Feels utterly surreal that my face is up on BIG BIG
@FT
this morning?!
So proud to be able to share how my faith has helped my career, and super happy that our first-of-its-kind Ramadan video got an exclusive shoutout!
Alhamdulillah, this one's for my parents!
Imagine the pain of that mother who sent her 6 year old son to the Mosque but he never came back? The daughter whose father went every day but today he stayed. May God grant them eternal peace. We are thousands of miles away, and strangers, yet our hearts bleed. Imagine them?
This is actually such a sad reality. Our parents and grandparents' generation really lived their lives for everyone else. How many of our parents/grandparents have ever been on a holiday (apart from Umrah/Hajj/back home)?
If you can, show them the world now. Let them live.
You know our parent's generation actually did bits. They moved to a different country, built their foundations in said new country, whilst improving quality of life for parents back home AND giving their children everything they didn't have. Sacrificing so many joys and comforts.
Honestly, good friends are such a HUGE blessing from God. They can truly change your entire mindset, mental health, in fact, they can change your entire life. May God always surrounds us with the best of people who become a means of goodness for us in both worlds. Ameen.
Mum was washing chicken and I told her experts say not to wash it. She goes "They don't wash their backside why are they going to wash their chicken?"
I'M SO DEAD LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
Proper friendship is such a brilliant phenomenon. How you suddenly meet someone somewhere in your life to become closely knit by nothing but actual affection and appreciation for the other. It's one of God's greatest blessings as this bond transcends this materialistic life.
Be proud of your parents, esp in corporate settings. I don't need to hide the fact my dad came into this country with nothing. I don't need to hide the fact that my dad worked in a grocery store carrying flour to cars then taxis at night. I'm proud of my parents, in every circle.
Just read a BBC article that women in Syria are being emotionally blackmailed into having sex with aid workers in return for food and supplies. It's spinechillingly unthinkable.
A mother yday had to cradle her dying son in her slashed hands as her son was stabbed by a thug over a jacket he didn't want to pay for. Imagine the plight of the mother who saw her young 18 yr old son pass away in her hands. My heart breaks for her and the family.
Ever since I've heard that we enter Jannah at the age of 33 which is defined as the pinnacle of youth, I've realised I'm still very much a kid and the best of years are yet to come. 33 is the new 18 for me!
This immigrant-owned restaurant feeds the homeless and poor for free every single day no questions asked. He treats them as if they were full paying customers!
@ABC7News
Today, 10th of Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Khadija returned back to her Lord. The First Muslim. The mother of Fatima, the Queen of Paradise. The grandmother of the Princes of Jannah. One of the greatest women of Jannah. Half of faith for the one who brought us faith.
Today, 3rd of Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Fatima returned back to her Lord. The Queen of Paradise. The mother of the Princes of Jannah. The daughter of the most praised Prophet. The woman for whom entire mankind will lower their gaze when she passes on the Final Day.
Huffaaz are seriously underrated by us. They literally spent most of their life inside a mosque learning the Qur'an. Come Ramadan, they're revising hours on end just so they can lead everyone during the nights in the best way possible. May God elevate their ranks.
Seeing a child grow up and start walking, speaking, listening and understanding is actually surreal. Like how do we go from nothing into a whole human? The miracle of life is such an amazing reality.
Hearing of people pass away in Ramadan always makes me wonder what good deed they had in their account for God to favour them with such dignity. We cannot expect the best of ends whilst we do not live our healthy days in the best of ways. May He make us from the ones He favours.
Today, 17th Ramadan marks the day that Sayyida Aisha returned back to her Lord. The wife of the Prophet. The Mother of Believers. The daughter of the 1st Caliph, Abu Bakr. The one whose chastity & purity was defended by Allah, who revealed 18 verses of the Quran in her honour.
Reading a Khalid Hosseini novel doesn't qualify us to hold expert opinions on Afghanistan. Let us remember many of us, including myself, are very far from the realities faced by the common person in Afghanistan. Instead let us pray for their safety, prosperity and their future.
Today, 17th of Ramadan marks the day that Sayyida Aisha returned back to her Lord. The wife of the Prophet. The Mother of Believers. The daughter of the 1st Caliph, Abu Bakr. The one whose chastity & purity was defended by Allah, who revealed 18 verses of the Quran in her honour.
So much death on the TL. So many losing loved ones. So many losing their parents/grandparents. So many not being able to mourn properly, not being able to embrace their family/friends. So many who'll not be able to bury their loved ones/attend their funerals. It's heart-breaking.
Kind hearted people have such infectious energy. You genuinely feel at ease around them, you realise how much the soul craves goodness. Find kind, good hearted people and keep them very close.
