Category: Guest of the Merciful
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The Arrogance of feeling incensed…How difficulties expose the diseases of the heart
Umrah’s Life Lessons #5: The Arrogance of feeling incensed…How difficulties expose the diseases of the heart So everyday I get a little wiser in the dua I make all along the walk to the Haram. I prayed for a space that no one would crowd in on me in, and my spot seemed invisible to…
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On Three of the Components of Happiness…and making anyplace ‘home’
Umrah’s Life Lessons #4: On Three of the Components of Happiness…and making anyplace ‘home’ The day we performed Umrah was a long day. It started in Medina, walking, walking, walking to visit the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, walking back to the hotel elated, packing and taking the trip to Abyar Ali to…
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The Deprived Citizens of the Land of ‘Good-Enough’
Umrah’s Life Lessons #3: The Deprived Citizens of the Land of ‘Good-Enough’ Did I mention that it was a twenty to thirty minute brisk walk to the outer premises of the Haram from our hotel? Any other month, a car would have taken us along the freeway practically to the door of the Haram. Now…
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On Dirty Clothes and the Volume of Sin
Umrah’s Life Lessons #2: On Dirty Clothes and the Volume of Sin No one packs a suitcase like my daughter Ruqaiyah. Ever since she was a child she’s had a knack for folding that renders the item of clothing, towel or sheet to its original store-bought pristine shape. On our previous Umrah she went with…
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The Chained Chair…The Blessing of Having a Guide
I would like to share a series of reflections that were written last year after I went on Umrah with my husband and ten year old daughter. Our accommodations were at a good distance from the Haram, we had no one with us to help and the crowds were greater than ever before, a grand…
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As the Hujjaj return…
This is the time to think about and plan for Haj. Now as you welcome the people coming back from Haj in your community, decide that you want to go next year and start planning. I knew a young girl who read that haj is both a physical and financial act of worship and started…
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Eid ul-Adha
Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem Allahumma salli ala sayidina Muhammad All praise be to Allah we have much to thank him for. Unlike occasions where happiness stems from passing material matters, the joy we feel in Eid comes from accomplishment. As an Ummah we feel the accomplishment of the Muslims in haj and our hearts and thoughts…