Wedding update

Assalamu Aleikum..

Well... This has been quite a productive Ramadan Mashallah. The wedding plans are almost ready to go. With one major exception - we still didn't organise the Imam!!! He is almost impossible to get a hold of - it being Ramadan and all.

But other than that, the wedding planning is well and truly rolling. We have booked the hall, made the guest list, written the draft invitations (although we can't send them out just yet considering we still have to talk to the imam, grrr what a headache), and we are well on the way making the seat and table decorations (Mashallah my mum is very talented). The food budget is still a little blurry, but Inshallah we will get to that soon. And we also have our own apartment, too bad its just sitting there empty (because somebody feels too sorry for his flatmates to leave them paying his share of the rent, so he's now paying for two rentals - don't even get me started on that one). But Inshallah we will get moving soon, we have so much furniture etc at my parents house just waiting to be moved.

And then there's the studying - lol - I have barely touched it. It's really hard when there is so much stuff to do. Its hard enough concentrating while fasting, but now all my time is taken up with this wedding. But Inshallah when Ramadan is over, I will make some time for intensive study and catch up on what I missed. I'm only doing two subjects so it shouldn't be too hard. Not to even mention the 50% assignment due next week. No wonder I am so stressed out.

And speaking of Ramadan being over, I feel  so sad. This Ramadan went by quicker than ever. I pray to Allah to accept my fasting, praying, Qur'an, Zakah and all my ibadah, and to forgive my shortcomings.  I ask Allah to forgive my sins and to admit me to the highest Jannah and protect me from the punishment of the grave and from the hellfire. I pray that He blesses my family, guides them to do acts which will lead them to His pleasure and to forgive all their sins. I ask Allah to shower his mercy on the weak, the hungry, the oppressed and all the Muslims suffering around the world - I ask Allah to relieve their pain and rewards them for their suffering. Oh Allah bless this Ummah and admit us to the Gardens of Delight. Amin

East Africa Food Crisis - Please donate

Click here --> East Africa Food Crisis <-- donate now

May Allah reward you

Ramadan-ing and other little updates

Assalamu Alaikim

I know I haven't been posting for a while. not too much has been happening (other than what I will talk about a little bit later...) I've been making the most of this holy month, although we can all be doing more.

Mashallah the day has been pretty much centered around Ramadan and the opportunities it brings. Waking up at 4am for Suhoor, praying Fajr and then staying up and reading the Qur'an till the sun has risen. Then if I'm too tired I'll sleep for a few more hours, and if not - its time to study (lets call it an attempt at studying - yes it's really hard. But Alhamdulillah). After studying for as long as I can concentrate, its time for Zuhr, followed by some rest. Then Asr, and then either I will cook iftar, or if mum wants to cook (which she's been so kind to do quite a bit for us girls since she is excused from fasting due to her diabetes) then I will sit down and read the Qur'an till Maghrib/iftar. After we have iftar its off to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers, then a quick chat with the family over snacks/more food, and then back to study or ready Qur'an till I'm tired enough to sleep. And not to mention lots of du'a

Alhamdulillah for giving us another chance to experience this blessed month for another year. It's such an amazing experience, especially when you take full advantage of what it brings. I kinda feel sorry for those who don't get to experience it. It is such a loss on their part.

On another note - I've decided to suspend my gym membership while I'm fasting. It's really hard and besides I don't really get the chance to attend. I'd much rather be at the mosque. This might be my last Ramadan, we never know if we will make it to the next one.

AND... here comes the exciting bit - we are so much closer to setting the date for the wedding. Actually its almost done, we just have to formally book a hall and talk to the imam. We've been looking at apartments and getting applications, and we looked around at venues, and I think I found one that I really want. So Inshallah it will all come together. I think we also have an almost-final guest list too, and the dinner menu, and the decoration-making etc is on the way. Oh and another thing that on the way is the dress :) I received a notice that it's been shipped today. Inshallah it will come soon and look great :) There is still a lot more to do but I'm happy to say that its coming along quite well. Mashallah

Alhamdulillah for everything

And last but definitely not least - please donate to help the people suffering in the East African famine. Men, women and children are dying by the thousands. We can all do a little Inshallah and give our sadaqa to Inshallah save a life.

http://www.islamic-relief.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=105:east-africa-food-crisis&catid=35:campaigns%20
http://www.muslimaid.org.au/
http://mim.io/19c361

Ramadan Mubarak

Assalamu Alaikum

Ramadan Mubarak to the entire Muslim Ummah

May our fasts, prayers and worship be accepted

May our sins be forgiven

May our hearts become purified

May our dead be given paradise

And may our people be in peace

Have a beautiful month with family and loved ones

Love Azra