Tag Archives: prayers

A Dark Day in Christchurch, New Zealand

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c/o of MuslimGirl

Who, when calamity befalls them, say, “Verily, to God we belong and, to Him we shall return.”

Quran 2:156

Today, March 15th, 2019 has been deemed a dark day in New Zealand. A group of white supremacists went into two Christchurch masjids (mosques) during Friday prayers and opened fire. More than 50 people have been pronounced dead and over 20 people so far have been reported critically injured. A few of the terrorists are currently in custody, including one that posted a 93 page document online on his ideology and reasons for today’s attack.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, gave a strong condemnation in her statement earlier, announcing that this was a terrorist attack on the nation. I am grateful for her words and leadership, one that this world needs.

I am truly dumbfounded by today’s attack but for whatever reason, I’m not as surprised as I should be. We have not forgotten the attacks on houses of worship that have taken place here at home and globally in just the past few years. We have not forgotten the people who were hurt or perished in a moment of prayer and meditation in the safety of their sanctuary.

If you are going to Friday prayers today, be cautious of your surroundings. I urge masjids with separate entrances for ladies (which is usually a side or back door) please ensure it’s safe and guarded. If you’re a non Muslim wanting to grace your local masjid with your support, call ahead or go early. Your solidarity is very much needed and appreciated.

Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, founder of MuslimGirl, shared an excellent five step call to action in her recent Twitter thread which I’ve taken the liberty to share here. In the thread, she shares the LaunchGood crowdfunding campaign being spearheaded to help the victims of the attack.

Please keep the people of New Zealand in your thoughts and prayers. May God grant them strength and patience to get through this difficult, sad time… ameen.

This page is where I’ll add any further updates, other ways to give and show support, and other calls of action as deemed fit.

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How to Help the People of Nepal

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فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا. إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“And, behold, with every hardship comes ease. Verily with every hardship comes ease”
-Quran, 94:5-6

Nepal Earthquake Emergency

As many of you are aware, the nation of Nepal was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake early Saturday, April 25th. Several aftershocks, measured at up to 5.5 magnitudes, have since followed in the last 48 hours causing deadly avalanches from Mount Everest, one of the largest mountains in the world.

Islamic Relief Worldwide and Qatar Red Crescent are raising funds for the necessary medical assistance, search and rescue support as well as the rebuilding process. If there’s a similar organization out there providing assistance to Nepal, please share the information in the comments below so that the post is updated with resources.

This is the least we can do to help the people of Nepal from afar. As well as to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

May God grant the people of Nepal much patience and strength to get through this adversary… Ameen.

Prayers for the Philippines

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Philippines after the storm, National Post

  .الذين اذا اصابتهم مصيبة قالوا انا لله وانا اليه راجعون

Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To God We belong, and to Him is our return”
-Quran, 2:156

As many of you are well aware, over the past weekend, the Philippines was struck with what is being deemed the strongest storms to hit land in human history. Many in central Philippines have been evacuated, displaced or deceased. There is no official count yet as to how many causalities but at least several tens of thousands are in dire need of basic supplies to rise from this natural disaster.

Our loved ones in the Philippines need to be in our thoughts and prayers. Their rise from this disaster will not be easy and every bit of support counts! If you’d like to donate and volunteer towards the support and rebuilding efforts, you can do so no matter where you are in the world!

For those of us in Qatar, the Embassy of the Philippines* is collecting donations to be shipped out via Qatar Airways as overseen by the Emir. Donations need to be brought to the embassy no later than this Friday, November 15th and by next Friday, November 22nd. Currently what is of priority are canned foods, canned baby foods, dried foods (crackers, fruits, nuts, etc), over the counter medicines, first aid kits and toiletries (sanitizers and female products). I’ll be making a Carrefour/Almeera run for some of the listed items early Friday morning (Nov 15th). If you are interested in participating or contributing toward these purchases, kindly contact me via Twitter or Facebook as soon as possible.

In cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross, Qatar Red Crescent has a goal of collecting $2 million dollars to support over 5,000 families in need. This is to go towards health care and providing temporary shelter amongst the basics as listed above.

