Reflections From The Hijrah
January 30, 2024
“Do y’all need water?”
“Do we have water?”
“Does it have water?”
Everything in the Desert revolves around water
When water is present, it’s like Heaven on Earth. A gift.
When water is absent, it’s like Hell on Earth. A punishment.
Everytime I visit Mecca, the blessing of water always stands out. Mecca is a desert with mountains all around. The only thing that could make a civilization possible, is water.
Zam Zam
The water that miraculously sprang from hardened Lava Rock for our Mother Hajar (RA), the wife of Ibrahim (AS).
With water, the civilization took shape, blossomed and ultimately boomed after Divine Revelation descended upon the most unlikely of places.
What’s interesting is, water is now turning Mecca green. Yup, the desert is slowly transforming into a plush Garden. A sign of the times.
Everything we did on our Hijra journey revolved around water. Air and water are two essentials we need to survive. When it’s present, along with gratitude and praise to Allah, you have the world and everything in it.
When Air and water are absent, It’s a preview of the most dreaded place in the human conscious. Hell
The anxiety, stress, breakdown of mind and body when water was low or non-existent is real.
Rationing water between drinking, washing oneself, wudhu, coffee, tea, food packs, and wipe downs became a skill.
I’m already a stickler for waste when it comes to little things like having faucet water run on full blast or even leaving unnecessary lights on (It’s the Black in me). But after having to ration water the way we did, I cherish it even more now.
Even though we have the world’s greatest resource at our fingertips and at our disposal doesn’t mean we should be wasteful.
Forget, for a second, about the billions of people who don’t have access to running water
Just for the appreciation and gratitude to Allah for the gift, Do your best to cherish every drop of water.
Because how would life be without it?
“Say, ‘Just think: if all your water were to sink deep into the earth, who could give you flowing water in its place?”
The Dominion (Al-Mulk) 67:30
February 4, 2024
Leaning into fears and overcoming. As the opportunities presented themselves, I had to take them.
We rested under the shade until the shepherd came with a massive white camel. It made a unique noise, and displayed fangs, trying to instill fear in us.
Omar jumped at the opportunity to ride the camel.
I jumped on next, crossed my legs per the guidance given, held onto the saddle’s knob. Then nodded. I was ready.
The camel rose. I was not expecting to be that high in the air. I felt like I was sitting 10 feet tall. Everything was peaceful and calm up there. The camel had a rhythm to its stride. Towards the end, I got the hang of it.
The sway back and forth. Relaxing into the flow, letting go of fears and dislikes, I received the blessings of Allah.
“Hold on tight” They told me as the camel dropped down, I thought I was gonna fly off. But I didn’t, Alhamdulillah.
Funny, the camel was ferocious. Showing fangs and making that hideous gurgling sound when Omar and I approached it to ride. But, when the Shepherd jumped back on, it started posing for pictures. Big smile, trophy posture, this camel was intelligent.
Relationships are everything. We didn’t have a relationship established with the camel, and it treated us accordingly. With the Shepherd, an established relationship, it gave him the utmost respect and dignity.
How are my relationships with my family?
How are my relationships with my friends?
How are my relationships with my community?
How is my relationship with my Prophet (SAWS)?
How is my relationship with the Qur’an?
How is my relationship with my Lord?
We all have relationships out there that require us to tie up loose ends. To reconnect. But there maybe a fear standing between you and your loved one, you and the Qur’an, you and Allah.
Lean into your fear. This may be what elevates you the way the camel lifted me high in the sky.
May Allah make it easy. Ameen
‘A’isha reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Kinship (rahim) is derived from Allah. If anyone maintains ties of kinship Allah maintains ties with him. If anyone cuts them off, Allah cuts him off.” Al-Adab Mufrad 55
April 1, 2023
I’ve been blessed to visit the House of Allah, the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, quite a few times in Ramadan.
Every time something new shows up.
This year is just seeing the beauty of the global diversity Islam has. In America it seems we’re struggling to band together as an Ummah and are dividing ourselves among the racial rubric America has presented us…
Islam is not Black
Islam is not Arab
Islam is not Desi
Islam is not Asian
Islam doesn’t belong to anyone
Islam is the Religion of Allah
It’s for all those who submit to Him
Regardless of race, gender, class, status, etc.
Islam is Global
It doesn’t make sense to compete internally on who gets to fly the banner of Islam in America when Allah says
“People, We created you all from a single man and a single woman, and made you into races and tribes so that you should recognize one another. In God’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware.” 49:13
I received a Prayer rug from my Muslim brother Saleh from Kuwait as a gift.
I broke fast with Shakur from Turkistan and I may have been the first Black american Muslim he met. He took care of me and made sure we took a picture together.
Saleem from Makkah made sure I had enough dates, coffee and chai.
All Masjids should welcome All people
All resources should be poured in All Masjids
All people should work for Piety and God consciousness.
All Muslims should be willing to help all Muslims. Not just those who look like me or have something to offer me.
We should follow in the footsteps of our pious predecessors who Allah said about them
“Those who were already firmly established in their homes [in Medina], and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbor no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they too are poor: those who are saved from their own souls’ greed are truly successful.” 59:9
We’re all in this together
One Team
One Goal
Allah
I love my Muslims brothers and sisters in America and around the globe.
Let’s be the example