If you have known me for a while, I am sure you know that I am not a feminist. There are certain things that we have to live with and our gender is one of em…obviously unless u are a transgender.

Talking to a lot of working women (being one of em myself), I have often felt that working women tend to be in a far greater pressure, not only from ppl at work but also from the family, as compared to men. They not only have to fulfill their role at office but also have to take care of their parents, husbands, get pregnant and then also take care of their children, finally making it more difficult for them to be really  good at each and everything, being guilty about it and finally creating even more pressure on themselves.

I just found a very interesting article which talks about this very same issue that women deal with literally every day of their lives. A must read.

Aur Duniya Kehti Happy Birthday to you

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So I complete my two years of blogging!

It still seems a lil weird that I actually started blogging and have also continued it long enough to be writing this exactly two years later cuz I have never liked writing, I have never been good at it and still dont think I have gotten any better even after 166 posts on this blog only. Still, I know there are certain people who have been kind enough to visit my blog regularly and read all the crap that I not only write but am also audacious enough ( ) to publish them. So for all those people who have over time become buddies, acquaintances or prefer to remain strangers/silent readers and also those who practically always have something negative to say and yet come to the blog everyday…I have to say I wonder at you being here. Through blogging, I have been able to meet some really wonderful people and although I still do not consider my blog to be a mainstream one, I know there are people who wait for me to update it.

The blog says….Thank you

Randomness of my life

Time to finally update the blog and wat can be better than a tag, especially one which I have churaofied from PD’s blog

Anyway, here it goes:

Rules:

Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, its because I want to know more about you.

Now as I have not been tagged by anyone, I will not be tagging anyone either

1. No surprises here, I love to talk and I can actually talk for hours on fone.
2. I can be a great listener, just dont ask for suggestions
3. Blogging has become an important part of my life and I often thank God that I blog.
4. I just hate it wen ppl ask me weird questions about my hijab.
5. Call me rigid, I love the way I am. I believe its more important to be real than to pretend to be perfect.
6. I always wanted to be married (if I HAD to be married) to someone I would have known inside out from before….as in before considering him for marriage. Instead, I am married to someone I least expected to be married to.
7. At times I wish I could change certain things of the past but then I realize that those are the things which define me today. No regrets Alhamdulillah.
8. I cant stand the sight of blood.
9. I am dreading the time wen all I’l be doing would be behaving like a doting housewife.
10. Damn, I hate the term ‘housewife.’ Can we call that something else?
11. I am a bad planner. Almost all my plans fail but I still love making plans
12. I hate to admit this but I cant whistle
13. I would want to remember my dreams once I wake up. I hardly ever remember any of my dreams and even if I do, they are usually outrageous.
14. I like collecting useless information.
15. For some reason, I have been unable to wear my emerald ring since my wedding due to ring rot. Its weird cuz I had been wearing it for years.
16. I have always dreamed of living in a house with a huge, lush green garden.
17. I can only sleep if its completely dark.
18. I seriously need to start reading a book now.
19. I am usually really good at guessing the time….the difference is usually just 2-3 minutes at max.
20. I love food. Seriously. Dont be misled by the way I look, I have just learned to control wat I eat.
21. I dont see things as completely black or as completely white.
22. I am usually very curious. If I know a bit of something, I’d want to know all that I can about it.
23. I laugh a lot and I tend to get excited quite easily.
24. I’d rather be the driver than be the passenger.
25. I actually enjoy my time in the kitchen. Cooking is a way of releasing stress for me.

Hazrat Ali (RA)

Please read this if you havent.

Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (RA)

Hazrat Omar (RA)

Hazrat Usman (RA)

The First Fitnah: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

What can be written about a man who was confident enough at age 10 to revert to Islam and become the first ever male muslim?* Hazrat Ali (RA) was born** to Abu Talib (who was also the custodian of Ka’aba at that time), at a time when the Prophet (SAW) was 29 years old and had been married to Bibi Khadija (RA) for four years. He was named Ali by the the Prophet (SAW) himself. When Hazrat Ali (RA) was 4 or 5 years old, due to certain financial issues, Hazrat Ali (RA) was brought into the Prophet’s (SAW) household and was raised up there.

We have grown up reading the way he risked his life to ensure safety for the Prophet (SAW) at the time of Hijra when he was barely 22 or 23 years old. When Hazrat Ali (RA) finally arrived in Medina, the pairing system by which the Prophet (SAW) had placed the Muhajireen amfong the Ansars, who acted both as hosts and tutors in the very different agricultural environment of Medina, had been completed. The Prophet (SAW) did not choose an Ansar to be paired with him, instead he chose his young cousin, Hazrat Ali (RA). In doing so, he also consciuosly put both himself and Hazrat Ali (RA) at an economic disadvantage and chose poverty as a necessary part of their struggle. To earn his daily bread Hazrat Ali (RA) worked at well-heads, hauling up leather buckets of water in exchange for dates. He was also the foremost labourer for Masjid-e-Nabwi.

