Friday 31 May 2019

Benefits of dates



Hope the many benefits of dates will help make it a daily part of your diet.


These dry fruits or fresh dates are sweet in taste and rich in minerals and vitamins.


Dates are either bought fresh or dry. The dry fruits that can be chipped and sprinkled on sweet dishes, cakes and puddings to enhance flavor in your dish. They are also good to serve with a mixture of fruits. 


It is important to wash the dates properly before you eat because dust accumulates on the dates easily.


11 simple benefits to eating date


1. Sexual Stamina: It helps increase one’s sexual stamina. Soak one handful of dates in fresh milk overnight. In the morning grind the dates in the milk and add honey and cardamom powder and drink it.


2. Treats Anemia: Dates have high iron content and are very useful in treating anemia. The patients can eat many dates for better advantages. Dates also have fluorine that help avoid tooth decay.


3. Energy Booster: Dates are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars like glucose, sucrose and fructose. To get more advantage add dates to milk and make it a very nutritious snack. Dates are very low in calories and are extremely suitable for health conscious people.


4. Cures abdominal cancer: The best thing is that it does not have any side effect on the body and is completely natural as well as it works better than medicine.


5. Improves eyesight: It also helps in improving eye sight and helps in curing night blindness as well.


6. Improves digestive system: it contains different kinds of amino acids as well as soluble and insoluble fibers which help regulate the digestive system.


7. Lowers cholesterol: Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. They rich in minerals and vitamins.


8. Constipation: it helps people suffering from constipation, all you need to do is soak dates overnight and eat them in the morning along with drinking water.


9. Fiber: helps lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease as well as regulate bowel movement.


10. Maintains healthy nervous system: Rich in potassium and reduced in sodium, this helps regulate a healthy nervous system and can reduce risk of stroke.


11. Strengthens tooth enamel: Dry fruits contain fluorine, which is an essential mineral to slow down the process of early tooth decay.

Sunday 26 May 2019

Give Thanks..

I learned something life changing from my teacher.  And I pray it can benefit us all in these last 10 nights, insha Allah. 


Many of us often feel we are not doing enough. We may feel inadequate and frustrated when we don't live up to our own expectations. Or when others (our children, spouses, family) do not live up to our expectations of them. 


When this happens, our response is typically to focus on what's *missing* in our efforts, or in the efforts of others we care about. We focus on what's missing in hopes of increasing it. 


But what if we used a completely different approach? What formula does Allah give us in the Quran? He says: "If you are thankful, I will increase you (14:7)."


What if, instead of focusing on what's missing in our deeds, we show gratitude to Allah for the spiritual gifts He has *already* given us. Maybe you weren't able to stay up all night, but Allah allowed you to make heartfelt duaa or pray some portion of the night. Or maybe He allowed you to help another person in need or be at the service of your family. 


Show gratitude for those things and He will give you more! And remember, all good comes from Allah, so be careful not to take credit for your own worship or good deeds!


.. Yasmin Mogahed

Friday 24 May 2019

Dua for my sister's - TO THE SISTER WHO QUIETLY CRIES



I couldn’t help but wonder how many sisters in that room were in pain, and facing some trial, silently, and bravely, as we came together to worship Allah in prayer.


And you’d never know…


How many were calling out to Allah for His Mercy, knowing that He is the only One who can relieve their distress, forgive them, set right their affairs, and only in His remembrance would their hearts find rest?


Trials are the nature of this dunya and everyone is facing something, 


And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are th ones upon whom ar blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. Surat Al Baqarah: 155 – 157


I wanted to take a moment to make Dua for all of the sisters who are struggling this Ramadan, who are facing trials, who feel like their hearts have been shattered into a thousand pieces…


To: the sister who cried quietly in taraweeh and all those struggling this Ramadan


The sister who is exhausted,


The sister who is heartbroken,


The sister who feels overwhelmed with it all,


The sister who feels numb, because so much has happened,


The sister who feels disconnected, from people and from her Lord,


The sister who is spending Ramadan by herself,


The sister who is lonely because she’s alone,


The sister who is lonely in her marriage,


The sister who cries every night, to her Lord, knowing He is the only One who can help her,


The sister who is unable to fast this Ramadan because of health reasons. She feels left out, disconnected from the ummah and all she wants to do is fast for the sake of Allah, but she knows she can’t,


The sister who is no longer able to make sujood because her body is failing her… as her disease progresses, her muscles have stopped working. Alhamdullilah, she can still walk – with help, but she doesn’t know for how much longer,


The sister who is struggling with invisible illness – in pain and battling to get through each day, putting on a brave face, trying to stay positive and not let the comments ‘But you look fine’ get to her,


The sister who has been told by the doctors that she only has a few years left. They don’t know exactly how long,


The sister who has been trying for a baby for years, and endures regular hurtful and probing comments from others. She knows children are from Allah, but still, she feels the pinch of their words,


