Like the Rope's knot

Hazrat Aisha (Radhi Allaho anha) asked the Holy Prophet(Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) : "How is your love for me?"
"Like the rope's knot," he replied meaning that it was strong and secure. And time after time thereafter, she would ask him: "How is the knot?" and he would reply: "In the same condition."

Aisha Bint-e-Abu Bakr (Radhi Allaho anha): a model for all women

The life of Aisha is a proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and experts. Her life is also a proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. Her life is also a proof that the same woman can be totally feminine and be a source of pleasure, joy and comfort to her husband.

She did not graduate from any university; there were no universities as such in her day. But still her utterances are studied in faculties of literature, her legal pronouncements are studied in colleges of law and her life and works are studied and researched by students and teachers of Muslim history as they have been for over a thousand years. The bulk of her vast treasure of knowledge was obtained while she was still quite young. In her early childhood, she was brought up by her father who was greatly liked and respected for he was a man of wide knowledge, gentle manners and an agreeable presence. Moreover, he was the closest friend of the Noble Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) who was a frequent visitor to their home since the very early days of his mission.

In her youth, already known for her formidable memory, she came under the loving care and attention of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) himself. As his wife and close companion, she acquired from him knowledge and insight such as no woman has ever acquired. Aisha became the Prophet's wife in Makkah when she was most likely in the tenth year of her life but her wedding did not take place until the second year after the Hijrah when she was about fourteen or fifteen years old. Before and after her wedding, she maintained a natural jollity and innocence and did not seem to have an ego at all by the thought of being wedded to him who was the Messenger of God (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) whom all his companions, including her own mother and father, treated with such love and reverence as they gave to no one else. About her wedding, she related that shortly before she was to leave her parent's house, she slipped out into the courtyard to play with a passing friend: "I was playing on a see-saw and my long streaming hair was dishevelled," she said. "They came and took me from my play and made me ready."

To read the complete article on Hazrat Aisha (R.A) click here

Farewell Nausheen

Summer 2002: I met Nausheen in Bahria University during the admission interview session there. We had a pleasing conversation, gave our respective interviews and parted ways. I opted for NUCES-FAST while Nausheen joined Bahria University.
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4 years later
Summer 2006: One fine morning I was walking towards the kitchen at my work place (Elixir) when I spotted two new employees who were gossiping and giggling away. I moved towards them to greet them. One of them was Sundus, the other was Nausheen; Both did a good job in confusing me with their names, (see old post) and then moments later Nausheen pleasantly reminded me that we had an encounter years ago. =).
Luckily, this time, I got to know her more.
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More then a year ahead
Sept 2007: It’s time to part ways, but hopefully to meet again. InshahAllah. I wish her all the success and happiness in this world and more importantly in the hereafter. Nausheen, it was lovely knowing you. All the best in your future endeavours.Keep in touch. God bless you.


Elixirites, here is a little treat for you.

Chit Chat with Nausheen

Syra: What did you like about Pakistan?
Nausheen: I moved to Pakistan around five years ago, and now as I head back to my former home in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, I contemplate about all the things I love about Pakistan and will sorely miss:
· The opportunity to work professionally
· To be able to actually drive a car
· Enjoying the presence of abundant family members and relatives
· The lush green environment
· The cloudy weather and rainy days (perks me up a hundredfold)

Syra: What did you not like about Pakistan?
Nauhseen: Pakistan is a great country, but not without some major flaws. And I’m being positively critical when I say that the flaws lie mainly in the people of Pakistan. There’s a lot of fraud and deception here, and that makes it very hard to trust people. Based on my personal interaction with the people (and I’m being very general here), I found many Pakistanis to be proud, lazy, unfriendly, unpunctual, and are scared of hard work. But if Pakistani people can recognise and accept their flaws, I’m sure we can improve so much more as a country.

Syra: Do you feel there is a lack of religious awareness in Pakistan as compared to Saudi Arabia?
Nausheen: Yes, definitely (though I find Elixir to be an exception). I’ve noticed that Islam is not properly taught to young children by school or by their parents. And as adults they venture of either towards total extremism or modernism. It is the least we could so as Muslims to read, understand and apply the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah in our daily lives.

Syra: Describe your stay at Elixir?
Nausheen: My stay at Elixir has been exceptionally enjoyable and fruitful. And I’m very grateful to Elixir for giving me my first opportunity to work in the professional field. My job has always been challenging and interesting at the same time. I must say that working as a Technical Writer has generally helped me to express myself in better and clearer ways. I love the environment at Elixir. I have learned a lot through work experience which I know will facilitate me greatly in my practical life.

