March 31, 2023.
I awoke to this news from the Hindustan Times:
Eid 2025 moon sighting: Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye on this day.
Eid 2023 moon sighting Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Ed-ul-Fir 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye this day. Malaysia has officially declared Monday, March 31, 2025 as Ed-Al-Fir.
This will conclude my fifth Ramadan. Its conclusion will be celebrated in a manner so at odds so totally disparate than prior ones. I could not imagine the marked contrast and I do have a vivid imagination. My first Ramadan in California, second in Abu Dhabi. third in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, fourth in Kohbar, Saudi Arabia. I do get around. Hahaha All previous Ramadans ending rather drastically. I never revisit hardships, woes or troubles. The past is the past and cannot be altered. One could, and should, learn from mistakes. But then let it go. Found a photo from 2017 featuring a post card, which served as a reminder. If it is possible to retrieve it, look for it at the end of the blog.
Each Ramadan has been a time of learning, of growing in the faith, despite their sad endings. I will summarize and illustrate what I learned in the days ahead.
Let me, first tell you about last night, so interesting, so much fun, so Malaysian. Received an invitation to Cultural Night at Rainbow Paradise promising to “showcase the beauty and diversity of our heritage by experiencing the vibrance of culture, enjoying mesmerizing performance by talented dancers.” I did all of that, and have the photos and videos to prove it. I was in rapture with the performance, the dancer’s exquisite clothes, the music, the rhythms, the enthusiasm. Never seen anything like it!! Members of the Anandani family were there, as were so many others. All such charming and welcoming people, from different cultures, all beautifully dressed. I felt rather shabby in comparison. I was dressed, but not dressed for success in the manner of the other guests.
“Dressed for success” means choosing clothing that projects professionalism, confidence, and competence, thereby enhancing one’s image and potentially leading to greater opportunities and success in various situations. It doesn’t mean wearing a specific outfit all the time; it means understanding the context and dressing in a way that is appropriate and effective for that particular situation. When you dress like a winner, you’ll feel like a winner and have the determination to move forward with confidence.
Wikipedia tells us: Dress for Success is a 1975 book by John T. Molloy about the effect of clothing on a person’s success in business and personal life. It was a bestseller and was followed in 1977 by The Women’s Dress for Success Book.[1] Together, the books popularized the concept of “power dressing.”
There is power dressing, and now there is power napping. I have learned and incorporated power napping into my life. Shamir was my guide. He naps every afternoon. At first thought it to be just plain weird and a bit eccentric. But you know the saying:” Try it, you just might like it”
I did and I did.
The phrase is a gentle nudge to step outside of one’s comfort zone and explore new possibilities. I admit to having a preconceived notion of napping, thought it was a waste of time and that it would interfere with my night time valuable REM sleep. It hasn’t. Furthermore, napping aids my creativity. I habitually write in the morning because I am more focused, ideas come sort of non stop but I peter out”as the day progresses. (The idiom “peter out” describes something that gradually becomes smaller, weaker, or less intense before eventually stopping or ending.)
A nap revives me, I am wide awake, alert and ready to go. I text Shamir telling him of my new capabilities.
Me: I am becoming the napper of the century.
He: Hahaha
Me: Morning, noon afternoon, early evening, A nap is just a few winks away. That is my new motto. I always say, anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
He: Catchy phrase.
Me: Not original. But I do not know who to credit.
Now I do. I Googled. “Those words were penned by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in a letter to his son back in 1774. Fallen Navy Seal Shane Patton is quoted as saying “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards.” Even Yoda weighed in: “Do or do not. There is not try. “ Credit also goes to Ayn Rand. Quote by Ayn Rand: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.”
At this moment I am completely ‘blown away” I discovered that the Prophet (PBUH) was a power napper and there is an Arabic word for napping. In Islam, a midday nap, or “Qailulah,” is a sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) and is encouraged for rest and rejuvenation, particularly before the Zuhr (midday) prayer.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced Qailulah, and it’s seen as a way to combat the natural dip in alertness that can occur during the day and to improve overall well-being. Midday napping can lead to increased alertness, improved cognitive function, enhanced memory, and stress reduction. There are hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet) that mention the benefits of taking a short nap, such as, “Take a short nap, for devils do not take naps”.
This discovery, focusing my attention on the Prophet (peace be upon him) did bring me back to what I should be talking about on this important day. I shall share a dilemma I face and the possible solution found.
Instagram and my Inbox are full, absolutely loaded with requests/demands/pleas reminding of Zahat, informing me of my obligation and insisting on my donation. Some requests do not seem legitimate. Images of Gaza are shown. requesting money for food, medical supplies, aid of all sort. However, delivery of these admittedly needed and life saving supplies, has been cut off/curtailed by Israel. There is no way in the existing horror that delivery is possible, making me believe that these requests are a scam. I am troubled and indecisive. Decide that understanding Zahat will help my help my decision making.
I rely on the Quran and a small paperback book for inspiration and knowledge. The book, mentioned and photographed before is M. Alghazali’s Muslim’s Character. The first chapter Pillars of Islam and Moral Values explains in simple language the five pillars. One being Zakat.
