Allah’s Mercy & Forgiveness

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

We often wonder if Allah will accept and forgive us for who we are.

Allah often repeats in the Quran that He is indeed, the ever forgiving.

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

“O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)

نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

[O Muhammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful.
(Surah Al-Hijr 15-49)

Let’s take some time to forgive ourselves for our imperfections and forgive others too.

Let’s seek forgiveness and make amends.

May Allah free us from the negativeness of guilt and blame, and fill our hearts with hope and love.

Categories: Essential Beliefs

Are you Stuck?

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We are all in the midst of our journey. At times, we get muddled, overwhelmed, lose our focus and direction, and the way ahead just seems bleak and gloomy.

In the darkness of our minds, we are in the risk of falling. We need light and clarity before we can begin moving again.

Living in the present moment contributes to clarity.

1st: Resource Stock-Taking.

Let’s look at some basic resources we all have in and around us.
Look at the list below and scale yourself between 1 to 10. 1 = the bare minimum / 10 = what you envision for your ideal self

1) Life & Health
2) Skills
3) Experience
4) Meaningful Relationships
5) Safety & Stability

2nd: Take time to Be Grateful for these resources.
– Appreciate the existance of these resources,
– Internalise their importance and
– Bless them.

When the Children of Israel faced extreme chronic difficulties, Allah revealed this formula to them:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘ If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favour) ; but if you deny (my blessings), then indeed My punishment is severe.’ ”
Surah Ibrahim 14 :7

Next: List down your Goals
Look at the list above and see what you need to work on, in order to achieve your vision of a better you.

If you’re feeling stuck, take comfort in what Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, points out for you, in this ayat:

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth – all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.
(Surah 45 AlJathiyah : 12)

May Allah give us all light and clarity. May Allah bless our journeys.

Should you need support or someone to bounce ideas with, you can whatsapp us at 8869 0754 with your:

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Service required: Hijrah Support Group / one to one counselling.

Categories: Hijrah Steps

Doers of Good

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We have been working on making intentions, to make a change in our lives.

In order to further motivate ourselves in making self developments and progress, we look to the book of Allah for inspiration.

وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Surah 29 Al Ankabut:69)

Is there any greater privilege than to have Allah, The Master of the Worlds, with you, guiding you in your journey?

We further take notice, that this privilege is given within the journey itself.

So how do we qualify as “Doers of Good“?

Striving for Allah has been recorded by Imam Al Ghazali (May Allah have mercy on him), as the 5 Essentials.

So anytime we do anything that contributes to maintaining & preserving these 5 Essentials, we are recorded as doing a good deed.

The 5 Essentials are:
1) Spirituality & Religion
2) Life
3) Clarity of Mind
4) Lineage & Relationships
5) Economy

Allah teaches us in the verse above, that the formula to Guidance, Clarity and Steadfastness is to contribute to self development and in honouring these life essentials in others.

رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the people who turn away.” (Surah 2 Al Baqarah:250)

Categories: Hijrah Steps

Reward for the Repentant

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Allah has promised His mercy for the repentant:

إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
“except the one who repents, becomes a true believer, and starts doing good deeds, for then Allah will change his evil deeds into good, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
(Surah 25. Al-Furqan, Ayah 70)

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ, related from his Lord the Blessed and Exalted, “Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and he made them clear.
Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed.
If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more.
If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed.
If he does it, then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.”

(Source: Sahih al Bukhari 6126, Sahih Muslim 131)

This is where being specific about your positive goals, no matter how small, are important.

➡ Begin taking little steps from today. No deeds are too small.

May Allah bless your journey.

Categories: Hijrah Steps

New Beginning

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Assalaamu’alaikum. May Peace be unto you.

If you are joining us, on your new journey – welcome!

May your Hijrah be accepted.
May Allah bless your journey, keep you safe, ease your difficulties, forgive your misdeeds and mistakes, and reunite us all with His Beloved ﷺ and Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).

A New Beginning. Renewed Intention

As we grow older, we hope to age with wisdom, compassion and clarity.

Thus, this exercise aims to aid us in clarifying our intentions, and setting a grounding for our direction throughout the year.

Let’s begin by forming our intentions.

➡ Take these next few moments to envision a better you.

Point out:

➡ What are the positive differences about you?
i.e that contributes to your personality. Eg. Characteristics, habits, vocabulary …

➡ What progress would you have achieved?
i.e that benefits your roles. Eg. skills, knowledge, experience…

➡ What new philosophy will you have learnt?
i.e understand better about. eg. on time, money, relationships, life…

In doing this, we are placing our intentions for a better future.

Sayyidina Umar ibn Al-Khattab radhiallahu’anhu reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّةِ وَإِنَّمَا لكُلّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ امْرَأَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

Verily, deeds are only with intentions. Verily, every person will have only what they intended. So whoever emigrated to Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever emigrated to get something in the world or to marry a woman, then his emigration is for whatever he emigrated for.

Source: Sahih Bukhari 54, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

May you achieve this new better version of you.

بسم الله توكّلنا على الله
In the name of Allah we put our trust.

Categories: Hijrah Steps

Hijrah of the Heart

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Hijrah in the Arabic Language is written as هِجْرَة

It comes from the word هَجَر or هِجْرًا to literally mean journey, migration, exodus.

Hijrah in itself is a solemn word.

It is an action that involves major changes, tremendous sacrifices, intense exertion, energy and resources. It is a process that involves inconceivable discomforts, unimaginable risks and hazards – for the sake of a peace of mind and heart.

Thus we find that Hijrah was and is only undertaken, under dire need and circumstances. It is when harmony has been severely disrupted, that it no longer becomes practical or safe to live in peace.

The Original Migration

It is the nature of the Prophetic duty to migrate. Prophets (alaihim solaatu was-salaam) were sent to nations when disharmony and gross injustice becomes a norm and habit in a nation. Prophets begin their call to re-establish harmony, peace and justice among their own people.

It is an established pattern in Prophethood, that their messages were denied, and their people will turn against them – despite the fact that they were the most beloved among their people.

When the odds turn against them, and they have exhausted all means to live and preach peacefully by their people – they will then be given the permission to leave and migrate. 

Our dear Prophet ﷺ lived in Makkah, for the first 53 years of his life (according to his cousin Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه). He was of such noble character that even his enemies could not deny his nobility and graciousness (even while they strove to murder him). He was also renowned and prominent, trustworthy and dependable as a businessman and arbitrator.

The Prophet’s call to Islam – had attracted the young, the minorities, the oppressed – who make up the majority of the new believers. Unfortunately, this is seen as ‘upsetting the social order’, and the Quraish began ‘Operation Persecution’. The new Muslims were terrorised and persecuted, much as the Rohingyan Muslims are suffering today. The order to migrate came as a relief to the Muslims – and several batches migrated secretly and quietly.

The Prophet’s migration was a dangerous mission (read more here) that he journeyed with his best friend, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه).

Reasonable and responsible people will agree that it is generally easier to stay still, quiet and submitting in a negative environment, despite the costs – as compared to facing the unknown, by migrating and expediting into unfamiliar territories, and having to begin again with little to nothing.

Which was why The Creator acknowledged and credited those who partook in this difficult journey, for their courage and struggle.

Allah, The Creator of the Heavens & Earth, promises in the Quran:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
As for those who believed and those who migrated and struggled in the path of Allah,
they do hope for Allah’s mercy and Allah is Forgiving, Very Compassionate .
Surah Al Baqarah 2 : 218

وَمَن يُهَاجِرْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يَجِدْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُرَاغَمًا كَثِيرًا وَسَعَةً وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِن بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
And whoever migrates in the way of Allah, shall find in the earth many a place to settle and a wide dimension (of resources). And whoever leaves his home migrating for the sake of Allah and His Messenger and death overtakes him, then, his reward is established with Allah. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Very Compassionate
Surah An Nisa 4:100

وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And those who migrated for the sake of Allah after they were subjected to injustice, to them We shall give a good place to be in the world, while the reward of the Hereafter is certainly great – only if they had realized!
Surah al-Nahl 16:41

Spiritual Migration

After the migration from Makkah to Madinah, other believers from far and wide, came to Madinah to pledge their devotion and gain the reward for migration.

It has been reported on the authority of Mujashi’ b. Mas’ud as-Sulami who said: I came to the Prophet ﷺ to offer him my pledge of migration. He said:

حَدَّثَنِي مُجَاشِعُ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ السُّلَمِيُّ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُبَايِعُهُ عَلَى الْهِجْرَةِ فَقَالَ ‏
“‏ إِنَّ الْهِجْرَةَ قَدْ مَضَتْ لأَهْلِهَا وَلَكِنْ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ وَالْجِهَادِ وَالْخَيْرِ ‏”
The period of migration has expired (and those who were to get the reward for this great act of devotion have got it). You may now give your pledge to serve the cause of Islam, to strive in the way of Allaah and to follow the path of virtue.
Reported in Sahih Muslim No. 4594

In the hadith related by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn As radhiallahu ánhuma, Our Beloved Prophet, Rasulullah ﷺ graciously extended the term hijrah by saying:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

“‏المسلم من سلم المسلمون من لسانه ويده، والمهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه‏”
“A Muslim is the one whose tongue and hands the Muslims as safe from,
and a Muhajir is one who leaves everything that Allah and His Messenger have prohibited.”
Reported in Riyadussaliheen/18/55

Therefore, what we have today is the Hijrah of our state and consciousness.

We make the migration from one state of consciousness to another – From the place of the lower desires to a state of higher consciousness.

Unless you are a veteran traveller, the Hijrah is not a journey you should embark on alone. For the sake of safety and wellbeing, you are advised to carry out your hijrah with companions, guided by professionals, if possible.

Obviously, it is also not a mere physical movement, bringing along old habits, but also embracing a new lifestyle altogether. It is a journey that we undertake, to create space, so that we may experience growth, find peace and achieve a more harmonious, purposeful & prosperous lifestyle.

Do take the time to research and make plenty of prayers, in finding a guide and companions for your journey.

So once you’re ready, we offer you to join us in our physical, intellectual and spiritual journey, to:

make a change for the better,

nurture your basic senses and

restore harmony in your lives…

May your Hijrah be accepted.
May Allah bless your journey, keep you safe, ease your difficulties, forgive your misdeeds and mistakes, and reunite us all with His Beloved ﷺ and Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).

Bismillah.

Categories: Hijrah Steps

Purification of the Heart

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Purification of the Heart

Ladies Guide to Jannah

In #hijrahseries2, we seek Purpose and Acceptance.

  • How do we love Allah?
  • How do we accept Allah's Love?

This talk is for you if:

  • you've been walking around with a heavy heart.
  • your heart has been feeling restless and uneasy.
  • you seek Divine Love and Fulfillment.

Begin your Hijrah with exploring your foundation - your heart.

OUR SPECIAL GUEST

"Khalah Jah"- She is Sharifah Khadijah Alkaff, a teacher, counselor, translator, writer and motivational speaker with so many experiences in the field.

A single mother of 3 sons - 2 with special needs, she continuously tries her best to seek and share knowledge by writing booklets on topics such as Tawakkul, patience, challenges of working muslimahs, importance of family and many more.

In 2009, Khalah Jah was awarded the Singapore Exemplary Mother of the Year Award and in 2014, received the Brunei Darussalam Excellent Teacher Award from the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam.

Khala Jah will be here to have an intimate motivational session, while sharing her experiences, to help you find peace, purpose and acceptance.

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Baraakallahu Feekum!

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Categories: Programs

Qada & Qadr

The Universe & Its Natural Order

When Allah created the Universe, he made it all in proportion, and protected it with an Absolute Law (Qadr).

إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقۡنَـٰهُ بِقَدَرٍ۬
Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure. Surah Al Qamar verse 49

Qadr is mathematical, scientific, calculated. Everything has been created in proportion.

So Allah puts over this, His Ultimate Law (Qadr) in order to maintain Balance in the Universe.

An example of Qadr would be, the unseen currents that keep the planets orbiting, that regulates the movements of the sun and the moon, and which regulates the weather.

It is also in the way there is perfect percentage of different gases in the air, which holds the balance and keeps the universe as it is. In that same manner, we breathe a certain percentage of these air to maintain our existence.

The moment we do something to upset this balance, say cause an explosion that releases huge percentage of some other gases… it will be followed by a chain of reactions… our body will naturally react… the ecology of existence will be altered… and we will then find that the universe has an auto-reset mechanism… which bring things back into balance.

Allah highlights to us the importance in maintaining balance, in the Quran:

وَٱلسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ ٱلۡمِيزَانَ (٧) أَلَّا تَطۡغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡمِيزَانِ (٨) وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلۡوَزۡنَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ وَلَا تُخۡسِرُواْ ٱلۡمِيزَانَ (٩

And the sky He hath uplifted; and He hath set the balance in measure. That ye exceed not the balance, But observe the balance strictly, nor fall short thereof. Ar Rahman 55:7-9

In a natural disaster happens, we say, “That has been proportioned, and what Allah wills happens”

ورود المصائب عليه، ولذا جاء في الأدب النبوي قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: فإن أصابك شيء فلا تقل: لو أني فعلت كذا لكان كذا وكذا،

ولكن قل: قدر الله وما شاء الله فعل. رواه مسلم

Qadha is Allah’s Will and Decree – which includes the systemic laws of cause and consequence.

The Universe & the Earth, is almost mechanical. Once it reaches maximum limit, it blows, to re-set.

إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” – and it is. Surah Ali Imran: 47

So why is this important to us?

This is because our soul, nafs and intellect together, is a world of its own. The human body, being of earth material, has the same reactionary tendencies to balance and harmony. It reacts to the changes in the weather and atmosphere – even to psychological stresses.

Allah is Fair, Gracious and Compassionate. In His Wisdom, He has chosen and decided several ground rules to help us along – to remain safe in the natural order of things. We find these rules revealed to us in the Quran.

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ

Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him (Surah Al Isra 17:23)

Humans and jinnis who recognise and act according to what Allah has decided – find themselves more resilient to the challenges of this world. However, when there is imbalance and disharmony – despair and grievances – chances are, some rule has been broken or boundaries crossed.

Human Beings and Jinnis have been given intellect – an ability to make decisions. Based on our choices and decisions, a certain pattern is set in motion – in the natural order of things. Sometimes, due to our limited capacity, we make wrong decisions. Our Most Loving and Gracious Creator, urges our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيم
Say (O Muhammad ﷺ): O My servants who have wronged themselves! Don’t remove yourselves from the Compassion of Allah. Verily, Allah forgives sins – entirely. 
Verily, He is the Ever Forgiving, The Most Loving.
(Surah Az Zumar 53)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explains

الدُعَاءُ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاء، وَإِنَّ الْبِرّ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزقِ، وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدُ لَيَحْرُمَ ‏الرِّزق بِالذَّنْبِ يُصِيبُهُ. رواه الترمذي والحاكم واللفظ له.‏

Supplications diverts Al-Qadha (Systematic – In the natural order of things). Righteousness will cause increase in a person’s provisions. And the slave is deprived of his provisions, by the sins that has encompassed himself.

Qadha = Decree & Decision

Qadr = Amount, Measure, Proportion, Degree

Allahu a’lam. Everything that is correct here comes from Allah – and all mistakes here comes from this faqeerah billah – Noraini Abdul Wahab.

Categories: Essential Beliefs

Life is a Test

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلاً۬‌ۚ

وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ

(Allah, is he) Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed.

And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving

Surah Al Mulk 67:2

In the life before this, in alam az-zhar / arwah, we made a covenant with Allah to proof our devotion and love to Him.

We knew we were created to live on earth and were taught the laws of the universe. We submitted to be the other creation besides the Jinnis to be tested. We knew the rewards or punishment to come, following our term on earth.

All created beings were created for specific duties. The Angels were created for a specific reason, and was not equipped with choice. There is no heaven or hell for them.

The mountains, trees, animals were created with a specific purpose, also submitting for a life without choice. There is no heaven and hell for them.

What’s the difference? Allah awarded us with something extra. Choice.

And for that reason, Allah equipped us with an the human mind & it’s Intellectual capacity… العقل… . The ability to create, choose good from bad, and doing what is best – is the ultimate test of life.

It is through the mind and the intellect that the human and jinnis learn intent and make choices. It is this that differentiates the human and jinnis from the basic natural tendencies of the animals (which is the nafsul ammarah).

What will you be tested on?

وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ وَٱلۡجُوعِ وَنَقۡصٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡوَٲلِ وَٱلۡأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ‌ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

And surely We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops (possibly sweet successes & prospects); but give glad tidings to the steadfast. Surah Al Baqarah 155

Life is NOT the pursuit of Happiness.

The believer is the person who makes a decision to subscribe – i.e sign up – to be a doer of good – the maintainer of harmony – preserver of balance.

It is a job, or a volunteer position – where prospects are un-grandly, very much limited and mostly unseen – yet you feel good doing it.

Like any good worker (a.k.a servant), the believer believes in the reward that will ultimately come, from the organisation (or his Master / Creator) that he has committed himself to. He does his duties and carries out his responsibility, despite the daily struggles and challenges.

Our Master, Allah azza wa jalla, rewards us for our intent and efforts. The result of the effort, is a bonus and secondary.

Rasulullah ﷺ said:

“How amazing is the case of the believer. There is good for him in everything, and this characteristic is exclusively for him alone. If he experiences something pleasant, he is thankful, and that is good for him; And if he comes across some adversity, he is patient, and that is good for him.”

Categories: Essential Beliefs

Master of the Universe

We know that we are created beings, and everything we see and do not see, are created by The Almighty Creator.

We refer to our Creator – our God - as Allah. الله

Al ال in Arabic means “The”. And ilah إله means “Almighty Creator”.

The Arabs before, during and after the time of Rasulullah ﷺ, refer to the Creator as Allah because Allah literally means The Almighty Creator - Or - The Original Source.

However, it is noted and culturally accepted in the non-Arabic speaking world, that the word Allah is reserved only for the Muslims.

So where is Allah when we are in difficulty?

Allah exists in the universe around us. Everything that is alive, grows, moves, progresses, does so by Allah. It requires a battery, a source of energy - and that source of energy is none other than what comes from Allah.

Muslims begin every beginning with Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Compassionate.

Ar-Rahman is a characteristic of Allah meaning The Utmost Compassionate. The Everlasting Source of Love and Care - we look upon Allah's Grace, on the Day of Judgement - to grant us safety from our transgressions.

Ar-Raheem is an adjective that signifies the Complete source of nurturing, providence, safety and comfort - More complete than the source of nourishment and safety that exists in the womb of a mother.

As creatures living within the Source, in a universe of law and order, we are required to learn the patterns. These patterns have been revealed in the Scriptures - the most updated version being the Quran.

In our times of difficulty - we call on Allah and hope for miracles. When miracles don't happen for us, we sometimes blame Allah for rejecting our plea, or even accuse Allah of incompetency.

Our Creator reveals to us:

وَإِذَا مَسَّ النَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

And when adversity touches the people, they call upon their Lord, turning in repentance to Him. Then when He lets them taste mercy from Him, at once a party of them associate others with their Lord - 30:33

Even so, Allah the Most Loving, calls to His servants to call on Him. It takes an understanding of patterns and consequences - to be able to see the consistency of Allah's responses, and the positive aspect of whatever that befalls us. Gratitude for the lessons in life is dependent on this understanding.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.- 2:186

Finding God, understanding and realising His Love, requires practice, reflection, mindfulness, and constant connection.

This life on earth is a series of tests - that we, humans and jinnis, had signed up for - in the hope of higher rewards. As long as we are here, our journey is of learning and tests.