Beyond ~ the ~ Horizon

Moving On...

2011-12-08T20:45:00.000Z

Another one of those unfinished posts!

So I call this post moving on, well actually that it is what it is all about.... moving on. It seems to have been sometime since I last blogged, over six months to be precise. I cant really remember what I last wrote about, i suppose because it has been rather an eventful year to 2010 or at least the latter part of 2010. The beginning of 2011 was somewhat a fresh beginning.

The most eventful and rewarding moments came at my engagement and nuptials. This truly marked the end of one long chapter in my life and the beginning of another. To be honest with you, when you get to my age as I did to the not so tender age of 31, one almost loses hope and anticipation of a forthcoming marital partnership. To the point where any talk based on marriage by the elders is seemingly not entertained, I mean after all if you get to 30 plus and still no sign of the 'right' guy then whats the point. The 'right' guy? what and who makes it as the 'right' guy you may ask, well each will have their on ideology and opinions on that subject. Mine wasn't based around money, profession, looks (yes looks do matter, don't get me wrong) but it would be a person who would encourage and flourish the good in me and help heal the pain in me and vice versa, that is a lot to ask for since such things do not seemingly appear immediately in any given person.

I found what I was looking for or at least I thought what i was looking for. To be honest with you when you meet the right guy it kind of just clicks there is no rhyme or rhythm to it, it just happens and it feels right. Believe me it does!

In the space of one year I got married and gave birth to a beautiful girl. There was a time I often wondered if my life would actually move forward or was I going to be stuck in the same place forever and whilst many also lost hope for my promising future it was nice that I could prove all wrong.

Life has moved on considerably and many chapters have been turned, a lot learnt, a lot to still learn and life is truly amazing!

Keep smiling -:)

What a strange coincidence

2011-05-19T17:04:00.000+01:00

This particular blog is two years on to the exact date...

I have been away from some time, though I have been writing various pieces I just haven't had the chance to publish.

Today I had the sudden desire to revisit some steps and look back and in doing so came across several unfinished pieces or writing. I decided to publish some of those and hopefully this is a start to a new beginning so to speak but incidentally I realised to the date 19th May 2009 was when I opened this particular blog, and although I haven't written in a while, some things are just never meant to die!

19th May is indeed a good date for moi :)

Stay happy people :)

Short journey into the deep journey

2011-05-19T16:48:00.010+01:00

I wrote this post last year but have only completed and published it now!

For some time now, I have been meaning to put pen to paper (so to speak) and journey into the journey that I made with mom and dad in March this year (last year) for Umrah. Praise be to Allaah I have had the opportunity to make this journey on several occasions over the last two decades.

In essence I have been fortunate enough to notice the several changes that have occurred between my first visit back in 1996 and the most recent trip this (last) year. But one thing that has never altered are the feelings evoked through such a trip, they remain in the most robust beam. Umrah and Hajj especially is a trip, a holiday, a vacation but of sorts that one often fails to consider its full potential, a necessity, should means allow. For me umrah is a vacation away from the world over.

Before I embarked on this trip on this occasion I made a firm pact to myself that I would allow myself the minimum of contact to the elements that take over during most of my days. These two weeks would be of my making at the will of Allaah and so with this pact affirmed we set out on this trip.

Our first stop was going to be Madinah, I completely desired to be in the outstanding city of our beloved Prophet Mohammed salalahu alihi wasalam and so as we embarked on our trip, the closer we got to our destination the more I became like the child who was about to be reunited with its mother. I cannot ever explain truly and fully the emotions induced just by nearing to this city let alone being in this beautiful city. No person can ever say that there is place more serene, full of warmth and care and compassion than Madinah. No human can ever walk on this earth and not think of our greatest leader of all times, Rasul of Allaah.

We were fortunate enough to be situated with our hotel residence quite close to the beautiful Masjid of Rasul of Allah and views were magnificent and the eagerness to get closer in the compounds of the Masjid, the moment your eyes opened were amazing.

Makkah was our next and final stop for Umrah before we departed for home. There is a unique sense of charge and frenzy within Makkah but away from the bustle of it all, the constant attraction towards the Kaabah is of course the total nearness to our Divine Lord that one longs for.

Structural changes not related to the holy sites itself but the surrounding areas have convincingly occurred and to those who do not remember the 'old' wont see the actual impact the difference 'new' makes. Innovation and change is my passion but at first the overwhelming structural changes that loom over your head while in the compounds were quite daunting and it was hard to ignore these and focus on the Masjid alone. But I soon realized other changes that had occurred, in this modern day of mobile phones and ever-changing technology our lovely brethren were making great use of these tools but I asked myself, each picture and video they were capturing of their comrades / family or just the scenes itself, within it were captures of other pilgrims, as irate as that made me feel, me alone feeling this way was not going to make the other pilgrims stop. I found myself asking, isn't there a place anywhere where we can rectify our souls and ponder in seclusion without the need for tall buildings and technology suffocating you?!

Have beautiful structures but do we really need them loom over the Kaabah?. Use your phones but do you not think its best to switch them off at prayer times? Take pictures but seriously my friends, pictures of you at the Kaabah, what is so astounding about that? A pilgrimage is after all a personal experience so make your pictures personal, don’t include every other stranger that may pass during that moment, for they deserve their privacy too.

That's the materialistic change I found, but aside from this my emotional attachment to these two serene and perceptible places remain truly the same, more so now that ever.

May the Lord grant us all the wonderful experience of Hajj / Umrah, Ameen.

Peace to all!!

What was a the start of a new term...is now almost the end of the year

2011-05-19T15:09:00.002+01:00

New beginnings, that is... the start of a whole new year at school.

Same school, same friends but it's a different year, a new year, the next level up.

That is what is my lovely neice has been looking forward to since... well...since the summer holidays had began. Exactly!

This beautiful, creative and intelligent child had already begun to look forward to going back ro school on the very first day of her school holidays.

Not because she didn't like vacation time, far from it; the child totally loves holidaying, though she will always quickly remind us how she so misses her friends when on vacation, like the time when we were in Australia, she kept reminding me that though she was having a fabulous time, seeing all these new places, she really did miss her friends.

My gorgous neice is special because she loves to learn, at such a tender age she is already teeming with mountain of knowledge, than most ordinary children her age, she applies herself wholly and attempts to be a good role model for her sibling and to other young girls..now that is rare.

I am looking forward to hearing all about her first day back at school and I am pretty sure she will have many stories to tell throughout the term and the year

Children are a beautiful gift, for they are our future -:)

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Another one of those moments, where thoughts were interrupyted, pen to paper got casted aside by other menial tasks. Though I have nothing to add for it will kill the original writing, I certainly couldn't neglect this post.

What was the start of a new term back in September 2009, that child has matured immensely, through her thinking and her abilities and as the year almost comes to an end for Summer, its is with no doubt a time to reflect and a time to move forward :)

Nieces...

2011-05-19T15:00:00.001+01:00

I love my nieces, I mean totally adore them, they are the two most adorable kids ever (yes I know I would say that) biased I may be but then who isn't towards their own children or those they are closest to, when you have children around, your negative emotions and feelings can disappear, momentarily you feel alive again, kids are the joy to that.....

Rewind.........................

Apparently I never finished this post, I mean God knows what prompted to initiate a topic on my nieces! Kids are bundle of joy, I always longed for my own but recently I was reminded by something that what said in passing and got me thinking, 'don't expect anything from anyone, even from your kids'. How many of us live our lives full of expectations? How many of us do and say things expecting something in return and then there comes a day where you hit a brick wall, high expectations that do not turn and go your way are downtrodden by misery, guilt or hurt leaving you wondering why you ever bothered, was it ever worth it?

Well I've learnt in the last year and more so recently, definitely 'do not expect anything', if you get it, its a bonus but certainly if you don't at least you are saved that hurt and pain. Its a difficult way of thinking and feeling to learn, adapting to this new form of thought seems almost ruthless at time and often I wonder how or why you reach such a stage of feeling and thinking.

People are not the same, times are not similar, circumstances change, so why cant feelings change, of course they are bound for change, one cannot stay submerged and almost trapped in the same way of thought and feeling, well you can at the risk of falling behind or worse still digging your own grave.

Anyway back to my nieces, kids are a beautiful gift, from the moment God bestows His mercy upon you and blesses you with a child, that creation and formation within the mother, how can anyone understand the nearness that women feels to God and to the child except that women who goes through such an experience. This is before the babies see the light of this world. Beyond that, we watch them learn, grow, share, experience, fall, rise and the endless experiences associated with parenthood.

At difficult times just wathcing my nieces, it reminded me constantly of the wonderful reasons behind our existence, often when we wonder what our purpose in life is or where it is we are heading to, let us remember where it is we came from! One of many favours of God to us; children!

They've just passed their birthday but since this post was intended to be published in the late summer of 2010, I now have a chance to complete it, and although it won't completely reflect my thoughts back then, in essence it captures most of what I may have been thinking. Finally, I know for sure this post a dedication to my beautiful two nieces, Happy Belated Birthday Girls :) xxx

Control Freaks...

2010-07-23T14:38:00.000+01:00

I wonder if this is me.....

Well the most obvious signs of a control freak syndrome is preoccupation and worry with negligible details. Do you fret over things too small to worry for? Are you tied up with more than just plain perfectionism? Are you worrying too much about whether things out of your realm of control are going to upset the applecart - for no apparent reason? Well, then you're gradually turning into obsessive control freaks. You're not there yet, but signs are that you're not able to let go and the possessiveness is going to get worse.

Once something does not happen your way, do you raise hell and raze things to the ground? Well, anger is an old mate of most uncommon behavior syndromes, says psychology, and so is control freakishness. When something happens contrary to the desire of a control freak, he tends to go wild with anger. Not good at all.

Perhaps a slightly more unbelievable facet to a control freak's personality is insecurity. Control freaks are often critical of themselves, wishing they were better than they are. Very often they remain hungover with past events and failures, and are unable to move on. They may come across as quite pessimistic and worrisome about things not in their control. Control freaks are always obsessed with creating a favorable impression of themselves, but when unable to, get very agitated.

And finally, the main problem that acquaintances of control freaks face. A control freak cannot help advising others and pointing out others' mistakes. Control freaks try to mend other people and try to make them perfect. Or at least, what they think is perfect. They continually try to impose their own thinking and behavior on others, and try to align them to their own value system.

So these are the common control freak symptoms. Living with a control freak is tough. The thing with control freaks is that you can't live with them, but you may not be able to live without them either. The answer has to be a mutual understanding on both sides. Control freaks have to learn to neutralize their nitpicking habits, while those around control freaks should learn to adjust and at the same time try to relieve the control freaks of their problems.

OCD

2010-07-12T16:49:00.001+01:00

So I have been a bit quiet lately, quiet it may seem but not in my head, it's been very noisy. See there are a million (or what seems like a million) things going around in my head at any given second, so much so that not much of it is coherent. I guess you could call it stress. Call it whatever you want but it sure aint a great thing.

I've spent the last 5 weeks being a homemaker, holding down my usual fulltime occupational role, retaining a professional attitude, when I actually just wanted to say, well let's just that vocabulary is left well alone. I've cooked, cleaned, washed, ironed, school rounds, oh that 9-5 position, entertained guests, baby sitting, baking, gardening, bills, lawyers, banks, mortgages, car servicing, birthdays, mending relationships, strengthening relationships, airport runs and so on and on....and to top things up, I've developed OCD. Yes me, the very person who has an organised chaos in her very own bedroom, has OCD. You see, I now line shoes in an absolute straight row. My rugs are so carefully positioned on the floor. The concept of scatter cushions is well quite frankly very messy in my OCD world. Everything's clean, neat, tidy, so much so that I clinch everytime the bathroom needs to be used or the kitchen is taken advantage of! I can't seem to stop using the washer and the vaccum! I am clinically obssesed.

Five weeks ago I was wondering how I would manage running a home. Well I proved that I could but I've taken it to a level of absolute perfection. I was once reminded at work to stop being a perfectionist, the Type A personality attitude that will do no good in the long run. So as I now hand back my responsbility I wonder whether I will take this approach in my own home, should I do so, I would imagine I am risking skating on icy ground, especially since I can't skate!

Aisha

Excellent advice...

2010-06-22T16:07:00.000+01:00

This is a forward I got in an email, one of those that kind of sticks with you. I don't have time to update this blog much these days for several reasons but I definitely want to put this in since, this piece of advice is one that I so needed reminding of!!!

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Excellent advice

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 8oz. To 20oz.

The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it.'

'If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.'

'In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.'

He continued, 'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on.'

'As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden. '

'So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work/life down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow.'

'Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. Relax; pick them up later after you've rested.

Life is short.. Enjoy!'

And then he shared some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

1 * Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can't push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on..

10 *Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 *Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 *The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 *When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14 *Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15 *You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16 *Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

17 *We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull.. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 *A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

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Hmmm....keep smiling -:)

Aisha

How Do We Measure Success??

2010-06-15T23:19:00.000+01:00

I read this in an inflight magazine on one of my recent trips and scribbled it into my journal. I really like the basis of this and think it can be applied and adapted to an individual's needs. So sound is the original piece, I have merely altered it so slightly and hence, cedit to the Gulf Magazine I read it in!

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How Do We Measure Success??

By the number of stores we have? By the number of countries we operate in? By footfalls and statistics? By last year's turnover? This year's targets?

How do we measure something which doesn't even show up on our balance sheets?

How do we measure success?

In square feet? In dollars? In shoes?

How do we account for the joy of bringing to life something which was just a dream?

How do we calculate the ecstasy of creating value, of pushing boundaries?

How do we measure success?

Maybe by roads travelled? Mountains climbed? Maybe by the spark in the eyes of a 4-year-old when she gets her first shoes for school?

Or just maybe by the smile on your face?! :)

Feeling the blues...

2010-05-24T14:47:00.004+01:00

Sometimes

I feel sad and I don’t know why..

I feel pain and I am not sure where or what hurts..

I am afraid and I don’t know what or who I fear..

I am lost and I can’t find my way..

I am alone and no one cares..

I am struggling and nobody understands..

I am crying and no one can see..

I am trying and want at least one person to appreciate..

I am giving not knowing if I shall ever receive..

I smile and I don’t even know how I am doing it..

I think I had a clear vision and now it’s all blurred..

I feel like I used to know what I wanted, now I try to think what that was and I can’t even remember..

I think I had aspirations and now I feel like they are being quashed..

I feel like I should talk to someone and let them know..

I look for the one that will listen and can understand..

I am feeling this so let me feel it..

I ask that you do not judge me for it..

I think I should not have to explain myself..

I want you to be patient with me..

I know that no matter how happy you always are now..

I think one day you may just feel what I am feeling now....

Feeling Blue

Islamic ways to get and keep your wife's love forever

2010-04-16T09:57:00.002+01:00

Aunty sent me this lovely email, told her all the wives need to send it on to their husbands! Wife or a husband, this is true advice that works!

Jummah Mubarak everyone

Aisha
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Islamic ways to get and keep your wife's love forever

1. Make her feel secure; (sakina- tranquillity) QUIT BEING AGGRESSIVE

2. When you go home say 'Assalmualikum.' (Greetings) It kicks the shaitaan out of your home!

3. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) described the wife as a fragile vessel and said to take care of this vessel that's fragile. Remember that there is goodness in this vessel so treat it gently.

4. When you advise her, do so in privacy, in a peaceful environment. NOT IN PUBLIC as it's a type of slandering.

5. Be generous to your wife- it keeps her LOVED

6. Move and let her have your seat. It will warm her heart.

7. AVIOD ANGER. HOW? Keep your wudu at all times. Prophet Sallal lahualaihy Wasallam said if you are angry, sit down, if you're sitting, then lie down. Follow the sunnah!

8. Look good and smell great for your wife. IT keeps the LOVE!

9. Don't be rigid. It will break you. Prophet Mohammed - Sallal lahu Aleihi Wasallam (SAW means "May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him" (Muhammad).) said 'I am the best amongst you and I am the best to my wife'. Being rigid and harsh will not bring you close to Allah and neither does it make you more of a man.
10. Listen to your wife-BE a GOOD LISTENER

11. YES to flattering NO to arguing. Arguing is like poison in a marriage. Al zawai said 'When Allah (swt) wants evil for people He will leave them to argue amongst themselves'.

12. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said to call your wives with the best name, any name she loves to hear. Prophet Mohammed (Sallal lahualaihy Wasallam) called Aisha 'ya Aish' as an endearment.

13. Give her a pleasant surprise. I.e. if she loves watermelon, bring her one out of the blue. It will grow the love in her heart.

14. Preserve your tongue! Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said the tongue will throw people in the hell fire so watch what you say and how you say it!

15. All of us have shortcoming. Accept her shortcoming and Allah (swt) will put barakh in your marriage.

16. TELL her you appreciate her. SHOW her you appreciate her.

17. Encourage her to keep good relation with her relative, her mum and dad etc.

18. Speak with her with a topic of HER interest.
19. In front of her relative praise her. Confirm/ realize that she is wonderful, and that she is a good person in front of her family.

20. Give each other gifts. You will love each other more. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said gifts increases love.
21. Get rid of the routine once in a while, surprise her with something, it will get rid of the rust and polish it!

22. Husnul zaan- We have a demand from Allah (swt) that we have to think good of people. Think good of your spouse.
23. Ignore some of her mistakes- pretend you did not see/hear some of her small mistakes. It was a practise of Ali (RA). It's like putting a hole in your memory. Don't save it in your memory!

24. Increase the drops of patience, especially when she is pregnant or when she is on her monthly period.
25. Expect and respect her jealousy. Even Aisha (ra) used to get jealous.

26. Be humble. If your profession is good, respect that she is looking after your children, she is much more than you, she is the leader at home, her strength is your strength, and her success is your successes.

27. Don't put your friends above your wife.

28. Help your wife at home. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) used to help his wives at home and he was the best of creation. He used to sew his own clothes.

29. Help her respect your parents, you can't force her to love them, but she can be helped to gradually love them.

30. Show your wife she is the ideal wife.

31. Remember your wife in your duaas. It will increase the love and protect it.

32. Leave the past. It brings nothing but pain and grief. It's not your business. The past is for Allah (swt).

33. Don't try to show her that you are doing her a favour by doing something, like buying food for the house, because in reality we are the courier of sustenance, not the providers, as Allah is the provider. It's also a way of being humble and thankful to Allah (swt).

34. Shaitaan is your enemy, not your wife. Sometime when husband and wife are talking a fight breaks out, then shaitaan is present there as a third person so he is the real enemy. It is not enough to hate the shaitaan, but you have to see him as an enemy as Allah has commanded. Shaitaan loves divorce. HE comes everyday and sits office and asks the devils what they have done, some say i have made a person steal, or i have made someone drink etc. And one devil will say i have made a man divorce his wife, and he is crowned as the one who has done the best job.

35. Take the food and put it in her mouth. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) taught us this. It's a blessing. The food doesn't just go to her stomach, but straight to her heart. It increases the love and mercy between you.

36. Protect your wife from the evil of the shaitaan and mankind. She is like a precious pearl that needs protecting from the envy of human devils and shitaan.

37. Show her your smile. Smile at your wife. IT'S A CHARITY.

38. Small problems/ challenges can become a big problem. Or if there is small thing she didn't like and you keep repeating them anyway, it will create a wall between you. Don't ignore them as it can become big.

39. Avoid being harsh hearted and moody. Allah said of prophet (saw) 'if you were harsh hearted they (the companions) would have left you.' It confirms prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) was not harsh hearted, so GET RID OF IT.

40. Respect her thinking. It's strength for you. Show you like her thoughts and suggestions.

41. Help her to achieve her potential and help her to dig and find success within as her success is your success.

42. Respect the intimate relationship and its boundaries. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said she is like a fragile vessel and she needs to be treated tenderly. Sometime she may not be feeling well; you must respect and appreciate that feeling.

43. Help her to take care of the children. Some men think it makes them appear less of a man but in fact it makes you appear a bigger man and more respected, especially in the sight of Allah (swt).

44. Use the gifts of the tongue and sweet talk her. Tell her she looks great, be an artist. Pick and choose gifts of the tongue.

45. Sit down and eat with her and share food with her.

46. Let her know you are travelling. Don't tell her out of the blue as it's against Islam. Tell her the date/ time of when you are coming back also.

47. Don't leave the house as soon as trouble brews.

48. The house has privacy and secrecy. Once you take this privacy and secrecy to your friends and family you are in danger of putting a serious hole in your marriage. This secrecy stays home. Islam is against leaving them out like a garage sale for anyone to come and pick and choose.

49. Encourage each other for ibadah, i.e. plan a trip for hajj or umrah together. It increases and strengthens the love when you help each other perform a good deeds together i.e, do tahajuud together,or go to a dars together etc.

50. Know her rights, not only written in paper but engraved in your heart and engraved in your conscious.

51. Allah( swt) said 'live with your wives in kindness.' Treat them with kindness and goodness. It means in happy times and in sadness treat her with goodness and fairness.

52. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) showed that at the time of intimacy. Don't jump on your wife like an animal!

53. When you have a dispute with your wife don't tell everyone. It's like leaving your wounds open to germs so be careful who you share your problems and disputes with.

