Naturally Muslimah

2008-11-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

Blue

So I am sad. I don't know what to do about it. I was sooo happy a few short months ago, I was newly married, and homeFUL instead of homeLESS. But it seems that after Ramadan, on the day of the Eid ul Fitr no doubt, Shaytan paid my family a visit. SubhanAllah, my daughter was hospitalized for her sickle cell anemia on that day, my zawj and I started to argue on some pretty major issues and that has not seemed to cease and my oldest son is having a very had time transitioning from boyhood to manhood.

I think I need counseling, cuz I don't handle stress to well.

I wish that as muslims we always acted as muslims and not just when things are good.

2008-09-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

Bismillahi Ar-Rahmaani Ar-Raheem,Assalama alaikum warahmatu Allaah wabarakatu, wa ba3d, The Messenger of Allaah ( Sallalaahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said, 'Whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah and the people practise it will have the same reward as those who practise it without their reward diminishing. ..' [Sunnan Ibn Maajah (209)].

Eid Prayer

Question: What is the ruling on the Eid Prayer?

Answer: I consider the 'Eid prayer to be an obligation upon every individual (Fardh 'Ain) and that it is not permissible for men to leave it. Rather it is an obligation upon them to attend it, because the Prophet ( r) commanded it; in fact, he (r) commanded the young, veiled women to go out to the 'Eid prayer. Indeed, he (r) commanded the menstruating women to go out to 'Eid prayer. Indeed, he commanded the menstruating women to go out to the 'Eid prayer, but to keep away from the prayer place. All of this proves the obligation of it; and this opinion which I have mentioned is the most authoritative opinion, and it was the chosen view of Shaikh Al-Islam, Ibn Taimiyyah.

But it is like the Friday prayer, in that if it is missed, it is not made up for, as there is no evidence that it is necessary to make it up, and no prayer need be offered in place of it, because if the Zuhr prayer in its place, because the time of it is Zuhr time, whereas if the 'Eid prayer is missed, it is not made up for.

My advice to my Muslim brothers is to fear Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful and perform this prayer which consists of goodness, supplication, meeting the people, and fostering harmony and love between them. If the people were invited to a gathering for the purpose of vain pursuits, you would see those who attend rushing to it. Why is this so, when the Messenger ( r) has invited them to this prayer by which they attain a reward from Allah, the Most Glorified, the Most High which is their right according to His Promise?

But it is incumbent upon the women when they go out to this prayer to stay clear of the place of the men, and to be in a corner of the Masjid which is far from the men and not to go out beautifully adorned and smelling of perfume or displaying their beauty.

This is why, when the Prophetr ordered the women to go out to it they asked him: Oh, Messenger of Allah! If one of us does not have a Jilbab?' He r said:

' Her sister should cover her with her Jilbab'

The Jilbab is a sheet or something resembling an 'Aba'ah. This proves that the women must go out covered in a Jilbab, because the Messenger r said:

' Her sister should cover her with her Jilbab'

It is incumbent upon the Imam, I mean the Imam of the Eid prayer, when he delivers the sermon to the men, to deliver a special sermon to the women if they can not hear the men's sermon, then it is sufficient.

However, it is preferred for him to end the sermon wit mention of rulings particular to women, admonishing them and reminding them ( of Allah) as he Prophet r used to do when he addressed the men during the Eid prayer turning to the women, he would admonish them and remind them (of Allah)

Taken from Fatawa Arkanul-Islam page562-562By The Honorable Shaikh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen

2008-09-11T13:13:00.000-07:00

Ibn Taymiyyah said,

"Verily, I constantly renew my Islam until this very day, as up to now, I do not consider myself to have ever been a good Muslim."

[Narrated by Ibn al-Qayyim in 'Madaarij as-Saalikin' ; 1/218]

2008-09-11T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is the story of Nabihah:

The following article was written by Abu Shoaib Ashmead Choat, a very dear family friend of ours. He visited Houston a few years ago and gave some talks there; he's a graduate of the College of Hadith from Madinah and an active da'i in Trinidad (where he runs his own full-time Islamic school). His daughter Nabiha passed away last year, while still a teenager. She had grown up in Madinah and memorized significant portions of the Quran. She was an active tajweed teacher in her native land of Trinidad.

After her tragic death, her father Abu Shoiab wrote up this beautiful article. I've asked his permission to post it on our website.

Nabihah My Love

But a Person is With the One Whom They Love

Even before we start to write about this glimpse into the life of our dear daughter, it is necessary to purify our intentions, hence the reason for the delay. This must not be for Shuhrah or fame or some Nahiha fan club, but it must be for, as Allah has said, "Ya ayyuha ladhina amanu itaqullaaha wabtaghoo ilayhil waseelah" (Oh you who believe fear Allah and seek out the means of approach to him). Great effort and attention must be paid in trying to purify our intentions and knowing precisely why we are doing this. It may be a wake up call for a lazy or sleepy Muslim. It may help someone to realize how short and fleeting this life is; how precious it is that we must take every opportunity to do good, no matter how small, and we must seek every opportunity to invite people to Allah and use all the resources available to us in that cause, even if that means the life and death of our dear baby.

How do we begin to describe the love of our life? If Allah had given us someone for one or two years and took her away, it would have been easier because of her short life. Or if she had been married with children and away from the home it would have softened the loss. But our baby girl was in the prime of her life, just at the age of marriage, and the decision is with the Lord of the universe. As our Prophet (SAW) said at the moment of his death, when he was given the choice to go or stay, "Balir-rafeequl-'alaa, Balir-rafeequl-'alaa - certainly the highest companionship, certainly the highest the companionship."

It was late 2004 when Nabiha discovered a non-healing ulcer on her tongue which became exceedingly painful and was preventing her from eating. In March 2005, she had her first operation for the removal of the ulcer and a biopsy, which showed a presence of malignancy. In retrospect, when a Muslim is faced with the news of cancer, he begins to think of the options available to him. Seeking treatment and medical care is encouraged in the Sunnah (called: "at-tadaawee - seeking treatment"). So over the next two years, we followed the full gamut of treatment of up to seven or eight surgeries together with radiotherapy in far away India, a return there for a review, then on to chemotherapy back in Trinidad.

Despite huge setbacks, we were to see the Hand of Allah in everything that challenged us. He tested us but walked us through to the very end. Allahumma laka wa minka; O Allah to you and from you. Laa malja'a minallahi illa ilayhi; There is no refuge from Allah, except in Him.

Our daughter, for those who know her, loved Qur'an and its fine recitation. And even before her loss of speech, she began to slowly lose the ability to pronounce key letters in the Arabic alphabet. She was taught recitation at the finest "Tahfeedh" in Medina, where Salman, the son of Shaikh Thubaytee, was taught. One could imagine the pain she felt, and I remembered her last great effort to recite Qur'an after radiotherapy on her return from India; a moment in time that will not be repeated. Her speech slowly started to dwindle, and with great pain, I heard her say the words of the Prophet Sulayman, "Rabbi Awzi'nee an Ashkura Ni'matakallati an'amta alayya wa 'alaa waalidayya wa an 'amala saalihan tardaahu wa adkhilnee bi rahmatika fee 'ibadikas saaliheen."

During radiotherapy in India, in early 2006, she and her mother looked for appropriate gifts for her father to no avail.. She thought that the best gift would be to memorize Surat Maryam. Every morning she would memorize a portion, and, while clamped on the cold stainless steel slab in the radiotherapy center in Trivandrum, India, she would revise what she had learnt that morning. While the rays from the linear accelerator machine were destroying the tissue in her neck and jaw, and, in the later stages, even with blood spewing from her mouth, she would be revising Qur'an.

We still remember one morning after she returned, she was anxious to recite what she had memorized, knowing how I loved that Surah. She sobbed bitterly in torment, not being able to pronounce certain letters properly. Her mother rushed downstairs thinking something was seriously wrong… 'nothing could be more agonizing to Nabiha than not being able to pronounce the words of Allah'.

For a few months we thought all was well, until Eid-ul-Fitr 2006. While I stood on the Mimbar, my daughter was at the hospital in Trinidad going through another painful procedure.

All throughout life, people are faced with situations in which they have options in dealing with them. We are sometimes faced with good news and sometimes with bad, but in Naibha's case, it was rare to hear good news. From then on it was constantly downhill. The family was being faced with one piece of bad news after another. The wound only became worse; the swellings increased, but our daughter Nabiha would continue to stand at night in prayer.. It was not as though she became suddenly pious with the onset of illness. Rather, Nabiha continued to sail smoothly without missing a beat on a path that she had always tread. How Allah has blessed us with this privilege. Her sister remembers when we lived in Madinah in the nineties, how she would wake at nights, saying that she went to the washroom and thinking that was a long p….!

For days she would not speak because of the difficulty and pain. When she could not give Dawah with her speech, her fingers did the talking. Constantly admonishing people, worldwide and inviting them to Islam. Two Jewish Americans who became Muslims are living testimony to what she did. As parents we are only now beginning to realize the full extent of the people she advised, admonished, assisted, and supported. What is nice, however, is that the full extent of her work will never be known and is best left to Al 'Aleem. Sincerity is best measured when hidden from people's eyes. As our Prophet (saw) said when he performed Hajj: "Allahumma laa ri'aa feehaa walaa sum'ah - O Allah, let there be no ostentation in it nor fame."

Patience took on a special meaning for this young woman, seeing her life, her beauty, and her youth gradually taken away from her. There would be intense sadness and tears, but she bore her illness with dignity and with the full conviction that if this is what Allah wills, then so be it. Even close to the end I probably lost it when I said "bint, where do you get all this strength" and lifting the frail hand into the air she pointed upwards, a move that words cannot do justice. One remembers laughing then at the relief and contentment for having a child of such Iman and 'Aqeedah.

