o c e a n b r e e z e

2008-07-22T16:46:00.002+01:00

I always find it amusing when English songs are translated into another language..I found a version of Dawud W. Ali's 'Silent Sunlight' sung by Khalid Belrhouzi, in Arabic. Its not that bad actually:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KnVq8otuZyM&feature=related

And while I'm on youtube, I've always found Raihan's 'salawat' nasheed pretty uplifting:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BdFeBMWLh8M&feature=related

2008-06-21T23:59:00.002+01:00

Memories.

Sometimes the more you try to hold on to them, the quicker they fade.

And others, the harder you try to forget them, the better you remember.

Its a strange ol' world.

2008-05-04T22:03:00.003+01:00

The time has come to post random MSN convos.

On revision positions:

[Traveller] says:
listen just take my notes
>*Rush*< says:
i hav mehrins handoutsss lolzzz
>*Rush*< says:
but i need to luk at it
>*Rush*< says:
coz she made her notes n i need to knw wat she talkn bout
>*Rush*< says:
o oo oki hehe
>*Rush*< says:
i mite do dat
[Traveller] says:
yeh i make good notes
>*Rush*< says:
lmao
[Traveller] says:
*blows own trumpet*
>*Rush*< says:
hahaha
>*Rush*< says:
tabz jus tex
>*Rush*< says:
sayn
>*Rush*< says:
LOL
>*Rush*< says:
SHE TRYN TO FIND COMFTABLE POSITN TO REVISE
>*Rush*< says:
LOL
>*Rush*< says:
N SHES ENDED UP ON HER BED
>*Rush*< says:
LYN DOWN
[Traveller] says:
LOOLLLLLLLLLLL
>*Rush*< says:
ON HER
>*Rush*< says:
PAIIITTT
[Traveller] says:
ae ae aaeeeeeeeeeeee loooolll
>*Rush*< says:
MAKIN NOTES
[Traveller] says:
i have 2 revsiion positions:
[Traveller] says:
on the bed its hunched over my work
[Traveller] says:
like the Hunchback of Bham or someting
[Traveller] says:
and then as time progresses i end up with my elbows digigng into my thighs or th bed
[Trveller] says:
makin notes in da dark
>*Rush*< says:
OMG
[Traveller] says:
usin my fone as a light
[Traveller] says:
as maghrib time comes
>*Rush*< says:
O M G
>*Rush*< says:
AND MEEEEEEEEEEEEE
[Traveller] says:
loool
>*Rush*< says:
N MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>*Rush*< says:
O M G
[Traveller] says:
LOL
>*Rush*< says:
DATS JUS FREAKY
>*Rush*< says:
LOL
[Traveller] says:
ae ae
[Traveller] says:
and den wen im on da chair@ da comp
[Traveller] says:
i sit on my legs
>*Rush*< says:
LMAO
>*Rush*< says:
I JUS LUKD AT MY LEGS
>*Rush*< says:
N THOT
>*Rush*< says:
ANDDD MEEE
[Traveller]says:
lol
>*Rush*< says:
BOTH LEGS ON CHAIR
[Traveller] says:
yeaahhh
>*Rush*< says:
ALTHO UR HANDS PROB IN NORMAL POSITN
>*Rush*< says:
U KNW MY PROB
>*Rush*< says:
haha
[Traveller] says:
man i need 2 write a blog post on reivsion positions
[Traveller] says:
perfect time for it
[Traveller] says:
u listebin 2 those nasheeds?
[Traveller] says:
ae ae, did i tell u
>*Rush*< says:
yeaaaaaa
[Traveller] says:
i ended up stayin up doin an allnighter....
[Traveller] says:
...watching a film
>*Rush*< says:
i think its da 2nd one is this da one u like?
>*Rush*< says:
YESSSSSSSS
>*Rush*< says:
U TOLDEDDD MEEEEEEEEE
[Traveller] says:
maashi bi noorillaah, yeh i like dat
[Traveller] says:
also
>*Rush*< says:
WHICH REMINDS MEEE
[Traveller]says:
the last 1
[Traveller]says:
brings back memories
>*Rush*< says: [slapping icon]
[Traveller] says: [rofling]
[Traveller] says:
sorray
[Traveller] says:
i know im a twit
>*Rush*< says:
lmao
>*Rush*< says:
dnt wry atlst u doin sumthin
[Traveller] says:
do me favour, slap me in real life aswell will ya
>*Rush*< says:
remembr wat me sed
>*Rush*< says:
i jus sit der watchn da wals
>*Rush*< says:
lmao
[Traveller] says:
lol
>*Rush*< says:
makes me think i can feel les guitly
>*Rush*< says:
lolll coz atlst i wasnt enjyn myslf lmao
[Traveler] says:
(btw, all this is goin in Ze Blog)

Above convo had when every minute is precious time for revision.

