I ABSOLUTELY cannot believe my life. I was thinking of writing about my rather rocky relationship with Hammad Rabiu. Thought of the expression: True Love Never Runs a Smooth Course. Knew I had written about it in the past, used the search engine of the blog and found I had – many times. The first one that popped up was from August 2019. Here is what I said.
“It is not easy being me, that is for damn sure! I hate this enforced immobility and having to depend on people – who inevitably might prove to be undependable. They invariably do in my life. But then, just when I have given up for good, I get a sweet, precious, comforting, loving and caring response to an email. I sent an email to the UK with the subject line: Learning To Know What It Is Like to be an Aristocrat.
Me: And not liking it. I have a caregiver for a week and quite hate it! Perhaps even a husband would be preferable.He: look on it as a pretrial for the heavenly experience which your life style will inevitably lead.
Is not the sweetest, sexiest response one could ever imagine?? This is a man who says he loves my brain, that is my biggest attraction – that, and my ability to change my opinionated views by listening, and then admitting I was wrong. He indeed sees me, in every sense of the word What response did I send back? Always having to have the last word:Me: A perfect response! Xoxoxo xoxo 😚 Canadian and American form of this expression ***
One could say that my relationship with this man is true love – as it has certainly not run a smooth course. Do let us look up that expression. The quote “The course of true love never did run smooth,” means that even if two people are in love, some things or people might get in the way. (Like how Egeus is keeping Hermia from marrying Lysander) This happened often in ancient times and even now there are arranged marriages.’”
But further research revealed that “this course of true love” is actually attributable to (of all people) William Shakespeare, appearing in Midsummer’s Night Dream, the cause and effect is analyzed on Google. “Throughout the play, the love and romantic desires of the Athenian lovers are frustrated, at least until the end of act 4. At the beginning, Lysander and Hermia both love each other but cannot get married because Hermia’s father Egeus has promised Hermia to Demetrius and does not approve of Lysander. Demetrius has Hermia’s father’s approval, but not her love. Helena loves Demetrius, who once loved her as well, but abandoned her when he met….” So is that not amazing considering the fact that the UK guy is into theatre and we actually met at the National Theatre.”
But this is the funniest part and spoke to Shamir about it.
Me: You know what is funny. I have no idea at this moment, of who this guy was, or what his name is. I am way too popular. Too many men, too little time is the name of a song that describes my life. Hahaha.
Well, at this particular moment I am aware of the identity of the man I am having a rocky road with – it is Hammad Rabiu.
I met Hammad Rabiu on December 8, 2023 at the Kyoto Japanese Restaurant which is housed in the Medinah Oberio Hotel, next to the Prophet’s Mosque. I was living in the hotel. He, his father and one sister were there for an Umrah. We had a Friday late lunch after prayers in the restaurant. I starred in an Instagram reel of the event. We began a very rocky long distance relationship. Saw one another in April of 2023- not seen each other since then. So it has been over a year. We were to be married in early January in Medinah, where we met. I had met his mother, sister and two nephews in Jeddah in April, Hammad was returning to Nigeria, they were traveling to the US. The family approved of me, marriage was contemplated despite our incredible age difference. We had more difficult times, but sometime in early December he proposed. However I was unable to get a ticket to travel from Malaysia to Jeddah. Fraud Alert kept preventing the purchase. He took it personally and was vey angry with me. I was convinced (and am to this day) that Allah prevented our union. We stopped communicating in January. On May 18, 2025 he sent an Instagram reel advertising a retirement visa from Mauritius and we have ben corresponding since.
Yesterday he sent, what seems like a gift. The first page of a thesis entitled: Enhancing FoodSecurity Through Agriculture Dutse, Jigawa State Nigeria by Hammad Rabiu.
This from the Introduction.
The provision of food stands as a fundamental necessity for human being. Ensuring a good and high quality intake of food is crucial for maintaining a healthy and productive life. As emphasized by (Omoniba et aka 2007) Nigeria if fortunate to possess fertile soil that has the capacity to yield a substantial amount of food, sufficient to sustain its continuously growing population.
However, this natural agricultural potential remains underutilized, leading to persistent food scarcity issues. Despite the abundant natural resources at its disposal, Nigeria is currently going through challenges of inadequate food supply, as noted by (USA et.a. 2014) The imbalance between the growing demand…
This is the conversation which surrounded its ‘gifting’
He: This is the latest version. With collected data and solutions.
Me: I am proud of you but I do not have my glasses with me and the writing is very small.
He: hahaha you can read it later. I can forward the full thing to you if you want.
Me: I will read it when I meet up with my glasses. Hahaha
Then later.
