I have been feeling quite unsettled these past few weeks, more so than usual, and I've pinpointed the cause of these feelings to my steadily approaching graduation date from university. Having spent almost 17 years in continuous education, I'm not quite sure how to live life without school.
The obvious next step after graduation is getting a job, but I really don't want a 9-5 monotonous job where the only thing that keeps me going is the thought of the approaching weekend and payday. They say to find a job you're passionate about, but let's be realistic, there are only so many jobs out there where your passion can provide a decent income. I'm sure everyone would love to be a professional photographer for the National Geographic's, but such an industry is incredibly limited in available opportunities. I'm afraid I'll end up in one of those administrative office jobs where I input data for the rest of my life, and I will slowly degenerate into a cranky old lady who complains about work everyday and talks for hours about what her cats did the other night.
Where will I find my satisfying job? I'm not really sure. Which is why I made a resolution (not that anything ever accrues from these resolutions). Nonetheless, my resolution for the future is that if I ever end up in a job that I hate, I will quit, providing I can afford to quit, which effectively means I won't be able to quit, which makes my resolution pointless. Okay, not the best idea, but if you really really disliked your job, and quit without having reassurance that you will find another job, would you risk being poor for the sake of your sanity?
I really don't know.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Story of My Life
Credit: Ryan Selvy at ryanselvy.tumblr.com/
Replace "party time" with "I have no clue how I just wasted x hours", and there you have it folks, story of my life.
Total time management fail.
Which reminds me, I should be sleeping. :P
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Something not so mundane...
It’s been a while since I’ve gathered the courage to contribute here...
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get my ideas together so what I say doesn’t sound like a rant...
AND
It’s been a while since I was called a racist name.
Yes fellow readers, indeed it is true. Welcome Mussafira to the current day and age where things are not necessarily what they seem...where appearances are often deceiving and where you should know better then to judge a book by its cover...
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of racism. I think living in the country and more importantly the city that I do, I’ve truly been blessed to have faced very little, if any such experiences at all throughout my childhood/teen years. This is especially significant, considering I’ve attended arguably some of the most Caucasian schools and classes in the multicultural metropolitan mega-city I call home. And perhaps what’s recently sheltered me away from any form of racism whatsoever is the extremely culturally diverse environment I found myself in for my undergrad. Here, the ‘visible minority’ was and is in fact the ‘visible majority’ as is happening in various cities across the world.
That being said, someone, somewhere and sometime ago told me that Racism is not very obvious, if you ever experience it, know that it’s actually quite subtle. For example, compare the following situation: being called DIRTY PAKI vs. Being the only one NOT invited to a party at work. No, no, that’s not a fair example, because oh wait, maybe they just ‘forgot’ to cc you on the invite email or maybe your email is still on its way. Better yet, maybe you’ve been there for only 6 months, so you’re actually quite the newbie and so yes OF COURSE the event co-ordinator forgot to invite you.
Maybe, but maybe not. Regardless, being called names is an OBVIOUS form of racism, whereas something like the scenario above could be a SUBTLE form of racism or a mere coincidence. Only God really knows. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, I experienced the former type of racism. Given the name-caller’s age and possible socio-economic status, it really did NOT surprise me, and I really should not have been effected at all. But truth be told, it got me thinking and I interestingly enough could not recall a single time in my life where I was discriminated against so openly like that (Alhamdullilah - all praise be to God). Perhaps what’s most interesting is that it happened in the very neighbourhood I have lived in for over 15 years. This neighbourhood, probably the only place I could ever call home, boasts signs of ‘Mosaic’ along the major commercial street, it has elected a city councillor who herself is probably a first or second generation citizen and many agree that it really is a truly multicultural area where most get along quite well.
So then why the name-calling? Should I be worried? Or will this young adult mature and become more professional and culturally-aware one day? Can I rationalize or legitimize his racial slur in any way?
Maybe, but maybe not. I guess only time will tell... In the meantime, I've been told that reminders are good for everyone, especially the believer, so here's a reminder for myself before you: "O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware." - Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get my ideas together so what I say doesn’t sound like a rant...
AND
It’s been a while since I was called a racist name.
Yes fellow readers, indeed it is true. Welcome Mussafira to the current day and age where things are not necessarily what they seem...where appearances are often deceiving and where you should know better then to judge a book by its cover...
