HD Recording VS HD Spirituality

786

Salamun Alaikum dear brothers/ sisters! i pray you're well (Iman and health-wise).

Everything i say here is to myself before my dear brothers and sisters.

This is something i've been thinking about recently. You know back in the day, when they didn't have technology, sometimes i think that certain acts of worship had much more meaning. For examples, holding and attending Majaalis, gatherings, to remember and mourn over Imam Al-Hussain (a).

Allow me to explain...

Back in the day, due to the high lever of faith, Ma'rifah and love for Allah and His beloved ones, when a gathering of mourning for Imam Al-Hussain (a) would be held, the focus would be mourning Imam Al-Hussain (a).

It sounds kinda obvious that this is the aim, but sometimes it seems that today the aim is sometimes forgotten. As an organiser i'm worried about arranging food, decorating the venue, having high quality recording, how many people will attend...

i'm not saying these are bad things in and of themselves. But sometimes they become the focus. Hence a supreme act of spirituality that gives utmost peace to the heart turns into a stressful, laborious chore... or worse, an ego match and a competition...

'My Majlis', 'your Majlis', 'their Majlis'... what happened to 'Imam Hussain's Majlis'?

Did you know that there are two guests who attend every Majlis of Imam Al-Hussain (a)?

The first is the mother of Imam Al-Hussain (a), the lady of light, Fatimah Al-Zahra (a). And the second is none other than our living Imam, our loving Imam, our father, the one kept by Allah, Aba Salih Al-Mahdi (a).

Do you think these guests look at the food we cook or the banners we put up or the amount of people who attend?

The question every one of us must ask our self is 'who am i trying to please by holding this Majlis?'
If it is lady Fatimah, if it is our beloved Imam... then know that they look only at one thing: they look at your heart. Is this Majlis held out of love for my Hussain... or to compete with the neighbour? Is it out of genuine grief and a desire to mourn my beloved Hussain... or in order to boast about how many attended?

So, to my dear brother/sister whose heart is saddened for Imam Al-Hussain (a), whose eyes are wet for Imam Al-Hussain (a), who yearns to hold a Majlis for Imam Al-Hussain (a) but is worried about material issues (food, space, people etc)... follow your heart. Because this life is too short to do otherwise. This is not your Majlis. Leave the organisation to the real hosts of the Majlis. This is an opportunity for you to serve them. It is an honour. Do it out of love for them. Do Tawassul with them. And you will find them near to you, responding.

The Value Of A Tear - Traditions On Crying For Imam Al-Hussain (a)

Please remember me in your du'as!

Salaamun Alaikum.

Hawza Studies?! But You're Intelligent!!!

In the name of Allah

Salaamun Alaikum dear brothers and sisters. i pray that you are all in the best of Iman and health - yes, Iman comes before health :)

Soo, tonight i'd like to write up my feelings about why i want to study in Hawza. When people ask 'so which uni are you going to?' or 'how is your personal statement for ucas coming along?', they are often shocked to hear the reply 'well, actually i'm not going to university here' or - when i don't feel like explaining - 'yes, i haven't really finished it yet, but you know, there's still time!' (which technically still passes as telling the truth) :)

So i thought i would share my thoughts and feelings with my dear brothers and sisters - that's you! Feel loved please :)

In an attempt to present myself as being organised i'll number the reasons, though they're all different ways of saying the same thing, or in more spiritual terminology: they are all manifestations of the same reality.

Reason 1 - Life's Too Short
Yes. Life is too short! Some people have said: look, people have a bad view of Islamic scholars, they view them as uneducated. If you go to uni here, have a secular degree, and then go to Hawza, you will be able to show them that this is not the case. To this i answer (to myself, of course - not to the person saying this; at the time i just smile politely): i am not going to take out three years of my life doing something i don't want to to in order to prove something to people who are ignorant. This is my life. God gave it to me. i don't feel i need to spend it proving anything to anyone. i never expect anyone else to spend even a day of their life the way i want - i leave them to it... their life, their choices. My life, my choice.

Reason 2 - Peoples' Opinions Do Not Matter

Contrary to popular belief, peoples' opinions do not matter. They mean nothing at all. The only 'opinion' that has value is Allah's. That's it. And as a Muslim, He is the Only One we consider worthy of servitude. For a Muslim, everything revolves around Allah. We are created to worship Allah (by which we increase our capacity to receive His love, light and nearness to Him). That's it. i don't need a second opinion and neither do you! The only time anyone's opinion has value is when it is based on Allah. Everyone should ask themselves: will this decision near me to Him or not? It is subjective. Everyone is different. Just be honest to yourself. A friend of mine once said: if you're not honest to yourself, even God won't forgive you. That's deep.

