Category

Guest Posts


Category
Guest Posts

DEAR PIOUS READER V

By

Dear Pious Reader,

Ramadhan came gently, and it departed just as quietly. My hope is that it did not leave with our prayers, our duas, or the goodness it awakened within us. For indeed, the true sign of an accepted Ramadhan is not how we were during it but who we have become after it.

Along these reflections, I was recently granted a rare opportunity to watch a film that stirred something deep within me. I never thought of myself as sentimental, yet I found my eyes heavy with tears. I felt compelled to share the lesson it left behind. The story centers on a young boy who believed the world could be changed through a simple idea: changing the lives of three people, and asking each of them to pay it forward. That thought lingered with me, how difficult is it, truly, to change the lives of only three people?

Changing lives does not always require wealth. Sometimes, the most transformative gifts are those that cost nothing at all. A wise saying reminds us that the best gifts we can give are these: To yourself: grant yourself the same grace you extend to others; honour your worth. To your parents: love them now with the same tenderness they once poured into you. To your siblings: show up for them as you wish they would for you. To your friends: trust them sincerely. And to all people: forgive them as you hope Allah will forgive you.

Kindness, in Islam, is not measured by money alone. The Prophet (s.a.w) taught us that even the smallest gestures carry immense weight. He said, “Smiling to a fellow brother is charity.” Every soul you encounter is fighting a battle you cannot see. So when you notice someone burdened by grief, sorrow, or distress, step in. Step up. Try, even briefly, to lighten their load. You may never know the value of that moment. Perhaps your presence might prevent despair. Perhaps your kindness might save a life. And if it does, would that not be enough to make your own life meaningful? The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Whoever relieves a believer of a hardship in this world, Allah will relieve him of a hardship on the Day of Resurrection.” And who among us does not long for ease on that Day? When every soul will stand alone, and only Allah’s mercy will matter?

Sometimes I wonder: why has goodness become so difficult? Why is it so hard to act upon what we already know is right? If you are blessed with wealth, is it truly difficult to empower another? I struggle with the culture of performative charity. The spectacle of crowds lining up at doorsteps for a meal. Why not take one person from that crowd and restore their dignity? Educate them. Equip them with a skill. Open a small business for them. Then ask them to pay it forward. Would our streets still be filled with hunger if we embraced this responsibility sincerely?

We speak endlessly about wanting a better world, yet we hesitate when it is time to do the work. We let money sit idle in our accounts, and when someone pleads for help, we offer just enough to ensure they return tomorrow! still dependent, still unseen. The Prophet (saw) dispelled this illusion when he said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” Rather, Allah multiplies it. And he also said, with profound clarity: “A person’s wealth is only what he eats, what he wears, and what he gives in charity. Everything else is left behind for his inheritors.” We have to get rid of the mentality that giving out charity will reduce our wealth. That is just a notion that shaitan instils in us. Allah says this in the Quran: “The Devil threatens you with the prospect of poverty and bids you to the shameful deed of stinginess, while Allah promises you forgiveness and great bounties from Him. And Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.”

So perhaps the question is not whether we can change lives but whether we are willing to. And perhaps this is what Ramadhan was preparing us for all along. Not just to feel, but to act. Not just to give, but to transform lives. If the goodness it nurtured within us does not move beyond us, then we risk letting it fade. But if we carry it forward, one act, one soul, one life at a time, then perhaps Ramadhan never really left.

May Allah make us people whose goodness outlives our presence, whose charity restores dignity, and whose legacy is written not in numbers but in transformed lives. May we put in the work and make the world a better place.

Yours truly, the Soul whisperer.

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

DEAR PIOUS READER IV

By

Dear Pious Reader,

Can you feel it too? The gentle tug in your heart as Ramadhan slips through our days? Yet even as it departs, there are still blessings waiting to be claimed. As the anchor of Ramadhan is being unanchored, we should, if not must, tighten our belts and hold fast to the remaining blessings of these sacred days.

Let us ask ourselves: how are we planning to end this holy month? Perhaps we have not done our best in the days that have passed. Perhaps we missed Taraweeh, neglected the Qur’an more than we hoped, or held back the charity we intended to give. But Ramadhan is not over yet. The few days that remain could hold blessings worth a thousand years. For, as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reminded us, “Verily, the deeds are only judged by their endings.”

The ache we feel in our hearts is not weakness; rather, it is awareness, the soul realizing that something sacred is passing. Ramadhan is guiding us, not because it is done with us, but because it came to show us who we could be. It arrives quietly, rearranging our lives, humbling our bodies so our hearts can attain taqwa, as Allah said, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.”

And for a fleeting, merciful moment, we touch taqwa. Hunger softens us. Thirst disciplines us. The Qur’an speaks to parts of us we have long ignored. In the stillness of the night, when the world turns its back, our foreheads meet the ground, and our tears speak languages our tongues have never learned. Allah affirms this when He says, “Their sides forsake their beds; they call upon their Lord in fear and hope.”

Ramadhan soothes our hearts, stirs the depths of our souls, and proves that discipline is never impossible; closeness to Allah is never reserved for the righteous few. If we can change in these thirty days, then change is always within reach.

But now, dear pious reader, as the ship of Ramadhan prepares to sail beyond our shores, we face the most important question:

Are we passing through Ramadhan as a season, or carrying its transformation forward?

The true loss is not that Ramadhan is passing. The true loss is returning unchanged. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

So if you stumble in these remaining days, return quickly. If you fall, repent faster. If the fire cools, remember how it once burned. For Allah has not moved; only the moon continues its course.

Let us honor these final days with sincerity, giving our best in prayer, Qur’an, and charity. And let our devotion not end when the month does. Let our days after Ramadhan testify that the lessons, discipline, and closeness we gain are not in vain.

Let our souls live and dwell in the presence of Allah. Let us grow closer, not just for Ramadhan, but for every day until we meet our Creator.

May these remaining days inspire you, dear pious reader, to carry the lessons and blessings of Ramadhan in your heart always.

Until we meet again,

Yours, the Soul Whisperer.

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

WHERE’D YOU LEAVE YOUR HEART?

By

Everything declines approaching its end. That is the natural way of the world. Not even a blessed month is immune from this principle. The systems of inertia you hoped would carry for the entire ramadhan are quickly hijacked by an onset of laziness you had from before, and suddenly you missed your first jamaa, or you notice your daily qur’anic wird reducing, or you notice tarawih finishing quickly with your heart totally absent from it. This encroachment of heedlessness and fatigue sets in.

But Ramadhan is a month that is meant to offset everything. The month when we refuse to accept these habitual loops that we fall back into. The battle for the nafs comes into play and the purpose has always been to transcend ourselves. Ramadhan overhauls everything we deemed constant, from meal times we couldn’t negotiate to our nightly routines. Allah breaks this natural circuitry, enforcing in place these acts of refrain; the days of swabr through fasting and nights of gratitude through prayer where we really extend ourselves.

But despite our good intentions, the dip always happens, right after day 7 to the middle of the month, where we find ourselves having to drag our souls again. Suddenly, this heart that had been longing for its Lord becomes clouded again. You don’t say your dua with the same enthusiasm, the same conviction, repetition, the tarawihs are a bleep without contemplation; not just contemplation of the meaning, sometimes you don’t have the Arabic, but contemplation that these are the words of my Lord, my source of guidance, and yet I do not understand them, and that should sting your heart. And yet it’s reduced to the physical motions.

If you want to know where you stand before Allah, pay attention to where He’s made you stand. Allah makes easy for everyone what he created them for. One must worry when the ibaadah becomes a tad bit straining on them, because it confirms something about the state of their hearts. We embody the physicality of everything, but most often than not, we forget our hearts, the powerhouse of our actions. That is an illness in need of urgent attention.

There’s a lesser-known story of Umar ibn Abdulaziz, and he was who he was, which usually recalibrates everything for me. It’s found in the Hilya. One day after fajr, he went out, arriving at the riverside where, in that waned darkness, he sees Mujaahid ibn Jabr, the famous exegete whose name appears all over the tafsir. Mujahid sat there remembering Allah, weeping, and Umar observed him. Then Umar said to himself, ‘Woe to you, oh Mujahid, how am I supposed to stand before Allah on the same day that you stand before Him!’

Not a week goes by without me thinking about that. The day we will face account before a Benevolent Lord, presenting our deeds on the same day with Abu Bakr, and Umar, and Umar ibn Abdulaziz, and Mujahid. And like Umar ibn Abdulaziz, the thought of that inspires me to do better. And yet the heedlessness, the lack of foresight, the Hereafter being made a minutia in our eyes. 50, 000 years, Allah asks you about a couple of years of existence. A life when you talk about it yourself, you encompass it in a few minutes, and yet, 50,000 years; what do you think Allah will ask you about?

Everything? Then you must worry about everything. You must not make your Lord the least of those who see you. You must take chances and strive in the seasons He gave you as lifelines, to elevate yourself, and that is the purpose Ramadhan serves. The doors of hell are closed, those of paradise open, and a caller calls forth for your approach each night. Will you heed that caller and work against your instincts to slack and give it your all?

Years after years in regret, why not make this one the one you regret less? Allah loves the loftiest of ideals, why not make this Ramadhan the one you outdo everything. The life of the spirit is the real life despite our neglect of it, and Allah, the nurturer of our spirits, makes this month about that. How Generous! The boost acquired in it is supposed to last you the entire year, a practice to last you a lifetime. Are you going to take it?

Here we sit approaching the last 10. In it are the 10 best nights of the year, and of those is a night worth a thousand months. If your strategy was the inertia you hoped would carry you through the month, your resolve is most likely to be broken. The world seeps in as we prepare psychologically to transition to Eid and the days after. Society is working against you, and it’s not without intentionality that you will acquire the benefits of the 10 nights. Before you are days of striving, dear Muslim, which should always begin with interrogating the state of your heart. Where is it in this month? On what day did you leave it?

Before you were people who reserved these days for their Lord. They busied themselves remembering nothing else, and though that may seem impractical in a time when the world demands our constant presence, it’s only the recalibration of our hearts to some semblance of that that can ashore you to a ramadhan resembling the one of those who came before. Oh Muslim who was excited as this month entered, one should not become fully beat down approaching its most important days. Approach them not only as if this is the last time you’re approaching them, but also as if this is the first time you’re approaching them, wanting to really get them right, afraid of getting something wrong.

Study how the Salaf regarded them and pick a leaf from them, growing your deeds exponentially. We could never attain the levels of their piety, but effort must be exerted, for they are our examples. The taabi’in, some of them used to exert themselves, and when their bodies became weary, they would say, ‘Do the companions of the Prophet think they would beat us before our Lord?’ It was motivation for them, that awareness that they would stand before Allah and present their deeds on the same day with the Sahaba, and that would prompt them to stand up and exert themselves even more.

The opportunity presents itself now to go the unnatural way, because transcendence is the way of our religion. But more than anything, it’s to be reminded not to forget the most important thing, Ramadhan like every season of worship, is all about the relationship between a servant and His Lord. It’s about the state of your heart as you present yourself to Him. What is the state of your heart?

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

DEAR PIOUS READER III

By

Dear Pious Reader,

I hope this message finds you basking in the blessings of Ramadhan. Yet, let us not forget the wise words of ʿAlī (RA): «الوقت كالسيف إن لم تقطعه قطعك» “ Time is like a sword; if you do not cut it, it will cut you.”

One week has already passed, and time continues to glide through this holy month. May we all be seizing the blessings that are so generously laid before us. Remember, these benefits are fleeting. For those striving, keep striving. For those still hesitant, do not despair. The past is gone, the future is uncertain, but we have today. Let us use it to sow the fruits of tomorrow.

Our beloved Prophet ﷺ reminded a man: “When you stand for prayer, pray as if it is your farewell prayer. Do not speak words for which you will have to apologize tomorrow, and give up hope in what is in the hands of people.”

What would change if we truly lived with that consciousness? If each ṣalah felt like our last? If each word carried the weight of accountability?

Let us take a firm stance today. Do not postpone good deeds. Do not procrastinate in doing what is right.

Finally, the Prophet ﷺ advised us to “Take advantage of five before five: Your youth before old age. Your health before sickness. Your wealth before poverty. Your free time before busyness. Your life before death.

My dear pious reader, let us invest in today for the benefit of tomorrow. Every good deed, every act of worship is a saving for the Akhira. If we desire to dwell in gardens of gold with eternal bliss, the time to start saving is now.

Until next time,

Yours, the Soul Whisperer.

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

DEAR PIOUS READER II

By

Oh, fortunate one!

They say opportunity never knocks twice, yet here we are at the beginning of Ramadhan. Kwa kweli tuko na bahati ya mtende. Alhamdulillah.

The crescent has been sighted. The blessed guest has arrived. We stand at the doorway of a month unlike any other, a month where mercy descends, forgiveness flows, and rewards are multiplied beyond measure.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the first night of Ramadhan arrives, the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and a caller proclaims: ‘O seeker of good, come forward! O seeker of evil, stop!’ And Allah frees people from the Fire every night.”

What greater opportunity could a believer ask for?

Allah has promised reward beyond measure, and He never breaks His promise. As He assures us: “Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”

So my dear pious reader, if we strive tirelessly for the dunya, should we not strive twice as hard for the akhirah?

We are at the beginning. The pages are still blank. The nights are still fresh. The door is wide open.

Are we guaranteed to witness another Ramadhan? If the answer is uncertain, then let this be our best one yet, as though it were our final meeting with this blessed guest.

It is narrated that when Ramadhan began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist belt, spend his nights in prayer, and wake his family for worship.

If this was the practice of the one whose sins were already forgiven, then what about you and me?

May this Ramadhan not pass us unchanged. May it soften our hearts, cleanse our souls, and draw us nearer to Allah, ameen!

Ramadhan Mubarak.

Yours truly, The Soul Whisperer

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

DEAR PIOUS READER I

By

Dear Pious Reader,

As we roll into the blessed month of Ramadhan, let me lean in and whisper a gentle reminder to you, not a secret, but a truth for your heart. A reminder that whoever wishes to float among the clouds must first set their sights on the sky. Surely, we all desire Allah to grant us His vast mercy and admit us into Jannatul Firdaus. But the question remains: what are we doing to achieve this noble dream?

Allah says:”And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it with the necessary effort, while being a believer, those are the ones whose effort is appreciated.” (Qur’an 17:19)

They say that when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Islam itself teaches us intention and preparation. The Prophet ﷺ said:”Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

Imagine you have been summoned to meet a president or a person of high status. You would carefully choose your attire, prepare your speech, and think about how to act and respond. Now reflect on this: Allah, our Creator, the King of all kings, has invited us to a month where our duas are answered, our sins are forgiven, and our deeds are multiplied. Should we not prepare more for our Creator than for any of His creation?

I understand that we all have lives to live. However, Allah reminds us clearly:”Know that the life of this world is but play, amusement, adornment, boasting among you, and competition in wealth and children. But the Hereafter is better and everlasting.” (Qur’an 57:20)

A righteous person once asked: If you traveled to a foreign land for a two-week visit, would you bother buying a house and a car, knowing that you would never return? Yet here we are, living in this temporary world that Allah placed us in so that we may gather provisions for the Hereafter. Let us not forget our destination, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.”

So plan for this Ramadhan. Plan to pray more, recite the Qur’an, give charity, guard your tongue, lower your gaze, fast sincerely, and abstain from all wrongdoing and immoral acts.

The Prophet ﷺ said:”Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”So let us all strive to attain forgiveness and taqwa from Allah. Let us fast with our hearts, tongues, eyes, and actions, not just our stomachs.

Remember, there are souls beneath the earth who wished for one more Ramadhan but were not granted it. Let us keep praying for another opportunity of this great harvesting month and make a plan to take advantage of all opportunities.

Allahumma ballighna Ramadhan.

Lastly, let us remember the timeless wisdom: “Man ijtahada wajada” (Whoever strives, finds). And Allah confirms this promise: “And those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our ways.” (Qur’an 29:69)

So let us strive, prepare, and act, so that we may be among those who emerge from Ramadhan forgiven, renewed, and closer to Allah.

Yours Truly, The Soul Whisperer

by
Keep Reading
2025 Exclusive Ramadhan Musings

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY

By

Have you ever heard of generational poverty? While the term may not be familiar to everyone, many of us have likely experienced it or seen others living in such circumstances. Generational poverty is generally defined as a situation in which at least two generations of a family live below the poverty line. Once poverty takes root in a family, it tends to persist unless there is some form of external intervention.

The primary reason for the cycle of poverty is the lack of capital formation or wealth accumulation that perpetuates through generations. In contrast, there are instances where individuals face temporary hardships due to circumstances such as food insecurity, wars, reduced income, or economic instability. In these cases, they may only experience short-term poverty and can often return to their previous standards of living with assistance. This type of poverty is known as situational poverty. However, if relatives or external organizations do not intervene, situational poverty can lead to generational poverty.

In Suratul Israa, Allah (s.w) speaks about spending on family members concisely yet powerfully with a couple of verses. He says:

 وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

(26) And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveller, and do not spend wastefully.

and;

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْئًا كَبِيرًا

 (31) And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.

When we reflect on the verses mentioned, we see that Allah (S.W) emphasizes the importance of spending on family before any other social obligations. He explicitly forbids the killing of children out of fear of poverty, a practice that was common during the Jahiliyyah period. Poverty is a calamity that imposes negative effects upon people, and because of this, Allah’s Messenger would often pray to Allah, asking to be protected from the trial of poverty.

There are several reasons why people may refrain from helping their relatives. One common cause is the failure to maintain family ties. Conflicts arising from financial or emotional issues often create divisions among relatives. Some may distance themselves from their families because of differing social standards. This should not occur. Sometimes cutting ties is a result of a trial (fitnah) that occurs between family members. For example, when Aisha (R.A) was accused of wrongdoing by one of her relatives, Abu Bakr (R.A) vowed not to support him and his family anymore. In response, Allah revealed a verse addressing this situation.

﴿وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾

“And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give [aid] to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Surah Al Nur, Verse 22]

Conflicts can certainly arise, but Allah (S.W.) prefers forgiveness over allowing a relative in need to struggle.

A common problem is the lack of understanding regarding Islamic teachings on wealth distribution. In Islam, wealth distribution encompasses inheritance, wasiyyah (will), and waqf a’aily (family waqf). The Qur’an outlines specific shares for heirs and encourages individuals to create a will before passing away, allowing them to designate one-third of their assets to non-heirs, including other family members. All of these guidelines aim to safeguard us from disputes, ensure that everyone receives their rightful share, and prevent the mistreatment of relatives. Establishing a waqf foundation for one’s family is also strongly encouraged and can significantly benefit future generations.

Emphasizing financial assistance from family can yield considerable resources that can be channeled into advantageous opportunities. Given that family members often spend a substantial amount of time together, they typically have a good understanding of each other’s needs and life phases. As Muslims, it is our duty to understand these ideas and consult scholars regarding these crucial issues, which can aid in maintaining the dignity of families. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said,

 “If you leave your heirs independent of means, that is better than leaving them to beg from people.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2742. 

In Islam, charity begins with those closest to us. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The best charity is that which is practised by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1426). This emphasizes the importance of prioritizing family in our acts of charity, especially during Ramadan, a time when Muslims are particularly generous.

During this blessed month, it is essential to remember our family members who are struggling. Assisting relatives in need is not just an act of charity; it also strengthens family ties and promotes long-term independence. The Quran also emphasizes this obligation:

آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا ۚ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

 “Your parents or your children – you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” (Surah An-Nisaa, 4:11).

For those affected by generational poverty who lack relatives to help them, it is the responsibility of the Muslim Ummah to provide substantial support to enable their independence.

The Muslim Ummah must unite to offer comprehensive assistance that empowers individuals toward self-sufficiency. This support should include interest-free loans, education and vocational training, business/start-up capital, as well as mental and physical healthcare to help individuals develop the skills and health necessary to thrive. Community-based initiatives such as business incubators, scholarships, and wellness programs can lay the groundwork for long-term independence.

One of the most overlooked groups in need is reverts to Islam. It is essential to recognize the unique challenges they face, particularly those who can no longer inherit from their non-Muslim families. Many reverts find themselves in vulnerable financial situations, losing family support and lacking resources for sustenance. This can create a cycle of poverty that, if not addressed, may become generational.  This is why reverts are eligible to receive zakat, as they too need assistance to overcome financial hardships.

Likewise, in Surah Al-Hashr, Allah Subhanahu Wataala beautifully recounts the monumental moment of Hijrah, when the early Muslim migrants, known as the Muhajirun, arrived in the welcoming city of Madinah after fleeing persecution in Makkah.

لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِن دِيَارِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا وَيَنصُرُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُون (8)

8. For the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and their properties, seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] approval and supporting [the cause of] Allāh and His Messenger, [there is also a share]. Those are the truthful. {Al-Hashr}


وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ (9)

9. And [also for] those who were settled in the Home [i.e.,al-Madīnah] and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what they [i.e., the emigrants] were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.

As revealed above, the Muhajirun arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs, having left behind their homes, possessions, and loved ones in their quest for safety and the practice of their faith. The local residents of Madinah, referred to as the Ansar, greeted these newcomers with immense joy and open-hearted hospitality.

With generous spirits, the Ansar shared their resources, providing shelter, food, and companionship, effectively creating a supportive community that allowed the Muhajirun to rebuild their lives from the ground up. They pooled their wealth and efforts, ensuring that the immigrants could thrive in their new environment while cultivating a sense of brotherhood and solidarity.

This incredible event exemplifies the selflessness and unity that the ummah should embody. It highlights the importance of community support and collaboration in improving the lives of those in need. We are reminded that true strength lies in our willingness to stand together and uplift one another during difficult times.

With that in mind, the ummah should focus on creating sustainable projects and businesses by providing guidance, resources, and support. This approach will enable individuals to establish self-reliant income streams. Furthermore, advocating for fair wages, affordable housing, and systemic change is essential to addressing the root causes of poverty.

In conclusion, let this be a reminder to all believers to share the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them, starting with their relatives. For those who are wealthy or have access to more resources than others, it is especially important to go beyond giving temporary handouts or food items that provide short-term relief. Instead, strive to create sustainable projects and opportunities that empower your relatives and the broader Ummah. By investing in education, skills training, businesses, and long-term support, we can help break the cycle of poverty and foster lasting independence. May Allah grant us the wisdom and generosity to give in a manner that He loves, beginning with our loved ones and creating opportunities that uplift others for the long haul.

REFERENCES

https://quranenc.com/en/browse/english_saheeh/17/#31

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/95340/poverty-in-islam-negative-effects-and-means-of-elimination

https://www.compassion.com/poverty/generational-poverty.htm

https://myislam.org/quran-verses/generosity

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

SCENTS FROM THE CRUSHED

By

1. My Emptiness

I wait for an ayah.

My eyes,
Cleft-like glass louvres on dusty windows
Close on windy days.

