Style Inspiration

Absolutely Adorbs - My Style Inspiration

After a long hard week of  work, work and more work in a dusty warehouse, this Mashaa Allah lady really inspired me to pick myself up from the frumpiness I was feeling.

I coerced my girls to accompany me on a shopping spree on The public holiday to try and put the look together. We started at Tygervalley at 11am and ended at Canal Walk shopping at 3pm. The malls where crazy busy and I felt so disillusioned about putting the look together and finding a skirt was impossible! Hence, the result of my attempt to recreate the look - UNSUCCESSFUL

I reluctantly agreed on a dress and decided to create a look of my own with the inspiration I initially felt on seeing the above picture. Since the look had to be conducive to my work environment, yip the dusty warehouse, my daughter picked out a relaxed pair shoes at woolies and a mesh top to wear underneath the dress, leaving the rest to my closet at home to complete the outfit for Friday Elegance - at the dusty warehouse. Alhumdulilah!

I am sure you are thinking " Show the pics already"  - Patience is a virtue!

Dress & Mesh top - Ooh La La
Shoes - woolworths

Not quite what I had in mind....but i decided to share it with you anyway.  I will be back with a truly "Friday Elegance" Post as soon as the dust settles, Inshaa Allah.

Time to Fix Myself

Sunday's Big Walk in Sea Point was a reminder of how selfish, inconsiderate and rude some human beings can be. I was not planning on doing the walk, but was generously given 2 tickets by my dear friend whose husband bought 30 tickets in support of the event, Alhumdulilah.

My goal was to complete the 10km walk which was achieved with some minor aches and pains the following day. What remained on my mind was the behavior of some of the participants, who showed no respect for the residents of the area or the fellow walkers by throwing the water sachets on the ground and against the trees even though there were clearly visible litter bins everywhere. Together with this, the pushing and shoving truly broke my heart and left me feeling ashamed to be apart of such a crowd. May The Almighty Allah grant us understanding Inshaa Allah.


"In Islam your freedom stops where the rights of others begin" - Mufti Ismail Menk

After work one day last week, I stopped at Willowbridge Mall, which is opposite Tygervalley Shopping Centre. I headed to Pick n Pay and whilst at the Fruit & Veg section a young white guy, about 24 years old came up to me and said "Excuse me, sorry to bother you. You are moslem right?" I smiled and gave him the 'Yeah Obvi'.... look. He proceeded to ask me whether I could assist him with something and asked me if the milk tart was halaal. I told him I think the Pick n Pay one was halaal, but we could go and check. At the bakery section he pointed out to another milk tart that was not baked at the Pick n Pay Bakery but bought from outside and had a label that said something like "Die Kombuis". I told him no that it is not halaal and he asked me why not as it only had flour, milk etc. I explained to him that it might have been prepared in a kitchen with other non halaal products. Looking very disappointed at not being able to buy this milktart, I asked him whether it was only for muslim guests and he replied no, there where only 3-4. Surprised at his concern for a minority, I said that they could refrain from eating it. His response was that he wanted to cater for everyone. I felt grateful and humbled that someone so young had so much respect, kindness and consideration for others other than his own. I thanked him for his kindness.

The post on Iqra Sense this week titled "Islamic Etiquette of Dealing with People!" pretty much summed what I was thinking and feeling since the Big Walk.

The Islamic Etiquette of dealing with people

Islamic teachings put great emphasis in how we deal with people in our daily lives. The prophet (S.A.W.S.) summed up his message by stating: “I have been sent to perfect the best of manners”. As Muslims, we, therefore, have to be aware of how each one of us deals with people in our circles. Our good dealings not only will ensure that we are not violating other people’s rights but can also make us accepted, loved and appreciated by others. Luqman once said to his son, “O my son: Let your speech be good and your face be smiling; you will be more loved by the people than those who give them provisions.” – (Mentioned in the stories of ibn Kathir.)

Experience shows that life becomes pleasant when we can manage our work and relationships well. Quranic wisdom and the example of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h)’s dealings with people should help us steer our relationships and keep them on the right track....... (more on www.iqrasense.com)

"Faith is all about good manners. Therefore, whoever surpasses you with his good manners has surpassed you in his faith."  --- Ibn ul Qayyim

Robin Sharma in Arniston

Who is Robin Sharma?
All I know is that he is a Canadian Author of the Best Selling book titled "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" and "The Greatness Guide" who is currently in South Africa. He showcased his motivational presentation skills at the CTICC this weekend titled "Lead without a Title: Winning Leadership Lessons to build a great organisation. Tickets ranged from R999 - R4999 for front row seats.

Where is Arniston? Located near Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and known as "One of the world's best hideaways". The village offers a wealth of natural assets and unspoilt beauty and where mother Nature  has ensured that you can "get away from it all".

My Husband - and no he is NOT Robin Sharma!

