The Power of Prayer

As Salaam Alaikum and Good Day Readers!


All Praise is due to Allah who makes all things possible.

I promised to bake a chocolate cake for my daughter who has been nagging for it for days.
However, I did not get down to fulfilling that promise due to all the other commitments, like finishing my assignment for the Internet Marketing course by UCT's Get Smarter Programme that I embarked on last year, and hope to complete successfully this month (Feb), Inshaa Allah. As well as the usual work and household chores of cooking etc.

However last night I decided that I had to bake the cake as promised and even though I realised that I only had 2 eggs, I refused to be defeated and sent my son to get some from the nearby Supermarket.

Tired and stressed I embarked on making "The Promised" Chocolate Cake and with almost every step I made dua that it comes out perfectly. God Willing.

Waiting anxiously for the timer to indicate that its baking time is complete and desperate to get into bed, I jumped up as I heared it buzzing. As I reached the oven to turn off the dials, I saw that I had put it on Grill instead of Bake. My heart just sank as I removed the cake from the oven. Although the top looked "grilled" the rest of the cake appeared normal. Still not sure whether it was going to turn into a rock soon, I continued with the cooling off process and chocolate topping this morning.

I presented the cake to my daughter and as she gulped down 2 slices without breathing, I realised the Power of Dua, Allahu Akbar! God is Great!

No matter what the circumstances, if Allah wills it, It will be!
Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from, nothing is too small for the one who is asking.

Jumua Mubarak and Blessed Friday to All.

Yum Yum - Alhumdulilah!

Raising The Fortunate Child

My son - Sayed Anwar Ally

Amidst the confusion of raising the fortunate child,we tend to indulge them in all the material distractions of this world like the latest gadgets from sony playstations, apple ipads, to smart phones. We send them to the most expensive schools, buy them new motor cars and regular overseas holidays are a norm.

Sadly in reality, most parents realise later in life that their now grown-up "Fortunate Child" has become a spoilt, ungrateful, disrespectful and lazy Adult!

In raising children to become responsible adults, it is important that we as parents teach them about the rights of other fellow beings especially those less fortunate. Allah swt says in the noble quran,

"Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful (An-Nisa 4:36)

Being a parent guilty of spoiling my only son with all of the above mentioned luxuries, I am pleased that he has just completed his degree, Alhumdulilah and has 3 job prospects of which he has accepted one to start 1st February 2013, Inshaa Allah. I have mixed feelings of a job (parenting) well done, as I feel that I should have been more strict with regards to him being able to recite the quran with understanding.  Allah knows Best!

I have been asked to purchase a ticket/table to a High Tea on Sunday 03 February '13 in aid of Quran studies in Egypt for Hafith Sabeegh Philander, the son of a friend of mine. Allahu Akbar! Here we have a boy whose only desire is to please Allah, subhanallah! For some of us, sending our children anywhere in the world is as easy as a simple EFT or swipe of a Visa Card. It seems as if Allah swt has presented my son and I with an extraordinary opportunity to further practice the verse of (An-Nisa).

I have pledged to assist Hafith Sabeegh not only with the table at the High Tea but also with the equivalent of my son's first salary, to further assist him fulfill his noble dream of studying the quran in Egypt, Inshaa Allah.

AND with that said, may I kindly ask that if any of you reading this blog post is able to assist him financially, no matter how small (R50 in a sealed envelope), please know that you are contributing to the future of Islam for all generations to come. Jazakallah Khairan.

"Upon death, man's deeds will stop except for three deeds; namely: a continuous charitable fund, endowment or goodwill; knowledge left for people to benefit from; and a pious righteous and God-fearing child who continuously prays to Allah, for the souls of his parents" (Muslim)

Rethink Your Vote

I cannot even remember what motivated me to start blogging, but I truly believe that nothing happens without the will of Almighty Allah swt.
Every post came from the heart without much thought or planning. Some writers have writer's block because they are thinking too hard about what to say. When you speak from your heart its that much easier, Alhumdulillah. All Praise is due to Allah (God).

Although I have nominated myself for Best spiritual / religious Blog in the South African Blog Awards, I am not vain enough to believe I could actually win it, but most definitely sane enough to know that it does not matter.

"All Praise be to Allah who clothed me with that through which I cover my shame and through which I adorn myself in life."

This worldly life

All praise is due to Allah! After completing his Internship at a Large Advertising Agency, my Son seemed stressed out about finding permanent employment.

