Category Archive

My dear sister Suralla, with whom I braved the RNC riots last year, has been stricken with swine flu.  Yes, swine flu.

inshaAllah the worst of it is over and she is on the road to recovery.  Please make lots of duas for her and send positive vibers her way that inshaAllah she’ll be fine in time for Ramadan.

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (ra) said, “When the Messenger of Allah (saws) used to retire to his bed, he would lie on his right side and then say, ‘O Allah, I surrender my soul to You and I turn my face to You and I entrust my affair to You and I seek Your support with hope and fear of You. There is no refuge from You but to You. I have believed in Your Book which You sent down and Your Prophet whom You sent.’” [al-Bukhari]

SubhanAllah, can you imagine what a woman Khadijah (ra) was?  How blessed she was to be married to RasulAllah (saws)?  And how lucky he was to have such a woman to support and believe in him?

O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have exalted Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised and the Glorious!  And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised, the Glorious!

Please make dua for Islamic Relief.  I have been going through them for most of my zakat and sadaqa since I converted, and have always felt that my donations were in good hands. 

Islamic Relief Fire set deliberately

The Glasgow branch of Islamic Relief has been badly damaged by a fire which police say was started deliberately.

…

Habib Malik, head of Islamic Relief Scotland, said the fire was “a huge blow for the local community”.

He said: “Earlier this year, during the time of our Gaza Emergency Appeal we received a number of threats of this nature.

“We are an apolitical charity. We do not take sides in any conflict and simply act to help alleviate people’s suffering.

“Unfortunately, due to the fact we have the word ‘Islamic’ in our name we are often an easy target for certain racist and Islamaphobic groups and individuals.

“This despicable incident, which could have easily cost lives, has rightly been condemned by the whole community and by people of all faiths and none.”

The fire is estimated to have cost up to £80,000 worth of damage.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that there is a very polite Jehovah’s Witness who rides AbuS and my bus.  While I am totally not up for proselytizing or being proselytize to, AbuS has been more than happy to chat with her about the Bible. 

AbuS rode the bus home with her yesterday and someone the subject of my conversion came up.  AbuS talked about how the character of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) was a large part of what drew me to Islam.

I’ve attempted to give her a copy of the Qur’an in the past, which she has always refused.  I’ve found that a little off putting, since we’ve accepted free bibles and watchtower magazines from her.  But now, a small breakthrough.

She has agreed to possibly reading a biography of the Prophet (saws)!  Alhamdulilah!  I plan on giving her Tariq Ramadan’s In the Footsteps of the Prophet and Submission, Faith and Beauty.

She is very much into the book of Revelations and the end times.  Are there any good books out there on the end times in Islam?  It’s never been something I have concerned myself much with, as I figure it will happen when it happens and what I really need to worry about is preparing for my own death.  However, she consistently sees signs of the end of times in the news.  I know I’ve mentioned a few of the signs from the hadith to her, but maybe a good book on the matter will also open her heart.

Please make dua to Allah (swt) open her heart to Islam through the beauty of our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (saws) character.

I’ve officially been a muslim for one quarter of my life now, alhamdulilah.  On this morning, 1/4 of my life ago, I awoke before fajr, earlier then I’d ever arisen as a college student.  I stumbled to the bathroom to attempt ghusl and returned to my dorm room.  I pulled out one of the scarves I had purchased from alhannah, clumsily fashioned it to my head and stood at the foot of a prayer rug I hoped was facing towards Mecca.

I had been exploring Islam for more than a year, and subconciously had considered myself a muslim for months.  Using cards a kindly sister in Texas had sent, I prayed fajr for the first time, and in doing so, submitted myself to Allah (swt) with my whole heart and concious.

Over the years, I have not always been the most attentive slave of the Most Merciful.   Please make dua for me that I will improve as I continue forward on the straight path.

Oh Allah, may your Mercy towards me prevail over Your Wrath!

Oh Allah, allow me to draw nearer towards You walking, so that You may come to me running!