The ulama say Patience is of three types:
1. Patience on the obedience of Allah
2. Patience in refraining from Allah's disobedience
3. Patience in enduring the painful trials form Allah.
Patience is easier in the third than in the first two. If a Muslim or a Kafir is faced with Cancer they both have to endure it but in the first two types we have choices either to obey Allah or disobey him. We hope and pray that in her moments of solitude and months quietness that our daughter was Dhaakiratullah katheeran - a woman who continued to remember Allah much.

Despite the great pain and trauma that we, the family, felt at times, we would say to Nabiha that we are a team and that we would never desert her, not even for a moment. In taking care of our ill child we did our very best, but we knew that one day the angels would take over and that that would be the day when our privilege and source of great blessings would come to an end. As we would shroud and perfume her lifeless body, so too we had the full assurance that the angels would be clothing and perfuming her Ruh.

Her body continued to emaciate and yet she showed extreme patience and courage. Her little body was battling the disease, but as Muslims we know that the body is just a shell… food for the worms of the grave. As a matter of fact, Allah showed us a glimpse of the breakdown of tissue and necrosis even before she left this world. (He showed us just what we could bear; her brother and I both acknowledge that we were about to reach the breaking point. How easy it is for Allah, Al Jabbaar, the One who Overwhelms.) It was a solemn reminder of the fate that each of our bodies will face. The eyes and whatever was little was left of her face remained shining like a beacon in the night, as though the cancer could not touch it. Again, we saw Allah's ease in the battlefield.
When Nabiha died, her feet glowed almost luminously, to a point that it startled us. Those feet that walked Makkah and Madina and stumbled between Safa and Marwa while fasting in Ramadan. Those eyes that cried incessantly when Abdullah Juhani and Salah Budair recited in Taraweeh in the Prophet's masjid. She would not miss her stars in recitation; not for the world.

Allah swt took this family and pushed it through wave upon wave of difficulty. Yet even with the difficulty was ease, smiles, comfort, and the security of knowing that even though He pushed us to the ends of world, He never left us on our own, but was constantly with us, protecting us and nurturing us. We discovered within ourselves, our capabilities for coping with crises we never imagined we could survive. It was easy to visualize a grotesque image of Nabiha once the cancer took over, but Allah has protected us and preserved our beautiful memories of our dear daughter.

When Nabiha died I, the father, was not present. He, Allah, placed me in the heart of the forest out of phone contact. Even when the family tried to call, I would not be accessible. Herein lies my test: Would I blame myself for not being present when she most needed me or will I totally accept the plan of Allah? Alhamduillallah, the one who was absent was able to console those who were present at her passing, and Allah knows whether I would be able to bear seeing her life leave her body.

People comment at our strength, but in truth we are exceedingly weak. He is our source of strength, and we fear to think how those who do not have Allah in their lives can manage? How do they live? How do they face the world and its trials?

Nabiha's life for us now is a bitter-sweet experience. We fear that after her passing, the chasm between us and our Lord will increase, and we will become more distant. Yet, we dare not say, "O Allah bring on the next test," for possibly the next test might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. We only beg to stay close to Him and enjoy His sweet cuddliness; more than a mother can possibly show a child.

We would keeping telling her "my baby just as we helped your helpless body in this life, maybe Allah would allow you to help us on Yawmul Qiyamah." You could not eat nor drink nor speak nor shift your head in those last few months, but on that Day, if we were to receive our book of deeds in our left hand, we would have no power to shift it to the right. What utter helplessness!

Nabiha we love you dearly, but we love Allah more. Just as you loved us dearly, but you loved Allah more…… as you were trained. "And do not say of those who are killed in the path of Allah that they are dead, nay they are sustained by their Lord. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty and rejoice for his sake for those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice in a Grace and a Bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

O Allah grant our sister Nabiha, Jannatul Firdous. Ameen!

2008-09-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

What should one Preoccupy his Time with during the Month of Ramadaan?

AUTHOR:
Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

SOURCE:
Ittihaaf Ahlil-Eemaan bi Duroos Shahri Ramadaan
PRODUCED BY:
Al-Ibaanah.com

All praise be to Allaah for His blessings and generosity. He has blessed us by allowing us to reach the month of Ramadaan and enabling us to do good deeds by which we can draw nearer to Him. And may the peace and blessings be on our prophet Muhammad – who was the first to hasten to do good deeds – as well as upon his family and Companions – those who believed in him, supported him and followed the light that was revealed to him. They are the successful ones.

As for what follows, then:

I advise you and myself to fear Allaah during this blessed month as well as in any other month. However, this month has a special merit by which Allaah has distinguished it, since it is a unique occasion for performing good deeds. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would supplicate to Allaah to allow him to be able to reach Ramadaan. So when the month of Rajab would come in, he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would say: “O Allaah! Bless us during Rajab and Sha’baan and allow us to reach Ramadaan.”

The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would also give his Companions the glad tidings of its arrival and explain to them its many virtues, saying to them: “O people! A great and blessed month has come upon you.”

The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would encourage his Companions to strive hard in performing good deeds during this month, both the obligatory and recommended ones, such as prayer, charity, showing goodness and kindness, being patient while obeying Allaah, spending one’s day with fasting, one’s night with praying and one’s hours with recitation of the Qur’aan and remembering Allaah.

So do not waste time by being heedless and refusing, as is the case with the wretched ones who have forgotten Allaah and so He has caused them to forget themselves. Such people do not extract benefit from the passing of occasions for doing good, nor do they realize their sanctity or know their worth.

Many people don’t know this month except as a month for various types of foods and beverages. So they go to great extents in giving their souls what they desire. And they exceed in buying fancy types of foods and drinks. It is well known that the intake of too much food and drink causes one to be lazy with acts of worship. What is required for the Muslim is that he decrease in his intake of food and drink such that he is energetic when it comes to acts of worship.

Some people don’t know the month of Ramadaan except as a month in which one sleeps during the day and stays up all night doing things that have no benefit or things that cause harm. So these people stay awake most of the night or all of it then sleep in the daytime even over the times of the obligatory prayers. So they don’t pray with the congregation or in the prescribed times of prayer.

Another group of people sit at the dinner table when it’s time to break fast and abandon performing the Maghrib prayer in congregation. These types of people do not know the value of the month of Ramadaan nor do they refrain from violating its sanctity by committing the forbidden type of sleeplessness (i.e. all night), abandoning the obligations and doing the prohibited.

Next to these people are those individuals who don’t view the month of Ramadaan except as an opportunity for doing business, displaying their products and chasing after the worldly life, which is temporary. So they are active in buying and selling, thus spending all their time in the marketplaces and abandoning the masaajid. And if they do go to the masaajid, then they are in haste and anguish. They do not relax while in the masaajid since their joy and comfort lies in the market areas.

And there is another type of people that do not know the month of Ramadaan except as a time for begging in the masaajid and in the streets. So they spend most of their time going back and forth from here and there and traveling from one country to another in order to collect money through begging and by presenting themselves as being needy when they are in fact wealthy, and as injured when they are in fact healthy! Such people are denying Allaah’s blessing on them and taking the people’s wealth unjustly. And they are wasting their precious time in things that are harmful to them. So there are no special merits that can be found in Ramadaan for these types of people.

O servants of Allaah! The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would strive hard during this month more than he would in any other month. Even though the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was strong in performing worship at all times, he would free himself up during this month from many of the duties, which in reality were acts of worship, leaving off these righteous deeds for deeds that were better than those. The Salaf would follow his example in this regard and so they would particularize this month with higher ambitions, thus keeping themselves unoccupied in it so that they could perform good deeds. They would spend their night in Tahajjud prayer and their day in fasting, remembrance of Allaah and recitation of the Qur’aan, thus frequenting the masaajid for that purpose. So we should compare our conditions to their conditions and see what the extent of our abilities is in this month.

And we should know that just as the good deeds are multiplied during this month, then likewise, evil acts are worse and their punishment is greater. So we should fear Allaah and magnify the sanctity of this month. "And whoever magnifies the sacred things of Allaah, this is better for him in the sight of his Lord." [Surah Al-Hajj] May Allaah grant us all the ability to have righteous statements and actions. And may the peace and blessings be on our prophet Muhammad, as well as all of his family and Companions. http://www.al- ibaanah.com/ articles. php?ArtID= 120

2008-08-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Sin of Speaking without Knowledge

Speaking about Allah, the Most High, without knowledge, is the foremost aspect of shirk, which incurs the most severe punishment from Allah. For this reason, this is not allowed under any circumstances. This is clearly communicated by Allah in Surah A'araaf, which highlights the severity of this sin, by comparing it with other major sins. He, the Mighty said: "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are, Al-Fawaahish (every kind of illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly. He, the Most High then moved on to describe a more severe "sin, unjust oppression" Then to that sin which is even more severe: "joining partners (in worship) with Allah (shirk), for which He gave no authority" And then He, the All-Knowing punctuated it with that sin which most severe: "and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge. " [Al-A'araaf 7: 331 In the Tafseer of this Aayah, the scholars of Islam have said that: "If speaking about Islam (Allah, the Most High) is not the greatest crime, then Allah certainly intended to emphasize it that way. Zinaa (fornication and adultery), the first mentioned (sin in the Aayah) is an act of one committing a sin on his/her own soul. Secondly: (Allah mentions) oppression, a sin committed against others. This is definitely a greater evil. Then He, the Most High mentions shirk (i.e. joining partners in worship with Allah), obviously a greater evil than the first two, and finally, speaking without knowledge in Islam; Every sin that followed was always greater than the previous one. Thus, if it (speaking about Allah without knowledge) is not the greatest of sins, as it was mentioned last, it was certainly intended (by Allah) to be understood that way." It should be seriously noted that this very grave sin is only because of Satan's encouragement of the ignorant and sometimes arrogant seekers of name and fame. Allah, the Most High said: "Verily, it is indeed Satan that makes you do evil and say things about Allah (or His deen) of which you have no proper knowledge." [Al-Baqarah 2:169] Therefore, based upon the above aayah, we find that this is the most serious prohibition with Allah Himself. The following categories of sins are incorporated in "Speaking of Allah without knowledge": a) Lying upon Allah, the Almighty. b) Attributing to Allah, the Most High, what is not suitable for Him c) Bid'ah (innovation) or modifying and altering Allah's Deen d) Negating what He, the Most High, has affirmed e) Affirming what He, the Most High, negated f) Hostility to those who champion His cause g) Supporting His enemies h) Loving those whom He hates and hating those He loves i) Describing Him with what does not befit Him in His Essence, His Attributes, His Statements or His Actions. Therefore, because of the amount of sins included in this category, there can be no greater prohibition. It is from this sin that Shirk (associating partners with Allah) and all forms of Kufr (disbelief) originate. All forms of Bid'ah (innovations) are also founded upon "speaking about Allah without knowledge." Another thing which the scholars say is: Notice how Allah SWT has arranged the crimes in order of their seriousness: Open shameful deeds - Secret shameful deeds - Oppression - Shirk - Talking about have with no knowledge. So talking about Allah SWT with no knowledge could be a worse form of Shirk in some cases. Wallahu A'lam.
~this post was taken from muslimah connection

2008-08-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

A Mothers Advice to her Daughter

The following is an advice from a Jahili mother to her daughter on her wedding day.