I could feel the tension and felt the need to put him at ease by reminding him that everything happens by the will of Allah (God). In islam we use the term Tawakkul which refers to putting your trust in Allah (God) - to believe that He alone can ward off harms of this world, provide you blessings and sustenance, and to ease your challenges. Tawakkul is also about accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out.

I received the following beautiful explanation from a Mowlana's wife via email and I cannot explain it any better. How to use "Tawakkul" in Relieving our Anxieties and Worries.

To understand the concept of Tawakkul, consider how tense and worried you get at times about the challenges of this worldly life. Whether it’s you worrying about losing your job or sustenance, or general life problems that you may come to face, Tawakkul is your belief and the attitude that you have about putting your trust in Allah to take care of all your affairs. Allah (swt ), says: …And whoever places his trust in Allah, Sufficient is He for him, for Allah will surely accomplish His Purpose: For verily, Allah has appointed for all things a due proportion. (Qur’an 65:3) The Quran makes it clear that Tawakkul is not an option but rather a requirement. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed.(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 23) He also says in the Quran: “….And in Allah let believers put their Trust” [Surah Ibrahim 14:11] Don’t give up on Your Efforts Tawakkul shouldn’t be mistaken with giving up your efforts thinking that somehow your challenges will get resolved. Rather striving and working with the attitude that Allah will take care of your affairs and will help you in getting through your trials is part of you having the Tawakkul on Allah. Some scholars have stated that “Tawakkul in reality does not deny actually working and striving for provision, for Allah Almighty has decreed that we should work and it is from His ways that he gives people when they strive. In fact, Allah Almighty ordered us to both depend upon Him and to work, to take the necessary steps needed to achieve our goals, and so the act of striving for our sustenance is an act of physical worship while trusting and depending upon Allah is faith in Him.” (Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts (Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Pages 172-174) Allah says: “…So seek provision from Allah and worship Him (alone).” [Al-‘Ankaboot 29: 17] Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan stated about this verse, “Look for sustenance and do not sit around in the masaajid claiming that you are putting your trust in Allah. Do not sit in your homes and claim that your daily sustenance will come to you.” This is wrong and a true believer doesn’t say such things.” (Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan Haqeeqat-ut-Tawakkul (pg. 15-25)) This obviously applies to not just seeking provisions but in striving to resolve other matters of our lives – just as long we remember and believe that His will is a prerequisite for our matters to get resolved and to accept what He ultimately decrees. The scholars have also stated that, “other than our efforts that we put in, a Muslim should also combine Tawakkul with other means, whether they are acts of `Ibadah (worship) like Du`a’ (supplication), Salah (Prayer), Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or maintaining the ties of kinship, or other material means which Allah has predestined.” (source : alifta.net Fatwa no. 2798) Allah (swt ), also says in the Quran: [There were] those to whom people said: “The people are gathering against you, so fear them.“ But it only increased their faith; they said: “For us Allah is Sufficient and He is the best Disposer of affairs” (Qur’an 3:173) Benefits of Tawakkul One of the major benefits of Tawakkul is that it can relieve us from unnecessary anxiety, worry, and resulting depression from the challenges that we may be facing. By believing that all our affairs are in Allah’s hands and we can do only what is in our control, we leave the results to Allah and accept His decree whatever it may be. Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said, “the fruit of tawakkul is the acceptance of Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah. Al-Hassan and others among the salaf defined tawakkul as ridhaa (acceptance).” (Jami’ Al-’Uloom wa Al-Hikam : A Commentary on 50 Major Hadith) Let’s strive to understand the concept of Tawakkul and to make it part of our belief systems. We will notice that things will not only get resolved easier with His help, but Tawakkul will also relieve us from the day to day anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of this life.

 

Developing an Attitude of Gratitute

I could not have stumbled across this post By Bela Khan at a better time.
Attitude of Gratitude: Psychology Behind Shukr.  I simply had to share with you my readers.

SHE opens her wardrobe. Two dozen dresses of red, yellow, orange, pink and you-name-it colour are hanging in there. After a cursory glance, she bangs the door shut.

“Mom, I have ‘nothing’ to wear for the party. I’ve been begging you to take me shopping for ages. You never listen to me. What do I do now?”
He is rummaging the fridge for the fourth time. Pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fruits and juices are stuffed inside. He leaves the kitchen despondently.
“There’s really nothing much to eat in here. Let’s go to the café and have some decent food today.”

