When a Gujju Loves a Hydro

Assalam alaikum,

Hey... What is this Chinka [Asian in Indian subcontinent lingo] doing up here? For God sake, it’s marriage between a Gujju and a Hydro [The groom is from Gujarat and the bride is from Hyderabad].

Well calm down. You will know in a moment.

In the meantime, just treat me as your daisi bhai [Your fellow countryman].

Inna alhamda lillah... [Khutbah Al-Hajjah, the speech opening by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Prayers Be Upon Him)]

I've been practicing for tonight for quite some time.
Not my speech, but practicing how to eat Indian spicy food!
Because tonight India rules, not just in food, but Naheed [The groom] proved tonight that India is the economics superpower. India is pushing the US economy by giving business to Knott's berry farm [The event venue]. And India is providing job to China.

And you know who are the happiest for achieving this global status, not Indians, but the Bangladeshis. Yeah the Bangladeshis. Because finally, they get to tell their Paki fellows, "Pai-kka, tough luck." [You’ve lost to India again].

So, why I'm saying all these non sense... Because Naheed rejected all these racial slurs by exemplifying the Islamic brotherhood in his life. While at USC, he broght all subcontinent under one roof, not only that, but he invited an outsider like me to be part of this ummah.

He showed all of us that it doesn't matter what our skin color, language, or tolerance for spicy food is.... but what really matters is the Taqwa, the righteousness.

And for that, I ask Allah to reward him tremendously. Ameen.

Ok, let's get back to marriage.

So, why suddenly Naheed decided to get married? I mean nothing much changed that can trigger this decision. Except that Nokia is moving him to the bay area. I think that triggered him to… finally… to come out. Yes, to come out from the closet and admit to the world how much he loves Hyderabadis.

His first roommate at USC was Hyderabadi. I think his cellmate is Hyderabadi too... Oh, cellmate means cell phone mate. And now he figured out that he cannot live without a Hyderabadi in his life.

Yaar, the paki bro in the back. Are you with me or still debating whether India rules or not?
Listen, you and i may disagree on that. But we all agree tonight that ---sister Juwaria [The bride] --- rules from now on. As for our brother naheed. From all of us, "Miya [Mr.], the game is over."

Thank you.

Special thanks to subcontinent consultants: Muhammad Aman, Sajidurahman, and Muhammad Ansar.

And if I offended anyone that’s not my intention. I sincerely apologize. May allah forgive me.

Wassalam Alaikum


About the Speaker: Tuhfa Sino is a Muslim bro, born to a Chinese family, living in an Arab country, surrounded by Desi people. Tuhfa gives Jummah Khutbah in Tinsel Town and studies at a Halaqa in Hollywood. You can listen to his shows TuhfaMoment or Single & Cooking at LivingHalal.com.

YouTube Link

Ramdom Talks & Random Thoughts

Show No. 1

Tags: Khuda Hafiz, Allah Hafiz, Assalam Alakum, Islamic greetings, Celebrity, USC, Football fans, Eid SMS, Text Messaging, Culture, Customers, Muslims, Islam, DJ, Halal, Radio Show

HalalSpots: Spot a Halal Restaurant? Share It.

This post is based on a tip from a Muslim sister who was transiting with her family through Hong Kong International Airport.

Guess what she found?

I have something to say. While I was in the Hong Kong airport, I was surprised to see a Popeyes Chicken with a "Halal Food" sign and certification from the Islamic Center of Hong Kong. So I enjoyed a Cajun meal consisting of fried chicken, popcorn shrimp and fries.

I think that you should have a section on your Web site for halal stores and restaurants that people spot while travelling in order to recommend to others.

Thank you sister, may Allah reward you.

Here is the location information from http://www.popeyes.com/

7E 103 7 Pax Terminal HK Airport Lantau
Hong Kong
China

7E 161 7 Pax Term. HK Airport Lantau
Hong Kong
China

Airport Link


Disclaimer: While it's so yummy... please eat moderately so you can enjoy your food AND your health.

Shahadah (Testimony of Faith)

Shahadah Most basic form:

ash-hadu an la (pronounced together as "al-la") ilaha illa-llah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan rasoolu-llah

Listen "Shahadah (testimony of faith basic form) in Arabic"
Listen "Shahadah (testimony of faith basic form) in English"

Longer form:

ash-hadu an la (pronounced together as "al-la") ilaha illa-llah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh

Listen "Shahadah (testimony of faith) in Arabic"
Listen "Shahadah (testimony of faith) in English"
Listen "Shahadah (testimony of faith) word by word translation"

Islamic Audio Glossary Project

Eid Takbeer (Supplications)

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha illaAllah
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahi-lhamd

Other narrations included repeating Allahu akbar 3 times.

As for the popular Takbeerat that adds the extended Salawat of the Prophet (SAW) and his household at the end, that addition needs to have some evidence from the authentic Sunnah to support it. UNTIL THEN, THEY ARE CONSIDERED QUESTIONABLE, i.e., can be considered Bida'h (i.e. creating new ways to perform an act of worship).

