Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Sudden Incidents

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

I've been watching the news quite a bit these last few days and I'm so saddened by the events that have taken place in New Orleans. This Hurricane makes its appearance and changes the lives of many people. It's just so scary ... that in a matter of days, the lives of these people would be changed forever. Allah Swt was not very happy it seems. The whole city has basically drowned under water and my mummy just told me that they are beginning to notice sharks, alligators and snakes in the water that surrounds all of the buildings, homes.

I feel, events like this should really get one to think. At the moment, life just may seem great and dandy and you may feel that nothing will ever change. But that isn't so. And to keep in mind incidents that would cause fatalities like this Hurricane has ... is real important because this is just another reminder that we are not in this duniya forever. We don't know when our time will come and because of that ... we should always be in preparation for the afterlife.

This reminds of what a sister was saying over the weekend while I was at a gathering, discussing hadiths and the Qur'an, that I attend every Sunday. And she said, specifying salaah (prayer), that one should read their salaah as if it was their last. I hear this so much and it gets to me each time. Because how do we know that we will get the opportunity to pray the next? Anything can happen within that little time frame. So when you pray, you pray properly, with concentration, that you are facing your Lord, praying to Him (Swt). I have a craving to better myself as a Muslimah, and I'm really trying my best to. One of the things that keeps me going is I'll ask myself ... "if I died right now, will I be satisfied with the life I've lived? Do I deserve to be granted entrance into Jannat-ul-Firdos?" It's so scary ... that we can do so much for ourselves, but yet ... we don't.

Ahhh too many thoughts haha May Allah Swt makes things easier upon me and everyone else insha'Allah ... ameen

*note* - Shab-e-Meraj tonight ... woo hoo

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Amazing

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

I am back after a beautiful visit to New Jersey and New York. Wow. A trip I have been impatiently waiting for, finally came ... and went just as quickly. But I'm not sad, because the trip was definitely memorable. Masha'Allah, my cousin's two little girls are so beautiful and cute. Aww. Little Leena is truly a princess, I have never met a little girl who was so friendly before! She got along with us real well. And her new sister, Sara (or as we call her 'Choti Ma') was an absolute doll. Oh and my cousin, whom I haven't seen in years ... it was just so good to hang out with her again. I still have a hard time believing that I've been going through these years without her silliness and wit *sigh* I miss you Didi! I'm a very family oriented gal, and when ever a family member branches off elsewhere ... it's hard to handle at times. But I know she has built an amazing life for herself in Jersey with her husband and girls, she's happy ... so I am happy :D

We were sooo busy! I kinda felt like a New Yorker for a day when we were walking the streets of Manhattan. haha What ... a day! That place is too huge for a little person like me. Eventhough it was amazing, I still could not handle the disorder on the roads! People, when the orange hand is lit, YOU DON'T WALK! New Yorkers don't seem to understand that, always in a rush haha They just don't seem to care ... they want to be on the move ... always! But I wish they were concerned for their safety as well :( We visited a few places like the Rockefeller Centre, NBC Studios, the biggest Toys 'R Us I've ever seen haha and my fave ... The Hershey Store! My goodness, my mouth was continuously set on drool the whole time I was in there *yummers* But the Toys 'R Us held a lot of cute memories too haha It was ... heavenly. But, of course! A vacation is never complete until Squeeky has tripped, slipped or fallen at least once. And that ... was exactly what happened in Manhattan haha Usually, there would be embarrasement but nope, not with me, this happens so often that sometimes I question why it hasn't happened yet! Though I'm okay :D

The Hershey Store

Mmm ... chocolate ... *drool*

By far ... my most favourite day of the week, was when we went to the Bronx Zoo. I could not believe I was actually going haha I felt like I was in grade 2, it was just too much fun. I saw most of the animals that I wanted to see ... giraffes, monkeys, zebras, more monkeys, the cute turtle! But unfortunately we had to cut the day short because Sara was beginning to get a bit cranky ... as well as her mommy haha I joke I joke :D So didn't get to see the lions, and tigers, and bears ... oh my! Insha'Allah ... another time. But when I think about it now, I wouldn't change a single thing from that day.

Gorilla

The Gorilla that kept giving all of us weird looks


Turtle

Aww my cute turtle, sitting there all by its lonesome

The following night, I had a real nice meet and greet with some online buddies that I've known for the past year. Wow ... and it was weird and cool all at the same time to put person to their usernames. hehe Masha'Allah everyone was wonderful. I'm a bit disappointed that I was not able to meet a couple of other girls but *sigh* I guess it wasn't meant to be. Insha'Allah the next time I'm in town, they'll be first on my list!

