Allah

Allah

Monday, May 6, 2013

Is the New Format Better or the Old Format?

Do you guys enjoy the new Wordpress format? Or are you more into the old? I am still debating whether to just create a new blog under this one. Please let me know!

Friday, April 5, 2013

New BLOG!!!!!

http://therevertdiaries.wordpress.com/

I am currently building my new website.... please visit me!

I will begin the changed to Word Press soon...look forward to my new stories...

ALL about my journey to Saudi Arabia and beyond!

See you soon insha'Allah!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Virginia Muslim Community

Salaam wa alaikum everyone!

I know it has been awhile but I have been extremely busy al hamdililah! I will be drafting a post on my Umrah trip soon insha'Allah.

Right now my current beef is with the Virginia Muslim Community and it's social scene. I am from a small town, and I lived in Baltimore for a few years. I have lived in the city and in the "country" if you will. However, nothing has been similar to this Northern VA, DC community. That being said I have been in the area for over a year now, and would like to voice my opinion on some issues with the social community.

1. Why does everything have to be listed on facebook? I understand facebook is a great way to network, inform many people for free, and meet new friends, however.....why doesn't anyone use the telephone anymore? Or even email? I do not like my daily activities blasted all over the internet, however in this area I have no choice. No facebook event= no attendees.

2. Mixed events...are the ONLY events..... Ok, I don't mind Islamically mindful mixed events...and I understand that not everyone has the same viewpoints as me....but where are the girls nights?? HELLOO! I have been down here over a year and there have only been two...one I hosted! what's up with that? I'm sorry but everytime I go to mixed events I get hit on, and I only end up getting to know men. Women are so distracted at these events and are NOT interested in getting to know girls...I wish that there were more girl events....also I wear my hijab ALL day EVERYDAY...why do I want to go to social events where I have to do that as well???

3. Depth of friendship....why do people try to be friends with 203940239480293840 people? You are never going to be close with these people. You attend all of these gatherings, fundraisers, and networking events, only to come out with 12 business cards and only first names. I'm sorry but this is not my way of living. I want to know that I have people that would take me to the hospital, nurture me when I am sick, and actually notice if I dropped off the face of the planet.

4. Invite someone over your HOUSE. I understand it is stressful to host people (especially why you wouldn't if it was mixed) HOWEVER how are you really friends if you have never seen them without hijab, and have never broken bread together. I love having people over for dinner and feeding them! No one ever wants to come over my house though. I think people have ADD at NOVA because there are so many events to chose from that a normal dinner seems boring. Try it some time...trust me it is more rewarding than you think insha'Allah....

Well that just about wraps up my rant on NOVA...let me know what you guys think....

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Praying at Work

I have been at my current job for about a year now. This entire time I have been praying during my lunch hour in the chilly warehouse, and missing prayers because I have been too self conscious and afraid to ask my boss to put time in my schedule to pray. This was really affecting my feelings about my job. Everday when I got home exhausted from working, I would have generally three prayers to make up. I really started to resent my job and was seriously thinking about leaving. I longed for a Muslim workplace and a job where my hours were flexible. My job is extremely scheduled, down the the half an hour. Finally I got up the gall to ask my boss if he would consider letting me come in early or what have you so I could get my prayers in on time. At the current time I was working 9:30-6:30pm, which made me miss everything but fajr and dhur. I went in his office and spoke with him privately. I stated that it would be a huge burden off me, and that I would only need a break in the afternoon. He told me that he couldn't guarantee anything, but he would do his best. I felt worried, and dissapointed that he did not automatically say yes, but I went back to my cubicle hoping to get an answer.
Not only did he change my schedule from 8am to 5pm, I now have a break for Asr. Al hamdilillah. My boss is allowing me to pray every single prayer on time. I have been on this schedule since the new year, and I have never felt better. I feel at peace and at ease. My work performance has improved significantly, as did my feelings about my job. If you are having trouble at work, just ask. You never know how you might be heard.

Friday, January 14, 2011

My Analysis of Surah 33:35


~Bismillah Al Rahman Al Rahim~


For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God's praise -- for them has God prepared forgiveness and great reward.   [ Quran 33:35 ]


From reading this surah, I have extracted (at least what I believe) to be important points. Anything good I have gained from Allah (SWT), anything bad is from my own humanity.


This surah contains the formula to create the “perfect Muslim” or “perfect human”. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) showed us the perfect execution of each of these characteristics in life. Each of these characteristics is something we should strive to have within ourselves, and these are the standards we should live by. Each of these adjectives are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith on numerous occasions, stressing the importance of these characteristics.


Patience

“Seek help in patience and in prayer” (2:45)
“Surely God is with the patient (2:153)
“If you have patience and guard yourselves against evil and disobedience, God will send to your aid five thousand angels having distinguishing marks, if they (your enemies) suddenly attack you (3:124) promises the believers Divine aid in return for patience.”



Constant

(29:45)Convey (unto others) whatever of this divine writ has been revealed unto you, and be constant in prayer (Salah) for, behold, prayer restrains (man) from loathsome deeds and from all that runs counter to reason; and remembrance of God is indeed the greatest (good). And God knows all that you do.

Humble

Surah 6. Al-An'am Verses 33-67

6:43 But, instead of being humble when Our Requital touched them, their selfish desire led their minds into rationalizing their actions. This is because their hearts had been hardened with arrogance and repeated rejection of the Truth. [2:74, 5:13]

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:Pride is My cloak and greatness My robe, and he who competes with Me in respect of either of them I shall cast into Hell-fire.
[Abu Dawud (also by Ibn Majah and Ahmad) with sound chains of authority. This Hadith also appears in Muslim in another version.]
Charity

Hadith Qudsi
“Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.”
It was related by al- Bukhari (also by Muslim)

Fast

[[Surat ul Baqarah:183]] O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

[[1:184]] (Fasting) for a fixed number of days but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.


