| by Shabnam M. |
You may have not heard the name, but you probably have heard of her sons, Musa (A) and Harun (A), both who were prophets.
Not much is known about Yukabid. All we know is that she was a brave believing woman.
At the time when Musa (A) was born, the Pharoah had commanded that all Israelite baby boys must be killed. This is because a fortune-teller had told the Pharoah that one of these boys would destroy his kingdom.
Too bad (or should I say, too good?) the Pharoah missed one little boy, the same boy that brought justice to Egypt.
Yukabid, all the while, was hiding her newborn son. She hid Musa (A) for three months! Then she realized that if she hid Musa (A) any longer, he would be killed.
This is when Yukabid's bravery comes into play. She set her own baby son in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile river. Fortunately, the basket floated to the Pharoah's palace, and the queen named Asiyah kept Musa (A) as a son. She did not know that Musa (A) was an Israelite.
Yukabid also had another son, Harun (A). Both Musa (A) and Harun (A) became prophets when they were older.
Yukabid bint Lawi was certainly a great woman. We should all look up to her bravery. |
I sink my teeth into a wedge of watermelon,
Hoping this moment will never end.
The sky is a pale blue,
And the clouds distinctly remind me of spun cotton candy.
I take a swig of lemonade,
Trying to be cool like everyone else
Until I realize with chagrin that trickles of the beverage
Are dripping off my chin.
The flowers bathe in the sun,
Absorbing plenty of vitamin D.
My gear-shifting brain recalls that man is most ungrateful,
By saying a sincere dua to Allah,
Thankful for experiencing the moment I’ll never live to see again.
This artwork is supposed to show four elemental pictures (fire,water,the simplicity of earth, and greenery).
|
|
by Khawla S., 16, Alabama |
These photos were taken with a Sony Cybershot DSC-F828.
|
| by Shabnam M. |
In the December 2008 issue, we published an article called "9 Winter Health Tips". Summer can also be harsh to your body! Here are 9 good tips on staying well during the summer.
- Keep fit! Just because there's no more Phy Ed doesn't mean you don't have to stay fit! Play outside! Run around! Exercising will help you become healthier, and hey, you might even get a better time on the mile run in the fall!
- Drink a lot of water! Yes, this was also in the winter health tips, but it is important! Water keeps you refreshed and cool.
- Shower regularly! Summer is dusty, sticky, dirty and sweaty. Its important to stay clean for prayer, and sometimes wudu just doesn't cut it.
- Wear sunscreen! Don't expect to get tan. Many people get burnt rather than naturally tan. Even if you have dark skin, you should still slather on some sunscreen. Without it, you may even get skin cancer.
- Wear sunglasses! Sunglasses aren't just for style. They help protect your precious eyes from the sun's harsh UV rays. Plus, you don't have to squint at everything!
- Stay cool! Staying cool during the summer is hard for us Muslim girls, because we have to dress modestly. Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing. Just make sure it isn't see-through!
- Get sprayed! (with insect repellent) Yes, we know it doesn't smell the best, but you don't want those little pests biting at your skin! Mosquito bites itch like crazy!
- Eat healthy foods! Fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates are important to keeping yourself health risk-free throughout the summer!
- Keep your brain healthy! Read and be creative throughout the summer, and your mind will be fit, too!
With these 9 tips, you be safe and sound the whole summer! |
|
| by Shabnam M. |
In the June 2007 issue, an article named 10 Things to do This Summer was featured. This year, there are 10 MORE things to do.
1. Volunteer!
Volunteering counts as zakat! Whether its at your local library, cleaning up trash in the park, or helping the elderly, volunteering gives you something to put on your college resume! For more volunteering ideas, read this article in the July 2007 issue.
2. Read!
Has your brain ever felt over-exhausted when you go back to school in the fall? That's probably because you didn't stay sharp over the summer. Read a lot of books, so your brain gets some exercise too!
3. Find a new hobby
Summertime is the perfect time to spend on a hobby! Whether its scrapbooking, knitting, photography, jewelry-making, or anything like that, hobbies are a great way to let out your creative side!
4. Help in the Kitchen
Your mother (or father!) always needs help in the kitchen. It could be filling the glasses with water before dinner, wiping the table clean, or even helping with the frying, baking, boiling, and cutting!
5. Spend time with your Family
Since you're not busy with school, its time for some family bonding! Go on vacations, picnics, to the amusement park, or just make your own fun at home!
6. Try to Learn Something New Every Day
The word "learning" might make you groan, but learning is much more fun than sitting in a classroom. Make a "What I Learned Today" notebook, and jot down anything new you learn. By the end of summer, you can look back and see how much you have learned!
7. Increase Your Faith
Since you don't have to concentrate on schoolwork, what better time is it to work on your spirituality? Summer is the perfect time to get closer to Allah. Read more Quran, whether in Arabic or an English translation. And don't forget your prayers!
8. Explore!
Put on your adventuring hat and explore your house and yard! You may find things that you have never seen before! If you have a yard, you can jot down the different plant and animal species you see.
9. Plant a Garden
Planting a garden will never make you bored throughout the summer. It can be a family project, or just your own! For tips about planting a garden, read the article in the April 2009 issue.
10. HAVE FUN!
Summer is all about fun! Make sure you have enough by doing everything on this list! |
|