54. Show your wife you really care for her health. Good health of your wife is your good health. To care for her health shows her that you love her.

55. Don't think you are always right. No matter how good you are you have shortcomings. You are not perfect as the only one who was perfect in character was prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam). Get rid of this disease.

56. Share your problems, your happiness, and your sadness with her.

57. Have mercy on her weakness. Have mercy when she is weak or strong as she is the fragile vessel. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said that your wife is a trust in your hand.

58. Remember you are her strength, someone to lean on in times of hardship.

59. Accept her as she is. Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said that women are created from the rib which is bent. If you try to straighten her you will break her (divorce). Prophet (Sallal lahu alaihy Wasallam) said that you may dislike one habit in her but you will like another manner in her so accept her as she is.

60. Have good intention for your wife all the time, Allah monitors your intention and your heart at all times. Allah (s.w.t) said Among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.

May Allah fill our homes and heart with tranquillity, love and Mercy.
AMEEN

The Ethics of Chivalry

2010-04-12T11:54:00.001+01:00

I haven't blogged for sometime, part of the reason was my trip for Umrah with my parents which I will hopefully blog about sometime in the near future, since at the moment there are other pressing issues taking over, namely uni papers to write and exams to sit.

I had this piece emailed from one of my cousins but it certainly touched my views perfectly. I want to get married to a man who understands and considers me as I would do him. I'm not one for glitz and glory, those are all materalistic things that one can get almost quite easily. Yes money is something but without true and due empathy its nothing. Often and most particularly it is the men, who get fed-up of their wives, become ungrateful, expect more and give little or nothing. In a marriage two have to give knowing comfortably in their hearts that they shall receive. Again I'm not referring to the giving of things with monetary value! In a marraige two will go into it accepting each other until the end of time. My take on marriage can either go on forever or put into a few simple words! Either way this piece is defintely one to ponder over.

Aisha
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The Ethics of Chivalry Written by Imam Zaid Shakir

In the literature discussing Futuwwa, which has been translated as Muslim chivalry, there is the story of a young man who was engaged to marry a particularly beautiful woman. Before the wedding day, his fiancée was afflicted with a severe case of chicken pox which left her face terribly disfigured. Her father wrote to him informing him of the situation and asking if he preferred to call off the wedding. The young man replied that he would still marry his daughter, but that he had recently experienced a gradual loss of sight, which he feared would culminate in blindness.

The wedding proceeded as planned and the couple had a loving and happy relationship until the wife died twenty years later. Upon her death the husband regained his eyesight. When asked about his seemingly miraculous recovery he explained that he could see all along. He had feigned blindness all those years because he did not want to offend or sadden his wife.

From our jaded or cynical vantage points it is easy to dismiss such a story as a preposterous fabrication. To do so is to miss an important point that was not lost to those who circulated and were inspired by this and similar tales. Namely, our religion is not an empty compilation of laws and strictures. The law is important and willingly accepting it is one of the keys to our salvation. However, the law is also a means to point us toward a higher ethical end. We are reminded in the Qur’an, “Surely, the prayer wards off indecency and lewdness.” (29:45)

The Prophet Muhammad mentioned concerning the fast, “One who does not abandon false speech and acting on its imperatives, God has no need that he gives up his food and drink.” (Al-Bukhari) These narrations emphasize that there is far more to Islam than a mere adherence to rulings.

This is especially true in our marriages. Too many Muslims are involved in marriages that devolve into an empty observation of duties and an equally vacuous demand for the fulfillment of rights. While such practices are laudable in their proper context, when they are divorced from kindness, consideration, empathy, and true commitment they define marriages that become a fragile caricature. Such relationships are irreparably shattered by a silly argument, a few wrinkles on the face, unwanted pounds around the waist, a personality quirk or a whimsical desire to play the field to see if one can latch on to someone prettier, wealthier, younger, or possibly more exciting than one’s spouse.

These are issues that affect men and women. However, we men must step up and do our part to help to arrest the alarmingly negative state of gender relations in our communities. The level of chivalry the current crisis demands does not require that we pretend to be blind for twenty years. However, it does require some serious soul searching, and it demands that we ask ourselves some hard questions. For instance, why are so many Muslim men averse to marrying older or previously married women? The general feeling among the women folk in our communities is that if you are not married by the age of twenty-five, then you have only two chances of being married thereafter –slim and none. This sentiment pervades our sisters’ minds and hearts because of the reality they experience. Many brothers who put off marriage until they are past thirty-five will oftentimes marry someone close to half their age, passing over a generation of women who are intellectually and psychologically more compatible with them and would prove wiser parents for their children.

Despite this problem, and the clear social, psychological and cultural pathologies it breeds, many of us will hasten to give a lecture reminding our audience of the fact that Khadija, the beloved wife of our Prophet, was fifteen years his senior. We might even mention that she and several of his other wives were previously married. Why is it that what was good enough for our Prophet is repugnant to ourselves or our sons?

A related question would be, “Why are so many of our brothers so hesitant to marry strong, independent and intellectually astute women?” Many women in the West lack the support of extended family networks, which is increasingly true even in the Muslim world. Therefore, they must seek education or professional training to be in a position to support themselves if necessary, or to assist their husbands; an increasingly likely scenario owing to the nature of work in postindustrial societies. This sociological fact leads to women in the West generally manifesting a degree of education and independence that might not be present among women in more traditional societies and times – even though such societies are rapidly disappearing.

Many Muslim men will pass over talented, educated women who are willing to put their careers and education on hold, if need be, to commit to a family. The common reason given is that such women are too assertive, or they are not the kind of women the prospective husband’s mother is used to. As a result a significant number of our sisters, despite their beauty, talent, maturity, and dynamism are passed over for marriage in favour of an idealised, demure “real” Muslim woman. The social consequences of this practice are extremely grave for our community.

Again, we can ask ourselves, “To what extent does this practice conform to the prophetic model?” Our Prophet was surrounded by strong, assertive and independent women. His beloved Khadija, who we have previously mentioned, was one of the most successful business people in the Arabian Peninsula, and her wealth allowed the Prophet to retreat to the Cave of Hira where he would receive the first revelation.

Ayesha, despite her young age was an assertive, free-spirited, intellectual powerhouse who would become one of the great female scholars in history. The foundation for her intellectual greatness was laid by the Prophet himself who recognised her brilliance. Zainab bint Jahsh ran a “non-profit” organisation. She would make various handicrafts, sell them in the market and then use the proceeds to secretly give charity to the poor people of Medina. Umm Salamah had the courage to migrate from Mecca to Medina, unescorted, although she was ultimately accompanied by a single rider. She also had the vision to resolve the crisis at Hudaybiyya. These were all wives of the Prophet. To their names we could add those of many other strong and dynamic women who played a major role in the life of the fledgling Muslim community.

Another issue that is leading to many otherwise eligible women remaining single relates to color. If a panel of Muslim men, whose origins were in the Muslim world, were to choose Miss World, the title would likely never leave Scandinavia. No matter how beautiful a woman with a brown, black, or even tan complexion was, she would never be quite beautiful enough, because of her skin color. This attitude informs the way many choose their wives. This is a sensitive issue, but it is one we must address if we are to advance as a community. We may think that ours is a “colorblind” community, however, there are legions of women who have been relegated to the status of unmarriageable social pariahs who would beg to differ.

God has stated that “the basis for virtue with Him is piety; not tribe, race, or national origin.” (49:13) The Prophet reminded us that “God does not look at our physical forms, or at our wealth. Rather, He looks at our hearts and our deeds.” (Muslim) We debase ourselves when we exalt what God has belittled. God and His messenger have belittled skin color and body shape and size as a designator of virtue or distinction. What does it say about us when we use these criteria as truncheons to painfully bludgeon some of the most beautiful women imaginable into social insignificance?

Marriage is not a playground where the ego thoughtlessly pursues its vanities. This is something the chivalrous young man mentioned at the outset of this essay understood. It is an institution that helps a man and a woman pursue the purpose of their creation: to glorify and worship God and to work, within the extent of our capabilities and resources, to make the world a better place for those we share it with and for those we will leave it to. This role is beautifully captured in the Qur’an, “The believing men and women are the supporting friends of each other. They enjoin right, forbid wrong, establish regular prayer, pay the poor due, and they obey God and His Messenger. They expect God’s Mercy. Surely, God is Mighty, Wise.” (9:71)
—
Article originally published in Emel magazine.

Mother's Day..

2010-03-16T14:08:00.000Z

Well not momentarily, that it matters just that day..that was Sunday just gone. No!...Mother matters everyday, some days even more than the soul can imagine. You see without Mother there is no me, there is no life, there is no purpose. Mother taught me everything. She taught me important lessons in life. She taught me how to survive in the big bad world out there! She is my teacher. But most of all Mother is my best friend. Yet at times even as a friend there are certain things I wouldn't confide in her, not because I do not want to but because I want to spare her the pain. But I know if she ever found out she would pick a bone or two with me, because that's Mother..she wants to stretch as far and wide as she can so she can be with everyone, do for all and the rest.

Many feel the need to express the gratitude to Mother only on Mother's Day..that's great..but I often wonder what happens to Mother the rest of the year, the times you don't call her when you should. Those weekends, when you should have made time to visit her but you'd have rather spent it with your mates or your partner because you couldn't do with her nagging, except its not nagging, its their way of caring, letting you know they exist in your life, even if it means giving you their two cents worth.

Mother never wants me to give her anything on Mother's Day specifically though the odd year if we find something she likes she will have it for the occasion. I found a lovely china tea mug with a matching coaster and the smallest tray to go with it. It was beautiful and sure enough Mother loved it but as always she first said, ‘you know you don't have to?!’. I retorted quickly, ‘I know but I want to!’

I don't wish to judge others in their relationships with their Mothers and fathers. I don't even judge my own siblings attitude towards their obligation. Each unto their own I say. But for me, Mother is my life!

I love you Mum -:)

Aisha

In the mind...

2010-02-26T12:23:00.001Z

Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis..

Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant.

Who knows what they can teach us?

How much are you willing to put up with..?!

2010-02-25T19:38:00.004Z

Periodically, this question seems to travel around in my head. Some event occurs, some person decides to voice their opinion, a debate or a disagreement, or even a setback and I find myself asking this question. Sometimes totally exasperated I can't even fathom out the answer, yet it’s a very simple question!

We are not all perfect. Each and every one of us have faults within us, yet some people feel the need to present themselves in total perfection. Flaws are part of human characteristics. Yet to not recognise this, degrades the level of intelligence one does possess. One has to be completely deluded to think that flaws do not exist in a person.

It is what we do about our flaws or how we deal with the flaws of others that are of the essence. That is the true strength and shining factor of a character but it still brings me back to the question of how much are you willing to put up with?

I have the habit of flipping the handle and often people think its uncalled for but generally nine times out of ten, I have an explainable reason to have flipped the handle except most people's thoughts are of a tunnel vision nature and hence fail to recognise or appreciate the reasons behind such an outburst. Recognition, appreciation, reasoning, all these things require patience, which most have very little of.

This is a kind of a rant more than a cohesive post. In fact not a lot of things are making sense at the moment. Various people around me are calling the shots and deciding things. Maybe they have good reason to but what I do know that very few people actually consider the feelings of others when they make a decision. They never truly understand the impact words or actions have on others. I have to say that is something I am guilty of too but whereas a stubborn character never gives way I soon rectify my mistakes and hate to harbour ill feelings for longer than necessary and certainly do not like to live in an indeterminate state.

I had the opportunity to meet the most remarkable person last week. A guy who was driving past our house must have clipped my dad's car mirror. He came to the door and was so remorseful for his action which to me was very little. Since Dad was away he asked that he would call himon return. Anyway he came back yesterday and dad said he genuinely and truly felt bad about the mishap and offered to pay for the damages. Dad said he need not at all but kindly told him that he was ever so grateful for his actions in terms of owning up and offering to pay damages and that his distinctiveness were outstanding. We chatted about theses events over dinner and came to the conclusion that this man was a one in a million to find.

I always find women are the most peculiar of temperament; they never really talk about problems. They expect their male counterparts to know what’s going inside their little heads and they expect them to say the right things at the right time. This is something that is historical and hasn't changed much. Women are still exactly the same and those women who deny it are most guilty of it. But guys are just as bad, they have turned into and identical species of women in these personality traits that I refer to; such wimps. I mean whatever happened to adage ‘be a better man’. What happened to all these guys? Did they just realize the way to behave was to turn in to the temperament of a women? This I am completely frustrated at!

Anyway I was in awe of this guy's character and I realised that this man had characteristics’ that help you to put up with some of the flaws in people; patience, perseverance, understanding mercy and compassion. How many of us actually hold these individualities? I mean truly hold them and can show them in one respect or other?!

Life's happenings turn you into the kind of person you are, a person's character is ‘work in progress’, always changing, sometimes improving and sometimes taking a downward spiral. How then can you definitively judge a person?

Don’t restrict yourself in making allowances for people; embrace them, flaws and all; you may just get more than what you bargained for.

In talking about personalities, I always pray that I am in company of those who bring the good out in me, and help curb the bad in me. As for those who bring no good in me and only bring about the bad in me, I ask to be as far away from them as possible.

Finally a colleague of mine presented me with some wise words. She noticed I wasn’t sleeping well and she having known about the continuous strains I have been under for the last two years told me not to be too hard on myself. Having known each other only a short time, she already recognized very early on that I put others before myself and she has always admired and respected that. So as she is telling me ‘not to be too hard on myself’ she added that I recite this often:

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
Rabb-ishrah ii sadri, wa yassir li 'amri, Wah-lul 'uqdatam-mil-li-saani, Yaf-qahuu qawlii

O my Lord! Expand me my breast; Ease my task for me; And remove the impediment from my speech, so they may understand what I say
[Surah Ta-Ha; 20:25-28]

Such beautiful words - :)

Aisha

Testing the ground...

2010-02-01T11:32:00.003Z

I attempted to write this post, back on the 14th January, but for one reason or another never managed to finish it. Coming back to it today I realised that not only did i not finish this post but I haven't blogged in ages, in fact the entire month of January has passed and I forget this blog even existed. Well actually I had not forgotten about the blog, the thought of it, almost always lingers within me. Many a times I think of noting the day's events or a certain moment but time or another element does not permit. So in essence this post in now somewhat, another one of my rambles!

So testing the ground was the idea a few weeks back. On many levels it certainly was testing the ground. On a materialistic level it was time for the upgrade on my contract phone. I had seriously considered cancelling the blooming thing, totally economising, and going pay as you go. I mean money is kind of tight especially with a huge commitment of a home coming along pretty soon. There really did not seem any point in shelving thirty odd pounds per month, especially since I had not maximised the service use in the past twelve months. But then just a few days before I made the call to the phone company to cancel, a strange thing happened and along came the constant use of my mobile phone. So with a rethink I carried on with my contract.

Now most know, I am a loyal customer to Sony Ericson! But was this the time to be traitor and go to Nokia? Something the others particularly my kid brother was annoying me over. I settled for the Satio and bloody hell was there some effort in getting used to a touch screen, it's like a whole new blooming technique that one has to master. The real surprise on this phone subject came some twenty-four hours after I had my Satio. I needed to off load that previous phone of mine which had never received the TLC it deserved but still was as damn good as it was on day one despite it looking a little battered. In an extraordinary turn, my brother totally loyal to Nokia turned into a complete traitor overnight. Now SE is the best thing since slice bread or in his sugar coated way, SE have some good features. He can't quite bring himself to say SE rocks :p

Anyway on other news, my sister finally moved in to her refurbished, reconstructed, re-everything house. It looks fabulous, modern and definitely has a feel of openness to it and the girls totally love their vibrant bedrooms. I love new homes, new decor, it really gives a fresh approach! It's not just about a lick of paint or a change of furnishings or a bit of a move around, it goes beyond it and completely re-address the mental, physical, and emotional approach to your home and life.

This affair I mentioned earlier, which resulted in the overuse of my phone, bought some interesting twists and turns to personalities, and just life in general. The whole thing about this so called affair has been superb, something I never actually thought was feasible but I found that to fulfill this so called business and change many of us have to let go of the past and have the courage, strength and patience to move forward. One has to trust in ones self and believe in others. For the desired end result which I'll go into detail in good time, myself and two other significant people in my life need to make this change. Fear is huge sphere and conquering that is a master in itself. There is deep affection in between all this and that can either allow you to conquer fear or stop you from conquering it. I know that this choice I have made is most definitely the right one, for it will bring good to me and all the people around me, but timing is key in this. Time will allow for all things to heal and shine with a glow.

One final note is on cooking, the subject stems from the previous and significant change I have referred to. My sister and I agreed the other day that some of the men are the best cooks there are and we agreed that the men in our lives were ultimately the better cooks. It was something that was said that also encouraged this idea that cooking is an art not just a chore. At least we have men in our lives that cook for us! What more could a woman want?!

Here's to hopefully a fruitful and fabulous February -:)

Aisha

2009/2010 Tag/Meme..

2010-01-07T16:07:00.006Z

Credit is not to me, I got this trailed from one blog to another blog and to another..., but all the same thanks!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Blimey, I did more last year that I've never done before! Some shit stuff and some great things

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think my last post answers that!

3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
In past tense now. I spent it in indoors trying to knock some sense into a sibling

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What countries did you visit?
I did more travelling this year than ever. Australia, Dubai, Morocco, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
To have enough courage to stand up and put myself first in one very certain element of my life.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1st August, I can't go into reasons why, but everything I ever believed in and put my energy towards got crushed to unimaginable tiny pieces and in some respects it all went downhill from then onwards!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Seeing through the end of a friend's cancer battle.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Failure only occurs if you accept defeat. I don't do defeat, I just re-assess!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thank God, No

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car and almost my home..still have to sign on the dotted line for the latter though

12. Where did most of your money go?
Car, home and lots of travelling

13. What song will always remind you of 2009?
What about Now..Westlife

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Strangely enough contemplation

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Hoped for the hopeless

16. What was your favourite TV program?
Didn't watch enough of TV to know / care.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I do not hate. I just stop caring!

18. What was the best book you read?
The Kite Runner. But on a funny level I've enjoyed reading Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella, made me laugh when I thought I wouldn't / couldn't!

19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None that comes to mind right now.

20. What was your favourite film of this year?
Not one favourite, a few that made the mark for me.

21. What did you do on your birthday?
Let's put it this way it wasn't celebrated the way I had hoped, but all the same a day I shall never forget, for reasons I can't go into on here!

22. What kept you sane?
Faith and my special friend Marlene.

23. Who did you miss?
Nobody

24. Who was the best new person you met?
My dad's cousin in Sydney, she was a laugh and a breath of fresh air, quite reminds me of myself. I met lots of other people at my brother's wedding in Perth and that was one hell of an experience. I don't make friends easily and so if I do click with a person it must be something special! (a tad bit of useless info :p)

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?
Have faith and live

New Year....New Beginning!

2010-01-05T10:08:00.003Z

I am not one for making New Year’s resolutions. I suppose I deem it as more of a fad than anything. I have yet to meet a person who has made a resolution at New Year’s and maintained with it. I'm not a pessimist, more a realist, and definitely an optimist. That's why I feel that if you want to make a resolution it should be at any point in the year and certainly not in the spirit of the moment; made and most probably forgotten.

Said that, if you honestly feel you can make a resolution at New Year and uphold with it then you deserve a pat on the back. I pledge no resolutions at New Year. I tend to makes assurance to myself at different point through the year. It is usually following an event, change, an experience, and any other element that may result in constituting a promise. I think about it firmly, make a decree and endorse it. A promise to oneself is equally as important as making one to the Creator. If you cannot keep a pledge made to yourself, how can one hope to achieve the same determination and steadfastness when you have to fulfill the vows made to the Lord?

Resolutions are not just words. They go beyond that and prove a person's character, strength of mind, resilience, buoyancy and mostly a person's veracity.

I generate no specific resolutions this year at this moment but just like the sun rises in clockwork fashion to a new day; a New Year is definitely a New Beginning :)

Aisha

Recapping 2009..

2009-12-31T16:04:00.003Z

Well it’s that time of the year again; yes the end of a year and the beginning of another. It sounds like a bit of a cliché. I know we get to this point every year, if we are fortunate enough that is to live through one year and see the start to another. It’s a good time to reflect on the past, and look forward with renewed hope.

A lot has happened this year but many people will probably say that. But for me personally it has been yet again another rollercoaster ride of a year and some of the highlights of this year I write about here briefly.

One of my main highlights has to be hitting 30 in May. I dreaded this point in my life and well before the big birthday; months before, even years before it, I recall saying I would hibernate before it and after it, in the hope that it would pass without anyone noticing that I had turned 30, but mostly without me realising it. I even threatened to leave home if I wasn’t married before I turned 30 and had all the minute details of my departure planned in my head. But in fact in a turn that I never expected I found myself embracing my 30th birthday. I really looked forward to it and despite this lingering thought of marriage, I realised that I had come to a stage in my life ready to say to all the busy bodies who were taking such a keen interest in my private life to quite frankly ‘butt out’. Believe me to get to this level of confidence for me is something. Don’t get me wrong; I do want to get married and have children but with the right person when Allah wills and because I want to, not because the narrow minded busy bodies of our communities and some so called friends and families think I should. But most significantly, I had achieved far more than I had even anticipated in almost all elements of life and that was worth reaching 30 for!

