Surah Al-Baqarah Ayaat 270 - 273

  2:270 

 وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن نَّفَقَةٍ أَوْ نَذَرْ‌تُم مِّن نَّذْرٍ‌ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَعْلَمُهُ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ

Wa Mā Anfaqtum Min Nafaqatin . Aur jo kuch tum harch karogay kisi maal se
'Aw ya Nadhartum Min Nadhrin . Tum nazar maanogay, koi nazar

Fa'inna Al-Laha . To beshak Allah Talla
Ya`lamuhu  ۗ  . Us'se janta hai
Wa Mā . Aur nahi hai
Lilžžālimīna  . Zalimon ke liye
Min 'Anşārin. Koi mad'atgaar

And whatever you spend of expenditures or make of vows - indeed, Allah knows of it.  And for wrongdoers there are no helpers.

 2:271 

 إِن تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ ۖ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَرَ‌اءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ‌ لَّكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ‌ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ‌

'In Tubdū Aş-Şadaqāti . Agar tum zahir kar ke do sad'qaat
Fani`immā Hiya  ۖ  . To yeh bohat hi acha hai
Wa 'In Tukhfūhā . Aur agar tum usko chupa ke do'gay
Wa Tu'utūhā Al-Fuqarā'a . Aur us'se do'gay faqeer'on ko
Fahuwa Khayrun Lakum  ۚ  . So woh behtar hai tumhare liye 
Wa Yukaffiru `Ankum . Aur mitta day'ga tumse woh
Min Sayyi'ātikum . Tumhari bura'iyaan
Wa  ۗ  Allāhu . Aur Allah Ta'lla
Bimā Ta`malūna Khabīrun . Jo tum kaam karte ho, us'se ba'khabr hai
 

 If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you  some of your misdeeds (thereby).  And Allah, will what you do, is (fully) Acquainted.

 2:272 

 لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ

Laysa `Alayka Hudāhum. Nahi hai Aapke zimm'ay unki hidaayat
Wa Lakinna Al-Laha .Aur laikin Allah Talla
Yahdī . Hidaayat daita hai
Man Yashā'u  ۗ . Jis'se chahta hai
Wa Mā Tunfiqū . Aur jo kuch tum harch karogay
Min Khayrin . Maal se
Fali'anfusikum  ۚ  . Apne liye
Wa Mā Tunfiqūna . Aur na harch karo tum
'Illā Abtighā'a . Magar hasil karte huwe
Wajhi Al-Lahi  . Allah ki raza
Wa Mā  ۚ Tunfiqū . Aur jo kuch tum harch karogey
Min Khayrin . Maal se
Yuwaffa  Woh poora poora diya jay'ga
'Ilaykum . Tumko
Wa 'Antum . Aur tum
Lā Tužlam . Na, zulm kiyay jaogay

Not upon you, (O Muhammad), is (responsibility for) their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you (believers) spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.

 2:273 

  لِلْفُقَرَ‌اءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُ‌وا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْ‌بًا فِي الْأَرْ‌ضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِ‌فُهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ لَا يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ‌ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ

Lilfuqarā'i Al-Ladhīna . Vaaste muhktaa'jon ke liye woh jo
'Uĥşirū .  Ro'kay gaye
Fī Sabīli Al-Lahi . Allah ke raaste mein
Lā Yastaţī`ūna . Nahi woh istita'at rahkte
Đarbāan . Chalney phirne ki
Fī Al-'Arđi . Zameen mein
Yaĥsabuhumu Al-Jāhilu . Khayal karta hai unko jahil
 'Aghniyā'a . Ke woh do'latmand hain
Mina At-Ta`affufi . Sawal se bachnay ke liye
Ta`rifuhum Bisīmāhum . Tum pehchaano'gy unko, unke chehron se
Lā Yas'alūna An-Nāsa . Nahi, woh sawal karte logon se  
 'Ilĥāfāan . Lipat kar
  ۗ  Wa Mā Tunfiqū . Aur jo kuch tum harch karo'gy
Min Khayrin . Koi maal
Fa'inna Al-Laha . To beshak Allah Talla
Bihi `Alīmun . Usko jaaney wala hai  

(Charity is) for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move abut in the land. And ignorant (person) would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their (characteristic) sign. They do not ask people persistently (or at all).  And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:267 - 2:269

2:267 

  يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنفِقُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَ‌جْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْ‌ضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُم بِآخِذِيهِ إِلَّا أَن تُغْمِضُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ

Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū . Ay logon jo imaan laye ho
'Anfiqū . Harch karo
Min Ţayyibāti . Pakeeza maal 
Mā Kasabtum . Jo tumney kamaya
Wa Mimmā 'Akhrajnā . Aur us mein se jo nikaala humne
Lakum Mina Al-'Arđi  ۖ  . Tumhary liye zameen se
Wa Lā Tayammamū Al-Khabītha . Aur na irada karo tum napak cheez ka
Minhu . Us se
Tunfiqūna . Jo harch karte ho
Wa Lastum . Jab ke nahi ho tum
Bi'ākhidhīhi . Usko lainey walay
'Illā 'An Tughmiđū . Magar yeh ke tum chashm po'shi karo
Fīhi  ۚ . Us mein
Wa A`lamū . Aur jaan lo
'Anna Al-Laha . Ke beyshak Allah Ta'lla
Ghanīyun Ĥamīdun . Bayniyaaz hai, khoobiyon wala hai

 O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth.  And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending (from that) while you would not take it (yourself) except with closed eyes.  And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.

2:268 

 الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ‌ وَيَأْمُرُ‌كُم بِالْفَحْشَاءِ ۖ وَاللَّـهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَ‌ةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا ۗ وَاللَّـهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Ash-Shayţānu . Shaitaan
Ya`idukumu Al-Faqra . Tumko daraata hai fakeeri se
Wa Ya'murukum . Aur tumpe hukam karta hai
Bil-Faĥshā'i . Bayhaya kaamon ka
Wa  ۖ  Allāhu . Aur Allah Ta'lla
Ya`idukum . Vaada karta hai
Maghfiratan . Bakshish ka
Minhu . Apni taraf se
Wa Fađlāan . Aur fazl ka
Wa  ۗ  Allāhu . Aur Allah Ta'lla
Wāsi`un `Alīmun . Gust wala hai, jaaney wala hai

Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promised you forgiveness from Him and bounty.  And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. 

2:269 

 يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرً‌ا كَثِيرً‌ا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ‌ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

Yu'utī Al-Ĥikmata . Daita hai woh hikmat
Man Yashā'u  ۚ . Jis'ko chahta hai 
Wa Man Yu'uta Al-Ĥikmata . Aur jisko di gayi hikmat
Faqad 'Ūtiya . Bayshak woh diya gaya
Khayrāan Kathīrāan  ۗ  . Bohat si balaai
Wa Mā Yadhdhakkaru . Aur nahi naseeyat hasil karte
'Illā 'Ūlū Al-'Albābi . Sivaye aqal walo ke

He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good.  And none will remember except those of understanding. 

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:265 - 266

2:265 

وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْ‌ضَاتِ اللَّـهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَ‌بْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِن لَّمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ‌

Wa Mathalu Al-Ladhīna . Aur misaal un logon ki
Yunfiqūna . Jo harch karte hain
'Amwālahumu Abtighā'a . Apney maal has'ad karte huwe
Marđāati Al-Lahi . Allah Ta'lla ki raz'a
Wa Tathbītāan . Aur yakeen ke saath
Min 'Anfusihim . Apne dil'on mein
Kamathali Jannatin . Jaise aik baa'gh
Birabwatin . Bulandi par ho
'Aşābahā . Us'par par'ri
Wa Abilun . Taiz barish
Fa'ātat 'Ukulahā . To us'ney diya apna phall
Đi`fayni . Dughna
Fa'in Lam Yuşibhā . To agar na parey us'par
Wa Abilun . Taiz barish
Faţallun . Yeh shabnam hi kaafi hai
Wa  ۗ  Allāhu Bimā Ta`malūna Başīrun . Aur Allah Ta'lla, jo tum karte ho, dehkney wala hai

And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring (reward for) themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour - so it yields its fruits in double.  And (even) if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle (is sufficient).  And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing.

 

 2:266 

أَيَوَدُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ لَهُ جَنَّةٌ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ تَجْرِ‌ي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ‌ لَهُ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَ‌اتِ وَأَصَابَهُ الْكِبَرُ‌ وَلَهُ ذُرِّ‌يَّةٌ ضُعَفَاءُ فَأَصَابَهَا إِعْصَارٌ‌ فِيهِ نَارٌ‌ فَاحْتَرَ‌قَتْ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُ‌ونَ

