Independence Day!

Assalamu’alaikum,
Bismillah.

14th August! You just say it and hearts start thumping, feet start tapping, fingers start snapping, bodies start swaying happily and everyone falls into chorus of their favorite song.

Isn’t that the scenario that we saw in different parts of Pakistan on Independence Day?

65 years of Pakistan’s independence, our dear homeland!

I remember coming across, in this Sunday’s newspaper, 65 reasons to celebrate 65 years of Pakistan. I started reading with anticipation, wondering what reasons lay ahead and clearly remember my dumbfounded amazement when I had finished. Yes, the reasons were those due to which independence is celebrated today. After all, haven’t we produced brilliant artists, glorious singers and melodious musicians ever since Pakistan was created?

However much happiness is celebrated, it is less!

Shouting and singing loudly  with your friends of both genders in concerts is just an expression of the love that we feel for this piece of land which is drenched with the blood of sacrifices of our forefathers.

Forefathers, eh?

This is the reason I write today. Because I vividly remember the deep pain in my grandfather’s eyes when he used to tell us how he remembered himself at the time of partition, a young army officer in Pakistan, on duty to receive people migrating from India to Pakistan by train. He stood there waiting for the train to come and finally when it arrived, there was no singing and laughter but…… A deep silence! He stepped inside compartment after compartment, only to find them filled with nothing but dead bodies!

Would you close your eyes for just 5 seconds and imagine that?

Does anyone of you remember those dead people leaving a will saying we are dying for you, please celebrate our sacrifices and death with all possible forms of entertainment?

I also remember the passion in the eyes of my other grandfather, who was old, having retired from army quite some years ago, but nevertheless wrote an earnest letter to the higher authorities requesting to be recruited as a volunteer in army during the time when war was being announced.

Would you really believe that he was ready to sacrifice his remaining limbs so that you could perhaps dance a few more steps independently?

No, it’s not just about my grandfathers. I’m sure yours have the same story. Go, ask them!

And if you don’t have a grandfather, let me tell you what they would have told you:

Pakistan ka matlab kia? La ilaaha illAllah

[Translation: Meaning of Pakistan? There is no God worthy of worship except Allah]

La ilaaha illAllah. Go, do some research on it. Surely, that would be part of the love that you feel for this land. And this phrase is a lot more practical than you think!

Wassalam,
Hajrah. :)

P.S. Don’t find answers? Come back here and comment below…

Let Go!

Let Go!, my article on Muslimatics.

To read it, click on this link: http://www.muslimatics.com/articles/let-go/

Jannah is calling! Who will respond?

By Asma bint Shameem

Subhaan Allaah!

The beautiful month of Ramadhaan is flying literally by! Its blessed days and fragrant nights are soon about to leave. And it truly breaks our heart to let it go.

Yet, O Muslim, Rejoice! For there is good news for you!

A great opportunity is about to dawn upon you!

A once-in -a -lifetime chance!

An offer that you cannot pass by!

Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala, in his Infinite Mercy, has bestowed upon you a Great and Noble night!

A Night of Power…. A Night of Divine Decree.

A Night in which angels descend and send salutations to the believers…

A Night of innumerable blessings…..full of PEACE and tranquility….

A Night…… in which, Ibaadah is better than a thousand months!

“The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” (Surah al-Qadr:3)

A thousand months! Subhaan Allaah!

That is equal to 30,000 nights or 83 years and 4 months!

Could there be a better chance for you than this??!!

Could there be a more Merciful Lord than this??!!

Subhaan Allaah wal-Hamdulillaah!

Here is your chance to repent….to come back to the Most Merciful….to change your life for the better.

Here is your chance to have ALL your previous sins forgiven!

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven” (Bukhaari)

This is a perfect opportunity to earn Allaah’s pleasure…..being saved from Hellfire and entering Jannah. A time when your dua will be accepted.

SO WHAT TO DO?

Search for this night in the LAST TEN nights of Ramadhaan (not just the 27th)
Don’t just single out one night for Ibaadaat. Make sure to do it ALL TEN NIGHTS, because the EXACT date for Laylat al-Qadr is hidden from us.

What if Laylat al-Qadr is some other night and not on the 27th?? Have you ever thought about that? Then you would have no one to blame but yourself if you miss this great Night….this perfect opportunity of goodness and blessings.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:

“Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Strive HARD in your search, worshiping Allaah sincerely and diligently

This is your chance to earn Jannah. So give it ALL you got…. everything you have.

“The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) used to used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadhaan as he never did at any other time.” (Muslim, Ahmad)

Prepare for it mentally and physically

They say, the better you are prepared for something, the better the results.

So prepare for it in every which way you can. Plan out your worship schedule for the night. Take off work, if possible and go for Umrah or make I’tikaaf in the Masjid.

