Here for the Hereafter.

February 14th

2012-02-12T09:57:00.001-08:00

I know that with the title you are probably anticipating a rather cliché Valentine's Day post from a Muslim shouting how haram it is. See the thing is, one can only go so far. I can list down a billion fatwas and hadiths or even say qur'anic verses that prohibits Muslims to take on the culture of the disbelievers but if your head tells you it's Halal then you will convince your heart to believe so. The rulings and laws will not change with accordance to your opinions nor will they alter with accordance to your beliefs. I must say though that at the end of the day "To you be your way and to me be mine". May Allah accept what is good from me and what is good from you and forgive what is bad from me and what is bad from you.

Nonetheless, I shall use this time to tell you just how much Valentine's Day personally annoys me. I went to a Catholic school for secondary education so as you may have guessed by now, V'day was a HUGE part of the school's tradition. It was very celebrated and at one point, my teacher even gave us a passage on Valentine's day to read for English. There were flowers, personalised cookies and even a song dedication booth. It was sweet but also very pressurizing.

Thing is, why do you have to set aside a day for your seemingly loved ones to send her a flower or buy him chocolates or get each other gifts and spend the day together? Besides even when you do so out of a friendly gesture, sometimes it becomes as though it's a routine and an obligation to get a gift for your friend not really because you want to.

It's not only incredibly haram but cliché and commercialised. Getting gifts for one another is encouraged in Islam so do it any day you want not particularly on a day allocated for a Roman pagan celebration that has no acknowledgement whatsoever in Islam and may you be blessed with ajr for doing so.

Don't just celebrate Valentine's Day, celebrate love every day.

A'qilah Saiere

Shouldn't Muslims respect each other?

2012-01-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

With everything that has been happening in my life, I can only thank Allah for the amount of hope and strength He has blessed me with to help me through each day. Not to mention, the amount of positivity He has granted my mind with. Alhamdulillah.

So, I like to believe that with everything seemingly "bad", there is a hikmah behind it. Likewise, with everything that I disagree with, there is something I can learn from. There have been endless squabbles with regards to the deen - over the internet and in real life. Muslims are fighting to prove to one another who's got it right and who's got it wrong, who's a better Muslim and who might just as well be going to hell.

Perhaps, I've mentioned this before but if it is necessary I shall mention it again. Islam will not be altered and will not change with accordance to your whimsical, fanciful opinions. Allah subhanallah ta'ala completed this religion 1,400 years ago. Your arguments and debates with each other are petty, unnecessary and invalid.

Has anyone ever tried to look at the good side of each sect (despite your disagreements with one another), though?

Look at the Shia3s. Look at how much they love the Ahl ul bayt. I think that it is entirely inspiring and beautiful to look at how much they love the household of Rasulullah sallahu 'alayhi wasalam and how they strive to be like 'Ali ibn Talib, Hassan ibn 'Ali, Hussayn ibn 'Ali, Fatimah Az Zahra etc. SubhanaAllah.

Look at the Salafis. Look at how much emphasis they place on straightening their aqeedah and following the Sunnah of Rasulullah sallahu 'alayhi wasalam. Are we trying as hard to follow the Prophet's Sunnah like they are ?

Look at the Sufis. Look at how much of praise they speak of the Prophet sallahu 'alayhi wasalam and Allah subhanallah ta'ala. The amount of zikr they fill their hearts with is moving, subhanaAllah!

I'm not asking you to be a shia3 or a salafi or a sufi if you don't feel that the way they practise Islam is the way you wish to. I'm asking you to RESPECT one another. That is the least you can do to bring the Ummah together - the least you can do to promote unity amongst each other.

A'qilah Saiere

; Fight on

2012-01-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

I lost my grandmother about a week ago and ever since, I had been wallowing myself in utter depression. I looked like a morgue everyday and I disgust myself when I think about the amount of time I wasted doing absolutely nothing but engage in thoughts that brought about nothing but disappointment. The amount of negativity I had chosen to fill my heart with was indescribable. Few knew what I was doing to myself but I knew Allah was watching and I knew He knows how much pain I have been in.

After allowing myself to feel awful for an entire week, I decided to slap myself in the face and help myself realise that I wasn't helping anyone and most of all, I wasn't helping myself. Indeed, it's been quite a miserable week for me. How could it not be with the passing of the person that I spent all my childhood with, the news that my only maternal uncle had been diagnosed with cancer and most of all the pain I witness in the eyes of family members?

However, being sad and feeling awful and not doing anything at all, hasn't brought about any change in the situation. So yes, my grandfather had passed away and so did my grandmother but won't we all return to our Lord? So yes, my uncle has been diagnosed with cancer but doesn't it say in the Qur'an that Allah tests who He loves?

I am still standing here, blessed with good health and Iman. What am I doing wallowing myself in self-pity? So I thought perhaps, it's time I put some good use to this pain. I'll fight. I'll fight to excel. I'll leave for Allah to heal my heart and while He takes care of that, I'll work on bettering myself in this dunya (here) for akhirah (hereafter).

To anyone at all that has had tough days and perhaps has been feeling sad or awful,

La tahzan, innallaha ma3ana.

InshaAllah.

A'qilah Saiere.

"You don't wear scarf? Y u so unislamic?"

2012-01-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

I think it's insulting and degrading Islamically or not for someone to judge another based on whether or not she has a scarf over her head.

I understand that most sisters have great intentions on encouraging their non-hijabi sisters to take upon the responsiblity that they have all chosen to bring themselves closer to Allah subhanallah ta'ala. What many fail to do is to understand that the hijab is not merely a piece of cloth over your head. It is modesty in an entirety. Just because your hair is covered, it does not mean you have fulfilled the hijab entirely.

The Hijab is a responsibility you take upon that involves not just the covering of your awrah but your akhlak and the purity of your heart and soul. Just because your sister's hair is not covered, it does not in any way give you a right to judge her and label her to be somewhat less Islamic, or say, less practising.

Have you ever thought of the deeds that she may have done and be rewarded for that are not in your book of deeds? Have you ever thought that perhaps, even with her hair uncovered, her akhlak is more exemplary than yours? Have you ever thought that perhaps in the eyes of Allah she is just as modest as you are if not more?

You may be Hijab-ed over your head but are you Hijab-ed in your heart and soul? Are you hijab-ed in your heart and soul the way the sister that you just labeled "Less Muslim" is?

Remember, the disease of pride and arrogance deletes all traces of goodness and piety in a Muslim.

N, the most beautiful girl I have been blessed to be acquainted to, may Allah erase the hurt that these people have caused to your heart. May Allah reward you for the good that you've done and may you forever be modest and beautiful in the eyes of your Lord. <3

A'qilah Saiere

Opportunities and Chances

2012-01-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

About two and a half years ago, as I took my first step into college, I signed up for a (rather adequately planned not entirely the best but still mashaAllah) camp. A camp that introduced me to an MSS (Muslim Students' Society) or as some may term it MSA.

I've spent my entire life living around non-Muslims that I felt distant from the Ummah for some reasons. I asked Allah to grant me a platform that will allow for me to reach out to my people, His people, the people of the Prophet (sallahu 'alayhi wasalam).

NPMSS was my granted dua'. Before I knew it, I was actively involved in the society and was even blessed with the opportunity to be a part of it's managing committee. It wasn't entirely rainbows and butterflies but this bittersweet journey has taught me lessons that I could never possibly gain anywhere else.

My nights were filled with meetings after meetings to organize activities for my brothers and sisters, my weekends were filled with camps and halaqahs and rehlahs to discuss the deen and understand it better but the best part of it all are the bus rides home after those meetings, camps, halaqahs, rehlahs - the bus rides that allow me to detach myself away from dunya to submerge in thoughts that allow for my heart to speak to my Lord. Amidst my seemingly busy and hectic lifestyle, this the time I choose to spend to reflect on myself, on the organization and everything else altogether.

The amount of knowledge I've gained, the love I've felt and the people I've met, I couldn't possibly ever ask for more.

NPMSS, I ask Allah to grant you success throughout your future years of operation.

I will miss you with my whole heart but never will I forget you. I will speak of you with pride and happiness and will love you always.

A'qilah Saiere

; Hell-o-ween

2011-10-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

I seem to always have something to say when it comes to Halloween every year. One of the many pet peeves I share with many sisters is when Muslims not only acknowledge this holiday but participate and ANTICIPATE attending related events.

I don't understand why some think it's alright to celebrate Halloween but Haram to celebrate Christmas & Valentine's or vice versa. Don't they all fall under the same category?

Halloween is a highly commercialised Pagan holiday called Samhain which is pronounced as "Sow-ween"

I have tried speaking about it to a handful of sisters but most just push it aside and say "We're not celebrating halloween, we're just attending the party" Lol what. When I try to explain to them that acknowledging a celebration that is out of the religion may fall under shirk or haram, they give me the "Are you a fundamentalist?" look.

If there are some of you who mistake for it to be a CULTURAL celebration like Chinese New Year then I'm telling you it's not. If you must know ( I have mentioned this before in my Halloween-related post a year ago), some Christians don't even celebrate halloween for they do not acknowledge for it to be a part of Christianity.

So Muslims, are we saying that this is part of Islam?

A'qilah Saiere

; Just a couple of Issues.

2011-10-22T23:58:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I've spoken about this before but I'll speak about it again if it brings any good to anyone. It saddens me to see how brothers and sisters choose to spend their times arguing about rulings trying to prove to one another of who the better Muslim is.

What I don't understand is how these Muslims do not understand that their opinions do not determine how Islam should be. Allah subhanallah ta'ala completed our religion 1400 years ago and ever since, 'ulamas who lived from the time of the golden ages have debated and laid out numerous rulings for people like us to refer to and practise which we are most comfortable in practising. We spend our days debating about what WE think is seemingly right without having to think about the repercussions of our actions.

Change is constant in everything - everything except for Islam. We can debate day in and day out about little things we choose to fuss about and create massive chaos within the ummah but Islam will NEVER change with accordance to our opinions. We will eventually practise the Islam that we feel is right and whatever that Islam may possibly be it shall remain to be (inshaAllah) the religion that Allah subhanallah ta'ala has blessed us with and the one religion that Muhammad (sallahu 'alayhi wasalam) has taught us.

If only we could stop bickering and start to learn to be a servant, we'd all then realise the sweetness of having the shahadah at the tip of our tongues.

Now that I have brought that point across, I just wish to spread the word across to the Singaporeans reading this blog that FMSA (amongst the many other Muslim organizations) is organizing a Qurban programme for those who wish to conduct their sacrifice in the neighbouring SEA countries.

Here's the link for more info - http://www.qurban-fmsa.blogspot.com/

A'qilah Saiere

Why do we reduce our Lord's greatness?

2011-10-11T04:41:00.000-07:00

We're all human and we tend to make a thousand mistakes a day. One of the many that we do is one to reduce our Lord's greatness.

Allah has many names to His incredible nature and one that we hear everyday is "Akbar".

He is the greatest.

One that we have at the end of our tongues before we do almost anything is "Ar Rahim".

He is the most MERCIFUL.

I have met so many brothers and sisters that speak about how there is no use in them seeking forgiveness from Allah subhanaAllah ta'ala because of their seemingly mountainous amount of sins. With that, they see no point in standing up in prayer or remembering Him in supplications and move on with their lives to commit the same mistakes/sins over and over again.

But do they not remember that Allah is He who forgives His servants.

On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:

“Allah the Almighty said:

‘O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.’”

One of my biggest pet peeves is when Muslims make excuses for their laziness. You are not standing up in prayer not because you see no hope in being granted forgiveness but because you're lazy to spend a couple of minutes five times a day to stand before Allah.

Allah is Akbar, Allah is Ar Rahman and Allah is Ar Rahim -

How dare you reduce His greatness, generosity and mercy with your assumptions of how He wouldn't forgive you?

If you want respect, you earn it. If you want forgiveness, SEEK IT.

A'qilah Saiere

; Give them some credit will you?

2011-10-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

When I actually get some time to spend my nights on the internet, I'd log onto youtube and check out some swagging Hijabi sisters on their vlogs or hijab tutorials or say outfit and fashion videos. I've been on youtube for ages and though I am not as active nowadays compared to how I used to last time, I still do see them keyboard warriors spamming people's profiles.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when MUSLIMS start to criticise their fellow brothers and sisters in their "attempts" of making da'wah. I see sisters commenting on these youtube stars' channels telling them how they deserve to be stoned to death because they are showing off their faces on the internet and cracking jokes and "encouraging their sisters to be wearing things they are not supposed to".

Look I can understand how maybe some sisters tend to reduce the value of the hijab to a mere fashion statement or say, they accesorise themselves to an extend that the hijab loses it's modest value but who are you judge them of their intentions.

Even if you do not agree with the way they wear the scarves or the way they dress there is no need for you to publicly humiliate them with your seemingly religious opinions. If you are genuine about wanting to make them realise then you should probably send them a private message. There has to be some sort of respect even if you wish to correct someone.

Also, have you any idea how many sisters have been motivated to wear the hijab because of them?

Give them some credit will you? This could be their form of da'wah to promote the hijab.

If we judge our own sisters and start creating fitnah and be critical of their intentions then who are they to rely on for protection? Who are they to rely on for support?

A'qilah Saiere

; just a little something personal for a change.

2011-09-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

I've been out of touch with blogging ever since I started college haven't I. It has sucked out quite a bit of my life, I have to say and for the past two and a half years, my days have revolved around attending tutorials and lectures and my nights, meetings for my MSS. I spend my Semester Breaks working as an Assistant teacher over at early education centers to ensure that my teaching skills do not get rusty. If I actually do spend my time writing, I do so either on my private wordpress or my little pieces of paper at random hours of the night. In any case, I met up with a group of brothers and sisters today for a debriefing meeting for a Ramadhan event we had. Afterwhich, I spent some time with a college junior. Lol subhanaAllah, she mentioned about how she's been reading this blog for quite some time now but she never got the chance to find the right moment to tell me. LOL, wallah it feels different to actually meet your blog readers in real life. In any case, here's a shout out to you Aishah! <3 7abibty, you're so cute, I love you :*

Anyway, I did this quiz thingy about 2 years ago and imma try answering them all again and see how much I've actually changed. (Are you not glad, I am back to being a lifeless keyboard warrior? Hahahaha)

Name: A'qilah Saiere

Age: Turning 19 in December InshaAllah

Location: Singapore. (Oh God, I wonder when this is ever going to change)

Background: Javanese(Indonesian Extract)/Indian

Are you a revert? Nope, A born Muslim (Al7mdolellah!)

