tranquilart

On Marriage

2011-09-26T15:20:00.008+01:00

I have been thinking about writing about marriage for a year or so now. This has been in the backdrop of a number of people I know either undergoing divorce or being separated.

There is no doubt that the number of resources on marriage have increased and diversified to address this issue in our communities. It is therefore hoped that this piece will add to the resource bank on marriage that already exists.

I decided to approach married friends to ask them what they thought were the two qualities which they have found to be the most important in making their marriage work, progress and be a means of positive growth for them. I received 28 responses from friends and their spouses. The responses are categorised by gender to help readers understand the ‘other’.

The respondents come from various backgrounds in terms of ethnicity, age, location, class and profession. Some have been married over two years and others over two decades. All respondents are Muslim. I am indebted to everyone for their contribution and honest insights and hope that this benefits all.

Last year I asked my Christian colleague who has been married for almost three decades to tell me what he thought was the secret of a long-lasting marriage. He replied with a simple message: If we can have a good relationship with God Almighty, we will find that we have a good relationship with our spouse (and everyone else).

Of course you will find many words repeat themselves here but I hope it will highlight the importance of those qualities and hopefully motivate us all to work towards developing them in our relationships. Enjoy!

WOMEN

Respondent 1:

1. Communication
2. Forgiveness
3. Appreciation

I had to add the third although you asked for two. I've found the above three things to be equally intrinsic to a healthy marital relationship.

Communication is the basis of any relationship, and helps build friendship, trust and intimacy with one's spouse.

Forgiveness is essential because we have to realise that we're not perfect and nor is the other person. If we can't forgive each other our shortcomings, mistakes or even at times a real emotional injury, how can we sustain a relationship? Sometimes we wrong those we love or they wrong us, if we're to have lasting relationships we have to forgive and continue building or rebuilding the relationship.

Appreciation keeps one grounded in the reality of the blessings one has. It prevents satan from creating boredom, distance, resentment, or other negative feelings in the relationship. It's so easy to take for granted what we have. In the same way children can - as youngsters especially - take their parents and all they do for them for granted, I think there is a danger of this happening in marriage too. Appreciating the other person and what they do for you etc can help keep bonds of love strong.

Respondent 2:

1. Trust / reliability
2. Friendship

Respondent 3:

1. Patience and a mother with good morals and values, whose always taught me from right to wrong and again brought me back to that very word – sabr (patience).
Reality is, I confide in her and only her, I know her advice will be selfless and unconditional, she has foresight which only comes with her experience and the authority to make me listen to that advice because she's my 'mum'.

2. Second quality - is doing things for the sake of Allah, often I remind myself when in difficult situations, what is the purpose of my marriage?? Who in reality am I pleasing: Allah or husband? By making him smile, in essence I have made my Creator smile.. It makes everything so easy

Why are there so many failed marriages around us, I often ask myself, what are my husband and I doing that works???
In answer, we’re best friends, we talk, we work things out, we don't shout and scream - yes disagree respectfully...
Take into consideration each other’s feelings...
Respect one another...

Respondent 4:

1. Listening and Understanding - try and see it from the other person’s perspective and taking their feelings and thoughts, into account, understanding that marriage is about the two of you not just you.
2. Patience and Communication are vital.

Respondent 5:

1. Mutual love
2. Mutual respect

It didn't require much thinking! And meant to say that my dear dear grannie used to say NEVER GO TO SLEEP CROSS WITH EACH OTHER!!!!

Respondent 6:

1. Caring concern
2. Appreciation

Respondent 7:

I would say that for the other half and myself, listening to each other is the most important thing - i.e. good, honest communication.

Second is to make time for doing things together (even if for a short while) that isn't related to chores or work. There's always a danger that the responsibilities take over, and you never unwind and relax in each other's company.

Respondent 8:

1. Respect
2. Patience

Respondent 9:

The two important qualities that I would classify as essential are:

1. Listening
2. Talking

Now this may sound so simple and to be honest it is, however, in order for you to do these two actions you are facing other challenges, such as swallowing pride, admitting you’re wrong, becoming humble and being completely exposed.

Listening, all you have to do is be quiet...BUT we have a tendency to interject or make our point or just flatly ignore what the other person is saying because we think they are wrong. However listening helps us see a whole new perspective it helps us understand where our partner is coming from. It creates respect and love because we have given time and been given access to go into and explore the beautiful mind of our other half.....as we are not mind readers. So why would we deny ourselves of such treasure.

Talking, if we can talk to our partner about our needs, wants, dreams, passions, then what else do we need. I find that if a husband and wife are not able to communicate then they will feel a void, a need to express themselves to another person, whilst they are just going through the motions of life with their partner. What is the point if your spouse cannot be your friend as well. Through discussion you can plan together a life that is more fruitful and help each other on the mission to God.

There are other things I could mention but these two are definitely my top priory because we know that communication is the birth of any action.

Respondent 10:

1. Trust
2. Communication

Respondent 11:

1. Trusting each other in every matter

2. Having made a decision to follow the Islamic way of life, so there is no conflict. Before we made this decision there was a lot of conflict between us due to cultural and extended family pressures.

Respondent 12:

1. Patience - think twice before accusing / criticising / complaining.
2. Say Salam (Greeting) with a smile when you leave each other / see each other everyday.

Respondent 13:

… there are two things that my marriage has lacked to a great extent and I would advice all married people to make these two things part of their lives:

1. Communication
Communication is the most important thing if one wants to make a marriage work. Talk to one another about anything and everything. Tell each other how your day was; tell one another what you’re thinking and feeling, and just be open and honest with one another. That is the best way to not only get to know one another but also to build a good understanding and appreciation of one another.

2. Make decisions together
This is so important. No matter what the decision is: big or small, make that decision as a couple because you should both be happy with what's going on and what's gonna happen.

Respondent 14:

1. Trust
2. Acceptance

(Ultimately good character flows through the above two qualities when they are being used / tested. If good character wasn't present when trust and acceptance is being tested, then think we would have broken up by now).

Respondent 15:

1. Most important thing for me is communication... being able to talk about a situation that may be bothering me or my husband and getting it out in the open. Once that's done you have cleared the issue or problem or blockage and can move on to the next task.

2. Spending real quality time together. Having some down time, the reason why you got together in the first place was because you displayed the character of "you". The man or woman you were before you got together was obviously endearing and so marriage should not be the reason why that character gets lost...

Respondent 16:

Ability to:

1. Communicate
2. Compromise

Respondent 17:

1. Patience
2. Self-sacrifice

Respondent 18

1.Communication
2. Trust

1. I believe it is very important for spouses to remain open and engaged with each other and to talk and listen to each others views, opinions, general feelings and even day to day talk about how their day was etc. This keeps the couple close and also prevents bad feelings being bottled up.

2. Trust is also key to a relationship, spouses do not need to live in each others pockets, they should both lead their own lives, have their own friends and trust each other with their wordly affairs. They should be able to condife in each other with trust.

Respondent 19:

After some consultation, my good lady and I came up with:

1. Acceptance of the other as they are, and willingness to be flexible and not rigid (being willing to sometimes sacrifice what I am for what he/she is).

2. Patience.

MEN

Respondent 20:

Marriage much like the alchemy of happiness is a complex but wonderful mix of many different ingredients and components.

What makes a marriage work on a Monday could result in it becoming vulnerable on a Thursday.

I was asked to consider two qualities I thought would be important in a marriage, I should point out that the two qualities I've highlighted today may not be the same as what I may have said next week if I was asked the question then. Relationships never follow linear routes, marriage may be seen as conventional and traditional but it is anything but on a day to day basis as you face the many different challenges and blessings thrown your way.

Marriage like eman (faith) fluctuates requiring lessons and inspirations to be drawn from different components of it’s fabric and DNA, in much the same way that we call upon Allah in our time of need by His different Names and Attributes according to our need and our circumstances of the time.

A marriage without trust is like a sea without water or a religion without prayer. Trust is the foundation of any marriage representing an unspoken contract that if not breached will be the glue that holds a relationship together. Where there is doubt there is human failing, where there is trust there is success that comes from the strength of the other.

Eman (faith) is also a key component of a successful marriage. A good marriage will strengthen one's faith and strong faith will strengthen a marriage: they are as complimentary as the Quran and the Sunnah. Strength in the deen (religion) comes from having compassion and a strong marriage requires compassion and understanding of the other. Through compassion we learn forgiveness and acceptance of both our own and our partner's shortcomings. It is a virtue that too often can be breached despite one's best intentions and when we lose compassion we find the destructive ability to inflict hurt to those we love.

May Allah make us of those who are compassionate and understanding and not of those who desire to judge or harm.

Respondent 21:

1. That which engages the soul.
2. That which engages the body.

Respondent 22:

1. Abiding by the rules of Allah Ta'ala and the ways of the Prophet (Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam)

2. Realising each marriage brings it's own unique qualities...fun, laughter, sharing

Respondent 23:

1. Upholding good character, especially restraining negative emotions and negative words.

2. Mercy and concern for one's spouse

… both, for the sake of Allah, seeking Allah therein and thereby.

Respondent 24:

1. Patient
2. Forgiving

Respondent 25:

1. Mutual respect for each others family.
2. Concern for each others aakhirat (Hereafter).

Cause I'm sure girly stuff like love, trust, flowers will be already mentioned by others.

Respondent 26:

1. Space for each others growth and expression. Acceptance of difference.
2 Mutual and deep understanding of each other.

Respondent 27:

1. Tolerance
2. Forgiveness

Respondent 28:

My wife's - and I agree:

1. To trust each other
2. To be friends with each other

Both can take time.

Manager's Diary

2011-09-25T18:03:00.004+01:00

I like to doodle on my diaries and in my role last year I decorated my diary and wrote my name with paint.

My manager saw it during our weekly meetings and asked me if I could do her's for her!

She gave it to me to bring home over the summer and I wrote her name on the spine and painted what she wanted at the front.

Combining work and art like this was fun because it has been precisely the former which has stopped me from doing anything with paints in a while. The last few years to be honest have concentrated more on internalising some of the art or rather tranquilart concepts. More on this later but for now here are a couple of shots:

Happy Ramadan 2011

2011-07-31T17:00:00.004+01:00

May God Almighty bless everyone with a peaceful month.

I decided against texting well-wishes to friends this year.

Of course, I will reply to messages.

Just thought to gather a few moments away from technology.

And think about those friends and contemplate friendships.

And give thanks for their presence.

With love and prayers to all.

Ramadan Thoughts can be found to the right hand side of this page on the other blog.

A Few Petals From The Garden

2011-06-19T20:56:00.006+01:00

Here are a few petals which I saw this weekend in my garden:

This makes me happy, especially the way all petals look directly at you, as if to say "Hello there!"

Poppy petals remind me of poppy fields...

A giant poppy gives a lecture to baby poppies still in their infancy:

And whose hiding behind the leafs... Peek-a-boo!

A family of buds waiting to open up:

These gentle petals make me wonder whether there can ever be anything more soft?

This ones a darling with the bees and is as tall as me!

And this little fella couldn't help posing for the camera! Oh to grow between the slabs - what courage!

These greet me in their dozens with such dedication each morn:

Giant poppy shares a word of advice with a little one:

I brought this because it reminded me of candy:

And it all started when someone gave me black seeds for these sweet things:

My Nostalgic Work Journey

2011-06-08T22:07:00.005+01:00

The bus route for my current job is not only nostalgic but also a reflective process which has allowed me to focus on the three stages of my life:

Past, Present, Future.

As I close the door and walk out towards the bus stop I think about where I currently am: my present.

What is going on in my head?
What do I recall from last night?
What happened from the time I lay my head in bed to waking up?
My dreams?
My prayers?
Where am I today?

I take two buses to get into work. The first bus journey takes me into a momentary time-warp as it goes past the place where a hospital once stood: my past.

This is where I was born.
Here I breathed my first, 'delivered' from foetal comfort.
Little, fragile me.

This single moment holds an exchange of the present and past.

As these thoughts busy my mind, the second bus journey starts.
I am off to college: my future.

A return to full-time work.
An opportunity to extend my skills.
A broadening of my horizons, insights and aspirations.
I wonder where I will be once my job finishes after a few months.
What has God Almighty got in store for me?

One day ends and another dawns.
The journey starts again.
The nostalgia returns.
A reflection follows.

Photographs: Autumn 2010

Reach Out

2011-06-02T21:13:00.005+01:00

The recent days have reminded me the importance of continuing to reach out.

Despite FB and other social networking facilities, I know it is difficult these days to keep 'track' of friends. Within our midst are lovely people who need the reassurance that you are mindful of their presence; that you haven't forgotten them in your busy day schedule.

People who need to be reminded that you won't be judgemental or belittling towards them.

People who need to be reminded that you include them in your prayers.

People who need to be reminded that despite the distance that life has created between you; your heart is attached to their wellbeing.

People who need to be reminded that although you cannot change their circumstances, you have not one, but two ears to listen to their grief.

People who need to be reminded that we are all in this together.

Reach out.

You will surprise yourself: maybe somebody is waiting to hear from you.

Blessings

2011-03-20T09:31:00.003Z

I decided this year not to do a post on the crisis of 2005 as I have been doing for some years.

I have been quite amazed at the ease by which God Almighty has caused me to not ‘remember’ much about it all. Sometimes I wonder what blessing of His is greater. The fact that He takes us through a tunnel and then enters us into light wiping away the memory of the darkness is such a big blessing.

..But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them..

Quran - 14:34

Suddenly this verse brings about another perspective and angle. One I may not have thought about. How in a subtle way He makes us feel we were never the victims; we were never in pain; we were never forgotten by Him. This helps so much in trying to understand the ultimate care under which we exist.

It is an overwhelming feeling that makes for an odd expression but one that is real. How our today becomes history. How our tomorrow is better than our comprehension. How we now cherish the past but not with pain: rather a trove of blessings which is merely the start of what the Creator has in store.

Review - 2010

2011-01-16T19:40:00.003Z

It is late I know; later than last year's!

Last year started with a hope to blog more than six times as in 2009. And I managed it: twelve posts for 2010!

Starting with a midnight lesson in a Dowra Sharing about feeling worthless, the calendar stated five years since the issue of my wrist. How time flies. There was a lot in blogosphere about blogs ending but those were my thoughts at the time with a prayer for peace to those many of us once knew. A return to the Dowra with a piece by Rachel Aspden about women and then an entry in the 'On' series with an 'on' on Consistency.

Ramadan appeared once again and another 'on' on Submission. I continued the Chaplaincy role and realised how amazing things happen daily. A real November feeling as Aung San Suu Kyi was freed finally and then a beautiful Prophetic saying on how Allah truly Knows best.

A last 'on' for 2010 on Control and a final word about Charity Shops before we end 2010.

And there is 2010. A mixed year; but one full of lessons for growth.

Charity Shop Tips

2010-12-29T21:13:00.003Z

I remember writing some years ago (although it really doesn’t seem that long) how difficult I found cleaning up. Reading back now, I only have God Almighty to thank! Anyway this post is about giving you tips for a clearout which may benefit someone else!

So here are some tips if you decide to give your unwanteds to the Charity Shop:

1. Ensure your intention is to give to charity in the same way a smile equates to charity in Prophetic teachings. If your items need to go into a skip, then put them into a skip. Avoid giving items which are damaged beyond repair and unlikely to be used by someone.

2. You decide which Charity Shop to give to. Obviously certain items may be more suited in some shops than others. One example is of religious material which should be given to appropriate stores with said religious affiliations; another is ethnic clothing such as saris which may be better utilised at an Asian one.

