Craving for prawn sambal
Had been thinking of prawn sambal for the past week. Some people stay away from squids and prawns as we know that fishermen sometimes do use too much preservatives to keep their catch in saleable condition. They have been known to add formaldehyde to the seafood. You probably know that this same ingredient is generally used to preserve dead corpses.
We also know that some people add msg to the dried prawns etc. I also decided to omit the belacan though it gives a nice touch.These days I too had tried to avoid prawns unless its once a blue moon.
Already shelled the prawns though they could be tastier with shell intact. Kept the tails for show. Its really quick when the prawns are ready. I freeze them immediately after shelling. Maybe they will be a little less toxic with shells removed.
This is how I make my instant prawn sambal
3 large red onions
7 or 8 cloves of garlic
4 to 5 tablespoons of olive oil
1+ 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of ground chili paste
1/2 to 1 tablespoon of molasses sugar
1 tsp salt or to taste
white pepper
some slices of ginger
1/4 to 1/2 cup of water
1/2 fresh lemon, juiced
(that's because I ran out of asam jawa/tamarind paste)
Optional : petai which I really like
finely sliced limau purut leaves
Method
Just blend the onions and garlic coarsely, I like the texture of softened sweet onions.
When nicely browned and fragrant, add the sliced or blended/grated ginger and chili paste.
Add the molasses sugar, salt to taste and some water to make some tasty gravy.
Make sure the mixture is bubbly hot when you add the prawns to ensure they get
thoroughly cooked. Once prawns are cooked squeeze some lemon juice over them and give a quick stir. Taste and dish out. It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Nice with hot rice and a salad.
Eat it with some fresh vegetables
Today I steam cooked some cauliflower. Too busy to go marketing. I like to raid the fridge and clean it up before I buy some more. Wasted too much in the past.
Fresh cucumber and pineapple and tomato salad would be great too. A quick scrambled egg with sliced onions fried in olive oil made it extra nice.
Simple meal
Its a simple meal that can be put together very quickly. Also steam boiled some Jasmine extra long basmati rice. Any leftovers can be frozen or used as fried rice the next day.
We enjoyed it as it had been raining and the cool air that breezed in was chilly, as the house is facing the mountain. Alhamdulillah!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
TV 9 Safiyah interview of 'the Beauty of Covering Up'
TV 9 Interview
The past few days I had been receiving reminders and questions about my expected appearance on TV3 today, 2nd October. Even just before the airing I kept getting reminders and calls. I appreciate the caring and support of my dear sisters and FB friends. I also made some new friends through these interviews. Alhamdulillah.
Surreal Feeling
It felt very unreal - most of the interviews I had were always direct telecast. I did not really have the chance to watch how I conducted the interviews. My command of Bahasa Malaysia was only average and I was concerned I would not be able to express my thoughts adequately After all making dawah in just a few minutes is not always easy.
Today was no different because though I had enough notice, I was at a meeting to discuss ibadah and dawah fisabilillaah. I had to decide between watching the program comfortably at home or to sacrifice that moment. Of course I hope to be able to obtain a copy of the airing. Just for records purposes as the pretty young lady had sportingly modelled some of my Oriental cheongsam jubahs for me.
Islam is for everyone
I wanted to remind people that they do not have to dress like a Malay or any particular nationality to practise Islam. So long we dress modestly following the requirements found in Al Quran and the hadiths, it is good enough. So Chinese reverts can continue wearing Oriental cheongsams and samfoos so long they are adapted to Islamic requirements. So Simple!
I was a little curious but not too keen to see my self on tv. There is nothing much to see , keeping a low and modest profile and learning to age gracefully. Given up makeup many years ago. It was not an easy decision as some of us love to look well groomed and beautiful, even if no one is watching. Just for own pleasure and satisfaction. For our own self esteem.
Those were the days :)
There had been a time when I enjoyed dressing up a bit more glamorously. I loved beautiful clothes and had my own boutique but I had chosen to leave those days behind.
Not because I am getting on in years - actually when people grow older, only their physical selves show visible signs of aging. Every elderly woman would feel just as young at heart as the young lady sitting next to us. But we do need to look in the mirror to see the gradual change in us.
Gentle Reminder to Get Real
A gentle reminder that its time to move on to more important things, like preparing for our final journey.... to make sure we end up in the best destination, insha Allah.
We too were young once
We used to be that young lady sitting next to us. We can still remember all the things we did when we were younger. But Allah's laws cannot be reversed -- time passes and people age, only their hearts remain young. Perhaps that is really a good thing. To have maturity and wisdom of experience and yet the attitute of perpetual youth, still with a zest for life. Alhamdulillah! Allah knows best.
One day all too will lose their physical beauty
The physical body has to age. Weakness and ill health that may follow is to prepare us to accept the inevitable - our promised return to our Creator. Just imagine if we do not age physically, we will just go on living and enjoying like there is no tomorrow. We will not be preparing ourselves for our final journey until the Angel of Death stands in front of us.
Allah knows Best
So everything that may seem bad or negative can also be seen as something that is positive. After all, Allah always does what is best for us, though often we beg to differ. He knows what we do not know yet we sometimes oppose His guidance and reject even what is stated in Al Quran.
