..How to diet?..

Assalam Alaikum,

Dr. Michael Mosley gave an interview on BBC News on his "new" dieting idea...

By fasting 2 days a week!

He mentioned on 2:30 that he chooses Monday and Thursday as that's what Prophet Muhammad suggested...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01387cv

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

..Happily Ever After!...

Assalam Alaikum, 

What married couples would laugh at! Laugh at the familiarity of the situations! 
hehehehe~ 

W'salam, 
Khadijah C.

..Dependence on Allah swt..

..A Stranger..

Assalam Alaikum, 

Feeling out of place...
Belonging to nowhere...

I miss my home, wherever my soul has came from~

回家的路程可真坎坷～
真主允许，家会是个美满快乐幸福的地方～

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

..Dengan Lafaz 2 Kalimah Syahadah..

Assalam Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah! By Allah swt grace, bro Ikhwan Ng has published his story!

If you are interested to read about his story, do visit his site Another Chinese Muallaf to get more information on the book~

May Allah swt gives Bro Ikhwan the strength and courage to walk on this straight path~ Ameen!

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

..Moon, a light..

..7 wonders of the muslim world..

..Islam defended in Oxford Union..

Assalam Alaikum, 

MashaaAllah! 

Way to go Bro. Mehdi Hasan! You have gave a fabulous view of Islam and its history during this age and time!

W'salam,
Khadijah C. 

..The Call to Prayer..

Assalam Alaikum, 

Just wanting to share this short call to morning prayer during this period of Ramadan by channel 4 in UK. 

MashaaAllah! Something refreshing! 

W'salam, 

Khadijah C.

..The call to Prayer, Singapore Muezzin..

..My Lord! Truly, I am in need..

Assalam Alaikum, 

The creations are always in need of countless things in life~  And among all, is the forgiveness from our Creator, Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala)~ 

We then ask for forgiveness and hope that there will be chances to do good to make up for the mistakes which we committed... 

In the incident which Musa (Alaihi Salaam) was on the run, he made a dua, a request that was answered by our Creator, Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala... 

And so we know what happened... 

Musa (Alaihi Salaam) met two ladies, helped them water their flocks and as a result, he was married to one of them, got a job for the next 8-10 years... 

SubhanaAllah!

How great our creator is! 

Then, when he turned his face towards (the land of) Madyan, he said: "I do hope that my Lord will show me the smooth and straight Path." 

And when he arrived at the watering (place) in Madyan, he found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks). He said: "What is the matter with you?" They said: "We cannot water (our flocks) until the shepherds take back (their flocks): And our father is a very old man." 

So he watered (their flocks) for them; then he turned back to the shade, and said:"O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need of any good that Thou dost send me!" 

رَبِّ إِنِّي لِمَا أَنزَلْتَ إِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

( سورة القصص , Al-Qasas, Chapter #28, Verse #22-24)

W'salaam,
Khadijah C.

..Halal Sushi w/o rice vinegar..

O ye who believe! eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship.
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #172)

Assalam Alaikum, 

So rice vinegar in sushi... Is it halal or haram? This is one product which lies in the grey area~

So, if in doubt, leave it and find a substitute!

Alhamdulillah! One sister just shared with me the usage of green lime to substitute rice vinegar. I used 1tbps of lime juice with 0.5tbps of water to substitute 1.5tbps of rice vinegar.

Result? 

Yummlicious sushi with a tangy taste, just like rice vinegar if not better!

Alhamdulillah!

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

..Muslim Negotiating on chess board..

..Ihsan '人在做，天在看'..

Narrated Abu Huraira: One day while Allah's Apostle was sitting with the people, a man came to him walking and said, "O Allah's Apostle. What is Belief?" The Prophet said, "Belief is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Apostles, and the meeting with Him, and to believe in the Resurrection."

The man asked, "O Allah's Apostle What is Islam?" The Prophet replied, "Islam is to worship Allah and not worship anything besides Him, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the (compulsory) charity i.e. Zakat and to fast the month of Ramadan."

The man again asked, "O Allah's Apostle What is ihsan (i.e. perfection or Benevolence)?" The Prophet said, "ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you."

