The Voice in My Head & The Void in My Heart

Asalam Aleykom everyone,

     The article that I am about to share with you, is one of my SuperMuslims articles. Links to the full magazine are at the bottom. The theme for that month was honesty. I share with you this story because I know that sometimes its hard to be honest with ourselves, I know that its a struggle. But trust me when you are honest with yourself, you become a much happier person.

                             The Voice in My Head & The Void in My Heart

                                                  By: Habiba Ghanem

“You are happy. You are happy. Everything is great minus a few bumps in the road, you are still happy,” the voice in my head assured me.

But as time passed by the voice in my head, started asking questions, “Are you happy? Is this worth it?”

“Yes, yes, shhh,” I would say.

“But what about the signs? Don’t they say something? Why are you overlooking them?” The voice kept asking.

“Those signs are just a few bumps, don’t worry. I’ll just keep making duaa. This is a chance for me to get closer to Allah (SWT),” I assured the voice in my head.

                                                               ---

At least I was right about one thing, Allah (SWT) was testing me, but for awhile I was going about this test in the wrong way. Instead of moving towards Allah (SWT) I was moving away.

The more that I lied to myself and the more that I purposely overlooked signs, the bigger that my ignorance got. In other words, I had allowed shaytan (satan) to play with my head and the more that, that happened the more that my nafs (ego) was affected.

Now that I look back, I see how selfish I was. I had seen the confusion and sometimes pain in the eyes of those around me but I ignored it. I was hurt too. Confusion and frustration became my close friends.

Despite what I was going through I still prayed to Allah. At first I used to ask Him to make things work out the way that I wanted. But as my inner struggle grew I started asking Allah to present what was best for me. I think that, that was the starting point of me being honest with myself, not fully honest but there was progress nonetheless.

Throughout the tough time that I was facing, Allah (SWT) sent a few gifts. Indeed, “So verily with every difficulty there is ease 94:6” 

 

The first gift that was sent to me was the “Help Club” (A club at my university.) My first group of Al Sohba Al Saleha entered my life. Suddenly, people with great hearts surrounded me. They were people who loved each other for the sake of Allah (SWT). It was just the kind of environment that I needed. They taught me so much and their presence eased my struggle.

Then out of nowhere there was something inside of me that was encouraging me to be a better person. I knew that I was on a path but I had no idea where it was taking me. The more that I wanted to improve myself; and the more that I worked on improving myself, the louder that the compressed voice became. My stubborn self wouldn’t go down without a fight though.

Slowly but surely, I started listening to the voice inside my head. I could no longer ignore the hole in my heart. My struggle was stopping me from becoming the person that I truly and deeply wanted to become. It took awhile for me to admit that but once I did, I got passed my problem and I haven’t looked back ever since.

You see, the more that I became honest with myself the more that I opened my heart to Allah (SWT) I put my trust in Him, and He never let me down. I left everything up to His will, as I should have from the beginning. I hated to admit it at the time, but deep down I knew I was miserable and my heart was never at ease. As soon as I started leaving things up to Allah; believing with all my heart that this was for the best, I got a taste of the state of tranquility and happiness that I was in need of.

Even though I had gotten passed my struggle (with Allah’s help of course), He sent me more blessings. I was introduced and given the opportunity to join two other organizations; Serenity Society; (a new club that started at my university) and SuperMuslims. Both of those groups work to remind others of the reason of our existence.  The people that Allah sent to me throughout everything that I was going through, were a sign from Him. He wanted me to continue on my path and He provided people to help me and inshAllah will continue to help me and I can’t thank Him enough for his blessings.

You can’t fight what Allah has planned for you, be sure that his plan is better. Take it from someone who has been there. Lying to yourself won’t make things better on the contrary it makes things worse. Don’t let shaytan (satan) get the best of you. No matter how hard something seems know that Allah (SWT) will be there to guide you, just turn to Him. 

