Muhammed Ali on Modesty – A Father/Daughter Talk

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

The following true incident took place years ago, when former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammed Ali was visited by his daughters, who arrived at his home wearing clothes that were immodest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

“When we arrived, the chauffer escorted my youngest sister, Laila, and me to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. And we exchanged as many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

“My father then took a good look at us. He sat me down in his lap and said something I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said: ‘Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down and in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get them.’

“He looked at me again with serious eyes and said, ‘Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.'”

Taken (and slightly edited) from Rohi Padela’s excellent Drunk on the Wine of the Beloved blog.

Note: It is worth noting that Muhammed Ali now follows the Sufi path of Hazrat Inayat Khan, according to Hana Yasmeen Ali. An interview with her, where she mentions that fact, can be found HERE.

Update Note: Because of the response in the comments, here are links to two previous posts on Hijab: Wearing Hijab – A Spiritual Concept and Wearing Hijab in Mecca.

The Prophet (pbuh) also said: “Faith is naked, but its clothes are modest.”

Ya Haqq!

Happy 800th Birthday Rumi – Sept. 30, 1207-2007

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

Molana Jalal-e din Mohammad Balkhi, commonly known as Rumi, was a Persian mystic of Islam, a Sufi. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. His peaceful and tolerant teaching has appealed to men and women of all sects and creeds. As a love poet, he has no peer:

My Mother is Love        My Father is Love

My Prophet is Love      My God is Love

I am a child of Love     I have come only to speak of Love

Rumi was born on 30th of September 1207 in Balkh in today’s Afghanistan, then within the domains of the Persian Empire, and died on 17 December 1273 in Konya, in present-day Turkey, where he spent many years of his life. His body was laid to rest beside his father and a splendid shrine was erected there, which every year attracts a large number of pilgrims from all parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world.

Happy Birthday Rumi :)

Ya Haqq!

Moon of Ramadan

O Majestic Moon,

Radiant moments from Ramadhans long ago

Inundate our faqir souls.

May your luminance assist us to brighten our pleas for

all who are suffering, mutilated, wounded, incarcerated, orphaned, homeless, abused, ill,

the ‘them’ the ‘us’ the ‘other’,

The Ummah,

To be given strength to embrace the remaining days of this blessed month

To the fullest.

O Majestic Moon,

As we observe you gently glissade in the remaining moments

May our diligence to increase,

Our Taqwa soar.