3. In addition, some retail charity shops allow donators to become part of ‘Gift Aid’ schemes which mean they claim back tax on a sold item. Such shops will give you a membership card and your donated items will be price-tagged with your donor number on it. At the end of each financial year you will receive a letter telling you how much tax has been reclaimed by the charity. It is worth asking the staff, if they don’t tell you about it from the outset. The charity shop Sue Ryder started this and it has extended to other shops.

4. OK so you have decided who you will take your unwanteds to, next? Here comes the fun bit: organisation time! Yes, giving to charity is not just about grabbing a black bag and throwing everything into it. Just imagine the time it will take some poor soul to go through your junk! Prophetic wisdom teaches us to try our best to make life easy for the other. So avoid the mess and start arranging things into some order. If you have a stack of books, cassettes and clothes, then make three piles. You can even further arrange the clothes so similar items are grouped together.

5. Now that all like items are sorted, you can pack them. Be generous with your wrapping and use ample plastic bags. The charity shop can prolly re-use the bags. Use bubble-wrap for anything fragile as you don’t know which store the bags will be sorted in! This is extremely important if you are donating glass items.

6. You may think this is OTT but there is nothing wrong with labelling bags with contents; especially if you have done a sizeable clearout. Again it just makes life easy for the person sorting the donations out.

7. When donating a large item which has a fault or damage eg a bookshelf with a missing shelf, it may be worth pointing this out upon donation / delivery. A simple note will again do the trick.

8. In the case of religious material, some shops will specifically ask what you are donating, and this is when you should make it clear if you are donating any copies of texts eg Quran. The reason for this is because at some shops staff will take the Quran quite immediately and place it on a specified bookshelf before sifting through the rest.

9. There has been a recent trend of collecting unwanted clothing in return for cash. I have certainly seen some shops which claim to give £10 for 10kg of clothing. Personally I am not in favour of it. This is because I believe the spirit of giving for no material return generates a feeling that a £10 note just cannot match. Of course one never knows the financial state of another and I am not here to judge.

10. Finally, in the case of fabric off-cuts or items of clothing or furnishings (such as curtains) which are soiled, damaged or burnt, one idea is to contact the textile faculty at your local college. Many art and textiles departments are only too keen to get fabric off-cuts for students, and the more variety of material on offer, the greater the possibility of enhancing a student project. However please do ensure that all damaged bits of the fabric are cut off first!

A general principle I have taken from friends is:

if you haven’t used it for six months, you probably won’t use it again.

This can be applied to a lot of the things we may be in two minds about getting rid of.

On Control

2010-12-10T21:57:00.003Z

It is essential to remember

that

God

Almighty

is

in

Control.

It is essential furthermore,

to

remember

that

you

are

not

in

control.

Reminding ourself that the acceptance of the former also requires an acknowledgement of the latter. Thus freeing ourselves from the stress of control.

Allah Knows Best

2010-11-24T19:54:00.005Z

In every situation God Most High truly Knows Best.

At-Tabarani narrated from a hadith of Anas (Allah be well-pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and establish him in peace) said,

"Allah (`Azza wa Jall) says,

'There are some of my slaves whose iman will never be right except
through poverty
and if I were to be expansive towards them
it would ruin them.

There are some of My slaves whose iman will never be right except
through wealth
and if I were to impoverish them
it would ruin them.

There are some of My slaves whose iman will never be right except
through good health
and if I were to make them ill
it would ruin them.

There are some of My slaves whose iman would never be right except
through illness
and if I were to make them healthy
it would ruin them.

There are some of My slaves who seek to enter by a door of worship
and I prevent them from that
so that
conceit doesn't enter their hearts.

I manage the affairs of My slaves
by
My knowledge
of what is in their hearts.

I am All-Knowing,
All-Wise.'"

(Part of a long hadith narrated by At-Tabarani in 'Al-Awsat.')

artwork: Completion of Faith / Autumn 2004

Free: Aung San Suu Kyi

2010-11-13T21:58:00.005Z

Growing up I saw images of this woman being put under house arrest. Burma was not always in the news but I considered her to be a very strong woman.

Aung San Suu Kyi - a remarkable woman I thought as a teenager.

A someone I want to meet one day.

I feel joyous today that she has been released finally.

I pray that her release will be the first step which leads to stability and peace in her country.

I pray that the political prisoners around the world are not forgotten.

I pray there is a new dawn tomorrow for all those seeking to eradicate our lovely planet off oppression, greed and injustice.

I pray that under the banner of peace the Family of Prophet Adam can march forth and bring tranquility to the world.

May God Almighty Protect and Guide us all unto His Ultimate Justice.

Amazing Things Happen Daily

2010-10-25T16:37:00.009+01:00

Yes they do.

I have been doing a little bit of pastoral work at a local university for a few years now, and in my capacity as a Chaplain, I and my colleague meet students from various backgrounds with a multiplicity of issues. It is often unclear before an arranged meeting what the student’s concern may be so the only preparation is to attend with an open mind and be willing to think on your feet.

I met an international student this morning as arranged and it emerged that he had arrived in the country a few weeks ago. This of course meant he had missed the international student events alongside the freshers activities which despite being chaotic, do help students settle in into their new environment. These events help provide access to various society groups which share a common interest and also include trips around the city – both of which are what you need when you come into another country to study.

In the hour we had allocated for the meeting, we met in the Chaplaincy building and I showed him around the Student Guild which holds the Muslim Prayer Room that students use. We agreed on a list of things that I would find out for him with the priority being finding a contact for the Indonesian Society. This was after an enquiry at the Guild desk which was unsuccessful. I was quite sure there was an Indonesian Society as they had organised an Eid event last year, providing cooked meals and Eid prayers at the Chaplaincy.

We headed back towards the Chaplaincy building which contained the ablution facilities that the student had enquired about, and after our tour was complete I lead him into the reception area to see him out before my next appointment.

Standing at the reception desk was another international student. I asked her whether she was Indonesian and she replied yes. Not only was she Indonesian; she was the Chair of the Indonesian Society! We all smiled.

Amazing isn’t it?

An hour earlier I entered a situation which my brain was puzzling over. And now it all seemed clear. It took just one hour to be faced with both a question and an answer. Everything happened quickly; but the hour could have been a week, month or year. The point is though, eventually an answer arrives at our door.

If we sincerely want to reach our goal, then God Most High will subjugate everything for us. The road ahead will be made simple: all obstacles removed and ease given.

It is events like this which leave me thinking that ‘There is no Power nor Might except God Almighty’.

Artwork: Circles of Knowledge (2006)

On Submission

2010-10-22T20:19:00.008+01:00

Work with your situation.

Only when we fully accept our situation can we benefit from the power of true submission.

It has taken me almost five years to figure this out.

All the fights were useless.

Fighting with a situation is energy-consuming and leaves one burnt-out.

Working with the situation is what leads to relaxation, contentment and the ability to see clearly.

Working with the situation is what leads to newer insights, undreamt aspirations and brighter horizons.

Working with the situation is what leads to a renewal of the self, a realisation of what is, and a feeling of empowerment.

Perhance that I become a thankful servant and remain in a state of submission.

Happy Ramadan 2010 - 1431

2010-08-11T20:44:00.003+01:00

The Prophet Alaislam's welcome to Ramadan:
A Sermon on the Last Friday of Sha’ban -

“O People !
Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah.
A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness.

A month which with Allah is the best of months.
Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours.
It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you to be one of those near to Him.

Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered.

So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month.

Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people, so compassion may be shown to your orphans.

Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked …

“O People!
Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds.

“O People!
One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven.
Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s):
“Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?”
The Prophet replied:
“Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.”

“One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass the ‘Siraat’ … on the day that feet will slip …

“One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb His anger on the day of Judgement …

“As for one who honour an orphan; Allah will honour him on the day of judgement,
“And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement.

“As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from him …
“Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him …

“Whoever performs an obligatory prayer Allah will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month.

“And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the day of measure.

“He who recites one verse of the Holy Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Quran during other months.

“O People!
Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open,
therefore ask Allah not to close them for you;
The doors of hell are closed,
so ask Allah to keep them closed for you.
During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.”

Taken from: Darvish.
Image: copies of the Quran in a mosque in Hadramout, Yemen, 2008

My Ramadan Thoughts

On Consistency

2010-07-27T13:44:00.004+01:00

Be consistent.
It avoids unnecessary confusion.

images: pressed flower project with niece and nephew

Rachel Aspden: Women and the Dowra

2010-03-20T20:42:00.012Z

Rachel Aspden is a British Journalist who travelled to the annual Dowra course in Tarim, Yemen a couple of years ago.

Her article is worth a read, she makes some interesting observations about her time there. As the Dowra Applications usually open in the spring of each year, her sharing may help women who are thinking of travelling out there.

My journey to the heart of Islam

The Guardian, Saturday 24 October 2009
What is life like in a madrasa and why are young western women drawn to a life of strict religious discipline?

Rachel Aspden was asked politely but firmly to cover up.
Photograph: Ralph Gobits

In the ancient cemetery of the desert town of Tarim, in south Yemen, a crowd of young women shrouded in black nylon are .....

Read the rest of the article here.

Dowra Sharings:

Sharing 1 - On Sharing

Sharing 2 - A Visit to Shaykha Sultana

Sharing 3 - Importance of Wednesday

Sharing 4 - Habibs & Hababas

Sharing 5 - Advice From Habib's Mother

Sharing 6 - On Arrival

Sharing 7 - Caprice, Lower Self, Desire - Part 1

Sharing 8 - Caprice, Lower Self, Desire - Part 2

Sharing 9 - Feeling Worthless

When Blogs End..

2010-03-08T20:09:00.004Z

When a blogger decides to leave it may be useful to understand that:

1. The blogger has chosen to take this decision at this particular stage of their life. It is their choice; their decision. It fits with their lifestyle, world-view and priorities at the moment the choice was made.

2. The blogger’s choice should not be questioned but accepted. Afterall they are intelligent enough to have set up a blog that had a readership. If a reason is offered, accept it politely. If no reason is given, don’t waste time speculating. What is to be earned by speculation? Nothing productive.

3. A person makes a choice to blog at a time when they feel they are comfortable in sharing in cyberspace. It is their decision to blog or not all the while. There should not be compulsion, pressure or force on any blogger to update their blog at a rate YOU or I wish. As a reading community we should be weary of becoming 'overbearing' on a blogger.

4. Bloggers are human. Yes! Like the rest of the world’s population they also are at various stages in their life: there may be movement in relationships, parenthood, health, work, travels, and other advancements in their personal life. Sometimes blogging daily is not the best use of their time which needs to be divided into so many catergories. This MUST be respected. If you find it problematic in accepting this, then it is your issue, not the blogger's.

5. Life is about change. Get used to it. People walk in and out of our lives. Old times come to an end and new journeys begin. Ultimately the bloggers you benefit from are going to disappear from your cyber-experience one day; just like so many good souls have left a mark on your life already. Take the lesson they give you, be grateful to the Creator and utilise the understanding in your own life.

6. Ultimately respect the wishes of the blogger. As number 1 states above: it is the blogger's personal choice which they have made at this moment of their own journey. You or I may deal with things differently, but that person has decided from their own accord. Respect it.

I re-entered work 2 years ago in a college to support a young teenager with ADHD. The college I worked at was due to be knocked down shortly as there was a planned move into the new site. These photographs are some that I took. We all get nostalgic, and want things to remain as they are, but they simply can and should not :-)

Five Years Later..

2010-02-21T19:23:00.003Z

'Tranquilart is resting' is what this last week of February has brought for the last five years on this blog.

This morning when I woke up,
I realised
that it was
21st February:
that day
in
2005
that the GP
issued me with a piece of paper
which would go on
and
change
the direction
of my life;
my thought pattern;
my abilitiy to recognise that I am not in control of my affairs.

I didn't
believe
anyone
when
they
told
me
that
everything
would
be
alright.

But -

Everything

really
is
alright
in the end .

The process that we go through
is
a
blessing
we
live
to
reflect
upon
when
the
caravan
of
life
has
moved
on.

I have
walked
the
path
that
God Almighty chose for me to walk,
and
learnt
the
lessons
that
He Most Wise decided for me to learn.

This period has been
nothing but a force
of bliss
which has poured
unto me
many great things;
some I understand,
many
I
admire
as
only
God Almighty best knows
the
how,
when
and
whys.

I write this in the hope that I never forget these five years.

And I thank you all - Praise to my Lord and peace unto all of creation.

2006 -
2007 -
2008 -
2009 -

Dowra Sharings: 9 - Feeling Worthless

2010-01-21T12:05:00.006Z

Approaching midnight at our guest Habib Faisal’s house. The third of August 2008. He started the advise session at 11.50pm. We have been served tea, maybe to keep us awake.

A short while passes into the counsel, and he asks us to listen carefully now to what he is going to say. I wonder: what can it be?

He warns us against:

Khazmiyah -

A feeling that you are nothing; nobody.

He says that satan uses this feeling to seduce you ie to convince you that no benefit will come from you.

My thoughts wander... so many times we think so low of ourself. We feel we are insignificant and that we can never do anything to bring about change. This leads us into becoming demotivated and not fulfilling the potential we have to bring about goodness.

He continues:

You are nothing without God and you are everything with God.

You are weak without God
Strong with God
Poor without God
Rich with God.

If this is settled in your heart; remember then that the Messenger came as one man and changed the nation.

He continues to speak about intentions, importance of having mercy within one's heart, and concluding with a prayer.

I took this picture whilst we were travelling in Hadramaut. I found this shoot very brave and considered it amazing that a tiny bud is growing in such dry conditions. The beautiful bright green colour against the dull and lifeless earth was quite a stark contrast. The might and strength of this bud made me reflect on how important it is to continue forth in our journeys through life despite the hurdles or obstacles we face.

Review - 2009

2010-01-10T18:34:00.002Z

It's late, but not as late as last year's!

Well after 2008, came 2009, and it must have been one of the least blogged years I have had.

It began with the events in Gaza, which made my Four Years seem insignificant. After that I bumped into my childhood Quran Teacher and decided it was high time to share Dowra Notes referring to the Caprice and Lower Self with you all before the Ramadan shutdown.

And there you have it, I blogged six times in 2009. I would say it was a year wherein I returned back to work and the idea of working full-time hours materialised. That was a blessing as I never thought it would ever happen again.

Perhaps this year I will blog a little more :-)

Kindest regards and Peace

Happy Ramadan 2009

2009-08-22T19:32:00.004+01:00

Revitalise

August

Marveling

Abundance

Discern

Awakening

Noble

Wales/Aug/2009

Dowra Sharings: 8 - Caprice, Lower Self, Desire - Part 2

2009-06-18T20:53:00.005+01:00

If the soul is rectified it is the best source of light, but if filled with defilement, there is darkness.

For how long will His creatures distract you?
When will you only be for Him?

I have a vast hope in Allah and He will ascend to a lofty station.
Someone who is true in his hopes will ascend to this lofty station.
O you who has a heart that understands, take these precious, glistening gems and seek knowledge (taqwa), learn these knowledges for those who fear Allah and have hearts that are clean and pious, this is where knowledge should be sought.

Get on the ship,
Come take these pearls and gems and all knowledge –
Emerge for the spring of Al Mustafa (the last aspiration).

The one who ascended above the seventh heaven.
Every station is below our Seyyedi, and you pick from his fruits.
His station will be manifest on the Day of Rising.
Accept these valuable gems that will be taken into the hearts of those who understand.

Wednesday 16th July 2008

Nothing is greater than nearness to God.

19th July 2008 4.20pm

I made you my wealth and source of hope at death.
And when truth comes –
On the Day of Rising be there for me O son of Amina.
O you teasure-chest overlook my ship for indeed I’m bankrupt and I’ve got nothing that I’d seek refuge other than you.
So be a source of aid and protection for me.
Whenever the doves fly or the stars move in orbit or clouds give rain.

