Mind Palaces (And What We Keep In Them)

Where will our journeys end? HOW will our journeys end?

It is easier to stick to your desires, to waste your time, than to make productivity out of it.

Going through our heads, what useful things do we keep in them aside from the education we got through our school systems, and the likes and dislikes of our families? I expect hundreds of songs, movie scripts, match scores and players, celebrities, behind the scenes, and useless knowledge found on the internet as ‘facts’ take up more of your memory space than we know.

Back in the good old days of childhood, I remember watching a movie with some Chinese connections, speaking about a monkey king (yep, you read it right). Anyway, what I really liked was that the mentor had said that how can water be poured into an already full glass?

Have you thought about it that way?

Every time you go for an interview, you clear your head and just focus on the interview. Every time you go for a speech or a debate, you just focus on the coming event. Mothers focus on their kids and throw out all the useless knowledge from their heads. Students focus all of their mind and heart (and sell their souls) for their studies. For men it is their work (well, and the kids if they are willing to change the diapers!).

However, direct needs like food, sleep, shelter, and duties like, work, grocery, and such are easy to fulfil. And letting into your desires easier still. But practising Islam over the desires is where it gets interesting.

The question is; how can you practice something that is opposite to your desires?

From a personal experience, back when music started to become addictive and I was going deeper and deeper into it, I suddenly noticed how my Qur’an recitation disappeared to nothing. In fact, it was difficult to listen to the Qur’an recitation as well. And that got me scared. What exactly was this, that drove me away from my religion? The more I listened to music, the lesser I connected with the Qur’an. 

To the Muslims out there, think about it. Especially if your phones and devices have more than a hundred songs in them; when was the last time you picked up the Qur’an and read it? When was the last time you listened to a lecture? When was the last time you prayed without a song playing in your head? When was the last time you took another milestone like praying more Salah, giving more charity?

“The mind is everything. What we think, we become.”

Buddha.

I have seen people who say that religion lies only in the mind and in the heart. If they believe and have faith, then it isn’t necessary to practice it.

However, the fact is that actions reflect the state of the mind. 

It is simply how it is. A mother’s love is displayed in her actions, a student eager to excel has his or her efforts as proof, a man hopeful to change for the better will change his lifestyle. Believing to be a better person isn’t enough. The mind will act accordingly to what your thoughts and mindset are.

But there is another thing that stops Muslims from Islam; shame.

That is another thing that stops us Muslims from practising our religion. With all the news of terrorists and such fighting in the ‘name of Islam’, we find ourselves becoming targets more and more. And even if the society does not target us, we are ashamed of our identity. We want to edge away from it.

We are afraid of what it has led to represent, when in reality, we should practice it to show people that it doesn’t preach what the terrorists, extremists and media show it to preach. My target are not the groups I have mentioned. I am addressing my fellow Muslims. Our negative mind forces us to take our religion in the wrong way.

“You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.”

Joyce Meyer

The question now is; why I am explaining all of this?

What I am trying to explain to my readers is, to practice any part of Islam, you need to start with a fresh slate. You need to overpower your desires. You need to become confident in your choice, from a beard to Hijab, from a congregational prayer to established prayers and so on.

For a better life for ourselves and our children, we do everything in this life to give them the perfect home and the perfect life, but worry very little for the life beyond this one.

It isn’t easy to change. But it isn’t impossible either.

A Mother’s Love, And A Story of Sneakers

A mother’s love astounds you and amazes you.

It all started with two pairs of sneakers, a walking track and a sunny but chilly morning.

I thought I knew the depth of my mother’s love. Her smiles, her encouragements, her reprimands when I do something wrong, but there at least some times in a month that I cannot really find the depth of her love. It seems to be like this bottomless part of an ocean, something that I cannot truly explore and yet if I find something beautiful every time I cover a few inches of it.

It also shows me why Islam has placed so much importance in mothers. Seeing expecting mothers trying to handle groups of rowdy children already in tow, with another coming in a few months, I realize they make a lot of sacrifices. From sacrificing their favourite foodstuffs, to gaining the insane ability to awaken if a child so much as shifts in his or her cot. And then they share every joy and every sorrow and match it with their own emotions. By the time their kids are all grown up and with their married spouses, they have grown old and have given one of the greatest gifts they could give; the time of their own youth to match our intellect and playfulness as the years pass us by.

It also astounded me to no end, after a happy walk on a cool wintry day through the park, when my sneakers suddenly decided to start a revolution and give me pain, that my mom, realizing it was now near impossible for me to walk, gave me her sneakers and took mine. I protested, given her status as an  elder and the fact that our sizes did not match at all. But she insisted and I had to give up. My feet were blistered, so her bigger size seemed like a haven. She, on the other hand, wore fitter sneakers than what she was used to.

