Our New Home!

So here are some more pics of our home now that it's all done. I'll just post the pics and then I'll post a long post sharing more about regina soon inshaAllah.

From T.O, ON to Regina, SK

Well here it is, all the pictures of our drive from Toronto (well actually Malton, people just understand T.O quicker. So no offense to Malton, you are still my home!), Ontario to Regina, Saskatchewan that I promised to upload and share

So as I had posted in a previous post, my husband Shaykh Abdullah, got a position as the Imam for the Masjid in Regina, SK, known as the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan (IAOS). We've been here for exactly a month tomorrow. Alhamdulillah we're settled in and getting used to the place. The people here are just wonderful, especially the Muslim community, MashaAllah. There's over 300 Muslim families here as I been told and the community is really growing mashaAllah. A few families moved in after we did from Ontario, especially from T.O. I just heard on the news that Saskatchewan is No.1 in Canada right now with it's economy, because of it's job opportunities. So I guess this is the place to be right now.

Regina's a pretty nice place, they have a science centre, a museum to a man-made lake. The drivers are much more calm then the drivers in ON that's for sure. You'll always see people jogging outside, especially old folks. There's even a lot more Natives then in T.O. We even have a few Reverts, alhamdulillah. As for the weather here, well you're probably hearing about it in the news. We're getting the cold and icy air from the arctic so it gets from -33 to -44 these days with windchill. Oh and we plug in our cars so the oil doesn't freeze at night, cool huh? (no pun intended).

So yeah there's a bit about Regina. I'll probably be sharing a whole lot more over time. There are a lot of interesting stories and what not to share, but for now I think this is a good introduction. I've placed a slideshow of the pics below. However, if you want to view larger pictures, just click on it and it'll take you to the actual album. From there on the right-hand corner click on "slideshow" for easier viewing. Then there are two short video's I took while we were driving. be warned, I'm no good at video recoding.





Ok, so that's all for now folks, remember me in your du'as and keep checking the blog for more updates inshaAllah!


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Video of while we were driving through Berrie, ON.



Driving through Northern Ontario, very beautiful MashaAllah.

Eid Mubarak!

As salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Eid Mubarak!!!

Well I was hoping that I’d post before Eid, but I didn’t get to it. I’ll spare you all with my excuses. It’s a happy time and May Allah (swt) bless this ummah of His Beloved Nabi (s.a.w) with the true understanding of sacrifice so that we may become of those with Taqwa and May He (swt) shower us with His infinite blessings, mercy, noor, and love on this very blessed day. Ameen.

InshaAllah I’ll do a post about Regina soon as I get all my pictures sorted out, I can’t wait to post them! There’s a video or two as well. It should be soon, I mean I’ve finally uploaded them and deleted the blurry ones now I have to pick the ones I want to post. Then InshaAllah I’ll get to posting them online. Okay you’re probably thinking, “great, she’s just going to post this in January now…” InshaAllah that won’t happen!! I’ll do it as soon as I can. :D

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I'm Moving!

Okay I know it's been very long since I've posted, but with so many things going on right now I just hardly feel like sitting down and updating, or you can just call it being lazy to update. I would think of random posts to write since the last real post but I could never get down to it. Then today after I decided that I must post, I thought I should put all the thoughts (I actually forgot many of them so just some of them) into points and post in 1 BIG (or medium) blog post!

So here they are, all the updates and random thoughts:

• It's FALL!!!! Oh the horror! I still remember seeing the first brown leaf on our drive way and I pointed at it in distress to my husband, crying (not literally!) about summer ending. Now I'll have to embrace the wind chills and piles of snow, and not just any winter, I'm going to have to get ready for Regina, Saskatchewan's winter! Yup, you just read Regina, and that's were I'm moving too.

• So I guess that's the second point. I'm moving out of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) were I was born, raised, and married to the other side (the western side) of Canada, aka the Prairies. I would have never thought I'd be moving there someday...but here I am packing away all my things and planning our move to Regina inshaAllah, in 2 weeks. My husband got an offer to be the Imam at the Masjid in Regina and he took it after we went to see it, talked about it with our families and finally doing istikharah. So lot's of du'as needed! We'll be moving on Nov., 16 inshaAllah. It's exciting and sad at the same time, and sometimes one of them is more then the other...I'm pretty sure you can guess which one, please remember us in your du'as!

• The conservatives are in Parliament again. yippy! (in a very sarcastic tone) The liberals are a disgrace, and I never liked Dion from the start. They seriously need to step up and to go over what it means to be Liberal and not the babbling group of opposition in Parliament. Someone like Trudeau is needed to be the head of the Liberals.
  
• I wonder (as does the rest of the world, since it effects us all) who will be the head in the white house...

• Tina Fey is just too good, and I just don't like Palin, she's the wrong chess move that McCain made. So far that move isn't helping him, I guess we'll see for sure tomorrow.