Oh Allah, on this Thursday when the gates of Paradise are open, please forgive me my transgressions and protect me from future ones!

Oh Allah, make me one of your friends.  Help me to draw nearer to you with obligatory acts, and even nearer with superogatory works, so that I may be one of those You love!

Oh Allah, make me one of those You love, so that You are my hearing with which I hear, You are my seeing with which I see, You are my hand with which I strike and You are my foot with which I walk!

Oh Allah, make me one who, when I commit a sin, immediately run to you and beg your forgiveness!

Oh Allah, make me one who stands the last third of the night in prayer!

Oh Allah, let me die with la ilaha il Allah on my tongue and in my heart!

Oh Allah, make me one of the people of paradise!

Ameen.

Via MR:

As Salamu Alaikum, Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is well known now that I have been suffering from hypertension. Al Hamdulillah, I have been working with it for a while now, and insha’Allah it’s pretty much under control. As a result of being thoroughly checked by the competent doctors in Atlanta , I have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Al Hamdulillah, inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun. (All Praise is for Allah. Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.)

My diagnosis is not as bad as it sounds on the surface. Many men have been cured from prostate cancer. My doctors are very optimistic about my cure, and so am I. Insha’Allah the treatment should last about two months. But you and I know that the cure is in the Hands of Allah. If Allah heals me, I will be very grateful. If Allah doesn’t heal me, then I will be patient and happily accept my fate. This is the way of the Believers. I am looking forward to full recovery and getting back to work in the not-too-distant future, insha’Allah.

Many people will ask the question, what can we do? Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for me. Make du’a. But don’t just make du’a for me. There are a lot of Muslims, men and women, with cancer (and other diseases). Make du’a for them also. There are so many among the elderly, who need our help, make du’a for them. There are so many Muslims who have lost their jobs, lost their homes, make du’a for them! Beyond the prayers, go visit the sick, those in prison, and others in need.

Get involved more with Islamic work. Support organizations like MANA, ISNA, ICNA, MAS, CAIR, SIFCA, the community in association with Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the community of Imam Jamil Al Amin, etc. Support good brothers and sisters, like Mauri’ Saalakhan of the Peace and Justice Foundation. Support Islamic education and schools. If you want to help Imam Siraj, then help support his Masjid, Masjid At-Taqwa, in Brooklyn, New York and all the other struggling Masjids throughout America.

Every challenge we face in life presents us with many opportunities for growth. With a heightened awareness and sensitivity about health-related issues, I will feel better when we, as an ummah, learn more about our health. We have to be very careful about the foods we consume! I urge all of us to cultivate healthy appetites such that we begin to love and crave foods that are good FOR us and eliminate foods that are not. I intend with Allah’s help to share information with you in the coming weeks about our health.

On behalf of MANA, I encourage you to lend your support to our growing Organization. Every MANA project is structured to strengthen American Muslim communities. The SHARE Centers, Healthy Marriage Initiative, Community Reentry Program, and Healing and Reconciliation Project all need input and active service urgently. Please contact the MANA office to find out more and look for regular updates in our newsletters, insha’Allah.

In closing, I am humbled and very thankful for all the prayers, and well wishes of the Muslims, and am very appreciative for all the help extended to me and my family in the past. Alhamdulillah! I am also overwhelmed with gratitude that a number of you want to lend financial support, and have asked how you can do that. Online donations can be made here, or feel free to correspond with me directly at Siraj Wahhaj, P.O. Box 312264, Atlanta, GA 31131.

Thank you kindly. May Allah guide and protect us all.

Your brother in faith,

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Imam Siraj has been to the twin cities several times since I’ve moved here to raise funds for one organization or another.  He travels all over the country doing fundraisers, without receiving much in return.  It’s fair to say that Imam Siraj has dedicated his life to Allah (swt) and to the american muslim community.

Now is the time for us to give back to Imam Siraj.  Donate and make abundant dua for the Imam.

Halaltube has 45 lectures by Imam Siraj.

