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LANALLAH __Islamic BlogZine__
Sunday, August 28, 2005

~I cannot go forward for I have much to regret~



by Sister Ameera

Every single one of us human beings today is well accustomed to such a state of being or feeling. It strikes us, unfortunately, often, in our lives, careful as we might be in avoiding situations that give rise to it. It strikes us when we least expect it – one minute we are sure that whatever we are doing, or whatever we have done, was perfect. And then, out of the blue, something goes wrong and regret clutches our throat and we sink into despair.


Oh, why did I have to do it that way? Why didn’t I think? If only I had…

Such thoughts are common to us all. When we reach the end of the road and look back to find nothing but blackness, we are overcome with regret and remorse. Oh, if time would only turn back and everything could be done all over again. But time and tide wait for none, as the saying goes, and those who have lost something in this wave cannot regain it by any humanly means. I am talking of such things that often are not material… but abstract.

I cannot say confidently whether I regret many decisions and situations in my life, so far. Alhamdolillah, there have not been many such occasions. However, I have come to realize that regret is terrible and it brings along so much despair and sorrow that one must take utmost care to avoid it. This is, of course, obvious, you may say – who would like to face regret? But this is exactly what brings me to my point.

If regret is so painful for us today in our daily lives, concerning – often – material possessions or wishes, then what would it be like on the Day of Judgment? Can a day of this present world and time be comparable with the time – or rather no time at all – on the Day of Judgment?

This seems like small talk but deep meanings are hidden within it, as I very recently came to realize myself.

We have been told of the scenario on the Day of Judgment by many people and consequently, a picture has formed in my mind as well. Try and imagine this…

I can’t say anything… it is as if my mouth is dry inside and all voice has died within me. There are multitudes of people all around me, pouring in from all directions, looking around at this place… Their mouths are open too, like mine, but I can hear no words. But oh! Where is all this painful noise coming from? This horrible screeching sound… This place… we were warned about this, I think…Oh… oh! The mountains… they are dissolving – oh! This is terrible… oh, what is going on? It is so hot here… there is no shade, nothing as far as my numb eyes can see! My heart is beating in my throat. The ground is heaving beneath me! Help me, please! Somebody, please shelter me from this darkness and despair! Oh Allah, save us… what is this place… I never dreamed of something like this, ever. I can’t bear this shock, this horror…

Nobody is looking at me. Where is my family? My mother? My father? My Sisters and brothers? My children? Why has everyone deserted me? Am I alone? Then is this really the Day of Judgment?

As soon as this truth hits me, I can move no further. I drop to my knees and stare open-mouthed at the confusion all round me. I was trying to deny the existence of this Day until now. But it is here, surely… Allah’s promises in the Quran were all true! Oh, how soon this day has come! And new thoughts now come to my mind… In the middle of all this confusion, I hear voices in my head, my own voice coming from different directions…
‘Why did you not say the truth that day?’
‘Why had you engaged in back-biting about that person?’
‘Why did you read that American/Western fiction novel? Why didn’t you read the Quran during that time?’
‘Why did you delay your Salat for the sake of that T.V. drama or movie?’
‘Why did you change the T.V. channel when an Islamic program came on air?’
‘Why did you turn away the beggar when your purse was full of money you were going to spend on your material wishes and whims?’
‘Why did you ridicule the person who avoided the use of obscenities while you yourself used them in normal conversation?’
‘Why did you chose to dress up, for meager pleasure, the way that Allah disliked?’
‘Why did you idolize singers, actors, actresses and spend a major part of your life proving yourself as the true ‘fan’ and turn away from what was most important – the Quran, and Sunnah of the Prophet?’
‘Why did you spend all your time dreaming of going to America, England or Canada while this time could have been used in remembering Allah?’

Why? Why? Why?

The questions did not end there. I tried to pacify myself to some extent, argued with my conscience that I had offered Salat, kept fasts, performed Umrah, Hajj, paid Zakat… wasn’t that helpful?

Why, then, did I regret? Why did I regret doing so many things in my life… things so meaningless now, so useless… so immaterial?

And now, I am being handed the Statement of my Deeds and being ordered to come forward for the final judgment. Oh, would the earth swallow me up… would I cease to exist right now… I cannot go forward for I have much to regret.

It is often the ‘small things’ that we do in our day-to-day life that, unfortunately, will be a cause of regret to us on the Day of Judgment. Who shall care on that Day that This Famous movie actress was born on so-and-so date or she married so-and-so times? Who will care that the T.V. serial you had been following for seven years had finally ended just as you had thought it would? Who would care that you saw the movie, Titanic, five – or even twenty – times? Who would care that you had met so-and-so movie star and got his autograph? Who would care that you had read so-and-so novel so many times that the pages had been reduced to tatters?

You, yourself, would hardly care. However, you would realize suddenly that in the Sight of Allah, it was all worthless… and that is when regret shall be born.

‘All that time and energy could have been spent – should have been spent – in the Way of Allah.’

I have come to reply on one simple means to reduce the chances of facing regret on the Day of Judgment and I pray to Allah turn my efforts into successes (Ameen). I am sharing this with you:Whenever you begin any work or any activity, pause for a while and ask yourself,‘Am I about to do something which I will regret on the Day of Judgment?’

Do not engage yourself completely in the world so that in the Hereafter you have much to regret.

May Allah guide us towards the Path that He loves most and shower His Mercy and Beneficence upon all of us on the Day of Judgment. Ameen.
Saturday, August 27, 2005

FARSHID TURAAB

A beautiful nasheed entitled Fashid Turab:

http://saaid.net/flash/Frshy_eTurab.swf

The translation :

Dust is my bed, embraces me and it’s my cover now
The sand surrounds me even behind my back
And the grave tells a dankness of my affliction
And the brightness draws a line……………
Where is my family’s love? They sold my loyalty!
And where is my group of friends? They left my brotherhood!
Where is the bliss of money? It’s behind my back now
And my name (reputation) where is it shine between praises
This is my end and this is my bed
And love farewells its longing and my elegizing cried
And the tears went dry after crying
And the universe became narrow and so is my space
And the grave became my ground and sky
This is my end and this is my bed
Fear fills my estrangement and sadness is my illness
I expect firmness and I swear it’s my cure
And for Allah i pray faithfully, you are my hope
Allah! I desire heaven, to find bliss in it
And for Allah i pray faithfully, you are my hope
Allah! I desire heaven, to find bliss in it

THE ARABIC:

فرشي التراب يضمني وهو غطائي
حولي الرمال تلفني بل من ورائي
واللحد يحكي ظلمة فيها ابتلائي
والنور خط كتابه أنسى لقائي
والأهل اين حنانهم باعوا وفائي
والصحب اين جموعهم تركوا اخائي
والمال اين هناءه صار ورائي
والاسم اين بريقه بين الثناءِ
هذي نهاية حالي فرشي الترابِ
والحب ودّع شوقه وبكى رثائي
والدمع جف مسيره بعد البكاء
والكون ضاق بوسعه ضاقت فضائي
فاللحد صار بجثتي أرضي سمائي
هذي نهاية حالي فرشي الترابِ
والخوف يملأ غربتي والحزن دائي
أرجو الثبات وإنه قسما دوائي
والرب أدعو مخلصا أنت رجائي
أبغي إلهي جنة فيها هنائي


Courtesy: www.islam.forumwise.com
Thursday, August 25, 2005

Ayyub (A.S): An Example of Faith and Patience

The story of Ayyub (Job) gives consolation to all those who are ill
or deprived of wealth or children.


The angels were discussing the conditions of mankind, their
obedience and disobedience. One of them said that Ayyub was the best
man on earth. He was an obedient believer, always praying to Allah.
Allah blessed Ayyub to be wealthy for eighty years. During this time
he never forgot to worship or thank Allah. He shared his wealth with the poor and clothed the naked.

Satan could not believe that there was a servant as sincere as
Ayyub. Satan thought that his wealth was the reason for his
sincerity, so he asked Allah for power to take away Ayyub's wealth
with the intentions to mislead him. He reacted to his lost by saying
that the wealth belongs to Allah and I thank him for what he has
granted me and I thank .him for what he has taken. He then kneeled
down in prayer. This made Satan angry.