The sister who has had IVF so many times, but they never took,


The sister who miscarried, again, and felt like a piece of her heart broke when she lost her baby,


The sister who is trying her best to fulfil her obligations and take care of her kids, but is so so tired,


The sister who has lost someone she loves, and she misses them every day,


The sister who was recently diagnosed with cancer. They don’t yet know if it’s spread,


The sister who is battling cancer and the treatment is gruelling,


The sister whose eyesight is fading,


The sister whose child is sick, very sick,


The sister whose child has been hurt,


The sister who is struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues,


The sister who is struggling with oppression,


The sister whose world has been devastated and her life shattered by shocking news,


The sister whose marriage and home is emotionally turbulent,


The sister who is widowed and struggling to get through each day, trying to support herself and her children, one step at a time,


The sister who is divorced and heartbroken, and trying to get back on her feet, one step at a time,


The sister struggling to find work, who needs to pay the bills,


The sister facing eviction and homelessness,


The sister who doesn’t know how she’s going to feed her children tonight,


The sister from Syria, whose city and country have been destroyed, who doesn’t know anyone that hasn’t lost someone they love. All she wants to do is go home, but she can’t,


The sister who is living in a refugee camp, relying on charity to feed and clothe her and her children. She’s alone this Ramadan. Her husband didn’t make it on the boat crossing,


The sister who is walking, carrying her children and the few belongings they managed to save. Walking, hoping thatl wherever they are walking to will be safer than where they have come from,


To every one of you, and all the other sisters who are facing innumerable challenges, my love and du’a go out to you this Ramadan. Know, dear sister, your solace and comfort lie with Allah, Ar-Rahman, the source of our relief and the reliever of our distress.


He is Able to Do All Things. 


Turn to Him and cry.


Pour your heart out to Him.


He is the One who can bring you ease, who can set right your affairs, who can relieve thelp burden that is weighing on your heart and know, for your patience, your reward awaits you in Jannah, in shaa Allah, a place where there is no sorrow or hardship; only eternal bliss and closeness to your Lord.


This life is temporary and surely we know we will be tested but this life will also be over in the blink of an eye, and the reward in the Hereafter is beyond our imaginings, so hold on to Allah in your darkest hours, when you feel like there is no one else in the world.


Hold on to Him and know, with absolute certainty that He will never leave you, never let you down and that your reward lies with Him. He is the Most Merciful, and He is ever near.


BE KIND TO EVERYONE


As I posted this, it was a reminder to myself, first and foremost, that we never know what others may be facing in silence. The sister next to you in salatcould be facing the greatest trial of her life.


As we pray tonight and every night in Ramadan, let’s remember the sisters who are struggling in our du’a.


And as we move through this blessed month and beyond, let’s make the effort to be compassionate, to help where we can, to ease the burden of others if we are able, to be patient and to be kind to everyone.


A smile and a kind word to your sister might be a ray of light in the darkness of her day.


Your silent du’a for her might be answered.


As received.  May Allah reward the beautiful, kind and considerate soul that wrote this with an elevated status and reward you in both worlds for your humbleness.


Ameen🌹🌹🌹.

Love u all always n forever 

Temi 🦋💐✨

Sunday 19 May 2019

Benefits of Istighfaar

I'm a Survivor...

Today on the 13th of Ramadan at the age of 12 I was abused and molestered by a man that was supposed to have been my guardian.. 


He took away what I didn't even know existed, I cried in pain, crawled to the bathroom covered in my own blood taking the little dignity I had left to try and clean myself up.. 


I cried myself to sleep every night for 2 years there after, couldn't look at my body in the mirror until I turned 20 and felt dirty and disgusting all the time..


This man destroyed my youth, my innocence and my perception of every single man I've seen since.. 


I suffered from trust issues, started hanging out with the wrong crowd, lost myself and felt absolutely worthless.. 


I attempted suicide 5 times and made it out alive every single time. 


After my 5th suicide attempt at the age of 16, I knew that there was a reason why I never died.. There was a reason I was supposed to be alive.. I didn't know what it was yet but I was determined to stay alive and find out. 


I started channeling my anger into positive, started working with youth and talking about my story and how I survived it, started running a youth show talking about the issues that affect us as youth everyday. I started building confidence in myself again, started loving myself again and started learning how to trust others again as well.. 


Its been a long road and today, 18 years later, I have finally forgiven the man that I've hated for so long..

If I don't forgive him, how can I expect the Almighty to forgive me for all my flaws?? 


I've been fighting this demon for so long but today I will not break down.. 

Today, I will not let him win.. 

Today, I will take back all my power.. 

Today, I will start living.. 


To every single woman that is going to read this and is a survivor, take your power back today!! Its hard but not impossible.. 


To every single woman that has not been through this, thank the Almighty every single day.. I wouldn't wish this trauma and pain on my worst enemy.. 


To every single man that's going to read this, think twice before doing anything stupid like this.. It destroys lives.. Trust me, I know..


