Musulmana

Just getting a midnight sandwich and then...

2006-04-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I know sometimes we've all wished that the earth would open and swallow us up (usually only metaphorically) but check out this story in today's news:

From CNN:
Man dies when large hole opens in home
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/23/house.swallowed.ap/index.html

Subhan'Allah, it is only through Allah's mercy that we are.

You think you got hardship...

2006-03-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

This story is so hard to read but will remind us all of true Muslim behavior throughout difficulty.

http://www.nola.com/weblogs/bourbon/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_bstdiaries/archives/2005_11_24.html#095401

If I begin to blog again, this is my new inspiration. SubhanAllah.

Why Don't we Practice What We Preach

2005-08-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

140,000 people died almost instantly when the Americans dropped a bomb in Hiroshima. I am all for disarmament of ALL governments and countries from having weapons of mass destruction (not just a chosen few-who makes these rules anyway...)

Why don't we practice what we preach.

Now, this moment of silence I will participate in...

Protest-American-style

2005-08-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I have read so much on the blogs about Peace. Well, I think this American lady has a good idea. She isn't blaming the Muslims, she isn't blaming Iraq, she isn't blaming soldiers on any side, she's blaming the leaders of her country who are responsible for creating a war that seems never ending. All she wants is an explanation. Don't we all.

Ms. Sheehan, lots of people didn't want your son to go there and die, nobody listened to us. I knew that our President was lying to us about WMD and whatever real intentions he has to send American troops to kill and die. I knew this war would bring about more questions than answers, but who will listen to young Muslims? I hope someone will listen to you...for everyone's sake.

I found this article today:

Soldier's mom protests near Bush's ranch

Saturday, August 6, 2005; Posted: 8:00 p.m. EDT (00:00 GMT)

story.bush.protesters.cnn.jpg
Cindy Sheehan holds pictures of her son as she leads an anti-war march near President Bush's ranch.

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- The angry mother of a fallen U.S. soldier staged a protest near President Bush's ranch Saturday, demanding an accounting from Bush of how he has conducted the war in Iraq.

Supported by more than 50 demonstrators who chanted, "W. killed her son!" Cindy Sheehan told reporters: "I want to ask the president, 'Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?"'

Sheehan, 48, didn't get to see Bush, but did talk about 45 minutes with national security adviser Steve Hadley and deputy White House chief of staff Joe Hagin, who went out to hear her concerns.

Appreciative of their attention, yet undaunted, Sheehan said she planned to continue her roadside vigil, except for a few breaks, until she gets to talk to Bush. Her son, Casey, 24, was killed in Sadr City, Iraq, on April 4, 2004. He was an Army specialist, a Humvee mechanic.

"They (the advisers) said we are in Iraq because they believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, that the world's a better place with Saddam gone and that we're making the world a safer place with what we're doing over there," Sheehan said in a telephone interview after the meeting.

"They were very respectful. They were nice men. I told them Iraq was not a threat to the United States and that now people are dead for nothing. I told them I wouldn't leave until I talked to George Bush."

She said Hagin told her, "I want to assure you that he (Bush) really does care."

"And I said if he does care, why doesn't he come out and talk to me."

Sheehan arrived in Crawford aboard a bus painted red, white and blue and emblazoned with the words, "Impeachment Tour." Sheehan, from Vacaville, California, had been attending a Veterans for Peace convention in Dallas.

The bus, trailed by about 20 cars of protesters and reporters, drove at about 15 mph toward Bush's ranch. After several miles, they parked the vehicles and began to march, in stifling heat, farther down the narrow country road.

Flanked by miles of pasture, Sheehan spoke with reporters while clutching two photographs, one of her son in uniform, and the other, a baby picture, when he was seven months old.

She said she decided to come to Crawford a few days ago after Bush said that fallen U.S. troops had died for a noble cause and that the mission must be completed.

"I want to ask the president, `Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?" she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "Last week, you said my son died for a noble cause' and I want to ask him what that noble cause is?"

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said response that Bush also wants the troops to return home safely.

"Many of the hundreds of families the president has met with know their loved one died for a noble cause and that the best way to honor their sacrifice is to complete the mission," Duffy said.