The man further asked, "O Allah's Apostle When will the Hour be established?" The Prophet replied, "The one who is asked about it does not know more than the questioner does, but I will describe to you its portents. When the lady slave gives birth to her mistress, that will be of its portents; when the bare-footed naked people become the chiefs of the people, that will be of its portents. The Hour is one of five things which nobody knows except Allah.

Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).
( سورة لقمان , Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #34)

Then the man left. The Prophet said, "Call him back to me." They went to call him back but could not see him. The Prophet said, "That was Gabriel who came to teach the people their religion." (See Bukhari Hadith No. 47 Vol 1) (Sahih Bukhari Book #60, Hadith #300)

:: Convoy to Kashmir ::

A convoy of vehicles from Bradford will head 5,000 miles to Kashmir later this year in a show of solidarity to the people of the war-torn region. 

The convoy was officially started at a public meeting held at the Pakistani Cultural Centre at White Abbey Road with the donation of its first vehicle, a former ambulance. 

It is hoped another 59 vehicles will join them by the time they set off from Bradford on September 29, picking up more en route with up to 200 finally crossing the Channel on the first leg.

Respect leader and Bradford West MP George Galloway will be joining them and hopes to be with it for the whole duration – which could be up to three weeks. 

To find out more, do visit Convoy to Kashmir

:: Haji Omar Lim Yew Hock ::

"A controversial yet significant figure in the political history of modern Singapore, Lim Yew Hock (1914-1984) was the second Chief Minister of Singapore, succeeding David Saul Marshall (1908-1995) in 1956. 

...

In 1968, Lim Yew Hock retired from Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and moved to Malacca. In his later years, he embraced Islam and changed his name to Haji Omar Lim Yew Hock. Settling at Jeddah of Saudi Arabia, he became a special assistant to the president of the World Islamic Development Bank.

In 30th November 1984, Lim Yew Hock died in his home at age 70, bringing to the end of an eventful, controversial and, in some way, mysterious life. He was buried in Mecca."

Taken from http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/the-curious-case-of-lim-yew-hock/

:: 神算 The young Psychic ::

:: Usage of '(oo)' parts ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

In this video, a researcher has found out that all parts of the piggie are used as raw materials in manufacturing the daily products which we used. 

Do you think it affects us a muslim to use these products from piggie? 

It is mentioned in 4 times (2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115) in the english translation of the Qur'an that flesh of piggie is forbidden, unless in special circumstances... 

O Believers, if you are true worshippers of Allah alone, eat without hesitation of the good and clean things wherewith We have provided you and be grateful to Allah.170 Allah has only forbidden you to eat what dies of itself, and blood and swine flesh and what has been consecrated to any other name than of Allah.171 But one will incur no sin if, forced by absolute necessity, he eats of any of these forbidden things, provided he has no intention of transgressing the law and does not take more than what is absolutely indispensable: for Allah is very Forgiving and very Merciful.
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #172-173) 

How about other parts of the piggie which are not for consumption? 

What is your view? 

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

:: Ready for Taraweeh? ::

:: SG July13 Mass Musollah Clean up ::

:: Purpose of difficulties ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Being a creation, we do sometimes face difficulties~ 

What are our thoughts on the difficulties in life? 

Do we think that we have done something bad to deserve such 'difficulties' to be punished? 

A good reminder by Mufti Ismail Menk on why difficulties are actually a blessing in disguise~ 

Enjoy! 

W'salam, 
Khadijah C. 

:: Business in Masjid? ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

An interesting post (real traditional post on masjid door!) by a sister providing her service to teach quranic arabic~ 

And see what's the reply? 

I wonder, based on that hadith, what has learning arabic / quranic arabic keeps one away from remembrance of Allah swt... hmMmm... 

Btw, the hadith I have found is this...

Buying and selling in the mosque is disliked. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If you see someone engaged in buying or selling in the mosque, then tell him: “May Allah not bless your business”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhî (2,322) and Sunan Ibn Majah (6,749)] 

W'salam, 

Khadijah C. 

:: Being successful ::

:: Life of this world is but... ::

Know that the life of the world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children;

as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw.

And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.
( سورة الحديد , Al-Hadid, Chapter #57, Verse #20)

:: Love! Really? ::

Assalam Alaikum,

Sheikh Yassir Fazaga explains well on the topic of heartbroken, road to recovery and the ultimate question to test for true love!

