One Step Closer..

Sometimes I wonder what is our “mind” made of…..so complex…..so unique..each one! Subhana’Allah!

When you try to analyze every moment of your life, you realize you have a million wonders to ponder upon.

Is it just the brain power with the millions of nerves that somehow has a way of tickling every part of our senses or is it the heart?

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَن كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ
“Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present [in mind]” (Qur’an, 50:37)

In the middle of a thousand words and a million people, Ya Allah, I wish I could know what is best for me at this moment.

Sometimes, it's good to step outside yourself and comprehend the beauty of that one Defining moment that you are truly blessed with.

And forever realize that every moment is but one step closer. One step closer to your Lord. Just like a rain drop.Here now, gone a second later.

Stay Awake while Alive.

 

 

 

The crab story

Patience is indeed one of the most beautiful lessons of life.

That day, as I stood at the beach shores and watched the waters hit the sand, I saw a tiny crab try its best to come out of its hole...everytime it would make an effort to come out, the waters would gush forth, leaving it to sink inside.I stared at this tiny little thing for a while...seconds passed, minutes passed, but this little creature of Allah did not give up.At every safe moment, at the relapse of the beach waters, the crab would pop its head out again to make its way out.

I wondered what is the tiny lil thing seeking.

And then it hit me hard.

As much as I watched it struggle and feel the need to help it out, I sat back silently, watching. Why?
As much as I appreciated its efforts, I wanted it to make its own way out of the hole.Why?
As much as I despised the cruel waters, I appreciated it.Why?

Well, for a lil crab, I'm a Giant.
But ain't for a lil me, Allah the Sustainer?

He watched me silently, as I struggle through the ocean of life but in the end, this water is not meant to drown us, instead it is to cleanse us and help us come out of our "holes" with truly deserved hard earned success.

Trust Allah and appreciate the cruel waters.
Believe in the power of Dua and what you will get is what you needed.
Imbibe the art of patience in every climbing of life.
Seek the love of Allah in being patient.

After all, this Dunya is nothing but testing waters of your faith. So ace it :)

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]

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

 

 

The given Love.

There are moments when you feel Allah's Love in His creations and these are the moments you need to search for.To be in awe in HIS beautiful carvings and makings.In HIS marvelous painting of the skies. In HIS distinguished shades of the ocean waters. In HIS soft touch of the bird wings.In HIS gentleness in the breeze.In HIS kindness through the gift of nature.

Live.Love.Realize.Thank HIM.

A journey of a thousand miles…

This time it was different.

One of the greatest ni'mah of being a resident of Saudi Arabia is the occasional visits to Makkah and Madinah.Dad always loves to drive us there to give us the comfort of being in our own car and granting us the flexibility of stopping on the highway when and how we wanted. may Allah bless him for that.

Visits to the holy land is always filled with sooo much fun and warmth..specially cuz of having sisters who are more like friends..so the journey of more than 9 hours would fall short for entertainment all along. Right from jubail days till the time we shifted to Riyadh, this is one journey that is always fondly looked for by me and my sisters.

We would make special food and snacks and pack them neatly to have our picnic in the dessert highways.Just the thought of it brings soo much excitement! This time, it was sam’s fried rice & chicken, mom’s shrimp masala and chotti’s sinfully delicious choc brownies. And my exclusive Indian masala chai :P (since, as usual, I was busy washing clothes in the last minute to take them for the journey, just had time to make the tea) Oh, and I did ask dad to buy some gulab jamuns since I sorely missed Sarah baji’s home made gulabs. Gotta try out her recipe soon inshaAllah!

It was the last day of Ramadan and the excitement was building up already.Soo many duas to make and soo much to ask for before the holy month ends..as we started off from Riyadh, the sun began to settle down and we continued our dhikr..it was beautiful to see many people stopping their cars by on the side of the deserts to have their iftar. As we had ours, I realised I forgot to fry the samosas :D khair, the brownies, gulabs and some biscuits did the job well.

Then comes the best part—star gazing!! Love love LOVE to stare  outta the window and search for constellations! And this time around, it was a beautiful star studded night! Amazing how these stars twinkle sooo beautifully, they are soo near yet soooo far! Can’t seem to get enough of them!

As we arrive at the beautiful radiant city of Madina, we could feel the festiveness all around…people selling fitra rice on the streets, buses line up and get to the hotels, people scurrying everywhere, children playing and then of cuz the MOST awaited sight of all—the Holy Masjid of our beloved prophet SAWS..just sighting the minarah is enough for one to have tears, subhan'Allah…how so beautiful and perfect in every way! The heart can't wait to be there already!

So we finally get to our hotel, leave our stuffs, freshen up and walk towards the masjid for Fajr..the air is sooo gentle this morn and the beauty of the nabi’s masjid can never be described in words.It can only be felt, subhana'Allah!

May Allah SWT grant all muslims the blessing of being there.Aameen.

Dad had to rest after that long long driving..so we are back to our hotel to catch some sleep before dhuhr. Mom went for some shopping after that. There are lovely things here and just looking at the beautiful people, you would want to buy everything from them. It’s something about their simplicity and their hard work.masha’Allah.

Our last iftar in the courtyards of our Nabi’s masjid..

Mom , Dad, Sam & Me

was soo beautiful to see people from different parts of the globe, assemble together to break their fast.

And the workers, kudos to them! Their team work is something sooo outta this world! Imagine how they lay the mat to place the food for millions of people in just few hours! subhan'Allah!

Me and siddi went inside the masjid to get some cool fresh air, hehe. People inside also started distributing food! Generosity everywhere! SubhanAllah!

As the beautiful magrib azan roze in the air, people celebrated their joy of having the last iftar for this month! Could see joy-lit radiant faces everywhere in anticipation for Eid. Couldn't ask for more. Felt so much at peace here.

We had our tea, prayed isha, had dinner and headed back hotel to rest well before Eid.

Eid prayers was awesome, Alhamdulilaah. Had the beautiful blessing of saying salam to our beloved Prophet SAWS on the day of Eid and even got the chance to pray on the green carpet! Alhamdulillah.

As I started walking back, I noticed how people wrote their names on one of the walls..just for the sake of leaving some memories of being there...

so I had my share too =) 

Meanwhile, didn’t know there was a lady silently watching me as I was inscribing my name..after I was done and turned back to walk, she called out and said—“I saw what you did”
It was cute to get that remark from that aunty, so I greeted  her salam and Eid mubrak and she talked to me for while and for some reason she gave me this advice —“ Donot let anyone cow you in your life. Do what you want and Live your dreams as long as it is in the path of Quran and the Sunnah” also –she said—“Look for a life partner who will grow with you..someone who has religion and will walk your journey of dreams together”…subhan’Allah…I thought this could be from Allah alone…as I was in a situation where decisions had to be made and answers had to be sought…at times like these,  advices like these just hit you right on the spot!

The teary eyed aunty then lifted up her hands and asked me—“ Tell me what dua you want me to make for you?”
I said—“ I want to be close to Allah and earn HIS Jannah.”

She cried as she sincerely made this Dua for me. I was soo touched, I hugged her tightly.May Allah grant her relief from all her tests and accept her duas.Aameen. Aunty Sharidah definitely left a deep spot in my heart and I wish I had taken a pic of hers to share with you. Insha'Allah will meet her in Jannah.

As I walked back, I pondered on why Allah just brought this specific incident to happen in my life.Why would a stranger lift her hands and cry as she made dua’s for me…I still don’t know the answer but I definitely know that her words of advice are some sign for me to contemplate upon.

I forgot to ask her to make dua' for me, my sis and my friends to get a righteous husband lol…for  a moment I wanted to race back and ask her..but then I realised, I had already asked her the Highest dua..the blessing of being close to HIM alone..and when I'm close to HIM, everything else is taken care of =)
So the calm heart walked off to the courtyards of the Masjid where her parents had been waiting for her  patiently for nearly an hour :D

Sam, dad and me came to fetch some Zamzam water during Dhuhr. And a peculiar thing happened then too. As we were taking turns to fill the bottle with Zamzam, I lost my niqab somehow..and I was scared that my mom would be upset since it was a new niqab…but as I looked eevrywhere, I couldn’t find it..so I sat down and remembered the words of a dear friend of mine, my adik, Anis Ishak. She once told me that anytime she lost something, she would look around but then in the end, if she didnt find it, with a peaceful heart, she would invoke Allah sincerely for HIM to bring it back to her if there was khayr.And be calm afterward. Subhana'Allah, I love her soo much for Allah's sake and she is soo close to my heart..So I tried her beautiful advice...and... SubhanAllah! The next moment, Sam came running with a “Tadaaaa” and there was my niqab. She found it lying somewhere near the gates.

I know this is a very simple story but then it teaches us to rely on HIM alone. Everything else is just a means. Every sincere dua should be followed with conviction and a calm heart, cuz Allah loves to answer us. Its just that we don’t know how to ask HIM.

Me in sam's niqab :P

I was sooo happy that Allah gave me what I wanted, but more than that I felt confidence in my duas..and that really cheered me up =)

It was time to take some farewell pics in the holy masjid, then rush back, pack things, visit the Quba masjid, ice creams and finally hit the road back to Riyadh.

Quba Masjid

This beautiful journey taught me sooo many beautiful lessons, most of all,  the gift of being at peace with yourself, no matter where you are, Allah is with you.

Ma’assalam!

Silented heart.

Clear sky.Gentle breeze.

29th Ramadan Qiyaam  ..in the outskirts of Riyadh.

And a calm heart.

Just like how a lonely stone on the beach bed needs to get washed and kicked and overturned many times by the ocean waters  for it to turn soft & yielding, indeed the heart of the slaves of Allah needs these testing waters in the form of trials and difficulties to wash our hard hearts and help us to see through clearly.

How blessed is that trial that makes us spiritually mature and acknowledge HIS wisdom in our every decision.

How beautiful is this patience for HIS sake.

Amidst the millions that stood here, I felt HIS peace swiftly encircle my heart and nothing else mattered anymore.

