Asma Maryam Ali

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.

Share This

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!

Share This

Just a few days ago my mother asked my sister to pick some lilacs that have unexpectedly bloomed on a tree at the side of our house. I excitedly volunteered to do it, having only recently discovered that the tree exists, and finding a lot of joy in the idea of picking flowers from my garden. I felt wonderful! 

Later on my father and I were driving in our old neighbourhood, just near the route I’d take home from school, and it hit me that the lilacs are a dream I had when I was very young. When I’d walk home from school I’d pass by a particular lilac tree that would smell so sweet. I’d be tempted to pick some, but I’d stop myself because they weren’t mine. I’d dream of having a tree of my own.

Tears came to my eyes as I related how this dream came true to my father. Then I recalled how I’d look out of our tiny basement apartment windows in the same neighborhood and dream of having big windows in my room. Praise be to Allah ; now my room is the first through which the suns rays pass in the morning (keeping me awake :)

Only two years ago I dreamt of working on a school project with people who share the same vision as me. As I graduated from my faculty of education such a school came into being before my eyes, and I was granted a place in it that I could have never dreamed of having.

As I walked through the halls of that empty, untouched school last summer my eyes fell upon my dream classroom. I did not talk about it, but I held it dear to my heart. I went away during the choose-your-classroom week, but I returned to find that they, without knowing it, had left my dream for me. To this day, alhamdulillah, I continue to find treasures in and around the school that Allah SWT has placed there for me.

As I recall these dreams come true and more, I know that someone has always been listening, and planning to make these dreams come true. He, the Glorified, Exalted and most Merciful, heard a beat, a thought, a melody in my heart and by His grace and generosity, gave it life.

There’s a short poem that says something like, ‘when you have a dream inside your heart don’t ever let it go, for dreams are the tiny seeds from which tomorrow’s grow…’

 May all of your best and loftiest dreams come true, here and hereafter, and may we use all of our worldly gifts for the best end, ameen. 

All praise is for Allah , Lord of all the worlds.

Share This

Should you not gain your wants, my soul, then be not grieved; But hasten to that banquet which your Lord’s bequeathed.

And when a thing for which you ask is slow to come, Then know that often through delay are gifts received.

Find solace in privation and respect its due, For only by contentment is the heart relieved.

And know that when the trials of life have rendered you Despairing of all hope, and of all joy bereaved,

Then shake yourself and rouse yourself from heedlessness, And make pure hope a meadow that you never leave.

Your Maker’s gifts take subtle and uncounted forms, How fine the fabric of the world His hands have weaved.

The journey done, they came to the water of life, And all the caravan drank deep, their thirst allieved.

Far be it from the host to leave them thirsty there, His spring pour forth all generosity received.

My Lord, my trust in Your purpose is strong, That trust is now my shield; I’m safe, and undeceived.

All those who hope for grace from You will feel Your rain; Too generous are You to leave my branch unleaved.

May blessing rest upon the loved one, Muhammad, Who’s been my means to high degrees since I believed.

He is my fortress and my handhold, to my soul, Hold fast, and travel to a joy still unconceived.

~originally in Arabic by Ali bin Husayn al-Habshi

Share This

I froze when I noticed that this site has been featured on the hadithuna homepage :)

This is a great opportunity to point you to an amazing reflection here on bees.

Also check out this article on the effect of radiation on bees, entitled ‘Theory: Cellphone radiation killing honeybees?’

These readings give one a lot to think about mashaa Allah . May God guide us all to what’s best for us.

Share This