Fjar Prayer

I often take for granted what a hard time it can be for others to wake up and pray fjar (morning prayer). During the week I am up during the fjar time anyway, it's not difficult for me to "make" this prayer. On the weekends I can wake up, pray, and eventually doze back off to sleep on the days I have nothing planned. I feel terriffic when I pray fjar, it feels as though my day is starting off right. In modern day society there really is no excuse for not getting up for this glorious prayer. I used to have a few excuses myself that I've overcome:

Oversleeping- We have alarm clocks now, it's not like we are amish.

Not waking up to the alarm- Really? When it's something "important" like an appointment or work, do you oversleep the alarm? Probably not, or you likely don't have your job anymore. Let's face it, our prayers our more important than work even, so why not get up?

It's too much work- In all reality, how long does it take to make wudu and pray 2 rakah? Maybe 15 minutes at the MOST. We can't wake up for 15 minutes? Seriously? I have no problem falling back asleep afterward.

What do they say in the athan for fjar... "Prayer is better than sleep". Truly it is.

"Perform As-Salat from mid-day till the darkness of the night, and recite the Quran in the early dawn. Verily, the recitation of the Quran in the early dawn is ever witnessed." 17:78

The angels in charge of mankind during the night and during the day are both present at fjar.

Start your day off the right way, eating breakfast is important too, but I'm talking about getting up to worship Allah. To thank Allah for allowing us to start another day. You may think that you will feel sleepy, but everything is from Allah. I never feel sleepy when I wake up for fjar, I feel that my day has been started in the best way possible.

A Mother's Importance

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor.



And lower unto them the wing of submissionand humility through mercy, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young."" (Quran 17:23-24)



170: Volume: 8, Book Number: 73, Hadith Number: 2Narrated Abu Huraira:
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father. "



172: Volume: 8, Book Number: 73, Hadith Number: 6Narrated Al-Mughira:
The Prophet said, "Allah has forbidden you ( 1 ) to be undutiful to your mothers (2) to withhold (what you should give) or (3) demand (what you do not deserve), and (4) to bury your daughters alive. And Allah has disliked that (A) you talk too much about others ( B), ask too many questions (in religion), or (C) waste your property."



There are plenty of reminders for me to be good to my mother. It's not always easy, sometimes she pushes me too far. Our relationship is very strained at times. I just have to remember how important it is to be good to my mother in islam. Though she may say things that upset me, I just have to hold my mouth shut, and let it go. She not only went through all the hardship to carry me and give brith to me. She fed me and changed my diapers. She always made sure that I was taken care of. After my parents divorced, she struggled through working difficult jobs to make sure my sister and I had our needs met. May Allah bless her with the good things in this life. May Allah help me to give her all the respect and regard she deserves from me.

Success!

I can now breathe through at least one of my nostrils! And sometimes both of them, (usually after I blow my nose, so it's not long-lasting). I am sure that is just the imformation you wanted to read when you came to my blog.

I just realized it's been about a week since I've posted. I've been keeping busy, Alhamdulilah, and spent a couple of days being sick, woo hoo!

I am almost caught up on my Quran reading. I fell one chapter behind due to illness, but am working to catch up. InshaAllah soon. I feel good about this Ramadan. I feel I am keeping on track with what I set out to do. I feel that is successful so far. It is about half over and inshaAllah I will keep the success for the last two weeks as well.

I hope your Ramadan is successful too. I pray that you feel like you did all that you could for Allah this Ramadan. InshaAllah we will keep on after this month too.

Day 7: The Balancing Act

Alhamdulilah, I am keeping up on my reading (it feels good). Alhamdulilah, I can pray, which means I will be going to the masjid this weekend to pray taraweeh (finally!). I have been cooking delicious and mostly healthy meals; a meat, a vegetable, and a starch. Sometimes a hot veggie and a salad, but I'm out of salad until I can go to the grocery store again. I am balancing a lot of things right now, in a way I've never been able to before, Alhamdulilah. I am happy and content, Alhamdulilah.

I feel strong this Ramadan, I feel like I am closer to Allah than I have been in a long time. I feel like I know where I need to go. I feel, well, I feel balanced.

Day 5: Determination

We are skipping over day 4. It was not the best of days. The only fruitful thing to come out of it was a complete and total resume makeover. It was a family fall-out day. I was talking on the phone with my mom and she was already angry and upset about something; then proceeded to yell at me and tell me what a horrible child I am. That's not exactly the type of thing I want to deal with right now. So it was an emotional day, but alhamdulilah, I read Quran and felt at peace again. That's what I'm really striving for this Ramadan, an inner sense of self and peace.

Today though, today is a day of determination. I am determined to get some things done in my life that I've wanted to. I am gaining strength this Ramadan, and I can feel it.

I am determined to go back for my master's degree next fall.

I am determined to find a different job.

I am determined to stick with a workout plan.

All three of these things are very important to me, and I'm taking the steps to get where I need to be. If Allah wills, these goals will be achieved.

Day 3: So Much The Better For Me

Alhamdulilah, today was spent in a very productive way. My friend came over and we studied a few hours for the GRE, something we've been slacking on. I made a nice dinner for us, and we went our separate ways. I have been reading Quran, and decided to take a little break to revive myself before reading more. It's such a nice cool, relaxing evening, with a few candles lit to make a nice atmosphere.

After yesterday's stressful situation, I decided on a more relaxing day for myself today. I think I will spend tomorrow much like I spent today. I want to quietly study and read. InshaAllah next weekend I will get to pray at the masjid. I hope everyone else is having a productive and peaceful Ramadan so far.

