Ashura

I thought I would let all of you know that the fast of Ashura is coming up soon . On this day, Allah split the seas of hopelessness for Moses alayhi salam freeing his people and destroying Pharaoh- let's fast so that the same may happen today for Muslims everywhere, especially in Gaza.

Musa alayhi salam said when he came to the Red Sea: Inna ma'ia rabbi sayahideen- My Lord is with me and He will certainly guide me!

These 10 days are precious and there are no days more beloved to Allah than these 10 for righteous deeds. (Bukhari)
It is the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him used to fast on the day of `Ashura'. When he came to Madinah, he found out that the Jews of Madinah were also fasting on this day remembering Prophet Musa (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) admired this tradition and said to the Jews, "I am closer to Musa than you are." He fasted and he also told his Companions to fast on this day.

Later, before the end of his life, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told Muslims to add the 9th day also. Thus, it is recommended to fast on both the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
Abu Hurayrah reported: "I asked the Prophet: 'Which Prayer is the best after the obligatory Prayers?' He said: 'Prayer during the mid of the night.' I asked: 'Which fasting is the best after that of Ramadan?' He said, 'The month of Allah that you call Muharram’" (Ahmad, Muslim, and Abu Dawud).

Mu`awiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: "Concerning the day of `Ashura’, it is not obligatory upon you to fast on it as I do. Whoever wishes may fast and whoever does not wish to is not obliged to do so" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

It is noteworthy that Muslim scholars have stated that fasting of `Ashura’ is of three levels as follows:

1. fasting for three days, i.e., on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of Muharram,

2. fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram, and

3. fasting only the 10th of Muharram.

Lasagne verdi (Ricotta & spinach lasagne)

I cooked this for the first time ever, was nice but a little empty for my liking maybe i just didn't have enough spinach, have a look i used this recipe

I steamed the spinach before blending it to pulp and mixing it with the ricotta.

You are not Forgotten

Gaza Demonstration and Rally dates across the UK

Following is a list of dates, places with timings where demonstrations against the Israeli raid on Gaza are scheduled.

Thursday 1st January 2009

BRISTOL
5pm to 6pm. Centre, opposite the Hippodrome

LONDON
2pm to 4pm. Outside Israeli Embassy, Kensington High Street, London, W4. Nearest tube Kensington High Street (turn right out of tube station and walk along the main road.

Friday 2nd January 2009

BRISTOL
5pm to 6pm. Centre, opposite the Hippodrome

LONDON
2pm to 4pm. Outside the Egyptian Embassy, 26 South Street, London, W1K 1DW. Call for Egypt to open the border immediately.

MANCHESTER
5pm to 7pm. Piccadilly Gardens. Vigil and leafleting.

Saturday 3rd January 2009

BRADFORD
1pm. Infirmary Fields, Bradford - March and City Centre rally

BRISTOL
3pm to 4pm. Centre, opposite the Hippodrome.

DURHAM
Assemble 10.45am for 11am start. Gaza protest march from Millennium Square (Gala Theatre) through Durham to Cathedral.

EDINBURGH
12 Noon. Foot of the Mound, Princes Street.

EXETER
12 Noon at Bedford Square, Exeter High Street
Bring flowers and wear black if you can
One minute vigils every half hour
Well have petitions, leaflets, banners etc. Join in with friends, relatives, EVERYONE!!

GLASGOW
12 Noon. Outside Lloyds TSB St Vincent Street, then assemble for demo at Blytheswood Square at 2pm

HASTINGS
3pm Vigil in Harold Place.

HULL
11am. Queen Victoria Square.

LIVERPOOL
12 Noon to 2pm St. Lukes Church - top of Bold Street.

LONDON (Major Rally)
12.30pm onwards. Demonstration and rally: Assemble at Parliament Square/Embankment, SW1. Nearest tube Westminster.

MANCHESTER
Assemble: 12 noon on Cavendish St, All Saints Park on Oxford Rd. Manchester (further down from the BBC) March through city centre to Albert Square.

NEWCASTLE
12 Noon to 2pm Greys Monument in Newcastle.

NORWICH
12 Noon to 1pm, Outside St. Peter Mancroft Church in the Millennium Library Square

PORTSMOUTH
11am. Guildhall Square. Organised by Portsmouth Network for a Just Settlement of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and Portsmouth Stop the War Coalition.

SHEFFIELD
Assemble at 12 Noon. Outside Sheffield Town Hall.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS
12 Noon. Tunbridge Wells shopping precinct

YORK
1pm. St. Sampsons Square in York.

The Last Prophet (sa) of Allah (swt) stated: 'He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do that, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do even that, then he should (at least abhor it) from his heart; and that is the least of faith' [Sahih Muslim]

Coz life is full of test.....................

some good , some easy , some hard and some unbearable but you know what knowing Allah makes them bearable and gives me the ability to strive and cope, alhamduilah for Islam and more so that i am a Muslimah for i could have been left.

I have had one test after another just lately alhamduilah , i am just juggling the balls of life , trying to stay a float, trying to stay sane and most of all content.

Today i had my Tajweed level one exam, i tell you its been no picnic these last months of learning how to read and recite quran, mashaAllah i achieved what i set out to achieve the ability to read mashaAllah so i am not fussed if i get the grade ot not but it would be nice.

