مجلة المسلمات الجميالت الملتزمات
mercy & forgiveness
Photograph: Ingrid Perlstrom | Dreamstime.com
In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah SWT has said: O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.
ةذحلا وذ
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Contents
November 2010
5 ways to find forgiveness - page 3 poem: rebirth - page 3 editor's letter - page 4 hijab is cool - page 6 boost your marraige - page 6 poem dedication: going - page 7 Q&A with halal culinary expert, yvonne maffei, from mhk- page 9 Italian-inspired fall desserts - page 10 5 tips for new college students - page 12 visiting the sick - page 14 mercy & forgiveness - page 15 how the Prophet (SAW) would complain - page 17 for our french readers: fais prevue de clemence! - page 18 hakim and leila : remember Allah - page 20 quran challenge - surah al-bayinnah - page 22
Copyright Modest Beautiful MuslimaŠ Magazine 2009-2010. Reproduction or redistribution of anything from MBM requires proper credit to be given.
5 Ways to Find Forgiveness BY NADIA ALI
1\DISSOLVE THE ANGER - Ghadab “If they then repent, it will be better for them, but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful torment in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. And there is none for them on earth as a Wali (supporter, protector) or a helper.”
~ At-Tawbah 9:74
Feeling anger towards someone can harm your health, ruin your career, destroy your marriage and hinder your family life. After all, shouting and yelling can never be a good thing. Excessive anger, however, is considered unlawful in Islam because it causes resentment and confrontation. There is a Hadith that advises you to dissolve your anger within 3-days and be the bigger person by initiating conversation and forgiveness.
Have you ever made a mistake, knowingly or unknowingly? Said something in the heat of the moment and then regretted it? The 2\BE PATIENT - Sabr Patience is one of the best virtues a Muslim can have. We are truth is we all have committed some type of sin, but sometimes all tested in some form or manner through good and bad mistakes can get us into big trouble and creates undesired times. If, for example, someone persists in doing something situations that can lead to distance and even loosing a friend. you asked them not to do, you should exercise patience. By believing in the faith of Allah SWT, we are able to get through So, what can we do? Forgive? It may not be easy but to excuse or these moments without uttering unkind words or getting angry. The Prophet (SAW) said that “patience and forgiveto pardon is all we must do. *** ALHAMDULILAH, FORGIVENESS IS ONLY A PRAYER AWAY. WITH SINCERE REPENTENCE, EVEN THE GREATEST OF SINS CAN BE WIPED AWAY, INSHA’ALLAH. ***
Rebirth* BY MARIAM AL-KALBY
Forgiveness is another chance. A rebirth. An opportunity to grab life by the saddle and gallop towards the sins that outline the sea in foam, washing the soul in repentance. InshaAllah, Allah will forgive when we forgive others; unlatch the heart and allow forgiving to be a smooth touch to the soul. Our sins will melt— a wick in a puddle of wax.
ness are among the things recommended by Allah and those who pay heed to this will never lose.”
3\HEAL THE HATRED - Al’Afuw Hatred is a negative energy that traps spite in our hearts. It causes us to waste time by obsessing about how to take action in return for a hurt or injury caused or it puts a choke hold on moving on by holding onto a grudge. Instead of plotting, learn to forgive the person each day until the spite has been erased. The Prophet (SAW) forgave his worst enemies.
4\REBUILD THE RELATIONSHIP – Silat-ur-Rahm All relationships are important to maintain but when it comes to family relations it is an Islamic obligation. Do not allow situations to be left for too long to create distances in relationships that are difficult to approach or revisit. Do not opt for simply avoiding the situation by disowning that family member – leaving the room, not attending family functions or not having anything to do with them. Severing family ties is cursed by Allah (SAW). Instead, be polite and be civil, even if that relative is distant, corrupt or a non-Muslim.
5\SEEK FORGIVENESS - Al-Istighfaar, Taubah It is so easy to find faults with other people. "Just look at what they did?" "Did you hear what they said!" But when it comes to oneself, we tend to over look our own faults. It does indeed take two to create a situation. No matter how innocent we think we are, we must look objectively. We can do this by asking ourselves if we provoked or aggravated the situation in some way, knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, intentionally or unintentionally. Acknowledge your fault and seek sincere forgiveness. Al Qur’an states “Ask your Lord for forgiveness and then turn in repentance to Him..." (11:3)
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From the Editor
Bism Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatu May the peace & mercy of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala be on you.