"It is a message the president has heard time and again from those he has met with and comforted. Like all Americans, he wants the troops home as soon as possible."

The group marched about a half-mile before local law enforcement officials stopped them at a bend in the road, still four to five miles from the ranch's entrance. Capt. Kenneth Vanek of the McLennan County Sheriff's Office said the group was stopped because some marchers ignored instructions to walk in the ditch beside the road, not on the road.

"If they won't cooperate, we won't," Vanek said.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Iman Muhannad Case

2005-08-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

For those of you that know of the case, this should serve as an update, insha'Allah.

Iman Muhannad was a pregnant Muslim sister in the New Orleans area who was brutally stabbed to death in her suburb home while home one morning (inna lillahi wa inna alaihi rajaun).

While originally the New Orleans Shura Council (site: nolashura.org)had taken on the case with Brother Abukhader as the spokesperson to the police and FBI, MAS (Muslim American Society) has taken over the major responsibilty. MAS New Orleans has arranged for MAS Freedom Foundation president, Mahdi Bray, to speak about the case. He will insha'Allah give a National press conference very soon, insha'Allah as well as a visit to New Orleans. I am sure many of you know who Mahdi Bray is as he is a very active brother in this country regarding Muslim rights.

Also, Masjid Tawba (local masjid) has recently collected about $5,000. for an advertising blitz that will begin soon regarding her case. The monies collected for reward are $45,000 so far.

There is a local brother who is a MAS member who is in charge of the Mahdi Bray visit and media campaign. I will not post his e-mail on here.

I have seen the interest for this sister's case grow among some fellow sisters in my community, therefore, I thought that I would post any information that was pertinent as to the new developments.

If anyone is interested in colloborating their efforts on this case, I can send you the e-mail of the responsible parties.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

National Night Out

2005-08-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I just got back with my husband and children from our neighborhood "National Night Out" walk/get-together/dinner. As we live in a suburb, there were many families with kids and bikes, scooters, rollerblades, strollers, etc. Our kids walked with us which is nice because now they are very tired from a full summer day of a lot of heat, fun, and exercise, Alhamdullilah. Although we are not the only Muslim family in our neighborhood, we were the only Muslim family present. Which is fine with us, as we have been going to several of our Civic Association's events. Of course, we don't benefit from the Halloween, Christmas, or Easter events -duh.

Our Civic Association has block parties. Someimes we go, depending on if it is appropriate or not. I wish we had an Eid block party as I know of at least 7 other Muslim families besides our household in our neighborhood. At least 2 of whom are major contributors to our masjid.

They gave the children icicles, and glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces. Water and refreshments were availbale for the adults. At the end of the "walk" they had hot-dogs and chili, drinks, cookies, and chips for all. Alhamdulillah, we had just come from a local Zabiha pizzeria so we were full, but we helped ourselves to cookies and drinks.

As we were hanging out by the refreshments, the neighbor blasted his car radio with a song that I never heard before (country music). The lyrics were quite comprehendable as he played at least one stanza very loudly: "if only the South would've won"....
well, okay then. Not very polite, but wacha gonna do, at least they get to experience their friendly Muslim neighbors on their front lawn. Apparantly a song to do with the Civil War and the Confederacy. Well, I'm glad they didn't play that horrid 9/11 song that I heard about. Never heard it, but only heard it was pretty ugly. Anyway, some people were really very nice, if only for the sake of being polite. Many people in our neighborhood are young professionals, many of them are white, no doubt, but we have families from all over the world, inlcluding at least 2 Arab Christian families, and several Asian (non-Muslim), Jewish (lots of Jewish schools around my area), etc. So I was kinda surprised to hear that strange country music song playing. To tell the truth, a lot of the youth also play all kinds of rap music in their cars too, some of it just as impolite and un-p.c.

Well, I hope all American Muslims got a chnge to participate in the "National Night Out Against Crime". This is a totally halal and good thing to be a part of. "Encourage the good and forbid the evil"-American Style.

to blog or not to blog

2005-07-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Well, I have explored the blog world and have found it fascinating! I have read through many archives of Muslim sisters (mostly reverts) and have found how unique we all are despite all being united in the ummah.

