As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

AlhumduliLlah, this Eid I received something special.. a book! Books are special.. aren't they? Although I don't really like to read fictional* books, because I feel I'm wasting time if I can't get anything useful out of it.. this one is different. It's amazing yet depressing. Very depressing.. but I finished it with a heart of gratitude. Allah has made our life so easy, alhumduliLlah.



Title: The Book of Negroes (note: this books also goes under the name "Someone Knows My Name ")
Author: Lawrence Hill
Available: Amazon
Type: History (fictional)

What's it about? A little girl forced into slavery... (that's all I'm saying)

Is it worth reading? Definitely! It's so well written, you wouldn't put it down until it's done. Not everything in this book is fictional. The 'Book of Negroes' unfortunately really does exist, and so does a lot of the other information.

Is the book easy to understand? Yes, yes, very easy to understand.. the history isn't that deep that you'll get lost, but enough to understand what's going on. Whether you care to know a little about slavery or not, do yourself a favour and read it.

Notable pages? Not really, but there isn't a single page you'll get bored reading.
I was however drawn to this sentence: "I wondered for a time how a person who considered himself a good Muslim could treat other humans in such a way, but it occurred to me that the same question could be asked of Christians and Jews." [pg. 434] - maybe because it's something I wonder about as well.

Out of 5: 5 most definitely!

I'd love to hear what others think about it. And if you've read any other books written by Lawrence Hill.

Note: * I have absolutely no problem with fictional work (I still read it).

Labels: review

As-salamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

My dear readers, I need to pick your brain, please.

Can you please help me with some fundraising ideas! Yes.. Farhana needs money.. haha. Ideas can be from fundraisers you've attended, or organized or just think it'll be a really cool idea to try. Low budget, high budget.. anything!

I hope my comments are not as short as this post!

Labels: ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Today is ! By all of us posting something pertaining to poverty today, insha'Allah we'll be able to raise awareness, start a global discussion and add momentum to this very important cause. And if that doesn't go as hoped for, at least you made the intention and effort to try and get something good going.



Mural by Mohammed Ali
There are a countless number of verses in the Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) about taking care and feeding the poor - this should come as no surprise to any Believer. However, what we know and what we do are two different things...

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr (radiAllahu anhu):
A man asked the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam), "What sort of deeds or (what qualities of) Islam are good?" The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) replied, 'To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know.

... so are we doing what we know?

AlhumduliLlah, I've managed to work with a few organizations in Toronto to know they are unfortunately A LOT of individuals living way below the poverty line. Yes, you get poor in the West; yes, they are Muslim, Jew, Christian - and from every other religion out there; yes, they are very old and very young - and in between; ... and yes, we will one day be asked if we did anything to help.

Do you want to one of those that helped? Donate a dollar.
Would a dollar really make any difference? No.
Would it make a difference collectively? Not really, unless I have 100 readers.
Then why donate? Because it's really about the intention, making the effort.. AND making sure you are consistant in the good that you do (even if it's small). - so don't make this the last dollar you ever give, keep striving to continue this small deed, and THEN your dollar will make a difference, insha'Allah.

All funds and dua's collected will be put together to purchase food for 75 homeless people. I will personally be taking care of putting the packages together, and they will be distributed through a soup kitchen run here. May Allah count them from among the righteous. Ameen.

Last day to donate: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008.
Note: anyone who is unable to donate through Paypal, but would like to be part of this, please email me (amtullah79@yahoo.ca).. I have an idea!

Labels: help, reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Do good, and leave behind you a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Write your name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands you come in contact with year by year, and you will never be forgotten. Your name and your good deeds will shine as the stars of heaven.

Once the Prophet of God, Muhammed (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) was sitting amidst his Sahaba (companions) in the mosque when all of a sudden he said "Today I shall narrate a story to you all which will reveal three riddles for all of you to solve". This hushed the crowd and they all listened to what the Prophet had to say.

Mohammed (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) continued by saying that once a man got to know that the days in his life was numbered and very soon he would be confronted with death. With this knowledge he feared his loneliness in the grave and went searching for true friends who would help and accompany him.

He knocked on the door of his first friend and asked whether he would help. To this the friend said, "of course, what are we here for." But then the man went on to say that he had very few days to live after which he required help. As soon as he uttered this statement, the friend said "I am sorry but when death does us apart, there is nothing we can do for you but buy you a place in the graveyard and some cloth (Kafan) to cover your dead body." Grieved but looking forward to his next friend, the man moved on.

