spirituality

How I improved my duas to Allah with one easy tool

As part of my preparations for Ramadan this year, I decided to spend some time focusing on my dua, and defining what it is I would be asking of Allah during this special month. I realized that whilst dua is a daily practice, preceded by my every salaah, I have not given it enough meaningful attention to benefit from the value I could otherwise gain from it.

Allah says in the Quran (Chapter 40, Verse 60): “Call upon me; I will respond to you.”

I became aware that I have not been clear and specific in my appeal to Allah, often just quickly rattling off some previously thought of requests without giving it conscious thought. To expect results, I need to define exactly what I wanted from Allah, in all aspects of my life. This way I can feel sincerer and connected to Allah with my requests. So I sat down and brainstormed all the many things I wanted for myself- and my family by using an awesome tool called “Mind Maps.”
Artist: AJacub786
This takes me back to my school and university days where I would use this technique for studying, to categorise information when there is a lot to work with. Mind Maps are a creative way to visually represent ideas or lists that we have in our minds. It can help us to structure our thinking to give it purpose and meaning. We start with one idea and branch off to many others, thereby capturing all the things we want under each topic.

How to complete the Dua Mind Map
So for example, when structuring my dua request, I started with myself: “Me” in the image above, and then separated into two main areas: Deen (Hereafter) and Dunya (This World). Under “deen” I listed a few headings such as pleasing Allah, forgiveness and our ultimate goal – attaining jannah. You could list all the steps we need to take to get to jannah.


This World
Under “dunya”, I expanded to all the aspects in my life that I could think of – such as for personal
(health, mental, emotional etc.) and then to people in my life (family, friends, ummah), my environment (work, safety, etc.). All the time, listing in each category everything I desired, for
example under health asking for a stronger body, or to meet my fitness goals. Under family I listed protection, their success and happiness. The beauty is that nothing is out of scope as I continued to list everything I wanted under each subheading, remembering that Allah is Most Powerful and Most Merciful and can grant as He wishes.

Benefits
The purpose of using this tool, over simply listing is that the subheadings or branches, just provide a logical structure to ensure everything is covered. The creative process provides a lovely flow as thoughts keep popping up, and I could easily capture it under each branch. It also brought to my consciousness some things in my life that I wanted changed, yet I was not explicitly making dua for it! So I could now add it my comprehensive dua list.
How to use it
So once complete, how do I use this dua mind map in practice?  I could now either use it as a reference point to look at when making dua, or I noticed that many things I uncovered during the creative process itself, now automatically came to mind each time I make dua which is a great outcome too. This map can also be used to prompt when making shukr (thanks to Allah) as part of dua and daily practice.
Finally, for the best results, I will consider the most effective times for supplication, and structure the dua according to the way we were taught by the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon on him) by first thanking and praising Allah, and then emptying my heart to connect to Allah more deeply, using my new and improved comprehensive dua “list”.
In this way, I feel more present when I appeal to Allah through dua. I come from a place of being heartfelt, no longer absent mindedly making dua on autopilot. Rather I am fully conscious when I am asking for what I want from Almighty Allah- detailing to my hearts desire all the requests I can think of, for myself and my family, friends and indeed the world, Insha Allah.

Creating the Ramadan Spirit : The largest Iftaar picnic in Istanbul

My dream came true this year Alhamdulillah, when I got to visit Turkey’s famous Blue Mosque during the Muslim blessed month of Ramadan.

I have been living in Istanbul for 2 years, but have yet to experience this special month, or Eid in Istanbul as I have been travelling each year during this month. Before I moved here, my husband visited the vibrant Sultanahmet area during Ramadan, and spoke excitedly about the buzzing atmosphere there, and all my dreams about what Ramadan would be like in Turkey centred around this! So this year, when I could not feel much of a Ramadan vibe, or even see any change in lifestyle like people around me fasting or preparing for iftaar etc I couldnt help but feel a tad bit disappointed. I understood it was probably mostly down to the fact that I live in a largely secualr part of Istanbul (Besiktas). I knew that if I wanted to feel the Ramadan spirit, I would have to inject it myself, and that is what I have done by takig on ccertain iniatives like iftaar picnics and attending mass community iftaars (Read all about it in my previous posts).

