Catching Up: Mid-terms and IAW

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So I think I'm getting better in terms of studying for university tests. Although slacking seems to still be a prevalent problem, I am working on it! I just finished all my exams last week, and had already been studying for (some) of them from a couple weeks before (hence the lack of posts). Now alhumdulillah, I am done and feel very relaxed, not to add that my week-long break is coming up after this one last week of school, so I'm even more happy about that.

This past week we had Islamic Awareness Week at university, which was so amazing. Being a first year, it was the first time I witnessed the muslims in the school come together to work on such a great project. This year the theme was "Faith in Secular Societies: Islam in the Age of Reason", and although the turn-out wasn't as high as it could have been due to everyone having mid-terms, it was still lots of fun. The feeling of being able to go to the Student's Centre (where it was being held) and just be in an Islamic environment was so nice. It didn't even feel like I was at school - something I mentioned to my friends about ten or twelve times.

I am going to miss IAW and can't wait for next year's, iA!

Watch our school's trailer for IAW below:

For Those Who Have Intellect

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"And there were gathered before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: 'O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.' So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves" (Al Quran, Surah Naml: 17-19).

Scientists have now discovered that ants are able to communicate with each other, a discovery that was in fact mentioned (barely in passing) in the Noble Quran, fourteen hundred years ago.

Surely, this discovery is a sign for those who have intellect, no?

"Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?" (Quran, 55:13).


Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Advances in audio technology have enabled scientists to discover that ants routinely talk to each other in their nests.

Most ants have a natural washboard and plectrum built into their abdomens that they can rub together to communicate using sound.

Using miniaturized microphones and speakers that can be inserted unobtrusively into nests, researchers established that the queens can issue instructions to their workers."

Read the rest of the amazing article here.

How To Be A Good Muslimah - Respect to Parents

I wrote the title to this post before I even knew what to write under it.

But, I do know where to start.

When writing about "How To Be A Good Muslimah", of course, there are the basics: the five daily prayers and the reading of the Quran. The fasting, the charity, and the good manners. But more than that, how should a modern girl living in the West try to be a good muslimah? What steps should she take to set her apart from the rest?

(I will attempt to write on this topic in a series of short posts, but I want to add that I am not attempting this question by claiming that I know the answer. Instead, I am answering it to clear my thoughts and in fact, encourage myself.)

This is how you be a good muslimah, Muslim Girl.

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I think the thing that deserves to be number one is Respect to Parents. I think most people underestimate the amount of honor parents (especially mothers) hold in Islam, myself included. Sometimes we talk to them in a way that we wouldn't even talk to our own friends - people who have been in our lives for a few simple months or years. Yet the way some of us treat our mothers (or parents) makes it seem as if they have been bothering us since the day we were born!

If I ask myself, "what would make me happy", the answer would probably be something like, "success in this world and the hereafter." But today, I asked my mother what would make her happy, and without a moment's hesitation, she answered, "The happiness of my children." I guarantee your parents will have the same answer. And so, with that, what is the first step that a good muslimah can take to honor her parents? Make dua for them.

Imagine it is the Day of Judgment. The scorching heat of the sun is an arm's length away, and good deeds are scarce. You don't know if you even have enough to make it to Paradise - when all of a sudden, your status is raised, and in amazement, you ask 'How is this for me??' Imagine the joy you will experience when you are told, 'By your child's seeking forgiveness for you*.' Subhan'Allah. This is what will happen to the parents whose children make dua for them and seek forgiveness for them in this world, so make the same dua for your parents, and insh'Allah, may your children do the same for you.

*A hadith related by Abu Hurayrah (RA); Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617

The Truth About The 2009 Gaza Massacre

Food for Thought

(from here)

"Tell your audience... to imagine what it feels like, to find three little children clasping onto the dead body of their mother."

The statement echoed in the silence of the large auditorium where five hundred people held their breath, absorbing what they had just heard. The executive director of Islamic Relief Canada read this out loud from her cell phone. She was up at the podium, midway a speech, when another Islamic Relief volunteer had just texted her this message live from Gaza.

"Her body had already been decaying for three days when they found them," she continued, her voice breaking.

I could feel the air constrict in my lungs, and tears well in my eyes. I looked to the side to see another young woman fleetingly wipe her face with her sleeve. It was approximately 8:30pm on a Thursday night, and we had just finished listening to Dr. Normal Finkelstein's speech on the "History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." The event, which had attracted visitors from all over Ontario, was sponsored by Canadians for Justice & Peace in the Middle East, and yours truly, Islamic Relief Canada, whom I was volunteering for.

I was sitting on the aisle steps in the front of the auditorium, my head in my hands, wearing IRC's trademarked logo on a bright blue shirt. The blue bucket which would be used to collect donations during the fundraiser was placed between my feet. I turned behind me to see if the other IRC volunteers had assumed their positions in the aisle as well, ready to begin collecting, and then turned back to listen to the remainder of the speech.

The auditorium was filled with hundreds of guests, everyone from university students, members of the MSA committee, to visitors from neighbouring cities, and not to mention a video and a camera crew. I was pleased to see people of other ethnic origins and religions. Alhumdulilah, the event had garnered so much attention that the hall was packed, despite 250 people having been turned away. Even the fundraiser was successful; people willingly emptied their wallets and requested for pledge forms.

It is important in times like this, when our ummah is suffering, to dedicate time and hard work in order to make a difference. Whether it is by volunteering to raise funds, or marching on a cold winter's day to protest, every tiny action we do with the intention to help our fellow muslims has an impact - despite however impossible it may seem. Not only is it our obligation as Muslims to fight injustice, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves. Do you know the true history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Do you know the truth behind what is going on in Gaza right now? Or are you simply believing what the Western media has fed you?

IF ONLY AMERICANS KNEW.

Regardless of your race or religious affiliation, it is your responsibility to react when injustices are commited not only against a people who you may not know, but against humanity.

Wouldn't you want someone to do the same for you?

The Extra Light Face Lotion

I always like to share when I find a good product, so I thought I would do that once again :)

I found this C.O. Bigelow face lotion called the Extra Light Face Lotion for Normal to Oily Skin. I thought this product worked really well because it helped to keep my skin moisturized, but also minimized the shine that often appears throughout the day.

The white clay ingredient helps to absorb excess oil, therefore keeping the skin soft and fresh looking!

But there is bad news and good news. Unfortunately, Bath & Body Works (the store that also carries this lotion) along with C.O. Bigelow, is discontinuing the sales of this product, so you might have to be quick to get your hands on it. The good news? The discounted price is now $5 for a 4oz bottle from a previous whopping $20!

After trying this and both the Philosophy Hope In a Jar, I would definitely recommend this one. Not only because it works well, but because for less than a quarter of the price (actually one-tenth), you are getting DOUBLE the amount. Not only that, but this sale price costs even less than drugstore brands of face lotions, such as Nivea or Neutrogena.

I might even go back and buy another one.