Gaining the best of favours

From our Rabb Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

AMEEN

~~~

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Blessings and salutations on you, O Messenger of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Prophet of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Sincere Friend of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Intimate Friend of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O Beloved of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has honoured

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has made noble

Blessings and salutations on you, O to whom Allah has imparted knowledge

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has exalted

Blessings and salutations on you, O whom Allah has well-endowed

Blessings and salutations on you, O master of Messengers

Blessings and salutations on you, O last in the line of the Prophets

Blessings and salutations on you, O leader of those who are pious

Blessings and salutations on you, O intercessor for sinners

Blessings and salutations on you, O mercy for all domains of existence

Blessings and salutations on you, O best of the creations of Allah

Blessings and salutations on you, O light of the Throne of Allah

May the blessings of Allah, and His angels, His Prophets and His Messengers,

and the bearers of His Throne, and all whom He created, rest on

our master Muhammad, on his family and all his companions

till the Day of Judgement.

Ameen!

– Taken and edited with gratitude from a much longer poem and prayer by our dear Sister at the always beautifully written Almiskeenah blog. Click the link and read the whole post.

Ya Haqq!

PS:  Alhamdulillah! Was that not a truly beautiful full moon last night?

The Prophet (pbuh) and the Sinner

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

Once a man came into the Mosque of the Prophet, lamenting over his sins. The man was so overcome and saddened by his state that the Prophet [pbuh] said to him, “Say this:”

“Oh Allah, Your forgiveness is greater than my sins, and my hope in Your mercy is greater to me than my actions”

The man said this and the Prophet [pbuh] said to him, “Say it again.” The man repeated it, then the Prophet (pbuh) said to him, “Say it again.” The man did so a third time, and the Prophet [pbuh] said to him, “Arise, for indeed Allah has forgiven you.”

– This hadith was related by al-Hakim with a sound chain that he considered a match for the standards of Imam Muslim. Taken from a longer post on the Suhaib Webb blog (where the Arabic is included), and with thanks to Ali Eteraz for pointing the way.

Ya Haqq!

Interfaith Fast for Peace in Iraq – October 8th

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

One worthwhile event that will be taking place before the end of Ramadan is the Interfaith Fast for Peace in Iraq.

The organizers description of the event is:

We call on all Americans to join in fasting from dawn to dusk on Monday, October 8th, to call for an end to the Iraq War. On this day, people of faith in local communities across our nation will act as catalysts to transform the meaning of the day from one of conquest to community and from violence to reverence. Just as Isaiah called the People Israel to hear the Yom Kippur fast as God’s call to feed the hungry, just as Jesus fasted in the wilderness, just as Christians through Lenten fasting and Muslims through Ramadan fasting have focused on spiritual transformation, just as Mohandas Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and others drew on fasting to change the course of history, so we call on all our communities of faith to draw now on fasting as a path toward inner spiritual transformation and outward social transformation. Ending this war can become the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of generosity and community at home and in the world.

For more information on how to participate in the fast go to: http://interfaithfast.org

With grateful thanks to the Pamela K. Taylor blog.

Please pass the word about this worthwhile event. 

Ya Haqq!

A Sufi Poem

I begged for power and found it in knowledge
I begged for honor and found it in poverty
I begged for health and found it in asceticism
I begged my account be lessened before God
and found it in silence
I begged for consolation and found it in despair

– Ali Sahl Esfahani

“The pens have been laid down, and the pages have dried.”

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

The Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Abdullah Ibn Abbas, who was riding behind him:

“Boy, I shall teach you something. Remember God and He will remember you. Remember God and you will find Him before you. If you have to ask, then ask of God, and if you have to seek help, then seek it of God. Understand well, that if the whole community joined together to benefit you, they could only benefit you in what God has decreed for you; and if they are joined together to harm you, they could only harm you in what God has decreed against you. The pens have been laid down, and the pages have dried”.

– A Hadith (tradition) found on the mystical Green Sufi blog.

Ya Haqq!

The Prophet’s Ramadan Sermon (pbuh)

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

A Sermon on the Last Friday of Sha’ban on the Reception of the Month of Ramadan.

“O People ! Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which with Allah is the best of months. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours. It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered. So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people, so compassion may be shown to your orphans. Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked …

“O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds.

“O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven. Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s): “Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?”

The Prophet replied: “Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.” “One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass the ‘Siraat’ … on the day that feet will slip … “One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb His anger on the day of Judgement … “As for one who honour an orphan; Allah will honour him on the day of judgement, “And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement. “As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from him … “Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him … “Whoever performs an obligatory prayer Allah will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month. “And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the day of measure. “He who recites one verse of the Holy Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Quran during other months.

“O People! Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore ask Allah not to close them for you; The doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you. During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.”

Ya Haqq!

Note: Taken with gratitude from the Islam Herald website.

30 Daily Ramadan Prayers

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

RAMADAN KAREEM! – Below are 30 Daily Ramadan Prayers (Duas) that will, inshallah, make the fast easier, enlighten the mind, and ennoble the heart.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 1

ALLAH, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in prayer (obediently), awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 2

ALLAH, on this day, take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur’an), by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 3

ALLAH, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretension, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 4

ALLAH, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your remembrance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 5

ALLAH, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 6

ALLAH, on this day, do not let me abase myself by incurring Your disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who desire.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 7

ALLAH, on this day, help me with its fasts and prayers, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I remember You continuously through the day, by Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 8

ALLAH, on this day, let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the noble-minded, O the shelter of the hopeful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 9

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share from Your mercy which is wide, guide me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all encompassing pleasure, by Your love, O the hope of the desirous.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 10

ALLAH, on this day, make me, among those who rely on You, from those who You consider successful, and place me among those who are near to you, by Your favor, O goal of the seekers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 11

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire, by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help

Ramadan Dua: DAY 12

ALLAH, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 13

ALLAH, on this day, purify me from un-cleanliness and dirt, make me patient over events that are decreed, grant me the ability to be pious, and keep company with the good, by Your help, O the beloved of the destitute.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 14

ALLAH, on this day, do not condemn me for slips, make me decrease mistakes and errors, do not make me a target for afflictions and troubles, by Your honor, O the honor of the Muslims.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 15

O Allah, on this day, grant me the obedience of the humble, expand my chest through the repentance of the humble, by Your security, O the shelter of the fearful.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 16

ALLAH, on this day, grant me compatibility with the good, keep me away from patching up with the evil, lead me in it, by Your mercy, to the permanent abode, by Your Godship, O the God of the worlds.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 17

ALLAH, on this day, guide me towards righteous actions, fulfill my needs and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor questions, O One who knows what is in the chests of the (people of the) world. Bless Muhammad and his family, the Pure.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 18

ALLAH, on this day, make me love goodness, and dislike corruption and disobedience, bar me from anger and the fire [of Hell], by Your help, O the helper of those who seek help.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 19

ALLAH, on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and ease my path towards its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of its good deeds, O the Guide towards the clear truth.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 20

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of the heavens, and lock the doors of Hell from me, help me to recite the Qur’an, O the One who sends down tranquility into the hearts of believers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 21

ALLAH, on this day, show me the way to win Your pleasure, do not let Shaytan have a means over me, make Paradise an abode and a resting place for me, O the One who fulfills the requests of the needy.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 22

ALLAH, on this day, open for me the doors of Your Grace, send down on me its blessings, help me towards the causes of Your mercy, and give me a place in the comforts of Paradise, O the one who answers the call of the distressed.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 23

ALLAH, on this day, wash away my sins, purify me from all flaws, examine my heart with (for) the piety of the hearts, O One who overlooks the shortcomings of the sinners.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 24

ALLAH, on this day, I ask You for what pleases You, and I seek refuge in You from what displeases You, I ask You to grant me the opportunity to obey You and not disobey You, O One who is generous with those who ask

Ramadan Dua: DAY 25

ALLAH, on this day, make me among those who love Your friends, and hate Your enemies, following the way of Your last Prophet, O the Guardian of the hearts of the Prophets.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 26

ALLAH, on this day, make my efforts worthy of appreciation, and my sins forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, O the best of those who hear.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 27

ALLAH, on this day, bestow on me the blessings of Laylatul Qadr, change my affairs from (being) difficult to (being) easy, accept my apologies, and decrease for me [my] sins and burdens, O the Compassionate with His righteous servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 28

ALLAH, on this day, grant me a share in its nawafil (recommended prayers), honor me by attending to my problems, make closer the means to approach You, from all the means, O One who is not preoccupied by the requests of the beseechers.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 29

O ALLAH, on this day, cover me with Your mercy, grant me in it success and protection, purify my heart from the darkness of false accusations, O the Merciful to His believing servants.

Ramadan Dua: DAY 30

O ALLAH, on this day, make my fasts worthy of appreciation and acceptance, according to what pleases You, and pleases the Messenger, the branches being strengthened by the roots, for the sake of our leader, Muhammad, and his purified family. Praise be to ALLAH, the Lord of the worlds.

Ya Haqq!

Note:  To read the duas in Arabic, click HERE.

Remember Me and I Will Remember You!

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before so that you may attain taqwa. (2:183)

Alhumdulillah to be blessed with another Mubarak Ramadhan when our awe of Allah Ta’ala is constantly on the increase, SubhanAllah. Days when our yearning becomes delirious. Our love for Him overshadowing all else. Our seeking Him and His protection, His pleasure, His intimacy, His company, His refuge, His victory, His safety, His forgiveness, His mercy, His deliverance from the Fire, His awareness of our knocking at His door. The only door always open. May we come to His door carrying the following in our hearts.

Allah Ta’ala says:

“Remember Me with submission and resignation,

And I will remember you with the worthiest of preference.”

And whoever puts all his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. (65:3)

Remember Me with ardent yearning and loving affection,

And I will remember you with contact and nearness.

Remember Me with praise and adoration,

And I will remember you with favours and reward.

Remember Me with repentance,

And I will remember you with the forgiveness of sin.

Remember Me with supplication,

And I will remember you with giving.

Remember Me with asking,

And I will remember you with granting.

Remember Me without neglect,

And I will remember you without delay.

Remember Me with remorse,

And I will remember you with honour.

Remember Me with apology,

And I will remember you with forgiveness.

Remember Me with the intention,

And I will remember you with the implementation.

Remember Me with renunciation,

And I will remember you with gracious favour.

Remember Me with sincere devotion,

And I will remember you with salvation.

Remember Me with your hearts,

And I will remember you with relief from cares.

Remember Me with the tongue,

And I will remember you with security.

Remember Me with poverty,

And I will remember you with ability.

Remember Me with the plea for pardon and forgiveness,

And I will remember you with mercy and indulgence.

Remember Me with faith,

And I will remember you with the Garden of Paradise.

Remember Me with surrender,

And I will remember you with honour.

Remember Me with the heart,

And I will remember you with lifting the veil.

Remember Me with a fleeting remembrance,

And I will remember you with a permanent remembrance.

Remember Me with humble entreaty,

And I will remember you with connection.

Remember Me with self-abasement,

And I will remember you with the pardoning of errors.

Remember Me with virtue,

And I will remember you with the obliteration of guilt.

Remember Me with purity of the innermost being,

And I will remember you with the deliverance of piety.

Remember Me with truthfulness,

And I will remember you with sustenance.

Remember Me with clarity,

And I will remember you with pardon.

Remember Me with glorification,

And I will remember you with reverential treatment.

Remember Me with increasing frequency,

And I will remember you with deliverance and dignity.

Remember Me with abstinence from crudity,

And I will remember you with the assurance of fulfillment.

Remember Me with abstinence from error,

And I will remember you with all kinds of giving.

Remember Me with praise in service,

And I will remember you with the perfection of benefit.

Remember Me from where you are,

And I will remember you from where I am.

The remembrance of Allah is greater; And Allah knows the things you do. (29:45)

– From Shaikh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

Taken with gratitude from the most wonderful Almiskeenah blog.

Ya Haqq!