tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-302172642011-07-29T05:50:38.216+08:00"When reason reaches its peak and the souls of His lovers feel helpless and disabled, they grow restless and stretch their hands in supplication, seeking comfort for their burning souls. When every manner of search within their power has been consumed, the doorway to Him is opened." -Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-88673834409443063092011-03-12T17:47:00.002+08:002011-03-12T17:50:40.352+08:00

Salman and SalmanFor different reasons, I find them both inspiring. Salman al Farsi first, and now Salman Khan.

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-82138007781885588992010-09-30T09:44:00.000+08:002010-09-30T09:51:57.220+08:00

People often say that converts/reverts are “better Muslims”. Do you find that your convert friends are more pious than your friends who were raised by Muslim parents? You might find that they know more about Islam than nationals of Muslim majority countries. You may even find that they have greater knowledge of the history of Islam, the fundamental principles, and stronger faith which

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-91771326413514369002010-04-01T11:33:00.000+08:002010-04-01T11:34:55.151+08:00

Last night I opened an email from a friend whose subject line read “Grand Opening of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai”. It started with a hadith which I scanned quickly, rushing to see the pictures. I have an interest in architecture and I wondered if the design might be unique but I became increasingly disgusted as I scrolled threw themThe first shot reminded me of a structure I’d expect to find in the

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-87490309451706409982009-08-31T23:13:00.002+08:002009-08-31T23:18:47.191+08:00

This look is familiar.When I do it they say it’s oppression but when they do it’s protection.

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-83809645093257482882009-08-29T12:34:00.000+08:002009-08-29T12:57:19.228+08:00

I’m a new niqabi and its ironic that I started wearing the veil right round the time folks started donning masks to protect against H1N1, a.k.a. swine flu. There are two types of masks: surgical masks are designed to keep your germs in, while N95 respirators are designed to keep germs out. So, if you want to ward off the virus by wearing a mask, you would wear the N95 type.According to William

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-50032899012435221102009-08-29T12:06:00.001+08:002009-08-29T12:17:46.677+08:00

Please forgive me. I forgot to acknowledge the cartoonist from yesterday’s post. It’s Saudi Gazette’s own “Shaf”. Click here and browse through previous Ma’alish by Shaf cartoons.

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-1671204071597884332009-08-28T07:49:00.003+08:002009-08-28T08:08:32.888+08:00

“and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)” [al-A’raaf 7:31]From the first time I observed Ramadan, I had no idea of its history and great blessings.The only thing I knew was that going without food made me appreciate food and other aspects of life in a way I never had. Some people are not in touch with their

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-85358824155842859952009-04-08T20:07:00.000+08:002009-04-08T20:08:25.251+08:00

If you were running for your life, would you seek refuge in a place where the evil gather?

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-12548435529584585262009-01-11T04:35:00.000+08:002009-01-11T04:36:44.723+08:00

Growing up in suburban New York, I made lots of Jewish friends. I enjoyed eating matzos with cream cheese at my Jewish piano teacher's home and I once enjoyed a Passover seder at the home of a South American Jewish friend when I was in college. Even after becoming a Muslim, I got on well with Jewish colleagues while working for the US's largest public housing agency. In fact one of my

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-22992769740883168982009-01-10T13:08:00.003+08:002009-01-10T13:20:12.444+08:00

When there is a shortage of electricity and you are under attack, what choices must you make?You are wanted in Bangsar January 18th.Here's what COMPLETE is doing on the 18th. Please join us and bring your friends.

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-65949406747773220982009-01-09T16:59:00.001+08:002009-01-09T17:58:35.896+08:00

From South American head of state to an American congressman, from George the British parliamentarian to George the writer/educator/humanitarian,Round the globe people are forming a unified voice of protest, A voice of outrageFor this crisis in Palestine that just will not dieAfter gaining a true understanding of the history of this struggle, how could anyone sit silently? What can each of us do

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-61418187647612378812009-01-09T12:46:00.003+08:002009-01-09T13:01:33.275+08:00

All Jews are not ZionistsTwo hours after the shelling of the school in Jebaliyah, in which 40 refuge-seekers, including entire families, were murdered, an Arab-Jewish protest against the war took place in Jaffa. It was one of the many demonstrations against the war which take place practically every day now throughout Israel.VisitJews Against the OccupationJews for Justice for Palestinians

