I love listening to stories about how people got out of darkness and into light; from not knowing Islam to understanding and loving Islam. Other than the fact that they always make eyes watery and my heart burst with all sorts of feels, they always remind me of this beautiful blessing; this irreplaceable gift of … Continue reading The Perfume Sellers Around You
Pilgrimage by Isa Kamari
What I find unique about this book of poems is that it's bilingual - the English translation of the puisi (poem in Malay) is available right beside. I enjoy reading some of the puisi about Umrah (or lesser pilgrimage), some of which I resonate with, but I must admit that the English translations for some of it is underwhelming - … Continue reading Pilgrimage by Isa Kamari
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Murakami, like sushi, green tea, and all things Japanese, is an acquired taste (to me, at least). I started out with Norwegian Wood (didn't quite like it), then to After Dark (not bad, one of my favourites!), dived head first without warning into Kafka On The Shore (because too many crazy metaphors and magical realism which slightly … Continue reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
A Commentary on Ibn Taymiyyah’s Essay on The Heart by Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
A light and essential read on the heart which clearly explains the function and purpose of a heart and how we as Muslims are supposed to safeguard it. I think there are many books currently that address the purification of the heart and soul, but I personally enjoy this one where it heavily emphasizes the … Continue reading A Commentary on Ibn Taymiyyah’s Essay on The Heart by Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips
The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
I can't quite put a finger on what it is about this book that I'm enchanted by - the colourful and quirky graphics, the fact that it all happened in the library aka my favouritestest place in the world, the fact that I could finish reading the book in less than an hour or the … Continue reading The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami
Super Big on Self Love
Had a splendid time at #tslsuperbigonselflove tea party last Sunday... Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to interact with fellow sisters and exchange thoughts about self love and what it truly means to 'take care' of ourselves. It was an honour to be sharing alongside such inspirational ladies - I admire Nisa for being true to herself … Continue reading Super Big on Self Love
Counting My Blessings
It's a few minutes after suhoor* and I am seated at my desk, listening to AlMaghrib's online webinar, 'In a State of Shukr'. As I'm typing this, Shaykh Saad Tasleem talks about the importance of being grateful- No matter what you go through, there is always something to be grateful for. Every time Ramadhan comes around, I … Continue reading Counting My Blessings
What Are We Leaving Behind?
What happens to our social media accounts - our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Whatsapp and whathaveyous - when we are no longer on this earth? I was just thinking about this the other day when I came across this interesting article uncannily addressing the issue I was pondering on; the realm of growing virtual graveyards. How is … Continue reading What Are We Leaving Behind?
A Temporary Gift by Asmaa Hussein
I hold this book close to my heart. Asmaa lost her husband in a protest in Egypt to a senseless army sniper. The traumatic incident pushed Asmaa to pour out her thoughts and reflections in navigating through her emotion of shock, loss, and all the feelings that come after. She writes about the love of … Continue reading A Temporary Gift by Asmaa Hussein
The Sound of Sch by Danielle Lim
The Sound of Sch will let you in on the realities of mental illness, addressing the social stigma associated with it. Danielle witnessed how her uncle's life went on a downward spiral after being diagnosed with schizophrenia. The words move so softly and achingly, like the emotions embedded in the story; the use of the … Continue reading The Sound of Sch by Danielle Lim
