There is a Snake in Our Backyard!

Once I was playing with my cousins in my grandma’s backyard. In the middle of the game, I found all the kids running away in different directions. I was perplexed. 

“What happened?” I asked. 

They said that they had found a snake. I had the urge to go and check. I saw it. I hate snakes and I fear them, but at this point, I couldn’t resist going to have a closer look. The snake was small, and it didn’t have fangs, most probably it was the kind of snake that grows in suburbs. 

I had a bottle of water, and so I spilled it over its head. Then, it disappeared. Later that day, I went to my grandma and told her what had happened. She was shocked at my unprecedented bravery, then she smiled and said, “I liked how you showed up and tried to kill the snake, but attacking a snake is not a sign of bravery. It is recklessness.”

It felt like my grandma had popped my bubble. “What should I have done better? Should I leave it as it is to scare all of us away? Or should I let it stop us from playing?” I asked.

 

My grandma soothed my anger with a sudden big hug and she kissed me on the cheek and said,

“If you have a snake in your house, you pretend like you are bigger, you’re larger, you are here and there and everywhere. So, the snake will be disturbed, it will withhold back, and when it settles in the corner, you'll be able to trap it. Once you’re able to do that, hit it hard on the head, not on the body. Kill it. If you left a hurt snake, it will come back to avenge itself.”

I then retorted, “But that's not very kind to the snake!”

She smiled and said, “Alright. Enjoy the venom then.”

Did you like the story?

Want more stories?

Check out my latest release on Amazon Mrs. Z, the Substitute!

This book has 11 short stories that feature Muslims, immigrants, mental awareness, understanding kids with learning difficulties, parent-teacher relationships, and funny stories. The main idea behind this book is trying to see things from other people's perspectives. This book includes stories from the heart and it will bring so much understanding and wisdom to your sight. 

Get your copy from Amazon here,

Or contact me to get your author copy here

Watch a read aloud from the first chapter here

Checkout Hi, I'm Syrian

I'm Different I'm Special

Egyptian Food Made Easy

Arabic Novels

Arabic Novels

The Reason Why You Should Never Mess with an Egyptian "Funny Tale from Egypt"

The Reason Why You Should Never Mess with an Egyptian "Funny Tale from Egypt"

Did you know that the word “Egypt” is not the Arabic word for Egypt?

Egypt was mentioned many times in the Quranic holy scriptures, but it was never mentioned as Egypt.

The Arabic term that Egyptians used to refer to Egypt is “Masr”. 

Additionally, Egyptians are not named as Egyptians. They are referred to as “Masreyeen”.

Egyptian is “Masri”.

Egypt is “Masr”.

This is what the word “Masr” would look like in Arabic:

مصر

Now, the question is, where did the word Egypt come from?

There is a fun tale I once heard from an Arabic linguist about the origin of the word Egypt. The linguist mentioned that the word Egypt actually is a word that was created by Ancient Greek merchants who would travel overseas and meet with Ancient Egyptians on sea borders. 

The Ancient Greek merchants in their tales were used to describe the countries of the people they would trade with. The Ancient Greeks would identify Ancient Egyptians as the people who would ask you “Eh-jept?” the first time they saw you. “Eh-jept” is a slang Egyptian term that means “What did you bring?”

So, when Ancient Egyptians met Ancient Greek traders, they did not say “Hello” or “Thank you”, but instead they would say “What did you bring?” 🤓

I personally don't know why they used this term specifically.  I assume that they might be trying to refer to how practical Egyptians are. Anyways, it's good to know that people who were identified by their practicality and hard work are not people to mess with. 

Do you have any Egyptian friends? Or do you know someone who is Egyptian?

Please let me know.

Check out my:

- Egyptian Cookbook (with secret recipes!)

- Arabic novels, Arabic Novels Kermalak

- Picture books for kids about accepting differences, Picture books immigration, Chapter books for kids

Learning Arabic for Non Native Arabic Speakers Level 1, 2

Attached here are some Egyptian-owned businesses in the US, feel free to connect and support!

HueDeel - Hand Painted | Facebook

Reham's Cake Gallery | Facebook

With Nove unlock your glow | Facebook

منة حماد Parenting/Life Coach (@menna_parenting_coach) • Instagram photos and videos

FEELArtTreasures | Etsy

Ramadan Wooden Lantern With LED Lights Ramadan Lamp Decor | Etsy

Aayah Khalaf | Health coach (@beenourished.aya) • Instagram photos and videos

Aayah's photography (@aayahphotography) • Instagram photos and videos

Asmaa Esmat - Coaching | Facebook

اللغة العربية Centre Al Fath pour les cours d'arabe et de coran en ligne | Facebook

The Loans Guy | Facebook

Daad Learning (@daadlearning) • Instagram photos and videos

ALFarid Handmade Accessories & Toys - Home (facebook.com)

Stars Home Inspection LLC

713 Eberly Ct, Plano, IL 60545

(630) 802-9683 https://g.co/kgs/827Zxk

If I missed you, feel free to contact me and add your business to the list.

