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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

A sister from the board
Magableh
04/25/01 at 12:18:36
Hello, my name is Cindy, and this might look weird to you. Serena is my biological sister. For a very long time I did not speak with her because she converted to islam. This past weekend she called me and begged me to come and see her. I'm really sorry that she had to lower herself to the level I was at. I came to Sacramento to see her and we spent hours and hours and hours talking. She read to me some verses from your Koran, we heard lectures from scholars and we cried together. She signed on the internet and showed me this website and how special you are to her. I have realized that she's been right all along. Islam is the truth, and it makes her happy being a muslim. By the way I am signing on under her name because she said I could anytime I wanted to. Since she spoke so highly of all the sisters and brothers on this message board I th0ught you all should know that she is in the hospital. She stopped breathing last night and she has to undergo an operation this Friday. She has been very ill recently and has gotten much worse the last 2 weeks. I don't know where else to turn to ask someone to pray for her. She really needs it right now. And I want to do what is right. I do not want to lose my sister. How do I pray for her? I don't know. If you would like to say something to her you may send an email to amirah28@prodigy.net and I will print it out and give it to her when she is better. I hope God blesses all of you for being here for her when I wasn't and I hope I am helped, or guided like she was. Thank you for listening. Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
Asim
04/25/01 at 12:43:26
This is terrible news. Sr. Serena is a wonderful member of this community. Inshallah, all of us will pray for her speedy full recovery. May Allah swt give health and strength to our sister. Ameen. Please let her know that she is in our duas and keep us updated. Inshallah, everything will work out for the better.

Re: A sister from the board
Arsalan
04/25/01 at 12:46:22
Assalamu alaikum, Cindy, Sister Serena mentioned a couple of weeks ago that she was facing some illness.  But she did not go into any detail as to how serious the illness was or what type of illness it was.  She said that she was having weight problems (she weighs too little) and that the doctor had told her to follow a strict nutritition routine. I had no idea that her sickness was this serious, that she was going to undergo an operation.  If you don't mind telling us, what exactly is the problem?  Is there anything, anything at all, that *we* can do to help besides prayers?  Please let us know. She is certainly in my prayers.  She is a special part of this messageboard.  She is a very special Muslimah, one who is eager to practice her Deen in the right way.  May Allah help her in these tough times.  May Allah heal her quickly, and lessen the pain on her.  May He shower His Mercy upon her and give patience to all those who are close to her, especially her daughter.   If you get a chance to talk to her, tell her that I said we're praying for her ... And that insha Allah her operation will go smoothly and we will see her on this board again in no time ... Insha Allah! Wassalamu alaikum.

Re: A sister from the board
BrKhalid
04/25/01 at 13:55:39
Dear Cindy It is indeed a bit of a shock Let her know that we are all with her and making dua for her. Inshallah she'll be back with us soon

Re: A sister from the board
Magableh
04/25/01 at 15:31:34
Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers. I am going to see Serena in the hospital now and I will convey all of your messages to her. I will update you on her condition as soon as I can. Until later, Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
Malika
04/25/01 at 15:31:57
Cindy, I am indeed glad to see that you have decided to tend to the one of the things that are important in this life... family.  Regardless of how the reunion had to be set up you and your sister have reconnected and that is truly a blessing.  Please let your sister know that she is indeed in my Dua's. I'm am happy to also hear that you were able to glimpse that light which guides your sister.  InshaAllah she will recover and you will strengthen your bond even more. Malika.

Re: A sister from the board
meraj
04/25/01 at 18:22:33
slm, ohhh man :( so saddened to hear that shes not doing well :( inshallah we will pray for her swift and complete recovery.

Re: A sister from the board
salaam
04/25/01 at 18:29:31
Dear Cindy, I was very sad to hear about the condition of your sister.  I will pray that she returns to an even better state than before.   I hope everything is well with you too, in this hard time in your life, know that God (Allah) is always there for you, and He is there to strengthen you. :) Please keep us updated on her condition.

