My Amusing Life

There is a rat in my bed!

By UmmSaalih

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

My Amusing Life!
The journey to the Haramain, Mecca Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah, is without a doubt, an unforgettable journey, so much so that it has been called A Journey of a Lifetime! The sanctity and tranquillity one feels on entering Masjidun Nabawi sall Allhu alay-hi wa-sallam is beyond description. There is no serenity, no peace, and no calm in comparison. And the awareness one feels of his Creator at that first sighting of the Kaaba, the closeness and the connection which one feels with Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala at that momentous instant is at its pinnacle. To know that our Nabi sall Allhu alay-hi wa-sallam walked on these parts, breathed this air, lived and died in these cities, touches the heart in innumerable ways. My journey to these blessed parts was indeed memorable, and these memories shall live on forever in my heart. I shall always remember my first tearful sighting of Masjidun Nabawi sall Allahu alay-hi wa sallam and my awe-struck one of the Holy Kaaba. I shall always remember walking through the busy streets of Aziziah with my sister, my friend, my confidant, as we walked and talked and ate pizza late into the night and held on to each precious moment of this dream come true. And yesthere are also those other memories, the ones that make you cover your face and shake your head, and sigh with embarrassment.

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I remember arriving at Heathrow Airport and being pulled aside by the Customs Officer. I remember him opening my little red knapsack that I had with me aboard the flight. The very bag that I had placed a currant roll pastry offered to me by my teacher but I was too airsick to eat. I had wrapped it with a napkin and stuffed it into my little red knapsack. As the Officer began removing my books and other items from my bag, crumbs from the now disintegrated pastry fell onto the counter. I lowered my head. As he continued to remove more items, more crumbs fell onto the counter and my head went even lower. My husband was now looking at me with a face I choose not to describe, although I do have many descriptives at hand. He did comment, Anywhere you go so, girl? Which was local slang for How embarrassing! Moving on from that never to forget episode, another noteworthy moment occurred one day in the apartment building in Aziziah. A group of sisters had asked me to come into their room to review with them the guidelines of performing the Hajj rituals. As I entered the room, I sought permission to sit on one of the sisters bed. She said, Sure, but you should know there is a rat on my bed! I assured her that there was no rat there. Moments before, I had witnessed the chaotic commotion of people running about in a frenzy as they tried to capture a rat that was running from room to room. I said most calmly and confidently that the rat was gone. The rat had left the building! So I sat on the bed and for approximately fifteen minutes we talked about the various Hajj rites. Then as I got up to leave, the sister asked if I could shake out her sheets, since the rat was on the bed. I sighed and picked up her sheets saying There is no rat here. Had there been a rat here, it wouldnt have sat still while I was talking all this time! As I shook the sheets, to my utter dismay, the rat fell out of the sheets and onto my feet. The room was once more filled with screams and shrieks! I ran to the door, but the rat was faster than me, it reached the doorway before me and ran out over my feet, again! I screamed some more and ran some more. It was no doubt quite a scene. After a short while of this continued chaos, an elderly sister from our group captured the rat.
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She was an amazing woman. Not only did she save the day, but throughout the journey, she displayed the remarkable features of what it is to truly be an ideal wife. She reminded me of Khadijah radiallahu anha, the beloved and blessed wife of our Nabi sall Allhu alay-hi wa-sallam. She displayed similar characteristics of kindness, strength, support, love, humility and many other noble qualities that a wife should possess, and yet many do not. I feel blessed to have shared a room with her, to have been in her company and to have learnt from her simple yet sound character. I may have imparted some knowledge to others through my words, but this amazing personality imparted knowledge through her actions and example, which without a doubt, is the best method of teaching. May Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala grant us all that ability ameen. And on a closing note, when someone tells you There is a rat in my bed! you should listen it could very well be true! Just another incident from My Amusing Life!

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Reflection!

Life is filled with regrets. As I reflect upon those blessed days, my heart yearns to go back and to do so many things differently. I am, at times, overcome with regret and remorse, at what I could have done and should have done. But even in this despondent state, the mercy of Allah shines through, a ray of hope removing all darkness. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala gives you and me hope of His Infinite Mercy and Benevolence when He said in one of the most consoling of ayats,

(Surah Az Zumar, Verse 53)

Tell them, (O Prophet): My servants who have committed excesses against themselves, do not despair of Allah's Mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

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Hadith:

Ibn Maqil reported: I entered upon Abdullah along with my father and I heard him say the Messenger of Allah, sall Allhu alay-hi wa-sallam, said, Regret is repentance. My father said to him, Did you hear it from the Prophet? He said, Yes. (Hakim, Hadith No.7776, Pg.169, Vol.5, Qadimi Kutub Khana/ Ibn Majah, Pg.313, Qadimi Kutub Khana)

As long as there is life, there is always the opportunity for repentance and for change. As long as there is life, there is hope.

END

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