pol-i-tics

Anyone sick of this whole campaign business?  Sick of McCain and that moose eating woman slamming Obama and ducking issues about the economy?  Anyone sick of Obama softening up like a tenderized steak to make the masses happy?  Anyone sick of this gastly war, the price of gas, the rising cost of cooking oil, milk and eggs?  Anyone sick of the newscasters, who are supposed to be objective and unbiased not sticking to the old addage, “Just the facts ma’am?”

 I have a solution.  Turn off the television and open the Holy Qur’an. 

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Ready, Set, Go!

Salaams everyone.  I hope that you Ramadan is shaping up to be as beautiful as mine.  I have lived through Hurricane Ike with minimal damage.  I have my health and my family, Alhamdulillah.  Fasting has been easier than ever and it has come with sincere and true peace and soul rousing comfort.  Masha Allah .  Allah is most great.  My birthday, which is tomorrow falls within this holy month this year.  I can’t think of a better way than by fasting or a better time to thank Allah for all that He has blessed me with.  And I am also happy, proud, and grateful to announce that my novel entitled An Unproductive Woman, about real Muslims, is ready for purchase online.  Click here to buy your own copy of my book.  Support my endeavor to introduce literature that is relevant to us, and that can still engage the so called mainstream.  Insha Allah , I pray for its success.

Salaams!  Khaalidah.

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That Ramadan Thing

It seems that the need other people have to feed you, grows exponentially during Ramadan.  I find that I have to say several times a day, “No thanks, I’m fasting.”  The funny part is what happens when I say this.  The reaction is almost always some variation of, “Oh, I’m so sorry.  Are you okay?  But you can have water, right?”  Suddenly fasting becomes this horribly trying incurable affliction.  I always respond with a smile, “Yes, I am fine.”

It just goes to show, however, how incredibly backward thinking can be.  What am I talking about?  Had I said something like, “No thanks, I’m on a diet.  I’m trying to get into this really nice dress.”  No one would be apologizing.  No one would be giving me that poor silly religious fool look.  I’d be getting the high five, the thumbs up, the “you go girl!”

I found myself today trying to explain to a non-Muslim what it felt like to fast.  I tried to describe the serenity that comes with shedding the heaviness of food, and delving as deeply as one can into one’s spiritual self during this blessed month.  I could almost see my words rolling away and falling to the floor.  Evaporating.  She didn’t get it.

I don’t expect every non-Muslim to know that it is Ramadan, but surprisingly so many of them do know something.  They say things like, “Oh, is it that Ramadan thing?”  Yeah, it’s that “thing”.  But I suppose that I am wondering exactly what people of other faiths are willing to do for their faith, their God, their way of life? 

I wonder, how would it be to not have a Ramadan?  How would it be to not have a special time each year when I can stop everything and truly reflect, and where everyone else is reflecting too?  Congregational reflection.  Mass reflection.  Communal reflection.

How would it be to never have this special time when the shayteen are chained and helpless against you?  How would it be to never have a special time when you know that your prayers are more likely above all other times to be accepted?  How would it be to never have a special time to regroup and release yourself from the silly things that chain us to this life, like food?  How would it be to never have a time to stop and say, “Wait a minute, is this really what my poor and hungry brethren are feeling each and every day?”

I can’t imagine.  But I do imagine that many of them are probably thinking that they do have their own special time.  Christmas.  Christmas?  But I suppose you’d have to be a Muslim to see just how flawed that comparison is.  There is no comparison.

So, half of Ramadan is gone.  Alhamdulillah.  We only have another two weeks left.  I am feeling a bit sad about it too.  I am afraid of what happens when Ramadan is over.  The same old gluttonous, decadent, nonsensical life?  I am more committed than ever to NOT go that route, to remain steadfast even in post-Ramadan phase.  I want to carry that good feeling with me all year round.  But if I don’t, Insha Allah , there will be another Ramadan next year.  See how great Allah is?  He is always on time.

Khaalidah

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Hurricane Ike

Alhamdu lillahi, we made it through the hurricane.  We lost electricity, water, and telephone service (including Internet).  Masha Allah , by Saturday night, about 2100, the lights and the air conditioner came back on.  By last night (Sunday) we had some water, with a full return by this morning. 

Our home sustained minimal damage.  No fallen trees or broken windows.  Allah is most kind.

I was particularly thrilled at the opportunity to fast during this trial.  I felt sooooo blessed to be tested in this way.  Mind you, even during this trial, Allah made it easy for me.  Hunger and weakness did not bite my gut and I did not feel weak or hindered.  I felt a little warm, but beyond that, I had no complaints.  Well, this isn’t entirely true.  No running water…need I say more.  This is something that I know we here in developed nations take for granted; being able to turn on the water at will, being able to shower for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes at a time AND with warm water.  So I was able to gain so much, Insha Allah from this imposed difficulty. 