Verse 185: Ramadan is the [month] in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgement (btw right and wrong). So every one of you who is present(at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up ) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you. He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him. In that He has guided you, and perchance ye shall be grateful.
Chastity

“And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts) (23:5)

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts and not to show of their adornment except only that which is apparent…” (24:31)

God’s Praise

The Beneficent

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[55.1] The Beneficent God,
[55.2] Taught the Quran.
[55.3] He created man,
[55.4] Taught him the mode of expression.
[55.5] The sun and the moon follow a reckoning.
[55.6] And the herbs and the trees do adore (Him).
[55.7] And the heaven, He raised it high, and He made the balance
[55.8] That you may not be inordinate in respect of the measure.
[55.9] And keep up the balance with equity and do not make the measure deficient.
[55.10] And the earth, He has set it for living creatures;
[55.11] Therein is fruit and palms having sheathed clusters,
[55.12] And the grain with (its) husk and fragrance.
[55.13] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.14] He created man from dry clay like earthen vessels,
[55.15] And He created the jinn of a flame of fire.
[55.16] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.17] Lord of the East and Lord of the West.
[55.18] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.19] .He has made the two seas to flow freely (so that) they meet together:
[55.20] Between them is a barrier which they cannot pass.
[55.21] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.22] There come forth from them pearls, both large and small.
[55.23] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.24] And His are the ships reared aloft in the sea like mountains.
[55.25] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.26] Everyone on it must pass away.
[55.27] And there will endure for ever the person of your Lord, the Lord of glory and honor.
[55.28] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.29] All those who are in the heavens and the earth ask of Him; every moment He is in a state (of glory).
[55.30] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.31] Soon will We apply Ourselves to you, O you two armies.
[55.32] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.33] O assembly of the jinn and the men! If you are able to pass through the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass through; you cannot pass through but with authority.
[55.34] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.35] The flames of fire and smoke will be sent on you two, then you will not be able to defend yourselves.
[55.36] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.37] And when the heaven is rent asunder, and then becomes red like red hide.
[55.38] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.39] So on that day neither man nor jinni shall be asked about his sin.
[55.40] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.41] The guilty shall be recognized by their marks, so they shall be seized by the forelocks and the feet.
[55.42] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.43] This is the hell which the guilty called a lie.
[55.44] Round about shall they go between it and hot, boiling water.
[55.45] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.46] And for him who fears to stand before his Lord are two gardens.
[55.47] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.48] Having in them various kinds.
[55.49] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.50] In both of them are.two fountains flowing.
[55.51] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.52] In both of them are two pairs of every fruit.
[55.53] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.54] Reclining on beds, the inner coverings of which are of silk brocade; and the fruits of the two gardens shall be within reach.
[55.55] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.56] In them shall be those who restrained their eyes; before them neither man nor jinni shall have touched them.
[55.57] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.58] As though they were rubies and pearls.
[55.59] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.60] Is the reward of goodness aught but goodness?
[55.61] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.62] And besides these two are two (other) gardens:
[55.63] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.64] Both inclining to blackness.
[55.65] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.66] In both of them are two springs gushing forth.
[55.67] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.68] In both are fruits and palms and pomegranates.
[55.69] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.70] In them are goodly things, beautiful ones.
[55.71] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.72] Pure ones confined to the pavilions.
[55.73] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.74] Man has not touched them before them nor jinni.
[55.75] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.76] Reclining on green cushions and beautiful carpets.
[55.77] Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?
[55.78] Blessed be the name of your Lord, the Lord of Glory and Honor!


On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said:
"Allah (glorified and exalted be He) has supernumerary angels who rove about seeking out gatherings in which Allah's name is being invoked: they sit with them and fold their wings round each other, filling in that which is between them and between the lowest heaven. When [the people in the gathering] depart, [the angels] ascend and rise up to heaven." He (the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Then Allah (mighty and sublime be He) asks them - [though] He is most knowing about them: 'From where have you come?' And they say: 'We have come from some servants of Yours on Earth: they were glorifying You (Subhana llah), exalting you (Allahu akbar), witnessing that there is no god but You (La ilaha illa llah), praising You (Al-Hamdu lillah), and asking [favours] of You.' He says: 'And what do they ask of Me?' They say: 'They ask of You Your Paradise.' He says: 'And have they seen My Paradise?' They say: 'No, O Lord.' He says: 'And how would it be were they to have seen My Paradise!' They say: 'And they ask protection of You.' He says: 'From what do they ask protection of Me?' They say: 'From Your Hell-fire, O Lord.' He says: 'And have they seen My Hell-fire?' They say: 'No.' He says: 'And how would it be were they to have seen My Hell-fire!' They say: 'And they ask for Your forgiveness.'" He (the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Then He says: 'I have forgiven them and I have bestowed upon them what they have asked for, and I have granted them sanctuary from that from which they asked protection.'" He (the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "They say: 'O Lord, among then is So-and-so, a much sinning servant, who was merely passing by and sat down with them.'" He (the Prophet - peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "And He says: 'And to him [too] I have given forgiveness: he who sits with such people shall not suffer.'"
[Muslim (also by al-Bukhari, at-Tirmidhi, and an-Nasa'i).]