Syra: Most memorable moment at Elixir?
Nausheen: When I was given a raise; it was quite unexpected but very gratifying.

Syra: What will you miss the most about Pakistan and about Elixir?
Nausheen:
What I’ll miss about Pakistan:
· Economically priced DVDs
· Economically priced fast internet.
· A wider collection of books esp. at Saeed Book Bank
· All my cousins, esp. the younger ones who have labelled me the best storyteller of all times.
· All my friends from Bahria University.

What I’ll miss about Elixir:
· The particularly friendly and comfortable work environment
· The outings to Kim Mun, Café Grind, Hotspot and QAU.
· The birthday parties.
· The common room discussions (there is no topic left untouched….)
· The secret hair styling parlour and photo sessions in the common room.
· All the wonderful friends I made at Elixir

Syra: First word that comes to your mind when I say the name: // Nausheen's reply ahead of name
Asma: Email-Forwarder (or Lizard-lover?)
Isbah: Orkut/Facebook
Memoona: Witty
Saira Andleeb: Chic
Saira (me): Warm & Friendly
Sundas: LUMS
Tayyaba: High-spirited (Not Jamia Hafa)

Syra: What are your future plans?
Nausheen: No definite plans as yet. I would love to study further (maybe MBA or MS) and then work again. However, I do currently plan on studying the Quran and further trying to comprehend Islam.

Syra: Recommend me a book to read.
Nausheen: Can I recommend three?
· The Giver by Lois Lowry – Extremely thought provoking
· A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini - Extremely touching
· Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – A wonderful read with an unconventional but powerful female protagonist.

Syra: Recommend me a movie to watch.
Nausheen:Signs – starring Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix.

Syra: What's your favourite hangout place in isb?
Nausheen: Probably, Pizza Hut. I’ve had such good times there with friends and family. (And it’s so close to Saeed Book Bank).

Syra: If you were to write a book, what topic\story would you chose?
Nausheen: I would absolutely love to write a book in the near future, and I hope to God I find the opportunity to do so. I love the fantasy genre because you are allowed to break all rules of empirical, testable (even magical) protocols and stretch imagination as far as you want. Other than that, I would also be thrilled if I wrote a book on Islam especially on women’s rights/equality and what the Pakistan society needs to do in order to eliminate some detrimental cultures (esp. against females) which are thought to be Islamic.

Syra: Which one of the Harry Potter books did you enjoy the most?
Nausheen: Definitely, Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite. I absolutely loved the way JK Rowling builds Sirius Black as an evil character in the book (we learn to hate Black alongside Harry) and then suddenly everything turns around when we learn that Sirius Black is not only innocent, but he is Harry's Godfather and was not evil as we were led to speculate. And the time-turner scene with Harry, Hermione and the Patronus spell was nothing but purely ingenious.

Syra: Your favourite quote:
Nausheen: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter books.

Syra: Any message for my blog readers?
Nausheen: Please excuse my spelling and grammar mistakes within this interview. (I was typing really fast.)
Thank you all (elixirites), for the fun times we’ve had during my stay at Elixir. I wish everyone the best in life (and in the hereafter). If you plan on visiting Jeddah, then please don’t hesitate on giving me a call or something. My personal email address is nfr_212@yahoo.com.
Goodbye and God bless.

How Smart Is Your Right Foot?

This is so hilarious and it will boggle your mind.And, you will keep trying it at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot. But you can't!!!

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles with it.
2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction!!!

I told you so... And there is nothing you can do about it.

Quote--On Peace

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"

~ Mahatma Gandhi

20-20 Cricket

'20-20 cricket' It's entertaining, it's thrilling and this shorter form of the sport has revived my interest in the game. I used to be a die-hard fanatic of cricket, but for the last few years my passion for cricket has been declining or you can say that it almost faded away.Thanks to the 20-20 World Cup I am excited about cricket again.

"Twenty20 cricket already has the potential to replace the ODIs as the most populist version of the sport," Wasim Akram told Reuters. He futher says "The Twenty20 World Cup has been a big success in terms of the interest it has evoked and people coming in to the grounds. You didn't get such big crowds and excitement even in the World Cup in West Indies."

I agree to Wasim Akram, and totallly enjoy watching the Twenty20 matches.What about you guys? Do you see Twenty20 cricket emerging and replacing ODI's as the most popular form of cricket?

