She's always a woman to me

I've fallen in love with this song. The "woman" seems so happy go lucky, makes me want to be like that again!

Thank yousie John Lewis

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to live
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free
She steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
But she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me

A Picstory: Honeymoon

For a long while now, I've been meaning to do a post on my honeymoon from two years back. Crikes. I've sat down numerous times to start writing something about it, anything, but have always put it off. To be honest, I don't think I could ever really write a proper account of what this honeymoon was for the hubs and I. The two weeks were spectacularly amazing and full of discoveries about not just a country we had only previously heard and read bits and bats about, but also quite importantly about ourselves as a newly married couple.

So, why Malaysia? Well way before we got married, the hubs and I picked Malaysia over all the other common honeymoon destinations for one main reason - the huge distance! We figured that it would be a seriously long time before we'd get a chance to fly out so far out and so Malaysia was booked! The four s's: sun, sea, sand and shopping - hah also helped clinch the deal! Other factors such as religion, halal food and the Grand Prix circuit the hubs wanted to visit also helped to put a stamp on our decision.

In total, we spent two weeks there, landing there on my birthday (as sweetly arranged by the hubs) in August. The pic-story will sum up what we saw and did much better than I could ever explain. There really is something very powerful about still images. Captivating snapshots of time, kept safe forever.

I can't actually remember a day when one of us (the hubs and I) don't mention something about Malaysia. Whether it's the delicious ALL HALAL food, politics, education, property or even the hijabs unique to Malaysia, we loved and still love it all. Not forgetting to mention the beautiful and warm people of Malaysia who made our stay there very pleasant. To the extent, actually, where we have a real strong desire to move out there one day. Seriously. One day soon, please God :-)

But that's a story for another day.

For now, I hope you have as much pleasure in looking through the collection of snaps as I did putting them together. Yes I am foodie, so be warned in case the pictures reduce you to salivate.

On a nicer note, Aimie darling, a personal thank you for making me write this post which has brought endless smiles to my face, reminding me of probably the most special time in my life yet. I actually felt quite sad uploading the last picture but inshaAllah, there is a whole life time of discovery left :-)

An '08 flashback

Salaam all

Apologies for the long break, I have been so utterly rushed off my rather big feet, it's UNbelievable! Will hopefully fill you in with all my latest shenanigans soon iA. Until then check out a snap of some of my 2008 "notes to self" I found in an old mini notebook. VOWS?! Wth was I thinking writing that down! I'm struggling to think wtheck I wrote that down, I think I wanted to possibly pen a few words down words myself to make our wedding vows unique, but alas it never happened :-( The list by the way, was penned down just before the hubs and I "officially" got married here in the UK (we were already Islamically married in Dec '07) and a couple of days before our honeymoon in megafantastic Malaysia :-) Again, another story for another day!

Food Fetish: Pickled Beetroot

So yum. Oh my God. So so so so so so deliciously mouthwatering, saliva inducing yum. I know it sounds like I've become more of a loopy Lou than before, but this stuff is seriously addictive! I'm just munching on a couple of slices right now even though it's lunch time! Sooo good!

Pic of the day - Ramadhan 2009

A Pakistani Muslim arranges food stuff for Iftar, a time to break the fast, on the first day of Ramadan, as a child looks on at a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Hooow cute, and just how gigantic are those serving bowls! :-D

09.09.09

Fajr prayer in Malaysia. SubhanAllah.

P.S. How schweet is the date too!

B-day: the ahhs and naas.

Salaam world

So I'm no longer a young 23 year old! But am a young 24 year old instead ;-) Yes, yesterday I turned a year older and just this >> | | much closer to getting my pension! Heh.

It was a lovely day alhamdulilah, full of life's simple sweet things. I spent the day with the hubs and my in laws and for the second time, away from my parents and siblings. I don't think the whole "I miss you" thing will ever go away and yesterday was no different, although I have begun to get used to it.

