Eid Mubarak !!

Happy Eid everyone. Alhamdulillah and syukur to Allah swt we have completed Ramadan. May all our fasting and good deeds accepted by the Almighty. Tomorrow is 1st of Syawal and muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Eid dul Fitri. Eid means 'a recurring happiness or festivity'. There are two Eids: Eid-dul-Fitr, celebrated on 1st of Shawwal following the month of fasting to celebrate Festival Of Fast Breaking , and Eid-dul-Adha, celebrated on 10th of Dul-Hijja, following the course of hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca )
Eid al-Fitr is the time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer. In Malaysia we greet each other with 'Selamat Hari Raya' on this day. Family and friends will take this opportunity to visit each other and may also will be having ' Open House' with an array of mouth watering local delicacy such as lemang , ketupat, rendang, serunding, nasi impit, nasi bryani and various meat dishes to offer to their guests.

Well I too as usual will be having my Eid open House, InsyaAllah. I will be posting more about the Eid celebration after one week break. InsyaAllah.

Eid Mubarak !!

Ramadhan Aspiration

Today is 25 Ramadhan. There is only another 5 days to go before this holy month with all the doors of blessing open, ends. The last ten night which is considered the most impotant nights of this month. Lailatul Qadar ( The Night of Power) could fall in any one of these nights. The Night of Power is full of blessings, because the Noble Qur’an descended on this night. The Qur’an is send to Rasulullah Saw. It distinguishes between the good and evil and shows to the way of peace and the eternal joy for all humanity. Being this thus, the night in which this Divine Book was sent down is worthy of great esteem. The Qur’an says:

“Surely We revealed it [the Holy Quran] on the grandest night. And what will make you comprehend what the grandest night. The grandest night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace onto it until the break of the morning.” (97:1-5)

On the Night of Power, pray to God with all your heart and He will definitely respond to all your prayers. During this night, as quoted in the above-mentioned verse, the angels and the celestial spirit (Gabriel alaihis-salaam) descends. Its proximity to the Earth gives to a spiritual brightness to the hearts and souls of the believers. The Prophet (SAW) on this night spend time in oration and adoration of God. To that they spend his night in oration, the unimaginable experience joy, a deep feeling of great pleasure, like result of immense celestial blessings in tonight.

Recite the Qur’an, look for the pardon of Allah and pray for the good of this world, as well as in the next.

Iftaar invitation in Alor Star

Yesterday my kids and I followed Hubby to Alor star ( his office is there). They were having their annual Iftaar and all was invited. It has been awhile since I went to Alor Star, and I was looking forward to this trip. So, early in the morning we left for Alor Star. I was a little worried though because it was quite early and I did not know how long my two children can hang around the shopping mall before they get tired. But I was pleasantly surprised because hubby had arranged for the company's apartment for us to use for the day. Soon after we reached I got my two kids organize their time table so that one get to play computer while the other does homework and vice versa. Then I dropped off hubby in his office and headed straight to Star Parade which is one of the biggest shopping mall in Alor Star. The atmosphere in Star Parade was quite amazing with Eid dul Ftri songs in the air there was a festive scene everywhere. There was also scores and scores of shops selling traditional Malay dresses, Jubahs, Abaya, scarfs, hijabs and much much more. After purchasing a few stuffs, I headed back to the apartment for some rest. Later in the evening we all gathered at the Al Bukhary mosque for iftaar and Maghrib prayers. Although the day was tiring for my kids and me, I feel it was worthwhile because we get to meet my hubby's staffs and sit together (orphans were also invited) this Ramadhan and enjoy our meals. After all, what better way to strenghten our silarturrahim?

Sami Yusuf- Hasbi Rabbi - The Video!

Sami Yusuf- Hasbi Rabbi - The Video!

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No time to blog?

It has been more than a week since I last posted anything. The reason is because of the never ending chores in preparation for Eidul Fitr. Despite all the organizing, I think I am one of the last ones to bake cookies and sweets for this festive season. Last week I spoke to mom in law and guest what? She had already prepared 3 types of cookies and even had them posted to UK for my brother in law who is studying there. Then my sister in law called and told me she had already baked 5 types of cookies and now she is free to do her shopping and other stuff. I don't believe it. It is only 21st of Ramadhan and there is still a good 9 or 10 ten days to go. How come everyone is super fast this year. Even some of the other blogger had started to make their cookies. Sigh!! Anyway, I entered my kitchen today with zest and determination and baked 2 types of cookies, Almond crunch and Choc Rice Cookies ( Sarang semut ). It turned out quite well, after 4 hours of toiling in front of the oven that is. So now I am in the same squad or gang or whatever it is with everyone. And if anyone ask me ' Have you started making any cookies?' I can give them a brilliant smile and invite them to come and taste my cookies of course after breaking fast. As they say better late than never.

