Christmas and the muslim dilemma

Living in a non-muslim country it’s hard to avoid certain holidays, one of which that is very much in your face is Christmas, how do you avoid the secret Santa’s, Christmas parties and all the other things that go with Christmas. How many of us are asked on a daily basis at work, have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Do you be honest and say that no I don’t  celebrate Christmas to which a response is complete silence or a few who are a bit more brazen take a sneaky look at your hijab and say oh you’re not allowed to do that are you because it’s against Islam. Or do you just to keep the peace and avoid the uncomfortable silence and say that yes I’m done didn’t have many to buy for this year.  

Is it me or is it the sheer ignorance of people who believe that just because it’s a national holiday that everyone must partake in it.

I don’t know about others but for the last couple of years I have not been scared or embarrassed incase i didnt fit in. I just be honest and say that we have just had two big celebrations, one was Eid at the end of Ramadan and the other Eid at the end of Hajj and we have given and received many presents, so I wont be celebrating Christmas. I usually continue with, however I am looking forward to the time off work and I hope to grab a few bargains in the sales and without any hesitation they just happily move on to the sale shopping issue.

If I’m perfectly honest no one gets in to a big conversation about the why not’s because most of my colleagues have no religious interest in the festival they openly admit it has no religious significance to them or to their families, they claim it’s a multi million pound industry and it has become so commercial that they cant escape it even if they wanted too. Its also what has been drummed in to them from a young age so the tradition has continued. Basically it’s something to do and many of them hate the presents they get, but also admit that it’s the only time they have real family get togethers. Oh and I do have the odd few who claim that all it means to them is they can drink as much as they want and not have to go to work the following day.

I don’t want any of my non-Muslim readers to get annoyed with my comments about christmas, I am not at all generalising I’m just talking from my personal experiences.

CHANEL

I just love Chanel the clothes and the eye watering priced handbags, so I thought I’d share with you there most recent show, what you may think I don’t know but I really  like the inspiration behind Chanel’s Paris Bombay 2011 show, everything came together so beautifully for the designer, the sheer extravaganza just blends right in with the Indian culture and Bollywood drama. I know a lot of designers like to take inspiration from India and Karl Lagerfeld did exactly this with the glorious collection for his latest pre-autumn/winter 2012-13 collection. The Tables where laden for high tea and there was a no expense spared décor, it was simply breath-taking and my favourite part apart from the clothes which I must say looked so elegant and many a pieces that could be hijabi friendly- was the Chanel decorated steam train running along the tables. If you haven’t seen them already I shall leave you with some photographs- 

Chocolate Lovers Winter Treat

I am not really what you would call a chocoholic, I like to have the odd chocolate treat every now and then and I’m partial to a slice of chocolate fudge cake once in a while, as a general rule if I had a choice I would always pick a savoury treat over chocolate except when winter sets in and its freezing cold I like to treat myself to a warm mug of indulgent HOT CHOCOLATE.

It all started last year when I discovered these chocolate sticks from Marks and Spencer’s; basically it’s a ball of chocolate at end of a lollipop stick which you stir in milk turning your milk in to gorgeous cup of hot chocolate. I loved the idea so much I wanted to try and find a recipe to have a go at making them and I must say they turned out really well.  I found this recipe on the internet on www.candy.about.com if you put “hot chocolate on a stick” in your search engine you will find many recipe’s on making them and and ideas how to present them as little gifts. The image in the bottom is from a food blog and looks really beautiful I would love to receive such a gorgeous looking gift. Infact I  would cheat and buy some halal marshmallows, as the girl has done there and give them as little Eid gifts I don’t think I’m brave enough to attempt homemade marshmallows though.

Cooking time  10 minutes

Total time 10 minutes

Makes 25 pieces

Ingredients

·         1/2 cup heavy cream

·         14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

·         18 oz (about 3 cups) chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chips

·         4 oz (about 3/4 cup) chopped unsweetened chocolate

·         25 lollipop sticks or more if you want to make the smaller in size

Preparation:

1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chopped semi-sweet and unsweetened chocolates in a large heat-safe bowl.

2. Pour the heavy cream and condensed milk into a medium saucepan and whisk until combined. Put the saucepan over medium heat.

3. Bring the liquid to a simmer, whisking frequently so that the condensed milk does not scorch on the bottom of the pan.

