Which color is your aura???

While checking Facebook the other day, I came across this quiz. All you had to do was answer a few questions & wala!! I must say that the result was completely spot on!! The description below describes my personality to the tee, it's kinda freaky!! -:)


Blues are the most caring, nurturing and protective personalities in the color-spectrum. They live out of their hearts and their emotions.

Their life purpose is to serve, help and love others. Blues have an inner knowledge and wisdom and they feel and know what is right without needing facts or data for substantiation.

The moment they become quiet inside, they will recognize or hear an inner voice or guidance, which will tell them what to do. They can easily tune into other people and feel precisely what is going on.

Blues are the most emotional of all the color personalities. They often feel lost if they don't have the opportunity to clear their way through their intense jungle of deep feelings.

Helpful activities for Blues would include talking with friends about their inner life, writing a journal or just being quiet so their intense emotions can calm down.

Bringing peace to my soul

For the past two weeks I have not been my usual self. From the outside all looks good & well but deep down something is seriously amiss.

I've always been the one to egg others on when they're not feeling up to par, yet I cannot seem to do so for myself of late. It's really hard to pinpoint exactly when this all started & what actually triggered the whole process but Shahieda is not her usual perky self. Sounds like I'm repeating myself heh??

Surely one does get tired of having to 'hou die blink kant bo' as they say in Afrikaans. For the past week I have been digging very deep within myself to find some answers & I seem to be heading there but not as fast as would have liked to. I hate feeling out of sync, it makes me feel like I don't have control. What has been my anchor, holding me from floating back into the oblivion of despair has been the reciting of Surah Ar-Raghmaan.

There's something so beautiful & poetic about this specific Surah, it's reading has me in tears every time. It really brings peace to my soul.

I remember hearing it for the first time many years ago. Sheikh Abduraghmaan Alexander recited it & the raw emotion & melody (lagu) with which he recited it had every person in the congregation in tears. This was the first Surah he taught his daughter, Firdous, to read when she started learning the Quran by heart. We know Surah Yaseen as the 'Heart' of the Quran, Surah Ar-Raghmaan is known as the 'Bride' of the Quran.

During last Ramadhaan, Nadia, Shaheema, Raihaana, Fouzia & I attended Masjidul-Quds' Lailatul Qadr program. The congregation consisted of six thousand people!! The thikr program started around 12am & continued until just before Fajr salaah. The MC for the event was none other than Sheikh Abduraghmaan Alexander!! At one point during the program, the Sheikh mentioned that a Qari was going to recite from the Quran.

I remember looking at Shaheema & Raihaana saying how awesome it would be if the Qari would read Surah Ar-Raghmaan. My words weren't even cold when I heard Sheikh mention that this Surah was to be read. Oh my, what utter splendour!! The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end & I developed goosebumps on my arms. But the best feeling of all was just closing my eyes & allowing the utterance to reverberate through my whole being!!

I have made intention to learn this Surah by heart Insha-Allah Ameen. May Allah make it easy for me. And for those who find themselves in strife, the reading of Ar-Raghmaan is sure to bring relief Insha-Allah Ameen.

Fabe-ayye-aalaa-e-rabbekuma tukathzebaan

Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny???

Happy Birthday Dad

Today not only marks, Human Rights Day but also my dad's birthday!! He's such a lucky devil to be celebrating his birthday on a public holiday. Imagine not having to cart yourself off to work on your birthday AND if it happens to be on a Sunday, automatically the Monday would also be a public holiday!! -:)

So, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish my dad a very Happy Birthday!! May the Almighty bestow you with endless blessings and may the coming years be filled with joy, happiness & everything your heart desires!!

I often don't get to express myself as I should but know that you are always in my thoughts & duas. We are similar in so many ways, our stubbornness, not being able to back down when we should, always wanting to have the last say and the sharp wit. Having said that, I am prettier though, wink, wink!!

Love you lots like jelly tots, mmmwwwaaahh!!

Words that have touched my heart

I can count myself as truly blessed for having influential, loving & positive people in my life. Each of them bringing a different dynamic, pure & wholesome.

I'd like to take the opportunity of thanking one such person, my cousin Shaheema. She's always there, whether it be spurring me on to do my best, or reminding me to give myself a pat on the back. Our bond is quite telepathic at times, she knowing when I need inspiration or the other way around. There are times when this telepathy is downright freaky!! :)

Quite recently, I shared my excitement on my discovery of Kahlil Gibran's book, 'The Prophet.' After reading the book (I fetched a copy from a nearby library) countless times, I showed her the passages when she visited one evening. *I'm one to blabber about something I'm passionate about all the time*

I shouldn't have been surprised when she bought me my own copy of the book. I was told she had a surprise for me. *I'm like a little girl when it comes to surprises, can't wait to see what it is* Truth be told, I was expecting something for the PC I bought, perhaps a cool mouse pad or a memory stick, but received a book I would treasure for a lifetime. One I would gladly pass onto my kids!!

Delectable Chocolate chip pancakes

During the week I do not have the time to sit down & have breakfast with my kids (hangs head in shame.) By the time I leave in the morning, they're still sleeping. So, I make it a point when it comes to the weekend to cook up a good breakfast. Pancakes feature heavily (they seem to just accumulate on the waistline when I'm not looking -:) ) on the menu.

