I am because Allah says I am by Aaisha Haffeejee

My heart
It pulses, it thuds
It whispers, it pounds
It keeps a rhythm of its own..
THUD thud, THUD THUD
A humming or a drumming,
So it sounds...

Allah holds my heart,
I love for Allah

My lungs
They rise, they fall
In they pull, out they push
Not by any person's call...
Gasp... WHOOSH
Inflating, rejuvenating

My lungs listen to Allah,
I breathe for Allah

My bones
They stand firm,
They stand strong,
Supporting, protecting
No matter the pressure, they do not tire, crumble or expire..

My bones bow to Allah,
I stand for Allah
I sit for Allah
I walk for Allah
I move for Allah, I live for Allah

My mind
It thinks, it reasons,
It decides, it regulates,
Simple facts like the seasons
Or a complex sum it calculates

My mind is at the mercy of Allah,
All knowledge is from Him,
I function for Allah

Your entire being,
your entire body,
Has been created, so perfect, so flawless only by Almighty Allah,
By a hand so marvellous we cannot even begin to comprehend,
Why is this something many of us don't see?

Stop taking things for granted,
Allah has given you more than you could have ever wanted,
Spend your time in praise and gratitude, peace and solitude

Rather than bickering and complaining,
About what's unfair or what's paining..

Your Lord waits with arms wide open..

Profile :Zaheerah Bham--Ismail

Date of Birth/Age: 1978/ 07/01 : 32

Your personal mission statement: To try and do the best I can so that
when I meet my creator I can say "I Tried".

Family: My very supportive husband & best
friend Khaleel (married for 14 years this year, insha Allah). Three
daughters Nabeelah
(6), Tahiyyah (4) and Leeyah (1,6yrs). We have a wonderful extended family
support network and unit on both
sides of the family...truly blessed, Alhamdulillah. Greatest inspiration has
been my dear marhoom father Abdulhay
Moosa Bham.

Current City: Johannesburg

High School Education: Completed Matric at Crawford College in
1995

Tertiary Education & field of study: BA (Speech & Hearing), BA, Montessori
part time course,

Work Experience:Currently Co-Own the Park Lane Speech
and Hearing Clinic, worked at Helen Joseph Hospital during my community
service, worked at Baragwanath Hospital during my 4th year of study, Worked
at Kids Court Support, worked at
Islamic Careline,

Community Organisations/Clubs/Societies and position therein: Caring
Womens Forum: co-chair.

Crescent Haven Childrens Home: Member of executive committee

IHSAN (Islamic Holistic School for Alternative Needs) : Trustee

Madressah IHSAN sheltered workshop for adults with disabilities: Facilitator


Areas of community work: varied: children to adults.
Impoverished, destitute, abandoned and orphaned children and families.
People living with
disabilities.

Current fields of interest/ activities: every project and organisation holds
a very special place in my heart - for various reasons.
With CWF: we always have
a number of projects running - currently we are completing two building
projects and supplying a home
for children in Midrand with School uniforms and shoes. We are also running
a toy drive for an
Early Developmental Centre that we've put up in Leandra with Gift of the
Givers. Setting up a feeding scheme at
Joburg Gen in addition to the one we usually run at Ethembeni children's
Home. We are also coordinating a daily
feeding scheme for the children that attend the centre in Leandra.
I volunteer for a
feeding scheme at Joburg Gen paed HIV wards.
Crescent Haven
Children's Home: we're currently revamping the boys section of the home
which was in desperate need of
remodelling. I'm involved in fundraising. A project very close to my heart
as my dad was very involved
with the home since its inception and I've volunteered there since I was in
school.
IHSAN: another project I
feel strongly about. The centre caters for children and adults with
disabilities and it is run
within an Islamic framework. We have just moved premises and are formalising
our structure. Currently busy
drawing up the syllabus as well as arranging for medical and allied health
services to be offered to all
students.
Sheltered workshop: the
adults of the centre are involved in a propjet which allows them to work and
earn a wage while being in a
safe environment. Skills are taught to them and they work to complete orders
such as tasbeehs, parcels,
quraan markers etc. Money received for these items is then distributed
amongst the students working on
the projects.
Speech and Audiology.
All skills and discipline learnt in my degree stands me well to adapt and
lend to other situations and
projects. I've met the most phenomenal people along my journey who have all
taught me something. I'm
very passionate about my work and currently co own the park Lane Speech and
Hearing Clinic.

plans for 1432: one day at a time...one task at a
time... I've learnt to never plan...but to be prepared...not to spend time
planning and structuring ...but rather embracing and doing! Again...my only
plan is to do the best that I can- to
try and never hurt another person and to gracefully accept whatever Allah
has put out for me this year.