Satan tried twice to mislead Ayyub after losing his wealth by asking
Allah for power to take away his children and health. Allah
(subhanahu wa ta'ala) said I will give you power over his body, but
I warn you against approaching his soul, tongue, and heart, because
in them lies the secret of Faith. Ayyub acted in the same manner as
when his wealth was taken away from him.

Satan realized that he couldn't misguide Ayyub, so he went to his
wife to mislead her, by reminding her of their previous life style.
Satan was successful in misleading his wife. This led to her
complaining to Ayyub about their present state. This caused Ayyub to
become upset with her and he vowed that he would beat her 100 times
if Allah gave him back his health.

Satan was not successful in misguiding Ayyub. Allah then restored
him with all that he had lost. Ayyub now had to fulfill his vow of
striking his wife.

Allah ordered him to strike his wife once with a 100 pieces of good
smelling grass, out of mercy for her. Indeed Allah is the most
merciful.

The story of Ayyub should be a constant reminder for us all. We
should read this story often just to remind ourselves. Many of us
complain about the little things in life. Allah tested Ayyub in ways
that we can really relate to. His faith and patience is something
that we as true believing Muslims should try and implement in our
lives, when Allah tests us in these situations. In the Quraan Allah
says,

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he
was ever oft returning in repentance (to us)." [Quran:38:4].

During these times we must remember Allah more, pray harder, and be
more thankful instead of being dissatisfied with our condition. We
should praise and thank Allah for every condition that he tests us
with. As we know these are the times when Satan tries to work on us
the most by playing with our minds, emotions, and weaknesses. Allah
would never forget to reward a servant for such a great task.

"And (remember) Ayyub when he cried to his Lord: Verily, distress
has seized me and you are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy."
[Quraan:21:83]

"So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on
him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the
like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a
Reminder for all those who worship us." [Quraan:21:84]


May Allah give us the faith and the patience when we are tested.
Ameen.
Sunday, August 21, 2005

think on it...

by Binte Abdul Khaliq
Hidayaonline.com


How 'cool' is 'cool'
before you're so cold
that you care not
of what's being told?
That the Qur'an and Sunnah so beautiful and adored
is not important anymore
just blatantly ignored?
How 'hot' is 'hot'
before you get burnt
don't play with fire
haven't you learnt?
The flames of immodesty
burn away shame
And faith is sacrificed
for excuses so lame
How 'in' would be 'in
'before you fall into sin
before deen is compromised
and dunya is prioritised?
Before pleasing people
is your ultimate aim
And Allah's pleasure
is sacrificed for fame?
How 'open minded' is 'open minded'
before your conscience falls out
and the things that you do
and those that suit you?
Before the laws of Allah
you hold in contempt,
considering inadequate
that which was Divinely sent?
Where do we draw the line?
Where is the boundry?
These labels we crave
yet evil it paves
Let's aspire for the title
that certainly will be enviable
on a day that will capture
every soul with fear
A smile will he wear
such a sight will be rare
His status will be raised
His name will be praised
He will have succeeded
as the warnings he had heeded
No grief shall he be in
He who strived to be a 'Mu'min'
Wednesday, August 17, 2005

RoTTeN Pot@toes

A teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few cooked potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes.

The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week. Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended.

The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?"

The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.

Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game.

The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of the hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go.

If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"

Moral of the story: Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart so that you will not carry it for a life time. Forgiving others is the best attitude to take Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love & to be loved is the greatest happiness. Fate determines who comes into our lives. The heart determines who stays...
Sunday, August 07, 2005

One Way ticket to the Underground

(Written by Mohamed Chetty)
First written in French in 1989


When we are leaving this world for the next one, it shall be like a trip to another country.

Where details of that country won’t be found in glamourous travel brochures but in the Holy Qur’aan and the Ahadith.

Where our plane won’t be British Airways, Gulf Air or American Airlines but Air Janazah.

Where our luggage won’t be the allowed 23 kgs but our deeds no matter how heavy they weigh.
You don’t pay for excess luggage.