I miss Him.
This God of suns.
His fire,
The pride of the accursed devil,
Sings warmth to an audience of muddy skin.

I call my spine to bend
And I become
What letters are to a poem,
Unwavering shapes dressed in ink and paper,
Waiting to be read
Only
By The Ever Conscious,
The Most Beautiful,
And become a bee
Wrapped and glistened
Inside the nectar of His gaze

I wait for an ayah.
A word.
A sound in the silence.
Each passing moment lives in lips
Yet to part for air.

Oh Allah
Will You speak of
Me?

My emptiness will only break in the song of Your voice.

2. Perfume

God only crushes petals and wings.

His palm,
A distance that dwarfs entire horizons,
Breaks
The flower.
Creases rush in zig zags across the face.
Skin and bone fold
And the body is compelled by fragile compassion
To shatter its form.

I am your poem

The body says.

You speak,
And I bend into the shape of the next letter you say.
I am a word that can only become
After your voice creates me first with thought and then with sound.
In between breaths, I long for you.
There is no minute unworthy of a heartbreaking lament
At how this distance dares keep me away from you.

You are beautiful.
This heart is worthy of your creation.

How can you make something so soft hold
So much
Of what it
Feels
About you?

You crush me

And I declare in joy
My wish
To be among the ranks of flowers that offer you
The strongest perfume
For when you declare my
Death
And bring me closer to you.

3. Entropy

en•tro•py

/ˈɛntrəpi/

entropy, the measure of a system’s thermal energy per unit temperature that is unavailable for doing useful work. Because work is obtained from ordered molecular motion, the amount of entropy is also a measure of the molecular disorder, or randomness, of a system.

  • .

What happened here?

He asked.
The wind raged on,
Sails and dunes turned faceless looks to one direction.

A collision course lay between the now and the tomorrow,
And all we hope to become
Breaks
Before all we have to bear.

Time happened

I say.

There was no one left anymore.
And so everything was left to stand still.
Unattended.
Untouched.
A planet turns
And the heart stayed on its back,
Unable to be seen again.

This is the nature of entropy.
Destruction
Is promised on everything.

4. Fragrance

Open the doors to your mind, little one.

See
beyond your glass heart.

you will observe
an orbit of worlds
locked
in a tidal embrace with the sun,
twirling like pagans
inside a storm of angered gods.

and do not let the night blind you.

every part of the shadow
bends
before both bonfire and stars.
and so this suffering is merely
the Hand
that crushes the flower
to make you a perfume.

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

NOT YOUR REGULAR MAID

By

The conversation is not in my head. It is not a committee brainstorming. These are voices. Each voice carries its own personality. Each personality is different from the rest. Just like humans. Each personality takes part at different times dealing with different people. I wear each personality like a dress. Unblemished. I’m not a person on my own. I don’t have my own attributes. They each have their own and with the right timing, each voice wears me and controls what I say, feel, or think. I am never on my own. So when Elina walked into my life on a rainy July afternoon, it was nothing but chaotic. I had a lot of chores that day I totally forgot my new house help was to arrive and I had to pick her up. I was a world away; doing my chores and having a million discussions with myself about a lot of nothings.

My sister and husband were trying to call me but could not reach me as my phone was always on silent mode. I was late to pick Elina up by 2 hours. When I finally picked her up it was pouring. I was on the phone with an acquaintance of mine talking about kids. Elina was sitting at the back cause of the baby car seat at the passenger front. We just greeted, I apologized for being late and continued the conversation on the phone. We reached home and she seemed accepting and all smiles. And started helping right away. She adjusted so well quite fast.

With Elina being around, my voices could not be loud enough. They don’t want her to know about their existence. When she is around; I can’t have a deep conversation or loud argument. So they stay back and watch me talk half-truths with Elina; laughing and mocking me, wishing they could slap me so hard physically. So I was always downstairs with Elina doing my chores because the minute I go upstairs to my bedroom, it’s a whole afternoon of arguments.

She wasn’t your regular house help. I considered her my assistant manager. She kept me company. We talked about everything. Some conversations were so weird that kept me thinking rather than arguing with my voices. The woman was smart, she arranged my life leave alone my house. She put everything where it belongs, it was a shock that my house was in disarray. How was I even living before all this? The most gratifying thing she ever did for me was looking after my 3rd child. I never wanted to have kids. I know it’s such a taboo or even shame for a woman to say such things because the next statement that will come after that is “Thank the Lord you have kids. Others don’t!” But not her. She was empathetic and carried all my troubles like her own. She was a dear friend like none I ever had before.

