It has been long since I have posted on this blog. I have gone through many experiences while I was away. I went on community medicine tours and autopsy tours which I shall post all about later inshallah but on 27th and 28th Inshallah another A Kauthar program is coming to Dhaka inshallah and it is the Victorious one=madinan period.

This lecture will be lead by Sheikh Alaa and it is the Seerah of Rasulullah (S.A.W) madinan period inshallah For more info go to alkauthar.org

Shall talk to you later inshallah

A Palestinian protester hit in the face by a projectile fired by Israeli forces died of his wounds, activists said.

Witnesses say Mustafa Tamimi, 28, was throwing stones at a military vehicle when he was struck in the head by a tear gas canister during a demonstration on Friday in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh. He later died on Saturday.

Tensions also simmered on Israel’s southern border and in Gaza, where mourners buried a 12-year-old boy killed in an Israeli strike on Friday.

Tamimi is the 20th person to be killed over the past eight years at demonstrations throughout the West Bank, said Sarit Michaeli of the Israeli rights group Btselem.

The army’s use of the gas canisters has come under sharp criticism in the past few years. Military officials say they are using the gas to quell violent demonstrations.

Photographs taken by pro-Palestinian Israeli activist Haim Schwarczenberg show Tamimi rushing after an armoured military vehicle. The photographer says he was throwing stones.

He then crumples to the ground a few meters from the back of the vehicle. His friends rush to the scene, covering his bloodied face with a black-and-white Palestinian checkered scarf.

Tamimi died of his wounds at the Beilinson Hospital in central Israel, said Israeli pro-Palestinian activist Jonathan Pollak.

‘Excessive force’

Tamimi’s supporters accused soldiers of using excessive force to deal with the protester.

“The question is not whether the person is throwing stones or not throwing stones, the question is whether the army is allowed to use deadly force from within an armoured vehicle,” said activist Pollak.

The canisters, which emit acrid smoke, are meant to push back crowds. But some Israeli troops have fired them directly at demonstrators, causing severe injuries and death.

The military spokeswoman said that forces generally used canisters “to contain the violent and illegal riots that take place in Judea and Samaria,” referring to the West Bank by its Biblical name.

“Such means were used during the course of yesterday’s riot in Nabi Saleh.”

Tear gas canister casualties include Palestinian Bassem Abu Rahmeh, who was killed in 2009 when one hit his chest.

They also include Tristan Anderson of Oakland, California, who is suffering from brain damage, paralysis and seizures after he was hit in the head by a canister at a 2009 demonstration.

The West Bank sees weekly demonstrations against Jewish settlement activity and the building of Israel’s separation wall, which has swallowed Palestinian farmland in its route.

In the Gaza Strip on Saturday, hundreds of angry mourners marched in a funeral procession for a 12-year-old boy who was killed on Friday in an Israeli strike.

Nearby, Palestinian fighters fired two rockets toward Israel, but they caused no injuries, said a military spokeswoman.

The funeral procession passed through the Shati refugee camp as weeping women watched from nearby windows.

Israeli forces had carried multiple airstrikes against Hamas facilities and alleged suspected fighters on Friday.

One airstrike damaged a house next to a targeted site, killing 42-year-old civilian Bahajat Zaalan and wounding several family members. One of the wounded, Zaalan’s son Ramadan, died of his injuries later Friday.

A strike on Wednesday killed one Palestinian, while another strike on Thursday near a crowded park in Gaza City killed two more, scattering their body parts over the area.

Another beautiful article.

[This is an edited version of a previously posted article. We thank our readers for weighing in with their advice and concerns, as we thank the author for her understanding and cooperation. We ask Allah to forgive any shortcomings, accept from us all, and be pleased with our efforts. Ameen]

An informative article highlighting a few trends of hijab today that take away from its true purpose, by guest writer Serine Yamout.

Sifting through photos of good times with your friends, you notice each one has a signature style of wrapping her hijab, color theme, and fashion. Think about the way you dress. Is it to please others? Or is it to please Allah?