2008-03-19T15:54:00.013Z

Ode To The Pencil Case

I bought a new pencil case. I would've said '..finally bought a new pencil case', but then that'd imply I always wanted to. Which I didn't. Actually, I think I wasn't really bothered either way.

But this is a big deal. Why? one may enquire. Well, two may reply (two..HA! i crack myself up sometimes), one has had this pencil case for a decade. that's 10 years.

10 years of learning, growing, evolving (the intangible type, not the darwin type - i always was 100% human thankyouverymuch). 10 years of faffing around; getting things done; getting told off; being honoured with various vertificates, badges and medals; watching the ebb and flow of clothing trends.....ebbing and flowing, rising and falling, going in and out, up and down and inside out.

this old veteran has seen 3 governments, 2 superpowers, 6 wars, sharply rising bus fares and countless bars of chocolate.

It has seen good days where the sun shines, the icecream van does its rounds and kids play happily in the steet; bad days where deadlines have been come and gone, the work still lies untouched, the pounding rain screaming 'boredom shall know no bounds!'; and then the downright uglified days where one, sitting knees up in the corner of the darkened room, dreams they had bernard's watch.

The ol' stationary station has held pens, pencils, rulers, rubbers, compasses, sweet wrappers, glasses, ink cartridges, socks, coins, ribbons and seceret notes that were subsequently discovered, confiscated and read by the teacher ([imagine picture of green slime with beady eyes and a speech bubble announcing 'i'm {traveller} and i'm a bogey!' & picture a plump round circle with accusatory arrow pointing towards it declaring {overweight person's name}. etc.)

Ah. That day, 10 years ago, when I walked through the pencil case aisle in Staples, will be stamped in my memory for a long time to come, that exact time when my eyes were drawn to the red walkers ready salted crisps pencil case, all new and shiny, begging me to buy it.

Its lying at this moment in time under a pile of letters in a drawer (i dnt have the heart to throw it away yet), with various pockmarks and holes strategically placed on it, so that random bits of stationary can fall out when tipped at a certain angle. The 'Walkers Ready Salted' writing has faded over the years into a grey/white nothingness and the inside has artistic splodges of ink on the corners, which will remain an eternal reminder of the days gone by.

R.I.P.

[this would be the ideal time to stick a picture of the deceased right here, but since the camera's MIA and my phone's CD things gone AWOL, i regret to inform you that the above dream is unable to be realised].

Welcome to the new pencil case. a long tube of a thing with flowers and an orange printed pattern and 'oneill' threaded over it. and on the reverse, shadows of a school of fish among a few pearly beads. [would show y'all a pic...however, please consult the preceding bracket].

2008-01-26T23:09:00.000Z

Roadmap To Paradise
Unknown Author

Take Adam and Eve avenue until you come to the intersection of Habil (Abel) road, and Qabil (Cain) street; merge right on Habil (Abel) and continue for the next twenty miles till you come to Noah's Ferry.

Take the ferry to Safety Land, ignore the majority of other travel agencies’ directions, and arrive at Abraham's Super Highway also known as High way One God Only (1).

Follow Abraham but avoid the exit of Sodom and Gomorrah townships until you get to Moses lane but pass Gold and Greed bridges and take it to Jesus' Mercy road. Here you will encounter a lot of confusion, streets are not well marked, and many peddlers along the road are giving away maps with conflicting directions to travelers. The Romans have renamed Pagans’ path as Jesus' mercy road.

If you are not sure about the authenticity of Jesus' mercy road, review your map. See if Jesus' mercy path is a continuation of Abraham’s Super Highway. If it is a continuation you are fine, but still proceed with caution. If you have diverged, make a U-turn and go back to Abraham’s high way (1) and re-try again.

Continue on True Jesus' road, if you do not see the following signs along the path, you should stop and review your map again. Maps for this path have been tampered with, we recommend the Barnabas edition street map to get to the Unity of God congregation, Immaculate conception corner, and Love thy neighbor community center.

Avoid to show the Roman Traffic police your Barnabas street map, it is banned, they will confiscate it and you will be forced to use the only authorized official map - the Paul street map which was drawn to direct the motorists to Rome. For that reason there is a lot of lost traffic on this road. On the other hand True Jesus road is found on the Barnabas street map, but only few people have access to this map.

Keep on Jesus' Mercy road until you find Muhammad’s sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam Sunnah
Expressway. Stay on this expressway and do not be lured to rest areas along the expressway. Beware of the highway robbers, by insuring your vehicle with Dhikr security systems. All vehicles secured with Dhikr Security Systems will be protected from assaults by robbers (Satan).