To the man that has now come into my life, know that I have flaws. I didn't give anything up, it was taken away from me. If you can love me past that, I will love you with everything I have..


This post is real.. 

This is my story.. 


Today I can proudly say that my name is Zaakirah Mohamed and I'm a SURVIVOR!!!!


#IAM 

#ConciousBeliever

Saturday 18 May 2019

BEWARE OF THE LEAKING BUCKET!



1. You wear abaya and hijāb but with perfume and makeup. ( a leaking bucket )


2. You're following the Sunnah and have a beard but you don't lower your gaze. (A leaking bucket)


3. You pray all of your prayers on time but you have no khushū at all. (A leaking bucket)


4. You're very kind to people and speak with them gently but with your family you're always harsh. (A leaking bucket)


5. You honour and treat your guests well but when they leave, you gossip about them and talk about their flaws. (A leaking bucket)


6. You give alot of sadaqah to the poor but you humiliate them and hurt them. (A leaking bucket)


7. You stand up for tahajjud at night, fast and reads Qur'ān everyday but you cut your family ties. (A leaking bucket)


8. You fast and have sabr for the pangs of hunger and thirst but you swear, insult, curse. (A leaking bucket)


9. You help others but you're doing it to gain something from them and not doing those acts of kindness for the sake of Allāh's Glory. (A leaking bucket)


10. You post reminders and have thousands of followers on facebook and instagram but you're doing it for the fame, not to please Allah. (A leaking bucket)


Do not gather all your good deeds in a leaking bucket. 

You struggle to fill it whilst it easily runs out through the leaking holes!


May Allāh make us do all of good actions for pleasing HIM alone and may HE be pleased with us always.

Wednesday 15 May 2019

What is....

Some beautiful answers and way of thinking of Turkish poet Jalaluddin Rumi, that I cannot resist sharing...


What Is Poison ? ? ?

He Replied With A Beautiful Answer - AnyThing Which Is More Than Our Necessity Is Poison. It May Be Power, Wealth, Hunger, Ego, Greed, Laziness, Love, Ambition, Hate Or AnyThing.


What Is Fear ? ? ?

Non Acceptance Of Uncertainty.

If We Accept That Uncertainty, It Becomes Adventure.


What Is Envy ?

Non Acceptance Of Good In Others, If We Accept That Good, It Becomes Inspiration.


What Is Anger ? ? ?

Non Acceptance Of Things Which Are Beyond Our Control.

If We Accept, It Becomes Tolerance.


What Is Hatred ? ? ?

Non Acceptance Of Person As He Is. If We Accept Person Unconditionally, It Becomes Love. 😊 😊

Love is Bilal...

Love is Bilal... when he retired from making the adhan after the death of the Prophet SAW because he called the Prophet to prayer when he was alive, and could not stand to do so without him.


Love is Bilal... when he left Madinah because he could not stand to stay there where everything reminded him of the Beloved SAW.


Love is Bilal... when a long time had passed since he visited the Prophet's grave in Madinah, the Prophet SAW came up to him in his dream and said, "what is with this dryness/ distance, oh Bilal?"


Love is Bilal... arriving in Madinah in the middle of the night and Hassan and Hussain finding him at the maqam of the Prophet SAW crying and them insisting that he, for old time's sake, make the adhan for the impending fajr prayer, causing an uproar that morning in Madinah as people therein poured out of their homes weeping in RasulAllah's memory, in hope that maybe, just maybe, the Prophet had come back to them.


Love is Bilal... when Umar ibn al Khattab asked him to make the adhan calling the army in Sham to prayer, he reached till "Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah" and began to weep uncontrollably, unable to finish the adhan, causing the entire army to tear up- Umar being the most emotional of them all. 


Love is Bilal... on his deathbed suffering from the pangs of death, with his family weeping for him, while he cried out in poetry to his family gathered around him, " Tomorrow I meet the beloveds// Muhamamad and his companions"


Love is Bilal.


SubhanAllah.

Saturday 11 May 2019

Allah's mercy...

Do Not Despair of Allah's Mercy...


It was Ramadaan. The Haram was absolutely jam packed…..it seemed almost like Hajj.

But that day I thought I could beat the crowds. I wanted to pray in the courtyard in front of the Kaa’ba. I thought if I could get there in the middle of the day, right after Dhuhr, I could probably go before every body else and find a good spot to pray.

So instead of praying in my usual spot, I decided to head for the courtyard.

However I had walked only a few feet when I realized my mistake. The courtyard was already full. Everyone had already taken their places for Salaah and there was no way I could even dream of finding a spot there.

So I decided to go back.


But that was also an utterly fruitless effort. People had already gathered behind me in a long line and there was no chance for me to go back. I looked hopelessly to my right and then to my left but, to my dismay, all I could see were rows and rows of men and there was absolutely no place to go.

I was stuck.