Islam, the name of our beautiful religion, simply means “submission” to Allah alone. He is aware of our intentions, which must be aimed to be done for Him, simply due to the fact that He is our Creator and He has ordered it. As is said in the Qur’an,

“And He is Allah, [the only deity] in the heavens and earth. He knows your secret and what you make public, and He knows that which you earn.” [6:3]

This demonstrates how Allah knows what thoughts run through our minds and sees what presentation we put out for others, only emphasizing the importance of purifying our intentions, so that they match the purpose of how we represent ourselves on the outside.

Some might find the points made below straightforward and blunt; but I feel that we have overpowered our fitrah (inner nature) and stopped listening to our own consciousness. What I mean is that when we listen to spiritual lectures and polite speeches, we enjoy them, feel an iman-rush afterwards, then move on with no action. Personally, I can relate and admit that honest, clear speech lingers longer than flowery advice.

I remind my dear Muslim sisters and myself that when we are abiding by some fashion trends, we should not forget that we must abide by Allah’s rulings, for we are here as a test; and if I may point out, certain fashion trends are our obstacles. This is because beauty is a desire we want to attain and, at times, fashion gives us such beauty in inappropriate ways. However, Islam has blessed us with our own dress code, based on Allah’s commandments in the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s (salla Allahu alayhi wasallam) explanation in his Sunnah.

So, how is the hijab supposed to be worn? Allah clearly illustrates how a woman should wear it properly in the Qur’an,

“And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to expose their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcovers to cover their chests, and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or from the men who have no physical desire, or the small children who are not aware of the private aspects of women, and not to stomp their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments (jewelry). And turn to Allah in repentance together, Oh Believers, so that you may succeed.” [24:31]

Therefore, the front of our hijabs should come down low over our chests, not wrapped tight around our necks as is the current style. Imam Abu al-Fida ibn Kathir clarifies how and why:

“‘Extend their headcovers to cover their bosoms’ means that they should wear the headcover in such a way that they cover their chests so that they will be different from the women of the Jahiliyyah (time before Islam) who did not do that, but would pass in front of men with their chests uncovered and with their necks, forelocks, and earrings uncovered.”

This explanation also denounces three other current styles that have been prominent these days:

1. Naked Neck. Exposing the neck by pinning the scarf to the back was the exact way women before Islam wore their scarves. Some would even wear heavy and glittering jewelry around their necks to emphasize the look. Islam came to wash away the unnecessary customs and prohibit the harmful actions of our forefathers, so why reintroduce what Islam has already ruled against? Islam has ordered that our necks are considered part of what the hijab must cover, so please bring the ends of your scarf to the front of your neck if you do prefer to pin your scarf in the back. Or you could simply pin your scarf to the front under your chin and let the ends fall loosely over your neck.

2. Slippery Bangs. A sister’s hair bangs might fall out from under the scarf to the front over the foreheads and sometimes eyes. It’s grown pretty common to have the bangs styled, cut, and highlighted just so that they have a pleasant appearance when they fall out of the scarf. We see the photos of models for clothing lines everywhere. If the model doesn’t have her hair tied back, then her bangs are falling over her eyes, giving her a seductive look. With that said, it’s easy to keep bangs from slipping by wearing headbands or hairclips, which can be found at the super market. Undercap-pieces specifically designed to be worn under a scarf can be used to keep the bangs from falling out as well.

3. Protruding Ears. Sometimes, a sister will allow the ears and earrings to peek out from the sides. Earrings are flashy in general, and in this specific case, the earrings are usually huge and sparkly. There is no other reason for displaying earrings outside the scarf besides wanting to add a more attractive look to what is worn. Tuck them in, please.

I am now going to highlight a few more styles of today that our sisters should be aware of.