Make sure that you have enough fuel. The highest grade fuel for this long and tiring trip is the Taqwa grade fuel. Make sure you demand this brand when you stop for refueling. Lighten the load on your vehicle, carry only the most important items for this trip: two meters of white cloth, good deeds and prayers of your kids is all you need. Excess weight is allowed only if it is more of the above. Other items will only slow you down or cause you to loose sight of where you are heading, and you risk losing the coverage of Dhikr Security systems, thereby becoming an easy target for the Robbers.

You need to check your vehicles safety features periodically by reading your vehicles manual - the Holy Quran. Your steering wheel must be calibrated by the Sunnah Calibration method, batteries must be charged with Iman, the engine needs to be tuned up with Ikhlas and your tires must be properly inflated with Ihsan. Most important of all, you must test the entire vehicle with the tawheed check list.

It does not matter if most parts of your vehicle are performing right, if a single part in your vehicle does not perform according to specifications of Tawheed (its conditions) your vehicle will break down and again the robbers will rob you of what is left. The overall performance of your vehicle depends on the performance of the weakest part in your vehicle, so routinely check these weak points, they may be detrimental to your trip.

There are many milestones on Muhammad’s road, and these milestones will assure you that you are on the right track. Do not worry that there are not any people on this road; just because you are alone on this road do not think that you are driving the wrong way on a one way street. Loving Allah more than anything else, loving the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam and his companions, who supported him when he was oppressed, following all his teachings, responding with patience and acceptance to lack of worldly goods, hunger, loss of family members are but some of the milestones and glad tidings that you are on the right track.

Also this road will be paved with pain, hard work, struggle with yourself and others and Iblis, the Robber, and all things that are not appealing to the soul. Never lay your guard, this trip is not over until it is over. Keep dhikr your guard, good deeds your luggage and do not lose to focus on where you are going, so you may endure the pain of this trip. When you finally arrive to your destination, Al-Jannah, you will forget all the pain.

Courtesy Of: Islaam.com

2008-01-15T14:38:00.000Z

“To accept one’s state is the key to being grateful. Being unhappy with one’s state in this world is like trying to stop the sun from setting or rising. No one apart from Allah Ta’ala has the power to do this.

Thus we must learn to accept what is destined for us. We must understand that we will be blessed with moments of happiness and we will also have to undergo difficulties and sorrow.

All this has already been predestined for us. Despite our emotional feelings, we must accept what is inevitably to come and that which has already arrived.”

2008-01-11T23:09:00.000Z

"Life is a book with many chapters.

Some tell of tragedy, others tell of triumph. Some are dull and ordinary, others intense and exciting.

The key to success in life is to never stop on a difficult page, to never quit on a tough chapter.

Champions have the courage to keep turning the pages because they know that a better chapter always lies ahead, because with Allah all things are possible.”

2007-12-23T15:20:00.000Z

2008 to see three Hijri years
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/12/17/10175432.html

Dubai: The Gregorian year 2008 will see three Hijri years, Arabic daily Al Khaleej said quoting Jordanian Astronomical Society on Sunday.

The last nine days of Dhu Al Hijja 1428 will fall in the first days of January 2008, and then to be followed by the Hijri year of 1429, the society said in a statement.

The last days of December 2008 will see the start of the Hijri year 1430.

This means that year 2008 will see the end of 1428, the complete year of 1429 and the beginning of 1430, the society explained in its statement.

Having three Hijri years in a Gregorian year happens once every 33 years, which means 2041 will have three lunar years.

2007-12-12T00:12:00.000Z

Cool words beginning with E:

elsiyum
evanescent
erudite
ethereal
epistle
eons
enigma
entwine
enumerate
enrich
ennoble
engrove
enamour
embolden
embrace
emblazon
elixir

...when used correctly. this calls for a poem called 'ode to E' or something. watch this space.

2007-11-09T20:03:00.000Z

Mafia's 'Ten Commandments' found

Italian police have found what they say is a "Ten Commandments"-style code of behaviour for Mafia members, at the hideout of a captured Mafia boss.

Prohibitions include frequenting bars and looking at friends' wives, while members are urged to treat their own wives with respect.

The list was found during the arrest of Salvatore Lo Piccolo, the reputed new boss of the Sicilian Mafia.

It is thought to have been drawn up as a "guide to being a good mobster".

Other activites apparently beyond the pale for Mafiosi are being friends with the police, being late for appointments and "appropriating money if it belongs to other Mafia members or to other families".

Childbirth

The document makes clear that people with police or informers in their family cannot become members of the Mob.

And although mobsters' wives must be respected, they should not expect much support during childbirth: the rules state that "always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife's about to give birth".

The decalogue was discovered along with a large number of other coded documents in a house near Palermo where Mr Lo Piccolo was apprehended after spending more than two decades on the run from police.

