Reflections Of A Muslimah

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

Polygyny [A form of Polygamy where a Man has more than one Wife] has indeed been a most controversial topic. In our times it isn't as desired. Even in traditional societies most Men opt to take only one Wife although it maybe legal to take more than one.



n Islam Polygyny is allowed. It says in the Qurán:

And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan ­girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. That is nearer to prevent you from doing injustice. [Surat An-Nisa : 3]

Obviously Allah azza wa Jal is the most just and the most wise - therefore the verse that permits Muslim Men to take more than one wife also has a clause - that those Women have to be treated equally and with justice.

The discussion on Polygyny is vast and includes both pros and cons. However, this is not what I mean to actually discuss.

I was just looking at my own views about polygyny and how they had changed over the years and they prompted this post. I went to a British School and I studied with a wide range of people from all around the World. I'm really grateful for the upbringing and experiences I had. However, I recall my views on Polygyny then. I too, affected more by Western influence then my own religion considered Polygyny to be taboo & and a thing of the past. I frowned upon Polygynous marriages and felt exceptionally sorry for Women who were involved in them.

When I started 'practicing' Islam in the truest sense of the word and not just someone who fulfilled the condition of praying five times a day and not committing big sins - my views on polygyny changed drastically.

I accepted it as a part of Islam, a command in the Qurán and a Sunnah of the Prophet Sallalahu alayhi wasallam. I no longer was shocked or surprised when I heard someone was involved in a Polygynous marriage. I don't know when the change started, but I think Allah Azza wa Jal softens your hearts and gives you understanding of the religion when you strive to come closer to him. Also, I became more and more exposed to Women who were in Polygynous marriage. And no, these weren't old Women or grandmothers but young Women in their twenties. In fact, two of my friends are involved in polygynous marriages and it was their own decision to come into such a marriage.

Obviously, a Polygynous marriage is not what every Woman can handle. You need to have a lot of taqwa and Imaan to go through it.

Secondly, not all Men should actually go ahead and marry another Woman if it's going to break his household to the extreme. I heard of a Woman who committed suicide when she heard her husband married another Woman.

There is a lot of Western critique of Polygyny which is practiced in Muslim Countries and this critique extends to the Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu alayhi wasallam for taking more than wife. It should be noted here though, that most of the Wives of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam were either old, widows or divorced and were in fact given his protection when they entered into the marriage and this argues their claim that the Prophet Muhammad SAWs married Women because of his own personal desires.

I find this critique of Islam by the West to be hypocritical. Considering how dating and having illicit relationships with different partners is the norm there. In fact, compared to that the Islamic system of such a thing is better. It protects the Women involved, gives them their rights and they can't be just 'thrown' away or changed.

I was doing some research on Polygyny and I was surprised to find that it is not only Islam who permits polygyny. In fact, Polygynous marriages have been quite common in different parts of the World in the past. Including China and is also permitted in some parts of Christianity. Here is a wikipedia article on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygyny

Saying all of that, I still wouldn't involve myself in a Polygynous relationship. I still believe in a One Man & Woman marriage, however I wholeheartedly defend the Islamic concept of Polygyny against critique because above everything else, it was practiced by the Prophet Salallahu alayhi wasallam.

What some people fail to realise is, [Including Muslims] that there is a difference between not liking something for yourself and not liking the concept itself. Polygyny is a part of Islam & therefore needs to be defended, however, there is choice in the matter involved so you can choose to not be involved in a polygynous relationship.

Ridiculing the concept of Polygyny is where the trouble arises as it is ridiculing the Qurán & Sunnah.

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

I came across this video on this blog and I'm not sure the shock of what I watched has actually settled in yet.

I keep on realising how many blessings Allah azza wa jal has blessed me with. The comfort of my house, the food I eat, the clothes I wear and yet I know I'm not grateful enough.

