Realize now?

Today as i was coming towards work, i passed and stopped near a place where a lot of males were going about their work. It was a small market area. As the car was waiting for a bit i felt very uncomfortable to be in this mini market kind of area with so many people.

 Just at this moment the thought of Bibi Zainab(a.s) came in my mind. Me with my hijab, securely locked in the car was having this extremely uncomfortable feeling, imagine what someone like Sayyida Zainab(a.s) felt, who was used to so much pardah that when the women of ahlulbayt(a.s) walked outside, no one could even tell who it was. Imagine a women like this with nothing but makna on her head? All the people staring at her. Can you imagine the feeling, think from the heart of a female...we with our hijabs can't tolerate being in such a crowded area. Imagine the sacrifice she gave... :'(.

Yet have we ever thought how we are repaying her back? When we go out and flaunt our beauty for the general public at weddings, functions, markets etc. Are we being true to Bibi Zainab(a.s)? She gave up the comfort and security of her own house to save Islam, YET what are we doing as females? We are so proud of our beauty/looks that we can't even follow Islam? Have you ever thought that who has given you all this beauty? Did you somehow get it yourself? No, right?! It is an 'amanat' given to you by Allah(swt), then how do you even dare to think you have a right to misuse it?

When those tears fall out of your eyes on hearing the afflictions borne by Bibi Zainab(a.s), think how she must feel to see you bare headed with tight clothes, no covering etc. Can we love someone and YET hurt them this way with our continuous behavior?! Do you remember the words of Imam Zain ul Abideen(a.s) when he said sham  3 times on being asked where he felt the most grief. Imagine he didnt say when Hazrat Ali Akbar(a.s) was martyred or when little Hazart Ali Asghar(a.s) was martyred, or when the arms of Hazrat Abbas(a.s) were cut off...he even didn't mention when Imam Hussain(a.s) was martyred all alone and thirsty in scorching heat of Kerbala! But he just said Sham. Imagine the level of grief at seeing women of Ahlulbayt(a.s) bare headed, out in the eyes of all those na mahrams. Does this make you realize the importance of Hijab?

Think about it real real hard, the next time tears flow out of your eyes on hearing the tragedy of Kerbala.

Who to trust?

I am sure there is hardly anyone who hasn't been betrayed by someone they trusted, or even unintentionally someone has broken their trust. Its situations like these when the closest turn against you that the following verse is realized fully.

لا حول ولاقوة إلا بالله

There is no power nor strength with (anyone) save Allah.

Maybe its human tendency to try and always lean on someone or to search saviors in people. What we usually forget is that no one has absolute selflessness, love or mercy like Allah(swt). At one point or the other when the push comes to a shove, expectations fall flat and we are left grasping in thin air. What remains afterwards is nothing but sadness and hopelessness.
Wouldn't it be so much better that we take some pre-emptive measure and understand that no one can be trusted except Allah(swt)? You can give as much love and trust to anyone you want BUT it would be rather futile to expect the same from people in this world....after all everyone is just human. 
That's why even Imam Ali(a.s) says in this dua:

O' my Allah! preserve (the grace of) my face with easiness of life and do not disgrace my countenance with destitution, lest I may have to beg a livelihood from those who beg from Thee, try to seek the favour of Thy evil creatures, engage myself in praising those who give to me, and be tempted in abusing those who do not give to me, although behind all these Thou art the master of giving and denying.

. . . Verily Thou over all things, art the All-powerful.(Qur'an, 66:8)
ref:http://www.al-islam.org/nahj/

Given the kind of conditions prevalent in this world, place all your trust in Allah(swt). At times it may seem difficult as people can be seen, and it becomes easier to ask them of stuff...BUT then remember the consequences. There is always a chance that someone might not have the zarf to do a good deed and not shove it back in your face.


I remember this narration vaguely, sorry if i don't narrate the exact version. Once one of the Imam's(a.s) was walking and saw a man leaning on the door of some person. Imam(a.s) asked  the guy what he was doing. He replied i am needy and trying to ask for help. The imam(a.s) said let me take you to a better place, he took the man to a mosque and told him to bow down to Allah(swt) and ask for whatever he wanted.


To prevent all the heartaches, disappointments, just prostrate before Allah(swt), raise hands in dua. HE(swt) is the mighty and the powerful who can give peace and none other. InshaAllah may we all always rely on Allah(swt) and not have to bend infront of anyone.

What is your answer...?!

