Nagat's message on Farhana's passing

Assalamu alaikum.

The hadith that I am sharing is one that I heard during a class that I took back in June. Subhanallah I found it quite insightful and meaningful.

The Prophet (saw) was sitting with four of his companions (ra) -- Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali. The topic of discussion was what three things each loved most in this world. The Prophet (saw) answered first. His three were perfume, women, and prayer. Then he asked this same question of each of the companions. This is what they picked.

Abu Bakr: Looking at the Prophet's face (saw), making salawat on the Prophet (saw), and giving money to charity

Omar: Advising people, stopping wrongdoing, and saying the truth even if it's hard

Othman: Cooking and giving people food, saying salaam to others, and making the night prayer when everyone is asleep

Ali: Fasting in summer, taking care of guests, and using the sword to defend the Prophet (saw)

Then Jibril came to the Prophet (saw) and revealed the three things that he loved most. They were coming with the message to the world, coming to the Prophet (saw), and saying "alhamdulillah."

Finally, Jibril told the Prophet this. "Allah sends you salaams and to the sahaba. Allah loves these three things: a tongue always in dhikr, a heart that's grateful, and a body that's tested but patient."

What would we give to encompass just ONE of the qualities that Allah finds worthy of His love? What a great reward! And if we could be lucky enough to attain all three ... we can't even imagine the delights that await!! Subhanallah, looking over the list, it would seem as if Farhana is one of the ones who can achieve this title of "beloved."

Until the end, Farhana's tongue was always in dhikr. She urged people to recite and recite and recite. Even when her strength wasn't very strong during these last few days, she'd hold her tasbeeh beads and slowly turn one bead at a time. I can't even imagine how much strength that took from her.

And her body was definitely tested, but she remained so patient and calm. During this last year I never once heard her complain. Not once. After all the pricks and pain she had to endure, she just took it. I got a LITTLE cut on my finger tonight, and I was ready to be a baby about it. But not Farhana. I think it was during Ramadan that I was sitting with her one day and the tumor must have already been exerting pressure on her and making her tired. She didn't complain. Instead, so sweetly she said something like "May I go to sleep now?" or "I'm just going to close my eyes for a while, OK?" As if she needed to ask me for permission or was worried that I might be offended. Subhanallah.

And throughout it all she remained grateful to both Allah and those around her. She was thankful for the progress that she made during her physical therapy like walking again and being able to dress herself. She was thankful for her family who took care of her and hated to think that she was an inconvenience to them in any way. She was grateful for all the prayers that she received and how much they helped her during her struggle. She loved hearing that people all over the world were remembering her and making du'a for her.

May these three qualities endear her to Allah and allow Him to shower her with His love and reward her accordingly. And may we all strive to achieve the same. As Auntie Rabia said today we need to look at Farhana and learn a lesson. We need to realize just how short life is and how un-important all this daily stuff is that we get caught up with. Only our relationship with Allah is what is important. May we always remember Farhana in our du'as and take this lesson to heart. Ameen!

-- Nagat

The passing of our sister Farhana

Bismillah

Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullah

As many may know, my cousin Farhana passed away last night after a 16 month battle with a brain tumor (in reality she was more to me than an older sister..) . She passed away peacefully last night at around 8 pm with close family around her. We ask each of you to please pray for her and the family and to ask Allah (swt) to make things easy and full of khayr.

-Shamira

In my cousin Ismail's words:

Our beloved sister, Farhana passed away earlier this evening (Wed., October 21st) at 7:45 pm PST. Everyone here is sad and heavy of heart. May Allah grant her Jannah – she looks so peaceful and bright with Noor.

Uncle Moosa, Aunty Rabia and Aabid are very strong and may Allah grant them sabr. The whole family is here and it’s wonderful to see the unity, love and support that our family has displayed through this trying time. May our bonds strengthen even further, InshaAllah.

In my cousin Na'eel's words:

Assalaam alaykum wa rahmatullah,

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Certainly, we are from Allah and to Him we return.

After a long year of struggle, my dear cousin Farhana passed away at 7:45 PST at home in California with all her loved ones beside her. One of my beloved aunts described her last moments in this world by likening the exit of her ruh/soul to a silk thread being drawn out of a delicate flower. may Allah make that moment for us as easy as Farhana's. As Muslims, we joyously celebrate the occurrence of a beautiful death for it heralds eternal bliss. Farhana's transition between the temporal and eternal is the transplantation of a flower from a garden to the Garden.

