APARTMENT 17

Life is all about a little adventure │ food │ people │ the roller coaster ride of life │ crazy friends & family │ memories │helping hand │ humanity │ fun │ religion │ and to make this world a better place to live in. For a person who often feels misunderstood, it surely feels good to have someone get you ♥‎ A little world of a Muslim lady who spreads love and happiness, and love to write and read, writing has been a great support and a part of my life. When I often feel isolated or distanced and there is no one to listen to the inner desire and change I want for a soul to feel better, it surely feels better to write it all down and pile up your thoughts and let others get to know you through your writing and be inspired.♥‎

[naturaekos]

The sign of a beautiful person is he always sees the beauty in others.

Omar Suleiman (via naturaekos)

[islam-reflections]

I learned that though I am judged by my role as a woman in relation to people – as a wife, mother, daughter, sister – I am only defined by my role as a slave in relation to Allah.

Aatifa Shareef (via islam-reflections)

[davst]

[ms-apartment17-blog]

She was drowning but nobody saw her struggle!

It was a hard escape from the reality, a reality that breaks the heart and betrays for a lifetime. A struggle never seemed easy when it came to finding what i wanted and chased for an endless path, A path that i was not sure where it really stopped and who will really be by my side. Everyday turned into a struggle, a struggle where it got really hard to escape. Every breathe inhaled and exhaled with so much exhaustion that couldn’t be explained. Tears streaming down my face, it just couldn't hold on too much anymore, emotions of suffocation were piling up, a chase within was behind without a reason, an escape couldn’t get that easier. A living deal soul was the situation that couldn’t be faced anymore, a fear of facing somehow got into a worse nightmare, the reality got harder to an extend that i lost myself, i lost the person who i was and who i wanted to be. Trying to adjust and changing role with every other person, got my own self lost in the crowd.

It never was easier and it never will be easier, this is that moment of my life that i can’t even speak up for myself anymore. A moment where there’s so much to say and do but i feel caged within myself and the people around. Being a lady, i have made several mistakes and still do but the reality is a hard escape already. Can’t share, as people won’t really understand. Can’t reach upto their expectations as no one appreciates that you do even a little for them. An emotions differ of every individual, how they feel and react to sadness and happiness is always different, but sometimes, your emotions turns so numb that you are not meant to feel any emotions or have feelings without someone else’s acceptance. Where you don’t rule over your own emotions of comfort.

[culturenlifestyle]

Stunning Cityscape Paintings by Evengy

Russian based artist Evengy Lushpin paints magnificent landscapes and cityscapes in idyllic settings that exude a romantic vibe, each composition a fusion of fantasy and reality.

Keep reading

[ms-apartment17-blog]

TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE WOMEN

Have you ever wondered why in Islam, Men are asked to look after their mother, sister, wife and a daughter? Let’s get this straight, it’s not about Women in Islam only it’s about every women in general who come from different background, religion and society that a woman belongs to, by the end of the day a woman stands as a pillar of the family and the society that they build for us, reflects the woman of the home and the respect and care that she has been given as a young child and woman that she flaunts through her obedience, manner and ethics. 

There has been several teachings and an entire chapter for Women revealed in the Qur’an, how special and a good feeling that is, only if we can reflect and understand of what has been actually revealed and be one of the righteous woman.

A Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari states: 

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، وَمُوسَى بْنُ حِزَامٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مَيْسَرَةَ الأَشْجَعِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ اسْتَوْصُوا بِالنِّسَاءِ، فَإِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ خُلِقَتْ مِنْ ضِلَعٍ، وَإِنَّ أَعْوَجَ شَىْءٍ فِي الضِّلَعِ أَعْلاَهُ، فَإِنْ ذَهَبْتَ تُقِيمُهُ كَسَرْتَهُ، وَإِنْ تَرَكْتَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ أَعْوَجَ، فَاسْتَوْصُوا بِالنِّسَاءِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah 's Apostle said, "Treat women nicely, for a women is created from a rib, and the most curved portion of the rib is its upper portion, so, if you should try to straighten it, it will break, but if you leave it as it is, it will remain crooked. So treat women nicely."

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 3331 In-book reference : Book 60, Hadith 6 USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 55, Hadith 548  (deprecated numbering scheme)

[ms-apartment17-blog]

4 Golden Advice Islamic Short Video

A simple yet amazing advise that the youth fails at. A Reminder for me first and others.

