“Video of the week” brought to you by HalalTube.com.
Nowadays GPSs are as common as cellphones. In fact even cellphones have GPS capabilities. Millions of people and companies rely on the 12 satellites orbiting the Earth in order to keep track of their packages and locations. How does this relate to the daily life of a Muslim? Listen to Sh. AbdulBary Yahya speak about the ‘Divine GPS’ which guides all Muslims on the straight path to our Lord!
It was the Prophet, sallalahu alaihi wa sallam.
Does it make you happy to know that? It certainly made my day!
Sister Salikah reviews the lessons learned over the weekend at a series of lectures she attended, on the topic of the beliefs in the questioning of the grave, resurrection, the Last Day, the reckoning, the bridge, Heaven and Hell:
“Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him), who wrote so much on the topic of death, said that “the Reality of death, is the Reality of Life”. Our physical death is simply entry into the third stage of our existence — the stage called barzakh (an intermediary between our worldly existence and the Day of Judgement).”
And helpful tips to achieve success in the next life:
“Standing in prayer before Fajr when the angels and Mercy descend from the Heavens. Doing wudu and praying some rakats of salah. Some of the scholars say this is better than praying in the haram itself. Imam Junayd the great sufi (Allah have mercy on him) was seen in a dream after his death, saying that all that benefited him of his works in this world were the two rakats he always made before fajr.
Surah Tabarak (I believe after Isha). “
Read more at Salikah’s blog.
[Photo by joesflickr]
My lovely friend, Organic Muslimah, reminds us of all those little, fortuitous events that point to the existence of the One who is the source of all blessing:
My personal miracle is too personal to write on these pages, but I can assure that these small miracles have only made me believe with the strongest convictions that there is a God and He is a very loving one. He listens and provides. He promises and fulfills.
As I drove home, I looked at the cars driving by and just meditated on the thought that each and every individual has a story, each person has value, each human being has something special to share in this world. What happens when these fellow beings — our fellow travelers in life — pass away? Are their stories broadcasted on the news? Do we ever give them any thought?
Suhaa of Luminosity shares with us a moving letter written by a sister recounting her Hajj pilgrimage. The Hajjah has since passed away after suffering from breast cancer, but her message lives on, as a source of inspiration to those left behind. May Allah grant her al-Jannah; the only recompense worthy of an accepted Hajj:
[T]he Imam stopped everything and made an announcement. He said to everyone, “I want you all to know that Allah will answer all of your prayers because of YOU!”. And he looked at me and pointed to me. [...] He said “Yes you, sister Jawharah! Allah has blessed us with you”. I just started balling. What else could I do. Later I understood what he was saying. I was visibly ill. In Islam, sickness is an ar-rahma=blessing from Allah. Since it brings you closer to Allah and is indeed a cleansing and expiation of sins. That is what Muslims believe. Caring for the ill or sick is also looked at as an ar-rahma from Allah. It is a blessing to care for the sick. So what he was saying was that Allah blessed them with me because Allah has given them me to care for during the very special journey of Hajj. How beautiful is that! And boy did they rise to the occasion. My sisters in Islam were fabulous. I was hugged and kissed and such kind words were said to me. When I wasn’t crying happy tears I was hugging someone.
Jazakallah to Suhaa for the tip.
Last week I highlighted the importance of du’a, and how it can have a very real effect on the recipient, even when they’re thousands of miles away. Whilst on my Ijtema “rounds” this evening, I came across this entry by a desperate sister. I’m not exactly sure of her circumstances – all I know is that she feels very alone, and somewhat abandoned by her community. Thus I felt compelled to ask the online “ummah” to step in, and remember this sister in your prayers… after what I’ve heard about the power of du’a, I am positive she will feel much better for it, insha’Allah:
One sister called every week to check on me, but even she has stopped. My husband’s friends threw some money at us 8 months ago. The money is gone and so are they. I get the feeling that I’m forgotten because I’m american. I’ve even been told that I was raised differently so it’s easy. I’m american and this is the US what’s the problem. I’ve also been reminded that my mom is here so I should be thankful…. I guess by here she meant in the US, but that doesn’t do me much good considering she is 1400 miles away. I’ve also been told I should be happy he’s an ocean away. My pain has been ignored and I have been forgotten about. I don’t expect people to drop everything they are doing to help me, but I do expect a litle bit of concern and compassion. That is something, as of yet, I haven’t received.
Another exclusive Editor entry written for the readers of Ijtema. Sorry it’s been a while since the last one. Insha’Allah, we’ll try to be more regular in the future.
As Muslims, we believe in the power of prayer. That Allah hears our silent whispers; our pain-filled cries. Night or day. In public or in private. He hears us, and He helps us.
But sometimes we forget. Not even out of a sense of despair, but rather, due to a misunderstanding of the manner in which prayers are answered. Sometimes, we expect it all to be very black and white: you pray for a promotion, you get the promotion. You pray for a child, you’re granted a child.
But what happens when you don’t get what you want?
