Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Alhamdulillah today was good, and very rainy! I went to Uni and didn’t do much, but did run into one of my very good friends I haven’t seen in a long time 
We both could sympathize with “abaya troubles” – lack of selection, the bottom snaps unsnapping, and getting all wet at the bottom on rainy days. I love wearing abaya, but most of the ones I have are a tad “fancy” so I’ve been wearing the same black one for… awhile. But alhamdulillah anyways, insha’Allah once I get a job I will try and buy some more.
Later I came home and watched a series of videos on YouTube depicting shaytaan seducing people towards to haram… 14 short episodes that a well-done and good visual reminders ~however as for sending it to bro’s there are many episodes that have hijab-less sisters in them. And sometimes the shaytan’s outfit is a bit too tight! Well, I guess I don’t expect him to be following the sunnah :p
Here is the first episode for a taste: Shaytan #1: Don’t Wear Hijab, You Will Look Ugly
Then I went to a friends house for a nice dinner and time to chat. Got lost driving home (again) because I missed my exit, but I don’t mind because there is more time to drive around while listening to sh.Husain’s lectures. Mmm had a shower and now am trying to work out the details for a class I am teaching tomorrow morning at Saturday Islamic school.But I am SO sleepy….. I was just going to print the documents and sleep, but then I had the urge to procrastinate (x_x ); I saw an email about Baba Ali having a new season so thought “Okay, I will check out this video THEN go print the documents and sleep!” and subhan’Allah the video was about weekend Islamic school! You can check it out here.
His comments are very true… I have been teaching for the last two weekends, talking to the older youth who have been through “how to make wudu” class over and over and over again and are BORED out of their minds. So I am trying to engage them in discussions about the problems they face, the questions they have, and just trying to build more of an Islamic identity and connect the heart to Allah Ta’ala.
Alhamdulillah last week I thought went very well – they really opened up and seemed to enjoy it. Everyone wanted to tell their own stories and give input. For the girls, a lot of things about friends, guys, culture clash… how many “Muslim cultures” have so many things ingrained in them that are not in-line with Islam. A particular frustration is how sons are treated different than daughters and given more leeway, as if when they do something it is less haram.
As for me, I feel A LOT of pressure… often I think, “Who am I to be giving halaqas?” That I am inexperienced and not even properly educated yet… in terms of not having any formal Islamic education, just a lot of personal research and listening to others’ halaqas. The problems of the youth are many, not just the youth – rather the problems are with the entire community. To even try to tackle these problems are daunting, and I keep fearing what if I am ineffective or give them weak information or dont inspire them toward good as much as so-and-so could have?
But I also realize La hawla wa la quwatta illah billah - it is not up to me. All I can do is make the niyaah and ask Allah for help, but how they recieve it, if it sticks in their heart or not, that is up to Allah. I don’t have the power to change anyone. Even myself, I only hope for Allah’s Mercy and that He will give me the tawfiq to progress in the deen and to have the sunnah come into my life.
But I digress! Time to sleep so I can be refreshed and ready to spread the ilm tomorrow insha’Allah!
hira