This is something I wrote earlier this year.
The last thing I wanted at the time was to be judged by anyone on any "Side of the argument"....So it patiently waited in my Inbox...until now..At the time I was worried it wasn't complete. It wasn't perfect...It wasn't written to the best of my ability. But as I was clearing my inbox from all unneccessary garbage, I came upon it again...and I realized the message is in the medium in this case. So hopefully it benefits someone out there in the webbernets.
Here ya go. completely unedited. me.
Salaam Aleikum wa rahmatullahi barakatu
contemplation
youth
Joy
Happiness
Freedom
Beauty
values
success
Love
Selflessness
Sadness
Loneliness
Submission....
anger......
I like to think that to define ourselves, we should first define our own concept of words...(of course, it goes without saying that you should already know the proper definition.)
What dreams and realities do we consider when we start to build our "selves" ?
My personal journey to define the word faith started before I was even aware of it.
I know that I long for peace...in times of happiness and hardship. In Life and Death.
Awareness and acceptance that you can't understand something bigger than yourself is Faith. It's submission to Allah (God)...the definition of a muslim.
Islam encompasses my definition of faith in itself.
So far, I've come to understand that Faith does not enjoin itself entirely with reason
or emotion..Faith is a human factor that is obvious when observing the
miracle of any simple thing in this dunya (physical world) that any reflective person can question. But that's another blog entry I suppose..
Despite the fact that I have already decided to define my faith, I am not ashamed to allow my curiosity grow to supplement my definition. What I have just written is still raw in my mind. Impurities in my writing progression have not been scraped off the surface..but I hope with an open mind you can at least understand my humble, humble message.
I'm always learning...and not perfect.
All praises are due to Allah and any mistakes are mine.
cm
April 29, 2010
April 28, 2010
Intention....
AsSalaamu Aleikum all,
I just thought this might be beneficial Insha'Allah....
It is not written by me nor do I claim it in any way..Just want to share something that made me think...which is rare these days... hahaha just kidding!
Praise be to Allaah.
Intention (niyyah) is an important matter, as it is the spirit of deeds through which deeds become valid, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions and each person will have but that which he intended.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1) and Muslim (1907).
The intention turns permissible deeds into acts or worship, hence we should pay attention to it and make it for the sake of Allaah, free from any element of showing off.
It should be noted that intentions are of two types:
1 – Obligatory intention, without which an act of worship is not valid, such as the intention in doing wudoo’, praying, paying zakaah, fasting and doing Hajj. This intention is something that no one can do without. If a person does wudoo’ to pray, touch the Mus-haf or in order to be pure (taahir), he has formed the intention. Intending to pray or intending to remove impurity is forming the intention when doing wudoo’.
When a man stands to pray, knowing that this is Zuhr prayer, for example, and he intends to offer the prayer and gets up to do it it, then he has formed the intention. It is not essential – and in fact it is not prescribed – to say out loud, “I intend to pray Zuhr prayer” etc, as some people do. This was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the place for the intention is in the heart.
Similarly, if a person decides at night that he will fast on the following day, then he has formed the intention of fasting. In fact, his eating sahoor shows that he is intending to fast.
It is difficult for a person to forget to form the intention in such cases.
2 – The second type of intention is that which is mustahabb in order to attain reward. This is what some people forget, which is to keep the intention in mind when doing permissible things, so that they will be acts of worship, such as eating, drinking and sleeping with the intention of strengthening oneself to do acts of worship, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You will never spend anything that you spend for the sake of Allaah, but you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you put in your wife’s mouth.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (56).
Mu’aadh (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4088).
He (may Allaah be pleased with him) sought reward for his sleep just as he sought reward for his getting up to pray at night, because he intended by sleeping to gain strength to do acts of worship.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said in al-Fath: What this means is that he sought reward by resting just as he sought reward by striving, because if the intention in resting is to enable one to do acts of worship, one attains reward. End quote.
