اضحك الله سنك     May Allah always keep you cheerful

Awkward

Asalaamu ‘Alaikum.

 Dear diary. I can’t believe I have not posted anything in on to you (whatever, you know my English is going ugly) in an entire month! It’s kinda an awkward feeling- like when you meet someone after a very long time and you don’t know what to say or how start. Not having a computer disconnected me entirely. I guess am almost expected to say again; how much one realises the value of something only after it’s gone. Talking about disconnections, I was listening to a lecture by the eloquent Mufti Ismail Menk; and he created this analogy of spiritual disconnection. The same loss and emptiness felt when one loses internet connection ought to be felt when one loses spiritual connection. Every effort should be made to regain this connection.  [I don’t think I make as much as sense as he did.L]

Anyhow, I’ve had enough stories to tell you, but was too busy to go sit at Visimed. Lots of things happened this last month. Oral presentations, tests, community projects – only to mention a few! I can’t, no REALLY can’t believe that another term has passed and I’m in holiday again. Plus it’s soon gonna be April. *wide –eyed*.  Allahu Akbar! Awesome to be chilled again but this passing time frightens me. Check out Humayda’s thoughts on this same topic.

But I’m glad I have a Blackberry, so I have been reading some awesome blog-posts from my fellow bloggers but it’s a bit too irritating to comment from a Blackberry (I almost feel like a stalker, prying around on people’s blogs without ever leaving a comment *apology*). Eish, but these smartphones are pretty useful. In the absence of my laptop, out of desperation, I even studied Powerpoint presentations from my BB. Makes me wonder whether palm-tops will soon replace laptops? Recognised problem:  My typing skills have become rather Blackberry-ised as well – for the fifth time so far, when I want capital letters I hold down the keys and then glare @ my keyboard wondering why it’s not changing. Loq.

Ok, so diary, here’s me signing off as randomly as I began. Hopefully you shall see more worth-while posts in the near future, InshAllah.


Bint Mahmood :)

The Lives of the Sahabah (RA) #1

Those who know most Qur’aan qualify to be Ameer.

Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that Rasoolullaah (SAW) once dispatched an exceptionally large expedition. Rasoolullaah (SAW) made each one of them recite whatever portion of the Qur’aan he knew. When Rasoolullah (SAW) came to a man who was one of the youngest and asked him what portion of the Qur’aan he knew, he named several Surahs that he knew including Surah Baqara. “Do you know Surah Baqara?” Rasoolullaah (SAW) enquired. When the man replied in the affirmative, Rasoolullaah (SAW) said, “Go ahead! You are now their Ameer.”

One of the prominent persons amongst them said, “The only thing that prevented me from learning Surah Baqara was the fear that I would be unable to recite it in Tahajjud salaah”. Rasoolullaah (SAW) said, “Learn the Qur’aan and recite it because the example of a person who learns the Qur’aan and recites it is like a bag full of musk, from which fragrance emanates and spreads in every direction. On the other hand, the example of a person who learns the Qur’aan and then sleeps with it in his heart is like a bag of musk, the mouth of which has been sealed.”  ⁽¹⁾

[Source: Hayatus Sahabah Vol. 2. Pg.93.

 ⁽¹⁾ Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibaan, as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vol.3 Pg. 12)]

Random things on my mind

• Prof W (a non-Muslim) made a random observation the other day: 'These days one cannot specify gender on basis of clothing. Men and women dress too simarlarly'.  #think.

• The conspiracy theorists have been talking again -  the current revolution in the Arab world could have possibly been sparked by USA. Reasons? 
• *They are done with the previous leaders and need new people in the GAME. So the election of new governments has to be watched very closely. 
• * Religion, specifically Islam has hindered their spread of Globalisation, and the idea of "I have My Rights and I can do as I please because I am FREE". They hope these revolutions spread to the more conservative Islamic countries (Saudi???) so that more cinemas, clubs etc can become widespread and legal.
• *Creates instability and unrest in the Muslim world.
• I personally don't know what to think about these theories. I just wish for a free, democratic, Islamic Arab world that is not ruled by puppets of the west. I think Saudi rulers need to change as well.
• What are your thoughts?

• Muammar Gaddafi is Mad. 
• I can't believe he has allowed approx 1000 people to be killed so far! Mubarak doesn't seem so bad any more,ne?
• he has executed soldiers that refused to kill civilians
• In his life, he tried to edit the Qur'an.!!!!

• I am writing my first Anaesthesiology test next Thursday.
• My laptop has broken down. I seem to appear as United Kingdom on all Feedjit and other counters whenever I visit from my BB.
• I suddenly developed a hatred for my current template.

This post is officially crazy. 

Mawlud/Wafatun Nabi (SAW)

Yes, it’s the month of Rabi’ ul Awal (in fact 12^th already!) , the month during which our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born and passed away. (Aside: how beautiful must it have been when the world lit up on the birth of Muhammad (SAW). The one who came to this world to lighten up darknesses).

I was however disappointed on my recent visit home, to see signboards decorations on the light poles of a street. Maybe I should be a little more descriptive: each light pole had two round/star-shaped boards (on either side) written “Muhammad (saw)”, flanked by two red flags. And no, I refuse to go into any debate regarding the permissibility of such actions but I do believe we need to set our priorities straight. I think we need to question ourselves first:

• Are we not succumbing to imitating the practices of the Kufaar?
• Don’t we have more important things to spend money on?
• If Muhammad (saw) was here, would he have been pleased to see this?

The month of Rabi’ ul Awal ought to be used to as an opportunity to learn more about the life of the most beloved (pbuh) and more importantly to practice his beautiful example.

PS. These are my very own personal opinions and were not intended to insult anyone.

All the earth is a place of prostration

Another one of my videos "Crazy spots to pray". Nasheed by Dawud Wharnsby Ali




Which is the craziest spot you've ever performed Salaah on?

*Mubarak, didn’t you get the point AS YET?*

Hosni Mubarak's speech last night was so utterly pathetic! His arrogance was shocking as he kept referring to his 'achievements', 'sacrifices' and apparent 'love' for Egypt. Anyone who doesn't know him might have thought "what a selfless man". His refusal to step down get out - only highlights his hedonistic nature and forms a direct paradox for his "love for the people"and "I've safeguarded peace" claims.

May Allah protect the people of Egypt and remove from them their oppressive rulers. Ameen.

One of the Twitter feeds read:

Dear Hosni Mubarak, Thank you for making me seem like a hero, Sincerely Ben Ali

 



UPDATE: Mubarak has finally stepped Down! ALHAMDULILLAH! ALLAHU AKBAR! The army is now in control of Egypt - I wonder who will be the next leader?