Friday 25 July 2008

Escape

When your life's a mess, you feel yourself being pulled this way and that, you have more tasks to do than time to do it and no time for that which you love, what do you do?

Wednesday 23 July 2008

12, Al-Wasiyya

Title: Al-Wasiyya, The Advice of the Esteemed Scholar Muwaffiq ad-Deen Ibn Qudaama al-Maqdisee
Publisher: Turath Publishing (November 2008, to appear)
Language: English (translated from Arabic)
Pages: Not sure of the final version, but it's not long at all

An inspiring read. After a bad few weeks, I have now got myself back to praying Fajr in the Masjid and staying awake after Fajr, al7amdulillah, and this short book was indeed an influencing factor.

Composed of three sections (Hastening to Act; Things Which Undermine Good Deeds; Watchfulness and Fear), this book is an excellent piece of advice full of touching sayings and examples from scholars that have preceded us in excellence, may Allah be pleased with them and may He admit us with them, despite our vast shortcomings, in the Gardens of Eternity.

When you get (and read!) this book (insha-Allah you do!), look out in particular for the island metaphor illustrating this world and its people. Phenomenally simple and effective maa sha Allah!

Tuesday 22 July 2008

Bungee Run Fun - Video

Some bungee running fun from a summer fete I helped out at a couple of weeks ago:

Look out for the video compilation of the whole summer fete, very nice maa sha Allah, to appear very soon insha-Allah.

Sunday 20 July 2008

Eat together

Just had another one of those "random" occurrences. I planned to Blog today an experience I had a few days ago and in doing some completely independent reading just now I came across a directly relevant piece of advice. First the advice, then the experience insha-Allah:

"... A man said to the Prophet (SAWS), 'We eat but we do not feel satisfied'. He (SAWS) said, 'Perhaps you are eating separately. Eat together and mention the Name of Allah, and He will bless the food for you'.

... The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) also said, 'Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is in being together'."

(Source: Tafseer Ibn Katheer, explanation of Verse 61 Surah 24)

Strength is indeed in numbers. The other day, I met with a brother, a quiet brother, over lunch and he amazed me to say the least. In every bite he would take of his meal, without fail, he would say "bismillah" (in the Name of God). And then I looked to myself, worse than an animal, at times passing through a whole meal without once remembering and being grateful to the One who provided it for me.

Such a simple act but oh so important. I ask Allah for the steadfastness to begin every act with a "bismillah" and for a companion to set me straight should I forget.