My condolences to Peshawar School Attack Victims

"O Ibrahim! The eyes shed tears and the heart aches but I will not say anything that displeases Allah. If it was not a certain promise from Allah, that we will follow you in death and meet you in the Hereafter,  I would have wept more and become more grieved by your separation."
These are the words of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as he mourned the death of his infant son, Ibrahim. The Prophet (s.a.w) had fixed his kind lips on the rosy face of his son and bade him goodbye teary eyed and heart broken but with full submission to the Will of Allah.

It is not easy to cope with death of a loved one. Many of us are grieving the deaths of many children in Peshawar school attack. The Prophet (s.a.w) witnessed the death of his six children yet he remained both gentle with his heart and firm in his faith.

The first thing a Muslim should realize is that Allah is our Owner and Master. When He gives us a child or any material blessing, it is out of His immense Mercy and Care. We may be the child's mother, aunt or sister but the child ultimately belongs to Allah. Everything we own is temporary loaned to us by Allah.  When Allah retracts His Blessing, it is His in the first place. We all come from Him and inevitability, we all will return to Him (inna lillahi wa inna ilyihi raji'un). Thankfully, this world is not our forever home; every happiness and sadness here is short lived. Thus, should not be distracted by the ephemeral achievements or setbacks in this world when we are en route to the incessant joys of the Hereafter.

Second, everything happens by the permission of Allah.  The Qur'an beautifully comforts us: “All things (good and bad) are from Allah.” (Quran 4:78). Once we realize that the difficulty is from Allah, and Allah is the Most Loving (Al-Wadud) and the Most Kind (Al-Barr), we will have confidence that there is some good in whatever difficulty Allah has decreed.

Third, Allah tests those whom He loves most.  The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trials.  When Allah loves a people, He tests them.  Whoever accepts this, wins His Pleasure”  (Al-Tirmidhi). The Prophet (s.a.w) consoled further: “The path to Paradise is surrounded with difficulties.” Any person who is patient over the difficulties in her life, she will be rewarded with forgiveness of all of her sins to such an extent that she will be saved from the punishment of Hell-fire.  Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said: “Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman—with regard to themselves, their children, and their wealth—until they meet Allah with no sin on them” (Al-Tirmidhi).

To conclude, life in this world is a traumatic events and moments of happiness in between. Our every day life will be coupled with misery and little bit of bliss. When it comes to social media, you will find a lot sadistic slogans and graphic pictures created not out of respect for the dead but cause a sensation. They want us to be horrified so they can jack up their ratings and  make more money. Don't cause yourself more grief and stress (research shows media can cause PTSD). Don't let the media make you fearful of the tests from Allah. Read and try to understand a little bit from the the Qur'an everyday because Allah promises that the Qur'an is "instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the hearts and guidance and mercy for the believers." (Qur'an, 10:57).

My Response to Australia's Hostage Situation

A heartfelt thank you to all the Australians who showed solidarity with the local Muslim community tonight. In the words of Martin Luther King, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive hatred, only love can do that."
It is easy to polarize - Christians against Muslims, atheists against believers, white people against people of all colours, rich against the destitute, indigenous against immigrants - filled with hatred towards each other. Or we can make an effort to understand our common humanity; replace the racism, classism and sexism that stains the globe with unnecessary bloodshed, with mercy and justice towards all those who suffer oppression, whether they be Australians, Americans or Afghanis.