• I played Nintendo Wii yesterday at my sis-in-law's with my husband. All I can say is, it's too much fun! :D

• Man, the GTA is becoming so dangerous now. From shootings and stabbings to all the schools (including the elementary schools that I went too) in my hometown going in lock down just a while ago. It's crazy! May Allah (swt) protect us from all harms and evils around us! I mean just a few years ago, you would hardly hear about murders and gun violence on the news. Unfortunately now, it's an everyday thing. It's all to do with the drugs, the guns (coming from the border...), the weak justice system and the weak education system here.

• I just stopped teaching at Lote Tree on Thursday and we had a little party with my class. Oh, I'm really going to miss them all, teaching them was definitely a pleasure, alhamdulillah. They were really good kids mashaAllah.

• My poor ipod stopped working, I don't know why, but I miss playing it while I'm in the kitchen. It was the first most expensive thing I bought with my own money about 3 yrs ago. It works when I connect it to the computer but otherwise it just doesn't work! :(
  

So now I'm running out of things to write, so I'll just stop here. I'll update again, at least once or twice before I leave InshaAllah.

A small bunch of flowers that one of my students gave me last week.

Collin Powell Endorses Obama

Collin Powell Endorses Obama

watch the video here on msnbc!!!




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The Night Preceding Eid ul Fitr

A girl prays at Al-Wehadat Palestinian refugee camp on the last day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Amman September 29, 2008.REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN)

I can't believe Ramadhan is almost and practically over! It just flew by! No, it actually zoomed by! It's just so sad... May Allah (swt) accept all our acts of worship and all our du'as, May He (swt) forgive our never-ending sins, save us from His punishments and enter us into Jannatul Firdaws.

So Eid Mubarak to those celebrating Eid tomorrow...yeah, it's just wierd knowing that after reading that it's going to be impossible to see the moon today but there's a small possibility of seeing it in the Ploynesian Islands (Moonsighting.com) And there's Isna who announced Oct. 1st to be Eid... we'll just be following the Sunnah and wait for the news tomorrow evening (T.O Hilal committee and Cresent Watch)

Ahh! I have soooo much left too do!


Remember me in your du'as all!

The Night Preceding Eid ul Fitr

It has been the practice of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eidul-fitr. This night has been named in a Hadith “Lailatul Jazaa” - the night of reward.

It means Allah bestows his rewards to those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Shari’ah, and all their prayers in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform nafl prayers in this night.

The Propet (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Who ever stands in worship in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)

To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship in this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires.

Source: Mufti Taqi Usmani

Labbayk, Rhymes of Praises

I've been meaning to share this new nasheed album that's been out in the UK for a while now. I haven't gotten it as of yet, but I do plan too inshaAllah.

The group is called Labbayk, and their new album is called Rhymes of Praise. MashaAllah it has no instruments and no duff, just voice! (You know how much I prefer that, and there's not too many options out there with voice-only nasheeds)

So alhamdulillah and mashaAllah they sound great and their words are beautiful too (from whatever I've heard in the samples). So here's 2 of teh videos that are out, and the link to their site.

Rhymes of Praises

Muslim Aid Ramadan Nasheed by Mujahid ul-Haq (ft. Labbayk)
by mazi2u

Church makes Ramadan fast meals

Church makes Ramadan fast meals --BBC


A Christian church in the Indonesia city of Solo is providing meals for fasting Muslims during Ramadan in the hope it will help build community relations.
Watch video report here.


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Make the Most of the Last Ten Days

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque during night prayers in the Muslim month of Ramadan in Mecca September 19, 2008

Please remember me, this very sinful sister, in your du'as (and my husband requested du'as as well!), and please forgive me if I've wronged anyone in anyway intentionally or unintentionally.

May Allah (swt) help us take advantage of these last 10 days of Ramadhan, accepting all our worship (small to big) and all our du'as. May He(swt) forgive our sins, save us from His anger, from the fitnas of Shaytan, fitnas of Dajjal, from the love of this dunya, from the diseases of the heart, from all the evil that which is in this dunya, from the punishments of the grave, from the torments of the Day of Judgment and from the fire of hell.

May Allah (swt) through His infinite Mercy and Grace, purify our hearts, minds, souls and nafs, filling it with His Noor and love for Him (swt) and His Rasul (s.a.w) only. May Allah (swt) give us success in both worlds and make us and raise us amongst those that He (swt) loves and favours. May Allah (swt) forgive those that have died and fill their graves with His Noor, mercy and blessings. May Allah (swt) forgive, give sabr, and grant ease to all those believers in hardship and sickness. May the Most Just (swt), help oppressed, give them sabr and give justice to those who know no justice.

We are the ummah of Allah (swt)'s beloved Nabi, Sayyidinah Rasulullah (s.a.w), and today we are drowning in our own sins and in the love of this dunya. We've become deluded to the extent that we take, see, practice, and preach from this deen only we want. Our ignorance and arrogance have made us blind and deluded from the true way of Islam.

Allah (swt) says, "It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day. For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah. Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves. But when Allah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, and they will find besides Him no protector." (13:10-11)

Allah (swt), the Most Merciful has given us the Night of Power for a reason, and we all know quite well what that reason is. So lets take advantage of these last 10 days and so that we may purify ourselves and become closer to Him (swt).