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-10716159418121738482009-01-09T12:29:00.001+08:002009-01-09T12:42:20.630+08:00

A group of concerned people have formed Coalition of Malaysian NGOs Against Persecution of Palestinians and will be launching a ' Save the Palestinians' campaign on the 18th of January. They are also known as COMPLETE. Check out their website to find out about actions people are taking in the Kuala Lumpur area.http://completemalaysia.blogspot.com/

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-39176279722144052412009-01-09T12:15:00.004+08:002009-01-09T12:23:23.525+08:00

Who was killed in Gaza violence From December 27, 2008 – January 8, 2009?While the media report Israeli violence as retaliatory, the fact is thatin every cycle of violence Palestinians are killed first and in fargreater numbers. In the uprising that began in fall of 2000, 140Palestinians were killed before a single Israeli was killed in Israel; 82Palestinian children were killed before a single

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-1117750937097416252009-01-08T21:02:00.000+08:002009-01-08T21:33:14.647+08:00

For those who say "enough is enough" there are plenty of ways to get involved in the fight to help the people of Palestine. What's happening this weekend in Northeastern USA?Friday, January 9, 2009Al-Farouq Mosque @ 1pmAtlantic Ave. & 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NYMarch to Brooklyn Borough President's Office209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201Trains: 2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall, Bklyn************ *******

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-90901547033419143032008-08-11T10:50:00.000+08:002008-08-11T11:03:29.320+08:00

He taught the world of the great loss of his peopleand now we’ve lost him.Be it in Arabic, English or the many other languages it has been translated into, Through his poetry, his life’s work continues.EnglishArabic

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-26534452930149686012007-08-13T00:00:00.000+08:002007-08-13T00:03:48.949+08:00

This excerpt of a blogpost by Sister On a Mission shows us the metaphor in our communal prayer.“There is wisdom and a primer for society in the way the prayers are performed. Men in front, protecting, serving and leading their families and communities. Women bringing up the rear - disciplining, nurturing and teaching the children, making sure they don't fall out of line or out of love in the

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-754042992399468522007-08-12T23:53:00.000+08:002007-08-12T23:57:46.474+08:00

In reference to him not publicly speaking about his choice to be a Muslim, comedian Dave Chapelle said… “…..I don't want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing” (Time Magazine interview May 2005)

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-16350842326802865432007-08-07T11:23:00.000+08:002007-08-07T11:27:38.719+08:00

While reading up on linguistics, I happened to come across an interesting article written by a Muslim linguist, Dr. Omar Afzal. The article is entitled “Rethinking America's Muslim Youth” but I believe that the article is relevant beyond the United States. I have seen evidence that the same ills which afflict American Muslim youth are also a significant threat in South Asia. After all, they

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-78471734221179090142007-08-02T08:43:00.000+08:002007-08-02T11:23:07.183+08:00

Oops! I said I’d introduce you to them in the order in which I met them, didn’t I? Well, I actually met Zabrina second. Keeping me company while I waited for Zabrina to come back to her booth from the launch was:NORMAI can’t quite remember how we first met online. I had read about her book and later invited her to be a guest speaker at one of my writing workshops. Of the three Writeous

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-44932763716741240672007-08-02T05:27:00.000+08:002007-08-02T08:30:02.190+08:00

I can’t tell you about the conference (including Brother Yusuf Estes- former Christian Minister, William Rodriguez –last man out of WTC on September 11 th, and Annie Machon –former secret agent), but I can tell you about 3 Malaysian Muslimahs that I had the pleasure of meeting at the exhibitions. As promised, let me introduce you to them.ZABRINASmall WorldI often surf the net for

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-7132275640899769332007-07-31T13:09:00.000+08:002007-08-02T05:26:55.930+08:00

This past weekend I attended the International Islamic Fair in Kuala Lumpur. I’m not sure just how international the entire fair was because I could only afford to visit the exhibitions. The conference fee was over my budget. Maybe next year, inshallah. In any case, the fair was worth the LRT and taxi fares for me because I did have the opportunity to find out about a few products:• Kuih

