By: Maryam

As most people do, I turned to Allah and Islam during the hard times of my life. It's a sad fact of life. When times are happy and life is good, no one feels obliged to turn towards his or her Deen (religion). It's all about living the moment.

After I had turned towards Allah, I approached a friend in a very casual manner, trying to encourage her to also turn towards Islam. Her reply chilled my blood. "Right now, my life is good, I'm happy and I don't need any change."

I thought to myself, better bite your tongue. I wanted to shake her and say, "Would you really want some tragic event to happen before waking up to Islam?" Obviously no one in his or her right mind would want to do so, but subconsciously, I feel everyone does.

I was no exception to that. I was on the brink of depression, as a result of a series of events that happened. Now looking back at it, it wasn't much, but being a teenager who had lost her sense of identity and purpose in life, it was the monster of all crises.

I had been separated from my best friends, snatched up away from my life and replaced in a place I had once called home. It was hard, and I was suffering. I used to find comfort, lying awake at night and staring at the stars, amazed at the fact that these were the same stars I stared at when I lived on the other side of the world.

My family, Alhamdulillah (All Praise be to Allah), had all changed towards Islam in the past years. No one forced me to wear Hijab, and I didn't simply because I thought I wasn't ready. They did, however, expect me to dress modestly and most importantly offer my daily prayers.

My aunt used to take me to these classes held nearby, and I went when I could. I was in pain and I didn't quite understand why. And it happened so that the particular topic at that class I had attended was on why pain and suffering happens. The teacher said that we are put through hard times as a test, to see how we cope with it. To see if we will turn towards Siratul Mustaqeem (the Straight Path), or away from it.

It was that day that I learned that every bit of pain we endure, both emotional and physical, alleviates us from our punishments in the hereafter. It was then that I started truly understanding the ways of Allah, how everything that happens has a purpose and that I was supposed to learn from that.

It's been almost two and a half years since that period of my life. It took me a year and a half to actually start changing. I knew Islam, but I did not practice it the way a Muslim is supposed to. I thought I was happy, but deep down inside I knew that I was not.

I was a hypocrite, and as much as I tried denying it, I could not. It sank in and I accepted it and prayed that I find the right way. My conscience was not dead, but I had muted it. Before, I used to get the urge to start Hijab, yet I used to fight it. I performed Umra and I prayed continuously that the next time my conscience spoke to me, I would not only listen to it, but I would amplify it so that I could not ignore it.

Last Ramadan, late one night, Hijab got on my conscience and would not go away. I told myself that I was not ready, that there were many strings attached that I may not be able to fulfil, but with the right words from supportive friends I told myself that if I didn't start now, I would never start. And I believed that 200%. So I no longer had any excuse for not doing Hijab. So Allhumdulilah, I finally put on my Hijab on December 31st, 1999 at the age of 18, and have been wearing it ever since.

After a month or so, I realized that Hijab was not as big a deal as I had thought. It was not difficult in the least. To this day there has never been a moment that I regretted Hijab, and for that I am so grateful, Alhamdulillah. I immediately found many friends who also wear Hijab. These friends and my family were the greatest strength for my new found Iman (faith).

I occupied myself with more Masjid-oriented activities and attended more classes to increase my knowledge of our religion. I am grateful that I put my foot down and decided to start Hijab then, because had I not, who knows how long it would have taken for me to start.

How do I remember Allah and His magnificent ways?

When I step outside and marvel at the beauty of nature. When I stop to play with a baby and see how perplexing, yet perfect, the precious cycle of life is. When I go out and people stop to say As-Salaam-Wa-Alaikum to me. When I study the Qur'an and the Hadeeth of our beautiful Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and how perfectly and completely it incorporates our lives and faith. When I pass by my fellow sisters in Islam adorned proudly and confidently in their Hijabs. Everything reminds me of Allah, and I can feel my love for Him, our Prophet, and our religion grow by the day.

Source: www.missionislam.com

By Peace

The Black and white perspective of Islamic class

“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104)

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence...” (Bukhari)

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“Islamic class? Why? What happened to you? You are young right? Someone’s already acting soo matured”

Ya Allah!  How many comments when I informed them that I’m joining an Islamic etiquettes and manners class on Friday mornings. But honestly hearing these comments, within me there was a conflict “Will I feel like an alien there? Would I feel bored like all others (who haven’t gone to such gatherings)."