Dear MBM Readers, In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah SWT has said: “O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it”. This is beautiful beyond words and is just one of the many examples of Allah’s ultimate kindness and forgiveness towards us as His creation. It clearly represents Allah’s welcoming nature towards us. It is such an absolute statement without any limitations. Everyone wants Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. We would be foolish not to want it. We would be even more foolish to want it but not to work for it—especially since Allah SWT clearly lets us know that His mercy is always there. He continuously invites us to his mercy. He does not hold grudges the way that human beings do, which is clearly evident when He says, “I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind.” Keep in mind that in most places that Allah SWT broadcasts his infinite mercy, He does not pinpoint any specific sins. Many times, individuals are afraid to seek Allah’s forgiveness because they feel like they have transgressed so far to a point of no return. Allah SWT has made it evident that He is the most forgiving and merciful. We must believe this because He understands our nature—He created it—which is perhaps why He has ultimate mercy for us. This is evident in the comforting way that He invites us to His forgiveness and mercy: “And seek Allah’s forgiveness. Certainly, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Surat al-Muzzammil 73:20). We also want to keep in mind that we must seek Allah’s forgiveness. So many times, individuals want to paint Islam as a dark and unforgiving religion. There is no doubt that there are some very harsh ayat in the Qur’an. However, we must realize that Allah SWT has many different attributions that each serve a specific purpose and that they are all in balance. We must also realize that every ayah has very strong roots. The Qur’an was revealed over a 23 year period, which enhances its already dynamic nature. If Allah SWT had decreed for the Qur’an to be revealed all in one shot, He could have certainly done that. That means that there is wisdom behind the nature of how the Qur’an was ascended to us. From this, one can derive many different things. For me personally, I think the way in
which the Qur’an was revealed to our beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) contributes to the fact that each ayah and each word in the Qur’an is multi-dimensional and dynamic. Every ayah has tafsir (explanation), which our beloved scholars have provided us with. Every ayah has its historical significance. Certain ayahs were revealed as a direct response to a human experience, which are stories and narratives that we—fourteen hundred years later—still have access to. Certain ayahs tie together with other ayahs and cannot be truly comprehended by themselves. This is exactly why it is so easy to twist and manipulate the ayat of the Qur’an. The Qur’an has been twisted both by those against Islam, as well as by those who claim to preach Islam, while they are really just manipulating the Qur’an for their own personal agendas. Even with this corruption, the truth will always shine though, as Allah SWT has promised us protection of the message. No promise can be better fulfilled than the promise of our Creator, because—after all—he is the Creator of promises. In Surah az-Zumar, ayah 53, Allah SWT tells our beloved Prophet (SAW) to: “Say: "Oh 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is OftForgiving, Most Merciful.” This ayah is ridiculously beautiful. Allah SWT is speaking to two people in this ayah. He is speaking to the da’i (one who calls others to Islam) as well as those who have transgressed. In this case, the da’i is our beloved Prophet SAW. However, we should also apply this to ourselves, since our goal should be to follow the Sunnah (teachings) of our beloved. More importantly, Allah SWT is so gracefully inviting those who have transgressed. What is even more beautiful is how He addresses them as “Ibâdî” which translates to “My slaves”. Allah SWT has used this same name more than once in the Qur’an to address our beloved Prophet SAW. This is really saying something when he uses this same name to describe those who have transgressed. Also, one can notice that he addresses those “who have transgressed against themselves”. He does not say that they have transgressed against Him. This is truly beautiful and it really shows Allah SWT’s merciful and loving nature. Ustadh (teacher) Nouman Ali Khan does a beautiful job speaking about this ayah in the following YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CYyfiEMNBk In this issue, we have alhamdulilah focused on looking at Allah’s mercy and forgiveness in a very positive sense. InshaAllah the greatest accomplishment of this issue would be for us all to reflect. Even if we are not in a tough position, we should still seek Allah’s forgiveness. Even if we are on the straight path, we must still cultivate our relationship with him, bi’ithnAllah. I would like to leave you with the following hadith, because I do think it is very important. As Muslims, we are responsible for our footprints anywhere we go, and towards anyone we encounter: Narrated Jarir bin 'Abdullah: "Allah's Apostle said, 'Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.'" As always, enjoy the issue. Please keep all the great feedback and support coming through. May Allah SWT reward you all.
