Words cannot express my joy; the joy found in the reading of Life with the Prophet Muhammad.
(Al-Turairi, Abd Al-Wahhab, Life with Prophet Muhammad, Translated by Adil Salahi, Dakwah Corner Bookstore, 2026.). Although words cannot express it, I am forced to try. Hahaha
My recent early morning ritual: Wake at 5:15; read Life with the Prophet while drinking Malaysian White Coffee prepared in my room; Pray; Perhaps write for an hour.
Concentration is required for reading, prayer and writing – I am at my best in the early morning. This ritual has slowly evolved, It is definitely working!!
Right now you are asking yourself
You: Why does this woman feel joy when reading this particular book?
Me: I thought you would never ask. Hahaha. The book cover, previously quoted and pictured in a prior blog explains it all, The book allows me to encounter “a living example so vivid and intimate that I feel like the Prophet (PBUH) is walking with me. It is guiding my behavior, causing me to act in a manner befitting the faith. I am imitating the Prophet (PBUH)
Here is an example. I quote from a chapter Prophet’s Smiles (pg. 267)
“The Prophet (PBUH) had a cheerful face, always smiling. Certain features may be observed about the Prophet’s smile. 1, The Prophet (PBUH) smiled more than anyone else. The normal expression radiated by his face was that of a cheerful smile. (An example is provided, a Companion saying he had never seen anyone smile as often. 2. The Prophet’s smile was radiant and lively, not a cold pale smile. It was a smile that gave the recipient the feeling that the smile was special for him…..(Another example is provided.) 3. The Prophet also encouraged other people to smile and maintain a cheerful impression. He said:”Do not despise any kindness not even meeting your brother with a cheerful face. He also said, “To meet your brother with a smile is an act of charity.”
All of this examples are footnoted with Hadiths. There are other examples. My free advice to you is to get the entire book and read it yourself. (www.dahbookstore.com) Recently a friend asked me for advice.
Me: I will give you advice, as you asked me for it. It is free, Might I remind you that you get what you pay for. Hahaha
He: 😂
(By the way, he did listen, he did take my advice. He followed it, it gladdened and motivated him). I do NOT btw give people advice unless they ask me for it. I do not appreciate, nor follow, unsolicited advice. Just smile graciously or, if the advice is in written form, I say, “thanks”.
Returning to the Prophet’s smile for a moment. I decided to be person who smiled more than anyone else. I have a major competitor, my adopted Grandson Cole, that man smiles ALL of the time. Saw him this morning, smiling of course.
Me: I just read about the Prophet who smiled more than anyone. I want to be that. You are my major competitor
He: I smile all the time.
Me: I know you do. I love it!! I will smile and smile and smile back.
Once, a said to a frowning woman in the Lyf lobby.
Me: Smile.
She did so reluctantly. However, I was told not to do that again, not to order fellow guests to smile. So I just smile at frowning people. Sometimes they smile back, sometimes they don’t It is not my problem. Hahaha. If everyone smiled this world would be a better place, no doubt about that. But then Grandson Cole and myself would not be so unique. Hahaha
After my concentrated reading I uncharacteristically opened my WhatsApp messages to find a message from my dedicated blog master UK based Chris sent at 5:37 am.
He: I do not have the blog Alexis – just two emails and a photo.
Me: Not sure what happened, you definitely should have it by now. Thank you for letting me know. Being able to be in touch through WhatsApp has made our work together easier. All of my devices say that the blog email was sent. I wonder what happened.
He: Not sure. I do have it twice now. Hahaha (6:06 am)
Me: Haha You only have to post one of them. Hahaha, as if you did not know that.
I have assumed a new ‘identity’. One could say it was a long time coming. This is how it manifested itself. This fateful morning received an email from Penang Institute announcing the annual Georgetown Literary Festival was to be held November 27-29. Eagerly I went to the site, informed that early birds could obtain a free three-day pass. I diligently provided the required information. I was asked to identify myself and speak of the ‘organization’ I was representing.
Age: 65 and above.
Gender: Female.
