The Reflections Corner

Ramadan Reminder Day 9: #Alhamdulillah for my local Masjid (Mosque). This is the Purley Masjid which just opened two weeks ago – and Subhanallah it opened at the most needed time. It opened when my family and I were going through a difficult time, when I lost our baby. That first Jummah (Friday prayer) was spent in the new mosque by my husband, brothers and father. It was a blessing sent by Allah at the right time. In the following days my husband immersed himself in the masjid, going for the 5 Jammat prayers and getting involved in the fundraising for the Masjid. It was as if his initial shock and pain was slowly being soothed by a balm (the Masjid). I am grateful for our local Masjid as it has finally provided us an easy access to going to 5 times prayer in Jammat, Jummah Prayers and beautiful Taraweeh prayers for both men and women. But not only is it providing us the fard (obligatory) and sunnah (voluntary) prayers but also the chance of being part of a community. The chance to meet other brothers and sisters, the chance to collectively learn our deen together through lectures and classes, the chance to open Iftar together, the chance to sit in congregation and the chance to build a community together.

The prophet (SallaAallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said, “There are no group of people that sit together in a house of the houses of Allah reading Allah’s book and studying it between them except that tranquillity will descend upon them, mercy will encompass them, the angels will surround and protect them, and Allah will mention them to those that are with Him (to the highest angels)”. (Reported in Muslim)

Alhamdulillah for the feeling of warmth, security and tranquilty as we step into the Masjid. The worries and burdens of the mundanity of life seems insignificant when we say that first Takbeer (saying Allah is great) as we pray Tahiyatul-masjid (the prayer when we enter the mosque). Alhamdulillah.

The Masjid in our Islamic history has alway been at the heart of our community. It symbolises what we believe in and provides services that helps us in the practical aspects of our lives and nurtures us spiritually. In the bygone days, shops and business were attached to the Masjid and it was a hub of commercial activity. I pray Allah swt continues to allow us to build more Masjids and utilise them for good and sincerity, and not for a source of disagreements and disunity. May Allah (swt) allow us to appreciate our Masjids and unify us as an Ummah at these beautiful places of worship.

Tonight as I write this, our Purley Masjid is being honoured by renowned Sheikh and Qari – Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Shatri who is leading the Taraweeh prayers. Our masjid has provided the community the opportunity to pray behind such esteemed indiviuals. But – like all things in life, our Masjid needs to be kept open by paying for it. Alhamdulillah we have secured the purchase of Masjid however still a large amount needs to be paid in the next 4 months – so that we can keep this beautiful place of worship. To Find out how you can help please read more here.

Our Beloved Prophet (s.a.w) made great stress on visiting the mosque frequently. Abu Hurairah, a Companion of the Prophet, relates that the Prophet said: “For him who proceeds to the mosque morning or evening, Allah prepares entertainment in paradise every time he proceeds, morning or evening.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

#Alhamdulillah #OurMasjid #MasjidWarmth #Unity #HeartOfTheCommunity #MuslimMasjids #BuildMasjidBuildHouseInJannah

Ramadan Reminder Day 8: #Alhamdulillah for My Siblings. I am grateful to Allah swt for my two big brothers and sister. I apologise in advance if I get bit too mushy! I have too many words to say about them, and yet I dont know where to start. Allah has blessed me with the 3 most courageous, kind and wise individuals to guide and support me throughout my life, after my parents, each in their own way and capacity. Despite the age differences (as I am the “baby” of the family the age gaps are quite big) and the physical distances between each other (everyone is in different countries) – a phone call is all that is needed for instant help and advice. Alhamdulillah. The most recent example of this is when I lost my baby. My oldest brother was constantly sending me messages when I found out the terrible news, telling me to be strong. My other brother was on the phone to me saying not to worry and he will come straight away. And true to their words they both flew that night itself from hundreds and thousands of miles away. Without hesitation they came. They gave support to me, my husband and parents and the rest of the family. They helped by giving advice and organising things when needed. They were true beacons of light at that time of darkness. Alhamdulillah. My sister – where do I start? Like all sisters, we fight, we argue and when we shared a room when we were younger we literally irritated each other to no end. I used to scribble on her homework and embarrass her in front of her friends (as younger sisters tend to do!). She would boss me to the earth and back. But now, all that was forgotten – instead it was she who was was wiping my forehead, giving me sips of water, holding my hand and reading dua. She had tears in her eyes but a smile on her lips to keep me going.  I will never forget her strength and the reassurance that she gave us. Alhamdulillah.
I say this not to Sing their praises or boast. But rather to Praise Allah swt for providing such siblings. I say this so that we all can appreciate our siblings. I say this so that I can make Dua that Allah always protects our and and all your relationships with our brothers and sisters. May it be strong, sincere and pure. Ameen

