istock_000023897960small

Make a Difference, Be a Positive Influence

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

In a society filled with fitna and detachment from the reality of death and resurrection, and the accountability that comes with standing before Allah one day, it’s crucial to be a Ghuraba, even if you’re the only one. The boundaries some of us are crossing shouldn’t be emulated by the rest of us. The truth is, you’re not like them, and they’re not like you. What makes you unique is your obedience to Allah, even when it’s apparently difficult.

I live in the West and work as a Registered Nurse in a reputable hospital. I’m always the only one who comes to work fully dressed in a long skirt, accompanied by a long undertop and a uniform blouse with hijab and niqab. I interact with everyone respectfully, without fear or intimidation, and speak clearly and convincingly when needed.

What am I driving at?

As a Muslimah, always be conscious of your environment and accountable for what you stand for. It’s easy to follow the crowd and get distracted without realizing it. Instead, ask yourself: ‘Is my action in line with what my religion stands for?’ If you acknowledge that an action doesn’t align, promise yourself not to do it, even if thousands are doing it. Be the change; be the one different from the thousands. Show bashfulness when it’s least expected of you.

By Allah, you’ll be what Allah wants you to be. Your success and sustenance depend solely on Him. Be a Ghuraba in the face of fitna. May Allah keep us steadfast and accept all our sacrifices for Islam.

– Umm Sumayyah Mai

Divorce Can Be Extremely Tough

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Beyond the emotions of letting go of someone you once loved, the struggles of getting it right the second time can be overwhelming. Watching a sister share her recent divorce struggles on YouTube, I felt her pain deeply.

People choose divorce for their own reasons, and it’s not our place to question them. While I advocate for patience and perseverance when issues can be resolved, I’ve seen those grateful for their decision to leave and those who wish they hadn’t. What’s even more heartbreaking are those whose new marriages don’t work out either. May Allah protect us.

Know that Allah is aware of your plight; don’t stop asking Him for the best. If reconciliation is possible and you can forgive each other, your sacrifice will be rewarded in both worlds. However, prioritize your safety if you’re in an abusive marriage. Let’s emphasize the importance of emotional kindness, especially for our men. May Allah ease this sister’s affairs and grant her the best.

– Umm Sumayyah Mai

The Affairs of This Life

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

I was having a conversation with someone today, and as we talked, she mentioned her father passed away when she was 10. I shared that mine was 11. This exchange made us reflect deeply on our time in this world.

While these humble men have long gone, we humans seldom remember our own mortality and the accountability that awaits us. Life is temporary. For every action or deed, try to purify your intention and do it solely for Allah’s sake.

Don’t overlook opportunities to help others as much as you can. Be someone who wishes good for others. Let Allah and people know you care, and that your heart isn’t consumed by worldly pursuits. Live generously, giving in cash and kind to the vulnerable and poor. May we end well.

– Umm Sumayyah Mai

Allah loves Us, He loves You

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Allah, the Most Merciful, is patient and forgives us when we call upon Him, acknowledging our enormous sins. Allah’s love is evident when He reminds us that we still have the opportunity to make amends and changes in aspects of our lives that displease Him. He assures us of His Rahma, that as long as we are alive, we can seek forgiveness repeatedly. Allah loves you, dear one, and your test lies in embracing His mercy and striving to become a better version of yourself.

Let His love and mercy guide you on your journey, and may you find solace in His words: ‘And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons their evil deeds…’ (Quran 42:25). Remember, His love and forgiveness are always available to those who sincerely seek Him.

May He grant us His love, and the love of those whom He loves.

– Umm Sumayyah Mai

When Trials Come, Hold onto Your Faith

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Dear Sisters,

In times of trial, it’s essential to hold fast to our faith and trust in Allah’s divine plan. We are all tested uniquely, and some of us may face depression, anxiety, and panic attacks as we navigate life’s challenges. Personally, I faced a significant trial on November 2nd, which affected me profoundly through my beloved. In the midst of turmoil, I sought solace in prayer, crying out to Allah in the stillness of my closet. Despite my pain, I continued to express gratitude, posting “Alhamdulillah!” as a testament to my faith.