Please make abundant dua for the mother of my husband’s best friend Yousry.

She is only living with the assistance of a machine, and it looks like her time is near.

don’t know for how long.  Could be a day, could be a week, a month, Allahu Alem.

Please make dua for me.

“O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need of any good that You may send me!” 28:24

In place of a eulogy, my aunt has asked the family to write some of their memories of my uncle for the pastor to read.  Here are my thoughts.  inshaAllah I’ll polish them later:

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, due in large part to the gathering Uncle Jeff and Aunt Pat hosted every year.  The entire family gathers, and those who can’t make it are sure to phone in and say hello.  A veritable feast is laid out and we all partake.  Inevitably, talk will turn to politics, and the banter will increase as we sit, stuffed to the gills.

But out of all the hustle and bustle of the day, a bright light stands out: Uncle Jeff’s prayer.  He must have taken such thought to write them out, taking care to include all the people gathered.  Here, insert something about this year – my sister and I think that he wrote one that someone will read.  If he didn’t, write about how I missed it.  Thank you Uncle Jeff, for your beautiful prayers.

“God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear: in his favour shall be whatever good he does, and against him whatever evil he does.”O our Sustainer! Take us not to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong!”O our Sustainer! Lay not upon us a burden such as Thou didst lay upon those who lived before us! O our Sustainer! Make us not bear burdens which we have no strength to bear!

“And efface Thou our sins, and grant us forgiveness, and bestow Thy mercy upon us! Thou art our Lord Supreme: succour us, then, against people who deny the truth!”

Qur’an 2:286

Translated by Muhammad Asad

My uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer 2 years ago.  Alhamdulilah, Allah (swt) gave him another 2 years.  He and my aunt have had the opportunity to travel the world, and spend time with all their friends and family.  He made it to a few more Packers games, and got to play Trivia in the world’s largest trivia contest two more times.  And we’ve had 2 more family thanksgivings.  My aunt and uncle have hosted a big get together at their house for years.  Everyone from my dad’s side of the family comes.

 After my grandfather passed away earlier this year, we had all been looking forward to getting together under happier circumstances.  Unfortunately, we’re not sure if there’s going to be another thanksgiving at their house this year. 

The cancer is unstoppable, and there’s not much more that can be done.  Please make dua that my uncle will be able to spend one more thanksgiving with us.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said; Three supplications will not be rejected: the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]

The prophet (saws) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.’[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]

Are you taking advantage of this month in your dua?  Are you supplicating your little hearts out?  Please include these people in your dua:

Cairo Rockslide Deathtoll Climbs

At least 47 people are known to have died in a rockslide at a shanty town in Cairo, the Egyptian capital.

Some reports say hundreds more people may be buried beneath the rubble. Hopes of finding more survivors are fading though rescue efforts continue.

The authorities have been criticised for a delay in sending heavy machinery.

Ramadan Curbs Imposed on Muslims in Western China

The rules include prohibiting women from wearing veils and men from growing beards, as well as barring government officials from observing Ramadan. One town, Yingmaili, requires that local officials check up on mosques at least twice a week during Ramadan.

…

They include barring teachers and students from observing Ramadan, prohibiting retired government officials from entering mosques and requiring men to shave off beards and women to doff veils. Mosques cannot let people from outside of town stay overnight and restaurants must maintain normal hours of business. Many restaurants close in daytime hours during Ramadan because of the sunrise-to-sunset fasting.

Check it out – DuaPower.com – major spiffiness.

 I’ve already printed out 10 copies of the Muslim Prayers of Happiness to give to friends.  Looks quite spiffy and professional.  Ok, it would look professional if only I could fold straight.  Dur.

I’m losing the strength to argue on internet forums. Post conversion, that was my jihad – to seek out where ever Islam was being slandered online and debate. I did this almost from the very second I converted. I learned a lot in doing research for my arguments, but there were definate holes in my understanding. In recent years, I’ve dialed back the internet confrontation and concentrated on learning the deen and doing ibadah, and alhamdulilah, it’s really helped my iman.

