Giant Pancakes

The kids were screaming, smoke alarm blaring and and I was late for dhuhr salah.

"Pancaaaaake!" Screamed my 4 year old. She wanted pancake and she wanted it now. Her want was echoed by two other little voices.

I took out my dosa pan, and poured in three times the batter I usually would.

And subhanallah giant pancake came into existence, I poured in 2 more and my job was done. Alhamdulilah. Great idea for busy sisters.

The above is a serving platter! Not a plate. Alhamdulilah.

Ingredients:

1 cup self raising flour

1 cup yogurt/buttermilk

1/2 cup castor/white sugar

1 egg beaten slightly

1 tablespoon butter

3 tablespoons milk (add more if consistency is too thick)

Orange rind

Freshly squeezed orange for taste

Method:

Mix eggs, sugar, milk, yogurt, butter with a wooden spoon.

Sift in flour, mix well

In a large non stock pan,  place a dollop of butter, let butter melt, pour batter right on top of butter and spread to 1.5 cm thickness with a metal spoon (avoid using wooden spoon) using a circlular outward motion.

Lift out using a large extended egg flip

Makes 3 giant pancakes 

My Hifdh Journey

Asalamalaikum,

I begin by praising Allah and sending asalat wa salam on our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.

I was inspired by first and foremost my wonderful husband and Dr Israr Ahmed rahimuhallah as well as a need in my local country community for a hafidh. We are currently searching high and low for someone who can teach the youth Quran and lead prayers.

I thought what a shame it isn't me teaching the youth. How useful might I have proved myself in front of Allah at this dire time. 

As I read through sister Hafidha Rayhanna's blog she advises those who are interested in journaling and blogging to use this passion for writing as a means for embarking (and hopefully staying steadfast) on this hifdh journey. 

My blog has been neglected for a while and I thought, why not let's give this a try. Biiidhnillah.

I am using sister Hafidha Rayhanna's blog Fee Qalbee, sister Umm Mohammed, Ustadh Nouman, Sheikh Abdul Nasir Jangda and Shiekh Imran Hossein as inspiration.

New Resolution:

I remember when my first daughter was born I started hifdh of the thirtieth juz, and what beautiful days they were, full of light and full of purpose yet four years later I'm still at Juz 30. But I've come a long way! Alhamdulilah. I've memorised all of juz 30 through house shifting, job changing, a sea change from the city to the country, a new university degree and two extra babies....but I have many many mistakes - my tajweed is crummy, my qirat is crumbly and I constantly need hubby to remind me of the next verse.

But I'm not giving up so easily. Inshallah. I hope those who feel this way will now take this moment in time to also say I won't give up as long as Allah has given me life.

My Situation:

I'm out here in the middle of no where. Smack bang in the middle of Australia in a small country town with a flourishing islamic community - albeit one without any sheikhs or sheikhas.

I'll have to rely on the Internet, Skype and phone calls.

My Plan:

1. Learn Tajweed one on one with a strict teacher. My tajweed teachers have been Miss Honeys, cute, sweet, lovely women who have let me get away with my slackness. I need to find a Tajweed Trunchbull.

2. Using the Juz30 system (ill make a post on this inshallah)

3. Finding someone other than a relative to revise my memorisation with. I need to find someone online. I have no idea where to start yet, sheikh google here I come.

4. Make dua for Allah to make this journey easy and free from arrogance, showing off and sincerely for the sake of Allah.

Inshallah 

I hope you will link your blogs down in the comments section so we can share inspirations :)

May Allah protect us, Ameen.

Umm Musk 

Why does a Niqabi wear makeup?

Asalamalaikum 

Inshallah I'll be putting up make up reviews for wash ability for wudhu and sensitivity. I have very sensitive skin so inshallah it will be useful for fellow sufferers.

The reactions to hearing that a niqabi wears make up ranges from gasps, to whispers to wide open mouths.