She wore it for at least three hours, as far as I can remember, before I was finally able to persuade her to please make the change and that I was feeling fine.

Now, any mother would do that for her child, no matter how old; but Islam places a great importance for the status of mothers.

Ironic, really, that the media portrays women as oppressed when their status is so high.

“…His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years- give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto me is your final destination.” (Luqman: 14)

It is amazing how, regardless of how old or independent you have become, a mother’s lap is still the best place to rest your head on and wash away your worries by pouring out your heart for her. And she would still treat her children as… her children. How could she not? Her brain is hardwired to look after her kids.

The beauty of Islam is that, our parents deserve our utmost respect and obedience.

Sayyid Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) related that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “The major sins are to believe that Allah has partners, to disobey one’s parents, to commit murder, and to bear false witness.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

However in some cases,

“And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.” (29:8)

This applies over both Muslim and non-Muslims parents. What is obligatory is obligatory. Those rules cannot be bent.

A mother’s position is very high and important in Islam, (regardless of the gender, mental or physical attributes or the number of children she has raised).

A man came to the Prophet (SAW) and said, “O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?” The Prophet (SAW) said: “Your mother.” The man said, ‘Then who?’ The Prophet (SAW) said: “Then your mother.” The man further asked, “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Then your mother.” The man asked again, “Then who?” The Prophet said: “Then your father.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

This does not mean that the father should not be obeyed. He too has the right to be obeyed, but a mother is the one who bears the weakness and difficulties of pregnancy, while constantly fearing for her child, and then giving birth, feeding the infant and looking after the child throughout the years.

So as a final word that I have been saying for years ago and will continue to say inshaAllah:

“My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.” (Isra: 24)

Here is a take home message. Go to your mom and give her a hug. If she asks why, tell her that there was no reason. If you already do that, bend and give her hand a kiss. If she lives far away, give her a call and simply tell her you missed her. If she has passed away, pray for her akhirah and give charity in her name. Allah knows how many sacrifices our parents had done to make our dreams come true.

Half-Written Notebooks

I stared at the books and the books stared back.

I tend to look back first before moving forward. It kind of clears the mind and makes you realize the mistakes you have done and what is left to make mistakes in! But it also helps you wonder what you have to do when the new year comes.

So another year in the Georgian Calendar is at an end, and another year of our life has passed. Immortality is something no one will have in this world.

“Every soul shall taste death.” (Surah Al-E-Imran: 185)

Looking back, I think my year has overall been productive, and even the mistakes I made were the ones that helped me push forward. You see, this Head Admin, sitting behind the laptop screen is very hesitant of posting all articles even when they are from authentic sources. The last thing this one sister wants is to lecture others while she herself had not changed for the better as the days, weeks, months and eventually years go by before meeting the Lord of the Worlds.

This certain blog started from when I stared at the books and the books stared at me back. These books, so heavy with knowledge, and in a language that the majority of the world understands, were so many resting on the shelves that the first book would be gathering dust by the time I turned to the last book. These were like the little Chinese elderly, full of knowledge for anyone to benefit. So at the spur of the moment, and throwing caution to the winds, I got online and started the blog, with a purpose of providing others with the knowledge of Islam.

For someone like myself, an average human being who takes interest in movies and have listened to music in the past, I knew I needed to change. Wearing the Hijab and observing the prayers and the fasting, doing Umrahs and etc. (I mean, don’t get me wrong, I have done many things that I do not wish to tell because I want to hide my good deeds), all of this was fine, but like a person with a job who is trying to get a promotion, I knew I needed more. So cutting down on the most of the music and even movies to the point that I do not know majority except a bare few to count on the fingertips, I think my year went better than I thought.

Knowledge of Islam astounds the mind and widens the intellect.

There are a few questions that arise though; what is the status of our Iman? When it takes so hard and so long to build, how strong is it really? Does it really need nourishment?

It certainly does need nourishment. Like a sapling in thirst for water and sun, or child in need of the warmth of a mother’s lap, our Iman needs tenderness and care, as well as nourishment in the form of knowledge to make it grow. Islamic knowledge is not something to avoid. In fact, it astounds the mind, widens intellect, which were some of the things I fell in love with. And some things are better explained with a little bit of the past. You see, that is where the beauty of Islam lies, in the knowledge it provides. It is not like some piece of fiction or fantasy or some other genre that would disappoint you as you read along the plotline, but the more you know, the more you love your deen and the more your Iman swells in your heart.

And what is its strength?

The question should really be: Do you test the strength of the things that are close to your heart? You would not risk a child’s life in some dangerous stunt, nor would anyone risk the love of their beloved parents. Just like one would try everything in one’s power to keep the thief away from the house, the Iman is like gold placed in the safebox of our hearts and it should be treated with the same care and protectiveness.