Have you been to Hajj or Umrah? YES! Al7mdolellah for the opportunity Allah swt granted me to witness His magnificent holy lands!

How many masjids have you been to? I've been to quite a number of mosques in the country itself and in Malaysia. I've also visited the mosques in the Al Aqsa compund, several in Madinah including Masjidil Nabawi as well as a couple in Makkah including Masjid Al Haram

Have you ever been involved with a masjid? A couple of times. Mostly when MSS collaborates with the Mosques for events.

Who are some of your favorite lectures by? Brother Suhaib Webb, Brother Nouman Ali Khan, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Bilal Assad and selected speakers on Huda TV

Who are some of your favorite recitors? Sheikh Mishary Al Afasy, Sheikh Abdur Rahman As Sudais, Qari Abdul Wadood Asim, Sheikh Maher Al Muayqali (He was the imam when I was in Makkah for the 6 days of Umrah <3)

Some of your favorite Islamic books? You can be the happiest woman in the world - Dr. 'Aid Al Qarni, Al Shamail Al Muhammadiyah - Al Tirmidzi, Bidayatul Hidayah - Imam Ghazali, Fathul Qarib - Imam Syafi'e

Describe your most memorable Eid: I can barely remember my past 3eids anymore but every 3eid has always been special because of the time with the family. Nonetheless, the one I remember distinctly was the last 3eid I spent with my grandfather.

When did you first start fasting? My parents trained me to fast since the age of 5. I started off with half a day of fast though.

When did you start hijab? Ramadhan 2008 :)

What's your usual outift like when you go out? Depends on how my mood is like. On lazy days I tend to just throw on an 3abaya lol.

What do you like about blogging? I love writing hence I channel my writing energy to blogging because I genuinely feel it's a catharsis for me.

Describe your first feelings wearing
Hijab: I remember being really nervous and horribly paranoid. I kept thinking I was getting stares and it made me start questioning myself if I was really ready. Al7mdolellah though, I have not lifted it off ever since. InshaAllah, I never will <3
Abayah: The best thing a Muslim ever came up with wallah. 3abayas are so comfortable and so easy to be around with. Not to mention how they are fit for almost any occasion, always allowing you to look your best even on days you're most lazy to dress up!
Niqaab: I wore it when I was in Madinah and Makkah and it was beautiful to be have another layer of covering. MashaAllah. I have massive respect for Niqaabis, wallah!

How do you pin your hijab? Again, it depends on my mood. On some days I wear the loose shayla style. Other days, the 5aleeji style. Sometimes the Dina To-kio style. These few days, I have on this casual wrap that I recently came up with. Really easy to go around with. :)

What was on the last prayer mat you made salah on? The mat I bought when I was in Makkah doing my Umrah over at Bin Dawood; Museum. It's a really pretty mat mashaAllah, it's some sort of the Palestinian colours actually. Here's a peekture -http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr24qsG3Vl1qd3ak7o1_500.png heh :) I love it so much. It's handmade from Kashmir! <3

What's your ideal iftar? Doner Kebab & Punch. Lol. Of course with dates and all that.

What type of adhaan really gets to you? Anytype of Adhaan gets to me. Particularly Al Haram's but subhanaAllah, Aqsa's Adhaan is just as enchanting!

What's something that annoys you at Jummah: When people are busy gossiping while the Imam's giving Khutbah. If they knew the amount of ajer they are missing out on, they'd understand the importance of keeping their traps shut.

What was the last surah you read? Surah Al Baqarah

Do you dry yourself after wudu? Not really but they usually tend to dry off by the time I have my hijab on to perform my Salah. Well yes, considering the desert of a country I live in, I am not surprised.

Do you brush your teeth for fajr salah? Usually, yes. Sometimes with just mouth wash though.

Whats the last Islamic thing you've been involved with? The most distinct memory I have of contributing to the Ummah is planning a camp on the fundamentals of Islam for freshmen in college.

What was the last convention you went to? The Early Childhood Convention. Somewhere last year I suppose...

Have you ever been part of an Islamic matrimonial site? LOL no.

What color is the rug in the masjid you usually attend? Green and Red... if I remember it right.

Is the masjid you usually attend separated? Yes. Muslimahs have a separate section in the building. Something like a balcony over the Muslimin ground.

Have you ever stood in a minbar? Yes, at Masjid Ibraheem in Palestine.

Have you ever washed a dead body before? No :/

What's the last thing you ate in the masjid? I had rice with gravy. It was Suhoor at the Masjid after Qiyamu layl

Where's the strangest place you've seen a Muslim working? I don't know. Nothing seems strange these days. The most odd of places you could possibly find a Muslim have turned into the most common ones. Astaghfirullah.

Have you ever posted a flier in the masjid? Nope.

Rate your masjid's bathroom: It's pretty clean Al7mdolellah.

Have you ever used a bidet for istinja? yes.

What's the weirdest thing that happened to you in salah? I was praying at Masjid Al Haram and this little boy just stood in front of me. I couldn't decide if I was to continue with my ruku' or like invalidate my prayer :/ lol

Isn't it annoying when the imam tells everyone to shut off their cell phones and someone's phone rings in the middle of salah? LOL. Yes. Unfortunately, most people just don't seem to be able to get simple instructions into their heads.

What's some of the best halal food you've had (from a non Muslim country)? I live in a Non-Muslim country and the best Halal food I have ever had was Kofta with Rice at Sheikh el arab at Arab st.

What was it like when you found out skittles were haram? Bleh.

What's something haram that you think most people don't know? I think people know them things are Haram, they just choose to ignore them facts and bring out their own fatwas to make justifications for their Haram actions. Oh well. C'est la vie.

What's the craziest hijabi fashion you've seen? I can't recall any that rings a particular bell in my head.

Lol mashaAllah, I think I have changed for quite a bit since the past two years. Nonetheless, it's all for the good inshaAllah.

Till next time!

A'qilah Saiere

Are you setting your priorities right?

2011-09-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

Marriage is a sacred union between two people that is seen as a fundamental building unit for the Muslim community. It is highly encouraged and is even classified as half of one's deen. It is also the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallahu 'alayhi wasalam).

Sadly though, the entire idea of marriage has been materialised from a union where two people start to build their lives together to have their own families to celebrations that cost a bomb where the groom eventually leaves the ceremony with a burnt pocket. (well at least, that is how it's like where I live) People spend their entire lives working their butts off just so they can build up their money in the bank to throw an extravagant ceremony where thousands of dollars are spent on food, decoration and music that blasts right through everybody's ears. Don't get me wrong, I love how celebratory and grand some weddings can get, mashaAllah. It makes you really happy to be present to glorify the union of two souls.

What I'm saying is, these people spend all their lives trying to save up for their dream weddings to please the people in their community and then forget about the preparations they OUGHT to make before building a home together. Especially the brothers. They spend their days working and nights working even more just to get sufficient money but do they spend enough time learning about the adaab of running a family? Does he spend enough time fixing his tajweed so he can get his recitation of the Qur'an right? Does he spend enough time to learn about the rulings in fiqh so that he may teach his wife and children later on?

Does she spend enough time learning how to be a good wife in Islam? Does she spend enough time reading about the wives of the prophet (sallahu 'alayhi wasalam) so that she may take into example their deeds?

The question is, do you spend enough time taking care of your other half of the deen before you complete the next half or are you spending the entire time you have before you sit down for your nikaah slogging your butt off to build up your bank account?

Are you setting your priorities right?

A'qilah Saiere.

; Ista2telek kteer

2011-08-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

I miss you everyday. I miss the smell of the morning dew that fills your streets as we walk down your dark alleys to be welcomed by the Adhan that pierces the silence of dawn. I miss the sound my steps make as I walk down your pebble-stoned pathways. I miss the smiles of your people. I miss the smell of your traditional dishes that fill the air. I miss bayyan, yousef, 7mood & 7amed.

I miss running my fingers through every grain of your precious sand. I miss the fragrance in your mosques. I miss your cold morning winds. I miss the staying the stillness of the moments in your mosques.

I yearn to see you again every single day.

I miss you, Palestine.

A'qilah Saiere

Ramadhan Reflection

2011-08-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, here's wishing all of you a blessed and fruitful Ramadhan Al Mubarak!

It’s only been a week into Ramadhan and some of us are already getting ready for 3eid. It’s not too bad a thing to be honest, at the very least we’re getting ready and excited for an Islamic holiday. Let’s just remember to not let it get in the way of our eebadah inshaAllah. This is a reminder for myself first, before anyone else.

In any case, it’s only been 7 days and my fingers are already itching to write up a post on Ramadhan. I’ve been spending the entire first week of Ramadhan with my days slogging for my last week of college and my nights merely for some proper quality family time and tarraweeh.We all have different reasons as to why we favour Ramadhan over all the other Islamic months. I personally particularly love Ramadhan because it’s possibly the only month alongside eid that I get to sit with the entire family to have meals together.

Other times of the year, we’re more often than always seemingly busy with our hectic lives that we barely spare time for one another. I’m guilty as charged. & wallah nothing feels as good as to share a meal and engage in quality interaction with the people you love.

On the first Ramadhan night, we spoke about the world over Iftar and I told my parents about the articles I read about the starvation crisis in Somalia and the rest of East Africa. It came across as merely a dinner topic until after Iftar when I resigned to my room to wait for my father to get ready for Maghrib that I found myself bawling my eyes out. I couldn’t help but feel horribly awful to know that I’ve just completed an entire roll of doner kebab with an ice cold glass of punch while my brothers and sisters are starving day in and out on the other side of the world.

I’m setting aside at least a dua3 a day after Iftar and Tarraweeh or after every other prayer for the Ummah and the rest of humanity. May the light of Ramadhan illuminate the world and let its beauty shine in the hearts of every Muslim.

Dear Allah,

Protect my brothers and sisters in Syria, feed my people in Somalia, grant ease to my loved ones in Palestine, bring justice to my beautiful Bosnia, grant freedom to the Ummah in Libya, bring peace to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and every country in chaos. Oh Allah, I ask of You to let us live in your Love and Grace this Ramadhan!

Ameen.

A'qilah Saiere

; Dear Allah,

2011-07-23T03:45:00.000-07:00

In the name of Allah, the most gracious & most merciful

I pray that all of you are in the best of health and the strongest of deen. I apologise for having been missing in action for almost a month now. I've been kept way too busy with college, considering that it's my last year of diploma. It's been a treacherous few months but with Allah's guidance inshaAllah, I'll get through all of it unscathed.

Nonetheless, I wanted to speak about a reflective session we had a few days ago. You see, having been drowned with work all these weeks has pushed my iman and I to the lowest possible point we could ever be in. I've been so caught up with this dunya that I've been reduced to perform only the fard. Alongside that, because of the extreme tire that I experience on some days, prayers like fajr and ishak are performed with dread. May Allah forgive me.

Alhamdulillah though that as part of the Islamic Awareness Week of our MSS we had a "Muhasabah" session or a Reflective session. We were introduced by the speaker to recall of the sacrifices of Rasulullah sallahu alayhi wasalam before moving into a session where we were asked to close our eyes as a brother starts to help us recall of our wrongdoings that we have committed towards Allah, His messenger and our parents. At the end of our session we were asked to write a letter to Allah swt as part of our promise to Him & this letter is not for Him but for ourselves to be constantly reminded of our promise.

This was my letter.

Dear Allah,

I ask of You to forgive me of my wrongdoings towards You, Your messenger, my parents and those around me. I ask of You to guide me and grant me strength as I go through each and everyday. I ask of You to love me and guide me along the path of sirratul mustaqim.

Oh Lord, grant me the opportunity to serve your ummah. What good is there in me if it is not to serve your people for Your sake? I ask of you to grant me the opportunity to live up to my name as a khalifah, even in the smallest of ways. Oh Allah, unite us and free our lands that are under the occupation of the kuffar. Restore justice to these lands and send us leaders that will fight in your path to free the oppressed. Oh Allah restore the glory of the ummah so that we may emerge to let Islam shine once again in this Dunya. Strengthen us so that we may hold steadfast to your rope.

I pledge that with your will, I shall spend my life as a service to Your people as part of my submission to You.

I ask of you to soften and strengthen my heart so that ie may submit to nothing and no one but You alone my Lord.

Let it be that my last words are "La illaha ilallah, Muhammadurrasulullah"

Exalted by Thy name.

Ameen.

Love,

Your sinful servant.

What could be more refreshing than to pour your heart out to Allah swt ?

A'qilah Saiere

; Seeing is Believing

2011-06-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

As the title suggests, there has always been a very famous quote about how we only truly believe something is genuine through first hand experience. Even in Early Childhood, we believe that children learn best through first hand practical experience or when they witness something with their own eyes and explore on their own.

But I'm not talking about the little people here, I'm talking about us - you and I. We've believed in our Shahadah from the very beginning that we decide to utter it all with our own tongues. We've believed that Allah swt is our Creator and that Prophet Muhammad (saw) was and will always be His last messenger. We believe that praying five times a day is part of our natural disposition. We believe that the Ka'abah is our Kiblah. We believe that the Qur'an is the word of Allah. We believe in Islam.

The question is, to what extent is our faith ?

I left for the Middle East approximately 15 days ago. We visited Jordan, Palestine and lastly Saudi Arabia for Umrah. All these years, I've heard stories after stories about the different prophets in Islam and the beautiful things that they've done that contributed to the world we live in today - more or less.

You see, I've believed them stories from the very beginning but when I witnessed these historical Islamic sites, wallah it was like food for soul. From the stories of Al Aqsa and Qubbat As Sakhrah to Jabal Thur and Jabal Nur in Makkah, it did nothing but strengthened my faith for Islam.

I've believed that the ka'abah is my Qiblah and I've been praying towards it for however long I've been Muslim but never have I laid eyes on it. When I witnessed it before my eyes the first day I stepped into Al Masjidil Al Haram, I was crying out of gratitude that I was able to face this majestic structure for at least that one time. Every single time, I returned to Al Haram for each prayer, it felt so hard to turn my back to leave it once the salah was over.

Umrah was possibly the best opportunity for me to renew my faith and cleanse my dirty soul.

