Ummi's Circle°

Menu Planning- What are your thoughts?

2012-02-24T23:15:00.000-05:00

printable.tipjunkie.com

Bismillaah

"All praise and thanks belongs to Allaah. Lord & Creator of all the worlds. May Allaah bestow His mercy upon the Prophet, his family, his companions, and on all of those who follow them in truth until The Last Day" Ameen

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

"What's for breakfast?" ........ "What's for lunch?" .......... "What's for dinner?" and my reply is: "I don't know..." "I'm not sure...." or "Well I was thinking..." lol. So I guess you guys get the idea that I have no clue what we are eating until it's time to cook!

Which is a big problem when you have a house of hungry people ready to eat and you still have no clue what to fix. Or if your like me- I'm always looking up recipes online to try- so in my situation- not only do I not know what I'm cooking- but 9 times out of 10 I don't know how to cook it yet lol!

Again this is a problem when hungry toddlers just don't understand "hold on" or "give me a sec" or "I got look up the recipe!" Lol that's how my days usually go and Al-Hamdu lillaah Allaah has blessed me with a patient husband so he understands...but for the kiddos...ummm not so much!

I finally decided to stop procrastinating and fix my problem.We decided to adopt a meatless diet for the time being- which is more challenging for me.

Today, I finally sat down and said: "I'm going to look at various recipes and put them in order from breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, dessert" I was very tired of not knowing what to eat- and even more tired of making everyone wait until I figured it out!

So I went through blogsphere and got the most interesting, tasty looking (yes I need to see pictures of the food lol!) and meatless recipes I could conjure up. I always want to add more variety to each category - meaning: Why do we just have to eat oatmeal for breakfast.........let's find a way to make oatmeal jazzy- or Why even eat oatmeal? Let's make fruit filled crepes!

I've read various blogs where women have been stating how menu planning is such a big help. I've even seen menus for an entire month! Now some stated they don't stick with it at times- they may sway towards something else that day- but at least you have an idea what you want to serve each day- whether you choose to serve a dish or not!

This I like. However, I'm still collecting recipes and have not graduated to an actual menu- I hope soon I can have enough recipes that I can decide what I want to do for the week vs. the month. I want to take baby steps :)

Have you guys tried planning your menu in advance? Or is this idea too much?

*all images were taken from google image- could not add a caption due to blogger acting up- no images are my own!*

♥Detangling & Shampooing, the stress free way!♥ Featured Guest Writer: Umm Aaqil

2012-02-18T15:39:00.002-05:00

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Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Very soon I will be taking a break and I decided to gather as many guest writers as I could in the mean time :).

I am very very very fortunate to have this sister guest blog each month! Al-Hamdu lillaah she will be posting about hair related topics :)

May Allaah bless the sister with good in this life and the next Ameen.

♥

We all cherish our little girls, and we especially cherish their hair.Those twisted kinky curly locks of beautiful hair. As mothers we long to see our girls with a head full of healthy tresses. We comb, we grease, we braid, we detangle. And with the time that goes into it, it's unfortunte that some of our girls dispise getting their hair done.

Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Pomade

Since the advent of curly cremes, pomades, detanglers and hair butters, hair styling for little girls should be a more enjoyable one. Where we have gone wrong in the past is our improper use of products, poor detangling techniques and not enough conditioning.

As people of color we have the driest and most tightly coiled hair of all. This makes our hair more suseptable to damage and breakage.

Moisture balanced hair that is properly cared for will have a healthy sheen and luster no matter what the hair type.

It will be easier to detangle and hairstlying days won't be so stressful for our girls.

Here are a few simple steps to ensuring that your little ones hair do days flow a little smoother.

Smooth Transitions:

Detangling and shampooing, the stress free way

-when removing braided and/or twisted hairstyles, detange first with your hands pulling apart tightly binded hair. With a wide tooth comb, comb through each braid one at a time. Be sure to start at the ends and work your way up.

- section hair with fingers into 4 sections. Continue to detangle until all shedded hair has been removed
Ready to shampoo

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-in the sink or tub use your hose attachment (available at most beauty supply stores) to thoroughly rinse the hair with water. This step will remove most top soil on hair and scalp even before the shampoo is added.

-once rinsed using a cleansing shampoo apply to hair and lather, but be sure not to pile the hair on top of it's self to prevent tangling.

-repeat this step with a conditioning/detangling shampoo

-ring out and lightly towel blot the hair so conditioner will adhere better

- condition the hair by smoothing the product on the hair strands and focus on the ends. (This is the hair that has been on the head the longest so it is prone to dryness and breakage.)

- towel dry the hair

-Section with fingers into 4 parts. Apply a detangler liberally throughout the hair.

- divide each section a second time making 8 sections total. Detangle hair with a wide tooth comb beginning at the ends. If you feel resistance, stop, don't pull. Wet hair is more fragile than dry hair. Slowly and gently pick out the tangle until comb slides through the hair. Once detangled plait or twist section. Repeat this step for every section.

Let your hair routine with your little one be an enjoyable one. Soon they will begin to look forward to hair do days.

Next month topic: T-N-T Damage Control: Treatments and Trims for extremely damaged hair.

Umm Aaqil is a professional licensed cosmetologist. She specializes in natural and transitioning hair, hair repair and re-growth. Having graduated from the Beauty Academy of Maryland her expertise ranges from hair, make-up and henna. She is a certified henna body artist and is a trained stylist for Design Essentials products which she uses for all of her clients.
To purchase or schedule an appointment please contact
443. 622.0421 or visit www.hairandhenna.webs.com

Naturally Ummi's Product Review: Burt's Bees: Baby Bee Nourishing Lotion

2012-02-18T12:13:00.000-05:00

in color fun at the park :)

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Burt's Bees - just typing the name makes me like want to jump for joy and start inhaling lol! Inhaling? Why? Burt's Bees smell is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome! Subhana'Allaah!

logo

When I pregnant with Yara- I use to use the powder on Suhailah and I craved it so much lol my husband had to be on powder duty to make sure I wasn't abusing the product lol!

Yes....I was! *holds head in shame* but I couldn't help it................it smells so good...and I was pregnant....so I had my cravings lol. I was smelling it all the time- I even put my index finger in it and dab some on my nose just so that I could walk around the house smelling it all the time ...........lol bad bad bad....I know

I'm not going to go into how I smelled it one time too close to my nose and burned my nose *frowns* or how I taste just a little...............................bad bad bad bad lol I know!

the powder that I love lol

But I loved it so much and being pregnant only heighten my issues. Needless to say that day I stopped my habit and went on a healthy usage of it lol!

Now some years later............and still love it. I discovered their calming lotion! I mention my usage of it in my "Establishing a bedtime routine" post for my girls.

This isn't a review of their powder- but since I told you how I felt- then we can say this is a review for the powder and the lotion :)

calming lotion

On to the lotion- Burt's Bees lotion scent is as good as the powder. To me they seem one in the same.

As far as the lotion- this is what is stated about it

from the official site:

A dollop of natural moisture and sweet slumber is in every drop of this relaxing botanical fragrance. Lovingly made from a blend of Lavender and Vanilla, it can help lull your babe to sleep while the Shea Butter softens baby’s oh-so delicate skin. Making every night a true dream.
• Lavender and Vanilla aroma helps lull baby to sleep
• Softens skin with Shea Butter
• Moisturizes naturally
• Phthalate, petrochemical and paraben-free
• Pediatrician-tested and hypo-allergenic
• Safe, effective and natural
Suhailah has eczema and it gets pretty itchy for her when her skin is dry. So since we started our bedtime routine after her bath I apply this calming lotion- and her skin from the time she sleeps from the time she wakes up and until the next bath is moisturized. She doesn't complain about itching and her skin doesn't look dry Al-Hamdu lillaah!

Zainab has been having issues due to a change in pamper brands- but every night when I put this on her- she doesn't itch and shes not uncomfortable.

Mashaa'Allaah both the powder/lotion are lovely. I haven't tried their whole line- and I absolutely have no clue why not lol! But, I'm looking to invest in more products- when needed Inshaa'Allaah.

Anyone tried Burt's Bees? Did you smell it?!? Lol! How about any weird preggo cravings?

✿Establishing a bedtime routine✿

2012-02-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

the girls playing at the park

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
When things aren't going a certain way I notice my children will act crazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy lol! If we don't homeschool like normal- they get "busy" and are all over the place- yelling- screaming- fighting- and jumping off of things lol! I'm like: "Who are you children? And where are my real ones!"

But I'm realizing children love routines! They love to know what's coming next and if we break out of routine then the children show their woes by doing certain things.

I've been wanting to do this for awhile- establishing a night time routine. First as a Ummi, I need to feel like I have control. I have three kids under the age of 4 and they are very much busy bodies. I HAVE TO HAVE CONTROL OR I'M GOING TO BE OUTTA CONTROL lol!

If I'm out of control then the whole house is out of control! When Suhailah was the only child- I had her sleeping consistently at the same time and my husband was oh so peachy keen about it! But, Yara came lol , then Zainab and I was like: *falls out on floor*

My husband would say to me: "I remember when we were living in New Jersey and you would have Suhailah asleep at a certain time and when I come home she was sleep."

image from idealthief

I knew what that meant! I figure husband doesn't want to come home late at night to children screaming, laughing and living it up lol.

Plus with on going changes in my life- I was like now we gotta get in routine in order!

I looked at someone else bedtime routine and was doing that for a sec but then I made my own ...........Al-Hamdu lillaah we are a week into the routine and it has worked out for the whole family Mashaa'Allaah.

Here's a breakdown of our routine:

I get my kiddos into bed at 8 p.m. and they get up 7-8 a.m. naturally.

✿ They eat dinner

✿ Brush their teeth

✿ Take a bath

✿ Put on their lotion (I use Burt Bee's calming lotion! I love it!!!!!!! Will write a review soon Inshaa'Allaah)

✿ Clean pamper / Clean PJs

✿ Either we will go over aqeedah book level 1, story of the Prophet (sallaahu alayhi' wa sallaam), or a secular story, or we go over our sign language and counting

✿ They are asleep

Yup, it works that fast- Suhailah and Yara stop taking naps for about over two weeks now. Zainab takes one nap in the day.......so after I stuff them with food and give them a nice bath- they usually go right out lol. I don't get any issues- no crying- no late night talkers- I walk right out the room- come back 5-10 mins later and they are all asleep.

Al-Hamdu lillaah they sleep until morning- straight- *falls out on the floor* Now when my family comes home- everyone is asleep and this brings about much peace for the adults. I have time for myself, or to take care of my home duties like cleaning or I can hang out with my family.

Our bedtime routine is pretty simple- but it works!

Do you have a bedtime routine?

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool Week 10 Summary & Thoughts

2012-02-18T10:53:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Ok, its been awhile- had a couple of weeks of unplanned breaks- but we are moving Al-Hamdu lillaah. It's kinda difficult with my low energy to get started on LOADS of ideas and projects- but we made it!

Here we go...........week 10!

homemade sequential cards

Reading:

We did the sequential order using Nursery Rhymes.

The Nursery Rhymes were the following: Hickory Dickory Clock, Humpty Dumpty, and Three Little Kittens.

Lol this was fun and the girls enjoyed each rhyme. My girls love stories, anybody reading to them, and making it exciting.

So they were very much tuned in to why the mouse ran up the clock, why Humpty fell and broke lol and why the kittens lost their mittens!

The girls both were able to put the cards in order- I explained it to them and after a few times they got the hang of it. We were able to do all the Nursery Rhymes in one day Mashaa'Allaah.

We also reviewed our reading flash cards- I notice the girls are starting to sound out the words in a sense like if I wrote the word "The" on the white board- they would say "Teacher" as if they know that both "the" and "teacher" have "T" in the beginning- though they never was taught the word teacher. Very interesting....

mep math and workbook time

Mathematics: The children covered MEP Math. MEP Math is a lot of counting- which really the kiddos don't always want to do.

So I started thinking we need an activities to go along with MEP Math - I'm thinking a lot more hands on- and then a workbook to reinforce what the subject is.

Science/Nature: We didn't get to do everything I wanted. We only got a chance to to learn about clouds.

I made a homemade book about clouds- what are they- what happens when it rains and the like.

The girls enjoyed the book and took the opportunity to tell me what was going with the clouds that day- it just so happen it was gray out and rained.

all about clouds

Then they watch an audio book reading on the book called "It looks like spilled milk"

Also I apologize at the tiny pictures- my normal photo editor is acting up :/ and I had to use another one online..........If you know of a good one let me know!

Arabic: Suhailah continue to write her letters and we went over the letters.

Arts & Crafts: The girls listen to me read the book Teddy bear, Teddy Bear.

