and away we go!

off to the bengali party... make du`a' -smiles-

I'm back.

al-hamdu liLlah the day went by well. The food was "not" spicy, so that was good. Also, my mom started to comment on their clothing while sitting next to me, she explained how beautiful and elegant it was. I'm happy she thought that.

It was nice. So, it's 2007... eh, I'm more interested that it's 1427 woot woot -smiles-

Powerful Quran Recitation

for the heart and mind

Interesting argument

Marriage: To Wait or not to Wait, That is the Question

By Baiyinah Siddeeq
Reprinted from AbuZubair.com


"I don't care if I am 55 when I finish school, I will not get married until I finish my education."

The above is a quote from a young Muslim woman pursuing what she calls her "education." Unfortunately, her strong dedication to finishing the Western undergraduate and graduate university "education" system reflects the ever-growing trend among young Muslims in this society: to wait until they posses a "degree" before entertaining the prospect of marriage. What is even more grim is the fact that these young Muslims' parents reflect the same diseased ideology.

Marriage has Become a Bad Word

Somehow, the Western system of "education" has replaced Islam as the central priority in Muslims' lives. This blind dedication to obtaining a degree is so ingrained in the Muslim family that if a daughter herself is interested in marriage, the parents will forbid the matrimony solely on the grounds that she must finish school. Thus, marriage has virtually become a bad word in several Muslim circles if that word "marriage" is at all connected with the marriage of a "daughter" who has not finished "school," i.e. "college." Of course, if she has not finished high school, marriage is beyond undesirable; it is unthinkable.

Such counterproductive thought processes are contributing to the breakdown of the Muslim ummah, and they are preventing the true establishment of Islam in our society and lives.

Every society has a foundation, and that foundation is the family. If we Muslims value obtaining Western college degrees more than we value establishing the foundation for an Islamic society, what does this say for the future of our ummah? Furthermore, what does it say about our claim that we are indeed Muslims?

It goes without saying that there is benefit to holding a college degree, but when weighed against the benefit of marriage, which is half of our religion, marriage heavily outweighs it. Thus, when we see that in the hearts and minds of Muslims the benefits or "urgency" of a college degree outweighs marriage, there is something seriously wrong in our ummah not to mention our thinking.

Although, on the surface, the issue of education versus marriage seems complex, the explanation for this phenomenon is actually quite simple: our basic values lie not in the akhira (Hereafter) but in the dunya (wordly life). Whenever we are presented with an order from Allah or His Messenger (i.e. marriage), we fulfill that order only in so much as it does not prevent us from attaining the glitter of the dunya. For many of us, if the order inconveniences our dunya too much, we ignore the order all together -- hence, the quote above. For most of us, if something must give -- dunya or akhira -- the choice is simple: akhira goes first. Hence, we have the prioritizing of school versus marriage.

Preoccupation with Age

Another phenomenon prevalent in our ummah that is weakening the foundation of our Islamic society (the family) and serves as a ground to delay marriage is Muslims' ever growing fascination with a chronological number attached to each person because that person happened to be born on a particular day in a particular year, commonly termed "age."

Somehow, we have internalized the Western definition of "childhood" and "adulthood" so much so that we frequently refer to our young adult children of marriageable age as "children" or "too young" to marry. Both the labeling of adults as "children" and the excuse that adults are "too young" to marry are phenomena that are not only new to Islam but are inventions of the modern age in general. [Editor's note: dare we forget the ages of many of the sahaabah? How Usama bin Zaid led an army in his teens, and how we had "teenage" mujaahideen?].

And just as we follow the people of the world into the "lizard hole" of "education," we follow our modern teachers (who have replaced the Prophet (saw) as our example) into the "lizard hole" of obsession with age. And just as holding a college degree has become the single most important accomplishment of the young Muslim and her family, so has age become the most significant determinant of whether or not a person is "ready" to marry.

Solutions

The question is, what do we do about it? First, we must reclaim our Islamic identity and reevaluate our purpose on this earth. When we do this honestly, we will discover that our purpose here is very straightforward: to establish Islam in our lives and then in the world at large. Everything else, such as attending a local university and obtaining a college degree, falls under the category of "accessories," i.e. "not necessary." Thus, when a Muslim is faced with the prospect of marriage, which falls under the category of "establishing Islam," there should be no hesitation, and any desired "accessory" should be pursued only in so far as Islam is pursued. As a result, there is the possible scenario of, yes, a "young married college student," or dare I say, "young married high school student."

The benefits of marrying are enormous, and those benefits increase when marriage occurs sooner rather than later. Guarding the chastity of our youth and encouraging the birth of several children for the growth of this ummah [not to mention the fact the marriage creates an ideal scenario for man and woman to increase their chances of entering Paradise and fulfill half of their religion] are serious benefits that Muslim parents and youth need to reconsider.