Re: A sister from the board
Safiya
04/25/01 at 19:05:10
salaam May The One who guided us and guided your sister guide you and may he return your sister to the best of health,ameen. u r both in my dua's(im praying for both of you)

Re: A sister from the board
Magableh
04/25/01 at 21:05:54
Hello, I saw the MadinaNews, thanks to all of you who have prayed for my sister. I'm sure it will help her. I went to see her today and have passed on all of your (dua's?). She is very grateful to all of you. I would like to answer more indepth right now but I can't. As soon as I signed on I received a phone call and I have to go back and see her to talk with the doc. I'll post later when I get back. Would it be okay for her to have the Koran in the hospital? Even if she cannot shower? (she wanted me to ask) Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
jannah
04/25/01 at 21:07:47
If you can get her one with the english translation it should be OK.

Re: A sister from the board
Nazia
04/25/01 at 21:17:43
Assalamu Alaikum.. My heart fell when I read your post.  May Allah, the Most High, the Most Gracious, the Forgiver of sins, the Answerer of duas, grant her health.  May He alleviate her pain, and make her stronger then before. May He reward her for her hardships, may He strengthen the bond that has formed betweeen the two of you, may He help keep her daughter strong through this tough time, may He make this pain easier to bear for the rest of her family as well.  May He instill in the hearts of others the same level of love she had for Islam.  May he answer all of the duas (supplications) mentioned above many-fold.  Ameen. She is definitely in my prayers.  Please keep us updated whenever you can. Wassalamu Alaikum, Nazia Abbas

Re: A sister from the board
Saleema
04/25/01 at 22:05:22
Hello Cindy, I can't believe this. :(  :( Even though I have never met Serena  and probably never will I am very sad right now and miss her not being able to post. :( She is in my prayers. Inshallah, (God willing), she will get better. Tell her Saleema sends her best regards and I hope she will recover soon. Keep us updated please. Saleema

Re: A sister from the board
Magableh
04/26/01 at 00:36:57
Hello everyone, Since someone asked about her condition I want to give some background information on her, since I know that she wouldn't. She was in a real bad marriage. Her ex was abusive to her AND her daughter. She told me that she already told you about what happened to her daughter, but she didn't tell you everything. When this happened, she was 5 months pregnant with her second child. After he hit their daughter she had him arrested and the police took him to jail just to sober up. That night, he went back home and found her sleeping on the floor, to get away from him, and when he saw that he got very mad and stomped on her stomach and killed the baby she was carrying(a boy). Hence, the problem she has now. Because of the stomping on her stomach he cause scar tissue to form on her reproductive organs. That tissue turned into what she has now-Endometriosis. From the incident until a year ago she was in great health and doing wonderfully. Then the pain started, very mild at first, maybe 2 to 3 days a month but now she is lucky if she has even 1 day pain free. Serena loves kids, that is obvious in her daughter but her doctors have given her bad news. They said that the probability of her getting pregnant goes down 12-36% each month. She has had this problem for a year. She has held out as long as she could. But doing that has led her to have many health issues. The Endometriosis has invaded all of her reproductive organs, her bladder, lymph nodes, kidneys and intestines. She is in severe pain and can hardly walk. Her vital organs are not working properly. She only sleeps about 2 hours a night and when she does she always wakes up choking(she can't breathe). She is afraid to eat because of the pain she has after eating. She is very thin, too thin. I walked into the room to see her today and she was rocking in her bed crying from the pain, asking Allah to give her death if that is best for her. I was so afraid for her. I feel so guilty for not being here when she needed me the most. If I couls take her place I would in a heartbeat. Her doctor wants to perform a radical hysterectomy on her Friday but she is fighting with them because she wants to hold out the chances of her having children in the future. She has tried to take medications for the pain but her heart couldn't take them and she collpased once before. She wants to just deal with the pain but it is getting to much for her and she doesn't know what to do. She told me tonight that if she has to do the surgery she would rather not wake up from it because she wouldn't be able to handle it. I am not sure what to tell her. This breaks my heart and I sit here unable to control my crying. She does not deserve this problem. She is a good honorable lady with tons of inner strength. Even with all this pain she still smiles and puts up a good front for her daughter. She says that with every hardship comes ease and she is anxiously waiting for it. She wants me to send all her best to all of you on this board and she says thank you for all of your dua's. I can't keep writing it hurts too much. I'll post more tomorrow. I know I don't deserve to have my sisters forgivness but I ask her to please forgive me and I ask God to keep her safe and remove her pain and I ask that she's not taken away from me now that I have this second chance. Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
bhaloo
04/26/01 at 00:40:45
slm I am saddened to hear of this news.  Insha'Allah I will pray for her.  Alhumdullilah it is good that she has a supportive sister such as yourself to help her in this time of need.