Investigators say that the documents - including the Ten Commandments - will give them an insight into how the Mafia operates.

The papers also reveal details of companies with Mafia connections and information about the hierarchy within the organisation.

The Mafia's "Ten Commandments"

1. No-one can present himself directly to another of our friends. There must be a third person to do it.

2. Never look at the wives of friends.

3. Never be seen with cops.

4. Don't go to pubs and clubs.

5. Always being available for Cosa Nostra is a duty - even if your wife's about to give birth.

6. Appointments must absolutely be respected.

7. Wives must be treated with respect.

8. When asked for any information, the answer must be the truth.

9. Money cannot be appropriated if it belongs to others or to other families.

10. People who can't be part of Cosa Nostra: anyone who has a close relative in the police, anyone with a two-timing relative in the family, anyone who behaves badly and doesn't hold to moral values.

Source: the Beeb.

2007-10-27T16:43:00.000+01:00

I'm sittin alone heeere,
I dunno wot to doo,
All alone in the house heeere
With a horrible floo.

Weather's not helpiiing
Misty and cloudyyy,
All have gone shopiiing
And they've taken the babyyy.

Mother has just arriiived
In her black hiijaaab
This poem will now eeend
For a short while its surviiived.

The last line doesn't fiiit
Nevermind I'm leavin iiiit.

Thank you, thank you.

*bows to cheery applause and rose showering*

2007-09-25T22:53:00.000+01:00

Been reading this book on Hell ('Hell: a descriptive account'), it scares the hell out of me. I need to buy a book on Paradise now to balance it out..and to increase the hope aspect of taqwa (the other half being fear..which has been successfully instilled in me for the time being...may it remain so till the end). So hope and fear needs to be balanced - gotta work on that.

Learnt something interesting today: faith, imaan, consists of 3 things: a] speech & action of the heart, b] the spoken word of the tongue, and c] the action of the limbs. (imaam ash-shafi's definition)

Prophet [saw] said: “Allah takes out of the Fire whoever had worth of a dinar of Faith in his heart. Then (after that) whoever had worth of a half a dinar of Faith in his heart.”

Alot of peoples interpretation of this is that even those who believe in 'laa ilaaha illallaah' in their hearts - those of have faith in this declaration - will be taken out the fire.
Wrong.. because faith of the heart and faith in action are inseperable (imaam ash-shafi's take on faith). So the person would have had to have *done* some action that manifested his faith, like salaah for example.

Goes to show that feeling the feeling, talking the talk AND walking the walk need to go hand in hand for you to be the real deal.

We have alot to work on, dudes.

Ramadaan mubarak.

2007-09-01T23:05:00.000+01:00

Someone asked a question on a message board: 'Isn't there any happiness out there?'

I presume the questioner was referring to current events in the world, specifically the Muslim world, as all she saw was saddening news on a particular part of the forum.

I thought about it. Even did a search for some vaguely good news. I couldn't find anything.

Now that has just made me gloomier than ever.

Everything just seems to be going downhill.

I just read about Sami Al-Hajj, the alJazeera cameraman who was arrested by the US occupiers in Afghanistan, imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. He's been there for six years, is on hunger strike and his health is deteriorating every day.

Visit
http://www.prisoner345.net/
for more info.

Its really painful to think what the brothers, fathers, husbands and sons will be going through during ramadaan.

The least, the very least we can do is pray for these men, pray that they are given patience, peace of mind and are reunited with their grieving families.

2007-09-01T22:28:00.000+01:00

You know you're in trouble when you use wikipedia for half of your revision.

aaAAAaaAAAaaAAAaarrgghhh!!!!!!!

2007-08-25T17:37:00.000+01:00

Sometimes, its not easy to practice husn adh-dhann with people who constantly lie.

2007-08-19T13:09:00.000+01:00

Since the Month of Mercy is 'round the corner (35 days and counting!), here's something I read about 'Mercy' recently..its taken from Amr Khaled's site:

Mercy

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-merciful. All Prayers and Blessings of Allah are to our master, the noblest Prophet Muhammad. We praise Allah, thank Him, and seek His help, guidance and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil in our souls and the sinfulness of our deeds.

“Whomever Allah guides, then he is right-guided, and whomever He leads away into error, then you will never find for him a right-minded patron” (TMQ[1], 18:17).

Brothers and sisters, keep in mind that we discuss these morals so that we apply them practically in our lives. Applying them will certainly help us lead better lives. Imam Ibnul-Jawzi wrote in his book “Saydul-Khaatir” that thousands of people used to attend his lessons. People used to tell him, "We did not sleep last night out of longing for the lesson." He answered, "If you had truly benefited from the lesson, it should keep you up the night after it, not the night before it".