SuperMuslims: 

SuperMuslims Magazine Issue:

http://issuu.com/supermuslims/docs/supermuslims_honesty

Facebook Group: 

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/supermuslims/

Twitter: 
 http://twitter.com/#!/supermuslims6    

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Facebook Page: 
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Zain Ul-Abideen

Asalam Aleykom everyone,

              I hope that you are all enjoying this blessed month. For this month's SuperMuslims issue, the theme was of course Ramadan. The following is my article on one of the great followers. The link to the whole magazine is posted at the bottom, so check it out! Enjoy!
                                               - Salam (Peace)

                                                           Zain Ul-Abideen

                                                       By: Habiba Ghanem

            Some of us have probably been Ramadan packing before. If you haven’t then it’s something that you should definitely try. There is an abundant amount of spirit that comes with packing. It is a fantastic way to get in to Ramadan mode and it is also a benevolent means of helping those that are less fortunate.

            Have you ever thought of who started the packing ritual?

              His name was Ali ibn Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, but he was known as Zain Ul-Abideen. Zain Ul-Abideen made it his duty to look after those that were less fortunate than he was. He had goats slaughtered regularly so that he could distribute the meat amongst the poor and he gave clothes and money to those that were deprived.

              During the nights when people were asleep, Zain Ul-Abideen used to cover his face, carry a sac of food, and walk about town unrecognized in order to distribute the food to the poor. Many families depended on his anonymous generosity and it was only after his death that they discovered that it was Zain Ul-Abideen who had been helping them that whole time.

            How did they discover that it was him? Firstly, the people stopped receiving food upon his death. Secondly, they found marks on his body caused by the sac of food that he used to carry.

            Zain means “beauty” and Ul-Abideen means “the worshippers,” and indeed he was given the name, Zain Ul-Abideen to epitomize his admirable character.

Zain Ul-Abideen can be taken as an example for all of us and we should all aim to adopt his giving character. Think of the smallest blessings that Allah (SWT) has bestowed on you. There are people out there who don’t have the fortune of even you’re your smallest blessings.

Take advantage of this blessed month and help those in need, and continue to help others even when the month is over. The reward for giving charity is immense and the feeling is unlike any other. It is time for all of us to become beautiful worshippers.

            

SuperMuslims: 

SuperMuslims Magazine Issue:

http://issuu.com/supermuslims/docs/supermuslims_ramadan

Facebook Group: 

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/supermuslims/

Twitter: 
 http://twitter.com/#!/supermuslims6    

Website: 
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Facebook Page: 
http://www.facebook.com/SuperMuslims


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The Virtue of Patience

                             Salam people! So for this months SuperMuslims Magazine's issue the theme was patience. I chose to write about four admirable women and the trials that they endured. Enjoy! Oh and at the bottom of the page you will find the link to the second issue of the SuperMuslim's magazine, SuperMuslims FB page, FB group , twitter, and website, be sure to check all those out!     

                                                       The Virtue of Patience                     

                                                        By: Habiba Ghanem

                  Narrated Anas: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity.” [Bukhari Book 23 Hadith 389]

                  In our lives we are going to be faced with many difficult problems. Sometimes we are going to think that our worlds are crashing down. This life is a struggle. What we need to have when facing any adversity is patience.  The greatest people to look up to and to use as examples are the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his companions.

                  Anâs Radhi-Allâhu 'anhu reports that Nabî Sallallâhu 'alayhi wasallam has said: "From among the women of the world who have reached perfection and who are worthy of following are: Miryam the daughter of Imrân; Khadija daughter of Khuwailid; Fatima daughter of Muhammad and Asiyah wife of Fir'aun" (Tirmidhi)  

                  Do you think that these women were honored with such a title without going through hardships?

Of course not. 

Let’s take a closer look at just a few of the hardships that these women faced.

Khadija Daughter of Khuwalid:

The night when Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) got his first revelation at mount Hira, he ran back to his house shivering, Khadija was there to console him. She was the first to listen to him and she was the first there to support him as he took his role as the Prophet of our Ummah; she was always there for the Prophet (PBUH). This new responsibility was a heavy load and at night when Khadija couldn’t sleep she would pray to Allah (SWT).  To further show her support Khadija became the first person to accept Islam as her deen. When people turned their back on the Prophet (PBUH) and gave him a hard time, Khadija was the rock of support. She would support the Prophet (PBUH) and the believers with her wisdom and money.  Throughout the course of events that took place, Khadija’s faith and love for Allah (SWT) kept growing. Khadija’s strong and loving character captured the heart of not only the Prophet (PBUH), but her character touched and inspired many people to enter the faith of Islam (Malik).