When imam(a.s) was about to leave for the battle of Kerbala, he invited many people. Some were invited through a general invitation, some through a messenger and some personally. There were many who refused, or let go of this opportunity to help Yabna Zahra(a.s). When we think about these people, we feel shocked that how can someone refuse to help Imam(a.s) in his jihad. We wonder at these people and their thought process that they might commit such an immense mistake. But stop, look at yourself and tell me if you aren't refusing imam(a.s)'s invitation for jihad as well....?!

At that time imam(a.s) needed people for physical battle BUT even now imam(a.s)'s invitation is open for us, not for a physical battle but for a mental one, a battle against our nafs, our nafs-e ammara. Are we accepting his invitation to fight this battle, or are we like those people who shock us? Are we also refusing imam(a.s)'s invitation?

Dear brothers and sisters, its the start of Muharam, remember the call of "Hal min nasir yan sur na"...?! That invitation is for all times, to come...don't make the same mistake as people of the past and let go of this opportunity. Take this month to answer imam(a.s)'s call, battle your nafs, let go of your sins and try to become some one whom the imam(a.s) would be proud to call his(a.s) Shia. Become someone who brings a smile to imam(ajtf)'s face and not tears to his eyes.

Next time when you start stepping towards a sin, let the echo of hal min nasir yansur na resound in your ear!

Condolences to everyone especially Imam Al-Asr(ajtf) on the start of muharram.

Yet Another day...

Another Friday has come, Yet we are without our master Imam Al-Asr(ajtf).
The world continues to spiral into darkness, misery increases, Yet we are still alone.
How many more breaths till he(ajtf) comes?
How long till we have to tolerate this world and its injustice?
Is their anyone who can end this miserable and unjust existence in this world?
Can anyone get up and claim that they can fix all that is wrong in this world?

If not then how come we sleep at night peacefully and don't ponder over the reasons for delay in his(ajtf) reappearance? How is it that when some loved and dear one is away and we are unable to contact them for some time, we get anxious, sleepless, worried, depressed, yet here the one who matters, the light of every momin's eyes, the peace of heart, the absolute love is missing and we are not bothered? Does it not bring tears to your eyes, to think that the next moment will be without him(ajtf) as well? Does not the heart sink at this thought?

Think about it! Are we responsible for our misery? Is it our sins, our actions?
Think about it before our existence and life becomes more of a hellhole!

Where are you O Imam(ajtf), the heart is empty without you...:'(...?!

Whose isolating?

Yesterday i was listening to this lecture by Ali Murtaza Zaidi and he said a very thought provoking thing. He said that since Satan can't deviate the Aima(a.s) or the Masoomeen(s.a), he tries to deviate the people around them. Here these people are the followers or the potential followers.

If these people get deviated that means, the Aima(a.s) are left without any followers and essentially left all alone. Look at the example of Imam Musa Kadhim(a.s), he spent most of his time in jail and yet none of his followers were able to get him free. If thats not putting the Imam(a.s) in a position of isolation than what is?
Are we doing the same to Imam Al-Hujjah(ajtf) when we let Satan deviate us, when we miss our prayers, lie, manipulate, backbite, don't do hijab, listen to music etc etc. Whose side are we helping, the Imam's(a.s) or the Satan's?!

Please think about it...the enemies have already been a source of sadness for the Ahlulbayt(s.a)...do YOU want to be as well...?!

You can listen to the complete lecture here(in urdu): Self Building - Khud Saazi - Lecture 1 - AMZ - Urdu

Priceless Treasure

The world is in a crazy race to make as much money as they want, reach the highest level of success YET i wonder at these people as they fail to recognize the true treasure. I feel it is one of the most elusive treasures of it all, its nothing other than INNER PEACE. One can have as many material things as they want, as much success as they like but can it guarantee inner peace? No!
One of the reasons the world has become such a messed up place full of anxiety, tension, worries, anger...all the negative emotions one can count is because of a lack of inner peace. As i write this i wish i could achieve that state of inner peace as well where nothing and no one affects me, no matter where i go or with whom i am, i always remain in a state of inner calm and peace. BUT *sigh* unfortunately as i said its an elusive treasure, bestowed upon those lucky few who manage to reach that state of neareness and piety to Allah(swt). We can strive for it i guess, well here are some useful things we can do to try and reach this state:


Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi writes:

A person can achieve inner peace by creating harmony and balance between his main emotions (desire and anger) and his spiritual self. In other words, between his emotions and his conscience.
Human's spiritual power or conscience is not a static phenomenon: it has the ability of growth as well as decadence. God swears by the soul of human being and says, "He inspired to it to understand what is good and what is evil. Prosperous in the person who purifies it, and failed is he who seduces it." (Qur'an; chp. 91, verse 10).

ref:An Introduction to Islam


In Ibid,. Khutab No. 220  it is written that:

He has revived his intellect and slain his self, until his body became lean and its bulkiness shrunk, and stubborness turned into tenderness (of heart). Then an effulgence, like a thunderbolt, descended his heart and illuminated the path before him, opening all the doors, and led him straight into the gateway of Peace. Now his feet, carrying his body, are firmly rooted in the position of safety (on the Sirat) and comfort because he kept his heart busy with good deeds and won the good pleasure of his God. 

As we can see the passage above talks about the self struggle against one's nafs and drowning oneself in piety and righteousness. Its one of the greater Jihad's and thats why achieving inner peace is not easy. It says in the Quran:
Indeed, the hearts are at rest in God 's remembrance.(13:28) 


When one talks about Imam Hussain(a.s) and nafs-e mutmainna, the following lines fit in perfectly to describe his sacrifice and spiritual state:
He did everything only for God, and so God also made him His own.[Ibid, Khutab No. 87]
ref: The Glimpses of Nahj al Balaghah Part III - Suluk and 'Ibadah


Piety is a very important thing which can heal an ailing heart. It sounds strange and at times we have to struggle a lot and the heart still aches BUT it takes time and is a difficult process, as the final reward is not very easy. So its all about striving continuously.


Certainly, fear of Allah (taqwa) is … the cure for the ailments of your bodies…[Imam Ali(a.s)-Ibid]
A person who has taqwa is satisfied with his limits and his rights, feels calm and confident, and has inner peace. This results in a healthier heart; tensions will not cause him to suffer from stomach ulcers and from pain in his intestines. The well-being of his body, social life, and spirit all depend on taqwa.
ref:Taqwa and Health


May we all achieve Inner Peace and tranquility and always remain on the straight path(ameen).

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

This is not gonna be a long post, just a question i want to ask. Yesterday i was watching the program in which a guy has the ability to see the true nature of people. For example if someone is a killer, thief etc he is able to see. This made me think about how Islam talks about people changing into different animals to reflect their true nature after death.

Have you ever really thought about who you truly are? Are you sure that if you look into a mirror with a clear eyesight you will see a human and not an animal? even if you are fooling the world, can you fool yourself as well? Have you become so deceived yourself that when you look in the mirror you don't see your reality?!

Please be honest and truly look into the mirror to see yourself for who you are, otherwise it might be too late. Rather than being raised as a human after death, you might just be an animal.

It has been recorded from the Prophet (S) of God that some persons will be raised on the Last Day in such a mien that even monkeys and dog flies will appear better looking than that. It is also possible that several forms may be prescribed for one individual in that world. Because that world is not like this world, where one individual cannot acquire more than one form. This account itself is logical as well as self-evident. Because, the criterion of those different forms (of which human form is one) would be the state of soul at the time of death the state in which the soul departs from the body. It is in this very state and form that man's soul enters the realm of Barzakh. At the time of entering the other world, that is, the domain of the Hereafter, the first stage of which is Barzakh, in whichever state one's soul departs from the body, it assumes a form suited to it in the next world also. It is the same form in which he is perceived by the inhabitants of Barzakh and by himself, when he first opens his eyes there, if he has not lost his sight to do so. Because, it is not necessary that man may enter the next world in the same physical state as he had in this world. God Himself says that on the Last Day some of the persons will ask God that why has He raised them as blind while they possessed eyes in the world. God will answer them that as they disregarded His clear signs in the world, they are forgotten and disregarded by God today.

ref:First Hadith: On the Tradition of the Forty Ahadith

Round and Round

Has life become like that of  a hamster that runs on a wheel but essentially stays at the same position. Are we going round and round yet not moving a step ahead? Are we at the same place that we started in the morning? Is our life passing this way?
Round and round we go...till when?!

World is a Prison

Holy Prophet(pbuh) has narrated : "This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever".
No matter how lovely this world might seem to many, its nothing compared to what would be offered in the hereafter.