4 Golden Advice Islamic Short Video

1. Speaking less is Wisdom

When we often advise and mention that one needs to speak less it does not mean the person needs to stop socializing and avoid gathering. We are asked to speak of what’s right and true and avoid excessive talk which does not benefit us in anyway. Excessive talks includes alot of gossiping, where you can easily find in several gatherings and try avoiding it and these gossips mainly consist of backbiting and speaking ill of his/her brother and sister and that ruins and sets an individual’s mind in such a manner that it starts viewing him/her as evil and bad, these backbiting destroys a person’s character, the present and future when in reality it does not match anything and is untrue with what has been said about. 

There has been several Hadiths mentioned under the Book of the Prohibited actions that includes backbiting about his/her brother which are untrue. 

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “أتدرون ما الغيبة‏؟‏” قالوا‏:‏ الله ورسوله أعلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ذكرك أخاك بما يكره‏"‏ قيل‏:‏ أفرأيت إن كان في أخي ما أقول‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن كان فيه ما تقول، فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه ما تقول فقد بهته”‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do you know what is backbiting?" The Companions said: "Allah and His Messenger know better." Thereupon he said, "Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes." It was said to him: "What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say." He said, "If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering." [Muslim].

2. Eating less is Healthy

Eating less and maintaining one’s diet is taught to us since a young age. One does not have to be excessive related to everything, be it speaking, eating, sleeping and socializing. 

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، كَانَ يَأْكُلُ أَكْلاً كَثِيرًا، فَأَسْلَمَ فَكَانَ يَأْكُلُ أَكْلاً قَلِيلاً، فَذُكِرَ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَأْكُلُ فِي مِعًى وَاحِدٍ، وَالْكَافِرَ يَأْكُلُ فِي سَبْعَةِ أَمْعَاءٍ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man used to eat much, but when he embraced Islam, he started eating less. That was mentioned to the Prophet (ﷺ) who then said, "A believer eats in one intestine (is satisfied with a little food) and a Kafir eats in seven intestines (eats much).

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5397 In-book reference : Book 70, Hadith 25 USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 65, Hadith 309  (deprecated numbering scheme)

3. Sleeping less is Worship

Excessive sleep makes oneself lazy to do his/her routine work. Sleeping less and early has many benefits.

4. Socializing less is the recipe for Safety

Today’s youth are so much into socializing and competing with each other in every matter and field. We are encouraged to socialize or else we arent considered a part of the so called “society standards.” The best reason one needs to avoid socializing more is because it may effect an individual’s relation and one needs to avoid evil and jealousy while praising or sharing about one’s success with others. Be it personal life, education or work, an individual need not speak excessive about one’s matter with others as it may affect minor or severely due to evil eyes and jealousy. Socializing less saves one’s privacy and protects from evil and jealousy around.

People have alot to share and socialize about, but be very careful whom who share your Joy and sorrows with, the way they express in goodness and respect will reflect and protect one’s shared news.

As mentioned in the hadiths under The Book of the Prohibited actions (At-Tirmidhi)

وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا تكثروا الكلام بغير ذكر الله، فإن كثرة الكلام بغير ذكر الله تعالى قسوة للقلب‏!‏ وإن أبعد الناس من الله القلب القاسي‏"‏‏.‏ رواه الترمذي‏.‏

 Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not indulge in excessive talk except when remembering Allah. Excessive talking without the Remembrance of Allah hardens the heart; and those who are the farthest from Allah are those whose hearts are hard." [At-Tirmidhi]

To all the readers, avoid speaking less and reflect on what you say about yourself and specially others.

[ms-apartment17-blog]

The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ❤- By Leila Azzam & Aisha Gouverneur

I had this book for years with me now, as a child being playful and lost with fun and games I never bothered to touch or read the books kept on the Shelf. But with time and years, I see myself as someone who can’t live without these books and knowledge that I have gained. I feel comfort and peace while reading about the Prophets and how they have patiently overcome situations and trials. There’s just so much comfort, love and respect that Islam teaches us and how we need to be humble enough to overcome situations and try understanding it. 

One particular line that I always want to feel and be alone from the people and can exactly relate to the lines here:

Instead he would leave the town and sit alone, thinking about the heavens and the world about him. He was sure his people were doing wrong and so alone he searched for the right way.  

[ms-apartment17-blog]

I’m not going to die because I failed as someone else. I’m going to succeed as myself.