Teddy bear time :) special guest: Teddy himself lol

We had a special guest that day come in for the book reading.

Each girl had fun acting out the story with their special guest.

They did a craft where they had to construct a bear based off my drawing on the board.

They both liked it and I tried my best not to interfere with their art process even though I was very tempted to alter some things lol.

All in all they manage to make their teddy bears look like bears- minus one crossed eyed bear lol.

Islaamic Studies: We are reading aqeedah book level 1, The story about Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhi' wa' sallaam) (from Arabic first website) and homemade flash cards.

Each night before the girls go to sleep we read either the aqeedah book or the story about Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhi' wa' sallaam)

The girls through reading the story were able to tell me who Prophet Muhammad's father is and mother- since their mother and father have the same names. Hehe they worked out well lol. Suhailah was interested in the part of the story where the angel comes and open Prophet Muhammad's chest and cleans his heart.........she asked me: "Did an angel clean your heart Ummi?" and I told her: "No, just Prophet Muhammad" :)

In the aqeedah book the part that they are on it talks about how Prophet Muhammad (sallahu' alayhi wa sallaam) has died and is buried in the ground- and that when everyone die they will go under ground. They both seem very contemplative about this- as death is something Suhailah reminds us of- often.

One day she came to me out the blue and said: "Muhammad is dead. He's under the ground. And when we die we will go in the ground..."

I told her this is true....

We reviewed my new set of flash cards I made. The flash cards are basic words in Islaam that Muslims should know about.

Allaah
Angels
Jinns
Iblees
Qur'aan
Muslims
Islaam

Islaamic terms flash cards

On the back of each card I wrote three facts about each topic. The girls enjoy it- especially since I do it at night...........it's part of our routine (post about that later Inshaa'Allaah).

They seem more concern about Iblees and Jinns- and its interesting how I can read the aqeedah book, and the story of the Prophet (sallaahu alayhi wa' sallaam) and can use the flash cards as back up- like when we talked about the angel washing the heart- I was able to pull out my flash card and say: "Remember we talked about Angels? How Angels always listen to Allaah, and that we cannot see them and that Allaah created them?"

Mashaa'Allaah it works out for them- as they have shown me they are children who love flash cards- my writing on the board doesnt work..........just flashing and talking with lots of hands on activities :)

So that's it for now you guys on my homeschool week- feels like I left out something but I think I typed enough for now lol. How was you guys week?

Naturally Ummi's Product Review: Say Yes To Carrots! & Inside Hair Day!

2012-02-18T08:37:00.001-05:00

me whipping shea butter with an oil mix

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I haven't post in awhile about hair products that I enjoy- like- or have a MUST HAVE feeling about. I also make my own products so I strive not to buy certain things- however I do not know how to make my own shampoo!

My husband recently bought Say Yes To Carrots! First, their brand name is very cool lol and I like a lot.

yes to carrots logo

Say Yes has whole brand of "Say Yes..." products. Say Yes To Cucumbers and the like.

Well, we have purchased the shampoo twice so far- apparently Say Yes is more than shampoo, the line consist of hair products to body products.

Ive only used the shampoo from this line thus far.

I really like Say Yes To Carrots. Here's a little overview about them from their official site:


google image

Their products are made with organic fruits and veggies! The entire line is sulfate free, petroleum free, and paraben free!

hair day- after wash- Susu top- Yara left and Zainab right

I love the smell of it and I love how I can just apply it one time to the girls head and get a nice smelling clean head! I don't have to lather their heads a million times to get good results.

I really enjoy this brand and the ingredients are something that will make me revisit it again. Inshaa'Allaah.

Hair day usually consist of the two older girls getting their hair done- in a style that will last them a week or two. Now that Zainab hair has grown a lot (we shaved it off last summer) she has become officially a part of hair days.

Each child's hair texture is different- if you aren't familiar with African-American hair (I cannot speak on any other type of hair) then African-American hair texture is a mixture of textures- it can be straight, wavy, curly, or tightly coiled. All of my girls hair texture are not the same- so one product make work for one- however it may not work for the other!

Yara's hair is very curly- Suhailah hair is wavy with very little curl- and Zainab's hair is very very curly. African-American is very interesting- to retain hair length the girls always are in "protective styles."

after the wash and shea- Zainab top left- Susu top right and Yara bottom

Protective Styles are styles that are not harsh on the hair, and protect your ends. Protecting your ends and moisturizing helps to retain mucho mucho length.

Though you cannot tell from the pic but Suhailah's hair when stretched reaches are waist and Yara's in the middle of her back- lol but the beauty of African-American hair is that it goes through shrinkage- meaning Suhailah's hair with shrink up to her neck- though her hair is not that length and Yara's will go to her neck even though her hair is on her back.

Cool, huh?!? There are a lot more things that should be explained about African-American hair- as I really simplified it a lot just to give a glimpise as to what goes on- but really the process is much longer- and much more indepth.

Anyways- I love Say Yes To Carrots and I hope to try their whole product line Inshaa'Allaah. Anyone out there in blog world use Say Yes? Or any nice shampoo? Does anyone have a hair day lol?

The Ummi in the bubble: My life on repeat - Intrusive Part 2

2012-01-30T22:05:00.000-05:00

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Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

*name change to protect person's identity*

I was so happy! Me! I haven't given my "quirks" any serious thought. Every thing I did, or thought. I felt like it was simple routine.

At the moment none of those things mattered....I ....was...........getting...............married! I was able to share my ideas with someone and not be afraid that they thought I was.................weird, different, crazy, two cents off my rocker !!! (Husna says this while laughing at herself)

I even was able to share that I had been sleeping on the floor...by the front door for fear of not being able to "hear the house" just in case someone broke in!

google image

Perhaps he was doing some studying in the background - but one day he tells me it sounds like I have OCD- obsessive compulsive disorder....Me? I doubted that highly! For one, I wasn't a germ obsessed. I just didn't want anyone breaking in my home! And I was checking my stove just to make sure it was off! And I was carrying my bag full of must haves- well because I MUST HAVE IT!

He was still trying to marry me- and to his thought- I shrugged it off. He told me- I remember so clearly that it was going to get worse. I never gave it any real thought. Not the slightest.

I married that brother.........and my mental health had gone awry. (she laughs not because of him!)

Not to go into details but I will share a quick past and present view of my health then and now. Inshaa'Allaah.

google image

Things did get worse for me. I started washing my hands repeatedly, taking refuge in the cleanest room of the house, (she 'Husna" sighs- and i can tell from her relaying this story she was feeling anxiety- she almost appeared to want to cry.....) I didn't want to go in my kitchen- the crumbs or any inkling of "dirt" "lint" "crumbs" that I saw would stress me so badly....some things I saw made me itch and I had no relief in my own home.

I remember one time staying in the shower- and my husband asking me to come out- but I refused because everywhere was dirty and I simply could not handle it.

Subhana'Allaah it seemed like THIS CAME FROM NO WHERE! I would have never believed that I would get like this! My THOUGHTS were over taking MY LIFE.

They call it Intrusive Thoughts- (taken from wikipedia)

Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome involuntary thoughts, images, or unpleasant ideas that may become obsessions, are upsetting or distressing, and can be difficult to manage or eliminate.^[1] Most people experience these thoughts. When they are associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and sometimes attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), they may become paralyzing, anxiety-provoking, or persistent. Intrusive thoughts may also be associated with episodic memory, unwanted worries or memories from OCD,^[2] posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, eating disorders, or psychosis.^[3] According to Lee Baer (a specialist at the OCD clinic of Massachusetts General Hospital), intrusive thoughts, urges, and images are of inappropriate things at inappropriate times, usually falling into three categories: "inappropriate aggressive thoughts, inappropriate sexual thoughts, or blasphemous religious thoughts".

I was under the umbrella of these thoughts- and it was like I wanted to die. I would be on the floor in a ball just telling my thoughts to go away.....my husband would play the Qur'aan loudly- it was hard on him to watch me in such a craze state. I was hitting my head literally on the wall just because I COULDN'T HANDLE IT.

Nobody knows what its like to be ME. To live in a bubble of paranoia and phobias THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER. My thoughts went into "blasphemous religious thoughts.." and I WOULD CRY. Because I NEVER BELIEVED MY THOUGHTS- ESPECIALLY ABOUT RELIGION- so it tore my heart into pieces and I felt like I was suffocating whenever they came.....

Now...

I stopped physically hurting myself (she was hitting her head) whenever things got out of control. I still check the stove....I have to ask my husband to do it for me because I always doubt that I saw it off. Al-Hamdu lillaah- he will look at it one time before we retire for the night and that's it. I trust him more than I trust anybody- so I always believe him when he says things are off, doors are locked, and whenever I forget something and have to go downstairs he always say to me: "Fear Allaah, I'm telling you now. Get what you need from downstairs and come right up! Don't check anything! Fear Allaah"

Occasionally I have set backs with germs, washing my hands repeatedly, - my husband picks up on these things by noticing certain key hints- like water running too long in the bathroom- or the dish detergent disappearing fast- when I think someone is going to break in my home- I just distract myself. And whenever the thoughts come- I recite Qur'aan, and seek refuge in Allaah.

I was having issues with my wudu (making it over and over again) and my salat (always telling myself that I missed a rakat) then a Shaykh came to visit and I was listening to him speak on my computer and he really explained what I was going through. Subhana'Allaah- the world calls it OCD- but in Islaam it is explained clearly....

Part 3- Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum for the sister sharing her story- May Allaah reward the sister with good in this life and the next Ameen. The sister has notes from the session with the Shaykh that I left home. So Inshaa'Allaah when I return from my Umm in Laws house I will share what the Shaykh said and what session it is- so that everyone can find it online to hear Inshaa'Allaah. I also want to thank the sisters family for allowing her to retell and share such a personal story- Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum. I know sisters who experience this personally- and I pray that this will benefit them much Ameen !

One nice Playdough recipe to try out❢

2012-01-30T18:43:00.001-05:00

OoOoO playdough

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
I am a no cook play dough kind of Ummi! If I can get out of cooking anything that's arts & crafts related then I strive to do just that!

But one night I was strolling online - looking up things and I saw this nice play dough recipe. The pictures on this site was so lovely- so appealing I had to try! I got this recipe from a site called: How does she?

in the making

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1/4 cup salt

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 Tbls. vegetable oil

food coloring (I used 4 drops)

So you cook this on medium heat- constantly stir- once it starts to clump up - you just take it out- wait for it to cool and then mold it.

:) fun fun fun

It was truly one of the best play dough recipes I ever tried! My playdough was nice and soft like store bought playdough! I made several colors on my "break."

The girls love it :). I also brought some with me on our trip to Grandma's.

in ziploc bags to maintain freshness :)

Have you tried a playdough recipe that came out right!?!

Long time no post waves updates, thoughts, and anything I can think of!

2012-01-30T15:11:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
You guys I know I been missing in action for about ummm a week now? *thinks* But I can explain :).

chocolates and homemade body scrubs for the luncheon

After the luncheon I had at my home...........I was exhausted! Mashaa'Allaah. Cooking, cleaning, and hosting a luncheon really drained me.

I took a two week break from schooling the girls to get myself together. I've been EMOTIONALLY tired. Subhana'Allaah- all I wanted to do is sleep. This was the week of the luncheon and 2 weeks after!

making humpty dumpty sequence cards

So last week we were suppose to start schooling again (oh how I miss teaching *sniffs*) but my husband had to travel to New York and so I went to my Umm in Laws. I've been here for almost a week- with no internet until Saturday! So now I'm spending today to catch up on all my homeschool materials for tomorrow :).

I ate something that left me feeling awful for two days now. (I know u guys are thinking did anything good happen lol). I been recovering from that- I finally just started eating at least one meal now- I was terrified to eat because whatever I have or had isn't allowing me to keep my food down. Now the girls are exhibiting the same symptoms as myself- with Suhailah upchucking all over the bed last night and now the girls are having bathroom issues........

Ok ok ok..........on to the good stuff lol.

rolling a balloon filled with beans and rice with their nose :)

playing at the playground

The girls are enjoying their break but they really miss school. Right now, at Grandma's she has a playground outside her backyard and the girls enjoy it with all their cousins who came over that weekend to sleep over..........yes indeed it was a full house!

If the girls aren't outside then they are in the room playing with toys. Chasing each other around, screaming from one end of the room to the other. Eating snacks galore (yup this is grandma's she always have snacks for the kids!).

my strawberry topping cheesecake

As for me I miss home. I miss my own kitchen and things so I'm looking forward to my family returning so that we may return to normal life.

