My former focus, my specialty one could say, was my morning greeting, sent to select WhatsApp folks and then often circulated throughout my readership. Yesterday marked a major deviation form this practice. I am living at Lyf at the moment so sunrises are almost an impossibility, at first cleverly found sunrises of earlier times and other entrancing scenes. Yesterday was an all-time-low. I was diligently writing from bed, leaning against one of my brand new hot water bottles as I was experiencing some back pain. All of a sudden realized something was amiss. The hot water bottle had developed a leak, the bed was soaking wet, so were some of my clothes. I moved quickly, donning dry clothes, moving to the other side of the bed. Then, and only then, took a photo of the hot water bottle and sent it with the following caption.
Good morning, A different view. My new hot water bottle that leaked in the midst of my blog writing. Hope your day goes better than mine. 🤣
Received a myriad of responses. All rather funny.
Emma sent a GIF of a young black woman which said: “Good Afternoon, Have a Good Day.”
Me: Not quite afternoon. But FAB.
This was Alice’s contribution.
She: Was HOT RED
Me: Great Response. You will get the prize for the best response and the first response. I cannot stop laughing.
Another.
She: Good morning Oh wow. Time to get a new one.
Me: Hi. It is a new one. Shamir went online and got me two – gave them to me yesterday.
Yasmin sent a GIF which read: “A friend is someone who understands your past., believes in your future , and accepts you just the way you are. Good morning. Have a blessed day. “
Me: Perfect message! And you are that friend to me.
She: Thank you my dear.
This morning I am deviating from the norm and NOT sending any morning greeting. Dutifully responded to those who sent mm greetings. So far; Shamir, Nesh, Mohan. Having fun with all of them actually.
Nesh: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
Me: Its okay. Makes me appreciate you more when I DO hear from you. Hahaha
He: I will let you know when the chocolate video is posted on Instagram.
Me: Thanks. I am rather concerned about my ‘image’. I need to keep my eye on the prize so to speak.
Then I finally, and I mean finally went to Instagram. Alexis_alla _mcbride and found myself extolling the virtues of these treasured chocolates. Honestly and truly.
About two hours later responded to Nesh.
Me: Finally watched the Instagram reel. WOW amazing. It is a great addition to my image. Showing that a Muslim woman can have fun. One does not see that frequently even here in Malaysia. There seems to be a confusion in minds: modesty and dour and not synonyms. Hahaha.
For your edification: dour means relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.
Modesty in Islam cultivated in daily use by being mindful of one’s actions, words, and appearance. This includes dressing modestly, speaking respectfully, and treating others with kindness and humility . Overall, modesty holds a significant place in Islam, guiding individuals to lead a life of humility, respect, and self-restraint.
Putting that aside for the moment, let us examine two separate themes. I am referring to this definition of theme: the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, a person’s thoughts, or an exhibition; a topic. In other words: a concept, essence.
First the concept of keeping one’s eye on the prize. Again we find AI getting the first- word- in when I Googled.
“Keep your eye on the prize” means to maintain unwavering focus and determination on achieving a desired outcome, especially when facing challenges or distractions. It emphasizes the importance of staying committed to your goals and not losing sight of the ultimate objective.
Decided to dig deeper, not content with the superficiality of AI. Found this:
The prize is whatever it is you want. It can be a goal, your dream career, money, etc. It really isn’t about money though, it’s more about accomplishing your dreams and goals. For example, let’s say I want to become an international pop star. Along the way to fulfilling this dream, there will naturally be many trials and tribulations that make me want to just give up the dream. Just as I’m about to give up, my mom who has always been supportive says to me ”Keep your eye on the prize,” which means don’t give up just because of some hardships, remember why (the dream to become an international pop star) you’re doing this.
But nowhere did I find the crucial aspect: What is the prize? How do you decide what the outcome is? What is your goal?
My understanding of this was enhanced by a riveting experience while eating at Mojo Jojo last evening. Ordered oysters and a mushroom toastie as I was vaguely, bur not horribly hungry. I suddenly had a premonition of my death. To say the least it was rather unnerving. I reached out to friends via WhatsApp., receiving this wisdom from Alice.
She: The older I get, the more I learn to let thins take their own course. I used to think that persistence would make us stronger, but as I grew older I realized that what makes us strong is letting go.
Me: Alice YES indeed, See you soon and we shall talk. I am totally letting go. You are my Aunt Alice sent to help me at this moment. Oh my Allah.
She: The One God
Me: The Only God.
Suddenly music being played over the sound system caught my attention. Did not recognize the song but remembered what to do. With the music in the background, asked Siri. The song very religious, but not the English language. Unfortunately I neither committed it to memory, nor write the title down. I was in rapture and dread, both at the same time. Just now tried to get in touch with Siri to see if there was a memory bank connected to responses The answer was no.
However, no matter, the answer if clear as to what the goal is, what the prize is for Muslims. It is to be on the path to paradise. I, therefore take a large measure of relief in the following, found within the pages of Muhammad Al-Ghazali’s Muslim Character
“He who walks for achieving and and in search for knowledge, for him Allah makes the path to Paradise easy. Sarah Muslim
Allah, His Angels, and all the creatures of the earth and the skies, even the ant in the hole and the fish in the sea, pray for the man who teaches righteousness to the people—Tirmdihi” (pgs 357-358)
The Introduction to the chapter speaks of the varieties of knowledge that are laudatory.
“The learning to which a Muslim turns to is not confined and to open the gates of which he tries his utmost is not confined to religious books but even branch of learning which widens the thought and opens the closed windows of the intellect, may guide him to real knowledge , which may open the new avenues of discoveries and inventions, and which may teach him the secrets of the world leadership which may give him a control over the hidden secrets of energies, all are included in the list of learning , the achieving of which is os the duty of a Muslim.” (Pg. 357)
By the way, I eventually sent a good norming greeting. A photo of my morning coffee with this caption: Good morning. Finally coffee from Mojo Jojo. A heartwarming message. Hahaha
I send end with today’s message from QuranFaith.com “Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation. “Quran 73.6.
Indeed I have found that to be absolutely true. My most impactful worship is in the night. I perform the required obligatory prayers but my night time prayers have so much more meaning. I am filled with awe; feeling I am being heard by our Creator.
