2
…The Girl Ran…
“Don’t run after her,” the mother said, holding her arm out to stop her four year-old son from running after his little sister.
She knew that if he began to chase her, the little girl would only run faster and further, and with the road not far from where she was, she could see the possibility of the girl running into the road.
And so the mother stood, cautiously watching the girls moves, hoping that she would know that Mummy’s not in the mood for playing, and that it was time to run back to her to get into the car. But the little girl ran on, and then her mother saw it: her slight jerk to the right… where the road was.
A surge of adrenaline rushed through the mother’s body as she made a dash for her daughter. Every ounce of energy threw her forward in a high-speed sprint, because she had just seen a yellow car turn the corner into the road. She ran, with fear propelling her forward, and just as her daughter ran onto the road’s surface, she grabbed her back in a dangerously quick jerk.
Then all was still: the car, the mother and the daughter. In her arms, grasped tightly to her chest was her daughter. Alive, well, and crying from the shock of the ordeal. And so too the mother began, as a well of emotions spilled forth uncontrollably. She held on to her daughter, but her legs gave way and she sunk knees-down to the ground, crying profusely.
She’s alive, she thought, and with that, she submitted to the One Who deserves full submission, and there, on the pavement she prostrated to her Lord, crying thanks to Him, for saving her daughter… sparing her from such a tragic end.
Emotions of gratitude, disbelief and shock overcame her all at once, and she remained there, crying thanks to her Lord, humbled by His Might, and regretful for not being more grateful to Him before the incident.
“Allaahu akbar,” she weeped, “Allaahu akbar kabeeraa.”
All praise is due to Allaah who had surrounded me with sisters when this happened, who reminded me of His Power that overrides our lives. I love those sisters for the sake of Allaah. And I especially love the sister who sent me a powerful reminder that evening on my phone.
Hope your ordeal has strengthened your love for Allah, and keeps you repentant. And for myself.
… and may Allaah make me from amongst those who truly love Him, and from amongst the most repentant. And you too. Aaameen.
~ Umm Junayd.
22
Simply… Beautiful…
I simply love these aayaat from Soorah ash-Shu’araa` [26:75-85] (interpretation of the meaning):
He said [Ibraheem ('alayhis-salaam)]: “Do you observe that which you have been worshipping,
“You and your ancient fathers?
“Verily! They are enemies to me, save the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists);
“Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me;
“And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me;
“And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);
“And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense,”
My Lord! Bestow Hukman (religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) on me, and join me with the righteous;
And grant me an honourable mention in later generations;
And make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight;
… especially:
“Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me;
“And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.
“And when I am ill, it is He who cures me;
“And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again);
“And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense,”
… now watch and listen…
May Allaah not disgrace us on that Day and forgive us all our many sins, aameen!
~ Umm Junayd.
18
A Great Lesson Learnt
Last weekend, Allaah granted me the life, time, money and support to attend one of the most mind-boggling, exhilarating, intense and exciting lectures I’ve ever been to: AlKauthar’s third London course, The Real Deal. It was a potent course on the fiqh of business transactions - a topic that sisters accused of being ‘boyish’, but is probably more applicable and important for sisters due to our spending power.
A great rainbow of sisters (and brothers) attended the two-day course and I felt a great sense of sisterhood amongst so many sisters who varied in complexion, height and weight. However, there was one sister who I immediately felt drawn to, not out of pity, but out of awe and admiration. She was a wheelchair-bound sister with evident physical disabilities. Naive preconceptions clouded my mind upon seeing her: how would she benefit from the course?, I thought stupidly; may Allaah forgive me for such an ignorant thought!
During the first of our many tea breaks, I walked past the disabled sister on my way to pick up some biscuits for a sister, but before I knew it, I found myself in front of the disabled sister - who I’ll name Maryam - giving her salaam. I congratulated her for making the effort to attend the course and I will never, by the Permission of Allaah, forget her response (paraphrased):
“I’ve got things good. Allaah has made things easy for me. Here I am, I have been able to get an education, I have support, but there are people worse off than me. At least you can see my disability; there are people who you cannot see their disability. If you look at the people around the word with disabilities, they are not given a chance to prove themselves, although they may have the intellectual capacity. Alhamdulillaah, Allaah has given me the opportunity. Please make du’aa for me.”
Know that before she had finished, the dam hidden behind my eyes had broken its seal; I simply could not hold back the tears.
Yaa ‘Ibaadullaah - Oh servants of Allaah - what is stopping you from seeking knowledge? What is it that is holding you back? Don’t give excuses - you are able bodied, mashaa`Allaah, but yet you make excuses?