Make the Most of the Last Ten Days
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN), www.jamiat.org.za

Greater Than a Thousand Months

"Most certainly We have revealed it in the Night of Power; And what will inform you what is the Night of Power? The Night of Power is greater than a thousan

d months; The angels and Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) descend in it with the permission of your Lord with all decrees; Peace prevails till the rising of dawn." (Surah Qadr)

The Night of Power is indeed unique in every sense. Most befittingly it has been afforded exclusively to the Ummat of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), which is in itself unique from all previous Ummats (nations). The magnanimous rewards and benefits of this auspicious night also dictate that its occurrence remains partially disclosed. Allah Ta’ala alone knows the true date of Laylatul Qadr and those wanting to earn this night have to vigilantly search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.

The person who finds this night and observes it appropriately earns himself a great fortune, a fortune that will only be realised and appreciated in the hereafter. It has been the practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), the Sahaba (radiyallahu anhum), Mashaikh, Ulama and generations of Muslims too observe I’tikaaf (seclusion) in the Masjid during the last ten days of Ramadaan in search of this auspicious night.

Ubada bin Saamit (radiyallahu anhu) reports that he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about "Laylatul Qadr". Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "It is in Ramadaan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadaan. Whosoever stands in 'Ibadah' (worship) on this night, with sincere faith and conviction of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the 'Shayateen' on that night; it lasts until the break of dawn. Another sign is that in the morning, the sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in its fullness. On that day, Allah Ta’ala prohibits the 'Shayateen' from rising up with the sun." (Fazaail A’maal)

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all this auspicious night.

I'tikaaf in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

The observation of I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan was a practice which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) observed assiduously throughout his life in Madinah Munawwarah. The devotion that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) attached to this beautiful Sunnah can be understood by the fact that on one occasion when he was unable to observe I’tikaaf, due to being out on an expedition, he observed twenty days I’tikaaf the following year.

The spiritual benefits that are attained from this wonderful Sunnah are innumerable. Who can possibly describe the spiritual ecstasy experienced from communicating in solitude with Allah Ta’ala, while one is a guest in the Masjid with the Malaaikah (angels) as his companions.

Undisturbed seclusion in the Masjid is indeed an excellent way to exclusively engage oneself in personal communication with Allah Ta’ala. Away from the comfort of the home, family members and daily work routine, I’tikaaf enhances one’s proximity to Allah Ta’ala and secures the internal and external purification of the Mu’takif .

Remember! Such precious moments come but once a year - and who can guarantee being present for the next Ramadaan.

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhuma ) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said; "Whosoever performs I’tikaaf for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala will open three trenches between him and the fire of hell, the width of each (trench) being the distance between the heaven and the earth." (Tabraani)

The Ulama, considering the importance attached by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to this noble practice, have ruled it necessary that this Sunnah be observed by at least one member of every locality. Failure to do so will result in the entire locality being guilty of neglecting this great Sunnah.

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Ramadan Reruns- Ummah Films

Just an old reminder video by Baba Ali about Ramadhan, enjoy!





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CityNews: Mississauga Grandfather Held For Ransom For Three Days By Kidnappers

Mississauga Grandfather Held For Ransom For Three Days By Kidnappers

Thursday September 11, 2008

CityNews.ca Staff

When Kuldip Bhullar walked out of his Mississauga home around 8pm Monday night to go for a walk, it was part of his normal routine.

What happened next was anything but normal.

The 58-year-old grandfather found himself in the middle of a terrifying kidnapping, lured by several suspects and spirited away to a hiding place that may have been in Brampton...

CityNews: Mississauga Grandfather Held For Ransom For Three Days By Kidnappers

" It is done for Me and I will give reward for it..."

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,

"Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied. He will receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold reward for a good deed. Allah the Glorious and Majestic has said 'but fasting is exceptional, for it is done for Me and I will give reward for it, since one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it and joy when he meets his Lord; and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk."

[Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim].

A Muslim girl prays in a madrasa or school during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on the outskirts of Jammu September 9, 2008. REUTERS/Amit Gupta (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)

Just a little note regarding the previous post, Tasawwuf.org has the whole book, "Love for Allah" online. Personally I'm not too into reading books online, but if anyone wants too, click here.

Love For Allah

A Saudi man reads the Koran during the Muslim month of Ramadan in downtown Riyadh September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed (SAUDI ARABIA)

‘Love For Allah” By Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (translated by Brigadier Ashfaq Ashraf)

is an

amazing book that I recommend everyone read. This book is one of the best

books I’ve read. SubhanAllah, the effects of it can be felt deep inside where it starts (or adds to what was) a flame of great love for Allah (swt). Sadly, for many of us, this flame is on the edge of burning out. I can say for sure that this book can fuel that spark and make it burn inside with great passion. I seriously can’t think of the right words that could do justice to it. You need to read it to experience it. It makes your heart yearn to be closer to Allah (swt), it wakes you from the darkness and leaves your heart filled with awe and love for Him (swt).

