If for some reason you come across this blog, visit me at wordpress
http://umms.wordpress.com/
Friday, January 15, 2010
Monday, September 3, 2007
I've moved!
Buh Bye Blogger! You can now find me over at Hadithuna - our speech - a muslim blogging community based on the wordpress template.
http://rahma.hadithuna.com/
http://rahma.hadithuna.com/
Friday, August 31, 2007
Blogger ugh!
I hate how I try my darndest to format a post, but it turns out looking like crud. inshaAllah I'm going to be moving to hadithuna, as soon as I can figure out how to export my posts from here to there.
The Prophet's Personality
"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a Beautiful Pattern (of Conduct)..." [Surah al-Ahzab; 33:21]
read about it here.
read about it here.
In Love...
...with an abaya. Seriously here, I'm practically panting at my desk over this. I emailed the website to see if they ship to the US.
Please please please let my parents give me money for my birthday. Pleaaaaase!
SubhanAllah, in the middle of writing this post, I talked to my mom on the phone and she asked what I wanted for my birthday. She seemed less than enamored with the idea of giving me money for online shopping, but we'll see :)
Smile
250. Jarir said, "Since the time I became Muslim, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never saw me without smiling at me." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A man from the best of Dhu Yaman will enter by this door whose face has been touched by an angel." Then Jarir came in.
Photo from flickr
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Nafsi nafsi
Nafsi nafsi - it's a phrase from one of the podcasts I was listening to last week. Sheikh Hamza was talking about the nafsi nafsi, me me culture that we live in. Everything is about me and my self gratification. Lately my nafs has been getting the better of me. I'm sleeping in later and later, cutting down on my Allah (swt) time in the morning.
It's time to get on the jihad...jihad al nafs that is.
It's time to get on the jihad...jihad al nafs that is.
d) The Prophet (s) said: al-mujahidu man jahada nafsahu fi ta`at Allah `azza wa jall [The fighter against unbelief is he who fights against his ego in obeying God; Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Hakim, etc.]... Sufyan al-Thawri said: "I never dealt with anything stronger against me than my own ego; it was one time with me, and one time against me"... Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi said: "Fight against your ego with the four swords of training: eat little, sleep little, speak little, and be patient when people harm you... Then the ego will walk the paths of obedience, like a fleeing horseman in the field of battle."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sounds like...
Riyad, jihad, hmm, they sound alike, so therefore!
Apparently, if you have a copy of the Riyad as-Salihin, you're a "jihadist." Google "m a p p i n g s h a r i a" to read about the "immediate threat" Sheikh Yusuf Estes posses to America *rolls eyes* Read some past blog entries about this group from Tariq Nelson and Umar Lee.
My copy of the Riyad is staying on my bookshelf, right next to al-Maqasid, thank you very much.
*please do not post a direct link to the website mentioned above. I'd rather not have them backtrack to my blog - been there, done that, never ever again*
Apparently, if you have a copy of the Riyad as-Salihin, you're a "jihadist." Google "m a p p i n g s h a r i a" to read about the "immediate threat" Sheikh Yusuf Estes posses to America *rolls eyes* Read some past blog entries about this group from Tariq Nelson and Umar Lee.
My copy of the Riyad is staying on my bookshelf, right next to al-Maqasid, thank you very much.
*please do not post a direct link to the website mentioned above. I'd rather not have them backtrack to my blog - been there, done that, never ever again*
On my IPod - pre ramadan edition
Ramadan Resolutions // With Imam Suhaib Webb & Special Guests Chacha Saab & Imam Patrick Robertson
Ramadan Preparation // with Imam Zaid Shakir
Ramadan: A Time for Change // With Imam Suhaib Webb
Are You Ready For The Month Of Ramadan? // With Imam Suhaib Webb
Qur'an with English translation - can't find the specific one I have - the english recitations here are kind of hockey sounding. The one I have is more conversational in tone.
Takbir!
Ramadan Preparation // with Imam Zaid Shakir
Ramadan: A Time for Change // With Imam Suhaib Webb
Are You Ready For The Month Of Ramadan? // With Imam Suhaib Webb
Qur'an with English translation - can't find the specific one I have - the english recitations here are kind of hockey sounding. The one I have is more conversational in tone.
Takbir!
Slandering her good name
Via Umar Lee, Critics Ignored Record of a Muslim Principal
For anyone who bothered to look for it, Ms. Almontaser left a clear, public record of interfaith activism and outreach across the boundaries of race, ethnicity and religion. Her efforts, especially after the Sept. 11 attacks, earned her honors, grants and fellowships. She has collaborated so often with Jewish organizations that an Arab-American newspaper, Aramica, castigated her earlier this summer for being too close to a “Zionist organization,” meaning the Anti-Defmatin League.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Inhaler confusion
Dur, I know I should not be fatwa shopping.
