Recent Blog Entries

Sep

2010

Are you stagnating???

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 21st September 2010 - 0 comments

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh It's been an absolute age I know. I was just waiting to feel inspirational! And today I do, and alhamdulillah I also have the opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings with you. So have you ever felt that you just don't know where you're heading and you feel like you've been stuck in one place for a bit too long? Or are you just content being who or how you are, not bothered to progress in any way? I am reminded of a poem by Imam Shafi'ee (rahimahumullah) in which he states that one should always work towards progressing in terms of spirituality as well as knowledge and experience. He quotes an example of water... [b][colour=lightblue]If water is stagnant it becomes mucky and accumulates filth. Moreover it no longer remains pure. Whereas flowing water always remains clean and pure and it is of great benefit to all living things.[/b][/colour]

Feb

2010

NO, it's not ON!!!

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 16th February 2010 - 1 comment

NO, it's not ON! by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)

Once, whilst walking on a pavement, I saw the word ON engraved in the cement. A pedestrian would read [/b]ON[/b] walking in the one direction and would read NO, walking in the opposite direction. This made me think of the never-ending efforts of Shaytaan and nafs in enticing and persuading us to engage in sins. When it comes to sins, Shaytaan and nafs are very quick in glorifying disobedience, saying to us, Its ON! This is a common catch-phrase; often used to confirm some get-together or meeting, whether at the rave club, cinema, casino, or an illicit tryst; or meaning, Its the thing to do...It will bring enjoyment and gratification. You will be with it.

Feb

2010

Are you after the illusion, or the real thing???

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 13th February 2010 - 0 comments

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah If we ponder over our lives and ourselves, we will find that more often than not we take a situation for what it appears to be without bothering to look deeper. This applies in all aspects of life. For example, if someone presented us with two gifts to choose from, one wrapped in a beautiful gift wrap and big in size, and the other a small box wrapped in newspaper. We'd automatically go for the big one. It turns out to be a dustbin, and the other one happened to be a diamond ring. We are then left with nothing but regret. It is our nature to make a decision based on the exterior or outward appearance of a thing or even a situation, even though time and time again we see that there is a deeper side to life. The point of my mentioning this is that we behave in the same manner when it comes to the main objective behind our creation, "preparation for aakhirah". We are told over and over again about the transitory nature of this world and all it contains. Yet we fall for the trap repeatedly and give preference to the glitter and glamour of the world, and in the interim we neglect and forsake the eternal luxuries of the hereafter. We strive for the fleeting success of this world and forsake the eternal success of the hereafter. We hanker after the wealth of this world and forsake the endless treasures of Jannah. We live to enjoy life in this world and cause eternal distress for ourselves in the Aakhirah. My Sheikh Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saahib (daamat barakaatuhum) says in a couplet:

Feb

2010

Help Me, Allah!

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 3rd February 2010 - 1 comment

[colour=lightpink]The hate that I feel in my heart is real, But these are feelings that I don't want to feel. Please Allah help me to be strong, As I know feeling like this is wrong. You know the pain and anger that I feel in my heart, Please take it away, make it depart. I'm so tired and weary Dear Lord, These feelings I cannot afford. I want to feel alive, I want to feel free, I want to be the best Muslim that I can be.

Feb

2010

I get knocked down, but I get up again!

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 3rd February 2010 - 0 comments

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah It's been a long time since i shared something with you (the reader). My blog has never left my mind, but unfortunately I have been pre-occupied with something or the other during the past few months. There is so much in my heart and mind to share with you that as I sit in front of my pc, I don't know where to begin. Life is is a learning experience. I read something nice a couple of days ago. The secret to success is the ability to make RIGHT DECISIONS. But in order to make them you require EXPERIENCE, and in order to get experience, you need to make the wrong decisions. Interesting. Often we are not ready to forgive ourselves when we stumble or fall. But how can we expect Allah's forgiveness, when we are not prepared to forgive ourselves?

Feb

2010

LOST IDENTITY???

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 3rd February 2010 - 0 comments

When I was younger people on occasion asked my mother if she had picked the wrong baby from the hospital. My round chubby face, light plain skin, blushed cheeks, silky hair and the eyes kind of oriental eyes, the way Chinese eyes are. When I got older into my teens and still now people question if I am Arabic. Yet I didnt know what it was that could make me seem or look that way. There came a point where I questioned what my identity was? When people look at you, what is it that you want them to see? What do you consider your identity to be? Your Religion? Your Culture? Your Gender? Your Nationality? Or is it Your Ethnicity? Your Occupation? Your Colour? Your Personality? Or then again it could be Your Looks? Your School? And Your Family? And if all, which one is first and which one last, finally?

Sep

2009

The Green Leaf and The Juicy Grape

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 2nd September 2009 - 0 comments

[colour=lightgreen]The Green Leaf and The Juicy Grape[/colour] by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (rahmatullah alayh) has mentioned a story in his Mathnavi Sharief, of a worm that was told: You will find a delicious, juicy grape on the grapevine. Having heard this, the worm began its journey up the grapevine. It soon came across a green leaf, and thinking it to be the delicious grape, it whiled away its entire life eating off that leaf, until it made its qabr (grave) on that same green leaf. Had the worm gone just a little further, it would have come across the delectable grape, and would have enjoyed the sweetness of that grape. It would not have spent all its life on a green leaf.

Jun

2009

THE RAJAB LETTER

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 23rd June 2009 - 0 comments

[colour=pink]THE RAJAB LETTER[/b] by Amjad Tarsin This is an excerpt from the book Kanz Al-Najah wa As-Suroor ("The Treasures of Success and Happiness"), a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. As the blessed and holy month of Rajab approaches, hopefully this information will be of use in allowing us all to appreciate it and benefit from it: *So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time! Whoever is spiritually sick due to their sins - know that the medicine has come. *Know that Rajab is a virtuous month in which worship is gloriously rewarded - especially fasting and seeking repentance (istighfar). *Also, making du'a during the eve of the first of Rajab is highly recommended. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, "There are five nights in which du'a (supplication) is not rejected: the eve of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha'aban, the eve of Friday, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the eve of Eid Al-Adha." [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami'].

Mar

2009

Play No Fools!

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 31st March 2009 - 2 comments

1st April - a day when people lie, play jokes and mock in the name of entertainment. This ugly practice of lying, which is considered to be merely a humor, is known to have caused great harm to many. Even trauma and deaths. Still this dishonest tradition is not only practiced among the common masses, but also newspapers and magazines participate in it by publishing false news and untrue stories on the first day of April! Much is said about the origin of this practice, however what concerns the most to the Muslims is that it is a tradition which directly contradicts the teachings and morals of Islam. Lying is a characteristic of hypocrisy and Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) strictly forbade lying at all times. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: [colour=lightblue]"Let he who truly believes in Allah and the Last Day speak good or be silent." [Saheeh al-Bukharee] Moreover, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) has specifically cursed the person who lies to make people laugh, he said: "Woe be on one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh, woe be on him."[/colour] The above Ahaadeeth show the gravity of participating in the false tradition of April Fool, which the Western tradition appreciates and encourages claiming that it brings joy and amusement, whereas the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) forbade lying and deceiving even if the intention of the person is to amuse people.

Mar

2009

Paradise; My Destination

posted by Mahd-ul-Huda on 6th March 2009 - 1 comment

[colour=pink]Looking for a way to Paradise? Below is a beautiful set of directions. May Allah give us all the ability to follow them and not stray from the prescribed route. Ameen.[/colour] Take Adam and Eve Avenue until you come to the intersection of Habil (Abel) Road, and Qabil (Cain) Street; merge right on Habil (Abel) Street and continue for the next twenty miles till you come to Noah's Ferry. Take the ferry to Safety Land, ignore the majority of other travel agencies' directions, and arrive at Abraham's Super Highway also known as Highway One God Only (1). Follow Abraham Highway but avoid the exit of Sodom and Gomorrah townships until you get to Moses Lane but pass Gold and Greed bridges and take it to Jesus' Mercy Road. Here you will encounter a lot of confusion, streets are not well marked, and many peddlers along the road are giving away maps with conflicting directions to travelers. The Romans have renamed Pagans' Path as Jesus' Mercy Road.

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