O my daughter! If the advice were to be left off the virtuous and well-mannered, you would be in no need of advice. However, the advice reminds the forgetful and guides the wise. And if a women were to forsake marriage because of her parents' wealth or their fondness of her, you would be in least need for marriage. However, the women have been made for the men, and for them were the men made.O my daughter! You are now departing from the climate where you lived and the nest where you grew, to a unfamiliar domicile and companion. By virtue of your husband's custody, he is now a watcher and master over you. So be a maid to him, and he will surely be your servant. Be his earth(in submission), and he will be your sky (in protection). Preserve for him ten qualities, and they will be a treasure for you:

1) Submit to him by showing contentment (in regard to what he gives you)
2) Listen to him and obey him in the best manner.
3) Guard where his eye looks, so that it will not fall on anything ugly from you.
4) Guard what his nose smells, so that he will not smell from you but the best aroma.
5) Respect his meal times, for the attack of hunger is a cause for rage.
6) Respect his sleep times, for the disturbance of sleep is a cause of annoyance.
7) Safeguard his wealth by employing good judgment.
8) Care for his children and servants by employing good planning.
9) Do not disobey any of his commands, for if you do, you would bring resentment into his breast.
10) Do not disclose any of his secrets, for if you do, you would not be secure from his revenge.

Furthermore, do not display joy when he is worried, nor sadness when he is happy, for this will breed hatred. And remember, my daughter, that the more you please him, the more he honors you. And remember that you will not attain what you desire from him unless you give preference to his likes over yours."

Recorded in al-Aghani by al-Asbahani (partially included in Tuhfat ul-'Arus, pp.91-92).

2008-08-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Graditude

I have been in Georgia now, since April 2007. Masha'Allah it has been and long rough road for my children and I. I mean in a 9 month period we lived in hotels, with 3 Muslim families and 1 Kufaar family (5 percenters the worst) . People were mean too us, took advantage of us. When I tell my husband some of the things that happened it breaks his heart Masha'Allah. But I was thinking about the situation today. I actually think about it almost everyday. But today, I was really kinda happy that we had those experiences. You know what I mean? Allah forbid that we ever go back to the state of homelessness again. But I also pray that I never forget the lessons that were learned. In that time period, I learned so much about the Mercy of my Rabb! Althought I didn't have a place of my own, we never slept on the streets, shelter or in our van! We always ate. I got a chance to look at this religion in ways that I never did before. I feel like now I have such a better understanding of iman, and wanting for my fellow muslim what I want for myself. Believe me being put in that situation, really lets you see the worst in your fellow Muslim. Allahu Must'an.

I have really seen the mercy of ALLAH in my life. Since the birth of my daughter 4 years ago I have wanted to be a stay at home mother, she has sickle cell anemia and I have always hated leaving her with people. But Alhamdulillah, Allah has blessed my children and I will a wonder brother to be my husband and my children's wali (that's what they call him) and this man is a wonderful provider, he's a patient, kind generous brother, Masaha'Allah. We now have a home and I was able to leave my part time job and stay home with the younger two of my children Masah'Allah. I am homeschooling my daughter now, my baby boy is potty trained. Alhamdulillah. Insha'Allah we will be blessed to see another Ramadan. Life, Masha'Allah is good. Alhamdulillah. I am soo grateful to Allah for the test I have been tested with and the lessons I have learned. I pray that I never forget and insha'Allah I will be able to help someone else in a simular situation.

As Ramadan quickly approaches I am grateful to Allah for the good and the bad, for having a wonderful new husband Masah'Allah and great children. I am praying that I come out of Ramadan a better student of Islam, better wife and mother. I pray that Allah forgives our sins and accepts our fast. I pray that we do more good deeds and practice this religion the way that Allah has intended and His Messenger (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) showed us how without following our own desires and using our own intellect. Ameen

2008-08-15T22:47:00.000-07:00

........................... just venting

So my life has been so crazy for a while now, but Masaha'Allah things are starting to slow down and become "normal". But during the craziness chapter, I got a ticket on the day of my wedding no doubt. First off, I was sorta homeless when I got married and like all of my belonging and my children's belonging were in my van, so you can imagine the embarrassement of not having a place for my new husband to sit in the van. But Alhamdulillah we got over that, but then shortly after that I got pulled over by the police and a ticket for having a busted headlight! SubhanaAllah, the day of the signing of my Nikkah was banana's, I have only told you part of all the craziness, I'll save that for another post.

OK. So fast forward to today. I have a court date for this ticket on I believe the 19th of this month but my husband says the 18th, Allahu Alim. So my husband tells me to get the ticket. So I got to my purse, to get my wallet, where I KNOW the ticket is and ............NO TICKET! So my zawj says look in the purse, so I look in the purse and ................ NO TICKET! SubhanAllah where the heck is this thing. So then my wonderful zawj, who is sooo good to me Masha'Allah says, I thought you had it together better than that!!

Yo like I was just the bag lady a month ago when you married me. Give me second to unpack and get it together! was the thought that came to my mind, but I just said. OK honey go to sleep, I'll take care of it in the morning.

So how am I gonna find this ticket!

2008-08-14T22:38:00.000-07:00

OMG, I have not blogged since Feburary! SubhanAllah! Well, I'm back and I am still kicking. Quick update. I was homeless for abou t9 months, masha'Allah, but I'm on a comeback. Alhamdulillah. Allah has truly been merciful to my family and I. I got married on 7/11/08 to a wonderful brother, that has provided my children and I with a home, and love, and he takes real good care of us masha'Allah.

So I'm gonna spare you the details of my time as a homeless single mom and just say Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar!

2008-02-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

Imam Ahmed, Musnad (1/391), and others reported upon the authority of Ibn Mas’ood that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alahi wa sallam) said: “No slave is afflicted with anxiety and grief, and then says:

‘O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your male slave, son of Your female slave. My forehead is in Your hand. Your judgement upon me is assured and whatever you have decreed for me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught one of Your creation or which You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You that You make the Qur’aan the spring of my heart and the light of my chest, a banisher for my grief and a reliever for my anxiety.’

Except that Allaah will replace his distress and grief with joy.”

He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, should we not learn it?’ He said, “Ofcourse, whoever hears it should learn it.”

Authenticated by Shaykh Albaani in ‘as-Silsilatul Ahadeeth as-Saheehah (1/198)’ with a slightly different wording. And this wording was delcared hasan (sound) by Shaykh Ali in his checking of ‘Fawaa’id al-Fawaa’id pg. 49

This is my favorite dua and boy have I needed it over these last few months!

2008-01-31T18:27:00.001-08:00

As Salaamu Alaikum!

I have been out of commission for a while, but stay tuned.....insha'Allah I will be back soon!!!!

2007-11-25T18:53:00.000-08:00

The Messenger of Allah said (translated) "Islam came as something strange and Islam will again seem strange, Tuba (a tree in Paradise) for those who are strange." Sahih Muslim 1/146

2007-11-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Aboo Moosa Al-Ash’aree said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah: Who is the best Muslim? The Messenger of Allah replied, “He is the one from whom Muslims are safe from the evil of his tongue and hands.” (Muslim)

2007-11-05T18:12:00.000-08:00

As is shown by the hadeeth of at-Tirmidhee (no. 2641): 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr said: The Messenger of Allaah said,"What happened to the Children of lsraa'eel will happen with my Ummah, just as one shoe resembles the other, to the point that if one of them had intercourse with his mother openly, there would be someone who did that in my Ummah. The Children of Israa'eel split into seventy two sects and my Ummah will split into seventy three sects, all of which are in the Fire except one sect." They asked, "Which is that one, 0 Messenger of Allaah?" He replied, "That which I and my Companions are upon." Declared hasan by Shaikh al-Albaanee.

2007-10-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

this hadith is really very beneficial.. mash-Allah.

The Hadeeth of the Eleven Women Source: Saheeh Muslim Article ID : MRG030001 [10213]
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----

Muslim narrated the following hadith:
Isnad: Suleiman bin 'abd alRahman and 'Ali bin Hujr » 'Ibsai bin Bunus » Hisham bin 'Urwa » 'Abd Allah bin 'Urwah » 'Urwah
Narrated 'Aisha:
Eleven women sat (at a place) and promised and contracted that they would not conceal anything of the news of their husbands.
The first one said, "My husband is like the meat of a lean weak camel which is kept on the top of a mountain which is neither easy to climb, nor is the meat fat, so that one might put up with the trouble of fetching it."

The second one said, "I shall not relate my husband's news, for I fear that I may not be able to finish his story, for if I describe him, I will mention all his defects and bad traits."

The third one said, "My husband is a tall man; if I describe him (and he hears of that) he will divorce me, and if I keep quiet, he will neither divorce me nor treat me as a wife."

The fourth one said, "My husband is a moderate person like the night of Tihama which is neither hot nor cold. I am neither afraid of him, nor am I discontented with him."

