END OF TERM

The time has come where holidays begin, the term has ended and the relaxations become a thought. 

It has been a busy few months where university has started again and life just became a matter of uni and assignments. A routine almost with nothing in between.

Because of this I have been feeling lately that I need to get out more, not stay in all the time. 

But sometimes it becomes a bore when you do those kind of things by yourself all of the time. 

Generally, I get on with people in big groups, but somehow I feel more comfortable in smaller groups. 

Regardless, its been hectic. So, I welcome this holiday with open arms and the need for a new environment. 

I hope that you readers have been trying something new, and have been happy with what you are doing with your life at the moment. 

May Allah make it easier for you, Ameen.

Speak soon!

APOLOGIES

Asalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu,

Allah's peace and blessings upon you.

I would like to apologise for the lack of content on this blog. 

Internet issues you see. Who knew that having no internet could become such a burden and something that we depend on to even function in daily life. Be it contacting someone through Whatsapp, or even just watching something on Youtube.

Anyways,

Hows your Imaan going?

This year Isoc at our university is on the days which I am unable to attend which sucks because last year it was definitely a positive factor regarding faith and intentions.

This year I have to find other means of keeping myself content and practicing through videos or people or even large events. 

All of us could benefit from this if you are going through a similar situation, in that we should try and be around Muslims more than once a week, be it attending the mosque or jumuah, or even talking about Islam.

May Allah (swt) make it easy for us.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Its that time of year again where we all have to go back to school, college, university, work and actually try hard to accomplish our goal.

New beginnings are great when you want to try and break old habits, or fit in something new or even have a refreshing start to what you used to do. 

It often helps to have something new be it a book or accessories or stationary of even a new mentality.

Because I am going back to university soon Insha'Allah, one of my favourite things to get is a new bag and stationary. They make me feel like I am ready to start again and make an effort for the year ahead.

Just remember to stick to the deen.

Stick to what you believe in. 

Implement it into your daily lives so if God wills you will be successful in all aspects rather than one.

I hope you all have a blessed year and a successful beginning.

For those of you who are stuck on trying again, remember, pick a focus point and don't rush into something. Its the same for everything, if you rush into something then you slow down quicker than if you pace yourself in the beginning.

As my lecturer used to say in her Greek accent: 'Stay positive, keep smiling.'

OVERTHINKER..

What some people may call "over thinking" is something that I partake in often.

Rarely do I sit and think about something without it leading to all kinds of possibilities.

I honestly do not know if this is a good or bad thing. 

And trust me, it is never a concern about what other people think that I do this, but rather a way of portraying myself in a certain way FOR myself, to be a better person.

But for example, when I think that, my head will lead to a place that questions whether my intentions are pure and whether what I am doing is actually for myself or as pure as I assume I am being.

Does that complicate things?

Is it necessary?

I guess I will have to figure that out for myself as I go through life Insha'Allah.

As a Muslim it should be our priority to be God-conscious and to be aware. But Islam is never a religion that puts us in a situation that is difficult without a way out.

Allah is all Wise and all Knowing, and we have to believe that whatever is best for us is what we will get. 

We just need to try our best. Life is complicated as it is. We just need to have that 100% certainty that we are not in it alone and that Allah (swt) does not leave his believers to go astray and what is best for them is what they shall receive. 

Remember, how you think of Allah is how He will be to you. Think positive and Allah will never disappoint. 

NATURAL BEAUTY

I cant remember when my passion for photography first grew.

I feel like it has always been there, the desire to capture reality as a means of keeping the present forever.

But sometimes its hard to capture the essence, the purity of the moment.

We have a hazelnut tree in our garden and usually when my mother picks them they don't taste very nice.

But recently she tried them and liked the taste as it had become sweet.

Its funny how something that looks beautiful can actually be hard to crack.

Also occasionally when cracking the nut, a beautiful outter shell opened and led to brown empty inside shell.

SubhanAllah.

That says a lot about life in general.

16:13

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And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who remember. (16:13)

CELEBRATIONS

Eid Mubarak to everyone.

Spread happiness.

May Allah grant youre duas and remember if they dont happen, then something much greater is in store for you.

Alhamdillah.

Have at least one of the things you are greatful for in your mind, then go thank your Lord.

IS IT ALL AS IT SEEMS?

Life...

And its endless complications.

Its reality and its delusions.

Its hope and beliefs.

Its pleasures and displeasure.

Many times a day do I try and look deeper into situations, find the route cause of a problem, or according to others .. "thinking too much/ over thinking." 

This often occurs when I carry out particular actions myself. I apply books that I have read, lessons that I have learnt, beliefs that I follow, to myself and my own actions.

Maybe its purely because I think others think that of me, or its because I may aspire to work with people in the future. 

With all of this said, it always redirects itself to, what do you believe in, and how does that apply to what actions you have carried out. 

Does it have a purpose? 

Like this moth I found on my wall. It has remained in my room for one whole day, only leaving a short while ago. Why did it not move from its spot all day? 

This flower, may have a purpose for attracting attention of bees to collect their pollen.

Everything has a purpose.

YOU have a purpose.

I have a purpose.

WE have a purpose.

Whether you believe its to serve God or to help the people.

Having a purpose is the purpose of life.

Don't you think?

Sometimes its hard to put into words what is in your mind. 

To be expressed or not to be is the question.

What is it that I want to improve on to fulfill my purpose? 

Should we strive to want to be a flower whose purpose leads to trail of other roles or a moth whose role (I) do not yet understand.

Maybe that is the question I need to answer.

CAKES FOR CHARITY

On February the 26th I made a drastic decision to see how long I could go without sugar, be it cakes, chocolate, pies, sweets, sugar, spreads etc. 

Before, I was someone who LOVED chocolate, and im pretty sure I still am. Its just been so long since I last had a chocolate bar (even before February 26th). Right now, its been almost five month this July 26th. Anyways thats besides the point. :3

I just wanted this message to be, that regardless of what decisions you make, do your absolute best to complete it, fight off the temptations, fight off the challenges, fight the battle of the mind. 

Even if you are unsure of what you want the end result to be, or how long you want to do/ keep doing something, be sure to choose the opportunities that provide you the best, in this life or the next.

Be it for your health, religion, career, education, family, friends, charity.

BE THANKFUL/ GRATEFUL

Smile. Its charity.

Ps. Even though my mother baked these sweets I did not have them. Temptation was real though.

PRAY FOR GAZA

Take a moment..

To appreciate what you have in this world

To be conscious of your position in this world

To know that while you have the good, some may have the bad

To be grateful and thank your Lord for these blessings

To think of those in Gaza, Syria, Burma and all the countries full of suffering

Reflect on the purpose of your life and where you feel it is taking you

Just look around us. The wars, the fight, the struggle, the pain.

"The Nation that claims to be the key peacemaker on Earth is the same Nation that makes and sells the most Weapons on Earth." Dr Uthman Lateel.

"And when it is said to them, Do not make mischief in the land, they say: We are but peace-makers. Now surely they themselves are the mischief makers, but they do not perceive." (Al- Baqara - 2:11-12)

Laa illaha illallah muhammadan rasoolullah (saw). 

BOOK WORM

Reading has always been a hobby of mine; from fiction to horror, from romance to comedy. I get excited when I dont read for a while and then suddenly I have time to fit in all the books that I intended to read in.

Some people say that its better to read books that actually matter in life, which I 100% agree with. However, sometimes reading fiction is a nice break into an unrelated world where you get to watch someone elses life unravel. Its like living another life without actually having to do anything but move your eyes.

These are my books for the summer:

- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

- The Fault in our Stars by John Green

- And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

- Double Cross by Malorie Blackman.

INSPIRATION

Around a year ago today, I found the daily reminder on YouTube whilst going through a tough time. I have never been so grateful to Allah (swt) that He guided me to this page. 

What was funny was that every time something negative came into my head, that night when I would go onto this daily reminder there was a video up and ready as if it was there specifically for me, addressing that particular problem that I was having.

From finding this page, it has also led me onto finding other pages such as

• The Prophets Path
• The Merciful Servants
• Chronicles of Faith
• Ink Of Knowledge
• Muslim Speakers

And many more..

Even though sometimes they may post similar videos, it just ensures you don't miss a vital story. 

I seriously recommend them. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheDailyReminder

NEW WAYS..

Bismillahir rahmanir raheem. 

In the name of Allah, the Most High, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Blogging became a thought of mine as a way of expressing myself and my thoughts that may not be something that I would be able to verbalize. I pray that I do not mention something that is mistaken.

As human beings, we are prone to making mistakes. Its part of the learning process. Its the way we succeed. Its the way we improve. 

As we grow, we may reach a point where we feel lost, or misunderstood. Knowledge is something that needs to be sought out. Its something that we need to look for, rather than wait for it to find us. 

Yet, we need to be very careful to find the correct resources.

Sometimes, if we are not careful about simple things such as this, it may only come back to us as harmful. It may feed us information that provide us with a belief that is not sufficient. 

May Allah guide us and keep us on the path. 

May Allah make out sources that of which follow the Sunnah.

May Allah guide the lost souls back onto the path.

May Allah remove doubt from our hearts.

"Ya muqallib al-qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik

O mover of hearts, make my heart firm upon your religion

Ya musarrif al-qulub, thabbit qalbi ‘ala ta’atik
O director of hearts, keep my heart in a state of obedience to you

Allahumma, ya muqallib al-qulub wa’l-absar, thabbit qalbi ‘ala dinik
O Allah, O controller of the hearts and eyes, let my heart hold fast onto your religion."