While some want to know why a niqabi would spend so much money when no one would be able to appreciate her beauty, others demand an explanation as to why someone who is "religious" is acting in such an "unreligious" manner.

To answer the first we respond that it is perfect alright to beautify oneself if no one else but lady in the mirror is appreciating our effort. I find make up a creative way of expressing myself, my face is the canvas and my work is an art. I find it therapeutic and fascinating as to how different "looks" transform how we feel and act.

To answer the second, the reality is that we are just regular sisters who happen to cover our faces - were girls that like having fun too, secondly wearing make up is not really an issue, the issue is against wearing make up in public or using it to seduce unrelated men.

Also we have hubbies. And these hubbies love their wives to beautify themselves. Indeed I believe that I like to truly compensate the fact that I don't wear make up outside the home with the amount of make up I wear for hubby. And he knows it is his islamic duty to shower me with compliments and this is the best way to keep fitan away. If every woman in a society is kept satisfied by the praise her husband gives her then we would see many less a beauty parade out on the streets. 

Things that are rare after all are very precious, not because they have any value of themselves but simply because there is something exquisite about something being "for your eyes only."

Inshallah reviews coming soon.

Image credit: my cupcake addiction 

Umm musk

Sydney Ramadan Radio

Asalamalaikum :D

One of the fun things I remember from my childhood is the special ramadan radio program. Listening to the live broadcasts of quran, islamic quizes and entertaining ramadan jingles right here in Sydney was super exciting.
 
Whether it be warm at home surrounded with the parents and the siblings, cramped between friends at a mega iftar party or driving home alone from work, we all wait for the final thunder-like dramatic drum roll announcing the end of the fast, followed by the beautiful heart warming azaan that floats over the air waves and reaches our ears.
 
A beautiful feeling of relief fills us as we raise our eyes to the soft pink and purple sky, watching the orange sun drown out another day of the blessed month of Ramadan. We thank our lord for another successfully completed act of worship, we are grateful for all the bounties he has provided us with and our hearts go out to all those who suffer the pangs of hunger and pains of thirst everyday around the world.
 
For those in Sydney the broadcast is over at 92.1 by Muslim Community Radio. It is complete with all the quran reciation, nasheeds, ramadan songs (yes, songs, yes with music, yes lets not go there....lol may Allah guide the Ummah) and ofcourse the ads, how can it be complete without the ads?
 
We ask Allah to teach a lesson to the tyrants of the world, to the greedy ones among them who deliberately enslaves governments through debts, whose leaders then render the masses to a state of starvation.
 
We ask Allah to open the eyes of those whose stomaches are full to open their hands which are tight and open the hearts that are blind.
 
We ask Allah for an Islamic State, a state which seeks to destroy pain and hunger on earth.
 
Ultimately we ask Allah the Almighty for Paradise, a place where hunger, thirst and pain do not exist.
 
Ramadan Mubarak, Ramadan Kareem and Happy Ramadan Everyone :)

May Allah bless everyone's home this Ramadan with peace and blessing Ameen.

Allah humma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad salalahu alayhi wasalam.

Fear Arogance

Is it arrogance perchance

That throws that verbal lance

That painfully spears your sisters heart

Wounds of her a work of your art?

Do you seek to help her

Or insult her?

Why aren't the words we speak

Humble and meek

To aid our brethren why don't we seek

With love in our chest

With language best

With minds at rest

There are avenues many of creativity

Of deep and honest sincerity

Ask for this with piety

One day will come when we are sorted

Don't let your dawah be distorted

Advise for the sake of Allah alone

Be not the one to make hellfire your home

Umm Musk

Niqab in my Hand

In my hand I hold piece of black chiffon
I think perhaps today I'll try this on
I grab the sides made of soft lace
I lift my niqab gently to my face
I secured it safely there and raise my eyes to see
The most beautiful image looking back at me

I am instantly shy at the gracious scene
I look like a sheikha so pure and clean
In my heart I feel something peaceful and serene
I turn my face sideways admiring my reflection
I take it briefly off out of fear of deception

