Inspiration from All of You

I haven't posted on my blog for many reasons during this past year. Some personal and my other reason was to get a stronger backbone on Islamic knowledge. I love to write about Islam, but I didn't want to write something that wasn't according to the Quran and the authentic sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). I have been attending classes on a website called Adly.net. (www.adly.net.com) for a little over a year now and that 1 yr itch of not actively writing was starting to creep up on me. I'm so happy and feel so blessed to have such wonderful brothers and sisters in Islam reading the blog. You have all been so patient with my lack of posting this past year. I was thinking of discontinueing my writing; however, something touched me......YOUR COMMENTS!!!!!!!!

You have all been sooo inspirational to me and to know that the words that I write have touched you in your life is just breathtaking Walahi..... It was one of those comments that I received in May that really got me reflecting on this past year. I love writing and sharing things I have learned as Muslim and things that affect our ummah on a daily basis. And it was that comment that gave me the motivation I needed to get back on the saddle. You are all very dear to me, and to know that the words I write have changed your life in someway or have cheered you up on a cloudy day.....well this is the best gift a reader gives to a writer Mashallah.

I wanted to give you all a quick update that I have continued to write Alhamdulilah and have created another blog that inshallah will interest all of you. I have included the posts from this blog to that one as well. The blog is www.intuitivemuslima.wordpress.com I thought I needed a new look for a blog that reflects my life at this time and what I have been through this past year both happy and challenging times. Please check it out. I will continue to use that blog as my new home inshallah for continueing posts. Please feel free to leave your comments on it and your suggestions for posts. The blog is a sanctuary for not just me but I have a page that is dedicated to all of you. So feel free to speak your mind on that page. It's titled "Intuitive Poetry" the link is http://intuitivemuslima.wordpress.com/intuitive-poetry/?csspreview=true.

Jazak Allah Khairan for all your support. Inshallah you will enjoy the new blog space and please pass it out to those you know.

May Allah keep all of us on the straight path, in good health and faith. May He make us among the successful in this life and the hereafter. Amin.

Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed
Authorization is given to distribute on websites for dawah (invitation to Islam) purposes in non-profit publications under the following conditions:
1. Information on this site may not be modified.
2. Copyright notice and permission notice must appear in the publication "Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed. All Rights Reserved".
If use is for commercial purposes please contact the author for all other rights, which are reserved.

Hunger Awareness Campaign

The Muslimah Writers Alliance Hunger Awareness Special Edition Newsletter is now available. Hunger affects all of humanity. It doesn't discriminate against race, religion, or gender. There is someone right now suffering from hunger. Please remember not to waste food for there is someone out there who goes to sleep hungry. I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

Please feel free to share pass this along MWA Hunger Awareness Special Edition Newsletter



Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed
Authorization is given to distribute on websites for dawah (invitation to Islam) purposes in non-profit publications under the following conditions:
1. Information on this site may not be modified.
2. Copyright notice and permission notice must appear in the publication "Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed. All Rights Reserved".
If use is for commercial purposes please contact the author for all other rights, which are reserved.

Deceptive Dunya

By: Sumayah Fayed

We fight and we strive
We do our best to survive
All the calamities that we see
We do nothing but plea
What have we done in His Name?
Nothing, ourselves only to blame!
We take little responsibility
For our reckless activity

Our Ummah is weak
Only in vain do we speak
We preach to others to be righteous,
Conceal our devious actions,
Fulfilling our own satisfactions,
Consumed by mundane distractions.

The guidance of Allah we ask for
The door to His mercy
Our heart implores.

We prostrate to the floor
In humble worship
Hoping his forgiveness is in store
The glad tidings of jannah we await
But…Wait…
We wake and realize
That this is the last day
Oh my… what will I say?
We see ourselves being gathered
In our minds we ponder
What did we do for Allah?
We were only concerned with our desires
Taking account that we were liars
Oh No…
No time to negotiate!!!
Oh No it is my turn!!!
“Oh Allah, I ask Thee
For Thou Rahma…
Let me be among those….
That smells the fragrance of Thy sweet abode
Which Thou has bestowed…
For the ones who reflect and know
And worship Thee alone”.

Our plea is useless and then He will ask
What have you done for Thy sake?”

For your benefit and mine
I hope at least an atoms weight!
For now it is just too late!

Also has been published on www.islamicpoetry.org

Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed
Authorization is given to distribute on websites for dawah (invitation to Islam) purposes in non-profit publications under the following conditions:
1. Information on this site may not be modified.
2. Copyright notice and permission notice must appear in the publication "Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed. All Rights Reserved".
If use is for commercial purposes please contact the author for all other rights, which are reserved.

Ten Ways to Increase Happiness in Marriage

The young and excited bride-and-groom-to-be; ecstatic about the upcoming wedding and marriage and the joy that it will bring. Three to six months later, reality has set in and both spouses realize that marriage is no easy task, but one that takes a great deal of effort and patience. The following are tips for both wives and husbands, to help make the task a little less daunting, and to increase the many rewards that are possible in such a marvelous and complex relationship.

Enter the Marriage with the Right Intention and Renew this Often

Both spouses should enter the marriage with the pure intention of pleasing Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, in order to receive His grace and blessings. The marriage itself then becomes an act of worship and one for which both spouses will be rewarded. Allah will be pleased with them and this will be the most critical element in ensuring peace, stability and happiness throughout the marital life. It is also important to realize that when an act of worship is continued over a long period of time, it becomes necessary to renew one's intention often to remain on the correct path and to obtain the most benefit.

Remember that your Spouse has Rights

Too often Muslims treat other people outside the home with kindness and sincerity, but then behave in a very different manner when it comes to their own spouses. Muslims should always remember that one's spouse is also another brother or sister in Islam and that the rights and duties that apply to the general brotherhood (sisterhood) of Islam, should also form the basis of the marital relationship. Obviously, a spouse has rights beyond these, but there should be a clear understanding of the rights of brotherhood (sisterhood) and adherence to these principles.

Do Not Hold Unrealistic Expectations

Before marriage, people often have unrealistic ideas about their spouse-to-be, expecting perfection in all aspects. This rarely, if ever, plays out in reality and can lead to unnecessary problems and concerns. We should recall that Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, created humans as imperfect beings, which means that many mistakes will be made throughout a lifetime. By turning the table and expecting imperfection, we will be pleasantly surprised and pleased when our spouse is much more than we ever hoped for. This, in turn, will lead to contentment within the marriage. Emphasize the Best in Your Spouse Since no one is endowed with all of the best qualities, emphasis should be placed on the positive qualities that a spouse possesses. Encouragement, praise, and gratitude should be expressed on a regular basis, which will strengthen these qualities and be beneficial in developing others. An attempt should be made to overlook or ignore negative characteristics, as the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "A believing man should not have any malice against a believing woman. He may dislike one characteristic in her, but may find another in her which is pleasing." (Muslim)

Be Your Mate's Best Friend

Try to think of what a best friend means and be one to your spouse. This may mean sharing interests, experiences, dreams, failures and upsets. It may involve understanding a spouse's likes and dislikes and attempting to please him or her in any way possible. A best friend is also usually someone that can be confided to trusted, and relied upon. A spouse should be the kind of friend that one would want to keep throughout life. Spend Quality Time Together It is not enough to share meals, chores and small talk together. Spouses should also find time to focus on strengthening the relationship. Often couples get busy with their own separate tasks and forget about working on one of the most important elements in life. Quality time may be anything from having a quiet, profound conversation to going for a nice long nature walk, to sharing a special hobby or project. Both spouses should enjoy the particular option chosen and distractions should be kept to a minimum.

Express Feelings Often

This is probably a very "Western" concept and one that some people may have difficulty fulfilling, but it is important to be open and honest about one's feelings, both positive and negative. The lines of communication should always be open and any concerns should be brought to the attention of the other spouse as soon as they arise. The rationale of this is that what begins as a simple concern may grow into a major problem if it is not addressed quickly and properly. The "silent treatment" has never been the remedy for anything.

Admit to Mistakes and ask for Forgiveness

Just as we ask Allah to forgive us when we make mistakes, we should also do the same with our spouses. The stronger person is the one who can admit when he or she is wrong, request pardon from the other, and work hard to improve his/her aspects that are in need of change. When a person is unwilling to do this, there will be little growth and development in the marriage.

Never Bring up Mistakes of the Past

It can be very hurting for another person to be reminded of past mistakes. In Islam, it is generally not recommended to dwell on the past. One may remember errors that were made so that they are not repeated, but this should not be done excessively. Certainly, as humans, we are not in the position to judge another person. Advice may be given, but not in a harmful manner.

Surprise Each Other at Times

This may entail bringing home a small gift or flowers, preparing a special meal, dressing up and beautifying oneself (this is not only for women), or sending a secret note in a lunchbox. A little imagination will go a long way here. The idea is to spice up the marriage and avoid getting into a dull routine that may negatively affect the marriage.

Have a Sense of Humour

This particular aspect can go a long way in preventing arguments and brightening the atmosphere of the home.me. Life is a constant stream of challenges and tests, and to approach it in a light-hearted manner will help to make the journey smoother and more enjoyable. You may also find that your spouse enjoys this characteristic and looks forward to spending time with you because of it.

Quick Tips for Discussions and Disagreements:

Begin with the intention to resolve the issue. If both spouses have this intention and plan to consult together, it is more likely that there will be a successful resolution. Remember that it takes two to quarrel. If only one person chooses not to argue, there will be no argument. Generally, the one who is wrong does most of the talking. Both spouses should not be angry at the same time. If one of the spouses becomes upset, it is best if the other tries to remain calm and collected. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire. Of course, house fires do not occur very frequently; yelling should occur at about the same rate. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled. This is one of the worst things that can happen in a marriage and should be avoided as much as possible. This allows hurt feelings and thoughts to linger and generally exacerbates the problem. If one spouse needs to win, let it be your mate. Do not focus on winning yourself; this is the main reason that discussions tend to become heated.

