Its been too long

I haven't blogged in almost three years and I have to admit that I actually really miss it. I miss the interaction and the platform to share thoughts and ideas and frankly I think I have way too many excuses as to why I stopped.

Writing has been a part of me since I can remember. Sometimes I feel like I think in writing mode, or that I am forever lost in a world that everyone else can not relate to, (I'm sure fellow writers can relate though), but time is flying past and my thoughts are not always captured, which is quite sad if you think about it.

So much has happened since I last wrote anything here. The world has changed in so many ways and it seems that as much as we think we are going forwards, we keep coming backwards. So many "new"things happen each day and then we find ourselves in lock-down over a virus . It's got to make one wonder doesn't it? How much have we humans really progressed?

Nonetheless, I don't know if anyone still reads this blog but if you do, I will try my best to keep writing regularly and hopefully we can re-forge the connections we once had.

Healthy Muslimah Summit

The Healthy Muslimah Summit  is an online event that focused on holistic approaches to health and wellness. this is a Free online event which began last Saturday and ended today and I have enjoyed the talks and benefited a lot. The topics covered all areas of life and focused on physical, emotional as well as spiritual well being. 

MashaAllah I can't tell you how impressed I am by this whole event. The planning that went in to this must have been immense and may prayer is that Allah Almighty rewards each and every person involved for bring this even to us. 

Although the Summit ended today, tomorrow is a Free catch up day where you will be able to access all of the talks that have been running for the past  days. 

I personally recommend that you sign up and access this while there is still time. The speakers are dynamic and knowledgeable in their respective fields and the talks are not too long but immensely beneficial.

 Here is the link for this, don't waste any time!

http://www.healthymuslimahsummit.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=371501-free-catch-up-day-tomorrow-6th-august&utm_source=lists%2F40172-Healthy-Muslimah-Summit&simplero_object_id=su_QfonwGEP21Dom2q8ZPkoFctU

If you don't manage to catch all, life time access to the talks have been promised for a small fee. More details can be found here.

JazakAllah Khayr to sister Kate, the organiser of the event and to all the speakers. May Allah Almighty reward you in abundance and shower you with blessings. 

Book Review- Love & Happiness by Yasmin Mogahed

It always amazes me that so much meaning can be conveyed in the fewest of words. Sometimes we don’t need pages of words, because the right words can be so powerful. This was highlighted for me when I read Yasmin Mogahed’s latest book “Love & Happiness”.

In this book she shares some of her reflections about love, pain, loss and connection. The words are short and to the point, but laden with meaning to the extent that it left me in tears. It is said that books “speak to you” and this one has done just that. The words resonated with me and struck a chord.

Everyone goes through some sort of loss and difficulty in life and it’s not always easy to remain patient or to look at the bright side, but this book embraces the human emotions that people usually find so difficult to discuss. It not only embraces these emotions but celebrates it as being innately human. Thereafter it goes on to tell you that you have the ability to survive. “This too shall pass”, these words are reiterated in the book, reminding us that nothing is ever permanent and there is so much to look forward to. It encourages us to keep loving, despite the loss and it reminds us of real happiness, the type of happiness that comes with experience and maturity.

I loved everything about this book, the meaningful words, the beautiful images, the reminders and the deep self-reflection, but what I loved the most was the insistence on a sense of balance. We are reminded not to become consumed by any state we are in, whether that state is happiness or sadness. This reminder helps the reader to reflect on the true reality of this transient life and it guides towards the real happiness, the real love, the ever permanent bond between creation and our Creator. The way in which this is done is so natural and so profound. There are no judgements or harsh words, there are simply words of experience, of deep emotion, words that comfort the reader and allows us to accept our humanness.

The cover has been perfectly chosen to represent what the book is. A ray of hope, the sun shining through a forest of darkness and illuminating everything, making things clear and shedding light on the beauty that may have been forgotten or overlooked.

This book would make a great gift for anyone, but would be especially beneficial for those suffering loss or grief. I would definitely love to gift this book to a few people myself. The words are portrayed so perfectly in this book that nothing more needs to be uttered.

To read more about this book and author go here:

http://fbpublishinghouse.com/books/love-happiness/

http://fbpublishinghouse.com/author/yasmin/

Would Islam Affect My Cultures?

Here is the latest video from overcome.tv. Hope you all enjoy it:-)

Isa, originally from Colombia, was impressed by the knowledge of God that young Muslims had. And he liked how Islam encouraged questions, whilst his previous faith discouraged them. But could he make the changes Islam asked of him? And would Islam be compatible with his British / Colombian culture?

An inspiring Guest Post

I hope you all enjoy reading this post. I have found it very beneficial and hopeful, reminding me of the mercy of Allah. Thank you to Maham Rizwan for kindly volunteering to share her words with us:

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Verily In the Remembrance of ALLAH Do Hearts Find Contentment!

As we all are aware of the fact that Allah is the maker of everything, He is the greatest of all.

He has provided his people such a large number of valuable endowments throughout the life even we cannot thank Allah enough. Consequently, Allah simply needs recognition of His God-like. An ideal method for recognition of Almighty Allah is to supplicate each day five times.

Allah is aware of every single thing; he knows what you have inside your heart.

He has provided us humans with the all required senses, hearing, the capability to tune in, to see and talk, there are numerous different favors of Allah encompassed us.

 People are much occupied in their lives that they think it is difficult to set aside time for recognition of Almighty.

Following verses is a proof that the hearts find rest in the remembrance of their Lord Only:

My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy! (23:118)

The greatest blessing from Allah is the Holy Quran. It comes with so much knowledge and is known as a complete code of life. This verse clearly shows that He is the only one that we must look forward in order to have mercy, He knows it all, and He will make a way out for all of us. With His mercy, our hearts can find the required rest and only with His mercy; everything will get right.

[There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer; the All-Seer] (19: 65)

This verse is proof that Allah is with you wherever you go. Allah Almighty knows about the needs of all of us, and He favors us with acknowledgment of our all our wishes. When anyone of you calls Him, he hears it all, and the time He is summoned He replies to it all.

So you must pray to Allah as it is clearly stated that contentment comes to those who bow down to Him. People, who frequently ask forgiveness from their Lord, will get the actual contentment.

Allah has stated that He loves his people more than seventy mothers can do, there is no one else who could love you more. And He is the one that we need, and He is the one who is the caretaker of all.

So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter (3: 148)

The more you remember Allah, the calmer you are. When you talk about Allah, you can instantly feel the calmness and indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.

Allah is the only one that we must have, you can lose everything for Allah, and you will still have everything that you need. Allah is the most merciful and the most kind and He will guide you the way and will ignite the paths of success.

 These verses will fix your life and mend your heart. Bow down to Allah as soon as possible; there are many ways you can make your relationship stronger with Allah. Stay safe!

About the Author:

Maham Rizwan is a writer and copywriter who has worked with New York Times bestselling authors and personal development organizations such as Productive Muslim and Mindvalley. She regularly blogs at http://quranacademy.io/