Advice to muslim women: As women we always have more
than one role to fill - be it daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher,
educator, planner, etc.
The roles never stop. We often expect more from ourselves than even others
do. We need to remember
that we're all entitled to some "time off". As sisters we all walk in each
other's footsteps. If we don't stand
together or support each other: we all lose.
We spend far too much
time worrying about what "somebody else" has to say or waiting for someones
approval: People
will always have something to say- it means you're doing something!!
My dad used to always
tell me to remember "this too shall pass"..in good times it will keep you
humble and in the bad or
difficult times it will give you hope for the future.
If you want to do
something or be part of something..don't wait for someone to start it or do
it for you...do it
yourself. At the end of the day you are individually answerable for all that
we do or our lack of doing. To
realise that every little we do will make a difference to that one person
and that is alot (the jellyfish story)
...and on the flip side: to realise that we have so far to go and so much to
do before we are worthy of meeting
our Creator. May He be pleased with us all.

Your Ummah, My Ummah, Our Ummah by Aaisha Haffejee

We all worry about our world,
We've started saving energy,
Getting rid of greenhouse gases
Stepping up security to cut crime,

We fear for our future,
For the future of our children, grandchildren, mankind
We're so righteous, aren't we?
So caring and compassionate

We're so clued up about those consequences regarding or precious planet,
But we've forgotten that this place wasn't ours to begin with,
We could leave in a day or a decade

Well then what do we do? You say...

Remember when Hazrat Umar ibn Khattab RA accepted islam,
The takbeer of only a few sahaabi was heard throughout the city of madina

Praise your Lord, recite His name and the name of his Rasool aloud in your home,
The sweet sound will soon resonate the world round

Remember, Hazrat Uthmaan Ibn Affaan RA, the scribe of our scripture, who was starved for forty days by misguided muslims
And was stabbed and martyred whilst reading the holy Quraan,

Teach those around you to always maintain dignity, even in the face of danger and injustice. Be steadfast in your faith...
For Allah SWT promises you jannah if you fear none but him,
Your bravery will inspire the entire ummah

Remember Sayidinna Maryam RA, how she spent almost every minute in salaah. Even the angels were baffled by her devotion.

Sew the seeds of salaah with sincerity and kushoo in your children so that they may comprehend its importance and draw close to their Lord.

Remember the Messenger of Allah SAW, his final phrase on hid deathbed was simply: "Ummati, Ummati, Ummati"
Make each move of yours directed at doing only good for your deen and your ummah. Give an apple to an orphan, build a well where there is no water or teach the ways of islaam. Your options are endless...

Leave footprints in this world which will last in the path of Allah long after you've left..

We are the ummah of today,
let's help create a strong ummah of tomorrow inshaa allah.

Parents, through the looking glass by Aaisha Haffejee

I gaze at her hands... I see hues of beauty, I see grace, even through their imperfections

I gaze at his hands... I see my Hercules, strong, brave, bold. Even though they're ordinary

I stare at her silhouette... So elegant, so confident. Even through her heartbreaks

I Stare at his shadow... So still, so dependable. Even through these tough times

I look into her eyes...she gazes into mine..
Like we have so many times before..
Yet now I see the longing for love, the way she always loved me
I see the weathered wrinkles and the sad lines
I see the unshead tears, of turmoil, of tiredness, of untold unhappiness

In his eyes I see the burning burdens he faces each day, I see the wear and tear, I see the softness he so easily shows me even when he's sad, I see fear, I see frustration

Yet everyday, everytime they look at me I see their smiles. So honest, so true..

This is my mother, this is my father.

I don't tell them often enough how much I love them, appreciate them, treasure their hearts of gold...

But I pray that one day my duaas will do justice. I pray that Allah SWT grants them pearls for every tear, diamonds for every hardship and happiness eternally in Jannah, Inshaa Allah

Take time; a minute, a moment or a second to tell your parents you love them... It can be a smile, a soft kiss or a huge hug. Their duaas will be with you always..

