Best Place to Die

As Salaamu Alaikoom

A question on a list serve I am a part of was asked as follows: "What are the virtues of dying while performing Hajj? Is it permissible for a person to ask for such a death before leaving for Hajj? Can this be included as part of the intentions for performing Hajj? To me Hajj seems to be the perfect place and time to die."

The response by Shaykh GF Haddad is awesome, mashaAllah, and an important one to understand:

"Yes, Hajj does seem like the best place and time to die, but this is only provided it is a Hajj mabrur, i.e. accepted in the Divine presence, so that one comes out of it like a newborn babe according to the hadith to that effect. Such a certitude cannot be taken for granted.

In addition, there are many other times and places, each of which can be argued to seem to us as the best time and place to die.

Among them is prostration, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said that the servant is nearest to his Lord at that time. Among them also is jihad, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, himself so wished, and he said such a person is the best servant of Allah Most High. Also among them is Makka and Madina regardless of pilgrimage, since the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said that one should try, if one can, to die in them. He also supplicated for Allah Most High to make Madina "as beloved to us as Makka, or more" and his grave here is the most preferable spot in creation. Also among them is dhikr because of its countless benefits, such as the Divine forgiveness, which is obviously preferable to being in Hajj in an unrepentent state or with an inappropriate intent. However, all this does not mean that one is allowed to ask for death. Such a supplication is forbidden unless one is sure that overwhelming temptation is threatening one's religion. What the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, taught that one should ask for is, "O Allah, grant me life as long as life is best for me, and grant me death as long as death is best for me" as in the Sahihayn and Sunan.

So the best time and place to die is not this place or that time specifically and uniformly for everyone; rather, it is the time and place Allah Most High in His supreme wisdom has chosen and decreed for us in His Qadar, the foreordained destiny in which we believe and to which we submit with full acceptance, pleasure, and thanks."

May Allah grant us satisfaction in what He has ordained for us. Allah huma sali Allah Muhammad. Ameen.

Fi Aman Allah

An Ode to Fahad

Hi

Fahad, my brother, you are a man of inspiration.

Let me say, people, that Fahad Siddiqui has risen amongst the ranks of us single men. Fahad, you see, is essentially my twin in terms of how we think. For example, the "do me" phraseology stems from our collective badmash-ness. We also have the propensity to say crude things at often random times. This is something innately carnal in our desire for...well...let's just say our innate carnal desires.

Whether right or wrong, I am not here to discuss that. What I am here to discuss is my man Fahad and the brilliance and ballzyness (sp?) of an email he sent to a local Chicago reporter who, to put simply, is fiiine, playa!

And that's exactly what Fahad emailed her about: to let her know that he and some of his boys think that she's hot (and to confirm if she's pregnant). But the style of Fahad's email is what has lifted him to a plateau that even I - the man, the myth, the legend, the sufi, the lover, the fighter, the punjabi - didn't know existed. Read on, readers:

"Hey Paula,

I just wanted to ask if your pregnant or not? Im assuming yes, but just wanted to make sure!! You still look great and you are the only reason I watch NBC5, Me and my buddies (who are all single, and live at home) made a list of the hottest reporters in Chicago, here it is

1. Paula Faris (that would be you)
2. Ana Devalantes (spelling?, shes pretty hot as well)
3. Kathy Brock (old but probably hotter in her younger years)
4. Cherly Burton (classic hot)
5. Megan Fox (ok so shes not a reporter but did you see transformers? My god!!)

As you can tell I live at home and have no girlfreind! Anyway it would be great if you could reply back to me!! Thanks a lot and good luck!! Let me know if you ever get single, take care

Your loving fan,

Fahad Siddiqui"

Not only does he tell her that she's hot, but he goes on and gives her his Top Five which included a special cameo by Megan Fox. And then he continues his work of brilliance by admitting that he's a loser (I say that with respect and understanding, Fahad) in that he is living at home and has no woman of his own! This is the work of a man motivated by his fantasies. Such a man, ladies and gentlemen, should be applauded and heralded to the world as a man of...

Actually, that's just it. He should be heralded to the world as simply as a man. A man. Period. A man's man. That's how manly he is.