4. Piled High. This can be achieved by wearing a cushion above the head or ponytail and wrapping the scarf over it. Other styles include adding a large flower to the top or intricately twisting the scarf into a bun and pinning it to the side. Unfortunately, this creates a sign above the head saying “Check Me Out!” For your own good, don’t do it because the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wasallam has also given us warnings for those who dress in this fashion in the following two ahadith:

Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wasallam said,

“There are two categories among the inhabitants of Hell whom I have not encountered. The first are people who carry whips like the tails of cows and beat the people with them. The second are women, clothed yet naked, drawn to licentiousness and enticing others to it, their heads like the swaying humps of camels. They will neither enter Paradise nor even smell its fragrance, though its fragrance can be found to a great distance.” [Sahih Muslim]

The Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wasallam also stated,

“There will be in the last of my Ummah, scantily dressed women, the hair on the top of their heads like a camel’s hump. Curse them, for verily they are cursed.” [At-Tabarani and Sahih Muslim]

So, from these ahadith, my sisters in Islam and I should be careful to stay away from this look in whatever way it can be created.

5. Falling Scarf. The scarf simply slips off to the shoulders whenever it gets too tired at the top and exposes luscious locks of hair. Wear a scarf with not-so-silky material that would have more friction and prevent it to come loose or slip. Pinning the scarf at the top or side is usually helpful too.

6. Body-Suit Tightness. This occurs when skinny jeans, tights, or body-shirts are worn. It also takes place whenever other clothes, such as dresses, are skin-tight, as if they’ve been painted on. This image completely contradicts the whole standard of modesty, which is the purpose of hijab. What the woman is doing is putting her figure on display. Even if a long blouse is worn on top of the body-shirt and skinny jeans to cover her chest and thighs, her arms and shins are still emphasized. Looser clothing should be worn instead.

7. Made-up face. Eyeshadow, colored lipstick, blush, and bronzer are all products of the make-up industry. However, we’re all already beautiful products of Allah’s creation, so why use tools of society to demean ourselves in the process of submitting to what society claims should be beautiful? And why try to enhance your beauty when you’re going to be amongst the same people you’re wearing hijab in front of in order to conceal your beauty in the first place? Besides, if people don’t appreciate the way Allah created you, then they don’t deserve your efforts to abide by their judgments.

The reason this advice is being repeated is for the simple fact that as those who cover, we are not only representing ourselves, but the entire population of Muslim women who wear hijab. Firstly, we owe it to ourselves, and to our relationship with Allah, to seek ihsaan (perfection) in applying His rulings. If we’ve taken the first step in covering, then alhamdulillah; but let’s not stop there. Only by fulfilling the requirements of hijab can hijab then fulfill the purpose it was commanded for. Wearing hijab properly will protect us, make us conscious of our actions, and establish our respectability in society. And only through following Allah’s command as it was sent down can we hope to draw even closer in our love and obedience to Him.

On top of that, if we don’t wear hijab properly as stated in the Qur’an and displayed in the Sunnah, then we would be giving those who are not educated in Islam and hijab the wrong image of how it should be worn. We must always be conscious of our appearances and actions, since we carry the image of our Ummah. This is a call to remind you and I that we are responsible for how others perceive us if we’re at fault for dressing inappropriately. Let’s be positive images of the message of Islam, appropriate representatives of this beautiful call to modesty, and sincere believers of Allah, who readily submit and obey His commandments.

Basically, the easiest way I think of it when getting dressed is: Keep it simple, Serine.

My hope is for us to reexamine how we wear the hijab so as to purify our intentions and thus our appearance will inshaAllah reflect our rectified intentions. Whatever I have said that is correct comes from Allah, and if I have made any mistakes, then I take full accountability and ask Allah to forgive me.

Source: igotitcovered.org

Self-evaluation goes a long way in figuring out what delays us from that which is ultimately beneficial for us.

There are some sisters that truly recognize the beauty of hijab despite not shrouding themselves in it. They may practice hijab internally if not by wrapping a fabric around their heads and over their chests. And still, there are others who are completely or partially oblivious to the essence of hijab. I can still recall one sister opening her mouth in awe when she learned the true meaning of hijab and the many ways it could help her.