Though I didn’t receive the outcome I had hoped for, I remained steadfast, trusting in Allah’s mercy and wisdom. This experience reminded me that our trials are a shared human experience, affecting us all in different ways. As believers, we must recognize that our lives are in Allah’s hands.

It’s not always easy to share our struggles publicly, but we can find comfort in knowing that we’re not alone. As people of Sunnah, we’re called to stand firm in the face of adversity, returning to Allah in times of calamity.

Our faith doesn’t immunize us against trials, but it equips us to face them with courage and resilience. Let’s learn to accept our trials as opportunities for growth, drawing closer to Allah and recognizing His sovereignty over our lives. May Allah ease our struggles and guide us on this journey of Dunya.

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Ramadan 2024 Eclipse Picture

Muslim in Ramadan and Muslim of All-times

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Ikhwaan fillah, we have been blessed.  We have been given the huge opportunity to witness the month of Ramadan. We were encouraged to live a life of obedience, humbleness, and fulfilling the promise made to our Rabb. The learned one had said: “May Allah have mercy upon the one who has tried working righteous action and living a life of obedience.”

I believe that we all have worked so hard this month to seek the face of Allah. Allah ta’ala mentioned in the Noble Quran: “We have not created men and jinn except for them to worship me.” Learn to know the importance of not being a believer only in the month of Ramadhaan – we should tend to ask ourselves, do l only eat in Ramadan? Only take a shower in Ramadan? Only meet with my partner in Ramadan? And of course, only seek to make ends meet in Ramadan? So, we should fear Allah who does not only exist in Ramadan.

It becomes a fitnah and of course, the way of giving way to shaitan to sit on our hearts while allowing our whims and desires to take a huge control over us, If we are among those who only observe salaat, only use Jilbaab and only visit Masjid in the month of Ramadan.

Remember, Allah is the Lord who does not sleep nor slumber, and we all have angels who are on standby to write our good and bad deeds. Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ud mentioned that:  “l dislike to see an idle man, doing nothing for Dunya( by the way of taking care of his family ) and of course not preparing for the Hereafter.

He (ibn Mas’ud ) also mentioned in another hadith, “l used to dislike that the sun was setting over me, and l did not increase in the action that l was already doing. It is indeed upon you, to use five before you are overtaken by five. Your life before death, your wealth before you become poor, your health before you become sick, your youthful age before you become old, and Your Free time before you are pre-occupied.

Ikhwaan fillah, let this Ramadan be a Ramadan that will help you to work righteous deeds, increase in seeking the pleasure of Allah, and of course continue doing good actions and deeds in the later months. Shaitan is chained in the month of Ramadan. Do not have the mindset of taking him as your master when Ramadan ends. Seek help in Allah throughout this month, and ask that He make you fulfill your promise to be a good servant forever.

Our sisters are encouraged to keep their Ijabs while fulfilling the rights of their husbands and the brothers are also advised to hold on to the rope of Allah without falling short willingly. We have been called and reminded, for reminder benefits a believer and we are also advised not to be carried away by Dunya after Ramadan.

Live your life as a traveler and remember you will not live forever. A day shall come when you will wish all days are like the days of Ramadan. May Allah keep you well and safe. Ameen.

 

Umm Sumayyah Mai

RAMADHAAN 1441AH

REPOST

Muslim Child Praying

Children Duaas!!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Oh Allah, You have granted us the opportunity to witness yet another year of Ramadhaan, Oh Allah! accept our supplications in this Holy month. Oh Allah, accept my fasting, my Taraweeh, and grant all my requests. Oh Allah grant me good health and sound eemaan.

Oh Allah, Make me successful in both worlds. Oh Allah brighten my face. Oh Allah make me happy. Oh Allah be pleased and happy with me.

Oh, Allah! Make me an obedient servant of yours. Make me an obedient child to my parents. Oh Allah allow me to always do things that will make them happy and not sad.

Oh, Allah! illuminates my face with your light. Oh Allah make your book, the Quran, the Light of my heart. Oh Allah elevate me in this Ummah. Oh Allah, do not make me sad or break my heart. Oh Allah prevent me from the fire of Dunya and Akhirah, and grant me the highest rank in Jannah.

