I never explained why I chose to call my blog Glad Tidings to the Strangers. I aspire to be a stranger as referred to in the hadith of Rasulullah (sas):
"Islaam began as something strange and it will revert to how it began as something strange. So glad tidings of Paradise to the strangers"
Before I made hijrah I felt like a stranger in my country, and after I made hijrah I felt very strange. But being a stranger, in the way the hadith is referring is not just feeling like a stranger. I found this site by Shaykh Jamaal Ad-deen Zarabozo with a good tafsir on this hadith.
http://www.freewebs.com/salafiyyah_/gladtidings.htm
So, are you a stranger?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Website Review
Hijra Information Forum @
http://www.hijra.net/
I found this to be a simple to use site that is not overburdened with endless forum categories.
I didn’t check out the home schooling forums, but I did take a look at the hijrah information and job seeking forums. I read people’s questions about places to which they are thinking to make hijra and some of the replies to these questions. By and large it seemed helpful, I even posted a few snippets myself.
I searched through the job offers and links and sent my CV to ten of the schools and advertisements listed. After two months waiting I did not receive any replies and I do not think it was due to my CV being lacking. Sadly the only reply I had in my inbox after all this time was a marriage proposal! Aoothubillah!
General hijrah information and questions about various individual countries are well replied to by fellow muhajireen. When you register as a user you are provided with an inbox and you can communicate directly with other users without posting publically.
I don’t recommend it for job searching, but take a look, maybe you will have some good nasib there and find a link to other recruitment agency websites.
The site is useful for those contemplating hijrah and those already in hijrah. You might be able to find some new friends in your new land.
http://www.hijra.net/
I found this to be a simple to use site that is not overburdened with endless forum categories.
I didn’t check out the home schooling forums, but I did take a look at the hijrah information and job seeking forums. I read people’s questions about places to which they are thinking to make hijra and some of the replies to these questions. By and large it seemed helpful, I even posted a few snippets myself.
I searched through the job offers and links and sent my CV to ten of the schools and advertisements listed. After two months waiting I did not receive any replies and I do not think it was due to my CV being lacking. Sadly the only reply I had in my inbox after all this time was a marriage proposal! Aoothubillah!
General hijrah information and questions about various individual countries are well replied to by fellow muhajireen. When you register as a user you are provided with an inbox and you can communicate directly with other users without posting publically.
I don’t recommend it for job searching, but take a look, maybe you will have some good nasib there and find a link to other recruitment agency websites.
The site is useful for those contemplating hijrah and those already in hijrah. You might be able to find some new friends in your new land.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Abu Dhabi UAE Part 1
Thoughts on Hijrah to Abu Dhabi
For the Muhajir who wants to benefit from hijrah more than just hearing the adhan, UAE is not the best option. However, it may help you out as a half way destination.
Dubai is well known for its lack of Islam. The ruler of Dubai loves himself and loves his emirate to be the world’s playground, filling the place with fancy buildings and even fancier theme parks filled with kufar and people you would rather not know. It is a definite no-go area if you want to avoid munkar.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and is smaller than Dubai. Islamically, Abu Dhabi it is better, but it is following in the footsteps of Dubai, expanding at a great rate, opening music dance clubs and hosting international music pop-stars. Alcohol is easily attainable, and it is attained. I used to see groups of adolescent men sitting around drinking 7up and I thought it was a nice change to what I used to see in my country, but I was advised by someone in the know that they have mixed their 7up with alcohol. If you visit the fancy places in Abu Dhabi you will see kufar, and you will see them in less than appropriate attire. I saw way too much awra, and they walk around the place as if they own it.
The Emirati population makes up less than 20% of the total population of UAE. I did get the opportunity to meet many Emirati women, and sadly they seem very far removed from reality. At least they are not flashing their awra, however, it is fashionable now to wear the hijab halfway down the back of the head to show off a nice shiny fringe of hair. MashaAllah I have to admit that they do have nice hair, but best they keep it to themselves. I did try to give some dawa to sisters, but was dismissed as some sort of freak. Generally, Emiratis are seriously affected by wahn (love of this life and hatred for death) but that is the story in any Muslim country.
I chose not to live in the city, instead opting for a town about 40 minutes drive out. I didn’t work in the city so it was fine for me to live so far out. Public transport is very poor (however this is changing), and traffic jams are normal. In the town where I lived, the people were very different to those in the city, I never saw a kafir and they even say salams when they pass you in the street.If you can handle seeing kufar on a regular basis, pop-posters, wanton consumerism and bida’a, Abu Dhabi is a great place for the disciplined single sister to make hijrah to. Life is easy and you don’t need a mahram to get things done. It is clean and government departments are as streamline as the west.
You won’t be harassed in the street, unless you walk along unpopulated stretches of highway, as I did, attracting cars to stop and offer me a lift. Walking long distances is just not done!
