Bhajias

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

I made bhajias today for iftaar. What are those, you ask? Well, let me edumacate you! I believe they are also called "pakoras" but I use "bhajia" because I was brought up hearing that so ... there! They come in many different kinds, whatever pleases you. Such as onion bhajia, potato bhajia or even tomato bhajia! It is simply covered in batter and then fried. We prefer to use chickpea flour and mix in ingredients such as ginger, garlic, red pepper, baking soda and salt. I find the mixing of everything quite difficult and tiresome because once you add water, the batter must be a perfect thickness. And just mixing all of it really pains my hand ... ouchies :( Yes yes, I can be a weakling.

I was du'aing that it would turn out right because I wasn't sure if I added enough amounts of the ingredients! So I kept doing dhikr while preparing hehe And I honestly believe "dhikr" is the best secret to a successful meal because you are spreading barakah (blessing) into your cooked food which will insha'Allah be passed to the ones who are brave enough to try it out! Alhamdulillah. So ... ta da! FYI: it was yummy. On the right side are the tomato bhajias, on the left are the potato ones and in the middle is the onion with coriander and a pinch of mint. I made them jumbo size haha Here you go bawarchi ... :D ....

Also note, you know Squeeky is procrastinating with her schoolwork when she begins to write daily entries. Yes, I deserve some tsks right about now.

PS = I spent sehri in the dark ... it was very very eerie

...down...

Assalaamu Alaikum

Ugh, what a day ... what a week! My hormones are going insane, I have no idea what is going on with me. I've just been getting so emotional over every little thing. It's been quite unusual. I don't mean to. Just this morning, before we began for sehri, my father sat beside me to have a simple conversation. I was just not in the mood to speak to anyone. I'm just feeling ... really down. The problem is that I cannot figure out why. Alhamdulillah everything in my life is just perfect, so happy, and it's Ramadan! I'm literally having the time of my life ... but this week, just seems to be different. Whether it has to do with school (assignments are slowly beginning to pile-up, tests etc) or the events that are occuring in the world these days or just personal issues that my friends are experiencing ... which may also be taking some sort of toll on me, I do not know. All I do know, is that I want this feeling to end! It's normal, right? hehe This isn't new for me, I have my days when things just don't make sense and don't intend on making sense. Maybe I'm thinking too much? Vatever ...

Well, I thought I was doing fine until today. I was sitting in my Intro to Arab Culture class waiting for a young brother to begin his presentation. He expressed that he wanted to make an announcement before he began because it may affect his performance while delivering his information. I will not go into detail as to what he shared but whatever was bothering him, it will result in him moving to Pakistan. Just as he said those words, you can tell the pain he was feeling with a simple look at his expression ... he was about to burst into tears. I don't even know the guy, have never spoken a word to him ... yet, I could not help but feel his pain. It appeared to be recent news too because I remember him leaving the classroom for a little while. If only you could have seen him, how distraught he appeared.

It only made me realize, that my little problems, are nothing in comparison to others. You may think that whatever you are experiencing is the worst feeling ever but I feel it is real important to remind yourself that there is ALWAYS someone out there, experiencing something far worse. Unfortunately. And we should always be thankful to Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala for everything He has given us, because everything we have ... is a blessing from Him.

Anyhoo, my du'as will be with him, may Allah Swt ease his pain and help him in his time of need, ameen.

Felt nice to let that out. Alhamdulillah :)

I gotta go catch my bus now ... *runs away in a frantic*

Trick?...but not even Treat?

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

This question has been running through my mind so often these past few days because of the approach of Hallowe'en. Clearly, participating in this event is haram. But ... giving candy to cute little kids in darling costumes ... is that haram as well? I read up on an article and my answer came out to be "yes, it is haram". The only reason I look forward to Hallowe'en is just to see these adorable kids in the most cutest outfits. Especially when they bring little babies awwwww All I want to do is just see these little children that I won't see until the following year. But, I must understand that this is a pagan ritual and participating in any way would be haram.

