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SHUKR, HUBB, SAKEENAH ISSUE

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HELLO THERE, from the Shukr, Hubb, Sakeenah Webzine Team! <3

Peace be upon you lovely reader!

Ahhlan Wa Sahlan and welcome to our home.

This ‘zine started out as a passion ate conversation between AJ and I that de spite the enthusiasm, we didn’t really know would actually come to fruition.

Sitting here today with the final draft in front of me, my heart swells, not just for this blessing but also for the amazing pro cess that brought us here.

Alhamdulillah for the ability to achieve dreams, Alhamdulillah for the companions we meet along the way

Also, since this issue is all about forgive ness, I hope you’ll go easy on us when you find the inevitable spelling mistake... A tes tament, if you will, to human-ness, despite every effort, we’re still only human and if nothing else, it’s the most unifying thing we have

Igreet you with the universal greeting of peace - Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu, may peace be upon you.

Spring is here, a time for newness, and what better time to unveil SHS’s newest and much-anticipated project than in this month? I am delighted (truly, and incred ibly) to introduce you to the first issue of the SHS ‘Zine!

As we near the end of the year, our cho sen topic for this issue, forgiveness, is one that I’m sure will resonate with you as much as it did me. Every page has been designed by myself with passion, the ut most care, and a lot of caffeine. I only hope you love reading this issue as much as we loved putting it together.

With all my love,

Aa’ishah

Designer Mahdiyyah

Love and Duaas,

Editor

THE ROARING 20’S

Dia WRITER

“I dunno about you, but I’m feeling 22!” - Talyor Swift

I dare you to defy me on the truth almost GLOBALLY ac knowledged by all 21-year-olds as soon as midnight on their birthday rolls around, and tell me you haven’t heard that song at least once since you hit 22. Yeah I know. You can’t.

Hey there world (?) Lol. Hey there whoever’s listening! AssalamuAlaikum, may peace be upon you. I’m Dia. And in case my mouthful of an intro didn’t clue you up, I’m 22, for now.

I wanted to write this column be cause, yo, it’s been a TRIP. Are… are you’ll seeing what’s going on out here? Bro, this earth aint spinning on an axis anymore, it’s on Crack. Then, to top it all off, here we are, bright-eyed bushy-tailed 20-some things just trying to make it through the week without a breakdown (and failing most of the time tbh).

We all live on the same earth so I won’t bore you with all the sob stories of a Global Pandemic and the ever-looming threat of WW3. I want to try and keep the mood of this column as light-hearted as a possible (haha).

So, let’s get into it.

I started this year off miserable and heartbroken. Now as the year draws to a close, I am heartbroken and miserable (great start on the positiv ity Dia). This year has been a ride in the washing machine, and the year before that, and before, ah you get the picture.

I tell all the teens nowadays (barf) that they really shouldn’t sweat the small stuff, wherever they’re at, be cause hey, it gets worse! Nihilism? Perhaps.

I like to think of it as a wakeup call. It’s going to ultimately get harder and more stressful anyways, so why make it extra difficult for yourself right now?

A few facts about me:

* I wrote an entire novel I never published

* I LOVE crispy chicken strips and dark humour. Yes, paired together the combination is elite.

* I’ve never even skimmed my matric report since the day I got it. I made copies and sent for a job interview

and I got the job because they want ed to increase diversity. (I also got a job because of nepotism. Shh, it’s a brutal world out here, girl’s gotta buy pads).

What’s my point?

Besides the fact that pads are very expensive for something I have to use every month as a basic neces sity…

sometimes things that feel all-con suming in the moment, in the grand scheme of things, just become a lit tle blip in time.

Life is long, there’s still A LOT com ing, but it also moves really fast and if you don’t jump in headfirst, you’ll miss it.

Make the memories, eat the chicken strips, enjoy the moment.

When will you be 20-something again, coasting from experience to experience with the naiveté that only a person who is finally seeing the world for the first time has?

Bro, once you’ve smoked your first cigarette, that’s it. You’ll never get to spit and say “ugh that tastes awful” ever again. That little moment of rebellion, once passed will never come again. Whether you choose to smoke again or not, it’ll never be the same. You’ll never be the same person you were at that moment ever again.

