Looking for Better?

BismIllah wa as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

"If only I were in a better environment, I'd be able to practice my deen better."
"I need to escape the fitnah around me, so my emaan can get better."
"I need to move to a better Muslim community so I can get myself straight."
"Living in a Muslim country will help me be a better Muslim."

All these statements, and others similar to them, essentially give reasons for compromised obedience to Allah. Often human beings will attribute their personal state to their surroundings, which admittedly has some effect and influence on them. However, when it comes to their state of emaan and taqwa, will the physical environment change their situation? It might or it might not, because the change can really only come from themselves. What has to change before you make a physical change of location, is you. If obedience to Allah is not made impossible by your surroundings, then who can you really blame? If your weaknesses and shortcomings get the better of you in one environment, what makes you think a different one will change that or erase them unless you make tawbah and have a change of heart?

Look at our role models when it comes to examples to compare your situation with. Prophet Nuh, alayhi salaam, spent over 900 years worshiping Allah and calling the people who were upon shirk to return to tawheed. Did he have a good environment, free of fitnah, or a strong Muslim community? Not at all. The same can be said for the majority of prophets and messengers, who all went to places where it was a struggle against the majority to practice Islam.

What I have learned is that it is all inside you...because emaan and taqwa are things that grow inside you and are nurtured or destroyed by you. It is in the approach, in how you let things influence and mold you, that you can find better.

I lived in Bahrain for 16 years, during which time I watched as it became increasingly westernized and the people more disobedient to Allah, subhaana wa taala. They have the adhaan calling five times a day, masaajid within walking distance for most, resources for seeking knowledge, and ease in practicing Islam and yet the majority do not. How did that affect me? It pushed me the other way. Through the discrepancies and inconsistent practice, I became curious about what Islam was about - what they should be doing. In learning, I ended up embracing Islam in all its perfection. As I saw the destruction of Islamic morals and lifestyle, I realized firsthand what dangers and ruin lie in being enamored with the West. I saw the deterioration when a family, which never previously permitted television, fiction, and computer use let them into their lives. I learned lessons, by seeing the effects over those 16 years, that would never have been internalized with a simple warning.

I lived in Reading, Pennsylvania for 7 years before coming to Madinah, surrounded by the fitnah of people living a life filled with immorality and nakedness, music, entertainment , alcohol, smoking, and drug addictions, and ignorance. What did that environment do for me? It made me realize why we are told not to imitate the unbelievers, Christians, and Jews. It made me hate the idea of looking like the women on the street in dress, speech, hairstyle, or manner. It made me realize that the constant need for music was not just an enjoyment, it was a god for many of them. All that fitnah made me a better Muslimah and gave me excellent opportunities to teach my children from the examples and shameful mess around us.

Ibn ul Qayyim (raheemahullah) related that Ibn Taymiyyah (raheemahullah) said, when his enemies plotted to kill him or imprison him: 

 "If they kill me, it will be martyrdom for me. If they expel me, it will be migration for me;  if they expel me to Cyprus, I will call it's people to Allah so they answer me. If they imprison me , it will be a place of worship for me."

He had total reliance on Allah (tawakkal) and Allah, in turn, guided him to see the blessing and opportunity in every situation he could face. 

So, if you are looking for better, look inside yourself. Emaan increases with obedience to Allah, as Allah says in Surat al Anfal, ayah 2:

"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned their hearts tremble with fear, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their emaan, and they put their reliance upon their Lord."

Life is what you make it, and so is your emaan, birr, and taqwa.

What happened to Mai in January 2013

Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa RahmatUllahi wa Barakatuh.

After a long silence, for which I apologise, I will share a little of what's been going on with me.

During December I was waddling around with a lot of extra weight on me, and went for Umrah where I remembered all of you dear readers in my dua' during tawwaf.  Alhamdul'Illah for us being brought together to strive for Allah's pleasure!

Then, by the overwhelming mercy and blessing of Allah, subhaana wa ta'ala, I gave birth to a baby boy on the 4th of January 2013. For those who know or have read previous posts, this pregnancy came completely naturally at the age of 47 after a series of 13 miscarriages and without any drugs, medical assistance, or intervention al hamdu l'Illah. Although it isn't a legal option here in Saudi Arabia, Allah blessed us with a home birth.


Although I am busier, tired, and have a full schedule to manage, I have had draft posts sitting around waiting to be edited and published for you, so stay tuned and please forgive the long hiatus.

Barak Allahu feekum!

Cookies!

Bism Ilah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

I wanted to give some yummy joy to you; a little decadence for those special occasions and for those who are catering to a serious sweet tooth. I'm a serious baker, so I take basic recipes and then make them into what I have in my mind. What you will find below is a basic recipe with all the variations I have tried so far. Some of them are nothing short of dangerous, but they bring amazing smiles and ooh's of joy and satisfaction, mashaa'Allah!