 Imam Ali(a.s) has narrated  : "To continue, surely, the likeness of this world is that of a snake: it is soft to touch, and deadly poisonous. The ignorant child is distracted by it, and the one with understanding and intellect is cautious of it. So turn away from what fascinates you in it, for how little of it stays with you."

Keep such narrations in mind and do not be attracted by this world. Always view it as an evil thing. Only then will you be able to bear the tests and trials of this world with patience. After all who expects comfort from a prison or soothing effect from poison, right?!

Why limit?

[Shakir 2:156] Who, when a misfortune befalls them, say: Surely we are Allah's and to Him we shall surely return.

The above verse has somehow been limited to being recited when someone dies, how is it that we have failed to understand its true meaning and just limited it to a certain area. Isn't it like the same treatment we have given to Quran? Either we recite it at someone's death or give it as a gift on weddings.


Only if this verse is applied to our lives, we'll bring a revolution within ourselves, our house and our community. The only thing is to understand its true meaning. That's the power of Quran, a single verse is revolutionary and carries an ocean of knowledge and wisdom within it.


You must be wondering how this can change our lives? Well if you truly start believing that we are from Allah(swt) and to him we shall return, would something else matter than? Would we run after this temporary world? would we give in to our desires for the sake of this temporary abode? If we know we are slaves of Allah(swt), people, things, places nothing would hold any meaning. Only the happiness of Allah(swt) would matter because we would know that's the final place we will end up in.


Therefore don't limit this great verse, keep it in your head at all times. We are like trustees of Allah(swt) in this world, so don't mishandle what you have been given. All the tangible as well as intangible are the property of Allah(swt).  Take proper care of it and return them in their true and uncorrupted form to the true Owner.


InshaAllah may we all realize our true destination...ameen.

Home is where...

You know how the phrase goes: "Home is where the heart is"...?! Until we find that home (meaning we find where our heart lies) we can never find peace. We can travel millions of miles, live in the most luxurious of settings, have the best food, best weather etc. BUT still we won't find peace or happiness.
WHY? Because our heart is not there! Can a body exist without a heart?! When their isn't any heart we are no better than zombies. So the questions arises, "are we home", "are we where our heart is"?! Have we ever stopped from this rut of our lives and asked ourselves this question?


The next  point that comes up is where to find our heart, where to find this home? Let us look at the Quran to find an answer. It says in the Quran:


الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ {28}
[Shakir 13:28] Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah's remembrance are the hearts set at rest.


This shows that our heart should be where Allah(swt) is, if this won't be so, we will never find peace. So you won't find real home anywhere or you could find it everywhere. This means that if you have Allah(swt) in your heart, the bleakest of places, environment can become your sanctuary. Once when one of the Aima(a.s) was being put in prison he didn't say any thing negative rather stated that he is lucky to be getting so much time alone to worship Allah(swt). See how a heart that has Allah(swt) always remains at peace.
On the other hand look at us, no matter where we go, how many comfortable things we get, we are always looking for something more. We are always in need of that *tiny* little "more" to fill that hole in our heart but unfortunately it never does.


Look at some of these other ayah's, so that the point becomes more clear.
[Shakir 8:45] O you who believe! when you meet a party, then be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
Shakir 4:175] Then as for those who believe in Allah and hold fast by Him, He will cause them to enter into His mercy and grace and guide them to Himself on a right path.


Therefore dear brothers and sisters, don't try to find solace in material things, extreme sports, thrilling events, music etc. None of this is going to give you what you desire. Listen to the heart and try to find the true Home. Find the path that leads their and don't stop till you reach Home.


InshaAllah May allah(swt) guide us to our true home and destination...Ameen.

Journey of Love

I don't think i could have described my experience of ziyarat in words but my very talented friend Habib proved otherwise. Here is a poem she wrote for me...=). Go visit her blog(scentedscroll) for more of her poems, mashAllah she is very talented.

The Journey of Love
A lover’s footsteps can be traced along this path,
Wrought with dangers, placed by those who seek;
by their actions and words, to extinguish this love.
But the call has been made; and the lover must obey,
Despite the thorns that wish to make her stumble,
Her anxiously fevered heart cooled by the thought of the return,
Returning her to a land she has never visited,
Except in her dreams…

The first step on the soil of Qom,
Like the resting of one’s head on a mother’s lap,
A shelter of love and affection; yet, at the same time,
A myriad of emotions, like a pandoras box opened up:
Love, Peace, Joy, and Sadness.
Yet, the journey is only beginning,
The source of love has not been visited:
The pure sister of the lonely Imam.