And then to my dismay they called the Adhaan. And it was then that I started to panic. All I wanted to do was to find a nice spot to pray, but here I was, stuck in the middle of the crowds with absolutely no place to even move an inch!

How could I pray at that spot in the middle of all the men?!! A feeling of urgent desperation overcame me…….Shaytaan started to play with my mind and I started to despair.


How unfortunate I was! Here I am….standing in the middle of the Haram…. in Ramadaan….. wanting to pray ….. and yet I can’t!


And it’s all because of my previous sins, I sadly thought to myself. All the mistakes of my flawed past came rushing to my mind…….I thought of the many times I had disobeyed Allaah, the way I had broken His Laws….the times I didn’t value His Limits…how I did not practice Islaam the way I was supposed to.

I felt that Allaah had rejected me and didn’t think of me as even worthy of praying 4 Rakaah in His Masjid. He has deprived me of the Taufeeq and the honor to pray at His House, the Kaa’ba.

I felt weak, miserable, hopeless and depressed.

And then, all of a sudden, I looked up…..and then I gasped. For, up on one of the pillars of the Masjid, an Ayah of the Qur’aan was inscribed….. the most beautiful Ayah that I had ever read in my entire life!

It was an Ayah that I felt was written there for ME…….it was meant to be read by ME.

My heart was absolutely overcome and I started to cry.

It was from Surah az-Zumar Ayah 53. It said:


قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ


“Say: ‘O My worshipers, who have sinned excessively against themselves, DESPAIR NOT of the Mercy of Allah! Verily, Allah forgives all sins. He is the Forgiver, the Most Merciful.”


Subhaan Allaah!

Can there be an Ayah more beautiful than this??!!


Seeing the Ayaah right there, just when I needed it the most was just too much for me. I cried and I cried.

I had the irresistible urge to prostrate to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala right then and there and beg Him to forgive me….beg Him to overlook my mistakes and shortcomings. How ungrateful I was!

For indeed it is His Mercy that encompasses all. And it is His Mercy that forgives all.

All it takes from us is one sincere repentance and He will forgive us.

After all, isn’t He ar-Rahmaan and ar-Raheem?


No matter how big the sin or sins that you have committed, no matter what your past has been like, if you come back to Him with one sincere, sincere Tauba, coming from the heart, He will forgive you.

Wallaahi, I swear by Allaah, He will.


The Prophet said:


“Allaah says, ‘O son of Adam, so long as you call on Me and put your hope in Me, I will forgive whatever you have done, and I will not mind. O son of Adam, even if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky, then you were to seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you and I will not mind. O son of Adam, if you were to come to me with an earthful of sins, and you were to meet Me not associating anything in worship with Me, I will come to you with an earthful of forgiveness.'” (Tirmidhi– hasan).


Allaahu Akbar! Surely, the Bounty of Allaah is immense and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. His Mercy is the greatest……greater than His Wrath and greater than the greatest of our sins.

Indeed He is more merciful to us than a mother towards her child. So never, ever despair or lose hope. If you repent sincerely, it will wipe out whatever came before it.


“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow.” (Surah at-Tahreem:8)


And he said:


“Allaah spreads out His hand at night to accept the repentance of those who committed sins during the day, and He spreads out His hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who committed sins during the night. (He will continue to do this) until the sun rises from the West.” (Muslim).


In fact, Allaah rejoices over the repentance of His slaves even though He is in no need of their obedience. He tells us that He loves the one who repents.


“Truly, Allaah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves” (Surah al-Baqarah:222)


So repent sincerely, ask Allaah to forgive you, no matter how bad it was and do not repeat the sin. Have full hope in Allaah’s Mercy that Allaah will forgive you.


‘The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.'” (Ibn Maajah– hasan by al-Albaani)


And if you are tested with any kind of sin, do not speak openly of it. That is because the Prophet said:


“The believer will be brought close to his Lord until He conceals him and makes him confess his sin. Allaah will say, ‘Do you remember such and such a sin?’ The man will say, ‘Yes, I admit it.’ The Lord will say, ‘I concealed it for you in the world and I forgive you for it today.’ ” (Bukhaari, Muslim).


Be aware of the Greatness of the One against Whom you are sinning, seek forgiveness for your sins, weep for the error of your past ways and adhere strictly to the path of Allaah. And do beware of despairing of the Mercy of Allaah. It is one of the traps of Shaytaan.


“And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but those who go astray?” (Surah al-Hijr:56)


If you adhere properly to the religion of Allaah, you will have glad tidings of goodness in this world and in the Hereafter.


رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ


“Rabbi’ghfir wa’rham wa anta khayru’l-raahimeen

(My Lord! Forgive and show mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!)” (Surah al-Mu’minoon :118)


- Sister Asma bint Shameem

Ramadaan feast

*❤Libasut Taqwa*


_*🌟Welcomes You To Their Annual Ramadhan Spiritual Feast*_


*_🌟Every Saturday In Ramdhaan_*


_*❤Date:Beginning: Saturday 11th May 2019*_

*_❤Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm_*

*_❤Venue: 77 College Road, Asherville, Durban_*


_💗Leave Feeling Inspired_

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📞Info: 082 786 6854


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Friday 10 May 2019

Feed your soul this Ramadaan

Ten secrets for a happy married life 😍


💞 Secret 1

Everyone you marry has a weakness. Only Allah does not have a weakness. So if you focus on your spouse's weakness you can't get the best out of his/her strength.


💞 Secret 2

Everyone has a dark history. No one is an angel. When you get married or you want to get married stop digging into someone's past. What matters most is the present life of your partner. Old things have passed away. Forgive and forget. Focus on the present and the future.


💞 Secret 3

Every marriage has its own challenges. Marriage is not a bed of roses. Every good marriage has gone through its own test of blazing fire. True love proves in times of challenges. Fight for your marriage. Make up your mind to stay with your spouse in times of need. Remember the vow For better for worse. In sickness and in health be there.


💞 Secret 4

Every marriage has different levels of success. Don't compare your marriage with anyone else. We can never be equal. Some will be far, some behind. To avoid marriage stresses, be patient, work hard and with time your marriage dreams shall come true.


💞 Secret 5

To get married is declaring war. When you get married you must declare war against enemies of marriage. Some enemies of marriage are:

Ignorance 

Prayerlessness

Unforgiveness 

Third-party influence 

Stinginess

Stubbornness 

Lack of love 

Rudeness

Laziness 

Disrespect 

Cheating 

Be ready to fight to maintain your marriage zone.


💞 Secret 6

There is no perfect marriage. There is no ready-made marriage. Marriage is hard work. Volunteer yourself to work daily on it. Marriage is like a car that needs proper maintenance and proper service. If this is not done it will break down somewhere exposing the owner to danger or some unhealthy circumstances. Let us not be careless about our marriages. 


💞 Secret 7

Allah doesn't give you a complete person you desire. He gives you the person in the form of raw materials in order for you to mold the person that you desire. This can only be achieved through prayer, love, and Patience


💞 Secret 8

Getting married is taking a huge risk. You can not predict what will happen in the future. Situations may change so leave room for adjustments. A husband can lose his good job or a wife may fail to have babies. All these require you to be prayerful otherwise you might divorce.


💞 Secret 9

Marriage is a contract. It is meant to be life long. It needs total commitment. Love is the glue that sticks the couple together. Divorce start in the mind and the devil feeds the mind. Never ever entertain thoughts of getting a divorce. Never threaten your spouse with divorce. Choose to remain married. Allah dislikes divorce.


💞 Secret 10

Every marriage has a price to pay. Marriage is like a bank account. It is the money that you deposit that you withdraw. If you don't deposit love, peace, and care into your marriage, you are not a candidate for a blissful home.


So today let us pray for our marriages and ask Allah to help us where we are lacking in the marriage. Send to those you care about because you never know who you may be helping. 


May Allah bless you all..


Aameen 💕

Sunday 5 May 2019

“It’s just my character.”

A scorpion, being a very poor swimmer, asked a turtle to carry him on his back across a river. 

“Are you mad?” exclaimed the turtle. “You’ll sting me while I’m swimming and I’ll drown.”


“My dear turtle,” laughed the scorpion, “if I were to sting you, you would drown and I would go down with you. Now where is the logic in that?”


“You’re right!” cried the turtle. “Hop on!” The scorpion climbed aboard and halfway across the river gave the turtle a mighty sting. As they both sank to the bottom, the turtle resignedly said:


“Do you mind if I ask you something? You said there’d be no logic in your stinging me. Why did you do it?”


“It has nothing to do with logic,” the drowning scorpion sadly replied. 

“It’s just my character.”


So it is with some humans too. No matter how nice or good you maybe to them, its just their nature and character to sting ( betray, rob, cheat, hurt, kill, blackmail etc) for no reason.


May Allah deliver us from such scorpions...🤲

Saturday 4 May 2019

The meaning of hijab from the Quran.


After colonization, the hijab, for the first time, became a contentious issue among Muslims. The colonizers saw it as a symbol of our oppression, then the Islamists turned it around and made it into a symbol of our freedom. Some question the veil altogether. But the hijab is much more than a socio-political issue, so let's return to the Quran and try to understand the concept.


The first verse is 24:31, which tells believing women to (1) lower their gaze, (2) guard their private parts, (3) to not expose their beauty except that which is apparent by necessity, (4) to draw their khimar over their cleavage, (5) to not stamp their feet, ringing their anklets (which had little bells in those days) to draw attention to themselves.