This video is not for the weak-hearted. It's about a toddler, a baby, who was killed in Gaza. Burned. My Sister is pregnant and about to give birth and I know the feeling of attachment a Woman has with her child. I also know how innocent and adorable little children are... truly a blessing of Allah.



I think only people with cruel soulless hearts can do something like this. Something so inhumane. The Israelis said they did not intentionally target children, but this is a lie. Doctors and other witnesses said Children were deliberately killed and from short-range.

Why so? My Sister and I were discussing it and it all seems so similar to what Pharoah did to the people during his time- the children at that time were killed so that they could not defeat the Pharoah.

We all know generations after generations of Palestinians are involved in defending their Country... could this have been one of their policies?

Wa Allahu Aaalam... :(

I have to give it to the Palestinians for their sabr and tawakkul in Allah. I noticed that whenever they came upon the dead they would say, 'HasbunAllah wa na'mal wakeel' [Allah is sufficient for us and he is the best disposer of our Affairs]. A Muslim is required to call to Allah in times of need and calamity and our first reaction to any calamity is a test from Allah.

At the end, the doctor says, 'Where is Islam? Where are the Muslims?' - and that is something we should all be thinking. Where are we?

May Allah SWT easen our affairs. Ameen.

There is talk about recession everywhere. Of people leaving their cars on the airport and running away because they don't have money to pay their loans. And people cutting down on their extravagance and their spending.

However, how does or did the recession affect Women?

I wanted to book myself for an appointment at the Salon the other day so I asked my Sister to call and do it for herself and me. The Woman told us she was booked for three days continuous.

Laughingly she said, 'Recession? What recession? People should come and look at my parlour! When it comes to Women and their beauty, there is never any recession!

Which, in my opinion, I think is true to an extent.

Speaking of the recession though, I've realised that although it might have affected some people drastically, others are just complaining because they have to cut down on their extra extravagance and luxury. All I have to say to that is, be happy you have food to eat!

So I finally changed my layout. I'd been considering doing it for such a long time - a complete re-vamp. But the only thing that kept me from doing it is because I spent quite a few hours re-adjusting my previous template and I would loose all my widgets [Mainly my link-list] if I made a change to another template.

I like blogger, but the only thing I don't like is the loss of widgets. It's hard to put in links in one by one. Anyway, I still went through with the change and lets just say I was sick and tired of finding a template I was satisfied with. I was up till 3 AM yesterday trying to find a good one which I liked and I still couldn't find one. Especially with the 100's of excellent blogger templates out there. Anyway, I finally found this on: 'http://www.btemplates.com'.

I also don't like the commenting system of blogger. Its... old and very ugly.

I'd been also considering making another more private day-to-day life blog, why? Because, [I've mentioned this before], I don't feel 'comfortable' blogging here anymore. Simply because the people who read this blog are usually people I know in real-life. Sucks, isn't it? It's not like I have anything to hide... but the comfort level isn't there anymore. But I decided against it because it's a hassle keeping running numerous blogs.

It's a start of a New Year - both Islamic and Gregorian. Once upon a time, 2009 seemed so far away, but here we are, living in it. I usually don't celebrate New Years and I think the people who do, do it because they just need an excuse to drink alcohol and party. As for resolutions... I don't have anything specifically planned for this Year, but just general resolutions that I seem to have had for myself for a while.

I hope to become a better person, religiously, spiritually, mentally and physically. And I guess, this is a never ending process which can't be contained in one year. :)

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

So Obama has won the American elections. I wouldn't exactly be interested in the American Presidency, but who becomes president in the United States indirectly concerns the World, or more specifically Muslim Countries. I wonder what will his foreign policy consist of and/or what are his plans with Iraq and Afghanistan? Secondly, I hope we don't see a War in Pakistan/Iran, inshaAllah.

Speaking to a few American Muslims I know were voting, they said the American Muslim Community although didn't approve of either, were choosing the 'lesser of two evils'. To add to the hype, on his blog, Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki has caused quite the stir by voicing his opinions in three posts on the impermissibility of voting in an American democracy. He makes some very valid points, although I have to do my own research on 'voting from a Shar'i perspective' as there is a difference of opinion involved among the Ulema when it comes to this.