Let us reclaim Islam for ourselves and share it with the world, and let us start in the home by encouraging young men and young women to marry. Let us redefine "education" and "adulthood" based upon Qur'an and Sunnah. And may Allah bless us to please Him while we are on this earth through establishing Islam in every aspect of our lives without hesitation, and may we attain Paradise, our goal. Ameen

~~~
My reflection:

Interesting article. I would like to include that I feel that the same applies to the male members of society. I believe the standard the West has placed (i.e. finishing college first, then marriage) is something that causes a disturbance to the community at large. What happened to protecting our chastity? To shunning temptation? To pleasing Allah? This is not to say that getting a college degree first is not pleasing to Allah, being in the pursuit of gaining knowledge is definitely something that has a high position in Islamic values. The problem is prioritizing as the article elaborated above, what is our greater priority receiving the degree, or getting married? For Muslims living in the West what is problematic is to establish their Islamic duties and not be pressured to conform to ideologies that conflict with fundamental Islamic teachings. These teachings, one for example, to marry sooner in life then later, are teachings that are to establish peace within a person's being, and peace in the community, afterall Islam does mean peace. It's a shame on the Muslims who live in the West to hold restrictions upon themselves, and for parents to create restrictions upon their offspring due to "new" stresses of society. It's a sad, sad world we live in, and it's becoming sadder as the days pass.

Allah help the Muslimin in the struggle to please their Creator, may Allah help these Muslims while living in a society that emphasizes attaining the glitter of the dunya rather then the eternal glitters of the hereafter. Allahu Musta`an.

Another thought occurred to me. Here's a benefit of getting married young:

While a person is young they are learning who they are molding into the image that they feel best fits her. So, if someone is to get married young it is easier to adjust to changes rather then later. I just thought of something, isn't it true that when we memorize something when we are young it is equivalent to engraving into stone; however when we are older it is as if we are engraving into water? Perhaps there is more wisdom into marrying young then "what meets the eye"... in the sense that, adjusting is easier, and marriage life would be more automatic. Perhaps, as one gets older they start to develop their own way of doing things that when they enter into marriage "later" it's harder to compromise... Allahu a`lam. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about it, I could find hundreds of reasons why marriage while being young has greater benefits. Khayr, ultimately, people can only get married if Allah has decreed that marriage sets upon that person, but you know the saying, "tie your camel."

Creepy Paintings... Eye know

yee...uw_nus


eyecaramba... adios!

interesting new show

http://www.littlemosque.ca/

A Good End

Signs of a Good End
Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani

Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz

The Prophet, salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, A Muslim who is killed in a battle is a martyr, (dying in) plague is artyrdom, a woman who dies while delivering a baby is a martyr. [Ahmad, Daarimee, Tiyaalisee, authenticated by Al-Albaanee]

The Prophet, salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said, The martyrs are seven, other than the one who is killed in the Way of Allaah, ta`aalaa:
- One who dies of plague,
- one who drowns,
- one who dies of pleurisy,
- one who dies of stomach ache,
- one who dies due to burning
- one who dies under a demolition (by accident)
- a woman who dies with a baby in her womb
[Maalik, Aboo Dawood, An-Nasaaee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibban, Haakim, Ahmad. Authenticated by al-Albaanee]

The Prophet, salaallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

- "Getting killed in the Path of Allaah ta`aalaa is martyrdom,
- [death in] confinement during childbirth is martyrdom,
- [death by] getting burned [by accident] is martyrdom,
- [death by] drowning [by accident] is martyrdom,
- [death due to] tuberculosis is martyrdom,
- [death due to] stomach ache is martyrdom."
[Tabaraanee, Ahmad, authenticated by al-Albaanee]

[and here is something else that I read that I thought was really interesting]

Signs of a Good End to One's Life
Shaykh `Alee Hasan `Alee `Abdul Hameed

Death
© al-Hidaayah
Based on "Ahkaam ul-Janaa'iz" of Sh. N. Al-Albaani

It is established from the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, that he informed us of a number of clear signs that a person has concluded his life upon good, and we ask Allaah, the One free of all imperfections, that He grant us that. So any person who dies in one of these ways then it is glad tidings for them, and how excellent this is:

(1) Pronouncing the Shahaadah (i.e. La ilaaha illallaah) when dying.
(2) Dying with sweat upon the brow.
(3) Dying on the night preceding or the day of Friday.
(4) Martyrdom upon the battlefield. [This martyrdom, may Allaah grant it to us, is to be hoped for by everyone who prays for it sincerely, even if he is not able to die upon the battlefield, as occurs in the authentic hadeeth]
(5) Death due to plague.
(6) Death due to stomach illness.
(7) Death by drowning.
(8) Death due to a building falling upon him.
(9) Death of a woman during pregnancy due to the child.
(10) Death through consumption/tuberculosis.
(11) Death whilst defending the Deen or one's person.
(12) Death whilst defending one's property from robbers.
(13) Death whilst defending the frontiers of Islaam.
(14) Death whilst doing a righteous action.
(15) Death in a fire.

People's Praise of the Deceased

(1) If a group of truthful Muslims speak in praise of the deceased, their number being two or more of the people of piety and knowledge who lived near to and knew the deceased, then Paradise is assured for him.

(2) If a person dies at the time of an eclipse of the sun or moon, then that does not indicate anything. The belief that it shows the importance of the deceased is a false superstition of the times of Ignorance.


from: islaam.com

~~~

Although the world may be talking about Saddam's death, I feel that this is only one death among many that should serve as a reminder. People are dying all the time, why don't we don't stop on a daily basis and remember them? The chilling images of the girl screaming for her family on the gaza beach is enough to make my heart sink at the thought.

subHan Allah, it does not matter if someone lived a virtuous life or a wicked one death surely will come and take the soul. Death comes to us all. However, it's what comes after death that will draw the line between the pious and the evil.

So many people are dying. Imagine all the children in Uganda, the hundred of thousand of children in Iraq, I say children because they have a very sensitive spot in my heart, so do the elderly, and many of our dearest older members on this earth are being harassed and killed, subHan Allah... honestly, I could give an example of a death every single day. subHan Allah, every single day, every day, there is a vivid example of oppression, injustice, torture... ya Allah, I feel that the state of "life" is a torture that death would be better (if it was a virtuous soul that is).

How many orphans are there in the world? God knows that in third world countries those orphans are in need of more support than what they are getting, it's ridiculous.

I reflect. I reflect upon myself, my state of iman, my state thankfulness. If I could truly understand the suffering that these people must be going through, I am positive I would be 100% more thankful, more grateful... I just can only feel, and think through my "imagination". In such little ways have I felt hunger, a simple days fast with peace in my mind that a full meal will greet me at the end of the day. I try to imagine being hungry and ending the day in worry, that perhaps there will be nothing to nurish the pangs in my stomach. I noticed that when I read of such people in such horrible situations, the amount of pain that they suffer allows them to become immune to it. I'm so ungrateful, I live a life of luxury compared to 3/4 th of the world. I live in that 1/4 th who have so much. May Allah forgive me for my ungratefulness, I need Allah's mercy there is no way I am grateful enough.

I remember reading a lot about the torture in the prisons that Muslims are facing, and one of those nights I had a dream that I was among them. In that dream such horrible things happened, but I was safe. When I woke up, I realized that there are people suffering while I'm at home so safe. I think about them while I pray, and sometimes while I sit, and sometimes before I sleep. God help them, for every one in there unjustly!

And to death, and when it comes to me, I hope that it is a fine guest. I hope, I pray, that I die when I am at the peek of my Iman, at the climax of my best intentions my best actions.. ya RAB!

There is one hadith that I definitely reflect upon a lot, it's such a humbling hadith. You know, the one about a person doing the actions of a righteous person all their life and then at the end doing something that will make them enter the hell-fire. subHan Allah, it's such a frightening hadith, I know I'm not the best I can be every moment of my life. What if when I am arguing with my parents, or being impatient death comes to me, then what will be of me? Allahu a`lam. It's frightening, I really need to adjust my character, I feel like I'm going on a decline. May Allah protect us from an iman that drops, may it always increase. Amin

At `id one of my aunts came up to me and said, "why did they have to hang Saddam before `id?" Personally, if he's going to die, he's going to die, his death has been decreed. Nothing can harm us that was meant to miss us, and nothing can miss us that was meant to harm us. I'm not saying death will do us harm, Allahu a`lam who will find death to be a painful meeting of deep sorrow, or a meeting of glad tidings.

May we find death with the shahadah on our lips, and strong iman in our hearts. Amin

`id gift exchange

subHan Allah, the gift exchange at my aunts house was a lot of fun. The rule was that the gift had to be under 15 dollars, some broke the rule, others didn't.

It turns out that my brother Amir pulled my name, and he bought me 3 small bags of chips, and a purse. al-Hamdu liLlah, that was nice. -smiles- The thought is what makes the gift so special. subHan Allah, it could have been a rock he picked from the front yard and gave it to me, and it would have still been special.. the thought is what's golden, ya Rab, I love thoughtfulness. al-Hamdu liLlah.

Then all of a sudden one of the older guy cousins started yelling to another guy cousin, "OPEN IT!!!"... "OPEN IT!!!"... then he opened it, and it was... subHan Allah, I'm too embarassed to say, so I'm not saying. My grandma was shocked, she said, "Yee! `ayb!!" Everyone burst out into laughter, I must admit I laughed too, but afterwards left the room. It cheered everyone up, even the ones who got embarassed laughed, so ... good times. al-Hamdu liLlah.

I liked that `id was made exciting for everyone. I liked the gift exchange and the festive spirit. I really enjoyed this `id, it really should be like this. I hope in sha' Allah that we continue this into a new tradition, a tradition of hyping up `id for the whole family, this is "our" holiday and we need to make it the best ever, especially for the children.

al-Hamdu liLlah.

Go figure...

Happy `id...

this is cute, perhaps it will add to the smiles, in sha' Allah:

http://www.taherart.com/file2.swf

talking to the pops..

i didn't get a chance to sit and talk to my dad about the lovely visitors that I met today... he's been out with my brothers all day, but I'm looking forward to talking to him about this tomorrow.

... no worries about updates, khayr, Allah will take care of things.

my brothers just came home, looks like my brother just got a new car, barak Allahu fi. I hope the car is one that will give him safe transportation everywhere he goes. Amin.

My parents didn't stay and they left together, I wonder where they could go at this time. -sigh- I really wanted to talk to my dad. Khayr, al-hamdu liLlah.

...

I'm very grateful for the patience someone has been having... barak Allahu fikum... i'm doing everything i can to make things easier.

have a merry `id in sha' Allah

-smiles-

`ID MUBARAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -smiles-

-smiles-

-smiles-

al-hamdu liLlah

Today, was really nice, I had a couple of wonderful people meet me, al-Hamdu liLlah. I had a really good time, I felt very comfortable and they were very sweet.

Reem came soon after and joined us, and it was again, really nice, al-Hamdu liLlah.

I felt that the time passed really quickly, I would have liked to spend more time with them, I liked them a lot al-Hamdu liLlah.

We talked about all sorts of things. How I ended up being the same girl that Reem mentioned to her.. about how she has the night shift and how that's like... also, with the other sister she was explaining how she would like to teach the older grades and we both agreed that teaching older students is a better option... we talked about children in general, and Reem had a lot to say about how parenting is going and what her plans are... and just stuff like that. -smiles-

I left with a really good feeling, I really enjoyed their company, al-Hamdu liLlah. It was nice.

Now I'm wrapping `id presents, -smiles- yay! it's `id! al-Hamdu liLlah..

and again, `id Mubarak! I hope you have an excellent `id filled with khayr, barakah and success in every which way you turn. Amin

-smiles- al-Hamdu liLlah for all of Allah's kind blessings.

and today...

in sha' Allah i plan on going to jumu`ah w. Reem, al-Hamdu liLlah.

I called up someone in town, and in sha' Allah we'll see if a meeting can be arranged. al-Hamdu liLlah my dad is for it, as long as it is close by... khayr, in sha' Allah.

Okay, in sha' Allah i'm off to jumu`ah... but before I go:

Here's a nice verse I came across... it's the very first verse of surah an-nahl, got me thinking, so here it is.

أَتَى أَمْرُ اللّهِ فَلاَ تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

(Inevitable) cometh (to pass) the Command of Allah. seek ye not then to hasten it: Glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto Him!
( سورة النحل , An-Nahl, Chapter #16, Verse #1)

then it is true, slowly but surely...

and~

al-Hamdu liLlah...

I think people need to care. There needs to be care about the human suffering around the world, injustices, oppression, subHan Allah... if everyone "cared" I cannot imagine there being a problem in this world. Perhaps people do care, but it's only about themselves. How sad.

May Allah guide us all to care about the world and people around us. Amin

Dream World...

al-Hamdu liLlah it's time to visit dream world... salaam.

Plans...

