Friday, August 14, 2009

How to Boost Ramadan Spirit



How to Boost Ramadan Spirit


Ramadan, the month of the Qur’an, represents an invaluable opportunity for all believers to recharge the batteries of faith and draw close to their Lord. A wise Muslim should be keen to make best use of these blessed moments. If Muslims are unable to undistractedly focus on the hereafter all the time, let them at least do so during this short, yet boundlessly blessed, period of time. Below are some tips on how to boost your spirit during this longed-for month:

1- Du`a’


Ask Almighty Allah to make this the most inspiring, spiritually uplifting Ramadan you have ever had. Allah is the Only Who can make this happen and complete reliance on Him completely is the major step in boosting our spirits.

2- Clear Your Mind


Turn off the TV, the computer, the radio, your cell phone, pager, iPod, etc. You need not do so all day long, but for at least 10 minutes a day. Find a quiet place where you can close your eyes, remember your Lord and think deeply about your relationship with Him. At first, your mind will swirl with the useless and not-so-useful thoughts in your head. Force them away and focus your thought during these few minutes on three things: Almighty Allah, your purpose in life, and whether you are making due efforts to achieve that purpose. Do this every day of Ramadan, if you can. Should this be not possible, do it at least three times a week.

3- Learn About Great Muslim Figures


Even if you have read it or listened to it before, again read or listen to `Abdul-Wahid Hamid's Companions of the Prophet during this Ramadan. Read about or listen daily to a Companion's story. Well-written and short, these stories inform us in a wonderful way about these noble personalities and about how they maintained the strength of their faith against incredible odds. What a sure-fire spirituality booster!

4- Connect to the Qur’an


The noble Qur’an is the means whereby Almighty Allah talks to us. Indeed, it is the most important key to spiritual upliftment. During this Ramadan, connect to the Qur’an in a new way. If you already recite the Qur’an regularly, you can choose a new theme to focus on or select a particular Surah you have not read for a while. If, however, you are not a frequent reader of the Qur’an, you can start by reciting it for only two minutes a day; recite from the first page you encounter when you open the mushaf (copy of the Qur’an). It is also recommended that you keep a Qur’anic journal in which you can record your reflections, questions, thoughts, etc., about what you recite.



5- Take Care of Others

Whether it is a person who is away from his family, a person who is having problems with his or her spouse or kids, or fellow students struggling with their grades, make an extra effort this Ramadan to help others out. The spiritual boost you get in return is well worth it.

6- Feed the Hungry


While your stomach shrieks in protest, give that panhandler some change, volunteer at a soup kitchen, get involved with your local food pantry or make a couple of bag lunches to give to the hungry you meet on your way to school or work.

7- Give Up One Lifelong Bad Habit


Ask yourself what your fundamental defining traits are. Then decide which is the worst of them. Is it a hot temper? Apathy? Laziness? Impatience? Whatever it may be, utilize this Ramadan to get rid of it. Practice the opposite of this bad habit of yours every day until the end of the month. By then, in sha’ Allah, you will look back and be amazed at the change you have made for the better.

8- Use Those Nights of Power


The last ten nights or Ramadan are not called the Nights of Power for nothing. Use these precious times for deep, heartfelt du`aa’, self-analysis, reflection and serious thought.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

going private

Salam alaykom.
I am going to make this blog private Incha'allah. so if you wish to be invited ,. please send your email to scribble.brain@gmail.com
Jazak'Allah Khair

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Baba Ali :)

Friday, August 7, 2009

Daily stuff...



Salam alaykom and Jummah Mubarak to everyone

I have yet to attend a Jummah..and been Muslim since 2004... can you imagine? Incha'allah that will end soon since we have a little prayer musallah in our community now, Al hamdullilah.

So ya.. that's the baby driving haha.. ya think I will get into trouble like that Dad on youtube that filmed his son driving the car?lol
Jennah loves to stand.. and when we put her behind the wheel, she showed me that she has her mom's driving soul. ( I once owned a 1980 camaro...grew up a mechanic's daughter ;) ) hehe. Masha'allah she has a lot of fun this little baby.

my day to day things include.. my precious morning coffee....breastfeeding most of the day..and trying to get dishes done, some laundry and hopefully a meal for everyone. My Husband actually helps me out a lot with the meals. Al hamdulillah.. one of the plus' of marrying a cook.:) the downside to that is he has also been a bachelor most of his 37 yrs, and I dunno if you have any idea how bachelors cook? but it ain't pretty !! lol

Ammena, You're gonna have to show me how to put pictures in the blog...I only know how to do the main one. ;)

I've been on maternity leave since....March. I gotta tell ya..I miss work !! I miss the patients...I miss helping people. I felt rather important. I still do at home, but I am not the type to be a full time stay at home mom, I gotta have something else to stimulate my brain. I go back around next feb. incha'allah.

