Sing children of the world

Nasheed by Dawud Wharnsby Ali

Wise words

This was written by Baba Ahmad while in prison. You can read more about him here.


“Life is a book with many chapters. Some tell of tragedy, others tell of triumph. Some are dull and ordinary, others intense and exciting. The key to success in life is to never stop on a difficult page, never to quit on a tough chapter. Champions have the courage to keep turning the pages because they know that a better chapter always lies ahead, because with Allah all things are possible.”

This is Who I am?

Salaah @ Malls





I recently went for a short, splendid weekend visit to Pretoria. I was pleasantly surprised to note that two of the malls I had visited, had Salaah facilities for men and women. (No more performing Salaah in fitting-rooms!) I was especially thrilled by the Musallah (fondly referred to as ‘J.K.’ =Jamaat khana in South Africa) in the Menlyn Park shopping centre.WOW! It was certainly the best I’ve ever visited, its interior design was spectacular and made me feel as if I was in some posh Muslim country abroad (interesting too, is that the embassies are based in Pretoria and so there’s many foreign Muslims visiting Menlyn). It even has toilets catering for the needs of Muslims – awesome!

A big “Thank You” to the Muslim community that were part of building this Musallah in one of the most convenient places ever.





 

















No more excuses for missing Salaah whilst shopping!

What would you do in this case? (Number 2)

You take your Qur’an to a public place (e.g. university) and neatly place it on your desk. Moments later, your close, non-Muslim friend exclaims “wow! Is this your ‘bible’?” and subsequently picks it up with a somewhat sense of awe. Besides informing her of the correct name- Qur’an, do you:

(more than one option may be chosen)



   A. Scream out “Don’t touch! Not for infidels!”

   B. Let it be (say nothing) – it’s part of being a tolerant Muslim.

   C. Allow her time to place it down and then explain why she should refrain from touching the Qur’an again.

   D. Label your Qur’an with a “Do NOT touch. Unless you’re a Muslim in Wudu” sign.

   E. Other (please specify).

Superiority complex or Inferiority complex

I went shopping today (yay!) and I saw some Muslim sisters (yay! again). Now, when you see Muslims in Bloemfontein – it’s something to be very excited about because unlike most of the other South African cities, the Bfn Muslim community is very small (though it is growing). Getting back to my story – I looked at them and attempted greeting them. But, I was unlucky enough not to get even a smile back in return! Okay, I was only trying to practice on the Hadith (to the effect): “Spread Salaam amongst yourselves”. And if you don’t want to greet its fine with me - I had three other totally strange Afrikaner non-Muslim ladies greet me. I thought it was supposed to be part of Islamic culture to greet other Muslims but it seems that not everyone likes to practice this. Bad thing is that the one who was trying to initiate the Salaam is left standing with a bit of a shocked expression and half-spoken words.

On this topic of greeting – have you ever had the experience of trying to greet fellow (female, in my case) Muslims especially from the African continent - and they just walk past you? I feel somewhat insulted. I don’t know if it’s because they think they are superior or inferior to me? WTH, we’re all the same and hey, I’m technically African too! Maybe I’m misinterpreting their lack of reaction but I as far as I know its Waajib to reply to a Salaam. 

Please let me know

Salaam 'Alaikum!

I added a Feedjit gadget.:) I think one of the best parts of blogging for me is seeing the different countries that visit my blog. It just gives me such a thrill to see Pakistan, India, Italy, UK,USA and the latest Czech Republic (eish, I didn't know where that is) listed under 'stats'. However, I've noticed that since I added the Feedjit gadget - my denim background has totally disappeared, & is replaced by plain white. I have NO idea how and why that happened. Please let me know if it's the same for you - or is there just something wrong with my network connection?

Update (16 Oct. 10):

It seems that my background disappearance condition was self-limiting. My blog has fully recovered from its day of total pallor. :)

10 Lessons: why it’s worthwhile to live on your own

These are in no particular order.


1. When your cupboard looks empty it’s generally not because of a lack of clothes nor because you forgot a bag at home – go check the washing-bin.

2. It is good to make use of ‘Energade’ (any plastic) bottles – reuse them at least once then throw ‘em away; forms a significant reduction in washing drinking glasses.

3. Unanticipated sleep sessions are always useful. Try the couch or even the floor.

4. There are two ways to clean your place:

    a. The ultimate thorough clean-up where you leave no place untouched. (excellent, but time-consuming and ensure you’ve left time thereafter to recover from exhaustion)

    b. The top-top style, where only the most important aspects are dealt with – the rest is covered up.

5. Remember to purchase :

    a. A slightly larger bin – the small ones get full too quickly.

    b. A ladder – changing light-bulbs when you can’t reach them is both futile and dangerous.

6. Never, ever, leave your bed undone – that’s the day someone will come to visit.

7. Laughing aloud or smiling to yourself suddenly is not a sign of madness.

8. Samoosas taste extra special at midnight. Just fry them quietly lest you wake your neighbours up.

9. If something breaks no-one needs to know right then.

10. By the end of it you become:

     a. An expert pest-controller; nothing is frightening anymore. You will receive specific training in running around with a ‘Dyroach’ tin and you also realise the Pyrethroid works well with other creatures too (including mice – that’s a first-hand report from my sister!).

     b. An experienced handy-man, any minor electricity or plumbing problems are no more stressful.

     c. An ‘easy-to-please’ person, tea/coffee without milk is now actually very tasty. In addition, childhood ‘I hate that’ dishes are in fact particularly pleasing to eat when you go home. Expect to be reminded about how you so used to hate that.

     d. Well aware of all the ingredients on items you use often e.g. Nando’s sauce, Butter, Mayonnaise etc. Any changes and/or comparisons are immediately noted.

Update on the Taliban (and me)

The following is an extract from the Christian Science Monitor (27 September 2010):

“The Taliban reportedly claimed responsibility for Sunday's kidnapping of a British aid worker and three Afghan colleagues in Kunar Province in Afghanistan, and have proposed a prisoner exchange for the Pakistani woman sentenced to 86 years in prison in the United States last week.”

In a weird sense, I actually admire the Taliban’s effort in strongly displaying their support of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (dubbed ‘Lady al Qaeda’). The commander, Mohammad Osman said: “We are lucky that we abducted this British woman soon after the ruthless ruling by an American court on Aafia Siddiqui,”

What do you think? Are their kidnappings justified?

On a totally personal note: I gladly agreed to feed my neighbour’s pets (fish and birds); but was entirely distressed this morning; when the canaries refused to get back in the cage! There were three in one cage and they kept taking turns going in and out. You can understand my frustration when my calling “birdies, birdies” “foodie, foodie” was not successful. I even tried the Afrikaans – but I think they either got frightened or couldn't recognise my version of it because it didn’t help! So I just sat. And allowed them to taunt me until after about 20minutes they got bored (I think) and decided food was more important.

[Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy feeding pets but I was just afraid since I am responsible for these adorable little creatures:]   

There are two of them atop a curtain rail :)

Holidays are over

Yes (sigh) , once again I am back in my study-town, I feel like this lone umbrella except that in Bloemfontein we are just a little too far from the beach. :P

On a more insightful note, I read this amazing little quote on this blog and thought I should re-post it: “He is only called man (insaan) because of his forgetfulness (nasiyaan) and it is only called the heart (al-qalb) because it changes so rapidly (yataqalib)”.

Anyway, I guess I should be on my way because I am writing a test on the cardiovascular system tomorrow, and I feel totally unprepared ATM. Insha’Allah, all the spot questions will be asked!

**Bint Mahmood is experiencing post-holiday laziness**