The moral we will talk about today is a truly precious one. However, unfortunately, most people miss it. Consequently, crimes spread, nuclear weapons were developed, and millions of people are being killed in a matter of seconds. Today's moral is mercy; a moral that has recently been replaced by cruelty among the vast majority of people.

Getting to know what mercy is is not enough. We all need to master practicing it. If you are merciful during your lifetime, you will be treated mercifully on the Day of Judgment; even if you spent some time acting to be merciful (as a sort of training yourself), you will still be treated mercifully.

The Prophet (SAWS)[2] said, “He who shows no mercy to the people, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, does not show mercy to him.”[3]

Hence, treat people mercifully, so that you deserve the mercy of Allah (SWT)[4], which you are greatly in need of. Mercy grants you salvation on the Day of Judgment. To know if Allah (SWT) will treat you mercifully on that day or not, ask yourself this question: “Am I truly merciful to others?” Observe at this point the connection between being merciful to people in this world and Allah (SWT) being merciful to you on the Day of Judgment.

I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that morals are part and parcel of worship! Note the strong relation between morals and religion. See how Allah's mercy, on the Day of Judgment, is mainly a reward to those who have been merciful during their lifetime!

Allah’s (SWT) Mercy:

We start by talking about the mercy of Allah (SWT); a great subject that softens the hearts and causes angels to encompass us by their wings. Mercy is originally one of the traits of Allah (SWT). Hence, to learn to be merciful, one should first get to know how merciful Allah (SWT) is.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “He has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy” (TMQ, 6:12). Again the same meaning has been included in another ayah of the same Surah, Al-An'am, "Your Lord has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy…" (TMQ, 6:54). What do you feel when you read this ayah (verse) ? You feel safe and sound that "mercy" is one of the original attributes of Allah (SWT), while "anger" is just a temporary result of our sins.

Allah (SWT) says to the Prophet (SAWS) what can be translated as, “So, in case they cry you lies, then say, ‘Your Lord is The Owner of embracing mercy, and His violence will not be turned back from the criminal people,’” (TMQ, 6:147). What does His mercy embrace? The answer to this question comes in the following ayah, “…My mercy has embraced everything…” (TMQ, 7:156).

Now let us look around and observe the various signs of Allah's mercy in the whole universe. A wonderful example of Allah’s mercy is the gradual succession of day and night. They do not switch all of a sudden, but do so gradually. Imagine if you are walking in bright daylight, and then suddenly, without a gradual sunset, you find yourself in extreme darkness! You will certainly suffer from major nervous system disturbances. Now, imagine the opposite; a sudden transition from night to bright daylight. It results in the same shock.

Allah (SWT) describes this in the ayahs that can be translated as, “And by the night when it darkens, (Or: swarms). And by the morning when it breathes.” (TMQ, 81:17-18).

The word "breathes" describing the morning shows how smoothly and gradually the change from dark to light happens. It happens bit by bit, in the same way man breathes. Unfortunately, the signs of Allah's mercy are witnessed by everyone, yet, considered by no one.

Another sign of Allah's mercy is rain. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And He is The (One) Who keeps sending down the succoring (rain) even after they have become despondent, and He spreads His mercy; and He is The Ever-Patronizing, The Ever-Praiseworthy,” (TMQ, 42:28). Hence, rain is one of the methods by which Allah (SWT) spreads His mercy on earth. In another ayah, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And He is (The One) Who sends the winds, bearing good tidings before (Literally: between the two hands of His mercy) His mercy…” (TMQ, 7:57).

Allah also says what can be translated as, “So look into the tracks of the mercy of Allah, how He gives life to the earth after its death…” (TMQ, 30:50). Imagine what could happen if we were deprived from this sign of mercy, rainfall!

In Surat Al-Waqi'ah, Allah says what can be translated as, “Have you then seen the water you drink? Is it you who have sent it down from the rainy clouds or are We, Ever We, The Senders down? If We had (so) decided, We would have made it bitter; so had you only thanked (Us)!” (TMQ, 56:68-70). What if rainwater was salty, not fresh? See how fresh water is one of the signs of His mercy and compassion.

Allah's mercy is also apparent in social relations. He implanted mercy in parents' hearts. Everywhere you find fathers and mothers showing mercy towards their children. Moreover, and amazingly enough, animals too show mercy towards their offspring. On the family level too, mercy shows up. You find yourself automatically showing love to your uncle, aunt...etc. Out of a hundred portions of mercy that Allah has, only one has been sent to earth which includes all the signs you see. Meanwhile, Allah (SWT) has kept the remaning 99 portions.

