Lecture Review: Can a Muslim have Islam without the prayers?

Praying Salah can be hard for Muslims, for years, that described me. Prayer was intimidating for me. I felt insecure praying. I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t think my recitation was eloquent enough or my connection with Allah was powerful enough. 

MashaAllah tabarakAllah My mother loves to pray… and pray...and pray. For her, the longer her prayers, the better. MashaAllah TabarakAllah she has infamously long prayer marathons every Salah. While I was unsure of the entire ritual – like what am I saying at each step? Am I even saying it correctly? What does it all mean anyway? I knew prayer was something great. I had seen my mother sometimes so absorbed in Salah like she was embracing Divinity through the Power of Prayer. She was able to immerse herself in prayer like Heaven had come down to Earth and she was holding an audience with God. 

In my consciousness I revere and accept the idea of God but did not know how to reach him. I wanted, so badly, to experience prayer but I lacked the tools to develop the passion and concentration for a good prayer.  When I couldn't get to 100% in my Salah, I stopped trying completely. 

 I am not alone. Many Muslims create a long list of reasons not to pray, from feeling not good at it, to being bored and feeling empty when they do pray; from not wanting to bother God, to thinking God cannot be bothered if we pray or not. Or someone seemingly religious, turned us away from prayer.

 While these may seem like giant hurdles we can’t get over, we can. Shaykh Nasir Jangda advises that you stare at each of these prayer obstacles in the face and ask Allah to change your heart.  Rather than viewing Salah as a mostly boring, often ineffective ritual, make it the heartbeat of all you  do. 

I am not good enough to pray?

Shaykh Nasir Jangda explains that many of us fear that we aren’t passionate, faithful or pure enough to offer Salah. Instead of trying and failing in our prayers, we don’t try at all. We forget that Allah loves the Salah of imperfect people, people who know they’ve done wrong, who know they are helpless on their own, who reach out to Him, who know they need him.

Salah is boring? 

Or sometimes Salah simply bores us. Our minds wander. In the middle of a conversation with the Creator of the universe, I sometimes remember that I haven’t vacuumed the carpet in two days or that we’re running low on toilet paper. Once I’m bored and distracted, I feel so guilty I don’t want to keep praying.

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

And seek help through patience and the prayer (Salah); and indeed, it is (Salah) surely difficult except on al Khasheen (Quran, 2:45)

Khasheen are believers who have such deep knowledge of the Book of Allah that inspires their hearts to break with respect and awe of Him. Their extensive comprehension of Allah's Words causes their hearts to tremble with  reverence and astonishment of Him. 

It is absolutely crucial to understand the linguistic beauty of Salah. When you understand Who you’re talking to and what you are saying to Him— when you acknowledge that the God of the universe is honestly, truly excited to hear from you — that truth alone will change your attitude toward prayer. Move the focus from yourself onto Allah. That’s the beginning of making prayer fresh and exciting. Even fun. Then prayer is like talking to a close friend with whom you can share your heart, your fears, and your dreams. Then, suddenly, instead of a lifeless one-way conversation, prayer with the Allah -  the Owner of Peace, the Source of Rizq, the Founder of Love, becomes exhilarating.

I prayed and prayed but didn’t get anything? 

One more excuse for avoiding prayer — and this is the deal-breaker for most of us— is that we just aren’t sure our prayers will make a difference. We’ve tried praying before and nothing seemed to happen. 

But Allah is All Hearing and Aware of your prayers. When you pray and Allah specifically answers your prayers or grants you something better than what you asked for, you will never be the same again. I know my daughter has become such a firm believer in prayer Alhamdulillah. For months, she had been begging me to get a cat. After her cute face and adorable voice finally wore me down, I agreed that if Allah wanted she could have a cat. That night she prayed for tens of cats whom she could carry, feed and cuddle. The next day when we landed in Madina, it was cat season. Cats everywhere, all over the city. My daughter was elated. Allah heard her prayers even though she is just a toddler. She spent a week cashing, playing and feeding cats. 

But even when you don’t see the results of your prayers around you, you may still sense Allah’s loving presence
 and you grow to know and appreciate His numerous other blessings in your life. I’ve learned that any genuine communication with Allah may or may not change what Allah does, but your prayer will often change your heart or perspective.

Lecture Review: Happiness in the Home

Individualism has infected our understanding of what a family is supposed to be and how a family is supposed to function. Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda’s lecture, “Happiness in the Home” takes a hard look at the type of radically absolute individualism that is weakening family bonds. 

This extreme individualism is known by slogans such as: 

·      Be true to yourself

·      Follow your heart

·      Find yourself

Sometimes in pursuit of extreme individualism, the beauty of family, which is meant to welcome rather than exclude, show compassion rather than condemn, attract rather than impose is lost and irreversibly damaged. 

People who prioritize extreme individualism become so intoxicated with their personal goals and pleasures that often, despite living under the same roof, they do not see or speak to their family members for days.  Each person becomes withdrawn, living in their own cocoon, isolated from the rest of the family.  

