Saturday, November 27, 2010

Freedom

Freedom

Let me tell you,
This is a free land, an example to all
Proclaiming to all nations to follow their call
So listen up, maybe you’ve missed out on them all

The free-doom of speech,
It is the freedom to articulate what you want to say
But it really means, “We will keep a close eye on what you say”
You might get into trouble for what you say,
With another man like you, just ’cus he does not like what you say
So it is frankly, free-doom I would say

Oh, this is a good one, Free-doom for women,
It is the liberation of women from the clutches of men,
So that women can now wear anything they are freely given
The less they wear, the more FREE they become,
For whom you thought? It is for MORE men

You women, are free of the shackles of your men,
Those men who are supposedly, taking care of your needs,
Looking out for your wellbeing, and protecting you from other men
When you get married, you change your last name,
Since you have free-dumb, so now you become the property of another

No!!! Now you women are TRULY free,
You can go wherever you want, exposing yourself to true free-doom
So now, more than one man can enjoy you more,
You are free to express your mind,
So, more men have lots more entertainment than just one
You can now wear whatever you want,
The less you do, the more exciting it becomes

More Free-dumb for women,
So they have liberated you and freed you O’ women
Provided you with all of this, even picked out the choices,
So that it’s more easy for you to choose your free-dumb
No they’ve matured you and tamed you to accept free-dumb,
Now the bait is more easier to steel from

Free-doom of religion,
Free, it is to practice your religion,
so long as you follow “their religion”, oops, I mean their culture and way of life first
So what is their way of life? It is to be a man and the woman of the land first,
Then you may choose from the religions they allow,
And don’t get me wrong there is plenty to go around.
The bottom line is their religion has plenty to choose from
Hey, guys there is enough of free-dumb, so don’t be shy

Economic and financial free-doom,
Hey listen up! They in ties and suits, know the best,
The more smooth and shiny their faces, better they know
They are smarter than you, so, they give you the solutions for you to choose from
So while you indulge in free-dumb, they will do all the work for you

Have you not experienced the beauty of the credit system?
Hey, imagine you can buy something you really don’t have the cash for
So in the future you would have accrued a mountain of free-doom
Even if you have the money to buy, why use it all up,
Save it and use their financial plan,
That way over a period of time you can pay them for being kind,
With interest, I mean, your “interest” in mind

The best of all, they will keep an account OF you, oops, I’m sorry, I mean account for you,
That way, you do not need to worry and spend
As a merchant, you will know your customer’s credibility
Do not worry about THEIR credibility, for remember they are in ties and suits,

Hey, you cannot complain,
They’ve given plenty of entertainment to indulge in the free-dumb,
Since, the more free-dumb you acquire, the easier for them
They have basketball, football, and baseball seasons all year-around,
Which are literally at your fingertips, with the remote in hand

Many are free to produce movies and films,
Dedicated in creating more free-dumb for you.
See how easy life is for you, they’ve even chosen the options you have.

Free-doom or free-dumb of Choice,
It means “We have chosen the options for you,
so pick from the variety we have provided for you”

Don’t you understand, you are too dumb, I mean,
You are too busy with free-dumb, so they’ve done you a favor
And think about it, they are so smart,
That if you brought a new choice, in-turn you are reciprocated with free-doom
Man, amazing is their plan

So, come on, Fight for your free-dumb or free-doom,
And they’ve even given you the guidelines of the fight.
This is their game, so you need to play by THEIR rules

It is “The Land of the free”, for those what desire free-dumb
“The home of the brave”, for those who are bold to take on free-doom


Now think about this…

Islam has given you Freedom of speech,
You are free to say whatever you wish,
but remember you and only you are accountable for what you say
Yet, Allaah chooses who He will pardon and purify for what they say

Islam has freed you O’ women,
Even your name, you maintain the name of you father
Thus free from becoming the property of another
You are free to own your own wealth without the fear of being stolen by another,
And even made true men as guardians upon you to guard your wealth

O’ mother, Islam has freed you of your daily chores,
Made for you plenty of children to honor and help you,
Thus, elevated you to the ranks of the queens,
even the queens of the world, do not have this to acquire