I've created quite a following with these pancakes & one of these fine days they're going to get me into a whole lot of trouble!! :) So, before this happens let me post the recipe so that everyone can give it a go!! It's quite simple to make, even the kids make them on occasion.



You will need:



1 cup cake flour (250ml)
2tsps baking powder (10ml)
2tblsp sugar
250ml milk
2tblsp butter, melted
1 large egg
dark chocolate, cut into pieces (I use Beacon's Midnight velvet)





In a bowl add all the dry ingredients together and make a well in the centre.
Measure milk in a jug, add egg & melted butter. Beat thoroughly.
Slowly pour milk mixture into dry ingredients, while mixing slowly.
Beat for about one minute until well blended.
Allow mixture to stand for about 20 to 30 minutes.
When you're ready to start frying pancakes, cut pieces of dark chocolate into mixture.
Fold in lightly, do not over beat.
Heat a heavy-based pan & spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Scoop spoonfuls of mixture onto hot pan & allow to cook until bubbles begin to appear.
Flip pancakes over and cook on other side.
Keep warm until all pancakes are fried.










Serve with dollops of fresh cream, strawberries, blueberries, or any other fruit of your choice, as well as golden syrup. Add a cup of cappuccino or mocha to that & you're all set. YUMMEH!!

Updated: Origin of the word Kiffight

It seems I have caused some confusion with regards to this post. My laziness to elaborate on the subject has now come back to bite me on the butt!! To dispel any misunderstandings I'm going to add more information. Please forgive me for my silly mistake. And thank you once again to AH for pointing this out to me.


Over the weekend a friend of mine mentioned that they were going to attend a kiffight in the area. This conversation immediately led me to think about our lesson during Sheikh Faaik Gamieldin's Usul-lul-Fiqh classes.

Usul-lul-Fiqh deals with the understanding of the study of the extraction of Shariah law from the Quraan & the Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W). The different Ahkaam (Hukoom-singular) are the following:


Fard - Compulsory
Sunnah - actions of the Prophet (S.A.W)
Mubah - Permissible
Haraam - Forbidden
Makrooh - Disallowed / abominable


The word 'kiffight' was coined from the Hukoom, Fardul Kiffaayah. Which is an act that is obligatory on the congregation (Jama'a.) Though a commandment on every one, it is sufficient if some do it, but if it is not done by anyone knowingly, then all are guilty of its violation. When a person passes away it is obligatory for the people in the community to attend to the burial of the said person. Attending a Nikaah also falls under this Hukoom. And by this I mean attending the actual wedding ceremony, not the wedding reception or waleemah.


So the older generation would use the word 'kiffight' instead of Janaazah, which is the correct term to use. Just thought that this tidbit of information would be of use to everyone.

Wallahu-a'lam

Extract 3 from Kahlil Gibran's book 'The Prophet'

Then a rich man said, Speak to us of Giving.

And he answered:

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow??

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?

Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?

There are those who give little of the much which they have - and give it for the recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

There are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And their are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.


It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;

And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.

And is there ought you would withhold?

All you have shall some day be given;

Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.


You often say, 'I would give, but only to the deserving.'

The trees in the orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.

Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.

And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.


And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?

And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?

See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.

For in truth it is life that gives unto life - while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.


And you receivers - and you are all receivers - assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.

Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;

For to be overmindful of your debts is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.

The height of boredom.....

For the past few weeks, Cape Town has been experiencing very hot weather. The mercury had peaked at 38 degrees the other day, making it quite unbearable in the office.






You'd think that working for a company who sells & installs air conditioning units, there would be units installed in the building we're housed in. WRONG!!






We're situated in an industrial area & the company doesn't own the property at the moment. I suppose it's logic not installing anything yet but dang, it's hot in here!!






So much so that I have to head for the bathroom every so often to try & cool down. It helps a little bit but by the time I reach my desk, I need to make another trip to the bathroom!! I certainly cannot win can I???!!






Today the heat really got to me, that I had no inclination to do any work at all. Instead I removed the camera from my bag & decided to snap away. And this is what I came up with..............

Hmmmm, it certainly lends new meaning to the phrase "twiddling my toes" heh??!! -:)

Mating season????

Ghaalietha always has the ability to catch me way off guard. One such incident happened over the weekend.

I was busy preparing breakfast Sunday morning when she asked me about a movie they watched at their dad’s place. Her enquiring mind prompted her to asking me about mating season.

Ghaalietha: Mum, what’s mating season???

Me:(my head racing to come up with an answer without using the word ‘sex’ LOL!!): Ummm, mating season is the time when animals cohabit with one another to reproduce.

Ghaalietha: Oh, I see. Then after that happens the animals have babies.

Me: (bracing myself for the next question): That is correct

Ghaalietha: (with a eureka expression on her face): So that would mean that humans also have mating season!!

Me (laughing my head off): No, humans don’t have mating season only animals do because that is their circle of life.



I could have gone on to explain that humans are the only species that have sex for pleasure and not only to reproduce but I feel that's giving too much information too soon. Looks like I'm going to have to do the 'birds & the bees' speech very soon with Ghaalietha.



*Sigh* My age seems to be catching up with me!!