Gratitude

Gratitude Can’t Ever Go Wrong!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Being grateful is a blessing many do not take seriously. Yes, we are grateful for the good and the bad.  We are grateful for doing things that please Allah.  We are grateful when we are put to the trials and tribulations of life. We are grateful for being able to handle it with caution. We are grateful for putting smiles on the faces of the poor and the needy.  We are grateful and happy for doing it to seek the face of our lord without showing off to anyone.  We are grateful for the men in our lives.  We are grateful for the gift of beautiful children in our lives. We are grateful for putting others before ourselves. We are grateful for making people happy.  We are grateful for those who appreciate us and those who pray for us. We are grateful for the love and support we get from people.

This morning, I express my gratitude to Allah, and then all of you, for your love and support.  Thank you for your prayers and kind words. Thank you for your silent wishes for me, my supporters, and my family. I am grateful.

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

weeping muslim exptd

Perhaps You Might Weep Out of Fear of Allaah!

by with No Comment SPIRITUAL ADMONITIONS

If Allaah loves a soul, He gives him a heart that trembles at every call on the remembrance of Allaah. A heart that weeps alone, a heart that sheds tears over sins.

A hardened heart is a heart that is careless at every smallest and biggest sin. It is a heart that has become rigid and hard like an unbreakable stone. Those with such hearts are persistent in their sins. They are those who do not help one another in piety and righteousness.

Sa’d ibn al-Akhram (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I was walking with Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) and he passed by the blacksmiths, who had brought a piece of iron out of the fire. He stood and looked at the molten iron and wept.

One of the salafs was asked why he loved to weep, and he was reported to have said; “I do not know what is ahead of me, either “divine pleasure or wrath”

The month of Ramadan is the month of opportunity to weep over our sins. It is the month that should bring a soul closer to his Rabb. A month to make true repentance and be consistent in seeking the face of Allah with fervent acts of worship and charity.

One of our Ustadh’s used to say: weep while alone over your bad deeds to seek the pleasure of Allaah. Perhaps, Allaah will forgive you and shower His mercies upon you. He further said, even if you have to fake it, fake it.  Until your heart becomes softened and you feel the sweetness of loving Allah upon your heart.

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man who weeps for fear of Allaah will not enter Hell until the milk goes back into the udder, and dust produced (when fighting) for the sake of Allaah and the smoke of Hell will never coexist.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and al-Nasaa’i).

From among the salaf-as-saaliheen, are those who used to weep out of fear of Allaah when RasuluLlaah gave his speeches. They were better than us and our forefathers. They fear Allaah more than us, yet, most of them were persistent in this course.

Allaah also mentioned in the Qu’ran that we should weep a lot, and laugh a little. Let us take this opportunity to weep and bow our heads seeking forgiveness during our Qiyaam ul Layl; especially during this month of Ramadan.

Oh, Allaah! The turner of heart, turn our hearts towards your obedience. Grant us a soft heart and bestow upon us your forgiveness. Give us the ability to weep over our enormous sins.

Ya Rabbal ‘Aalameen!

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Ramadan 1439A.H

May, 20th, 2018.

orig aff woman

Who Do Women Love Most?

by with No Comment HEART-TO-HEART TALK

While l was growing up, l couldn’t forget the attachment l had with my father. The love l had and will continue to have for him even while he has returned to Allah. My mother is my best friend and a role model to date. The love l have for her is indescribable.

Once l became married, l transferred the love to my husband, and now my kids. Even while l never stopped praying for my father. So, the question of who women love most comes to mind and l realized many women will tell you, my husband or perhaps my kids. As I’ve mentioned in my book, ‘Towards A Successful Marriage’ “Can love be too much?” though, our core love must solely be for Allah, before the most loveable person, our husbands.

But when trial surfaces in the marriage, you will be surprised that some women who had told the world, “I love my husband,” are the same to tell them how terrible the man is. The worst is to allow yourself to be carried away by frustration and tell the same world how incompetent he is.

While no man is infallible, you shouldn’t bring your marital problem to any social media outlets. Love sensibly, choose wisely, and exercise patience when trial strikes. May Allah ease the affairs of our homes.

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

original praying woman

You Are Rich, My Dear Sister!

by with No Comment HEART-TO-HEART TALK

Being rich isn’t all about money. It isn’t just about the luxuries and fortunes a man possesses or has acquired. What is the benefit of a man whom the world has known now for his richness and power; without a small atom of faith?  l tell you something, it is worthless.

Your situation might be tense as we speak, but you are rich my dear sister. You are rich in Imaan, taqwa, and steadfastness. This is why you are being tested. You are rich in listening to the book of Allah and putting them into practice. You are rich in doing things solely for Allah. You are rich when the world makes you cry, and the tears drop down your cheeks. You are rich when things are constantly proven hard. And you take it with the patience bestowed upon you by Allah. You are rich for not giving up when your eemaan is put to the test. Yes, you are rich when no one is available to share your pain and give you comfort. Yet, you hold on to His rope.

My sister, you are rich. The parable of your richness is found in the book of Allah. Allah says: If you believe in Allah and do good deeds, paradise awaits you. Allah (SWT) says: But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, we shall admit them to the Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever. Allah’s Promise is the Truth, and whose words can be truer than those of Allah? Qur’an 4[Nisa’]:122.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

exptd sad img

I Cried Listening to Her!

by with No Comment HEART-TO-HEART TALK

While helping her out, she started telling me the story of how she was raped at the age of three until she turned thirteen. Now in her old age. My heart was filled with sadness as l continued to cry with her. Naturally, I can’t stand anyone crying and in pain like that of hers.