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu, Sister Yasmin Essa
Photograph: Dreamstock | Dreamstime.com
Hijab Is Cool
BY MINAHIL KUREISHY I never thought I would end up wearing hijab. It turns out that I was wrong. Hijab does not define how religious I am. However, it does say that I am a Muslim. Wearing hijab helps me dress modestly and keep me in check. Being a Muslim hijabi girl in a public junior high school is not always easy though. At first when I started wearing hijab, it was very difficult. Then one day, I thought of it as just another accessory to my outfit. I could express myself with my hijab. Different colors of hijab for my various moods or a new style for the different days of the week. People started seeing me differently too. I earned more respect with hijab. I received random acts of kindness and many compliments for my many hijabs. Every once in a while people would ask me where I bought my “scarves”. Everyone saw me for me. There are things we encounter everyday. At school, I see girls mingling and interacting physically with boys. The girls wear short, tight clothes, so my attire definitely makes me stand out of the crowd. I also choose to keep interaction with the opposite gender to a minimum. It may not seem cool to walk around with full-length pants and long-sleeve shirts in warm weather. Nevertheless, I hold my head up high and walk past the staring eyes. I am proud to be a Muslim. Allah (SWT) is watching me. It is not the best feeling when everyone stares at you like you are an alien or something. You may feel like an outcast at times with
the snickering behind your back or due to the looks and comments to your face. I get through it though. Anytime I am at school or at the mall I think of my family and friends and everyone that cares about me and supports me. It feels so comforting to know that someone is there for you, especially when you are feeling down and uncomfortable. Most importantly, make sure to remember that Allah is always with us. Sometimes I feel like I want to be like the other kids at school, but then I ask myself why? Is being the most popular girl at school going to get me into college? No college application is going to request the degree of my popularity. I do want to get into a good college inshaAllah, but my ultimate goal is to please Allah and get into Jannah. The key is to live life as good, exemplary Muslims. Hijab is a small way to feel proud as a Muslim for me.
*** Minahil Kureishy is an eighth grader from Dallas, Texas. She is the youngest in her family and has two older brothers. She has been wearing hijab for two years now and enjoys finding cool new ways to style it with her outfits. She loves spending time with friends and family.
Boost your marriage BY FATIMA KHAN These tips are so simple to implement yet result in such beautiful, long-lasting results. Guaranteed! (inshaAllah) "Bismillah. If this were my only chance to share a relationship tip with sisters, I would sincerely tell you that the best thing you can wear for your husband is your smile. Greet him with a warm smile when he comes home, turn to him with an open smile when he calls out to you, give him a reassuring smile while he is doing or saying something that is difficult for him. Allah ‘azza wa jal created spouses to find repose in one another, your smile is that first step towards a permanent home in his heart bi’thnillah.” Brought to you every month by talented Marriage Coach, Fatima Khan Visit Fatima at www.LifePepper.org Image Credit: Bruce Amos | Dreamstime.com
Going.
I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. What was that? You are old enough to drive? It‟s okay. Here are the keys to your new car. I‟ll sit in shotgun. Don‟t forget, you will always be my little baby girl.
BY TAYYABA SYED
Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your father‟s arms. I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. When did you learn to walk? It‟s okay. I‟ll hold your hand. You will always be my little baby girl. Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your Abu‟s arms. I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. What did you say? When did you learn to talk? It‟s okay. I understand you. Rest assured, you will always be my little baby girl. Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your dad‟s arms. I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. What? You‟re a big girl now? When did you learn to read and write? It‟s okay. Here is a pen and paper. Remember, you will always be my little baby girl. Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your Abu‟s arms.
Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your daddy‟s arms. I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. Huh? You‟re ready for college? It‟s okay. Go then and make me proud. Become someone great. By the way, you‟re still my little baby girl. Where are going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? It‟s okay. You are safe in your Abu‟s arms. I know you are just a little baby still who needs her father. Did I hear that right? You want to get married? It‟s okay. You‟re choice is my choice. You‟re going to your new home now? I just want to remind you that you‟re still my little baby girl. Where are you going, my little baby girl? Where are you going, my daughter? Please keep me safe in your arms. Your father is getting old and sick. Your father needs you now. Is that a tear? It‟s okay. My time is near. You are still my little baby girl, though. I am going now, my little baby girl. I am going now, my daughter. Don‟t worry. You know I will always be your father, your dad, your Abu.
GOINGcontinued Image Credit: Wendy Brown | Dreamstime.com
Parents are like trees that give their children shade. This is dedicated to my father Shahid Syed (1941-2009), who witnessed his kids grow up but always saw us as his little babies. I love you and miss you so much, Abu. May Allah grant you the highest level of Jannah ameen.