Allah's Beautiful Blessings by Aaisha Haffejee

I marvel at the majestic mounds of sand morsels we call mountains...
Their fresh, lush, dense foliage bursting out like fountains...
I'm amazed by the alluring azure vastness we call the sea...
And its whimsical white shores seem so free...
I'm fascinated by the flourishing flowers...
Their radical range of shapes.
The spectacular spectrum of colours...
I wonder into the wilderness...
How many millions more creatures have we  missed...
I feel the flush of wind on my face...
Who taught it to blow breezes, give out gusts, hurl out hurricanes?
Where does it come from? Which place?
By who's hand, could come such lavish lands?
I see the sun as it shines to enlighten my soul...
And then the puzzle pieces become whole...
Allah hu akbar!
None other than our Rabb, our Sustainer, our Provider...
Could create such spleandour
Such beauty,
With Such Harmony,
Such tranquility,
Such mercy,
Oh my beloved Allah, lord of all that is in the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them...
Grant me the tenderness of taqwah and purity of imaan to appreciate the bounties and wonders you have given us, to be a grateful servant and to praise you and you alone.

Awakening Nightmare by Aaisha Haffejee

I wake in the deep of the dark night,
I feel flustered, anxious, curious as to why my body is drenched in cold, clammy sweat,
I sit up straight,
Breathe I say to myself, breathe..
I flop down flat again,
I pry and push but the band crushing my chest just won't let up,
Inhale... Exhale
My heart thuds harder.. Faster

Am I dying? Is this what the end feels like?
Curiosity melts like ice,
All that remains is bubbling, boiling fear...fear.. Intense fear

Why? Isn't death supposed to be a never ending dream? A slumber so silent and serene?

As my mind spins spirals I drift off to sleep..
I awake to my mothers familiar, frantic call to fajr.
I suck the air into the depths of my soul and sigh,
I made it through the nightmare..
Allah SWT has given me a true wake up call, another chance to change my ways, another shot at redemption,

I perform my wudhu in peace,
Savouring the welcome wash with cool water and being saved from the boiling couldrons of jahannam,

I sit and stand in salaah, so obedient, so still
Humbled by my Creator's mercy, protected from his punishment

I replace the routine scowl I give my parents every morning with a sweet smile and salaam
Grateful for this irreplaceable Allah SWT has granted me.

I spend the day, and every day after that, remembering Allah in every little thing I do, making shukr for this life I've been given and praying for paradise.

Its not too late dear brothers and sisters, we can all aim to attain paradise, eternal peace with Almighty Allah SWT in the aakhirah by doing even one tiny good deed each day...

Don't wait for doom day to arrive, make your death a delightful day

Profile:Aaisha Haffejee

Name: Aaisha Haffejee Date of Birth/Age: 23 May 1991 / 19
Your personal mission statement: To fulfill my role as a sincere servant of my Rabb, to use my knowledge to aid others suffering from ilness, injury or impairment and to help our people to become a better, stronger ummah. Family: I have been blessed with a mother who embodies the true essence of compassion, sabr, love and selflessness, a father who's gentle and genuine affection and care is truely honourable. A big brother who is adored and admired. A sister in law with a unique inner and outer beauty. And last but not least, a sister.. Without whom I wouldn't be half the person I am today. A sister who is a true gift from Allah SWT. High School Education:Westville Girls' High School. Tertiary Education&field of study:Bachelor of Surgery MBChB, 2nd year
Work Experience: Aaisha's Cutiful Cupcakes -own catering business Community Organisations/Clubs/Societies and position therein:MSA - NRM School of medicine, Ameerah & IMA
Areas of community work: KZN orpanages, old age homes. Current fields of interest/ -activities: I absolutely adore cooking and baking, love islamic literature and spending time with family and friends in the rememberance of Allah SWT. plans for 1432: To pass this year academically, inshaa allah. To become more tolerant of others, forgive and forget, turn my heart towards Allah and Allah alone and to correct my own faults, inshaa allah. Advice to muslim women:Whenever you feel down and despondent, remember that you are never alone, Allah SWT is always with you, in every moment of happiness, through every tear, and during every decision. Always have faith in Him and the power of duaa, talk to your Rabb.. He will certainly reply even if its not at the time you desire or in the manner you think is best. Also, remember the importance of dawah, always speak of Allah, his prophets, his sahaabah and his deen, it will bring his pleasure and mercy upon you. What greater honour can there be?

