Inspire me

I am beyond excited and have been preparing for weeks, insha'Allah we all have a blessed and producive ramadan full of Allah swt's mercy.

Inspire me

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee June 2012

Queen Elizabeth has celebrated 60 years as monarch and to commemorate this landmark here in the United Kingdom we had a long 4 day weekend of Jubilee celebrations, all over the country the ones that included the monarch were obviously in the capital London.

Over the four days many events were organised including concerts, lunches and dinners with heads of state etc, there was also a Diamond Jubilee Pageant,  this event took place on the Thames and consisted of up to 1,000 boats assembled from across the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world. The Queen travelled in the Royal Barge which lead the flotilla. There have also been many a street parties organised all over the country.

The climax was on monday as the Queen was met with a huge outpouring of adoration from a sea of people head-to-toe in red, white and blue who gathered below the balcony at Buckingham Palace to see her. This was possibly the crowning event of a spectacular weekend that saw possibly one million people descend on a rainy London (it’s a real shame that the jubliee celebrations didn’t fall on the week before as the weather was gorgeous then), regardless of the weather a huge crowd sung and marched to the gates of the Palace to watch the Royal Family stand on the balcony and we all know that no one does pomp and ceremony better than us british folk haha.

I do like the royal family more so the younger royals, even though I wouldn’t go out in the cold rainy weather for them, like the millions who did, I did catch it on the live TV coverage.

The Queen emerged to a deafening roar, flanked by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (who looked gorgeous as ever), Prince Harry, Camilla and Prince Charles. The only senior member of the family missing was Prince Philip, who is in hospital which was a shame. It was quite a show and in case you missed it I have found you some pic from various sources, hope you all enjoyed your extended bank holiday weekend

The star of the show

Patriotic hijabi how cool !

Inspire me

Book - Current read

I am currently reading and studying this book called the Compendium of Knowledge and Wisdom it is  translated by Abdassamd Clarke of the masterwork of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, the Jami' al-'ulum wal-hikam, the book is a commentary on fifty hadith including the Forty of Imaam an-Nawawi.

Each and every hadith is one of those considered by the 'ulama essential for knowledge of the deen. The topics range from the most exacting treatments of the affairs of the shari'ah to luminous expositions of the spiritual sciences of Islam. One thing I would say is that the book is super thick and not one you can carry around with you, it is a shame they did not split it in to two volumes. The transaltion is very easy to read and follow and the depth it goes in to is just enough to understand the topic. InshAllah I pray that Allah swt gives me the ability to better understand my deen and to apply the knowledge I learn in to my life, to gain closeness to Allah swt.

Twitter ....

I joined facebook a while back but I just never got in to it enough to use it like everyone else was, so you would think why oh why would you join another social networking site ..... curiosity

I am a little intrigued with the twitter craze ... so please do come and join me so that I am not alone. click on the link below !

TWITTER

ACID violence - Islamic Help & Pearl Daisy

Acid Violence


This is a post that I have written to encourage my UK readers (ladies only) to come along and support this charity event in Birmingham or London to raise awareness and funds for acid burns victims, obviously my international readers can do their bit by making donations to support this cause.  

It really touched me, infact I was in tears when I watched this video,  afterwards I sat there thinking that I can sometimes moan about the odd spot or lack of clarity on my face when there are women even in this day and age who have gone through this torture, women who dont even recognise themselves when they look in the mirror, and what is more shocking is that is usually caused by someone they know. It is truly horrific I am at loss with words so I wanted to share it with everyone and hope that you will all try and help as much as you can.

To give you a little background The Smiles Better campaign has been formed by Islamic Help a UK based charity to improve the lives of acid attack survivors. Islamic Help has been providing specialist medical and surgical support to acid burns victims since 2005. If anyone has seen a burns victim they will realise that facial burns have major visual impact on victims and anybody who sees them, burns around other parts of the body constrict muscles, thereby severely restricting movement of the head, arms and legs, so you can imagine the pain and horror that the burns cause the victims.

The surgery that Islamic Help has been providing over the past years (led by world renowned surgeon Dr Muhammad Ali Jawad) has had a significant impact on survivors, enabling enhanced facial appearance, free and unrestricted movement of the limbs and most importantly reigniting the confidence to live in the community again.