One of my teachers once closed her fist tight, and then she showed her fist by holding it up. She said that imagine that this is your Iman closed in your fist and the Shaitan will do anything in his power to get to it and break it. There are a million ways to get into the fist through the nooks and crannies, and the cracks between the fingers and the flesh of the palm. If one way does not work, he will take another, and another and another. So be vigilant and make sure you keep protecting your Iman.

Always having a love for science (some may call it addiction!), many of the verses of the Qur’an are simply astounding when it comes to the way the Universe works or how the human child came to be, or how the sun and the moon brought about day and night. The rights and duties of men (poor little souls), women and children are simply amazing. I would go on and on and still it would not be enough.

It took me the blog to  actually realize, deep down, my love for my religion brought me true happiness.

You see, my little notes on different books, my screenshots in the my camera roll and my scribbled pages scattered through the room  were like these half-written notebooks which finally came to this organized platform in the form of this website meant to share my love for my religion and show others, especially my own brothers and sisters, what it means to be a Muslim, and to enjoy it in our busy lives. Trust me when I say this, this is much more addicting than coffee and in a good way!

So here’s the thing, with this coming of this new year, make a tiny resolution; put an Islamic change in your life. With actions and not words.

Trust me when I say it will astound you.

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One Destination

SubhanAllah, this reminds me of the supplications by Imam of Masjidul-Haram in Makkah; “Ya Allah!! Give us the tawfique (willpower) to hug the poor!!”
He had broken down after that. We are so caught up with our happy, comfortable lives that most of us do not even bat an eyelid at the poor…

After every hardship…

SubhanAllah, what a beautiful verse!! Such a deep meaning verse and the translation does not do it a complete justice!

A moment of your time, brothers and sisters, to analyze this verse. By Allah, it becomes more precious if it is fully understood.

Now Arabic is a deep language, my readers. Its depth is not always easily translated into other languages, so the knowledge of Quranic Arabic becomes necessary here, which I will explain to the best of my ability.

The word “usri” used in the Arabic text of the verse mentioned above means ‘difficulty’. However, here it is accompanied with the prefix “Al” which means ‘the’. Now “Al-usri” means ‘the difficulty’. It signifies that this difficulty is just one, that it is singular.

Now, the word “yusra” in the Arabic text in the above verse means ‘ease’, but not just ‘ease’!! The word “yusra” is a plural! It means ‘many ease’, ‘a lot of ease’, “a lot of relief”!

So the verse actually means, “Verily, after every hardship, there is ease (relief).”

Brothers and sisters, this life is a test. We are tested with loss of wealth, crop, life and many other tests. And some of them are painful and hard to bear but Allah promises that after every hardship there will come such an ease that will come from every side. It is a promise, and it is a ray of hope. So be patient and trust Allah.

Source: Tafsir Classes.

Islam And Hijamah

Hijamah:

• Translation:

Hijamah in English is called “cupping”.

• Definition:

It is the treatment in which the blood is drawn towards or out of the skin by use of a suction.

• Word root:

Hijamah is an Arabic word and it literally means “to suck, to absorb, to let out”.

• In History:

It was first practiced by pagans in Ancient Egypt 1550 BC. It later appeared in the pagan life of China 3500 years ago. The Mongolians adopted the practiced 2500 yeas ago. The Muslims adopted the practice 1400 years ago.

 

In the old days, people used ceramics, glasses, bamboo stems and animal horns to provide the suction in place of the modern plastic cups.

• Cupping in Islam:

1. Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (hijama), O Muhammad.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3477)].
2. Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in cupping (hijama). Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you.” [Reported by Hakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ and he authenticated it and Imam ad-Dhahabi agreed (4/212)].
3. Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5681), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)].
4. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim (5706)].
5. Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)]

NOTE: Getting hijamah on an empty stomach does not mean that the person should fast for eighteen hours and so on. Three to four hours of fasting is more than enough prior to the cupping.

 

More than 70 ahadith are from the Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim which stress on cupping.

In one narration, the angel Jibrael was stressing on cupping to the point that the Prophet (PBUH) actually feared that it may become obligatory if the angel said it one more time.

• Procedure:

1. First, the suction is applied on the area by use of plastic suction cup. This causes an internal bleeding right beneath the skin.
2. Then the cup is removed and tiny cuts smaller than an inch each is made on the area. These cuts are very shallow, enough to let the blood come to the surface.
3. The cup is placed again and the suction is again applied.
4. Blood comes into the suction cup and is then thrown away.
5. The one session lasts from five minutes to one hours. Serious disease sessions can even last to five hours.

• Sunnah Points:

The points on which the Prophet (PBUH) had done his cupping is known as the Sunnah points. These are between the shoulderblades and the neck. The other Sunnah point is on the head, the top of the foot etc, which can be found through the ahadith.

• Types of cupping:

There are two types of cupping; dry and wet.

