Friday 27 May 2011

What to look for in a spouse

Religion, conduct and looks aside...
a sense of appreciation, and loyalty;
the absence of unrealistic expectations.

The seeds of love to grow with time...
not that I know, not at all.
Just an hypothesis based on observation of reciprocally happy spouses.

May God unite their hearts and keep them happy always.

Thursday 19 May 2011

What am I going to do today?

"What am I going to do today?"
says the man depending on his self
ending each day unfulfilled
unable to meet his wants,
until he poses the question again,
rising in strength,
"What is God going to do with me today?"

Comfortable, ready, open for all that may.

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Disciplining children effectively

Sound advice attributed to Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (may God bestow Mercy upon him) in Mufti Taqi Uthmani's 'Discourses on the Islamic Way of Life', chapter on 'How to bring up children', adapted here ever so slightly...

When you have to hit your child,
refrain from doing so in anger.

Instead, wait until your anger subsides,
closing your eyes and taking in a deep breath if necessary,
fake your anger and then hit the child.

This is to be clear in your intention:
to discipline the child, and not to vent your frustation.
Anger unchecked will propel you over the edge.

Monday 16 May 2011

Warn your families and guard your selves

"And enjoin upon your family prayer, and be constant on it."

Strange, no?
We are commanded first to enjoin prayer upon our family
and thereafter to regularly observe it ourselves.
The other way around in sequence I would have expected it.
One to think about and investigate.

That's verse number 132 of Surah Taa-Haa by the way; the 20th Surah.

O believer

O you who believe
Your Lord calls you
with a most endearing call.
Naught does He address you
except in that which is your connection,
'O you with belief in Me'.

Thursday 5 May 2011

Between hope and fear

Cautious, wary, treading carefully
the fearful.
Positive, active, yearning mercy
the hopeful.
Between the two
the faithful.

A perfect faith
Between hope and fear.
A balance struck.
Fear; so much as to counteract hope.
Hope; so much as to counteract fear.
The two wings of a believer flying him home to His Lord.

O Allah, apportion us with fear of You so much so that acts as a barrier between us and disobedience to You.