The Trumping of Crack
I am so excited! And most of you will have trouble believing this.
But first, add to the original Rules of Life the following, please:
.1. Pursue knowledge. Always and forever.
.2. Never think that you are complete, or that you are good enough or that you can not be bettered.
&
.3. When you feel the need to compare yourself to someone, make certain that the person chosen is better than you; for to improve yourself, you must always aspire to those greater than you.
So…last week, I’m walking around the Crack section of a majour department storeone of the foundations of CANADA that is now owned by Americans when a stunning pair of Crack caught my eye.
Imagine it: Wedge heels vertically striped with half a centimeter of taupe and then half a centimeter of candy apple red. Beautiful. But it gets better! They are an open-toed sides-open back-closed lacquered candy apple red. AND they had a little bow at the back of the shoe, right where the top of the lacquered red touches your skin.
Quite literally, I salivated.
The cost was normal; Crack does not come cheap, and this Crack was $138.
I walked away and came back and thought about it and tried them on and walked away again and played a little peekaboo with the Crack while no one was lookingor so that’s what I tell myself, anyway. I may have even winked a little wink and blown a little kiss Crack’s way, but no one can prove anything.
I decided not to purchase the Crack because I chose to pursue knowledge instead. Now, as you know, I’ve been getting to know Islam for the past little while and will continue to do so Inshallah for the rest of my life, knowing fully-well there will be ebbs and flows in the voracity of that pursuit.
The knowledge I chose to pursue, the cost of which was near $200, but the reprecussions of which will render me a smartie pantes? Your webMama will soon be the proud owner of :
.A. “What Happened to Poetry? ” A discourse on the disappearance of poetry by the director of the Zaytuna Institute in California, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson.
.B. “Foundations of Islam” Insightful, intellectual presentation about Islam made to non-Muslim educators. Topics include: How the Quran Was Revealed and Compiled Pillars of Practice, Articles of Faith, Concept of Ihsan, Signs of the Last Day and more.
.C. “Islam In America: A Panel Discussion”
.D. “A Return to the Spirit: Questions & Answers” This final work of the greatly revered Martin Lings opens with an insightful autobiographical account of his own interior journey, the finding of a spiritual master, and the conclusions he ultimately reached regarding the inner life and Islam. The 96-year-old author, a respected British scholar, recounts the lessons learned from his life including the answers to profound questions such as: How did I come to put First things First?, What is the Spiritual Significance of Tears and Laughter?, What is the Spiritual Significance of Civilization?, What is the Qur'anic Doctrine of the Afterlife?
Prior to publication of this volume, its distinguished author, Martin Lings, did in fact "return to the Spirit" on May 12th 2005. This has occasioned the addition to this work of an "In Memoriam" appendix. Readers will be treated to tributes that have arrived from the world over written by those who simply read and loved his work to those who knew him personally, some of whom were under his spiritual direction. These diverse accounts of this extraordinary man round out a profound image of his person. The book also includes a selection of previously unpublished photographs taken throughout his life.
A special "In Memoriam" section includes words from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.
.E. “Purification of the Heart” 17 CD SET, The suffering of the world is spoken of in term of wars, starvation, hatred, competition, and the struggle of the survival of the fittest. Yet all the suffering of the world originates in the human heart. Every crime committed, every act of oppression, every callous cruelty, and every injustice to the self or others emanates from the hearts of men.
The soundest of hearts was the heart of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who, through his purity and singularity of intention, transformed the world. His teaching remains and the challenge is for each of us to take it and to transform our hearts with it, thereby, transforming the very world in which we live.
Courtesy of Alhambra Productions. Shurkan!
YAY!!!! I AM SO EXCITED, I AM NEARLY JUMPING OUT OF MY SKIN!!!!
YAY!!!! I AM GOING TO BE SUCH A SMARTIE PANTS!!!!
YAY!!!! ALHAMDULILAH!!!! YAY!!!!
But before I can be a smartie pants, I am going to go wear a little dress and pretty golden Crack and twirl around so that my dress can twirl really high and over objects.
But first, add to the original Rules of Life the following, please:
.1. Pursue knowledge. Always and forever.