Some here say "aha! There's no mention of a headcovering", forgetting that a khimar in Arabic is precisely a headscarf. According to Quranic exegetes, before this verse was revealed, Arab women would wear a flowing scarf on their head, and drape it behind their backs, exposing their necks and upper chest. This was done after the manner of the Nabateans of Northern Arabia and Iraq. The verse therefore mandates that women were to take their khimar and close it from the front as well. Every traditional Islamic legal school requires a headcovering (among other coverings) for free Muslim women.


What is the reasoning provided in the Quran? 33:59 provides two explicit reasons:


(1) So that they may be recognized. Clothing is a source of identification, and when a woman wears a khimar, we know what her rights are. There are specific laws in Islam pertaining to ritual purity, food, marriage, charity, testimonies, status, and crime where the religion of a person matters - so the khimar allows people to recognize her religion without bothering her. Part of this recognition may also be a way to raise society's moral standards, identifying the muhajjiba as a free, respectful, trustworthy woman who should not tolerate injustice or base degeneracy in her surroundings. It is also a means for da`wa - many people use the khimar as a conversation ice-breaker.


(2) So that they may not be harassed. Of course covered sisters still face harassment, catcalling, and even rape, all of which is reprehensible. But this verse associates harassment with clothing. Of course, no woman should be harassed because of their clothing. But we know that harassment is not just motivated by "power" hunger, but by visual stimulus - according to the US Department of Justice, the overwhelming majority of female victims of sexual violence are young adults and teenagers; not children and the elderly. We also know that clothing has communicative intent; it is a means by which many people explicitly or subtly broadcast their sexuality. In the same way we dress a certain way to a job interview to give a certain impression, your clothing is a message and a presentation. So in a society where women dress promiscuously, and expect men to also "make the first move" and be "confident and assertive", they will absolutely attract looks, stares, comments, awkward conversations, sleazy pick-up artists, DM slides, and other forms of unwanted attention. Many women will attest that what they wear effects how people react to them in public.


The purpose of clothing in the Quran is to project elegance and cover shame and nakedness (7:26). In all instances, the hijab protects something sensitive from those who have not demonstrated a sincere connection to it. It prevents both intentional and accidental harm from coming to the object of value. Only those who have demonstrated a sincerity to the gem beyond the barrier can access its excellence. 


The highest form of hijab is Allah’s. The hijab of Allah is Light. Allah’s Light is simultaneously both guidance to Him and a barrier between the creation and His Essence. On the Day of Mi`raj, Allah raised His Prophet (s) nearer than two bow lengths to His divine presence (53:9), passed the Light that Jibra’il could not permeate, all the way up to Sidrat al-Muntaha. The mi`raj was the ultimate unveiling to the sincerest servant of the divine.


The hijab therefore is not just purely a horizontal (dunyawi) phenomenon, it is a vertical symbol that connects the celestial world (samawat) and the material world (ard). And so the ideal hijab is one that inspires guidance, but also preserves mystery from the unwanted outsider. And what is better to say than the fact that the verse of hijab was mentioned in Surat al-Noor, the chapter of Light…


Some of our sisters are not spiritually ready for the khimar. My advice to those sisters is to be patient, understand the meaning of the veil, and make those steps towards it. You can start by limiting your privacy settings on social media, and deleting unnecessary pictures. This can be a first step towards humility, as it takes some to delete pictures with many likes and “encouraging” comments. Then they can start gowning the veil at certain settings. Then finally, once your imaan is up and shaytan is gone, take advantage of the moment and gown it with confidence. Allah will assist you with your effort and reward your abundantly. Remember that this world is fleeting and insatiable, and that which is with Allah is everlasting and fulfilling. May Allah forgive us all for our shortcomings.


“We have not sent down to you the Qur'an that you be distressed, but only as a reminder for those who fear.” (20:2-3)

Be Authentic in an Artificial world


Written by Naadira Chhipa

A young lady perhaps 17years of age recently messaged me to ask me a very disturbing question. A question that stirred my soul as I read her message I began to cry. 


She asked me a question that every young mind on social media is questioning. 


Are the lives of social media influencers real?  Does the true meaning of happiness, success and contentment in adulthood lie in fancy clothing, designer bags, flashy cars, luxurious vacations every month and make overs everyday? Does popularity, exposure, body image and appearance mean all to the women I look up to who are old enough to be my mum? Is this what I should aspire to become? I see happiness embracing them through materialism so is it true that money can also make me as happy, popular and loved by all.


This is the sad reality our children are faced with everyday. Yes we tell them to find role models in our Sahaabia(R.A) not these instagram models but how often are they opening an Islamic history book compared to login onto social media? We tell them that these women are showcasing a piece of their lives not the entire puzzle but everyday seems to be picture perfection updated. We tell them to unfollow and block these type of influencers but everyday there are new models on the market. 


So I told her what I would have wanted to hear if I was a teenager.