As for saying the Takbeerat in unison as an act of worship (e.g. not for teaching/learning purposes), it is against the teachings in the authentic Sunnah and the practice of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased on them).

May Allah accept our deeds and help us to follow the authentic teachings of the Prophet (SAW), especially, when we are trying to do something good.

Save/Download "Eid Takbeer (Supplications)" with English meanings.

Related Links:
More information about the timing and places of Takbeer



Tags: Eid, Muslim, Islam, Takbeer, Takbir, Supplications, Allahu Akbar, La illaha illah Allah, Wa lillahilhamd

Ramadan & Me: Series #3

Click for better quality audio version

Tags: Muslim in America, Islam, Ramadan, Ramdhan, Fasting, Iftar, Kids, First Time Fasting

Ramadan Related Posts:
Story #1
Story #2
Top Ten Bad Habits During Ramadan

Now THAT's A Halal Restaurant

The sign written in red reads, "Our restaurant prohibits: drinking alcohol and smoking."

Ma-sha-Allah Tabaraka-Allah, this Halal restaurant is in China (where it is a common practice for "Halal" restaurants to sell alcohol).

Sadly, many Muslims don't know that the prohibition of alcohol is much more severe in Islam than that of pork.

"Alkhamr (alcohol) is the mother of all evils, whoever drinks it, his prayer won't be accepted for 40 days. And if he dies while the alcohol is in his body, he will die on Jahiliyah (as in pre-Islamic era)" -authentic narration

May Allah guide the humanity to stay away from all intoxicants.

Oh, please don't forget to pray for that restaurant people… May Allah reward them tremendously.

Ramadan & Me: Series #2

Tags: American Muslim Islam Ramadan Ramdhan Fasting Taraweeh Iftar Family Kids Work Single Married

Ramadan Related Posts:
Story #1
Story #3
Top Ten Bad Habits During Ramadan

FoodSubs Site

This is a nice site for different food ingredients. You can find food items information with pictures and substitutes (alternatives).

FoodSubs

LivingHalal In Action: Muslim Cabdrivers

Muslims cabdrivers refuse to carry customers with alcohol.

Ma-sha-Allah Tabaraka Allah... May Allah help and reward these Muslims who strive for living Halal.

MINNEAPOLIS --Cabdriver Muhamed Mursal doesn't wear his Muslim beliefs on his sleeve, but he may soon broadcast them from a light atop his cab.

Mursal and hundreds of other Muslim cabdrivers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport refuse to take customers they know are carrying alcohol. They don't search bags, but a wine box may be enough to leave a fare waiting for the next cab.

Now, they may be required to buy different colored lights to sit atop their cabs so airport workers who hook up travelers with taxis can steer alcohol-carrying fares to cabs that will take them. The proposal needs approval from the airport's taxi cab advisory committee, and airport officials hope to have the lights ready by year's end.

Cabbies without the light who refuse fares will be sent to the back of line -- often a three-hour wait until it's their turn again for a fare. Some drivers said they'd rather wait for another fare than risk punishment in the afterlife.

"It is forbidden in Islam to carry alcohol," Mursal said.

Click here for the complete article

Quoted materials are by Associated Press.

Halal Jokes: Marriage Search

From time to time we post some real world jokes... Our jokes, in-sha-Allah, will be halal (no lies or mockings because the prophet (SAW) forbade them even while joking).

Here is one about marriage search.

A: How is your Internet marriage search going?

B: Don't really know if these freaking sites really work or not.

A: Maybe you should widen your search criteria.

B: Mann I have already done it. Imagine now I am looking into all the desi* community and not only BD community... that itself makes me open to more than 1+ billion population...do u want more wider ;-)

------

Translation:
* Desi or Deshi refers to Indian subcontinent people.
* BD = A subcontinent country ;)

Supplements for Fatigue

The prophet (peace be upon him) gave us a prescription for obtaining strength, (scholars said it's for any kind of strength) before you sleep, you say:
Sub-ha-na-Allah 33 times, Al-ham-duli-llah 33 times, and Allahu-ak-bar 34 times.

It helps if you also maintain a healthy lifestyle with diet, exercise and sleeping habits. Here is a related article from Dr. Weil about: Supplements for Fatigue

If you feel worn down or are lacking energy due to a hectic schedule and day-to-day stressors, learn how to fight fatigue naturally. Taking a few minutes for yourself and doing simple breathing exercises can be helpful, as can daily moderate exercise and getting adequate rest. Certain nutrients, botanicals and other compounds can also help to ward off or lessen the effects of general fatigue. Experiment with the following:

-Magnesium and calcium. Oral magnesium supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms of fatigue in persons with low magnesium levels.
-Eleuthero or Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Studies show that eleuthero can help enhance mental activity as well as physical endurance.
-Coenzyme Q10. This vital nutrient is involved in cellular energy production throughout the body.
-Ashwaganda, an Ayurvedic herb prized for its ability to help the body deal with stress.
-Cordyceps, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom that may help fight fatigue and boost energy levels.

Other ways to fight fatigue include a healthy diet, adequate exercise and quality sleep