Shafi'is say that an inhaler breaks one's fast. Howeva, there' s an alternate opinion that it doesn't.
Logically, it makes sense to me that an inhaler should not break the fast, as it's not aimed for my stomach, but rather for my lungs. This is my first Ramadan as an asthmatic, and although I don't need to use my emergency inhaler too much, I'd rather not have to break my fast 30 minutes before iftar for an asthma attack.
Definitely something to talk with the husband about and get a third zahari opinion.
Shafi'is say that an inhaler breaks one's fast. Howeva, there' s an alternate opinion that it doesn't.
Logically, it makes sense to me that an inhaler should not break the fast, as it's not aimed for my stomach, but rather for my lungs. This is my first Ramadan as an asthmatic, and although I don't need to use my emergency inhaler too much, I'd rather not have to break my fast 30 minutes before iftar for an asthma attack.
Definitely something to talk with the husband about and get a third zahari opinion.
Monday, August 27, 2007
OOoo
Check out this wicked Ramadan planning spreadsheet. I can't decide if I'm anal retentive enough to actually fill it out though - I'm not known a really organized person.
And now for something completely different...
...online course window shopping.
This is it - the point of no return. From here on out, I'm going to become a serious student of Islam. Ok, well, as serious as I can be with the internet as my guide and my arabic sorely lacking. First things first - enroll in an arabic course at a local masjid and sign up for more SunniPath courses.
What course should I take during the Fall semester. It's my goal, inshaAllah, to take one a semester.
Fiqh-i? Essentials of Islam - Shafi'i, Introduction to Islamic Worship - Shafi'i
Iman-y? Tahawi's Manual of Belief Explained
History-ish? Women and Men around the Messenger
Qur'an focused? Introduction to the Qur'an
Adab (my favorite!)? Attaining Good Character
Or something that would be good for everything overall? Journey to Allah - Part 1
I'm drawn towards the last two courses, but my more rational self thinks I should follow the Foundations Curriculumn Sunnipath has laid out. So, this means either Foundations of Islamic Law or Essentials of Islam (Shafi'i).
This is it - the point of no return. From here on out, I'm going to become a serious student of Islam. Ok, well, as serious as I can be with the internet as my guide and my arabic sorely lacking. First things first - enroll in an arabic course at a local masjid and sign up for more SunniPath courses.
What course should I take during the Fall semester. It's my goal, inshaAllah, to take one a semester.
Fiqh-i? Essentials of Islam - Shafi'i, Introduction to Islamic Worship - Shafi'i
Iman-y? Tahawi's Manual of Belief Explained
History-ish? Women and Men around the Messenger
Qur'an focused? Introduction to the Qur'an
Adab (my favorite!)? Attaining Good Character
Or something that would be good for everything overall? Journey to Allah - Part 1
I'm drawn towards the last two courses, but my more rational self thinks I should follow the Foundations Curriculumn Sunnipath has laid out. So, this means either Foundations of Islamic Law or Essentials of Islam (Shafi'i).
Pre Ramadan Pic
Yaay, it's time to start one of my favorite Ramadan rituals - Ramadan picture gathering. Started years ago when I was a solo muslim, lonely and longing for some connection to the rest of the ummah, I would search yahoo news photos of pictures of Ramadan around the world. These pictures would then end up on my yearly Ramadan pictures thread on whatever islam-oriented forum I happened to be frequenting at the time.
Since I have a blog this year, inshaAllah I'll post these pictures here.
Egyptians walk past displays of traditional tin lanterns known as Fawanis Ramadan in old Cairo, 16 August 2007 as preparations begin for the fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP/File/Cris Bouroncle)
Since I have a blog this year, inshaAllah I'll post these pictures here.
Egyptians walk past displays of traditional tin lanterns known as Fawanis Ramadan in old Cairo, 16 August 2007 as preparations begin for the fasting month of Ramadan. (AFP/File/Cris Bouroncle)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
10 great goals to set for this Ramadan
I've come across this list quite a few times in the blogosphere, but it bears repeating here. Only a few more weeks, huzzah!
1. Eat, drink and be moderate
Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.
2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.
3. Memorize 4 new Surahs
Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.
4. Go to Tarawih prayers
Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.
5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished
Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.
6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box
It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.
Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.
At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.
7. Call/email your relatives
You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."
Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.
8. Go on a technology diet
Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.
9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less
Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.
10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you
Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?
If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.
1. Eat, drink and be moderate
Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.
2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.
3. Memorize 4 new Surahs
Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.
4. Go to Tarawih prayers
Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.
5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished
Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.
6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box
It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.
Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.
At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.
7. Call/email your relatives
You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."
Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.
8. Go on a technology diet
Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.
9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less
Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.
10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you
Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?
If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.
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