As one approaches the spot where she lays,
The heart is overcome by grief,
And the eyes overflow with tears,
Overwhelmed by the humbling effect of being so close,
To one whose faith and purity was known far and wide,
A reminder like a ray in the dark evil world.

For once the lover feels at home,
Like the heart has found the place of its rest; and
As the head prostrates on the cool marble floor,
Sending out a soothing energy,
The heat within me subsides, extinguished.
Time loses all meaning; and
Hours rushed by like seconds.
A place of new perceptions,
Where problems, hardships and anxiety,
Suddenly look like mirages,
Disappearing at the proximity with the pure ones,
And the heart takes root,
Despairing at the thought of ever having to leave,
For now, heaven’s doors open wide,
For now, the moment is mine.

Dreams only last because they will end,
Reality breaking through, dragging you from home,
The journey to the beloved must come to an end.
Grief like a gushing fountain of water drenches the lover,
Like that of a child torn away from their parents.
The heartbreak subsides only through hope,
That I came once, I will surely return again.
Will you turn away the hopeless who has found peace with you?
Will you chase the beggar whose needs you fulfilled?
I tear my body away with a whispered prayer,
By your grace,
Let me visit again, allow me to return home.

Away from home, the lost is left wandering,
The need to return blots all meaning from life.
How am I to bear this separation?
How is this feeble heart to tolerate this grief?
When will I be back?
When will I cleanse my soul at the waters of your tomb?
How long will I be able to bear the weight of the dust,
Of sins and the pretensions of this world?
How long?
Please make it soon,
Before I am lost…
Lost forever in this dust.

Ready?

This may sound very over dramatic to people but after watching Mukhtar Nameh(The Mukhtar Series) i have literally gotten goose bumps and a very unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. Watching the events of that time in live pictures have really brought the message home for me.

We think we have loyalty to Alhulbayt(s.a) and would be willing to sacrifice our lives for them BUT how true is that? Looking at the series when the loyalist of people started questioning the actions of Imam(a.s), when people easily sold their eeman for gold, for security...can we say we have enough strength of eeman to not fall in these traps. When the call is made to choose the right side would we be able to give up the comfort of our house, be willing to sacrifice our lives? Do we have enough strength to go against the majority and even if the future looks bleak be ready to fight for the truth.

It's easy to say Al Ajal Ya Imam(ajtf) or Labbayk Ya Hussain(a.s) BUT do we truly mean it ?! The series has really made me realize how weak a person is, how easy it is to fall prey to the "whispering of the Satan"!

What can we do...how can we strengthen ourselves?! How can we ever be sure we will choose the right path when the push comes to a shove? Is that why Ghaybat doesn't end? Are our Al Ajal Ya Imam(ajtf) not from our heart...are we also like the weak willed people shown in this series?!

Ya Allah(swt) protect us...*cry*...strengthen our faith...Ameen...:(

Propaganda

http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=65824&Cat=4&dt=9/4/2011

After reading this above item i have been shocked at the level of propaganda. First shia are killed everyday in the country and then they are the ones that are implicated in crimes. And the funniest thing is that hezb which doesnt have any presence in Pakistan is named here.
And even funnier than that is the fact that while shia are killed everyday, some so called fictional shia group would train shia guys to look banks and create mayhem in Karachi while their brothers and sisters die in Parachinar. None of it makes any sense.

While the terrorists roam free and are freed everyday, victims are made out to be the terrorist. MashAllah at the level of justice in the country!

Can anyone hear?

The noose tightens, the screams ebb
Does anyone hear?
The walls are closing in, the windows are shuttered, darkness is prevailing
The screams bounce off the walls.
Does anyone hear?
These silent screams are killing me from inside, killing the heart...
Does anyone hear? Does anyone care?

Suddenly a ray of light breaks the dark clouds, warms the heart, silences the screams
peace descends.
Someone does care!Someone does hear!

Sentiments of a shia pakistani...

I think these words truly depict how i feel at least. Whenever people ask me about Pakistan i always struggled with an answer BUT finally i found the words that explain all.

Yahan Har Shakhs, Har Pal Target Hone Se Darta Ha [ everyone is afraid of becoming a target]
Khilona Hai Wo Mitti Ka Fana Hone Se Darta Ha  i[he is toy of clay which is afraid to die]

Ghar Ke Kisi Kone Me Ik Masoom Sa Bacha   [an innocent kid in one corner of the house]
Barron Ki Dekh Kar Lashen Bara Hone Se Darta Hai  [is afraid to grow up after seeing the dead bodies of his elders]

Ajab Hai Zindagi Ki Qaid Me Es Sheher Ka Insan  [The person of the city is in a strange trap]
Rihai Mangta Hai Aur Riha Hone Se Darta Ha  [He asks for freedom but is afraid to be free]

Mohabbat Itni Gehri Hai Ke En Weeran Galiyon Se  [ His love is so deep for these lonely streets]
Nikalna Chahta Hai Par Juda Hone Se Darta Hai   [ wants to leave but is afraid of the separation]

Ramdhan

Ramdhan Mubarak everyone.

It's a normal concept that in the month of Ramdhan Satan is bound BUT the important thing to ponder over is that why do we still commit sins? Isn't it so that its our nafs that has actually taken the place of Satan? Our nafs has been so much trained by Satan that now it doesnt need its master, rather it compels us to sin all on our own.

Dear brothers and sisters Ramdhan is very important in this regard. This is the time when we can train our nafs and control it rather than have it control us.I know its Ramdhan and everyone's tired so for now i am not going to write something very long.

Just some food for thought about how we can better ourselves. Try to capitalize on this holy month and train yourself. You have 30 days, make good use of it. Don't let it go to waste, we never know if its the last chance we get.

Stay happy and have a blessed month!

Attachments...

My lovely friend fauzia told me a story recently...it was so deep and beautiful that i thought i just had to share.

The story is told of a dervish who went to visit a great Sufi master. Seeing his affluence, the dervish thought to himself, "How can Sufism and such prosperity go hand in hand?"
After staying a few days with the master, he decided to leave. The master said, "Let me accompany you on your journey!"
After they had gone a short distance, the dervish noticed that he had forgotten his KASHKUL, the begging-bowl. So he asked the master for permission to return and get it.
The master replied, "I departed from all my possessions, but u can’t even leave behind ur begging-bowl. Thus, we must part company from here."

Attachments in this world can be to any kind of things. We normally think that its for wealth...even for apparent cheap things attachment can hold us back. Its important to set our priorities straight.

Heaven to Hell

Salam and Hello everyone,

So i had gone to Iran for ziyarat and it was the most amazing experience one can ask for. You must be wondering why i named this post heaven to hell...well someone jokingly said thats what we should name our trip from Iran to Pakistan...:P.
To all those patriots out there please put a hand on your heart BUT it would be the truth when i say i truly realized the dire state of Pakistan after visiting Iran. I have realized that our government treats us much worse than animals. It amazing how one comes to accept the treatment they are given when one remains in the same state for a long time. I think that's what has happened to us as Pakistanis as well. A breath of fresh air from Iran gave me a new perspective on the place where our country is heading.

It may seem a dumb thing to many but it was a novelty to me when i was able to roam the streets of Iran alone as an unsupervised female without any security issues. Imagine the deprived lives we live here in Pakistan...we cant even walk out alone.

*Sigh* feeling too sad to write any more...but insha'Allah have a few issues in mind that i want to talk about. Insha'Allah soon when i get out of my bluesy mood.

Adios till then!

Life...

Sometimes life can seem really difficult, everywhere you turn its as if nothing is going your way. The motivation to move on with life diminishes...one just feels like giving up! Everything seems sad and depressing. Its at times like these that the Quran and words of Ahlul Bayt(s.a) help. One sermon from Nahjul Balagha that has really helped me at times is "Al-Khutba Al-Qasi'ah". I love the following excerpt from the sermon:

If Allah, the Glorified, had placed His sacred House and His great signs among plantations, streams, soft and level plains, plenty of trees, an abundance of fruits, a thick population, close habitats, golden wheat, lush gardens, green land, watered plains, thriving orchards and crowded streets, the amount of recompense would have decreased because of the lightness of the trial. If the foundation on which the House is borne and the stones with which it has been raised had been of green emerald and red rubies, and there had been brightness and effulgence, then this would have lessened the action of doubts in the breasts, would have dismissed the effect of Satan's activity from the hearts, and would have stopped the surging of misgivings in people. But Allah tries His creatures by means of different troubles, wants them to render worship through hardships and involves them in distresses, all in order to extract out vanity from their hearts, to settle down humbleness in their spirits and to make all this an open door for His favours and an easy means for His forgiveness (for their sins). Caution against rebellion and oppressiveness