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Holding onto A Burning Coal

“There will come a time of patience when the one who adheres steadfastly to his religion will be like one who holds a burning coal.”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2260; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 957. )

I recently came across this hadith again. I had heard of it many times, but it seemed to stick with me the last time I read it.

I realize that I do go on a lot about modernizing Islam and how much I dislike it, but it just seems like such a serious thing to me. If we look at what this hadith is saying, we can see just how important it is NOT to change things in Islam to suit modern times. If it were ok to do that, then the analogy of holding a burning coal would not apply.

As Muslims in modern times, (note I don't say 'modern Muslims') we have to hold on to Islam with such a firm grasp. The corruptions of the world have made it very difficult to do so. This is why we need people of Knowledge to remind us of what is the straight path, rather than where we can cut corners. In a previous post I had talked about the following hadith:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al' As: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "Allah does not take away the knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who when consulted will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray."

This is a big problem today. Many self proclaimed Imams and scholars are not on the right path. They obtain huge followings of people that trust them to know the truth. 'So they will go astray, and lead the people astray'... I have a feeling that these people have no idea what they are doing. They are not doing it on purpose, they just have not learned the proper thing, and therefore spread it on to others.

So let us all realize that we need to go back to Quran and Sunnah. We need to follow the way of the Prophet and his companions. Modern interpretation is not needed. One final hadith to insert here...

“Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so tooba (glad tidings) to the strangers.”

Work & Life

This has been an amazing week! My new job is great alhamdulilah! I really enjoy the kids and the challenge of teaching. The best part of course is the fact that I'm working in an Islamic environment. It is such a relief to not have to worry about being misunderstood all the time. At first I was going to be teaching two days and working in the office two days.... now they want me to run the computer lab one day and do the art curriculum for grades K-8! I'm getting my mum involved with the art stuff... she was an art teacher so she should be a great resource.

I've been really tired because we are all not getting enough sleep. We need to learn to balance our time better, and get to bed earlier! There are so many things going on that we stay up too late getting them done! We are still working on the bookstore, and Inshallah tomorrow we are going to get the books in NYC. The forum is really doing well. Its not really big or anything but its pretty civilized and everyone (most eveyone) seems to be on the same path. I go and read other forums now and then to see whats going on and it just makes me happy to have such a nice little community of our own. The fitnah that is out there is unreal. Even during Ramadan people can't seem to hold it back.

Its a dangerous place, cyberspace. There is so much mis information out there. Its even worse when the wrong information about Islam comes from Muslims. I understand that there are always going to be different interpretations of things, but its just insane for people to have to stretch so far to reach the conclusions they do. I often question why? Allahu anum.

Ok, its late and I'm still awake! Will I ever learn!!!!

First Day at the New Job

I was too nervous to be tired today. It was a whirlwind of information! I went to the Islamic school to get acclimated with what I had to do and teach, meet with the kids and meet with my co-teacher. Little did I know that I'd be responsible for the class tomorrow with only one day to prepare!! So this is going to be a short post!!

I was a bit overwhelmed at first and wondered how I would do it all, but when it came time for salat I was able to relax and feel more focused. Inshallah I will become a good teacher. Alhamdulilah that Allah subhanah wa ta'ala provided me with this oppurtunity!

Yippie!!!!!

Alhamdulilah!!! I got a job!! Yippie!!! I am going to be teaching at the Islamic School at my masjid. Its part time, but I'm excited. I'm teaching 6th grade Language Arts and History and 8th grade science!

Inshallah I do well! This means a lot to me because it means I don't have to go back and work in the 'regular' world... I've had it with corporate USA. There is no respect for anything and lying and stealing seems to be part of the job description.

So, inshallah I have to go tomorrow to get aquainted with the classroom and kids. I will write again to let everyone know how it went!

Lessons Learned

Now that it is Ramadan I can feel some peace in my heart. The last month or so has been hard. I got laid off from my job at the end of July. It was a shock, and it made me feel like I was a failure. I went from angry to sad in a few days and then just accepted it as the qadr of Allah subhannah wa ta'ala (which is what I should have done the second it happened). I spent the next few weeks after that applying for every job I could find on Careerbuilder.com. Nothing happened. No calls, no nothing.

Anyway within this time frame I also made a lot of stupid mistakes. I trusted people I should not have, and I put myself in harms way. As a Muslimiah I must remember that I need to contduct myself like that at all times. Before Islam I was everyone's mother. People told me their problems and I took them under my wing. I had great concern and care for them and tried to help them by being what they needed me to be. This still lingers with me now, and gets me in trouble. I've also felt very betrayed. I worked hard for things and gave a lot of time effort and care, only to have people turn their back on me when I needed them to be on my side. In any case, I've learned my lesson. I need to focus on what Allah subhannah wa ta'ala wants for me and keep away from things that cause fitnah.

I fully accept that I am not innocent in these issues. I have done stupid things in the past, and recently that have contributed to the problems. I can only ask Allah subhannah wa ta'ala to forgive and guide me.

Positive things have come of all of this. We did start a new Islamic Forum. Inshallah it is a sucess and helps others learn the true Islam. We are also working on an online bookstore, so stay tuned for that happy annoucnement, inshallah. Finally, I've been interviewing with the Islamic school at our Masjid for a teaching position. Inshallah that works out as well.

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone. May you and your family gain peace and tranquility during this blessed month.

Announcing Our New Forum!!!

Just a quick note to announce the opening of our new forum! My husband, myself and a close friend decided we wanted to give it a shot! We are looking to discuss and learn about Islam as a group. Please feel free to come and join in! www.theoneislam.com