Today, I'm going to my brothers birthday at Chuck E. Cheese... I'm leaving for that momentarily, also, my parents decided that they would go to a walima that we were invited to. Which is exciting to me, because perhaps they may appreciate desi culture ... ya Rab... in sha' Allah. The walima is at 6 p.m., al-hamdu liLlah, so that's that.

update: While on my way to Chuck E. Cheese, I decided to call Reem. I told her that she is more than welcomed to come to Chuck E. Cheese, and that it would be a good place for her to bring her children. I didn't think she would come, but guess what? Come on guess... -smiles-... SHE CAME!!! yay! and my mom and her still got to meet, and she also met a lot of members of my mom's side of the family, my aunts and all. -smiles- My mom took her and me to the side to "talk"... mhm. -smiles- and she invited Reem over, which is really cool, al-Hamdu liLlah.

Turns out we're still going to the walima. We are not leaving until 7:30, so I'll just use this time to get ready, which won't take me long.

Oh, and my dad was invited by my friends father to go to some gathering ... I'm not sure what it's for exactly. Anyways, my dad accepted. This is awesome, want to know why? Let me tell you.. -smiles- my friend is Bengali, and her dad and my dad just happen to work close by to each other. He's having a party in which he's gathering family and friends on the 31st and he invited my family... my father accepted, and in sha' Allah he's going to go! Yes!! I'm so happy, al-hamdu liLlah. in sha' Allah this will be another opportunity for my parents to embrace the desi community, in sha' Allah.

-smiles- make du`a', because Allah is there to answer them.

more updates: So we went to the walima, and it was alright. al-hamdu liLlah, my parents didn't complain... wait, except that the food was way too spicy. -smiles- The host came around and said, "We made sure the food wasn't that spicy" ... to whose standard exactly? -smiles-

When I came back home I noticed I had a missed call from someone very important, and so I called her back, and in sha' Allah I'll call her again tomorrow morning before jumu`ah to see if there is any possibility we can meet. in sha' Allah we can, that would be nice.

~

also, just some thoughts, as far as communication is concerned, I should have listened, brief conversations are best for now. ya Rab, sigh, al-Hamdu liLlah, we live and learn.

Finally...

al-Hamdu liLlah, this Fajr I finally finished The Koran for Dummies book!!! al-Hamdu liLlah... I feel like it took me forever! I started the book 5 months ago.

subHan Allah, I'm really glad I finished it though. I took a class at the University called Reading the Qur'an, and this book was a nice review of what was learned in there. At the very end the author had a list of books in which he recommended, and I read some of those books, and there were books listed that I was not very fond of.

For example:
I read Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations by Michael Sells, and honestly there were a lot of things in that book that really gave me a weird feeling. Let me show you, I have the book right here, okay, it says, on page 136 that in a third version of interpretation of the surah Ikhlas is:

Say he is God, one
God the rock,
Not begetting, unbegotten,
and having as an equal none

I have never heard, until i read this book God described as a rock. It was just weird, and lots of other things in there were "weird". Perhaps there is a source that describes God that way, but the book gave me a weird feeling. Even the CD it came with, it had Qur'anic reciters and there were famous Indonesian women reciting Qur'an, it was odd. I mean, it's not wrong for women to recite the Qur'an, but it was odd. -smiles-

I remember reading the beginning of The Koran: A Very Short Introduction, by Michael Cook, and I just realized I never finished it. Some things in that book are odd, for example, he has surah al-Fatiha next to music notes, and stuff like that, is just again, "weird". Aside from that, I think I enjoyed the book. subHan Allah, I took the book out of my cabinet just now to realize I only have notes on random chapters skipping other chapters, I should go back and just finish reading it. al-hamdu liLlah another thing to put on my "to do" list.

Aside from the books that I have already read, there was a book on there that I wouldn't read. Qur'an and Women, by Amina Wadud.... just the author of the book makes me uninterested.

... al-Hamdu liLlah, I enjoyed The Koran for Dummies book. Although it took me a while to finish, I loved how clearly controversial topics in Islam were discussed. For instance; democracy, woman's rights, inheritance laws, relation with other faiths... etc.

al-Hamdu liLlah, but of course my favorite chapters in that book were the one's that dealt with Islam and spirituality. For example: Chapter 9 "Divining Nature, the Universe, and the Unseen" -smiles-

I thought I wouldn't like the chapter on Qur'an and modernity, but al-hamdu liLlah it proved to be very good, just like the whole book. Let me quote something I liked from page 296, "Modernity, meaning social and political progress that benefits humanity, differs from modern culture, which reflects lifestyles not necessarily built around the notion of public benefit." I really enjoyed the way the author analyzed each chapter topic, I felt everything was put together clearly, al-hamdu liLlah.

YAY!!!

... uw nus

coolness!

interesting...

a shaykh at the Sunday school told me about a website to check out, http://www.studentofknowledge.com/ i just checked it out right now, and I found a lecture about the madhahib, it's on the home page.

Check it out in sha' Allah.

I clicked onto a treasure of articles that have to do with the madhahib, how exciting!

http://studentofknowledge.com/fiqhalmaddhahib.htm

al-Hamdu liLlah.

cool pix

woah...

Very Good Quote!

This quote is one that really touched me! Made me really reflect upon myself, and my actions. May Allah forgive me. Amin.


"You become honored, and increase in honor, when you honor others."

-smiles-

subHan Allah! How cute!

Oh, let me answer the question.
Let's see, I'm... seriously just sitting here doing nothing. I have like 5 books here waiting to be read, maybe I should pick one up -smiles-

Yea, that's the plan. -smiles-

Oh, which reminds me, I read something about the 4 schools of thought. I'm going to post that here.

Heh, I was typing out a passage from a book and then the page just shut on me, computer drama... khayr.

Hmm, basically the writing didn't really say much that would aid in which one would be the best to follow, but it did give a run down of what each school produced in the way of aiding people with understanding how to live their life based on the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Here let me see if I can break this down:

*Hanafi*

-lots of emphasis on Qiyas (juristic analogy)
-juristic prefernce (Istihsan) in which jurists can choose between 2 options in order to promote the common good.