Aoodubillah, the shaitaan had already begun his job to discourage me from going. Yet, Alhamdulillah, Allah SubhanaAllah Wa Taala gave me the strength to go ahead with my decision.

"And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader." (39:37)

Prophet Muhammad sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Race to good deeds before a time and a fitnah (test) comes that will sweep over you like the darkest of the darkest nights”

Allah blessed me with the right companions who encouraged me to go attend the gathering. May Allah Bless them all and give them the best of provisions in this world and Aakhirah. Ameen

For this reason, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend" (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi).

“A believer with respect to another believer is like a building; one part strengthens and reinforces the other.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

My 1st day at the most beautiful gathering in the eyes of Allah Azzawajal

My friend and I decided to go for this class. But then my friend had to take an emergency leave on the very first day of our class and I felt uneasy thinking about going without her for the lectures. I entered the gate and saw three sisters sitting outside the tent.

They greeted:

“ASSALAMUALAIKKUM WARAHMUTULLAH sister” (Coupled with Big warm innocent excited smiles)

“And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it or at least return it equally.” (4:86)

I thought to myself “wow what a pleasant greeting … so much peace and happiness it brought to my mind... It was obvious that they saw one of their BEST friends and was greeting her". I turned back to see who their blessed BEST friend was ..! But didn’t see anyone. While my eyes were searching for that friend, one of those sisters interrupted my search..

“SISTER, how are you? Assalamualaikkum Warahmutullah! "

"When those who believe in Our Ayah (proofs, verses, signs, etc.) come to you, say: "Salaamun Alaikum" (peace be on you)...…" (Surah al-An'aam:54)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: "The best of the two persons is the one who begins with salaam." (Related by an-Nawawi)

SubhanaAllah! That best friend was me! They were talking to me! I greeted back with utmost happiness but shyly,

“Waalaikkum Assalam Warahmutullah”

After enquiring about my registration one of them guided me to the hall in the tent. A huge hall with more than 150 sisters. The light of Imaan shone on all of their faces. MashaAllah! I sat on one of those seats looking out for any familiar faces to get to talk to. A sister came forward, she put forward her hand to give me a handshake.

The Prophet (SAW) also said, "When two Muslims meet (give salaam), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part (with each other)." (Abu Dawud)

“Assalamualaikkum Warahmutullah…” “Waalaikkum Assalam Warahmutullah”

“How are you sister? (Smiling with all the love, care and peace)”

“I am fine, Alhamdulillah”

“JazakAllah Khair (May Allah Reward you for the good) Sister. May Allah bless us all”

She smiled and greeted the sister sitting next to me, and then the next and next…

The Prophet (SAW) said: "When one of you joins a gathering, he should greet those present; and when he leaves them he should salute them, because the first salutation is not better than the last one." (AbuDawud and Tirmithi)

Wow! What Etiquette of Greeting and Welcoming! What beautiful short talks those sisters had with me!.... but in those short moments they made duas for me:

• Assalamualaikkum Warahmutullah-May Peace and Mercy of Allah Be upon you.
• JazaAllah Khair-May Allah Reward you for the good.
• May Allah bless us all.

I later realized these Etiquettes are learnt from the Quran and Sunnah, which every Muslim is obliged to practice when meeting each other.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Allah will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (Among the seven, one of them is) two persons who love each other only for Allah's sake and they meet and part in Allah's cause only." (Bukhari)

When driving back home, I asked myself...”Is it this place I had second thoughts of coming? Is it this place people comment as a place for only grownups?”

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SubhanaAllah! Once we step into this world of people, who meet and part in the sake of Allah, who love each other for the sake of Allah, who teach, learn and practice the teachings of Quran and Sunnah, who share their knowledge having concern for each other, we realize that we have stepped onto a blessed shade filled with unpolluted, unmasked, sincere love and care; helping one another to increase and strengthen their Imaan to please Our Creator The Exalted.