Allah is near...

The Dive For Pearls

An uninhabited, barren, distant land.

And three souls.

She cried out," Ibrahim! Are you going to leave us alone in this valley where no people live?"
She repeated the question yet she received no answer.
So she asked him, "Did Allah order you to do this?"
He replied, "Yes."
She said, "Then He will not neglect us."

Her physical eyes only saw His Divine Protection.
Her mind trusted His Infinite Wisdom .
Her heart found reliance in His True Love.
Her words echoed the Truth of His Promises.
Her actions spoke of unwavering faith in the One and Only Mighty Caretaker.

And she submitted. To that Invincible Power that belongs to none but HIM alone!

Little did Hajar (RA) know what Allah had hidden for her but she was obedient and remained patient. When the scarce food and water was consumed, she beseeched for Allah's mercy, running between the two hills. This tireless action of the abandoned woman coupled by her unfathomable faith in the Almighty brought about tremendous blessings that lived on long after she was gone-- the ever flowing springs of the miraculous Zamzam water, civilization in the desolate valley of Makkah and the rituals of Umrah and Hajj, that enact her running between the hills of Safa and Marwah. This one woman is the ultimate epitome of the reality that through patience and trust in Allah SWT, comes a multitude of unimaginable blessings.

She left us a legacy of heroes through the inspiration of her great example.

From this profound legacy, we learn that hardships and tests of this life are the ropes that help us to climb to that Station of Realization that it is ONLY by the Mercy of Allah we are able to achieve anything. Climbing this rope is the toughest part. We are bound to get cut, seared, torn, worn, brittle and weak yet every wound is meant to craft us stronger and rejuvenate us in a better state. Just like how every night comes with the promise of a morning same, every ordeal is sure to bring us closer to the Divine Threshold of Allah SWT. The feeling of arriving at His Doorstep and placing complete reliance in Him alone and being utterly humbled in awe of His Majesty and Glory helps us to break through the material realm and enter that spiritual realm which is filled with the incredible beauty of seeking the hereafter's treasures. It is only then we can say that, our hearts have been calibrated with the truth of Allah's words.

" Satan rejoiced when Adam (AS) came out of paradise, but he did not know that when a diver sinks into the sea, he collects pearls and then rises again. " [Ibn al- Qayyim]

From Allah, To Allah..

Sincerity is a secret between Allah and His servant which not even the angels know so as to record it, nor does satan know so as to corrupt it, nor is the desire aware so as to influence it.

[Junaid al-baghdadi]

Night Whispers

The stars shine brightly as I open my window.


The curtains dance softly to the melody of the delicate breeze.

I sit by my window, bedazzled.


Its 3 am.

Nothing can compare to the complete calmness of this moment.

I hear HIM.

“Is there anyone who calls on Me that I may respond to him? Is there anyone who asks Me that I may give unto him? Is there anyone who requests My Forgiveness that I may forgive him?”

I hasten to make my wudhu.The splash of cold water illuminates my face.

As I begin the sacred conversation with my Lord, I leave this world far behind.

Every trace of worry or grief seems to be dissolving in the unfathomable beauty of the night prayer.

In His Divine Love, I find peace and strength.

the delayed GIFT

“If, in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in the timing of the Gift [al-'ata], let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires, not the time you desire."




[Ibn ‘Ata’illah]

"Okay, but not right now..."

What does the apparent lack of response from God mean?

Isthikharah requires that we have the utmost and ultimate faith in Allah.When it comes to making decisions between two halal choices,the best way is to just perform two rakahs of Isthikharah and let Allah determine it.

Actually there can be one of the two result when we make a duaa.There is no doubt that Allah hears all sincere duaa and the outcome is either an instant response in the affirmative or no response.

An apparant lack of response is usually misunderstood to be an unanswered prayer.However, this negative response usually means one of the two things.Perhaps what you are asking for is not in your best interest and Allah has said "No." He knows why it is bad for you and He knows that there might be something better for you.Wouldn't you rather be protected from yourself than hear,"I told you so," later?

Another reason for a lack of response is when Allah has decided,"Okay,but not right now" This simply means that your Duaa has been heard and your request will be granted some time in the future.Here is where it gets tricky.If the answer to your prayer is "Yes, but later" how can we distinguish that from a plain and simple,"No"?

Well, you can't.That is where patience comes in.We have to maintain trust that Allah will let happen whatever is best.This grants us peace of mind.

That is why,when we make duaa, we shouldn't ask for something that we have already decided we want.We should instead ask Allah to give us what is best for us.
He knows Best.

Insha'Allah Let's all be patient and ask from Him alone.

where do You hide?

I look for You
on mountain sides
through summer trees
Where do You hide?

I look for You
on moonlit nights
through endless stars
Where do You Hide?

I look for You
on silent thoughts
through empty days
Where do you hide?

I look for You no more
For on mountain sides
and moonlit nights
my silent thoughts
bring You to life
Hidden things are revealed
and with all life I share
the knowledge and eternal light
of knowing You are everywhere