Before I left home I was still enjoying my cooking sessions and found this really awesome play dough recipe that I'm gonna share with you guys Inshaa'Allaah in the next post.

I have to go because everyone is up from their nap :) will be back later with more good news and a play dough post.

Zainab making salat and then playing with toys :)

The Ummi in the bubble: My life on repeat (part 1)

2012-01-20T17:15:00.000-05:00

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Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
*name made up to protect persons identity*

Husna always had "quirks." No big deal right? Everyone has quirks. Some people don't like their food touching....I use to be like that. My eggs couldn't touch my applesauce. In no way was that breakfast going to be good if they intermingled. (chuckles)

No big deal right?

As I got older my need for my food to stay a part remained. I never thought much about it. It wasn't controlling my life. Right? Well, RIGHT?!?

I use to stay home at night by myself.............and the thoughts would come. Did I check the stove? Did I check the doors?

I rushed down and checked, then I rechecked, and then I checked again...........I wasn't stressed out
about it. I just kept doing my checking as if I was a stove inspector!

Then my thoughts moved on to someone possibly breaking into my house- so I started to sleep downstairs on the floor by my front door. I didn't think much of it....not at all. I took my blanket and tread on downstairs and made my spot on the floor.

I was pretty consistent- check my stove, sleep on the floor and that's how life remained. When I moved in with a sister- I didn't sleep by the door, or check our stove.......life was calm for awhile.

One day I became Muslim and met a person that forever CHANGED MY LIFE. I was getting intended and some how....my quirks were brought up (I don't know if I brought it up...or he did). I told him- I have to carry a bag with me every where, with a book, lotion and lip gloss.......I don't know why I just do.

I think I was at a point where I had justification for my "quirks" and his response was thats fine- everyone has their quirks. Cool! I for sure thought it was quirks....and had no idea that THEY WOULD CONTROL MY LIFE..

The art of Sisterly love

2012-01-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
Do you consider yourself sisterly? Or are you only sisterly with certain sisters? (You guys do know that falls under hizbiyyah *nods*)

It is stated:

Imaam ’Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Naasir as-Sa’dee - rahimahullaah – said: “So this is a knot which Allaah has bound the Believers together with, such that whenever a person is found possessing eemaan (faith) in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and the last Day – whether in the eastern or western part of the world – then such a person becomes the brother of the Believers. This brotherhood obligates that the Believers should love for that person that which they love for themselves, and hate for that person that which they hate for themselves.

Do you truly love for your sister what you love for yourself?

It's time to reflect a little more...

It saddens me that sisterly love seems so...............................rare. I've been in several situations in my 10 years of being Muslim that would upset your stomach.

I have spent days here in my house crying- or confused as to why I rarely if ever get the support I need for my ideas/adventures.

It wasn't until I started blogging that my longing for sisterly love was starting to get filled.

The art of true Islaamic sisterly love is:

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-ýUthaymeen - said:

From the sincere advice which I hold to be necessary in the Religion to give to the youths, a word which I hope that Allaah - the Most Perfect, the Most High - will cause to be of benefit, and it is: That they should all be in conformity and harmony, so that they may become strong, and become an obstacle blocking the way of those who plot against Islaam and its people. This is what Allaah - the Mighty and Majestic - has enjoined upon us. He - the Most High - said:

"And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allaah and do not be divided.And remember the favour of Allaah upon you, in that you were once enemies to one another, but He joined your hearts together, so that by His Grace you became brothers.ý [Soorah Aali-ýImraan 3:103]

And Allaah the Blessed, the Most High - said:

Let there arise from amongst you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. It is they who are the successful ones. And do not be like those who differed amongst themselves after the clear proofs had come to them; for them is a painful punishment.ý [Soorah Aali-ýImraan 3:104-105]

So Allaah ordered that they should all cling together to His rope and He forbade splitting, and in other aayaat He forbade differing, and informed us that it is the cause of failure and the cause of decline of strength, and He ordered us to persevere patiently. So Allaah - the Most High - said:

ýAnd do not differ, lest you lose courage and your strength departs, and be patient. Indeed Allaah is with those who are patient.ý [Sooratul-Anfaal 8:46]

So take some time to reflect. Are you sisterly enough? If not.....................then why not? Anything that has been stated that is good is from Allaah, and the bad is from myself and the Shaitaan, and I ask that Allaah forgives me for the sins I have committed Ameen

Quotes from here

Thoughts of an Ummi:☕ Are you wasting time?

2012-01-20T12:35:00.000-05:00

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Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Na'am I am! I am wasting time! I'll be the first to admit it........stand in front of the crowd and hold my head down with shame and say: "Hi! I'm Ameenah. And I waste time!"

Can you believe it? Believe it! Millions of people, Muslims & Non-Muslim a like waste time. Some mindlessly waste time- and some purposely waste time.

How can one waste time mindlessly? Well, you simply don't know it! You live your days trying to figure out why you never have enough time to do such and such...and it's like you're stuck.

You purposely waste time- by knowingly talking on the phone for absurd amount of hours, stay stuck online on things that aren't beneficial.................while your laundry piles up and waits for you.

Dinner isn't cooked, children are in an uproar...........................and you say: "There isn't enough hours in the day...."

Hmmmm..............sounds familiar? No, not the part about the dirty laundry...lol but the above common statement?

Ibn Umar would say:

"If you wake up in the morning, then do not wait for the evening, and if you make it to the evening, then do not wait for morning"

Subhana'Allaah!

When you sit back and REALLY think- Islaam makes a whole lot of sense! People are walking around in a confused state......can't manage their time................don't know what they are here for- and Muslims are so fortunate to have true guidance. Al-Hamdu lillaah.

I read : "Life is a state" .............."a person is in danger with respect to he doesn't know when death will come!"

So what makes you think you have time?

We must strive to get our priorities in order- sit today and put some memorization of Qur'aan in your agenda, some listening to audio, some homeschooling, some cleaning............make time to do things that are important.

There will be a time- where some people will ask Allaah to bring them back- even for a day so that they may do good deeds..........not talk on the phone..................not surf the web.....................not cook a meal........................but to do good deeds! Ya Allaah! May Allaah allow us all not to waste time and fill our time with much benefit- much ilm- and much ibaadah Ameen!

Quotes taken from here.

❤Treading a path to Jennah❤ Sisters book & discussion blog now open

2012-01-19T13:34:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I'm so sorry you guys for the late post about my other blog. Right now it's still under construction :) but feel free to click on the picture to go there and visit :).

This blog- Ummi's Circle is my personal blog- and I'll continue to blog here Inshaa'Allaah. Treading a path to Jennah is my blog to share my studies, and for my book reading and discussion sessions. I wont blog there often- perhaps once a week- and that's more so based on the book reading and posting lecture and fatwas :) Inshaa'Allaah

click here to follow me in my studies :)

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: Early Ilm Explorers week 10 lesson plan

2012-01-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Here is my lesson plan for next week Inshaa'Allaah- as time goes on Inshaa'Allaah I will get better.... is it me - but can lesson plans drain you? *shrugs* I guess that's why I'm happy to participate with Sis Umm An- Nu'man about lesson plans....

Reading:

Monday-Friday- Glenn Doman Method flash cards

Monday- Poem: Nursery Rhyme Humpty Dumpty

Activity: What is sequential order? Explain what it is, and how things go in order. Use cards to retail what happen to Humpty Dumpty- what happen first, second, last…etc

Tuesday: Poem: Hickory Dickory Clock

Activity: Read poem and retail story in sequential order using cards

Wednesday: Three Little Kittens

Activity: Read poem, retail story and put cards in sequential order

Thursday: Review past poems

Friday: Salat sequential cards- DIY book about Salat

Arts & Crafts:

Arts & Crafts based off the book Teddy bear, teddy bear

Monday: making teddy bears out of construction paper

Tuesday: make a prayer rug for teddy bear (teddy bear prays in the book- we say he makes salat lol)

Wednesday: Book Feet Feet Feet

Activity: trace their feet and paint it

Thursday: Book: The grouchy ladybug

Activity: make a ladybug

Friday Activity: Miscellaneous arts & crafts using various items

Mathematics

Monday Activity: Look at shape flash cards and do workbook activity

Tuesday Activity: Make a house using shapes (based off a picture *handmade*) of a shape house

Thursday Activity: MEP Math, addition flash cards

Friday: Review shapes – complete puzzles that have shapes

Science/Nature:

Monday: What are clouds? Talk about a cloudy day- listen to audio book reading: “Looks like spilled milk” make a craft of a cloud looking like an object (white paint, construction paper)

Tuesday: How does rain help us? What does Allaah say about rain?

Activity: Indoor rain experiment

Wednesday: There are different types of weather.

Activity: Talk about the different types and use flash cards to recall

Thursday: Whats a windy like?

Activity: View program on places where the wind can be strong

What can the wind move activity? Using objects and a fan- what will the wind move?

Friday: Review flash cards

Arabic: Workbook (Monday-Friday)

Islaamic Studies: Who is Prophet Muhammad

Monday: Read story (first 2 parts) about the Prophet (sallaau alayhi wa sallam)

Activity: Home made worksheet

Tuesday: Aqeedah book 1 about the Prophet Muhammad

Activity: Home made worksheet

Wednesday: Read story about the Prophet

Activity: Homemade worksheet

Thursday: Aqeedah book 1

Activity: Homemade worksheet

Friday: Review all week worksheet

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: Early Ilm Explorers week 10 objectives/materials

2012-01-16T14:03:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
Hey guys! As I learn more, my whole idea about curriculum, lesson plans, and such changes. With my online participating hands on learning with Sis Umm An- Nu'man- I have learned a lot! Mashaa'Allaah.

So I wrote out my objectives for next week and I wanted to share them with you everyone. Inshaa'Allaah I will be doing lesson plans to match the objectives to share.

I'm still on break but I wanted to rewrite some things and be better prepared for next week Inshaa'Allaah. So here are the objectives for each subject, and materials we will be using Inshaa'Allaah.

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool week 10- Early Ilm Explorers Lesson Plan

Reading Objective: The girls will learn how to retail a story and poem in sequential order using sequence cards. Inshaa’Allaah- The girls will also continue to do Glenn Doman method flash card sessions

Materials needed: Book

Poem

And matching sequencing cards for both poem and book

Flash cards for Glenn Doman method

Arts & Crafts Objective: The girls will design crafts based of the story and poem they read that week.

Materials needed:

Paint

Glitter

construction paper

crayons

pipe cleaners

Mathematics Objective: The girls will learn about different shapes using manipulative such as flash cards and various homemade shape crafts for construction game. They will also continue MEP math and do addition flash cards Inshaa’Allaah

Materials needed:

Flash cards

Shape crafts for construction game

MEP math book

Equation addition flash cards

Science/Nature Objective: The girl will learn about the weather. How Allaah has made it so that the weather changes from hot to cold, to rainy to sunny. They will learn about weather through book reading- “Its looks like spilled milk” And experimentation: indoor rain, & what can the wind move. They also will identify different types of weather using flashcards Inshaa’Allaah.

Materials needed:

Book

Flashcards

Ice/glass/top /water for indoor rain

Various objects that can and cannot be moved by wind and wind :)

Arabic Objective: The girls will learn Arabic vocab, writing skills, and letter recognition using their Arabic first and Yemeni links homemade workbooks Inshaa’Allaah

Materials needed:

Arabic workbook

Islaamic Studies: The girls are going to learn who the Prophet (sallaahu alayhi wa salaam) is and some information about him using Aqeedah book level 1 and homemade worksheets after reading about him using the Arabic First Prophet series Inshaa’Allaah.

Materials needed:

Aqeedah book level 1

Homemade worksheets

Arabic First Prophet series printout or use via computer

Qur’aan: The girls will memorize surahs using audio from Qur’aan explorer, cd, and with repeating after father or mother.

Materials needed: Qur’aan explorer online

Ummi & Baba lol

DIY Ummi's Edition: Cheesecake!

2012-01-14T14:32:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I was so intimidated to make this! I read online so many issues- cheesecake cracking, sinking and wobbly I was like cheesecake seems so hard to make.

No bake felt like the safest route to take.............but I didn't feel like I would have challenge myself if I went straight into what was easy- vs. giving a new task a try. Al-Hamdu lillaah I tried and it went well.

cheesecake in the making

Here's how I make our cheesecake:

8oz cream cheese, softened
8oz plain Yogurt (we used about 3 oz because we were low lol)
2/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
1 Tablespoon cornstarch

I found some ingredients on another site- but I did a lot of altering- the original ingredients called for vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup of an egg substitute.

