Answered Prayers

When the wife of Imran said: ‘O my Lord! I have vowed to you what is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services, so accept this from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing.’

Then when she gave birth to her (child, Mary), she said: ‘O my Lord! I have given birth to a female child,’ – and Allah knew better what she brought forth, - ‘And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with You for her and for her offspring from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast.’

So her Lord accepted her with goodly acceptance. He made her grow in a good manner and put her under the care of Zakariyya. Every time he entered Al Mihrab (a praying place) to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: ‘O Maryam! From where have you got this?’ She said, ‘This is from Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.’

At that time, Zakariyya invoked his Lord saying: ‘O my Lord! Grant me from you a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.’

Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al Mihrab (a praying place): ‘Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming the Word from Allah, noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet from among the righteous.’

He said, ‘O my Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old and my wife is barren?’ (Allah) said: ‘Thus Allah does what He wills.’

He said: ‘O my Lord! Make a sign for me.’ (Allah) said, ‘Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. And remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the afternoon and in the morning.’

And (remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her life lifetime).’

O Mary! ‘Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord and prostrate yourself, and bow down along with those who bow down.’

This is a part of the news of the Ghaib (Unseen, the news of the past nations of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to you. You were not with them when they cast lots with their pens as to whom of them should be charged with the care of Maryam, nor were you with them when they disputed.

(Remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word from Him, his name will be the Messiah ‘Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam, held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah.’

‘He will speak to the people, in the cradle and in manhood, and he will be one of the righteous.’

She said, ‘O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me.’ He said: ‘So for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: “Be!” – and it is.’

And he will teach him the Book and wisdom, the Taurat (Torah) and the Injil (Gospel).

And will make him a Messenger to the Children of Israel (saying): ‘I have come with a sign from your Lord, that I design for you out of clay, a figure like that of bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s Leave; and I heal him who was born blind, and the leper, and I bring the dead to life by Allah’s Leave. And I inform you of what you of what you eat, and what you store in your houses. Surely, therein is a sign for you, if you believe.

And I have come confirming that which was before me of the Taurat (Torah), and to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you, and I have come to you with a proof from your Lord. So fear Allah and obey me.

Truly Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the Straight Path.

3: 35-52

Starting from the 35^th verse of Surah ‘Ali Imran, there are narrations of invocations and answered prayers about the family of Imran.

In spite of their old age, we come across many stories in the Qur’an where people were given glad tidings of prayers being answered. No matter how long time had passed or will pass, the Lord never neglects those who constantly turn to Him. They include the story of Abraham and his being granted righteous children who were chosen as Prophets, the story of Moses’ mother and her trust in her Lord when she cast her child unto the river, the story of Joseph and his fulfilled vision, the despair and hope of Jacob for his son Joseph and being reunited with him.

His word, ‘Be and it is!’ makes all things possible, when man never expected will ever happen.

These are stories of patience, of striving in the midst of hardship, of living a pure and virtuous life despite being surrounded with trials and sin, of overflowing hope in His Mercy and Power, of miracles, signs, fulfilled promises, and reliance upon Allah and in His wisdom.

These people remained true in their covenant with God, and their lives were dedicated to Tawheed and in conveying its message to the people. Their prayers were answered, they were granted children and families whom they dedicated for His worship, and set example to the rest of those whom they lived with and for generations to come.

Whether male or female, they conveyed God’s word and lived by His commandments.

It was not an easy task, nor a life of pleasant enjoyment. They are near to God, but they were the ones who were tried the most. Many of them were killed, suffered persecution and countless hardships. After giving birth to Jesus, Mary was accused of immorality by her people. But as a miracle from Allah, her child Jesus defended her by speaking while in the cradle. John, despite living a pure life, was martyred by being beheaded by a king upon the order of vengeful woman.

Jesus commanded the people to worship Allah alone, but his people refused to believe in his message and even tried to harm him. When he was taken by Allah to be saved from persecution, those with whom he was not sent to as a messenger worshipped him as a god.

And (remember) when Allah said: ‘O Isa (Jesus), I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you [of the forged statement that Jesus is Allah’s son] of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you (monotheists, who worship none but Allah) superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute.

3: 55

During these times when many of us are being tried, these narrations serve as reminder that we are not alone, that trials (both hardship and ease) are a shared reality, a part of our existence in this world.

Consolation lies by being reminded of the fact that those nearest to God are the ones who are made to suffer the most difficult trials. But their nearness to Him is increased by their patience, in sincerity and steadfastness in adherence to their faith, in hope for His mercy and protection, His justice, and a good return unto Him in the end.

…Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.

3:10

Taking into Account

Taking account of ones self is consistently required in all things, whether apparent or hidden. While ordinary people might regard certain sins as unimportant, the believer, when acknowledging the right of Allah over him and his indebtedness to Him, sees them as ugly and dangerous. As a result, he cannot but see his good deeds as insignificant in this light, and therefore, he strives continuously to increase them. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم taught the best supplication for forgiveness:

O Allah, You are my Lord - there is no god but You. You created me, and I am your servant, and I uphold Your covenant and promise to You as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You Your favor upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me. Indeed, there is none who can forgive sins except You.

