Category Archives: Tests

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To Life or To Death….

A big big reminder to self! ❤ and to all those who are in need of this reminder…
by Sister Sunshine Smiles
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon”

Indeed we belong to Allah(SWT), and indeed to Him is our return.
The intensity that this statement offers does not pertain to death alone but different perceptions of loss and intellect that blows my novice mind to amazedness.
A few years back, this phrase came into my existing Dua’ dictionary when my Father introduced me to it as I was unaware on how to react on the news of somebody’s sad demise.
That one unforgettable morning which started with these words on my lips even before the break of dawn, forced my mind to shut down emotionally for the rest of the day.
It is unimaginable how Allah(SWT) finds the perfect reminders to soften our hearts from the deep barriers of hardness that develop around it in the conscious attempt of living up to the ever competing world.
This isn’t another article reminding you that death is inevitable and all that. This one’s about life, creatively wrapped in ribbons of genuineness symmetrically bowed in what we love to call ‘Love’, of which death does hold some significance.
Love, that was initially focused on our parents when we were 4 years old eventually got distributed to, say a few relatives, cousins and friends when we turned 10 and even more friends and relatives as we Continue reading →
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“The believers are like one body”

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “The Faithful are to one another like [parts of] a building – each part strengthening the others” and “Every Muslim is a brother to a Muslim, neither wronging him nor allowing him to be wronged. And if anyone helps his brother in need, Allah will help him in his own need; and if anyone removes a calamity from [another] Muslim, Allah will remove from him some of the calamities of the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone shields [another] Muslim from disgrace, Allah will shield him from the disgrace on the Day of Resurrection.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of `Abd Allah ibn `Umar]

In the hectic life of this era, where we are forever running from one place to another, from one job to another, from one goal to another, from one dream to another… we hardly get enough time to think of what is happening around us. Or sometimes it so happens that even though we know about what is happening around the world -be it the good, the bad the ugly, we care less to do something about it. We are SO engrossed in OUR family, OUR kids, OUR job, OUR happiness, OUR problems… OUR life that we forget that there is someone else out there who is in so much more pain than us. Why have we become so selfish and self indulgent that we have NO time whatsoever to think, leave alone care for anything else that’s happening around us; We read about it and forget …no time even to make dua neither for the sake of OUR Ummah – The Ummah of Muhammad (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) nor for the sake of Humanity. (nauthubillah)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) also said, “The believers, in their love, mutual kindness, and close ties, are like one body; when any part complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” [Muslim], “The faithful are like one man: if his eyes suffers, his whole body suffers.” [Muslim]

Are we SO busy that we can’t even take time to reflect at how a part of our Ummah is suffering at hands of the oppressor? Are we SO engrossed in our lives that we can’t even give few minutes of our time to stop and make dua for the Syrians?

This article was a wake up call (to self first) to slow down, to reflect and to do atleast that little bit which I can and you can do for the sake of Allah, for the betterment of everyone around and in order that the I may not be called to account for not raising any awareness about it on the day of judgement. And this awakening happened because of my dear sister Nasmira’s article. My words may or may not have made sense of what I was talking about, but it was the least I could do other than making dua for our Ummah(for the Syrians to be specific); so I leave you with her article “Silence: A Form of Acceptance” with the hope that her words do wake u up too to do the least that we can.

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu.

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Silence:A Form of Acceptance – By Nasmira Firdous

No words, no amount of tears can do justice to what’s happening in Syria. This silence of mine is a silent form of acceptance and approval to what’s happening. The least I can do is speak out, but against whom and do what, many would ask. Most of us are probably living continents apart and feel helpless. While the world remains a mute spectator, the silence of the believer is an even bitter pill to swallow.

What makes anyone think that I would not be held accountable for what’s happening? Yet what can I do? I tell you of a Continue reading →

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Pour Your Heart Out to Allah

By Sister Raghad Ebied

Source: Muslim Women Success Coach

You know how sometimes you really want something to happen or there’s already something really important happening in your life, yet you feel like there are so many challenges and obstacles to overcome?

Whether it’s a personal or community project, a new relationship like starting a marriage or expecting a child, or acquiring a new job, you will notice more often than not, that anytime we as human beings want to do something great or important and start creating more fulfillment in our lives and in the lives of others, that there will be all sorts of tests and tribulations along the way.

We have so many examples of this from our Islamic history.  Think about the Prophet peace be upon him.  He was the one man on earth at the time who had revelation coming down to him, peace be upon him, from the seventh heaven.  He was the most beloved human being to Allah (Swt) and had an ever so important message to deliver, yet he faced trials and tribulations, one after the other.

After his first incident with Angel Gabriel in Cave Hira, he sought comfort and support from his beloved wife Khadijah, who believed in him and supported him like no other and took him to her cousin, Continue reading →

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The best is yet to come!

A year back, a girl was walking the path to recovery! Fallen in the dungeon of dunya she had lost her way. Broken .. shattered.. and confused.. with no hopes what so ever about life she wished for some miracle, some reason – atleast one reason – that would give her a reason to live! Every morning waking up to the torture of living her day, she would wait for night to re-appear so she could go back to sleep, hoping that she would not see the light of the next day! She was tired! Tired of this ruthless world. Tired of her confused feelings. Tired of the people around. Tired of herself. If it weren’t for the little imaan that was left in her heart, she would have either ended her life or lost her sanity for nothing.

When we fill our hearts with the glitters of this dunya the outcome is nothing but disappointment and pain. If only she knew…

She went from door to door knocking for help hoping against hope that someone…atleast one among her friends would be able to take her out of the painful life. She did get words of hope, but that was not enough! The cut was too deep and the words were insignificant to make it heal!