Let us be very clear that in Islam, the greatest gift that anyone can give anyone else is life. And the greatest sin a person can do to another is to take away life. By this extension, any form of human discrimination and exploitation is wrong and unbecoming of a Muslim.
Islam views racial differences and ethnic diversity as a blessing.  "O humankind, verily Allah created you a single from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Verily, Allah is All Knowing and Aware" (Qur'an, 49:13). I like to believe that humanity is enriched by the social mosaic Allah created. We can draw from the best of our cultures and learn from one another. Ingenuity, innovation, free thought and progress is not possible without different ideas and thoughts from an array of people. 
Today, the world cannot sustain itself economically without international exports like South American coco beans, German Cars, Arabian Oil, China's wholesale suppliers/manufacturers and American entertainment industry. If we can value and appreciate materials goods from foreign countries then why can't we learn to love and respect people from those countries? 
Additionally, righteousness is the only criteria in Islam, that elevates a person from being ordinary to extraordinary; gender, race, nationality, education and financial savings have no bearing in determining a an individuals' worth. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said in his final sermon, "O People, verily God and Creator is One; the father of humanity is a single person, Adam. There is no favouritism of an Arab over a non-Arab and neither a red skinned person over a black skinned person except through righteousness." For this reason, faith and good deeds are interconnected in Islam. A perfect Muslim is a compassionate and non-violent person. The Prophetic definition of an ideal Muslims is someone from whose tongue and hands, others are safe (al-Bukhari). I urge myself and all Muslims to live up to these ideals and become an embodiment of safety, trust and benevolence in their communities. 

That said, I am just mystified how the media always faults Islam when a person of Middle Eastern or South East Asian decent commits a crime. In 2012, there were 297 homicides and 116,103 violent assaults in Australia out of which only one criminal offence receives international media coverage because it was perpetrated by a man of Iranian decent. Notwithstanding that this man was mentally disabled and regrettably out on bail for murder. Now Muslims from the entire world over must apologize for his wrongdoing and fear reprisal? Thank you to all the Australians who did not stigmatize Muslims for the mistakes of one person. 

Summary: Quran Juzz 20

Summary of JUZ"20"

From Surah AnNaml Ayah 59- 93, Surah AlQasas Ayah 1-88 to Surah AlAnkaboot Ayah 1-44

Content:

▪Allah alone has absolute power to do anything He wills

▪ Allah possess solutions to all our problems

▪Day of Judgement

▪Witnesses on the Day of Judgement  

▪Dawah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)

▪ Musa’s (a.s) and Pharoah

▪Qualities of Momineen.

▪Guidance is only in Allah's Hand

▪Arrogance will be punished on the Day of Judgement

▪Important to repent to Allah (s.w.t)

▪Oneness of Allah

▪ Qarooun

▪Revelation of the Qur’an on the Prophet Muhammad (saw)

▪Giving Allah’s right to others is an unforgiveable sin

▪Only claim of Iman is not enough, a person’s faith is tested through difficulities

▪Kindness towards Parents.

▪Qualities of hypocrites

▪Da’wah of Ibrahim, Lut, Shuaib (a.s) and the people of Aad

▪Example of spider

▪Allah is Allah Knowing All Wise

Brief Summary of JUZ"20”

Ayah 60-63: Allah created the heavens and the earth, It is He who controls the oceans and stops them from reaching land. He manages darkness and light. He expunges our grief. Yet people wrongfully assume that these

Ayah 65: No one in the heavens and the earth has knowledge of unseen except Allah

Ayah 70: Allah consoles the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) to not console over their schemes.

Ayah 73-75: Allah pours out His blessings on every person, but most people are ungrateful.

Nothing happens in the skies or on earth except that it is preordained by Allah and He has everything in His record.

Ayah 76-82: The Jews denied the Qur’an only because of arrogance, not because of any deficiency or inauthenticity in the Qur’an. Qur’an is guidance and blessing for the believers. In any case, those whose hearts are dead cannot hear. Only those who sincerely believe in Allah will heed His message in the Qur’an.

Ayah 82: Near the Day of Judgement, Allah will produce a creature from the earth  دابة الارض..

This creature will speak to people and they will be able to understand it.

Ayah 90-93: Qur’an is a manual to understand Allah, especially His understand His wisdom behind things.