Islam has put true men as guardians over you,
Who have been given a degree above you,
so that they must attend to your needs
They stand as fierce soldiers guarding their women,
From the plots of the enemy, since this world is a battle

Islam has given you freedom to wear whatever you like,
In the company of your husband, as an enjoyment for this life.
It has freed you from being the slave of men,
as THEY disguise as the “liberation of women”

Islam has given you the freedom of living in any manner you like,
So long as you stick to the shari’ah, that truly has your interest in mind.
Do you imagine Allaah, wishing for you harm, impossible is that flash in the mind
For the ruling of the shariah is that, the things of the world has been made permissible,
Except for those that that have been denied,
And the opposite is true for the worship of Allaah,
Where He has made it easy and has indicated,
That all worship is denied, except for what He has made legal

Islam has made forbidden the compulsion of religion,
On any of the beings of this worldly life,
Since the nature of this world that Allaah has created,
Is that the truth will eventually standout form falsehood,
And know, the nature of falsehood is that it is bound to perish,
No matter how short or long a time it is given

Remember, Allaah is the one who created you,
And the world that you run after,
So surely He knows what’s good and evil, am I not right?

Islam has made financial loans permissible
without the oppression of usury,
and made the only credibility, the quality of truthfulness and being upright
and the true reward is for those who are just,
knowing that the final meeting with their Lord is too near

Islam has given you the freedom of choice,
For you to test the strength of your own character,
Correct choices are rewarded two times, in this world and the next,
And bad ones, either pardoned or atoned by your Creator.
Where good choices are accounted for in haste,
While bad ones are given respite to correct,
By the command of the One who has extensive Mercy

Islam has made the whole world free to abide therein,
It is men that restrict the world for whom they have interest in.
Islam truly freed you from being a slave of men,
To being the slave of the Creator of men,
And this is it, that the evil ones fear,
The true freedom of man in every which way of the meaning of the word

This word ‘Freedom’ has been hijacked,
by the lowly ones to control the world that they so run after.
Not knowing that the hereafter is truly what they should be after.

Islam is truly the freedom we should be after.
Think about it, how can a man like you, give you freedom?
So you take your pick, what is it that you are after?
Free-doom, Free-dumb, or Freedom???







-Samiha

The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari
Volume 1
Book 4
Number 214

Narrated by Amr bin Amir

Anas said, "The Prophet PBUH used to preform ablution for every prayer." I asked Anas, "What you used to do?" Anas replied, "We used to pray with the same ablution until we break it with Hadath."





-Samiha

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari
The Book Of Wishes
Ch. 1
2211.

 Narrated Abu Huraira (or Sa'd bin Ubaid)

Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, "No one should long for death, for if he is a good-doer, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil-doer, he may stop the evil deeds and repent." [9:341-O.B]




Samiha

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari-Volume 1, Book 2, Number 43:

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab

Once a Jew said to me, "O the chief of believers! There is a verse in your Holy Book which is read by all of you (Muslims), and had it been revealed to us, we would have taken that day (on which it was revealed) as a day of celebration." Umar bin Al-Khattab asked, "Which is that verse?" The Jew replied, "This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion." 5:3 Umar replied, "No doubt, we know when and where this verse was revealed to the Prophet. It was Friday and the Prophet at Arafat (i.e. the day of Hajj)"





-Samiha

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Etiquette for Hajj

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

The etiquette of travelling for Hajj is divided into two categories: obligatory and mustahabb. The obligatory etiquette means that the traveller should fulfil all the obligations and pillars (essential parts) of Hajj, and avoid the things that are forbidden in ihraam in particular, and the things that are forbidden in general, whether they are forbidden in ihraam or when not in ihraam, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihraam), then he should not commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj”

The mustahabb etiquette when travelling for Hajj is for a person to do all the things that he should do, such as being generous to people, serving his brothers, putting up with their annoyance, not retaliating to mistreatment, and being kind to them, whether that is after he puts on the ihraam or before, because this etiquette is sublime and good, and is required of every believer at all times and in all places. There are also other points of etiquette that has to do with the act of worship, such as doing Hajj in the most perfect manner and striving to do it with the proper etiquette in both word and deed. End quote. 

Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 21/16.







-Samiha


The Daily Hadith


Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 25

Narrated by Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle was asked, "What is the best deed?" He replied, "To believe in
 Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, "What is next
 in (goodness)? He replied, "To participate in Jihad (religious fighting)
 in Allah's Cause." The questioner again asked, "What is next (in goodness)?
 He replied, "To preform hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) 'Mubrur,
 (which is accepted by Allah and is preformed with the intension
 of seeking Allah's pleasure only and not to show off without committing
a sin accordance with the traditions of the Prophet.






-Samiha 

Forgiveness

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
The punishment for a sin committed by a believer is removed in ten ways:

1. He repents to Allah (taubah), so Allah accepts his repentance, for the one who repents from sin is like the one who has no sin.

2. He seeks forgiveness from Allah (istighfar), so Allah forgives him.

3. He does good deeds that erase his sin for good deeds erase bad ones.

4. His believing brethren pray for him or seek forgiveness for his sins during his life or death.

5. Or they [ask Allah] to bestow on him as gift from the reward for their deeds, with which Allah benefits him.

6. His Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, intercedes for him.

7. Allah tests him with trials in this world which expiate his sin.

8. Allah tests him in al-Barzakh (the intermediate life in the grave, between the death and the Day of Judgment) which expiates his sin.

9. Allah tests him in the various stages of the Day of Judgment which expiates his sins.

10. Or the Most Merciful of those who have mercy has mercy on him.
Whoever, then, is missed by these ten cannot blame anyone but himself.

Majmoo` al-Fatawa 1:45, 7:487
Translated by Islaam.com

                                      
قال احمد بن حنبل
لا تقلدنى ولا تقلد مالكا ولا شافعى ولا اوزاعى ولا الثورى وخذ من حيث اخذوا








-Samiha

Your Mother

Your mother is someone extremely special. Everyone knows that, though they might deny it. She may call you the worst names ever called, or even curse you, but, deep down in her heart, there is always a part that will never stop loving you. And you will always love and forgive her, no matter what she does.







-Samiha

Life

Life is maze
which everyone must go through
but unlike a maze,
you cannot exit,
until,
you,
die.

Life is a puzzle
which everyone must solve
but unlike a puzzle,
it cannot be solved,
until,
you,
die.

Life is a tall, towering mountain
which everyone must climb
but unlike a mountain,
it cannot be summited,
until,
you,
die.

Life is a vast, open sea
which everyone must sail
but unlike a sea,
you cannot reach shore
until,
you,
die.

Life is something
extraordinary to humans,
always a surprise
and like a surprise,
you don't know of what's coming,
until,
you,
die.





By Samiha Shaheed
Juan comes up to the Mexican border
on his bicycle.
He's got two large bags over
his shoulders.
The guard stops him and says,
"What's in the bags?"

"Sand," answers Juan.
The guard says,
"We'll just see about that ~
get off the bike."
The guard takes the bags
and rips them apart;
he empties them out and
finds nothing in them but sand.
He detains Juan overnight
and has the sand analyzed,
only to discover that
there is nothing in the bags.
The guard releases Juan,
puts the sand into new bags,
hefts them onto the man's shoulders,
and lets him cross the border.
A week later, the same thing happens.
The guard asks, "What have you got?"
"Sand," says Juan.
The guard does his thorough examination
and discovers that the bags
contain nothing but sand.
He gives the sand back to Juan,
who crosses the border on his bicycle.
This sequence of events is repeated
every week for three years.
Finally, Juan doesn't show up one day
and the guard meets him in a cantina in Mexico.
"Hey, Buddy," says the guard,
"I know you are smuggling something.
It's driving me crazy.
 It's all I think about.
I can't sleep.
Just between you and me,
 what are you smuggling?"
Juan sips his coke and says,
"Bicycles."

more???

YOU MUST BE A MONK TO KNOW!
Thwas a little boy who lived in a far away land. Close to the boy's home, there was a tall mountain, always covered in snow at the top. Also at the top of the mountain, there was an ancient monastery where ancient monks lived.