Sunday 20th July 2008 4.30pm

I disobey my lower self and satan by strength of God, not by my own self.

21st July 2008 4.43pm

Rectify your balance.
Calibrate your scales.
You don’t have to leave things; get a balance.

22nd July 2008 4.20pm

Act out of love.

Act like someone with a vision.

Our deeds must be based on love.

23rd July 2008 4.30pm

All you have is what’s in front of you.

Thursday 24th July 2008 4.10pm

Know that your days are few,
will any of these days return to us?

If your soul is vile, you cannot get another soul.

We have few days and each of us have one soul.

You only have one heart.
You only have one soul.
God didn’t make anyone with more than one soul.

Remove the junk from your mind and replace with this – it’s the best knowledge.
If the vessel is full of filth, how can you put good into it.

Come even if you don’t deserve it.

I regretted what I did and I sought from my Lord and He accepted me.

Sunday 27th July 2008

Nothing can happen until the Master orders.

Every management is for God.
He provides for every creature.

Anything that has been portioned out for you will reach you.
..Anything even if its in the depths of the oceans.
O Allah give us a vast provision.

If a slave were to run –
where could he run?

4th August 2008 4.20pm

Dowra Sharings: 7 - Caprice, Lower Self, Desire - Part 1

2009-06-07T13:04:00.004+01:00

And the angels receive them saying: “this is the day of Grace for you…”

Let so and so, the son of so and so stand to be presented to Allah.
With all his intentions and everything his heart encompassed,
And with his eyes and all they gazed,
And with his hands and all they reached,
And with his feet and all they stood,
And with all his circumstances, the inward and the outward affairs –
Let them come to stand before Allah.

Inspect or search for the intention of your inner being out of care and concern because that’s the only soul you have, lest it be destroyed.
You only have one soul.

Tuesday 1st July 2008 4.34pm

And the angels give them glad-tidings, and the first is the angel who takes the soul, then the one in the grave.

Suspect oh my brother, yourself.
Suspect it most.
The worst veil between God and man is his lower self.

Someone drank a goblet of caprice and it made him forget his intellect:
he gave the lower self a status it didn’t deserve.

The days the hearts were attached to the Lord were good.

2nd July 2008

If you saw the tears that fell when he prostrated you’d see the effects of God.

3rd July 2008 4pm

Purify yourself.
Purify the lower self from defilement.

4th July 2008 4pm

Some of you are trials for others.
Most of the trials for a servant is from people.

In the night when everyone would be alone with his beloved, the Prophet would stand for tahajud.

Pay attention to yourself.

Allah knows the trick of the eye.

Try to ponder over your act because of the desire of prestige and people.
Good deeds can be ruined with diseases of the heart.

5th July 2008

Desire is worse than seventy devils.

Be weary of the lower self.
When one looks for excuses for himself, this is deception from the lower self, and will keep you in a hole.
Get out of the hole.
The caprice of the lower self sees the mistakes of others and magnifies them.

You take it (lower self) to account for 2 minutes and then leave it for 5 weeks – what’s this?

Avoid people who can’t benefit you and you can’t benefit them.

6th July 2008

If you persisted in directing yourself, the light would manifest in you.
He (God) would expand the horizons for you through this light.

You untied the knot of caution and became laxed.
Tighten the knot of caution – do not be negligent.

The humble sinner is closer to God than the arrogant worshipper.

The difficulty of obedience is greater than the difficulty of sin.

Rivers of harshness spring forth in your heart – you have no compassion or mercy.
And you want others to magnify mercy to you.
Why are you like this?

7th July 2008 4.15pm

In your struggle and your patience, what footsteps have you taken for your struggle.

Ego loves dignity and love of position.
The love of leadership is dangerous.

9th July 2008 4.10pm

The Prophet said:
Don’t be like so and so who used to stand in the middle of night then left it.

Following desire and caprice will destroy your life: this world and the hereafter.

In every single prayer, things have affected me in thinking of other than Him; being heedless.
How many years and not even one prayer was perfect for You?

Inspect yourself...
Inspect yourself at time of motivation and aspiration.

When people speak ill of you, do you get offended?

Do you love for your friend and enemy the same?
This is sincere good will.
If you want less for your friend and even less for the enemy – is this good will?

When you look at someone’s sin, look at your own sin and hate yourself for it.
In the interest of the soul.
It’s slaughtering of the lower self.

12th July 2008 4.10pm

It’s prohibited for you to see yourself above others.
You have no permission from the Keeper of the souls.

13th July 2008 4.14pm

The lower self deceives the individual to speak about deeds, even if you did them 10 years ago!

14th July 2008 4.10pm

Have the highest of intentions and have many of them.

Caprice and lower self uproot the fruit of the good deed.

You do the deed, the caprice and lower self benefit because you are following them.
You think it’s the sweetness of the deed – but it’s not.

The lower self finds anything sweet – even worship.
Be weary of that at the beginning of your deeds.
Inspect your intentions.
Be mindful of finding an honest desire.
What will God say?
Forget about everyone else.
Straighten your attention to Him.
Correct our intentions our Lord.

And the Shaykh said:
Every candle I lit for other than God, blow it out.

My heart desires a meeting in the Valley of Purity with the elect people of God-fearingness.
How excellent such a meeting is?

15th July 2008 4.15pm

The inspiration for this entry came from a chat about gardening last week whilst I went to mentor the two teens at a local school. My link at the school asked how I was progressing with greenstuff and I replied I wasn’t really sure what to call a weed and mentioned how mum would pull this one weed out which I actually liked. She told me that it’s an actual weed which will strangle the plants if it isn’t pulled out…

These photographs illustrate what she meant.

I pulled it out earlier yesterday.
Indeed the gardening of the soul is not an easy affair.

A Surprising Encounter With Ustaad-Ji

2009-06-02T11:37:00.003+01:00

Square cotton scarves placed on a plastic hanger on the door caught my attention: £2.
Wow I thought – it isn’t very often that I come across decently-priced square headscarfs! I drew myself closer to the opened door; to touch and feel the fabric.. my glance fell upon the shop-keeper: a senior figure, with a grey beard. I knew that face I thought.

I knew who he was and asked him if he used to teach Quran.

Of course he did – he was my Ustaad-Ji.

He asked me if I was the daughter of so-and-so, mentioning dad’s name. I‘m glad I have some parental resemblance.

I said thank you to him for teaching me.
He had a very calm aura and asked if all my siblings had learnt from him – I confirmed bar one, the youngest.

He had no sign of pride rather a hidden sense of contentment.
Humility.

A couple of years ago as I was re-gaining my health and trying to move forward I had a sudden desire to find this man and thank him. I just felt life was far too short for putting it off. I look back at those times sometimes and see them as great days wherein I had the opportunity to make many mends, in tireless ways.

I had wandered onto the street where his house was: in the hope of knocking his door and saying thanks to him. I couldn’t remember exactly which one was his house and didn’t want to stand around staring at people’s properties for too long. I made more than one visit, in the hope of some success. I must admit I was very disappointed at not being able to have remembered. I suppose it had been a long stretch of time since the mid-80s when I used to attend?

Yesterday after this surprising incident, I thought about God Almighty. How He has allowed for the many wishes and requests of mine to be fulfilled. I really shouldn’t miss an opportunity to wish for more I thought.

Four Years Later..

2009-03-01T20:25:00.004Z

Tranquilart is resting under the Shade which has so kindly been blessed for her :-)
I can’t believe where time has gone.
But one thing is for sure –
I can’t think of any better way to have spent the last four years.

Life has changed so much from that Spring of 2005.

As you can tell by the direction this post is heading in: I can’t even articulate how many blessings have come to me from these paining wrists. The people and places I have so fortunately discovered leave me with no regrets that my fate has been Written by a Generous Lord who uses methods He wills to teach us the greatest lessons in life.

On another note: it’s funny that now as I return back to the world of work, I realise that many of the ‘new’ friends I have made since 2005 have never seen the professional, hard-working side of me! It’s alien to them and makes me laugh!

But who would have thought eh?

It’s way too surreal.
So here I stop.

As always heart-felt thank yous to you all

Peace & Prayers
Bint-eh Adam
x x x

Previous Posts:
A year later
2 years later
3 years later

Gaza

2009-01-19T13:51:00.002Z

So many thoughts have run wild in my mind in these last 4 weeks..

That's all I can comprehend right now.

More images and thoughts coming soon..

Review - 2008

2009-01-17T20:02:00.003Z

I know it's so late.

Just been so unsettled in recent months; I just about complete one week in the hope of being more 'settled' for the next that I have a whole new set of things to deal with! Not complaining - just sayin how it is!

What can I say about 2008? An amazing year in so many ways. I said goodbyee to 2007 and went down memory lane with Three Years Later recalling my life some years ago, especially for those who have only known me since 2005. This was followed a few months later by Following for the few who await eagerly for me to blog which is often not that much.. as is the case of the random thought about Quality. I thought long and hard about Routine - perhaps I need to read that now that I am complaining about being unsettled. Then came the gift from God Most High to attend the Dowra in Yemen - an experience which was to open another dimension to my understanding of life, our Creator, and His creation.

I decided to try my bestest to share the sharings. The Wrist came into sight again and with mine healing soundly I managed to complete the owed piece on Learning the Quran dedicated to my dad and all those adults who learnt the Text in recent times. Staying in August, my piece on Females on Campus was published by the CCJ though I loated the images they used. Then came a series of odd bits: some interesting Observations, smelly Bath Bombs, the wacky Burnt Hijab Collection, and my beloved guest Ramadan!

Autumn in full swing and time to share some Dowra snippets: Shaykha Sultana, a secret about Wednesdays and the world of Habibs and Hababas.

Out went my Nokia after so many years - a perfect Ramadan Charitable perhaps? Then came Eid with a thanks to Teakster and a note for folk at the UofB.

The Dowra sharings continued with Advice from Habib's Mum. And a note about another woman: the Loss of my Yoga Instructor.

Some time to cheer with Mehndi and Giggles and a pear-shaped 'Why DP' which some still misunderstood! Fantastic news on being Discharged and back to reflections on arriving in Tarim. And as 2008 ended I thought again of my Journey 6 years ago.

It's been an interesting and blissful year in so many ways and I can only thank God Almighty for His blessings.

Alhamdulila Wa'l Shukr Allah.

Six Hajjs Later

2008-12-07T12:03:00.004Z

I wrote some of my Hajj memoirs about 18 months after returning.

Much of what happens during the days of Hajj is beyond articulation. It took almost 3 months to 'settle' back. I remember taking so many additional holidays from work, and opting to take my teaching modules during evenings because of the intrusive ripples this trip had created within me.

I have already spoken about the period of time that this trip happened in and how it came about almost 2 months before departing.

During these 6 years so much has happened. So many times I have even questioned whether I actually performed this trip or not. Did I ever visit the ancient Abrahamic lands?

However, with the passing of time..

as hopes are wavered and challenges arrive at the doorstep -

as plans are shaken and new dreams are formed -

as stability slips and opportunities embrace my life -

as optimism becomes questionable and grace is restored -

as confidence drops and blessings increase -

as tears fall and light is received -

I am reassured that the Hajj has truly been my 'Journey of a Lifetime' and my life will never be the same again.

The following was published in Spring 2005:

It was the last day at Mecca and we had to leave for the City of The Prophet soon after the third Jummah (Friday) prayers at the Grand Mosque.

I didn’t want to go.

As we sat on the coach and the head count began, the engine roared and the vehicle started to move. I opened the Qur’an and started to read the words; words which I hoped would comfort the deeply saddened heart. Tears rolled from my cheeks, there was a gradual build up of heaviness in my eyes as they filled with clouds of grief.

Mum held my hand tightly as the vehicle turned around the corner and the beautiful minars (minarets) of the Grand Mosque were no longer in view. My mum kept consoling me but even she didn’t know what to say. Since this departure was, for me the departing of the lover from the beloved.

I had spent the last three weeks in the safety of the House Of God and become very fond of this large cubic structure covered in the traditional black cloth with beautiful embroidery. To an onlooker, it was a mere black cube. But I had felt a deep sense of comfort whenever my gaze fell upon it. I would often go and watch the hundreds of people go round and round the Kabah, and think how in life we also just kept going round and round, at many times pretty aimless with no direction, focus or goal.

This structure, built by the hands of man, was a manifestation of mans’ duty to his Lord. The majestic beauty of this sacred monument had been enchanting for me. My spirit had felt exhilarated in the presence of the vicinity of the four walls of this cubic structure. Every hardship I had ever encountered; every spiritual mishap I had confronted; and every insecurity I had ever felt had flashed before my eyes as I stood staring at the majesty of my Lords’ House. In one moment the entirety of my life had appeared before me. My deeds had appeared insignificant as I realised the essence of His Mercy; for I had been invited as a Guest of God Almighty. And there is no doubt He is the Best Host.

I had fell in love with the warmness of the sunshine at Mecca. The steps we had taken around the Kabah whilst doing the tawaf (circumbulation) in the hope of attaining salvation. Our feet had gaited in the hope of finding answers to the problems which beseech our worlds. The prayers we had made for the world and all that is within it. The wetness of our faces as we had lifted our hands for the welfare of humanity. How I had taken a handful of sand on the Plains of Arafaat and wanted so desperately to perish into it; in the hope of finding myself.

The flow of the human ocean; and to be part of the drop; the fleeing from the world of ignorance; and the finding of the peace I had so long longed for; I felt like a traveller who had travelled throughout my life in hope of finding something which would comfort the empty feelings of not knowing myself. There were harmonious rhythmic beats in my heart, which it felt, only now had started to pump blood around my body. As if, almost, before it – it had been a lifeless body with an organ weighed down with grief and altered perceptions about reality; about life itself.

And now it was all over.

How days had crept upon us; almost as if I had never acknowledged I would have to leave this city. The deep sense of comfort and security I had felt in this noble city can only be comparable to the foetal safety felt within the womb of the mother. But now it was time for the deliverance of this newborn and this transition was not going to be an easy one; though no doubt it had to happen. So I sat reading these words from my Creator; in the hope they would put a perspective to how I felt. My tears still rolling; my mum still holding my hand; by this time even our dear group members had turned to see my wet face.

Everyone though had a sad look on their faces; as if we had lost someone very dear to us. A cloud of quietness had filled the coach; previously when we had gone to visit the sites of religious significance such as the Mountain of Mercy and so forth, the group had been lively and cheerful; laughing, joking and even teasing the group leader. There were always 3 coaches which carried the people from our group. It so happened that we sat in the same seating arrangements every time we went out! This showed just how deeply the group members had become bonded in the spirit of brotherhood and oneness. And the brotherhood and unity is best seen in the camps of Mina where our tent had been placed in the midst of Americans, Australians and Dagestanis.

After a while I had fell asleep in my mum's lap. Mum had throughout this hajj journey been a source of comfort to me; always taking my head and resting it between her lap – just like a mother only can. The warmness of her maternal kindness had made me appreciate the huge sacrifices a parent makes for the child. She had comforted me just like a newborn is looked after. I must have entered deep sleep, for when I awoke we were on the outskirts of Medina.

I felt a sudden sense of numbness. It was soon time for Fajr, and I heard the beautiful call to prayer – very different from the call we had been used to in Mecca. We rushed to prayer and upon our return went to our hotel rooms. We were all too tired and fell asleep. They say the sleep in Medina is of a specific nature; a deep, peaceful sleep.

I still felt sad, I felt out of place, a bit like entering a new realm. I was quiet. I didn’t know what to say. It was Maghrib time and we went to the Prophets’ Mosque.