For those of you in the United States, you can contribute money and time to the Islamic Relief organization. This 4 star non-profit charity organization is very well known for their tireless efforts in providing hands on support within the US and across the globe. You can donate money either through your local city/state chapter or directly on their website.

As previously shared on my Facebook page through a trusted friend living in the Philippines, you can make contributions to the grassroots organization NAFCON. NAFCON, headquartered in San Francisco, has several branches across California and the US dedicated to disaster relief:

Northern California Chapter: nc@nafconusa.org / 626.534.4971
Southern California Chapter: sc@nafconusa.org / 253.381.7444
Northwest Chapter: nw@nafconusa.org; (206) 659–1896 Midwest Chapter: mw@nafconusa.org; (224) 381–6888
East Coast Chapter: ne@nafconusa.org; (650) 808–5043

The Filipino Community Center in the San Francisco Mission District is also collecting donations and supplies to be sent to the Philippines. To donate, volunteer and contribute to the efforts, kindly call +1415.333.6267 or email: info@filipinocc.org.

This post will be updated regularly, kindly share any legitimate resources you may have to support our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.

*I understand the many concerns people have in dealing with the Filipino government. However, this is being overseen by several trustworthy organizations here in Qatar and the embassy here is highly regarded amongst the Filipino community in Qatar.

Ramadan Verse & Quote (Day 15)

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I was recently having some interesting conversations with friends of mine about the various things that have been bothering us. It got me thinking about forgiveness.

Verse:

“Whether you publicize a good deed or hide it or pardon a (personal) offense (done against you), know that God has the power to pardon (all sins).”

 -Quran (4:149)

From Surah ElNisa’ (The Ladies Chapter), we are reminded that God (swt) is truly the one whom forgives. How can we not be able to be forgiving? Why walk around with this heavy hurt, this negative energy, this sadness? We hold on, unable to forgive thus forgetting that God (swt) may have already forgiven.

Speaking for myself, I was picked on and bullied almost all through elementary school before it weened out in the 8th grade. It caused me to be sensitive, sad, angry and hold extreme grudges for long periods of time. It has taken me years to grow out of that person and be the happy person I’m today. I owe that positive change in my life in part to a lesson I learned years ago.

The lesson was that God (swt) does not accept one’s salat (prayers), seyam (fasts) or zakat (charity) if they hold a heavy heart towards anyone. Why? For God (swt) is the one whom “has the power to pardon”, the all forgiving for He is the generous one. If God (swt) has forgiven them, how can we not? If God (swt) has forgiven us, how can we not?

It took me a long while to reflect upon that message and being honest when I said to myself, “All is forgiven. I forgive me. I forgive them. All is forgiven.” Alhamdulillah (Praise God), today, I’m in a great place in my life by the grace of God (swt), my family’s love, my friend’s support and of course my own hard work and determination.

I urge you all to reflect this Ramadan and find it in your heart to be more forgiving to yourself and to others.

Quote:

Not sure there’s much for me to add here…

Zakat Recommendations

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Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak to all my readers and followers!

It’s that time of year where we Muslims reflect back on ourselves spiritually, mentally and physically. It’s also that time of year where we also need to give back to our communities be with finances, volunteerism or word of mouth. I’d like to take this time to recommend a couple of great organizations that you can offer your Ramadan charitable offerings or “zakat” too.

San Francisco Islamic School (SFIS)

If you are in San Francisco Bay Area, then you’ve heard of the San Francisco Islamic School (SFIS). Starting small, this nonprofit education organization is providing a major source of education, faith and community awareness to our young ones, from pre-K to high school students. SFIS is run on the energy of volunteers (yes, NO ONE gets paid!), with funds going towards the rental of classrooms at Mercy High School, textbooks, materials as well as towards major events like SFIS at the Zoo. As they come to start another school year, they are in dire need of volunteer teachers, teachers assistants and general volunteers. I personally have been with this organization for a couple of years as the 2nd grade Arab Language and Quran Studies teacher. Believe me when I say that I’m always taken back by what I learn from my students every week. Check out SFIS to learn more, volunteer your time and donate today!

