Sankofa

It is so close to 2010 that I can smell it. My husband and I were discussing future goals and attempting to get ready for the new year. My mother told me that whatever you do on New Year's Day you will do for the rest of the year...Well, I am getting busy and focusing on Sankofa. Sankofa which is an Adinkra symbol meaning "Return and Get It". The meaning is special to me because of one lady that I know who taught this principle at Friendly High School where I served a sentence as a high-school art teacher for 6 1/2 years(which incidentally made me quit teaching all together). Anyone who knows me well knows that I am not the sentimental type but this image has been popping up in my head lately and I am in need of going back and regrouping from the successful leaders from the past...So in 2010 I am reinventing, remolding and restructuring myself. Anyone else down?

More for the Metro

Recently, stupid people have been overflowing the metro with their extreme dumbness. When the chimes ring...and the lady says doors closing...that does not mean to run and squeeze your fat keister into the door... I have personally witness in the last week 7 people doing this. Now, metro riders- we do know that if the doors get jammed because your stupid tail squeezes in or the doors can't close because your body was the one that made the train overflow- WE ALL GET TO BE LATE TO WORK BECAUSE THEY OFFLOAD THE ENTIRE TRAIN. Offloading for those who do not know, takes 10 minutes. First they make you get off, then they walk the entire train to be sure no one else is on, then we get to stand out in the cold and wait for the next over-crowed train to come and do this dance all over again.

Now for the Funny-
This morning, at Union Station, this STUPID OVER 40 FAT WOMAN- (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) squeezes on to the train and pushes everyone who is standing forward. There was a woman who almost fell in the process. Miss FAT over 40, then says "Everyone needs to suck it in because I am pressed against the cold door." You know me, I said to her-"Maybe we have 1 too many people on this car." The train car was immediately in an uproar of laughter, as this woman give me the evil eye. She must not know that all Hijab wearing Muslimah's have not always been the pious looking Muslimah's and I was raised in the city of cuss you out on demand. She continued her evil stares until I said to her "Honey, Do NOT let this scarf fool you." With my DC "GRIT STARE" and eye roll. I know, I should be sorry, but as Steve Harvey says" He ain't through with me yet" I wonder if the people who push the folks on the trains in Japan get the evil eye from the squashed passengers?

And you call yourself a Christian, WWJD Then?

I am over the "I'm a Christian" as a response from someone who is getting confronted because they are wrong. If you are such a good "Christian" then learn your book and find out what it says about your behavior-about causing problems for others, about holding grudges, about being spiteful and vindictive, about encouraging people to do things that are not pleasing...

If you are such a "Christian" it would show and not need to be said in defense. At the end of the day if there are issues all around you, you are the common denominator and maybe YOU should reevaluate YOURSELF.

I am SICK of the hypocrisy of it all!

Don't accuse me of being week when I stand firm in silence while you make a complete ass of yourself. Don't accuse me of being docile, when in-fact you are doing the same thing that you accuse others of doing. No matter what you tell people, there are three sides to a story and eventually people will learn that the common denominator and antagonizer is you.

So good "Christian" go study your own book and learn what it says about those who create mayhem and mischief- sounds like the work of the adversary, don't be a stupid as to be his vessel of destruction and demise. Learn about forgiveness and how to seek the forgiveness of others. Learn how to be a good example of your faith and learn that your actions will be judged by the best of judges, the one who sees what you do in the dark, the one who knows your intentions no matter what you say-

I fear him and you should too...He is the most merciful and forgiving and also the best judge and vindicator!

When is Ramadan in 2009?

Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Thursday, the 20th of August.

Although Ramadan is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Ramadan moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of Ramadan may also vary from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.

The dates provided here are based on the dates adopted by the Fiqh Council of North America for the celebration of Ramadan. Note that these dates are based on astronomical calculations to affirm each date, and not on the actual sighting of the moon with the naked eyes. This approach is accepted by many, but is still being hotly debated.

The Bennifit of a good Halaqah

Saturday, the Beta Chapter hosted a halaqah at Masjid Muhammad. It was a wonderful experience. Brother Muhammad Sideeq presented the talk. I am sharing what we discussed.

