What ever we did, looks so insignificant when thinking about what You deserve Yet, so little that we did looks good enough when thinking about how generous You are We tried to find You, but we noticed You were always there, it was us who were lost We tried to hear You, but we realized […]
The Concepts Behind Fasting
Meaning and Customs of Ramadan I would like to have an explanation about what Ramadan exactly is. Inform me of its meaning and its customs. Reply The Islamic (lunar) calendar, like the solar calendar, is divided into twelve months. Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of this lunar calendar. The significance of this […]
Soul Searching
Experiencing some loss is a taxing time of a person’s life. It reminds him of a great reality he often forgets and ignores: trials and tribulations are a part and parcel of life; they change form but as long as a person breathes they can come anytime, more so when least expected. But when they […]
Practical Tips for the Month of Ramadan
For some, the month of Ramadan is a month of refraining from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset. For some, it is the month of reading more Qur’an and more prayers and supplications plus the above. For a few, it is the month of gaining a sustaining and higher level Taqwa plus the above […]
Where Have You Been?
Blood started running fast in the veins on your face, you could feel it, it was happening again, a going, or rather a coming, a presence, a presence so charming that while it comforted you, it did not take away the wonderful feeling of being alone. A presence, so precious, that you began to miss […]
Gratitude
Expressing gratitude to the Almighty is the foremost basis of our relation with Him. This expression pertains to the heart, the tongue and the deeds we do. Expression of gratitude by heart means that it should be brimming with thankfulness to God for His innumerable bounties and favors-much like the udder of the goat brimming […]
The Lesson I Learned
Much as I wish to live a happy life I am compelled to live a miserable one. My aspirations are shattered and my dreams are eroded beyond repair. The peace and serenity I plan to bring to my life is somehow impeded by the irony of fate. One after the other, obstacles keep popping up […]
Supplication Expressing Belief & Seeking God’s Favors
رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ Our Lord, we believe in what You have revealed and we follow the prophet. Therefore, count us among those, who bear witness [of Your Truth]1 Note: This, according to the Qur’an, was the supplication of the companions of Jesus (pbuh). The Qur’an informs us that after […]
Supplication for Pious Progeny
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ My Lord, grant me a pious progeny, as a special favor [upon me] from Yourself. Indeed, You hear our supplications1 Note: This is a part of the supplication of the prophet Zachariah (pbuh), when he prayed to God to give […]
A Comprehensive Supplication for Forgiveness & Ease in Responsibilities
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا اكْتَسَبَتْ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ Our Lord, do not hold us […]