RAMADAAN MUBAARAK

BismiLLAH was salaatu was salaamu 'alaa khairi Khalqi Allah.

Having been silent over the months, I thought it would be a good thing to at least post something about this month for our thoughts.

It is Ramadaan again: the month of patience, mercy, forgiveness. The month of Qur'an, Dhikr, night of qadr. The month of the poor, mujaahadah and taubah. It is that month that has in it so many events and occasions.

AlhamduliLLAH, by His mercy, we are able to witness this month. Many were those who fasted with us last year but are not with us today, either that they have gone to the next life or Allah has not given them health to join us in fasting this month.

What will be of us after this month? Will we continue with the khair, the dhikr, the Qur'an recitations, the night prayers, the charity, the sincerity, and other virtuous acts we do in this month in the months ahead? Or will we be those who only see the mercy of Allah in the month of Ramadaan?
                                           
By Allah's goodness, I am fasting again in the city of Johannesburg. Last year was my first year in South Africa and it continues this year. This year, especially this month, I have been too occupied with my research work on West African tafsirs. I beg you all to pray for me that Allah makes for me the writing of my thesis easy and that I get a sound understanding of what I read and write. 

Just like we all say, I wish you all RAMADAAN MUBARAK. Kullu 'aam wa antum bi khair (in every year, you are in good health). Surprising to see the new Ramadaan greetings from friends.....they say, SAHUR MUBARAK, IFTAR KAREEM, HAPPY IFTAAR. 'Ajeeb, these are weird greetings that I have never heard before. 
                                                      

Like a sister advised that we should not forget but include in our prayers are brethren who fled Myanmar, those spending Ramadhan in detention centres, and we should remember our brothers and sisters in every single part of the globe. 

May Allah give us the strength to fast, accept out fasting and good deeds in this beautiful month.

I end this by mentioning that one of our dear teachers from Mauritania is visiting South Africa and I will, inshaa Allah, be paying him a visit tomorrow. It would be nice to see him again after two years of being away from Mauritania. 

Wa sallaaLLahu 'alaa Habeebihi Muhammad wa 'alaa aalihi wa sallam

Describing Mauritania

BismiLLAH was Salaatu was Salaamu 'alaa RasuliLLAH.

In my old posts, I mentioned my numerous experiences in Mauritania. I think whenever I do that, I write without really minding the contents of the posts. It was few days ago that one of my friends that studied together with me in Nabbaghiyyah drew my attention to a blog quoting one of my old posts.
The blog says, "To give you an idea of the place (at least its capital city), here is what a brother seeker of knowledge says about his return from Syria to Mauritania, it’s pretty eloquent".

And below is the quote from my blog:

“It was almost mid-night but it looked like morning to me. I was feeling like being home again […] I prayed and had a good sleep with wonderful, sweet mosquito bites. In the morning, I looked at the mosquitoes in my net, singing their irritating music in their pregnant state, moving around with my sucked blood.

I took to the city to use the internet and pray in the saudi masjid. How nice it feels like to be back! Looking the streets, you see men and women urinating openly by the sides of cars, walls, etc, dirty streets, and in the mosques, hearing the Mauritanian style of loud Shouting of TAKBIR at the opening of Solah(not Maalilki style to shout too loud). From all of these, I said to myself, welcome back to Mauritania!”

Allahu Akbar!!! Yaa Kareem!!! Did I really post this about Mauritania? I was shocked after reading this from the sister's blog. What was I thinking when I wrote this? However, come to think of it, the descriptions and experiences are correct. Even the sister who quoted this agrees with me.

More will come in the future as I plan to return for a visit to this beautiful desert city. My teachers want to see me.

WalhamduliLLAH Rabbil 'Aalameen.

Change 4 Change

BismiLLAH was salaatu was salaamu 'alaa RasuliLLAH.

Below is a link from Noor al-Islam Mosque, Bolton-UK. I thought I should share this here as one of my experiences is mentioned in it and also a project I think we should all know about.

http://www.noorulislambolton.com/change4change/Change4Change_Intro.pdf

May Allah bless those who assist with this project.

Was salaam.