ILHAM FOR THE DAY

BISMULLAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM.
ASSALAMU'ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU, DEAR ILHAM FRIENDS,

Today is Jumuah and I do not feel good. Since last two days I have been inflicted with the flu virus and thus, do not
have sufficient energy required to travel to M'Boro for Jumuah salah. I will miss the gathering and the wisdom of our Imam.
While delving deep into the oceans of meaning of surah Al-Baqarah, I came to an obvious realization: We must possess 'SABR' in order to accomplish any thing in life. Allah azza wajal even mentioned that we need to have Sabr before we can make salah.
There are many rewards of Sabr. The most pertinent is that Allah azza wajal IS WITH THOSE WHO HAVE SABR (2:153). Then He further States that if at the onset of a trial we remember Him and show Sabr, then "...Those are upon the Blessings from their Rabb and Special Mercy. Those are (only) who obtain the correct guidance."
Therefore, the following are the rewards of Sabr:
1. The Companionship of our Rabb
2. The showering of Salawat or Blessings from our Rabb
3 The showering of Special Mercy from our Rabb, and
4. The joy of being Rightly Guided on His Path
Let us make the following du'a for Sabr (2:250):
" RABBANA AFRIGH ALAINA SABRA (ON) WA THABBIT AQDAMANA WANSURNA ALAL QAUMIL KAAFIREEN."

" OUR RABB! POUR UPON US PATIENCE AND MAKE FIRM OUR FEET, AND HELP US AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO DISBELIEVE."
Your sister in Islam,
Tasneem Ahmed

ILHAM FOR THE DAY

BISMILLAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM.
ASSALAMU'ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU, DEAR ILHAM FRIENDS,

The journey towards Allah azza wajal continues on. I had the pleasure of reading and learning His Book all morning. The following are some of His Reminders that jolted me into existence:
1. Surah Al-Baqarah: 190 "...Indeed Allah does not love those who (are) Mu'tadeen (Those who cross limts or transgress)"
2. Surah Al-Baqarah: 194 " ...And you all adopt Taqwah of Allah, and you all know that indeed Allah is with those who adopt Taqwah."
3. Surah Al-Baqarah:195 "...Indeed Allah Loves those who do Ihsaan (utmost good)."

These are some ways we can be conscious of our Creator at all times. He Sees and Knows us in ways that no one else does. He is ready to forgive us when we err, provided that we repent to Him. Let us try to do Ihsaan with people we acquaint with. Ihsaan means to do utmost good to people even if they do not reciprocate, or even if they do not deserve it. But if by humiliating ourselves to others is a means to be near the Pleasure of Allah azza wajal, then isn't it worth the effort.
I am admonishing myself about this matter. May Allah azza wajal Help me and others achieve the state of 'Muhsineen.'

ILHAM FOR THE DAY

BISMILLAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM.
ASSALAMU'ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU, DEAR ILHAM FRIENDS,

I have been away for many moons due to the embarkment of a magnificent journey towards my Creator, Allah azza wajal. My Rabb has gently directed me towards His Greatest Gift, His Word, The Holy Qur'an. Since December of 2009 I have enrolled in the Alhuda classes to learn His Book. So far I have learned word-for-word meaning upto verse 196 of surah Al-Baqarah. NEVER have I ever experienced any joy or ecstasy of this kind. It is simply magnificent to be given a glimpse of the Divine Speech. His choice of Words and their perspective meanings behind them simply leaves me in a state of weakness and joy altogether. The most profound thing that I have learned is the concept of HTL.
H -- is for the heart. We must first believe in the heart.
T --is for the tongue. We must assert our beliefs on our tongues.
L -- is for the limbs. Finally the beliefs must be manifested in our limbs, through our actions.
May Allah azza wajal allow all of us to ponder over His Ayats and reform our lives through them. May He bless us in our hearts, our tongues and our actions. May we always follow His Commandments and seek His Pleasure. Aameen.
Ma'Salamah,
Sr. Tasneem Ahmed