Pearl Daisy has teamed up with Islamic Relief to organise this event, if you have never heard of Pearl Daisy ….where have you been ladies? Pearl Daisy is the brainchild of sister Amena or Amenakin as she is known on YouTube, she is the hijab tutorial guru from YouTube who started out doing the odd tutorial after wearing hijab, to now running a super successful online store supplying hijab and accessories to ladies all over the world, all whilst  balancing motherhood to two young children. She is a fantastic role model for the young and old muslimah’s wearing hijab or interested in hijab. She is truly an  inspirational women showing that being a “Hijabi” as we are commonly known these days does not hold you back in anyway Alhamdulillah.

I will let Amena say the rest, please watch this video and tell me how anyone could not be moved?

Islamic Help

Pearl Daisy

Inspire me

I read something beautiful today, it went something like this, We often think of this ayah as meaning if we suffer through hardship, ease will come afterwards, but that’s not all it means at all. It doesn’t say after it says with. This helps us to understand that Allah (SWT) is telling us that no matter what your are suffering, there is ease within it. So when we are strugglying or suffering we turn to Allah swt and pray more so our iman increases so you have that ease within your hardship. The hardship you are going through is not in vain  Allah swt is erasing your sins and making your stronger and a true believer. Allah swt knows best never lose hope.

Clear skin

I thought I would share my new purchases with you, I needed a new foundation and boy have I  tried many everything from, MAC , Bobby Brown, Iman, Clinque, Lancome, YSL,  Dior and I have only ever been happy with MAC NC35 and YSL.

 I have only ever bought full coverage foundation as I have combination acne prone skin from my teenage years, when I say acne I use the term lightly it’s more like a few dotted spots on my cheek and chin etc  I have never had spots covering my whole face or anything like that and it’s never been anything that foundation couldn’t cover Alhamdulillah but they were still there and guaranteed I  would have a couple spots a week that take ages to clear and I would get a whopper if there was any occasion or an event I was attending when all my friends had gorgeous clear skin.

 I have learnt to deal with it and cover up using all kinds of lotions and potions over the years, but the main reason I have always wore full coverage foundation is to cover the scars these dreadful spots leave behind, even if it’s the tiniest of spots it always leaves a red mark that stays for months and is very visible when I take my foundation off. I have used Chanel Matt Lumiere in the past this was a full coverage foundation but they discontinued a couple out of there range and introduced this new one Chanel Perfection Lumiere, its still matt finish but a lighter coverage though its buildable if needed. I really like have it feels on my skin and i have tried not to cover my whole face only use it where needed and it lets your natural skin come through.

Also recently I have started to use rose water on my mom’s recommendation after cleansing and this had started to do wonders for my skin, it looks much more even toned and the pores look smaller on my nose and cheeks and more importantly the scars are fading, so all my life I have wished not to have wear a base and though I am nowhere near that and certainly not brave to go out with bare skin I can however wear a lighter foundation and cover the blemish scars with concealer.  I have also heard rave reviews of the touch éclat number 2.5 so I also bought this, I have worn it twice now and each time my eye area looked so bright and I looked like I have had lots of sleep.

I would love to have even toned mark free skin so I could wear a little tinted moisturiser this would be so much easier more so to read Salah as I would not have to re- apply several times a day I am not vain but it’s the confident thing as when your around people your face is what people see first……. Alhamdulillah for what Allah (swt) has blessed me with and ultimately he knows best. Do you ladies have any secrets or tips you can share to get rid of old and new blemish marks?

Chanel Perfection Lumiere £36.00

YSL touché éclat£25.00

Inspire me - Reflection in difficult moments

Alhamdulilallah for productive muslim, they are so inspirational, many a times when I have felt low about some issue I have ventured on there, and found a insiprational quote or article that has become a subtle reminder of Allah (swt), and once again motivated me and made me realise where I should be putting my efforts and focus.

The Noor Collection - GIVEWAY

I really have neglected The Noor Collection Facebook page, in case your wondering what I am talking about its the Facebook page I set up for my little creative venture, which  I started last year. The main reason for my absence is that little thing called life (nothing to do with the fact I am rubbish on facebook honest) and the other reason is I am terrible at photography, and I do sell my hijab pins by recommendation and word of mouth so I have been a little lax to say the least. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that I need to do a little give way to liven things up on the Facebook page. 

So I have decided that when I get 30 LIKES on the Facebook page for The Noor Collection. I shall randomly select a winner, the winner will be anyone who has liked the page (past or present) and they will get to choose any two beautiful handmade hijab pins.


