lets remember

Masha'Allah. Today was so special. I saw my dear dear dear friend! (yup our Rabs) That is exactly how we refer to her...'our'. the excitement and all. Most of all I got precious advice from her kind husband. "Be a strong, righteous wife sister. Because of her [Rabs] strength, I'm who I am."
Knowing my friend, I can only pray for more blessing of their marriage and nothing more. How beautiful indeed is the affair of one who is constantly in the remembrance of Allah...subhan'Allah!

Such a beautiful Friday. The Khutba was absolutely heart warming. Always reminders that softens the heart and lightens the face.

Building memories...remembering that which builds love and understanding. The one thing I will always keep with me, as constant reminder is memory of that which is good in each and everyone that has blessed my life. Because at the end of the day, after all the ups and the downs...what remains is what made us who we are in the first place.

(insha'Allah I'll post a poem about this particular theme)

Peace & Blessings to all
-hy-

Reflections/Reminders

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

It is almost laughable had one been heedless
it is though sad that it reckons some tears
not from the eyes but of the heart...

Such though is this life
It is almost laughable were it not for reminders
from Luqman, the chapter of the wise...

"O mankind! do your duty to your lord, and fear the Day where no father can avail aught for his son, not a son avail aught for his father; Verily, the promise of God is true: let not then this present life deceive you, not let the chief Deceiver deceive you about God. Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with God. It is He who sends down rain, and He who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow, nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily God has full knowledge and He is well acquainted." [33-34]

Five things are mentioned here that no creation knows the answer of:

1. the knowledge of the hour
2. the coming of rain
3. what is in the womb
4. what tomorrow brings forth
   
5. the state one dies in/ both physically and spiritually

Peace & Blessings
hikmet

take care

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

There is a level of ability that a person have. When that limit is passed what results is an over-stressed body that is on the verge of giving up. It is not just physical but also mental, spiritual or a combination thereof. Most often than not, what happens is that a person is not in-tune with one's body. That is why it is important that a person understand the natural tendency of one's state. In order to be in a state of good balance, it is imperative that one establish the due knowledge of what it means to be out-of-balance.
There are a number of Ahadith regarding the maintenance of good balance physically ( etiquette of eating, napping, physical fitness...); mentally (harm of stress, importance of resting, moderate laughter...) and spiritually (abhorring of extreme ends, moderation in worship...). All these we've read or heard about. Alhamdulilah. Today I'd like to mention a very important lesson about putting-things-into-perspective and taking care as Muslims.

"Three key terms in the Qur'an that relate to human conduct, all of which means 'to be safe', 'to be integral and sound'. The first term is Iman, which means "faith", but its root (a m n) means "to be at peace", "to be safe", "not to be exposed to danger." The second term is Islam, comes from the root (s l m) which means "to be safe", "to be whole and integral", "not to disintegrate." The third fundamental concept is Taqwa from the root (w q y) which means to "protect from getting lost or wasted" and "to guard against peril". This constellation of basic terms clearly bring home the most important notion of Islam about humankind concerning attitude (belief) and behavior: people can and ought to avoid moral and physical peril..." [qt'd in Health and Medicine in the Islamic Tradition, pg 13]

It is thus, easy to realize and put our knowledge into perspective for taking care plays a role in the things that we do, both individually and collectively insha'Allah. Here are a few action plans:

• sleep early: This is the easiest thing we have control over.
• eat healthy: Again a choice we can make.
• pray on time: it takes care of the fundamentals of one's belief
• avoid stress by performing tasks ahead of time
• supplicate abundantly: "dua'a is worship".
  

Peace & Blessings
-hy-

just this

when i think of sleep
i remember death...

a beat away it is
when, i can never say.

maybe 20 years down the road
or tomorrow.
'ahh, but she's so young' they'll say i bet.

i wonder sometimes
about old age... about when
i'll be walking slow, nodding a lot
i wonder what sleep will remind me then.


-hy-

Up for the Challenge?

In the Name of Allah , the Most Gracious, Most Merciful

"And we have indeed made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, is there any that will remember?" [surat al-Qamar:17]

In terms of acquainting oneself with that which one knows is good:

1. Conviction. This comes with knowledge of that which one comprehends.
2. Resolution: conviction alone leads no where if one isn't firm upon a decision.
3. Establishment: after resolution is the need to set practical & realistic goals to reach.
4. Consistency: a water drop makes a hole on a stone.

So how is it that one wants to build a strong, lasting relationship but ignores the due process of exerting oneself? Of course we know the Qur'an is a cure, gets rid of anxiety, brings tranquility, becomes a witness for one in the Day...Alhamdulilah.

Where we're left is where we started:

"And we have indeed made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, is there any that will remember?" [surat al-Qamar:17]

Peace & Blessings
-hy-