Faith & Heels: February 2015

Monday 16 February 2015

prayer room, again?!

Everyday, I have to put up with two goons.

One from Shanghai, and one from (what are the odds) Kajang.

No, seriously, I'm not even kidding.

"Wait wait I don't get it. Why is it that you wear headscarf, then you don't, then at the hair salon you need a private room but you still need to take off your headscarf anyway? When do you need to wear it?"

I explained.

"Oh. Ohhh. So you don't wear your headscarf around me because I'm a girl... I thought you took it off because I'm your friend and you love me. I'm very disappointed in you, Sab."

2.

We were on Twitter.

A friend of mine retweeted a video, of a 16-year-old hijabbed girl in London, who, out of the blue, got hit by a man. The girl fell unconscious afterwards.

We were both speechless.

"Oh my god. I will protect you, don't worry."

"Maybe you should wear a hat. That way, people can't see your headscarf."

3.

"We're going to London for tea today, okay?"

"Yeah, okay, not too late though, I need to pray."

"You didn't pray the other day when we went to London?"

"She was on her period." Silence. "Umm... you were on your period, right?"

4.

The three of us were pointlessly chattering in my bedroom.

"I don't think I could ever hate you."

"Oh?"

"Except, maybe, when you won't eat my food because it's not Halal."

"But I do when you give me Halal food!"

"Yeah, that's because I'm smart now and I know what Halal food is."

5.

"No gelatine, I checked. For the first time in my life, I actually read ingredients!"

6.

"My mum told me Muslims pray before they eat..."

I acted cool on the outside, but in the inside, I'm all bismillaahi awwalahu wa 'akhirahu ya Allah forgive me I will try my best to remember to baca doa next time I'm so sorry ya Allah.

7.

"Go canteen first, I'm going to the prayer room."

"Again?!"

Yes, my dear, I know I went to the prayer room yesterday. And the day before. And probably tomorrow, too.

Friday 13 February 2015

three meals

Blimey we have three different timezones now.

Sunday 8 February 2015

take it back

Sometime in 2014, we were at the kampung.

We had just visited Abah's uncle, who is about 70 years old, and is ailing. His children (aka dad's cousins) were all providing TLC for him - and Abah helps, too.

"Now, if I get sick when I'm older, you'd take care of me, like how I'm helping him."

I looked at Abah. He looked at me.

It was a few seconds of silence, when I finally said, "No."

He was taken aback; No????

"I mean, like, you're not going to be sick, so don't put it that way. I'd care and love you and annoy you forever, but you'd still be healthy when you're old, okay?"

"Take it back, daddy. Take it back."

"Say that I'll take care of a healthy and happy you, and you and Mama would go yachting and do all the things retired people do, you won't be sick."

"Take it back. NOW."

Abah looked it at me as if I had just lost my brain and stashed it somewhere I can never get it back.

"Okay... you'll take care of a healthy and happy me..."

Good.

I believe that one should always, always, have a positive outlook on life, do good things, and let Allah handle the rest.

Live good, pray good, and Allah will make it good for you.

I pray everyday that Allah will take care of my parents, keep them in the pink of health, and never let any harm touch them.

I want them to be healthy; for them to be able to help others, to be closer to Allah by discovering more of Allah's magnificent creation in every country that they go as they travel, and to inspire their children to become better, exemplary Muslims as they go along.

"My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was small." (Quran, 17:24)

May Allah safeguard our parents always, and may kindness and compassion towards them be instilled in our hearts.

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