As I sat outside with the beautiful minarets in view. I could see the sky turning into lilac, pink and purple. The sight was amazing.

It was mystic.

It wasn’t real.

I kept on telling mum; mum its not real. It can’t be. Its just too… well too beautiful to be real.

But oh no – it was real alright. This was Medina; and I had been a fool. A fool to think that I wouldn’t love Medina. I took the camera on the second Maghrib prayer and captured this moment.

These pictures are from the Kodak days.. way before the digi-world :-) Other pics on this Beebs Gallery.

Dowra Sharings: 6 - On Arrival

2008-11-13T19:44:00.006Z

Arriving in Dubai, then Sanaa was not the same as arriving at Seyoun Airport which is a gentle ride away from Tarim.

I still cannot explain what it felt like to finally have arrived.

The Dar al-Mustafa representatives had come to Sanaa and made appropriate arrangements for us at a Hotel. However, Seyoun was different. An extroadinary couple came to collect us. This was also the first time I met a woman who was adhering to the Tarimi customs in both her physical and non-physical conduct.

It took me almost a month to just write about this one moment. I am not certain whether you, the reader will understand it or not. However, I hope you will try:

Thursday 24/07/08 - post Isha

On Arrival

"When we got here,
it seemed
or felt
as if we'd arrived
at
a
station
of
purity.

The aura
of
those
who
came to receive
us
was so
distinct.

Reminds the spirit
of
'arrival'
and a pleasant greeting
which
though
in a
conservative manner
but
not
one
of
constriction."

I had the fortunate opportunity to speak to the organisers of early Dowras for important advice. One of these people was the wife of our teacher Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa.

In a conversation with her, a week prior to leaving England, she said:

"..when students of knowledge used to enter Tarim, they would remove their shoes.."

Discharged

2008-11-04T20:56:00.005Z

A couple of weeks ago I was officially discharged from the Outpatient's Department.

As alot of well-wishers have been enquiring about my health in recent months. Here is a little Q & A about the affair:

1. So what does this mean?

Well for starters it means that I no longer am under the care of a consultant for my wrist or elbow concluding an epoch of referrals which began 3.5 years ago. It also means I am no longer being treated by the Medical Profs for anything.

2. Why have you been discharged?

Quite simply put: there is nothing that the meds can do for me.

3. Why not?

Because I don’t have a worsening condition.

4. Didn’t you have arthritis in your wrist?

I had an episode of arthritis in my wrist but there is no arthritic process continuing.

5. Are you cured then?

Your guess is as good as mine.

6. What next?

The vastness of God’s Creation holds no limits to what is possible.

I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this process. So many people have helped me that I know I will always fall short of acknowledging their favours. May God Almighty make me a faithful slave and a grateful human being.

A trip down memory lane:

Review - 2005

Review - 2006

Review - 2007

Artist acknowledgement:
Original artwork by Curly aged 6, Sept 2008 ;-)

Why Do I Post on Deenport?

2008-10-29T12:25:00.007Z

Over the last few years, admittedly I have spent more time on DP than others due to my situation. I think I also have the highest number of posts counting over 7300. Often I have bumped into individuals who have commented on my posting; sometimes with a hint of sarcasm and other times with a genuine interest.

I have at times felt uncomfortable when people have thrown one-liners about my posting habits in an otherwise civilised chat about life. I have found it extremely difficult to grasp at those times when we have been in environments where others are also present or when I have met people after ages or worse still when I have gone out after spending a long while indoors. This was moreso the case a couple of years ago. And sometimes I have found it not nice coming from people 5-10 years younger than me: I am not a teenager, rather someone 30 plus.

I've never really tried to explain myself because I believe that there is no need for explaining my actions to others, who afterall are happily reading what I may post. In fact at times when I haven't posted on DP I have been emailed or texted as to why. I have found it confusing to deal with, especially during the times when my main concern was my health and managing pain.

I've always convinced myself that my Prophet teaches me to make excuses for people when they say things one doesn't like. I have thus assumed that those who when I've met them have made sarcastic remarks to me are just not aware of the function DP has had in my life these last few years. And I hope to continue with this thinking.

I have learnt a lot on this website and it has helped me grow in many ways. No doubt the time since Feb 2005 has been an incredibly challenging one for me. However, I have been the recipient of many blessings through it. Too many to share here. I just received the following email which is one reason why I keep posting on DP:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: ********@hotmail.com
To: tranquilart
Subject: Salams
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:54:59 +0000

As Salam O Alaikum Apa

I pray that your well inshallah. I took your emil from deenport.
Although Im not active on deenport I follow thethreads and events on there. I just wanted
to say a big Jazakllah Kheyr for all the advice and support you offer. I was touched by your advice
and support you and many others gave to a sisiter a few days ago. May Allah reward you all immensly and may allah shower you with his mercy and blessings. Ameen

I wanted to ask if you would remember me in you duaas too. I hope you dont mind me calling you apa.

My apologies for the random email which may sound very strange. Ive been meaning to email you for a while and today i thought Idont care how strange i may sound im going to emil my apa and ask her to remebr her sister in her duaas.

Wasalam
Needy of your duaas
*******

P.s. please keep in touch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's something I have said before: about why I blog.

So this blog post is not to inflate my ego or give my lower self the time of the day.

NO!

I know that I could and should write about the many many great things I have learnt thanks to Omar Tufail's dynamic website. However, some things are best preserved for another time and space. My sincere prayers are that on the Day of Accounts, Omar Tufail and his loved ones are greeted with the billions and billions of mountains of hope that his website was responsible for creating through the opportunity it generated for servitude by dots in creation like myself.

Something I intend to blog from the Dowra Sharing at some point is the importance of the blessings we have all been given in life. One of the first things we were taught was that if we don't use our blessings for the good of humanity, then these blessings will be taken away from us.

Like you, I fear that one day soon I shall be in my grave. In fact my 6 year old niece made me think last night. We were speaking about when she grows up and she said: " You will be dead then!" and I asked her if she would miss me to which she replied that she would...

I think about all the blessings and gifts I have wasted and have not put to good use. One day will come when I won't have the ability, time or opportunity to make a posting.

So if one post of mine on DP has been well-recieved by anyone and given them a sense of direction then I can justify the remaining 7300 plus.

I think that is fair enough right?

www.deenport.com

PS - oh yeah.. I've made a lot of friends through DP too!

Mehndi, Gratitude and a Ha-ha-ha

2008-10-20T21:50:00.006+01:00

I wrote a while ago about how I was looking forward to the day I could wear Henna or Mehndi on my hands again.

Well,
guess what?

This Eid I was able to get some henna on my hands ..

OK so I didn't risk the palm, but hey it's still something :-)

I did get a telling off from mum for these pics - she said if I turned them upside-down they would be a swear.. LOL

The tranquilart butterfly or bird?

About to take off for flight!

Inspired by sunflowers or the circles of knowledge?

Hmm..

No No - I still have 2 hands..

This was not mine!

The 'Merry Trio' ..!

All Praises to God Almighty for the ability to wear henna on these hands again.

He gives us signs from amongst our own selves so we may stop, think and reflect.

How many gifts have we received from Him?

And how sincere have we been in using them for their true purpose?

Thank you... for Henna,
for hands,
for cameras,
for giggles,
for uploading,
for sharing,
for typing,
for seeing,
for all these and much more.

Alhamdulila Wa'l Shukr Allah.

Loss of Yoga Instructor

2008-10-15T16:27:00.005+01:00

How does one deal with the loss of someone who has helped in their healing process?

Last month I heard that whilst I was away in Yemen, one of my yoga instructors died after collapsing during a session. She was in hospital for a week or so but there was no sign of recovery, she didn’t gain consciousness.

Her name was Madhu Bhen (bhen means sister in Hindi and is used as a suffix to the name, so isn’t exactly part of the name as such). I have been attending yoga classes since last summer with a largely Asian group of women. Madhu Bhen wasn’t my usual tutor. Earlier this year, my tutor went away to India for a long break and Madhu Bhen took over from her along with her friend. She was in her mid 60s and I remember after our first session I came home to tell my family how flexible she was at her age.

She was also the one who taught me a valuable lesson:

At the end of one session she told us all to pat ourselves on the back and added: that this is because you have “taken time out for yourselves”. I almost felt like crying when she said this. It was so true. From there onwards I realised that she was right in a weird way. We do so much for others, there is little time left for us. It is only through going to yoga that I became so conscious of the value of a single breath.

After finding out about her death, I didn’t know how to react. I thought about the many people who have helped me in terms of my wellbeing.

There have been a lot of people who I have had to see in these last few years (and earlier) who said things which helped me cope with how I was feeling. For anyone who has had to see anyone regards their health, you will be familiar with the dynamics of power and trust which exist alongside the process of handing yourself over to some ‘expert’. It isn’t an easy thing and we all have varying experience of it.

In positive interaction, such relationships can yield a lot of important lessons and it is not uncommon for a gem or two to be passed by the one who you are with. I for one have received many useful pieces of advice from the various people I have had to see for health reasons. Some of this advice may sound like a random sentence or selection of words strung together but because it was said in a context of healing and wellbeing it has continued to be a source of comfort and motivation.

These are people who are not one’s friends, teachers, colleagues or family. They are close enough strangers who you trust to look after you during the period of time you are with them. On the one hand these are normal people carrying out the assigned duties in their chosen job. On the other hand amongst them are those who have higher aspirations and want to make a difference to people they interact with.

They are direct beneficiaries in the good results which come about through following their advice. And this is why the loss of such people from one’s life makes one stop and think. The Ultimate source of Healing is the Creator, but these people are the means so kindly placed in our road to wellbeing. The energy to do comes from Him, but they are people who have influenced the perception we give to that energy.

My question still stands:

How does one deal with the loss of someone who has helped in their healing process?

Dowra Sharings: 5 - Advice From Habib's Mother

2008-10-07T15:09:00.003+01:00

On the 30th of June 2008 we visited the mother of our teacher Habib Umar.

If

a day

goes

past

without

an increase

in eeman,

then it's better

that the sun

didn't

rise

And

this is better

than the rising

of the sun

and

the sun

has

risen

all over

the

earth

Sitting here today thinking about Hababa's advice, I feel as awe-stricken now as I did whilst sitting in front of her on that day. Indeed one of the tragic misfortunes for me as a woman is the absence of such women in my immediate world. I intend to write some thoughts on this aspect of the trip at some point. God Willing. But for now, my prayer: May God Almighty preserve our beloved teacher & give us all the opportunity to learn from her oceanic being. Amen.

Images: taken whilst returning back to the Dowra House after Asr prayers at the Dar Az-Zahra.

At the University of Birmingham?

2008-10-04T23:20:00.004+01:00

An invaluable service awaits thee..

guild room 7 is the name of the blog of the Muslim Chaplains at U of B.

A fortunate place where both a male and female are available for contact.

Related URL

Teakster's Eid Greetings

2008-09-30T15:54:00.005+01:00

Over the last several Eids I have been fortunate to receive E-Cards from an individual who is also on a creative journey of sorts.

Every Eid without fail I get an email greeting and it reminds me of the Prophetic counsel that we should thrive in the continuity of our good actions. It is pointless in doing alot and then nothing at all in our attempts to conquer the perfection of our conduct and relationship with God Almighty. It is far better to continue with the little things daily than a massive task with no sustainability.

As we depart Ramadan, let us continue to keep alive the spirit by maintaining one or two key things we have learnt, and by letting-go of one or two of the not-so-nice traits we all possess.

Wishing everyone an Accepted Ramadan and many more generous ones to come. Eid Mubarak and Prayers of Peace for all x x x

08 January 2006 16:24:15

22 October 2006 15:02:20

09 October 2007 12:10:23

16 December 2007 17:53:15

28 September 2008 16:09:32

Teakster's Website

Ramadan Charitables 2008!

2008-09-28T18:00:00.003+01:00

Once again that time of year.

A selection of projects well worth supporting..

Zaytuna Institute

Private Study Donation

Amal Press

Supporting MySQL engineer's Son

Supporting Accident Victim Donation

The Halimah Trust

Ash-Shifa School

Kitaba - Texts for the Blind

The Inheritor's Fund

Or any other charity of your choice:

Farewell: End Of The Nokia 6230 Era

2008-09-25T22:56:00.007+01:00

Finally after more than four years, this evening my mobile phone is no more.

Because I have two numbers, I had gone through several gadgets with my second number in this duration but this loyal piece of metal was with me since 2004. To be honest I was initially upset to the loss of all those text messages which have accompanied me in this journey since 2004.

Messages I got from colleagues; all the New Year wishes: 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Messages whilst I was sick from 2005 onwards: people telling me how failure doesn't exist; how there is a God who looks after us all; that we should be happy to be the Ummah of a Beloved Prophet; that great things are in store for me from the Provider of all.

Messages from people when I met them for the first time after our conversations on Deenport.

Messages when I went to Pakistan in 2006 and then to the Rihla in Saudi; and then to Yemen more recently; well-wishers saying goodbye; praying there come from these trips many openings for me.

Messages from people who I was fortunate to spend time with after meeting them at places, and then the same people texting a year later to remind me God Almighty introduced us.

Messages from people who got my number either online or from others; asking me if they can do anything to help me and assist me in what God Almighty had Planned for me.

Messages from people having given birth to their newborns; sharing their joy with me.

Messages from my Agency the first day I re-started paid employment after my 18 month sick-note; echoing messages before from generous souls reminding me that my skills won't perish so easily.

Messages from supporters telling me not to be upset when vile comments were posted about The Noble Man on this blog.

Messages from people texting me Fridays; then those texting me in Ramadan.

Messages from the Sacred of places; those on their way to the tents of Mina; those inviting me for a cuppa in Medina and those in Tarim.

Messages containing prayer after prayer after prayer.

Messages I looked through again and again as these years have gone by.

I could go on and on..

Yes I was upset to lose all this.

But then I thought about how grateful I have been that I had the opportunity to receive all these messages in the first place. How much must God Almighty Care for me, that He gave me so so many wonderful people in my life to show their concern for me at times when I have felt ever so little. He gave me people to help me get the balance right whenever I was on edge.

I am truly lucky.
Honest.

Alhamdulila Wa'l Shukr Allah.

I pray in earnest that all those who have supported me through these last 3.5 years which have been some of the most challenging ones are rewarded for their text messages.

I pray in earnest that their support be Written as Sadaqa Jariya for in this little screen of a mobile phone I saw hope, cheer and clarity when I needed it.

I pray in earnest that on the Day of Accounts, if their deeds are light in their scales, then these acts of kindness be shown to all those people: magnified as large as mountains.. for they helped a servant of God Almighty in the most incredible of ways.

The day is gone but the memories remain.

And that is what really counts.
Seriously.
That memory and the accompanied feeling of happiness; to have been a recipient of that love is something which will stay with me long after my Nokia 6230 has been recycled.

Peace and Prayers

Jummah Greetings.

Dowra Sharings: 4 - Habibs & Hababas

2008-09-11T12:47:00.002+01:00

Each place has it's own vocabulary and when seen through the lens of diversity, it helps you appreciate the richness that exists in this world.

Hopefully this post will ensure minimal confusion when using these terms in future writings.

Habib means Beloved.
God's Greatest Beloved, al-Habib al-A'zam, is one of the Prophet's names.

Al-Habib came to be the title of the Husayni sharifs [descendants of the Prophet] of Hadramawt, the Ba-Alawi Seyids, from the 11th century of the Hijra onwards.

The female equivalent of Habib is a Hababa.
I recall the giggles when I first heard that term in mid-June as I telephoned students of the Habaib [ie the collective]. A Hababa is not just a title for a woman, rather an honorific and symbolic term of description. Both terms are used, not to indicate a mere blood relationship with the Prophet Alaislam, but to enable us to formulate an appropriate conduct whilst in their presence.