We take ourselves so seriously and give our efforts so much flak, but if literally any 20-something-year-old is any indication, we’re working our butts off. Considering the current climate, just getting up in the morning is often a damn achievement.

Whether it’s nursing heartache, raising literal babies (WHAT?), saving up every last rand just so we can have some semblance of comfort, or just trying to figure out who the hell we are and what we need to be in this absolute shit-show of a world.

It’s ok to step back sometimes and acknowledge the progress, and the PROCESS. You’re allowed to give yourself a hug for how far you’ve come (unless you’re out here treating people shitty, bro check yourself, ther apy is always an option and Yes, YOU are people too).

And since our theme of the issue is actually forgive ness, consider that it’s ok that things didn’t always go the way you hoped. It’s ok that YOU weren’t always the way you wanted to be. You got this far doing the best you could with the resources you had access to and that is enough. You are enough. You’re allowed to forgive yourself for the loss of what you were and wanted to be. And if you still need to grieve, forgive and be gentle with yourself for that too.

For you and for me; a hug for heartbreak, a kiss for mis ery and Duaas that forgiveness comes easy and grief leaves more lessons and self-discovery than despon dency.

It’s a rough world out there, you can choose to be soft with yourself.

I usually waffle, talk crap and am like 80% sure I have ADHD so any weird stuff is legit from my own messy brain, but I hope you may have found some small ben efit in all the rambling. Holds your hand and smiles as we share a bowl of ice-cream, Dia.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this article, get in touch with us via @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

OF ISLAM

KHADEEJAH BINT KHUWAYLID (RA)

WRITER

As this is the very first issue of the SHS ‘zine, I thought it only fitting that our first highlight on a Pearl of Islam should be the first person to accept Islam, the first Muslim woman, the first wife of Nabi (SAW).

Let’s talk about the absolute gem of a woman, the most beloved, Khadeejah (RA).

In a world where Muslim wom en are considered as ‘oppressed’ by Islamic laws, I think the story of Khadeejah Bint Khuwaylid(RA) is more important than ever. It is from her story that we can see exactly how Islam gives honour to women.

As women, we struggle through the daily hardships of living in a modern world where you aren’t really seen as successful unless you have a cushy job, perfect husband, shiny degree and at least one side hustle. Khadeejah (RA) shows us being successful doesn’t mean you have to compromise your modesty or anything of the like, a lesson for us.

From doctors to artists, intellectuals to academics, Muslim women today are climbing the ladders of success and prov ing their excellence in their fields. It is heartening to see the strength and perse verance of these women, especially those who fight to uphold their religious ethics in the midst of cut-throat industries that have no time for spirituality.

The example of Khadeejah (RA) provides a direct contrast to the attitude some have— that Muslim women who have a life outside of their families are for ward-thinking and corrupt, women who make the first move to do anything are seen as immodest, that we have to com promise our Islamic values to be seen as successful, and where widowers or divor cees are looked down upon.

Khadeejah (RA) was born to a father who was a successful merchant in their Quraish tribe of Mecca, where society was male-dominated. Upon her father’s death, she took over the business and traded goods from Mecca to Syria and Yemen, hiring the most trustworthy men of character to brave the trade routes. Anyone can take a successful business and run it into the ground, but it takes talent, foresight and hard work to inherit a successful business and make it better.

Khadeejah (RA)’s business was larger than all of the Quraish trades combined, and quickly she attained the title of being the wealthiest woman in Arabia.

She gave her earnings to the poor and the orphans, to the widows and the sick. She helped poor girls get mar ried and provided their dowry, and raised her children herself.

Being the most successful woman around, and wellknown for her beauty, Khadeejah (RA) faced no short age of men seeking her hand in marriage. She was married twice before her marriage to the Prophet Muhammed (SAW), both of these marriages produced children and both left her widowed. Understandably, she was less than eager to suffer the loss of another husband, and resigned herself to being a widowed woman taking care of herself and her family.