In the midst of pain one night, Continue reading →

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‘Don’t Be Sad’ Series – Remember Allah is with Us!

Bismillah

Assalamualaikum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatahu,

Al-Ghazali said, “If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you, frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation, know that you hold a great status with Him. Know that He is dealing with you as He does with His Awliya’ and chosen elite, and is watching over you, have you not heard His saying, “So wait steadfastly for the judgment of your Lord – you are certainly before Our eyes.[At-Tur 52:48]
 This series was small attempt to spark hope in the hearts of people whose heart are in need of it and to serve as a reminder for us, for the sake of Allah.  The real help though can only come from Allah(swt), the owner of Peace. So establish your Salah and make immense dua and inshaAllah, you WILL see how Allah sets everything right for you and brings you out of darkness to light.

Let’s not forget, this world was never meant to be perfect. There’s no way that our lifes could be a cake walk for us. This life on earth was meant to be a test from Allah, who tells us about the purpose of our lifes in this world in the following verse of the Quran –

“Who hath created life and death that He may try you which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving” (Quran 67:2)

Trials and tests are a part of this life. They are a means by which Allah distinguishes each one of us and provides us with opportunities to increase our level in Jannah. SubhanAllah!

There is no point running behind happiness because by virtue “happiness” is like water, no matter how hard you try to hold it in your hand at some point it is going to flow away.  Instead we need to work on our relationship with the almighty, improve our deen (religious knowledge), do not leave salah and hold fast to our imaan; so that inshaAllah we are atleast at peace. The result of which is that even if something real bad happens with us we do not prolong the sadness, by the grace of Allah. We accept it, displaying true faith in the qadr of Allah, reminding ourselves the purpose of our life in this world and move on.

May Allah grant all of us this peace and help us be content with our lives. Let no storm be strong enough to shake our faith and trust in the Almighty and His plan for us, for He is the best of planners. Ameen.

On a side note, here are some additional suggestions:

I would strongly recommend reading articles by sister Yasmin Mogahed. Her article really give me some sense to why things happen the way they do and what is required of us to find true contentment in dunya so that it may benefit us in the akhira,inshaAllah. She also has a lot of audio clips which can be downloaded too. Please do listen to them.

Secondly, the book “Dont be sad” .. I just got this book few days back, so I cant  really give my opinion about it, but our muslim brothers and sisters around do recommend this book for everyone. So, inshaAllah, it should be helpful. Do get yourself a copy of it or you can download the e-book version from here.

Lastly, Brother Eddie of “The deen show” has some wonderful advises for us! I personally love this audio clip. It’s long but it covers all the good verses from the quran and hadith that will help one feel a LOT better! Download it and keep it with you, so you could listen to it whenever you feel low again!

Love you all for the sake of Allah! 🙂 Fii Amanillah!

Lots of Love & Peace,
Potential Hijabi

P.S. Keep smiling, “La Tahzan (Don’t be sad), Allah is with us.”(Quran 9:40) 🙂

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‘Don’t Be Sad’ series – Questions Answered!

Bismillah
Assalamualaikum wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatahu,
Sadness brings along with it a number of questions… The endless “why”s!! .. Here are some questions answered in light of quran, that happened to be posted on page over the internet!
1) WE ALWAYS ASK: Why was I TESTED?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “Do men think that they will be left alone saying,’We believe’, and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.” [29:2-3]2) WE ALWAYS ASK: Why I never get what I wanted?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: ” It is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing, which is bad for you. But Allah knows, while you know not.” Surah Al-Baqarah [2:216]

3) WE ALWAYS ASK: Why was I burdened this way?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “Allah does not place a burden to a soul greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns.” Surah Al-Baqarah [2:286]& ” So verily, with every difficulty there is relief: (repeated) Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” Surah Al-Insyirah [94:5-6]

4) WE ALWAYS ASK: Why am I losing hope?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For you will be superior if you are true in Faith.” Surah Al-Imran [3:139]

5) WE ALWAYS ASK: How can I face it?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: ” O you who believed! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah that you may prosper.” Surah Al-Imran[3:200] & “And seek(Allah’s) help with patient, perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a humbly submissive (to Allah).” Surah Al-Baqarah [2:45]

6) WE ALWAYS ASK: What do I get from all these?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and properties (in exchange) for that they will have the garden (of Paradise)…” Surah At-Taubah [9:111]

7) WE ALWAYS ASK: To whom could I depend?
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “(Allah) suffice me: there is no god but He: On Him is my trust- He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme.” Surah At-Taaubah [9:129]

8) WE ALWAYS ASK: But I can’t take it anymore!
AL-QURAN ANSWERS: “…and never give up hope of Allah’s Soothing Mercy; truly No one despairs of Allah’s Soothing Mercy. except Those who have no faith.” Surah Yusuf [9:87]& “Despairs not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives All sins for He is Often- Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah Az-Zumar [39:53]

And a few others are answered in these lectures…
9) Why can’t I get what I want?
A wonderful talk on this question by Sister Yasmin Mogahed..!
10)Why do bad things happened to good people?
I’m sure everyone of us have had this question at some point.. this lecture HERE should answer it best!
Lot’s of Peace and Love
Potential Hijabi ❤
P.S. This is such a BEAUTIFUL Dua. “I know you are there Allah. I know you see my tears. I know you hear my prayers. I know you are testing me. And all I ask from you is to strengthen my Imaan so I can handle the struggles in life and have patience. I love you my Lord. My Allah. Please keep me safe” Ameen