Reason 3 - This Is What I Want!

Going to Hawza is what i want to do. Why? Well, i want to know what the Ahlulbayt (as) have said! i want to know their beautiful sayings. i want to learn about them, so i can know them better, so i can be closer to them! That's more than enough of a reason to make a decision!!! 

So why not do Hawza studies in the UK? Well, there's more than the reason i just mentioned. The other reason is, very simply, that in the holy cities i feel a greater sense of spirituality due to the presence of the holy shrine. No words can describe what it is like to live and study by one of the houses of Rasulallah (s). That's not a small thing. That's crazy, out of this world. For some, this is not a worthy reason. But for me, it is settling by the sanctuary of my parents, the holy prophet (s) and his immaculate household. That is, once more, more than enough of a reason, if not the greatest of reasons.

Reason 4 - Self Building

This is what it's all about. 124000 prophets were sent for this reasons: to show people how to become human beings. Self building. This is what the prophets and their successors (as) lived, breathed, died to convey to humanity. And they conveyed it through being the perfect human beings, the perfect examples, as well as being guides on this path. In Allah's eyes, if you do this, you are successful. You could be a fisherman earning 20p a day in Bangladesh, but you are the most successful person on the face of this earth; why? because 'surely successful is the one who purifies it [his/her soul]'. This is real success. Anything else is meaningless. 

But can't self building be done anywhere, even in the West? 

Definitely. Absolutely. 100%! But self building is all about our decisions and choices, right? So for example, do i choose to wake up to pray Fajr or do i choose to put the alarm on snooze? Do i choose to look or lower my gaze? These are the choices that result in the purification or darkening of the soul.

Same way, where to study is a choice. And i personally felt that studying in an Islamic seminary in a holy city by a sacred shrine would be the best thing in my interest when it comes to self building. Because 1. performing Ziyarah of the holy prophet (s) and his household is a great means of purification 2. Being in an environment where everything reminds you of God, where the graffiti on the wall says 'allahumma salli ala muhammadin wa aali muhammad' as opposed to '.....', where billboards display posters of men of God rather than semi naked women... all of these may have an effect on the human soul. But for those who stay in the West for the sake of God, facing these challenges will only strengthen your faith and nearness to Allah 3. there is greater access to teachers of spirituality and ethics if i would like to seek advice. 

Reason 5 - Serving The Believers

This follows on directly from the previous point. i don't believe in going to Hawza, memorising Ahadith and then regurgitating them in a Majlis in London. No, not at all. Be the change. Change your self: the world will change. i want this to be a means of an internal change, of an increase in light in my soul, and i pray to Allah to make me a means by which this light is given to the believers. As a beloved brother of mine once said to me: we are nothing but wasilas for one another.

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5 is a good number :) so i think that's enough of me going on and on! i know that some will read this and say: this guy is stupid/deluded/pitiable/living in the clouds/dreaming/brainwashed... take your pick - the English language has no shortage of adjectives!

But there will always be someone who considers you to be this, no matter what you choose to do, no matter who you choose to become. There will be a circle who appreciates you and another that despises you. That's life. So what will you do? Will you live your life for others and be eternally unhappy? Or will you be true to yourself... and find real friends who love you for who you are, and not who they want you to be... the first of them being your Lord and the second being His prophet (s) and his household. The choice is yours. No one else's.

Thank you for read dear brother/sister. All that you need is within you. Always be true to yourself because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter. God is always with you. Ilal Liqa2! (till we meet again!) Salamun Alaikum :)

Thoughts On Gift Wrapping And Arba'een

786
Salaamun Alaikum world!!

Okay its been a while since i've posted something so i'm gonna post now :)
i've had quite a few thoughts over the last week and i've been like yeah i'm so gonna post this but when i've had the chance i was like nah not on it tbh lol but anywayyyy i'm here now but the problem is i can't seem to remember the thoughts i wanted to write up :S

Oh yeah! Just remembered, last week we went to an event organised by some loving brothers and sisters who will be visiting Karbala this Arba'een. So, they're taking presents with them for the orphans there. The event was open to everyone and gave us the opportunity to wrap the presents they will be taking, and also record a short message for the orphans there.