A part of my life that I wish to share, those who know me and who don’t, it won’t really matter. People often consider me weak and that I get emotional easily, and some think its immaturity to cry and easily get hurt and that I haven’t been strong enough emotionally to handle what life has to give me. I couldn’t figure out where my life has been heading since the past 6 years, I was given a false hope and made me believe that I had a life to decide for myself but I guess it was all a lie that I have been dealing till now and the life that I was given a hope for, all it meant was people will decide for me and based on their decision I may live my life but I guess I was never given a choice and decision ever for deciding for my own life. The silence that I had been carrying for all this time sometimes enrages within me and makes me want to start a new life all alone. Some closed ones have changed to such an extent that my thoughts and feelings doesn’t match their principles, even talking to them makes me want to run away somewhere but I can’t. The promises have never remained as what meaning it actually holds, it’s just a word that is said but it keeps breaking every now and then and the next thing you come to know is, the entire people in the surrounding knows what you went through but the reality is no one comes to comfort you. A struggle, heartbreak and betrayal is just a topic for the family and society to discuss about but no one is willing to understand and no one wants to comfort you like your own.

Some close people turn into a stranger, the honesty of mine is not accepted anywhere but a lie filled up with false hope is always believed without any evidence. The honesty is doubted and the lies are praised and believed at, but certain people do not understand that why create or say a lie at the first place despite knowing that it isn’t right?

Some love stories at a young age is considered grand and true, but an honest love and feelings is considered and divided based on upper and lower standards of the family and background. Supporting someone else’s marriage and their feelings is understood with so much concern and emotions but to understand a feeling of your own family member is something that others may want to decide rather than seeing and asking the person herself. People often say we have given our child the freedom to decide for their own future but no one dares to check the reality of how this future is decided, the decision and agreement of the child is never asked but the family themselves decide as people say, marriage is a matter of lifetime and needs to be decided by the elders, but what’s the guarantee that the marriage and the decision taken by them will always end positive and for a lifetime without having it decide by the bride and groom themselves?

Many family dream of royal and high standard husband to have their daughter get married to, there is no limit of dreaming but the reality is, find someone who is royal and have standard in his deen rather than the temporary materialistic thing that will keep both the bride and the groom happy and supportive just because of materialistic value that they accepted each other for, but who guaranteed materialistic things to last forever? When Deen and its knowledge enters us, there’s so many things that gets solved, be it wealth, house, family and many more.

To be continued …

[wnq-writers]

Fall in love with the way the Suns rays hit her eyes in a way that makes them look like honey on a summers day. With the way she giggles when you kiss her neck because it tickles. With how excited she gets when she talks about her passions and how her eyes glow and her voice gets all high pitched and happy. With the way she holds you when you feel like the world is falling to pieces and tells you that together you can weather even the toughest storm. With how when she holds your hand she rubs her thumb along the side of yours and you feel little goosebumps erupting on your skin like tiny volcanoes. With how when she kisses you it feels like you’ve come home, how the tiny butterflies in your stomach still flutter to the beat of your heart every time her soft cherry lips touch yours. With the way her eyes flutter as she drifts off to sleep and how she often utters your name in the midst of her far off dreams. With the way her mouth curls up into a crooked smile meant just for you and the way her laugh still echoes through your body even when she’s not there and how her heart holds so much love that it spills from her eyes in the form of precious stars that you hold inside the palms of your hands the way she holds your heart in hers.

inked-universe  (via wordsnquotes)

Woah, it just gave an amazing and good memories filled up with so much emotions and bonding that has been shared over some years. A feeling that is hard to describe but can be felt easily without a word to explain. The love and bonding can never be understood by anyone else except for the one who really feels and know what and where they stand for each other. But sadly, the reality is such love and bonding has always someone evil to break it and to never let it happen again. 

[ms-apartment17-blog]

The struggle of growing up without a father! ~ #MSApartment17

Spending the last few hours with my dad, i had no clue that within a few hours he would be gone. Struggling the loss was not easy at all, every moment and every step ahead reminded me of Him and how he always trusted me and made me believe that I could do alot in life and that failing at something shouldn't hit me hard but instead appreciate and let go that I tried.