A good book for introductory reading which highlights a historical context of the Habaib is this one here

>>>>>>>>>>>

It also introduces the genealogy which is very important so one can truly appreciate the background of the Habibs and Hababas.

Here is a little bit of information about 3 of the teachers who we learnt from.

Dowra Sharings: 3 - Importance of Wednesday

2008-09-10T11:09:00.006+01:00

Tarim is an interesting place because it is somewhere where individuals try their best to practise what they know.

On 2nd July, our first Wednesday, we were taught that Wednesday is a special day. Our Ustada (teacher & mentor) gave us the following invaluable sharing:

- between Zuhr and Asr the prayer is mustajab (answered) because it is the day that the Battle of Badr took place and God Almighty gave victory to the Prophet Alaislam

- it is also the day that the 'light' of the Prophet Alaislam was created

- thus if you want to start a project that you want to see completed, in whatever sphere of existence (deen or dunya) ie of religion or of world, then it is a good day to commence

Roof-top views from our 'Big Dowra House'

Dowra Sharings: 2 - A Visit to Shaykha Sultana

2008-09-08T15:17:00.010+01:00

Before going out I didn't expect to learn so much about women.

Al-Shaykha Sultana bint 'Ali al-Zubaydy was well known for her piety, knowledge and teachings in the 15th Century in Hadramaut.

Only info online is here.

She wasn't from the family of the Prophet Alaislam but because of her love for the Prophet she was chosen as an awliya.

She would send Salawat (Praises) to the Prophet Alaislam in abundance and was an extremely modest woman. It is said that she was one of the few who would see the Messenger in her dreams so much. Whenever she had a query she would get an answer quite immediately.

Upon death she was 17/18 years old. It is customary to visit her on the last Monday of every (lunar) month.

Happy Ramadan 1429

2008-09-01T18:43:00.006+01:00

Marhabba hey Guest!

You are here again - Great to see ya mate!

Lookin' forward to spendin some quality time wiv ya..

Links:

Daily Ramadan Thoughts I did a while ago

Daily Prayers from a fellow blogger

Advice from our teacher in Yemen

Advice from our teacher in Yemen but when he came to Woking

Advice, but this time from our teachers across the pond in California

Advice from alot of teachers everywhere

And once you have read the above, a little something I was told recently: that make the aim to attain newer understandings from the Quran this Ramadan. Remember; there is no comprehensive commentary on it, indicating how vast an ocean it is.

Peace & Prayers
x x x x x x x x x

My Burnt Hijab Collection

2008-08-31T17:17:00.008+01:00

A visual odyssey.

Not only do I hate ironing, I can prove it:

As I was doing my tidy-up today

I looked at my scarves

and realised how many of them are burnt

and so, feeling a little silly

I decided to snap away

but then I realised

that there were way too many

which were burnt

I couldn't believe it

and thoughts wandered elsewhere

at the creation of God Almighty Most High

who Created the Heavans

and the earth

and all that exists in between

and He Most Powerful, also Created

The Hellfire.

I pray He, Most Wise & Lord of Mercy

Protects and keeps us all,

The Children of His Noble Prophet Adam Alaislam

free from even the smoke and smell of Fire.

And enters us all into Heavan by His Great Kindness.

Amen.

Allahumma Ajirna min-an-naar [x7] O Allah, protect us from the fire.

Fingertips Bath Bombs!

2008-08-31T13:28:00.013+01:00

I come from an interesting household where there is always a lot of weird and wonderful stuff happening.

The recipe is available from the official kid's site: Foundation TV.

It's great fun for kids - whatever their age, making for interesting, alternative activities and gifts.

Observing Learning Environments

2008-08-30T21:41:00.006+01:00

8/10/2007
Sitting in a college class I jot some thoughts:

Just by observing what’s going on in the classroom environment, one can come to be in a good position to reflect at one's own practise and conduct. What kind of language is being used to communicate messages? Tone, vocabulary, as well as whether or not it’s accompanied with facial expressions and other body language.

Some individuals will bend over backwards to ensure the students get the ‘best deal’. Others started off that way but soon became overcome by red tape, increased workload, lack of support and an ever-changing set of circumstances which influence the learning life and subsequently it's impact on the class.

And what is the ‘best deal’ I refer to?
Giving the learner the opportunity to reach their potential at it's fullest whilst they are in your company?
Perhaps, doing what’s within your power to give your learner a quality experience. Some of what I observe in the classroom has far-fetching repercussions for our life in general. If I skip back to my previous point for a moment: 'giving the learners the opportunity to reach their potential at it’s fullest whilst they are in your company' can so easily be changed to read:
Giving everyone who comes in contact with us the opportunity to reach their fullest whilst in our presence, company etc.

And we do what’s within our reach to help, assist, or signpost anyone who we interact with or anyone who interacts with us.

Knowing of course that the strength to do so comes from God Almighty. Yes the many opportunities we get to do goodness are given to us by our Creator. Sometimes we don’t know for sure why we get these opportunities. And there’s no real need or point in attempting to find out the answer to ‘why’.
Trust me: a great way to waste your energy is to try and draw your own conclusions to things. Never assume you will know why things happen: pointless pursuit. Also it’s extremely disappointing when you realise that things don’t follow your conclusions! Though this is not the same as finding meaning through ponderance.

Pondering, reflecting and contemplating ‘what does all this mean’ is a different thing indeed. Reflection is an important tool in analysing one's behaviour and rectifying one’s character as a result. Not to mention how useful it is for keeping under control the milleau of wondering thoughts as they roam in and out of one’s mind.

Every thought attached to many others:
the breeding ground for a whole new species.

It makes one wonder what new specie is being created within me. All the more important then, to reflect, on these thoughts: let’s prevent the creation of a specie which will threaten our own existence.
I want goodness to grow within me: for my thoughts to be the means to reaching a greater understanding about ‘what all this means’.

For enlightening to occur and realisation to take root, let me keep on top of any thoughts.

How can we be of benefit to those interacting with us if we are unaware of that within us?

Returning back to those that interact with us and how we should do what’s within our realm to help them: if we are empty what do we give to others?

Let’s go back to the class, observing others can teach us what lies within us.

This piece was written on a morning that I had been asked by an agency to work at a college. It had been a long time since I had been in a classroom setting.

Kindly typed by my volunteer, please say a prayer for her and her family. Thanks.

A Holistic Approach For Muslim Women on Campus

2008-08-22T21:29:00.006+01:00

Here is an article (Page 2) I did recently on Muslim women on University campus which was published in the CCJ (Council of Christians and Jews) e-zine 'Dialogue Matters'which is for HE and FE Chaplains. More info about it here.

Disclaimer - I had no input on the choice of images.

Learning The Quran

2008-08-13T12:04:00.008+01:00

Adult learners have many obstacles which prevent them from accessing programs of learning. When it comes to Quran learners who have adult children of their own, you could imagine how delicate the mission of learning the Sacred Text for the first time in their life can become. I don’t believe I am the only one who grew up with one parent not knowing how to read the Quran. Many people from my parent’s generation are unable to read it.

They have spent an entire lifetime in yearning to recite, or in the very least to be able to make the sounds of the letters which form the sacred words. They have spent countless hours focused on the letters, watching the mouths of recitors move as the tongue dances to the coming together of that which forms the Message. Many nights did they spend in Ramadan with ears attentively listening to the Imam's recital during Tarawi Prayer; the 30-day completion of the entire recitation would be the annual gift they would receive so proudly. To have made that connection with the sacred once more, they would wait for next Ramadan in earnest: just to hear those words which neither man nor jinn could compose the like of.

Many would spend the days without congregational prayers and await the Friday so they could once more listen to even a little portion of the Quran. The Quran which they kept on the highest shelf: with nothing else above it not even another book. All the while the desire to read and take from this Book becoming greater, sometimes too much for their beings to cope with, during which times they would wash their bodies and hold the Quran; turning the pages with weeping eyes and a heavy heart, praying with their entirety that they be given the great fortune to read what it says.

Some inviduals braved the odds and began their journey of learning the Quran. This write-up speaks about a few barriers and their accompanying solution which may prevent some adults in their 50s plus from starting a learning regime:

1. Lack of Provision

There are not many places which teach adult members of our community. Adults cannot be expected to sit in classes with children.

Solution: Provision of sessions for adults.

2. Respect The Age Factor

Youngsters learned in Quranic sciences such as recitation and tajwid are not always equipped with the gentleness towards people who have not necessarily had those opportunities. This deters older people from pursuing their learning or even enquiring about tuition available. It’s not easy for Grandpa and Grandma to practise the alphabet when everyone else is reciting like nightingales in their midst!

Solution: We should acknowledge that we have all had different advantages and disadvantages in life. To an extent we are the result of this. If we see this through the lens of Divine Planning then we realise that we all have very distinct journeys. So if our journeys are distinct, then so too are the points at which we learn specific things. If we come across someone who has not had the life opportunities that we have, then shouldn’t we ‘lower the wing of humility’?

3. Passing Judgement

Following on from the above is the speed at which many individuals can pass judgement on those who have not yet learnt what may be termed as the ‘basic’ stuff. Some people can wonder how someone going into their senior years has still not learnt how to pray or in this case read the Quran. Stop.

Solution: Stop wondering about the life others have lived and think about what you can do to make a difference or aid them. A word of encouragement goes a long way, and if one is unable to do that then a silent prayer will speak a thousand encouraging sentiments. We simply have no right to investigate the private lives of other people.

4. Learner Styles

Sometimes we can overlook the fact that we all have different styles of learning! Odd as it seems we seldom think that this may be the case with adult learners.

Solution: Maximise modern technological advances and utilise appropriate resources such as audio recitations of the Quran. Encourage learners to become familiar with certain passages by providing listening material. Hopefully this will initiate familiarity with the Quran and will help motivate learners who are finding it difficult. Essentially we should never forget that those working to do something with difficulty are not the same as those who face fewer struggles (as learners).

These were just a few thoughts on the subject of adult learners attempting to read the Quran for the first time. Inspired by my dad’s recent completion of the Book and the discussion it generated. I am sure that there are many more ways we can encourage adults on their learning journey. My aim was to initiate a dialogue and get a discourse started on this important issue present within our communities.

Late Spring 2008

Image: Qurans in a Mosque in Tarim, July 2008

This write-up is one of many which has been kindly typed by volunteer typists. Please say a silent prayer for them and their families.

All things Wrist

2008-08-11T13:14:00.004+01:00

Having had no access to 'News' for the last 6 weeks I returned to see the wrist in headlines.

I am unsure what the exact problem or issue seems to be: is the wrist a problem or is it religion? And how does one define the concept of 'jewellery'? I haven't been able to read much about this whole issue as I am still quite jetlagged after 3 flights in 24 hours and thus hoping that what I write here won't be misinterpreted. But this is a topic which really made me think, otherwise myself blogging 2 days in a row is an achievement in itself. And as readers may be aware, I seldom blog what is in the news.

I have two vague points, both related to the wrist: the first in terms of religious obligations and the second with respect to health needs.

The wrist, just like the neck is a member of the body which is accustomed to wearing religious symbols: be it the Kara for the Sikhs, the Sacred Thread for the Hindus or a Thread worn by a Muslim receiving Ruqya. Adding to the latter, in some Muslim societies it is not uncommon for individuals to wear certain precious stones on their wrists for spiritual wellbeing. And there is nothing to say that such customs won't be practised by people here - afterall we live in a global village right?

With respect to health: how would the one wearing a magnetic bracelet be perceived?

I am sure all above arguments have been well-written about during my absence. What worries me however, is the issue of spiritual wellbeing. I may lack eloquence here but I will give it a try: if we are beings with a spirit then is it not our right to look after that spirit? Would it not be detrimental to our wellbeing if we were refused to wear what we consider useful for our spiritual health?

The practise of wearing things on the wrist affects all who have decided to adopt a religious philosophy in their daily lives. So it becomes necessary for us to think what is our duty in such cases as that of the young 14 year old.

Dowra Sharings: 1 - On Sharing

2008-08-10T14:38:00.005+01:00

Hats off to the Dowra Team who organised this year's program. They set such a high benchmark in terms of their hospitality that I am brought to humble myself to their kindness. I pray in earnest that everyone can go to spend some quality time with the family of the Prophet Alaislam. Praises to God Almighty Most High.

I intend to share a few things with you all.. and the first of these is the advice I was given: that not everything should be shared.

I am still very giddy and off to rest so leave you to enjoy my neighbour Ethar's blog who was in a room across me.

Dowra 2008, Yemen

2008-06-25T18:44:00.003+01:00

blessed with yet more gifts..

complete my debts and renew my belief..

& prepare to get into another state.

Fee Aman Allah,

Peace & Prayers.

Useful URL

On Routine

2008-06-16T21:56:00.005+01:00

What is it about routine that we have a love-hate relationship with?

Love because it gives us meaning; purpose; or something to do with our time, in the crudest sense.

Hate for sucking away our energies and vacuuming clean our ‘free times’.

The presence of routine brings feelings of worthiness, value, pride on the one hand, and boredom, mundanity, repetition on the other. It is my mind’s desire that it get used to a certain routine for stability to appear. Yet the fleeting spirit within me wants to break away from routine to be in sync with the spontaneity that life hails forth.

The fleeting spirit is satisfied to know that routine shall soon be broken, although the rhythm of life continues to keep things afloat.

A break in routine is important and inevitable for the cycle of growth to continue. Why fear it then?

It is amazing that God Almighty so carefully breaks the routine we so joyfully enjoy. Perhaps to teach us that life is more exciting than the mundane; more colour exists than the black and white which routine shapes our sight with. That wherever there is fear for the human being becoming stagnant; a change in pattern, repetition, occurs to highlight the great realization that God Almighty has more in store for us than the routinised cycle of daily events.

This is the way to empower our spirit towards accepting that change is for our betterment. Routine is thus the opposite of change. And a break in it results in change.

Change is necessary for the growth of the spirit and for man to realise his ultimate potential as God’s ambassador.

But what makes change difficult to accept is our unwillingness to understand the true nature of routine.

I read Paulo Coelho say that when we see each day as the same we miss the many miracles around us all the while.

Maybe this is why a natural break in routine should be praised and not cursed.

Routine:
Break it occasionally to see what you are otherwise missing out on. Don’t go to the same place everyday. Speak to someone you haven’t in a while. This will help you stay prepared for the ground-moving moments God sends you unexpectedly.

(Hand-written: 17/3/08 - 15/4/08)

On Quality

2008-06-15T18:28:00.012+01:00

Don’t let the quality of your work suffer.
Prioritise and do only the things you can, properly.

Spring 2008

Following

2008-05-13T18:38:00.002+01:00

My blog has never had a following per se. Rather it has attracted the attention of cyber-strayers who have ‘chanced’ upon it either through a link or search that they have done. As a consequence some of these people have liked what they have seen and become regular visitors.

I remember it was around last year this time that one such visitor contacted me after having been accepted onto the Rihla 2007 having read a post I’d done about it the previous year. She is an example of the kind of visitation the blog receives. I think she had just unexpectedly arrived at the web address some time ago and left a comment on one entry.

The blogs I like to read, or at least ‘visit’ and browse are generally by people abroad. They know all too well that they type and publish faster than I read! In comparison my space has had more quieter periods in these 3 years. Perhaps this has resulted in losing the interest of some visitors? I am unsure.

However, I am always encouraged by the patience that readers demonstrate. In an era where things are happening faster than we can process them, I am surprised that people still visit my blog to check for updates. Maybe some people have RSS feeds to this site? (I am not really clued up with how RSS feeds work).