4. Once the liquid is simmering, pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a minute to soften. Begin whisking the cream and chocolate together, until the chocolate is melted and you have a shiny, smooth mixture. It will be fairly thick.

5. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Allow it to sit and firm up overnight, or for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator.

6. Once the fudge block is firm, use a large, sharp knife to cut it into twenty-five pieces (five rows and five columns). For the smoothest cuts, rinse the knife in hot water and dry it between each cut. Skewer each block with a lollipop stick.

7. To make hot chocolate, heat a mug of milk (water does not work well in this instance) and add a chocolate block. Allow it to sit and soften for a minute, then vigorously stir until it is dissolved.

8. Store Hot Chocolate On A Stick in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature, two weeks in the refrigerator, or up to a month in the freezer.

Winter Love

I am really loving this season not only is it so easy to dress in, especially when you’re a hijabi as you don’t need to explain why you’re wearing several layers and long sleeve tops all the time but the fact that it feels so tranquil and cool it’s just a beautiful season, I wish it would snow when Im off work, as I love looking out the window with a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate when it’s snowing, I just hope it doesn’t snow when I go back to work as it’s  not fun to drive in the snow.

All images taken from the internet

PS  This may be controversial to some but I love the Christmas lights, not the tacky sorts but I just love the lovely decorated houses and no before you ask I don’t celebrate Christmas, I don’t send Christmas cards or take part in secret Santa’s , but I love the decorated shops and lit up streets and houses.





Work Drama

I have worked nonstop for last two months doing long hours some of it was appealing to earn more money and some of it was to keep busy so I don’t feel so depressed and I have hated every moment of it, don’t get me wrong I am greatful that I have a job and regular income when so many don’t have that and struggle to support families.

It is just that it used to be a job I could do with my eyes closed, a job that I could hit targets in and achieve highest output of casework with 100% accuracy on all audit checks, the same job has now become a chore- that I struggle to concentrate on that I struggle to get up for in the morning,  that I have next to no interest in. I end up doing the bare minimum and spend the rest of the day trying to pass time, I hate the fact that I feel like this and I hate the fact that I am wasting time. I detest the constant goal changing by management and office politics, sniping remarks not all directed to me but from an stressed and inefficient  managers at all al levels.

Oh how I remember those days that I loved working here, then thinking that this was just a passing role, one which when I have finished my degree I shall move on to greater things, bigger and better things (that was a long 3 years ago) Allah swt had other ideas for me, initially through my own laziness which has now turned in to lack of opportunities due to the current climate.

What is one to do but look for to the end of year break and hope that the opportunities come with the guidance of Allah swt and hope that the coming year gives me some peace in my heart and mind.  We all must at some time or another have days, weeks or in my case months when we feel that we are stuck in a rut.

Ya Allah swt please help me and all others in this situation and avert all our difficulties and fill our lives with ease. Ameen .

P.S As I was writing this post and getting distracted i was on a blog about Islam, I cant remember which one but as usual  I was feeling sorry for myself, then I read this paragraph and it made me feel so much better that Allah is always listening to you and giving you subtle guidance even if you think its hardship its a blessing a lesson. I shall share the words with you and you cant help but feel the impact of them -

“People are always ungrateful, and we are ungrateful because we don’t have sabr. Sabr and Shukr go together. When you’re not patient you start complaining. And the fact that you’re complaining is a sign that you’re not grateful.”

Faith and fighting the daily demons

I have tried to maintain the good deeds that I had learned after Ramadan, however somewhere in the chaos that is called my daily life I have started to slip, why have I allowed myself to miss the salah when I feel so much guilt, and why do I feel the distance from the Quran and how have I forgotten to get through a whole day without the istighfars and the remembrance of Allah swt that I for so long filled my every free moment with, why have I let myself forget the good lessons that I had learned. I understand that Allah swt does not want to burden us with more than we can handle and by having faith in myself and with the will of Allah swt I am ademant that I can overcome this if I organise myself effectively, I can get the balance right and once again l CAN and WILL become engrossed in the remembrance of Allah swt as only then will I feel at peace.

I feel so sad at times sad that I don’t do enough, sad that my focus is wrong, sad that I wished to achieve so much but ended up with so little of my ambitions being fulfilled, then again in te same breath I feel the guilt for wanting things, things that Allah swt wishes for me to do without, as Allah knows that those things I wished for and tried to work towards where not meant to be for me.  I wish for Allah to give me the strength to deal with these thoughts and to understand that in the grand scale of things, I know that they are not important ....but I still have moments when I  wish for them. These are tests and challenges that I need to overcome, I need to become stronger in my deen, so strong that my mind no longer ponders on such irrelevant thoughts.

