We may bend, but we will never break...

The other day in Shariah class, we were discussing the trials and tribulations that our Prophet Muhammad (Peace by upon him) went through to convey the message of his creator, Allah (SWT), with little support from his closest family members and from the members of his community. The amount of pain and suffering he endured for a God that was so foreign to him is something unimaginable. One man, born an orphan, can surpass any comments, any doubts, and all disbelief in him by everyone, to bring about a change that becomes the best thing that's ever happened to mankind. The change, of course, like in any other society in the world, causes havoc and outrage, that this illiterate man would dare to step beyond his boundaries and disbelieve in the idols; but what pulled him through the most turbulent times was something no man or woman could ever break, and that was Prophet Muhammad's extreme faith and hope in Allah. The hope that one day people would listen, would learn, would open their minds and look beyond the facade that hides them from the truth.

We complain about being targeted and misconceived; we complain about being mistreated and abused, and we break. We forget in the Prophet's message; one he tried to convey through years of torture and struggle, and we eventually let our emotions overcome our senses. We begin to hate, and think negatively. We begin to see ourselves as victims, but it was Allah who said:

'Verily God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves.'

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

(13:11 )

How can we help in our Prophet's journey, when we can't even help ourselves? How can we fulfill our duties as Muslims, when we blame, ignore and abuse our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam; those who struggle to live just one more day, those who have no hope for the future, and those who can't even protect and serve their families? Islam is a religion of peace and unity. If we can't better ourselves, how can we provide help for the Muslim nation? The prophet was one man; a great man undoubtedly, but he was a man, and just like the rest of us, he made mistakes; but he looked past his imperfections and dedicated his life to Islam. He had no one to support him, but he needed no one but Allah. If this man, created by Allah (S.W.T), can look beyond his needs and desires, and start a revolutionary beginning, then each of us can also look beyond our weaknesses and continue with the mission of Islam.

None of us are perfect; we WILL lose faith, and consequently our drive to keep going and we WILL feel hatred and disgust; but no matter what, no matter how much we get criticized and damned, we must concentrate on improving ourselves, and that will be the path to follow in mending our way of life - Islam.

Salams :)

YaY - Almost done God willing

In less than a month I have my final year exams, and although I should be studying, I couldn’t help but log on and post something. I can't believe my first year of uni went flying past me before I could capture the moment.

This year has been …. adventurous. I've been through all sorts of experiences, and as much as I'd like to say my life has changed, I still have to tell you that it was awesome year. Uni was a whole new experience, especially since I've never associated with non Muslims for long periods of time before. Now, I can't seem to find any Muslims at all. I guess that’s a good thing. I like the fact that I have the opportunity to meet new people everyday, and get to know other cultures and religions...


One thing I've noticed, however, is the isolation between me and some people at uni. A couple of months ago I was thinking of transferring to another university; one with a whole lot of Muslims that I have alot in common with, and one where I would feel more comfortable in. Now, I'm thinking against it. I realized that if I did transfer, I'd be taking the easy way out. That I'd be walking away from something I might not ever come across again. One of the reasons why I want to transfer is because I felt like the odd one out. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and I don’t go clubbing – everything my fellow uni mates do. I guess you have to fall in the 'party animal' category to get along with them. Its not that I don’t talk to people, because people are very nice, but I can tell there's a barrier prohibiting any form of communicating other than formal-'don’t say anything to get yourself killed by this crazy muslim maniac psychopath-quickly get out of this convo and pretend like u need to go.' LoL, maybe not exactly like that, but pretty close I reckon.


Im afraid that if I do decide to stay, ill never feel as comfortable as I would when im surrounded by muslims who understand me. If I leave, I would never show the true side of muslims that actually cant be tainted by the media. I guess I still hold a little bit of hope that it would all get better, and that I would eventually feel like an accepted, proper uni student. Being a muslim wasnt an issue before, so why should it be now?


In the end, its not what I choose to do, but if the decision was the right one. I can only pray to God to guide me and make me stronger through all of this. For now, I shall think about passin my exams with flying colors, rather than facing this problem.

Wish me luck. :)

Salam

Hadeeth

I wont say much on this Hadeeth, except I was amazed to read it and find an answer to all those questions that non muslims always ask about 'Muslims fundamentalists'. The thing is, there is no such thing. There arent any muslims who would actually dare to commit such horrendous crimes against humanity and risk everything for a purpose so wrong. Just people who kill thousands of innocent lives in the name of Islam.

Volume 1, Book 2, Number 38:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights." (See Fath-ul-Bari, Page 102, Vol 1).

N.B - Ahadeeth (Plural) are actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammed (Peace by upon him) that are set as important examples for muslims to follow in their behavior.

Nothing better to do....

Every now and then, when I have nothing better to do with my time, I contemplate about a lot of things in my life. The past, the present, and of course, the future. Sometimes I wish I had a remote control to rewind the times in my life I want so badly to go back to and re-live. The times I was rude to people, or when I talked behind someone's back, or even when I judged someone to quickly, and realized that they're not to all what I expected them to be. When I do think about the foolish things I did back then, I quickly turn my attention to something else, hating the fact that I was dumb enough to say or do something so utterly stupid.

One of the things that haunt me to this day is something I said at my sister's birthday. Now I think about it, it was something so miniscule, and totally worth laughing at, but at the time, I was crushed. Every time I would think about it, my heart would go all tipsy and it felt really uncomfortable, and this went on for many years. That’s just one of the many things that I regret doing/saying in the short but eventful 18 years of my life. I have to say that without these….'little interruptions' in life, It wouldn’t have made me so cautious. Cautious about how I speak, how I act, and how I would deal with situations. Unfortunately, no one can change their past, but they can certainly benefit from them.

