On occasion

...of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W birthday, here is a hadith to remember him by: Narrated Anas (R.A): Allah's Apostle (S.A.W) said, "Whoever possesses the (following) three  qualities will have the sweetness of faith (1): The one to whom Allah and His Apostle  becomes dearer than anything else; (2) Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's Sake; (3) who hates to revert to atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the Fire." [Sahih Bukhari:Volume 9, Book 85, Number 74]

Jummah affection

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللَّهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِي أَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُمُ الْأَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ ۖ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمَانِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Allâh will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for its expiation feed ten Masâkîn (poor persons), on a scale of the average of that with which you feed your own families, or clothe them or manumit a slave. But whosoever cannot afford (that), then he should fast for three days. That is the expiation for the oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much). Thus Allâh make clear to you His Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) that you may be grateful.

[Surah al Maeda - Verse 89]

Patience is my shield

When I am sick or afflicted with some distress, no matter the severity, I should be patient and remember Allah knows best. I should not overburden myself nor the next unnecessarily yet contain that stress within my concrete trust in Allah.

 Allah will forgive me, for some of my sins because of the sickness/distress caused, Inshallah

لابأس طهور انشاءالله, لابأس طهور انشاءالله





Welcome February - my favourite month of the year!

Hala

مَّا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ بِعَذَابِكُمْ إِن شَكَرْتُمْ وَآمَنتُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ شَاكِرًا عَلِيمًا ﴿١٤٧﴾

Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All-Appreciative (of good), All-Knowing

[Surah-An-Nisa]

Free Rice

In my interest to make a difference, no matter how small, I came across this great initiative today, thanks to 3F's.  FreeRice is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Programme that provides an almost effortless means for people to donate minimal time in exchange for free rice to the needy. You play simple multiple choice games and for each correct answer, FreeRice will donate 10 rice grains on your behalf.

Getting Started:

1.       Go to www.freerice.com

2. Click on the sign up button (located at the left top corner of the page), register with a valid e-mail address. Once you receive your confirmation e-mail, logon with the pre-generated password supplied in the e-mail. (You can change this password by editing your profile after first login).

3. Before you start playing, you will need to select a group as follows

Click on "Select a group"

Click on "Find groups"

Join the Muslims United group as follows: Type "Muslims United" in the search box (top right corner)

Muslims United will appear in the list box (as shown above), click on it. On the next screen, select PLAY.

Remember, each type you login, you will need to scroll down to "Muslim United" and click PLAY so that you can contribute under this group. 





Select a category and start playing. It's fun, easy and non invasive. Imagine while you play, you're donating rice (food) to someone who did not have it 3 seconds ago.  Just 5 minutes a day secures a meal for one of the 925 million hungry people worldwide.

I gave 2210 rice grains today - how much did you give?

ps: 36 590 rice grains in a kilogram

Make a difference

How can I make a difference? 

Feed someone | Give your coins away | Clothe someone | Give charity | Join a needy cause or visit an orphanage or elderly home | Support a cause to assist endangered species | Feed the stray cat or dog |Plant a tree or plant and care for them too |Recycle and go green | Let another driver go ahead of you, instead of speeding up | Assist an elderly person while shopping |Hug a parent, sibling, spouse or child to show them you care | Share your knowledge - teach others what you know |If you not worn something in a long time, give it away to someone who will

------

 ۞ وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ  أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا ﴿٣٦

(36) Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.

I am beautiful

When I do envy another because of beauty or circumstances greater than mines I should reassure myself of how fortunate I am by looking to someone who has less than me, thanking Allah for the beauty He gave me...Allah fashioned me with a different beauty to the next.

I am a muslim, I should appreciate what I have.

Have a beautiful week!

Celebrating great friendship

Today I was so so so touched by a very very good friend of mine -  she is an amazing woman with a great heart that shines out like the sun. Its people like my dear friend, whom I'm so happy to know, that make the world a special place.  Narrated An-Nu'man bin Bashir: Allah's Apostle said, "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it."  [Sahih Bukhari] Have a great weekend! 

I am responsible

When I wrong whether unintentionally or intentionally, I should ask forgiveness of all parties involved and seek repentance with Allah. It does not matter who or what is wrong but to bring relief to my heart, I should always give the benefit of the doubt. 

Allah is the most–forgiving  so who am I compared to Him?

I am muslim - I should always be considerate in my dealings

I wish you all a beautiful week ahead, with love from cloudy cold Doha

What is going on

Bluepearl (c) - Ben10's art

I think about the bizarre weather patterns like the servere snow storms (US), the floods (Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia and the like) that are killing many across the world, the Tunisian riots for the cause of unemployment which started as a result of a young educated man who could not find employment, setting himself alight outside government buildings, and innocent animals which are becoming victims of our wrong doings....I just wonder - what is going on? Are these signs (especially in the weather) starting last year meant to be a message from Allah?





Yet as I ponder,  I carry on living in the isolated routine of life... I wish you a thoughtful, inspiring weekend:)

رَبَّنَا وَآتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ ﴿١٩٤

(194) "Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) Promise."

What you put in, is what you get out

When I speak, my voice should relay and protract like the soft tunes of a bird. I should never harm. I should keep patience and good thoughts foremost in my mind to deliver and receive good conversation. If I have nothing good to say, I should keep quiet...

Because I am a muslim!

Sniffing cold

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٣١

(31) Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah-al-Imran]

Icy nose, cold and misty mornings seem to be inescapable these days, here in Doha. *brrr*

I hope you all are having a good week:)

Rolling over to another week

"Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!"

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

[Surah-al Baqarah: 201]

The Asian football games started on Friday evening, here in Doha, so the city is bustling. 

I hope you all are having a great weekend. Can you believe its already week 1 down of 2011?

Its another weekend

People often question how I seem to know so much about topics far away from my profession. The answer is very simple and it's something I urge everyone to do to elevate their general knowledge curve. Every day I take time to read the news, google (research) topics either sitting in my head, that I came across by means of conversation or just hobby linked topics -  I learn something new each day however I do admit I steer away from too much of politics. I'm not a fan of it. Another thing that I do, is I make use of synonyms online instead of using the normal words, I always search for an alternative to broaden my vocabulary. 



Moving on, for all of those who are interested, the next big thing for 2011 is a concept called "Cloud Streaming" - watch Google plus Apple push cloud technology this year with the other tech brands following suit already and oh, the other one, is the much anticipated Chrome OS.  Should be exciting!





Speaking of knowledge, here is my Thursday's verses to kick off the weekend:

قُولُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ ﴿١٣٦ 

(136) Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma'il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya'qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the offspring of the twelve sons of Ya'qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and 'Îsa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam)."

فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي شِقَاقٍ ۖ فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿١٣٧

(137) So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. [ Surah-al-Baqarah]

Have a great weekend

Even then

I just love lavendars

What beautiful words

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ 

حَكِيمٌ ﴿٤٠﴾

(40) If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of the two; when they (Muhammad and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, he () said to his  companion (Abu Bakr): "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us." Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. [Surah-at-Taubah]

Have a great weekend!

Wonderful sunday

Hope you're having a great weekend!

وَيَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَيَزِيدُهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ ۚ وَالْكَافِرُونَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ٢٦

(26) And He answers (the invocation of) those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and gives them increase of His Bounty. And as for the disbelievers, theirs will be a severe torment ...

[Surah 42: Ash Shura]

Fajr and still wide awake

I'm sleepless as they come, so let me just share my favorite verse from this mornings read

وإن يمسسك الله بضرّ فلا كاشف له إلا هو وإن يمسسك بخير فهو على كل شيء قدير

And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things. 

Have a fabulous Sunday...Eid Holidays are over. Its back to work for me!

A reminder

Far too often, I meet people who profess to be good people yet their actions and ways denote an entirely different impression.  Set your face firmly towards Allah and ask Him, the Almighty, to guide you always keeping you on the straight path. Seek refuge in Allah from the whisperings of Shaitaan for surely, he, Shaitaan is full of mischief and loves that we do wrong.  Offer help where necessary, visit the sick, for every garment you buy give away an older one that you no longer wearing, make a dua for a stranger, play with kids especially orphans if you have a chance,  give away your pocket change to someone who needs it, don't complain so much, don't ask for much, be patient in your trials, finish what you put on your plate because someone else is not as fortunate as you, love what you have - thank Allah for it and most of all be  consistent in your ways!





BluePearl loves those who are CONSISTENT| PATIENT| KIND| HUMBLE| GOOD| RESPECTFUL| HONORABLE| LOVING| CONTENT & HONEST in all dealings.

Make the sky your heart and the earth your humility

Hope your week will be filled with the after-glow of Eid

Pharaonic culture found in Saudi

Saudi officials on Sunday announced the discovery of the country's first-ever artefact from pharaonic culture - a 3 100-year-old inscription carrying the signature of King Ramses III.

The inscription was found near the north-western Saudi oasis town of Tayma, about 200km southeast of Tabuk, a key stop on ancient trade routes, said Ali al-Ghabban, a senior museums and antiquities official.

The inscription was found on a rock and carries the royal signature of Ramses III with a double cartouche, Ghabban said in a statement.

[Source: News24.com]

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ ﴿١٠ 

(10) Whosoever desires honour, (power and glory), then to Allah belong all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish. [Surah-Al-Fatir]