All in all the cheesecake came out well- Al- Hamdu lillaah.

done!- those little circles...yeah that's me making sure its done lol- hey it was my first time! i had to keep checking

So we baked at 350 for 35 minutes- took it out- let it cool- refrigerate for some hours- and ta daaaa cheesecake. It was good Mashaa'Allaah. It didn't crack on me or sink. The only issue was that I kept checking on it lol and touch it...................but now I know better lol!

Tonight I'm making two cheesecakes covered in strawberries for a deal friend of mine- and one for the luncheon. Inshaa'Allaah.

Don't forget to check back tonight or early Sunday morning for my new blog Inshaa'Allaah.

What have you guys cooked in the kitchen?

❤Treading a path to Jennah❤ Sisters book & discussion

2012-01-13T03:28:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
I'm a person who has a lot of ideas- and veryyyyyy little support. But after much conversation with the family and talking to myself (gotta do that sometimes lol). I decided for the sake of Allaah I would love to start a sisters book and discussion here in my hometown via computer.

Then I thought...........why not let my online buddies join in! Yup, after January 15- that following Saturday will be the first sisters book & discussion Inshaa'Allaah.

I decided to make it easy on the people and use strictly e-books- the first e-book we are going over is Advice to the women By Shaykh Fawzaan. On the Treading a path to Jennah blog site sisters can review what pages are being read and the discussion questions for those chapters Inshaa'Allaah.

Yes ma'am you read right- I made a companion blog for the sisters book & discussion :). On this blog there will be post about the book & discussion, women related issues fatwas and articles Inshaa'Allaah.

Right now the blog is on private until Saturday night- but in the meantime if anyone wants to participate with the book & discussion you can e-mail me at: treadingapathtoJennah@gmail.com Inshaa'Allaah.

E-mailing me will get you the code to the private room online (if via paltalk) or will give you my personal skype information (if held on skype). Inshaa'Allaah

I also stated in my homeschool post that I took a break for my luncheon- Inshaa'Allaah this Sunday I'm holding my first luncheon entitled: Sisterhood- The Excellence of removing hizbiyyah. The luncheon is going to be playing a lecture- that you guys can listen to via your homes- I wont mention the lecture until Saturday night Inshaa'Allaah- only because we are playing a game off the lecture and I don't want any of my local readers to get a head start lol.

So Sunday if you guys are free- and if you can't join me :) - make yourself something really nice to eat- and listen to lecture online when I post the link Inshaa'Allaah

Be sure to check back Saturday night/ Sunday morning to visit me on my new blog- which will have a post of the lecture we will be listening to Inshaa'Allaah

Oh and don't worry- I'm still posting on Ummi's Circle- lol like I normally do- Inshaa'Allaah :)

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: on a break

2012-01-13T02:32:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Normally on Fridays (or at least I like to try to) I give my summary and thoughts on the school week. However this Friday I wont be doing that.

I took a break so that I could do two things- rewrite lesson plans and get my luncheon together (in another post Inshaa'Allaah).

Sis Umm An- Nu'man is having a lovely series on homeschooling- if anyone have any questions or concerns you should really check out the series. Mashaa'Allaah. May Allaah reward the sister with much good in this life and the next. Ameen

How's everyone homeschooling going? If your on break- what have you been up to?

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: Review & Assessment week 9 thoughts & summary

2012-01-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

This week we didn't do a lot. Mainly Abu Suhailah and I have been having some in-depth conversation about the children's learning styles. Let's focus first on Suhailah.

Background on Suhailah's home schooling. Suhailah has been homeschooling unofficially at 9 months old. This was via computer programs and sign language.

The computer programs always included ABC's, 123's, colors, sign language and the like. My husband always state that Suhailah has been doing Preschool work for a long time Mashaa'Allaah. Ok, I agree with that. As we do homeschool Suhailah seems to breeze through subjects- even though it is stated that these subjects are on her level.

Susu doing math work with beads to represent quantity

Her mind tend to wonders if the subjects aren't challenging enough. She will circle, write, x out- and follow direction very mindlessly- because it takes no effort Mashaa'Allaah. I've been contemplating moving her towards Kindergarten work- which seems like it would bring about more of a challenge. Allaahu'Alim.

what shapes are the same exercise

I'm started to feel that Suhailah has been stuck on the same thing- perhaps it was the starting at 9 months old that has made me feel like this. I'm really thinking I need to move forward- but I really don't know how...and then inside I feel like groaning over the fact that I need to sit down and research when I spent last summer doing this! Argh...

science- it's living- circle what's living- and animals and their homes

What are your guys ideas about Suhailah- I guess you would be bored too if at 9 months you been doing the same thing minus Arabic/Islaamic studies. lol.

Arabic work- all of these pictures are same day pics :) she did all of this in one day

Ok now Yara...

Yara is to me is a lot easier to understand how to teach. Yara started homeschooling at 9 months too. But she did not follow the same structure as Suhailah. Yara came along when I started skipping the ABC's and 123's and went straight into whole words. Quantities and other advance stuff for her age group.

Yara doing ABC recognition

Yara to me fits a preschooler/kindergarten role. For someone who just turned two- preschool work seems to fit her well in some areas- even though are age group are not considered preschoolers. (Am I right or wrong?)

So that one day of work we did ABC recognition- I just wanted to check and see if she understood- and she breeze right through it Mashaa'Allaah.

less or more- math

She was able to do less/more math exercise without any issues. Both girls do not let me know immediately that have learned something- they show me on their own time- Which is hard to deal with at times- because in my mind I'm thinking they don't get it- here we go another week of such and such. But they already got it- and I felt like a week has been wasted when they "accidentally" show me they already learned it.

math and colors

I would have said last week Yara doesn't know her colors! But I notice she does- (why she randomly call out any color is beyond me!).

I had all these color pencils laid out on the floor and told her to get the orange one because the worksheet required she used the orange color pencil- she kept grabbing the wrong one! I was like hmmm she maybe distracted that there maybe too many colors. So I took all of them away from her and left three pencils for example white, orange and brown- I told her to get the orange pencil- and she did! The next activity called for another color and she got it right. It was only when I took away so many options and left 3 different colors- one always being the correct color - she got it right.

I figured Yara is a mix of Kindergarten/Preschool- She reads words with no issues, apparently knows her ABC's- but could stand to work more on numbers- and touch on colors. So I figured the areas that she surpass I would allow her to do the advance work with Suhailah- and for Preschool work- I would allow her to carry on and Suhailah can participate if she chooses.

Anyways I would love some input- any Kindergarten resources I could use for the girls. If you had a child that excelled in some areas but not in others- what would you do? If your child excelled in all areas- would you move a grade up? Let me know your thoughts- Ahhhh Monday is coming and I have no idea what we are learning due to this assessment week!

DIY Ummi's Edition: How to make your own pizza from scratch :)

2012-01-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I love pizza! Pizza is one of my fav foods! (it seems like I blog a lot about food- but it's not a phase lol). I been making homemade pizza ever since I learned how to make my own crust from scratch.

the specs of green in our dough is: Italian season, and basil.

Here's how I make our pizza crust :)

2 1/2 c. flour
2 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. oil
3/4 water

1 tsp. garlic (or any other seasons you like in your dough)

For the topping you can use whatever your heart desires! We used pineapple, green peppers, red onions, turkey sausage and cheese.

taaa daaaa pizza done! :)

We baked for about 15 minutes to 30. It's been fun making pizza and way affordable then always buying it! I think it tastes a lot better homemade- fresh :)

Well what have you guys cooked in the kitchen- up next how to make cheesecake Inshaa'Allaah

The joys of being a homemaker :)

2012-01-03T20:07:00.000-05:00

Easel & Ink

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
I didn't know homemaking would be such fun.

I guess this is my random post on my new found appreciation for homemakers.

google image

Spending my time trying to come up with cleaning products, hair products, recipes, and the like has been nice.

Sometimes I feel like I need something for me- even though the whole family benefits. I still feel like this is for me too. I need to feel that I did something in the day to promote my own personal growth. Challenging myself in areas of life that I'm weak in- has been so fulfilling. Even when I know how to do things for example cook eggs- I still look it up and I learn a lot!

I think knowing your job- and taking it to the next level will make a person feel as if they have grown.

One of the reasons women may feel as though all they do is: cook, clean, cater, school, change pampers, vacum floors and the like is because they don't take their job to the next level. I would feel a certain way too if all I did was just "chores" and did not push myself to be the best in whatever I do.

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If you don't get innovative with your chores- then you would probably feel as though you have done the same thing- all day- everyday. Some women even get envious of their husbands because he goes out to work- and therefore his job is important, different, and truly not redundant.

If women push themselves in their domestic roles- then the feelings of envy may not be available. And Allaah knows best. If you spend your day trying to out do your yesterday- then life would not feel so plain or redundant but more fulfilled and meaningful. Do you guys understand what I mean?

Mashaa'Allaah. One thing I would love to incorporate is waking up early. It seems like in my household waking up before everyone brings about ease for myself.

Its on my schedule that I get up early however, I haven't been able to get up THAT early- after my break in October I been moving slow Mashaa'Allaah.

But I feel like its really important that I do better at managing the affairs inside the household.

Growing up I don't recall being taught anything about being a woman- a wife- or a young adult. A lot of things I learned were from trial and error. Then with having 3 girls comes a lot of pressure to be a good remodel for them.

It's a lot of pressure and so I have to learn a lot more so that they can be able to apply these skills in their own households.

Anyways you guys, feel free to share your recipes, DIY home related ideas with me. This month I'm suppose to be sewing and doing home decore Inshaa'Allaah.

Anybody up for some homemaker activities?

The food journal: Tofu

2012-01-03T12:07:00.001-05:00

google image

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I honestly can say tofu if cooked right, is good! Ummm cooked by me....................you may feel a little shaken by it lol! I have no clue how to cook tofu- but ended up buying 3 boxes of this stuff- that I never seen before nor tasted!

my tofu getting ready to be cooked

When I open the box.............I was a little taken back. It was all wet and cold- not appealing at all.

Perhaps it was the kind I bought? I don't know- since I never bought it before (are there more kinds?).

Let's just say I had a several mishaps with cooking this until one night I just made pizza!

What is tofu?

Discovered over 2000 years ago by the Chinese, tofu is sometimes called "the cheese of Asia," because of its physical resemblance to a block of farmer's cheese. Tofu is a highly nutritious, protein-rich food that is made from the curds of soybean milk. Off-white in color, it is usually sold in rectangular blocks. Tofu is a staple in the cuisines of many Asian countries. Tofu is its Japanese name, while in China it is known as doufu

I guess we all learned something new :) lol. Since I honestly had no clue what this food was- remember I'm changing my diet- and this was a part of it- I'm limiting my meat intake and tofu is suppose to replace it (not permanently).

Health benefits:

Tofu is a good source of selenium; 4 ounces provide 14.4% of the daily value for this trace mineral. Selenium is needed for the proper function of the antioxidant system, which works to reduce the levels of damaging free radicals in the body. Selenium is a necessary cofactor of one of the body's most important internally produced antioxidants, glutathione peroxidase, and also works with vitamin E in numerous vital antioxidant systems throughout the body. These powerful antioxidant actions make selenium helpful not only against colon cancer by protecting colon cells from cancer-causing toxins, but in decreasing asthma and arthritis symptoms and in the prevention of heart disease. In addition, selenium is involved in DNA repair, yet another way in which adequate intake of this mineral is associated with a reduced risk for cancer.

Not bad info! Perhaps i can handle tofu a lot better once I cook it right lol!

So that night we made pizza (will share how we make pizza in another post Inshaa'Allaah). Husband had to have meat lol so he made homemade chicken sausages (will also share ingredient in another post Inshaa'Allaah).

Abu Suhailah's sausages keep intermingling with my tofu lol

The pizza was good! Mashaa'Allaah. I'm looking forward at trying my hand again with another dish using tofu- I still have like 2-3 boxes left in the refrigerator so it's a must :).

Anybody eat tofu before? Got any recipes?

My journey to natural/organic living: Beets, beets, beets.......

2012-01-03T11:40:00.000-05:00

Abu Suhailah serving up some juice :)

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I use to have an uncle that would eat beets right out of the can! I had beets one time- raw- lets just say I never went back to revisit them again until I got married to a health conscience individual :).

Cancer is a big part of my family- I've had several relatives die from cancer. So ultimately I spent my "teen years" concerned - but not too concerned. As I continue to just move about life not thinking about ways to reduce my risk for such an aliment or really any aliment!

It wasn't until last year (early December) trip to the ER that I started to get a little panic. I wont share what happen in the ER until some time later on this year Inshaa'Allaah.

