How was Eid for you: no blood and mayhem?

When I lived on the Ras Al Hamra block, there was a man at PDO club whose job it was to trap the stray cats. My sister was Enemy no. 1 to poor Pakistani Cat Trapper. Since she was OBVIOUSLY higher up on the way they veiw things around here, she could get away with impeding his livlihood. Every time she saw a cat trap she'd scare the cats away from being fooled by it, and if no one was around, she'd kick his little rickety old trap off the beach cliff.

Where it would smash to bits on the (albeit sandy) beach below.

Often, he would see her do this, and narrow his eyes at her, as if wishing evil things to befall her.

Now I am against cats being shot to death as much as anyone else, and think my little sister cute and brave for taking on the cat trapper, but as weird as Oman is, I know that cat trapper got paid per cat he got, and that was money to feed his likely VERY impoverished family back who knows where. So I was torn between the poor man working for his living, and the abismal cruelty of his job towards animals.

I am Muslim, so I am not at all torn about Eid sacrifices, provided the families do not waste the meat. But I am against shooting them in the legs before they die.

APPARENTLY, in MOP's vilage, the Eid cows stampede sometimes.

Then all the villagers break out their guns (we are talking some PRETTY ancient rifles now, I mean, ones used in Nizwa when Sultan Taimur took over from Imam Ghalib and Bertram Thomas roamed Oman).

So if you ever see a cow stampede in the mountains followed by a bunch of screaming Omani men clutching ancient (not very accurate) rifles and ceremonial silver daggers...

Don't ask.

It means only one thing:

IIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit's Eid

:D/"

Anyways, they (the cows) leap over farm after farm, and the Omani families can't catch them, so they shoot at them before sacrificing them.

MOP [seeing my horrified face] clarifies: "Just their legs."

OPNO: "I don't think that's halal [allowed in Islam]."

MOP [typical boy, enjoyed describing the gore]: "You know the iron peg wound into the ground that attached to the rope around the cow's neck? When the cow bolted and made a run for it, it came right out of ground and impaled their leg."

OPNO [was eating shua at that very moment]: "Haraam [sinful]. Poor cow."

MOP [looked confused]: "No, no, habibati. Not the cow. The cow was fine. It got away until they pegged it in the legs." [OPNO glared at him which he took no note of.] "No, A VILLAGER got his leg impaled when the cow stampeded."

OPNO [eyes wide, spoke the following gravely, and drily (dry as unbuttered toast)]: "I'll tell [insert sister's name] not to set the cows free in [insert MOP's village's name]. Seeing as their freedom means a fearful, torturous death, and the possible impalement of Omani villagers."

MOP [laughed at OPNO]: "You're the one who wanted to spend Eid in the village."

Eid Mubarak All

I am so excited. My first Eid in Oman as a Muslimah;) !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Omani women and Eid prep

We shop for trimmings for our dresses, hound tailors, buy new bukhoor and scents, and Eid gifts.

Lots of Patchi. And then of course the sheep, and Lulu Eid celebration staples.

We do our henna 2-3 days before. Like tomorrow.

And we pick up our new dresses from the tailor. Cultural Eid. Fascinating.

Vastly different from the Islamic Eids I experienced in the West, nearly getting fired from one's job so one can go to the Eid prayer since Eid isn't a set holiday and your boss JUST DOESN'T GET THAT. Yes Patti, I am talking about YOU. All my sistaz in the West, if Sept 11th is the day you end up requesting your "Islamic Holiday" off you are in my prayers, totally.

I am not slamming the Eid sales, please understand, I am just remarking how it is different. Even McDonalds and Gap have "Eid Mubarak" signs. It makes me gawk.

Ramadan Day 5

RAMADAAN DAY 5: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY 5 DON'T: Use Ramadan as a mute ritual, fasting during the day and then socialising all the night, making food and family the main event/purpose for the fast. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:'Jibreel [the angel] said to me, 'May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,' and I said, 'Aameen'. (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

Ramadan Day 5 to DO: Use the day for the sake of Allah subhanhu wa tala and earning reward/improving yourself. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.' (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Ramadan Day 5 Dua: ALLAH, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

Qu'ran: Surah Al-An'am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH_dPlhC04w

Ramadan Day 4

RAMADAAN DAY 4: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY 4 DON'T: Judge others. Or be impatient with them.