“You should try it one day,” I ventured, internally hoping that it would boost her confidence and excited at the possibility of her becoming a hijabi.

Her eyes averted my face and she bit her lip. “I don’t think I’m ready.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Hijab is certainly not an easy transition phase—a change in attire and attitude, adjustment to how people perceive you and not to mention the array of explanations you must give to both the curious and shocked acquaintances of yours.

But, besides the heavy weight of change, what is it that prevents a sister to be ready for hijab? After all, this is not some organic chemistry test that no matter how hard we study for it, we still do not quite feel ready to take it. Rather, even if we haven’t mastered the material, we do not have a choice to opt out of taking the test—unless if we want to fail the course, that is.

“I need this moment—an inspiring moment that just tells me it’s the right time to begin. I’m still waiting for it.”

I did agree with this sister partially. Inspiration is something that we seek daily in our lives and it beautifully weaves in when we aren’t even looking for it. But I couldn’t help thinking also—was this simply an excuse to delay wearing hijab? Reluctance is natural, hesitation instinctual. But can it also be Shaytan playing with natural emotions to hinder you from obeying your Lord?

In attempting to wait for the right moment to start wearing hijab, our lives could be over. And what constitutes as an inspirational moment? Can it be something as simple as a sudden realization while conversing with another about hijab or does it have to be as complex as a life-threatening situation?

So to the sisters who are brushing on the border, calmly waiting—what is it exactly, dear sister, that you are waiting for? If you have the understanding and even an ounce of desire to start wearing the hijab, why prolong embarking on this beautiful journey? As you can already attest, time proceeds without any empathy towards our needs. We are struggling to please others while countless become victims of terrible crimes. We aspire to become better individuals and Muslims while unconsciously back-tracking to bad habits. If anything, we need some more iman in our dunya-focused lives.

So it’s time to battle those internal dialogues. You may want to start wearing hijab, but you don’t feel ready.

Ask yourself, what steps do I need to take to become better equipped? A friend to confide in, perhaps? A closer reading of the Qur’an to be inspired once again. A shopping trip to buy some beautifully patterned scarves. A prayer to your Lord to make it easy for you to make this transition.

Give a time period, a deadline if you will. This Monday, in addition to cramming for that exam and going on that lunch date with friends, you’re also going to start wearing hijab. Maybe it won’t be perfect the first time around but it’s surely a start. Gradually, you’ll become better at it, you’ll adjust, and be confident.

I know I make it sound much easier than it really is. But the reality is that the longer you wait, the more you have to lose. Contemplate for a moment: what inspiration is better needed than the desire to please our Creator? If you knew of an enriching way to become a more cohesive Muslim, why would you leave it for the future? Insha’Allah, you will find the ability and confidence to stop waiting, and to start wearing.

Inna lillahi ina ilayhir raji’un.

Please do bear in mind that whatever the media says is not true if you really want to know this sheikh then listen to his lectures understand, do not listen to the biased media that has no information at all to back up what they are saying and are just claiming false accusations. When I heard it on the news I was shocked and couldn’t believe it and I still can’t.. then I wept as I loved the sheikh for the sake of Allah, for the fact that He spoke the truth which is why he was a threat to U.S. Another religious leader gone but that is fine as he has given us alot to benefit from Alhamdulillah and if Allah wills for victory he will make a means for it so we don’t need to worry.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11658920

I will post notes of The aakhirah cds as i promised ..I remember that i was posting sessions and i mentioned that I will post notes that i took on his lectures and Inshallah I will soon.