It's a scary thought that God does not forgive a person who has wronged another person until they also forgive the person. It makes you really wonder whether a moment of anger, a sense of ego and an inability to accept shortcomings is worth the inevitable displeasure of God.
Today, 10th of Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Khadija returned back to her Lord. The First Muslim. The mother of Fatima, the Queen of Paradise. The grandmother of the Princes of Jannah. The best of women from our Ummah. Half of faith for the one who brought us faith.
Stinginess is not limited to money alone. Do not be stingy with your time. Do not be stingy with your energy. Do not be stingy with your emotions. Do not be stingy with your responsibilities. The Prophetic character is one of giving, in every way and walk of life.
You see this pain inside your heart. This is imaan. One Ummah, One Body. One part of the body is hurt yet we are all in pain. Use this hurt, use this anger, use this pain, to facilitate dialogue with others. Show them what Islam is, and how we are one in the face of calamity.
Stinginess is a spiritual disease because it embeds itself across all actions. You become stingy with your time, with your emotions, with your responsibilities, with your finances and ultimately with your humanity. It is one of the most harmful of spiritual diseases.
Reminds me of the time a kid came to mosque and his name was Iblees 😬
The Imam called his parents in at pick-up time and asked them what's the kid's name (as he thought the little one was joking).
Mum confirmed it was Iblees and she had chosen it from the Quran. Scarily crazy.
To all my Indonesian fam and Desi fam
For the love of Allah, please stop randomly picking names from the Quran for your kids
One family named their son أسفل سافلين
🤦♂️
It means “lowest of the low”
Sitting in a hospital ward and you realise how many old people are so alone and no-one comes to check up on them at all. It's one thing dying, but another dying with no-one around you. May God save us from such an end.
A lot of people ask me why and how I spend so much time in replying to random strangers on LinkedIn, giving interview tips or career advice etc. My answer is always the same: it's our duty as a Muslim to love for another what we love for ourselves.
I will always be unapologetically, unreservedly, openly & proudly Muslim, whether I'm in my home, or in a board room. I know my faith is the pure & direct path to success in both worlds. I do not need to ever apologise for the actions of maniacs, for they do not define my faith.
Funny how happy you can get for mutuals on the TL - literally seen the TL go from celebrating GCSEs to A-levels to degrees to careers to marriage and to kids 😂 Allahumma barik I'm proper happy for everyone man, I'm going out to celebrate tonight 😂
May our wealth never become a means of arrogance. May our education never become a means of looking down on those who didn't have our privileges. May our successes become a means of enlightenment for ourselves and others.
Can I kindly request you all to keep my grandmother in your prayers tonight please. She's extremely ill with her major organs having stopped functioning properly, and the doctors have given up. Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated.
Do you delete the number of friends/relatives that have passed away? I can't. I was tryna find someone in my contacts and scrolled past the name of my bro who passed away 4 yrs ago now. Crazy how time flies, and how the heart and mind get bigger to accommodate growing pain.
Being able to spend money is such a huge blessing. It's easy to forget sometimes that this blessing is not enjoyed by all, even in UK. It humbles me when I realise how God has granted us these blessings when just a few decades ago our forefathers struggled to feed their families.
Whenever I listen to my parents speak about their childhood it actually shocks and amazes me how this generation lived in such poverty where they couldn't at times afford two meals to today where they've successfully uplifted and financed 2 generations (parents & children).
Alhamdulillah for God's mercies which we do not deserve. Alhamdulillah for the blessings bestowed upon us though we're not worthy. Alhamdulillah for Him keeping our shortcomings private and the good in us public. Alhamdulillah.
I've always been taught, both at home and in the mosque, that spending on others with the intention of receiving nothing back never reduces your wealth. Whether that's giving gifts, feeding others or helping the less fortunate. I can't stress how true this has been for me.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces new measures to prevent the supply chains of British businesses supporting violations against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province, China.
Read more here:
I love my parents man! I went out and bought 600+ litres of water and within 20 mins, my mum and dad have distributed it out to half of Newham and our street 😂
P.S if any vulnerable people in
#Newham
specifically
#E7
who have no access to water, give me a shout!
I feel so much for this family. Losing your son to a heinous crime by someone who valued fabric and stitches above another human's life. Imagine seeing your son drift away from you in your hands. May Allah grant this mother sabr and grant her goodness in both worlds. Ameen.
When I lost a friend in my youth his dad said something that stuck in my head ever since: "No parent should have to bury their young child". Everytime I hear of a young person passing away, it brings back that exact moment. No one has seen this man smile since his son died.
This is by FAR my favourite post, ever, on LinkedIn.