Portrayal of Islamic/Quran classes by people who haven’t had an experience of attending such class is not what it actually is. All what I and my friends’ experience is that there is sharing of knowledge in the most beautiful way, helping each other to love for their sisters and brothers what they love for themselves, learning duas and so much more Alhamdulillah (All Praise to Allah). The peace of mind we get there, makes our heart content and makes us realize the beauty of there is none worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is His Messenger.

The innocent jokes and those giggles…and the Beautiful Salaams and the big hugs …Alhamdulillah . You never get to make a “group” or a “gang” of friends there…all of us are one group / gang of friends who learn and teach each other with the intention of pleasing our Creator...The Most Merciful...The Most Gracious...

Allah Says “Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)…” (5:2)

Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in Water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.'' (Tirmidhi)

O Allah, make us from Your devoted slaves. O Allah, do not prevent us from being among those Whom You protect; Allah make us from those who are close to you, O Allah, Lord of the worlds. Ameen

Source: http://muslimahsworld.wordpress.com/

A young man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a walk with a Professor, who was commonly called the student's friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along,they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by,and who had nearly finished his day's work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."

"My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man.
Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him."

The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen.
He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to the heavens and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife who was sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand,would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears.
"Now," said the professor, are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?"

The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget.
I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before: "It's more blessed to give than to receive."

Abdullah bin Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet(sallAllahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that encouraging good, prohibiting evil, lifting the burden of the weak person and removing an offensive thing from a path are all acceptable prayers to Allah." [ibn Majah]

Source: http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa

A True Story 

By Humaira 

This is the story of Ali and Amina who were happily married together, blessed with an eight year old daughter named Hiba and a five year old son, Danish.

One evening, Amina and Ali had come home after some shopping for their children. They bought their daughter Hiba, a beautiful pair of pants and a few skirts. As Hiba was no more a three year old baby her father said, “Hiba wear these skirts only at home not outside.”

“OK baba.” She agreed.

 Ali soon left for a business trip, and returned with some beautiful skin tight jeans in different colours for his daughter. Everyone was happy. However, his wife Amina did not like those jeans for their daughter. When her husband and son were not around, and Hiba was wearing the same jeans she approached her: "Hiba I don’t like you wearing these pants in front of your father, brother and grandfather”

“Why?” asked Hiba .

“It is too tight and the shape of your legs is distinctly visible.” Amina explained.

“Yes, mama it is.” She said. But she continued to wear those jeans.

One day Amina’s son Danish fell ill. So his dad took him to the doctor. Amina and her daughter Hiba stayed back home. This time, Amina was committed that she will do something about her daughter’s tight pants. She went to her room, put on her own tight denim pants and a short shirt exactly like what her daughter Hiba was wearing. Hiba looked at her mom in astonishment.

“O mama look what are you wearing?” She was surprised.

“I am wearing what you are wearing.” Said her mom.

“Yes mama” said Hiba.

Amina began to go towards the room of the grandfather. Hiba screamed out panicking, “Mama where are you going?”

“To your grandfather`s room." Amina said as if she didn’t know anything.

“No mama... please do not go in there”. Hiba stood right in front of her mother stopping her.

“Why?” asked her mother.

“Mama these are not good clothes. ” Hiba said.

“Why? Why?” asked mother.

“Mama Ummmmm... these are not respectable” She said.

“So now you know what it means to dress and look respectable.” Amina laughed heartily and said to her daughter in a friendly and relieved tone, "Look dear, this is the same thing that I feel when you wear tight jeans in front of others”

“What should I do then?” Asked Hiba.

 “You should wear a nice long top that covers your jeans at least till your knees.” Amina replied.

"Ok Mama...” affirmed Hiba.

Amina immediately changed her clothes back to the usual ones and sat on the computer to work while Hiba continued to play with her toys and games .

Amina happened to glance at Hiba after a few minutes had elapsed when she exclaimed, “Alhamdulillah!”

Hiba was wearing a nice long top over her pants.

“Why did you not listen to me before?” Her mom curiously asked.

“ I did not understand what you were saying before?” Hiba replied.

Amina was so happy; she gave her daughter a warm hug and thanked Allah for helping her daughter understand the beauty of modesty in dressing...

