When Ramadan began, a dandelion plant just outside my window was also getting ready to bloom. This morning, I noticed that it had finally blossomed. When a gentle breeze blew, the dandelion happily danced, and its tiny seeds floated high into the air. It was a very beautiful sight.

As I watched it, i thought the little dandelion was able to fly so easily because it was so light.

Then I thought,perhaps we too need to prepare like that little dandelion and become lighter ; lighter from our sins, from the scars they leave behind, from malice, pride, jealousy, grudges, and the many burdens that weigh down the heart.

When the heart carries too much weight, it cannot rise.

 But when it becomes purified and light, even the smallest breeze of Allah’s mercy can lift it higher.

Alhamdulillah, we are now in the blessed month of Ramadan, where His mercy flows abundantly. It is a beautiful opportunity for us to rise with goodness and sincerity. Allah sends the winds of His mercy again and again , through fasting, through the Qur’an, through prayer, through duaa,zikr,through forgiveness, and through countless chances to do good.

Just like the little dandelion that was ready when the wind came, we too should prepare our hearts. So with the winds of Allah’s mercy, we are ready to rise higher and draw closer to Him.
#Ramadan     
#Purification     
#purity    

I'm really mesmerized to see this verse in the Quran. This is my first time I'm trying to understand the language of the Quran. When I read this verse (Naaziaat verse 18), I fell in love more with the Quran and how Allah actually uses gentle words in his message to  the most rebellious ever. Despite Pharaoh's transgression, Allah still made him feel that truly there's no compulsion in His religion. It's a free-will call. He should rather ponder, think and reflect to come to a personal conclusion  that he has accepted the truth and Islam is the right way to go. Pharaoh shouldn't feel compelled to accept the truth as that type of acceptance is obviously not sincere. What we learn from this is very profound. We learn that whatever your position is, whenever you decide to preach to others or talk to others to accept the truth, do the right thing or stop whatever bad thing they're doing, try to be gentle as much as possible. Don't sound as if you're forcing your beliefs on them.

I first became drawn to Islam after speaking with gentle brothers who I looked up to. Without this gentleness I don't think I would have become Muslim. JazakAllahu khair for this beautiful reflection.

The process of tazkiya (purification of the self and heart) is a key to learning the book of God and gaining wisdom, guidance, and mindfulness. Moreover, it is the first step to overcoming oppression.
 
In a khutba by Dr. Adnan Rajeh, he explained the importance of tazkiya in a series of steps towards spiritual growth, which include self-awareness, self accountability and tazkiya to begin with.
 
He quoted the following verses explaining that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent to recite the revelations and support with purifying others before the step of teaching others the book and wisdom. Purification had to come before knowledge.  
 
Purifying oneself so as to not become enslaved to one’s whims and desires so much so that even when one has knowledge, there is a ‘seal’ on their hearts, hearing and sight.  They can no longer see, feel, or listen clearly, to their conscience, to the guidance of Allah, to their fitrah (their good nature). 
 
In fact, purification is an essential step so much so that it is the first step to overcoming tyranny.   Allah asked Prophet Musa to go to the Pharaoah, who enslaved a nation for hundreds of years, and to ask him would he like to purify himself? The key to overcome such oppression and injustice was to begin with purifying oneself. To make sure there isn’t a disease of the heart that has gone unchecked.
 
The four diseases of the heart listed which are largely agreed upon by the scholars as the most serious diseases mentioned, and the most important to address first were:
 
1) Vanity -defined as 'excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements', self-centeredness and to replace it with God-centeredness 
 
2) Arrogance - thinking oneself is better than others and to replace it with humility 
 
3) Ostentation (Riya'a - 'pretentious display intended to impress or attract notice') - which can be fueled by becoming consumed with excessive use of social media and the amount of likes, comments, followers, reshares one receives and to replace it with sincerity
 
4) Envy - harming others with envy towards their achievements and replace it with belonging to the group
 
For more details and steps to engaging in the tazkiya process, the full khutba can be found here: 
https://fb.watch/fu8uW9MQWi/ 

Take care of your Heart

What amazes me about these verses is when God asks Moses to go to the Pharoah, He doesn't ask Moses to ask the Pharoah to stop the corruption he is engaging in, He doesn't ask Moses to threaten the Pharoah or to inflict any force.  

God asks Moses to first ask Pharoah, in a gentle way, if he would be willing to engage in the process of 'tazkiya' - self purification or a cleansing of the heart. This indicates to me that before engaging or encouraging any behavioural change, we need to address the heart. We need to cleanse the heart of diseases such as arrogance and greed. 

And Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shares with us in this part of a longer hadith: 'There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoiled the whole body gets spoiled and that is the heart.' (Bukhari).

In the next verse, this gentle approach continues as Moses is encouraged to ask Pharoah to help him find his way to a Lord who He can be in awe of. 

To God belongs the greater example - this reminds me that if someone near you or whom you care or are concerned about is lost - you ask would you like me to help you find what you're looking for? Would you like me to help you find what you need? 

In this verse, I see that even with someone as oppressive as the Pharoah at the time, God asks Moses to have this gentle approach that speaks to the Pharoah's heart first, and offers to gift him and guide him to His lord - The Caretaker and Nourisher - The One Who we will be in awe of, because this is what we all need.  

To cleanse our hearts and to be gifted and guided to The Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, whose care and compassion from the smallest details of our lives to the orchestration of the sun, the moon and the stars, leave us in awe, subhana'Allah.

Are you tempted to use tough or harsh language to get your children, parents, spouse, friends, community members, or enemies to obey Allah?

Before you do, take a few minutes to reflect on how Allah asked Musa (a) to approach the Firawn:

amrits Aameen. Jazakillahu khaira. For your  beautiful advice. Looking forward for more great reflections frm u. Barakallahu Feekum

A lesson in Dawah in being soft and caring to the one you give dawah too, as Moses was commanded to speak gently with the worst of People, and that is Pharoah.

He said : Are you willing to purify yourself? 
So rather then attribute the act of purifying to Musa, he left it to himself so that he doesnt feel he is being purified by someone else.

then he said: And let me guide you to your lord....
Rather then say to My lord, which would make him sound exclusive for Moses, to show him he is your lord too.