However If I get 50 likes the winner can choose 4 hijab pins and I shall add an additional bonus prize for them. There are no restrictions, you can LIKE the facebook page from any corner of the world, I have added some pictures for you to get a taster and I shall be uploading more on the facebook page, so do come and have a look !!!!!!!!

The Noor Collection

The Noor Collection

Inspire me

Charitable Intentions

I have recently been having a nagging feeling inside me that I need to give/do more for charity.  I was at loss as where to start – this may sound silly but I live in the UK (though we have pur problems) it’s hardly a war zone what can I do to help my ignorant mind told me, but my heart and my conscious keep telling me that if I look in the right place I can do plenty to help, I dont have to actually be there in the midst of a tragic event to do a charitable act.

The best of you is he (or she) who is of most benefit to others- Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Like many people I try to give to charity whenever I can I make a monitory donation whether that be to a Islamic channel that is doing a water project or a charity that is collecting to build houses for people who have suffered a loss through a natural disaster. I always wish even at that point that, if only I could do more.  However by just giving a donation I am not satisfying that need, this time I want to do something more, maybe it’s because I want to give something more personal like my time. Hence why my desire to help is not been quenched by donating money as I am not actually putting any effort in via my physical self and we all are aware that there are many forms of charity.

As I was contemplating what I wanted to do once again I came across a blog, with a interview of an author Suma Din she was been asked about her writing and they mentioned her book titled Dr Hany El Banna – A servant to the world’s poorest people, she mentioned that he was the founder of Islamic Relief. Islamic Relief is such a well-known charitable organization and one I donate to regularly.  I have often wondered about the people behind these charities and how they get recognition that they do and how they reach the heights they do and what is the motivation behind them.

 I may also need to mention at this point that I love reading autobiography’s so I went and bought the book the following day. It was a fascinating read a huge insight in to a man who was touched by people suffering and who did whatever he could by going the extra mile at times at the expense of his own career and family, it portrayed Dr Hany as such a selfless and hardworking man who believes if you put your mind to it and your trust in Allah (swt) you can achieve great things.

They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it Qur’an chapter 2, verse 215 

A little about the man in the book Dr Hany Abdel Gawad El-Banna OBE  is the co-founder of Islamic Relief, the largest Western- based international Muslim relief and development (Non Government Organistaion), that was established in 1984 in Birmingham, UK.

Dr Hany El-Banna’s main aim was to alleviate the poverty and suffering of the world’s poorest people, he is a  pathologist by education, Dr. Hany attended a medical conference in Sudan in 1983 during a time of famine in the region. The poverty and desperation he witnessed compelled him to return to the UK and set up Islamic Relief  an organisation to help people in need. He was born in Egypt and completed his MBBCH Medicine at Al Azhar University, Cairo, where he also obtained a Diploma in Islamic Studies in 1976. Dr Hany El Banna was awarded the Hamilton Bailey Prize in Medicine at City hospital 1981, Birmingham UK. He then went on to further his medical training and completed a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in foetal pathology from the University of Birmingham Medical School in 1991. Dr El-Banna was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in 2004. However he has stepped down as president of Islamic Relief but still is actively involved in humanitarian work.

it is a well written book and I would highly recommend anyone who is intrested to read it, it is very thought provoking snapshot of the work Dr Hany has done , it certainly inspired me to email Islamic Relief to become a volunteer.

Inspire me

Mothers

Islam gives mothers so much importance and ranks mothers so highly, Islam commands kindness, respect and obedience to parents and specifically emphasizes and gives preference to the mother. Islam raises parents to a status greater than that found in any other religion or ideology.

The command to be good to one's parents begins right from the Qur'an. Allah says:

"Worship God and join not any partners with Him; and be kind to your parents..." [Noble Quran 4:36]

A man once asked the Prophet to whom he should show the most kindness. The Prophet replied: "Your mother, next your mother, next your mother, and then your father."

 In other words, we must treat our mothers in a manner befitting their exalted position. The prophet Muhammad went on to say in another such narration that ‘Paradise lies at the feet of your mother'

What can be greater evidence of honouring women than this? Islam has effectively placed the ultimate reward for human beings in their devotion to their mothers. So each of us should appreciate what we have in our mothers. They are our teachers and our role models. Every day with them is an opportunity to grow as a person. Every day away from them is a missed opportunity may Allah have mercy on our parents in this life and the hereafter.

