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My favourite thing in the whole wide world - my cat.

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Because I love candles, candle lanterns & experimenting with my camera.

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A picture I took just after having a conversation with this homeless man. He was a part of the recent homeless camp set up in Manchester town.

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Frankincense in its natural form, just after being cut from the tree that it grows on. I bought a bag full from Oman - the place I was studying Arabic for a year - before returning back to the UK. It gives off the nicest smell once burnt! I’m pretty sure that it contains natural calming properties because burning this stuff brings about calm and relaxation to a whole new level.

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Polygamy and Objectification

Madness. I've only just written the title and yet I can already feel the tension building up. Being the wimp that I am, I'm already questioning whether I should carry on writing, or whether I should just call it quits out of fear of being labelled, mocked, or being perceived in a not so good light. I know what many of you must be thinking – especially the girls –  “is she seriously going to put herself in the firing line like that?”

Well the answer is yes, yes I am.

Before I properly get started though I want to put something out there, not for a second am I denying that polygamy has been prescribed for men in Gods law, and nor am I arguing against it – not at all. I am fully aware that polygamy is lawful for men in the religion that is Islam, so please bare that in mind but please also bare in mind that just because that is so, doesn't mean that I have to like it and accept that for myself, surely? Secondly, I'm not talking from an Islamic perspective, I'm talking merely from the heart, you know, like humans do?

So now I've gotten that out of the way, in all honesty, the issue of, and talk surrounding polygamy has bothered me so very deeply for a long long time – especially recent talk –  but by nature, I'm one of those who keeps thoughts and feelings cooped up inside. Just for a second, picture a chicken with shackles attached to its fragile little legs, caged inside a suffocatingly small metal container of some sort, that's how I feel when the topic of polygamy comes up and I curb my tongue –  I feel like that chicken. Maybe that wasn't the best of analogies, but you get the picture.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for open discussions on pretty much anything, including polygamy, but when discussions (and by discussions I'm talking about the action or process of talking about something maturely in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas) spiral into pure folly, immature conversation, as well as impolite and unmannerly jokes, that's a problem.

Wherever I go and wherever I look, all I see, hear, and read, are impolite jokes and conversations on polygamy – on Facebook, Twitter, in lectures and at islamic events, so much so, that it makes me as an individual, as a woman – with feelings might I add – objectified. I, being from amongst the female species you are referring to and as one of your possible second, third, or fourth wives apparently, feel as though I'm being looked at as but an object to be acquired – a mere commodity. That's right. Clothes aren't the only things that objectify women.

“It's alright bro, you can always find yourself another one”

“I don't need to tell her I'm taking a second or third or fourth wife”

“Marry one for beauty, the other for piety, and the other just because why not?”

'Another ONE?' Sorry?

It may not appear to be much of a big deal but it's the principle of it. I enjoy a good joke, I really do. Believe it or not I have a sense of humour and I crack jokes though they may be cheesy and contrary to your taste. Often I make fun of myself and am also quite often made fun of but just like with most things, there are certain lines that shouldn't be crossed, or at least certain boundaries that people should be mindful of. Joke but joke in good taste, laugh but laugh in good taste. It is not but from sincerity that I fear joking about serious matters such as polygamy (and all other serious things for that matter), is a means of establishing offensive and loathsome norms, which in this case are the likes of objectification –  though it may be unintentional –  'women are commodities to be acquired,' gradual but legitimised acting upon outright carnal desire without any attempt to control it, discipline it, channel it, or master it, as well as making a mockery of His law.

Without a doubt I've always thought that regularly making fun of, or joking about serious matters, facilitates for society to become passive, apathetic, involuntarily acceptive, accustomed to and lax in approach concerning a thing which shouldn't be treated in such a manner. What I'm trying to say is, we should be more mindful about the way in which we approach things, especially where it concerns women and especially where it concerns His law. Women are humans just like the male species – though sometimes it seems not – we have hearts emotions and feelings, we feel pain, we feel sorrow and we weep too.

