Al-Quran

Assalamalikum dear sisters in Islam (and everyone else reading)

I dont know how many of you would routinely check my recitation chart page on here but if you do then you will see that I have just changed my 'blue' surah because... yes you guessed it, Ive learnt a new surah masha'Allah. Surah Al-Qariah has now been added to my list of known surahs alhamdulillah. I finally bit the bullet and started it after a push from a few sisters and the guilt within myself to not have done anything about my memorisation in so long and not really doing much different for Ramadhan due to my work schedule.
I already knew the first three verses from similar verses in shorter surahs and as I have already admitted I was very nervous about facing this 11 verse surah. Its the longest surah I know.. the longest beforehand has been surah al-humazah at 9 verses. It was a daunting task but the good thing was there wasnt too many hard letters (you non arabic speakers know the ones Im talking about!! that ayn and ghayn!) alhamdulillah.
With knowing those first few verses I think I had it in my head the rest might be as easy but then I also had it in my head that because they were easy enough the rest would be an enormous problem.
Anyways, about a week ago I was sorting out the apps on my iphone and needed to log into my old laptop, since getting married we tend to use my husbands massive 19' screen laptop for everything. I turned it on and started playing about with some things, it was then that I came across the software I had been using awhile ago for my memorisation from the ImaanStar website. Its initially to learn juz 30 but then you can download the rest of the Quran in sections, even from a few different recitors, there are also books to download (which I just realised) I found it very useful then and was very excited so I downloaded it onto my husbands computer. You make a profile and then add all the surahs you know off by heart to the sidebar to see at a glance, then you can choose the next surah, there is arabic and a transliteration, the option to repeat each verse a number of times, to give a pause inbetween repeats, to repeat the whole surah after it has finished and many other things. Masha'Allah I love it and I pray for the rewards to be given to the makers of this program insha'Allah.
So yes, Ive learnt my new surah... yay me :) Im at work at the moment, but I cant wait to get home to colour the star in on my chart on the fridge :D how old am I again? ;)

Peace and salams
Ammena

Chosen

So I've decided (with a little help from Chilli Tomato) that I will be wearing the kameez from the previous post for our dinner out for Eid teamed with white trousers and a white shayla/yellow underscarf mix :) I do love the detailing on this kameez so I'm very happy.
As for Eid salah I decided I didn't want anything to flashy because, well that isn't me. Also when I do wear my outfits here I get the feeling that I'm being looked at as trying too hard to fit in with my husbands culture. When in truth the clothes (less in your face than mostly worn) and the food are the only things I have taken on :) anyways I also wanted to wear the full outfit ie the shalwaar too :) so this is what I will be wearing for Eid salah insha'Allah :)


- I'm using my iPhone as I go :)

Eid outfit options

My mayoon outfit from Pakistan celebrations. Ok, so I have already worn it but I love that this was the first celebration outfit that I wore to fit in with my in-laws culture and traditions. The down side is the scarf I would wear would probably cover up the majority of the hand stitched design and also the pants are very thin. I don't know if they are see through thin but I think too thin for British weather, even if we are in august.



Opinions anybody??

- I'm using my iPhone as I go :)

Nisaab levels and quesions

For many of us, Ramadan is the time to pay Zakat. Given the current record high prices of gold and silver, below are the Nisab levels:

* Nisab for Gold = £2,825 (£2,168 last year)

* Nisab for Silver = £459 (£233 last year)

Nisab is the minimum amount of savings and assets that a Muslim has to possess in order for them to be obliged to give Zakat. According to the Shari'ah the nisab for gold is 84.7 grams while the nisab for silver is 592.9 grams. Gold and silver nisab levels quoted above are based on spot prices on 10th August 2011, and are subject to change.

Reliance of the Traveller is a classical manual of Islamic law by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (rh) which states that the nisab for silver should be used for monetary balances. Since this results in a lower nisab level more Zakat is payable, which is better for the poor. 

Only Allah knows best and from Him alone is success.

So Im confused.. say you have £1000 in savings and 100g of gold... what zakat should you pay? Seeing as the level for money is stated above and the level for gold is 84.7g.. so you add the two together? how can you add a weight and a price? Please help....

April 30th 2011

The day we left... we left first thing in the morning, got up around 4am.. everyone as usual was taking their time. I found A napping on the sofa downstairs after we had woken her up. We had had about 3 hours sleep maximum if that and I was getting irritated by the lack of movement. L started crying when she was told that she should stay at home, I eventually got it so she could come with us as well... it would have been too much to leave her there.
We eventually got to the airport, checked in our bags after much hassle and movement but alhamdulillah they let us on with 88kg between us (limit is 60kg) without having to pay any extra :D There are so many check points in the airport and so many people ready to push their way in front of you :( grrr I nearly banged someone out the way when they tried to push in front of me.. he even looked me in the eye as he walked past. I just cant believe the nerve of some people. We didnt get much time to wander around as by the time we had stopped for tea (just tea!) and got through 4 checkpoints the plane was being boarded.

Leaving Kharachi

We stopped in Muscat airport for Dairy Queen :D

We prayed at the masjid inside Muscat airport for dhuhr and asr.. be warned those flying from KHI, the masjid is only before you go through security after checking in your bags, there is no other!! In Muscat they had a separate hall for men and women with their own wudu areas, very clean masha'Allah. We were supposed to meet up with Alix at the airport but I think we went too far inside and she couldnt get to us :( insha'Allah next time :) Then we ate and waited for our plane to take us home.. we were exhausted!!

I suppose that concludes my Pakistan trip, we have been back in London now for 3 months now alhamdulillah, have booked our flights to Canada for December ;) and we are looking forward to our life moving onwards now. Ramadhan has started but that is another post (these are scheduled)
Peace and Salams
Ammena

April 29th 2011

Made coconut biscuits and macaroons finally today. The biscuits came out terrible as Im awful at judging quantites, but hubby said they werent too bad and that the macroons were nicer than normal (sweetened condensed milk!)
We picked up last minute things from the market - the wooden spoons I have ben after all holiday! The shop for the 2 suits ami gave hubby wasnt open so looks like it will have to be picked up after we leave.
Packed most things away, even used the vaccuum bags my Dad gave us ages ago ;) but the suitcases are very heavy!!
In time we went for my camel ride at Clifton beach, took L and A too. I wanted to go for sunset and get some shots, but again the sky was too cloudy. The camel was sweaty and I noticed they steered it through a pin they put through their skulls!! I thought it was through its nose at first like a bull, but then noticed it was much higher up :(

The donkey cart selling his bits and pieces

The road hubby's family live on

Milk man

Catching a free ride tut tut

Just taking a stroll down the motorway

Just one of the masjids near the beach

See the hole?? poor thing

April 28th 2011

Slept early last night, still managed to wake to late though :( Done the clothes washing and still lots to do today, insha'Allah will get it all done. Managed to close my suitcase although I dread to think how much it weighs.
Went out to the jewellers to pick up my bracelt charms, they were straighter than I imagined but then they attached a 'fake gold' piece so they could hang more freely. I stupidly asked them to put the charms at the end of the chain forgetting that I dont wear it at the end (I have to make it smaller by hooking it earlier) Im going to see how it goes wearing it to the end, if its too weird then Ill ask them to move it.
Then we made our way to Tariq road to get some shoes fixed, including my silver walimah shoes, and buy some bangles to go with my posh green suit. We stopped for fruit chaat first though ;) Got my bangles at the same place we bought the mehndi/walimah ones at and got a bangle holder too :)
Dropped off ami and took L with us to visit last minute relatives and to show the albums to nano as she couldnt make it to the parties :( We saw her and the family as well as the brother who lives opposite them. Then we drove over to see the new baby and that family as well for the last time this trip. Nano had me in one eyed tears (dont know how that happened!) as we were leaving and L was in tears leaving there too saying she didnt want us to go. I feel sorry for her being on her own here, poor kid. I really look forward to have them over in London next year insha'Allah

We stopped at THE chicken shop and I got a history lesson ;)

Although chips were the only thing on the menu I could have... they were amazing though!!

April 26th 2011

Bhai left this morning, and with him A and the nephew. It seems so quiet in the house now.
We picked up all my suits today, tried to pick up the duvet covers too but the guy wasnt there so will try later if we get time.
Abus youngest brothers wife had their fifth baby tonight, a little girl masha'Allah. We took the family to see them, shes so cute and tiny. They havent officially come up with a name yet but Im sure it will be lovely.

April 27th 2011
Slept in the AC room last night now that Bhai has left, was nice :D
Picked up L frpm school then picked up a cousin and went to sort out a few things. Picked up the duvet covers, sheets look big but I hope they fit because they all look really nice alhamdulillah. Then we picked up some more lining for my pink/blue suit, he lost the initial lining and then added his own in 2 pieces which looks horrible and only 3/4 sleeves again. Hopefully this one is long enough. Then we went to sort out changing the internet plan at home, which meant sitting around, pushing into queues and generally feeling uncomfortable.
Stayed around the house for awhile then took L with us later on to pick up the western suits from the tailors. Chilli Tomato likes them, which is the important thing, but I still think the jacket is too tight. Dont know how we will fit everything into the suitcases