Conclusion:

Time is running out! There is a certain age in which children can be convinced and taught about Islam easily. But after they enter their teens, the task often becomes harder and harder, and eventually impossible.

It’s high time Mothers realize the importance of caring for and spending their precious time and energy with their children, finding ways to correct them and explain to them things, in the best way possible based on their age, level of understanding and maturity.

Narrated Abu Masud Uqba: The Prophet said, "One of the sayings of the prophets which the people have got, is. 'If you do not feel ashamed, then do whatever you like." (Al-Bukhari)

This is a story that started with an email to the Da'iya Amr Khaled. The email was from a girl named Sarah, living in Australia and she said: ‘ I am a girl living in Australia, my father is a Muslim while my mother is a Christian. They are originally from Lebanon. We lived in Lebanon for the first 10 years of my life, but then my parents immigrated to Australia. With this immigration my relation with religion was terminated, all what I know is that I am supposed to be a Muslim, I don’t even know what the Quran looks like, I don’t know how to pray and religion had no weight or importance in my life. My father and mother got divorced and they both left Australia. They left me alone to study in the university. I have no family, no brothers and I know nothing about my grandparents in Lebanon.

I lived alone and I had to work to spend on myself. So I used to study in the morning and work in a bar at night. I have a boy friend with all the western implications of this word. I left nothing from the haram except that I did it, with no shame or pain. I went for a beauty contest in New Zealand and I won the title. I became a model for many fashion magazines.

While I am involved in all this, I went to visit a family from Lebanese origin. They had a satellite dish and I watched a program about modesty and women in Islam. I was deeply affected and I was in a state of a breakdown. I felt that this program is talking directly to me. I took the email and the web site from this program and I am writing to you to ask, can Allah still accept me? Can I return to Allah?’

So the sheikh replied to her informing her that Allah’s love is very special for those who turn back and repent. He guided her to the conditions of a sincere repentance. After two days, she said, ‘I made repentance and left my boy friend and will never see him again’. Then after two days she asked, ‘I want learn how to pray’ then a day later she said, ‘I want to get Quran tapes’ So the sheikh sent her tapes of the entire Quran using DHL.

She sent back saying, ‘I gave up the beauty contest and title I had’. After 4 days she said, ‘ I am now wearing Hijab’, but the story didn’t finish yet!

Scan Two days after she decided to wear the Hijab, she felt a severe pain in the head. When she went to the doctor he informed her that she has a serious brain tumor and that her days are numbered! Sarah was then scheduled for an operation with a success rate of 20%. This was what the doctor said.

As for her, she sent to the sheikh an email saying, ‘I am so happy to meet Allah. I am extremely happy that I repented before knowing that I was sick. I don’t know if my parents will know what happened to me or not. They rarely call me. I repented to Allah 3 weeks ago and disobeyed him for 22 years! I ask Allah to write me down from the people of Jannah, and If I live I want to work for Islam through your website, which is my window to the Islam and Muslims’

Sarah died on Friday September 19th, 2003. The last email from her was: ‘ I lived 22 years away from Allah but I repented 3 weeks ago, I want you to witness that I repented to Allah, left my boyfriend, my job, my beauty contest and title. I wore the Hijab and prayed regularly, I want you to witness that I did this only for Allah. I know no Muslims other than you and your web site. Please I ask you to make du’a asking Allah to forgive me and shower me with his mercy. Please ask Allah to guide my parents who know nothing about me.'

Source: http://forums.dubai-muslims.com/

True Story 

Translated By: IslamWay Team

I will not keep it a secret that I am not the one of cooking fans, as I used to consider it as a waste of time and effort.

When I got engaged, I discovered that my mother in law is one of those who spend most of their life time at the kitchen, moreover she loves to give variety to new kinds of food from time to time using different kinds of Arabic and western cooking books.

