SaqibSaab

A Heart Changing Experience

The past two weekends I attended A Heart Serene: Studies In Tazkiyah in Windsor, ON. It was probably the best AlMaghrib seminar I’ve ever been to.

Obviously the topic and subject matter were a given winner. The seminar was a treat on Tazkiyat an-Nafs based on the classical work Madarij-as-Salikeen by the wonderful scholar of the heart, Ibn al-Qayyim. There was also the blessing of Shaykh Riad Ouarzazi as the instructor, who had rave reviews from the students who took the same seminar in Ottawa, ON.

They also posted a video preview of his style that had me sold.

Off the bat, I knew I was in for an incredible spiritual ride.But what was it that sealed the deal with this class? Sure the topic and the instructor were top-notch, but it was the love and ukhuwwa (brotherhood/sisterhood) in the room that really did it for me. Read more »

Cyclone Sidra – A Survivor’s Story of Eman in Allah

Read this story from AFP:

On Thursday night, Nasima Begum, 30, woke up to howling winds and high waves rolling from the sea into her thatched hut near Patharghata.

Before her house collapsed, she managed to gather her children and fight her way through the water to a nearby tree. She held onto the tree and asked the children to cling to her body.

“We were there for almost an hour before the storm subsided and the water began to recede,” she said. “I don’t know how I survived. But Allah has helped us.”

SubhanAllah, imagine yourself in her place, clinging to a tree with her kids for an HOUR waiting for an end to the storm. It’s really hard for us to visualize these kinds of stories, since they end up happening so far away; far from the comfort of our lighted houses and heated seats.

But for just a minute, imagine you returned to your home from school or work and found your house destroyed. Read more »

Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab

Have you wondered who Thou is? Y’know, Thou. If you don’t know who I’m talking about, allow me to explain.

Thou is a person who’s identity is shrouded in mystery. Apparently, Thou is very holy; so holy, in fact, that no one to this day has claimed holier status than Thou. Thou usually pops up when people are either giving or receiving religious advice. For example, one person notices a mistake or problem with another and tries to give them Naseeha. During this instance, a problem occurs from either the sending or receiving end, and things get heated. Then, out of nowhere, enters Thou.

“I don’t appreciate your holier than Thou attitude!”

Now you know who I’m talking about. Thou.

Thou’s appearance is a sign that Naseeha has failed and, unfortunately, Muslims are now used to having Thou present at every scene of Naseeha, or sincere advice. Either the Naseeha has been given improperly, or has not been welcomed for acceptance in the first place, or even worse, both. Advice turns into fights, family ties are severed, friendships are put on hold, and Shaytan sits back happy that Thou has showed up at yet another site of Naseeha failure.

So how do we prevent Thou and their holiness from showing up all the time? Simply by understanding what Naseeha is all about.

There’s an art and science behind Naseeha that we Muslims need to pick up on. Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimuhullah) wrote a piece entitled “The Difference Between Naseeha and Ta’eer” which illustrates the difference between advising someone and chastising them. Using some bits from it and other sources, I found some ways we can properly practice Naseeha, increase our love and respect for our fellow Muslims, and insha’Allah never have to deal with Thou and their holiness ever again. Read more »

Khana Korner #001 – Pepperonchickenfeta Pizza with Tiseo’s Pizza Dough

Khana Spotlight is a series that focuses on some food that I had, and what I thought about it. Yummy!

My wife made homemade pizza back in August and I had been craving it recently. So I asked her to make it again and she did. Yeah it was sick, alhumdulillah, but what was it that made it so solid? There’re three things I noticed. Read more »

Good Khateebs Are So Hard To Find These Days

When was the last time you were absolutely thrilled to listen to a Jummah khutbah? If you’re like the majority of Muslims, you probably haven’t heard a solid khutbah in a long time. That’s because khateebs nowadays are lacking in so many ways vital to giving that solid khutbah we’re all wanting to hear.

I asked some brothers what they felt was the #1 problem about Jummah khutbahs for them. Here’s some responses and reflections.

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