Re: A sister from the board
jannah
04/26/01 at 00:41:54
Subhanallah sister. Where are you located? Maybe some of us can visit her in person or send something? As for holding out for children etc at the detriment to her own self. She really should not do that. If something is endangering her than despite the consequences in the future the priority is her life. She is in all our prayers :( [wlm]

Re: A sister from the board
Arsalan
04/26/01 at 01:37:59
Assalamu alaikum, Cindy, I swear to Allah that your sister is a jewel!  She's going through this hardship, this pain, this distress right now, and insha Allah, I have trust in Him, that she will come out purer and more shiny at the end ... just like a diamond which is refined after being taken out of a mine. [i]Fa Inna ma'al 'usri yusraa.[/i] But Indeed there is ease with hardship. [i]Inna ma'al 'usri yusraa.[/i] Indeed there is ease with hardship! This is a lesson for the rest of us.  To be thankful for our health.  We take it so much for granted.  And to utilise it before we lose it.   Cindy, If she is able to read at this point, please ask her to read these two stories: 1. The story of Moses (pbuh) and Khidr (Surah al-Kahf, chapter 18, verses 60-82).   Remind her the lesson of this story after she reads it, that in anything that happens to us (good or bad), there is a Wisdom that only Allah knows.  Something may happen to us which we hate, but it may be the best thing for us.  Even though we may never understand it.  Remind her about that! 2. The story of Prophet Ayyub (Job - pbuh).  I'm printing it below.  Please print it out and give it to her: [center]PROPHET AYYUB (Peace Be Upon Him)[/center] The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was one of the descendants of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham - peace be upon him) and a nephew of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob - peace be upon him).  He was sent to reform the people who lived in the desert situated in the north eastern corner of Palestine. When Ayyub (Job) was chosen to be the Prophet, he started to teach the people about God and His religion.  He advised the people to do good and shun evil.  As usual with all the Prophets very few people believed in him in the beginning but gradually the number of his followers began to increase.   The Prophet Ayyub was Well Off: The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was a prosperous man with firm faith in Allah.   He possessed vast farms, enormous wealth, many cattle and valuable property but these things did not make him arrogant.  His wealth provided him with a medium by means of which he sought Allah's grace.   The Prophet Ayyub Displays Patience: The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was a pattern of humility and faith in Allah.   He was very patient.  He suffered from a number of calamities but did not utter a single word of complaint.  One day his big farm was attacked by the thieves.   They killed many of his servants and carried away forcibly all his cattle.   The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) did not feel sorry at this loss and thanked Allah.  After some time the roof of the house fell down and many members of his family were crushed.  The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was much shocked but he held fast to his faith in Allah.  He neither shed a tear nor heaved a sigh.  He prostrated before the Almighty.  He remarked that possessions and children were the gifts from Allah.  If He had taken His things, it was useless to lament over their loss. After a few years Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) suffered from skin disease.   His parts of body were covered with loathsome sores.  He had many ugly looking ulcers on his face and hands.  The sores were full of worms.  It is narrated that he picked up those worms which fell from his abscess and praised Allah for creating them.  Above all, his false friends attributed his calamities to his sins.  They ridiculed and looked down upon him.  All the persons deserted him with the exception of his faithful wife, Rahima.  She also grew tired of him in the long run and prayed for his death.  She cursed her husband for retaining integrity in Allah.  When Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was in an extremely pathetic condition he prayed: [i]"Truly adversity has afflicted me and You are Most Merciful of all who show mercy." (21: 83) [/i] Allah accepted his prayer.  The Holy Qur'an affirms: [i]"Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store and remembrance for the worshippers."  (21: 84) [/i] The Prophet Ayyub Recovers and Prospers: Allah turned to him with mercy.  He was commanded to strike the earth with his foot.   He complied with the order and water from the spring gushed forth.  He took a bath with the water and got cured from his evil disease.  After this he was restored to prosperity.  The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) knelt and prayed expressing a deep sense of gratitude to Allah.  He never forgot His favours, mercy and love. The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was one of the celebrated Prophets.  His example illustrates: that those who remain patient under the stress · of all circumstances, art never deprived of high rewards.  The Holy Qur'an affirms: [i]"And surely we try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and crops, but give glad-tidings to the steadfast, who when a misfortune befalls them, say lo! we are Allah's (possession of Allah) and to Him shall we surely return.  · Such are they on whom are blessings from their Lord, and mercy.   Such are the rightly-guided." (2: 155-157)[/i] ----------------------------------------------------- If she can't read these stories, but can listen to them as somebody else reads them to her, please read them to her.  It will give her some consolation, insha Allah.   I ask Allah to protect her, give her strength and patience, and cure her like He cured Ayyub (pbuh).  May Allah wash away her sins with this illness of hers, and may she come out pure as an Angel after she is healed by the Mercy of Allah.  Ameen. Wassalaamu alaikum.

