Monthly Archive

1.  MashaAllah, great khutbah on the importance of preparing for Ramadan in Shaban.   Less rambling and disjointed than usual, and it clocked in at a mere 35 minutes.

2.  Again, Female Body Inspector?  I just can’t get over how someone could possibly think that this is an appropriate shirt for a muslim to wear when it blatently contradicts explicit quranic instructions.  And to the masjid?

3.  Dear brother in Islam:  While I appreciate the fact that you untucked your shirt to cover your obviously sagging pants and that you are bringing your sons with you to jummah, next time please make sure your 10 year old son’s pants are not hanging down to his knees, displaying his cartoon boxers for the entire jamaat to see.  Thank you.

Ok, let’s see here.

Beginning of the month – fajr comes in at ~5:00 a.m.  Here’s my plan for intensive ibadah days, which I hope to have at least 2 of during the week:

• 4:15 – wake up, pray a little tahajud, eat iftar
• 5:00 a.m. – fajr
• 5:10 a.m. – dhikr
• 5:20 a.m. – back to bed
• 6:25 a.m. – wake up for work
• 6:50 a.m. – leave for work, read quran on bus
• 12:00 p.m. – take a walk over lunch hour, listen to Qur’an and lectures on ipod
• 2:00 p.m. – break, pray zuhr
• 4:30 p.m. – leave work, read quran on bus
• 5:45 p.m. – return home, play with cat
• 5:55 p.m. – pray asr
• 6:10 p.m. – nap
• 7:45 p.m. –  wake up, heat up iftar
• 8:00 p.m. – maghrib, iftar
• 8:30 p.m. – ibadah – read book with AbuS, listen to lecture together, read quran, take breaks to play with cat
• 9:30 p.m. – isha
• 10:00 p.m. – taraweeh
• 11:30 p.m. – sleep (inshaAllah!)

Non intensive ibadah days:

• 4:45 a.m. – eat iftar
• 5:00 a.m. – pray fajr
• 5:10 a.m. – nap
• 6:25 a.m. to 5:45 p.m – same as above
• 6:00 p.m. – asr
• 6:10 p.m. – some ibadah, spend time with cat (and husband), clean house
• 7:45 p.m. – heat up iftar
• 8:00 p.m. – maghrib/iftar
• 8:30 p.m. – ibadah
• 9:30 p.m. – isha
• 9:45 p.m. – sleep

This will of course change as the month progresses.  Fajr will move from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30, and isha will move up from 9:30, to 8:30, making it much easier to pray taraweeh.

…keeps the doctor away.  Ok, it’s squeaky week!  I was looking for a new picture to use as computer wallpaper, and found this.  I can’t believe I missed posting this earlier in the balcony adventure series.  Just look at that tongue!

Somali Man Pleads Guilty in Terrorism Case

Back in October 2007, while he was living in Minnesota, he said he met “some guys,” as he put it, who were talking about going back to Somalia to fight the Ethiopian soldiers who invaded Somalia. From October to December, they met secretly in Minneapolis.

Ahmed said he knew he would be fighting with Al-Shabaab. That’s the hard-line Islamic group that is creating much of the violence we’re seeing in Somalia today. But back in 2007, the group had some popular support because the fighters were taking on the Ethiopian occupation, and some people saw their cause as nationalistic.

…

After the hearing, Ostgard told me Ahmed stayed in Somalia from December 2007 until April 2008, but Ahmed left the camp before the U.S. officially declared Al-Shabaab a terrorist group in March of 2008. Ostgard said the fact that Ahmed left Al-Shabaab before the designation helped Ostgard negotiate the deal with prosecutors. “He would have faced more serious charges” if Ahmed left after March 2008, Ostgard said.

This next story just makes me shake my head.  People are looking for insediousness everywhere.  To me, it just looks like they’re making a mountain out of a mole hill.   The right wing blogs I read are like oooo, let’s play 6 degrees of seperation, Ellison to TIZA to MAS to the Muslim Brotherhood, zmog, terrorism! 

Rep. Ellison’s trip under increasing scrutiny

Islamic nonprofit paid for Rep. Ellison’s pilgrimage to Mecca

Ellison fires back over Strib story on Mecca trip

For those not from around these parts, TIZA has been the target of much scrutiny over the years, which has crested now with lawsuits and countersuits.

