Accept the things you can't change

Here's the link to the comic strip:

Memories!

Subhan Allah, I landed on one of my old posts.. and sigh.. it made me smile!

Here's the post. I hope it makes your day too.

http://haffu-taffu.blogspot.com/2007/09/i-was-looking-for-song-for-humairah.html

Cinderella Was Not Saved...

....She Was a Happy Person All Along!

Thoughts..

my e-friend's msn nick read: "Your life is either an example for others or a warning".

Got me thinking. There are living models around us. I asked myself how often I learn from others. If I see good in someone, do I pray that Allah blesses me with the good attributes? When I notice someone committing an act of sin, do I seek refuge from Allah from such sins, and pray for that person?

Like a close relative of mine, in the months I've spent with her, there's never been a time when she's sent anyone empty handed. Whether it is someone pan-handling on the street, or an old friend who's going through times - she has something for everyone. A penny, a household item she doesn't need anymore, clothing, food - and if she's given everything the person needed, she's also prescribed duas and waza'ef. I pray Allah makes us all generous.

Look around - what would you like to be? An example or a warning.

Revisiting - Red Riding Hood.

(When I was cleaning my room this week, I came across my assignments from high school. This poem below is one of them. In order to protect the integrity, I've left the meanings intact. It was meant to be a free form.
Another interesting note: My brother, Salman, and I wrote it together- back in 2000
With all the recent "Allegorical Absurdity", this comes as a change.
Final note: The post's like many others - is dedicated to the REDNESS of my life. I love you, and you alone ;) )

Credit: Faraz - Wax Museum
DISCLAIMER: Please be warned some pictures are rather gory.

the red riding hood
was playing a play-station game
when her mother forced her
to go visit her grandma

she drove in her Mercedes-Benz
with a laptop for a present
(her mother insisted)

On her way she met
a handsome wolf
greeted him and
there - his mouth watered.

Inquired the intention of her trip
she agreed to give him a ride
Fully aware of his intentions, she was.
having heard the red riding hood story
from her grandma

She hated her grandma
Bossy and irritating - she was.
The Wolf thought the grandma
would be certainly tasty.

With common intentions,
they were together and made a great team.
Thus the grandma made a great feast
for the wolf.

He said Grace and thanked
the modern world
for teenagers were too ignorant for words.

A Confused pig

You’ve read all of the three little pigs
Who used to live in a house of twigs

The little wolf came often to see them
Some thought it was nothing but a gem

So they sat around talking all day
Pausing at times only to pray*

Was the little pig wrong in judging the wolf so soon
Would the wolf turn out to be a hidden moon

What was it about the wolf that time would only tell
The little pig wondered if it was worth a DELL
Was it as precious and rare as a shell
Or was it time that was casting a spell

The little pig knew exactly what to do
he wasn't going to sit around cooking his stew

He knew in Allah, he should trust
Who was Kind and always Just!!!

*All creation glorify Allah!

Lessons life teaches us

Earlier this afternoon, a friend and i were talking on gtalk. And out of the blue (so it seemed), she said something sarcastically, and logged off on me. I sat there staring at the screen - trying to figure out what happened - surprised at the tone. Reading and re-reading the conversation for the last little bit, the change in mood really didn't make sense.

So for the next 8 hours (4pm - 12a),
1. i spoke to 3 other friends and asking them for advise.
2. Thinking what went wrong. There were a couple of problems: First, I had no clue why she was mad and second, she wasn't online, nor was her phone reachable, so leaving me no means to get in touch with her
3. looked through old emails to see if there was anything I said that was offensive.
4. checked her calendar for any appointments/ meetings - Well, I was looking for a reason to tell myself that she's just busy or not home.
5. Kept calling her phone - I think I've learnt the two phrases in Arabic (kinda): The person you are calling is not available and the phone you are calling is currently turned off or not in range
6. My messenger nic set to: "I'm sorry"- so half the world knew that I was really sorry for anything I said or did that offended her.

