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| Life is sweet. Middle Notes: A heavenly bouquet of flowers enriches the heart. Soft petals of White Peony and Lily blend with fresh Muguet and tender Heliotrope to create a delectable floral confection. Hmmm .... pomegranate, strawberry meringue, caramel, marshmallow - sound yummy! I think I'll look for it at the perfume counter! Maybe it's time to change to a new perfume? Evi!!! can you help? Oops, you're at Men's wear! |
For over one billion Muslims throughout the world, Ramadhan (Ramadhan is the ninth month in Muslim calendar) is a special month of the year . During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world break their fast when the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib, is due.
In Malaysia 1st Ramadhan or first day of fasting will begin on Thursday, 13 September 2007.
To all my Muslim friends, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all "Ramadhan Karim"!
Love - Larra
THE OBLIGATION OF FASTING
Allah says in the Quran:
"O you who have faith! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you - so that hopefully you will have taqwa." - Al Baqarah(2):183
Meaning that hopefuly you can safeguard yourselves from the Fire through Fasting; fasting is a means to the forgiveness of sins, and sins lead one to the fire.
The two sahihs record the hadith in which the prophet (pbuh) said:
"Islam is built upon five: that you worship Allah and reject the worship of anything else, to establish the prayer, the giving of Zakat, performing pilgrimage to the house and Fasting the month of Ramadan." [This is the wording of Muslim, Bukhari has the first sentence as 'that you testify none has the right to be worshipped save Allah'].
THE VIRTUES OF FASTING
Fasting carries with it a number of benefits, amongst which are: the elevation to ones rank, the expiation of sins, the breaking of ones desire and lusts, the increase of charity, the multiplication of actions of obedience to Allah, giving thanks to the one who knows the hidden matters, and preventing oneself from even contemplating the commiting of sin.
THE ELEVATION OF RANK
With regards to the elevation of rank, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paardise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are locked and devils are chained." [Bukhari]
He (pbuh) also said, relating from his lord Mighty and Magnificient,
"All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast for that is for me and I will reward it. Fasting is protecting sheild, so when it is the day when one of you are fasting, let him not behave or speak indecently; if someone tries to abuse him or fight him, let him say, 'I am fasting'. By the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell emanating from the mouth of the one fasting is better with Allah then the smell of musk. The one fasting has tewo time of joy, when he breaks his fast he is happy and when he meets his lord he will rejoice at his fasting." [Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (pbuh) also said:
"Every action that the son of Adam does, [its reward] will be multiplied, a good deed will be increased tenfold. Allah Mighty and Magnificient says, 'except for the fast, for that is for Me and I will reward it for he left his desires and food for My sake'" [Muslim]
The prophet (pbuh) also said:
"In paradise there is a gate which is called ar-Rayyan through which the people who fasted will enter on the day of Judgement, and no one else shall enter along-side them. It will be asked, 'where are those who fasted?' and they will walk through it, and upon the entry of the last of them, it will be locked, and no one else will walk through it." [Bukhari and Muslim]
With regards the 'opening of the gates of paradise', this is a phrase that points to the increase of actions of obedience that in turn lead to the opening of the gates of Paradise. 'Locking the gates of Fire' is a phrase that points to the decrease, and lack of therewith, of sins which in turn leads to the locking of the gates of the Fire. 'The chaining of the devils' is a phrase that points to the termination of their whisperings, and temptations, to those who are fasting because they give up hope of receiving a favorable response.
His saying, "All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast for that is for me, and I will reward it," fasting has been specifically adjoined to him in the order of Honour it because the hidden nature of fasting prevents ostentation entering it, and moreover, hunger and thirst are not used as means to draw closer to any king of this world nor any idol.
Hi everyone,
I hope you are enjoying a great weekend!
My Saturday started at 9.30 am! Alas! (that also meant I missed morning chat with H! ! 
Today I washed all clothes that I brought home from my holiday 
And also ate few cheese biscuits that I brought back from England. There is a story behind these cheese biscuits. I am actually not so fond of cheese. But, during my holiday with H, he introduced me to few types of cheese biscuits that we used to eat while travelling in the car. And guess what? I loved few of the biscuits and H end up bought few boxes for me to take home.
I bought few books during my holiday:
- Pocket Pub Walks: Derbyshire by Charles Wildgoose (the author is a blog friend of Howard and I - known as Charlie in 360. In fact (just to share with you our little secret), I first 'met' HerbMaster on one of the 'walk' on Chalie's blog! 
- Soups & Hors D'Oeuvres (this book was on sale!) . I shall try the delicious recipes and share it with you ....
- Paulo Coelho, The Zahir (some of you might remember he is the author of the great book "The Alchemist")
- Cycles Rides: Lake District & The Northwest. But unfortunately we didn't go cycling - blame me as I lost my cycling skills and it will take longer for me re-learn cycling. So, we exclude it from our holiday program. Sorry Hon, next time I'll learn how to ride bicycle first.
- Orhan Pamuk: Istanbul Memoir of a City. I bought this book at Manchester Airport while looking for book to read while waiting at the airport (silly me, I have packed all my books in the suitcase!). Orhan Pamuk is the author of the book My Name is Red. It won the prestigious International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2003 as well as the French Prix du meilleur livre étranger and Italian Premio Grinzane Cavour awards in 2002. But unfortunately I can't find My Name is Red at that bookstore so end up buying his memoir - so far after reading the first few chapters, I like his writing style.
- Wild Flowers of Britain and Europe. H bought me this book while we were at Muncaster Castle & Garden and we have been using it during our walks.
So, that the story of my Saturday so far. How's yours?
Love - Larra
Pictures of holiday in England are now uploaded on Flickr and you'll find it easier to view it in sets. But most of the pictures are yet to have descriptions. Happy viewing!
England: Day 15 @ Last Day 69 photos | 
England: Day 14 97 photos | 
England: Day 13 7 photos | 
England: Day 12 41 photos | 
England: Day 11 12 photos | 
England: Day 10 124 photos | 
England: Day 9 108 photos | 
England: Day 8 48 photos | 
England: Day 7 153 photos | 
England: Day 6 52 photos | 
England: Day 5 81 photos | 
England: Day 4 44 photos | 
England: Day 3 123 photos | 
England: Day 2 122 photos | 
England: Day 1 18 photos | 
Whilst I was sleeping - I received a message from Larra - that her onward flight from Dubai had been delayed
herb, P.P.S. to Larra
28 hours includes
time to drive from herb's house to the airport (25 minutes)
book in before Departure (2 hours 20 minutes)
Fly to Dubai (9 hours)
In transit at Dubai (2 hours 30 minutes)
Fly to Singapore (wait on tarmac while Singapore passengers alight (with their luggage)) and fly on to Kuala Lumpur (12 hours)
wait for luggage (1 hour)
Drive home (1 hour)
Spend 5 minutes on PC
(perhaps Not - because [grab 3 hours sleep, then an hour to get to work])
So it could be 32 hours
