A MOTHER'S SACRIFICE - SPOKEN WORD.

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah, 

You think she's happy, 

But i've seen her cry, 

With every tear that drops, 

I swear I hate you more pops.

How can you love me so much, 

And shower me in gold,

While you have together grown old?

Why must I remind you that she is your wife, 

When all she has ever done is given you her life.

I still see her in the shop falling short on pennies, 

Never to buy, always to save and sacrifice.

This is my mother. 

If only you knew big brother, 

It kills me when you act like him, 

But he is her husband, and you are her son.

She prayed for you every night,

Hoping that one day you would be her light.

I am proud of this woman, 

Who has shown me strength and power,

A woman who is a warrior,

And yet such a gentle flower.

She has achieved things without your help,

Of which I am so proud, 

She held tight your arm when you were sick, 

And secretly cried when you were afar. 

But hey boys, 

What do you know?

You think she's happy, but i've seen her cry. 

By Mar'eee'ya

RESPECT - SPOKEN WORD.

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah, 

You tell me respect, 

I tell you listen, don't judge, just reflect

You tell me you are in pain, 

But tell that to the child that wont see her daddy again.

You play with drugs, knives and guns, 

Yet i'm raising your kids, while you are on the run.

You promised me 'till death do us part, 

Yet you broke my heart from the start.

Tell me what i'm supposed to tell your mother, 

Who prays for her son to come back.

I swear dear husband, 

You have lost your track. 

Did you ever want a wife or a slave? 

Because if that's what you want i'm ready to cave, 

Because i'm no longer brave. 

I would say that I love you, but,

You want respect

But I tell you, 

Don't judge, 

Just reflect. 

By Mar'eee'ya

ZUBEDA - MY BEST FRIEND.

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah, 

This blog is going to be a special one, dedicated to my homey and best friend for lifey. 

Our story began on September the 16th, 2013 on a Sunday morning/ afternoon. 

I was in such a state that morning, having just moved in to university halls, after moving far from home. My family had travelled back home, and I thought that my university room's light could only give dim lighting, so I had set up a lamp. I wasn't particularly ready to start unpacking everything so I thought that I'd quickly pop down to sainsburys that I had seen on the drive in, just to get a few bits so I could feel somewhat settled. 

On my way back to the flat, as I opened the door, coming down the stairs, I saw a hijabi girl going into the kitchen. 

Pretty desperately if I may say so now, I was like: omg are you staying here?!!?!?!?

She was like yeah, and I went on to ask what she's studying and where she's from and all the common questions you ask when you first meet someone. 

Can you believe that: 

1. We literally were living in the same building, and next door neighbours, in that she was the room next to me.
2. She was from a predominantly white area, exactly like me. 
3. She was a muslim hijabi girl 
4. STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY AT THE SAME UNIVERSITY JUST LIKE ME. 
5. Her family consists of 3 boys and 1 girl, mine is 3 girls and 1 boy. 

There are a number of things that I could say that we found out we were similar in that day. 

From that day forward, alhamdullilah its become like family. Imagine spending almost three years of your life consistently with someone, you begin to know then very well.  

Its funny because you never really know what friendship is until you find someone who is different to the rest and you realise that it finally fits. 

Who we call friends now makes us realise that people who we called friends when we were younger were nothing because it lacked mutuality. 

To watch someone grow and for them to see you grow, whether its going through your tough times or your best times makes you understand and appreciate someone that little bit more. 

With any relationship or friendship comes its struggles or difficulties, but thats what taking time to recognise them and deal with them is there for. 

All we can really say is alhamdullilah for technology that allows us to create memories and preserve them. For the moments where we truly feel at peace, and for the experiences that you gain, and for the people who you spend them with. 

As I do with my sisters, you begin to care for your best friends as you do for you sisters. You begin to wish the best for the best for them, get inquisitive when you feel they are not making the right decision, get over-protective when there are unfamiliar vibes, and probably time apart makes you miss each other. 