Khadeejah (RA) learned of Muhammad (SAW) and his experience managing caravans and trading. She hired him to work for her, and was so incredibly impressed by his honestly and character that she asked him to marry her (through a friend, y’all, keep it Halaal). Khadeejah (RA) didn’t need a husband to take care of her finan cially, and Muhammad (SAW), a youth, did not have the means to seek a wife. She supported him financially as long as she was alive.

If Khadeejah (RA)’s story hasn’t broken stereotypes about Islam yet, it might intrigue you to know that she was 40 years old when she married Muhammad (SAW). He was 25.

Taking multiple wives was a common practice, but Khadeejah (RA) and Muhammad (SAW)’s marriage re mained monogamous until her death 25 years later. His (SAW) Prophethood began during his marriage to Khadeejah (RA), when he received the first of rev elations through the angel Jibraeel. It left him fright ened and feeling alone when no one believed in him. Khadeejah (RA) comforted her husband and encour aged him during the most difficult days of his life. She bore him 6 children. He loved no one more than Khad ija during his lifetime.

Khadeejah (RA) was the first person on earth to accept Muhammad (SAW) as the final Prophet, and accept the revelations that became the Qur’an. She was greeted with “Salam” (peace) by Allah himself as well as the an gel Jibraeel. She left her worldly goods and position as

the most desired and wealthiest woman, to stand by her husband as Islam became established in the land.

What truly distinguished Khadeejah (RA) from the rest, what really set her apart, was that unlike those who sought to achieve success by giving into the existing standards, she created her own model of success. She upheld her values rather than allowing the pressure of society to wear her down. It was her determination to practice her values, regardless of what consequences her choices may have had on her reputation and busi ness, that ensured her success.

For many Muslim women, it can be tempting to make compromises for the sake of career, to justify excuses for behavior that may not necessarily be pleasing to Allah despite the worldly gain. The price of ambition can be steep… but is it a price worth paying, if it means exchanging our values for this temporary success?

Khadeejah (RA) continues to inspire people to this day who admire her for taking great care of the Prophet of Islam and for showing the world, through her behav ior, what a pious, modest and courageous woman can accomplish. The example she left for mankind remains timeless.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this article, get in touch with us via @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

LOVE LETTERS IN A TIME OF LOSS

A eulogy for what has passed

AssalamuAlaikum, May Peace be upon you. I’m writing this column as a love letter; a letter to people who care deeply, who are hurting and who may be feeling alone right now, in the vast abyss that is grief and loss.

It is a eulogy of sorts, to the peo ple and pieces of ourselves we’ve had to say goodbye to, as well as a testament to resilience. It’s a reminder that life is fleeting, but hope is always just around the corner; that eventually, life does go on and joy is still possible. I hope it will be a means of peace for your heart & soul.

A reminder for the grieving; Your feelings are valid, your pain is real. You are allowed to move through your process at the pace that feels right for you.

Today we sit down with T, a teach er, mom, wife, businesswoman and daughter.

Dia: Assalamu Alaikum. How are you?

T: WaAlaikumus Salaam. Alham dulillah and you?

Dia: Alhamdulillah. Jazakillah Khair for your time. Please know that if, at any time during, you need to take a moment, you are allowed to do so and if you’re ready then In Shaa Allah, we can begin.

T: Bismillah

Dia WRITER

Dia: Loss is a very personal ex perience and you can only truly understand it when you’re in the middle of it. What has been the biggest loss of your life?

T: My Mother

Dia: How many years has it been since she passed?

T: 4… about 4… just over 4 years.

Dia: What has been your person al grieving process? What do you find has helped you the most to ease the pain?

T: I think the only thing that actu ally helped was time. At the time, nothing else really mattered or was making a difference, except maybe, a little bit of solace, i.e a lot of solace that I received or comfort from people and from being around people. I didn’t want to be alone at that time, but I also didn’t want people to be overly on me. But the only thing that actually helped me heal was the time that passed.

Dia: What surprised you the most about the experience?

T: That I could actually live with out my mother. I never ever thought it would be possible to live without a mother, but Alham dulillah, Allah Ta’alah has made it possible for me to carry on with my life.

Dia: If the object of your loss were still here today, what would you like say to them or do for them?