Her short life gave her enough time to exemplify the sincerity and simplicity one can live one's live with. As she lost function of various faculties, (movement, sight and then speaking), she used what remained to bring the way of the Prophet into her life. In fact, for the past week, as she lay on her bed immobile, she used the only hand she had left to use - her right - to make dhikr/remembrance on the tasbeeh/rosary and use the miswak/toothstick. All she wanted us to recite was Ya Salamu(Oh Peace referring to Allah) and Surah Yaseen. In this world, she called with Ya Salaamu with her last breath; now she is with al-Salam. She knew where she was going and wanted to leave in the most excellent way. Ameen. Where are we? Subhanallah.

Hadith
The last thing the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) did before his death (according to Aisha): “He lay down in my lap, brushed his teeth harder than he had ever done before ”, then his eyes were fixed and he was saying “Nay, the Companion on high from paradise.” I said to myself “You were given the choice and you have chosen, by Him who sent you with the Truth.” Then, he passed away.” (Bukhari)

The passing of loved ones occasions both mourning and remembrance of what awaits us all.

If I could suggest a concrete step after reading this email, purchase Imam Ghazali's Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife and read it annually .Familiarizing yourself with death is not a morbid exercise in our Tradition; rather, its frequent remembrance will serve to make its reality the context in which we live and act.

In these moments, it is painfully obvious how we have no control over life and death. When we are reminded over who is actually in control, we must chase those opportunities to take control of what we actually can - our intention. At the end of the day and life, it is our state of being and not our actions that we die upon. Never underestimate your intention for the niyya is removed from time. That is why dying upon an intention other than worshiping the One and Only can earn perpetual punishment. may Allah save us from this end! On the other hand, leaving this world with a pious intention can facilitate eternal reward.

In this light, we have only control of our intentions and the moments ahead. The Sufi is called "ibnul waqt", the "child of the moment." Years and lifetimes are not guaranteed; neither are days, weeks, or hours. In a manner of speaking, we are guaranteed the here and now and can control what we do in that span of time. Farhana lived her life with this in mind. She took care of people and made us all smile when we were with her. She was a devoted wife, sister, daughter, and friend.


This is the legacy Farhana leaves for us - fulfilling the rights she owed to others and never expecting anything in return.. She was always described as "down-to-earth" and "sensible", always making others more important than herself. She did so because Allah gifted her, as he does with His most beloved servants, with a keen sense of what actually matters in life – and at the end of life. We thank Allah for each and every moment of Farhana's company he mercifully gave to us. We pray that he increase our resolve to adopt lifestyles like hers whose Qibla was the Aakhira. We pray that he reunite us in the highest station of Jannatul Firdaus!

Ameen!

Na'eel


PS. So often in life, we never thank those around us for being who they are. When was the last time you thanked your mother without expecting something in return?

Take this opportunity to let your grandparents, your parents, your siblings, your cousins, and your friends know how much you appreciate them. And actually call them. Email and the internet only build upon real human connections so establish those regularly first!

Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi passes

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Illayhi Raji'un.

The Eminent Syrian Scholar, Sheikh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi has left this world.

And we are at a loss with his departure.

He leaves a great legacy for anyone who aspires to study the Qur'an and generations of men, women and children who carry his chain back to our Liege Lord Muhammad, Peace and Blessings be upon Him.

May Allah bestow His grace upon us that we reach the states of the awliyaa', who when they pass from this world, the earth itself mourns their death.

Pray for us and for him, and that we might be with him in the hereafter.

Ameen. Wa biLlahi Tawfiq.

Ramadan Resources

A number of talks preparing one for a spiritually uplifting Ramadan:

Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar:

http://sacredlearning.org/classrooms/ramadan/index.htm

Fiqh of Fasting

1a. All of your Hanafi fiqh questions answered-- by Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf

http://www.zamzamacademy.com/audio.php?audioDir=lessons/al-sawm/

1b. Ramadan Fiqh by - Imam Tahir. Part 1 - Part 2

2. What do we do in Ramadan? Shaykh Nuh. A short and sweet reminder
http://www.halaltube.com/podpress_trac/web/345/0/nuh-ha-meem-keller-ramadan-halaltubecom.mp3

3. Ramadan - Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad
http://www.halaltube.com/abdul-hakim-murad-ramadan

4. Taraweeh - 8 or 20? Shaykh Riyad ul Haq
http://hamzajennings.com//wp-content/downloads/mp3/Taraweeh%208%20or%2020.mp3

5. Moonsighting - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
http://www.halaltube.com/moon-sighting

6. Ramadan Advice - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
http://www.halaltube.com/ramadan-advice

7. Ramadan and Charity - Imam Zaid Shakir
http://www.halaltube.com/ramadan-and-charity

8. Lectures (19 total lectuers) by Imam Zaid Shakir entitled The Blessings of Ramadan
http://www.zaytuna.org/multimedia.asp?speaker=3

9. The Virtues of Standing in Prayer in the Month of Ramadan - Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
http://media.libsyn.com/media/seekersguidance/Understanding_Virtue_-_020-21_-_Virtues_of_Standing_in_Prayer_in_Ramadan.MP3

The Sacred Month of Rajab!!

