iMuslim.tv

SimSim’s Wedding Day

// July 15th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Photos

A selection of photos from the wedding day of my best friend, SimSim.

New Blog & FOSIS Video Competition

// June 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Announcements, Video

Salam blog. It’s been a while. I have something to tell you. I think you may want to sit down.

I’ve been playing away from home.

No, no… don’t cry, blog. I still love you. You’ll always be my first. No, wait second… Actually, more like my third.

Anyway, stop blubbing foo, and listen up.

Sisters’ Film Club has officially launched! We have produced our first videos, and have a
sparkly new blog to match, masha’Allah.

The videos are part of a submission to the FOSIS video competition – an annual contest open to all UK Islamic Societies. As this is our first production, we would really appreciate your support. Please watch, vote for, and share our videos via the SFC blog. Feedback welcome!

JazakumAllah khair.

Love For Other People What You Love For Yourself

// May 17th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Blog

The following story was published back in March as part of a MuslimMatters post titled “On the Fingers of Abu Hurayrah…..Towards a Noble Life“. Since then, it has come to mind so many times during the course of normal, everyday interactions, I had to track it down, and bookmark it here.

“Love for other people what you love for yourself and you will be a (perfect) Muslim.” – Prophet Muhammed, sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam

An extraordinary example of putting this teaching into practice is that of some of our righteous predecessors.

Ibrahim al-Nakha’ee (rahimahullah) was a’war al-‘ayn (blind in one eye), and his student Sulayman ibn Mihran suffered from weak eyesight (a’mash al-‘ayn). Ibn al-Jawzi related a story about them in his book Al-Muntathim that they were walking in the streets of Al-Kufah headed to the masjid.

As they were walking, Imam Al-Nakha’ee said, “Sulayman, can you take one road and I take another? For I fear that if we were to pass together by the foolish people, they would say, ‘A’war – one eyed – is leading an a’mash – bleary eyed- (through the road) and they would then have backbitten us and fallen into sins.”

So Sulayman replied, “O Abu ‘Imran! What is wrong then when we are rewarded while they are sinful?”

Ibrahim al-Nakha’ee replied, “SubhanaAllah! Bal naslam wa yaslamun! Rather, that we be safe (from their backbiting) and they be safe (of sin) is better than if we are rewarded and they are sinful!”.

[al-Muntathim fee Tareekh al Muluk wal Umam]

This is a form of altruism that we all desperately need to adopt. There is a lot of bitterness, enmity and ill-will amongst us. We need to improve ourselves and one another with a far more loving attitude. May Allah make it easy for us, ameen.

UK General Election 2010: The Muslim Vote

// April 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Blog

Less than a fortnight ago, the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, finally announced that May 6th, 2010 would be the date of the next General Election. Prior to and since, a variety of means have been used by the powers-that-be to encourage both the apathetic and the undecided to participate in the vote, including the broadcast of the first ever leaders’ debate between the heads of the three main political parties.

However, in my opinion, the most interesting development surrounding the election has the been the launch of not one, but several voting campaigns targeted at Britain’s relatively small community of Muslim citizens. The concentration of Muslims within a handful of constituencies, combined with the strong possibility of a hung parliament, has motivated community leaders from various backgrounds, to urge their followers to simply, “Get out and vote!”.

The following are links to web-based campaigns I have come across so far:

Continue reading at MuslimMatters.org…

Actions Speak Louder

// February 14th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Blog

I always find it awkward to directly ask a potential about Islam-related matters. So here’s a rishta tip for those single girls who care about whether their potential spouse prays or not, and wish to gauge the level of importance that he places upon salat: pay attention to the meeting time.

For example, if he sets it to five minutes before or after Maghrib, that’s not a good sign. When does he expect to pray it, and doesn’t he care that you have to pray too?

Also, if he is already at your house, and the time for Maghrib is fast approaching, or even worse, it has already started, and he hasn’t made a single mention of it – well, it’s another bad sign. The same applies to any prayer he’s about to miss having spent a few hours in your family’s company.

An exception to the rule is a guy who has travelled a long distance in order to visit, as he may have the option to join the prayers (i.e., dhohr & asr, maghrib & isha) – depending on the opinion he follows.

I could probably write a few more “rishta tips” from my five plus years of experience. But I’m saving them up for the book that I plan to publish once I have actually succeeded in getting hitched. Right now, it reads too much like the opening chapter of Bilqis Joneswala’s Diary. The story will only be worth reading if and when Mr Darcy decides to show.

Do Not Push

// January 22nd, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Blog, Photos

I snapped this while changing the tapes on my HV20 camcorder. I thought it was a good message.

Anyhoo, I have been discussing the possibility of setting up a film club within my ISoc. I am tempted towards making it a sisters-only gig – mainly cuz I’ve been wanting to recruit a talented woman to help me edit all the footage I have sat on my external hard drive for a while now. Insha’Allah, a fruitful legacy will be born out of my selfish needs.

The good news is that everyone I have spoken to thus far seems keen. The challenges include: a lack of equipment (I seem to be the only one with a camera, and decent editing software), and most of the people with the necessary skills and experience have a Y-chromosome.

The answers to both problems shouldn’t be too difficult to solve, insha’Allah. I think the university TV station is still going; we may be able to tap their resources. And we can always hold training sessions for sisters to pick up basic film-making skills. You mainly learn through doing, anyway; the only formal training I’ve had thus far is a crash course on Final Cut at the Apple Store.