The fifth one said, "My husband, when entering (the house) is a leopard, and when going out, is a lion. He does not ask about whatever is in the house."

The sixth one said, "If my husband eats. he eats too much (leaving the dishes empty), and if he drinks he leaves nothing, and if he sleeps he sleeps alone (away from me) covered in garments and does not stretch his hands here and there so as to know how I fare (get along)."

The seventh one said, "My husband is a wrong-doer or weak and foolish. All the defects are present in him. He may injure your head or your body or may do both."

The eighth one said, "My husband is soft to touch like a rabbit and smells like a Zarnab (a kind of good smelling grass)."

The ninth one said, "My husband is a tall generous man wearing a long strap for carrying his sword. His ashes are abundant and his house is near to the people who would easily consult him."

The tenth one said, "My husband is Malik, and what is Malik? Malik is greater than whatever I say about him. (He is beyond and above all praises which can come to my mind). Most of his camels are kept at home (ready to be slaughtered for the guests) and only a few are taken to the pastures. When the camels hear the sound of the lute (or the tambourine) they realize that they are going to be slaughtered for the guests."

The eleventh one said, "My husband is Abu Zar and what is Abu Zar (i.e., what should I say about him)? He has given me many ornaments and my ears are heavily loaded with them and my arms have become fat ( i.e., I have become fat). And he has pleased me, and I have become so happy that I feel proud of myself. He found me with my family who were mere owners of sheep and living in poverty, and brought me to a respected family having horses and camels and threshing and purifying grain . Whatever I say, he does not rebuke or insult me. When I sleep, I sleep till late in the morning, and when I drink water (or milk), I drink my fill. The mother of Abu Zar and what may one say in praise of the mother of Abu Zar? Her saddle bags were always full of provision and her house was spacious. As for the son of Abu Zar, what may one say of the son of Abu Zar? His bed is as narrow as an unsheathed sword and an arm of a kid (of four months) satisfies his hunger. As for the daughter of Abu Zar, she is obedient to her father and to her mother. She has a fat well-built body and that arouses the jealousy of her husband's other wife. As for the (maid) slave girl of Abu Zar, what may one say of the (maid) slavegirl of Abu Zar? She does not uncover our secrets but keeps them, and does not waste our provisions and does not leave the rubbish scattered everywhere in our house." The eleventh lady added, "One day it so happened that Abu Zar went out at the time when the milk was being milked from the animals, and he saw a woman who had two sons like two leopards playing with her two breasts. (On seeing her) he divorced me and married her. Thereafter I married a noble man who used to ride a fast tireless horse and keep a spear in his hand. He gave me many things, and also a pair of every kind of livestock and said, 'Eat (of this), O Um Zar, and give provision to your relatives." She added, "Yet, all those things which my second husband gave me could not fill the smallest utensil of Abu Zar's." 'Aisha then said: Allah's Apostle said to me, "I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Um Zar."
www.salafipublicati ons.com

2007-10-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

As Salaamu Alaikum

Please check out Organic Muslimah's Blog http://organicmuslimah.blogspot.com/2007/10/day-17-support-muslimah-owned-business.html
She purchased some hijab pins from me and took professional photo of them. Masha'Allah she is a excellent photographer. Her pictures, make the ones I posted look so sad!!

And please email me at fullycoveredevents@gmail.com insha'Allah if you would like to order a hijab pin or two. Eid is swiftly approaching :-)

2007-09-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ya Allah, Ya Allah Ya Allah!!

Ya Allah, I am Your slave and the son of Your male slave and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me) Your Judgment upon me is assured and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of your creation or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Quran the spring of my heart and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness and the reliever of my distress.

Ameen

2007-09-12T22:49:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Mubarak!!!!

2007-09-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

Update.....

As Salamu Alaikum,
JOB: So I just want to give you an update on my situation. I am still unemployed sorta. Insha'Allah I will start a part time work from home position on Friday. So I don't know what happens after training, but I know i'm scheduled to train and that should pay a little something, insha'Allah.

Money: SubhanAllah I have none. my rent is late and I have had to make payment arrangements on everything. Insha'Allah I can get some sadiqah from the Masjid. You wanna hear something that's crazy? I have such a hard time asking for things. So I wrote a note to give to the Imam asking for sadiqah and just chickened out. I mean I was going to hand it to him on tuesday when I handed him my lesson for my arabic lesson, nope, not me, I chickened out and stuffed the note in my bra no doubt. May Allah grant me some courage, ameen. But I am selling Hijab pins (see above) now, let me know if your interested, I do have pay pal (fullycoveredevents@gmail.com) and I can ship some out to you. I also put a post on my cafe mom page about selling the pins and a sister sent me $25 for the sake of Allah. I was so choked up I didn't know what to say or do, Alhamdulillah for good muslims right?

Family: My oldest boy has started the K12 program, that allow you to attend public school from your home. Masha'Allh he really seem to like it and is doing well. Also, my oldest boy has decided to "look" like a muslim with the thob and kufi, I couldn't pay him to wear that before. Also he announced to me on Sunday that his islamic name is Yusef, and he has already directed his friends at the Masjid to call him that, Masha'Allah. And this young man has also given me the name of Fatimah! Masha'Allah he is really growing up man!

I have had time to do all those things that I felt like I couldn't do when I was working. So I have been practing putting crownrows in my daugthers hair, I have also been attend Quran classes and trying to learn a few more short surahs. I have also been teaching my younger two children to recgonize the alphabet. So I do manage to keep busy, I just wish I was making money at the same time.

But Alhamdulillah, what can I say I am still able to make salat and that is great!

Above you will see a few pics of the hijab pins for sale, insha'Allah, they range from $4 to $7 dollars. Let me know what you think....

2007-08-31T16:48:00.000-07:00

Something to tickle your funny bone!

2007-08-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

Three Tough Questions

There was a young man who went overseas to study for quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his parents to find him a religious scholar or any expert who could answer his 3 Questions. Finally, his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.

Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?

Scholar: I am one of Allah (SubHana Wa Ta`ala )'s slaves and Insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able to answer your questions.

Young man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and experts were not able to answer my questions.

Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of Allah(SubHana Wa Ta`ala).

Young Man: I have 3 questions:

1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.

2. What is thaqdir (fate)?

3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also created from fire. It certainly will not hurt him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face very hard.

Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at me?

Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to your three questions.

Young Man: I really don't understand.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.

Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?

Young Man: Yes.

Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!

Young Man: I cannot.

Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel God's existence without being able to see His shape... Last night, did you dream that you will be slapped by me?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap from me, today?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: That is takdir (fate) my second answer........ My hand that I used to slap you, what is it created from?

Young Man: It is created from flesh.

Scholar: How about your face, what is it created from?

Young Man: Flesh.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: In pain.

Scholar: Thats it. this is my third answer, Even though Shaitan (Devil) and also the hell were created from the fire, if Allah wants, insha-Allah (God willing), the hell will become a very painful place for Shaitan

Allah (swt) said:
"If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you." If you are not ashamed, pass this message on...only if you believe.

"Yes, I love Allah. Allah is my fountain of Life and My Savior. Allah keeps me going day & night. Without Allah, I am no one. But with Allah, I can do everything. Allah is my strength."

May Allah help us all to succeed... Ameen

2007-08-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

I lost my job today!

I really can't believe it. I have been having the hardest time getting on my feet since my divorce. I moved here to GA and it's been just one struggle after another! The funny thing is, I have been praying that Allah would let me work from home So I would not have to pay daycare and could have time for with my children. Well I guess I got part of my wish! I don't have to WORK and or pay day care, but now I can't pay rent. Hmmmmm! What's a girl to do?

Pleas keep me in you dua'a!

2007-07-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

This Brother is so funny to me!

2007-07-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Zakaatul-Fitr

Q.1 Is it permissible to discharge the obligation of Zakaatul-Fitr on the first day of Ramadhaan? And is it permissible to distribute it in money?

Answer
As for the discharging of it on the first day of Ramadhaan - there is Ikhtilaaf (difference of opinion among the scholars) about it. The most correct opinion is that it's not permissible, because it is called Zakaatul-Fitr, and Al-Fitr (ending of the fast) does not occur except at the end of the month. Also, the Messenger of Allaah ordered that it be discharged before the people go out to the Prayer (Salaatul-'Eed). Along with that, the companions (Sahabah) used to give out the Zakaatul-Fitr one or two days before the 'Eed. As for discharging the Zakaatul-Fitr in MONEY, this is a point of Ikhtilaf (difference among the scholars). And the correct opinion - as I see it - is that it is not discharged except by (distribution of) FOOD.
This is because Ibn Umar said: "The Messenger of Allaah made obligatory (the payment of) Zakaatul-Fitr from a Saa' of dates or a Saa' of barley..."1
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudree said: "We used to distribute it (Zakaatul-Fitr) in the time of the Messenger of Allaah as one saa' of food, and our food was dates and barley and raisins and cottage cheese..."2 So, it becomes clear from these two hadeeth that it (Zakaatul-Fitr) is not discharged except from FOOD. And the distribution of it in food displays it openly and shows it, and all of the members of the family know about it. In this way, there is an exhibition or manifestation of this aspect of the religion.
As for discharging it in money, this causes it to be concealed (unseen), and perhaps the person may favour himself, by discharging it in money, and thus reduce its amount.3 Therefore, strictly following the Law (al-Qur'aan and Sunnah) is best and it is blessed. Someone might argue that the distribution of food doesn't benefit the poor. (But, we say) the poor person - if truly poor - must definitely benefit from the food.

Q.2 Is it permissible to discharge Zakaatul-Fitr in money? - with mention of the evidences.