There are no places to learn Islam other than government approved masjids. There is one for new Muslims in Madinat Zayed area, but you won’t learn anything about Islam that the government does not want you to know. I found it was not worth my effort to go there, besides they wanted too much of my personal details to sit in lectures. All the school syllabuses have been changed, removing anything about Jihad and some of the stories of Sahaba. Some schools named after Sahabi were forced to change their names. Very sad situation. The school where I worked tried to ban me from wearing black abaya and khimar because it was too extreme. Most private schools do not condone the wearing of black for sake of their secular modern reputations. Government schools on the other hand are still fine with black, but no niqab. I have been told that Sharjah (the emirate on the other side of Dubai) is the most Islamic of all the emirates and has no problem with black or niqab.
There are no places to learn Islam other than government approved masjids. There is one for new Muslims in Madinat Zayed area, but you won’t learn anything about Islam that the government does not want you to know. I found it was not worth my effort to go there, besides they wanted too much of my personal details to sit in lectures. All the school syllabuses have been changed, removing anything about Jihad and some of the stories of Sahaba. Some schools named after Sahabi were forced to change their names. Very sad situation. The school where I worked tried to ban me from wearing black abaya and khimar because it was too extreme. Most private schools do not condone the wearing of black for sake of their secular modern reputations. Government schools on the other hand are still fine with black, but no niqab. I have been told that Sharjah (the emirate on the other side of Dubai) is the most Islamic of all the emirates and has no problem with black or niqab.
I won’t say, don’t do hijrah to UAE because definitely it is many times better than my home country, and given the opportunity I would consider returning, but be careful not to be distracted by all the fun available there and disintegrating conservatism.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Simple Tips for Hijrah Hopefuls
Where to for Hijra?
From amongst the Muslims in my masjid back in my old (kafir) country, I never heard anyone say that they had no intention for hijrah and wanted to stay in the land of the disbelievers forever. Indeed, all said that they want to make hijrah but when you dig deeper and enquire about their plans, you find they have none, all they have is the notion in their head, or on their tongues at the most. Some are bewildered by the reality, as was I when I first had the notion that hijrah is better than staying behind.
Some attitudes people have that are holding them back from hijrah include:
- Haven’t got enough money to make hijrah.
- There aren’t any places to go for hijrah, all the Muslim countries are ruled by laws of kufr and puppet Arab governments.
- I can practice Islam in this (kafir) country better than I could in a Muslim country.
In regard to the first point, I agree that you do need funds. The second point, true all the countries are ruled by laws of kufr and can even be oppressive. In addition the visa problem is a headache, especially when whole families are moving. But I would not regard this as an excuse.
The last point is particularly worrying because it suggests complacency and contentment with living amongst the disbelievers and a lack of drive to establish an Islamic state (which is a whole new story). It suggests that the level of Islam that they are living at the moment is enough for them when in reality the Islam that they live in that place is merely the surface and largely ceremonial totally ignoring issues of Islamic governance. Rasulullah said that he is disavowed from those who choose to live at the backs of the mushrikeen, and that we should live far enough away from them that their fires cannot be seen. (Narrated Jarir ibn Abdullah in Sunnan Abu Dawood).
As for the excuse of money or places of hijrah, these are only temporary excuses because, according to Ibn Taymiyya, in the event of inability, the preparation becomes obligatory. Here are some tips for preparing oneself for the big move of hijrah fi sabilillah.
1. Intention: Make sure your intention is for Allah and not for other worldly gains. I found many muhajireen in the Gulf states who have made hijrah fi sabil al-maal (for money). In any case the Gulf states are not the best places to make hijrah but it is still a start, and perhaps you would consider using that money for Jihad al-Mal until you are able to go to Jihad yourself.
2. Study the virtues of Hijrah: the virtues of one who makes Hijrah in the Path of Allah are many. Study them and know what rewards you will be receiving once you take the step towards Allah. It will motivate you and Insha Allah, keep you focussed.
3. Network: Talk to people, maybe they know people in various countries that you could network with. Look online at jobs available and send your CV to some if possible.
Research: study the news, climate, living conditions, visa requirements of some countries you feel you are most likely to make hijrah to.
4. Stock up your skills: while working towards hijrah, do some courses to improve your chances of work, and perhaps increase your usefulness to the ummah.
5. Keep fit: Hijrah can be stressful and hard work, being fit and healthy helps combat stress and it also gives you strength to do more ibada.
6. Live simply: The standard of living in your country of hijrah is not likely to be the same as your home country. Simplify your living standards, eat less and simply (but keep it healthy), reduce junk foods and treats, get rid of the TV, get rid of the sofa, use less water and electricity and try not to create too much waste.
7. Make du’a to Allah swt.
Once a door opens to hijrah, pray istikhara and go for it!
Once you are in your country of hijrah, don’t expect it to be easy! Trials are likely to come at you, especially if you did it purely for Allah. He will test you. It can also be difficult to adjust to a new way of life, living conditions and climate. You may not have the same living conditions in hijrah as you did back in your old country so have sabr and give thanks to Allah swt for what he has given you. Look at those in a worse situation than you and be thankful to Allah.