Ok, thats all ove got for now.
Salam :)

Ramadan is here once again

Ramadan Kareem, Ramadan Mubarek, Happy Ramadan, etc etc.

I hope every muslim around the world has a blessed Ramadan this year, and for the many years to come.

I havent really updated my blog, but like I said, I really suck at keeping track of anything. I know, its bad habit....

Not much has happened since my last post, but it has been a very interestin couple of weeks. Firstly, my brother, who arrived from Melbourne to spend some time with us before going overseas again, has left. It was really depressing in the beg, but after a good movie, I was all better.

Other than that, things down here are fine alhamdullilah. Unfortunately, I cant say the same thing about so many countries in the world. So much is happenin, and I dont understand it. I dont understand how people can be so violent and give up everything for something so wrong. I dont understand why they would murder and ruin innocent lives for their benefit. I cant understand. Its so incomprehensible, something soforeign and nothing makes sense about it. The greatest gift to mankind is life, so why people go around destroying it, is beyond me.

Too much to think about.

Salam

I may be Australian, but I belong to Iraq....

First and foremost, I love Australia. I love everything about it. I love that people are so laid back and relaxed. I love that its so peaceful and everything could be solved through discussion and debate. I love that people from other countries think I like Vegemite, even though I really dont. I love that they're silly enough to think we keep Kangaroo's as pets. I love the way I defend it when others put it down, and how the whether can suddenly change in a few minutes, but most of all, I love that its become my second home. A country I love to come back to after a long holiday away. A country where I could voice my opinions and speak my mind. A country I grew accustomed to. One that took me in and treated me as its own.

However I can never forget my hometown. My war torn, damaged, spoilt, obliterated and destructed hometown of Iraq. A country once so beautiful gone to waste, and all because of .... well, Im not sure why. All those excuses made me confused! I can never pull away from the strong connection I have with it, nor could I ever explain the allegiance I feel I owe it. We left Iraq when I was four years of age, yet those years cannot define how much I need to go back. I missed out. I missed out on being Iraqi. I missed out on living an Iraqi life. I cant help but wonder if my children would feel how I feel. If they would have the same patriotic feeling in them that I have now. In many years from now, will there still be the same Iraq there is now? Will it still be occupied? Will people still turn on each other like they are now? Will women have to be forced into prostitution so they can support their children? How many widows will there be? How many orphans will be left out on the streets, fighting for their lives? Will there still be 'liberators' turning our country into rot and decadence? Will there still be soldiers raping our girls and burning their families before shooting them?I cant help but wonder...

My parents tell us of the many years ago they lived in Iraq. How beautiful it was, and how everyone got along (believeit or not). How Eid would be particularly special because the entire family would get togethor and celebrate the glorious day. They would talk about it as if they were there, as there eyes glow and their smiles widen. Memories rushing back; 'Alaaaaaahhhhh' My dad would say. 'Allah Allah'. I missed out, and the fact that I did miss out on all those memories makes me want to go back more. It makes me want to experience it, or at least build a brighter future for the Iraqi's. For the children who never had, or might not ever have an Iraqi life...my children, my children's children. Those children who have been forgotten. Who have completely lost their identity and those who are ashamed to say that they have any links with Iraq...

Australia accepted me, but Iraq will always be ready to have me back.

We're normal people....n.o.r.m.a.l

Do you ever feel like your inadequate? Like nothing really matters becuase you know in the end, no one's gonna be on your side and really, there's no point in trying? Well, sometimes I feel like that. Sometimes. Especially when Im surrounded by people who look at me as if Ive commited a crime and therefore should be executed because of it. You see, I wear the Hijab/scarf in an environment where this mere peice of material symbolises terrorism. Opression. Fear.

I smile as brightly as I can to make things less awkward, but even then people look away, pretending they hadnt seen me, so I would'nt have to take out the missile under my hijab and blow them up with it.
RELAX..IM ONLY JOKING. I dont have a missile under my hijab. I dont even have a missile. Im not even sure what a missile looks like...

Anyway, Im not really sure what the whole problem is. Im a normal person. Im not bald, nor am I opressed. Far from it. I love wearing my hijab. I love its funky colors, and the many ways I can fix it. I especially love the fact that Im different. That I have the courage to wear it in spite of what everyone thinks....and that, my friends, is what makes it so liberating. It makes me feel like I can overlook everyone else's stares and negative comments and feel proud to beleieve in something so stong. Something so perfect.

You should try it sometime.

I should also probably tell you that I wasnt forced into wearing it. It was my decision 100% and I can tell you that it was one of the most difficult yet greatest decisions in my whole life. Difficult, because I knew that if I wore it, I would get all sorts of reactions, whether good or bad from people I know and random people alike. Greatest, because I knew that it didnt matter. I knew that although I would be judged now, in the end, Allah is the one that will choose my destiny...and thats all that matters. Since then, Ive never regreted it.

The point im trying to make it that Im no terrorist. Nor can I ever be. Its against my religious values and my religion itself. Im not just talkin about myself. Im talkin about the millions of muslims who just want to live there life without being judged as terrorists or poeple who are linked to terrorist organisations. Islam is a religion of peace. It does not support anything which harms or kills innocent civillians.

If you dont beleive me, read. Search. Find out for yourself...