When times are hard, and you’ve fallen down…

When times are hard, when your spirit is low, when you've been
knockedto your knees, or maybe just one knee… use that moment of
humility to praise Allah, the Most Glorious. Then find something in
your life to be grateful for.
Maybe you are grateful for your children, or your goodhealth, or the
plentiful foodon your table, or having good clean drinking water that
doesn't give you diseases, or a friend who makes you laugh, or the
fact that Allah has blessed you with Islam when so many are wandering
in darkness and despair. Or even just sitting on the grass feeling the
breeze, or a cat that sits in your lap and purrs… Find the many
blessings in your life, the hidden sources of happiness, and stand up,
and thank Allah.
Move forward with your head up, keeping your focus on Allah's gifts to
you, and your gratitude. Step, step, step with a grateful heart, and
that's how it's done.

Speak of Allah’s Kindness

"Do not become proudof your position. Do not become harsh toward those
weaker than yourself. And always speak of Allah'skindness to you."
- Ibn Isaq, "The Life of Muhammad"

Springtime: a poem

Springtime…
ocean air blows in fresh.
So much ahead:
green fields and blue skies…
Allah is kind
and He is still guiding you.
So be at peace, sister,
don't you cry.
Innocent eyes watch you
and small hands seek yours;
they love you so much,
not knowing how you try;
but Allah knows all.
He sees your struggle,
and your sapphire soul
shines in His eyes.
One bright spring morning
you're going to wake up singing
your heart so light
you could take off and fly.
You'll walk up the hill
and come home to your true love;
you'll dance and pray
and on life you'll be high.
Until that morning
Know that you are precious:
a strong Muslim queen
with dignity and pride.
So hold up your head
and don't fear tomorrow.
Be at peace, sister,
don't you cry.

Door of Mercy is Open at Dawn

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who
said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
Our Lord (glorified and exalted be He) descends each night to the
earth's sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He
says: Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking
somethingof Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me
that I may forgive him?
It was related by al-Bukhari (also by Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud).
In a version by Muslim the Hadith ends with the words:
And thus He continues till[the light of] dawn shines.
***
A poet wrote about this with the following couplet:
At every early dawn I hear this call:
the door of mercy is open, come one, come all.