Letter From a Reader

Salaam,
I came across this wonderful site of yours in search of relief for my
ownproblems, mainly on the subject of forgiving those who have hurt
us. I have been reading it for the past hour. Mash'Allah, it has
opened my eyes and my heart. May Allah bless you and your efforts to
share and spread love.
From,
Jesima (fasting in this holy month of Ramadan) from London
*****
Response from M.NajimudeeN. Bsc - India:
You're welcome, sister Jesima, I am glad the website helped you.
Letters like yours keep me motivated and remind me that what I am
doing with this website is needed, Insha'Allah.

Good New Day

People often wish for a return to the good old days. First of all,
when we look at them objectively, they weren't really so good. Sure, I
have funny and pleasant memories from my youth, but I also remember
the confusion and loneliness.
I personally would not trade my life at this moment for my life at any
time in the past. Among other things, I now have a beautiful daughter
who I love more than life itself; my writing, which has evolved to
allow me to express my deepest convictions; and many small blessings
that add up to a pot of gold.
Secondly, the old days are called "old" for a reason. That's the past.
We can't go back.
What we can do is focus on the journey forward.
"Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden
whose width is that (of thewhole) of the heavens andof the earth,
prepared for the righteous; – Those who spend (freely), whether in
prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon people;-
for Allah loves those who do good; – And those who, having done
something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly
bring Allahto mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who
can forgive sins except Allah…." – Quran, Surat Aal Imran, 3:133-135
This is how we make a better future for ourselves and our families,
Insha'Allah. Letting go of anger, forgiving, asking forgiveness,
giving to the poor and needy, and racing to Allah. The Almighty has
given us the formula. This is how, instead of yearning for thegood old
days, we create good new days! Our futurecan be as good as the past
ever was; it can be better, brighter and happier.
Let's build the good new days.

Love Ourselves First

We can get so caught up intrying to fix other people'sproblems, that
we forget to fix ourselves. We can spend all our time helping family
members, running around, "sacrificing", whileour own souls are weary,
discouraged and approaching despair. We can champion important causes,
or do vital work in our jobs, while we cover up or ignore wounds from
our past, until we cannot even look at ourselves with respect or love.
I suppose we all have our coping mechanisms. For me, it's martial
arts. When I'm troubled or unhappy, I tend to immerse myself in my
martial arts practice. It occupies my mind, allows me to forget my
problems,and wears out my body soI can sleep.
Others may plunge themselves into their work, or distract themselves
with books, music or television, or busy themselves with other
people's problems. But you can only keep this up for so long. If you
don't face what's going on internally, the darkness will eventually
spread and blot everything else out.
We have to come to terms with ourselves, or happiness will elude us forever.
How can we love and cherish others if we do notlove ourselves? How can
we extend ourselves to create something good in the world, if what we
haveinside is not sound and peaceful? How can we raise happy children
if we are not happy? Children are very perceptive; if you are troubled
and hurt inside, they will pick up onthat, and it will affect them. If
you really want tolove your children properly, you need to make peace
with your own soul.
Sometimes there are so many distractions in our lives, so much
external noise, that we can't hear our own hearts anymore. We need to
quiet our minds and get back in touch with our fitrah, that pure
nature given to us by Allah. We need to ask Allah's forgiveness, then
forgive ourselves, so that we can get rid of the baggage of shame.
Only then can we then forgive others, and let go of anger or
resentment.
We must listen to our intuition, and hear our hearts speaking, and
open ourselves to the clear light of Allah's huda (guidance).

miracle and a miracle worker

Each of us is a walking miracle.
"Among His Signs in this,that He created you fromdust; and then,-
behold, you are human beings scattered (far and wide)!" – Quran,
30:20.
Our existence is a miracle. That we are here, on this tiny planet
revolving in space, thinking our thoughts, sailing the ocean, growing
crops, loving, worshiping, forgiving, living and dying,is a miracle.
Our aspirations, hopes and bravery are miracles and gifts.
Beyond that, each of us has the potential to be a miracle worker, not
in the sense of walking on water or splitting the sea, but in changing
the world, spreading peace, and being examples of love and faith in
action.
My fellow editors at IslamicAnswers.com – SisterZ, Leila, Sara, Amy,
Muhammad, Abdul Wali, Maria and the others – are miracle workers. They
savelives and help desperate people.
One editor took in two foster children and raised them with love. He
and hiswife are miracle workers.
Anyone who speaks out for truth, who dedicates themselves to helping
others, who plants trees and protects endangered species, who raises
good children in this turbulent world, any such person is amiracle
worker.
Think of it: to be a miracle and a miracle worker. What a thing.
What an amazing creature the child of Adam can become if he (and she)
turns away from hatred, bigotry and revenge, and turns to compassion
and fellowship instead.