بين العقل والدين

قرأت البارحة مقالا عن الحجاب وخلعه والأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر. الصراحة انا لن اتكلم في ذلك لأني بالرغم من ايماني بواجب النصيحة، انا اؤمن اننا جميعا في امتحان وكلنا لنا عثراتنا وان الدين لا يبنى على ركن واحد.
ما استوقفني في المقال والتعليقات عليه ان كثيرا من الناس للأسف يناقش في أمور الدين وكأنهم يقولون ان كثيرا من أحكام الدين الإسلامي لا تصلح الآن لأن الزمان تغير، على حد تعبيرهم. وأن الله خلق لنا عقولا لنفكر، وما كان يصلح للماضي لا يصلح الان. سبحان الله، ومن قال ان لا نستخدم العقل في حل الأمور المستحدثة. ولكن لا تعبث في الاساسيات. فكثير من امور الدين لا تؤخذ بالعقل كما قال سيدنا علي كرم الله وجهه:"لو كان الدين بالرأي لكان أسفل الخف أولى بالمسح من أعلاه"

Just a little update!

It's officially winter here in my area! We already had a 10 inches of snow last Saturday. And since the trees are still leafy, we got lots of broken branches due to the excess snow weight and so major electricity outages. Good news our neighborhood didn't suffer that as a lot around.

In front of our house - 10/29/2011

It was Halloween last Monday. And since we don't celebrate Halloween, hubby picked the girls early from school last Friday because we didn't want them to attend the party. No Halloween means no costumes, and no trick or treat. Hubby and I talked to the girls and they were very understanding! They never complained. I was so proud of them. Hubby was so proud of them too, so he wanted to reward them. We went to the mall yesterday and they got to pick the toys they wanted. They both deserved them! 

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary! Man, we are getting old! But as long as we are getting old together, it's okay. I just can't believe a decade has passed already! 
 

Hubby just came back home with this lovely cake!

Eid is almost here! I'm done with Eid shopping for the whole family. I'm so excited about this Eid because it's on a Sunday. It has been a while since we had the Eid on a weekend. I have some nice plans for the Eid this year. I'll be posting pictures inshallah. We'll be fasting on Saturday inshallah. Fasting Arafa day is one of my favorite things about Eid Al-Adha. I keep remembering the Eid when we were actually on Arafat two years ago. I miss these days a lot. I always pray to get the chance to perform Hajj again.  

Eid Mubarak to you all in advance!

مما سمعت وأعجبني

أصول التقوى أربعة: الصلاة، والذكر، والإنفاق، وترك المعاصي

سأل كافر مسلما لماذا الحجاب؟وكان في المجلس طبق حلوى فأخذ المسلم قطعتين ونزع غلاف إحداهما وقلّبهما بين كفيه ثم قال:اختر واحدة فاختار المغطاة

خطأ أن تستشير العقل وحده في كل مسألة فالقلب له حكم والروح له اعتبار يضاف إلى حكم العقل أو يعدلهّ

دع ما مضى ولا تأس على ما فات ولا تقلق بما سيأتي وعش يومك واسعد بما عندك وتفاءل بالخير وأبشر فالرب رحيم كريم ابتسم وانظر للأثر 

نور أضواء الطريق

ظامئٌ أنا لطعم الحياة ..

ظامئٌ لسقيا النور .. للأمن الجميل ..

أنا من أنا؟

أنا ياسامعي عبدُ ذليل

حاد الطريق

وانساق خلف المغريات

يمضي حثيثاً للسراب

ياويح قلبي .. كيف وليتُ بعيداً

وتلاشت في مسيري نور أضواء الطريق

وحنين نصحٍ للرفيق

وبقيت أمضي .. خلف شيطان الهوى ..

قلبي يئن من النوى ..

يحن أن يحيا الرضا حرٌ طليق ..

لكن رحمة خالقي ظلت معي ..

أبداً تشوقني الهدى ..

أبداً تذكرني الطريق ..

نورٌ تجلى في الدجى

لا زلت أذكر يومها ..