Zakat is a means of purification.
Zahat has been made compulsory on the eligible ‘scheduled’ (sahib Nisab) persons. It is not merely a tax that is collected from the pockets of the people, its foremost purpose is to sow the seeds of kindness, sympathy and benevolence, and to provide a change of introduction among the various sections of the society and to establish the relationship of love and friendliness.
The purpose of paying Zakat has been stated in the Quran in the following words:
“O Prophet! Take charity from their property so that it may clean and them and purify them —Tauba.
To clean the self of the worldly impurities and to raise the standard of the society to the heights of decency and unity are the wisdom behind the levy of Zahat.
For this reason the Prophet has taken in a very wide sense and to pay Zahat has been made compulsory for every eligible Muslim. The Prophet has said:
“To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he can go astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is charity for you.” Bukhara
The environment of desert and the Bedouin life-an environment which had as its basis on internal bickering and fights—in such an environment the teaching of Islam were presented to the world and they show what aims and purposes these teachings had, and these teachings led the Arabs in that dark and dismal environment.” (Muslim Character pg. 2-3)
This broadened vision of Zahat was most helpful. Rather than throw money at dubious causes I can, and should, perform charitable acts to those around me. This gave me direction. I do hope reading those words is of assistance to others.
It is almost over three hours until freedom and food for another year.
2025: A New and Different Ed-al-Fir; Cultural Night Inspiring and Joyful; Dress For Success, Power Dressing, Then Power Napping; Overcoming My Resistance to Napping; The Joy of Discovering the Prophet Muhammed was a Power Napper; Learning About the Origniators of Anything Worth Doing is Worth Over Doing. Photos and Reels of Cultural Night
March 31, 2023 .
I awoke to this news from the Hindustan Times: :
Eid 2025 moon sighting: Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye on this day.
Eid 2023 moon sighting Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Ed-ul-Fir 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye this day. Malaysia has officially declared Monday, March 31, 2025 as Ed-Al-Fir.
This will conclude my fifth Ramadan. Its conclusion will be celebrated in a manner so at odds so totally disparate than prior ones. I could not imagine the marked contrast and I do have a vivid imagination. My first Ramadan in California, second in AbuDhabi. third in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, fourth in Kohbar, Saudi Arabia. I do get around. Hahaha All previous Ramadans ending rather drastically. I never revisit hardships, woes or troubles. The past is the past and cannot be altered. One could, and should, learn from mistakes. But then let it go. Found a photo from 2017 featuring a post card, which served as a reminder. If it is possible to retrieve it, look for it at the end of the blog.
Each Ramadan has been a time of learning, of growing in the faith, despite their sad endings. I will summarize and illustrate what I learned in the days ahead.
Let me, first tell you about last night, so interesting, so much fun, so Malaysian. Received an invitation to Cultural Night at Rainbow Paradise promising to “showcase the beauty and diversity of our heritage by experiencing the vibrance of culture, enjoying mesmerizing performance by talented dancers.” I did all of that, and have the photos and videos to prove it. I was in rapture with the performance, the dancer’s exquisite clothes, the music, the rhythms, the enthusiasm. Never seen anything like it!! Members of the Anandani family were there, as were so many others. All such charming and welcoming people, from different cultures, all beautifully dressed. I felt rather shabby in comparison. I was dressed, but not dressed for success in the manner of the other guests.
“Dressed for success” means choosing clothing that projects professionalism, confidence, and competence, thereby enhancing one’s image and potentially leading to greater opportunities and success in various situations. It doesn’t mean wearing a specific outfit all the time; it means understanding the context and dressing in a way that is appropriate and effective for that particular situation. When you dress like a winner, you’ll feel like a winner and have the determination to move forward with confidence.
Wikipedia tells us: Dress for Success is a 1975 book by John T. Molloy about the effect of clothing on a person’s success in business and personal life. It was a bestseller and was followed in 1977 by The Women’s Dress for Success Book.[1] Together, the books popularized the concept of “power dressing.”
There is power dressing, and now there is power napping. I have learned and incorporated power napping into my life. Shamir was my guide. He naps every afternoon. At first thought it to be just plain weird and a bit eccentric. But you know the saying:” Try it, you just might like it”
I did and I did.
The phrase is a gentle nudge to step outside of one’s comfort zone and explore new possibilities. I admit to having a preconceived notion of napping, thought it was a waste of time and that it would interfere with my night time valuable REM sleep. It hasn’t. Furthermore, napping aids my creativity. I habitually write in the morning because I am more focused, ideas come sort of non stop but I peter out”as the day progresses. (The idiom “peter out” describes something that gradually becomes smaller, weaker, or less intense before eventually stopping or ending.)
A nap revives me, I am wide awake, alert and ready to go. I text Shamir telling him of my new capabilities.
Me: I am becoming the napper of the century.
He: Hahaha
Me: Morning, noon afternoon, early evening, A nap is just a few winks away. That is my new motto. I always say, anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
He: Catchy phrase.
Me: Not original. But I do not know who to credit.
Now I do. I Googled. “Those words were penned by Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in a letter to his son back in 1774. Fallen Navy Seal Shane Patton is quoted as saying “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards.” Even Yoda weighed in: “Do or do not. There is not try. “ Credit also goes to Ayn Rand. Quote by Ayn Rand: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.”
At this moment I am completely ‘blown away” I discovered that the Prophet (PBUH) was a power napper and there is an Arabic word for napping. In Islam, a midday nap, or “Qailulah,” is a sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad) and is encouraged for rest and rejuvenation, particularly before the Zuhr (midday) prayer.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) practiced Qailulah, and it’s seen as a way to combat the natural dip in alertness that can occur during the day and to improve overall well-being. Midday napping can lead to increased alertness, improved cognitive function, enhanced memory, and stress reduction. There are hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet) that mention the benefits of taking a short nap, such as, “Take a short nap, for devils do not take naps”.
This discovery, focusing my attention on the Prophet (peace be upon him) did bring me back to what I should be talking about on this important day. I shall share a dilemma I face and the possible solution found.
Instagram and my Inbox are full, absolutely loaded with requests/demands/pleas reminding of Zahat, informing me of my obligation and insisting on my donation. Some requests do not seem legitimate. Images of Gaza are shown. requesting money for food, medical supplies, aid of all sort. However, delivery of these admittedly needed and life saving supplies, has been cut off/curtailed by Israel. There is no way in the existing horror that delivery is possible, making me believe that these requests are a scam. I am troubled and indecisive. Decide that understanding Zahat will help my help my decision making.
I rely on the Quran and a small paperback book for inspiration and knowledge. The book, mentioned and photographed before is M. Alghazali’s Muslim’s Character. The first chapter Pillars of Islam and Moral Values explains in simple language the five pillars. One being Zakat.
Zakat is a means of purification.
Zahat has been made compulsory on the eligible ‘scheduled’ (sahib Nisab) persons. It is not merely a tax that is collected from the pockets of the people, its foremost purpose is to sow the seeds of kindness, sympathy and benevolence, and to provide a change of introduction among the various sections of the society and to establish the relationship of love and friendliness.
The purpose of paying Zakat has been stated in the Quran in the following words:
“O Prophet! Take charity from their property so that it may clean and them and purify them —Tauba.
To clean the self of the worldly impurities and to raise the standard of the society to the heights of decency and unity are the wisdom behind the levy of Zahat.
For this reason the Prophet has taken in a very wide sense and to pay Zahat has been made compulsory for every eligible Muslim. The Prophet has said:
“To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he can go astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is charity for you.” Bukhara
The environment of desert and the Bedouin life-an environment which had as its basis on internal bickering and fights—in such an environment the teaching of Islam were presented to the world and they show what aims and purposes these teachings had, and these teachings led the Arabs in that dark and dismal environment.” (Muslim Character pg. 2-3)
This broadened vision of Zahat was most helpful. Rather than throw money at dubious causes I can, and should, perform charitable acts to those around me. This gave me direction. I do hope reading those words is of assistance to others.
It is almost over three hours until freedom and food
2025: A New and Different Ed-al-Fir; Cultural Night Inspiring and Joyful; Dress For Success, Power Dressing, Then Power Napping; Overcoming My Resistance to Napping; The Joy of Discovering the Prophet Muhammed was a Power Napper; Learning About the Origniators of Anything Worth Doing is Worth Over Doing. Photos and Reels of Cultural Night
March 31, 2023 .
I awoke to this news from the Hindustan Times: :
Eid 2025 moon sighting: Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Eid-ul-Fitr 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye on this day.
Eid 2023 moon sighting Malaysia officially proclaims the date for Ed-ul-Fir 2025, says the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye this day. Malaysia has officially declared Monday, March 31, 2025 as Ed-Al-Fir.
This will conclude my fifth Ramadan. Its conclusion will be celebrated in a manner so at odds so totally disparate than prior ones. I could not imagine the marked contrast and I do have a vivid imagination. My first Ramadan in California, second in AbuDhabi. third in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, fourth in Kohbar, Saudi Arabia. I do get around. Hahaha All previous Ramadans ending rather drastically. I never revisit hardships, woes or troubles. The past is the past and cannot be altered. One could, and should, learn from mistakes. But then let it go. Found a photo from 2017 featuring a post card, which served as a reminder. If it is possible to retrieve it, look for it at the end of the blog.
Each Ramadan has been a time of learning, of growing in the faith, despite their sad endings. I will summarize and illustrate what I learned in the days ahead.
Let me, first tell you about last night, so interesting, so much fun, so Malaysian. Received an invitation to Cultural Night at Rainbow Paradise promising to “showcase the beauty and diversity of our heritage by experiencing the vibrance of culture, enjoying mesmerizing performance by talented dancers.” I did all of that, and have the photos and videos to prove it. I was in rapture with the performance, the dancer’s exquisite clothes, the music, the rhythms, the enthusiasm. Never seen anything like it!! Members of the Anandani family were there, as were so many others. All such charming and welcoming people, from different cultures, all beautifully dressed. I felt rather shabby in comparison. I was dressed, but not dressed for success in the manner of the other guests.
