New Path leading to New Beginning

Assalaamu Alaikum :)

Date: Friday July 7, 2006
Time: after Jummah salaah
Location: IMO (International Muslim Organization)

We arrived a few minutes late for Jummah salaah and quickly rushed in to catch the khutba given by Imam Hamid Slimi. As his voice was echoing off the walls, my mother and I parted from my father and brother and headed straight for the women's section. Alhamdulillah, so many women were seated, listening and absorbing in what the khateeb had to say. It was actually difficult to find a place to be seated because the area was close to being packed but my first priority was to find my mother a chair so that she would not have to be seated on the ground. Due to her condition, she would be in great pain if she had to. We walked straight to the other end of the room, all the while I was trying not to step on to any of the sister's hands or feet or any children. Unfortunately, all the chairs were taken and my mother decided to just stand against the wall. I didn't want to disturb anyone so I quickly took a seat inbetween two young sister's, the one on my left gave me a warm sweet smile. It was nice. I looked over at my mother to check up on her and just then, a woman got up from her seat and offered it to my mother. I could tell my mother was refusing but the sister insisted and gave her seat to my mother. Subhana'Allah, the kindness of strangers.

I had heard this Imam speak before and really liked the way he would deliver his message. It left a positive impact on you and he was able to relate his topics that could be understood by today's young generation. He was speaking of how Muslims come to a point in their life where they need to re-energize themselves in terms of their Deen and feel that closeness once again. So he used the example of how the navigator page for the internet sometimes breaks down when there are just too many other distractions ( ie. popups) and therefore, the page may slow down. In order to get things going again, an individual would have to "reload" the page or "refresh" it haha He used this analogy in relation to a Muslim's need to "refresh" themselves if they encounter a time where they begin to put so much importance on worldly things and less on their Deen. It is all about balancing the two ... only then will we reach a beautiful aakhirah, insha'Allah.

Finally, the time came. The Imam made an announcement after prayers, indicating that there is a brother who is ready to take the Shahadah:

"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger."

It was a very special moment. To witness a new brother enter this beautiful Deen of ours. But this moment was more special for us, our family. This new brother will be marrying my cousin in the near future, insha'Allah. He is a very kind and humble individual and has been studying Islam for a couple of years now. He was introduced to Islam by his cousin, who is a revert himself and now, he has decided to take that very important step ... to become a Muslim. It really was a great moment for us all and we make du'a that Allah Swt will always keep him on Siraat-ul-Mustaqeem, ameen.