*Maliki*

-published book al-Muwatta
-uses narratives of the people of Medina as a source for Islamic law.
-make exceptions in islamic law based on (urf) custom, as long as the custom isn't contradictory to islam
-development of law and legal rulings about modern concerns should favor the public good andt he general welfare (istislah)

*Shafi`i*

-rejected hanafi use of istihsan
-codified sources of islamic law strictly into koran, sunnah, ijma' (consensus of the scholars), and qiyas.

*Hanbali*

-most conservative
-weary of using reason and analogy
-developed the theory of permissibility (ibaha), where any action that doesn't contradict the Koran and Sunnah is presumed lawful or legal.

I collected these notes from Koran for Dummies (pgs. 270-272)
~
I personally am a big fan of the Hanbali school of thought, and my favorite scholar still remains Uthaymeen, barak Allahu fi, I really trust his work... although, I must admit I have been looking a lot into the Hanafi school of thought ... and it's funny because I keep on running my life switching between the two... eeks. subHan Allah, I feel that ultimately we will be judged on our intentions. I take from each school of law the ruling I feel most satisfied with, and I trust that it's okay to madhhab hop, I mean, they're all based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, so there shouldn't be a problem. I could be wrong, but for now, this is what makes sense to me.

Yay! One of my favortie blogs might be updated soon. I'm glad someone remembered they have a blog to update! People are waiting! I kid, take your time, enjoy your vacation. -smiles- Yay, a little pressure and we got an obscure fact, maybe more pressure will be on its way. hmm...

Looks like a little pressure was enough, we got an obscure fact and words of advice, I wonder what A LOT of pressure would do? hmm...

lqtm.. I actually need to go to sleep. Dream world is calling for me.

peace.

“Liars need good memories”

~ French Proverb

-smiles-

subHan Allah, although I do not know what the words mean ... this is a very powerful picture!

I Like This Poem!

[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

Dreams

Why is it that we dream such odd dreams? subHan Allah, I dream about my 1st grade class A LOT. Sometimes I'm teaching them, sometimes I'm giving them work, just lots of random stuff. I even had a dream someone came over, subHan Allah. In that dream I just remember this person talking, I forgot about what though. I think these are just dreams of what we're thinking about.

My Teachers Assistant a very kind, sweet, pious and wise older woman told me that she had a dream about me. I never mentioned what she told me, but I will right now. She told me that her dreams always come true, and that in her dream I was getting engaged. She said a brother came to my house with a diamond ring ~When she said that I thought about how I really don't like diamonds because of the diamond wars, but I smiled anyway, just because she was smiling and smiling is very contagious!~ Then she explained how she expected that by the time I returned from Winter Break I would be engaged. It's a comforting thought, I really would like to protect myself from any other proposals. Allah knows best.

I'm really glad someone is making a trip down here, I just really wish I knew what was going on. My father is not telling me anything, and I'm trying to squeeze things out of my mom. Khayr, al-Hamdu liLlah. I pray for the best, perhaps it's best that I don't know exactly what's going on. It's okay, lots of things are ghaib from us, wa al-Hamdu liLlah.

For my break, a lot of my time has been spent going to "most" things that I have been invited too. Today I have a henna party for a friend, and her wedding is on Friday. I'm wondering if my family will go to her wedding, I really hope they do, I do not want to miss it. I've been friends with her ever since "I" was in Sunday school. We lost touch after I turned 15, then we just happened to bump into each other this year, and subHan Allah we rekindled our memories and then she invited me to her henna and wedding, how nice, al-Hamdu liLlah. She told me there were a lot of guys looking to get married, I explained to her that I'm involved with someone so not to mention my name to anyone. I like that people help other people to get married, barak Allahu fihum.

subHan Allah, I very strongly am opposed to any other proposals! I got about two recently from people I know around me and it's just very hard to deal with. One person was the uncle of one of my students, and I just felt really weird, and declined the offer in the best way I knew how. I never was confronted with so many proposals, subHan Allah, it's like right when I'm set on something all of a sudden they pop up from every direction. Maybe it's just because I graduated and that's the go signal or something, Allahu a`lam.

Let's see what are my plans for winter break? Well, for starters a mother of one of my students also a board member at the school I work at recommended me to a lady who had a girl with a learning disability. She told the lady that I would most likely get through to her daughter because I'm a sweet teacher. subHan Allah, sweetness does not mean I know how to deal with every child, I know that for a fact. The lady called me and I told her, I would try to help her, but that I cannot guarantee her anything. She asked how much do I charge. Why do people do that? What if I just don't want to charge you? Why can't they accept that? Why do they have to pay me? subHan Allah, I told her du`a' would be more than enough as a payment, and she got mad at me for saying that. Then I told her, whatever the minimum charge is, that's the one I will accept.

I tutored one of my students who was behind in my class, and her mother was too much. She would send with her daughter almost every day a little gift for me and this is on top of what she paid me, which was way more than I deserved, and I told her that, and still she insisted. Barak Allahu fiha, it's very nice, and I appreciate it a lot, but sometimes I feel it's just too much. al-Hamdu liLlah. May I learn to just accept the generosity that is around me.

What else? -smiles- al-Hamdu liLlah, I'm excited about what's to come, no matter what the turn out is, I trust that Allah knows what's best for me, and that Allah will guide me towards what is best.

Tawakkul, it's a beautiful thing, al-Hamdu liLlah.

lqtm

This is funny.

Lesson of the Day

My friend Reem told me this, and I liked it a lot.

Here to share:

Seek your companion in Allah, and you will never be alone.

I liked these quotes they're uplifting...

While one person hesitates because he feels inferior, another is busy making mistakes and becoming superior. Henry C. Link


Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work. Thomas Edison


An expert is someone who knows some of the worst mistakes that can be made in his subject, and how to avoid them. Werner Heisenberg, (1901-1976) Physics and Beyond. 1971.

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Charles Dickens

Finagle's Third Law: In any collection of data, the figure most obviously correct, beyond all need of checking, is the mistake. Corollaries 1. Nobody whom you ask for help will see it. 2. The first person who stops by, whose advice you really don't want to hear, will see it immediately.