Anyway in other highlights, in a remarkable way we managed to see through the end of a close friend’s battle with cancer and she came away from it a stronger person with a healthier and firmer mindset and outlook on life and as a result I became a better person and I thank the Lord that I got to experience such a critical time at such a tender age.

My brother got married and despite all the chaos surrounding it, we managed to get to the other side of the world and have a fantastic wedding. Thanks to his wedding, I got to see and travel through Australia sooner than I had anticipated and the awesomeness of this trip was totally spectacular and shall linger with me for longer than I can ever explain or imagine.

We had a fantastic family holiday in Morocco and an even better trip as a family to Canada. Just to reconnect with all the family back in Canada bought us back to our roots and in a sense where family mattered, proved that family do matter in the right context and in the right time. Finally the much desired Far East tour kicked in this year in October and plans are underway already to continue this tour over the years God Willing.

With years of toil and constant and undivided commitment to their children, I finally saw my parents off away on vacation just the two of them on two separate occasions. This was something I had always desired for them and to see an end result evokes a sense of accomplishment and reward.

I plucked up the courage to get on the property ladder and since I’m still single, this was a tough decision in itself. At a time when recession hits everyone in difficult times, I feel I am making a good decision on my part and the greatest element in this is my assurance and self-reliance continues to take a constant upward direction and I have Allah to thank for giving me the strength and my parents to thank for encouraging me and supporting me endlessly.

In other great achievements, I have begun swimming classes. It’s not so much learning to swim, of course I want to conquer that aspect but it is more about overcoming this great fear that I have deep inside me. It is this fear of not being in control generally that has always affected me and for some strange reason being deep in the water I feel myself losing control, losing strength, losing a sense of direction and this is stopping me from fulfilling an achievement to be able to swim. But I am a great believer in conquering; anything is possible and though I have a long road ahead before I can strongly swim entire lengths I shall preserve into the New Year and who knows for I may succeed sooner than I trust myself too.

I walked my first Race for Life in the summer this year and that was a remarkable feeling, for it is a cause I am deeply connected to now. This year I owned my first car after sharing one for the last 13 years of driving, for me this was liberation from my personal uncertainties and again an addition to my independence.

But it wasn’t all singing and dancing; there was some gloom. One significant event procured the entire latter part of this year, and dominated life in the most peculair of ways, and though no resolve was ever achieved, the people close, to be affected by this, and including myself remain in limbo. This, my friends is a feeling no person should ever have to endure. I learnt that no matter how much you desire something, and even going to the lengths of shifting the earth could not make something that is not meant to be. On other lows, I had a moment of reconnection to my past. Though in retrospect that was nice, the overall feeling was of sadness and maybe a hint of bitterness for when you really trust and know a person, they let you down very badly. It comes to an even better understanding that people are not what they seem to be, even those who are closest to you.

So while one issue looms over our heads as we embark in to 2010, only Allah knows what the rest of next year shall entail; what joys and miseries are to befall us? What I do know is that if I have survived this year, I can take on almost anything that shall face me in the next.

I wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year. I pray it brings you mountains of strength to face those unfortunate difficulties that God forbid may cross your path and most importantly may the year burst with fountains of hope, happiness, peace, love and joy! :)

Aisha

Festive celebrations..

2009-12-30T16:09:00.001Z

Up until my trip to the Far East a couple of months back, I had not realised how ignorant people in my country are to the festive occasions of people from other creeds and religions. I am serious on this issue. The lack of understanding and respect is non-existent amongst many more people in this country than I had imagined.

When I went out to Malaysia in October, Eid celebrations had just come to an end and preparations were underway for Diwali. You talked to various people and one could never assume by looking at the person, their preferences when it came to festive celebrations. It was broadly and pleasantly acceptable that people were free to celebrate whichever celebrations they desired to and the color of your skin or any other element did not matter. If you so desired, you could celebrate them all and most of all every single person happily greeted each other and knew exactly when these celebratory days were. No one was clueless. In fact they were all clued up well on the details of various festive occasions The shopping malls were all true to the spirit of Diwali at the time, having just taken down their decor from Eid. This was the true spirit of genuine people who lived side by side accepting all faith and all festive occasions.

Most people in my country are ignorant. They can't even bring themselves to wish you well on Eid or ask if you had a good Eid. But turn the coin, and the minority are almost backed into some shitty corner to utter well wishes on Christmas, and should you make a mistake to not, my Goodness, it's almost like a crime that you should be hung, drawn and quartered for. Not so literally I suppose but it the attitude posed to you that sucks.

It doesn't bother me, I know enough about the Christian faith, the reason behind Christmas. Sadly those who supposedly celebrate it don't. They are so vain and uninteresting unless it has a materialistic approach to it. The true moral and spiritual significance to the faith and celebrations are completely lost. I find people submerged in spending hundreds and even thousands of pounds on gifts, decorations and food. There is no covetous from me as I think about this, just simple sadness to be amongst people who are so grasping and I dread to think that people of my faith would ever turn in this approach. For when we celebrate, the spiritual significance is still there, it's beautiful and its genuine, it's for a cause encompassing every possible element in life.

I do the cards, and the gifts to a degree, mostly because it's a good time to keep in touch with people you don't get to see often, to share with them a little of what you would desire for oneself. I wish well and I enjoy Christmas to an extent openly and happily. But I’d love to see a day when the majority would be as courteous to the minority when it comes to festivities!

One can only hope for change..:)

Aisha

What.....??

2009-12-30T15:57:00.000Z

...So what is the hardest thing to unreservedly achieve in this world.....??

.....Peace I say!?!

...What do you think?

Aisha

Childhood memories...

2009-12-29T12:30:00.001Z

Childhood memories of the winter season have profoundly been relived this year with the most amazing snowfall in ages! I haven't stopped talking about snow. Everything I do, say or think is attached to snow at the moment. Seasonal changes don't generally affect me so much but on the contrary the Brits do resolve to much talk geared around the weather.

It's not often that childhood memories are evoked unless I force myself to relive it. Isn't it strange that certain things and events usually out of the blue remind you of the past? So quite strangely the snowfall this time around has reminded me nothing but years that have gone by.

In those years left behind us, every winter it snowed as it has done in the past few days. It was part of your life. You walked to school in your wellies trudging in the snow. It wasn’t toilsome. Nobody moaned and whined about the snow. You put your wooly hat on your head, wrapped your scarf around, put you mittens on, and off you went. We even had leg warmers and ear muffs. They were awesomely cute. It was the most normal way of coping with the snow, yet unique in its way.

That's how I want to handle it this time around, except I find myself surrounded by people who are just moaning, a country who cannot cope, a country that cannot use snow in a positive way at all. It's pathetic and sadly a dismal state of the spirit of this country's people, most of whom moan over every seasonal change!

One night last week after the second heavy snowfall, a lot of the kids and teenagers, all sizes were out playing in the snow until late. Watching the scene bought warmth to my heart for this is what it's all about. We would be out, making snowballs and throwing them at each other with hopeless aims. Rolling the snow and making the biggest snowman one could. Those were memories that would reemain within the heart and mind but not evoked often, in fact not in a very long time, until that night. I decided after work that day, that's exactly what we would do, go out into the garden and play in the snow. To remain young at heart you have to free yourself and live a like a child sometimes. There may be memories long gone by but they need not stop, for a collection of memories can never burst to the brim :)

Aisha

I did it!

2009-12-22T11:56:00.001Z

Yup...I did it :)

Strange as it may seem I managed to drive to work yesterday morning with no sign of trouble at all. Thank God.

Mum and Dad left for the airport at the early hours of the morning. They looked a little vulnerable but I think it’s me being extremely overprotective. Sometimes I think it's my fault for doing as much as I can for them and really being at their side, kind of like on standby incase anything should go wrong or if they would need me. When the time comes for them to manage for themselves there is a tiny part of me thinks they will struggle and will not cope but that is just ridiculous, of course they will cope for goodness sake, for they bought me into the world, not the other way round!

It felt a tad bit odd, though they've gone away before, each time it doesn't get easier, I’ve spent that much time with them, more than my siblings, I am sure I am somehow more attached to them. I had a restless night thinking of them going away and then knowing their flight was going to get delayed. Then there were the thoughts of having to clear that snow weighing on my mind.

I felt like I was in Alaska when I got outside in the morning bound for work. I decided not to use the warm water approach and brushed the snow off my car. Having not shifted it since the start of the snow fall on Thursday, there was a thick heavy layer of snow covering my entire car, and as I brushed it away it flicked in all direction! I looked like an Eskimo finding her way round North Pole! But I absolutely enjoyed every second of it and slow was the drive to work, careful I was, but I did it...see mum, you panic for nothing!

Mum and dad were delayed at Manchester as expected and their estimated departure is later on in the evening. I am so pleased that between them they have endured this obstacle in the most profound way ever and it shows that one should never underestimate the courage and strength of another and certainly one's own parents but on the contrary mother now knows that even she has to have faith in me when it comes to handling treacherous driving conditions!

I was cold at work yestrerday, the heating was yet again switched off in some parts of the building or temperatures had been lowered to save on costs. I could barely feel my fingers, the harsh cold had penetrated straight through the bones and wrapping my hands round warm mugs of tea just did not do the trick!

But despite it all...Alhamdulilah :)

Aisha

Sorry for calling..!

2009-12-22T11:02:00.001Z

I had this most strange experience at the early hours of this morning. I don't dream often, in fact between each dream that much time lapses, I forget when they occur. But what I do remember are the contents of the dream. It's only because when I do have a dream, I am totally excited, like a child at Christmas opening a mountain of presents. Really, a dream is so significant to me and I often wonder why, when I do have a dream, it is of specific events or specific people.

I woke up this morning in a semi subconscious state, but aware that I had been in a dream. I often dream about events pertaining to me only and occasionally it may involve my parents or siblings but very rarely other people. So this morning this dream was strange, the events in it were odd and in no way reflected the relationship that I share with the person in the dream. In fact the relationship almost ended with animosity, any chance of reconciliation was near impossible, so the experience in this dream was in a bizarre way contrary to how things were left previously. In any case, in this semi subconscious state, I retrieved my cell phone from the bed-side and dialed a number, it must have rung because it was the ringing tone that finally clicked into by that point my conscious state and I realised what I was doing. Quickly and frantically I hung up, completely annoyed with myself.

I bolted upright and looked at the screen on the phone. It had rung for a minute, but the call hadn't been answered. By this point I am not sure what I was more annoyed over, the recognition that in an uncontrollable state I had dialed the number or the fact that it hadn't been answered?! I almost expected the phone to ring with a return call but it never did, even after sometime. I think that made me ever more irritated. But what's worse is that there was no ulterior motive, this was an event with no elements of it under my full control but I doubt others would share the same opinion.

I am glad I had this dream but I am sorry that I made the call after and I know that this is undoubtedly one of those moments going beyond human comprehension but maybe just maybe you understand why it happened?!

Aisha

Winter at last...

2009-12-18T10:15:00.006Z

So yes, we saw the beginning of snowfall yesterday afternoon and it carried through the evening and bless the flakes, they were still making their mark this morning. I don't mind winter, as long as we are geared up for it, not just us in person but in general as a country. Take for example when we had all that snowfall early this year in January bearing in mind last December we had no snow at all. So when it descended in January, all hell let loose, there weren't enough gritters out on the road and even more so not enough grit. The country was totally unprepared and it let everyone down quite badly. Schools shut for the duration and life kind of stopped at least for some. But this winter, the snow has come early, at least according to previous record but I would like to say it's on time or a little late to be honest, but that's me with my natural instinct thinking seasonal changes should occur exactly when they should!

Anyway, this morning the roads were remarkably clear though the streets looked a tad dangerous since no gritters had been out and of course they have stopped leaving grit pits at certain points on the street, like they use to when we were kids. But in fairness the roads had been gritted for today and were completely easy to drive through. Whether they would be generous enough to grit on any further snowfall would be another matter...Time would tell! Anyway I didn't want to risk or rather mother insisted that I shouldn't drive to work, her over-protective side kicking in yet again. So dad drove me to work and we laughed about how I couldn't rely on him like this for there would come a day where I would have to drive out in the snow, in fact it may be sooner rather than later, I said to him 'you won't fancy coming all the way from Agadir on Monday just to drive me to work if the snow stays like this'? He laughed and retorted, 'we might not even get out there if the weather conditions are too bad!' I hope they do all the same, since, they sure deserve a break.

I'm glad it snowed, I love watching it fall, it’s therapeutic and it sure is picturesque when it's falling and when it’s rested. I have to admit, the snow is at its best when it’s first fallen; fresh and crisp. Once it gets trampled over and messy it's really isn’t all that fun! The murky slushy snow looks terrible and should temperatures fall, the darn stuff turns to treacherous ice.

On the contrary, for the moment I want to enjoy watching those snowflakes just falling down and as carelessly as they may seem to fall, I know they twirl from the sky, following a set direction, some touching my face and eventually settling on the ground. I love the winter for it is how I am habituated. I would like to think I could carry on embracing the winter but seeing mum and dad struggling to cope with it, I dread the very same changes as years go by. For now though, I will enjoy the feel of the harsh cold against my skin, how it seeps through me and sends a chill, and when it gets too much, I can always be indoors and huddle near the fire telling tales of far and beyond :)
Aisha

First snowfall..

2009-12-17T23:47:00.003Z

Not much, but its fresh, its crisp..just lovely :)
..and there is such a chill in the air!

Aisha

Soreen

2009-12-14T16:22:00.001Z

You wonder why I'm going on about Soreen?! Soreen is my 'take a break' food. Yeh I know some may prefer the Kit Kat or Mars Bar, I do too, but the calories in those chocolate bars just rest on my hips taking its place forever a bit like a cat that lands on your doorstep, you give it some milk and the darn thing never goes. That's how I view chocolate, you feed your system with it, just for the reason of 'having a break' and it's a slippery slope. So when I have chocolate, it's because of a special occasion, treat or just out of the blue I fancy it, that way I have a firm grip on it.

Anyway back to the Soreen. Not sure, if any of you have ever tried it but I kinda love the stuff. Well at least I do until I get sick of eating it all week! I'm a bit like that, I can't eat the same stuff for more than a few times in a row, then I need a change. I guess a lot of my life is a bit like that. I like variation, same monotonous crap kinda makes you a tad suicidal.

Well, I eat my Soreen, sliced and buttered. A bit like eating a fruit cake, excpet it's malty and a lot less in the calorie department unless you decide to be a bit heavy handed with the butter, then I guess it's a different matter. I've always bought Soreen loaf and often wondered if they 'Soreen' had any other products on the market and lone behold, I found out they do a cereal bar! A 95% fat-free cereal bar with 143 calories, can you believe it?.. one packed with raisins, rice, malt, oats and wheat. Just the kind of energy boost you need on a mid-morning break. Now I sure am excited, though I 'm pretty sure my supermarket is not shelving the product, so my quest is to locate a supermarket that does and then maybe, convince my local supermarket to add a new product to their cereal bar line...well 'if you don't ask you don't get', that what mother always taught me!

To a healthy and happy break of Soreen..! :)

Aisha

Looking forward to the weekend..

2009-12-11T15:33:00.003Z

This morning was a cold and freezing start, bit of a shock to the system. As I let myself out of the house and let the door lock behind me, I realised how blooming cold it was and the car windows had freezing ice over them. It was too late to go back inside and get some warm water. I was already running late having set my alarm completely wrong, I really couldn't deal with shifting ice off my screen. I frantically sprayed de-icer and set off with visibility as poor as a blind bat! This is why dad always checks the forecast the night before!

I drove to the petrol station, since I had no fuel at all and it beeped all the way to the there. Speaking of which the flipping fuel prices have gone up yet again, I can't believe that fuel is close to £1.06p per litre. We must be one of the very few countries to be extortionately charged for our fuel but hey I needed to get to work so sod the prices!

Anyway, I had to dash home at lunchtime. I finished my paper late last night and shoved it into the envelope. I had shut the computer down and I couldn't be bothered to log back on to get my tutor details and decided I would do it at work this morning. Only when I tried that, for data protection issues the university after God knows how long has suddenly decided that the addresses are no longer on the student home page. Damn it!

I arrived home to lovely culinary smells coming from the kitchen, where mother was stood at the stove stirring away at something bubbling in the pot that looked scrummy. I daren't even walk into the kitchen, aware that I had to go back to work, and the last thing I wanted was to walk back into the office smelling like, in my brother's word 'a curry-smelling-paki'. When I first heard this remark, I thought he was being utterly derogatory. But now I kind of smirk every time I think of this statement.

My niece came running to me with an excited little face wondering what on earth I was doing home at this time of a day. We sat on the floor as I got my books and papers out, and she watched me as I quickly sketched the gate-control theory diagram. The book shut and she opened it up looking for the picture that I was sketching 'Is this the one?' she asked. Without looking up I went 'yes sweetie, that's it!' Later when I looked up I realised she'd done a pretty good job trying to find almost the exact picture of what I had sketched, though not quite the same one, her perception was outstanding.

She proceeded to tell me Khadija didn’t talk to her in nursery today and looked rather despondent. I looked at her and thought how some children don't really realise how they can hurt each other, whereas other children would go out of the way to make sure they don't hurt each other. My niece was definitely in the latter group.

I studied her little face and she looked ever so cute in her little summer dress which she said she put on because it was quite sunny this morning, even though her mother insisted to not but then in her words 'when I got outside it was really cold' Bless her, they are so innocent are kids, if only they could remain in such a state forever.

Trying to reassure her I said, well ‘maybe Khadija was having a bad day or maybe Khadija really liked your dress because sweetie you do have the ‘bestest’ dress in the world on today haven't you?' She nodded, she loves being complimented, but then who doesn't?!

She packed my things back into my folder sensing already that I was in a hurry, as I put my coat on kissed her and said goodbye to mum before I hurried back out.

Since I don't have children of my own, what you don't have, you miss the most but I completely adore my two nieces. Children bring you alive, they make you forget all the little and big worries. They make you feel wanted and special, especially when others don't and most of all; children genuinely, so innocently and undividedly need you and generally expect little or nothing in return.

I have had a really hectic week and almost every hour God has sent, I have been working flat out with very little time for recuperation. There is another huge project on the horizon which I am facing alone but I have faith in God to succeed.

Despite it all, I'm certainly looking forward to the weekend and to some 'me' time :)

Aisha

Wash it away...

2009-12-11T14:08:00.000Z

thank you to Naeema for this :)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in the course of Wudu'), every sin he has committed with his eyes is washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought is erased from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet walked is washed away with water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out cleansed of all sins". [Muslim]. The Prophet (PBUH) said "Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse "

On this Jumuah, My Dua' is that May you be Blessed with Health, Contentment, Barakat, Noor, Steadfast Imaan, Courage, Patience, Wisdom, Understanding, Kindness Protection and Prosperity

Jummah Mubarak :)

Aisha

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

2009-12-09T10:02:00.002Z

I am doing this paper for University on Pain Management and have spent the last few days collating my research, perusing books and journals just to piece the paper together. I am that tired from late nights, in fact I am utterly exhausted. I cannnot wait, for when I can have an early night and not have to wake up at the crack of dawn (though crack of dawn in the winter here is like 8am so in essence I am getting up when the world is still resting)!

Anyway, back to my pain management paper. When I first started with this work, I thought the entire subject was so complex I wouldn't be able to grasp it. Just trying to think about all the different factors in pain management as one big process, made it as clear as mud. But as with anything in science, you've got to break it down. So with a breakdown of all the chemical processes and the gate-way theories and what not, I started to understand pain management a little better. So much so that when I got to the section on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), I was truly fascinated. When I had to support a friend through cancer sometime back, I could have done with understanding CBT.

I was quick to discuss my findings with her. CBT uses the idea that cognition and behaviour affect pain experience, emphasising that patients can control pain. The notion is that CBT attempts to help patients cope with pain using various strategies. Patients can be trained to use distraction techniques such as thinking of pleasant images, challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ideas. They are also encouraged to reattribute pain, use relaxation techniques and adopt stress management. These techniques apparently help respond better to pain experience.

So talking to her, to put such a technique into practice, we eventually agreed that it would be possible. Distracting away from the pain, does take your mind of it. But that distraction has to come completely from the mind. It's not a case of saying, I'll play scrabble and forget I have back pain, when your mind is still buzzing with the words I'm in pain!

As complex as the body systems are it is a case of working and forcing the 'mind over matter' :)

Aisha

Sunset in Agadir

2009-12-08T16:02:00.002Z

The view from the newly structured promenade.

This place is like my second home! Well, actually it is, since i'm in Agadir every few months!

I love the Moroccan culture, the food is divine, the weather is pleasant all year round and the people are just great :)

Aisha

Sky-Bridge..worth the toil!

2009-12-08T13:26:00.004Z

One of the things we completely intended to do during our trip to KL was to go up the towers and walk on the sky-bridge suspended between the two towers. My brother had said we should get in early! There was me thinking if I’m getting out bed at the crack of dawn, it had better be worth it!