I can relate to intercultural marriage issues with some sisters, but not others. I can understand some sisters political views vis a vis Islam and the West but don't agree. There is much diversity out there.

Overall,although I like to surf the web when all in my home is quiet at night, I really prefer the one-on-one communication with my family and fellow sisters in my community. If I can keep in touch with a long lost friend, or existing family or friends through the blogs or e-mail, or other technolgical way, that's acceptable too.

I find it difficult however, to decide what information to divulge. Blogs are like diaries. Diaries=private. Maybe that's just me. Probably just me. I am a very open person and enjoy the intimacy between good friends.

That is probably why I have not blogged in a long time. However, I do post comments on some blogs. Usually (but not always) of people I have actually met or know personally. I usually perfer reading the blogs to writing my own or commenting. That's probably why I don't blog as much, 'cuz I know there are people I don't know reading my private life and I am not very comfortable with that I guess.
Well, it stems from me being very honest and to the point with people. I was hoping I wasn't being rude, but although that's not my intention, you can't help what people think of you.

All I have written in my blog up to this point is honest, albeit not very deep.

Nzingha, when you get back to Malaysia sister, I'll be waiting to see what's up, insha'Allah.

Oh, and Overactiveimaginations(I know you're reading this), I'll be over soon, insha'Allah and you still gotta see my room, it came out fabulous, masha'Allah.

British Colonial, not just for emperialists

2005-06-10T00:21:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that the vacuum cleaner is also broken? Well, I'm not going to get into that right now. Let me just say that every time right before my in-laws come, the vacuum snaps a hose or something.

Well, I spent a good deal of time looking on the internet (While kids are sleeping-I should be sleeping too-I'm going to regret this tomorrow)trying to figure out if I actually do want the dark stained look.

Well, I figured the style that always made me drool. Dunya, dunya, dunya. Is this post haram?

Anyways, the style that makes me drool is British Colonial. Before you say anything, I teach social studies at an Islamic school and I usually have nbothing good to say about colonialism. Except of course the way they meshed traditional, stuffy, European style and imbibed it with life. But I never teach the kids about decorating. Maybe I should make that their Heritage Fair project next year. "decorate a room in my house-colonial style" the party could be at my house instead of in the dreary public school gym liked we had this past year. I got pics. One day, i'll post them, insha'Allah.

Okay, I'm really sleepy. Possibly delirious. Now you know whay I don't post often. When I'm alone to think, it's late.

Redecorating my house is easier than fixing the vacuum cleaner

2005-06-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahamtulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Well, the school year is over. I've attended a friend's aquiqa and the graduation ceremony this past weeked. My parents who live with me and are my companions (still raising me and my kids, I like to say)are off to Florida. My in-laws will be arriving in about a week, insha'Allah.

What do I do? Do I take this time to clean up my garage(they hardly ever go in there)? Should I start shopping for food (they like to eat nice meals-doesn't everyone)? Should I scrape the dry food off the family room carpet? Nope. This is where I draw the line.

You see, my parents help me a lot. They like to play with the kids a lot but when it comes down to it, my dad(80 years old, masha'Allah) will get the vacuum and suck up their trail. Then, my mom will shampoo it up. Not me. I like my environment to be beautiful AND clean but I'm just one person guys! Our home is fairly large, Alhamdulillah, so it spacious enought for everyone, but after five years of vacuuming and shampooing the family room, I am putting in new flooring, insha'Allah. By the way, I love shampooing the carpets. Really, I do. But not this room. I don't know why, it's lost that loving feeling, ohh. Maybe because my kids dropped one too may bananas today on it and I couldn't tell if it was totally clean or not becuase the carpet it dark blue. It gives me the creepies. (This reminds me of a dictatorprincess blog I read the other day about cleaning the floors twice a day).