Sometimes, the little boy, as he was riding his tricycle around his yard, would look up at the monastery on the tall mountain and wonder what it was like up there.

One day, when the wind was blowing down off the mountain, the air turned quite cold and the little boy could hear a very strange noise on the wind. It was coming from the monastery! He could not figure out what could possibly be making such a strange noise and he was curious.

So, the little boy made a peanut butter sandwich, hopped on his tricycle and started his ride up to the monastery. It took him hours and hours, but he finally made it to the top. He bravely pounded on the massive door to the monastery and the head monk opened the door.

"Hello, Mr. Monk, sir. Down at my home in the valley below, I heard a very strange noise coming from your monastery. Could you tell me what it is?"

"I'm sorry," replied the head monk, "I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

Sadly, the little boy got back on his tricycle and rode all the way home, in a very foul and frustrated mood. He really did want to know what was making that noise.

The wind did not blow down off the mountain again until a couple years later. The boy was a bit bigger and stronger now and now rode around town on his bicycle.

As luck would have it, he was out riding when the wind blew down off the mountain, the air turned quite cold, and he heard a very strange noise on the wind. It was coming from the monastery! He could not figure out what could possibly be making such a strange noise and he was curious.

So, the bigger boy made a ham and cheese sandwich, hopped on his bicycle and started his ride up to the monastery. It took him hours, but he finally made it to the top. He pounded on the massive door to the monastery and the head monk opened the door.

"Hey, Mr. Monk. Down at my home in the valley below, I heard a very strange noise coming from your monastery. Could you tell me what it is?"

"I'm sorry," replied the head monk, "I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

Sadly, the big boy got back on his bicycle and rode all the way home, in a very foul and frustrated mood. He really did want to know what was making that noise.

The wind did not blow down off the mountain again until a couple years later. The boy had grown into a strapping youth now and rode around town on his motorcycle.

As luck would have it, he was out riding when the wind blew down off the mountain, the air turned quite cold, and he heard a very strange noise on the wind. It was coming from the monastery! He could not figure out what could possibly be making such a strange noise and he was curious.

So, the strapping youth grabbed a slice of pizza, hopped on his motorcycle and started his ride up to the monastery. It took him 30 minutes, but he finally made it to the top. He pounded on the massive door to the monastery and the head monk opened the door.

"Yo, Mr. Monk, dude. Down at my home in the valley below, I heard a very strange noise coming from your monastery. Could you tell me what it is?"

"I'm sorry," replied the head monk, "I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

Sadly, the strapping youth got back on his motorcycle and rode all the way home, in a very foul and frustrated mood. He really did want to know what was making that noise.

The wind did not blow down off the mountain again until a couple years later. The boy was now a young man and often rode around in his new convertible sportscar.

As luck would have it, he was out riding when the wind blew down off the mountain, the air turned quite cold, and he heard a very strange noise on the wind. It was coming from the monastery! He could not figure out what could possibly be making such a strange noise and he was curious.

So, the young man bought a burger at a fast food place, got in his convertible sportscar, and started his ride up to the monastery. It took him 20 minutes, but he finally made it to the top. He pounded on the massive door to the monastery and the head monk opened the door.

"Mr. Monk. Down at my home in the valley below, I heard a very strange noise coming from your monastery. Could you tell me what it is?"

"I'm sorry," replied the head monk, "I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

Sadly, the young man got back in his convertible sportscar and rode all the way home, in a very foul and frustrated mood. He really did want to know what was making that noise.

That night, he thought and thought about the very strange noise and how he just had to know what caused it. So, he resolved to do something about it the next day.

The next day, he got in his convertible sportscar and raced up the mountain, slammed on his brakes, and skidded to a stop right in front of the massive door to the monastery.

He honked the horn of his convertible sportscar until the head monk finally opened the door.

"Alright, Mr. Monk, I want to know what is making that very strange noise coming from you monastery!"

"I'm sorry," replied the head monk, "I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

"Well, then can I become a monk?"

"Why certainly! It is quite easy. You must travel the earth and count the number of blades of grass in every field and the number of grains of sand on every beach. When you return with your answer, then you shall be a monk."

