Golden Age (750–1258)

Golden Age (750–1258)
Main article: Islamic Golden Age
Further information: Muslim Agricultural Revolution
By the late 9th century, the Abbasid caliphate began to fracture as various regions gained increasing levels of autonomy. Across North Africa, Persia, and Central Asia emirates formed as provinces broke away. The monolithic Arab empire gave way to a more religiously homogenized Muslim world where the Shia Fatimids contested even the religious authority of the caliphate. By 1055 the Seljuq Turks had eliminated the Abbasids as a military power, nevertheless they continued to respect the caliph's titular authority.[82] During this time expansion of the Muslim world continued, by both conquest and peaceful proselytism even as both Islam and Muslim trade networks were extending into sub-Saharan West Africa, Central Asia, Volga Bulgaria and the Malay archipelago.[2]
The Golden Age saw new legal, philosophical, and religious developments. The major hadith collections were compiled and the four modern Sunni Madh'habs were established. Islamic law was advanced greatly by the efforts of the early 9th century jurist al-Shafi'i; he codified a method to establish the reliability of hadith, a topic which had been a locus of dispute among Islamic scholars.[83] Philosophers Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Farabi sought to incorporate Greek principles into Islamic theology, while others like the 11th century theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazzali argued against them and ultimately prevailed.[84] Finally, Sufism and Shi'ism both underwent major changes in the 9th century. Sufism became a full-fledged movement that had moved towards mysticism and away from its ascetic roots, while Shi'ism split due to disagreements over the succession of Imams.[85]
The spread of the Islamic dominion induced hostility among medieval ecclesiastical Christian authors who saw Islam as an adversary in the light of the large numbers of new Muslim converts. This opposition resulted in polemical treatises which depicted Islam as the religion of the antichrist and of Muslims as libidinous and subhuman.[86] In the medieval period, a few Arab philosophers like the poet Al-Ma'arri adopted a critical approach to Islam, and the Jewish philosopher Maimonides contrasted Islamic views of morality to Jewish views that he himself elaborated.[87]
Crusades, Reconquista and Mongol invasion
Main articles: Crusades and Reconquista
Further information: Mongol invasion of Central Asia and Ilkhanate

Five Pillars Info

Five Pillars
Main article: Five Pillars of Islam

Rituals of the Hajj (pilgrimage) include walking seven times around the Kaaba in Mecca.
The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: أركان الإسلام) are five practices essential to Sunni Islam. Shi'a Muslims subscribe to different sets of pillars which substantially overlap with the Five Pillars.[49] They are:
The shahadah[50], which is the basic creed or tenet of Islam: "'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed.[51]
Salah, or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. Each salah is done facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Salah is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances. In many Muslim countries, reminders called Adhan (call to prayer) are broadcast publicly from local mosques at the appropriate times. The prayers are recited in the Arabic language, and consist of verses from the Qur'an.[52]
Zakat, or alms-giving. This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam. The zakat is considered a religious obligation (as opposed to voluntary charity) that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a "trust from God's bounty". The Qur'an and the hadith also suggest a Muslim give even more as an act of voluntary alms-giving (sadaqah).[53]
Sawm, or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly. Some Muslim groups do not fast during Ramadan, and instead have fasts different times of the year.[54]
The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. When the pilgrim is about ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white seamless sheets. Rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The pilgrim, or the hajji, is honored in his or her community, although Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God instead of a means to gain social standing.[55]

Quar'n Info

Quar'n
Main articles: Islamic holy books and Qur'an
See also: Origin and development of the Qur'an