A deception of Islamicness
Epitomised in this type of dress
Am I worth this image I ask my heart
Will I be able to play this noble part
Of representing piety as an art

Will I uphold this dignified symbol
I don't want my resolve to crumble

I put it back on and safe I feel
The experience is so surreal
It's a moment of change
I feel so joyfully strange
But for the world this I will not exchange

I am a new woman now
I'll crush my fears I take vow
I know this fabric will make me strong
I know this decision can not be wrong
The path of my mothers I want to walk along
With the believers I want to wholeheartedly belong

I want my lord to accept this sacrifice

Difference of opinion is really nice

But I want to make a safe choice

I want to learn living relying on my intellect alone
I don't want to be everyone else's clone
I'm finally no longer sipping at dunya's stream
I seek to focus on that eternal dream

This piece of cloth keeps me afloat
As waves capsize me off iman's boat
It's something that pulls me up as I drown
I'm no longer moulded flesh or skin brown
I am a sprit and that's what I now treasure
Erased is fleeting materialistic pleasure
I pray that on the day when our deeds Allah will measure

We will be rewarded in an abundance of ajr

For a life that tread through the earth with sabr

Inshallah....

Umm Musk

Coping with Mornings During Pregnancy - with Toddlers {New Mums}

Asalamalaikum Sisters :D

We praise Allah when we fall pregnant with our second child. For the muslim women in my friends and family the idea of our first child being an only child doesn't appeal. Often we come from big families and like our own to follow. Other times we ourselves have been brought up as only children and didn't want our children to feel as we did when we watched siblings grow up together. Second children and subsequent children therefore are a source of relief and joy - especially for the sake of our first child.

Then comes the morning sickness and we start wondering how on earth we are going to cope - especially in those gruggy mornings when sleep is already a nagging issue.

How to Cope with Pregnancy Mornings and Toddlers:

First we say Alhamdulilah - all praise be to Allah who has blessed us with a gift of being able to bear children.

Next we say Bismillah - we start in the name of Allah the most merciful and kind. This will add a spiritual boost as well as adding blessings and reward to our actions...inshallah :)



Here is one suggestion I found very helpful:

 - Buy a child size table or set up an area easily reachable for your toddler

 - Set up a breakfast for your toddler the night before

- Suggestions include: sliced fruit, a bowl with dry cereal and a sippy cup full of juice

Image Source: www.sthouzz.com

I found these suggestions extremely helpful and appropriate also for sisters who are renting.

The fruit and cereal are healthy foods that inshallah the toddler will not choke on and they are not really very messy foods.

The juice is also a good option since it gives the child refreshing energy and it won't spoil overnight inshallah. The sippy cup will insallah prevent too much spill. Unless you have a toddler like my Toddlergirl2 who is bent on shaking everything until it splatters on the floor - at which she giggles showing her two little bottom teeth. Ahhhrr I love them when theyre at that stage, despite the intense work........alhamdulilah :D

Image Source: www.hantla.com

Ok take care everyone

Salamalaikum

Umm Musk

Biggest Nuissance of Indian Weddings

Biggest Nuissance of Indian Weddings

The biggest nuissance at the south asian wedding event

Is not hall that must be rent

Nor the money that must be spent

Nor the invites that must be sent

Nor the rituals and other content

It is the old Indian aunty who doesn’t repent

Frustration at her I must vent

To ruin the fun is her advent

Her opposition to Allah and his blessed guidelines

Sends emotions flaring several times

Her body is filled with poison mines

Verbally ready to blast at anyone who - wishes to follow a halal or two

Haram and sin is her idea of a great function

She helps satan at every junction

Trapped in the ignorant delusion of culture

She screeches around like a hungry vulture

She rips the hijab off the head of the bride

She tightens the fabric around the groom’s hide

She pushes the imams and sheikhs violently aside

In showing off wealth she takes pride

For freemixing of genders she takes a side

Walks around with an arrogant stride

Makes comments mean and snide

For the angels to curse the doors open wide

She makes the couple cry and ruins their dream

Of following the Sahaba so pure and clean

Some wish she were an ant small and blue

Then someone would stumble on her with their shoe

May Allah protect her from me and you

May Allah guide her to the path that is true

Umm Musk

Niqabic Symbolism {Short Poem}

Niqabic Symbolism

Niqabic symbolism of piety is a critique on society. 

A critique on those who claim to encourage freedom in lands yet propagate oppression with their own hands.

A critique on those who find liberty in nudity but hinder the ability to dress with dignity.  

A critique on those claim to be free spirits individually yet act as a barrier for someone else’s spiritual creativity. 

A critique on those who claim to fear for reasons of security the removable niqab, yet walk around covering their own face with sunglasses in summer and in winter wear heavy covering garb.

Definition of my Niqab:

A critical critique criticising the hypocritical critics crittering along on the crust of the earth cluttering creativity created by their own Creator.

Umm Musk :)

Boys' Issues

Boys' Issues

He creeps out of his room late at night

His stealthy footsteps give you a fright

Quietly you begin to follow

With a heavy heart, a guilt you swallow

He makes his way through another door

You thinks he’s studying you’re not sure

Peeping into the room he is seated

You find yourself lost and defeated

There on the screen in the room so dark

You view strong images naked stark

Behind his head you are shocked to view

Violence and nudity there ensue

Where did your parenting skills fail

Somewhere deep your soul begins to wail

You bite your fist and stifle a cry

You thought you raised him modest and shy

You didn’t anticipate this awful test

When you happily brought him to the west

You thought you could get away without preaching

Neglecting Islam and all it’s moral teaching

Realisation dawns bitter as gourd

You didn’t instil in him fear of your Lord

Now who are you going to blame

You hang your head low in shame

Confirmed are unspoken fears

You bow down to your lord in tears

A poem by Umm Shabd. Asalamalaikum: Feel free to share my poem but please give credit and link back this blog. This is not for fame, name or the money game..... this blog is for dawah purposes only so the more poems people read the more ajr we get and you get too. JazakAllah khair.

Nappy basket vs Nappy Stacker

Asalamalaikum sisters :D

I have been using a nappy basket instead of a nappy stacker and alhamdulilah i am liking the basket very much.

I like ripping the box open and dumping the diapers into a basket without worrying about making it look pretty. It's just as much easier in grabbing one when needed rather than stressing about the nice fabric getting dirty, embroidery being picked or colour coding blue and pink nappies with the right stacker.

I end up changing three nappies at a time so I can't afford to fuss around. (Tahara wash + towel dry + wrap + pants back on) x 3 = alot of effort (and alot of ajr too inshallah :))

The less attractive appearance of the basket coupled with the size means little hands are less likely to use the nappy holder as a hat or flap it around like a butterfly.

Here is my basket:

Traditional nappy stacker:

Modern Nappy Stackers:

Asalamalaikum, may Allah help us organise our homes ameen. :)