Islam makes me sublimely happy, 3anjad & Alhamdulillah for everything!

A'qilah Saiere

; camp eleven.

2011-05-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

I've been spending the last 3 months cracking my head and straining each and every one of my brain cells planning for a camp together with a group of 24 other people. This camp, unlike the many others that I have planned for, is very very special. We approached a concept that we have never dared to touch on. Our target audience was different, our objectives were brand new and so were the people involved. We all had one goal, just one common one that brought 25 people together to plan a camp for 120 people. We based our objectives on Rasulullah's Hadith -:

"He who truly believes, wants for his brother what he wants for himself"

We wanted to show our brothers and sisters around the campus that Islam is nothing but absolute beauty. We wanted to show them why we are so deeply passionate of this deen, why we want nothing but the best for this life and the next and why we are all Muslims - Muslims by choice.

Camp Eleven was based on the fundamentals of Islam - the 5 Pillars of Islam and the 6 Articles of Faith. We started from scratch. We were presented with a few ideas from different people that inspired us of the contents of the camp. Our focus was to show the beauty of Islam so we designed games that helped the campers understand the practical purpose of the 5 Pillars of Islam that led to the spiritual understanding of these practices. We called professionals to conduct workshops to show them the beauty of the Qur'an and to help them understand better the Articles of Faith. We helped them better understand that Islamic Values are Universal Values and most importantly, we spoke to them about the beauty of the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wasalam) 's morals and how he should be the role model of every living Muslim.

At the end of the camp, we made them understand that the bond of a faith is stronger than that of blood. Together, we realised the power of Allah's will to build a strong ukhwah between us and for as long as we hold on to the rope of Allah, He shall guide us along.

I have never felt so genuinely happy after a camp and I have nothing to say except for Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah!

I may not have benefited as much as the participants because of all the running around to ensure that everything flows smoothly, but I sure as hell found my second family.

Dearest brothers and sisters,

I pray that our friendship ends not just in this dunya but be brought forward to the hereafter. I pray for nothing but the absolute best for each and everyone of you and I pray that Allah grants us the opportunity to meet each other in Jannah!

Ameen!

A'qilah Saiere

; Trust in your Shahadah.

2011-04-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

Second Class, Double Standards, Oppressed.

Whenever these words are mentioned, many would associate them with the African-Americans, the Jews and most commonly used as an attack to the new media's current victim - Muslim Women.

Have they no understanding of the words "Choice", "Liberation" and "Devotion" ?

They poison the public's minds with connotations that depict the idea of something so beautiful - modesty to be something so ugly and discriminating - oppressive.

This recent uproar about the ban of the Niqaab and Burka in France is just another one of their steps to abolish the beautiful practice of women in Islam. They start with the Niqaab with the excuse that it is a threat to the social cohesion of the society. They degrade the value of a head scarf that is purely the symbol of modesty and high regard and respect for women to something that is seen as oppressive and disregard Muslim women as part of the social fabric.

It's disgusting to know how a simple choice that a Muslim woman has made to cover herself with intentions of pleasing her Lord and fulfilling her responsibilities towards her Creator becomes something that is seen as socially disgraceful and offensive.

My dear sisters,

It is at times like this that we understand the importance of putting our whole trust into the Shahadah that we have taken from the very beginning of our lives as a Muslim and the one testimony that we repeat day in and day out out of confirmation for our belief of the One and Only & His messenger.

It is at times like this that we put aside our personal differences and unite as an Ummah.

They can treat us as second class citizens and with double standards. They can go on and on about how Islam oppresses us but we know for ourselves that Islam is the one true way of life that completes us in every aspect of this dunya that we live in for nothing but the absolute best for the akhirah.

So stay true to your Shahadah for Allah is with those who are patient.

A'qilah Saiere

; kun fayakun!

2011-04-18T08:22:00.001-07:00

My school's Muslim Society is finally coming up with something original and new to the campus. A camp that concentrates on portraying the beauty of Islam and how relevant and useful what the Qur'an says is to our life.

It's our first massive work of da'wah & I can't wait, can't wait at all for it!

Alhamdulillah for everything and may Allah swt bless our camp with barakah and rahmah!

Ameen!

A'qilah Saiere

Prayer is Power;

2011-03-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

For yourself, for your parents, for your siblings, for your extended family - yes, even the ones that you've always known but never met but related nonetheless, for your friends and their families, for your brothers and sisters in Islam, for all of the non-Muslims in the world;

For Japan, for New Zealand, Hawaii, Indonesia; For Palestine, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi;

For the WORLD that Allah has blessed us with.

In His most gracious name, Let us all beg for His mercy.

A'qilah Saiere.

; of human responsiblities

2011-03-02T04:18:00.000-08:00

A very very wise person once told me that in Islam there is no such thing as “Human rights” – it’s human responsibilities. A hand is responsible for another hand, an eye is responsible for another eye; a heart is responsible for another heart.

I don’t think any of us realise the importance of our presence in each other’s lives do we? We all speak about how important it is for us to stand up for the oppressed but haven’t we realised that the reason why these people have lost their rights to humanity is because the people who are responsible for their well-being did not fulfil their obligations towards these people. Of people in Palestine – the leaders of the Ummah &/ the Ummah, of people in Africa – their leaders, of the aborted babies – their mothers, of the children from dysfunctional families – their parents; of the poor – the rich, of the oppressed – the liberated.

It makes total sense doesn’t it? It makes so much sense that we all have a part to play in each other’s lives.

This video is a good example of human responsibilities -:

A'qilah Saiere

Local unrest;

2011-01-30T03:39:00.000-08:00

I understand the anger and unrest within the Muslim community in Singapore with regards to what MM Lee had to say in his book but I really do not see the need to publish an article on the net and refute him with completely unprofessional and ignorant words.

MUIS has not even bothered to refute any of his statements. AMP has though and I have to say, I’m pleased and proud of them.

The thing is, what I don’t understand is why did he choose to say that it’s least easy to integrate Muslims into the rest of the community because of Islam? Has he not studied and understood Islam? Sources even say that he raised his children the Islamic way. Does he not know that part of being Muslim is to be a good Singaporean? Islam teaches one to be loyal and obedient of one’s country and its rules respectively.

There is nothing wrong in a community wanting to practice its rites and practices and these practices do not disintegrate us from the society as a whole. Just like the SAP schools. There have been various arguments how these students have had no exposure to the other cultural groups and no opportunity to mingle with the other societal members but we choose to agree upon the fact that these schools together with campaigns like Speak Mandarin, give the Chinese Community their identity. It does not in anyway, disintegrate them from the rest of citizens does it?

So on what circumstances do we Muslims,segregate ourselves from the rest? Is it because of the food we eat, or rather, the food that we do not eat?

What about the Vegans (Buddhists and Hindus etc) then? Are they pulling themselves away from the community? I didn’t hear anything about that.

Every religion has its restrictions and as the followers we are obliged to follow through.

Out of what circumstances do we have to compromise religious obligations just because we seemingly are disintegrating ourselves from the larger portion of the society?

Anyway as Muslims in this country, we should look upon this as a lesson for us to be united and stronger as an Ummah inshaAllah.

A'qilah Saiere

Let's wait to be happy;

2011-01-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

I read a post on a Sister's blog today over on tumblr and she was speaking about how we tend to stop ourselves from being happy with excuses like how things will fall into place when we get our things right - when we're happily married, when we become rich, when we end university, get into an ivy league etc. Read the rest of her blog here.

We convince ourselves over and over again that things will get better tomorrow but all we do is sit on our butts and wait for something to magically straighten things out. So many people have come to me to tell me how it's alright to feel like a mess at this age. I'm 18. In 2 years, it'd mean that I've lived on the face of the earth for 2 decades. I have met people who have represented their countries for noble organisations like UNICEF, people who are older than me by just 2 years but they run a charitable organisation for the poor, people who have accomplished way more respectable deeds that I ever have within the same amount of years that they have spent living on the face of this earth. With that, more often than always I'd ponder on this fact and make myself feel like I'm the most useless person and that I'm nothing more than an angsty 18 year old teenager that is doomed to be working in a childcare centre for the rest of my life. And all I ever tell myself is that I'll be free and happy as soon as I'm done with my diploma and degree.

Why do I keep telling myself that I'll be free and happy only when I'm done with my diploma and degree? Is my life just about chasing certificates?

I don't know about you but I'm done being upset that I'm stuck in college. I'm going to try and find some joy in learning and climbing up this ladder till the end.

I'm going to go be happy now & you should too.

A'qilah Saiere

to keep breathing;

2011-01-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

Bismillahir-Rahmanir- Rahim

I pray that all of you are in the best of health and highest of Imaan inshaAllah.

I haven't been in the best of state for this few days and I find myself blaming the overwhelming amount of workload I have for feeling this way. This meaning, the feeling you have when you go around with a heavy heart and a heavy mind.

To be honest, it's not all work. It is probably also (or rather, the more likely reason as to why I feel horribly knackered and empty all the time) because I haven't made the effort to pick up the Qur'an and read a few pages of it every now and then.

I find myself constantly in a rush. Rushing for what, I have no idea.

It's like I've lost myself to Dunya, to the society, to my Nafs.

Astaghfirullahal Azeem :(

Let this be a reminder for all of us that the best way to feel revitalised and alive amidst all the hustle and bustle of work or school for all of us, is through Salah & the Qur'an.

A'qilah Saiere.

Will you marry me?

2010-12-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

What is with us girls thinking of marriage and weddings every other 5 seconds (okay maybe not 5 seconds but you get what I'm saying), fretting that the day will never come? I thought I was the only one before I discovered a good number of sisters are just as anxious, waiting for their very own big day as well. Most of us are not excited about the whole wedding process but we agree upon the fact that we can't wait to get started on a whole new chapter of our lives that we will inshaAllah share with the man that we love and treasure.

You see, I just attended my cousin's wedding yesterday. After a tedious 6 months of planning and preparing, we are all finally relieved and overjoyed upon the completion of the ceremony. The whole family has never felt so happy before. To some, the best part was when the Bhangra crew led the groom to his bride. To others, it was possibly the food. But my favourite part was specifically the Solemnization Ceremony.

Unlike the many Solemnization ceremonies I've attended where the groom sits in a room packed with a whole bunch of people like he's in a press conference, this one was a simple and quiet one. Amidst the whole anxiety and excitement all of us got stuck in our guts, a simple and calm solemnization ceremony was all it need to make the wedding the most beautiful one I have ever attended.

Before the ceremony took place, the Kadi gave a short speech to remind the groom and everyone present about the beauty of marriage. To remind all of us that it's a beautiful responsibility that has been granted by Allah swt by every man and woman of Islam. Unlike many Abrahamic religions, Islam promotes marriage and forbids celibacy for it is believed to be a fundamental unit to the Muslim Society.

Out of the many Hadeeths he spoke of, this was one that caught my attention.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Marriage is of my tradition and whosoever keeps it away is not from amongst me."

SubhanaAllah!

This wedding that I attended was not just an experience that brought me together with my family but also opened my eyes to the importance of marriage.

I have many friends that are against the idea of marriage with the excuse that it ties them down and that there is no element of liberation to marriage.

But I couldn't disagree more.

How more liberated does one wish to be when through marriage he is granted the every right to be with the woman he loves and to fulfill his rightful responsibilities to her as a husband?

Likewise for the women.

But like I always say, "To you be your way, to me be mine!"

A'qilah Saiere

Come and take a look at this.

2010-11-26T23:25:00.000-08:00

*Photo Removed*

May Allah forgive me for my mistakes. Ameen.

I am absolutely disgusted. I don't even have the right words to describe the way I'm feeling towards this particular Hijabee right here.

I feel insulted. So insulted that I could saliva vomit on her face if she was right in front of me.

The question is, has anyone tried to stop her or at least tried knocking some sense into her?

This is not all. Today, I saw a picture on Tumblr of 2 hijabees who were going to french each other. I can be quite opinionated but I try to keep the respect present at all times. I don't have issues with homosexuals in general but Islam clearly forbids homosexuality. No buts, not maybes. It's forbidden in the deen.

I don't even know what to say anymore.

May Allah swt protect us from the Haram and keep us on His righteous path!

Ihdina-s-sirata-l-mustaqima
Sirat alladhina 'an `amta `alayhim
Ghayri-l-maghdubi `alayhim wa la-d-daallin

A'qilah Saiere.

Is it so hard to comprehend?

2010-10-31T06:49:00.001-07:00

How would you feel if your non-Muslim friend asked you why there are Hijabees wearing short sleeves despite having donned their heads with a scarf?

How would you feel if your non-Muslim friend understood Islam more than your fellow sister does?

Sometimes I think the only reason why I choose to spend more time with my non-Muslim friends over my Muslim circle of friends is because they look upon me as a Muslim from a third person's view. They do not judge me for my actions, they do not criticise my perceptions of a certain political or religious issue and most importantly, they seem to be way more well-mannered and principled with a firm set of morals unlike the same people who grew up with a religion that encompassed every single thing.

I was having lunch with a non-Muslim friend yesterday and she mentioned how she doesn't understand why Muslims can't stay united when they all are practising the same thing, praying to the same God, believing and following the same prophet, referring to the same book.

How would you, as a Muslim feel when a Non-Muslim mentioned that to you?

Truth be told, I was speechless. Speechless at how a person who has seen only the exterior of Islam is able to speak about how beautiful it would be if everyone just united to be a strong Ummah.

Joy Yean, this post is for you. God bless you, baby<3

A'qilah Saiere.

Oh sister, you're doing it all wrong!

2010-10-31T06:14:00.002-07:00

The only reason why I hate hanging out at the Masjid is because of some sisters' behaviour that just never fail to piss me off. This is why I often pray and immediately leave after reading the required dua's. If I have to wait for the next salah to come in, I'll grab the Qur'an or read a book.

See, majority of the Malay muslims here are Shafi'ites, meaning they follow the madhab of Imam Shafii' and most of the Indian Muslims here in Singapore follow the madhab of Imam Hanafi. Either or, both were excellent (this is an understatement, they were beyond amazing) scholars. Many Malay muslims have failed to understand that following a different madhab does not mean the other person is wrong. The bottomline is, the person's a Muslim - an Ahl Sunnah w Jama'ah.