Profile: Quraysha Ismail Sooliman

Date of Birth/Age: 23/7/68 age 42yrs. Your personal mission statement: to empower muslim women. Family: 3 children. Current City:pretoria. High School Education:
Our Lady of Fathima Convent-Durban Matriculation. Tertiary
Education&field of study: BA Psycholog1992/Journalism2010/Currently
Studying Pol Science Honours at UP. Work Experience: finance and
Marketing Yusra Tours. Community
Organisations/Clubs/Societies and position therein: Caring Women's Forum
PTA and MSA Tukkies member. Areas of community work: soup kitchen, informal
settlements(crèches/orphans and bursaries) in Atteridgeville ,Itereleng
Current fields of interest/ activities: motivational speaker and workshop
training for empowerment. plans for 1432: Junior lecturer at UP in Pol
Science/Islamic workshops. Advice to muslim women: Learn your deen and be 'Proudly Muslim'

Reality,Rights and Responsibilities

Quraysha Ismail Sooliman(Journalist and Lecturer Political Science,UP)

 

17years into a democratic South Africa and the clutches of apartheid still strangle the Muslim community. Narrow visions and fear of intrusion have prevented the best of scholars from facing reality. The reality of an opening and globalized world where every man carries his own destiny, his own burden and his own responsibilities. That Allah has given us free choice and that with that right is the responsibility that comes with each choice we make.

 

And in this reality, women from the west are embracing Islam- not because we have reached out to them (

in fact, we have remained still very much shrouded in an apartheid mentality and we endorse the idea that Islam in South Africa is an Indian privilege)but because of globalization and the opening of the world’s borders whether through technology or migration or relocation.

 

So when the prophet Muhammad (SAW) instructed us simply to ‘not prevent the women from the mosque’ his incredible

naseeha (advise)carried a vision of a world that would still evolve from the time and context in which he lived. The mosque was always to be the centre of learning and development, the centre for creative thought, building Islamic unity and strengthening good companionship.

 

As the function and utility of the mosque vanished and instead it became only a place of prayer, then so too did the Islamic spirit start to wane and weaken. And in striving to revive the Islamic spirit, communities the world over are restructuring the functions and utilities of the mosques so that Muslims can start to rebuild themselves spiritually.

 

And part of this restructuring includes a space for women in the mosques- even the small Island country of Maldives has women’s prayer facilities in every one of its mosques. Female tourists do not have to stand in the street whilst their husbands pray, they are equal in prayer and equal in their rights to have access to a place of prayer, especially when they are not at home.

 

Western women(see the email below from Sister Bonnie who is a revert Muslim from New Zealand) who embrace Islam in a globalized world need access to a mosque or Islamic community centre where there is on-going instruction, stimulation and inspiration. This religion is not of hermits and monks- most of the greatest acts of worship are collective and demand a collective spirit.

 

It is for this and many more realities that we have been campaigning for the right of women to attend the mosques. This right does not mean a negation of the female’s responsibilities nor her ignorance in answering to her Creator about the conditions she needs to fulfil when she leaves her home for any reason what-so-ever(

the conditions are not limited to attending the mosques alone), but it is a right that is necessary for specific and important realities.

 

These include: when the woman is travelling, working in a city where her work place is not conducive to private prayer and there is a mosque nearby or if she is a revert and her parents do not know of her Islam and she cannot tell them and hence the only place she can pray in safety and peace is in the mosque, otherwise she cannot pray at all. This last scenario is a growing reality and three young ladies at the University in which I lecture have been in this predicament. They can only pray salaat when they come to the campus mosque or when they are near the DuToit Street mosque, especially for iftaar and Maghrib in Ramadaan and the Eid prayer. 

It is here that they actually get to be a part of the Islamic community and experience the Islamic brotherhood, celebrating the praises of Allah with the takbirs of the Eid salaat or sharing a meal at iftaar provided by the generous.

 

If these facilities did not exist, it would be extremely difficult for these sisters to incorporate the prayer into their lives or learn how to pray let alone learn to pronounce the Arabic

tasbeehaat in the starting and most crucial phase of their embracing Islam. And they would be denied the benefit of the essence and virtue of Ramadaan and the Eid- again, both of which are closely tied to a community and collective spirit.

 

Women have rights to attend the mosques and those rights carry with them responsibilities- it is up to us to master both.