The Scared Relics - Coffee Table Book

(N.B.   previous post went missing (think I accidently deleted it) so I had to re-write it, so apologies if your reading this and think 'im sure she didnt say that before' I had to re-write it from memory)

I love interior design and décor, I am forever changing the colours scheme and accessories at home. One thing that I have always liked is books on the coffee table. I usually browse interior home magazines and they normally have art books and travel books displayed on their coffee tables. I know there is no hard and fast rule as you can have anything you like really.

I knew what I wanted something that had beautiful photography but also encompassed my love of Islam in it, when I was out shopping for Eid clothes I went in to an Islamic store in Birmingham,  and came across a  book called the Scared Trusts, I was looking through some other books on a table in the middle of the store when I stumbled upon this large gift boxed book, as I opened the book I was really impressed I thought how beautiful are the high resolution photographs and more importantly they were not any old images these photographs were images of items that belonged to the Prophet Muhammad  (saw) and many other prophets. I flipped it over for the price and realised it said £99 that I was not expecting  and as I was in a rush I walked out the store and didn’t buy it. I have regretted it ever since as I didn’t know the name of the book or the author I didn’t think I would ever find it again until I came across it the internet. Alhamdulilah

The Sacred Trusts in an album presenting the marvellous collection of Scared Relics, the description of the book, states that it contains a collection of more than 600 invaluable belongings of prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Prophet Muhammad (saw), as well as the Prophet's Companions, it includes the entire collection of items some which are not on exhibit for daily visits.

The items are housed in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul many items and relics collected and donated over a large period of time in history. Many relics of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) were brought to the palace by Yavuz Sultan Selim I, upon the conquest of Egypt in 1517. Sacred Trusts captures and contains these items and relics in their full glory combined with a fascinating history. The images are absolutely breath-taking and I am so honoured to have discovered the book, as I get to set my eyes are items that I didn’t even realise where available in some parts of the world.

Evening of Inspiration 2012

I am pretty sure that everyone has heard of Islamic Relief, if you havent then let me explain, they are an international charity organistaion, which aims to alleviate the suffering of some of the poorest people in the world, it is an independent non- government organisation that was founded in the UK and is the brain child of Dr Hany El Banna, all the way back in 1984 and  ithas become one of the most well-established charity organisations in current times. We are all aware that charity is such a integral part of any muslim’s life.

The Qur'an states: 'And be steadfast in your prayer and pay charity; whatever good you send forth for your future, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah is well aware of what you do' (2:110).

The best charity is to satisfy a hungry person, said Prophet Muhammad (saw). He also said "No wealth (of a servant of Allah) is decreased because of charity."  (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2247).

Islamic Relief presents - Evening of Inspiration 2012

One of the events Islamic Relief organise annually in the UK is the Evening of Inspiration this is an event to raise funds for various things like Syria appeal, Orphans and children, East Africa crisis, Water for Life etc. The one I have booked tickets for myself and my sisters is to be held in Birmingham,  The Symphony Hall on the 8^th of April 2012 and it is been arranged to raise funds for Orphans and Children, they do many more of the same event in other locations  like Cardiff, Manchester,  Bradford and London. The performers for the night will be well known names like Zain Bhika, Native Deen, Outlandish and Junaid Jamshed. If anyone of you are interested, do click on the links below for more information. I think it’s a well worthy cause and a lovely evening with family and friends InshaAllah.

http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/

http://www.thsh.co.uk/event/evening-of-inspiration-2012-12/

Inspire me

Michael Kors

I have been eyeing up this watch since November and always talked myself out of it, because I own about 4 watches that I never wear but every time I come across a model wearing it in a magazine article or a blog I want it again. The dilemma I had was that I wanted one silver watch and one rose gold watch, because I thought that if I buy the two tone silver and rose it wouldn’t be so wearable as it would clash with something or another (don’t ask I think random things). I had this conversation with myself many a times and didn’t buy the watch.

Then on Monday I went to return a pair of jeans to  H&M and on the way back I passed  Goldsmiths before I had time to think, the man behind the counter was handing me a little brown gift bag and I was walking out the store with a gorgeous Michael Kors two tone silver and rose gold watch, the watch is a chronograph watch which is a large chunky design, the rose gold is very subtle not bling at all. Honestly the online images and my photography do not do justice to it ,the colour looks terrible on my photographs but you will have to take my word for how gorgeous it is and how much I love it ..