A bit calmer post on here.. read this.

http://www.cageprisoners.com/our-work/opinion-editorial/item/787-anwar-al-awlaki-a-missed-opportunity

An intense earthquake jolted the buildings and establishments of Rajshahi making the residents panicky this evening, reports our Rajshahi correspondentThe quake which lasted from 6-40 to 6-44 made several intense shock waves. Panicky people rushed to streets from their houses as their houses started to tremble. The earth quake was felt in nine upazilas as well as in neighbouring Naogaon, Natore and Chapainawabganj districts.
However, there was no report of injuries or any damage due to the earthquake from any where of the city and the upazilas.
Dr. Sarwar Jahan Sajol, Professor of the department of Geology and Mining of Rajshahi University said, people of Rajshahi never felt such a strong earthquake over the last 20 years.
Dr. Sarwar Jahan, Professor of the Institute of Environmental Science of Rajshahi University said, the quake was stronger than any other earthquake during the previous years. Such gradual increase of intensity of earthquake is ominous and indicates a devastating earth quake in future.
Rajshahi Meteorological Department failed to give any information about the earth quake. Hasan Ali, Officer of Rajshahi Meteorological Office informed that as there was no seismograph at Rajshahi Met Office, it was not possible to measure the intensity of earthquake.
In Pabna at least 11 people were injured while attempting to get out of multi-storied buildings, reports our Pabna correspondent.
In Kushtia a student of Islamic University was inured after he jumped out of third floor of his dormitory.
Reports received from different areas of southern region including Barisal city said that a light tremor jolted their areas for at least two minutes from 6.42 pm.
After observing abnormal vibrations of the floors hundreds came out of their houses.
No causality was reported till filing this report in the late evening, but panic gripped the people.
Chandpur Sadar and its seven other upazilas also felt the quake at around 6.40 p.m. Sunday, reports our Chandpur correspondent.
The quake jolted twice for a few seconds making the people panicky who went out of their buildings. Least people were injured the incident.

-By Shahpar Sattar (I made notes in her class)

The First Ayah: Inna Ataynak alKauthar
Explanation: Inna: Verily, without doubt.
Ataa’- granting us or giving us.
Al Kauthar- derived from the word Kathra-which means alot, Kathir=more than alot.
Finally, Kauthar: Abundance, this word is only connected with good given to Rasulullah(S.A.W).
In conclusion the verse means: Verily we have granted you (O Muhammad S.A.W) al-Kauthar.

Now, Al Kauthar means:
1. Abundance.
2. A river in Paradise which has two branches that give to all the rivers of Paradise.
3. It is the pool or pond (Hawd)- Now alittle overview is needed.. : The pool will be square in shape.
Jabir narrated that the Prophet (S.AW) said, “AL-Hawd is square, one side of it measures the distance of travelling one month. Its cups are like the stars, it smells better than musk, is whiter than milk. Whoever drinks from it will never become thirsty after it again.” (Ahmad)

It’s distance will be as wide as the distance from Aylah to Sanaa in Yemen.
Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet (S.A.W) said, “My pool will be as wide as the distance from Aylah to Sanaa in Yemen. It will contain as many jugs as starts in the sky.” (Al-Bukharee and Muslim)

Rasulullah (S.A.W) will arrive before everyone at al Hawd.
Sahl ibn Sa’d reports that the Prophet (S.A.W) said, “I will precede you at the Pool. Whoever comes to it will drink from it and whoever drinks from it will never be thirsty again. Some people will come to me, whom I will recognize and who will recognize me, and then there will be a barrier between me and them. ” (Al-Bukharee and Muslim)

There will be birds that will be swimming in this pool with long necks like a giraffe and Rasulullah (S.A.W) said, “The ones who eat it are much more beautiful.”

Whoever feeds a fasting person will drink from this inshallah.
Note:
Rasulullah (S.A.W) said, “Do not overpraise me like the christians did to son of Mary, I am just a slave.”

Rasulullah (S.A.W) said, “One verse of Allah is better than Muhammad and his family.

Rasulullah(S.A.W) said, “None of you loves me until you love me more than your parents,children and even more than yourselves.” (Al-Bukharee and Muslim)

WE HAVE TO JUSTIFY THIS LOVE FOR RASULULLAH (S.A.W).

He (S.A.W) came to spread the message of Islam and it’s our duty to do the same. He was also known as the KEY to Mercy.
He was brought to be imitated as the living example of the Qur’an.