One of the most exciting events for me in Ramadan this year though, was the iftaar picnic we had at the Blue Mosque, in Sultanahmet. We arrived at least an hour and a half before Maghrib salaah (dusk prayers), and already the large square, grassy patchy areas outside the musjid courtyard were filling up with what must be several thousand people by the end of the evening. There was a massive stage set up with a beautiful set for some speakers who were hosting a programme (Didn’t get what it was about as it was in Turkish!), but there were also some captivating salawat being read at one stage, which was lovely to listen to – or just have playing in the background as a treat to my subconscious mind!

We met a bunch of our friends there, and found a great spot to lay down our mats and our food to settle down before it was time to open our fast. The kids had a great time running around, enjoying being outside. there were lots of families, some really geared up with fold up tables and pots to cook Turkish cay (tea). It seemed like this was a regular event in any Turkish families calendar  – coming out here to break their fast together, in one of the most significant places in Istanbul- Sultanahmet square.

Before iftaar, I walked around the square to the pop up market that was set up – similar to the ‘Christmas Markets’ in most cities in Europe- this was Turkeys equivalent -the ‘Eid market‘ – rows of art/ craft stalls in wooden cabins as well as food stalls selling traditional Turkish Ramadan specialities such as “Ottoman sherbat” – a refreshing syrup drink made from a mix of flower extracts, fruits or herbs.

Eid Markets in Sultanahmet square

A few minutes before Maghrib (dusk prayers), we settled down on our picnic mats in the open air, under the dark sky and when we heard the beautiful adhaan from the Blue Mosque, opened our fasts together, passing around dates, water and fruit.

Largest iftaar picnic in Turkey

For the main meal, we shared around the dishes we brought from home (including being treated to delicious Indian food from a nearby restaurant!). Afterwards, we headed over to pray Maghrib salaah at the Blue Mosque. There was no jamaah (congregation)  for Maghrib (now expected- see my previous posts!) and it was quite crowded (also expected!) so we prayed in the courtyard which had rows of mats laid out. Theres just something about musjid courtyards that I love – like Masjid Nabawee in Madinah – always so peaceful to pray or relax in.

To end the evening we walked around again this time to find some Turkish cay (tea) and I tasted  “güllaç” for  the first time ( a Turkish dessert made with milk, pomegranate and a special kind of pastry especially consumed especially during Ramadan). By now the Taraweeh prayers had started and we could hear the beautiful recitation through the loudspeakers. Families still milled around, relaxing during the pleasant evening. The sad tradeoff we made when choosing to have iftaar in Sultanahmet was that we would have to commute back home (1 hour journey) during Taraweeh prayers jamaah, in order to get our little one home at a reasonable bed time, and therefore pray our salaah at home instead of together at the musjid.

Nonetheless, this was a spectacular experience and for me, Alhamdulillah truly captured the essence of Ramadan – sharing, unity, enjoying fulfilling our islamic obligations, being spiritual together – and a bonus – experiencing a new part of Istanbul life!

Injecting Ramadan spirit, one magical instance at a time,
M4D

Sit back and enjoy a response from ALLAH. ALLAH promises!

Greetings on this lovely day of Jumuah (Friday)


I have this thing with effort and reward. I practice it alot. Must be something I picked up growing up. Anyway, it serves me well as it works as motivation to keep me getting things done and working hard.


So it’s no wonder that this image shared on a family Whatsapp group hit home for me. It acted as a reminder for me to do my bit : all I need to do is these four things :
1. show gratitude
2. ask of Allah 
3. ask for forgiveness and 
4. constantly praise Allah
 
-and then sit back and enjoy a response from ALLAH Alone! 
 
 
 
 
There are some simple tasbeehs to read for each of these, so this is how I plan to implement.
 
Gratitude:  سبحان الله  (Subhanallah) Glory be to God
Ask of Allah:   لاَّ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنتَ سُبْحَـنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّـلِمِينَ ( La Ilaha Illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz Zalimeen)  “…There are none worthy of worship besides You. Glorified are You. Surely I am from the wrongdoers.” (21:87)*
Forgiveness :  أستغفر الله‎ (Astaghfirullah)  I ask Allah forgiveness
Praise:  الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah) Praise be to Allah 
 
Maybe I can read them all every day, so maybe depending on the situation and my need I will increase recitation of a particular need. Either way, I am promised by my Lord a certain response from HIM if I do one of the following. WOW, that’s not just something, that’s everything!
 
Prayers and reminders I hope to heed, 
M4Life
 
*Dua of Prophet Yunus (May Peace be upon him), when he was swallowed by the whale and read this very powerful dua which I just love. Feel like it gets me out of any sticky situation, Alhamdulillah!

Two Forms of Mercy…Two states in One

Salaams

So I listened to a talk recently by Ustaadh NAK (you know who I mean!) explaining the two Names of Allah Ar Rahman and Ar Rahim : two forms of mercy and I was so inspired. 

I also learnt that by listening to something more than once it really solidifies your understanding. Anyway here is my take on it based on what I heard:

Ar Rahman – ارحمان : Allah’s mercy and love is extreme, not permanent( this life),  happening right now ( eg hunger similar word pattern جوعان)  mercy that’s more immediate.

Ar Rahim – ارحيم – Allah’s mercy  that’s always there and you can count on it. Quality that doesn’t change. Not necessarily taking place right now- potential.

So what does it mean?

When you want Allah’s mercy in a time of need, you need it immediately – and intensely! Then you appeal to His quality of Ar Rahman. Not thinking of the future or the potential of mercy right now. But as a human we need instant meeting of needs.

Once it’s met, you now can turn to his quality of Ar Raheem knowing he will always have Mercy should you need to call upon it in the future.
Subhanallah!

Only in Allah the Most Powerful can two forms exist in one – amazing.

May Allah grant us understanding and MERCY

Aameen

🙂
Praying for His Mercy,
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!
🙂

Post Ramadaan Post about Ramadaan


Slms
I have had so many thoughts that I wanted to post recently but they keep getting stale cos I have had no time to post them!
So pardon my Ramadaan post – it might be late but still so important to me!
 
Suhoor at Steers (18 October 2006)

My enjoyment of Ramadaan has blessed me in another way – I am really feeling more & more stronger towards rejecting the Western way of living, Alhamdulillah.You see Im surrounded by it daily at work and often I completely take for granted how much of their lives I’m unwittingly exposed to. Sometimes I feel left out , like I was the boring one and maybe there was something wrong with me almost.

And so I get to what happened at Suhoor at Steers. There were so many families eating suhoor at the restaurant. There’s something so fine about knowing that everyone there was there for the same purpose of eating suhoor for the fast, we were all going to go home to read Fajr and then we all will fast the next day. And also at the restaurant at 3:30 am there some drunken Non Muslim girls with a guy. They were so out of place in this restaurant where everyone else was partaking in a blessed practice of Suhoor for the fast the next day. And WE Muslims were not the odd ones out! At that time, I really appreciated the Muslim way of life!

So by being so immersed into  Islam this Ramadaan by listening to Radio Alansaar, forgetting about music and TV and being involved with Muslims overseas via blogging ; that being around non Muslims has for the first time felt strange for me! Woohoo! Subhanallah! And what amplified it was a guest from Jeddah who made us so jealous about living in Jeddah (which btw is 45 mins from Makkah! J) Anyway he was telling us about Ramadaan in Muslim countries- how the canteen is closed and non Muslims are the minority so eating is just not happening in Ramadaan – how cool is that? No more having to salivate when looking at the delicious strirfrys being made – or smelling the yummy cake being baked in the building! There’s so much unity when most people in a country are all fasting at the same time.


I would love to experience Ramadaan in a Muslim country Inshallah one day. But for now I’m in a non Muslim country so im going to make the best of it – and enjoy being a Proudly South African Muslimah!

Muslimah 4 life, Inshallah
TasKeeN

Keeping the Faith

Salaams

I learnt a very valuable lesson this Ramadaan (well I learnt many lessons but this is my favourite!) I learnt to trust in Allah. And you know what, it felt so good! After all , that’s what Hes there for , and that’s what He wants us to do. There was something that wasn’t working out for me and either I would have lost a lot of money or I would have got my money back but wouldn’t have received the items I wanted so badly and chose so specially. Whilst this may have been on a simple material level, it could very well apply to any situation in life. So anyway I felt so helpless but then I had hope because of Allah – I prayed to Him for guidance, I submitted to Him to decide for me which outcome was better and I promised Him that I would be happy with either way. So I tied my camel and left the rest up to Him. And it felt so good, Alhamdulillah!

And so Allah decided for me that receiving the items was better for me. But I had such strong faith in Him that I would have been happy with either decision. A thought I love to live by is that whenever I am disappointed, or I missed something I think to myself
“Allah has saved me from something worse”
and that really gets me by, Alhamdulillah.

Keeping the faith,
TasKeeN