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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Ramdan Dua (9)


Oh Allah.Please make us amongst the sabireen (patient), sadiqeen (truthful), sabiqeen (those who are foremost in faith), mu'mineen (believers), mutawakkaleen (those who put their trust in Allah), muttaqeen (those who fear Allah) and mutaqarrebeen (those who are close to Allah.)

Ameen.


May Allah accept our fast.
Ramadan Kareem!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Day Seven Iftar: Enchiladas!

Masha Allah, I love all things cheesy :D Yesterday I was in the mood for enchiladas but did not have all the makings for it so I decided to stop by the store today after work to pick up some things. I have two different recipes that I go between, the more commonly version, meat/beans with cheese rolled in corn tortillas then topped with red enchilada sauce, cheese, olives and green onions. Then there is the newest version that I picked up from a friend that does not require enchiladas sauce. So Good! Masha Allah!


Before I add the recipe, I must admit, I lost the recipe my friend gave me so I kind of winged it from the last two times I made it. I also did not have enough corn tortillas so I stretched it a bit. Here is the recipe I used to make this tasty iftar dish tonight. :) Insha Allah I hope you enjoy it! (should you try it out :D)

Recipe:

2 lb               Ground Beef
1 can (15oz) Black Beans (low sodium)
1 can (8 3/4 oz) Kernel Corn
1 can (16oz) Fresh Salsa
2 lg               Bell pepper
2 pks            Taco Seasoning (low sodium)
3 Tbs            Garlic Powder (to taste) note: I add lots of garlic powder
2 Tbs            Black Pepper (to taste)     "    "      "    "     "     "      "
1/4 cup         Italian Dressing (Light)
1 cup            Sour Cream
                     Corn Tortillas
2 cups          Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation:

Brown the meat on medium to high heat. Add bell peppers and cook for a few minutes. Add garlic, black pepper and taco seasoning. Mix well. Drain the beans and corn, then add along with the fresh salsa and mix well. Cook for a bit longer on medium heat. Reduce heat. Add Italian dressing and mix well. Turn off heat and set meat mixture aside. At this point, you can add the sour cream to the mixture but I usually wait until I am ready to layer my enchiladas. Heat the corn tortillas on both sides in a frying pan with little to no cooking oil.  Layering method: Spoon some meat mixture on the bottom of the pan then sprinkle some cheese on top. Cover the first layer of meat and cheese with corn tortillas. Spoon another layer of meat and cheese. Continue the layering until you get to the top ending with a thin layer of meat and cheese.
Cover the pan with foil and bake on 375 for 40 minutes. Then uncover, the cheese should be melted and bubbly. Bake uncovered for another 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is golden and slightly crisp.
Garnish with shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro and sour cream! Enjoy Insha Allah!

Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan Dua (8)


Ameen.


May Allah accept our fast.
Ramadan Kareem

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Ramadan Dua (7)


Oh Allah. Please bestow your mercy our mothers and fathers who have passed away. Please keep them safe from the hell-fire, the torment of the grave and the terror of the Day of Judgment. Grant them mercy, forgiveness, and compassion as they had shown us during their lifetime.

Ameen.


May Allah accept our fast.
Ramadan Kareem!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Ramadan Dua (6)


Oh Allah. Please forgive our parents, relatives and those who have passed away.

Ameen.



May Allah accept our fast.

Ramadan Kareem!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Ramadan Dua (5)


Oh Allah. Please guide us to the straight path and give us istiqamah (steadfastness) in our faith.

Ameen.


May Allah accept our fast!
Ramadan Kareem!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Ramadan Dua (4)


Oh Allah. Please keep us safe from the hell fire, the torment in the grave and the terror of the Day of Judgment.

Ameen.

May Allah accept our fast!
Ramadan Kareem!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Ramadan Dua (3)


Oh Allah. Please forgive all our sins, the hidden, the open, the big and the small sins, the ones done out of ignorance and the ones done out of evil intent.

Ameen.

May Allah (swt) accept our fast!

Ramadan Kareem!

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Ramadan Dua (2)


Oh Allah. Please bless us with beneficial knowledge and help us act upon it.

Ameen.

Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan Dua (1)


Oh Allah. Bless us with strong imaan, taqwa, piety, pure heart and good ikhlaq.

Ameen.

Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan Mubarik!!!!!!


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Green Our Ramadan in our Homes and Masajid

A wonderful friend passed this along to me and I just had to share it. Insha Allah, I plan on trying to be more green this Ramadan. Allah (swt) has blessed us with only one home, it is time for us to show our appreciation to Him for all of His bounty He has bestowed on us by caring for the very home He created for us.





Alhamdulilah Ramadan is approaching! Lets all work to be stewards of our home! 

"Now, behold! Your Lord said to the angels: I am placing upon the earth a human successor to steward it" (2:30 1. 


