09.29.08
Today’s Words of Wisdom #6
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
Actually, this post is from today. I spoke to a special spiritual friend of mine on the phone and he said something that I guess really struck a cord with me.
I have lost a friend of mine recently. She took her own life in hopes of finding a higher meaning than the nihilistic viewpoint of life she previously had. I knew she was seeking help, but she honestly could not handle it. It pained me greatly, and although I really wish I could have helped her, I guess I could not reach out to her in time.
So I called a spiritual friend of mine and I told him of my sadness, and he said something that he wants me to remember for the rest of my life and maybe you should remember it too:
The reason why people choose death often do because they want to truly live. They should be pitied because they chose to take their destiny in their hands, and now must face Allah. But they are bleeding to live. So even those who die want life–a true life–a life we know can only be achieved in one way–
–I remained silent and he paused for a moment–
True life is when we cast aside everything but Allah.
Today’s Words of Wisdom #5
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
Actually, these words of wisdom I got last Friday, so it technically was not today. =) But it is post worthy, and I should warn you, it will take a lot of thought to fully comprehend it–and even then you won’t get it. And if you think you got it, well, then you REALLY didn’t get it.
For the past couple weeks (months lol) things have not been, let us say, great. Allah has been testing and I am trying, but it has affected my mood as of late. I stopped by a professor’s office (5 guesses who, Sarah) and he told me to come in. He asked how I was because I seemed kind of down. I guess I have been worried about my relationship with God because I really blew this Ramadan. I mean, I tried my best to pray, make tauba, and contemplate, but I really did not improve this Ramadan. Quite sad actually. Anyway, it was not a very productive conversation until he randomly brought up something.
He asked me if I knew my parents loved me. Read the rest of this entry »
09.26.08
Where is the Love–??? [?]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
I was passing a small halaqah in the masjid and I overheard a good 15 minutes and I *HAD* to put whatever notes I was able to scratch up on the back of my lab report. XD
–As Muslims, we believe that it is through love, we will reach Allah. Prophet Muhammad, Maulana Rumi, Imam Al Ghazali, and many other Muslim scholars emphasized the love of Allah through the love of what He loves and to love others for Him.
–It is through love for Allah that we will attain ultimate inner peace.
–All the prayer, fasting, ibadaat we do is all to increase this love.
–Many people may think that non Muslims may not understand this love or the truth of Islam, so they do not deserve this love, but love for Allah means to love all of His creation for Him, to love every person for being chosen by God to live. Does not every individual have a soul? For even that simple reason, do they deserve love. Read the rest of this entry »
09.23.08
EC MSA lecture series (I) [Duaa]
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
*I will like to admit that these notes were NOT taken by me, but by Sarah, who is an AWESOME note taker*
Last week, a member of the EC MSA gave a speech on Duaa and I did not take notes because I thought he was going to talk for a couple minutes, but it turned into a mini khutbah. It was *excellent* but I was too lazy to take notes and I am sick. =) Anyway, here are Sarah’s notes on that ‘lecture:’
Duaa
o Du’aa literally means to supplicate/call on God. Read the rest of this entry »
09.16.08
Today’s Words of Wisdom 4
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
I went to the library and I found a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. As I was flipping the pages of one of my beloved books, a friend of mine met me at the library and noticed the book I was holding. For those who don’t know, the novel deals with a lot of themes relating to emotion. It ranges from the idea of belongingness (love) to the desperation of will (a lot of characters contemplate and some carry out suicide–but it is a happy ending.) One famous quote from the book is about the idea that the more pain you feel expands how much joy you can feel as well. I personally think it is a loaded argument, but back to me meeting someone at the library. Read the rest of this entry »
09.14.08
The Human Heart–Charlotte Bronte
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
I got a lovely gift that I have no words to describe. Part of it was a lovely poem (I want to say ballad) by Charlotte Bronte. It meant *a lot* to me for some odd reason.
The human heart has hidden treasures,
In secret kept, in silence sealed:-
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams the pleasures,
Whose charms were broken if revealed.
And days may pass in gay confusion,
And nights in rosy riot fly,
While, lost in Fame’s or Wealth’s illusion,
The memory of the Past may die.
Thank you.
Days may pass with words unsaid,
thoughts and letters left unread,
but with every day made anew,
I always whisper I love you.
09.02.08
Today’s Words of Wisdom 3
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum,
I have been in an absolutely foul mood as of late, some may think it is over drawn while others are wondering why I am so patient. Anyway, I went for a walk and I sat on the bridge over the pond. A person from my neighborhood joined me and asked why I looked upset. I did not want to talk about it and I just simply said that I am having a hard time appreciating certain people. I have learned that if anyone ever knew what hell was, no one would wish it even for their worst enemy. So he gave me a piece of bread and him and I fed the fish for couple minutes. Somewhere in the midst of our short conversation, he said something that I hope to never forget. Maybe it is overated, or maybe it was the moment, but it was so simple I had to share it:
“There is not a single thing I do not cherish.”
Being Ramadan, I thought that was something very valuable to think about in the first ten days of mercy (or just in general). If he said that and he is just a human being, then what about God? Our capacity to love appears endless for a human being, but God’s must be beyond even that. He said that it is not about sitting there waiting for God to reach His hand out to you, (Well, he said divine power, etc.–) but we must make an active effort to try to learn how to ‘love.’ But that sentence and this concept have been ringing in my head and maybe it can make more sense to you.