We decided to make this trip on the last Friday before we left KL to go back home. Despite things getting rather hectic as the trip was almost coming to an end we stuck to the intended plan. Mum and dad didn't want to come but I was told I could get extra tickets so I had a small cunning plan. Having woken up at the crack of dawn, my head ached from the previous night! It's was a struggle getting the other two out of bed and finally left the hotel lobby at around 7.30, convinced we were behind schedule.

We got the mono-rail from Chow Kit and proceeded to head towards KL Sentral armed with my guide just in case. Once we got to Bukit Nanas stop, it suddenly occurred to me we were completely off track. In a panic we carried on to the next station and got off at Hang Tuah. We'd been near this station before I think or so I thought. Later I realised this was where China Town was. Had I known it then, we wouldn't have got off this station.

The place was like miles out of route for where we needed to be, and time was moving way too fast; the best approach was to hail a taxi. The other two looked at me with perplexed faces! I'm like OK, I know I’m your guide but I am trying my best here.

Hailing a taxi driver, who would use a meter in Hang Tuah, is like drawing blood from a stone and the bloody Chinese in KL are so arrogant and intimidating. I swear, nothing usually intimidates me but these drivers were awful. One guy got all funny and I could feel myself losing my temper, as I walked away spluttering every obscenity I could think of! He retorted back, which made me even angrier. In hindsight now I look back at the moment and think I was brave confronting this guy and cussing him, since he looked rather menacing!

We carried on a little further along the main road, trying my luck with some other drivers and eventually this guy stopped or so I thought it was a guy until I got up to the car and realised it was a woman! At first she was so blooming awkward, I could have clocked her one but eventually she backed down on the taxi fare and we agreed she would get us quickly outside the Tower entrance.

She turned out to be a somewhat decent driver. We chatted away about our trip and I still managed to go on about how unhappy I was about drivers not using meters, especially the Chinese, but credit to her she hurried us through shortcuts avoiding the morning traffic and got us right outside the entrance bang on before 8.30am.

We queued up a good hour, though it seemed like ages we finally got our tickets, I got a couple extra and we decided to go for the 9.30 view and I'd come back later that afternoon with mum and dad. Going up the lift was exhilarating and as we stepped out of the lift and walked onto the bridge, the view was magnificent. We could see far beyond and pointing out various landmarks that we had visited throughout our stay in KL. I’m not posting pictures unless I find one suitable, since most of them on looking back do not do any justice to what the view was like up there in veracity. I don't care what anyone says but seeing stuff from the top is awesome! When I took mum and dad back later that afternoon, the look on their faces was undeniably out of this world, they were both so awestruck with the whole experience including the exhibition and the presentation before the visit and I was so glad I had convinced them to experience it!

The Petronas Towers are superb work of architect and up until some years back, were the tallest towers in the World. But the distinction on it being the tallest building is beyond the real essence of the towers which as a tourist I could see and be part of. The towers have been maintained as an excellent link with the past and the future for the culture, heritage, technology and knowledge framework for the people of Malaysia :)

Aisha

Petronas Twin Towers KL

2009-12-08T07:35:00.005Z

I haven't elaborated on my Far East trip I know and I said I would in good time, but I was going through some pictures and came across this one. I remember taking it as we sat in the gardens surrounding the Suria KLCC Shopping Plaza. The shopping mall sits directly underneath and in between the Petronas Towers, hence the good angle of the picture.

The park and its landscape at the heart of the KLCC quarter have a magnificent and unique concept with some outstanding water features. It's the perfect sanctuary and Lake Symphony, located at the esplande outside Suria has the most attractive and enchanting water fountains. We had seen the towers by day on several occasions but on this evening, the sun was just setting, it was surprisingly tranquil, the whole place was beautifully lit, and against the back drop of the evening blue sky, the scene was tremendously remarkable.

We were all feeling rather melancholy that evening. We met up earlier that afternoon with my brother and sister-in-law, who had flown in from Perth, especially to see us. We had spent the afternoon meandering through all the exquisite shops in the Suria Plaza, and stopping to chat over cups of coffee! When your brother is so far away, you value deeply the short time you have. So having said our goodbyes that evening before they left back for Perth, this picture definitely reflected the mood and emotions at that moment, though I didn't realise how much up until now...truly amazing!

Aisha
--
Sent from my mobile device

Sacrifices...

2009-12-07T17:01:00.000Z

I started writing various bits of this piece some time back and never really got round to post it. Each time I came back to it, I thought of little bits to add to it and before long, the whole piece was a jumble of thoughts and ideas. Then last week with Eid, the subject of sacrifice came up yet again and I thought of this writing again. Anyway I've had to almost re-write this to make some sense of it but in essence the original bits are still there in all the right places. Some bits I discarded since I couldn’t even remember why I had made notes on. But don't you just love it when things seem totally incoherent and you have a bit of a shake-up and voila it all fits in. I had that with my bedroom a few weeks ago, everything was just all over the place and I got sick of trying to sort stuff out. I was moving one thing from one place and putting in on to another. In the end I just thought, pull it apart and start all over again!

Anyway back to this topic of sacrifice. What does it mean, to sacrifice? ....Does it mean one thing for one person and something completely different to another person? Commonly sacrifice is associated in the giving of something, food and object or such. This takes me to the one important topic on sacrifice and associated directly with Eid that has just passed.

In our house we have offered the sacrifice at Eid Al Adha for as long as I can remember. My parents have always been good to show us Eid Al Adha in its true spirit. Aside from the beauty and spiritual benefits attained from it as adults, it is also a learning phase for our children, for they need to understand Islam and the best way to this is to practice the religion. There needs to be signs. Its little point in saying well you do this, this and that if you are Muslim. They need actions and they do say that actions speak louder than words. That's right folks actions speak louder than words. Thankfully my nieces are absolutely full of questions, they are the most inquisitive of children, that's what I love about children, they are just truly amazing, you can sit with them for hours and have a mountain of patience talking to them, knowing that every answer will be followed by yet another question and never getting fed-up. Children are my favorite of people!

Anyway the sacrifice of Eid, Qurbani to some, to others Udhiya, is an act performed for the sake of Allah and a truly amazing form of worship. What better way to attain the reward from Allah and have the pleasure of eating from a sacrificed animal? Salah is the greatest form of worship but for the worship concerning wealth, sacrificial act on Eid Al Adha holds great reverence as the original will for the sacrifice was for a soul, the soul of Ismail peace be upon him, at the commandment of God to Ibrahim peace be upon him. Imagine having to sacrifice your son, your beloved son. Ibrahim was ready to do this without a glimmer of doubt. Can we ever reach to the level of faith and fortitude as of Ibrahim? Allah tested Ibrahim's faith and he, Ibrahim never waivered, willing to carry out the sacrifice of his son, but once his submission had been tested, the body of Ismail was replaced with an animal which Ibrahim sacrificed. Even Ismail was happy for his father to carry out this commandment from Allah; he too was firm and resolute. From then onwards all able Muslims were to perform this act. The sacrifice is an act of total submission to God, that you obedient to Allah and his commands, and that we are slaves of Allah, should we not then surrender to Him? Ibrahim never questioned why he must sacrifice his son. That is a true philosophy of sacrifice, to give without question.

This takes me to my more general idea on sacrifice in our worldly lives. How many of us have made sacrifices, little sacrifices to even bigger ones. How many of us make true sacrifices, give up for the sake of others? Many of the times I find something hurts deeply to give up, but you still do for the sake of others around you. These are worldly matters and they bear resemblance on you character depending on how you handle things. We sacrifice, time, wealth and even love.

There are times when we want to achieve something, the most difficult of decisions need to be made, and usually at those times we have to make sacrifices. Sadly many people don't make sacrifices. They want everything, no matter what or who get's hurt in the process. But life is about others, not just about one or two people you chose.

Did you sacrifice for another or did you give up in a self-seeking way? Whatever the answer to this question, just remember someone, somewhere may have gotten hurt in the process and that is something no one should have to live with.

If you make a sacrifice, make it genuinely and most of all don't tread over things or people that you pass in getting where you need to get to :)

Aisha

What about Now...

2009-12-07T13:41:00.001Z

I have this track on loop, since I just totally love listening to it. It's actually an original by Chris Daughtry, I don't recall listetning to it much then, though I do remember the video sent a powerful message. Anyway it's the Westlife version that I am kind of addicted to, not that I'm a Westlife fan but all the same, this song is beautiful, Daughtry or Westlife, love it!

Shadows fill an empty heart

As love is fading,

From all the things that we are

But are not saying.

Can we see beyond the scars

And make it to the dawn?

Change the colors of the sky.

And open up to

The ways you made me feel alive,

The ways I loved you.

For all the things that never died,

To make it through the night,

Love will find you.

What about now?

What about today?

What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?

What if our love never went away?

What if it's lost behind words we could never find?

Baby, before it's too late,

What about now?

The sun is breaking in your eyes

To start a new day.

This broken heart can still survive

With a touch of your grace.

Shadows fade into the light.

I am by your side,

Where love will find you.

What about now?

What about today?

What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?

What if our love had never went away?

What if it's lost behind words we could never find?

Baby, before it's too late,

What about now?

Now that we're here,

Now that we've come this far,

Just hold on.

There is nothing to fear,

For I am right beside you.

For all my life,

I am yours.

What about now?

What about today?

What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?

What if our love had never went away?

What if it's lost behind words we could never find?

What about now?

What about today?

What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?

What if our love had never went away?

What if it's lost behind words we could never find?

Baby, before it's too late,

What about now?

Eid..Hajj..Arafah..

2009-12-07T12:57:00.005Z

Having not reflected on the blog for almost six weeks, there is a mountain of thoughts and emotions churning away in my head. Speaking of churning, some dippy oldish lady I work with thought churning wasn't a word. I was like Churn as in butter; she thought I'd made it up. Really she's great, just a bit dippy. But yes when I say churn, I think of butter, especially since I am sure supermarkets shelve the Churn brand of butter, still she wasn't convinced!

So yes, I was saying I have all these unfinished pieces of writing that I keep meaning to update and post up on here and just haven't gotten round to it, so beware people you may see an influx of posting up here sometime soon.

Ok, onto Eid. The Day of Arafah is always the most tranquil of moments, I don't have to be there, out in the plains of Arafat to feel and experience this. Once you have been there, the electric feeling remains with you forever. You can be as far away detached from Hajj, but the minute someone mentions Yaum Al Arafah it all comes flooding back and if I see even a glimpse of the scene on television, the emotions evoked are even more compelling. You have to have had experience Hajj to feel this. I am sure of it. Never in my life has such an event impacted me as did Hajj. It was the most beautiful and memorable experience ever gifted to me and will remain the best gift I ever have throughout my existence.

So yes, I was talking about Arafah in particular here. There was a huge buzz of activity when we arrived to the tents that day all those years ago, and while some were wondering around like lost souls, some determined to explore the place and some ascended to the Mount. Each unto their own intention. I was determined to get settled in to a tent, shabby as it may have looked especially for some in our camp, it was enough for me just to be in the shade, I still wanted to see out in to the plains of Arafah and the sky beyond the Mount but I knew I needed to be in the shade if I was to survive through this day. I have never felt so special and connected to Allah than I did on this day. This was the very day that Allah had perfected His religion for His slaves, without a doubt I felt special. I am sure I wasn't the only one, but nevertheless what I felt was so significant, a set of emotions, a magnificent experience I could take with me wherever I proceeded with my life from that point onwards.

Just an hour or so before sunset, I remember leaving the tent, and being out in the complete open, the entire ground as far beyond as I could see was dotted with all these bodies clothed in white, such a pure vision, such a united vision, nothing could ever compare to this vision. As the sunset, I just didn't want to let this day go, if only I could remain in it forever but I realised that this day, where I felt most safe, most pure was about to end and I had to go back out in the to this big and sadly not so nice world and its people within it, and prayed so hard that I would face it with complete determination of success and with absolute faith and strength; no matter what life was to throw at me from this point onwards, I would take in my stride, deal with it to the best of my ability and If I was to err, it would never be knowingly and I would seek Allah's mercy and forgiveness forever onwards. I know all this sound kind of soppy but really, how can a true servant of God not feel this way after they have experienced Hajj, after experiencing Yaum Al Arafah.

One other thought that remained with me through this day is the day of Yaum Al Hashr, the day of reckoning when we would all gather on this very ground, yes we are all to return on this very soil to be reckoned for our action and nothing could escape this. The complete reality of Judgement does not hit a person until you actually step foot on that soil. On that very soil will be the final gathering of the people for reckoning. It's enough alone to shake and put into check a person's life!

That day for me ended though emotional, most beautifully, nothing would ever compare to it. Every Eid Al Adha it stirs up many memories more profoundly than any other time throughout the year. It allows for a striking significance to Eid along with some other relevant points pertaining to this festival.

We had a fantastic feast at our house and the sacrifice signified Eid perfectly. Mum got her huge pots out and made the most delicious food. The roast we had on Saturday was divine. I devoured over the food throughout the few days. I'd made some quick sweetmeats earlier in the week and they finished the meals off nicely. Alhamdulillah. Happy times they were indeed, for it is with happiness in our hearts that we must seek pleasure and ultimately attain reward.

I sincerely hope my friends that you had a joyous occasion with your loved ones and importantly ate your feasts to your desires :)

Aisha

Reflecting on October

2009-10-30T16:13:00.004Z

Seriously though where did it go?!

Part of it was the long awaited trip to the Far East, which I am yet to elaborate on and knowing anything about the pace I work at, this may not come out for months or even years. I have people telling me I still haven't raved on about the Down Under trip earlier this year. But quite frankly, I myself still have not had a chance to gather my thoughts about that trip, let alone feel ready to talk about it. The other evening only I was telling my sister how it still feels like only yesterday that we were rushing around shopping for the wedding outfits and remembering the spare room with cases flung open and just absolutely everything you can think of strewn all over. At the time I thought. 'how will we ever get a whole bunch of wedding stuff to the other side of the world' and 'was it all ever going to fall into place', the stress I was under was tremendous, I am surprised I managed to get there and come back without losing the plot!

Anyway back to October.. so yes most of the month was taken up with this great trip to the Far East, though might I remind myself the Far East is a huge sphere in itself and a zillion trips to that side would still not cover seeing it all! The week preceding the trip and the week after (that's this week :p) has failed to even touch the reality of the other things happening around us. In fact I could do with a bit more time for October. But with only tomorrow remaining, which is the great Halloween night, I doubt much good can happen. Chances remain rather slim. Especially since I am not one for the spooks and frolics of Halloween!

So reflection on October is dominated with lovely time's away and oh a neat golden tan to just remind me of how good things were away! Exactly...good things away from here...if only they could remain beyond that..!

So here's looking towards November and God Almighty only knows what it will bring, so we pray for goodness in all facets of life and surely nothing can ever truly dampen the spirits of a believer.

Jummah Mubarak

Aisha

Misguided..

2009-10-28T15:34:00.001Z

She thinks she's got it all right and it's all worked out just the way it needs to be. Yes?!

No matter...to trample over others. Right?!

Well, more fool.. you!!!

Piece of Cake..!!

2009-10-28T15:30:00.000Z

I probably haven't mentioned already but these last eighteen months at work have been swaps and changes, almost difficult to keep up with. Having had the same manager for longer than I could remember the change last year kind of made me and many others feel like it was almost too much too handle. But within months an unsupportive manager (at least from my part) was replaced with yet another manager, though this time around a male boss. I mean I've never worked for a male boss...how were things to fair..?!

Everyone in the department had speculated and word had wound its way back to the office that our new boss in no way hesitated in demeaning his staff. Well that's a good start me thinks! But then my level headed personality lets me think that sod what others say! Until I meet the man, I shall make no judgement, credit the man some justice, so to speak.

THE meeting was today...the kind where you introduce and what not. It went well, despite the niggling thoughts that others had planted into my head, and feeling rather emotional (hormones of course) I went in hoping it wouldn't take the better of me. So armed with as much of an open mind I could get and some faith I presented myself to the new boss.

Quite frankly it was painless. I don't care much for personalities of people I work with outside of work. Personally work is work and I don't like to mix it with pleasure or any other facets of life. Mixing one with another can get tricky and complicated. Work need not be any complicated than it already is. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind socialising with this lot here, I mean one has to stay in the picture to an extent, so official work do's are manageable (just about, though witnessing colleagues behave like complete goons ain't so pleasant....trust me!).

Anyway back to the boss, his principles are more or less on the spot. I can see why some felt..well.. threatened by him...sure he can sort of talk down at you, but if you are shirker, then you have cause to worry.

But if you work damn hard then his principles have no need to even affect you as a person. He certainly didn't scare me, he was doing his job as I was mine! goes to show don't always pay attention to what others have to say, see it for yourself! There were other issues we decided should be addressed but that would be for another meeting. All in all it was a piece of cake...Alhamdulilah :)

Aisha

Changing the unchangeable..!

2009-10-27T15:44:00.001Z

Ever tried so damn hard to get things right?....Ever hoped that things would turn out well?

But sometimes, don't you find that no matter how hard you try, and no matter how much you hope, some things are just not meant to be?!

Some are selfish, obscure in their ways, and their acts fail to epitomise everything you ever see and believe in. Such characters can come from within you, and as you step back and observe, one can think...where did it all go wrong? One can blame oneself! Say that enough wasn't done, or could it have been done differently..so on and so forth...

But frankly, there are some that cannot be saved. Acceptance of this is probably the hardest, as it is in human nature to keep plucking at something with hope, but that hope is so fruitless that it's energy eats away at you leaving you with nothing. There is a point which needs to be recognised, one where you stop and leave it to their devices.

Some remain unaware of the difficulty they are causing others by their actions and behaviour and furthermore are completely uncaring about their own detestable condition. But mostly, some fail to recognise the duty they have upon others including and most importantly to parents / elders and so on.

May Allah Glory and Greatness be to Him) grant us the Divine success that we may come be regarded amongst those who have been good towards their parents. "O' Allah! Make us such that we may be grateful for the efforts of our parents." "O' Allah! Make us successful in bringing forth a generation of pure-hearted, believing, grateful and righteous individuals." Ameen

Aisha

It was a very good year...

2009-10-07T10:32:00.000+01:00

Who else but Frank Sinatra!!!

Seriously I am hooked on Frank Sinatra's music, I caught a piece of his music on the radio a couple of days ago and now I am finding myself going through his music collection..I like this one the best so far.. (and no I am not losing the plot :p, it's good to deviate a bit..:D)

When I was seventeen

It was a very good year

It was a very good year for small town girls

And soft summer nights

Wed hide from the lights

On the village green

When I was seventeen

When I was twenty-one

It was a very good year

It was a very good year for city girls

Who lived up the stair

With all that perfumed hair

And it came undone

When I was twenty-one

When I was thirty-five

It was a very good year

It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls

Of independent means

Wed ride in limousines

Their chauffeurs would drive

When I was thirty-five

But now the days grow short

Im in the autumn of the year

And now I think of my life as vintage wine

>from fine old kegs

>from the brim to the dregs

And it poured sweet and clear

It was a very good year

It was a mess of good years

So' Long O' Ramadhan

2009-10-07T09:59:00.002+01:00

The wrapping up of Ramadhan was a little chaotic. Nevertheless, the whole idea of a one day Itikaaf was with success, even if I realised how difficult it is to completely switch off from the world, seriously people it's not as easy as the switching 'on and off' of a light! I vowed that I would take more time out for ‘meditation’ and such things throughout the year and not just in Ramadhan. Towards the end of the day though as it came to a close and just as I had gotten into the flow of things, I wished I had set my task for a longer period, but on the contrary all the time I was conscious that I also had to fulfil my obligation to the family who weren’t so far away...downstairs!

Ramadhan went peacefully, though one dark thought continued to prey on our minds, more so for mum, dad and myself. The eventful days previous to Ramadhan chose to linger through the course of Ramadhan and though we chose a course of action we knew it may not have been the best but considering the phase we were in, the focus was on experiencing the spiritual month to the best of our ability, not one focused on issues that were caused through ignorance and self infliction.

Finally as the last day of Ramadhan came to almost a close, I attempted to resolve the issue that had waited long enough! I realised how stubborn the actual situation was! Between us we felt like our attempts were falling on deaf ears, so to speak and as Eid morning dawned on us, any chances of reconciliation looked slim.

I was pretty sure that the one particular prayer I made throughout the month of Ramadhan, Allah will surely fulfil in good time. Things took as unexpected turn on Eid day which I’ll write about soon but with it bought the hope that we were all wanting so sincerely.

May Allaah accept our worship and keep us steadfast beyond Ramadhan.

So' long O’Dear Ramadhan and may we be your guests again soon.
Aisha

I'm still here..

2009-09-29T16:08:00.000+01:00

Ramadhan came and went...

Eid got celebrated in speed and passed...

and finally flew out to Canada and came back before I could take any of it in...!

Yup so much so quick!!

Want to write about it all soon. I see the next month or two being rather hectic, just how life needs to be right now.

Autumn is approaching, feel the chill in the air...changes everywhere.