So, I call my friend's brother (family I trust-I don't trust people to work in my house) and he comes over and gives me an estimate. I trek over to Lowe's with my husband, to look for flooring options. As I stand in front of not-too-many-choices I might add of laminate wood flooring, I start asking the questions. Well, if my kids drag a plastic slide (yes, slide, as in the backyard toy) into the family room 'cuz you know, it's hot and they can't play outside(ok, ok, I'M the one dragging the slide inside but sssshhh)will it scratch the floor? What about markers? What if they color it in? After about 20 questions, they salesperson was giving me real good advice. Well, if your carpet can't take it, then, it's best to get ceramic but that's gonna be hard for your kids heads when they fall (good point-I believe that was my question #12). So, I think it's a good choice to go for the laminate and realize you might need to replace bits and parts of it in say, five years.

Ok now. I can live with that. Now what color? Mind you this is about the 4th time in the last three years that I go to Lowe's AND Home Depot and say "THAT's IT! It is not haram to spend money on the house. I do not want to have an ugly old navy blue carpet in the family room anymore!" But, year after year, I go home with nothing. I just can't do it. But this time folks, that's it, insha'Allah. I dragged my husband with me to look at floor colors! That's right on top of his list with watching paint dry(he always tells me that-I don't think it's that funny considering my favorite TV viewing consists of HGTV and Trading Spaces). I actually like watching paint dry I tell him, but anyways. So, we look at the floor colors and I am stuck between a cherry color and a cinnamon color and an oak. All pretty much dark stains. He goes with the cherry. Now, he knows I love cherry. My bedroom furniture is all dark; I like the darker colors, especially the cherry and mahoghany -even if every designer in the Western world has managed to convince everyone that light wood stains are contemporary and "hip". Well, the way I feel about that (and I have a friend who loves the look, I don't mean to offend her) is that in about 10-20 years, it'll look dated. But, well, that's just me. I like the traditional look. Anyways, I'm thinking all of this as my kids dart in and out of dangerous nooks at Lowe's until I ask my husband to please put them in the shopping cart so I can think. Never mind that he has to study for his Ph.D. work. He's been doing that for years. I'm thinking about floor colors here, now seriously. So, he says "you have 4 minutes to decide then we're moving on". I asked him to take the kids on a stroll around the store and come back. I call my mom in Florida. "Mom, what do you think? An oak, a cherry or this cinnamon? It's a darker stain. It matches the rafter color on the ceiling". She agrees. My husband returns. "Did you decide?" "Yes" I said emphatically. Finally. A simple decision years in the making (I'm not even thinking about the money-my husband said it was alright, it was about time anyway that we made this choice). So, I tell the gentleman who works there, "We'd like to buy some flooring-this one (I show him the sample)". "Oh, that's been discontinued", he says.

Ok.

Figures.

Maybe I'm not supposed to choose this one. Maybe I like the cherry instead. "What do you think, dear, shall we get this other one?" He says, " I told you I liked that other one before, it's nice".

"NO, No, no" "I want the cinnamon one". O.K. Now, before you think I am a spoiled brat. I am having a day. Sure. I am thinking about a lot of things. One of them is making a choice that I may have to live with for 10-15 years. Sure, it's just a floor, but it's not cheap and I hate wasting. But I can't keep living for cleaning floors either. Or have my parents clean every 20 minutes (while I'm not even home to stop them). Another thing I am thinking of is how I am gonna keep my house looking perfect now that I have two kids and the in-laws will be here in one week?

Well, Alhamdulillah, my smart husband asks the salesman to look for other stores that have it. He is so sweet he's gonna get it for me anyway.

So, I get home, my husband makes dinner, while I start piling books from our bookshelves into boxes. "Gotta get moving, I've gotta paint tomorrow".

This folks, is another story.

Well, anyway, there's a tropical storm headed this way this weekend, so my friend's brother won't be able to do the work until Monday, insha'Allah. That means that I'll be reshelving the last book as my husband pulls up the driveway with his parents here after a whole day trip from Saudi Arabia! So like Trading Spaces.

No matter, it's easier than shampooing the carpet one more time.

I Digress Myself

2005-05-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aliekum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I have spent more time commenting on other's blogs that I have completely disregarded my own. Whew. That's interesting. I digress myself.

Today was the PTO Appreciation Luncheon. My husband is the PTO President, my best friend is the PTO secretary and I am a teacher at the school. Thereby, I am inextricably entwined in the school. It has become a part of everything I do. Tommorrow is the last day of school, insha'Allah and we will be spending it at Chuck E. Cheese's with the kids.