Recycle and promote recycling in our homes, schools and Masjids Recycling conserves our natural resources, saves energy, protects our health and the environment, reduces the use of landfills and incinerators and saves money. 


1. Commit to providing recycling options at your Masjid during Iftars in Ramadan.

2. Commit to form an Environmental Committee in the Masjid. The committee's role will be to gauge and discuss how to implement other Green Ramadan tasks in the Masjid now and continuously. 

3. Commit to disseminate Green Ramadan topics through your Sheikh or Imam of your Masjid through newsletters, religious lectures after Salat, or including the topic in a Jumah Khutbah during Ramadan. Commit to sharing Greening Ramadan ideas
If your Masjid comes up with some great ideas about recycling, renewing, reusing and rethinking how to Green please post and or write! 

I am hoping that WE as a progressive caretakers of our dunya/earth,
will take the extra measures this Ramadan to reduce waste, recycle food and bring out own plates/utensils, and renew materials to be utulized again. ( cloth table cloths, napkins etc) 

The Quran states
"...eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters." (Al-A'raf 7: 31) 

Alhamdulilah 



PS Chicago area Mosques have had a Green Ramadan Initiative for some years now!
http://www.ciogc.org/Go.aspx?link=7654955

SubhanAllah we have only one earth and hands are here to help heal it.

Sister Janice
HASSANAH Consulting
Catalyst for Positive Changes 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Stop the Gossip


A reminder just in time for Ramadan!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Saturday, July 14, 2012

IslamiCity.com - 10 great goals to set for this Ramadan

IslamiCity.com - 10 great goals to set for this Ramadan


7/10/2012 - Religious Family Interfaith –
Article Ref: 
SV0808-3647

By: IslamiCity
Staff 
Sound Vision* - 



Eat, drink and be moderate 


Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we 
just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move 
afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the 
spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not 
self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our 
stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, 
even in Ramadan. 


Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or 
ten 


The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon 
him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and 
dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds 
up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts. 


Memorize 4 new Surahs 


Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting 
task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in 
Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. 
Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a 
longer one the following week. 


Go to Tarawih prayers 


Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an 
exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. 
Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The 
community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If 
going every day is not possible, try going at least once week. 
Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the 
recitation of the Quran will be finished 
Call the local mosque and find out which day the 
Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only 
hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the 
heart-rending Duas that follow it. 


Stop swearing and/or backbiting - with a special 
box 


It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when 
someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about 
someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of 
letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got 
to wage Jihad against our bad habits. 
Try this: get a box and every time you catch 
yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or 
less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like 
punishment. 
At the end of the month send the money to a charity 
or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against. 


Call/email your relatives 


You'd think that given the easy access to email, 
competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep 
in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the 
case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness." 
Strengthening ties with family members and keeping 
in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very 
pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a 
Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going. 


Go on a technology diet 


Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do 
this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After 
Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The 
same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to 
spiritual elevation this month. 


Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not 
more, not less 


Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set 
a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You 
can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice

is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the 
month of the Quran. 


Forgive everyone who has hurt you 


Still got a festering wound from the fight with 
your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a 
heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes 
treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive 
those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but 
it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to 
Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too? 
If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, 
forgive at least three people. 


Happy Ramadan !!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Are You Ready for Ramadan?


I am really excited for Ramadan this year. It is coming right on time. I'm in need of a spiritual spa month. Insha Allah (God willing) I will detox from all the stresses of life and focus on my spiritual needs. But at the same time, I want to make sure I stay healthy while fasting and taking time out for prayers. I have been having a lot of fun reading articles on the web and those shared by friends on preparing for Ramadan and tips for a healthy Ramadan. Check out the links below.

Ramadan Health Tips
Ramadah Health: Safety and Health of Ramadan Fasting for Muslim
Preparing for the Month of Mercy
Ten Tips for Preparing Your Family for Ramadan
Tips for Women in Ramadan: Tips and Advice
Learning Activities for Ramadan (Activities for Children)



The Best Relationship


Monday, July 9, 2012

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Allah gives.......


May Allah (swt) protect us from being forgetful of His Mercy and Blessings. Ameen

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What I love About Ramadan


I am really looking forward to Ramadan this year. It is a spiritual break. TV goes off. Music nill. Fiction novels go on the shelf. Facebook goes dark.

While I should not wait for Ramadan as the only time to reflect on my life as a Muslim, it certainly does help put me in the spiritual mood and give me lots of encouragement. For one, I read a LOT more Qur'an during Ramadan. I love that. I love reading the Qur'an in both Arabic and English. I love thinking about the guiding words, the glad tidings, the reminders and even the warnings. Ramadan gives me that opportunity to read more, one-thirtieth everyday.