But I cried, complained, and put myself down. How could I wait until something happen before I got serious????? This is what I moan and groaned about. Here is a good reminder:

Allah's Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to a man in the course of an exhortation, "Grasp five things before five others: your youth before your decrepitude, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your leisure before your work, and your life before your death." At-Tirmidhi #1337

Beet juice

So I ended up switching my diet- to help make sure my situation didn't get out of control.

I started to take seriously the benefits of certain foods. Formally beets.

What do you know about beets?

Well if you don't know- then here is some really good info for you! and if you already know- then this is a great reminder!

♡ beet juice is known as a blood purifier

♡ beet juice improves blood structure

♡ a glass of beat juice each day helps lowers high blood pressure

♡ beets have been found to increase the body's production of glutathione, which helps the body detoxify cancer causing poisons

All of this in more when you add some beets in your life! Allaahu'Akbar. This is a great mercy from Allaah that many people over look- especially myself since they are so yucky lol!

It's very important that when seeking help for any type of health aliment- put your trust in Allaah. Avoid inconspicious shirk by only trusting in your local grocery store and doctors for your concerns. Trust in Allaah, call upon Him using His beautiful names and get proactive!

Sometimes people make dua- and just sit. You gotta make dua and get active. Ask Allaah to bestow upon you good health and then take of your body- don't just make dua and don't take care of yourself-

Inshaa'Allaah the benefits of red onions :)..............if you want to read more about beets click here

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: All about animals week 8 thoughts & summary

2012-01-01T00:13:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum .

Hey you guys this week we continue the animal theme for school.

Reading we continue with our animal theme couplets and reviewed the old words.

Zainab going over old words

Early Literacy Box and Flash cards

Reading is going well for all three girls. Zainab is repeating after me the words which is nice. I hope this will help her talk clearly :). Yara and Suhailah are able to read the old words- but with the couplets Suhailah has shown that she can read them. Al-Hamdu lillaah for Sis Umm Maimoonah's advice on reading using the Glenn Doman method- the girls were not interested in the dolch list- but more so in words that interest them-

Yara did the literacy box by herself without telling anyone and got four out of even correct. This was very nice to see- as I believe she was guessing by my husband says he thinks she knew what she was doing and Allaah knows best :).

Suhailah working on MEP math- and a math workbook

Mathematics: Suhailah did MEP Math. Suhailah does the writing for MEP Math and Yara has to sit and listen as to what is happening. I make Yara review Suhailah's written work and ask her questions about it since her writing isn't on the same level as her big sis :). Both of them did well with the MEP Math. We also did equations- addition on the dry erase board. Right now I just read the equations and do not ask them to repeat or explain anything.

Suhailah using the split cards and beads to do quantity

The girls also got to use the cards we made last week from split peas. They use beads to represent the number of split peas on the cards. They didn't make it to 20 but they did well. They also used sea shells instead of beads another day

Yara working on her cards :)

Arts & Crafts: The girls used spray bottles and medicine droppers to continue on our paint theme activities. They really had fun and was very upset when I had to stop them for nap time.

spray bottles, salt and glitter work with medicine droppers

The medicine droppers was very interesting for both girls and wasn't realizing they had to squeeze it to get the paint inside lol but none of them didn't want to stop :) For the spray bottles they freely use them to paint- but then we had a reading practice game- each girl had to spray the correct word out of two words- they had fun with this too

using spray bottles for reading activity

On the calmer side of arts & crafts each kiddo made cats lol. I got this from Spell Out Loud. Sorry I don't have a link- I printed these up a long time ago :)

cat time with the ladies :)

Yara put color pencils in her cat. Suhailah put all kinds of bottle tops in hers. They both put the parts of the cat where ever they wanted. I realized I need to let them freely do their art- even though I was worried they would glue the cat paws one place- another one in the other and so forth but they didn't! Al-Hamdu lillaah :)

lol sorry for the upside down pic :)

Montessori: Sorting was done and lacing. Yara did really well this time with sorting- for Suhailah sorting is something easy and just a fun review it seems :).

lacing animals theme

Lacing was fun to watch. Yara gets frustrated at times- but she is so proud of herself when she gets it right :). Sometimes she asks for my help. I printed some animal lacing cards to fit our theme- there orange because my cardstock is orange lol. That's all I have :)

Science/Nature: We talked about Polar animals and looked at a book about them. The girls learned what animals live in the cold and I explain that some animals have fur to keep them warm. Then they colored a picture of two animals that live in the cold.

Arabic/Writing: I made some workbooks for the girls using the Arabic First Curriculum and Yemini links Arabic writing worksheets. I really enjoy the curriculum and teaching the kiddos basic Arabic has been stress free since the curriculum is already organized for you Al-Hamdu lillaah.

Susu practicing

Yara still writes freely and so for the writing aspect- I hold her hand- that's why you wont see pictures of her writing. We usually do it together until she is tired of writing :). Suhailah writes all her letters by herself and has done well.

susu writing :)

Suhailah has done so well that she took the opportunity to write without having to trace- which shocked me lol! As I have asked sisters how to deal with Suhailah's writing issue.....but she seems to be doing much better. She wrote thaa all by herself :) her father and I were very surprised Mashaa'Allaah

Islaamic Studies: The girls are still going over aqeedah book 1- which for some reason i have not gotten to this week!!!! Subhana'Allaah. I usually read it at night- because that's when they pay attention the most-

Qur'aan- The girls still listen to audio- I haven't formally asked them to do anything- as Suhailah still has issues with anyone asking her to repeat- she gets very frustrated and will give all wrong answers- even if she knows the subject. So I have no clue how to find out with her whether she has memorized anything or not. Yara love to repeat- but I have not asked her to recite what she knows. Any advice in this area sisters?

the girls at the library- Yara (yellow), Susu (pink) and Zainab (cream)

How was you guys week? Everyone seems to be going on vacation..........lol sounds really tempting to me ;)

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: All about animals week 8

2011-12-29T14:40:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Hey guys! This is my 3 day schedule for the girls- It's only 3 days because the girls went to the library on Tuesday- and Monday we were invited to go to another families house- but I ended up cleaning and missing the opportunity.

We are still learning about animals :)

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool All about animals (part 2) week 8

Circle Time

Calendar

Counting to 20 orally

Abc/shapes review- Starfall (program)

Montessori- lacing animals (older girls) sensory bin (Zainab)

Sign language- review all signs- new signs: tiger & rhinoceros

Reading:

Couplets (animal & emotion theme)

Single words (Zainab)

Starfall

Mathematics:

MEP Math

Equations – Addition

Wednesday Activity- using beads to represent quantities (using cards 1-20)

Thursday Activity- math using Starfall

Friday- matching game using numerals and flashcards from last week (split pea flash cards)

Arts & Crafts: Paint theme-

Wednesday- Painting on salt*

Material:

Half-sized sheets of dark colored paper or card stock.

Glue.

2-3 Tablespoons of salt in a small bowl.

1 Extra sheet of paper, the larger the better.

3 or 4 colors of liquid watercolors, diluted if necessary (or a tablespoon of water with a few drops of food coloring added).

Paintbrush.

Smock or bib for your tot. (From Shannon’s tot school)

Thursday- using various objects to paint (spray bottles, medicine dropper, brushes etc.)

Friday- construct a cat (worksheet) using recyclables or craft sticks

Islaamic Studies:

Aqeedah book level 1- question & answers

Arabic:

Arabic workbook

Arabic first Animals slide http://www.arabicfirst.co.uk/index_files/animated_series.htm

Madinah Arabic program

Science & Nature: Polar Animals

Wednesday: What animals live in a cold environment? Activity: Color page

Thursday: How do some animals live in a cold environment?

Friday: review

Qur’aan:

Audio

Writing:

Arabic First

Sensory bin writing

Workbook

Ummi's Mission Organization 101: Beating the timer!

2011-12-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

feel free to use the logo and join in :)

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I was told about "The Fly Lady" from a family member- and then I saw sisters stating they were trying to "fly" lol. I never really thought about the method- not using it fully.

With all methods I normally just pick and choose a piece that fits my life and doesn't go against Islaam.

I have fallen head over khimar lol with timers. I use my timer all the time- whether I'm cooking or cleaning.

I use to clean for a longggggggggggggg period of time- just one room. I wasn't getting things done because I would constantly put my engergy into this one room.

About time I finished the one room- it's late at night- dinner is rushed- kids didn't home school- and Zainab played in her play pen without getting any fun time outside of the play pen with her sisters.

Then I would feel bad and let Zainab stay up a little later to play because she really didn't get a chance to.

That's not really helpful since she needs to go to sleep at a certain time to maintain some rest. So Al-Hamdu lillaah I went back to my handy timer.

I have 5 areas to clean in my house- and what I do is time myself 15 minutes per a room. Now your probably wondering: "What if the room isn't finished?" Oh I simply continue on 15 minutes per a room- and if need be once done- I will go back to that other room and restart my timer- sometimes I beat my 15 mintues and just go to another room :).

For this past week my husband has been saying: "Set it for 3 minutes! I bet you can get it done!!" Lol! 3 minutes goes by fast- but I learned this:

HIT WHATS IMPORTANT
WHATS BIG
& WHAT'S NOTICEABLE!

I notice in 3 minutes if I do my bedroom: I will rush to get the clothes off the floor, make the bed and fix furniture if it's out of place!

If I give myself longer- I may lounge around picking up odds and ends that are important but really aren't such an eye sore- you know what I mean.

So from this month on out Inshaa'Allaah a part of my goal for better organization skills is using my handy dandy timer.

How do you guys maintain balance in cleaning? Or do you still clean one area for a long time?

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: All about animals week 7- Thoughts & Pics

2011-12-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

This week was pretty busy! Al-Hamdu lillaah we were able to get as much as we could done. This week we did animals- and next week we will be doing a continuation on animals.

We are able to review all the signs and do the new signs apple and banana.

For Montessori the girls both did sorting - big to small.

sorting with animals

And pouring using color water into different size jars

Yara practicing pouring

Suhailah

Reading: I introduce the girls - mainly the older two to couplets. Couplets are two words like: Funny monkey, sad lion. etc. I made an animal theme which the girls enjoyed. Zainab had to do the old flash cards which she loved lol. The girls stuck around for that session too even though they can read all the words.

emotions/animal themed couplets flash cards

Mathematics: The girls continue on with the MEP Math. The lesson was an introduction to patterns
and one lesson was an introduction to positions- what's above, below, left, right etc

Yara and Suhailah drawing plant stalks

I think they both did well with the MEP Math. It took Suhailah just a second literally understand the blue, yellow, blue, yellow, - what comes next pattern. Yara just listen- which is what she normally does when she is trying to understand :)

Then practice our numbers all the way to 20 using the calendar. And the activity we did instead of sea shells the girls glued green split peas on cards to show the quantity. They manage to go to 12 :) - before they had to take a nap. This activity took patience for Yara- working with those small peas was time consuming lol

Yara and Suhailah places peas in their spots

Arts & Crafts: We didn't get to do all the painting activities I wanted to do- but I look forward to doing these net week too! All the girls finger painted- this was Zainab's first time- and it was messy! First she put her index finger in it- licked her finger- made the most : "This is disgusting"
face lol and I was like noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo you can't eat that!

poem and worksheet from Spell Out Loud

They finger painted cupcakes. It was so cute- it even came with a matching poem- I got this from Spell Out Loud. The poem was about a person eating cupcakes up to the number 5. The girls loved the poem and the activity Mashaa'Allaah.

Zainab painting her cupcake

Yara and her art work :)

Suhailah's cupcake

yum yum :)

Science/Nature: The girls reviewed animals in there different living environments- and did matching pattern activity and matching animals to their off spring. We didn't get to construct an animal habitat- but I'm trying to do that next week Inshaa'Allaah

Suhailah & Yara working hard :)

Arabic: I made some workbooks for the girls using the Arabic First curriculum and writing sheets from Yemeni links. They had to learn the letters ا ب

The vocabulary for the letters were: (did I type that right lol) اب با ب

Father and Door. The girls know both of the words when I tell them in Arabic-

girls using the Arabic First workbook

Writing: With worksheets made from Yemeini links - the girls got loads of practice writing the letters ا ب

I had to hold Yara's hand and Suhailah did her's by herself. She did really well writing both letters- as I mention before she doesn't do well with curves- but she did all the letters well- I am very happy with both the girls progress :) Al-Hamdu lillaah

Susu writing and both girls coloring

For Qur'aan the girls are still listening to audio and practicing with their father. We didn't go over the Aqeedah book but perhaps tonight.

How was you guys homeschool week? :)

DIY Ummi's Edition: Blueberry Pancakes, Apple pie, & Lemon Meringue Pie

2011-12-25T13:31:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I've had a blast in the kitchen for the month of December! If you don't know I'm officially taking steps in perfecting my homemaker skills, which means trying to cook from scratch (kinda like how grandma use to do!)

