August 24, 2008
· Filed under Aaminah's Journal, From Other Blogs, Gratitude, Re-Posts
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahiim
This is a re-post from my own blog. Reading these two things made me so grateful for so much that I take for granted… easy access to healthy food, being able to go to the store to pick up the school supplies my son needs (even if we complain a bit about how much it all costs, at least it is possible!), having a family that accepts me as a Muslim and is even relatively supportive…
**********************************************************
These two stories brought tears to my eyes this morning. And no, it’s not from the menopause, hee hee. Really, please check them out, and see if they don’t make you think and feel something:
Via SouthernMuslimah: Baby Steps: School Bag Project - Just read the whole thing.
From SunniSisters:
I met a young brother today. He’s been Muslim for a short time. His family gave him the big ol’ boot when he did that — his mixed Jewish/Christian family wants nothing to do with him now. He goes from Muslim home to Muslim home, relying on a network of brotherhood for a place to lay his head. “Are you American?” he asked me. He hasn’t met many American-born Muslims. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me there is something about meeting another Muslim that grew up American. It’s not always that you get along or like one another or anything, but it’s a connection, the same way we see the immigrants connect with one another in the masjid.
Anyway, an example of being in the trenches together is the way that this largely immigrant community where I was has taken this young American dude under their wing. He’s got a job with them, he’s got a place to stay. His arms may be covered in tattoos, and he’s definitely had a bit of a rough go before, but there seems to have been no question about helping him out, no shying away from the guy with flames and skulls on his arms. An example of a community that didn’t just hug him and say “Mabruk” before turning their backs and forgetting about him when he took shahada. His “Muslim family” has stepped up when his blood family hated his beliefs more than they loved him. We should celebrate and encourage this type of brotherhood — the kind that sticks it out in tough times, and isn’t just a pat on the back at ‘Eid. (Note, I’m not going to name the community, so don’t ask.)
August 22, 2008
· Filed under From Other Blogs, Gratitude, Re-Posts
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahiim
Asalaamu alaikum. This is being reposted from Abdur Rahman’s Corner, with permission of course! (Aaminah)
Following on from sister Aaminah’s Grateful to Allah Blog Carnival, here are a few things I am sincerely grateful to God for. As you will soon notice, given that Ramadan is fast approaching, this particular list consists of all my favourite foods! Allah!
- Clean, cold water on a hot day
- Milk
- Lassi/Laban: produced in many parts of the world, this is a drink made from milk and yoghurt. Sometimes with sugar (yum), sometimes with salt (yuck) and often with fruit (double yum)!
- Olives and olive oil: I truly, madly, deeply love olives and olive oil. Olives come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them are lovely!
- Cherries, apples and grapes: these are 3 of my favourite fruits. We don’t get cherries all of the time and so when we do, they don’t last long! My children love apples, as do I. I grew up in London with a small apple tree in the garden. My in-laws have a huge apple tree in their garden. Grapes are delicious and the occasion for much humour in our house: both of my daughters enjoy biting them, sucking the juice out of them and passing me the remnants!
- Mangos: my wife’s family say that Pakistani mangos are the best in the world, ever! Based on my own experience, I would probably agree (though I’ve not had many from elsewhere). Mango eating is a delicately crafted ritual in my in-laws home: my wife and mother-in-law sit down, out comes a wickedly sharp knife and before you can say ‘bismillah’, a plate of neatly sliced mango pieces are produced. I like to eat the skin - though my wife says that it’s disgusting.
- Humous and taramasalata: I love both and so does my wife. Fortunately, neither seem to be very popular in Merthyr and so there’s often lots of it in the reduced section of Tescos.
- Freshly cooked, warm crusty bread: Allah! What can I say!
- A traditional sunday roast dinner: a childhood favourite and great on any day of the week!
- Cawl: a traditional Welsh soup/stew (often made with lamb). My beloved wife makes a really lovely cawl.
- Achar Gosht (Pickled Meat, approximately): fiery, spicy and the cause of much chili-induced pain/pleasure
- My mother-in-law’s chicken curry
- Porridge
- Supermalt: a malt-based, alcohol-free drink. I really do love supermalt (and I can now buy it in Merthyr Tydfil). Not loved by everyone (and loathed by my wife and sister). But, hey! I like it.
- Coffee: I drink too much coffee, but there’s nothing quite like it.
- Tea: I love all kinds of tea - although I especially love Earl Grey and Mint Tea.
- Family barbecues: another much-loved family ritual, also involving much care, effort and attention to detail; my wife’s family tell me that Pakistani barbecues are the best in the world.
- Eating food (of any kind) with my wife and three children
Sometimes, we spend so much time thinking about other things that we forget to thank God for the simple things - for the food we eat, and the water we drink. Allah! I have so much to be grateful for.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
August 5, 2008
· Filed under From Other Blogs, Gratitude
May 28, 2008
· Filed under Aaminah's Journal, From Other Blogs, Gratitude
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahiim
Asalaamu alaikum.
I never been able to sleep well, but recently I have disciplined myself more with a set evening routine of ibadat and relaxation. I wrote about it on my own blog. I also have a more disciplined morning routine now because sleeping better at night makes it easier to wake up on time for Fajr in the morning, and get my day started the right way.
I never really thought about how the fard ibadat is timed in such a way that it should make for a well scheduled day and night that allows us just the right amount of sleep and balance. So I am grateful for finding that balance and for, finally, getting a good night’s sleep!
May 26, 2008
· Filed under From Other Blogs, Gratitude
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Rahiim
Asalaamu alaikum.
This was sent to me via email from a sister whose blog I had not found before. I recommend checking her out. From Sister Houda at My Hijab: I Am Feeling Blessed.
(And shukran to Safiyyah for recommending it for this blog.)
May 21, 2008
· Filed under From Other Blogs
Being optimistic, being grateful and having inner peace (satisfaction!) go hand-in-hand. Sometimes we get caught up in shopping and material wealth. Sometimes we’re too stressed out to appreciate the good things we already have. This blog entry at Down to Earth really demonstrates beauty of appreciating the most simplest of things.
May 14, 2008
· Filed under From Other Blogs
Asalaamu alaikum.
JamericanMuslimah posted her own reflections on dealing with troubles and remaining grateful to Allah because troubles have blessings too. Also, be sure to check out an excellent and relevent comment from Zayna on that post, where she shares some thoughts from her local masjid’s recent khutba on the topic of gratitude. AlhamdulAllah.
Aaminah
Umm Layth
A'ishah
ummzahra