They no longer embrace intimate membership into their family. Some monetary privileges and perks may hold these individuals together superficially as a family to the outside, but the real  plot line for many of these people is that they want to be alone and away from their families. The family as institution is resisted so the individual can find himself/herself. 

Sometimes finding yourself means expressing yourself over against your family timetable. 

Radically individualist people chart their own course in life. If their family asks for their time, suddenly they claim that 'they need space' or 'privacy'. What they do and when, is no one else’s business. 

Shaykh Nasir Jangda explained that family relationships, deserve the highest commitment of undivided loyalty, relational solidary, and personal sacrifice. How we spend our free time should be made in the context of family. Shaykh Nasir reminded us that "fun family time"  and "meaning family time" is an act of worship. Allah rewards us for our joyful interactions with our family. 

This requires that we do not live for our own selfish indulgences. We live for our loved ones create a home where support, strength, comfort and joy is offered and reciprocated. 

The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was acutely aware of the needs of his family and he was willing to care for them. This included practical needs as well as things like consistent companionship and caring interpersonal connection. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) kneaded the dough with his wives and had water fights. He (s.a.w) broomed the floor of his apartment and raced with his spouse outside in the garden. The Prophet (s.a.w) mended his clothes while he created romantic couplets and poems. Using his life as a role model, he structured a blueprint for family time: ‘the best of you are those who are the best to their families. I am the best to my family.’ 

The hadith always prompts me to ask myself:
1. Do you have the best time with your family when you interact with them? If not then how can I improve?
2. How can you hope to be the best Muslim when your relationship with your family is not at its best? 

The radical individualism slogan should be revised to orient the family as thus: 

• ·       You be you (with your family). 
• ·       Be true to yourself (your family).
• ·       Follow (Give) your heart (to your family). 
• ·       Find yourself (time for your family). 

 Shaykh Nasir Jangda shares some basic principles, to help families grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

Be with your family .  Your family needs your presence.  They regard your very presence as a sign of caring and connectedness.  It's crucial for you to spend as much time as possible with them.  Keep in mind that your job as a husband/wife parent/child is a calling from Allah - more important than any other work you do, including the job you get paid to do - and your influence on your family will be your greatest legacy.  Your family craves your presence, and nothing can make up for your absence.  You are all they have in this world and they are all you got. 

Be true to your family -  Express affirmation, warmth and encouragement to your spouse and children. Families who practise saying ‘I love you’ as opposed to ‘Leave me alone’ or ‘Go away!’ will find themselves more emotionally secure and connected. So avoid using sarcasm with your parents and spouse; do not compare your children or siblings with other kids . Instead, aim to make your family feel accepted, appreciated, listened to and loved for who they are. They will you spoil you with admiration, confidence and joy in return,. Rather than just jumping into to-do lists, give lots of physical affection like hugs, kisses and back rubs. Have relaxing conversations with your family that are not work, homework or chores related. 

Give your heart to your family.  Giving a little bit of your love to your family is one of the main purposes of having a family. Why else would anyone get married and have children if not for love and companionship? Huma beings need love; love is received when it is given. Love is not on social media, or distinct hobbies and careers or even extravagant indulgences. Love is received when you come to you family with compassion, comfort, upliftment and inspiration. 

Endeavours that are outside the family or do not include the family, never bring lasting joy.
Even when you manage to get short-term gratification from your radical individualism and freedom from family , it doesn’t heal your longing for happiness and human connection; it only enhances your shenpa (getting hooked). Trying to find lasting happiness and human connection from relationships or possession outside the family is like drinking salt water to quench your thirst. 

 When you offer some your life – your time and self to your family, you receive their loving hearts. 

Find time for your family.  There is nothing like play to bring about family togetherness.  Make time for vacations together, do something fun when your family for at least 30 minutes everyday when you come home from work or school, go on frequent outings (from getting ice cream out to playing sports, go on dates), share holiday traditions, enjoy humor together, and work on charity service projects together.  Sharing playful experiences will build family memories that will bond you all in powerful ways.

  

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‎💖 لِوَجْہ الله💖 Face of Allah

Alhamdulillah I don’t think the Kabaah leaves anyone the same after the first encounter.
My immediate feelings after seeing the Kabaah were an infusion of love, faith and reverence for Allah. Then I thought, how wonderful it would feel to actually see Allah AlMighty, the Supremely Magnificent, the Lord of Kaabah Himself.

The House of Allah, the Kaabah, from which shone the light of Islam became the best place of worship.

Alhamdulillah this year when I came to Makkah, it felt like a long awaited and well deserved home-coming to my Creator.
(a) Praying Salah here, at the very spot where Jibreel (as) first taught the Prophet Muhammed saws how to pray
(b) Reading the Quran, at the very spot where the Quran was first revealed,
(c) retracing the footsteps of thousands of Prophets during Tawwaf and Saii was Alhamdulillah an enriching and uplifting experience.