Source: www.islamway.com


Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed
Authorization is given to distribute on websites for dawah (invitation to Islam) purposes in non-profit publications under the following conditions:
1. Information on this site may not be modified.
2. Copyright notice and permission notice must appear in the publication "Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed. All Rights Reserved".
If use is for commercial purposes please contact the author for all other rights, which are reserved.

I am Woman

"I am Woman"

By: Sumayah (Jennifer) Fayed

I don't need your remorse or sympathy

I don't have any regret or care on

How society views me.

I am no longer a statistic

A toy for men to play with

I know what I am worth

I am beautiful just the way God made me

I am a woman who is precious

Not something to be fixed, sliced,

Cut up and made to entice

Since when does beauty only matter?

I was raised and taught that

Your mind is what flatters.

I am sick… I am tired…

Women are being abused all around

I feel like I’m gonna drown!

Set me free from this despair!

Oh my God I swear!

Free the people’s errs

Why can’t they understand women?

We are valuable precious beings

We deserve to be treasured, appreciated

And loved to a degree that lifts us

From all the afflictions that we see!

Then maybe somehow we can agree

That I am a woman and I have dignity!

I submitted this poem for the MWA Poetry Contest

http://mwapeopleschoice.blogspot.com/2006/02/entry-no-3-i-am-woman.html

Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed
Authorization is given to distribute on websites for dawah (invitation to Islam) purposes in non-profit publications under the following conditions:
1. Information on this site may not be modified.
2. Copyright notice and permission notice must appear in the publication "Copyright © 2006 Sumayah Fayed. All Rights Reserved".
If use is for commercial purposes please contact the author for all other rights, which are reserved.

CNN Revives Murder Case of LA Muslim Woman

4/04/06

By: Aishah Schwartz

Hard hitting, no holds barred prime-time crime fighting advocate, Nancy Grace, resurrected December 17, 2004's unsolved cold case murder of Iman Muhanna Mohammed this past Friday night on CNN.

It was 15 months ago that Iman Muhanna, 42, and 6-months pregnant, was found dead in the bedroom of her Metairie, Louisiana home. She had been viciously stabbed 33 times.

The couple's unborn daughter did not survive the attack, turning the case into a double homicide.

First to arrive at the gruesome scene was Fakhri Mohammed, 45, the victim's husband, returning home after dropping the couple's two children off at school.

Continuation of Article Click Here:
http://news.ibn.net/newsgen.asp?url=CNNmuwo



© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.

Muslimah Writers Alliance First Annual Poetry Comptetition

Announcing the Muslimah Writers Alliance First Annual People's Choice Poetry Competition and Blog

Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) is sponsoring this premier event to support creativity and fun with writing in recognition of National Poetry Month.
(PRWEB) April 1, 2006 -- The Muslimah Writers Alliance First Annual People's Choice Poetry Competition, held in conjunction with National Poetry Month, April 1-30, is open to all styles of poetry written by anyone age 12 and up.

To enter your poetry in MWA's First Annual People's Choice Poetry Competition, please be sure to include contact information when emailing your entries to: PoetryContest at MuslimahWritersAlliance.com. Limit: 3 entries per person. There is no fee for entering this competition. Copyright remains with authors and will be indicated at the bottom of each entry.

All approved entries will be uploaded to the MWA contest blog. After uploading, each entrant will receive by return email a direct link to their poem for sharing with friends.

"At MWA we are really excited about this event, because the winners will be chosen by you, the people," stated MWA Founder and Director, Aishah Schwartz.

The poetry contest blog is set up to receive comments (votes), however, only registered blogger users will be able to vote via the blog in order to deflect duplication of votes. Email votes can be sent to poetrycontest at muslimahwritersalliance.com.

To vote via the poetry contest blog, find the comment link displayed at the bottom of each poem. When commenting (voting) on entries, please leave your Poem Rating. Each poem is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Any comment/vote that does not specifically include a rating will not be counted as a vote.

Deadline for Submissions: April 25, 2006. Contest 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced and winning entries posted May 1, 2006, Insha'Allah. (Prizes to be announced, subscribe to contest blog for updates.)

Submit your entry today and don't forget to share the blog link (http://www.mwapeopleschoice.blogspot.com/) with your friends, insha'Allah.

Permission granted to circulate freely and widely, insha'Allah.

Established in 2006, MWA's mission is to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the common good of the Muslim Ummah, and to be of support to one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience, and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success.

To learn more about Muslimah Writers Alliance visit: http://www.muslimahwritersalliance.com

To Join Muslimah Writers Alliance visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Muslimah_Writers_Alliance

Visit The Academy of American Poets at http://www.poets.org

Press Contact:
Aishah Schwartz
Company Name: MUSLIMAH WRITERS ALLIANCE
Website: www.muslimahwritersalliance.com

More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/4/prweb365891.htm





© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.