Ramadan Post: #10

Assalam u alaikum!

Can you believe that we are already going into third week of Ramadan?  It seems to be flying by.  I don't know about you but for me around this time I start to feel like I haven't done enough during this blessed month.  I always try, but there is always more I feel I can do.  I've been having this guilty feeling-- more than usual this year-- because I started taking classes to start on my master's (alhamdulillah), however with classes being very demanding and a test lurking around the corner I started stressing myself out--mostly because of the fear of failing my test since my study habits are a bit out of sync.  While feeling this overwhelming feeling, I started to reflect, and realized that while passing my test for class is important passing my test for reaching jannah is much more important.  I realized that at the end of the day my goal in life--my ultimate goal--is to reach jannat-ul-firdous.  I started to realize that if tomorrow was the last day on Earth, what will I have to show to Allah (swt)?  I realized that this blessed month of Ramadan only comes around once a year, and I should try my hardest to please Allah (swt) because who knows if we will be lucky enough to experience Ramadan next year?  Therefore, I reminded myself that while my studies are important, Ramadan should be my priority during this time.  And anyways, it is Allah (swt) who makes us successful in everything we try to accomplish in this life whether it be for dunya (this world) or akhira (hereafter).

Edit to this post: I was reminded by a friend that it's always our intentions in whatever we pursue that matter most.  Therefore, even though I have to spend some more time studying this month I shouldn't feel bad because after all we are encouraged "to seek knowledge"  and our intentions have to be in the right place. 

So, I realized once again, that an extreme of any one thing is never good, and therefore we should all aspire to keep a balanced lifestyle in all that we pursue-- and of course, that can be a challenge in itself. 

Also, wanted to remind everyone that the beginning of Ramadan is to ask Allah (swt) for his mercy, the middle is to ask for forgiveness, and the last part is to ask for salvation from the hell-fire.

May this Ramadan be blessed with all the best for you and your family.  Ameen.  Please remember my in your duas/prayers.  Jazzak Allah Khairun.

Ramadan Post: #9

Assalam u alaikum!

SubhanAllah it's the blessed month of Ramadan, and every Ramadan I try to educate myself as much as possible about Islam by reading the Qur'an in both English and Arabic translation, I read books about various Islamic topics and I also try to watch/listen to lectures about Ramadan.

One beneficial vlog I have come across this Ramadan is from the Muslimmatters.org site.  The site currently has a Ramadan Seminar with Imam AbdulNasir and Nouman Ali Khan.  This vlog is a four session seminar which covers topics on making the best of Ramadan, fiqh of fasting, Taraweeh, and reconnecting with the Qur'an.

You can find the seminar through the following link Muslim Matters: Ramadan Seminar.

InshahAllah it's of benefit to you this Ramadan.

Ma salama.

Ramadan Post: #8

Assalam u alaikum!

I'm currently reading a book by Syed Hossein Nasr called A Young Muslim's Guide to the Modern World.  I'm enjoying it though haven't finished reading it-- but in the meantime I would like to share a quote from it that is inspirational for all Humans (those who take the time to reflect), not just Muslims. 

In a profound sense one might say that the whole of nature is muslim, meaning that it has surrendered itself totally to the Will of Allah.  All creatures follow the nature which Allah has given to them.  A pear tree always bears pears, a fish always remains true to nature of the fish and a bird to that of the bird.  It is only man who has been given the freedom of rebellion against his own primordial nature.  Therefore, the created world or the world of nature is a constant reminder to man of what it means to be a perfect Muslim in the sense of being surrendered to Allah's Will.

 Ma Salama!

Ramadan Diary: Post #7

Today I found about a very beneficial tool to use during Ramadan.  It's called the Heart Wheel Journal Find it here! All you have to do is make a login--takes about 1 minute to do-- then you have the ability to track your Ramadan progress. 

The Heart Wheel Journal was created by Mohammad AlShareef.  The journal is created to track your progress daily on how much you concentrated on certain activies (ex: salat, dhikr, fasting, etc.) and you give yourself a number from 1 to 10.  It's all very simple once you create a login from the link I provided above.

To get a better idea and understanding I suggest you listen to the series created by Mohammad AlShareef on Youtube.

Ramadan Diary: Post #6

Assalam u alaikum (peace be upon you)!

Allah's mercy is a very beautiful thing indeed, if one was to contemplate.

*** 

Every surah in the Quran (except one) starts with the beautiful phrase "bismillah ir rehman ir raheem (in the name of God, the Merciful, the Giver of Mercy/Compassionate)," this phrase is second nature to Muslim's and is one of the first phrases we learn as Muslim's.

***

As my day was going along today, I started to think about this particular phrase-- most importantly the part "ir rehman (the Merciful)."  I noticed how beautiful it is that right after we recite the words "in the name of God" Allah tells us he is "the Merciful."  Just from this one beautiful phrase you see how much Allah loves us, and tells us that he is "the Giver of Mercy."  While we are humans, we will make mistakes and sin, but Allah, the All Mighty is so Forgiving and so Merciful that he knows this already and he want us to always turn to him because he is "the Merciful."  We are reminded this every time we recite the phrase "bismillah ir rehman ir raheem."  So, next time you say this beautiful phrase--really reflect on what Allah is telling you. 

Allah is Love, He is the Compassionate and His Mercy far exceeds His wrath.  He is the One, the Only and the Absolute.

Alhamdulillah (All praise belongs to God)