Uncategorized « Peacespective

Becoming More Aware of Our Blessings

So how does one develop the skill of “seeing” all that Allah has blessed her with? Gratitude itself is one of the greatest blessings, but it can be practiced and acquired. First, one must practice the art of keen observation as the Prophet SAW advised, “Look in worldly matters to those beneath you and look in matters of religion to those who are above you.” When you notice those whose health, homes and paychecks are less than yours, it helps you appreciate that which you have. Greed and competitiveness in material and worldly matters breeds jealousy, creates grudges and develops feelings of bitter dissatisfaction. Therefore one should always be in touch with those less fortunate than him, that she may appreciate her lot and that she may extend a helping hand, share her wealth, health and time trying to alleviate their hardship, all the while becoming acutely aware of what she has.

The Characteristics of Blessings

Many, many years ago, when my oldest was about a year old, I witnessed my friend play the ‘Thank you Allah’ game with her two year-old daughter. A few months later when my round-the-clock ‘morning sickness’ turned me into an invalid, unable to even prop up a book to read lying down, I found the game to be both a beneficial and fascinating distraction. In my adult version of the game, I classified the blessings I wished to thank Allah for. There were the blessings I shared with anything in existence — how special am I to be brought into existence by the Divine and to be given the chance to witness the wonder of creation and the Greatness of the Creator? Then there were the blessings I shared with anything living: the sun we all experience, the air that we breathe, the life-span we were granted, the ability to function each according to its species. Then those blessings I shared with people: the special gifts we have as humans, our ability to think to feel to plan to do.

Loyalty and Commitment in the Life of Sayyidah Khadeejah:

on raising sons and daughters for marriages of peace Sometimes when we complain of the way men view us and treat us, we forget that after all they were raised by us. I am not denying the effect of their masculine nature and that of society; I am merely drawing attention to the fact that we are a strong influence in the lives of future husbands – and wives. It is easier to think of our children in terms of their future careers and to prepare them for that than it is to think of their future roles in marriage. Yet a successful marriage is more important in my opinion than a successful career. A family is the building block of society and if its members are fulfilled and balanced that spills over into success in all aspects of society more so than a particular career.

On patience and peace in the life of Sayyidah Khadeejah

“Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.” Much happens in life that is sad and unfair. Both personal and public tragedies are an integral part of life. Nevertheless, we know that all that happens in a lifetime is but an episode of a to-be-continued story. That how we react to destiny is a matter of choice. When a baby with a severe chromosomal abnormality is the first-born to a religious young couple, when a cruel disease sidesteps the comatose elderly patient and seizes the young mother, when the bliss of a family is twisted into misery by what seems to have been a needless, careless act, when natural disaster or monstrous deeds reap lives in incomprehensible numbers, it may shock and shake us – but it should not leave us bewildered –for such is the stuff of life.