Inspire me

Lunch Time Reading

Pause to reflect

On my lunch break at work on most days I sit at my desk eating my lunch whilst browsing the internet, I start off with a online newspapers to see what the plight of the world is and somehow end up on website looking at clothes bags etc etc , however from this week we are no longer allowed to eat hot food at our desks and as its cold I am still obsessed with eating soup (it warms me up) so we have to either go to the canteen (busy and noisy) or sit at one of the designated spots around the office, I love reading so I bought a book with me in case I didn’t have company, we all have to stagger our breaks to keep management happy.

The book I took with me is called Don’t be Sad by Dr A’id al-Qarni.  I had bought this several months ago and only had a quick flick through it. I sat down with my food and opened it to the page that said “repel boredom from your life” I mean it couldn’t have come at a better time over the last two weeks at work we have had major computer problems and only 40 % of staff have been able to enter the system at any given time, so you can imagine sitting idly for hours on end making yourself look busy when its known to all that nothing can be down without the computer system – boredom really starts to creep in and Alhamdulillah this chapter really made me think. I also enjoyed the art of happiness and the pause to reflect chapters they really are thought provoking I struggled to put the book down.

 

The next part is directly from the book…

Do not be sad. If you are poor, then someone else is immersed in debt. If you do not own your own means of transportation, then someone else has been deprived of his legs. If you have reason to complain concerning the pains of sickness, then someone else has been bedridden for years. And if you have lost a child, then someone else has lost many children, for instance, in a single car accident.

Do not be sad. You are a Muslim who believes in Allah, His Messengers, His angels, the Hereafter, and Preordainment both the good and the bad of it. While you are blessed with this faith, which is the greatest of blessings, others disbelieve in Allah, discredit the Messengers, differ among themselves concerning the Book, deny the Hereafter, and deviate in their understanding of Divine Preordainment.

The book goes on to say that an activity that brings about joy is for you to read a book and develop your mind through the acquisition of knowledge, and reading repels anxiety and grief, all I can say is that I really enjoyed spending this time reading and been lost in my own little world of peace and tranquillity rather than wasting time on the internet.

It’s a reminder to us all that we need to have time out to reflect and read and broaden our horizons. More importantly you and I all know that we need to focus and reconnect with the most honoured and noble book of all The Glorious Quran.

Love and Marriage - Shaykh Muhammd al Yaqoubi

I have recently been listening to a set of CD’s called Love and Marriage delivered by Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi, Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi is a world renowned scholar he is from a family of scholars that descent from the family of prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), the shaykh’s knowledge has inspired and transformed the lives of many a people including myself, he is from Damascus Syria and if you are ever lucky enough to attend one of the gatherings that he is talking at you will be amazed by his presence, he has such a beautiful way of explaining the most complex of topics to you, and he has a level of eloquence that makes you want to listen to him for hours.

Scared Knowledge is the UK based initiative, run under the guidance of Shaykh Muhammad al Yaqoubi, that organises events and produces and distributes all there material, they don’t always release all the talks though I wish they would as I have missed many. The organisation is completely independent and non-profit making and is run on donations.

Getting back to the CD, it’s a beautifully presented boxset of 5 CDs, I personally found then brilliant and very thought provoking, I have taken some information from the Scared Knowledge website,

In this box set Shaykh Muhammad explains the concept of 'love' and discusses the meaning of mawaddah as mentioned in the Noble Quran, with respect to the relationship between a husband and wife, in addition 'true love’ and ‘love at first’ sight from the Islamic perspective are discussed and valuable advice for those seeking to get married, spousal obligations and responsibilities and marital conflicts.

Overall i think this was a valuable insight in to the topic, Infact i think that it would be a perfect gift for a newly married couple.

Mawlid ul Nabi Celebration

I think I mentioned this in a earlier post that my mom was planning a Milad un Nabi gathering to be held at our house, we finally got everything organised and the past weekend we had the Milad gathering at our house like we have done for the last few years, it was a women’s only gathering and we invited most of our friends and family probably about 45-50 ladies and children this was just manageable everyone had adequate seating and after the dua adequate space to sit and eat Alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah we started with Quran recitation, then went on to nasheeds and naats all praising Allah (swt) and his beloved prophet (saw). The atmosphere in the house was just lovely almost serene and the food was gorgeous and the blessings immense inshallah.

I will post some pictures of the décor my younger sister and I did, it was a work in progress when the pictures were taken, we started with green fairy lights in the hallway and lounge, we lit lots of candles and lanterns put flags etc on the wall it looked beautiful all lit up, I forgot to take any pictures of the food you will have to take my word for it that it was scrumptious ….