May Allah guide us and forgive our daily sins and mistakes. Ameen
The past few days I had been receiving reminders and questions about my expected appearance on TV3 today, 2nd October. Even just before the airing I kept getting reminders and calls. I appreciate the caring and support of my dear sisters and FB friends. I also made some new friends through these interviews. Alhamdulillah.
Surreal Feeling
It felt very unreal - most of the interviews I had were always direct telecast. I did not really have the chance to watch how I conducted the interviews. My command of Bahasa Malaysia was only average and I was concerned I would not be able to express my thoughts adequately After all making dawah in just a few minutes is not always easy.
Today was no different because though I had enough notice, I was at a meeting to discuss ibadah and dawah fisabilillaah. I had to decide between watching the program comfortably at home or to sacrifice that moment. Of course I hope to be able to obtain a copy of the airing. Just for records purposes as the pretty young lady had sportingly modelled some of my Oriental cheongsam jubahs for me.
Islam is for everyone
I wanted to remind people that they do not have to dress like a Malay or any particular nationality to practise Islam. So long we dress modestly following the requirements found in Al Quran and the hadiths, it is good enough. So Chinese reverts can continue wearing Oriental cheongsams and samfoos so long they are adapted to Islamic requirements. So Simple!
I was a little curious but not too keen to see my self on tv. There is nothing much to see , keeping a low and modest profile and learning to age gracefully. Given up makeup many years ago. It was not an easy decision as some of us love to look well groomed and beautiful, even if no one is watching. Just for own pleasure and satisfaction. For our own self esteem.
Those were the days :)
There had been a time when I enjoyed dressing up a bit more glamorously. I loved beautiful clothes and had my own boutique but I had chosen to leave those days behind.
Not because I am getting on in years - actually when people grow older, only their physical selves show visible signs of aging. Every elderly woman would feel just as young at heart as the young lady sitting next to us. But we do need to look in the mirror to see the gradual change in us.
Gentle Reminder to Get Real
A gentle reminder that its time to move on to more important things, like preparing for our final journey.... to make sure we end up in the best destination, insha Allah.
We too were young once
We used to be that young lady sitting next to us. We can still remember all the things we did when we were younger. But Allah's laws cannot be reversed -- time passes and people age, only their hearts remain young. Perhaps that is really a good thing. To have maturity and wisdom of experience and yet the attitute of perpetual youth, still with a zest for life. Alhamdulillah! Allah knows best.
One day all too will lose their physical beauty
The physical body has to age. Weakness and ill health that may follow is to prepare us to accept the inevitable - our promised return to our Creator. Just imagine if we do not age physically, we will just go on living and enjoying like there is no tomorrow. We will not be preparing ourselves for our final journey until the Angel of Death stands in front of us.
Allah knows Best
So everything that may seem bad or negative can also be seen as something that is positive. After all, Allah always does what is best for us, though often we beg to differ. He knows what we do not know yet we sometimes oppose His guidance and reject even what is stated in Al Quran.
May Allah guide us and forgive our daily sins and mistakes. Ameen
Monday, September 19, 2011
Frugal Life - is it really that dreary or a smart thing to do?
Why the Secret?
Shhh! Don't let on that we are frugal! Why the secrecy? It can be a good thing, you know. In fact be glad you know how to be frugal. Its the in thing right now.
Frugal!
Frugal! Once upon a time people would shy away from using such words to describe themselves. Today its just the reverse! With rapid rising cost of living, we have to use our common sense and wisdom to know how to live a quality lifestyle without too much unnecessary frivolous spending.
Of course we love to spend! Its how you spend that matters.
Of course we all do spend extravagantly once a while, depending on the occasion and our budget. To be frugal is smart and gives a sense of satisfaction.
Frugal living to me means spending wisely, on good quality products and fresh and tasty food. It does not mean eating scraps of old veggies bought from the discount corner. It does not mean buying overripe mangoes which cannot be eaten and bananas which should be delegated to the garbage bin the next day.
Waste not, Want not
It simply means knowing what to buy, where to buy and choosing your menu carefully. I used to overstock my pantry as I seldom have time to shop leisurely lately. Too much fresh perishable foods in the fridge may be wasted if we decided to eat out for a few meals.
Eating out can be great too
Sometimes eating out is great, a wonderful treat when we eat with family and friends. But there had been times where we felt regret for spending a lot of money for poor quality food. A whole bowl of noodles with a few scraps of chicken and 2 tiny prawns, some vegetables. That may cost up to RM13, excluding extra vegetables and drink. An average meal for 2 may cost between Rm20 to Rm30.
DQ Organic Chicken?
For Rm40 we can buy a small DQ organic chicken and some fresh vegetables. And that is enough for a simple meal for up to 4 - 5 persons. Just increase the variety with something cheap and nutritious like eggs or fried ikan bilis or a quick soup tofu veggie made from some bony parts of the chicken.