.2. Never think that you are complete, or that you are good enough or that you can not be bettered.
&
.3. When you feel the need to compare yourself to someone, make certain that the person chosen is better than you; for to improve yourself, you must always aspire to those greater than you.
So…last week, I’m walking around the Crack section of a majour department store
Imagine it: Wedge heels vertically striped with half a centimeter of taupe and then half a centimeter of candy apple red. Beautiful. But it gets better! They are an open-toed sides-open back-closed lacquered candy apple red. AND they had a little bow at the back of the shoe, right where the top of the lacquered red touches your skin.
Quite literally, I salivated.
The cost was normal; Crack does not come cheap, and this Crack was $138.
I walked away and came back and thought about it and tried them on and walked away again and played a little peekaboo with the Crack while no one was looking
I decided not to purchase the Crack because I chose to pursue knowledge instead. Now, as you know, I’ve been getting to know Islam for the past little while and will continue to do so Inshallah for the rest of my life, knowing fully-well there will be ebbs and flows in the voracity of that pursuit.
The knowledge I chose to pursue, the cost of which was near $200, but the reprecussions of which will render me a smartie pantes? Your webMama will soon be the proud owner of :
.A. “What Happened to Poetry? ” A discourse on the disappearance of poetry by the director of the Zaytuna Institute in California, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson.
.B. “Foundations of Islam” Insightful, intellectual presentation about Islam made to non-Muslim educators. Topics include: How the Quran Was Revealed and Compiled Pillars of Practice, Articles of Faith, Concept of Ihsan, Signs of the Last Day and more.
.C. “Islam In America: A Panel Discussion”
.D. “A Return to the Spirit: Questions & Answers” This final work of the greatly revered Martin Lings opens with an insightful autobiographical account of his own interior journey, the finding of a spiritual master, and the conclusions he ultimately reached regarding the inner life and Islam. The 96-year-old author, a respected British scholar, recounts the lessons learned from his life including the answers to profound questions such as: How did I come to put First things First?, What is the Spiritual Significance of Tears and Laughter?, What is the Spiritual Significance of Civilization?, What is the Qur'anic Doctrine of the Afterlife?
Prior to publication of this volume, its distinguished author, Martin Lings, did in fact "return to the Spirit" on May 12th 2005. This has occasioned the addition to this work of an "In Memoriam" appendix. Readers will be treated to tributes that have arrived from the world over written by those who simply read and loved his work to those who knew him personally, some of whom were under his spiritual direction. These diverse accounts of this extraordinary man round out a profound image of his person. The book also includes a selection of previously unpublished photographs taken throughout his life.
A special "In Memoriam" section includes words from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.
.E. “Purification of the Heart” 17 CD SET, The suffering of the world is spoken of in term of wars, starvation, hatred, competition, and the struggle of the survival of the fittest. Yet all the suffering of the world originates in the human heart. Every crime committed, every act of oppression, every callous cruelty, and every injustice to the self or others emanates from the hearts of men.
The soundest of hearts was the heart of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) who, through his purity and singularity of intention, transformed the world. His teaching remains and the challenge is for each of us to take it and to transform our hearts with it, thereby, transforming the very world in which we live.
Courtesy of Alhambra Productions. Shurkan!
YAY!!!! I AM SO EXCITED, I AM NEARLY JUMPING OUT OF MY SKIN!!!!
YAY!!!! I AM GOING TO BE SUCH A SMARTIE PANTS!!!!
YAY!!!! ALHAMDULILAH!!!! YAY!!!!
But before I can be a smartie pants, I am going to go wear a little dress and pretty golden Crack and twirl around so that my dress can twirl really high and over objects.
posted by just a girl at 6:26 PM
13 Comments:
Some great things Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) said about the importance of seeking knowledge:
The most severely punished of all men on the day of resurrection will be a learned man whom Allah has not blessed with His knowledge.
Seeking knowledge is an ordinance obligatory upon every Muslim.
Allah bears witness that there is no Allah but He, and the angels, and men endued with knowledge, established in righteousness.
Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe as well as those who are given knowledge.
The learned men rank seven hundred grades above the believers; between each two of which is a distance five hundred years long. Said Allah.
Say, `shall those who know be deemed equal with those who do not? (39:12)
None fear Allah but the wise among His servants; (35:25)
But they to whom knowledge hath been given said, `Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better [for him who believes and does right], (28:80)
And We have brought them a book: with knowledge have We explained it; (7:50)
But it is clear sign in the hearts of those whom the knowledge hath reached; (29:48)
With knowledge will We tell them; (7:6)
[He] hath created man, [and] hath taught him articulate speech. (55:2-3)
Whom Allah doth love, He giveth knowledge of religion and guideth him into the straight path;
The learned men are the heirs of the prophets.
Wisdom adds honour to the noble and exalts the slave until he attains the level of kings.
Two qualities the hypocrite lacks - good intentions and religious insight.
The best of men is the learned believer who, if he is needed, he will be useful; and if dispensed with, he will be self-sufficient.
Belief is like unto a nude who should be clothed with piety, ornamented with modesty and should have knowledge for progeny.
The nearest people to prophethood are the people of knowledge and the warriors of jihad: the former have led men to what the prophets have proclaimed, and the latter have wielded their swords on its behalf.
The passing away of a whole tribe is more tolerable than the death of one learned man.
Men are like ores of gold and silver, the choicest among them during the Jahiliyah days are also the best during the days of Islam, provided they see the light.
On the day of resurrection the ink of the learned men will be likened to the blood of the martyrs.
Whoever preserves of the law forty Traditions in order to transmit them unto my people, I shall, on the day of resurrection, be an intercessor and a witness on his behalf.
Any one of my people who will preserve forty hadiths will on the day of resurrection face Allah as a learned jurisprudent.
Whoever will become versed in the religion of Allah, Allah will relieve him of his worries and will reward him whence he does not reckon
Allah said unto Abraham, `O Abraham! Verily I am knowing and I love every knowing person’.”
The learned man is the trustee of Allah on earth.
There are two groups among my people who when they become righteous the populace becomes righteous, and when they become corrupt the populace becomes corrupt: these are the rulers and the jurisprudents.
Should the day come wherein I increase not in knowledge wherewith to draw nearer to Allah, let the dawn of that day be accursed.
The superior rank the learned man holds in relation to the worshipper is like the superior rank I hold in relation to the best of men.
The superior rank the learned man holds over the worshipper is similar to the superiority of the moon when it is full over the other stars.
They will, on the day of resurrection, intercede [before Allah]: the prophets, then the learned, then the martyrs.
Allah was not worshipped with anyone better than the learned in religion. Verily a single jurisprudent is more formidable to Satan than a thousand worshippers.
The best part of your faith is [also] the easiest, and the best form of worship is jurisprudence.
The learned believer holds a rank seventy degrees higher than that of the ordinary believer.
Verily you have come upon a time whose jurisprudents are many and Qur’an readers as well as preachers are few, whose beggars are rare and givers numerous, wherein deeds are better than knowledge. But there will come a time when jurisprudents are few and preachers many, whose givers are few and beggars numerous, wherein knowledge is better than works.
Between the learned and the worshipper are a hundred degrees, each two of which are separated by the extent of a racing horse’s run in seventy years.
O Apostle of Allah! What works arc best? Your knowledge of Allah. Which knowledge do you mean? Your Knowledge of Allah. We enquire about works and you reply concerning knowledge. With your knowledge of Allah, a few works will suffice, but without such knowledge, no works, however numerous, avail.
On the day of resurrection Allah will [first] raise the worshippers and then the learned to whom He will say, ‘O ye company of the learned, I did not imbue you with My knowledge but for My knowledge of you. Moreover, I did not imbue you with My Knowledge in order to torment you. Go ye, therefore, for verily I have forgiven you’.”
Whoever follows a path in search of knowledge. Allah will guide him into a path leading into Paradise.
Verily the angels will bow low to the seeker after knowledge in approval of what he does.
To rise up before daybreak and learn but a section of knowledge is better than prostrating yourself in prayer a hundred times.
One section of knowledge which a man learns is better for him than all the riches of the world.
Seeking after knowledge is an ordinance obligatory upon every Muslim.
Seek ye knowledge even [as far as] China.