As with anything, thinking of what you may not have in under a year begins to fill your heart as you come to realise that this is not forever. Being accessible to each-other in terms of visiting one another will become difficult as it wont just be a knock on the door. Becoming busy with life and careers and family will become more often. I had definitely taken advantage of the safety net of university that allowed me to look forward to the start of the year, not for the education but for my buddy. 

However, with friends you know. You know that effort needs to be made. More so with your best friend. 

Alhamdullilah - you know something was planned for you when the events fit like a jigsaw puzzle. 

MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF MUSLIMS

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah,

First I would like to apologise for the lack of blogs the last week or so. 

I feel like I lost inspiration for a little while and also had packed weeks but that is no excuse.

In todays blog I thought I would write about the most common misconceptions of muslims. 

Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and people often ask why, as it is also one of the most negatively viewed religions as a result of the portrayal on social media. 

What people don't realise is that muslims are people and not evil beings, instead the whole islamic concept is opposite to what is shown. 

If people dug a little deeper, looked beyond social media, the things they think they know will be long forgotten because it doesn't even make a dent in who muslims are. 

Here are some of the most common misconceptions that people have of muslims: 

1. Women are oppressed --> They assume that women are forced to wear the hijab, when in reality, this is not the case. Women have more freedom in Islam. Hijab is there to hide beauty, not because of negative reasons, rather to show its value. 

2. Muslims are terrorists --> Its funny because when you look closely there are more killers who are not muslim than those who are, yet we overlook people who do murder because it doesn't seem as serious than if someone happened to be muslim, or now its become an excuse. Its like if someone was to murder someone and they were told that they were muslim, people would be like 'oh i see',

But nowhere in islam does it state the killing of innocent people! 

People misuse the word 'jihad' which is meant more for the inner struggle that we face, such as resisting temptation than any other jihad that people think. 

3. Forced Marriage is the only way muslims get married --> There is a significant difference between forced and arranged marriage. Forced is not having a choice, arranged is someone finds you someone and gives your the option to see whether that person is right for you. Islam in no way, shape or form allows forced marriage to take place. It is ultimately the choice of the individuals getting married whether they want to go ahead or not.

4. Muslims don't believe Jesus exists --> Whats funny about this one is that if you ask a muslim to name 5 prophets of the religion, Jesus would most definitely be there. We believe Jesus exists just as much as anyone else as he was mentioned in the Quran. Despite this, we do not however believe that Jesus is the son of god because he isn't. To us, Allah has no relation, no son, no daughter, no mother or father. God is one and only, the first and the last. We dont associate partners with him or those who we feel he is 'like' that is what is forbidden.

If there are any more misconceptions that are commonly stated, please comment down below. It would be interesting to have a read! Thank you. 

WHAT MAKES A FRIEND?

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah, 

In today's blog I wanted to talk about friendship and the importance of distinguishing between time-wasters and true friends. 

It is a lot easier said then done, because we are always going to find faults in others that we don't particularly like, but the important part about it is overcoming that negative because a positive aspect overrides the negative. 

The transition between school and university has given me a stronger understanding and recognition who my long term friends are in comparison to people who were temporary and for the moment. 

There are numerous 'types' of friends that can be distinguished throughout life. 

But there are moments where you can feel the friendship and the effort that people put into your relationship which makes them worthwhile. 

I was always the type of person who had friends from different groups, so it wasn't like all my friends hung out together, rather I was close to individuals who were part of different crowds. 

For me personally, I can maintain contact with people even if I don't see them regularly, however, that is usually to people who are willing to do the same. If there is no mutual effort put in then there's no point really..

There are friends who you have known since you can remember. These are the people that you first met when you went to a school, or moved to a particular area. For me, there is one girl who I have known since I can remember, probably one of the first friends I had. Alhamdullilah for them, because even if you don't see them on a regular basis, when you do see them you bounce back as though there was no chunk of time missing between when you met last and now. 

After having left secondary school, you assume that you are going to be in contact with those friends forever, however, that is not the case. You may keep in contact with some of them on and off or when you go out or when you are both in the same location, but can you really tell those people everything? So the people that you are still in contact with are the ones you cherish, purely because there is a mutual effort to stay in contact, even if it through silly means such as snapchat. There is just constant communication.

