Sister Reminder blogs

Schools in the United States get to the nitty gritty State Test countdown this time of year. The teachers diligently use every bit of their time to teach, practice, and assess their students. In the heat of all the pressure, Muslim students have a special tool to pass their exams: The Du’a (Prayer). Yes, we planned (or some of us have), and yes, we knocked down every chapter in the textbook, and of course we ripped through every state practice test out there, but have we prepared our students to make du’a?

I loved the idea of creating posters and bulletin boards and placing them in the hallways at this time to constantly remind us why we are in Islamic schools. Sr Jameelah Malik had made this ELA and MAT bulletin board to remind the kids to get prepared but also make du’a.

Let’s teach our children to make lots of du’a and make it for their study buddies and friends too! The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, ‘The Dua of a person for his Muslim brother in his absence will be answered. At his head there is an angel, and every time he prays for him for something good, the angel who has been appointed to be with him, says, ‘Ameen, may you have likewise.’ “

Hence, there are two kinds of people who achieve the merit of the Angel’s saying, ‘Ameen’. First are those absent Muslims for whom the supplication is performed because the Angel says, ‘Ameen’ for such a supplication, which means, ‘O Allah, accept this Dua for the absent Muslim.‘ The second category of people contains those people who supplicate for the absent Muslims because the Angel says, ‘and for you too‘ after, ‘Ameen,’ meaning may Allah grant you the same.

A good reminder before the test is to tell them, “Now double your chances, and make lots of Dua. Don’t forget to  wish for others what you wish for yourself! We need more geniuses in the Ummah!”

Umm Proffessional blogs

I just love the fact that there are so many websites now where you can easily get Islamic gifts! I usually like to give my children’s teacher something useful, up to date, and sometimes a Muslim related product. These are just simple gifts that you can give under $20.00, and wrap it up in a gift wrapper or toss it in a nice green bag that your child made (like).

1. Hijabs  are quite inexpensive here, and they have a variety of selections to choose from. View this site.

2. Teachers will love this wonderful magazine from this website (please note: you’ll be paying in British pounds). Sisters Magazine

3. Why not give something to decorate her home or office with these colorful modern Islamic art posters. Here.

4. Present a good Islamic Book like Women Around the Messenger from here with a homemade Bookmark from your child.

5. She may really like the perfume burner ($3.99) with a bottle of firdous perfume.

These are few ideas that I think my teachers will like. Have any suggestions to celebrate teachers and let them know how much we appreciate them? Leave a comment.

Busy Baby Mama blogs

Mothers, are you looking for an online support community? Well, here’s my pick.

GrowMamaGrow is an online community of American Muslim mothers and young women. The project provides a supportive, friendly, and non-judgmental space for women to share experiences, support one another, grow in their spirituality, and inspire each other. Aren’t we all looking for a place like this?

Their blog is updated twice a week with fresh, original reflections on everything from spirituality to peanut butter by everyday mothers like you. Visit the GrowMama Blog on the main page for inspirational posts on a wide range of topics…or even contribute your experiences and ideas. Browse through the archives or the resource center for readings on parenting, self-awareness, relationships, organizing, and health. The GrowMama discussion board is the “kitchen table” of their site, where real women share life experiences, discover friendships, and support each other.  Click on the image below to go to their website. Enjoy!

Sister Reminder blogs

Ask anyone who their favorite person in the world is, and 9 times out of 10 you’ll hear… “My Mom.” Moms are synonomous with feelings of love, comfort, protection and just downright fuzzy wuzzies. And especially at this time of year, with Mother’s Day just around the corner, mom is on the brain.

In a hadith, Abu Huraira (RA) reported that a person came to the Prophet (SAW) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger, who amongst the people is most worthy of my love and respect? The Prophet (SAW) replied, “Your mother.” The man asked, “And then who?” The Prophet (SAW) again answered, “Your mother.” The man asked one more time and received the same answer. When the man asked the question a fourth time, the Prophet (SAW) answered, “Your father.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Islam has elevated mothers to the highest status, and our mothers are to be revered, adored, and respected. After all, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said “Paradise lies under the feet of your mother.”

Many of us are all too familiar with these hadiths, and yet in our practical lives, we sometimes fall short of being the ideal son or daughter. We get too caught up in the Western notion of Mother’s Day and celebrating our moms on this day. But let’s just think about it. Did our moms spend just one day out of the year celebrating us? Did she say, ‘oh let me buy such and such things and love and appreciate my son/daughter on only one particular day of the year?’ Or did she sacrifice her each and every day, her each and every waking and sleeping moment, tending to our needs and our happiness, if only for that one beaming smile we gave her in return? Yes indeed, Mother’s Day is not only on the second Sunday of May each year, it is everyday!

And this Paradise we’re looking to earn is easier to attain than we think. Just by doing simple things, we can show our moms how much we care and gain the pleasure of Allah SWT. Here are some simple ideas of how to find your Paradise under your mommy’s feet:

• Call your mom either everyday or several times a week. Even if you have nothing much to talk about, just the fact that you are checking in with her everyday shows that you care, and that is enough for her.
• When you go out shopping, if you remember something that your mom needs in her home, pick it up for her. You’ll save her a trip to the store and she will appreciate that you remembered.
• All of us love our mom’s home cooking, but sometimes when you go over to visit, instead of her cooking for you, you bring the meal instead.
• If it is feasible, take her to her doctor’s appointments and be involved in her health care. As our parents age, they need our physical help, even though sometimes they don’t want to admit it.
• Randomly surprise your mom with her favorite sweets, or chocolates or other goodies.
• Most importantly give of your time. Spend time with your mom and make that extra effort to fit her into your busy life. It doesn’t have to be any elaborately planned day; just a simple lazy Sunday afternoon chatting with mom over a cup of tea is priceless.
• And lastly, whenever you speak to her, speak with kindness and respect. Even if she may get angry with you, never be disrespectful. And as with any disagreement, always remember that there is no such thing as ‘pride’ when it comes to family.

And for those of you mommies with little ones, teach your children similar values. Spend time with them doing fun craft projects, creating artwork, playing games, baking, and reading to them. This quality time that you spend with them will be worth more than any toy or object you can buy. These will be the moments they will remember and look back and say, “my mom is the best.”

I would like to leave you with a small narration by Shaykh Bayazid Bastami, who said: “What I was searching to find in my purification, mortification, striving and servitude, I found in serving my mother. One night my mother woke up and asked me for a glass of water. I hurried to bring her some water. I searched around the house and there was no water in the container nor in the bucket. It was a cold night. I went outside to the spring to get some water. When I came back my mother was asleep. So I stayed beside her bed with the glass of water. Near dawn she woke up and upon hearing my story she took the water, drank it, and prayed for me. In that moment, I found what my heart was looking for.”