Allah (swt) says: “Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents…” (Qur‟an 4:36)
TAYYABA S. SYED A wife, mother, and writer. She is also a certified substitute teacher and teaches on a part-time basis. She has written for numerous publications including the *Chicago Crescent Newspaper*, *Azizah Magazine*, and *Muslim Quarterly Magazine*. She has been featured on air with National Public Radio's "Speaking of Faith" program as well as Soundvision's Radio Islam. She also does public speaking on marriage and family for Muslim women. She is a lead volunteer for the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) as well as Camp Busy Bees in Illinois. She finds inspiration for her work through her wonderful family and community.
Visit her blog at www.tayyabasyed.blogspot.com
*Special Feature*
Q&A with Halal Culinary Expert, Yvonne Maffei from My Halal Kitchen! Photo courtesy Halal culinary expert, Yvonne Maffei
I picked up some nice bitter melon (the bumpy, „small‟ type), and I want to try something besides a simple stir fry dish. Do you have any suggestions? I usually just remove seeds/pith and cut into "moons" or thin "coins" and toss with some thinly sliced lamb or chicken, etc. Question:
Yvonne says: You could stuff the melons with ground beef and your favorite seasonings and rice and then steam for about 20-30 minutes. That's a bit different from stir-fry :)
Question: Can you recommend a good Middle Eastern cookbook?
I recommend “A Book of Middle Eastern Food” by Claudia Roden and “The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean” Paula Wolfert. They are the leading experts in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, are some of the best around. Yvonne says:
Question:
Should I keep my ghee in the fridge, or is it safe to keep it out? A jar usually lasts me several months.
Ghee, or clarified butter, is perfectly fine left out on the counter. If you do decide to keep it in the refrigerator, just leave it out on the counter until it is room temperature before using. This ensures the best flavor. Yvonne says:
Email your question to info@mbmuslima.com We will make sure it gets answered in our next issue,
just for you! Jazakum Allah khairan!
www.myhalalkitchen.com
Courtesy of Yvonne Maffei from My Halal Kitchen
Italian-Inspired Fall Desserts Simmered Pears with Cream on Top What a simple, yet delicious way to enjoy fruits of the season. Pears cooked in spices that fill your kitchen with the scent of fall bring on a whole new motivation to cook and serve fruit for dessert, especially locally grown and seasonal pears. Directions Ingredients 1. Remove stems and seeds from pears. Cut into large, thick slices. * 2-4 large D'Anjou pears 2. In a medium size deep pan over medium heat, add the sugar and butter. * 1 cup organic cane sugar Stir until butter is completely dissolved. Add the cinnamon stick and cut * ½ stick butter, at room temperature pears. Reduce heat to low. * 1 cinnamon stick 3. Simmer mixture for 20 minutes, or until fruit is completely softened. * ¼ cup walnuts, or more to taste During the last five minutes of cooking, add the walnuts. * 2 tablespoons crème frâiche, or more to taste 4. Use a slotted spoon to place cooked fruit onto serving platter. Pour the sugary syrup on top and a dollup of crème frâiche on top of that just before serving.
Fig & Orange Cake Citrus fruits are coming in season soon and what a wonderful pair figs and oranges can be. Not only are they typically used in Italian desserts, they also grow well in the same temperate climates right here in the U.S. Use both flavors and fruits to make this lovely, unique cake. *** Ingredients * 1 cup yogurt * ½ teaspoon vanilla extract * 3 eggs * 1 cup blood orange olive oil or extra virgin oil with orange * 3 cups flour * 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder * 1 ½ cup raw cane sugar * 1 teaspoon salt * 1 cup fresh figs, skins removed
Image Credit: Scott Rothstein | Dreamstime.com
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Using a whisk or the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, combine the yogurt, vanilla eggs and oil in a bowl. 3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. 4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients one cup a time, blending with each cup. 5. Cut the figs into quarters and gently fold into the previously combined mixture. 6. Pour mixture into a greased bread loaf pan or Bundt pan and bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick in the center of the cake comes out clean. 7. Remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting, about 20 minutes. Turn upside down and cut to serve. Resources for specialty oils: Nudo Italia (Olive Oil Stone Ground with Mandarins) http://www.nudo-italia.com/
Queen Creek Olive Mill (Blood Orange Olive Oil) 25062 S. Meridian Road Queen Creek, AZ 85242 tel. 480.888.9290 http://queencreekolivemill.com
