{Chinese Proverb} Only Through Letting Go

Only through letting go can we truly possess what is real...

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Sometimes we forget the importance of forgiveness. A little while back I spoke to someone who admitted to me quite vehemently that she found it hard to forgive others for any wrong they may do to her; whether it be a grave wrong or something menial. She even went as far as to say that she'd find it hard to forgive her family, including her parents. Its difficult for me to comprehend that a person could be so set on her ways and so hard in her heart that she may find it difficult, if not impossible, to forgive others for their sins.

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A few posts { re: Reformed Players} back I mentioned the importance of forgiveness and Allah {swt} as Al-Ghafoor and Al-Kareem, Alhumdulillah. If he can find it in his heart to forgive the gravest of sinners, given that they repent and keep from committing the sin over again, how can we not find it in our hearts to keep grudges? In many families (yes, including mine too) people, even brothers and sisters, hold grudges for the smallest things! Their behavior is the antithesis of what Allah {swt} has prescribed to us brothers and sisters in Islam.

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I tried to explain to the sister that forgiving someone is not only 'good' for the sinner, but most importantly it is healthy for the one doing the forgiving! InshAllah it is important to forgive and especially to forgive those that ask for it; and, even if they don't, then for your own sake, you should find mercy in your heart to just let go.

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A relationship is built on two wings, the wings of love and mercy. One without the other is useless and eventually if this duality is not present, the relationship will fall apart, crash and burn, or whatever you may want to call it. So this Ramandan, inshAllah I pray that we all find it in our hearts to forgive. Its not enough to say, "Oh Allah forgive my sins" it is something we must really truly feel in our hearts!

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InshAllah may this Ramadan be a chance for us to cleanse our souls and strengthen our imaan. Ameen :)

wasalaam,

Madiha

::Ramadan Mubarak::

~*Asalam'alaykum wr wb*~


Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah. {ameen}


Ramadan Mubarak Everyone! :)

wasalaam,

Madiha

Buddha Bar

*~ Asalam'alaykum wr wb*~

Good news! Someone turned in my wallet so Alhumdulillah i've got it back without anything missing. Still, since I'd cancelled my credit cards, I have to wait for them, which pretty much sucks.

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Anways....

Last night I went out to one of the most awesome restaurants in NYC, the Buddah Bar. It is totally a classic New York trendy, hip scene. Once you walk into the restaurant it's a whole other world, kind of reminded me of an amusement park ride at Universal Studios. The restaurant has this sleek, sexy, and mysterious feel. There's an arched hallway entering the restaurant with gold oriental statues arches along the sides and the atomosphere is dark with deep colors of red and gold all around. At the back of the restaurant is a huge buddha, surrounded by water and the lounge area is fill with asian brocade inspired beds with hundreds of candles. Not only is ambiance fun, they also had one of the trendiest Indian deejay's as a resident playing Bollywood music, some Alabina, Nancy and Hakim along with hip hop.

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There were about 15 of us there for a friend's birthday. Our table was on a platformed "stage" that simulated a boat on water and from our table we had a view of the water and koi fish swimming below. We ordered sushi as appetizers along with chicken samosa's and tuna tartar ( which I like loved!). For dinner we had an array of fusion style Chinese, Thai and American food ranging from fried rice, shrimp rice, grilled vegetables and ribs (which of course I skipped out on). Then we ordered an assortment of deserts. I got to try the chocolate cake with green tea ice cream (sooo good!) and the creme brule. There were a few other deserts, but I was way to full by then to try them.

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Another sort of extra about the restaurant was the patronage and *ahem* eye candy. I've never seen so many good looking people in one place! And especially Middle Easterners! lol Sadly though, I can't say much about their "muslimness" since most had drinks in hand, well unless it was water and i was mistaken..but nowadays I highty doubt I was mistaken. At least it's an easy way to nix out the ones that just dont cut it. lol I must say that overall the night was a lot of fun and i'm definitely gonna hit up the Buddha Bar again :p


wasalaam,

Madiha :)


chk it out @ http://www.buddhabarnyc.com/

Desi Trophy Wives

*~ Asalam'alaykum~*

I lost my wallet at school a few minutes ago and I'm still praying that some kind soul will turn it in. I hate losing things and losing my wallet is up there on the list of things I never want to lose! Good thing is I was dead broke, so no money (actually I was headed to the ATM when I noticed it was missing) and I had my metro card ($76 monthly pass) in my pocket. Those are the only things of great value since my credit cards and debit card can be cancelled easily. Well other than the fact that it was my new Dior wallet, i'm over it... :p

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Anyways, I wasnt going to blog about my lost wallet, but since it JUST happened I figured i'd get it out. What i've been meaning to blog about is the following...

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What always kinda amazes me is how some guys can marry girls from "back home." Wait! Before you bite my head off let me go on... For example, I know of guys, born and raised in America, educated from some of the best universities and holding great jobs, but for some reason they'll go back and marry a girl from a small village who may not even speak English. What prompts guys to do this? And what in the heck do you do for conversation with a girl like that? If the situation was reversed and I felt the need to go marry some dude "back home" and then had to teach him how to bascially live, I think i'd die! Sorry, but just thinking of teaching him EVERYTHING and not being able to talk about basic things sounds so boring to say the least.


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Well there is the old adage that comes to mind; boys want to marry someone like their mother. Is this then the traditional type of wife their looking for? Or is this the desi equivalent of a 'trophy wife?'

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Wasalaam,

Madiha :)

::Unwanted Stares::

*~Asalam'alaykum wr wb~*

I hate how some guys feel that its neccessary for them to remark on how a girl looks or stare blatantly as she walks by. What's even more annoying is when the girl doesn't provoke it.As most you are probably aware, NYC, like San Fransisco and London, has a "walking culture," where you are definitely more exposed. The comments and staring are ignorable of course, but what about when it effects your daily routine somehow? Recently i've had to deal with this.

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I always get my coffee from this one cute little coffee shop that's, thank god, not Starbucks and is surprisingly owned by a sikh guy. He's like an "uncle" sort of guy and quite friendly. Well recently his son has started working there and now I have to avoid my favorite coffee shop like the plague! Everytime I go into the place i'm subject to comments, innuendos and mass amounts of flirtation, all of which I really don't want, need, or provoke! Actually I barely speak ( haha a shocker I know!) other than give my order and try to escape as fast as possible. I think its unfair that I now have to deprive myself of my favorite thing because of some dumb guy! And to make things worse, the place is right in front of the subway station I take, meaning I have to pass by everyday and see him. I'm thinking that if I keep ignoring him, he'll get the point, but if not, then maybe i should just say something...?

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wasalaam,

Madiha :)