Keep well people -:)

Aisha

Amazing Art

2009-09-16T09:36:00.001+01:00

I got this in an email from Naeema -:)

Some amazing art done by a Saudi man (his age more than 90 years) and is fond of writing on..guess what...Eggs?! Yup I find it truly remarkable and such wonderful art, that I had to share it -:)

Fasting..an alternative perspective

2009-09-14T16:02:00.001+01:00

I am always reluctant to copy and paste on this blog as I want this place to be mostly a collection of my personal thoughts, ideas, writing etc. But of course recently I have been receiving some outstanding emails from Naeema and they are far too good, to not share.

Often when people ask you why you are fasting, aside from saying that it is what is ordained by God, some find it difficult to explain Ramadhan beyond this commandment from God. Certainly it is a commandment from God to adhere to as a Muslim but I always like to think that aside from performing an act because we have been asked to or because it emulates someone or something, I would like to say that I can think deep within me and beyond to realise and understand the benefits of an act, and in this case the benefits and consequences of Ramadhan bring about in you a lot of feelings and emotions that you would ordinarily ignore. Subhan'Allaah and to put that into words to say Non-Muslims can sometimes be rather difficult especially if they start of with the idea that you are just starving yourself because some God asks you to do so (na'ouozo'bi'Allaah)

Going back to the reason behind this post, I share with you the persepective of a Non-Muslim whom without a doubt took a great challenge to partake in a days fasting to appreciate and understand the deeper concept behind Ramadhan.

Aisha

---

I am not a Muslim, but I wanted to experience Ramadan -- a month of fasting from dawn to dusk -- out of curiosity.

Yes, curiosity. Why would anyone punish themselves this way?

What does it feel like? It really did not seem to be that daunting of a task at first.
I did not realize what it means to go without food or water during daylight hours.

I was soon to learn that the days are much longer than we imagine.

I learned is that each day is a gift; to appreciate each minute that goes by.

I learned how often unkind words would slip from my mouth.

I learned what my body feels like when I do not eat or drink for hours on end.

How difficult it is to do the simplest things like speak when your tongue will not move because your mouth is so dry.

I learned how my mind functions when it is deprived of essentials.

I learned that loving a child and having that love returned is pure love.

But mostly what I learned is to be grateful for what we do have, for each other and for this world that we live in.

Any of us could fast for a day.

Mothers, look at your children and imagine what you would feel if you knew they were slowly starving to death and that, just because the sun is setting, you have no way of providing food or clean water for them.

Regardless of our religion or our history, we are mothers and a mother's pain is no different regardless of how we honour God.

To me, Ramadan is an opportunity to look within myself, to cleanse, to purify my thoughts.

I realized just how insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things.

My issues became shallow and I was able to better understand my purpose on this earth.

I became acutely aware of how often and easily we think and speak less of others and feel justified in our thoughts.

Judgment of others is unkind and cruel. Is it cruel that God expects this of Muslims?

No, it is a gift that he bestows upon them, a chance for deep reflection.

During this month I would ask that we all look at our Muslim friends, neighbours and co-workers and honour them for their commitment to God.

Seize the opportunity...I'tikaaf

2009-09-11T09:59:00.006+01:00

As we enter into the last third phase of Ramadhan, attention draws on dedicating ourselves even more exclusively to prayer and devotion in order to create a deep God-consciousness. It is this superb awareness and magnificent realization of Allaah that is the spring of the Muslim's thought, belief and actions. For me I'tikaaf (seclusion) is in fact the next step up from fasting, in spiritual reformation and purification of the soul.

During the days of I'tikaaf, the mu'takif (the one in seclusion) would attempt to detach themselves from worldly happenings and attach themselves to prayer and supplication.

I view I’tikaaf as a fantastic opportunity for a retreat. We all know of the various retreats such as those associated with holistic, aromatherapy, detox, yoga and other self help getaway places but I deem this retreat is ever more elevated, as it is for the betterment of the soul and the mind. It allows for the mind to close the door on the world and the heart to engage in God consciousness, fully occupying with Allaah alone, applying our full concentration to Him the Most High. This retreat allows one to feel contented with Allaah and be at peace.

I'tikaaf is a recognized Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed sallalahu alaihi wasalam and even before the time of the first revelation the Prophet of Allaah (sallalahu alaihi wasalam) would take himself to the cave of Hira for days contemplating and indeed it was here in the cave of Hira where the first revelation was sent down through Jibreel (Gabriel) alayhis 'salaam.

Isolating one's self from the world may not seem like a fun thing to do at first! Is it not because we are so attached to the worldly affairs that the mere thought of not being part of it for a short time feels extremely difficult and challenging? Indeed it is challenging, but the challenge is with positive results for it is a healthy act; an act that allows one the time to worship Allaah and to think beyond the materialistic world that we are so accustomed to and this should empower the individual to become more self-disciplined. It certainly teaches us the real meaning of our being and existence and directs us to the right track. Surely it allows us dust the sins off our souls and give it an all new glow, augment and deepen our spiritual significance and polish our vision.

We all like to take a vacation, often at great costs just to achieve some pleasure. How about taking a retreat in a spiritual sense to achieve happiness, feel refreshed and tranquilized, refine and stabilize the mind and soul and best of it all is that it needn't cost you anything.

Finally the last third of Ramadhan is also a time to look for Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) and is described in the Qur'an as a night better than a thousand months, Subhan'Allah! Worshipping through this one night is equal to the worship of a thousand months, how many of us live to the age of 80 some years to achieve something like this and in just one night we can achieve it. Truly, Glory belongs to Allaah alone. Truly we are blessed as the Ummah of Rasul'Allaah (sallalahu alaihi wasalam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim) and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet as saying: “When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims: Is there anyone supplicating to Me, so that I grant his supplication? Is there anyone begging of Me for anything so that and I grant him his wish? Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness, so that I forgive him?” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

and so for the next ten days as we increase our worship, let us also include recitation of the following dua (supplication) in abundance:

Say: "O Allah, You are Oft-Pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.'"(Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and At-Tirmidhi)

Let us all seize the opportunity.

Jummah Mubarak -:)

Aisha

Why it's so beautiful...

2009-09-10T15:31:00.001+01:00

There is no word as beautiful as Allah.

No example as beautiful as Rasulallah(SAW).

No lesson as beautiful as Islam

No song as melodious as Azan.

No charity as meaningful as Zakat.

No encyclopaedia as perfect as Al-Quran.

No prayer as perfect as Namaz.

No diet as perfect as fasting.

No journey as perfect as Hajj.

Let us realize that Islam is forever beautiful and perfect

*yet again thank you Naimah

No witty title

2009-09-09T16:18:00.005+01:00

Hmm...if I only I could be carried just for today..

Aisha

Frustrations...(traffic and all that)

2009-09-09T13:25:00.005+01:00

The traffic is driving me bonkers! I mean it, it really is so frustrating and we are only into the third day of the choatic road and traffic situation that is upon us, out here on this side of the patch.

The beauty of school holidays is peak hour traffic is no more, totally unheard of; it's heaven just to be able to drive through so casually without all the hecticness of traffic.

So once school and all the other traffic that goes with it descended upon us again this Monday, I let out a huge sigh mostly of irritation. Being Ramadhan it meant even more holding back (on the speech that is).

So imagine my frustrations which are already on a high, when I find out there are major roadworks on one of the routes to work. It's fine, really I can just use another route right.. Of course..except, all the others millions of people that have to use that route have to divert and use my other route! So you can imagine the traffic..I am serious it is horrendous, crawling like a tortoise!

To make matters worse, there are more roadworks! I mean why do these people wait all blooming summer and then decide to mend our roads and bridges and whatever else it is that our road tax pays them to do?! And why is it that they work so slow, I mean real slow. Seriously hasn't anyone told these guys that to work this slow is a like a crime or something? It is in my place of work, I'd get the freaking sack if I worked that slow!

So all in all this is going to be a heck of a long and frustrating 40 weeks (yes that is how long this bridge strengthening project is to last for), that's like the whole year!

A whole year of inconveniences, remembering to allow myself more time for my journey to work (how many times shall I arrive late and get that glared look, it's like these people manage to get to work on time and for me the traffic brings hell on?). Allowing time for anywhere else that I decide to take a trip to, and last but not least, uttering some lovely pleasantries in order to vent the frustration :p Ramadhan is really curtailing it for now but it sure wont last..!

Really...it is Happy Driving -:)

Aisha

Dip..My Debut Novel

2009-09-07T22:56:00.002+01:00

I got this tag from another blog...pretty cool..

Create your own debut novel cover:

1. Go to “Fake Name Generator” or click http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/ The name that appears is your author name.

2. Go to “Random Word Generator” or click http://www.websitestyle.com/parser/randomword.shtml The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3. Go to “FlickrCC” or click http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.phpType your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4. Use Photoshop, Picnik or something similar (I used good ol MS Paint) to put it all together. Be sure to crop and or zoom in.

5. Post it to your blog along with this text.

Tag anyone who would like to join..it's all good fun -:)

Aisha

The coming of the Ship...

2009-09-04T16:21:00.004+01:00

How often have you sailed in
my dreams. And now you come in my awakening, which is my deeper
dream.

Ready am I to go, and my
eagerness with sails full set awaits the wind.

Only another breath will I
breathe in this still air, only another loving look cast
backward,

Then I shall stand among
you, a seafarer among seafarers.

And you, vast sea,
sleepless mother,

Who alone are peace and
freedom to the river and the stream,

Only another winding will
this stream make, only another murmur in this glade,

And then shall I come to
you, a boundless drop to a boundless ocean.

Last Oration..

2009-09-04T16:10:00.004+01:00

I recently had the pleasure of reading this again. Despite having read it over and over again, the message within it remains as powerful as it was that day. It encompasses everything about us as a believer and really is one of the most beautiful pieces of reading in history.

---
Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon

This sermon was delivered on the Ninth day of Dhul al Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat.

After praising, and thanking God, he said:

"O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital , however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.

O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste...

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God (The One Creator of the Universe), perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God (the Quraan) and my Sunnah (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.

And as magnificently the sermon was delivered, Allaah sent down the following revelation

“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [5:3]

and indeed “Nothing succeeds perfection but imperfection.” in Umar's (RA) words

Jummah Mubarak

To stay or to go...?

2009-09-02T11:24:00.005+01:00

Suraya had already left her parents home the once, because to her she was madly in love and needed to be only with Shazad, nothing came first except Shazad. Her condition if she was to return home was for Shazad to be accepted as part of her life.

Suraya and Shazad were two different people, sure they shared the same religion ie between them both believed in one God and proclaimed the final messenger to be Mohammed PBUH. But this is where the resemblance ended. Between them they didn’t fulfil any other conditions that were required to live as a Muslim. Beyond that there similarities were next to nothing. She from a respectable Indian family, who's ancestral links led her to highly religious, educated and privileged family. His were of a contrast, roots going to a rural Pakistan, little did Suraya or her family know about Shazad or who he was or the whereabouts or information about his family. But then Suraya was so madly in love she trusted Shazad.

In contrast Shazad knew too much about Suraya and her family, thanks to Suraya's naivety she had divulged every little bit of detail surrounding her family.

Suraya was given the best possible chances in her life, her parents had bestowed on her more than what they had ever to any of her siblings, yet she proclaimed they didn't love her!

She had at her arms length every door open, any and every opportunity she desired, except she opted to shut all doors and dismiss all opportunities, save this one.

So having left already once and vowing to never return, she had resurfaced and through the mercy of her parents she was welcomed with open arms. She would never realise the heartache caused by her absence, the disappointment for their very flesh and blood. But it didn't matter, they had their daughter home and that is all that mattered. Having let Suraya know they do not approve of her actions, they indeed wanted her to know that they do love her and only have her best interests at heart.

Only Suraya, never planned to stay and while mummy and daddy continued to put things back to normality, Suraya continued on her persistence to fulfil her wishes despite it against the wishes of her loved ones.

So as easily as she walked out the first time, she opened the door and walked out yet again, no parting words, nothing at all. Suraya doesn't realise that no person can succeed at the expense of a parents heartache and while she may think she is happy, it surely cannot last? While Suraya's parents have to accept that their precious daughter has chosen her path, it does not diminish the agony and pain they feel as a result of these recent events but they must remember that despite all this, their faith remains unshaken, things could have been by far worse and finally if they are to persevere in patience, the reward is surely great and Allah only can console them.

While they know that burning the bridge would lead to a disastrous effect they leave their door open for Suraya, they can also pray and hope that Allaah can guide Suraya and inspire her to do and act righteously. Aameen

"Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him, and (that ye show) kindness to parents.” (Al-Isra’: 23)

*This is an entirely fictional piece and may not necessarily reflect the life of the author or any person pertaining to the author

True Love Story

2009-08-28T15:26:00.006+01:00

and so the month of August draws almost to a close. With so much happening in all directions, I have neglected my blog and with Ramadhaan with us, as much as I want to blog on my spiritual experiences I have felt a huge desire to actually stay away from blogging.

So much has been happening around me, when I thought things couldn't get any bad, they did actually get worse, with what I imagined as dreadful nightmares turning into realism and while many issues remain unresolved, the determination to never be halted or put to the ground (except if at the will of the Infinite and Almighty Allah) continues.

Naeema, my dearest friend is to thank for the piece below for she continues to send me some outstanding material to benefit me; first and foremost as a Muslim. Though a long read, it was worth every word and I hope it evokes poignant feelings to you as it did to me, may we all find True Love and finally I pray that the remainder of the month of Ramadhaan passes through with ease and in peace insha'Allah-:)

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She was one of the noblest women around, coming from a very prominent family. She was also quite beautiful and the holder of a considerable amount of wealth, being a prominent businesswoman. To marry her would have been a great feat for any man, and indeed, quite a few of the most prominent and wealthy men in society had asked for her hand. Yet, she rejected them all; already being a widow, she had lost the desire to marry again.

Until he came into her life. He was young man of 25, and although he was also of a noble family, he was an orphan and was not a man of many means. He had made a meager living tending sheep in the hills surrounding the city. Yet, he had an impeccable moral character, and he was widely known as one of the most honest men around. That is what attracted her to him: she was looking for someone honest who could conduct business for her, as she - a woman in a fiercely patriarchal society - could not do it herself. So, he started working for her.

After he came back from his first business trip, she asked her servant, whom she sent with him, about him and his conduct. The servant amazed her by his report: this young man was the kindest, gentlest man he had ever met. Never did he treat the servant harshly, as many others do. Yet, there was more: as they traveled in the heat of the desert, the servant noticed that a cloud had followed them the entire time, shading them from the blazing sun. The businesswoman was quite impressed with her new employee.

Not only that, this new employee proved to be an astute businessman in his own right. He took his employer's merchandise, sold it, and with the profits bought other merchandise that he sold again, thus profiting twice. All this was enough for her: the embers of love in her heart that were once extinguished re-kindled again, and she resolved to marry this young man, who was 15 years younger than she.

So, she sent her sister to this young man.

She asked him, "Why are you not married, yet?"

"For lack of means," he answered.

"What if I could offer you a wife of nobility, beauty, and wealth? Would you be interested?" she told him.

He replied in the affirmative, but when she mentioned her sister, the young employee chuckled in amazement.

"How could I marry her? She has turned down the most noble men in the city, much wealthier and prominent than me, a poor shepherd," he said.

"Don't you worry," the sister replied, "I'll take care of it."

Not long after, the wealthy businesswoman married her young employee, and it was the beginning of one of the most loving, happiest, and sacred marriages in all of human history: that of Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwaylid. When they were married, the Prophet was 25 years old, and Khadijah was 40. Yet, that did not bother the Prophet one bit. He loved her so deeply, and she loved him as deeply. They were married for 25 years, and she bore him seven children: 3 sons and 4 daughters. All of the sons died in young age. Khadijah was a source of immense love, strength, and comfort for the Prophet Muhammad, and he leaned heavily on this love and support on the most important night of his life.

While he was meditating in cave of Hira, the Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the first verses of the Qur'an and declared to him that he was to be a Prophet. The experience terrified the Prophet Muhammad, and he ran home, jumping into Khadijah's arms crying, "Cover me! Cover me!" She was startled by his terror, and after soothing and comforting him for a while, the Prophet was able to calm down and relate to her his experience.

The Prophet feared he was losing his mind or being possessed.

Khadijah put all his fears to rest: "Do not worry," she said, "for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah's soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress." She then took him to her cousin, Waraqah ibn Nawfal - a scholar well-versed in the Judeo-Christian scripture - and he confirmed to the Prophet that his experience was Divine and he was to be the Last Prophet.

After his ministry began, and the opposition of his people became harsh and brutal, Khadijah was always there to support the Prophet Muhammad, sacrificing all of her wealth to support the cause of Islam. When the Prophet and his family was banished to the hills outside of Mecca, she went there with him, and the three years of hardship and deprivation eventually led to her death. The Prophet Muhammad mourned her deeply, and even after her death, the Prophet would send food and support to Khadijah's friends and relatives, out of love for his first wife.

Once, years after Khadijah died, he came across a necklace that she once wore. When he saw it, he remembered her and began to cry and mourn. His love for her never died, so much so, that his later wife A'isha became jealous of her. Once she asked the Prophet if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet replied: "She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand."

Much has been made and said about Prophet Muhammad's multiple marriages. There are many who smear the Prophet as a womanizing philanderer, citing his multiple marriages. This is absolute propaganda. As a response to those who malign the Prophet , IF the Prophet were anything of the sort, he would have taken advantage of his youth to do such a thing. But he did not! At a time when it was a common custom to have multiple wives, the Prophet did not marry anyone else while he was with Khadijah.

It was only after Khadijah died, may Allah be pleased with her, that he married other women. Most of these wives were widows, whom the Prophet married to care after them, or they were they were the daughters of prominent Arab chieftains, so that the Prophet could form a cohesive Muslim society out of a fiercely tribalistic (and barbaric) Arab culture. The smears against the Prophet fall flat on their faces once the light of truth shines brightly upon them.

In a song about the Prophet and Khadjiah, Muslim rappers Native Deen sing: "We look for stories of love in places dark and cold/When we have a guiding light for the whole world to behold." Many of what we call "love stories" today are nothing more than stories of lust and desire, physical attraction disguised as love.

Yet, I can find no love story more powerful, more spiritually uplifting, more awe inspiring as that of the Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah. It is a shining example of what an ideal marriage is. I cannot help but reflect upon, what is to me, the greatest of all love stories: that of Muhammad and Khadijah. Even with all of its amazing and creative talent, Hollywood could not have come up with a story greater than this.

Tasbeeh-e-Taraweeh

2009-08-20T16:17:00.003+01:00

Jazak'Allah once again to my dear friend Naeema...

Ramadhan draws near...I can almost smell it in the air -:)
Subhan'Allaah

Does the past shape the future...?

2009-08-15T00:06:00.004+01:00

When I say shape, I mean it in varying contexts.... Shape / affect or the likes of it.
It is not really a debate or a discussion, just my very random thoughts creating havoc yet again.
I would have liked to have thought that the past cannot affect the future...that it can be left...in the past exactly where it belongs. But there are times in your present life when something will bear resemblence on the past in one way or another. Despite thinking the past can't affect the future, it does in some ways..because you may think for example that I will not make the same mistake as say my parent did (before you start making assumptions and jumping to conclusions I am in no way reflecting this example to my own parents), which means that as you move forward in to the future the past is with you for that is the only way you can either not make the same mistake or end up much like your past, should your fate end up in a such a way, God save us..
A little heated conversation earlier today resulted in the usual trip down memory lane except it wasn't the pleasantries. Hmm why is it so that we are all so intent on digging up the past anytime something not so nice is going on in the present?
Now I have some lovely memories of the past. But I also have some really crap memories that are sometimes determined to cause a nightmare to my present (if I should allow it)!
Without going into too much personal details (though I am pretty sure some would jump at the chance to cash in on some dirt!) the sense of security a child feels throughout its childhood and upbringing is truly amazing yet rewarding more so on the parent than the child. So any lack in this element is bound to affect a person at any given point in their life?!
My point is that even if the past affects you to a degree, you can control what you will do about it so on this day when I was reminded of my past for a second I was ready to wallow in pitying myself and going on a blame rampage but then I soon realised that 'so what if you had some crap moments in your childhood, your older and wiser now, why let it affect you..of course its a memory but it doesn't have to be THE memory to lead your life.
Well that was my random post of the century :D
I think we can most definitely learn from the past, but I don't necessarily think we need to let the past shape our future.
May the best be with us all -:)
--
Sent from my mobile device

One liners..

2009-07-31T10:24:00.004+01:00

You get your ususal one liners, jokes, from movies, lyrics and whatnot but its always nice to re-connect to our real purpose.

Thanks to Naeema's email...some more than others really stood out for me..

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1. Give Allah what's right, not what's left.

2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end Allah's way leads to an endless hope.

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before Allah can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the full stop.

6. Don't put a question mark where Allah puts a full stop.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the mosque for a face lift.

8. When praying, don't give Allah instructions, just report for duty.

9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to the mosque.

10. We don't change Allah's message His message changes us.

11. The mosque is prayer-conditioned.

12. When Allah ordains, He sustains.

13. Warning: Exposure to Allah may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve Allah, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Qur'an.