And now she’s leaving…

I sit with my thoughts, locked in my room. My youngest daughter is downstairs in her rocking chair watching baby shows. I lay in my bed, my journal on my side. I stare out my bedroom window at the trees surrounding the compound. The murmurous sound the leaves make all in unison. Different trees. Different leaves. Same sound. The peace that comes with it is the opposite of what I am feeling. It is a very quiet neighborhood. All you hear are the crows or my backyard hens. The never-ending tweets of birds. Shrieks. Singing. It’s all nature’s finest. I lay there confused. Cast down. All in dismay. The voices in my head all sit around me, having different conversations, trying to get me out of my agony.

Have a little faith and things will work out for the best. Have faith.

Another voice raises the question.

And where will she get another house help like the one she’s currently enjoying her presence and friendship? She’s settled so well and adjusted with her. She understands her work and deals with her so well. Where do you find such rare individuals? We’re doomed.

Another voice wells up; what if she gets someone better than her? Can we just take a chance and build our confidence rather than the latter?

I sit quietly listening. Thinking what a waste I am. I found this house help just by luck. She became a part of my life and my kids’ life and soon she will leave. I don’t mind a  replacement. I am not one to force. But she became a friend. A good understanding friend. I never opened up to her. She doesn’t know the real me. She took me as I am with what I decided to expose to her. She adjusted so well. It is like she understood the assignment and blended perfectly well like two primary colors resulting in a perfect tertiary.

I was always a loner even amidst friends and family. I always felt alone. So ending up living alone was what I anticipated. How it came to that is a story for another day. For a long time, however, when my kids went to school during the day, I was always alone. That is how a normal person would see it. But to me, being surrounded by my voices I never felt alone. In fact when someone comes into my territory just like a  cheetah; I fight. For my dominance. For my safety. To prevent myself from being hurt, used, and abused. So accepting my house help was a huge thing. I surrendered to her existence because I wouldn’t be able to handle kids, house chores, and being a wife. Even with a helper, I still can’t manage things. To handle life itself. So many responsibilities can cause me a major breakdown, especially on days like these when my depression is at an all high ugly.

Therefore, when Elina became a part of my life, I had to put my insecurities aside for a tad bit. I never had hopes she will stay long. In fact, on each of her off days, I would go to her room and just check if she left her belongings with her or they were in her room; always anticipating her departure for good.

I of course had my differences with her. At times I would go completely silent on her; give her the cold shoulder if she said or did anything to intentionally upset me. To avoid confrontations, the silent treatment served as a lesson not to say harsh things to me or do something just to upset me. Especially when it would upset almost anyone. With time she just learned of the things I don’t like and she kept away from doing them. With that problem out of the way, we started knowing each other well. I tried as much as I could to accept her for who she was. She taught me a lot. She taught me that anyone can be confident. Anyone has a right to be who they want to be. She taught me not to take things too seriously. She taught me the art of letting go and accepting whatever obstacle comes your way and tackling it head-on with grace. She may not have been that educated but she was brave. She taught me that even in awkward times, just smile and move regardless. She took her time but she was quick in completing tasks. She never had any fear in her. She helped me with my kids. Their school work. Their fussy meal planning, their tantrums, and even advised me on how to bring up well-behaved children.

Having guests never made her panic unlike me. We cleaned, we cooked, we arranged, we served and I invited guests over and over and everything ran smoothly. I thanked her in more ways I hope she will appreciate. She helped me through my gloomy days that sometimes stretched to weeks. She allowed me to have ‘me time’; an hour every day during the weekday for my gym sessions. We would go to the thrift market, even sometimes carry my infant and shop. Her choices were of good taste and style. Anyone would rock her choices with sophistication. She showed me around where the good deals happened. I was scared of taking motorbike rides and she showed me that it was a no biggie. She never judged me when we shared one motorbike ride and skimmed through tiny towns around the city, holding the motorist jacket like my whole life was on my hands and if I let go I’m dead. She just casually sat behind me supporting whatever it is I was doing. She never understood it was the rush I am dying for.

I took her to meet my family and everyone liked her. Her attitude was captivating. We talked a lot. General stuff. Religious stuff. Food-related. Clothes related. Gossip. We always kept each other company. She was a good person to converse with. My children adored her. They felt free with her. They could ask anything from her and she would oblige or try her best. I would leave her with the kids with no worry. She would feed them and put them to bed as if they were her own. I know to her it’s a sense of duty; she gets paid. It’s the humanity that made me look at her as a friend rather than an employee. How did she come to me when I was at my lowest? She picked me up and helped me on a daily. Why is she leaving when I need her the most? She was the only person who has so far helped me on an hourly basis. She was so dependable and reliable. She was exactly the kind of person I needed in my life. I never knew I needed a right-hand guide until I met her.

And now she is pregnant. She has to leave.