"If you truely love, then commit...  If you do not commit, then your claim of love is not real..." ~Sh. Yassir Fazaga @ 22:08

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

:: The heart ::

Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. 

So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. 

And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the Hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. 

(O people!) Beware! 

Every king has a Hima and the Hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. 

Beware! 

There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart

(Sahih Bukhari Book #2, Hadith #49) 

:: Best men to walk on Earth ::

:: SG 9June13 Arabic-Chinese Calligraphy ::

 

 

:: Life as Chinese Muslim convert ::

The story of Muhd Noor Woon Abdullah, 48, is the owner of Nur Ikhsan Trading, a one-stop bicycle shop in Taman Perling. 

Read more: Life as a Chinese Muslim convert - Johor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/life-as-a-chinese-muslim-convert-1.294467#ixzz2VX0cLa61

How is life like for a Chinese Muslim family living in Johor? 

Do we feel marginalised as we belong to a minority community? 

Who are more willing to be our friends, the Malays or Chinese? 

These are questions that people like to ask me when they first learn that I am a Chinese Muslim. They also assumed that my wife is a Malay. 

Well, let me start my story by saying that Allah Almighty has given my family and I a fair share of friends who are Malays as well as Chinese. My parents and siblings did not treat me differently after I chose to convert. 

And my wife is a Chinese, like myself...
 
continue...

:: Visiting graves ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Many times, الله سبحانه و تعالى, sent us people to answer our duas and sometimes, الله سبحانه و تعالى, sent us people to show us how insignificant our complains are~

Just as millions of thoughts were going through my mind, الله سبحانه و تعالى, gave me opportunities to know challenges of other sisters, who in comparison, makes my challenges and tests very insignificant~

Allahu Akbar!

There is this sister who lost her daughter when her daughter was 6 months old... Husband was denied entry to the country to see the sick daughter when she was alive, so the wife had to go to court to fight for her case...

Another sister who had her husband being taken by her friend and was denied the chance to take care of her one year old daughter~ Had to bring her 2 young sons half a globe away to seek for another opportunity to survive~ Not once that she faced betrayal, but 4 times... 

And a few other sisters who are facing challenges~

A whole afternoon was spent in park listening to stories and encouraging each other to have patience~

By the grace of Allah swt, we passed by the cemetery which the sister's 6 months old daughter is buried~ We decided to pay a visit~

SubhanaAllah~ 

Allah swt has an amazing way to remind us of how temporary this world is~ We passed by graves which are there since 1880s... The people in the grave stay longer in ground than we are on earth~

At the end of the day, when I reflect back on the incidents in the day, I realised Allah swt is giving me a concluding statement for all the dua I made and all the whinning and complaining...

Life on this earth is temporary and the chasing of good things in this world will divert me from something more serious... I have all that I ask for~ 

Be thankful, Khadijah~

Have patience~

Life on this earth will soon pass~

Do good and prepare for the long long stay in ground and for the long long long wait on the Day of Judegement~

InshaAllah~

May Allah swt keeps us all on the straight path and not let the glitter of this duniya distract us from the important responsibilities~ Ameen!     

  

The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),
Until ye visit the graves.
But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
Again, ye soon shall know!
Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)
Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!
Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).
( سورة التكاثر , At-Takathur, Chapter #102, Verse #2)

W'salam, 
Khadijah C.

:: Issues facing Muslim Women ::

:: Thoughts on bringing up children ::

Assalam Alaikum,

Alhamdulillah! I went to a lecture by sis Zohra Sawari on "9 steps to achieve destiny"

A very inspiring and energetic sister who lives the life of "Talk the talk, walk the walk".

I went with the intention of meeting her and thanking her for a book she mailed it to me (Long story short, she heard about me from one of my friends and she decided to mail me one of her book...) but never will I think that she is actually the mother of Alya Nuri; the child author whom I want to bring up my children as! Read blog post "child author alya nuri" 

SubhanaAllah! Allah swt has a way of reminding me of the things I have to do and who I have to learn from...

Important things that I have learnt from sis Zohra are...

1. One must have the right intention to have children
2. The right intention to groom them for the future
3. To have an aim and planning for the children
4. To be a role model for children

May Allah swt rewards sis Zohra and her family for all the hardwork in contributing to the ummah~ Ameen!

And may Allah swt gives me the energy and the strength to bring up successful contributors to the ummah~ Ameen!

W'salam,

Khadijah C.

:: O women! Give alms ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Just for my sisters, whom inshaaAllah, will be my neighbours in Jannah~ Ameen~ 

Following up to the previous blog post on women majority in jahanam.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri On 'Id ul Fitr or 'Id ul Adha Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) went out to the Musalla. After finishing the prayer, he delivered the sermon and ordered the people to give alms. 

He said, "O people! Give alms." Then he went towards the women and said. "O women! Give alms, for I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-Fire were you (women)." 

The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is the reason for it?" 

He replied, "O women! You curse frequently, and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. O women, some of you can lead a cautious wise man astray." 

Then he left. 

And when he reached his house, Zainab, the wife of Ibn Masud, came and asked permission to enter It was said, "O Allah's Apostle! It is Zainab." 

He asked, 'Which Zainab?" The reply was that she was the wife of Ibn Mas'ub. He said, "Yes, allow her to enter." 

And she was admitted. Then she said, "O Prophet of Allah! Today you ordered people to give alms and I had an ornament and intended to give it as alms, but Ibn Masud said that he and his children deserved it more than anybody else." 

The Prophet replied, "Ibn Masud had spoken the truth. Your husband and your children had more right to it than anybody else."
(Sahih Bukhari Book #24, Hadith #541)

W'salam,
Khadijah C.

:: Words do not matter ::

:: Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid, my Role Model ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

A glimpse of the women of Jannah through the life of Mother Khadijah (RadiaAllahuAnha)~ 

A wife's love so deep for her husband~ 

May Allah swt gives Mother Khadijah the very best~ 

Ameen~ 

W'salam, Khadijah C. 

:: Doing bad, think again ::

Assalam Alaikum, SubhanaaAllah! No reason for our deeds to weigh less on day of judgement! W'salam, Khadijah C.

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet narrating about his Lord and said, 

"Allah ordered (the appointed angels over you) that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed (the way) how (to write). If somebody intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account with Him); and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him (in his account) with Him (its reward equal) from ten to seven hundred times to many more times: and if somebody intended to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intended to do it (a bad deed) and actually did it, then Allah will write one bad deed (in his account) ." (Sahih Bukhari Book #76, Hadith #498)

:: Dua for someone ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

Make dua~

الله سبحانه و تعالى‎ knows~

Say: "Whether ye hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all: He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on earth. And Allah has power over all things. 

( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #29) 

Taken from http://2inspireamuslim.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/best-gift.html

W'salam, 
Khadijah C. 

:: I look, I look, I see ::

:: Qur’anic Arabic Braille group ::

Kitaba Islamic Texts for the Blind is proud to announce the first Qur’anic Arabic Braille group, which will meet weekly on Skype. 

Comprising blind Muslims who want to improve their Qur’anic Arabic Braille. The group will work its way through the holy Qur’an, encouraging members to take it in turns to recite by reading out loud from their Braille Qur’ans while everyone else follows. 

There will be an opportunity to chat once the recitation is over, and build links with other blind Muslims. 

The group will meet every Sunday evening at 20:00 UK time on Skype. Anyone with knowledge of Qur’anic Arabic Braille however limited is welcome. Those who do not wish to take part in the recitation but would like to listen in and enjoy the social aspect are more than welcome to come along. 

For anyone interested in joining the group, please contact Bilal Hussain, Skype i.d: kitaba.org. If you do not have Skype, and would like help setting it up then please email balal at kwagga dot com. 

http://www.kitaba.org/news/formation-of-the-online-quranic-arabic-braille-group/

:: 2nd chance ::

Assalam Alaikum, 

How many us do have that 2nd chance to change? How many of us have many chances after that 2nd chance? What do we do with these chances? 

hmMmmm... 

W'salam, Khadijah C.

:: حلال 清真‎ Halal::

Assalam Alaikum, 

How cool it is to have 3 languages on the halal logo? 
Way to go Taipei Grand Mosque! 

W'salam, 
Khadijah C.