This is the reason why I decided to ask for typing assistance [keep them in your prayers]. The few people who have been so patient with me have motivated me to do something practical about the drafts I have hand-written in the many months. Sometimes I have wondered whether I should close the blog and call it a day, but then I receive a comment or email by a stranger telling me how useful they have found something I’ve written… and I use that to keep high the momentum.

I know that I can never compete with the regular bloggers who update their blogs daily, and sometimes a couple of times a day. But then, my aim is never to compete; it is simply to share a few thoughts. Someone researching the Muslim female artists for her thesis asked me recently about the future of my blog:

It is my hope that in the fast-paced cyber-world we live in, if someone decides to stop by for a read - then I want them to leave being happy with what they find.

The updates which will follow soon have been dedicated to all those who have patiently waited for them -

Hand-Written 08/05/08 (am)

Three Years Later…

2008-02-19T00:49:00.006Z

Tranquilart is resting or not?

The date is 18th February 2005; it’s Friday. I am teaching a group of adults in the centre of my city at a building site where many individuals recovering from mental illness access services and courses.

I am the only person who wears a headscarf and constitute about 8% of the BME staff here. I’ve been here for a few years; hated this place when I first started. Actually when I first applied for this job one chilling winter, I was rejected on the spot at the interview. Never mind I thought; I got a contract to teach elsewhere. Six months later when the organisation were re-recruiting, they telephoned me and asked if I was still interested. ‘Yeah right’ I thought?! I was preparing a trip to Pakistan that summer and remember being asked for another interview: so much was going on so I thought I’d just pop-by and see what they had to say. It was a hectic week that heated July and I dropped off some exam material and marked papers at the college I was contracted by. As I hugged my manager goodbye for summer, I told her that I had to dash to that place. She asked me if I would take the job, I replied no and we both chuckled at how fate had brought this opportunity round again.

I returned from Pakistan and began that job a day before September 11th 2001.

It was not a full-time position; I hated full-time work. I happily managed to juggle it with my job at the college and felt content that I was cleverly able to keep away from the red tape that exists in the education field.

We’ve had lunch and I go back to the class. I am wearing a bandage on my right wrist: have been doing so for a day or so as my wrist was hurting a little bit. Luckily this is half-term week and I wasn’t working at my other job at the college for most part of the week; just here today. Yesterday I was delivering a workshop at one of the local universities. It was an art workshop. Many student Islamic Societies tend to contact me with regards having art stalls. I tend to paint calligraphic designs onto glass frames and sell them to raise funds for a charity project I am working on. I have this amazing vision that it would be so grand for lots of people to support a single cause and for that reason the prices I sell my work for is very cheap: a few pounds for an average 6” X 4” frame. I’m not too bothered at the moment about developing my work as an artist: the creativity helps me and that’s sufficient for now, no need to worry about developing myself as an artist too much for now I think. I’ve raised over £2000 for the project I have in mind and have about another third to go. I get paid a decent income so I hardly care about the prices.

I am also hoping to raise funds for the purchase of some baby equipment at the local maternity hospital, and for this reason I have been trying to launch a ‘Catalogue’ which will allow me to reach out to a wider audience. I am hoping to include the photography I did in Granada in that catalogue. The photos were exhibited about 3 months ago at an exhibition I organised in this city. So much is going on; I need to contact my website designer Shaeed to ask if the site will be ready for launch next week or not. The website is up and running but it’s a new page and gallery he is setting up for me. There’s loads of queries I need to answer. My new manager at the college is asking me where he should send a cheque to support my work. I need to email him my postal address at some point. Work have been great with everything. Most of my colleagues in both organisations are not Muslim. But they have been there ever since my creative phenomena emerged in 2001. They helped me with feedback regards my website design and layout, proofreading the content on there, looking through various domain names for me: we settled with “tranquilart” after going through so many names. And I think the 20 or so people who were regularly bombarded with emails for domain names are perhaps now relieved that we have finally got a name!

The afternoon session is progressing well; we’re in an IT room and the group members are learning to empower their being by controlling these machines. The ability to learn to operate a machine when one is feeling very low in esteem or confidence has been cited by some as a way of attaining control, power and focus. I have certainly seen that many people feel a sense of achievement when they can use a computer. Most of my students are dosed with medication of all sorts. We call them ‘clients’ aswell as students. I have seen many kinds of clients whilst being in this building: people with depression and anxiety disorders are very common as too are those with Schizophrenia. I’ve seen women who have postnatal depression and individuals who are recovering from bereavement. I’ve seen victims of abuse and met some who were doing their PhDs before they became psychotic. But my world really changed the year I met some young people under 20 who had their first psychotic episode as post school-leavers. It was also at this time that I met individuals who were caught for petty crimes as teenagers and sent to prison, just to become entrenched in the cycle of depression. Actually I have now met a handful of men under 25 who are here from probation services.

I also was surprised to bump into a school friend the other month who is ‘mentally unwell’ now and will soon be joining us for some courses or training. Most people I work with are white ethnically, although I have had a sprinkle of clients who are not. There were a handful of Muslims I taught here: a couple of converts aswell. Life is so fragile. The history of mental health in the UK is interesting. It is also interesting to know about the Mental Health Asylum in this city and what happened when it closed. What happened to the clients?

The pain in my right hand is actually getting quite bad now.

I notify my manager that I may need a Paracetamol to control the pain; especially if I am to complete my class. My line manager is great. We all get on like a house on fire in this department. We have had a fair amount of the people-politics but we also do the usual things any team does: sharing problems, shopping tips, holiday tips, cooking tips, the annual Christmas lunch, and oh a reminder to bring in cakes for your own birthday! My line manager is shocked: she knows how I very rarely take medication for things. Actually, I am very rarely off work. I only ever had a couple of days off work due to sickness: a migraine that lasted until the next day and so I couldn’t get into work. I took a few days off work when my grandmother passed away about 3 years ago for compassionate leave and then 2 years ago I had a chunk off for Hajj. I remember when I came back from hajj, I had an awful tummy-ache at work and she said I was bound to pick up bugs from my trip. After vomiting my morning break, she kindly put me in her car and dropped me off home. She knows about my ‘detox plans’ and that I hardly ever take pills. She got me Paracetamol from the other department as we don’t keep it here for health and safety reasons. My colleagues are surprised that I am resorting to this. Finally I complete teaching my class and they wish me well as I head home.

I am able to make an appointment for Monday to see my doctor. My my, it’s gonna be a tough weekend I think. And yes it is. The weekend is awful. I have had more paracetamols this weekend than perhaps in the last year or two.

Monday 21st February 2005 I am signed off work for a week…

The intention of this write-up was to share my life and how things have changed in these 3 years: and that's what I had proposed in my mind this morning. As I started to type this evening, my blog changed and ended up 90% different to what I had thought about this morn. So I guess I will be back quite soon to type what I had mentally prepared for you all :-)

Life is fragile - extremely.

Peace & Prayers x x x x x

As the year ends..

2007-12-19T16:32:00.000Z

As the year comes to an end
2007 first and then 1428
I realise I've reached the top of this Hill
'Hill Difficulty' as Helen Keller once put it
Except for that I am not climbing up it -
But rather walking down
Though I just said am on the top..

Actually you can say am coming down the Mount
I've been successful
Praise to God Most High
Just that the harder bit was towards the end
Before my feet touched the ground
For most part I slid smoothly down
And now I reach my next Peak:
2008 or 1429
Another climb that awaits.

During this blessed season, and as the year draws to an end, I'd like to wish everyone prayers of Peace, Joy and Wellbeing.

Eid & Hajj Greetings.

I want to say thanks to everyone for enquiring regards my health and apologise for not updating folk as I should. I have experienced a good spell of it since Ramadan and it's great to be able to have that after a long period. I am taking a homeopathic remedy which has helped my condition. The last trip to the consultant was about 2 months ago and all is well. Despite having experienced a greater amount of pain in my elbows and wrists this year [due to the damp weather] it is not significant enough to start any conventional pain-reducing treatment. All tests indicate that things are actually quite nice and in good working order inside this physical body of mine! Alhamdulila. All Praises are for God Almighty. There is no real explanation for the pain bar the arthritic episode which occurred in 2005.

There was, and still is no clear habit for the pain. Although I have noticed a little bit of a pattern this year, I am still unsure when the pain will start. There is a cycle of pain and fatigue with varying levels of motivational energy which surrounds my world. Each episode lasts for an undefined term and then goes away. I am unsure what phase is worse: the fatigue phase or the painful one? Or the one wherein I lack motivation or zest? The fatigue has lead to constant naps during daylight hours and the painful one; waking mid-way through my nightly sleep thinking someone is cutting my wrist.

Yep - ever since 2005 that is how my wrist feels in it's 'painful' state: that it is being sawed off.

But it is with extreme happiness and gratitude that I announce the following:
"Currently I am in none of the above."

Recognising limitations and modifying lifestyle is the advice or Treatment Plan I have been offered by my consultant and I have agreed. I believe it will be a boon for me.

My thanks to all readers: friends and foe for taking time to share my world. It is my firm belief that the prayers of the many silent readers, well-wishers and friends give me the strength to continue to move forward. Yes, I really do believe this. When I see myself 'back on my feet' doing 'stuff' I think about the supportive words of the wonderful people I am fortunate to have interacted with: be it in cyber-world, real-world or the world of telecommunications. For me those supportive words have been the key to recovery [whatever that means]. The many gentle, and sometimes forceful reminders from you all have transformed my view of this health crisis into a state of empowerment and self-development. Honest. I know my health will seldom ever be the way it was a few years ago - but I am happy with that now.

There are many things I wanted to blog about this year but it just never happened. I am learning all the while and the processing of this often takes a lot longer than I would like to have it. I continue to jot down thoughts in the hope that some day very soon I will blog it all out. Who knows when that will be?

Thanks also to the patience of those who await a reply to correspondence [email, text, comment here or letter]. You remain in my thoughts: in a nice little space kept well just for you.

In 2005 and 2006 I did a summary of my blogs, keeping with this Tradition here is 2007 in a few sentences :-)

2006 was quite a year, then we started 2007. A death followed by a caravan in the quietness of the 2 year mark and the arrival of the Sacred Birth. The disturbing moon made me serious about mentoring so that I got seriously blogging The Noble Man From Zaytuna despite the Rain. A trip to the shops to buy me some Prayer Beans which is exactly what I needed after the Disturbing Comments. I sought my Spiritual Friends and the Noble Man returned. Autumn arrived as too did my RSI Concerns as I bid farewell to the Old Friend who left me a few Bracelets.

Peace & Prayers
Bint-eh Adam
x x x x x x x

The images are my gardening attempts this year.. ahem :-)

Bracelets and things...

2007-11-07T19:50:00.000Z

Just wanted to share that today I wore a bracelet after ages and thanked Allah Almighty for the ability to be able to do so. In the last 2 and a half years I've only been able to wear a bracelet about a few times. I used to love bracelets and have collected quite a few weird and wonderful ones. Little did I know though, that having paining wrists would mean that wearing such adornments would become a novelty.

It may be something really little to people, but for me: it is an act hidden in a bigger realisation: that there is a force.. far bigger than you and I.. a force which dictates even small things like whether one can wear jewellery without irritation and discomfort. If we begin to thank God Almighty for these small things that He allows us to do in life, we will learn the art of becoming grateful servants to a Master who has adorned our lives with many gems, pearls and treasures of varying measure.

It reminded me of the following email I was sent a long time ago.

Should you...

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight;
Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work;
Think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad;
Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend;
Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance;
Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror;
Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking 'what is my purpose ';
Be thankful, there are those who didn'tlive long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities;
Remember, things could be worse. You could be them!!!

Now, I await the day that my hands will be ready to wear henna.. for in these last 3 years they have taken to disliking the coldness of this mixture that women all over the world cherish. Let me wait and see.

Goodbye Ramadan

2007-10-12T08:58:00.000+01:00

Oh what a glorious time we had together..

For some unusual reason this was one of the Ramadans after a very long time that actually had more day-light hours than twilight. As the next years will roll in we shall see the cycle of Ramadan becoming more apparant in the Summer season: less time for night prayer, greater time for daylight fasting and abstination. Perhaps in this is a lesson for us all?

Fasting: keeping away; but at the same time drawing closer to.

What do we keep away from?
And what do we draw closer to?

These are two pertinent questions for anyone wishing to do a reflective exercise on their practise. Individually we need to ask ourselves how we decided to answer these questions and what were the lessons learnt, any drawbacks, or barriers which sneaked our way.

It is also important that a few weeks later, once Ramadan is a bygone memory, one makes a list of all the positive things that have happened since Ramadan. For sure we hear that this is a Month of openings, realisations and the unfolding of secrets for our wellbeing.. so why not make a physical acknowledgement of all those specialities? We shall find that the manual process of making such a list will enable a stronger recognition of the grandness of this Guest. And who knows, hopefully it will teach us to look forward to greeting it again next year with a greater yearning and love.

For me, the Balance Sheets are totally out of place. I put in very little this Ramadan, but managed to receive so much more. Perhaps that is why God is the Creator and I am a mere mortal? A lump of flesh in the vastness of His creation? It is at times like this that one has to acknowledge that this must be a Month of Mercy.

Before I end, I would like for you all to forgive me for the many times I am unable to reply promptly to emails, text messages, calls and comments. And forgive me for not updating this blog as much as you and I would like. I promise I have been drafting away in my jotter and someday soon will type up those blog entries!

I would also like a prayer for all those who have been affected by any sadness during this Month of Ramadan. May God Almighty give everyone the solace to continue their journeys to Him.

And finally, it is my belief that we can keep the spirit of Ramadan alive every day for the next 11 months. By living out what this Guest has taught us we shall realise that Ramadan never left us in the first place. Wishing you all an accepted Ramadan.

Until next time, goodbye my dear friend :)

Peace & Prayers
x x x x x x x x

A Must-Read by the Noble Man of Zaytuna:
Face To Faith

RSI Concerns

2007-09-17T17:34:00.000+01:00

In the last 10 days, two friends have contacted me with RSI pain in their hands :-/
Ina Lila Hi Wa Ina Ilai Hi Rajeun!

Please dear people, can you "keep it real" at work and not go overboard with your limbs?!!

I love you all for the sake of Allah Almighty and pray that He keeps you well and in good health.. but partially the over-earnestness with technology or the shyness at not approaching the employer is a contributing factor for not seeking medical help urgently! People feel they MUST do everything in whatever condition they are in. That is so wrong!

In these last 2.5years I've known up to ten people who have had period of sick-leave due to RSI !!!!!!!

WHAT'S HAPPENIN!!!!!???????!

Here are 10 pointers I advise those who are experiencing pain:

1. Don't assume it is RSI and will 'go away' if you rest from the PC for a day. There are many conditions within the RSI umbrella and some require specific tests for diagnosis: CLICK HERE

2. Get to a GP and "stamp your feet" if they try to dismiss you with cheap painkillers. [Sorries dear GPs - but admit it; sometimes that is what you do].

3. For persistent pain and especially if it is affecting the neck, shoulder and back alongside the hand and fingers - get some further tests done.

Some tests to request:

- nerve conduction
- X-rays
- bloods

4. Your employer has a 'Duty of Care' and should be looking after your specific needs at work. You are within your rights to ask for alterations to your desktop.

Some alterations are:

- getting rid of mouse and purchasing a Pen / Tablet set

- not using the laptop for prolonged durations of typing

- purchase of an ergonomic keyboard

- having sufficient change in activity between PC work and other duties

- ensuring all other H&S requirements are met eg chair, distance etc

5. Adding an Autoresponder on email accounts where a lot of mail is received.

6. Splints for hand support: again it depends upon what your diagnosis is.

7. Physiotherapy request.

8. Managing pain with hot or cold ie ice-packs or warm oil [whatever suits your body needs]. Olive oil is extremely beneficial.

