(swt) hears your cry
He(swt) sees you fall… He(swt) sees you sigh
Allah(swt) is Great… Allah(swt) is Al-Hakeem
His ways are just no matter how dark it may seem
Hold on my nafs to the fireball in your palm
Hold on to it and when it burns act calm
Whenever it falls, bend down and restart
Let those tears fall and wipe that heart
Remember my nafs the beauty of the promised firdaus
You know it’s your dream to build there a house
Get back on your feet and go back to those days
I know this only a passing phase ..
Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?(55:16)
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Allaahu Akbar I miss my sister. I was just looking through our stash of photos, as I occasionally do. I found one picture of her at her school. It was Open Day (I think that’s what it was called) and that was the day she was diagnosed with cancer. subhanAllaah, even though she had been through other illnesses, she still looked healthy. But looking at her pictures after she started receiving chemotherapy, she never looked the same. But her spirit was just as high throughout the remainder of her life.
The pictures reminded me of so many memories and I sometimes fall into the trap of “what if” or “if only”. I went to an AlMaghrib class recently and a couple of my friends brought their younger sisters along. How I wished I could have brought Asma. Their younger sisters are close to the age my sister would have been (15ish) and that hurt even more. I love these girls and du’aa that Allaah gives them and their families the best (Ameen). Even so, at times I couldn’t help but feel lonely. I let a couple of tears fall during the class regarding this. I was doing so well too about not crying because of my sister at the class until the shaykh mentioned the story of a little girl who had died. I would’ve cried even if Asma was not on my mind because it was a beautiful, sad story. But the fact that it reminded me of Asma made me hurry out of the class because I knew I would soon start crying out loud (instead of quietly weeping). And even before the door was shut properly, I couldn’t hold my sobs in. inshaAllaah the class didn’t hear me (since the door was still on its way to completely shutting). I felt like a drama queen though…especially when my friend came to console me. Alhumdulillah for friends like that, who make you laugh even while you’re crying, who cry with you, who hug you and say they don’t know what to say but they still remain with you.
You know, I miss the fights too. My friends sometimes have fights with their younger sisters and that reminds me of my fights with Asma. When we were young, we’d get into physical fights lol. No one would find out, it would only be for a few minutes and then we’d sometimes start laughing or usually we’d just not talk to each other for a few hours. Once, I turned the light off on purpose because I knew she was afraid of the dark (if she wasn’t in bed). Asma got scared and punched me in my stomach. It did not hurt and I was about to laugh, but I decided to make her pay so I cried (without tears haha). Asma panicked and gave me her inhaler (she thought that would help me) and kept saying ‘TAKE IT, TAKE IT!” because she was so worried. I laugh every time I think of this memory, even though I feel really bad about what I did.
Ahhh, it’s been awhile since I talked about Asma on here (publicly OR privately - usually now I have password protected entries when I talk about her) and it feels good to let it out.
May Allaah grant all of my family, friends, the Muslims, and myself Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. InshaAllaah when we make it to Paradise, I’ll introduce you all (readers) to my sister. Maybe we can all sit around the Nabi sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, listening to him recount his life (inshaAllaah!). Alhumdulillah for Islaam….these thoughts are what keep me sane (that I have a chance of reuniting with Asma again inshaAllaah along with meeting the rest of you).
Anyways, erm, I have a test on Thursday and it’s 1:04 AM Wednesday morning so I should really start studying. Make du’aa I do well on the test and finish both of the research papers (and everything related to them) on time. jazakumAllaahu khairan
 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmat Ullaah.
Just came back from the Janaazah of Saleh as-Saleh (r). We prayed over him here at the Prophet’s Masjid, then carried him over to al-Baqee’, then watched while two men entered into the grave and two others handed them the body. The body was placed in the lahd, facing the qiblah. Many brothers formed a train transporting the bricks that were then placed behind the body so as to seal the lahd off the rest of the grave. Finally, we started dumping soil into the grave until it was filled to the top, and we stayed a short while around the grave supplicating for him.