My feelings at the gift-wrapping? i loved it. When i saw the event on fb i said to myself: when do we ever get such an opportunity? It's such a beautiful feeling knowing that i myself am actually doing something physically - as small as it may be - that will put a smile on the face of an orphan this Arba'een. Wow, that's crazy... just out of this world. Alhamdulillah.

And it seems that brother Reza has just shared the video he put together with some of our messages to the orphans in Iraq who will receive these presents in the coming week, inshaAllah: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz8of6WlBWo&feature=youtu.be

May Allah bless all the organisers greatly for their efforts!

And wow, subhanallah, SOO many people i know are visiting Karbala for Arba'een. It's beautiful, i feel so blessed that i know so many brothers/sisters personally who will be the guests of Imam Al-Hussain (a). i'm sure i know over ten brothers/sisters personally who will be making the journey, some have already begun!

But you know i think that perhaps one of the biggest problems we have is that we are too physical. We take things too physically. And when the Qur'an or holy prophet (s) and his progeny try and elevate us we say 'yeah, it's just metaphorical, not real'... but i think that it is us who are not being real. They are saying: 'open your eyes! see the beauty of who you are! enjoy your life! There's so much more than what you think!' yet we are satisfied in the darkness, having convinced ourself that there is no light. We get stressed over crap like exams and assignments for God's sake... honestly, we have problems, i include myself... and i ask Imam Mahdi to pray for us to take us out of this pathetic condition!

Soooo, i want to share something my dear brother Hussain Makke wrote that really touched my heart. This is not something sentimental. This is real. This is real. This is real. But if i want to close my eyes on the beautiful reality and insist that i desire death, stress, depression and darkness, then indeed 'there is no compulsion in religion; the right way has been made distinct from error'.

So i leave you with these beautiful words of light which pierce the material realm:

In Muharram if you think all you are doing is remembering him saying that call, you are mistaken. You are living that call. You are right there, as he cried this, screaming Labayka Ya Hussain with your fist in the air, because your allegiance transcends space and time. We don't just remember Karbala, we were there if we choose to be.

The last two times I visited Karbala I asked you all to forgive me and said goodbye. Though this time I still hope for your forgiveness, I won't say goodbye, because I understand it in a whole new way now.

My body is leaving for Iraq tomorrow.. To those of you who won't be able to take your bodies to Karbala for Arbaeen this year, that are longing to go so bad, that are seeing everyone's statuses leaving and wishing you could go with them: I know it must hurt and frustration may be taking you over, but you're coming too, if you want to. On the day of Arbaeen, sit down and send your spirit to Karbala, believe it. Feel your spirits touch the shrine, renew your allegiance, and mirror his love for his Lord. Visit your Imam from anywhere in the world, because your love is not bound by mere space and time.

So, no goodbyes. Rather; I will see you all there.

Pray for me when your spirits are in Karbala.

'Hussain To Me'

786

Salam dear brothers and sisters. Here's an article i wrote for the college magazine. It's in 'proper English' lol. i thought i would share it here, so here it is...

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In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful

What does Hussain mean to me?

He means everything to me. In a few hours of a single afternoon, he taught me everything I need to know and showed me everything I need to be. It is as if the twenty-three years of the prophet`s (s) message; his love, his vision, his struggle... are encapsulated into a single man. Hussain is the perfect student of Muhammad (s).

He is the meaning of sacrifice, the symbol of loyalty, the very essence of mercy and compassion. On the battlefield, he fights with unmatched valour and off the battlefield he gives with unparalleled generosity. The moon envies his heart’s radiance and the sun surrenders before the warmth of his character. Hussain is the embodiment of virtues.

From the ninety-year old sage to the six month old infant, from the black African slave to the renowned Arab warrior, from a fourteen year old nephew to a sister in shackles... Hussain's companions are shining examples for all humanity that when freedom is threatened, when faith is corrupted, and when materialism governs, all have a part to play in the stand for liberty, piety and morality, that in the way of truth, no sacrifice is too great.

Whenever I feel weak, depressed, lonely… I take myself to the land of unending inspiration, to the camp of Hussain, knowing that my thirst for love, strength and light will be quenched there. I drink from the sweet springs of his love and compassion, and recieve the energy, determination and vision that I need to continue.