My DH came back from Hajj and we are all elated but the down side he is back on nights and we don't see him, this is really getting me down, not a happy cookie i tell you, alhamduilah sabr and more sabr i guess.

I have been feeling a lot of loneliness just lately , i don't know whether its the weather or others having hardships too. I am finding the days are too short but the evenings are long and i mean long for someone who suffers from insomnia during stressful life periods. Perhaps the loneliness is a state of mind? Maybe i am missing my guest of weeks at least it was some adult company in the eveings mashaAllah.

She left me this bunch of flowers as i watch them slowly wilt over the weeks i remember her fondly. Don't forget she was a complete stranger before the day she moved in alhamduilah Allah made it easy as she was a lovely lady.

Kids are back to school also a new found change in our lives, they like it sofar mashaAllah no mega issues coming up as of yet, i am going to ask for a space for my son to pray his afternoon prayers so lets see what happens inshaAllah it will be all good.


I need to go see my mom soon, feels like neglect of the worse kind but hey when my life is falling apart i can't even conteplate tackling others yet.............
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
when care is pressing you down a bit ~
Rest if you must, but don't quit.


Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when its seem afar,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit ~
It's when things go wrong you mustn't quit.


It's a NEW day today whic will bring new thoughs and feelings and ofcourse test alhamduilah.

Tagged

I think i have been tagged twice with this very tag and have given in so here goes.

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago

1. I was at Universty half way through my BA Degree.
2. Pregnant with my second child.
3. Was enjoying my life as a practicing Muslimah.
4. Living in a two bedroomed flat.
5. Just embarked upon the Home schooling journey

5 Snacks I Like
1. Samosas
2. cheese on toast with fresh green chilli's
3. mince pies at the moment with cream
4. fruit any fresh fruit
5. Cup of earl grey
5 things I would do if I was a (multi-)millionaire
1. Help others in need around me
2. Treat my mother to anything she wanted within halal means.
3. Set up a trust fund that would work to generate money so its always on going, where others can apply to for aid.
4. Continually make dua to Allah and ask him to let the money not effect my emman and take me away from the straight path.
5. Enjoy my blessings with my family and friends.

5 places I have lived ( for various lengths of times)
1. UK 32yrs
2. Algeria 3yrs
3. Nowhere else

5 Jobs I have had
1. In a sweat shop clothing factory aged 13yrs
2. Londis supermarket in depford, south london , Saturday job.
3. A private hospital in London aged 16yrs-18yrs
4. McDonalds Marble Arch for a quick stop gap.
5. My own business in East London
5 people i tag
The gori wife
Independent learners
Umm Abdur Rahman
Nora
Umm Hibaat

sorry if you have been tagged already have fun.

The Return of the Pilgrim

Who left his heart in Makkah, not suprisingly at all for me. Alhamduilah he finailly made it home, happy and full of tales to tell, expierences to share , encouragement to go and a gallon of zamzam water to drink mashaAllah. here are his picture he took on his phone none of the kabba i am affraid but have a look anyhow, some were taking in Amman in Jordan and inside the cave related to surat al Kaff forthose of you the know.

Jordan















Moving to Saudi Arabia

It's been a while

Well i would like to say my abscence has been planned but it was not , my mind pre occupied mainly with other stuff happening in my life right now has not allowed me to sit and relax. not to mention my hard drive crashed and this one is not nearly as high tec as we all want it to be ''sigh'' but alhamduilah at least i can get on.

My dh went on hajj and is still there due to return end of the week, i have felt so sad at having to seprate again afte finaily getting together as a family after 3yrs years but the Pilgramige softens the blow for me and i pray Allah accepts it ameen.

Another major avent i decided to put the kids into British State School............a tough decision, as they have never been to school ever in the UKand were home educated. It's the first 7days so far so good alhamduilah and the school are very accomadation to my wishes more importantly they like it and the learning is coming on well , just in 7 days subhan Allah!

Eid Al Adha came and went it was to be a quite affair but we ended up having a ball with the neighbours mashaAllah, i made some cakes Algerian ofcourse!
My Bangladeshi neighbour got me a SARI as an EID present and then wanted me to wear it on the day. I felt they needed to see me in my Indain Glory baring in mind i have not worn a sari for 15yrs, i must say it was great fun and i loved the whole sari expierence and getting intouch with my roots. I got a make over on Eid day another sister did my make up...smoky eyes by MAC all new to me.

We also have a Canadian sister staying with us since my dh's depature. We
never knew her before but she was in need and alhamduillah we were able to help out, she is moving out on Saturday. All i can say is she has been a breath of fresh air mashaAllah and a pleasure to have.

I also met up with another Canadian-British, yes Ameena from Ameena's adventures after 2yrs of cyber friendship the day finally came and it was a pleasure. Again a really lovely sister who i pray gets herself sorted and enjoy's a happy life ameen. We took her on a tour of East London at its best Canery wharf, it became a very nostalgic day for both Canadians. lots of good fun and nice food , well we had to EAT!

We have been out and about doing different things visiting family and friends although sadly i never got to visit seeking Taqwa after EID and i pray she is feeling better.

I have done little crafts although i did in the first week and started a larger project, have been baking breads.