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Friday, May 2, 2014

Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته

Sometimes we see things that aren’t meant to be seen.
Sometimes things aren’t always as they seem.

Sometimes we need someone to call our own,
Especially when we’re alone.
Sometimes people just can’t understand,
Why things get out of hand.
Sometimes life just isn’t fair,
Especially when people just don’t care.
And sometimes it's hard to say,
Why things have to be this way.
Sometimes it’s all you can do to get by,
Especially when dreams continue to die.
Sometimes it’s nice to sit in the rain.
Even to just relieve the pain.
And when we’ve had a really bad day,
Sometimes we just need to get away.
We never know what’s wrong with out pain.
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.


And sometimes when people get hurt, 
Even the strongest ones may need comfort.



(Taken from an online source)



Thursday, April 24, 2014

ALLAH سبحانه وتعالى is all we need!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته،

Many of us depend on people around us, may it be: family, friends, or teachers. We at times even feel like we can't live without so and so person or people. Our life revolves around them, the first thing we think of in the morning and same thought we fall asleep to. We cant resist sharing every single thing with them, and our heart doesn't feel at peace until we pour out our hearts to them. 
But the moment they leave us we feel broken, empty, alone...and slowly we learn how to live without them. Yes, the minutes feel like hours, and hours like days, and days like weeks but that's just in the beginning. Before you know it, a day comes when you don't even think about that person, and then you realize: "Wow, I can really live without him/her". 



Thats the reality, people will come and go, some we will become really close to, while others will not be able to make a place in our hearts. We might feel like we can't live without so and so but in reality thats what we think. We actually don't really need anyone to live and be happy except ALLAH swt. No on can give us happiness or remove trials and difficulties except him. Its no use to depend on anyone but him. We were not created or brought into this world to make these strong relationships, in fact we were only created to worship ALLAH سبحانه وتعالى.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ
(And I have not created the jinn and the humans but to worship me)



The more relationships we have and the more people we let into our lives, the further we will become from ALLAH سبحانه وتعالى, and the more complicated our lives will become.  Sometimes we'll delay a prayer due to talking to so and so friend, or we won't be able to complete our aamaal due to being busy with someone, or we may miss our tahajjud because we slept late talking to a friend, our thoughts will be preoccupied with them instead of ALLAH swt. Instead of getting close to ALLAH swt, we will start to become distant. 

The thought that happiness can only be achieved through friends is not true, we don't need anyone to be happy, ALLAH swt should be sufficient for us. Don't ever let yourself become dependent upon anyone but him. People come and go, we too will one day go, or someone better than us will come come, and we will be replaced. 

Make friends, talk to people, don't seclude yourself but just make sure to leave some space for you and ALLAH swt. Don't let anyone in too much. Always remember everyone will leave us except ALLAH swt, no one can be our true friend but him. 


Monday, April 14, 2014

Heartbreak....a blessing!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته

Every time We tell ourselves that this will never happen again, we wont ever let anyone close, and wont ever share our secrets with anyone..but then again it happens. Before you know it someone replaces the empty spot another left...and gradually you forget everything you went through and give your day and night to this person and consider them everything...until such a time comes that they end up tearing your heart like the last one did. After all that trust, after all that you shared, after making them your everything...they also go ahead and tear you apart like you are heartless and then act like they never cared about you in the first place and you never existed, why would they care if you live or die...you were just a time pass, they are bored now, so they'll ditch you within seconds
like you are nothing. 



Was this really a one side thing, did they really never care, why didnt I see this coming? All those thoughts running through your mind...the pain..the tears...the regret..the anger...deception...

Sounds painful...especially when the person shows no sign of care...that really, how in the world did I even consider this person a friend, what did I see in them..if someone can do this to me, then I'd rather die than befriend such a person...