It was a memory of a bad situation that had happened to a then very young girl who was scared to tell her parents the horrible, terrible thing her uncle had been doing to her.

Dear, be mindful of leaving your daughter with any family member of yours. Be mindful of trusting any man, young or old with your daughters. Take care of your children yourself. May Allah always protect us and our children.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

wmanpic

What Affects Most Women in Dunyah is Marriage!

by with No Comment MARRIAGE

I would like to point out something of great importance in this small article. And that’s the point of ‘think before you act’. I have seen that most women go into divorce without thinking it through and they also tend to take advice from their friends who wouldn’t ever leave their marriage for another woman.

While you take your matter to a friend who has always been eyeing your husband without you knowing, little do you leave the house that she enters. This is someone who will say it to your face, after all, he is entitled to marry four wives. So, what’s the heck?

Another point you need to be cautious of is telling a friend every good thing your husband does for you. Be mindful of the evil eye. No one said you shouldn’t say good about your husband, but be careful, especially telling those you know are in dire need of one. They may not mean harm, but l tell you, they want to be in your position too. They equally want to be happy.

In conclusion, try all you can to raise better men. If you have a son, please, raise him well. So that your daughter does not go through what you are going through now. May Allah ease the affairs of our homes.

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

February 17th, 2023

Gratitude and thankfulness

Gratitude to Allah Even at A Difficult Time!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Practicing gratitude can help us focus on the good things in life and increase our overall happiness. Yes, l understand how things are difficult as we speak. I know and heard how expensive things are, and the amount of suffering going on.

Yet, l want you to practice gratitude and appreciate Allah for some of the things people do not think are worth being grateful for.  For example, you have a home, good health, children, and a sane mind.  You should be grateful for your sights and fitness. That you can work around while some people can’t, deserve praise. Be thankful and hopeful in the mercy of Allah.

Always look at those below you and not those above you. Be grateful for all the positive things you have accomplished and continue to ask Allah for the remaining.  May Allah grant us a heart of gratitude.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Turning Back

Turning to Allah!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

There is no better person to turn all our affairs to except Allah – The Mighty, Merciful. You are indeed going to be tested if Allah will. But the one to direct your pain and anxiety toward is your Rabb – The King of the day of questioning.

What is about this life if not delusional, deceptive, and degrading? And yes, Dunya is fascinating and can be thrilling. But, do you constantly remind yourself of the killer of joy? Yes, death, is the destroyer of happiness. I have witnessed it. I have felt the pain of losing a loved one and l have shared the pain of my patient’s families when they finally kick the bucket.

Life is a temporary journey.  And the reality of it is not knowing your last day on earth.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Patience in Worshipping Allah

Patience in Worshipping Allah

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

I remember the day of my final exam at the university some years back. That day was one of the extremely hottest days in the United States.  So, we were asked to move to another location for the exam and behold, everyone felt the heat within.

As a user of the face veil, l felt the heat deeper within – just like every other person in the room. It was so hurt that the AC couldn’t be more effective than it was. Imagine having exam in an extremely hot weather as such.  No one bothered to ask if it was too hot for me or not. This is because we were all feeling it. I recall a sister in the same room with me who took her small hijab off. l was very sad, but she was a struggling sister then. It is worth saying that while l will be rewarded for pleasing Allah, they won’t. Even though we were all in the same situation.

To enter paradise, you have a lot to sacrifice – you have a lot to be patient about. You indeed have a lot to put on the table for your Jannah. There is no easy path to enter paradise. It’s going to be a lot of dedication, perseverance and patience. You will know if you are doing enough, or doing little.

I have been constantly reminded to be more patient. And this is indeed crucial in worshipping and seeking the face of Allah. To be safe from hell, you must have worked your whole life pleasing Allah and seeking forgiveness for your enormous sins. May Allah forgive us and grant us a good ending.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Allah Put You in That Position for a Reason: It Isn’t Because You Are Better Than Them

by with No Comment ISLAMIC ETIQUETTES

A sister messaged me and expressed her mind toward me. Apparently, she wanted to speak with me and the only thing l did was a reply to her tasleem. Perhaps, l may be at work or may even be going through something myself. Many people like me can’t come online and start complaining about our plights. It will affect many people that l know without any trace of pride. So, at most times l handle things myself without complaining to anyone except Allah.

Sometimes, l feel overwhelmed and tired. I sometimes feel frustrated when l see some messages. I have for so many times cried out and run to my husband. Only for him to calm me and remind me of the title above.

I recall a day Abu Zayd Idris Ismail asked to speak with me, I think it took me about five days or even a week before l finally got the chance. Ask ‘Bilqis Yusuf’ if l have been able to speak with her. Even while she wanted to address something of great importance. We kept missing one another.

It has always not been intentional. I wouldn’t hurt anyone intentionally. But, by Allah,  l can’t answer everyone.  It’s not just possible. So, if you feel offended about your messages not being read or replied to, remember l am human. I can’t answer everyone. Always give excuses for your sister.

See, I don’t get angry over unreplied messages or calls.  What l do is to continue to remind the person and hopefully, he or she gets to me someday. It’s 12:30 am on Sunday, Jan 28th and I haven’t slept.  This is someone who had to park to sleep for 10 minutes on my way back from work.

But, l have promised to reply those that l asked to message  me on WhatsApp for our #RiseToEmpower program.  By Allah, l am only sacrificing my sleep for the sake of Allah. So, l ask you to always give excuses to your sister, as l will always give to you as well. May Allah ease our affairs. May He forgive us all.

Umm Sumayyah Mai