Eating Well
I had been reading on frugal cooking and realise the food can be as interesting and tasty as some expensive cuts of meat and exotic vegetables and fruits. I also learnt that its better to eat food grown locally as Allah has created food good for us within our own vicinity. He is Most Wise, Kind. Even needy folks can have healthy, tasty nutritious meals from their backyard. We have become so sophisticated that we end up paying lots of money for imported food that may not yield us maximum benefits.
Blessed with lots of great fruits and vegetables
Just think papayas, pineapple, mangoes, watermelon, yams, sweet potatoes and even local avocado and promegranates. Lime, starfruit, coconuts, mangosteen, guava, rambutan and pomelos are all rich in different nutrients. we do not have to travel the world to look for our vitamins and antioxidants.The problem is we usually do not have time or inclination to eat with discipline, wisdom and care.
Colourful Palette
A simple guideline is to look for a colourful palette when we choose our fruits. Every colour has its own special qualities. We can also enjoy sweetness with gula melaka.
Even local produced fruits and vegetables are no longer cheap so imported ones are even more so. Lots of fresh and raw live food and less meat and white products like refined white flours, rice, sugars etc. We cannot guarantee good health or long life but at least we can make an effort to care for ourselves and our loved ones on a daily basis.
Quality food and healthy cooking
Frugal also means choosing generally less expensive foods and products without sacrificing quality and enjoyment. Buying quality products that can last longer and provide more satisfaction .
How to
Good to steam, bake or stir fry our food. Soups and salads are easy and quick to prepare.
Cheap does not mean economical
Sometimes it is frugal to buy a more expensive product if it is of superior quality and within our budget. Just make sure we make good use of it and not let it collect dust in a corner.
Shhh! Don't let on that we are frugal! Why the secrecy? It can be a good thing, you know. In fact be glad you know how to be frugal. Its the in thing right now.
Frugal!
Frugal! Once upon a time people would shy away from using such words to describe themselves. Today its just the reverse! With rapid rising cost of living, we have to use our common sense and wisdom to know how to live a quality lifestyle without too much unnecessary frivolous spending.
Of course we love to spend! Its how you spend that matters.
Of course we all do spend extravagantly once a while, depending on the occasion and our budget. To be frugal is smart and gives a sense of satisfaction.
Frugal living to me means spending wisely, on good quality products and fresh and tasty food. It does not mean eating scraps of old veggies bought from the discount corner. It does not mean buying overripe mangoes which cannot be eaten and bananas which should be delegated to the garbage bin the next day.
Waste not, Want not
It simply means knowing what to buy, where to buy and choosing your menu carefully. I used to overstock my pantry as I seldom have time to shop leisurely lately. Too much fresh perishable foods in the fridge may be wasted if we decided to eat out for a few meals.
Eating out can be great too
Sometimes eating out is great, a wonderful treat when we eat with family and friends. But there had been times where we felt regret for spending a lot of money for poor quality food. A whole bowl of noodles with a few scraps of chicken and 2 tiny prawns, some vegetables. That may cost up to RM13, excluding extra vegetables and drink. An average meal for 2 may cost between Rm20 to Rm30.
DQ Organic Chicken?
For Rm40 we can buy a small DQ organic chicken and some fresh vegetables. And that is enough for a simple meal for up to 4 - 5 persons. Just increase the variety with something cheap and nutritious like eggs or fried ikan bilis or a quick soup tofu veggie made from some bony parts of the chicken.
Eating Well
I had been reading on frugal cooking and realise the food can be as interesting and tasty as some expensive cuts of meat and exotic vegetables and fruits. I also learnt that its better to eat food grown locally as Allah has created food good for us within our own vicinity. He is Most Wise, Kind. Even needy folks can have healthy, tasty nutritious meals from their backyard. We have become so sophisticated that we end up paying lots of money for imported food that may not yield us maximum benefits.
Blessed with lots of great fruits and vegetables
Just think papayas, pineapple, mangoes, watermelon, yams, sweet potatoes and even local avocado and promegranates. Lime, starfruit, coconuts, mangosteen, guava, rambutan and pomelos are all rich in different nutrients. we do not have to travel the world to look for our vitamins and antioxidants.The problem is we usually do not have time or inclination to eat with discipline, wisdom and care.
Colourful Palette
A simple guideline is to look for a colourful palette when we choose our fruits. Every colour has its own special qualities. We can also enjoy sweetness with gula melaka.
Even local produced fruits and vegetables are no longer cheap so imported ones are even more so. Lots of fresh and raw live food and less meat and white products like refined white flours, rice, sugars etc. We cannot guarantee good health or long life but at least we can make an effort to care for ourselves and our loved ones on a daily basis.
Quality food and healthy cooking
Frugal also means choosing generally less expensive foods and products without sacrificing quality and enjoyment. Buying quality products that can last longer and provide more satisfaction .
How to
Good to steam, bake or stir fry our food. Soups and salads are easy and quick to prepare.
Cheap does not mean economical
Sometimes it is frugal to buy a more expensive product if it is of superior quality and within our budget. Just make sure we make good use of it and not let it collect dust in a corner.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Really hard to say 'no' to someone
Is it easy to refuse to help someone?