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-86786612149371333992007-07-26T11:38:00.000+08:002007-08-04T00:45:09.805+08:00

Living in South Asia for the past four years, having the opportunity to hear a live khutbah has been quite rare. I can take a ten minute taxi ride to the nearby international Islamic university to catch an English khutbah but it just doesn’t do for me what the old masjid taqwa khutbas did. When Imam Siraj wasn’t in town, there was another brother to hold up the fort.He’s got a few lectures

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-31119859389092662742007-07-16T03:24:00.000+08:002007-07-16T04:44:09.621+08:00

Da’wahWhether you are the only Muslim in your family in a society where you often come into contact with non-Muslims, if you truly believe in the beauty of Islam, how can you go without inviting others to this way of life? How can you call yourself a true servant of Allah if you don’t love mankind enough to want for them what you have been blessed to have for yourself?Where do you stand on the

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-75791743629783047982007-06-09T09:03:00.000+08:002007-07-16T04:53:44.290+08:00

Have you ever used these words or phrases in written communication? ALAYHIS SALAM AMEEN- ASSALAMU ALAYKUM ZIKR ASTAGFURALLAH AUDHU BILLAHI MIN ASH SHAYTAN AR RAJIMWould you have chosen the exact same spelling? Perhaps not. Does spelling matter?Just like any other group in history, Muslims are diverse. That is one of Allah’s blessings. However, we often allow that diversity to block our

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-18282835056589694082007-06-09T09:01:00.000+08:002007-07-16T05:09:59.131+08:00

As a follow up, I wrote to Alison Weir to see whether her organisation had contacted Oprah. Ms. Weir replied thatIf Americans Only Knew is sending her a cover note and their DVD with "The Easiest Targets" and our other videos on it http://www.ifamericansknew.org/about_us/videos.htmlShe further stated that they planned to “make a follow-up call to ask if she's watched it, and to urge her to visit

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-66854380462959270432007-05-27T08:43:00.000+08:002007-07-16T05:15:25.455+08:00

This is a really rushed post so forgive me:Last year, Elie Wiesel traveled to Auschwitz with Oprah Winfrey, a visit which was broadcast as part of The Oprah Winfrey Show on May 24, 2006.This week, Oprah accepted Wiesel’s invitation to come to the land “where the major war against terror is currently taking place”. Winfrey was honored by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity for her advocacy

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-67945418339914809802007-05-21T16:30:00.000+08:002007-05-23T16:37:23.843+08:00

“Baby Emilio” was on a respirator for six months, suffering from a progressive illness which destroys brain functions. Though his doctors saw no hope of recovery, he smiled and turned his head when he heard voice. These were signs of life to his mother, a life she could not let go of.Soon she found herself in a legal battle with the hospital. She fought to continue his medical care. Her

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-22505011497193033902007-05-21T10:27:00.000+08:002007-05-23T16:39:23.856+08:00

It was truly a long day yesterday…I met people I was surely destined to meetI had conversations I was destined to have, to express feelings I needed to share to obtain valuable adviceThen Allah sent me solutions to two very urgent ridiculous problems,Through two kind souls Allah solved those two problems, just in the nick of time.I went to bed too sleepy to really take it all inbut thankful for

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-21146382139168565142007-05-13T19:08:00.000+08:002007-05-13T19:33:33.449+08:00

Ever get the feeling that your prayers are not being answered?Of course, you can’t equate making dua with ordering fries at McDonalds. For some, people it feels more like…sending a letter to Santa Claus. You know, the way kids do. They actually address and mail letters. (I wonder what the post office does with them. My daughter says that she read once that the postal service simply shreds

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-53053459406285366182007-05-08T06:33:00.000+08:002007-06-01T14:38:21.982+08:00

I’ve got mixed feelings about the scale and type of “development” that has occurred in the birthplace of our prophet (sal allahu aleihi wa salaam), butwhen I heard of the death of our brother who was responsible for much of that development, my only thought was ‘May Allah have Mercy Upon Him’.