It felt so fortunate, to be part of a holy legacy, much bigger than myself.

Alhamdulillah I was  surreal saying each Beautiful Name of Allah in Duaa while gazing at the Kabaah.
In the chaos of our lives, faith becomes a distant and abstract concept but here at the House of Allah, when all responsibilities and distractions were set aside, and I tapped into the spiritual epicentre of my soul, Allah felt so close. His all-transcending, omnipotently sovereignity, His compassionate presence, His peaceful goodness and blessings felt so manifest.

I couldn't help but think, how wonderful it would feel to see the Ultimate Glory of Allah's Face, meet Him with all His Noor and Jaamal, without any hijab. Today, I just needed an Umrah visa to see the Kaabah, what can I do I can see the Face of the Lord of Kaabah,  on the Last Day.

‎💖 لِوَجْہ الله💖

‎💖💖The ultimate success that will never fade or be in vain is when a person is able to achieve Allah’s Approval and gaze upon His Countenance on the Last Day.

‎💖💖Allah will give the privilege and honour of meeting His acquaintance and bestowing the pleasure and delight of seeing His countenance to only those with whom He is well Pleased.

‎💖💖To see Allah’s Face, we need to complete all our responsibilities with utmost sincerity for Him.

‎
💖💖Try to imagine that we can see Him just as He Sees us every moment of every day. anyone who lives with this condition of ehsaan will be rewarded with Seeing Allah’s countenance on the Last Day

‎💖💖Salah, fasting, sacrifice, any form of remembrance and duaa, learning knowledge, meeting with family... any good deed imaginable, just for the sake of seeing Allah’s Face.

‎💖💖 Focus our thought process entirely onto Allah. Start this as an exercise first in Salah then transfer this habit to every activity.

‎💖💖Any Salah that is offered with total focus and humility and love and respect towards Allah, will be rewarded with total forgiveness of sins.

‎💖💖Any fast kept for the sake of Allah’s Face is rewarded with Jannah.

‎💖💖Any group of people who gather together to remember Allah for the sake of seeing His Face, Allah not only forgives their sins but also converts their sins into good deeds.

‎💖💖Learning knowledge for the sake of seeing Allah’s Face (allowing the knowledge to inspire
oneself to come closer to Allah in consciousness and in actions) should be our highest intention. Learning knowledge for the sake of this world alone will deprive one from even the scent of Jannah.

‎💖💖O Allah give us the grace and strength to seek Your Face behind everything we do aameen

Lecture Review: How to live a life of devotion to Allah

Every devoted Muslim desires to be more devoted to Allah. It is pleasant to feel in one’s heart an ardent desire to love Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w) more. When I visited Makkah and Madina this year, alhamduillah, I was filled with fondness for Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w) and my heart felt happy in loving my Rabb and His Habeeb. I felt I could not love them enough. I wanted to love them more. My heart burned to love them further though my heart was already full to the brim and my tears were endlessly flooding out onto my face, out of love for them. I wish there was some way I could increase my capacity to love them. To expand the vessels of my soul and pour out more love for them. 

My heart had never been so complete with love and the happiest; and although it was happy and satisfied, yet it craved to love more. To live here forever until I die and meet them. 

Dawud al-Tai used to say during the night in prayer to Allah, ‘My desire for You has negated all other desires, and it has come between me and the desire for sleep. My longing for looking on at Your Countenance has lessened all worldly delights and has come between me and my lusts. I stand in Your devotion with all of my heart, body and Soul, O Kind One (al-Karim)! What business have I with anyone other than You? What business have I, With a partner who would turn my heart from returning to You? What would I do if he run away from me and all hopes are frustrated? He can replace me but I have none to replace You!

To the soul in the ecstasy of its heavenly love, the world with its pleasures has vanished away like a morning vapor.

The desire to love and be in devotion is a restless pining, an aching void of a grateful heart in spiritual re-awakening; it is a delightful struggling of a soul bearing closeness to Allah, to dissolve oneself entirely to be near Him.

This lecture on devotion is an attempt to love Allah and the Prophet (s.a.w) more and to keep this love alive every day in the little things that we do. The more we love an object, the more devoted to it we are. Devotion is therefore love manifested.

Devotion to Allah implies ardent affection for Him -- a yielding of the heart to Him with reverence, faith, and piety in the way we think, we speak, we dress, we act with people both family and strangers and particularly in the manner we perform our prayers (Salah). 

 To a devoted heart, prayer is a delightful conversation that grows one’s relationship with Allah. To a devoted mind, the Quran is sweeter than all sounds that engages and beholds all beauty and wisdom. A devoted personality, rooted in Allah, is one that is merciful in all her relationships with people because she is seeking the merciful embrace of Allah. 

O Allah! take our hearts and compress within them that pure love from You that will cause us to love You, and devote ourselves to You. Enlarge our hearts with Your Mercy so all the pain from our relationships is replaced with love for You and the desire to be merciful to others out of service for You - aameen.