Soon after he was chosen by the Prophet (SAW) to be his son-in-law by marrying his youngest daughter, Bibi Fatima (RA), with him. It was a simple wedding as Hazrat Ali (RA) did not have money, not even for a dowry. Hazrat Usman (RA) stepped in and bought Hazrat Ali’s (RA) body armour which was later returned as a wedding gift. He fathered the only two male descendents of the Prophet (SAW): Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS); the leaders of the youth of Jannah.

He was the young war-hero of Islam, katib-e-Qur’an, he wrote the treaty of Hudaybiyah on the Prophet’s (SAW) instructions and the only one who entered Ka’aba with the Prophet (SAW) at the time of Conquesnt of Mecca to throw away idols.

* Several historians say that Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) or Hazrat Zayed (RA) should be considered the first male muslims because Hazrat Ali (RA) was merely a child.

** There is a very famous story associated with Hazrat Ali’s (RA) birth. All Sunni sources that I have read agree to the fact that he was born while his mother was at the wall of the Ka’aba (thus, was born beside the Ka’aba). Few Sunni sources go on and say that the wall parted and she went in. When she returned, she had Hazrat Ali (RA) in her arms.

The First Fitnah (part 6)

Please read this if you havent.

Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (RA)

Hazrat Omar (RA)

Hazrat Usman (RA)

The First Fitnah: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

As the body of the Caliph laid vulnerable on the ground, one of the assassins sat on his chest and attacked him further. On seeing this, Hazrat Usman’s (RA) wife threw herself on her husband’s body trying to save him from further indignity, losing two of her fingers in the process but there were further blows tohis body. The rebels wanted to mutilate his body and deny burial but they were deterred by the crying and wailing of Hazrat Usman’s (RA) wife. As she sat there embracing her husband’s body tightly, crying, the rebels looted the house and left.

It is known that the rebels did not let the Caliph to be buried at Jannat ul Baqi. Instead, he was buried in a Jewish graveyard adjacent to Jannat ul Baqi.

Note: This should been part of the previous post but I was shivering and my fingers felt numb. I had no option but to leave this for later.

Truth?

Now wen Safi and farooq did this post, I didnt really take it too seriously. It was fun to read and even more fun to read the comments coming on it. Initially I didnt really plan to take it as a tag…at least not to be done alone but the minerva did one herself so I thought Id give it a try too. Mine would obviously wouldnt be as descriptive as Minerva’s, Im sorry I dont write so well and I am always short of words ( ) so hopefully this should suffice. (I am only writing about ppl I consider my buddies so if you find something offensive about urself, dont expect an apology, buddies should be able to digest this. Wanted to add AD here but have known her for only a few months, so if i’l ever do a sequel of this, expect her to be in there. ):

• Absar: Oh well, he’s one of the few guys who dont mind being called sweet. Is that enough to describe him? Ummm, I dont think so. He is one guy who u can expect do be doing tags, always in love and is sensitive enough to not only write poems and even watch (and enjoy!!) flicks from 50s. So in short, I kinda agree with Safi and farooq here
• Anas: He can surely be a lot like Absar at times…getting there but not completely there as yet I always thought guys were supposed to disorganised and lazy. This boy plans everything years in advance and is also worried about his weight.
• PD: I just love her. She’s humble, sweet and one of the nicest ppl I have come across in my life. Sanest of us all.
• Mahwash: Takes her life very seriously. If she’s doing something, she has to be either really good at it or she wont be doing it. She has strong opinions about stuff and is not scared of being vocal about them, thus, either makes a lot of people simply hate her or just love her for wat she is.
• Hira: Witty and crude. She is very honest and thats the best thing about her. If she doesnt like something, she’l say it on ur face.
• Safi and farooq: They are both crazy and pretend to be wat they are not. But they are mature, sensitive ppl. They both know wat their problems are, even know the solution to their problem but they dont really seem to be doing much to solve em. They can be a lot of fun wen u want to have fun, they can be the best listeners wen u want someone to just listen to ur crap without really judging you and can give you great advises wen u are simply looking for sincere advises.

Paanch

My blog is the most depressing place on earth right now….or so it seems so I just thought id do something which I was supposed to do a bit earlier and is not as depressing. I am not taking a break from the Schism series, there will still be a new post every 2-3 days at least for now but this was something I promised AD ages ago.

Rules:

The idea is, to list five items in each category and not necessarily in order of liking. You can always add or subtract categories according to your will. Then tag five lovely people to be the next ones to take this quiz.

Favorite Words:

1. Absolutely (although I know everything is merely relative)
2. DUH
3. Urgh
4. Sweet (I know most guys hate to be called that )
5. Hai Rabba (does that count as a word?)