Anyways, at 1 AM, really tired, i lay in my bed thinking what went wrong. Was there a misunderstanding building up for a while now, and I hadn't realized it? What could I have done differently? Unfortunately, I had no answers. A thought occurred to me: This experience was somehow weird. As though it was teaching me a lesson. But I couldn't point to it. There was something staring right out to me - but I couldn't see it. What was it? I recalled the entire incident, and how I did everything to apologize, did everything to find out what's wrong, did things to make up*.

And that's when i realized. I was so wrong in thinking everything was under my control. I closed my eyes, and made a dua: Oh Allah, please remove any/all misunderstandings between my friend and I.
I was under the impression that my actions could change the world - when not even a leaf falls without the Will of Allah. With these thoughts running into my head, I think I fell asleep for a few seconds, or a minute. When I woke up, my eyes fell on my blackberry - it was right beside my pillow (the usual place), upside down. Unconsciously I turned it around, and noticed a light blink. New Message, I thought to myself.

Guess who, what, when, why: It was the same friend - asking me "when was the last time I was mad @ you anyways??" It was, after all, a misunderstanding [yes, silly me!]. My dua was accepted, and we are cool now :)

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen!

This was the best part of her email: "If I ever did get upset @ you for no reason, u're supposed to be angry @ me for that - not start apologising".
Sigh! friendship.. I had forgotten how sincere and strong it is. Alhamdulillah. When you love a friend only for the sake of Allah, I guess petty things in life can't cause cracks.

I once read friendship is like a dish. Once broken it can be mended, but the cracks always remain. I pray that the dish never breaks.





* for the record - I posted on the AL blog, and even considered combining the "upside down meem and the crescent on the i" - just to make up ;)

philosophy of khudi

Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi Ishq ke imtehan aur bhi hain

Agar kho gaya ek nasheman tau kya gham
Mukamat e aah o faghan aur bhi hain

Tu shaheen hai, parwaz hai kaam tera
Tere saamne aasman aur bhi hain

Isi roz o shab mein ulajh kar na reh jaa
Ke tere zaman o makan aur bhi hain

-Allama Iqbal

Sung by Junaid Jamshed -Hijrat in Badr-ud-Dujaa Shams-ud-Duhaa

LiveIndia elaborates on "Iqbal's philosophy of khudi":

===============================

As used by Iqbal what comes closest to khudi is assertive will-power imbued with moral values. This is apparent from these oft-quoted lines:

Endow your will with such power
That at every turn of fate it so be
That God Himself asks of His slave
'What is it that pleases thee?'

What exactly did Iqbal want human beings to strive for? Obviously towards some kind of perfection. But he does not care to spell it out in any detail. It would appear that for man ceaseless striving was not to be for material gains in this world or with an eye on rewards in life hereafter

===============================

And from Bookrags:

===============================

For him the aim of life is self-realization and self-knowledge. He charts the stages through which the "Self" has to pass before finally arriving at its point of perfection, enabling the knower of the "Self" to become the viceregent of Allah

===============================

Knowledge - Reflections

"the books on our shelves is not really an indication of our knowledge, it's how we apply that knowledge that defines whether we truly are learning." - friend/ blogger (FA*)
Edit: *Ottawa/ Vancouver/ Montreal - Rightly called "A perpetual traveller"

I have been thinking about it. We learn something new everyday, but to what extend do we apply it? While I was still contemplating on it, another friend mentioned (H):
"My "philosophy" (which is what the sunnah is) to eat 1/3rd food, leave 1/3rd for water and the last third for air"

Most of us have heard this hadith, but why don't we put in into action?

And the Prophet (Peace be upon) said:"The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air."[at-Tirmidhi, 2380, 1939, ibn Majah, 3349]

What we learn isn't always reflected in our actions. Why is there such a big gap between the two? (this is a question to myself first). And if I think about what FA said, if we aren't applying what we know, then "knowing" it doesn't hold any value.

I think this is where the term "beneficial knowledge" fits in.

Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) said,

“Beneficial knowledge is [knowledge] that increases your fear of God Most High, improves your ability to discern the faults of your ego, makes you more cognizant of how to worship your Lord, reduces your desire for this world, increases your longing for the next world, and opens your spiritual insight to the disastrous defects of your actions so you can avoid them. It discloses to you the plots and delusions of the Devil and how he misleads the scholars who have gone astray until he exposes them to the hatred and anger of God Most High, for they have used religion to purchase this world, taken knowledge as a means to gain the wealth of sultans, to consume the wealth of religious endowments, the poor, and the needy, and turned their energies throughout the day to the acquisition of prestige and high standing in the hearts of people, which forces them to show off their good deeds, to argue, and to be quarrelsome and ostentatious when they speak.”

Taken from Words of Guidance and SunniPath Answers

Therefore, the Prophet saws asked us to pray for knowledge that benefits:

O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart that does not entertain the fear (of Allah), from the soul that does not feel contented and the supplication that is not responded.” Source: Sahih Muslim, hadith 1260.

Applying what we learn in terms of Sunnah:

Discussion around importance of ahadith/ following the sunnah is a lengthy topic in its own. A lot has been written about it, and my thoughts fall short compared to the other bloggers. But I think it's worth reading Maulana Thanwi's words on following the sunnah:

“The special secret in following the sunnah is this that the person who adopts the sunnah becomes the beloved of Allah. The reason for this is the resemblance to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam). Since Allah has such an immense love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam), anything or anyone that resembles him will be beloved by Allah. This is the closest way of reaching Allah (Wusool ila Allah).”

-Malfuzaat Kamaalaat-e-Ashrafiyah

Source: The Secret of Being Loved by Following the Sunnah

The one reason why I love Provisions for the Seekers, is because every hadith in that book is so simple, broken down into smaller phrases. The author (Shaykh 'Ashiq Ilahi al-Bulandshehri) wrote the book for beginners of Arabic language, and also he aimed it towards the young minds in the madrasas. If I remember correctly, Mufti Yusuf mentioned in Shariah Progam that the author noticed the students studied the six hadith books close to the last years @ the madrasa. And the curriculum had no hadith books for the beginners. The author thought it was necessary to introduce the hadith in the beginning years. So the book helps not just in understanding the grammar (also the sentence structure, vocabulary....), but also, the teachings are very easy to understand and apply.

For instance, this hadith
"The upper [giving] hand is superior to the lower [taking] hand" - the meaning once again is very simple. It tells us (which is one of many lessons) we should always give, rather than expecting from others.

And "the one who initiates salam is free from pride". Lesson: Whenever possible, be the first to convey salam.

And my personal favorite: "The best among you is he who learns the Qur’ān and teaches it (Bukhārī)." A motivation to learn the Quran, and once you are able - teach it to others.

(I can go on and on...). It says in the introduction to the book:

"The Messenger (upon him be peace) himself said, “I have been sent with the jawami al-kalim” (Bukhari)—that is, pithy language that expresses a multitude of meanings in few words."

This book came as a clear proof to me. The beauty of the words and the depth of meaning are the only two aspects my weak mind could understand. I would personally recommend everyone to get a copy of this book.

Sacred Learning goes a step further and looks deeper into each hadith: Hadith Sessions - Zad al-Talibin (Provisions for the Seekers). And Alhamdulillah to technology, the lectures are available online.

Dreams and hopes

she had been thinking of fishing for a while. But something discouraged her. Her sixth sense? May be. Or thought 'loag kya kahain gein'. Regardless, she didn't go. Her friends had been nagging her to go.

One early morning, she woke up. Feeling all positive, she decided to go fishing. But there was a problem. It was the end of fishing season, and all fish had been caught. Tourists from all over had emptied out the lake last week. Did that discourage her? No, she decided to go anyways.

She got there. Patiently setup the bait at the end of the finishing-rod, and she waited. She knew there were no fish. "What am I doing here?", she asked herself repeatedly. But she didn't leave. She waited to feel a pull on her fishing-rod. Was it hope that made her wait? Her heart agreed, but the mind disagreed. The mind told her, she was being too optimistic. The heart dreamed of catching a fish, and cooking it out in the open, the old-fashioned way - (connecting with the nature) and eating it alone - in peace. But the reality was there weren't any fish. Her hopes couldn't change the reality, or could it? How could the sense of reality not wake her up? Did she prefer to live in her bubble of hope? Was she deceiving herself into what they call positive thinking. If she had so firmly believed that this was a waste of time, why was she there?