حين انثنيتُ ساجداً .. أدعو الإله

وأبثه دمعي السخين

أشكو إلهي ظلمتي ..

أدعوه سراً أن يعيد لي الحياة ..

وتشققت ظلم الحجب

وتفرجت كل الغموم المظلمات

ماخاب يوماً من رجاك

حمداً سأحيا خالقي ..

حمداً وأرجوك الثبات ..

وسأظل أدمن قولتي

ماخاب يوماً من رجاك *

* بقلم سمو

Eid Mubarak

Zero productivity!

Oh yeah, I have zero productivity this Ramadan (except for cooking). Half of Ramadan has past already, and I still can't get to the lack of sleep, caffeine, and FOOD! I bet it's hard in the Arab countries, but it's harder here in the US. I'm really glad that my kids are going back to school after Ramadan, or it's going to be a big mess.

This Ramadan, I'm more into cooking. I almost cook everyday! I guess, I get too hungry! I also make a dessert almost everyday. I feel like I can't survive the night without a dessert. 

I want to share all the recipes of the things I tried with you. But, unfortunately, I didn't take pictures for everything I made. Anyway, I've started today to post some recipes on my other blog. I hope you check them out. You'll find the link under the following pictures.

Hope you all are having a blessed Ramadan!

Fattoush

Sambousek

Ramadan Mubarak!

I hope everyone's Ramadan is going well! Mine is good so far alhamdulellah. The first couple of days were too long but it's getting smoother with the days passing. May Allah make it easy on all of us, and accept our fasting and prayers in this month.

Since I spend a quality time in the kitchen during Ramadan, I will try to share some of the recipes on my cooking blog. I will leave you now with some pictures for the dishes I made so far.

 Fattoush

 Freekeh with chicken

 Veg. soup

 

Sambousek 

  

 Kofta with tahini sauce and basmati rice

 

 Qatayef

  Knafeh - cup cake style :)

انا العبد

أنا العبد الذي كسب الذنوبا وصدته الأماني أن يتوبا
أنا العبـد الـذي أضحـى حزيناً على زلاته قلقاً كئيـبا
أنا العبد الذي سطرت علـيه صحائف لم يخف فيها الرقيـبا
أنا العبد المسيئ عصيت سراً فما لي الآن لا أبدي النحيـبا
أنا العبد المفرط ضاع عمري فلم أرع الشبيبة والمشيبا
أنا العبـد الغريـق بلج بحرٍ أصيـح لربما ألقــى مجيبا
أنا العبد السقيم مـن الخطايا وقد أقبلت ألتمس الطبيـبا
أنا العبد الشريد ظلمت نفسي وقد وافيت بابكـم منيبا

Guest Post 3: How to love your veiled self

Okay I'm cheating here! I got this post from Chocolate mint in a jar who guest posted for her sister RJay. I loved RJay's post and I couldn't resist posting it. I personally follow most of her tips and I guess this is why I love my veil (Hijab)! Enjoy it :)

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I’ve read hundreds of articles on how to hijabify your sundress by wearing a shirt underneath or jean jacket on top.

I’ve learnt a dozen ways to tie my hijab , cover my neck but show my pretty earrings.

I’ve scored the internet for ideas on how to wear anything hijabifiyed.
I’ve learnt how to shop.

I’ve learnt to try to stick to clothes that are already long sleeved and won’t need too much layering.
I’ve learnt to wear pretty colors and nice accessories .
I’ve learnt to wear my clothes with pride and feel pretty on the inside not just the outside after all. I've been practicing for 12 years.

The one thing I struggled with the most was not the year of the leggings or the year camisoles and miniskirts were in , I didn’t struggle with deciding between wearing skin tight tops or skipping.

The thing I struggled with the most for all these years (and still do) is loving myself veiled.

Mind you struggling with your hijab is the second best kept secret (after how horrendous childbirth is)no one tells you how hard it is to keep it on I’ve gone violently back and forth from wanting to take it off to wearing loose fitting clothes and no make up.