Repentance is a new beginning, as illustrated in the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: "Islam destroys what came before it, and repentance destroys what came before it." (Al Bukhari). Therefore, no soul should ever despair - no matter how great its sin - for Allah is near, ever-ready to receive repentance, willing to forgive, inviting all to forgiveness with the words:

"Say, 'O My servants who have committed excess against themselves, do not despair of Allah's mercy. Certainly does Allah forgive all sins, for it is He who is the Ever-Forgiving, Merciful." (39:53)

[Source: Realities of Faith, pp.32-33, Umm Muhammad]

Sunday

Went to the park with my sister-in-law and watched the fountains and had a talk for a few hours. We didn't reached evening to see the fountain lights, but the afternoon was still lovely.

Life

There are so many lessons learned, and there are so many ones yet to be learned. 

Life is an ongoing process of learning, a great responsibility,  not only for ones self, but also for others, and most of all in our relationship with Whom we came from. Life, faith, religion is a process of continual striving and on how to harmonize and balance the most often perceived conflict and imbalance of the three. 

And although sometimes, the thought comes into our minds if this still makes sense or it's something futile, but No - it isn't. It has meaning, and it serves a purpose. Some of us may take it and confine it in black and white (a kind of shortsightedness): for those not tolerant enough to accept that even though human beings are given with guidance directly from Allah - they also have different abilities and means of understanding, including free will and freedom of choice.

In the end, it is Allah who will decide what He wills for His creation. And thus, faith is not confined to preaching alone and exhorting others to good and condemning evil, while ones life and relation to the Creator, to ones self and compassion to other fellow beings is compromised. It is true, that while striving in the path of Allah we should have firm courage and conviction, but we also have to consider the situations and differences of others, and be tolerant and understanding to them. 

Islam is very simple and natural, it is responsive to our nature (Fitrah), it is not meant to complicate our lives, but to regulate it for our own benefit both in this world and in the Hereafter. It is not self-imposed hardship, nor extremism. It lies on the middle, moderate path. It tames the self and disciplines it, and it grants peace of mind and real inner happiness by channeling energies (not for instinctual yet destructive satisfaction) to what is the best for us: upon submission to Allah with love and hope, in recognition and sincerity to His Tawheed, and in following the example of His noble Messenger. And then, everything else follows.

May Allah accept our deeds and sacrifices. May Allah protect us from the evils of our selves, of what He has created, from the trials of this life, in the grave, and in the Day of Judgment. And may He guide us and enlighten our hearts and minds, and purify our souls, our bodies from our sins and mistakes. And may He grant us humility, compassion, and enduring patience until the Day He decides to take us back to Him.

Ameen.

Remembrance and Forgiveness

Indeed whenever I waiver and become indecisive in my mind about an issue, or about something or a situation (which is problematic for me) then I ask forgiveness of Allah the Most High a thousand times or more, or less until He opens my chest for me and solves the problem which I was confused about. Even if at that time I was in a market place, or in a masjid or in a mountain pass, or a school, that does not prevent me from the remembrance of Allah and asking for forgiveness until I achieve my objective.

 

- Ibn Taymiyyah

Roadsides

These are the trees I pass by everyday. During the summer months around February until May, they bear yellow flowers that fall on the ground and surround the air with delicate fragrance. I walk fast while cars and people pass me by along the road. Sometimes, I trip over when I'm not looking at the ground because there are many rocks, pebbles and exposed roots of trees, not to mention the trash that people throw away.

In the morning, I rush to walk to the library, and in the afternoon, I rush to return to our shop. And one of the reasons why I always rush walking is to avoid people staring at me. It's my daily dose of exercise, so to speak. But then just being surrounded with trees and some wildflowers along the road softens the stark environment of the city.

P.S.

I just dropped the set of Islamic lessons for this month at the post office a couple of hours ago. I'm wearing my new glasses (a second pair besides the prescription glasses), they were handed to me yesterday by my sister friend and they have a smaller frame which fit just right around my eyes. I'm adjusting with a bit of headache, but in sha Allah, I will get used with them. Whew, May is almost coming to an end, and it's time for scheduling plans for the coming month. :)

- maica

Sky

♡

Mirror

The believer is a mirror to another believer, he removes his sufferings and also protects him in his absence.

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

(compiled in Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi)

 

Sea and Cadena de Amor

The Prayer of Prophet Jonah

There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! Verily, I have been among the wrongdoers.

High Station

For a certain believer, Allah ordains a high position that he cannot achieve by himself. So Allah afflicts him with some physical or material distress or grief from within his family, whereby he is granted the good fortune of being patient. Thus, Allah raises him to the high station originally decreed for him.

 

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

(compiled in Abu Dawud and Musnad)

Artist's Studio

View from Artist’s Studio in the Alservorstadt Toard Dernbach, 1836, by Jakob Alt

Modesty

Every religion has a distinctive quality, and the distinctive quality of Islam is modesty.

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

(compiled in al Muwatta)

♡

Finally

Finally, after counting many years, my study was organized. I had shared here my frustrations of having a bookshelf and study on my room. Articles on the shelf include psychology, literature, coffeetables and art. Islamic books are on the writing table and are not shown. Alhamdulillah, it was a dream come true.

Faults

If God The Most High wills good for you, He will give you the ability to see your faults.

- al Ghazali

Meadow Garden

Recently

Picnic at the park with sissies / At the bookstore / Dinner / At the sea Sunday afternoon and I was not there (taken by my bros)
 

By Time

By Time,

Verily Man is in loss,  

Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, 

and in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.  

  

(103: 1-3)