Topic: The Ease of Islam

Allah created the trees to do what they do. They root themselves in the ground, grow fruit and leaves, shed leaves in the fall and sway in the wind. That is the character of the tree. The tree does what it is designed to do and has no choice in the matter. When Allah created humans, we were given the choice to move and do as we see fit. Allah created everything in balance and proportion. Man was created to serve Allah, and when we fight what Allah creates for us that is where we see the difficulty with living.

Arabic Vocabulary Words-

Yaasurah- easy , lenient, prosperous, facilitate, gentle, multiply

Issurah- burden

Ahad- One Wahad- One, only used when referring Allah

Samad- Absolute

When given a choice between something difficult and something easy The Prophet (salahi wa alaihi was salaam)chose the easy way. There is nothing wrong with keeping the deen simple. The Prophet Muhammad (salahi wa alaihi was salaam) was soft hearten, and as a result Islam spread by guidance and the good character of Muslims.

In Sahih Bukhari
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
A Bedouin came and passed urine in one corner of the mosque. The people shouted at him but the Prophet stopped them till he finished urinating. The Prophet ordered them to spill a bucket of water over that place and they did so.

The brothers that witnessed this event wanted to go fist to cuff with this brother but the Prophet(salahi wa alaihi was salaam) instructed them to cover it, and then teach the brother that this was not something correct to do. If the brothers were allowed to do what they wanted to do this man would have never become Muslim.

Here is some simple things...

There is only ONE (1) God-

He is one, Ahad/Wahad/Samad

Man lives a life of struggle but believers find the struggles as a test. Look at our lives compared to the lives of the Prophet (salahi wa alaihi was salaam) and his companions. The Prophet (salahi wa alaihi was salaam) and his companions had to walk and ride camels to get to where they were going. They went miles at a time, walking and riding. We can simply hop on a bus or get in our cars.

When you over indulge one appetites the other appetites grow out of proportion and balance.

Ground yourself in the deen. Allah's creations find ease when the submit to the will of Allah.

We read the follow Surah's and Ayats

سورة الأعلى Sura #87 Al-Ala

1 Glorify the name of thy Guardian-Lord Most High,
2 Who hath created, and further, given order and proportion;
3 Who hath ordained laws. And granted guidance;
4 And Who bringeth out the (green and luscious) pasture,
5 And then doth make it (but) swarthy stubble.
6 By degrees shall We teach thee to declare (the Message), so thou shalt not forget,
7 Except as Allah wills: For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden.
8 And We will make it easy for thee (to follow) the simple (Path).
9 Therefore give admonition in case the admonition profits (the he"

10 The admonition will be received by those who fear ((Allah)):
11 But it will be avoided by those most unfortunate ones,
12 Who will enter the Great Fire,
13 In which they will then neither die nor live.
14 But those will prosper who purify themselves,
15 And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer.
16 Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world;
17 But the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
18 And this is in the Books of the earliest (Revelation),-
19 The Books of Abraham and Moses.

Ash-Shams Sura #91سورة الشمس

1 By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour;
2 By the Moon as she follows him;
3 By the Day as it shows up (the Sun's) glory;
4 By the Night as it conceals it;
5 By the Firmament and its (wonderful) structure;
6 By the Earth and its (wide) expanse:
7 By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it;
8 And its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right;-
9 Truly he succeeds that purifies it,
10 And he fails that corrupts it!
11 The Thamud (people) rejected (their prophet) through their inordinate wrong-doing,
12 Behold, the most wicked man among them was deputed (for impiety).
13 But the Messenger of Allah said to them: 'It is a She-camel of Allah. And (bar her not from) having her drink!'"

14 Then they rejected him (as a false prophet), and they hamstrung her. So their Lord, on account of their crime, obliterated their traces and made them equal (in destruction, high and low)!