Is it easy to say 'no'? Does it give us a sense of power to refuse someone's request or appeal or cry for help? Having that power or ability is a heavy responsibility. It doesn't have to be something very important but if we have to make a decision it may mean responsibility and accountability in some cases.
Like when students appeal for scholarships, people who ask for credit because they need to put food on the table for their children, people who cannot pay for their car instalments though they need the car for their work.
Why do I accept this responsibility?
Some of us take on the challenge or rather, burden of accepting donations and zakat contributions from friends. They ask us to distribute them to genuine needy cases, people who do not know how to apply for help at official avenues, such as Bait ulmal or the local religions departments. We do this because we are seeking Allah's pleasure and rewards.
Great Responsibility
It is such a heavy responsibility. It feels real bad to say no to someone when we do actually have some cash in our pocket for charity. If its for zakat we need to make sure its given to the eligible recepients or else we are guilty of misappropriating the funds. If its just normal charity then we can give to anybody, even those who are not yet Muslim. Or obvious non believers, in the hope it can alleviate their hardship and soften their hearts. Just any needy person.
A lot of tension in trying to say 'no'
The past few days I had been getting many sms from 2 particular persons. Among the many people we distributed zakat and seqedah, these two received the most, perhaps 4 times as much as some others. I gave them my own and my family's zakat and sedeqah. Since its my own contribution I felt free to give to whoever I want. I gave to them because I know them and really feel sorry for their difficult situation. As they do not earn much and have so many responsibilities, once is never enough.
Besides that I also gave when I received extra from friends. In Ramadhan both of them were recommended to receive zakat from a bank, via an ngo. They claimed they received only rm500 and not rm1000 which I was led to believe.
It is still a huge amount, considering most of the others received only perhaps rm200 for the whole of Ramadhan, except for the 10 or so people who probably all received rm500. This is certainly much more than one can ever hope for from Bait ulmal during Ramadhan. They have to give a lot more to many thousands of people.
A great deal of whining?
It sounds a lot of whining but what I am trying to say is its really stressful when these people keep on asking for more and more even through Shawal. They feel that they have a right to receive and so they are very persistent.
It is good to help whenever they genuinely need assistance but that is the duty of Bait ulmal, the official body that collects zakat from all over the country. We are just individuals who try to help out in a small way.
If we have only rm1000 for distribution, and there are 50 people out there, what can we do? RM100 cannot pay for much these days. I realise its not much help but its still a means to meeting some expenses. Even I have to juggle my own expenses each month and who do I go for help?
What reason do I need?
When I still have extra zakat and sedeqah in my purse, I feel I ought to give it to them because they genuinely need it. Yes, I can give it for that reason.
But what about the many others whom I just discovered? Many of them also have good reasons why they need the extra help. And they did not ask or bother their friends about their money problems.
A test from Allah
In Islam we are supposed to seek out such humble and dignified people and offer them help. They try their best not to burden others and are shy to put their hands out to receive. Alhamdulidllah! They still accept their hardship with patience and carry on working and striving to improve their livelihood. They know it is all a test from Allah to see who are best in their deeds and action.
Dignified in times of calamity
Dignified even in hardship. How I admire such patient people. May Allah help them and reward them.
Do I need to toughen myself up?
Should I say 'no' to those who insist on asking for more all the time? Should I think of their poor innocent kids and relent? Or should I toughen myself up and keep on saying 'no' so that I can extend a helping hand to some other brother and sister?
Giving In is easy
Or should I just give, because we are supposed to help anyone who asks for help? Do we want for our brother what we want for ourselves? If I can afford to have a proper meal daily, should I decide to deprive my brother the right? If I give it to A, am I fair to B and C and D?
I had to say 'no' to two people today
Today I had to say no to two persons. They had received the most zakat and sedeqah for the whole of Ramadhan. Including the bank zakat ,they must have received around Rm1500 each, not counting zakat from other ngos etc. Yet they are the only ones who are asking again and again in Shawal. I feel very disturbed and sad to say no but I am thinking of some stranger who is out there, crying to Allah and waiting for someone to stretch out his or her hand to help someone in need. It may be someone whom we can motivate and show that someone cares.
Different situations, different needs
Many women with children need help because the husband left them, or had fallen ill, or lost his job and business. Today a friend mentioned a lorry driver who lost his lorry and business suddenly. He has 5 children to support. Another lady has a useless and mean revert husband who beat her and ate from her earnings and yet did not appreciate her at all. Yet another revert is in depression because the husband is irresponsible. A revert brother who has 9 kids had been in hospital because of heart trouble. All these people need help too. if I try to help A, what about B, C and D?
Is helping people spoiling them? Don't we spoil our loved ones?
Is that the same? Or different?
Had I been spoiling the both of them for the past many years until they become so dependant ? I know they also received zakat from others but they cleverly kept quiet about it. Now they want more, sometimes for genuine reasons but the point is they did not plan wisely and save for their needs. Telling me to pity his two daughters because he could not pay their bus fare for sekolah agama is supposed to make me feel guilty. Yes, I do feel extremely guilty. He succeded the last time when I gave in to his demands.
