A Little Leap is All it Takes

Was it the latest songs? The hottest Hollywood couple? The soon-to-be-launched gadgets? Just ask Hauwa because she knows all about them!

I can still remember my friends coming over to consult me regarding the lyrics of a song or to settle a heated argument over celebrity gossip. At that time I was very much in love with the world; so much so that I avoided any thing to do with Islamic topics. As for my tongue, it ran free and wild! I would say stuff that I later on slept regretting. For example, I can still remember walking into a quiet room at the dorms during my high school days and blurting out “Did someone die?!” because they were all sulking. Little did I know that someone had actually died. Of course I didn’t mean the question in an inconsiderate way, but still it might have transmitted the wrong message to the others. I eventually got tired of that wild and carefree life. I wanted to become more mature considering I didn’t get any younger by the minute! I bought some Islamic books and tried to read them, but they mostly ended up somewhere in my closet with a dog-ear at the second chapter.

Then a very good friend of mine reccomended a lot of Islamic websites to me and I opened them up one by one. I Got It Covered happened to be one of them. I read through a few articles and suscribed for the mailing list. It was then that I concluded “CHANGE” was very much needed in my life!

I improved in my prayers and wore my hijab as it should be worn (not accompanied with too much perfume and a made-up face) and tried my best to quit my bad habits and adopt better ones. I started to read the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

But even then, after all that, I still couldn’t sleep well at night. What about my friends? I kept thinking. I tried engaging in Islamic conversations with them and even offered to forward them the websites that I benefited from. But to no avail. I remembered a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see!” So I tried my best to improve my character and prayed that it would influence them even an atom’s weight. I love them and would want them to see the “light” as I have had the opportunity to.

I know that time is precious and should not be wasted, which made me learn an important lesson: Sure we have time, it’s just not in our hands. At any point in time it may be our time to go and there is nothing and nobody that can stop it from happening. So why not change today? Why not now? A little leap is all it takes.

I pray that the Almighty guides us in all our deeds and helps us fight the obstacles that we may face on our road to perfection: ISLAM. Ameen!

By sister

Huwa

My Love Story -Iman

My Love Story...(A poem  by a brother)

be patient and read till end .......

She came into my life, when i needed her the most
when i had lost it all, the trust, the care, emotion.

she taught me that i could trust people again
that i could love and respect once more.

making me think different to how others would percieve.
when i felt weak, she'd empower me.


Her presence was pleasing and brought peace to my heart
the scenes of the world were colourful now, pure art. 

She encouraged me to ask Allah, and He would give..
So by His Mercy i'd learn patience, and to forgive. 

We'd work together and be strong.
Even though our journey was tiresome, and long..



..but time moved forward, and situations changed. The world distracted. The love didn't increase, just conflicted.

"i'm sorry" i'd say regretfully. "repent to Allah" she would reply.


but the love wouldn't rise again. Sins would rise. Our relationship began to change...
My heart was greedy, and it wanted more.


the gaze wouldnt lower when passers flaunted
the heart said no, but the desires taunted.

the heart covered itself in dirt of black.


soon.. she left, and didn't come back...


the regret hurt, and loneliness messed my head.
Couldn't go sleep, couldn't rest.

i covered the pain with sin
might remove this pain i'm in?


the pain persisted and the desire more
so i increased in rebellion,
but this feeling wouldnt go..

..i had lost myself..
my regret overpowered

i went in search 


she was with her protector, waiting to be found.
Just waiting for me to come around.
She missed me too
but i couldnt be with her, until i gave her her due.

what is your due, i humbly asked?


“To pray, to obey, and be steadfast

thats the only way - our relationship lasts.

To be the friend of Allah, and think of death often.
To humble yourself, and do good action

to prepare for that moment, when we all run away
except the one who prepared for that Day

so fear Allah and be committed
to our relationship, so you're admitted, 

in the gardens of joy

don't be the people of hell
the home of destruction, a fire filled cell.

mend your ways now, its the right thing to do,
deep down, you know i care for you..“

i listened attentively, understanding.. I was wrong in desiring more.


When she was enough for me, when she made me joy.
That smile of that child, who finds his toy.

The simplicity, the balance, the pact we kept.

Thats what we wanted - without regret.



i asked her Protector, who gave her me back.
This experience had put me on track.

except this time i was sure
i didnt need to exceed desires for more.

the experience gave me fresh strength

The true Joy was in being content.
...




..We're now together - together till death,
a promise we've - upto now - kept.

i hope it remains this way.
oh Allah, don't let us stray.
from your Mercy and pleasure.since that's the only way, we'll stay together.
now you know, this was my love story.. 
except, it wasn't what you expected it to be.

this girl, her name was Imaan*.
except she wasn't a girl, she's my faith - that kept me strong.
Imaan is my joy, my love, and pleasure..
the one i've tried to find - through many - in haraam, 
except this caused the least harm,
..the one I still treasure.