Knowledge is like sealed treasure houses, the keys of which arc inquiry. Inquire. therefore, for therein lies reward for four: the inquirer, the learned, the auditor, and their admirer.
The ignorant one should not hide his ignorance nor the learned his knowledge.
To be present in the circle of a learned man is better than prostrating oneself in payer a thousand times. or visiting a thousand sick men. or joining a thousand funerals.
O Apostle of Allah, is it also better than the reading of the Qur’an?” What good. though. is the Qur’an except through knowledge?
Whoever is overtaken by death while seeking knowledge wherewith to strengthen Islam between him and the prophets in Paradise is but one grade.
When a man dies all except three of his works perish, namely, a permanent endowment for charity, useful knowledge, and righteous progeny that bring honour upon his memory.
He who leads to something good is like him who does it.
Envy is unlawful except regarding two categories of persons: those to whom Allah has given wealth and power to spend that wealth rightly, and those to whom Allah has given wisdom with which they regulate [their lives] and which they teach.
Allah’s mercy is upon my successors. But who are your successors? My successors are those who keep my laws and teach them to Allah’s people.
Sorry about my earlier post.
God Bless.
By the way, what is your favorite surah/ayah/dua/dhikr that you like to recite most often?
they sell shoes at Timmy Hortons? ;-)
Cool quotes Saad :-)
Hi Michelle, your new! Funny blog :-)
MAHA - I laughed out loud when you talked about twirling in your dress, lol!!!! I do the same thing ;-)
The books sound awesome and that SEVENTEEN CD set. You're insane and you're so cool for being so committed to something you believe in. I think it's really comendeable. I hope you'll tell us about the books you're reading and share them with us.
I am loving the Zaid Shakir site you link to!
maria
p.s. I hope you have not given up on Crack entirely! It would be a travesty to this site ;-)
maria
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Saad - thanks for sharing all of those with us! Mashallah you are a wealth of information :)
To answer your question, I have to say that my favourite and most peace-giving Sura is Ya-Sin, without a doubt. Most especially ayas 81 & 82: "'Is not He Who created
The heavens and the earth
Able to create the like
Thereof?' - Yea, indeed!
For he is the Creator Supreme,
Of skill and knowledge (infinite)!
Verily, when He intends
A thing, His Command is,
'Be', and it is!'"
I find myself often-times repeating 'an yaqulu lah kun fa yakoon' :)
How about you?
Michelle, Welcome! I have become a Bridgehead girl as of late ;)
Maria, I am really happy to know you're enjoying Zaid Shakir's site. He is a light for me, as is Hamza Yusuf. :)
& I will never give up on Crack immediately, rather slow things down a bit ;)
MO! Why did you remove your comment? Look: You're back to being number 1 again :)
love,
maha
Maha.. it seems you are ignoring me :(
tis but me, the wee fiery pants. just moved my site again to a domain name i am now at peace with. :D
Uzi, wallahi I am not ignoring you :( I'm sorry!! OF COURSE WHEN YOU COME TO OTTAWA WE WILL CHILL, brother. That's such a given to me that I forgot to respond :)
I will respond to your email soon, I promise. I am trying to keep up with so much right now...just a day or two and I will respond!
Sorry for flaking out :)
Michelle, again? Really? I loved Ruby Red! I read that last post of yours - what Gerard Butler areas did you leave, doll?? You sound a wee bit put off :(
love,
maha
My favorite is Ayat-al-Kursi. I recite it 200 time daily.
Sahih Muslim Book 004, Number 1768:
Ubayy b. Ka'b said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: O Abu' al-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah and His Apostle (may peace be upon him) know best. He again said: Abu'l-Mundhir, do you know the verse from the Book of Allah which, according to you, is the greatest? I said: Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal. Thereupon he struck me on my breast and said: May knowledge be pleasant for you, O Abu'l-Mundhir!
Saad you recite something 200 times a day?? Wow. Is it long??
Maha I googled Hamza Yusuf and found some interesting and really really easy to understand kutbas (I think that's what they're called?) o youtube. Moving stuff.
maria
Hi Maria,
The verse itself is not that long. But reciting it 200 times takes me about an hour and a half.
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