I just started a new class for learning Arabic Grammar!

It goes a bit like this:  Every Sunday morning, a group of us gals meet online and I deliver a lesson in Arabic Grammar for about 45min-1hour max.  I don’t give much attention to anyone’s level of Arabic, since we are starting from the bottom and working our way up.  Obviously, the goal is to be able to understand the Qur’an and Hadeeth without the help of a translation, in sha Allah.

Now, there are so many wonderful Arabic learning programs out there that me saying this has become a little redundant and cliche, don’t you think?  I agree, but this is seriously what I am offering!

However, my focus group is a little different.  I’m focused on MOMS! I’m focused on WORKING sisters, FULL-TIME STUDENT sisters who have little to no time left in the day to devote to learning Arabic.  alHamdulillah, I have experienced all three situations:  I’m a Mom, I work, and I used to be a full-time student.  I know what it’s like to experience a full-crunch week where you hardly have time to take a shower, let alone learn Arabic grammar!  For this reason, I’ve designed these classes to make it as painless as possible for a sister to learn Arabic and still tend to domestic duties, professional duties, or academic.  Here are the benefits to joining:

1.  I am a super-flexible teacher, but I will make sure to help you reach your goal.  If you have issues with managing your time, or you lack motivation, you can consider me your mentor during this journey.  I will be sure to give you advice to help you along.

2.  A relationship with the teacher:  One thing we have lost in our quest for knowledge in these times is the relationship between student and teacher.  With these virtual programs, this is especially the case.  However, I want to get to know my students.  I joke in class, I tell you stories, and I check in on you every once in a while to see how you’re doing.  Our great scholars benefited from the character of their teachers, and this experience should be no different, except that I want to learn from my student also!  This is one thing that I cherished during my studies: that strong relationship I had built with my teachers, who helped me along my journey, especially when the going got tough.  It is this sort of mentorship that is sourly lacking in our quest for knowledge, and I hope to fill that gap in these classes, in sha Allah.

3.  Short and Sweet:  This class is only once a week, and no more than an hour long.  I will not burden you with too much information during one class, and at the same time, I will not leave you feeling unfulfilled.  Each class will present concepts built on the previous class, building you to a level where you will that you can access the meanings and advice from the Qur’an and Hadeeth directly without being at the mercy of faulty and dry translations.

4.  Slow and Steady:  This is an ongoing class.  There are not deadlines to finish and therefore no stress to complete.  We are going to take our sweet and lovely time to enjoy learning Arabic   One of the best ways to learn is when there is a deep desire present to seek knowledge.  Each class will build on this desire, and it is my hope that you will not dread each class, but look forward to it and consider your week incomplete without it, in sha Allah!  We will learn Arabic slow and steady, reflecting the saying of our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are consistent, even if they are little.

5.  Flexible enough to fit into your busy life:  Each lesson is recorded and each week you will get a PDF file of the whiteboard notes.  If you miss a class, or simply cannot attend live because of other commitments, or if your time zone doesn’t allow you, never fear!  If you would like to make your registration simply a subscription service to receive weekly lessons and notes, let me know and that’s what I’ll do for you.  However, the onus is on you to keep up with the material and not be lazy!  I will try my very best to help you reach your goal, but not without 100% effort on your part

6.  Little to no homework: while I might assign homework once in a while, this is not going to be something which will bring you added stress in your life.  While the best way to learn IS to do the homework, the way in which I present the material should make up for that, in sha Allah.  However, once a month I plan to throw in a pop-quiz, so be ready!  You will be surprised at how easy it is to learn Arabic Grammar—and I don’t think there is any other language which is as easy to learn as Arabic.  So put your mind and heart to rest about conquering this language.

7.  If you are not sure about your commitment, you are more than welcome to listen to the first month’s lecture recordings completely free.  Everyone learns in a different way, and you want to be sure that you will benefit the most for whatever you commit yourself to.  There are many wonderful Arabic Learning programs out there, and whichever one you choose, just say Bismillaah and go for it!  And then never look back

8.  This is a program for sisters only.  And specifically for sisters who are pressed for time, and need someone who will be understanding enough.  Whether it’s labor pains, PMS, exams, your baby threw-up on you,…whatever.  This is a class taught by a mom, by an employee, by a student, for moms, employees, and students!  I have my share of ups and downs also, but we can help each other through this journey:  Help me teach, and I’ll help you learn!