 

The men need to restructure their thought on women’s rights to bring it into accordance with the Quraan and Sunnah and at the same time, we need more pro-active programmes, education and engagement in the mosques. The reality of the globalised economic world means that women leave their homes for work or travel, other women are reverts with no access to a community or private home space, hence they need access to the mosque to pray-

and this does not mean that demanding the right to pray in the mosques implies that women will be praying in them all day, each day, 5 times a day. 

Part of the effort to cater for the reality of Muslim women in the market-place has been the increasing number of ‘jamaat-khanas’(JK) in various shopping malls, airports and restaurants. If this is not a ‘make-shift’ mosque, then what is it? It certainly isn’t ‘one’s home’, so how come it’s ok for women to pray in the JK but not in a mosque?

 

To claim that the women are ‘out of control’ and cannot come to the mosques, is to blow hot air. If the men were serious about bringing the women to Islam, they would have made a conscious effort to provide alternatives to the ‘mall and makeup’ for the women. This would mean encouraging women to attend daily classes in the mosque closest to their homes where there should be all sorts of social and spiritual programmes. But this requires effort, commitment, preparation and of course time. Are the men prepared to give any of this to the Muslim women?

 

Many men are(see below), but in some parts of South Africa it suits the men to ignore the Muslim women’s rights to spiritual and educational up-liftment. So let them cook the biryani and serve the tea instead! Men deserve spiritual and culinary rewards, as for the women..?

 

There are realities, and there are rights and then there are responsibilities. Why is it so difficult to embrace all? Unless of course, we are too comfortable and too complacent.> On 17 Dec 2010, at 16:05, Bonnie Kurt wrote:>> > Salam Sister> >> > I really hope you don't mind me emailing you like this but I kind am> > left with no other option, I found your email address whilst> > researching Arabic Islamic ladies networks. I am a New-Zealand revert> > who came to live in South Africa six weeks ago, when I was living in> > New Zealand I attended Arabic classes, Ladies Quran classes, attended> > many lectures for women on various Islamic subjects and of course> > prayed every Friday at the Mosque. Since I have come here I have found> > nothing available for ladies, I was even reduced to tears when I> > learnt that females could not pray at virtually all mosques. Because I> > am new to Islam ( I only converted this year) I really need all the> > help I can get, do you know of any classes or anything like that> > available?> >> > I am living in Centurion but am able to drive> >> > Thank you so much for any guidance you are able to give me on this> > matter> >> > Bonnie 

So who will stand for the Muslim women? And where should the travelling women, the revert women, the women shopping in the malls and it’s prayer time pray if the home is not at that point a realistic option? These are realities challenging Muslim women today- will those who deny women their rights provide an alternative?

Little Actions for a big Difference

Salaams

Whats been on my mind recently has been my lack of getting involved in Islamic activities, programmes and Ibaadah. So Mashallah, Allah has given me enough hidaaya to read my salaah, read a little etc..but what I feel Im really missing out on is being in Islamic environments, really involved you know? We cant really say that there arent opportunities here in London...and besides, when my husband and I moved to the UK, it was one of the main motivators for this place- the abundance of programs and opportunities Mashallah

So, I have decided to take small actions Inshallah in my daily life to up my game. We attend online halqa weekly, but instead of pottering around while its on, I want to stop, take the 1 hour to give all my attention and really reap the benefits, Inshallah
And there is a talk on a Friday at our nearby masjid that we have no excuse not to attend!

So thats my first few steps, my little actions and Inshallah the idea is to keep these up, and then add more in.

Any other ideas for little actions we can take?

May Allah make it easy for us and help us make the most of opportunities to come closer to HIM and earn His pleasure. Inshallah Aameen

:)
M4Life

It is only by the Will of Allah.

Today.
A day of Peace. Serenity. Calmness. At ease.
Resignation to Allah’s plan.
Knowing that it is for the best.
It is only a part of my life by the Will of Allah.
It is not meant to overcome me.
It is a test.
A test from the Almighty.
Reactive or proactive?
It is my choice.
What do I gain by reacting negatively?
A destructive, all-consuming feeling which affects only me.
I let it go.
Allah is the best of planners.
It is only by the Will of Allah.