In January 2004, I joined christianforums.com to participate in a thread about deaths during the hajj. I’ve hung around there on and off, accumulated an obscene number of posts. However, I’ve lost the will to participate in verbal spates. The structure of the forum doesn’t allow for open discussion in several subforums, so most of the islam bashing can happen free and clear of any muslim interaction.

So at this point, I’ve fallen back to duas. And, I’d like to ask that ya’ll make dua with me for the participants in one specific thread. Words cannot express the disgust I feel at the blatent falsehoods being spewed about and cardboard cut out perspectives on islam being offered. It’s pointless to log in and post, because those posts will just be deleted.

I also find it despicable that some insist on studying THEIR religion from positive sources, while OTHER religions should only be studied from polemicists. I was a religious studies gal in college. I took a class on eastern orthodoxy, talked with priests, read books written by eastern orthodox scholars. Shouldn’t they have the courtesy to do the same for my faith? Heck, if you want to read the negative stuff, be my guest, but read something from the believers too. I always start the study of a faith with the central texts, commentary on the texts by the believers and with books recommended by practioners. Then I can delve into the critics. I even did this with scientology, a religion perhaps even more reviled than Islam.

When the husband came to the US and wanted to study christianity in order to refute it, I insisted that he actually pick up the bible and read it before he started slinging polemic negatives around. It just seems like good adab. Ah, but what do I know, I’m just a muzzie who’s only hope in the hearafter is to be one sex slave among many for the husband.

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (ra):

Allah’s Apostle (saws) said, “Whoever after listening to the Adhan says,

‘Allahumma Rabba hadhihi-d-da’ watit-tammati was-salatil qa’imati, ati Muhammadan al-wasilata wal-fadilata, wab’ athhu maqaman mahmudan-il-ladhi wa’ adtahu’

‘O Allah! Lord of this perfect call  and of the regular prayer which is going to be established! Kindly give Muhammad the right of intercession and superiority and send him to the best and the highest place in Paradise which You promised him,’

then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day of Resurrection”).

Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Number 588:

The Prophet (saws) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets before me have said:

237. Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer.

None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.

Reference: At-Tirmithi. Al-Albani graded it good in Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/184, and also Silsilatul-’Ahadith As-Sahihah 4/6.

Make dua for Baraka.

In fact, make dua for everyone.  One thing Shaykh Nuh repeated over and over again in the 1998 Suhba is that Allah (swt) loves for His servants to ask of Him.  Ask Him for anything and everything.  It builds a connection with Him.

From the book Reflection of Pearls.

When leaving the house:

Bismi’Llahi tawakkaltu ‘ala ‘Llah, Allahumma inni a’udhu bika an udilla aw udall, aw uzilla aw uzall, aw azlima aw uzlam, aw aj-hala aw yuj-hala ‘alayy

In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah. O Allah I seek your protectoin from misleading and being mislead, from causing someone to slip or slipping, from oppressing and oppression, and from promoting folly and being foolish (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

I think there are some muslim leaders around the world who need to start making this dua when they leave the house. I wonder how many people who make this dua when they leave the house actually think about the meaning of the words they are reciting, and strive to do what they are praying for?

…Rajab and Sha’ban. Looks like Rajab will start this weekend.

It has been mentioned by Abu’ Nu’aim in ‘Hilya’ from Anas Ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) he said, that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to make the following dua, when the month of Rajab came in:

‘Allahuma Barik lana fi Rajaba wa Sha’bana wa ballighna Ramadhan’

Oh Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaban, and allow us to reach Ramadan

What do you do after salat? Usually, I make my salaams to my recording angels (kiraman katibeen) and pop up right away to go about my dunya business. My husband, on the other hand, usually remains seated and makes dhikr and dua. He’s been nagging me for awhile to try it, and subhanAllah, I didn’t know what I was missing. Think about it, if you sit an extra 5 minutes after each prayer in remembrance and praise of God, that’s an extra 25 minutes each day you spend in worship.

