Friday, April 3, 2020

The Purpose of Coronavirus- by Bill Gates




Multi-billionaire Bill Gates, 64 – who donated £85 million to combat the virus last month – believes that despite the chaos, there is ‘a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens’.

In an open letter, entitled ‘What is the Corona/ Covid-19 Virus Really Teaching us?’, he wrote:

‘A SPIRITUAL PURPOSE’

“I’m a strong believer that there is a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens, whether that is what we perceive as being good or being bad.

“As I meditate upon this, I want to share with you what I feel the Corona/ Covid-19 virus is really doing to us.

1) It is reminding us that we are all equal, regardless of our culture, religion, occupation, financial situation or how famous we are. This disease treats us all equally, perhaps we should too.
If you don’t believe me, just ask Tom Hanks.

2) It is reminding us that we are all connected and something that affects one person has an effect on another.

It is reminding us that the false borders that we have put up have little value as this virus does not need a passport.

It is reminding us, by oppressing us for a short time, of those in this world whose whole life is spent in oppression.
3) It is reminding us of how precious our health is and how we have moved to neglect it through eating nutrient poor manufactured food and drinking water that is contaminated with chemicals upon chemicals.

If we don’t look after our health, we will, of course, get sick.

4) It is reminding us of the shortness of life and of what is most important for us to do, which is to help each other, especially those who are old or sick.

Our purpose is not to buy toilet roll.

5) It is reminding us of how materialistic our society has become and how, when in times of difficulty, we remember that it’s the essentials that we need (food, water, medicine) as opposed to the luxuries that we sometimes unnecessarily give value to.

6) It is reminding us of how important our family and home life is and how much we have neglected this.
It is forcing us back into our houses so we can rebuild them into our home and to strengthen our family unit.

‘OUR TRUE WORK’
7) It is reminding us that our true work is not our job, that is what we do, not what we were created to do.

Our true work is to look after each other, to protect each other and to be of benefit to one another.

😎 It is reminding us to keep our egos in check.

It is reminding us that no matter how great we think we are or how great others think we are, a virus can bring our world to a standstill.

9) It is reminding us that the power of freewill is in our hands.

We can choose to cooperate and help each other, to share, to give, to help and to support each other or we can choose to be selfish, to hoard, to look after only our self.

Indeed, it is difficulties that bring out our true colours.

10) It is reminding us that we can be patient, or we can panic.

We can either understand that this type of situation has happened many times before in history and will pass, or we can panic and see it as the end of the world and, consequently, cause ourselves more harm than good.

11) It is reminding us that this can either be an end or a new beginning.
This can be a time of reflection and understanding, where we learn from our mistakes, or it can be the start of a cycle which will continue until we finally learn the lesson we are meant to.

12) It is reminding us that this Earth is sick.

It is reminding us that we need to look at the rate of deforestation just as urgently as we look at the speed at which toilet rolls are disappearing off of shelves. We are sick because our home is sick.

13) It is reminding us that after every difficulty, there is always ease.

Life is cyclical, and this is just a phase in this great cycle. We do not need to panic; this too shall pass.

14) Whereas many see the Corona/ Covid-19 virus as a great disaster, I prefer to see it as a *great corrector*
It is sent to remind us of the important lessons that we seem to have forgotten and it is up to us if we will learn them or not.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Ramadan Without Congregation. Don't let it get you down

By now, it is fairly certain that most of us will still be in lockdown throughout the month of Ramadan. That means no tarawīḥ prayers, and no masjid iftārs, and no Jum'ah, and no Eid.

For one segment, this will prove to be the worse Ramaḍān of their lives. They won't be able to feel the spirit of the month, and they will drag through the days waiting for the month to end.

For another segment, this will be the absolutely all-time best Ramaḍān of their lives. That is because they will discover the pleasure of worshipping Allah in private, and the joys of reciting the Quran, and the serenity that long, quiet prostrations bring in the darkest hours of the night. They will realize that while societal events in previous Ramaḍāns helped them to feel a communal spirit, they came at the cost of personal development.

And hence, now, in this time frame, forced by circumstances, and appreciating all those blessings that they took for granted in previous years, they shall discover the real meaning of worship - a mean that transcends society and is independent of crowds and congregations, because all that is needed is the presence of an attentive heart humbling itself in front of its Creator.

Yes, I'm sad I won't witness a communal Ramaḍān. But that won't prevent me from trying to make this upcoming Ramaḍān the best one of my life, inshaAllah!

- Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

How to Become a Muslim

[Testimony of Islamic faith in Arabic]

I start this blog in the name of The Most Gracious and Merciful, and I offer my readers peace and abundant blessings.  As admin of the BMW group the most common question I am asked is, how do I become a Muslim?

This is a question that calms my heart. I had the same question many years ago, and it changed my life forever. If you've been studying Islam as a lifestyle seriously for some time and you really want to live in the path of Allah, the path of The One and Only. 

First, you should try to touch base with an imam (leader) of a mosque. See if there are any mosques in your locality, and contact them so they can witness your shahada (testimony of the faith) and help connect you with the Muslim community. It is advised that you stick with the majority of Muslims around the globe, who adhere to the Noble Koran and Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet peace be on him) when choosing a mosque to go to.

Members of our group can post and see if there are any sisters nearby who can help you with that.

If you want your shahada to be accepted by The Most High, I advise that you study the Conditions of Shahada to Be Accepted by God.

You can become a Muslim with Allah Himself as your witness if you're not aware of any mosques or Muslims near you.

Before you take that step, do you agree to adhere to the 5 pillars of Islam as a start? And they are:

1) The testimony of the faith. To testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, son of Abdullah from the Qureysh tribe of Arabia is His final prophet and messenger.

2) The 5 times daily prayers

3) To give in charity (zakat) which is 2.5% of one's total wealth annually

4) To fast the month of Ramadan

5) To make pilgrimage to Allah's house in Mecca, Arabia at least once in a lifetime if one is able.

If you feel that you are ready to strive to abide by these basic principles and to strive to adhere to Islamic beliefs and live a lifestyle that is in obedience with Allah's commands. Then proceed to the next step.

Take a shower and cleanse yourself with water from head to toe. Signifying your purification of all past sins and starting a new page with Your Lord.

Then lift your right index finger and recite with Allah as your witness:

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa Allah [I testify that there is no god but Allah]
Wa ash-hadu ana Muhammadun abduhu wa rasool Allah [and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger]

Whoever recites this with strong belief and conviction, and strives to improve one's self by adhering to what Allah has commanded and staying away from what He has forbidden, will not only be blessed with the goodness and purity of a clean Islamic lifestyle, but will also enter paradise in the next.

If you cannot find any Muslims near you, please connect with the group so we can help you join an Islamic community or at least find some sisterhood online until Allah makes it easy for you to do so.

With love, light, peace and blessings,

BMW Admin x