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

The sadness and chaos in this world...

Assalaam Alaikum dear brothers and sisters,

Not sure where to start or what to say...

This world is an utter chaos at this time, Muslim or not muslim, mankind is suffering at the hands of the disbelievers!  May Allah SWT hasten the reappearance of our beloved Imam ATF... this world needs peace...

The religion that means peace is at suffering as well...  the hands of a few that are doing nothing but giving a bad name and reputation to this wonderful religion!  May  Allah SWT bless the hearts of those who are in suffering and pain and give them the strength to bear their huge losses.  Oh Allah! we pray to You and only You!  You are the Supreme, the Beneficent, the Merciful!  Oh Allah, Your justice is compared to no other, You are One and above all!  Oh Allah help those in need in suffering, help the innocent around the world in the name of your beloved Messenger Mohammad and his family! (PBUH&HF)

There is alot of suffering.. not sure where to start and where to go...

This past week has been utter chaos!
First I heard about the ChapelHill shootings of the killing of the beautiful three individuals, so young and so bright... It made my days so dark to think of the pain their families must be going through and MashAllah the strength they have to talk about it.  What is wonderful and in accordance to Islam is that they openly kept repeating not to be revengeful and that justice will take care of the wrong doers... I loved how Deah's sister was so strong and able to face public with the strength and dignity and talk about the three mashAllah.. May Allah SWT grant them all the sabr to bear their major losses... nothing can replace the wonderful young bright individuals that they were... but from Allah SWT we are and to Him we all shall return.

Right after this heartbreaking news, i heard of another lady of our community who was suffering from cancer who lost the battle. May Allah SWT bless her soul and give her family the strength to bear this loss.  Cancer is one disease that I hope and Pray Allah does not even give to the enemies... oh Allah help us to get rid of this illness and save our beings from going through the torture to bear the pain of this illness.  You are Shaafi, the one who gives the Healing for all illnesses!

Same day I heard another tragic news of a 22 year old boy in my family who passed away with brain hemorrhage suddenly.  No illnesses, a healthy young beautiful boy!  May Allah SWT give his parents sabr-e-jameel (highlest level of patience) upon loosing such a beautiful child.  I remember playing with him as a baby and admiring how beautiful that child was.  Who knew that we will all lose him so soon... May Allah SWT bless him with a place in Jannah inshAllah and have mercy on his family and friends to bear this loss.  Oh Allah, you create us and to You we shall all return!

Right around this same time I heard of the bombings in Pakistan... two to be exact and both in mosques while people were praying the Friday congregation prayers!  How insane does a human have to be to claim so many lives during prayer time?  How heartless can a person be!
Oh Allah have mercy on all those families that lost their loved ones... oh Allah You are Aadil (Just), we seek Your justice in getting rid of this jaahil (illiterate) group and having mercy on the believers.  This is not about being Shia'h or Sunni, it is about humanity!  Heartless ruthless people like these are out there killing innocent people in Your name... not knowing how Merciful you are and how You are the Almighty!  They think they have the power to do anything in Your beautiful name... Oh Allah we long for Your Justice!

To you all brothers and sisters... I hope and pray that you and your families keep safe... that no one you know is harmed in this way.. and that you get closer to understanding the beautiful religion of Islam and its peaceful teachings.. I hope you are able to find that Islam does not teach animosity and killings as these few have portrayed it as... InshAllah hoping and praying for peace in this world with the tawassul (intercession) of the 14 infalliables...

Iltimaas-e-Dua
Zehra