Happy National Book Lover's Day!

Book Review: All Because of You

Hi dear readers! Hope you are doing well! I recently finished All Because of You by Isobel Blackthorn and wanted to do quick review!

***Disclaimer: I requested this book through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own***

Exploring Islam With Uzi: Eid Mubarak!

Asalam-u-Alaikum dear readers! 

Belated Eid Mubarak! And Jummah Mubarak as well lol. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Eid celebrating with their friends and family!

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Heroines

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the awesome ladies at The Broke and Bookish. This week's theme is a freebie so I thought I would cover my favorite heroines. In no particular order:

1. Hermione Granger: I don't think I've ever seen a list of favorite female characters that doesn't include Hermione. And rightly so. Intelligent and brave, Hermione proves that being a bookworm is super cool (not that we didn't know that already). Ron and Harry would be completely lost without her.

2. Emma Woodhouse: For some reason I've always liked Jane Austen's Emma more than Elizabeth Bennet. I feel like she's more fun and lighthearted with a great character development. She's also the ultimate fan girl.

3. Katniss Everdeen: A fierce archer, Katniss Everdeen is the only hero she needs. To paraphrase the Disney movie Hercules, Katniss is a damsel, she is in distress but she's not a damsel in distress.

4. Violet Baudelaire: Now each one of the Baudelaire children is amazing. But Violet, you have to admit is pretty cool. An inventor, she is sure to come up with something amazing with any existing material in any dire situation.

5. Alice: Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies and children's classics. Through whimsy (and nonsense) Alice is able to get through one bizarre situation over another - all while keeping her head lol!

6. Jane Eyre: Despite her dismal upbringing, Jane is a pretty strong feminist before her time. Biggest Example: when she accepts Mr. Rochester's proposal on her own terms.

7. Luna Lovegood: Everyone's favorite Ravenclaw. I love that Luna doesn't let her peers dull her sparkle or her optimism, and instead embraces her full on quirkiness. Books 5-7 just wouldn't be the same without her.

8. Minerva McGonagall: Pretty much almost all of the female characters in the Harry Potter series are really amazing. McGonagall is super tough and no-nonsense, but also has a soft side. If you haven't already, do read her backstory!

9. Cinder: A cyborg, Cinder is as far to Cinderella as you can imagine. With her hardwork, and talents she is her own hero. I haven't read the other books in this series but I have a feeling that I'll be adding more favorite heroines.

10. Sara Crewe: Growing up, the character I wanted to be most like was Sara Crewe and with good reason. Even at her lowest point, she never let go of her poise and graciousness. Every girl has a princess inside of her.

And there are so many more heroines that I could talk about! How about you? Who is your favorite heroine?

Exploring Islam with Uzi: Ramadan Kareem

Assalam-u-Alaikum Dear Readers and Belated Ramadan Kareem!

I can't believe we're already halfway through this blessed month! I hope that everyone's fasting is going well and that you are able to take advantage of this wonderful time! If you haven't been able to, don't worry, just use this next half to finish the month off strong! If you have, that's great and continue to make an effort to complete the month off on a high note! Remember every good deed counts, even if it is a small one.

Until next time dear readers,

Salam

Exploring Islam With Uzi: Reciting Surah Kahf

Assalam-u-Alaikum dear readers! Hope you are all doing well Inshallah. Since it is almost Jummah, I wanted to share something that would be beneficial for you to recite during this blessed day. According to Hadith, whomever recites Surah Kahf (The Cave) on Jummah, he or she will have a light coming out from that Jummah to the next. (Below is a screenshot of the Hadith from the Hadith of the Day Facebook Page.

In addition, reciting Surah Kahf protects you from the Dajjal. The Surah also contains 4 stories:

1. The People of the Cave

2. The Man with the Two Gardens

3. Musa (A) and Khidr (A)

4. Dhur Qarnayn

Now, I'll be honest, Surah Kahf initially seems long and fairly intimidating (110 ayahs). But depending on your schedule, if you start reciting some of it Thursday night (since that's when Jummah officially starts), and than finish it on Friday morning, it will be a more easier on you. I also recommend listening to some reflections and tasfir on Surah Kahf so that you are able to have a greater understanding and appreciation for what you are reciting. Below are some useful links/YouTube videos:

 http://hadithoftheday.com/surat-al-kahf/

This link contains the entire Surah and translation.

https://youtu.be/wZPdOh6uITc

This link contains a beautiful recitation by Sheikh Sudais as well as a translation.

https://youtu.be/HksWRnYK8no

This link contains a introduction and reflections of the beginning of Surah Kahf  especially the story of the People of the Cave.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnpvRHdAU9FYjxZcyfxnuXdSj7lzQaHlV

This playlist contains reflections on another story told in Surah Kahf: the story of Musa (A) and Khidr (A). On the Nauman Ali Khan podcasts for Apple there are six episodes about this story.

So far I have only heard the reflections of the story of the People of the Cave and the story of Musa (A) and Khidr (A). However, when I find reflections or Tafsir on the stories of the Man with the Two Gardens and Dhur Qarnayn, I will post it to blog Inshallah so that we can all benefit.

Also, please be sure to share the Hadith and reflections about Surah Kahf with your family and friends. And this goes without saying, but everything good written on this blog post is from Allah SWT and any mistakes written on this blog post are from my own short comings. 

Until next time, Inshallah! Have a great rest of your day.

Exploring Islam With Uzi: An Intro of Sorts

Assalam-u-Alaikum dear readers! Jummah Mubarak! And also welcome to this new segment on the blog. But first a small introduction:

Life got pretty sad for me in the past few months because of personal stuff. For a lot of people that are going through hardship, they turn to religion and spiritual guidance. I was no exception.

Now, it wasn't as if I didn't already observe the pillars of Islam. I did (except for hajj. Inshallah soon though!) and I also read the Quaran, as well as observed hijab. 

But I still had so much learn about Islam.

And I thought, why not share what pearls of wisdom that I am learning on here. After all, sharing knowledge is a form of Sadaqa Jariya.

And so begins this new segment on the blog. And in case you were wondering, I will blog about other things. But this is an important part of my life that I would like to share with all of you lol.

Anyhoo, have an amazing rest of your day!