Thursday, 11 October 2007

'Eid Mubarrak Everyone!

I am not sure about everyone else around the world, but tomorrow represents my last suhoor for Ramadhan, thus tonight, my last Tarawih. Masha'Allah, I would not gloat and say I did fabulous this year, but certainly, HUMBLY, I have (think) that I have become a better person.

Insha'Allah this will be my personal theme until next Ramadhan, may Allah bless me!

So if I don't see you, until we have celebrated 'Eid, 'Eid Mubarrak to you, may all our deeds have been accepted and blessed by Allah.

Here is an interesting page to read before your final iftar, if you have not done so already.

Sunday, 7 October 2007

A cure for many ailments...

O mankind! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, a cure for whatever (disease) is in your hearts, a guidance and a blessing for all those who believe. Say: 'It is the grace and mercy of God (that He has sent this Qur'an), so let the people rejoice over it, for it is better than (the worldly riches) they hoard.
(Yunus: 57-58)


We are on the home-stretch leading to the end of Ramadhan. Has the month of reflection affected you? Many people fall unwell during the month of fast. Definitely, your body goes through changes. You stay awake longer, eat a whole lot less and you spend more time in prayer, which is actually a very relaxing exerise for your body.


It is no wonder some of us come down with the sniffles, a cough, sometimes dehydration.


These little things happen for a reason.


Sometimes during a detoxification, we tend to fall ill before we get better. It helps our immune systems strengthen and build up as we encounter these little ailments. To get over them, imagine little children in Africa that have nothing to eat even after the sun sets. Fasting 24 hours a day is no longer a choice for them. For better-off Muslims, even those who fall a little ill, they are able to enjoy a proper meal at the end of the day with friends and family whom they love, before proceeding to prayers for the night. Alhamdulillah.


Another reason why we fall ill, whether it is during Ramadhan or not, is a way for us to have our sins erased. Even a little cut removes sins of the same weight. There is no reason to toss ibadah aside when this happens. Visit the nearby clinic and get whatever medicine that will help you through the few days and continue fasting.

Insha'Allah there is virtue in steadfastness and holding strongly to faith. There are again, millions of children in Iraq who have been denied medical attention by ridiculous sanctions.


Their ailments are far from the minor scratch. Some have dimembered limbs, internal bleeding, cracked bones and dysfunctional muscles. Yet, they live day to day, maybe without even a proper meal.


We should all pray for healing. For ourselves and our faith in the Lord. We should also pray that all the pain and suffering endured by less fortunate Muslims be alleviated. There is a cure for every disease. May we find one for cruelty and ignorance!

Saturday, 6 October 2007

Ingredients of a Muslimah

What makes up a Muslimah?
Modesty - A Muslim woman is always modest in her appearance and in every way she carries herself. She does not need to attract attention by sprucing up her her attire, neither does she need to jingle her bracelets. She does not need to laugh out loudly or dance around for others to notice her. Attention that is paid to her is through her intellect, her character, her wit and her
charm.
Uniqueness - She is proud of who she is and needs not to live up to expectations of others. She needs not beautify herself to please another; she needs not join social rings that invite the "in" club; she needs not indulge in gossip or slave over what is hot and what is not. She is herself, and she is proud to be herself - she does not mind standing out from the crowd in her own unique special way, in which she pleases Allah, and Allah alone.
Self-sacrifice - There is nothing more important than tending to others. They could be brothers and sisters in a war-torn country; orphans living down the street; her spouse and her babies; her parents and her neighbours. The self-sacrificing Muslimah always lends a hand. She may be cooking for her parents, organising a charity run, feeding her children, writing for a Muslim magazine. She sees her place in the world as a person who is there to make a difference.
Love - She is the all-time lover. She loves and hates for the sake of Allah - loving all that is clean and pure; beautiful and pious; she loves all that is good and anything that will help her be a better person. She loves her family and her spouse; her friends and her neighbours; her brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith and brothers and sisters of other faith. She loves her children, and mostly, she loves herself for she is a gift to herself from her Creator.
Imaan - Her imaan or her faith defines her. Because she submits to Allah, when she is happy, she praises Him, when she is in need, she prays for His help. Her unshakeable faith helps her through difficult times and reminds her of herself during happy times.
Meaningfullness - Idleness is her enemy. Laziness is her nemesis. The Muslimah's life is full of meaning. Everything she does, she has already understood that it is for a certain good. She moves forwards, never backwards. She leaps for opportunities and reaches out to the sky for stars and cloud fluff... all for a reason. She does not dwell in shallowness, neither does she indulge in ignorance. She always moves forwards, full of meaning.
Assurance - Or should I say self-assured? The true Muslimah is confident in the way she carries herself. Mostly because she does not have to feel belittled by those who prey on vulnerability. She does not need to answer to anyone but Allah and as long as he is not displeased with her, she has nothing to worry about! She looks beyond the superficial and all that is material... she looks to the afterlife and she is assured that everything she does works towards eternal happiness.
Humility - A Muslimah displays humility at all times. She is never arrogant or condescending upon others. She admits when she makes mistakes and corrects others with care and tact. She i a student regardless of her age and position and is always willing to learn something new. The vast knowledge Allah has displays, humbles her and no matter what her achievements are, she thanks Allah. In prayer, she demostrates humility when she places her forehead on the ground in full prostration to her Lord.

Friday, 5 October 2007

Monthly Hijab Competition by Muslim Base

Muslim Base has launched a monthly Hijab essay competition. I think it has been going on for quite some time now but it is never too late to try jump on the writing wheel.

You are allowed to submit an essay with relevance to Hijab and are entitled to win 20pound worth of Hijab from the store! Masha'Allah, that is good news.

Even better news is that Muslim Base has structured this competition such that all entries will be rolled over to the following month. This will allow every entry to be entitled for a future win. Insha'Allah all participants will eventually win their worth of Hijabs.

Read up here to learn about the terms and conditions as well as contact details!

Sunday, 30 September 2007

Desert Store - Definitely Not a Mirage!







There is a new store in the Haven, and it is called Desert Store. Read more about the store here.




The clothing collection for women actually look really great, as you can see by this snapshot of the store.

















There are also plenty for men, children, prayers and personal hygiene.










So, don't waste time, hop-on over. Arabia has never been this close to you!






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