Our beloved Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Maintaining good relationship with kinship, increases love between the family and a means of increasing wealth and keeping good reputation and having more descendants “. (Bukhari, Tirmidhi)

#Alhamdulillah #Brothers #Sisters  #SiblingLove

Ramadan Reminder Day 7: #Alhamdulillah for not burdening us with anything more than we can bear.

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” (Qur’an, 2:286).

Allah May test us with different trials and tribulations. He may test us with our health, or with our wealth. He may not give us that job we desperately want or that pay rise we really wanted. He may make us weak in our bodies or give us a health scare. He may take away our children or not bless us with children. But Allah does not test us with more than we can physically and emotionally handle – if we truly have faith in Allah’s plan and have patience. I say Alhamdulillah for this because as I look at our brothers and sisters in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Rohingiya and other parts of the world (all equal in their pain and hurt) – I say Alhamdulillah. They are being tested each and everyday with ALL things (health, wealth, children, their very lives). They are running scared for their lives, trying to protect their children and elderly as they run. Many even have to bury their infant children, whilst some children watch their parents die gruesomely in front on their own eyes. We are tested – but say Alhamdulillah, because for SURE there is someone much much worse off than you right at this moment in this world – and THEY are still saying Alhamdulillah. Tonight please take a moment to remember our brothers and sisters in need, say a Dua for them, pray an extra prayer for them and give some of your wealth to them.

#Alhamdulillah #Trials #Tests #AllahDoesNotBurdenASoulWithMoreThanItCanBear

#ShareYourRelief with #IslamicRelief #OurFamily #Syria #Palestine #Yemen #Rohingiya

https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/donation/mindex.php

Over the past 2 weeks I have been thinking how we can make this whole situation, our terrible loss, into a beautiful gain. With the help of my dear friends and the support of Sustainable Development Organisation in Kashmir, Inshallah we plan to build a Maternity & Child centre in Kashmir. We pray and hope, with Allah’s help and mercy we can help save the many lives of mothers and babies. To all my friends and family who have given us strength and support during this difficult time, please join us in making this project come true. Donate at the page below. From the bottom of our hearts – we thank you.

Find Out More & Donate to the Zakariah Maternity & Child Care Centre

In Loving Memory of our beautiful son Zakariah. X

Ramadan Reminder Day 6: #Alhamdulillah for the Ilm (Knowledge) Allah has given me. I am grateful for the intelligence and knowledge Allah swt has provided me, the ability to use my intellect and to read and write. But having knowledge and the ability to seek knowledge is a double edged sword. If we don’t seek knowledge wisely or use the knowledge we have for its best purpose it can lead to mischief and useless purposes. I pray Allah protect us all from useless knowledge and misuse of our minds. Alhamdulillah for the use of our brain to analyse things, to understand the Miracles of Allah logically and to use our intellect and tongue smartly to discuss and debate with Hikmah (Wisdom). May Allah swt provide us with the Wisdom of Yaqub a.s (Jacob) and the Eloquence of Haroon a.s. (Aaron). I will end with the following attached Duas.