If you have trouble concentrating in salat, this is a chance to refocus on God and worship in the way that helps you connect best. Heck, it could even help if you’ve apt to rush through salat so that you can get to the other stuff on your mind. Rather than having those nagging thoughts about dunya at the back of your mind urging you to hurry up, you know that you have a set amount of time after the salat to dedicate to God. So, there’s no sense in rushing the salat if you will be sitting afterwards in dhikr and dua.

Why not pick a dua and commit to making it after every prayer? Make it a part of your routine.

Its nice that the birds in our area are happy and plentiful. These happy birds decide to congregate on the tree outside our apartment window and start a chirp fest at 4:00 a.m. Alas, this is just the latest in a long line of sleep issues that are driving me mad. I’m almost to the point of asking my doctor (ala the television commercials) about Ambian CR, Lnesta or some other sleep pill that could help me get to sleep and stay asleep.

But, before that, the husband and I are working on a more natural, deeny plan. 1st, make salat right before sleeping. 2nd, drink some anseed (anise seed boiled in water for 3 to 4 minutes). 3rd, make dua. inshaAllah this will work, cuz I don’t want to add another pill to the pile I’m already taking. Blah.

Allahumma gharati n’nujum(u), wa hada’ati ‘l-’uyun(u), wa Anta Hayyun Qayyum(ul), la ta’khudhuka sinatuw wa la nawm(un), Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum(u), ahdi’ layli wa anim ‘ayni.

Oh Allah, the stars have gone and the eyes [of people] have sunken [into deep slumber]. Verily You are Everlasting and Eternal, neither sleep, nor slumber can seize you. O Everlasting and Eternal, bless my night with peace and my eyes with sleep.

From Ibn al-Sunni, in the book Reflections of Pearls.

Please excuse my self centered moping post with a lack of much real islamic content.

I’m moping today. I went to the doctor for what I thought was a follow up appointment in regards to my allergies and whatnot, and low and behold, I’m diagnosed with asthma. Dang. I went from no medicine at the beginning of December to a whole cupboard full today. I can’t keep track of a pair of mittens. How on earth will I not lose 2 inhalers?

Also, even better, it’s triggered by the cold. Good thing I live in Minnesota, eh, cuz we never get any cold here. I suppose it could be worse. It could be exercise indused, and that would suck. Alhamdulilah, I can keep up my exercise (lost 4 pounds since I was at the doctor’s in mid December, subhanAllah). The doctor even said that it may increase my exercise capacity! I have this dream of running a marathon some day (hijab and all), but I’ve kinda hit a wall at 3 miles. I hope that’s been due to my breathing issues and not just the fact that I’m not an athlete. inshaAllah these inhalers will be a blessing and help me push for my goal of 26.2 miles.

I’m planning on doing a massive overview of the burqini coverage that seems to be all the news rage this last week. I did get my own swimsuit from Splashgear earlier this week, and I’m lovin it. I did laps on Tuesday and I’m planning on swimming again tonight. I’ll do a full review of that too.

But now, I’m just going to mope.

Oh, and from “Reflections of Pearls, a concise & comprehensive collection of prophetic invocations & prayers” compiled by Inam Uddin & Ubdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf, this supplication:

When feeling helpless regarding a matter:

One of the best books I’ve bought pertaining to Islam (and I’ve bought dozens), is Reflections of Pearls. It is by far my favorite dua book. It contains everyday supplications, a comprehensive section on supplications from the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as a very thorough section describing prayers outside the fard salat.

Each arabic entry is followed by an excellent transliteration into the roman (ie western, european) alphabet and translation into english. So, for someone who’s arabic isn’t the best, they can (attempt to) read the arabic, follow up with a reading of the transliteration and finish with a reading of the translation. The dua is said three times, engraining it in your mind, heart and soul.

inshaAllah I’ll put up duas from the book on occasion, although I don’t know if I’ll be able to type out the arabic.