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Bag love

Oasis £40

River Island £40

Mawlid ul Nabi

The date of 12^th Rabbi ul Awwal is the date of  birth of the most beautiful and honourable man  created on earth the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Muslims all over the world celebrate the birth of the prophet during the month of Rabbi ul Awwal, this does not mean that the birth of the prophet cant be celebrated during any other tme of year because we are thankful for his birth every waking moment of our lifes as we are honoured to be part of the ummah of Rasuallah. Let us all strive to follow his sunnah and embrace his charcater. I celebrated this date with my family by reciting durrod in abundence and did dua and recited Quran to honour the birth of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the blessings you receive from Allah (swt) for honouring the birth of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) are immense, the peace and joy yoru feel as a believer during this celebration are unbelievable. 

My mom is organising a Milad gathering at our house the end of the month for our friends and families and we are all looking forward to it so much, the recitation of the quran, stories of the prophets life, naats and dhikr are all so amayzing and I really cant wait, inshallah Allah (swt) will shower my family with his mercy and be pleased with our efforts. 

This is a beautiful video of Shaykh Muhammad al Yacqoubi talking about the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

I do not need to explain why I celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but for those people who have doubts and are misguided please see Shaykh Faisal Hamid-Abudr-Razaks video, responding to bidah claims by some people who think we shouldnt be celebating Milad ul Nabi, this is only a short clip of this talk and the rest can be viewed on youtube.



12 Rabi’ al Awwal

New Diary 2012

Siratt in collaboration with Productive Muslim

I love any type of stationary and I cannot get through a day without the use of my diary and notebook mainly due to my gold fish like memory, I need to make notes in my diary all the time especially when I have moments of inspiration about craft products etc. When I am out shopping I always end up stock piling on well-made and beautiful notebooks. At the start of every year I always shop around looking for two diaries one for work and one for home. I have always thought that wouldn’t it be nice if there was a diary geared to the Islamic calendar with inspirational Quran and Hadith quotes so every time I looked at my diary to check my to do list I could get a Iman boost.

Well Alhamdulillah, what can I say it’s like the people at Siratt and the tremendous Productive Muslim team were listening to my thoughts, because they have come up with this fabulous desk top Lifebook, they call it a Lifebook rather than a diary, its available in various colours and its size is just perfect approx 24.5 x 17.5 cm.  I paid £13.95 and though they call it desktop Lifebook it’s not too big to carry around, not for me anyway as I am hooked on rather large handbags !

The Lifebook is covered in a lovely soft to the touch matt material, I decided to buy two a pink one for my sister, which she adored and one for myself, I wanted the purple one but they sold out so I bought black which is the colour I normally always buy so I wasn’t that disappointed that the purple was out of stock.

I came across Siratt through the Productive Muslim website, I have been visiting there site and facebook page since Ramadan and I can honestly say that there articles have really helped me focus more and basically be so much more organised and productive, anyway I digress (save that for another post).

I was just so impressed with the Lifebook I can’t recommend it enough, It incorporates some fabulous short and concise thought provoking chapters to read at the start of the diary, the beginning of every month has a section called ‘My Habit List’ which you can use to make or break a habit, on the actual week to view diary page it has a weekly hadith and a tip to improve your productivity, it includes all the basics for a diary but covers 7 days rather than 5 days like most standard diaries and it  also has a section for your most important tasks for the day at the bottom of the page, and a small section on the left hand side for quick notes and brilliant thoughts etc. Which is rather nice as I don’t need to carry a separate little notebook for my little light bulb moments ! Oh and I almost forgot to mention the beautiful vivid photography of mosques from around the world at the start of every new month. I am as you may have been able to tell very impressed on how much they have managed to pack in to this Lifebook.

If you visit the Siratt website you will find a list of all the chapters in the reading part and more detail of the diary sorry Lifebook, my only criticism and I probably wouldn’t even call it a criticism, it is more of a preference, is that rather than starting the times at 8:00 and finishing the daily time at 18:00hrs  it would have been better to not have the time filled in and maybe little boxes to fill the time you wanted to start your day as I have control freak OCD and don’t like the fact my tasks don’t fit next to correct time – but this is a minor detail the life book is brilliant for people who like me want to incorporate Islam in everything they do. The people at Siratt and Productive Muslim have done a fantastic job,  so far I love using this Lifebook and I have never seen anything remotely similar, so inshallah they now have my custom for the next year as well.

http://www.siratt.com/
http://www.productivemuslim.com/