jannahbound*
"So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers." --
Quran (3:139)
"Life is only a crossing point and a passage that is not lasting,
just like a cloud that will soon move, and a dream that one will soon wake up from..."
- Ibn al-Qayyim
Thursday, November 22, 2007 @ 7:43 AM
The Park Bench
Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
I read this and it truly touched my heart. Subhan'Allah, read on:
The Park Bench - Anonymous
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, for the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down and said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, with it's petals all worn, not enough rain, or to little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side and placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, he held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time that weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun as I thanked him for picking the very best one. You're welcome, he smiled, and then ran off to play, unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see a self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see the problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose and breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose. And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand about to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
I pray that insha'Allah you are all in the best state of affairs.
I know it's been a while since the last post on the other blog. As you know, that one is no longer in use. I've deleted it. It was almost a year ago since I last posted. I must admit, I sort of forgot about this, instead directing my thoughts to a special book I have. Let me tell you about this special book.
It's called "The Believer's Handbook." You can have one too. All you have to do is find or buy a notebook. Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Actually, I'd recommend it not be something fancy. Buy something plain.
Now make it 'yours.' Change that plain notebook so that it screams 'you.' Design it, alter it, let the creativity flow. This is an important step, because I feel that it makes the book more meaningful to you. It'll be a part of you. The more time you put into it, the more you'll cherish it.
Now, the best part: content.
Ever have a surge of Iman when you read an ayah? Have you felt the tears well in your eyes when you read that hadith? Felt your heart touched by a quote you read? Felt wonderment and awe when you contemplated the world around you?
And then forgot about it the next day?
Alas, if only there were a way to keep track of all those moments. Like a reference book to look at and recount those moments to a friend, or remember them in solitude. And that's just what such a book is for.
I prithee, try it out. You won't regret it and it'll be very beneficial, insha'Allah.
That's all for now, insha'Allah I'll add more soon.
Take care, and make duaa for your sister in Islam.
Ma'asalam.
Please leave a comment with any suggestions or feedback.
I am nothing more than a muslimah and mu'minah, insha'Allah, who is striving to please Allah
SWT.
A righteous man once said:
"Whoever enriches his outward behaviour by following the sunnah, and makes his inward soul wealthy through
contemplation,
and averts his gaze away from looking at what is forbidden, and avoids anything of a doubtful nature, and feeds
solely on what is halal- his inner sight will never falter."