I used to look at happy cute veiled girls and wish I was that happy …I felt the same envy for the girls with their loose hair down their backs and miss my own

However the good news is that I’m at a good place right now and thought I would share with you and spare you 12 years 

1- Girls are prettier on the other side whatever side you are on whether you are veiled or unveiled tall or short thin or curvy blond or brunette …sometimes you will feel that anyone who isn’t you is better.

Hate to burst your bubble women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes and nothing is more beautiful than loving yourself enough …when you love yourself you are able to focus on other people when you do that people can tell how amazing and strong you are to long beyond the pettiness of oneself

When you don’t like yourself you are so busy internally nitpicking every part of yourself and seething with green eyed malice at anyone around you that people step over you so they don’t get infected.

I’ve watched guys go gaga over the new girl and forget her in a week because she was too self centered.

I’ve seen seemingly average girls get the hottest sweetest guys because they loved themselves enough to shine and knew deep down they were worth the best guys.

I’ve longed to be friends with girls who commanded the whole room but looked nothing like your typical siren just so I could be near all that happiness.

I’ve sometimes been the new it girl and sometimes I joined in the praise of the new girl with my guy friends …I know my place and it’s a pretty good spot…. because after all god put me there.

2-Loving yourself is a must but you must also know how to project a certain image

If you want to love yourself while veiled you must treat yourself to all the indulgences of non veiled girls just because your hair is covered doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dye it if you want have it permed have it blown dry , cut and cared for by the best  products you can get your hands on

You deserve to look at a pretty you in the mirror you deserve to smell the pretty shampoo from your hair

3-You must have a beauty and clothes regime that you have designed personally and stick to it

This is mine:

• I buy the prettiest-smelling, softest-curl-inducing shampoos I can find
• I cut , style and blow dry my hair regularly
• I wax regularly even if no one will see
• I go to the gym every day (choose my outfits carefully but that’s the next point)
• I buy any hijab unsuitable  clothes like lingerie and swimsuits and wear them at home or at girls only events
• I buy big dangly earrings even if no one can see them , I can
• I use nice smelling creams
• I have a huge array of any nail polish that takes my fancy I apply it after I pray 3esha so I don’t worry about wodoo2 and remove it at night before I sleep, this might seem like a hassle but believe me it’s worth it

4-The clothes maketh the girl

Deciding what to wear is the biggest deal but most of us have a picture of what they want to look like in their heads but beware freedom has a limit we made that commitment the day we decided to cover our hair don’t make a fool of yourself by wearing too much make-up or tight revealing clothes it makes you look desperate, confused and have no idea who you want to be.

The veil is about being presentable yet conservative don’t defeat the purpose.

Guidelines:

• Choose colors that make you happy and comfortable buy 80 % of ur clothes in that color and 20 % of the time go on a limb and by something different.
• Care for the details , your scarf matters think comfort –color –coordination.
• Not everything that is in fashion works for your body , face or your veil think wisely.
• Your accessories mean a lot bag, shoes, and jewelry wear whatever takes your fancy and if they r too loud just wear a one colored outfit and go crazy!!
• You are an ambassador keep that in mind.
• If you don’t know what style to choose find someone you like and mimic mesh 3eeb.
• When it comes to the gym make sure your top is long colorful and comfortable preferably cotton same goes for your veil you are going to the gym to sweat not to flirt you look ridiculous when you try to hard that goes for non veiled girls too.

Personally I buy boys shirts coz they r long and dry fit just go for colorful ones , choose your shoes wisely too and please for the love of god DON’T WEAR MAKE UP AT THE GYM I agree you look prettier with eyeliner but you also look DESPERATE.

5-Last but not least

Choosing to be veiled means that you are supposedly at a higher level of piety not necessarily better or worse than everyone else but conduct yourself wisely you are an ambassador to your faith be sweet and polite don’t be loud and vulgar not only are you scrutinized more closely you are labeled as desperate and  unstable.

Have a nice pre-Eid weekend, everyone!

Are you busy getting ready for Eid! I bet you are!! Just wanted to wish you all a good weekend. Don't forget me from your prayers in these holy days especially on Arafa day.

