The practically and need associated with fashion trends changing with seasonal change has become lost in the chaos of consumerism. Either that, or the process of deciding what is and what isn’t appropriate for cold weather, has become very complex for the human species. A decade ago, clothes suitable for cold weather would hit all major stores before we actually transitioned to cold weather. The rush by stores to have all new-season clothing ready for customers was accompanied by rampant advertising to remind people that their wardrobes required changing, once again. However, consumerism’s push a side, clothes were, to a large part, appropriate for the weather change. (more…)

“This picture* was taken last year in March. I remember because it was a good day for several reasons. At that point, my life was at a high, but a false high. All the wrong things mattered to me; I couldn’t realize right from wrong. Blinded by feelings, I had given away my soul to the devil for momentary happiness. I thought this was where I belonged, but it turns out I was wrong. Since the events of this year (2011), I’ve come to realize that my life was just for the moment. All those feelings and people wouldn’t do me any good. After hitting rock bottom, I built myself again; this time, I leaned on Allah instead of people. I looked to the higher power to pick me up and put me where I belong. I don’t understand why I thought I was happy back then my life was so unfulfilled.

Today, I can honestly look at myself and admire the changes that have taken place inside of me. I would actually thank people for bringing me so down that I was forced to rise, out of the darkness, and into Allah’s guidance. If I’m lucky and I stay focused, I will be the person I strive to be. And with Allah’s help, I’ll find my way to the salvaged group of people, the believers, the maintainers of truth. InshAllah my life will only get better.”

That is what I wrote for my 30 day challenge on Facebook. I have to admit, it wasn’t the easiest thing to admit to 300 friends, or actually just the 10 or so that generally stalk me; but writing my thoughts down made my realizations stronger, more appealing. Although I have been having a hard time dealing with my emotions lately, something about the presence and security of Allah comforts me.

Being a teenager, I know tons of people my age, maybe a little younger, some a little older, lost in the world. They feel that their problems outweigh them by too much- they feel like they have no support. I know this feeling because I’ve felt it too. Yeah yeah, I know every individual’s experiences are different and all that stuff, but I also know that feelings bring humanity together; so I’ll repeat myself, I’ve been there, in that lost stage, the “I don’t know where I am” stage, the “I’m a messy teenager and I don’t know what to do” stage, and definitely the “I don’t have anyone that understands me” stage.

Personally, it took me a long LONG time to realize what I was missing. I had spent my life as a Muslim but studied the religion, on my own, so rarely. Listening to other people’s lectures and stories and studies didn’t cut it for me anymore. When I reached my breaking point, I looked up to Allah. It started with just talking to him, in my heart, late at night- when I would feel lonely; I had just lost one of my best friends (lost as in we decided to no longer be friends) and the other things in life weren’t looking so good either. The private late night conversations with Allah comforted my heart, I knew he listened and cared. The talks led to me reading Al Sahifah Al Sajjadiyyah Al-kamilah (The Pslams of Islam) by Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (as).  Reading his supplications started creating a change that led to more reading, praying, and finally, perhaps the most important, reading the translation of the Qur’an.

My point is- that the feeling of loneliness and despair disappeared once I let go of my worldly attachments. Once you realize that you can’t always have it you way but that as Muslims we have the best support we could possibly find and everlasting, unconditional love. People may throw you away, treat you like trash, put you down, call you a fatty, or an ugly face, but you have someone that would love me no matter what.

If your hearts aching, you might want to look away from the comfort of people, and look towards the comfort of God.

“Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)

And remember that whatever you’re going through is just for the time being. This life is so temporary; if you aren’t even sure of when your next breath will be, then why waste your time on things that won’t last? People come and go, but Allah is forever- and I don’t mean that in a cheesy, puny way.

Source: www.iqraonline.net

Every sin washed away.

Every tear passing with fear.

I repent to you today.

The one voice I struggled to hear.

Pull me closer to your care.

Hold me to my words.

My life was full of empty air

This light is all I’ve yearned.

Eid was busy as usual yesterday. Atleast we didn’t have three Eids this year in Pakistan, Alhamdulillah. A brother said, two Eids are good for ta’addud. Two wives, two eids

Today we will look into the claim made by people that the Ta’addud praticed in the time of Rasool Allah صلي الله عليه وسلم was cultural and more due to cultural reasons than Islamic.

I will ask only Two Questions: (and answer them myself )

Why did Rasool Allah صلي الله عليه وسلم stay with just ONE WIFE in all his prime years and go against the culture of Arabs at that time?

The reason is simple. Because Islam came to demolish all cultures except the Culture of Islam. Before Prophethood and the revelation of Islam in detail, Rasool Allah صلي الله عليه وسلم stayed away from all kind of cultural things and from Dunia itself. He stayed away from people and always tried to find the truth. He stayed with one wife for a long period of time. He went to the Cave and did Ibadah of Allah subhanahu for days. This clearly shows that He went against the culture of Arabs. So why did he marry later on? Simple, because He صلي الله عليه وسلم came to know from the detailed revelation of Islam that Nikah is an Ibadah and it is encouraged. That is why he practiced Ta’addud. (more…)

{And (Allah desires) that you should complete the period (of Fasting), and that you should magnify Allah (saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you, and that peradventure you may be thankful.} (A-Baqarah 2: 185)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la il Llaha il Allah! Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li Llah il-Hamd!

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest! Praise be to Allah! When Allah commands His servants to say “Allah is the Greatest” in Adhan (Call to Prayer), Prayer, and `Eid, and urges Muslims to wholeheartedly chant these sweet and beautiful words of praise and glory, that, despite of being soft on the tongue, are heavy on the scales (they command great reward on the Day of Judgment). (more…)