-In DRY cupping, the suction is applied at the points and the blood is gathered at those points. However, the toxic blood does not come out. This is not effective form but sometimes, Muslim cuppers do recommend it in special cases. CHINESE did this time of cupping.

-In WET cupping, suction is applied at the points and the toxic blood is gathered at those points. Then tiny cuts are made to let the toxic blood out. This is an effective treatment and is a SUNNAH.

• Best and Worst Time to do Hijamah:

-It is forbidden to get Hijamah done on Wednesdays. This starts from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening (since days in Lunar Calender start from night and then day).

– Anas ibn Maalik y reported that the Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever  wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].

However if it is the matter of life and death, or it is unbearable disease for the patient, then he may have cupping done as he wishes.

• Age for cupping:

Cupping can be done from 10 years up to 94 years old even. However, CARE should be needed for treating such patients that require gentle handling.

• Difference between cupping and donations:

-Donation is the giving of arterial/venous blood which is more or less purer blood.

-Cupping is the blood gathered right underneath the skin and is considered as ‘dirty blood’.

• Diseases that can be cured:

Countless diseases can be cured of which the following few are mentioned:

-Gout

-Rheumatoid arthritis

-Diabetes

-Paralysis

-Evil eye/ magic

-Migraines

-Private problems

-Tensions and stress

-Major organ problems

-Memory and intelligence

-Blood pressure

-And many more

• Uncurable diseases:

Certain kidneys diseases, broken bones and genetic diseases.

• Length of treatment:

It varies from individual to individual. Some individuals are cured from only one session while others may have extended periods of time. Shifa comes from Allah, and He gives to whom He wills and when He wills.

 

e.g. two women of the same age etc. had the same problem of arthritis. One was cured in a single session while the other one was cured in seven-eight sessions.

 

Another example is of two diabetic patients. One was cured in four months, and the other was cured in eighteen months.

• Side-effects of cupping:

There are no side-effects of cupping.

1. The cupping process is painless.

2. There may be slight bruising where the cupping is done and it lasts for 2-3 days.

3. Unhygienic environment may cause cross infection.

• Benificial or not???

1. First off, if the Prophet had insisted on it, then it means that it is benificial for us. It is a Sunnah and as Muslims that explanation should be enough.
2. Secondly, non-Muslim doctors stress on cupping and advise them to do cupping in spite of the fact that the definition of ‘dirty blood’ does not exist in the medical dictionary.
3. Thirdly, studies done in UK had shown that the blood taken out of the cupping session is not healthy blood at all. It consists of heavy metals, poisons, toxins, undigested material, ‘white lakes’, and many other things that harms the body. Hence, dirty blood does exist in fact.

Source: Notes taken from the presentation by Dr. Sohail Qureshi.

 

Whose Problem?

Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.” [Muslim]

Dunya is not for us

A practicing, educated Muslim had a sudden deterioration of health and was brought into the emergency ward of the hospital.

The whole time, he was in a state of unrest and clutched his wife’s hand.

He suddenly got up and told his wife, “My wife!! This life is not for us! This life is not for us! Tell our children we belong to the Hereafter! Tell them that we belong to the Hereafter!” He was in great distress, and was adamant.

When the danger passed and he lived on, he was asked if he remembered the event, but he replied that he did not.

What the brother meant was that this life was not for the believer. Muslims all around the world should strive for the Hereafter instead, because that is the life of eternity. True, one should take the highest education available and live a comfortable life but along with it, he should practice Islam side by side.

This dunya (life) is not for us…

“This world is like a Paradise for a non-believer and it is a prison for a believer.”- (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)

 

An Example of Loving Marriage

A married couple in Yemen. The girl’s sandal broke while walking so her husband gave her his shoes to wear while he walked barefooted…

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said “The most perfect of the believers is the best of you in character, and the best of you are those among you who are best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi)

A Moment To Reflect…

The child’s tears are still wet even after death…

I came by this photo some days ago…

None of us would want to see our children or the children of our relatives, friends and neighbours in this condition.

I ask, not to look at the religion or the race or the language, but to only look at the children and the families torn apart.

This child was crying when death came. Tears are still wet and haven’t even left the eyes yet.

On the Day of Judgement, these people will rise up and blame us in front of the Lord that we hadn’t even come to their help when they were begging for mercy and they were in pain…

Take the time out of your daily routine, regardless if you are studying SAT, doing PhD, working in the office, feeding the kids, and pray for them. Pray to Allah to help them.

They scream for help and in pain, but our walls and minds are too thick to hear them when we sleep at night…

Our grief is so little in comparison to theirs. Ya Allah!

Just a moment everyday to pray and reflect… We owe them that much at the very least.

No one was there to wipe the child’s tears away and say it will be alright… No one was there to comfort the child through suffering and pain…