However, what I extremely detested was the slandering of the Imam and his character just because some people did not agree with his views. There is a manner of disagreeing and a manner of respect involved, especially when it comes to dealing with Shyookh. Sadly, this involved Muslims.

I came across this article this morning, which spoke about how a U.S Airstrike in an Afghani village turned a Wedding to a Mass burial ground. Allahu'l musta'an.

On a side note, I was sick and tired of seeing people donate their status to the American elections on facebook. People that weren't Americans or even living in America. Why don't we get so hyped about other Countries' elections? Hmmph.

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

This has been all over the news. It is so sad and pathetic at the same time and highly angering. Why do they think they can attack and kill and raid any Country they want? Why are we not doing more then protesting this?

And like always, the victims are innocent civilians, including Women and Children.

You can read more about it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7698820.stm

Here are a few pictures from Yahoo:

An image grab taken from official Syrian television showing victims of what the Syrian media reported was a US attack on a building in the village of Al-Sukkiraya, near the Syria-Iraq border. Iraq has said the deadly raid was targeting an area used by insurgents plotting attacks on its soil, as Damascus protested about what it branded a cold-blooded war crime by US forces.

(AFP)

Syrian villagers mourn for the victims during a mass funeral in the village of Sukaria, in the Bou Kamal area near the Iraqi border October 27, 2008. A deadly raid on the Syrian side of Iraq's border, blamed by Syria on the United States, targeted an area used by insurgents for attacks on Iraq, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Monday.

REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri (SYRIA)

A Syrian man mourns near the body of a relative who died a day before when U.S. military helicopters launched an attack on Syrian territory, before a funeral procession in the Sukkariyeh Farm near the town of Abu Kamal in an area of farms and brick factories about five miles (eight kilometers) inside the Syrian border, on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Blood stained the dusty earth Monday as anguished villagers on the outskirts of farming town near Iraq buried loved ones they say were killed by an American helicopter raid inside Syria.

(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Syrians carry coffins of their realtives who were killed yesterday in a US military raid on the village of Sukkiraya, on the Syria-Iraq border. The United States mounted a rare cross-border raid into Syria to kill the head of a smuggling network feeding arms and foreign fighters to Iraq, a US official said Monday, signaling a more aggressive approach to insurgent sanctuaries.

(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)

A Syrian man sits next to blood staining the floor in the village of Sukkiraya, on the Syria-Iraq border, the scene of what the Syrian media reported as a deadly US military strike. US forces in Iraq staged a "successful" raid into Syria against foreign fighters, an American official said Monday, as a furious Damascus accused Washington of "terrorist aggression.

"(AFP/Ramzi Haidar)

In an image made from APTN Television an amateur video shows a pointing to a covered body in Syria after a raid Sunday Oct. 26, 2008, in Sukkariyeh, Syria.

Syrian protesters gather at Youssef al-Azmi square during a demonstration against the U.S. raid on a village near the Syrian-Iraqi border last Monday, in Damascus, Syria, Thursday Oct. 30, 2008. Hundreds of Syrian riot police ringed the shuttered and closed U.S. Embassy in Damascus on Thursday, as tens of thousands of Syrians converged on a central square for a government-orchestrated protest to denounce a deadly U.S. raid near the Iraqi border.

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

I was going to title this post, 'When things fall apart', but considering things aren't falling apart alhamdulilah, I didn't want to alarm my readers. :)

I'm hoping this passes so I can look back and call it a moodswing, or maybe when I slipped a ladder or two. Or maybe it's just a plain melancholic mood. Whatever it was, I was feeling it for the past few days and it's related to a couple of things. My Imaan is for some reason on the down-low and I think this is because of my own actions. Sometimes, it seems hard to stand as an individual in the big bad World with opposition coming in. Sometimes it seems so easy to leave what you stand for and take the easy step/way out. To blend in, to be what people want you to be. Besides that, the actions of some other people around me are alarming and causing me distress. But in the end, each to their own , eh? Also, this is the Sunnah of the Prophet SAWs, to go through trials and tribulations, no matter how small or big.