Asiyah Wife of Farun:

Asiyah was married to a cruel man; Farun.  She was among the people who announced their faith to Allah and His messenger Moses. Upon declaring her faith, Farun tortured her. He pinned her to the ground in the scorching sun. But Asiyah’s faith was too strong to be shaken and whenever Farun would look away angels would use their wings to shield her from the sun. Her patience kept her strong enough to endure the pain. Her faith made her turn and pray to Allah (SWT) as she dreamt of her home in Jannah. Farun then gave her a choice; she could either give up her belief or have a boulder end her life. Asiyah refused to give up her belief, she chose to die and asked Allah for a home in Jannah far away from evil (Siham).

   Maryam Daughter of Imran:

Allah provided Maryam with a tough plight. A situation so tough, that her chastity came in to questioning. Her test later became known as one of history’s greatest miracles; the birth of Eissa.  Maryam the daughter of Imran had always been a devout follower. When the angles sent her this revelation, she went in to seclusion.  Her faith in Allah never decreased, even when people started accusing her of adultery and Allah didn’t leave her side. When she went to her clan carrying her child, they started questioning her. But Maryam didn’t reply, she just pointed at baby Eissa. At that moment baby Eissa spoke to the people and declared; “I am the servant of Allah who has given me the Book and made me a Prophet." (19:30) (Siham)

Fatimah Daughter of Muhammed (PBUH):

After her mother’s death Fatimah took on the role as the beacon of comfort to the Prophet (PBUH).  She was also benevolent with the people just as her mother Khadija was. Fatimah was married to Ali son of Abi Talib. They led a life of extreme poverty but despite her circumstances Fatimah never lost her humility.  To make ends meet she was a grinder of corn and he was a drawer of water. One day after they both came back from work exhausted Ali suggested that Fatima ask her dad to give her some of the servants that were captured in one of the battles. When Fatimah and Ali went to the Prophet (PBUH), he rejected their request because other people were more in need than they were. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) later came to their house and told them to recite three things after prayer and before they fell asleep; Subhanna Allah (Glory be to Allah), El hamdu Allah (Praise be to Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is great), for the reward and ease provided by those words are much better than having servants (“Fatimah bint Muhammed”).

In the face of great adversity these women were confident that Allah would prevail. Their faith surpassed and eased their grave struggles. When you face adversity you need to know that Allah (SWT) will never leave your side, you need to be sure that He will get you through whatever hardships you face. Be patient. Don’t lose faith. This life is nothing but trials; a test that we should aim to pass.

"If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you, frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation, know that you
... hold a great status with Him. Know that He is dealing with you ...as
He does with His Awliya’ and chosen elite, and is watching over you"
--Al Ghazali

 

                                                  Works Cited

Malik, Fida H. "Khadija." Wives of the Holy Prophet. 2009 ed. New Delhi: Adam and Distributors, 1952. 77-92. Print.

Siham. "The Great Women of Islam." The Great Women of Islam. 28 July 2008. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://jannah.org/madina/index.php?topic=1024.0>.

Umm Yusuf. "Great Women In Islam-Fatimah, Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad - Fatimah Bint Muhammad." A Glimpse Into The Life of A Muslimah. 27 Aug. 2007. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://southernmuslimah.wordpress.com/2007/08/27/great-women-in-islam-fatimah-daughter-of-the-prophet-muhammad/>.

SuperMuslims: 

SuperMuslims Magazine Issue #2:

http://issuu.com/supermuslims/docs/supermuslims_patience

Facebook Group: 

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/supermuslims/

Twitter: 
 http://twitter.com/#!/supermuslims6    

Website: 
http://supermuslims.tumblr.com/ 

Facebook Page: 
http://www.facebook.com/SuperMuslims


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Live Like You are Dying

Salams people,
               Allah (SWT) has blessed me with an awesome opportunity to write for the SuperMuslims Magazine. The following was my article for the first issue. At the bottom of this page you will find a link to the SuperMuslims; magazine, group, page, twitter, and website. Be sure to check all those links out, and be sure to read and spread the magazine, there are a lot of great articles! =)

                                                                 Live Like You are Dying

                                                                    By: Habiba Ghanem

On the authority of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with both of them, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of my shoulder and said, ‘Be in the world as if you were a stranger or a traveler along the path.” And ibn Umar would say, “If you survive till late afternoon, do not expect [to be alive in] the morning. If you survive till morning, do not expect [to be alive in] the late afternoon. Take from your health before your sickness and your life before you death.” (Recorded in al-Bukhari)

Before I continue further I must admit two things:

1.       I don’t want to be a hypocrite and I need you to know that the things that I am about suggest are things that I am still working on myself.

