Random Thoughts

• Live each day and each moment to its full. Who knows what awaits you next.
• I see things in life as either a challenge or pleasure. You either enjoy doing it or fight it until you win or lose.
• If you are successful in life, thank Allah for the same. If you fail, learn from your mistake and have patience.
• Everything in life happens for a reason God knows the best. So, try to see the positive side of it. Be an optimist.
• Life is not always a piece of cake. It can be spiced up a bit, but make sure to enjoy it.
• I leave my footsteps wherever I go. Be it sand or rock. If your mind is like sand, you would have washed it away. If it is like a rock, you'll find it engraved somewhere.
• Have you ever thought about what is happening within our body? Who has the ultimate control over it? Yet, we are proud and haughty.
• When you do something, do it with pure intentions and for the sake of Allah. 
  
• Light Humor:

When things go wrong............
When sadness envelopes you heart.........
When tears gush out of your eyes.....
Think of me......
I'll be there for you........

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'coz I'm selling tissues, buy 1 get 1 free ;)

• You are what you want to be.
• Life is a drawing without an eraser.
• When life shuts one door on you, it opens another one behind. If not, always remember there is a hallway.

Beautiful Inside Out

This is one thought that I've always had and wanted to share. What is the definition of beauty or being beautiful? Is it just being physically beautiful? Or does it have to do with something internal impact?

God creates everyone with different features. Some have very unique and attractive features, whereas others have simple and plain features. Some might be dark, others light. Different colors for the eyes, different types of noses, height, weight, etc. Do our physical features really depict our beauty? If one is born with a defect, can we call that person ugly? We don't have control over our God given physical features, so why lament over it and feel bad about it? (I'm not thinking about people who do plastic surgeries and stuff. You need money for that!!) People around us will accept us, if we truly are beautiful. Not beautiful in looks, but beautiful in Character.

I believe, that since we don't have the absolute ability to control our looks, why not beautify our character? I doesn't cost a penny and it doesn't hurt anyone. It makes us happy as well. Also, if we have a truly content mind, it reflects on our health and our looks. Looking healthy, makes people around us happy and attracted to us. A person with beautiful character and conduct is reverred by everyone. 

Being beautiful is having a good character, no matter what you look like. Your character is something you can control, so you can be beautiful. Even if people might shun you sometimes for the way you look, your beautiful character can truly move them.

Remember, "Beauty lies in the eyes of the Beholder"

"If wealth is lost, nothing is lost.

  If health is lost, something is lost.

  If character is lost, everything is lost."

Tequila and Salt

This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day.  

You may not realize it,  but it's 100% true.  

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.  

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.  

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.  

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.  

5. Every night,  SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.  

6. You mean the world to someone.  

7. You are special and unique.  

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.  

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.  

10. When you think the world  has turned its back on you take another look.  

11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.  

And always remember.... 

when life hands you Lemons,  

ask for Tequila and Salt and call me over!  

Good friends are like stars........ 

You don't always see them,  

But you know they are always there.  

"Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It's Hell in the Hallway"  

I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.  

"Why don't we stop and smell the flowers"?  

See how many "bouquets" you end up with! 

Things within our Reach

Why do we always yearn for things that are beyond our grasp?

Why aren't we satisfied with our day to day life?

Why are people greedy?

When we think that we are blessed, we will stop being greedy.

Even if we are penniless, it is a blessing to be healthy.

Even if our mind is filled with sorrow, it is a blessing when we have someone to talk to.

Even if we couldn't treat ourselves to the last dessert, it is a blessing to have eaten something.

Remember in this world, we are lucky to have eyes to see....

Hands to touch, feel and write.....

Legs to walk.....

We are lucky to know how to read and think,

Choose what is right for us.

Just remember we are more blessed than a multitude of people living in this world, who can't even read, who don't even have the basic necessities of life.

There is nothing to worry about when you truly understand that you are blessed. Just keep a patient mind, calm temper and enjoy the things around you. Your day will be bright and great!!!

Realizing our Dreams

We all are human beings and we love to dream. We dream about where we want to be in life and what we want to do. How can we realize our "realisitic" dreams? What is a realistic dream?