A couple of days ago, I was over at the Masjid and there was a Sister who was praying without wearing a pair socks. So basically, her feet were exposed. She was Indian Muslim so I reckon that she was from the Hanafi madhab. I was seated next to a group of Malay Muslim sisters who were probably in their mid 40s. These sisters started commenting on how it's so wrong for the Indian sister to be praying without her socks on.

Okay firstly, it's a Masjid and instead of performing your eebadah, you're backbiting your sister who's performing her Salah.

Secondly, I was furious at how ignorant these group of sisters were. A different madhab would have different reasons to practise a certain way of fiqh because they have their sets of hadeeths that they refer to. Just because you're doing it a different way, it doesn't mean that they're doing it wrong.

We have to understand the practices of the different madhabs because we have to understand the Hikmah of having the 4 different Madhabs. It shows how Islam is open to different perceptions to a particular practice.

At the end of the day, we're all Muslims and these scholars were our great leaders.

May Allah protect us all! Ameen ya rabb!

That's one issue.

Another issue is Haramoween. (Halloween)

Okay brothers and sisters, if you are so bothered about people saying that Halloween is Haram to celebrate, then don't do it. Because really, no one bothers if you are going to a Halloween party dressing up as a ghoul just because it's the dress code. The bottom line is, whatever your niyah may be, Allah is the one who knows it all but we all also have to know that Halloween is NOT Islamic.

You want to know something? Even some CHRISTIANS do not celebrate Halloween. - http://www.christian-mommies.com/special-features/bible-studies/why-we-dont-celebrate-halloween/

(JazakAllahu Khayran Brother Adib, for the link!)

Allahu 3alam.

A'qilah Saiere.

THEY confiscate childhood too.

2010-10-19T03:10:00.001-07:00

Palestine, October 5, (Pal Telegraph) -Thirteen is the age for a lot of things; it carries a certain significance for every boy that reaches that age with all the promises that life has to offer; it's a time when boys get their first bike, enjoy their favorite video games, make it into the school's football squad, it's a time when boys begin to marvel at and appreciate the mysteries of life pre-adulthood, and for some; it's even a time when they experience their first innocent crush; but if you're a thirteen year old boy in occupied Palestine; you're placed under house arrest by the Israeli authorities.
Thirteen year old Palestinian boy; Karam Khaled Da'nah was sentenced by an Israeli court to five months of mandatory house arrest in his uncle's house –away from his parents and siblings- and a 2,000 shekel bail after a shameful charade that isn't very well masquerading as a court hearing last Tuesday September 28th 2010, in complete disregard for anything even resembling human rights (or even common human decency for that matter); Karam was first arrested on the 20th of September right in front of his school in the old city in southern Hebron, dragged away from his friends and classmates and savagely beaten by Israeli forces before being thrown into the back of their military jeep and driven away; and the charge is... wait for it… lopping stones at (illegal) Israeli settlers.

And here you thought that peer pressure was the biggest source of anxiety for most parents, however; Palestinian parents will always have something else to worry about when it comes to their children; whether it's sudden arrests, deadly assaults, torture, you name it; the list of horrific –and very possible- scenarios that Palestinian families are made to live with day in and day out are endless; indeed parenthood carries a whole different meaning in Palestine.

What's particularly troubling though; is that the Zionists have -over the years- committed so many crimes and gross violations of international laws that I can't believe the rest of the so-called civilized world haven't called them out on it yet, they insist on placing "the only democracy in the Middle East" on a strangely unparalleled, high pedestal as the ultimate paragon of virtue; whereas when it comes to Palestinians it seems; the concept of human rights suddenly blurs, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) becomes a hazy afterthought; is it acceptable only if the victim is a Palestinian kid? Is it acceptable to snatch minors off the streets, torture and browbeat them into submission in Israeli prison chambers? Is all of this acceptable if everyone is practically silent about it?

These days we keep hearing all about poor little Binyamin Netanyahu and how "difficult" it is to be in his place; caught between the hammer of American pressures to re-impose a temporary freeze on settlement building and the anvil of a fragile government coalition of right wing fascists who firmly stand behind the settlement enterprise, we keep hearing how "unbearable" it is to be in the position of President Mahmoud Abbas, who is left with very few limited options; the best of which amounts to political suicide; but what about those who live under occupation and suffer its agonizing consequences, we sure have a tenuous grasp of their bitter reality, we disregard them -and often we do so with intent- in our quest to decipher the intricate details of the Middle East conflict, so let us this time try and place ourselves in Karam Da'nah's shoes for a moment:

Imagine you're thirteen years old, living in a neighborhood your family has been inhabiting for generations; yet is becoming less and less familiar to you -thanks to swarms of hostile (and armed to the teeth) Israeli settlers-, the day starts and ends with their vulgar harassments, verbal and physical abuse and often with them hurling their trash at your house for good measure, your daily trip to your own school and back disturbs the very delicate sensibilities of these "new neighbors", they spit on you, shower you with unspeakable insults that a typical thirteen year old wouldn't normally hear; there's absolutely nothing neighborly about that! you try another (longer) route hoping against hope that this "maneuver" will spare you another one of those grueling confrontations, but to no avail; they're all over the place; they enjoy the very same right and freedom of movement you've been long pining for; and always under the attentive watch of the IOF, going to school soon becomes a dreaded burden; an exercise in frustration and futility; you can't help but feel like you're a moving target; your destination –no matter how close- is always so far away, well beyond countless of check points, humiliating strip searches, antagonistic soldiers, exclusive Jewish-only roads, life-threatening altercations with over-zealous colonizers and a separation wall that stretches as far as the eye can see.

Nonetheless; you try as hard as you can to reconcile yourself with this harsh reality just to be able to enjoy –even if for a brief and fleeting moment- a false sense of normalcy; until one day and out of the blue; you get rounded up, accused and immediately convicted for a bogus crime you didn't commit; there is absolutely no evidence except for a testimony by an illegal Israeli settler who's hell-bent on forcing you out of your own land with no idea what he wants beyond that, you spend about a week incarcerated in a prison cell, exhaustion from ruthless interrogation sessions -designed specifically to "overcome" your frail thirteen year old mind and body- and fears of never being able to see your family ever again start to mount inside your small teenage chest until you can't even take a proper breath anymore; when you're finally released; you find out that you can't live with your family anymore, instead; you're sent to live with relatives and to top it all off; you're not allowed to see the outdoors for at least five months; you have to say goodbye to playgrounds, football games, family picnics, going to school and basically all the activities that made up a huge and beloved part of your previous life.

Karam's story is merely the latest in a litany of brutal practices and policies of aggression by the Zionist state and its raging herds of xenophobic settlers against Palestinians; only a little over a week ago; a Jewish settlement "guard" (whatever that means!) shot down a 32 year old Palestinian man –a father of five- in the Arab neighborhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem: pretty much an open and shut, slam dunk case of cold blooded murder; from which the perpetrator was, yes you guessed it, exonerated after half an hour of "friendly" questioning by Israeli authorities (probably over a cup of coffee for all we know!); while, on the other hand, Karam Da'nah still has to adjust to his new living situation placed under house arrest deprived of all the things that millions of normal kids around the world take for granted.

Moreover; a recent CNN report revealed several cases of sexual abuse of Palestinian children detained in Israeli jails; the report included victims' heart-breaking detailed accounts of what they've endured on the filthy hands of their Israeli captors; molestation, beatings, being forced to remain in painful positions and being grabbed by their private parts; are but few of the many methods mentioned in the report that are systematically employed by Israeli interrogators in sleazy albeit sadistic attempts at extracting forced "confessions" from kids as young as 9 years old; this in no doubt; will take its immense and devastating toll on these youngsters; physically, psychologically and emotionally as well; sure these kids will survive, they will continue to live, some might even grow up to be great leaders for their people; but I think their childhood and everything about it has been seared for life.

Indeed not only lands that are being arbitrarily bulldozed and confiscated in the occupied Palestinian territories, but most dangerously; childhood too.

- Palestinian Telegraph.

:O you're muslimah of the century!

2010-10-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

Many assume that muslim girls with Islamic blogs are proper pious and other than their interest for their deen and their ummah, they really don't care about anything else that does not concern these two subjects. But for your information, nooooo, we have other interests too.

It does not mean that we have Islamic blogs, or in this case, we have blogs where we more often than always write about our religion and our people, it does not mean that we don't have a life out of that particular blog.

You see, our lives are in sync with our religion so for almost everything we do, we're able to relate it to our God or our deen.

I am not just someone who loves Palestine and speaks about Zionism, Sharia' and tassawuf topics. So noooo, you don't have to learn about Palestine to talk to me. You can speak to me about everything under the sun! Yes, even your favourite Korean idols (which though, I have no interest at all in) lol.

But that does not in any case allow you to take my Palestinian passion as a joke. Trust me, it's not funny at all to try and force Macdonald's down my throat. I will kick your arse so hard, it'll turn as red as Macdonald's hair.

*aaaaah i can't think of an ending line. so okaythanksbye*

A'qilah Saiere

Niyah;

2010-09-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Niyah is so painfully important in everything that you do. It truly determines almost everything from the journey to getting something done to the results of whatever that you intended to do.

Innamal a3malu binniyah isn't it?

You see I had this job that was given to me late last year and it was to last for a whole year - which means my "title" or "job" will be taken away from me at the end of this year. It really is not an easy job because there were so many tasks to carry out and pretty heavy responsibilities that I had to handle. I started off very very motivated to make everything work out well because I was driven by my passion for the ummah & for what I wanted to do for Allah. Eventually, I got stressed about my work and I got into political conflicts with the people involved ( the ones I had to work with). I lost a couple of sisters as a result and I realised how my "job" was taking away pieces of my soul, turning me into someone I barely knew.

So my niyah started to change and I started to carry out my tasks for the sake of it, I started to attend meetings because I had to and not because I wanted to. I dreaded having to face the people involved and I hated all because of what a few did to me. I slowly started to miss meetings - but really, Allah is great -I didn't miss them because I wanted to but because really most were conflicting with my schedule so I never lied my way through to miss the meetings.

But really, now that my niyah was no longer for the Ummah or for Allah, it was meaningless to carry out what I wanted to carry out.

I had a meeting today for an event this November out of which I have totally lost momentum for but alhamdulillah, it felt good to see everyone today -surprisingly and alhamdulillah, my initial niyah is back and alhamdulillah, i'm motivated to make everything work again :)

InshaAllah khayer.

So really, niyah is wayyyy too important for us to neglect. InshaAllah for whatever that we do, let it for Allah swt & He will guide us to make sure everything works the way it's supposed to.

A'qilah Saiere

We know you're not stupid;

2010-09-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Even after many Muslimahs have become established fashion designers for their own kind and for non-Muslim women both in the Middle East and in the United Kingdom and even after thousands of Hijabees have been seen dressing up in top fashion yet still modest, many still choose to think that they are oppressed and aren't able to meet the standards in lifestyle of those living out of the deen.

I believe that ignorance is a choice - these people's choice. Their choice to view these established modern, modest and successful Muslim women as nothing but pathetic and oppressed women living in a male dominated society that restricts them like a cage in a bird just because they choose to not have sex with random men and not get drunk on tequila and hard liquor.

They are not uninformed of Islam, they just choose to think that Muslims are not liberated and are unsuccessful.

So the next time you see a non-Muslim woman calling your sister oppressed, all you have to do is show her a video of Rabia Z. & Sarah Elenany.

& remember don't get too angry because they might just call you a terrorist instead ;)

& it's here again :-)

2010-09-09T04:38:00.000-07:00

Eid Mubarak, my dearest Ummah.

I love you all with all my heart <3

Kullum 3am w antum bi 5yer

A'qilah Saiere

Little Ramadhan Jihad-s.

2010-08-30T05:36:00.000-07:00

It was just my parents and I today for Iftar because my poor little brother had to report to his tuition class since his semester exams are approaching. Oh do I miss those times. Yes, studying for the exams now, here in college is way different. Mainly because the things that I'm studying are no where near close the the subjects I took in high school.

So anyway, as my title suggests it, inshaAllah I'll be discussing about the little Ramadhan Jihad-s that I've actually come to encounter during this year's blessed month. & yes, it actually is a nicer term for "Ramadhan pet-peeves" lol.

Before we actually know it, Ramadhan is ending in approximately a week's time. I swear I'm going to be bawling like a little child on the night before eid. No, I really am not a big fan of festive seasons. Lol, yes we have actually discussed that in the earlier post so I shall not elaborate.

First up on my "little Jihad-s" list is LONG TARRAWEEHS.

I couldn't find any suitable and reliable sources that speak against long tarraweehs. Wallahe, I hate long tarraweehs. Yes, those where you actually stand for a whole 15 minutes for one raka'ah. Okay seriously, I am an 18 year old teenager who is alhamdulillah, pretty fit and if I cannot stand for a good 15 minutes of one raka'ah, what makes you think the 70 year old granny beside me can?

I detest Imams who read long surahs in one raka'ah and make me spend a whole one and a half hours just for 8 raka'ahs of tarraweeh.

Secondly, I hate having to study while my stomach is empty. My exams are coming up this thursday and subhanAllah, it's been quite a challenge to study while I'm hungry. This is however my personal Jihad because I think I'm too used to eating/drinking as I study lol. So this Ramadhan has actually trained me to do otherwise. Alhamdulillah.

My third Ramadhan pet peeve is to be on an Iftar table that is filled with food enough to feed a third world country. Okay, I know we've been fasting for a good 12 hours but that gives you no liberty to stuff yourself as though there is no tomorrow. It'll only make you sleepy for Maghrib and later for Ishak and Tarraweeh :@

I actually have a couple more but it's time for tarraweeh now sooooo, I gotta go.

Enjoy your remaining few days of Ramadhan people :-)

Have a blessed one inshaAllah!

A'qilah Saiere

Dates!

2010-08-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Why Do Muslims Break Their Fast with Dates?

Why is it considered healthy to break the Ramadan fast with dates, and why are Muslims recommended to pray before iftar? – S.H.

Breaking the fast with dates is a Ramadan tradition, as most of its benefits are unique to this particular fast. Breaking one's fast with dates, as well as praying before iftar, are both mentioned in the Hadith literature: "The Messenger of Allah would break his fast with ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water."