And, in true pimptastic form, the reporter did in fact reply:

"Hi Fahad-
I'm flattered that I'm on your list...even moreso seeing that I'm pregnant. (yes, your intuition was right) Gotta tell you, pregnant chicks don't get a second glance, so it's an honor.
I'll probably be going on maternity leave in the next 4-6 weeks, not returning until late November. So, I hope you all don't forget about me! :) Kidding...

By the way, totally agree with your assessment of Kathy Brock.

Take Care, Fahad!
Paula Faris
NBC5 Sports
Chicago"

My unbiased translation of her email is as follows: "Hi Fahad. You've got balls and I'm totally hot for you. Take Care, Your Sexy Momma, Paula Fahad...err, I mean Paula Faris"

Bravo, Fahad! Bravo!!


do me

Transformers: Episode 1

Hello Autobots & Decepticons

Props to my boy Omar for this link:



Really, do I have to expand on this, folks? I think not!

Autobots! Transform and roll out!

Plainfield Doin it Big...

Hi

Peep this: http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate_slide_27.html?partner=email

133% growth since 2000 and inshaAllah continuing. That's phenom. As I was going through the slides I was wondering if any place in Chicago would show up - would've been surprised if no suburb did. I was, however, a little surprised about Oswego where one of my co-workers live. You think I live far out? Oswego is another world! Although the setback of all this growth are the property taxes!! I would also imagine that Bolingbrook is relatively close to Oswego's growth percentage. Oh well. You definitely don't see random places like...hmm...Elgin (Harris).

Anyway, I hope you all feel really knowledgeable know about sububran growth in the Chicago area. Thank you for your time.

cheers

The Desi Cornfield Project Part II Cometh...

Greetings

The cornfields are back.

And so the time fast approaches when desi men will make a pilgrimage to Plainfield for a right of passage that only the bravest will endure. Four intrepid, strong, young men have risen to the challenge in the past, but can it be done again? Knowing full well what was faced last time, can we do this? Can we walk into the dark...into the oblivion? Overcome our deepest fears? Or will our fears turn against each other? Will one try to run away from the others like in the past? Will the screams of death and the curiosity of the unknown make our souls quiver?

These are questions that will plauge our souls, men. These are questions only real men can and will answer.

The cornfields are back, gentlemen [click]. Let's do this...

best

Ice Cream Social Night

Hi

Man, do I know how to throw it down at my crib or what?!

Inspired by my boy Fahad, I had an ice cream social at the crib. No joke. A good old fashioned ice cream social. He prompted the phenom idea to have a Madden night (female readers...and Ali: think XBOX/video games) where ice cream served as the appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Call me a 10 year old girl or whatever you want, but you cannot deny the awesomeness of having an ice cream social.

And this wasn't an "ami-shami" ice cream social. It was a night that consisted of Breyers* and Edy's* ice cream that included the following choices: Vanilla Bean, Natural Vanilla, Spumoni, Butter Pecan, Cookies-n-Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip. All that with the addition of the following glorious toppings: Hershey's* chocolate syrup, Hershey's* strawberry syrup, Reese's* peanut butter chocolate hard shell, Reese's* chocolate chips with sprinkles, and Butterscotch (the hit of the night).

*Thanks to these companies for sponsoring my blog entry.

The evening included the likes of Farooq who graciously provided the Xbox 360 (which I have NO intention of giving back), Fahad, Irfan, Tariq, Sami, AJ, and my brothers. We were to schedule a Madden tournament, but only AJ and I ever got around to playing it (I killed him using Da Bears against the Pats). The rest of the time, aside from eating serving after serving of ice cream, was spent playing FIFA and Tennis (doubles was really fun). Normally, I'd like to include comments of the night, but when factoring that you had me and Fahad there...well, let's just say that it wouldn't be appropriate to print. Needless to say, however, the next day my brothers commented to me that, "You and your friends say some pretty weird/random things." Seriously, I think I have them partially convinced that we're partially gay. One comment I can share is AJ's recent discovery of Wikipedia being a great website. He said it with so much joy and anticipation of our would-be excitement. Farooq, however, "gently" burst his bubble with his usual dry, sarcastic tone and replied, "Welcome to 2007." After we laughed at AJ, he reciprocated by kindly dropping the F bomb on him...