Ramadhan Realisations

This Ramadaan has been particularly special for me. Having moved to the UK from South Africa 8 months ago, this was my first Ramadaan in this new place we have chosen for our Hijra - and how much we have learnt by moving away from home and experiencing a new city, a new country and starting a new life, Alhamdulillah I realise now how Islam is all about what YOU make it to be, how you create an Islamic "feeling", how you create an atmosphere of Islam and take it wherever you go - in your heart, thoughts and behaviour. Maybe back home it was so easy, and a sense of Islam was always there so I forgot. I forgot how I have to work hard to bring it alive so that I feel it wherever I go, Inshallah. I realise now how Ramadaan is all about what you make of it. Working in a corporate environment, being out the whole day, you could almost miss the Ramadaan spirit - unless your spirit at home captures it. Its what you create in your space that makes a Ramadaan. I used radio stations to create the atmosphere, and cooking our family favourites also reminded me what Ramadaan was like growing up. I also continued my usual Ramadaan praying habits and tried to make my hectic schedule work around my ibaadah- but you could use anything - its just that YOU have to create it and make it work for you, Inshallah I realise how time is indeed so short, and all we have to do is sacrifice for 1 month, 4 weeks, 30 days. I tried as much as I could to put some things in my life on hold, like extra work stuff or reading novels - just for this short month InshallahI realised how we can spend our time in so many better ways than watching movies and TV. I cant believe how I didnt miss it at all, Alhamdullilah..makes you think! Alhamdulillah, Allah has blessed me to with these Realisations this Ramadaan, and with His will these Realisations can translate into firm Resolutions :)
Taskeen Jamal KarimMuslimah 4 Life

‘Love Your Sister for the Pleasure of Allah’ programme

‘Love Your Sister for the Pleasure of Allah’ programme seeks to unite the Ummah Sana Ebrahim

“Sisterhood is the foundation of a successful Ummah.” This was the message at the 3rd Annual Love Your Sister for the Pleasure of Allah programme held at the NMJ Hall on 29 August. Coordinated by a group of concerned sisters from Durban, the programme incorporated 300 very special sisters from the Verulam Islamic Da’wah Centre (VIDC), Isizwe, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) and Refugee Centre, as well as sisters from the community. The theme, Surah Hujurat (The Chambers), encompassed a qirat by the Isizwe sisters, as well as a slide presentation of the verses and meanings. In the true spirit of sisterhood, the programme was arranged such that the sisters sat in groups; each made up of sisters from the various organisations and sisters from the community. The result: getting to know a new sister purely for the pleasure of Allah. Sister Zeenat Kader used case studies to uncover aspects of identity (Who am I? Am I different? Do I stand out? What do I want to do with my life? What do I really want to be? What skills do I have/ need?), unity, and sisterhood. Anger management and the importance of shukr and sabr were further emphasized. Guest speaker, Muallimah Shamiela of Channel Islam International (CII) discussed some of the obstacles facing sisterhood, like gossiping, being disrespectful, intolerant, and overly judgmental and suspicious of others. She called on us to realise our purpose in this life, with the following dua: ‘We ask Allah for a heart and mind that is pure of all bad thoughts; for purity in our speech; for a body that can make the `ibadah of Allah (SWT); for a mind that is cognizant of Allah at all times, and for us to remain totally in control of what is uttered at all times.’ The programme closed with a hearty iftar and presentation of gifts to the less privileged sisters from the various Islamic organisations. Gift bags contained a full outfit for Eid and special treats that will insha’ Allah add excitement and joy to their Eid.

-- Sana Ebrahim
Freelance journalist031 262 6665 (H)082 545 6792 (C)
http://www.indiansinafrica.co.za

A Calming Remedy

Sleep evades me
This afternoon’s sleep which I so enjoyed is my downfall
I lie in bed
Thinking about the concept of counting sheep
Repetition leading to boredom leading to sleep?
I choose to engage in Zikr
Astaghfirullah
Subhanallah
Alhamdullilah
Did I even get to Allahu Akbar?
I can’t remember
Not because of boredom
But because of the calming properties of the Zikr of Allah
And it was only on awakening I realised that I had a good night’s sleep
Shukar to Allah.

Fajr Salaah

The Start Of A Muslim’s Day
A day begun in worship
Worship, praise and seeking guidance

The first act of the day
Signifies its’ importance
Shaping the rest of the day

A spiritual dimension
Before the interference of the material world

A return to the land of dreams thereafter
Yet on awakening, a feeling of contentment arises
Knowing that I had started my day, in the right way.

Be the Change You Want To See In The World...