Whilst I was writing this post I got distracted and in my search,  I came across a blog called beauty of islam and found the above images and then as I scrolled down I came across this little article by struckbyurlove, I am pretty sure she is the author of this article and her words beautifully sum up, that indeed my struggles are very minor and I should count the endless blessings from Allah swt.

“Sometimes I believe that my struggles are the most painful anxieties of all the anxieties of the world; how can they not be?

But then I think of prophet Muhammad’s struggle and all Ahlul Bayt had to go through and I quickly dismiss my struggles. I think about the oppressor but Allah reminds me of the Banu Israeel in the time of Pharaoh. I find myself thinking about being treated in such an abhorred manner but then Allah reminds me of Yusuf’s outrageous trial. I think about how hard it is to stay patient and Allah reminds me of Yunus being stuck in the stomach of a whale for x amount of years. I think about how having an ultimate fulfilling and blessed family would almost seem impossible, but then Allah reminds me of Ibrahim enjoining partnership with his son Ishmael in building the house of Allah in Makkah. I wonder how much more I can bear of this world and Allah quickly reminds me of Christ’s steadfast attribute. Then, I think about how I might just be a good representation of what a Muslim should be and Allah humbles me with the description of the hypocrites.

But ultimately, I find myself thinking about my future, but Allah reminds me that I still haven’t even lived the present moment to its fullest potential.”

E.L.F Cosmetics

I don’t really like to admit it but I am a bit of a beauty junkie well maybe not so much beauty but skincare junkie, my reason is I have horrid skin,with that I mean combination skin which is acne prone even at my ripe old age. I try almost everything they rave on about in magazines to correct/mange oily skin that is spot prone. Basically I get a few spots on a daily basis and every one leaves a scar of some sort and the ones that do clear up take like a year seriously I’m not kidding, I certainly can’t do the bare skin look but I’m not going to moan to much about that though because there are people out there that have bigger issues than the odd spot and Alhamdulillah my issue is nothing I can’t cover with a bit of foundation and concealer.

Even so I spend a fortune on moisturiser and foundation and cleansers some work some don’t a lot of the time I don’t use them often enough to see the results and I lose interest even though most the skin care products I buy are high end, therefore a bit on the pricey side but I work to the principle that the larger companies i.e Chanel, Dior, Clarins Clinique are going to put more research and money in to getting the best product out there therefore price is justified (I know this is not always the case).  I have still  been a loyal customer to Clarins for a good few years even though the issues I mentioned above didn’t clear up I just accepted them.

BUT A year ago a came across an article on Elemis products but decided that I won’t try them as they are so expensive then I stumbled upon sister Amena’s Hijab tutorials on YouTube she couldn’t praise them enough so I took a chance hoping that I might get close to her gorgeous skin, which I will say hasn’t happened but it’s not far off. You may think what has that got to do with ELF Cosmetic’s, well after sister Amena’s review elemis which might I add I love, I  recently saw her review  of  E.L.F products and as another blogger was also raving about them I decided to try them out, well the 50% off may also have been a deciding factor.

I started placing items in the basket before I knew it I had about 25 items in the basket and they were still all 20 something  in cost, I never get a bargain so I was well impressed, in case you’re wondering I don’t wear that much makeup I just ordered some for my sister as a upcoming Eid present,  anyway  I got my delivery a little later than expected but at their prices I can perfectly understand the amount of people who must have placed order and to be fair to them they sent me a email to advise of  the delay and also sent a further email on dispatch as well as a text. If you are like me and spend a lot on your base or on the canvas as beauty gurus would say then that is sensible, but who wants to spend £40 on a blusher or buy an on trend lip gloss, lip stick, nail colour when you may use it once and get bored with it or is that just me ?

You don't have to sacrifice quality and results for a lower price point. E.L.F.'s goal is to enable all women to look their best and not have to sacrifice luxury, quality ingredients or good results. There products are made from high-quality ingredients. They do not test products on animals, nor use animal-derived ingredients in their products. Also what swung it for me is that, all products are hypoallergenic and non-comodogenic.

I have so far used there concealer which is fab as is the all over colour stick I use as a blusher and I can’t rave enough about the high definition powder keeps my skin matt but not flat, so far so good and the lesson here is that you should consider the cheaper alternatives as sometimes they are spot on.