I hope to have osme time now to learn more about my own blog so that I may link it to other's and post some pretty pics, insha'Allah.

The PTO was lovely. I had to decorate, it's an obsession with me, astagfirAllah. I think it makes a party so much more special. I think it turned out nicely, Alhamdullilah. Interesting fact about me, I don't ever match my jilbab to my hijab (okay sometimes) but if I even have a small kids party, I am matching plates, cups, tableclothes, ribbons, etc.

If I have a party for my friends, I use fabrics to decorate sometimes, sometimes tulle, or plain old colored tissue papers.

I don't like to waste, so I recycle a lot of stuff that later on turns up as something else at another party.

I hope to write more about the party tomorrow, insha'Allah, on my blog.

To Allah we Belong and to Allah we must Return

2005-05-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Last night, after I finished writing on my blog, our pet Beta fish was dying. I had bought two new goldfish for the kids (so they could be busy with more fish)while I put the Beta in a cup while his new bowl was prepared (the goldfish would live in his old bowl). Well, sometime between dinner and computer-time, Blue jumped out of the cup onton the tile floor. Nobody thought anything of it until I went to look for him. We found him on the floor and we quickly put him back iin the cup. I was actually very sad and scared. I was afraid that it was my fault that he had died. I think he must of been out of water for at least 30 minutes. He seemed to be breathing though. In fact, he kept breathing (although with a struggle) for about 4 hourse after we put him back in the water. He swam a bit, but basically, the trauma was bad. My daughter came downstairs and I told her that we had to make dua for Blue because he was sick. SHe told me, "It's okay mommy, he's just a pet". She read Ayat Al Kursi for him(one of the few verses from Quran she actually knows). I, however, was very distraught. I know by now I probably sound like a nutcase, but really, I am like this. I was worried that he wasn't gonna make it. When I went to bed last night, he was still breathing. I looked up Beta's on the internet and I found out that Betas have a "labyrinth organ", a rudimentary lung that allows them to actually breathe atmospheric air. I though, "SubhanAllah" when was I ever gonna learn that in my life! Probably never. I actually didn't think he would survive(he might of been out of the water anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours). He never jumped out of water before! I never expected he would do this.

I took this as an increased sign. Another reminder for me. I think that is why I was so distraught. Wa Alhamdulillah. I went to bed kinda worried. I kissed my parents goodnight, asked them to forgive me and kissed my kids. My husband however, was already asleep, so I figured, I shouldn't wake him up just because I was sad that our fish was dying.

Before I went to bed, I actually decided to make the unselfish dua that if the fish in any way was feeling pain (PETA actually says fish feel pain-I never thought about it before), then, I preferred that he was no longer with us.

When I woke up this morning, he was gone.

I know he's just a fish. I am mourning not only for the first and only pet that I ever bought my kids (been with us for a few years now), but for something else. I can't quite put my finger on it.

When I got home, my mom told me the truth.
She said, "I know you are a bit sad about Blue. He wasn't really Blue, you know? of course she said this in Spanish).
"What do you mean, I said? "He's the third Blue that we've had. The others jumped out of the bowl too!"

So for the last three years, I am thinking this is Blue, the one and only fish my children have ever fed and taken care of. Even I couldn't tell the difference well, about a year back I noticed he had gotten bluer, I figured it was his food).

So for some selfish reason, I wasn't as sad anymore. I wasn't mourning for the fish that belonged to me. I was mourning for some alternate fish that never belonged to me anyway, a replacement fish that we were taking care of so that my daughter (and apparantly myself included) wouldn't feel the loss of separation. How strange is that! It was still a creature.

So, really, here I am, as I write this, I remmeber the halaqa about death last
Friday. How our futures don't belong to us although we act like we own them. How we can and should plan for the future, but whatever happens is Allah's will.

To digress a bit, but still to the point, I have a good friend. Her father-in-law was diagnosed with a terminal illness about 4 years ago. Meanwhile, her father, a very active and generous man, always travelling for charitable work to the Middle East, Europe and Asia, no real imminent health problems, prays duhr, takes a nap and never wakes up (May Allah (SWT) grant him paradise, insha'Allah). This took my good friend by surprise, no doubt. Here she was preparing her husband to deal with the loss of his father and her own father dies unexpectedly.

