Take it or Not...???

The fifteen dirhams was just lying there on the counter. Noone was looking at it. And noone had noticed its existence. The McDonald’s staff was too busy with the customers to realize that it was un-attended to. Me and my friend just looked at it. Then looked around us to see who it belonged to. Noone was interested. Then we look at each other. She suggested how easy it would be to reach for it. I said yeaaa its easy. Just reach over and pretend it belongs to you. Or maybe we can place this hundred dirham note over it and pull all the notes back together. Noone would know. Or maybe we can claim the money to belong to us and place our order, since we haven’t ordered yet. The money was drawing us towards itself. Our eyes moved in a fixed pattern - the money, the customers, the staff, then each other. It was just enough for a whole meal..

And then suddenly all attention turns to the fifteen dirhams on the counter. It was confused to belong to another guy who was ordering, and he said it wasn’t his. Now the lady at the counter is completely puzzled. Where did the money come from? She looked at me, and I said it was already there on the counter. She said Ohhh okay.

She paid the guy his change (excluding the fifteen on the counter). Then she waved the fifteen dirhams at us and asked, what was your order ma’am? Me and my friend exchanged glances again. Glances that said, what shall we say?

Both of us together went, it was there when we got here. We have no clue who it belongs to. It was on the counter when we got here, not our money. And then she said Ahh okay. She kept the money aside until the owner of it showed up later.

What a relief that there was an owner for it...else, what a waste of money...lol..

Why I Hate Summer....

The coming of summer means more sweat-drenched clothes, and more stinky people around you. Also, more money spent on deodrants, which is one of the reasons why people tend to go bankrupt.

All girls dread the coming of summer. Their poor sensitive skin. One second of sunshine, and next thing you know, they're all crying about the rash, sunburns, tans, and how some people start merging into the black night sky more now. Again, rush to get more sun-screen lotions. Bankrupt again?

Affecting both guys and girls equally, however causing chaos more-so in the minds of girls is what happens to the face. Oily skin is feared by all. Then there come the pimples sprouting as though it were the season. The pain that it causes is still tolerable. But what about the ugly marks they leave behind? Hence, the reason for deep cleansers, toners and moisturizers. Should I say 'bankrupt'?

Then of course, there is one more reason to add to the list of 'why I have become more lazier than ever before'. Its so hot outside that the rubber slippers have melted and become squishy. And so prefer the nice, comfy and cooler 'indoors'. Reason why malls are more crowded in summer?

Not to mention the fact that its harder to turn the steering wheel while driving back home for lunch, without sustaining a few burn marks. Although it is during summer that more petrol seems to be used up. Why is that so, you may ask? The reason is simple. Preferance to drive to the shope that is a 2 minute walk away, due to the heat. Also, preferance to stay inside the car longer with the AC turned to 'full' rather than open the door and face the gush of hot air.

Which reminds me of how much 'extra' electricity gets used up during summer beacuse the AC in all the rooms is running all day. People would much rather pay the extra bill than walk into a hot room.

This probably isnt much of a problem, but the fact that I am more thirstier in summer is annoying. I carry a small water-bottle to class, and so I have to keep re-filling it every now and then.

Finally, I would like to comment on the fact that people prefer to wear less clothes during summer. Its pretty obvious why. But its not a very pleasant sight to the passer-bys.

The Sick and Deceased...

Couple of fast points.. backed up by compressed Hadith..

It is sunnah to visit a Muslim Brother or Sister who is ill..
Hadith:
When a Muslim visits a Muslim brother who is ailing, he remains among the Khufrah (fruits) of Paradise till he returns from his visit. - Muslim
When a Muslim visits an ailing Muslim in the morning, seventy thousand angels invoke blessings for him till the evening. If he visits in th evening, sevety thousand angels invoke blessings for him until morning. And he is alloted an orchard of fruit trees in Paradise - Tirmizi (weak Hadith)

Upon receiving news of misfortune.. or when misfortune has befallen oneself, one must say the following..
"Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Raje`oon" (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return)
followed by this supplication..
"O Allah! Make good the loss in my misfortune (make recompense) and grant me something better than that which I have lost."
- Muslim

Regarding shedding tears or crying over news of someone's death or any other misfortune..
"Listen! Allah does not punish for shedding tears of grief of the heart, but punishes or forgives the utterance of this." Pointing to his(saw) tongue.
- Bukhari and Muslim

It sunnah and highly recommended to join in funeral prayers and processions. However, women were not allowed to accompany funeral processions. Also a Hadith (Bukhari and Muslim) says that this prohibiton was not strictly enforced.
In fact it was said, the larger the gathering, the better. "If as many as hundered Muslims join in funeral prayer for a person and all of them pray to Allah for his salvation, thier recommendation would be granted." - Muslim

It is highly recommended to bury the dead as soon as possible.
"Be quick in burial of the coffin. If he is virtuous and good, hurry him to good. If otherwise, lay down evil from your necks." - Bukhari and Muslim
However, it is permissible to delay the burial in case of sudden death to ascertain the cause of death.

Also, it is important that the close relatives of the dead pay off his debts..
"The soul of a deceased beleiver remins suspended (from his entry into heaven) till payment of his debt." - Tirmizi (weak Hadith)

Also, there are 3 things that can benefit a person after his death..
"After death of a person, his actions stop, save 3 things.. one being continuos charity, second - knowledge that provides some sort of benefit, and third - a virtuos son who prays for him."

Also, be good to the people around you.. here is why..
"Hazrat Umar(ra) said: Prophet(saw) said: Allah will admit a Muslim into heaven whose good deeds are affirmed by four people. When asked about 3 people, he said : even 3 people. When asked about 2 people, he said: even 2 people. He was not asked about 1 person."

Regarding children who die before puberty..
"A Muslim whose 3 children died before puberty will enter paradise by the grace of his children. The children shall be like a shield for the mother from Hell fire. And the fire of hell shall not touch this Muslim." - Muslim

Too Late????

Has it ever happened to you that a certain incident makes your life flash within seconds before your eyes? And you realize how little you have achieved? Well, it 'just' happened. I shall refrain from mentioning the exact incident. But it was pretty much what usually happens. The disheartening news of someone's death. Millions die everyday, yet it does not affect our lives. However, when we hear of the passing away of someone we know, we talk to everyday, we smile at, we look upto, we see everyday... the case is different, isnt it? The thought that you will never see that face again, you will never hear that voice again, you will never see that smile again...is scary? disturbing? Indeed it is. Makes us realize how little value there is for all that we do in this world. If I die tomorrow, this post I am writing is of little value to me. 'Literally' of no value actually. I shall not benefit from it.
I realize how little time I have. In fact I might have no time. My pleading shall not stop the angel of death from pulling my soul away from my body, because my time is up.
Every step that you take, take it with fear. With the fear of your time being up.
May Allah Guide Us All. May We All Be Guided By His Light. Ameen.

Random Thoughts..

Had an extremely terrible viva today. One like I havent had ever before. I felt like an idiot. Or more so Dr Kasturi made me feel like one. She is so lost, she doesnt know what she herself is saying and neither does she have any clue what I am saying. You have to repeat the same thing 7 times before she gets it. She made me repeat my history to her 3 times and she still forgets what i said and keeps thinking that I missed stuff in between. Urrrghhh!

Success - What is it really?

Again in today's lecture Tahir Khalid, he asked the audience "What is success according to you? When I ask you to name a few successful people, who is the first person that comes to your mind?". After having said this, he pointed to one of the guys sitting in the audience. The guy said "Bill Gates!". Tahir laughed. "Did you all hear that? He said Bill Gates. I dont blame any of you. It is how you have been taught and you have been made to beleive. You have been made to believe that if you have earned both money and fame in this world, you are successful."

Unfortunately, and sadly this is very true. Each one of us is made to beleive that success lies in the hands of those people who have managed to make money and fame. Why do we beleive so? Is it really success?

We fail to realize our true purpose of existance, when we try to reach for these meanings in life. However, it is also true to understand that one cannot do without these worldly gains. One cannot survive without them.

The secret to true success is to be able to balance the two. Live your true purpose (serve Allah) and also work for your selves.

Its not very easy to reach it, its not very hard either. The only tool that is necessary is the 'Will'.

Little Things That Dont Matter?

Today we had a talk by Tahir Khalid. He is a pretty nice guy. His concepts are nice and most of his answers are very stead-fast but at the same time witty. Its always nice to have a combination of seriousness and a good sense of humor combined together.

Something he said today, I found extremely touchy and new. Something I havent heard from many. He had his 2 and a half year old son with him when he came to give the talk. He said the reason was, that he wanted to his son to experience all these different kind of environments. He also said that he wanted his son to remember all the environments that his dad had been in, and experience all the work that his dad was doing. He also said that his son is probably too young to remember all of it. But he will definetely remember some part of it.

And I thought that was very sweet. The way he was thinking was very sweet. MashaAllah. that kid will grow up to be just as successful or even more than his dad. InshaAllah. The kid was extremely adorable.

Random Thoughts...

aaahhhh... the releif after exams are over. But the problem is, that exams always manage to spoil my sleep. I tried making up for my lost sleep. But in vain. *sad* My head feels heavy, my eyes feel like they've been over-worked and I'm hungry 24/7, not to mention thirsty. And also, I'm never in a mood to go back to sleep, rather I need to watch a movie. However, I dont think we have any more movies. I think its time to start on the 'begging' again. hehe. Oh well, its time for me to leave anyways.

Western Teenage Girl - Why do I wear Hijab?

An insightful and personal account of why a Western teenage girl would reject the 'wonders' of fashion, and want to cover herself in the hijab (veil).

I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a “rebel”. I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of “oppressed female”. The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: “Do your parents make you wear that?” or “Don’t you find that really unfair?”

A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such a controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harboring an Uzi machine gun underneath it! Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear a hijab. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today’s society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewelry, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this?

Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today’s society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being “checked out”? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me.

I am first and foremost a human being, one of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is “in” or “out” . And if you have the “wrong” body type, well, then, you’re just going to change it, aren’t you? After all, there is no way you can be overweight and still be beautiful. Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer, and more attractive than average, and dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the 90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats to vomit and overweight adolescents hanging themselves.

When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don’t give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say no comfortably when people ask me if I feel as if my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality. I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose / gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin color. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them.

So next time you see me, don’t look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshiping female captive from those barbarous Arab deserts. I’ve been liberated

Homeopathy-not a good alternative?

Me and 2 of my friends had a 'huge' discussion about whether or not homeopathy is actually effective. Me and 1 of my friends say "yes, homeopathy is indeed very effective.".... whereas the 3rd one amongst us said "no, homepathy doesnt work at all."
I personally believe that homeopathy is a relatively 'old' method of treatment, however, very little research was done in this field. Which is why I would label it as a still 'emerging' branch of medicine. I have seen several cases being treated through homeopathic medications, when allopathy failed.
My friend said "I can take a culture plate and a drop of allopathic medication can kill the bacteria on the plate. Can you do the same with homeopathic medications and prove its effectiveness to me?"
Allopathy and homeopathy work in 2 different ways. And I recently found out that they have opposite effects.

Allopathy works by opposing the disease. That is, it tries to counteract the disease. For example, in case of allergy, it acts by suppressing the immune system.
Homeopathy works by inducing the similar effect as that of the disease. I am not very sure myself how exactly it works. But supposedly the homeopathic medicines are all shook in a special manner. The particles gain kinetic energy and this energy coincides with that of the body tissues. This then induces the same effect that the disease produces. Homeopathy believes that anything that causes disease in itself has a cure. That is, the poison that affected you, can also cure you, with certain manipulations.

Its weird, but it works. Not everything is curable by homeopathy (just like not everything is curable by allopathy). But even then, some of the disease that have been declared in-curable by doctors has been cured by homeopathy.

Also homeopathy side-effects are minimal.

Then again, it is in the end a matter of choice. Some people totally refuse to believe in homeopathy (be it a life and death situation even!). Whereas some live only on homeopathic medicines.

Population Explosion???

On tuesday alone, I saw 6 deliveries and I had to 'stop' attending to the rest because I had some other urgent work to do. While I was leaving, there were 4 more ready for labor. Also there were another 4 in the first stage. I had never seen so many of them ready at the same time (mashaAllah). And the best part? All of them happen to be boys. *shock*. Of all the 20 or so deliveries that I have seen only 2 of them were girls. That is definetely not coincidence.
Today, again there were 4 ladies in labor. woa! That is definetely a 'lot'. I guess the fact that the government hospitals raised the charges is in favor for the growth of our hospital. *cheers*