STRADA PLACIDO: Celebration

Eid ul Adha 2008

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:56:20 GMT

Salaamaleykum.

Eid Mubarak to y'all.

In this corner of the world, Eid was rainy. Generally, in my culture, its considered good luck, as the rain washes away the blood of the sacrifice.

As usual, day started with prayers, and afterwards its time for gravevisit. It was disappointing how a little drizzle can deter people from visiting the graveyard on such a big day.

You can see the Twin towers half-blocked by the clouds at the backdrop.

Later on on the way out from the graveyard we bought some roses for the house.From there, it was striaght to the slaughter grounds for me.

Slaughtering was done by the residents of my condo at the carpark beside the building. Normally, I'ill just watch it from afar...but this time, i actually got involved.

There i was, in my white jilbab (which is worn on Eids only)...sitting down on the dirty mat, in amongst the chopped body parts of the cow, cutting and deboning the cow.

Even though i just chopped down one leg into smaller peices (later on the professional butchers arrived), I managed to feel the real joy of Eid-el-Adha...working side by side with friends and family..doing a momentous task.

There was about 30men involved in the slaughtering, around 40 bystanders..and 2 guys were cooking briyani near by.
Eid el Adha this year, was truly an Eid for me.

Oh yea, Happy Belated Eid - ul - Adha

Ramadhan Kareem

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:23:26 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

I've returned from my tea break a little over a week ago. However, due to unforgiving circumstances, Ramdhan Spirit has been low.
It makes me wonder, if a circumstances like mine can withhold my joy and celebration mood, how more tormented will those victims of war and massive natural disasters will be.

This Ramadhan, like all previous Ramadhan, lets spend a moment each day to pray for those who can't afford a smile or a happy moment.

Ramadhan Mubarak.

Ashura...

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:35:19 GMT

Assalamualeykum....

Yet again, 10th of Muharram arrives. By the way, Happy New Year...1429H!

I can't stress enough how important it is to fast on this blessed day. I've made a 2 part post on Ashura last year...
Recap Part 1
Recap Part 2

    I will try to write something different this time.
    Look at the events on this faithful day... Nabi Adam was forgiven by Allah, Nabi Musa and his people escaped from pharoah, Nabi Ayub was cured from his ailment, Nabi Yusuf met his dad after years of separation...etc

    These all show one thing, Love and Mercy of Allah to His subjects. This Love, though free, didn't come easy... all these Noble Prophets went through a great deal before achieving the goal.Nabi Adam wept for years begging forgiveness from Allah, Nabi Musa went through alot of negotiations with pharoah before he fled with the Banu Israel, Nabi Ayub accepted his mishaps with great patience, Nabi Yusuf stayed steadfast and remained in jail for years...and the list goes on and on.

    Whats my point here?...Simply...to archieve a greatness, we must strife hard.The greater the struggle, the greater the achievement
    Imaam Hussayn strived with his life, for the betterment of Muslims.He fought tyranny, and the transgressor of God's laws and His Messanger's sunnahs. He paid the ultimate price for his efforts, his life. It was not a lost, in fact it was a success in disguise. His marthyrdom is an inspiration for all Muslims... to not be subjugated by unjust tyrants, but rather to fight and uphold ones dignity and rights, and to fight for God- no matter what price.
    The legacy of Imaam Hussayn is fondly upheld by Muslims universally... only second to the legacy of his grandfather, Rasulullah s.a.w.

    Allahuma Salli ala Sayidina Muhammadin wa ala ahle wa sahbiheen ajmaeen.Ameen

PS: I am not a Shi'a and I believe Shi'a and Sunni are just political/tribal divide which eventually grew into sects. We are ONE.

    Ya Allah Madad!
.

Qurbani Eid Mubarak

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:30:15 GMT

Salaamaleykum,

May God have Mercy on us all,look at how time flies.I remember just last year i was taking bloody pictures of the Qur'bani (sacrifice ceremony) at the Masjeed under my house.
One year on, that masjeed is no longer in existance,nor am i in that half of the globe anymore.
Anyway... Eid Mubarak y'all.

Ya Eid...

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 06:51:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum...

Hope you guys had a great Eid.

while we are busy celebrating Eid..and busy receiving Eidi(Eid Money), lets not forget to pray and donate to our less fortunate brethrens.

Yaumul Nabi

Sat, 14 Apr 2007 07:18:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum

Sorry for the late felicitation on the Glorious Occasion of Milad un Nabi / Yaum ul Nabi / Mawlud Nabi (i.e. the birth of Rasulullah s.a.w.)

YAUM UL NABI MUBARAK!!!

There was a huge celebration in my city- with prominent guest speakers arriving from Pakistan.Of course, it was a Pakistani event hence was held in Urdu/Hindi.(the locals have their own celebratin toobut its WAAAAY less lively compared to the South asian celebrations- what can I say, we're born to celebrate!)
Well... much unfortunately...as my friend, who was suppose to come with me to the ceremony, suddenly have some work at the last minute, I missed the event.
My mom's friend who went there said the event was a smash!!!The talks were interesting...and it was very lively with Hamds and Naats.
For you guys that doesn't know what they are....Hamd is recitations of Ghazal (poems) of praises to ALlah. Whereas Naat is the Praises to Rasulullah(s.a.w.).
Here's some example....
in Urdu -ALLAH HA ALLAH
ALLAH ALLAH ALLAH HU

in English -Al-Mua'lim
Allahu Allahu Allahu

In Lahore (Pakistan) , where there was a grand celebration, a very peculiar incident took place. As the Aleem was giving the speech...a cloud formed near the moon...resembling the word Muhammad (محمد) in Arabics.
Luckily,by Allah's grace, the event was filmed..and have been made possible for us to witness.

*he was at first talking about 'MUHAMMAD' (as a word)..than he pointed out that Allah has written Muhammad (saw) under the moon.*

(click on picture for the bigger image)

Felicitations on the Islamic Revolution's 28th Anniversary

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:51:00 GMT

Assalamualeykum...

    This post is dedicated to the Islamic Republic of Iran, on her 28th Anniversary of the Success of the Islamic Revolution.
    May this Revolution inspire more nations to return to Rule of Islam, and prove to the modern society that Islam is not just a religion;-its a Way of life.
    Here's a part of Ayatollah Imam Khoimeini's speech:

The Month of epic, bravery and devotion has arrived.
A month in which the Islamic Revolution has gained triumph over the enemy.
A month which teaches next generations, the way of victory.
A month in which occurred the enemy' s defeat by Right (Islam).
The seminary students should inform all deprived and dear farmers of Shah 's crimes.
Holding of mourning meetings must not be depended on the permission of the police's office.
I will support you, as a great and Islamic nation and congratulate all the martyrs parents.
Voice of the Islamic Revolution of Iran has been reflected in Islamic countries and I hope that the flag of our Islamic revolution will always flutter in all over the world.

Ashura Pt.2 -The Karbala Tragedy

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:33:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum...

i thought i will separate this form the earlier post to make sure ppl wont fall asleep reading my blog.
This is really interesting.I'm not sure if u have learnt this in masjeed or school...but i know, as a Sunni, this story is not commonly told..and very few people know exactly what happened in Karbala.As far as they are concerned...Imaam Hussain(as) was martyred in the battlefeild.
    As a muslim, we should know in detail what actually happened to the beloved grandson of our beloved Prophet s.a.w.There's a lesson to be learnt from this tragedy.
    The story below is loosly based on a story i read on a Sunni page.So, dont worry about the story being biased.

       Yazid, the son of Muawiyah, was ruling the islamic state at that time.His rule was extremely un-Islamic.I'ill save the bashings, in respect of this Blessed day.
    As he know he's disliked by many, if not all, he made every leader give allegience to him.This included Imaam Hussain a.s., who was defiant.
    At the same time, the people of Kufa,Iraq, were getting dismayed at Yazid's rule...and they sent a letter to Imaam Hussain to ask for his leadership in starting a revolt against Yazid.Imaam took this offer with cautious.He at first sent his cousin to Kufa to verify the people's desire.
    When the Imaam's cousin reached Kufa, he was satisfieed with what he saw and made agreement with the people of Kufa.He then sent a message to Imaam Hussain that the people of Kufa are going to be waitng for him.But, after the message was sent, the people of Kufa had a change of heart (maybe by intimidation by Yazid)...and they killed the Cousin of the Imaam.
    Unfortunately, Imaam doesnt know of the martyrdom of his cousin, and continued his journey to Kufa with 72 followers and women and children of his household.
    On the way to Kufa, they encountered Yazid's forces.The Imaam and his group was forced to de tour to a valley in Karbala.Yazid's forces camped on the hills surrounding the valley..and cut off all supplies from entering the valley,including water.This went on for 4 days. The Imaam and his followers were reduced to hunger and thirst but they were not going to give in to Yazid's forces at any cause.Imaam Hussain is steadfast on his stand for justice and riteousness.
    On the Eve of Ashura(10th Muharram), the Imaam talked to his followers.He informed them that they are absolved from their allegiance to him..and that they are free to quietly escape from the valley in the vile of the darkness of night.However, his loyal followers where not going to leave their leader, they were determined to either hail victory with Imaam Hussain, or to kiss shahadat (martyrdom).
    On the morning of the Battle of Karbala, Imaam and his male followers put on their best cloths and nice scents, bid the women and children farewell and went off to battle Yazid's forces.Mind you, they had run out of food and water for 3 days already.
    One of the first martyrs of the war was Imaam Hussain's 17 yr old son, Ali Akbar (as).He fought bravely and managed to kill many of Yazid's soldiers, until he was marthred by a spear that plunged his back.
    During the battle, Imaam Hussain heard his 6months old son,Ali Asghar (a.s) crying for water.He asked the enemy soldiers to spare him a few moment to give water to the child.While the child was drinking, one of Yazid's man fired an arrow through the throat of Ali Asghar (a.s) and instantly killing him.Upon this, the Imaam held the childs lifeless body up towards the sky and said,
    "O Allah, this is the only one Ali Asghar. If there were a hundred like him, I would sacrifice them all, one by one, in Your Path. If this is Your Will, then Husain is satisfied."
Ali Asghar was buried beside his brother Ali Akbar.

    One by one, the small band of Muslim warriors met their Shahadat.The Imaam managed to kill hundreds of soldiers, until one point, when he was drinking water, an enemy arrow pierced his mouth.Soon after, many arrows showered on the body of the Imaam, including his forehead, where the Holy Prophet s.a.w.,so passionately kissed.
    As he lay dying, Asr time approached.He asked Yazid's men to spare him some time so that he could complete his Asr' prayers- as he had never missed any prayers in his life time.While in sajda, one of Yazid's man, Sinan bin Anas, stroke off the head of Imaam Hussain.
    The head of Imaam Hussain was paraded to Yazid's palace in Damascus,Syria along with the women and children of the Noble Family.The women folk were forced to remove their veil.

    Upon hearing the news of the Shahadat and the humiliation of the Ahl ul-Bait(Noble houehold), the people of Madinah revolted against Yazid.Yazid forces massacred everyone, including the remaining Sahabahs in Madinah.And caused much destruction to the City of Madinah and Makkah,even the Kaa'ba al-Sharif was attacked by Yazids' forces.

    It is stated in "Thareek-ul-Khulafa" by Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti (radi Allahu anhu) that, "When Sayyiduna Imam Husain (radi Allahu anhu) was martyred, for seven days the following conditions prevailed on earth:-

1. When the sun rose each day, there was a constant shroud of redness covering the earth as if the sun's rays came out in the form of a lifeless blanket.
2. There was a continuous scene of stars colliding with each other in the skies.
3. His martyrdom took place on the 10th of Muharram 60 A.H. and on this day there was a total eclipse of the sun.
4. From about six months prior to his martyrdom, a strange redness enveloped the horizon of the skies, which gradually disappeared, and such a phenomenon was never witnessed again.
5. On the day of his martyrdom, beneath every stone in Baitul Muqaddas, there appeared fresh blood.
6. Grass and straw that was used in the oppressor's army (i.e. Yazid's army) had all suddenly turned to burnt out ashes.
7. The oppressor's army had slaughtered a female camel to feed the soldiers. From the meat of this slaughtered animal, sparks of fire began to fly all the time.
8. When the meat of the slaughtered camel was cooked, it turned out to be bitter and poisonous.
9. One person who spoke ill about Sayyiduna Imam Husain (as) was punished by Almighty Allah in such a way that he was hit by two falling stars from the sky which diminished his power of sight progressively.

