Bang! Screech! Whiz! Boom boom!

Fireworks marking 12:00am, January 1st 2006 of the christian calender.

This time 4 years ago was one of the best times of my life - I was doing tawaaf around the Ka'bah...

..*sigh*...

In other news, 1st 10 days of dhul-hijjah begining soon (or have they already begun?) - don't forget to fast for some extra cha-ching! (ajr, innit...and forgiveness for 2 yrs worth of sinning - consult the ahadeeth below).

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Abu Qatadah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, "Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it. Fasting the day of 'Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it."
[This is related by "the group," except for al-Bukhari and at-Tirmidhi]