Abaya Love -Das Collection

I came across the Das collection in magazine article love love love there abayas they just look so beautiful and feminine, I  know what your thinking of course they are going to look great on 6 foot tall,  long limbed models,  and yes there prices are on the steep side so I can only admire them from a distance.

I was shocked not to mention impressed when I saw pictures of Olivia Palermo wearing one, that girl certainly has a amazing sense of style.

Dua list

It all started following an article I read about making a dua list during Ramadan and I thought it was a brilliant idea as there is  no way I can  possibly remember to ask for everything I want from memory, this inspired me to really think long and hard how little thought I put in to my dua's so I was determined to make the most of this Ramadan and really use every opportunity to ask Allah swt and hope that he accepts my dua. My dua list was very extensive during Ramadan but I will share my current one, which is a work in progress.

The following verses from the Quran show how Allah invites believers to ask from Him:

• And when my servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the supplicant when he calls upon Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me, that they may walk the right way. (2:186)
• Call unto Me, I will answer you. Those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell. (40:60)
• Call your Lord humbly and secretly, He loves not the transgressors. (7:55)
• And call on Him, fearing and hoping, surely the mercy of Allah is near to those who do good. (7:56)

My Dua List-

I ask Allah to help me and guide me:-

·         To be able to read Quran daily

·         To do dhikr daily.

·         Read my 5 Salah with full concentration.

·         Go to more Islamic talks and understand and apply the topic in my life.

·         Select a shaykh, and learn and benefit from his tahreekah to get closer to Allah (swt)

·         Do itikaf for the last ten days in next Ramadan

·         Have whole month off work for next Ramadan.

·         Learn the 99 names of Allah swt by heart.

·         Learn to read Quran withproper tajweed rules.

·         Ask for ease in the life of people who are suffering due to poverty, illness etc

·         Learn to speak Arabic.

·         Pay off all my debts.

·         Get a new job so I can spend more in the way of Allah swt as I don’t think i spend enough.

·         Travel to Dubai, Egypt, Malaysia, Palestine.

·         Get married to a man who will help me strengthen my relationship with Allah swt (please Allah make it easy for me)

·         To have pious and healthy children.

·         I ask for help in learning and understanding the deen.

·         To buy a house and decorate it all white (love interior design)

·         To be able do umrah.

·         To do hajj with my parents.

·         Remember to give more to charity.

·         To ask for forgiveness of my sins

·         To ask for protection from hell fire and torment of the grave.

·         To remain generous, sincere and live my life the way that is pleasing to Allah swt.

·         To make friends that help improve my faith.

It is said that dua averts difficulty and dua can revert what has been destined. Although Allah decrees all things, He has given us the ability to make changes through dua.

The Holy Prophet (saw) has said: What is destined cannot be averted except through dua. Another Hadith says: Indeed caution cannot save you from what is destined, but what can save you from it is dua. Imam `Ali

Do you have a Dua list ?

New Handbag

Now you may or may not know this but I am bag girl and so love my desginer handbags, however even though I do treat myself to a couple of designer bags a year budget constraints mean I have to buy some from the high street to feed my addiction. In all honesty I think the high street shops do have some well made handbags and even some fabulous designer inspired handbags so your spoilt for choice really.

Anyway I am currently (just under a week) carrying all my worldly goods in this little beauty (River Island £40) I just hope its lasts well, as there is nothing I hate more than thinking I have got myself a stylish bargain when within days it falls apart.

My Ramadan

My inspiration came from quite a few sources but initially from these two books Ameen's Ramadan Diary and Ramadan Booster I bought these for my younger sister and picked them up in passing  this triggered my research further and I came across articles  on www. Iloveallah.com and www.productiveramadan.com. Ramadan has always been a month I enjoyed and from a early age I recognised that it was an important month with many rewards I wanted to establish how I could go about achieving the most out of it.

 “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (2:183)

I can honestly say that this Ramadan has been the best Ramadan ever for me in terms of my personal effort and spiritual connection with Allah swt and the more importantly my realisation of the blessings bestowed upon me and the lack of gratitude I have shown to Allah swt. I mean don’t get me wrong I have always since the age of 11-12 maybe even a little earlier fasted during Ramadan and as I got older in the last few years I’ve tried to pray my 5 salah (not as often as i liked) more so during Ramadan but somehow I have easily got distracted, even taraweeh id try but fail miserably to keep up using tiredness from fasting all day as an excuse, and sometimes I’d do what I could due to my parents insistence, but this year Alhamdulillah I felt such a connection to every act of ibadah i did, it was just amazing.