Happy Eid preparation :)

Routine is back...

to our life after a busy Ramadan and a joyous Eid, el7amdellah. I always feel sad when Ramadan ends regardless of all the stress we go under in the holy month here in the states. May Allah give us the opportunity to be present for next Ramadan.

Our Eid was really good. We went to the prayer in the morning and then had breakfast there at the Masjid. We then headed home to call family and friends. After getting some rest, we went to one of our favorite places that we really miss in Ramadan, Barnes and Noble. At dinner time we went with our friends to a Mexican restaurant before heading to their house to have some tea. It was a fun and busy day!

On the second day of Eid we went to Sesame place amusement park with our friends. We spent the whole day there where the girls had so much fun. On Sunday, the last day of Eid, the girls went with their dad and bought their Eid's gift, a Wii. They used the money they got as a gift on Eid (3eedeyeh) to buy it. We spent the day playing with it. It's really cool :) 

I'm really happy that we were able to make the Eid joyous and fun for the girls!

I'm right now craving Turkish coffee!!! I'm trying to cut on caffeine when I'm pregnant but I sometimes can't. I guess as soon as I finish this post I will be fixing myself some and enjoy it with some of the dark chocolate I got from Belgium. Yes, these chocolate my husband got for me from Belgium. They are really yummy and irresistible. I also got a Lancome makeup palette, and the girls got stuffed bunnies. I just love gifts, who does not ? ;)

Thanks honey!

With less than 4 weeks to go, I'm really busy getting ready for delivery. I have too many things to do in the coming few weeks just like painting the baby's room, getting the furniture in it, hospital registration, and much much more. By the way, last week I bought this cute diaper bag. I really love it :)

That's it for now. Keep tuned for updates :)

Eid Mubarak

Eid Al-Fitr is tomorrow in most Muslim countries. In this occasion I wish all Muslims worldwide a blessed and peaceful Eid. May Allah accept our good deeds and ease the suffering of all people around the globe.

Bye bye August!

I think this will be my last post in August! I was looking at my archive and I found that I have posted 9 times in August, and so this post will be my 10th. I guess it was a productive month (on the blogging side only)!! Talking about productivity, I will start working on my research tomorrow. I have to finish the big paper I have been working on for a while now. I'm trying to get as much done as possible between now and the baby's arrival. 

Tomorrow, the last day in August, is the first day of school for my older daughter. She is going to second grade. My younger one is starting pre-K on Wednesday. With Ramadan and pregnancy, I'm not sure if I'm ready for school yet. But it's okay, the girls will have fun and no need to think about how to entertain them during the weekdays any more.

End of August means summer is about to end too. This summer was the hottest one for me here in PA. Summer is usually nice here but it was not this year with those several heat waves that hit our area. But subahan Allah the weather turned to be nice and wet with the first day of Ramadan!!

My husband left to Belgium on a work trip yesterday. He'll come back on Thursday inshallah. The girls and I miss him so much and can't wait to have him back. The good thing that we are able to talk to him face to face all the time. Thanks to my iPhone :)

Still in August, my friends came back from vacation last week. They spent most of the summer back in their countries. We had a gathering last Friday and I got a chance to see two of them. I was so glad to see them because I missed them so much. Today I got the chance to see my lovely friend Zika again and we spent most of the day together. The kids had too much fun and we had too much to talk about.

I'm working on the baby favors these days. I have almost everything ready for the baby shower including the baby registry. I'm so excited! I'll post pictures for everything soon.

Today is the first day of the last ten days of Ramadan. May Allah give all of us the chance to observe Laylat Al-Qadr and give us all the reward of worshiping this night.

Ramadan at our house!

As six days have past, my Ramadan has been overwhelming so far. I was just able to fast for one day (the first day). I tried to fast again but I was so exhausted and I couldn't do it. 
The experience of my daughters has been interesting though! We are trying to make them fast as much as we can. In the last few days, my older one was able to fast for about six to seven hours a day which I think is not bad at all. My little one was able to fast for about 4 hours a day. However, whenever you ask her if she is fasting she will say "YES", even if her mouth is full of food :)

 Ramadan lights!

 Our Iftar on the first day of Ramadan