Steps trackers

A man from the Ansar lived the farthest from the mosque. He was advised, “If you buy a donkey, you can ride it during the dark nights and hot days.” He said, “I do not like for my house to be so close to the mosque. I want my walking towards the mosque and returning home to be recorded as good deeds for me.” The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Certainly Allah has gathered all the rewards for you.”(Source: Sahih Muslim 663)

Other people of Banu Salimah decided to move to land to get closer to the mosque. After hearing that prophet, SW said, "I have heard you intend to move near the mosque.” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah. We have decided to do so.” The Prophet said: "O tribe of Salimah, stay in your houses for your steps will be recorded. Stay in your houses for your steps will be recorded". (Source: Sahih Muslim)1068.

This is how walking was encouraged to the believers in times of prophet. However, "Recording our steps "and "gathering all the rewards"-does it ring a bell to you? How about now? “The future of health is on your wrist”?  yes! You got it! 

1600 years ago, the idea of counting our steps deeply embedded in Islam, Of course! There is no doubt about the health benefits of step tracking. But we need to understand that since Islam is a religion, it has inspired its people to walk from their homes to their mosques so that every step could be counted as good deeds! And good deeds are those what is beneficial to one or others! To mention it as a "good deed" and Allah will "record" and give "reward" is simply an attempt to make people do it for their own good. 

Big companies like Apple have now been concentrating on the prospect of developing devices like the Apple Smartwatch or even the Fitbit Fitness Tracker and making money based on this concept. 

 

Indeed, Allah is giving rewards in the form of good health for this practice of walking. 

Quran indicates how Allah built walkways, parks other areas in the motorized cities ideal for walking. In the Quran, "It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so walk in its tracts and eat of His provision. To Him is rising. (67:15) 

Steps to take for distracting your mind off from certain things

"When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than Allah, betake yourselves to the Cave: Your Lord will shower His mercies on you and disposes of your affair towards comfort and ease."
18:16

This my thoughts about the above verse that Allah swt is telling us to take some important steps to take off our minds from any unwanted thoughts or anything we would like to ignore are mentions here.
1) First Intent to stay away from it.
2) Turn your focus away from anything that no longer brings benefits to you or others.
3) Take shelter! Distract your mind from that things and get busy with something meaningful or enjoyable to you.
4) Always pray to stay strong.

The best company!

13:11) Each and everyone has a guardian angels before and behind, protecting them by Allah’s command. Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends ill for a people, there is no avoiding it. Apart from  Allah , they have no protector.

** We have two angels behind and in-front of us, and as we know we also have two more angels on our right and left! And Allah SW is closer than our jugular vein! Subhanallah! We are surrounded by the best companions ! Then how can we not overcome negativity? 

Allah SWT already answered in the second verse” Allah will not change our state (physical, spiritual , mental any kind) unless we first figure out what causing it in ourselves; and change it. 

May Allah help us to strive in this Journey.

Whatever evils befall you from your own selves.

Verse 4:79
Whatever good comes to you is from Allah and whatever evils befall on you from your own selves...

Allah SWT doesn't only test our faith to see our level of patience during difficult times, he also examines our mindset and heart's attitude. How we tend to respond in times of trials reveal a lot about our sincerity toward Allah. Are we being discouraged, frustrated, defensive or even depressed in hard times? Because underneath all of these behaviors is hidden the root causes of the problem hypocrisy.. This verse is encouraging us to look deeper into our hearts and figure out our own weaknesses and shortcomings that may be a contributing factor to any difficulties in our life.

Allah has given few examples of such spiritually diseased heart filled with hypocrisy from some  Muslims behaviors during the early times of Islam in previous verses 4:77-78. It will be easy to recognize those bad attitudes when we look at the historical context of these verses. According to The tafsir of the Quran, some  Muslims complained to prophets that before they accepted Islam they felt safe and secured from the attack of Mecca's polytheists. And was asking prophet's permission to go for fights with them. But they had been told to be patient and kept purifying their souls by being active in  their personal and social obligation like praying and giving zakat. They took this suggestion happily since that would established them as "religious" person in the society.** ( complaining, showing off)
later on when the time came and Allah SWT commanded the prophet and the companions to go for Jihad in cause of Allah; those same people backed off and started giving excuses and requested to delay the fight in fear of death. Allah exposed their hypocrisy hidden in their heart saying that these people were ready to fight for their own selfish reasons( to get their security and glory back) but when they were called for fighting in cause of Allah, then they were scare of death forgetting the fact that death has been determined by Allah and there is no point of running from it. ( 4:78)

