To learn list

I have decided that once Im settled in a job and my own place… with or without a husband insha’allah there are a few things I would like to learn. One of these things has just been reaffirmed by coming across an article in Sisters magazine for ‘remedies from the sunnah’ One of these things is to learn how to do hijama, I mentioned it to h2b and masha’allah he would like to learn too.. so maybe it is something that we can learn and practise together insha’allah. I will look into classes and some books when Im a little more sorted insha’allah. Something else is to learn to wash and prepare a dead body, those who know me will know my forensic abilities so I have no fear that I wouldnt be able to do this. However I do know there are many rituals, duaa and a routine to follow that will need to be learnt, I have also read about the barakah received for this and I would like to be able to give something back to the community as I know there arent many helpers around for when a woman dies. I remember reading somewhere about a sister online was worried about who would prepare her body… I feel that we shouldn’t be wasting time in this dunya worrying about this.. but its something that is inevitable when we know how little women there are around to do this. Is it something we should accept? That a man might be doing it? or someone who doesnt know the proper way to do things… this is the state we will be in until the day of resurrection, surely we as sisters in Islam must fight to keep this practice going for our sisters around us when they are given back to the earth we were made from.
Allahu alim… these are just 2 of my intentions so far insha’allah

Ramadhan is coming

Assalamalikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,

so you are all (those few of you) are probably thinking.. wow, so many posts today but theres a reason.. they are all unrelated things that I have been meaning to blog about for some time now and with me working while not having much work its the obvious thing to accomplish Lately Ive been reading many blogs about Ramadhan and while trying to get myself sorted for this holy month I thought I would fill you in on my intentions and also what Ive been reading too. Insha’allah you enjoy and use the knowledge wisely.

What do you have intended for this year? Insha’allah this will be my last Ramadhan in Canada for awhile Allahu alim, so Im determined to make it memorable. Its been hard to go through these last few years over here on my own, although I have a few good friends who eat with me or spend the odd day, it isnt the same as having a husband by your side to break fast with, to go to the masjid with, to talk about your day with… Insha’allah next year will be different and although Im looking forward to the change, Im not looking forward to the challenge

Every year since converting I have fasted, including my first year when I converted just a few weeks before Ramadhan started masha’allah. I have always found it bareable and I feel for those who dread this time of year, it should be a time of peace and relaxation not stress and uncoordination. This year I will be hopefully doing some things different, but then also insha’allah keeping my routine in things I did last year to keep myself doing this for the rest of my time on this Earth insha’allah. I will be reading the quran over the month which I have done every year, in english I should probably add.. I cant yet read arabic I will pay more attention to the footnotes and maybe use my bigger quran this year to gain more knowledge. I will be praying more at the mosque insha’allah, last year is the only year I have really done in after finding ‘my mosque’ but I was still getting my bearings with practices there last year so this year insha’allah I will be able to go more often. Also, last year I was working 3-11 so by the time I finished work the prayers were over, this year I will spend half of the month on days so will definately be able to make it and even when Im on nights I will have more time off as Im on continental shifts (i work 15 twelve hour shifts per month) Im also intending on breaking my fast with more people, whether that means inviting people around or inviting myself to peoples places Im yet to figure out will see heehee. Im intending on taking Eid off (even though it is close to my leaving date) and driving over to Toronto to spend time with friends if they are going to the big Eid festival that is held there every Eid masha’allah. After Eid prayers in my mosque of course Might even buy myself something nice to wear too. After having cancelled my tv subscription from the beginning until I move out of this flat I will have more time to read my quran and a few other books I will be picking out of my vast library to read during this time, I also have recently started a cross stitching for myself of the holy kabaa so I look forward to posting a WIP photo at the beginning and end of the month insha’allah I am also looking forward to getting a start on a new surah too after having just learnt surah al-fil (at last I hear you say alhamdulillah)

This is going to be a hard one, I can feel it in my bones already. My mum has our next door neighbours from UK coming over the last 2 weeks of ramadhan, so Ill be expected to turn up and spend sometime with them which is going to be hard if Im fasting.. I just pray that timing all works out and I still get to fix my iman insha’allah.

Idiots guide to Ramadhan

Ramadhan reminders

Oum Anas’ blog

Umm Raiyaan’s blog

Two blogs from Aalya

Grateful to Allah (swt)

So what about you? what are your intentions and goals for this sacred month? will you be making any differences to the month than previous ramadhans?
Thanks for reading, peace and salams
Ammena