Moon moon,come out soon, we want to see the Ramadaan moon

My favorite time of the year is fast approaching. With under a week to go to the most auspicious month on the Islamic calender I find myself to be a bundle of nerves. It is with this abundance of restless energy that I type this post nearing 1 in the morn.

I often sing the song 'moon moon,come out soon' by Yusuf Islam to my almost 2 year old.After singing it to him earlier in the day,it dawned on me how close that song is to materializing. I am just hopeful that I will actually be blessed with the opportunity of seeing another Ramadaan moon. And what a moon it is...
It is that moon that brings the promise of hope and new beginnings. That moon that announces the month of the Quraan. That moon that opens a month whose beginning is mercy,whose middle is forgiveness and it's end freedom from the Hell- fire. That moon that symbolizes a period of sacrifice ,sympathy and Muslim brotherhood.That moon that brings about a month which contains a night Better than a 1000 months. That moon that signals for the big devils to be chained. That moon that introduces to a believer ,days of abundant blessings and increase in reward for ones good deeds.


I then asked myself what else does this moon signify,Especially in my predominantly Indian community? Does it set in motion a month which sees us freeing up freezer place? A month wherein we eat more richly than we do in other months? A month which is merely endured instead of loved? A month that sees youth engaging in fruitless activities nightly i.e drag racing and the like. And then most recently , a month in whose name some festivals and souks are held,wherein fashion shows and other Fitnahs take place?

I shake my head and it hurts my heart that we sometimes attach this month mainly to things of this dunya. I'm not saying that we shouldn't eat, that we shouldn't engage in work/business and that we can't have clean fun,but I AM saying that this month should not be lost over the aforementioned practices. The word Ramadaan comes from the Arabic word 'ramida' meaning Scorching heat, giving it the meaning of the month wherein sins are burnt. Let Ramadaan be about this! Let the emphasis be on reflection ,repentance and positive change! May Allah grant me the strength first to live up to these expectations ,and to derive full benefit from this most amazing month. May Allah bless us all abundantly and keep us all in His mercy! Aameen!

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Sea-scapes

I'm certain you will recognize the talent behind these ,I brag about her often enough. This majestic beauty from our Creator has been captured brilliantly by her and has left me with such a sense of calm, that I feel compelled to share. Enjoy :)

My way Home

Created
The most significant of all creation
A human

Starting the climb
One step,two steps
Steady
Slowly

Steep
Winding
Dips and uphills
Narrow
Constricting
Restricting

Back bent
Brow furrowed
Perspiring
Tiring
Lagging
Dragging
Staggering

Shade
Resting
Catch my breath
Driving
Surging forward
Smiling
I see the summit

Awakening
Shaking
Still alive
Moving
Keep going

I trip
I stumble
I fall

You pick me up
I hold on
Dust off
Up
And nearing
Almost there
Leading
Succeeding

The peak
Stunning
Breathtaking
Just Temporary
The descent
Downhill

Harder?
Easier?

Soldier on
Or Totter along

Older
Slowing
Crawling
Creeping

My end in sight?
No,Just the beginning

I've found my way
To You
I belong
Im Home



Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Is there an easy way to lose?

There is a certainty in life, and it's name is 'loss'. Some will lose jobs, others belongings,there is loss of relationships,loss of respect,loss of trust, we lose friends and loved ones and we all will certainly lose our lives one day.

Loss is as the old adage says 'a bitter pill to swallow' . It's one of those things that no matter how,or if you have prepared for it,it affects you and often hits hard. The way we deal with loss is personal. It is unlikely that any two people will react to the same loss in the same way. Some internalize loss, some deal with it dramatically and some lose themselves in the process. Like with all experiences Islam outlines the perfect code in dealing with loss. The basis of this code being patience and the promise of a great reward for bearing a loss in this manner. It is here where we realize that even when Allah takes from us He gives. Patience is from Him. Understanding is from Him. Acceptance is from Him. He takes what is His and still gives us the means to cope, and the incentive to persevere.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Allah (swt) says: O son of Adam! If you remained patient restraining yourself and expecting my reward at the initial shock, I will not be happy without rewarding you with Jannah.” (From Abee Umaamah in Ibn Maajah)

“Those who practice sabr (patience) will be rewarded their recompense without measure.” (Az-Zumar 39:10)


I don't think there is an easy way to lose, but there is a successful way. That may not make the most sense but if you really think about it,loss inspires some to great heights. It can drive us to be better,to be stronger and if we are gracious when faced with a loss there is much to gain in both worlds. In sha Allah !

May Allah grant us all ease! Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Turn up that smile

This week has been heartbreaking. On Monday my grandmothers brother passed on and on Tuesday morning I lost a dear cousin of mine in an accident. At just 23,His passing has left so many of us reeling,and each with a mile long list of memories.

With tears in my eyes and a smile on my lips I struggle to begin to describe the exceptional character he possessed. He was one of those remarkable beings,always full of life and laughter, ever ready with a witty remark and cheerful banter. It was impossible to be in his company without smiling. Another relative of mine mentioned that it was as if he was just here to cheer us all up. Young or old,he engaged effortlessly with everybody and he had the ability to make every person feel significant. People who have just known him,in passing ,have felt his loss. And I think that can only be attributed to his amazing manner and sincere approach . Be it with fishing advice,narrating a story,or a quick game with children ,he shared what he knew and gave of his time without expecting anything in
return.

I could fill blog after blog with all the fond memories he has left us with ,but I want to share a message which I feel his life conveyed. Try to bring joy and smiles wherever you go. Give and give and give until people have no choice but to love you. And it is that love that will make them treasure you ,in their hearts and more importantly in their Duas once you have departed from this world.

May Allah ease this heartache and may he surround our brother Riaz with those who will keep him laughing and smiling eternally.Aameen

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

The cosmetic circus

Crushed insects,bull semen,whale vomit and human placenta . Are you grossed out yet? No? Let's try that again. Crushed insects ,bull semen ,whale vomit and human placenta are common ingredients found in everyday cosmetics. Yup ,stuff that you smear on your face ,apply on your hair and horror of horrors sometimes ingest when applied to your lips.

It bugs me, no pun intended,that people would create products with the aforementioned ingredients. It also bugs me how they usually use the biological names for these ingredients which most consumers would be none the wiser as to what they represent .Take whale vomit for example. Its found in a number of perfumes where it's listed as the somewhat pleasant sounding Ambergris. Then there's Carmine, a red dye obtained from Cochineal beetles which are dried and crushed to a fine powder . It is often listed as e120 and can be found in soft drinks, lipsticks,blush and many varieties of sweets. Ick! Have you ever come across Guanine or Pearl essence? Sounds good,right? Nothing like good old fish scales to add shimmer to your lipgloss,lipstick and nail varnish. Tho these are all really disgusting the worst I have seen has got to be human infant foreskins. It's the main ingredient in an anti aging formula ,Nouricel-MD and tho unfathomable to me,it seems to be quite popular. The world has indeed gone bonkers.


The purpose of this info was not to gross you out,okay maybe It was just a lil,but it was more so in the hope of making you aware and cautious of what you could be using on a daily basis. And I am hopeful that as Muslims we will be more vigilant and make educated choices when consuming or using any products. Your body is your responsibility,don't let it down.

Until you read again
Ma'assalaam

Compassion quest

There's something wrong with the world we live in. Actually there's a whole lot of things wrong with it,majorly and maddeningly so. Case in point: you might have heard of the fire that destroyed a large number of cars at this years Ijtima , and you may also have heard or seen how callous some people were in response to this disaster.. I run out of suitable adjectives in trying to describe these individuals who think there's anything funny in a calamity like this.

The Ijtima,meaning gathering ,is held annually with the purpose of creating 'awareness of the object of our creation and how to link all mankind to our Creator Allah, and to encourage all to establish the life of our beloved Nabi Muhammed (SAW)' . It is attended by thousands of Muslim brothers who are seeking spiritual reform and advice regarding Deen (Islam) . This year the Ijtima returned to the place of its inception (In South Africa) ,at Mia's farm in Gauteng.A few of these brothers were tested in the first morning of the Ijtima when a blaze engulfed their motor vehicles ,destroying them completely. Many mobilized to assist in dousing the flames and then there were some who found the situation amusing, circulating jokes about the incident. I was horrified. What uneducated,cruel mind conjures up facetious remarks when another has suffered a loss? It's appalling,and it alludes to the ever diminishing qualities of kindness , sympathy and mercy amongst man today.

Also,i need to make a quick mention to all those who look down at the Ijtima in general and who mock those brothers involved in Jamaat work. Remember that Nabi SAW's life was spent inviting others to Deen , so if you make jokes about the work they do,you may actually be mocking the Sunnah.(Allah forbid)

Implore Allah to guide us all to being people who are not sardonic and sadistic. May our hearts and minds be filled with mercy and compassion instead! Aameen


Until you read again
Ma'assalaam