Answer
Zakaatul-Fitr is not permissible except (to be paid) from FOOD. And it is not allowed to discharge its value in money. This is because the Prophet made it obligatory (to be discharged) from a saa' of dates or a saa' of barley.
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudree said: "We used to discharge it (Zakaatul-Fitr) in the time of the Prophet as a saa' of FOOD...)".4
Therefore, it is not lawful for anyone to discharge Zakaatul-Fitr from money (dirhams) or clothing or household furnishings. Instead, that which is obligatory is to discharge it in what Allaah has made obligatory on the tongue of the Prophet . There is no consideration (weight) for the Istihsaan [viewing of something to be good, without basis from the legal sources of Qur'aan and Sunnah] of those of the people who viewed the giving of money as a good thing. The Law (Sharee'ah) does not follow (i.e. it is not secondary to) the opinions of people.
No, it (the Law) is from the One Who is Wise, Knowing -Allaah - The Mighty, The Glorious, The Most Knowing, The Most Wise. So, if that which has been made obligatory by the tongue of Muhammad is a saa' of food, then it is not permissible to bypass (skip over) that, no matter what our intellects make us to view as being good. Instead, it is a must that the human being question and suspect his intellect and views if it conflicts with, or contradicts, the law of Allaah.

Q.3 What is the ruling in the case of someone compelled to discharge Zakaatul-Fitr by money? And does it fulfill for him his obligation?

Answer
It appears to me that if someone is compelled to discharge the Zakaatul-Fitr by money, then he should give them the money, and not openly disobey those in authority. But, as far as that which is between him and Allaah, he should discharge what he has been commanded by the Prophet to discharge. So, he should discharge a saa' of food as the Prophet commanded. Their compelling you to discharge it from money is compulsion to do something which Allaah has not legislated. In that case, you must fulfill what you believe to be obligatory.

Q.4 Is it permissible to discharge Zakaatul-Fitr from meat? Some of the desert dwellers don't have food to distribute for Zakaatul-Fitr, so is it permissible for them to slaughter some of their animals and distribute it to the poor?

Answer
This is not correct, because the Prophet made it obligatory to give one saa' of food, while meat is measured by weight (not by volume).
Ibn Umar t said: "The Messenger of Allaah made obligatory the Zakaatul-Fitr as a saa' of dates or a saa' of barley..."5
And Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree t said: "We used to discharge it (Zakaatul-Fitr) in the lifetime of the Prophet as a saa' of food, and our food was dates, and barley, and raisins and cottage cheese "6
For this reason, the strongest opinion of the sayings of the scholars is that Zakaatul-Fitr is not fulfilled by paying (distributing of) money, nor clothing, nor furnishings (furniture). There is no weight to the sayings of those who say that Zakaatul-Fitr is fulfilled by payment of money; this being so because as long as we have in front of us a text of the Prophet ( then there is no opinion (in the matter) after his, nor accepting as good what the intellect considers good while negating the Law (the Qur'aan and Sunnah). Allaah U will not ask us about the opinion of so and so on the day of Resurrection. He will only question us about the saying of the Messenger ( as in His (Allaah's U) saying :
And ( remember) the Day (Allaah) will call to them and say: what answer gave you to the Messengers?7
Just imagine yourself standing before Allaah on the day of Resurrection while it had been made obligatory on you to fulfill the payment of Zakaatul-Fitr from Food. Will it be possible, if you are asked on the day of Resurrection: How did you answer the Messenger of Allaah in reference to the obligation of this charity? Will it be possible for you to defend yourself and say: By Allaah! this is the opinion of so and so, and this is the opinion of such and such? The answer: No! and even if you said that, it would not benefit you (at all). The truth, without doubt, is that Zakaatul-Fitr is not accepted except from FOOD; and any food which is the staple food of the country fulfils this obligation.
If you see the opinions of the scholars in this issue, you will see that they are on two extremes and one in the middle. One (extreme) side says: Pay it (Zakaatul-Fitr) from food or pay it from cash (money). The other (extreme) side says: Don't pay it from money, and don't pay it from food except five types only, that is : wheat, dates, barley, raisins, cottage cheese. These two opinions are the extreme opposite of each other.
As for the middle opinion, it says : Pay it (Zakaatul-Fitr) from every food which the people are fed from, and not from that which the people are not fed from. So, pay it from wheat, dates, rice, pearl millets (dukhn), corn - and whatever is similar to that, - even to the extent if we accepted the idea that there is a place where the staple food of the people is meat, then we would pay it from meat. Based on this, it becomes clear that what the questioner mentioned about the people of the desert giving meat in place of (a saa' of those staple items which are normally given as) Zakaatul-Fitr, does not fulfill the obligation of Zakaatul-Fitr.
The preceding Fataawaa (Legal Decisions) were taken from the book entitled "Fataawaa Ash-Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen (Hafizahu'llah -May Allaah Protect and Preserve him).
Footnotes
1 Bukhaaree 2:579 One Saa' is equal to four (4) Mudd, and one (1) Mudd is equal to the amount held by cupping the two hands together. It is a measure by volume not by weight 2 Bukhaaree 2:582 3 As the amount would differ if we compare the value of one saa' of dates to one saa' of barley for example. Since a saa' of barley is about 7 riyals ($2.00), while a saa' of dates ranges -according to quality - from 25 riyals ($7.00) for a lesser quality to 42 riyals ($12.00) for a medium quality, to 175 riyals ($49.00) for the best quality per saa'. 4 Bukhaaree 2:582 5 Bukhaaree 2:579 6 Bukhaaree 2:582 7 Al-Qasaas : 65
Options:

2007-07-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

We are made to persist. That's how we find out who we are. ~ Tobias Wolff

2007-07-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

If I should Speak

As Salaamu Alaikum! I just finished reading "If I Should Speak" written by Umm Zakiyah.....Masha'Allah this was a really good book! If you like fiction you will love this book. I mean it actually made me cry. It is so moving, this sister is a excellent writer and the characters in the book are so realistic. You have either been one of the characters or know someone like one of the characters. So if your looking for a good read, I would pick this one up!!

2007-07-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of value. ~ Albert Einstein

2007-06-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt this way?

I have been experiencing some Iman growth lately ( Alhamdulilah) I don't know if you have read some of my previous post and the Iman was not so high. But I have had some pretty major changes occur in my life in the last 3 months that have resulted in me being in a completely different environment. In this new environment I have really been able to learn about this religion and following the sunnah of our Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) and I have really been learning a lot about Tawheed. But I feel like the more, I learn and the more my Iman grows, the more I feel distance from my non Muslim family and friends. I talked to a really close friend about these feeling a few weeks ago and she says she feels the same way.

So a childhood friend of mine has invited me to her babies baptism, I really don't want to go. I don't want to stand there IN A CHURCH no doubt and watch her baby be baptised. Not that I don't think she should have it done, If that is her believe than fine. But it is not mine. I don't want to hurt her feelings but I want to be true to my own feeling and beliefs. More and more I am feeling that it is more important to please Allah, than my friends. So what happens now?

2007-06-21T12:29:00.001-07:00

Today I seen a blog that said "Allah remembers us even when we don't remember him". That's deep huh?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok So I talked to Hijabi about this yesterday and I want to formulate a email or flyer that is titled "Some things you should know when you work with a Muslim"! ok, so here's what I would put on that list:

1) Muslim's do not eat pork, so please don't offer me a hot dog at the company cook out
2) If I am a Muslim women and you are a man, please don't shake my hand and don't be offended when I won't shake yours
3) Muslims don't drink Alcohol or condone it, so I don't want to sit at LUNCH with you, while I am wearing hijab and your having a Martini, nor do I want to come to the bar with you after work
4) Yes I really do pray 5 times a day and sometimes I pray here, so please don't be alarmed by this.
5) Please don't tell me I look like a nun or refer to my scarf as "head gear"

Did I miss anything? what would you add?

ok, I just started a new job and these people don't know A THING ABOUT MUSLIMS and sometimes it annoys me :-)

2007-06-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Don't lose ...

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has said: "There are two blessings that many people lose, health and free time." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "…If you do not have Haya, then do whatever you want." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

2007-06-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

OK DON'T LAUGH AT ME...........

But I just learned how to make Thikr on my hand on Saturday. I am so excited!! LMHO!! I never could figure out what every one was doing with there finger and I didn't want to seem stupid so I wouldn't ask. If you could have seen the way I made thikr with my hands, using both hands no doubt, I looked like a first grader learning math!! LMHO! But now I know and I feel cool. I when my oldest son came home I couldn't wait to show him what I learned. I was like look was your auntie talk me today!! Alhamdulilah, I am learning so much in my new city. I am grateful to be here.

2007-06-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

As a reminder, the importance of TAWHEED

Shaykh Saaleh ahl-Shaykh mentions in his explanation of kashf ash-Shubuhaat, the following story:Shaykh-ul-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab was with his students and after having completed the study of his book 'Kitab at-Tawheed', he wished to start again the study of this book for the 3rd or 4th time.His students said to him : "O Shaykh, we wish to study another book, a book of fiqh or hadith".The Shaykh replied: "Why (do you wish to study another book)?".His students: "We have in fact understood Tawheed, we want to study another science".The Shaykh: "Wait, I shall give some thought to this".A few days later, the shaykh came to the lesson with a troubled face. His students asked him the reason for it.The shaykh explained that he'd come across something which angered him. His students asked what it was. The Shaykh: "It has been related to me that the inhabitants of a house have sacrificed a rooster (for a Jinn) in front of their door. I have sent someone to confirm this affair".Some time later, his students asked him about the affair that he had mentioned.The Shaykh replied: "In fact, the inhabitants of this house did not sacrifice for other than Allaah, but it was someone who fornicated with his mother".Shocked, his students exclaimed:"We seek refuge with Allaah! He fornicated with his mother? We seek refuge with Allaah! He fornicated with his mother...".After mentioning this story, Shaykh Saleeh explained that Shaykh-ul-Islam told this story to show them that the statement "We understand Tawheed" is ignorance and is one of the greatest tricks of the Shaytaan.In fact, they have made greater a great sin [fornicating with one's mother] than shirk which exits from Islam.Indeed, their hearts were not angered when the shirk that exits from Islam was mentioned.And this also happens today, when some ignorant people see great sins and are angered by them, but when they hear about Shirk al-Akbar, or see people commiting shirk like sacrificing for other than Allaah, etc. this does not move their hearts.This proves their ignorance. It proves that they have not understood Tawheed.