On the second door, when he came face to face with his friend, and after narrating the entire story of his death and asked for help, the same answer was his fate again. The second friend said "I have been there with you all your life and can help you here. But there's nothing I can do for you after you die except take your corpse to the graveyard and bury you."

Lost in agony and despair, he headed for the third friend, very sure that he would receive the same answer but there was a tinge of hope left. When he confronted the third friend, and told him that he required help, the friend eagerly volunteered to help. But the man continued to say that I need help after I die. To which the third friend replied, "Do not worry, my dear friend! I shall accompany you to the grave, be there with you in the grave, even when the angels arrive for questioning (Munkar-o-Nakeer) , then assist you on the Pul-e-Sirat (bridge) and then lead you to heaven. "To this the man heaved a sigh of relief and then passed away in peace."

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) then turned and asked his companions if anybody could identify the three friends and the man. When the prevailing silence didn't dissolve, the Prophet continued to say, "The man in the anecdote is any other human being." The first friend is "money/wealth" , things that help us only in life and not after we die.

The second family/friend were the "children/sons and daughters", we strive for them all our life and all they give us is a shoulder to the grave.

And the third and most important friend is "Aamal (deeds)". Who accompany us all the way through.

Moral: Do not strive for materialistic values that will give you nothing and help you in no way in your eternal life. But work and pray and ask forgiveness from Allah for only the good deeds assist mankind where every other thing loses value in the life hereafter!

Labels: reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

..'cause every little thing is gonna be alright. Rise up this mornin'... okay I'll stop.

Before I introduce this wonderful book.. take note, you do not need to be in a state of sadness to read it.. it's filled with much more, three little birds scattered about.

Personally, I'm still in awe at how Allah used this book to help me. There were times I put it down, only to find that the next time I picked it up to read, it applied to the circumstances in my life, right at that very moment, alhumduliLlah. I made better decisions because of it.. much better, ones I could have regretted. Now I know.. it may not touch others in the same way, but it does have information that we could all use (even if we claim to already know it).



Title: Don't Be Sad
Author: 'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Available: IIPH
Ebook: PDF file

Have I learned anything from it, or was it all review? A mixture. Well.. I found a lot of things I already know, but whether I had actually reflected upon it and I applied it to my life is a different story. AlhumduliLlah, I don't know if it is the way the book is written, my circumstances, etc. but there was a lot to think about.

Does the author use Qur'anic and authentic hadith texts? Lots, lots!.. as well as quotes from other people, poems, sayings, etc. Everything is clearly stated/sourced. I really liked how the Qur'anic verses were used. It makes you reflect upon them 'differently'. (ie: not with a different meaning - but in context, - more tafseer like.. does that make sense?)

Is the book easy to understand? Easy to understand. The author suggests not to read it all at one sitting, which I agree with. Chapters are short, but packed with valuable lessons. This makes a greatttt gift by the way!

Notable pages? With all the pages that made an impact, this one stood out the most:
"Allah's slaves are always swaying from the first state (losing all hope) to the second (having trust and hope in Allah). During the period of a single hour, one can have his share of both. So he obeys Allah and pleases Him, he remembers Him and thanks Him - and he is only able to do these through His help. Shortly afterwards, though, he disobeys Allah, goes against His commands, earns His anger, and is generally in a state of forgetfulness - all because Allah has left him to himself. Therefore Allah's slave is always oscillating between His divine care and between being forsaken.

Whenever one of Allah's slaves witnesses this phenomenon - that of changing from one state to the other - he should appreciate the dubious nature of his situation and his extreme need of being guided by Allah in every breath he breathes and in every moment he lives. His faith and belief are in Allah's hand. If Allah were to leave him alone for even the blinking of an eye, his faith would plunge to the ground. You should therefore realize that the One who is protecting your faith is the One Who is preventing the sky from falling to the earth." [pg. 233]

Extra: Video clip based on the book: Don't Be Sad

Out of 5: Definitely 5 and above. AlhumduliLlah, I'm so happy I read it.

I know there are a lot of people who have had the opportunity to read this book, I'd really like to hear what you thought. Has it made a difference in your life? Anything that stood out above the rest?

Labels: reflection, review

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

Just giving you a short update on how things are going with the Islam In Colombia project.

AlhumduliLlah, this Eid 7 people took the shahada! Please keep them in your prayers.. as well as those who aren't Muslim. May Allah guide us and keep us on the straight path. Ameen.

