love

"No matter what I say to explain and elucidate Love,
shame overcomes me when I come to Love itself.
Love cannot be contained within our speaking or listening;
Love is an ocean whose depths cannot be plumbed.
Would you try to count the drops of the sea?
Before that Ocean, the seven seas are nothing.
Love cannot be found in erudition and science, books and pages.
Whatever is discussed by people - that is not the way of lovers.
Whatever you have said or heard is the shell:
The kernel of Love is a mystery that cannot be divulged.
Enough! How long will you cling to these words of the tongue?
Love has many expositions beyond speech.
Silence! Silence! For the allusions of Love are reversed:
The meanings become hidden from much speaking.
Somone asked, "What is Love?"
I replied, "Ask not about these meanings.
When you become like me, then you will know.
When He calls you, you will recite its tale."
Oh you who have listened to talk of Love, behold Love!
What are words in the ears compared to vision in the eyes?"

This poem was written by Mevlana Rumi, so deep and touching that can't help penetrating the heart. May Allah Almighty granted us His divine love. Only God's love can wash our sorrows off!

"One of the supplications of Prophet David (PBUH) was: 'God, I beg of You Your love, the love of those who love You, and such conduct as should lead me to Your love. God, make Your love dearer to me than my soul and my family, and dearer than cold water.'" (At-Tirmidhi)

Istikhara

"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task. The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?

According to Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 21, Number 263:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah : The Prophet (Sallal Laho Alaihi Wasallam) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara, in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Quran. He said, "If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and recite duaa after the prayer.

How to perform istikhara?
First pray Two Cycles (raka') of ritual Prayer (nafil) such that in the first raka' after Surah Fatiha recite Surah al-Kafirun (Chapter 109) and in the second raka' after Fatiha recite Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112). After finishing prayer recite this duaa/supplication:

"O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power. You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen. Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me. O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."

How many times to do istikhara?
It depends really, sometimes it takes only once to get the answer and sometimes it takes longer. It is better to do istakhara seven (7) times. If you have received an answer as explained in the section below, stop doing istikhara. You do not have to continue to do isitkhara for 7 days. It is better that right after reciting the supplication, given above, sleep with ablution (people who cannot keep the ablution for longer times due to health problems do not have to worry about ablution before falling asleep) facing the direction of the Qibla (facing the Qibla is not required but it is a Sunnat of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him). It is better to recite salutations (durood/ salawat) on the Prophet Allah's Grace and Peace be upon him before and after the above Dua (supplication).

What's the answer?
If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.) or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.) or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istikhara.

source: http://www.islamicacademy.org/html/Dua/How_to_do_Istakhara.htm

do it anyway

Between you and God - a poignant wisdom.

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and sincere, people may cheat you; Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you've got and it may never be enough; Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway

This was written by Mother Teresa and is engraved on the wall of her home for children.

remember Him

Sometimes Allah breaks our spirit to save our soul

Sometimes He breaks our heart to make us whole

Sometimes Allah allows pain so we can be stronger

Sometimes Allah sends us failure so we can be humble

Sometimes Allah allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves

Sometimes Allah takes everything away from us so we can value everything He gives us

That's why we have to always remember Him..

It is impossible for things to remain the same

The days and years rotate, the future is unseen

and everyday Allah has matters to bring forth

We know it not, but it may be that Allah will

afterwards bring some new things to pass

And verily, with hardship there is a relief

Hence, glad tidings to those who strive for the sake of Allah!

InsyaAllah Taala.

"The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that, wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that, earns His wrath." (Saheeh al-Tirmidzi)

Abu Hurairah RA reported that the Prophet SAW said; "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, but cherish what gives you benefit in the Hereafter and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't simply say: 'If I had not done that, such and such thing wouldn't have happened', but say: 'Allah has ordained it so, and whatever He pleases He does', because 'ifs' and 'buts' open the door for Satan." (Muslim)

Remember Allah always! (",)

Happy Eid!

Assalamu'alaikum to all my dear sisters and brothers.

I'm aware that this is very much overdue but it's better late than never, since it has been quite hectic for me since the last few weeks with the starting of the new academic term, eid celebrations, new juniors coming, home spring clean etc etc.

Alhamdulillah...Ramadhan that has passed has taught me so many lessons. Things that I initially presumed would be difficult turned out to be rather tolerable and Allah has made it easy for me alhamdulillah. For instance, I thought I would barely survive the long hour of fasting during summer time plus with the studies and revision as well as the stress and pressure that I had to cope to sit for exams in mid August. It's not been perfect for I haven't been anywhere near perfect but I'm delighted and motivated to fast and do good things during last Ramadhan. So I must say it has been a great Ramadhan for me this year despite all the unpleasant things happened around me.

I tend to have mixed feelings at the end of Ramadhan, sad that I had to bid adieu Ramadhan..the month full of mercy by Allah, but at the same time happy for the reward to celebrate Eid with family and friends, and had passed the trial month.

Anyways, Happy Eid to all Muslims around the world! ^_^ Don't forget to do the complementary ibadah: fast 6 days in Syawal!

"He who fasts in the month of Ramadhan followed by 6 days in Syawal, it is as if he has fasted for a year." (Hadeeth Muslim)