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. Dr. Edwin Land, Source: The Art of Creative Thinking - book by Robert Olson (1986)

But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live. Chained by his certitudes, he is a slave, he's forfeited his freedom. Only the person who risks is truly free. Leo Buscalia

The only people who never fail are those who never try. Ilka Chase

Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. Babe Ruth

To win without risk is to triumph without glory. Pierre Corneille

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

No one tests the depth of a river with both feet. Ashanti proverb

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. Josh Billings

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. Margaret Thatcher

From time to time, life as a leader can look hopeless. To help you, consider a man who lived through this:... Failed in business in '31. Defeated for the legislature in '32. Again failed in business in '34. Sweetheart died in '35. Had a nervous breakdown in '36. Defeated in election in '38. Defeated for Congress in '43. Defeated for Congress in '46. Defeated for Congress in '48. Defeated for Senate in '55. Defeated for Vice President in '56. Defeated for Senate in '58. Elected President in '60... This man was Abraham Lincoln.

Keep on going and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down. Charles F. Kettering

A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it, is committing another mistake. Confucius

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

for more quotes: http://www.chemistrycoach.com/quotatio.htm
...

So my fellow Muslims, let us strive and struggle in path of righteousness, and if we fail, let us get up and try again... let us be steadfast! Let us move mountains by removing one stone at a time, let us become Muslims who win the Mercy of Allah, who win the pleasure of Allah, who enter Jannah in sha' Allah.

Here is an interpretation of Allah's words in our Holy Qur'an:

How many of the prophets fought (in Allah.s way),

and with them (fought) Large bands of godly men?

but they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah.s way,

nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in.

And Allah Loves those who are firm and steadfast.
( ÓæÑÉ Âá ÚãÑÇä , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #146)

(^)

al-Hamdu liLlah, I like that people are who they are. -smiles-

So it's Winter Break, I just hope during this time I at least get to see someone again. Some people really are a comfort to the eyes, al-Hamdu liLlah.



subHan Allah, is that dirt I see? Yee! (lqtm see and yee rhyme) I have some water, oooh and some seeds, I think I can grow some flowers from that dirt! -smiles- make a flower garden! Oh... maybe plant some fruit trees, these are special seeds, they're very fruitful. -smiles-

Khutbah...

You can even be sitting down giving a khutbah and death may approach you... subHan Allah, wa al-Hamdu liLlah wa la illaha illa Allah wa Allahu akbar..

correct me if i'm wrong but i believe one of his last words were, in translation, "you are poor."

subHan Allah

This surah makes my heart beat harder and faster. subHan Allah, so important are the lessons that are in this surah. I wish to strive and stay upon them, and I hope that all humankind would abide by them.

Today...

I went to Disneyland! -smiles-

I made sure to go on the Alice in Wonderland ride... -smiles-

I really enjoyed myself there, al-Hamdu liLlah. The last time I went, I hated it there. al-Hamdu liLlah I had an amazing time and in sha' Allah really good memories to carry throughout my life.

~

I really want to sleep. I want to take a whole day and plop myself on a comfortable sofa, or maybe curl up in my bed and have a good book beside me. -smiles-

al-Hamdu liLlah for relaxation.

~

My voice is still not back. subHan Allah, I have Sunday school tomorrow, I hope it's better by then. Honestly, having my voice faint like this made me realize what a huge ni`mah it is to be able to talk without difficulty.

I wish I was more grateful to Allah.

~

May Allah forgive us. Amin

Happy.. al-Hamdu liLlah

What a ni`mah to feel happy! -smiles- wa (^) -smiles-

I'm glad that finals are done, al-Hamdu liLlah, I can imagine the ease one must feel now.

subHan Allah, people seem to just vanish when it's finals time and they get missed, they sure do. al-Hamdu liLlah for everything.

I am on Winter Break now! Just in time, because my voice is almost gone completely.. it's been a hard couple of days trying to talk to the children when my voice isn't working properly -sad face-... but -happy face- it's Winter Break!

It will be from Dec. 18 to Jan. 8, I'm so happy about that, I really need time to just take it easy.

in sha' Allah, i'm not going to post any blogs until after Friday. I'm doing that just so that I'm not a distraction to anyone, in sha' Allah.

Meanwhile, I'll make lots of du`a' for those studying finals. Allah will make it a success, I trust Allah, Allah will give the aid that is needed... Allah karim, that's why. al-Hamdu liLlah.

prayer nasheed

nice... soothing

For what it's worth...

Allah Karim, really there are people in this world that I pray to Allah that only wonderful things go their way! Thoughtful people, those are people that should never be taken for granted. May Allah preserve them. Amin.

Happy studying.... psst: YOU CAN DO IT!!! -smiles-

Computer Proverbs

Subj: Computer Proverbs (S396)

1. Home is where you hang your @.
2. The email of the species is more deadly than the mail.
3. A journey of a thousand sites begins with a single click.
4. You can't teach a new mouse old clicks.
5. Great groups from little icons grow.
6. Speak softly and carry a cellular phone.
7. In some places, C:\ is the root of all directories.
8. Oh, what a tangled Website we weave when first we practice.
9. Pentium wise, pen and paper foolish.
10. The modem is the message.
11. Too many clicks spoil the browse.
12. The geek shall inherit the earth.
13. Don't byte off more than you can view.
14. Fax is stranger than fiction.
15. What boots up, must come down.
16. Windows will never cease.
17. Virtual reality is its own reward.
18. Modulation in all things.
19. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him
to use the Net and he won't bother you for weeks.
20. There's no place like your homepage.

al-Hamdu liLlah

One thing I didn't mention about yesterday was that I got to teach 5th grade for about 40 min. It was a lot of fun. I went over how England and Spain were not on good terms in the late 1500's and what went on with that. They really got into the lesson, and I received good comments afterwards about my teaching strategies, so al-Hamdu liLlah. subHan Allah, I enjoyed the upper grade, there was less "hyperness". First graders, are so active, and I must repeat the rules to them several times a day. I don't know how many times I need to remind them to "walk" for example. Other then just a few things here and there, my first graders are awesome. al-Hamdu liLlah.