What happened next was something she'd remember for the rest of her life. So while she waited with almost no hopes of catching any fish, she felt it. She said to herself, that can't be it. It was just too good to be true. She quickly started reeling her fishing-rod - too scared to believe. What if it wasn't a fish. Would she be hurt? Would it hurt so much that she'd never fish again? It slowly appeared out of the water. it was really a fish - not just a small one, this one was big. Bigger than any she'd ever caught. She still couldn't believe it. She had come there with lil' to no hopes - but the fact that she had come shows she did dream.

She met with me, the very next day. She was too excited to wait - couldn't wait to share with me. Even before we were seated comfortably, she started narrating the incidents. I didn't say anything all along. She got to the end, and paused, as though waiting for me to comment, to summarize and conclude. I looked at her face, there was innocence written all over it. Her eyes wide open with happiness, and lips, curved into a smile, or more like a grin. The smile almost seemed like it was embedded in, and that nothing in the world could make her frown again. I was happy for her -really happy. I wanted to tell her that. I wanted to hug her out of happiness. But my body didn't seem to move, and my lips didn't find the words. She understood. She knew how happy I was. Somethings are better left unsaid. Some words are better left unspoken.

There was a silence for a minute or two - I knew she was thinking hard. I could tell by the way she stared in the open - at nothing in particular. Then she spoke, slowly, as though measuring every syllable: "sometimes we shoot in the dark - knowing it won't hit the mark, but somewhere deep down, we hope - on the small chance - it might.
Every time it misses the mark, we are lil' disappointed, forgetting that we never expected it to hit the mark in the first place. And when it does hit the mark, we are surprised, forgetting that we had hoped it to."
"it's like balancing between hope and fear?", I asked
She smiled.

Lil' things in life..

Danya of SufiStication posted a list of things she loves about life.

Looking @ her list, I agree with:
1. An infant's smile [/ their innocence]
2. A walk in a light rain shower
3. good company
4. rainbow [though i haven't seen one in ages]

I can add:
5. family/ friends
6. crying out of happiness [did that once - 7 years ago]
7. helping someone in need.
8. "talking" to nature
9. making someone you love happy - and being part of their happiness..

10. can't think right now... EDIT: i know... surprises!

.. feel free to add to the list or post a similar on your blog. (this tag business' is fun :D)

Inna Lillah

My friend's mom passed away today. Inna lillahi Wa inna ilayhi Raji'oon. (To Him we belong, and to Him we return)

This is the same friend I've been visiting lately - for a month or so. I might have mentioned her to a couple of you (readers).

I'll post about the incident, and also my experience and lessons I've learnt, Insha Allah.

Odd Wisdom [no pun intended]

Always remember that the situation you are in IS the best one for you. Had you been in any other situation, you wouldn't be happy.

lesson: the sooner you accept reality, the better... Makes no sense whining about it. Allah knows whats best for you

happiness doesn't depend on where you are - you can be in a third world, developing country and still be happy. Happiness is about finding the inner peace.

lesson: learn to be content.

Feel free to add your thoughts about these "Odd Wisdoms"

Me Test

	I'm part Hermione. I'm a bookworm always in search of answers. When pressed, however, I can always be counted on to put away the books and help my friends.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com Which Harry Potter Character Are You?

Life is about learning

i was telling a friend of mine that i could be very self centered @ times. My conversations, they are all about me, myself and i. This is very obvious on Instant Messenger - i look over previous convo's, and i'm really surprised at how my lines the other person spoke.



To that effect, I read the post below on a friend of a friend's blog, and figured -others who can benefit from it as well, insha Allah

Source: Intellijunkt Commentary

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If a person starts telling you, whether in private or public, something that you already knew very well, you should pretend as if you do not know it. Do not rush to reveal your knowledge or to interfere with the speech. Instead, show your attention and concentration. The honorable tab'i Imam Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: "A young man would tell me something that I may have heard before he was born. Nevertheless, I would listen to him as if I had never heard it before."