I almost forgot to mention that I did get some good news yesterday. I was extremely worried that anullment papers would not be filed, but I got an email saying that they were on their way. Alhamdulilah, one thing less to worry about. I did also get into my car at some point last night. I have my keys again (and I think I'll be making a few extra copies of the car key).

Day 2 Of Ramadan

The last couple of days have been less than perfect, but I'm hanging in there. Yesterday was a bit disappointing. I had a message on my voicemail telling me I didn't get the job I interviewed for. I guess I just belong somewhere else, only Allah knows.

Today I ran to Target after work (it's right across the street). I was going to run in for a few things to make dinner. After I shut my car door, I saw my keys lying in the seat. Not cool. I called my step-dad to see if he could give me a ride on his way home from work. I figured I'd get the spare key from home and go back to Target when my sister came home from work. I buzzed into the office, got my apartment key, and started searching for my spare key. After an hour and a half of my irritating search a thought came into my head. What key am I searching for? Oh, yeah, the spare key, you know, the one stuck in the ignition of my car? Both keys are locked in. So when my sister gets home I will have to get a lockout service to come to the car anyway if I can't do it myself.

I couldn't be much more disappointed or frustrated with myself.

On the upside I have been keeping up on my reading (well, it's only day 2), alhamdulilah. I have a strong will and determination to do the things I set out to do this Ramadan. I don't think I'm asking too much of myself, and I should be able to achieve what I want. Now, if I only had my car, and my keys.....

Ramadan Kareem

Alhamdulilah, today is the first day of Ramadan. A month for worship, for forgiveness, for peace. I plan to spend this month focusing on my relationship with Allah. I want to do the best I can to worship. InshaAllah I will be reading a Juz of the Quran everyday, and going to pray taraweeh as much as possible. I have my mp3 player loaded with recitation of the Quran in order to keep my ears from listening to the filthy mouths of my coworkers (this is my only disgruntle-ment).

I pray for a blessed month for all. May Allah reward you for your efforts.

I'm Not Lazy...

I just didn't have any information to update you with (cough, cough Organic). I received a call today inviting me for a second interview. Yay! So my next torture session is Wednesday afternoon. My friend said that the HR rep interviewing me is awesome, soooooo, inshaAllah this is my break out from my current job. I even have my interview outfit already picked out.

So, here's the hilarious afternoon I had when I found out about the interview. It all started yesterday when I threw some chicken packaging away, I was dividing the chicken to freeze it. I was going to take out the trash last night and OOOOPS I forgot. I get up far too early to remember to bring my lunch basket with me, let alone take out the trash. I get off work at 2:30 and my sister left me a voicemail, "Something smells in the living room, and I can't find it." I replayed it and listened to it twice. I was laughing so hard driving home, because I obviously knew it was the chicken packaging. I get home and open the windows right away and find this note:

"Hey, there is some poopy smell by the couch I think, smell to see. I tried to find something, but no luck. Check it out"

I almost peed my pants when I read that and remembered her voice on the message. So I went to grab the garbage, and as I was tying it up I started gagging from the smell. That's when the phone rang. I thought it would be my sister, so I ran to laugh on the phone with her. It was the guy to invite me for an interview. I was laughing, gagging, and coughing as I tried to confirm the details. Nice impression, huh?

Things That Peeev Me Off

Or one thing in particular.

Let's go back about a month in time.... there was some severe weather, the tornado sirens went off. My sister and I went to the "shelter" (the underground parking). A lady carrying her about 2 1/2 year old daughter was right behind us. She wanted to go out and get her car to put in the garage. Guess what she did? She handed me her daughter and went to get her car. We're neighbors right? I had never seen this lady before that night, so why on earth would she hand her girl to a stranger? If it had been someone else what would they have done to her? Who knows, I thought it was a little odd.

Now, back to tonight. I needed to go to the grocery store. I went out to the parking lot to get in my car, and that lady was parked next to me putting her daughter in the carseat. I said hi as I passed to get to my car. I arranged myself, and I watched her run to the apartment building. Her daughter was in the car, ALONE. Oh, the window was a third of the way down, anyone could reach their hand in and open it. This lady lives on the second floor on the side that does NOT overlook the parking lot, as she told me on severe weather night. Not exactly a short trip into the building.

What is wrong with people? There are too many freaks out there. Don't leave your small children unattended even for a second. I don't have kids, I know. I do have a little brother, and you bet he was never let out of my site when I had him. Parents (I've mostly seen mothers do this) shopping for clothes that let their small ones wander onto the other side of the rack.... that annoys me. If you can't see them, they shouldn't be there. If shopping is that important, get a baby sitter for crying out loud! "Officer I just had to find that shirt in my size, I never thought anyone would take my kid!" Yep, you're right, finding the right outfit is more important than having your kid safe.

Labor Day

The marker for the end of summer. Tomorrow many kids will go back to school. The start of a new grade. The start of fall. To me it's just another day that I get to spend away from work. Yay! Summer comes, summer goes, another year is dwindling down.

There is much to be excited for though. Ramadan is fastly approaching, and I plan to purify my mind and soul this Ramadan. I don't feel I did enough last year and I want to feel closer to Allah. Ramadan always makes me feel much closer to Allah. InshaAllah there are other changes to come as well.

I have a job interview tomorrow. I am quite hopeful of this one. I was referred by a friend I went to college with. I really believe it's true, "It's not what you know, but who you know". So, the connections will hopefully get me out of where I am. I can tolerate where I work no longer, I'm miserable. I trust that Allah will put me where I need to be.

So, here's to a three day weekend! Here's to the change of seasons! Here's to things to come, may Allah bless us in our endeavors.