I don’t often go for science fiction, but some of the best books have read (e.g. John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids and Z for Zachariah by Robert C O’Brien) have been of this genre. I particularly like Post-Acopolypse type books – imagining what the world would be like after nuclear war. This book is a uniquely […]

The term I use in this title probably sounds silly, but I am sure every mum must experience it at some time. Some days it’s just the fact that most shops have their aisles and racks so close the pram can’t get through without knocking half of the contents of the shop to the floor. […]

We are all recovering from colds at the moment, multiple-month long colds. How I crave for the warmer weather!! I asked the kids to bring me a spoon for their medicine. I finished my prayer and turned around to find all three standing there with spoons at the ready. I think there is waaayy too […]

I often come across the attitude that stories are a waste of time and that fiction is useless. On the one hand I get these views from traditional Asian parents (mine included) that believe that children should sit and read worthy books only (because Advances Statistics in maths makes great bedtime reading) and on the […]

I got a phone call from my middle child’s school this week asking me to come in.  I asked what it was about and they said not to worry.  For a brief moment I did entertain delusions about being called in for a good reason, such as he being recognised as some kind of child […]

I am astonished to find myself so quickly at the start of another month of Ramadan.  I make dua that we make the most of the beautiful opportunities this blessed month presents to us: to purify ourselves spiritually and physically, to renew our iman, to work on our relationship with Allah (SWT) and to increase our worship and […]

A bit late to post about it, but we through our annual Eid party the weekend after Eid.  The theme was supposed to be floral as I thought it would be fairly easy and I had seen flower pots and watering cans and bright garden ornaments on sale in the £-shop.  Only problem was I […]

The first few days of Ramadan are always challenging when fasting falls during the summer months with the change in sleeping and eating habits. Usually by the third day or so, you start to fall into a routine, the coffee cravings have gone and you get on with your day-to-day activity. Having got through day […]

Alhamdulillah, we are blessed to have seen the days of hajj again, these special days of which it is said that: By the dawn; By the ten nights, And by the even and the odd. And by the night when it departs. – Al Quran 89:1-4 Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported […]

I think I might have taken on a bit too much with working full time, blogging, writing (and messing around with the website) for Mum and Muslim Magazine, having interviews to deal with and general having my finger in every pie I come across because I cannot say no to an opportunity.The last few days […]

No matter how bad things get in Pakistan or what people have to contend with, come the 14th August, everyone is in great spirits and celebrating with enthusiasm. Where I live in East London, my neighbourhood goes crazy and all of the Pakistani’s come out.  It’s 1am here and the drummers and the sports cars […]

We wanted to take the kids out for a day during the autumn half term holidays.  One of the problems we are starting to face, is finding somewhere new that everyone can agree on.  The kids want theme parks, or at the very least “no more castles and old houses”, I hate theme parks and […]

We are currently visiting the Haji’s as they return from Hajj. Alhamdulillah a few of our family and friends went this year. We were concerned after the upsetting incident that lead to deaths in Mina and the crane incident in Makkah, but on both occasions the Haji’s contacted their family members quickly to let them […]

I like the idea of choosing a word for the year but because it helps to focus on one theme or area of my life that I can work on. My word for 2015 was shukr, or gratefulness. My intention was to become more grateful for every big and small blessing in my life, but more […]