When I first went to university, I took my time when it came to friends. I wasn't in a healthy head space, and I went to uni in the worst possible state. I found that I forgot how to talk to people and make conversation but Alhamdullilah one of my best friends now was there which helped me get better. Our class for some reason was supportive with each-other but it felt like there was always an element of competition between some people that made you just not want to talk about how your grades were doing etc. But there are also really great people at uni who you meet and have a conversation with. Again, the friends that I made were scattered and not part of one group, and I became closer with individuals. 

You learn to appreciate people and I think when it comes to approaching the end of university experience, you really just want to make sure that you are on the same level as the friends you have made in terms of staying close and making plans to visit one another. 

Its one of those things where in the moment you consider everyone as your friends but when you are put in a situation that challenges friendship thats when your real friends begin to show.

But Alhamdullilah. 

Allah has given us people, close or not, and those who help us become better people are the ones who we should keep. 

MY MUSLIMAH TAG

Asalamualaykum Warahmatullah,

Today I thought I would do a Muslim Tag just to highlight a few personal preferences. 

I hope you enjoy! 

1) What is your favourite hijab?

I don't have a particular hijab that I love, but I do enjoy wearing plain colours like grey, blue, brown and beige. My ideal scarf that I would want to try is a proper jersey style hijab that is big enough to cover everything. 

2) What is your go-to Islamic Outfit?

I don't have a go to Islamic outfit. Im not really that adventurous when it comes to style as it's not something that interests me in anyway. But I usually pick between an abaya with pockets or without depending if i'm going to wear a cardigan or jacket with pockets. 

I iz da plain jane. 

3). What part of the Quran speaks directly to your heart?

Every time I hear the verse in Surah Ar-Rahman: 

‘Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?’ [Surah Rahman 55:13]

I think it just brings me back to reality. It makes me conscious of my wrongdoings. It makes me think that I need to make extra effort not to be hypocritical and unappreciative. There's a deeper meaning of the ayah depending on what it means to you. 

4). What part of Islam do you find most difficult?

I don't find Islam difficult. I do find seeing myself and other muslims doing certain things difficult. I just wish some people took Islam more seriously than they are because this like is ultimately nothing in comparison to what we will have to face. But at the end of the day, you can help guide yourself and others but its up to us individually to make the right decisions. 

5). Who is your favourite lecturer/scholar in Islam?

My two favourite lecturers are: Mufti Menk and Nouman Ali Khan. There's something about these two that just seems non-judgmental and just right. Some people I cant listen to because they might inflict their personal teachings. But I feel like they provide personal examples and they just want the best for everyone and they always tell the most compelling stories. 

6). Where do you find inspiration when things seem difficult?

It might seem dark but the idea of death inspires me. I dont want to die in the wrong, and that scares me. And also, I feel like I need to remind myself that I would much rather be in my position than in a worse situation. 

7). If you could change something about your Mosque to make it better what would it be?

To be more open and understanding towards younger people and let them take the lead. 

8). What does your prayer rug look like?

Its purple and goldy colour. 

9). How did you tie your hijab today? 

The usual up and around and pin 

10). What are the islamic websites that you go to most frequently?

I enjoy visiting IslamQA once in a while if I want to know the teaching of something. Its a rather handy website alhamdullilah. 

11). What kind of accessories do you wear with your hijab?

A pin and a brooche. The brooche adds a little something something to my usually plain outfit choices. 

12). Have you ever been discriminated against because you are Muslim?

Yes but thats because I lived in an area where there were hardly any muslims anyways. 

13). Best advice anyone has ever given you?

If you are ever still annoyed or angry towards someone and it blocks you from doing something good then don't think about doing it for that person, rather do it for the sake of Allah and it takes away the initial difficulty of doing good. - My Mother.

I hope you enjoyed this little tag. If theres anything else you would like for me to blog about please leave a comment so that I can entertain the crowd haha.