We can also consider marriage as another proof of Allah's mercy. He (SWT) is the one who brings two distant hearts together. Allah (SWT) says, “And of His signs is that He created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you (may) find rest in them, and he has made between you amity and mercy. Surely in that are indeed signs for a people who meditate,” (TMQ, 30:21). Hence, families are founded on mercy. Unfortunately, spouses can deprive themselves from this mercy when they commit sins and disobey Allah's orders.

Moreover, Allah, the All-Merciful, does not punish us immediately for our sins. On the contrary, He gives us many chances to repent. Think about the whole course of your life; how many times you have sinned and He has been Merciful with you?

In Surat Al-Kahf, Allah says what can be translated as, “And your Lord is The Ever-Forgiving, The Owner of mercy. If He should take them to task for what they have earned, He would (quickly) hasten for them the torment; no indeed, (but) they have an appointment, apart from which they will never find any safe retreat,” (TMQ, 18: 58).

If He was to punish you immediately for your sins, He would have never allowed you to listen to those very words I say now. Though you have been disobedient to Him for years, He, the All-Merciful, allows you to attend today's lecture. He even makes the angels witness your presence, and goes on saying, “O My Angels! Before your eyes I bestow My forgiveness upon so and so”. See how Merciful Allah is! He forgives you for sins that your parents might not forgive for the rest of your life. He gives you many chances to repent and listen to His words.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And had it not been for the Grace of Allah upon you and His mercy in the present (life) (Literally: the lowly “life”, i.e., the life of this world) and the Hereafter, indeed a tremendous torment would have touched you for what you press on (i.e., for what you press on talking about falsehood ‘ifk’)” (TMQ, 24:14).

He also says, “And had it not been for the Grace of Allah upon you and His mercy, in no way would any of you have been cleansed at all; but Allah cleanses whomever He decides, and Allah is Ever-Hearing, Ever-Knowing,”(TMQ, 24:21). Besides, in Surat Ya-Seen, He says, “And in case We (so) decide, We drown them; then they will have no screaming, nor are they rescued. Except as a mercy from Us and enjoyment for a while,” (TMQ, 36: 43-44).

Another important example of Allah's mercy is that He covers up your shortcomings and does not expose your sins to people. What if every time you commit a sin it is written on your house? What if sins had a bad odor that comes out of the sinner to scandalize him? If so, I bet no one will stand his friend's stench. Only Allah's mercy shields our sins from being publicized.

At the time of Umar Ibnul-Khattab (RA), a man was caught for stealing. Carried to Omar's place, the man went on crying, “I swear by Allah, it is the first time.” "A liar you are", replied Omar, "Allah (SWT) never exposes a man the first time he sins." Omar knew how truly Merciful Allah is.

Repentance itself, being an easily attained task, indicates how Merciful Allah is. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Then Adam received (some) Words from his Lord; so He relented towards him; surely He, Ever He, is The Superbly Relenting, The Ever-Merciful,” (TMQ, 2:37). After he had eaten from the tree which Allah had prohibited, Adam (AS)[5] regretted what he did. However, he did not know how to repent. Hence, Allah (SWT) revealed to him some words. Upon saying those words, Allah would shower His forgiveness upon him. Subhan Allah (Glorified be Allah)! Though Adam had committed the sin, Allah, the All-Merciful, taught him how to repent. What were those words that Allah revealed to Adam? Allah said to Adam, “O Adam, say the following words, ‘Our Lord, we have done an injustice to ourselves; and in case You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, indeed we (both) will definitely be among the losers’” (TMQ, 7:23).

It is never amazing when a servant draws near his Lord. However, it is amazing enough when a Lord draws near his servant by showering His mercy upon him. Subhan Allah (Glorified be Allah)!

Sending messengers, revealing books and providing the Islamic law are surely signs of Allah's mercy. Islamic law evidently signifies Allah's mercy.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, " And this is a Book We have sent down, blessed; so follow it closely and be pious, that possibly you would be (granted) mercy"(TMQ, 6:155). Hence, "Islamic law is all founded on mercy". Everyone should memorize this statement by heart. Never think that the Islamic Law is unjust. However, some of you might say, “How is the Islamic law founded on mercy when it calls for cutting off the thief's hand, whipping the adulterer…etc.?” They might even consider the Islamic prescribed laws as unjust when it is indeed another sign of Allah's mercy. Those prescribed laws keep the muslim community safe from crimes. Nowadays, when communities abandoned those laws, the rates of crimes and rape became much higher than ever.

Amazingly enough, the Day of Judgment is another sign of Allah's mercy. Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…He has prescribed for Himself (the) mercy. Indeed He will definitely gather you to the Day of the Resurrection…” (TMQ, 6:12). How can our gathering on the Day of Judgment be a sign of His mercy? It is a sign of mercy as people are rewarded fairly, good ones are rewarded positively and sinners are punished.

All Praise be to Allah for creating the Day of Judgment. On that day, some people will be overwhelmed with happiness; they will look like travelers who have finally returned to their families after long journeys. Those who strived in their lifetimes, those who suffered from injustice, those who fasted, those who performed their prayers regularly, those who prayed Qiyam (night prayer), ladies who have worn Hijab, those who kept their eyes away from the prohibited…etc; all will be, like travelers, overwhelmed with happiness.

On the other hand, sinners who have strayed from Allah’s straight path will look like criminals who have managed to run away from prison for tens of years, and have now been caught. See how differently people will appear on that day! Indeed, the Day of Judgment is one of the signs of Allah's mercy.

Creating woman is another sign of Allah's mercy. Being the All-Merciful, he created woman to be the source of compassion in man's life. Had not women been created, no passion or compassion would have existed on earth. Evidences for my words are found in the story of Adam (AS), related by the Prophet (SAWS).

As he lived in paradise, Adam (AS) felt lonely. Hence, Allah created Hawaa (Eve) while he was asleep. When he woke up he asked her, “Who are you? Why were you created?”

“I am Hawaa. I was created so that you can find rest in me”, replied she.

Allah (SWT) clearly says, “…that you (may) find rest in them…” (TMQ, 30:21). See how sacred the relationship between man and woman is! See how Islam dignifies woman and considers her as man's sister! There is, actually, no difference between man and woman in Islamic Law.

Sending us down to earth is also one of the signs of Allah's mercy. "It would have been better if we were sent directly to paradise", most of us might think. However, sending us down to earth is a sign of Allah's mercy. As a matter of fact, the human self never feels satisfied with what it attains easily. It quickly gets bored with it. On the other hand, it admires whatever is attained with difficulty.

Consider the case of a father who strives all through his life to buy a car. Surely, he will be careful when driving it. Unlike the father is the son, who might indifferently smash it into pieces. "Why are you angry, dad? It is just a car!”, the boy will insensibly answer his father's anger. Certainly the boy does not know the value of such a car, since he had not strived to buy it.

Hence, it is out of Allah's mercy that he sent us down to earth first; so that we long to paradise. Similarly, one might spend 60 or 70 years on earth worshipping Allah though has never seen Him. Hence, he longs to see Him. People, who faithfully worship Allah during life, though they have never seen Him, are those who enjoy seeing Him the most, on the Day of Judgment. This is because they have abandoned sins for the sake of seeing Him. See how Merciful Allah is!

Added to all the above mentioned signs are afflictions; evident signs of Allah's mercy! He sends you such afflictions, so that you feel uncomfortable in life and long to paradise. He wants paradise, not life, to be the end you strive to reach. Although it is quite troublesome, people now quit life with wails and sadness. Thus, what would they have done if it were comfortable and pleasant?

See how wonderful Allah's mercy is!

One last sign of Allah's mercy is His being Merciful even to disbelievers. He bestows His blessings upon all humanity, even disbelievers. Though he owns the whole universe, He does not deprive disbelievers from air to breathe, water to drink or food to eat. He is truly the All-Merciful.

One day, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) invited a man for food. The moment Prophet Ibrahim (AS) lit fire to cook the food, the man ran towards it and prostrated before it; he was a fire-worshipper. Ibrahim (AS) rebuked him saying, “Get up! Do you worship fire?”, and decided not to serve food for him. Angel Jibril (AS) came to Ibrahim (AS) and said, “O Ibrahim! Allah (SWT) is saying to you, ‘Couldn't you tolerate him for an hour, when I have tolerated him for 60 years?’” Hearing those words, Ibrahim (AS) hurried to the man and said, “Come eat with me.” "What changed you?" asked the man. "My Lord has blamed me for your sake", replied Ibrahim. “An Ever-Merciful God like yours must surely be worshipped”, said the man, and reverted to Islam.

In Surat Al-Baqara, Ibrahim (AS) pleads to Allah (SWT) saying what can be translated as, “And as Ibrahîm said, “Lord! Make this a secure land, and provide its population with (various) products, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day.” However, Allah the All-Merciful adds, “And whoever disbelieves…”(TMQ, 2:126). Ibrahim (AS) asked Allah to bestow His blessings upon believers only; yet, Allah, the Ever-Merciful, included disbelievers as well in Ibrahim's plea.

[Traveller's note: So in conclusion, mercy is a beautiful thing that is one of the Attributes of Allaah [swt]; He has shown mercy to the whole of His creation. If we show mercy to one another, Allaah [swt] will show mercy to us on the Day of Judgement.]

[1] TMQ= Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

[2] SAWS= Sala-llahu Alaihi Wa-Sallam = All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him.

[3] Narrated by Abu-Huraira in Sahih Muslim.

[4] SWT= Subhanahu wa Ta'ala= Glorified and Exalted Be He.

