Asalaamu Alaikum sisters. As we know faith does wonders in terms of healing. I was hoping we could use this thread to help strengthen and unify ourselves in faith and community. Hopefully in doing so, we can achieve some relief from the burden of pcos!
Aside from the Ramadan Countdown thread, I think this one could be more general by nature.
Here is a light article I found on generosity. I think especially now during our fast, we should understand more and more the importance of charity.
One take away one is equal to one
10/6/2005 - Education Religious Social - Article Ref: IC0510-2813
Number of comments:
By: Sheikh Ragip Robert Frager al Jerrahi
IslamiCity* -
One take away one is equal to one 10/6/2005 - Education Religious Social - Article Ref: IC0510-2813
Number of comments:
By: Sheikh Ragip Robert Frager al Jerrahi
IslamiCity.com
Generosity
If everything flows from God and everything returns to God, do you truly own anything? Are you not but a steward, taking care of that the portion of this world under your care, which is to be preserved and protected and possibly shared?
There are different forms of generosity. Most of us feel generous when we give something-money, time, advice. We know that our generosity is successful when we are seen, acknowledged, thanked, and praised for what we have done. This is the most obvious level of generosity. The truth of the matter is, in these cases, we give and we are repaid. These transactions are actually exchanges and contain the actual generosity.
A higher level of generosity is to give anonymously. The giver still benefits, but not as directly. Payment comes from knowing that we have been not only generous but also virtuous in not expecting gain recognition for our giving. However, the recipient will still feel gratitude, and inside ourselves, we assure ourselves, intuitively, that we gain merit.
There is still another level - "secret charity." This occurs when you give so that someone benefits from your actions, but unlike at the other two levels, that person does not feel given to, nor is there any burden of gratitude. How do you feel, for example, if you find a dollar bill on the sidewalk? You look around and pick it up with a smile on your face. You may feel blessed or at least lucky. You don't feel that someone "gave it to you" but that you found it. If, however, someone made a practice of laying bills on the ground now and then-then walking away and telling no one-he or she would be practicing a simple form of secret charity.
If you try something like this, you will soon feel the effects in your life. If you look for small, daily opportunities, they abound. My local library, for example, has a place where I can donate books so I can get a tax deduction. They also have a box so that books can be given anonymously. The choice is mine.
You can practice generosity with other than things. It is possible to give your time, your knowledge, your labor, and your skills. Having little money is no excuse for a lack of generosity.
At yet another level, if you give what is in your heart patience, insight, compassion you will find not only that your generosity arises from God, but that each act of giving also becomes an act of remembrance.
One take away one is equal to one(A traditional teaching story)
Two brothers, one married and one single, farmed together and divided the grain from the harvest equally between them. The single brother often thought that his brother had extra worries and expenses because of his family so he would, from time to time, move some of the filled sacks from his storeroom into his brother's. His brother, on the other hand, often thought of how lonely his single brother must be. He thought, if my brother had a little more money he might buy himself some nicer things. So he would, without the other's knowledge, move some of his grain sacks into his brother's storeroom.
For many years the number of sacks remained equal between them, and neither brother could ever understand why this was so.
__________________
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
-Albert Einstein
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It is actually a song, but here are the lyrics. If I can find the audio, I'll post the link.
The Veil
They say, "Oh, poor girl, you're so beautiful you know
It's a shame that you cover up your beauty so."
She just smiles and graciously responds reassuringly,
"This beauty that I have is just one simple part of me.
This body that I have, no stranger has the right to see.
These long clothes, this shawl I wear, ensure my modesty.
Faith is more essential than fashion, wouldn't you agree?"
This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.
They tell her, "Girl, don't you know this is the West and you are free?
You don't need to be oppressed, ashamed of your femininity."
She just shakes her head and she speaks so assuredly,
"See the bill-boards and the magazines that line the check-out isles,
with their phony painted faces and their air-brushed smiles?
Well their sheer clothes and low cut gowns they are really not for me.
You call it freedom, I call it anarchy."
This hijab,
This mark of piety,
Is an act of faith, a symbol,
For all the world to see.
A simple cloth, to protect her dignity.
So lift the veil from your heart to see the heart of purity.
Lift the veil from your heart and seek the heart of purity.
__________________
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
-Albert Einstein
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Here's the song, Radio Islam . You have to scroll down to the bottom left of the page and click on the cd cover, "Road to Madinah." It is hard to read, but it is the first one, in a light green colour. You need to find the track called, "Veil," - but feel free to enjoy the other tracks. I love this cd myself.
__________________
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
-Albert Einstein
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Hmm, that's weird, I'm listening to it right now. Do you have Windows Media Player? The link is http://www.radioislam.com/melodies/ Then you scroll down to the bottom of the screen, on the left it says, "Listen to Songs," you have to click on the first cd cover in light green. Once it comes on, the first track of the cd plays, (full of humility). At that point, I clicked the next button (bottom left) to the Veil song. Let me know if it doesn't work. Sorry.
__________________
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
-Albert Einstein
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Oh I see. That is weird. Well, depending on how determined you are to listen to it, sit back and enjoy the other songs, lol. I personally love this cd myself - if you have any other q's, feel free to ask.
__________________
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
-Albert Einstein
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To my Muslim Sisters 