Blood Orange Olive Oil Brownies It seems as though everyone begins to crave chocolate in the fall. Perhaps it's the cooler weather or just another excuse to eat the world's favorite sweet. I just love this dessert because the orange oil and the dark brown chocolate actually remind me of the changing colors of the natural world outside. Ingredients * 4 ounces unsweetened dark chocolate (60-70%) * 1 ounce orange flavored bittersweet chocolate (or unflavored) * 1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour * 1 teaspoon baking powder * 3/4 teaspoon salt * 2 cups raw cane sugar * 1/2 cup butter at room temperature * 1/2 cup Blood Orange Olive Oil (or grapeseed or sunflower oil) * 4 medium eggs * 1 tablespoon alcohol-free vanilla extract or the meat of one vanilla bean * 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional) Special Equipment * Flour sifter Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350ยบ. 2. Spray or grease a 9 x 12 baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. 3. In a small saucepan, melt all of the chocolate over low heat. Stir constantly. When completely melted, set aside to cool. 4. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Add the sugar to this mixture. 5. Melt butter. Pour the melted butter into a large mixing bowl, then add the oil. Add one egg at a time to this mix, incorporating each one fully with a whisk. 7. Add the vanilla to the cooled chocolate mixture and combine well. Add this mixture to the butter and olive oil mixture in step 5 Then, fold all of the dry ingredients plus the walnuts into the large mixing bowl with all of the previously mixed ingredients. Combine everything well, without overmixing the batter. 8. Pour the entire mix into greased pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until brownies pull away from the side of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 9. Allow to cool before cutting and serving. Resources for high-quality flavored oils: Nudo Italia (Olive Oil Stone Ground with Mandarins) http://www.nudo-italia.com/
Queen Creek Olive Mill (Blood Orange Olive Oil) 25062 S. Meridian Road Queen Creek, AZ 85242 tel. 480.888.9290 http://queencreekolivemill.com
5 Tips for New College Students By Amani Zidan May Allah SWT protect and guide us all, inshaAllah 1. Join your MSA!
4. Practice your deen!
Joining your MSA opens the door to unbelieveable bonds and friendships. It is a great way to make Muslim friends who are both your age as well as those who are older than you. Older friends can always give you good advice from their own experiences when you need it. You can use this as an opportunity to get to know others. Be part of discussions. Every voice and opinion is valuable, so speak up. When you are a part of something, it opens many doors to many things.
College is a great experience for many things but as you mature in college and grow, your deen should grow as well. Use this experience to strengthen your Iman, practice your religion with others and continue to keep it on so that you may pass your knowledge someday to your children. With the stress of classes, work and your personal life, being a strong Muslim should be your first challenge. Try hard not to let things hold you back or distract you from performing the duties given to you by Allah (swt). You will spend a great amount of time reading and memorizing for class but make sure to dedicate some of that time to reading the Quran. This will benefit you the most. the ones you will inspire. Nothing can be done without the will of Allah swt, so praise Him for all things and seek guidance & forgiveness from Him. Surely, only He can make all things possible.
2. Choose your Major! Get to know what your college offers. Do a good amount of research on your future so that you can get started on it right away. Getting involved on your campus and doing extracurricular activities is great, but make sure you balance your time. Remember you are at college for a reason.
3. Network! Once you have your goals planned, it is so important to know the people who will be helping you along this journey. Get in touch with academic advisors and meet with a counselor on a regular basis. It will have a positive effect on your studies. When things are organized and in order, you will worry less. I can’t stress how important it is to form bonds with your professors. Stay in touch with them, even when you are done with the course. They will always have that strong impression of you in thought and you will develop a great professional support system.
5. Enjoy it! Everyone has their own experience in college, so while you’re there working hard for a great future, take time to capture the moment. You will have so many experiences in life and as you grow older, but remember make college the one that will always be the best of memory so that someday you can share it with someone else. Not everyone you know will have the same experience or opportunities as you, so make sure to value it. Also, remember that this is the beginning. You are starting a new chapter in your life, so take time to make the best out of it all.
Jazak‟Allah Khair for reading!! Amani.Zidan@yahoo.com
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visiting the sick BY KYLE SMITH
I remember when I was a little kid; I used to hope that I would get sick, just so I could miss school. As a child, I always thought that being sick was just something temporary and that I would always get better, no matter what. I thought that being sick was nothing more than a simple cold. In reality being sick is no joke—especially when serious sicknesses are put in the picture. Now as a young adult, I dread getting sick. It is not fun to have to stay home in bed; personally, I get lonely. Therefore, when I am sick, I like to have others visit me. If we look at the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (SAW), we immediately see that he was always visiting the sick. My goal in this article is to discuss why it is important to visit the sick, as well as the rewards that one receives from doing so. When I was in high school, I was the captain of my football team. Every year, we played Colonia High school in football. Every time I think of Colonia high school’s football team, I think of a player named Eric Legrand. Eric was by far Colonia's best football player. For lack of a better phrase, Eric was a beast on the field. Our coaches always told us to never avoid anyone on the field. However, they made an exception for Eric. Eric was so good that we could not block him. He was the best football player that I have ever played against. He went on to play division 1 football at Rutgers University on a full scholarship. This is Eric's third year at Rutgers. This month, (October 2010), Eric had a tragic accident on the football field. Eric made a big hit which caused his neck to snap back awkwardly. This hit left Eric paralyzed from the neck down. Everyone who heard the news was shocked. Eric? He was so dominant. How could this have happened to him? The fact of the matter is that
No matter what the circumstances are, we have to realize that they are from Allah (SWT) and we have to deal with them as best as possible. Image Credit: Robert Mansker | dreamstime.com
whether we like it or not, this occured by the will of Allah SWT. We have to realize that things happen for a reason, and we have to deal with them accordingly. Today a few brothers and I went to visit and pray for Eric. We did this because we are concerned for Eric and we want him to get better, inshaAllah. However, we also did this for the sake of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) loves when we visit the sick. Al-Tirmidhi (969) narrated that ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim who visits a (sick) Muslim early in the morning but seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a garden in Paradise.” There are so many other hadiths that speak about the virtues and rewards for visiting the sick. When people are sick, they need the emotional support and spiritual (dua) support of others. Furthermore, Allah (SWT) rewards us tremendously when we visit the sick. This story also serves as a great reminder for every Muslim to understand the qadr of Allah (SWT). Eric was someone who no one could stop or move on the football field, but in an instant he became paralyzed. This is just a very small example of shows how much greater Allah (SWT) is in comparison to his creation. Many times in situations like these, people tend to get angry and develop hatred towards life. The fact of the matter is that whether we realize it or not, Allah SWT knows best and is Most Wise. We have to realize that this life is just a test to see who is worthy of jannah. In serious situations like this, Allah (SWT) tests us to see how we deal with it. A situation like Eric’s is a very serious test, but if a person passes Allah (SWT’s) test they will be rewarded tremendously inshaAllah. No matter what the circumstances are, we have to realize that they are from Allah (SWT) and we have to deal with them as best as possible. Alhamdulilah, Eric and his mother are being very optimistic. As far as I know, he is still not able to move. Please keep him in your duas inshaAllah. InshaAllah Allah (SWT) will cure him.
Mercy & Forgiveness BY NUR SOLIMAN
One of the many phrases from the Holy Qur’an that has always inspired me is one of the descriptions of Prophet Daoud (David) ‘alayhi as-salam. Aside from his bravery, strength, his role as a leader, craftsmanship, and singing of psalms, he is also described in the Qur’an as being “continuously repentant,” or “awaab” (Qur’an 38:17). The word in Arabic suggests returning to the doing of the verb, meaning he would go back and repent again and again, supplicating to Allah to forgive his wrongdoings. In this ayah, Allah (SWT) tells the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him), “Be patient (O Muhammad SAW) of what they say, and remember Our slave Daoud, endued with power. Verily he was ever-oft returning in all matters and in repentance (toward Allah)” (Qur’an 38:17). Later in the same chapter (Surat Sad), we learn about one of the instances which caused Daoud to repent to God. He misjudges a man accused of unfairly demanding a ewe of another man when he already has ninety-nine of his own. Once Daoud realizes he had judged too hastily without hearing the story of the accused man, he immediately seeks forgiveness from God, which shows his “awaab” nature. What has always attracted me to this specific ayah and encouraged me to contemplate it frequently is the significance of God’s great love, compassion, and infinite mercy on His creation, prophets, people and the universe as a whole. Not only that, but the Prophet Daoud’s frequent return to a state of repentance and seeking of forgiveness also suggests his own deep love for Allah (SWT) as well as his fear of upsetting Him or bringing His wrath upon himself. What has always comforted me in this description is that Allah the Almighty (SWT) forgives the repentant prophet each time he returns to Him to seek forgiveness. Among His 99 names, Allah (SWT) describes himself as al-Qawi (The Strong), al-Matin (The Firm), al-Qahhar (The Dominator), al-Muntaqim (The Avenger), al-Darr (The Punisher), al-Hasib (The Reckoner), and other descriptions that suggest a supreme strength, victory. This reminds us that we must always be accountable to Him, and that our actions, good deeds, bad deeds, and intentions are all held up to Allah SWT to judge us accordingly. Also, among His 99 names are names that describe Him as Merciful and Forgiving: al-Rahman (The Infinitely Good), al-Raheem (The Merciful), alGhaffar (He Who is Full of Forgiveness), al-Ghafur