What helps to keep this intention in mind is deliberating, thinking and not being hasty. So you should think about what you are intending to do, take stock of yourself before acting, think about whether it is halaal or haraam, then look at your intention: what do you want from this? Every time you take stock of yourself and think before acting, this will remind you about forming the intention, until it becomes second nature and a habit that you adopt, so that you will not enter or exit, eat or drink, give or withhold, without having an intention in doing so, thus most of your time will become times of worship.
We ask Allaah to help us and you to do that.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
I just thought this might be beneficial Insha'Allah....
It is not written by me nor do I claim it in any way..Just want to share something that made me think...which is rare these days... hahaha just kidding!
Praise be to Allaah.
Intention (niyyah) is an important matter, as it is the spirit of deeds through which deeds become valid, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions and each person will have but that which he intended.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1) and Muslim (1907).
The intention turns permissible deeds into acts or worship, hence we should pay attention to it and make it for the sake of Allaah, free from any element of showing off.
It should be noted that intentions are of two types:
1 – Obligatory intention, without which an act of worship is not valid, such as the intention in doing wudoo’, praying, paying zakaah, fasting and doing Hajj. This intention is something that no one can do without. If a person does wudoo’ to pray, touch the Mus-haf or in order to be pure (taahir), he has formed the intention. Intending to pray or intending to remove impurity is forming the intention when doing wudoo’.
When a man stands to pray, knowing that this is Zuhr prayer, for example, and he intends to offer the prayer and gets up to do it it, then he has formed the intention. It is not essential – and in fact it is not prescribed – to say out loud, “I intend to pray Zuhr prayer” etc, as some people do. This was not narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and the place for the intention is in the heart.
Similarly, if a person decides at night that he will fast on the following day, then he has formed the intention of fasting. In fact, his eating sahoor shows that he is intending to fast.
It is difficult for a person to forget to form the intention in such cases.
2 – The second type of intention is that which is mustahabb in order to attain reward. This is what some people forget, which is to keep the intention in mind when doing permissible things, so that they will be acts of worship, such as eating, drinking and sleeping with the intention of strengthening oneself to do acts of worship, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You will never spend anything that you spend for the sake of Allaah, but you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel of food that you put in your wife’s mouth.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (56).
Mu’aadh (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I sleep and I get up (to pray at night), and I seek reward for my sleep as I seek reward for my getting up. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (4088).
He (may Allaah be pleased with him) sought reward for his sleep just as he sought reward for his getting up to pray at night, because he intended by sleeping to gain strength to do acts of worship.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar said in al-Fath: What this means is that he sought reward by resting just as he sought reward by striving, because if the intention in resting is to enable one to do acts of worship, one attains reward. End quote.
What helps to keep this intention in mind is deliberating, thinking and not being hasty. So you should think about what you are intending to do, take stock of yourself before acting, think about whether it is halaal or haraam, then look at your intention: what do you want from this? Every time you take stock of yourself and think before acting, this will remind you about forming the intention, until it becomes second nature and a habit that you adopt, so that you will not enter or exit, eat or drink, give or withhold, without having an intention in doing so, thus most of your time will become times of worship.
We ask Allaah to help us and you to do that.
And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
April 27, 2010
Link for my Sisters
AsSalaamu Aleikum
Insha'Allah this link is beneficial to my sisters.
http://operationbeautiful.com/release-form/20-ways-to-love-your-body/
Insha'Allah this link is beneficial to my sisters.
http://operationbeautiful.com/release-form/20-ways-to-love-your-body/
Another old poem
Seemingly
We have planted seeds
As your steady hand packs
My wavering one slips
And spills the seeds
Handfuls of seeds
That would have bloomed colorfully
But it appears
The seeds have been devoured
By the tiny black insects that crawl the earth
Foolishly I spilled the seeds
And fed these pests to their indulgence
Fed them until they tauntingly died
with the seeds still in their bodies.
