Salam alaikum!
This post is a bit behind the times but you can blame all that on my computer! The power switch has some electrical problem and lots of random jabbing and tampering might occassionally turn on the computer. I know, I know! I should get it fixed and inshAllah, I will, as soon as the Eid holidays are over...
...which reminds me - Eid Mubarak! May this blessed Eid brings lots of joy and peace at heart to everyone! This Eid was celebrated with solemnity and less dash than usual because of what happened in Pakistan on Oct 8. Nobody really was up for even preparing for Eid this year... the markets registered only 30% sale compared to the previous year. I could vouch for that! When I went to the bazaar across the road, a week after the tragedy, just a few quiet shoppers were visible while the shopkeepers themselves made no attempt to invite you to check out their displays. Much later however, the shopping picked up (sadly, it did develop momentum) and eventually, I could see that the Bazaar finally closed for Eid holidays at 4:30 am on the night of Eid!!!
All we did this Eid was attend two family get-togethers/parties at my Mamoos' (maternal uncles') homes. My maternal relations here in Karachi are such that our internal gatherings are frequent while the interactions with friends, etc. are fewer. This means that you'd usually find one Mamoo visiting the other, one Khala (maternal aunt) visiting some Mamoo, etc. My point is that we cousins get to see each other so often that the special occassions aren't very extra-ordinary! Ofcourse everyone's all dressed up and the food is great! Another plus point, there's no formality, and that means we have extra fun! :P
I've been wondering about this a lot lately - I haven't been writing enough at my blog! And I also feel now that I'm defeating the purpose of a blog by not writing what is on my mind... by writing less and on restricted topics, I feel like I'm setting limits for myself. It isn't fulfilling. Thus, you'll see more posts from now on, inshAllah.
Lately, I've become very, very interested in Da'waa (invitation to Islam)... so much so that I've decided to make it my ultimate goal, inshAllah, after Medical school. I know Da'waa for a Muslima cannot be taken up in the way men do (visiting far flung areas and full-time interaction with the Non-Muslims) but interactions on daily basis with colleagues or through the internet are very convenient. These days, I'm trying to understand the logic that atheists come up with! I've been asking them questions online to learn about what makes them believe that their "existence just IS" (according to one atheist from Germany).
I also bought a basic book on Judaism to begin my library on Comparative Relgion! Also, to equip myself with the Quran as my basic guidebook, I've started making notes of references and categorizing the various ayaah to make it easy for me to quote them to anyone, anywhere. These are not even the basic steps, I know... formal education will have to follow but till that, I'd like to use my time effectively in these activities. I'm very impressed by the likes of Dr. Israr Ahmed, Dr. Zakir Naik and I hope I become a doctor and follow in their footsteps, inshAllah!
The fact is that the rewards a Da'ee (person who invites to Islam) reaps are so blessed and wonderful that I think the only reason I'm eager for Da'waa is because I'm being greedy here. :S Still, true peace of heart, I feel, would be such that comes from knowing someone's heart has turned to Islam, inshAllah! Please pray for me that I may be successful in my endeavours!
We keep forgetting that time is just whizzing by (I no longer like to use the term "slipping by", it is obsolete considering the current speed of time) and that very soon, teenagers would become adults and this middle-aged people... and finally the elderly. Already I am nineteen! Nineteen years of life gone away, most of innocent youth behind me... there's this horizon of possibilities and precious time to use with care. It's like I'm about to invest a big amount of money and I need to be careful where to I do it - there's one chance, one life, one test and one result.
My increasing turn to Islam and the spirituality that is immersed in it also comes from being exposed to so many un-Islamic things. The state of the world and the related state of Muslims is tightening like a noose around my neck. On the night of Eid, I was actually depressed that Ramadan was over! It was because I knew that most Muslims would have now abandoned their five-times prayers ("Ramadan is over!") and the religious atmosphere would dissipate entirely for the whole year! It pains me most to see my immediate relatives - my maternal Uncles and most cousins completely care-free in matters of Salaat/prayer but quick to debate and argue over simple aspects of religion. The so-called "Modern Muslim" feels it sufficient to say "Ma'shaAllah" or "Insh'Allah" and secure his or her Hereafter. Would that Allah would make all my relatives mindful of their five-times prayers and offer them in congregation! That would be such a sight for the eyes!
I could go on and on on that topic and no doubt, you'll hear more from me about that in the coming times. I've got to mention one thing here... my father gave us a BIG BIG BIG Eid gift on the day of the last fast during our chat on MSN. He asked us whether we'd be ready to perfrom Hajj together this year?! Alhamdolillah! My head has been occupied with that ever since! We had planned to visit S. Arabia in the last week of December anyway and since we'd be there we could easily go off for Hajj in the first to second week of January. We'll go by road insh'Allah from Tabuk to Madinah, and from then onwards, join a Hajj group for the pilgrimage!
My parents have already performed Hajj but I was only three at that time so I remember nothing about it. Hajj was always this thing I'd go for one day, probably after marriage. But Allah opened this little window of time right in the first weeks of Medical school, in the year that we plan to leave S. Arabia! SubhanAllah! The winter season is a big plus point. I've started gathering practical tips on Hajj to make my Hajj, inshAllah, the best I can manage!
About Medical school, well, I gave one admission test for the Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) on the 30th of October, last Sunday. Alhamdolillah, with the little time I had spent preparing for it, my test was very good and I got 90% after negative marking. I attribute this success to Allah and to the peace and calm He bestowed upon me without which I wouldn't have been able to keep my head. Again, it reaffirmed my belief in the notion that the more time you spend for Allah, the more you benefit in every matter! You've just got to be patient and tolerant. To reduce study time and take up the Quran, some people might say I should speak for myself, but that's our problem! We hesistate to try it out! Believe me, it's 101% true. I actually realise now the meaning of the Dua "Allah, make good for me my wordly life and made good for me the Hereafter". They go hand in hand.
The merit list for KMDC will be announced on 14th November. That's for Dentistry but my focus has shifted to MBBS suddenly so now, the test for Dow Medical College (DMC) is very important. That's on the 13th of November, it was pushed forward by three weeks because of the nation-wide relief efforts for the quake. I have a week to complete my preparations. Wish me success in which is best!
Loooong post but I had many things to write about.
May Allah bless your life with peace and prosperity!
Salam alaikum!
Take a hint! Comment! :P
2 comments:
A long post indeed...
When will your family make a trip to Canada? Almost all of the khala's and mammu's have been here at least once (excluding Taab Jee, Anjum Mammu and your mother). Either way, a trip for Hajj is a worthy trip.
Mashallah, that you've decided to take upon daw'ah work. It's very important and necessary in today's times. It's also important to bring Muslims closer towards Islam when we have many turning away in favour of "modernism". May Allah (SWT) make it easy for you in your endeavours. :)
Eid Mubarak!
While the method of da'wah between men and women do differ, the responsibility is on both of us. Actually, the role of women is especially important, since they have better access to educating mothers and people who will eventually become mothers. Assisting them in learning about the deen is tantamount to educating a whole generation. May Allah reward you and assist you in your efforts!
My brother, who has effectively given his life to da'wah, was able to almost singlehandedly change the whole environment in Lucknow, India with my maternal cousins. Before, very few would even pray even though there was a masjid literally across the street whose adhan would be heard in our home; now the masjid is full with my cousins, and all the women are punctual on praying at home. It really just takes one person who has the right intention and is willing to undergo some hardships for change to be made. The other important thing to keep in mind is that one must be really patient, and not expect results right away. Sometimes, things will change immediately; sometimes, it will take years. It is not us who will deliver the results in the end, it is only Allah who can effect the change. But when Allah uses us as the means for such change, it's really a great blessing.
Congratulations on the opportunity to go for Hajj. My brother and sister-in-law will be going as well insha-Allah. Make sure you've done a lot of reading before going, and talk to people who have gone before for more details. I kept a detailed journey of my experience this year on my blog; just poke through the archives for January and February and take a look when you get a chance.
Eid Mubarak again!
Post a Comment