But you know what, Im writing this to give glad tidings to those who have felt this or are feeling this..really you are very lucky..may not seem like it but thats because you havent opened your eyes yet. Its okay to let go, we didnt need them anyway. What do they think..they can destroy us, break us without a second thought after all that we shared..Never!
People come and go, some might leave their foot prints but it doesnt take long for footprints to be erased. Its just for a few days..before you yourself will think "why did I even care, who cares let them go, its not like I'll die without them". Once the wounds heal, and you begin to forget...NEVER make the mistake of letting anyone replace that spot. It was emptied for a special reason by a special being. Guess who? 
ALLAH subhanahu wa ta'ala!
No he doesnt like causing pain, in fact its your fault that you went through that, theres only one acceptable and good deserving candidate for taking space in your heart, and when you chose the wrong person, this was bound to happen. That candidate is ALLAH subhanallahu wa ta'ala. 



Imagine some people coming to your home, and taking over...and starting to live in your house without your position, what will you do? 
If your answer is kick them out, you've got my point. This heart is ALLAH subhanahu wa ta'ala's heart, its his home, his property, and only he can live in it. The heart itself can will only be content when its rightful owner resides in it, otherwise it will always feel empty.  Now you know why after having that best friend you still felt like somethings missing....

ALLAH subhanahu wa ta'ala emptied that spot for himself, so let him in. He is the only deserving one. Hes the only one that no matter what you do or what happens, he will never ever leave you. Your secrets will remain secrets, your every problem will be solved, your every tear will be replaced with a smile. No matter how many problems you are facing, and how many walls have broken in your face..you will always be content. Dont share your problems with people, they cant do anything, they themselves are weak and rely on ALLAH ta'ala like you. Why go to someone that Has no control, and is just as weak as you. Go to ALLAH ta'ala, share everything with him, talk to him, love him, make him your everything, and just watch....how everything will become yours, and why not? 
If the creator, the king of all kings  is yours, then everything is yours. 

So now wipe those tears away, and smile. For there is someone that loves you, and will never stand you being someone elses, he created you for himself, you are his. So be his and watch the showers of blessings, happiness,and contentment    in your life. 

Always remember we were born alone, we will die alone, and will be resurrected alone, and there is only one being that will be with us during all these times, that is ALLAH ta'ala, so live according to him, and 
watch you will  never be alone. 

Now why is a heartbreak a blessing? 
Its a sign of ALLAH swt's love for you. He wants to be in your heart. He cant stand you thinking about anyone but him. Now tell me if the president of America was to try to seek your attention and 
Turn your attention towards him, how happy would you be, how special would you feel??

Now this is not just a president of one country, this is ALLAH swt, the creator of the whole universe! The king of all kings! He wants your attention! This is his call to you!
How is that not a blessing! 


Sunday, April 6, 2014

Don't share the attribute of a fly!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته

Many a times you will hear things that will really hit you and stay with you for the rest of your life.
Likewisely, someone was telling my mother that he would often look at the scholars calling towards ALLAH سبحانه وتعالى that would give two hour lectures, but he would see them delaying in the coming to pray, yaini they wouldnt be there for the Al-Takbeeratul Oola (التكبيرة الاولى). One day he mentioned this to his brother, and said: "This man is ajeeb, he sits here giving two hour lectures about Islam and following ALLAH ta'alas orders, but he himself is never present for the first takbeer!" 
Upon hearing this, his brother called him and said: "Tell me what do flies sit on, they sit on dirt and filth, right? Then why do you share this attribute with flies?? Why do you look at the bad characteristics of a person, and ignore their good ones?!"

Subhana Rabbiyal A'alaa! 
How great someone peoples thoughts are!

Unfortunately, This is the reality! We are too busy looking at peoples faults, that we dont even see their qualities. No body is perfect, everyone is striving to become a better person, some people will have some quality while others will lack in it. If we look at ourselves, we'll find thousands of things we lack in. Just because someone has a weakness regarding one thing doesnt make him a sinner or a hypocrite or bad at all! If we all were made perfect, what would the purpose of this life be?

Next time you see someones fault, ignore it and look for the good, and try to make 70 reasons for that characteristic which seems like a fault. You never know, the woman who you see entering a bar, could be just entering to use someones phone for an emergency, or to use the restroom, or open her fast with water, etc....



من اشتغل بعيوب الناس عن عيوب نفسه عمي قلبه وتعب بدنه وتعذر عليه ترك عيوب نفسه فإن أعجز الناس من عاب الناس بما فيهم وأعجز منه من عابهم بما فيه. (ابن حبان البستي)

(Whoever occupies himself with finding others flaws his heart is blinded, his body will be exhausted, and it will be impossible for him to leave his own flaws. The incapacitate is someone who finds the flaws in others, and the more incapacitate than him  is he who criticizes other for flaws he himself  has.)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

True contentment is not in fulfilling desires!


An emperor was coming out of his palace for his morning walk when he met a beggar. He asked the beggar, "What do you want?" the beggar laughed and said, "You are asking me as though you can fulfill my desire." The emperor was offended. He said, "Of course I can fulfill your desire. What is it? Just tell me." And the beggar said, "Think twice before you promise anything." The beggar was no ordinary beggar. So he insisted, "I will fulfill anything you ask. I am a very powerful emperor, what can you possibly desire that I can not give to you?" The beggar said, "It is a very simple desire. You see this begging bowl? Can you fill it with something?"
The emperor said, "Of course!" He called one of his viziers and told him, "Fill this man's begging bowl with money." The vizier went and got some money and poured it into the bowl, and it disappeared. And he poured more and more, but the moment he would pour it, it would disappear. And the begging bowl remained always empty.

The whole palace gathered. By and by the rumor went throughout the whole capital, and a huge crowd gathered. The prestige of the emperor was at stake. He said to his viziers, "If the whole kingdom is lost, I am ready to lose it, but I cannot be defeated by this beggar."

Diamonds and pearls and emeralds, his treasuries were becoming empty. The begging bowl seemed to be bottomless. Everything that was put into it - everything - immediately disappeared, and went out of existence. Finally it was  evening, and the people were standing there in utter silence. The emperor dropped himself at the feet of the beggar and admitted his defeat. He said, "Just tell me one thing. You are victorious - but before you leave, just fulfill my curiosity. What is the begging bowl made of?"


The beggar laughed and said, "It is made up of the human desire. There is no secret. It is simply made up of human desire." Mark my words :

"This understanding transforms one's life.  - Take the example of a single desire  e;g the desire for a kingdom which gets fulfilled after much effort :  First there is a great excitement, great thrill, adventure.

Something is going to happen; you are on the verge of it. And then you have your chariot and your palace and all the diamonds of the world. The whole kingdom is yours.

What happens after some time ?   Suddenly all is meaningless again. Your mind has dematerialized it. 

The chariot is standing in the driveway, but there is no excitement anymore. The excitement was only in getting it. You became so drunk with the desire that you forgot your inner nothingness. Now the desire is fulfilled, the chariot in the driveway, the diamonds in your very hands - again excitement disappears. Again the emptiness is there, ready to eat you up. Again you have to create another desire to escape this yawning abyss.

That's how one moves from one desire to another desire. That's how one remains a beggar, in reality it is truly you who is the beggar, your whole life proves it again and again - every desire frustrates. And when the goal is achieved, you will need another desire to move you on.

The day one understands that no fulfilled desire in this life is going to end the emptiness in one's heart  becomes a turning point in one's life, and one repeats the fulfilling words : " I am content with all that my Lord the most high has provided me"

The other journey is to your Lord which you cannot escape. "He created the heavens and the earth in just proportions and has given you shape, and has made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final return."
 Noble Qur'an profoundly teaches that: Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest! Noble Qur'an (13:28)

Saying these words the beggar left the king's palace brewing a storm in the hearts of all those who were present.
-- 
Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله تعالى عنه narrated:
I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, "If the son of Adam (the human being) had two valleys of money, he would wish for a third, for nothing can fill the belly of Adam's son except dust, and Allah forgives him who repents to Him." 