Inver Grove Heights charter school sues Education Department

Charter school countersues over ACLU religion claims

…in the month of shaban.  A short talk by Sh. Husain Abdul Sattar that everyone should have time to listen to.

I think I’ve settled on the abaya I’m going to get for eid inshaAllah.   I like this abaya, but alas, it’s for children:

So I emailed and asked if they could make it in an adult size.  Alas again, they don’t do custom order.  But, they will inshaAllah have an adult version of this with purple trim in time for Ramadan inshaAllah!  Wo0t!

…and so do I, here’s 2 videos of our weekend garden adventure.  Thrilling stuff   She’s a very snuffy kitty.

There’s always more stuff popping up online.  And I like stuff.  Via deenport, 2 new sites that show a lot of promise:

Soul Resources - “English language resources that meet contemporary Muslim community needs in Western English speaking environments”

Abu Dhabi Khutbahs and More- “Welcome to the Abu Dhabi Khutbas & More blog. Our plan is to start making available the weekly English khutbas that Shaykh Jihad Brown delivers, as well as articles that he writes for one of the major newspapers out here. In addition where there are talks, lessons and other stuff taking place we’ll be sure to upload it for the benefit of all!”

So now I’ve added Abu Dhabi to the list of potential places to move to in the future.  I’d like to find a place that has traditional muslim scholars who teach in english, but where there are also a lot of opportunities to learn arabic.  If we move somewhere within the US, it would either be to Chicago or the Bay Area.  Abroad, it would probably be somewhere in the UAE.

Of course, it would help if I knew what I want to do with my life.  AbuS thinks I should get certified to teach english as a second language.  And I guess that’s as good as anything right now, since I really have no clue what I want to do.  I tried my hand at teaching (briefly), but the alternative certification program I was with bit big time.  I think if I am going to teach again, I’ll go the more traditional route – university based education, internship, student teaching, the whole 9 yards.

Of course, ESL is the default expat job that often doesn’t work out too well.  Izzy Mo is doing and my friend Mollydid the expat thing in the corporate world, but do I really want to work in the corporate world anymore?  Argh!

by Sr. Sabiha

Here’s the deal to do the Honest Tag:  tell your readers 10 things about you that they may or may not know, but are true.

1.  I don’t follow through.  I leave a litter of unfinished projects in my wake.

2.  I love Star Wars, and probably have the majority of official cannon books.

3.  I love books in general.  As soon as I learned how to read, I stopped doing just about anything else.  I would stand by my nightlight after I was suppose to be asleep and read until midnight.

4.  Being fat is a self fulfilling prophecy.  I always thought I was fat, so I became fat.  Looking back at my high school pictures, I really wasn’t fat.  Alas, I am now.

5.  I met my husband on ICQ.  Yes, we are one of those weird internet couples.  But, 8 years on, we’re still going.

6.  I swear I have some mild form of OCD.  I obsess about things, but the target of my obsessions change.

7.  I have a cross on my high school class ring.  My mom told me I would regret it someday, but I insisted, because I was very firm in my faith.  Now I regret it.  Can’t wear it anymore

8.  I don’t know what I want to do with my life.  I thought I would go to law school eventually, but I really don’t want to be a lawyer anymore. 

9.  I’m rarely ever fully rested.  Even after 8 hours of sleep, I wake up tired and have to drag myself through the day.

10.  I love Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saws).

I think just about everyone in the blogosphere has been tagged already, but if you haven’t, go for it!

in which the Squekay Deakster noms my garden

Can we go outside mommy, can we can we?

what a beautiful day, do de do de do

sniff sniff, what is this I smell?

could it be…

going in for the kill

nom!

nom nom nom

ahhhh, urp

Let’s go post pork recipes and pictures of male genitalia on muslim message boards until 50 dozen new accounts *snork snork, haha*

Why are people so dumb?

…until Ramadan!  (more or less)

Today is the 30th of Rajab (here in the US according to physical moon sighting), which means tomorrow is the 1st of Shaban.

If you haven’t gotten your fast on, do it now!

I’ve inadvertently managed to alienate the 3 childhood friends I still speak with in the last month.   Last one today.

