Are We Ready?

Alhamdhulilah.  I had made the niyah (intention) to get all the necessary preparations done before Ramadan starts earalier. And as I had hoped and prayed for, all the work has been done.

The house is really in order – all the cupboards, and compartments that are usually re-arranged and cleaned up at this time of the year are in check. All our overgrown clothes that were still in great condition have been packed and given away to others who need it more. We packed some to India and gave some away here. The same with all the other additional things in the house. Alhamdhulilah, that Allah (S.W.T) brought us to find people who will make good use of these stuff and benefit, In-Shaa-Allah.

Alhamdhulilah, and thank you, Ya Rabb, for giving me the time and space to be a more prepared for Ramadan this year. And many thanks and duas for many sisters who have shared their experiences in their blogs (Sister Umm Salihah is inevitably one of them). I hope preparing for Ramadan gets better and better each year for everyone.

Spiritually, I had hoped very much to have memorised some specific duas in the Quran. I have accomplished about half of my targets set. Alhamdhulilah. I will continue into Ramadan, In-Shaa-Allah. I have also signed up for a weekly Quran workshop, by Ustazah Su’aidah Salim for the whole of Ramadan. The first session will begin on the first day of Ramadan. I am so looking forward to the session. I am also considering taking up other online courses here and I hope Allah will guide me closer towards the Quran. Ameen.

My reflections on Asma-Al-Husna will continue too, In-Sha-Allah. We have 29 days in Ramadan here. Three to four names per day, In-Shaa-Allah.

Duas. The most beautiful element in Ramadan – for me. Is your list ready? Mine is ready on a mental note. But maybe, by tomorrow, I should really have them written up. In-Shaa-Allah.

I took some time off this morning to pack these gifts for Ramadan for three people whom I knew for sure I would meet at work. A brother, an elderly auntie and a sister (a special sister she really is becoming, Alhamdhulilah). 

I pray that Ramadan greets us all in good iman and health. May Allah (S.W.T) give us all the strength and faith to make the most of this very blessed month. Ameen.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Allah, the Lord of Honor and glory says: All other deeds of man are for himself, but his fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and noisy exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with: I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord" (Bukhari and Muslim).

My Reflections on Asma-Al-Husna (11)

Source: Internet

86. Al-Muqsit - The Just

If we recite this name of Allah 700 times for a purpose, Allah will fulfill it. In-Shaa-Allah. 

87. Al-Jaami' - The Gatherer

3:9: " Our Lord, surely You are the Gatherer of men on a day about which there is no doubt. Surely Allah will not fail in (His) promise. "

 88. Al-Ghaniyy - The Self-Sufficient

If we recite this name of Allah 70 times daily, Allah will grant us self-sufficiency and Barakah in our wealth.  In-Shaa-Allah. 

89. Al-Mughnee - The Enricher

If we recite Darood 11 times, recite this name of Allah 1111 times, recite Darood again 11 times and then Surah Muzzammil (Surah 73) after Fajr or Isha Salaah (prayer), we will be granted both material and spiritual wealth. In-Shaa-Allah. 

90. Al-Maani' - The Preventer of Harm

If we recite this name of Allah constantly, Allah will safeguard us against all calamities. If you recite this name of Allah for any legitimate purpose, Allah will fulfill it. In-Shaa-Allah.

91. Ad-Daar - The Distresser

If we recite this name of Allah 100 times on the eve of Jumma (Friday), Allah will safeguard us against all physical and spiritual calamities and draw us nearer to Allah. In-Shaa-Allah. 

92. An-Nai'fi - The Propitious

If we recite this name of Allah abundantly during travel, Allah will safeguard us against all hazards. If you recite this name of Allah 41 times before a task, it will be accomplished efficiently. In-Shaa-Allah. 

93. An-Noor - The Light

If we recite this name of Allah 1001 times after reciting Surah Noor (Surah 24), our heart will be illuminated with the Noor (light) of Allah. In-Shaa-Allah. 

94. Al-Haadee - The Guide

If you raise both hands (as in Du'a) while lifting your gaze toward the heavens and recite this name of Allah several times and then pass both your hands on your face (as when completing Du'a), Allah will grant you complete guidance and associate you with the devout and pious. In-Shaa-Allah. 

95. Al-Badee' - The Originator

29:20: Say: "Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated creation, and then Allah will bring forth (resurrect): the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things."

96. Al-Baaqee - The Everlasting

If we recite this name of Allah 1000 times on the night of Jumma (Friday), Allah will grant us protection and accept all our good deeds. In-Shaa-Allah.

97. Al-Waarith - The Ultimate Inheritor

If we recite this name of Allah 1000 times between Maghrib and Isha Salaah (prayer), Allah will safeguard us from confusions, agitations and disturbances. In-Shaa-Allah.   

98. Ar-Rasheed - The Guide To The Right Path

If we recite this name of Allah daily, Allah will safeguard us against all mishaps and grant us financial progress. Insha-Allah. 

99. As-Saboor - The Patient One

2:153 " O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient."

8:46 " And obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute lest you lose courage and your strength departs and be patient ; Surely Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones)."

Source: Internet

Eid Gifts For Home

One of the times when I can go crazy is when AZ and I shop for sarees as gifts. And that too, especially at my all-time favourite saree place at Jewel Palace. I just love buying sarees here (and am a really happy shopper when I have to buy several at one time).

The sarees there may actually be not that different. But what really makes me return to that one and only place over and over again is the atmosphere at their second level – once I am there, I am just given a space to patiently choose and mull over the saree designs that the service staff bring down from the shelves, according to my multiple requests on colours and prices.

And since whenever we decide to send sarees as gifts, we always have a good number to buy (for AZ’s aunties and their daughters included), this kind of service really pleases me.

But for the first time, I was disappointed. We headed out early enough, at about 11-ish as we wanted to avoid the Sunday crowd. When we made our way to the second level, the service staff first enquired about the place the people we were buying the sarees were from. Once AZ replied, he told us that the sarees that the womenfolk at that place wear are at the second level.

I was a little confused, cos I have never heard that before in all the times that I have been there – and to buy sarees for the same people from the same place.

He even went on to explain that he was concerned that our money would be wasted if they didn’t like what we bought. AZ smiled at me and said we should just head  to the first level.

We did. And after we bought some and were walking to our next point, I was quick to rant with AZ on my disappointment. He smiled again. And then he explained why that man actually behaved that way. It was only around 11 am and the shop has just opened for business – which means he was probably arranging his items and taking stock  (AZ said this is the practice always).

But I was still disappointed! So much for moving towards a service-driven culture here. But it is still my favourite saree place. Just one ‘lazy’ staff and just one incident out of the many nice experiences should not change my opinion of Jewel Palace so quickly, should it?

With that, here are some shots of some of the sarees we boughts and other gifts for Father-in-Law. There were a couple  of other selections that we didn’t have time to take photos of. AZ sent them off to the brother whom I have mentioned about here, immediately after sending me home that afternoon (as he was leaving that evening and in-laws were returning soon too).