Islamic Relief USA

With all that is happening, specifically in Africa, one must remember why zakat is a pillar in our Islamic faith. Where ever you may in the world, there is a good chance the Islamic Relief USA is there! Islamic Relief is a 4-star charity organization that goes over and beyond the duty to support and bring forth support to hard hit places around the world. They were one of the first organizations on the grown in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, one of the few organizations in Pakistan during their most recent floods and now they are in the Horn of Africa as they struggle through this drought and famine. Please check out Islamic Relief‘s website where you can not only read on all their efforts but select which effort you want your donation to go to.

If there is an organization you feel that is worthy of our zakat, please the information in the comments below or via Twitter by mentioning me, @ms_hala.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Whoever paid it (Zakat al-Fitr) before Eid Prayer, it is acceptable Zakat before Allah. Whoever paid it after Eid Prayer, it is just a charity.” The companion of the Prophet used to pay it a few days earlier. – Bukhari, courtesy of Friday Nasiha

c/o absarforex.blogspot.com

I ask that God accepts our fasts, our prayers and our zakat! =)

Jazakum Allah Kheer! =)

I Pity the Pastor

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On September 11 later this week, Americans will be morning the lives lost as well as the tragic and unnecessary wars that soon followed in response. Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach in Gainsville, Florida and the author of Islam is of the Devil, has declared the day be “International Burn the Quran Day”. He’ll be holding the bonfire event at his church as well as asking others to do the same in their local areas across the world.

As a Muslim American, I’m not angry. Offended yes, but not angry.

Jones doesn’t realize that his same actions happened over 1,430 years ago. Rulers of then Arabia worshiped idols they built from stone. It was worship their way or suffer the consequences. Consequences included torture and public executions. They too burned any religious scriptures they found in the hopes of ridding the land of what they deemed as unholy. Prophet Mohamed struggled for freedom of religion, freedom to practice his faith and to teach his faith without persecution.

As God Almighty brought down the Quran, He promised that the Quran would be protected. Over a course of 23 years, the Quran was brought down to Prophet Mohamed so that he may learn it and teach it to his followers, the Muslims. Prophet Mohamed taught us Muslims not just to read the Quran, but to memorize it, teach it, follow it and make it part of our daily lives.

He taught us Muslims to recite it in our prayers 5 times a day. To recite it during our time of joy and our time of hardship. To recite it when we laid our head on our pillows and when we rose from them. To recite it before we leave our homes and when we reentered it. To recite it in the ears of our new born child and in the ears of our perished loved ones.

God Almighty’s promise has been proven to be an ongoing fulfillment. 1,430 years later the Quran has been reprinted, recorded on audio tapes and CDs, accessible via the internet, downloadable through mobile applications and above all, memorized, taught, followed and made part of a Muslim’s daily life. To this day, the Quran has not been altered, rewritten or divided into versions. There may be several sects of Islam such as Sunni, Shia or Ahmedi, but all follow the same Quran.

As a Muslim American, I’m not angry. If anything I pity the pastor, for ignorance is not bliss.

Jones is ignorant of the fact that the Quran he plans on burning mentions his God and Savior, Prophet Jesus, more then 28 times. The Virgin Mary has her own surah (chapter) and is mentioned over 30 times. Both being mentioned more then the number of times Prophet Mohamed is mentioned. Not including the multiple mentions of Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses, Prophet Noah, Prophet Joseph… just to name a few. For a religion that is of the Devil it seems to really have a thing for holy people!

This same Quran he plans on burning teaches us Muslims to respect, learn, teach and be peaceful with one another. It even emphasizes the mutual respect and peacefulness to be with “the people of the book”, meaning Christians and Jews. With that, I refuse to be angry any Christian over the actions of Jones and his blind followers’ for I know their actions do not represent any Christians’ beliefs. Just like I refuse that the actions of extremists and their blind followers be seen as a representation of any Muslims’ beliefs.

I personally doubt Jones has even read one verse of the Quran. I’m sure if he had, this would not be the stand he would take. Nor would he have written his infamous book to begin with. I refuse to be angry over this man’s actions. He is obviously not only ignorant but close-minded and for that, not worthy of any anger.

He can burn the Quran but it will always be in existence within my being and the beings of 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. I myself can only make the promise to continue to learn, memorize, teach, follow and make the Quran a part of my daily life. I can also promise to pray for the pastor, as I honestly pity him, especially now that he is lost amidst his anger and 15 minutes of fame… I mean shame.