Cercatore’s Congeries

Ok, this is like the coolest, sweetest video I ever came across. Just thought to share.

Peace and Blessings Everyone

There is an event taking place at University of Toronto, in Mississauga, called “Enlightened Ascensions”. A lot of stars are showing up to present songs and poetry…There is an open mic and I have been registered to present my poetry. So, come if you have some time inshaAllah….

Location: UTM, CCIT1080

Time: 6:30-10:30pm

Date: Sat. 29. Mar. 2008

Entrance costs $10. Tickets will be sold starting 6:00pm.

Refreshments will be served.

Later days everyone

Take care

Alhamdulillah, I am so happy. I am bursting inside, bubbles of happiness are just arising and bursting, bursting…..

Ok, so the good news everyone…Four of my poems `Knock Knock`, `Sisters`, `Shadows`and `Snow`are getting published in a New York based online magazine `Puella Mea Pulp`. I will also send them audios of my poetry inshaAllah. Isn`t it cool?

My poetry is going to get more exposure this way and I feel more motivated to write further…..Its just a hobby so its eXtRA NEaT that people ActUALLY love it….

Oh, this is my first actual publication outside the university-based magazines…

I just want to take this moment to thank Allah (God), my family, my friends esp. sister Ayesha (my sister), brother Ed (another fellow-poet) and brother Tim, who provided LOTS of support to me…..Also, thanks to brother Gabriel whose poetry has inspired me immensely… Last but not least, special thanks to everyone who left comments on my blog, that was VERY supportive…..Thank You Everyone.

O.K., I am off to finish some more readings

Later days now…

Take care

Peace and Blessings

Peace and Blessing with Everyone

Ok, I am absolutely in love with this blog. Although I don’t visit it regulary and I I have no idea who is running it but everytime when I do visit it, I just sense strong conviction, faith and peace in the heart of the writer. How should I say it…I feel love for what I read in a very different and new way…Its just there, in the words, the way they are written…..

Its a great site that discusses Islamic issues in great details. It has sections on Zakaat (Charity), Aqeeda, Iklaq (manners) etc. I love the section called Gems. Here is one of the posts called “What is Museebah”. It discusses the Islamic perspective on trials and tribulations of this life..

Bismillah

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Surah Al-Baqarah:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Translation: And We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. Those who when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we will return. [Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 155-156]

These ayaat are very beautiful, and we learn from them that we will all be tested in this life, each person in their own individual way.

Let’s look specifically at the word “museebah.” The root word is from saad-waw-ba, or “saub”. The Arabs used the word “saub” to refer to when the arrow hit its target. This alludes to the fact that the act was intentional, deliberate, and not by chance. How does this connect with a disaster striking us?

SubhanAllah, a museebah reaches its target; it was meant to happen. Allah’s Decree WILL come to pass. So instead of complaining and sulking, and asking questions like “WHY ME?!”, remember this ayah the next time a test comes your way … the arrow is merely hitting its target.

Then Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says, “wa bashir as-Sabireen,” which means “and give good tidings to the patient.” The word “bashir” is from ba-sheen-raa and it literally means skin or human; from this, we derive the meaning. “Bashir” means happiness, happiness that causes a reaction on the skin, either with goosebumps or smiling, and the like.

So these patient ones (may Allah make us among them) will grin from ear to ear when they receive these glad tidings. What are the glad tidings? Al-Jannah. They get Jannah in return for their patience.

So do not despair with what afflicts and will afflict you; the arrow will hit its target, and the One who granted Umm Salamah (رضالله عنها) a blessed position after her calamity can grant you something better than what you are going through. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) will definately reward you if you show patience (remember, at the first stroke of calamity).

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) pour patience on us and make us among the muttaqeen. Ameen!

Walhamdulillahi rabbil alamin.

Just sharing…cool blog eh.

Later days
Take care
Peace Out

I came across this particular blog a while ago. I was thinking of making a post about it but didn’t have the time to do so. But here it is now….

Its a blog of a revert Muslim…I have always found reverts very intriguing, the fact that they changed something about them to become closer to God is so inspiring…

In this blog, you can read about Islam from a new Muslim brother’s perspective…brother is mashaallah very educated and is capable of presenting sound opinion…

For instane, read this particular excerpt from Engaging the World in the Footsteps of Prophet Mohammad

“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.” People asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! It is right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, 3:624)

All of us willingly participate in this system of capitalism without even understanding the issues involved that create injustice. In particular, unlike what the Prophet Muhammad did when he conveyed the message of Islam to rid the world of injustice, we do not seek to understand the edifice that produces beggars, homelessness and poverty so that we can solve them. Yes, as Muslims we have our own personal economic obligations that we must fulfill as commanded by Allah (subhana wa’taala) in the forms of zakat (alms) and not paying interests for our debts but we must go beyond that. We have to engage others with some intellectual credibility and learn how to criticize a flawed system.

Cool how brother linked Islam to Activism. Mashaallah, a nice reminder. So, bookmark this blog and read it in your spare time.

Stay safe

Later days

Take care

Check out this video on Taekwando. Its pretty detailed and actually proved helpful in teaching me how to kick properly ….

Before, I talk about the above-mentioned subject matter, I must declare–Victory! I have been taking green tea without any sugar/sweetener for more than 2 weeks now and I am hooked onto this taste now. I was so worried initially, that I won’t be able to let go of the sweetener. Guess it was easier than it looked. You should try it too inshaAllah.

Ok, I read a couple of times how important it is to  steep the tea properly to get  its full effect. I have been trying this for a couple of weeks now and thought to share with everyone.

1. Bring some good, clean water to boil.

2. Let it cool down for 4-5 minutes.

The reason why temperature is so important is because if the water is too hot, the tea will taste too bitter and if the water is too cold, the full flavor won’t be extracted from the leaves.

3. Pour water over tea and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.

Japenese teas taste best at 1-2 mintues while Chinese teas are best steeped at 2-3 minutes.    Make sure to balance the steeping time with the water temperature: the higher the temperatue, less time is required for steeping and vice versa.

4. Enjoy your healthy cup of green tea. Can’t stress more, EnJOY…

Later days

Take care       

Amazing performance, bravo!! mashaAllah!! This must have taken lots of practice….

MashaAllah and woah! The child monks hanged themselves for like a couple of minutes and survived……..fascinating…..breaking sticks on head, phew, I wish I could do that inshaAllah

Subhannallah (praise to the One God), count how many kicks he took in the groin! OUCH!!! And he is still fighting……damn! they train so hard mashaAllah….this is a footage of a real fight, not a made up one…