I have zero anticipation of her ever coming back after delivery. I wish she knew how hard it was for me to let her in. Perhaps she would have never walked out. But not everyone is like me. I am different. Elina agrees that I am different. I can never be as half strong as she is. Departure is here. She’s leaving. Heartache has arrived and settled in. She is not your regular maid.

by
Keep Reading
Guest Posts

UNDECLARED LOVE

By

I have so much in me that I want to put in writing but again, I have so much in me that holds me back. Holds me back from my desires, my accomplishments, and my dreams; to fully explore myself and understand and know my limits. I have so much in me that I have not discovered or risked, not because of fear or shame or blame; it is the voices in my head. The voices that stop me from doing anything and everything; prisoning me in my own body. I know one day a person would read this and wonder how can voices control someone? But I am a living testament that voices that speak to you in your head can break you into more than a million pieces. I have lived with these voices in my head for years, for as long as I can remember.

Since I was a young girl, the voices kept me company through the worst years of my life. I was an utterly sad child. I never knew or understood myself until I was an adult undergoing years of psychiatric therapy. I was miserable. Sad. Brokenhearted. I was naive and felt so lonely in this world. I felt so unloved. So unwanted. So worthless. And for years, inflicting myself with pain was a way to ease the burden. I never had friends. Nobody could ever understand my mood swings, my irrational behaviour, my sudden manic episodes, being overexcited, or always agitated yet my voices; these persistent, irritating voices always gave me the best company. We would talk for hours. They would assure me with so much that they became my affirmations. These voices are still part of my life, and play a huge role even as a fully grown adult.

All along, I never had a sense of direction in my life. I still don’t. I am always stuck. I am still stuck; unable to move back or face the future; I am not present either. When I was a child, my grandma was the bridge between the constant darkness I was in and that unflickering ray of light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t say I had memorable moments with my grandma, I call them stolen treasurable moments. Every minute you would spend with her always felt like a win, yet they always kept me yearning for more. I can only describe her as a pearl deep in the ocean, right next to me, in my rock bottom. Always.

During my early years of life, grandma would at times gives me coins for my pocket money and I felt like the richest kid on the planet. I get it. Most children feel that excitement. But for me, it wasn’t just the money. It was always about her; the joy she gave me just by her mere presence. Her softness. It was she who showered me with unconditional love that still lingers around me like good perfume. She was my comfort, my safety net from all the physical and emotional trauma I went through. It was her reassurance and strength that always made me look forward to the holidays when she came from abroad to visit us. I would always sit next to her, feel her warmth, and just smile. I knew I could never physically hold her forever, but I did in my heart.

I lost my grandma early on when Corona hit. To say I miss my grandmother is an understatement. Nobody was allowed to travel or go visit her due to the imposed restrictions. To know she died all alone in a foreign hospital broke me cause she always feared being alone. I thought I had forever with my grandma and I always thought there will come a time that I would truly express how I felt towards her; what difference she made in my life. But Alzheimer’s struck her before I could ever profess my love for her. Before I had the courage to. All I could ever do when I visited my grandma was hug her tight, close my eyes, and try so hard not to cry for all the love I could never give her back. I loved my grandmother so much that it pained me, ached me deeply for I guess within me, I knew I’d never have something or someone that would see me as she did.

The last time I visited her, I hugged her hard, one last time, before saying goodbye. Deep down my confused self, I somehow felt this was my last time to ever see her. I looked at her and she was so sad. Her sorrowful face still lingers on my mind. She just sat quietly at the edge of her bed having no idea what was going on and even then, I could not utter those words. To date, I still close my eyes at night and silent tears run down my face for the sadness she left in me. I could never thank her for all the amazing things she ever did for us. She never made us feel left out or lacked anything. She had so many grandchildren but treated me and my sisters like we were her only children. I’m grateful for all that she showed me; taught me. All that she was to me.

I could write a million stories about her, but the truth is it will never fill the void she left in me. My biggest regret is I never was honest with her. She left with so much unsaid. A lot was unvoiced.

Hababa, I truly believe you’re in heaven for there was no purer soul than yours. This remains the only undisputed matter even with my voices. I hope you can somehow see or at least hear me, I can never seem to speak when it comes to you. I can only write. That’s the only way I knew how to keep your memories in me alive.

I miss you. I truly miss you. I thank God for your saved voice on my phone. I have a picture of your soft hands. Your striking smile. I want to thank you for giving me all those happy moments that nobody has so far given me. If there was a World Appreciation Day, you would bear the crown. You were exemplary. You are my hero. I love you so much because I have run out of words to describe how thankful and how lucky I am to have had you in my life.

Wherever you are…it is me again…writing..yet another story about you…for the immense love I carry for you for years.

Can you hear me?

I miss you.

by
Keep Reading

Powered by WordPress