The Amazing Brain

One of my biggest vices from the “bad ol’ days” was music.  It was a large part of my everyday life since I was 9/10 years old, up to 21.  In those 10 years built up a collection of CD’s worth a small fortune.  I wonder sometimes if all that still has an effect on my state now? 

Something weird happened to me recently, I heard a song by Alicia Keys on TV; Teenage Love Affair, there is Motown sounding base sample used in the song and the instant it was played I recognised I had heard it before.  The sample was used on a Hip Hop album, I couldn’t remember the album or the group but for some odd reason I remembered it was an intermission type track on the album.  It bugged me for hours not being able to remember which album it was.

Then a few days later as I was waking up for work, still semi-conscious, the album name and group suddenly came to me!  It was from Muse-Sick-N-Hour-Message by Public Enemy, track: White Heaven/Black Hell.

This was truly freaky, kinda like my brain was working on retrieving the data stored somewhere in my long term memory all that time, then involuntarily gave me the answer, I didn’t even think about it since that day I first heard it.  And the last time I listened to that album was probably 12 years ago!  What an amazing organ the brain is.

I wish I used my time (and money!) on something more beneficial like memorising the Qur’an.  Memorising comes easy to me alhamdulillah, I can still remember many rhymes word for word.  Even now after listening to and singing some qasida’s I memorise it after a few days, maybe all that music and rhyming has improved my memorisation skills?  Still I would have loved to have the Qur’an memorised instead of all that music.

Allah knows best, I can’t change the past and there must be a divine wisdom behind my misspent youth.  Most obvious of all is that I should do tawba for all of that and thank Allah or changing my state.  No point crying over what I could have done instead, it was all meant to be.  Insha Allah I will try to make sure my kids don’t make the same mistakes. 

The Most Blessed Last Words

“As-salah! As-salah” (The Prayer! The Prayer!)

The last words of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)

These last few words of the Messenger of God (صلى الله عليه وسلم) speaks volumes about his blessed character and nature. His (صلى الله عليه وسلم) last words are reminding us of the thing we will be first questioned about when we are resurrected.

His (صلى الله عليه وسلم) speech is described as “jawami’ al-kalam” - comprehensive speech, eloquent, concise words with a wealth of meaning behind them, comprehensive message and guidance in them.

“As-salah! As-salah!” He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is advising us to guard our prayer, to guard our prayer we must learn to pray properly, the prayer includes the Quran, the prayer includes the shahadah, it includes salawat upon him (صلى الله عليه وسلم), it includes du’a (the original pre-Islamic meaning of ’salah’ was supplication or du’a), salah is prayed in congregation (importance of keeping close to the jama’), it’s about the mosque, it’s about sacrificing time, it’s everyday….

The most amazing thing is that his (صلى الله عليه وسلم) last words, his last concern before leaving the world was for us. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was thinking about our well being, our guidance until he breathed his last (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The mercy to the world, may Allah bless and raise the rank of His Messenger, His beloved, the final Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Reflection on Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (ra)

Allah (sw) says in the Quran (4:69):

وَمَن يُطِعِ اللّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَئِكَ رَفِيقًا

And whoever obeys God and the Messenger, these will be [in paradise] with the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous, upon whom God has bestowed favours”

This ayah lists the people in paradise whom Allah says he has betowed favours upon. What is understood in this ayah is that there are ranks in mankind and the ranking of these people who are in paradise, is known by the order in which they are mentioned in the ayah.The best of all human beings are the Prophets, then the Siddiqeen or the Truthful, then the Martyrs and then the Righteous.

The highest possible station a human being can achieve is the maqam of Siddiq, as Prophethood has ended.  And the person that was given the title ‘al-Siddq’ by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was none other than Abu Bakr (ra). A teacher of mine once said “where prophethood ends Abu Bakr begins”. After the prophets (’alayhum as salam) the best person to have ever lived was Abu Bakr (ra).

What earned Abu Bakr the title al-Siddiq? It was after the Prophets (صلى الله عليه وسلم) night journey (Mi’raj) when the enemies of the Muslims jeered at what the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said of his night journey, claiming it was fanciful and thought the Muslims will not believe such a thing and will leave Islam.

They went to Abu Bakr (ra) and said “Do you know, Abu Bakr, what news your friend has for you in the morning?” said one of the mean. “He says he was on the highest heaven last night, having a talk with Allah, the Almighty. Would you believe it?”

Abu Bakr replied “If he had said this then I believe what the Messenger of Allah has said.”

Abu Bakr (ra) has such firm belief he never had any doubt in the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). It was the above incident plus the sacrifices he made after becoming Muslim, his wealth, leaving his family members who did not accept islam; this is what earned him the title of al-Siddiq, a station better than the martyrs, better than righteous and close to the station of Prophethood.

Abu Bakr (ra) is also teaching us the importance of checking soundness of narration of knowledge in the above incident. The importance of Isnad. When he (ra) replied “If he had said this then I believe…” What he is saying is “you who is telling me this, I don’t trust as a sound source of knowledge, but if the Messenger of God (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had said what you are saying, I believe it.”