Surah Al-Qasas

Ayah 1: Verses of Quran are clear for anyone who chooses to understand its content

Ayah 2-4: Introduction of life and times of Musa (a.s)

Ayah :7 Allah inspired the Mother of Musa (as)

Ayah 8-10: Adoption of Musa (a.s) by the wife of Pharaoh.  

Ayah 11-13: Mother of Musa (a.s) was worried for her baby, his sister follow his basket along the river bank until he reached Pharaoh’s palace. Allah intended to test Musa’s mother (a.s) and at the same time, provide the best rearing grounds for baby Musa (a.s).

Ayah 14-16: Trust in Allah is always rewarded with better than what we expect from Allah.

Allah fulfilled His promise to her because of her trust in Him, her obedience, patience and farsightedness.

It is important to trust in Allah and at the same time, make an effort. It is important to be resourceful.

▪Musa (a.s) accidently killed a person but he repented instantly when he realized his mistake. Start contrast with Ibleesl who was instant upon his fault and blame Allah instead.

Even the Prophets are tested.

Allah saved Musa (a.s) because of duaa.

Ayah 22-25: Musa (a.s) modesty and humility towards the two girls.

Ayah 24: He (a.s) helped the two girls first and then beseeched Allah to help him. He did not ask for a favour in return from the girls.

Musa (a.s) had a deep connection and communication with Allah even before He became a Prophet.

Ayah 26-28: The girls informed their father of Musa (a.) THE father requested to meet Musa (a.s) and after interview for job, offered him to marry his daughter.

Quality of a good employee and good husband: strong and trustworthy. Physical strength without the quality of fulfilling duties, honouring commitment, honesty and loyalty is useless.

The father trusted her daughter when he sent her out of the home.

The daughter returned her father’s trust by sharing with him what she did outside the home.

Modesty does not imply lack of intelligence or confidence. Though the girl was reserved and did not interact with Musa (a.s), she quickly deciphered his stature and personality.

Ayah 29-35: Allah spoke to Musa (a.s) through the burning bush in the cave of Toor. Allah spoke to Musa directly and performed miracles through him. Musa was aware of Allah, not afraid to converse with Him. However, Musa was startled at first of the miracle.

Fear is a natural human instinct like many other such as hunger, love and sleep. However we are commanded to subdue these emotions to serve Allah.

Ayah 36-50: Musa (a.s) returned to Egypt to invite Pharaoh to Allah, as per Allah’s command which he received in the cave of Toor.

Pharaoh rejected the da’wah out of arrogance

Allah saved the followers of Musa from Pharaoh’s tyranny and guided them with the Book of Torah

Ayah 51-57: Subsequently, Allah sent many Prophets with guidance.

The qualities of true believers

Good news of reward and Paradise to those who are patient and accept guidance from Allah whilst abstaining from useless talk and disputes.

▪Guidance is only in Allah's Hands...

▪Makkah is sacred and everything in Makkah is inviolable.

Ayah 60-66: This world vs. The Hereafter

Ayah 67: Repentance opens the doors to success

Ayah 68-75: Since Allah alone created us and He is sustains us without help from any of His creation, He solely deserves our worship.

Witnesses from angels and Prophets will testify on the Day of Judgement regarding the Oneness of Allah

Ayah 76- 82: Qaroon and his treasure, his pride led to his demise. We achieve nothing out of our own accord, even a pinch of salt, a shoe lace, an eyelash is a blessing from Allah

We are easily overawed by the things that other people have when the most impressive treasure is an intelligent mind that is used to understand and obey Allah.

Ayah 83-84: Eternal success in the Hereafter is for those who were ascetic and humble in this life ... Everyone will get reward according to their actions

Surah Ankaboot:1-44

Ayah 2-3 Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.

