Knaan!

Ambition and determination are admirable qualities that are especially difficult to maintain when the environment of your upbringing is harsh and life alone doesn't look promising the next day. Staying positive throughout the hardships and preserving hope and faith that you will make it through takes a lot of power. This is exactly the attitude and positivism our man Knaan kept throughout his years in Africa. He now shares his experiences with the world through spoken word and the masses clearly are impressed with his work because his piece 'Waving Flag' has been named the official anthem of the Fifa 2010 World Cup, that is HUGE!! If he wasn't a big name in the industry already, having an association with one of the biggest sporting events in the world is definitely going to put him on the map. 

Lesson: Keep the belief that life is but an interesting conundrum, and you should strengthen your resolution with the knowledge that whatever bad might transpire, something good will rise out of it as long as you keep your patience, and are ready to keep a level head. It is not naive to allow bad experiences run their course. In truth, most of the negativity we face stems from our perception – quite falsely – that we can get through life devoid of taking any hard knocks. We must acknowledge that there will be ups and downs.

Culture vs. Islam

Culture is an essential means of identity to many of us. We celebrate, dress, and behave in such a manner that is parallel to the customs of our particular culture. For those of us who were not raised in a society that practices the culture of our parents, we are domestically coerced to not only withstand this foreign practice, but uphold its traditions. 

Without any objections to our parent’s demands, we reluctantly engage in these cultural practices. What we don’t apprehend is how strongly the beliefs of these cultures infiltrate into our psyches and seamlessly influence our daily decisions and mould our developing characteristics. This occurrence becomes problematic when it contradicts or questions religious compulsions.I’m not pointing fingers but I would say majority of the cultures that I have come across are guilty of instilling practices that are not condoned in Islam. When Islam is constantly under a microscope by the mass media, it is common that some peculiar cultural practices by Muslims are directly linked back to the religion. 

Personally, I believe culture should define us in terms of our dress and delicious cuisines (so long as it is in accordance with the deen), further division from other Muslim states, that consequently causes pride and other such sentiments is not necessary. It is especially imperative and liable upon Muslims to filter out the extra baggage carried by cultural norms when approaching religious matters. 

Here’s a video that I viewed on this topic given by one of my favourite Dacees, Yasir Qadhi. He brilliantly explains the perfection of our deen and how unknowingly some cultures introduce beliefs that only end up tainting the perfectly structured deen subhanaAllah...

Dear Self.

Nothing is impossible. You draw your own boundaries. You map the route to your destiny. Your vision for the future is parallel to reality. Allah is with you on your journey.Exert energy only into matters that count and in which you are shown appreciation, recompense and affection.Recognize, evaluate and celebrate your qualities, for if you genuinely love yourself, it is much easier to love others and love is the greatest charity that you can provide.Fulfilling your obligations to others is a huge and arduous task simply because they understand you far less than Allah, be mindful of how you treat them.Be truthful to yourself by allowing your heart guide your actions, emotions and priorities.Through experience, you know that these are the guidelines to self actualization.Be Consistent. Achieve. Succeed. Love. Laugh. & above all Stay True, Be You!

My Wish List.

1) Going past the mystical curtain prior to which we believe there is no such thing, I believe there is such a thing. If it is truly intended for us to have a match in this world, I believe that in every instant, there is a soul in the world that wholly relates to our own. I seek that soul with faith.

2)Although I have attempted to pursue this in the past, I hope I am deeply inspired to go forth with it soon time.


3) Tears begin to flow off my eyes uncontrollably every time I touch on this subject. It is without a doubt one of my greatest wishes to have a stronger connection to the holy book.

4)One of the holiest cities that project Allah (SWT)'s countless reminders and mercies. I'm always fascinated about people's Hajj stories upon return, I hope one day I can be on the other side and share my wonderful stories.

I believe these are all Divine tasks that need to be fulfilled in this world. It grants us wholeness and nourishes our link to Allah (SWT). I have made intentions, and now I blow a wish into the wide abyss of the Universe.... 

Tajweed

 "And applying Tajweed is an issue of absolute necessity, whoever doesn't apply Tajweed to Quran, then a sinner is he" (Muhammad nib Al-Jazaree, Quran and Hadeeth scholar of the 9th century)

A good friend of mine convinced me to take a Tajweed class with her recently, and although I have only been in attendance for only 3 weeks now, I have benefited greatly already.  I pray that my learning this knowledge becomes sadaqah jariyah for her inshaa Allah. Anyway, after I read that quote I knew I had to be enrolled in this class! Imagine you spend your whole life reading the Quran, and later finding out its worthless in the sight of Allah (SWT), because you neglected to learn the proper recitation of the letters?! Crazy isn't it? The Quran has a right over all Muslims and a portion of that right is to recite it in accordance to how it was revealed. 

Here are a few ahadiths that I found regarding the importance of reciting the Quran with Tajweed:

1) Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said "The one who has the one of the finest voice from among the people when reciting the Quran, is one whom you think fears Allah when you hear him recite"

2)Once when the Prophet (SAW) complimented Abu Moosaa al-Ash’ari on the beauty of his recitation, Abu Moosaa said " Had I known you were there, I would have made my voice more pleasant and emotional for you (Bukhari, Muslim)

3)Umm Salamah was asked about the recitation of the Prophet (SAW) and she described it as a recitation 'clearly distinguished letter by letter (Tirmidhi).

And the Quran: 'And recite the Quran (aloud) in a (slow and melodious) style (tarteela)' (Surah Muzzammil, Ayah 4)

Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) said in the explanation of this aayah: “at-Tarteel is Tajweed of the letters and knowing where to stop (correctly)”.

Let us remember, that the Quran is the word of Allah where we find warnings, glad-tidings, parables, stories of the past, commands and prohibitions. Aayaat to make us think, reflect, weep, fear, hope, love, and even fall down in prostration! How can we recite all of this without feeling!? When we recite an aayah of Quran we should try to feel and express the full message behind that aayah. Perhaps some of us lack confidence. I believe that this lack of confidence comes partly from not knowing the rules of Tajweed accurately and becoming so concerned about making mistakes and partly from not comprehending the meaning of what we are reciting. So let us work hard to remove these two obstacles by learning Tajweed and working towards learning Arabic in order to truly feel the essence of the Quran.

One of the privileges that the student is rewarded with, provided that they complete the course following the proper rules and somehow stands out from the crowds of students eager for knowledge, they get admittance into the Imam's intense memorization program---make duaa inshaa Allah :)