The program is $100/mo.  However, do not let money be a reason to give up.  If you are pressed financially, email me personally, and I’ll ensure that you have no obstacles in your path, in sha Allah

If you are interested in joining, please leave a comment with your email address and we’ll connect

Don’t be amazed by the student, but by how well the teacher taught.

Our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters and brothers are being slaughtered as we speak.  Imagine yourself as that sister who had to leave her home, seeking shelter with her small children, ending up in a place shared by other women of the same situation… a room full of mothers and their  young children.  Most, if not all, not having their husbands nearby, or who may have left seeking food and medicine, or captured, and never returned.  Imagine, you got the news that your husband had been killed, or you left your home after finding his body in front of your door step, his skin ripped from his body.  What horrors you may have seen; what horrors you may be living in, and your life is changed forever.

Or perhaps you’re a mother, who is informed about her son’s death and told to pick up his body at the hospital.  You walk into the hospital room, and there is your son, he was just shy of his teens, and you see the signs of torture all over his body.  This was your son, once a baby you cradled in your arms.  Allah knows the agony he faced and you, as his mother, could do nothing to save your child.

What if it was your daughter, snatched from you, only to be returned later, cut up into pieces and thrown into a bag and left at your doorstep.

Or you are a student of knowledge, speaking out for Tawheed, only to be captured by the government’s secret Militia, stripped in front of everyone, raped, and humiliated for everyone to see.  It would have been easier if they had just killed you.

Asma’ bint Abi Bakr said to her son, “It is better to die with dignity than to live with humiliation.”

This is not a dramatization.  This is a description of actual incidents that have happened, are happening, and are happening at an alarming rate.  These are our family, our family in Islam, closer than the blood-relationship, who are being mercilessly slaughtered and tortured in Syria as the world watches in horror, paralyzed.  They are not allowed to die except slowly so that they can experience the most complete and horrendous humiliation and torture.

Have you noticed that you only hear about such horrendous torture and slaughter happening to the Muslims?  I have no doubt in my mind that the true Muslims only experience such treatment.  They are upon the truth. And true Muslims, on the right path, would NEVER do something like this.

Below are two Khutbahs on the situation in Syria.  Take some time to listen to them.  Take some time to remember your brothers and sisters, internalize their pain and suffering, and make dua’a for them as much as you can.  The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

«مَنْ تَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ: لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ وَلَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي أو قال: ثُمَّ دَعَا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ، فَإِنْ عَزَمَ فَتَوَضَّأَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى، قُبِلَتْ صَلَاتُه»

“Whoever gets up at night and says: `La ilaha illallah, He is One without partners. For Him is the kingdom and all praise is due to Him. He has power over all things. Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and La illaha illallah and Allah is Greater. There is neither might nor power except Allah.’ And then says, `O Lord! Forgive me.’ Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to it, and if he intends and performs ablution and prays, his prayer will be accepted.”

[Al-Bukhari]

Read an account of our brother in Homs.

May Allah accept their Shuhadaa’, grant them patience during this time, forgive them all of their sins, grant them better than whatever they have lost, and grant them victory against the Oppressors.  May Allah defeat the enemy, crush them, and make them pay for their wrongdoing, Ameen!

So this is another great alternative to store-bought ketchup: homemade fermented ketchup!  What’s amazing about this ketchup is that it doesn’t just taste amazing and packed with probiotics, but if you combine this with the homemade Mayo, you’ve got yourself Thousand Island dressing   You could also use this for homemade Teriyaki sauce.  Add a few more things and you’ve also got yourself some BBQ sauce, too   By making your own condiments, you don’t just avoid all the harmful ingredients found in store-bought condiments, but you also increase the nutrient content.  A double-whamy The recipe is super-easy.

You start with 3 cups of organic tomato paste.  If you can try to make your own, BY ALL MEANS, go for it; you’ll need a truckload of tomatoes though.  Try your best to avoid the canned version, if possible.  There are great brands of tomato paste found in glass jars, also, which is what I used here.

Add 1/4 cup of good old whey.  This is what makes it “fermented”, like the Salsa.

Add 1tsp. of sea salt…

And 1/2 cup of Maple Syrup.  Be sure it’s Grade B, the darker one, full of all the great minerals.

Add 1/4tsp. of Cayenne pepper.  I didn’t have any on hand so I gave it a kick by adding red chili pepper instead.  I know, GUTSY, huh?

Throw in about 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced.  You know I only include photos in my posts to show you what a horrible photographer I am, right?   Riiiiiggghhhhttt.

And lastly, 1/2 cup of Fish Sauce.  Be sure to only get Fish Sauce which has TWO INGREDIENTS ONLY:  Anchovies and sea salt.

Give it a good shake (or stir) and then stand back and admire that texture!

Cover it tightly and set it on your counter to ferment for 2-3 days at room temperature.  This is a quart size jar and it actually got filled to the very top.  I may have a mess on my hands after a day or two because you’re supposed to leave an inch of space at the top.  I don’t listen to directions, remember?  Bad, bad…

After a couple of days, your ketchup should be ready to consume.  And seriously, what DON’T you eat ketchup with, right? 

Source: Nourishing Traditions

Sr. Mai has been so sweet to give us a glimpse of life in Madinah, ma sha Allah!  Including her wonderful gardening tips which I’m finding so interesting and beneficial!  I believe our climates are a little similar so her tips and perspective help quite a bit, alHamdulillah.

Having said that, alHamdulillah, our garden has been flourishing, ma sha Allah.  Please remember that I am a total beginner when it comes to gardening, so any kind of growth and change in my garden is absolutely miraculous in my eyes!  We’re even seeing some new faces!

With the exception of that bare strip in the middle, and a small square at the top, every plot of the garden is growing something (finally!), alHamdulillah!

As for the new faces in our garden, Cucumber!

And also this… I’m actually not sure what I planted here!  I was a little lazy in labeling these ones this time around.  They are either eggplant, bell pepper, or okra!

This is the new addition to the garden: Musk Strawberries!  Don’t ask me what they are exactly, but I’ve heard they taste and smell amazing!  We’ll have to wait and see.

My herbs have been growing and I’ve been chopping and using them, too, that’s why they don’t look as wild and out of control as they should be!  I’m not only a novice gardener, but I am also impatient and lazy.  May Allah guide me!

No garden is complete without tomatoes and here I have three growing nicely, alHamdulillah.

As the weather gets warmer, gardening season will come to an end, or be limited to only a few select plants which can tolerate the heat.  This is the first time that I’ve actually gardened this way.  Before, I had a lot of pots of different plants.  I’m thinking now the next step is to have chickens, some cows, a few goats, and then I’m all set!

Just joking.

Maybe.

I think.

;

Yes, I know it’s still February (11 more hours left until March), but here in Arizona, spring is just another name for summer And then instead of Summer, we have something called Oven. June-September is Oven Season. We get baked for a few months until we’re nice and toasty (basically grumpy and sick of the heat). So we’ve already started just preparing for the heat, and what better way to start than yummy summer treats!

The girls and I made some creamsicles today. What are Creamsicles you ask?

I crushed about 2-3 cups of frozen, organic strawberries mixed them up with 1tbsp. of Vanilla extract, 3 egg yolks, 1/2 cup of Maple Syrup, and 3 cups of heavy cream.

I filled 16 little paper cups with this deliciousness, and then…

;

Covered it with some plastic wrap and inserted craft sticks in the middle. We are anxiously waiting the next few hours while these go in the freezer. This is a handsome treat for a hot summer day you could make for your kids without any toxic ingredients! Don’t tell your kids it’s actually healthy for them. They won’t believe you.

And while I was at it, I made some fermented Salsa too! Fermented Salsa, you ask? Well this is a great way to have Salsa and a healthy dose of probiotics at the same time. Don’t tell your kids it’s healthy, ok? They won’t believe you.

You start with 4 tomatoes, 1 bunch of cilantro, 1/4 cup water, 1 onion, 1tbsp. of salt, 4tbsp. of whey, 3 Jalapenos, 6-8 cloves of garlic, the juice of 2 lemons, and 1 tbsp. of oregano.

Chop everything up and mix it all together… wow, I think my 2 year old could do this! I think he could do that and then smear it all over the kitchen floor too!

Fill two quart size jars with this mixture, leaving about an inch of space at the top so that it can breath. Remember, it’s ALIVE!

You’ll want to press down on the salsa so the juices can come to the top… If you don’t have enough liquid coming to the top, add 1/4 cup of water. I think you can leave out this step if you have lots of liquid. I happened to add the water and while the salsa was great, it was a little too watery. So up to you, folks!

Cover tightly and leave it on your counter for 2-3 days to ferment. If you have some nice organic corn tortillas and you could slice them up into triangles…

add some olive oil and lemon juice, coat them up nice…

…spread them out in one nice layer in a couple of baking sheets, and bake at 350 degrees until crispy….

And there you go, you’ll have homemade tortilla chips too

Ma sha Allah, this salsa was really amazing! It sure beats store-bought

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Razzy Wonderful things are happening in her life and I wish I was near to share in her joy. But from this many miles away, consider this a little party of sorts—I probably would have thrown in some homemade ice-cream, cakes, cookies and all sorts of little finger foods Don’t worry, all healthy of course. But don’t tell the kids. They will most definitely not believe you!

Oh, and before I forget, Razzy, I made you a pot of this, too

Chicken Stock!

Source: Nourishing Traditions

I got busy with a project recently… making Mus-haf covers!

Unfortunately, I was well into finishing these before I thought of taking step-by-step pictures. Now that I think of it, I’m glad I didn’t because I am a novice at stitching, especially if it’s something I had to figure out how to make! It’s not fun to embarrass one’s self   I had some quilting scraps I had bought a long, long time ago thinking I’d have the girls practice some of their stitching on them.  I decided to surprise them one day by making these covers using this cloth.  I love Pakistani lace!  You can’t find any of that here and I had requested a relative to get me a huge bag full of different kinds of lace.  That was 8 years ago, believe it or not, and I still have so much left.  The lace gave the covers such a nice touch and sealed the edges well.  I wanted the covers to have a padding, so I added cotton padding underneath.  The trouble is if I washed the covers, the padding would get all scrunched up inside so I had to stitch on top, creating a quilted design to keep things in place.  And then lastly, I ironed on the designs you see in the corners from different cutouts I had and never used.  I like being able to use what you have on hand to create something nice rather than spending time planning out materials and going out to buy them!

LadyBug also got busy recently… she knit this scarf for herself originally. I think either she made it too short by mistake or she ran out of yarn because it wasn’t long enough for her. She gave it to Missy

I was so impressed—I thought LadyBug had forgotten how to knit since she had only learned it over a short period and hadn’t had much practice. I hope she learns how to do socks…I need socks!

Crafting like this is really great for children.  Knitting, for example, is used a lot in Waldorf schools because of its enormous benefits on development of fine motor skills as well as alternate uses of the right and left brain.  I read somewhere also that the repetitive strokes of crafts like these benefit the brain in many ways:

…it teaches them to follow patterns (in through the front door, once around the back, out through the window, and off jumps jack). It also develops their fine motor skills, which will be put to the test in the coming years. Knitting also teaches math. It gives kids a concrete visualization of what addition and multiplication do. Plus, they learn a great deal about problem solving and logic. Could you use a refresher course?

Knitting has been scientifically shown to increase right and left brain interaction. Because it requires two hands to knit, both sides of the brain are stimulated. Many people pay a lot for therapy that does the same thing. There’s a technique called EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing) that many therapists use to help people get through times of stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also be used to overcome traumatic experiences. The process works like this (in my best non-psychologist understanding) – you are directed to think about the problem you want to clear up while you are externally stimulated by tapping, a light, or some other stimuli that alternates from your left to your right. This effectively gets both sides of your brain processing the same information, and allows you to let go of the emotional attachments that are causing you problems. Now you can just knit your way through it. Spend some time knitting and thinking about what’s bothering you. You can find a good solution!