I decided early on that I wanted to make this Ramadan different inshallah,  I really wanted to improve myself and my relationship with Allah swt so i started planning; I started out with writing a diary of what I wanted to achieve, following that I commenced my plan of action by starting to fast in the month of Sha'ban, I started doing more dhikr, recitation of Quran and more importantly praying to Allah swt to help me achieve a good an fruitful Ramadan. 

Alhamdulillah, all praise is to Allah swt he helped me and I was able to do just as I wished I started Ramadan on such a high I was overjoyed that it had finally started when so many people around me where dreading the long days, I was looking forward to the getting up at Suhur and the long days of fasting, I  prayed my 5 salah every day (Except a couple that i had to do Qada) I did an abundance of dhikr at every opportunity during the day, I did regular Istigfars, I read tarweeh every day, I got up early for tahajjud every day, I  read the Quran after most my salah, I also had two weeks off work at the end of Ramadan which was a miracle in itself due my colleagues with children being on term time and others being on pre-booked holidays,  therefore it is usually impossible to have time off in the summer, so I was so grateful to Allah swt for allowing me to have this time to spend in his remembrance  and to try and seek Laylat ul qadr in the last ten days. I spent so much time reading about Islam and really focusing on my ibadah, I even got the opportunity to attend a tafsir of surah alaq which was absolutely amazing , I attended a short lecture course on Ramadan and its benefits/blessings.

All I can say is the whole month was so uplifting for me I feel like it has really strengthened my Iman and I pray that Allah swt has accepted all I was able to do, and that which every muslim did in this month to please him, I pray that Allah gives us all the ability to continue in the good habits we learned in Ramadan and that we have another opportunity to partake once again in such a blessed month. Ameen

Peace for Humanity Conference

Peace for Humanity Conference

MUHAMMAD The Merciful 24^th September 2011

I am looking forward to this conference, I have listened to Dr Muhammad Tahir-Ul-Qadri’s speeches on TV a few times on the recommendation of my dad and he is very good very technical and through with his descriptions on the given subject, I also have listened to Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad’s talks a few times and he is also very good, I am not so familiar with the other speakers but will do a post after I have being to the conference insha-allah.

http://www.peaceforhumanity.co.uk/

My Summer Trip – LONDON

My Summer Trip – LONDON

I love London, I mean how can you not its beautiful and mulit-cultural and just so buzy and amazing did I mention that I love London ha-ha. I saw several women in Harrods with their gorgeous bags and groomed outfits, I saw at least 9-10 women wondering happily in the Harrods handbag department and food halls and the funny thing is there hijab and jilbabs didn’t seem to offend the store assistants in the slightest infact they couldn’t be more accommodating – just goes to show that there is no discrimination where there is money.

On a more serious note I went with my 2 younger sisters, it was actually the wish of green eyes (third sister down to visit-yes she does have green/grey eyes) she has this obsession with the America, she keeps telling us that when she grows us she wants to move to America and live in LA or the Hollywood hills I tell you kids these days so influenced with the celebrity culture, I mean don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t mind a quick trip to new york to shop and live the life of the KARDASHIANS but that’s not reality that’s just reality TV. In all honesty I couldn’t live anywhere else in the world except the UK, it just wouldn’t feel right and this is home.

Anyway I digress the pictures from LONDON – we had such a fabulous but expensive day, we started out in buckingham palace, london eye, big ben, madam taussauds and then finally Harrods.

My First Little Post

My first post…………….. well for many months now  I have read and enjoyed many a blogs and I  always have so many subjects I wished to discuss but thought better of it for one reason or another i.e. life, work, Islam, family, time, laziness-  not necessarily in that order. Well the main reason was that there are so many bloggers who write so well and have such a interesting life and then there’s little old me …!!!

I thought a blog would be a great way to discuss my random musings whether anyone wants to read them and finds them remotely interesting who knows but least I’ve got it out my system, the topic’s may range from one end of the spectrum to the other anything could inspire me to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard , anywhoo it’s a personal diary for me and these are my little views it’s all about my life, my dreams, my hopes and aspirations and the things that inspire me.