Islamic Schools — Parent Viewpoint (SunniSister)

Umm Zaid's excellent presentation of Islamic Schools...

Islamic Schools — Parent Viewpoint (SunniSister)

Lots of work to do...

Indeed, No Praise is High Enough...

The people who have been blessed to be able to attend the Rihla in Madinah are continuing to update their blog

Reading it has brought back memories of Madinah as if they took place just yesterday. I had always heard of the blessed nature of the City of the Beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), but the sweetness every ounce of one's being feels in Madinah is beyond words... All who have been there know how the heart longs to be there near the Blessed Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), and how undeserving of the honour one feels when one is there...Subhan'Allah, Subhan'Allah...Subhan'Allah....

Those who have not been...Go. Do whatever it takes. Just Go.

May Allah give me and all those whose hearts long to be in the blessed lands, another opportunity to do so...Ameen.

Jazakum Allahu Khayr to the brothers and sisters updating the blog from Madinah.

Islamic Schools — Staff Viewpoint (SunniSister)

Umm Zaid details the staff side of issues with Islamic Schools: "Islamic Schools — Staff Viewpoint".

You cannot cure something until you understand what it is. If Muslims are to (truly) succeed in the West, Islamic Schools must be a focus -- we must make changes, we must grow. Umm Zaid presents some of the main issues and possible solutions...

[UZ: It's a *good* post...not "too negative" or "too angry". I hope you don't remove it this time!]

Body & Soul - Handouts

Handouts from the recent Body & Soul programme with Sidi Hakim Archuletta and others...

Excellent.

Take it to the Academy If You're Serious

A note: The place for real intellectual debate is the Academy.

This blog was set up with the intention and objective of sharing things of benefit to believers. Things I run across and enjoy.

Peace, and God Bless.

The label of Catholic terror was never used about the IRA - Karen Armstrong

Having appreciated her work for years, I had the chance to meet Karen Armstrong at a conference last year where she was the keynote speaker.

Guardian Unlimited: The label of Catholic terror was never used about the IRA - Karen Armstrong

"Precise intelligence is essential in any conflict. It is important to know who our enemies are, but equally crucial to know who they are not. It is even more vital to avoid turning potential friends into foes. By making the disciplined effort to name our enemies correctly, we will learn more about them, and come one step nearer, perhaps, to solving the seemingly intractable and increasingly perilous problems of our divided world."

Bush's war on terror is a colossal failure - Haroon Siddiqui

What happened in London was wrong. Every sane person knows that. Haroon Siddiqui, as always, sheds some light on the situation and puts things into perspective. A man I truly respect and admire, may Allah preserve him and bring him all khayr. Ameen.

Bush's war on terror is a colossal failure

Haroon Siddiqui says terrorists are targeting us because of our policies in Muslim lands, not because we are free.

Madrid: 191 dead. Beslan: 330 murdered, half of them children. Riyadh and Jeddah: more than 100 killed. London: about 50 massacred.

Then there's the daily terror of Iraq, where more than 700 people have been killed in the last month alone.

Also See his piece from today: We need to talk less, listen more, to Muslims

A Rihla to the City of the Beloved - Blog Report!

As you know the Rihla Program is being held this year in the City of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

Check this blog to get a first hand view of how its going

THE RIHLA PROGRAM

The Rihla Program is a near month long annual course that takes place in the
summer season. The Rihla is designed for students to experience traditional
Islamic training in an environment which connects to them to the vast beauty and
wonder of nature. Participants are trained in the core sciences of aqidah, fiqh,
and ihsan. Other topics include seerah, hadith, and tajwid. Along with the
traditional subjects, students are also taught the key contemporary issues of
the time and trained in the areas of community activism. With the scenic
surroundings, vast subject material, and the blessed company of the shuyukh
(teachers), students are provided the optimum educational environment to
facilitate their learning experience.

DeenPort Interviews...Hakim Archuletta!

DeenPort Interviews Hakim Archuletta

I love DeenPort.
DeenPort totally rocks.

Intention for Learning

Intention for Learning - Recommended by a teacher of mine.

(I had the Arabic posted, suddenly went weird...)

Intention of Knowledge

I intend learning and teaching, recalling and reminding, benefit and gaining benefit, usefulness and utilization, and exhortation towards holding firm to the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger (Alayhi Salatu was Salam).

We Are All Collateral Damage - Imam Zaid Shakir (Zaytuna)

If you read nothing else on the issue of the London bombings, I suggest you take 3 minutes to read this short piece by Imam Zaid Shakir. Written first, and foremost, as a human being. He has eloquently said what I and others have felt for a long time.

New Article by Imam Zaid Shakir on the recent bombings in London, courtesy of The Zaytuna Institute:

The Roads to Peace

The roads to peace are paths of war,

The gentle dove will leave her scar.

