Alima Ashfaq

Committed to spreading Islam in a balanced manner. Traveller. Focused on studying and passing on what I gain and enjoying *every* moment along the way.

[alimaashfaq]

Whenever you benefit from someone, they don’t need your praise, they need your prayers. Your praise does not affect them in any way—your prayer can transform them—if God wills. Every single one of us faces our own personal hardships, and every single prayer we make has the ability to reach God. Hence, I ask you all, if you have benefited from me, whether it is a post, an article, or one of my lectures, pray for my family. Several months ago we were given some joyous news, we were expecting our second child. Recently my consultant has informed us there is a high chance I will have a preterm birth, though there is a chance I will go full term (God willing). My child would be would be born early, as the length of my cervix is decreasing at a faster rate than they would expect. Through this I have learnt, the only protection my child has is Allah. I, as a mother may nourish my child, I may carry him, but God is Al-Muhaymin (The Guardian). I play no role in the final decision, and truly he belongs to Allah. He will always belong to Allah, and I am a means to guide him, to educate him, and spiritually prepare him to reach the highest state in this life, for another life, the Hereafter. It is in the wisdom of God, and His greater plan we are constantly reminded that we need to utterly depend on Him. I have learnt to take the means, whether it is taking the prescribed medication, or recently, steroids to increase his chance of survival, as I did with my last child who was born at twenty five weeks—a living miracle from God. As we take the means, we ask Al-Qadir (The All-Powerful) to protect our children, we ask for peace in this time of hardship, as He is As-Salam (The Giver of Peace). We ask for His generosity, as He is Al-Karim (the Most Generous), and we ask for life, as He is Al-Muhyi (The Giver of Life). May Allah (swt) protect us all from sadness, and transform our hardships into ease. May He protect our families, and grant them the best health, spiritually, physically and emotionally. Finally, I end with the du’a of Prophet ‘Ayyub (as), as the du’as of the Qur’an have been preserved, and are the best words. In his calamity he called out to Allah and cried: "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful." The Glorious Qur’an, Surah Al-Ambiya (21):83. Right away Allah responded to him—He removed his hardship. May God bless us, as He blessed his servant, and Messenger. To my family and friends, whom I know are here for me, I love you all very much. I am well. If you know me well enough, you know your prayers will suffice. This short reminder is for me—more than anyone else—therapeutic to my worried soul. If you have benefited, pray for us all.

[alimaashfaq]

Pregnancy is hard. As women, we may want more children, we may begin to contemplate, maybe my son needs a friend, but we forget about the nausea, the cramps, morning sickness and tiredness. I remember when I was a teenager, we didn’t even reflect over our future, we were too busy worrying about exams, peer pressure, and our appearance, but life is so much more. I’m starting to realise many things, especially as a woman, and I feel blessed despite the internal drama, and my son Zak wanting my attention 24/7, I have a lot. Sometimes, you need to look past the nausea, the cramps (that don’t go away!), and the tiredness, because Allah (swt) has given me health. He has given me a beautiful companion, and enough to live comfortably. In short, it is hard, but with hardship comes ease. And eventually, as I hold my bundle of joy, I will understand, it was worth everything, and be willing to go through it again. For now, I need to increase my Qur’an, east healthy (I have a terrible craving for fried chicken!), and make tons of du’a I have a healthy child!

[alimaashfaq]

Dear God, protect our children!

I'm enjoying Zakariya crawling, climbing, but the falling part is terrifying.

The thing is, he falls, stumbles, even when I have under twenty four hour surveillance. Today, he fell, and it hurt - a lot. Sadly, he's just not ready to learn, but I know he will. In his own time, inshaAllah.

The lesson, as we grow, develop, we will want to experience life, but not every opportunity, or person is good for us. There will be people around us who will try and warn us, guide us, and we *need* to pay attention to their calls. They *want* the best for us. However, sometimes we just have to learn the hard way. We'll have bumps to prove it too! In time we will learn. We will regret. We will move forward and look back, surprised at our naivety, but for some it's their experiences which will shape them. Transform them, and make them better people.

But, let's pray Allah saves us from those burdens which are hard to bare, inshaAllah.

[alimaashfaq]

I know a sister who has lost three children, and I'm inspired by her strength. Through her resilience I seek my motivation. I turn to God. I seek His aid. I thank Him for my blessings, and I make du'a for her, and her family. She mentioned how her husband has helped her overcome her tests, by his love, and support, as it is painful for him, but he was present for her. Emotionally and physically. Without him, she would have struggled. He doesn't make her feel insecure as a woman, or wife, rather he gives her security when she needs it most.

We are all tested in different ways, and it is the people around us who make us stronger. They remind us that we are still worthy of His grace. They give us hope in a better future. Gods timing has a purpose, even if we don't understand. His delays are not His denials. Loss doesn't imply He doesn't love us. Rather, our responses make us stronger, and He compensates us for *every* loss.

Pray for them. Your prayers will be a reward for you.

[alimaashfaq]

I recently attended a wedding, and as the rukhsati began (symbolically, when the wife leaves her parents house, to join her husband in her new home) I found the whole process emotional. This young woman was leaving the safety of her parents to join her husband. She prays he will treat her well, respect her, inspire her, and facilitate her. Her parents pray he will give her the care, concern, and love they did, and provide her with the opportunities they did not, and could not. She is leaving to join another family, with hopes they will treat her well, like their own. I've heard many stories, and it begins with managing expectations. Our expectations of each other should be respect, good treatment, and kindness. They can't revolve around expecting another woman to fit within a mold that has been created for her.

