Sadness in the heart-- Amjad Sabri

A few days have passed and now after grasping a hold of reality, I am able to write my expression of sadness.  A sad and tragic loss to the lovers of Ahlulbayt (A.S).

Amjad Sabri, known more widely as the Qawwal legend of Pakistan, but more importantly a lover of Ahlulbayt (A.S).  He was someone who shared true love  with a genuine heart!

He belonged to a sufi family, however his love and respect for the Ahlulbayt (A.S) was remarkable!
His beautiful recitations of "Bhar de Jholi meri ya Mohammad.." (send infinite blessings my way, Oh Mohammad) mesmerize you without any presence of music as well!  It was a zikr read by his father first in the form of a Qawwali (A musical expression of religious beliefs), however it became more known as a manqabat and was often recited without music in happy gatherings and prayers!

His other prayer that rings in my ears all the time is "Karam maangta hun, Ataa maangta hun, Ilaahi mein tujhe se, dua maangta hun..."(I seek mercy, i seek blessings, oh Allah SWT i pray to You, oh Almighty!")... these words often ring in our minds when we talk about Amjad Sabri.  The honesty and truth in his voice would cause jitters.

I had the privilege to meet him briefly one time.  He was a very humble, down to earth person who knew what reality and performance is!  Meeting him in person, he was very respectful, humble and comic. Yet once he got on stage, his persona was felt across the room as the strongest voice and personality around!

As an entertainer for millions across the world, he had to cater to various groups in his choice of songs etc. when he performed internationally, so we could not really hear the true spirit of his Qawwalis unfortunately when he performed here live!  But the moment he uttered his love for Ahlulbayt (A.S), the room just filled with love, respect, devotion and excitement!

It is sad that he was tragically killed in Karachi just last week (16th of Ramadhan).  He may be gone now, but he will forever live in our hearts as a very loving, caring person.  I pray to Allah SWT that the individuals who committed this cowardly act be caught and brought to justice.  I pray for his 5 little children and his wife and mother!  Oh Allah give them the sabr (patience) to bear this loss!

There will be no other Amjad Sabri, but I hope his love for Ahlulbyat (A.S) gets him a high place in Jannah.  He will be missed by all....

An odd debate in my mind!

Sometimes I wonder if it is really a good thing to segregate boys and girls!

I have known individuals who have grown up in this environment, not knowing how to interact with or deal with the opposite gender!  From very basic etiquettes to relationships, they don't know how to handle anything!  It is at times very obvious that these individuals have no clue how to deal with situations or what to say or do that would resolve issues/opinions!

I have also dealt with males who are so stubborn about "their way" or doing things that they cannot imagine changing their ways of doing things!  

In my humble opinion, yes I agree that there needs to be a lot of control in dealing with the opposite gender, but that does not necessarily mean you segregate the genders and that way one does not need to handle anything!

In today's society, especially living in the western countries, it is extremely difficult to explain certain things to children when inquiring about their curiosities regarding the opposite genders.  It is a natural human instinct to be curious about something you are stopped from!  But I believe our approach in Islamic cultures is a bit drastic.  A child needs to know mannerisms and etiquettes of dealing with the opposite gender.  This means they need to be taught how to dress, how to speak, what to say and what is not a good thing to say etc.  It is the same as any mannerisms we learn since childhood.

We learn to eat and the proper way to eat or keep clean don't we?  Then why can't dealing with the opposite gender be a mannerism taught to our kids?  There are does and dont's in everything we do in life -- it is a matter of balance and timing I believe.

What do you all think?

Any views? Ideas? Opinions?

Any Islamic references or events that depict gender segregation is recommended? not recommended?

Maulana Sadiq Hasan on 25th Moharram

Assalaam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters,

December of 2012 I had posted regarding a meet up with the famous Maulana Sadiq Hasan.  It was a disappointing meet up last time for several reasons but nevertheless I got to meet the person talked about so much alhamdolilah!

This year he has returned to recite again at our mosque and I must confess, his speeches this year are thankfully much more enlightening and interesting than they were last time.  I cannot claim an excuse that it was my 1 year old that would not allow me to listen to him last time, as alhamdolilah I am blessed with another 1 year old this year as well to listen to his speech with!  so the comparison of experiences is quiet similar in that regard, however his speeches this year caught my attention for several reasons...

One of the biggest reason (also because this was a topic I was upset with him about at his last visit) was that this year so far, i have heard 2 of 3 speeches emphasizing on women and their role in the message of Imam Hussain (A.S) as well as the message of Karbala.  He has quiet beautifully expressed regard for Bibi Zaynab (A.S) and how she is a role model for all women today.  I was impressed by the way he delivered the message! 

He has on several occasions also mentioned how women play a very different role in terms of culture/earning and support yet still a very similar role to bibi Zaynab at the time of Karbala in holding the family together yet supporting the Imam's message and knowledge!  I admire this change in his speeches this year and I hope and pray that this message is conveyed at a larger scale.

The mere fact that women are being pointed out as oppressed is Islam needs a response from these learned speakers!  Our population of women need to come out of this self pity and understand what a blessing it is to be a woman who is protected by the beautiful religion.  He further mentioned how important Hijaab (veil) is and how it was the biggest thing that affected Imam Zain ul Abideen (A.S) after Karbala!  The women of the family of the holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) were humiliated in public after the tragedy of Karbala and Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S) cried out remembering his father for no other tragedy that struck them except the disrespect that his honorable aunt and the other ladies faced due to their hijaab being taken away! One cannot imagine how much sorrow he was in to remember no other atrocities that befell him but the veil!

May Allah SWT bless all women in Islam to observe the privilege of wearing hijaab inshAllah.  Allah SWT has given us the privilege to preserve our modesty and assist us to stay away from major sins with this hijaab! we must respect it and observe it for our own sake....

iltimaas e dua
Zehra

Umra on the 13th of Rajab!

Assalaam Alaikum,

Planning a vacation to Dubai made me wonder if I could possibly get to the holy land and pay my respects at the House of Allah SWT, at the one symbol of life and liberty! the Holy Kaaba, the one place we face and worship all our life not knowing when and if we will ever make it there to even see it in person!

I tried and the rest was Allah SWTs will!  it just worked out so beautifully that if I think about it, I am at a loss of words!

I was planning my Dubai vacation in hopes that I can spend some time with my husband and children and also relax.  Suddenly my heart felt like I should attempt to atlas find out more details.  At first my husband did not think it was a good idea, and then suddenly the travel agent said "You are very lucky, people struggle to plan an Umra like yours... you will be there on the 13th of Rajab inshAllah" and that  was it!

At that point, convincing my husband was much easier... I felt like I did not want anything to mess our plans.. it was meant to be but still hard to believe that it was our call to visit the Holy Prophet PBUH&HF and then the marvelous house of Allah SWT!

With a lot of planning and education the days finally arrived!  it was a stressful event to plan everything, get to Dubai and then from there begin the spiritual journey!  I was excited but still having a hard time believing that I was actually there!

It was an amazing experience with very memorable moments spread throughout!  more on the details to follow this post.. but alhamdolilah it was a journey of a lifetime.  InshAllah will be spending more time in the next few posts describing my experience and then maybe discussing the actual events that occurred.  the spiritual journey was nevertheless magnificent and a great learning experience!

Zehra

The blessings of 15 Shabaan

Assalaam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters,

15th of Shaban.. a night and day revered by all muslims as one of the most blessed nights.  The superiority of this night is considered second to the night of Qadr!  SubhanAllah, what a blessed night.

If you really think about it, Allah SWT has given us chances time and time again to save our lives and our hereafter!  We are blessed as muslims to be able to get so many opportunities to rid ourselves of our sins and start a new life... who else but Allah SWT can be so merciful!?

Think about it.. Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awal... three blessed months where we are given so much spirituality that it literally motivates us to keep away from sins.  Especially true for our Shia brothers and sisters, we stay away from music, movies, and devote ourselves to Imam Hussain in Muharram and Safar and then in Rabi ul Awal we are focused on the blessed birth of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessings upon him and his progeny). 

Then again, we have Rajab, blessed with the holy birth of Imam Ali (Peace and blessings upon him and his progeny) and also a recommended month for the pilgrimage of Umra!  As soon as Rajab ends, we have Shaban, the month so blessed and also called the month of Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessings upon him and his progeny).  In this holy month we have the 15th of Shaban, the blessed eve of this day and the day itself holds a special importance for all muslims.

For our dear brothers and sisters in Ahle Sunnat as well as the Shia community, this is known as the day of Baraat.  It is also known as a day of Eid for those who have left this world.  Special arrangements are made and prayers are conducted on this blessed night and day.  Another special event that is commemorated by the Shia community is the blessed birth of the Imam of our time (ATF).  It is the same date that shias commemorate the miracle of the blessed birth!

and then we have the month of Ramadan, where muslims united believe that Satan is behind bars in this blessed month and muslims have the opportunity to get rid of all sins, purify themselves and cleanse their souls of any evil!  

Right before the year ends, we have the blessed month of Zilhaj, where we have the supreme sacrifice and miracle of Abraham occurred.  The pilgrimage for muslims required once in a lifetime is also during this auspicious month!  

So many blessings and opportunities for sins to be forgiven!

SubhanAllah!  What mercy of our beloved Allah (SWT)... we are privileged to be able to repent and restart!  

Do you still deny the favors of your lord (Allah SWT)?

Iltimaas e Dua

Zehra