Cooking to me has been such a learning and rewarding process! A great way to cause an increase in love between the spouses! How so? Well I have learned by this December cooking experience that when I try my hardest, especially for the sake of Allaah to make the family happy and make it easy on them- my husband seems to increase in his appreciation for me and my hard work!

Even though the hubby is very helpful already- its nothing like hearing someone tell you "Thank you" with such a look of sincerity or saying "I appreciate that you cleaned up such and such away" makes me feel oh so peachy lol!

Not to mention I feel way comfortable asking for something knowing that I worked hard and I earned it vs. just doing nothing and getting rewarded just because the husband is kind!

So I really urge sisters to find something that your husband loves and try to implement it!

Ok on to the food. Blueberry pancakes. Lol this wasn't easy at first. I know someone is like: "What just add the blueberries....." I did! But my pancakes turned blue lol! I was like: "Ummm...what happen"

I was mixing the blueberries in my pancake batter- thinking that's best.

the blue plate was not intended to match lol

I wasn't happy. So I looked it up and I saw that someone stated to add blueberries once the pancakes start cooking on one side in the pan. I was like: "Yup that's better" lol and made more sense then my idea :)

The right way :)

I was so happy with my pancakes lol! The girls loved the blues one too - so it worked out for everyone Mashaa'Allaah.

Before the Blueberry pancakes. I tried my hand at apple pie. It was good! The whole family loved it. But I thought it could have been better. Making crust from scratch is was hard. But I tried anyway.

that crust was hard work!

I think the homemade crust really gave me some issues. Even though everyone enjoyed it- crust and all- I thought I could have done better.

But wait! Wait! Wait a sec! My loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee was for my Lemon Meringue Pie.

I did not know what egg whites were, meringue, or lemon zest. I learned so much from this pie- that I was blown away at how easy it is to make some delicious items that I crave in the store at home.

meringue, lemon filling and homemade crust

I loveeeed making this pie Mashaa'Allaah. I did not know that egg whites would foam like that and mixed with 8 tablespoons of sugar would make the Meringue - that would be the topping to my pie. When I made the lemon filling- I had to use lemon zest- and lemon juice- lemon zest is the yellow of the lemon- but be careful - you gotta avoid the white part under the zest because it's bitter.

I didn't know! And my crust was homemade again. It went well by the mercy of Allaah.

almost done

Did you guys know that two egg whites made that Meringue!!!???!!!! And some tablespoons of sugar! I knowwwwww I'm amazed lol. I never knew. And now that makes me more anxious to make my own pies vs spending loads of money at the grocery store! Subhana'Allaah.

done :)

Al- Hamdu lillaah! My pie only last one day :) But it was fun while it lasted.

yayyyy mission complete :)

That was one of the best times I had this month in my homemaking adventure. I made some mistakes- blue pancakes, apple pie crust not too right... It was a fun learning experience - and what made it so rewarding was that the whole family seemed to appreciate my hard work :)

Have you cooked anything that was truly a learning experience? Made any mistakes in the kitchen like my blue pancakes?

Ingredients for "Grandma's Lemon Meringue Pie":

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups water
2 lemons, juiced and zested
2 tablespoons butter
4 egg yolks, beaten
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
4 egg whites
6 tablespoons white sugar

Giving credit where credit is due : Recipe here

Warning & Advice-

2011-12-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

All bloggers know- or if you don't know- now you will know- that you are allowed to see where you are getting traffic from- what site is sending people your way. I get traffic from a site all the time from a haram site titled Dawud Adib wordpress - this site is awful- and Al- Hamdu lillaah I was able to post this- as I should have post this a long time ago.

Our elder , Brother Dawud Adib has no wordpress- and no facebook. I believe Brother Dawud told my husband this a while ago about not having a facebook. This wordpress- I think is new.

It is haram. It promotes activity that is against what Islaam stands for. It belittles the students of knowledge and place them in a light that is negative and haram.

The person or persons involved have taken my name "Umm Suhailah" and other salafi sisters names and used them to pretend that we are on this website talking, and promoting it. Even linking back to Ummi's Circle to make me appear as though I'm a part of this.

For the party or parties involved fear Allaah. Truth always prevails over falsehood. No matter what you do- or make me appear to be like- I know that Allaah is the All-Seer and All- Hearer and I stand against websites that promote what you promote.

Anybody who knows me on and off blogger- know that I am a person who doesn't go around on these websites and acting against Islaam.

I will continue to post the normal post that I do- I will continue to use the name Umm Suhailah- no matter how many variations you come up with- I know the truth.

May Allaah guide you or break your back for the lies, fitnah, kuffar you spread about the students of knowledge, scholars and Muslims/Muslimahs that is striving to please Allaah to the best of their ability Ameen

Grilled Cheese, Shoes Off, Pus & Blood Please:☕ Audio Part 3

2011-12-18T23:32:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I hope you guys benefit much. This is an audio for you guys to enjoy. There are so many audios - so take this as a step towards trying to benefit yourself and stopping the fitnah :) This audio is called "Oh believing women do you know the way to Jennah?" By Abu Muhammad al- Maghribee

if the audio doesn't work click here to listen (takes you to youtube).

DIY Ummi's Edition: Vegetarian Burrito Bowl

2011-12-18T23:13:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
I love Chipotles! In case you aren't familiar with Chipotles they are a Mexican Grill spot with fabolous Burritos and more :)!

I've never been inside. When we go there we always order our food to go. I always get the Vegetarian burrito bowl and a soda. I was online looking at recipes one night to try something different and my family and I thought it would be fun to try our own version of Chipotles Veg bowl.

It was fun to make, super fast and way affordable then ordering it :). Plus you can have as many plates as you want lol!

I didn't have sour cream and guacamole (which really helps when making this). But it turned out really good! Mashaa'Allaah :) The whole entire family enjoyed. Our version had organic beans/veggies, basmati rice, red onions, tomatoes, spring mix salad cut into small pieces, shredded cheese and veganese dressing (a lot like mayo but vegan and wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy better in taste). We put some black pepper on it, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and a dash of paprika.

That's it. I think next time I will try with sour cream and guacamole. Anyways, the girls even had not seconds but fourth's and fifth's of it lol- which is surprising for me since it was meatless and at times they seem like baby lions wanting to eat meat :).

Have you guys tried any versions of popular fast food items or restaurant items that you just had to have?

Grilled Cheese, Shoes Off, Pus & Blood Please:☕ The cure for the fitnah part 2

2011-12-18T22:30:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Sometimes we look to others for help when our marriage becomes a "problem." I remember when I was spending time on my self-esteem I was seeking help from various resources. But my one resource did not include Islaam. It wasn't until some time that I put together that Islaam can also help me in this area of life (my self-esteem).

Islaam is the cure for the fitnah. Now that you are reminded that Islaam is the cure. Let's review what is said about the woman's role in the home and the importance of it:

From The Shaykh (Shaykh Saleem al Hilalee):

"The Messenger of Allaah (sallallau alaihi wassallam) in many different ahadeeth and in many different places has shown the importance of the muslim woman. Especially her importance and her role in building a successful and healthy relationship in her home. And tis is why Allaah (subhana wa ta'ala) from the orders, from the general order that he has given to the muslim woman, in Surah tul-Ahzaab, we see He says:

'And stay in your homes.'

This verse implies that the best place and the place that the woman can reach the pinnacle of her relationship with Allaah (subhana wa ta'ala" is by being a good muslimah in her home. By protecting it, guarding it, teaching the inhabitants of the home the laws of Allaah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wssallam) explaining this ayaat and the other ayaat- he mentioned a hadeeth that is very imortant by saying: 'All of you have been given responsibilities and each of you shall be held to account in how well he upheld his responsibilities.'

The role of a woman in the house as a wife is very important.

the shaykh mentions:

"First she has a responsibility for cultivating a health situation in the home for the husband and for the children."

If you are a fitnah to your husband then how can you cultivate anything that is healthy?

also

"As for the first one, making a healthy situation and cultivating it, it comes from the verse where Allaah (subhana wa ta'ala) says to us in the Qur'aan that 'the spouse finds solace in her.'

Therefore your muslim husband, he should find solace in being with you. There it becomes her responsibility according to the words of Allaah to cultivate this solace. To cultivate this sense of security, tranquility and peace in the home. She is the one to dictate the mood of how the house and the home will be running.

Also

"Also we see another ayah in the Qur'aan where Allaah (subhana wa ta'ala) mentioned that: 'The woman is like the garment of the man and the man is like the garment of the woman.'

The garment or the clothing it implies protection, therefore the muslim woman is a protection for her muslim husband, her man. And he is also a source of protection and security for her. Therefore she as a responsibility of protecting his secrets, protecting his wealth, protecting his children, protecting his home from intruders and from people that he does not wish to enter it

The Shaykh has stated so many cures for the fitnah by using Islaam. It is such a reminder to us all that we should take everything back to Allaah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wassallam).

He shares the idea that for family problems and issues that may arise- try not to involve other people and to be patient.
And do not divulge any of the family problems in front of young children or children in the household.

I want to remind everyone that we will all be held accountable for what we do. Even when our husband's may cause us some issues- we should make dua and continue to bring the peace in the home and not the fitnah because truly the reward is with Allaah and not our husbands.

I think that's where we become short sighted. Some of us tend to forget that we are living this life to worship Allaah and there will be a day where we will be called to account- so why not start right now at this very moment- striving to end the fitnah for the sake of Allaah.

Stop worrying about what your husband will do for you. Make dua much and always strive your humanly best to be the source of peace, love, protection and joy in your husband's eyes.

To read the pdf "The Woman's Role In Building a Successful Household"

Part 3 Steps to getting better- audio for your enjoyment :)

Darul-Hadeeth Homeschool: All about animals week 7

2011-12-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

This up and coming week is very different from my normal lesson plans. As I learn more and gain more resources things may change :) so bare with me. Inshaa'Allaah.

Darul- Hadeeth Homeschool – All about animals week 7

Circle Time:

Calendar Time

Abc, shapes, colors flash cards (Yara and Zainab)

Montessori Activity: Spooning (Yara) Sorting (Suhailah) Sensory bin (Zainab)

Sign Language- review past signs and learn new signs- apple and banana

Counting orally to 20

Read aloud book

Reading:

Introducing couplets (emotions and animals version) (Glenn Doman Method)

Former Flash cards (Zainab)

Word Wall (everyone)

Workbook

Mathematics:

MEP math

Workbook

Glenn Doman Method equations

Activity: counting shells up to 20 (using numeral cards)- Monday

Activity: counting shells up to 20 using (dots quantities)- Tuesday

Activity: stacking beads in numerical order- Wednesday

Activity: gluing beans to match numbers 1-10- Thursday

Activity- flash card program review- glue beans to match number 11-20 Friday

Arts & Crafts- Painting theme

Monday- Finger painting (all 3 girls)

Tuesday- Painting using water bottles/spray bottles

Wednesday- Painting using various objects (all 3 girls)

Thursday- painting using animals

Friday- finger painting with homemade paint

Science/Nature- animal homes

Monday- Animals of the jungle Activity- Match the patterns to the animals

Tuesday- reptiles and amphibians Activity- Match the moms to the babies

Wednesday- Polar animals Activity- Animal flash cards review

Thursday- Animals of the forest and woods Activity- construct an animal habitat for forest and wood animals

Friday- African animals- Activity construct an animal habitat for African animals

Book we are using: My Little Animal Book

Islaamic Studies:

Aqeedah book level 1

Let us learn Qur’aan- Book of Animals (Arabic first curriculum)

Arabic:

Homemade workbooks

Arabic Flash cards

Smart Ark Arabic flash cards

Writing:

Workbook

Writing Sensory bin

Qur’aan:

Audio

Review with father

Grilled Cheese, Shoes Off, Pus & Blood Please:☕ Are you a fitnah to your husband?

2011-12-18T19:44:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
3 part series. Part 1 Questions, Thoughts, & Feelings.

I wanted to write this during Ramadhan but was consumed with other matters. Mashaa'Allaah

Questions to ponder:

Have you ever had an argument, you knew you was right, your husband was wrong? Did you keep explaining your side of the argument until you were blue in the face? Even though your husband insisted that he did not want to talk?

Have you ever prevented your husband from attending the Masjid to make the prayers because you were upset about a matter that you did not want to wait until later to resolve?

Did you ever forced your husband not to do polygyny by threats and by causing hardship?

Or...

Do you simply don't listen? Husband says cooked baked chicken. You don't want bake chicken so you fry it!

How about...

Rolling your eyes when your husband talks, suck your teeth, or bad mouth him to your friends?

Sometimes marriage can be hard. Sometimes marriage takes a lot of patience. When its good, it's great and when it's bad its awful.

At times you feel like your the only one doing all the work. Nobody is there to help you and at times you feel wronged.

I know at times, sisters can be pretty bitter knowingly and unknowingly.

It's really important for sisters to understand that the woman's role and the husband's role is not the same. That it is really a mercy from Allaah to be in such a wonderful institution such as marriage.

Islaam is perfect and it is by Allaah's mercy that He has given us rules to every aspect of life- from bathroom etiquette-to how to eat and how to be a wife.

So we are surely not left to ourselves without guidance. We also have great examples from the Mothers of the Believers on how to be sisterly, motherly and so much more.

We have to give up our emotions and thoughts and replace them with Islaam's.

Before you carry on with this series, ponder the questions, and ask yourself: Are you a fitnah to your husband?

Also take some notes, strive to make some changes in where you see your a problem. And don't think about your husband's faults. Just think about your own - because on The Day of Judgment you will be questioned for what you have done in this life. So let's truly fear Allaah and take this time to make our intentions to change- truly for the sake of Allaah.

Part 2 The cure for the fitnah

▴▵Busy Bee Ummi▴▵What have I been up to?

2011-12-14T14:40:00.000-05:00

Umm Suhailah vs. Clean Laundry! & School Supplies

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Hey you guys I've been sooooooooo busy. Do you see the picture on top of this post. Ahhhhhh that was one day my laundry exploded along with my school materials :). But don't be afraid- all of it is cleaned up now :) and put away.

I've been cleaning, cooking, and researching a lot of things as far as home school goes. I had to go to the Emergency Room recently and had to deal with all that came with that trip.

But anyways no dwelling on that- (that's a post for next year perhaps).

Banana bread yum :)

I've been baking a lot and enjoying it.

Cinnamon rolls in the making by Abu Suhailah (he always gotta join in the fun lol)

The girls have been busy playing, reciting, and playing with the sensory writing bin- an idea that I got from Umm Sara and Sis Amatullah.

Suhailah has been reciting a lot! She always request to hear the Qur'aan whether we are in the car, before she goes to sleep and she has asked her father to help her. So I'm very excited about this- as I'm learning the girls I notice they just want no pressure or frustration in learning.

In return Yara has been trying to imitate her big sister :) Al-Hamdu lillaah.

Yara (pink & black), Susu (pink & white) and Zainab (pink & pink)

having fun at the library

Zainab and Susu getting some fun sensory time in

I'm potty training Zainab (13 months old). It's going well. Everyone in the house knows when she gotta go to the potty lol. The girls even call me if I'm in another room to tell me that Zainab needs to go lol! Zainab tells us while she is going lol! But its been pretty easy since we can all tell when she gotta go- she is pretty predictable. Mashaa'Allaah.

Just bare with me you guys- so much is going on (mentally/emotionally mainly) that I have to play catch up here before I can blog. Anywho I'm learning a lot via blogs about things I want to change as far as homeschool goes and my life in general.

There are so many things I want to write about, but in time Inshaa'Allaah. I do want to write some post about organic/natural living.....as of recently I have been really into health benefits of various foods- so hope to share with you guys soon.

I'm making new flash cards for couplets - hope to share that too!

I have some DIY Montessori activities that I'm interested in doing for the girls. So until next time love you guys for the sake of Allaah. :)

๑Ilm๑ Advice to the sisters

2011-12-07T15:15:00.000-05:00

google image

Bismillaah

‘Abd al-Malik (RA) said: “When ‘Awf ibn Muhallim al-Shaybani, one of the most highly respected leaders of the Arab nobility during the jahiliyyah, married his daughter Umm Iyas to al-Harith ibn ‘Amr al-Kindi, she was made ready to be taken to the groom, then her mother, Umamah came into her, to advise her and said:

‘O my daughter, if it were deemed unnecessary to give you this advice because of good manners and noble descent, then it would have been unnecessary for you, because you posses these qualities, but it will serve as a reminder to those who are forgetful, and will help those who are wise.

‘O my daughter, if a woman were able to do without a husband by virtue of her father’s wealth and her need for her father, then you of all people would be most able to do without a husband, but women were created for men just as men were created for them.

‘O my daughter, you are about to leave the home in which you grew up, where you first learned to walk, to go to a place you do not know, to a companion to whom you are unfamiliar. By marrying you, he has become a master over you, so be like a servant to him, and he will become like a servant to you.

‘Take from me ten qualities, which will be a provision and a reminder for you.

‘The first and second of them are: be content in his company, and listen to and obey him, for contentment brings peace of mind, and listening to and obeying one’s husband pleases Allah.

‘The third and fourth of them are: make sure that you smell good and look good; he should not see anything ugly in you, and he should not smell anything but a pleasant smell from you. Kohl is the best kind of beautification to be found, and water is better than the rarest perfume.

‘The fifth and sixth of them are: prepare his food on time, and keep quiet when he is asleep, for raging hunger is like a burning flame, and disturbing his sleep will make him angry.

‘The seventh and eighth of them are: take care of his servants (or employees) and children, and take care of his wealth, for taking care of his wealth shows that you appreciate him, and taking care of his children and servants shows good management.

‘The ninth and tenth of them are: never disclose any of his secrets, and never disobey any of his orders, for if you disclose any of his secrets you will never feel safe from his possible betrayal, and if you disobey him, his heart will be filled with hatred towards you.

‘Be careful, O my daughter, of showing joy in front of him when he is upset, and do not show sorrow in front of him when he is happy, because the former shows a lack of judgment whilst the latter will make him unhappy.

‘Show him as much honor and respect as you can, and agree with him as much as you can, so that he will enjoy your companionship and conversation.

‘Know, O my daughter, that you will not achieve what you would like to until you put his pleasure before your own, and his wishes before yours, in whatever you like and dislike. And may Allah choose what is best for you and protect you.”

♥DIY♥ Ummi Edition: How I manage

2011-12-07T14:31:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum
So now if you read part 1- you'll totally understand this Inshaa'Allaah.

I am a worker bee lol! It is my desire to make my husband happy. Pleasing my husband in what is halal is pleasing to my Lord.

I am my girls example- living personal example in this house as to how a woman, wife, Ummi and Muslimah is suppose to be.

I got all of this on my back. This is like a song that plays on my mental keys everyday.

So with all of this in mind.....................................you get to work lol hence I'm a worker bee :)

I wrote a schedule here.

Cleaning- I love to clean! I love a house that smells good- I love organization though I'm far from organization- sometimes I'm up late cleaning or I clean while I work. When I'm in a real pickle I use my handy dandy timer lol. I time myself- I give myself 15 minutes per a room :) I LOVE IT! It is fun to beat the clock (sounds crazy but I dooooooooo).

Cooking- My husband has requested that while I cook breakfast, put lunch on and dinner. Lol..........so I TRY. My husband doesn't want the kids waiting for their food- especially when they wake up- they may be hungry- so to save the kids from following me around the house asking me for food lol - I just strive to have done before anyone ask me. Sometimes I don't have it ready- and silently make dua that the girls don't go after their father saying: "Baba can you cook the food." lol its happen.............I really recommend sisters do menu planners- saves time and money at the grocery store :)

Homeschool- I homeschool Mon-Friday- and Saturdays are for cleaning up, diy, or anything random- Sundays are my family days and its strictly a fun filled day. When I homeschool on the weekdays I only homeschool between 8 a.m. -- 10 a.m. in the morning and 2 p.m. - 3p.m. in the afternoon. Since my crowd is young my subjects are short- Plus I use the glenn doman method- and for my life it really works right now Al- Hamdu lillaah

Hair days- I do hair (style it) every two weeks. I wash hair 2 times in the month or more due to whatever hair product is in their head. Hair days are my most stressful and longest time ever lol! And this week is hair day...............*groans*

DIY activities- when my girls nap..............I diy. When they go to bed.............I diy. Or ask Abu Suhailah to watch the kiddos for like an hour- I need to do some things- if he is free and up to it (which is the case most of the time) he watches them :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By no means am I perfect or its easy for me. My motivation is truly pleasing my Lord. And I know if I listen to my husband demands- and if they are halal I'm suppose to submit and just do it. That's how I manage things. Every household runs differently- I know here- my husband expects things to be done a certain way, the children to be a certain way, and the like............so I work with goals in mind- then I think about how I have to achieve these goals:

Can I get more cleaning done at night, afternoon, morning?
Can I homeschool this time and have dinner on that time?
I think I can take a shower today LOL!!!!

There are so many things to do in a day and for me it's hard....................and I'm sooooooooo sorry if my blogger post make me seem as though I'm on "the ticket" lol as they say or use to say :). I struggle a lot- whether its with my self-esteem or moments of feeling like a bad wife or mother...........I'm a PESSIMIST and been one since -it feels like childhood. So it's a journey for me- motherhood, marriage, homeschool and more.

So I hope this gives everyone a little insight as to how I manage and why I try to mange things here :)
I'm looking forward to doing some DIY Ummi Edition.

The DIY Ummi Edition post after this introduction post will be my journey into being a home maker- I got a love in my heart for women who can bake their own bread, sew some pants, and put dinner on all at the same time..........I just love it so much lol.

So I hope you guys join me in my journey into being a homemaker- I been requested to learn how to sew using my husband's machine...................oh the joy lol (i do not like to sew) hope you guys visit me soon to see how it goes.

Oh by the way - no homeschool this week- i got over 6 loads of laundry in my room, and in my basement waiting for me to wash! I just got a wash machine and dryer and now I'm stuck on laundry duty-and I have to do hair- and I have to sleep and I have to breathe lol :)

♥DIY♥ Ummi Edition: The question❣ The story part 1

2011-12-07T13:36:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I was going to write a post yesterday about DIY for Ummi's but I did not know where to start. Since I'm no expert it was going to be my journey that I share with you.

I got a comment that read:

Second, do you have some sort of how you do it all post somewhere??? I can't figure out how you keep up with the basic care-taking of three young kids, home stuff (cooking/cleaning), and actually have time to plan and prepare teaching materials for them. I would love some insight on how you manage this.
I thought this would be a great way to start of my DIY Ummi Edition post with answering this question.

If your new to the blog then I will share some basic background of myself. I'm an Ummi to 3 girls- Suhailah 3 years and 8 months old. Yara 25 months old. Zainab 14 months old. I'm married and been married now for 5 years. I've been Muslim for 10 years.

❥I was shocked!❥ Story:

I had two moments in my life that I can remember that made me feel...different. I went to visit my mother and at the time my eldest was months old I believe.

- there was this show on. Anyways not going to give you a play by play of what the show is about as I don't want to condone it- but there was this one woman- a Christian woman- she had young children and older children. They gave the world a glimpse into her life- She was the happiest homemaker I ever seen- they believe that the husband is the head of the house and she was his "helpmate." The children would wake up early in the morning with their mother and "power clean" while the male children and husband slept. And she told the female kids to clean with a smile because this is what God loves and you should love it too.

I was like huh? She was happy to clean and was teaching her children to be happy to clean for the family as she believed this is what a woman's job is suppose to be- being a helpmate as this is what she said the bible told her. I.....................I was moved. Here it is- ME I have the haqq and was not acting like I did.

Story 2:

I was told about this woman- wont mention her name as she gets a lot of recommending time from some Muslims. She is Christian- and she teaches through the bible that they should submit to their husbands. Submit in all areas- no arguing, forgiving him even if he is wrong, marital intimacy, and over all catering to the husband.

These two women were living a life that I couldn't just simply do. Oh I believed it was correct. Because in Islaam we are taught how the woman should be and what her position is.

So I made a clear decision in my mind that I wanted to change for the sake of Allaah.

So now you know two main stories that will help you understand a little about how I do things here in my husband's house.

Early Literacy Box- Some ways you can use it

2011-12-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

In the making Early Literacy Box

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I had question about the Early Literacy Box and so I thought I answer via post that way everyone can join in with their ideas :) Inshaa'Allaah.

Let's get right to it hehe

I got this idea from a post Sis Umm Imaan has done- where she has made a numeracy box.

The Early Literacy Box (ELB) can be used in several ways

1. Games- my girls are pretty young and so I often have to make things lively and entertaining so my first idea when doing this was strictly as a game.

I had it in my mind to put it on the shelve where they can reach it and by their own wishes worked on it as much as they liked. We used it for the first time last night and the girls enjoyed it. They looked at the sight words and placed them correctly in their appropriate spot- Suhailah was very happy when she searched and found the correct word. And at times we worked together. Which is fine by me- I read the word and the 3 of us went on a hunt for its mate.

2. The word of the day- You introduce the word- for example you might say: "Today we are going to learn the word 'Please'" and then you might do an early literacy activity that is fun to go with this word- and read a story about saying the word "please" then perhaps at the end of the class/day you may tell that child to put the lollipop (lol that's what I call them) in the correct slot.... and you can do that for each word (may do this since Umm Maimoonah has given me advice on changing my words :) )

3. Milestone markers- every time your child learns a new sight word then he or she can place the word in the slot- some kids love seeing such achievements and progress they have made visually

4. Montessori Activities- allow your child to have uninterrupted, and independent work. My girls just want to be independent- nobody wants me following them and hassling them to do the work. So I put this on the shelve and I will teach them to do it themselves and make dua that they get it right lol and that I do not interrupt them and take over :)

I hope this helps- if you guys have any more activities to add just share below :)

✤DIY✤ Early Literacy Box

2011-12-06T14:46:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I recently reading a post from Sis Umm Imaan and she had a slide. The slide contain a lot of DIY activities that she made for her 3 year old. One of her DIY activities was a numeracy box. Which I loved Mashaa'Allaah. So I wanted to make the same thing- thennnnnnnnnnnn I figured why not make a Early Literacy box too?!?

some tools for the trade ;)

So I found a box that wasn't being used and got to work :).

For this project I used:

Craft sticks
a small box
tape
marker
and some sight word circles I had left over
scissors

What I did was use my scissors to sightly make lines going across the box so that my craft sticks could slide in. The lines are big and they are just right so that the craft sticks don't slide all the way in and disappear.

So I can make an even line I use my craft stick as a ruler as I went across.

the taping process :)

Ok this picture may need some explaining. Now I don't have a laminating machine- everything I do- that looks like it's laminated is surely tape lol. So I tried to take a picture to give everyone an idea how I "laminate" my things :). It is indeed a long process for big projects- but since I'm not in a position for a machine then I do use tape.

I wrote the words that I want to go across each row then I taped the blue strip you see above front, & back and then I cut off the tape that isn't needed anymore thus "laminating it" :). I did this because I want to use the board over again for new words- So after I "laminated" it I just put some tape on the back and stuck it to my board. I can simply remove it and make a new strip each time the girls complete it Inshaa'Allaah.

they look like lollipops lol

Once I did all that I started taping my sight word circles to my craft sticks. And taaaaaaaaaaaa daaaaa lol You have an early literacy box. The words I got from The Moffat Girls- which are suppose to be used to make caterpillars (which I did) but there are soooooooooo many of them I just make whatever I want. Mashaa'Allaah.

glittery fun :)

Then me and Abu Suhailah painted the box and I put glitter all over it! I still want to decorate it some more but I didn't have what I needed....perhaps I may DIY some decor lol

Thanks for the inspiration Umm Imaan!

What have you guys DIY lately?

❤ Blogs I heart ❤ Homeschool Moments

2011-12-05T00:19:00.000-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

I told myself when I first started posting "Blogs I heart" I was not going to do any homeschool blogs. Why? Well because if you look on your right hand side you see my blog list :) which is almost entirely made up of home schoolers hehe. So I originally wanted to post about blogs of different subjects.

But,I had to do it! I had to make an exception to the rule because I heart it just that much *smiles*

Homeschool Moments

Sis Umm Imaan runs this lovely blog. She is on wordpress- which is why you wont see her under my list of homeschool blogs.

I have to say-have you ever read a blog- or talked to someone online - and you never saw them before- but they feel like they been around for awhile and you've known them for the longest?

Even though you never heard them speak- that's like Umm Imaan to me- when she comes by and visit the blog she reminds me of one my friends that I see all the time and talk to often.

She has visit my blog and left comments and I always feel like I "know" her lol! I guess I know her in my her head *giggles*

Anyways she shares her homeschooling moments with her kiddos- which is very informative and inspiring Mashaa'Allaah.

Here is some info about herself, her family and her blog:

As Salaamu alaikum,

Welcome to homeschool moments. We are an Musllim homeschooling family in Cape Town , South Africa. Currently there are three lovely girls: Imaan aged 5, Zahra aged 3 and Sakeenah aged 9 months, masha Allah, tabaarak Allah.

About me… My name is Aneesa (Umm Imaan) and I am a Muslimah trying to please Allah alone…starting the journey of educating my daughters with the goal of Jannah in mind. We are striving to raise them upon Quran and Sunnah, from the understanding of the righteous predecessors, may Allah grant us success, Ameen.

Thus far its been a wonderful journey/juggling act trying to balance home life, family life and school but with the help of Allah we will succeed.

I think reading her post you get to experience her journey with homeschooling and from what I get from her blog is that she shares her ups, downs, questions, concerns and the activities she has done Mashaa'Allaah. She is also willing to help a sister out in their home school journey as well :)

So if your looking for a homeschool blog that is informative, friendly, and relate-able you gotta visit and follow her blog :)

May Allaah bless the sister with good in this life and the next Ameen

also

May Allaah make Sis Umm Imaan better than what I think, forgive me for what I do not know and do not hold her accountable for what the people say Ameen

✖Christmas Eve, Day, Gifts, Tis the Season....all Haram✖

2011-12-04T15:59:00.001-05:00

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

You guys don't think I'm crazy when I post things up about Thanksgiving, Christmas, or News Years. Trust me, a lot of Muslims still celebrate these holidays with their own reasons for doing so.

After my Thanksgiving post- that night I went blog visiting and I saw an article about celebrating Thanksgiving from an Ummi's perspective................the article condone celebrating this holiday and so it's normal. (May Allaah rectify the affairs of the Muslims ameen).

A lot of us are reverts..................have family members who insist that you come trade gifts and drink some egg nog with them at Christmas dinner..... what do you do? Do you go? Do you stay home?

The pressure for some is overwhelming....giving in and going- at times hating it in their heart and some go making justifications all the way: "Well I gotta keep the ties of kinship!" "I don't believe in the religious part of Christmas, I just do the secular stuff like giving gifts"

Well this year.........................let's get rid of "our" justifications and "our" reasons and follow Islaam wholeheartedly :)

Here is something worth your read:

Question: What is the ruling on congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration? And how do we respond to them if they greet us with it. And is it permissible to go to the places where they are having celebrations for that purpose. And does the person (Muslim) take a sin if he does the aforementioned without any intent? Rather he only does it being courteous, or due to shyness or due to being put in an awkward situation, or due to some other reasons. And is it permissible to resemble them in this?
Answer:
Congratulating the disbelievers on their Christmas celebration or other than that from their religious holidays is not permissible according to the consensus. As was related by Imaam Ibn Al Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, in his book “The ruling on the people beneath the Muslim protection”, when he said: "As for congratulating the disbelievers for their religious ceremonies that have kufr (disbelief) attached to it, then it is not permissible according to the consensus. For example congratulating them for their holidays or their fasts, so the person says, “May you have a bless holiday”, or he wishes them well for their holiday or something like that. So this, if the one who says it escapes from falling into kufr (disbelief), is (still) from the impermissible things. And it is on the same level as congratulating them for prostrating to the cross. Rather it is a greater sin with Allaah. And it is a more severe abomination than to congratulate them for drinking alcohol and killing someone, committing illegal sexual intercourse and things of this nature. And many of the people who don’t have any deen(or respect for the deen) fall into this. And he doesn’t know the ugliness (evil) of what he has done. So whoever congratulates a person for committing sins, or innovations, or disbelief, then he has exposed himself to the hate, wrath (anger) of Allaah."

We must fear Allaah. A good reminder is that we should worship Allaah as though we see Him- know that we cannot see Him but that He sees us! Would you go to that Christmas party the boss is throwing you if you saw your Lord watching you (even though you cannot see Him)?

I really implore you guys to re-read this and ask Allaah to make it easy on you to love what He loves and hate what He hates truly for His sake alone

(Shaykh Uthaymeen continues)

So congratulating the disbelievers on the religious holidays is not permissible, as shown by the proof brought by Ibn Al Qayim. Because in it, (congratulating the kufar on their religious holidays) is an approval for what they are upon from their kufr ceremonies, and showing them that you are please with it. Even if the person is not pleased with the actual kufr itself, it is also not permissible for the Muslim to be pleased with kufr ceremonies, or to congratulate them for it. Because Allaah the Exalted is not pleased with that, as Allaah the Exalted says,

“If you disbelieve, then verily, Allaah is not in need of you, He likes not disbelief for His slaves. And if you are grateful (by being believers), He is pleased therewith for you.” (AzZumar 39:7)

And the Exalted says,

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Al-Ma'idah 5:3)

So congratulating them with this is haram whether this person is your co worker or not. So if they greet us with their holiday greeting we don’t respond to them with it, because it’s not our holiday, and they are holidays that Allaah is not pleased with, and because it is something that is either innovated in their religion, or it was legislated but has since been abrogated by the deen of Islam that which Muhammad peace and blessing be upon him, was sent with to all of the creation. And He (Allaah) says about it (Islam)

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” (Aali Imran 3:85)

And for the Muslim to accept their invitations to these occasions (holiday celebrations) is haram (Impermissible). Because this is worst than congratulating them with it, because this would entail participating with them in this. Also it is haram for the Muslim to imitate the disbelievers by establishing celebrations for these occasions, or to exchanges gifts, or to
distribute sweets, or trays of food, or to stop work or anything like this. Due to the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him, “Whoever imitates a people is from them”. Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Tayeeyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said in his book, "Follow the straight path and oppose the path to the fire" that “Imitating them in some of their celebration causes happiness in their hearts for what they are upon from falsehood. And it
is possible that this might encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity to humiliate the weak minded”.

And whoever does anything from this is a sinner. And it is the same whether he did it being courteous, or seeking friendship, or due to shyness, or any other reason, because this is from being deceitful in the deen of Allaah. And this is from the reasons that reinforce the psyche of the disbelievers and to make them proud of their deen.

How are you avoiding the Christmas rush this year?

★Thoughts of an Ummi★ Questions & advice Part 2- She's my favorite girl

2011-12-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

health castle-source

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Have you ever ran into a family member who just preferred one child over the other? I have........often.

I've been through one child seems to be the fav- while the other two look on.

Its bittersweet to go visit family- the girls have a good time visiting love ones- so that's the sweetness but the bitter part is one child is always put an emphasis on. So much so that the child who doesn't get any attention doesn't seem to expect to get any- or at times tries to include themselves in the equation.

It hurts my heart as an Ummi when I see one child get more/better treatment then the other. It was often stated to the family member that they have to include all children in their treatment and that one child is not better than the other.

So it got better- all the children were treated like shiny new pennies......then one day- the family member must have forgotten..............and has gone back to fav child mode.

My husband gently reminds them over and over again to include everyone. I couldn't advise the person because I was too emotional....and my husband had to handle it. Now that I'm a lot calmer.... I still can't figure out how to get the person to understand that they have to be just.

However, it continues to happen and sometimes inside I wonder whether it's halal to stop just going over there..............................I know you have to keep the ties of kinship..............and you gotta give dawah and be kind......but sometimes I'm just close to not going over anymore and staying home- is that wrong? I mean you keep advising the people- but what about the child that watches on...........................

Anybody ever have that happen? One child is liked more by family or is the fav of the family?

◎Thoughts of an Ummi◎ Questions & advice Part 1- Please don't hit my child

2011-12-04T14:36:00.001-05:00

google image authoritydirectory.com

Bismillaah

As Salaamu Alaikum

Baraka'Allaahu'Feekum

Ugh............my head hurts just thinking about it.

Ok I'm super shy! I was voted most quietest senior in my high school class. DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STUDENTS I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH!?! And i was voted the quietest!

I don't like fights, confrontations, and the like. I tend to stay away from situations where I gotta do more talking then I like.

That includes going to the masjid.....................why do you ask?

Sometimes children are just so rough! My girls aren't rough.....not all- at least not with others. But some children are. We are suppose to go out today- but I really don't want to. Because I like to avoid confrontations......

Some kiddos bite other kiddos and some swing children around wildly until they come crashing to the floor. *shakes* If you know me- I panic when my girls fall due to their own self. Why oh why do I want to panic and confront a person whose child took a bite at mine???????

No the girls didn't get munched on or anything. Yet I wonder, what would I do if someone else child hit, bit, or rough housed mine?

What would you do if another child was aggressive towards your child? How do you tell another Ummi that their love, and precious joy smacked, kicked, hit or even bit your child?

I ran this over and over in my head...........but still don't feel comfortable in my words to convey that this is a problem.

Share some advice..............what would you do?

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