This matter – of course – used to make me worry because I thought that my fiancé, after marriage, would compare between my cooking and his mother’s. So when we have finished with all marriage arrangements and the marriage date was determined, my fiancé noticed that I was delaying the wedding and every time I used to invent a different excuse so finally he came and asked me “you are delaying the marriage for a reason I do not know, what is it?” then I felt the matter is being discovered and I do not have anything to do but saying the truth, so I said “ frankly, I hate kitchen!” then he laughed in astonishment and told me “anyway I like simple kinds of food and also I do not mind if I eat the same kind of each two days ” these words calmed me down and I did not delay the marriage any more, on the contrary after I got married I started feeling responsible for the house and all its matters which include the kitchen! So I told myself “you have to do your best in the kitchen even if your husband likes simple kinds of food”.

At the first day I entered my kitchen for cooking I asked God for help and trust on Him then I pleaded Him that my food would not come to be much less that of my mother in law. Then I started to cook and during that time I remembered--with God’s help-- some words of one of our sisters who was giving us lessons at the mosque during Ramadan and she said – God Rewards her—“the Arabian woman spends most of her life time at the kitchen, especially in Ramadan, which wastes much of this great month. Ramadan is like a scent flying away easily! So do not miss it in the kitchen and such kind of works, and if though why do not you mention God while at the kitchen? Has anyone of you tried to cook while she is glorifying Allah?!”

I felt I need to do that, not to take the opportunity of Ramadan—because we were in other month which I do not remember now—but for the hope that God Will Make my food tastes good!!

And I decided to start with saying God’s name before each step; starting with turning the fire on , passing through putting butter, then onion and garlic , then tomato and ending with turning the fire off.

The second time I asked myself why do not I say Surat Al-Ikhlas (the loyalty), after mentioning God’s name, during each step? I love this Surat very much, it is short and there are a lot of rewards with saying it too!!

So I have started doing that with God’s help and then, subsequently, God led me to glorify Him while the food is being cooked and during washing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen.

My husband’s reaction was to praise my food to the extent that he said my food has been better than his mother’s! —And of course I did not believe him then—because I am not the one who would pay much attention for the taste of food as long as it is fitting for eating and the salt is not too much, and I thought him saying that as a compliment, after all I was still new bride and such compliments are very normal. But I have noticed that he is repeating such words very often and this made me so happy but I never believed him and thought it is just encouraging from him especially when I discovered that he is one of the greatest fans when it comes to well cooked food , moreover he pays much attention to the way each kind of food is cooked, and thus he told me before marriage turned out to be encouragement , nothing more!!!

When I used to invite my mother in law to spend few days with us she used also to praise my food and I thought she was making a compliment as well. I have noticed that she used to spend her time with me at the kitchen while I was pleading her to have rest at the living room however she used to refuse. Because we were chatting with each other—I did not notice that she was watching my cooking till she asked me once about the method of cooking a certain kind of food and when I mentioned it she was surprised but I did not understand why till she called me once, after months from my marriage, to tell me “I adjure you to tell me the secret of your food taste” so I asked her if she is joking but she swore that she was not!!!

This was a surprise for me and I started thinking deeply to find out the reason but I could not find any but mentioning God’s name and surat Al-Ikhlas and sometimes glorifying God so I told her: “do you want the truth?” she said “sure” then I told her the aforementioned , she was surprised but she seemed as if she did not believe me, I noticed the next time she visited us that she was watching me while cooking to make sure of what I had told her!! And when she believed she told me that she “is doing the same thing now” and that she started noticing a progress in her food taste too!!!.

The funny thing about this matter is that I do not hate cooking or spending time at the kitchen anymore, especially when I play a cassette there; in the kitchen, to listen to Quran and different kinds of religious lessons. Subsequently the time I am spending at the kitchen has become amusement and I do not feel the pass of time except after finishing with everything.

Not only that but also—with God’s help—I am not confined to cook just the ordinary dishes but also baking foods like cake, pizza, and sometimes making jars and pickles to the extent that my friends and relatives did not believe that when they knew!!!

Glory to Allah that mentioning Him has secrets we do not know, but such ignorance dose not prevent us the amazement of such secrets. So Glory to you God how great you are!!!! Source: Saaid.net

Source: www.sisters.islamway.com

Translated by Muhammad Alshareef from the book Azzaman Alqaadim compiled by Abdulmalik Al-Qasim.