The Prophet Mohamed sallalahu alahi wa salaam said: “No one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter paradise.” He also said: “Should you become eager to mention another's faults, recall your own. “ (Ar-Rafi). A Muslim is supposed to give another Muslim a million excuses. Such as, when I saw those two Omani guys in the Persian restaraunt chowing down--and they saw me---and tried to hide---I NATURALLY assumed right, that they had a medical condition, and just didn't want to make hungry a fasting me right?

I TOTALLY WISH! But I AM trying.

Almighty Allah alone is the only One Who knows best who the true believers are, as He says: (Allah knoweth best (concerning) your faith) (An-Nisaa’ 4:25). Moreover, Allah knows best who the pious among the believers are, as He says: (Therefore ascribe not purity unto yourselves. He is Best Aware of him who wardeth off (evil)) (An-Najm 53:32).

Ramadan day four DO: Since I am busy recalling my faults and giving excuses for others perceived faults, I should be asking for forgiveness for my faults and trying to correct them. Wow, if I could do this more than one day a year, I'd be an incredible person, fully aware that even my good deeds are nothing without the mercy of Allah;)

Ramadan Day Four Dua: ALLAH, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your remembrance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.
Qu'ran: Surah Al Maidah http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgpJZCWEU1o

Ramadan Day 3

RAMADAAN DAY 3: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY 3 DON'T: Show off. Either by trying to beat my neighbor at making better Samboosas and serving more or coming up with nicer Eid outfits, ect... Or the one that pretends to be more pious than he/she is (their piety is for show and to gain the admiration of men not God).

Ahmad reported the following Marfu' Hadith from Abu Sa'id (Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him)) that the Prophet (May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said: "Shall I not tell you what I fear for you more than the false Messiah?" The Companions (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah," He said, "Inconspicuous Shirk [Almost-Unnoticable Disbelief in Allah], as when a person improves his rendering of the Salat [prayer] when he knows that others are watching."

And for the Muslim women (like me!!!! My sweet beloved sister from the blog listed on my sidebar: "Sweet Salalah" ;who hates my makeup hehehe but loves me will like this next part;):

The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to the woman converting to Islam:“I give my acknowledgment that you must not set partners to worship besides Allaah, that you do not steal, commit fornication or adultery, that you do not kill your children, that you do not commit any falsehood before your hands and between your legs, that you do not wail [over the dead] and that you do not make tabarruj [showing off of beauty] like that of jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic era).” (Reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal in his Musnad, Shaykh Ahmad Shakir graded the chain of the hadeeth as “good” and stated that Imaam ibn Kathir mentioned this hadeeth in his tafsir saying that the chain of this narration is “good”).

So do not be tempted to wear tighter clothes, or crazy make-ups, or to push the hijab back to show the hair with a huge hair clip, all in order to gain notoriety "fashion" of appearence. Which is big here in the Gulf, and I admit, sometimes I am tempted. I abstain, but I think about it. My goal is to not even think about it anymore. I want to show off my looks to other women more than strange men (hehehe, makes it easier for me) but to want to be validated by ones' sexual beauty to men, or lauded by women for it or one's fashion sense, ect, really should not be a point. Showing off in all forms is bad for the Muslims, whether in prayer, or dress, or hosting skills. Just to remind myself, these warnings from the Prophet Mohamed sallalahu alahi wa salaam, especially about dress (yes, thank you KH, Y, and Ah, for either wrecking on purpose or throwing out my giant hair clips hehehe). The L will be mad. She paid for those hair clips. I'll tell her you love her as if you are her big "haraam police" brother and maybe she will forgive you;p

The Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:“There shall be (in the later) part of my nation women who are dressed but are in fact naked [i.e their jilbabs/hijabs (clothing and abayas) will be so tight that their whole body shape is known]. On their heads are humps like those of camels [http://howtolivelikeanomaniprincess.blogspot.com/2010/08/wth-do-they-have-under-there-lump-under.html]. Curse them for they are surely cursed.” (Reported by at-Tabaaranee, Shaykh al-Albaanee graded this hadeeth “Saheeh”) . The Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said:“Of the people of Hell there are two types whom I have never seen [but will there dwell]: The one possessing whips like the tail of an ox and they flog people with them [the corrupt Mutawaa/religious police who uses Islam for prestige rather than love of Allah]. The second one the women who would be naked in spite of their being dressed, who are seduced to wrong paths and seduce others with their hair high like humps. These women would not get into Paradise and they would not perceive its odour, although its fragrance can be perceived from such and such distance.” (Reported by Muslim).