2007-06-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

UPDATE!!!

Alhadmulilah Rabil Alamin!! I am so grateful to Allah that I cannot put it into words! Things are slowly but surely starting to change for me and my children. Allah has blessed us tremendously, I am working now!!! I actually have a job and I paid my May rent and I will be able to pay June! All of the things that I could not do in the previous post Allah has changed, I can feed my children, I can afford gas, I can take my children to the park. Alhamdulilah, Allah has placed sisters in my life that have really help keep my iman up during that rocky time. I am thankful for that. All the sisters who left me words of encouragement, Jazak Allah Khairn! I didn't post them cuz some of them were personal to me. But I needed those words of encouragement.

I think the biggest news that I have to report, is that I have learned that EVERYTHING COMES FROM ALLAH!! And I cannot do anything, no matter how big or how small with out Allah! I am so grateful.

Insha'Allah I will be able to keep in touch more now!

2007-04-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to blog about my current situation, in hopes that one day I will look back and laugh about this time.

My relocation to Georgia has not be pretty. I have been here 3 weeks now and I cannot find a job, I have had to apply for welfare and am still waiting to recieve food stamps to feed my 3 children, I have had to go to food banks, I moved into an apartment with "bugs"! I have no idea where my next dollar is coming from or what my children will even eat for dinner tonight. My rent is due next week $670, now where do I get that from? Groceries, we need them and don't have any money to get them. My children need clotes because GA is HOT. I can say I have never felt so helpless in my life!

So I come to the library everday to apply for jobs, but no one calls, well Bank of America called Alhamdulilah! I just pray that I have money for gas to get to the interview. I have had a job for the last 20 years of my life!!! 20 years!!! I have worked non stop since I was 14! Now I can't find anything. What is really going on?

A sister sent this to me today " "If you relied on Allah with a true reliance, He would provide for you the same as He provides birds: they set off in the early morning with empty stomachs and return back at the end of the day with full stomachs." [At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad] " I try to remember this everyday. This is the first time in my life that I have said and truly meant these words " Allah is all we have!!!"

I am trying so hard not to fall into a depressive state, all I can do at this moment is trust in Allah! I am trying so had not to listen to the whispers of shaytan to pay my rent. I don't really know where to turn, I am to embarrassed to tell my family about my situation because I don't want them to worry. The friends I have here are not being as supportive as they had promised before I moved here. I have considered going back to my husband, but that is not a good idea, because he could care less about what is happening to us. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyday I ask Allah to show me what he wants me to do, I thank him for letting me be able to put one more dinner on the table again.

I tell you I will never take for granted again, a job, money for groceries, GAS MONEY, those are things that in the past I just expected to have, it was never a problem for me. I have taken care of my children by myself, financially (yes even when I was married) since they have come into this world, Alhamdulilah! But now I watch them cry in the grocery store because they are so hungry and thirsty. I have to tell my 3 year old that she can't get cereal this time! I am the mom that runs to the store and always bring my babies "something special" and now I just watch them cry and try not to cry too or at least not in front of them. The feeling of not be able to give your children food is the most horrible feeling ever, its suffocating. I swear I can't breath sometimes.

Insha'Allah I am going to look back at this post and laugh, I will be working and paying my rent and have food in the cabinets! Insha'Allah this is a test from Allah that I will pass! I know one thing Allah is real and I am truely nothing in comparison to him and I am powerless, and I don't do anything with out his permission and mercy. It is because of Allah's mercy that I had that job and I could feed my children, and now I just ask for more so I can continue to do what he had blessed me to do before.

2007-03-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

UPDATE TIME!!

So right now I am at my friends house, typing this eating cheetos ( sorry hijabi, not the light skinned one ;-) Alhamdulilah it's a beautiful day, my oldest child and my middle child are out doors playing an my youngest is nappy! I have lunch with my sister, so far it's been a great day. Alhamdulilah!! I am so grateful for this!

so I know it's been a while since we have talked, so here's an update. I did find place in Atlanta! I love it there, there are a ton of Muslims there, as hijabi would say it feels like hajj!!! So Insha'Allah my children and I will be heading there early this week. Make dua for us, I am driving from Michigan to Georgia by myself with 3 children!!

Right now I am in Michigan and it so nice to be amongst family and friends and to feel loved and welcomed. That's how it feel in Georgia for me too. I never felt that way in Seattle. So am so happy to be here and I am very thankful to Allah for allowing me to make there drastic changes in my life. I also pray that he makes this transition easy for my children in I.

So once I'm in Atlanta and get settle I will blog again!

2007-02-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

AFRAID!

So I am preparing for this big move. I have no place to live yet and I have no job and I am terrified!!!! I keep second guessing myself, but I really know I am doing what's right. Last night I couldn't sleep, because my nerves are so bad! Between the stress of leaving the state, and the numerous ER trips with my children, I am feeling overwhelmed. So do any of you know any dua's for when you are feeling a little afraid about a life change?

2007-02-16T15:50:00.000-08:00

A Good Day!

As-Salamu Alaikum!

Today turned out to be a good day, well at least so far. Today was payday! And I got more tickets to visit Atlanta, GA today. Insha'Allah that is where I am relocating to next month.

Also today, a lady at work, that I have seen around but never spoke to asked me where can she take her Shahadah! That blew me away. Especially since I just emailed Hijabi and told her I was tired and I didn't want to go to the halaqa at the near by masjid tonight! So I invited her to the Masjid and she doesn't live to far away. So insha'Allah we will see her there tonight and maybe Allah has sent us a new sister!! Allahu Akbar!!

Also while praying Dhuhr today, I just was really grateful that I even get to pray at all. Alahamdulilah! praying Dhuhr really made my day, cuz I was kinda grumpy.

Thank you Hijabi for the nudge to update my blog :-)

2007-02-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

I HAVE THE GOLDEN TICKETS!!

As-Salamu Alaikum!
Wow, I think I have updated my blog like 2 or 3 times this week, that is HUGE for me! So As some of you know I have been kinda down about my current marriage and my iman has been way, way, way, scary low!!! But Alhamdulilah I am going to break out of this, Insha'Allah! Today, I bought my airline tickets out of here. Insha'Allah I will be moving to a place where I can build my Iman and feel free again! Please keep me in your dua'a!

2007-02-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

What's your Opinion!

I have been wondering lately.......Is the "traditional" way of wearing hijab, you know abayas, jilbabs, long scarves is this way of dressing ordered to women by Allah or preferred by Muslim men? Or did Allah just want us to be modest in our dress. What do you think?

2007-01-31T16:04:00.000-08:00

ON A LIGHTER NOTE!

My daughter is being potty trained and gets to wear cute girlie panties! So one Sunday morning she actually comes into the living room and faced her backside towards me, pulled her cute girlie panties down and said "TAA DAA!"

What am I going to do with her??? :-)

2007-01-30T09:04:00.000-08:00

Assalamu Alaikum,

So hijabi keeps telling me that I need to update my blog, but I don't know what to say. I have been really blue lately. I am working on making some changes in my life to bring joy and Insha'Allah this will happen for me. I ask for you dua'a.

2007-01-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Assalamu Alaikum!

So I am back from my trip to Michigan and I had a really great time Alhamdulillah!! It was so good to see my family and friend, I swear it was therapeutic!

So let me ask you a question and please answer as honestly as you can. What is the benefit of being a Muslimah?

This question has been weighing heavily on my mind for the past couple of days! I mean before I got married and moved to the pacific northwest, I could answer that question. Now, I question it. I mean this religion just seem so chauvanistic to me as of late. I mean why can a man beat his wife lightly? Why if anyone was to prostrate to something other than Allah would it be a wife prostrating to her husband? I mean, I work just as many hours if not more than my husband, take care of the child, pay ALL of my own bills and am expected to still pay some of his too. why wouldn't he prostrate to me. I am so frustrated right now, I really need some help spiritually. Can anyone help me? :-(

2006-12-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited!

I am going home to see my mommy!!! I'm am so excited!! We leave late Sunday night and we will arrive in "The D" (detroit) early monday morning. I have not seen my family in almost a year and I just can't wait to hug and kiss them. Man I never thought I could miss a group of people this much man!!! I also get to visit the Masjid that I took my shahada and visit all those sisters there. I get to celebrate the Eid with them insha'Allah!!! I can't really express how happy I am. Insha'Allah the weather will be safe for travel and my children and I will arrive safely. Please keep us in your dua'aa.

ok, heres a big stress reliever for me. I have really been dealing with alot of stress lately and I feel like I have been on the brink of going insane, but the one thing that calms me down is hearing my children pray! Masha'Allah it just calms my heart!! I wish I could put it on here so you all can hear it. My 2 year old little girl, just sounds so sweet and when she hears Al Fatiha she only says the words she knows but she is really starting to pick it up. Now if I could just potty train her! My two year old also thinks that every book is the Quran so she'll pick up any book and say "Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim" She is so sweet. My 1 year old little boy, is starting to make salat too. They are so adorable to me.

So since I will be traveling I may not be keep up with my blog, but Eid Mubarak to you all and may Allah bless us with this Eid.

2006-12-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!

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| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

2006-12-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

SEVEN.....

Seven Things I want to do in life:
1. PLEASE ALLAH
2. be a good muslimah
3. die with the shahada on my lips ( I got this from Sketched Soul)
4. watch my children become adults and make me a grandmother
5. inspire people
6. own a home with big yard and a nice porch with a rocking chair on it
7. make a difference in at least one persons life

Seven Things I can do:
1. ride a bike (hijabi can't LMHO!!)
2. Make people laugh
3. Love
4. Talk on the phone til the cows come home
5. be a good listener
6. rock my babies to sleep
7. sing twinkle twinkle little star all night long with my 2 year old daughter

Seven Things I can’t do:
1. watch scary movies
2. french braid/cornrow
3. deal with drama queens
4. turn my back on my family and friends no matter what they do to me
5. double dutch
6. roller blade
7. drive a stick shift

Seven things I say the most:
1. that's bananas
2. Here's the head cracker
3. that's stupid
4. Geez mo christmas
5. for real
6. bless your little heart ( i get that from my grandmother)
7. God willing and the creek don't rise (grandma again!)