9. Reading Fatiha on affected parts.

10. Taking it easy. Literally.

I guess we are one of the first bunch of people to be affected by technology in such an extreme way. But that shouldn't stop us from using our common sense and exploring methods to manage our condition before it becomes quite severe and we have to add further tests to that list above!

Seriously, think hard at the reasons why you are not doing anything concrete about your wellbeing and try your utmost to address the obstacles immediately.

Some people have been experiencing pain for months without even realising they are in pain. Why are we acting so numb?

I am fortunate in many ways that the onset of my pain was immediate and within a few days it forced me to see a GP because of the distress. But there really is NO excuse for the laziness people. Be grateful that you have a health service which is so readily available.

All the best. I may post this onto my blog too.

Wasalam, duas and love

This post appeared on DP first. Since then, I have a few thoughts..

I have been thinking about why I have been so worked up about this whole thing.

One of the reasons I gathered today is because I have been ever so fortunate to have had the support from people during my period of sickness. I blogged this a while ago.
Seriously, I am so lucky.

Lucky for what?
For the masses of support I have received from people: friends, family, strangers..
I guess deep down a little part of me says:

I wonder if others affected by ill-health will receive the kind of love and kindness that I have?

I wonder if they will have individuals in their life who offer them pearls of wisdom to help them understand how this situation relates to the wider scheme of things in creation?

I wonder if someone will call them everyday to remind them of the many skills they have and the multitude of qualities they possess?

I wonder if there will be someone to reassure them of the good deeds they have done and how God Almighty would never let His people down?

I wonder if they will come to realise that in essence, man has been created in an amazingly striking fashion and that every misfortune or sad happening is a channel to draw closer in understanding one's essential nature as a vicegerent of the Creator?

Or instead will they lose hope?
Would they fail to recognise their condition as a sign of His lightening of their accounts?
Would they decipher the pangs of pain as punishment for their misdeeds?
Would they curse the gift of life?

I can only wish and pray that anyone affected by RSI or anything for that matter, will receive the multitude of angels that I have received. And gain deep insights about the creation we are part of.. and the Creator to whom all returns.

I know that God Almighty will look after everyone and only give us all what He deems best for us at that moment in time. I have full faith in His Care for us all. However, these were some thoughts I wanted to share for as I said before: Love you all.

Related Entries:
Mental Health terminology
Who has the real disability?
How Sure let me down
Rethinking Disability

The Noble Man From Zaytuna - continued..

2007-08-02T10:46:00.001+01:00

For all of you who wanted to know what happened post the lift incident and after arriving at the class...

Yasmeen said...: Asalamu ala`ykum warahamtulah wabarakatuh,

Dear Sister Taslim,I am a total stranger to you ,but for the last couple of months I have been following your blog.And I love it.Your entry on the respected Sheikh Hamza Yusuf was splendid.It honestly made me cry , as I reflected on Allah`s immense mercy for guiding us with Scholars of the like of Sheikh Hamza.May Allah swt increase him in rank, blessings and health.

I feel upset at the comments that were made by the two users.However ,it is important to realise that we live in an age of ignorance.One frequently comes across "ignorant" and "awkward" remarks made against the most esteemed Scholars.Therefore I pray that "silly" comments left on your blog don`t sadden you.

Keep up the good work.
I look forward to "The Noble Man from Zaytuna Part 2" and Part 3 as well. :)

May Allah swt bless you with health and a long life.Insha`Allah.

wasalam
yasmeen

Sunday, June 24, 2007 5:02:00 PM

KK said...

WE WANT TO SEE A PART 2 OF THIS ASAP!! SubhanAllah! Keep up the good writing :)

Monday, June 25, 2007 8:18:00 PM

Anonymous said...

Part two! Part two! Part two! PLEASE! If you have gone to the Rihla, then we expect a part for each day at the Rihla :)

Saturday, July 07, 2007 2:28:00 AM

After reading these lovely comments and emails I wondered to myself how in the world would I ever reply to you guys and your generous sentiments.

Amazingly, now the lessons that we sat in, in Jeddah are available for ordering :-)

So, anyone who wants to know what happened henceforth, you must purchase a set of these fine CDs and listen for yourself. Sit and listen to what our beloved Noble Man from Zaytuna said to us exactly a year ago..

For those of you who have been my long-time supporters and well-wishers throughout my period of ill-health - think for yourself what sitting in these sessions must have done for me and is still doing for me. Myself and fellow Rihla buddies recently reviewed the notes we made in these sessions and I was overwhelmed at how fragile a learner I am. What my being encountered whilst sitting in these sessions was beyond words. And for those of you who know me well enough, you will soon come to realise why I stopped blogging where I did in my entry. This CD set is an amazing tool for anyone who wants to move from point a to point b in their life. It is greatly empowering aswell as informing of where, what and how we are.

God bless Shaykh Hamza Yusuf with health, prosperity and the guidance so he continues to be the torch for us all. Ameen.

PURCHASE HERE:
UK - roots distribution
USA - alhambra productions

The Alchemy of Happiness
By: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
5 CD Set Gift Box

In this 5 CD set, Hamza Yusuf discusses the causes of unhappiness in this world, according to Imam al-Ghazali, and gives us the guidelines to obtain inward contentment.
This amazing class was taught at the Rihla 2006 program (Makkah/Madina/Jeddah)

Come and follow this journey with me:

It is August 4th 2006, I am sitting in the lesson in Jeddah...

Seeking My Spiritual Friends

2007-08-01T15:56:00.000+01:00

When you become hopeless
because of isolation,

if you go beneath
the shadow of a spiritual friend

you will become a shining star.

Imam Rumi.

Mathnawi

Please remember me in your prayers.

Much love and peace
yours x x x x

Disturbing Comments

2007-06-24T02:04:00.000+01:00

About six weeks ago, whilst many people were posting kind thoughts about my ‘Noble Man’ entry, I received two comments which were not so kind. A pair which left me feeling tearful for a few weeks.

St Valentines has left a new comment on your post "The Noble Man From Zaytuna":

Honestly woman, get a grip of yourself. You're practically worshipping HY, maybe you should just ask for his rishta instead of seeming like a desperate ''number one fan.'' You seem like a fanatical HY stalker, I hope your husband one day gets out a miswaak to give you a good bashing with.

Posted by St Valentines to tranquilart at Tuesday, May 08, 2007 2:25:00 PM

Curious Muslim has left a new comment on your post "The Noble Man From Zaytuna":

Zaytuna institute - The place where dreams come true :) The place where we rip you off and hang you out to dry for sacred knowledge ;)

Posted by Curious Muslim to tranquilart at Tuesday, May 08, 2007 2:30:00 PM

I do have a heart, and within it are chambers which ‘feel’.

At the time, I was so upset, confused and angry that my immediate reaction was to ‘moderate comments’. Never before have I had to moderate what comments have been left. Of course with the exception of a few spammers, all who have commented on my blog have been most welcome “Ahlan Wa Sahlan!” I shout in cyberspace.

Come, come, whoever you are

Wonderer, worshipper, lover of leaving

It doesn’t matter.

Ours is not a caravan of despair.

Come, even if you have broken your vows

a thousand times,

Come, yet again,

Come, come.

RUMI

For almost three years I have been blogging and although there are a ‘regular’ few who comment, most of my comments are from individuals who chance upon the read. I am accustomed to receiving comments from strangers, in fact in the last 2 years I have received a wealth of emails from people who have read the blog but shied away from commenting so publicly. And as I have said before, it is only due to the positive feedback that I continue to find motivation to blog.

So let’s get back to these comments then.

After discussing the comments with well-wishers I came to receive a lot of support and words of comfort, metaphors for the relationships that exist in blogosphere, aswell as the dynamic transformation that communication is currently undergoing.

Everything made perfect sense.

However I still felt very perturbed, tearful and saddened by the comments. I deduced that both comments had probably been left by a single male who was most likely a Muslim. In other words: “A Muslim Brother”.

I asked myself why had I been so offended by these comments. Why was I allowing myself to give them so much of my time, thought and energy? Especially at a time when I was already feeling weak and resorting to daytime naps in order to have sufficient physical energy to fulfil, in the very least: the minimal prayers for each day. Why was I so upset? Allowing something like this to eat into me.. a friend who could not resist told me one day: “taz, let it be like water off a duck’s back!” She made me laugh!

There are many reasons why I was upset:

Initially it was the misogynist stench which I didn’t like.

The references to domestic violence were totally unacceptable. I mean totally. Speak to a woman whose husband has beaten her and told her she is the ugliest individual alive, and you will come to realise how demeaning it is. How it destroys the soul and leaves the spirit to bleed: heart is pumping blood, all vital signs are in check – but there is a corpse in clothing: breathing just because those breaths have been written by Him who Writes it all.

Yes I do know such women, and how dare someone poke fun of what they go through. Shame on whoever speaks such ill.

And to want for your fellow human, your sister-in-faith to get a “good bashing” from her husband? Are these my fellow believers well-wishing me a future of peace and prosperity? Are these their supplications for me when I enter the sacred institution of marriage? Whoever mutilated the saying:

“None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”

‘Brother’ equating to ‘fellow human’.

I thought:

Am I not someone’s child or sibling?

Do I not belong to the ‘big family’?

For those of you who read The Noble Man From Zaytuna did you understand what the station of a Teacher is?

Did you sense the station of a Mentor?

A Guide?

A Torch?

Did you sense within it the sentiments a child echoes to a parent?

If you didn’t see a daughter’s love for a someone whom she honours alongside her father then I feel sorry for you.

Did you ever get the impression of someone who is desperately trying to save people he doesn’t know from falling into a pit? Someone who stretches his hands out, reaching for them when they have hit rock-bottom?

A man determined to switch on the light so they can see their surroundings and all that exists beyond their tiny world?

One of the comments left on the post so rightly said the following:

“Just can't imagine how garbage my life would have been had he not come into it.”

So many of us know that our lives would have been precisely that: garbage, crap, trash, rubbish and a total waste-heap had it not been for the gentleness of this gentleman, and the nobility of this humble teacher. Yet we are so determined not to acknowledge him as a blessing?

It wasn’t until about a month ago whilst reviewing last summer’s Rihla course notes that I came across the following saying of the Prophet Alaislam that my thoughts about this whole Comments affair took a new twist:

A desert Arab came to the Messenger and said:

”You kiss children, we don’t kiss them.”

The Prophet said:

“Can I prevent Allah from extracting the Mercy from your heart?”

My thoughts now turned to the states we are in. I recalled a recent phone-call from a well-wisher who had said:

“we don’t know the states that we ourselves are in.”

I really felt the weight of this.

I thought how awful it must be to have mercy extracted, taken away, removed from one’s heart.

How very sad.

To live without this emotional treasure.

Finally, I gathered my thoughts and tears: all Praises to the Guide for teaching me through this fine Hadith. I realised that deep down I felt sorry for the individual who had posted the two nasty comments. I mean really really sorry.

I felt grateful to God Almighty for bringing me to this understanding and showing me through a series of emotional hurdles, the importance of addressing why we feel the way we do.

When we are upset about something, we need to carefully examine where that sadness stems from?

Why are we upset?

Which part of us feels the hurt or the offence?

Is it our ego which feels the pain?

Or is it a wound much deep within?

Where are we really hurting?

If we live our life based upon the principles of faith, then we shouldn’t forget that there is a Day of Accounts to follow. None of us would want any other to be at a loss on that Day.

I end by saying something that I have thought about many times: that if it was possible and permissible to transfer one’s remaining years over to another human being, then He Knows best that I would choose the Noble Man from Zaytuna to transfer them over to.

I still hold firm to the 5 reasons I gave for writing the piece in the first place.

My New Prayer Beans

2007-06-03T13:33:00.000+01:00

Yes,

Finally after searching far and wide, high and low I found them.

Lima Beans are perfect for anyone who has stiffness in their finger joints. I've found them much better than chick peas, kidney beans or date stones.

A great, economical aswell as an ergonomical method to maintain focus and concentration whilst one recites in desire to remember their Lord.

It's been an interesting time for my prayer beads: these two years. I was given a huge tasbih [string of beads] in Medina 4 years ago by a street merchant who insisted I take it.
I did.
And for the next couple of years I used those beads to make pronouncements of the remembrance of God Almighty.

However upon the onset of my pain, one of the first things that was inconceivable was moving the beads along the string. It was impossible to do. And so my beads took a back-seat whilst I began to count on my fingers. Over this period people brought me prayer beads as gifts; unfortunately of little use to me: even if they are expensive and made from the best source. The last time I was able to easily use what the merchant from Medina gave me was last year whilst in Pakistan.

It has become so difficult and frustrating to use prayer beads due to the repetitive nature of the movement one makes with their thumb and index finger. Sometimes I find myself watching in bemusement at others moving their beads through the string with a great sense of awe.

I have even been very kindly offered prayer beads by individuals in circles where people are using them to make dhikr. And I have had to refuse.

I feel a little strange at times. Prayer beads have almost become a symbol in many of our circles: of people diligently detaching themselves from their surroundings to remember their Lord Most High.
Individuals directing their energies to a higher purpose whilst appearing to be present in a normal, regular crowd.

They continue to remember their vicegerency upon this earth as their thumb rolls yet another bead.

In this world they are; but on a plane beyond the reach of our imaginations.

They are connected so quickly to their Adamic state; their celestial covenant; their rich heavanly oath. Their origin is shown to them so instantaneously through the magic of what they invocate.

What a feeling it must be to detach oneself so easily just by use of these beads?

Man is in dire need to channel his energies in a direction which will empower him. This channelling needs to be done in a manner that correctly honours his status in the universe and with his Creator. Invocating to God Almighty is an act of great humility yet it enables the individual to grow in a unique kind of confidence. An assurance that he has not been left alone to deal with life and the many obstacles, dilemmas or scenarios it introduces in his way. Situations that warrant a response from him that he may not feel able to carry out without becoming confused. This newly-gained confidence allows man then, to reach elevation and deal with the aforementioned incidences quite naturally. He no longer feels that he is suspended in mid-air, but instead, he gains a grounding necessary for his survival on this earthly realm.

A sort of grounding embedded in an aura of conviction that the gentle words which fall from his tongue are, in fact reaching Heavan, and that through their invocation his heart will once again feel the peace and tranquility that naturally belongs within it.

For we mustn't forget:

"..Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest"

Quran: 13:28

Paining in the Rain

2007-06-02T23:39:00.000+01:00

Erratic weather conditions thanks to global warming meant that the April Showers were delayed, leaving us here in this glorious city of mine, with a warm month wherein we had alot of sun fun.

As I look back at the month of May I find myself recalling a month full of wet, wet, wet weather!

Rheumatic Rain!

Rain which brought with it many angels
yet also a deep parable for me:

to think,
reflect,
explore
and immerse me into.

The many weeks of damp weather brought out the pain in the elbows, hands and wrists. There is no real pattern for the pain, it comes and goes as it pleases - but the rain does make it worse than in dry and sunny climate.

It's very interesting to know that the Rain which God Almighty sends gives 'life'. Rain is a blessing when it soaks the dry land with its' essence and brings sustenance to whole communities through its' graceful properties. On the other hand we know that too much rain is a cause for distress when floods threaten life and existence.

For myself then, rain proved to be a powerful lesson.

It was as if the raindrops were droplets of ink: falling onto the papered earth to write a message for me. The puddles akin to paragraphs of wisdom: trying their best to dictate an instruction; a something I should learn.

"But my endevours are fruitless!" I cried.
"I do not understand the language of the rain!"