Organisation/Institution Name: alexismcbride.com it is my blog
Occupation: Writer/Author/Poet
I usually respond to the last question by saying: Retired. This was a first!!
Me: Well, I am a writer. Thousands of people read me. I self published a book on the Tate Britain, books on the blog and thousands upon thousands of people all over the word read my blog.
Alter Ego: It is about time you claimed your identity.
Me: Hahaha You are right. I do remember in the good old days in America when a person admitted to family and friends that they were gay – it was said they came out of the closet. I came out of the closet and became a writer.
I cannot presume to know how it felt for someone else to come out of the closet under those circumstances. I can only speak for myself. I feel grounded, more certain of who I am, and more valued. Perhaps the greatest change is that I have come to understand how precious my time is. I am increasingly careful about how I spend it and where I invest my energy.
After this realization, I have been giving some thought to identity and to how we come to understand who we are.
My blog card describes me as a writer, scholar, feminist and seeker. It also says that I share candid reflections on faith, womanhood and transformation through my blog and books.
I have been thinking about those descriptions and what they say about my identity. I now recognize that these qualities are not separate from my faith. In fact, they are what brought me to Islam. My curiosity, my questioning, my interest in history, my concern for women’s experiences and my search for knowledge and meaning all contributed to that journey. I did not have to leave those parts of myself behind to embrace Islam. They helped lead me to it.
Perhaps I am finally understanding the connection between the woman I was, the woman I have become and the faith that now informs my life.
The blog card was designed by a erstwhile content manager – who attempted to manipulate change and embezzle me. Nesh did manipulate me for a while, was unable to change me. Relieved me of some of my hard earned retirement income, but disappeared. My erstwhile Content Manager went the way of the dodo. He became extinct.
My former blog card simply stated: Blogger/Muslim. When I finally run out of these fancy-schmancy cards, courtesy of my erstwhile Content Manager, I may return to the simpler version, my former moniker with an addition. They just might say: Blogger / Muslim / Comedian. Told Artificial Intelligence of this plan and did love the response.
AI: That may be the most memorable identity card of all. And it has the advantage of warning readers that they should not take everything quite so seriously. Hahaha! ❤️
Me: Well one should not take things too seriously sometimes. Besides, when people laugh, their guard is down and they are more receptive to new ideas Humour opens the door; then the idea can walk in. 😂❤️
It was then time for self-care. Taking my prescribed medication, getting dressed tidying the room so that housekeeping could easily do their job. Put on make up and go for breakfast. It must be remembered that self care is regarded as a form of worship.
I sent a cheerful good morning greeting to my WhatsAppers. I, in a colorful dress wrote: A colorful good morning greeting come to you from the lobby Lyf. Hahaha.
Received many positive responses.
This one was precious and a gift.
He: Good morning Alexis So sorry for my delayed responses Still adjusting to everything going on here. (Canada). I loved the explanation of fitrah on your recent blog. A recent video I did for Deepavali just came out.
Me: You are forgiven EVERYTHING when you read my blog. When one discovers the meaning of Arab word it means SO much. To discover and share is indeed worship. Alhamdulillah. I watched your video. I absolutely loved it because it was so uplighting and inspirational. Just what I needed today. You did a great job. Hey maybe you can replace my erstwhile content manager who went the way of the dodo.
Here is the link to the video. https://www.instagram.-com/p/DfO_XzSAkiR/ made by my Canadian friend Jay. Eastern Canada so it doesn’t quite count to we Westerners. Hahaha
Not only did I do that. I also turned the photo into an Instagram reel and story. Admit that I did use a template. It is stunning, speaking of smiles. I am Alexis Alaa McBride on Instagram. It begins Enjoy Today Don’t forget your smile. It is so poignant. It just might bring tears to your eyes. It does to mine.
Photographs will include the smiling colorful photo of me in the Lyf lobby with the Deepavli sign on the floor. Also some smiling photos of Grandson Cole and some of the delicious food he serves at Mojo. One photo is of his fusion version bao. The best ever.