I was thinking of sharing something from it, but I just can’t make up mind! I want to share everything but then I’d have to type out the whole book! So inshaAllah, every once in a while I’ll type us a little

something from it. So for now, I thought since it’s Ramadhan and we all read Tarawih, many of us read

a few du’as or praises in between the rakats, and here’s a story behind one of them that was in this book.

A Story About Prophet Ibrahim (a.s)

Once, when Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was grazing his flock of sheep, a man passed by loudly reciting the following words in praise of Allah (swt):

Suhana dhil mulki wal malakoot , subhana dhil I’zaati wal a’dhmati wal haybati wal quoodrati wal kibriyaee wal jabaroot.

Glorified is the Master of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. Glorified is the Honored One, the Exalted One, the Venerated One, the Powerful One, the Magnificent One, and the Omnipotent One.

When Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) heard his Beloved (swt) praised with such beautiful words, his heart leaped in exultation. He requested the man to kindly recite the words one more time. The man asked what he would give him in return. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied that he would give half of his flock of sheep. The man complied and repeated the words. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was so captivated by these beautiful words that he asked him to repeat the words again. The man asked what he would be given in exchange this time. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied that he would give the remaining half of the flock. The man complied and repeated the words for a third time. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was so overcome with ecstasy by these words the he once again implored the man to repeat his words. The man responded, “You have nothing left. Now what will you give me?” Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied, “O brother, I will tend your sheep forever if you recite these praises of my Beloved (swt) one more time.” The man then said, “Ibrahim Khalilullah [friend of Allah]. I bring you glad tidings. I am an angel sent by Allah (swt), who told me, “Go and take My name before My Khalil and see how much he values it.”

SubhanAllah.

Page 34

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Visually impaired Palestinian students read verses of the Quran, Islam's holiest book, written in Braille, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Al-Qabas Islamic school in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. The Islamic school is funded by local donations, that usually increase during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

(AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

Ramadhan Mubarak/Kareem!

Ibn Khuzaima reported on the authority of Salman al-Farisi that the Prophet (saaw) delivered a Khutbah on the last day of Sh'aban saying:

"O people: You are about to enter the shadow of a great blessed month. A night therein is better than a thousand months. Allah (swt) made fasting during this month an obligation and encouraged people to perform extra prayers during its nights.

Seeking nearness to Allah (swt) through a good deed would be considered like performing an obligatory act of worship. In turn, performance of an obligatory act of worship during this month would be rewarded seventy times more than during any other month. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Jannah. It is the month of comforting others, and the month during which believers would enjoy plentifulness.

The Prophet (s.a.w) went on to say:" Make sure you frequently do four things, two of which would please your Lord and the other two are indispensable for your salvation in the Hereafter. As for the two things that would please your Lord, they are: testifying to the oneness of Allah (swt) and seeking repentance. And the other two are: asking Allah the favour of entering Jannah and seeking refuge in Him from the Hell Fire."

"Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward, all his past sins will be forgiven."
(Bukhari)

Ramadhan Mubarak/Kareem!

Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us yet another year in which we can take advantage of this Blessed month and even for that we must do shukr. Many die before Ramadhan approaches yet many of us are still here, given another opportunity to cleanse, purify, and illuminate our hearts and souls with the mercy and light of Allah (swt) and to be closer to Him (swt). It is the month wherein the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Sayyidinah Rasulullah (s.a.w) on the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), the night that is better then a thousand months of worship. SubhanAllah, how great is Allah (swt)’s mercy for the Ummah of His beloved Nabi (s.a.w).


May Allah (swt) make it easy for us during this blessed month to gain guidance, taqwa, ilm, piety, subr, His mercy, His forgiveness and His pleasure. May Allah (swt) save us from the punishments of the grave and hellfire and raise us amongst those that He loves and favours and make our home Jannatul Firdaws. Ameen

Remember me in your du’as (by NAME!) and I ask for forgiveness from anyone who I might have wronged knowingly/unknowingly.


Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra):
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" [Bukhari Vol. 3: No. 127]

An officer of Brunei's Islamic authority leads a call for prayer or Athaan during the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan over the sky of Bukit Agok outside Bandar Seri Begawan August 31, 2008. Muslims scan the sky at dusk at the end of their lunar calendar's eighth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the beginning of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. REUTERS/Ahim Rani (BRUNEI)



People buy food before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan in Lahore September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza (PAKISTAN)

Pakistani Muslims youngsters recite the holy book of Quran at a seminary in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. Muslims across the world usually increase their religious activities during the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to officially begin Tuesday or Wednesday in Pakistan, though the timing depends on the alignment of the moon. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

A man shops in the downtown market area in Amman, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, August 31, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN)

A boy prays before a session marking the start of Ramadan at the Golden Mosque in Manila September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES)

A boy sleeps in a mosque while waiting to break his fast on the first day of Ramadan in Makassar September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad (INDONESIA)

A child prepares food for Iftar (evening meal) before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan at Memon Mosque in Karachi September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN)
Kashmiri Muslim men, who were under a curfew for the past nine days, perform prayers on a road outside a mosque during Ramadan in Srinagar September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)