Fasting. Ramadan is the only time where I fast and not feel the affects of abstaining from food and drink. Any other time I get the tired, achy, headache and hunger pains. At work I'm exhausted. But during Ramadan, Alhamdulillah, I don't feel those things. Ramadan is also a great dawah tool. My co-workers know when it is Ramadan and often have questions when they know I'm fasting.

There is also the social part of Ramadan, visiting and having iftar with friends that I don't see very often. I love the family dinners as everyone has to break fast at the same time.

Insha Allah, I pray this Ramadan will see me come out for the better. That I remain observant and steadfast. That I hold fast to the word of Allah and implement it in my life. Ahlan was Sahlan ya Ramadan

The First


Friday, March 30, 2012

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Book Giveaway: Going to Mecca

 

  • Title: Going to Mecca
  • Author: Na'ima B Robert
  • Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (September 11, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1847801536
  • ISBN-13: 978-1847801531



This is a wonderful window into the sacred journey for Muslims the world over - beautifully described and illustrated for younger children. Going to Mecca is a great addition to every bookshelf.






Monday, March 26, 2012

Friday, March 23, 2012

Faith

Alhamdulillah! Allah (swt) holds my future!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Productive Muslim: No Deed is Too Small animation



I really love these animations!!! May Allah (swt) reward the team at Productive Muslim for putting these together :)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Patience

amina-world.blogspot.com

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Friday, March 16, 2012

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sixty Tips from the Qur'an: Habibi Halaqas



1. Respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, colour, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70]

2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]

3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]

4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19]

5. Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]

6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]

7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]

8. Speak in a civilised manner in a language that is recognised by the society and is commonly used [4/5]

9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152]

10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]

11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]

12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]

13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].

14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].

15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18]

16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]

17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]

18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]

19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19].

20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]

21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favourable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]

22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6]

23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].

24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, “O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge.” [20:114]

25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].

26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11]

27. Do not defame others [49/11]

28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]

29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12]

30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]

31. Do not backbite one another [49/12]

32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]

33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]

34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]

35. Treat kindly -Your parents-Relatives-The orphans-And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]

36. Take care of -The needy,-The disabled-Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs-And those whose businesses have stalled -And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]

37. Treat kindly -Your related neighbours, and unrelated neighbours-Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]

38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street,and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]

39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]

40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].

41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9]

42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]

43. Do no try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]

44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44]

45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]

46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134]

47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquillity and comfort to people [3/134]

48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125]

49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]

50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation [4/140]

51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]

52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]

53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]

54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].

55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]

56. Fulfil your promises and commitments [17/34]

57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].

58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26]

59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavour [29/17, 2/188]

60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2/188]

Please visit this wonderful website! Habibi Halaqas

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In The News: A New Kind of Cookbook & Book Giveaway



Good morning to everyone on this snowed in day! Yep, Seattle is getting her fair share of the snow dump to my dismay. I have a wedding to get to this evening and I am on set duty around noon, not sure if I will even be able to make it :(

But that is not what I am here to talk about on this snow covered day. As the pic above says, there is a new cookbook in town!!!! And, yours truly has a couple of family recipes and food related stories included! :D I'm so excited to share some of my mom's fun cooking with the world and some of the stories that lead to said recipes. For example, you will find out why for a good 10+ years my family became vegetarians and tuna became the main meat staple in the house :D Try out a variety of recipes from various cultures around the world.

Serving Up Faith is on sale now but I am giving away two copies! Fill out the form below for a chance to win a print copy of Serving Up Faith!



Serving Up Faith
Islamic Writers Alliance
ISBN: 978-0-9819770-7-2
Paperback
242 pages
Price: $14.95





Buy direct from the publisher here or from Amazon here




Sunday, January 8, 2012

Organization Spot Light: Islamic Writers Alliance

Catch the Spirit…Be a Muslim Champion


We Are Muslim Champions Serving Allah
We Work For The Benefit Of Muslims
We are Champions of Literacy for Muslim Children, Youth, and Teens
We Are Champions of Creative Writing for Muslim Students
We Are Champions for Islamic School Libraries
We are Champions for Aspiring Muslim Writers Striving to Become Published



The Islamic Writers Alliance Inc. (IWA) is a USA based professional Muslim non-profit organization with an international membership. It was founded in 2004. Members include published and aspiring writers, editors, artists, publishers, journalists, playwrights, web designers, retailers, and marketing consultants. The IWA is an inclusive organization and welcomes adult Muslim men and women of all races, ethnicities, linguistic backgrounds, abilities, and creeds.

IWA's purpose is to promote literacy world-wide. The IWA has established successful programs designed to meet the established goals and purpose of the organization.

One of IWA's well known programs is the yearly book award of fiction and non-fiction books to Islamic school libraries (20 schools to date :D)

Give your support to a Muslim non-profit organization that works to benefit our Muslim kids! Donate here.