lifes lessons

Succeeding with Sacrifice : Reflections on my "Ten Day sacrifice"

Salaams

Post my little sacrifice effort, I am sure everyone wants to know…how did it go? So here is my reflection.

Well, it was very hard at first, I kept thinking about wanting to revert back like I was missing something. But after the 5th day, it was much easier. I found so much else to do to replace the time I would usually spend on the stuff above. Like instead of using TV to relax, I did other things like read, play a board-game or just sit and watch the sunset and do nothing else! I also had loads of time to up my Ibaadah – I did everything I wanted to do including catching up on some missed fasts.

In the end what did I learn? I actually discovered some really interesting lessons.

a) I learnt that there is a time and place for everything. There really is! Some evenings after I did all my prayers, and Quraan reading etc, I wanted to just relax my mind. I didn’t want to read, or think too much – just chill. I realised, this could have been a time to watch TV.

b) I learnt that I could listen to lectures (I’m hooked on the Stories of the Prophets on YouTube) whilst doing chores in the house (for example cooking or tidying up) and be sufficiently engaged.

So what it meant to me is that I could keep my little ‘indulgences’ into my life – I learnt that they are best fit in AFTER I have done all my Ibaadah and obligations. So always Islam first, and then the rest.

So I made a list of all the Ibaadah activities I would like to achieve say in a week. I then made a list of all the conditions associated with how I spend my spare time. For example:

“I will only watch TV, if I have listened to an Islamic lecture/talk.”

And yes, I do think these two things are not mutually exclusive and can exist together- as long as the content is healthy, wholesome and beneficial at some level.

So all this thinking has ignited me into creating a reminder card to stay on track with my new habits. ( I even up-cycled by using a Hajj card that a local charity posted out to me so the theme fits!)

All of this is only through the Grace and Mercy of Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Succeeding with sacrifice Inshallah,
M4Life

My Dhul Hijjah "Ten Day Sacrifice plan"

Salaams

This year during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, like last year, I embarked on a “sacrifice” of my own. Although I wasn’t in Hajj, I recognized the importance of these blessed days, and decided that I wanted to make the most of it as well. I wanted to use it as a way to get back on track after the great habits set up after Ramadaan. And I wanted to use it as a way to re-connect with my Lord. As I am on sabbatical from my corporate job (I know I owe another blog post on that one!), I should have loads of time right, so I wanted to make something meaningful of this time, so this was my “Ten Day Sacrifice plan”:

I gave up the things in my life that were taking up time unconsciously and where I wasn’t seeing much benefit. For me this was :

a) watching TV (mostly series, movies, some sitcoms and loads of cooking shows)
b) playing Covet on my phone

I’m sure there are others, but this was a good starting point for me. I don’t think doing any of this is totally wrong, by the way, but for me I wanted a break to see whether I could sacrifice it – because as soon as something becomes too hard to let go of and an attachment develops – you know you have problems!

Watch this space for the results and also what I learnt Inshallah!

Psyched to sacrifice ,
M4Life

Proud to be Muslim and empowered with my finances + my step-by-step Zakaat calculation

Salaams

Today I went to my local Citizens advice bureau for mandatory pension advise and what could have been a regular boring meeting turned out to be a rather interesting discussion when we started talking about shariah compliance dealings!

As the adviser was curious about shariah compliant pension and loans,  I ended up explaining to the adviser how it all works islamically as I understood it, and why we as Muslims do not accept or pay interest, how we only engage in definitive transactions avoid anything speculative. ISo we don’t have the stress of market rates and speculation – we know exactly what we are in for and that’s all we take a loan for – no hidden costs or added drama! I explained how we are taught not to just float around but we are proactive and aware of exactly what we are in for with anything financial.

It made me realise Alhamdulillah, how fortunate we are as Muslims to :
a) have a sustainable and wholesome model when it comes to finance and borrowings and investments etc
b) be in the position to be fully aware of exactly what our assets and wealth is so we can calculate zakaat (compulsory charity of 2.5% p.a to give to the poor to keep money circulating within society)
c) be aware of all the details in any financial dealings – where our money is invested, what it is worth etc. totally proactive and in charge!

The adviser said he didn’t have a clue as to how much wealth he has, and it seems so hard to calculate this. But whilst we are not taught to  sit and count our gold everyday, because of Zakaah, we take some time out, once a year to take stock, list all our assets and liabilities and pay our due – what a wonderful way to be conscious of all that we own, and use the opportunity to be grateful for what we have and also plan for the future. And calculating is made so easy nowadays with Ready-made excel sheets, and online tools. This is my Step by Step Zakaah calculation method that I employ each year:

1.Many years ago I took all my jewelry to weigh and recorded this, So now I can just use that list (topped up with anything additional)
2. I use an excel template from SANZAF  and update it each year with the new figures, but there is also a great tool on NZF if you prefer a UK sheet (zakaat tool)
3. I call my local jeweler for the price of gold, and I use this site (and then take the higher amount between the 2 to be safe)
4. I check my bank balance (and wallet!), any investments etc. Don’t forget the cash stash in your bottom drawer! Also to remember any foreign currency
5. Populate the spreadsheet, and the Zakaah due is automatically calculated. I always round up just in case,
6. Start paying up – with family, and then there’s loads of charities that can be paid online.

So I know some people find it laborious and difficult, but its really not once you have it all set up and have a plan. I’m so proud to be Muslim and be so empowered with my finances. I hope you are too 🙂

Powering through pensions and zapping my Zakaah, Inshallah
M4Life

Online Halqa – Surah Ra'ad

Salaams
 
Just to share my take out from todays Online Halqah – from Surah Ra’ad  Vs 1-10
 
Allah tells us to LOOK for his signs to help us believe.
 