Egyptians shop at a vegetable market in Cairo during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Nasser Nuri (EGYPT)

A Pakistani Muslim prepares food stuff for 'Iftar', a time to break the fast, at a mosque during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

An elderly man reads the Koran on the second day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at the Grand Mosque in Sanaa September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN

Students of a religious school recite the Koran during Ramadan at a seminary in Islamabad September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood (PAKISTAN)

Foreign workers gather to break fast at the end of the first day of Ramadan in Jeddah September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Stringer (SAUDI ARABIA)

Palestinian Muslims youths read verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, while waiting to break their daily fast during the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in a mosque in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)A Palestinian man reads the Koran at in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque, at the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalems old city on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world this week begin the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan amid hopes of violence easing in some of the Islamic world's conflict hotspots but hit hard by rising food prices. (AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)

A moon crescent appears in the background of the Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims around the world this week begin the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan amid hopes of violence easing in some of the Islamic world's conflict hotspots but hit hard by rising food prices. (AFP/File/Roslan Rahman)

Saudis shop at a market in the Red Sea city of Jeddah one day before the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Saudi Arabia, cradle of Islam, and other oil-rich Arab monarchies in the Gulf has ushered in Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by an upsurge of charity and a slowdown in activity. (AFP/Omar Salem)

Fishermen offer prayers before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan in Karachi September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN)





"Most certainly We have revealed it in the Night of Power; And what will inform you what is the Night of Power? The Night of Power is greater than a thousand months; The angels and Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) descend in it with the permission of your Lord with all decrees; Peace prevails till the rising of dawn." (Surah Qadr)




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BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Audio slideshow: Inside influential Indian madrassa

Audio Slideshow: Inside Influential Indian Madrassa --BBC

An Islamic theological school in northern India is undergoing a major image makeover.

The teachings at the Darul-Uloom Deoband madrassa are said to have inspired tens of thousands of other seminaries across south Asia - but also groups such as the Taleban.

Now the school is trying to equip its students with 21st-Century skills.

The BBC's India Correspondent Sanjoy Majumder made a rare visit to the institute, which for years has been closed to the outside world.

click on the link below to see and hear the the audio slideshow.

BBC NEWS | Special Reports | Audio slideshow: Inside influential Indian madrassa

Death and Pre-Ordainment

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

Family mourns man in Wasaga Beach drowning --The Toronto Sun

Police Identify 20-Year-Old Wasaga Beach Drowning Victim -- CityNews

Man, 20, drowns at Wasaga Beach --CTV Toronto

Irfan Jogiat...

This is the first time someone I know and met a few times before, has passed away. It came as a shock and as a great reminder from Allah the Almighty about death, and how we must all face it, no matter how old or young we are.

MashaAllah, he was a Talib-ul Ilm who had drowned, Allah (swt) has blessed him with 2 ways of dying as a martyr, SubhanAllah. May Allah (swt) raise him amongst the Ulema and the Shuhadah. I didn’t know him so well but I had heard loads about him through his cousin Aishah. Like about his great akhlaq and adhab (manners, morals, etiquettes, etc) and his great personality that everybody knew about. He always lowered his gaze and not only wore the Sunnah, but tried to emanate and practice it as much as he could. His family and his many friends are feeling his loss, but it indeed is from Allah (swt). Allah (swt) has called him back and saved him from the ugliness of this dunya.

May Allah (swt) open the gates and windows of Jannah tul Firdaws in his grave, illuminate his grave with His (swt) blessings and Noor, raise him amongst those that He loves and favours and grant sabr (patience, understanding, acceptance, etc) to his loving family and friends. Ameen

Death is not something to take lightly and forget. It is something that we must all prepare for. Do not fall for the love of this dunya and all that it holds. Stay away from the haraam and the doubts. Don’t hold grudges, malice, jealousy and hatred for one another in your hearts, just forget and forgive everyone, before it’s too late. There is no room or time for all of that when love, mercy, and the Noor of Allah (swt) should be illuminating it. We may never know when or where we or someone else close to us may die.

May Allah (swt) take us with the Kalimah on our lips, with imaan and when He (swt) is most pleased with us. May Allah (swt) forgive our sins and protect us (and all those who have already passed away) from the punishments of the grave and the hellfire. May He (swt) open the doors of Jannah tul Firdaws in our graves and fill it with His Noor. May we be raised amongst those that He (swt) loves and favours and be with Him and His Rasul (s.a.w) for eternity… Ameen.

Here is an excerpt from the book, Don’t Be Sad. It’s perfect for this loss…

Pre-ordainment

No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence. (57:22)

The pen has dried, the pages have been lifted: all events that shall come to pass have already been written.

Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us (9:51)

Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: If this belief were to firmly ingrained in your heart than all hardship and difficulty would become ease and comfort. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with Hardship)”

For this reason, do not feel overly troubled if you are afflicted with sickness, the death of a son, or a loss in wealth. Allah has decrees these matters to occur and the decisions are His, and His alone. When we truly have this faith, we shall be rewarded well and our sins shall be atoned for.

