Monday 31 March 2008

The Modesty Of Fatima..

“During the time of burial it is common practice to place a sheet over the Kafan (the burial shroud). As the Kafan is tied closely to the body the sheet helps conceal the contours of the body. However, sometimes the shape of the body can still be seen, even with a sheet placed on top.

When Fatima radiallahu anha became acutely ill and feared that she may soon pass away she asked Asma bint Umais radiallahu anha to suggest a method of burial through which modesty would be conserved the most.

Asma radiallahu anha said that in Habasah, the practice was to cover the body in the Kafan, then to place date palm branches over the Kafan, and then to drape a sheet over the branches.

She thus advised Fatima radiallahu anha to adopt this approach for she felt that through this method the body shape would be totally concealed and covered. Thus Fatima radiallahu anha requested those around her to adopt this strategy at her burial.

From this episode we learn how much modesty the Sahaabiyaat had and how much emphasis they placed on the observance of hijaab.”

(Source: www.shaykh.org)

Tuesday 25 March 2008

Concrete Dreams..

I’ve just come to realise that it’s all just a mirage,
Everything I aspire for isn’t real.
That’s it, it’s just not real.
Don’t you ever wonder why everything you hope for just doesn’t work out?
Get the great job, the wonderful wife, the awesome car.
It probably won’t happen.

I’m not saying you don’t ever get what you hope for or aspire to be.
Say you do get it, it isn’t everything you thought it would be, is it?
How long does the joy last?
Not every long, eh?
That’s my point.
All that glistens is not gold.
All that you see is not real.
It’s fake.
Ephemeral.
Fleeting.
An illusion.

Listen.
Come closer.
Dream.
That’s an imperative.
Dreams can be real.
Dream of Gardens beneath which rivers flow.
Rivers of sweet honey and pure milk,
The like of which you have never tasted.
A place where sleep will not overcome you, nor grief.
Food will not be an issue, whatever your heart desires is yours.
No tears, no sadness and most importantly.. no death.
Eternal bliss.
Serenity.
Insert any other nice words you can think of here >>
What can be more real than eternity?
Sweeter than honey?
Whatever you want, whenever you want.
This, mon ami, is a concrete dream.

Monday 10 March 2008

Two Jannahs..

During the time of ‘Umar RA, there was a boy who used to frequent the masjid and used to return home at times to visit his father.

One day, as he went to visit his father, he came across a girl who, in due course, tempted him into her house. His nafs gave in and he approached the house with the intention of commiting zina. As he was about to enter the house, a verse of the Qur’an came to mind and he collapsed.

By the time he came round it was the early hours of the morning and he went to his father’s house. His father asked him what verse it was that caused him to faint. Before he could recite it again, once more he fell to the ground, never to get up again.

When ‘Umar RA found out about the boy’s story, he recited a verse from Surah Ar-Rahman stating he would receive two jannahs for dying in the fear of Allah.

(٤٥) وَلِمَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ جَنَّتَانِ
(45) But for him who feareth the standing before his Lord there are two gardens.

A voice came from the grave, “Ya ‘Umar, you speak of this reward being due to me and I’m telling you that verily I have that reward now.”

(Taken from a bayaan by Shaykh Sulayman Mulla, March 7th 2008, London)