MCD - 13

July of 2010.

Final year exams in full swing. Taking a toll on our physical and mental strength. Done with theory and the 7 dreaded clinicals were left.

One of our final year subjects is Pedodontics (Pediatric Dentistry) and as the name suggests deals with oral health of children. Since we were dealing with very young children sometimes as young as 4 , we were told by our staff to take written consent from the child's parent and also pick & drop the child at home (as the case may be!)

I met the parents of my shy 11 year old patient. After introducing myself and informing the parents of the treatment needs of the child, I was about to leave when the dad tells me, 'I have only one son. Please do take care of my child '. I reassured him and told, I myself will drop the child back at home (since the dad had work that day). Also gave my contact number and took the parent's number too.

The exam went well. Clinical viva went excellent and we were told by the staff to get ourselves ready for the theory viva. Since my name begins with "S" and roll number is almost towards the end, it would took some more time for my viva to begin. So I told my friend to drop my patient along with hers. I went back to preparing for the viva.

Around half an hour later, I see my friend running up and down the hospital giving me tensed stares at times and at times not looking at my face itself. Finally my viva got over. Seeing her franatically pace all over the department, I asked her what was the problem. After slight hesitation, she admitted the little boy who was my patient was missing. I completely LOST my temper with her. For having trusted her to do the job and we are talking about a very small child here. We started searching the entire college (..and that is no small feat due to the huge size of the college.) On top of it all, I had started getting calls from the dad.....

I didn't know what to do. I was worried about the safety of the child. I worried about the dad. I was feeling dizzy with all the tension.

Finally the guys in our class went with their bikes to the area around the child's house to see if by any chance, he had reached back on his own.... and, there he was !! Apparently, he got lost from the crowd of kids and found his way back home on his own.

I didn't know if to be mad at him for going without letting me know or heave a sigh of relief on knowing he was safe.

(Since the parents weren't in the hospital, they weren't aware of the confusion... )

I am no where near being a guardian of a child on my own...

...But for those two hours, I was a parent and it was my child who was lost. And I was WORRIED !!

MCD - 12

Aug of 2010.

Our final year results came out. Alhamdulilah got a first class and stood 4th in college. Still I had a lingering depression over me so much so I hated going for internship during those initial days.

The reason for the depression was neither did I top in college nor did I top in any of the subjects ( or so I thought then according to the rough calculation amongst pals). Now you might be thinking, 'What a silly reason to be depressed'. To an extent, I agree (now!), but also, I had continually done well in college ,or atleast 2nd and 3rd year and so, suddenly these results were disappointing to me.

I made dua. Continual dua. I asked Allah for happiness and to protect me from sadness and depression. I studied that Hadith* of Rasullullah SAW as reported by Abdullahi Ibn Masud, which says, by repeating it, Allah will take away distress and grief, and replace it with joy...

With days, I had forgotten about the inital sadness and was completely enjoying my free internship days. ( Being forgetful of our past despair and sadness with time, a mercy from Allah, truly, Subhana Allah)

Fast forward to August 2011.

The official list of subject wise rankholders was put up. Surprisingly, I had topped in two subjects. Ma sha Allah. Alhamdulilah.

I did wonder why did I put myself under so much of sadness then !? Why did I think less of myself ? Why did I put down my worth in front of my own eyes, when clearly I had done my level best in studying !?

Not only does this incident remind me of the fact, that most of our worries and sadness are truly baseless, but also, it teaches me a far greater lesson.

Maybe, Allah hid the fact from me initially, so that, I went back to Him with a far greater intensity than before. Maybe my 'Dhikr' was lacking and maybe this sadness helped me to be back on track. Allah knows best.

Every obstacle, adversity, depression, sadness and despair is a detour for us to turn back to Him. It is a medicine to increase our Sabr. It might be a push to prolong our Sajdah. It might be to nudge us to ponder over His words. It might be a way for those dark sins to be washed away. It might be purifying us to enter His Garden. Allah knows best.