“O you who believe! Make no (a decision) in advance before Allah and His Messenger (S.A.W), and fear Allah. Verily ! Allah is all-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Hujurat, Ayah 1)

Do not walk ahead, Do not hasten and do not create, or innovate.
Coming back to why this is mentioned is because as per this hadith,

Anas reports that the Prophet (S.A.W) once dozed off for a little while. He then raised his head and smiled. Then he either said to them or they said to him, “what has made you smile?” He said, “A soorah has just been revealed to me. It says, “In the Name of Allah,. the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, We have given you the Kawthat (River of Abundance)..’ until the end of the Soorah. Then he said, “Do you know what Al-Kawthar is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It is a river Allah will give me in Paradise. It will abound in goodness. On the Day of Judgement, my followers will come to it and find there as many cups for drinking as the number of stars. Some of them, however, will be taken away. I will say, “O Allah, they are from my nation.” Allah will say, “You do not know what they did after you.” (Ahmad)

They had innovated. So Rasulullah(S.A.W) will banish them from the Hawd.
Every innovation is misguidance. (Mutawaatir Hadith)

Most mistakes take place due to the lack of knowledge.

2nd AYAH: Fassallili rabbika wanhar
Explanation: Whether you realize the abundance or not THANK ALLAH.
The actual translation: Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only).

3rd AYAH: Inna Shani’aka hual abtar.
Explanation: Shani- Enemy.
the enemy of Allah will be cut off. Anyone who harms Islam will be destroyed by Allah.
Actual Translation: For he who hates you (O Muhammad (S.A.W), he will be cut off (from posterity and every good thing in his world and in the Hereafter.)

This surah should definitely remind us of Bilal (Radi allahu anhu). Bilal (R.A) needs definite mention all the time in every ayah of this surah as well.
First of All, who is Bilal ibn Rabah?

He was the first slave who accepted Islam. His master was Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
After Bilal had accepted Islam he had gone through much torture and much turmoil yet he stayed steadfast to his deen. Umayyah even told him to whip another slave who had accepted Islam. (That’s what the disbelievers do they try to turn the muslims against each other. )

They decided to punish Bilal and make him an example so they took bilal to the streets and everyone had their windows closed as not everyone was as cruel as Umayyah and they did not want to witness the torture.

During this time Bilal (R.A) said in his own words, “I will not dwell on it as pain is something that is felt and not described.”
The whip touched only his body but not his pure heart.
He (R.A) said, “I did not scream.”

He only said, “Ahad, Ahad.” That is the only way he knew how to praise Allah. He said, ” I had felt perfume drift over me and it was Hind who came and laughed at me.”
“At a point the whip kept lashing and lashing and I somehow went far away, it was either me going crazy or hallucinating or Just Allah helping me as I saw my torturers became distanced from me, I closed my eyes and saw green fields, water and which led me to a fountain where I drank and my thirst had seized. (Al Kawthar).

Abu Bakr (R.A) saw this torture and saw Bilal(R.A) being tortured in the intense heat and he went and approached Umayyah. Bilal(R.A) says, “I saw a man come close who looked like a lamp.”

Abu Bakr (R.A) told Umayyah to name the price so that he would buy Bilal (R.A). Umayyah demanded 200 Uqia and Abu Bakr agreed. Upon this Umayyah Laughed and said, “Had you demanded 60 Uqia I would have sold him to you.”  Abu Bakr said, “It’s your loss, had you demanded a 1000 Uqia I would still buy him from you.”

Bilal (R.A) was carried by Abu Bakr (R.A) and another Sahabah to Abu Bakr’s house. Bilal (R.A) had gone through so much torture that he lay unconscious for 5 days, coming in and out sometimes seeing someone pray and someone dressing his wounds. On the 6th day he gained consciousness and started to get on is feet. Abu Bakr (R.A) was so happy. He then told Bilal (R.A) that he would take him to Rasulullah(S.A.W) the next day.
Bilal (R.A) could not wait and then he was taken to Rasulullah(S.A.W). Rasulullah saw him and cried, at that time Ali(R.A) was little and said, “O cousin, why are you crying is this bilal a bad man?”

