Cleaning out my closet, I reach up to the top shelf and my hand hits a bag. I pull the bag down and reach in to see what’s inside and pull out a periwinkle-colored scarf. I hold the scarf in my hand and stare at it with a small smile. Whisper-thin, light as air, yet within the folds of that scarf there is a story, and within that story is a life. 2003. My wedding day is fast approaching. After several months of looking and trying on and being dissatisfied, I find the perfect wedding outfit: … [Read more...]
Discovering Your Passion, Fulfilling Your Life Vision
April 12, 2012 By 2 Comments
How many of us dream of having the most righteous and successful family? How many of us envision ourselves making a profound difference in the world? How many of us ultimately dream of the highest level in Jannah, Al-Firdaws? Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was indeed one of the forerunners in teaching us about great ambition and doing all we can with ihsan (excellence). He (peace be upon him) was the first to encourage us to dream bigger as he says: “If you ask for jannah, … [Read more...]
A House Concert
April 9, 2012 By 13 Comments
We recently attended a house concert by singer Dawud Wharnsby, hosted by our friends who graciously opened up their living room to more than twenty families. The radiant atmosphere and top-notch entertainment were second only to the faces of children rapt with attention. I'll try hard not to gush here, but our family was touched by the evening. It was refreshing to finally meet the down-to-earth, gentle entertainer who can make the audience laugh and sing and cry within the span of a few … [Read more...]
Dirty socks
February 24, 2012 By 15 Comments
When my older kids head off to school, I start my other job - the dirty sock picker. I try to look at the bright side while doing this job - keeping my tongue moving in the remembrance of Allah (swt) or simply working out things in my head, keeping my mind busy. I am not perfect though and, sometimes, I do not see the glass half-full and can almost watch my life pass away as I pick up dirty socks, clothes, toys, and anything else that can be thrown on the floor. And on a bad day, the resentment … [Read more...]
Strive to Be Content Wherever You Are
February 13, 2012 By 4 Comments
Assalam Alaikum GrowMama Sisters, I recently reconnected with some dear family friends via email. We both had to relocate for work related reasons from a large and vibrant Muslim community. I shared our exchange with some fellow GMG moms and they thought it would be beneficial to share with our online community. Our friends write: Good hearing from you, how are you and the family? And how do you like it where you are? Have you guys adapted yet? We're still struggling a bit here. … [Read more...]
Center Stage
February 2, 2012 By 2 Comments
I have known all along that my relationship with Allah was not as strong as it could be. We know that according to the hadith of the prophet Muhammad (S) the highest level of faith is to live life as though you can see Allah, and if you can’t see Him, then to know that He sees you. So is He an actor in my life, or just an observer, or occasionally not in my consciousness at all? I thought I understood what I had to do to better cultivate our relationship: be sincere in my prayer, try to shed … [Read more...]
Come To Allah….Come To Allah
September 20, 2011 By 10 Comments
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…..” The beauty of the words of the adhan and the voice of my dear son as he beckons us to pray are familiar sounds in our home on any given day. Today, however, I am stopped in my tracks! In the process of donning my hijab, a shrill little voice also beckons….. “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar……Come To Allah, Come To Allah!” My 2 1/2 year old daughter calls “come to Allah”. Her innocent but attentive mind has mistakenly combined the iqamah … [Read more...]
Ramadan Maintenance
August 29, 2011 By 3 Comments
As the years go by, I continue to make the intention to maintain my “Ramadan passion” when our dear friend passes. And here we are again on the verge of watching our beloved Ramadan leave us. This past year I tried something different and would like to share those experiences with you. When my passion was starting to wane, I held on to its light by enrolling in an online class with Seekers Guidance. Each week the lesson focused on one aspect to apply in my daily life. The aspect I welcomed … [Read more...]
Remembering Ramadan at the Intersection
August 26, 2011 By 2 Comments
We’ve seen her regularly over the last couple of years, standing near the corner of a main intersection, waving a promotional sign for a store in the nearby plaza. She’s a familiar face to us now and her hand gestures consistent...high, medium and low. She stands in the brutal Canadian winter cold. She stands in the sweltering heat of the summer. And it seems every time we see her, I think about what a tough job she must have. My kids have noticed too; my twelve year-old son has … [Read more...]
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