Remember Allah swt tests us with what is relevant. If you don’t mind living rough, then it won’t be a test, so perhaps Allah will test you with loneliness, extreme weather or some other thing that is particular to you. Allah knows best how to test us as to ascertain the level of our iman.
Shaytan will want you to find it too hard and he will beautify the memories of your home land of kufr so that you will want to go back. One day I was feeling down and shaytan managed to make catching the metro train seem so beautiful to me! I hated catching the train, especially to the city where people would abuse and spit on me!!! Shaytan can only come into your mind if you let him. Remember to do the daily adhkar and protect yourself.
One last nasiha for the muhajireen is that if you find yourself stable in your country of hijrah, invite others and act like an Ansar. Send news home on what it is like in your hijrah and encourage your brothers and sisters to join the hijrah for Allah.
Ask me about options for muhajireen in Yemen.
From amongst the Muslims in my masjid back in my old (kafir) country, I never heard anyone say that they had no intention for hijrah and wanted to stay in the land of the disbelievers forever. Indeed, all said that they want to make hijrah but when you dig deeper and enquire about their plans, you find they have none, all they have is the notion in their head, or on their tongues at the most. Some are bewildered by the reality, as was I when I first had the notion that hijrah is better than staying behind.
Some attitudes people have that are holding them back from hijrah include:
- Haven’t got enough money to make hijrah.
- There aren’t any places to go for hijrah, all the Muslim countries are ruled by laws of kufr and puppet Arab governments.
- I can practice Islam in this (kafir) country better than I could in a Muslim country.
In regard to the first point, I agree that you do need funds. The second point, true all the countries are ruled by laws of kufr and can even be oppressive. In addition the visa problem is a headache, especially when whole families are moving. But I would not regard this as an excuse.
The last point is particularly worrying because it suggests complacency and contentment with living amongst the disbelievers and a lack of drive to establish an Islamic state (which is a whole new story). It suggests that the level of Islam that they are living at the moment is enough for them when in reality the Islam that they live in that place is merely the surface and largely ceremonial totally ignoring issues of Islamic governance. Rasulullah said that he is disavowed from those who choose to live at the backs of the mushrikeen, and that we should live far enough away from them that their fires cannot be seen. (Narrated Jarir ibn Abdullah in Sunnan Abu Dawood).
As for the excuse of money or places of hijrah, these are only temporary excuses because, according to Ibn Taymiyya, in the event of inability, the preparation becomes obligatory. Here are some tips for preparing oneself for the big move of hijrah fi sabilillah.
1. Intention: Make sure your intention is for Allah and not for other worldly gains. I found many muhajireen in the Gulf states who have made hijrah fi sabil al-maal (for money). In any case the Gulf states are not the best places to make hijrah but it is still a start, and perhaps you would consider using that money for Jihad al-Mal until you are able to go to Jihad yourself.
2. Study the virtues of Hijrah: the virtues of one who makes Hijrah in the Path of Allah are many. Study them and know what rewards you will be receiving once you take the step towards Allah. It will motivate you and Insha Allah, keep you focussed.
3. Network: Talk to people, maybe they know people in various countries that you could network with. Look online at jobs available and send your CV to some if possible.
Research: study the news, climate, living conditions, visa requirements of some countries you feel you are most likely to make hijrah to.
4. Stock up your skills: while working towards hijrah, do some courses to improve your chances of work, and perhaps increase your usefulness to the ummah.
5. Keep fit: Hijrah can be stressful and hard work, being fit and healthy helps combat stress and it also gives you strength to do more ibada.
6. Live simply: The standard of living in your country of hijrah is not likely to be the same as your home country. Simplify your living standards, eat less and simply (but keep it healthy), reduce junk foods and treats, get rid of the TV, get rid of the sofa, use less water and electricity and try not to create too much waste.
7. Make du’a to Allah swt.
Once a door opens to hijrah, pray istikhara and go for it!
Once you are in your country of hijrah, don’t expect it to be easy! Trials are likely to come at you, especially if you did it purely for Allah. He will test you. It can also be difficult to adjust to a new way of life, living conditions and climate. You may not have the same living conditions in hijrah as you did back in your old country so have sabr and give thanks to Allah swt for what he has given you. Look at those in a worse situation than you and be thankful to Allah.
Remember Allah swt tests us with what is relevant. If you don’t mind living rough, then it won’t be a test, so perhaps Allah will test you with loneliness, extreme weather or some other thing that is particular to you. Allah knows best how to test us as to ascertain the level of our iman.
Shaytan will want you to find it too hard and he will beautify the memories of your home land of kufr so that you will want to go back. One day I was feeling down and shaytan managed to make catching the metro train seem so beautiful to me! I hated catching the train, especially to the city where people would abuse and spit on me!!! Shaytan can only come into your mind if you let him. Remember to do the daily adhkar and protect yourself.
One last nasiha for the muhajireen is that if you find yourself stable in your country of hijrah, invite others and act like an Ansar. Send news home on what it is like in your hijrah and encourage your brothers and sisters to join the hijrah for Allah.
Ask me about options for muhajireen in Yemen.
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