Why is it that these things always happen when you can’t run to your room, curl up in bed and cry?

Also, I’ve deactivated facebook.  Whether or not I’m going to withdraw from the world is as of yet undecided.

Finally, gmail won’t let me log in.  It’s just not my day.

‘Umar bin Abi Salama said: The Prophet, said to me, “Eat with your right hand.” [Bukhari]

I think I have a better picture of her eating with her right paw, but I haven’t uploaded it yet.  Anyone else’s cat play in their water dish?  It’s adorable – she’ll dip her paw in and then lick it off.  Ok, it’s adorable until she comes to sit on my lap and leaves a big wet spot on my skirt, lol.  This morning, she decided to take a stroll through the bathtub after I took a shower and then left wet little paw prints across the bathroom floor.  For a cat who hates to take a bath, she sure does enjoy water.

And this is why:

The suspect, who appeared to be in her late teens, wanted to get off the Route 62 bus at a location that was not a stop, Gibbons said. The driver proceeded to the nearest stop and the passenger sprayed him as she got off on Rice Street at Maryland Avenue, he said. It happened just before 10 p.m. on Friday.

Granted, this isn’t my bus line, but it’s in my area, and I could totally see this happening on my route.  People are getting more and more vebally abusive of drivers and fellow passengers, and everyone is too scared to stand up to the hecklers.  I’ve been both the hecklee and one of the people too frightened to say anything.

A few days back, a mother was walloping her child with a shoe and everyone looked the other way.  People spew every vile and filthy word known to man, everyone looks the other way.   People blast their cruddy music, everyone looks the other way.  People deal drugs, everyone look the other way.

But, it could be worse.  On AbuS’ bus line to work, the police actually ride along, as there have been so many problems.  He’s thinking of asking them to do the same on the route to our house.

I ride the bus for a number of reasons.  One, it’s cheaper than driving.  Two, it’s better for the environment.  And three, it affords me 2 hours each day to listen to my ipod and read.  But, if I have to risk my safety, I may have to start driving.

The Squeakster in her much hated shirt.  AbuS had this brilliant plan that if she wore a shirt, she’d shed less.  Yeah, not going to happen.

1.  Bloody heck, it’s cold!  I hope I left a sweater here at work last winter, cuz I’m shivering.   I can’t imagine how cold it must be for the people wearing short skirts and short sleeves.  Turn down the air conditioning!

2.  Ramadan in the summer is going to be haaaard.  I envision coming home after work and sleeping until an hour before maghrib.

3.  Suhoor is veryimportant in the summer.  Up until now, I’ve managed to do fine just drinking water for suhoor.  But when it’s hot, you need a little extra something something in your stomach to give you the energy to persevere.

4.  Aspirin does not cut it for fasting headaches.  Note to self – get aleve for suhoor and iftar.

5.  It is possible to fast with a headache.  But it takes all the fun out of it.

6.  Is there more baraka in fasting long hot days?

7.  Isra wa Miraj Mubarak!   Currently listening to this talk by Sh. Abdul Sattar on Isra and the Miraj and inshaAllah will dig out this Hamza Yusuf CD when I get home.

…but no visa just yet.

Court Reverses Decision to Bar Swiss Muslim Scholar

In its ruling on Friday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held unanimously that the government was required to “confront Ramadan with the allegation against him and afford him the subsequent opportunity to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that he did not know, and reasonably should not have known, that the recipient of his contributions was a terrorist organization.”

The record was unclear whether a consular officer who had denied the visa had done so, the panel said in its 52-page ruling, written by Judge Jon O. Newman and joined by Judges Wilfred Feinberg and Reena Raggi. The appeals court ordered the lower court to give Professor Ramadan an opportunity to demonstrate the claims in his affidavit.

squee

1. A squeal of excitement or delight (especially used by fangirls on the Internet).

I tend to obsess about things.  Currently, it is Star Wars, natural eating, ma kitteh and as always, Allah (swt). 