I was a teacher in the Qur’anic study circle at our neighborhood masjid at the time. I would see this young boy after Maghrib prayer who was about fifteen years old. He held a pocket Qur’an and sat alone reading from it. He wasn’t actually reading from it, he was just trying to make it seem as if he was. Now and again, he would shyly steal a few glances at us, curious to know what we were doing. Once in awhile, you would see him straining to make out what we were talking about. Every time I caught his eye, he would avert his head and continue with his recitation, as if he had not intended to look this way.

Day after day, he sat in the same reserved manner, revealing the same timid glance. Finally after Isha Salah one day, I resolved to confront him.

“As salamu alaykum. My name is Salman. I teach the Qur’anic study circle in this masjid.”

“And my name is Khalid.”

It was strange that he replied so fast, as if he had been waiting to share this piece of information for a long time and expected to be asked.

“Where do you study Khalid?”

“In the eighth grade…and I…I love the Qur’an a lot.”

Why did he add that last sentence?

Confidently, I asked him, “Listen Khalid, have you got any free time after Maghrib? We would be honored to have you join us in the class.”

“What? The Qur’an? The halaqah? Yes…why, yes of course (happiness overcame him). I’ll be there, in sha Allah.”

That night, I couldn’t think of anything other than this young boy and the haze that surrounded his behavior. Sleep would just not come. I attempted to interpret an answer for what I saw and heard, but there was none. A verse of poetry came to mind:

The coming days shall unravel the mystery And the news may appear from where you could never see.

I turned on my right side and slipped my right hand under my cheek:

O Allah, I have surrendered myself to You and to You I turn over my affairs.

PART II

Subhan Allah, the months were passing quickly. Khalid was now a regular in our Qur’an circle, energetic and successful in memorization. He was friends with everyone and everyone was friends with him. You could never catch him without a Qur’an in his hand, or find him in any other line in Salah other than the first.

There was nothing wrong with him except for his occasional long lapses of attention. There were times when his stoned eyes would reflect the fathomless thought going on in his mind. Sometimes we knew his body was with us, but his soul was somewhere else, suffocating in another world. Occasionally, I would startle him with a question. All he had was a mumble to reply with, and he would have been the first to admit its fabrication.

One night, I walked with him after class to the beach shore. Maybe his big secret might meet something equally large, relax somewhat, and release its distress and pain.

We arrived at the beach and traced the waves. The full moon was out. It was a strange sight. The darkness of the night found the darkness of the sea, with a lit moon in-between them.

I sat somewhat embarrassed at its intrusion, similar to my shyness towards Khalid right then. The rays of the silent moon rested on the silent waves of the sea. I stood behind the silent boy. The scene was silence.

It all shattered and crushed to the ground as the young boy fell to the bottom, bleeding his heart out with tears. I chose not to interrupt Khalid’s emotional release, perhaps the saltiness of his tears might help him relax and cleanse his distress.

After a few moments he said from behind his tears, “I love you all…I love the Qur’an…and those who love it. I love pious brothers, moral, pure brothers. But…my father…it’s my father.”

“Your father? What is wrong with your father Khalid?”

“My father always warned me not to hang around with you people. He’s afraid. He hates you all. And he always tries to convince me that I should hate you too. At any chance he gets, he tries to prove his point with stories and tales.

“But…when I saw you people in the halaqah reciting Qur’an, I saw something entirely different. I saw the light in your faces, the light in your clothes, the light in your words, even when you were silent I could see the light even then.

“I doubted my father’s tales and that’s why I would sit after Maghrib, watching you, pretending that I was part of the circle, trying to share in the light.

“I…I remember Ustadh Salman…I remember the time you approached me after ‘Isha prayer. I’d been waiting for that moment for such a long time. When I began the classes, my soul locked itself into a world of purity with your souls. I began the circle and was persistent. I wouldn’t sleep; my days and nights became Qur’an. My father noticed the change in my routine. He found out, one way or another, that I had joined the circle and that I was now hanging out with ‘terrorists’.

“Then, on a dark night…we were waiting for father to come home from the coffee shop, his daily ritual, so that we could all have dinner together. He entered the house with his hardened face and slaps of anger. We all sat together at the dinner mat. Silence settled on the gathering. As usual, all of us were afraid to speak in his presence.