This trip really sealed an amazing and BUSY summer! Now, insha'Allah in a week, I'll be back in the school life ... kinda excited actually! Last year ... insha'Allah. Then I'll just have to see what Allah Swt has in store for me ...


Wednesday, August 17, 2005

New Jersey and New York ... Imma comin!!

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

Yes, the rumors are true. New Jersey and New York are going to be oh so lucky this coming week. Why? Because Squeeky will be there! aww! haha Okay, I'll stop with the stupidness. But yes, I'm real excited for this trip. I've been trying to scheme my way to go for years now and finally, my wish has come true. My cousin moved to NJ after she got married so it's been such a long time since we've seen each other and I miss her dearly! It makes me so sad that I cannot be a part of her 2 adorable little girls' daily lives ... how are they going through life without their Rafia khala?! haha I guess I'll have to make it up to them this week. Gonna spoil them ROTTEN.

Just yesterday, my sister and I were jotting down all the places we want to see when we get there. And there's A LOT of places we want to see haha Any suggestions would be welcome. I'm just excited to be in a new place where I haven't been. It's gonna be so interesting. Maybe I can make some friends on the street? ...........I'm kidding, I'm not crazy ...........


Anyhooz, will write about my trip once I get back insha'Allah. Your du'as for a safe journey would be greatly appreciated! :) JazaakAllahu Khairaa .... may Allah Swt bless you ....

Fi-aman'Allah

Monday, August 15, 2005

*~The Waleema~*

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

ahh .. the last day of all the parties (so far). In order to make it to this, my family had to make a trip to Ottawa because that was where the waleema was held. Since ... *sniff* ... Naaz is living there now! All I can say was that it was the most hectic weekend I have experienced in such a long time! For some reason, daddy kept taking the wrong routes so it was prolonging our trip. And the party was the day we were arriving in Ottawa ... not to mention the craziness we had to go through becuz my brother misplaced the wedding invite! argh! But anyway, we made it, unfortunately I missed the bride and groom's entrance ... it's all good. She ... looked so beautiful masha'Allah, they were matching! haha Naaz had a peachy outfit on and Atif was told to wear a peach tie aww What made me really happy was to see how happy she was that day. All the stress from the wedding was completely taken away from her face and the nur that Allah Swt has blessed her with, was dazzling that night. It was just so nice, spending those last hours with her because I know I won't be seeing her for quite some time :( It's a really sad thought but just thinking about the family that she has married into, makes it all better because I know they will keep her very happy insha'Allah ... mubarak you two!

It was an awesome weekend alhamdulillah ... eventhough our car stopped on the highway :O haha But we got out of that one safely teehehe Note to Rabia: Thank you soooo much hun, for taking me in haha apologize to your hubby for me that he had to crash in the living room haha awww!

Fi-aman'Allah

Sunday, August 07, 2005

*~The Nikkah~*

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

Before the wedding .....
I thought I would write the emotions I'm going through before my friend Naaz's wedding. For the past weeks, I've been soo happy for her, giddy and excited that this day has finally arrived for her. But just a little while ago, I sat here just about to write in her card and it actually hit me that it's her wedding day and she's leaving us :( I am overwhelmed with sadness at the moment. It's happy sad haha don't worry but it's just really hard. And now I know for sure that I'm going to be a cry baby at her wedding when the rukhsati happens (when the bride leaves). Just as long as my dear cousin Aisha is there with me, holding my hand ... I think we'll be okay!

This is a day we have been talking about and wondering about for so long! And now, that it's here, I'm crazy with happiness right now for her. May Allah Swt bless them both always! Okay, well the card is finished, I've wrapped her present and now, just gotta fix up my clothing that I'll be wearing tonight. I reeeally hope my brother gets home in time, there is no way I'm arriving there late *grr* I'll let you know how everything goes tonight ... eeeh!!