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of racism. I think living in the country and more importantly the city that I do, I’ve truly been blessed to have faced very little, if any such experiences at all throughout my childhood/teen years. This is especially significant, considering I’ve attended arguably some of the most Caucasian schools and classes in the multicultural metropolitan mega-city I call home. And perhaps what’s recently sheltered me away from any form of racism whatsoever is the extremely culturally diverse environment I found myself in for my undergrad. Here, the ‘visible minority’ was and is in fact the ‘visible majority’ as is happening in various cities across the world.
That being said, someone, somewhere and sometime ago told me that Racism is not very obvious, if you ever experience it, know that it’s actually quite subtle. For example, compare the following situation: being called DIRTY PAKI vs. Being the only one NOT invited to a party at work. No, no, that’s not a fair example, because oh wait, maybe they just ‘forgot’ to cc you on the invite email or maybe your email is still on its way. Better yet, maybe you’ve been there for only 6 months, so you’re actually quite the newbie and so yes OF COURSE the event co-ordinator forgot to invite you.
Maybe, but maybe not. Regardless, being called names is an OBVIOUS form of racism, whereas something like the scenario above could be a SUBTLE form of racism or a mere coincidence. Only God really knows. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, I experienced the former type of racism. Given the name-caller’s age and possible socio-economic status, it really did NOT surprise me, and I really should not have been effected at all. But truth be told, it got me thinking and I interestingly enough could not recall a single time in my life where I was discriminated against so openly like that (Alhamdullilah - all praise be to God). Perhaps what’s most interesting is that it happened in the very neighbourhood I have lived in for over 15 years. This neighbourhood, probably the only place I could ever call home, boasts signs of ‘Mosaic’ along the major commercial street, it has elected a city councillor who herself is probably a first or second generation citizen and many agree that it really is a truly multicultural area where most get along quite well.
So then why the name-calling? Should I be worried? Or will this young adult mature and become more professional and culturally-aware one day? Can I rationalize or legitimize his racial slur in any way?
Maybe, but maybe not. I guess only time will tell... In the meantime, I've been told that reminders are good for everyone, especially the believer, so here's a reminder for myself before you: "O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware." - Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Why keep non-Muslim company, anyway?
I think we’ve all felt it sometimes, when you’re in a public place and you ‘feel’ someone staring at you... So you look up, and lo and behold there’s a gaze that instantly turns away. Who was that creepy non-Muslim who was just staring? (Well, let’s hope they were non-Muslim anyway :P). What did they want?
Turns out, maybe they weren’t really so creepy, and all they wanted was to observe a Muslim a little, maybe get to know the person, maybe talk to them a little.
I have a few non-Muslim friends with whom I stay in regular (and halal!) contact with from time to time. One of the really important things they’ve taught me is that, non-Muslims are, for the most part, REALLY interested in different religions and the whole idea of religion itself! I recently have had a discussion with them about the idea of ‘religion’ which sparked from their interest in Lauren Booth’s (former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s sister-in-law’s) conversion to Islam. What surprised me is that they don’t quite seem to see the need of having the presence of a religion in your life at all, forget the type of religion! To add to this, I don’t think any of them are actually atheist either! This really amazed me and I didn’t quite know how to counter their arguments...
What I do know is that I never would have had the opportunity to discuss the notion of religion with them in the first place if I hadn’t really gotten to know them a bit better. I completely see the benefit and the importance of having good Muslim company, but I also feel that if we open up to non-Muslims a little, get to know them a little, obviously in a halal way, get them to see our religion through their eyes rather than through what they’ve heard from others, then there’s a lot of benefit that both groups can draw.
Maybe we forget sometimes that we are living in the West for peaceful da’wah purposes before anything else. But, how can da’wah be as effective as it can be if we don’t first try and represent our religion in the best way possible and then try to understand the thinking of the non-Muslims?
Take my case for instance, before I can really try and talk about Islam some more, I think my job is to try and get them to see the need of ANY religion!
May Allah SWT help us to be true ambassadors of Islam with the right intentions and grant us the wisdom to be as effective as possible in our da’wah purposes. Aameen.
Turns out, maybe they weren’t really so creepy, and all they wanted was to observe a Muslim a little, maybe get to know the person, maybe talk to them a little.
I have a few non-Muslim friends with whom I stay in regular (and halal!) contact with from time to time. One of the really important things they’ve taught me is that, non-Muslims are, for the most part, REALLY interested in different religions and the whole idea of religion itself! I recently have had a discussion with them about the idea of ‘religion’ which sparked from their interest in Lauren Booth’s (former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s sister-in-law’s) conversion to Islam. What surprised me is that they don’t quite seem to see the need of having the presence of a religion in your life at all, forget the type of religion! To add to this, I don’t think any of them are actually atheist either! This really amazed me and I didn’t quite know how to counter their arguments...
