Marble Chocolate Muffins!

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Heeeyyy! Back again for some more recipes specially for you :) So anyway, a best friend of mine WhatsApp me, saying that she had baked those chocolate chocolate chip muffins I've posted and complimented that they were delicious! I was definitely on cloud nine! -laughs- Then, I thought of sharing more recipes and she was like agreed on my suggestion 100 percent! Yeah, without her very helpful support, I wouldn't be able to post this entry. So, thank you Tera! ❤

Now, up next is Marble Chocolate Muffins! I think these muffins are my latest favorite of all. My whole family LOVE them sooo much so that's why I thought of sharing them with you. A word of caution: It was a little tricky but if you just follow these steps one by one, In Shaa Allah you will be having them for your breakfast or tea party for sure! ;)

So here are the ingredients!

Marble Chocolate Muffins

Ingredient A

• 1 and 2/3 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredient B

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted

Ingredient C

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

Ingredient D

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 cup buttermilk*
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract (essence)

Ingredient E

• 1/4 cup (32g) unsweetened cocoa powder

Method

1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and grease up 12 muffin cups.

2) Sift Ingredient A twice.

3) Whisk Ingredient B and C in a bowl until creamy. Put the bowl in the fridge for about 1 minute.

4) After about 1 minute, take out No. 3 and whisk it in Ingredient D.

5) Whisk until the batter is extremely thick.

6) Transfer 3/4 cup of the batter into another bowl.

7) Add Ingredient E into No.6 and add in 1 tablespoon of milk. 

8) You will have two bowls: vanilla batter and chocolate batter.

9) Spoon 1 tablespoon of vanilla batter into muffin cups, then pour 1 tablespoon of chocolate batter on top, then more vanilla batter on top. 

10) Swirl the batter using a toothpick to make a pattern. 

11) Bake the cupcakes for approximately 20 minutes.

* Buttermilk is pretty expensive. You can make your own by pouring 1 cup of milk and 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Let it sipped for half an hour. 

There you go! Pretty tricky huh? Well, like they always say, when there's a will there's a way! Remember to follow these steps ONE BY ONE! So, goodluck baking! 

Here's the pictures!

Look delicious huh? What are you waiting for? Grab a whisk and start baking! -laughs- ;)

Goodluck!

The Beauty of Salam: Did You Know?

Assalamualaikum wbt...

"Whoever commences Salaam is very close to Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad" 

Said the Holy Prophet,  narrated by Abu Umamah

About 97% Muslim and Muslimah that I've met always come across this one particular problem. For example, I stumbled across a friend of mine. Let's just say her name is N.

Me: N, my mother sends her salaam to you.

N  : Oh, really? Well, waalaikummussalam.

Okay, yeah I know there's nothing peculiar about it because most of you did this, right? Well, allow me to enlighten you what is the meaning of this beautiful greeting.

Assalamualaikum= Peace be upon you

Waalaikummussalam= Upon you be peace

Now, let me share with you this hadith:

A person from (the tribe of) Banu Tameem narrates from his father who narrates from his paternal grandfather that he arrived in the presence of the Holy Prophet and said, "My father sends salaam upon you."

The Holy Prophet replied, "Wa Alaika Wa’alaa Abeekas Salaam (Peace be upon you and your father)." Imaam Abu Dawood, Nasai and Ibn Sunni have narrated this.

According to this hadith, our Holy Prophet  already taught us how to reply to a third person's salaam. Instead of Waalaikummussalam (Upon you be peace) {which we've done every time}, we should actually say Wa'alaika wa'alaihassalam. It actually means Peace be upon you and her.

Okay, I'll give you this one simple situation regarding this virtues of Salaam. I hope it will enlighten you easily.

If the sender of salaam is a boy and the one who wants to give salaam to you is a boy, you should answer: Wa'alaika wa'alaihissalam.

If the sender of salaam is a girl and the one who wants to give salaam to you is a girl, you should answer: Wa'alaiki wa'alaihassalam.

If the sender of salaam is a girl and the one who wants to give salaam to you is a boy, you should answer: Wa'alaiki wa'alaihissalam.

If the sender of salaam is a boy and the one who wants to give salaam to you is a girl, you should answer: Wa'alaika wa'alaihassalam.