Re: A sister from the board
jehad
04/26/01 at 05:58:09
asalm walakum, inallilahi wa inalrajiown. inshallah, allah will make  her better.

Re: A sister from the board
Barr
04/26/01 at 06:07:47
Bismillah Assalamu'alaikum... Dear Cindy, It breaks my heart reading the post that U sent. Though I'm still new to this board and everyone here, please know, adn I'm sure everyone feels this way too....that our hearts reaches out to both of you. MashaAllah, I think both of you have been very strong to face all of this, and Allah would only test those that He loves. Surely, I see that He loves both of you so dearly, that He has reunited both of you after a long while and has joined your hearts together now. In that I see a blessing. Do continue being the strong and patient person that U are, as much as your sister is being strong and patient to this test that Allah has bestowed to her. I feel that this reunion is something that is planned, so that U would be there for Serena, and Serena is there for you too, mashaALlah.... Ukhti, amidst this, ALlah has shown you the truth as well, and that is the greatest blessing, that anyone can get, subhanallah... and the special person who helped you see the truth is Serena, and ALlah has promised that helping a person to the truth is better than everything in the world... Do continue to remember Allah's promises that He will not give us something that we couldn't bear. Not everyone of us is chosen to feel the pain in this life, for the sweetness of the hereafter with Him. I'd just like to share a verse and a du'a that helps calm me down, when I have to go through one of Allah's tests... I hope it will be helpful to you and Serena, inshaALlah. "And whosoever, has taqwa in Allah, He ever prepares a way out And He prepares for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts their trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will accomplish His purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion" Surah At-Talaq:2-3 And a du'a from the Prophet for ALlah to take away sorrow and grieve and replace it with joy instead: "I am your slave, son (daughter) of Your slave, son (daughter) of Your female slave, my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every Name belonging to You which You named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the unseen with You, that You make the Qur'an, the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and the departure of my sorrow, and a release for my anxiety" Hope this helps, Cindy. Do take care... Our thoughts are with both of you Your sister in Islam :-) :::hafiza:::

Re: A sister from the board
nehar
04/26/01 at 07:01:51
Dear cindy, U r going through a hard patch now, but dont loose faith.  Inshallah ur sis will b fine, our duas r with her. Take care Nehar