This is an incredibly high level of adab Abu Bakr (ra) has of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

Why We Are Not Given Victory

I’m going through the Seerah of Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), reflecting on the part where the Muslims were given victory in Mecca or fathul-Makkah (opening of Mecca).

The way in which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) entered Mecca - humble because victory is granted only by God. The way he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) dealt with those that fought against the Muslims - he forgave them and said they are free, even though they killed many of his companions and his own uncle (ra), they were by all means war criminals. 

He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) didn’t take retribution for all the wrongs committed against him (صلى الله عليه وسلم). For he was not sent for this, he was sent as a mercy to mankind (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

It’s called the “opening of Mecca” and not “conquering Mecca”. It wasn’t about defeating the enemy to take their wealth and land (in this case take back their own land). It was about opening the hearts of enemies to the truth.

Fight them if they fight you, we have been given the right to defend ourselves from aggression, but when we are given the upper hand we are taught the best way is to forgive and show mercy.

Just think if Muslims were given victory over our perceived enemies in these times, how would we react? What if Israel was defeated how would the Muslims deal with the Israelis? How about America? Would we follow the example set by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and show mercy or would we take revenge?

Victory is granted by Allah alone, the way the Muslims behaved after the opening of Mecca proved they were sincerely fighting for the sake of Allah, not for any other worldly reason, they deserved victory.

Maybe we are not yet given victory because we don’t deserve it.

Allah knows best.

 

Knowledge based Deen

The first three Surahs to be revealed were al-’Alaq (The Clot), al-Qalam (The Pen) and al-Muzammil (The Enshrouded One). 

(The chapters were not revealed in full though, for example only the first 5 ayaats of surah al-’Alaq were initially revealed)

Each Surah begins: al-’Alaq - “Read (recite) in the name of Your Lord“, al-Qalam - “Nun, By the Pen, and what they inscribe” and al-Muzammil - “O thou folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night..”

“Read”, “By the Pen”, Stand by night” - These early revelations convey to us that this deen is a religion of reading, writing and worship. A knowledge based deen, worship based on sound knowledge conveyed to us by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and preserved by Allah through the Scholars (may Allah be pleased with them).

Waiting to Die

My Grandad is staying with us for a few weeks whilst he gets eye treatment in the UK. He’s very old, 85, and up until the last few years he was quite fit and healthy for his age. He can barely walk on his own now. For someone who used to be very active even in his retirement, always out and about going to see friends or entertaining guests, shopping, I feel sad for him now he can’t do any of those things. I can see why some old people become grumpy as they grow frail, having to rely on other people for help to do most things. What do you do with your life when you’re that old? How do you pass the days?

Observing my Grandad, the only pleasure he really has, what his day to day life revolves around is the prayer. The way he meticulously prepares himself, performing ablution with presence and concentration in every motion. It reminded me of how important wudu is, that it itself is an act of worship. “The presence (khushu’) in your prayer is linked to your presence in the wudu” a teacher once told me.
Normally I would be grossed out at washing someone else’s feet but I feel honoured to help a servant of God perform this act of worship, there is much baraka to be gained from helping the elderly perform their ibadah. The feet I’m washing have stood in prayer for many more decades than I have.

It is this reason - that he has spent many years relentlessly worshipping Allah - I believe he finds so much pleasure in it. All those years performing the prayer, doing adhkar everyday must have a profound effect on the heart. Unlike the body the Ruh should grow stronger with age (if it was looked after properly during the life) therefore the Ruh’s connection to the akhira is stronger in later days. In any Masjid you’ll find it’s the really elderly people always in the first row, always look engrossed in the prayer, who go to the Masjid solely to worship; rarely have long conversations with anyone, and who always have a nurani glow about them.

At this elderly age my Grandad doesn’t have any more responsibilities, no people have rights over him, his duty to the dunya is over. His only purpose is to spend the rest of his days in worship of Allah, until he meets his Creator.

Waiting to die doesn’t need to sound so morbid, it’s the phase of life, if we are lucky enough to reach it, we are waiting to return to our Lord.

Hiatus

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Peace and blessing to all

I need a break from the Internet, in a sort of anti-www mode.  Don’t know when I’ll be back. 

Remember us in your du’as.

و السلام

The Deen is Ease

The Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings, once recited two short chapters (al-Falaq and al-Nas)  in the dawn prayer.  When he finished his companions asked him, “You have shortened the prayer?” He (peace be upon him) said, “I heard the crying of a baby and was afraid that his mother would face difficulty.  Recorded by Bukhari (706, 710,868), Abu Dawud (789), Nasa’i (826) and ibn Maja (989-991).

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was so concerned about the difficulties of a single person that he (peace be upon him) shortened the prayer for the whole congregation. 

Back to Work/Back to Blog

A belated happy new year to all. 

The dreaded first day back to work has not been that bad, even with the boss still on holiday which means I’ve got to cover for him so I gots crazy amount of work to do, alhamdulillah it’s preparation for things to come.  This year is going to be hella busy for me, with starting my professional qualification and continuing Arabic studies, I won’t have as much time to spend on the blogs.  May Allah grant us barakah in our time, amin.

