So here's a random thought.

I think a lot of Muslim marriages are slapped together on a metaphorical production line. As they whizz down the line, the different parts are primed and trimmed, they get their coat of spray paint and eventually they're stuck together. They mostly work, but maybe for a long time people are not sure if the end product will stand the test of time. Sometimes they only work because they have to. After a while the cheap coat of shiny spray paint peels off revealing the true colours of the constituent parts; they're not always the prettiest underneath.

Salaam

The first ten days of the final month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul-Hijjah, started on November 18th OR on Thursday November 19th (check with family/ local mosque to confirm date).

The Prophet (pbuh) said:
"There is no day more honourable in Allah's sight and no acts more beloved therein to Allah than those in these ten days (of Dhul-Hijjah)"

Remember the 9th day is the day of Arafah, and the 10th day is Eid-ul-Adha (yay Eid!)

Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for two years (should fall on Thursday 26th - or Friday 27th - check with your local mosque!)

It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafaah. He (pbuh) said: 'It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year'. Narrated by Muslim.

Some tips... Continue reading "Some tips for this week!"...

Found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Each and every day we face a multitude of challenges; the difficulty of studying for our degree, passing our exams, balancing our social and family lives or completing a project that we may have undertaken. My experience both as a final-year medical student and as an individual involved in a variety of local, national and international charity and faith-based work is that much of the past four years of my life can be described as, at the very least, challenging...

Etymology in the Arabic language has always fascinated me. I learnt recently that the word for politics, siyaasa, comes from the same word that is used to describe the training of a wild horse. It’s a powerful metaphor; more than just being fed and groomed daily, a horse needs to be loved and cared for.

Like training a horse, politics is a process of trial and error. Ghandi described ‘Politics without Principal’ as one of the most dangerous social sins communities fall prey to. Political corruption in the West is very refined; we write about it in books and joke about it over our lavish dinners. In developing countries however, the wide spread corruption is more apparent and its effects more tangible. It was with these thoughts percolating in my mind that I met with government official, Mr John Zoya, at the Malawi State Department for Health. Continue reading "In Africa - Faith in politics"...

It is just past one in the afternoon; I am sitting in the shade of our hotel balcony. Overlooking the beautiful Lake Malawi just a few yards away from the sweltering heat of the golden beach, lunch is being served. My stomach does a small back flip as the intense aromas of African spiced fried chicken and mushroom soup waft past me. Next, a plate of traditional Malawian ‘Nsima ndi Nyama ndi Masamba’ is served to my friend. The sharp smell of the sizzling beef and roasted vegetables makes my eyes water. My friends and colleagues tuck into their lunches as I, the only Muslim at the table, look out to the horizon and try to recall how on earth I ended up here in the ‘Warm Heart of Africa.

Continue reading "A faiths act"...

They say that every cloud has a silver lining. Claiming more deaths than any other disease in the country, the scourge of Malaria in Malawi can be described as nothing short of a relentless thunderous storm. Where then is this silver lining? How can any good come from such a horrible affliction?

These questions have been playing on my mind over the past few days. I have spent the past two weeks driving past village upon village seeing the poorest of poor people living without running water or electricity and have even had the opportunity to share some time with these people who are often riddled with disease and poverty. Continue reading "Spirit"...

“Behold! God is not ashamed to propound the parable of a Mosquito” (2:26)

The commentary of this verse details how critics of the Quran at the time of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ridiculed the Quran’s mentioning of spiders, ants and the like; seemingly insignificant insects. This verse was an indirect refutation, stating how even by something as small as a mosquito God can manifest his Majesty and Dominion. Continue reading "A Parable"...

Impressions leave marks. They push into your soft malleable faculties of perception, slowly and inconspicuously moulding the way you see the world. The image of Africa is one such example.

Continue reading "Impressions"...

Africa and I have history. My mother was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, she left for the UK at the age of 23 when she married my father. My father, interestingly, was born in Malawi, the very the same country I will be travelling to for the first time in the coming days...

I have always been inspired by people who have grown up living the struggles of Africa, there’s almost a twinkle in their eyes. Malawi is amongst the poorest countries of the world and its people are savaged by many endemic diseases including HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB. What amazes me however is that generation after generation it is these conditions of abject poverty that have fashioned the most inspiring and forbearing characters of history. Continue reading "The Poor and the Rich"...