What does Arniston and Robin Sharma have to do with each other? Well, my husband handed me the details of the seminar and asked me to book tickets for him and I to attend it on Saturday. I nonchalantly proceeded to the website to book the tickets and was shocked when i saw the cost of it! Even though Robin Sharma is known to be  "Life Changing", call me naive, but I was not going to pay R2000 to sit and expect someone to "Change My Life". Instead I headed to the library and picked up one of his books titled "The Greatness Guide" and made a reservation at the Arniston Hotel & Spa for the weekend. On Friday my husband enquired whether I had  booked the tickets, I paused and confidentally told him "NO i did not", but I booked a weekend away and I have Robin Sharma's book for him to read. He was happy but also confused as to why I did not just get the book on his Kindle. For those of you who have been to Arniston, you will understand that Mother Nature and your kindle are not as compatible as a good old book from the Library!

"Everything that has happened to you in your life - the good and the difficult - was necessary to help you become the person you are now"  - Robin Sharma
To me, success is all about being in the process of joyfully creating a life that reflects your highest values, your deepest beliefs and your greatest dreams" - Robin Sharma

In My life, Embracing Islam was not "Life Changing" but it certainly Changed my way of life. Being guided to LIVE ISLAM is what has been LIFE CHANGING!
When you packing for a holiday and the first thing you pack is your travel prayer mat, you know that you have embraced the very foundation of islam - The Salaah (5 daily prayers) and the Belief in the one God (Allah).  When you do not forget the less fortunate and you pay your zakah, you Fast during the Holy month of Ramadaan, and your heart yearns to perform your Haj - you have reached Greatness for the Love of Allah, THE Greatest!

For the Greatness preached and promised by Robin Sharma, non-(practicing) muslims and others, it is but a Myth. Look no further than the current situation Oscar Pistorius and the Steenkamps find themselves. Do you think Oscar needed Robin Sharma to teach him Greatness? I think not.

Allah (God) is the Creator Of All Things, And He is the Guardian Over All things.

Al-Faa'tiha:  In The Name of Allah, The Beneficient, The Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Beneficent, The Merciful. Owner of the day of Judgement. Thee Alone do we Worship And Thee alone do We Ask for Help. Guide us on the Right Path, The Path of Those Whom Thou has favoured; Not The Path of Those Who Earn Thine Anger Nor of Those Who Go Astray. Ameen. {Al Quran}

The Power of Prayer

As Salaam Alaikum and Good Day Readers!


All Praise is due to Allah who makes all things possible.

I promised to bake a chocolate cake for my daughter who has been nagging for it for days.
However, I did not get down to fulfilling that promise due to all the other commitments, like finishing my assignment for the Internet Marketing course by UCT's Get Smarter Programme that I embarked on last year, and hope to complete successfully this month (Feb), Inshaa Allah. As well as the usual work and household chores of cooking etc.

However last night I decided that I had to bake the cake as promised and even though I realised that I only had 2 eggs, I refused to be defeated and sent my son to get some from the nearby Supermarket.

Tired and stressed I embarked on making "The Promised" Chocolate Cake and with almost every step I made dua that it comes out perfectly. God Willing.

Waiting anxiously for the timer to indicate that its baking time is complete and desperate to get into bed, I jumped up as I heared it buzzing. As I reached the oven to turn off the dials, I saw that I had put it on Grill instead of Bake. My heart just sank as I removed the cake from the oven. Although the top looked "grilled" the rest of the cake appeared normal. Still not sure whether it was going to turn into a rock soon, I continued with the cooling off process and chocolate topping this morning.

I presented the cake to my daughter and as she gulped down 2 slices without breathing, I realised the Power of Dua, Allahu Akbar! God is Great!

No matter what the circumstances, if Allah wills it, It will be!
Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from, nothing is too small for the one who is asking.

Jumua Mubarak and Blessed Friday to All.

Yum Yum - Alhumdulilah!

Raising The Fortunate Child

My son - Sayed Anwar Ally

Amidst the confusion of raising the fortunate child,we tend to indulge them in all the material distractions of this world like the latest gadgets from sony playstations, apple ipads, to smart phones. We send them to the most expensive schools, buy them new motor cars and regular overseas holidays are a norm.

Sadly in reality, most parents realise later in life that their now grown-up "Fortunate Child" has become a spoilt, ungrateful, disrespectful and lazy Adult!

In raising children to become responsible adults, it is important that we as parents teach them about the rights of other fellow beings especially those less fortunate. Allah swt says in the noble quran,

"Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful (An-Nisa 4:36)

Being a parent guilty of spoiling my only son with all of the above mentioned luxuries, I am pleased that he has just completed his degree, Alhumdulilah and has 3 job prospects of which he has accepted one to start 1st February 2013, Inshaa Allah. I have mixed feelings of a job (parenting) well done, as I feel that I should have been more strict with regards to him being able to recite the quran with understanding.  Allah knows Best!

I have been asked to purchase a ticket/table to a High Tea on Sunday 03 February '13 in aid of Quran studies in Egypt for Hafith Sabeegh Philander, the son of a friend of mine. Allahu Akbar! Here we have a boy whose only desire is to please Allah, subhanallah! For some of us, sending our children anywhere in the world is as easy as a simple EFT or swipe of a Visa Card. It seems as if Allah swt has presented my son and I with an extraordinary opportunity to further practice the verse of (An-Nisa).

