Gaza.

In the memory of all those who died. To all those who suffer from occupation, oppression, injustice, blockade, suffocation...May the Lord be with you.

reblogged from http://farahfilasteen.tumblr.com

Hmm.

I realized that I haven't actually WRITTEN much here in awhile. This is my space and I can use it however I'd like, that's for sure, but what I want right now is some dialogue.

I need to read more.

I need delve deeper into what it means to be "humble"

I need to stop being afraid to try things I really want to do.

I need to reconnect with all my old blog friends.

I need to stop doubting myself.

"How flexible the Qur'an is, at least in minds that are not fundamentally inflexible."

I love her! some gems from this talk:

"Part of the problem I think, is that we imagine the Qur'an can be read as we usually read a book, as though we can curl up w/ it on this rainy afternoon with a bowl of popcorn within reach. As though God -and the Quran is entirely in the voice of God speaking to Muhammad(pbuh)- were just another author on the best-seller list."

on translations of the Qur'an

"the more you add, the more seems to go missing. the arabic has an incantatory, almost hypnotic quality that begs to be heard rather than read. felt more than analyzed. It wants to be chanted out loud, to sound its music on the ear, and on the tongue. So the Quran in english is sort of a shadow of itself." Sometimes I want to just read the translation, but honestly, reading the arabic aloud in addition to the translation has a soothing effect all on it's own. She continues to state that all over the Qur'an Allah (swt) has said that patience is rewarded, and thus, if we are not native arabic speakers, we should still keep at it with our translations.

What sets the Quran apart? It includes women:

"For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." (33:35)

I especially LOVE the last part about hoors. Hearing the whole swelling bosoms bit always gave me an uneasy feeling, because in a sense it seemed as if there was some sort of preference game going on here, however, we are all Allah (swt)'s creation and as Brother Ali says "these are God's fingerprints!" I like how she explained that we will be a new creation in paradise and recreated in a form uknown to us. and none of this 72 bs.

This motivated me to try harder in understanding the Qur'an, because the more I learn about it, the more subhan'Allah moments I have - and those moments can't be matched by anything else.

Peace.

And as you travel down your personal path...

Baraka Blue from Remarkable Current - I've blogged about Tyson before who is also from that label, but had no idea about BB. This is a great dua and I feel like sharing it with everyone I know - so spread it! I like that he touches upon a variety of subjects. Eloquent & sincere duas are where it's atttt.

"may your day be filled w/ love and light

may your wrongs be right

may your songs be tight

may your words give sight

may your noor shine bright

may you always be on the righteous side of the fight

may your lovers be loyal

may your soil be fertile

may your khakis stay creased

may your locks stay oiled

may your plans never get foiled

may your plot thicken

may your chicken be halal

may your style be sufficient

may your soul be free of this prison

may Allah increase you in your vision

may you find everything you been missin

may you awake for prayer before the sun has risen

when you speak may your audience listen

may you never feel trapped in the system

may you sign(?) many righteous children

who will act on Prophetic tradition

may you always have food on your plate

may you learn from every mistake

may you rise above all the hate

and may Allah increase you in your state

may you never pretend that you are what you aint

may your friends be real and never be fake

may your rent have to be never have to be late

and may your health always be great

may Allah forgive ever sin

now and forever if you falter again

and may you always stay close with your kin

and may He make all your enemies friends

may He make reality of your plans

may your present be pleasant

may you have a good end

may your heart be purified of flaws

and may you act according to the laws

that were revealed in the book of Allah

and may He catch you whenever you fall

may the One guide you to the truth

and when you doubt may He show you the proof

may you be like the ahla suf

with the wisdom of elders and energy of the youth

may He accept your prayers and your fasts

the very first to the very last

and remove obstacles you have

and may you receive everything you ask

may you never have regret for your past

and receive mercy not the wrath

and as you travel down your personal path

may you always have a reason to laugh.

"If you educate a woman, you have educated a population." - Kiganda proverb

Educational and economic empowerment of women could change conditions in the developing world. word.

snippets:

The central moral challenge of this century: gender inequity - the oppression of women and girls throughout the world.

How many of you think there are more males or females in the world?

Demographers have shown that there are more than 60 million and 100 million missing females in the current population.

Some reasons for this:

• in the last half century more girls were discriminated to death than all of the people killed in all of the battlefields in the 20th century
• sometimes because of the sonogram : girls are aborted before they are born

one of the best ways to fight poverty & terrorism is to educate girls and to bring women into the formal labor force.