For those that are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with our Lord.

He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned. (21:23)

You will never completely feel at ease until you firmly believe that Allah has already pre-ordained all matters. The pen has dried and with it has been written everything that will happen to you. Therefore do not fell remorse over that which is not in your hands. Do not thing that you could have prevented the fence from falling, the water from flowing, the wind from blowing, or the glass from breaking. You could no have prevented these things, whether you wanted to or not. All that has been preordained shall come to pass.

Then whosoever wills let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. (18:29)

Surrender yourself: believe in pre-ordainment, before pangs of anger and regret overwhelm you. If you have done all that was in your power, and afterwards what you had been striving against still takes place, have firm faith that it was meant to be. Do not say, ‘Had I done such-and-such, such-and-such would have happened’; rather say, ‘This is the decree of Allah, and what He wishes, He does.’

Page 40-41 from the book, Don’t Be Sad (La Tahzin) by ‘Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

Happy Anniversary to me and Happy Canada Day!

So it’s been 1 year since my nikkah. A year of my marriage has passed, and mashaAllah it has been one of the best years of my life so far. May Allah (swt) continue to bless my marriage (and all marriages) with love, happiness, patience, understanding, and all the other blessings that come in many great ways. Ameen

My husband isn't here so he told my sis-in-law to buy a rose and give it to me today(the one in the pic), along with presents that he bought for me! MashaAllah, he also left a sweet letter that I had to open today...it made me cry!

Those that are still single and do not want to get married, believe me it can be one of the most wonderful things that can ever happen to you. Not only do you fulfill half of your Iman, but you also get a best friend, a lover, a partner (inshaAllah in the Hereafter as well), and a person who becomes your other half. As Allah (swt) says in Suran al-Baqarah, “they are garments for you and you are garments for them…” your spouse becomes your garment in ways you might have never thought. They become a barrier between you and evil, a way to become closer to Allah (swt) and His Rasul (s.a.w), an adornment, a comfort, a warmth, the coolness of your eyes, your passion, your jannah in this world and without them you feel incomplete and empty. SubhanAllah, it’s truly amazing how Allah (swt) blesses us with such beautiful gifts, we just need to make sure we’re grateful to Him (swt) and thank Him as often as we can. May Allah (swt) give us the Tawfiq to do so.

Wow, it’s the summer and a time where your wallet just seems to have a hole in it! I just went shopping yesterday with the girls, got some good deals at Heartland Town Centre, and not to mention a really big migraine by the end of the day. From spending almost an hour in every store to some very hungry girls “accidentally” breaking a table at Popeye’s to going to the Tim Horton’s drive-thru 3 times in a row (some people just can’t make up their minds) can give anyone a headache but a lot of laughs too!

Oh and it’s Canada Day! I just love Canada, even though it can be so expensive sometimes (yeah, I’m thinking of yesterday). Still, you can never really hate Canada, eh?

Anyways, that’s all for now folks! I’ll try to update soon, inshaAllah.

In the mean time check out this nasheed.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Dubai plans 'moving' skyscraper

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Dubai plans 'moving' skyscraper

The world's first moving building, an 80-storey tower with revolving floors giving a shifting shape, will be built in Dubai, its architect says.

The Dynamic Tower design is made up of 80 pre-fabricated apartments which will spin independently of one another.

"It's the first building that rotates, moves, and changes shape," said architect David Fisher, who is Italian, at a news conference in New York.

"This building never looks the same, not once in a lifetime," he added.

The 420-metre (1,378-foot) building's apartments would spin a full 360 degrees, at voice command, around a central column by means of 79 giant power-generating wind turbines located between each floor.

Advertisement

Computer animation of David Fisher's 'Dynamic Tower'

The slender building would be energy self-sufficient as the turbines would produce enough electricity to power the entire building and even feed extra power back into the grid, said the Italian architect at the unveiling of the project in New York.

The apartments, which will take between one and three hours to make a complete rotation, will cost from $3.7m to $36m.

There are also plans to build a similar, 70-storey skyscraper in Moscow.

"I call these buildings designed by time, shaped by life," said the Florence-based architect, who has never built a sky-scraper before.

"These buildings will open our vision all around, to a new life."

The skyscraper will cost an estimated $700m to build and should be up and running in Dubai in 2010.

BBC NEWS | Business | Oil summit calls for supply boost

BBC NEWS | Business | Oil summit calls for supply boost

Leading oil exporters have acknowledged the need to boost supplies to curb soaring prices but stopped short of specific commitments on extra output.

Following their crisis summit in Saudi Arabia, officials noted price levels were "hostile" and more investment was needed to ensure "adequate" supplies.

Saudi Arabia blamed speculation, not lack of supply, for surging prices but said it was willing to raise output.

Earlier, Gordon Brown said more supply was needed to ease price "instability".

'Ready to act'

The US, UK and other major consumers of oil have urged producers to boost supply, blaming lack of capacity for the recent price surge.