I'm not sure what exactly I can say about realistic and unrealistic dreams. 'Coz as time changes, so does our advancement. When 200years back, people rediculed at the idea of flying, now flying to the moon is a reality. What we make out of our dreams is our definition of realistic dreams. There are times when we ourselves can be surprized by our capability. Sometimes, what we do is beyond our expectations, leave alone others. Only Allah knows what we can produce and what is hidden within us.

There are 3 things, which I feel are important, that helps us in realizing our dreams. 

• Motivation
  
• Inspiration
  
• Encouragement
  

Motivation: 

To realize our dream we must be self-motivated. It must come from within us. We have our own, special talents, unique to each of us. The luckiest person is the one who is able to understand his/her own talent and strive forward to realize it. There are people who are multi-talented as well, for them it is usually a dilemma to select one path or all paths. There are people whose talents are hidden so deep that, in the long journey of life, they will eventually realize it. Just believe that it is never too late to realize them and to be motivated. You can also find motivation from people or things around you. Just keep your eyes open and the road will guide you.

Inspiration:

Ok, now that you've been motivated, how to move ahead? You need someone or something to inspire you. There are people all around you and lots of things around you. You feel, you are the only important thing in this world, but isn't that just a mirage? When we think of ourselves as a very little thing compared to the universe, we allow the words and gestures of people around us to have a say in our lives. Sometimes, the innocent smile of a baby can inspire you. At other times unexpected help from someone will inspire you and in many other occassions, your family tends to be your biggest asset in inspiring you. When we are on life's journey, an unexpected turn of events can be an eye opener. Being an optimist can be a big asset.

Encouragement:

This is one of the most essential things for us to be able to realize our dreams. Encouragement. Some people only need a very little encouragement to move forward, whereas the others need encouragement from the very beginning. There are people who needs encouragement even to dream. We have an idea, but to put that idea into action, we need help from others. Others can either ridicule you or motivate you to move forward. Just remember that most of the famous artists died poor since people thought that they were insane. It is only after their death that their works were valued. For me, just looking at the sky gives me encouragement. If it is sunny, the day will be bright. If there are clouds, there will be rain or it will be cool to walk. Another thing is that if we are encouraged, we feel we will be able to put our all into it and are happy to do what we want. There are people rooting for you and they want to see you grow.

Realizing our dreams is not easy. It needs perseverance and patience. But if you have the feeling deep down your heart that you can do it, then remember "You really can DO it" !!!

The Prayer Answering Allah

Hear what Allah says:
If I answer your prayer at once, it is because I am testing your faith.
If I did not answer your prayer at once, it is because I am testing your patience.
If I did not answer your prayer at all it is because I have a better plan for you.
Remember Allah's promises are yes and Amen!
He is God not man, which explains why He can never fail, hold on, don't be discouraged, your miracle is knocking at the door of your heart.
A little more faith is what you need to see all your needs met.

The-Prayer-Answering-Allah is saying He has met all your needs. "Submit to "LA-ILAH-ILLAH-ALLAH, MUHAMMAD-UR-RASOOL-ALLAH" wholeheartidly....you've only got one chance and you can't loose, its a two way win!!"

May I never get too busy in my own Affairs

It was a bitter, cold evening. The old man's beard was glazed by winter'sfrost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless.His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.*
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*Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let thefirst one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by... and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where theold man sat like a snow statue.*
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*As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir,would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."*
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*Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard."*
**
*Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horsemantook the old man not just across the river, but to his destination, whichwas just a few miles away.*
**
*As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other riders pass bywithout making an effort to secure a ride. Then I came up and youimmediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night; you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and leftyou there?"*
**
*The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the riderstraight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around here for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good."*
**
*The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders andimmediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have beenuseless even to ask them for a ride. *
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*But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. Iknew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunityto give me assistance in my time of need."*
*Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply.*

Our beloved Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘There are one hundred (parts of the) Mercy of Allah and He has sent down out of this (hundred), only one part of Mercy upon all the Jinn, and human beings, and the creatures…. and it is because of this (one part of the Mercy of the Lord) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection! ….and Allah has reserved ninety-nine parts of Mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection. (Sahih Muslim Hadith 6631 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah)

Dua: Thanking Allah for His magnificence

We all know that everything is written and recorded for us in our books. The angles write everything we say. Well, when a servant of Allah(swt) says the following duaa:

ياربنا لك الحمد كماينبغى لجلال وجهك و لعظيم سلطانك
Ya Rabbana, lakal hamdu, Kama Yambaghy, Lijalali Wajhika Wa Aztheemi Sultanik.

