No Money, No Job, Tons of Debt

The title should say it all...what do you do when you are in over $50,000 worth of debt, with absolutely no way to pay it off?  The MA in Education that I recieved in May is beginning to feel more and more like toilet paper, as it seems to be worth about that much.  I've diligently applied to over fifty school districts without a single call back.  I just want to be a teacher.  And I know that I can be a great one if I'm just given the chance.  Well, everything is under Allah's control I guess.  They say that Allah has a reason for everything.  Well, I hope that there's a really good reason for my current frustration, misery, stress and indebtedness.  All I can do now is make dua for Allah to improve my situation and hope that it improves.  In the meantime, I hope everyone else can make dua that my current financial and job status doesn't get in the way of my happiness, or the health of my marriage.

Nazia

MD vs. PhD

This was a lecture given by Shaykh Yasir Qadhi at the MSA East Zone Conference in Newark, NJ in April 2008. It was about many young people's desire to pursue Islamic Studies and become scholars as a profession. He gave good advice as to what to do when your plans do not work out the way you want them too, and helped many people (especially me) realize that just because I'm not a scholar does not make me any less of an important person.

• Many people want to pursue Islamic Studies because "traditional" college majors, such as pre-med, pre-law, humanities, etc. are not spiritually fulfilling. Most college aged students, however, are not supported by their parents in their desire to pursue Islamic Studies.
• Secular studies, however, is helpful in many ways that we do not realize going through college. It helps you learn how to study, it teaches you the art of passing an exam, and having a secular degree helps you understand your audience when you are lecturing. A scholar lecturing to a bunch of college students will have more of an effect if he himself went to college in the US and experienced everything that the students are now going through. This applies to almost any group of people who you are trying to reach out to. They will be more willing to listen to you if you "speak their language".
• Shaykh Yasir Qadhi spent ten years studying at the University of Medina. As an undergrad, he majored in Chemical Engineering, however what he really wanted to do was pursue Islamic Studies. He's now pursuing a PhD from Yale University. He admits that as an undergrad, he wanted to narrow his options to only Islamic Studies, but now that he is more experienced he wants to expand his options to better understand his own field.
• The Muslim Ummah cannot only consist of 'ulamah. The Ummah needs doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. Every person in the Ummah is needed. the Ummah needs you for who you are and everyone must realize that they all have their own sphere of influence. The needs you no matter what you do. Never trivialize your role in the Ummah. You may not get all the fame and importance as scholars and speakers, but instead of just talking you'll actually be taking action.
• Your actions might not be famous or in the papers, people will not know your name, but Allah SWT will know who you are and what you've done. Does it really matter whether or not other people know what you've done, as long as Allah SWT knows?
• Don't make the mistake of thinking that most of the Sahabah sat around studying 'ilm all day and never worked. There are very few Sahabah who actually did that. Most of them had jobs and worked to earn there living, and studied Islam in their spare time.
• Before making any major decisions you should: Make Istikhara and make Istishara (asking for advice. This is encouraged in Islam).
• Money is not at all related to happiness. Iman is what makes happy.
• Experience teaches you way more than what books can ever teach you.
• Some advice for those that want to study Islamic Studies: Islamic Studies is not black and white. There are many shades of gray. If you don't become a full fledged da'i, it's not a big deal. You can't be idealistic and think that either you become a da'i or you're a failure. Be productive and realistic. Do what you can. Study Islam as much as you can, but also pursue your own thing. Everyone MUST work, and whatever you plan to do is important and necessary for the community.
• Everyone can earn Jannah, no matter what their role or job is. Have pure intentions in whatever you do, and keep your deen close.
• Some advice for women: Seriously thing about what profession you want to do. Think about what you want to do with your children. Do you want to raise them yourself or have family members or a daycare raise them? Remember that no one can love your children as much as you do. Islam never banished women to the role of only housewives, but you must think about the career that you are pursuing and what you are sacrificing to pursue it. Whatever you choose is okay, as long as you remember what is required of you as a Muslim woman.
• If your heart feels guilty or has some doubt about something, than it is giving you a fatwa, and this fatwa is halal.

Creating Community: Unity Beyond the University

Asalaam alaikum,

I recently attended the MSA East Zone Conferece in Newark, NJ. Alhumdulillah it was a wonderful event and really great experience. I actually ended up learning alot from the different seminars. This post, along with the next few ones, will be the notes that I took while at the in different seminars while at the conference. I needed a good place to store them, and I don't want to take up space in my computer and don't want to risk losing a thumb drive, so I figured, "Hey, why not on this blog that I created yet never write in?" Hehe. I have a weird way of taking notes, so I'll just list everything in bullet format.

The title of this seminar was Creating Community: Unity Beyond the University, and it was given by Khalid Latif.

• Unity does not mean uniformity. We should not expect all Muslims to follow our strict cultural/religious rules as to what is normal and what constitutes being a "real" Muslim. The Prophet, SAW, used to seek out those who were seen as outcasts by society. The true meaning of unity is coming together despite our differences.
• Allah's SWT mercy is granted only to those that are merciful--> Sincere concern, seeking good for others, doing good for others. "None of you believes until they like for others all that they want for themselves".
• Al Deen Nasiha: Nasiha is an all encompassing word which means to seek the good with your relationship with one another. Being true, doing good, seeking the greatest, widest, and most lasting benefit.
• Get involved in your communities. Even though we may not realize it, our communities really do need us.
• Get involved in seeking the good in your communities. Although there may be some negative aspects to all communities, remember that they also all have some positive aspects.
• When someone (in your local Muslim community or otherwise) treats you in a bad way, do not respond by how you feel; respond the way that you think would be most pleasing to Allah SWT. And if you do happen to snap, apologize.
• This one's a big one: ****Don't do good for praise or for thanks; do it because it is what pleases Allah SWT.****

My First Post Ever!! =)

So I created this blog a few months ago, but finally found the time to actually write something in it today. Actually, more like stopped being lazy and finally decided to put my words to paper, er-keyboard. So I've been in Spring Break all week, and I'm kinda sad to be going back to school (the school that I teach at). Actually, not really. The only thing I'll miss is sleeping till 11 in the morning. Other than that, I'm really excited to see my kids again. They're so adorable masha Allah. =)

Anyway, I'm just having fun exploring my new laptop. Just set up the wireless network in my house yesterday. It really wasn't too hard at all. I feel like I should work in IT or somthing, LOL. You won't believe what happened yesterday! I found Bipasha Basu's official website, and I sent her a fan letter! I hope she reads it and responds back. I absolutely LOVE her. She's really the most beautiful girl in the world. Recently though, I've been really feeling Deepika Padukone. She looked gorgeous in Om Shanti Om, especially with the old school clothes and hair and makeup. Maybe when I pay off my bills I can go pick up some more MAC makeup and try to replicate her look. Speaking of bills, don't you hate how they all decide to come in at the SAME time? I have my NJCLASS, my loan, my credit card, my Macy's, all due within the SAME week. Ugh. I guess I'll have to pick up a few days at Commerce or something.

Until next time...