Business Secretary John Hutton reacts to Jeddah summit

In a statement issued at the end of the meeting in Jeddah, officials from Opec oil exporters and consumers said "an appropriate increase in investment" in production was needed to ensure that the markets were "well supplied in a timely and adequate manner"...

continue reading here

CityNews: CityNews Exclusive: Toronto Family Terrified By Abduction Attempt In Home

CityNews: CityNews Exclusive: Toronto Family Terrified By Abduction Attempt In Home

A Toronto mother was still trembling Sunday, hours after an alleged abduction attempt was foiled just feet from her three-year-old daughter's bed.

The near-tragic turn of events apparently unfolded around 10pm Saturday, at a Regent Park home near Sumach and Gerrard.

A shadowy male figure reportedly reached through an open window into the child's room, attempting to pick up and abscond with the youngster.

Perhaps it was a mother's intuition, perhaps just saving grace, but it was reportedly at this time the girl's mother caught on, spotting the would-be abductor in the act and scaring him off with a scream.

It was then he jumped into a waiting car and sped away.

Mother Newa Begum doesn't speak English, but her eldest daughter explained the frightening exchange.

"She opened the whole thing (window) and then the guy grabbed her," Tanjila (pictured) explained. "And then my mom yelled ... and he went away."

Got My CD!

As salamu alaikum,

Boy is it getting hot in Toronto or what? With humidity it's 41 C. Which is just insane. It feels like there's a gigantic heater blowing outside along with a humidity machine...

I was supposed to be ironing, but I thought the blog needed some updating.

As you can tell, I got my NBN (NoBeatsNecessary) cd (Open Your Eyes). I actually got it a few weeks ago, just never got to update about it on the blog. What can I say? It's the only thing playing in our car other then 680 news. In the beginning we didn't really love all the tracks because it was different from all the other nasheeds we were used too. It only took a few times listening to them and they started growing on us. Now we're loving it! MashaAllah I have to say they've done an awesome job. The words have great meaning and really makes you think, like this track that I added on the blog.

Enjoy!

I'll update again later this week inshaAllah.

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BBC NEWS | Middle East | 'Bush apology' for Koran shooting

'Bush apology' for Koran shooting

US President George W Bush has made a personal apology over the shooting of a Koran by an American soldier, Iraq's government has said in a statement.

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's office said Mr Bush had promised to send the accused American sniper to trial.

The soldier was sent home by the US military after the Muslim holy book was found riddled with bullet holes at a shooting range by Iraqi police.

continue reading -> BBC NEWS | Middle East | 'Bush apology' for Koran shooting

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CBC news -- Israel Doesn't Want You to See! THE OCCUPATION

CBC news -- Israel Doesn't Want You to See! THE OCCUPATION







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SubhanAllah

I've heard about this video before, but I just came across it today.



SubhanAllah



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Islamic Foundation of Toronto Events

The Annual North American Qira'at-ul-Qur'an and Hifz Competition















Click here for details



The Youth Tarbiyah Conference 2008


Unfortunately it's the same weekend as MuslimFest, but I've made up my mind already and so i'll be the YTC, inshaAllah. You cannot miss out on this when there's such an amazing list of speakers this year. I mean every year there is but this year mashaAllah it's even better. I really want to hear Shaykh Ebrahim Bham, SubhanAllah I've heard a lot about him from my husband.

Don't forget to register!

Yeah I know, I was supposed to be at MuslimFest this year to sell my paintings, since I missed out last year (for the first time because I was in Panama enjoying the palm trees and the rain forests). I guess I'll have to do it at RIS, even though the tables are so expensive! I really don't want to price them too high, inshaAllah we'll figure something out by then.

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Headscarves "R" Us

Headscarves "R" Us

I just came across this youtube video yesterday, it's pretty cool if you ask me.

NoBeatsNecessary -- Open Your Eyes

From Takbir Productions, comes NBN (NoBeatsNecessary) and their album (Open Your Eyes) is finally out!

I've already posted their first nasheed video called, "How Can You Deny" and here's another one called, "I'm Your Sinful Slave".

MashaAllah NO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS!

FINALLY!!!!

You have to read the note that they have on their website. No other site has anything like this, SubhanAllah. Just when you think this Ummah is losing its self to the Fitnas of dunya, Allah (swt) sends some hope.

Read it here


I've already ordered the CD and I cannot wait to get it (InshaAllah)! It's $18.00 AUD (Australian) with shipping and all that (to Canada), it's $23.00 AUD but when it's converted to Canadian it's only $21 (and something cents). Everyone should support these brothers (and whoever worked with them) and May Allah (swt) accept their efforts, keep them on the straight path and raise them amongst those that He (swt) loves and favours. Ameen

So here's the video,

Earth Hour 2008

SubhanAllah, what an effort this is. As human beings, Canadians and especially as Muslims we should really take part in this. We can do it with the right intentions and InshaAllah we will be rewarded for trying to take action on climate change.

