Time flies...

Subhanallah.

The world is ever-changing
It's hard to catch up
Look behind for a second
And times almost up!

Not a word not a sound but
So many things around
Laughter envelopes sorrow
Yes, one today is one more tomorrow (Inshallah)

Have we forgotten ourselves
In the midst of the chaos
Are we leaving behind memories
Or a bunch of goodness?

Did we forget that this was promised
This time span that is leaving us behind
These years will seem but a few days
When we leave this world from here...

"And on the Day when He shall gather them together, [it will seem to them] as if they had not tarried [on earth] longer than an hour of a day..." (10:45)

Planned Parenthood

People say they can plan when they want to have kids. But is it really true?

There are three things that are pre-written for us:

1. When you're born and who your parents.
2. When you will die.
3. Who your spouse will be.

Therefore, according to that if you are destined to be with certain parents at a certain time, can they really "plan" when they have you?

Similarly I've heard the argument that if you're really careful, then you can avoid parenthood. Um no.

Even if you "plan" not have to have kids for say five years, when you do want to have kids in the sixth year, you cannot pinpoint the exact year, month, or day when it will happen. According to sunnah, a couple can concieve a child within a year if God so wills.

And even then, what if you just can't have kids and didn't know? Or in one case a woman lost her child during pregnancy and may not ever be able to get pregnant again without severely endangering her life.

If you look at Prophet Zakariyah, his wife and him were impotent. He did not have a child until he was in the feeblest age and with the help of dua. Allah so willed.

Vigin Maryam had Prophet Jesus without a husband or a mate. Allah so willed.

Prophet Ibrahim cohabited with Hajira and had Ismail because Sarah was unable to have children. Suddenly she had Isaac. Allah so willed.

Nothing is planned. It's all in Allah's divine plan. Destiny is written, but fate can change with duas. So you can make duas to help you and try your best to do what's best for this world and the hereafter.

If you're "planning" to have children later, ask for the best time.
If you're "planning" to have children sooner, make dua to be well-qualified and prepared. If you're not "planning" for anything, just believe...if Allah so wills it can happen.

Ameen.

"Verily with every difficulty there is relief"

'Verily, with every difficulty there is relief' (94:6).


This is such a short verse in the Quran, yet it can mean so much.

The Quran is so beautiful, subhanallah. Every time you read it (the translation) you will find out something new and the same verses will mean something else. It has the power to heal, to lift you from distress and guide you. Quran is the literal word of Allah in the form of a 'book' for all mankind to learn from, revealed through Angel Gibrael and exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (sws).

On most Sundays I spend my time at the masjid trying to reach out to young girls. Some are innocent to the reality of this world. They have yet to learn. Some are going through things I may have gone through, or perhaps even worse things.

Often we discuss Quranic verses and I try to find a way to relate it to them. Mind you I try to be as straight forward as possible because I realize how important it is for them to learn the truth.

During today's program hijab came up. Hijab is mandatory for women and men. Yet, there are many of us who cannot bear with the reality of things being haram and halal. We have our own ideas and we draw fine lines to suit our cause. Sometimes we struggle to go one step further to get closer to Allah.

For example,

Some wear hijab, but not all the time.
Some cover themselves, but do not dress modestly.
Some hang with good friends, but also bad friends.
Some know what's right but are fearful for what people will say so they stay in the wrong.
Some pray, but not five times a day.

Hence we have religion. Religion came here to give us hope. Hope to increase our faith, help us get through the small struggles and attain Paradise.

We have the choice to worship Allah, however our hearts were made to worship Him. Therefore naturally our instincts will incline towards good and sometimes verge towards bad when we're caught off guard.

And all the things we're holding ourselves back from; wearing a little less make-up, wearing loser clothing, hanging out less with the bad friends, wearing our hijab all the time, praying on time is all a test. It is all a struggle. It can all be hard.

But Allah says, "No burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear" (6:152) therefore that reassures us that we can get through our struggles.

And Allah says if we struggle in hardship, it will be followed with ease...as long as we're doing it to please Allah.

Allah judges us for efforts more than our actions. What more do we need to move ourselves forward?

Well, we need faith.

"La illaha illallah" There is no God but Allah. Miraculously the solution is in the verse itself. Remember Allah, repeat this verse and associate no partners with Him. He will elevate your faith Inshallah.

The Quran also has great stories to learn from. For example in Surah Al-Anbiya, The Prophets(21:76-93), I found six major Prophets mentioned that all had their unique struggle. Overall they all displayed patience, perseverance, gratefulness, and they remembered Allah in times of hardship (and always).

Not only was their message important - to believe in and worship One God - but their lives were examples to learn from.

Allah says He gives us hardships to make us stronger in faith.

What do we have to complain about? Neither did a flood destroy all but a handful of the inhabitants of the Earth like during Prophet Noah's time, nor did we get swallowed by a big fish like Prophet Jonas. And still we are ungrateful.

(21:76-93)
http://searchquran.net/quran.php?q=21:76-93&lang={$lang}

So what is the best way to worship Allah and get through our struggles?

Remembering Allah. "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction." (13:28)

And Allah knows best. Ameen.