“He knifed the silence with his roaring and immediate voice.

“‘I heard you’re hanging out with the fundamentalists.’

“I was caught. My tongue looped and failed. All the words in my mouth attempted to come out at the same time. But, he didn’t wait for the answer. He snatched the teakettle and threw it maliciously at my face. The room spun and the colors united before my eyes. I could no longer tell the ceiling from the walls from the floor, and fell.

“My mother held me. A damp cloth on my forehead reminded me of where I was. The vicious voice turned on my mother, ‘Leave him alone, or you’ll be in the same lot.’

“I crawled out of my mother’s lap and whimpered away to my room. He followed me down the corridor with the cruelest curses.

“There was not a day that he didn’t beat me in some way – curses, kicks, throwing whatever was nearest to his hand. My body had finally become a shiver of fear, grotesque colors formed all over. I hated him.

“One day while we were sitting at the dinner mat, he said, ‘Get up! Don’t eat with us!’

“Before I could get up though, he pounced immediately and kicked me in the back, making me slam into the pots. At that moment, lying there on the ground, I pretended to stand taller than him and shout back in his face. ‘One day, I’ll pay you back. I’ll beat you just like you beat me, and curse you just like you cursed me. I’ll grow up and become strong and you’ll get old and become feeble. Then I’ll treat you just like you treated me; I’ll pay you back.’

“After that, I left home and ran away. I just ran, anywhere, it didn’t matter anymore. “I found my way to this beach. It helped me wash away some of the sadness. I held my pocket Qur’an and began reciting until I could continue no longer because of my excessive crying.”

And here, a few of those innocent tears descended again, tears that sparkled under the moon like pearls under a lamp. I couldn’t say anything. The surprise had arrested my tongue.

Should I be aghast at this beast of a father, whose heart knew nothing about mercy? Or, should I be amazed at this patient young lad, whom Allah had wished guidance for and inspired with faith. Or, should I be shocked at them both, at the father-son bond that had broken, causing their relationship to transform into that of a lion and a tiger, or a wolf and a fox.

I held his warm hand and wiped away a tear from his cheek. I reassured him, prayed for him, and advised him to remain obedient to his father. I told him to remain patient and that he was not alone. I promised that I would meet his father, speak to him, and try to evoke his mercy.

PART III

That incident slipped further away with each passing day. I tried thinking of ways to bring up Khalid’s case with his father. How should I speak to him? How was I going to be convincing? How was I even going to knock on his door?

Finally, I collected my courage, rehearsed my plan, and resolved that the confrontation, or meeting, would be that day at five o’clock.

When the time arrived, I left for Khalid’s house with all my ideas and questions for his father dangling from my pockets. I rang the doorbell. My fingers trembled and my knees were melting. The door opened. There he was, standing in the shadow with his frowned lips and veins beating with anger.

I tried beginning with a candid smile hoping it might smooth out some of the wrinkles before we even started. He snatched my collar and jerked me towards him. “You’re that fundamentalist that teaches Khalid at the masjid, aren’t you?”

“Well…uh…yes.”

“God help me, if I ever see you walking with him again, I’ll break your legs. Khalid won’t be coming to your class anymore.”

And then, he mustered all the saliva in his mouth and spit on my face. The door slammed shut.

Slowly, I unfolded a tissue that was in my pocket, wiped what he had honored me with, and retreated down the stairs consoling myself. Allah’s Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam suffered more than this. They called him a liar, cursed him, stoned him with rocks and caused his feet to bleed. They broke his teeth and placed dung on his back and expelled him from his house.

PART IV

Day after day, month after month, there was no sign of Khalid. His father forbade him from leaving the house, even for the congregational prayer. He even forbade us from seeing or meeting him. We prayed for Khalid...until we forgot about him. Years passed away.

One night, after the ‘Isha prayer, a shadow walked behind me in the masjid and rested a familiar harsh hand on my shoulder. It was the same hand that held me years ago. The same face, the same wrinkles and the same mouth that honored me with what I was not deserving of. But something had changed. The savage face had shattered. The angry veins had subsided, belittled and still. The body looked tired of all the pain and conflict, weakened by sadness and grief.