Don’t overtire yourself during the day, such that you don’t have any energy left to worship the Almighty. That goes especially for the sisters, who exhaust themselves cooking different kinds of food all day so that by the evening, they have no energy left.

Take a nap during the day, if possible and remember…DO NOT OVEREAT!

Shun worldly pleasures

Don’t waste A SINGLE MOMENT of your time, such as spending all your precious time in the mall, shopping for Eid or in extravagant ‘Iftaar-cum-fashion show’ parties.

Stay away from anything and everything that might distract you from remembering Allaah (TV, movies, music, unnecessary phone calls, gossip, cooking all day, etc.)

“When the last ten days of Ramadhaan began, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) would tighten his waist-wrapper (meaning he would stay away from marital relations), spend his nights in prayer, and wake his family.” (Muslim)

Spend these nights in prayer, reciting Qur’aan, making dua, doing istighfaar.
Stand LONG in Qiyaam….hands folded obediently…your head low…in shame…humbly.
Eyes downcast….hearts trembling…tears rolling…..
Tears of regret and sorrow…..tears of repentance and shame.
Spread out your hands….like a beggar, begging for his life….
Ask Allaah to forgive you and He will forgive you!
Beg for his Mercy and He will give it to you!
Beseech Him to guide you and save you from the torments of Hell.
Rectify your mistakes and improve your shortcomings.
Resolve to be steadfast in your Commitment and firm in your Deen.

What if the sister is on her period?

Don’t let anything stop you from doing good deeds and worshipping Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala.

Even in this situation, there are a million things you can do. You can still make dua or tasbeeh, read Qur’aan (without touching it), read tafseer, memorize Surahs or hadeeth, listen to the Qur’aan or a good lecture, send blessings on the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam), make istighfaar, give sadaqah, clean the masjid, babysit for someone….and the list goes on.

DON’T BE THE ONE WHO SLEEPS and misses out on immeasurable goodness

One who misses this blessed night has indeed missed much goodness, for no one misses it except for the one from whom it is withheld.

“ In it (i.e. Ramadhaan) is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.” (Ahmad, an-Nasaa’i)

There are many chances to sleep, but a chance like this is rare to come by ….only once a year. And that also if you are lucky to be alive next year.

Are you going to miss a golden chance like this one…..sleeping??

Or are you going to maybe just stand for some quick pecks on your head for half an hour and think you did enough??

Isn’t there plenty of time to sleep??

And haven’t you been sleeping all this while, anyway??

Haven’t you “SLEPT” enough??

ACTUALLY…….ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME YOU WOKE UP???

Life is about opportunities. They say the wise man is the one who makes the most of his opportunities. Here is an opportunity to enter Jannah.

Dear brothers and sisters, Jannah is calling. Is there anyone who will respond?!!

اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعف عني

Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni

(O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” (Tirmidhi)

Wassalam,
Al Huda Institute, Canada

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For More Info: www.alhudainstitute.ca, www.alhudapk.com, www.farhathashmi.com

(Taken from Al Huda Canada)

Moments of Gold!

Moments of Gold!, my article on Muslimatics.

To read it, click on this link: http://www.muslimatics.com/articles/moments-of-gold/

Your Du’aas Answered….Guaranteed!!!

By Asma bint Shameem (Taken from Al Huda Canada)

What if I tell you that I know a way that will ensure that all your prayers are answered, that none of your Du’aas will be rejected and anything that you ask for will be granted?
Wouldn’t you like to know what that way is? Wouldn’t you jump at the chance to avail that?

But…..what is that way? How can we achieve all this and more?

The answer to that, brothers and sisters, isn’t anything secret or hidden.

The answer has been there for ages. Actually, its been there for the last 1400 years.. We just didn’t look hard enough. We just didn’t pay much attention to it.

It is what Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala has promised His slaves every single day….every time he sits down to break his fast. The answer lies in the hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) when he said:

“Indeed the fasting person has at the time of breaking the fast a supplication, which is not rejected.” (lbn Majah, Saheeh)

And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father (parent), the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (al-Baihaqi, Saheeh)

In another hadeeth, he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “There are in the month of Ramadhaan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.” [Ahmad, Saheeh]

So Allah answers the Du`aa of the fasting person at Iftaar time.

But, alas, most of us are either unaware of this great blessing of Allaah or are too busy thinking about food at this time. Some of us are frying ‘samosas’ till the last minute, setting the table and preparing ‘hot’ food. Some are too busy talking, arguing about the exact time to break the fast, or watching television (may Allah protect us), reading the newspaper and some are even sleeping until after the Maghrib adhaan has been called! And some are busy filling up their plates even before the time to break the fast has entered!
Subhaan Allaah!

Allaah is promising us that He will answer our prayers and we are too busy to respond?!!