1. No need to be angry, because it is no one’s fault that a massive hurricane came running up our part of the country, unless of course, you intend to blame Allah .  Astagh firullah.

2. No television to watch for hours on end, no computer to vegetate in front of, no telephone to blab into about absolutely nothing.  Plenty of time to reflect and thank Allah for all that you do have, which in the scheme of things is the entire world for some people.  Some people’s homes were destroyed by fallen tree, cars smashed, homes under water.  Subhanallahi.  None of that here.

4.  I once read a hadith that stated that for every pain or difficulty Allah gives us blessings.  Even a discomfort as small as the prick of a thorn.  Imagine!  During Ramadan, to pray through and fast through a terrible storm and to go without all of those taken-for-granted creature comforts.  Insha Allah , we have piled up the blessings!  Insha Allah .

5.  I am so small, I am so nothing, I am soooooo at the will of Allah .  I was listening to a portable radio.  The weather man said something like this, “Well, the worst of Ike is now past.  Mostly we just have rain.  If we can just get this rain system to let up so that the cold front can move in…”  I cringed.  Who is “we”.  And, can “we” really have any effect over the rain, the direction of a cloud, the wind, a speck of dust, anything?  Is this not the domain of Allah ?  We?  C’mon!  Astagh firullah!

I am very grateful to Allah , and very humbled by this experience.  May Allah continue to give such blessed opportunities to me and to other Muslims, Insha Allah .

Khaalidah

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www.anunproductivewoman.com

Masha Allah , I am so glad to be able to announce that the website for my novel, An Unproductive Woman is now up and running.  Check out www.anunproductivewoman.com when you can and when the book is available, please support a Muslimah.  Jazak Allah !

Khaalidah

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The Test of Sincerity

I have been listening to an ongoing series of lectures by a sister named Mona.  The website to get these lectures, which focus on Sincerity, specifically during the month of Ramadan, can be found on my blog-roll.  The site is called Islamic Happiness.  I encourage everyone to download these lectures (free) and listen to them.

She hits on so many points that I can personally see in my own life.  Namely loving and acting strictly for the sake of Allah .  How many of us truly do this?  I am guilty of failing in this regard, but Insha Allah , I intend to take advantage of this holy month, while the Shayteen are chained and my mind is clearer than ever to incorporate some of these ingenious principles into my life.  Loving and acting for the sake of Allah .

This message hits home for me as I am guilty of disliking and even claiming to hate someone.  Someone in particular.  She has offended me, in some way, that I am sure to her is insignificant, and I have declared an everlasting hate for her.  Astagh firullah.  It is shameful that I have been guilty of allowing Shaytan to guide and control me.  How many of you have despised someone, as the saying goes, until you are seeing red.  Red, as in anger.  How many of you have been in an emotionally challenging situation and lost your head.  Astagh firullah.  I feel fortunate in that I can recognize this failing of mine, because it is Allah ’s gift to me.  He is allowing me the time and the opportunity for me to reform.  How ignorant and arrogant would I be not to take advantage of this opportunity?

Realize, that life is full of just these types of opportunities. 

3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).

4. Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!

5. Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allah , then Allah ’s Term is surely coming. and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

6. And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allah is free of all wants from the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).

 So, I suppose my question to myself and to the rest of the Muslims who are in the daily jihad to live the best life possible is: Are you able to recognize these tests, and if so, do you think that you are passing these tests?  It seems that the smallest tests are the most difficult to overcome.  Or perhaps this is all relative.  My recent and biggest test has been to realize that I can do nothing (absolutely nothing) unless Allah has made it so.  But even more significantly, in most cases nothing at all needs to be done.  The most difficult and the most simple thing is to give it ALL up to my Allah .  This means having faith that Allah will protect me from any entity that may wish to do me harm, because Allah knows and I know not, because no one can succeed against me if Allah does not will it.  This means showing mercy and even love (for His sake, if for no other) because it is a stronger better emotion than hate, or anger, or bitterness.  So I have declared to reform my heart, to act and love strictly for the sake of Allah .  Surely, if I can fast for my Lord, I can love for Him.  I can do anything for Allah , Insha Allah .Visit Islamic Happiness. 

 Pray for us all, that we may be pleasing to Allah , and ever faithful on His path.  Khaalidah.

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More on the Book

Insha Allah , I have been working all week with the publishers and it looks like my novel An Unproductive Woman will be available to purchase by October 1.  Alhamdulillaah, I am very excited. 

  This is the chosen cover of the book.  I love it.  The website will be launched some time this week Insha Allah .  You can also visit the website I built for myself at www.khaalidah.com.

Insha Allah , please make dua for its success.

If anyone has suggestions for places that I can send a press release to, please let me know.  I would like to generate as much publicity for the book as I can.

Salaams, Khaalidah

May your Ramadan be heavy with blessings, Insha Allah .

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