Dua--Against nightmares

Yahya related to me from Malik that Yahya ibn Said said that he had heard that Khalid ibn al-Walid said to the Messenger of Allah (s) “I have nightmares.” The Messenger of Allah (s) said to him, “Say, ‘I seek refuge with the complete words of Allah from His anger and His punishment and the evil of His slaves, and from the evil suggestions of the shayatin and from their being present (at death).’

"Audhu bi kalimati’ llahi’t-tammati min ghadabihi wa iqabihi wa sharri ibadihi wa min hamazati’ sh-shayatin wa an yahdurun."

Source: Al-Muwatta Hadith, volume 51: #9.

No, You can't name your child Superman

Venezuelan officials are trying to ban parents from choosing wacky names like Superman for their children. Read On

A New Zealand couple is looking to call their newborn son Superman -- but only because their chosen name of 4Real has been rejected by the government registry. Read On and On

Not you!

The master says: "Close your eyes. Or even with your eyes open, imagine the following scene: a flock of birds on the wing. Now, tell me how many birds you saw: Five? Eleven? Sixteen?" Whatever the response -- and it is difficult for someone to say how many birds were seen -- one thing becomes quite clear in this small experiment. You can imagine a flock of birds, but the number of birds in the flock is beyond your control. Yet the scene was clear, well-defined, exact. There must be an answer to the question. Who was it that determined how many birds should appear in the imagined scene? Not you!

Maktub

~Paul Cohelo

Random snap shots from here and there

Here are a few interesting pics I took. Happy viewing :)

Tazeen is showing golo molo's pic

Tazeen is showing chothu's pic

This cute little friend of mine was sharing her school experience with me. Mean girls in her school would pick up verbal fights with her just for the fun of it. So she tells me in such a daring way "Saira baji,in response i do this, I turn my head back, raise my hand towards them and say 'Talk to the hand!!!!!!!!!'" In the pic: Zunaira says "TALK TO THE HAND" :p.

Happy Belated birthday to Teeba. That's her birthday cake. Icing done by Saira Andleeb, Idea originated from Isbahstar's classy mind. Btw, why is she holding a danda? :)

For Shahrukh and the rest: I saw this movie during my childhood, in which this gypsy lady gives a poor arabian boy a peach kee gutlee. When he puts it in his palm, closes and then opens it,it would turn into a jewel. As a kid, i used to mimic that, hoping my aaro kee gultee would turn into a jewel. A few weeks back I was doing the same :)

For Sundus-the cat lover, and the rest: that's my pet kitten, "palto" on my dad's arm.

For Usman, who loves dogs, and the rest. In the pic: Jerry, the most well mannered doggie I have ever seen.On the left: Jerry's toy which is a replica of him :)


Next three pics are for Sameer, who is a huge admirer of nature like myself, and the rest. In the pic below:The clouds right above my house, just before a heavy shower

The margalla hills can't be viewed because of the fog! (A beautiful view from my office window on regular days).

Check out the trees bending due to the strong breeze. The wind was whistling spooky style that day.

What drives chocolate cravings?

We think about it, dream about it, and probably just sometimes eat a bit too much of it. Some people even go so far as to claim to be addicted to it. But what drives our cravings for chocolate?

Click here to find out.

Ramadan Mubarik

Dear Muslims,

As Salamu Alaikum

The Month we have been eagerly waiting for is finally here. Lets make the most of it. Wishing you all a blessed Ramadan.

Ramadan Mubarik

With Prayers

~Syra

The Law of the Garbage Truck

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what's important.

Learned it in the back of a Harare City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Westgate. We were driving when all of a sudden a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

Here's what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any Zimbabwean - some words in Harare come with a special face. Now, here's what blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck." Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personal. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did. I guarantee it.

So this was it: The "Law of the Garbage Truck." I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."
I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie "The Sixth Sense," the little boy said, "I see Dead People." Well now "I see Garbage Trucks." I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.

One of my favorite Football players of all times, Ronaldino, does this every day on the football field. With a smile he always jumps up as quickly as he hits the ground after being tackled. He never dwells on a hit. Ronaldino is always ready to make the next play his best. Good leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses. Leaders and parents know that
they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?

Author Unknown.