Re: A sister from the board
proudtobemuslim
04/26/01 at 07:16:17
Assalam-u-Alaikum, Sr. Serena was a great proponent of giving encouragement even if it were little... and so here I am. Sr. Serena whatever happens, we are all here for you Insha-Allah.  You are an important part of out community and will continue to be Insha-Allah. May Allah (AWJ) purify you of all your sins due to the trial you are facing right now... and let only good come out of your patience... Ameen. Wassalam-u-Alaikum, Uzer

Re: A sister from the board
SA
04/26/01 at 09:14:02
Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raje'oon.  The Prophet (s) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that." (Bukhari). Cindy, is it possible to print everyone's responses out for Serena?  All of these beautiful du'as and sincere hope for her well being, masha'Allah.  When one piece of us hurts, we all hurt.  May she recover and return anew as Arsalan explained, and may Allah give her and all of us the patience, steadfastness, trust in Allah and humility to attain Jannat-al-Firdaus, aameen. Btw, as I read closer, Serena did not want to go through with the hysterectomy?  SubhanAllah, Allah knows best, but her health at this point overrides her ability to have children, like Jannah pointed out, wAllahu'alim.  The Prophet (s) "I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together, as well as, "None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: "O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.'" (both Bukhari)...just reminded of that.  It may be out of this difficulty that she is provided with something better for her, and Allah knows best. JazaakAllahu khairan, may Allah reward you well, for keeping us up to date on Serena, we hope to hear from her again on the board soon, insha'Allah.

Re: A sister from the board
tq
04/26/01 at 10:24:54
Assalamo elikuim Dear Cindy please tell Sr.Serena that she is in our prayers and INshallah everything will be OK. Also I agree with jannah and SA that her health/life is more important. Her daughter definitely needs her. Let us know if there is anything beside the prayers we can do for her. Wasalam tq

Re: A sister from the board
ABD
04/26/01 at 10:38:16
Assalamu Alaikum, Hi, Cindy, this is Betul. I didn't know Serena and don't think that I will but I'm very sorry of her condition. She is in my du'a and InshaAllah she will get better. A very important part of Islam is trusting Allah and knowing that he will make things better. As a Muslim, I trust Allah with all of my heart and you should too. I will make continous du'a for your sister and InshaAllah she will pull through this. May Allah give shifa to Serena.   Assalamu Alaikum, Betul

Re: A sister from the board
Magableh
04/26/01 at 11:37:06
Hello, All of your support is overwhelming to myself and Serena. I have some good news and some not so good news. She is coming home today. The doctors have postponed the radical surgery until a later time and instead have opted to do a "clean up" of her internal organs. Serena is very happy about this. I guess her prayers were answered? She is still very weak and tired, but she is anxious to get home and relax in her own bed. She sends her salams to everyone on this board and thanks all of you for your dua's. She will be back on board as soon as she's feeling up to it. Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
Magableh
04/26/01 at 11:48:19
Just to add- The clean up surgery will be next week but she will be home in the mean time. Please continue to pray for her because she is still very weak. I'm going to pick her up now. :) Cindy

Re: A sister from the board
Saleema
04/26/01 at 12:41:30
Hi Cindy, It's such a relief to hear that she will be coming home!  :) Inshallah she will get better. Take care, Saleema

Re: A sister from the board
destined
04/26/01 at 12:53:47
[slm] sorry I'm a little late.  Indeed is it sad to hear her condition but alhamdulillah things seem to be looking up already.  Insha'Allah she'll get her health back. --Naila

Re: A sister from the board
momineqbal
04/26/01 at 13:17:58
[slm], May Allah reward Sr. Serena for her patience through all this and hasten the ease that He has promised after this difficulty. May Allah give strength to her family to be patient as well and take good care for her. Wassalam

Re: A sister from the board
humble_muslim
04/26/01 at 14:58:45
Dear Cindy, My dua is for Serena.  I pray that Allah SWT cures her of all her ailments, and brings back perfect health to her, and that Allah makes her distress a way of forgiveness for all her sins, Ameen.  And that Allah SWT grants her khair in the future in this life and the hereafter, Ameen. And I pray that Allah SWt guides you to the straight path so that you are successful in this world and the herafter, Ameen. Hamayoun.
NS
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