He is repeating it again. Many people earn about the same and yet did not get any extra help from friends. They still managed. They survived and they did not have to resort to multiple sms requests and reminders to put money into their bank accounts via atm.
Yes, they do not even bother to come to ask. Its all via sms and telling us which bank to go to.All of them have different banks, and I have to accommodate. It never occurred to them that we are only volunteers and do not have the time to drive all over the place to find parking etc. I have two personal cheques that needs to be banked into my own account for weeks and I still have not found time to do it. Yet I have to do it for them on demand. Ironic isn't it?
Mental Strain
I do feel mentally tired by all this. To make it easy I guess I will just have to give the whole amount that's been entrusted to one single needy person and not bother to answer such sms demands for some time.
Sometimes someone may say things like their family situation is so bad, all the burden is on them, children are disobedient and husband manipulative, on and on. Whenever I say no they say they feel like ending their lives because they see no future or way out.
Like a vicious circle I have to advise them and hope they do not do anything really foolish or desperate. Reverts have no help or support. They do not know where else to go. I am just afraid if I did not respond I may have to answer for my lack of response. How am I going to live with that? A great challenge and test....
I need to take time out.
Is it easy to say 'no'? Does it give us a sense of power to refuse someone's request or appeal or cry for help? Having that power or ability is a heavy responsibility. It doesn't have to be something very important but if we have to make a decision it may mean responsibility and accountability in some cases.
Like when students appeal for scholarships, people who ask for credit because they need to put food on the table for their children, people who cannot pay for their car instalments though they need the car for their work.
Why do I accept this responsibility?
Some of us take on the challenge or rather, burden of accepting donations and zakat contributions from friends. They ask us to distribute them to genuine needy cases, people who do not know how to apply for help at official avenues, such as Bait ulmal or the local religions departments. We do this because we are seeking Allah's pleasure and rewards.
Great Responsibility
It is such a heavy responsibility. It feels real bad to say no to someone when we do actually have some cash in our pocket for charity. If its for zakat we need to make sure its given to the eligible recepients or else we are guilty of misappropriating the funds. If its just normal charity then we can give to anybody, even those who are not yet Muslim. Or obvious non believers, in the hope it can alleviate their hardship and soften their hearts. Just any needy person.
A lot of tension in trying to say 'no'
The past few days I had been getting many sms from 2 particular persons. Among the many people we distributed zakat and seqedah, these two received the most, perhaps 4 times as much as some others. I gave them my own and my family's zakat and sedeqah. Since its my own contribution I felt free to give to whoever I want. I gave to them because I know them and really feel sorry for their difficult situation. As they do not earn much and have so many responsibilities, once is never enough.
Besides that I also gave when I received extra from friends. In Ramadhan both of them were recommended to receive zakat from a bank, via an ngo. They claimed they received only rm500 and not rm1000 which I was led to believe.
It is still a huge amount, considering most of the others received only perhaps rm200 for the whole of Ramadhan, except for the 10 or so people who probably all received rm500. This is certainly much more than one can ever hope for from Bait ulmal during Ramadhan. They have to give a lot more to many thousands of people.
A great deal of whining?
It sounds a lot of whining but what I am trying to say is its really stressful when these people keep on asking for more and more even through Shawal. They feel that they have a right to receive and so they are very persistent.
It is good to help whenever they genuinely need assistance but that is the duty of Bait ulmal, the official body that collects zakat from all over the country. We are just individuals who try to help out in a small way.
If we have only rm1000 for distribution, and there are 50 people out there, what can we do? RM100 cannot pay for much these days. I realise its not much help but its still a means to meeting some expenses. Even I have to juggle my own expenses each month and who do I go for help?
What reason do I need?
When I still have extra zakat and sedeqah in my purse, I feel I ought to give it to them because they genuinely need it. Yes, I can give it for that reason.
But what about the many others whom I just discovered? Many of them also have good reasons why they need the extra help. And they did not ask or bother their friends about their money problems.
A test from Allah
In Islam we are supposed to seek out such humble and dignified people and offer them help. They try their best not to burden others and are shy to put their hands out to receive. Alhamdulidllah! They still accept their hardship with patience and carry on working and striving to improve their livelihood. They know it is all a test from Allah to see who are best in their deeds and action.
Dignified in times of calamity
Dignified even in hardship. How I admire such patient people. May Allah help them and reward them.
Do I need to toughen myself up?
Should I say 'no' to those who insist on asking for more all the time? Should I think of their poor innocent kids and relent? Or should I toughen myself up and keep on saying 'no' so that I can extend a helping hand to some other brother and sister?
Giving In is easy
Or should I just give, because we are supposed to help anyone who asks for help? Do we want for our brother what we want for ourselves? If I can afford to have a proper meal daily, should I decide to deprive my brother the right? If I give it to A, am I fair to B and C and D?
I had to say 'no' to two people today
Today I had to say no to two persons. They had received the most zakat and sedeqah for the whole of Ramadhan. Including the bank zakat ,they must have received around Rm1500 each, not counting zakat from other ngos etc. Yet they are the only ones who are asking again and again in Shawal. I feel very disturbed and sad to say no but I am thinking of some stranger who is out there, crying to Allah and waiting for someone to stretch out his or her hand to help someone in need. It may be someone whom we can motivate and show that someone cares.