It’s been just over 6 months since I started this blog, some thoughts on blogging so far…

Blogland

It’s a big bloggy world but also a very small world.  Yes there are a zillion blogs out there but you always seem to bump into the same faces, even when randomly blog surfing.  Like brother Darvish, dude is everywhere!  I have a theory… I thinks he is one of those mystics that wot can be in several places at the same time, the ‘Abdal or People of the Step as they are known :o)

Bloggers

Most blogs I’ve come across I have found, surprisingly, the bloggers and people commenting to be nice people, intelligent, tolerant and sincere.  I was surprised because from past experience on various forums I got the picture most people like to vent their anger and hatred on the net, with the safety of anonymity and the ease in expressing whatever we want, there are extremely contemptuous comments being made on discussion forums (eg The Guardian Comment is Free section)

This is not the case with most bloggers, most of us don’t like to be hosts for ugly argumentation.  Call it fitra or whatever, but most people are sick of all the hatred that floods the net and there is a rising trend for discussion with manners, hurrah!

Writing

A self discovery I made since blogging is how bad I write, I knew I wasn’t no Shakespeare but I didn’t think I was this bad!  Another thing is I sound like a different person in my writing, like when you hear your voice recorded, do I really sound like that?!  I’ve not written like this in years, need to get re-accustomed to expressing my thoughts coherently and with a bit of eloquence, insha Allah!   This was one of the reasons I started the Poetry blog, at least in Poetry you can pretend to be eloquent :o)

Intentions for Blogging

I keep coming back to this, I’ve read many seasoned bloggers who say they regret a lot of what they wrote.  Speaking on subjects they are not qualified to, writing egotistically like their opinion deserves special attention.  Shukran to all those brothers and sisters who warned of this, I have loads of stuff thats sitting in draft, or was deleted.  Because they were too long and badly written and also a lot of it I had to admit was egotistical writing, my unqualified opinion on matters (I wrote long pieces on the row over race and intelligence sparked by Dr Watson and a review of the film American Gangster).  The world does not need to hear everything that goes on inside my head, I have a patient wife who listens to my mad theories.

My intention when starting this was to mostly pass on khayr, any sort of goodness I come across if I could share it somehow through this blog I would.  Something that will benefit me and others for eternity, a salawat, something that increases iman, taqwa of Allah, love for Rasul Allah (sal Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam). 

A specific du’a I made was for Allah to make this blog a means for my happiness on Yawmal Qiyamah.  That someone finds something here that guides them, that makes them from the awliya and then on That Day that person remembers this sinner.

The Most Praised Name (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

There was a programme on in the weekend with Lenny Henry talking about the most memorable moments in his life. One of which was the Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman fight in Zaire.  He said an amazing thing about Muhammad Ali is that you could put him anywhere in the world and he would be recognised by pretty much everyone, his name would be known by almost every person on the planet!  He is arguably the most famous person to have ever lived.  Isn’t it amazing the most famous person of our time is named after the beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم)? 

Even in these times of celebrity worship, where sometimes the scum of the Earth are world famous, it’s as if Allah has made His beloved’s name (صلى الله عليه و سلم) above them all, the most famous. 

There is also the book by Michael Hart of the most influential people in History in which he places the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) number 1 in the list.  The most recited and memorised poem in the world is Imam al-Busiri’s Burdah, a poem in praise of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم).
 
The name ‘Muhammad’ itself means often praised, it is derived from the root verb “ha-mi-da” (to be praised).  ‘Muhammad’ is the passive participle (ism maf’ul), the derived noun from the 2nd form of “ha-mi-da” - “hammada”.  This verb form usually intensifies the original verb, so hammada could mean ‘intensely praised’ (I say could because I didn’t find this verb form in the dictionary). The passive participle indicates on the entity upon whom the meaning coming from the root verb is enacted.  In this case upon whom this intense praise is lauded (صلى الله عليه و سلم). 

Other meanings derived from the root verb include -

حمد (Hamd) - Commendation, laudation.
محمود (Mahmud) - Praised, able, laudable.
احمد (Ahmad) - More lauded, most lauded.
حميد (Hamid) - Praiseworthy.

His blessed name (صلى الله عليه و سلم) is filled with praise, all the meanings derived from his name is linked to praise.

So why does his blessed name (صلى الله عليه و سلم) evoke a completely different response from non-Muslims?  Some insult him (a minority I would say) but most would admit they know very little about him (صلى الله عليه و سلم) .

Why?  Is it because we Muslims have failed to convey his message and his life (صلى الله عليه و سلم)? Misrepresentation of Islam in the media?

It’s tragic that the best of creation, the mercy of mankind, the beloved of God (may blessings and peace be upon him) is hidden, his reality veiled from a lot of people. 

Muhammad,
the Messenger of God,
the Beloved of God.
all good traits combined,
Mercy to mankind.
(صلى الله عليه و سلم)