Brother Dawd has also managed to open a small HALAL restaurant named 'Barakah'. AlhumduliLlah. What a fitting name.. not only does it benefit the growing Muslim community in having halal meals available, but it helps with employment (ie. of those Muslims without a job), generates an income to help with the Masjid, and is a means of dawa'ah. They've already had a few shahada's in the restaurant, from curious people who Allah guided to walk in.

As for the books we have sent.. alhumduliLlah, our list is growing slowly. Insha'Allah in the next few days we will send out a large shipment from IIPH.

Jazakum'Allahu khair to all the brothers and sisters who have helped financially, by sending books, Islamic products, dawa'ah material, and by spreading the word... please continue what you are doing, for Allah's pleasure.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I know I usually have a cookie recipe all ready for Eid for others to try. I'm sorry.. things this year are just beyond crazy.. more mentally than physically.. so no cookie recipe, but I have a cute, fun recipe.. which the kids will love. I'll be honest.. I like it too, and enjoy an ice-cream every time! They are a big hit at bake sales.


Real?
There is a recipe around where you fill the cone with batter and bake it. I personally do not like that method.. for the following reasons: filling it with batter and making sure they stand while carrying it to the oven is an art on its own!, the chances of batter overflowing while baking is great (reviews from others)..and this makes the cone look messy, and it doesn't keep that well..in that the cone gets soggy.

Here is how I make my Ice-Cream Cupcake. I use a mini cupcake pan. One and half cupcake per ice-cream. The cupcakes are a perfect fit, and just enough cake to balance everything off. Any cupcake recipe works fine, this is an easy one - very easy.


Makes 16 ice-creams

8 tblsp butter - softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
Optional: pink food colouring

:: Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
:: Put all ingredients in a bowl, using an electrical mixer, beat together until smooth.
:: Fill all 24 mini cups (no liner needed) until batter is done.
:: Bake until golden.

Butter cream frosting (approx. 2 cups)
16 flat-bottom ice-cream cones
Sprinkles
16 red candies or cherries

:: Cut a cupcake in half, place half in the bottom of the cone.
:: put a little frosting (acts as glue) on and place a whole cupcake on top.
:: Pipe a swirl of frosting on, and decorate (be creative).

Labels: recipes

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh
This is a very simple, easy to make kids tote. I'm posting it because I need it for a different project, insha'Allah.. but I hope you can benefit from it as well. They'd work great as a grocery tote too.


It's kid friendly because of the fabric, size and the handle size. The square bottom makes it roomy enough to fit toys, books, crayons, and the height and width are perfect for standard-size colouring books. They'll be packed and ready for an adventure!









  Stitch around the edge of the top of the bag.
Optional: iron your seams all nice and flat.

Voila!.. you are done!
If anything needs to explained further, please let me know. It's sometimes hard to write a tutorial without making it an essay.

Labels: sewing, tutorials

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I have some WONDERFUL news! AlhumduliLlah. The girls orphange in Africa have received their dolls done through the Muslimah Doll Project. I don't know if I am more excited or them...hehe The blessings of Ramadaan, subhan'Allah.


Smiles.. and more smiles!
Thank you to everyone at the Sunrise Academy for the 37 gorgeous dolls they sent with so much love, and to the lovely sister who helped organize everything. May Allah reward you all abundantly for your kindness, and shower you with His kindness. Ameen. You've definitely brought more than just smiles to these children.

And thank you to the sisters at the orphanage who helped with everything at that end, and sent us pictures. Jazakum'Allahu khair.


One of the dolls had a letter from the donor with. As you can see, the recipient is thrilled! Tabarak'Allah. The orphanage is going to laminate the letter and keep it at the orphanage.

Girls being girls.
Please keep these children and the many other orphans out there in you prayers. We have updated the site, if you have time please check it out.. and spread the word!

Labels: help, love, reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

There are so many, many videos out there.. but this one is very special to me, and so I'd like to share it with you.

The organization PKPU is one I trust, and have worked with. Please check out the short clip. If you can help financially, this is the perfect month to do so, if you can't.. your prayers are just as important, and I implore you to pray for them before breaking your fast.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

... alhumduliLlah.

(photo by J. Miguel)
Fasting has no equal (al-Nisaa'i, 4/165; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/413), and the du'aa' of the fasting person will not be refused (reported by al-Bayhaqi, 3/345; al-Silsilat al-Saheeh, 1797).

Please keep me in your prayers.

Labels: love

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

There are a countless number of lectures, articles, and books alhumduliLlah on the purpose of Ramadaan, and on ways we can make the best of the blessed month.

Well this isn't going to be a lecture, or an article.. just a humble effort in trying to open a doorway to collectively do something different this year - to actually apply what those lectures/books talk about. Something I know a lot of people would like to do, but don't always have the means.


