Where I'm meant to be

                 

  It feels so good to be home again. My tiny little home where we can unwind and relax in. Just the two of us. My husband and I live a very simple and kind of boring life it seems. I like boring and simple. While I was extremely happy to visit my family and spend a lot of time with them I felt out of place. I felt as if this wasn't my life or where I should be. It sounds strange but I felt like I was becoming disconnected from Islam for the week. I kept up my prayers as best I could, but I felt strange having to excuse myself at "random" times. My family doesn't keep me from Islam but at the same time doesn't encourage it either. The lifestyle they live is perfectly fine-but not the lifestyle I want. I wish my family could experience the sheer joy of Islam that I do. We have small discussions but we don't push it too far. To me religion is personal and one should feel it in their heart. If you don't feel it in your heart then  there is no purpose.  Islam is so beautiful and perfect in every way Alhamdallah. I just wish others could see and feel the way I do. I am so happy to have embraced Islam and that Allah(swt) has blessed me with the most supportive husband in the world. He helps me strive to be a better Muslim everyday.   

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. Surat Ar Rum {30:21} The Nobel Quran

Fresh from the garden

  
While our visit to Michigan has come to an end, and I'm pleased to be taking back some wholesome goodness. My mom has a beautiful backyard garden with herbs, fruit trees, vegetables and plants growing abundantly. We picked mint, rhubarb, basil, parsley, tomatoes, flowers, and even a few weeds that grew in our path. There is nothing sweeter after a hearty meal then a cup of fresh picked mint tea to unwind with. Growing your own food-even it it's just herbs is so rewarding. My mom has such a green thumb and a passion for gardening that I hope it rubs off on me in my garden someday. I don't have a yard in New York, so coming here and just relaxing in her backyard was so peaceful. Inshallah I will have the space or small patch of grass to grow on. The duties, and responsibilities that come along with a garden can encourage an individual to be more patient, reliable, or to simply see the fruits of their labor that Allah (swt) has placed here for us to enjoy.

The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said, "If any Muslim plants any plant, and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity."

Yumminess in Dearborn!

 

       

    My husband and I are visiting our families in Michigan for the week. First on the agenda was an old routine of breakfast at our favorite Arabic bakery. They make the most delicious Lahme Ajeen! It's gooey, juicy and all around yummy. We love to go very early, before the sun is even out, when all the windows are steamed up and the bread is fresh fresh fresh! In East Dearborn every other store is a bakery or food establishment of some sort. It's mostly Lebanese, but it has a mix of all the Middle Eastern flavors too.

    Aside from the authentic home cooked meals there are the many well stocked shops for any Arab household. You can take your pick at a favorite Shisha shop, pick out a nice Hijab, and grab a box of sweets that are a little taste of heaven. All on the same block might I add. 

   If anyone is in the Detroit area you must take a 5 minute drive down Warren Avenue. You will not be disappointed with the wonderful community of neighbors and friendly faces. 

"And hold fast, all of you together to the rope of Allah, and do not seperate." 

Surat Al Imran  {3:103} The Nobel Quran

Leaving behind the old traditions

   Every year for the Forth of July holiday my uncle has a huge get together at his house in Michigan. He has a nice in ground pool with a beautiful backyard in the country. When I was younger all my cousins and I would go swimming for hours and spend the entire day in the sun. The tradition is passed on with the next generation of kids swimming and yelling,"CANON BALL!" and girls vs boys contests. Each year the size of the party increases with more and more people joining the family, more babies than the last, and more friends of friends being invited. Everyone brings a dish to pass, and a type of meat for the grill. It is a wonderful time for the family to relax and enjoy each others company in the summer heat.
    It wasn't until after I embraced Islam did I try to pull back. I immediately stopped swimming, and just hung around the adults and watched from the sideline. I did however start to become aware of the fact that I was the only one who cared about my situation. My family was very supportive of my decision to be a Muslim but at the same time they are not going to rearrange their whole lives for my needs. For example, when I got married I was gifted a brand new set of pots and pans-nothing haram has ever touched those pans. But I can't say the same for the grill used at the barbecue. It has seen a lot of pork on it, along with hamburgers, steak, chicken, ribs, and hot dogs. That's what you do at a get together right? I had to basically only eat from dishes that I knew were vegetarian or sweets. Aside from the food situation there was the alcohol. Nobody would get wasted but it did seem like everyone over 21 had a beer in their hand. I wasn't drinking so I didn't think it was a big deal. I started to think about when I have kids (Inshallah). Do I want them exposed to that? Do I want them to think it's ok for men and women to lounge around half naked with a beer in their hand? Even though everyone is related and were all family it's not appropriate for my 30-year-old brother to see his 16-year-old cousin in practically her underwear. That is not the message I want my kids to take in. That is the hardest part about becoming a better Muslim. I had to leave the old traditions and memories behind in order to focus on the new beliefs and ways of how I want to live my life. Nobody said transitioning would be easy. My husband didn't want me involved in family functions like that. At first I was upset and didn't want to hear his reasons. But as I grew into my role of a Muslim I understood better. A way for me to still stay in contact with my family and not totally leave them behind is Skype or FaceTime. I get to see them at these functions but without the actual indulging in the activities. I also try to go and visit them while there isn't anything really going on.
     I hope that whether or not you have your families support, you always respect them. Pray for them and try to help them have a better understanding of Islam and the path that you're on. It is such a beautiful path that everyone should see.

   To make good contact with your blood relations and to be good to them is great in the Eyes of Allah the Highest

Roz. For a Yemeni, by an Italian

    I know that every cook has their own ways and techniques in the kitchen. This is how I cook rice for my husband. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

My ingredient list: Onion, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, jalapeno, tomato, slivered almonds, raisins, Basmati rice, and one Sazon packet.

For the rice, whatever kind of cup you are using just double the water to amount of rice you use. 1 cup rice, 2 cups water.

 

Dice the cauliflower and carrots into small chunks. Slice the onions into thin strips.

Fry sliced onions in oil until almost burnt brown

Add cauliflower and carrots and crisp them up as well.

Next add in the rest of the ingredients; slivered almonds, raisins, tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Cook until everything is soft, and almonds are brown, about 2-3 minutes. When finished cooking, empty veggies into a bowl and keep on the side.

In the same pot stir uncooked, unwashed rice with about a tablespoon of oil. You want to coat each piece of rice.

Add your water and bring to a boil. As soon as it's boiling give the rice one quick stir and put the lid on. Turn heat down to low. (The flame should not be touching the pot.)

After all the water is absorbed into rice, about 10 minutes, sprinkle top with Sazon packet, put the lid back on, and turn off the flame. Let the rice rest for about 10 minutes with no heat.

Add your cooked veggies to the rice and stir together.

Bon Appetito!

  

  The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said," No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink, and one third for his breath."

What's coming out of your speakers?

   
    Whenever I turn on the car the radio is on. My husband and I like having constant noise, even though we don't listen to it always. It is so easy to get sucked into the haram acts of this world, that we may forget how bad it can become. Songs nowadays are just one example. Our cars come standard with a radio and the music that comes out of the speakers. But we must choose what we put in our ears. There are so many beautiful Nasheeds written and even listening to Quran recitation, or Islamic lectures is more beneficial. My husband introduced me to a variety of poets that recite in Arabic and don't use any instruments. It is absolutely wonderful. We all should be hearing Quran more and truly listening to the message, not some auto-tune person singing about getting drunk in the club. The more people listen to these singers the more they want to be like them, look up to them, idolize them. The only person we should want to strive to be like is the Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H). He alone is who Allah(swt) chose. Why in the world wouldn't we want to be like that?!

The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said "Most certainly, there will be in my Ummah people who will make lawful fornication, silk, liquor and musical instruments."

Before it's too late

 
   Before it's too late, thank Allah(swt). Thank Allah(swt) for what you have; a mind, a home, your loved ones, Islam. Too often we get wrapped up in our daily lives and duties as humans that we forget to truly thank Allah(swt). Even as we pray 5 times daily that's not enough. Allah(swt) had given us everything in our lives and without him nothing would be possible.
  A young woman in the community past away this morning in her sleep. It's sad to say but why is it when we hear of someone else passing do we think of our own feelings and then remember to thank Allah(swt) for giving us another day? I'm sure not everyone feels the same but I know that we only have a limited time in this tested life and then we meet Allah(swt). Please make it count and say Alhamdulillah for whatever is in your current path.

 And remember when your Lord proclaimed, "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe." 

Surat Ibrahim [14:7]- The Nobel Quran

Too many spoons in the kitchen

    Ever since I was little my Nona and Mom taught me everything I needed to know in the kitchen. How to follow a recipe, precise measuring, and proper pan etiquette. It wasn't until after I got married that I pretty much threw that all out the window. My husband is a simple guy and enjoys simple foods. Everyday he wanted the same thing, lahme and roz (meat and rice).When we moved in together I had all of what I thought was necessary kitchen equipment, and more spices then I knew what to use them for. He laughed as it took up a full cupboard and then some. All of my best dishes he didn't want. I thought I was going to fail as a cook for my husband. After some recipe combining and long phone conversations with his sisters did I start to get the hang of things. All I really needed was a couple pans and only a handful of spices. His favorite meals are so easy now that I even have my own shortcuts. Yemeni cooking is very easy with just a few simple ingredients prepared differently. A while back my husbands relatives visited us from Michigan. Their wives and I swapped kitchen secrets and I truly enjoyed seeing the way they cook. I still experiment with different flavors of food but in the end it's usually lahme that is requested.

“Eat of the good things which We have provided for you."  
Surat Al-Baqarah [2:173] - The Noble Quran

Palestina Amore

Palestina Amore-Al Jazeera World
With all the disturbing news stories about ethnic cleansing of Palestine, what can we do to help? What can little old me do to help? I wish I could go there and just do something, anything, it's not fair! Who gives anyone the right to tear families apart for land? Only Allah(swt) has the right to do what he pleases. One thing that we can do is make Dua for all the people on both sides of the fence. It's unfathomable what is happening to the innocent. But it's certainly not fair for me to judge. Making Dua is important and personal. If we all shift our focus a little bit to Palestine then Inshallah more tangible opportunities may arise.
  Last month Palestinian activist and revert to Islam, Lauren Booth visited a masjid here. She spoke about how her conversion started by delivering balloons in Gaza, but Israel wouldn't let her leave. After eventually being allowed to leave Gaza she then found herself in Iran. Where upon visiting the Shia Fatima al-Masumeh Shrine she declared herself a Muslim. Without her situation in Gaza she may have not embraced Islam the way she did. She is now actively involved in helping the world understand the truth behind the Israeli Occupation. If something as simple as a balloon inspired Lauren Booth to become involved, then surely making Dua for Palestine is even better. As she explains, "Why is Palestine so important to the Ummah? Out of all the cities in world, why did Allah(swt) choose Palestine so rise the Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H up on his night journey before ascending? Because Allah(swt) wants us to always look towards Al Aqsa and never forget Palestine or its people."

You can view her story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJP_4cU7jGc

"Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing."
Surat Al-Isra [17:1] - The Noble Quran

Nona's Birthday, and how I came to Islam

     So today, well yesterday now is my Nona's(Grandmother) birthday. She is 73 and more active than I am. She is the most amazing person I know and will ever know. She is so kind-hearted and non judgmental in so many ways. She was the first person in my family that I spoke with about reverting to Islam. You see I am from Dearborn, Michigan. The most Arab populated city in America outside the Middle East. So hearing that I wanted to be like everyone else wasn't a big shock to her, what the shock was that I wanted to believe and act upon those beliefs. We all grew up in this atmosphere, most of my friends were Arabic, I ate with them, went to weddings with them. I was already accepted for just who I was. I didn't need to change for them one bit. It wasn't until after I graduated high school did I realize that something was lacking from my life. I didn't have, need or want anything specific, but something was missing. My family is not religious in any way shape or form. Yes we celebrate all the holidays but in all honesty it was just a convenient  time everybody could get together. So when a friend of mine asked if I would like to go to a masjid for a function I was happy to go. Just to see old friends and socialize. While at the masjid I saw every single person praying at the same time in synchronized fashion, all focusing on the same goal-Allah. It was so moving and peaceful that I wanted to be apart of it too. So after some heavy reading and finding the courage to tell my family I said my Shahada. August 21,2008. We cried, laughed and at times was tried to be talked out of it. Some people thought I was crazy to want to cover and wear boring plain clothes. I really really loved the sleek look of an all black abaya, but my mom thought it was gothic looking and hated it on me. I did play around with different styles but that isn't what Islam is about. It's very hard to be guided in a direction that my family didn't see necessary. I had all the freedom in the world to do what I wanted and I chose this path. For the first year or so I had to kind of live a double life. Living at home with my parents I had to respect their rules and tip toe around with my beliefs. My mom was as helpful as she could be. She respected that I no longer ate pork or wanted alcohol used for cooking certain foods. Turkey bacon from now on. That was nice. Ramadan was very hard and very lonely. I had only myself to get me through Suhoor and Iftar-being the times they took place. After I met my husband things felt a lot better but still not right. We were engaged for almost 2 years living in different states trying to stay together. It really was hard but having him in my life helped me get through difficult times. After we did finally get married and moved in together, then everything just fell into place. I could really be myself and practice my religion with his guidance and help.

     But back to my wonderful Nona, when I told her about reverting she said something that has stuck with me to this day. She said,"Religion is such a personal thing in someones life that nobody else has the right to tell you what to believe. You don't need a specific building or person telling you what to do or what not to do (she meant the Pope) God knows what is in your heart and what your intentions are." Thank you for always being the best person and giving me so much wisdom in life.

 The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said, "Those who do not show mercy to our young ones and do not realize the right of our elders are not from us."