Umm Musk

Fundraising

Who despises oppression? "Sydney Responds" Fundraising Appeal Assalaamu alaikom brothers and sisters We would like to invite you to a noble night at IDO's "Sydney Responds" 2013 fundraising appeal. Sydney's Muslims have already responded with their generosity in previous IDO events such as "Sydney4Somalia" & "Sydney4Syria". At this event we would like to provide you with an update on how your assistance has helped the recipients of your aid throughout the world, both in Emergency Aid and Sustainable Development Projects. We also want you to share in this opportunity to support IDO in implementing its Humanitarian Aid and Development Projects as follows: ·  Syria: Medical Centre including 2 surgery rooms and pharmacy that will insha'Allah save lives in the region of Aleppo, as well as provide much needed Education, Counseling and Welfare services to Orphans in those devastated communities in Syria ·  Africa: Provide the finishing touches to our " Mustapha Al Majzoub Safe Village" project in Somalia and continue our work in other parts of Africa ·  Burma/Bangladesh: Provide Emergency Relief to the Burmese Rohinga and other regions experiencing natural and man-made devastation. ·  Fiji: Disaster Recovery Relief and development after Cyclones. ·  Australia: ACWA’s My Home Respite Centre, the only Muslim Run Centre for the intellectually Disabled & IDO’s Aboriginal Out Reach Program. You can respond to our humanitarian initiatives by requesting a table/ tickets for the night and for businesses who would like to sponsor the dinner, sponsorship packages are available. Contact Ahmed on 0406 555 556 to make arrangements or email us on ahmed.h@i-do.org.au Tickets Online at: http://www.trybooking.com/47765 Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/IslamicDevelopmentOrganisationIDO Facebook Event Page http://www.facebook.com/events/443475192397965/   Wassalaamu alaikom

Asalamalaikum. I found this email in my inbox, I have never heard of this organisation but it seems like a nice event for sisters living in Sydney. This is what I don't like about living away from Sydney, you miss out on a lot. Alhamdulilah for everything. May Allah reward everyone making a difference to the Ummah. Ameen.

My Cleaning Routine {Printable}

Asalamalaikum Sisters :D

Alhamdulilah I have finally been able to put together my cleaning routine after much fiddling and jiggling with fonts and borders. Here it is by the will of Allah.

The routine is comprised of duties you  carry out in the morning, duties for the evening and duties you perform on a weekly basis. It is very simplified so at a glance you can see exactly what you have to do and when. 

It is great for new mums to get through that hazy faze of getting back on track after the little whirlwind of babyness triumphs throughout the house. It may also be useful for students living away, newly wed brides and sisters like me who just get side tracked and lose focus very easily - daydreamers.

If you would like an A4 printable version of this routine please click here: Printable Cleaning Routine. Alternatively, if you would like the image below in a larger format, please email: muslimmumsmirror@hotmail.com. Please note that the format is in a PNG file.

Sorry about the size. I can't fit the original size on this blog. The Printable version I have linked above is a lot clearer.

I am not going to take credit for the way this has been cleverly planned out. I got the idea from a video on youtube who got the original cleaning routine off littlegreennotebook's blog who got it from her friend who is a mum of three little toddlers (just like me! I had to take the inspiration :)) 

It has fixed up my life subhanallah and I make dua for all the women who led me to this life saving routine. May Allah bless them and guide them to the light of the deen. Ameen.


Dividing the Day

Basically what you do is carry out the morning routines, do what you need to do during the day, then in the evening you come back to carry out the evening clean. The day is basically divided into two cleaning times. I like to set a deadline and dart around the house before the time is up. I usually put on a fast paced nasheeds and try to end my task before the end of each song.

One Chore a Day

In the morning I have the "chore of the day". Every day has a different chore, so these duties are carried out on a daily basis.

One Swing Chore a Week

If you have a look on Monday, there is a swing chore. You have to refer to the swing chore listed beneath to see which duty you have to carry out that week. There were four duties originally, the fourth being "clean rugs and upholstery". Since I don't have rugs (and didn't have space on the page) I skipped it.

One Room a Day

On my routine I have added a room for everyday. This is because of the age of my children. Being very young, my children perform all sorts mess making monstrosities. So I have a lot of extra work to do besides the "chore of the day", there will chocolates marks, socks filled with grapes, potatoes in the toybox, spoons in the bedroom, unmentionable things in the bathrooms....so everyday I have a room to check for any thing....unusual. 

Changing Linen Everyday

I've put down changing linen for Thursday but this is only for single or elderly sisters. I have found that with the children, I end up changing the sheets everyday because of the nappies. You just don't  know when it may have leaked. Toddlergirl2 sleeps next to me on our queen bed during the night sometimes so I need to change the linen because I breastfeed her lying down in the same place during the day. I am very careful about this because any wee wee on the bed may nullify my clothes for prayer.