[5] AS= Alaihi Assalam = All Peace of Allah Be Upon Him.

2007-08-17T20:16:00.000+01:00

So its August right, but it feels like we're at the end of December - typical British weather; flooding in summer, snow in spring..

I shouldn't complain though really, cuz then life'd be boring if everything ran on the course we wanted it to.

It wouldn't be so fun if I passed with flying colours just cuz I wanted to, because then I wouldn't have the thrill of avoiding my parents everytime the subject of Exams or Results came up, I wouldn't be racking my brains on how to break the news that I have a *gasp* Resit. I wouldn't have the joy of being in the middle of a celebratory occasion [cheif justice of Pak is back..back in black: in ur face busharraf] where everyones whooping and cheering and me turning to face my mum in the middle of all that partying with a laugh and grin on my face, "By the way, mum, I failed", and watch her grin slowly..slowly..fade..people around us turn to me in slow motion, their smiles receding...the noise around us fading..the wind screaming in my ears..the world spiralling in front of my eyes..the light fading....going..going....gone.

*

Cooooooor! Imagine if any of that really happened! I shudder to think of the consequences.

2007-08-08T14:09:00.000+01:00

All was well.

2007-07-27T22:48:00.000+01:00

2007-07-23T00:01:00.000+01:00

The True Lie

One bright day in the middle of the night
Two dead boys got up to fight,
Back to back they faced each other
Drew their swords and shot each other,
A deaf policeman who heard the noise
came and killed those two dead boys
and if you dont belive this story is true
ask the blind man, he saw it too!

2007-07-12T22:58:00.000+01:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
*
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
*
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
*
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
*
Robert Frost

2007-07-03T14:40:00.000+01:00

And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this." [7:172]

And remember Allah's Favour upon you and His Covenant with which He bound you when you said: "We hear and we obey." And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is AllKnower of the secrets of (your) breasts. [5:7]

Long before the creation of Adam ('alaihis salaam), Allaah bought forth all the souls of the whole of mankind and asked us all a question, "am I not your Lord?".

***

Note: the question is 'am I NOT your Lord?' and not 'am I your Lord?' - ie. the fact is established: Allaah is our Rabb. Here He [Glorified and Exalted is He] is asking us to to basically confirm/testify/admit this fact. Allaah does not ask 'am I your Lord' because there are 2 answers here: yes and no, and implies that there is a possibility He is not our Lord. The question Allaah actualy asks leaves no room for the answer 'no', no room for even a shadow of a doubt.

***

So anyways, back to this incident that occured before our bodies were created. We answered "yes! we testify (to the fact that you are our Lord)".

***

And this was the pact we made, "..His Covenant with which He bound you..".

The covenant between mankind and our Creator where we affirm and testify that Allaah is our Lord. Now, I can't remember any of this incident for the life of me! ...but that's cuz the memory was wiped out; however, Allaah has reminded us about it in the Quran in the above 2 verses (and alluded to it in other verses also) "...lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Verily, we have been unaware of this' "

***

This incident is called 'Al-Meethaaq', that is 'the covenant/agreement' and it is through this that Allaah has set us on our 'way' or Fitrah.

The Prophet [salAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] said: ‘Every newborn child is born in a state of fitrah. Then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian, just as an animal is born intact. Do you observe any among them that are maimed (at birth)?’

This hadith tells us that "Fitrah" is the inherent nature that human beings incline towards naturally, and what the human being is naturally inclined to is goodness. When human beings are raised and nurtured correctly, they usually incline towards the truth.

***

For example: every child knows it is wrong to steal, or wrong to lie or wrong to cheat & they know helping the poor and prphans is good - this is due to the fitrah. Also, every religion teaches that it is wrong to cheat/lie/steal, so this isn't unique to one set of people - its natural to all mankind. So basic morality = fitrah. The worship of our Rabb also comes under this.

So fitrah exists in every child, but if he grows up to reject it, this fitrah is damaged or destroyed - helping him go astray.

***

As I was thinking about recent (past few years) events in the news,I realised just how many of us have opposed and rejected our fitrah, leading to the issues we have in the world today.

So that's why knowledge is important innit: when you know something, you can begin to grow fond of it, even love it. So learning about Islam will lead us to love it, and in turn help us to nurture our fitrah and help us to change ourselves and thus change society, inshaAllaah.

2007-06-09T12:17:00.000+01:00

A simple reminder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKNerlfXamg

2007-06-05T21:18:00.000+01:00

7 down, 2 to go...

..and counting..

....the seconds...

..till blast off.

2007-05-26T13:52:00.000+01:00

Oh. Deary. Me.

famous last words.

lol :/

That nasheed by Raihan comes to mind, 'thank you Allah'.