:: Visiting graves ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Many times, الله سبحانه و تعالى, sent us people to answer our duas and sometimes, الله سبحانه و تعالى, sent us people to show us how insignificant our complains are~

Just as millions of thoughts were going through my mind, الله سبحانه و تعالى, gave me opportunities to know challenges of other sisters, who in comparison, makes my challenges and tests very insignificant~

Allahu Akbar!

There is this sister who lost her daughter when her daughter was 6 months old... Husband was denied entry to the country to see the sick daughter when she was alive, so the wife had to go to court to fight for her case...

Another sister who had her husband being taken by her friend and was denied the chance to take care of her one year old daughter~ Had to bring her 2 young sons half a globe away to seek for another opportunity to survive~ Not once that she faced betrayal, but 4 times... 

And a few other sisters who are facing challenges~

A whole afternoon was spent in park listening to stories and encouraging each other to have patience~

By the grace of Allah swt, we passed by the cemetery which the sister's 6 months old daughter is buried~ We decided to pay a visit~

SubhanaAllah~ 

Allah swt has an amazing way to remind us of how temporary this world is~ We passed by graves which are there since 1880s... The people in the grave stay longer in ground than we are on earth~

At the end of the day, when I reflect back on the incidents in the day, I realised Allah swt is giving me a concluding statement for all the dua I made and all the whinning and complaining...

Life on this earth is temporary and the chasing of good things in this world will divert me from something more serious... I have all that I ask for~ 

Be thankful, Khadijah~

Have patience~

Life on this earth will soon pass~

Do good and prepare for the long long stay in ground and for the long long long wait on the Day of Judegement~

InshaAllah~

May Allah swt keeps us all on the straight path and not let the glitter of this duniya distract us from the important responsibilities~ Ameen!     

  

The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),
Until ye visit the graves.
But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
Again, ye soon shall know!
Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)
Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!
Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).
( سورة التكاثر , At-Takathur, Chapter #102, Verse #2)

W'salam, 
Khadijah C.

:: Issues facing Muslim Women ::

:: Thoughts on bringing up children ::

Assalam Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah! I went to a lecture by sis Zohra Sawari on "9 steps to achieve destiny"

A very inspiring and energetic sister who lives the life of "Talk the talk, walk the walk".

I went with the intention of meeting her and thanking her for a book she mailed it to me (Long story short, she heard about me from one of my friends and she decided to mail me one of her book...) but never will I think that she is actually the mother of Alya Nuri; the child author whom I want to bring up my children as! Read blog post "child author alya nuri" 

SubhanaAllah! Allah swt has a way of reminding me of the things I have to do and who I have to learn from...

Important things that I have learnt from sis Zohra are...

1. One must have the right intention to have children
2. The right intention to groom them for the future
3. To have an aim and planning for the children
4. To be a role model for children

May Allah swt rewards sis Zohra and her family for all the hardwork in contributing to the ummah~ Ameen!

And may Allah swt gives me the energy and the strength to bring up successful contributors to the ummah~ Ameen!

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

:: O women! Give alms ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Just for my sisters, whom inshaaAllah, will be my neighbours in Jannah~ Ameen~ 

Following up to the previous blog post on women majority in jahanam.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri On 'Id ul Fitr or 'Id ul Adha Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. 

He said, "O people! Give alms." Then he went towards the women and said. "O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women)." 

The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for it?" 

He replied, "O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray." 

Then he left. 

And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter It was said, "O Allah's Apostle! It is Zainab." 

He asked, 'Which Zainab?" The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Mas'ub. He said, "Yes, allow her to enter." 

And she was admitted. Then she said, "O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else." 

The Prophet replied, "Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else."
(Sahih Bukhari Book #24, Hadith #541)

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

:: Words do not matter ::

:: Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid, my Role Model ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

A glimpse of the women of Jannah through the life of Mother Khadijah (RadiaAllahuAnha)~ 

A wife's love so deep for her husband~ 

May Allah swt gives Mother Khadijah the very best~ 

Ameen~ 

W'salam, Khadijah C. 