Ramadan day Three DO: Do use the time wasted by pleasing others to do what pleases Allah. Charity? studying and sharing Islamic knowledge? Looking after my parents or making gifts for my fellow brothers and sisters? Tending the sick, playing with the orphans and providing for them? Yeah. Alot of better things to be doing than competing for best samboosa maker, or prettiest Eid dress, or nicest shayla-wrapper, or funkiest bangs chick, or most pious Muslimah on the block who is more worried about being an example to others than pleasing Allah. Whose sake are her good deeds in? hmmmm...... Muslims are to worship Allah, that only He can grant them any good, so they should not be looking for that from the creation, when it comes from the Creator.

Ramadan Day Three Dua: Allah, on this day, grant wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretension, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by Your generousity, O the Most Generous!

Qu'ran: Surah An Nisa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_1qmOR0yyg&p=01B0C7C62D086FC0&playnext=1&index=11

Ramadan Day 2

RAMADAAN DAY 1: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY 2 DON'T: If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it.
Because the Prophet Mohamed sallalahu alahi wa salaam said: 'Whoever does not give up ill speech [backbiting, gossip, lying, swearing/cursing] and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.' (Bukhaari)

Muslims are told that to say anything that another would not want heard is the same as to eat dead human flesh (thus the vid above). So Muslims, remember this, this Ramadan. Guarding the tongue is one of the hardest things to do. I remind myself first and foremost;)

Ramadan Day to DO: Do use the time not used in vain speach (about other people ect) to learn and absorb useful knowledge.

Ramadan Day Two Dua: Allah on this day take me closer to Your pleasure, and farther away from Your displeasure, grant me the oppurtunity to recite Your verses [i.e Qu;ran], by Your Mercy, O Most Merciful!

Qu'ran: Surah Al Imran http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAcgp0Tzj8U

Ramadan Day 1

I found the video in the last post by accident. This was the one I was looking for. Ha ha, YOUKNOWWHO that TOTALLY reminds me of you!!!!!!

RAMADAAN DAY 1: diary to be used for my own benefit, documenting what I am abstaining from and how it benefits me [and in some cases] others.

RAMADAN DAY ONE DON'T #1: Don't eat. Or drink. [until sunset, unless medically excused]

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

"...And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Q 2:184)

`Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Ahmad]
Soooooo, no more schwarma, mandhi, shua, no more pastas, Mexican fajitas, no more machbous, and coffee, no chocolate chip cookies or croissants and strawberries coated in sugar (or even water) [my staples], until after the sun sets. My first and foremost goal (for most Muslims---both cultural and those truly inspired) of Ramadan is to give up food and drink for the prescribed hours.

RAMADAN DAY ONE DO: By giving up the time I would spend walking to get food, making food, socialising over the food during the day, the time now is to spend it on prayer, contemplation of the Creator and the blessings in my life and the wonders of the world, or in helping others, or in gaining knowledge.

I will not waste it thinking about food, or planning the next meal, or sleeping. Ramadan isn't about food. Or even the lack thereof.

Prayer for day 1 (Dua): "Allah, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast sincerely, and my standing up in prayer the standing up in prayer of those who stand up obediently, awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins, O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives sinners."

Tarweeah Work for Tonight:
Surah Al Fatihah


And Surah Al Baqarah from the top: starting with this part:) [I am too lazy too post ALL]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6yJb55OIIQ

Cute Little Girl in Mutrah

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Traditional dress, Muttrah, Oman

For Eid (after Ramadan), Omani families often wear new clothes (new jewels) and females (even babies) get henna done.

In the pic above the little girl wears a dress and jewelry common to the Batinah/Muscat region (she's from Mutrah).

Last night I went to Mutrah for an hour to buy fabric for my Eid stuff since I heard Ramadan wouldn't be until tomorrow. It was SOOOOOOOOO busy, so if you are going to order your Eid clothes by a tailor there, get on that ASAP.

Quote of the day, and ooooookay, so TOMORROW is Ramadan (probaby)

Last night I accomplished most of my Ramadaan chore goals unrelated to religious thinking. I even determined my Eid dress [silk Dhofari father-of-the-tail dress in yellow floral silk by Valentino with simple delicate beading and no over-embellishment] and plain burnt orange Dior silk sirwaal pants that match the floral pattern in the yellow dress [the flowers are purple and orange and blue] that I shall handbead with round crystals surrounded by small coral and turquoise seed beads. I like to sew. It is a fun hobby.

So tomorrow will be Ramadaan most likely. I am SOOOOOO excited. I will give you the following funny Ramadaan story, after complaining about some of the Saudi guys in her city and their funny attempts to hide the fact that they weren't fasting by running away from their fastfood in the malls.

MF [ruefully admits]: "I used to make my Christian girlfriend fast in the US."

OPNO: "." [OPNO wonders at MF trying to teach a girl he was dating about Islam]

MF [gives a sad embarrassed smile]: "...She'd be fasting... and I'd be sitting there smoking and eating."

OPNO: [laughs]. "Ohhhhhhh MF. Haraam." [Laughs out loud some more, but is happy MF acknowledges this sad mistake and aims for better.]

Ramdan to do list: Night Before

OPNO's Ramadan to-do list:

1. Tonight I am going to clean my home.
2. And buy groceries.
3. And stay up and pray for Allah to make this month beneficial and easy for me. Most people forget the point of fasting isn't just to suffer lol and go without things. It is to give you extra time to pray and worship. the time you'd spend eating or socialising on your lunch break? Or your coffee break? or tea? Or lunch? It is time to contemplate the Divine, the miracle of Creation, and be thankful for every blessing before you.
4. Make cards and presents (maybe, if I have time). Not really a part of Ramadan but the believers are to speak to those who isolate themselves from them, and feed those who do not feed them, and to give gifts to eachother AT ALL TIMES of the year. Funny, I only think of this during Ramadan huh? What a GREAT Muslimah I am.
   

Ramadan may be tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any one hanging out to spot the moon tonight?: Could be the start of Ramadan tomorrow.

In that case, Ramadan Kareem to all of you.

See on the sidebar, all posts labelled Omani holdidays for info/ideas on Ramadan.

Omani Holidays: What is Ramadan, and why?

ISLAMIC DEFINITION: In case you didn't know, the Islamic calendar is a lunar, not a solar calendar. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. From sunrise to sunset during the holy month, Muslims are to refrain from eating or drinking, sexual contact, also anything considered bad for them, like foul speech, or ill thoughts. It is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice; thus Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking. Muslims believe that the devil is chained by Allah (God) during Ramadan, so all evil that comes from one is their own, so it is the best time to work on personal goals as Shaytaan (the devil) won't be able to influence anyone during this month.

Ramadan is also the first month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)CULTURAL DEFINITION: The cultural Ramadan is spent with renewed religious attentivity (inshaAllah :), also time with family and friends, eating. A cultural Ramadan is one where everyone eats alot and gorges between sundown and sunrise. This isn't Islamic whatsoever, lol, but it is what one will see in Oman.Be acerful of the traffic before sundown. Accidents are terrible (as the driving is). Often work hours at jobs are eased to make the fast easier for those obliged.

Fasting is not obligatory of younger Muslim children.

Also, there is no Islamic requirement of non-muslims to refrain from eating or drinking or smoking ect in front of Muslims, this is a cultural (and sometimes legal) requirement of Muslim-majority countries. It is also a form of respect. I honestly, don't care if you eat or drink in front of me because I care about Islam and not culture, lol, but many Omanis consider it rude, and it is actually against the law in many places to flout it. I apologize for ANY law that is outside of the requirements of Islam. Sorry all non-Muslims. You are free to eat in front of me anyway, fasting is a privellage for me, and I won't be tempted by you're eating to give up the reward I believe in for the day, LOL.

For all the women out there that dress modestly...

Cartoon in Arabic translated for ya'll.

Lady in red with headscarf: "I'm wearing hijab for Ramadan!"

Woman in jilbab aka abaya: "!" [not wanting to think about it because judging others is a sin]

Man walking down the road making dhikr on tisbah beads: "Ya Allah! I am fasting" [on repeat].

Yes, women with headscarfs but TOTALLY skin tight clothes, make expat women dressed in a moderately more "halal" manner (and other Muslims) confused in general. My mother was like, do you have to wear it like that, that girl over there, she looks nicer. Yeah, but I know her cup size. That AIN'T no abaya. I don't care about others but I am very aware of what I am wearing. But I don't like that non-Muslims are getting confused on it, like, hey it is alright, or isn't that religion hypocritical and all. That's my only point in this post.

But what makes me the most upset? Girls in SKIN-TIGHT as in "I know your cup size" and "I see your pantyline" abayas pointing out modestly dressed and women and being like the cartoon below:Girls in scarves: "Can you believe her, going out without a hijab? Isn't she ashamed?"

Yeah huh, alright. That IS something you might want to work on this Ramadan ladies.

So that all of ya'll know, Ramadan is probably next week...

LOL @ A who sent me this on FB. I'll write a post soon about do's and don'ts of Ramadaan, and what Ramadan is ect. But this poster sums up the don'ts for the "Ramadan-only Muslims" of Oman.

Vimto: the official drink of Ramadan

FB convo between A & OPNO, subject: Vimto, the official drink of Ramadan

OPNO: "Am so excited for Ramadan here. For the following reasons: a. because I won't be the only one fasting, and I really need this Ramadan, b. the guy for taraweeah [night prayer] will ACTUALLY be able to read arabic..."

A: "is your first here in the Oman?"

OPNO: "First fasting. ...And C. Vimto is cheaper here. Back home, Vimto costs more than a bottle of wine."

A: "French Canadians, ha!"

OPNO: "Mmmmmmmmhmmmmm. I love Vimto. To me is the official drink of Ramadan."

A: "My mam buys alot of Vimto."

In case you have no idea what Vimto is, which would be totally rare unless you are one of those expats who have never associated with an Omani before [they exist, I grew up in a cove of them], it is a non-alcoholic syrup cordial which is the equivelent of the Muslim's red wine. It tastes nothing like wine, but is made from a sugary syrup-y base by pouring into chilled water, it can be an aquired taste/ once aquired: it is delicious.

Myself, I hate the pre-mixed sugary Vimto in juice boxes. I prefer the glass bottle Vimto syrup that I can mix to taste. Before Islam I came from a family that prided themselves on their hosting skills and their well-stocked bars. :) Yes I know. I should not be talking about Ramadan and bars but besides, I still like to host with the same flair, but I have replaced my red wine with Vimto. I still like to keep pretty wine glasses and cute (halal) cocktail utensils for making halal drinks like non-alcoholic margaritas ect. Which is WHY the stores in Oman stock up on pretty wine glasses and such;).

Ramadaan is coming & how to set your tables

Ramadan is coming. I want to start a trend of having guest at my place for sohoor (breakfast) though it'll probably fail. Most of my friends are loathe to wake for fajr. but I shall be hosting one guest (yay, my first couch surfing experience as a host!).

Then the rest of the day the table and counters will look like this (sans apples) to be less tempting for those who have harder time with fasting.

Towards magraib (sundown) the juices come out. Yummy.

Maaaaaaaaaybe I am going away for the weekend....

I haven't been to Salalah in a long, long, long, long time. I may go this weekend. I don't know yet, but if you miss out on the reg. postings, that'll be why.

Nationalistic Nail Polish

Kinda a cute idea for National day. Ladies this will cheer you up from..... yeah;).

Getting things done in Oman...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhh M! [OPNO with her head in her hands for dramatic effect of feigned disbelief/despair] You passport is Omani, yeah?

Poor M, who REALLY DID have the naivety to believe the car repair man when he said our 4x4 would be in working condition by Saturday.

OPNO [to M on friday]: "Did you not know it is National Day tomorrow? No one is going to be working. Even on normal days nothing is ever ready when they say it is gonna be."

M: "Yes OPNO, this Saturday, for sure." There was not even wan hope in M's voice, it was absolute innocent faith, surety.

OPNO did not hold her breath. She is SURE she is more Omani than M, though her passport is the wrong cover colour for that.