The night started around maghrib and ended just before the start of Fajr. It was good times with good friends. Many more nights like this to come inshaAllah...

Cheers!

Me & Hassan: Fighting for the Same Girl

Hi

(note: if you haven't seen the r. kelly and usher video, this won't make much sense)

Yes, this may come to you as a shock, but Hassan and I are seeing the same girl. After we found out recently, we called each other up and sang the following discussion as we normally do when we talk to each other:

Me: Yo, Huss
AH: What up, Pac?
Me: Wanna introduce you to this larkee, think I really love this larkee
AH: Acha?
Me: Yaar, she so fine.
AH: Straight up, kutha!
Me: She stand about 5'4"; coca cola red bone
AH: Damn!
Me: Plus her dad is a neurosurgeon so she got a phat crib where she runs a lot down the street.
AH: Wait a minute! Hold on, dawg. Do she got a kid?
Me: Prolly.
AH: Love some Prada?
Me: Yep.
AH: Do she got hair like Katie Holmes?
Me: No, but she think she does.
AH: Do she look like Kate from Lost?
Me: Nope. But I call her Bozo.
AH: Lived in Texas?
Me: Man!
AH: I can't believe this chick.....Damn.
Me: Tell me what's wrong, dawg. What the hell you damning about? I'm your homie so just say what's on your mind.
AH: Man, I didn't know that you were talking about her...
Me: So, man, you're telling me that you know her?
AH: I know her like you know your ice cream...


Me and AH:
We messing with the same kuri, same kuri...

Of course, our talk continued for a few minutes. We decided to get even and found out that Hassan was hollering at some chick named Z, who happened to have a twin sister...

Again, without the video...this will not make sense / not be funny at all...

Word

Greg Oden's Blog

Greg Oden's Blog:

http://yardbarker.com/users/gregoden?gclid=CPnJkeO1mI0CFQlQWAodI1nZ6g

It'll definitely be interesting to see how this guy's NBA career pans out. In college, he was phenomenal. I got the chance - courtesty of me boy Erik - to watch Oden play during March Madness (Ohio St vs Wisconsin). It didn't even seem liked he tried in that game and he was dominating effortlessly. When you YouTube him, you're bound to see amazing footage of some sick dunk or even sicker block.

The Trail Blazers are lucky to have him as are the Sonics with Durant. Can't wait for next season to start...

BTW, while we're talking about the NBA, MAD PROPS to Pax(son) for keeping Nocioni for another 5 years (getting $35+ M). This guy's energy is ridiculous and needed for our young, amazing team.

Da Bulls!

Hassan Timberlake

Hi

We're all familiar with Hassan's dance moves. You may have even been lucky enough to catch this cat's victory dance, which mirrors dance moves that only Pee Wee Herman could pull off. Or, more recently, you may have seen Prince AH dance on the bhangra floor at a wedding - looking like a string puppet gone mad.

So, given that, how do you explain the paranormal dancing abilities of the younger Hassan? His younger, hotter, more-in-shape brother - Samdy. The real Prince Hassan of the Hassan household. Without further delay, I give you Samad Timberlake's YouTube debut:



Cheers

Spelling Bee Champ Interview...

Hi

Absolutely hysterical!! Props to Taha for the link. This might be a lesson as to why you should NEVER home school your child. I mean, he/she may spell words like "scombridae" correctly, but...well, just watch...


Spelling Bee Champion On CNN - Watch more free videos

Haha. Good stuff. This makes me happy for those times growing up where me and brothers during the summer time would skip out on learning how to memorize and spell out words from the dictionary to play baseball with the neighborhood kids. Yes, I kid you not, we were forced to take Webster's (or Oxfords') Dictionary and memorize words from there. Granted, I would've been so much smarter right now and would've scored perfect marks on my SATs, but the idea of ditching "summer home schooling" was far more appealing and clearly a lesson in life I took with me until college. ;) (Umm...don't tell my mom I said that!)

Cheers