Another bad attitude of hypocrites against prophet is pointed out by Allah was whenever they won a war they saw the victory from Allah's grace, but if they lost in a war because of their own faults and weakness they blamed Prophet Muhammad SW instead of being responsible for their own conducts.
Allah is the source of all things; if we have a positive mindset and carry out our duty Allah will give us victory and if we have a negative mindset, we are responsible for our own misfortunes in our life.





   

Glorious God and our flaws .

29:48 You never recited any Book before We revealed this one to you, nor did you ever write one with your own hand. Otherwise, those who try to disprove the truth would have had cause for doubt.

** some cluttered thoughts again..

In this verse Allah SWT explained the reason for keeping the prophet SW as an unlettered man so the people can recognize The Quran as words of God. As a muslim we can not even think of our prophet is an "illiterate" person, because he received the divine inspiration. We say it out of our faith. But what about those people who saw him as a Man just like them in plain eyes? Can you think of all the unkind  thoughts and feelings people might have had when he declared his prophethood, who had everything better than him, materialistically speaking ?

when i was reading  this verse few things crossed my mind are ....

1) Allah is the the source of knowledge, he opens the door to whom he wants. 

2) our flaws and imperfections have a divine purpose in Allah's plan for each of us. 

3) This verse indicates three disease of hearts doubting or suspicion Jealously, and pride.

4)  Allah has personal plans and certain goals for each of us. We call it Fate. 

5) And Allah SWT still constantly inspire us and communicates with us but we don't recognize the voice of Allah. The only difference  between prophet Muhammad SW and our reading writing abilities are he was given a book even though could not read and we are given the same book and we have capabilities ** But We don't have time! including me. 

May Allah SWT utilizes our flaws, weaknesses and imperfections to accomplish a greater purpose that will only serve him. Because Oh Allah!you  will definitely follow through the plan you have for us, May all our shortcomings be full of your blessings. Ameen.

Due date

If i am given a due date for anything and everything, I work productively! That is why life isn't happening to me, for i don't know when it expires! In short, I assume that I have plenty of time and resources to procrastinate! Had I knew, I have twenty four hours to live, I would have jumped off of that couch get moving and setting my priorities straight. 

I don't realize why god says " I swear by the time" seems like he is the only one knows how important it is since he created it. I am looking at the clock ticking but i just don't See it. So i remind and rebuke my careless soul by the words of God " Is it not time for those who believed that their hearts be humbled by the remembrance of God and to the truth that came down to them and they not be like those who were given the book before? then the space of time was long for them so their hearts became hard. And many of them were ones who disobey". (57:16)

"Actually I was only kidding, you can get the baby out of here,

Everybody knows it by now that came from Donald Trump! We are not surprised at all. And I can’t even stay quiet referring an incident of a crying baby during our Prophet Muhammad’s’ (SW) time when he was the head of the country and encountered with a non-stop crying baby and his distressed mom while leading the obligatory prayers of the day,  but What did this leader do? Incidents repeats for greater causes! What he did that time shows the characteristics of a considering, Empathetic and Nobel leader. He shortened the prayer for the sake of this distressed mother and child. Truly he is the best role model for the world in every sphere of life. The best political leader the world could have!   

  “(Muhammad), we have sent you for no other reason but to be a mercy for the world.” 21:107 

Allah's communication with us.

There are various ways Allah SW wants to get our attention. He is always showing us his signs of presence, it is for us to look for them and  recognize them; a confirmation came from Allah SW is....
 "say, praise belong to Allah, he will show you his signs, then you will recognize them"  (27:93) 
In one of the verses Allah explains the mode of his communication clearly. 
"It is not possible for human beings that God should speak to them except by inspiration, or from behind a veil, or by the sending of a messenger to reveal, with God's permission, what God wills, for He is Most High, Most Wise." 42:51

some scholars explains "behind the veils" are those dreams that foretell the future events to take place. I have tried to gather some supporting verses that explain Allah's several ways of connecting with us.

1) Through the nature:  Allah speaks through the nature sometimes there are solutions scattered around that are needed. The best example i remember is the story of Habil and Qabil! when one of the brother killed the other one, the righteous one. The killer felt deep sorrow and repented his sin. But didn't know what to do with the dead body. Allah SW sent a crow to show what needs to be done....

"Then Allah sent a crow digging up the earth so that he might show him how he should cover the dead body of his brother. He said: Woe me! do I lack the strength that I should be like this crow and cover the dead body of my brother? So he became of those who regret." 5:31

Truly Allah has not created anything in vain!

2) Through the "small voice"/ the inspiration in our mind: I would like to give that example from prophet Musas' AS mom. when he was born his mother was fearing for her son's life, as she was inspired to take a bold step. so Allah said in the Quran

 "And We had already conferred favour upon you [Musa] another time, When We inspired to your mother what We inspired, [Saying], ‘Cast him into the chest and cast it into the river, and the river will throw it onto the bank; there will take him an enemy to Me and an enemy to him.’” (20:37-39)

‘And We inspired to the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.”’ (28:7)

3) Through other people's advise, information or even exchange of ideas:   Allah SW send message through other people around us. In the story of prophet Musa AS we see one day in a state of anger prophet Musa AS struck a heavy blow accidentally to a man from the people of Egyptian. He immediately realized he murdered him in mistake and  asked for forgiveness from Allah . He knew the punishment for killing an Egyptian is death. so Allah sent a man with a message for him  "And there came a man running, from the farthest end of the city. He said: "O Moses! Verily, the chiefs are taking counsel together about you, to kill you, so escape. Truly, I am to you of those who give sincere advice." (28:20)

4) Through dreams and vision: we all know the story of the prophet Yusuf AS. Whenever the word dream comes to my mind i remember the verse about the king's dream. Allah has communicated through his dream and gave the prophet an opportunity to interpret it for a reason. 

“And (once) the king (of Egypt) said: ‘Verily I saw (in a dream) seven fat cows which seven lean cows were eating; and seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry. O’ chiefs (of my court)! Explain to me my dream, if you are able to interpret dreams’.” Surah Yusuf verse 43

This is a clear proof that anyone is able to see visions or dreams about a future event if Allah wills. 

5) Through life circumstances( condition, events that are connected with), incidents of our own or people around us:   We are constantly learning from our mistakes and from our success. same goes with the people around us, we learn from them too. "we" all get selected by Allah to face  " situations " so that we can be an example regardless of good or bad for that community. That means our life has been planed out by the creator based on our choices we make. And there is a lesson for everyone in it even though our perspective may differ. look at The story of Habil and Qabil, one of the brother had been selected to carry out the first murder on the earth. let's look into our own family members who passed away; aren't they the example for us to do things in certain ways or to bring a change into our life? Allah says this in the quran

"God wishes to make it clear to you and guide you through the example of earlier people, and to forgive you, for God is all-knowing and all-wise." 4:26 

There are numerous verses addressing " have you seen the  one who"......25:43  to grab our attention to see what are the lessons behind peoples' the trials who are given something or taken away from them or are put in an unique situation only by Allah. I think the big questions to ask is " "why am i seeing it? Is there anything Allah is trying to tell me ?

7) Through His word:   Allah spoke through all the prophets of all times. He has protected his words in the Quran for a reason. One great reason i believe is to communicate with us. No matter what our situations are there will always be something for everyone, for every types of hearts and temperaments in the Quran. After the prophets, it is our conscience and soul are the "communicator" from Allah. It is necessary to nurture that soul to be an attentive listener. Because by the faith that dwells within us, Allah will focus our attention on particular verses or passages in the Quran in order to communicate or guide us.

 "Surely, there is a reminder in this for anyone who has a heart or who listens attentively with presence of mind." 50:37

"This is the book, whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)." 2:2        

Communication is always open from the lord and he will keep showing the signs but only those who have the faith are able to grasp it. As this is a promise from him...  "we will show them our  signs in the horizon and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth from their lord". 41:53

May Allah register our names as his faithful believers who will try their best keep this communication going!  

You are being tested not thrown out of his Mercy!

Have you notice even though prophet Yunus AS was punished being in the belly of the whale, he was still in a safe surrounding? Punch line is Allah will tests us or even  punish us, but he will still keep us covered with his mercy! It is our responsibilities to feel that mercy and thank him for being the most merciful to us.
by the way, Why did prophet Yunus AS was punished in the first place? For giving up hope on his people. And getting angry at them. Not waiting for Allah's decision about them.

what was the purpose of the punishment? Setting aside "some lone time" for self-reflection! Acknowledging his weaknesses,repenting for making wrong decision realizing how helpless he was without Allah SW! And prophet's words came out in deep sorrow " “There is no God but You, Glorified be You! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers.”(Surah Al Anbiya, 21:87)
You are being tested not thrown out of his mercy!

Ya Allah, Ya Rahman, Ya Ar Raheem!!

Signs, communication, and Allah SWT

Allah SWT communicates with us in silence with his signs. And we will find those signs in his book. That's why he instructed us to read, he says in his book, The Holly Quran  " We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things?" 

(41:53). Allah speaks to us in various dramatic tones. sometimes some of us hear it from unexpected places. We don't need to go further to hear it, sometimes from the nature around us, the voice and the body languages of the people, from illness, disappointments; surprisingly, even from a song! All i pray to Allah( SWT) to show me his signs more clearly and make my heart contented, comforted and be inspired with his words. 

What a best replacement !

Our parents are one of the best blessings of Allah. That's why we are instructed to take the best care of them according to our ability. But what happens when they are gone from our life and they are taken away from us? We feel a deep hole inside as if the entire grand canyon is in our heart. We feel the deep wound of the earth in our own flesh. We ask Allah why did he do that to us? Doesn't he know what we would feel? I know how it feels as both of my parents are now in the best care of Allah. But wound didn't heal until i found a better replacement of them. I strongly believe our creator, Allah recompenses. Our prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us to ask for replacement for our loss by saying " Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un, Allahumma ajirni fi musibati wa akhlif li khairan minha‘ (Verily we belong to Allah and truly to Him shall we return. O Allah! Protect me in this calamity that has befallen me and replace it with something better), Allah will accept his prayer, grant him reward for his affliction, and replace it with something better.”  But what does Allah replace our parents with? That question, anger and grief swallowed me until i ponder upon some thoughts. when we lose our near and dear parents one or both, we have lost the worldly best treasures of the world, which can never be replaced with any worldly possession. But wait! look how Allah replaces ! Since Allah is the most merciful, and most generous and he always rewards better for loss; he himself comes more closer to us! SubhanaAllah! what a great reward for OUR LOSS! 

In times of difficulties......

when i am in times of difficulties what do i need most? From my personal experiences, i need knowledge; information .During these hard times I need to know about myself, who i am, what causes these difficulties? is it something from my own ego ? is it from any wrongdoings that i have undertaken but didn't realize ? or something i am already aware of it? Is there anything i could do to prevent them? Then  the most important thing i would need is the safest shelter; a hint  of indication that would inspire confidence, for that  I would read all the events, trials and tribulations of the prophets and see how Allah (SWT) tested them. And what these wonderful and patient personalities have done during these troubled times of their lives. And i would read lots of verses of the Quran that indicates belief, Hope, patience and glad tidings. 

sometime procrastination" I will do it Later" thought is helpful.

I was reading a post from a blog about how to keep your focus on something when you are depressed. I found a good numbers of tips that are useful for any brain.  If i talk about my own brain, do get distracted at reading time, so i gave some thoughts about it; and came up with one tip for staying focus, which i am trying for myself first when i sit for reading. I sit with a small memo book and a pen, as i read so many thoughts rushes into my head. i quickly write the thought down with a note" I will do it later". Then i go back reading and keep dragging myself to focus on again . It is working for me now a days, i hope it will be my " solution" forever. So the bottom line is procrastination is not bad all the time. It's just how you look at it and use it for your benefit!  

A Live, engaging and meaningful conversation with the creator....

Have you ever tried to pray the entire prayer in your own language? I haven't done it yet as i was taught directly to Arabic language since my childhood. But today i have been thinking how can i get more closer to Allah SW, and i was also trying to find some more verses from the Quran to get me more near to him. After my zuhar prayer, suddenly this idea came to me that what if i say my entire prayer may be the smallest unit of 2, be prayed in a language that i solely understand. I think this will make me stronger in my faith and to my relationship with Allah. I will know what i am uttering to him, and my audiences are my creator as well as the two angels who are appointed for me. what a live, engaging and meaningful ongoing communication between the creation and the creator. I should try it for my next prayer.  inshallah.

To my melancholy child!

When Allah SW wants to raise your rank, your position, my child, Allah will test you. He tested all the people who came before you. Even All the prophets didn't get spare from his tests. How would Allah test you? Allah will put you in some situations where you will be drawn toward indecencies, wrong people, bad companies, hurt feelings, classmates who will cheats in tests, and even put yourself in incidents where you will be blamed or misunderstood unfairly. Be sure of your good intentions, and put trust in Allah that it’s just test from Allah to see how strong believer you are.

Why will Allah SW do so? The answer is not quite simple to put in words but simply remember that he always want the best for you and will never put any burden that you won’t be able carry. Also to convey how much do you know of his love for you. Yes, I mean “love”, I know it will not make sense to you now, but if you keep thinking of those wrong actions of others or even yours, you will be able to find the truth of his words. You will find it in your way because Allah has promised to show signs within ourselves, that means the lesson and wisdom you will get from your life is not going to the same as others. This is unique and that will lead you back to your lord. So whenever you feel sad remember Allah said  “So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers.”( Al-imran, 3: 139)



 

Renewing the intention at the opening of mouth!

Allah (swt) has given us power to speak, Allah has created good and bad but made us simply the "doer". Are we using that power of speaking in a good manner? are we safeguarding ourselves from bad-mouthing? Even though it's hard for people to resist the gossip or attacking some one with our words of mouth, it is our duty to always renew our intention at the very moment we open our mouth. If we keep track of our own words more than other peoples'that what they have said ten years ago, we will benefit ourselves, we will raise our own status in the eye of Allah, and invoking Allah (swt) will be easily and honestly. 

Words of mouth that hurts

what makes you sad? when do we feel sad? Does sadness come from a sense of powerlessness? Have you ever been misunderstood and felt that you have been dishonored? Don't put too much pressure on your soul, Allah has never left you alone, it looks like he doesn't answer you right away, but if you keep asking for forgiveness for your own mistakes and ask Allah to open the eyes for you to distinguish the wrong from the right, Allah will refresh you with the blessings of strength of Imaan that you will spontaneously do good for those who have wronged you. Because look, what Allah is telling you "Let not their speech grieve you: for all power and honour belong to Allah. It is He Who hears and knows (all things)" (Surah Yunus10:65)  This verse can work as magic wand for the believers! words they uttered will come back to them very soon, some day some one will take the revenge, Allah will choose that "someone "to take revenge from our self but we don't want to take that "act "on our shoulders. We believe and pray and reflect on the words of Allah only! not on the hatred speech.

Allah wants to bring you toward him, and it is natural.

Allah almighty wants to bring you to him. He has decided for some people to take the shortest routes or the longest, no matter what the length of the journey; the destination is only toward him. The journey that we take toward him is through our own experiences in this world. Some have come to him just getting inspired by listening a verse from the holly Quran, some have come to him through the heart touching incidents in lives, and others through a need for their soul; like the rapper Loon, whose heart was filled with rhythm and music connected to the creator with the beautiful tune of our adhan- the prayer call. Surely Allah is great, he knows our  hearts, personalities and our needs that we don't have to come to him, he will bring us to him, all we do is just look around inside our soul, reflect, think, think and think about what we have gone through, ask questions, look around in the nature, above all, Read, Read and Read with the purpose to find him. He is so near that Allah almighty said " We created man and We know what his own self whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. (Surah Qaf: 16)

Is it so possible not to find him?

Dua for my children.....

Oh Allah! i can't say keep my children trial-free, all i can say is let them remember you at those moments that you are simply testing them to find the best ones so that they stay strong and tall in their faith.Oh Allah! i can't say don't place a burden on them but please don't place a burden that they cannot hold. Oh Allah! always guide them to your path, no matter what they face. Oh Allah!  make them rightly guided ones, and hold them with your rope, that you said in the Quran, to hold it tightly. Oh Allah! if you don't keep them safe, healthy and pious, no body has the strength and power to do that. Oh Allah! keep forgiving them if they forget to remember you, but always keep their conscious mind guilty of forgetting you so that they come back to you. And oh Allah! accept their apologies whenever you find them saying sorry to you from the bottom of their mind. Ameen.