She wakes up with the same feelings of depression and dread. Thoughts of suicide are again floating in her mind. She is married to a handsome man, with two lovely kids, a home, and a car – everything most women would ask for. Life apparently is perfect, but there is “something” missing. It is just because she is not married to the man of her dreams.
He thinks his life sucks. He is seventeen years old. He has an iPhone, Core I-7 Dell, and 1000 bucks monthly pocket money. But according to him, his life sucks. He can’t focus on his textbook. He slams it shut and starts pacing in the room as he thinks out aloud, “If my friend can own a Jaguar, why the hell, can’t I? Everything sucks.”
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
The Ingratitude Habit
As we grow up, we get tuned to be unthankful and not see the blessings in our life. We focus all our energy and attention towards finding out the stuff that is lacking in our lives. This is really ironic, because the more we focus on scarcity the more we tend to attract it.
Western Research vs 1400-year-old Message
Research has proven that through our thoughts and emotions, we emit powerful signals; these signals have the ability to attract signals of the same frequency. In other words, whenever you are being ungrateful or thinking negative and self-defeating things (“I never seem to have enough of money” or “I can never be healthy” or “ I can never find a practicing husband”) or worrying about issues beyond your control, you are actually emitting energies that will attract similar energies. Ultimately, you will end up becoming a black hole of despair. All the worries, arguments and frustration lead to more of the same.
If you want to attract more signals of what you desire to experience (like peace, joy, harmony, ease, and prosperity), then why not choose your thoughts consciously and carefully?
Today non-Muslim researchers have discovered these secrets in the name of Natural Laws, while these “open secrets” were given to us in the Quran 1400 years ago. Psychologists and philosophers have painstakingly conducted studies and have come up with new theories and ideas. But this “newly discovered” stuff was presented to us in the Quran in no uncertain terms.
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.' " [Qur’an reference]
The following are some findings of a long-term study on the effects of gratitude by Robert A. Emmons from the University of California Davis and Micheal E. McCullogh from the University of Miami:
* In an experimental comparison, those who kept gratitude journals on a weekly basis exercised more regularly, reported fewer physical symptoms, felt better about their lives as a whole, and were more optimistic about the upcoming week compared to those who recorded hassles or neutral life events.
* Participants who kept gratitude lists were more likely to have made progress toward important personal goals over a two-month period compared to subjects in the other experimental conditions. 
* Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress. 

This is a readymade formula for attracting more of what you want in life.
Does it make sense why gratitude is such a key ingredient in a successful life? Gratitude basically helps you make the shift. Consequently, you are able to attract more good, more love, more joy, more money, more health and blissful relationships in your life. Gratitude is one of the easiest and most frequently used methods to alter the signals one is emitting. What we need to master is the attitude of gratitude, the attitude of appreciating everything in life.
Surah Fatiha: A Pillar’s Pillar
It is well-known that prayer, the important pillar of Islam, is incomplete without Surah Fatihah. Surah Fatihah begins with expressing our gratitude to our Lord for the countless blessings He has showered upon us. Have you ever noticed that a lot of du’as taught by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also start with the same expression of gratitude – Alhamdulillah. Our day starts with the supplication Alhmdulillahilazi Ahyana… (All praise and thanks be to Allah who gave us life…)
What is the significance of this? Allah SWT wants you to start your day in a super-charged state, attracting ample happiness and abundance in life.
The meal ends with the supplication Alhmdulillahizi at’amana wa sakana… (All praise and thanks be to Allah who gave us food and drink…) Why? Because He always wants you to have better food every time you eat. The same expression – Alhamdulillah. Can’t be a coincidence, can it?
Getting Back on Track
Gratitude is one of the quickest ways to regain our focus. When we are stuck, it means we are giving too much attention to something that doesn’t really deserve it. Most so-called problems are usually mundane pre-occupations and mental obsessions. We focus so much on one area to the exclusion of everything else that we create and then magnify our problems.
Guess what? When we focus so much on what’s not working, we can’t even access the part of our brain that provides us solutions. Surprised? Yeh!
So, when something is not working, focus on what is working and say Alhamdulillahi rabbil 3lameen aloud. What do you think you are doing by saying this? You are freeing your mind from those thoughts that bog you down, and you are reinforcing strong, positive beliefs that even if some areas are not working in life, others definitely are. In this way, you are able to think in a quicker and better way to resolve what is not working in life. Try it out yourself.
Gratitude – The Practice of Companions
It is reported that some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to be grateful even for the calamities they faced and presented their gratitude to Allah for not letting something worse befall them. Now that is the attitude of gratitude!
A Miraculous Phenomenon
Being grateful to Allah SWT does wonders. When you’ll acknowledge His Hand in your life, miracles will happen. You’ll be in the middle of a problem and would not have the least bit of knowledge about what would happen next, and suddenly the solution will dawn upon you. It’s like someone returning you an old loan that you had completely forgotten about when you were in dire need of money. It’s like when you are thinking about your loved ones and they give you a call right then. It’s like when you are longing for something to happen and it happens. Be very grateful to The One who made it happen.
We usually need a BIG reason to be grateful because we ignore the many things that are already available to us. Our family, friends, body, health, job, leisure time, education, food, wisdom, smiles, children, even the painful lessons that life teaches us, and the list goes on are HUGE blessings to be grateful for. If you don’t have the same feeling, just close your eyes and imagine one of these blessings vanishing from your life. How does that feel? This is EXACTLY the reason why you need to be thankful for every moment in every day.
It’s a pity that from childhood we are tuned to lust for more and never be satisfied with what we already have. It is exactly for this reason that being grateful to Allah SWT for what He has already blessed us with is sometimes very challenging for us. All of us need a bit of fine-tuning. Let me share with you some tips on how you can be grateful to Allah and see the blessings unfold in your life:
1- Make a list of twenty things you appreciate right NOW. Write ALHAMDULILLAH in front of every blessing. Make a list of the things you feel good about and note down why you are grateful for that thing, situation or person in your life. How did you feel doing this? Here’s the good news: you just increased your positive emissions and now you are actually able to attract more happiness, abundance and prosperity in your life, Insha Allah.
2- Start looking for EVERYTHING you can be grateful for in life and start talking about it all the time no matter how insignificant it is. If you find a buck from your old shirt’s pocket, celebrate. Tell everyone how grateful you are for that. That’s how you are actually tuning your mind to show gratitude for the tiniest blessing in your life.
3- At least once a day, share GRATITUDE status on Facebook and Twitter (or whatever social media you use) and ask others what they are grateful for. Insha Allah, you’ll get reward for your SHUKR and theirs too.
4- Try to seek the positive out of every negative. Take out at least three good lessons from every painful experience and be grateful that life threw that situation at you so you could learn.


In a nutshell, developing the attitude of gratitude to Allah SWT will do wonders in your life. Identify those wonders and be grateful for them so you can have more.

By Bela Khan on 04 December 2012. Posted in Life and Society

Friday Elegance - Pastel Power

When I purchased this skirt at a Fashion show at The Lounge on Kromboom, my daughters were not to thrilled with my purchase. I felt disappointed that I might have buyer's remorse, but decided to make it work since I loved it and thought it was such a lovely flowy dreamy skirt!

skirt by Aliwia Jattiem (Oranges & Lemon)

I loved wearing the skirt and since it was handmade by a special lady who does so much for her family and the community, just made it that much more meaningful. Mashaa Allah

Sightseeing Saturdays - Time to Reflect

As I embark on my day at The Hydro at Stellenbosch, I have mixed feelings of guilt and reflection. The feeling of guilt stems from knowing all the difficulties friends, family and people in general are experiencing. I question whether going to the spa is extravagant and a waste of time. Allah knows Best.

The week that passed, is what enticed me to book a day at the spa since my husband is overseas on a business trip and I have been left yet again with his share of responsibilities, as well as my own. Alhumdulilah.

But the highlight of the week was coming home from work and exchanging experiences of the day with my son over supper and him making me laugh with his sense of humour. These moments I treasure so deeply in my heart particularly because he is moving onto the next chapter of his life, Mashaa Allah.
He has almost completed his Marketing degree and starts his internship at a very large Advertising company on  Monday, Inshaa Allah. I make duah that Allah swt continue to guide and protect him, and fill his heart with love of Allah and the deen of Islam.
May you stay on that "white line" of Halaal, as per the Jumuah (Friday) talk you shared with me last night. Alhumdulilah I am proud of you my son.

The Spa day started with me seeing the nurse for blood pressure tests etc... When the nurse asked me whether I had a headache, I said I had it very bad yesterday and last night. She gave me some shocking news! She said she is not surprised as my blood pressure is very high. Allahu Akbar! My guilt evaporated as I knew why I was meant to be there...


lunch is served.....


I read my namaaz, praising and thanking My Creator who has made all this possible, Subhanallah...
And I eagily await my husband's return, Inshaa Allah (God Willing) so that we can greet the returning Hujaj and soak up in the Khair and Barakah of their journey.

May the Almighty Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful, protect us from hypocrisy, vanity, greed, boastfulness and shirk.  Ameen.