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-10544967814432831312007-05-01T08:14:00.000+08:002007-05-08T07:30:41.548+08:00

“…The Islamic revival has taken many forms, from Hezbollah in the Lebanon to Bhumiputra in Malaysia. Most of it is a peaceful and genuine search for a new balance between religion and secularization, between local traditions and the ongoing march of globalization.”Two polish filmmakers ask:“What inspires the Osama’s of this world? What drives people to fight against (the) Western world with the

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-59796623360111362352007-04-17T08:49:00.000+08:002007-05-23T12:33:39.799+08:00

Tears fell from my eyes as I read a weblog post from a grieving wife, this morning। I rushed to post a comment, only to find that she is no longer accepting them. He didn’t die in a traffic accident, or succumb to cancer, but she is “mourning” his loss. Surely Allah has helped her cope with this trial and in this post we find her reminiscing about him as a husband, as a father, as a friend. I

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-86289064386716737952007-03-06T22:40:00.000+08:002007-04-06T08:00:44.946+08:00

I'm expecting to have a bit more free time in the very near future.....planning a change of lifestyle actually. Inshallah it will come to fruition and then I will be able to begin the studies I have longed to start; Arabic and Islamic history and more.One of the things that I have been curious to know more about is how the people of Madina lived together. I want to know this so that I can think

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-69178614351478489092007-02-17T02:16:00.001+08:002007-02-26T10:58:19.110+08:00

A salaamu aleikum,Hoping you and your family are all well. I'm still trying to bounce back from having an article printed about me that misrepresented me (Utusan's Muharram/hijra pullout cover article) but after reading about another woman's story, I think my situation was NOTHING!For therapeutic and other reasons, I want to write about my "brush with the Malaysian media", but before I do I am

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-55407772299283257412007-02-17T00:08:00.000+08:002007-04-05T23:30:40.998+08:00

A salaamu aleikum :-)When was the last time you read a magazine written for Muslims? Even if you haven't read one recently, how many can you name? (I don't like to call them Muslim Magazines because only people can be Muslims).Here's a list of magazines which I hope you will take a look at. Some, you may find at your local newstand. Some you may have to order through their websites, while

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-20900713796024015742007-01-28T07:29:00.000+08:002007-01-28T08:36:49.233+08:00

A salaamu aleikum,For those who responded to my last post, either by sms or email, I'd like to let you know that I've got quite a bit to read now. I have collected the following texts so far: The History of the Karbala by Abu AmmarThe Tragedy of Karbala by Dr. Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Defence Against Disaster by Qadi Abu Bakir (translated by Aisha Bewley) The plan: read them all then

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-15197194504832006962007-01-27T07:04:00.000+08:002007-01-27T08:03:34.319+08:00

A salaamu aleikum,For the past month I have been wanting to tell the story of Ashura in my Sunday school class. Unfortunately I have not been able to find one that is based on the teachings of Sunni scholars and historians. By the time you read this, Ashura will probably have come and gone, too late to tell the kids the story in a timely manner. However, I'd still appreciate any

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-19767660483475756262007-01-11T02:28:00.000+08:002007-04-06T08:26:25.641+08:00

I stopped shaking altogether about five years ago.For the most part, I believe the nodding of my head and smiling has not been taken as offensive. Some men (muslim and non-muslim) have taken a while to pull their hands back, time standing still while they come to the realisation that I don't wish to make that kind of contact. Perhaps some have walked away thinking me to be an extremist, but I

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-12407678318687944402006-12-20T23:34:00.000+08:002006-12-21T01:27:55.860+08:00

Dhul-Hijjah is approaching fast!What will you do during the first ten days of this special month? We all know that there are many Muslims who will make hajj this year. Perhaps someone we know is on their way now. But, how can we show spiritual solidarity with the pilgrims?Inshallah I'm going to sit together with my eldest kids and make plans for the ten days ahead.As I am learning and growing

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30217264.post-1151230919076125802006-06-25T18:19:00.000+08:002006-06-25T18:21:59.076+08:00

You've read thousands of books of knowledgeBut have you ever read your Soul? You visit temples and mosques aboundBut have you ever visited the depths of your Heart?You go around fighting against SatanBut have you ever tried fighting against your Self?(these verses are attributed to 17th century Punjabi sufi poet, Bulleh Shah)

ummahzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11475185318741240394noreply@blogger.com0