I'm thoroughly tired of being the butt of what seems to be a universal joke amongst men. I'm thoroughly tired of being perceived as a commodity – another option and I'm thoroughly tired of those trying to push and establish the norm of polygamy in places that polygamy isn't the norm. Likewise, I'm tired of those trying to legitimise their participation in polygamy under the pretext and guise of some incredibly noble reason, when in reality, we all know deep down inside, that that isn’t the case. Let's not beat around the bush and sugarcoat the situation now.

I'd be telling a lie if I was to say that we as women have no part or blame to share in this whole thing though. Women it seems, have allowed for this apathetic, passive, and acceptive approach towards distasteful talk of polygamy and just sheer distasteful talk concerning women. What has become most apparent over the past couple of months, is that women allow for themselves to be walked over and disrespected, and that's not okay. If you hear or see something distasteful concerning you, pull it up and question it – nip that stuff in the bud! I'm not advocating the questioning of polygamy or God's law for heavens sake, I'm simply advocating the use of concern, inquisitiveness and astuteness where things concern you.

I guess I've said what it is that I wanted to say in the shortest way possible. Am I the only one who feels like this? I can't be surely? Anyway, I'll bring this post to an end by saying: I hope to God that I don't get inundated with hate! I don't think I will though considering I have about 50 followers, half of which are ghost accounts anyway. Any-who, till next time!

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When life gets tough, buy yourself the Egyptian Musk Yankee Candle and stick it in a fetching candle holder. It works wonders - seriously. 

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How To Be A Down Right Rubbish Blogger

So basically, in light of my painstakingly long, and just plain wrong inactiveness on Tumblr, I thought that it would be rather suitable for me to write about: how to be a downright rubbish blogger as my first written piece back – since after all, I am an expert in the field. So that's right, I'm going to go ahead and give you advice that you should probably most likely never ever take on board if you want to become a successful blogger. You're welcome.

Create a blog with a rubbish theme

So if you're signed up to a blogging site that allows you to get a little funky and creative with the aesthetic side of things – don't. You want to make sure that your blog demonstrates absolutely zero personality or individuality, you simply cannot afford to appear interesting or 'different' – what ever that means – in any sense of the word. That being said, stay completely clear of any tools and settings that will attractively enhance your blog. Forget about adding an aesthetically pleasing profile picture of yourself, and don't even bother with a header – waste of time. A plain white background accompanied by regular thin black lines to outline various columns and sections will suffice. We want to be as minimalistic as possible.

Blog about things that no one cares about

This one works really well, (except for if you're already quite the catch in the universe of blogging, in which case this won't apply to you) you can thank me later. Write blogposts about:

1. Your day

2. Your family

3. Exercise

4. Your pets

5. Your pet peeves

6. Religion

7. How to better yourself

8. Healthy eating

9. What you ate for dinner

10. Work

11. Morals and etiquette  

12. The meaning of life

13. Why you should listen to your parents

If you was to earn a pound for each time someone rolled their eyes and ‘bye-scrolled’ (yes, I totally just coined a new word) past a blogpost related to the above, you'd be filthy rich – in which case I guess there would be more of an incentive for people to follow my advice. Anyway...

Use poor grammar

This is a golden piece of advice. No one likes poor grammar, (even if they have poor grammar themselves) so use it. Use apostrophes incorrectly and semi-colons in unnecessary places. Using 'your' and 'you're' interchangeably is utterly crucial.

Disappear for months at a time

Out of all the steps that take you on a journey to becoming a rubbish blogger, I think this is the most important. The more inactive you are, the better. Disappearing for months – or even years at a time –  gives the impression that you are unreliable in delivering blog-worthy content to all the hungry blog-eaters out there, which means the ratio of followers to unfollowers will equal to: - 209847302 followers. In other words, for those of you commoners who aren't very math-savvy, you will lose bags full of followers.

So there you have it blog-eaters, four effective steps –  that might I add have been tried and tested –  to guarantee you a very very high chance of becoming a down right rubbish blogger –  a successful one at that though. The speed at which you will become successful in this definitely depends upon how well established you already are as a blogger; of course if you have a couple thousand followers, success will take a little longer to achieve with all your fans being passionately attached to you and what not, but don't despair, perseverance is key. If you're not that well established a blogger, then success should be much more prompt.

May success be with you, till next time!

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A picture I took at Spring Lodge Retreat - a spiritual retreat -  based in Nottingham. Below is a short excerpt taken from my lesson notes: 

“Scandal in this world is not to be feared because it is temporary, and all in this world must come to an end”  

- Habib ‘Ali

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My Korean / Hispanic Arabic Language study buddy who speaks 4 different languages. Arabic will be her fifth once she’s fluent. 

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The beauty that is Al Hamra in Oman. 

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On my travels. 

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The Oman Desert Series.

Spending time in the desert brought to realisation that I need not search for Him as such... As if to infer that I shall never find Him - because He is everywhere I look. In absolutely everything.

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salam dear friend, hope u r well and ur results too went well. When are u leaving for Oman? Stay blessed and happy. Your blog is lovely. khadija. :)

ALAYKUM salaam! Alhamdullillah how are you?! Insha'allah I will be leaving in October. I hadn't seen this message until just now, I didn't receive a notification. Check your email, I sent you an email about a month ago. So lovely to hear from you Khadija, I hope that you are in the best of health and imaan Insha'allah. 

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Birds Of The Sky

  Trespassing habitually upon foreign terrain is to you but custom, yet no amercement is bared, nor are you compelled to vindicate the likes of a criminal or the falsely accused. I am convinced, had you the chance to convey few words, it would be a mirthful chant of scope.

So free you are, so very free, the likes of the tent dwellers, the wayfaring desert nomads to which the shackles of permanence was but a tale untold, to which brick and mortar was but deprivation of a home. Tis the one with a home who is without a home.

Perhaps, with those diminutive eyes of yours you have seen that of creation which no man knows?

Perhaps tis so, of your kin is a bird whom alighted upon the very roof of then well versed Bahira - whose zealous credence in the forthcoming of a Messenger was devout.

O birds of the sky, O you who have sampled the multifarious airs of the worlds within the world, cognizant you are of creation.

Their commiserations upon us, for whilst only in folks dreams most frolicsome and chimerical, can he ascend towards and into the obscurity of the clouds and descend and ascend yet again sequentially. Only in folks dreams most frolicsome and chimerical, can he escape the very most farthest periphery of sedentary life and for that, most indubitably would I peck morsels of sediment and make from it a meal.

Author: Kaamilah Ahmad

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MONTHLY STREET FEEDS: COME ALONG!  The Blessed Hub are to be holding a monthly street feed to serve our homeless and vulnerable brothers and sisters (regardless of colour, race, religion etc) of Manchester, this Saturday 29th June at Oxford Road, opposite Pizza co, All Saints Park. Meet up between 7 - 7.30PM to set up. Everyone is encouraged to come with a dish. The Blessed Hub team will also be joining volunteers to serve the food in and around Manchester. Please spread the word and get involved for the greater good of the world ♥ :)

For further detail visit the links below. www.theblessedhub.co.uk/homelessfeed | www.theblessedhub.co.uk/foodbank

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Why Am I Running Towards Your Love Yet Running Away From Your Love?

The bewitching melody of an inward wail for unity with the unseen and the whimsical thirst for fortitude continues. Veiled is the intermediary hand cluthing my heart within its very palms - its fingers uprooting it, calling out to it: 

"Hayya Bina, Hayya Bina!" (Let's Go, Let's Go!) I extend a hand and with urgency, it comes, hastening, scurrying, scrambling, to scoop me up and carry me away but I withdraw my hand out of cowardice. Why am I running towards Your love yet running away from Your love? Or maybe I like to think I am running towards Your love, fooling myself with a fanciful imagination and baseless, fallacious words - when reality dictates, I am seeking refuge from that which I claim to be seeking refuge in. Running towards a myth, towards the fabrications of a self-made jurisdiction.   A province of failure and spiritual bankruptcy. No-mans land - a land for the lost souls and the faint hearted.   Do not let my heart turn to stone and become fickle, or my soul become weak, starved or barren. Teach me to cultivate the fruits of fidelity. Teach me how to love You again and again.   Take me by the hand against my will, or I fear I may never give myself unto You still. For how can I claim to have given myself unto You, when I cannot begin to fathom the correct way to love You.

BLOG: http://theblessedhub.co.uk/blog

Author: Kaamilah Ahmad