I love my first graders, they tell me such sweet things all the time. One child said, "I missed you so much." This was just because he had to go home and then come back to school. One girl, I call her my shadow, wherever I am there she is, even when they are outside playing. I will tell her, "go play! You're a child! Have fun!" Then after I say that she runs and hugs me and glues herself to me. I seriously feel like there must be some sticky substance I am not seeing that glues these children on me.

Today I nearly cried, the Arabic teacher, made the whole class make du`a' for me. I allowed him to use my room for his after school classes and I just had to step in to grab my stuff before I left and he told the whole class to make du`a' for me. Imagine looking at about 30 students with their hands lifted making du`a' for you. The du`a' was, something along the lines of, "fill her life with happiness, and give her what her heart wants." Then after thanking them, I made sure to return a du`a' their way. I told the Arabic teacher I'm going to do my best, then I said it, and he corrected a mistake of mine. -smiles- That was nice, al-Hamdu liLlah.

Also, today, the teacher's assistant which is a very, very, very kind and humble, and sweet older lady told me about a dream she had about me. She told me her dreams come true, and that has always been the case with her. From her character I feel that she has a close connection with Allah. Barak Allahu fiha, wa Allahu a`lam. Her dream made me cry, and then she told me she bought me a `id present. She told me I was like her daughter, and that she bought an outfit for 2 of her daughters and one for me too. I was incredibly flattered. I will definitely search for something meaningful to give her, I have an idea! There's a book, I need to look up what it's called, but it's gold and it's filled with beautiful pictures of calligraphy as well as pictures of things that came from the household's of sahabah.. stuff like that. I'll find it and post a link of this book here in sha' Allah. Anyways, I want to get her something special, Allah is a witness to how much she helped me this year, and as sincerely as I possibly can, I pray and ask Allah that she enters Jannatul Ferdaus for the patience she always has. Amin

[Update: I found the book I was looking forThe Sacred Trusts. Hmm... I didn't realize this book costed so much. ya Rab, hmm, I think I'll still get it, I think she'll really love this book, I think it will bring cheer to her. Hmm, ... wa hmm... I wonder if buying this would give me hasanat? Like, if my intention is to buy her this gift so that our bond would strengthen as sisters in Islam, that would be awesome. subHan Allah, she works so hard. I feel she deserves Jannah, so this gift wouldn't be much at all. subHan Allah, perhaps, if I buy her this, perhaps she'll love it and make more du`a' for me, then I would really benefit in this investment. I liked how someone answered a question not so long ago about how he uses money as a means to pleasing Allah, investing in the akhira. I like that kind of thinking. Allah al-Karim, al-Wadud, Ar-Razzaq, we should give of the things that we love. al-Hamdu liLlah. ]

Speaking of patience, I'm sure finals requires lots of that. My prayers are also being made for those that are studying I understand how draining that must be. Working is like putting coal in the fire, you keep on putting coal so that it keeps burning, once you stop the fire might die. In life, we will always be pushing ourselves and struggling with things, and in sha' Allah all the challenges that come before we will meet with patience and steadfastness in our religion. Allah is al-Wadud, and al-Hamdu liLlah He is a witness to what we do for His sake, may He accept our struggle. Amin.

I need an iman lift... -sigh-

Narrated 'Aisha: (the mother of the faithful believers) Al-Harith bin Hisham asked Allah's Apostle "O Allah's Apostle! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?" Allah's Apostle replied, "Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes ' off after I have grasped what is inspired. Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says." 'Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the Sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).

And today...

Today I had the class paint. I covered all the desks so that we would not make a mess... The paint did not spill on the floor once, it spilled on the floor twice, dark blue paint. subHan Allah, and when the shaykh came in to take over the class, only two of the students were done and I was cleaning the floor. -sigh- He was kind enough to give me 10 more minutes to finish up with them, barak Allahu fi, I really appreciated his mercy on me. subHan Allah, I'm blessed with people around me who are very kind, and may Allah in return bestow kindness onto them.

Also, a parent brought a cake to the class and did a birthday celebration for her son. She had the class sing happy birthday and she asked if she could light the candle. I just let her do as she wished, no candle lighting though. Khayr, I'm too easy going with people, I'm just too easy. I wish I could have the strength to set up more boundaries, ya Rab.

Today for some reason I was irritated, I think people should be shepherds before they teach, this job is very demanding and requires an incredible amount of patience. They were being silly today, and I had to be firm with them, I laid down the consequences... but really it's my fault they don't listen sometimes (for the most part they're excellent, just sometimes they get rowdy). I give too many chances. I'll tell one child, okay you lost 5 minutes of your play time, and then he will say something like, "teacher, please, i'll be good, i'll be good." Then I will say something like, "okay, i'm giving you one more chance, prove to me you'll be good." ... and I do that so often, I need to stop. I'm known for being the "nice" teacher, but "nice" has to include "fair" too, fair to myself and the others in the classroom.

subHan Allah, little by little I find my personality changing in ways. I feel stronger these days, but every now and then my weaknesses come out. I need to be more firm, even though I hate it. May Allah help me. Amin.

May Allah give ease to all those who are dealing with finals too, that requires much patience as well.

ya Rab

al-hamdu liLlah for people who catch our mistakes, without them we would wonder around the same way without mending and improving. al-Hamdu liLlah, may Allah bless those who correct us. -smiles-

today

alright.. first of all, i'm doing bien, al-hamdu liLlah.

Let's see..

highlight lesson: Weather and Seasons. When we discussed the difference between rain and hail I had them do two things: First I had the class tap their fingers on their desks and I said, "okay, that's the sound of rain." Then I had them tap their pencils on their desk and I said, "and that would be the sound of hail." Then I continued, "hail, rain, hail, rain".... the sounds they made was amazing, al-Hamdu liLlah.

Oh, I just remembered one of my slower students did a worksheet w/out any of my help today, I made the whole class applause his work! I went to the front of the class, and said, "we all have to do a special applause for so and so, he did an excellent job on his worksheet!" The whole class was clapping for him, and his smile bounced off the walls it was great. al-Hamdu liLlah.