“How are you?” I kissed his forehead and welcomed him. We took a corner of the masjid. He collapsed on my lap sobbing.

Subhan Allah, I never thought that that lion would one day become a kitten.

Speak up. What’s wrong? How is Khalid?

“Khalid!” The name was like a dagger piercing his heart, twisting inside, and breaking off. His head slumped.

“Khalid is no longer the same boy that you used to know. Khalid is no longer the generous, calm and humble young lad. After he left your circle he befriended a pack of evil boys; ever since he was little he loved to socialize. They caught him at that time of life when a youth wants to leave the house.

“He began with cigarettes. I cursed him, beat him, but there was no use; his body had grown accustomed to the beatings, his ears were used to the curses. He grew quickly. He started staying up with them all night, not coming home until dawn. His school expelled him. Some nights he would come home to us speaking abnormally, his face loose, his tongue confused, his hands shivering.

“That body, which used to be strong, full, and tender, passed away. What remained was a feeble worn frame. That pure frosty face of his transformed; it became dark and filthy. The scum of misguidance and sin clung to it. Those shy and simple eyes of his changed. They shot red like fire as if everything he drank or took showed immediately in his eyes like some sort of punishment, in this life before the next. Hostility and disrespect replaced that shyness and cowardice he once knew. Gone was that soft, respectful young heart. In its place grew a hardened center, like a rock, if not harder.

“Seldom would a day pass without incident. He would curse, kick, or hit me. Imagine it, my own son. I’m his father, yet he still hits me.”

After releasing all that, his eyes returned wet and bitter. But he added quickly, “I beg you Salman, visit Khalid. Take him with you. You have my blessing, the door is open. Pass by him sometime. He loves you. Register him in the Qur’an study circle. He could go with you on field trips. I have no objection. In fact, I am even willing to allow him to live in your homes and sleep over. The important thing, Salman…the important thing is that Khalid returns to the way he was. I beg you lad. I’ll kiss your hands, warm your feet, I beg you and beg you…”

He collapsed, crying and wheezing, into the memories of the grief and pain. I allowed him to complete everything he had to say. Then I addressed him:

“Despite what has passed, let me try. Brother, you planted this seed. And this is your harvest.”

Source: http://sisters.islamway.com

By Arjuman Khan 

Allah says in the Qur’an:

[It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error." (33:36).

ASSALAMALAIKUM

I am 32 years married to a loving husband Mehmood and with 2 lovely children, Alhamdulillah. As all women I am also busy with household chores, taking care of husband and kids. Oh I am so tired with all these tensions and worries of life.

I met 2 of my friends ‘X’ and ‘Y’ on internet after 10 long years, we started talking daily and sharing our lives. Both happily married Alhamdulillah. One friend told me to check the site [www.areweprepared.ca]. She asked me to read it. I SAID YES, and started reading, it went on and on to my surprise I was loving it and waiting daily for new posts. I was happy that I started understanding my religion better and clearing all my doubts. I was changing now, I loved my husband for the sake of ALLAH [SWT], took care of my kids and home for the sake of ALLAH[SWT],all work seems easy along with the dhikr of ALLAH[SWT]. Now I prayed five times sincerely. I wait for all adhan’s as this is the time when I spend direct contact with my Lord ALLAH, the Most Gracious Most Merciful.

Allah says:

[“Those who believed (in the oneness of Allah) and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)

All tensions and worries were gone as I know ALLAH [SWT] knows what’s best for me.

One day ‘Y’ asked me when are you going to start wearing hijab, I replied soon Insha Allah. She said do it now as only ALLAH [SWT] and no one knows when is our last breath. Allah says in the Qur’an:

[“Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone)” (31:34)

This was a statement which changed my life. She also told me that even if my family does not support me, I should not listen to them.

Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said: “There is no obedience to any creation in which the disobedience of the Creator is involved” (Sahih Ahmad)

We all as kids obey our parents, in school obey our teachers, at work obey our bosses, and after marriage obey our husbands. Just give it a thought; are we obeying our Creator, the Most Powerful and Superior ALLAH? For most of us the answer will be NO.

Allah says: