Its that old age question.

I experienced a severe headache today. Biological, it wasn't. In fact, it was an intellectual headache as a result of thinking 'too much'. All that statement will shed light on is the state of my mental faculties lately - void. I haven't thought deeply on anything (bar one thing) for a long time. So when I sat at my lecture about time and space, I was forced to think.

My thoughts ran with me at a rate completely unknown to me. It was from one thread of thought to another. From one subject to another. However, I finally found my focus and asked myself about time. Immediately, my brain flooded with past memories, physical equations and the most prominent memory, the surah on time in the blessed Quran.

Time is a measurable entity. I don't even know if that is scientifically viable. Actually ,it is thinking about it. Now, can you see why I got a headache. Its a complex canvas time is, its flexible and convuluted and allows the timekeeper to manipulate it however it wants to do so. Timekeeper A measures time in a way different to Timekeeper B. Thats the beauty of time, I guess.

Love is meant to make the world go round but why have we missed out time. Its the sole 'entity' (or the measuring of it) that allows us to make sense of what is around us. Its invisible yet evident. Its silent yet speaks volumes of history. It exists but at times, I feel it cannot exist. Is time there or is it a way for man to make sense of the world around him?

"Times have changed", my mum usually says. We speak of good times, like good memories. Time is the greatest of healers and that is sure true. But all the while , I still haven't figured out how time can be touched, is it really here. Its a gift from Allah, an untouchable one and at times, unfathomable. Its the fourth dimension , too, I think. Time is inseperable from space, if one wants to observe this question from a physical perspective.

And it went on and on. And my mind couldn't handle it anymore. Then I smiled and I think my lecturer caught on. He probably wondered what was the matter with me as most of the other students were probably fast asleep. But the inward smile still lingered in till way after the lecture. Why? Its because these sorts of question serve to let people like me undergo mental exercise. Imagine if these big questions didn't exist. Where would we be? Its just another addition to this endless web of knowledge and understanding that allows us human beings ( the creature with intellect is what we are after all) to ponder and reflect.

Yes. Reflection. Thats why these questions exist. So that simple people like me can take the time out to ponder on life.

Finally, a last thing about time, use it well. As I mentioned earlier, the surah that discusses time, revealed to us in the blessed book of Allah, Al-Quran, Surah 103.

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.

-translation by Yusuf Ali.

Helping out a friend.

The greatest gift I can give to a non-Muslim is Islam. But, I'm still working on that. Meanwhile, the greatest gift I can give to a Muslim is also Islam and in this case it really is Islam. For the dear friend grew up without the precious gift so many of us take for granted.

Its so wonderful seeing her face light up with everything new I tell her. I cherish the mosque visits I take her to. We like exchanging books and I can really appreciate how thankful she is. She keeps texting me with questions but I've warned her not to delve into fiqh questions for that area is too precious and precise for me to advice her on. I've directed her to someone much more knowledgable though.

Her steps, at first, were small and full of hesitation. But they eventually gained momentum and conviction. She loves this journey she is on and I love accompanying my friend. After all, I did say this was the greatest gift I could grant and I am more than happy than travelling with my friend at this time of exploration.

She thanks Allah everyday, I can feel it. Who wouldn't, knowing they've been granted Islam again. So many years without it - its like a clear canvas again. And she can paint on it with much more vigour than many Muslims, unfortunately.

Then I should thank Allah for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to help this dear friend. Things really do work out well in the end!

My faith in Allah sometimes resembles the image above. Not most of the time, no. But when it does , it makes it all the more special and memorable. Now, I'm not one to come to a mathematical conclusion on the graph up above but I pray my faith increases like that although I know it will not do so at a uniform rate.

Salam

The Circle of remembrance

Circle of remembrances make me happy. I find comfort there. It feels as if I have left the troubles of the outside world, my fears, my worries , my insecurities at the door. I enter the circle and am surrounded by uplifting souls. Souls that make me happy, souls that are searching for Allah's happiness. Souls that make your heart melt as they are soft in speech and sincere in action.
People with sound knowledge to pass on, people with smiles on their faces constantly. People who seem to love Allah and yourself for the sake of Allah.
Real Muslims, who live, breathe and act upon Islam and who wish the same for yourself. Muslims, who at the mention of Muhammad, are filled with due respect and admiration. Muslims, who at the mention of Allah, are filled with due love, fear and hope.

And then I leave the circle of remembrance. I am back to the big, bad world. Back to my problems ,however looking at them from a different perspective every time I leave. The circles give me strength, make me happy, enrich my with knowledge and cleanse my heart.

So, if you have a chance , go visit one. Sit with the worshippers of Allah and remember Allah. Remember, in 13:28 of the Noble Quran,



"Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!"

Allah works in mysterious ways

My Lord, yours too, even if you haven’t figured out, sure does work in ways that amaze me. Looking back, I can think of a few times where this has manifested itself greatly. But, the one that comes to mind is the one where Allah (swt) decreed the exact time and place of my first Friday prayer. Allah had decreed me to perform it when I was 18, not before and not after. Allah had also decreed that I perform it with my mother, nothing unusual about that. But , what Allah had also decreed was that I would perform it during the second Friday of Ramadhan in Cairo , Egypt. Allah had planned how I would take steps to the local masjid, each time gaining reward. Allah decreed how I would be surrounded by the worshipping masses , some of whom were shedding tears like nothing I’d seen. Allah decreed I would meet my nephew after prayer and go the nearest market. Overall, Allah decreed that I would experience my first Friday prayer in awe and gratitude of him. He also decreed that I would leave that experience wanting to taste the sweetness of it again and again. That’s why my Lord, Allah, works in mysterious ways - so that, his servants, like me, may learn to appreciate him at times they never thought they would.

Salam

The Criterion (Al Furqan)

{1}Blessed is He who sent down the criterion to His servant, that it may be an admonition to all creatures

{10}Blessed is He who, if that were His will, could give thee better (things) than those,- Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and He could give thee palaces (secure to dwell in).

{61}Blessed is He Who made constellations in the skies, and placed therein a Lamp and a Moon giving light;

When you do get the chance, take a look outside at a clear night sky and thank Allah you are able to witness such wonder. Surely, Blessed is our Lord. This surah has many ayats of wisdom and inspiration, a few of which I have highighted. It helps that much more if you're listening to a qari who does the job of melting your heart too. And in my case, its Mahir. But, each to their own.

Salam

My favourite Qari - Mahir Al-Muaiqly

His voice may possibly warm the coldest of hearts. His voice sends chills down my spine and thats coming from someone with a limited knowledge of Arabic.
Take a listen and while you're at it, reflect on the meaning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQbs9E9qKNo

When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.

And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of those who forgive.

Inspirations

They come and go but when they're here , they seem to last forever. Like now, for instance. My heart is pierced with inspiration and lifted by what it can do for me. I feel light and optimistic. I feel content and tranquil. I feel at peace.

I've made promising to my Lord, yours too. I've thanked him for choosing me to be a Muslim. I shall think him for all that he has granted me and for the great people he has made me meet. Inshallah, I will try my best to remember my Protector, the Loving, the Clement.
Go on, spend a second in remembrance!
Subhanallah - Glory be to Allah
Alhamdullilah - Praise be to Allah
Allahu Akbar - Allah is great

You see , it feels good , doesn't it.

Peace

My favourite Hadith qudsis

I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.

Pride is my cloak and greatness My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into Hell-fire.