Seven Things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1. I love a well groomed beard and full lips
2. honesty
3. good sense of humor
4. the desire to WANT to take care of me
5. intellect
6. nice smile
7. MUSLIM

Seven Celebrity Crushes: (ok some of these are old)
1. MICHEAL JACKSON ( who didn't)
2. Al B. Sure
3. Ralph Tresvant
4. Denzel Washington
5. Common
6. B. Cole ( he's a comedian out of chicago, you probably don't know him but he was a celebrity to me!)
7. Busta Rhymes ( I even met him and kissed him once a LOOONG time ago!)

Now that was fun, you try and let me know!

2006-12-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

A Story about Sincerity
Ibrahim ibn Adham, who was famous Muslim scholar long ago, was once asked an interesting question:
A group of people came to him and one of them quoted an ayah from the Qur’an that says, “Call on Me and I will answer your prayer.” (40:60)
Then person asked the Muslim scholar, “We pray to Allah, but why are we not answered?”
The scholar said to them, “You know about Allah, yet you don’t obey Him. You read the Holy Qur’an, yet you don’t act according to it. You know how bad Shaytan is, yet you have joined with him. You say that you love the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, yet you abandon his sunnah. You declare that you love Paradise, you don’t do anything to obtain it. You declare you’re afraid of the fire, yet you don’t keep yourselves from committing sins. You agree that we will all die, yet you are not prepared for it. You’re busy finding faults with others, yet you don’t look at your own faults with others, yet you don’t look at your own faults. You eat the food Allah provided for you, yet you don’t thank Him and you bury your dead, yet you don’t take any lesson.

Assalamu Alaikum Blogger Family. It's been a while since I have posted, I have been on an emotional roller coaster these past few weeks. Insha'Allah everything will work out fine. I've missed you.

2006-11-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

Purification of the Heart

When one seriously reflects on God's perfect watch over His creations, the countless blessings He sends down, and then considers the kind of deeds one brings before Him - what possible feelings can one generate except humility and degrees of shame? With these strong feelings, one implores God to change one's state, make one's desires consonant with His pleasure - giving up one's design for God's designs. This is pure courtesy with respect to God, a requisite for spiritual purification. ~ from purification of the heart

currently I am reading "Purication of the Heart signs, symptoms and cures of the spiritual disese of the heart Translations and commentary of Iman al-Mawlud's Matharat al-Qulub" By Hamza Yusuf. This book is amazing and I will be sharing more that I learn with you, Insha'Allah.

2006-11-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

Introducing.....

Well if you have been reading my comments from my last post, you already know. I am starting my own event planning business, Insha'Allah, and thanks to my sister Global Muslima, I now have a name. FULLY COVERED EVENTS!!!!! I am so excited about this, I feel like I just had a new baby!! :-)

So I am eager and ready to start planning events! So if you know anyone interested you can contact me at FullyCoveredEvents@gmail.com.

Thank you to all those sisters here in blogger land for your support and suggestions, please keep 'em coming. I pray Allah makes this easy for me. Keep me in your duas.

And Stay tuned..............

I thought this was interesting...

I am a
Daffodil

What Flower
Are You?

You have a sunny disposition and are normally one of the first to show up for the party. You don't need too much attention from the host once you get there as you are more than capable of making yourself seen and heard.

2006-11-13T17:26:00.000-08:00

Insecruities and Women and by the way I hate my job!!!

So today I was on my way to work and I was thinking about women. I wonder why is it that we don't get along. You know how sometimes you'll hear a woman say things like, "I don't have alot of female friends". I wonder why. So here is what I came up with. It is because of insercurity. For some reason we are always worried about our short comings. So we make snide remarks to our friends and act like it's nothing, when really deep down inside I think it's because we are not so sure of ourselves. I told a friend a few years back before I was Muslim, that I didn't like off the shoulder dress and her response was "well I have always had really nice shoulders so that would not be a problem for me" ok, so does that mean I don't have nice shoulders????? I don't know, but I really think there are some underlying insecurities there that weren't discussed.

For some unknown reason, and I don't know where it's taught, but we as women don't ever think we, who we are at this very moment are enough. You know we don't think we are smart enough to get that job, pretty enough to get the man we want or keep the man we have, strong enough to be good mothers, we never think we know enough about Islam. JUST NEVER ENOUGH. Because of that we have a hard time being sisters. Due to our own insecurities it's hard to be friends with someone if you think she may be smarter than you, prettier than you, have better body than you, be a better mother, or friend than you.

Now I consider myself to be a women that does have alot of girlfriends. So I got to thinking, why do I have so many sisters/friends? I realize that we are all women who are secure in ourselves, we don't compare ourselves to each other and we celebrate each others differences and even laugh at ourselves together. I guess just somewhere between our mid 20's and our mid 30's, we discovered that we are enough. We, just how we are right now, are enough. We are smart enough to get that job, pretty enough, strong enough to be comfortable with who we are. And when one of us forgets we remind each other that we are enough.

I really appreciate my sister circle, I love them for trusting in themselves, and just being comfortable with who they are and even though I am so very different than they are, they are comfortable with me being comfortable with who I am too.

So I think that once we realize that we, just as the creator has created us is Alright, than I think we can really be sisters!!

So now another thought, and please bear with me people, it's been a while since I have posted :-)

I am a customer service rep for an health insurance company. I have been a telephone customer service rep for 4 of the 6, almost 7 years I have worked for this company. I mean I am ready to just never return to that job again. Today, just for a fraction of a second I was thinking I should just jump out the window!!! Does anyone out there know what I mean? (hijabi does) I need to find a different career path. I want to do something that will let me work from home, so I can be with my 1 and 2 year old rug rats! So I want to go back to the basics. I went to school and got a degree in hospitality management (hotel and restaurants). I want to start my own event planning business. So I am volunteering to put events together for free (right now) so I can gain more experience to add to my resume. (so if you know some one in the pacific north west that needs and event put together let me know)Then I'm going to start my business, Insha'Allah. But what do I do until then??? Any suggestions??? Has anyone out there been where I am??? I AM GOING BANANA'S!!!!

2006-10-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahamatullah wa Barakatu,
My friend Global Muslima sent this to me and it broke my heart. I just wanted to share. We come from Allah and to Allah we return.

Religious hate seen as motive in killing
Fremont slaying:

Local Muslim leaders on Friday denounced as a likely hate crime the brazen daylight shooting death in Fremont of a mother of six, and police said that they had arrested a parolee described as a "person of interest" in connection with the slaying.
Killed Thursday by a single bullet to the head as she walked with her 3-year-old daughter on a well-to-do residential street, she was distinguished by a hijab, the head scarf worn by some devout Muslim women. The Afghan immigrant had no purse or money on her, family members said.
Stunned relatives and Muslim leaders said the only motive they could see, outside of insanity, would be hatred.
"Whoever did this did not see Alia Ansari, a mother of six children," said Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, one of the nation's most respected Muslim scholars and leaders, who spoke to the media outside of the Ansaris' modest two-bedroom apartment. "He saw a symbol of something that people are taught to hate."
"All that we can assume is that it's a hate crime," said Hassan Ansari, 23, the youngest of Alia Ansari's seven siblings.
Fremont police said Friday that they don't know why Ansari was killed. At about 2:40 p.m. Thursday, she was walking near Central Avenue and Glenmoor Drive with her 3-year-old daughter to pick up two other children from elementary school when a man opened fire before fleeing in a car.
"We still have no definite indication as to motive," said police Sgt. Jeff Swadener, a department spokesman. "Was it racial? Was it a hate crime? Was it a street robbery or a random act of violence? I don't know."
Police said a 27-year-old Fremont man was being held on an unrelated parole violation but remained a person of interest in the homicide. His name wasn't released.
Police detained the man about an hour after the shooting and about a mile away. Officers pulled the man over near Mowry Avenue and Blacow Road because he and his black Toyota Tercel matched the description provided by witnesses, police said.
"We're still up in the air as far as the actual involvement or linking to the homicide," Swadener said.
The Alameda County coroner had planned to do an autopsy Friday, but Ansari's relatives said they want to keep her body intact because of their religious beliefs. A coroner's spokesman declined to discuss the delay but said a decision on how to proceed could be made Monday.
Islam prohibits the desecration of any dead body, said Yusuf, co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, believed to be the first Islamic seminary in the nation. In addition, only female relatives are allowed to wash and view a naked female body.
Yusuf said that an autopsy of just Alia Ansari's head, rather than her full body, would be acceptable.
Hassan Ansari, Alia's brother, said family members were planning to take legal action to stop the autopsy, but said they were leaving the decision in the hands of her husband, Ahmadullah Ansari.
Throughout the day, a weeping procession of dozens of relatives and Afghan community members filed into the Ansaris' apartment in the Glenmoor neighborhood of Fremont. It is a short walk from a cluster of Afghan businesses often called Little Kabul, the economic heart of the largest Afghan community in the nation.
Friends and relatives said they could see no reason, other than the head scarf, why a stranger would want to kill Alia Ansari, who was often described as "kind" and "innocent."
Most classical interpretations of Islam require women to wear a head scarf, although only a fraction of American Muslim women wear one, several female Muslim leaders said.
"What happened here is an act of terrorism," said Rona Popal, executive director of the Afghan Coalition, which provides services to the community. "There is no reason to shoot an innocent woman walking down the street, holding her child."
Local Muslim leaders and the victim's relatives attributed blame to an American culture of violence, propagated through movies and video games that reward players for killing. In addition, they said things such as talk radio, politicians and religious zealotry by some Christians had focused on Muslims since the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Justice will not be served by merely catching the killer," said Hassan Ansari. "We have to figure out how to stop these kinds of things from happening. ... American society is what feeds people's ignorance."
"Mostly it's the fault of the media, because they show Muslims in such a way that people hate them," said Feraidoon Mojadedi, owner of the Rumi Bookstore in Little Kabul. "People are dying all over the world, but what did she have to do with it? She's a housewife, a mother of children."
Three women at the Islamic Society of the East Bay said they would continue to wear head scarves even if the killing was a hate crime. "Even if they wiped out everyone on Earth, I would not remove the hijab," said Suzanne Azim, 43, a Hayward resident.
Alia Ansari, 37, had lived in the United States since 1986 and had become a U.S. citizen, family members said. Like many Afghan Americans, Ansari was a refugee from the war against the Soviet Union. She came from Mazar-e Sharif, where her sole sister still lives.
She typically drove to pick up two of her daughters from Glenmoor Elementary School, but left home on foot Thursday because of engine trouble. Witnesses said a man got out of a car, approached her and shot her at point-blank range before returning to the car and speeding away.
The young daughter who was with Ansari was unharmed, Swadener said.
When Ansari was shot, her daughter began crying and later told her family over and over, "A man killed my mother," said Hassan Ansari.
Maria Garcia, who lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, said, "I didn't see what happened but I heard the gunfire, and I heard the crying of the child."
The slaying marks the second time someone in the victim's family has been shot and killed in Fremont. In January 2002, Afghan community leader Rahim Ansari, 34, of Union City was shot and killed inside his business, Pamir Travel, in Little Kabul.
The suspected gunman in that incident, upset over a spurned romance, also wounded Rahim Ansari's brother-in-law, Zabiullah Ansari, a second-cousin of Alia Ansari. In an interview Friday, Zabiullah Ansari, 48, expressed hope that the right person had been arrested. But he said, "They don't know what happened.
"You're killed in front of your kid -- how can people do that? They're not human beings. This lady was totally innocent. Why did someone shoot her? "