'Ayawaddu . Kya pasand karta hai
'Aĥadukum . Tum mein se koi
'An Takūna . Yeh ke ho
Lahu . Uske liye
Jannatun . Aik bhaag
Min Nakhīlin . Kajoor ka
Wa 'A`nābin . Aur angoor ka
Tajrī . Behti hon
Min Taĥtihā Al-'Anhāru . Uske neechey se nehrein
Lahu . Uske liye
Fīhā . Us mein
Min Kulli Ath-Thamarāti . Har kism ke phal hon
Wa 'Aşābahu Al-Kibaru . Aur uspar aa gaya buraapa
Wa Lahu Dhurrīyatun . Aur uske liye ulaad ho
Đu`afā'u . Kamzor
Fa'aşābahā . To pohanchay usko
'I`şārun . Aik bhagh'ola
Fīhi . Us mein
Nārun . Aag ho
Fāĥtaraqat  ۗ  . To woh jal gaya
Kadhālika . Is'si tarah
Yubayyinu Al-Lahu . Bayyan karta hai Allah Ta'lla
Lakumu Al-'Āyāti . Tumhare liye ayaatien
La`allakum . Ta'kay tum 
Tatafakkarūna . Ghaur aur fikr karo

 Would one of you like to have a garden ofpalm trees and grapevines underneath which rivers flow in which he has from every fruit? But he is afflicted with old age and has weak offspring, and it is hit by a whirlwind containing fire and is burned. Thus does Allah make clear to you (His) verses that you might give thought.

Chaotic yet serene?

Assalam-o-alaikum,

Chaotic.  That's how I describe the past few weeks.  Period.

Tonight we could possibly be reading taraweeh prayer and it'll be the beginning of Ramadan, InshaAllah. 

May Allah Ta'lla give us the ability to be patient, to continue our Salah, to keep steadfast in dhikr, to forgive others and ask for forgiveness.  To constantly remember who we are as Muslims.  Keep silent when necessary.  To speak the truth.  To learn something new each day.  To teach ahead.  To guide those gracefully who look up to us.  To give sadqa.  To maintain/better our health and the energy to fulfill all our daily and uninvited tasks.  To strive to be a better Muslims and try to change our smallest flaws, little by little and building ourselves a strong Imaan.  To follow the Sunnah of our Nabi S.A.W (pbuh)  To be kind to each other, to share, and respect and love unconditionally.  To have the courage to be an individual. To acknowledge the freedom Islam provides us.  To wake up every Fajr and say Alhamdulillah to have the taufeeq and through-out the day.  To appreciate all the blessings we have that are oh-so-flawless and countless.  That each day we be wiser and kinder then yesterday.  To fall and hurt, just to get up and fall again....but perceive that Allah Ta'lla is the Most Merciful and what He gives is for the best of us.  We don't know yet.  SubhanAllah.  To give back what we took from others.  To make dua for the smallest things we as humans want.  And to guide us on the straight clean path.  A path to Jannah.  InshaAllah.  To avoid all the unnecessary things that languish us to success.  To fight our sleepy selves during fast. And most importantly, to avoid the pakorey, samosay, rolls, sweet drinks and drowning in cream fruit chaat for aftaari time.  Ameen.  

There is something wondrous about this.  It's serene.  

May we all have the taufeek to fast each day of Ramadan with all the obstacles we may face.  Like Pakistani # issue, load-shedding.  No electricity at 2:30 a.m. and in the afternoon when the scorching sun aims right at you.  We in Canada, our first fast will be about 17-18 hours.  InshaAllah it will be worth it.  InshaAllah.  Ameen. 

الله حفظ 

 

 Strawberry picking a few days ago:

Priceless Lemonade

Assalam-o-alaikum Wa Rehmatullahi Wa Baraqatahu,

   Yesterday we held a garage sale.  The weather was very hot but we survived Alhamdulillah.  My nieces and nephew decided to take care of it all.  They collected a couple of their own items to sell.  They just wanted everything gone, they even sold the lemonade I made for them.  It was a surprising day but very very long and exhausting.  

الله حفظ 

Just the beginning....

This is just 6 AM...imagine. 

Mind the spelling mistake.  She didn't give me any so...

These guys earned more money being cute then actually selling something.

Volcano crayons...

Don't know what to do with crayons...you're in for a surprise. 

And here....my blow dryer stopped working. 

Vibed today.

Assalam-o-alaikum Wa Rehmatullahi Wa Baraqatahu,

All right.  I intend to keep this short.  Mostly because I'm hungry (Alhamdulillah) and secondly I won't feel up to it later.

So I'm going to add a quick picture-recipe and since I'm already getting the "not-up to-it" vibes...I acknowledge I'm about to disappoint you guys.  But have I mentioned...I'm hungry?

Buy an eggplant.

Slice an eggplant.

Eat an eggplant.

It was just a long process.  I'll get to it sometime, InshaAllah.

Making of Greek Yogurt.  This is about 3 cups yogurt in a cloth.

See all the excess water...

Opened about 7 hours later.

Yummmmm...

This is probably 1 cup left of the original yogurt.  Enjoy!

(The original yogurt is home-made with 2% milk) 
Well.  Gotta go now.
الله حفظ