pillow1

After the wedding.....
I'm back from attending Naaz's wedding. Masha'Allah ... it was ever so beautiful, just as I imagined it would be. And one word for her ... stunning. She looked like those dhulan manequin dolls awww so gorgeous. The whole evening was so happy and lovely and well organized too. The speeches were great, mainly poems about the couple read by the adults haha Naaz's cousin, Rabia, my other friend needed me to run around and take pictures for her because I think she was having difficulty with her own camera. So I felt cool to have a job of my own teehehe I specifically ordered an outfit from Hyderabad to wear at this wedding, I begged for it not to be too dressy but that's exactly what I got. It's a gorgeous suit, no doubts with that, actually everyone says it's an outfit that should be placed in my "jahaiz" (clothing given to a bride for her wedding). But it was a big wedding so I blended in well :D Naaz's hubby (awww he's finally her hubby now!) was so smiley all evening! haha That grin on his face just wouldn't wipe off and he was such a poser for those pictures! Anyways, they made a darling couple. I was really missing my parents though, they weren't able to attend the shaadi because they are in Chicago at the moment attending another wedding that I was supposed to go to. But, can't miss out on my friend's wedding, now can I?! Nuh uh! Though mummy would have been happy because of the proposals I was getting at this wedding hahaha *sigh*

The time had come for her to leave. Everyone was gathered in the lobby. She went straight for her parents and cried and cried and cried :( It was so hard to see but real beautiful at the same time. And I knew she was approaching me soon so I had to pull myself together but the moment we hugged, and she started crying, and I just couldn't handle all the emotion! All of our experiences in Uni came rushing back to me and I'm really going to miss that. She's completing her final year in Ottawa while I'm here, gonna have to do a whole year without seeing her, calling her up to see if she's available to eat those baked potatoes! hehe

Her brother was right, they truly were a match made in heaven. And it's so relieving to know that they have finally found one another. Because that's how it is, the one's that we are to marry, are already chosen by Allah Swt. It is just a matter of finding them in this life. Such a big task haha but I'm confident that each and every one of us will find the other sooner than later. And my du'a is that whoever He (Swt) has chosen, may they be someone we can always depend on and experience a friendship and love like no other.

*May Allah Swt bless them both, bless they're home and bless their offspring, insha'Allah ... ameen*

note: The picture above is the party favours Naaz's made! That's right, she designed them, bought the material to make it :D Of course, she had us to help put them together but what a cute idea! It's a lil pillow aww

Saturday, August 06, 2005

*~Mehndi Day~*

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

decorations

The days that I have been impatiently waiting for so long have come upon us *sigh* Meri Yaar Ki Shaadi Hain ... awww ... my friend is getting married this weekend. We're quite close alhamdulillah. She's been with me through my tough times and has helped me greatly. I only hope that I was able to help her as well when she went through her own trying days.

It was her mehndi day today. Goodness, did she ever look cute masha'Allah! The funniest sight was when we went to check up on her ... she's relaxing her foot on an aunty's lap while she applied mehndi on her foot haha I'm like ... "you have no tameez (manners)!" and she goes "I know!! I'm so badtameez (ill-mannered) for placing my foot on an elder's lap" teehehe But it looked so cute, and the mehndi was applied so well! I'm in love with it (henna), and I insha'Allah plan to do my own mehndi for my wedding. Everyone thinks I'm crazy and that it won't happen :( But I plan on it! C'mon, I've been doing my own mehndi for many years now, I think I'd feel a bit uncomfy having someone else do it ... besides, I would find more satisfaction as well *dreams away*

Everything was beautiful. The decorations were just stunning, I applaud everyone who helped out with it! They kept a section on each side for the girls to sit and sing with the dhol haha The bride's women were on one side and the groom's women were on the opposite side, so it was like a competition as to who is better. Honestly ... our side didn't do so well haha We needed to practice the songs given to us. Ahh well! Half way through the party, it was separated. Then the guys came in and made their appearances. They went through some traditional activities which was quite entertaining!

Seriously, the day was going by way too fast. I can't imagine how my friend was feeling. But it was such a happy time ... it felt real nice to say "it's my friend's wedding!!". We've been waiting for this day for sooo long and alhamdulillah, it has come. She has gone through a lot and I can honestly say that she DESERVES to be happy. Allah Swt tested her Sabr (patience) and now He (Swt) has blessed her with a wonderful man to share the rest of her life with ... in Ottawa though *cries* How can you just leave us?!?! I really need to work on this reality haha

It was a fun day ... I had fun :D And I can't wait until Sunday for the actual nikkah. I am going to be a mess that day! *sniff*

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Eternal Ink

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

Get ready for a long but very worth it entry! It's a poem I found oh so long ago and I try to give it as much exposure as I can because for me personally, it gives me a lot of inspiration to better myself as a person and as a Muslimah. Insha'Allah you will all feel the same.