17. Exercise daily Walk with Allah.

18. Never give the devil a ride He will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He, who angers you, controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives are developed.

23. Give Satan an inch and he will be a ruler.

24. Allah doesn't call the qualified He qualifies the called.

25. Read the Qur'an It will show u how simple life can be.

--
Jummah Mubarak

Aisha

Pitter Patter....

2009-07-30T10:38:00.009+01:00

Hmm..the rain has heavily descended upon us, blessings in abundance or thereof, strangely its like a monsoon or the climate of a sub-tropical region.

While a few would like to moan over the rain..yes I know it's July and its meant to be summer but I much prefer to embrace the beauty of the rain while we have it. The magnificent sound of the rain as it bounces on to the roof and off the windows is absolutely wonderful don’t you think? Or just to look out as absent-mindedly as you want and think how something so maybe insignificant can actually make a significance to the heart, mind and soul?! Despite the brushed image from google (thank you), I can still elevate the feeling rain does bring to me -:)

I love the rain for I can snuggle indoors, sit in front of the fire, eating pop-corn and watching tele. Or just lie in bed and listen to the most relaxing sound ever; soothes the mind, calms the nerves, rejuvenates the soul, clears the air, brings life back to the Earth; all this because of rain, isn’t that a stupendous blessing?

I must say I am not so great when it comes to going outdoors in the rain, but then that is because I don’t posses an Umbrella!..that’s right, I live in England, where the weather is totally unpredictable and I don’t have a brolly! That’s me…this morning’s paper is a good enough shield from the rain from door to car and car to door, really no need for it but still each time it rains I keep reminding myself that I must buy that brolly for ‘just in’-case’ moments

The serenity from the brief halt of the rain is superb, but the abrupt regain of the rain brings even more pleasure.

Many would say…Rain Rain go away..come back another day…

I would much rather prefer to absorb in one of the greatest blessings upon us

Hear, smell and feel the rain…love and enjoy it -:)

Aisha

Too much...Too fast

2009-07-17T15:53:00.002+01:00

Having taken some time out for a break in Morocco, I realise that despite taking this break, too much is going on around me and I hasten to add that it is happening too fast.

Surely just over a year ago we were as a family coming to terms with one of our biggest ordeal in time to face us. Thinking at the time, that it was absolutely not possible to get through it, and undertake the arduous journey that was ahead of us. Surprisingly enough and with extreme faith we did pull through and as the person who was at the centre of this giant ordeal continues to perk up and as more and more people make a point of letting me know that things are looking brighter than ever, I really am sure now that we did pass through the giant tribulation and we did come out at the end of it a winner. Do not get me wrong, I am in no way stating that all the difficulties meant we lost nothing...oh yes we did, we lost some very significant things or at least the person who was going through the ordeal..but despite this, the vision remains far more positive than ever before. Glory be to God.

So as we proceeded to take a break as a family, the journey was beautiful as well as somewhat of a squabble, reminding me of how amazing we were as a family but how easily we could rub each other the wrong way and still love and do for each other like it was something that was undying.

Before we left for our break, a rather significant member of the community departed this world to join his Lord and while death continues to be a reminder we all so much need, the tragic passing of him is a loss to the community. May God rest his soul in peace and grant him an elevated place in Paradise. The man left his young family and wife and so harshly reminds us that nothing is forever. The appointed time for each of us, will and shall come, and the relevant question here is; are we prepared for it?

The trip to Morocco was refreshing and the staunching heat from the sun caught one or two of us. Will teach me a lesson to never leave without sunscreen, since I am still suffering from the effects of the burns. I came away so sure and convinced that I want to touch up on my French language..in fact I would so much love to take up a degree in Modern Languages, but I quickly reminded myself that I was biting off more than what I could chew. I shall settle for just a quick and simple course to touch up on the French and take things from there... but I really must see through this one, as having developed a vested interest in the country, I should only make sure that I can speak at least one of the common language of the country. In fact on a taxi journey to the souk one morning, the driver so kindly decided to express his opinion on how tourists come to the country expecting the locals to speak English and really it is us the tourist who must take an effort in speaking some francais or Arabic. the cheek...but he is so damn right!

I will quickly mention the departing of Michael Jackson; King of Pop. While many will write heaps about him, I shall decide not to. Not because I don't like the guy or that I do but merely, he was a legend unto himself and made a huge contribution to the industry he was geared to give to and many shall be affected by his work and his demise for a very long time.

The wave of swine flu continues to rock the country and as more losses face us and more cases surface, many are asking where this really came from and when is it to end and at what cost?

Finally, still heaps more to write but I shall end here for never is a good time, you just have to choose a moment and go for it

Until next time..

May we all live with good faith, health and happiness..Aameen

Aisha

Nail in the fence...

2009-07-15T09:42:00.002+01:00

Having not visited my blog for a short time or attempted to write anything for it, when I read this morning's emails I came across this particular piece. Having read this more than once already, I feel it is an adequately great reminder and despite knowing that emails as such are regularly circulated, I felt it was nice to share it as it is one of my liked travelling emails.

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NAILS IN THE FENCE

Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.
(Most importantly the last sentence)

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temp er at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, 'You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. But It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound will still be there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Remember that friends are very rare jewels, indeed.. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.'

Please forgive me if I have ever left a 'hole' in your fence.

Aisha

If only...

2009-07-02T14:01:00.004+01:00

As I send this through I realise we are in to July already...can't believe how quickly the time is slipping away.

Now people the thing is it's too warm ...at least it is too warm to work!

Seriously the weather is aboslutely beautiful...even a heatwave...and get this...Wimbledon with no rain, don't you just think that is totally awesome?

While some may moan over how hot it is, I am absolutely beaming that it is truly so glorious. Ok so the heat is more than average for June / July, alarm bells start ringing of what we are doing to our planet to cause the weather to alter so dramatically. The met office continue to call out warnings of heatwaves and such extreme humidity followed by thunderstorms typically after so much humdity, I just want to enjoy the beautiful weather.

While I am at work..I can only wish I was sitting somewhere near a beautiful lake or on the rocks near an ocean....If only...

Ohh how so much I love a proper summer -:)

Aisha

Another dreadful crash..

2009-06-30T13:47:00.005+01:00

With this morning's headlines bought the news of yet again another dreadful crash of a Yemeni airliner into the Indian Ocean with more than 150 passengers on board.

As speculation continues over the safety of the carrier, recovery of the bodies will continue. But with so many airline crashes in such a short space of time, it definitely calls for questioning of airline safety. Are we really safe as we go on board a flight? Or is that freak accidents as these are to be a common occurence?!

Our thoughts go to the relatives and friends who have lost in this crash and others.

We embark on journeys of sorts thinking all is as it seems and never knowing our true destiny?!

Aisha

Race for Life

2009-06-29T16:24:00.003+01:00

Yesterday afternoon, finally I went with a bunch of other girls from work to do the 'Race for Life'. When I had first made the decision to participate in this year's event, I had somewhat decided to actually do a run but as things turned out I walked. Last year after our encounter with cancer, Trudy at work who regularly does the 'Race for Life' suggested I do it the following year and I had eagerly agreed that it was definitely something I should do.

I’d trained up for it a few months before but with the break in-between when we went out to Australia, the gym routine had gone a little haywire so when it came to it yesterday I was convinced I could probably run for about 3km but no more and so in the end resigned to just walking.

Mellissa and I walked together while the others from our party trailed a little behind.

The sun was beaming and it was an absolutely fantastic day. The warm-up before the race was fun and actually got us all into the swing of things. Boyfriends, fathers brothers were here to support the women along and the Marshalls who were helping out were doing a fantastic job.

While we walked we talked about the usually ramblings, boyfriends, marriage, family and friends and finally regrets. Neither of us had any but agreed we could have done things a little bit differently….but definitely no regrets!! Whatever life threw at us since we left school had moulded us into the kind of women we were now.

As we walked reading the backs of the t-shirts of all the other girls that were running, jogging or walking past, made it rather emotional, as the reality of cancer hitting so many people became a lot more real. Some had battled and survived and some had sadly demised… but all in all, we were all there for a united cause; to give each and every person affected by cancer a better chance of survival.

As we approached the finishing line, we had previously said we would dread this moment as it would almost feel like all eyes were on us…but really they were not, the pair of us were just so conscious…but we got to the end and at 52 minutes and 16 seconds, both of us felt like we hadn’t done badly! Proudly the pair of us collected our medals and a goodie bag each and headed for an ice cream; we definitely deserved it :p

I really feel like I have made a difference especially to the person I had done this race for…I love you -:)

Aisha

A beautiful hadith..

2009-06-26T10:22:00.002+01:00

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: 'When a man dies and his relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. When the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased. When after the burial, the people return home, 2 angels, Munkar and Nakeer(names of two special Angels), come in the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says, 'He is my companion, he is my friend. I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise '.

Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, 'I am the Qur'an, which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Naker, you will have no grief.' When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from Al-Mala'ul A'laa (the angels in Heaven) silk bedding filled with musk..

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: 'On the Day of Judgement, before Allah, no other Intercessor will have a greater status than the Qur'an, neither a Prophet nor an angel.'

Please keep forwarding this 'Hadith' to all ....because Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: 'Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse'.

May Allah bestow this favour on all of us.

Car Trouble..

2009-06-25T19:25:00.008+01:00

So I broke down…well not me in a sense, but my car.

While I wait for the recovery guys to come to me, I thought I would put my time to good use and... well fill this blog with my quite so random musings.

I mentioned previously in the week that the last few days haven't been going too well so when I couldn’t start the car earlier, I resigned to the fact that this was karma taking its chance yet again.

I finished work and headed to the gym to release some stress and gather the day’s thoughts together. I find it usually works well and by the time I reach home for the evening, I am somewhat ready to tackle any drama that's going on with the family or quite simply share a subdued evening with mom and dad.

I actually felt refreshed after my short workout and proceeded to return to my car, not thinking that today’s to be the day where in the car park of my work place, was I to cause somewhat of a commotion. My attempt to start my car was fruitless, it appeared that I have somehow locked my steering wheel! My calm and composed manner soon turned to frustration as the more I fumbled with the key and the steering wheel, the more stiff things got and well quite frankly this car was not going to start in a hurry.

What did we ever do in the days when we didn't have mobile phones? I rung Dad and as I made my call I cringed for I remember always Dad saying, "if you have a car and things go wrong, will you be able to manage?" and I’d sheepishly say "well I can always call on you!" and Dad would be like "that isn’t the point!" I know he meant taking full responsiblity for anything and everything, help is always there but the point was to learn to manage on your own. Probably because of this type of caoching from mom and dad is the reason why I can more or less stand up on my own two feet and be rather responsible.

But tonight, I desperately needed Dad’s help and finally when he answered, I uttered a sigh of relief. Without alarming him too much I relayed back my little problem…! Dad being Dad said he would be straight there. It was such a relief to see him as his car pulled up alongisde mine but his attempts at starting the car were also fruitless and finally I told myself I was going to have to get on to the recovery guys. The problem seemed so trivial but I just couldn’t fix it.

I sent Dad home, told him I would be OK. I’d go back into the office, ring the service guys and then just wait. The service guys gave me a response time of 1 hour and while I waited I mindlessly browsed the net and made some random remarks on FB. A short telephone call to mother was an earache as she went on to tell me how I mustn’t rush and because I was that hurried always, this is a consequence of it. How could I convince mother that the car was as temperamental as I and really was nothing to do with how rushed or how relaxed I was.

An hour had passed and still no recovery van showed. Dad phoned "do you want me to fetch you something to eat?" Dad phoned again "do you want me to come wait and you can come home?"

Ahmed texted ‘just come back from salah etc.’ Marlene texted ‘confirming details for next weeks outing for afternoon tea’

I am hungry, I am tired, I want to get home and I am still sat at the office. I have to be back here again in the morning and if I don’t get out of here soon I am going to feel like I have never been home.

Just called the service helpline again, would you believe there is a delay?? Don’t these people have a response time that they work to? I mean there are Britain’s No1 response and recovery service, they mustn’t have scored too well on their response time targets!

I keep bobbing my head up to look out of the window every time I hear the heavy engine of a car, still no patrol car.

This has got to be my first breakdown experience on my own. If I hadn’t called Dad, I actually would have had to deal with this all on my own but all in all if I get through this day , I will actually have done something that I’ve never down before. Work through a Car Breakdown...now that is something to be proud of. Women aren’t completely useless, I am not completely useless. Now I know I haven’t fixed the problem but I have been patient waiting for the service guy to turn up and that is something for me…

...and there he is, I see big yellow transit van pulling up…that must be my service guy..

finally…now I can look forward to getting home..-J

Aisha

'you don't seem your usual self today'...

2009-06-24T21:20:00.002+01:00

Those were the words of the dastardly boss this morning!

A person who has barely been in position as my boss for a year, who has failed to take my appraisal in a timely manner as per the so called company policy! A person who knows very little about me, who neither takes an interest nor acknowledges the work i do for the company, was telling me, YES HER TELLING ME 'i wasn't my usual self'

How dare she?!

I wanted to retort back and say 'well what is my usual self?' but I
wasn't quick enough!

Oh how I long to be rid of SD and JD!

It hasn't been a good day today; in fact it hasn't been a good week! Remarks that I would ordinarily brush off and not let it bother me have instead reduced me to floods of tears. My hormones must be all over the place or I just really need a break from all this. Either way, I really wish people who think and pretend that they know you so well would sod off and take their pretentious comments elsewhere.

Aisha

All but two knocked out..Wimbledon!

2009-06-24T13:59:00.006+01:00

Brits and Sports...the two together just don't seem to fair well.

Yet again the British public hope and for the LTA is to a bare minimum. The papers this morning reflected the dismal state for British Tennis players and quite frankly for LTA.

I honestly don't follow other sports as closely as I do Wimbledon. Purely because all the hype that goes with the Brits performing well usually ends fairly quickly into the tournament.

There is a huge amount of pressure on British competitors to do well, perform credibly and make the English proud. Yet the British sports industry fail to produce good, strong talented performers!

Embarrassingly most British players having been knocked out of the first stage, tennis supporters now cling to any hope that is left with the last two remaining representatives, Andy Murray and Elena Baltacha.

It is indeed a national embarrassment in the living era of Tennis. Unfortunately UK sportsmen and women will continue to come under immense pressure from the populace and isn't it really that time where we got our acts together and produced some convincing tennis players??

Aisha

Don't Worry, Be Happy....

2009-06-23T15:31:00.003+01:00

Work can be either the most pleasant place to be…. or the alternative is, the most dreadful place. Today is definitely one of those days where this stinking place, where I spend 9 hours of my day, 5 days a week, is making my day utterly terrible!

Actually it’s the people I work with; some people are just total bitches! When your chips are down, they really rub salt into the wound.

I don’t know whether I am on my head or my arse. The flipping phone has not stopped ringing. Idiots asking me questions that I really should not be answering, I mean come on do I look like an Encyclopaedia? or Am I really the Yellow Pages?

Dear Lord, all those people that have made my life a living hell today, please please make them pay…

JD you really are going to regret your abusing emails to me this morning…haha because I sure have a wicked streak in me and you are not the only one that can shit on people like me and get away with it!

My mid morning call to Mother wasn’t until lunchtime and at that I snapped at her, all because I am having a totally bad day -:(

My usual radio station isn’t helping either, they really could step up in the music department and stop playing this wind-down music, I mean come on its only Tuesday, if I get any more slow music, I am going to be suicidal…and finally Bobby McFerrin singing …

Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Wooo hoo oooo, wooo hoooo oooo wooo hoooo hoooo
Don’t worry, Be Happy

….isn’t alleviating things, really Bobby, nice try but not today…

In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

OK Bobby, OK ….YES I’m totally happy

roll on 5.00pm..!

Aisha

Stubbornness!

2009-06-22T12:55:00.003+01:00

Now stubbornness is the most frustrating characteristic to entertain.
So when someone close to me reflected this trait, I only then realised it really wasn't a very pleasant form of attitude to take on board.

I can and I am probably one of the most stubborn people amongst my family. I can laugh about it at times but the truth is this dastardly trait can get in the way of so many things, particularly opportunities.

Mother decided yesterday evening to pinch from me and have a night of being completely and utterly stubborn, in fact I think she was in a competition because no amount of persuasion brought her back down to reality. Something had ticked her off and no matter how small or big this thing was, she had decided she was going to remain intractable. I tried the soft and subtle approach. Then I tried the slightly stern approach, then came the real harsh approach and finally came the attitude 'walk away and leave her to it'. Her being Mother was just not going to give in. I didn't like myself for doing that; that is walking away and leaving her to it, especially knowing she had not eaten supper or taken her meds. I wanted to shout at the top of my head and say 'Mother, for goodness sake grow up and get yourself together'. As much as I knew it would weigh a ton on my conscious, quite frankly last night no amount of cajoling would have accounted for mother coming to her senses. In fact she was murderous so it really was best to leave her to come to her senses.

This morning was a different picture, Mother was a perfect petal, the rain must have washed away the downbeat emotions and the wind blown away the cobwebs! Or at least that's the picture I got from our subdued telephone conversation this lunchtime.

Tonight, I think Mother and I will chat and hopefully laugh about last night's spectacular performance...'the award for the most intractable person...goes to... Mother!'

Sometimes we are that selfish we fail to recognise how our actions have an impact on those around us. I don't proclaim to never ever express my stubbornness, but I do proclaim that I shall attempt to re-evaluate every situation when my inflexible behaviour goes into action.

Aisha

Strawberries and Cream...and quite simply..Wimbledon

2009-06-22T11:19:00.005+01:00

Tis' the time for my absolute favourite two weeks of the year..Wimbledon!

It is the only time I am glued to the television every evening. It is the only tournament that I passionately follow, even after all these years.

What so special about this years Lawn Tennis Championship?

Well for a start it has to be the brand spanking new roof built over Centre Court! Now I know, some may say a roof really does not make it for the Open Lawn Tennis but I think, really it is magnificent and definitely overdue. How many years have gone through where the good old British weather has put a complete damper on Wimbledon. In fact without the weather, there is no Wimbledon, I mean come on there is always some remark on the weather, every few minutes in the commentary

Rain disruption no more though. At least for Centre Court! Whats to bet we get very little rain disruption over the next two weeks? I mean after all it's foracasted to be the hotest and driest summer ever. Rain or not Centre Court is certainly covered -:)

Then thanks to BBC, we have live coverage of around four matches, so throughout the next two weeks, top of my quick links is 'Watch Live Wimbledon' I really am looking forward to the next weeks.

Tennis fashion always takes up so much media attention. Russian players like Sharapova have bought so much glamour to the sport but this year the focus is most definitely on the men. Roger Federer sporting his new gear, he really does look so pristine and handsome. He is the absolute most distinguishably dressed player. Regardless of the player, the all white dress code makes it the most clean and fresh sport to watch.

Finally, strawberries and cream are immensely attached to Wimbledon, not quite sure why...but I will undoubtedly enjoy my strawberries and cream ...and of course the Wimbledon!

Game, Set, Match...

Love is not everything..

2009-06-19T13:44:00.006+01:00

Exactly as the title is...Love is not and will not be everything.

In the name of love, so many things have gone wrong.

Now some of you are maybe thinking that I am over reacting but I am actually looking at what I achieved out of love and what I lost and quite frankly it all doesn't weigh up correctly. The scales are tipping dramatically on the negative.

I lost sense of who I was
I lost my direction
It hampered my belief
I lost precious time for my nearest and dearest
He made promises for me to put hope into, but he never delivered
I thought I had everything because I had HIM but I had nothing
He lied but I was to blind to notice
He used but I was so too eager to be loved to realise.
He showed he cared but I was a convenience
and the list goes on..

What did I get..

temporary happiness..which now has been turned into anger.

Sweet memories? hardly..

so to all those losers, good riddance to bad rubbish

I had to get this off my chest.

Love is something but not everything.
Not everyone is deserving of love and
loving some people will just let you down very badly

We've just got to find the right people to love.

and finally loving the ONE Allah and his messenger pbuh is never in vain

Aisha

PS. before anyone decides to pass judgement...don't tell me you have never been in love??!!

Something to keep you going...

2009-06-18T10:30:00.002+01:00

...I'm too tired to think, to write or to do anything that requires some logic and consistency. I started a post yesterday but didn't get very far, I really need time for my brain to recuperate and recharge and any short cuts ways for the former to occur are not going to happen.

I had this email this morning, a forward that I read to the end and because I did, I had to share it here. No idea the origin of it but I got it from Naeema so thanks to her...

I asked Allah why I wasn't rich.

He showed me a man with the wealth of a thousand kings,

Who was lonely, and had no one to share it with.

I asked Allah why I wasn't beautiful.

He showed me a woman more beautiful than any other,Who was ugly because of her vanity?

I asked Allah why He'd allowed me to become old.

He showed me a boy of 16, who lay dead at the scene of a car accident.

I asked Allah why I didn't have a bigger house.

He showed me a family of six,

who had just been evicted from their tiny shack,

And were forced, to live on the street.

I asked Allah why I had to work.

