Previously on Climbing Mount Everest

We would wake up everyday at 6 am and start trekking by 7:30. Some days would be really long and we wouldn’t get to the next lodge until 5 or 6pm, meaning we would be climbing for some 11 hours a day. I wouldn’t have imagined it but all of a sudden I was in bed by 9pm on most nights because of the early start and the long days we had ahead of us. This was definitely a point of reflection for myself. Back in the UK I genuinely found it difficult to wake up early but it was usually because I slept so late. There in the mountains, I really began to see the barakah of starting the day early and making the most out of it. We would leave just after fajr time, which proved to be a great time for some early morning adkhar and reflection. Seeing the sun rise high above the lofty mountains made it easy to focus on Allah’s wonderful creations; these were the most perfect moments, and it is these times that I miss the most. But that reflection period would be of no use unless I could go from strength to strength when I got back. Continue reading "Climbing Mount Everest"...

A socialist, a revolutionary, and a civil rights activist… A hero... these are just a few words to describe what el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz aka Malcolm X meant to people. Today, it's been 45 years since Malcolm X was shot to death in New York.

Malcolm X was born and raised in Nebraska at a time when there were deep division between whites and blacks (and in fact this is putting it mildly), black people at this time were violently persecuted for one reason alone ... namely the colour of their skin. Not only were black people at this time persecuted physically they were also ‘mentally’ persecuted; black children such as Malcolm X himself were made to think and believe that no aspirations or goals they had in life were realistic and that they would never ‘make it’ in terms of education and careers.

Recently I embarked on a journey of a lifetime when I set out to climb the highest mountain in the world – Mount Everest. It was a great experience with many unforgettable memories. There were moments during the trek, such as the pain of the low altitude and the difficulty in breathing, when I wondered why I was doing this. However, in retrospect, I would do anything to go back.

The journey came about as Islamic Relief, one of the biggest Islamic charities in the world, was undertaking different challenges worldwide by taking groups of people to different areas to raise money for various humanitarian causes. Being an active part of the organization, I always wanted to embark on a journey like this, so when the opportunity to climb Everest came about I felt it was one I could not miss. For me, helping the poor and needy in Africa have access to the basic essential need of clean water was the main motivating factor. I felt there was a greater purpose to the challenge, although at the same time I was fulfilling a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When you talk to other people, and the religion topic comes up, what do you think might happen? If you tell the person you're a Muslim, they might think you're a turban-wearing, camel-riding fool, who has bombs in his back pockets. While some people are afraid to tell their religion, there is one guy, Muhammad, who is not afraid to tell his true origins...

Continue reading "I AM A MUSLIM"...

Today, a video was sent-in to us by our very own Bilal Hassam!

As I was watching the movie, I saw that a friend of mine, Ian Belcher, embraced Islam by Ta'Leef.

It's not hard to embrace Islam, but what then...? What happens after they've embraced Islam? Let them enter the wild world without guidance, friends, or a destination to reach?

NO! Then we're supposed to do something as Ta'Leef, have a look at the video below and see how people are introduced, settled, and commited to Islam. Continue reading "Ta'Leef! Hearts being united"...

As I was reading a very interesting book, I came across a point which I would love to share with you guys. The book is called: ':59 Seconds. Think a little Change a lot' written by Professor Richard Wiseman. Richard Wiseman is also the author of the book Quirkology.

Basically, techniques described in this book demonstrate that effective change does not have to be time-consuming. In fact, it can take less than a minute and is often simply a question of knowing exactly where to tap.

The following paragraph is the point I wanted to share with you guys. It's a very interesting point and it makes you think how many actions in life are related to the story behind this paragraph and how you somehow instead of arguing or doing time-consuming actions, you can just have another way of sorting out your stuff. Continue reading "Effective change does not have to be time-consuming!"...

This is again one of them movies which you just have to see once in a while to get that feeling back of 1400 years ago. Everybody is shown except for the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The scholars and historians of the famous 'Al-Azhar University in Cairo' have approved the accuracy and fidelity of this film.

Full movie online. The famous Documentary 'The Message of Islam'. Enjoy

Etymology in the Arabic language has always fascinated me. I learnt recently that the word for politics, siyaasa, comes from the same word that is used to describe the training of a wild horse. It’s a powerful metaphor; more than just being fed and groomed daily, a horse needs to be loved and cared for.

Like training a horse, politics is a process of trial and error. Ghandi described ‘Politics without Principal’ as one of the most dangerous social sins communities fall prey to. Political corruption in the West is very refined; we write about it in books and joke about it over our lavish dinners. In developing countries however, the wide spread corruption is more apparent and its effects more tangible. It was with these thoughts percolating in my mind that I met with government official, Mr John Zoya, at the Malawi State Department for Health. Continue reading "In Africa - Faith in politics"...

It is just past one in the afternoon; I am sitting in the shade of our hotel balcony. Overlooking the beautiful Lake Malawi just a few yards away from the sweltering heat of the golden beach, lunch is being served. My stomach does a small back flip as the intense aromas of African spiced fried chicken and mushroom soup waft past me. Next, a plate of traditional Malawian ‘Nsima ndi Nyama ndi Masamba’ is served to my friend. The sharp smell of the sizzling beef and roasted vegetables makes my eyes water. My friends and colleagues tuck into their lunches as I, the only Muslim at the table, look out to the horizon and try to recall how on earth I ended up here in the ‘Warm Heart of Africa.

Continue reading "A faiths act"...

They say that every cloud has a silver lining. Claiming more deaths than any other disease in the country, the scourge of Malaria in Malawi can be described as nothing short of a relentless thunderous storm. Where then is this silver lining? How can any good come from such a horrible affliction?

These questions have been playing on my mind over the past few days. I have spent the past two weeks driving past village upon village seeing the poorest of poor people living without running water or electricity and have even had the opportunity to share some time with these people who are often riddled with disease and poverty. Continue reading "Spirit"...