Muhammad Ali's Jenazah

I wanted to go to Muhammad Ali's Jenazah when I heard that there would be a public one, but I didn't want to drive to Louisville during Ramadan by myself. So, I put it out of my mind because I knew there would be no way that I could attend. So Wednesday night, my family decided to drive into Detroit and go to Iftar at the Muslim Center. This was the first iftar we did not have at home and I was excited to get out and be around the Muslim, therefore I took this selfie and posted it on Instagram.

On Turning 40- Contentment

On the first day of March, I was born into this world 40 years ago in 1976. Do I feel any different after my birthday??? In the age of Forever 21, there is a push to stay young, dress young, act young, and do whatever it takes- even going under the knife to look young. It wasn't always this way, there used to be a time when turning 40 meant spiritual maturity and wisdom. And there used to be a time when the wise were valued and sought after, not put away in a home to be visited once a month.

Surrounded by Love, Cake decorated by my Beloved Asha & Azara,
while Zahid is lighting the candles.

Flint Water Crisis

If there is any legacy that Noor Janan Homeschool wants to leave behind is that we were known for serving others. Not just in the curriculum that we offer for free and the homeschool support that we give. But also how we served our neighbors and people in our community. Flint is an hour drive from our home and it is important for us to go there because Children being poisoned by lead in the water is a serious matter. It will have long term affects on their brain and their ability to learn.  The least we can do is give clean water.

A Visit with Shaykh Tosun

This Ramadan we were able to spend a long July 4th weekend with the Turkish Shaykh: Tosun Bayrak al Jerrahi author of The Name and the Named. This book is the inspiration of my 99 Names of Allah cards {Free Download}, so I was super excited to meet Baba (Shaykh Tosun). Baba's beautiful community in New York is on a couple of acres with a Masjid in the center surrounded by houses that community members own. They had chickens and a beautiful garden with play area for the children to play in. Every night at Iftar the grounds became this beautiful lit magical oasis filled with Thikr (Remembrance of God) and delicious food.

The Worldview of the Believer

Most Friday and Weekend morning when I am busy completing computer work (making curriculum) or any day when I am cleaning up, I will put on a lesson to listen to while I work. This Friday morning, I chose to listen to Shaykha Nagheba Hayel who tells a beautiful story of Habib Ali Jifri and what our world view as Muslims should be. With these cold winter days in the Northeast, the reminder came at the right time. . . time to stock up our car with gloves, blanket, food, etc. to give out to people on the streets. ♥

Behavior Chart

Our Behavior Chart took alot from this Chart.

When I first learned about this Behavior Chart a couple of months ago, I wanted to implement it but didn't have the time to create one to suit our family's need. So it was on the back burner... however, after having another bout of nerve pain and extreme fatigue that usually comes during the Winter (I need HOT weather!) that has had me spending many days in bed, I felt it was a good time to tackle this project. Not to mention that a Behavior Chart is needed even more when the mother is sick in bed . . .

A Lesson on Controlling Anger ♥

Sometimes I just post our thoughts on the Noor Janan facebook page with no plans to make a blog post on it. However, due to it's popularity, I have decided to share it here also for those who do not use facebook. Anger (patience in aggravated situations) is something that I have been working on as well as other diseases of the heart. So this is not coming from a place, of I got it all together . . . it is just one example of a time I was able to control my nafs (ego).

~ ♥

Z Man sings Qasida Muhammadiyah

MashaAllah, Z Man first time singing in front of hundreds of people went pretty well. InshaAllah, his love for the Prophet salAllahu alayhi wasalaam will grow through these nasheeds and other acts of ibadah. Amin.

Learning Character through Stories

I have been very conscious of my character lately. Although, my children often get complimented for their character traits from other people, I know much of what they learn is through following the example of their parents. However, they do take on character traits of their companions, we all do. As my father always said "Association brings on Assimilation" which is not a bad thing if you have good companionship. But it can be a detrimental thing, if you don't. Hardly anyone has 100% bad character, it's usually a little good mixed with a little bad. My dilemma is how do I keep my child having great character on their own while not under my watch. And how do I strengthen my character and that of my family. In Islam we call character, manners, or one's morals: Adab and it is a branch of Islamic study incumbent on all Muslims. Our Prophet said "God has sent me to perfect good manners and to do good deeds" (Bukhari)

Allah in Africa

Link to Coloring Sheet