Rasulullah (S.A.W) said no but only that he is so beloved to the rasul and Allah and he hugged him.

So, did bilal (R.A) see his abundance instead he was being tortured and tortured yet he was going on and on.. he was UNCONSIOUS for 5 days so imagine the amount of tortue he did go through.. We have gone through NOTHING compared to them. Would are Iman be this strong after the amount of torture similar to Bilal inflicted on us. People are afraid to attend Halaqahs because they fear the cops will catch them for that. Why are we so afraid of the creation and not the creator?

Inshallah I pray that Imaan is instilled and strengthened within us and that we stop being cowards and inshallah strive to be the SLAVE of Allah and instill it withing our offspring. Victory will be ours inshallah and Allah will make the means for it. Ameen.
 

]]> http://souljette.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/surat-al-kawthar/feed/ 0 souljette Surat al Kawthar http://souljette.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/help-in-the-somalia-drought/ http://souljette.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/help-in-the-somalia-drought/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 13:23:00 +0000 souljette http://souljette.wordpress.com/?p=211 ]]> Somalia is facing severe drought and famine. According to a UN report, more than 30,000 children have died in the past 3 months. A child dies every 6 minutes.  240 children die every single day!

About 3.2 million people are on the brink of starvation in Somalia, where the UN has formally declared a state of famine in five regions in the southern and central parts. A cholera outbreak linked to dirty water threatens Somali children already weak and on the brink of starvation.

At a time when our mothers are puzzled about what dish of food to cook, a mother in Somalia decides which son to feed while the other starves. The notion that someone you love is hungry, but you can’t give even a morsel right then & there- is the most nerve-wrecking experience one can have.

Do we feel the pain?

Water is so expensive in the area that people are being buried without being washed! If Allah asks us what we were up to, when this happened, what are we going to tell HIM? When Allah asks us about how we spent our wealth, our excesses, our luxuries, what are we going to say?

When the children of Gaza are gathering money for the children of Somalia, the rest of the world should cry in shame. The people of Gaza barely make it from one day to the next. They live under occupation, frequent bombing, an unbelievable lack of medicine & other supplies: yet, they began a drive to collect funds for Somalia.

The people of war-torn Gaza have already raised $17000, what have we to say of ourselves?

Do we complain about the food we have for iftaar while every 6 minutes a child in Somalia dies out of hunger?

 What can we do?

Let us stand beside these Muslims brothers and sisters of ours. We are collecting donations till 27^th of August inshaAllah. Contact us if would like to donate.

InshaAllah the donations will be handed over to Muslim Aid, a registered, international aid org, based in UK.

Pour out your hearts, let your tears flow while making dua to Allah SWT for them and reach out a little further into your pockets while you donate. Remember, every penny counts, just as every drop of water has a role in the forming the ocean.

Those who live abroad may donate online here:

http://www.muslimaid.org/index.php/what-we-do/disaster-and-emergency/crisis-in-somalia-continues

A “Muslim Aid” worker working in Somalia refugee camps: “It’s tough work…but someone’s gotta do it. When people think about aid for refugees they don’t think about how much work goes into creating the camps. A lot of hard work has gone into making this place habitable for the people. Every donation helps towards making this a better place. This place is like an oasis in the desert for people who are trekking thousands of kilometers for food.”

 http://www.muslimaid.org/ramadan/yusufs-blog

Take this short quiz, for every person who takes this short hunger quiz, a child will receive a warm meal thanks to an anonymous donor to WFP:

http://gifts.wfp.org/quiz/?lead_source=fbshare-wfp-quiz

May Allah bless the people of Somalia with beneficial rain, grant them food and drink, bless them with health and protect them from sickness, grant the parents patience during their trials, and make the loss of their children a means for their entrance into Paradise and forgive all of us.Ameen!