One of the many physical benefits of breaking the fast with dates is that our body benefits from the date's high level of natural sugars. Sugars travel most quickly to the liver, where they are converted into energy more quickly than any other nutrient. Muslims have an immediate need for this energy when they break their fast, for they need energy to perform their sunset prayers. Ironically, one also needs this energy to consume the iftarmeal. When a person eats, the body uses energy to digest the food. Eating large quantities of food immediately after fasting is not healthy for the body, which is in a weakened condition. Eating a date first helps the body start its digestive process and gives it the energy to deal with the secondary, more complex foods, eaten during ifta.

Dates are also high in vitamins A and B6, folic acid, potassium, natural sodium, iron, and magnesium. Thus, eating dates daily during Ramadan is like taking a daily multivitamin. This daily multivitamin can create a stronger and healthier body, one more fit for fasting. Dates also contain large amounts of dietary fiber, which can prevent any constipation that might result from eating the traditionally rich foods served during Ramadan. Additionally, dates protect the stomach and intestinal tract from parasites and bacteria, and thus is a good preventative medicine when eating iftar at unfamiliar locations.

Dates also have a special place in Islam. In fact, they were one of the Prophet's (SAW) most frequently consumed foods. For this reason, their benefit is most likely spiritual as well as physical. If their benefit were purely physical, one could perhaps consume any fruit high in natural sugars before iftar to gain similar benefits. However, the act of following the Prophet's (SAW) tradition is one way of connecting and remembering him, which is spiritually beneficial for Muslims.

One should pray after eating dates and before eating the main meal, because this short break gives the body time to metabolize the dates and water that have been consumed and to start the body's digestive processes, which have been resting all day. Eating large amounts of food immediately after breaking the fast resembles starting a car and the driving it without giving it enough time to warm up. As we know, this can damage the engine's internal mechanics.

The same is true with the body, for jumpstarting the body's digestive processes can shock the entire organ system. In some cases, this shock could be dangerous. In most cases, however, it is simply an unhealthy way to break the fast. The immediate dangers are apparent in the increased need to sleep after the iftar. This sleepy feeling comes about because the body has expended so much energy on the digestive system that it needs to lower its other bodily functions in order to perform its digestive duties properly. Over time, this habit can cause long-term damage to the body.

HAI, are you already preparing for EID?

2010-08-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

Half of the people I know already bought their Eid costumes and started baking eid cookies. I was forced to purchase mine last weekend because my parents couldn't find any other time to bring us down to get them.

I love Eid because it's a festival filled with blessings and barakah but I hate how it's celebrated here in my country.

Yes, 30 days of Shawal means 30 days of Celebration/Eid.

Wallah, I get sick and tired of visiting and all that hustle and bustle of moving about in a group and raiding people's homes.

It's probably because I am not a "celebratory" person because I never get very interested with parties/festivals lol.

The only thing that I actually look forward to when it comes to eid is the night BEFORE eid and the morning of eid.

Otherwise, count me out. I'm the last person to ask along for a visiting session. I usually tag along because my friends insist and because I want to spend time with them.

& No, I am not interested to meet my extended family - so extended that I start to hear about aunties that I have never heard of and when I actually do meet them the first question I'd get would be, "SO! What are you studying?!"

I'd usually just reply "Haha, I live in a cave and I don't study" Okay lol joking, my dad would kill me :(

So, what's up with y'all this eid? :)

A'qilah Saiere

I am Muslim not Islam.

2010-08-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Remember that you are not saying to others ‘I am Islam’, but simply that ‘I am a Muslim’, meaning – I am someone who is trying to follow this religion, who accepts it as truth, sees beauty in it and hopes to beautify myself with it. - Suhaibb Webb

I am sick and tired of ridiculous assumptions and stereotypical views about my people. I'm a Muslim. I am a person who believes in the One God that created us all and in His Qur'an - the last revelation to His final Prophet, Muhammad sallahu 'alayhi wassalam.

All over tumblr, blogspot, wordpress, livejournal and every other blog server that could have possibly been invented, bloggers are debating about the building of the Masjid at Ground Zero.

I am not in the least bothered by what most of them have to say, about how this is a political move etc but I get extremely disturbed by how some make comments like this is a way to radicalize Americans - how this is going to associate the United States of America with Muslims and how Muslims are but extremists.

I am sick and tired of hearing these comments.

Yes, I'm sure you're bothered by the 9-11. No one in the right state of mind wouldn't be but who gave you the liberty to stereotype every Muslim to be a terrorist and Islam to be a religion of radicals?

Why all these hatred towards 1.8 billion people in the world - out of which 1.7 billion of us don't even have anything to do with any form of terror attacks around the world.

We are the victims here not you. We are being accused of being extremists, oppressors and terrorists. We are labeled everyday of lives as radicals, fundamentalists etc when in actual fact, we are the oppressed.

Almost every Christian or Jew have every right to practise their religion in peace. Muslim women are not allowed to wear their Hijab in some countries, Muslim men are not allowed to keep beards, our Arab brothers and sisters are the victims of Anti-Semitism NOT the Jewish Settlers in Israel.

There have been Pastors who were pedophiles and Jewish men who killed their own children but that does not in anyway give me the right to assume that Christianity is a religion of sexually abusive people and Judaism to be a religion of violence and hatred.

You do not have the right to judge Muslims nor do you have the right to judge Islam through the actions of a few Muslims.

If you happen to be amongst those who are ignorant enough to stereotype every Muslim as a damn terrorist, i'll tell you what -

YOU ARE JUST PLAIN STUPID.

A'qilah Saiere,

In less than 24 hours;

2010-08-09T12:19:00.001-07:00

...the whole Muslim world will either be doing their first tarraweeh or waking up for suhr.

I really can't wait for the blessed month to finally arrive.

I wouldn't call my previous Ramadhan anything close to productive and I have vowed to make sure that this one would be put to full use.

It is only during Ramadhan that you see more sisters wearing their hijabs, more brothers attending juma'ah. It's like the Ummah is reactivated during this month. Masha'Allah :-)

There are of course those who get overly excited for 3eid that they forget to make their Ramadhan as productive as they possibly can.

Ramadhan is our month :-) A month full of blessings, full of Barakah, Rahmah and lots of other good stuff from Allah.

Besides, fasting is the best form of diet. Not that I need to lose any weight taking into consideration that I already am underweight. Nonetheless, it's a good thing for our digestive system.

I'm not going to get all scientific, don't worry.

I used to think that dates (tamr) look like cockroaches. Yeah, those nasty bugs. However, as they always say "Do not judge a book by it's cover".

Dates have lots of nutritional value and subhanAllah, do they taste awesome! :-)

Ajwa's my favourite <3

So yes, before I hit the sack (since it's 3:30 am - toldya i'm insomniac (no I am NOT hypochondrial, I am serious) ), I'd like to wish all of you good folks -:

Ramadhan Mubarak :-) May Allah grant y'all a blessed and fruitful Ramadhan :) Ameen!

TaqabAllah w minkum!

A'qilah Saiere

Who's excited?!

2010-08-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

8 more days!

Who's excited? :-)

I AM!

The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) had warned "Some people only gain from their fast the fact that they are hungry and thirsty."

*teehee*

A'qilah Saiere

None but You.

2010-07-25T09:57:00.001-07:00

I spoke to a sister yesterday whose 6 year old niece has just been diagnosed with brain tumour and right now, can't even utter a single word but scream in pain.

I am unable to imagine myself in the position of the young girl's family. I am hardly even part of that family and I was already sobbing behind the laptop when she told me what happened.

It was a slap to my face.

A good slap to my face.

Reminded me of the very moment, I was lying helpless on the hospital bed with a bunch of surgeons surrounding me to "revive" me.

I need to get away from this Dunya and find myself living with the right intentions again.

I need to get away from this filthy, filthy world.

In all my fears, in all my tears, I'm calling for You. In all my shame and in all my pain, I'm calling for You.

A'qilah Saiere.

Not even the animals are spared;

2010-07-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

This is a camel from Saudi Arabia;

This is a Gazan Camel;

The work of Israeli soldiers. Have they got no conscience at all?

Oh wait, they never had it.

A'qilah Saiere.

Sunshine Blog Award :)

2010-07-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

You are my sunshine,

My only sunshine,

When skies are grey,

You'll never know dear,

How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

Couldn't help it :) I'm an early educator LOL :)

Alhamdulillah, mashaAllah I've been awarded the Sunshine Blog Award by

Sister Modest Justice!

Shukran Ukhti! Wallah, I appreciate it :)

So what am i supposed to do again?

Rules: (o'course!)

Put the logo on your blog in your post.

Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

Link the nominees within your post.

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blogs.

Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Okay 12 bloggers eh...

Hmm okay here it goes in no particular order -:

Bubbli! My new follower, mashaAllah her blog makes me smile soooooo much! Drop by here!

Naz & her cousin toooooooo :) My dearest fellow bloggers :) love you girls :)

here & there on "all my wonders" - awesome blog dear :)

and my All time favourite

Sister Aalia on Chasin Jannah :)

Really cant think of all 12 because all of you sisters blogging out there, deserve this award! :) Wallah :)

Shukran w Jazakumullahu khayran :)

A'qilah Saiere

Syaaban :)

2010-07-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

The month of Sya'aban is here. Well, at least on my side of the world :) Alhamdulillah, we are a month closer to Ramadhan. I can't wait for a whole month full of blessings and the many doors of forgiveness to be wide open for all of us :) May Allah answer all of our prayers :)

‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Syaaban, and used to say: Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds) ; and he also said: The deed liked most by Allah is one to which the doer adheres constantly even if it is small."

Hence, let us not neglect this month of Sya'aban & fast as much as we can in efforts to prepare for the month of Ramadhan. InshaAllah, Allah will accept our fasts & answer our Dua's.

I have once read on an Islamic forum that Rejab is the month of Allah whilst Syaaban is the month of Rasulullah & Ramadhan is the month of the Ummah.

Allahu 3alam but should it be that Syaaban really is the month of the beloved Prophet saw, let us not forget Him in our supplications & offer salawat as we get on with our days.

I have read in the Kitaab Bidayatul Hidayah by Imam Ghazali that when a person offers selawat once, Allah will selawat upon him ten times.

SubhanaAllah :)

May Allah grant us barakah & answer all of our fasts & prayers in this blessed month of Syaaban. Ameen ya rabb :)

Allahumma bariklana fi rajab w sya3ban w balighna ramadhan.

A'qilah Saiere.

Electronic toys for your children?

2010-07-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

We had a little debate in class regarding the better choice of toys for our children - electronic toys or the classic conventional toys that we have available in our local toy'r'us.

Personally, I am on the side that opposes electronic toys for children. You may go on and on about how just wonderfully beneficial these battery-operated toys are because they keep the children in touch with what's in and how these toys speak.interact with the children because they have buttons and when you press these buttons they speak.

I have always found that creepy.

I hated dolls from a very young age, weird I know.

Anyway, that's besides the point. The point I am trying to clarify here is, these electronic toys are not entirely beneficial to children after all because firstly, it's not flexible and it restricts the child to maximise his creativity to explore the toy in his own way.

For example, give the child a box of blocks and a teddy bear that speaks to him. With the box of blocks, the child will be able to build anything and everything that he wishes to - a house, a palace, a zoo, an army camp etc. However with the teddy bear, all the child will be able to do is well, press the buttons and listen to what the tiny, creepy, self-talking bear has to say.

Our classic, conventional toys promote co-operative play and social interaction amongst children. However most electronic toys, promote solitary play.

Also, electronic toys are restricting and are not child-initiated. They often come with a particular way to play them. Hence, these games are more often than always telling these children how to play them and not what to do with them. - Goes back to my point that it restricts the child's creativity and it also moulds the child to want to be spoon-fed all the time. The child that grows up with toys telling him how to play them, will grow wanting people to always direct him, to always tell him what to do. He will be someone that follows and never a person that leads.

Researchers have suggested that children who use more of electronic toys, turn out to be awfully addicted to video games etc as they grow up. These are the same people who are involved in school shootings in the USA. Alternatively, they could be the next Steve Jobs but :/

Most importantly, electronic toys don't last. When the battery packs are not changed, they might leak. Children being children, they will grab these toys and place them in their mouths which will then lead to a whole other matter.

So no guys, don't fill your child's play pen with electronic toys. Have a fair share of conventional & electronic toys for your child to explore with.

I don't even know why I churned out this post. Hopefully, in some way or another, it's useful to some :)

A'qilah Saiere.

Weddings.

2010-06-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't attended a single wedding for like almost 2 years now. The last time I did, I had no choice. It was my cousin's wedding.

I know I sound like a sour grape, a wet blanket because weddings are such glorious and joyous celebrations mashaAllah but weddings are also the one point of time where you meet your other half of the extended family (yes, the ones that you probably only see during eid or well... once a year where there happen to be a death in the family.) and all they'll bother asking you is how well you're doing in school.

This is when the parents will sit down with us the children by their sides, talking about the best universities in the world and how just amazingly wonderful their own children are. Okay seriously, we're at a wedding not a university conference. If everyone's going to just go on gloating about their children, who's going to pay attention to the newly wed couple?!

Another reason why I hate attending weddings is because all I hear are gossips. All you have to do is sit down beside a sister whom you've never met before and trust me, the next minute you know every dirty little secret about her neighbour.

Astaghfirullah!

I have to admit that I can be a pretty big fan of gossips too because at the end of the day, I'm only human but seriously, a wedding is supposed to be a celebration that's full of blessings, full of rahmah and barakah and all you find is people who are talking about other people.

I can't even find myself sitting down to enjoy a plate of briyani in peace.

The next time I attend a wedding (which will be in December inshaAllah), I'll make sure I bring along my tasbih - so I can istighfar everytime I hear someone talking about someone else.

Or better, I'll put up a sign to say "You can speak about her but just remember, it's Haram"

A'qilah Saiere.

Muslims, Let's be +ive! :-)

2010-06-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

As human as we all can be, we tend to naturally wallow ourselves in self pity and bury ourselves in depression. We get carried away when we're disappointed and allow ourselves to feel horrible for a prolonged period of time.

Depression is a choice.

As Muslims, we've been given the Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah. His teachings are all we need to make ourselves happy people.

The Qur'an is the most glorious, most beautiful book that ever existed. When in times of woes and sorrows or when you are in need to search for an answer that your heart has been longing for, try flipping open the Qur'an and read through it. For all you know, the answer will be there. There is nothing that the Qur'an can't answer & there is nothing that Islam doesn't teach.