I first read Omnivore’s Dilemma a year and a half ago, and it (along with In Defense of Food) has changed my life.  While it is slow going, I’ve been working on removing all the processed foods out of my life and am hoping to add organic, zabiha meats to my diet.  So imagine my fan girlish delight when I saw this:

-No hormones and No antibiotics

-No grain in the feed, beef is exclusively GRASS FED

-All the cuts are dry aged to enhance tenderness as well as increase flavor

-No animal by products in the feed, in fact no feed at all, its just grass

-Cattle live live naturally, on wide open pastures

-No animals come from feedlots or stockyards, only animals directly from farms.

-You are supporting farmers who heal the land through sustainable practices

-Not just grass fed, but rotational grazing methods are used, which helps by having the grass and earth retain more carbon, as well as limit the need for de-wormers and vaccines for the cattle!

-All animals are harvested by hand without use of stunning, (blunt traumatic force to the brain) minimizing the amount of blood left in the meat, making it more healthy

-The meat is artisanally carved by hand and individually wraped and labled

We are very pleased to say that Green Zabiha is sourcing beef from the iconic Joel Salatin’s Polyface farm, one of the most well known and respected names in organic/biodynamic/pastured farming popularized by the seminal book The Omnivore’s Dilemma and the film Food Inc. To learn more visit Polyface Farms and Green Zabiha. For our prepared beef items, we also used cattle from Rich and Joe’s in Nebraska, you can see pictures of their farm by clicking here.

*faints*

 For the uninitated, Pollen visits Polyface farm in Omnivore’s Dilemma.

…neither AbuS nor I have slept well all this week.  It’s taking me a lot longer then usual (which is normally way too long as it is) to fall asleep, I’m waking up in the middle of the night and before my alarm.  Dur.  So.  Freakin.  Tired!

In other news, it’s almost the 27th of Rajab!  This means digging out one of my favorite CDs – Al- Miraj: A Night of Advice - and once again contemplating salat.   Nothing profound yet, as I’m struggling just to stay awake, but maybe something will come

…is going down today inshaAllah.  Make dua for us

I wish I had something original to report on the goings on here in the Twin Cities, but unfortunately, I’m learning most of what I know from the news, just like everybody else.

I can mention one little tidbit – as I’ve mentioned before, I occasionally attend a masjid that was mentioned in connection with the missing men.  According to AbuS, the imam has now taken a strong stance supporting the current somali government and against the insurgents.

The indictment against 2 somali men, one currently of the twin cities, another a former resident, has been unsealed.

According to the indictment, federal investigators allege the men “provided material support and resources, namely personnel, including themselves, knowing and intending that the material support and resources were to be used in preparation for and to carry out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons in a foreign country” from September 2007 through December 2008.

Also, AbuS and I watched this video piece that was in the NYT article I linked toyesterday.  In it, one of the interviewees made a good point – al Shabab was/is something that transcends clan lines and united it’s participants towards the common goal of achieving some kind of peace.  As an outsider, I can’t even begin to understand the importance of clans and clan divisions in the somali community.  I know they exist, but I cannot wrap my head around the concept that the clan is more important than your fellow muslim brothers and sisters, and the peace and stability of your home.

It would seem to me that what needs to be done now is to find another organization that transcends the clan culture and that will work for peace, without using terrorism.  Does that exist?  Allahu Alem.

I wish our community could be well known for our charity or a large number of converts or something.  I’m even longing for the days of the taxi drivers, guide dogs, flying imams and incedious charter schools.

We made the New York Times yesterday – A Call to Jihad, Answered in America:

Most of the men are Somali refugees who left the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in two waves, starting in late 2007. While religious devotion may have predisposed them to sympathize with the Islamist cause in Somalia, it took a major geopolitical event — the Ethiopian invasion of their homeland in 2006 — to spur them to join what they saw as a legitimate resistance movement, said friends of the men.

For many of the men, the path to Somalia offered something personal as well — a sense of adventure, purpose and even renewal. In the first wave of Somalis who left were men whose uprooted lives resembled those of immigrants in Europe who have joined the jihad. They faced barriers of race and class, religion and language. Mr. Ahmed, the 26-year-old suicide bomber, struggled at community colleges before dropping out. His friend Zakaria Maruf, 30, fell in with a violent street gang and later stocked shelves at a Wal-Mart.

If failure had shadowed this first group of men, the young Minnesotans who followed them to Somalia were succeeding in America. Mr. Hassan, the engineering student, was a rising star in his college community. Another of the men was a pre-med student who had once set his sights on an internship at the Mayo Clinic. They did not leave the United States for a lack of opportunity, their friends said; if anything, they seemed driven by unfulfilled ambition.

Just to be a bit glib, what kind of minnesotans are these guys?  Starbucks?  Pshhh, if they were really minnesotans, it would be all about Caribou.  Imposters!

Even among the world’s jihadists, the young men from Minneapolis are something of an exception: in their instant messages and cellphone calls, they seem caught between inner-city America and the badlands of Africa, pining for Starbucks one day, extolling the virtues of camel’s milk and Islamic fundamentalism the next.

This however is a good question we should all be asking ourselves.  But, did they need to go to fight?  These boys had the potential to bring their education back to Somalia and rebuild a shattered society.  Instead, they’re helping to destroy it. 

“Allah will never change the situation of a people unless they change themselves,” Mr. Hassan, the engineering student, wrote in a Facebook message he posted on April 15. “Take a sec and think about your situation deeply. What change do you need to make?”

And from our local papers, we find 2 more Minnesota muslims have died in Somali recently -  Relative confirms death of fourth young man from Minnesota in Somalia.

Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib (ra) said, “When the Messenger of Allah (saws) used to retire to his bed, he would lie on his right side and then say, ‘O Allah, I surrender my soul to You and I turn my face to You and I entrust my affair to You and I seek Your support with hope and fear of You. There is no refuge from You but to You. I have believed in Your Book which You sent down and Your Prophet whom You sent.’” [al-Bukhari]

SubhanAllah, can you imagine what a woman Khadijah (ra) was?  How blessed she was to be married to RasulAllah (saws)?  And how lucky he was to have such a woman to support and believe in him?

O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have exalted Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised and the Glorious!  And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim.  You are the Praised, the Glorious!

While it certainly is convenient to have a Target 2 blocks from work, it does have it’s drawbacks.  Like yesterday, I went to buy some hand soap and sugar over my lunch hour.  Ah, but getting the big soap refill is cheaper.  And a bigger bag of sugar is more economical than the smaller bag.  Oo, and I need peanut butter, better get the big jar of that too.  Oh no wait, my sugar container isn’t big enough for a big bag of sugar.  Better look for bigger containers too.  No wait, those are all too expensive.  What’s this?  And it’s clearanced??  Only 3 dollars???  Sold!

And that is how I ended up lugging 2 very heavy, very large bags of stuff home on the bus and became the proud owner of a this lovely  frog cookie jar, er, sugar container.  I can’t decide if it’s cute or hideous.  Maybe it’s hideously cute.  Or cutely hideous.

The Squeakster sniffs the newest addition to the household.  I swear, she sniffs everything.

I don’t have much in the way of an interior decorating plan or philosophy, but I do have an idea – frogs.  Yes, my kitchen will one day inshaAllah be frog themed.  When I moved into my apartment 4 years ago, my mom and I went thrift shopping for a few things I needed and came upon a pottery barn pot that had a leaping frog on it.  Just what I needed to store my kitchen utensils in!

I haven’t worked much on that theme since then, because someone in this household who is not me is uber frugal and doesn’t think I need to spend money decorating my kitchen.   The tide may be turning however.  We went to the mall this past weekend to spend some gift cards and I dragged AbuS into William Sonoma to browse.  While there,  he fell in love with the espresso machines and decided we needed one.  We test drove a few, but ended up only purchasing a much needed apron.  However, an espresso machine has been added to our new “to get” list.   We need a new microwave, a bookshelf and now apparently, an espresso machine (and an ipod touch, but that’s a different story).

In any case, I’ve rambled on long enough about nothing.  I assembled what I have thus far for my funky green and orange frog themed kitchen.  It’s not much, but it’s a looong way from the kid who had absolutely no desire to be girly and domesticish.

Via AbuS:

‘Run Hadji Run’ fireworks at Wis. store not so patriotic after all

Nothing says patriotism like lighting off racially and religiously insensitive fireworks!  Proud to be an american bigot!

…zucchini season!