It says in the Qurán, 'Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest', and I've experienced this enough times myself. Contemplating the restlessness and the distress of my heart, I realised there was only one remedy, the remembrance of Allah. Its always soothed me before, when things look bleak and the World looks too big and important, the solace and comfort is always there when I need it. I sat down to read Surat Kahf after my Isha prayers tonight, and although I've read it so many times, there were some that I stopped and pondered over, which in turn soothed me. I've noticed this so many times, when I am in distress or just troubled, the Qurán seems to be speaking directly to me.

I'd like to share a few:

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

He is the boy next door. No, not my neighbour. But the boy who sits every Friday night next to Kalemah and watches the cars pass by. With every car that comes and parks his head turns curiously and watches it till the passengers get out and leave. Curiosity that is almost childlike in its innocence.

I sometimes wonder what goes around in his head. Wheel-chair bound, disabled, watching as us, the 'normal' people walk past and go on with our daily lives. I wonder if he has ever walked? Ever been out and about, visiting places, getting out of the house? Does he have friends? Does he feel content? Is he social or does he stay indoor 24/7?

He made me realise the numerous blessings Allah subhanna wa ta'ala has blessed us with, which we take for granted. Like walking, having hands, feet, eyes and just being normal.

Allah subhanna wa ta'ala says in the Qur'an in Surat Ar-Rahman:

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

We had a meeting the other day where all the Sisters gathered at Kalemah [Islamic Center] to discuss the upcoming Islamic Summer camp. I've been going to this center a lot and it's become like second home, with the Qurán, Tajweed and Tafseer classes. The feeling of being there is ultimately different and very beautiful, simply, I think, it is because it is a place where we all gather for the sake of Allah subhanna wa ta'ala. And I've become very close to some of the Sisters there.

After lunch at Kalemah a friend and I decided to go to City Center for coffee and check out the sales. The Dubai Summer sales are on everything gets discounted. Although I live near City Center [A Mall], I don't go there much and sometimes months pass by and I don't go. The reason[s] for this is one, it is always too crowded and secondly, it is a place of fitna. The clothes some Women wear these days never fail to amaze me. [And I'm sure the Men are amazed ten times more].

So we finally went there, and after a few minutes, I started feeling this feeling of being very disheartened. I asked my friend if she felt the same way, and she said she did. A feeling that maybe it was the wrong decision, coming here. We felt that we were slightly sticking out, especially with our Niqaabs. Slightly off-topic, is it just me or are there less Women adopting Niqaab these days? Or maybe they've stopped frequenting City Center too... heh.

How some people are dressed, is extremely shocking. I know Dubai has become pretty westernised and liberal compared to a couple of years ago, but it never fails to shock me when I see someone walking around half-naked. Or even if they're wearing clothes, they are so fitted that it leaves nothing to the imagination. This is, after all, still a Muslim City.

I then remembered something a friend of mine had said a few days ago to me. That I was basically, 'living in my own World'. The statement was regarding me not going out and about beyond a few malls [Mainly Dubai Festival City - calm and less crowded] and other places that I frequent and not being aware of all that was happening around me. And to an extent, I realised it was true. I guess the reason I was shocked was because I'd built up a routine without realising it, of me either staying at home, mixing with only the religious crowd, or going for my Islamic classes and attending lectures. And the max I stay out is 10 [Even that is slightly stretching it]. Basically, I've been living in my own cocoon.

When people sometimes talk about the ills of Dubai, they still manage to surprise me. [And that surpises them because they expect me to know it all]. I'm not surpsied because I'm denying it, but because it is always shocking. I know that clubbing, prostitution and the drinking of alcohol happens quite frequently here but I guess when you're not exposed to it so much and finally see it happening, it is intensely appalling.