Ayah 4-7: Someone who is aware of the punishment will never sin

Ayah 8: And Allah have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. Listen to them in everything except shirk

Ayah 10-13: The hypocrites: their worldview and attitude

Ayah 14-40: Life and times of Nuh, Ibrahim, Lut, and Shuaib (a.s) and the people of Aad and Thamoud

Ayah 41: A spider web may appear strong but it is the weakest house. In the same way, people who worship idols may have elaborate rituals backed up with fantastic mythical stories but there is no truth and no substance to their actions. Their idols cannot hear them or provide for them. Their devoutions are in vain.

Summary: Quran Juzz 19

Summary of JUZ"19"

 From Surah Al Furqaan v 22-27 and  Surah AshShura v 1-227 to Surah An Namlv 1-59

Content:

▪Kafireen and Munkireens making excuses for not believing. They demand miracles; they want angels to come down in plain view

▪Punishments for them on the Day of Judgement

▪Followers of Desires

▪Spread the message of the Quran

▪Creations of Allah swt 

▪Qualities of عباد الرحمن

▪Dua for righteous Spouse and Kids 

▪Dawah methodology of different Prophets to their nations

▪Story of Musa (a.s) and Pharaoh

▪Stories of Prophets Ibrahim (a.s), Nuh (a.s), Huud(a.s), Suhail (a.s), Lut (a.s), Shuaib (a.s) and the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)

▪Origins of Shaytan

Brief Summary of JUZ"19"

Surah Furqan v. 21:  On the Day of Judgement, those who rejected Allah completely and those who worshipped many gods along with Allah will cry out of their guilt. They will see angels in plain view but this sighting will only bring them grief. It will be too late for them to profess faith and recant the mockery and insolence with which they treated the tenets of faith.

-All animals will be turned into dust

Ayah 24: Description of the rewards and pleasures attained by the people of Paradise

Ayah 25-29: Day of Judgement will be a hard day for those who deny the truth.. 

▪They will bite their fingers.

▪Regret over the company which corrupted them

Ayah 30: The Prophet Muhammad  (s.a.w) will complain to Allah that his nation took the Qur’an lightly.

 ▪ How serious and dedicated am I to reading Allah’s Book daily?

Ayah 32- 36:  The origins of Qur’an; it was revealed in intervals and stages to strength the resolve of the believers. Each passage addresses a specific and answers questions. Qur’an is a living Book, it engages with our lives’ circumstances.

▪ The atheists were adamant in their disbelief, though the Qur’an was clear

Ayah 38-40:  The sinners from the previous nations were punished

Ayah 41-43: In death, the idol worshippers will inevitably realize how far they strayed away from the right religion.

▪ People who follow their desires behave like cows and sheep.

Ayah 45: The creation is a witness to Allah’s Intelligent design. Things like shadow, sun, day time, night, winds, rain and water occur because Allah created them.

Ayah 50-52: There are many clear signs in the universe giving us heed of Allah’s presence; convey this message of Qur’an to others.

Ayah 53: For instance, how can a large body of flowing water maintain a barrier two different types of water, one sweet and the other salty

Ayah 54: creation of a single human child, reflect on how a baby is conceived, nurtured in the womb and finally delivered.

Ayah 55-62: No stone or tree or human acclaimed god and goddess can achieve teh aforementioned feasts. Only Allah is capable of all things.

Ayah 63-67:  the qualities of عباد الرحمن servants of the Most Merciful Allah.

Ayah 68-76: Duaa for spouse and children to become coolness of the eyes

AshShura Ayah 1-227

Ayah 1-6: Verses of the Quran are clear. This verse strengthens the resolve of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and warns those who deny the Qur’an of punishment.

Ayah 7-9:  The planet earth is full of signs of intelligent design.

Ayah 10-191:  The Dawah of  Prophets to their nations

Main Da’wah point:

فاتقوا الله و اطيعون

Ayah 193: Revelation of the Qur’an

Jibreel is a trustworthy soul

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) is a warner and bearer of good news

بشبير و نذير

He (s.a.w)  is was described in the Qur’an.

Ayah 201-212 : It was not the Devil who brought down Quran. First, the Devil is not capable to produce the divine linguistics of Qur’an.  Second, the content of the Qur’an is against the Devil.

Ayah 213: Warn your nearest family and relatives of the devil. Be kind towards the believers.

Ayah 221: Shayateen (Devils) descend upon liars. Most poets are liars.

Surah AnNamal 1-59

Ayah 1-6: Quran is Guidance for those who believe.

Those who are without Qur’an are heedless and lost. They are conceited and assume that they are living good lives but they know not.

Quran is from Allah swt.

Ayah 7-14:  Pharaoh was arrogant towards Musa (a.s)’s dawah.

Ayah 15-44:  Dawa’ah of Suleiman (a.s) to the Queen of Sheeba.

Ayah 45-58: Da’wah of Lu (a.s) to his nation.    

Ayah 59: Allah promises safety and security for the chosen ones.

Although Lut (a.s) was a prophet, he could not protect his wife. A teacher, parent or friend cannot forward their good deeds to us. Every person must fend for themselves.

END OF JUZ "19"

Points of Ponder: 

👉Repent sincerely after any sin; believe in the forgiveness of Allah and race towards goodness: Allah will replace your sin with reward.

👉 Make duaa for good Spouse and Kids

👉 Make duaa to be in the company of Saaliheen

👉Love those people who are of the benefit of your Hereafter

👉Follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)

👉Follow the Qualities of عباد الرحمن

What is Faith? Part 7

One of the words for love in Arabic is حَبَّ “Hubb”

In Arabic,
حب البعير اذا استقر
Means a camel that is seated or “Habb” because it is hard to get her to stand up; she is rooted to the ground.
Correlation with love:
It's hard to expunge it once it is deeply rooted in the heart. It becomes a part of who we are, something we can't live without.

Pure white teeth were called حب الانسان
Correlation with love: Because love has to be pure, clean; selfless and sincere.

Also, In Arabic: حب الماء اذا ظهر
Means when you dig a hole in the ground and water comes up and reaches the surface- “Habb”.
Correlation with love:
Love shows on the face and appears in our actions; it can’t be hidden.

All of these correlations are manifested in a Muslim's love for Allah (SWT).
Once the sweetness of faith is relished by a believer, she does not want to turn to anything else. Her greatest delight becomes making mention of Allah and seeing His Face in the Hereafter.
Once the seed of Allah's is planted it becomes the strongest force in her life; her sole purpose and wish everyday in everything she does becomes to please the One she loves.
Lastly, there is no room to betray Allah (SWT) by giving His rights to others, or by assuming that others are equal to Him in anyway. She remains unwavering, pure and sincere in her devotion to Allah. When it is time for Salah/prayer, non takes His place: not her husband, not her school or her career, not even Leisure and her desires such as laziness or boredom.

A Word to the Wise - Qur'an Teachers

I have worked with quite a few Qur'an Teachers. Teaching Qur'an to young girls and boys, and even adult women is not easy. However, difficulty in itself does not warrant bad behaviour. It is not okay to ridicule or impeach a student who struggles with the language of Qur'an or questions Allah's views. When we teach Qur'an, we should become vessels of Allah's Mercy and Wisdom in action. We should reflect His compassion and Love to others. Only in doing so, we can become His witness, bring Credit, Honour and Glory to Him.

The man who was living Qur'an, the the first teacher of Qur'an, the man upon whom the Qur'an was, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)'s foremost characteristic was service. We are most like him (s.a.w) when we serve as he served others.