Note:

Ka= sender of salaam is a guy(awak lelaki)

Ki= sender of salaam is a girl(awak perempuan)

Ha= giver of salaam is a girl(dia perempuan)

Hi=giver of salaam is a boy (dia lelaki)

I hope the bold letters might help you. It is sunnah for those who gives salaam but it is WAJIB for those who answers/commence it.

Nasai narrates from Hazrat Abu Hurairah that the Holy Prophet said, "There are rights of a Muslim over a Muslim: Responding to salaam, visiting the sick, following the bier (A platform upon which the corpse rests), accepting an invitation (to a meal) and blessing a person who sneezes."

Trust ❤

'Surely, Allah loves those who place their trust in Him'

 [Surah Al-i-Imran(3):159]

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Greetings! It's been a few days I haven't posted anything here. Yeah, I've been procrastinating a lot nowadays and it has been weeks too for not touching the piano. O'Allah, where are all my spirits? Astaghfirullah! But, Alhamdulillah, my mood has returned eventually after performing Dhuha prayer. In Shaa Allah, this will give benefit to Ummah :)

Now, I wanna talk about Trust. With a capital T. I asked Mom about it and she was like "What trust, dear? Don't you think it's too general a topic?" I pondered for a moment, but to be honest there's nothing to ponder about for I already have a type of trust in mind. First things first, I wanna thank my dear good friend who gave me this inspiration. She was the one who gave me the idea of sharing what trust really mean. It had been a few days ago to be exact and I haven't had the courage yet to write about it. My apologies, my dear friend! May Allah bless you with sharing such inspiration to me. May my efforts here give you reward from Allah SWT. Amiin! :)

So, allow me to narrow the scope, to the most precious and beautiful trust of all: Trust to Allah SWT. In every stage of life, there's always happiness and also sadness. Sometimes we feel lost and alone, deprived by the very thought of knowing there's nothing here in Dunya that lasts happiness forever. It's hard when you fake a smile, laugh and seem to have a good time, but deep down only Allah knows your heart shatters and cries. Seems familiar to you?

In Surah Al-Fatihah, don't you know there's an answer to this situation? As we recite regularly to our prayers, 17 times at most and not counting the solat sunat every day, 'To You Alone we turn, and You Alone we ask for Help' [Qur'an: Chapter 1, Verse 5]. You see? Instead of turning your deepest problem to your family and friends (not that I discourage you not to seek their help since musyawarah with them also helps a lot) how about sharing them with Allah SWT? Allah says in the Qur'an: 'And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me- indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me' [Qur'an: Chapter 2,Verse 186] Subhan Allah! His Mercy, His Compassion, His Kindness and His Favors! You will find serenity and tranquility in your heart whenever you turn to Him. In Shaa Allah. We just have to remember that Allah tests us and we should just have to trust Him and be strong. 

For example, you are not completely satisfied with your SPM result. You turn around and see all your friends with their lopsided smiles with VICTORY shines in their eyes. You feel sad and disappointed in yourself. Stop! Dhikr and remember Allah. Think! There must be a REASON Allah gives you that result because everything happens with a reason behind it. Feel! If not now, maybe tomorrow? Maybe next week or another months or another years. Or better yet, in Jannah? Do not lose hope, because Allah says 'do not despair of the Mercy of Allah'[Qur'an: Chapter 39, Verse 53], so expect the best from Him. 

My good friend gave me this ayas and I feel it is a responsibility to share with you. Allah Himself says 'these will be given their reward twice over, because they are patient, and repel evil with good, and spend out of what We have provided with them'  [Qur'an: Chapter 28, Verse 54] Masya Allah! Good will come to those who are patient. ^^

Last but not least, fear Allah alone and have hope in Him. I assure you, you will fly in places you never thought you could. Have faith! In Shaa Allah, Allah SWT will always be with you :)

'The heart is like a bird: love as its head, and its two wings are fear and hope'

 [Ibn Al Qayyim Al Jawziyyah]

Whispers of the Heart

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Heyy there! Alhamdulillah, lately my home has been blessed with rain. It was cool and relaxing here so this afternoon I took a short nap which was really refreshing and rejuvenating! I am sooo relieved not to be able to wake up with strands of hair plastered against my face with sweat and my whole torso was drenched in heat! So, yeah I am so grateful for the gift Allah has shower upon us after the haze problem and continuous no-rainy days. Allahumma shoyyiban na fi'an. :)

Anyway, I already got my driving license last two days! Like finally! As soon as my hand clasped around the card that emits freedom, Dad went like "Okay, let's take a ride!" LOL! My jaw had dropped, I swear! So, I hopped onto the driver's seat behind the steering wheel of the MyVi, Dad took the passenger seat while Mom took the seats behind. When I was on the road, I couldn't help but feel so excited and scared at the same time.

We drove around the neighborhood at first, then when Dad gave his approval, we straight on went outside and I carefully took a circle around our nearby park. Then, after a few brief discussion, off we went to Giant. Mom complimented me that I got a good grip on the wheel and drove smoother than my older brother did. I grinned :D

That was two days ago. Yesterday, I went further to Taipan when we decided to have breakfast at Coffee Bean there. Achievement: we arrived there safe and sound. Failure: I had obtained 3 angry honks along the way. LOL xD But the thrill is still there. The thrill of driving finally.

Lately, I had been through ups and downs. How should I say this? I got to admit I really really suck in relationships. Friendship or relationship? Either one I guess. In short, I had hurt the feelings of my most favorite person in the world. Trust between us had slowly faded, leaving me utterly confused and alone. I tried to stay strong, trying not to drown and the only thing that keeps me on the surface is Allah, my family and a few of my good friends. Whenever I feel despair slowly trickling itself and eating bits of my heart, I quickly dashed into the bathroom, took my wudhu' and prayed. Turning to Allah when you're sad helps a lot and I mean it. I am so grateful when I became myself again after that.

One thing I'm absolutely sure: I will never give up.

Heavy talk aside, today is my older brother's birthday! Yay! ^^ he has turned 19 years of age. Wow, how time flies so fast! We're going to celebrate tonight with Choc Cheese Berries cake my mom and I had just bought from Secret Recipe yesterday.

Well, I think that's all from me. Here's some brief tazkirah:

Rain is one of the most beautiful gift from Allah after experiencing long duration of drought. During rain is also one of the most prime time to pray. So, do pray to Allah. In Shaa Allah, He will listen to your deepest wishes :)

A Message to all Muslimah ❤

Assalamualaikum wbt...

I found this video in YouTube and I think it might be useful for us, muslimah. To be proud for us to embrace the beautiful hijab, to cover us from the dangers from Dunya and grant us safety in Jannah. Subhan Allah :)

Water, I need Water!

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Hey again! Boy, what a hot day today, is it? And to think we have no rain for several days already, well I began to worry. The blistering heat is pretty much the reason I kept sweating like bullets now, even at home! Then comes the water rationing news. In my neighborhood and pretty much the whole country have to survive two days of water and two days without it. Mom and Dad are pretty worried since we have to buy a few buckets to fill up the stock of water at home. But whaddya know, a bucket already costs a fortune nowadays, due to drought and high demand for these buckets.

So, Mom and Dad thought of using the only buckets we have here and we hope it might lasts  for two days without water later. I, on the other hand, worried about our health now. With little amount of water to survive and the beating of the Sun's heat, precautions need to be taken.

Then, I found this piece of information that might be useful for us to survive the heat. First things first, we need to know the right important time to drink water. So, here it is:

Drinking Water at the Right Time: Maximizes Effectiveness of the Human Body

1. Glass of water after waking up- helps to activate internal organs
2. Glass of water 30 minutes before a meal- helps the digestion
3. Glass of water before taking a bath- helps to lower your blood pressure
4. Glass of water before going to bed- avoids stroke or heart attack

  Studies show 90% of heart attacks occur early in the morning and it can be reduced if one takes a glass or two of water before going to bed at night. Still, with this precaution in mind, we have to drink 8 glasses of water per day so remember that!

Plus, as the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctor away, fruits are also important in our daily meal. So, other than grimacing when finding one, I advise you to think of the benefits when one makes fruits as a favorite meal of a lifetime. So, what are you waiting  for? Grab an apple and sink your teeth in it!

To wrap it up, please take care of your health. Fi Hifzillah. Let us all pray for rain to wash away all these mishaps. In Shaa Allah :)

Allah SWT says...❤

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Hello again! So now I wanna show you this conversation between men and our Creator, Allah SWT. It touches me to the bottom and the core of my heart. I hope it makes you realize that Allah SWT is always and forever stay with us, through our laughter of joy and happiness and through our tears and cries of sadness and grief. Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah :)

I said: My sins are too many.

Allah said: "And who can forgive sins except Allah?" [3:135]

I said: Do not leave me.

Allah said: "So remember Me; I will remember you." [2:152]

I said: I'm facing a lot of difficulties in life.

Allah said: "And whoever fears Allah? He will make for him a way out." [65:2]

I said: I have many dreams that I want to come true.

Allah said: Call upon Me; I will respond to you." [40:60]

❤

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Hey again! Yesterday, I got this feeling to make or create something, you know. So, an idea struck. How about I bake something? Yeah, since I'm kinda bored eating homemade tuna sandwich everyday during evenings and slurping Nestum for that matter. So, as usual, I plucked out Mom's recipe book from a huge pile of dust-covered books underneath the drawer and skimmed for a particular recipe in mind.

There! Chocolate chocolate chip muffins! Aidan, my little brother will love this! So, exactly, 5:30 pm I arranged all the ingredients to bake these muffins on the kitchen counter, all the while with the recipe book lay ready beside them.

So, if you wanna try it out yourself, here's the recipe! It's kinda easy, you know. ;)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:

13/4 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup castor sugar (brown sugar for me)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh milk
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
3/4 cup of chocolate chips ( or make your own measurements!)

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degree Celcius and grease up eight muffin cups.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. In another bowl, stir together milk, egg, cooking oil and vanilla essence until blended. Make a well in center of dry ingredients; add milk mixture and stir just to combine. Stir in chocolate chips ( and nuts like crushed almonds or macademia nuts if you like ;) )

Spoon batter into the already-greased muffin cups. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center of one muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins to cool for 5 minutes.

Serve warm.

By the time it was done, I jumped when the bell rang. Diiinnnggg Dooonngg! Scurrying out from the kitchen to the front, it was Aidan! Imagine that, by the time I told him I've made chocolate chocolate chip muffins, his tired droopy eyes sparkled immediately as he threw his bag to the corner and streaked past me towards the kitchen.

I was deeply amazed when he ate 3 of these muffins for less than 10 minutes! Boy, I just love to see him eating so painstakingly. He must have loved and coveted these muffins. LOL xD

So, here are the pics!

 Goodluck baking!

❤

❤Beautiful Reminder ❤

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Today I come to you with a very simple act…… an action which we do every day……

I noticed many of us go to Rukuu or Sujoud and raise up so fast, some don’t even take the time to say "Subhana Rabi Al Adheem" 3 times…and say it only once!!!!

Well, I have good news for you today…… I have news that will make you from today onwards go to Rukuu or Sujoud with a different feeling and different timing.

The Prophet PBUH said: When a slave stands and prays, all his sins are brought and placed on his head and shoulders. Every time he bows or prostrates, some of them fall from him.” (Bayhaqi, Saheeh al-Jami’)

So from now on when you stand up to pray, imagine all your sins being placed on your head and shoulders and when you go on Rukuu and Sujoud, stay longer to lose as many as you can and picture them falling down and away from you. Understand the purpose of praying… this will help you concentrate …..
When you go to the position of Rukuu, feel and tell Allah with your heart that you will never kneel to anyone but him and picture those sins falling down.

And when you say "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears who thanks Him) and you say "Rabbana walakal Hamd" (Thanks to you my Lord) you are thanking Him for honoring you and making you stand straight not like the other creatures who walk on four with their back bent. Thank Him for making you able to move and pray.

When you go to the first Sajdah (you put your head down on the floor) you are representing the earth which you came from and when you get up after the first Sajdah you are representing the first time He created you from the earth.

When you go on the second Sajdah again on the ground, you are representing when you die and you go back to the ground and when you get up the second time you are representing the second time when Allah brings you back from the dead on the Day of Judgment, therefore, concentrate with every movement and feel it.

Make a lot of du'aa in Sujoud and remember du'aa is ibadah and Allah loves those who ask Him…ask Him and beg Him… complain to Him… you are better off complaining to Him than to humans….He will never betray you, He will never let you down, He will never look down on you and He is the only one who can answer your needs with your head held high.

Do you know the reason you say "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is greater) every time you move in a prayer?
It’s a reminder that Allah is greater than anything you might be thinking about from this world. So be honest when you say "Allahu Akbar" and remember He is greater than anything that is occupying your mind while you pray.

Do you know when you stand up to pray and say "Allahu Akbar", Allah stands before you and the minute your mind goes wondering on silly things in this life, Allah turns His face away from you and says (Is there something better than me taking you away from me?)

How lucky are we to have Allah meet us and stand before us 5 times a day, to listen to us and to our problems and to grant us our wishes and forgives us for our sins every day. You say "Allahu Akbar and He is there, you don’t need to stand in front of His door for hours or take an appointment or meet a mediator or a secretary, how generous is He?

Hopefully we will all from today pray differently and enjoy our prayers like never before In shaa Allah. Yaa Allah taqabbal salaatana... Ameen.

Copypaste :p Appreciation towards: My Whatsapp friends :)

Do we really love our prophet, Rasulullah SAW?

Assalamualaikum wbt...

These videos make me cry...ask yourself.

Who is your idol?

I hope these videos will give you the answer. In Shaa Allah :)

Ustaz Don ❤

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Help me, will ya? Spare another 2 minutes hearing this. In Shaa Allah, you might learn something from here. :)

High Class Love

Assalamualaikum wbt...


Got this video from a good friend of mine. It opened up my eyes to the world we call Love and how this video changes my perspective.

I hope it will cause us all to glance back and repent for the sins we have done.

Astaghfirullah Al-Azim.

In Shaa Allah :)

Comeback! ;)

Assalamualaikum wbt...

Wow! Look how time flies by. Whaddya know, I'm 18 already! Well, not officially 18 but still ;) -giggles- Look out guys, Deena's back! Babbling and yammering about how life is (well, to be honest, it's all boredom, boredom and BOREDOM!) but rest assured, I will try my best to keep posted this time.

So, what do I miss? Well, mostly what do my bloggies miss! So, questions, questions and questions! Let's start with this:

1. What am I currently doing now?

Well, to be honest, I'm actually waiting. Yes, waiting for the dread -drum rolls, cymbals clang- SPM result! Wow, gives me the shivers just by thinking of it! It's been four months already I've stayed in this lovely and beautiful place called home. Well, there's no other place like home after all (quoted by Dorothy in Wizard of Oz) but I could not deny the feeling of anxiousness (gag gag puke puke) of the looming  and dreadful deadline. Well, pray for me please and also for my lovely '96 friends! Amiin~

     2.   Errmm...that's it?

-laughs- NO, of course! I'm certainly NOT an old lady, waiting for death to come along (pardon the death pun). I also did all sorts of stuff like reading novels (MAJOR!), playing piano (procrastination is my dreadful enemy now), cooking ( struggling here), baking (chocolate muffins all the way! :) and now, blogging! I also tried to cleanse myself from sins -laughs- literally speaking, correcting my solat readings like Surah Al-Fatihah, Tahiyyatul Akhir and Surah Iftitah with the help of my partner. ;)

      3.  What motivates my comeback?

Well, mostly got to do with a friend of mine. Her name is Iman Syafiqah, one of the students in MRSM Taiping and one of my good friends. She starts blogging now and seeing her posts starts to bloom some inspiration which I begin to grasp and hold till I started to edit my blog and write a post! So, seriously thanks to her and a few other bloggies. My parents are among the motivators, insisting me to continue my writing. Well, I will try my best!

       4.   What novel am I currently reading now?

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. It is more to adventure, a little horror and fantasy. My kind of book. But, boy, look at the amount of pages! 722! I don't even reach half of the book! Well, I hope a friend of mine would patiently wait. I borrowed it from him, trading his with a book of mine. We're bookworms, see. Never fail to devour a book ;)

        5.   Latest  achievement?

Well, recently I passed the jpj driving test with flying colors! -laughs- I thought I couldn't make it on the first try. I've been pressured by the fact that all my girlfriends had to repeat the test, failing mostly at the hill and some on the road. Alhamdulillah, Allah has answered my prayers :) With the help of family, friends and my partner, of course! Without them, I don't think I'll taste the victory like I do now. But still, driving a manual car is (well, I don't think you believe it but) AWESOME!! The idea of gears and clutch is making me feel exhilarated with excitement! The clutch had been my best friend ever since, even the gears. Boy, have you ever feel the thrill when you're on the road, hearing the engines revved up and changing gears to a slow and sexy purr of the car? God, I love it!

❤

       Hmm...I think that's all from me. Will keep you posted for more. In Shaa Allah :)

       Toodles! XOXO~