Yunus (Aleyhimu Salam)

you know what's (extremely)funny? an inside story/joke. not a sarcastic one. but one where one more person knows and you. And the next time you hear it in public, not necessarily in a funny manner, you can't help but grin. that's exactly the case today. hah.
"going off to *Jordan.* finding yourself searching for the next flight out to nowhere." hehe completely moi. Man that was a good Halaqa tonight! Thanks for making the rest of the evening comparably 'sane'.

So what have I learned?? PATIENCE my dear
;)

hy

Beautiful are those who keep moving to reach their destiny; indeed they are the most successful for they have stood for what they believe in.

...

I might not have the deepest knowledge in her political agenda, but I respect and most importantly admire her commitment and drive to be a leader. I feel so sad that she had to go this way, though she went back to a better home for sure. Oh know people, no matter how much we say/talk, truth will always stand out. Know that Allah obliges us to stand for truth even against our own selves. And until each of us comprehend this very fact, know again, that there is no true submission--the submission to REALITY.
May Allah rest her soul in peace (Benazir Bhutto).

"Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed."(16:90)

For some reason I don't know, I feel terrible...knowing that each day, every moment, every second, another soul is leaving, of course that was its Ajal but, because of our greed. I hate wars with all my soul...it sickens me to think that countless beautiful Raihans are left behind with no one to care for them...

ohh for the love of Humanity!

H_

an after thought

amazing how things just happen...how we cry and laugh; sleep and wake. Time goes on with or without our awareness, carrying with it those who are ready to move on and leaving others with a lesson to learn. It goes on, time. With or without my laughter or tear, it moves on. It moves on to another chapter, it leads all towards an end. And when looked back with an open heart it gives one the joy there is in all the world, the grief one can never bear; it brings back moments of success, moments of love & life...it takes one to the world of memory. Looking at old pictures, note books, letters, emails, singing old songs, caressing special gifts, and ultimately getting lost in the world of 'old days'...these are just some of the things we all do. Why do we need to go back in time? Why would one want to knock on the door of the mystery and lost memory? Why we crave for the old moments to come back, however sad they may be?? Why would we need to take refuge in the comfort of our mother's hug??? Why the want to see old friends and laugh at silly things???? Why crave yet again for the chicken to go back to the shell, when we know it has already past...

These are just the beginnings of the endless questions to follow...they are just doors towards the vast and unattainable human psyche. They are what I like to call humanness. They are the safe, sweet and solid beginning of who we are...they're the roughnesses, tangents and beauty we all are... because they give us a ground to be, we are. Yet, never will they define us for they are matters of the past which can only mold us...and shape one to treasure that which one is on the very basis of humanity.

ahh, time!

T.I.M.E.

the only thing you can not recycle is time.

"Lab`eyk Allah"

Bis-millahi-rahmani-rahim

“And Hajj to the House (ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allah for those who can afford…” [3:97]

Al-Hamdulilah the first two months after Ramadan are gone. Insha’Allah, we were all able to check upon ourselves in areas we’re weak (during Ramadan) so we may work on them until the next Ramadan with His Grace. As you all know, the following ten days of Dul-Hijja are among the sacred days and are days of Hajj for those who are able to make it this year. And for the rest of us, it is best spent through observing fast as the following narration by Ibn Abba (Radi Allahu Anhuma), as the Messenger of Allah (Salla’Allahu Aleyhi Wa’Salam) Saying explains:

“There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e. the first ten days of Dul-Hijja.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the cause of Allah?” He may Allah raise His Rank replied, “Not even Jihad in the cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it.” [Al-Bukhari]

Hence, as it is always recommended, we ought to hasten towards achieving our goals and be steadfast Insha’Allah, making sure we remember each other in Prayers.

“And know (O Muhammed) that there is no God save Allah, and ask for forgiveness for thy sin and for the believing men and believing women.” [47:19]

Wa'Salam,

a good day to be alive

What a wonderful world we livin' in. Alhamdu-Lilah. Open your heart and you can see the beauty in everyone--the secrets in life. I had a peculiar experience today, while on an errand to pick a document in Vancouver. The day started as I boarded this bus that took perhaps twice the time it would have taken me to get where I was going had I taken the usual root, but it had to happen (it was written, in other words, that I witness this part of the city that I'd have never been before)...so I went along...picked up this paper and started heading back home. So on my way back, I decided to pop into this store and check what they had when I noticed an RBC branch across the street. So I go there and by the time I was done, I just thought I can stop by that store on my leisure and instead go home and do my studying for my upcoming exam: I decided to catch this other bus (although I could have walked 2 mints and catch the sky train). Just then, at that particular moment, at the bus stop I meet this person...a bit hard to communicate (myself with less Arabic, and this person with few English...but we managed) but mind you, all this was meant... the amazing thing is that the more I reflect upon it, the more I realize that the reality of our existence is much more disheartening as much as it is glamorous. There is more reason to give a piece of who we are than there is to hide it--

I hope that I be granted the opportunity to be of service to all those around me, and be a source of peace for them, for the reality is much more worse than what we take for granted in our everyday life.
Alhamdu-Lilah I have a roof over my head and a food in my mouth...Alhamdu-Lilah I have a family, and people who care...Alhamdu-Lilah we are granted Life every other day to contemplate & be among those who manifest the Glory of the Most High. And most of all, Alhamdu-Lilah that I am a human being.

BEP (fav. lyric)

What’s wrong with the world, mama

People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas

I think the whole world is addicted to the drama

Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma

…

You gotta have love just to set it straight

Take control of your mind and meditate

Let your soul gravitate to the love, ya’ll

…

People killin’, people dyin’

Children hurt and you hear them cryin’

Can you practice what you preach

And would you turn the other cheek?

…

It just isn’t the same, always unchanged

New days are strange, is the world insane

If love and peace is so strong

Why are there pieces of love that don’t belong

Nations droppin’ bombs

Chemical gases fillin’ lungs of little ones

With the ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young

So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone

So I would ask myself really what is goin’ wrong

In this world that we livin’ in people keep on givin in

Making wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends

Not respecting’ each other, deny thy brother

A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover

The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug

If you never know truth, then you never know Love

Where’s the love ya’ll?

…

Wrong information always shown by the media

Negative images is the main criteria

Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria

Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema

Whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to fairness and equality

Instead of spreading love we spread animosity

Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down

That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under

Gotta keep my faith alive till LOVE is found.

MONOG (?)

Lord have mercy! how time runs sooo fast.
been very busy lately, even though there were some interesting things that i wanted to post (although i have to admit, it's as if i don't want anything to do with the internet)

You know how sometimes you feel like you are doing good and all that calmness? well perhaps that can also be numbness. I just talked to X whom i haven't talked to in ages... and i can't believe how much i've missed this person; times that feeling perhaps a zillion times for soo many people i haven't seen in ages and ages (Lord, i think i've become XxXL-numb). oo

anyway, here is what i wanted to say today:

Suffering from insomnia
fatigue
Have hard time focusing
Become agitated
Nausea
Light headed
Impulsive

If you have answered 'yes' to any of the above OR if anybody you know have the above symptoms, you are eligible to enter a remedial regime called "MONOG".
Please Contact temkih : monog@nog.edu

OR feel free to drop by the outreach center for a relaxed moment with sweet tea and Organic Orange.

Hope you find the above info. helpful.

Good Luck with exams and the upcoming coldness!
;)
H_

The Beauty that you are,

Celebrating "The Beauty Within" is the most crucial aspect of this very Blog I've started (sort of got lost I'm afraid, or maybe not). Here is a poem to lighten-up our mind and soul:

A beautiful jewel is what you are

Look-up and look around

Of that which is in you

And of that which is you.

Perfection is what you are

Endowed are you with blessings

Of countless talents and beauty

And of uniqueness that is just—YOU.

Peace Be Unto You,
Hikmet M.

Just a Thought

License for parenting is needed. OK, seriously what’s up with these adults who are irresponsible in disposing their tasks? I mean, some people just have kids without actually contemplating on the fact that children aren’t any ‘object’ that one can have and get rid-off later on when one feels one have enough of it. We are talking about human beings with emotions and motives of their own, who will grow up to be (with the will of God) adults to take care of this world. And if one, as a parent, fails to rear a child in the proper manner, then one might as well not have kids in the first place. Yes, we all know they are cute adorable ones when very young, but remember one can’t stop the clock from ticking, so they will become – of course no one likes it – teenagers. They aren’t cute anymore, and perhaps some can be pain-in-the-butt, but we’ve got to remember that they are still under ones own responsibility.

There are literally thousands of temptations around teenagers now a days that it is rationally hard for them to stay away from trouble. Talk about drug over-dose, alcohol intoxication, violence, STIs, depression, and yes, suicide. Whereas the first few problems are usually talked about, it’s the last two that is alarming and for me personally, very disheartening. Here-in lies a major thesis for a post-graduate studies for somebody interested, the nature of social stress, depression and suicide rate in youth, and especially teenagers. I know Vancouver as a metropolitan city, just like the rest of big cities, have its share of social problems, but we should and must take heed of the growing youth violence and homelessness as an indicator to what we as a society are failing to do to take care of youth and the most unfortunate. One can always put a blind eye on these issues at hand and decide to pretend everything is going well in “beautiful, nice weathered Vancouver”; nonetheless one will come to just be affected by the escalating problems as we’ve seen of late.

So what have we as a society done to help teenagers make the right decisions so they can avoid being trapped in any hole? And particularly to parents, what as a parent have you done, and of course apart from the material provision, to help your child reach at a responsible choice? Most importantly, what have you, as a parent, done to talk to your child and let him/her know that you’re there for them no matter what? Or are you one of those who throw money at the very sight of disappointment in your son’s or daughter’s life, leading them to materialistic dependence.

I have seen teenagers who get offended by their own parents’ failure to buy them the latest cell phone, ipod, fashion wear or what have you. This just makes me extremely sad, to see parents making themselves no more than a ‘live-bank’ with no, if any, emotional connection with their young. But this doesn’t go out to mean that all people are like this, but just to underscore the growing trend in teenage misbehavior with relation to parenting, for obviously parenting plays a big role.

Just reminds me that somewhere in being a role model as a parent lies the very success to a teenager in his/her adult life. So let us please be part of our son’s and daughter’s lives in a meaningful humanly way so we can be able to redeem whatever is left of their beautiful souls and dreams. And finally, let one make a critical choice before trying to bring another soul to this world. (So after all licensing for parenting isn’t bad eh?!)

Peace be onto you-

Hikmet

nice & cozy

ummm,

It's one of those moments where you wish to push the 'stop' button on, relaxed moments... nice and long treated bath followed by a nice cup of sweet tea, cozy pjs, candle lit, and of course lots of silence (meditation) OR in a different version i call "the bee-zy pampering" a long hot shower followed by a tuck-into-bed-early style with a cup of tea on one hand and a book on the other (still relaxing!)
thats what I've been missing for so long and tonight just sounds the best time... in fact it'd be the best thing to do for my upcoming busy long weekend. yup, its all work, work and work. anyway;

As usual i was listening to lectures and of course my favorite nasheeds. There is a nice video lecture on Sakeenah (link is on 'my link' list) it'd definitely give you an iman surge... is called "finding our spiritual compass".

another unpleasant lab today with the Quail dissection. Honestly ya'll, i don't see any point in doing these labs... so all I sort of did was put on the latex gloves, making sure my face was away from the dissecting tray (the smell isn't pleasing, unless you want to open a champaign from the big lunch you had); so in other words i am not looking forward to the cadavers in med school (time to change my mind yet again on this tired 'the what to do with my life' line)

as for the weather, it isn't actually bad. the past two days or so i managed sweatshirts as opposed to the millions of layers i had on the previous week.

and now that my research paper is off my back, I can breath half-freely until i get back the results. Well, predicatably i don't think i put much effort into writing the paper, we'll find out. My lecture exam went quite well(it was too easy that i suspect not doing well and doing well at the same time... you know one of those feelings)

Ok, enough with my rant... (i'll find me something to peek on then)
[or on a side note, Ihab Tewfik's most famous cd on a balst!] hah sounds like a neighbor knocking at the door any minute... ;)

thats how 'sane' i get when its only me here... isn't the best of feelings...

iight have a blessed weekend!

Dawud Wharnsby Ali - Upon My Shelf (NEW Music Video!)

Very beautiful,

Ya Nabi Salamun Alaika - Raihan

Very beautiful, though I don't understand Malasian. Enjoy!

Moments of Reflection:

In the name of God the Most Gracious , Most Merciful:

Among His Signs is this, that He created you from dust; and then,- behold, ye are men Scattered (far and wide)!
Among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them and He put love and mercy between your(hearts):verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.
And among His Sings is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and your colors:verily in that are Signs for those who know.
And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye(make for livelihood) out of His Bounty:verily in that are Signs for those who hearken.
And among His Signs,He shows you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead:verily in that are signs for those who are wise.
And among His Signs is this, that heaven and earth stand by His command:then when He calls you, by a single call, form the earth, Behold! ye(straightway) come forth.
To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him.
It is He Who beings(the process of)creation; then repeats it; and from Him it is most easy. To Him belong the loftiest similitude(we can think of)in the heavens and the earth:for He is Exalted in Might, full of wisdom.

(Ar-Ruum: V 20-27)

Rabi Ishrah Li Sadri Wa Yasir Li Amri

N.o.v.

Alhamdulilah is the only thing i can seriously say at the moment. We are once again at that time of the semester where things just get overwhelming. Thank God this time i have managed to avoid the 'walking into walls' although i sort of walked into people :p .
Although it is very hard for me to focus and study lately, I am trying my best to prioritize and work harder. I am learning everyday small things that might seem little, but truly helping me be at peace. Four more weeks and school will be done, pretty much. Just until then, hang in there and do whatever it is right. For me, it would be the research paper, which is still in the air (apart from the extensive reading I managed), lecture exam, and a summary paper. And for another classmate, it is 2 lecture exams, research paper, summary paper add to that weekly lab reports and work. Just reminds me that I am actually better off. Alhamdulilah_
In fact I am enjoying my bio class. Today though we did dissection. This two kids were dissecting a pregnant rat (poor rat and little babies) sort of gave me nausea. I understand why we need to be doing dissection, but i don't really agree to the justification behind it. We can still learn the major organs and their functions and perhaps watch a video or serf the web, but to 'dissect for education purpose'? at a first year class? with no immediate implementation of the knowledge. hmmm, I don't know how inspiring/justifiable these sort of labs can be. Well, the fun don't just stop there, we'll do one more dissection of Quail next week. Honestly not looking forward to it. Labs!

Insha'allah soon, I might post some prose writings on Feminism, Islam, or something in that topic. Very interesting issue.

Over all speaking, this term isn't bad after all. So Alhamdulilah would be the best thing to say...

Remember to prioritize and give some time to yourself and that which is important. Tonight, I will take some break from reading and get some decent sleep..

May our days be filled with knowledge,

H.

I wish i was a bird!

Seahorse

here is a lesson to be learned from seahorse, but before that I shall do some justice to biology and explain a bit about these amazing creatures. Seahorses belong to the phylum Osteichythes, which literally means bony fish. Named as such because their skeletal structure is made of bone, Calcium and phosphate compounds. They have swim bladder that helps them with buoyancy and change in depth during swimming; all they do is regulate the amount of gas in the swim bladder. They also have gill coverings (called operculla) that regulates the amount of water coming or leaving the fish. This structure is the one that helps certain fish types to stay stationary without moving. If you watch Sharks and other aquatic animals closely, you will notice that they are constantly moving so they can have water moving through their gills for gas exchange, other wise they'd suffocate and die. But those found in the Osteichythes phylum have evolved a specialized structure, as mentioned above, to avoid suffocation. Having said this much about the phylum seahorse belongs to, lets get down to what made them stand out for me:

Lesson 1) With few exceptions, seahorses are monogamous. They work hard to strengthen their relationship and bondage. Both the male and the female toil during the day socialize during the evening.
2) It is the male that is impregnated. He is responsible for taking care of the embryos in a pouch-like structure in his abdomen until they hatch.

K, I just thought they were soo cute, and amazing little creatures. Hopefully the link below would work for anyone interested. (Its a male seahorse giving birth)

http://www.apollo-sports.com/Environment/BTB/Videos/SeaHorsef.mpg

Salams,

for cuteness sake!

Raminder

In the Name of God, the most Gracious the most Merciful:

Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, _ there are indeed signs for men of understanding,_
Men who celebrate the praises of God, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides and contemplate the (wonders of ) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught hast thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the fire.
"Our Lord! any whom Thou dost admit to the fire, truly Thou coverest with shame, and never will wrong-doers find any helpers!
"Our Lord! we have heard the call of one calling (us) to faith, 'Believe ye in the Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins, blot out from us our iniquities, and take to Thyself our souls in the company of the righteous.
"Our Lord! Grant us what Thou didst promise unto us through Thine Apostles, and save us from shame on the Day of Judgment: For Thou never breakest Thy promise."
"O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear God; that ye may prosper." (Surah Al-Imran)

"But teach /remind (thy message): for teaching benefits the believers." (Surah Az-zariyat)

it is but our duty to remind each other of that which is important and always support one another in everyday life that comes to unfold in beauty. It is our duty to reflect upon everything that is bestowed upon us, for reflection is but half of remembrance (Zikir).

La Ilaha Illa Allah
"There is no god but Allah"

H.M.

Bring it Low

So, how is the 'rain-only' week coming up for everyone? It definitely was a long one for me, Alhamdulilah its over - almost.

In today's culture which is changing on a daily basis, it is not a new thing to have some overwhelmed people like myself. Sometimes it is hard what to make of some bizarre styles in different forms. Whereas it is a personal freedom to express oneself as one pleases, it is equally important to have respect for the very nature that makes us humane. Therefore, today's culture can be defined as a 'Bring it on', egoistic and highly materialistic one on a general level. But here is what I like to call it:Highly Lost and a 'Bring it Low'. I mean seriously whats up with the insanity? Whats happened to courtesy? whats with intoxicating oneself? Whats up with driving others to death? I mean I could go on and on, and you all probably know where I am leading with this. (or maybe not :P)
The other day I was listening to this lecture by Dawud Warnsby (Amusing Our Selves to Death) the title originally taken from Postman's book, and the points he made just made me think. (Its a really good one if you can get a hold of it)

We might be claiming personal freedom and whatnot to find an excuse as an escape from reality, but get this people: reality is what is within you to begin with, so guess who you are running away from? YOURSELF! So no drug, no booze, no nothing does it until one change that which is within. And always remember 'what goes up must come down'. I mean one can choose to "Get Rich or Die Trying", but that is just a short-cut to the grave. Those of you who are in the sociology field, or anybody for that matter, know what I am talking about.

Oh youth, energy and passion
Love and hate, all in the air
But who is there to look-up to?

It's a struggle, but no one said it would be easy, so what we need is mentors and elders to look up to.

H.M

Oh Soul

oh listen to me my soul,
for i shall never speak again.
hasten to that which is good
and give a soulful smile for
they say it's also charity.

oh listen to me my soul,
for i do not know if we will ever_
be this close again,
for once you leave me here on earth
i shall never see you again.

do what's right my beloved,
and love all you can of nature
for GOD has created thee
on this earth to prosper and yearn
towards perfection that shall come to be,
in Paradise, Insha'allah if He wills.

H.M

And the day is ...

Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu ,

Eid Mubarak everyone!

it's the most beautiful of days here in van. actually not even cold. So, I decided to spend it in my home reading, thinking, listening to some inspiring lectures, studying for my exam, talking to families etc.

Actually turned out to be quite nice so far, Alhamdulilah.

I pray that Allah accept our fasting, and bless us with Barak and strength to carry ourselves, insha'allah, until the next Ramadan.

May today's joy be with us for days to come and may it be the best memory that we look back to at moments of sadness.

Kulu Amin Wa Antum Be Kheir!

H.M

Soul Food

The great Sahabas and scholars, may Allah raise their rank, are those whom with great struggle gave us the knowledge that we have today. So it is our duty to praise them every time and learn from their mettle that made them the elite of this great Ummah. Here are some quotes I came across, and may our minds and souls be filled with blessings that we may prosper (amen):

There is no good in prayer without concentration and calmness; there is no good in fasting without refraining from idle talk; there is no good in reading without contemplation; there is no good in knowledge without piety. (Ali Radi Allah Anhu)

Unless you annihilate your selfish lower self of desires and lusts through strict and sincere mujahada (struggle), your heart will never become illuminated with the light of knowledge.


Sincerity is purifying the mind from paying attention to one's fellow creatures. (Abul Qasim Qushayri)

The Islamic law opened the door of vocation in front of the woman such that she may be able to seek refuge through it in case of need and exceptional situations, or such that she may find in her profession an opportunity to convey a message or attend to important (issues). (Shaykh sa'id Ramadan)

A dead heart is the one that does not recognize and like the good and that does not reject and repel the evil. (Ibn Mas'ud Radi Allah Anhuma)

If one is not satisfied with what suffices him, no abundance will ever enrich him. (Omar radi Allah Anhu)

Rabi Ishrah Li Sadri Wa Yasir Li Amri,

Rabi Zidni Ilma.

Hikmet M.

"Today is all that you have"

When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to see the evening - live as though today is all you have. Yesterday has passed with its good and evil, while tomorrow has not yet arrived. Your life's span is but one day, as if you were born in it and will die at the end of it. With this attitude, you will not be caught between an obsession over the past, with all its anxieties, and the hopes of the future, with all its uncertainty. Live for today: During this day you should pray with a wakeful heart, recite the Qur'an with understanding, and remember Allah with sincerity. In this day you should be balanced in your affairs, satisfied with your allotted portion, concerned with your appearance and health.
Organize the hours of this day, so that you make years out of minutes and months out of seconds. Seek forgiveness from your Lord, remember Him, prepare for the final parting from this world, and live today happily and at peace. Be content with your sustenance, your wife, your children, your work, your house and your station in life.


{So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful} (7:144)

Live today free from sorrow, bother, anger, jealousy, and malice. If you are truthful with yourself and have a firm, solid resolve, you will undoubtedly convince yourself of the following: Today is my last day to live. When you achieve this attitude, you will profit from every moment of your day, by developing your personality, expanding your abilities, and purifying your deeds.

'Today is my only day' is one of the most important statements in the dictionary of happiness, for those who desire to live life in its fullest splendor and brilliance.

This beautiful writing is an excerpt from the renowned book "Don't be Sad" by `Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

24th Ramadan

Assalamu Aleykum to all,

I hope we're all taking advantage of the last few days left of this Beloved month insha'allah. I was talking to a friend, and we both ended up saying how sad it is to see Ramadan over and how we both wanted it to be longer. Then the more I reflected upon Ramadan and its benefits I came to realize how much it symbolizes this life on earth. Subhan'Allah!

Think about it for a while: how much one is happy to put that piece of bread in his mouth at the time of Iftar, its a well-deserved reward for one would abstain from indulging in any obscene act and food for the sake of God alone. In the same manner if we are all vigilant towards those things that are forbidden and enjoin that which is allowed in this life, then subhan'allah we will be the ones who deserve the reward of Al-Jannah with the will of God.

As for wanting Ramadan not to end, I figured its to do with the chance we're given in this life. Every other day we awake in peace, we're presented with the chance to shine bright and go about our lives with a 'Taqwa' (God consciousness). And since we do not know if we'll even be alive tomorrow let alone another Ramadan, we should take full advantage of it insha'Allah by maximizing our Zikr (remembrance of Allah), voluntary prayers, giving charity (yes even a well meant smile), recitation of the Qur'an and so much more.

What is most important is that we tried our best to make these noble acts part of our habit so they keep moving along with us even after Ramadan is over. And that, my brothers and sisters, is the most crucial aspect of Ramdan's Baraka: to break the routine habit of procrastination. SO insha'allah I hope we were able to challenge ourselves in ever aspect.

Reflection is the best gift that we're given and that's what makes each of us unique in a sense that we perceive differently, and Alhamdulilah that is a big blessing to man kind. Truly God is great!

"And Remember your Rabb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words, in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful." (7:205)

Rainbow

Assalamu Aleykum to all,

Alhamdulilah the first 10 days of this beloved month is already gone... (alhamdulilah both in a bad and good way)

today in particular wasnt the brightest of days (althou it was sunny, of course, with some clouds and rain...) i was having a gloomy day and tried all my best to do some Zikir....

as i was leaving work waiting for a bus ride home, i saw this brilliant double ring rainbow and that made the rest of the evening for me. i wish i had a camera with me to capture its brilliance and beauty.... just gorgeous!! and in the middle of my amazement the rain started to fall... all sorts of rain but i had to be strong and withhold the rain from within from falling. anyway i walked in the rain... it was brief thou. then the sun shone again... the rainbow grew even brighter... i was smiling and perhaps some people thought i was going nuts... but who cares what they thought, i was happy -

(big sigh) Al Hamdu Lilah is all i can think of at the moment. so many thoughts in my mind... but i got to be strong, got to have faith.

"Rabi Ishrah Li Sadri, Wa Yasir Li Amri"
Amen

H_

"Beyond Words"

AlHamdulillah,

In this blessed month, there is so much to be greatful for...

beyond what i can fathom
and beyond what words can describe
beyond the east and the west-
beyond the horizon that looms;

above the vast sky-
the heavens and the earth
above all greatness
is your Glory & Majesty
that is held in my heart.

(Allahuma Innaka Afun Tuhibun Afwa, Fa Afu Anna Ya Rahman!)
H.M

in ThE woRdS of A bROken heArt...

(you would be thinking destyn's child, hah, i ain't singin that tho)

today made ME think, that our mind is soo vast (like the sky), so unattainable even to ourselves. the five senses feed us with info from our surrounding, but do they do the exact opposite??

only words, spoken words, parts of speech, and yet there remains the unfinished- that which remains in the mind, that which was never told, that which words can never describe, that which only belongs to me and I choose to share it with my Lord, for He surely knows whats in my heart.

"when you feel all alone in this world,
and there's nobody to count your tears,
just remember no matter where you are,
Allah know, Allah knows...
You see, we all have a path to choose,
through the valleys and hills we go,
with the ups and the downs,
never fret, never frown
Allah knows, Allah knows..." (ZAIN & DAVID)

Amazing how things happen so fast, all we end up comprehending is the last bit... forgetting all that which matters... ( this world is even less than a mosquito wing) says my best friend... and i couldn't agree more. All that matters is whom I choose to be, to be grateful for the bounties upon me, and to be and always choose to be 'Hikmet', the descendent of Prophet Adam and child of Hawa (may God bless both of them).
I would want to be just me, the me that is lost in a quest to quench the thirst of 'awareness' and 'life'. That me, that has lost the say of who and what 'Hikmet' is... But Alhamdulilah i have Ramadan upon me, I shall rise and shine, rise and shine to the fullest!

AlHamdulilahi Rabeel Alemin,

H.M

Pradox

Rich 'can pay poor to cut carbon'
By Roger Harrabin Environment analyst, BBC News

Mr de Boer's suggestion has angered environmental groupsRich nations should be absolved from the need to cut emissions if they pay developing countries to do it on their behalf, a senior UN official has said.
The controversial suggestion from Yvo de Boer, head of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has angered environmental groups.
They say climate change will not be solved unless rich and poor nations both cut emissions together.
But Mr de Boer said the challenge was so great that action was needed now.
Carbon credits
The UN's binding global climate agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, currently requires industrialised nations to reduce the majority of emissions themselves.
But Mr de Boer said this was illogical, adding that the scale of the problem facing the world meant that countries should be allowed to invest in emission cuts wherever in the world it was cheapest.
"We have been reducing emissions and making energy use more efficient in industrialised countries for a long time," he told BBC News.
This proposal simply won't deliver the cuts we need in time
Mike Childs,Friends of the Earth
"So it is quite expensive in these nations to reduce emissions any more.
"But in developing nations, less has been done to reduce emissions and less has been done to address energy efficiency," Mr de Boer observed.
"So it actually becomes economically quite attractive for a company, for example in the UK, that has a target to achieve this goal by reducing emissions in China."
He said rich nations should be able to buy their way out of 100% of their responsibilities - though he doubted that any country would want to do so.
Green groups said the proposal was against the spirit of the UN, which agreed that wealthy countries - who were responsible for climate change - should do most to cure it.
Mike Childs from Friends of the Earth said: "This proposal simply won't deliver the cuts we need in time. The scientists are telling us that we need to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) by 50-80% by 2050.
"Unless rich countries start to wean themselves off fossil fuels right away this won't happen."
Doug Parr of Greenpeace was equally critical of Mr de Boer's suggestion.
"The current trading system is not delivering emissions reductions as it is," he said. "Expanding it like this to give rich countries a completely free hand will simply not work."

Frost

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I remember our Career teacher, Ms. Brooms, gave us this poem on our senior year. A really nice poem indeed.

H.M.

Home is where ....

Assalamu Aleykum Wa'Rahmatullah,

Salams to everyone, alhamdulilah am officially back to van. safe, sound , and happy! Ever greatful for Allah.

"..whatever you do, make sure your words are true,
honesty is the best, 'cause life is a test,
even if it hurts so much you want to cry,
for the heart of a muslim does not lie."
Zain, "the heart of a muslim"

have a wonderful day!
H.M.

Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death

Because I could not stop for death-
He kindly stopped for me-
The carriage held but just ourselves-
And immortality.

We slowely drove - He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility -

We passed the School, where Childern strove
At Recess - in the Ring -
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain -
We passed the Setting Sun -

Or rather - He passed us -
The Dews drew quivering and chill -
For only Gossamer, my Gown -
My Tippet - only Tulle -

We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground -
The Roof was scarcely visible -
The Cornice - in the Ground-

Since then - 'tis Centuries - and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity

where am still @??

Salams to All,

it has certainly been a while since i posted anything. It is mainly because i haven't got time to update my blog or post something interesting (the downside of vacation 'at the end of the world') :D

Yes, i am still in Dallas where the Temperatures go as high as 99 F (please don't ask me to convert it to Celsius as i have become lazy to check how that is even done). the good news is the AC indoors works just fine, but the bad news is am still trying to adjust to it.

lets face it, isn't a hot sunny, summer day better than nothing but rain in Vancouver?! :P
iight ya'll imma just teasing; gotta come back to it anyhoo don't I?

Soon, I'll have a post about Ramadan Insha'allah.

Until then tho,
Smile ya'll 4 itz summer! ;)

H.M.

Where Have i BEen?

Assalamu Aleykum to All,

time passes really fast... or as my father always said, that i'm not using my time effectively. Perhaps that might be it...

yes, I am here in Dallas now... such a hot, muggy weather. The imbalance of the T. indoors and outdoor is way apart that i ended up getting a flu..or perhaps it might have been that airplane i took... ( boy was the lavatory ever dirty!)

Saturday, I went to downtown D. and also to an aquarium... talking about aquariums and zoos... it is most likely that i would never want to be going to these places ever again.... the poor animals are caged up for 'human pleasure'. Though one might argue that it is educational, i say otherwise since not a lot of people make a use of those touch screen info PCs. Besides, the most repugnant of all is that these Animals are not even close to their natural habitat. I'll give an example, there were some penguins and imagine a penguins in a desert land such as Dallas! A Jaguar locked up in a glassy cage with the size so small for a large animal like itself (its probably wondering what all these two-feet animals are staring at him for) what a way to show respect for Animal rights.... (such a pathetic joke)

anyway... i haven't been feeling all too well since Saturday, but thank GOD.... the flu is subsiding.

Moving on, yes we were talking about how time is flying... I guess we are all inherently aware that there is a truth waiting for us at the end of the journey... perhaps that's why we all feel the need to do things effectively... and make use of our time. (Just a thought)

I hope our days will be filled with knowledge.

Peace Be on to you
Hikma

OUR WORLD by Zain Bhikha

Assalamu ALeyukm to All,

this Nasheed speaks what has been in my mind for quite a while now... i've been thinking a lot as usual, and there is nothing that i can do at the moment except of course "pray" for all of us...

Speaking the truth also seems to be one of the biggest part of my agenda lately...(not in a sense of deceiving somebody...but to be able to accept the truth no matter how much it hurts to accept)

Practicing Patience... for there is always the divine plan for everything in this world and no matter how much i scream or try to do something, there is always going to be time for that particular thing to happen; thus Patience...

I hope you enjoy it...

H.T.M

Allah Knows by Zain Bhikha

BBC News | Enlarged Image

BBC News Enlarged Image

'our world'

Assalamu Aleykum to All,

Words of Wisdom

If you plant honesty, You will reap trust
If you plant goodness, You will reap friends
If you plant humility, You will reap greatness
If you plant perseverance, You will reap victory
If you plant consideration, You will reap harmony
If you plant hard work, You will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, You will reap reconciliation
If you plant openness, You will reap intimacy
If you plant patience, You will reap improvements
If you plant faith, You will reap blessings.
But .....
If you plant dishonesty, You will reap distrust
If you plant selfishness, You will reap loneliness
If you plant pride, You will reap destruction
If you plant envy, You will reap trouble
If you plant laziness, You will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, You will reap isolation
If you plant greed, You will reap loss
If you plant gossip, You will reap enemies
If you plant worries, You will reap wrinkles
If you plant sin, You will reap guilt.

H.T.M

certitude

why would i be awake at this time of the night pondering about this world that we live in- the hypocrisy of our self-acclaimed representatives in every level? Because I BELIEVE.

I am speechless. Moved by the work of others and spellbound by the power of humanity. All the work I see these extraordinary people do reassures me that there is so much more in life and that I can lock hands with them and move along in keeping the beat of the drum- the hum of being able to spread the work of humanity. It makes me feel more humane more content to who I truly am. Think about it for just a while, had it been me who was the one disfavored and afflicted with hardship; my integrity and dignity would have been ripped apart for there wouldn’t be any soul lending a hand. Yet, there are those who are selfless in this world of rat-raced life. There are those who stand on guard to thee; who bring about from a life-changing help to a heartfelt gesture of kindness!
I believe in me, for I see so many more people out there trying to do as I aspire to. People are there to care and love; hold on to the light of hope for those whose world going dark. It’s most amazing how the mind works. When one does or receive an act of kindness, his/her heart will be filled with tranquility and joy. And this joy my brothers and sisters, is very different than the joy of owning the most expensive sports car or jewel you could ever imagine. It is different for there is that kinship tied, that connection of love made; when one gives selflessly of who they are, of all they own in knowledge and service. This is the ultimate humane act; to give of what you have for those who don’t.
For me to be able to engage and help seemed far away when I always thought of it; since I always say there is this and that to accomplish before I go ahead and do some work in helping others. But it wasn't until recently that I realized that act of kindness and being able to share of all I seem to love is a matter of opening the gate to one’s own heart: it is to be kind to oneself. It is ultimately being able to accept who you truly are; that you are truly human: feeble and frail. In effect, you will definately know what it is like to be that person who was disfavored and afflicted; because you are a human being who is prone to protect your dignity for if you loose it, you loose the key to being humane.

Hikmet Mawi
May Peace be onto you;

8- days to go

what will our hearts speak
i wonder;
when everything becomes quite
when you notice the serenity in you
when there is not a single thing to worry.

you know,
when it gets soothingly warm
and everything in a perfect order
the way nature intended.

what will it say
this mysterious soul
of life
i wonder.

H.M
peace be onto you

hmmm,

such a beautiful day!
tho am still tired n sleepy, I'm officially going to start a count down till 2010 ( hehe just kiddin, am sure we got a lot of that around the city).
a count till i start working less days...

13 days-

May our days be blessed!
Peace be onto You,
h.m

words of Hikma

Love Nature-

that is love who you are
know what you want-
where you're leading.

see the good in life
the positives i mean
not the this or that.

be kind n gentle
loving and humble
compassionate.

give a soulful smile
keep your words
n honor your kin.

smell the flower
inhale the air
be ever grateful
To the most Great.

Alhamdulillah

H.M ( with Salams-

Zikr

1) Zikr keeps away the Satan and weakens his strength.
2) It is the cause of Almighty Allah’s pleasure.
3) It relieves the mind of anxieties and worries.
4) It produces joy and happiness in the heart.
5) it strengthens the body and mind.
6) It brightens the face and heart.
7) It attracts one’s subsistence.
8) It induces love for Allah, which in fact is the spirit of Islam and the pivot of “Deen”, and the source of success and salvation in the Hereafter. He who seeks access to the love of Almighty Allah should do Zikr profusely. Just as reading and repetition is the door of knowledge, so Zikr of Allah is the gateway to His love.
9) Zikr of Allah causes one’s mention in the Court of Allah, as said in the Holy Book.
(Remember Me, and I will remember you), and as stated in the Hadith (whosoever remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart). It has already been explained under other verses and Ahadith that, even if there were no other good points in Zikr, except that mentioned above, this alone would have established its superiority over others. Nevertheless, there are many more virtues and benefits of Zikr.
10) It helps realization of Allah so that by and by a stage is reached when he comes to regard Almighty Allah as his sole Cherisher, Guardian and Master, and he turns unto Him, in all afflictions.
11) It is the key to nearness to Almighty Allah; the greater the Zikr, the greater the nearness to Allah, and greater the indifference to Zikr, the greater the distance from him.
12) It gives life to the heart. Hafiz Ibn Tamimia says that Zikr is as necessary for the heart as water for the fish. Imagine the condition of a fish out of water.

my hands will speak for me

Such a long day, but alhamdulilah almost over. I was coming back from new west when a couple boarded and they were immensely talking to each other. Yet, no words came out of their mouths for their hands did the job. I saw so much serenity in them... and wondered what the world would be like without all the noise pollution- no more of those people (annoying) chatting on their cells mostly about nothing, no more of all the unwanted things that we hear every other day as we commute... just amazing.
However i tried, it proved hard to block the outside world...so I try this: Block the noise from within-

stilln-e-ss
Tran-Quility
calmn-e-ss
Serenity

hmmmm, verily @ peace

Why do we read Quraan, even if we can't understand a single Arabic word????
Here is a beautiful story:

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.
Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quraan.
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Qur'an just like you but I don't understand it,and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.
What good does reading the Qur'an do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.
" The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house.
The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.
You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would Leak out before he got back to the house.
The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breathe, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an.You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.That is the work of Allah in our lives."

( such a nice reminder...)
H.M

in the Name of Thy Lord,

the days are longer and warmer... sunnier; after longing so much for a break from school, now am kinda longing for a break from work :(
although i enjoy my work so much to the point that i am aspiring to begin a designing company(me n my crazy thoughts, but mind ya` anything is possible); i get frustrated by those stubborn customers whose sole purpose seems to be trying the whole store and walk out without saying 'thank you' or rather 'sorry i made so much mess'. Worse yet, its when i find an empty hanger or an item missing that i totally lose respect for some people. All the same a customer is always a customer so I put on my smile and greet them as they enter and see them good bye as they leave.
and here is where i learned a life lesson. You never know where one if coming from i.e. their circumstances... put in other words its just the clothes that we wear that make us look rich, hot or poor; but what makes us humane is something totally different than what we look like...or how we dress...
the second thing i also gained from my job is that i expanded on the horizon of talking to people from different walks of life.

Memories made every second, lessons learned all the time, faces change, time passes... what will remain is the beauty from within...

Peace be On to YoU;
H.M.

Announcement!

this is to honour my Best-est' Friend! Happy birth day

may the year be filled with so much joy

so much love and some more light;

may you be blessed

from the one above-

may you shine just like the moon

may you elevate in knowledge-

wisdom n beauty-

than you already are.

So much love Habibty!

H-I-K-U

oxymoron

free to be free (?)
dead to be alive
hate to love
hunger for satiety
war for peace-
tyranny.

two faces - stitched on one
yet one soul
a soul-a nafs*
you know-
the me, myself and the I.

mirage

in the mirror i saw an image
of the mirror itself
reflected on its surface

a glass so pure
light passed through it
as it opened its heart to speak-
i mean the mirror.



( poems pass a lot of message... perceive it in your own beloved ways...)


H.M.

...

Salam to All,

the school is done, and time is passing... i read a couple of books (novels) and i swore that i wont be touching any novels for some time until the 'reading hangover' from the other two subsides a little more,

the first book (A Perfect Night to Go to China) was written by a contemporary Canadian author whose name I can not recollect at the moment ; the second book (Talk Talk) by T.C. Boyle is all about identity theft...

though there isn't much lesson from either of the books, i sort of got an excuse to kill my time. to be more productive i have decided to read (Endgame and Amusing ourselves to death) soon. these books unlike the former ones aren't novel. In fact i will most probably have an entry about Endgame once i have finished reading it soon.

If anything, the spring& summer for that matter is going to be a lot of fun with a lot of sunshine..
and where ever there is sun, there is a big :)

Enjoy your Days!

...and they say this ' It is from the one above ' ohh Lord have mercy! am soo sick of this... people talking n talking... promise after promise; word after word they talk and talk in vain about things, nothing: and in the end ... down the road there is that tinge emotion that haunts you...
and me?
Lord Have Mercy upon me,

the virtue of Patience

In the name of Almighty Allah,

Although there is so much to be said about bearing patience, i say this; Patience is Success.Once again my 'thinking' personality isn't allowing me to say beyond those three words that i wrote... but just so i have this said- - contemplate with the wisdom of patience and virtue of perseverance: know that every action that you take are always granted higher place if not or ever in the eyes of others, for sure in the depth of your own beautiful soul.

that's about all i can really say tonight i still need to be thinking--
H.M.

n now what?!

Alhamdulilah-

I am done with my finals today... decided to take a walk in the rain back from work and never felt like using my umbrella ( do something crazy- thou not as wild).
My Psyc. exam was pretty hard and long. well, am just glad its over! So whats good for the summer? Here are some worth noting plans:

• i really have to work on the 'exile' plan to Pluto ( iight ya'll am serious here)
• read a lot of books...( lists to be posted shortly)
• do a lot of walking to and from work.
• an adventure to Dallas
• Organize a * Fundraiser Dinner*
• Work and more work...

Sounds like a busy summer to me; and for sure i'll have to admit-- i will be missing school :(

H.M.

ExAms

eeepp! gulp...hhmmm...min min ehmm uhhmm... we are talking about exams here..in just a couple of hours i will be done with Philo.( Biomedical Ethics).

just to recap: we looking at Euthanasia, Resource Allocation, Research and ethics, and last but not least Genetic Engineering...blah blah blah

Euthanasia as you all know is all about death decision making. there are two sorts of euthanasia; namely passive and active where the former is legal and the latter illegal here in Canada thou looked closely the two have no technical difference. nonetheless we follow some formal ways to make decisions as to how to go about these methods. these include substituted judgement and best interest judgement: under the substituted judgement there are advanced directives a professional should follow according to Canadian health act.

Resource allocation, one of the Hot topics here close to home in BC, is the next thing we covered in this course. Here we are looking into balancing between demand and scarce resources. there are many ways to follow among which rationing, prioritizing and Qalys are involved. we looked into some approaches a number of philosophers suggested among which, rescue principle and the prudent insurer, I at least laughed about.( just a grin..hah) the reason why these principles may sound appealing and yet unrealistic is because they are hypothetical. and to be sure, we are living in world of differences. Ahh, a good transition towards the next topic that we did-- genetic engineering.

though we were told to study only definitions of key terms here, i took the liberty to go deeply and do a little more reading because i find it really interesting. So talking about the hypothetical principles by Dworkin's-- it would have been possible to ensure the prudent insurer principle had we lived in the world of Hexley. one of the remarkable writers of the 20th century( Brave New World). ahh i remember doing an essay on this book in Grade 12. anyway... in this topic we looked into the differences between genetic therapy, genetic enhancement and genetic testing. it helps when one draws the distinctions among classes.

finally we did a topic on research and the ethics behind it. the use of human subjects, the phases involved in validating a new therapy and distinctions, using placebos and double bind tests. though much can be said about this topic, i refrain from from writing more since i need to do a bit more reading on Declaration of Helsinki, Randomized clinical tirals and blah blah blah...( am sure i can do the reading before 4:00 Pm today ..just on time for my exam)

I can bet a funny post tomorrow night if he chooses to give us the topic for our essay : " discussions of the slippery-slope for active euthanasia" which i am ready for... ;)

and that is all i can say of my exam today: and let the count down being 3 hours and 15 minutes left!

H.M

TELL me What IT Is To BE HuMane

Ohh for the Love of Mother Nature! word out... read the story " Making mint out of the Moon" BBC.com/ science and nature.
Ain't it enough we are already destroying this beloved planet of ours that we are in fact leaping towards imperializing the moon?! i am spellbound right now do not know what to say.
i mean look at us human beings, claiming every single thing in this world to be ours.
we pay for water, a resource we get for free from mother nature... i mean water is something soo important for the survival of life. Believe me when i say this, had people had that power to claim anything on this world-- then the air we breathe-- i assure you would have been for sale as well: every penny would be wronged from mankind!
I mean shame on us that we spend all our money on war killing children, leaving mothers crying over the dead of their husband and sons! yet the irony, we try and say that we ought to stop war, we make "laws", promises to be broken-- Man! am soo sick of it.. this world... for the Love of being a Human being... please Respect Nature! ( No wonder Global Warming is such a HOT issue now adays) its all bull! seeking publicity and what not... if any of our self-claimed advocates of democracy are really there to save the world.. i say this Be True..
Speak the Truth-- they say the truth shall set you free...

Hikmet OUT!

today's special

"ኢኔቤ ኢራው ሩሄ ዩጊዝማ

ዲዋንዞም ዩዲ ሰብሪዉ አጥቢቂ!"

this is a two line poem i wrote a while ago, the encription is called Geez... it is Ethiopian Alphabet. And the language i am using is called Harari one among the 60 and over languages Ethiopia has.

though hard to transplate perfectly... the main message of the poem is "Patience" over everything we perceive.

May Peace Be onto You!

H.T.M.

"Allah Knows"

Salam to All,

What a beautiful, warm day it was today! though i was working, i still got to enjoy it as i waited my bus for a ride home; i also learned how to make a delicious 'montae'-- a Turkish dish--very yummy... and whats most amazing is that i actually studied today while at work..( go me! hah). God willing i am planning to study tonight as well... or do some reading.

Well, i just got lost in the beautiful melody of " Zain & David" -- Allah Knows-- so nice i almost felt like flappin my wings and soarin high-n-more high: as always... and whats more is that i unconsciously started to use the words every time--Allah Knows.

Sure, Allah Knows... everything! ( Al-Alim)

May Your Days be Filled with the Beauty of Wisdom ( Contemplate...)
H.T.M

here goes--

its that time of year where we all go blank. or somehow unaware of what to think, where to walk or what to feel. More "stand-by" moments highlight our days; numb with last minute assigenments and term papers.( well...

in any case am sure we will all be over with it pretty soon. Right until then tho, hang on to do the remaining job just right, to avoid any last minute disappointment.

In the course of all these hassle, it is most natural to forget the most important things in our lives. Whether it is to keep it cool, deliver our obligations or balance the student life (such as missing meals, over sleeping or under-) --remember that anything else is true under only one circumstance-- that you and I be healthy/fit enough to carry out the daily routines.

Neither math nor anthropology help alleviate any afflicted well being. Thus give more emphasis to taking the time to carry out those things that are more important; needless to say, do study hard and may GOD be with each and everyone of us!

Peace be unto YOU,
H.T.M

Spring,

Woha!

Another beautiful day here in Van. city, and am lovin it! We just had enough rain for a week: soaked in it, drank it, had it splashed on us(referring to the pedestrians) even had our almost dry rivers over-flooded and thank goodness for this beautiful weather, today i even shed my winter layer and dared to walk with light tops,

Its spring! A new begining... and for sure one of my favourite seasons for it is neither freezin cold nor skin-peelin hot! Cherry blossoms are highlighting the city streets and Sparrows are twittering... aww really mesmerizing! and those cute and always amazing squirrels are running around riot in the city gardens! the days are long so i can walk after my long day!...the sun is shining so bright and the sky is boundlessly high... with clouds spread here and there...

people are smiling and even when i opt to frown, the brightness of the day reminds me to keep the faith, smile for it is a nice day! tho cold in the am n pm, i still love it!

hope our beautiful days keep brightening our days beyond their cycle, and all the best for each and every one of us!

May Peace be Onto YOU
H.T.M.

Reflection from within...

gazing down on the turbid pond, i saw an image. I cleared my mind from all the things i carried and peered down on it. It was most amazingly fine, with all the contort on the figure... yet it intirgued me with its apparent features. i stared right at it thinking it would go away or rather hoping i was just dreaming... but was i?
i was there minutes ago, dead sure that i was thinking of it! but how can something intangible as my thought have a figure like the one i am staring at? i looked towards the horizon and saw the trees still, their leaves moving in unison where ever the wind blew it.
Bracing myself, i looked back at the pond once again and it was right there- my dream and passion- glaring at me as though saying 'what are you waiting for? go for it my dear' i saw its eyes speaking to me though no words came out of its mouth. i wondered if it would hear what i say..and without willing i started to speak..word after word my mouth tasting the saltyness of the flowing tear...
i couldnt decribe the emotions i was feeling, amazing... and most importantly rejuvinating! i felt as though i was being born once again.. into a whole being...or something like that...i felt a gentle wrap around me-warming me from within- there was love in the air soo sweet to the smell, and i hoped it will wait for me,
love i say for it was the last thing i thought of before i found myself sitted by the pond that afternoon, it was the only thing that troubled me for quite a while and perhaps since the day i was born!
Love for nature- and love for the love to answer the call of a fellow being...love being loved, and love for the sake of LOVE!

GOD knows...

Amazing how time goes fast, amazing how each of us think, and yet most amazing how things keep on going beyond all odds.

I just dont know what to say than think about it; mostly because i am a thinking person... and because it is beyond what i can perceive to explain.

There is one truth though, out of all this crazinnes and all the odds and everything else; there is that calmness- that power that recollects who we are within...

it all comes back to the Central Limit Theorem, out of all the Random, comes an Order. Man i am falling in love with this thing! but its sooo true... out of our feeling of inadequacy or lowness; out of our rat-raced life and all that, there is that knowledge of being who we are; ultimatley we are all human!

Peace be onto you,

H.M.

"think-ing" in english

Salam Ya'll,

Hope everyone is doing well insha'allah, its been quite a while since i posted anything at all; most of the time i would want to post something and after almost getting done with it, i find it tooo philoshophical or grounded in its message.. so i pass- though you might wonder duhh! that's what a blog is for..

for me, its beyond just posting whatever one thinks. its about being sincere with the words we use because it isnt only the clothing that we were that is the showcase of who we are but also the way we talk and think and so much more,

try this if you can: listen most of the time, absorb and be in unison with nature; in harmony with the creation. Look closely to the moon and the stars and the birds and the land; you will see ideally the same thing- harmoniously content to what it truly is.

today am jumping off the board!.. yeah a bit too distracted after failing to study again for an exam just under 32 hours, eeep!
everytime, i tell myself 'this time i shall focus and get done with it'.. yet i fail to accomplish that tiny and overly attempted resolution to use my time wisely-- not that i am wasting my time. infact i have read so many important things and helped in the fundraiser we are planning to hold mid-april( more info on that coming)

you know, i find it under-motivating to do things that have less relevance in real life, like going to class and talk about nothing but Frued's 'projective' theory .. or say Central Limit theorem..though i liked it a bit when our most intresting teacher put it this way " Its most amazing, that paradoxically you see much ORDER in the RANDOM world. you would think RANDOMNESS would bring caios, rather it is in harmony with its compelling TRANQUILITY!" i loved it so much!

anyway, you might still be wondering how i am thinking in english?
well here goes, this 'nice' teacher that i have for my first english course , keeps on reminding me that i have a 'serious english expression problem' and thus need to think in ENGLISH! well, here i am doign my job-- thinking in english, saying everything without living it for fate more precisely-the reader- to figure out what the thing i am writing about is, think about it ;)

may peace be onto YOU,
H.M.

suggestions needed!

Salam to all,
i hope everyone is doing well... with only a few weeks left before the end of the term, i am among many who can't wait for that moment to come... all the best to those who are looking forward to the summer semster...i'll hibernate of course from school...
For sure we all need the break, not only 2 days of 'spring break' per say but, a good break that will rejuvinate the mind and soul...
for those peers who are planning to keep the pace in the summer... i've got some advice... do not take a full load or you would blow your mind into something you could never imagine/ or i can never describe... summer is meant to be a time for a good, decent break .. whether you are travelling or working to save some money for the fall; you need to put your body at ease for all the stress from school work has huge impact on the chemistry of the body! not only that but wait until i prove to the science world that the moment you step in school, your psyche will have an impace on your body especially for those who had a full plate during the term...
thus it is important for one to remember that its when your body is at peace that you would be at peace...
take care of your body and your body will take care of you...!
in any case, i am supposed to be studying right now.. or finish this assgnt that is due tomorrow morning...for some reason, lately i can not focus at all...! i wonder what the remedy would be?!

Ok, back to this software that is most confusing! yeah am talking about STATGP!

May Peace be onto you,
H.

Friends...

Salam,
This message that was forwarded to me from a friend is very nice... and i thought i would share... enjoy!
May Peace be on to you...


A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE. They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE. The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone,why?" The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

For you n me sisters

Salam to all,
A friend sent me this poem which i thought was very nice...masha'allah
read along...

Roses are mostly red
Growing mostly in gardens
Lush and green gardens
When a rose grows in a desert
It is of a special kind
Desert rose…
Living through pain
Still holding on for a possible gain
In the hereafter
Where she hears no evil talk
Or even vain
Desert rose…
Wearing her hijab like umm salamah
Most times with the niqab
Never cares who says what
She wears it for Arrahman (the Most Merciful)
Desert rose…
Always traveling with a Mahram
If you ask her why? No drama
She boldly tells you, the Rasul (Messenger) said so.
Deny that and you face trauma
Desert rose…Marries for the deen (Religion)
Waiting for yaumud-deen (the Day of Resurrection)
Where she reclines on green
Sofas I mean
Desert rose…
Her family and friends laugh at her
She most times shed tears
Because of the rahma (mercy) in her heart
For them Allah’s wrath she fears
Desert rose…
May your dreams come true
May you be in the belly of a green bird
Flying around jannah (Paradise)
May we meet in jannah
To continue what we started here
Desert rose…
She is not egocentric
Always Mecca-centric
Follows the Sunnah pure
No matter whose ox is gored
Desert rose…
When a rose grows in a desert
It is a sign of Allah’s rahma
Despite the harsh wind and dry oasis
It blossoms with special radiance
Nuff nuff respect, desert rose!
You know who you are!

NOTE:

Mahram:- refers to the extent of blood relationships within which one may not marry. Within these boundaries, members of the opposite sex may freely associated socially, without the restriction of things like veil.

Sunnah: Literally, a clear path or beaten track. Refers to whatever the Prophet said, did, agreed to, or condemne