No wonder so many Shyookh and people of knowledge have reported to have seen dreams of the torment of Allah subhanna wa ta'ala hitting Dubai.

So maybe I *am* living in my own World and need to get out more, but I think considering the fitna that surrounds us these days, I'd rather not. Heh.

And Allah subhanna wa ta'ala knows best.

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

I realise sometimes we don't truly appreciate what we have and then these 'reminders' pop up from places you don't expect and then you realise, the blessings from Allah subhanna wa ta'ala.

When I'm going in the Car, sometimes I look at the labourers working in the hot sun while I'm cool and cozy in my air-conditioned car. They work hours and hours, sweating and hot for a meager wage. They go back to small bunkers and don't even have proper living conditions while I come home to a house, family, food, animals.

My problems seem so minuscule compared to those labourers. While I worry about my clothes, or my exams or because of a silly reason, which may seem so huge at that time, it is nothing compared to what the Iraqi Women have to go through. Especially those who have to resort to prostitution or sell their girls to get food in their stomachs. Or those Women and Girls who have been raped in Iraq and Afghanistan. The torture, the terror and the horror they have to face, similar to what Abeer Qassim Hamza faced when she was raped, killed and burned. I shudder to think about what her last moments had been like, the terror and the helpless fear she must have faced while they did that to her, subhan'Allah.


Then you have the Palestinians, the terror those people live in and have been living in for so long. The Children are taught since kindergarten how to avoid bullets in School, while I went through a fun and loving schooling. The psychological impact that must have on them is awful. And more than 4000 Palestinians children have been kidnapped, shot to death and imprisoned by Israeli soldiers. In the recent Gaza crisis they were starved to death and had no food or water, while I almost have two to three dishes at home to choose from. I even have a choice in food, while there are those who go hungry and ultimately die.

And, subhan'Allah, how can I forget my brothers' who are imprisoned in the prisons of the Kuffar, especially in Guantanamo Bay? Their torture and horror is indescribable. They are put in small cages, without seeing their families or Parents. They are tortured brutally, their beards shaved off. Some of them have died because of 'harsh interrogation tactics', and it makes me weep. Allahul Musta'an.

Sometimes we have arguments at home among siblings or the family, but who doesn't? At that time they seem to big, but there are families out there who have Fathers who abuse and torture their children, families who don't love each other, who don't eat together or talk among each other. That silly argument which everyone forgets with the passage of time is nothing.

At least I don't go hungry, or have to search in dustbins for pieces of food, like the poor street children of Egypt, Africa or Pakistan do. I have a cupboard full of clothes to choose from, while there are those who stitch and re-stitch garments again and again because they have no other clothes to look through.

I was speaking to someone who went through a divorce, at that time it was very hard. But, recently, we heard a case of a girl who is abused, physically and mentally by her husband and subhan'allah, the divorce this someone I know went through seemed so trivial, because her husband was respectful and so were were his Parents when she was going through that divorce. But this girl we heard about, is beaten and kicked by husband, but she wont ask for a divorce because she has children.

Our lord has blessed us with so much, that no matter how much we try to thank Allah we will never be able to do so.

Sometimes we go through situations which to us, may seem extremely huge and tough, but in reality, they would be nothing compared to some other people around the World.

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

Often we overlook the blessings Allah subhanna wa ta'ala showers us with. One particular blessing that I want to mention is time. There are times when I've realised the importance of time too late. We all fall victim to daydreaming, procrastination, laziness and the like at certain points in our life. In conclusion, we waste time.

From an Islamic point of view, there is no going back. Time is too important and wasting it is doing nothing but harming the individual. We are encouraged to hasten to do good deeds, because we never know when death might come upon us.