It’s Farmer’s Market Thursday here in downtown Minneapolis, and the first week that zucchinis have graced us with their presence.   I went a bit zucchini crazy last year (ok, it was zucchini mad, with a zucchini infused dish every night for 3 weeks) and fully intend to make it an annual tradition.  If you have a tried and true zucchini recipe, send it my way!

On the to make list:

• Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
• Zucchini Ricotta Cheesecake
• Spinach and Zucchini Soup
• Buttermilk Summer Squash Soup
• Lemony Chickpea Stir-fry
• Zucchini Herb Casserole
• Summer Squash Pizza
• Sauceless Garden Lasagna
• Zucchini Grinders
• Mahshy

I have a few conservative blogs on my to read list.   Although I’m sure I’m not a masochist, it’s usually pretty paintful to read and I often ask myself why oh why do I continue?

One of the less painful on that list is Rod Dreher’s Crunchy Con.  Despite our political differences (and I usually cringe when he writes about muslims), I do appreciate the crunchy aspect of his writings. 

Now here’s a first – a piece he wrote on muslims that actually made me alhamdulilah and not shake my head:

Why shouldn’t the Uighurs riot?

Question: Why is it cause for celebration and cheer in the West when the Tibetans riot against Chinese oppression, but a cause for alarm and condemnation when the Uighurs do the same thing? If the Uighurs were trying to establish a Taliban-like state, that would be one thing. But I’ve not seen evidence that they want anything more than to be treated with justice, especially in their own historic land. If you have other information, please share it.

Heh.  I turned this video on last night, and Squeaky came running (which I will have to film someday, because it’s hilarious -  her big fat belly is swinging back and forth as she runs).  I picked her up so she could be closer to the speakers, and she proceeded to have a conversation with the video kitty.

Please make dua for Islamic Relief.  I have been going through them for most of my zakat and sadaqa since I converted, and have always felt that my donations were in good hands. 

Islamic Relief Fire set deliberately

The Glasgow branch of Islamic Relief has been badly damaged by a fire which police say was started deliberately.

…

Habib Malik, head of Islamic Relief Scotland, said the fire was “a huge blow for the local community”.

He said: “Earlier this year, during the time of our Gaza Emergency Appeal we received a number of threats of this nature.

“We are an apolitical charity. We do not take sides in any conflict and simply act to help alleviate people’s suffering.

“Unfortunately, due to the fact we have the word ‘Islamic’ in our name we are often an easy target for certain racist and Islamaphobic groups and individuals.

“This despicable incident, which could have easily cost lives, has rightly been condemned by the whole community and by people of all faiths and none.”

The fire is estimated to have cost up to £80,000 worth of damage.

…that my non muslim sister has been to ISNA and I haven’t?  Yes yes, I know it’s one big meat market and fitna fest, but they have some awesome speakers and a kick behind bazaar.  One of her muslim friends was in DC for ISNA and my sister went with her to the bazaar.  *pouts in the corner*

Ah well, at least they have some of the sessions from last year up on the web.   Still waiting for this years.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that there is a very polite Jehovah’s Witness who rides AbuS and my bus.  While I am totally not up for proselytizing or being proselytize to, AbuS has been more than happy to chat with her about the Bible. 

AbuS rode the bus home with her yesterday and someone the subject of my conversion came up.  AbuS talked about how the character of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws) was a large part of what drew me to Islam.

I’ve attempted to give her a copy of the Qur’an in the past, which she has always refused.  I’ve found that a little off putting, since we’ve accepted free bibles and watchtower magazines from her.  But now, a small breakthrough.

She has agreed to possibly reading a biography of the Prophet (saws)!  Alhamdulilah!  I plan on giving her Tariq Ramadan’s In the Footsteps of the Prophet and Submission, Faith and Beauty.

She is very much into the book of Revelations and the end times.  Are there any good books out there on the end times in Islam?  It’s never been something I have concerned myself much with, as I figure it will happen when it happens and what I really need to worry about is preparing for my own death.  However, she consistently sees signs of the end of times in the news.  I know I’ve mentioned a few of the signs from the hadith to her, but maybe a good book on the matter will also open her heart.

Please make dua to Allah (swt) open her heart to Islam through the beauty of our beloved Prophet Muhammad’s (saws) character.

Zomgosh, hyperventilating here!  This + Ramadan excitement is almost too much to bear!