Life is not picture perfect. Their reality is far from what you see in a moment in time. When Allah blew life into us each soul has challenges we know not of. Every person you see or meet is facing a challenge that is unique to them. Wealth, clothing, designer bags and flashy cars are also a test for them. Remember death knows of no age, beauty or status but rather we all end up decomposing into the soil, dressed in the same white kafan. Do you know what lives on? Our goodness, our character, our humility, our kindness, our smile, our memories, our deeds and our light that illuminated the heart, mind and soul in others. So do not be despondent, sad or feel inferior when you look at those perfect lives as you have no idea what their struggles are, you may be shocked to know you have less worries, anxiety and despair than they do. Materialism is not a synonym for happiness but rather happiness is always within you. Aspire to become close to Allah, to befriend Allah, to have a special communication and connection to your Lord and to be auntenic in an artificial world.-Naadira Chhipa

 You are amazing just the way you are.

WHO *PUSHED* ME"


🐊

A man had one very beautiful daughter. When the daughter was ready for marriage, the father sent news around town that all the eligible young men should come to compete in a test which would determine who was fit to marry his daughter.

🐊

On that day, all was set, all the able-bodied young men came out. Some came with paper and biro and others with cutlasses and swords.

🐊

The rich man took them to his swimming pool and addressed the men: “Any of you who can swim from one end of this swimming pool to the other would marry my daughter.

🐊

In addition, I‘ll give him 15 million dollars, a car and a house so they can start life well. I shall be waiting to meet my son-in-law at the other end. Good luck!”

🐊

As the young men, all very excited at the prospect of winning, started taking off their shirts, a helicopter came over the pool and dropped alligators and crocodiles into the pool. Immediately, all the men turned back and started wearing their shirts again. Disappointed, some of them said, ''That's crazy, let's see who would marry that girl, no one will''.

🐊

All of a sudden, they heard a splash in the pool. Everybody watched in amazement as one gentleman waddled across, expertly avoiding the alligators and crocodiles.

🐊

Finally, he made it to the other side. The rich man could not believe it. He asked the young man to name anything he wanted but the man was still panting uncontrollably.

🐊

🤦🏻‍♂Finally, he got back to his senses and made a request saying, ''SHOW ME THE PERSON WHO PUSHED ME INSIDE THIS POOL!''

🐊

Moral 1:✍

You don’t know what you are capable of doing until you are PUSHED! Meanwhile, the Crocodiles were Rubber Crocodiles.

Moral 2: ✍

Those seeking to push you into the jaws of alligators and crocodiles may have helped you to reach your promised land!!!

🐊

Sometimes it takes going through the bad moments to bring out the BEST in us.

🐊

Trials are raw materials for Triumphant Testimonies... The push might take different dimensions: some people needed to be sacked before realizing their potentials and reaching their goals in life.

🐊

I PRAY YOU WILL GET A DIVINELY INSPIRED PUSH in your life.🐊

🙏🏻God Bless you as you accept the Push to go for the fulfilment of your purpose in life.

P- Persist 👇🏼

U- Until

S- Something

H- Happens

Will you please *PUSH* this message to someone else?🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🙏⚓️⚓️

Friday 3 May 2019

Silent tears...

Somewhere there is a woman: she is 30, no children. People ask her, “Still no kids?” Her response varies from day to day, but it usually includes forced smiles and restraint. “Nope, not yet,” she says with a chuckle, muffling her frustration. “Well, don’t wait forever. That clock is ticking, ya know,” the sage says before departing, happy with herself for imparting such erudite wisdom. The sage leaves. The woman holds her smile. Alone, she cries…


Cries because she’s been pregnant 4 times and miscarried every one. Cries because she started trying for a baby on her wedding night, and that was 5 years ago. 


Cries because her husband has an ex-wife and she has given him children. Cries because she wants desperately to try in vitro but can’t even afford the deposit. Cries because she’s done in vitro (multiple rounds) and still has no children. 


Cries because her best friend wouldn’t be a surrogate. “It would be too weird,” she said. Cries because her medication prevents pregnancy. Cries because this issue causes friction in her marriage. 


Cries because the doctor said she’s fine, but deep inside she knows it’s her. Cries because her husband blames himself, and that guilt makes him a hard person to live with. Cries because all her sisters have children. 


Cries because one of her sisters didn’t even want children. Cries because her best friend is pregnant. Cries because she got invited to another baby shower. Cries because her mother keeps asking, “Girl, what are you waiting on?” Cries because her in-laws want to be grandparents. Cries because her neighbor has twins and treats them awful. 


Cries because 16-year-olds get pregnant without trying. Cries because she’s an amazing aunt. Cries because she’s already picked out names. Cries because there’s an empty room in her house. Cries because there is an empty space in her body. Cries because she has so much to offer. Cries because he’d be a great dad. Cries because she’d be a great mother, but isn’t.

.

.

Somewhere else is another woman: 34, five children. People say to her, “Five? Good lord, I hope you’re done!” And then they laugh… because those types of comments are funny. The woman laughs too, but not in earnest. She changes the subject, as she always does, and gives the disrespect a pass. Just another day. Alone, she cries…


Cries because she’s pregnant with another and feels like she has to hide the joy. Cries because she always wanted a big family and doesn’t see why people seem so disturbed by it. 