Oh, Allah make me memorize your book and never forget it. Allow me to read it on the day of judgment with light surrounding me and my heart full of Joy.

Oh Allah grant me success in my academics, Quizzes & Tests. Oh Allah, promote me excellently to the next grade and grant me all my heart desires. Oh, Allah, help fulfill my dreams of what l want to become in life.

Oh, Allah! Make me the Imam/ Ustadha of your Masjeed in Mecca and the Masjid of Rasoolullah in Medina Al-Munawarrah. Oh Allah make me love You and make me love the Prophet and put the love of those whom you love in my heart.

Oh Allah, grant me Halal Risq and make me among those who give charity solely for Your Sake. Allow me to be persistent in doing numerous acts of worship and charity.

Oh Allah ease the affairs of my parents. You know what they want most in life, for themselves; and for me and my siblings. Accept their prayers on us Ya Allah.

Oh, Allah! put your love in their hearts. Oh Allah continue to put love and mercy between them. Let them reach old age in sound health, eeman, and taqwa.

Oh Allah, as they are raising and nurturing us on the path of Islam and Sunnah, allow us to appreciate them. Allow us to take care of them when they become old in our hands and return their hard work and sacrifices with Jannah.

Oh, Allah! Do not make me among those who commit Zina, theft, and lie. Oh Allah grant me steadfastness upon the Deen. Oh Allah make my feet firm upon righteousness.

Oh, Allah! Grant me beneficial knowledge, piety, and taqwa. Oh Allah allow me to live long on the straight path. Oh Allah grant me wisdom and a good heart.

Oh, Allah! distance me from Hellfire and draw me closer to Jannah. Allow me to do the work of the people of Jannah and grant me a good ending.

Oh, Allah! Make me among those who weep in secret for your Sake. Make me a JUST ruler. Oh, Allah! always wake me up to seek your face during the third part of the night. Make the love of the Masjiid firm upon my heart.

Oh, Allah! Forgive all my sins and grant me humility towards Allah, toward the people, and upon the Deen. Oh, Allah invoke on me your mercy, blessing, and forgiveness. Oh, Allah! make me a child my parents will be proud of.

Oh Allah ease for me my affairs and do not leave me to them even for a blink of an eye. Oh Allah protect me from all evil eyes among men and Jins. Oh Allah make me among those who will die upon Islam and Sunnah. Allow me to follow the Sunnah in all my activities and make Jannah Al-Fridaws my final abode.

 

Oh, Allah! allow me to always observe my five daily prayers on time along with the Nawafil, and grant me concentration in my prayers. Grant me the ability to read from the depth of my heart with full attention to the meaning.

 

Oh Allah, allow me to always fear you both inwardly and outwardly. Oh, Allah! allow me to be among those who will enter the gate of Solaat, Zakat, fasting, and charity, and make the Prophet and the Quran an intercession for me on the Day of Judgment.

 

Oh, Allah! I seek refuge in you from the punishment of the grave and the torment of it. Oh Allah distance me from Hell and distance me from committing sins knowingly and unknowingly.

 

Ya Rabbal Ala’aameen.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Ramadhaan 1443 AH

resized travel to mecca image

The One Who Loves Allah

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

This is someone who makes solid clarification before venturing into anything – before laying his hands barely on anything.  When you love Allah, you thank Him for the good and the bad.

You go to Allah, first and foremost in gratitude for the mercy He bestowed upon you and the blessing He put in your life and businesses. Perhaps having to do Sujud Shukr for the good news. You also have to rush to him when calamity befalls you before you start calling friends and family in regret and sorrow.

Everything and anything that happens to you in life should always be referred back to Allah, first and foremost.  It’s a sign that you love Allah.  And Allah will love you in return.  Cry to Allah for the good and the bad.  And Allah will never let you down.  Hand your affairs to Him. He will take care of it better than anyone in heaven and on earth. May Allah ease all your affairs.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

You Are Not Yet Barren, Allaah Has Not Forsaken You!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Do never lose hope in Allaah. He ‘Azza wa Jal has not forsaken you. Your time is coming and it’s near bi-dniLlaah. Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that Allaah sees your tears and pain – He sees your struggles day and night. You have tried your best, from one hospital to another. You have been advised by many folks. Perhaps, you were given everything to take to conceive. Allaah knows the best time for you habeebaty. You are not yet barren, and your joy will come soon bi-dhiniLllah.