Bathroom Cleaning Everyday

I found that the bathroom also needs to be cleaned everyday because it seems to be the most favorite place in the house. My babies get so excited about teeth brushing, making wudhu, taking showers and playing in the bathtub with blocks. 

Inshallah I hope this helps. I will also inshallah try to put up posts relating to each step of the routine in detail. May Allah help us all. 

Umm Musk :)

Crisp, clean, clothing {New Mums - Tips}

Asalamalaikum sisters, inshallah you are reading this in the best of health and iman. May Allah fill our lives with peace, tranquillity and cleanliness.

In the days when I was not yet married one of the things I took for granted was clean, crisp perfectly ironed clothing. Today with three toddlers it is something I treasure.

There was a time where I would easily take out nice outfits straight from the wardrobe with just one finger. Garments on hangers set in the same direction. Garments that would have not a wrinkle – not even at the back. Stains were something that would cause the garment to be dismissed to charity drives or younger siblings. Pee or poo from a friend or cousin’s baby would mean the garment went into the bin – or the local nuclear disposal plant. My clothes would be clean enough to pray in and dare I say - to eat on.

Today I feel like I have six arms: one holds a bottle of stain remover, one holds a knife for removing goops of gloopy baby food, another holds washing liquid, the fourth holds hospital grade disinfectant, in another is attached a permanent stick on iron and the last holds my confused little mind. How do babies make so much mess? Subhanallah.

When I first became a mum I was so overwhelmed and ashamed at myself, stains and marks and wrinkled clothes were one of the first things I noticed that had changed about me once I became a mother. I wanted to be one of those super eco mums who didn’t use chemical and who bought cotton terry towelled cloth nappies. Instead there I was struggling to find the energy to walk to the laundry. Hubby and I were just out of our teens so we couldn’t afford to go eco much to my disappointment.

It was only until I met up with an old friend who had recently become a new mum that I finally learnt to I forgive myself. Her baby was crawling all over her at the local youth centre and she had little white marks all over her hijab and jilbaab. I said to myself it’s ok. It’s not me, it’s the situation I’m in. I’m not a grub. Being a mum is grubby business. I also learnt I had severe vitamin D deficiency. I also realised I was not making dua for Allah to help me.

Alhamdulilah three babies on, with Allah’s help, vitamin D tablets, multivitamins, more food, more energy, more fat (which I have learnt to love and will inshallah tackle once I finish breastfeeding inshallah) and more faith in my abilities I am wearing a clean, crisp matching outfit right now as I write. It takes time dear sisters and alot of dua. It’s not easy being a mother.

A few tips from me – a struggling juggling muslim mum.

Baby tips:

1.       Try to be quick. Clean up messes immediately – especially vomit, pees and poo stains. A stitch in time saves nine.

2.       Spray disinfectant at areas of najiz if you are in a hurry (products like: Dettol Glen 20 Spray)

3.       Put in a load of washing everyday and go out to hang the clothes – some fresh air will make a big difference to your health and the load will be kept under control

4.       If you can afford it, buy as many extra clothes as possible

5.       Keep a bottle of stain remover and spot clean as soon as you can

6.       Use bibs and coveralls to protect clothes, protect your own clothes will napkins in your lap

7.       Keep a box of old clothes for use at home and a box of perfect clean clothes separate to wear when outside (for you and for baby).

8.        Make the intention to be clean for the sake of Allah and not for the sake of people. Have a look at some leading Islamic speakers on the internet and see how well and clean they are dressed for inspiration. See what a big difference it makes on their lectures if their clothes are neat and clean. Some good examples are habib umar and the kids from hizb ut tahrir – they are dressed impeccably.

May Allah help all of us in our mothering adventures. Ameen.