Basic cookie recipe:

1 cup butter softened

1.5 cups organic sugar

2 organic or at least hormone-free eggs
2.5 cups organic wholewheat pastry flour (or King Arthurs White Wholewheat, but regular wholewheat will work as well, but use 2.25 cups)

1/2 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt

6 ounces of chopped up chunks of good quality  chocolate bar (beware of the ingredients, as many contain vanilla extract but Lindt, Cadburys, and Hersheys do not mashaa'Allah).

or

cut up chunks of chocolate caramels or other chocolates of your choice from a box of chocolates.

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs. Add dry ingredients. Add chunks of yum.

Make nice balls and smush them down a bit on the baking trays.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

Now for the good stuff.

Milk Chocolate Cookies:

One fine day, I wanted a milk chocolate cookie. I knew the taste I wanted but didn't find a recipe. SO...I took the basic recipe, added

Add 1 teaspoon of organic vanilla (well it was a ground up vanilla bean, but you can use Trader Joe's alcohol free vanilla in glycerin base or the Frontier one or vanilla powder)

and substitute 1/4 cup organic cocoa for the same amount of flour.

Bake same at the basic recipe.

Now for the nutty stuff:

Peanut, Hazelnut, or Cashew Cookies:

I had some peanut cookies in Bahrain and also some cashew ones, and decided to make my own.

Take the basic recipe and add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and then after putting the dough balls on the tray,push down a bit and either stick the halved nuts well into the top of each cookie to cover it, or simply mix them into the dough and then smush down a bit to flatten.

Now for the truly irresistible:

The Peanut Butter Cup Cookie:

I found a recipe online that was quite good, but hard to manipulate. After a couple of times, I realized that the milk chocolate cookie dough would work better for the cookie. It is really excellent if you are a Reeses lover.

Use the Milk Chocolate Cookie recipe.

Make up some homemade or all natural peanut butter and use about 1/4 cup with 2 tablespoons of powdered organic sugar (I just stick regular sugar in the processor). If it isn't smooth enough to manipulate without crumbling, add a small amount of milk to make it smooth enough to roll into little balls.

Make a milk chocolate cookie dough ball of at least a tablespoon, make a big thumbprint in it and pop in the peanut butter ball. wrap the dough around to cover the peanut butter and flatten slightly on the baking tray.

I have also made these with the vanilla cookie dough (that I used for the nutty cookies) with the peanut butter inside - the brainy blond version, LOL.

These may need more time as they are thicker...perhaps 10-12 minutes but use your judgement.

These may be healthier than other versions, but they are not any less fattening. Just remember, Allah and His Messenger - salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam - love moderation in all things!

Barak Allahu feekum!

Healing Earth

Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Over the years, I have written about "My Dream of Sunnah Living," our plans to acquire land, and most recently in the "Mai in June" post, about the land we own (Healing Earth) and our plans for it. We have posted the following on the Madinah blog and the Facebook page, but I am also posting it here in the hopes it reaches a wider audience. It isn't easy seeking others who want to share a vision and truly strive for it, but if they are out there, then bi ithn Illah, we are making an effort to find them. Please pass this on, if you know of anyone who might seriously be interested. Barak Allahu feekum!

Healing Earth Wants You!

Are you looking for a peaceful place to live, work, and raise a family that adheres to the Da’wat us-Salafiyyah… where every day has purpose?  Join a progressive thinking, Islamic based, and service oriented organic farm/Islamic retreat as a steward of the land that lives on-site and works towards establishing the farm and retreat in Roy, New Mexico.

We are looking for a few families, who will be dedicated partners in the establishing of natural/off-the-grid buildings and the running of Healing Earth LLC as stewards of a 51 acre farm/retreat.  This position offers an extraordinary opportunity for those with a passion for permaculture, spiritual growth & practice, and environmental stewardship.

If you are looking for a different way to live and a chance to make a difference in the world, but don’t have the financial means to make it happen, let us help one another. Email us at: healingearth@ymail.com with your contact information, why you want to be a part of our project, and demographics of yourself, family, and Islamic practice.

To learn more about our vision, please visit: http://healingearthblog.blogspot.com/

Who Allah Guides...

BismIllah wa as salaamu alaykum wa RahmatUllahi wa Barakatuh.