He showed me a man, who couldn't find a decent job,

Because he'd never learned to read.

I asked Allah why I wasn't more popular.

He showed me a socialite with a thousand friends,

Who all left the moment the money and parties were no longer there.

I asked Allah why I wasn't smarter.

He showed me a natural born genius,

Serving life in prison for making ill use of his knowledge.

I asked Allah why He put up with a thankless sinner like me.

He showed me THE QURAAN.

I knew then how much He loved me.

What's eating you today?

Are your problems weighing heavy on your heart?

Know, then, that you are loved.

"If it doesn't kill you... it will make you stronger. "

Random thoughts...

2009-06-17T09:57:00.007+01:00

I started writing this post without a title. Normally I begin with a title and work from there and well things kind of just take its flow.

I know some book writers, song writers and well writers in general sometimes tend to write and write and at some point come up with a title for their book or their song, so I am not worried that as I set out this morning to type away at the keyboard, staring at the screen, trying to fathom the words that appear so randomly, that this post may never have a title so quickly.

I seem to have neglected this safe haven for the past week or so. While I said that I would come away from the madness of the world and write about anything and everything that is going around me that element called TIME has not allowed me to do so.

Not only have I neglected the blog, I have neglected many others commitments and the operative word being NEGLECT. I seem to have a lot of catching up to do, if I want to get back on to a level.

I've spent the last week reading and writing...no not reading blogs and writing for blogs. I have been reading and writing for academic purposes. Sometimes I wonder why I put myself under tremendous strain. I think I hoard stress like there is no tomorrow.

So having read everything I could possibly know on the physiology of reproduction and the menstrual cycle, advancement of contraception, research into male infertility, together with sleep physiology and function with sleep deprivation, I feel like I am teeming with a mountain of knowledge, wow a mountain seem like huge. Now I know I could carry on learning forever but right now quite frankly I could not take another chapter on any physiological process with the ever fascinating human body!

Well I finished writing my paper and with the finishing touches to make before I send it off, I realise that my brain is completely dead. I feel like I have read and written and well right now it sounds like a load of crap! I seem to have written my paper and cannot even attempt to consider whether it makes sense or not as in my head the information I seem to have taken from the last six weeks of studying does not make sense. When I receive my marked paper, only then will I come to know how well I did! Actually it is at that point when I read back my paper I realise how much I learnt..I think to myself wow did I really take all that in? But really right now I feel like I've put so much time into studying and not one thought from it appears coherent.

Enough on the studying. The strain and the stress of it all has really affected my health. My sleeping has been completely disturbed, in fact I don't think I haven't had a good night's sleep in a while. I must be grinding my teeth during my attempted phase of sleep and well I am waking up with this awful headache...apparently I am told it is related to stress. God what hasn't stress set out to destroy??

My diet has gone completely out of the window and if I open one more packet of biscuits and see through to the end of it, I really will be utterly disgusted with myself.

In all fairness, honestly I should stop putting so much pressure on myself, I mean I was under heaps of stress and so its only natural for me to develop terrible eating habits and even more dreadful sleeping patterns.

So it is now time to focus, FOCUSED I shall be. Back to the gym, regular and adequate healthy meals and hopefully some decent sleep.

and finally, I really must spend more time with mum and dad since I put them and everything and everybody nearest and dearest to me on the back burner. I shall work my way into catching up with lost time with everyone, starting with the two most important people in my life.

Before I start thinking I haven't enough to fill my time, I am going to savour this moment of somewhat simplicity, especially since I don't know how long it can last for..

Aisha

Not much blogging...

2009-06-11T14:16:00.004+01:00

For one reason or another, I haven't written much these past few days, contrary to the fact that there is a million things whizzing around in my head at the moment, I could probably write non-stop for next 24 - 48 hours and it still wouldn't be enough and as usual time permits NOT.

Driving to work this morning, this track I found very catchy. Haven't heard it in a while and makes a change from listening to the usual pop / hip-hop crazy stuff!

He Thinks He'll Keep Her - Mary Chapin Carpenter

She makes his coffee,

she makes his bed

She does the laundry,

she keeps him fed

When she was twenty-one

she wore her mother's lace

She said "forever"

with a smile upon her face

She does the car-pool,

she PTAs

Doctors and dentists,

she drives all day

When she was twenty-nine

she delivered number three

And every Christmas card s

howed a perfect family

Everything runs right on time,

years of practice and design

Spit and polish till it shines.

He thinks he'll keep her

Everything is so benign,

safest place you'll ever find

God forbid you change your mind.

He thinks he'll keep her

She packs his suitcase,

she sits and waits

With no expression upon her face

When she was thirty-six

she met him at their door

She said I'm sorry,

I don't love you anymore

Everything runs right on time,

years of practice and design

Spit and polish till it shines.

He thinks he'll keep her

Everything is so benign,

safest place you'll ever find

God forbid you change your mind.

He thinks he'll keep her

For fifteen years she had a job

and not one raise in pay

Now she's in the typing pool at minimum wage

Everything runs right on time,

years of practice and design

Spit and polish till it shines.

He thinks he'll keep her

Everything is so benign,

safest place you'll ever find

At least until you change your mind.

He thinks he'll keep her

Don't really want over-analyse the song's words, there is enough in this head of mine, I'll just enjoy humming to it for now!

Aisha

Pain in the Bum!!

2009-06-05T14:15:00.004+01:00

Pain in the Bum. Literally.. Yes and No.

IBS or IBD - For those who aren't familiar with this abbreviation this is irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel disease. Being a sufferer of this condition I sympathise with all my IBS/IBD equivalents. The whole thing is really quite the pain in the proverbial.

I've suffered with this condition on and off for a few years now and well when I get a flare up I still find it quite difficult to manage. So when earlier this week I started with symptoms which I tried to convince myself were not of IBS, at the time of writing this, I can tell you that I am at the end of my tether, and I do not need any more convincing, this is most definitely a flare up of the good old IBS. I dashed out to the chemist earlier to get some Buscopan hoping for some relief but as usual doubt very much it's a miracle cure.

Am I stressed? Well I don't think I am. Or at least no more than usual; work or home. But I guess tiny bits of stress accumulate to make up a whole big ball of stress and that could be it, so I keep telling myself.

The frustrating thing is even with all these advances in medicine, treatment and etc, there is no real answer as to why one gets IBS, in fact I don't think anyone ever fully understands the condition or why some experience it and some don't. For me the worse of the symptoms are the cramps and the bloatedness, feeling full the whole time and wearing the appearance that I am half way through a pregnancy!

Thankfully it is not a dangerous condition, or at least I hope it isn't. What I do know that stress consciously or subconsciously is mostly the causation of my flare-ups.

I think I better get that Yoga DVD out again tonight -:)

Aisha

Friendship for Allah's sake...

2009-06-05T09:54:00.004+01:00

Man is liable to imitate and copy those whom he befriends. If one's friends engage in virtuous deeds, this would prompt him to imitate their good qualities. Whereas, if one's friends indulge in bad practices, then it is very likely for him to get accustomed with their bad characteristics
and eventually incorporate them in his behavior, knowingly or unknowingly!

Such is also true concerning one's religion and beliefs as Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said,

'Man is on the religion of his companions, so let one of you choose whom he befriends.'
[Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Tirmidhee]

A Muslim's primary concern before choosing friends should be to seek the Pleasure of Allah in the friendship. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, 'Whoever loves for Allah, and hates for Allah, gives for Allah and withholds for Allah, has completed his faith.' [Abu Dawood]

Such a simple message, Jummah Mubarak -:)

Aisha

I'm like a designer item...

2009-06-04T09:47:00.005+01:00

On the topic of marriage yet again, for some time now I have been trying to fit my situation to something in the outside world. Why is it that after so many possible suitors I am still single? The more I ask myself that question, the more frustrating it can get. Don't get me wrong this whole thing doesn't play on my mind 24/7 because mostly I have my mother's word ringing in my ear; 'it will happen when the time is right and when HE wants it to happen, meaning God'. So I let it be, but occasionally every so often the topic of marriage quite frankly pisses me off.

So I was thinking on, along the lines of a Prada Handbag or a pair of Roberto del Carlo Shoes, or maybe a Marika Charles Scarf, anything that has a designer label attached to it with a very expensive price tag. The things that you and me and most ordinary folk can’t really buy unless the proceeds of our monthly salary go towards the purchase of that one item.

Anyway I was assuming these category of items, you walk pass designer stores and gaze at the displays or even go into stores like Barneys and Harrods and take a leisurely walk around the outlet thinking how superb all these items are, and even utter the odd occasional ‘wow’ or ‘that really is nice’ and all the pleasurable things one would utter when one sees or maybe even indulges in something so lovely.

Now my point was I decided I felt a bit like one of these Prada Handbags or a Marika Charles Scarf. I have had endless possible suitors come by our place for afternoon tea. I swear I am pretty sure I have had way more than my fair share of tea making and all the pleasantries that go with it, and well the fact is I am still single.

Now I am not going to delve into the kind of people these guys have been, that is a completely different matter, which maybe I can come back to some other time. But the main point here is that either I have not been good enough for any of them, which is a very depressing thought or they were just not good enough for me; now that thought is rather liberating!

Then there are those guys that just pay you what appears as a compliment; some male colleague at work, or a guy at a party or a function you are at. You know the one’s that go ‘you are a total stunner’ or ‘you look really hot’ or ‘you really would make a good wife’ blah blah blah, the comments that make you feel good about yourself for about a split second, because you have your head in the clouds or something but then reality kicks in and you suddenly remember yeh right..all that and I’m still single!

In any case I figured, that’s what I was; a designer item in a store, great to admire by all those wannabies (btw did I mention already I love this word, I’m not really into all this urban stuff but this world really does work for me, it kind of incorporates into lots of different situations and well it does all the talking for me, one word and it paints the picture I want it to) that wished their pockets would stretch far enough to get a hold on too something so good, but never really do, so they just want to gaze and never take me home for keeps.

I thought about this little notion a bit more and realised I had an even better conception, designer items are only bought by, well those that have the capital and I think also by those that really are made to wear such exquisite things or own them.

That's when I told myself that I am a single exclusive designer item and will only be going into the ultimate companionship of the one guy who will truly want me and mostly significantly deserves me so no matter how many wows I get, the wow that will sweep me off my feet will come (notice how mum's words relate to this bit) and that wow will be from a very special person and not just some random prospective suitor that all my nearest and dearest keep throwing at me.

If you're a guy and think you would like to take this Lanvin bag or Erdem Scarf home then get in touch :P

Aisha

Sydney Opera House

2009-06-03T14:49:00.003+01:00

I Slipped..

2009-06-03T14:24:00.005+01:00

Merrily walking away, with the brisk walk; the hospital walk as most who work in this environment would call it, I proceeded back to my office quite confident and sure of myself. I walked down the corridor passing patients and colleagues; some strange faces and some familiar, thinking of what seemed like the million things that I had to get done today once I got back to my desk, and out of the blue I slipped.

I bet you are thinking well why go on about it here?

Now let me tell you I have walked this same corridor too many times to count and I have worn these shoes before and there was nothing in my path that would have caused me to slip but I did!

Thankfully my foot slipped but I didn't fall which is a blessing. Imagine if I had fallen, aside for being totally embarrassed, I could have been hurt but I wasn't. But embarrassed I was most definitely. I saw this guy coming towards me and have never seen him before, and I thought hmm I wonder who he is? and just as quickly did that thought enter my head, as quickly did my foot slip.

Uncanny ways these are, forces beyond our control are at work here. Yes to some its just a slip but to me, no matter how confident and careful I was this morning, I was destined to slip.

As I straigthened myself and carried on walking, hoping no one really noticed, though I knew for a fact the this guy who was walking in the opposite direction to me had definitely seen my blip. Not that I was trying to impress him or anyone else for that matter. Beside I didn't know he was going to be there.

Well this isn't the first and will not be the last, I am just glad that despite being thrown off my guard with that blip, I wasn't hurt.

I could have slipped on a banana skin on the pavement or..

An ice cube hiding on the kitchen floor or..

A bad step leading to the back door or..

A stone not quite in its place at Brigg End..

and finally I could have slipped and fallen in love...

but not this time around -:)

Aisha

A Hug Certificate for You!

2009-06-03T11:46:00.006+01:00

This morning's office circulation -:)

It said 'send it on and see how many you get back'.. blah blah..but I thought never mind sending it on, I'll just put it up here and add some nice cute pics with it. Tacky right, but seriously people we all need a hug or two every now and then..come on..you have to agree with me..-:0 I don't know the origin of this piece so credit goes to whoever put these words togther to make a bit of nice reading.

If I could catch a rainbow

I would do it just for you

and share with you its beauty

On the days you're feeling blue.

If I could build a mountain

You could call your very own;

A place to find serenity,

A place to be alone.

If I could take your troubles

I would toss them in the sea,

But all these things I'm finding

are impossible for me.

I cannot build a mountain

Or catch a rainbow fair,

But let me be what I know best,

A friend who's always there.

This is a Hug Certificate!!

Aisha -:)

O' Glorious Sunshine...

2009-06-02T15:07:00.004+01:00

You may remember not so long ago, I mentioned how the weather wasn't living up to what it should for the month of May...you know rain, rain and well some more rain.

Anyway, I thought I would actually make a point of letting you all know that since last Friday (mostly) the weather has been fantabulous...yes just brilliant. glorious sunshine and all that -:)

Tis the season for picnics, BBQ's, eating AlFresco and just to be outdoors; breathe in the fresh air and soak up the sun and enjoy the beauty of summer; flowers, cornfields, beaches, anything that involves being outdoors -:)

The day begins with the sun beaming through my bedroom window, the birds singing away, the breeze of the wind cultivates the mind and soul from within, and the feel is just magnificent.. this is what brings me happiness, positivity, energy. Summer Sunshine is truly a pleasure..-:)

May we have many more days, weeks, and months of Sunshine..

Aisha

Encouraging..

2009-06-02T13:42:00.005+01:00

Now I know yesterday I was raging mad and whatnot, I was so out of character, it really is not usually me but I suppose sometimes things just get on top of us a bit. In fact I didn't realise how negative I was yesterday. Don't get me wrong I am not excusing my behaviour in any shape or form. What happened did really happen, and my fault really was a genuine fault.

Today I reflect on yesterday and fully realise that no two days are the same. Sure enough my determined effort to stop has been fruitful as I have managed nearly a full 24 hours to put a stop (notice how I have dropped the caps)..anyway back to what I was saying. I realise that in moments of weakness I relapse but at the end of it I have remorse and realise that the conscious within me is still alive and kicking and I am so grateful for that

I am not completely weak after all and I do hope my firm resolution will continue to work its way right to the very end.

In the meantime I was trying to find some encouraging words on the web, over repentance, forgiveness, mercy and all those things that make up for the correctness of our character and person as a whole.

One interesting piece I read was an account between Ibraheem Bin Adam and Abu Ishaq (may Allaah be pleased with them both).

Abu Ishaq came to Ibraheem Bin Adam distressed unable to stop sinning and Ibraheem advised that if he was able to accept FIVE conditions and put them into practice, the disobedience or sinning will halt. Desperate and determined the man asked what these conditions were:

1] “The first is that when you want to disobey Allah you do not eat anything He provides.”

2] “When you want to disobey him, move off His land.”

3] “When you want to disobey Him in spite of eating His provision and living on His land, find a place where He will not see you and disobey Him there.”

4] That when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul, you say to him, ‘Give me a reprieve so that I can repent and act righteously for Allah.’”

5] “That when the angels of the Fire come to you to take you to the Fire, you do not go with them.”

Now understand my friends that the above FIVE conditions are totally impossible to accomplish. Am I not right? There is no land you can go and or hide away within where God will not see you, nor can you hold back and ask for more time to make an official pardon when the Angel of Death arrives to take your soul? Of course not. These FIVE conditions can never be met. Each of these conditions are led by the Uniqueness and Power of God. How can one eat the fruits provided by God, live in the land provided by God and still disobey Him..that is God. Every act of disobedience will always contradict with these conditions.

In this case, Abu Ishaq had heard enough, repented with sincerity and vowed to be assiduous in his worship and remain in vigilance of avoiding acts of disobedience until the day he died.

May we all share the same spirit and determination as Abu Ishaq.

Faith can never die...

Aisha

just STOP it..

2009-06-01T15:10:00.003+01:00

Well here goes..my first complete utter vent on this blog. I am raging mad, that is it no other word could describe how I am feeling right this minute, this second, this very moment. And no I am not mad at anyone or anything, correction, I AM mad at someone, I am mad at MYSELF, the self and same person who is sat at this computer, Yes ME, the one and only who is frantically typing away, pressing down these keys so hard..its not like this well worn keyboard deserves any further wear and tear from me! but its getting it!

Well my friends.. you see the thing is, I want to STOP, I just want to stop making the same old mistakes that I so do not like myself for. The stupid mistakes that give temporary pleasures, pleasures in vain! Yesterday evening I made the absolute firm intention to STOP. OK I know if you are reading this, you are wondering well what is it that she wants to STOP so badly, well my friends, it really does not matter what it is; it could be the simple things like chocolate, cartoons, fast food, or it could be the hardcore stuff; partying, smoking, drinking, sex, drugs, backbiting, swearing..whatever else..it could be anything, anything at all but the fact is if you want to STOP and you try so hard and you just can't..it sucks. So back to ME, I make this very determined effort to stop......

Since the publishing, part of this article has been removed / edited by the author, if you wish to read it, you may request it and it will be at the discretion of the author to share it (01/09/2009)

Aisha

Kangaroo...thou spirit of Australia... -:)

2009-05-29T13:42:00.008+01:00

A little of my handiwork with the Camera ...
(Perth, Vines Resort, Swan Valley April 2009)
These little babies were a beauty to see especially early in the morning during our walks -:)

Death: More Than Just An Individual's Life Being Taken Away

2009-05-29T10:17:00.005+01:00

In the past few weeks, sadly there has been the fast and unexpected demise of the young and old, some through tragic accidents and some through long-term illness and others just so unexpectedly. Nevertheless, the loss of an individual, old or young is felt deeply within the community and a harsh reminder that life can come to an end so abruptly. My thoughts on death relate to the article below I have read on many occasions. Maybe at some point I can touch on this subject from my personal experience but for now I thought I would retrieve it from my files and share it on here. My deepest thanks goes to the author who has expressed the entire topic magnificently and May Allaah the Almighty reward him tremendously for his outstanding work. It is my humble request that those readers who find their way to this article, take time to read it through in its entirety God willing. May Allaah bestow his Countless Mercy on all those who have departed this world and illuminate their graves and grant them the highest place in Paradise Ameen.

Jummah Muabrak

Aisha

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by Abu 'Abdir-Rahman Navaid AzizAl- Madeenah An-NabaweyyahThe night of the 17th of Safar 1428

All praise is due to Allah, who reminds his slaves that their lives have an appointed time and that the successful ones are those who are saved from the Fire and entered into Paradise, when He says:

"Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception." [Al-Qur'an 3:185]

And reminds them that death will reach them no matter where they are when He says:

"Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!" [Al-Qur'an 4:78]

And reminds them that regardless of what their status in this world, they will face death. Even if they are from the greatest of warriors, or the most powerful of rulers, or even a Prophet when He addressed His Messenger, upon whom be peace, saying:

"Verily, you will die and indeed they shall die as well." [Al-Qur'an 39:30]

And reminds them that they should take heed, because a time will come where they will ask for respite to do more deeds yet shall not be granted this request when He says:

"And spend of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: 'My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give sadaqah of my wealth, and be among the righteous.' And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." [Al-Qur'an 63:10-11]

And I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but He and may His salah and salam be upon the Prophet Mohammad, his companions and those who follow their way in righteousness until the last day.

Death is indeed a reality that we all have to face one day. For most of us we will have to go through mourned times over our lost loved ones before we actually face our own destiny. And at that time, even though we may not realize it, Allah is bestowing a great favor upon us by reminding us that we to will one day face such a fate, so it is indeed time to be reminded.
Tonight Allah, the Most Exalted, bestowed such reminder upon me by taking away the life of my grandfather, may Allah encompass him with His infinite mercy and blessing and protect him from the punishment of the grave and the hellfire. Amin. As my mother, may Allah protect her and increase her in righteousness, broke the news to me I could feel the ground being taken from under me, just as it had recently been taken from under her, and it was at that very moment that a sad reality hit me quite hard. Death is not just an individual's life being taken away but rather it is so much more. It is a wife losing her husband, a child losing his father, a sister losing her brother, a grandchild losing his grandfather, one who was in need losing someone they would resort to, and the list goes on.

The only sadder reality than losing my grandfather, may Allah have mercy on him, was the fact that it took a close family member of mine to pass away before I realized the actual pain and anxiety that death causes. May Allah forgive us for our heedlessness in not sympathizing and empathizing with our brothers and sisters who die and lose loved ones everyday. Amin.