Also, my good friend is getting married this weekend! *happy tears* I'm going to try to write my experiences of what we're all going to be going through .... :( I'm gonna miss her.

Eternal Ink
I dreamed I was in heaven
Where an angel kept Allah's book.
He was writing so intently
I just had to take a look.

It was not, at first, his writing
That made me stop and think
But the fluid in the bottle
That was marked eternal ink.

This ink was most amazing,
Dark black upon his blotter
But as it touched the parchment
It became as clear as water.

The angel kept on writing,
But as quickly as a wink
The words were disappearing
With that strange eternal ink.

The angel took no notice,
But kept writing on and on.
He turned each page and filled it
Till all its space was gone.

I thought he wrote to no avail,
His efforts were so vain
For he wrote at thousand pages
That he'd never read again.
And as I watched and wondered that
This awesome sight was mine,
I actually saw a word stay black
As it dried upon the line.

The angel wrote and I thought I saw
A look of satisfaction.
At last he had some print to show
For all his earnest action.

A line or two dried dark and stayed
As black as black can be,
But strangely the next paragraph
Became invisible to see.

The book was getting fuller,
The angel's records true,
But most of it was blank, with
Just a few words coming through

I knew there was some reason,
But as hard as I could think,
I couldn't grasp the significance
Of that eternal ink.

The mystery burned within me,
And I finally dared to ask
The angel to explain to me
Oh his amazing task.

And what I heard was frightful
As the angel turned his head.
He looked directly at me,
And this is what he said ...
"I know you stand and wonder
At what my writing's worth
But Allah has told me to record
The lives of those on earth.

The book that I am filling
Is an accurate account
Of every word and action
And to what they do amount.

And since you have been watching
I must tell you what is true;
The details of my journal
Are the strict accounts of YOU.

The Lord asked me to watch you
As each day you worked and played.
I saw you as you went to the masjid,
I saw you as you prayed.

But I was told to document
Your life through all the week.
I wrote when you were proud and bold,
I wrote when you were meek.

I recorded all your attitudes
Whether they were good or bad.
I was sorry that I had to write
The things that make Allah sad.

So now I'll tell the wonder
Of this eternal ink,
For the reason for its mystery
Should make you stop and think.

This ink that Allah created
To help me keep my journal
Will only keep a record of
Things that are eternal

So much of life is wasted
On things that matter not
So instead of my erasing,
Smudging ink and ugly blot.

I just keep writing faithfully and
Let the ink do all the rest
For it is able to decide
What's useless and what's best.

And Allah ordained that as I write
Of all you do and say
Your deeds that count for nothing
Will just disappear away.

When books are opened someday,
As sure as heaven is true;
The Lord's eternal ink will tell
What mattered most to you.

If you just lived to please yourself
The pages will be bare,
All Allah will issue no reward
For you when you get there.

In fact, you'll be embarrassed,
You will hang your head in shame
Because you did not give yourself
In love to Allah's name.

Yet maybe there will be a few
Recorded lines that stayed
That showed the times you truly cared,
Sincerely loved and prayed.

But you will always wonder
As you enter heaven's door
How much more glad you would have been
If only you'd done more.

For I recorded as Allah sees,
I don't stop to even think
Because the truth is written
With Allah's eternal ink."

When I heard the angel's story
I fell down and wept and cried
For as yet I still was dreaming
I hadn't really died

And I said: Oh angel tell the Lord
That soon as I awake
I'll live my life for Allah -
I'll do all for His dear sake.

I'll give in full surrender;
I'll do all He wants me to;
I'll turn my back on self and sin
And whatever isn't true.

And though the way seems long and rough
I promise to endure
I'm determined to pursue the things
That are holy, clean and pure.

With Allah as my helper,
I will win lost souls to Thee,
For I know that they will live with Allah
For all eternity.

And that's what really matters
When my life on earth is gone
That I will stand before the Lord
And hear Him say, "Well don't."

For is it really worth it
As my life lies at the brink?
And I realize that Allah keeps books
With His eternal ink.

Should all my life be focused
On things that turn on dust?

From this point on I'll serve the Lord;
I can, I will, I must!

I will NOT send blank pages
Up to Allah's majestic throne
For where that record's going now
Is my eternal home.

I'm giving all to Allah
I now have seen the link
For I saw an angel write my life
With Allah's eternal ink.

~ Annonymous ~

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