SubhanAllah ! No excuses to think of...

There`s not much to say after seeing this. This man was at work & he couldn`t just leave his work but the time for fajr was running out, so in deep dark shark infested waters not caring for anything but his salah & time with Allah, he prayed underwater ! SubhanAllah ! And we being on land in cozy rooms with all the time in the world still can think up of a million excuses to avoid salah.

Live your life as if you are going to live forever ; prepare for the aakhirah as if you are to die tomorrow.

props to Brother Ahsan on this one !

Rachel`s Challenge.

*Sorry I know I`ve been MIA for a while now, but with classes, semester ending, and a family the size of mine it just gets pretty hectic sometimes. Anyway this post isn`t directly associated with Islam, but the message overall is the same.

Rachel Joy Scott was the first one to get shot & killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her story, her views, her life has impacted millions through a program started by her father called "Rachel's Challenge". The main idea of this challenge comes from an essay(My Ethics, My Code Of Life) written by Rachel weeks before she was shot. In this essay she declares a challenge upon her reader, to show kindness, compassion, loyalty, and love to just one person and see how far it goes..."you just may start a chain reaction." Through her six diaries, her essay, and her overall life this program has "become the foundation to one of the most life changing school programs in America." What do you need to do to accept this challenge?

1. Eliminate Prejudice-by looking for the best in others.

2.Dare to Dream-set goals

3.Choose Your Influences-input determines output

4.Kind Words-small words of kindness=HUGE IMPACT

5.Start a CHAIN REACTION with family & friends.

Check the website out for the entire mission, video presentation, & to get to know Rachel.

http://rachelschallenge,com/

The shooting at Columbine High School is known to be the worst high school shooting in the United States killing 13 people including one teacher. May Allah forgive them for their shortcomings in this world & bless their souls. Ameen. Ameen ya`rabul alameen.

12 Rabi`Awwal.

Our most beloved & blessed teacher, guide, messiah, prophet-Muhammad(many many peace & blessings be upon him) was born on this day over 1400 years ago. We should really take some time to think about what this day really stands for in Islam, lol without it there would be no Islam. Obviously no words can express the love & appreciation we have for the most amazing man to ever walk this earth (lol getting corny here), but just take some time out of your day and send salawat on him, NO ONE DESERVES IT MORE. Lol that`s right, ain`t no one got swagger like Muhammad(pbuh).

**Irrelevant IMPORTANT Side Note: I just recently became aware of something we all need to acknowledge, Muhammad Asad has given tafseer of the Qur`an that is used in many institutions, libararies, dawah centers etc. However he is one of the Mu`tazilah(a group of people that believe the knoweledge of Allah would occur after the creation, thus negating his eternal ilm), & a lot of the tafseer reflects that. So just be aware of that & spread it on. May Allah forgive him & bless us all. Ameen. Ameen ya`rabbul alameen. (Editions of tafseer by Muhammad Asad)

Save Imam Siraj !

Our beloved Imam Siraj Wahhaj(rahimuallah) was hospitalized due to minor chest pains, he is diagnosed with hypertension. For as long as I can remember Imam Siraj has always been selfless, compassionate, caring, understanding & loving to the muslim community. He`s given us so much, & now it`s our turn to give back. Currently Imam Siraj is resting & iA recovering. MANA(Muslim Alliance of North America) has seeked help from anyone & everyone willing to help out with funds for his treatment & aid for his family. Any amount would help & we shouldn`t have to double-think this, Imam Siraj has always put us first & has never asked for anything in return. This is our chance to give something back & we should all make the best of it iA. I would write my own dua, but I just love the ones written by Br. Khalid Latif !

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant our brother and teacher Siraj Wahhaj a quick and easy recovery, may He make this ailment a means of purification in this world and a means of elevation in the next, may He become stronger physically, sounder mentally, firmer emotionally, and steadfast spiritually from it, may He grant ease of mind and peace of heart to all those who love him and all those whom he loves, may He grant us the tawfiq to be comfortable with His plan and may He guide and bless us all. Ameen. Ameen ya rabbal 'aalameen.

DONATIONS !

Let us all make dua for Imam Siraj and his family. We pray that Allah will guide, protect and shower His mercy on them during this crisis, insha'Allah. To offset the considerable costs associated with the Imam's treatment and care, and to aid in the support of his family, MANA is collecting donations. Donations can be made online(http://www.mana-net.org/subpage.php?ID=donate) or can be sent by mail to: MANA Office, FOR IMAM SIRAJ, P.O. Box 910375, Lexington, KY 40591. Please indicate "FOR IMAM SIRAJ" on the memo line of the payment, insha'Allah.

M.E.C.C.A--a true sanctuary.

I LOVE THIS PLACE ! M.E.C.C.A (Muslim Education and Converts Center of America) in midtown(43rd st) is honestly like my oasis. I`ve only taken two courses there, & I am blessed to be currently taking an aqeedah course with Imam Amin Muhammad(rahimuallah). The whole atmosphere of this place is overwhelming. The friendly faces make it so much more inviting, the space is cozy & home-ey, & it really makes you feel close to the instructor. Their purpose is very amazing to & may الله reward them all who put their time & effort into providing new muslims with a welcoming home of knowledge & support. I was so thrilled to find out that a place like this exists & that too in midtown Manhattan, anyway they have an exciting line up of new courses starting, including the Seerah of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) with Br. Ebadur Rahman starting next Saturday. And lots of new exciting one day/weekend courses that I too will be attending iA ! Visit their website & show your support !

http://www.meccacenter.com/

Academy Awards.

*sigh*This year the Academy Awards were truly breathtaking. (By the way I`d like to say Slumdog Millionaire took EIGHT Oscars including Best Picture!) From the nominations to the performances to the winners...people from all different ethnicities & race. They had showed clips from previous Oscar awards & back then the majority was of a white race & seeing the awards today really showed how much we`ve progressed. Lol I kind of sound like I`m giving an Oscar speech myself, but I was so amazed. Performances ranging from Asian to African, speakers ranging from European to Asian to African to Hispanic...American. I absolutely loved it !

MSA-East Zone April 10th-12th !

Yes I know that probably all the other blogs have posted it up a while ago lol but again bare with me. Anyway, East Zone will be on April 10th-12th this year at UPenn in Philly. Register ASAP & don`t miss out...amazing line up of speakers & workshops inshaAllah !