Don't let the moment slip by...

Source: Unknown

Love HFW

So...who hasn't heard of Love HFW yet?  Where have you been...hiding under a rock or something? C'mon now!

It's only one of the most awesomest things to happen in Blogistan since ever.  Seriously.

Go, check it out here:  http://www.lovehfw.com/

If you're still reading this, that means I haven't managed to convince you yet. And maybe you think I'm being too demanding.  But you should overlook that and do it anyways.

Love HFW was started by Sister Em as an one-week long online event for Muslimahs. Hijabi Fashion Week (HFW) involves  seven different themes - one for each day of the week, and participants are asked to put together outfits based on the themes.

I love it because I'm able to pick up inspiration from sisters all over the world - whether it's tying two thin hijabs together or figuring out how to 'hijabify' some of my odd items of clothing.

Have I convinced you yet?

Because if I haven't, I offish give up...you're hopeless, you is. :P

"sometimes the brightest lights can only be seen from the darkest of depths"

I've been reading Brother Nomad's blog, "Holding on to Allah's Rope" for a good part of the past year or so.  His stuff really is pretty profound and deep to say the least, and he's able to articulate so well what I believe are the very personal struggles that everyone goes through at some point or another in their lives.

Allhumdulilah, he's granted me permission to share his work, and specifically, there's one piece of his that really speaks to me. Some of these gem-worthy ideas:

"Firstly: sometimes the brightest lights can only be seen from the darkest of depths. We cannot appreciate what tawakkul means until we are (or see a point) far removed from it."

"Once we internalize the whole of our weakness, is when we can begin to find strength in reliance."

"Secondly: There is the rope of Allah, and then there is the chain of the shayateen (devils). A rope is generally made as a means of assistance, carrying things, and pulling them up. A chain is generally made as a means of restriction, punishment in limiting one's freedom and mobility. Interestingly, a rope can also choke whereas a chain can also give lift in times of need."

"Sometimes a chain is not evident until it is too late, and it has wrapped itself around its wielder tightly at the time of death. Thought to be a source of pride and dignity in the face of men, it would be just a cement block dragging one down to the deepest depths. Conversely, a rope can easily cause burns if it moves too fast, or become a noose should extremes be approached."

See what I mean?  He's a genius, mashAllah.

I'd encourage you to read the full post here.  Happy reading!

30 libraries in 22 weeks

It's November. The leaves are starting to fall and the winter jackets are coming out. It's the holidays...well almost! I love this time of year, it seems like everyone is happy and cheery and Starbucks has their 2 for 1 holiday drinks on during happy hour! (one more day left!)

But it's also time for that last final push before finals. You know all the big papers are due, the final projects and those lonely last midterms. It also means more library time! :) (I'm in one right now lol)

The other day Alma and I were walking down UofT, after one of our library trips and I was bragging that we had 30 or so libraries. She asked me how many I had been too. And I realized that not many. I usually go the same one, my favourite. Or one that is close.

So we made a halal one way bet. Before I graduated I would visit ALL the libraries at UofT. Alma reckoned it was only 8ish every year...the only problem? I'm already in 4th( and final inshAllah) year at the big old UofT!

So it's 30 libraries in 22 weeks. Think I can do it? I hope so!

I'll record my library adventures on the blog, so that way it'll feel like you've all been to EVERY UofT library too :)

Libraries I've visited
-E.J Pratt (my favourite!)
-Gerstein (I'm there right now!)
-Robarts
-UTM library
-UTSC library
-Earth Sciences Library
-Engineering & Comp sci Library
-Mathematical Sciences Library (aka Bahen Library...also one of my favs)
-OISE Library
-John M Kelly Library
-Laidlaw Library

Full list of UofT libraries: CLICK HERE!

Wow so that already 11. YAY only 19 more to go! :)


Just so you know...I absolutely LOVE libraries! Alma...I wanttagolibrary!

The Blame Game

I think there's some habits that are never lost, old adults playing the blame game is just, well, wrong.

Blaming the little people, of the big institutions for their own mistake, is worse. The higher up you go, I feel you lose sight of right/wrong and being truthful.

Everyone should own up to their mistakes. Period.

That's my venting of the day.

Something to think about...

I was helping out at a Muslim event a while ago, and I noticed there was a lady there who seemed... different. We all went about everything normally and were as polite to her as we were to the other sisters. On the last day, though, we logically reasoned that she seems to be a non-Muslim who is very interested in Islam.

Now this changed things. I saw it in myself, and in the others also, that we all tried to be a lot nicer to her, a lot more helpful, and a lot more friendly now.

At the time, I didn't think so much about it, other than, I wanted to give off a good impression of Islam and Muslims so that insha'Allah Allah helps her find her path. But thinking about it later, I realized the fallacy of it. Shouldn't I and everyone else not have to need to change our behaviour around her after we found out she was interested in Islam? Shouldn't we live as Muslims who are always embodying the right characteristics? The reality of it is, that we don't know who might be observing us, and if we are the image of Islam that people see, shouldn't we try to give off the best possible image of Islam?

I don't think Da'wah always has to be intentional. Maybe a subconscious act that you do as a Muslim, could be what inspires someone into learning about Islam.

I don't know if I will have the opportunity to meet the sister again, but may Allah enlighten and open her mind and help her in her journey. Aameen.

A Nightmare

I had the most horrible, life-like dream the other night.  It was truly wretched, if you know what I mean.

Now most people would have nightmares about being chased by an ugly monster down a dark alley, or falling off a skyscraper or something of the like.  But remember how I told you that I'm not really a "normal" person?  Well, I've never had dreams like that before.  But what truly scares the bejeevers out of me are the small things that would likely not even make your heart flutter the least bit.

Like my blogger anonymity being totally squandered.  

Yes, that scares me.  I'll give you a minute to stop laughing.  

Okay, that's enough. 

Anyways, in this dream someone who is really important to me basically betrayed me.  She wrote up a blog post that unintentionally disclosed my identity- making it unmistakable to think that I could be anyone else.  

I was heartbroken, and cried over it for days and days. 

Even though, in reality I knew that it's not really that big of a deal.  But how could she do that to me?  How?

The worse part is that it was so life-like.  The blog was Mundane Muslima.  The friend was a fellow MM writer.

It feels like the blame game...or the cookie jar game that we play as little kindergartners.

"Mariam took the cookie from the cookie jar!"

"Who me? Couldn't be!  Then who?"

So, who is it? 

P.S.  For those who are wondering if I have an active subconscious, you bet I do!