Even though it has just roughly been over two hours since I was informed of this great loss a lot of thoughts and reminders have crossed my mind which I feel are incumbent upon me to share with you today, in accordance to the statement of Allah, the Most High:
"And remind, for indeed the reminder benefits the believer." [Al-Qur'an 51:55] #

Firstly: Never take your Islam for granted by not sharing it with your family and friends. When Allah blessed you with Islam, He placed upon you a responsibility to convey its message to all of mankind. And from the crux of the message of Islam is worshipping Allah alone. For it is indeed this very crucial element that is the criterion between entering Paradise or not. As Allah, the Most High, says:

"Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives all except that to whom He pleases, and who so ever sets up rivals with Allah in worship, has indeed committed a tremendous sin." [Al-Qur'an 4:48]

So which one of us, with the slightest bit of faith and true love, would want to see one of our beloved prevented from Paradise?

Secondly: Know, that by having come into this world Allah created a bond between you and your parents that no one can ever take away. And has placed upon you a responsibility that should not be taken lightly at the very least.

After having spoken to my mother, may Allah preserve her, I longed from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul to be there with her, comfort her, and take care of her every want and need. But due to my currently being overseas, I must live with the guilt of not being able to have been there for her in her time of need. May Allah forgive all of us for our shortcomings. Amin.

As for those of you who have your parents alive and close by, I advise you as a well wisher to be as righteous towards them as possible, lest that you are ever away from them in a time of need, you will not be burdened with the guilt that you did not do your best while you were able to.

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: 'My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.' " [Al-Qur'an 17:23-24]

Lastly: Do not be insensitive or inconsiderate of people. I know that the statement is very vague and ambiguous, but I believe it is its ambiguity and vagueness that makes it all the more powerful.

Approximately two minutes after I felt the ground was being taken from under me a close friend of mine, may Allah grant him forgiviness, called and jokingly said: "Do you have a disease that prevents you from answering text messages!?" At that very moment I was just awestruck and at an absolute loss of words to say the very least. Even though I do not blame him for not knowing of my particular situation, I do feel it is very sad that we often fail to realize that someone may be going through hardship and not even attempt to give them the benefit of the doubt. What I find even sadder in this situation is how having lost a grandfather to many illnesses and diseases, that we as conscious individuals, can joke, jest, and belittle any sickness or disease. May Allah forgive us for what our surroundings have made of us. Amin.

On a more pertinent note, when people lose loved ones they need the love and support of people around them to get over it. One of the best ways to do this is to just be there to talk to them in the initial stages of the shock, and as time goes on try to get them to re-adjust to their regular routines and daily lives. One of the biggest mistakes that people, who want to do good, can make is to bring up the topic of a lost one when the family of the deceased have just begun to get over them. A loss of a loved one is like an open wound, it needs time and care to heal, so do be careful not to pour salt where it will only harm.

Indeed, the reminders found in death are many and thus some of our predecessors would suffice by just saying the word "death" in their Friday sermons. So I hope the few reminders I extracted were beneficial, fore mostly to myself. As like all other reminders if there is no physical implementation in regards to what is said, then its presence is just as good as its absence, and I pray to Allah that this is not the case.

May Allah have mercy upon all of the deceased of the Muslims. May He grant them firmness in answering. May He widen their graves and fill them with light and many pleasures. May he protect them from any punishment and harm in the grave or in the hellfire. May He enter them into the highest of paradise in the companionship of the prophets, martyrs, truthful ones, and the righteous. May He make the deaths of deceased a lesson for those they have left behind. May He grant comfort, solace, and firmness to those they have left behind, and may He replace all of their sorrows and dismays with unlimited pleasure and joy in this life and the next. Amin. Amin. Amin.

"Their call therein will be, 'Exalted are You, O Allah' and their greeting therein will be, 'Peace.' And the last of their call will be, 'Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!' " [Al-Qur'an 10:10]

And so Man United fail to triumph at UEFA…

2009-05-28T16:33:00.009+01:00

I am no mad footie fan, nor do I know much about the game, but periodically I take an unannounced interest in the game, usually around this time, when it’s all coming to a closure...the Grande Finale. So as I was driving to work, yesterday morning listening to the Radio I heard hoards of fans were making their way to Manchester to watch the UEFA Champions League, final game on the big screen, probably all those wannabees that wished they were there for the game in Rome but never quite made it, so as a consolation prize, in their eagerness made their way to the big screen! And then there are those that couldn't even manage that, so proclaimed the complete ownership of the TV screen in the home; this is where if you are not a mad footie fan, you do not suggest that you want to watch that all new nature show on TV tonight or any other show for that matter except the footie. This is where we accept that this is going to be the longest and frustrating 90 minutes, it is something that we all have to get over and done with especially if you are living with siblings, dad's mates...anything that breathes with the passion of football.

I carried on making Supper and finishing the chores as the TV continued to blare, the tempo rising every so often. The match was progressing well but hardly in favour of the home team. Tensions were rising, each hopeful kick turning in to a hopeless effort! The boys were not coming home with the Cup and I merely suggested to these mad fans hoarding the TV screen to accept it. That’s when I got the look that would kill, hmm think that’s my cue to shut up and give some encouraging words like hey there is still the second half to go..though in my head I am thinking how fruitless this is!

The game was coming to a closure and at 2 goals down the favoured team’s dream to bring the Cup back to Manchester for 2009 was well and truly over. Defeat is a cruel thing. I can’t imagine devoting the entire season to football, coming so close, but not quite getting there. As the final whistle blew, these guys who had just sat and watched 90 minutes of football felt totally rejected, disappointed, useless and defeated. Barca had outgunned Man U and that was the final result! I actually felt sorry for them and all those fans out there especially all those truly devoted fans. The TV switched off and they disappeared. I suppose they didn’t want to watch the ceremony, I did but I guess I would be rubbing salt to the wound and so thought best to leave it.

It sure sucks. Of course, I would never understand how it feels and nor do I intend to find out. A game is a game right…?.. These boys work hard throughout the competition and give it their best (shot) and sometimes it just isn’t meant to be. Sometimes the better team wins and I guess this time around Barca were the better team and triumphed. This was a big challenge and Barcelona rose to it while Manchester United no doubt made mistakes and just were not good enough on the night. It was a defeat no doubt about that, but it takes a lot to accept defeat. But more importantly acceptance of defeat is not enough. Defeat isn’t a bad thing. It’s not all misery and gloom. Sure the initial feeling is always of complete hopelessness but they soon wear off and in fact defeat is and can be a good thing. It calls for improvement, rethink, reshape. It is a reminder that no matter how good things are going, it can all just come to a stop at any point. This goes without saying, not just for football but for absolutely everything else in our lives. Yes its a game…but not a game played and forgotten. There will be much speculation, questions, blame, and whatever else for the game and the teams over the coming days and weeks…I would say it’s a time to reflect…and there is always next year -:)

I never thought I would say this but it does bring a lot of entertainment to our screens, fills a lot of our newspapers and makes up much of our radio broadcasting so…

Long live football…

Personalities...each unto their own..

2009-05-22T16:05:00.003+01:00

Well in my opinion, no specific category in personality tests will be the exact right one for you, its usually vague and consists of many attributes that you can tick and say, yes, yes, no , yes, yes that's me, no definitely not me and so on..

Anyway my brother sent me the link to the ipersonic test and I thought what the heck, let me take it. Five questions, each with two options to choose from, except the statement in the options appear a bit confusing..so with the best of what I thought I knew about myself, I took the test and results are:-

I'm an Analytical Thinker (AT)

My types are - are reserved, quiet persons. They like to get to the bottom of things - curiosity is one of their strongest motives. They want to know what holds the world together deep down inside. They do not really need much more to be happy because they are modest persons. Many mathematicians, philosophers and scientists belong to this type. Analytical Thinkers loathe contradictions and illogicalness; with their sharp intellect, they quickly and comprehensively grasp patterns, principles and structures. They are particularly interested in the fundamental nature of things and theoretical findings; for them, it is not necessarily a question of translating these into practical acts or in sharing their considerations with others. Analytical Thinkers like to work alone; their ability to concentrate is more marked than that of all other personality types. They are open for and interested in new information.Analytical Thinkers have little interest in everyday concerns - they are always a little like an “absent-minded professor” whose home and workplace are chaotic and who only concerns himself with banalities such as bodily needs when it becomes absolutely unavoidable. The acknowledgement of their work by others does not play a great role for them; in general,they are quite independent of social relationships and very self-reliant. Analytical Thinkers therefore often give others the impression that they are arrogant or snobby - especially because they do not hesitate to speak their mind with their often harsh (even if justified) criticism and their imperturbable self-confidence. Incompetent contemporaries do not have it easy with them. But whoever succeeds in winning their respect and interest has a witty and very intelligent person to talk to. A partner who amazes one with his excellent powers of observation and his very dry humour.

It takes some time before Analytical Thinkers make friends, but then they are mostly friends for life. They only need very few people around them. Their most important ability is to be a match for them and thus give them inspiration. Constant social obligations quickly get on their nerves; they need a lot of time alone and often withdraw from others. Their partner must respect this and understand that this is not due to the lack of affection. Once they have decided in favour of a person, Analytical Thinkers are loyal and reliable partners. However, one cannot expect romance and effusive expressions of feelings from them and they will definitely forget their wedding anniversary. But they are always up to a night spent with stimulating discussions and a good glass of wine!

In work - As an Analytical Thinker you are one of the introverted personality types. You are not particularly suited for dealing with others, working as a part of a team and be in the position of “continuous exchange“, you would much rather work alone, and dwell on your thoughts undisturbed. You usually put a critical distance between yourself and others that enables you to be the keen and incorrupt observer of life.This distance can be truly bridged by only very few other people. That is probably caused by the fact that you are not all that interested to share your thoughts with others. Generally it is sufficient for you to have clarified a matter for yourself or that you have understood something; the continuous in your eyes mostly superficial chatter of the people around you becomes rather annoying.You prefer to work independently and appreciate having a lot of time and quiet in order to concentrate on the really important things: Structuring ideas, comprehending complex causalities, understanding of the universe, its rules and the logical analysis of systems. You absorb new information like a sponge and your memory is legendary. Once you have learned something, you’ll never forget it - unless you consider it to be irrelevant for some reason and decide that it seems to be better purging it from your data storage.

Hmm... in love...When falling in love, you can turn into a real surprise package! Normally those around you probably see you like most Thinkers as slightly preoccupied, a little absentminded, maybe even a little arrogant. You also give the impression of being quiet, cool, distanced and deliberate - everything is true. It is also true that you rarely fall in love because your expectations of your partner are very high and only very few will meet them. However, when it happens to you, things - especially for an introverted Thinker - can get pretty intense. Then you even throw your previous taciturnity overboard, and compared to your normal behavior, you get loquacious and drippy. But that usually doesn’t last long, as soon your analytical and rational part returns from its vacation, puts the entire matter under a microscope without mercy, and woe to your partner if he/she did not reach the required standards in some respect! You have a very clear mental picture of your expectations and in this respect you are much too hardheaded and stubborn to be ready for any compromises. You would rather be alone than to put up with the second best, thank you very much. For your partner, the change from the love poem writing, romantic Romeo, to the cool strategist, is sometimes rather bewildering and not easy to deal with. Here, they think they have hooked the great romantic, and in reality you belong to the most unemotional and logical types around. If your counterpart is a very emotional type, this cold shower can lead to a few problems between you because, after the initial effusiveness is gone, he/she won’t be able to squeeze all that many declarations of feelings and vows of love out of you. Once the courtship period is over, you simply don’t see the necessity any longer. Emotions are suspect to you anyway, because they are capricious and you give your partner only occasionally a glimpse into your innermost feelings. That hurts many types very much and makes them feel rejected and taken for granted. You, on the other hand, are uncomfortable if you feel pushed into an intimacy you don’t like, and frequently you don’t understand what your partner expects of you.

Adjectives which describe my type: introverted, theoretical, logical, spontaneous, rational, analytical, intellectual, sceptical, pensive, critical, quiet, precise, independent, creative, inventive, abstract, eccentric, curious, reserved, self-involved, imaginative, unsociable, determined, modest, careful, incommunicative, witty.

Now that's put me in a pensive mood... -:)

Aisha

Ya Abed al-Haramain

2009-05-22T10:10:00.015+01:00

O Worshipper of the Two Holy Masjids!

Had you witnessed us in the battlefield

You would have known that, compared to our Jihad,

Your worship is child’s play.

For every tear you have shed up on your cheek,

We have shed in its place, blood upon our chests.

You are playing with your worship,

While worshippers offer your worship

Mujahideen offer their blood and person (life).

The smell of nice perfume of is for you,

And our perfume is the dust and dirt (which is more pure),

And it has reached us from the sayings of our Prophet,

The martyr is not dead,

This is a true correct saying, in which there is no lie.

The dust of the people of Allah is never equal,

To a thousand men, whilst the smoke is climbing.

This is the book of Allah between us,

The martyr is not dead - and this is no lie.

If you have heard the above classic Arabic nasheed regardless of whether you speak or understand Arabic, it will no doubt touch you in one way or another. I heard at one point that there is a narration related to this piece in Ibn Kathir, but there is doubt on its authentication, so I have omitted the narration to avoid controversy. Finally before anyone gets on their high horse about jihad etc, there is more than one striving for the cause of Allah. It is a huge topic, that would make some interesting discussion. The point of sharing the translation of this beautiful nasheed is to search beyond the words. Our Islamic history will undoubtedly prove the striving that our predecessors endured, and while we could never reach to their level, we can still strive even if it is in the simplest form, for the Book of Allah; in many places guides us to so.

“They believe in Allah and the last day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and they strive with one another in hastening to good deeds, and those are among the good”(Qur'an - The Family of Imran, verse 114)

"The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)

Goji Berries...fad or not...they're good..but get the real stuff..

2009-05-21T19:18:00.010+01:00

Right..bet you are thinking why on earth a post on Goji Berries..? I heard a discussion on the radio earlier today on himalayan goji berries and it reminded me of my experience. Well, let me explain, the first time I ever heard of goji berries was just under a year ago, when a very dear person to me, was diagnosed with cancer and in attempt to help her through the surgery, treatment and recovery, we ventured at every avenue possible in an effort to make her strong to undergo the treatment but also to support her afterwards.

Health is so important that we forget how important it is until it starts deteriorating. Food is pivotal in maintaining good health and we all hear the usual discussions on taking a varied balanced diet, but how many of us actually do, and how many of us know of the enormous benefits of various fresh fruit and vegetables. Do we ever consider the benefits off minerals and vitamins found in the fruit and veg that are available to us? Now I am not asking that we go on a great big learning project or anything but, simply ‘fruit and veg have heaps of goodness’ and that bit of knowledge is more than enough.

So, anyway after some research on the internet, I went in search of goji berries and though not easily available, I did find a herbalist that stocked dried goji berries and then found that they also sold juice full of berries including our much wanted goji berries and so armed with goji berries, we enriched ourselves with all the goodness from the berries, ready to take on the gruelling treatment of cancer.

Now it wasn’t just the goji berries that helped, we completely changed our lifestyle and our shopping consisted of a lot more fruit and veg, some of which we had never thought of having before, though we knew about it, but was just never was part of our diet. But the goji berries was definitely new to us, which we embraced with grace.

Incidentally, these rather small, red, nutritionally rich berries are making its rise from specialist stockist to our regular supermarket, which is fantastic. We are told the goji contains heaps of vitamin C, beta-carotene and iron, are a good source B vitamins and anti-oxidants (just to name a few).

Finally, as with everything, there are those that claim all this hype over the goji berry is a fad. My advice is beware of knock of products and ensure you are buying the berries in its purest form, seek advice and indulge in moderation. There is no harm in trying with caution I say, and if its a benefit then a bonus to grab and at least it get us all eating more fruit. I sure will continue to sprinkle goji over my cereal!

Happy and Healthy Eating -:)

Aisha

Not just the regular traffic...

2009-05-21T11:00:00.010+01:00

The journey home from work for the last two days resulted in endless traffic which could be seen as far as the vision would go. It was evident that despite the orderly traffic, followed by the odd chaos at junctions, there had been a grand scale chaos somewhere beyond. It wasn’t just the regular mad rush and traffic of everyone trying to get home, it had to be an accident, spillage, or anything of such scale that would cause this kind of hold-up. Lorries crossing over central reservations, cars and motorbikes colliding and amidst all of this, lives are lost, the injured and the wounded leave the scene, some walk away unmarked, but surely they will walk away with scars that are beyond the comprehension of the naked eye…

As I hummed away with Zain Bhika’s ‘Mountains of Makkah’ waiting patiently in the traffic, I recalled mom’s words every morning "drive safely" and we do. I am sure, most of us set off on our journey cautiously with all good intentions to be safe, drive safely and respect the safety of other road users but there are always matters beyond our control that may put us in danger. Who knows what caused those accidents and does it even matter? If one is driving safely, what more can one do? We certainly cannot control the actions of other drivers. Maybe sleep overcame the driver of the lorry, or maybe driver of the car was distracted with a phone call, or the motorbike thought he could squeeze through between the lanes…the possibilities are endless…

It is without a doubt, that any journey we embark on we put our total Trust in God for He God can protect us and protect what is within us and deliver us to our destination, to the best of delivery, and will make easy all our difficulties and for He God, most Merciful is the Facilitator of our journeys.

And so the traffic inched forward, lights turned green and back to red and some of us moved and some us didn’t, but it sure didn’t matter; all wanting to reach their destination but all accepting that these were circumstances beyond our control…at least we were all safe -:)

Aisha

Colors

2009-05-20T10:43:00.017+01:00

I stopped by a dear friend's house yesterday evening to take some food that mom had prepared, I knew Terry much more than Marlene was looking forward to the Samosas. By the time we took the drive out to their house, the rain had descended yet again. I remember a time when the month of May (being the month of my birthday) was always the month where Spring was in its full bloom, but in recent years, especially these last two or three years, we seem to have a lot more rain than anticipated. An in anticipation we wait for Spring to really show its true form and colors.

As Terry met me at the door, he led me into the house for me to see the new carpet which had just been fitted that afternoon. As ever, Marlene was oblivious to my arrival as she worked away with the vacuum clearing up the tiny bits of carpet that had been left behind from the fitting.

Realising I was here, she switched off and we exchanged our hugs and kisses and I stood in awe of how the room had been completely transformed. In surprise I asked Marlene, how a new carpet turned to a complete re-decorating process. The room had been re-painted and the walls were now in a beautiful warm shade of orange and cream complementing the lovely shade of orange / peach carpet. As we stood admiring the finished effect of the room, we all agreed that the previous pale cream carpet and Egyptian cotton walls, though looked fresh and clean, made the room feel a little cold but now the room had a great deal of warmth to it.

Colors are a fantastic way of expressing our feelings and emotions. To some a color might just be a color and nothing more; red, yellow, blue, green, black, white, but to many color evokes various reactions. Just think how amazingly a child is stimulated by color. The slightest change of shade can make the world of difference for all people and things. As it is often said, colors can make or break the simplest of things. Colors reflect likes and personalities. Red creates a strong impression and can increase the energy level, whereas yellow is welcoming and known to communicate happiness. Calming blues and stress releasing greens to sophisticated shades of purple are just a few shades to mention. Without color, how would we ever express ourselves?

So with Marlene and Terry’s newly decorated room, I decided some re-decorating and color is just the kind of therapy sometimes needed. Now what was left for them both to decide was whether to have a rug (Marlene) or to not (Terry)….and as we exchanged our farewells, Terry was thrown at being outnumbered….both and Marlene and I agreed a rug was definitely needed in the newly decorated room…and what else could be left to decide except the color!

Aisha

Beyond ~ the ~ Horizon

2009-05-19T19:55:00.009+01:00

Ok.... so in a total moment of chaos, I found myself drawn towards the world of blogging all over again but in a very different way than before. Maybe it is meant to be a way of healing or just maybe a place to rant.....

and why Beyond the Horizon...well it may become clear at some point....then again maybe not especially if I am just ranting....On a serious note, it is to look beyond what is apparent..every picture tells a story...dont judge a book by its cover...you get the drift, ok that's where we end up with 'Beyond the Horizon'.

Hopefully it wont just be a place to rant, though I may just do that every now and then so be warned, but at some point hopefully I will share stuff that will entail some wisdom...God Willing -:)

I have no plan...which is the beauty of this blog...no set format...no set topic... will just go with the flow..will write (or type as in this case) about whatever is on my mind or whatever is happening around us...or may just reminisce now and again, in fact I want this blog to always continue to be 'work in progress'... coming back to it time and again God Willing-:)

I am no writer, I don't forsee myself publishing books or attending great book conventions and whatnot, this is just purely as ever a collection of thoughts, ideas, annotations of the happenings around me, catalogue of links or writing or pictures that I have found interesting or maybe just plain hilarious.

Blogging is a huge sphere, we all know that, some blogs attract a massive amount of traffic, I don't envisage that for my blog, mainly because it is a place for me to come away from the chaos of the world and reflect. Through my process of contemplation maybe my readers can be entertained in some respect or other. If you aren't then, move on to the next blog..kidding..I do hope you stick around and spare me your thoughts.

and so I finish presenting my first post ..if you know me and you are reading this, that's great but if you are just passing... a huge thanks for reading and getting to the end of this post....please do come back and continue to browse, read... and last but not least...please do leave your comments as they will prove to be invaluable.

Aisha