What a waste of a golden opportunity….a chance of a lifetime to have your supplications accepted!

What is the matter with us? Is food really the most important thing….the ultimate goal of our lives?!!

Is it food that Ramadhaan is all about?!!

Why do we not take full advantage of this great gift of Allah?

Don’t you see?!
Here is your chance to earn Jannah!
Now is the time to ask for forgiveness…for EVERYTHING you have EVER done….And He will forgive you.
Ask Him for guidance for you and your family and He will guide you.
Ask Him to solve all your problems, and He will find a solution for you.
Ask Him for this Dunyaa and He will grant it to you. And the Aakhirah….He will suffice you.

Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“Du’aa’ should be made before iftaar (breaking the fast), at Maghrib, because this combines weakness and humility, and because he is still fasting. All of these are means of having one’s du’aa’ answered.”

It is said that the intelligent is the one who takes advantage of the situation. So don’t let this great opportunity pass you by.

Know that Allah listens to the fasting person’s supplication and answers it. So finish all your work and preparations 5 minutes before Iftaar time.

Teach this to your kids and your families and encourage them to do the same.

Don’t let the Dunyaa distract you.

Sit down peacefully, clear your mind of all thoughts, bow your head and raise those hands.

Go ahead and make use of this precious…. precious time when you are breaking your fast to ask Allah for all those things that would make your life easy in this world and in the Hereafter.
And do it with full faith and confidence that Allaah will surely respond.

Why wouldn’t He?? He said so and so He will.

May Allaah accept all of our Ibaadah and all our supplications and grant us Jannah. Ameen.

Dua of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) at time of Iftaar:
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to say:

ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر إن شاء الله

“Dhahaba al-‘zama’ wa abtallat al-‘urooq wa thabata al-ajr in sha Allaah

(the thirst is gone, the veins have been moistened and the reward is assured, if Allaah wills).” (Abu Dawood, al-Bayhaqi; classed as hasan).

Important note:
The hadeeth with the words “Allaahumma laka sumtu wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu….

اللهم لك صمت وعلى رزقك أفطرت

This is a da’eef (weak) hadeeth , as stated by Ibn al-Qayyim (Zaad al-Ma’aad), and so it is better to avoid it and stay with the authentic dua.

And Allaah knows best.

Wassalam,
Al Huda Institute, Canada

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For More Info: www.alhudainstitute.ca, www.alhudapk.com, www.farhathashmi.com

Energy Crisis!

Assalamu’alaikum,
Bismillah.

I have been observing my environment for the past few days. And I was wondering what is our problem?
It suddenly hit me this morning. Energy Crisis! Yes, this is it.

Now you’ll be directly jumping to hydro-power and electricity and what not… Hold your horses right there!
Our main energy crisis is related to us, human beings. We are in an energy crisis. Just look around you and you’ll know it yourself.

Fuel empty? It’s a farce!

Look at the young man ripe with youth, working long hours in a private company yet still has to spend the weekend with his friends partying the nights away.

Look at this other young man working in a government organization, who goes to work in this old and seemingly providing-shelter-to-those-working-for-the-betterment-of-nation building yet has practically nothing to do in there.

Look at the energetic naughty kids who play all day long making life tough for everything and everyone around them yet still can’t go to sleep at night without throwing a tantrum.

Look at the pretty young ladies with makeup immaculate to the last curved tip of kohl on their upper eyelids, trudging to university everyday to get an education and empower women with all sorts of rights yet have plenty of time to while away in gossip, laughing at others and just having ‘fun’.

Look at the oh-so-poor maid deprived of all the lavishness that life offers to the elite class, working day and night, serving her employers yet never misses a single episode of her favorite soap in her battered down one room house.

Look at the housewife serving her family and waiting on them hand and foot yet has time to brood and complain on how her husband and in-laws never gave her any good.

Look at the young teenager preparing for her exams, sunk up to her neck in books and notes yet finds time to feel bored.

Look at the old widowers and widows with their cracking limbs and tired feet, who worked so hard all their lives yet still have energy left to criticize every possible human being younger than them.

(And let’s not look at the other lot that has nothing better to do than wasting time because we’re only looking at people overburdened with work).

Yes, we are in an energy crisis, with our energies bottled up inside and we face death with most of our faculties never even being recognized and we remain under the illusion that we work so hard in our lives overburdened with load.

And yet… We wonder when we

look at the companions of the Prophet s.a.w digging the trench  with stones tied to their stomachs due to hunger,

look at them fighting wars with just a piece of date for whole days,

look at them memorizing thousands narrations (ahadith) without a single mistake,

look at our pious predecessors travelling miles upon miles through deserts and over mountains to gain knowledge,

look at them ruling half the world with justice to perfection.

I wonder why do we wonder…

And we think we are low on energy? We are low on giving direction to the extra energy.