#Alhamdulillah #knowledge #wisdom #intellect #UseYourKnowledgeWisely #KnowledgeIsPower

Ramadan Day 5: #Alhamdulillah for our beautiful Kaaba and Makkah prayers. As I listened to the live Taraweeh prayers in Makkah on TV today, it brought back all those years I spent in Saudi, the numerous Umrahs and Tawaafs that were made and hours spent standing in Dua behind the beautiful recitation of Sheikh Abdur Rahman Sudais. Perhaps I took it for granted then – the immaturity of youth. But now I watch and listen, I yearn to go back, to join the ranks of people in prayer, to touch and weep wholeheartedly in front of the Kaaba. To pour out whatever  we feel in our hearts in front of the Kaaba as if we are standing truly before Allah. There is no other religion that can match the unison, organised and perfected manner of the millions of people who stand in prayer each night for Taraweeh at the same time. I pray Allah swt gives us ALL the opportunity to go to this blessed place soon and earn the rewards of praying there. Inshallah – Ameen.

#Alhamdulillah #Kaaba #BlessedMakkah #SpiritualUplift #BlessedTaraweeh #BeautyofRamadaninMakkah #Memories

Ramadan Day 4: #Alhamdulillah for Allah’s Blessings and Mercies. Despite big calamities and trials falling upon us, it is a beautiful feeling to seek out the small mercies and blessings. Yes – my family, husband and I have suffered a huge loss – there is no doubt about it. And Yet I thank Allah for providing the small gems of blessings, be it my own health and physical well being, the opportunity to see the love of family and friends, the chance to seek Allah’s forgiveness, and even not being able to fast. Despite not fasting now, I am blessed to be given the opportunity to do other forms of worship that I may normally neglect (Lots of various Duas, Tasbih, Salawat and reading the translation of the Quran). Even this is a blessing. The lesson I take from this is – amongst the chaos and rubble, the cries and the anguish – look out for the green shoots of life that are slowly  blossoming. These green shoots are the blessings we must focus on.

#Alhamdulillah #Blessings #AllahsMercy #GreenShootsofLife

Ramadan Day 3: #Alhamdulillah for my Religion – Islam. Without this religion that I have to hold onto, I am nothing. The perfection of our deen Islam is amazing and in our times of happiness our religion shows us how to appreciate and celebrate the happiness and in times of despair it teaches how to hold on to hope, have patience and keep faith. Islam, our beautiful religion has been given to us as a Mercy by The Most Merciful.  We must endevour to defend it, protect it and share its beauty. Don’t be ashamed of this religion. Be proud of it – as it is Islam that will help us through life – No Matter What.

#Alhamdulillah #Islam #MyDeen #Patience #Faith #Hope

Ramadan Reminder Day 2:

#Alhamdulillah for my Parents. They have been my source of comfort and support during this and other difficult times. They gave birth to me and brought me up. No matter how much difficulty I have given them they have had Sabr (patience) with me. Alhamdulillah for my mother’s care and love, even now. Alhamdulillah for my father’s wisdom, guidance and advise.
Our children and our wealth are a test for us. I pray that us children  are a source of Jannah for our parents, and our children are a source of Jannah for us. I pray that Allah protects our parents and gives them long life, good health and eases them from their worries and distress. I pray we all appreciate our parents and give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

#Alhamdulillah #Mum #Dad #Parents #Respect

Last year I did daily Ramadan Reminders on FB – showing what I was grateful for. I plan to do that now too. So as we enter the beautiful and holiest month of Ramadan – I will say Bismillah and start with the following.

Ramadan Day 1: #Alhamdulillah for True Friends and Family. As I slowly try to make sense of my loss and what has recently happened I have come to realise and be truly amazed on how many friends and family who really love and care for us. The amount of people who have supported us over the past 10 days has been overwhelming and amazing. The calls, the visits, the txt messages, the skype calls, the whatsapp msgs, the FB msgs, the home cooked food, the time spent to visit us, the flowers, the consolation, the Duas and the true tears of pain for us in their eyes. I want to Thank each and every one of you.

#Alhamdulillah for #friends #family