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Thursday 31 December 2009

The New Year & Old Memories

A brand new year is starting and I just it's the best time to reflect on the past yr and such and see how we can change for the better as Muslims, as humans (although they should mean the same thing but some of us forget that).

By the way, did you know, there's a blue moon tonight? :D

This year was slightly boring for me but I feel like I made some really good changes, especially towards the end. InshaAllah, I can improve further in the coming 2010 in places I lack and replace everything that I find is negative with something positive. :D

I was remembering old friends who I am no longer in touch with. Not sure what triggered the memory. I had actually tried to get in touch with both of them shortly after the incidents (which were rather small to lose a long friendship over) that drove us apart but didn't get a response. I wonder if they think about how silly that was. Do people ever realize things and are able to overcome their ego and try to patch the relationship that had more positive than the few negatives that caused the split? I can imagine Shaitaan finding it pleasant when good Muslims/friends/family members develop misunderstanding. I wonder if they think about that. Alhumdulillah. I am not really upset about it because from my side, I did try to contact them.

Sometimes, people say a lot of things that a perfect person would do in a perfect world but in most less than perfect situations, we forget our own philosophies and act just as the next inconsiderate person would. Perhaps, to be more self aware should be our new year's resolution. :)

Happy New Year to all!

May Allah (swt) help us to be better Muslims and do more of what is pleasing to Him and what brings us closer to Him. Ameen.

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Google Wave Bots

I wonder how many people are waving. *waves back* lol.

I haven't used it as much as I hoped I would. Everyone I know seems to have the same issue. Probably the worst thing about GW (doesn't that remind people of Bush? :P ) is that it takes a while to load and frequently hangs. :(

Back to the point. A list of bots one can use in GWave (sounds better than GW, no?):
http://googlewavebots.info/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page#Wave_Group_Bots

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Surah Mulk Protects From Punishment Of The Grave

It is related in the Sunans of Imam al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him):

I heard the Messenger of Allah (upon him be peace) saying, "There is a Surah in the Qur'an which contains thirty Ayat which will keep interceding for a man until his sins are forgiven. This Surah is `Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion.' (Surat Al-Mulk 67).''

Another hadith, I believe it is from Tirmidhi:

A person is approached [by the angels of punishment] in the grave from the legs then the legs say: You cannot approach him from here for he used to stand on us reciting Surat al-Mulk; when they approach his chest it says: You cannot approach him from here for he preserved Surat al-Mulk in me; and when they approach his head it says: You cannot approach him from here for he used to recite Surat al-Mulk with me.

Hence this Sura is the Immunizer (al-Mani`a), it immunizes one from the punishment of the grave. It is mentioned in the Torah* as Surat al-Mulk also. If anyone recites it in the night he has accomplished a great deal and has excelled.

Isn't this a wonderful benefit of reciting a 30 ayat (verse) Surah every night before sleeping? I am trying to make it a habit to reciting it every night. InshaAllah, I'm hoping in the process I end up by hearting it. :)

* Please note: I have taken that statement from sunnipath and have not personally come across any references of the Surah in the online versions of the Torah.

Thursday 17 December 2009

Stress, Anger and Guarding One's Tongue

Feeling a bit stressed out lately. A lot of things on my mind. Some more silly than others. But that's a part and parcel of life. Sometimes when we are stressed, it leads to anger and anger can lead to things we shouldn't be saying. It may seem like a release but it can just add to our sins.
"The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself when in anger." (Al-Bukhari, Book 73, #135)
Messenger of Allah - SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam - said, “Most of the sins of the children of Aadam are from the tongue.” - At-Tabaraanee (3/87/1-2)
Abu Moosa al-Asharee - radiAllahu' anhu - said, “O Messenger of Allah, which of the Muslims are better?” The Messenger of Allah said, “Those who do not harm the Muslims with their tongues and hands.” - Saheeh al-Bukhari (1/10) and Saheeh al-Muslim (1/64)