“…So, fight your desires at a time when you can eat. The soul is never satisfied. Satisfying your desires is like satisfying the thirsty person who went to drink water from the sea - the more he drinks, the thirstier he gets, since the water is salty. 

Monday, March 31, 2014

Who said they dont exist anymore?

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله تعالى وبركاته،

This is for those people who say: "What century do you live in? We are living in 2014!"
My answer to them is: Who said Islam is only for our grandfathers and great grandfathers? Where in the Quran does it say that this sacred Kitab has only been revealed for the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)، the sahabah (رضي الله تعالى عنهم اجمعين), and the taabi'een (رحمهم الله تعالى), and then you may follow your own modern Islam? No one and no where! That's the only possible answer! 

Many people have passed who were true examples of pious muslims, true Waliyullahs, men and women, in every time period, and still do exist until today, but keep themselves hidden. Every time period had its own difficulties, own dangers and challenges. There wasn't a single time when it was easy to be a true believer. Every rose is covered in thorns, and  in the path to every precious thing there is struggle. Nothing can be achieved without hardships may it be regarding this dunya or the akhirah. If achieving wealth, degrees, honor in this dunya is so difficult, imagine how difficult achieving Jannah will be...and where does the wealth, honor of this world stand in front of Jannah..!
لا يستويان ابدًا!!!ا

This earth has seen such examples of true friends of ALLAH swt. 
People who cried in the nights in front of ALLAH swt when everyone was sleeping. 
People who fasted every other day without fail and anyone knowing.
People who secretly gave thousands of darahim in the path of ALLAH swt.
People who have kept their lips continuously in motion with the name of ALLAH swt.
People who didn't fear anyone in saying the truth for the sake of ALLAH swt.
People who gave up their lives in the worship of ALLAH swt and spreading Islam.
People who were happy with two pairs of clothing, small homes, simple lives.
People who left everything in the dunya and purchased them for the akhirah.

Its not impossible, nothing is impossible, even the word impossible has Im possible in it!

3 years back, our ustadh stopped the lesson in the middle and sent this small bottle from under the curtain and told us to smell the content of this bottle. When we took the bottle we found about an inch of sand in it, and one by one all of us smelled it. Ya rabbi, the smell was soooooo beautiful, I don't think any smell of the dunya, may it be a million dollar perfume can compare! After we sent it back to the ustadh, he asked us what we think it is...then he told us this is the sand of the grave of one the shuyookh that passed away the other day. He told us that the blood that fell from his body had such a beautiful scent to it that all people around him were crying in shock. People were ripping parts of  the newspaper on which this shaikhs blood had fallen and were taking it home.
He said that they dug grave after grave but every time they would dig one, beautiful scents started to spread in the air, and the smell of the sand was so great the people from far far away were coming to smell it and take some home. In the end when the grave yard workers realized that this scent is a sign from ALLAH swt of this shaikhs acceptance and high status, they had no choice but to bury him there, and block it from people so they wouldn't be able to take any sand home.

About 2 years ago, we got the sad news that one of our female teachers has passed away. She was handicapped and would still come and study every single day, and walk all the way through the hall and sit for hours in class even though she was very ill. Right after she graduated and started teaching she asked for 3 days absence as she wanted to make up her missed prayers of the past. She spent those whole three days making up every one of her prayers. On the third day while she was resting, she started to call out to her family saying "I see Jannah, I see Jannah!" Then she read the kalimah and passed away.

Just a few days ago one of my asatizahs sister passed away. Another ustadh went to visit her husband who he found in a horrible state crying continuously. He told my other ustadh that her brother saw her in his dream, he asked her how was she treated. He said she saw her smile beautifully and say "My rabb gave me a bouquet of flowers, dressed me up like a bride, and then told me to enter jannah"! Subhanallah ta'ala! Her husband then told my ustadh that she spent her whole life teaching Quran as she was a Hafizah. He said I have never seen her go to the market or go to a wedding hall. Her life revolved around ALLAH swt, and the Quran. She would not leave a single chance she got to talk about the greatness of ALLAH swt with people. 


Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala! May ALLAH swt grant me and you all such a beautiful death, and take us all on husnul Khatimah. May he accept us, make us amongst his pious awliya.  
Aameen thumma aameen.


Its never too late! We can too become true believers and live our lives like the awliyaa. Yes it does require lots of sacrifice, patience, and struggle, but if we take a step towards ALLAH swt, he shall come running to us. 



ALLAH swt says in a Hadeeth Qudsi:
….and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he 
sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My Protection, I will protect him..." [Bukhari]



Sunday, March 30, 2014

Ups and Downs

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi ta'ala wabarakaatuhu,

Life is a huge puzzle or as some say it's like a roller coaster. You never know what will happen next, but I think that's the beauty of life. Our complete trust in ALLAH swt that no matter what side of the road we are on, we know this is what ALLAH swt has chosen for us and we have no complains. There will be ups and downs, you may be on cloud seven one day and the next on the floor, but you always have to remember that ALLAH swt is with you. This is what he has written for you, and he is the best of planners. Just like a teacher does not tell you the wisdom behind every one of her decisions, and you have no choice but to accept and obey, everything that happens is for a reason and wisdom, which we are not aware of. After all, this life is a test, it was never for enjoyment. Its just a matter of time before this test will end and the patient will be rewarded with that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and that which no mind has imagined. We are the servants of ALLAH swt, our purpose in this life is to please him, worship him, and remember him at all times; in grief and happiness. Always remember that ALLAH swt is with you, hes so close you cant even imagine. If you become his, he shall make everything yours. 
"احفظ الله يحفظك، احفظ الله تجده تجاهك" 
How beautiful this hadith is. Protect ALLAH swt (protect his orders by obeying them), he shall protect you. Protect ALLAH swt, you shall find him infront of you. 
Never think you are alone, every roller coaster has an end, every puzzle can be solves, no situation ever remains the same, time always changes, if one day is like this, the next will be different. Always keep your hopes high and have faith in him. He is with you, he is watching, he cares, he loves you.


If you look at a mother, how many a times does she shower her baby even though he cries and screams...does she stop showering him? Does she let him smell and be covered in dirt? 

We too are covered in the filth of sins, we  are drowning from head to toe in disobedience..look how merciful our rabb is, he doesnt throw us in the hell fire, he purifies us, cleanses us, and brightens us. 

Its just about your prospective. Keep a positive attitude, then you yourself will see the bright side of everything. 

قلت لرجل

قلت لرجل
تعوّد شرب الخمر :
ألا تتوب إلى الله ؟
فنظر إلىّ بانكسار، ودمعت عيناه،
...

وقال :
ادع الله لي ..
تأملت في حال الرجل، ورقَّ قلبي ..
إن بكاءه شعور بمدى تفريطه في جنب الله ..
وحزنه على مخالفته، ورغبته في الاصطلاح معه ،
إنه مؤمن يقينا، ولكنه مبتلى!
وهو ينشد العافية ويستعين بيَ على تقريبها ..

قلت لنفسي :
قد تكون حالي مثل حال هذا الرجل أو أسوأ
صحيح أنني لم أذق الخمر قط،
فإن البيئة التي عشت فيها لا تعرفها ،
لكنّي ربما تعاطيت من خمر الغفلة ما جعلني
أذهل عن ربي كثيراً وأنسى حقوقه ،
إنه يبكي لتقصيره،
وأنا وأمثالي لا نبكي على تقصيرنا،
قد نكون بأنفسنا مخدوعين .

وأقبلت على الرجل الذي يطلب مني الدعاء ليترك الخمر ،
قلت له تعال ندع لأنفسنا معا :
"ربنا ظلمنا أنفسنا وإن لم تغفر لنا وترحمنا لنكونن من الخاسرين"

الشيخ محمد الغزالي - رحمه الله