Many Qur'an teachers seem to think that a person is most like the Prophet (s.a.w) when they preach like he preached, taught like he taught, recite like he recited and perform miracles like he performed miracles (s.a.w).  They only look at the outward manifestations of the Prophet's character (s.a.w). We need to look beyond this and examine the motivation for the Prophet’s life (s.a.w). That motivation was always guiding others with love. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) preached, taught, healed, and performed miracles in order to help others come close to Allah, never to call attention to himself (s.a.w). He was neither frightening, loud, punishing or self-indulgent. He wasn't out to get his followers, he didn't wait around for them to make a mistake so he could catch them and demean them. He (s.a.w) poured out his very life so that others might be guided. Allah says, 

Allah calls us to serve one another just as the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) did. Allah didn’t guide us or call us to teach Qur'an so that we might look down upon our students. How many Qur'an teachers belittle their students? Speak to them harshly in a scolding and condescending manner, poke fun at their efforts or lack thereof. Being a Qur'an teacher does not give us the right to be judge, jury and executioner. This behaviour not only discourages but often repels the students away Qur'an and at the same time insults Allah (swt). Some mistakenly think as Qur'an teachers, we can yell and scream at our students because we have guidance and they are without it. This is far from true. Allah guided us so we can serve Him and others. Guidance does not privilege us over others; it obliges us to be humble and serve others. Allah guided you and I to the Quran so that we would serve as examples to others of His Mercy and Wisdom at work in and through a human life. Allah guided us so that we each might transform living on earth into a heavenly experience—that we might be His people on this earth, doing the kinds of works that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) would do if he were walking in our shoes, through our world, during our lifetime. Allah desires to manifest the character Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) through our personalities and giftedness.

Allah loved us so that we might love others. He blesses us so that we might share His blessings with others. That’s what a Muslim's life and a Qur'an teacher's life is all about.The most important thing we can do after accepting Allah as our Owner and Master, is to give our life to Him and allow Him to lead us each day.

What is Faith? Part 6

We have a beautiful world, but we make it ugly with crime, jealousy, lust and greed. This planet is full of simple, beautiful things to remind us of Allah's Sublimity. We have covered it up with our own self-centredness that it is hard to experience closeness to Him. 
We don't have to pay or go somewhere to see Allah's Beautiful Perfection. Being a witness to His Majesty will make us the richest people in the world without ever owning a single dollar. Allah made the best things to be as simple as the warm colours of a sunset, sitting around the table with family, cuddling a baby, inhaling the crispness in the air when snow falls, watching a flame of a candle dance in a window pane, receiving a rose from someone for no reason...having faith that Allah is Beautiful and He wills for something beautiful to happen everyday. Believing that your deficiencies are not deficiencies at all. Allah made you whole, you are unique and special, there is no one on earth like you. Appreciating and enjoying what you have.

What Is Faith? Part 5

When difficulty comes, problems arise, and sorrow strikes, we often question Allah's Wisdom and wonder how we can trust Him.
Allah is not only Capable of meeting all our needs, He also has the Power to move the heavens and the earth, and everything in between with just One Word, "Kun/Be", to satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. According to the meaning of one hadith, if the entire human race and jinn kind, from the timeof Adam (a.s) to the last man and jinn on earth, were to beseech Allah for something, Allah can grant each and every one of them, their every wish, without even, the value of a speck, diminishing from His Treasures and Authority.

While questions like these are asked by each one of us at some point, we need to learn a deeper principle, and that is how to focus on our faith when we are under trial. Allah is committed to meeting our needs, but first He wants to know that we are committed to living our lives for Him. 
Allah tells us not to worry.

 "And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided." [2:186] 

This is a promise, a commitment, and a pledge of action that we can claim. Allah knows we have emotional needs and bills to pay - family, in-laws, rent, insurance and hydro . But He is telling us that the focus of our lives should not be set on “feel good” experiences or material wants. Instead, we should set our hearts on Allah and obedience to Him, then every need and desire we have, will be met.

Allah promises that that He will meet our needs when we obey Him with righteousness. This means that He is obligated to meet our needs when we faithfully obey and trust Him. When we are living in step with His Book, He assumes full responsibility to answer to our needs, problems, challenges, and circumstances of life.