Comfort of the Heart vs. Comfort of the Body

June 24, 2016June 29, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 6 Comments

Written by Theresa Corbin and originally posted on aboutislam.net

The first few days are a breeze. I always worry if I will make it through them before Ramadan even begins. But they always end up being the easiest.

Then the dark circles set in, the lips begin to chap, and, if I let myself, I could sleep 12 + hours a day.

These symptoms usually set in around day 10 for me. But this is also the time I hit a rhythm in Ramadan and despite eating less, I can taste a different kind of sweetness.

Indeed he who is pleased (and content) with Allah as his Lord (Rubb), Islam as his Deen and Muhammad as his Messenger has tasted the sweetness of faith (iman).” (Muslim)

I know this is true, but it is hard to describe the feeling. Even though the body is uncomfortable, the heart finds solace in the satisfaction of striving in Ramadan. It is a feeling to which nothing else compares.

Hold this World in Your Hand

I am ashamed to admit it but sometimes I try to fit the life of this word into a vessel that will never accept it. It’s so easy to be seduced by all the things that glitter around us. It is comfortable to fall back on old habits. It’s our nature to seek the path of least resistance.

Revisiting Humans of Ramadan

June 17, 2016June 21, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Written by Theresa Corbin

Last year, instead of droning on and on about what Ramadan is to me, I decided to let my brothers and sisters chime in. I questioned high and low all who came in my path about all things Ramadan and served up answers in a series called “Humans of Ramadan”.

This week, we revist the series Parts 1- 4

Part 1 Humans of Ramadan

In this part, I asked the tough questions like what is Ramadan? why is Ramadan? where is Ramadan?

Andi Monterosso de Ferrera said

Ramadan is the blessed month that the Holy Quran was revealed to our beloved prophet Muhammad (swt). Ramadan is a gift from Allah (swt) to show us that NOTHING is impossible! If we Muslims can forgo food and water (when clearly food and water are permissible to intake) just because Allah said we should for one month, then all other things that are not permissible should be a cinch to avoid!!! It’s training for your heart and soul.!!! I love Ramadan.

Part 2 Humans Who Can’t Fast

5 Pivotal Moments That Took Place in Ramadan

May 28, 2016June 21, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Written by Theresa Corbin

Stroll with us down memory lane as we take a look at some of the significant moments of Ramadans gone by.

Ramadan is a month full of blessings. And throughout the ages it has been a month full of events that have turned the tide of history. Many Muslims are well versed in the momentous events that took place during the months of Ramadan in life of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

However, records of Ramadan events throughout history trail off after the time of the Prophet (pbuh) and his immediate companions, causing Ramadan phenomena to be lost to obscurity.

It is hard to believe that it has been 1,436 years since the first Ramadan was celebrated by the Prophet and the early Muslims. In all that time, God continues to bless us in the holy month throughout history.

All holy books were revealed in Ramadan

The Suhuf or Scrolls were revealed to Abraham (PBUH), The Torah was revealed to Moses (PBUH), The Psalms were revealed to David (PBUH), The Gospel was revealed to Jesus (PBUH), and The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad (PBUH) all in the month of Ramadan.¹

The father of Trigonometry was born

On the second of Ramadan in 328 AH –June 10, 940 CE– Abu al-Wafa al-Būzjānī was born. An astronomers and mathematicians, Abu al-Wafa made significant contributions in observational astronomy and trigonometry.²

Slavery was abolished in the US

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery. This important Amendment was passed by the House of Representatives on the 5th day of Ramadan 1281 AH— January 31, 1865.³

World’s first antibiotic was introduced

On the 5th of Ramadan 1347 AH—February 14, 1929—Sir Alexander Fleming introduced his mold by-product called penicillin that would later save millions of lives. 4

Two world wars ended

World War I ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (29 Ramadan 1337 AH / June 28, 1919) and World War II ended with the surrender of the Empire of Japan on (24 Ramadan 1364 AH / September 2, 1945).

Click here to see more pivotal historical moments that happened during Ramadan.

¹Tafsir Ibn Kathir 2:185

²http://www.muslimheritage.com/article/abu-al-wafa-al-buzjan%C3%AE

³http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/house-passes-the-13th-amendment

4 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/penicillin-discovered

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I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 3

August 15, 2015August 17, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 11 Comments

jinn encounter

Read Part 1 here

Read Part 2 here

Written and experienced by Stephanie Siam

Warning: The following story contains material which might not be suitable for all readers. If you are easily spooked, please consider skipping this post and coming back next week. If you are brave, and have not yet done so, please read Part I and Part II of this story before proceeding.

As I wait for a response, I repeat the only consoling phrase I know under my breath, “Authu billahi min al shaytaan ir-rajeem.*”

Next to me on the bed, my daughter’s eyes continue to grow in despair. She is terrified, and I can’t bring myself to even tell her why I am so upset. Tears have begun to fall freely down my cheeks, and I wipe the back of my hand across my face so I can see the screen of the computer.

Please respond! Pleeeeeeease!!

I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 2

August 12, 2015August 16, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 18 Comments

jinn encounter

Read Part 1 here

Read Part 3 here

Written and Experienced by Stephanie Siam

… We left off when my husband had just told me that he has a jinn attached to him. A female jinn. And she’s jealous.” …

I start thinking about what I know of jinn, and about things in our life together, and about my health problems, and my mind starts racing. Like I said before, I believe jinn exist, but I’d never thought about them ‘attaching’ themselves to people. I cross my arms over my chest and attempt to get more comfortable. “And. . .she’s jealous of. . .?”

He looks at me, and I can see he’s wondering whether to tell me the truth. “. . .You.”

I laugh. “Me?”

“Yeah. He said she’s jealous of you, and she’s causing problems for us. Like, she’s affecting your health and my personality, and other stuff, too. . .”

I Don’t Dream of Genie: My Jinn Experience Part 1

August 7, 2015August 16, 2015 by ssiam ♥ 20 Comments

I don't dream of genie

Read Part 2 here

Read Part 3 here

Written and Experienced by Stephanie Siam

As I write this, I’m sitting in a Starbucks in broad daylight. There’s a sign on the door that indicates this is a “Safe Space”. In shaa Allah (by the will of God).

Backstory:

In 2009, my mother and I were involved in an accident (not in a car) that put her in the hospital for weeks and herniated my spine in a way that would change my life. Alhamdulillah (thank God), we recovered – for the most part.

However, I ended up with serious chronic back pain and a weaker spine.

Humans of Ramadan: Humans Who Forgive

July 10, 2015June 14, 2016 by Corbin ♥ 4 Comments

Humans Who Forgive

Over the past month, we here at islamwich have been observing Ramadan in a communal way. We have opened up our home to the voices of many (read more here, here, and here) so that we can enrich our understanding of what Ramadan means to its observants.

This week, the last week of Ramadan, we shift focus from fasting to forgiveness. Ramadan is a month about many things and forgiveness is a huge theme. It is a month in which its observants draw closer to God, seeking His pleasure and forgiveness.

But God tells us that He forgives those who forgive others. So we thought it would only be appropriate to hear from Humans of Ramadan about how they have decided to not only give up food and drink but give up anger and grudges during Ramadan.

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Comfort of the Heart vs. Comfort of the Body