Best of luck!

Someone I Truly Loved

My name is Maira, and I am a marker. I have been on a shelf at the Kenny Craft Store for years. I would wait for Hana to come and brush off the dust, unload, and restock the rest of the shop items every morning. I would shy away if someone walked in and decided to purchase me. I would whisper my prayers that the customer would find something more interesting than me to buy. I'm thankful that all my prayers were answered and no one had stepped in so far. Hana realized that I had gotten older and I wasn't attractive anymore.  By that time, she was assured that no one would buy me. Hana decided that I would be hers. She would take me everywhere she went and would use me to highlight every text she liked. I knew her secrets; I memorized every note she made; I knew her favorite top-listed books and her favorite authors. I would wait in long lines with her if she learned that Steven King had a new release. Once we were together at the café, she opened her book to highlight something. Hana took off the cap. She pointed my tip toward the 13th line on page 55, where she left off, then, she let me on the page; my ink couldn't come out of my tubular soul. Sorry Hana, I just died. I swear, I never loved someone the way I loved you! I'm glad I was something to someone I truly loved. 

Did you like the story?

Check out my book collection and my Amazon Author page here,

Some of my books are available at Barnes and Nobles online store 

Author copies are available, just email me

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Why Should I Favor You Over Myself?

  

Once, I was in the park with my kids. I met another parent who'd recently had a baby, and he took his older daughter to the park to entertain her. We talked and he saw my children; then he asked me how I taught them how to share. He told me, “The idea of sharing what you have with someone else or favoring someone else over yourself is so hard for any human being to grasp and practice. Whenever I ask my daughter to share with her baby brother, she says no. I find it makes a lot of sense. Why should I favor you over myself? Why should I share what I have with you? You are not better than me, and I care to be successful. So I might need to be better than you and everybody else.”

 

     I see his point, but as humans, we need to work on our spiritual beings the same way we care for our well-being. And unlike physical wellness, spiritual wellness is elevated by lacking mundane things and deprivation of self-satisfaction. The more we satisfy our everyday needs, the more our own greedy selves will ask for more. And If we only focus on satisfying our greedy selves, nothing will be enough, and eventually, we will tend to hurt our souls and bodies. That's why Allah ordered us to give away from what we have in the form of charity and alms to encourage the goodness in ourselves. We need the reasonable, the enough, and we don't need too much of anything.

    God asked us to fast for the same reason. We don't need too much food, what we need is what makes us self-content. We shouldn't be following our greed. All kinds of greed. Intellectual greed, social greed, emotional greed, economic greed, etc.  God knew how the lower self would drag us to wrongdoing and sinful acts if we kept asking more and consuming more. So, He ordered us to give more and ask for less to honor his grace and reach the better higher self. In return, He blesses us with farseeing, tranquility, blessed hearts, and spiritual light in this life, and He promised us the company of prophets in heaven in the afterlife. This is a great deal, no one should miss it. It's hard though, but prayers- dua'as-, and working on our intentions will ease it Insha'Allah. We ask Allah's forgiveness, and we seek His guidance.

So, what if I don't have money to give away? 

You can give away your time and dedicate it to something beneficial to your people, including family. You can dedicate your energy to serving a good cause. You can donate your skills by spreading your knowledge and sharing what you know and sharing your resources. "You should refer and give credit to who taught you. Virtue should be attributed to its people. This is a sign of morality."

Since it's Giving Tuesday, I would recommend a list of REAL organizations that do REAL work, and the only reason I'm listing them here in my blog is to share the knowledge, spread the word out about what they are doing, and connect them with REAL helpers who are willing to step up and support. And all of these are non-profit organizations and some of them are funded by the community.  And this is not an Ad. :) If you have an organization that has a beneficial cause and would like me to spread the word about it, feel free to reach out to me. I'm always looking for stories. Real stories to inspire others and mobilize communities. Here is my email.

Modest Family Solutions, a non-profit organization that is mainly focused on food justice and sustainability. They provide gardening classes, discover hydroponics classes, and free fresh produce.

Essentials First, providing hygiene and warmth kits to several populations, including those experiencing homelessness living in shelters and outside. 

Muhsen has established an inclusive and accessible environment for persons with disabilities by assuming an active role in advocacy and education, creating a better understanding of disabilities in Muslim communities.

Poligon, a non-profit organization that launched in January 2017 to increase American Muslim participation on Capitol Hill, and provide training to amplify Muslim voices and self-advocacy among Muslims.

CAIR provides media training, hosts events, features brilliant scholars and professors, responds to community questions, and provides student and parent guides to educate the community and raise awareness. 

Ribaat providing Islamic Education and knowledge for Muslim women.

Why do I write blogs?

Because I'm an author!