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(The All Forgiving), al-Mujib (The Answerer of Prayers), al-Tawwab (The Ever Relenting), al-‘Afu (The Effacer of Sins), and al-Ra’uf (The All Pitying). These names remind us of Allah’s infinite capacity to forgive us if we come to Him with the true intention of repentance. This is not about freely committing every sin in the book and then running to pray for forgiveness. That is simply being self-deceptive. This is about when one realizes that they have committed a wrong action—something they have done in a moment of total forgetfulness, or anger (or other strong emotions that often take over us when we are in not in control of our nafs and let it follow its whims). Upon discovering this, they immediately seek refuge in Allah and ask for His forgiveness and that He aid them to stay on the right path. Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (1058 – 1111), the famous theologian, thinker, jurist, and mystic from Tus (Central Asia) was known as the “renewer” of Muslim faith in the 5th century AH. He wrote the book alMaqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Asmaa’ Allah al-Husna, in which he defined each of the 99 names in great detail, adding linguistic significance of each name and the “counsel” or tanbih we should take away from each meaning. In this book, al-Ghazali defines the names al-Rahman and al-Raheem in the following way: “The mercy of God – great and glorious – is both perfect and inclusive [tamma wa‘amma”: perfect in as much it wants to fulfill the needs of those in need and does meet them; and inclusive in as much it embraces both deserving and undeserving, encompassing this world and the next, and includes bare necessities and needs, and special gifts over and above them. So He is utterly and truly merciful.” One way to look at how mercy and forgiveness fits into our life is as follows: (1) in our relationship with Allah (SWT), (2) in our relationships with others, and (3) in our relationships with ourselves. A healthy way to establish our connection with Allah SWT is to realize His many attributions and direct our worship of Him accordingly. By doing so, our worship should reflect a combination of khushu’ (fear) and mahabba (appreciation/love). This will ensure that our relationship with the Divine is balanced and is not one of strictly intense fear or overflowing emotion. It is important to remember that the two balance each other and help one in developing a
stronger connection. We strive to worship Him and live life in a manner that will please Him, while fearing His wrath should we do otherwise. At the same time, we also know Him to be infinitely loving and that as the Only One that has the true capacity to forgive us and bestow mercy on us. While life is certainly hard for all of us, with daily stress, tribulations, challenges, and losses, it is also filled with love, compassion, and joy. Therefore we must also do our best to overlook the shortcomings and wrong doings of others. We do not necessarily have to forget about these things. However, forgiving others helps strengthen positive bonds between people, which we are all in need of. This is especially true in these times of increased hate, fear, and prejudice between and within communities. The world does not need more vengeance, resentment, or anger. It certainly needs more love and forgiveness in an attempt to move on forward to the future and make what we can of it. Not only must we be kind and relenting to those we cross paths with, but we must also be this way towards our own selves. Many of us tend to judge our own selves quite harshly. This can truly take a toll on an individual. This is not to say to be lax with your own set of morals and values. Instead I am suggesting to love yourself as you would love others,
and to be gentle in regards to your own wrongdoings. This will make it easier for you to accept the fact you have committed some kind of wrong, as well as helping you to find the cause of the wrongdoing in order to eliminate it. By doing this, you are inshaAllah guaranteed to increase your iman and ihsan by fortifying your own belief and intentions, and increasing your number of good deeds, insha’Allah.
Al-Ghazali references are all from: Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid. Al-Ghazali on the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God: al-Maqsad al-Asna fi Sharh Asmaa’ Allah al-Husna. Trans. David B. Burrell and Nazih Daher. Cambridge: Islamic Texts Society, 2007. *** Nur Soliman is a recent graduate from the American University of Kuwait, earning a BA in English summa cum laude. Nur was editor-in-chief of The AUKuwait Review, the campus arts and literary journal, and arts section editor of The Voice, the campus newspaper. She has been published in regional and international publications. Nur hopes to pursue an MA in Art History in the near future. Her interests lie in the arts, Central Asian culture, and jazz.