2006-10-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Eid Mubarak....I think??

Assalamu Alaikum,

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted. Insha'Allah you all had a blessed Eid. But ok, I have got to get some thing off my chest, so this post is for venting!!!!! Ok, I belong to a very small muslim community her in the pacific northwest and I just moved here in March. I moved here from Michigan where I was involved in a larger more active muslim community. But Alhamdulilah we are really trying to get things together, I think. Well I decided that we should have a Eid party for SISTERS ONLY!! And since there may be all of 5 sisters that actually go to the Masjid I attend I thought we should include all the sisters in the neighboring communities....and not only should there be a party, there should be a potluck and not only a potluck vendors and not only vendors and international fashion show!!! (oh and by the way the vendors were not my idea, just the potluck and fashion show) So I made 150 very simple flyers and put my cell phone number on them and passed them out at the Eid prayer!

So at the begining of the idea there was one other sister that seemed excited too and she did help us get a place to have this event. Now, the week of the event, we seem to have to many chiefs and not enough indians! Why do sisters do that? I mean if you didn't have any say in the begining why do you want to send long emails with bullet points to the sisters adding your two cents as if you have been working right along the side of us all along!! And on top of everything else sisters are trying to make this a fundriaiser for what ever cause is important to them at the masjid, some want donation for the masjid, some want donation for the sisters committee and some the sunday school. This is not suppose to be a fundraiser! I just wanted to have some halal fun, eat some good food, and see some beautiful clothes and celebrate! But it doesn't seem so fun anymore:-( and on top of all this DRAMA, my one and only friend here is not going to be in attendance to help me deal with this,(hijabi!!!!! I'm going to get you!!! :-) so I am really stressed out and I really hope this proves to be a fun event for the sisters in the community. I really hope my true intentions are seen and this is not a lot of unnessecary arguing or fitnah amongst us. That is not why I wanted to have this event. I just want all the sisters to come together for the sake Allah and have a really good time. Make dua'aa for us please!!

Allah please help me pratice patience with my dear sisters! Ameen.

2006-10-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

patience & persistence

salaams all,

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun (the patient). (surah 2:153)

Sunday morning I was getting ready for sunday school, I volunteer there as administrative support and as a bonus, I get to learn to read the Quran in arabic, and I get a call from my friend who is a sunday school teacher there. She tells me how the kitchen is a mess and there is a man that she has never seen before sleeping in the womens room and she was very uncomfortable. now our masjid is tiny and the ummah here in this city is not very big, but insha'Allah that will change, but we have really been having trouble with everyone cleaning up our small place after iftar, so the past few sundays when we have arrived for sunday school there has been a tons of food on the counter and one time in particular the food had started to ferment and smelled horrible, may Allah reward the children and sisters that helped clean the mess up! So I get upset and rush over to see what's going on for myself, and yes there was food and dishes all over this little kitchen and the unknown brother sleeping in the sisters room. ok so now, i'm hot!! i just felt so defeated, like how come no one loves our masjid enough to keep it clean? when I told my husband about it, he said "don't get upset tell someone who is in charge" I told him "WE ARE IN CHARGE THAT IS OUR MASJID". Sometimes i don't feel like everyone in our community realizes that we are all responsible for the Masjid so we all need to do our part! but once I arrived we talked to a brother about the mess and I left to go get prizes and motivational items for the children (TOYS!!!) while I was driving I thought of what I read in the Quran that morning and all of the things that Allah has to say about being patient and that's when I realized I need to stop getting so upset and maybe try some patience and persistence with the brothers and sisters at the masjid. So when I get back to the masjid sunday school is going on now, the unknow sleepy brother had awaken from his beauty sleep and moved and the kicthen was spotless! Alhamdulilah!!! see how Allah works? and I was upset for nothing!

So I thought were else can I apply my new found way of thinking? with my children? but of course. how about with my husband? DEFINITELY (Allah knows that man can work my nerves but Alhamdulillah he's a good man :-) Being patience and persistent can be applied to every where in my life. So I have to decided to do just as Allah has instructed me to do and "seek help in patience and As-Salat(the prayer). Because after all, Allah (swt) is As-Sabur (the most patient) and if he can be patient with me (an sometimes I feel like I can be lost cause :-) who am I not to be patient at all?

2006-10-13T05:16:00.000-07:00

gratitude

4 am, i give salams to my husband and oldest son as they head out the door to the Masjid. the babies (ages 1 yr and 2 yrs) Alhamdulilah are still sleeping. the house is quiet as i prepare for salat, before i knew it my eyes fill with tears, i am grateful to be able to come to Allah in prayer, and it's just me and Him!! I make salat, dikhr, dua'aa. now the tears are really pouring. do you ever just get moved by the mercy of Allah? do you ever just get overwhelmed with gratitude? well i did.

i read a book once and the author said that people lie to God everyday in there thoughts, actions and prayers. wow, the thought of that statement still blows my mind. but what really amazes me is that with all the lies being told, Allah (swt) still tells the sun to rise! As ungrateful as human beings are Allah still provides us with air to breath and food to eat. but we don't care we expect that of God, we expect him to raise us in the morning and keep of safe all day and put us to bed at night. how many times do you say thank you. it's amazing to me that Allah, as ungrateful as humans are still tells the sun to rise. He is so merciful. i am so grateful.

i am grateful this moring and every morning that my eyes open, i am grateful, that Allah loves me inspite of my flaws, i am grateful to have 3 beautiful children, to have a husband, to have food and shelter, i am grateful to have people in my life that truly love me, i am grateful to have salat, i am grateful to have hijab to protect me, i am grateful that Allah has filled this world with so much beauty for us to enjoy.

so today insha'Allah i pray that we all are grateful and that we all can take a momment in our day to just thank Allah.

2006-10-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Is Ramadan for me??

ok, I feel so left out this Ramadan. I know how blessed this month is and a person can recieve so many blessings but I feel so left out. I am an insulin dependent diabetic, so fasting for me with out a little something to go along with the 4 or 5 shots I take a day is not happening. Believe me I have tried and gotten pretty sick. But my husband and our oldest son are fasting, Alhamdulilah. The sisters I work with are fasting. The sisters at the masjid are fasting. But me NOT FASTING! It is so frustrating to me. I feel seperated from my family and friends. I feel guilty during lunch at work as I take my shot and eat my lunch. I let my blood sugar level fall too low on the weekends when I'm home with my family cuz I hate to eat in front of them. I know, I know, I know Allah does not want me to get sick, He does not want me to fast if it's a hardship. My husband tells, my friends tell me. I know I can feed the poor or another fasting person instead. But it just doesn't seem the same. I love Allah so much and I want to show it during the month of Ramadan just like every other Muslim. I want to draw closer to Allah too. It makes my cry sometimes, that I can't show my love for Allah like everyone else. The other day at work, a sister asked me"how your fast? oh that's right your not fasting, well how's eating?" I know she was just joking but I still felt so bad, almost guilty.

But Alhumdulilah, I have made some other changes this Ramadan, and I pray that Allah is pleased with them. I have added Sunnah prayers to my life, I have started reading the Quran in the morning after Fajr, I am taking Quran classes with the kiddies during Sunday schoo at the Masjidl! ( I know, but I had to start some where;-) I am working with the sisters at the Masjid for the sake of Allah, more and more. I really do enjoy those things. I have learned this month that I can worship Allah in every thing I do, think and say and ENJOY IT! Wow, maybe I'm not so left out after All.

2006-10-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce myself....

Assalamu Alaikum,

I am Naturally-Muslimah. Natural meaning in it's original state. Muslimah meaning female muslim. Muslim meaning one who submits to the will of God. When a living creature is born it is in total submission to the will of God, a human beings natural state in life is to submit to the will of God. As some of us grow we are taught to submit to the will of other things. In my life I was taught and or chose to submit to varies things. But on July 23, 2004 I chosen to submit to the will of Allah (God), thus returning to my natural state. So I am Naturally-Muslimah!

So I have come here to share my thoughts and learn more about Islam. I was told by a friend that blogging is good therapy, plus it's cheaper than a "shrink" so I thought I'd try it out. So insha'Allah I will be able to provide for you a peaceful atmosphere here in this "bloggersphere" So stay tuned.......

Oh and Ramadan Mubarak!!!