Author: gracefulstrides

gracefulstrideshttps://gracefulstrides.wordpress.com

Pitter Patter Pipeline

Assalamu Alaikum Lovelies,

This blog hasn’t died – Thanks for the care <3, I have just been extremely busy with so many! Updates and posts to follow over the next few weeks. One of the projects I have been looking at is “reclaiming your birth right” . So if you have any stories you would like to share which are about your journey to Islam or someone you know that has reverted back in to the beautiful faith, feel free to share your stories via email.

I will update shortly In Sha Allah

Stay Graceful

xx

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That Fajr Prayer

Assalmu alaikum, May peace be with you all. In the name of Allah, the most kind, the most merciful. May His choices, blessings and salutations, salaah and salaam be upon the Beloved Nabi Muhammad  , and may we also benefit from these blessings, ameen,ya rabil alimeen.

The pursuit of happiness begins with Salaah, so let our days begin with Salaat al Fajr.

I was scrolling through Instagram the other day, and came across this account called @fajreminders. Initially I followed the account, because I am a bit of a quotes fanatic, but I soon realised, these were more than quotes and inspirations. I’ve highlighted a few inspirations below.

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Follow @fajreminders on Instagram

This post is merely a reminder for us to cement our intention to rise for Salaah.

As humans, we love our sleep! But if Allah is saying “Salaah is better than sleep”, then certainly, we should abandon sleep for His pleasure? The way is see it is two – fold, because in pleasing Him, isnt He Loving you? Rewards to the maximum!

Aisha R relates that Rasulullah S said “ the two rakaats of fajr (the Sunnah) are better than the world and all it contains”

 

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Is it then not understood that we should be rising before the sun to offer this prayer to the Almighty before walking our dogs and donning expensive suits and elegant dresses, coffee in hand rushing through the traffic to participate in the world? Surely, if we start with Fajr, we will have the mercy and blessing of the One who commanded us and our days may just be a lot easier. It is also said in a narration, something to the effect that, we should place our worldly requests before Allah at this time, for He will take care of them for us. So will you rise before the sun and breathe the pure dawn air? So let’s be active participants in our religious obligation as much as we are in our worldly obligation.

We live in a society where we wake our kids up for school, but not for Fajr

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We call ourselves muslim, and we do as commanded, but what about inculcating these habits in to our children? We know, that we have a responsibility to look after the children entrusted to us, from the Almighty. We don’t want them to fall on the playground and scratch their precious knees and we want them to raise the trophy at the end of the year #firstprize. But what about being the shining trophy in the eyes of Allah and kneeling on the ground before Him? If our kids are habitually waking up for school, but not fajr, we have failed them and our Lord. Yes – it may not be compulsory on them now, but it will be in the near future, why not make it easy for them to habitually rise at the call to prayer to please their Creator from the earliest age of understanding?

 

What is heavier? The Gym Bench or the Blanket for Fajr?

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Please don’t give up your gym routines! Those are very helpful guys, but waking up a few minutes earlier and training your soul before your body is the ultumate option. The best form of exercise is salaah for the mind and the body. Our strength is in standing two feet firm on the musallah, in kneeling and bowing with full concentration on Allah and His command, Magnificence and Praise. The blanket is less than 1kg, let’s rise and raise the bar in obedience to the Nourisher, Sustainer and Provider.

theres just one more that i want to point out and that is,

Only the best may come from pleasing Allah

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Allah never ordains that which may be harmful to us. So for those of us that have concerns about a lack of sleep, the idea has certainly been planted by Shaytaan and cultivated by our busy lives and nafs – think jihad an Nafs!

Fajr is designed to begin the day with light and with life, with positive energy and the presence of the Angels. The early morning sets the tone and energy for the entire day, and by beginning the day in the best possible way, in prayer and meditation, in spiritual practice, you will bless your entire day with barakah and noor, blessings and light.

Early morning is a blessed time and most conducive to spiritual awakening and the cultivation of consciousness, for while the world sleeps, the spiritual beings arise and assert that “prayer is better than sleep,” that consciousness, transcendence and divine purpose are greater than heedlessness, unconsciousness and loss of purpose.

I leave you asking that today, we all make the intention to observe the Fajr Salaah and that we ask Almighty to open our eyes and allow us to rise before the sun and all the birds and animals which awaken to praise HIM, In sha Allah

 

Some tips:

1. Eat Healthy, Eat Light: Light and healthy meals cultivate consciousness and feed our positive energy, whilst heavy unhealthy meals contribute to lethargy and laziness.

2. Sleep early with intention: Give your body the love and care it needs to obtain its maximum purpose for your maximum benefit. Our souls are housed by our bodies, we need to care for both in order to please Allah. Sleep in a state of purity, in wudhu and with intention to rise for Fajr salaah.

3.  Meditate daily: Center your mind, train your spirituality to enter every crevice of the mind and fill it with concentration and love for Allah and His invitation to meeting Him. A command is less burdensome, when you Love the commander.

4. Muhasaba: Take account for your day in Dunya,and you will have ease in answering in Akhira. Keep a conscious record of your worship and your spiritual growth and goals.

 

 

 

Dunya Boutiques v Akhira Boutiques

Every woman knows about shopping. It doesn’t matter which country you are from, the words “shopping” or “sale” sends a shiver down the spine and a peek in to the purses. 