T: I think I’d be more… um… I think I was a very unfeeling… I don’t re ally know how to say but, cold kind of person at that time. I wish I was a more touchy-feely, sensitive um, hugging-kissing kind of a person, so I could be that. Because I know my mother was that, and she appreci ated that and I was not that at the time. I think I compensate it now by doing it for other older people that I see.

Dia: And lastly, what advice or words of experience would you like to leave for our readers?

T: I think when people say “Appre ciate what you have, when you do have it” you never really understand and you never really appreciate it at the time. I wish that there was some way to make people under stand that when something is gone, it’s gone forever and you never ever gonna have it back again. So, it’s hard but I wish I could make people understand how important it is to have those things when you actual ly have it.

Dia: Jazakillah Khair for your time, it’s very much appreciated. May Allah Ta’Alah make it easy for you moving forward, grant you from His special favours and grant you a beautiful reunion with your Ummi.

End of interview.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this article, or contribute in any way, get in touch with us via @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

“The only cure for grief is to grieve.”

-Earl Grollman

COLOURS OF HOPE NPO - SOUTH AFRICA

AJ WRITER

Muhammad (SAW, upon him, be peace), said: “Char ity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)

We live in a world where people all around the globe are either being oppressed or going through difficulty. From the wars and suffering in the mid dle east to the homeless in our locality, we are no strangers to suffering in our age.

At all times, and most particularly in times of trials and tribulations, it is our duty to stand together in

helping and supporting one another.

The Prophet (SAW, upon him be peace) has taught us that we should act as a body: if one part of the body suffers pain, the other part also suffers. When there is such a sense of willingness and help, there will be unity among the people, and as such, strength and safety.

It can be difficult as youth, as we struggle to find ourselves, to try and make a difference in the world. While we might not always be able to do nate huge amounts or travel for humanitarian aid, charity begins at home and there are many ways we can play our part right here.

Colours of

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WHAT THEY DO

Colours of Hope is a purely humanitarian, registered non-profit organization.

The organization responds to the needs of the people depending on the nature of the crisis or the need itself. They work with several reliable, trustworthy groups in ensuring delivery to worthy recipients and proper distri bution of donations.

“We are not always in the means, transport is some times a problem, and manpower may slow us down at times, but we push and try to the best of our ability to work as best we can with what we have, striving till we reach our goal.”

– Sister Kaashifa Jamal.

The organisation relies on the work of volunteers of all ages, mainly women. The youngest volunteer for CoH at current is 6, and the oldest 73.

Starting out with just three members in one province, Colours of Hope currently has a board, chairperson, secretary, treasurer, administrator and of course, volun teers all over South Africa, Palestine, Syria, Ghana, and many other places.

Youth trip to Baragwanath childrens cancer ward

Bags packed by our youth group, filled with healthy snacks, sanitary goods, toys and clothes for the little warriors struggling with cancer at a local hospital.

A project by young women for young women. Period poverty is a global issue affecting hundreds of millions of women and girls throughout the world. Women and girls with special needs and disabilities, as well as those in conflict affected areas or in af termath of natural disasters do not have access to affordable pads. For just R15, you can pro vide a girl with a package of safe ty, comfort and assurance.

PROJECTS POPULAR WITH THE YOUTH

• Colours of Hope has embarked on several projects, the most popular with the youth being ‘Campaign DEW’, a project aiming at giving school girls and women a means to hygienically care for themselves during their menstruation so that they can participate in their classes without disruption.

• The Baby Drive, where volunteers join to pack ‘baby bags’ filled with thing to assist moms and babies and then handed out to new moms in government hospitals. It’s not unusual to see a group of young girls shedding tears while waiting for their turn to carry babies who have been abandoned at hospitals and who are waiting to go into adoption.

• Water Projects, where fundraisers are held and funds are collected to build and facilitate boreholes, wells and desalination plants to areas and schools that are struggling with clean drinking water.

• ZA Feeding Projects, where girls get together for a full day to help package food, road trip, and hand the meals to local areas.

• The youth most often join on trips to local orphanages and old age homes too, to play games, share a meal, and bring some joy to occupants. Colours of Hope was born due to crisis overseas, but for twin sisters Kaashifa and Sa’uda Ismail, founders of Colours of Hope, it was a calling… a destiny, an objective to be fulfilled since the age of just 7 years old.