I have pledged to assist Hafith Sabeegh not only with the table at the High Tea but also with the equivalent of my son's first salary, to further assist him fulfill his noble dream of studying the quran in Egypt, Inshaa Allah.

AND with that said, may I kindly ask that if any of you reading this blog post is able to assist him financially, no matter how small (R50 in a sealed envelope), please know that you are contributing to the future of Islam for all generations to come. Jazakallah Khairan.

"Upon death, man's deeds will stop except for three deeds; namely: a continuous charitable fund, endowment or goodwill; knowledge left for people to benefit from; and a pious righteous and God-fearing child who continuously prays to Allah, for the souls of his parents" (Muslim)

Rethink Your Vote

I cannot even remember what motivated me to start blogging, but I truly believe that nothing happens without the will of Almighty Allah swt.
Every post came from the heart without much thought or planning. Some writers have writer's block because they are thinking too hard about what to say. When you speak from your heart its that much easier, Alhumdulillah. All Praise is due to Allah (God).

Although I have nominated myself for Best spiritual / religious Blog in the South African Blog Awards, I am not vain enough to believe I could actually win it, but most definitely sane enough to know that it does not matter.

"All Praise be to Allah who clothed me with that through which I cover my shame and through which I adorn myself in life."

This worldly life

All praise is due to Allah! After completing his Internship at a Large Advertising Agency, my Son seemed stressed out about finding permanent employment.

I could feel the tension and felt the need to put him at ease by reminding him that everything happens by the will of Allah (God). In islam we use the term Tawakkul which refers to putting your trust in Allah (God) - to believe that He alone can ward off harms of this world, provide you blessings and sustenance, and to ease your challenges. Tawakkul is also about accepting the results that He decides regardless of how they may turn out.

I received the following beautiful explanation from a Mowlana's wife via email and I cannot explain it any better. How to use "Tawakkul" in Relieving our Anxieties and Worries.

To understand the concept of Tawakkul, consider how tense and worried you get at times about the challenges of this worldly life. Whether it’s you worrying about losing your job or sustenance, or general life problems that you may come to face, Tawakkul is your belief and the attitude that you have about putting your trust in Allah to take care of all your affairs. Allah (swt ), says: …And whoever places his trust in Allah, Sufficient is He for him, for Allah will surely accomplish His Purpose: For verily, Allah has appointed for all things a due proportion. (Qur’an 65:3) The Quran makes it clear that Tawakkul is not an option but rather a requirement. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed.(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 23) He also says in the Quran: “….And in Allah let believers put their Trust” [Surah Ibrahim 14:11] Don’t give up on Your Efforts Tawakkul shouldn’t be mistaken with giving up your efforts thinking that somehow your challenges will get resolved. Rather striving and working with the attitude that Allah will take care of your affairs and will help you in getting through your trials is part of you having the Tawakkul on Allah. Some scholars have stated that “Tawakkul in reality does not deny actually working and striving for provision, for Allah Almighty has decreed that we should work and it is from His ways that he gives people when they strive. In fact, Allah Almighty ordered us to both depend upon Him and to work, to take the necessary steps needed to achieve our goals, and so the act of striving for our sustenance is an act of physical worship while trusting and depending upon Allah is faith in Him.” (Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts (Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7, Pages 172-174) Allah says: “…So seek provision from Allah and worship Him (alone).” [Al-‘Ankaboot 29: 17] Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan stated about this verse, “Look for sustenance and do not sit around in the masaajid claiming that you are putting your trust in Allah. Do not sit in your homes and claim that your daily sustenance will come to you.” This is wrong and a true believer doesn’t say such things.” (Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan Haqeeqat-ut-Tawakkul (pg. 15-25)) This obviously applies to not just seeking provisions but in striving to resolve other matters of our lives – just as long we remember and believe that His will is a prerequisite for our matters to get resolved and to accept what He ultimately decrees. The scholars have also stated that, “other than our efforts that we put in, a Muslim should also combine Tawakkul with other means, whether they are acts of `Ibadah (worship) like Du`a’ (supplication), Salah (Prayer), Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or maintaining the ties of kinship, or other material means which Allah has predestined.” (source : alifta.net Fatwa no. 2798) Allah (swt ), also says in the Quran: [There were] those to whom people said: “The people are gathering against you, so fear them.“ But it only increased their faith; they said: “For us Allah is Sufficient and He is the best Disposer of affairs” (Qur’an 3:173) Benefits of Tawakkul One of the major benefits of Tawakkul is that it can relieve us from unnecessary anxiety, worry, and resulting depression from the challenges that we may be facing. By believing that all our affairs are in Allah’s hands and we can do only what is in our control, we leave the results to Allah and accept His decree whatever it may be. Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said, “the fruit of tawakkul is the acceptance of Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly relied on Allah. Al-Hassan and others among the salaf defined tawakkul as ridhaa (acceptance).” (Jami’ Al-’Uloom wa Al-Hikam : A Commentary on 50 Major Hadith) Let’s strive to understand the concept of Tawakkul and to make it part of our belief systems. We will notice that things will not only get resolved easier with His help, but Tawakkul will also relieve us from the day to day anxieties and worries associated with the challenges of this life.