Keys to Paradise

Title: Sins Wiped Out

Hadith: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. [Bukhari Vol 8 Book 75, Hadith 414]

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Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) Birthday

Exactly one week from now that is on 12 Rabiul Awwal (15 Feb) we will be celebrating Our Imaam, the Best of all Creation , Prophet Muhammad  saw birthday. It is very common to see people out of joy and tremendous respect to our Beloved Prophet saw, celebrating it not knowing if it is a sunnah or a bid'ah ( innovation). Below is the answer to the question should we celebrate Mawlid or not. by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid.
I hope all Muslim brother and sisters please check with scholars before doing anything in our religion in the name of culture. Culture should not be religion and religion should not be culture. May Allah swt guide and prevent us from doing any innovation to our religion. Ameen.

Why some people accept and some unaccept the celebration of the Prophet (saw )? What is your opinion?   http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/249/mawlid%20nabi

Praise be to Allaah.


There is nothing in the Qur’aan to say that we should celebrate the Mawlid or birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet himself (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do this or command anyone to do it, either during his lifetime or after his death. Indeed, he told them not to exaggerate about him as the Christians had exaggerated about Jesus (upon whom be peace). He said: “Do not exaggerate about me as the Christians exaggerated about the son of Maryam. I am only a slave, so say, ‘The slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’” (Reported by al-Bukhaari). What has been reported is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made the day of his birth a day of worship, which is different to celebration. He was asked about fasting on Mondays, and he said: “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was entrusted with the Mission or when I was first given Revelation.” (Reported by Muslim, al-Nisaa’i and Abu Dawood).


Moreover, we know that the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) were the people who loved the Prophet most. Was it reported that Abu Bakr, who was the closest of people to him and the one who loved him the most, celebrated the birthday of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Was it reported that ‘Umar, who ruled for twelve years, or ‘Uthmaan, did this? Was it reported that ‘Ali, his relative and foster son, did this? Was it reported that any of the Sahaabah did this? No, by Allaah! Is it because they were not aware of its importance, or did they not truly love the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? No one would say such a thing except one who has gone astray and is leading others astray.


Did any of the imaams – Abu Haneefah, Maalik, al-Shaafi’i, Ahmad, al-Hasan al-Basri, Ibn Seereen – do this or command others to do it or say that it was good? By Allaah, no! It was not even mentioned during the first and best three centuries. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “The best of mankind are my generation (or my century), then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will not care if their testimony comes before their oath or vice versa (i.e., they will not take such matter seriously).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Muslim and al-Tirmidhi). The celebration of the Prophet’s birthday appeared many centuries later, when many of the features of true religion had vanished and bid’ah had become widespread.


Thus this celebration became a sign of one’s love for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? But can it be possible that the Sahaabah, the imaams and the people of the best three centuries were unaware of it, and it was only those who came later who were aware of its importance?! What the Qur’aan tells us is that love of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is demonstrated by following the guidance he brought. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):


“Say (O Muhammad): ‘If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.


Say: ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31-32]


The first aayah explains that love is just a claim, but the proof of sincerity is following what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) brought. The second aayah reaffirms the importance and necessity of obeying Allaah and His Messenger. Hence Allaah ended the aayah with a very stern warning in which those who refuse to obey are described as kaafirs, and Allah does not love the disbelievers. We ask Allaah to keep us safe from that. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us of the danger of not obeying him, and the danger of adding to what he brought. The celebration of Mawlid or his birthday is indeed an addition to what he brought – as all the scholars agree. He said: “The best of speech is the Book of Allaah, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented (in religion), and every innovation is a going astray.” (Reported by Muslim and al-Nisaa’i).


We ask Allaah to protect us from bid’ah and to bless us by helping us to follow. Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.


Islam Q&A

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Addrasul Awwal ( First Lesson )

 At beginners level we  were only taught the basic greetings when we meet friends and family. Do say out aloud and memorise them. Better still if you can write them down in arabic and check your spellings in any arabic dictionary.

Greetings

Soba`hal Khoir     = Good Morning
Soba`han nu`r      =  Good Morning ( reply )

Masa`al Khoir      = Good Evening
Masa`an Nur       =  Goos Evening ( reply )

Fur sotun sa'idah  = Pleasure Meetng you
Fur sotun sa'idah  = Pleasure Meetng you ( reply )

Syukron               = Thank You
Afwan                  = You're welcome

Ilal liqo'                = Goodbye
Ma'as  salamah    = Goodbye ( reply )

Marhaban           = Welcome
Marhaban           = Welcome ( reply )

What you have to do now is memorize the greetings above and the best way is to use the arabic greeting instead of english when meeting friends and family. After that you can practice them in arabic writing.

Miracle Makeover....physically or mentally?

It has been sometime since I last involved myself in any kind of business or trading. Recently I met a childhood friend of mine who has joined a skin care and cosmetic direct selling company. She was havinfg a skin care class in my hometown and as a show of support for this sister, I enrolled in the class. The class was very informative and the sisterhood among the participants was great and without much persuasion, I joined in as a member. So now here I am as a Beauty Consultant.

When I reached home after the class, I was amused to see my three children and husband waiting eagerly for me...to see my transformation ( You see, they thought I went for a miracle makeover ). Alas it was just me....with a little bit of colors on my lips and cheeks but with a whole lot of determination and confidence to start my new trade InsyaAllah.

Please make du'aa for me so that I do not back out from this opportunity that Allah swt has put forward for me. May He grant all of us qualty activities to fill our time with. Alhamdulillah

Arabic For Beginners

Last year I had enrolled in Arabic for Beginner class. My intention is to learn and understand this beautiful language which had been chosen by the Almighty. Here I will try and share what I had learned and hope someday Allah swt gives you and I the gift of understanding the Arabic language.

Introduction to Arabic Alphabets

There are 28 alphabets in the arabic language. Below is how it is used in words.

Alphabet                                                          Meaning

A - Al Alif                         Alif ( the alphabet )                   


B - Bait                                  House  


T - Tilmidh                        Student in primary 


Th - Thalathah                            3


J - Ja`mi'ah                           University


H - Hur`uf                              Alphabet   


Kh - Khoir                              Good/ well


D - Madrosah                          School
     
Dh - Dha`lika                            That


R - Rob                                 God/ Almighty


Z - Zauj                                 Husband


S - Sayya`roh                              Car


Sy - Syamsiyyah                     Umbrella


S - Soba`h                            Morning


D - Abyad`                                White ( color )

T - To`lib                             Student in Secondary/ University  


Z - Bu`zoh                           Ice cream


`A - `A`ilah                          Family


Gh - Ghurfah                          Room


F - Fursoh                              Pleasure


Q - Qolam                                Pen


K - Kitab                                  Book

L -  Ha`l                                         News     


M - Mudhakkar                          Male 


N - Laun                                        Colour


H - Ahlan                               Welcome


W - Huwa                                 He 

Y - Yaum                                 Day


Here I try my best to deliver the sounds and words used say these alphabets, As a student of this beautiful language I ask  Allah swt to forgive me for any errors that I make  knowingly or otherwise. The first step is to be able to recognise the alphabets in this words and better still practise writing it in arabic.

99 Names of Allah

Hadith:
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr (one) and loves 'the Witr' (i.e., odd numbers). [Bukhari Vol 8 Book 75, Hadith 419]

A new beginning.

For almost the whole year of 2010 I had not updated my blog. There are many reasons and excuses but none of which is good enough an excuse for not maintaining my blog. It had become an abandoned project just like somethings that we drop off half way in our life. Maybe it could have been boring, monotonous or maybe I just run out of idea on what to write. After my pilgrimage to Mecca in 2009, I came back with many resolutions. One was to decrease my time on the Internet so that I can spend more time in my prayers and gain knowledge about my religion. But then I realised that by sharing my knowledge through this blog, I am doing something worthwhile where others could learn and share their experiences. Thus with renewed determination, I decided to continue with my blog. InsyaAllah, I am planning to continue Recipe for my children for now. And if time permits I will be starting a new topic on "Teaching Reading for 2yrs - 6yrs using the Montessori Method. InsyaAllah.

My Own Little Business

Today I am writing more on my new business interest. The friend I was talking about, decided to do her skin care class for my two daughter and also as a training session for me. My daughters naturally did not mind being the lab rats for this kind of experiment. I had called my friend over for lunch. I had prepared for her a special lunch and insyaAllah I will share the recipe with you soon. It was my late mom's recipe Coconut Rice, Chicken Masala Curry, Tandoori fried Chicken, Beans and Carrot stir Fry and ice cream with fuit cocktails for dessert. (Whoa, after puttting it down in words, only do I realise how much of excessive calories that would have cost me!)
After lunch we settled ourselves at the dining table where she will be conducting her demo.To my amazement, my friend took out a cabin size luggage bag which has all the cosmetics, lotions, creams, mirrors, cotton etc. According to her, I too must bring along this kind of bag when I conduct my skin care class!! 