    The martyrdom of Imaam Hussain(as) taught us a very important lesson.It is better to die in honour, fighting for righteousnes and justice, to to live an oppressed life.Karbala also taught us to endure hardship and remain calm in face of the most difficult trials.

    Tell me now, why should all Muslims not remember this tragedy.

"EVERYDAY IS ASHURA' EVERY PLACE IS KARBALA"

Ronay wala hoon Shaheed-e-Kerbala key gham men main,
Kya durey maqsad na dengey Saqiye Kausar mujhey

I am one who weeps at the plight of the Martyr of Kerbala
Won't the reward be given to me by the Keeper of Kauser (Imam Ali (A))
-Allama Muhammad Iqbal

Oh Allah, pour Your blessings upon Your Lover, Your Servant,Your Messanger Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his Household and his Companions, like You have blessed Your friend,Prophet Ibraheem (as) and his Household.

Yaum ul Ashura (pt 1)

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:20:00 GMT

Assalamualeykum....

    Ashura day greetings!
    I've been trying to promote the larger scale celebration of Ashura...and of course, in that process I've to enrich myself with the knowledge concerning this day.
    As a Ahl-Sunnah / Sunni...Ashura normally just means another day to fast.Khalas.But since last year, I began to search for the larger scope of this day.

    Why is Ashura significant? Well, here's a hadith...

Hazrat Ibn Abbas r.a. reported that the Rasulullah sa.w. arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura.They said: "It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa a.s. and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa a.s. observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." Rasulullah s.a.w. responded: "We have more right, and we have closer connection with Sayyidina Musa a.s. than you have"; so Rasulullah s.a.w. observed fast (on ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Of course, thats the well-known significance of Ashura'.Sheikh Abdul Kader Jilani r.a. wrote in his book Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq the other Significance of this day...

1)Allah swt accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam a.s. after his exile from Paradise;
2)Allah swt saved Sayyidina Nuh a.s. and his companions in the ark;
3)Allah swt extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim a.s. was thrown by Nimrod;
4) Allah swt spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa a.s. and gave him the Commandments;
5) Sayyidina Ayyub a.s. was restored to health (from leprosy);
6)Sayyidina Yusuf a.s. was reunited with his father Ya’qub a.s.;
7)Sayyidina Yunus a.s. was taken out from the belly of the fish;
8) the sea was divided as the nation of israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed;
9)Sayyidina Dawud a.s. was forgiven;
10)the kingdom of Sulaiman a.s. was restored;
11)Sayyidina Isa a.s. was raised to Jannah.

Other scholars has go one to add that one this day, the skies and earth and the Lauw-e-Qalam came into existence, Sayyidina Adam a.s. and Sayyiduna Hawa was created and its also the day Qiyamah will take place.

Amal/Virtuous acts on this day, other then fasting, as stated by Shiekh Abdul Kader Jilani are..

1)Whoever clothes a naked person Allah swt will release him from a painful punishment.
2)He who visits a sick person, Allah swt will grant him a reward that will not be decreased.
3)Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate).
4)And who ever takes a Ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence.
5)Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah swt will be generous to him throughout this year.
6)And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, inshaAllah.

InshaAllah, i hope you all receive the best of the rewards of this special day.

-end of part one-

New Hijri Year

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:35:00 GMT

Salaamaleykum

well..its the new year..so...i'm gonna wish you a happy new Hijri year.
May you havea prosperoius year ahead. Dont forget to read du'a for the new year...
i cant find any english sites for the du'a...but...i found one do'a for the new year from one foreign site...which is of Syafi'e school