Paper Cut

Source: from a friend

7 Secrets of Success

Source: from a friend

The Timeless Lands

Down the roads of memory

And into sunken thoughts

A vivid present of mine;

Bewildered

And a past equally lost

Breathing in an atmosphere

Of melancholy rain

And riddled Air

I set my feet across these lands

I yet not side with despair

And all that comes

All that came

Shatters not my will

I climb up; every step

At times tumble down the hill

Broken limbs

And broken self

Alone my Will stands

I gather myself once again

And journey;

Across the Timeless Lands

~Sardar Mohkim Khan

Smile

This post is dedicated to my mom. Every second morning, while i am getting ready for work my mom calls out "Syreeeeeeee, for once wear a lipstick"...i answer back saying.."mama jee, i am wearing a smile :)"

"People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile". ~Lee Mildon

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." ~Phyllis Diller

"A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks." ~Charles Gordy

"Everyone smiles in the same language." ~Author Unknown

"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." ~Mother Teresa

"Beauty is power; a smile is its sword." ~Charles Reade

"Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to." ~Author Unknown

"You're never fully dressed without a smile." ~Martin Charnin

"All the statistics in the world can't measure the warmth of a smile." ~Chris Hart

"Peace begins with a smile." ~Mother Teresa

Keeping envy at Bay

IQRA Islamic Magazine : "Islam counts envy amongst some of the worst of sins and it stems primarily from disbelief. If we allow the disease of envy to manifest within our hearts, our mind and body get affected too and we are propelled to react wrongly in our actions. We corrode spiritually and move further and further from acting fairly and righteously."

The article Keeping envy at Bay explains the importance of knowing and accepting that there is always wisdom in the Almighty's decision because He knows us like no one else does! If somebody is childless, not wealthy or not beautiful it is for the best of interest of the individual. To see how, read the article.

Dua--When encountering an enemy or being afraid of somebody, e.g. a ruler or your boss at work

1. It is also reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “When you are afraid of a ruler or someone else, you should say, ‘There is no god but Allah, the Forbearing, the Gracious. Glory be to Allah, my Lord, glory be to Allah, the Lord of the seven heavens and of the mighty throne. There is no god but You, strong is your protection, and great is Your praise’.”

Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, #130

2. Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Hasbuna-Allah wa ni’am alwakil (Allah suffices us for everything and He is the most excellent guardian),” and then he added, “These words were uttered by the Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, when he was thrown into the fire, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said these words when the people informed him, ‘The people have gathered against you’.” (Bukhari)

Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, #130

3. ‘Awf b. Malik reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, judged the case of two men. The one who lost the case, turning away to go, said, “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best guardian.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said to him, “Allah disapproves of weakness and impotence. You must put in effort and work, but if you are overwhelmed by a difficulty then say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me, and he is the most excellent guardian’.”

Source: Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4, #130

How to deal with hurt

Treating others with respect, love and harmony is emphasized in Islam and bearing good manners is one of the most important aspects of our religion. Having good manners and not hurting others was the hallmark of the best of creation (Allah bless him & give him peace) and his companions (Allah be pleased with them all).

During our daily lives we interact with plenty of people; family members, friends, colleagues or mere strangers. Sometimes intentionally or unintentionally we end up hurting others, or get hurt by others and thus feel ill towards them and resort to backbiting which is labeled as a grave sin in Islam.

Sunnipath: Backbiting (ghibah) is a grave sin and is only permitted in certain exceptional cases, such as: mentioning to someone who will be able to get you your rights, asking a religious ruling, warning someone of the potential harms, about someone who sins openly, etc.

In order to get rid of the hurt and ill feelings we feel towards another Islam suggests talking directly to the person who hurt us in a gentle manner.

Sunnipath: As such, in normal situations it would not be permitted to backbite. What you should do is talk directly to the person who hurt your feelings and sort out matters with gentleness and politeness. Keeping your feelings in your heart will only make you suffer. It’s good to talk and sort out the ill-feelings that exist.

Further more
Sunnipath: Whenever you get a bad feeling towards somebody who has hurt you, make dua for her\him. This dua should be sincere and not condescending (i.e. not “O Allah, fix his\her many faults!”)—the scholars recommend, thus, that one ask for such a person’s good in this life first, and then their next life.
Remember that we deal with people for the sake of Allah, not their sake. Even when people err, they remain the creation of Allah: we love them for who they are, not what they do. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) told us that loving for Allah and hating for Allah is one of the signs of high faith.
It is not necessarily to be close to everyone. Rather, one gives people the rights due to them: we treat them well, deal with them with excellence—for the sake of Allah, following the beautiful example of the Beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)--, wishing all good for them, and being of good counsel to them when they have a worldly or religious need one could benefit them in. We should share in the happiness of one’s family members, friends, and those whom we have dealings with, and should seek to help them when they are ill or in need.

May Allah honour us with the best of manners.Ameen