I prayed for her, and I hoped she would be happy in her new home inshaAllah.

I turned around to my husband, and we discussed when I left my parents, and how some men and families don't fully appreciate *everything*women are leave behind. The security, the love, and ability to make mistakes, without feeling judged, or someone looking over their shoulder, especially if they live with their in-laws. For many, the only time they will experience empathy is when their own daughter leaves them, to begin her new life. He will miss the times she would make tea for him countless times in a day, or how she would lovingly cook for him. He will miss the laughter, and reminisce the memories they shared together, as father and daughter.

A woman leaves so much behind, and this is one of the reasons the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) emphasised the importance of fulfilling the rights of your wife. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Treat people the way you would love to be treated, and do not treat them the way you would hate to be treated.” Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr, 15833 (Sahih). When you bring someone in your home, she has to be given the utmost respect, as we would want our own daughters to be treated.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) further emphasised how interference can cause harm, and this applies when other individuals interfere in marriages, whether they are family or friends, he said: "“From the perfection of a person’s Islam is his leaving alone what does not concern him.” Sunan al-Tirmidhî and Sunan Ibn Mâjah.

Finally, the union of marriage is a beautiful bond, and the Messenger of Allah as a father advised 'Ali, his future son-in-law how important his role was when he asked for Fatima (may Allah be pleased with them), he (peace be upon him) said, “She is yours if you treat her with the best company.” Al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr, 3490 (Sahih).

[alimaashfaq]

Even Prophet 'Isa was raised by a single mother <3

[alimaashfaq]

Just cooked this beauties. #Healthy #Food #Cooking #SweetSorrow

[alimaashfaq]

[alimaashfaq]

Build your fort. Strengthen your heart. Connect with God. It is the only way to survive this journey to the hereafter. A temporary journey, with many stops, visitors, and temptations. Don't sleep too long - the destination is close.

[alimaashfaq]

I wish I could go back to my days of madrasa. All my dedication was to Ilm and Ibadah and things. I wasn't the smartest or greatest of students unfortunately but being there was really good in a way for avoiding most of the social media and finding more time and desire to do deeni things. Now I've become lazy and bored and detached. I'm just craving to have a higher Islamic goal in life that'll make me active and pious and hardworking. Plz make dua for me.

Assalaamu ‘alaykum, May Allah (swt) bless you! Firstly, get in touch. I’m working on a project which may interest you. I have a brilliant team of sisters, who are busy professionals and students, but want to make a difference. If you’re wasting your time you need to take some drastic steps, and this begins with deciding what you want to achieve in this life. I know many women make a decision to stay at home after marriage, but this can be disastrous for a persons eman, if they don’t occupy themselves with studies, work, or activism. 1) Make a firm decision to change, to dedicate yourself to the service of Allah (swt) and make the most of your time, and this life. 2) Make genuine and sincere du’a for yourself, and begin to take steps to change your habits. Feel free to deactivate your social medium accounts, or deleting the Apps from your phone. Learn to say, no. 3) Speak to your husband and communicate how you feel, and seek his support and motivation to do good. 4) Set yourself a goal, and this may be going to University, enrolling on an online Islamic course, going back to work, mastering arabic, or memorising the Qur’an. You can volunteer for an Islamic or local organisation. This will help you meet good, like-minded company and spend your time in a beneficial manner. I would also recommend making it a goal to listen to an Islamic talk on a daily basis, and making notes, then sharing it with your husband. I could go into the diseases of the heart, etc, but let’s start like this, and I’m sending this whilst the baby is asleep :-).Stay in touch!

[alimaashfaq]

The world needs you!

[alimaashfaq]

The best project meetings are over a hot chocolate! #InshaAllah #Planning #Dua

[alimaashfaq]

Zakariya wants to play. He wants to play ALL night long. My survival kit; smile, play, enjoy and have the recitation of the Qur'an flow, whilst I memorise. #BabySurvivalPlan #Unlimited #DualDeeds

[alimaashfaq]

When your tests throw you to your knees, turn to God. This is the time you need to sincerely seek for guidance, forgiveness, mercy and His support. He is listening. He is always ready to give you a way out. He has the strength to help you overcome your tests, even if the biggest test is your own flaws. You just need to ask you, because even if you fell to the deepest depths of the ocean, He will still give you a light and guide you home. For many, it’s after the darkest night, they see the brightest day.

[alimaashfaq]

The ego has the ability to turn a beautiful rainbow into a terrible storm. It destroys relationships, causes arrogance, and deprives us of enjoying the rising after a painful fall. Is cost Iblis his status with God. It lead the Quraysh into a war against the truth. It leads a parent to judge by the iron thumb, and it poisons the one who wants to forgive, but can't see beyond the faults, or the pain. Whereas, humility and servitude spread love, fix wounds, and tear away the judgemental barriers we create. It's a greater healer, and a gift from God.

[alimaashfaq]

Next Ebook will be coming out soon inshaAllah, and many more projects! :) #InshaAllah

[alimaashfaq]

It is the quiet moments with you and Allah (swt) which define you. They maybe lonely, they may be hard, but when you sacrifice for His sake He will compensate your loss. It may take a while, but He will always give you more than you can ever want.