15 And for Him is no fear of its consequences."


سورة الأعراف Sura #7 Al-Araf
42 But those who believe and work righteousness,- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear,- they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever).
43 And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury;- beneath them will be rivers flowing;- and they shall say: 'Praise be to Allah, who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allah. indeed it was the truth, that the apostles of our Lord brought unto us.' And they shall hear the cry: 'Behold! the garden before you! Ye have been made its inheritors, for your deeds (of righteousness).'"

157

"Those who follow the apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures),- in the law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper."

سورة الحديد Sura #57 Al-Hadid

27

Then, in their wake, We followed them up with (others of) Our apostles: We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy. But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah. but that they did not foster as they should have done. Yet We bestowed, on those among them who believed, their (due) reward, but many of them are rebellious transgressors.

سورة الليل Sura #92 Al-Lail

1 By the Night as it conceals (the light);
2 By the Day as it appears in glory;
3 By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female;-
4 Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse.
5 So he who gives (in charity) and fears ((Allah)),
6 And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,-
7 We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.
8 But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,
9 And gives the lie to the best,-
10 We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery;
11 Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit).
12 Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide,
13 And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning.
14 Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely;
15 None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones
16 Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs.
17 But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it,-
18 Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification,
19 And have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return,
20 But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their"
Lord Most High;
21 And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.

سورة الضحى Sura #93 Ad-Dhuha

1 By the Glorious Morning Light,
2 And by the Night when it is still,-
3 Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.
4 And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.
5 And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.
6 Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?
7 And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.
8 And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.
9 Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,
10 Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard);
11 But the bounty of the Lord - rehearse and proclaim!"

سورة الشرح Sura #94 Al-Inshirah

1 Have We not expanded thee thy breast?-
2 And removed from thee thy burden
3 The which did gall thy back?-
4 And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (art held)?
5 So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief:
6 Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.
7 Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard,
8 And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention."

You never know...

You never know who you will meet. The other day I took the bust to Georgetown to meet some friends. I saw a lady who sat across from me and she was staring...so I was a little irritated. Then the lady asked me where I got my hijab. I guess I had a strange look because she then informed me that she was in the process of reverting to Islam and needed to get hijabs that were nice so she could wear them to work. So what do you say to that? I gave her my card and wrote Sister Jennah's website on the back. Then I shared my reversion story and told her to call me whenever she wanted to chat or have a jummah prayer buddy.

Who'd a thunk it...You never know when your smile might be encouragement for a new Muslim or an invitation to the deen...

Relections in A Minor

So...with my schedule so hectic I never find the time to really get into a quality blog cycle, LOL, But here goes my attempt. Lately I have been rather melancholy and I think it is due to me getting to be older and wiser or, I am slowly dying from "the lack of sleep" disease since school started. I was watching "August Rush" today and yesterday I watched "The Happening". They were both excellent thought provoking movies. It is amazing how we human beings are so self-centered and are very rarely humbled by the unexplained phenomenon of life. Not many people think the unexplained is an act of mercy from the higher power, and I am curious to know why?

God created us to serve and worship him. I believe part of that worship is to take care of his creations, all of them. I can be very crude, harsh and direct sometimes but I have never willingly taken advantage of someone or been a blatant destroyer of things. In "The Happening" the common theme was to take care of the earth or it will destroy you. In "August Rush" the common theme was to have faith and all things will fall in place. Here is my question. Where are all of these feel good people and why don't I encounter them very often?

Daily I am encountered by people who's favorite topic is themselves. I am not that interested in them so why am I forced to discuss you and your issues- ALL THE TIME. I have things I like to discuss, mostly not about myself. I enjoy an occasional genuine, what are you feeling conversation.

The entire theme of energy in "The Happening" is so deep(seriously). I can be in a wonderful mood and someone with nasty energy can come in and it takes me a good 10 minutes to shake that bad vibration. I am currently in an industry that will not allow me to have negative thoughts while I am working on clients. I think that is why they like my services. I think that since I am thinking of positive thoughts and feelings I am passing along these vibes to my clients and I like the way we both feel in the end.

Maybe, someone else needs to rent those movies and tell me if I am crazy for feeling personally effected by them.