The Prophet & The Passersby

An interesting hadith to reflect on especially in the materialist culture and society we live in. The rich are idolised and celebrated simply for the wealth they have amassed and the worldly status they hold but the poor are ignored, looked down upon and ridiculed because they are not "privileged" enough to think, live and behave like the rich.  We so often make the mistake of treating the rich with more respect than than we do the poor and we try so hard to emulate the celebrity lifestyle. I don't think this hadith is saying the rich are bad people in general but I think it highlights how the less fortunate or the poor have a special status in God's eyes especially if they endure His tests with patience and redha. In other words, never underestimate people and Allah's love for the less fortunate. 

There's so much more to unravel, in my opinion. What's your personal take on this hadith?

Being ME: Muslimah Empowered 2012

After living in a Western country for many years I've come to realise there were things I had taken for granted about Muslim countries. I am now able to appreciate the "little" things about living in Malaysia.  Things such as being able to hear the adhan (call to prayer) from my house, the availability of halal food everywhere, and most of all, more access to Islamic knowledge. I am very fortunate to have attended many Islamic talks and events in Kuala Lumpur this year alhamdulillah e.g. Productive Muslim, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani's "haul". This is what I feel has been missing in my life all those years in Dunedin. 

On the 30th of June I attended Being ME: Muslimah Empowered, a women-only conference organised by Mercy Mission. The array of speakers made it impossible for me not to go - Yasmin Mogahed, Myriam Francois-Cerrah, and so many more!

What if This is My Last Ramadhan?

Shaykh Dr. Tawfique Chowdhury reads a message from his patient, a dying Muslim: "I only have one word to say - regret."

Awake in Dunya

Ramadhan is all about jihad, the inner struggle towards human excellence and achieving closeness to God. It is a time of spiritual awakening and awakened is how I feel right now. I stumbled upon this verse in the Qur'an yesterday and it rendered me speechless. How many times have we delayed something that will please Allah (swt) because we wanted to please ourselves and obey our desires instead of obeying Him? How many times have we said, "Let's have fun now and deal with all that religious stuff later."? 

5 Counsels on Spiritual Concern

click to enlarge

May Allah swt help us to beautify our actions and intentions, Ameen. 

This is a very humbling read on the first day of Ramadhan.

Definitely something worthwhile to share with friends and loved ones. 

"And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing."

{Surah Al Baqarah, 2 : 158}

{originally seen on Islamic Thinking}

Faith Friday: Fasting of the Ears

as written for Ramadan.sg

The more I study Islam the more I understand it is a religion which aims to purify the heart of its adherents, and the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadhan, is when Muslims curb their desires, amplify their ibadah (acts of worship) and increase their reflection on life. Think of it as a month-long spiritual boot camp. I use the “boot camp” analogy because in order to “survive” Ramadhan a higher level of discipline is required to practise a higher degree of self-restraint, which is one of the aspects of being pious in Islam.

FV: The Wedding Receptions

After 6 years of friendship and courtship, my friends Fadza and Vivy finally tied the knot.
Together they founded FashionValet.net and together they now stand as husband and wife.

Their nikah (solemnisation) ceremony was held on 29th June 2012 and their respective receptions took place on 30th June and 1st July 2012. Friends came from around the world to celebrate this beautiful couple, mashaa Allah! So more pictures less words, yes?

Vivy & Fadza's Solemnisation Ceremony

The king and queen of FashionValet are finally hitched.
T'was a happy, happy night. 

Farewell June, Hello Newlyweds

This is partly why I've been so busy lately.