His son, Rasheed (about 23 years old), told me that his father died following a sharp drop in his diabetic sugar level while he was leaving from Jumu’ah prayer yesterday. He was immediately transported to al-Ansaar hospital where he passed away soon thereafter. May Allaah forgive him, engulf him with His mercy, and admit him and us into His spacious Garden.
Rasheed has one daughter, and he told me that his mother had recently embraced Islam after he had extended discussions with her in US. In addition to Rasheed and his sister (from the American wife), Saleh had Abdurrahman and Asmaa from a second wife (all currently in Egypt ), and he has several children (probably five) from his current wife, the oldest son being Abdullaah (about 12 years old, was present during the burial). May Allaah (T) grant his family patience, acceptance, and submission to Allaah’s will, and may He reward them for their great loss.
Was-salaamu ‘alaykum
Abu ‘Abdillaah Muhammad al-Jibaly
Al-Madeenah al-Munawwarah
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
 subhanAllaah 2 of the scholars of this ummah have passed away in the same week. It seems as if this is fulfilling the prophecy of knowledge being taken away through the deaths of scholars. Though I only attended a few of his lectures on paltalk, it’s still so saddening to hear about his departure from this dunya. May Allaah forgive him & accept him into Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
 As you all must have heard by now, Shaykh Anwar al Awlaki was released on December 12, 2007. jazakumAllaahu khairan to the brothers and sisters who posted about the news on the forums and to CagePrisoners for confirming it. And a sister on IslamicAwakening posted this as well (jazakeeAllaahu khairan):
 Moazzam Begg interviews Shaykh Anwar. Audio:
http://www.cageprisoners.com/media.php?id=674
Transcript:
http://www.cageprisoners.com/articles.php?id=22926
Allaahu Akbar….the shaykh’s interview was so beautiful. I mean, I was worried that perhaps he would not be in the same mental state as he was before the imprisonment, but mashaAllaah he’s talking “normally”. He’s already talking about lectures! May Allaah grant him good in this dunya & in the akhira & allow us to always benefit from him. Ameen.
 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
As you all must have heard by now, Benazir Bhutto was killed a little bit more than 1 day ago. My personal opinions aside, I want to ask you all to make du’aa for my family that is there. My mom called her sister to see if she was ok, but she told my mom to not talk about it much on the phone (I guess the phones are tapped there as well). During the phone call, someone knocked on their door and said not to drink water anymore because it’s been poisoned (probably by supporters of Bhutto). I don’t know if it’s true or not….but regardless, please du’aa for all of my relatives there & every other innocent Muslim. jazakumAllaahu khairan.
It is said that a beggar went to a rich man from Khurasan and asked for help. He heard him say to his servant, “O Gold, say to Gem, to say to Jewel, to say to Sapphire, to say to this beggar that we do not have anything.” The beggar raised his hands to the sky and said, “O my Lord, say to Jibril, to say to Israfil, to say to Mikail, to say to `Izrail to take the soul of this miser.”
Ash`ab was about to relate a story to a ruler, and he began: “There was a man…” But at that point he noticed a tray of food being brought to them. He paused as he was staring at the tasty food. The ruler said, “Yes…and then?” Ash`ab said, “And he died!”
Asma`i relates from his father that a prisoner was brought before `Abdul-Malik and was accused of having rebelled against the ruler. `Abdul-Malik said, “Strike his neck.” The prisoner said, “O Leader of the Believers, this should not be the reward that I receive from you. By Allah, I did not join the ranks of such and such person except because I cared about you and was looking out for your best interests. I am an unlucky man, and I have never fought side by side with a man, except that we were defeated. Throughout the years, I have been better for you than 1000 people on your side who cared about you. I was with such and such person and we were defeated, and then I was with such and such person and we were defeated…” He went on mentioning the people that were defeated by `Abdul-Malik. `Abdul-Malik laughed upon hearing this and freed the man.
 Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
 InshaAllaah your 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are going well. Those who are on their way to perform Hajj are very blessed. May Allaah accept it from them, Ameen. It’s been 2 years since I went myself (I went Dec 2005/Jan 2006) and I desperately miss it. I know I’ve said this before, but though I was only there for a few weeks, I feel like I am homesick for Makkah & Madinah. I miss ALL of the voices that recited the Qur’aan. The ones I remember (of those who recited) are Shuraim, Saleh At-Talib @ the Haram & the imaam who recites VERY slowly @ Masjid an-Nabawi. Oh and the Adhaan callers for each of them. *sigh* Shuraim’s voice would just overpower everything else and many times, one couldn’t help but cry. I swear, it’s such an amazing feeling to weep to Allaah at these places (and if you haven’t been for Hajj, then imagine crying to Allaah in solitude while making du’aa and multiply that by 100). Ahh! Here’s a picture of Masjid al-Haraam during salaah time:
 http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a24/Aysha88/Hajj/?action=view¤t=sideview.jpg
 The date was off on the camera by a couple of days…I think it was really January 2nd or 3rd. And I apologize for the screen, I didn’t realize I could remove it at the time. Anyhow, that was the sideview from our room. Many times, even if we left 5-10 minutes early, we’d still have to pray on the street because the Masjid would be so packed. Sometimes, it was hard to get off of our hotel steps because people would even be INSIDE the hotel….now that’s what you call packed. You know, out of ALL of the people there, can you imagine even ONE person’s du’aa being accepted when they say Ameen after Surah Fatihah? That one person’s du’aa would benefit EVERYONE else. subhanAllaah. inshaAllaah there was at least 1 person whose du’aa was accepted though (if not everyone’s).
Ok sorry, I’m really really tired and I have a test tomorrow so inshaAllaah I’ll post the beneficial bit up later.
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
You know how people say that the pain goes away with time? It doesn’t, at least not for me. The only thing that happens is that my mind blocks the memories of Asma, so that I’m not crying all the time. But there are so many times that I can’t block those memories or when I don’t WANT to block those memories. Some of these times are when I watch my brothers interact with one another.
Sometimes I get jealous of my brothers. They have each other. I mean, I have them too, but it’s just different. They grew up together. They were the trio and Asma and I were the pair. They still have each other, but I don’t have Asma. They borrow each other’s clothing, but Asma and I can’t. They borrow each other’s shoes, but Asma and I can’t. I miss the countless hours we’d spend in our room, just playing.
And lately, whenever I buy something to eat at school, I think about how I would ALWAYS make sure Asma ate it as well. She’d do the same for me. And we’d both share with our mom. If either of us got chocolate or lollipops or anything else, we would ask for an extra “for my sister.” If they didn’t give us an extra, then we’d share that one food product. So a couple of days ago, as I was eating the peanut M&Ms I bought, those memories were nagging me. Then I realized I hadn’t shared with my mom for a long time so I went downstairs and gave it to her. I told (reminded) her of how we’d (Asma & my mom & I) always share….it was one of the rare times that I have ever spoken about Asma in front of my family. Then my mom told me to come closer and she hugged and kissed me. Right after that, I left because I knew if I stayed, we would both cry.
I rarely ever speak about Asma in front of them because I know if I do, I might break down. They often speak about her and the atmosphere suddenly gets very depressing, so I usually go do something or go to a different part of the house. I avoid eye contact because I know that every one of those faces talking about Asma will be painful to look at. You know what else? Ever since Asma passed away, neither my mom or dad have laughed the way they used to laugh. Sure, they’ll still laugh out loud, but I can hear that there’s something missing in their laughter. Even during Asma’s illness, their laughter changed. That was mainly due to stress and worry, but now it’s due to emptiness.
=(
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