Majority of us, as children wanted to participate in Hallowe'en because of one main reason, the candy. I was definitely one of those kids, I'm a complete sugar freak. So what my mummy would do is make us do something Islamic related and then she would reward us with a BIG bag of goodies. My goodness, she put everything in there! Just so we would not feel left out and instead of doing something in the way of a pagan historical ritual, we would do something that was a practice of Islam and would benefit us in our learning. Subhana'Allah. It is definitely the duty of the parents to make sure that their children are aware of the facts and help them understand why Muslims should not take part.

I will just highlight a couple of points from the article I read, just so everyone is aware of the upcoming occasion.

"Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s.) issued a stern warning: "Whoever imitates a nation is one of them!" (Abu Da'oud). Muslims should heed this warning and refrain from copying or imitating the kufar in their celebrations. Islam has strongly forbidden Muslims to follow the religious or social customs of the non-Muslims, and especially of the idol-worshippers or those who worship the devil. The Prophet (s.a.s.) said: "By Him in Whose hands is my life, you are ordered to enjoin good and forbid evil, or else Allah will certainly afflict you with torments. Thereafter, even your du'a (supplications) will not be accepted." (Tirmidhi)"

I found these hadith's to be quite strong. Even though these days, the practice of Hallowe'en usually is not based upon the original ideas of the ritual and the thought only revolves around "fun" is still no excuse to participate. This ritual originated from somewhere and it is very important for every individual to educate themselves about the significance of it. And if it is something that goes against Islam, as Muslims, it is our duty to be aware and distance ourselves from such practices, no matter what it is ... insha'Allah.

"We have established, beyond doubt, that the celebration of Hallow'een is absolutely forbidden in Islam. It is HARAM. The question arises as to what to do on this night. Muslim parents must not send their kids out "trick-or-treating" on Hallow'een night. Our children must be told why we do not celebrate Hallow'een. Most children are very receptive when taught with sincerity, and especially when shown in practice the joy of their own Islamic celebrations and traditions. In this regard, teach them about the two Islamic festivals of Eid. (Eid-ul-Fitr is fast approaching, and this is the perfect time to start preparing them for it.) It must also be mentioned that, even Muslims who stay home and give out treats to those who come to their door are still participating in this festival. In order to avoid this, leave the front lights off and do not open the door. Educate your neighbours about our Islamic teachings. Inform them in advance that Muslims do not participate in Hallow'een, and explain the reasons why. They will respect your wishes, and you will gain respect in the process. "A person who calls another to guidance will be rewarded, as will the one who accepts the message." (Tirmidhi)"

For further reading, check out this link:
http://www.themodernreligion.com/misc/hh/halloween.html

May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us in the right direction, enhance our knowledge and stay on Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem ... ameen.

IN ADDITION:

I would like you all to check this link out too, it has to do with Homer, that says it all *sigh*
http://entertainment.sympatico.msn.ca/celebs/articles/1335169.armx

A Possible Strike? ... NoOoOo

Assalaamu Alaikum :D

Hello lovely people of the blogworld. How are my fans doing today? I do have fans, right ...? *sigh* Anyways, I'm in a dilemma. Okay well it's nothing too extravagent but enough to be a dilemma. The Teacher Assistants of York U may just go on strike! *gasps from all over the world* I know, I know, what shall we ever do. There is a big possibility that there will not be an actual strike. Every 3 years, apparently, the TA's get together with the big people and discuss their needs. Last time they did this, there were major conflicts that the board of York could not find themselves to meet the needs of the TA's. For example, tuition fees. What they are asking is once the asked tuition fee is paid, the TA's should be able to receive most of that money, in the form of bursaries. That strike occured when my sister attended York and it was the longest in all of the universities. So, I believe this week there will be a vote taken by the TA's whether or not they are satisfied with what the board has concluded for them. If there is a higher vote on "no", it doesn't mean that they will follow with a strike right away. It only means that if the TA's get the higher number, it gives them a dominating opportunity to, in a sense, make the board see things their way haha It is more likely that a fitting decision will be made and life can go on happily ... tra la la ... but if not, and the board decides that these issues they are having cannot be dealt with, a strike will occur! And that means, most classes will not be in session, and that means, I will miss out on school, and THAT means, I'm gonna freak. This is what happens when you're a goodie good, irrelevant things like this start to itch at you ... *sigh* ...