Hajj Walking Program

• A unique program (never offered before) designed to follow the Sunnah of the prophet throughout the Hajj journey.
• A guided tour uniquely designed to follow on the foot step of our beloved the prophet (SAW) and his pious companions.
• This program is recommended for seasoned travelers, and Individuals who are willing to forsake the comfort of AC transportation, fancy hotel rooms and other services to gain the ultimate rewards.
• The distance between Makkah and Mina is approximately 8 kilometers (~5 miles) while the distance between Mina and Arafat is approximately 14.4 kilometers (~9 miles).

Since becoming muslim, I’ve always wanted to make hajj walking.  Being stuck on buses in traffic for hours on end just doesn’t scream *spiritual awakening* to me.  Of course, walking around all those buses probably doesn’t either, but maybe, just maybe, this program has found a way to make it happen.

Make dua that I can convince AbuS that this is the way to go.  And make dua that we will be able to go in the next few years, before the hajj creeps into the summer months.  There is so much to save up for – a house, a new car, the hajj – and I really thank Allah (swt) that we can even consider doing these things.  It is only through His Mercy and Grace that we have the provisions to seek these goals.

The walking hajj would also force us to get back into shape.  I was going to the gym pretty consistently last year, until I adopted the Squeakster.  Then, I didn’t want to go to the gym after work – I wanted to go home to love up my kitty.  Not that I don’t want to love up my kitty anymore, but I’m sure she’ll be fine for that extra hour it takes me to go to the gym.  Plus, she’d probably be happy if her mommy doesn’t die of a heart attack before the age of 30.

For now, gotta push myself to at least start, by doing some (secular) yoga and pilates DVDs at home, and then after Ramadan inshaAllah, get back to the gym.

Ten Good Manners for Hajj by Imam al Ghazali

Fifthly, one should perform as much of the Hajj as possible on foot. On his deathbed, Ibn Abbas told his sons: ‘My sons, you should make Hajj on foot, for the walking pilgrim receives seven hundred blessings from the Sacred Sanctuary with every step he takes.’ One should take particular care to walk during the important rituals, such as the movement from Makka to Arafat and to Mina. Some ulema, however, have held that riding is better, because this allows one better to assist others, is safer, and keeps one away from situations which may provoke anger and resentment in one’s heart. In reality, this view is not in conflict with the former opinion: one should simply use one’s discernment, so that one walks if one finds walking easy, but rides if one is weak or fears that walking will worsen one’s behaviour and damage the quality of one’s actions. When performing the rites of Umra, it is best to walk, and to spend the money thus saved in good works.

Practical Tips in Preparation for Ramadan (from soundvision with added links by moi)

Ramadan is an event that occurs in the life of the faithful, as individuals and as an Ummah, once a year. It is intended by Allah to help us to recharge our spiritual batteries and thus prepare us for the great mission of realizing His will on earth. Therefore, in order to benefit from Ramadan, we may do well to prepare for it by opening our hearts and minds to embrace it. Let me offer a few tips:

1. We should empower ourselves by learning as much as we can about the precise laws as well as the benefits of fasting. Fiqh of Fasting Hanafi, Basics of Fasting – Shafi’i, Maliki book on Fasting, Fiqh us Sunnah on Fasting, general

2. We should ensure that we gain true benefits from our fasting, let us make sure to realize the spirit of fasting: this can only be done by abstaining, not only from food, drink, and sex, but also by strictly restraining our minds, hearts as well as our eyes, ears, hands, tongue, and so on. Inner Dimensions of Fasting by Imam al Ghazali

3.We must embrace the spirit of fasting as stressed in Hadith: to be charitable and compassionate as much as we can. The Concept of Charity in Islam, Muslim Character by Muhammad Ghazali

4. We should strengthen our relationship with the Qur’an; for Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. Way to the Qur’an, Ulum al Qur’an

5. We should engage in dhikr and condition ourselves to make it second nature. My page of dhikr resources

6. Last but not least, we should build up our community through acts of charity and compassion and extending help to those in need as much as we can. Agenda to Change our Condition

Let us pray that we come out of Ramadan with our faith recharged, gaining strength in our faith and commitment and relationship with Allah.