Level Of Understanding

Diversity and dynamism in the universe is everywhere. Each and every individual has their own perception about their own self and the world they are living in. Understanding and maturity levels are different from person to person. What may be highly mature act for someone, may not be the same for another individual. Maturity and perception levels are developed for individuals based on their environment and observation. Social, cultural, educational and religious backgrounds impact the entire thinking process. Personal and professional environment plays an important role in developing perceptions for individuals.

We should all have an empathetic mode of understanding rather than judging people based on your likes and dislikes. Respect, tolerance and acceptance should be there about the other individual. There are some things you may oppose strongly, but for the other person it may be casual, so rather than imposing your judgments, one should be empathetic enough to understand the other person’s point of view.

Building positive mindsets can allow individuals to blend in with other’s mental setup and try to view things from a positive perspective rather than an opposing view.

A strong level of mutual understanding can enhance the beauty for all important relationships in life.

In the middle of nowhere

While travelling thru the desert areas, there comes a point when it seems like “we are in the middle of nowhere”. I guess somehow, somewhere each one of us may have experienced this scenario. Our life stages may make us feel that we are in the middle of nowhere. The feeling of being lost causes some reflections to emerge in minds.

How Hazrat Hajira (RA) must have felt when Prophet Ibrahim (AS) left her in the middle of the desert with an infant. Humanistically, random thoughts must be crossing her mind, no life anywhere, baby boy, have to stay alone, just barren desert and all this was faced with calm and peace by both Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Hajira (RA). Is it easy for a man to leave his family all alone in a barren desert? They had full trust in Allah (SWT) that HE shall provide for them.

Do we have this level of trust amongst ourselves? Do we believe in entirety that Allah (SWT) will take care of us in any circumstances? In many cases, slight problems make us think about endless solutions to solve the problem and still we are in doubt. Negative thoughts keep coming in the mind and we get upset regardless of knowing the fact that nothing is in our hands.

Actually, nothing is in our hands. We live in an illusion that we own and do things but we don’t. Its always Allah SWT who does everything for all. So next time when we think, we are in the middle of nowhere, look above we have Allah SWT with us who is EVERYWHERE and at all times. Raise your hands and ask HIM whatever you want, the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere shall vanish in seconds J

Green Signal

10, 9,8,7,6, hurry dad (thought in my mind),  5 (blinking started) , 4, 3, 2,1, Yellow lights (oh we can still cross). RED light. Brakes… STOP… ohh we have to wait another 3 minutes….!

Individuals going to work and coming back experience traffic signals constantly.  Waiting at the signal can be so irksome, especially when going back home from work.  Red lights preventing us from crossing made me think about the gates of Jannah.

Some excerpts from a lecture of Noman Ali Khan, stated that on the Day of Judgment the angels at the gates of Heavens will be waiting for the successful people to enter with gates wide open. From far away, the open gates of heavens and green signal to cross them would be the ultimate success and happiness for a believer. How happy that moment would be. May we all become such successful people.  Ameen.

How unfortunate that person would be who is stopped from entering Jannah….Red lights , you can’t go further! I hope we never come to this situation. Ameen. The gates of Hell are closed. It shall be opened once a person comes extremely near to it. May Allah (SWT) protect us from it. Ameen.

Next time when we stop at a red light, lets make a prayer to enter Heaven easily. Lets all try to become the people of achieving Green Signal and making our way across to Jannah J. May Allah SWT help us to achieve it. Ameen. Sum Ameen. 

The Best Iftar Gathering

Where is one of the most peaceful places in the world? All of us would have our own unique answers. My answer to this question would be at Makkah Al Mukarramah.

We just performed our Umrah in Ramadan and were looking for a place to sit down. It was a good half an hour before Maghrib. We planned to sit inside the masjid but then decided to sit outside. It was almost completely jam packed outside, we started looking and finally found a place to sit down. After settling down, I was observing the entire gathering around me. There were some people distributing Iftar, there were some eagerly waiting to receive it. Tick tick Tick…the clock tower minute hands were slowly ticking. The time was nearing to Maghrib and so was the crowd and so was the excitement. Happy faces everywhere Maa Shaa’ Allah. The assigned officials were preparing the distribution of Iftar packs.

As I sat down there, I realized that this is one of the best and one of the most huge Iftar gatherings I have ever come across. With so many people of different nationalities, with different attires, all sitting together at one place and waiting for the Muazzin to start the Azan by saying Allah O Akbar.