Umm Musk :)

Holiday Room Storage Solution {Organisation}

Asalamalaikum Sisters :D

As Muslims we love our families Alhamdulilah. The bond that Islam gives family relationships can be compared to no other type of institution. One of the perks of loving our family and being loved by our families is that we are always invited to sleepovers or "stay (for a very long time) overs" by mums, grandmums, aunties and sometimes lovely friends too. 

For me this is great since I get to go and live in Sydney regularly. One of the problems I have found with three kids is storage space can be hard to set up. We all know the mantra for a perfectly organised home and life : "A place for everything and everything in its place". Without places to put things in, holidays can be pretty hectic for yourself and for your kind host too. Its already hard to keep your head in one place with all the hugging, catching up, "debating" (read: lots of dinner table arguing about hundreds of "differences of opinions" on Islam), add to this lost socks and bibs - it can end up really messy.

Enter wonderful solution: The collapsible cube <3 

I bought a 2 pack of large cubes today: Here is a pic of one set up and one ready for setting up :)

I love this handy storage solution. You can pack in the boot and once your at your host's house/hotel room/islamic centre....just pop it up, store and relax. When your're done either it can be used for organising things in the car for the way home or fold it down and it's ready too wait until another great muslim get together happens.

Just think of all the things that don't have to sit difficultly in the suitcases and handbags. Clothes, toys, books,  prayer mats, blankets, socks, bibs, nappies, the list goes on. You can even buy smaller versions in matching colours to further organise within the cube. 

The white removable card gives the box stability and so that it can be stacked

 It's a bit wobbly and doesn't compensate for a real wardrobe but with all it's advantages it will be forgiven :) These boxes can be bought at most big retailers. I bought these for under $10.

Inshallah I hope this helped some of you struggling with keeping your holiday room organised. Please share your own tips for easier Muslim Holidaying. Jazak Allah Khair.

Umm Musk :)

Hubby and the Free Range Egg Debate

Asalamalaikum :D

Once we enter into the fold of Islam, we enter into the fold of mercy. Mercy for mankind and animal kind. I had always felt it was unfortunate that in many places outside Australia, animal rights were given very little attention. Although lobbies and awareness groups do exist, I felt that the West overwhelmingly superceded other countries in this mission. 

Image Source: www.guardian.org.uk

Hubby and I were newly married when this discussion first cropped up between us. We were standing in a line at the local supermarket and I was glad to see a new line of Free Range Eggs. Excited I wanted to buy them instead of the cage eggs. I shared my stance on the West's champion animal right's movement and he scoffed. 

Deeply upset, I asked him why so. "The west is great at highlighting animal rights issues because it cares nothing about human rights issues", he said, "they have a lot of spare time on their hands to worry about animals". As I tried to defend my homeland, images of murders and abductions of Aboriginals flooded to my mind. The undeniable countless massacres in the name of colonialism kept me silent as did the tortures and dis-figuration in the name of science. More recent images played too of millions more deaths in the name of nothingness leading to the ethnic cleansing and torture of Muslims all around the world All perpetrated by the West both actively and passively didn't help my case . The efforts for saving chickens when weighed against the efforts of causing bloodshed seemed suddenly of little significance.

So I stayed quiet. We moved on to the end of the line, scanned our items and went home. I was still very sad about buying cage eggs. It didn't quite make sense to me that I should neglect animals rights just because the same people who heralded these rights were champions in violations of human rights. 

Years passed and we continued to buy cage eggs. Every time I bought them I felt guilt as I imagined all those poor chickens, row on top of row, locked in little cages with sad glassy eyes, wire cutting into their necks. The same guilt I feel when I buy milk, imagining row after row of miserable cows hooked up to machines that sucked the milk of unnaturally drugged cows. Who knows how many other animals are being abused for the sake of the brutal materialistic and capitalistic business men.