The moral men to say the least,

Will kill us all to get their peace.

The roads that lead to victories gained,

Are filled with people full of pain.

Only our Creator knew,

We’d kill so many to save so few.

The recent terrorist tragedy in London is disheartening. Once again some nefarious force has seen fit to totally disregard innocent human life in pursuit of a vile agenda that few of us know and even fewer could understand.

**Read the rest of this article**

The London Bombings - July 7th, 2005

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful & Compassionate

Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu,
May Peace, and God's Mercy, and Blessings be Upon You

The horrific events that took place on July 7th, 2005 in London, England are deeply disturbing and raise many concerns about our global reality.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give peace) was sent as a Mercy to the Worlds. And Allah says, "The servants of the All-Merciful are those walk upon the earth gently".

I pray for all those impacted by the bombings. I also pray that all my brothers and sisters in London and across the world not be held accountable for the actions of a few misguided souls. May Allah give guidance to those who do such horrid things.

Muslims on the Events of July 7th, 2005:

The Islamic Stance on the London Bombings

Mere Islam: The London Bombings - A Time for reflection

SAFspace: Feelings Far Beyond London

SunniSister: Sidi Mas'ud Speaks for Me As Well

Seeker's Digest: Scholars Try to Curb "Sea of Fatwas" - Islam Online

Seeker's Digest: Muslim Scholars, Countries Condemn London Bombings - Islam Online

Wassalam/Peace,
Salikah

Baba Bulay Shah?

Assalamu'alaykum,

I'm looking for *anything* in English on a saint named "Baba Bulay Shah" of "Kasur" (in Modern day Pakistan).

Any leads...? I'd be grateful.

Wassalam,
Salikah

Owais Qadri - Punjabi! :)

So I knew there was a reason Owais Qadri's as good as he is, masha'Allah. Something about him made him seem like he was a relative -- I feel he looks like a cousin of mine, my mother thinks he looks like a Murshid she knows.

Today my suspicions were confirmed. He's Punjabi :) No wonder he rocks!

Allah Da Naam Liye - Owais Qadri (Punjabi Naat)

Where would we be with out the Punjab, anyways?

Wisdom of the Day - Zaytuna.org

The Messenger of God said,

“Exchange gifts, and mutual love arises; shake hands, and enmity will fall away.” Ibn Asakir

Sh. Faraz Rabbani & Co.

Shaykh Faraz and his wife were blessed with a new member to the family -- Yasmeen, to add some gender balance to the family :)

Pics of the little Rabbanis...

Yasmeen

Umar

Fareed

...courtesy of Sh. Faraz's Seeker's Digest.

May Allah bless the entire Rabbani clan and make this little one a blessing to the world. Ameen.

Lovers of Allah

If as lovers of Allah you wish to rise

turn to Layla with sincerity in your eyes.

From all who scorn your love turn away
and travel to Allah's lovers wherever you may.

But if your love is totally sincere
you'll see Allah's lovers by staying here.

And if your heart's vision is pure and fair
You'll see Her lights shining everywhere

So begins a qasida from the Diwan of Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Habib

- The Journey to Qalbiyya, By Daniel Abdal Hayy Moore @ http://www.deenport.com/

Doubt & Faith

Doubt sees the obstacles
Faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night
Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step
Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions who believes?'
Faith answers, I.

Seeing the End in the Beginning

Mustafa, the Pole and the Emperor and the Sea of Purity, has told us truly, That what the ignorant will see in the end the wise see from the first step

If matters are hidden and secret at the beginning, the wise
man sees at first, while that obstinate one (sees) at last.

The beginning thereof is concealed, and both the wise man
and the ignorant will see the end in (the moments of its) manifestation

(But) if you, O contumacious one, do not see the hidden event
(before it comes to pass)- when did the torrent sweep away your prudence?

What is prudence? To think ill. In this world, he (the prudent one)
at every moment will (expect to) see a sudden calamity.

-Rumi, Masnavi 3:2196-2201 (Trans. R.A. Nicholson)

Al Nabi Sallu Allahay - Owais Qadri

From YRHost.co.uk ....one of the most happening naats to date...if you know Urdu, listen to the sweet words carefully, it doesn't just sound good...it is...

Al Nabi Sallu Allahay - Owais Qadri

...and Owais Qadri songs to the heart's delight!

Barak Allahu fi kum to Sidi Faraz Rabbani for sharing.

DeenPort MP3: "Wa Rafa`na Laka Dhikrak" - Muhammad Owais Qadri - Passionate Praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)...

DeenPort MP3: "Wa Rafa`na Laka Dhikrak" - Muhammad Owais Qadri - Passionate Praise of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)...

As I've said before...no song is quite as sweet to my ears as Urdu...and among them...this is near the top of the list...

...linked via Seeker's Digest because I haven't quite learned the secret to linking to specific parts of the excellent site that is DeenPort.

:)

Lovers Are Made Aware - Sufistic: Thoughts & Readings

Lovers Are Made Aware

You make a hundred resolutions to journey somewhere,
but He draws you somewhere else.
He turns the horse's bridle in every direction
so that the untrained horse may know there is a rider.

The clever horse is well paced
because it knows a rider is mounted upon it.
He fixed your heart on a hundred passionate desires,
dissapointed you, and then broke your heart.

Since He broke the wings of your first intention,
how do you doubt the existence of the Wing-breaker?

Since His ordainment snapped the cord of your contrivance,
how can you remain blind to His Command?

Your resolutions and aims now and then are fulfilled
so that through hope your heart
might form another intention
which He might once again destroy.

For if He were to keep you completely from success,
you would despair:
how would the seed of expectation be sown?

If your heart did not sow that seed,
and then encounter barrenness,
how would it recognize its submission to Divine will?
By their failures lovers are made aware of their Lord.

Lack of success is the guide to Paradise:
Pay attention to the tradition,
"Paradise is encompassed with pain."

Mathnawi III, 4456-67
- Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, The Pocket Rumi Reader (edited by Kabir Helminski)

...via Sufistic: Thoughts & Readings

Urdu Hamd & Naats - nazmay.com

If no nasheed is quite as sweet to your ears as urdu hamd and naats, then this is for you (and me!)...

Urdu Hamd & Naats

My personal favourites:

• Allah Ho Allah Ho
• Eshq Kay Raang
• Mohammad Jo Ro Kar Dua

Alhamdulillah. May peace and blessings be upon the best of creation, our Master, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), his family, companions, and those who follow him.

Nourishing Traditions - Eating Well

Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats

Comes highly recommended from some of the healthiest/wisest people I know.

Being of Service to Others - The Honored Position - Alexandalus

Alexandalus: Shaykh Hussain Abdul Sattar on "Being of Service to Others - The Honored Position"

What should be a guiding principle in our lives, insha'Allah...

Allah's Love - SunniPath

Allah Almighty says, "Say: 'If you love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive you for your wrong actions, Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)

On the signs of Allah's love for His slave...

- courtesy of SunniPath.com

Seeker's Digest - Madad Ya Rasul Allah

Seeker's Digest: Madad Ya Rasul Allah (Your Assistance, O Messenger of Allah!) - Khalid Belrhouzi

Sweetness to the ear...May Allah bless him and give him abundant peace. Amin.

The Food of Hearts

"The food of hearts is wisdom, knowledge of Allah, and love of Him. The heart's turning away from its natural disposition is the result of illnesses that afflict it, as when an illness afflicts a person's stomach, causing him not to desire food or drink though they are a means for his survival. Accordingly, every heart that inclines to love of other than Allah has a sickness to extent of its inclination. The only exception is if it loved that thing as a means to the love of Allah and His religion. This is subtle, however, and only know by those of spiritual insight. The opinion of the one afflicted is of little consequence in this, unless confirmed by his spiritual guide."

- Taken from Sufism and Good Character by Imam Zafar ‘Uthmani, translated by Faraz F. Rabbani (p.29.)

Natural Health & The Islamic Tradition

The "Natural Health & The Islamic Tradition" seminar with Sidi Hakim Archuletta held at George Washington University in March 2005 is now available through MeccaCentric!

Masha'Allah, Sidi Hakim is a Muslim healer in the true sense of the word, may Allah preserve him and continue to benefit us through him.

The Three Ultimate Realities

Someone asked me to post something of what we were recently reminded of. The following, insha'Allah, is something of the spirit of what we walked away with.

An understanding of the three ultimate realities, the awareness of which should guide your every action:

• You
• Your Grave
• Allah Most High
  

The basis of the spiritual path is struggle, not laziness. The one lazy in the path is the one who does not wish to break his habits -- nothing will become of him. He needs to get up.

The words of Rabia al-Adawiyya alone at night, as she spoke to her Lord are indicative of one who truly loved her Creator:

"O my Lord, the stars are shining and the eyes of men are closed, and kings have shut their doors, and every lover is alone with his beloved, and here I am alone with Thee."

If you ask for the Greatest and you sleep all night, you're wasting your time. How rude is the one who asks for Jannah without any spiritual works -- how cheap.

The upshot is that it is necessary to change.

Dua for Protection Against Laziness (SunniPath.com)

How to Increase Iman (SunniPath.com)

A Reader on Islamic Spirituality: Sufism (SunniPath.com)

And success is from Allah Alone.