So the young man left the monastery and travelled the earth. For years and years he counted the blades of grass and grains of sand, until one day he had finally finished. He made his way slowly back to the monastery and found the head monk.

"Oh, Mr. Monk, I have travelled the earth these past years, counting the blades of grass and grains of sand. I finally know that there are 123,123,123,123,123 blades of grass in the fields and 123,123,123,123,123 grains of sand on the beaches and I would like to become a monk."

So the man became a monk. At last, he would now be able to find out the source of that very strange noise coming from the monastery.

"Mr. Monk, what is the noise coming from the monastery?" asked the new monk.

The head monk replied, "The source is too complicated to describe in words. I am afraid that you must see it for yourself to truly understand it. This key will show you the answer you seek."

"Take this key to the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery. There you will find a long corridor. At the end of the corridor is a door and through the door is the thing that makes the noise."

Well, of course the new monk went immediately to the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery and there he did indeed find the long corridor. He walked down the corridor until he could see the door at the end.

Unfortunately, there were three magical fires that never go out blocking the man from the door. He decided to jump the fires to reach the door. The man made sure the key was secure in his hand, took a running charge at the first fire and leapt!

Over the first fire he flew, but he dropped the key. The man leapt back over the fire, ran all the way back down the long corridor, out of the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery and back to the head monk.

"Oh, Mr. Monk! I am so sorry! I went to the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery, down the long corridor to the door, but there were magical fires and I dropped the key in the first one as I leapt over it."

"Do not worry, for there is another key and you must overcome tests on your way to enlightenment. The second key, however is far, far away in Canada."

The new monk left the monastery and travelled to Canada. It took many years because he had no money, being a monk and all.

Eventually, he arrived in Canada and managed to track down the key to the door. The monk then had to make the return journey equally as painstakingly, but finally he arrived back at the monastery. Down into the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery he went, until he found the long corridor.

The three magical fires were in front of him as he took a running start.

Over the first fire went the monk, key still in hand!

Over the second fire went the monk, key still- RATS!
He had dropped the key in the second fire. The monk leapt back over the second fire, back over the first fire, back down the long corridor he walked and out of the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery. The monk went back to the head monk.

"Oh, Mr. Monk! I am so sorry! I went to the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery, down the long corridor to the door, but there were magical fires and I dropped the key in the second one as I leapt over it."

"Do not worry, for there is one more key and we must all overcome tests on our way to enlightenment. The third key, however is far, far away in Australia."

The monk left the monastery and travelled to Australia. It took many years because he had no money being a monk and all.

Eventually he arrived in Australia and managed to track down the key to the door. The monk then had to make the return journey equally as painstakingly, but finally he arrived back at the monastery. By this time, he was quite an old monk.

Down into the deepest, darkest corner of the coldest, dampest room in the dirtiest, filthiest cavern under the monastery he went, until he found the long corridor. The three magical fires were in front of him as he took a running start.

Over the first fire went the quite old monk, key still in hand!

Over the second fire went the quite old monk, key still in hand!

Over the THIRD fire went the quite old monk, key still in hand!

He had made it! He'd made the jumps and here he was standing outside the door with the answer to his question. Finally, finally, after so many, many, many years of wanting to know what was making the strange noise, he would know. The answer lay through the door in front of him and he could at last be at peace with himself.

Slowly, the quite old monk slid the key into the lock. Turning the key a slight 'click' was to be heard as the lock moved back allowing the quite old monk to open the door. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Shock and amazement came over him as he finally realized the answer to his question!

"Do you want me to tell you what it was?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. You aren't a monk."

funny stuff

~Black pencils~
ENJOY
A young boy named Kentollorola went to kindergarden. When he came back home he told his dad he skipped a grade. He did. His father said," Oh Allah! what do you want? I will get you it!" he said," I want black pencils." His father got him black pencils. he came back home skipping 1st grade. He asked his father for black pencils due to his father's same reaction and response. He got black pencils again. This routine kept on continuing until college. He was extremely sick. His father was weeping and asked him why he wanted black pencils. His son took a deep breath and said, "The reason I wanted black pencils was because-"
The boy had died.