According to crescentwatch.org, the new moon of Rajab should be seen tonite. This is one of the 5 special nights where dua'a is not rejected, according to the Prophet (saw) (see below)....Please include my family and me in your dua'as insha'Allah.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين
و صلى الله على سيدنا محمد و على آله وصحبه وسلم تسليما كثيرا

THE RAJAB LETTER
by Amjad Tarsin

This is an excerpt from the book Kanz Al-Najah wa As-Suroor ("The Treasures of Success and Happiness"), a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. As the blessed and holy month of Rajab approaches (please check your local sightings or mosques to know when the month of Rajab begins in your area - http://www.crescentwatch.org/cgi-bin/Cw/cw.cgi ), hopefully this information will be of use in allowing us all to appreciate it and benefit from it:

[Please also read Mufti Taqi Usmani's article on the month of Rajab: http://albalagh.net/general/rajab.shtml]

So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time! Whoever is spiritually sick due to their sins - know that the medicine has come.

• Muslims should remember the important events that took place in the history of Islam during this month, such as the Night Journey and Ascension, the Battle of Tabuk, and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the crusaders at the hands of Salah Ad-Din Al-Ayubi (AH 538).

• Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (the four months are : Rajab, Dhul Qi'da, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram):

{إن عدة الشهور عند الله اثنا عشر شهرا في كتاب الله يوم خلق السموت والارض منها اربعة حرم}

(التوبة: 36)

{The number of months is twelve according to God, in the decree of God, on the day God created the heavens and the earth; and four of them are sacred} (9:36)

• Observing voluntary fasting in the four sacred months, including Rajab, is recommended. (Fasting is permissible and recommended in Rajab as long as one believes that there is no extra reward for fasting in this month. Please click here.)

• Also, making du'a during the eve of the first of Rajab is highly recommended. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, "There are five nights in which du'a (supplication) is not rejected: the eve of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha'aban, the eve of Friday, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the eve of Eid Al-Adha." [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami'].

• Rajab is Allah's month in which He pours His Mercy upon the penitent and He accepts the actions that people have done for His sake. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, "Rajab is the month of Allah, and Sha'aban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah." (Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami).

• Scholars say: Rajab is the month of repentance (istighfar), and Sha'aban is the month of sending peace and mercy (salawat/durood shareef) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Qur'an.


• One highly recommended act to do is say 70 times after the Fajr and 'Isha prayers every morning and night of Rajab:
  
  
  "اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني وتب عليَّ"
  
  
  Transliteration: "Allahuma ighfir li wa Arhamni wa tub 'alayya."
  
  Translation: Oh Allah forgive me, have mercy upon me, and grant me repentance.


• Sayyidna 'Ali, may Allah be well pleased with him, used to allocate extra amounts of time for worship on four nights - the first night of Rajab, the nights before the two Eids, and the 15th night of Sha'aban.


• It is also highly recommended to say the following Prophetic prayer (known as Sayyid Al-Istighfar or the Master of Repentance) 3 times every morning and every evening in Rajab:
  
  
  اللهم أنت ربي، لا اله الا أنت خلقتني وأنا عبدك، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليَّ وأبوء يذنبي فاغفر لي فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب الا أنت
  
  
  Transliteration: Allahuma anta rabi la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'adika ma astata'at, 'authu bika min shar ma san'at, abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'allaya wa abu'u bi dhanbi, faqhfir li fa'innahu la yaghfir al-dhunub ila anta.
  
  Translation: O Allah, you are my Lord, and there is no god but you. You created me and I am your servant, and I am upon the convenant to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in you from the evil I have brought upon myself. I admit all the blessings you have given me and I admit my sins, so forgive me, for no one can forgive sins save You.
  
  
  And success is from Allah!

Gift of Pregnancy & Motherhood::Garden Grove, CA!

A must attend for all sisters!! (Mothers and Future Mothers-to-be!!)


The Gift of Pregnancy & Motherhood:
An Amazing Opportunity to Get Closer to Allah (s.w.t)!!

with Ustadha Sajeda Patel
& Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed (moderator)

Date: Saturday, May 30th

Location: Masjid Al-Rahman (ISOC)

1 Al-Rahman Plaza, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Multi-Purpose Room

Schedule: 10:30-10:45am Registration

10:45-1:00pm Inspiring Talk!