WHY WE DO IT

“Our first ’empathetic’ feelings began many years ago when we saw homeless people on our gran’s street corner, begging at the shops. The image of this poverty, increased by apartheid, left its mark on our little hearts. Our first compassionate intervention was at school when our father used to make extra lunch for us to give to those who could not afford a sandwich. We remember how good it felt seeing our classmate eat with relish what dad had prepared with love. Occurrences like these were daily. ‘How can you not be humane when you are a human?’ mum would often say to herself especially when she would see something that distressed her on the news.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

“We feel so helpless when we see images of a starving mother watching her malnourished child face death or a father with no place to shelter his family… There’s more we can do than prayer alone, or just clicking the ‘like’ button on our Facebook page,” says Sa’uda Ismail.

The twins continue, “Create and share awareness, pro mote unity, donate, get your hands dirty by picking up some boxes, volunteering your time and effort. Do something. At Colours of Hope, we’d like to put a smile on a tear-stained face; to fill a hungry tummy; to give a sense of relief to a needy mother; to give a father some self-respect.”

The organization believes that there isn’t just one way of helping out. Colours of Hope has several ongoing projects that don’t always require hands-on work too, such as various Medical-Campaigns, Rohingya monthly feeding, the SA Emergency Appeal, Ramadhaan Qur’an and Iftaar initiatives, Palestine , and many others.

To learn more, Visit their website: www.coloursofhope.org.za

Or click on this link: volunteer signup

Or contact: Kaashifa (JHB): 082 886 4604

Aa’ishah (JHB Youth): 072 342 1452

Sa’uda (KZN): 079 498 3479 Asfiyyah (Free State): 084 958 2293

Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @coloursofhopeza

No matter how big or small, making a difference in someone’s life is always a great act in the eyes of Allah. May Allah Ta’alah purify our intentions and make our ef forts worthwhile.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this article or to find out more, get in touch with us via @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

WE PLAY AT BEING LOVERS

Dia WRITER

We play at being lovers

It doesn’t last of course

We don’t know how to love And love is not a game

One person always loses faster… … is left grappling, begging, crying I pined for you…

To love me

I reached out for years Hungry

You left me to starve You; jagged, cold, harsh I ran after you anyways

When we’re young and naïve We’ll hold on desperately to broken win dowpanes, playing I-Spy at things we can’t have, not realizing we’re cutting our own hands.

I still have splinters left in my fingers from all the times you spat words of glass at me

Sometimes they still hurt

But I don’t bandage them up any longer They don’t bleed anymore

I’m not angry with you… or myself

Just because we were never really lovers, doesn’t mean I didn’t love you.

Sometimes we love things that cut us;

Leave their marks on our hearts Sometimes…

When we’re young and naïve, We mistake contempt for care Anger for affection Lust for… love?

Notice I didn’t say stupid

Because there is nothing stupid about thinking that you are worthy

Though you may be seeking it from the wrong places

There is nothing stupid about wanting to be loved

Or in giving too much love away There is nothing stupid about being young and naïve Starving… for what lies beyond the broken window

There is nothing stupid about it because you grow up

You learn to feed yourself You no longer need bandages, just the oc casional plaster

You stop looking You close your window You know that when the time is right, you have a perfectly good door.

As pictured above, the gates of Buckingham Palace were laden with flowers and flags as a gesture of respect and condolence to the late Queen Elizabeth’s family in what was considered a 10-day mourning period.

TO GRIEVE OR NOT TO GRIEVE

IS THE QUESTION

Faheema Gaffoor WRITER

WithQueen Elizabeth’s recent death on September 8, 2022, a lot of controversy has risen on whether it is okay to grieve the death of a woman who quite possibly had a hand in the various colonialist behaviours that occurred worldwide, beginning as early as the 1500s.

I would not want to bore you with all the details regarding colonialism because if you are from an African

country like South Africa, you are probably well versed in the tragic history of such countries. But for those who are not as familiar with such tragedies, here’s a quick rundown.

In the early 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, colonialism began in land located in North America. The purpose of colonization was a need for power, money and to spread the religion of Christianity and the ways of the British worldwide. They eventually moved on to colonizing countries in Asia, Africa and even South America. That is where the controversy lies as a lot of violence, racism and trauma arose for many non-British folks.

British rule entailed what one could call a “superiority complex”

– so much so that they claimed land, and the natives who lived there were now under a microscope. Fast forward a couple of years, when slavery was no lon ger a factor and now their indigenous ways were just considered “ignorant” and according to the empire that was Great Britain, they needed to be “saved”. This meant the natives were being taught the British way of living, from a colonial education to a racial-superi ority complex. However, the savior complex was only part of the equation of colonialization.

Another part that was mentioned before was money and to earn money, the British colonies all around the world had to resort to trade. The most common trade was that of cotton, gold, oil and sometimes even peo ple (like Sara Baartman who was displayed like many others in “museums” for white citizens of Europe to gawk at) – although the latter was practiced mostly before the 20th century. The point is that whatever they traded was not for the British to trade as it came from the countries they colonized.

A lot of conversations were stirred by the “stolen” ma terials (pictured on the left) and, just how many people were mourning her. I guess that it is understandable to an extent. She was a person, someone’s mother and the ruler to a whole empire. But how much awfulness did she let slip by when she was the monarch of such a huge empire?

There seems to be no evidence that the late Queen Elizabeth had a hand in any of the colonies and the horrors they brought – as if she were merely a figure for public eye. But that seems unlikely seeing as she was literally the queen.

As a person of colour, living in a country corrupt be yond repair, a country who is ruled by its trauma – I am not sure mourning the late Queen is a priority of ours. It is a very complex matter because her legacy, her pe riod of reign where colonization was at its peak, was one of the most prominent periods for the present-day population – prominent enough for her to have only passed on now in what was her seventh decade mak ing her the longest reigning monarch in Great Britain.

To mourn means to feel sadness and/or regret for something or someone that has been lost. So, should we not be mourning the millions of people who have died fighting colonisers that stole from them and rid iculed them? Should we not mourn for those African people who were labelled “non-white” and were con stantly told they were not worthy because of their skin colour? Why should we as people of colour mourn someone who allowed all of this to happen, someone who had the ability to make a difference and bring peace to so many societies, but rather decided that wearing jewels stolen from other countries her people forced themselves into was the right direction?

This is possibly why mourning and more importantly, forgiveness is so difficult for people whose grandpar ents and great-grandparents probably died and were ridiculed at the hands of the British and colonisers alike. How do you forgive something that affected you indirectly because there is no evidence of visible harm? So many questions but the answers are purely subjec tive.

Forgiveness could be a step forward, but will it make a difference? And more importantly, is it a step that people are willing to take?

Faheema is a student currently doing a BA in Psychol ogy. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this article, get in touch with us via @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

Things taken from different countries that did not be long to Britain and thus, became the main topic of con versation upon the Queen’s death.

TICK TOCK

Rizwana Mohamed Farook WRITER

If someone were to ask me for a visual representation of myself prior to exams, it would probably look a lot like this image…

As the looming pressure of exams looms over all of our heads, a question we always ask ourselves is, how do we go about this?

I believe that before starting to study, that planning to study is a key step in succeeding. Our headmaster used to repeat this mantra, “failing to plan is planning to fail”. I’ve lived by this motto for several years and even now in university I believe planning is key.

Alhamdulillah, as Muslims we have so much structure in our lives and it’s essential to plan your day around your five daily Salaah rather than planning your five daily Salaah around your day.

Here are just a few pointers for trying to make the most of your day!

Starting your day at Fajr or even Tahajud time is always a good feeling, the atmosphere is calm and it paves the way for productivity. It’s also a method of preparation for class or lectures and reading the material before you are formally taught it allows you to begin to have a deeper understanding of the content that you will be learning.

Obviously all our lives are very different and we all live in crazy circumstances and in between all our respon sibilities we have to try find time for ourselves to study as well as rejuvenation.