Me: I sort of enlarged what you wrote. WOW. It is going on the blog. Alhamdulillah and Inshallah
He: I get featured in blog another time. .
Me: In a good way for a change. Hahahaha. I put the Arabic words in the wrong order. One is to say Inshallah first and then Alhamdulillah
He: How are your trip plans going?
Me: Going great. To KL on July 6 on train.
Why did this well researched paper feel like a gift? When I first met Hammad he was obsessively busy, but not in a productive Islamic way it seemed. Obsessed with cryptocurrencies, working diligently for his uncle’s BUA company AND owning a photography business. This study he is undertaking is laudable, addressing a major Nigerian problem, using his capabilities and resources to make his country thrive.
(Laudable, an adjective, (of an action, idea, or goal) deserving praise and commendation. Some Synonyms are praiseworthy, commendable, admirable, meritorious, worthy of admiration, estimable, reputable, sterling.
It is rather amazing to see origin of Hammad, its Arabic meaning is worthy, praised. “Hammad is a boy’s name of Arabic origin meaning “praiseworthy” and “praised,” fitting a little one who not only knows their value but remains humble in their success.”
My goodness, he is living up to his name!!
It seemed that the months that we have been apart from one another has given him an opportunity to redirect his energies, become focused, find direction. Not quite sure what I have been doing, but my blog will refresh my memory. Hahahaha
A big discussion about trips ensued with him saying:
He: My dad said we night be going to Saudi with my sisters around Maulud Inshallah You can meet my sisters again or for the first time actually.
Me: Great!! What is Maulud?
We then discussed other travel plans, debating between Egypt and Morocco. Morocco won.
Me: And Morocco is the home of the first university founded by a woman whose first name is Fatima. And now Saudis do not allow women to educate themselves in the Medinah Islamic University. Go figure that one out.
He: So we go to Morocco.
Me: Yes please.
Did my own reseach, not receiving an immediate answer from him. Learning this from good old from good old reliable Wikipedia
“The Mawlid (Arabic: مولد) is an annual festival commemorating the birthday of the IslamicprophetMuhammad on the traditional date of 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. A day central to the traditions of some Sunnis, Mawlid is also celebrated by Shia Muslims. The history of this celebration goes back to the early days of Islam when some of the Tabi‘un began to hold sessions in which poetry and songs composed to honour Muhammad were recited and sung to crowds in the major cities.[1] The celebration was continued by the Abbasids and the Fatimids. The Muslim general Gökböri, a deputy of Saladin (r. 1174–1193), is believed to have been the first to publicly celebrate Mawlid, which he did in an impressive ceremony at the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The Ottomans under Murad III (r. 1574–1595) declared it an official holiday. Celebrants hold mahfils on Mawlid in which religious poetry is recited in praise of Muhammad accompanied by a feast. Other customs affiliated with Mawlid are supererogatory fasting, Islamic music and dhikr. Most denominations of Islam approve of the commemoration of Muhammad’s birthday. The Mawlid observance is a recognized national holiday in most of the Muslim-majority countries of the world.”
I had never heard of this before. There is so much to learn about the Islamic Faith. It is endlessly fascinating.
This song is suddenly echoing in my mind. When Will I See You Again. Looked up the lyrics.
When will I see you again?
When will we share precious moments?
Will I have to wait forever?
Will I have to suffer? (Suffer)
And cry the whole night through?
When will I see you again?
When will our hearts beat together?
Are we in love or just friends?
Is this my beginning or is this the end?
When will I see you again?
When will I see you again?
When will I see you again?
Hah, hoo
(Precious moments)
Are we in love or just friends?
Is this my beginning or is this the end? (Is this the end?)
When will I see you again?
When will I see you again?
When will I see you again?
Sweet, sweet love of mine
(When will I see you again?) Come on, come on
(When will I see you again?) Tell me when
(When will I see you again?) My sweet love, oh, yes
(When will I see you again?) Ooh, yeah
I am back in Paradise for a couple of days, therefore you will see a magnificent sunrise photograph. I sent it to Alina (and others) with this caption: Look at our glorious sunrise and soon a walk on the beach. Alhamdulillah.
The good news? We walked on the beach. The bad news? It did in my left knee, I am in pain. Writing from bed with my knee elevated. This too shall pass.
“The phrase “this too shall pass” means that all things, both good and bad, are temporary and will eventually change. It’s a reminder of the impermanence of life’s experiences, suggesting that neither joy nor sorrow, success nor failure, will last forever. The phrase is often used to offer comfort during difficult times, but also to remind people to appreciate the good times while they last.”
Whoever write that, lifted it from the Quran. Hahahaha