:: Doing bad, think again ::

Assalam Alaikum, SubhanaaAllah! No reason for our deeds to weigh less on day of judgement! W'salam, Khadijah C.

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet narrating about his Lord and said, 

"Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times: and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his account) ." (Sahih Bukhari Book #76, Hadith #498)

:: Dua for someone ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Make dua~

الله سبحانه و تعالى‎ knows~

Say: "Whether ye hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all: He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth. And Allah has power over all things. 

( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #29) 

Taken from http://2inspireamuslim.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/best-gift.html

W'salam, 
Khadijah C. 

:: I look, I look, I see ::

:: Qur’anic Arabic Braille group ::

Kitaba Islamic Texts for the Blind is proud to announce the first Qur’anic Arabic Braille group, which will meet weekly on Skype. 

Comprising blind Muslims who want to improve their Qur’anic Arabic Braille. The group will work its way through the holy Qur’an, encouraging members to take it in turns to recite by reading out loud from their Braille Qur’ans while everyone else follows. 

There will be an opportunity to chat once the recitation is over, and build links with other blind Muslims. 

The group will meet every Sunday evening at 20:00 UK time on Skype. Anyone with knowledge of Qur’anic Arabic Braille however limited is welcome. Those who do not wish to take part in the recitation but would like to listen in and enjoy the social aspect are more than welcome to come along. 

For anyone interested in joining the group, please contact Bilal Hussain, Skype i.d: kitaba.org. If you do not have Skype, and would like help setting it up then please email balal at kwagga dot com. 

http://www.kitaba.org/news/formation-of-the-online-quranic-arabic-braille-group/

:: 2nd chance ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

How many us do have that 2nd chance to change? How many of us have many chances after that 2nd chance? What do we do with these chances? 

hmMmmm... 

W'salam, Khadijah C.

:: حلال 清真‎ Halal::

Assalam Alaikum, 

How cool it is to have 3 languages on the halal logo? 
Way to go Taipei Grand Mosque! 

W'salam, 
Khadijah C.

 

:: وَالْعَصْرِ By Time ::

Assalam Alaikum,

It is a sign that Surah Al-Asr (103) has been repeated to me for the past 2 weeks~ There are questions which one could ask and only الله سبحانه و تعالى‎, could answer~ And I think Surah Al-Asr is the answer to my questions to my creator~

وَالْعَصْرِ

إِنَّ الإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْر ٍ

إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

(Taken from http://transliteration.org)

By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
Verily Man is in loss,
Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.
(  سورة العصر  , Al-Asr, Chapter #103)

As the common phrase, "Only time will tell"~ 

Does it matter what happen now is beyond our plans and understanding? 

With the limited amount of knowledge we have in the given time, there are a lot of things which we are not able to understand... Just like how Prophet Musa ( عليه السلام) could not understand the doings of Khidr ( عليه السلام) until intentions and actions were provided (Surah Al-Kahf)~

We might dislike a thing which is good for us, and love a thing which is bad for us~ 

الله سبحانه و تعالى, knows and we do not~

So,have faith that whatever happen now is the best, for now and for future... And while waiting for future, do righteous deeds and have patience~

Patience...
Patience...
Patience...

Lots of it! =D


W'salam,
Khadijah C.

:: SG 20Apr13 Islamic Lectures in Mandarin ::

:: Chinese Masjid for women ::

Assalam Alaikum,

This video provides a great introduction of female masjids in China, with female imams~

One of the Imams on the interviewed mentioned that the younger generation of muslim females are not taking up the roles of female imams in China due to low salary and other extra distractions...

Hai... The test of the wordly glitter is irresistible~

Looking at the female issues we have in the ummah, the number of female scholars / leaders should increase, not decrease...

إن شاء الله I will get my tools ready, sharpen them... And if opportunity arises and it is the route that is planned for me, I shall go!

Enjoy the video! 

http://www.chinafile.com/last-call-prayer

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

 

:: Sweetest Love story ::

:: The Pleading Woman ::

(Taken from Tafsir http://www.searchtruth.com/tafsir/tafsir.php?chapter=58)

This Surah is entitled Al Mujadalah as well as Al Mujadilah, the title being derived from the word tujadiluka of the very first verse. 

As at the outset mention has been made of the woman who pleaded with the Holy Prophet (upon whom be Allah's peace) the case of zihar pronounced by her husband and urged him to suggest a way out of the difficult situation in order to save her and, her children's life from ruin, and Allah has described her pleading by the word "mujadalah", the Surah came to be known by this very title. 

If it is read as "mujadalah",it would mean "pleading and arguing", and if it is read as "mujadilah", it would mean "the woman who pleaded and argued." 

The story of Khawla Bint Tha`laba (May Allah be pleased with her)

Taken from http://www.alsiraj.net/English/sahaba/html/page20.html

Khawla Bint Tha`laba  was the daughter of Abdullah ibn al-Harith ibn Uwaimir ibn Nawfal. She was from the helpers. She was Khawla Bint Tha`laba ibn Asram ibn Auf, the wife of Anas ibn as-Samit who fought in the battle of Badr, Uhud and all other battles in which the Prophet fought. 

Once she annoyed her husband, Anas, accordingly he said to her "you are to me as the back of my mother". This statement was held by pagan custom to imply a divorce and free the husband from any responsibility for conjugal duties. Such a custom was in any case degrading to a woman. 

It was particularly hard on Khawla Bint Tha`laba, for she loved her husband and pleaded that she had little children. She had no resources to support them. She urged her plea to the Prophet and in prayer to Allah. But the Prophet said,"I have no ruling concerning that. I think you are divorced."

Thereupon, she had nothing to do but to invoke and complain to Allah. Having argued with the Prophet concerning her case, she complained to Allah. This is the perfection of faith to complain only to Allah. 

No sooner did she finish her player than the Holy Spirit come to the Prophet. after he had been recovered, he said,"O Khawla, Allah has revealed some verses of the Qur'an concerning you and your husband" then he started to read, 
 

Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the woman who pleads with thee concerning her husband and carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah: and Allah (always) hears the arguments between both sides among you: for Allah hears and sees (all things).
( سورة المجادلة , Al-Mujadila, Chapter #58, Verse #1)

Her just plea was accepted, and this iniquitous custom, based on false words was abolished. 

Once, Khawla Bint Tha`laba blocked Umar`s way to advise him saying."O Umar, fear Allah in your people. You have to know that whoever fears the warning will find the remotest thing close. Whoever fears from death would not like to miss anything. Whoever believes in the Judgement will fear from torture..."

When one of Umar`s companions asked her to stop by saying, "It is too much, and this is the leader of the believers." 

Umar said, "Let her say. Do you know her? This is Khawla Bint Tha`laba to whom Allah listened from above seven heavens. Then Umar has to listen too."
 

:: Our lifelong companion ::

"Even when God seemed to have abandoned me, he was watching. Even when He seemed indifferent to my suffering, He was watching and when I was beyond all hope of saving... He gave me rest and gave me a sign to continue my journey.."
- Pi Patel, "Life of Pi"

That's all we ever need~

Al-Baqi (الباقي)

The lifelong companion, in this life and hereafter, to give us strength to continue on this testing life journey~

Assalam Alaikum~

:: Time for Salaat Isthikhara ::

:: A Promise during Nikah ::

Taken from http://www.soundvision.com/Info/weddings/khutba.asp

Prophet Muhammad taught the following Khutba (sermon) for Nikah (the marriage ceremony). Allah's peace and blessings be upon him. (Ibn Masood narrated it as reported in Tirmithi, may Allah be pleased with him)

All praises are for Allah. We seek Guidance and forgiveness from Him. We also seek refuge in Him from the evils of our ownselves. Whoever Allah guides, noone can misguide him. Whoever He lets go astray noone can put him back on track. We testify that there is no god but Allah and we testify that Muhammad is Allah's servant and His messenger.

O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #102)

O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.
( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #1)

O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right: That He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: He that obeys Allah and His Messenger, has already attained the highest achievement. If you do so,) Allah will correct your deeds for your benefit, and forgive your sins for you. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger achieves a great success.
( سورة الأحزاب , Al-Ahzab, Chapter #33, Verse #70-71)

:: Grave of Sahabah Jabir ibn Abdullah & Hudhaifa Al- Yamani (RA) ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Allahu Akbar!

An incident I heard on a lecture of the graves of Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA) and Hazrat Hudhaifa Al- Yamani (RA). This is an excerpt from the incident...

"The most marvelous spectacle was now seen by the huge crowd that had gathered to witness this great event. 

Both the holy bodies of these true companions of the Holy Prophet (SAWW) were fresh and intact while their open eyes issued forth such divine light that the spectator's eyes were dazzled. 

 Furthermore, their coffin, clothes, kaffan were also intact and at first glance, it appeared as if these heroes of Islam were alive. 

The two bodies were then taken away and buried afresh near the grave of another great hero of Islam, Salman-e-Farsi, in Salman Park which is 30 miles from Baghdad. 

This miracle amazed the scientists, philosophers and doctors. They were all bewildered and spellbound to witness this great miracle." 

W'salam,

Khadijah

:: Hearts find peace ::

:: 百字讚 The Hundred word Eulogy ::

Chinese Emperor’s beautiful poem about the Holy Prophet Muhammad  

Taken from: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/02/uncategorized/chinese-emperors-beautiful-poem-about-prophet-muhammad-sa

Hong-Wu (also known by his given name Zhū Yuánzhāng) was the Emperor of China between 1368 – 1398 CE. He was the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, leading an Army that conquered the country and defeated away the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. 

Despite being a non-Muslim, Hong-Wu ordered the construction of several mosques in Nanjing, Yunnan, Guangdong and Fujian. He rebuilt the Jinjue Mosque in Nanjing and large numbers of Hui (Muslim Chinese) people moved to the city during his rule. 

He had around 10 Muslim generals in his army, including Chang Yuchun, Lan Yu, Ding Dexing, Mu Ying, Feng Sheng and Hu Dahai. In addition, Hong-Wu’s spouse, Empress Ma, descended from a Muslim family while he was originally a member of a Muslim rebel group led by Guo Zhixin. 

Emperor Hong-Wu wrote a 100 word eulogy praising Islam, Allah and the Prophet Muhammad which he had placed in the mosques which he ordered to be built. The eulogy is in the form of a poem, each verse containing 4 words (characters) and 4 syllables. In the translation below I have strayed away from trying to keep the 4 word per verse translation in favour of a more literal translation which conveys the full meaning in flowing English.

《百字讚》寫道：“乾坤初始，天籍注名。傳教大聖，降生西域。授受天經，三十部冊，普化眾生。億兆君師，萬聖領袖。協助天運，保庇國民。五時祈祐，默祝太 平。存心真主，加志窮民。拯救患難，洞徹幽冥。超拔靈魂，脱離罪業。仁覆天下，道冠古今。降邪歸一，教名清真。穆罕默德，至貴聖人。”(《百字讚》

Since Creation of Universe
Heaven has already appointed,
Faith Preaching Giant Saint,
From West He’s Born,
To receive Holy Scripture,
With thirty part Book,
To guide all creations,
King of all Kings,
Leader of Holy Ones,
With Support from Divine,
To Protect His Nation,
With five daily prayers,
Silently hope for peace,
With heart toward Allah,
Empower the poor ones,
Save them from calamity,
See through the Unseen,
Pulling souls and spirits,
Away from all wrongdoings,
Mercy to the World,
Walking ancient Crowned Path,
Evil vanquished to One,
Religion Pure and True,
Muhammad,
The Noble High One.

:: Mualaf - Being a Chinese & a Muslim ::

Assalam Alaikum,

A short clip on events the chinese muslim reverts faced in Malaysia... and maybe in SEAsia~

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

:: Dua for family ::

rabbana hab lana min azwajina wathurriyyatina qurrata aAAyunin waijAAalna lilmuttaqeena imaman

  رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous."
( سورة الفرقان , Al-Furqan, Chapter #25, Verse #74)

  

:: SG 2Mar13 Al-Ghazali on Intention, Sincerity & Truthfulness ::

 

Topic: Al-Ghazali on Intention, Sincerity and Truthfulness
Speaker: Ustadh Usama Canon
Event: Workshop
Date: Saturday 2 March 2013
Time: 2pm - 7pm
Venue: SimplyIslam 

“Intention, Sincerity & Truthfulness” is the 37th chapter of the magnum opus, Ihya’ Ulumuddin (Revival of the Religious Sciences), written by the eminent and illustrious Islamic scholar of all time, Abu Hamid ibn Muhammad Al-Ghazali.

Imam Al-Ghazali deals with a subject that is of crucial importance. He asks: “How can someone ignorant of the meaning of intention verify his own intention”; or “how can someone ignorant of the meaning of sincerity verify his own sincerity”; or “how can someone sincerely claim truthfulness if he has not verified its meaning?”

Imam Al-Ghazali gave a response to each of these questions by expounding the reality and levels of intention, sincerity and truthfulness, those acts which affirm them and those acts which mar them.  He presented his thoughts and opinions very clearly and categorically, based on the Holy Qur'an, the Prophetic traditions (hadith), and the teachings of numerous Islamic scholars.

In this 4-hour workshop, Ustadh Usama Canon will share the concepts of intention, sincerity and truthfulness based on the teachings of Imam Al-Ghazali. For any enquiries, please email info@simplyislam.sg or call 65474407.

:: HK 25Feb13 Islam as a Culture or an Ideology ::

:: Dawah through greetings ::

 

:: HK 23Feb13 Modern Period & Islamic Relevance in the IT Age ::

:: SG 23Feb13 When Allah writes my love story ::

:: Sis Sofia's experiences with 'unseen' ::

Assalam Alaikum,

A highly recommended video to watch!

Sis Sofia talked about her experiences with the jinns... Jinns in human form, in animal form... Some in places of worships, funerals.. and even Jinns doing salat!

Narrated 'Aisha: Some people asked Allah's Apostle about the fore-tellers He said. ' They are nothing" They said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Sometimes they tell us of a thing which turns out to be true." Allah's Apostle said, "A jinn snatches that true word and pours it Into the ear of his friend (the fore-teller) (as one puts something into a bottle) The foreteller then mixes with that word one hundred lies."
(Sahih Bukhari Book #71, Hadith #657)

I have only created jinns and men, that they may serve Me.

( سورة الذاريات , Adh-Dhariyat, Chapter #51, Verse #56)

Allahu Akhbar!

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

:: Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee ::

By the Glorious Morning Light,

And by the Night when it is still,-

Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.

And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.

And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.

Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?

And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.

And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.

Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,

Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard);

But the bounty of the Lord - rehearse and proclaim!

( سورة الضحى , Ad-Dhuha, Chapter #93)

:: Conquering laziness ::

:: 祸兮福所倚，福兮祸所伏 ::

【词目】祸兮福所倚，福兮祸所伏

【发音】huò xī fú suǒ yǐ，fú xī huò suǒ fú

【释义】福与祸相互依存，可以互相转化。比喻坏事可以引出好的结果，好事也可 以引出坏的结果。 “祸”使人悲伤，“福”使人快乐，因此“祸”“福”之间是一个对立矛盾。然而“祸”又有可 能使人吸取 教训而产生“福”，“福”有可能使人乐极生悲而产生“祸”，因此 “祸”与“福”之间又是一个统一的矛盾。

【出处】《老子》第五十八章：“祸兮福之所倚，福兮祸之所伏。”

"But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not. (2:216)

http://baike.baidu.com/view/ 46895.htm