Causes of Poverty:

1. overpopulation is one of the persistent causes of poverty

when you educate a girl she tends to have significantly fewer kids

2. spending (aka the dirty little secret of poverty)

not only do poor people take in very little income but they also dont spend the income they take in very wisely; most of it is spent by men. Research has shown if you look at people who live $2-a-day: 2% goes to education, 20% goes to tobacco, alchohol, sugary drinks, prosititution, & festibles. If you take 4% from this basket and put it into education there would be a huge change.

3. women are part of the solution not the problem

specific challenges:

• sex trafficking - 80,000 slaves were transported from Africa to the New World. In modern day slavery about 800,000 are traficked across international borders (not including within country borders). A slave back then was worth $40,000 - today a girl traficked can be bought for a few hundred dollars - does this make her more disposable?
• maternal mortality - in Niger 1 in 7 women can expect to die during child birth. Around the world one woman dies every 1.5 minutes. For every women that does die there are 20 that survive but left with an injury.

SOME SOLUTIONS

give girls and women education & economic opportunity!

An educated girl will get married later, will have fewer kids, and will educate in more enlightened fashion.

"the highest return on investement in the developing world is in girls' education"

there are very few things that can elevate your happiness in life research has proven that one of them is contributing to a cause larger than yourself.

We've all won the lottery of life, how do we discharge that responsibility?

5 reasons why Allah SWT tests us

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways."

2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem What do problems reveal about
you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience."

3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove.... But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something... health, money, a relationship. .. by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws."

4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...

5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of characer in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady."


Here's the point:

God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it.

But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

"Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way"

-reblogged from http://www.lessonsoftheday.com/

if you know yourself, you'll be shown your wealth

"Everything isn't a predictable occurrence
If you've experienced everything except a purpose
Then you've missed everything that was meant to be caught
Life sessions aren't lessons that can be simply taught
You gotta feel the matter, build the data
You gotta strengthen self or your shield will shatter

I've fallen down but I got up friend
Fell twice
Three times
Got up again and again
And again, it's nobodies but my own it didn't end
You only don't win when you give in

Exercise knowledge to increase your wealth
If you know yourself you'll be shown your wealth"
- Mindstate, Cunninglynguists

In Islam we are forbidden to lose hope: "Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve." (12.87)

We are going to be tried and tested often, but it's for our own benefit; to enter Jannah iA. Use these times of trial to get to know yourself and strengthen your character + iman (aka your shield). Don't expect to go through life like it's a breeze, it hasn't been for anyone:

"Or think you that you will enter Paradise while yet there has not come to you the like of that which came to those who died before you? Affliction and adversity befell them; they were shaken as with earthquake, till the Messenger (of Allah) and those who believe along with him said: 'When will Allah's help come?' Now surely Allah's help is near." (2.214)

But yeah, now that we are equipped with this knowledge, we should be thankful for what Allah (swt) has given us and when times get rough - make dua & power through it:

"And whatever of blessings and good thing you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help." (16.53)

Dua rarely goes unanswered, and on the rare occasion that it does, it happens for a reason as He is All-Wise and All-Knowledgeable. There are two possibilities:

1. Either Allah delays it for the appropriate time,

2. Or He may may not give it because it may not be good for us - BUT He may give us something better than that or reward us in the Hereafter.

Stethoscope-friendly Hijab

I love the versatility of the hijab. Contrary to popular belief, the hijab in no way holds my Muslimahs back from actualizing their dreams!

and it feels something like when it's Ramadan...

So put your fasting armor on. Today marks the 8th day of Dhul Hijjah meaning....Eid is in two days!! However, there's more to this month than just Eid celebrations - this is one of the four sacred months in Islam; meaning, get your act together this month because Allah (swt) has his (metaphorical) arms open extra wide. There is plenty of opportunity to correct one's faith and make up for shortcomings.

some details on this MONDAY (the 9th of Dhul Hijjah):

1.Fasting on this day is an expiation for TWO years.


It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafaah. He said, 'It
expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.'
Narrated by Muslim.

This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case
of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day
of Arafaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) did not fast on this day in Arafaah. It was narrated that he
forbade fasting on the Day of Arafaah in Arafaah.



2. It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and
pride in the people who are there:


In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased
with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: 'There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire
than the Day of Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the
angels, saying, 'What do these people want?'
It was reported from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: 'Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at
the time of Ishaa on the Day of Arafaah, about the people of Arafaah.
He says, 'Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.' Narrated
by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.




Duas for this day:
The Prophet (SAW) said: The best invocation is that of the Day of
Arafat, and the best that anyone can say is what I and the Prophets
before me have said:



Laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa
lahul-hamdu wa Huwa 'alaa kulli shay'in Qadeer.



None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no
partner. His is the dominion and His is the praise, and He is Able to
do all things.

let's get on that deen iA!