What I do know is that I never would have had the opportunity to discuss the notion of religion with them in the first place if I hadn’t really gotten to know them a bit better. I completely see the benefit and the importance of having good Muslim company, but I also feel that if we open up to non-Muslims a little, get to know them a little, obviously in a halal way, get them to see our religion through their eyes rather than through what they’ve heard from others, then there’s a lot of benefit that both groups can draw.
Maybe we forget sometimes that we are living in the West for peaceful da’wah purposes before anything else. But, how can da’wah be as effective as it can be if we don’t first try and represent our religion in the best way possible and then try to understand the thinking of the non-Muslims?
Take my case for instance, before I can really try and talk about Islam some more, I think my job is to try and get them to see the need of ANY religion!
May Allah SWT help us to be true ambassadors of Islam with the right intentions and grant us the wisdom to be as effective as possible in our da’wah purposes. Aameen.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The more things change, the more they remain the same?
I've got a personal blog that I go back to time to time. Some days, it feels like I'm reading someone else's thoughts, and at other times it simply feels like my life is nothing but an endless cycle of similar events.
Like right now.
And these emotions and feelings that come with being in such a familiar place are akin to that deja-vu experience.
I wrote a post in May 2008 that's resonating with me so deeply right now...and here it is:
_______________________________________________________________
There's a steady, small wave of change brewing.
Everyone's moving to a different phase,
a different place in their lives.
Smiles. Tears. Shouts. Laughs.
It's all part of the commotion.
This may be the final summer. I don't think it's hit me yet.
This may be the *final* summer.
Volunteering gigs, work, Uni.
Maybe even the deck days and slurpee nights.
Who knows where I'll be this time next year.
Or who I'll be.
Today, a shaykh spoke about the importance of istikhara- a means of consultation with Allah the Almighty. Often, people associate istikhara with a big decision-whether it be marriage, a house, a car, or a degree.
But this supplication was taught by the Prophet (saw) to the Sahaba in the same manner as a surah of the Quran. And the utmost importance that was given to learning a surah is well known. "Convey to Me, even a verse", says Allah SWT.
So why have we demoted the istikhara to an occasional duaa? A form of insurance so that we can retort, "But my istikhara was positive!".
The istikhara was meant to be a daily supplication. Everything from choosing the right microwave, to which road to take. If you look at the translation of the duaa, it's beauty is simply magnificent.
And with the realization that Allah alone knows what is best for us. The Shaykh also said that once a person has made istikhara, he should realise that Allah will look after him.
And if read with firm conviction, tawakkul and love, the person will neither regret his decison, nor will he face failure. Further, Allah will make his task easier for him.
Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said,
“Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of Allah. And a misfortune of the son of Adam is his failure to make istikharah (seeking Allah’s guidance), and a misfortune for the son of Adam is his displeasure with the judgment of Allah.”
Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret it.”
May Allah SWT make this noble gift a part of our daily lives. And may He give us serenity and peace in our times of turbulent change. Ameen.
[P.S. There's an excellent book on Istikhara that I routinely go back to time and time again. It's a short, easy read and very well written. See: Moulana Abu Usama Ayub (2005). Istikhara, in Light of Sunnah and Qura'an. Academy for Islamic Research. Available here.]
--------------------------------------------
What about you? Do you ever feel like everything's just a whirlwind of change around you?
How often do you get that deja-vu feeling?
Like right now.
And these emotions and feelings that come with being in such a familiar place are akin to that deja-vu experience.
I wrote a post in May 2008 that's resonating with me so deeply right now...and here it is:
_______________________________________________________________
There's a steady, small wave of change brewing.
Everyone's moving to a different phase,
a different place in their lives.
Smiles. Tears. Shouts. Laughs.
It's all part of the commotion.
This may be the final summer. I don't think it's hit me yet.
This may be the *final* summer.
Volunteering gigs, work, Uni.
Maybe even the deck days and slurpee nights.
Who knows where I'll be this time next year.
Or who I'll be.
Today, a shaykh spoke about the importance of istikhara- a means of consultation with Allah the Almighty. Often, people associate istikhara with a big decision-whether it be marriage, a house, a car, or a degree.
But this supplication was taught by the Prophet (saw) to the Sahaba in the same manner as a surah of the Quran. And the utmost importance that was given to learning a surah is well known. "Convey to Me, even a verse", says Allah SWT.