Cries because she has no siblings and felt profoundly lonely as a child. Cries because her Granny had 12 and she’d love to be just like her. Cries because she couldn’t imagine life without her children, but people treat her like they’re a punishment. Cries because she doesn’t want to be pitied. Cries because people assume this isn’t what she wanted. Cries because they assume she’s just irresponsible. 


Cries because they believe she has no say. Cries because she feels misunderstood. Cries because she’s tired of defending her private choices. Cries because she and her husband are perfectly capable of supporting their family but that doesn’t seem to matter. Cries because she’s tired of the “funny” comments. 


Cries because she minds her own business. Cries because she wishes others would mind theirs. Cries because sometimes she doubts herself and wonders if she should have stopped two kids ago. Cries because others are quick to offer criticism and slow to offer help. Cries because she’s sick of the scrutiny. 


Cries because she’s not a side show. Cries because people are rude. Cries because so many people seem to have opinions on her private life. Cries because all she wants to do is live in peace.

.

.

Another woman: 40, one child. People say to her, “Only one? You never wanted any more?”

“I’m happy with my one,” she says calmly, a rehearsed response she’s given more times than she can count. Quite believable. No one would ever suspect that alone, she cries…


Cries because her one pregnancy was a miracle. Cries because her son still asks for a brother or sister. Cries because she always wanted at least three. Cries because her second pregnancy had to be terminated to save her life. Cries because her doctor says it would be “high-risk.” Cries because she’s struggling to care for the one she has. 


Cries because sometimes one feels like two. Cries because her husband won’t even entertain the thought of another. Cries because her husband died and she hasn’t found love again. Cries because her family thinks one is enough. Cries because she’s deep into her career and can’t step away. Cries because she feels selfish. 


Cries because she still hasn’t lost the weight from her from her first pregnancy. Cries because her postpartum depression was so intense. Cries because she can’t imagine going through that again. 


Cries because she has body issues and pregnancy only exacerbates it. Cries because she still battles bulimia. Cries because she had to have a hysterectomy. Cries because she wants another baby, but can’t have it.

.

.

These women are everywhere. They are our neighbors, our friends, our sisters, our co-workers, our cousins. They have no use for our advice or opinions. Their wombs are their own. 


Written by Nadirah Angail via The Pink Elephants Support Network ❤❤❤


#miscarriage #miscarriagematters 

#grief #circleofsupport #pregnancyloss

Wednesday 1 May 2019

Divorce..

By Raeesa Padia

 

Getting a divorce and returning to your parents home, feels like a disgrace, an insult to yourself as well as your family's reputation. You feel ashamed, embarrassed, furious, broken.


Months go by and you find yourself back into the darkness. 

You think negative, dream negative, live every moment in   negativity. 

Negativity becomes a part of you, it gets embedded into your heart.


You think you're miserable, yet oblivious to see that it's affecting everyone around you.

The more bitter words spat out about how you feel, how life is not fair, it makes the people around you look at you with that mindset.


You're afraid to commit to anything because you think you don't have the potential or the ability to do so.

Considering marriage is a blur vision, you question yourself if you will be happy, will you be treated equally,  will you be appreciated, will the second marriage be the missing puzzle to your happiness in dunya and aakhirah...


You're spend your nights awake for hours, staring into the darkness with nothing but evil thoughts and wake up with the feeling of regretting to start your day, to step out of the home, to communicate with anyone.


Time is a precious gift. 

We don't understand nor do we know why certain things occur in our lives. We have no control over something's, but to be happy, to be successful, we have to adopt a positive attitude gradually.


Self-esteem plays a vital role in our lives. 

There's a lack of confidence in every aspect of our life. 

Change doesn't happen over night, nor in a week or month .

It takes time to build the foundation of positivity again inshaAllah. 


You can be advised by numerous people. But the intention, the effort  has to come from YOU.

You are in control of what you think, feel, and do.

If you continue to belittle yourself, how will you know if you have what it takes to survive in this dunya and be successful. 


Hardships/ difficulties does not mean life must come to halt. It's a guideline for us, it's an opportunity for us to change. 


You need to learn to love yourself, know your worth, and appreciate yourself. 

Put your trust in Allah, keep friends who see a brighter future ahead for you, one's who help you to develop a positive vision.


Refrain from socializing with people who have bad intentions towards you, who are always aiming to bring other's down and prove to be superior because these people will not help you in life, they will be a means of molding you into an individual who will dance to their tunes.


Look into the mirror and tell yourself now " I will not allow anything or anyone defeat me, I will be successful because I can achieve it ".

Do not allow anyone to make you feel unworthy of accomplishing anything.


Have a wonderful day inshaAllah and remember this sinful slave in your duas inshaAllah.