A Blessed 'little' act of Spontaneous Kindness

Alhamdulillah, another sacred day... one blessed year on. Having arrived in London yesterday morning, I had mixed feelings at the thought of travelling to a place – during this special time of year – other than that of the Sacred House. استغفرالله, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, at least I was having a holiday… right? Well, to be perfectly honest, I would have preferred to have remained in Saudi for the Hajj holiday if I knew my doing so would mean a visit to Makkah, but that, I knew, would not be possible this year. الحمدالله رب العالمين, it has been exactly a year since performing the greatest journey I’ve experienced to date. Now, watching my fellow sisters and brothers on this precious Day of 'Arafah, fulfilling their dream of visiting the Sacred House, fills with me immense happiness for them, and gratitude for having completed my own this time last year. سبحان الله , I am a ‘حاجه’ (the name attributed to one after having performed Hajj) – I, by the grace of Allah, have performed and, with hope, fulfilled the fifth pillar of my deen, والحمدالله.

For all the fortunate sisters and brothers performing this great deed this year, may it truly be a Hajj Mabroor for each and everyone one of you, ameen. And for the rest of us, gazing with hope and yearning hearts, may the sincerity of what we harbour be proof enough of our sincere love to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم). Bi-ithnillaah our time will come (again) soon, ameen, for verily with sabr comes the very best of rewards, inshaAllah.

“The planning of The Almighty (Allaah) is better for you than your own planning, and it could be that He deprives you from what you ask to test your patience. So let Him see from you a determined patience and you will soon see from Him what will give you joy…” (I received this very beautiful message yesterday, but do not know who sent it. May Allah reward the sister greatly, ameen).

As our fortunate sisters and brothers accept the greatest of all invitations to visit the House of their Lord(Swt), let us too accept the gift of Allah (Swt) by performing good deeds for His Sake Alone. So, as we enjoy the last of the most sacred 'days' before the end of the 1431 Hijri calendar, allow me to add one more 'liitle' act of 'ibaadah to your blessed scales inshaAllah.

***Think ahead to Tues morning, inshaAllah. You’ve completed the ‘Eid salaah, listened to the beneficial khutbah and are about to walk out of the masjid when… a sister, you’ve never seen before, approaches you, and with a beautiful smile she shakes your hand and gives you something… a gift on the blessed day of ‘Eid***

A few nights ago, as a dearly beloved companion of mine travelled from Riyadh to Jeddah on her way to celebrate ‘Eid with her family in London, she sent me a message – she had just thought of an excellent idea and wanted to share the blessings, ماشاالله . She thought it would be a good idea to purchase several copies of the “Fortress of a Muslim” book to give out tomorrow morning (Tuesday 16th Nov) after the ‘Eid salaah as spontaneous ‘Eid gifts.

سبحان الله, what a beautiful and fantastic act of ‘ibaadah! So, just as she shared this gift with me, I too have shared it with you…

(For more ideas of 'liitle' 'Eid presents to gift fellow Muslims with on the day of 'Eid, visit Darussalam bookshop situated in Central Masjid -Regents park: (tel) 020 7725 2246 or Walthamstow branch - (tel) 020 8520-2666.)

Have a great ‘Eid… تقبل الله من و منكم – May Allah accept it from you and us, ameen.

والسلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

The Sweetest Realisation

A dear companion of mine, sent me one of the most beautiful messages I've recieved in a very long time, mashaAllah. A week after returning to Saudi, I received this in my text message inbox:

"One of the Salaf said:

"The people of this world are deprived. They left this world without tatsing the sweetest thing in it!" It was asked of him: "And what is that?"

He said "love of Allah, knowing Him and remembering Him."

So love knowledge and constant remembrance of Allah; lean to Him (Swt); feel tranquil with Him; single Him out for love, fear, hope, dependence and attention; such that He (Swt) Alone, is the main preoccupation of your heart and goals; such that He (Swt) is your paradise and delight of this world - which none other can compare to - and such that He (Swt) remains the coolness of your eyes, love of your heart and life of your soul... for true life is for those, who know Him."

Now that's what I call a beautiful reminder, mashaAllah ;)

Yaa Rabbi. . .

A few days ago, feeling somewhat despondent with my spiritual state, I asked Allah (Swt) to show me a sign. . . Truly the Almighty answers the calls of His servants, for He did exactly that.

For weeks I hadn't experienced the test that I'd been suffering for years - a true Rahma from Allah (Swt). But of course as insaan we are ungrateful to our Lord, and even if we think we are amongst those that give enough shukr, our shukr will always be lacking - for we are forever indebted to Allah (Swt). So foolishly assuming that my 'peaceful', non-testing situation was a call for alarm bells I wanted my Lord to reassure me that He hadn't forsaken me.

And so I did and then. . . it began.

The same test that Al-Halim (The Clement) had taken away from me, had now been given back. 'Be careful with what thy ask for, as Allah (Swt) may just answer your call.'

Yaa Rabbi.

Forgive me, for I know no better

And know not what my tongue did say.

Yaa Rabbi.

Forgive me, for I forgot your Rahma

And asked for something You had taken away.

© 2007 Umm Thameenah