After all my years on this earth, how was it, that a single saying by one of the world’s leaders had not passed my eyes and ears?
Be the change you want to see in the world”, by Mahatma Ghandi.
I have since encountered this saying on many occassions over the last few months in different settings and contexts and I think that it has taken as much time to understand and process its true meaning or rather I refused to understand…
Elements of society is one of fault – finding and critics and I myself had fallen into this abyss of negativity. However, recently, I found myself in a rather frustrating situation. I was simply not enjoying life.
My reasons had everything to do with what I didn’t have, with what I wasn’t doing, by who I wasn’t seeing and by the fact that I simply was so busy that I never had any time… hence my immense frustration.

My solution was to change my life in totality. I woke one morning and thought I had the greatest epiphany. I would quit my job, sell all my belongings and wander the earth freely, however, my great idea quickly sank as my practical husband challenged the ‘nuts and bolts” of my great plan, to which I stormed off in a fury of temper.
I was not looking at the blessings that Allah (SBT) had bestowed upon me or the various comforts that I had been afforded. I did not understand that the very frustrations driving my unhappiness were of my own doing and actions and that I was not appreciating the people closest and dearest to me.
It changes with a single thought and the will to change your own life. This is rather cliché’d however, I stopped seeing the glass half empty, but rather started seeing the glass half full.
We can change our lives and make a difference by the way we think, the way we act and interact with others and by the choices we make. My greatest commodity is time… and I had to reach a very firm resolution on how and with who to spend that time. Instead, of constantly trying to reach for the next “fad” or societal status feature, I have decided to enjoy my life as it is, with what I have and to appreciate the people that have moulded, grounded and made such affluent contributions to my life – my family and friends.

The Dreaded "D"

Yes, people do get divorced for concrete, real reasons; but I have also heard some stories where people get divorced for trivial, petty reasons. The Muslim community throws talak around way too casually...

In my opinion, people these days are too lazy and impatient to work through kinks and problems in life and so they take the easy way out... you are overweight; so you get liposuction, you're hungry; so you get a ready-made meal from Woolies, your marriage is not going as planned; eliminate your partner...

Gone are the days when you hear so and so are divorced and gasp...now its like part of life---seems like couples get married just to get divorced.
While men and women should enter into marriages with the intention of it being permanent, Islam recognizes that people do sometimes make poor decisions or change. Thus, divorce and remarriage are allowed as a last resort after estranged couples have attempted to reconcile their differences with the help of family or other counselors.
There is no sure-fire ‘recipe’ for a long and happy marriage…everyones’ experiences vary. I know of a few couples that have gotten divorced…one because of an affair, one because of gambling and another because the wife doesn’t cook like his Mother… There is not only one thing that causes divorce---even a small thing like not wearing the right shoes could send a person over the edge (true story!).
At times I think to myself, why exists there such evils as adultery, gambling, drugs, drinking in life? Marriage is such a beautiful, wonderful thing, why does the Almighty not safeguard the couple from such things coming into their lives and destroying a marriage?
Then it hit me out of the blue---with the help of out local butchery owner…It was weeks before our wedding and fiancé and I were shopping. We know the butcher uncle, so we chatting to him about our upcoming wedding. He gave us this very useful (and proven to be true) words of advice. He told us this ‘Try everything in your power to keep Shaytaan out of your marriage because Shaytaan loves nothing more than conflict…even more-so between husband and wife as it affects not one family, but two famiies.’
Whatever the reason, divorce is an ugly thing and I pray to the Almighty that my marriage works out Insha-allah…after all, that is all we can do…

By:Farzanah Butler

A 12th-Grader Feels For The Children of Gaza

Children in Gaza don’t play in parks or swim in the beach anymore; instead they see massive craters, demolished houses, burnt-out shops, hospital rooms, schools and cars. Amputated limbs, burned skin, still-burning fires cause deep emotional injuries which are more crippling to this nation, even more than any physical damage.

Omar Bandak, a 17-year-old who is a member of the UN Children’s Organisation, says: “We used to go on outings. Here in Bethlehem, there is only home and school to go to. During the curfew we can’t even leave the house. All we want is peace, and to live without tanks and soldiers. I want to be able to feel like other children in the world.”

You and I are blessed. We cannot imagine the daily struggles of the Palestinian child. From watching documentaries on Palestine, I am drawn to the Palestinian people’s resilience... their desire to be free.