Indeed, the epic scene we find in the desert sands of Karbala: an armed force of thirty thousand men facing a band of seventy-two; a camp of egotism, hatred and arrogance facing an army of love, compassion and self sacrifice; cowardice against loyalty, pride against humility, vengeance against mercy… is in reality nothing but a reflection of the scene that all of us witness every single day… within our own being.

When I find myself torn between virtue and desire, between love and lust, between freedom and slavery… all I need to do is view my situation through the lens of Hussain’s sacrifice, and everything becomes clear, as if his stand is the very manifestation of the Qur’anic passage: ‘There is no compulsion in religion; truth has become distinct from error…’ (Qur’an 2:256). When I have to choose between swallowing my pride and responding with anger, between the urge to backbite and the struggle to hold my tongue, between silence in the face of injustice and standing for freedom… I remember the words of Hussain when he stated:

“They have left me a choice between death and humiliation. And never to humiliation”

In the way I think, in the way I speak, in the way I worship; in my relationship with God, in my interactions with His servants… in the way I live and, inshaAllah (God-willing) in the way I will die, I try to answer the call of

Hussain when he stood alone on the desert sands and called out:

‘Is there any helper to help me?’

The chapter of history that tells of the sacrifice of Hussain was a chapter that was opened in Karbala… but it did not close there. It remains open until this day. And as long as there is a single human being living under oppression – be it social, physical or spiritual – this chapter shall remain open. As long as there is a single homeless man without shelter, an abused woman without protection, and a thirsty child without water, this chapter shall remain open. 

Yesterday it was spears and arrows.

Today it is tanks and missiles.

Yesterday it was town criers of despotic Caliphs.

Today it is a multi-million dollar media machine.

Yesterday it was the companions of Hussain against the army of Yazid. Today it is oppressive regimes that occupy and murder indiscriminately against advocates of justice and liberty.

Yesterday it was the love of position against love of God.

Today it is a culture of lust and consumerism against virtue, ethics and morality.

Today, it is you and me. Every day we are faced with decisions, with choices. Hussain’s eternal stand continues, and so do the endless attempts to silence it. It all begins within our own selves. As such, the question every person must ask his/herself is not 'where would I have stood had I been in Karbala 1300 years ago?', but rather:

‘Where do I stand today?’

Part XIII - Reactions

786
Salaaaaam bros/sisters!!!!
Guess what?? Haidar'z baaaaccckkkk!
please forgive me for not writing for soooooo long; i guess i got kinda bored posting posts :s my bad... but now i'm on dis blog ting propa u get me? joking :)
Soo, last time i mentioned that i would speak about the reactions i received when i broke the news to friends and family... so here it is...

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When i told my brothers, they were like 'what?' before a huge smile would erupt on their face followed by hugs and kisses... alhamdulillah i can say that there is not one brother who i told to which he so much as looked negatively towards me; there were many surprised expressions... but all of them were positive surprises and usually followed by praise and commendations about how its so good to get married young and well done etc etc... not to mention the questions lol.. but i understand and enjoy answering them... that's why i began writing these blog posts in the first place!

But there were some negative reactions. This was because some people who think they know me but have no idea who i am felt that they should have been in on it since day 1. even though i explained that this 'marriage' was only in order to be able to know the sister more before in a halal context (i tended to avoid unnecessary contact with non mahram sisters)... how can this be appreciated by someone who has no issues touching cousins (''sisters'') and even neighbours and friends, giving them hugs and kisses? How can such a person appreciate my understanding and perspective? What - become 'married' just so you can talk?! And how can you know such a person? ... how can you explain that all that matters to me is piety and i trust in God... truly those with worldly outlooks consider those with Iman to be deluded and those with Iman see them in the same way. i don't claim to have Iman. But i'm trying...

Anyways i can't really give details as that would entail backbiting!

At such a time, i really appreciated the fact that friends are the family you choose for yourself. Of course a family member could be a friend too. They are not mutually exclusive or anything! But the people you happen to be related to do not always understand who you are... but there will always be individuals in this world who will understand you. And these individuals are your real family. Subhanallah. It is the believers who are brothers/sisters; it is Iman that makes you truly related to another and not blood ties; because if that was the case then Allah gave His word to the prophet Nuh (a) that He would save his family and He drowned his unbelieving son; when Nuh (a) asked God about this He said 'innahu lays min ahlik; innahu 'amalun ghayra salih' = 'He is not from your family; his deeds are other than righteous'. Wow, Qur'anic values are so liberating; they're drastically revolutionary, even today 1400 years later!