Today they had a raffle for the teachers. I was the first number they called, and I won a lotion set.. yay! They did it infront of the students, and when I won, about 5 to 10 students rushed and hugged me! Children make me feel good. Between me and you, I feel the raffle winners were rigged... I saw the shaykh going to the office asking them to please have a raffle for the teachers after I had done him a favor. But shh, that's just between me and you.

-smiles-

Today, I didn't get home until 7 pm, it was a very long day. I had to re-arrange some things in my classroom and hang up some of their work, and organize papers, books, etc. I'm so exhausted.

One thing that is troubling me is my class clown, honestly, he makes me laugh, but we have so much to do! Today, I gave him his work book and sent him to the office and told him, "go finish pages 89-90 there, and when you're done you can come back." He finished, and came back. I told him, "I'm serious, this work is important, you cannot be silly." subHan Allah, this child makes my heart happy, he's always smiling... always! Even when he's in trouble!!! It's hilarious. It's hard for me to be serious with him, but I must... I must... unfortunately.

...

I don't know when the people who are supposed to observe my class are supposed to come, I think maybe tomorrow. We'll see. I'm not worried, or anxious at all. I have parents come in and sit almost all the time. I'll just pretend they are parents, or the principal who walks in, and khayr. I have no reason to stress, I'm doing the best I can and if they have criticism, then I will gladly take it. There's nothing wrong with constructive feedback.

al-Hamdu liLlah for everything.

Allahu akbar.

So true...

“An author doesn't necessarily understand the meaning of his own story better than anyone else.”

Alice in Wonderland quote

The blah blah blah...

Today, same routine, al-Hamdu liLlah... wake up, go teach, come home tired.

I tamed the class clown today. I made him sit on the floor behind my desk, which is also next to the board so he can see everything but the class cannot see him. Just the fact that the class cannot see him made him calm down, subHan Allah. I would love to make that his permanent seat, but in sha' Allah I'll think of something more effective.

Highlight lesson of the day: We made season wheels. As you turn the circular paper, with the peek-a-boo slit (lqtm) you see a different season. They drew the changes of an apple tree as the seasons change.

One of the brothers from a near by community college (who volunteers his time in the after school program) bought boxes of pizza for all the teachers. subHan Allah, may Allah reward him with khayr, something like that is so appreciated. I'm running around so much, and sometimes I don't eat until I get home at like 5, so something like that, it's really nice.

Something funny to note, my teacher's aid gave me a white rose. She's so kind, she told me, "this is white because of your purity, and it was the most beautiful flower in the garden." That was very kind, but let me tell you why it's funny, just a week before the T.A. gave me the flower, I saw a white rose on my desk, I asked the students, "who gave this to me?"... and nobody said anything. Hmm? .. Turns out, the custodian left it on my desk, and she said it was white for the same reason. The shaykh that works there said the same thing about me, about being pure... honestly, that's one of the best compliments I could ever receive. If people are commenting on my religiousity, then that to me is something I appreciate. I just hope Allah accepts it, if Allah does not, then it's really pointless.

Today I stayed afterschool for about two hours. One hour getting prepared for tomorrow, and the other tutoring a child. al-Hamdu liLlah. I thought I was done...

Before I left, a mother who came to pick up her children explained to me how her son had difficulty solving problems like 7+___=10 for example. So I asked if I could take the child for about 5 minutes, and I guaranteed that he'd know how to do it when I braught him back to her. She agreed to wait, I took him in, and I recognized why he couldn't get the right answer... when he would count up he would include 7. Which means, he would put on his fingers..7,8,9,10 and he would answer with 7+4=10 instead of 7+3=10. So I simply explained to him that he needs to start with the number after 7, and bada bing, he got it. The mother was like, "how'd you do it?" It just takes listening to the child, and doing your best to understand what's going on up there in their brain.

al-Hamdu liLlah.

Let's see, so then I went home. Driving home the moon looked yellow, it was amazing. It was so yellow that I thought for an instant, "could this be the sun?" subHan Allah, then I imagined that it was the sun, and I teard up thinking about the reality of the sun rising from the west. subHan Allah. Astaghfur Allah.

When I got home I came online, and I saw a friend online that is specializing in teaching ELL students. I edited a paper for her, and then I went to go do my laundry. I found my mom in there, so I decided, either I'll wait until later tonight or just postpone it for tomorrow.

Now, I'm here, reading some translations of Qur'an just to give me some relaxation after what felt like a long day. Allahu Musta`an.

I'm really exhausted, I get so tired, subHan Allah.

Oh and du`a' is definitely going to those experiencing finals.

My blahness...

Woke up early, went to Walmart, and baught a white board just for my students. Along with some healthy snacks that they can buy with the classroom tickets that they earn.

My highlight lesson of the day: verbs. I taught my students about verbs. It was a lot of fun! Lot's of moving around the classroom to act out some verbs, it was grea'.

One child did not want to go home afterschool. I had a lot of fun chasing him, catching him, putting him in the car, putting his seatbuilt on, and locking the door... that was grea' too.

Came home at about 5 pm, and knocked out, I was so tired from today.

Woke up and dealt with some drama with my cousins and the masjid. Khayr, in sha' Allah I'll find a way to take care of it.

I have people coming into my class this week to do observations. I want to prepare a list for them of how my lessos exceed the California curriculum, and to specifically point out which standards have already been addressed. Then to take the day that they come to observe, and to specifically point out which standard we are doing, and how exactly I am going above it.

[The best way to learn is to memorize, record, then drill and kill. You just keep practicing until it becomes automatic! in sha' Allah by the time they leave first grade, it's all automatic, in sha' Allah. I still see students using their hands for math, it's just a sign we haven't practiced enough. When they see for instance 7+2 they should just "think" 9. Soon, soon, in sha' Allah.]

I also spent some time online, talking to some friends, that was nice. I learned that humus increases your fiber, and that ful is excellent for suhur.

Let's see... I wanted to do my laundry, but right now it's late. Khayr, I'll save that for tomorrow.

Yea, that was my day for the most part.