12 Noon: Refreshment break

Please be on time!

Sisters ONLY.

Please spread the word!!

Sisters' Event:: Garden Grove, CA!

Pre-register today!!

A must-attend event that you won't regret--
Less than 2 weeks left to have your love & knowledge of the Mothers of the Believers increase insha'Allah!

Pre-register today!!

******************************

The Rahmah Foundation is pleased to present:

2 Day Sisters' Only Program!!

Sat, June 6-Sun, June 7

10am-5:30pm

Embodying the Sunnah:

A Sister's Guide to Inspiration
With Ustadha Shamira & Ustadha Eiman Sidky
ISOC (Garden Grove Masjid). 9752 13th Street, Garden Grove, CA.

Registration Fee: $20 by June 5. At the door: $25.

PLEASE reserve tickets beforehand via website:
www.lilmuslim.com/rahmah-tickets.html
or contact: roohenaz@gmail.com

Lunch will be available onsite. Refreshments will be provided.

Sorry, no babysitting services provided.

Special Guest Lecturer: Ustadha Eiman Sidky

Ustadha Eiman was an Islamic Studies and Quran Teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia from 1985 through 2002. She is also in active dawah for the past 15 years in different mosques and countries around the world. Ustadha Eiman has studied with Shaykh al-Habib Umar and the Habaib in Tarim. She has taught Seerah classes both the U.S. and in Egypt. She is loved by all those who meet her and has an amazing way of instilling the love of prophet, Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam, in the hearts.


Student Testimonials of Ustadha Eiman's programs:

"a really tite program for sisters! don't miss out!! ustahda eman is AWESOME!!!!"

"All of the teachers are, mashallah, amazing in their own right and i can say that from being around them before. But i specifically wanted to recommend Ustadah Eiman Sidky. I had attended her class on the seera of the prophet Mohammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam and subhan allah, i have never had seera in that manner. It is as if she has been there and is narrating what she has just experienced. I think i don't even have the words to describe the way she brings the blessed seera. You just have to attend it to experience it."

"...I am not kidding you when i repeat what everyone else has already said --- she makes the stories of the prophets, sahabah, awliya come alive in a way i've never witnessed before. i felt like i was watching a movie."

Sisters' Talk in Glendale Heights, IL

Returning to Allah: Mercy & Forgiveness and Balancing between Hope & Fear

A sisters-only event taught by:

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 6:30PM @
MSI
1758 Bloomingdale Road
Glendale Heights, IL
Sisters Prayer Hall

Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Talk

Living Between Hope and Fear

Reflections on Death & The Afterlife

with Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed

Saturday, May 9

ICIE (Rancho Masjid), Multi-Purpose Room

9212 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Schedule: 10-10:30am Registration

10:30-1:00pm Talk

Noon: Refreshment break

Please be on time

Sisters ONLY. No babysitting provided.

Please spread the word!

Living Between Hope & Fear:

Fear makes us careful in avoiding sin, while hope makes us diligent to follow after righteousness and is a motivator to do good.

The Almighty says, "Your Lord is swift in retribution, and He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (7:167); The Seal of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, said "The Garden (al-Jannah) is nearer to you than your own sandal strap and it is the same with the Fire." (Bukhari)

In this motivating talk Ustadha Shamira will discuss the reality of trusting in Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful's) Mercy, yet at the same time fearing His punishment. The eternal abodes of Heaven and Hell and the stages of death will be narratively illustrated, and the diametrically opposite qualities of hope and fear in God will be discussed. Practical applications will be shared in order to create a balanced outlook on life, and emphasis laid on the importance of striving for the Eternal Pleasure of God the Almighty.

Ustadha Shamira Sisters-Only Weekend Intensive, New York!

March 29, 2009

Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

Insha’Allah this Friday, April 3rd, SBU MSA is blessed to have Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed come for a 3-day intensive!

On Friday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM, Ustadha Shamira will be lecturing on “A Beautiful Balance: balancing between hope, fear, knowledge, and action” at Masjid Hamza in Valley Stream, NY. Insha’Allah refreshments will be served. Be sure to register here to attend!

Insha’Allah on Saturday and Sunday, April 2nd - 3rd from 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Ustadha Shamira will be giving a 2-day intensive on “Balancing Between Hope and Fear" And "Living the Sunnah & Loving the Prophet (SAW)” at ICLI Masjid in Westbury, NY! Breakfast and registration is at 10 AM, and Lunch will be also be served later in the day - be sure to register here to attend!