We moved last Month and I am still unpacking. It's taking forever.. I HATE..really HATE moving. It's one of those things when you really DON"T wanna do something it just takes forever... that's what's going on here hehe.

Ramadan is coming.. I wanna get some decorations... I looked for some lights to put up..the Xmas kind..but noon has them for sale this time of year. Any ideas gals?
I am so anxious to get out and visit people and share in a REAL Ramadan this year.
There is a Moroccan family that lives close to me, but they are away this Ramadan... which is sad.. but al hamdullilah. C'est la vie !!

My other two kids have really grown up this summer... masha'allah.especially my daughter who will be turning 13.. ya THIRTEEN ! in October, Incha'allah. She went away for a week to visit her grandparents and came back a lady....she is now taller than I. She also became a woman as well ( if ya get my drift ;) ) but she has no desire to hijab whatsoever. makes me wonder what's in store for the little one... will she want to? will she rebel and say.well my older sis doesn't !! why do I have to?May Allah help me guide her when the time comes.
Sarah.. the soon to be 13 yr old... she is coming back from Arthritis Camp tomorrow. I love that she has a place to go where I do not have to worry if she is missing out on fun because she is scared of the pain or bringing attention to herself cause she won't have the stamina as the others do. Also...the security that if.. she does have a flare up..there are nurses and doctors there to take good care of her. They work hard to boost the kid's self-confidence. Al hamdullilah.

Nick the 15 yr old.. has been being a mama's boy this week.. it's nice to spend time with him.I am so proud of him and what a nice little ( even though he is almost 6 feet tall now ) man he has become. He's off to play basketball today...I'm hoping he works really hard with that this com9ng school year. I think it would be a plus in his finding a good college. Incha'allah

Today is a nice day.. very cool and sunny.. I'm gonna clean up a bit... then go outside with the baby and read her some Islamic baby books and lay in the sun. We need some Vit. D :)
Salams to y'all :)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Still here....



Salam Alaykom to you all.
First I want to apologize for not writing a blog. A fellow blogger recently wrote to em and said.. I forgot you had a blog, but you have no entries. So I decided to start it up again. Al hamdullilah
As many of you may know, I had a baby on April 3rd. A beautiful baby girl, Jennah. Masha'allah. This is a picture of us on our vacation a few weeks ago.
I have to say.. having a baby at 39 is not easy. However it is very rewarding.
I have been overwhelmed and really not enough energy to even think, but al hamdullilah it is getting better. My marriage has been rocky, but I guess every marriage, during the first year together is hard. Incha'allah we can work things out and everything can be ok. We had a lot to handle this first year ( which is coming up on Sept 8th).
I'm breastfeeding too, with success , al hamdulilah. I am very proud of this. 'cause that too is not an easy thing !! She is just now, at, 4 mths , starting to give me some free time and occupy herself.
We moved to a smaller place and its been a month and I still have nothing set up properly. Incha'allah soon.
My two older kids, 15 and 12 help me out immensely, Al hamdullilah Thank God for them!!
I dunno much what to say... I have been secluded and kinda feel like a prisoner in my own home these days..but Incha'allah I will be getting out more now.I have a few sisters that I miss terribly...they are either moved away...vacationing or live just far enough that I can't easily go see them.
on bright side, Ramadan is near !!! I am excited about this and since I am home and not working ( mat. leave), then I am hoping to be able to make this a good experience incha'allah. I feel sad about not fasting again this year. But I talked it over with the husband..and we both feel it would be too much of a strain on everyone and since I have been bleeding a lot... it might not be a good idea. Also baby need her vitamins ;)
Anyway... this is short and doesn't say much... I hope to gradually write more, Incha;allah.
I would , however like to welcome a new sister in the Mulsim world :) A new Shahada... "C" Masha'allah she recently said her Shahada and I am so excited for her to be discovering the beauty of the deen and May Allah bless her with much sabr and happiness. The journey is not an easy one, but it is rewarding and incha'allah will grant you jannah...Welcome !! hug....xox

salams fer now