Category: As a Servant of God
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Dhul-Hijjah Preparation: amanas and towbah
Our second step in getting ready for Dhul Hijjah is returning all amanas to their owners. In fact it is a good idea to have a place close to the front door where you place all borrowed items that need to be returned, so they do not get mixed up with your things and you…
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The Prerequisite of Towbah: halal money
Soon we conclude the month of Dhul Qi`da and then comes the month of Dhul Hijjah, the month of haj. Before one goes on haj, one must repent from all wrong he has done, reconcile with all people and learn about the rites of haj. For those of us not going on haj, the Prophet…
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To teach: understand… experience… respect
Umrah’s Life Lessons #8: To teach: understand…experience…respect I do not regard myself as one living a pampered life. Yet my age is an advantage. With grown daughters I can always count on someone to help out at home, and with grown sons, there is someone to fall back on for an errand I simply can’t…
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Burning passion required to accomplish…anything worth accomplishing
Umrah’s Life Lessons #7: Burning passion required to accomplish…anything worth accomplishing I have always been the expert in child-rearing in the family, but in matters of prayer and Quran, my husband surpasses me by far. While I think of creative ways to enforce prayer, he would be calling them to stand with him and giving…
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Real life is raw, sans glamor… but naturally sweet
Umrah’s Life Lessons #6: Real life is raw, sans glamor… but naturally sweet Five years ago I went on a luxury haj. We could pray in the hotel, see the Kaba and have it count as jama’a with the Haram. We could make wudu after the athan and still make it to a decent place…
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The Arrogance of feeling incensed…How difficulties expose the diseases of the heart
Umrah’s Life Lessons #5: The Arrogance of feeling incensed…How difficulties expose the diseases of the heart So everyday I get a little wiser in the dua I make all along the walk to the Haram. I prayed for a space that no one would crowd in on me in, and my spot seemed invisible to…
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On Three of the Components of Happiness…and making anyplace ‘home’
Umrah’s Life Lessons #4: On Three of the Components of Happiness…and making anyplace ‘home’ The day we performed Umrah was a long day. It started in Medina, walking, walking, walking to visit the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, walking back to the hotel elated, packing and taking the trip to Abyar Ali to…
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The Deprived Citizens of the Land of ‘Good-Enough’
Umrah’s Life Lessons #3: The Deprived Citizens of the Land of ‘Good-Enough’ Did I mention that it was a twenty to thirty minute brisk walk to the outer premises of the Haram from our hotel? Any other month, a car would have taken us along the freeway practically to the door of the Haram. Now…