The women-only suggestion is more about pragmatism than anything else. I want it to be a safe-space to learn, and channel creative energy; like a women-only book club, or an art class. I do not believe that men are the ‘enemy’ (though I admit to going through phases in that regard).

I won’t be restricting membership to Imperial students; it’s just easier to establish this kind of thing within the framework of an existing community, such as an ISoc. So if you’re based in London, and are interested in joining in, then stay tuned to this blog. I’ll let you guys know if/when we have our first meeting, insha’Allah.

Your suggestions are welcome.

Letter from Haiti: A Haitian Muslim’s Request for Help

// January 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Announcements, Blog

An excerpt from a message written by a Muslim based in Haiti:

My brother Didier Ambroise is missing and we have not been able to find him. My Uncle Roblain Legagneur and my cousin Namu Corvington and his wife died buried under their house.

Brother Ibrahim Abdoul Salam’s house was destroyed and his cousin died.

Also brother Abou Bakr’s house was crumbled and his sister died.

Many brothers and sisters are unaccounted for. We do not know if they are alive or dead. May Allah give ease to them in whatever state they may be. Amin.

Read the full letter.

Donate.

Pray.

More Muslim Firemen Please

// December 22nd, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Blog

Here is a random thought I’ve been having lately that was frankly too long for Twitter. Besides, my poor neglected blog needs feeding.

Muslims that ‘serve’

Such a big hoo-haa has, and continues to be made of Muslims serving in the British army. I understand the controversy, but it’s not the only career choice that involves service with an associated risk of personal injury, and possible self-sacrifice. What about the brave souls that face the daily hazards of working for the emergency services?

I wonder, how many Muslim firemen, paramedics, police officers, coast guards, etc, are there in the UK? They are not career choices that I hear spoken about much, though admittedly my circles are limited, and I haven’t bothered to look up the stats.

I understand there being issues about institutionalised racism in the force, so a lack of Muslim police officers would not be surprising. I’m not sure that same excuse applies elsewhere though.

If I were a guy, I think I may have considered signing up to the Police, at least to eventually join CID. I love detective work: problem solving, chasing down the bad guys, the free donuts. Or is that just the Americans?

If my hypothetical sons were not budding imams, scientists, engineers or doktars, I think I’d approve of one of the above. Hey, I’m not so liberal a hypothetical parent to accept any career choice. For example, circus clown is definitely a no-no. Though if he spent his life bringing smiles to the faces of sick orphans, then maybe? Darnit! I haven’t even conceived yet, and I’m already a pushover.

Anyway… have you ever considered working for the emergency services? Sure, the pay isn’t amazing, but I’d hope it wouldn’t just be about the money. Lots of akhira points to be earned, and several worldly perks methinks.

For example, have you heard the phrase: “there’s something about a man in uniform”?

Skating at the Museum on Eid-ul-Adha 1430

// November 27th, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Photos

I continued my Eiding-in-the-park tradition this morning, alhamdulillah. I was stood behind the masallah, and had a great view of the jamaat. But I decided against taking any photos. It felt like I’d be breaking a trust. Plus, sometimes you just need to live the moment, rather than be distracted by your fervent attempts to capture it.

The good news is, on my way home from uni this afternoon, I discovered my camera in my coat pocket. Thus I was finally able to capture some shots of the Natural History Museum ice rink, which I’ve been eager to do ever since it was set up a few weeks ago.

The last shot is my favourite… I think it would make a nice postcard. Btw, am I alone in thinking ice skating is the most romantic of the winter sports? All that huddling, cuddling and giggling… Sigh.

Happy Eid, everybody!

How Old is iMuslim?

// November 9th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Blog

Well, as of this entry, the blog is 500 posts (and just over three years) old. I have deleted the majority of posts created during the period of experimentation with imported status messages, so it is an official milestone this time – no cheating.

I now present my – I mean, my blog’s – birthday wish list. And if you think birthday presents are too much of an innovation, then consider it an Eid-ul-Adha wish list instead:

• a Nintendo Wii, with Wii Fit/Active/Sports/whatever makes me sweat and get fit enough in the privacy of my own home, to eventually allow me to return to the kickboxing classes that I so dearly miss.
• a compact DSLR
• a decent haircut (blonde curls are a real possibility – an in-joke for my FB sisters)
• a Maths tutor
• a big ol’ punch bag, like I saw on TV last night. Awesomeness!
• Really good chocolate. I mean, so good that I don’t care that it makes me fat, because it’s that amazing. Cadburys and Thorntons do not fit in that category at present. Maybe Hotel Chocolat?
• a trustworthy builder to knock down the wall that currently separates our two living rooms, so that the middle room can finally have some natural light, and not be so depressing a place to sit in – especially during the Winter.
• a jacuzzi
• someone that makes me feel less ‘bleurghy’
• a good, non-trivial, real life, face-to-face conversation, that doesn’t involve discussion of the weather (unless it’s related to a debate on climate change), or the stupidity of lecture timetables.

List to be updated as and when I – I mean, my blog – decides.

Btw, the above wish list is clearly pure self-indulgence. There are many things that I – and my blog – wish for, that are less selfish, and more altruistic. I am very blessed with what I already have, alhamdulillah, and don’t feel at all lacking in respect to material goodness. I just felt like writing a ‘me, me, me’ post today. :)

What’s on your (or your blog’s) wish list?