So glorify the praises of your Rabb (Only God and Sustainer) and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death). (Qur'an 15:98-99)

It says in a hadith related by Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "Grab five things before five others: your youth before your decrepitude, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your leisure before your work, and your life before your death." [al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak]

And:

The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), used to call on Muslims to take the initiative to do good deeds before any obstacles arise. For instance, he said, "Lose no time to do good deeds before you are caught up by one of seven calamities awaiting you: a starvation which may impair your wisdom; a prosperity which may mislead you; an ailment which may damage your health; an old age which may harm your senses; a sudden death; the Dajjal (Antichrist); or Doomsday, which is indeed the hardest and most bitter." [at-Tirmidhi, al-Baihaqi]

Therefore managing time wisely is also important in Islam. As it is in our day to day life.

I for one have a hard time managing my time, especially when it comes to studying or work. I have a habit of procrastinating and delaying things until the end, and then it is either too late or the outcome of that action is not that productive.

Often I fall victim to procrastination and delay endlessly things I need to be doing or I find myself surfing the Internet. Right now I am about to give finals and find studying constantly slightly hard. I for one need to manage my time wisely when it comes to studying. But the fitna of the Internet is easy to fall into, especially tith numerous social networking sites like fasad[face]book, Orkut, Myspace et. al being addicticve. I don't use any of them except for facebook, and I've disabled my account now alhamdulilah. I've realised the amount of time I spent on it is nothing but a waste which I could spend doing other more beneficial things.

Secondly, I'm a regular member of various Islamic message boards and although there may be some good in it because I for one have learned and come across a lot of issues and subjects I wouldn't be aware of if I wasn't on it and also, you come across people who are similar to you in your views. But the key is not to get addicted or 'overstay' your time. Often getting into religious heated arguments, [Usually Fiqh issues, Salafi Vs. Sufi, Islam Vs. Progressives, Sunni Vs. Shiite, Aqeedah differences and others] is very easy. And although refutation on certain topics is required sometimes and is necessary, spending too much time arguing will not benefit anyone.

Simply because usually the other person already has a firm view on things and a set belief and will most likely, not conform to your views. [Exceptions aside]. You need to check yourself when all you can think about your whole day is how you are going to go online and argue with that certain person.

We also need to remind ourselves of the hadith of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. [Bukhari/Muslim] and The prophet (S.A.W.) says in another authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawud, "I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for the one who stopped being aimlessly argumentative even if he is right."

Online politics [as I like to call it] is very much common. Therefore in the past few days I've been less active on the Internet on the whole and alhamdulilah it has helped. Generally, the average human tends to go away from living the 'real' life and relying more and more on technology. Sometimes I think about the days when technology was scarce and people still called and met other people or wrote letters, instead of being stuck to their computer screens like glue. [For this reason too I have been able to blog less and will not be able to reply to comments until June]

Applying the lessons of the above ahadith in our daily lives is only beneficial to us, be it from an Islamic point of view, concerning our ibaadah or our salah, or from a wordly point of view, concerning studies and work among other things.

Human beings have a habit of never being satisfied with what they have, we always want or wish for more. Most times this leads to our downfall.

I know a lot of Women [both Muslim and Non-Muslims alike] long for children after they get married, and if they are barren or for some medical reason cannot have children, mourn it for the rest of their lives and make themselves and the people around them equally miserable.

I know a Sister who was in this same situation, and she related her experience of how she could not have children after she got married because of medical reasons. However, after mourning the thought that would never have her own children for a couple of years, she realised the futility of mourning and longing for something she could not have and instead became closer to Allah subhanna wa ta'ala.

She is now a student of knowledge, who has studied under quite a few shyookh and a da'iya [One who gives and spreads dawah/ilm]. And now she says that maybe there is a blessing in the fact that she does not have children as she would not have been able to dedicate so much time to the deen or in spreading and helping Islam.

In contemporary times, and even in the past, often Women [And even Men at times] bear the brunt of society especially if they are divorcees or widows and/or they think their life is over if they are divorced. As Muslim Women we should have a more positive outlook on things. And maybe there is some good in what is meant for us that we may not know off. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, we should try to better ourselves as an individual, both spiritually and from the outside.