Dhul HIjjah

Lessons of 'Dhul Hijjah 
by Shaykh Yaser Bijras

These ten days host one special day in which there are so many blessings. It is the day of Arafa, the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah and the day preceding the Eid day. Some of the blessings of Arafa are:
  • Fasting that day expiates the sins of two years, the previous one and the coming year. (Muslim)
  • It is a day in which Allah completed the revelation of the religion, perfected this bounty bestowed upon us and was satisfied with Islam as our religion. This was mentioned in surat al-Ma'edah 5:3. (Bukhari and Muslim)
  • It is the day when Allah AlMighty descends, in a manner that suits His Majesty, to the closest heaven and shows his pride to the angels about the presence of the pilgrims. (Muslim)
  • In this day Allah promises the pilgrims to bestow his mercy on them and forgive their sins so that when they return home they return free of sins just like the day when their mothers gave birth to them. (Bukhari and Muslim)
  • It is a day when many people will be emancipated from the fire of Hell.
The season of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah is a festivity of worship. No other days of the year hold so many diverse acts of worship as done in such a short time, not even in Ramadan. And here is a list of some of what good deeds are done during these days in Makkah and elsewhere around the globe:
  • Hajj and multiple Umrahs by millions of people.
  • The sacrifice of the dunya and this world for the sake of attending the Hajj.
  • The display of humility, humbleness and devotion in the actual rituals of Hajj.
  • Tawaaf around the Ka'bah and Sai' between the two hills of Safa and Marwa.
  • Abundance of Dhikr, the praise of Allah especially takbeer and tahleel and what other pilgrims say the most, Talbiyah.
  • Fasting for the non-pilgrims.
  • Being extra charitable.
  • Offering the hadi'y and udhiyah or qur'ban the sacrifice of livestock and feeding the poor.
  • The inclination towards repentance.
  • The engagement in long du'a or supplications as a sign of humility and humbleness.
  • Maintaining the prayers in the sacred sites al-Haram in Makkah and the Masjid of the Prophet in Madinah.
  • The recitation of the Qur'an.

- Ziyad M. Karim

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Pretending to Obey Allah


By Umm Zakiyyah


“No,” Amatullah said shaking her head, folding her arms across her chest defiantly as she leaned back in her chair.  “I’m not going to cover just because you asked me to.”
Hakimah sighed from where she sat on a desk opposite the student she had taught for four years, her thoughts drifting momentarily.  Her gaze rested on the row of windows at the back of the tenth grade classroom.  Distant sounds of students laughing and running and talking could be heard through the glass, underscoring the vast distance between her and her student.
Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to have asked Amatullah to stay after class.  Hakimah wasn’t sure.  But her heart could not rest until she at least made an effort.
“But, Amatullah,” Hakimah said softly, her eyes now on Amatullah who refused to look at her. Amatullah’s face showed obvious resentment toward Hakimah for causing her to miss spending break with friends. “It’s Ramadan.  Don’t you think it’s a good time to start?”
There was a brief silence before Amatullah narrowed her eyes toward Hakimah, and that’s when Hakimah noticed the tears glistening in her student’s eyes.
“What for?”  Amatullah’s tone was accusatory and defensive.  “I don’t want to be a hypocrite like these other girls.”
Hakimah furrowed her brows.  “A hypocrite?”
Amatullah rolled her eyes.  It was obvious she didn’t want to have this conversation.  “You see them,” she shot back.  “They’re always walking around all covered up, but they’re no better than anybody else.”
“Who thinks they’re better than everyone else?”
“All of ‘em.”  Amatullah gestured toward the window behind her.  “And they do the same things I do.  But at least I don’t claim to be someone I’m not.” She folded her arms on her chest again, shaking her head.
“I can’t believe you fall for it,” Amatullah vented.  “And you think you know so much about Islam.  You don’t know half the things that go on with these so-called religious girls.”
Hakimah drew in a deep breath, a bit offended by the comment.  But it wasn’t the first time she’d heard it.  Moments like this she wondered if she’d made the right decision coming to work as an Islamic studies teacher at the only Muslim school in her city.  Islamic studies wasn’t her specialty, but she did try to make the class interesting by doing things like giving each lesson its own title; the last one had been “Making the Most out of Ramadan.”  Sometimes she’d let the students choose the lesson title; other times she’d choose it herself.  It was her way of giving them a sense of ownership, something she’d learned to do for clients while studying counseling for her master’s.
When Hakimah had applied for work at the private Islamic academy four years ago, she was applying for a position as a biology teacher, the same position she’d held at a public school at her last job.  She already knew she’d suffer a huge pay cut, but after facing repeated racial and religious discrimination at the middle school that catered mainly to the middle and upper class residents who lived near the school, Hakimah decided it was time to move on.  Besides, the political tug-of-war with the administration, staff, and parents was taking a toll on her health, and her faith.  Hakimah was Muslim when they hired her, but it was only in the last two years of working there that she had made the difficult decision to wear hijab to work.  That’s when everything changed…
“Amatullah,” Hakimah said, exhaling as she was reminded of her own confusion before making the decision to cover full time, “it’s not fair to call your friends hypocrites.  They’re Muslim just like you.”
“If you knew the things they do, I think you’d call them hypocrites too.”
Hakimah shook her head.  “I don’t think I would, Amatullah, no matter what I knew. Anyway,” she sighed, “I didn’t ask you to stay after to talk about them.  I want to talk about you.”
Amatullah grew quiet, but her defiance remained.  She shook her head at some private thought that disturbed her, but she said nothing.
“I’m just asking you to think about what I said.”  Hakimah hoped her sincere concern showed in her voice.  But she wasn’t sure.  “Ramadan is a time for changes.  It’s a time to look at your life and see what you can do differently.”
The room grew quiet momentarily.
Hakimah wasn’t sure what else she should say, or if she should say anything else at all.  “I know it’s a hard decision, Amatullah.  Believe me, I know, but—”
“Ms. Khan,” Amatullah interrupted, “I know you think you’re helping and all.  But I already know who I am and what I need to do.  And I’m not going to cover now, even if it’s Ramadan.”
“But why not, Amatullah?  Allah promises th—”
“What’s the point of covering if I’m just going to take it off later?”  Amatullah rolled her eyes and shook her head.  “Like I said, I’m not a hypocrite.  When I’m ready to cover, I’ll do it all the time.  But I’ll do it for Allah, not because some teacher asked me to.”
“But even if you do take it off later, Amatullah, Allah is forgiving and merciful. You can—”
“Why would I even do something like that?”  Amatullah wrinkled her nose.
“I’m not saying you plan to take it off later,” Hakimah corrected herself, realizing how her last comment sounded.  “I’m just saying if you get weak, you can always ask for strength.  Allah will be there for you.  You just have to put in the effort.”
“But why would I pretend?”
Hakimah creased her forehead, taken aback by the question. “What do you mean?”
“If I’m not strong enough to cover all the time, I shouldn’t cover.”
“But, Amatullah, you can’t pretend to obey Allah.  If you’re obeying Allah, you’re obeying Allah, even if you make mistakes sometimes.”
“Can I go now?”  Amatullah’s nose flared as she met Hakimah’s eyes unblinking.  The sounds of other student’s laughter rose near the windows.
Hakimah drew in a deep breath and exhaled, reminded that break would be over soon.  She had a class next period.  “Yes, you may go if you—”
Amatullah’s chair screeched as she quickly stood, throwing her book bag over her shoulder, not waiting to hear what Hakimah had to say.  Seconds later, Amatullah was out the door, and the door closed behind her.
For a minute, Hakimah remained in her place, her eyes staring beyond Amatullah’s empty chair to the recess area beyond the windows.  Amatullah, now outside, appeared several feet from the glass.  Her profile displayed a wide grin as her friends approached to give her a hug.  A moment later, Amatullah laughed at something a friend whispered to her, her voice reverberating in the classroom.
But why would I pretend?
Hakimah was reminded of a conversation she’d had with a former coworker after she started wearing hijab regularly.  “The problem with you Muslims is you think your clothes make you pious,” the man had said.  “For you, it’s all about image.  For us, it’s all about faith.
At the time, Hakimah had been so offended that she wasn’t sure if her response did her religion, or herself, any justice.  She remembered saying something about hijab not being about image and how actions proved a person’s faith, but now she realized where the real confusion lay.
In the heart.
That was the missing piece.
But why would I pretend?
With a sincere heart, you wouldn’t. Because pretending simply wouldn’t be possible.  And obeying Allah wouldn’t be a decision you have to make.  It would be the natural reflection of the sincerity in your heart.
The bell rang, and the noise level near the window rose as students scrambled back into the building, laughing and talking as they passed the glass.  Inspired suddenly, Hakimah stood and walked over to her desk, where she sat down and jotted down some notes for her next class.
She already knew what its title would be:  “Pretending to Obey Allah: Is it Even Possible?”




-Samiha










The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari
The Book of Hajj
Ch.8 The Saying of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.): Al-Aqiq is a blessed valley

777. Narrated Umar (radiaAllahuanhu)
 in the valley of Al-Aqiq, I heard Allah's Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H.) saying, "To night a messenger came to me from my Lord and asked me to offer Salat (prayer) in this blessed valley and to assume Ihram for Hajj and 'Umra together."



-Samiha

Monday, November 8, 2010

The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari
The Book of the two Eid

Ch.7

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, " No good deeds are done on other days are superior to those done on these (first ten days of Dhul-Hijja)." Then some companions of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "Not even Jihad?" He replied, "Not even Jihad, except that of a man who does it by putting himself and his property in danger (for Allah's sake i.e. with his life and property) and does not return with any of those things ( i.e. is martyred)." [2:86-O.B.]


-Samiha  

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Age

Age with grace

-Unknown


-Samiha

Am I Too Old To Feel Young?

You are as young as you feel

-anonymous




-Samiha

The Daily Hadith

Sahih Bukhari
The Book of Dress

Ch. 18
The punishment for picture-makers on the Day of Resurrection

2005. Narrated Ibn 'Umar: (radiAllahuanhu)
Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H.) said, "Those who make these pictures will be punished on the Day of Resurrection, and it will be said to them, 'Make alive what you have created'" [7:835-OB]



-Samiha 

Saturday, November 6, 2010

The Daily Hadith

Ch. 10.
The Book of the two Eid


537. Narrated Jabir

On the day of Eid the prophet used to return (after offering Eid prayer) through a different way from that which he went. [2:102-OB]



-Samiha

Friday, November 5, 2010

The Pencil Maker


A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :



1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS,
   WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF
 
  TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.


We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique talents and abilities.  Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you. 





-Samiha
 

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Daily Hadith

The Book of Al-Adab (Good Manners)
Ch. 22
Jealousy and mutual estrangement are forbidden



Narrated Anas Bin Malik:

Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H.) said, "Do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert each other, and O, Allah's worshipers! Be brothers. Lo! It is not permissible for any Muslim to desert (not talk to) his brother (Muslim) for more than three days." [8:91-OB]



-Samiha

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

My Life

My life went by,
in a blink of an eye
How long will yours take?
Not even a moment.

-Samiha Shaheed 

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Constantly Battling

The biggest, hardest battle to fight is the battle against ones self and desires

-anonymous



-Samiha

The Daily Hadith

Narrated by Abu Musa: The Prophet salaAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam said, "The example of guidance an knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. Another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, (making their animals drink from it) and to irrigate the land for cultivation. And a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion (Islam) and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet P.B.U.H) and learns and then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who who does not care for it and does not take Allah's Guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land)."
1:79-O.B.


-Samiha

Easy wild rice recipe

Easy Wild rice soup:
I cup cubed cooked chicken
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
½ a cup of chopped celery
½ a cup of diced onion
1 and a 1/4 cup of chicken broth
2 cups of milk
1 cup cooked wild rice
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a saucepan. Saute onions and celery until tender but crisp. Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. Add chicken broth and milk. Stir until thickened. Add wild rice and chicken.

Serves 4 - 6 people


How to cook wild rice:

Wash the rice in a strainer. Add 1 cup of rice to 3 cups of boiling water. Simmer, covered, for 35 – 50 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Drain any excess liquid.

Makes 3 – 4 cups of wild rice


Courtesy of  -
Zehra Khan