You came, too.

I came to the crowd seeking friends

I came to the crowd seeking love

I came to the crowd for understanding
I found You
I came to the crowd to weep

I came to the crowd to laugh
You dried my tears

You shared my happiness
I went from the crowd seeking You

I went from the crowd seeking me

I went from the crowd forever
You came, too
-Nikki Giovanni

I'm not sure if she is writing this to God, but that's my favorite interpretation of it. When it comes to interactions with others, I feel that you take away a little piece of everyone that you get to know and essentially that molds your personality. Throughout life we have experiences and get close to all kinds of people and sometimes that equals lasting friendships while other times it equals heart break. This comes with all kinds of emotions and wants and changes of heart and the only One who is there for us without any doubt is Allah (swt). He is the best kind of friend one could ever ask for and if you haven't yet, today. Take a second and have a chat with Him, it feels good.

Life...let's do this thing with a little bold nerve & a lotta foresight.

subhan'Allah...we honestly do get too caught up in the HERE and NOW - for the here and now, rather than for the HEREafter. I'm sure every one of these people thought they would live wayyy longer and would have time to repent for their sins, but Allah (swt) can take us at any given time. So let's purify our intentions iA.

I've been thinking lately about perhaps visiting the graveyards once a month, I've never visited graves in America, just when we go to Pakistan. But I mean, it would be a good (not so subtle) wake-up call which is what my soul is fiendin' for.

"This is the life of this world, and this is what it will do for those who seek after it." -Jesus (pbuh)

OH ps
tomorrow is the first day of the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah - the Holiest days of the year... make a game plan. do it BIG!

How To Unlock the iJannah

I love Suhaib Webb's khutbahs - did you catch the True Blood, Kobe, and Iverson references? I would move to the bay just to attend them.




"La illa ha ilillah (there is no God but God) has a profound impact on the life; it touches every aspect of the person. And the Prophet (pbuh) said to his companions, 'renew your faith' how? say, 'la illa ha ilillah' in abundance, iA you're faith will be renewed." (more on this in another post)

Step one of unlocking the iJannah: have sound faith
How to attain sound faith?
1. study the Qur'anic method of creating the believer, look at the statements of the Prophet (pbuh)
2. have good friends and good companions
3. practice, be involved in the community

May Allah (swt) protect us all from laziness and ignorance and control of our tongues.

Pakistan Floods

donate: http://www.islamic-relief.com/Emergencies-And-Appeals/1-67-pakistan-flood-emergency-appeal.aspx

Never let the hand you hold, hold you down

"Everyone's making everything up
There is no one in charge except for those
Who pretend to be
No one is coming
No one is going to
Rescue you
Mind read your needs
Know your body better than you
Always fight back.

Ask for it
Say you want it
Cherish your solitude
Take trains by yourself to places
You have never been
Sleep out alone under the stars
Learn how to drive a stick shift
Go so far away that you stop being afraid of
Not coming back.

Say no when you don't want to do something
Say yes if your instincts are strong
Even if everyone around you disagrees
Decide whether you want to be liked or admired
Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out
What you're doing here."
-Eve Ensler's Manifesta from "I Am An Emotional Creature"

Today's khutbah included a reminder that the person we mold into in these four years of college is more or less the person we're going to be for the rest of our lives. Essentially, our interactions with one another can get really dramatized seeing as we're living on our own and have our own little campus community; meaning we are prone to experiencing extremes on the popular-lonely spectrum. This can lead to potential elementary decisions if we don't take a step back and make sure we're being true to ourselves. What is being true to yourself? I don't think you can know that without taking a few minutes out of every day to contemplate the person you are aiming to become and what steps you are taking to get there. It's easy to get caught up in a multitude of things, atleast it is for me. My theory is that the key lies in remembering death often and making sure you keep that Allah (swt) connection tight - via actions and intentions. These four years aren't to be taken too lightly...don't do stupid shit.

DEEN TIGHT

"Music, considered taboo practice by many traditional Muslims, has also become one of the most prominent methods for Muslims to share their faith internationally through Muslim Hip Hop. Hip Hop is a global phenomenon reaching from the skyscraper laden skies of New York all the way to the deep deserts of Arabia and beyond. It is a subculture that transcends boundaries of language, gender, and religion. Deen Tight brings to the screen the untold story of Western Muslims struggling to find a balance between their culture and their religion.

Filmed on location with Muslim rappers, DJs, slam poets, breakdancers and a graffiti artist in concerts, recording studios, at homes and in the streets. Our story focuses on the perceived conflict between traditional religious ideals and modernity, as well as both the positives and negatives of Western Pop culture on today's Muslim youth."

Skateistan: To Live and Skate Kabul

SKATEISTAN:




photo credit to Noah Abrams.

I've been meaning to blog about this for awhile: so basically Skateistan is a co-educational, non-profit skateboarding school in Kabul, Afghanistan that teaches ollies, kickflips and boardslides to nearly 300 children a week. The program has expanded from three boards and no building to a free, co-educational skateboarding school open six days a week and boasting a 18,836-square-foot indoor skate park, funded by $600,000 in donations.

'Skateistan: To Live And Skate Kabul' trailer from grain media on Vimeo.

She was a skater girl...


why is this AWESOME?
1. It builds community. Skating is a great tool for communication. "Helps with social interaction...I think the kids were very keen to get involved with something...focusing on an activity giving them something to do that is positive. At the moment in the media there is nothing actually positive wirtten, filmed, or spoken about Afghanistan..."
2. It builds confidence and ultimately confidence = smart choices. "To become a good skateboarder, you just have to lose your fear - and they don't have any fear in the first place."
3. Girls are getting involved.
"Roughly half of Skateistan's students are female, not only notable because skateboarding is a boy-dominated sport, but also because of the plight of women in Afghanistan."

"When I'm skating I feel like a bird flying. I wish I've always had."
Hardly any of us can imagine what it's like to live in a country that has been afflicted with war for almost all of it's history. Yes, there's a lot of work that needs to get done in Afghanistan (i.e. building new infrastructure), but seriously the kids need something positive to do. Something fun to do; depression lowers productivity by like a crazy percentage. No kid should be forced to grow up so quickly, so THANK YOU Oliver Percovich, jazaks to the max.

"Not to get preachy, but at the end of the day, people are people. Culturally we may be very different but our goals are pretty much the same — we all want to be happy. No-one wants to suffer. This is why, for me, doing a trip like this is so important in the grander scheme of things. It’s that cross-cultural dialogue that will hopefully help push things in the right direction for us all." - Noah Abrams

wanna volunteer?
http://skateistan.org/international-volunteer-application

"How are you living? Sirat Al Mustaqeem" - One Be Lo

Living authentically: being true to our own evaluation of what constitutes a meaningful existence and accepting responsibility for the fact that we create our lives through the choices we make.



Lo knows what's up.

"I rock brass knuckles over my kid gloves/ Like you wake up with busted teeth, but know you felt real love." - Doomtree

"They say don't judge a book by its cover but in the US right now, as far as the Muslim community, that's exactly what they're doing."

Face the Truth: Racial Profiling Across America from Breakthrough on Vimeo.

A big thanks to Haneen O for posting this on her fbook.

Sanah

"Also, you sound super wasted, but since you are Muslim, I can only assume that you were exposed to large amounts of glue while constructing a collage for the local mosque."

My sister should really write for a TV show.

Musa & The Rock

Got this in my email this morning and it made me really excited to iA meet Allah (swt) one day. He knows us better than we know ourselves and always does things in our favor. So thank you Allah (swt) :)

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Musa was a very modest person who kept himself covered, none of his body could be seen because of his extreme modesty. Some of the Bani Isra’il annoyed him by saying, ‘He conceals himself to this extent only because of a defect in his skin, either leprosy or scrotal hernia, or some other defect,’ but Allah wished to clear him. So one day while he was alone, he took off his clothes and put them under a stone and took a bath. When he had finished taking the bath he turned towards his clothes but the stone took them and fled. Musa picked up his staff and ran after the stone, saying, ‘My garment, stone! My garment, stone.’ (He raced) till he reached a company of the Bani Isra’il who saw him naked in the most beautiful form Allah had created so they cleared him of what they used to accuse him. The stone stopped there and Musa took his garment. He began to beat the stone with his staff.”

“By Allah, the stone still has some traces of the effect of beating, three, four, or five scars. This is what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) refers to when He says: ‘O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Musa, but Allah cleared him of what they said, and he was honoured in Allah’s sight. [Surah Ahzab: 69]’” [Sahih Bukhari]

Another hadith elucidates that “the Bani Isra’il used to bathe in the nude (all together) looking at one another (shamelessly).” [Sahih Bukhari] Musa (alaihis salam) would not bathe with them because of his modesty. This hadith is very relevant to Muslims today who dress and behave modestly. They can empathize with how Musa (alaihis salam) must have felt when his modesty was ridiculed. People are accused of having either physical defects or intellectual or psychological shortcomings for dressing or behaving modestly. But modesty is from eeman while indecency and flirtatiousness are from hypocrisy.

Foolish people do not hold themselves back from causing suffering even to prophets. However, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) does not tolerate His prophets being falsely accused or annoyed. In fact, the ayat referring to this incident follows Allah’s instructions to believers regarding how they should conduct themselves with Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) since some of their actions were difficult on the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).

It is not known for a stone to pick up clothes and run with them or for a wooden stick to be able to leave scars on rock. However, everything is subject to the command of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Fire burns but when Allah ordered it, the fire turned cool for Ibraheem (alaihis salam). Poison kills man but it was panacea for Khalid bin Waleed (radi Allahu anhu) when he drank a bowl of it. It is the characteristic of water that it drowns, but a whole army of the Sahabah marched over the Dajlah (Tigris) on horseback and reached the other side.

The peculiarities of all things are subject to the commands of Allah. He created the laws that govern them and thus He, and only He, can suspend or alter these laws, which accounts for miracles. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) sometimes demonstrates the extraordinary to remind us of His power, since people get used to the miracles of existence they see around them and thus take them for granted.

From this hadith we also learn to show patience with the foolish. When they do not abstain from bothering prophets they will certainly cause distress to ordinary Muslims engaged in religious teaching. The ranks of those who show patience will be raised on account of it.

VMAs & Islam...joining forces

this aired during the VMA's:



hatred is the enemy.
ignorance is the enemy.

"From dirt back to dirt."

"In the world, people are publicized by their property, wealth and asset, and in eternity they are known by their deeds and actions." - Imam Hadi (AS)

Packing always puts the "have no attachments to dust" & "covet nothing" ideals to the test. Just finished packing for back home after spending a good seven weeks in the Pak...this was my first time coming alone and in retrospect it was just what I needed (although, it seems that a trip to Pakistan is always "just what I needed"). My extended family is an amazing support system - well most of it anyway - visiting Pakistan after two years put me back in check, alhamdulillah. In fact, this might be really dramatic, but Dessa's lyrics from Children's Work (I've learned how to paint my face/ how to earn my keep/ how to clean my kill...) are resonating with me more than ever. After the horrible floods it's become more clear to me than ever that we can't get too attached to the pomp and glitter of this world; 'cos one day we're going to leave it and the more attachments we've got, the more our souls will struggle to stay here. I really want to be one of those Rabia Basri types and be yearning to see Allah (swt) and want nothing more - still have a long way to go - but working on it. Packing was a good exercise because I kept evaluating whether I really needed something or if I could make someone else happier (stronger, faster?) with it. Realized the only things I'm REALLY attached to are my laptop and underwear. Interesting mix. Although, I must admit, headbands put up a good fight...overall, I'd give myself a B for this little session.

Surah At-Takathur definitely wins the Relevant Surah-of-the-Day Award:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

With the Glorious Name of Allah, the Most Gracious [Who has bestowed upon mankind His Guidance [10:57-58, 17:82], the Most Beneficent [Who showers His special blessings upon those who rehearse it and abide by it [7:204, 6:155].

أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ

102:1 The mutual rivalry for accumulating (more and more wealth and other worldly gains) diverts you (from the real purpose of your life)

حَتَّى زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ

102:2 Till such time that you reach your graves

كَلا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

102:3 (This is not something utterly incomprehensible. If you think of it in a dispassionate manner) you would soon come to know (how destructive this attitude is.)

ثُمَّ كَلا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

102:4 Of course you can quickly understand (the outcome of this way of life.)

كَلا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ

102:5 Nay, if you could understand (it) with an understanding of certainty

لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ

102:6 You would indeed, most surely, envision the blazing fire (as a direct consequence of this way of life)

ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ

102:7 (But if you cannot understand this by using your intellect,) then, most surely, (one day) you will behold it with eye of certainty

ثُمَّ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ

102:8 Then, on that day, you will be questioned about the bounties [the Almighty had bestowed for the nourishment of mankind, but which you collected to satisfy your own greed. You will be asked whose toils and blood it was that decorated your palaces of joy and pleasure and what right you had to usurp them (21:13)

"Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty." - Derek Zoolander

I just came across a post I wrote in Feb that I never got around to posting...it makes me nervous thinking about school and quizzes and midterms starting up in a couple of weeks. ANYWAYS the overall message of the post is good so...read on!

I'm finally getting a day of straight up lounging without any guilt; these last two weeks were chalk full of exquisitely stressful midterms and make-you-chew-your-pencil-like-it's-candy quizzes. For the past hour I've been testing out my latest belated birthday gift: Sennheiser HD 205's - whaats up Louis Armstrong, your voice sounds even more delicious through this new medium. Anyways, getting to the point...this break means time to reflect and the topic that comes up among most collegiate minds in a very Zoolander-esque manner is: "Who am I?"

Of course this self-discovery will never cease, but it's been noted that those who take some time to try to shape certain aspects of themselves rather than just "going with the flow" are much more appealing roamers of the Earth. So how do you shape yourself to be someone you want to be? Take a look at your environment and all that you're exposed to. These things shape you; you're like a sponge and all of the external factors you come across are absorbed into your head. Eventually the sponge will be less like our little, rigid Nickelodeon friend and be more like the mushy square laying atop your kitchen sink...and it will overflow. All that comes out of it is everything it took in, similar to everything that comes out of your mouth is one version or another of what your five senses have experienced.

TOP FIVE RUINERS OF YOUR COULD-BE AMAZING PERSONALITY:
1. Jersey Shore
2. Cosmo
3. the Twilight series
4. Auto-Tuners (thank you T-Pain)
5. Teenage Mom

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE ABSORBING:
1. Qur'an + legit Hadith
2. lots of Def Jam Poetry (holla all my sassy women of color!)
3. One Be Lo's S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
4. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
5. Ani Difranco.



I lovelovelove her fran(c)kness (ha ha), but really, that's an powerful quality to have...as long as it's used in an eloquent manner: "squint your eyes and look closer/ I'm not between you and your ambition/ I am a poster girl with no poster/ I am thirty-two flavors and then some."

As opposed to Snooki from Jersey Shore, who is also very frank....but whaaaat?
"I had a feeling where I wanted to make out with somebody, so, umm, I just made out with Ryder, because all the guys like that."

peace!

Muslims, Media, Magnetism(?)

Two really cool movies featuring the Muslim-American struggle:

MOOZ-lum

Fordson

"That's no Oscar Mayer bacon, you should run and tell your moms" - Kanye

Kanye gives Islam + Muslims a shoutout. Kanye is a trendsetter. Hopefully this pro-Islam sentiment will stick.

"Now everything I'm rhymin' on cause a Ramadan
Been a don, prayin' for the families lost in the storm
Bring our troops back from Iraq
keep our troops out of Iran
So the next couple bars, Ima drop them in Islam
They say As-Salamu Alaykum
say wa alaykum as-salam
That's no Oscar Mayer bacon, you should run and tell your moms
Now the question is, how we gon' stop the next Vietnam?
Keep Flex out of Korea,
'cause you know he drop bombs"

(a thanks to Imran for showing this to me - you tend to know what's up)

Profound Aesthetic

Today I came across my absolute favorite "cool Islamic wear" line! They're called Profound Aesthetic. I am normally all about Threadless tees - not so much wearing, but enjoying - but this line brings more to the table than just witty words & whimsical artWork (dang, couldn't keep that alliteration going...)

Their About Us: "Profound Aesthetic ® is a clothing brand founded on many grounds, but, principally behind the bona fide love of two things: everything art and the love of wisdom. It is a creative outlet of expression that carries weight with tremendous metaphoric connotation, delivered to the masses through the universal language of art.
Designed to inspire and spark innovation, each piece is carefully thought out to depict not only a visually appealing garment but also a powerful concept. This distinct combination defines the brilliance of The Profound Aesthetic Movement. Rendering a positive message, pushing the limits of intellectual creativity to fit an eclectic taste in fashion and mind. The result is a distinguished t-shirt that transcends all boundaries, suitable for every citizen of humanity. Come join the Profound Aesthetic Movement."

Excited?? here's a link to their site http://www.profoundaesthetic.com heads up: this is probably the most well-made site you'll ever come across.

two of the concepts that I especially liked:

"A bold statement which beautifully encompasses a positive attitude. "Shoot for Stars, Peace and Exclusive Cars." Success is measured in many different ways to many different people. Whether it's having the ability to attain material possessions or just an overall feeling of being content, we believe that being successful is a state of mind. Reach for the stars, while keeping your feet grounded; obtain peace, first within your heart while allowing that positive energy to reach every individual you encounter, and, well, exclusive cars are just one way to enjoy the finer things in life and a reward for hard work. Work hard, play hard. Live life to the fullest."


"A bold statement by one of the most famous poets of all time: Rumi, an individual who spoke about love in every format known to man. In his work, he said it best, "Fi hi ma fi hi" translated as, "It Is What It Is". Sometimes in life you must accept things for what they are, learn to change the things you have control on and excel at everything you do. This statement is powerful, not a sense of hopelessness but a way to reflect on the way things have been gifted to man. Life is beautiful. Make it count."




If you like what you see, tell your friends, let's help these clever entrepreneurs keep doin' what they're doin' iA!

Chill Yo, Islam Yo

[This is the Official Chill Yo, Islam Yo t-shirt...BEST. it makes me happy, like when Brother Ali says "then that's peace" in Forest Whitaker - more on that later.]

9.11.2010

RIP all the innocent lives that have been lost senselessly during 9/11 and in Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Gaza

Goodbye, Ramadan

"Life is a constantly morphing thing. Just when you think you know where it's all headed you wake up the next morning to a completely different view. The landscape has changed along with the seasons, but the trees are the same trees, only your view has changed. So you try to cling to the old things that used to comfort you, clinging to the familiar, but they provide little or no solace. The fears do not subside. At this point we have no choice but to surrender to the unknown.

that is where the real beauty lies.

It is not in the knowing, the familiar, the expected. But in the embracing of the unknown. a willingness to walk down a new path and to trust that everything is as it should be. perfect. as it is.

Schopenhauer said,"When you look back on your life, it looks as though it were a plot, but when you are into it, it's a mess: just one surprise after another. Then, later, you see it was perfect."

Sometimes there are little glimpses of the perfection, amidst the mess. It is at those times we feel blessed beyond measure." - Keri Smith from The Wish Jar Journal

Here's to a new year...post-Ramadan. Tomorrow might to be the last day of Ramadan 1431 (2010)...I'll miss you my dear friend, you are where the perfection felt more possible :( but hey, we can take whatever we got from this month (or didn't due to poor planning or laziness) and keep goin' with it (or get started on it & make it happen) for the rest of the year iA.

"We all tryin' to get to where the sufferin' ends" - Lupe Fiasco

"There are hundreds of paths up the mountain,
all leading in the same direction,
so it doesn't matter which path you take.
The only one wasting time is the one
who runs around and around the mountain,
telling everyone that his or her path is wrong."
-Hindu teaching

From Manhattan to...Madera?

(^a Banksy production)

'Mosque hate crime: An article in Sunday's Section A about a hate crime at a Madera, Calif., mosque omitted the attribution for a quote. It was Marciela Garcia, the receptionist for Dr. Muhammad Anwar, who said: "I've seen these Muslim doctors help people who have no money, no health insurance; start free clinics; run food drives. Dr. Anwar is my boss, my friend and a caring person. I feel like I would lay down my life for him. But what do you say and who do you say it to?" '
[read the whole article here]

This occurred right by my hometown and I've known all the aforementioned doctors for 10+ years. They are all big players in the community service sector. Madera is exactly as the article stated a "Central California farm town with laid-back ways" and also about as far as you can get from Manhattan in every respect, but the Park51 tensions apparently had no trouble at all covering the distance. The current mindset of most Americans towards Muslims is troubling...but we cannot play the victims. Imagine if the Prophet (pbuh) had played the victim when the Quraysh tribes were in hostile opposition to him...we probably wouldn't even have the religion of Islam. What if he had decided that there was NO way that anyone would ever come to the religion and that it was better to just not mingle with anyone that objected his teachings? Instead, in as little as twenty-three years, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam and is now the second-largest religion in the world...people were inspired by the Prophet's honest, merciful, compassionate, and brave character. These days we as Muslims act too radically towards people who do stuff we do not approve of (burning of Qur'an, protesting at mosques, drawing pictures of the prophet) - instead of retaliating in the same fashion as the agitators, we should set an example as Muslims to be calm and composed. By acting angrily and aggressively we're doing the opposite of what the Qur'an and Prophet's example teach. What kind of message are we sending about Islam to the average American?

Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbors to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbor" [At-Tirmidhi].

How many of us have invited our non-Muslim friends over for an iftar and explained to them what Ramadan is all about? Or aside from Ramadan, just made an effort to get to know our neighbors? Or volunteering your time at a local shelter? Or really just partaking in anything the greater community is involved in - beyond just the Muslim community? By staying in our own little "safety-bubbles" we aren't doing any justice to our religion. Right now, more than ever, the notion of "Islam" in America needs a makeover, makeoverrr. As Tariq Ramadan stated "It is urgent to stop blaming the 'society-that-does-not-like-us' or 'islamophobia' or 'racism'...That such phenomena exist cannot be denied, but Muslims must tackle them by getting involved as citizens and by fighting against injustice, racism, discrimination, populist stigmatization discourse, and hypocrisies."

Another flaw of the "safety-bubble" is that most of us have taken on the persona of the"silent type." Yes, mysterious can be attractive, but not in this situation; where the livelihoods of so many Muslims are on the line. When people are talking about Muslims in a negative fashion, being an example yourself as a good Muslim isn't enough...we should voice our knowledge on matters regarding misinterpretation of Qur'anic teachings due to the media.

"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards East or West; but it is righteousness―to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans for the needy, for the wayfarer for those who ask and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth the Allah-fearing." - (Quran 2:177)

^That's what makes a Muslim...If through your actions and words you show what being a Muslim is all about; that the freedoms this Country was founded on reflect true Muslim values, who wouldn't stand up for Islam?

Eloquence & Common Sense

Sometimes it's hard to find the right words to say in any given situation, but we get keys & hints from literature we read or things we hear on TV/radios. SOMETIMES we don't get enough Islamic dialogue in our everyday lives...so when it comes time to converse with Allah (swt) duas can start to feel really mediocre. Of course #1 would be to figure out how to get more savvy in utilizing the Qur'an and hadith. And in the meantime, here are 30 Duas for Ramadan I found via an iPhone app. Yeah...Ramadan is almost over :( but these can totally be used year-round and act as a good stencil:

DAY 1

ALLAH, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in prayer (obediently), awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the sinners.

DAY 2

ALLAH, on this day, take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur’an), by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

DAY 3

ALLAH, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretension, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

DAY 4

ALLAH, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your remembrance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

DAY 5

ALLAH, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

DAY 6

ALLAH, on this day, do not let me abase myself by incurring Your disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who desire.

DAY 7

ALLAH, on this day, help me with its fasts and prayers, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I remember You continuously through the day, by Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray.

DAY 8

ALLAH, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the noble-minded, O the shelter of the hopeful.

DAY 9

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share from Your mercy which is wide, guide me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all encompassing pleasure, by Your love, O the hope of the desirous.

DAY 10

ALLAH, on this day, make me, among those who rely on You, from those who You consider successful, and place me among those who are near to you, by Your favor, O goal of the seekers.

DAY 11

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire, by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help

DAY 12

ALLAH, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.

DAY 13

ALLAH, on this day, purify me from un-cleanliness and dirt, make me patient over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to be pious, and keep company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of the destitute.

DAY 14

ALLAH, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make me decrease mistakes and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions and troubles, by Your honor, O the honor of the Muslims.

DAY 15

O Allah, on this day, grant me the obedience of the humble, expand my chest through the repentance of the humble, by Your security, O the shelter of the fearful.

DAY 16

ALLAH, on this day, grant me compatibility with the good, keep me away from patching up with the evil, lead me in it, by Your mercy, to the permanent abode, by Your Godship, O the God of the worlds.

DAY 17

ALLAH, on this day, guide me towards righteous actions, fulfill my needs and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor questions, O One who knows what is in the chests of the (people of the) world. Bless Muhammad and his family, the Pure.

DAY 18

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of Hell], by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help.

DAY 19

ALLAH, on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and ease my path towards its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of its good deeds, O the Guide towards the clear truth.

DAY 20

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of the heavens, and lock the doors of Hell from me, help me to recite the Qur’an, O the One who sends down tranquility into the hearts of believers.

DAY 21

ALLAH, on this day, show me the way to win Your pleasure, do not let Shaytan have a means over me, make Paradise an abode and a resting place for me, O the One who fulfills the requests of the needy.

DAY 22

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of Your Grace, send down on me its blessings, help me towards the causes of Your mercy, and give me a place in the comforts of Paradise, O the one who answers the call of the distressed.

DAY 23

ALLAH, on this day, wash away my sins, purify me from all flaws, examine my heart with (for) the piety of the hearts, O One who overlooks the shortcomings of the sinners.

DAY 24

ALLAH, on this day, I ask You for what pleases You, and I seek refuge in You from what displeases You, I ask You to grant me the opportunity to obey You and not disobey You, O One who is generous with those who ask

DAY 25

ALLAH, on this day, make me among those who love Your friends, and hate Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet, O the Guardian of the hearts of the Prophets.

DAY 26

ALLAH, on this day, make my efforts worthy of appreciation, and my sins forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, O the best of those who hear.

DAY 27

ALLAH, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, change my affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept my apologies, and decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the Compassionate with His righteous servants.

DAY 28

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share in its nawafil (recommended prayers), honor me by attending to my problems, make closer the means to approach You, from all the means, O One who is not preoccupied by the requests of the beseechers.

DAY 29

O ALLAH, on this day, cover me with Your mercy, grant me in it success and protection, purify my heart from the darkness of false accusations, O the Merciful to His believing servants.

DAY 30

O ALLAH, on this day, make my fasts worthy of appreciation and acceptance, according to what pleases You, and pleases the Messenger, the branches being strengthened by the roots, for the sake of our leader, Muhammad, and his purified family. Praise be to ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds.

To read these duas in Arabic click here