Allah (swt) has created the Heavens and the Earth for us, and we are the vicegerents of this world, so is it not our responsibility to take care of this Earth? Will Allah (swt) not question us on how much food we waste and on how much water we waste everyday? Will He not question us on how we polluted the earth with toxins harming not just ourselves but also all the living creatures that He (swt) has created? Knowing that all of these creatures are in constant dhikr of Allah, the Most High. Just as this body of ours is an Amana (trust) of Allah and we will be held accountable for how we used it, the same is with this world and all it contains (water, earth, air, wildlife, etc) that Allah (swt) has created for us to use. The earth is like our mother, we came from it and we shall return to it, and inshaAllah it’ll be in the best of ways.

There are millions of people (many of them Muslims) with no clean water, no food and here we are consuming, consuming and wasting everything we have.

So spread the word and turn off your lights for an hour. In that time we can do dhikr of Allah (swt), pray extra nafl salah, and reflect on how we live in this world and what we can do to change it for the better.

Here are some links for more info on earth hour 2008
http://wwf.ca/earthhour/
http://www.thestar.com/earthhour/
http://www.earthhour.org/

And here some links on Islam and the environment
Islam and the Environment
bbc
Islam and Ecology: A Bestowed Trust Inviting Balanced Stewardship
Significance of Islam and the Environment
Preservation of the Environment


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Random Thoughts and Updates

This is going to be one random post...with many random thoughts.

Okay, I admit it, updating my blog hasn’t been on my list of priorities for a long time, but I can assure you that it has always been on my mind. I’ve started countless blog posts in my head. Unfortunately, there isn’t a USB cable that can connect to my brain and transfer my thoughts to the computer... (actually it IS fortunate we don’t have something like that!)

One thing that keeps poppin' up in my head is, "WHEN'S WINTER ENDING?!" Seriously, I'm done with the snow now...

Life is coming along just well alhamdulillah. No complaints! I started teaching at the Lote Tree Foundation. Just for the evening Qur’an classes though. Alhamdulillah, it’s going well so far. As for my Alimah course... well, we’ve finally managed to sort it out. I’m going to get taught by my husband. InshaAllah it leads me to completing the course. I’m going to have to go over all that I’ve already learnt at JAS and also continue from there on. I’m really, really looking forward to it. Make du’a Allah (swt) accepts me as a student of knowledge and gives me the reality of His Noor, so that it enters my heart and allows me to gain Ilm, put it into practice and teach it to others. I know my husband is already a great teacher. He’s really knowledgeable and motivated. May Allah (swt) make it easy for him to teach me, as I can be a difficult, lazy and forgetful student! I need all the support, motivation, determination, and patience I can get from him, and Alhamdulillah he gives me that everyday.

I’m finally moving steadily along my Child Psychology course…the course ends in July and the thing with distance learning is that you REALLY and I mean REALLY have to be motivated, and if you know me personally, you’d know that I can’t be self-motivated. If it wasn’t for my husband’s motivational talks…I’d have gone all dead with that course, the Alima course and my paintings. Alhamdulillah my paintings are coming along just fine as well. I’m actually surprised they’re turning out so good. I would post pics of them online, but everyone will have to wait and see them at Muslim Fest this year, inshaAllah. (muhahahahaha)

One of the things that I wanted to blog about was Black History Month (actually my husband gave the idea) and it’s important that we, as Muslims also educate ourselves with the History of Blacks, after all, they have a great part in our Muslim History. This brings the topic of racism, which isn’t only an issue amongst the non-Muslims but unfortunately amongst the Muslims as well. We have guji/desi parents (not all..) teaching their kids to be afraid of “karyas” or “kalais”, it’s like, “if you don’t behave the “karyas” will come and get you!!” I know a girl, who’s very VERY afraid of any black person she sees. If there’s a black person on one side of the street she’ll cross over to the other, shaking from head to toe and it tears. Sticking ideas like that isn’t going to help the future of this Ummah in anyway. We should be teaching kids that racism is not accepted in Islam and Islam was the first to oppose racism (1400 yrs ago!!!)

Black History month shouldn’t only be acknowledged at public schools but we should teach our children at home and to not just the children but it should be acknowledged in our communities and in our Masajids. There is so much to talk about; one famous example is Bilal (ra), one of the greatest Companions of Rasulullah (s.a.w). We all know his story of how he was tortured for being a Muslim and how he was given the honour of being the Mu’azzin of Rasulullah (s.a.w)’s Masjid. Umm Ayman (r.a) (also known as Barakah) who Rasulullah (s.a.w) described as “mother after my own mother. She is the rest of my family." She took care of Rasulullah (s.a.w)’s parents. She helped his mother through pregnancy and after she died she took care of Rasulullah (s.a.w) as well. She was one of the first to accept Islam, and was also tormented and tortured by the disbelievers in Makkah.

There were many great black Muslims in the past who were given the honour of being Sahabahs of Rasulullah (s.a.w), and there were many great Ulema afterwards as well. And there still are. We had great personalities like Malcolm X, he’s not only a legacy for the African Americans but for Muslims as well.

Here is a page on Sound Vision with many links on Black History month.

I can go on and on about it, but I’m kinda late with the whole black history month thing. However, it’s not something we should think about only in February!