So let’s take this concept of shopping a little further. It is wonderful to be able to fill our time walking through malls and trying on pretty dresses, then filling our cupboards and basking in the feeling of accomplishment. So long as we remember, to live in this Dunya and not for this Dunya.

We would be foolish to live any other way, as Allah says, “O My People! The life of this world is only temporary enjoyment, while the abode of hereafter is everlasting”  (Surah Al Mu’min : 39) 

We are here as traveler’s, this temporary abode is a place wherein we are given the opportunity to prepare for our final destination. By virtue of being the reciters of La Illaha Ililallah, we already have the passport to paradise, however, we do require some Visa. This Visa is obtainable through doing righteous deeds, for Allah says,  “And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are dwellers or paradise,they will dwell therein forever” (surah Al Baqarah : 82). 

And we know that in preparation for any journey, the best provision is Taqwa, (surah Al Baqarah : 197) So in preparing, take as much as you can from this place for the next. 

So, how often do we go “Akhira Shopping”? The answer should be – it is my sole purpose. YES, life is about shopping. Shopping for the Akhira, stocking up on Akhira reserves, filling the bags, tipping the scales and rushing to the sales. 

I think as a start, we should add a few things to our Akhira shopping lists. The best currency to carry on these shopping expeditions, is glorifying the Almighty, lots of SubhanAllah will be beneficial.

Stocking up on Akhira reserves is simple, we need to engage in Tawbah,because Allah says, ” Truly Allah loves those who turn [to Him] in repentance, and He loves those who keep themselves in purity. (Qur’an 2:222).  

Thankfulness to Allah for the favours he has bestowed on us, everything we have, everything we do is only by His will, and Allah says,””Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, And be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.” [Qur’an 2:152] 

Our actions, must be pure and good, and for the pleasure of Allah. Good actions, character and manners are all part of Imaan and we are told this by our beloved Nabi Muhammad S.A.W, when he said, “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than good character” (Hadith narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud).

Actually, its simple, shop for the Akhira, in the constant remembrance of Allah. In doing for Him, you increase your love for Him, and in loving Him. And while you loving Him and The most Loving is Loving you, your Akhira reserves increase with every good action done for Him.

There is no need for a budget in this realm and Akhira boutiques are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Do all you need to for Allah, and He will do for you.

Do it with Grace xx

Graceful Strides Welcomes Hijab Inspirations

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ

Gracefulstrides welcomes a Hijab Inspiration page for the fashionable Hijabi sisters. Hijab (the covering) is a duty and obligation upon us. In today’s “modern” “hipster” or “professional” environment wherever you may sit, we all do Hijab a little differently. Some of us have taken to the Ab’aya, Some of us Niq’ab, Some of us prefer the colours, florals, pastels, denims and pretties.

We know that Hijab is not just the head covering, but the concealing of our adornments or concealing of our shapes. Its about differentiation and about modesty, and grace and protection.

We have taken the initiative to encourage fulfilling the obligation of Hijab on our sisters in a way that fits your lifestyle no matter where you are. 

Continue Reading on the HIJAB INSPIRATIONS page 

Do it Gracefully

xx

Emotional Dua by Hadhrat Ali رضي الله عنه

All praises are due to Allah, the most Merciful, And may His Choices, blessing and salutations be upon His Beloved Nabi, Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم  , May Allah be pleased with His Family and companions, with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, Ali  and their families, the Sahaba, the Tabi’een, the Taba Tabi’een, the Salaf Asaliheen, and all those who follow Nabi Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم A, till the Last Day, Amma Ba’ad

The advice and dua of Hadhrat Ali (RA) on his deathbed, which we can earmark as the beginnig of the build up to Karbala. Let us read these words and advices of a man, who was loved by our Nabi SAW, who embodied Imaan and Taqwa. These advises were given to his family, let us try to share these words with one and all and make an effort to follow these advises in the year to come,

“I advise you (both) to fear Allah and that you should not hanker after the (pleasure of this) world even though it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything of this world that you have been denied. Speak the truth and act (in expectation) for reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor and helper of the oppressed.

“I advise you (both) and all my children and members of my family and everyone whom my writing reaches, to fear Allah, to keep your affairs in order, and to maintain good relations among yourselves for I have heard your grandfather (the Holy Prophet) saying: `Improvement of mutual differences is better than general prayers and fasting.’

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of orphans. So do not allow them to starve and they should not be ruined in your presence.

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of your neighbours, because they were the subject of the Prophet’s advice. He went on advising in their favour till we thought he would allow them a share in inheritance.

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of the Qur’an. No one should excel you in acting upon it.

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of prayer, because it is the pillar of your religion.

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of your Lord’s House (Ka’bah). Do not forsake it so long as you live, because if it is abandoned you will not be spared.

“(Fear) Allah (and) keep Allah in view in the matter of jihad with the help of your property, lives and tongues in the way of Allah.

“You should keep to a respect for kinship and spending for others. Avoid turning away from one another and severing mutual relations. Do not give up bidding for good and forbidding from evil lest the mischievous gain positions over you, and then if you will pray, the prayers will not be granted.”

“(Fear) Allah for Allah is the most severe in reckoning. From my side, the Ahle bait, may Allah protect you. From the Prophets SAW may you be protected, I leave you in the hands of Allah, Assalamu Alaikum.”