All we need to have is a positive mindset.

We need to remind ourselves that when life pushes you to your knees, we are in the best position to pray.

Positivity truly is one of the most important keys to success.

I am trying my best not to sound like those people your parents paid to conduct seminars in hopes of encouraging you for your GCSE exams.

But really, when life gives you lemons, keep them - these lemons are lessons :-)

A'qilah Saiere

The "English Defence League"?

2010-06-05T22:10:00.001-07:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/may/28/english-defence-league-guardian-investigation

Read this article & tell me what you think.

& the world still thinks that there are only Muslim extremists.

How do you explain this group of neo-nazis spreading islamophobia in the United Kingdom?

A'qilah Saiere

Flotilla & Gaza;

2010-05-31T01:32:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard, Turkey sent 6 ships to Gaza full of medical aid for the people under the Israeli Siege. This morning (31st May), Israeli forces have attacked this international aid convoy en route to besieged Gaza, killing 20 people and injuring approximately 50 others. One amongst many of those who are moderately injured and are still fighting for their lives is Sheikh Raed Salah.

I don't know about you but people are dying just to bring in aid and make better the situation in Gaza and mind you these people are mere civilians like you & me yet so many of us out here, living in the comforts of homes, are still unable to let go off simple comfort food like "McDonald's, Coke & Starbucks". I don't know about you but I am ashamed. Ashamed that I am not part of the 20 who died for Gaza.

A'qilah Saiere

The bible is not scary you know.

2010-05-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

I realise that the Muslims have issues with reading the bible. Of course I'm not asking everyone to read the bible instead of the Qur'an but I think that the bible is just another reason for you to bring yourself closer to the Qur'an.

Read the Qur'an and understand and internalise the meaning of the verses that are in the Qur'an and imagine it like as if Allah is speaking to you. Afterwhich, read the bible and understand what the Christians are saying in their holy book.

Read the bible and understand their perception of Jesus (pbuh) & compare it to Jesus in Islam.

Speak about this to your Christian friends.

Engage yourself in intellectually stimulating conversations. My 6 year olds back in the center ask me about God each and everytime I go back there to teach. Asking me about Jesus etc. So if my 6 year olds can engaged me into intellectually stimulating conversations then I think you can to :)

It's an alternative to your daily bitching session over lunch you know :)

Also, you'll be surprised by just how much the bible can bring you closer to your Qur'an.

A'qilah Saiere.

One of the most disturbing documentaries.

2010-05-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have watched a ton of documentaries but this one, that I watched in class, woke me up from my slumber in that icy cold lecture theater and moved me to tears. The disturbing images are fresh in my mind and the voices of the children are still ringing in my ears. Watch this little teaser and tell me if it makes a difference to you.

I want to be an agent. An agent of change for children.

A'qilah Saiere

Muslims, where are your morals?

2010-05-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

It is clear that Islam teaches us to give charity and act morally and to always be in our best behaviour. The Prophet saw taught us to not be aloof and arrogant for those are but the characters of the unbelievers.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604

Yesterday, I witnessed for myself how disgustingly arrogant some people can get. I was at a Thai restaurant with my family members having dinner when an old Chinese couple approached our table to ask for a little donation and in return they'd give us 3 packets of tissue. All they asked for was $1.

Now tell me, if you can afford to sit comfortably to eat in a restaurant that sells a plate of rice for at least $6, don't tell me you can't afford to donate $1 to an old and helpless couple.

Nevermind if you refuse to buy from them. The least you could do is, smile and apologise, politely telling them that you don't wish to buy from them.

There was a family that was seated in front of ours and when the couple approached them, a lady from the family, without even bothering to turn at look at the old woman that approached them, raised her hand and shooed them away.

Now how disgustingly rude and arrogant is that? Astaghfirullah!

I was enraged :( I have a soft spot for Old folks and I hate it when they are being treated like that. But the point her is not that they are old people but the fact that they are human beings too despite the fact that they are not as well to do as you are. Should they not be treated with just as much respect?

Where are your morals, oh Muslim?!

May Allah swt grant us patience, strength and courage as we set out to be better Muslims everyday. Ameen ya rabb!

A'qilah Saiere

Is Sarcasm the right way to make Da'wah?

2010-05-01T00:58:00.000-07:00

Recently, several sisters have come forward to me to express how disappointed they are with a couple other sisters with their failed attempt to give advice by being sarcastic. Astaghfirullah. May Allah swt guide them.

Personally, I have been a victim of this myself. With that, I grew to be an exceptionally sensitive person when it comes to accepting criticism because everytime I receive an advice, I can't help but think that the person is out to bring me down but alhamdulillah, now I have understood how to not generalise everyone that way.

See, these sisters or even brothers start out with a good intention mashaAllah; that is to advice the person to be a better muslim but unfortunately, their approach is wrong. What I mean by being sarcastic with attempts to make da'wah is for example, when you see someone that you know has not been a very practising Muslim prays, you make unnecessary comments like "Wow *inserts name here* us praying!!! MashaAllah!". That too, in front of a large crowd. Hence, embarrassing the brother/sister.

My dear advisor, you've just bruised the ego of a person who's attempting to make tawbah & thanks to that, he is never going to pray in front of you or anyone else anymore.

These people do not practise for a reason and it is up to Allah to guide them. I understand how we are to advise these people but there are other ways to make da'wah. For example, should you see this person staying put despite having heard the athaan, encourage him to join you for prayers in a subtle way. If he refuses, leave him alone. Continue doing that for as long as you see him that way while praying to Allah swt to guide him.

Same goes to sisters who observe that Sister *inserts name here* does not wear the hijab. Do not ask questions like "Heyyy sister! When do you plan to wear the Hijab?" Rather, ask questions like "What do you think of the Hijab?"

Also, at the Masjid when you see sisters who are not Hijabees entering the Mosques, DO NOT glare at them with faces that read "Hey sister where's your hijab?" Trust me, they do not appreciate that.

Please, Islam does not teach us to da'wah in such a way & all of us are trying to be good Muslims at the same time. We can only hope that Allah continues to guide us. InshaAllah Ameen.

Take this as a humble advice from your Sister in Islam.

Allah ma'ak,

A'qilah Saiere.

Embryology;

2010-04-23T03:49:00.000-07:00

Being in a Child Related course, I had to watch a video on embryology and a mother in labour and how the child is given birth (and whatever comes after that)

Of course after having watched that documentary, it made me think twice about getting a baby LOL. Well okay, inshaAllah khayer.

Moving on, that video reminded me about the scientific evidences in the Qur'an about embryology revealed 1400 years ago that has been proved by the modern scientists only in last few centuries.

SubhanaAllah, aren't we blessed to be Muslims? :)

A'qilah Saiere.

Allah guides who He wills - no Joke.

2010-04-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

"The World is twisted, you never know what might happen"

Yesterday, my cousin told me a friend of hers from a full time Islamic School is now a Singer. She completed 17 years of Islamic education and when she left the Madrasah, she worked her way up to be a Singer.

*May Allah guide her*

Yesterday, my Senior from back in my missionary (Catholic) high school told me she wanted to start wearing the Hijab and take Islam as an entirety.

*May Allah reward her*

Yesterday, I was standing at my corridor when I saw my Aunt's Niqaabi neighbour who just got back from the market, without her Hijab.

*May Allah guide her*

Yesterday, an American Egyptian sister updated her Facebook Status saying how so very happy she was that she's officially a Niqaabi.

*May Allah reward her*

About 2 years ago, I met a Muslim woman who converted to Sikhism because she was dating a Sikh and she was so proud of it, she had the Sikh symbol as a tattoo on her back.

*May Allah guide her*

Yesterday, I read a convert's story of how she converted from being a practising and proud Sikh to a practising and proud Muslim.

*May Allah reward her*

Yesterday, I learnt that Allah guides and misguides who He wills.

May Allah guide us all.

Ameen.

A'qilah Saiere.

The video I was talking about...

2010-03-28T21:59:00.001-07:00

In the Hijab post...

A'qilah Saiere

The last train;

2010-03-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

Having had a spinal surgery, I've been having difficulties moving around. Trust me, the spine is everything. Once it's down, everything else follow suit.

You see, I spent 17 years of my life without a single incident that disrupted my mobility. This surgery taught me the sweetness of walking.

It's true how they say you will only realise the worth of something after losing it.

How many of us say Alhamdulillah every now and then for our working limbs?

Brothers and sisters, let us not try to catch the last train only to know that you will never reach it.

A'qilah Saiere.

What then is stopping you?

2010-03-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

A day before my surgery, a brother and I were sharing a few Islamic videos with each other. One of the many videos that he passed me was a video, I myself had seen before. It was about the dilemma that supposedly every Muslimah goes through before she chooses to wear her Hijab permanently.

As I was browsing through several blogs earlier, I got reminded of a story or a dilemma that I, myself went through before I made my "Hijab Decision".

Before I wore my Hijab, I got into many little conversations with a number of sisters - half of which were Hijabees and the other half, otherwise.

I remember getting answers like "I'll wear my Hijab when I get married" or "I'll wear the Hijab if my husband asks me to" and of course there is the "I'll wear it when I"m ready" answers.

I am totally fine with the latter because I understand how the Hijab is not just a piece of cloth that covers your head but a responsibility that you're carrying out because of your love for God and His religion.

What I don't understand is the stereotypical thoughts that some Muslimahs have about wearing the Hijab only after marriage. It makes you question their intentions of wearing the Hijab - to please their Husbands or to please their Lord? - Of course, this is not a very nice thing to do because only Allah knows of their intentions. (I'm Human, I'm sorry)

It's just... what if you pass away before you get married? What if you pass away before you decide to put your Hijab on?

What is it that you're afraid of that you choose to not wear the Hijab?

Verily, Allah said in His Qur'an - “Truly Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are good-doers.” [An-Nahl, 16:128]

Then again if the Hijab is your choice then let it be a choice for the sake of Allah.

A'qilah Saiere.

A couple of good books;

2010-03-19T22:31:00.001-07:00

Taking into consideration that all I can do these days is sit in bed and read or write, I've had a couple of books to keep me company. One out of which is "You can be the Happiest Woman" by Dr. 'Aid Al Qarni and the other is "The Last Breath" by Osman Nuri Topbas.

These books have been my bestfriends ever since. Subhana'Allah are they amazing.

The first book is a perfect book for Muslimahs. It teaches us to be the best Muslimahs we can be here in this dunya. To me, it's the simpler version of "The Ideal Muslimah". The book encompasses the few ways we can go about taking into hand our depressed and lonely moments.

The second, as the title suggests, is about death. Another amazing book, perfect for reminding us of the final hour.

Just sharing a little bit of my After-Op life LOL :)

A'qilah Saiere

So I survived;

2010-03-16T05:43:00.000-07:00

In the name of Allah the most gracious, most merciful.

Salam Alaykom warahmatullahi wabarakkatu.

How have all of you been? InshaAllah all is well :)

One day on the operating table and five days in the hospital is quite enough to teach me lessons I'd bring through life. Let me tell all of you a little story.

Last Tuesday, I nearly died. I mean it this time. My lungs collapsed and I was unconcious for a short while and the rest of the time I was subconsciously awake but gasping for air with every ounce of energy that's left of me so I was barely aware of my surroundings. Yes, I had a little battle with death.

How many times in a day are we reminded of death? Amidst our busy life - our not-very-long-lives, around our work, family and friends. How many of us actually sit down to think of THE day.

Nevertheless, I thank Allah.

I thank Allah for the pain, the experience, the tears and the little smiles I managed to break into. I thank Allah for not taking away my life.

My friends have been telling me how I truly am a Mujahidah for surviving the battle but I say, I survived this battle because of Allah and only Him. Allah wants me to live and finish off whatever unfinished business I have left in this Dunya for the Ummah.

This experience truly has taught me more than anyone could ever have & I hope my little sharing taught you something too.

Let us all strive to be the best Muslims that we can in this life for the sake of the best for the hereafter.

Your Sister in Islam,

A'qilah Saiere.

The final say is yours;

2010-03-04T09:18:00.001-08:00

Well I thought it'd actually be a good idea to blog one last time before I go in for surgery. Not because I do not have faith in Allah with thoughts that maybe I might just die in it (na'auzudbillah) but well, death comes anytime. Allah knows.

Moving on.

We live in a world where sometimes we could totally forget about Allah swt as we live in the comforts of our luxurious life in this materialistic world and drown ourselves in the hearts of the filthy media. The music, the movies, the gossip, the propaganda and many other things that are out to cause fitnah and infiltrate our minds with ideas of how to live our lives the way Allah doesn't want us to live.

When we're all happy and cheerful, we go on speaking about how just wonderfully amazing life is but we forget to utter a simple "Alhamdulillah" because we are too self absorbed in the music that we have blasting in our ears. We forget that the smile and laughter that we have plastered on our faces and ringing in our ears would not have been possible had it not been for Allah's will.

& When we face a few adversities in life, we start to rant and blame everyone and everything for the seemingly miserable life that we're leading and sometimes as we blame just literally everything for making us feel so horrible, we unconsciously find ourselves being angry at Allah swt only because we forget the sweetness of uttering a simple istighfar to calm ourselves down and ask for patience from Allah swt as we set out to jump over these few hurdles He'd set for us in our lives, our not-very-long-lasting lives.

As muslims, we should always have it easy. We have Islam as our way of life, the Qur'an as our guide, the Prophet as our role model and Allah subhana'allah ta'ala to protect us all but sometimes we overlook these things that we have in our lives and we make a choice to lead our lives in the way Allah swt doesn't want us to lead - the way of the unbelievers.

What really does it take for us to realise the value of Islam and the price of our Imaan?

The final say is yours, you decide.

I'll take my leave now. I did not mean suicide, no; I need some sleep.

Keep me in your prayers my dear ummah as I keep you in mine.

Salam Alaykom,

A'qilah Saiere.

Spinal Surgery.

2010-03-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

Salam Alaykom folks, I'm going for a spinal surgery this coming Monday. If you're wondering why I haven't blogged about till today, it's probably because I was helping myself not to think of it.

What's wrong with me and why do I need surgery?

I have a spinal condition called scoliosis. I have a 70 degree bend to my spine and I have to fix it because if I don't, I will face physical and mental disabilities in the coming future (na'auzudbillah). & once the bend reaches 100 degrees, my health will deteriorate.

So I will be gone for maybe about a month or lesser I don't know.

InshaAllah Khayer.

Keep me in your prayers. Love you all for the sake of Allah swt.

A'qilah Saiere

Al Mua'lim;

2010-02-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

Ya Habibi ya Muhammad

(My beloved O Muhammad)

Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad

(My intercessor O Muhammad)

Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad

(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)

Ya Mustafa Ya Imamal Mursalina

(O Chosen One O Imam of the Messengers)

Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina

(O Chosen One O intercessor of the worlds)

Allahumma salli ala sayyidina muhammad w ala alihi muhammad;

Oh Allah we’ve shamed ourselves
We’ve strayed from Al-Mu'allim,
Surely we’ve wronged ourselves
What will we say in front him?

A'qilah Saiere.

I don't want to hear anything from you Haram police.

2010-02-25T08:27:00.000-08:00

It's 12th Rabiulawwal and it is the Prophet's Birthday. No, I don't wish to hear how you think it's Haram to celebrate it because as far as I am concerned the mawlids I attend are harmless events that involve singing songs of praise (Without music) in remembrance of the beloved Prophet.

I love my prophet and this is how I show how much I love him, if you choose not to do it then so be it.

maula ya saali wasallim daeman abadan
ala habibika khairil khalqi kulli hi mi
maula ya saali wasallim daeman abadan
ala habibika khairil khalqi kulli hi mi
maula ya saali wasallim daeman abadan
ala habibika khairil khalqi kulli hi mi

A'qilah Saiere

It's me;

2010-02-24T06:29:00.001-08:00

My Hijab is not just part of religious identity, it is part of my existence; it is me.

- My Name Is Khan

A'qilah Saiere.

You can say "La illaha ilallah" all you want;

2010-02-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

2 Indonesian Christian girls were making a big fuss on Facebook about how the Muslims in Malaysia are burning down churches and how they have all along been using the word "Allah" and it has never been an issue in their country. A few weeks ago, I remember hearing a brother commenting how the Middle Eastern Christians (The arab christians) have been using the word Allah and how some of the Orthodox Jews using the word "Ellah" when mentioning God.

Personally, I don't have an issue with them using the word Allah or anything like that (No, don't start about how the Kalimah is very dear to Muslims, let me finish my point first).

Muslims, we don't have to worry or feel threatened that these people want to use the word "Allah" in replacement of "God" because at the end of the day it all goes down to just one thing that separates us from the unbelievers - our Shahadah.

Our "Ashaduallah illaha ilallah w Ashaduanna Muhammadurrasulullah" - They will never get Muhammad Saw because Muhammad belongs to us and we belong to Muhammad saw.

Now, you'll go on talking about how it's cunning of them to want to use the word Allah to confuse Muslims into becoming Christians. If that's the case then it is OUR JOB to make our missionaries more active to ensure that our people's understanding of the deen is protected.

There is no need to burn churches down.

We don't have to stoop to their level.

They can say "La illaha ilallah" all they want but they will never get Muhammad as their Rasulullah for as long as they remain kuffar.

A'qilah Saiere.

3 year old crying over Justin Bieber.

2010-02-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

This video is quite enough to prove just how screwed the state of humanity is. A 3 year old is wailing like she lost a loved one because she loves a 15 year old singer. No, seriously. This is exceptionally disturbing. I work with kids, I study them, I deal with them and never have I seen a child crying over a superstar like this one. Hell, I've never even seen a kid crying over a toy like this. The mother of this child should really seek some psychological help for her daughter. Imagine her when she's 17, hormonal and without a boyfriend? Omg I can't :/

Subhana'Allah :( May Allah protect all of our little ones from being disturbed by things like this.

Ameen.

A'qilah Saiere.

Have you ever wondered...

2010-02-19T22:57:00.001-08:00

what it feels like to be a non-muslim or born into a different religion?

I wonder what it feels like to be without a religion; I have tons of friends who are atheists.

I wonder what it feels like to not believe in God.

I wonder what it feels like to not have to pray 5 times a day and say the syahada at least 10-11 times a day.

I wonder what it feels like to be without the Hijab. Yes, I have been without my Hijab for half of my life but now, it does feel like I've had my Hijab on since forever.

I wonder what it feels like to be a vegan.

I wonder what it actually feels like to wake up in the morning as a non-muslim.

I just wonder but I don't want to feel any of the above.

I love Allah and His Islam and I love waking up everyday saying "Alhamdulillah, another day as a Muslim!"

A'qilah Saiere.

Seriously, this is your Idol?

2010-02-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many you blog readers listen to music and how many of you are fans of this dudette called Ke$ha.

She, my dear brothers and sisters, lowers the worth of women.

She puts the whole female population to shame more than anyone else.

I know that many artistes in the Hollywood/other media industry have portrayed women as pieces of meat, men go after like dogs but THIS WOMAN HAS GOT TO BE THE WORSE I HAVE EVER SEEN. Astaghfirullah.

I just happened to come across her video on youtube and WITHOUT bothering to play the video; I read the lyrics on the info box.

"Don't be a little b*tch with your chit chat, just show me where your d*ck's at"

Omg seriously?

Okay, let's not talk about morals but SERIOUSLY, how is that even worthy of a lyric?!

I thought 50 cent had songs with the worst lyrics but hell no, this woman has got to be the worst.

Disgusting. disgusting, disgusting.

First Lady Gaga, now Ke$ha; who's next?

May Allah protect us all. Ameen.

A'qilah Saiere

Okay, enough with the depressing posts.

2010-02-14T22:12:00.000-08:00

I apologise for having not been actively blogging here on this blog. I've been busy with school and some other family matters but Alhamdulillah, I'm back :)

I'm sorry for the depressing posts lol. Last few weeks were not too good for me and I just didn't want to speak about the matters I was bothered with so I just kept them to myself until I finally burst out crying to Allah.

Don't matter, I'm cool now. I've learnt to be a happier person.

See, I'm in the exco (executive committee) of the Muslim Students' Society in my college and we have a fair share of brothers and sisters in the committee. I have to say that I've never felt so safe around brothers before. No, really.

All of the few brothers I knew before this were either too hormonal or well, aggressive :S

But this group of brothers we have been blessed with in this committee are just amazing subhana'Allah.

They never fail to put a smile to all our faces and in their own ways, they've taught me to be thankful.

Sometimes, I complain too much and then I allow myself to "wallow in self-pity" lol; but amidst this "depression and disappointment" I forget about those who are having things worse off than me.

When we think we're having it bad sometimes the best way to coax ourselves is by reminding ourselves that Allah will not test us if He thinks we can't handle it and so many other brothers and sisters out there are having it worse.

It's about gratitude and patience. Insha'Allah we will all learn to be happier people in time to come.

Well, I need to lol.

A'qilah Saiere.

Hello everyone;

2010-02-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

I know I don't do this often but;

I feel horrible. :) (& I don't know why I'm smiling)

I feel so horrible, I'd love to just cry and scream but unfortunately, it's 10 minutes to 1.

Allah, I'd love to just curl up and weep in your arms.

I love You.

A'qilah Saiere.

Who/what would you choose?

2010-02-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

I have had several activities in class where we're given a list of all the common things that we find in most of our lives (family, friends, money, God, religion etc) and after every few minutes, we're to strike something off the list till we're reduced to just one thing that will act as our priority in life and the one thing that drives us to be the best we can.

Alhamdulillah, the only thing that I had left on my list was Allah. It was painful letting go of my family, my principles etc but Allah is my sole pillar of strength.

My family will only be here to support me in this life but Allah stays with me till the hereafter and forever.

If you were me, what would you have chosen?

A'qilah Saiere.

Did you?

2010-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

"
Whoever abandons something for the sake of Allaah, He will replace it for him with something better than it."

Did you ABSTAIN for the sake of Allah today?

A'qilah Saiere.

Just a piece of cloth over my head?

2010-01-23T22:33:00.000-08:00

Okay no, before you think I'm going to go on and on about how there are some Hijabees who do not dress appropriately. I'm not.

I think alot and sometimes it's really bad for my self esteem; other times, it has helped me through my sea of issues. So I was on the bus to school when a Junior College student boarded the bus and sat beside me.

She was dressed like every other JC student, in a short skirt and a short blouse with a haversack and a shoe bag.

I remember how exactly about a year ago I was so disappointed that I could not get into a desired Junior College and how afraid I was to go to school in my Hijab. Now as I sit and look at the girl in her short skirt and blouse and I tried imagining myself in it, I could not.

It was impossible to imagine myself being stripped away of my Hijab, my haya'.

It's not just about the hair and the legs and the hands. It's the neck & the ears too.

I've covered myself all up for quite a long time now and I don't think there'd be any reason good enough to make me give it all up.

Not even education/work insha'Allah.

Because my Hijab is not just a piece of cloth over my head.

A'qilah Saiere.

Hadeeth of the week;

2010-01-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

From Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger said:

"Whoever loves for Allaah and hates for Allaah, gives for Allaah and withholds for Allaah, then he has completed eemaan"

Aboo Dawood

With relation to the post on "The highest status of Imaan".

A'qilah Saiere

HasbunAllah w ni'mal wakeel;

2010-01-15T02:17:00.001-08:00

LOL, Joke.

2010-01-13T03:53:00.000-08:00

The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

VHEMT;

“May we live long and die out”
Phasing out the human race by voluntarily ceasing to breed will allow Earth’s biosphere to return to good health. Crowded conditions and resource shortages will improve as we become less dense.

This has to be the best joke ever.
It's so funny, I can't stop laughing.

A'qilah Saiere.

Oh Chaste one;

2010-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Shukran Ukhti Huda.
A'qilah Saiere

Have you not heard?

2010-01-11T07:12:00.001-08:00

Head of Venezuela's top legal body has lashed out at President Barack Obama for his undelivered vows of change in US policy.

The Venezuelan National Assembly President, Cilia Flores, strongly criticized Obama for failing to overrule former President George W. Bush's doctrines of war, adding that Obama's administration is "worse" than his predecessor's.

She slammed the US for following in Bush's 'footsteps' in "installing" military bases in South America under the pretext of combating organized crime, a reference to the recent stationing of US troops in seven Colombian military camps.

"When we thought there couldn't be anything worse than Bush" along came Obama "masked" as the "hero of the film" who emerged as “more of the same,” the Latin American Herald Tribune quoted her as saying on Wednesday.

Obama had repeatedly spoken of major changes in US foreign diplomacy, but his failure to bring about the overhaul in America's international relations policy has drawn fire from critics worldwide.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez once referred to the improbability of significant change in Washington's policy and implied that the "young black" man, meaning Obama, would be taken over by the "Washington Establishment."

GHN/MTM/DT

- press tv.

I told you, I TOLD YOU, i freaking told y'all.

A'qilah Saiere

But I said "NO!"

2010-01-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you but I hate the word "no". If I could, I'd launch a campaign to say NO to "no".

No, really.

Has it occurred unto that ever since you were a kid, you are always told what you are not supposed to do but never the things that you should do.

I know of a brother who just embraced Islam and he's getting sick and tired of people who keep telling him the things that are forbidden in Islam.

I was talking to him the other day and he went

"Sis I hate it. All i hear is "Brother, this is haram! Brother that is haram!" Then what the hell is halal if everything is haram?!"

And I totally get him.

Why is it that Muslims can't approach things from a more positive point of view. You cannot force the new Muslims to get used to the Haram stuff immediately. Do you not get it?! You cannot force them to start praying 5 times a day immediately. Do you not get it?!

They should want to stop doing the Haram and practice the Halal on their own accord. All we need to do is INFORM them and guide them and that's IT.

Our job is done. After which, buzz the hell off before you get on their nerves and make them leave Islam!

Sheesh, people, you gotta start using your brains. Really, if you're thinking screaming "Haram" everywhere you go is "da'wah"; then for God's sake, think again.

Heavens!

A'qilah Saiere.

The High Status of Imaan

2010-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

For everything that we do, it starts with an intention. Our intention to contribute to a certain group of people; to the country, the family, the community etc or our intentions to fulfil our desires.

Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki said in one of his lectures that the high status of Imaan is when one does everything for the sake of Allah swt; to feel useless to the point that everything that he has belongs to Allah swt, to believe that all is by His will and commands.

To love, to hate for the sake of Allah swt.

How many of us are able to love someone not because of the worldly gains that we benefit from them rather, because of the fact that Allah loves him (Someone that is close to Allah subhana’Allah Ta’ala.)?

How many of us are able to hate someone not because he brings worldly harm to us rather because we know that he does things that goes against the teachings of Allah subhana’Allah ta’ala and His Prophet Salallahu alayhi wassalam?

Ponder upon that line InshaAllah.

A'qilah Saiere

Hello 2010.

2009-12-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

Before you go on telling me that celebrating the new year from the Gregorian calendar is Haram, I am NOT in anyway celebrating it but nevertheless I never fail to reflect on every first and last day of a year.

Thank you Allah for 2009.

2009 has taught me so many lessons. Just so much, I'm thankful I went through it all.

As much as how I'd perpetually say "I give up on life", I never meant it because at the end of the day I realise the hikmah of the obstacles I've faced.

I've met way too many beautiful people. Too many to even name them all.

I found a new reason to live for every single day.

Yes, I've cried again and again but those tears only made me stronger.

I've laughed and I've smiled and those laughters and smiles will live in me forever.

I'm 17 and I'm still living, it's something I should thank Allah for everyday.

I have food, I have clothes and I have a roof over my head.

I have a family, I have friends, I have Islam and I have my Ummah.

Thank you Allah for 2009 and please make 2010 as blessed as 2009 insha'Allah.

Happy New Year folks, kullu am w antum bi5yer.

A'qilah Saiere.

To the people that made my life worth living;

2009-12-30T03:05:00.001-08:00

The BubblyUkhtis.

Thank you.

Thank you Ukhti Fatin & Brother Sofian for making yesterday extra special.

Thank you Akhi Mazeed for always caring.

Thank you Raihanah for the sweetest email ever.

Thank you Ukhti Tsuraiya for the breakfast.

Thank you Ummi and Abah for bringing me into this world.

Thank you Allah for everything and anything.

I love you all like i love the noodles I'm eating.

A'qilah Saiere.

Euphoria;

2009-12-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

Allah is amazing.

I have every reason to break down and cry but He showed me just how much I'm loved and how much I'm appreciated.

I love Allah.

Today was the highlight of my 17 years of life.

I love you, Allah and everyone else that you've blessed me with.

I have issues with trust and I need you to help me with that insha'Allah.

A'qilah Saiere.

جراح أمة

2009-12-25T23:48:00.000-08:00

ماذا نقول إذا إلتقينا بالرسول صلي الله عليه وسلم؟
I'm in solidarity for the next 23 days. Watch this video and cry like a kid the way i did.
Ana Uhib Falastin (W)
A'qilah Saiere.

We're human, that's why.

2009-12-25T08:36:00.001-08:00

Do you realise that people love to do what they are not allowed to?

People start off smoking because it's WRONG, so it makes it COOL.

People start off drinking because it's WRONG hence, it's a stress RELIEVER.

People have pre-marital sex because it's WRONG so, it makes them DIFFERENT.

Why do people date?

Because the feeling of being loved and being with that person you love is the most beautiful feeling ever.

But, it's nafs and it's wrong.

At the end of the day, it leads to fitna and zina :(

But we're human, that's why :(

A'qilah Saiere

Merry Chistmas?

2009-12-23T23:39:00.000-08:00

Why do I get Muslims wishing me "Merry Christmas"?

Seriously?

Guys, I believe in sacrificing lamb and reading out the takbir on the morning of eid NOT that guy in the red suit or those elves that help him pack his presents nor do I believe that 25th of December is the birthday of my Prophet Isa (pbuh).

I'm fine with non-muslims wishing because most of my friends ASSUME that EVERYONE celebrate christmas. So, they are uninformed but you Muslims are being IGNORANT by wishing your fellow Muslims the latter.

Oh, speaking of Christmas; I know of several brothers and sisters who are reverts to Islam and they have difficulty explaining to their family members that they don't acknowledge this festival.

I don't have much knowledge on this but if any of you readers have experience with this particular situation, do enlighten me on it so I can tell them what to do in return.

Bring in the comments people ;)

A'qilah Saiere.

That's how you do it.

2009-12-23T23:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered the role that you play in making someone's day better?

It's amazing how a human mind works and it's really simple to make someone happy. Trust me.

Now, I'm not trying to sound like those people you see on tv that teaches you to make lemonade out of the lemons you get in life. I'm just trying to tell you how simple it is to make yourself and the people around you happy.

I was walking down the bus stop on Monday morning and having read a few inspirational quotes the night before, I was pretty eager to start my day off well. So yes, i was making my way down to the bus stop for a lesson implementation with my group mates when I saw an old lady that had difficulty going down the stairs. I was approaching to help her when a brother, reached first and helped her down the flight of stairs.

"AWW sweet!" - that was the one thing I had in mind. You should have seen the look on the old lady's face when she finally got down the stairs. That look was stuck on my mind the whole day. That look was the definition of euphoria; pure euphoria.

This whole scene that I witnessed early in the morning was enough to let me smile for the rest of the day. No, really.

I smiled at the bus driver, the lady that stepped on my shoe, the kid that could not stop crying and that pregnant woman who I gave the seat to.

As cliche as this might sound, try doing something good every morning; trust me, your life that's probably in shambles like mine, will improve bit by bit.

And for every second that you think you should die and not live, plant a tasbih in your tongue and istighfar; for every minute that you think of giving up, stop your self and come up with an idea for the ummah and for ever hour that you find yourself idling, plan out your life and pray that it comes out the way you want it to - or the way Allah thinks is the best for you.

Start your day with smiling every morning and trust me, it'll come naturally after a few days.

Afterall, it really is charity. :)

A'qilah Saiere

Calling Singaporean Muslim Women

2009-12-19T09:19:00.003-08:00

Have you seen this?

http://www.empoweredmuslimwomenrun.com/index.html

Take part!

Part of being muslim is being healthy :)

A pity i have class on that day :(

A'qilah Saiere.

Do you not remember?

2009-12-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

Remember the Eid campaign? We managed to collect about £19. Not much but alhamdulillah anyway.

This is the Gaza Charity campaign.

If you do not remember, in December last year to January this year, Israel fired continuous attacks on Gaza. I don't have the statistics with me but with white phosphorus fired at our people, I'm sure you don't need statistics to tell you that many of our brothers and sisters died in the massacre.

The siege is still not down yet and there has been very little improvements to the situation in Gaza.

We need your help. We need you to help build Gaza again.

Donate here if you can; otherwise,channel that money that you have intended to donate to this website to your local mosque - even £1 will do.

May Allah love you for loving those you love & may He reward you for all of your deeds.

If we don't help our Ummah, then who will?

A'qilah Saiere

Mubarak People.

2009-12-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

A'qilah Saiere.

How cute.

2009-12-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

I had my mentor supervision today and my stupid kids refused to listen. In other words, I'm screwed. Bravo!

So this little fat kid approached me. He's kinda cute really, looks like a mini version of a laughing buddha you can find at some chinese temples.

Moving on, he came to me and pat me on my shoulder.

Kid: Hello.

Me: Hi JH. Wassup?

Kid: PU YAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ( Don't want in Mandarin)

WTH. LOL. It’s either he thinks “wassup” is some kind of drug or it’s just because I intimidate people; because he started crying 5 minutes later when he looked at me and cried harder when i hugged him LOOOOOL.

I think this kid's bipolar though because before he went to sleep, he hugged me and said he loved me. LOL. I'm seeing more of my kind. Nice. So this other indian kid likes to stick around with me for God knows what reason.

Kid: Teacher. I want Pani! (water)

Me: Pani nahi?

Kid: Hindi Bolo??????????/

Me: Ji ha.

Kid: Sashrikal!!!!

Me: :/

Kid: Bohut pyaaaaaaar.

Me: That's cool kid. main hain tumse pyar kartihu.

*Kid Falls asleep*

Interesting. I love my Job; SOMETIMES ONLY.

Well, when I don't have to change diapers that is. :/

A'qilah Saiere.

"Insha'Allah Khayer"

2009-12-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

You know how you feel so horrible sometimes and you thought it'd be a great idea to actually turn to those you think really care and all they can come up with is "Insha'Allah Khayer".

For the 203929329328328123th time, Insha'Allah khayer IS NOT AN ADVICE.

It's another phrase for "I can't really be bothered to listen and I dont really have anything to say; it's not my business anyway"

I say Insha'Allah khayer alot but ONLY because i mean it and when I really don't have anything to say, I will tell the person "I'm sorry but I really don't know what to say".

The least you could do is stop to listen to that person in need.

NOT cut her off with an "Insha'Allah Khayer"

Seriously people, you can do better than that.

A'qilah Saiere.

Yeah, you guessed it right.

2009-12-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

I'm back to Singapore which also means, I need to get back down to reality. No more shopping, no more halal subway, no more good cold weather with smoke coming out from your mouth as you speak and no more heart to hearts till 12:45 am about a certain particular figure in our lives. SIGHHHH :'(

But nevertheless, it feels good to be back.

The one good thing I loved about this holiday was the fact that I got a chance to witness the simplicity of the lives of the not-very-well-t0-do-yet-contented Malaysians. Masha'Allah :)

I need some sleep. Bye.

A'qilah Saiere.

Rainbow.

2009-12-10T00:16:00.001-08:00

Alhamdulillah, days are starting to get a little better. The workload is still pretty overwhelming but I'm starting to take everything step by step and well... from a lil more positive point of view.

At least I'm smiling now.

Verily, after hardship comes ease. Remember? :)

I'll be out of this country tomorrow night-after ishak insha'Allah. Can't wait to indulge in the best strawberries in Asia and teas of rich fruity flavours. I'll stick to Cranberry still ;)

Will post the pictures insha'Allah when I get back.

Wanna know one of the perks of being an Early Childhood Teacher?

LUNCH IS FREE ((: HAHAHAHA.

Come on, I'm Muslim, we say Alhamdulillah when we get free things innit? We loveeeee free stuff; especially good Halal food :) Masha'Allah!

Something interesting happened yesterday;

Brother: What do you think is your role in this World?

Me: The purpose of our creation is to Worship Allah right? So I'm here to strive for the hereafter.

Brother: OHHH so you're HERE FOR THE HEREAFTER ? :)

Me: haha, sounds familiar and yes :D

LOL...

A'qilah Saiere.

I should have known.

2009-12-06T03:53:00.000-08:00

Father: What do you want for your 17th Birthday?

Me: Your prayers and well wishes.

Father: Awww of course darling.

Me: And Lots of Abayahs and Lots of Money.

Father: I should have known. -.-"

__________________________________

Mother: What are you going to buy in KL?

Me: Anything and everything I need. Speaking of which, I need an organizer.

Mother: Whatever for?

Me: To organise my life.

Mother: I'm glad you realised that.

Me: Thank you mother.

___________________________________

Father: Have you been crying?

Me: Yes.

Father: Be strong, Mujahidah.

My Parents make me so happy sometimes.

A'qilah Saiere.

Why do you resist the calling of your Lord?

2009-12-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

"Allahu Akbar"; "Allahu Akbar"

"Allahu Akbar" "Allahu Akbar"

"Allah is Most Great."X4
"Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah"; "Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah"

"I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah."X2
"Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah"; "Ash-hadu anna Muhammad-ar-Rasoolullah"
"I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."X2
"Hayya 'alas-Salah"; "Hayya 'alas-Salah"

"Come to prayer." X2

"Hayya 'alal-falah"; "Hayya 'alal-falah"
"Come to Success." X2
Allahu Akbar
" Allah Is The Greatest "
La ilaha illallah

" There is no deity but God. "

But why?

2009-12-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's not the end of the week yet but i'm drained.

In every single way, I'm drained.

Emotionally, Physically & Mentally DRAINED.

But, Allah is with me in this; I know.

He will guide me through this.

I often find myself asking Allah "But why?"

I should stop.

I shouldn't question.

Allah knows best.

Truly He does.

I'm sorry Allah, I love you.

I need strength;

I'm not breaking,

I'm shattered.

Fix me Allah;

Fix me.

My heart has become constricted with pain and my paths are narrow oh Lord;

I'm taking your hope in Your pardon and forgiveness as an escape.

A'qilah Saiere.

Verily, with hardship comes ease.

2009-11-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

I love love love that verse of the Qur'an! (Chapter 94:2 I think...)

Because it's sooooo true masha'Allah!

It's been crazy. I swear, everything, just EVERYTHING is crazy. BUT, I'm happy.

I'm soooooooooo upset over the workload yet happy that I'm not idling my time away.

I'm upset that we have dues to meet in 1-2 weeks time and we still have lesson plans implementation and field supervisions to worry about yet I'm happy that with every step we take, we're learning something new.

I love how we're all so depressed over the workload yet so happy that we have people sticking by us and mourning over the same crap.

You know what this is? - it's the definition of BIPOLAR

Nevertheless, I'm thankful.

Inna ma'al usri yusra; Verily, with Hardship comes ease.

My cousins were mocking me about boycotting Israel on eid and they even resorted to drinking coke in front of me but LOL; they are just making me laugh at their ignorance.

la mushkila iza antum muqaabalatuha..lakin uhib falastin.

Ana Uhib Falastin, Falastin, Falastin <3

A'qilah Saiere.

The Symbol of Islam.

2009-11-29T23:33:00.000-08:00

For the Muslimahs of this Century;

the Muslimahs of this life and the hereafter.

Shukran Ukhti Syahida <3

A'qilah Saiere.

How cuteeeeee masha'Allah!!

2009-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

This, my dear friends, is the model couple for this life and the hereafter.

<3>

Masha'Allah.

A'qilah Saiere.

Eid Mubarak to the Ummah.

2009-11-26T03:01:00.000-08:00

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar

La illaha ilallahu Allahu Akbar

Allahu Akbar walillah ilham.

I hear the takbir, I HEAR IT! I HEAR IT! Subhana'Allah :')

It's so beautiful, it's beyond description.

I love you, my Ummah; Eid Mubarak; taqaballah w minkum.

A'qilah Saiere.

Here for the Hereafter.

February 14th

Shouldn't Muslims respect each other?

; Fight on

"You don't wear scarf? Y u so unislamic?"

Opportunities and Chances

; Hell-o-ween

; Just a couple of Issues.

Why do we reduce our Lord's greatness?

; Give them some credit will you?

; just a little something personal for a change.

Are you setting your priorities right?

; Ista2telek kteer

Ramadhan Reflection

; Dear Allah,

; Seeing is Believing

; camp eleven.

; Trust in your Shahadah.

; kun fayakun!

Prayer is Power;

; of human responsiblities

Local unrest;

Let's wait to be happy;

to keep breathing;

Will you marry me?

Come and take a look at this.

Is it so hard to comprehend?

Oh sister, you're doing it all wrong!

THEY confiscate childhood too.

:O you're muslimah of the century!

Niyah;

We know you're not stupid;

& it's here again :-)

Little Ramadhan Jihad-s.

Dates!

HAI, are you already preparing for EID?

I am Muslim not Islam.

In less than 24 hours;

Who's excited?!

None but You.

Not even the animals are spared;

Sunshine Blog Award :)

Syaaban :)

Electronic toys for your children?

Weddings.

Muslims, Let's be +ive! :-)

The "English Defence League"?

Flotilla & Gaza;

The bible is not scary you know.

One of the most disturbing documentaries.

Muslims, where are your morals?

Is Sarcasm the right way to make Da'wah?

Embryology;

Allah guides who He wills - no Joke.

The video I was talking about...

The last train;

What then is stopping you?

A couple of good books;

So I survived;

The final say is yours;

Spinal Surgery.

Al Mua'lim;

I don't want to hear anything from you Haram police.

It's me;

You can say "La illaha ilallah" all you want;

3 year old crying over Justin Bieber.

Have you ever wondered...

Seriously, this is your Idol?

Okay, enough with the depressing posts.

Hello everyone;

Who/what would you choose?

Did you?

"Whoever abandons something for the sake of Allaah, He will replace it for him with something better than it."Did you ABSTAIN for the sake of Allah today?

Just a piece of cloth over my head?

Hadeeth of the week;

HasbunAllah w ni'mal wakeel;

LOL, Joke.

The Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

Oh Chaste one;

Have you not heard?

"
Whoever abandons something for the sake of Allaah, He will replace it for him with something better than it."

Did you ABSTAIN for the sake of Allah today?