Expecting the Best from Allah

“In accordance with how good your expectations of and hope in Allah are and how truthful your reliance and trust are in Him, Allah will not betray your hopes in the least, as He does not betray the hopes of those who hope and does not cause any effort to go to waste.” 

-Abu Muhammad

The Walk of Faith

For most of us, walking through the bridge located in the center of UIA has been a routine activity. It’s beautiful how the petite bridge connects the two parts of UIA. Many a times as I walk along the bridge, I often appreciate how pleasurable the walk is and how by the time I realize, I’m already at the other end of the bridge. Sometimes, a beautiful fountain springs into life and adds a nice cooling touch to the overall saunter. It’s splendid as to how the bridge is surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery around- the river beneath, the exquisite masjid in front, the towering mountains from behind and the happy blue sky above. Indeed how picturesque.

And then one fine day as I walk through the very same bridge, I could no longer see the river or the mountains.I feel intense heat surrounding me and flames gushing forth from underneath. It’s dark and scary and I hear people yelling in pain. As I put my foot on the bridge to cross, I realize the bridge has become sharper than a sword and finer than a hair strand and I’m afraid to put my next foot on. I can see someone ahead of me who has fallen. My feet are getting hurt from the obstacles but I just want to hold on. Then I start to see light. Light which is inexplicably different for each one of us. For some, it is as tall as a palm-tree, whereas for some others, it’s like their shadows. How long will it take for me to reach the other end? It seems like forever. But I can see some people passing by like the blink of an eye, some like a lightning bolt, some like a bird, and some as if on a noble horse. Yet some others cross it crawling and some are snatched and thrown beneath. What is going on? Why has the walk on the bridge become so agonizing?

Alas, I remember the saying of our Prophet (S.A.W.S) “And the Bridge is laid down over Hell and I and my Ummah will be the first to cross it. None but the Messengers will speak then, and their invocation will be ‘O Allah! Grant us safety! Grant us safety!”( Muslim) Al-Sirat, The Bridge, before me- the final test of truth and the exodus begins to paradise or to hell. As I’m drawn back to reality, I realize the most certain truth, that one day we will be tested on the walk of our faith. Our walk on this path is up to us, our speed on this bridge is up to us, our fall is up to us, the obstacles which will hurt, are up to us.

My beloved fellow Muslims, we are here now, in this world, where the light is, where the opportunity is, where the preparation for the walk is. 

Let’s Light up our Path in the after-life by being heedful of the commands of our Lord. Let’s begin our walk here and conclude it in the courtyard of paradise.
Insha’Allah.

Feel what must be felt.

I learned something today.

Again.
This is Dunya. Dunya. Not a place of ease. Only glitter.
The place where you have to feel cold and hungry.

The place where you have to worry and feel scared.
The place where it gets cold.
So cold, sometimes.
The place where you have to leave the people you love.
Where you can’t get attached, because even if you do, it doesn't make it stay, it just makes it hurt when it doesn't.
The place where happiness and sadness are only players, waiting for their next line in a play.
Competing for their place on stage.
The place where gravity makes you fall, and frailty makes you bleed.
The place where sadness exists, because it must.
And tears fall to remind you of a place where they don’t.
Where they just don’t.
And isn't that just it? Isn't Jannah that place after all,
that place that Allah describes over and over and over in 2 ways?

La khawfun alayhim wa la hum yahzanoon…
On them shall be no fear…nor shall they grieve.

[Yasmin Mogahed]

Metamorphosis

Every change brings with it a refreshed spirit.

Be it walking barefoot to feel the greens or climbing the hills to kiss the clouds, be it studying in the open verandas or trying the cuisine from the opposite end of the world, be it learning the art of  painting or drowning in the aroma of fresh baking, change is something that encapsulates the heart and mind to see light from a different angle.

There is a time in each of our life when a change is expected and needed.

  

                         Embrace this change. Welcome it and live it.

After all, the future comes one day at a time =)

 Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become!

 

Little Thanks Do We Give.

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La ilaha illaallah, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Walillahil Hamd!

The Eid festive is here again.

It was a glorious morning with the sky spread out as a beautiful canopy. Delicate winter with the sun’s rays peeping from the clouds and providing the much needed warmth.

Happy people with their best outfits on, fill the spaces on the Eid prayer ground. Little kids cuddle beside their mothers. Shaking hands, hugs and kisses filled the air.
We find our space and gradually settle down…reciting the dhikr, waiting for the iqamah.

In those silent moments, I noticed a young girl, with her mother, place her prayer mat in front of us…As she tried to button up her abaya, I noticed something peculiar.…her fingers couldn't move. I thought maybe it was the frosty weather that made her fingers remain stiff...but when her mother gradually drew in to help her button up and take off her shoes, I realized that I was sadly mistaken. She really was unable to move her fingers.

SubhanAllah.

I cried and thanked Allah for granting us a simple yet the most basic blessing in our lives--the ability to move our limbs.

His countless blessings encircle us all the time. Little thanks do we give.

 

 

 

Light

Far across the skies
the pen moves
The tales of man
are delicately laced

Boundless is the wisdom
of The Hand
That moves the pen
like a wand

Babies born, children grow
young marry, old die
Life meanders
as the pen ticks on

Ocean rises, trees grow
wind blows, flowers fall
Horizon beams on
as the pen ticks on

Every delicate soul
has a story untold
Every fleeting moment
has a reason unknown

Alas! One Truth
wipes out all lies
God is One
and so is this life.

Death awaits
on each doorstep
Grave darkness
has it to offer.

Heaven or Hell?
It shall be Decided.
On That Day
When the pen has halted

You and your deeds
Before your Lord
Your Final Destiny
Before you

Walk in light
to keep your goals in sight
Make it to your eternal life
safe.

 

~Sharmi

 

 

Celebrate People

There’s something so special about relationships.
They can soar you up into the seven heavens or bring you down to the deepest oceans.

A special chemical bond made by Allah SWT to form an orbit of happiness within and around ourselves.
Sometimes I wonder-- How it would be like to live alone…just by yourself and the trees maybe. A cup of tea perhaps. No cell phones. No internet. No human touch.

Can’t imagine right?

From family to friends, from spouse to children, from teachers to students, from Boss to colleagues, our life revolves around people. Companionship, friendship, fellowship, love and mercy.
The Lord of the creations knows exactly what HIS creation needs.

Amidst a tough semester of research, feels soo good to take time out with my loved ones and rejuvenate the bond of being together. How beautiful it is when you can feel the love and warmth of another human being. Makes you want to create and adorn beautiful happiness just for them.

Be it Mom, Dad, family, your favourite aunty or your best buddy, the street sweeper or your home cleaner, in the end, every human being needs to be celebrated. In the best of ways.
For Allah loves kindness and He loves that you be kind to HIS creation.

Give time to your fellow human beings and receive the gift of love.

Ask yourself-- Who’s heart did your reach today? Who remembered you just because you bring a smile on their face? Who’s burden was lightened at the thought of your radiant soul? Who’s searching for you just because you love them?

Celebrate people. Celebrate Love. :)