I don't know what my point it, I don't think there needs to be a point to this except, Inna Lillahi wa Innah Allahi Rajaun.

Quran Competition

2005-05-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aliekum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Quran Competition. Doesn't this just sound wrong? There is no competition in memorizing Quran. I know it is done in many places. I know that most people believe that a little competition is healthy. Frankly, I think Muslims have been overexposed to Capitalistic Western ideals.

Today, our lovely Islamic school had a "Quran Competition". It was a lovely event. All the kids behaved (considering they had to sit still for 2 hours, hten snack, then sit still for about another hour - 4-12yr. olds). However, there were 4 yr. olds competiting for 1st and 2nd place. Both students memorized well, masha'Allah. Their tajweed was reasonably good (better than mine) and face it people - THEY ARE FOUR! I think they should have both won first place. However, when there is a small matter of pronunciation, usually the Arab children fare better than the Pakistani or American children. I am not saying the competition wasn't judged fairly, I am saying, it should have been a recitation, or presentation, not a competition. I think all the students who practiced so hard to memorize should have been given Islamic gifts and certificates of acheivements. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I guess it is good to reward good acheivement and behavior, but to judge children at such a young age is hard. Wa Allahu Alim. I know everyone's intention was good. (BTW, my child is 4 and I did not enter her-perhaps next year).

Gratitude comes in unexpected places

2005-05-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Friday night, our halaqa night, our dear sister talked about Rememberance of Death. The halaqa was one in a series of reminders of death for me in this past week. SubhanAllah. Obviously, I finally broke down. It got to me. The tears came out like a sigh. I feel as though I am being prepared for death because I will lose a loved one soon. But, I will. We all will. I don't know how to prepare for that except to try to be appreciative and loving to them while they are with you. Try not to say or do anything you'll regret.

Or, it could be the answer to my duas. Sometimes we all get so involved in activities and the everyday that we long for that taqwa that we felt when we first accepted Islam. Rememberance of death is certainly a wake-up call! Alhamdulillah.

Yesterday, we had a baby shower for ummabdurrahman. I think she enjoyed herself, Alhamdulillah. The sisters that came brought thoughtful presents for her. I think everyone had a nice time, insha'Allah.

One sister in particular went through a huge effort just to be there and noone realized it. I happen to know becuase I told her that another sister had mentioned that she couldn't come becuase she didn't have a ride. she then told me about her adventures on the bus to find the store where the sister was registered only to find when she arrived at the store it was the wrong store, then she trekked back to the other store on the bus, came home with her baby, didn't have time to dress, so, well, she arrived happy, and with a good disposition (and nice gifts too, masha'Allah). Even though this sister doesn't have a good income. When she left, she made so many duas for us. She was happy to be there. I hope I don't forget this stuff-gratitude exemplified.

I have to go now. I didn't go to work today because my boy has to go to outpatient at the hospital to get some dental work done. I know it sounds extreme. Insha'Allah, he'll be alright. I am a little nervouse, of course, but we are always in Allah's hands. If you read my post, make a little dua for him after you read. Jazak Allahu Khairan.

stuck stuff

2005-05-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

Early today, I saw a baby goose start hatching from its egg. The sister (and dear friend) who brought the hatching egg to school for the students to see, is expecting a child, insha'Allah.

In the evening, I visited a sister's (and dear friend) newborn baby at the hospital with mother doing well, Alhamdulillah.

I also visited another sister at the hospital who had just lost her baby and is still in critical condition herself.

Finally, I am home with my baby boy that I don't spend enough time with.

I wish I was eloquent enough to express myself.

"Or who originates Creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!" Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for judgement)." (27:64-65)

I am not a poet (obvious) I don't even try it. I do however, remember a poem a classmate once wrote about women and language. It read in part, "and for the words that come up to the throat and stick there, we (women) made poems". My words don't even come up to my throat. But they are inside me.