A delay never means 'negative'. A delay only means your are being purified and prepared for the best to come.

No dua goes unaswered. Every supplication is answered either in this world or in the Hereafter.

Again, I am going through a phase in which I myself doubt every single ounce of ability and talent, I have. I am insecure of my looks, of achievements, of me myself. All I have now is duas, duas and more duas. Remembering this incident gives me respite and hope.

This post is written , first and foremost, to calm myself and to strengthen my Iman again. And to anyone who comes across this and is going through the same predicament, I wish you peace and strength of mind. Trust your Maker. The Once closer to you than your jugular vein knows you better than you, yourself !

Till next,
Adios

A little girl taught me....

This happened to day - Friday ,20th July. I cant help blog about it because it touched and literally left me moist eyed.

One of our neighbours lost her husband in a car accident on the eve of last Ramadan in Makkah. She is struggling to make her ends meet due to some financial difficulties.

Even with all the difficulties facing her,she tries to give her two little children the best education possible. Her eldest daughter who is in 4 th or 5th grade is a talented painter. The daughter was advised by her class teacher to join for a painting course nearby. The fees was about Rs. 300 for the same besides the transportation charges. The mother being unable to afford the fees said the daughter she couldn't go for the course. Daughter calmly said 'Its ok'.

Evening, since it is Ramadan eve , one of their extended family member gave them some money. Mother explained to the daughter that she will finally enroll her for the course.

That young daughter who is at an age when others would be worrying about dolls and toys, said , 'Allah actually listened to my dua. I prayed for it today afternoon at Jumuah'

Even writing about it makes me teary.


I am amazed at the young girl's tawakkal on Allah and her maturity to grow according to the situation at her home. I pray with a sincere heart, Allah gives the family sustenance and Barakah with her talents.

May Allah shower on them abundant blessings. May He ease their difficulties.

May He bless their father with Jannah.

...for the sisters !

The movie "Thattathin Marayathu" is making waves on the social networking world ever since the trailer got released.

As a young muslim girl who adorns the Hijab, I am against the idea of the Muslim dress code being potrayed in such a way. ( I mean no disrespect to the people behind the movie, I am merely talking of the concept enhanced in the trailer and the song and it is just my humble opinion )

One of the main reasons in writing this post is due to seeing many Facebook profile pictures coming up recently with the concept of "thattam" . So you might ask me, "Isn't it good, then, if a movie inspires some one to take up the Hijab?" - Yes & No

Yes ---> If it genuinely inspires some one to look up the matter of Hijab & takes it up solely to gain the pleasure of Allah since He has revealed in His Holy Book that the believing women should cover their adornment and lower her gaze.

No ---> If it makes some one to wear a small shawl around her neck / head just for the sake of attracting the attention of the opposite sex.

The Hijab wearing girls come in two :

1) The modest, lowering gaze kind of girl who adorns the Hijab with the only intention of pleasing her Lord.

2) The group of girls who wear it because that is the dress code taught by their parents or they are forced to wear so in the school/college setting that they are placed in.

And now maybe due to the movie, another group might arise with the intention , 'Guys love girls who wear the thattam' since it is mainly targeted at teens and young adults who unfortunately form their opinion based on the latest movie & fashion trends.


Commercializing the idea of the dress code in a movie which actually caters to the college going generation is in itself going to make a negative impact on a simple "thattam itta" girl.


When the punch dialogue is "Thattam' is my weakness" now, the shy thattam itta girl is going to be under so much of negative scrutiny. All she might want is some peace to do her course and complete it, yet what she gets is so much of unwanted attention , which in the first place is one of the reason, why a "thattam" is enforced in her religious laws.

As sisters who wear the Hijab, let us...

1) Purify our intentions in wearing the Hijab and do it solely because we have been commanded by Allahu Subhanahu Wa'Tala, ie, for the sake of Allah & Allah alone. (Let us remind ourselves- Surah 24, verse 31)

2) Extending our "Hijab" not only in the attire we wear but also, to our words, deeds, and action.

May Allah Azzawajal increase us in knowledge which brings us closer to Him. May He guard us from every situation that harms us in our Deen.

May Allah give us the Tawfiq to emulate the four greatest women of Islam - Maryam Alayha Salam, Asiyah - wife of Pharoah, Khadijah Bint Kuwaylid, and Fathima Radi'Allahu Anha.

Make He make us firm in our Deen - Ameen




*Thattathin Marayathu - an upcoming Malayalam movie
*Thattam - shawl, scarf, hijab
*Thattam itta - Hijab clad

Dear Little Brother,

As you begin the next phase of your education in life, I wish you the very best. May Allah Almighty make the knowledge you gain, a reason for you to come closer to Him and for you to carry forward the flag of our Deen.

Among st siblings , you always had the biggest spot in my heart. Maybe in many of your actions ,you remind me of myself - unsure, not confident and at times, too naive that any one can take advantage of you and start dominating over. Now I understand a tiny fraction of the angst dad went through, when he first left me in Bangalore.

...and I have learnt now,

 Love should never suffocate. Love should always set free so that the other person can soar to the heights they were destined for. 

During all my years in Bangalore, your simple messages of " We are just a call away" or an SMS early in the morning "Enthu patti Ramana" - (Whats wrong) on a day when I didn't want to face the sun have always kept me going. And I promise you the same, support from a sister any time and every time. I will always be a call away whether is it that I am married or in another country or hanging 3 kids upside down, I will always have time for you. I shall listen to your rants if you want to convey in me or just be there by your side, if you dont want to tell me . I shall not judge or lose my temper. (But yeah, I ll advice a hell lot, you know that :D )

Before everything, I hope your are sure and happy with your decision of the course cos that is something you will be doing for the rest of your life :D

College life will be very different from the life you have led until now. 

It will be exciting , adventurous and fun , yet you will have days when it tests you of all your strength. Whatsoever happens, remember this, Allah is always by your side. He is Al Wali - The protecting friend. Derive your strength from Him. Complain and cry of your sadness to Him. Pray your Salah on time. Whether it is 4 AM Fajr or Dhuhr in between classes, say your prayers. Carry your Musallah if you have to with you, but pray on time. Keep the English translation of Qur'aan with you.

Take time in making friends, but make good ones. For they are the ones who will stick by you when you get a blasting session from HoD or when you have to face the stressful ordeals of placements.

You will encounter people whose right and wrong differs from yours. Respect them , but never fall in to a company which actions do not conform to your values of right and wrong. Before you make any decision, whether it be going out with a friend or for a party, ask yourself, two questions, 

" Is it right in front of Allah?"  & " Is it in accordance to the values uppa , umma has taught us?" As long as it is Yes to both, you shall not waver from your path. Never give in to peer pressure. Make your own rules and boundaries and stick by them.

Your certain decisions of not mixing with certain crowd or having food that are Halal only etc might bring in unwanted and sometimes hurtful comments. Be patient with it. If you can explain to them your belief. If not , ignore the negativism respectfully.

 I always try to remind myself this Hadith in such situations ,

"Islam began as something strange and it will return strange as it began, so give glad tidings for the strangers" - Sahih Muslim

You will come in touch with the opposite gender , innumerable times. Choose the path of being neither extremes. Dont be too close so that one day you will have to answer Allah for wrong deeds neither too far that people end up calling "anti -social" . I think , you know better and I might not have to say much !

Your traits of kindness , humility and humour (read -challis) are something I adore in you. Dont ever let these qualities of yours get jaded with time due to cynicism of others.

Too much of advicing eh? (so typically me :D) 

Go in for trips with friends. Have a stay over at a pal's house. Go for a classmate's sister/brother's wedding. Visit the beach.Take many crazy photographs.Ace an exam ;) Have all the fun in the world.  Make memories. These 4 years, whether you like it or not then , will be the memorable ones of your life... 

Whatsoever happens, always know , you have a lovely home to come back to. A place where you are loved, accepted and proud of , always ! :)

May you remain in Allah's protection always!

Love,

Me ! :)

PS : Study very well :D :D

MCD - 11

Out of a batch of 60, I was the only one with a Hijab on. For many of my North- Indian friends, I was their first contact with a Muslim.I was subject to glances and comments on my choice of a different attire. I had to answer many questions of why I wear the Hijab to why I don't eat anything during the month of Ramadan. It was Oct of 2006.

Fast forward to February of 2012.

While going to write one of the Entrance exams which was online based, we had to go in for a pre-test registration, for which they had to go take a photograph via the web cam.

The officials at the desk : " Remove your head covering"
Me : " I will not "

The male official looked at the female official with a surprised -what-to-do-now look.

Female Official : "At least remove the pin n loosen your scarf so that the shape of your face is clear" (As though we were convicted felons and not students about to write an exam!)

On not wanting to make a bigger scene, I loosened my Shayla (removed the hijab pin) such that it still covers my entire hair.

One of my friends, L, who hails from Rajasthan, was behind me in the queue and was quietly noticing the entire conversation. After his registration, he comes over to me and asks...




L : " Why did you remove your safety pin?"
Me : "They told me to !"
L : " You didn't have to "
Me : " I said No once...."
L: " They are not even college or university officials. They are just people sitting on the desk. You should have said a firm No once more..... "

I was pleasantly surprised on being supported by a friend, of different faith, who doesnt know much about mine, yet still defended and supported me, knowing fully well, it is a decision close to my heart.

Media never gives a positive impression of our religion. But if you can change one person's negative view of your religion in to a positive one , by way of your action,views or deeds, then that too is a tiny weeny bit of success from your part.

I leave with this Hadith :

 Abu Darda (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) said, “Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s good manners.”(Al-Bukhari)

May Allah make us amongst those with the best of manners. May He forgive our shortcomings and weakness. May He make us good ambassadors of our religion.

Earthiness !

An update from a mother. This touched a chord, for obvious reasons :)

I remember when my second daughter was born with darker skin color then the rest of the family and I was made to feel as a mother that she was somehow less then my other daughter, less lucky, less beautiful, less.

Like she didn't deserve to wear certain colors, and I shouldn't rejoice in her adorableness just because Allah had chosen for her skin color to be a shade between chocolate and caramel instead of vanilla.

I am not ashamed of loving her a wee bit extra, she reminds me of myself. Earthy.

I have always emphasized inner beauty, and never thought I would have to teach a daughter of mine the value of outer beauty but I have to with her. Dark skin is beautiful, just as lovely to behold as light skin. I don't want her to ever feel like she has to hold back and not follow her dreams because she is made to feel less.

She is a beautiful little girl, effervescent, funny and filled with love, with a propinquity towards the dramatic. Its only on days that she is made to feel less that she visibly withers. On days when a new family will meet us and say in front of her "My, your other three look alike and she is so different".

My love... it is okay to be different. Allah created you this way. Your smile is precious. You glow like Venus when it rises in the Eastern sky, don't sink in the glare of the morning twilight ...you are beautiful.



- As updated by Hena Zuberi




Growing up , (even now!) I was always told to wear certain coloured dresses.I was told only a black coloured scarf would suit me. I have received literally racist like comments, at times , from the people most closest to me. I was made to feel something of "less"because of my skin complexion.

It took me a long time to finally find myself , but I did , Alhamdulilah.

It has taught me like the person above says - Earthiness !
It has taught me to love myself first and to never think anything less of myself because of another person's opinion.
It has taught myself to NEVER judge a person due to their looks/ skin complexion/ attire/ differences.
It has taught me to be broad minded !



I hope I did read some thing like this , when  I was a child.
I hope  I was reminded over and over again I am a creation of The Most Beautiful Creator.