I had a look at how she demonstrated all the various layers of lotions, creams, and foundation to prep my daughters faces. Then she applied the various application for the cheeks and eyes. Also lipstick and lip gloss. My daughter of course were absolutely over the moon to be given a makeover by my friend. They were encouraging me to learn all the tricks on how to apply all these colours. I agreed to attend this companys business meeting just to see what it was all about. During the presentation of this company, I found it hard to concentrate and focus on what was happening in front of me. I have attended many classes, religious and for self improvement before. I never feel so detached to what was happening around me as I felt during this meeting. After I reached home, everyone was eagerly waiting for me. That was when I told my children and AK that this is not the kind of business I would like to do. So there goes another dream of me opening my own business. Nevertheless, I will still continue my search. To own and run a small successful business. Till then pray that my dream comes true.

My journey to Makkah

I still remember the day when Ak and I went back to our house in Kuala Lumpur, and found the letter from TH saying we were selected to perform our Hajj this year. My excitement turn to anguish when we found out that we had not replied by the deadline date, Then started the many phone calls explaining we have moved to Penang and have not updated our address. So finally TH told us to be on standby. We had to take our vaccine, attend a crash course on Hajj Pilgrimage, pack all ou bags and wait. A few days before departure, we finally got the good news. So now we officially became DuyyufurRahman. Our flight was from Kuala Lumpur. My children were all still very young. My eldest was 19, my son was 15 and my youngest was 10. They will be staying with my in laws for the whole time. 

Our flight was upgraded to business class all the way to Jeddah.  The whole journey was like in a dream. I never would have imagined that I will make this most important pilgrimage before the age of 40. It is difficult to put into words my experience, because each and everything we went through is a test. Whether it is good or difficult, all of it is a test. The only thing I want to highlight here is the first time my eyes, "touched" Kaabah. The feeling is unimaginable. It is beyond words. Tears will come because of the joy and a kind of fear.  I did my Umrah at age of 26. My 2 kids followed us. The youngest was not born. It is the same feeling you get no matter how many times you look at the Kaabah. 

The same feeling when we went to Madinah. The heart flutters with joy when in raudah. We feel so close to the Prophet saw. As though he is welcoming us to his Masjid. All in all it was a very sacred journey. Made a few friends for life. Hope to go again to Makkah, this time with all my children, God Willing

Cardamon & Saffron Pudding

Cardamon & Saffron Pudding
(recipe from arabic bites)

This is a quick and easy dessert that anyone can make and I have to thank Zainab from arabic bites for sharing this recipe.

For those who do not like the smell of cardomoms, please go slow with it or else you will not be able to enjoy this fine dessert. I have tweaked the original recipe a little and I hope tohose who are reading this will give this recipe a try. I took this desserts to my inlaws' for iftar the other day and it became a hit. So, don't wait. Try it now.

2 cups of evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups of low fat milk

3/4 cups of water

4 tbsp of sugar

a pinch of saffron

5 cardomom pods crushed

6 tbsp (flat) corn flour

a few drops of rose water

2 tbsp of cream (opt)

method

1. Combine both the milk and cardomoms and sugar. Stir over low heat and bring to a boil

2. Now strain the mixture and remove the cardomom pods.

3. Return the milk into the pan and add saffron and rose water.

4. In a nother bowl mix the cornflour and water together until the flour dissolve into the water.

5. Now add the flour mix slowly into the milk.

6. Stir continously because the mixture will thicken very fast.

7. Make sure the fire is low all the time.

8. Lastly add the cream and turn off the heat. Stir the mixture and pour into individual serving bowls.

9. Decorate the top with roasted chopped almonds, pistachios or cashews.

10. Serve chilled.

Ramadan special…recipe from arabic bites

Grilled chicken with lemon garlic and paprika

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Hummus with a sprinkling of paprika, Arabic flat bread and grilled chicken

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO HUBBY AND ME!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAK!!!

Yesterday 2nd September , hubby and I celebrated our 20Th wedding anniversary. This year our anniversary was indeed very special because it fell during the Ramadan month. Every year we would out for dinner with the kids especially because my eldest Shak shares her birthday on the same day. This year to my surprise, hubby had other plans. He decided to cook for iftar! I was a little sceptical at first especially when he told me he is cooking fish. After some persuasion I finally agreed but I told him to please have a back plan, in case the food did not turn out well, the kids would not have anything for breaking fast. So he quickly checked the number for pizza delivery as plan B.

We started the day with a trip to the fish market and bought the fish fillets and vegetables. Later in the afternoon hubby was googling on the net for last minute recipes!! I was getting quite nervous. I thought he already had a menu in mind. So when I asked him what is he doing looking for recipes, he coolly said that there is another item on his menu and he forgot to look up the recipe!! By this time it was already 4pm. Another three hours to iftar and here we have not started on anything.

Exactly after Asr prayers hubby announced that he is heading for the kitchen, and I followed suit. First he prepared all the vegetables for grilling. Then he cut up tomatoes for the soup. The fish which was already cutup only needed washing and marinating. For the chips we cut up some potatoes. Yup I couldn't stop helping poor hubby.And finally the mystery item which he was googling for recipe was couscous. It was prepared in a flash.

The final product was:

Pan fried oat and breadcrumbs crusted fish fillets
with Grilled aubergine, red and yellow peppers in spiced olive oil
with onion and garlic flavoured couscous and a tangy homemade sauce.

For the kids especially my son MS and Sofi there was homemade potato chips.
Although it was also Shak's birthday, she did not get to enjoy her father hard work because she had gone back to college.

So the final product is these photos. The food? Well what can I say. It was excellent. I guess all of us including my kids did not think their father can cook so well. He actually produced a very healthy nutritious meal and all of us enjoyed it very much.

I would like to say a million thanks to hubby for wanting to cook for me and I wish us both A Happy Anniversary May Allah swt Bless us and our Family and give us many more years together. Amen

And to Shak, Happy Birthday again!! I know she is having a great time in college. What with the surprise birthday cake that she got from her good friends at 12 am and so many wishes and gifts.




SPICY TOMATO SOUP WITH SOUR CREAM


THE FINAL PRESENTATION (but oops, hubby forgot to pu the chips and couscous on the plate


BREADED FISH BEING PAN FRIED


IN ACTION!!

Home Sweet Home*

The Messenger of Allah (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Everything with which a man amuses himself is Baatil (baseless, null and impermissible) - except three, his practicing with bow (and arrow); his training the horse and his playing with his family." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

YouTube - baba ali ummah films

YouTube - baba ali ummah films

Ask Baba Ali

I came across this hillarious, light hearted and thought provoking video the other day and would like to share with others. For more videos go to ummahfilms.com but for now enjoy this one. Ummah Films

Shared via AddThis

Sofi's Birthday Again!!!

Alhamdulillah all praises is to Allah, it's Sofiyyah, my youngest's 10 year old birthday. Actually we only planned to invite a couple of her good friends over for tea. But Almight Allah had other plans. Sofi's granma, grand aunts, cousins, and uncles decided to come on that day. What started as a small party become a big get together. She had a great time. Ten year old birthday is important because this is when you enter into the age of double digits. Sofi says she feels like a big girl now too.;)

*Home Sweet Home*

I found this interesting hadis from a website and wuld like to share with all.


*Home Sweet Home*

The Messenger of Allaah (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Everything with which a man amuses himself is Baatil (baseless, null and impermissible) - except three, his practicing with bow (and arrow); his training the horse and his playing with his family." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has said: "There are two blessings that many people lose, health and free time." [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Every one of you is a protector and a guardian of his immediate charge and is responsible for the actions of those people who are committed to his charge. A man is a guardian in respect to the family members of his house. A woman is a guardian in respect to her husband's house and his children." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "…If you do not have Haya, then do whatever you want." [Saheeh al-Bukharee

Friday’s Business

Friday’s Business

“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salah on Al-Jumu’ah, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is better for you if you did but know.” — Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:9

The scholars agreed that it is prohibited for Muslims to engage in business transactions after the second Adhan…”your abandoning buying and selling, and instead, corcentrating your attention to Allah’s remembrance and the prayer are better for you in this life and the Hereafter.” -- Tafsir Ibn Kathir

“Then when the Salah is complete, you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.” -- Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:10

Difference between Focusing on Problems and Focusing on Solutions

This is a good article, in case if you have not read it before. Difference between Focusing on Problems and Focusing on Solutions

Case 1

When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and US$12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.

And what did the Russians do...?? They used a pencil.

Case 2

One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty.

Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.

But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.

Moral: Always look for simple solutions.

Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems

Always Focus on solutions & not on problems.

Crossroads in life.

Many of us can surely agree that we come to crossroads in our lives many times. When we reach the junction where the road forks, we have to make the right decisions so that this choice that we make, is the best for us and our loved ones. Then after making the choice, maybe years later we will be thinking what if I took the other road? What will be of me.I have come to these crossroads many times in my life, whereby choices I made affected my loved ones. Only the other day my son commented to me that it is easier being an adult. His reasons were that he can get to do a lot of things...making decisions were one of them. I think being a child and letting our parents decide for us is better than having to make decisions on our own. Probably because the responsibility of that choice is not on our shoulders. But then again, I realised our parents too would have had the same apprehension when making decisions. So the best way is to Du'aa to Allah swt for guidance, before and Tawakkal after making the choice.