Honestly, I would not mind that much if there is a strike but I really don't want to miss out on all those days of school and have an extra month added to my school year. We pay so much money to attend these classes ... SO MUCH money and then to leave us in the cold like that? It's not very nice, especially since I don't like the cold. So if anything ... I'll find out the verdict in about a week.

Other than that, life is beautiful alhamdulillah. Ramadan is going so great! This month just brings out so much happiness in me, and each day I feel my imaan strengthening. Insha'Allah, you all are experiencing the same.

NOTE: my hand is doing okay :( poor little thing (it got cut by a knife ... I hate you knife!)

And yes, that is a Simpsons bandaid

*~Ramadan Mubarak~*

Assalaamu Alaikum! :D

Finally ... the month we have all been waiting for has come upon us, subhana'Allah! In this month, we should all make it an obligation to increase our practices of our Imaan insha'Allah. It is said that during this blessed month, the gates of Hell are closed and the gates of Paradise are opened, and the devils are in chains. We are finally rid of Shaytaan's ceaseless attempts to have us stray from Sirat-ul-Mustaqeem during this month and it is quite evident too. Notice how easy it is to prevent ourselves from doing anything that would not be permissable by our religion and Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala? We make the intention to complete the Qur'an during Ramadan and alhamdulillah, usually it is accomplished without a problem. Regular visits are kept when attending the masjids and remembering that we are all brothers and sisters in Islam, preventing unnecessary squabbles between one another. This, is the beauty of this Holy month. We can see what we are actually capable of accomplishing as Muslims and the sad part is that we are also able to see our weaknesses. If we find ourselves unable to avoid doing something which we know should not be practiced, it allows us to understand the impact that the Shayateen has had on us for the past year. Observe these weaknesses ... and work on them. I had heard in one lecture that in order to know if your fasts have been accepted, observe your behaviour after Ramadan. If you find yourself keeping up with the same manners as you had during the blessed month, consider your fasts accepted! Eventhough it is known that we will not know if our fasts had been accepted, it just seemed like a pretty good guideline. Though I wish I had more of a referance to that. I'm just going to leave this entry with some hadiths regarding Ramadan. They are taken from Faza'il-e-A'amaal.

May this blessed month bring each and every one of you peace and success, may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala shower His blessings upon your homes, may He (subhanahu wa ta'ala) accept all of your fasts that will insha'Allah be easy on you and your efforts in bettering yourself and may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala shower His nur over you.
Ameen, ameen, ya rabbil 'alameen!

Please remember me in your du'as and if I have ever said or done anything that has upset anybody, please do forgive me .... JazaakAllahu khairaa ... enjoy!

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Salmaan (Sadiyallahu Anhu) reports, "On the last day of Sha-baan Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) addressed us and said,

'O People there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing only virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time. And whosoever performs a fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraa-idh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's rizq is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast (at sunset), for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell), and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least."

Thereupon we said: "O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."

"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam."

"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (ie. recite the Kalimah Tayyibah Laa Ilaaha illallaah) and make much Istaghfaar (beg Allah's forgiveness with Astaghfirullah)." And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam."

"And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink whereafter that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah."

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Abu Hurairah relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "My Ummah were given five things for Ramadan which were not given to anyone except them. For them, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and then says (to it), "The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you". In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadan. On the last night of Ramadan they are forgiven".

The Sahabah (RA) thereupon equired, "O Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr?" Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service."

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Anas (RA) reports, "Once when Ramadan commenced, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, 'A month has verily dawned over you wherein lies a night better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its blessings has indeed deprived of (almost) all good. And none is deprived of its good except he who is completely unfortunate.'"

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Aa'ishah (radiallahu anha) reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "Seek Laylatul Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan."