* Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport;

* People will ride on saddles that aren’t saddles (cars?)

* The distance on earth will become short;

* Horses will not be used in wars;

* Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of Constantinople Istanbul);

* The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan;

* Very tall buildings will be built;

* The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with much killing;

* Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common;

* The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.

* Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are;

* Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?);

* People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY);

* Men will pass by people’s graves and say: ‘Would that I were in his place’; (large amount of sucidal deaths?)

* The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria );

* Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same religion World War II?);

* Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear, each one claiming to be the messenger of ALLAH;

* Earthquakes will increase; * Time will pass quickly;

* Afflictions will appear;

* Killing will increase;

* Wealth will increase;

* Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes

* THE PROPHET (saw) SAID: ‘IF MY UMMAH BEARS 15 TRAITS (QUALITIES), TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW IT.’ (DAY OF JUDGEMENT) SOMEONE ASKED,’WHAT ARE THEY O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?’ HE (saw) SAID:

 

* When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor;

* When a trust becomes a means of making profit;

* When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden;

* When voices are raised in the mosque;

* When the leader of a people is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because what he may do;

* When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.’

* ‘IMRAN IBN HUSAYN SAID: ‘THE PROPHET (AS) SAID, ‘SOME PEOPL E OF THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES’. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?’ HE SAID, ‘WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR, AND MUCH

WINE IS DRUNK.” THE GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people’s hearts, and no Ayah will be left on earth. (Some groups of old people will be left who will say: ‘We heard of fathers’ saying ‘LAILLAHA ILLA ALLAH’ so we repeat it);  

 

* The appearance of the MAHDI;

* The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ); * The appearance of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (biblical Gog and Magog);

* Isa (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal;

* The rising of the sun from the west;

* The destruction of the Ka’ba and the recovery of its treasures;

* The smoke.

 

WHY do earthquakes occur? A student of geology will say they are a result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves. That’s the process of how earthquakes occur, but not an answer to why earthquakes occur.

A better phrased question will be: Who causes earthquakes to occur and why? Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

“Say: ‘He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.’” (Qur’an, 6:65)

 

Allah sends earthquakes as a punishment for some because of their sins and as a reminder or warning for others to repent and mend their ways. Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

“And We sent not the signs except to warn…” (Qur’an, 17:59)

 

Just as Allah sends down blessings for His creation in the form of rain, good cultivation and abundance of sustenance, He also sends down warnings and punishments in the form of earthquakes and tsunamis. Allah says:

 

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (Qur’an, 42:30)

 

The above verse is of particular importance. It shows that whatever calamity that strikes us is a result of our wrong deeds. Moreover, Allah pardons a lot. Meaning, the punishment doesn’t come except when people have crossed all limits. The place where a calamity strikes may have both good and bad people. When sins rise in a community and a punishment is sent down, it also affects the good people. While that calamity is a punishment for the sinners, it becomes a source of purification or a reminder for the good doers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah from His torment and punishment.

 

Increase in the frequency of earthquakes is also a sign of the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men), earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money will overflow amongst you.” (Al-Bukhari, 2/17 no. 146)

 

The prophecy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) seems ever approaching. Time is passing by quickly, though the day still has 24 hours. The religiously learned are fewer than the past and crime rate has increased multifold.

 

Allah says in the Qur’an:

 

“Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return.” (Qur’an, 30:41)

 

The calamities are not a full recompense, but only a part for what man does. Were we to be punished for all that we do, there would be no creature living on earth.

 

“And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth; but He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.” (Qur’an, 35:45)

 

The purpose of calamities is, as mentioned in the verse quoted earlier, “…in order that they may return.” They are a lesson for us to return to the straight path and to return to the obedience of God. Disasters are a lesson for us to repent to Allah for our sins and reform ourselves. Allah has promised reward and blessings in this life and the hereafter for those who truly turn to Him in repentance.

 

“…Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 25:70)

 

“And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).” (Qur’an, 7:96)

 

 

Refuting atheistic belief

 

It is unfortunate that some Muslims have also started to speak like atheists. Scoffing when it is told that earthquakes are because of sins and arguing that it is no more than a natural geological activity. First of all atheists have no ground for their assertion because they don’t believe God exists which is the biggest lie ever uttered. It is a direct rejection despite the lucid signs in form of the perfect creation and faultless system created by God.

 

Their argument about earthquakes being the result of natural geological activity holds no more ground than a claim that this published article on paper or website is a result from the functioning of a machine (printer or computer) without any effort of a human brain behind it that has made it make sense.

 

Writing and getting it printed is much simpler an activity than the complex and perfect system of this universe that include earthquakes. It is blasphemy to claim that there’s no Almighty Creator controlling and overseeing what is happening in the world.

Lately i miss my family alot..

And sometimes i just feel that i shouldnt have married in the first place…at least not so fast..

Or not into a typical india-indian muslim family..

Living away as couples is fun but now when u have to include people you cant get along into your everyday life..

Like i told my hubby, whatever it is life has to go on..i need to get things done..

So what to do? ENDURE…TOLERATE..

But just how much?

Hungry.

Not liking that its new time tabling for me. Start at 12 on mondays but now its 9am..Floating.

Bad start of the “month”

But life goes on….

Psst..

Blogging is gonna be short..at least its a short entry..

Finally i have smtg worthwhile to blog about…

Hubbie, myself, Mom and aunt brought Zahra for her official hair cut today evening…

Searching for a barber who uses the traditional blade instead of the modern razor had been quite challenging..Went up and down to two barbers near CCK vicinity…At last found one at Beauty World Centre..

By the time we reache dthe place in a taxi, our Princess had already fallen asleep..

 

So i did this to her hair..cute na?

Then my precious woke up when the Indian barber was about to start his skills on hair…she was obedient as she was groggy..

And so it was slowly going, going and finally gone..

I don’t know why she has the ” yeah yippy…I’m bald finally!” look in that last picture.

After which we headed to a fast food nearby to have a quick bite..

I know i look cool right Granny?

So at the end of the day i was wondering should i call her Princess Zahra or Zorro..

Don’t ask me why …it just ticked me…

A friend forwarded this to me..

Having read alot about the Palestine and Israel war, i feel ashamed that mankind just cant make himself happy and be contented what he has

I had no choice but to leave Princess Zahara at the infant care since MIL had not returned yet and my parents are not free to look after her…and it was first day at school and i cant possibly be absent…

SO i was worried that she might get bullied and might cry…

I called and message my aunt who is also working at the infant care..

Me: Hows Baby? did she cry ? drank her milk already?

Aunt: (No reply)

then i called her

Me: hello

Aunt a child wailing away in her arms)

Me: ok u are busy i shall call back later

THen i received this sms from aunt

Aunt: (refers to baby) Very naughty. Bullying others. never cry dun worry. pulling others shirt and hair. taking toys to knock the glass door. slept only 1/2 hour

Me: can u imagine my reaction?

So much so for being worried..

I was dumbfounded…so guilty that my child had been raised up like that..

Then i went to the infant care centre….at 330pm….

Saw her sleeping soundly on her stomach..then i wondered

“did my child do all those mentioned above?” oh sweety…untill i saw her in action…

Poor Seng In (the victim)….he somewhat had the same characted as Zahra…kept smiling and looking at me…no wonder

I think they might have something in common for Zahra to have provoked him…

Hahah i hope Zahra remains friendly but not violent…

Its a brand new year for Muslims

And i have loads of resolutions for the upcoming year..

Loads of things that i want to change in my way of living..Maybe to be more muslimah…

Its not easy living as a Muslim in today’s world…I guess its a BIG test put upon us as human..

Thats why i always ask of Him,

Ya Allah , put not upon me a greater burden than i can bear..Ameen

I guess we have loads to learn in our journey as human and Muslims…

It was a trip i ever looked forward to…so much so that i kept vigil even in the flight…

Hubby dearest had booked the flight long before Eid …he wanted to travel in the day to avoid any accidents..u know india does nothave street lamps like Singapore does..

So he booked a morning flight so that we can reach Kumbakonam (KBM) his home-city by evening..

My terror started when we took the flight.

Turbulences, Turbulances, Turbulences..

So much of it until i told HUbby off

All UR fault for not choosing SIA…why cant u just travel another day (He insisted that we shld land before fri so that he can have his Jummat prayers in India)

ZAhra had ear – Blockages…she wailed and wailed and wailed..She was a darling when taxi took-off..She was so bubbly until the Air stewardess brought her to the cabin areas and only returned her after 30 mins…

Her wailing stopped only towards the landing..

I looked out the window and saw dark clouds….at 11am? DArk Clouds…yes it had been a downpour…

Leaving the airport …HUbby’s 2nd brother-Azar (he studies in Madras ) was waiting for us…Saying that Ameen has not arrived with the car… We went to a nearby lodge that hubby knows to wait…2pm still no car..

i saw a newspaper… Headlines said ” Chennai attacked my Nisha Storm”

My heart stopped a beat..

How am i going to make sure that my infant reaches in one piece..

Car arrived at 4pm..so much stories to share..the driver had rode in such tough times…the only Sumo-CAR that travelled from KBM bravely amidst the storm and flood  that filled till the hips…

A normal ride would only take 7 hrs…but these guys travelled for 12 hrs…

Then nightmare started…all roads were damaged by the flood…many passer-bys told us to camp at chennai and leave for town when the storm has settled down…

We had to reach home safely by hook or by crook..we traveled and traveled and traveled…15 hrs…

We reached KBM 3am the next day..so much so for being pre-ampt not to travel at night…

Allah saved us from the diaster..WE saw buses over-turned, collapsed bridges, pple walking in the flood, pple stuck in the roofs and cant come out cos of teh flood that had entered into their homes..

Mornning came and we visited the backyrad of the home…filled will rain water up to the doorway steps… its like a swimming pool..

the next few days it just rained and rained…we couldnt go out anywhere…

Overall this trip was a wasteful one..

HOwever not money can weigh the happiness when we spent time with his granny…she is ableto walk now on her own..

I must say Buwa (granny) is physically alriht..however sheis psychologically affected…fear had overcomed her …her fall had created a bad impact on her mindset that she had become unable…

many of us would try to tell her things but she wld not listen..she listens only to the doctors…

She wake the person sleeping next to her in the wee hrs just to ask what time is it.. Keep calling others during the day to say unneccessary things which can wait..

With all the chores at home to be done, attending to buwa had been a hassle for some of them..

I would try to help them..whenever buwa calls theses pple i wld go to her and satisfy her needs…however i too became tired of her callings…

Then i realise, she had become a BABY..

How much we do to a newborn…it doesnt speak a language that we understand..but we painstakenly would clean it, feed it and put it to sleep..

Now that a grown – up had become a baby howcome it has become difficult to care for   them ?

Then i sat with buwa to console her..motivate her…tell her that she had to take care of herself since that she physically well..

Then i saw with my eyes…She walked …without any support…trying to becoem what she used to be..

Then i realised afterall the trip was not that wasteful..

Its like i see my baby walk and a mother is filled with so much of joy and tears..

Al  Hamdulilah…i saw her well and walking and that has erased that ordel my family went through to reach KBM..

AL Hamdulilah

And again i thank Allah swt for keeping us safe and made the journey and safe one….AL Hamdulilah

Leaving u with some pictures..

 

Dad & me at the airport

At the airport…Father and daughter jus love this shot..

Our car..named after ZAhra

Oh since travelling was difficult and expensive….we bgt a car…and named it Ayesha ZAhra

The purple ladies

WE took this at her function…both of us just love the camera

Zahra ready to go out

All pinky…ready get set go…and she is all ready to go out

The goaty and ZAhra

we bought this baby goat and it actually bit ZAhra’s finger…ouch..no blood of cos

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.” (Qur’an, 31:14)

One of the outstanding examples of mothers mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is the mother of Moses (peace be upon him). She did something against her nature as a mother; however, she did so trusting Allah’s promise, “And We inspired the mother of Mûsa (Moses), (saying): “Suckle him [Mûsa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers.” (Qur’an, 28:7)

Mariam (Mary) is another outstanding example. Some scholars say that Mariam was only 15 when she gave birth to Jesus, a miracle by Allah, as she was neither married nor was unchaste. She had to face and answer the society.

 “Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).

“O sister (i.e. the like) of Harûn (Aaron) [not the brother of Mûsa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman.” (Qur’an, 19:27-28)

However, Allah is always there to support the believers. The infant Jesus spoke and answered them.

 “He ['Isa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allah, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;

And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat (prayer), and Zakat, as long as I live.

And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.” (Qur’an, 19:30-32)