The feeling of opening the fast at such a holy place is beyond words. It is one of the most peaceful places. On the Day of Judgment, I hope and pray that we all are gathered with happy faces and our happiness would be that we got the results in our right hand. Ameen . Sum Ameen. 

A Clean Heart

Keeping our hearts free of greed, jealousy, hatred, hard feelings and all other types of negative emotions is a really challenging task.

At numerous occasions, we are saying something, we are thinking something else, and in or hearts we have a third opinion. How ironic this truly is! Why can’t we be in consensus with our hearts and mind? A difference between both these elements can be reflected towards a sign of hypocrisy.

Maintaining a clean heart is a very challenging task. I know this is easier said than done as at times situations are all odds for the person. Nevertheless working on it gradually and consistently, we can achieve this goal successfully In Shaa’ Allah.

Once we develop this habit, the next step is to fight with our emotions and not let our heart indulge into any negative feelings for anyone. In my opinion, if we are able to accomplish this, we may be able to rise in our level of Imaan at a faster pace In Shaa’ Allah.

A clean heart will make a person peaceful at work both personally and professionally. So what do you all think, Shall we try to develop this habit from today? JJ

Forgive And Ask For Forgiveness

In our lives, we come across many people. We do dealings with many people both at the personal level and the professional level.  We start developing grudges due to someone’s attitude or any other reason.  This grudge starts turning into aversion and even if the person has no concern with your life now, the grudge still remains in your heart. This person could be your relative, friend, or even a family member.  Having negative feelings or thoughts towards another human being is not healthy both in religious and social terms.

Having a forgiving nature is a major blessing from Allah SWT. Those people who don’t have the capability to forgive are always in some state of mental war with their own selves as well as others. People who forgive others easily are in my opinion, very courageous people.   It takes a little bit of effort and a lot of faith and patience to forgive people that have wronged you in anyway. I can understand it’s a difficult task but it is not impossible.

In our daily lives, we make many mistakes and then we ask forgiveness from our Creator. Doesn’t Alllah SWT forgive and then keeps on blessing us? We always want to be forgiven, don’t we? Then let’s develop the habit of having a forgiving nature. Let go of things that have hurt you.  

Take a moment now and forgive all your family, friends, colleagues, strangers and anyone in your life whom you felt has hurt you or wronged you in anyway.  And most importantly, Ask forgiveness from Allah SWT ALWAYS. You never know on the Day of Judgment, this act may do wonders for you as well the other person, In Shaa’ Allah. Ameen. Sum Ameen.

I hope and pray that we all develop a forgiving nature. May Allah SWT forgive us all. Ameen.

The Lost Sheep of La Ilaha Illallah

Intrigued by one of the lectures delivered by Brother Nouman Ali Khan, in which he states we should not criticize people or point out at anyone as they are the lost sheep of La Ilaha Illallah who may come to guidance at any point in their lives if Allah wills.

This statement left me in awe, and inspired me to write this blog. Many times we tend to undermine people if they are doing certain acts that are opposing the religion. This is wrong, extremely wrong, who are we to judge anyone's Iman?

In our lives, we come across many different types of people; we should not judge anyone at all. The authority of Judgement lies only with Allah SWT. Instead, if we feel that the person needs to be told some things then we should tell in a polite and sincere manner. It is usually observed that often we just criticize the person for his/her wrong actions. There is a way to deliver advice, the mode should be polite and the message should get across clearly. We cannot force decisions on anyone and in many cases imposing decisions leads to negative results.

There are some who follow religious teachings a lot and some who tend to ignore it. If we are the ones who are following the religious teachings, say a lot of Alhamdulillah as Allah SWT has blessed you with this Naimah of guidance of which some others are not having. Also, we should never be having the attributes of pride and arrogance in any way or in any matter. If we are at top most positions, if we have more knowledge than others then this is a blessing of Allah SWT like many others. Never ever try to develop the ‘I’ feeling in yourself as this ego will destroy everything in you. There is no single element or attribute that individuals can regard it as their own possession. Everything and I mean everything is given to the humans by Allah SWT, whether its confidence, wealth, power, status, children, loyalty, and others as such.

Now it is the responsibility on our shoulders to advise our other brothers and sisters in Islam to follow the right course, we need to be a helping hand for the lost sheep of La Ilaha Illallah. We should not be critics and make lives miserable for others by pointing them out. If Allah has blessed you with things what makes you think He wont do it for others? Friendly and sincere advice, along with prayers can do wonders for any human being. May Allah SWT bless the entire Ummah with happiness, sincerity and strong Iman in all our affairs. Ameen. Sum Ameen.