Prayer for the Day:

For someone who does good to you: “JazaakUllahu Khairan (May Allah Reward you with good),” Ameen. (Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Complement your fast in the best way possible. The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “Whoever does not give up telling lies, (committing) evil deeds and speaking harshly to others, Allah is not in need of his fasting.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 83)

Thought for the Day:

Worth the envy – The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “There are two (kinds of) people worth envying: someone whom Allah has made rich and who spends his money righteously; and someone whom Allah has given wisdom and who acts according to it and teaches others.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9 Hadith 255)

Recipe of the Day: French-Glazed Chicken
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

Today I’m going to put up a translation of a very common prayer everyone who performs namaaz knows. This is the one that is recited while rising from the ruku, i.e. “Sami’Allaahu liman hamidah” and it means, “Allah has Listened to the one who has praised Him.” Now this is what I call an affirmation.

Today’s To-do:

Reconcile old or forgotten differences. “It is not permissible for a Muslim to keep apart from his brother for more than three days. If three days pass, he should meet him and greet him, and if he replies to it, they will both have shared in the reward, while if he does not reply, he will bear his sin while the Muslim (who offered him the greeting) will have been freed from the sin of keeping apart.” (Reported by Abu Dawud.)

Thought for the Day:

The Prophet SAWS said: “Through (a person’s charitable giving), Allah takes away arrogance and vanity.”

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 37B

Recipe of the Day: Toasted Chicken & Cheddar Sandwich
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

‘(Moses) said: “O my Lord! expand me my breast;
And ease my task for me;
And remove the impediment from my speech,
So they may understand what I say” ‘ Ameen. (Al-Quran, 20:25-28)

Today’s To-do:

Indulge in charity. As mentioned below, there are so many options for us to choose from.

The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “Giving in charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” The people then asked the Prophet: “From what do we give (in) charity if we do not possess property?”

He replied: “There are many doors to goodness. (Saying) ‘glory to Allah,’ ‘praise be to Allah,’ ‘there is no deity but Allah,’ enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf (until you understand them), leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the weak with the strength of one’s arms – all of these are (forms of) charity prescribed for you.”

Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98

Thought for the Day:

A promise: “Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” Al-Quran, 94:6

Recipe of the Day: Roasted Red Pepper Yogurt Dip
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

On leaving the house: “I seek refuge in Allah, lest I go astray or be led astray, that I trip or be tripped, that I oppress or be oppressed, or I be ignorant or ignorance be done to me,” Ameen (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Clean out your closet and set aside all the clothes and shoes you can do without which would benefit another for the harsh winter ahead.

Thought for the Day:

The Prophet SAWS said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The Prophet said finally: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524

Recipe of the Day: Just Peachy Smoothies
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

After performing ablutions (wudu): “Oh Allah, Make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified.” Ameen (Sahih Al Tirmidhi)

Today’s To-do:

Share your iftaari. Pack enough food for two or even a small family if you can manage it, and go out into the streets. You are bound to find homeless and hungry people who would love to have a share from your plate.

Thought for the Day:

Don’t restrict the good that you can do to one month of the year. It’s not about how much you can do keeping your lifestyle in mind, it’s how often you do what you can that marks its significance.

Recipe of the Day: Chicken Thighs with Peppers and Olives
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

“O Allah! Let me maintain ties with him who severs these. Let me grant him his due that deprives me of what is due to me. Let me forgive him who wrongs me.” (Mishkat)

Today’s To-do:

Don’t wait for Eid. Surprise a loved one by dropping off a little-something in the form of food, a gift or even balloons (I’m keeping children in mind) to his house.

Thought for the Day:

Let it be. Follow the sunnah of saying you’re fasting in the face of what could be an argument. It’s not worth it, today or any other for that matter.

Recipe of the Day: Juicy Iced Tea
(more…)

Prayer for the Day:

“O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Your favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please You: And admit me, by Your Grace, to the ranks of your righteous servants.” (The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Naml – 27:19)

Today’s To-do:

Be your own best critic and try mending a habit you don’t like. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Thought for the Day:

You’re one-third into Ramadan already. That means being one-third closer to realizing your characteristics and potential to be not only a good person, but also a devout Muslim. Just one-third. You still have two-thirds of yourself to discover.