Sometimes you will find that people around you do not encourage you to complete reliance and trust (tawakkal) in Allah. However, you may in yourself feel sure that if you act in obedience to Allah, avoiding or giving up something for His pleasure, that He will take care of you. People will say, "You'd better take that job even if they say you can't wear your hijaab/ perform salat/keep your beard." You might even hear people tell you to overlook working in a place that sells alcohol or pork, has music and movies playing, or makes money from gambling or taking interest (ribaa). The "logical" arguments and justifications are often along the lines of, "Otherwise, how will you pay your rent and feed the children?" You may have a voice inside you thinking, "If I stick to obedience to Allah, then He will give me another way that is Halal and pleasing to Him to pay my rent and feed my children." You may believe that Allah will provide you with much better than what you give up for His sake, including halal income. However, there is usually contingent who will say you are being naive, or even foolish.

Which of these viewpoints will win in your mind and heart? When faced with the two roads, which one is walking on stable ground and which is a paved with quicksand? Well, the ones who said you should compromise your Islaam for worldly security would say that you were being responsible by taking that job. However, Allah tells us that the only security lies in obedience to, and total reliance on Him. It is in total obedience to your Creator - Allah: The Provider, The Sustainer, The Just, that you walk the secure path, paved with solid, stable ground. That is the responsible and guided decision. I'm sure you will find examples of this all around you, both in your own life and in the lives of others, where Allah proves His Truth. Please do share some of your inspiring true stories with us, inshaa'Allah.

I have faced many of these situations over the course of my life, and especially during the 24 years I have been a Muslimah, and what I have found is that the real truth lies in Allah's words:

"Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them our of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to the Straight Way"  

[Surah Ma'idah, ayah16]

and the words of our beloved Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, in the oft repeated Khutbah Haajah:

"Who Allah guides, none can misguide and who He misguides, none can guide. 

May we be of those who Allah always Guides to His Siraat al Mustaqeem.

Fa ayna tath-haboon?

Bism Illah wa as salaamu alaykum wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh.

How many of you know about tawheed and shirk, have perhaps studied Kitaab at-Tawheed, Usool ath-Thalaathah, Qawaa'id al-Arbaa, Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Sahih Muslim, Qur'aan with tafseer from Ibn Katheer or As-Sa'adi, Usoolul Fiqh, Fiqh, seerah, and other basic sciences or foundational Islamic texts? While some of you may say no, others will have studied at least some, and there will be some of you who have studied them all, and more, mashaa'Allah. However, even with the correct aqeedah, understanding, and knowledge, everyone needs to look at their road map of life. "Fa ayna tath-haboon?"[Surat at-Takweer, ayah 26] (Where are you going?) So much knowledge, and yet what are you doing? How do you justify your time? How to you justify your actions? No, not to yourself, to Allah. We are put on this earth for one thing - to worship Allah alone. "Wa maa khalaqtu al jinna wal insaa illa liya'budoon." [Surat adh-Dhariyyaat - ayah 56] (I have not created all of mankind and the jinn except to worship Me.)

Sometimes we cruise along life's journey, making all manner of detours, stops, and pleasure tours along with way, but are those stops beneficial for our aakhirah? It is so easy to start out the journey with good intentions, a detailed trip itinerary filled with benefit and with the intention and purpose to please and obey Allah, but our own desires (with the help of shaytaan, our arch enemy) get the better of us. We seek happiness, pleasure, and relaxation in following our desires, but the One Who knows us best, Who designed us and perfected our life map, tells us, "Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." Not just in prayer or the Qur'aan, do hearts find rest, but all remembrance, because when you remember Allah in all aspects of your life and actions, you make choices with Him in mind. It's a part of taqwa. When your choices are made with Allah at the forefront of your mind, they are better ones, and your heart can feel at ease with your decisions and actions. So, remembrance of Allah might change your window shopping at the mall (and remember that the market is the most disliked place by Allah) to a walk out in nature, reflecting on and basking in the beauty that Allah has gifted us with on this Earth. It can change from hours on playstation to a a mind-stretching game for the whole family about what's mubah, makrooh, or mustahhab, exercising your bodies, or learning a new craft or skill. Allah will open your mind and horizons when you put Him in His rightful place - first and foremost.

It is always time for some honest soul-searching, inspection of our usage of time and productivity, active correction, fine tuning, and maintenance. If you lack strength or willpower, beg Allah for it and set up road blocks for yourself so that you cannot fall into the traps you usually succumb to. If you lack discipline, consider your agreements to be with Allah, rather than yourself, and try to make others more involved and reliant on your participation, so that you meet your goals and fulfill your promises. Seek solutions from Allah and strive!

Allah gives us a conscience; we know what is right and wrong. We know what meets His approval and what we would rather hide from the world. If you are driving somewhere and you find yourself on the wrong road, you check your map or GPS system and you turn around. That's what you need to do in life. Look at the road and see where you are going. If it isn't the straight road, the Siraatul Mustaqeem, along which you obey and please Allah, then stop in your tracks, reassess, and change direction...before it's too late.

May Allah guide us all to obedience and what He loves, and keep us firmly on His Straight Path - ameen.