Different situations, different needs
Many women with children need help because the husband left them, or had fallen ill, or lost his job and business. Today a friend mentioned a lorry driver who lost his lorry and business suddenly. He has 5 children to support. Another lady has a useless and mean revert husband who beat her and ate from her earnings and yet did not appreciate her at all. Yet another revert is in depression because the husband is irresponsible. A revert brother who has 9 kids had been in hospital because of heart trouble. All these people need help too. if I try to help A, what about B, C and D?
Is helping people spoiling them? Don't we spoil our loved ones?
Is that the same? Or different?
Had I been spoiling the both of them for the past many years until they become so dependant ? I know they also received zakat from others but they cleverly kept quiet about it. Now they want more, sometimes for genuine reasons but the point is they did not plan wisely and save for their needs. Telling me to pity his two daughters because he could not pay their bus fare for sekolah agama is supposed to make me feel guilty. Yes, I do feel extremely guilty. He succeded the last time when I gave in to his demands.
He is repeating it again. Many people earn about the same and yet did not get any extra help from friends. They still managed. They survived and they did not have to resort to multiple sms requests and reminders to put money into their bank accounts via atm.
Yes, they do not even bother to come to ask. Its all via sms and telling us which bank to go to.All of them have different banks, and I have to accommodate. It never occurred to them that we are only volunteers and do not have the time to drive all over the place to find parking etc. I have two personal cheques that needs to be banked into my own account for weeks and I still have not found time to do it. Yet I have to do it for them on demand. Ironic isn't it?
Mental Strain
I do feel mentally tired by all this. To make it easy I guess I will just have to give the whole amount that's been entrusted to one single needy person and not bother to answer such sms demands for some time.
Sometimes someone may say things like their family situation is so bad, all the burden is on them, children are disobedient and husband manipulative, on and on. Whenever I say no they say they feel like ending their lives because they see no future or way out.
Like a vicious circle I have to advise them and hope they do not do anything really foolish or desperate. Reverts have no help or support. They do not know where else to go. I am just afraid if I did not respond I may have to answer for my lack of response. How am I going to live with that? A great challenge and test....
I need to take time out.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Nice to be back!
Great to be back - been too distracted to blog
As Salam everyone! Phew! the days just flew by, so many activities, commitments, work and more work, trying to make it the best Ramadhan ever! Yes! We all do try and while we succeeded in some aspects, we still could not make our Ramadhan as good as we hoped.
Its the effort and intention that counts
Its the effort and niyyah that counts, I hope. Sometimes we were just too tired, trying to please so many people - just as they were trying to please others too. All for the sake of Allah, so no effort or kind thought was wasted insha Allah.
Alhamdulilllah! We completed Ramadhan
Alhamdulillah we were given the chance to complete our fasting and ibadah for the whole of Ramadhan. We do not know when our name would be called and its a great loss to miss out on the many blessings and rewards of Ramadhan. Anyway Allah knows best and He rewards whom He pleases.
Missing loved ones very much
This Ramadhan I especially missed my parents who have passed on, insha Allah relieved of their worldly pains and burdens. I miss my dear beloved sisters and friends who are no longer here with us. Their participation in our iftars, sharing their delicious home made food, their advice and worshiping Allah together, praying for peace, good health and forgiveness.
Kindness never forgotten
Though all our beloved family members and friends can never ever be with us again, their goodness and kindness. Their love and caring, their infectious joy and laughter can never be forgotten. What we experienced with them was also a blessing and gift from Allah, loaned to us for a borrowed time.
Give thanks all the time
Alhamdulillah, its good to give thanks and be grateful for the special moments shared than lamenting our loss. Soon we too will leave our beloved family and friends. Even when we are not ready. No one is ever quite ready to leave this worldly life.
Where will we go when we have to go?
Where will we be going? What kind of journey will we undergo? How to prepare ourselves so we can face our imminent journey with patience and great hope? Lets be strong and support each other though words of encouragement, support and love.
Forgive each other when we make some mistakes or were weak. Do not keep your anger as its harmful for all parties. Do not keep finding fault in others as that may lead to contempt and contempt may eventually lead to arrogance.
Let us depend on Allah's Mercy as all the good deeds of this world cannot guarantee our place in Jannah.
Humbly asking for your forgiveness
People should not feel shy or akward to ask for forgivness all the time. Sometimes we ask for forgivness not because we are guilty of any wrong doing but because we are afraid we have sinned without realising it or have been careless and weak. And sometimes because we had sinned knowingly and I not blame shaitan for that. It just feels good to ask to be forgiven sincerely as it will insha Allah improve the friendship and love between each other.
Forgive me my dear brothers and sisters for any mistakes or wrongdoings. Being human makes me weak and susceptible to making mistakes and sins all the time. I do need to clean my slate as much as possible.
As Salam everyone! Phew! the days just flew by, so many activities, commitments, work and more work, trying to make it the best Ramadhan ever! Yes! We all do try and while we succeeded in some aspects, we still could not make our Ramadhan as good as we hoped.
