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A Pre-Ramadan Thought

// August 19th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Blog

I left a comment on Organica’s latest post, which I wanted to share here, mainly as a reminder to myself:

“It is much easier to do good deeds in Ramadan because your nafs is weakened by fasting, and the shayateen are locked up. This illustrates that there is something inherently good about humanity, which shines through when worldly temptation is removed.

It’s a lesson for us to seek that [good] out within ourselves and others all year round, insha’Allah.”

An early Ramadan Mubarak to you all!

Channel 4 Revelations: “How Do You Know God Exists?”

// August 16th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Blog

Programme synopsis:

“Leading figures in the five principal faiths in Britain discuss their beliefs and answer questions about their basic faith and their own spiritual journeys.

The key figures interviewed are Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, Muslim theologian Tariq Ramadan, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Swami Pramtattvadas.

As well as addressing the ‘big questions’, including their concepts of God, heaven and hell, they speak frankly about their struggles and frequent moments of doubt, about the divisions within their ranks and crimes that have been committed in the name of religion.”

I only caught the second half of the show, but was just in time to see Tariq Ramadan do a really bad job of explaining the infamous ‘wife-beating’ verse in the Qur’an. It’s not entirely his fault… editing is a dodgy business, and he only had one sentence to work with, really. But that’s why I get quite annoyed with these types of shows. You aren’t given the time to do justice to any topic.

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The Lake District

// July 16th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Photos

Here are some photos from my recent trip to the Lake District.

The following is my personal favourite; click to enlarge.

Jazakallah khair to brother Mohammed for inviting me to Cumbria, and granting my father and I a personalised tour of the area.

Have You Thanked Allah?

// June 9th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Blog

I was e-mailed the following by a friend, and thought it contained some great bite-sized chunks of wisdom.

—

Have You Thanked Allah?
by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Salmân al-Fârsî radhiyAllahu anhu said:
“There was a man who was given many of the luxuries of this world, and then they were taken away from him. But he continued to praise and thank Allâh until everything had been taken from him, even his bed. And then he still praised and thanked Allâh. Another man, who had also been given many of the luxuries of this world asked him, ‘What are you praising and thanking Allâh for?’ The man said, ‘I am praising and thanking Him for blessings which, if others asked me to give them to them in return for all that they have, I would never give them up.’ ‘What can they be?’ asked the second man. ‘Can’t you see?’ asked the first man. ‘I have my eyesight, my tongue, my hands, my feet…’”

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Taking Advice From the Past To Save the Future

// June 2nd, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Blog

You know those Sci-Fi films where the protagonist receives an unexpected visit from their future self, heralding grave news of a disastrously sticky end if they don’t do an incredibly important task, that can conveniently be achieved within the 75 minute remainder of the movie?

The kind of scenario that always throws up the problem: “Well, if they complete the mission, then that version of the future will no longer exist. Therefore the character won’t be able to return to the past to warn themselves about avoiding said disaster. But without such a warning, the bad things will happen anyway. Ah, but then if they… no, that won’t work… unless they manipulate the space-time continuum…? Yes! No. Wait… using the graviton emissions of a nearby worm hole…. perhaps… Multiverse theory would allow… would allow… wo- Oh look: time for Hollyoaks!”.

Anyway, I experienced something like that this evening, at a sisters-circle I attended – but in reverse.

Continue reading my post at MuslimMatters.org…

Eid Greetings

// December 8th, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Blog

Another year, another Eid… Ramadan somehow feels just as much a distant memory, as a recently departed event.

I discovered something slightly disturbing today: it costs more to perform the Qurbani in Iraq, than in the UK (£155 vs £95). The first price was taken from the Islamic Relief website, the second from a local London butcher. The cheapest price quoted was for India, just £30. However, the canned meat option for Iraq is cheaper, at £67. Still… quite a shocking price difference.

May Allah grant our brothers and sisters in Iraq, and all parts of this blue-green Earth, a peaceful Eid, so they may call out the takbeer with true gratitude in their hearts. Ameen.

A reminder of this awesome group activity:

The morning of Eid-ul Fitr at the Sacred Mosque in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

No Surprise To Me

// December 2nd, 2008 // 8 Comments » // Blog

I’ll admit: when I am upset, I don’t always turn to the right places for comfort. The kitchen is usually my first port of call. Sometimes sleep. Sometimes friends.

But what happens when your stomach doesn’t fill?

And your brain refuses to switch off?

And friends don’t pick up the phone?

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Rocks

// November 8th, 2008 // 12 Comments » // Blog

Sometimes, it feels like there sits a rock where your heart should be…

But God says:

Even after that, your hearts became as hard as rocks, or even harder;

For there are rocks from which streams spring out,

And some from which water comes when they split open,

And others which fall down in awe of God:

He is not unaware of what you do.

Holy Qur’an 2:74

Perhaps emotional anguish creates the cracks within a stony heart,

from which purifying rivers burst forth?

Perhaps it is the only way for rocks,

caged within steel ribs,

to be humbled;

that they may fall down,

prostrate,

in awe of their Lord.

If so…

Allahu akbar for a broken heart.

Hamza Yusuf Video: Eid Al-Fitr ‘08 Khutbah

// October 14th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Blog

Jazakallah khair brother Yusuf (not Hamza Yusuf; though thanks to him too!). I really needed this.

Ramadan Entry – Losing Track!

// October 7th, 2008 // 4 Comments » // Blog

I forgot to mention my follow-up entry to Ramadan: The Ultimate Sin-O-Meter, titled: Ramadan Sin-O-Meter: The Results. Check it out!