In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious,

If there was ever a task I underestimated then hands down it will be being a ‘mother’. The squabbles between children is something that requires a lot of patience. 

Last night, I sat my children down and advised them that my father left me with a piece of advice that I forever hold  onto. I told them that I am giving them my own advice that I wish for them to hold onto. This advice is not only just for them, but it is also for myself to follow. 

So they asked ‘what is the advice?’ So I replied ‘spread love and be kind hearted because this is how people will come to love you and respect you, if you are harsh people will run away.’ I told them one of the reasons why everyone loves the Messenger of Allah pbuh and that he is loved by billions and billions is because he had the best heart and it is Allah SWT who gave him the best heart. Allah is the Most Merciful.

So if you are a leader, or someone who has to guide people you have to be even more kind hearted for people will remember your kindness and come back to you. I advised them as a parent ‘I have to be kind hearted which make the people under my supervision want to listen to me more.’ 

It is the Prophet pbuh’s kindness that brings us tears to our eyes when he returned to Makkah victorious and forgave others who had once in their ignorance caused him so much pain. We are blessed by Allah to have the best role model whose example softens our heart and helps keep us firm in our faith.

We are all some sort of leader(s) and we can live by the best  example.

Ma shaa Allah great reflection
may Allah reward you Ameen 

While the world celebrates victory with music, alcohol, and actions that displease Allah SWT. Islam teaches us a different way.

Surah An-Nasr teaches me that true victory is not celebrated with noise, pride, or outward display. When Allah’s help arrives, I should praise Him, and seek His forgiveness. Every day, we experience small victories like praying on time, overcoming a sin or following a sunnah. Each of these is a gift from Allah SWT and an opportunity to remember Him.

Prophet ﷺ  used to frequently recite: 
سُبْحَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
(I testify the Uniqueness of our Lord, and all the praises are for Him: "O Allah, forgive me!") (Sahih bukhari 4967)

#QuranWeeklyDose
#JourneyOfFaith
#NationBuilder

In last week's session of Quran Weekly Dose, a new sister shared her journey to faith.
Stories of reverts have always fascinated me. At the same time I feel deeply uneasy whenever I hear a revert story.

What inspires someone to leave  their comfort zone for something that is alien to them?
Would I do the same, given the same circumstances?
Then I go to the core of this nagging fear; Am I being replaced?  
Is Allah SWT changing the 'face' of the Ummah to those who will sacrifice and strive harder than me?
I have heard of Muslim families losing their Islam within a generation or two; it IS a worrying trend.

Maybe the answerI need is in His Blessed Book.
We are encouraged to glorify Allah SWT and seek His forgiveness when we see many embracing this religion.
Only Allah SWT moves and inspires hearts to His religion; Glory is to Him SWT
Just as additions to the Ummah do not increase Allah's SWT Glory, our disobedience and apathy do not decrease His Glory, either.

However, I WILL be called into account for the legacy I leave behind. Just like the in the example of Ya'kub AS and his sons; the next generation has to be empowered.  To be equipped with knowledge and the spiritual strength and stamina to carry this torch. 

There is work to be done.

May Allah SWT forgive us for  all our shortcomings
May Allah SWT enable us to leave a strong legacy 
May Allah SWT preserve our children and the future generation in this blessed faith
Aamiin.

WAllaahu a'laam.

Ref:
https://youtu.be/_B_sxHqsLsE 

Sometimes when I read this surah, I imagine standing in a large masjid. 

The doors open and people of all backgrounds enter in droves.

People who were once hurting, broken, lost, confused, and on the verge of defeat, leaving the world behind and entering the masjid with tranquility, having found a connection with Allah after years of searching for peace. 

We line up in rows, pray together and praise Allah for His guidance and blessings.

Then we repent for our shortcomings, and sit in peace, knowing that He is oft-forgiving.

What can we do to make this vision a reality? 

May Allah give us the ability to bring the hearts back to Him. Ameen.

How amazing it is that in this moment of glory and triumph in the seerah, after more than 20 years of striving, when finally the time and circumstance was right for the great Victory of Allah, predetermined, measured, proportioned: there is no relish the moment or 'enjoy, you earned it!'

Instead, the heart must turn back to Allah in many-layered praise and repentance.  

How many people were lost along the way: Khadijah, the Prophet (s) children, Hamza, Sad ibn Muath, Musab, Zaid ibn Haritha, Jafar ibn Abi Talib; the dawah and Muslim community went through 20 years of hardship: stages of secrecy and persecution and ridicule; smear campaigns; personal attacks; Hijrah; many battles and military campaigns, political maneouvering, sleepless nights, secret missions, famine, fear, illness, loss of limb, loss of wealth, loss of beloveds, betrayal, division, hypocrisy, hearts in the throat and doubting of Allah ... and finally now the Victory and Help of Allah has arrived and the message is spreading exponentially...

Now here is your rest, and here is your celebration: turn to Allah, glorify His praises and seek His forgiveness. Recognize the powerlessness of the human being in the face of the perfect Victory of Allah, humble the self even more in the time of strength and triumph.