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The first sura in a Qur'anic manuscript by Hattat Aziz Efendi
Muslims consider the Qur'an to be the literal word of God; it is the central religious text of Islam.[30] Muslims believe that the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel on many occasions between 610 and his death on June 8, 632. The Qur'an was reportedly written down by Muhammad's companions (sahabah) while he was alive, although the prime method of transmission was orally. It was compiled in the time of Abu Bakr, the first caliph, and was standardized under the administration of Uthman, the third caliph. From textual evidence Islamic studies scholars find that the Qur'an of today has not changed significantly over the years.[31]
The Qur'an is divided into 114 suras, or chapters, which combined, contain 6,236 āyāt, or verses. The chronologically earlier suras, revealed at Mecca, are primarily concerned with ethical and spiritual topics. The later Medinan suras mostly discuss social and moral issues relevant to the Muslim community.[32] The Qur'an is more concerned with moral guidance than legal instruction, and is considered the "sourcebook of Islamic principles and values".[33] Muslim jurists consult the hadith, or the written record of Muhammad's life, to both supplement the Qur'an and assist with its interpretation. The science of Qur'anic commentary and exegesis is known as tafsir.[34]
The word Qur'an means "recitation". When Muslims speak in the abstract about "the Qur'an", they usually mean the scripture as recited in Arabic rather than the printed work or any translation of it. To Muslims, the Qur'an is perfect only as revealed in the original Arabic; translations are necessarily deficient because of language differences, the fallibility of translators, and the impossibility of preserving the original's inspired style. Translations are therefore regarded only as commentaries on the Qur'an, or "interpretations of its meaning", not as the Qur'an itself.[35]

The month of Sha’baan - I

Sha’baan is the name of the (eighth) month, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha’aba) in search of water, or it was said that they dispersed to carry out raids and forays. Or it was said that it is so called because it sha’aba (branches out or emerges) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadhaan.

‘Aa’ishah said: “The Messenger used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadhaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’baan.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was reported in the books of the Imaams Al-Bukhaari and Muslim that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The Messenger of Allaah did not fast any entire month apart from Ramadhaan.”

Ibn ‘Abbaas regarded it as disliked to fast any entire month apart from Ramadhaan. Ibn Hajar said: “He observed more voluntary fasts in Sha’baan than in any other month, and he used to fast most of Sha’baan.”

Usaamah Ibn Zayd said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I do not see you fasting in any other month like you fast in Sha’baan.’ He said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadhaan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the Worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.’” [An-Nasaa'ee]

Ibn Rajab said: “Fasting in Sha’baan is better than fasting in the Sacred Months, and the best of voluntary fasts are those that are (observed in the months) closest to Ramadhaan, before or after. The status of these fasts is like that of Al-Sunan Al-Rawaatib (optional prayers which the Prophet continued to perform all the time) which are done before and after obligatory prayers and which make up for any shortfall in the number of obligatory prayers. The same applies to fasts observed before and after Ramadhaan. Just as Al-Sunan Al-Rawaatib are better than other kinds of voluntary prayers, so fasts observed (in the months) before and after Ramadhaan are better than fasts at other times.

The phrase “Sha’baan is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadaan” indicates that because it comes between two important months, the sacred month of Rajab and the month of Ramadhaan, people are preoccupied with those two months and they do not pay attention to Sha’baan. Many people think that fasting in Rajab is better than fasting in Sha’baan, because Rajab is one of the Sacred Months, but this is not the case.

In the narration quoted above there is an indication that even though certain times, places and people may be commonly thought to posses a particular virtue, there may be others that are better than them.

It also indicates that it is commendable to make good use of the times when people tend to be negligent, by doing acts of worship. A group of the Salaf (predecessors) used to fill the time between Maghrib (sunset) and ‘Ishaa’ (evening) with prayer, saying that it was a time when many people were negligent. Another example is the remembrance of Allaah (Thikr) in the marketplace, because this means one is remembering Him in a place where people tend to be negligent. There are a number of benefits that come from making good use of times when people are often negligent, and using these times for worship, including the following:

Doing righteous deeds at times when people are distracted and negligent is more difficult. One of the indications of how virtuous a deed is, is how difficult it is: if everyone is doing a certain action, it is easy, but if most people are negligent, this makes it more difficult for those who do remember Allaah.

The Prophet said: “Worship at times of tribulation (Fitnah) is like Hijrah to me.” [Muslim] The phrase “worship at times of tribulation” refers to times of upheavals and trials, when people follow their own desires, and those who adhere to Islam are doing something difficult.

The scholars differed as to the reasons why the Prophet fasted so much in Sha’baan. Their various opinions were as follows:

1. That he had been unable to fast three days out of every month because he was travelling or for some other reason, so he made them all up together in Sha’baan. When the Prophet began to do some voluntary action, he would persist in it, and if he missed it, he would make it up later.
2. It was said that his wives used to make up the days that they missed of Ramadhaan in Sha’baan, so he used to fast because of that. This is the opposite of what was reported from ‘Aa’ishah that she used to delay making up days that she had missed in Ramadhaan until Sha’baan because she was too busy with the Messenger of Allaah to fast.
3. It was said that it was because this is a month which people do not pay attention to. This is the most correct view, because of the narration quoted above, in which he says: “That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadhaan.” [An-Nasaa'ee]

When Sha’baan began, if the Prophet still had some voluntary fasts outstanding that he had not fasted, he would make them up during Sha’baan so that his voluntary fasts would be complete before Ramadhaan came. Similarly, if he had missed some Sunnah prayers or he had missed Qiyaam Al-Layl (the optional night prayer), he would make it up. ‘Aa’ishah used to make the most of this opportunity to make up any obligatory Ramadhaan fasts that she had missed because of menstruation; during other months she was too busy with the Prophet to fast.

Prophet Dawood (as) was a prophet of Allah (swt) and a king. He had nineteen sons and every one of them wanted to inherit his throne. He agreed with one of his wives to nominate their eldest son to the throne. Allah (swt) commanded him not to appoint anyone, but to wait for His order. One day, he was asked to decide in a dispute between Elia, who was a cultivator, and his neighbor, Yohanna, who was a herdsman. Elia complained that the sheep belonging to Yohanna had grazed in his cornfield and had eaten the vegetables, causing him a great loss. Yohanna admitted that it had happened at night while he was asleep. By the command of Allah (swt), Prophet Dawood (as) called all his sons and told them that whoever decided the case correctly, would become his heir. Sulayman / Solomon (as), who was the youngest son, ruled that Yohanna would have to surrender to Elia the milk and the wool that he would obtain from his sheep during that year. Prophet Dawood (as) asked him how he had decided in this manner. Sulayman (as) replied, "The sheep did not eat the plants, but only the fruits; thus only the produce from the sheep should make up for the loss." Allah (swt) informed the Prophet Dawood (as) that the ruling given by Sulayman (as) was the best and he should be made his heir. Dawood (as) gathered all his sons in the presence of the learned people and chiefs of tribes and declared, by Allah's command, Sulayman (as) to be a prophet of Allah (swt) and his heir to the throne. Prophet Dawood (as) died and Sulayman (as) became a king at the age of thirteen. Islamic Stories of Prophets: Say 'Insha Allah' before taking any decision Once, the Prophet Sulayman (as) said that he would have a son from each of his wives. Since he did not leave the fulfillment of his desire upon the will of Allah (swt) by saying Insha Allah, only one of his wives bore him a child, and even then, it was stillborn. When Sulayman (as) realized his mistake, he became very sorry and asked Allah (swt) to forgive him and to grant him a kingdom which no one else would have after him. Allah (swt) accepted these prayers and granted him a mighty kingdom. He also gave him power over the Jinn's, birds, animals, and the wind. They all had to obey his orders. Allah (swt) also taught Sulayman (as) the languages of every living creature on earth. At the command of Sulayman (as), they built huge temples, fortresses, towers, palaces made of glass, large basins of water reserves, and immovable cooking pots. Don't Forget the Might and Glory of Allah in any Circumstances particularly when you face so-called World Powers. Once, Prophet Sulayman (as) and his army of Jinn's and animals were passing over the valley of the ants. Seeing the pomp and glory of the army, the chief of the ants alerted all the ants to get into their holes so that the army would not trample over them. With the help of the wind, Prophet Sulayman (as) heard what the chief of the ants had said. He smiled and ordered his army not to move forward until the ants had got into their holes. He then addressed the chief of the ants, "How could my army harm you and your kind when we were passing well above you in the air? And don't you know that I am the prophet of Allah and would never hurt anyone unjustly?" The ant replied, "O Prophet of Allah, I did not warn them because of any harm that they would suffer, but I was afraid they would forget the glory of Allah (swt) after seeing your army." Use your all Powers to bring Humankind to the Right path In spite of his wealth, glory, and vast empire, Prophet Sulayman (as) remained a humble and devoted servant of Allah (swt). He spent his nights in prayers and fasted during the days. He used his power and might only in the way of Allah (swt) to bring humankind to the right path. For his livelihood, he used to make baskets and sell them in the market; and with the money he obtained, he bought food and shared it with the poor. One day, when he was inspecting the birds, he noticed that a bird called Hudhud (Hoopoe) was not present. He said, "Where is Hudhud? I will punish him severely if he remains absent without a good reason." Shortly after that, Hudhud arrived and told Prophet Sulayman (as) that he had flown over the land of Saba (Sheba) where he had seen a beautiful woman ruling over the people. Her name was Bilqees. She had plenty of wealth, a strong army and a throne made of gold, diamonds and other precious stones. He saw her and the people worshipping the sun, instead of Allah (swt). Prophet Sulayman (as) was very pleased with Hudhud and gave him a letter to deliver to Bilqees. Hudhud flew to the land of Saba and dropped the letter in the lap of Bilqees while she was in the palace. When Bilqees received the letter, she called her advisors and said, "I have received an honorable letter from Sulayman. It begins In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful and it reads: "Accept Allah (swt) and worship only Him. I am his prophet, believe in what I say and accept my command". Islamic Stories of Prophets: Don't Offer or Receive Bribe Bilqees then asked her advisors to advise her as to what she should do. They replied, "We are very strong and have a powerful army to fight against Sulayman, but the decision is yours and we will obey your order." Bilqees was wise and decided not to fight Prophet Sulayman (as). Instead, she sent him valuable gifts to see what he would do. When the messengers of Bilqees arrived in the land of Prophet Sulayman (as) and saw his glory and his wealth, they were struck with wonder. They thought the gifts they had brought were worthless. Prophet Sulayman (as) became very angry when he was presented with the gifts and said, "What! Do you offer me wealth? What Allah (swt) has given me is more superior to all the wealth on this earth. Go back to your queen with her gifts and tell her that I will soon march to conquer her land with a huge army." When Bilqees heard what had happened, she decided to surrender herself to Prophet Sulayman (as) and make preparations to go meet him. Seek Knowledge wherever you are: It can do Wonders Meanwhile, on the orders of Prophet Sulayman (as), a palace of glass was built in honor of Bilqees. Even the floor was made of glass and water was put under it with different kinds of fish. The whole floor looked like a pool of water without the glass showing on top. Sulayman (as) then asked who could bring the throne of Bilqees to him. Jinn stepped forward and said, "I will bring the throne before you rise from your seat." One man, who was given a little knowledge by Allah (swt), said, "I will bring it in the twinkling of an eye." When Prophet Sulayman (as) saw the throne before him, he praised Allah (swt) and thanked Him for His favors. Admit your Mistake whenever you are wrong When Bilqees arrived, she was amazed to see her throne and realized what power Allah (swt) had given to Prophet Sulayman (as). She then entered the palace through the courtyard whose floor was made of glass. Thinking that it was a pool of water, she raised her clothes to pass through it. When Prophet Sulayman (as) informed her, what it was, she was overwhelmed with wonder and accepted him to be a prophet of Allah (swt). She said, "O Lord, I have wronged myself in worshipping the sun instead of you. I therefore give in myself with Sulayman to You, the Lord of the Worlds." Prophet Sulayman (as) then married Bilqees and thereafter she returned to her land, where he visited her frequently. The people of Saba who were sun-worshippers, were converted to believe in Allah (swt) and to worship none other than Him. Islamic Stories of Prophets: Prepare for Death. It can strike anytime One day, Prophet Sulayman (as), with the staff in his land, was viewing the kingdom around him, when he saw a young man approaching him. He was surprised and asked him, "Who are you and who gave you permission to enter the palace?" The visitor replied, "I have come in with the permission of Allah (swt), the owner of the universe. I am the angel of death and Allah has sent me to take your life away." Prophet Sulayman (as) said, "Then allow me to go home to prepare for death and rest on my bed". The Angel said: "No". While Prophet Sulayman (as) stood leaning on his staff, his soul left him. His body remained standing for such a long time that the people and the Jinn's believed him to have become a spirit or a magician. They carried on with the work entrusted to them by Prophet Sulayman (as), until Allah (swt) caused the ants to eat away the staff he was leaning on and his body fell to the ground. Prophet Sulayman (as) ruled for forty years and died at the age of fifty-three.

Moral Stories are those that are read in childhood, when the soul is pure and clear, and remembered for the rest of the lives. They are also passed on to generations. Through Moral Stories, the idea is to present the greatness of the humanity. Through Moral Stories one can improve their moral values and can learn about the human life. In the Noble Qur'an, there exists a chapter (28) by the name of Al-Qasas (Narratives / Stories), which itself is proof that man is in need of narratives and stories. In many places in the same Noble Qur'an, stories of Prophets, kings and nations have been mentioned. In addition, Allah (SWT) has presented issues pertaining to wars, peace, family, religion, society and other similar topics, in the form of narratives and stories. By reading these accounts, the people can comprehend and distinguish the paths of progress and regress, and ascent and descent in every field, especially morals. The entire chapter (12) Yusuf (Joseph) has been devoted to the story of Yusuf (Joseph), Yaqub (Jacob), Zulaikha and the brothers. In the beginning of the Chapter, Allah (SWT) says: We narrate to you (O' Prophet) the most excellent of the narratives by (means of) what We have revealed to you this Qur'an. Noble Qur'an (12:3) While, in the concluding verse of this very chapter, Allah (SWT) says: In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe. Noble Qur'an (12:111) Indeed, one of the distinguished feats of the Noble Qur'an is this very story of Prophet Yusuf (as), which it refers to as the 'best of the narratives', and at the end of which, it says: In these stories there is a lesson for those, who desire to take a moral and adopt the path of the Perfect Men. This Moral Stories collection caters for the general public, young and old alike, who are acquainted with basic reading and writing. The subject "Moral" is universal to every human being. Hence these Moral stories are not just for any particular sect or the followers of particular faith, it is for the entire humanity, irrespective of there belief, culture, race, color or age. Before you read and understand these Moral Stories. Let me share with you a story about a medical doctor, who was invited as a guest speaker to address a group of alcoholics in one of the social programs. Medical doctor wanted to make a demonstration that would be powerful enough to make people realize that alcohol was injurious to their health. He had two containers, one filled with pure distilled water and another with pure alcohol. He put an earthworm into the distilled water and it swam beautifully and came up to the top. He put another earthworm into the alcohol and it disintegrated in front of everyone's eyes. He wanted to prove that this is what alcohol does inside our body. Hence, he asked the group what the moral of the story? One person from behind said, "If you drink alcohol you won't have worms in your stomach." Was that the message? Of course not, that was selective listening; we hear what we want to hear and not what is being said. So we understand what we want to understand and follow-up in our lives ... Insha Allah. So, please don't take any negative tip from these Moral Stories. As far as the issue of associating a story to a particular topic is concerned, we do not claim that the stories allude to just one topic or that particular one which has been specified here; rather, there are stories which can be associated with several other topics too, in addition to the topic under which it has been mentioned here. It is hoped that the readers, after going through these narratives and stories, reflect upon and take positive lessons from them so that they are able to create within themselves, a new impetus towards perfection of morals; and Insha Allah, those who are endowed with laudable morals, should relate them to others, for rectification and remedy of the weaker souls.

The Road to Success is not straight: There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success!

Live for something: Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year, and you will never be forgotten. Your name and your good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven.

Pearls of Wisdom: Don't love the Heart that hurts you and don't hurt the Heart that loves you. Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you. Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget. Most people walk in and out of your life, but only friend's leave footprints in your heart. True friendship "never" ends. Friends are forever. People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges. If we are incapable of finding peace in ourselves, it is pointless to search elsewhere. The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. A change of heart changes everything. Our greatest glory is not in ever falling, but in rising every time we fall. You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough. One generation plants trees, and the next enjoys the shade. It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago.

You are what you think! Your inner thoughts can cause you to be rich or poor, loved or unloved, happy or unhappy, attractive or unattractive, powerful or weak. What you impress upon your mind, you'll inevitably become. It's a psychological law that whatever you desire to accomplish you must first impress upon your subconscious mind. Relentless, repetitive self talk will change your self image. You'll affect your subconscious mind with verbal repetition. Constant repetition carries conviction. When you change your values you'll change your behavior. Start thinking of yourself as becoming the person you want to be. Self suggestion will make you the master of yourself. If you believe you can, you can. You can become whatever you want to be.

Must do: In each task that must be done, there is opportunity. See the task not as a burden, but as an encouragement to be fully alive and effective. The real burden would be the inability to do anything. No task is a burden, but is instead the chance to express your own aliveness. Does the work seem dreary, unimaginative, tedious or boring? That's mainly because your attitude makes it so. See what happens when you start by being thankful for the opportunity to do it. Your genuine gratitude will help you to see the positive value. When the things you must do become things you want to do, it can transform your life. Each moment takes on more meaning; each effort brings greater and greater reward. Rather than fighting and forcing yourself to do what must be done, let go of your resistance and allow yourself to accomplish. Let what you must, become what you want, and watch yourself begin to soar.

One step away: If you were just one step away from reaching your goal, would you take that step? How do you know, right now, that you're not? What a shame it would be to stop making the effort, when just a little bit more would make it all worthwhile. What a shame it would be to have taken all those steps, only to miss the very last one. The next step you take may very well be the one that makes all the others count. You owe it to yourself, and the efforts you've made, to keep going. No, the next step may not get you there. Yet what about the one after that? If you keep moving ahead, a little at a time, you will indeed arrive. When you take that final, triumphant step, you'll be so very thankful you persevered. At some point success is just one step away. Keep going and you'll be there.

Slow down: Life is not a race. It is a journey. Getting someplace first, before anyone else, has very little real and lasting meaning. Seek instead to encourage others to come along, and you'll find the journey much more fulfilling. When you hurry through each moment, you miss out on the richness that could be yours. Take the time to live, to experience where you are, rather than being so obsessed with getting to the next checkpoint. When you stop demanding to have it all now, you'll discover that you have plenty already. Learn to experience joy where you are, and you'll experience it in abundance. Yes, it can be wonderfully exhilarating when life is moving quickly. But do not move so quickly that speed becomes your only experience, for there is so much more to enjoy. The terrain of life is filled with wonderful and astounding detail. Slow down and take in its richness.

Islamic Unity: Allah says in The Noble Qur'an: "The Believers are but a single Brotherhood." [Al-Hujurat 49:10] The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "The Muslims are like a body, if one part of the body hurts, rest of the body will also suffer." The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "Believers are brethren, their lives are equal to each other and they are as one hand against their enemy." The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "It is not permissible for two Muslims to be annoyed and angry for more that three days." The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "When Muslims are angry with each other for three days. If they do not compromise then they go away from the limits of Islam and the one who compromise first will enter Jannah (Paradise) earlier."

islamic quraan

As the father

I prayed that insha'allah she would be ok, there was nothing I could do for her at this moment. As a man I had no idea how hard it was to wear the khimar and to feel so different from those around me, it wasnt something I had to deal with. Allah had bought me into my wifes life for some reason and it was our fate that Zara would see life without total Islam, that was something we had to deal with.

Sometimes I was shocked at how strange it felt walking next to her with her head uncovered. I noticed noone staring extra hard, why would they? They didnt know she used to cover it! It was during these walks that I started to truly reach out and understand my daughter, yes hijab was in the Quran for men and women but it was still something that people chose. Yes we know there are consequences but there is no compulsion in Islam, thats what I was always raised with by my parents.

As Zara walked around the streets on errands that needed to be done, I watched as she composed herself, how she talked to people, helped the old lady with her shopping, I listened as she was praised by numerous people while she stood blushing looking to the floor. After Zara took off her scarf I began to see the person the scarf had made her, maybe this is why I couldnt understand why she had decided to take it off. I asked her once this in the line of a question, her answer? 'the scarf didnt make me this person, it just hid it from everyone else. From a muslim it was expected, so hidden and from a non muslim the scarf wasnt looked past' My child has grown into such a caring woman alhamdulillah

Maybe that was why the colour change was such a shock to me. It wasnt the woman I had come to know over the last few months, that woman didnt need the shock factor. That scared me, I had never pretended to know Zara, now I thought that I was beginning to and for that I was grateful. However, now I was back to not knowing her again.

I lowered my head as I pulled on my coat and reached for the door to escape my thoughts and the tensions in the house. I closed the door to the soft weeping of my wife in the kitchen.

February 12, 2009

When I say Im muslim....

When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I'm not shouting " down with Christians and Jews."


I am whispering "I seek peace," and Islam is the path that I choose.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I speak of this with pride.


And confess that sometimes I stumble, and need Allah to be my guide.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I know this makes me strong.


And in those times when I am weak, I pray to Allah for strength to carry on.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I'm not boasting of success.


I'm acknowledging that Allah has rescued me, and I cannot ever repay the debt.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I'm not claiming to be perfect.


My flaws are indeed visible, but Allah forgives because his followers are worth it.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


it does not mean I will never feel pain.


I still have my share of heartaches, which is why I invoke Allah's name.


When I say. . .I am a Muslim


I do not wish to judge.


I have no such authority. My duty is to submit to Allah's all-encompassing love.

February 2, 2009

As I rest my head in my hands I wonder where it all began, was it my fault she had turned like this? why didnt I choose Islam earlier so she hadnt already been used to the bad world out there? First it was the ripping off of her hijab, the change in schools and now the hair colour, is this what I had done to my own mother? I was given no respect and it wasnt just me, I could see how this was affecting her father too as he sat across the table from me massaging his temper to try to calm himself.

I lean towards him, push my hand to the middle of the table in some sort of comfort, he places his hand ontop of mine, holds it gently and says so quietly that I have to strain my ears to hear his words 'what more can we do?' I pray that we dont give up on Zara because I know how it feels to be lost in this world without a faith, I had been through that and I believed that taking Islam as my own was a gift I was giving to my children from my creator. I only prayed that she saw this before it was too late.

Yusuf stood up from the chair and moved to the window, he placed the kettle on the stove just as Hawa walked through the door and at that instance my mind ran away from me imagining how this would affect her. Would we have to go through the same thing? she sat on my knee tired after running from her friends house down the road. She was only 2 years younger than Zara but never really remembered not being around Islam as much as Zara, she had followed her father around more when she was a child so was exposed in that way. She had been wearing hijab for 2 years now, was in the same Islamic school as Zara had been but showed no signs from changing things as her sister had.

In hind sight, we should have known problems were coming, it was only a matter of time. As I sat with her on my knee I hugged her so tightly I thought I would never let go until she fidgeted and told me 'Mum, i have to go. Me and asma are learning a new surah so I have to go sort it out.' I nodded as I let her go and just as she walked out the door I wiped a single tear off my cheek. As if reading my mind my husband walked past me, kissed me softly on the head and told me 'she will be ok, insha'allah' Insha'allah I reminded myself