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How the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) would complain I t i s r e l a t e d t h a t w h e n A b u T a l i b d i e d , t h e p r o p h e t ( )صلل لل ذ هللا ذعلل لل لل ذ و ذسلل لل went out on foot to Ta’if to call its people to Islam. They rejected his call, and he walked away until he got to the shade of a tree. So, he prayed two rak’at and said: ذأ ي ل ذأ ح ل ذا لللح ا ل ل ل ذإ ل ل ذ ل ذ ذقللو ل ذو وللو ا ي ل ذع ل ل ذا لللي ل ذأ ذإ ل ل ذقللح ل ذ ل ل ل ل ذأ للح ذإ ذل ل ذ ل ل ذغللض ل ل ذع ل ل ذف ل ذ ذو ص ل ل ذ ع ل ل ل ذ ذأ كللح ق ل ذل ل ذا لللا ل ل ل ذل ل ذأ عللو ذ للو ي ل ل ذا ل ل ذ ل ذغللض ل ل ذأ و ذ ل ل ذ ل ذس ل ل ل ذل ل ذا ل ل ل ل ل ذ ل ل ذ للحللض ل ذ و ذقللو ذإ ذ ل ل
ا ل ل ل ل ذإ ي ل ذأ ك ل للو ذإ ل ل ل ذض ل ل ل ل للي ل ذإ ل ل ذع ل و ذ ل للي ل ل للي ل أ ل ل ل ذغ ل للح ذأ ذع ل ف ل ل ل ذأ و س ل أ للح ذا ل ل ي ل ل ذو ا ر للح ذأ ذ للي ل
“O ALLAH, I COMPLAIN TO YOU OF MY WEAKNESS AND MY INSIGNIFICANCE IN THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE. YOU ARE THE MOST MERCIFUL. NO MATTER WHO YOU HAVE PUT ME AT THE MERCY OF: AN ENEMY WHO WILL BE STERN WITH ME, OR A FRIEND TO LOOK AFTER MY AFFAIRS – AS LONG AS YOU ARE NOT ANGRY WITH ME, THEN I DON’T CARE. HOWEVER, THE RELIEF YOU BRING WOULD BE MORE COMFORTABLE FOR ME. I SEEK REFUGE WITH YOUR FACE – FOR WHICH THE DARKNESS HAS LIT UP, AND THE AFFAIRS OF THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT ARE ORGANIZED – FROM BEING AFFLICTED WITH YOUR WRATH OR DESERVING OF YOUR ANGER. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ADMONISH AS YOU PLEASE, AND THERE IS NO MIGHT NOR POWER EXCEPT BY ALLAH.” Look at how even in such moments of his life, h e )صلل لل ذ هللا ذعلل لل لل ذ و ذسلل لل ) ذ was full of mercy and forgiveness towards his enemies and all he cared about was whether or not Allah was pleased with him.
Co u rtes y o f Kan i k a A. from Habi bi Hal aq as
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QUR’AN CHALLENGE MBM wishes you the best to memorize this, inshaAllah!
If you already know this Surah, please refer to previous issues with previous Qur’an Challenges.
Surah Al-Inshirah (The Opening Forth) Translation Credit: http://noblequran.com/translation/surah94.html Transliteration Credit: http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=30&chapter=94
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Bismi Allahi alrrahmanialrraheemi 1. Alam nashrah laka sadraka Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad)? 2. WawadaAAna AAanka wizraka And removed from you your burden, 3. Allathee anqada thahraka Which weighed down your back? 4. WarafaAAna laka thikraka And raised high your fame? 5. Fa-inna maAAa alAAusri yusran So verily, with the hardship, there is relief, 6. Inna maAAa alAAusri yusran Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs). 7. Fa-itha faraghta fainsab So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer). 8. Wa-ila rabbika fairghab And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations.
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WORDS EXPLAINED FOR THE NON-MUSLIM InshaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English, InshaAllah means „God willing‟. This is a very commonly used phrase, as Muslims believe God has power over everything. MashaAllah Simply translated from Arabic to English , MashaAllah means 'Whatever Allah (God) wills'. Often, it is used as an expression of delight or achievement. JazakAllah khairan Simply translated from Arabic to English, jazakAllah khairun means „May Allah reward you for the good”. This is commonly used to thank someone or to acknowledge someone‟s effort. SubhanAllah In Arabic, SubhanAllah means „Glorious is Allah”. This is used when praising God. It is also commonly used as a exclamation like “Wow!”. Masjid The Masjid is simply the Arabic word for Mosque. Many Muslims refer to the Mosque as a Masjid. Masjids are primarily used for Salah (Prayer) Jummah prayer The Friday prayer services that Muslims attend weekly. SWT: Subhana wa’ta3la Arabic Praise used after the name of Allah meaning „glorious and exalted is He” Hijab Headscarf prescribed to Muslim women for modesty purposes Shahadah Declaration of Islamic faith. Assalamu Alaykum May peace be unto you.
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