Friday, January 29, 2010

Friday Circle #2

We discussed intentions today. How important good intentions are. We also discussed at great length sin and ighstikar (asking for forgiveness). A young man gave a beautiful speech about how we have to overcome the sins of our lives and we all have them . That we should repent to Allah as soon as possible. He told a story about Imam Jafar (as) and two men. One man came to him and said "I committed a huge sin" the other said "I committed many small sins". Both men wanted to know how to repent for these sins. Imam Jafar told the first man to bring back one large rock. He told the other to bring back many small rocks. Both men did as they were told and brought the rocks back to Imam Jafar. Then Imam Jafar said "Now go return the rocks to the exact place you found them". This was simple for the first man, but not so simple for the second. It is to represent how the little things add up and how we need to be just as mindful of our small sins and ask forgiveness as we are of our large ones.

I felt this weird sense today. I even got teary - eyed for no reason. I just felt so calm and settled. Hard ground beneath my feet. I know I have a ways to go but I really think I am going in the right direction. I think I might actually be happy, who knew? God willing, I will continue in the right direction.

And I came up with something I want to do because well I'm human and I can't completely separate myself from wanting to marry him. I need to have two weddings so I'd like to have two wedding bands made: One that fits under the engagement ring, and another on top. The first on the bottom or the first wedding, the second on the top. The ring becomes whole only after both ceremonies just like I won't feel 100% married till I celebrate with my family as well. I think its cute would help my mom to realize that both weddings are important to me.

Also, the re-remembrance of the days of Ashura have begun. Just like in a funeral, 40 days after the day of Ashura Shia's gather to remember the 10 nights and Imam Hussain (as).
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4 comments:

  1. Banana AnneJanuary 30, 2010 at 11:10 AM

    Your Friday circles sound like they give great reminders. Stuff that you can actually use in daily life. And Subhanallah that you felt so calm; Insha'Allah ALLAH will keep guiding you to what is best. That two rings idea is so creative! Not to mention a great idea/compromise.
    Oh yeah, one of my friends from school was telling me about the re-remembrance. She invited us to do something (I forgot what it was called) in commemoration of it on Tuesday.

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  2. LKJanuary 30, 2010 at 12:49 PM

    Anne: do go with her you will learn a lot. Ashura really is the best way to learn what it means to be a Shia. Its most likely a lecture with one of the stories of the 0 days. I know it works a bit differently from the original 10 days but sadly I wont be attending anything since I dont speak Urdu and its too cold to go to walk to the mosque. But My Love will tell me about what he went to this weekend and then I can post about it here Insha'Allah.

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  3. SusanneJanuary 30, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    I liked the rocks analogy about big and little sins. :) Neat idea about the ring as well. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Banana AnneJanuary 31, 2010 at 11:49 AM

    Unfortunately, I can't participate with my friend in the prayers; it's that time of month. Maybe next time, Insha'Allah.

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