What will YOUR legacy be?

How will I be remembered? Will they say...

 "That was a really humble sister. She always gave to the needy and was always upbeat."
"She had a great sense of humor and was serious about her deen."
"She was a selfless wife and mother, always putting her family before herself."
"She will be missed."
"May Allah grant her a spacious grave and forgive her of her sins."

OR will they say this,

"That sister was boastful and arrogant. She never gave charity, not even a smile."
"My mother never had time for us, she was always too busy doing things for herself."
"Who is that sister?"
"I think I saw her at the Masjid only for Eids."
"May Allah forgive her of her sins."

Surah 2:156 "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return."


Everyone wants to be remembered as a "good person." But are we thinking about this fact when we are backbiting, lying and deceiving, being ungrateful, and doing lots of other things that are displeasing to OUR LORD. Are we thinking at all? Are we being conscience of our words and our actions? Our thoughts?  Or are we so wrapped up in all the petty things in this society of deception that we forget what is really important? .... Pleasing Allah! With another Ramadan past, God-willing, we have been purified, and we have become better people. 


I want my legacy to be one of selflessness and charity. One of intellect; both secular and religious. I want my good deeds to inspire others to do good deeds. And I want to be inspired by others to do good as well. I want my legacy to live on through my children and grandchildren, inshaAllah.


Some people believe we are living in  the END OF DAYS. Well, I say my last day could be today or in seventy years, but NOW is the best time to change my ways. 

Finding my Purpose

I haven't posted any blogs in the past few days because I've been working on my lastest venture at Suite101. On this "soft news" site, I am a contributing publisher. When I first signed up, I thought- writing web articles and getting paid? Sounds like a great idea! However, I am now learning that, unlike blogging, writing news articles can be a grueling process. Especially when you are lacking a journalism degree.

Okay, this isn't supposed to be sounding all down and out- I do love it! It's just that I haven't been challenged in this way in a long time. In school, sometimes I would run from challenge- take the easy, lazy road. But now I am an adult with responsibilities and I realize that nothing is free in this world. For me, that means that even doing what you love to do can be very hard work, so one just has to learn to love working hard.

Writing for Suite 101 is a giant leap of faith because there is no garauntee that any revenue will be generated. By picking good topics and writing attractive titles, one can increase the likelyhood of web traffic going to their article, hence increasing the likelyhood of being paid by advertisers. So, here I go, once again, refining my purpose in life, paving a new road to travel. May Allah give us all strength in finding our purpose.

-Judge Not!

MICHAEL JACKSON . . . The Soundtrack of My Childhood

Thriller, Beat it, Billie Jean, Black or White, Rock With You, Human Nature, The Girl is Mine . . . Need I say more? I googled "Michael Jackson" and 68 million websites popped up- 68 MILLION! I don't "worship" MJ, or even idolize him, but his impact on the history of the world cannot be ignored!

On rainy days, the NTA's used to play Michael Jackson Videos for all the students at my elementary school. I remember being in the second grade and hearing accusations of MJ molesting that young boy in 1992. At seven years old, I was simply disgusted with the accusation and vehemently defended Mr. Jackson; my conviction wasn't based on evidence or testimony, just on the simple known fact that HE WAS THE MAN. His dance skills superseded all others. His songs were catchy yet thoughtful; poppy yet R&B, smooth yet upbeat. There were songs for partying: Rock With You. Songs for love-making: You Are Not Alone. Songs for getting into mischief: Smooth Criminal or BAD. And songs for World Peace: Heal the World. There was a song for everyone and every occasion.

As I watch CNN at 3:04 am Friday, 12 hours after the death of the King of Pop, they are talking so much about the upcoming autopsy and the cause of his death. I would like to dedicate this blog not to Michael Jackson's death, but to his life. A life that has impacted millions of other lives. Not a God, but a man, with flaws, shortcomings and talent unmatched. Michael Jackson took his shahada several months back, therefore he is also my brother in Islam- May Allah grant you paradise, Michael.

My favorite Michael Jackson song? Man in the Mirror. We could all learn something from Man in The Mirror.

-Judge Not!