Asbab al-Nuzul

As a lover of all things historical , this is a branch of the Quranic sciences I have taken interest in lately. Allah help me increase in knowledge but a pretty interesting branch.
Must learn more, I tell myself.
Salam alaykum.

Eid mubarak.

Oh, Allah, you're so great.
Oh Allah, thank you for a great Yawmil Arafat
Oh Allah, thank you for great friends
Oh Allah, thank you for arranging the prayer times for the mosque I shall attend tomorrow to be in line with university commitments.
Oh Allah, thank you for making me understand yet another verse of your Quran
Oh Allah, thank you for making me smile a million times these past 10 days
Oh Allah, thank you for making me increase in knowledge
Oh Allah, thank you for making me taste the sweetness of the first third of Dhul Hijjah

:).
I'm so happy.
Salam alaykum.

P.S Eid Mubarak . Smile.

I met a sister today...

a revert, at that. I couldn't help but crying. Its their humility that does it , I think. I couldn't speak to hear in fear of welling up. I juct couldn't control myself. Oh Allah, guide the reverts to the straight path for they (by your Will) have taken the first few steps towards you.
Ameen.
Salam.

Essay to self.

When did it happen to me? I always ask myself, internally searching for the point in my life where I found Allah as I know him now. I'm searching for the time in my life where God seized to be a reminder and a reminder at that. When Allah (swt) received my full devotion and attention. Where God stopped being thought of as only existing during madrasah and had disappeared out of my mind as I had left. I remember the times the Islamic rituals were just that - ritualistic practices that had no meaning to me at all. Where and when did Allah decide to guide me, a now thankful servant, out of relative darkness and into searing light (to use such a term).

I tell myself it was when I finally turned an adult and that I could excuse my neglect of Allah due to ignorance and infancy. But that didn’t suffice as I grew up and learnt of the many young devout companions of the prophet (pbuh) who practiced Islam with more fervor than ever imaginable. No, I tell myself. It couldn’t be because of that but I’ve stopped asking myself ‘why’ anymore, it wastes too much time thinking of the past but I am still able to reminisce about my journey to the Islam that I now know. The answer is simple – Allah (swt) chooses to guide whomsoever he wills and when He wills, it was that straightforward.

So, it happened. Worship had meaning now; the all important reality of sincere intention had found a furrow in my once bare heart. A language that would serve to move me where I was once stern. A dialect that would make me tear where I was once as emotionless as a stone. An understanding that would instill in me love where blind obedience once had a stronghold.
I began to see the world differently, at first I plainly accepted it. Then, I appreciated it that way. I saw potential in affliction, the wisdom behind tribulation and the growth behind conflict. It all added up – Allah is All Wise, after all. A delicate balance lay bare and Qadr (fate) was its pivot, its focal point.

I found myself smiling more than usual, my friends noticed too. Why ever not? I used to reply. I would relate a famous hadith Qudsi – the one that spoke of how close Allah came to the one who took a few steps towards him. How could I stop smiling, I ‘d found a jewel – Al Islam. I would now appreciate it, polish it and through time, perfect it. Alas, I’d finally stumbled upon a wonderful nurturing for my soul, all by the Will of Al Wadud, the Loving.

And now, I’ll admit it, it’s a struggle at times, as any Muslim would expect and my faith is constantly tested and seen to. But, I’ve learnt to accept that it is natural to feel this way. How can one expect to grow without being tested, to strengthen without suffering lost, to appreciate without working hard for something? Everything has reason now although I’m not sure about them all. However, it is adequate enough for me to know that I am not expected to be perfect, for Allah alone is free from imperfection.

I often ask other, how you came to the Islam that you now know.

Dhul Hijjah tomorrow.

I'll keep this short. 1st of Dhul Hijjah tomorrow. I can't believe what I've discovered. Its like I get a second chance for what I may have missed out on during Ramadhan.

What can be done?

• Praise the Lord. The right way should be Ok. That is with plenty of Takbeers.

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-Hamd.”

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and to Allah belongs all praises

• Here's another chance to read Al Quran.
• Go on, increase in your charity.
• Fast. Allah loves fasting.

I promised it'd be short but I urge you to find out about the benefits and opportunities of the following ten days granted to us by Allah.

I'll start, Allah Akbar.

Wassalam.

How rich would I be?

...for every time a slave of Allah bowed down in silent obedience. The worshipper's forehead laying still in complete submission.

Oh dear Muslim, for you are dear to me, when it all gets too much, find comfort in prayer. Just take some time, bow your head and let sincerity diffuse throughout your heart.

Its worked for me, dear Muslim. So many a times and the Prophet (pbuh) has instructed me that I am not a believer until I love for my brother what I love for myself.

It will not take much time or effort but the effects can last a lifetime. Submission is bliss. Submit to the Creator of the heavens and the Earth.

Call on your Lord humbly and secretly. He does not love those who overstep the limits. (Surat al- A'raf: 55)

He is the Living-there is no god but Him-so call on Him, making your religion sincerely His. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Surah Ghafir: 65)

He invites us openly, our Lord does. What greater mercy is there in answering the call of the worshipper. Don't be the loser and reject this invitation.

Salam alaykum.

Sisterhood.

I remember losing my phone once at university. I was, understandably quite confused. It was late, the family would be worried and there was no immediate form of contact with anyone. I left the busy lecture hall for a moment. I was hungry and I remember laughing about it. Maybe it was nervous laughter as is the case sometimes, with me.

I contemplated going home. I would have to go on the London Tube network then follow that with an overground train home. OK, it was quite a trek. I was attending an Islamic lecture. The irony at the idea of leaving before it had even finished was not very amusing considering I had stayed for quite a long time after my actual lectures had ended.

Let me return to the point of the story. There, as I admitted defeat and was walking to the station, I met a sister. She asked what was wrong and I told her of what happened. Her reply was

'Why are you so chilled with this'.

I laughed again.

'Come on', she said, ' let's go look for your phone'.

I was taken aback. I smiled and silently thanked Allah.

To cut a long story short, I found my phone with the thanks of five fellow sisters. We waited until the event had ended and everyone had left the lecture hall and searched all over for my phone. And my, I couldn't believe I found it.

Alhmadullilah.
It was one of those moments that I needed to experience for myself. I'd always heard of the 'sisterhood' , how it united the girls and such. I'd never believe I'd touch it, feel it like I did that night. They were so adamant not to let me go until we searched high and low. They walked me to the station and we said our salaams. I was overwhelmed at their simple kindness and generosity.
That was just one example. An active example. I live through the sisterhood most of my current life. It wasn't there before so I often wonder how I ever coped without it. It exists as a towering protection, a place of comfort and discovery.

What else would one expect from the sisterhood that reigns under the banner of Al Islaam?

Salam