Its the effort and intention that counts
Its the effort and niyyah that counts, I hope. Sometimes we were just too tired, trying to please so many people - just as they were trying to please others too. All for the sake of Allah, so no effort or kind thought was wasted insha Allah.
Alhamdulilllah! We completed Ramadhan
Alhamdulillah we were given the chance to complete our fasting and ibadah for the whole of Ramadhan. We do not know when our name would be called and its a great loss to miss out on the many blessings and rewards of Ramadhan. Anyway Allah knows best and He rewards whom He pleases.
Missing loved ones very much
This Ramadhan I especially missed my parents who have passed on, insha Allah relieved of their worldly pains and burdens. I miss my dear beloved sisters and friends who are no longer here with us. Their participation in our iftars, sharing their delicious home made food, their advice and worshiping Allah together, praying for peace, good health and forgiveness.
Kindness never forgotten
Though all our beloved family members and friends can never ever be with us again, their goodness and kindness. Their love and caring, their infectious joy and laughter can never be forgotten. What we experienced with them was also a blessing and gift from Allah, loaned to us for a borrowed time.
Give thanks all the time
Alhamdulillah, its good to give thanks and be grateful for the special moments shared than lamenting our loss. Soon we too will leave our beloved family and friends. Even when we are not ready. No one is ever quite ready to leave this worldly life.
Where will we go when we have to go?
Where will we be going? What kind of journey will we undergo? How to prepare ourselves so we can face our imminent journey with patience and great hope? Lets be strong and support each other though words of encouragement, support and love.
Forgive each other when we make some mistakes or were weak. Do not keep your anger as its harmful for all parties. Do not keep finding fault in others as that may lead to contempt and contempt may eventually lead to arrogance.
Let us depend on Allah's Mercy as all the good deeds of this world cannot guarantee our place in Jannah.
Humbly asking for your forgiveness
People should not feel shy or akward to ask for forgivness all the time. Sometimes we ask for forgivness not because we are guilty of any wrong doing but because we are afraid we have sinned without realising it or have been careless and weak. And sometimes because we had sinned knowingly and I not blame shaitan for that. It just feels good to ask to be forgiven sincerely as it will insha Allah improve the friendship and love between each other.
Forgive me my dear brothers and sisters for any mistakes or wrongdoings. Being human makes me weak and susceptible to making mistakes and sins all the time. I do need to clean my slate as much as possible.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
What to eat for iftar when everything is hard and frozen in the fridge?
Its going to be maghrib in less that an hour. Thinking of what to have for iftar. Today I have only leftover carrot and vegetable pumpkin soup. We already ate that twice so we are trying to have something extra to go with it. The chicken is still frozen as I forgot to thaw it.
My son mentioned he saw some instant noodles in the box and I thought that would be nice. We had not had instant noodles for ages. We know such stuff is not real food as there is practically nothing except empty calories and carbohydrates - flour, oil and seasoning plus additives and food enhancers. But a little once in a while is perfectly fine for me.
Instant Noodles! Easy Easy :)
Its really easy to add water or soup stock, vegetables and maybe an egg or two. Just shred some leftover roast chicken and thrown in some chopped spring onions and raw onions, chillies, coriander or whatever that is in the fridge.
Today I will add some finely julienned capsicum, red, yellow and green. We must go for colours of the rainbow to get maximum variety of nutrients. Have to go to the kitchen soon but first I want to tell your of our DF iftar...
Dates and more dates
Just came home after collecting more dates - this time Mariami A, dry and chewy but not hard. Many people like this as we can leave it in the box for months without losing any flavour. This time we are planning to repack 12 to 18 kilos of Mariami into smaller bags. They are to be placed in the 60 goodie bags for our Persatuan Darul Fitrah Malaysia iftar.
I may bake a cake or make some yoghurt jelly etc. But its definitely not enough to feed 150 people! May it should be reserved only for those who stay back to do qiamul Ramadhan. Then we can have hot teh tarik, bru coffee and special desserts. Greedy!!!!
Iftar on the road - really carefree and casual
We are going to set up canopies and tents and 50 orphans from Gombak will be joining us insha Allah. We have to hire a bus to transport them as it is quite far away. Besides the children we will be inviting family and friends to join us for breaking of fast.
This time it is also to be held on the road. It should be fun and a great way to meet our friends, share our food and perform prayers with them. Alhamdulillah!
Its going to be maghrib in less that an hour. Thinking of what to have for iftar. Today I have only leftover carrot and vegetable pumpkin soup. We already ate that twice so we are trying to have something extra to go with it. The chicken is still frozen as I forgot to thaw it.
My son mentioned he saw some instant noodles in the box and I thought that would be nice. We had not had instant noodles for ages. We know such stuff is not real food as there is practically nothing except empty calories and carbohydrates - flour, oil and seasoning plus additives and food enhancers. But a little once in a while is perfectly fine for me.
Instant Noodles! Easy Easy :)
Its really easy to add water or soup stock, vegetables and maybe an egg or two. Just shred some leftover roast chicken and thrown in some chopped spring onions and raw onions, chillies, coriander or whatever that is in the fridge.