The Qur'an warns us not to be ungrateful in Surat An-Nisa [Verse 78]:

And if some good reaches them, they say, "This is from Allâh," but if some evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you (O Muhammad SAW)." Say: "All things are from Allâh," so what is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any word?

Secondly, if you are a true believer, then know that Allah subhanna wa ta'ala is with those who believe and keep steadfast and surely, the trials you are put through will pass.

In conclusion: Use your time wisely and be grateful to Allah azza wa jal.

Ma'asalama

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,


In the recent tour of President George W. Bush to the Middle East, United Arab Emirates was too a stop. And ultimately, a public holiday was called on January 14th, more for security reasons then celebratory. [Although I wasn't objecting to the holiday, I got to sleep late] A holiday which abruptly put a stop to the running of the whole Country. The holiday itself was called in a short period of time and the diversion of roads without notice caused massive traffic jams.

Secondly, in some parts of Dubai, people were literally under house arrest and the roads were closed down. The President was given a marvelous entry and provided with high security.

I find it ironic that when our Muslim Brothers and Sisters are suffering and dying, Mulim/Arab lands are welcoming the one who has the blood of millions of innocent people on his hands. The blood of our brethren in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq.

He is open about supporting the terrorist state of Israel but he has the audacity to go out and speak against Iran. In fact, all his rants revolved around Iran and the 'threat' it poses.

What is more sad is we have Muslims who greet him with welcome and are in awe of him. They forget that just across the border, in this same region in fact, people are loosing their lives and loved ones. That their homes have been destroyed because of him. They are so amazed that he is the 'President of the United States' they cannot think beyond that.

This e-mail was forwarded to me by a friend a few days later after the President left. And it's a bit sad and funny at the same time. It was titled, 'Khooosh 7ejaab'. And you'll see why.



Sad really, when we have Muslim Sisters willing to shake hands, kiss and take pictures first of all, with a Non-Mehram man and secondly, of all people, George W. Bush. I think these pictures wouldn't have made much of a difference if she wasn't wearing Hijaab, but ultimately she is representing Islam and Muslims to a certain extent when she puts it on, especially to the media and it is our duty as Muslims to represent Islam properly when we go out.

And I doubt that if any of the Presidents or Shaykhs of Muslim/Arab Countries went and visited him, he'd go to such lengths to provide security, give people a public holiday and stop businesses and close down malls.

Wa Allahu a3lam, I don't know what is so great about the man that everyone in the pictures seemed so flustered and happy about. I wouldn't care less if he went and rot in a bin.

Ma'asalama

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

A lot of People daydream. Some do it occasionally while others do it frequently. I am in the middle. My mind has the habit of slipping off into my own fantasy World. I developed the habit of daydreaming when I was younger and I still do it sometimes. I think the amount of books I read and the fiction I used to write before added to it. Daydreaming once in a while is acceptable and some say it helps Writers, Poets, Artists and the ilk to give out a more productive performance, however doing it constantly is damaging to the individual.

I actually enjoy[ed] daydreaming. I have a very active imagination and when I would finish reading a fictional book, I'd daydream about it and the situation. I'd twist the plot around or add other interesting bits to it which I found appropriate. At other times, I'd daydream about things I for some reason cannot get involved in, but my imagination allows me to sketch the scenario in my mind. Sometimes I get so frustrated with the current political and religious situation facing us in these times, I imagine and daydream about a better future and a united Ummah.

I won't say that daydreaming hasn't helped me. It's helped me greatly in the past with my Literature papers or when I wish to pen down my thoughts or simply write.

But in the end, the reality is, too much off daydreaming is a waste of time and non-productive.

It takes you away from reality, gives you false hope and allows you to become anti-social.

But most importantly, it takes you away from Ibaadah - The Worship of Allah subhanna wa ta'ala.

Allaah Subhanna wa ta'ala has said in the Qur'an: