Unfolding a Rose


It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of Almighty Allah's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
Almighty Allah opens this flower so sweetly,
Then in my hands they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of Almighty Allah's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Allah for leading
each moment of my day.
I will look to Almighty Allah for His guidance
each step of the way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only Almighty Allah knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Foods of the Prophet,peace be upon him

 nd the earth hath He appointed for His creatures
Wherein are fruit and sheathed palm trees,
Husked grain and scented herb.
Which is it of these favors of your Lord
that ye deny?
Qur'an 55:10-13


The Prophet Muhammad,peace be upon him, was once reported to have said, "There are two kinds of knowledge: knowledge of religion and knowledge of the body." The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) frequently commented upon the nature and value of various foods and spices. These comments were noted by his wives and companions (r.a.) and remain available to us today.


Quince (safarjal)--It is said that to eat quince on an empty stomach is good for the soul. Cold and dry, quince is astringent to the stomach, and it checks excessive menstrual flow. A few seeds placed in water will, after a few minutes, form a mucilage which is an excellent remedy for cough and sore throat, especially in the young. Quince is also excellent for pregnant women, gladdening their hearts. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: "Eat quince, for it sweetens the heart. For Allah has sent no prophet as His messenger without feeding him on the quince of Paradise. For quince increases the strength up to that of forty men."




Milk:

The Prophet (SAW) said that milk wipes away heat from the heart just as the finger wipes away sweat from the brow. It strengthens the back, improved the brain, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.

Honey:


 
Considered to be the best remedy for diarrhea when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs. It is used for creating appetite, strengthening the stomach, eliminating phlegm; as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye salve and mouthwash. It is extremely beneficial in the morning in warm water and is also a Sunnah.


Mushroom:


 
The Prophet (SAW) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes; it also serves as a form of birth control and arrests paralysis.

Grapes:


The Prophet (SAW) was very fond of grapes - it purifies the blood, provides vigor and health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.

Dates:


  "Whoever takes seven 'Ajwa dates in the morning will not be effected by magic or poison on that day." (Bukhari) The Prophet has also said, "There is a tree among the trees which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness), and that is the date palm tree." 

The Prophet (SAW) said that a house without dates has no food also to be eaten at the time of childbirth.

Figs:


  The prophet (SAWS) mentioned figs and then stated, "If I had to mention a fruit that descended from paradise I would say this is it because the paradisiacal fruits do not have pits...eat from these fruits for they prevent hemorrhoids, prevent piles and help gout." (Bukhari)
It is a fruit from paradise and a cure for piles.

Barley:


 
Good for fever in a soup form.


Melon:


 Bukhari states that Melon was among one of the fruits most often eaten by the prophet (SAWS). In fact, melon is one of the best recommendations for health the prophet (SAWS) has given us.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "None of your women who are pregnant and eat of water melon will fail to produce off spring who are good in countenance and good in character."



 
Water:


 
The Prophet (SAW) said the best drink in this world and the next is water; when you are thirsty drink it by sips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver.

So praise be to our beloved Nabi (SAW) who related to us this marvelous knowledge which dazzles the wisest minds. May this information be beneficial to all of us Insha'Allah.

Let's share cooking secrets

Every country has its national dish .Please post your national dishes in the comments and I will post them on this blog .
I want to share my national dishes .My country is Russia and here are some traditional Russian dishes.First of all ,I want give short introduction about Russian food .
Russia is mainly a northern country with long-lasting cold winter. The food should give us much energy and warmth to survive during the winter time. So, the essential components of Russian cuisine are the ones, which provide more carbohydrates and fat rather than proteins. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rarely used in food. So, the top five components of a Russian meal are:
Potato (boiled, fried, baked, potato chops, potato pancakes, potato soup, smashed potato)
Bread (bread, toasts, bread-crumbs)
Eggs (boiled, fried)
Meat
Butter (usually added in all meals and spread on bread)
Also popular: cabbage, milk, sour cream, curds, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, berries, honey, sugar, salt, garlic, onions.
To cook, you will need vegetable oil, salt




The most well know Russian dish is called pelmeni :
type of dumpling consisting of a filling that is wrapped in thin unleavened dough.We usually make it with ground meat ,or it can also be filled with mashed potatoes ,potatoes and cabbage,cherries and etc..




I think its kind of similar to the Turkish manti?If I spelled it right ?


 

 We eat it with sour cream  or butter, or sometimes we use a different dipping ,that can be vinegar with black pepper  or other kind of dipping.
In different Russian regions there are different traditions . The region I am from is Ural ,and its well know for good pelmeni :).


Another well know Russian dish is called Borsch ,or probably it mostly known as Russian beet soup .





It is heavy soup with meat ,bets ,tomatoes ,sometimes carrots ,onions ,cabbage and potatoes .
Here is a simple recipe for how to make it .
It also depends on the region ,and in different region people  make it different way ,but in general its the same.

Ingredients:
2 red beets, peeled and diced
1 potato, chopped into bite-size cubes
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 rib of celery, diced
1 cup of shredded green cabbage
4 cups of meat broth
1 cup of crushed tomatoes
Fresh dill (optional)
Sea salt and ground black pepper (optional)

Directions:

Boil the meat for an hour and make a meat broth. 
Put potatoes ,shredded cabbage ,and beats in a broth and  bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until red beets and potatoes are tender, usually between 20 and 30 minutes.Add salt and pepper to taste .
At the same time ,put little bit vegetable oil in a pan ,2 table spoons,add onions ,carrots and tomatoes and fry it for 5-10 min .Then add it to the soup ,and cook for another 10 min.
Add dill and parsley at the end  and your soup is ready.
Try this delicious and hearty soup with a slice of toasted rye bread and a fresh vegetable salad.
You can also put a sour cream and mix it with the soup ,when you eating it .


 Russia is also famous for its pirogi(pies) and different bakery .



Pirogi can be stuffed with meat ,potatoes ,cabbage ,berries ,apples ,cherries and can be baked or fried ,and can be different sizes and shapes .


Another 3 popular dishes are these varieties of salads.

One of them is called Olivier, or in my region its called Winter salad





Its very easy to make .
Its made out of boiled potatoes ,boiled carrots ,sausage(use halal beef sausage instead),boiled eggs,sometimes we add cucumbers,green onions ,dill and parsley and green piece
Everything is cut in small pieces and then we add mayonnaise and mix it all together.


Another salad ,that is mostly made for some kind of special occasions ,its a beet salad .There is no way to translate its name .So I will just write about it and you can name it :)

Its made in layers  of salted fish at the bottom ,boiled potatoes ,boiled carrots,onions and cooked beets and mayonnaise on the top . 






Then it is decorated with something on the top ,like fresh dill or onions.

The other salad is called Vinigret .
Its also has similar ingredients .



Its made of boiled carrots ,boiled potatoes ,boiled beets ,onions,and also salted cabbage or Sauerkraut (Sourcrout) and then we add vegetable oil as a dressing and mix it all together .You can add dill and parsley also.


Waiting for your comments with your national dishes




Amazing arts and crafts


Today I would like to make a post about beautiful culture  of a very small country ,that is not know to everybody ..This country has a very diverse population and been influenced by its history.
We all heard of the names such as Bukhara and Samarkand ,where many scholars of hadith are from and most well know in a Muslim world is Imam Bukhari .The name of this beautiful country is Uzbekistan.
People of Uzbekistan are known for their generosity and hospitality and they are also know for their beautiful arts and unique crafts.
Here is some information I collected about arts and culture of this country .Hope the readers can learn something new about our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in that small,but beautiful Muslim  land.


The Uzbekistan people are known for their hospitality, friendly and peaceful nature. The people of Uzbekistan belong to diverse categories and ethnic races. The rich and varied history of Uzbekistan have made the customs and traditions of the Uzbek people more colorful.

The population of Uzbekistan comprises the ethnic groups of Uzbeks, Karakalpaks, Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars and many others. The people in Uzbekistan are famous throughout the world because of their amicable nature and courteous attitude. The Uzbeks are not only helpful towards their neighbors but also to the foreign travelers visiting their country.

The people of Uzbekistan are fair with interesting facial features. The features vary with their origin. Some people have small eyes and sharp nose while some have flat features. Usually they are tall and stout people. The Uzbek people are very diet conscious and follow discipline in whatever they do. A casual meeting may also be honored through traditional customs like serving tea and raising toast.

The Uzbek people greet people to their house at any hour of the day. It is customary to embrace or kiss on the cheek of their near and dear ones on meeting, after a long period of time. These people live a simple but an elegant lifestyle. Their professional fields are mainly family business or agricultural activities. The Uzbek people are very much family oriented people, who dedicate their every minute of leisure to their family members.

 

The arts and crafts of Uzbekistan have enjoyed a well-earned fame for centuries. The pre-eminence of the applied art here can be attributed to historical conditions shaping the cultural development of the Uzbek people. Uzbeks have developed their technical and artistic traditions over centuries. The applied art reflects everyday life; its main attribute is the close connection between artistic creativity and daily material necessity.



The social nature of decorative art lies in its collectivity. Art is the heritage of many generations; it represents a series of consecutive layers, which reflect a people's culture through the ages. The skills and knowledge imparted by the various ethnic groups that eventually came together to constitute the Uzbek nation created this diversity of artistic traditions that is the distinguishing feature in works of art of all genres.

Architectural-decorative art holds a prominent place in the arts and crafts of Uzbekistan.


Principles of ornamental construction and profound knowledge of the plastic and artistic properties of local building materials that were well-known throughout the Middle East, such as ghanch (a sort of alabaster), wood, stone, ceramics, constitute the time-tested fundamentals of this ancient art.




The world famous architectural monuments of Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, and other cities of Uzbekistan testify to the professional mastery of mediaeval artists and architects, ornamental designers and calligraphers, engravers and ceramists.






In Uzbekistan, wall painting and sculptural carving as well as ornamental carving and painting have been practised since ancient and early mediaeval periods. The 9th and 10th centuries saw a period of particularly intensive development of ornamental, floral-vegetal polychromatic paintings and relief carving. The ever more elaborate use of ornamental forms and compositions formed the basis for principles approved by experts through the ages and are observed and adhered to even nowadays.

The influence of Soviet Union made a lot of Uzbek Muslims to adopt Islam as a culture ,rather then faith .Now days Islam is returning in the hearts of Uzbek people .Mosques and Islamic organizations grow rapidly and more and more youth started practicing Islam and reviving the religion .

The ancient and beautiful art of Henna




The ancient and beautiful art of Henna !!!!

I'm sure many muslim women from different parts of the world know how to make beautiful henna designs and how to prepare actual Henna.Mostly Henna is used on certain occasions and celebrations ,or sometimes just to beautify yourself for your husband .
Henna is the oldest tradition , used by women centuries and centuries back.


Here is some information about Henna :

The History of Henna
Centuries of migration and cultural interaction make the task of determining henna's exact origin a complex one. However, historians argue that henna has been used for at least 5,000 years in both cosmetic and healing capacities. Some researches argue henna originated in ancient India while others claim it was brought to India by Egyptian moghuls in the 12th century C.E. Still others will contend that the tradition of applying henna to the body began in the Middle East and North Africa in ancient times.

Archaeological research indicates henna was used in ancient Egypt to stain the fingers and toes of Pharaohs prior to mummification. But research also argues the Pharaohs were not the only Egyptians to use henna. Ani, a mummified scribe (1400BC), had fingernails stained with henna. There are also several medieval paintings depicting The Queen of Sheba decorated with henna on her journey to meet Solomon.

The art of henna decorating has been practiced in Northern Africa, the Middle East, Southern Asia, and Europe and has been used by Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Moslems, Christians, Pagans, and others.

How is Henna used?
Henna has been used for centuries for body decoration. Ancient Egyptians used henna prior to mummification. People all over the world continue to use henna, primarily for cosmetic purposes. However, in countries where henna is rooted in historical tradition, members of the working class more commonly apply henna for medicinal and healing purposes. In Cairo, Egypt, for example, many working class citizens had their hands and feet dipped in henna to produce a solid covering, which differs from the common decorative design that is usually applied for weddings and other celebrations.

As a healing plant, henna conditions, cleanses, colors and cools the skin. When applied to hair, it has the same effect. Millions of Asian and African people regularly apply henna to their hair. In these regions, henna is inexpensive, readily available, and helps the cool the scalp in the hot summer months.


Making your own henna designs is simple and fun! It doesn't require a lot of artistic skills, just creativity!


Henna patterns tend to differ from country to country and from different cultures too. Each style is distinct. Arabic henna patterns are usually created from black henna. Asian mehendi designs are typically reddish brown. Arabic henna designs vary from the Indian mehendi patterns in that they are large and floral whereas the Indian designs are floral and paisley. Asian henna patterns tend to be composed of repetitive patterns of lines, leafy tendrils, teardrops and abstract shapes. Arabic henna designs are inspired by Arabic art.

A variety of methods are employed when drawing on the skin with the paste. In Morocco syringes prevail, in India, plastic cones similar to pastry bags are popular.


The paste is made from ground leaves of henna plants and a variety of ingredients such as lemons, limes, black tea, coffee, rose petals, orange blossoms, essential oils, cloves, pomegranates, tamarind, okra, and sugar.
The paste is left to soak into the skin for 6 to 12 hours; the longer the paste is in contact with the skin the deeper, darker and longer lasting the stain will be. Heat helps to drive the dye into the skin and cause it to become dark. Often women will sit near a small brazier or fire after being henna'ed. When the paste is scraped off, a yellow-orange stain will remain. The color will deepen to a reddish-brown during the next 48 hours and then fade away gradually.



Mehndi has been used in beauty rituals and customs from time immemorial. It is the oldest documented cosmetic and widely used through the Middle and Far East. It is used for its moisturizing and sun protecting properties as well as a hair dye, and its ability to transform the skin with red patterns. It is rumored that Cleopatra and Nefertiti used henna as well as Fatima, the Prophet Muhammed's daughter, and Mumtaz Mahal, to which the Taj Mahal was built.



Quilting ?

Does anyone like quilting ?Does anyone have this hobby?

I personally love quilting and did few projects before..

I will try to explain shortly what quilting is ,for those who don’t know ..

It is small pieces of fabric sewn together …

You can make different things from it .

For example :blankets,pillows,hand bags ,wall decoration and etc..

How does it look like



So now you have an idea!!!


How do you make it and what you will need for it...

You will first need to choose what you planning to make ,then you have to choose a pattern .

For example you want to make something like this


Then you will need to chose a fabric and cut it in the pieces shown in the pattern


For example


Try to choose good color combination.

After that you need to sew these pieces together by hand or on the sewing machine



This how it will look like .


After that you will need a second large peace that will cover the whole thing from the back and between that and your sewn pieces you have to batting .You can find it in any fabric store.


Back side of the quilt can be plain …

You need to put batting between the front and back side and sew everything together.

First sew the front side to the batting and then cover everything with the back side and sew it together ,and your quilt is ready …

This is really fun thing to do !!!! When you have plenty of time …

Studying Quran with al Huda


For me as a revert to Islam its been very hard to find good sources to learn from .I been looking through many Islamic online schools and tried few ..
I finally stopped after finding this best school to study Quran and its womens only ..
The way they teach is amazing ..

Its called alhuda school .


www.alhudainstitute.ca

The school was first established in Islambad and then years later they opened second campus in Canada.
The school is aimed to teach Quran only and now they offer many classes online through a paltalk ..
The course I’m taking is called Taleem al Quran ..
They offer this class 5 days a week or 2 Days a week or once a week ..

If I tell you the fee for the class you won’t believe me ..
Its only $25 -$50 a month

The teachers are all women, and they are fabulous ..

Here you can find online classes offered at the moment

http://study.taleemalquran.com/

They teach Tajweed ,Quran word by word translation and Tafseer of every single verse ..

For me personally we only finished surat al Baqarah and its been amazing experience that changed my life ..
I was crying and crying after few verses I learned from the first class ,because I was able to understand the words of Almighty Allah ..
Its truly beautiful experience and I recommend every sister to attend this school .

watch this,very inspiring!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeYEgniJ_8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtGkj-rZeo&feature=related

Please visit this school and start your journey ...

Decorating plain abaya

There are many things you can do to your old abaya ,to make it look new.
What I do ,I just add lace or beads border, or trim on the sleeves and at the bottom of abaya ..






You can also add different fabric on the sleeves ,or even your old hijab ,that you don’t use





 
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