How a teenage apprentice at one of the world's leading law firms is able to stay strong and true to her personal faith and views in the corporate world.
An incredible trailblazer and role model to so many of us.
@NLawGlobal
Today, 17th of Ramadan, also marks the day that Sayyida Aisha returned back to her Lord. The wife of the Prophet. The Mother of Believers. The daughter of the First Caliph, Abu Bakr. The one whose chastity and purity was defended by Allah revealing 18 verses of the Quran.
'What ifs' are so harmful to your soul. The idea of what could have been as opposed to what actually occurred. It's a toxic cycle which only makes it tougher for you to move on, be it educational, career, personal or spiritual life.
That level of unselfishness was generational and frankly not something we'd be able to replicate today. I just hope we can all take inspiration from our parents and elders to be able to instil some of these brilliant qualities within ourselves before they've departed.
It's crazy when you think about how an absolute stranger can become so pivotal in your life. How intricately God planned for you to meet at the exact time to foster the relationship of friendship which inevitably becomes a tie that extends itself to the next world too. Crazy.
May Allah increase the ranks of our parents and elders. May He grant them tenfold and more in the next world for all their unselfishness in this world. May He allow us to respect, cherish and learn from our elders properly. Ameen.
Imagine people across the world are trying to help and do their small part and send aid only for thirsty idiots to use that very aid to blackmail the people the aid was sent for. SubhanAllah, how low can you get man.
When you inevitably pass away, people will not miss you because you had X amount of houses or Y amount of cars. They will always remember you for how you made them feel through life. They'll remember you for your character and approach. Legacy isn't about wealth alone.
Hard-working people are an inspiration because it takes so much will power and strength, esp. in today's age of distractions everywhere, to concentrate and excel in something. Whether it be academia, career, entrepreneurship or philanthropy. Committed people are inspiring people.
Sometimes all you need is one person believing in you. As humans we crave positive affirmation, and frankly when someone tells you they believe in you, it makes you want to work *that* much harder and instils a new level of confidence in you. Be that believer for someone.
Like sometimes I deep it that yeah we all have certain responsibilities which seem HUGE (and are huge) but we still have so many comforts. Imagine knowing you are living your life for everyone else in your life for the vast majority, if not for the entirety, of your 'good' years.
Today, 3rd of Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Fatima returned back to her Lord. The Queen of Paradise. The mother of the Princes of Jannah. The daughter of the most praised Prophet. The woman for whom entire mankind will lower their gaze when she passes on the DoJ.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. She sadly passed away a few moments ago. A truly testing time for her family, and toughest for her four young children. May God increase her ranks, and raise her on the Final Day in the Caravan of Sayyida Fatima to enter Jannah unquestioned.
One of my friend's Mrs is critically ill, suffering from multiple organ failures, with doctors saying she might not make the next 24 hrs. A young lady in her 30s, mother of 4 with the youngest just 1 years old. Please remember her in your prayers today. May God grant her health.
Stop thinking your parents aren't successful because they didn't have high paying jobs, or because they couldn't buy you the latest fashion wear. Your parents made you who you are today. Be thankful for them feeding you a hot meal, and being there for your basic needs.
I love London but there's something different about living in a Muslim country. The way you'll be shopping and hear the Azaan echoing through the stores, or how easy it is to pray any and everywhere, or how people look at you dressed as a Muslim and smile. It feels like home.
Today, 10th Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Khadija returned back to her Lord. The First Muslim. The mother of Fatima, the Queen of Paradise. The grandmother of the Princes of Jannah. One of the greatest women of Jannah. Half of faith for the one who brought us faith.
The one for whom the greatest Prophet would stand everytime she entered the room. The most beloved to God's most beloved. I cannot recommend enough, to learn and study her beautiful and blessed seerah. May endless salutations and mercies be showered upon her final abode. Ameen.
My parent's upbringing made me who I am today. I don't need to hide their existence because everyone else in the room had a parent who was a white collar professional. Heck, I'm prouder they did everything they did whilst being blue collar workers.
My maternal grandmother has returned to Allah, The Almighty, during Tahajjud time today surrounded by her children and grandchildren amidst echoes of the kalimah. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. I'd appreciate if you could all remember her in your prayers.
A lot of our parents came into this country with nothing, plus responsibilities for families back home as well as establishing communities here. Did you ever pause to wonder about their mental health? How they felt leaving their loved ones? Value your parents, please.
Today, 3rd of Ramadan, marks the day that Sayyida Fatima returned back to her Lord. The Queen of Paradise. The mother of the Princes of Jannah. The daughter of the most praised Prophet. The woman for whom entire mankind will lower their gaze when she passes on the DoJ.