Ibrahim ibn al-Junaid said: "A wise man said to his son: 'Learn the art of listening as you learn the art of speaking." Listening well means maintaining eye contact, allowing the speaker to finish the spech, and restraining your urge to interrupt his speech.

Al-Hafiz al-Khatib al-Baghdadi said in a poem:

Never interrupt a talk

Though you know it inside out

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Coming up..

Couple of new "personal projects" i'm looking forward to:

1. My Fitness class - starts this week
2. getting a bike.
3. Helping out with onlinux.ca
4. More Programming - Java, Php, even learn a bit of Drupal(?)
5. new Arabic blog
6. Ramadan's coming up - start preparation

7. CPR training?
8. Studying Ajrumiyyah?
9. Help restructure TorontoMuslims.com?
10. study for CCNA [low priority :( ]
11. theex @ CNE!!!! [can't wait for this one :D]
12. Help out?, attend MuslimFest
13. teach arabic?
14. jeeeee won (HI, i haven't forgotten)

And somehow between all these, read the books I have ..and resist buying new ones :)

? - doubtful; kinda up in the air right now.

listen to it.
Ye ankhay khusk hai
inhe rona nahi aata
Sulagte daag hai dil par
jinhe dhona nahi aata

These eyes are dry,

O Lord, knowing not how to weep

Festering spots in the heart

that can’t be cleansed out

A good friend sent me this link to more nasheeds: muziq.net . Jazak Allah Aisha!

Songs of Innocence

From Sh Faraz's Seeker Digest:




Can I sing my songs of innocence
To you my precious child as you lay on your bed
With your sleepy eyes and your heavy head
Pressed in dream in peace till morning comes again

I will sing my songs of innocence
I will sing my songs of innocence

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Can I sing my songs of innocence
As I watch you sleeping, what may lie ahead
So many the roads that before you spread,
Take away my child to the beloved friend.
Need a life of truth and innocence
The way of sunnah, the path of the Prophet
Let your words be echoes of his sentences
Let your deeds be shadows of his radiance.

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

And though the world sometimes feels cold and hard
And you may feel like you are wandering alone
Do not fear
Do not grieve
In Allah, place your belief
In His remembrance your heart will find its’ peace.

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

And I gaze at you in wonderment
How your heart is filled with innocence
You’ll never know the joy you bring to me
How your touch and smile dispel my every grief
May you never lose your innocence
With life’s bittersweet experience
And when the time comes, remember this
Wisdom is the re finding of innocence

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Now you’re breathing easy
I must call an end
I have sung my song of innocence
And if our paths should never cross again
May gods peace and mercy upon you descend
We will meet at the gathering of innocence
At al Kausar, the fountain of abundance
By the Prophet’s hand, may our thirst be quenched
We will be with him and we will be content

Sallal lauhu allaihi wa alayhi
Peace and blessings on him and his family
And all who follow in his blessed way
You and I my child may we among them be
You and I my child may we among them be

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu
Sing a song of love and innocence
Allah hu Allah hu
Lailah illahhu

Ya Allah
Will you help me find my way back home
Ya Allah
Will you fill my heart with innocence
May I come to you in innocence
Let me sing my song of innocence

Friends

Can friends keep secrets from friends? What happens when you find out something about the friend that they lied to you about? Or they just didn't think it was "important" to mention? Would you ever trust that friend? Or going forward, would you always suspect that they might not be disclosing all facts?

I should probably give 'em seventy excuses for not trusting me.

I probably am not as good/ close friend as I thought I was.

I probably should keep secrets too, since everyone tells me don't trust anyone.

Edit [7th day of 7th month of the 7th (+2000) year] 70 excuses it is! Jazak Allah HI for the reminder! And I forgive her (Allah forgives those who forgive others)

Life

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always

someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always

difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right.

To map out a course of action and

follow it to an end requires courage.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson]