Change in layout?

I'm hoping to hear from my readers regarding my current layout. Do you feel it needs changing? Or should I consider sticking with it?

Lately, I've been experimenting with photoshop and trying to design my own blogger background. Of course, I'm still a beginner so I might be changing backgrounds often to try and experiment.

Please use the comments area for feedback. Would love to hear from you. :)

Back In Action & Recurring Dreams

As salaam walaikum all,

I know I've been on a huge blogging break. I had been extremely busy for a while now after which I needed a break. Did a bit of travelling and relaxing. Alhumdulillah. But I am back.

Recently, I had a dream about an amusement part which I believe I've dreamt about several times. In fact, the dream was so familiar that I actually felt that I had been to such a park. But in reality, the more I thought about it, the more I began to realize that I've never been to such a place. But I felt as if I had collected memories of several places and formed a unique place that came to me in my dream. I love amusement parks and I've been to several places in different parts of the world. Just a few of the things I recall is this water ride. It was a huge slide with turns and twists and you sit down and are eventually thrown into the water but somehow people were floating over the water which flowed like a stream around the steps leading up to the slide. The interesting thing was no one was actually getting wet except for a little bit. Everyone was normally dressed. In another part of this park were some rides similar to the octopus where I thought I could sit and try myself off.
http://susieofarabia.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/dscf6012-4.jpg
Source: http://susieofarabia.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/water-park/
Please note that I have never actually been to the above waterpark. It's the closest image I could find to what I had seen in my dream.

In earlier parts of the dream I saw myself driving along a coast line. It was a really beautiful sight. Huge waves hitting the rocks. Apparently I had driven off to a different part of the country where a cousin lives.


Source: http://www.new-zealand-pictures.co.nz/
Above is a place in new zealand. This was similar to what I had seen in my dream.

In reality cousin lives in a different place. The city I was in isn't as beautiful as I had dreamt. Nor is there such a coast line. This part of the dream was new but the previous part was as though I have seen the park several times before.

Have you ever experienced any recurring dreams or dreams that made you feel as if you've been to certain places but in reality never have. Or anything that felt so real, even after you awaken, you feel unable to recover from what you have seen.

Ramadan Mubarak!

Alhumdulillah the blessed month is here. I wish every Ramadan Mubarak. Remember to increase good deeds and stay away from bad habits.

I've come across a Ramadan check list that may be beneficial to us all: http://www.scribd.com/doc/277033/Ramadhan-action-checklist

May Allah accept our fasts, duas and good deeds. Ameen.

We've got some awesome dates at home this time. I'm not sure of their name but they taste wonderful when they are ripe. Here's a pic:


Enjoy your Ramadan and may Allah make our fasts easy. Ameen. :) Do keep me in your duas as well.

Benefits Of Reciting Various Surahs

I found a a link stating all kinds of benefits of various Surahs including those which the Prophet read during various prayers:

http://www.sunnipath.com/library/Books/B0039P0009.aspx

Something To Reflect On

A hadith I came across recently:

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah `azza wa jall said: ‘Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by being inflicted with poverty, and were I to enrich him, it would surely corrupt him. Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by wealth and affluence, and were I to deprive him, it would surely corrupt him. Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by good health, and were I to make him sick, it would surely corrupt him. Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by disease and illness, and were I to make him healthy, it would surely corrupt him. Verily, from amongst My slaves is he who seeks worship by a certain act but I prevent that from him so that self-amazement does not enter his heart. Certainly, I run the affairs of My slaves by My Knowledge of what is in their hearts. Certainly, I am the All-Knower, All-Aware.‘”

[Reported by al-Tabarani.]

If anyone comes across an explanation for this hadith in more detail, please do post in the comments.

Jazakallah khair. :)

Campaign Against Draw Muhammad Day

I'm sure many of you have heard of this campaign and even though the woman who originally thought of the idea regrets ever bringing it up, some people are using the idea to defend their hatred by trying to hurt Muslims. Instead of targeting and opposing violent acts committed by a few, a facebook group & website is promoting open hatred against Muslim's beloved Prophet (saw).

Unfortunately, we cannot remove the hatred from the hearts of everyone but we can try to enlighten people and remove their ignorance and one sided view about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (saw) and let Allah (swt) guide their hearts and their conscience.

There is campaign started by some Muslims and I found the following videos on youtube.

It is very beautiful, mashaallah.

Also read this response from CAIR regarding this day.

It is important to understand that by joining these groups and stooping to their level, we would not be achieving anything but inspiring more to try and annoy us. Recollect the hadith that the one who controls is the stronger person and the following:
Abu Umamah al-Bahili reports: Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
I guarantee a house in the lower portion of Jannah for whoever gives up arguing even if he is right, and a house in the middle of Jannah for whoever gives up lying even if he is joking, and a house for in the highest level of Jannah for whoever perfects their akhlaq. [Abu Dawood]

Instead of reacting, we should increase our efforts to promote the truth behind Islam and become more active in dawah.

Patience/Sabr

I'm trying to collect hadith and ayahs on Sabr and patience, please comment if you know of more.

Jazakallah khair.

Here's what I have so far:
"O you who believe! Endure and be more patient..". (3:200)

"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)". (2:155)

"Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.'' (39:10)

"And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.'' (42:43)

"Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun (the patient).'' (2:153)

"And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient)'' (47:31)