I made it very clear from the outset that I didn't want any hoo-haa with this birthday. A double whammy b-day honeymoon celebration saw the hubs and I live it up in 6* hotels in Malaysia last year, and basically raised the bar so high that I doubt the hubs will ever be able to max the celebrations up ever again (not that I want him to btw)! I mean I would only be ageing, what's there to celebrate right? But oh no. The hubs spoilt me rotten, showering me with his endless love, and yes, not to mention lots of pressies, days well before my birthday. He really is the best and I don't deserve him! But clearly he thinks I do, so it's kewl ;-) lol.

Instead of dining out like we normally do, I insisted on staying in, cooking the family some mousakka. This took quite a while but thank God it paid off. T'was divine! What really topped it off though, was being with the family. Although we live together, we seldom eat together, let alone sit together. Yesterday however, we did, and we even managed to fit in a golden oldie, black n white old school Bengali film. Ahh. Family time :-) What didn't top it off though, was the news I got when I called my parents to bid them goodnight...I found out that my dad had to be taken into A&E last night as his breathing became dangerously difficult. He's had to stay in over night, but I've found out that he's doing okay now inshaAllah. *sigh* I knew he didn't sound well when he called yesterday morning to wish me a good day but silly me, I didn't pursue it any further :-( Allah knows best though, he'll be okay iA.

So. Another day and the future awaits. I'm really fortunate to have so many wonderful blessings in my life. These blessings are namely my nearest and dearest who truly care for me, something which admittedly I don't always succeed in recognising. Gifts are an obvious symbol of affection, but they are meaningless without the true meaning one attaches to them. I pray Allah always keeps me this blessed and surrounds me with his love through my loved ones. Ameen.

Aanyway. We took some pics to capture the sweet day. Enjoy readers :-)

Sweet card and the orchids from my in laws. So so so sweet!

Black and silver Asian dress from my parents.
Pink dress and second black dress from MIL.
Bag from sis
R. Lauren Style perfume (gift wrapped) from bro
Peridot (birthstone) and diamond earrings; Nintendo DS I with Brain Trainer - I was dying for this; card and chocs and not to mention insurance on the hubs car for my driving lessons - all from the hubs!

Home made mousakka! My first attempt mA :-)

Surprise cake, complete with candles and SHOES! lol Very sweet :-)


And that's the end of that.

Significance of Sha'baan

I came across this article a few days ago and what amazed me the most was when I learned how blessed this month actually is. Do read.

DEFINITION The word “sha’baan is derived from the word "shu'ba", which means branch and itself means consecutively escalating or undisturbed increase. The Arabs used to branch out during this month to look for water.

The Arrival of the Sha’baan moon brings with it numerous blessings. Just as the initiation of rainfall begins with "pitter patter" such blessings reach us in the same accord and fashion. These blessings progressively escalate throughout the month so that by the middle of the month they have reached a considerable amount, reaching their peak by the end of Ramadan.

Just as a farmer prepares for a fruitful harvest by harrowing his acreage so that the soil may readily retain water; in contrast our souls are geared by the presence of such blessings in Sha’baan effectively preparing us for a fruitful and completely advantageous Ramadan. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has said,

"Sha’baan is my month and Ramadan the month of Allah Ta'aalaa." [Daylami]

The month of Sha’baan is one of the meritorious months in the Islamic calendar and it is reported in an authentic hadith that the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to fast most of this month. Although these fasts are not obligatory, Sha’baan is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan, therefore some preparatory measures are suggested by the Holy Prophet (SAW) through his sunnah and his practices.

The blessed companion Anas (RA) reported that the Holy Prophet was asked

“Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan” he replied “Fasts of Sha’baan in honour of Ramadan”

The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid (RA) reported that he asked the Holy Prophet (SAW)

“O Messenger of Allah (SAW), I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’baan so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month” he replied “That (Sha’baan) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe. So I wish that my deeds be presented at time when I am in a state of fasting”

Ummul Mu’mineen ‘Aishah said

“The Holy Prophet (SAW) used to fast in the whole of Sha’baan.” I said to him “Messenger of Allah (SAW), is the month of Sha’baan your most favourite month to fast?” He said “In this month Allah (SWT) prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death come to me when I am in a state of fasting.”