Project Description: To sponsor a child for a year, as a group.. insha'Allah. It will cost a total of $360 (Canadian). The more people who join the less money you spend, and your reward stays the same, insha'Allah.. just make sure you have the correct intention.

Are you ready to make your Ramadaan different this year? If you are interested, email me at amtullah79@yahoo.ca On September 3rd, I will let you know how much you will be required to pay. If you agree to this amount, you will be expected to pay it on September 5th. Make sense? (ie: by you signing up it does not mean you are committed, until you know how much and agree to that amount)

Sign-up date due: Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Payment agreement: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Payment must be made: Friday, September 5, 2008

Before emailing me.. please make sure have the correct intention, (ie: to do it to please Allah).

Note: As a sponsor you will receive a profile of the child, and have permission to write/send cards, etc. to the child. The child will likely be from Kenya or Afghanistan.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

To all my dear readers, those who comment and those who don't.. please keep the orphans in your prayers... especially during the blessed month coming up.

Abu Darda' (radiAllahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said,"The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: 'Ameen! May it be for you, too.' " [Muslim, 1495]

We just received an update on what's happening at the Orphanage in Zambia.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuh

I'm done z lesson.. yaaaaaaay! I'm so happy. I thought I wasn't going to get it done, alhumduliLlah.

Seerah Of The Prophet

It is based on the book, "Goodnight Stories from the life of the Prophet Mohammad", published by Goodword.



The lesson plan is designed for children ages 5-6. Since they are so young all I really want them to get from this is general idea of what the Prophet's (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) life consisted of, and to build a love for the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam). So the entire 23 day lesson plan is a scenery! For example when a chapter talks about him traveling to Madinah, we'll be making two camels, and we'll stick that on a wall that has a path set towards 'Madinah' - well.. the cave he hid in. Simple.. fun!

This might not be effective for other children, but I know for Abdullah it is. He also understands we don't use 'images' to represent Prophets, etc. Hence the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) is represented with 'the seal'. I however have images to represent Khadija (face removed), Buraq (horse with wings), and the Blind Man (mentioned in the Qur'an). You do not have to use these if don't feel it's right.

Insha'Allah I didn't forget anything.. if I did, just email me, or if you have any questions.

This lesson goes great with the Ramadaan Cave.

Labels: lesson

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Jazakum'Allahu khair to all the sisters who joined the Ramadaan Theme Swap. Insha'Allah I hope you enjoy it, and are rewarded abundantly for your intentions and deeds.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa-salaam) said, exchange gifts, as that will lead to increasing your love to one another. Bukhari

Here is a list of the wonderful suggested themes:

Prayer Journals, Bookmarks & Pens

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Nature Inspired

Another Cuppa

Sisterhood

Time

Increasing Daily Devotion

From Our Table To Yours: how we celebrate ramadaan

Cute Essential Kit For The Modern Muslimah

Light (Wisdom)

Ten Goodies

Nature

Ramadaan Around The World

Unity

Turquoise

Ramadaan Celebration In Your Country

Getting To Know The ONE

Daily Items

Spa & Beauty

Roses

Once you know who your swap partner is: send them an email to introduce yourself (try not to make this the only email you send them).

After purchasing or making your gift: take a picture and send it to me.

When mailing your package: get a tracking number and email it to me. (If it costs more to get a tracking number, you can skip that.. and get me a scan/photo of your receipt.)

Email your swap partner to let her know you have sent out her package.

.... wait for yours.

Once your gift has arrived: email me, and send (snail mail) a thank you to your swap partner.

Note: If your name is green I need a tracking number from you first, (only then will your swap partner send her gift out to you.)
If your swap partner is in green.. please wait for me to tell you when to ship out your package. (make sure it is ready to go by Sep. 2nd.)

- received reply to email titled "How's the swap?"

- picture of gift received

- gift sent out

- gift received

Islamic Unit Studies [&] Stolen Light

sketchedsoul [&] Hijabi Apprentice

Egyptian's wife [&] forgive me...

Gulnarita [&] Nadi

Aaminah [&] UmmUmar

Em [&] the almost nomad..

lifeAgift [&] Islamic Gems

Reflective Dust [&] AlMiskeenah

Nazee [&] Old School Muslima

zamzam design [&] That Silly Girl

Wayfarer's Journey [&] ONtheGo

Please continue to visit this post for swaps updates, from who has sent me a tracking number to who has received a package, and a thank you.

Have fun! I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with, insha'Allah.

Labels: swaps