1 Night, 2 Weddings

I attended two weddings last night and they both happened to be at the same venue but different ballrooms.

How wonderful! 

But what I loved most was spending time with my high school "sweethearts". They are irreplaceable to me.

The Reason People Find it Hard to Be Happy

Faith Friday: The Muslim's Guide to Love (Part II)

credit: s2sphotography.com

So the wedding excitement is over. You’re back from your honeymoon and this is when reality kicks in. How can you continue to be happy as a couple in the years to come? With divorce becoming increasingly common, it can be a scary thought. Mufti Menk’s solution is simple: Be God-conscious at all times and know that you are going to return to Him one day.

He created the heavens and earth in truth and formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination. He knows what is within the heavens and earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare. And Allah is All-Knowing of what lies within the hearts. {Surah At-Taghabun, 64: 3-4}

In the chase for dunya, sometimes we forget who we are and the roles we are committed to. Everyone makes mistakes so make today the day you start taking your role as a husband or wife more seriously. Don’t let your marriage slip between your fingers. You will be accountable for it in front of Allah (subhanahu wa taala) one day.

Detour to Doha {Part 5}

This is how we spent our final day in Qatar. We checked out from the hotel after Zuhur prayer and went for one last tour around the city. We stopped by the Doha Corniche which is overlooking the harbour and the city's skyscrapers. I was mesmerised by the colour of the sea. Even though it was at least 40 degrees celcius I couldn't help but stay for a while and take lots of pictures. 

The view was breathtaking. I was tempted to jump into the sea and swim! The water looked that good. 

Detour to Doha {Part 4}

Finally, Part 4 is here! I'm sad we're almost coming to the end of the Detour to Doha series. I never get bored of blogging about Qatar and I hope you guys aren't tired of me writing about my trip. If you are, that's too bad  because Part 5 will be coming up shortly he he! 

So you must be wondering what's shopping like in Doha. One word. Expensive. If a McDonald's burger costs 35 Riyal (RM 29) can you imagine how much a dress would cost? However, that didn't stop us from checking out one of Doha's famous malls, Villaggio. We didn't have time for shopping though, much to my mother's relief. 

You'll find high-end brands at Villaggio - from Bvlgari to Harry Winston. 

There are also gondola rides to invoke an Italian feel to your experience. 

Tips for New / Aspiring Bloggers

CartoonChurch.com

Some of you have been asking me for tips on blogging. I don't consider myself a famous blogger and the truth is I still think of myself as a newbie because some of my friends have been blogging for 4 or 5 years! But I guess blogging for more than 2 years makes me somewhat experienced. If you want tips on how to be a famous blogger you should ask Maria Elena or Vivy Yusof ;)

I'm happy to share what I know so I've compiled a list of tips to help newbies in the blogosphere. These are based on my personal opinions and experiences. If you have anything to add please share with us! I'm sure our budding bloggers would appreciate it.

Tips for New or Aspiring Bloggers

#1. Why do you want to be a blogger? What's your purpose? What kind of blogger do you want to be? 
Intention gives you direction. Wanna be famous? Maybe you should read this first.

#2. Don't be pretentious.
Nobody likes a fake. Don't pretend to be interesting by making up stories. Don't pretend to be nice.  Just be interesting. Be nice. Be real. 

#3. Be creative and different. 

It's okay to be inspired by other bloggers but being different will give you a huge advantage. 

Dusting and Re-Decorating

Salaam and hi everyone!

Please excuse the mess around here. I've been doing some spring cleaning and re-decorating ;) 

Things should be properly up and running by tomorrow.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

The "Look At Me" Culture

I'm no astronomer. 

(And clearly not an artist either)

But I wanted to address an issue that many of us are struggling with in the 21st century. Particularly the Internet-driven youth.

Exhibitionism. 

As in a tendency to display one's abilities or to behave in such a way to attract attention.

What Tarek Mehanna Has in Common with Prophet Yusuf

When I refused to become an informant, the government responded by charging me with the “crime” of supporting the mujahideen fighting the occupation of Muslim countries around the world. Or as they like to call them, “terrorists”.

Tarek Mehanna

Last Thursday, a 27 year old American born and raised Muslim was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for an "attempt to aid Al-Qaeda". Tarek Mehanna's powerful speech has gone viral on the Internet and I'm sure most of you have read it. But if you haven't, it's time you did. It was reported that "what took place was a dramatic, 20-minute monologue. He did not miss a beat, no notes. There was not a pause. He started talking about what he was was because of America." (WBUR)

His case reminds me of the trials which Prophet Yusuf (a.s.) faced in his lifetime. He was the victim of one evil plot after another and like Mehanna he was thrown into prison for a crime he didn't commit. Despite all this Prophet Yusuf (a.s.) remained steadfast in his faith in God's plan for him.

He said, "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me. And if You do not avert from me their plan, I might incline toward them and [thus] be of the ignorant." {Surah Yusuf, 12:33}

Vivy's Engagement Ceremony

One of my closest friends, Vivy, founder of Fashion Valet, got engaged last Saturday, alhamdulillah.  

So I say more pictures less words please!

(I suggest you play this to set the mood for this post hehe) 

Beautiful floral dais and a nervous Vivy before the ceremony.

Faith Friday: The Muslim's Guide to Love (Part I)

(As published in MuzlimBuzz.org)

Mufti Ismail Musa Menk. The Zimbabwean Muslim cleric is no longer a stranger in Malaysia. In February 2012 he paid his very first visit to Kuala Lumpur where he presented various Islamic talks and even hosted an exclusive ‘meet and greet’ session with his Malaysian Facebook and Twitter followers. However, for most Malaysians the highlight of his visit was the sold-out two-day lecture in University Malaya. The topic of his first lecture addressed issues regarding family life whereas the second lecture discussed ways we can be steadfast in our deen. This series of articles was inspired by Mufti Menk’s lectures.


The Fortunate Muslim Family: Divine Solution to the Fragmented Family (Part I)

The key to opening the door to a happy and harmonious home lies in embedding a sense of responsibility within both husband and wife. Islam promotes this by connecting responsibility with God-consciousness (taqwa). 

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful. {Surah Al-An’am, 6:165} 

Detour to Doha {Part 3}

I've been meaning to write about this for such a long time but something always came up. I finally found the perfect opportunity now. You didn't think I'd visit Qatar and just write about the hotel I stayed in, did you?

On the day we arrived Doha we had dinner outside instead of dining at the hotel. We were hoping to try local Arabic food and were told to go to the souq. Souq Waqif which literally means 'standing market' is the go-to place for souvenirs, handicrafts, spices and traditional clothes in Doha. But since it was night time we figured we'd just go there to have a nice dinner and explore the souq the next day.

We parked in front these stables. These Arabian horses were beautiful. *cue the Arabian Nights song from Aladdin*

Sh. Usama Canon in Kuala Lumpur 2012

In this video, Shaykh Usama Canon, co-founder of Ta'leef Collective, describes the "beauty" of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and gives some advice for the well-being of the global Muslim community at a recent mawlid held in Kuala Lumpur. 
"Remember the importance of akhlaq (good character). As long as a community is still centred on character, that community as well... because Islam has been brought to you by people who put the emphasis on akhlaq."
P.S. My apologies for the shakiness of the video. I got pretty dizzy watching it myself but nevertheless, a big 'thank you' to my brother for capturing the moment and the message.

Mawlid & "Haul" Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jailani

One of the best Islamic gatherings I've ever attended to date. Shaykhs, muftis and scholars who came included Dr. Ahmad Al-Haddad (Dubai), Shaykh Rafi Al-Ani (Iraq), Habib Umar bin Hamid Al-Jailani (Mecca), Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ahmed Fredericks (Scotland) and Shaykh Usama Canon (America). Thousands were there mashaAllah. The congregation consisted from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India and more. 

(Most of the pictures were taken my brother. Thank you bro!)