2.       This article was actually inspired by a song that I heard on the radio “Live Like We’re Dying.”

Now, I am about to say something and I don’t want you to freak out. Please don’t think that I am some sort of pessimistic person, but beware what I am about to say may come as shocking… We are all going to die! Ok, so maybe it wasn’t as shocking as you expected but I bet it is definitely something that most of us block out; dying is a scary thought. But the thing about death is that it is inevitable. Sooner or later we are going to die.

Now think of your life, your daily routine. Can you do more to get closer to Allah (SWT)? Chances are we can all do things to improve our relationship with Allah (SWT). I want you to think of some of your countless blessings, who else can provide you with these blessings but Allah (SWT)? Do you thank Allah for those blessings? Do you show your appreciation? All it takes is one simple word; ElhamduAllah. Always remember Allah (SWT), and a great way to do that is through tasbeeh. To get rewarded for your actions you should have sincere intention. I was at a Productive Muslims seminar, and the founder of the website; Mohamed said that, “In Islam we are rewarded according to the power of intention. Intentions should be the bedrock of our goals and actions.”

What’s stopping us from being better people? Our friends? Family? We can’t put the blame on just those people. Think for a moment of the millions of things that you really wanted and wouldn’t stop fighting for until you got them. Our problems are in ourselves. Sure our families or friends might be an influence but deep down you know that if you set your mind to something you won’t rest until you get it. Let’s start being better!

             Let’s start with prayer. Why does shaytan occupy our minds while we pray? It’s because we are too busy concentrating on worldly things, we forget the reason of our existence. Yasmin Mogahed wrote in her blog; "The heart is like a cup. The more you fill it with love of Allah, the less room there is for dunya.” When you pray how many thoughts cross your mind? We must try to block those thoughts out. We need to REALLY pray. I am telling you all this but I am telling myself too. If for some reason you are up late, how about you pray two raqaa of Qiyam Layl. Also, why don’t you start praying some of the sunnahs?

                We need to get to know the Qur’an, the words of the Divine. The Qur’an has the answers to everything but sadly we don’t take the time to understand it. I am so ashamed that I recognize lots of songs and I can sing along to them but I don’t know many ayas from the Qur’an. So let’s start reading Qur’an. Start with at least one page per day and work your way up. Try listening to Qur’an before you sleep.

There is so much that I don’t know and there is so much for me to learn. For example, I don’t know the months of the Islamic Calendar, so I am going to make sure that I learn them. What do you want to know more about? Let’s educate ourselves about our deen. Try to once in awhile go to a lecture, or watch a lecture off the internet.

Let’s for a moment take a look at a bigger picture; our ummah. As a whole what is stopping us from being as great as we once were? I always remember what Moez Masoud says about this issue. He says that it’s the lack of faith. With faith we are strong and without it we are weak; the more that we turn away from religion the weaker we become. The ummah needs to reunite, we need to stand hand in hand and help our brothers in sisters that are suffering. But in order for us to achieve that we must start with ourselves. "ان الله لا يغير ما بقوم حتي تغيروا ما بأنفسكم" ( سورة الرعد : 11) (“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” Ar-Ra’d:11)

The clock is ticking, every step you take and every move you make pulls you closer to your departure from this world. Ask yourself; the step that I am taking now, is it one step closer to that straight path or one step away from it? Let’s all help each other in becoming better Muslims. Take these suggestions step by step, you don’t have to start them all at once. Keep in mind that whatever hardships we face in this world won’t matter, what matters is the next life; the eternal life. I remember Moez Masoud saying that this life to us will be like nothing but a fleeting dream.

       May Allah (SWT) guide us all in becoming better Muslims and may He grant us all Husn El Khitam.

SuperMuslims: 

SuperMuslims Magazine Issue #1:

http://issuu.com/supermuslims/docs/issue1

Facebook Group: 

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/supermuslims/

Twitter: 
 http://twitter.com/#!/supermuslims6 
Website: 
http://supermuslims.tumblr.com/Facebook Page: 
http://www.facebook.com/SuperMuslims


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