Oh Allah, Thanks and gratitude be to You, as much as your magnificence and great authority ought to deserve.The angels are stumped as to what to write. Why do the angels not know how to write this?When we say this duaa, and it can be seen from the translation, it is unquantifiable the amount we are thanking Allah (swt), because it is as much as He (swt) ought to deserve, and a number or scale cannot be attached to this.

So what do the angels do?They go up to Allah (swt) and tell Allah(swt), a servant of Yours has something we do not know how to write. Allah(swt) of course knows what we have said, but nonetheless asks the angels what we said. The angels tell Him(swt) the duaa. Allah(swt) then tells the angels to record it exactly as the servant has said and Allah(swt) will reward us when He(swt) meets us on the Day of Judgement.

Isn't this wonderful to hear? Something as simple as saying this duaa, saying it from our hearts will give us a reward that Allah(swt) will grant us on the Day of Judgement. Imagine that, Allah(swt) will reward us when we see Him(swt) for this small dua that has great meaning! This just shows how wonderful and rewarding this duaa is, and that Allah(swt) is saving our reward for when we meet Him(swt).

Just thought I'd share… Let's all try to memorize this and start saying it daily. Instead of just saying Alhamdulilah (thanking Allah (swt) once) let us say 'Oh Allah, Thanks and gratitude be to You, as much as your magnificence and great authority ought to deserve.'

Hadith Source: Sunan Ibn Maja on the authority of Ibn Omar (ra)

The Crow

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The father asked his son, "What is this?"The son replied, "It is a crow".

After a few minutes, the father asked his son the 2nd time, "What is this?"The son said, "Father, I have just now told you, It's a crow".

After a little while, the old father again asked his son the 3rd time, "What is this?"At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son's tone when he said to his father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow".

A little after, the father again asked his son the 4th time, "What is this?"This time the son shouted at his father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times "IT IS A CROW". Are you not able to understand this?"

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his son was born. On opening a page, he asked his son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary:-

"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child".

While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this?", the father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the father asked his son the same question just 4 times, the son felt irritated and annoyed. So....If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them.

Be considerate to your parents. From today say this aloud, "I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make a person presentable in the society today".

Allah says:Your Lord has enjoined the following: You should not worship anyone but Him Alone! Treat your parents with great kindness; if either or both of them attain old age, do not even say ‘uff’ to them; nor rebuke them; but speak to them kind words. Treat them with humility and tenderness and pray, “O our Lord, be merciful to them, just as they brought me up with kindness and affection in my childhood.”Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Bani Israel verses 23-24

Ramadan Delights

Since it is Ramadan, we all like to have refreshing and healthy futoor(breaking the fast). The best things are fruits juices and fruits. Below are 2 fruit juices, which is refreshing and easy to make.

1. Peachy Delight

Apple - 1 peeled and diced
Pears - 2 peeled and diced
Bananas - 3
Milk -1 1/2 cups
Water - 1 1/2 cups
Rose Syrup - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 5 tbsp

Blend all the above ingredients in a mixer/blender and serve chilled for a refreshing and nutritious drink.

2. Purple Fusion

Plums - 6 (remember to remove the seeds)
Black Grapes - 100g or a handful
Tang (Orange Flavor) - 1 tbsp ( The tingy orange flavor is in the background)
Water - 1 1/2 Cups
Ice cubes - Some
Sugar - 5 tbsp

Blend all the above ingredients in a mixer/blender and serve chilled for a refreshing and tasty drink.