Usually to accommodate the tasks that I’m unable to get through the week which I’ve assigned, I have a sort of “blank” day which I use to catch up all the tasks I didn’t complete. If you prefer to sit and plan your day out on paper so you can physically see it, there are plenty of stores which sell daily planners, some which are tear offs which give you the satisfaction of tearing off each week as you complete it or maybe even the reusable, wipe clean ones. Perhaps you’re more tech savvy like me (ironic coming from a computer scientist) but I prefer using a planning application called Notion, there are so many different templates to choose from including those with Salaah trackers!

So now you must be thinking what exactly do I put on my plan? Well here’s a few more tips and tricks that can help us!

Now that we’ve got all our ideas collected and sort ed into one place, it’s important to also remember our own wellness and self-care, make sure you give your self enough time to recharge.

Don’t try to overdo things and pile too much into one day, that’s why planning ahead of time is also a good idea, leaving studying and assignments to the last min ute creates extra anxiety which you don’t want to have before exams or submissions.

Another thing during exams we all tend to do is pro crastinate. We look at the clock and say we’ll start at five past the hour, the next thing you know it’s now seven past the hour so you’ll start at a quarter past the hour and this cycle repeats itself until the whole hour has elapsed.

There is no more five minutes left to begin the hour or the minute or the second to begin is right now!

Another aspect which we must consider as Muslimaahs is what is our main purpose in this Dunya? Why are we here?

ust as our studies are important, dedicating time to our Aakiraah is even more important. When you create time for Allah during your day, you find that you have so much baraakah in your time. Our Creator is so merciful, Subhanallah that every small whisper to every big wish of ours is always answered, so at the beginning of your day make your intentions for the day and ask Allah to help you fulfil each of these tasks and grant us barakaah in our time.

Here is my list of beneficial duas for studying (above right).

Looking back on your exam season, you want to have complete hope that you have done your best, so make your intention to do the best that you can, put your best foot forward and persevere, the rest is all up to Allah Ta’Alah.

Rizwana is a student herself and knows a thing or two about time-crunches. To share your thoughts on the ar ticle as well as your own tips & tricks, get in touch with us @shukr_hubb_sakeenah. •

TASHA’S COCONUT CAKE

Recipe Credits: Yasmin Tar Baked and Styled by @cupcakes.and.canvases

To see more of my baking exploits follow me on Instagram @cupcakes.and.canvases

The first time I baked was memorable, to say the least, it was for my par ent’s wedding anniversary. I tried to make cupcakes and ice them green, instead, I produced some sort of rock hard specimen with split icing that looked like mold. Not one of my finest hours. Now 11 years later, I have perfected my trade and can bake cloud-like cupcakes with soft, fluffy icing. I thought I would like to share with you the cake I made for my parent’s 24th wedding anniversary: Tasha’s coconut cake.

This is a favorite in my house, not only because it’s one of the most simple cakes to bake with minimal effort but because of the most delightful taste on your palette. This cake has the perfect density and the perfect amount of sugar, it’s definitely a winner amongst people who don’t like overly sweet cakes and is best served with a piping hot cup of English tea.

Most cakes usually would involve combing butter, sugar and eggs in a mixer to get that perfect consistency and to ensure your cake doesn’t sink in the middle but this cake is different in the sense that you just throw everything into the blender and mix it up. This is the perfect cake for a beginner or just a nice and simple bake after a long week.

Baking is the perfect way to de-stress and reward yourself with a decadent sweet treat.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup yoghurt

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup oil

• 1 tsp vanilla essence

• 1 cup flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1 cup desiccated coconut

DIRECTIONS:

• In a blender jar, add eggs, yogurt, sugar, oil and vanilla. Blend well till combined.

• In a bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Add in coconut. Mix.

• Pour the blended mixture into the flour mix. Fold it in.

• Pour the batter into a greased and floured 13 × 9 × 2 inches pan and bake for 35-40 minutes at 180C.

• Whip fresh cream with 1 tab icing sugar and 1 tablespoon rose water till thick

• Slit cake down the centre, fill with whipped cream and sprinkle freshly grated coconut

• Decorate with flowers and a dusting of icing sugar

• Enjoy!

NANDO’S COPYCAT MEAL

Cooking and I have a sort of love-hate relationship. Some days, I’ll be very happy to whip up a whole meal and not break a sweat, other days it’s physically torture. Once in a while, I do have the job of whipping up a whole meal for my family and my go-to is always a copycat of a takeout. Just once I would like to tell my kids, “We have Nandos at home!”

Nonetheless here is my copycat Nandos meal, with grilled mealies, spicy rice, mixed vegetables and lemon and herb chicken.

To see more of my culinary journey, follow me on Instagram @cupcakes.and.canvases

Nandos Chicken

(Adapted from Cafe Delights website)

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 kg chicken pieces

1/3 cup oil

1 cup Nandos lemon and herb sauce

4 tbsp Nandos Wild Herb

2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp Inna Parman’s Green Onion

1/2 tsp mustard powder

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tsp red masala

1 tsp garlic

1 tbsp brown sugar

METHOD

*Mix all the ingredients in a large dish, cut slits into the chicken pieces and leave to marinate in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Grill the chicken until nicely charred and baste with leftover marinade. (To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, baste it with marinade and place in the oven at 180°C for 20 minutes, ensur ing that the chicken is covered i.e. with foil)

Nandos Rice Recipe

INGREDIENTS

11/2 cups rice

1/2 tsp turmeric/arad

1/4 tsp lemon pepper

2 tsp salt.

METHOD

*I mixed all the above and cooked it in the rice cooker

RECIPE TIME

Braise the following separately:

1 onion

1 green pepper cubed

1 tsp spice for rice

Salt to taste

Tweaks by @hrns_cuisine

1 carrot cubed small

6-8 green beans sliced thin

1/2 cup mixed red, green and yellow robot peppers (as opposed to 1 green pepper)

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

A good sprinkling of Inna Paarman green onion, garlic pepper & Cajun

1 tsp garlic

I braised in butter and olive oil or vegetable oil.

Once Veggies are braised mix with the rice and serve with saucy chicken strips.

Mealies

Cut the mealies as desired and boil with salt

cooked, remove from water and baste with lemon and herb sauce and place on grill

Mixed Vegetables

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup mixed vegetables

1/2 of a small white onion

1 tsp salt

1 tsp green onion

1 tsp lemon and black pepper

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Cajun

4 tbsp oil

METHOD

Heat

(If

CONTRIBUTORS

Dia

has self-diagnosed logorrhea and often finds herself in precarious situations because she lives by the principle, “No regrets.” Hence, most of her life is lived in anxiety, but like, in a good way? Dia is a trainee Doula and wellness coach with a passion for mental and sexual-health advocacy. You can reach her @douladia on Instagram or email via douladia@gmail.com

AJ

is an educator and graphic designer. She’s all about empowering women and believing that the power of compassion can change the world. When she’s not behind a computer screen, you can find her dissecting Arabic poetry or day-dreaming about being the lady in the lake from Bly Manor. Email her on aaishahjamal@icloud.com or DM her on her Instagram @aaishah_j

Rizwana

As the saying goes “a little cupcake never hurt nobody”. Rizwana is a baker and bibliophile from a small town (village) in Botswana. She is currently studying Computer Science with the University of London. To see more of her baking and reading exploits you can follow her on Instagram @cupcakes.and.canvases and @rizwana.jpeg

Faheema

is a student currently doing a BA in Psychology. That being said, she loves discussions surrounding any topic such as mental health, human rights, and fictional characters. She also enjoys reading, writing and obsessing over fictional worlds. Should you wish to contact her, feel free to do so on her Bookstagram @fictionalfay or her Twitter @kazoo_brekker

Meemz

is a daydreaming artist and cosmetic chemistry student. She loves experimenting, calisthenics, lots of tea and sometimes talking in the third person. You can find Meemz on Instagram @faerieformulae or email aamina202@gmail.com

WHAT IS SHUKR, HUBB, SAKEENAH?

We are an online sisterhood based on the principles of support and creating a safe space for our Muslim femme. We have Halaqahs, do self-development work and grow together in a space of unity and love.

To get in touch, contribute or donate to future projects, hit us up on our socials!

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