You've always been on a journey. Whether it's to to grocery store or to the other side of the world, there is a risk that you may not return home. This dua will keep Allah protecting you on your travel.

Bismi-llahi majerha wa mursaha. Inna rabbi la-ghafuru-r rahim.

With the name of Allah be its sailing and its anchoring. Surely my Rabb is indeed Protector, most Rewarding.
(Hud 11:41)

Every Muslim has heard of Nuh (A) and the great flood. It was during that time that prophet Nuh (A) made this dua. Even though the journey was unsafe, Nuh (A) had strong faith upon Allah (swt). Allah (swt), the most Merciful, heard his prayer and gifted Nuh (A) with a safe sailing.

Even though this might be about Nuh (A) 's travel on a boat, you should recite this dua whenever you step onto your car, a bus, an airplane, or even a ship itself. Since you never could know what could happen during travel, we should count on Allah (swt) for protection and safety.

What ice cream flavor are you most like? Find out by taking this quiz.

1. In your free time, you are mostly found...
a) being creative...writing, drawing, etc.
b) hanging out with friends and family
c) reading a book in a quiet, comfy area
d) just relaxing
e) trying out new things
f) Free time? What free time? You have too much stuff to do

2. Where would be your dream vacation?
a) the beach, of course!
b) going somewhere new every time!
c) having fun at a relative's house
d) the mountains. They make such a beautiful scenery!
e) hiking, camping, boating, sky diving, you name it!
f) In a famous city

3. Your favorite subject in school was...
a) art/music
b) language arts
c) reading
d) science/math
e) phy ed.
f) history

4. You'd describe your sense of style as...
a) sweet and girly
b) a mix of everything!
c) comfortable
d) sporty
e) totally unique!
f) modern and stylish

ADD 'EM UP!

Take note of your answers and compare them to this chart to see how many points you get.
1. a)1 b)2 c)3 d)4 e)5 f)6
2. a)1 b)2 c)3 d)4 e)5 f)6
3. a)1 b)2 c)3 d)4 e)5 f)6
4. a)1 b)2 c)3 d)4 e)5 f)6

1-4 Points: Strawberry! Pink and sweet fruits are always symbols of girls like you!
5-8 Points: Chocolate Chip! You're just a mix of everything. You are always happy and glad to be you!
9-12 Points: Vanilla! You are the classic vanilla! Sometimes its good being plain!
13-16 Points: Mint! You are cool, calm and relaxed. You are mint!
17-20 Points: Chocolate! You are a daring, risk-taking girl, which makes you as dark as chocolate.
21-24 Points: Butter Pecan! You are so mature and adult-like, the only thing that's stopping you from being grown-up is your age! But that's not a bad thing. You're intelligent, too.

What ice cream flavor did you find out you were? Send your answer to us at muslimag@gmail.com!

For some reason, my friend Amirah's sister Nasirah is always laughing or giggling. Whenever I go to Amirah's house, Nasirah is giggling. Listen to this:

It was a sunny July day. I decided to go to Amirah's house. Amirah and I were picking wildflowers. When I bent down to pick a pretty, pink blossom, Nasirah burst into laughter. Amirah stared at her.
"What are you laughing at?" Amirah asked.
Nasirah giggled, "Nothing." Amirah and I exchanged glances.
We went inside and put the wildflowers into a big vase. It was nearing lunchtime, so us three girls sat down at the table.
When Mrs. Ibrahim, Amirah's mother, put a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Amirah's plate, Nasirah started laughing...again! Then she coughed a few times.
"What is so funny?" Mrs. Ibrahim asked. Nasirah shook her head and giggled.
Later that day, I went home at sunset, just in time for Maghrib. I decided to find out why Nasirah always laughed.

***

Do you see what I mean? Amirah's family and I are getting annoyed by Nasirah. that's why I want to play detective an find out what's going on.

***

A few days later, Amirah and I were dressed in our detective outfits (which were actually old hats, sunglasses, and Amirah's dad's old winter jackets). We also had out notepads, magnifying glasses, and tape to tape down the evidence. We were ready to solve the case!
We watched Nasirah for a while, taking notes. She mostly laughed, coughed, or sneezed (Nasirah had a cold).
After we recorded Nasirah's actions, we ran downstairs. We were feeling really hot, so we flipped off the jackets. We took off or hats and sunglasses.
"So, what did we find out, Amirah?" I asked.
"Sorry, agent Lulu. Mission unsuccessful" Amirah answered disappointedley.
"Oh no!" I exclaimed. "But we NEED to find out why she laughs so much!"
"Nasirah!" called Mrs. Ibrahim. "Time for your medicine!"
Nasirah came up to her mother. "I don't need that medicine," said Nasirah, "because laughing is the best medicine."
Amirah and I burst into giggles. Now we knew why she laughed so much! She thought it would make her heal!
"Nasirah, where did you learn that?" asked Mrs. Ibrahim.
"On TV. Daddy was watching a comedy show. That's where I learned it."
We all laughed. Mrs. Ibrahim said, "Laughing may be the best medicine, but it won't cure your cold!"

***

I finally figured out why Nasirah laughed so much. Nasirah had stopped laughing every minute that day, but she still giggled when something is funny. That 7-year-old makes me laugh!

Are you really bored this summer? I mean, REALLY bored? Do you need something to do? Knitting is the perfect way to spend your time, and you'll be doing something productive instead of sitting on the couch watching TV.
But wait, do I even know how to knit? you ask yourself. The answers vary. Whether you know how or not, you can always start a new project.
If you don't know how to knit, this article is for you!

1) Learn HOW
The most important thing about knitting is that you need to learn how to do it. There are many websites, books, and videos all about knitting for beginners. Check a book out at the library. Look for books with LOTS of illustrations, photos, and easy explanations (see below).

2) Choose your MATERIALS
So now you can knit. But before you can start, you need to know what you need. Go to your local yarn/knitting shop. If you don't have one, you can always get materials at a craft store. Choose your yarn carefully. From your knitting book, they will probably explain how to choose your yarn. Notice the color, texture, what it's made of, and the thickness.
Next, choose your knitting needles. Needles come in various thicknesses and lengths. A foot-long needle is good for beginners, and US 8 or US 10 size needles are the best, too.

3) Start IT
You have your knowledge and materials, so say "bismillah" and cast on your first stitches. Think about what you are going to do. There are many possible projects:

-scarves
-hats
-bags
-shawls
-sweaters
-etc....

Beginners should always start out with a one-color scarf. The easy thing is, you don't have to do anything but knit! Handy, right?

4) FINISH
You've worked hard. And you think you're finished! From your book, read how to bind off. Once you do that, it's ready to wear! Alhamdulillah!

Editor's Pick: I learned to knit from my aunt, but when she was not with me, I used this book to check what I was doing was right. I'm sure this book will help you a lot. It also contains how to crochet, too! It includes hundreds of illustrations and photos!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting Illustrated (third editon)
by Barbara Breiter and Gail Diven
published by the Penguin Group

Tornadoes tearing up lives
Fires running wild with heat for a head boil
Hurricanes and rains sending too much floods to the eyes
Lightning slicing through the heart
Earthquakes shaking you apart
Volcanoes making the blood flow fast

But is there a way to stop this

There is a part in which the light sends a blast
Where the flowers love to bloom
Where the winds feel like heaven with no gloom
Where the goals would reach a prize
Where the ground is made with fresh soil
People with many strives

I guess there is a way to stop this