My To Do List Includes Giving Salams to Ducks

2005-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I always give the greeting of peace, even though noone is there. We are supposed to give the greeting of peace when we come into our homes even if we know noone is home. Some people draw the line at giving the greeting to pets, wild geese and the like. I don't. The least time I gave salam to an animal was to a duck on my way home from an outing today. I do however draw the line in giving salams to inanimate objects.

I find myself at a crossroads (once again) between choosing spending more time with my children or working full-time (I work full-time right now). I have to make a decision soon. Throw into this equation that I want to go back for a Master's degree insha'Allah, and have a third child insha'Allah. All the while committing myself to community projects. So much to do, so little time. So what do I do? I start a blog. This outta help me manage my life better. My priority skills are great, I gotta admit!

I am getting a satellite cable dish installed today, insha'Allah. It's been in my family's priority list for a year now. We believe that somehow it will help our kids learn Arabic (I hope I can find kid-appropriate shows). We own a lot of Islamic videos for kids but all but one are in English. Personally, I think it might help me understand Arabic culture better (I know this sounds shallow-perhaps I'll explain sometime). I don't have the patience for world travel (not anymore) so I want to see other places now (TV has nice pictures, ahhhhhhh).

Well, I have become tiresome. I think I'll go do something on my priority list like plan the next baby shower (for a friend-happy, happy).

The Hitchhikers Guide to Islam

2005-04-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakathu.

Last night at our halaqa, my beloved sister reminded us that we are but wayfarers in this world. She has prepared a series of halaqas based on the book, Purification of the Soul (I know its published in England. I don't think it is Imam Hamza Yusuf's book, however). She used several analogies that were funny, culturally relevant, and quite modern.

Analogy #1: You are travelling and a friend graciously lends you the use of her apartment. Knowing that you will be there for only three days, will you got to the effort of buying Hurwitz Mintz (local expensive furniture store) furniture and redecorate the place just to suit your taste?

Analogy #2: You have planned a trip to the desert where you be camping out for a month (insert your imagination here-especially if you live in a swamp like myself). You have a limited budget and 1 hour to go into the Walmart (and/or Sam's) and get all your provisions for the trip. Will you spend all your time in the cosmetic and clothing sections?

Curiously enough, I am blessed with a fate where when I am supposed to learn something, it is reiniforced into my daily life until it is weaved into my very experience of life itself and becomes a part of who I am. Well, I just got back from watching the movie (if it were a British production I probably would have called it film) The Hithchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

OK, I usually don't like going to movies (especially not science fiction movies) but I gave it a chance. When I go to the movies a certain guilt sets in. I think "I could be something better with my time" but I usually try to grow from the experience.

Fact about me #1: I am a very visual person. I don't have an overactive imagination (like my good friend does), so I have a hard time picturing things.

Fact about me#2: My husband enjoys going to the movies every now and then so it's one of the things I do with him.

Well, knowing that this world is a distraction, I was going to make the best of my perspective at the movies if I was gonna cave in and go with my husband.

Even Douglas Adams, clearly an atheist (for any fans I am not taking away his ability as a writer, just as a believer) understood the infinately minute time we have on Earth and how although beautiful, what a small portion of the creation Earth actually comprises. (I probably could go on but it won't help explain myself any better.)

Here's the rub: HE'S AN ATHEIST DUDE! We should be far more conscience of this fact. Although he (Adams) may never have figured out an answer to "Why are we here", Muslims have. Do we really express it in the way we live?

No, I didn't need to see the movie to understand this but I think it actually helped drive the point in for me.

I don't think I am going to give away everything I own and never covet anything material again, but it will help me to keep thinking about everything I do and why I do it, insha'Allah. I really pray for that ability.

There's a first time for everything

2005-04-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

Well, not necessarily everything.

Assalamu Aleikum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatuhu,

I am always the last one on the technology bus. I just found out about blogs. I didn't own a cell phone until two years ago. I learned how to use a computer with a Mac. I wrote my college papers by hand first, then typed them on the computer (and I still managed to lose information).
Anyways, I will try this out just like I have given a lot of other things a chance.

I know I am in good company. Through the blogs I have reconnected with some and made a deeper connection with other sisters that I love.