Nabeela Khan

TIME2CHANGE IS NOW,PLACE2CHANGE IS HERE

Today, as I think back and recall a simple school essay I wrote a few years ago, my heart is filled with shame and regret. That feeling of immense joy, that adrenaline rush, which enveloped me when my teacher returned my script to me headed with the radiant red digits, “98%”, now seems like a bitter joke. I feel like a hypocrite. I preached about the benefits of taking calculated risks to better our lives, better ourselves. But those who preach have the responsibility to practice. Who was I to talk when I could not face my own Nafs?
We are all familiar with the word Nafs, it is a word we come across time and time again in Islamic books, lectures and talks, but do we know its true meaning? I was ignorant till last year when, at the age of seventeen, I discovered my true Nafs.
I sat in the silver-grey BMW staring out in a daze at miles upon miles of yellow-green grass baking under the furnace of the harsh unrelenting South African sun. My bloodshot and swollen eyes burned from lack of sleep. I felt a newfound dryness in my eyes. A feeling we experience only when our eyes have no more tears left to cry. As we retreated from the small town I tried to make sense of the past forty eight hours, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, confusion, disbelief, grief, despair, sorrow, rage and self-blame swirled around me colliding and growing. I sat in the eye of the storm, cold and still, unable to correspond. I hung precariously from a thread which I recognize only now as my faith in my creator.
My hands trembled at the thought of the phone call I had received a day ago at 3:20pm. A hoarse and frantic voice on the other end of the still phone line had hastily blurted out that my best friend had passed away in a horrific car accident. The galloping horses of time which had always seemed to rush past me now stood still. Abruptly. Suddenly. Spirit crushed, I hung in a cloud of emptiness while my shell of a body went into an automatic mode. I packed overnight bags, cleaned the house, showered, changed into a cloak, prayed in a trance and took a 3-hour journey to attend the funeral.
The grey and white house swarmed with strange faces. The crowd was like an ocean. Waves of sobbing, heaving sighs and distressed cries overwhelmed me one after the other. All this while only one line remained on my lips: “La illaha Illalah Muhammad ur rasoolullah”.
At one point my thoughts evolved into anger. “Angry with whom?” I asked myself. Was I angry with almighty Allah? How could I be? My Imaan, only my Imaan had pulled me through this nightmare. In this black period of utter despair my Imaan was my only light. Something stirred within me and I recalled a phrase I read in the English Quran. It states that just as plants wither and wilt in the scorching dry heat of a drought and are then revitalized and rejuvenated to their natural, lush and bright beauty by the rains. So too is the effect of Allah’s tests for us in this world. I realized that I had two options. I could crawl into a little hole and fill myself with hatred and hostility (for which my creator would scorn and punish me) or I could rise above like the wilting rose using Allah’s mercy and the strength of the Imaan He has placed in me as my rain. I chose to see that almighty Allah took my friend away for a reason. He used her beautiful soul, her shining example, to change the lives of others and bring us closer to Him. At that precise moment I said “the time to change is now. If I do not change now, I never will”.
I pondered on all the things I could change in my life to make me a better Muslim and one stood out above the rest. As trivial as it may seem to many people, my Nafs was not observing hijaab (not covering my head). It was a Nafs created by my westernized and foolish ways of thinking which created a barrier between me and my creator. Eight months has passed since that day and although the pain and the loss of someone who was a sister to me is still as tangible as if it were yesterday, my hijaab has become a part of me. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and solace. I know that each and every time I wear my hijaab she will be rewarded by almighty Allah. And wherever she may be, her soul will be happy. May Allah grant all murhooms jannat-ul-Firdaus and May He grant us all the ability to overcome our Nafs and become pious Muslims Insha Allah?

By: Sister
Aaisha Haffejee

Something for every woman to ponder on…

Every woman is seen off from her home on two occasions:
Once when she leaves her parents' home to get married.The second when she leaves her home in this world to travel to her abode in the hereafter. If only all young girls would wait in anticipation for and dream about their second farewell as much as they do for the first. It is a reality that the second is far more important than the first, for our eternal fate depends on how well we are received when we reach our final destination.
Reflect on the following:
First farewell
Second farewell
Anxiety about whether or not the husband-to-be will be happy with her
Whether or not Allah will be pleased with what He sees.
Grand trousseau
Righteous deeds.
Dressed in the most expensive of outfits
Attire of "Taqwa
Invitations are handed out
Allah Himself invites her to Jannah
Hosts welcome the guests

By:Sister Laila Tayob