In another tradition she said

“The Holy Prophet (SAW) would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha’baan.”

In another report she said

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha’baan. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month.”

Ummul-Mu’mineen Umm Salmah said

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha’baan and Ramadan.”

These ahadith indicate that fasting in the month of Sha’baan, though not obligatory, is so meritorious, that the Holy Prophet (SAW) did not like to miss them. It should be kept in mind that the fasts of this month are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency to the obligatory Ramadan fasts. The Holy Prophet (SAW) has also forbidden Muslims from fasting one or two days prior to the commencement of Ramadan. Abu Hurairah reported the Holy Prophet (SAW) said,

“Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha’baan has gone.”

According to another report, the Prophet (SAW) said,

“Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts.”

In essence, the Holy Prophet (SAW) himself used to fast most of the month of Sha’baan, because he had no apprehension of weakness or weariness before the month of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15^th of the month for the feat that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan started and as a result would mot be able to welcome the month with enthusiasm.

The notion of fasting on the 15^th day of this month with is referred to as “shabee baraat,” and standing in voluntary prayer during the night, is an innovation which has no religious significance associated with it.

A significant event that occurred during this month was the change in the direction of salat. Bukhar reported that Al-Bara said the Prophet prayed facing Bait-ul-Maqdis in Jerusalem for sixteen or seventeen months but he wished that his Qiblah would be the Ka'ba. Allah (SWT) revealed the following Qu’ranic verses

“Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's (SAW)) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- al-Harâm (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (you’re turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allah (SWT) is not unaware of what they do.” (Al-Baqarah 2:144)

The Holy Prophet then offered 'Asr prayers (in his Mosque facing Ka'ba at Makkah) and some people prayed with him. A man from among those who had prayed with him, went out and passed by some people offering prayer in another mosque, and they were in the state of bowing. He said, "I, (swearing by Allah (SWT),) testify that I have prayed with the Prophet (SAW) facing Makkah." Hearing that, they turned their faces to the Ka'ba while were still bowing. Some men had died before the Qiblah was changed towards the Ka'ba. They had been killed and we did not know what to say about them (i.e. whether their prayers towards Jerusalem were accepted or not). So Allah (SAW) revealed

“And Allah would never make your faith (i.e. prayer) to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered (towards Jerusalem). Truly Allah is Full of Pity, Most Merciful towards mankind.” (Al-Baqarah 2:143)

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1. "Qibla" the direction to be adopted within salaah, was reverted back to the "Ka'aba" in Makkah (after being converted to Baitul Muqaddas in Jerusalem for a short period of time). This took place two years after Hijrion the 15^th of Sha’baan

2. Fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan was made compulsory in the year 2 AH on the 25^th of Sha’baan

3. Hafsa (RA) was joined in matrimony with the Prophet (SAW) in 3 AH

4. Hafsa (RA) took leave from this world in 45 AH

5. Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet's (SAW) was born, four years after Hijri on the 5^th of Sha’baan

6. The Battle of Banu Mustaliq took place in Sha’baan during which, the "Aayah of Tayammum" (purifying with sand before salaah) was revealed, in the year 5 AH

7. The daughter of the beloved Prophet (SAW) Umme Kulthum (RA) took leave from this world, in the 9 AH

Article ref here.

Things I love right now...

No point moping around, especially not on a day like this when the temp is 23C! High enough to put a :-) on any one's face!

By the way, you may be wondering why am I indoors on a gorg day like this. Reason is because the hubby has his final exams starting next week, so the last thing I want to be doing is enjoy the weather by myself!

So what am I loving right now:

1. Lovely weather and the blue skies it brings with it
2. Hubby, lots and lots and lots
3. The plethora of music I've recently dld! Esp the Kings of Leon album (from last year, I must add, better late than never!)
4. Smell of freshly washed clothes - yes, that's right, I'm loving the smell of washing powder/softner, lol