thoughts

Moaning, not appreciating

While studying the story about Moosa AS in our weekly halqa, I came across this ayah from the Quran on showing gratitude:

And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ ” (14:7)

We discussed what the Shaykh had taught us in a course on “Discourses from the Quran” that we attended in London a few years ago and we remembered how he had mentioned that gratitude is something you ARE and LIVE, not just DO. So through your actions you are grateful, not just doing a ritual for a few minutes when you feel like it, thinking your gratitude action is done for the day (or week or month!).

I started thinking about being grateful and  made me realise that you can’t be grateful and complain at the same time. Go on, try it!

So every minute we spend complaining, it’s taking us away from focusing on all that’s good and counting our blessings. Rather we are left feeling more horrible and finding more ways to deepen our sorrow- not a very positive place to be in!

And  I think we moan far more than we actually think we do – from the time the alarm goes off in the morning (Oh boy, time to wake up already?!), we have niggles about everything. Or is it just me thats grumpy when things don’t work out?! Good exercise to practice – observing how many complaints we have in a day – nothing like starting a complaining journal to give us a reality check!

Perhaps I’ll add this to the things I want to do to do better in 2018 i.e simply complain less! It’s a practical way to show gratitude as well in every situation or moment.

Being grateful, one less complaint at a time,
M4life

There’s always so much to appreciate – if we can be aware!

All that's Sweet is not necessarily Sweeeeet

Chocolate cake and macarons. Strawberry jelly, lemon cheesecake and cronuts. Who doesn’t like sweet things? And it’s all ok if handled in moderation.
The issue comes in when we make this our objective, and spend too much money, time and effort on this. And when we dont know when and where to stop and go over any reasonable limits. This point is timely given the festive time of year when sweet indulgences are top of mind – and in full swing for most of us!
Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“The world is sweet and green (alluring) and verily Allah is going to install you as vicegerent in it in order to see how you act…”
Sahih Muslim

Listening to the tafseer of Surah Maryam on YouTube, Shaykh Jangda explains the metaphor that Nabi Muhammad (May peace be upon him) uses for this world being “sweet” and “green”:

  • We know that things that are sweet are not so good for us, but the allure is always there. It just tastes so good! But the effects are felt later on – the “high” that you feel comes crushing down leaving you miserable and having no energy to do anything good.
  • Sweet stuff looks bright, yummy, attractive. Just like frivolous things in this world – they appear to be shiny and fun but actually can do more harm for us if it becomes all we focus on and live for.
  • Sweet stuff can be addictive. Didn’t mean to eat the whole bar of chocolate? Well, it happened. sweet things have that effect. Its the same as being involved in worldly pursuits – it just keeps going on – it’s never enough to just have that big house, now you want to fill it up with stuff. It’s tempting and unless you have set your own limits it can become all encompassing in your life and really distract you from your purpose here on earth.
  • Sweet stuff spoil quicker – for example milky desserts if left out wont last very long. Similarly, things in this world do not last long. Unlike doing good deeds thinking about the Hereafter. Shaykh talks about saying one “Subhanallah” – boom, a tree is planted for you in Jannah. Hows that for everlasting?
  • “Green” refers to that which is attractive – like fruit and vegetables when they are just grown are so appealing and fresh. Just like the shiny things in this world can be – items to buy, positions to hold.
Switching from the sweet to the substantial,
Muslimah 4 Life

Simple moments from Umrah that I wish I could have again


Slms

Returning from Umrah, knowing it may be a long time before I can go back again is heavy on the heart. As I return to my regular life I find myself dreaming in the day as memories of simple moments there float into my mind. Right now, standing in my kitchen preparing dinner , I wish I could …

– Just pop out to make a Salaah in the haram.

– fill my bottle of water with Zam Zam without restriction.

– get a glance at the Kaabah

– listen to the nasheeds about Makkah and madinah without my heart breaking and without crying

Just jump on the next plane and go back!!

Insha Allah may Allah take us all there one day, Aameen

Keeping the faith,
M4Life

Umrah in my 30's vs 20's

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Salaams!

I’m just back from being called again to the blessed lands of Makkah and Madinah to make Umrah with my family, Alhamdulillah!

I previously made Hajj about 8 years ago. That was my first pilgrimage and only my second trip overseas. It was an amazing experience, one that definitely lasts a lifetime- both the five days of hajj itself as well as the Umrah and visit to Madinah that accompanies it.

I’m calling this post umrah in my 30’s vs 20’s, to refer to the contrast between the two trips I have had to visit Makkah and Madinah, but I’m not entirely sure what is behind the differences I felt between the previous visit and this one , but whatever it was , I found an interesting contrast that’s worth thinking over.

The first difference was that on this trip I felt more connected with other hajjis ( other people performing umrah). My first trip was during the time of hajj so the crowds were intense – and it was challenging for me; my test I called it. As a result I think I resisted the crowds and tried to stay away ( which is impossible of course as they are everywhere !)
But this time, Subhanallah I was open and more relaxed with people around me. As a result my experience was richer and more meaningful. I relished in giving out sweets and gifts, handing out Zam Zam and speaking to people from Palestine, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt. These were small efforts, and I wish I could have done more but evry moment that I spent interacting I really enjoyed. This time, I embraced the crowds, worked alongside rather than against them and Alhamdulillah this was so fulfilling. May Allah accept.

Second difference : finding quiet time to pray, think and even plan! Yip, in Madinah, I found myself so clear in my mind it was wonderful. I used to find it noisy and busy on my first trip, I think I let everything around me get to me! This time I relaxed in my environment and tried to find my own space to do my thing, which was amazing. I could spend lots of time praying this way. I felt peaceful, satisfied and it was a very fulfilling experience. Rest and having meals felt more enjoyable as well as it came after spending a long time praying in the haram.

I also noticed that on my previous trip I followed my books strictly, not wanting to miss a single recommended dua even if it meant navigating crowds in tawaf with my faithful books in my hand. I feel that now, a bit older (and wiser?), I paid more attention to closely guarding the duas from sunnah of course, but that I found my own duas and zikr to make at significant times, that resonated with me at the time. In this way, I was more engaged and made the tawaf for instance more meaningful- and personal. 

It’s not that one way was better than the other, it’s just some observations that have stood out for me as being interesting and worth sharing.

Lastly, the highlight of my first trip was the five days of hajj for sure – I loved camping in the tents of Minah, sleeping under the stars in Muzdalifa and making friends for life during those special days.

The highlight of my second umrah this year was climbing up Jabl al Nur to reach the Cave of Hira.
But you’ll have to wait to read my next post for more on that exhilarating experience!

May Allah accept, forgive my shortcomings and take us all on this marvellous journey!IMG_1362

Aameen
M4Life