They are carried free of charge. With your Creator’s compliment.

Where our dress won’t be a Pierre Cardin suit or the like but the white cotton shroud

Where our perfume won’t be Chanel, Paco Rabane, but the camphor and attar.

Where our passports won’t be British, French or American but Al Islam

Where our visa won’t be the 6 months leave to stay or else but the "La Illaha Illallah.."

Where the airhostess won’t be gorgeous females but Isra’iil and its like.

Where the in-flight services won’t be 1st class or economy but a piece of beautifully scented or foul smelling cloth.

Where our place of destination won’t be Heathrow Terminal 1 or Jeddah International Terminal but the Qabarastaan.

Where our waiting lounge won’t be nice carpeted and air-conditioned rooms but the 6 feet deep gloomy Qabar.

Where the Immigration Officer won’t be Her Majesty’s officers but Munkir and Nakir.

They only check out whether you deserve the place you yearn to go.

Where there is no need for Customs Officers or detectors.

Where the transit airport will be Al Barzaakh.

Where our final place of destination will be either the Garden under which rivers flow or the Hell Fire.

This trip does not come with a price tag. It is free of charge. So your savings would not come handy.

This flight can never be hijacked so do not worry about terrorists.

Food won’t be served on this flight so do not worry about your allergies or whether the food is Halal.


Do not worry about legroom; you won’t need it, as your legs will become things of the past.

Do not worry about delays. This flight is always punctual. It arrives and leaves on time.

Do not worry about the in-flight entertainment programme because you would have lost all your sense of joy.

Do not worry about booking this trip, it has already been booked the day you became a foetus in your mother’s womb.

Ah! Atlast good news! Do not worry about who will be sitting next to you.

You will have the luxury of being the only passenger.

So enjoy it while you can. If only you can!

One small snag though, this trip comes with no warning. Are you prepared ?

************************
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar(R.A.) reported that someone asked the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) who was the wisest. The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that, the one who remembers death often and is ever engaged in making preperation for it. These are the men who have become masters of the honour of this world and the next. (Tibraani)
Hazrat Bara' bin Azib says that he attended a funeral along with the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), who sat near the grave and wept so bitterly that the earth became wet with his tears. Then he addressed us saying : " O Bretheren, make preperation for this day." (Ibn Majah)


Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com
Friday, August 05, 2005

The Pearls


The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Aisha got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbour and asked Aunty Jamshed if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace. Aisha loved her pearls.

They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday madressa classes, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Aisha had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story from the Quraan.

One night as he finished the story, he asked Aisha , "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favourite."

"That's okay, Aisha, daddy loves you. Allah-hafez." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Aisha's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. May Allah bless you & protect you, Aisha. Daddy loves you."

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Aisha was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Aisha? What's the matter?"

Aisha didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace.

With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy, this is for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Aisha's daddy reached out with one hand to take the cheap necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Aisha.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.


So it is with our Allah Almighty. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't Allah great?

Are you holding onto things that Allah wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing Allah will never take away something without giving you something better in its place. The greatest gifts happen when you share love and touch others' hearts!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Whispers of the Night

by Sh. Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq

I pounded on the door of mercy as the world slept
And humbling myself before my Creator I wept

Hands raised high and head bowed I knelt
And dejectedly began to lament what I felt

With a torn heart I gave a torn heart to my woes and fears And in great anguish and sorrow I let flow my tears


With poignant emotions raging in me so fierce
I hoped that my prayers would the heavens pierce

Oh Maker of my destiny, Master of my fate I cried
Thou art the only refuge and succour for one so tried

'Tis before Thee alone that I bemoan
Sufferings of mine only to Thee known

Pains and torments that I can no longer bear
Hopes and wishes I can entrust only to Thy care

For 'Tis only the ocean of Thine infinite bounty that sustains all
And only Thy forgiveness that restores those that fall

'Tis to Thee alone Oh Benevolent that I extend my hands in plea
To whom besides Thee can this wretched soul flee

Forgive my sins and grant me my desires Oh Almighty
Reject me not, for nothing can redeem me save Thy mercy