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Feel free to check my book collection here,

Watch a read-aloud from my latest book Mrs. Z, the Substitute here,

Watch how to make Authentic Egyptian recipes here,

Borrow my cookbook at the public library here, 

Find my books at Barnes and Nobles Online store here,

Contact me for author copies and deals here. 

Do Wonders!

 I do have a friend of mine who learned that I knew some basic sewing skills. My friend was about to get married, and she was on a budget. She wasn’t sure if she could count on me to make her wedding dress from scratch, and I wasn’t sure if I should go for it either.

Both of us were hesitant. But, eventually, we agreed that we would be adventurous and do it anyway. 

We went shopping for materials together. We picked fabric, pearls, and lace. I had her come over for measurements and adjustments a few times. I made the design and made sure to use the materials wisely. It felt like a dream. Is it for real? Am I sewing a wedding dress?

 I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I felt so passionate about it. It took me a few weeks. I was so overwhelmed and full of self-doubt and what-ifs.  Once I was done, I felt so much relief! I called my friend to come and try her dress on. 

I will never forget the look in her eyes when she wore the dress for the first time! Her face turned red out of warmness, and her eyes got teary out of happiness! She reminded me of my wedding dress. There is something about wedding dresses that no one can understand.

I felt a strong need to step in and act like her mom, hug her passionately and offer my congratulations! We hugged so tight, and I too got teary eyes. 

It was a heartwarming moment! Being happy is cool, but seeing the happiness in others' eyes is miraculous!

Let's be there for anyone who believed in us!

People who put their trust in us unwillingly drive us to do things beyond expectations. 

Believe in whom you love, and they will do you wonders!

 

 

If you’re interested in more of my writing, please check out Mrs. Z, the Substitute!, my latest release on Amazon. This book is a collection of 11 short stories from different perspectives. It focuses on parent-teacher relationships, understanding kids who have learning difficulties, parenting, training kids to be responsible, immigrants in the eyes of others, and other stories to highlight the human side of Muslims. It’s a book for all ages.

Also, my book Egyptian Food Made Easy is available to borrow in King County Library. Or purchase your copy here,

I’m Different I’m Special is one of my books that targets diversity and inclusion. 

Check out my Amazon Author page here, 

Contact me for author copies,

Watch my storytelling activities here,

 And read my article in Little Farah Magazine. Issue 2.

Busy with Goodness

 

When Prophet Moses fled Egypt from the tyrant Pharaoh, he was clueless. He didn’t have any financial or emotional securities. Desperate he turned aside under the shade of a nearby tree, then prayed to God, and said: "My Lord! I am needy of whatever good Thou sendest down for me."

Then he saw two girls came to help their flock of sheep drink among the crowds. He stood up and helped. He got busy helping someone else in need of help.

The moral behind this story is,

1-A believer, if in a tribulation, should outwardly look good as if not plagued. A believer keeps his supplication and complaints to God.

2-A small act of kindness secured prophet Moses a sustenance, a family, and financial stability for years after.

3-If you’re in adversity, don’t stay still. Keep doing the good and offering your goodness to people, and ease will come.

Doing favors is the door of believers’ relief that never shuts.

#justsayin"

My latest release on Amazon

Mrs.Z, the Substitute!: Novella https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J5GD5ZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8329SBVGT0H9PFA2946F

Egyptian Food Made Easy https://www.amazon.com/dp/1653068671/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_7ZFT7SRY6YE1GW1BFW64

Born a Muslim

 If you were born a Muslim, Arabic is your mother tongue, and you have been a devout Muslim practicing your faith for decades, you memorized the Quran, and you know Islamic jurisprudence, and you are the master of Islamic decree and all, please, know that this is NEVER qualify you to think you're better than any other Muslim. Yes, you may surpass other Muslims in knowledge, but that DOESN'T mean that you surpass them in reward and thawab. Instead, we should look up to our revert brothers and sisters, especially those who were born and raised in the west or anywhere where their faith practices were abandoned or banned. Even if they are new reverts, you should see their faith as pure as yours, and you should pray for them that they will be able to prosper and stick firmly to their beliefs.

In Islam, there shouldn't be a hierarchy based on the years of practice. How long you have been practicing shouldn't be how you evaluate someone's faith rank. You're no better than anyone else but with piety. It doesn't matter how long you have been practicing your faith, but how you practiced it matters. How you put your knowledge into practice counts the MOST.

Saad Ibn Muaz was one of the Prophet's companions. He became a Muslim when he was 30, and he died when he was 36. He was a Muslim for only six years during his short life; however, when he died, the Prophet (PBUH) said that the heavens gates were open and God's throne shook out of happiness-as his blessed soul was returning back to its creator, and even 70000 angels came to his funeral. The Prophet was rushing his other companions to wash him before the angels. So don't let the long years of being a devout Muslim turn you into a real cruel judgy hypocrite. Let that sink in.

#justsayin