Tradition teaches us that rain is one of the best of times to pray in. It is indeed a time for angelic ambience.

Tradition also teaches us that the sick are surrounded by the angels. Sickness is viewed as a process of purification and one of the means by which closeness to God Almighty is achieved.

I pondered on awhile...

The pain continued to persist.

My eyes wandered;
glaring at the skies and then returning to experience the momentary sensations:
like light music playing in the background whilst I went about my irregularities each day.
I guess it's like having a spot on your face which is 'just there' and although your life doesn't stop for it: it does occaisionally remind you of it's presence.

Slowly I began to realise the language of these tiny raindrops.

Rain comes and washes away all that existed before it -
these moments of stiffness that I feel may also wipe away the many mistakes and sins I have accumulated?

I realise that the rain does indeed give life by the Permission of God Almighty,
but if today this very same rain is giving me sensations of pain - then that too must be to give me 'eventual' life by His Permission?

That if these raindrops were being carried so mercifully by those angelic creations which we cannot see,
then the twitchings which waken me from sleep during the early hours must also be accompanied mercifully by those angelic beings?

Do I tell the world that I am a student of the rain?

Do I tell the world that this pain is my teacher?

I stop for a moment.
"I am sure the whole world was designed to teach me?" I ask myself.
"But I have just been able to recognise two of His Great Signs?"

How many more of His Great Signs must be littered in this vast creation of His?

Becoming overwhelmed.
I feel the presence of these tears tonight.
Wipe them away. It is almost 1am.

"My Lord.."
I begin a prayer -

My Lord,

Give me the ability to recognise Your Signs in my life.
This life is a gift from You,
And at times I value not this precious treasure,
So give me Signs that help me to continuously cherish this fortune which You have honoured me with.

Ameen.

Good Night.
Peace & Prayers
x x x x x x

Read also: Rain

The Noble Man From Zaytuna

2007-04-23T13:11:00.000+01:00

Back in June of last year I was thinking about life, purpose, meaning and the way everything evolves.

My mind drifted from person to place to event, and in the midst of a melancholic hullabaloo I landed myself thinking about the ‘Noble Man from Zaytuna’.

I sat and recalled the many times this man had inspired me. I counted my blessings to know that I would be setting off onto the Rihla and have the great opportunity to learn from someone whom I’ve respected for many years. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf has touched the lives of many, in numerous remarkable ways. I am just one of the scores whom he has inspired and motivated in a positive way towards goodness.

The aim of this write-up has been a combination of:

1. to thank our blessed teacher for impacting my life in a way which has allowed my spirit to grow through happy and sad times

2. to tell you: my readers, that God Almighty works in the most Miraculous ways and that we should start to recognise the miracles that are happening around us all daily

3. to acknowledge that I am a blessed individual and although there may be much that I may not have; I have much to be happy about. I have an awful lot to cherish from the bounties that He has sent this way. Living in the same time as this Noble Man is just one blessing that I have bothered to count; there must be so so many more blessings that I haven’t even began to acknowledge

4. I think it is important for us to look at the way in which our scholars and guides have impacted in our lives. And I wanted to at least attempt this with one individual before I depart from this world. We should all remember the many favours of those around us and steer clear of forgetfulness. Even if we don't write down how God Almighty brought these noble guides into our life; we should at least set aside some time to reflect what life would have been like, had we not been introduced to these individuals?

5. to remind myself that I am part of Bani Adam as he says.

These are a few things which I wanted to share.. excuse the writing style but life is spontaneous and short.. and here is a man to whom I owe almost a decade worth..

"It is 1997, I am at university.

I am mesmerised by the voice of this one American individual living in Santa Clara. I have brought his tapes and borrowed some from the Islamic Society Library. He is on TV on the ‘Muslim’ slot on one of the stations. Everyone seems to be talking about him. He is just awesome.
His words repeat themselves in my ears and I think he talks sense.

We start our Islamic Society newsletter and the editor chooses to end his introduction by his words. I make tape recordings of all his talks and keep them.

It is 1998*, he is visiting my city. I am too sick to go. My friend tells me he was wearing his white combats and walked past her and her husbands’ stall.
Wow, I sigh.

It is 1999, the sun is trying it’s best to pierce the chill of an Autumn morning, I am listening to “Educating The Muslim Child” by him. I have an interview later this morning at a Muslim School. His words make me a tad bit more confident.
I get the job.

The years are passing...
I am becoming somewhat ‘detached’ from the Muslims in my community as I focus on my ‘self-discovery’ mission.
Who, what and how am I?

The opportunities are endless; I am learning new skills and building the foundations of a stable teaching career.
I am seeing success everywhere.

He is in my country I hear.
I can’t go to visit him.
My travels have become limited: I am a sufferer of migraines.
I miss out on the opportunities to hear him live.
This saddens me.
‘But I have his recordings’ I tell myself.

It is February 2003 and I have now done my Hajj.

The year ends and I spot him on the cover of a glossy magazine.

It is 2004, I make new friends. I give them his recordings because I know they will like him. They too, are in love with him.

It is February 2005 and I am in pain.
I am told to purchase a CD entitled: ‘17 Benefits of Trials and Tribulations’ with the advice: “Share it with others”.
I do.

It is Monday 2nd May 2005.
I am in the Wembley Conference Centre and I see him for the first time. He is full of hope, mercy and compassion.
I am in awe.

I purchase the CD set of ‘Purification of the Heart’ by him.
Soonafter I purchase a copy of his book by the same title: I open the book to see his signature inside. My world!
I start to follow his words from the CD as I flick through the book – my concentration levels are on the all-low.

It is mid-September and he comes to my city at last! I feel so graced.

Myself and my friend intend to go to listen to his next talk tomorrow at another city – but I have a migraine accompanied by an erratic tummy; I am unsettled all night. My friend’s nephew is in hospital. We both miss the opportunity to listen to him again.

A week has passed and I receive something in the post.
It is a copy of ‘The Content of Character’ translated by him.
A kind soul narrated to him that we were meant to come but couldn’t make it and thus I receive a signed copy with my name in it too! I am soo happy – I can’t believe how lucky I am.

It is still Autumn 2005 and my hands are still in pain.
I have mail from a well wisher.
I open the envelope to find a tiny piece of cloth that was used to clean the Kabah by him. He must be such an honourable man to have cleaned the Kabah I begin to think.

It is February 2006 and I will be flying away for 2 months in a week or so time. He is in the UK again.. and this time with his teacher.
My friend and myself drive up north one cold and rainy evening and see him and his teacher as they pass before us.
My, my, we are just a metre away from him.
He looks so radiant.
God bless him always, I take that image away with me to Pakistan.

It is March 2006 and I am in Pakistan.
I am finding it difficult to understand people. I read the ‘Purification of the Heart’ and my difficulties subside.

It is June 2006 and I have been accepted onto the Rihla – where he will be teaching!!!

I am so blessed I think I will soon go mad.

It is August 2006, I am in the lift at the hotel in Jeddah.
I am fretting and running late for my lesson.
I don’t want that to happen and to dishonour the teacher. The lift should be going down – but what is this: it starts to go up to the fifth floor!
Oh my goodness!
I am sure to get late now!

I see someone with a cream coloured apparel walk in.
Oh my world!
It is him!
I finally have the opportunity to say Salam to him.

I am not late for my class afterall - I arrive the same time as my dear teacher.

And here I end.. for now.."

I know our dear teacher does not descend from the line of the final Prophet Alaislam – but through him I have been reminded on numerous occasions that we are the Children of Adam. Sadly, we live in a chaotic world where it is all too easy to forget that our common Father was a Prophet. I believe it is therefore very important that we embody the concept of Bani Adam as brought to us by our beloved teacher Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. And I thank God Almighty for making me live in the same age as this great Inspirator.

* - I think this is accurate.

All images are taken from the Zaytuna Website.

Tranquilarty Thoughts on Mentoring

2007-04-01T11:59:00.000+01:00

5th March 2007 10.43am
On Coach down South

Historically man has been surrounded by mentors; advisors and guides to assist, help, support, direct or point him whenever the need has arisen.

As you are aware, I carefully avoid writing about definitions and this piece is no different. It is not about training courses or dictionary definitions - that's for you to do. This is a little something about us as mentors.

Whether we choose to be or not, we do become mentors somewhere along the vast journey of life. We will meet others in need just like some met us in need - and we will continue the centuries old tradition of mentoring. Sometimes in the most novel of ways. We may not acknowledge ourselves as mentors; but for sure we mentor in varying degrees throughout the course of life.

The young girl who helps the newcomer settle into class at junior school..

The teenager who suggests his mate should get appropriate help for his substance misuse..

The one who phones her everyday to ensure she hasn't given up altogether..

The one who texts him daily to remind him he has a Lord who loves him..

The one who is there to listen to her complaints, as she complains about her inability to work any faster towards her goal..

And the one who listens without imposing his views -

And the one who continues to throw the ball back into her court -

And the one who works effortlessly to empower him -

And the one who encourages her to continue towards her goal -

And the one who demonstrates empathy,
impartiality
& and an attitude of sincere concern.

We become these throughout life and take on the role of mentors.

Like others I do believe that the Path has many obstacles and hindrances which at times may cause a slip, trip or fall. But I also believe that God Almighty sends people throughout our travels on the Path. These people 'appear' and help us.

Sometimes they help us in acknowledging that we have obstacles and then leave us.

Sometimes they help us recognise and identify what these obstacles are.

Sometimes they help us remove these obstacles out of the way.

And sometimes they work with us to put into place plans or mechanisms for dealing with the obstacles, should we re-discover them later on in the way.

The Prophets [peace upon them all] demonstrated this.

Prophetic spirit helped man acknowledge, recognise and remove the obstacles that stood in his way to being the earthly ambassador that he was meant to be. The cultivation of future mechanisms to dealing with obstacles provided a springboard from which the growth of man occurred.

Through following the Prophetic footsteps the tools in dealing with these obstacles are aquired. When our path crosses with the ones who have these tools - we are not only assisted by the power of those tools but also gifted some of the magic of the tools. In this way, once the one who came to assist us has left, we continue to use the tools to assist others..

..and like before sometimes we use these tools to merely help someone acknowledge the existence of obstacles and other times it extends to the identification and recognition of them. And other times still, we assist by the Permission of God Almighty in the [safe] removal of them altogether and so forth.

The cycle of helpers continues.

Now let us think about those helpers; guides, advisors and mentors who came into our lives and reflect upon what obstacles they helped us deal with and at what stage. What would our lives have been like had we continued unaided? How have we been saved simply through one thing our mentor taught us? Seldom do we stop to count the number of mentors our Lord Most High sent us.

And if we wish to do real justice to our mentors then let us pick up the tools they left us with and share the magic with others. For some of us have locked away the tool in a treasure-chest somewhere.

There is no time like now in opening the lock and lifting those treasures..

.. for everyday our paths are crossing with those faced with obstacles.

This was a pre-reading for the long-awaited post on the Chalice which I am still writing!

Rabi al-Awal 1428

2007-03-20T21:42:00.000Z

Here ya go [click image for large view]
18.49 on Tuesday 20th March 2007 captured on my mobile fone :-)

Who came and disturbed me?
Was it you dear moon...

I was resting
"Wake up sis xxx"
she said.

How neatly timed.

Wishing everyone a blessed month.
I pray we all drink from the blessed hands of our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him ..

Ameen.

Yours
Bint-eh-Adam
x x x

Two years later

2007-02-22T13:05:00.000Z

…Tranquilart is resting…

It was 2 years ago that my first sicknote ever was issued: Monday 21^st February 2005.

I was recently informed that one of the greatest teachers Imam Al Haddad had a fever for 14 years which nobody was aware of.

I know a lot of you have been in touch and I do ask to be forgiven for not being able to reply to your emails in the spirit that I would want to. I have been busy with additional tasks which has meant that I am more tired these days. I know I must continue to do these additional tasks for my spiritual, social and physical wellbeing. However, they have meant that I am only able to commit to one big ‘activity’ per day in order that I am refreshed for the next. Napping regularly and ensuring there are a few days in the week when I don’t do much are helping me ensure I have sufficient energy for the varying tasks.

Living on a budget with energy means that some days I have more energy than other days. I know that today I may do 4 tasks but that tomorrow there is no guarantee of getting beyond task 1. I am slowly beginning to live for each day. I have realised that there is nobody to complain to except Him who created the situation we find ourselves in, in the first place.

It is slowly bringing me right down to my knees – and I hear that that is the best place to be. Perhaps the work I started on the concept of Submission almost 16 months ago is finally beginning to reveal itself to me? Perhaps it is true: that the reason why we wish to believe in the ‘Magic Wand Theory’ is because we have an incorrect or incomplete understanding of Submission. Here is the last entry I made in my private journal about this:

6^th February 2007

Magic Wand doesn’t exist.

The inexistence of it means that Submission is the form in which our energies should be exerted to address the situations in which we require or think we require the Magic Wand i.e. use Submission as the Magic Wand but remember the magic is slow.. although it is effective.

As I said before I do intend to do an Update. Some thoughts on the Chalice:

Be like the Chalice,

For all to take,

Their share from you –

For you too will take from them.

I love you all for the sake of the Creator and for our common Father Adam Alaislam and hold you all dear to me in thoughts and prayer.

Peace & Prayers

Bint-eh Adam x x x

Caravan to Tranquilart

2007-02-13T18:02:00.000Z

Assalamu alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu,

Dearest ONE!!!!!!

May you and yours be RADIANT in the purest of SNOW!!!!! Oh how wonderful!
Me....mooching here with a fever and furnace throat and nasty nasty chest....but JUST HAD TO TURN this computer on and get this to you....have been meaning to connect for days...but....JUST pushed myself!!!! Have a giggle, that's me in the middle waving a huge loving Salam!!! to the Butterfly of Brum....but don't go out in the snow or your wings will be damaged!....JUST wondering where and how you are??? Oh wouldn't it be marvelous to go on such a trek!

Love and
Wassalamu alaikum
Aunty Noor
hope my sneezes do not attach themselves with this!

--
Uhkt Noor Al Madania
http://almiskeenah.blogsome.com

Aunty Noors' emails are too precious for them to stay in my Inbox. I pray you don't mind me sharing here :-)

I'm so sorry folks - I've not been here! Thank you for the emails. I've just been feeling really tired in recent weeks.

I just realised that Blogger is forcing people to sign-up for gmail! I think eventually in the next few months I may aswell migrate over to Wordpress. Any help on that would be great from my fellow blogging community - when I do that.

I promise I will blog an 'Update' in 2006-style once again in weeks to come.

I have some bloggy news:
the entry on beloved Shaykh Hamza the 'Noble Man from Zaytuna' is almost complete. I also wanted to blog a little more on death, aswell as the other two promised ones: 'Paulo Coelho' and 'Us like the Chalice'. Finally, I have found inspiration to write what may be a Part Deux to the Magic Wand Theory! My months of thinking about the concept of 'Submission' may well be this second episode.

I am well, good, dandy and a goon as ever. Just very tired these days.

Much Love, Peace and Prayers from Camel-Land x x x x

Imran Saithna

2007-01-29T22:23:00.000Z

1st August 1978 - 22nd January 2007

Ina Lila Hi Wa Ina Ilai Hi Rajeun.

Fatiha please.

Imrans':

My Life in my Words - blog

Noble Intentions - blog

Noble Intentions - website

On Flickr

Contribution on Deenport

Poetry By Sidi Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore:

Comments on the passing of our brother Imran Saithna
In Memoriam Imran Saithna
Poem For Imran Saithna
A Sweet-faced Saint
Still Thinking about Imran

Lest we forget his work:

"Imran Saithna"

Comments are closed for this post.