Asma Maryam Ali

My favourite animal is the tiger. I wish that I could have a tiger for a pet. I imagine having one in jannah (paradise), if I get there, if Allah wills. I also dream of flying. If you go to the Ontario Science Centre there’s a feature in the Living Earth exhibit which simulates an eagle’s flight. Its very cool. I wish that we’d dream more of jannah, but I know that there’s this overarching perception in our minds that jannah is beyond us. I agree with that completely, but I think its worth it to dream. Like the dream of meeting the prophet and sitting with him, feeling his keen eyes and ears take in every word I say and being comforted by his gentle words. How I love that dream. I loved how a nine year old in my class reacted when I told him he might meet the prophet. His face lit up and he hugged himself as though he was hugging his beloved! I also dream of meeting the people whom I love the most. And there is nothing which can match this: knowing that we might meet again in perfect happiness makes this physical existence irrelevant. And then, the dream that I might one day stand in His very presence. My heart stands in awe from here. What more is there.

So this, my dream, is really a simple prayer from the depths of my heart, now published on this one page because I want to say that I want to get there. And I want everyone I love to be there too. Oh my Lord, please accept my prayer.

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I feel as though someone’s handed me the moon… and I don’t exactly know what to do with it.

Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables, The Sequel

Me when I just realized that its only 8pm instead of 9.

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“…and God is with the patient.” (Qur’an, 2:153)

 ”By the Glorious Morning Light,

And by the Night when it is still,-

Your Guardian-Lord has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased.

And verily the Hereafter will be better for you than the present.

And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give you (that wherewith) you shall be well-pleased.

Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter (and care)?

And He found you wandering, and He gave you guidance.

And He found you in need, and made you independent.

Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,

Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard); 

 But the bounty of your Lord – rehearse and proclaim!” (Qur’an, 93:1-11)

http://www.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/tafsir/syed_qutb/Surah_93.htm

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Those people who refresh and energize us when we’ve perhaps forgotten how it feels to truly live. When I see them, I remember how much of my self I’m missing and I long for their companionship. I may walk many a mile without them, but nothing may replace the kind of nourishment they provide. May Allah SWT help me to be with them now and to be among them hereafter, ameen.

May Allah SWT reward us for every good effort of ours during Ramadan. Blessed Eid! I feasted alhamdulillah

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When butterflies leave their silk palaces
The scent of the garden blows towards Heaven’s way.
Like the toils of man,
Those who work to tomorrow
Will not miss the dreams of yesterday.

                                             ‘When Butterflies Leave’ by Yusuf Islam, 2006

Have you heard ‘An Other Cup’ by Yusuf Islam? Its very interesting. I like this piece because it reminds me of another saying quite like it, and both resonate with me. Also, imagine being that butterfly whose very nature directs it to something so wonderful and grand, though it has d no idea what that is. Its silk palace is one reality, the garden is another, and heaven is another still.

The title, ‘An Other Cup,’ says so much about what we hope we can achieve here in North America, which is to be that ‘other’ (in a sense) and to be firmly rooted here at the same time. When I listen to the songs I hear the sincere voice of my brother singing his experience of being a ’western’ muslim in the most honorable and universal terms. Where else can we find that? Not everyone may like his singing, his lyrics or the very ‘Cat Stevens’-like music, but we may appreciate the meaning behind his words and his music.

You can find a review of the CD here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/12273731/review/12285347/an_other_cup

You can hear a bit of the CD here:

http://www.myspace.com/yusufislam 

Feel free to share what you think!

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He it is that cleaveth the day-break (from the dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time): Such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient. (6:96)

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Do you know truth?Have you seen light
  in a face?
Heard light
  in a voice?
Resonated with light?

Have you breathed sweetness?
 Has it moved through you?
 A resounding peace.
  It has revitalized you.
  It has brought you to rest.

Have you seen peace in footsteps?
  –Do you know that earth?
  You know it well.
  You speak together
  when you are reduced.
   Now, too, when you arise.

Have you made the connection?
  Felt
  the connection
  They have come upon you
  –answers to calls you never made,
  ‘here, here,
  not there.’

In darkness you are in darkness.
In light you are in light.

Do you know truth?

–January, 2004

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The beloved of Allah , Muhammad, may Allah ’s peace and blessings be upon him, said,

“Make things easy and do not make them hard, and cheer up people and do not repel them.”

Tonight I spoke to someone who was there just to make things easy for me. How wonderful this world would be if we were there just to make things easy and cheer up one another.

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About strength… we may push our bodies to demonstrate talent and ability, but real strength is about how much we will push our souls to do the right thing; to do justice in all spheres of life.

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