If we compare the problems we face, they are nothing compared to what some of our Muslim brothers and sisters are facing. So, here are a few of my tips for when someone feels tenses:
1. We should make dua to Allah (swt) and ask him to lessen our burden and help us with whatever problem/obstacle or stress we are facing.
2. We try to change our mood because when you are stressed and upset, you can't think clearly. One way of this is to watch a cute video, like this:

It was funny how the cat had it's paw over the rabbit's head. :P MashaAllah, so much love!
Once you watch many such videos and lighten your mood, you can proceed to the next step.
3. Figuring out how to eliminate the problem. If you can fix it, figure out how. Is it worth worrying about? If you can't fix it, what can you do to improve the situation or how you react to it? One way is by doing something that makes you happy that makes the problem giving you stress seem small.
4. Read the Quran and ponder over it's meaning. Read your favourite verses. Keep a collection of verses that help you and bring you peace and calm you.
5. Sleep on it. If it's something that you can't think of a solution, make dua to Allah (swt) and sleep on it. You'll feel better about it when you have rested.

If there's something that helps you, please do share. InshaAllah, you found the above advice beneficial. :)

Sunday 13 December 2009

Reliance on Allah (swt)

It's got quite cold in most parts of the world. I'm feeling rather bad for the birds and wondering how they survive the winter. I saw a dove today. It's tail was missing. A pigeon has been visiting me for a few weeks. It has hurt one of it's eyes. I think it can see out of it partially as it keeps looking at me as it walks across my balcony's railing. Making me feel pity for it and so I especially put some food for it.

That reminds me. There's a hadith about reliance on Allah (swt):
Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah’s Messenger saying. “If you all relied on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who issue forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk.”(At-Tirmidhi)

Alhumdulillah. :)

Well, here's a picture of warmer times. :D And yes, this one I've snapped.

(click for a larger view but please do not steal. Thanks.)

Monday 7 December 2009

Low Imaan/Faith

It's an extremely common problem that everyone of us have faced at some point or the other in our lives. Yet, it can be very dangerous because at times this can lead people out of the fold of Islam. So it's important that we recognize when our imaan is low and work on things that will help improve it.

The Prophet Muhammad (S) said: "Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts” (Mustadrak al-Haakim).

How can we recognize when our faith dwindles?
- One feels irritated and moody and even depressed.
- They delay good deeds and sunnah, such as salat (prayer).
- Not remembering Allah in dua or dhikr.
- Quranic ayahs not having an effect on the person.
- Stinginess/miserliness.

What one can do to boost their imaan?
- Make dua if you feel your imaan is low.
- Reflect on ayahs of the Quran. Here are a few ayahs that one might feel at ease when reading:

93:1 By the Glorious Morning Light,
93:2 And by the Night when it is still,-
93:3 Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.
93:4 And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.
93:5 And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.

4:99 For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: For Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again.

35:29 who rehearse the Book of Allah, establish regular Prayer, and spend (in Charity) out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a commerce that will never fail:

- If you are feeling low, give something in charity. It has helped me feel better.
- Do dhikr and when you suffer from bad thoughts, say "audhubillah". Some forms of dhikr:
Subhan'Allah- 'Praise be to Allah'
Al-Hamdullilah- 'Thanks be to Allah'
Allahu Akbar – 'Allah is the Greatest.'
La ila ha illallah- There is no worthy of worship except allah

Things that can help prevent imaan from decreasing:
- Avoiding sin as sin hardens the heart. This means both major and minor sins. We have to keep improving ourselves and trying to be better Muslims.
- Keeping good company and avoiding the bad. Our family and friends influence us and it is important to try and stay in the company of good people who remember Allah (swt) often and hasten to do good deeds.
- Performing good deeds.
- Praying regularly and remembering Allah (swt) often.
- Remembering death.

I've tried to keep the topic short and simple. If you have had some ayahs/hadith, etc which have benefited your imaan, please feel free to share.