Recently, l had an encounter with a female patient who is about 43 years old, behold Allaah has just answered her prayer with a beautiful baby. I was present on her delivery and l thank Allaah on her behalf. Life is a test and of course a struggle. Dunya is a place that makes you laugh in the morning and makes you cry in the evening. We are tested differently and your test is better, little do you know.

Take all opportunities in this month of Ramadan and ask Allaah to wipe your secret tears. Tell Allaah you want to carry your child with your own hands. Seek assistance with prayers and patience. May Allaah grant you the best. May He ‘Azza wa Jall grant you the fruit of the womb.

Oh, Allaah! Put smiles on their faces. Grant them pious children that will be the coolness of their eyes. Ya Rabbal ‘Aalameen.

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Ramadan 1439AH

May 2018!

 

The Loss of a Child, Indeed an Unforgettable Experience!

by with No Comment AQEEDAH

Know that your child will be at the door of paradise opening it for you, for indeed it was narrated by Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhin wasalam; the affairs of a man who used to attend his gathering and noticed to be missing due to the loss of his child. It was said to him, which would you prefer, to enjoy the pleasure of dunyah with your child and remain alive or you want to come to the door of paradise tomorrow? The man replied to the latter; meaning that; the lost child would be a means for him to enter paradise.

Our hearts are heavy, we share your pain. The calamity of losing a child is indeed heavy on the chest. Only the mother can describe the pain.

When Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhin Wasalam lost his son Ibrahim he shed tears and grieved:

As narrated by Anas bin Malik in Sahih Bukhari “We went with Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu alayhin wasalam to the blacksmith Abu Saif, and he was the husband of the wet-nurse of Ibrahim (the son of the Prophet). Allah’s Apostle took Ibrahim and kissed him and smelled him and later we entered Abu Saif’s house at that time Ibrahim was in his last breaths, and the eyes of Allah’s Apostle Allahu Alayhi wasalam started shedding tears. ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf said, “O Allah’s Apostle, even you are weeping!

”He said, “O Ibn ‘Auf, this is mercy. ”Then he wept more and said, “The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord, O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your separation.” When calamity befalls, during our trials and tribulations, we were advised to cling to what the companions clung to as taught by the most beloved. That was what they clung to at the death of ibn Abdullaah SallaAllahu Alayhim Wasalam. It’s very easy to say, it’s very easy to advise someone to be patient during this kind of trial, l ask that Allah grant us such patience we preach to others during our trials in Dunya.

We all are indebted to Allah the Almighty who has blessed us with the deen of Islam. Allah, who had made us Muslims, upon true guidance. Indeed we may have gone astray. We are advised not to say anything displeasing to Allah Azza Wa Jal when such a trial happens as losing a child. Perhaps, Allah knows what is not apparent to us. Indeed, he knows best. We would be careful not to utter any horrible terrible statements against our Rabb, during this trying period.

Inn Shaa Allah, we would be with those whom we love in the hereafter. In there, there is no separation once we are all granted Jannah. May Allaah distance us from hell and move us close to Jannah. May He forgive us our sins and grant us his mercy.  This life is temporary and shall pass one day. Allaah is indeed more merciful to us and he didn’t wrong know one. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhin Wasalam along with their companions passed by a woman who was suckling his child. And he asked the companion; do you think that woman could cast his child in hell or perhaps harm him? Their reply was too negative, he RasulluLaah told them Allah is more merciful to his servant than a mother is to her child.

You are indeed not alone, only if you can be more patient. Every soul shall taste death and unto Allaah is our return. We need to continue to seek his pleasure and forgiveness. We ask Allah to grant you the best. May He grant you and the family the fortitude to bear the loss. May Allah make your child your means of entering Jannah. Ya Rabbal Ala’ameen

Umm Sumayyah Mai

Dhul-Hijjah 1439AH