Footprints in the Sand - Thanking Allah!

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

written by Mary Stevenson

Mary Stevenson could not have gotten it more correct in this beautiful passage she wrote in 1936. It depicts so vividly a conversation between a man and his creator. How man, through fitrah - the natural inclination in believing in God - wishes to speak to God.

Of course, when this wish comes true, man sees his life through all trials and tribulation expecting God to be by his side.

What we always remember are our troughs in our lives - those dips that take us into bottomless cauldrons of uncertainty. The times we feel abandoned and alone; cold and starved; hurt and betrayed.

Mostly at times like these, we pray. But as we pray, we question our Lord on His abandonment. Why would He leave me alone like this? Where is He? Why me?

In turn, when man is allowed a conversation with the Divine, he still questions his Lord on those difficult passages of his life. Where were You? Why did You leave me?

How ignorant we are to think that we would be able to walk alone during those times, let alone walk on our own two feet?

Seek your provision from Allah, and serve Him, and give thanks unto Him

(Al-`Ankabut 29:17).

Nerves, Anxiety & Fasting

Ramadhan at a distant glance can sometimes seem intimidating. I'm not talking about the non-Muslim who is reading about the impending Holy Muslim Months in a local daily - I'm talking about the Muslim who is about to embark on the month, fasting - refusing food, drink and marital intimacy for the duration of sunrise.

In addition to that, once the sun dips, it is not all fun and games, karaoke singing and food fests. Ramadhan is just a continuous whole month of worship, worship and more worship.

Iftar, the breaking of the fast, is followed by Maghrib prayers, a quick preparation for Tarawih prayers, usually held at the Masjid or Islamic centre, right after Isha'. Then there are those Muslims who awake in the early morning for other prayers such as Tahajjud, Hajat, Taubah. Others recite the Qur'an in the spare time. If not already awake, Muslims rise before dawn for the blessed meal that would help them through the day. Fasting begins once again.

I always thought I was the only one feeling totally unprepared for the fast. But after reading this post, I realise it is only natural. It can be intimidating to know that as a Muslim, you would engage in so much of worship 24 hours a day - for some, more than they can muster for the rest of the year.

Alhamdulillah, anxiety and nerves settle once Ramadhan arrives, and the natural inclination of surrendering to Allah and only Allah, kicks in, as if it were the day we were born.

There really is magic in Ramadhan, for those who focus on excelling in the eyes of Allah. Maybe it is all the nerves and anxiety that help build up the zeal to continuously worship God like there is no tomorrow!

Subhan'Allah!

I guess a person who is generally apathetic about religion would not enjoy Ramadhan the same way a person who was chewing off finger nails and prespiring like crazy as the month approached.

Personally it was a difficult preparation for me this year. I thought I would buckle, for several health reasons. But masha'Allah and Alhamdulillah, Allah has made it easy for me so far! He has given me the energy that I has been absent for some time now and rebuilt my self-confidence in partaking in this beautiful month - despite my nerves and ugly fingernails!

One week has passed since the first iftar, may the next four weeks be as wonderful as this one.

Going Hijabi for Ramadhan!

Aaahh... it is that time of the year again.

Ramadhan is a month of reflection for many - it provides time to appreciate the abundance of blessings Allah Ta'ala has bestowed upon us - most of which usually go unappreciated. It is a time to reflect on our deeds as suddenly we are conscious of all that has taken place over the year.

May we make amends during the month? Though we are are required to practice Islam throughout the year, Ramadhan always provides food for thought, with evil eradicated from our lives - the devil in shackles, leaving us to stand tall and turn away from distractions that could sideline our iman.

Many women decide to don the Hijab for Ramadhan, marking respect for the holy month. Somehow during this month, ibadah becomes simple, as it should be. It is not taxing nor tedious and practice is as easy as gentle breeze in the evening.

Wearing the Hijab during the month acts as a reminder to continue steadfast worship throughout the month. At the same time, many women who start wearing the Hijab during Ramadhan find that it is, after all, an easy task - enjoyable, liberating and fulfilling.

Ramadhan is a good time to start learning new forms of worship. Besides the Hijab, one can learn new prayers, read new versus of the Qur'an, visit neighbouring orphanges.

It is such a beautiful month that the normal environmental burdens such as heat, fatigue, laziness and ever miserliness are wiped away. Don't believe me? We fast don't we - staying away from food, drink and marital relations during the day, and we do it so easily!

Ramadhan Kareem everyone - may this Ramadhan flourish with love and joy, full of worship and renewed faith for Allah Ta'ala.