In Islam we are not expected to just believe- Allah encourages us to REFLECT, look for his signs and believe.
This is so different to my Christian friend who said to me recently that in her religon its all just about faith – and I explained how in Islam its more than that – things make sense and we are encouraged to question and understand -and of course faith is crucial too – but the fact that Islam makes sense, and faith and this logic go together. Whereas she says she knows her religon (or at least her interpretation of it) doesnt always make sense! How sad for her..
 
So, it would be great to take a small step in implementing this surah by looking for and acknowledging 1 sign from Allah a day at least, Inshallah
 
🙂
M4Life

My Islam in London

Slms

If I had to reflect on my life in London so far, Mashallah it has been pretty much what we envisaged, and a little more.

But whats been on my mind recently has been my lack of getting involved in Islamic activities, programmes and Ibaadah. So Mashallah, Allah has given me enough hidaaya to read my salaah, read a little etc..but what I feel Im really missing out on is being in Islamic environments, really involved you know? We cant really say that there arent opportunities here in London…and besides, when my husband and I moved to the UK, it was one of the main motivators for this place- the abundance of programs and opportunities Mashallah

So, I have decided to take small actions Inshallah in my daily life to up my game. We attend online halqa weekly, but instead of pottering around while its on, I want to stop, take the 1 hour to give all my attention and really reap the benefits, Inshallah
And there is a talk on a Friday at our nearby masjid that we have no excuse not to attend!

So thats my first few steps, my little actions and Inshallah the idea is to keep these up, and then add more in.

Any other ideas for little actions we can take?

May Allah make it easy for us and help us make the most of opportunities to come closer to HIM and earn His pleasure. Inshallah Aameen

🙂
M4Life

Family

Slms

I just had a realisation…you know when you are far away from your family and u miss them sooo much..
I realise that you should be grateful that they are still in your life, maybe far away, maybe you cant see them, but they are there and you can still communicate, talk, ask, interact..at least they are alive and well, and you can always reach out to them

Life is too short, like I have seen in the past few months, so I just want to be grateful that I have my family in my life

Alhamdulillah!
🙂
M4life

Islam – what u make of it

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Salaams

I have finally understood what it means to be a Muslim..well sort of

All my life it has been so easy to be a Muslim..just went with the flow of things..it was all around me…musjids in my area, family involved in islam..muslim school..it was all handed over to me..so easy to practice

But now where I am, it is not there for me..i didn’t hear the azan for 3 weeks and my heart ached…I barely see muslims around me, let alone hear or feel any semblance of Islam..does this make me a bad Muslim? It is wrong that I am not seeing Islam everyday? That’s what I was thinking..that I am in this western world and its taking me away from Islam..but then I realised:

I have to bring Islam into my life.

Its up to me to get involved, play qirat, make zikr, read up…bring islam into my life. Its ok that I am in a western setting and islam is not readily visible to me..but its in m yheart and the more I open up to that the more I can see it in front me! Go online and find classes or events, attend these events, look for any opportunity to be islamicand feel Islam..small things like listening to Surah Yaseen every morning on my ipod on the way to work..on the train catch up on quran listening, imagine how much of zikr I can make on the train! I have to bring it in my life..and its exciting to keep looking for these opportunities.

Its not easy but it’s a challenge Im willing to tackle IA

I ask Allah to make it easy for me and to keep my consciousness of HIM at the maximum at all times

Bismillah!!

🙂

taskeen

lots to learn

Slms
wow!
 
what a life lesson!
its all about perception, dammit i need to learn 😦
its not about how honest u are its about what image u put out there
its so unfair but i need to learn
u have to look innocent and sweet and pretend to be so flexible and go with the flow
u cant be seen to stand up for yourself!
theres no such thing as being open about ur principles!!
omg
 
i have to learn!
 

Life!

Slms
 
Life is so funny, so funny….
 
Why do we get thrown these life lessons that we dont want! Allah knows best..in every situation is a lesson, but its soo hard sometimes to accept it!
takes so much courage to find the lesson, but we need to embrace it as Allahs way of guiding us..
 
Inshallah
Im in a hectic situation..boss stories..but this is my lifes lesson that I want to uncover
 
Make dua!
:))
M4life

My Hajj

I cant beleive I have been for Hajj, Alhamdulillah 🙂
It was super fantastci, I loved the expereince of hajj, so symbolic and so powerful. I felt so close to Allah, I sae Him everywhere, I felt Him all the time…no where else in the world comes close…
Of course I missed home, but I didnt miss the worldliness of this place…
Going away really helped me break through the routine of my life..I no longer say”on saturdays I have to do this…” etc I just make up things as the time goes along. I also re evaluate everything..is this worth it? Is this worth my time? Can i push myself? Why cant I read more after salaah? What am I replacing with extra reading and sitting on the musallah?
I cant belive how I actually changed my dressing, Alhamdulillah! Wearing abaya/cloak now 🙂 Look its hard, im not going to lie..at work anyway..but so far havent found a single reason strong enough to tell me to stop so here goes, IA!
Strong faith is the biggest lesson for me…believing in Allah and seeing duas come true is what I learnt the most…God, I miss that place soo much! Everyone doing the same thing, thinking the same thing, for one purpose alone,..powerful!
And Madinah…..Ya Allah i LOVED it so much…so beautiful..I really felt so close to Rasullulah (SAW)…spoke to him, cried by him..made so much dua in Masjidun Nabawi
Id love to go again IA..but with a breakand after longing to go again…to really appreciate it
My 40 days are up tomorrow..im not my own again 🙂 May Allah accept all my duas, all our prayers, our Hajj and everything we do from now onwards
Oh also tawaf…knowing that all your duas are accepted! so mashallah! i just asked and asked for everything that I wanted…I want it all to come true, IA.
just want to keep it up IA!
🙂