Knitting is often prescribed as a way to calm down and relax. It has been shown to initiate a “relaxation response” in many people. This can lower blood pressure, improve heart conditions, and even resolve insomnia. Of course, there’s no guarantee, and knitting too much can lead to arthritis, painful joints, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Knitting can help you become more patient. Knitting takes time – it probably takes more time than you think it will. When you choose to knit something, you are making a choice to spend that time doing something that you want to do rather than just buying it from someone else. Halfway through, it sometimes seems like you made a bad choice, but you will be proud of your work and more patient as a result. You’ll learn to work through frustration and not react to situations in anger (since that makes the knots in your yarn even tighter). You’ll develop a measured response to situations that will serve you well in every aspect of your life.

-Lisa Akers, fiber arts instructor and owner of be still & knit

Ma sha Allah, we have been experiencing some unusually warm weather lately for this time of the year.  It made me both happy and sad at the same time.  I was sad because after a scorching hot summer, I wanted to enjoy what winter weather would bring to the desert.  But happy too because it was great for our garden, alHamdulillah… we saw a lot of growth in the past few weeks.  I would say that everything has been growing well with the exception of maybe 4 vegetables which have yet to make their appearances.  Being a novice gardener, you didn’t expect me to follow directions did you?   I get so excited about planting things that I almost expect that everything that is planted should grow no matter what season it is   The Cucumber, Okra, Squash, and Bell Pepper have not begun to grow and that is expected at this time of the year.  I’m hoping as Spring rolls along, we can see some progress…

Here is what our garden looks like today:

Parsley and Cilantro… finally, I can tell them apart!

Beets… I literally just emptied the entire packet of seeds.  That probably was a crazy thing to do, but I get too excited about something I know very little about and then take the plunge!

Chives…

My lettuce! My beloved Lettuce!  This was after a second planting and I’m so happy it is growing so well alHamdulillah!

Spinach is looking like Spinach finally!

And carrots…

alHamdulillah, I’m really happy with how it’s going… city-boy Mr. K was impressed too, considering he’s not much of a gardening kinda guy and doesn’t think that things can be grown so easily

And that reminds me—in Arabic, you never say that you have grown such and such because it is only Allah which makes things grow.  You can only say that you sowed such and such.

And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?

أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ

Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?

أَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ

If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,

لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ

[Saying], “Indeed, we are [now] in debt;

إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ

Rather, we have been deprived.”

بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

And have you seen the water that you drink?

أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ

Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?

أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ

If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?

لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ

And have you seen the fire that you ignite?

أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ

Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?

أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ

We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,

نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَاهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَاعًا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ

So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.

فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ

Surat al-Waaqi’ah, verses 63-74

This is a very, very special treat in our house. What’s great about it is that it’s a great way to get some butter into your children! And it’s also guiltless—this is a nutrient-dense version of fudge, healthy and delicious. This is proof that healthy food doesn’t have to be tasteless!

You start with 1lb. of butter… Really try to invest in getting good quality butter for this recipe. How do you know it’s good quality? If it has a bright yellow color.

Next, add 1 cup of peanut butter… If you can make it yourself, it’s even better!

1 cup of Carob powder comes next. This is the alternative to cocoa powder. It is full of B vitamins and no caffeine! I never hold back when I give this to my kids.

Add 1tsp. of sea salt…

2tsp. of vanilla extract…

1tbsp. of chocolate extract…

and 1 1/2 cups of raw honey…

Mix everything together well. You could give your muscles a workout and just mix it manually, but… I’m lazy.

Ooo la la….

Spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Try your best to spread it and smooth it out…

You could top it with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts or pecans… so purty…

Then just stick it in the freezer for a few hours until it hardens, and you’ll want to STORE it in your freezer.

After a few hours, cut it into some nice squares…

And then get ready to do some finger-lickin’

Source: Nourishing Traditions