Favorite characters (Fiction):

1. Tinkerbell (Yea, I know I am not a 3 year old )
2. The Lone Ranger
3. Dr Robert Langdon
4. Long John Silver
5. Jack Sparrow (Wat? Another pirate!? Wat can I do, childhood fantasies perhaps)

Favorite Movies:

1. Finding Neverland
2. Adaptation
3. The Pianist
4. Life is Beautiful
5. Shrek

Favorite Books: This is tough, just 5 fav books!!??

1. A Time to Kill (have read it more than 20 times)
2. A Walk to Remember
3. Digital Fortress
4. Broken Verses
5. Call Me Elizabeth: Wife, Mother, Escort

Now I am not tagging anyone cuz I dont know 5 people on the blogosphere who havent done this already

The First Fitnah (part 5)

Please read this if you havent.

Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (RA)

Hazrat Omar (RA)

Hazrat Usman (RA)

The First Fitnah: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

The Umayyads were proving themselves to be very talented and even the biggest critics could not complain about their generals hip as the empire continued to expand on all frontiers but this clearly did not extend to allowing one clan to monopolise the command of all the armies of Islam. Hazrat Usman (RA) ws privately warned by various Sahabas and Umm-ul-Momineen that he must not allow his immediate kinsmen to be seen to be dominating the Islamic Empire.

A revlutionary ferment of dissatisaction was brewing up especially in Kufa and Fustat. It is believed that many people with personal grudges against Hazrat Usman (RA) exploited this sentiment and they were soon joined by some young people who supported the right of Hazrat Ali (RA) to be a Caliph. It is known that Hazrat Ali (RA) himself stayed away from this whole affair as much as he could.

When Hazrat Usman (RA) found out about it, the 82 year old Caliph, decided to investigate the matter. During the Hajj o that year, led by Hazrat Usman (RA) himself, he called for an informal meeting with all his key governors and advisors to discuss the troubled times. Many recommended to go on a war against those who had gone against the Caliph but Hazrat Usman (RA) was a pacifist and could not agree to spill blood of Muslims. Some even recommended brutally that he should leave the office to which he replied, “I cannot take off a dress in which Allah (SWT) has dressed me.” So he decided to find another and more peaceful solution to the problem.

The rebels had already formed three different armed bases in and around Medina and sent deputations to three different Sahabas including Hazrat Ali (RA). At first all of them rebuked the rebels from entering the holy city and refused to have anything to do with them. Finally, Hazrat Ali (RA) decided to act as a counsellor and advised Hazrat Usman (RA) to sack the governor of Egypt, something that was supported by Hazrat Aisha (RA) too. The people of Egypt wanted Mohammed ibn Abu Bakar (who was brought up in Hazrat Ali’s (RA) home) to be the new governor. Hazrat Usman (RA) agreed and the rebels decided to go back to their city.

Just three days later on their march back to Fustat, they saw an African slave who had a letter for them which had the new seal of the Caliph. The letter was for the sacked governor and ordered him to kill the rebels on their return to the city. At this, they felt betrayed and decided to march back into Medina.

Once again Hazrat Ali (RA) acted as the arbitrator. Hazrat Usman (RA) informed Hazrat Ali (RA) that he had no knowledge of the letter. Although the mystery surrounding the letter has never been solved but it is a common belief that it was written by Marwan ibn al-Hakam (a cousin of Hazrat Usman (RA), who also later became a Caliph) or perhaps was a maination of Amr ibn al-As (also an Umayyad sacked from governorship of Egypt much earlier).

Hazrat Usman (RA) decided to address the people at Friday prayers but the sermon was never to be completed as the rebels started pelting stones at the old Caliph who had to be taken to the safety of his house through the angry mob, never to be able to step outside the house before his death.

Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Talha (RA) and Hazrat Zubair (RA) each appointed one of their sons to guard the Caliph. As the days passed, the rebels intensified their pressure against Hazrat Usman and also forbade the entry of any food or provisions, and later water as well, into his house, even turning down the Umm-ul-Momineen.

A few days later, the rebels entered the house. It is believed that Hazrat Iman Hasan (AS) got injured while trying to stop the rebels from entering but was unable to stop the inevitable from happening. Hazrat Usman (RA) had already ordered his guards not to relataliate anymore. He was alone in his room, reading from a copy of the Qur’an when the rebels found him right after the Friday prayers. One of the rebels, commonly blelieved to be Mohammed ibn Abu Bakar, grabbed the old Caliph with his beard who cried out, “Son of my brother, your father would not have touched what you have grabbed in your hand.” On hearing this, Mohammed ibn Abu Bakar pierced Hazrat Usman’s (RA) forehead while another rebel thrust behind his ear so that its point emerged hrough his throat spilling blood on the opened copy of the Qur’an.