Recipe for the Day: Banana-Nut Bread
(more…)

LMB’s Ramadan Diary is a short fun page to make your Roza more enjoyable ;)

Dua of the Day:

‘O, God! Bless our souls with the best of everything” Amen!

Today’s To-Do:

Pay a visit to Edhi Home, SOS Village, Shaukat Khanum Musafir Khana or any other charity organization. Spend some time with those who are less priveleged than us. If you can, do help them financially, or at least emotionally :)

Thought of the Day:

Do not lie, no matter how much difficult is it to avoid. Try avoiding the actions or situations that lead to telling one.

Recipe of the Day: Caesar Sandwich

Ingredients:

Grilled chicken strips (purchased or homemade)
Romaine lettuce
Shredded parmesan cheese
Your favorite Caesar dressing
Your favorite sliced sandwich bread

Instructions:

Toss together desired amounts of chicken strips, romaine and parmesan cheese with enough dressing to coat. Place bread slices under broiler to toast. Spoon salad mixture atop and serve.

Notes: This is a quick and easy twist to a Caesar salad. The toasted bread acts as a crouton–the favorite part of the salad. Adding red onions is a great option.

Number of servings: as desired

Recipe by foodsci at BetterRecipes

LMB’s Ramadan Diary is a short fun page to make your Roza more enjoyable ;)

Dua of the Day:

‘O, God! Guide those who are lost in their own greed’ Amen!

Today’s To-Do:

Help your mom in cleaning the kitchen after iftaari.

Thought of the Day:

Patience, tolerance, generosity and humility; all should be excersized even when Ramadan is over. After all, it is what Ramadan is for; to cleanse our souls and to train us for rest of the year.

Recipe of the Day: Chicken Paprika

Ingredients:

1 large chicken, jointed (or use 2 large chicken legs and 2 breasts, halved)
salt
2 tbsp olive oil
knob butter
1 onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tbsp hot paprika
1 tbsp flour
285ml/½pint chicken stock
3 tbsp chopped fresh flatleaf parsley
2 red peppers, de-seeded and cut into 1cm/0.5in strips
4 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
250ml/8fl oz sour cream

Instructions:

1. Rub the chicken pieces with the salt. Heat the oil and butter in a large heavy-bottomed pan and brown the chicken all over for a few minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set to one side.

2. To the same pan, add the onions and garlic and sweat for about five minutes. Add the sweet and hot paprika, then the flour, and stir until combined – take care not to burn it.

3. Add the stock and stir. Return the chicken pieces to the pan, adding a bit more stock if the mixtures seems too dry.

4. Add half of the chopped parsley and bring to the boil. Add the red pepper strips, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer gently for about one hour.

6. When the chicken is cooked, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the sour cream and the remaining parsley. Check the seasoning and serve.

Recipe by Simon King & David Myers at BBC Food

LMB’s Ramadan Diary is a short fun page to make your Roza more enjoyable ;)

Dua of the Day:

‘O, God! Please add to my knowledge what I don’t know about wisdom’ Amen!

Today’s To-Do:

Share a portion of today’s iftaari with one or more of your neighbors. Who doesn’t need that super-extra bonus swaab in Ramadan :)

Thought of the Day:

We are humans first; show respect to people other than of your religion. Don’t scold anyone for having lunch in Ramadan if he/she is not a Muslim.

Recipe of the Day: Lemon Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 garlic clove, minced
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up

Instructions:

1. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first seven ingredients; mix well. Remove 1/4 cup for basting and refrigerate. Add chicken to the bag; seal and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

2. Drain and discard marinade from chicken. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 20 minutes. Baste with reserved marinade. Grill 20-30 minutes longer or until juices run clear, basting and turning several times.

Note: This recipe can also be prepared in the oven in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until juices run clear.

Recipe by Ellen Seidl at AllRecipes