Today I will add some finely julienned capsicum, red, yellow and green. We must go for colours of the rainbow to get maximum variety of nutrients. Have to go to the kitchen soon but first I want to tell your of our DF iftar...
Dates and more dates
Just came home after collecting more dates - this time Mariami A, dry and chewy but not hard. Many people like this as we can leave it in the box for months without losing any flavour. This time we are planning to repack 12 to 18 kilos of Mariami into smaller bags. They are to be placed in the 60 goodie bags for our Persatuan Darul Fitrah Malaysia iftar.
I may bake a cake or make some yoghurt jelly etc. But its definitely not enough to feed 150 people! May it should be reserved only for those who stay back to do qiamul Ramadhan. Then we can have hot teh tarik, bru coffee and special desserts. Greedy!!!!
Iftar on the road - really carefree and casual
We are going to set up canopies and tents and 50 orphans from Gombak will be joining us insha Allah. We have to hire a bus to transport them as it is quite far away. Besides the children we will be inviting family and friends to join us for breaking of fast.
This time it is also to be held on the road. It should be fun and a great way to meet our friends, share our food and perform prayers with them. Alhamdulillah!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Ramadhan is here!
Ramadhan is here at last!
Alhamdulillah! Finally we commenced Ramadhan after waiting for a long , long time. Been waiting for it since we finished the last one.
We were of course happy to be able to celebrate the day of Eid but so sad that all the special privileges and benefits of Ramadhan were no longer there for us anymore until the next Ramadhan. All those benefits and rewards for a whole month, just waiting for anyone who is interested to reach out for it.
Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT has answered our duaas to be given the chance to participate in yet another Ramadhan. So here it is - what are we going to do about it? Trying our best to fulfil our obligations and peform extra extra ibadah and sedeqah. Abstaining from food and water is just one part of the whole process of fasting. Fasting of the tongue - minding our speech, our manners, our actions, our thoughts, our anger, our judgements on others .... so much to do and so many opportunities to gain extra rewards. :)
Jumping back into fasting mode after 2nd day after Eid
Right after the Eid festivities (actually on one day celebration) many people would begin to pay back any missed days of fasting during Ramadhan. It was really tempting to accept all the wonderful open house invitations by friends and neighbours. I suppose it is alright to visit them after we break fast. At least to have a drink and meet their families.
It would defeat the purpose of fasting and discipline by eating our way into the month of Shawal and beyond. We were actually learning the art of self control, restraint, patience and discipline for an entire month.
Surely we have to try our best to change our poor eating habits and wicked indulgences. After detoxing and losing some excess weight we should value our newly gained healthy lifestyle. No more oily fried food and overly sweet drinks. Why are all the delicious food mainly deep fried or creamy? Even the simple fried keropok and fritters which should be off limits are so tasty and yummy.
Challenge to eat healthily
Its a challenge, isn't it? I am thinking of how to prepare more healthy meals and trying to eat more often at home. I feel we have to make time to eat well and avoid foods that are laden with msg, preservatives and other flavourings and artificial colours. Soups, salads and stews, steamed corn, baked chicken and vegetables and fruits seem to be a good alternative.
Alhamdulillah! Finally we commenced Ramadhan after waiting for a long , long time. Been waiting for it since we finished the last one.
We were of course happy to be able to celebrate the day of Eid but so sad that all the special privileges and benefits of Ramadhan were no longer there for us anymore until the next Ramadhan. All those benefits and rewards for a whole month, just waiting for anyone who is interested to reach out for it.
Alhamdulillah, Allah SWT has answered our duaas to be given the chance to participate in yet another Ramadhan. So here it is - what are we going to do about it? Trying our best to fulfil our obligations and peform extra extra ibadah and sedeqah. Abstaining from food and water is just one part of the whole process of fasting. Fasting of the tongue - minding our speech, our manners, our actions, our thoughts, our anger, our judgements on others .... so much to do and so many opportunities to gain extra rewards. :)
Jumping back into fasting mode after 2nd day after Eid
Right after the Eid festivities (actually on one day celebration) many people would begin to pay back any missed days of fasting during Ramadhan. It was really tempting to accept all the wonderful open house invitations by friends and neighbours. I suppose it is alright to visit them after we break fast. At least to have a drink and meet their families.
It would defeat the purpose of fasting and discipline by eating our way into the month of Shawal and beyond. We were actually learning the art of self control, restraint, patience and discipline for an entire month.
Surely we have to try our best to change our poor eating habits and wicked indulgences. After detoxing and losing some excess weight we should value our newly gained healthy lifestyle. No more oily fried food and overly sweet drinks. Why are all the delicious food mainly deep fried or creamy? Even the simple fried keropok and fritters which should be off limits are so tasty and yummy.
Challenge to eat healthily
Its a challenge, isn't it? I am thinking of how to prepare more healthy meals and trying to eat more often at home. I feel we have to make time to eat well and avoid foods that are laden with msg, preservatives and other flavourings and artificial colours. Soups, salads and stews, steamed corn, baked chicken and vegetables and fruits seem to be a good alternative.
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