We have planted seeds
As your steady hand packs
My wavering one slips
And spills the seeds
Handfuls of seeds
That would have bloomed colorfully
But it appears
The seeds have been devoured
By the tiny black insects that crawl the earth
Foolishly I spilled the seeds
And fed these pests to their indulgence
Fed them until they tauntingly died
with the seeds still in their bodies.
Here's something I was and am still Proud of..
Tricks up your sleeve
Smiling kings and queens
Never reach my pair
Smirking and silent
The king unsheathes his sword
And gently slides it on my flesh
Thick wet blood
Is borne from my pair
Veins bleed down my face
As I close my eyes and regret
The cards I laid on the table.
Smiling kings and queens
Never reach my pair
Smirking and silent
The king unsheathes his sword
And gently slides it on my flesh
Thick wet blood
Is borne from my pair
Veins bleed down my face
As I close my eyes and regret
The cards I laid on the table.
April 21, 2010
hmm
Salaam Aleikum everyone,
I just want readers to know I'm still committed to this blog.
Will write soon.
Hope everyone is happy and safe.
peace,
cm
I just want readers to know I'm still committed to this blog.
Will write soon.
Hope everyone is happy and safe.
peace,
cm
April 05, 2010
To my fellow converts Part I:
AsSalaamu Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu.
*Disclaimer* In no way am I an expert on the human condition, nor am I even close to having the knowlege to judge or analyze it. What I am about to write are simply observations relevant to my experiences.*
As converts to Islam (Insha'Allah), there are so many factors to consider while increasing our knowledge of the deen. In my opinion, it is almost impossible to acheive a strong foundation of Islam if a convert does not have a proper support group. This means having muslims around them that fear Allah (SWT). Fearing Allah (SWT) means that their every action, word, and breath is filled with Ihsan, making them the best of examples after our beloved prophet (PBUH).
From An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith:
Hadith 2
On the authority of Omar, who said: "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah upon him, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of travel were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, rested his knees against his knees and placed his palms on his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him said, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah (alms), fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadr), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Omar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion." [Muslim]
- - - - - -
Converts to Islam face culture clashes, judgement, fitna, loneliness, bewilderment, etc etc. Although this may seem like a depressing subject, I only wish to address them to benefit our ummah Insha'Allah wa Ta'ala. Our big Muslim family.
Being and becoming a Muslim in the west is a huge responsibility. How does a convert find a balance between their entire life's conditioning and their new muslim life when listening to advice? Indeed, becoming a muslim is easy Alhamdulillah. It's what happens after this new life has begun.
Until Next time,
Peace.
cm
*Disclaimer* In no way am I an expert on the human condition, nor am I even close to having the knowlege to judge or analyze it. What I am about to write are simply observations relevant to my experiences.*
As converts to Islam (Insha'Allah), there are so many factors to consider while increasing our knowledge of the deen. In my opinion, it is almost impossible to acheive a strong foundation of Islam if a convert does not have a proper support group. This means having muslims around them that fear Allah (SWT). Fearing Allah (SWT) means that their every action, word, and breath is filled with Ihsan, making them the best of examples after our beloved prophet (PBUH).
From An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith:
Hadith 2
On the authority of Omar, who said: "While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah upon him, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of travel were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, rested his knees against his knees and placed his palms on his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him said, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay the zakah (alms), fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadr), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Omar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion." [Muslim]
- - - - - -
Converts to Islam face culture clashes, judgement, fitna, loneliness, bewilderment, etc etc. Although this may seem like a depressing subject, I only wish to address them to benefit our ummah Insha'Allah wa Ta'ala. Our big Muslim family.
Being and becoming a Muslim in the west is a huge responsibility. How does a convert find a balance between their entire life's conditioning and their new muslim life when listening to advice? Indeed, becoming a muslim is easy Alhamdulillah. It's what happens after this new life has begun.
Until Next time,
Peace.
cm
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