So why have we demoted the istikhara to an occasional duaa? A form of insurance so that we can retort, "But my istikhara was positive!".
The istikhara was meant to be a daily supplication. Everything from choosing the right microwave, to which road to take. If you look at the translation of the duaa, it's beauty is simply magnificent.
Oh Allah! I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
Oh Allah! If in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.
It fills a believer with hope. And with the realization that Allah alone knows what is best for us. The Shaykh also said that once a person has made istikhara, he should realise that Allah will look after him.
And if read with firm conviction, tawakkul and love, the person will neither regret his decison, nor will he face failure. Further, Allah will make his task easier for him.
Sa’ d ibn Waqas reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said,
“Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) is one of the distinct favors (of Allah) upon man, and a good fortune for the son of Adam is to be pleased with the judgment of Allah. And a misfortune of the son of Adam is his failure to make istikharah (seeking Allah’s guidance), and a misfortune for the son of Adam is his displeasure with the judgment of Allah.”
Ibn Taimiyyah said, “He who seeks guidance from the Creator and consults the creatures will never regret it.”
May Allah SWT make this noble gift a part of our daily lives. And may He give us serenity and peace in our times of turbulent change. Ameen.
[P.S. There's an excellent book on Istikhara that I routinely go back to time and time again. It's a short, easy read and very well written. See: Moulana Abu Usama Ayub (2005). Istikhara, in Light of Sunnah and Qura'an. Academy for Islamic Research. Available here.]
--------------------------------------------
What about you? Do you ever feel like everything's just a whirlwind of change around you?
How often do you get that deja-vu feeling?
Monday, November 1, 2010
Overreacting?
We hear it all the time that while one person is leaving this world another one somewhere is entering… I’ve never experienced both at once, but today in the wee hours of the morning that’s exactly what happened…
My best-friends older sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy Allhamdulillah but around that very same time an incredibly patient, amazing and well loved sister from my community passed away (innalillahi wainna ilayhi rajioon)
I didn’t know her personally, but her reputation as a patient and kind woman was well known all over the community. Her Janazah (Arabic for funeral) today was a testimonial to the love everyone had for her, subhanAllah I’ve never seen this many people at a funeral in my life… my local masjid is quite big and we have two reasonably large sized rooms in the basement for the sisters and today they were PACKED to such an extent that many sisters had to remain standing. It made me so happy that so many sisters came to pay their respects and say ‘Ameen’ to the prayer of forgiveness for our beloved sister, but a small incident spoiled this feeling of pride that I felt over seeing the love and support that our sisters showed by attending...
While the Janazah Slaah (Funeral Prayers) was going on, two sisters were TALKING about someone who was going back home to get MARRIED… I’m happy for whoever this person is but speaking in such loud voices that although there were quite a few people between us I could hear what they were saying clearly as though I was right beside them upset me. I totally understand that marriage is a joyous occasion but in my humble opinion it’s not so important that you speak about it while we’re praying and seeking forgiveness for a sister that was living and breathing alongside us just yesterday.
I’m not so sure if I’m overreacting (I tend to do that at times) but after the prayers I felt like finding this sister and just asking why she did what she did. Did she not realize that one day people would be praying for her? That one day she will be in this very same place and the prayers will be taking place for her? I’m sure at that point she would rather have people praying for her than discussing a potential marriage! So why did she not do what she would have wanted done for herself in this situation, for a sister who’s already in it?
I’m no perfect person, far from it. I seem to make mistakes every second of my life but to show such blatant disrespect for such an amazing sister hurt me in an indescribable way and every time I think about the funeral and our deceased sister I seem to hear this other sisters words echoing in my head and it makes my blood boil once again :$
I just can’t seem to understand why people act in a manner that they would surely not like in someone else. But then I remember a hadith of our dear Prophet (peace be upon him) narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) which has been transmitted in Abu Dawud:
“A believer is a mirror for another believer”
So I remind myself that before I go and look at the faults of others, I should change myself first...
***A Request*** Please do remember this lovely sister in your prayers and those she’s left behind; her husband, her one and only son, her mother, her sisters, her brother, her nieces and nephews, her friends, her neighbors subhanAllah she’s left behind so many people who are truly going to miss her... People who love her and who I’m sure will remember her with every step they take… for she was a rare individual who forgot her own problems to help out another human in need. May Allah (swt) grant her and all the rest of us the highest abode in Jannah (Paradise) - Ameen
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