Whenever someone you don't know passes away, yet their death affects you deeply, remember the verse:
"Remember Me and I will remember you"
God remembers you through His creation and by increasing your stature in their eyes. This is evidently the case with our brother Hussain.
Everyday it hits me - I'm in Pakistan with my boys living my best life, alhamdulillah 😂
You know how crazy it is that 6 non-Pakistanis have been travelling through the country where the only Urdu word they know is 'chaii' 😂
Alhamdulillah for great friends!
May God grant our parents healthy and blessed lives. May He make us a means of their expiation and salvation. For those who've lost a or both parents, may God grant them a high rank in Firdaws and grant their offspring sabr. Ameen.
When you want something bad and you pray for it constantly yet it's taken further away from you, it's extremely difficult to get your head around it. However, God is the Best of Planners, and He takes things away from us and us away from things for the best, always.
Today I've been named as one of the Top 100 Influential Muslims in the UK at the age of 26; sharing this accolade with the likes of
@MoSalah
, Moeen Ali OBE, Sir
@Mo_Farah
, Zubair and Mohsin Issa (owners of
@Asda
)!
No point in doing someone a favour or a an act of kindness if you're going to ever, even in a moment of anger, use it against them. Do goodness because it's the right thing to do which makes you feel good too, not because you're planning to use it as leverage in the future.
Become an enabler for others rather than a gatekeeper. Helping others, connecting them with one another, providing support, giving advice, being open and honest will never become avenues for you to lose what you have today, if anything it will increase you in every way.
From whom even Sayyida Aisha would envy. Posesser of countless noble qualities. Someone for whom Allah specifically sent glad tidings of Jannah. I strongly urge all to read her blessed seerah. May God allow us to follow in her noble footsteps and elevate her lofty ranks further.
It's really at the most joyous of occasions that you miss the people who've left this world. The first Ramadan without them. The first Eid. The first wedding. The first anything. May God raise the ranks of all those who left this world with even an iota of imaan in their heart.
This Ramadan, I really wanted to promote, celebrate and support the many wonderful small Muslim businesses we have out there. From bakes and treats to fashion and media. So here's a few of my favourites that I know, but please let me know more to add to this 🧵.
I am tired. Tired of hearing of well-educated guys with stellar careers living their life in the 21st century whilst expecting their future significant half to be living in the 1700s. Stop asking for the hand of a lady if you aren't able to accept her as she is today.
Trying to make cake rusks at home for the first time. Wish me luck because if this recipe bangs, we can finally be freed from the shackles of Muzda and Kashmir Crown Bakery
I'm proud that my mum made buttons whilst raising 3 kids and looking after 4 different families under one roof. I'm proud she decided to become a house-wife full-time. She's my biggest inspiration, and I'll always speak about her successes first bc they paved the way for mine.
I'm heartbroken and feel orphaned today.
As the azaan for Jummah echoed through the masjid, my beloved teacher, spiritual mentor, coolness to my eyes left this temporal abode to be reunited with his blessed forefathers. Pls keep Syed Sabir Hussain Shah Gilani in your prayers.
Ultimately worrying about your own spiritual state and realising how you are accountable for your own deeds will be what stops you from judging and worrying about others. It's why our pious predecessors were successful, their personal contemplation forced their lack of judgement.
It's that time of the year, where many of us are applying for grad schemes/jobs. You may face rejection which will cause a lot of dejection but do not despair. He is the Provider. He is the One who gives sustenance. He made us from nothing and He has a perfect plan for all of us.
This.
Whenever someone asks me about a friend or acquaintance as they're getting to know them for marriage, I always caveat with "this is how they are with/around me. But nobody, even their parents/siblings, can guarantee how they will be with/around you."
Sad reality of life.
People can be good towards one person, but completely evil towards another. That is a thing. Just because someone treated you kindly, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t abuse someone else.
To all the couples that got married in COVID and were able to save £££, you did great. You'd have thought people would use a small wedding model going forward but nope big weddings are back bigger than ever 😂
My catering and decor friends can breathe a sigh of relief 😂
I absolutely love how many masajid are now running child-focused events for New Years Eve to protect the next generation from loitering and bring them closer to God. It's actually heart-warming to see the masajid filled primarily with teens on a night like this, alhamdulillah!
Please don't buy gifts/do favours for people in the anticipation of receiving something back in the future. Do it because making someone happy/alleviating their worries will make you happy (for them). Calling people out regularly over things you've done for them is v bottom tier.
Value your mother man, before it's too late. Nothing on Earth can replace even one moment with her. Ask those whose mothers have passed away; what they'd give to just see her smile once more or hear her voice once more or feel her warm embrace? Nothing like mothers, nothing.