Image Source: www.aspca.org

One day, three kids later we found ourselves in a shopping centre again. Hubby went to buy the eggs. He came back smiling as if he was holding something in his hands that was worth the whole world. I was smiling just the same. He had walked right past the cage egg section and had picked up the free range eggs. He locked his smiling eyes with mine for a second before saying "just for you". I felt so much love for him in that moment and he could feel it. 

Why the change? Hubby had finally integrated as an Australian. He had accepted the country as his own and realised that rather go against the ills of society we can fix them from the inside.But to do this we have to accept this country as our own. It may start with chicken eggs but inshallah doors will open to discuss the issues of human rights.

I told him that Allah would reward him immensely for the goodness that he just performed. He didn't seem to understand. I told him about the cages and the wires and the sad bleak eyes. He was shocked. I didn't realise he didn't know. He asked me why I never told him about the horrible situation these chickens were in - these chickens were just like the Muslims. The chicken s were given empathy and understanding from that point on and their grief became our grief. Victims of capitalism we both were.

Lessons learnt for our relationship:

Following that point I realised that I had assumed he knew what went on in chicken cages. We had never actually sat down to discuss the topic. I realised the importance then of talking to your spouse clearly and completely. 

Alhamdulilah it's all over now and grocery shopping doesn't have that tinge of sadness and guilt - except for when we buy milk.

Image Source: http://www.ecofilms.com.au

Umm Musk :)

BBC News on Boston Suspects

Asalamalaikum

If you are Muslim: the word "suspect" loses all meaning.

Here's what BBC News has to say:

"A 10-page criminal complaint was filed against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Monday during a court hearing held around his hospital bed.

According to a transcript of the hearing, he managed to speak once despite a gunshot wound to his throat sustained during his capture.

Mr Tsarnaev said the word "no" when asked if he could afford a lawyer. Otherwise he nodded in response to Judge Marianne Bowler's questions from his bed at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22262452

I'm sorry? Did you just say he was shot in the throat? And he spoke ONCE and at all other times he NODDED? I wonder if "Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center" gave him any painkillers....torture keeps alot of heads nodding.

Funny how we can understand words unspoken but we can not hear words of justice when screamed out loud. Funny how silence proves the innocent guilty and the sounds of drones prove the guilty innocent. Funny how Muslim means criminal and anything else means nothing else.

May Allah punish every terrorist who is a real terrorist. May Allah have mercy on the victims of the Boston Bombings and bring peace to their homes. May Allah send mercy and hope to every other victim of the same aggressor. Ameen.

Read first hand account of the kind of boy an Dzhokhar was first hand according to his coach: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22237388

Kafira for a Day

Kafira for a Day

It’s just one day so let me sway

Let me forget Allah exists this day

Let me forget all the Ayat that I was taught

Let the hadith I know be remembered not

Let me take off my hijab, throw away jilbab

Let make up smear my pouting lips

Let skin tight fabric caress my hips

Let there be jewels, diamontes and types of bling

Let my bumps pop out of this corset thing

Bring out the music and shaitans favourite song

I don’t want to hear what’s right or wrong

Bring out the false lashes and the fake hair

Let my neck and arms lay bare

I have preserved my beauty for so many days

But today ghair men my body gaze

Let them imagine what i’ll be doing tonight

My shame today has taken flight

I am a cheap display for them to enjoy

Stare they can, every man every boy

I look in the mirror and proud I see

A Kafira looking back at me

Guilt now overpowers me

A divine voice inside, I hear it say

It’s your wedding day

Look at it this way

This day could be a blessed first

In sins don’t let your soul immerse

Don’t start your marriage with a curse

Pack away kufr deep in your purse

You still have time to stop and turn

Buy Allah’s mercy in return

Take flight dear bride, from satan run

Image Source: www.nickandzuzu.com

A poem by Umm Shabd. Asalamalaikum: Feel free to share my poem but please give credit and link back this blog. This is not for fame, name or the money game..... this blog is for dawah purposes only so the more poems people read the more ajr we get and you get too. JazakAllah khair.