The things that I faced after my dad's death was something that kept hitting me hard, Alhamdulillah for what was meant to happen has happened but what hits and breaks me hard is that the way people around would often taunt and comment that we as a women have nothing to live and do in life on our own. And that marriage is the only option that you can survive your life ahead. The society and the very closed ones have said and done enough for us to realize where we stand infront of them today and where they REALLY stand infront us. Today, after more than 6 years I can proudly say that what all success i have gained and achieved till now is all because of my mother and that she polished us to an extend to prepare us and face the life ahead of us by our own. Eventually, a woman raised us during this time and that she never gave up on what evil and negative minds around had to say and restrict us for living our own life the way we wanted. A woman is asked to be the quiet member of the family who needs to agree as what the family decides but not to utter and break the family's restricted norms, but have they realized when a woman speaks up and fights for it, that doesn't mean she is ill mannered and immoral, it only means with time her struggles and understanding of the evil world around is clear enough for her to break the norms and to let out and prove the evil minds around that woman are not only meant to be packed in the four walled home. A woman who struggles and face the world around, does not mean she has no other thing in life to do, it only means she is helpless and the time has revealed the good and bad people around her and that no one in reality would come to help you and encourage you to have your independent life instead of helplessly settling down due to the financial crisis.

Never forget, people will always send a bag full of gossips, rumors and negativity to discourage and break you down every moment. This is the time when the true colors of your closed ones are revealed. Don't let it break you to an extend that you come under their influence and start living a life against your own wish, As a Muslim Woman, you have your own choices and decisions to work this out, you just need to be calm and patient to let the silence understand where you really need to head towards.

"BE PATIENT OVER WHAT BEFALLS YOU" - Surah Luqman, Verse 17 ... To be continued ~ #MSApartment17

#Struggle #Growingup #withoutfather #missyoudad #mother#growingupwithmom #prayers #truepeople #msapartment17#surahluqman #verse17 #sabr #gossips #rumors #Allah #strength #power#islam #dunya #akhirah #independentwoman #Muslimah #negativity#voice #solacesoul

[ms-apartment17-blog]

It's Friday again! Don't forget to recite Surah Kahf today <3 and don't forget to make dua for our brothers and sisters in #Aleppo today. May Allah bless you and forgive, Ameen Ever wondered why Prophet Muhammad(SAW) asked us to recite Surat Al-Kahf every Friday? Let’s find out today inshaAllah… This Surah has Four stories in it,having some morals,lets see them and understand what they are saying to us: 1) The People Of The Cave Its the story of young men who lived in a disbelieving town, so they decided to migrate for the sake of Allah and run away. -Allah rewards them with mercy in the cave and protection from the sun - They woke up and found the entire village believers. MORAL:TRIAL OF FAITH. 2) The Owner Of Two Gardens A story of a man whom Allah blessed with two beautiful gardens, but the man forgot to thank the One who blessed him with everything and he even dared to doubt Allah regarding the afterlife.So His garden was destroyed - He regretted ,but was too late and his regret did not benefit him . MORAL:TRIAL OF WEALTH. 3) Musa(AS) and Khidr(AS) When Musa(AS) was asked-“Who’s the most knowledgeable of the people of earth?”” Musa(AS) said:Me…,but Allah revealed to him that there’s someone who Knows more than him.Musa(AS) traveled to the man and learnt how the Divine Wisdom can sometimes be hidden in matters which we perceive as bad. MORAL:TRIAL OF KNOWLEDGE. 4) Dhul-Qarnayn Its a story of the great King that was given knowledge and power and was going around the world,helping people and spreading all that’s good.He was able to overcome the problem of Yajooj-Majooj and build a massive dam with the help of people whom he could not even understand. MORAL:TRIAL OF POWER. In the middle Allah mentions Iblees as the one who stirs these trials: Behold! We said to the angels “Bow down to Adam”: they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers! Now let us see what’s the relationship between Surat Al-Kahf and the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)? Dajjal will appear before Day of Judgement with the 4 trials: ***He’ll ask people to worship him and not Allah: Trial of Faith . ***He’ll be given powers to start/stop rain and tempt people with his wealth: Trial of with his wealth. . ***He’ll trial people with the “knowledge” and news he gives them: Trial of Knowledge . He’ll control huge parts of the Earth. Trial of Power .

[ms-apartment17-blog]

I was recently watching this movie, "Kingdom of Heaven" it's an epic historical drama. No doubt there has been several scenes of killing taken place, but the entire story revolves around Ayyubid Muslim sultan Saladin <3 The best part about this movie that i liked was it's ending, only if people could accept and stop the fight without harming each other in today's world.

Saladin, the great Sultanate who agrees to allow the Christians to leave safely in exchange for Jerusalem—though he ponders if it would be better if there were nothing left to fight over.

A must watch movie.

[ms-apartment17-blog]

Their evacuation from the city has been delayed.

The devastation of #Aleppo just gives chills down the spine, despite knowing that the entire world is seeing and the top leaders are being ignorant, those Muslim brothers and sisters who are willing to help and do alot for the betterment of the people are helpless at the same time. I feel like I'm powerless and the truth is I and likely over a billions of us are. A unity in Ummah and constant duaas are needed now for our brothers and sisters who are going through the worse situation on this land. Keep making dua, you never know who's prayers may bring peace to the living souls trapped and undergoing the horrifying killings.

[ms-apartment17-blog]

#Aleppo - Pray Hard

It's heart breaking, seeing my newsfeed being filled up by the news and the last messages of our brothers and sisters in #Aleppo being tweeted. It's never easy to live a few moment not knowing that you will be alive or not in the next few seconds, it's really a shame that the top leaders are blinded and have turned their backs for our brothers and sisters in #Aleppo who are being attacked and killed.

I do not understand, where does so much courage comes from for killing an innocent soul, no matter what religion we hold #Alllivesmatter. I humbly request those who are reading this, to spare just few minutes and pray 2 rakats for our Ummah who are suffering or atleast make Duaa, you never know who's prayers gets accepted and what last moment miracle can take place to save our brothers and sisters.

Please pray for #Aleppo.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنتَ وَ اَصْلِحْهُمْ وَ اَصْلِحْذَاتْ بَيْنِهِمْ وَ اَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الاِيْمَانَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ انْصُرْهِمْ عَلى عَدُوِّكَ وَ عَدُوِّهِمْ

Allahumma aghfir lana, wa lil mu'miniia, wal-mu'minaati, wa aslih-hum, wa salih dhati bayynihim, wa allif baina quluubihim, waj'al fi quluubi-himul imaana wal hikmata, wa-nsurhum 'ala' 'aduw-wika wa 'aduwwihim

O Allah! Forgive us, and the believing men and women, and remove their faults, and cause peace and love among their hearts, and infuse into their hearts a firm faith and wisdom, and let them be victorious over Your enemies and their enemies.

#Aleppo A QURANIC DUA for the people of Syria and those in difficulty in all parts of the world.

‎رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا

“...Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect, and raise for us from You one who will help.” QURAN 4:75

Where is the Ummah?

A daughter hugs her parents lifeless bodies as her heart and soul break at the thought of being an orphan..

A mother begs her 2 year old baby to wake up from his intense slumber,she shakes his tiny body vigorously shouting out his name alas his soul has already departed.

A sister begs the soldiers not to shoot her innocent brother as they drag him off to prison.

A wife trembles in fear and covers the ears of her children as she hears the terrifying last screams of her husband being tortured by soldiers in their own home.

A little girl covered in sorrow searches the streets alone and scared looking for her parents or just somebody to rescue her.

A young woman screams for help as the soldiers drag her to their camps. She prays for death to overcome her as she knows the soul shattering fate that awaits her.

A child kisses his mother's forehead for last time before she is buried. He begs her to come back and promises never to be naughty again.

A granny helplessly gives the last piece of bread to her youngest orphan grandchild and promises the others a warm meal in the morning. She hides her tears as she knows she can not fulfil that promise.

Where is the humanity,love and unity of the Ummah???

Sorry we are far too busy :

Too busy being judgemental towards each other.

Too busy being jealous over each others blessings.

Too busy breaking family ties.

Too busy gossiping and sowing enemity amongst ourselves.

Too busy chasing after this material world.

Too busy preparing gourmet meals.

Too busy taking selfies and looking for pokemons.

Too busy trying to out do and out match each other.

Too busy colour co coordinating our face to match our clothes.

Too busy living our lives to even lift our hands and make dua... for you.

MAKE DU'A FOR SYRIA - TONIGHT When we look at the on going conflict, one cannot help but feel like a helpless onlooker. We don't have financial or political power, but we do have one thing, the power of which we can NEVER underestimate - du'a.

The last third of the night, just before fajr, is du'a acceptance time - we therefore encourage you all to wake up for tahajjud *tonight*, even if you don't normally - just to pray two rakaat and make du'a in its sujood for the people of Aleppo, and for the Muslims suffering all over the world.

Share this - how beautiful would it be if the whole ummah were awake tonight in their homes, calling upon Allah their safety

[thikr]

أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمداً رسول الله

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

[jannahisworthit]

PLEASE MAKE DUA FOR ALEPPO