15 punshiments of missing prayer...

The one who disdains the prayers will receive Fifteen punishments from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.Six punishments in this lifetime,Three while dying Three in the grave & Three on the Day of Judgment. I thought this would be interesting to share with all of you... THE SIX PUNISHMENTS OF LIFE: 1. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala takes away blessings from his age (makes his life misfortunate) 2. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'aladoes not accept his plea (Dua's) 3. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala erases the features of good people from his face 4. he will be detested by all creatures on earth. 5. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala does not award him for his good deeds. (No thawab) 6. he will not be included in the Dua's of good people. THE THREE PUNISHMENTS WHILE DYING: 1. he dies humiliated. 2. he dies hungry. 3. he dies thirsty.Even if he drinks the water of all seas he will still be thirsty. THE THREE PUNISHMENTS IN THE GRAVE: 1. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tightens his grave until his chest ribs come over each other. 2. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala pours on him fire with embers. 3. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sets on him a snake called "the brave", "the bold" which hits Him from morning until afternoon for leaving Fajr prayer,from the afternoon until Asr for leaving Dhuhr prayer and so on. With each strike he sinks 70 yards under the ground. THE THREE PUNISHMENTS ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT: 1. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sends those who would accompany him to hell pulling him on the face. 2. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala gives him an angry look that makes the flesh of his face fall down. 3. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala judges him strictly and orders him to be thrown in hell. THOSE WHO DO NOT SAY THEIR PRAYERS OF: FAJAR: the glow of their face is taken away. ZOHAR: the blessing of their income is taken away. ASAR: the strength of their body is taken away. MAGHRIB: they are not benefacted by their children. ISHA: the peace of their sleep is taken away. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala protect us and show us the right path all the time Ameen

Happy Birthday G!!

That's how I call my hubby ..G. Today is his birthday and for the first time it falls in the month of ramadan. Well since everyday in Ramadan is a celebration, today will be extra special and today the kids and I will try and cook up his favorite food for breaking fast. Anyway I would like to wish G Happy Birthday!! May you have good health, long and prosperous life. Ameen.

Ramadan Feast in my home

These are some of the dishes I prepared at home in this holy month of Ramadan. As a start I"ve decided to reduce the variety of dishes on each day so that there is no wastage. Once again I would like to remind myself and all brothers and sisters out there to increase our 'ibadah i.e read the Quran and do other little things like sadaqa, help the needy, istigfar, zikir and much much more. May Allah swt grant us an easy and rewarding Ramadan.

Happy Birthday Shak!!

2nd September is a very special day for me. It is my eldest daughter Shak's birthday and my wedding anniversary. We used to have only one celebration, but as Shak got older and my other kids became conscious about getting treats on special occasian, they requested that we celebrate twice. " I just want to be fair. My parents get their own special day and I get mine. " assured Shak. " Yes, than we also get to eat two special meal." MS who is all in for gourmet food coaxed. My little one Sofi squeeled " Yeah...!! Than Aka will get two presents on both days." Well that's how the children get what they want from hubby and me. I call them partners in crime. When all three of them want something, they can debate, convince and assure us that it is actually good for all of us. Most of the time hubby and I let them get their way. Not because we were forced to but it is so amusing to see all three children trying their best to agree on something ( they usually don't ). Well anyway this year since 2nd September falls in the month of Ramadhan, we just decided to to have only one celebration that is on last Saturday night. We went out for dinner at Tandoori House located on Transfer road. The food there was ok. It used to be very good before. I even had Sofi's 4 year old birthday party here. But now I noticed the standard had dropped. Nevertheless we still had a good time together.

Ramadan Al Mubarak to all Muslims

Ramadan Al Mubarak to all. Once again the time is here which all muslims look forward to.. the fasting month. I pray and doa that Allah swt gives us strength to complete the fasting month and come out victorious.