AMINA’S POINT OF VIEW

“Mummy . . . As salaamu alaikum. It is me, Amina,” I said when my mother answered.

“Yes, I have caller ID, so I know. What is it you want?” my mother replied coldly.

“Mummy, please forgive me. I meant well,” I pleaded.

There was a pregnant pause on the phone, and I could not muster the courage to say more.

Then suddenly, “Amina my child, it’s okay. Baboo has invited Fatima and her husband over, so please come over and assist me. There’s so much work to be done,” my mother replied as if nothing had happened.

My heart wasn’t in it, and I declined as I had decided to recite Qur’an daily after each prayer. I knew she would be livid if I told her the truth, so I told a white lie. “I’m going to pray now, but I’ll see you later, in sha Allah.”

I became captivated as I sat in the kitchen, enjoying the sun and reciting the Qur’an. The Noble Book had rules and regulations for business dealings and loaning people money in their time of need. I became so enthralled by it that I lost track of time, and before I knew it, my mother called again, demanding I come over.

As I walked into the kitchen, Aunty Fatima beckoned me to sit beside her. She began telling me the story of Musa AS and taught me the importance of memorising the dua of Musa AS. This was a tradition we had created over time, and every Ramadan, she would impart her extensive knowledge while we cooked and prepared our meals. Her advice was that it was better to gain knowledge rather than have pointless conversations and gossip.

She turned to Taskeen and reminded her to incorporate sunnah foods each week to ensure the baby received good nutrition. Taskeen blushed but felt joyful knowing Aunty Fatima cared for her and showed it unrestrained.

“Amina, did you know vinegar is a sunnah food?” she asked. I was amazed as I never knew this. She suggested we add one sunnah item to our foods and share tips on adding it. I loved the idea, as cooking time can also be learning time.

As iftar drew closer, we began making dua. I looked around, thanked Allah for the beautiful blessings He had given me, and felt grateful.

As we cleaned after the meal, I confided my feelings with Taskeen, who smiled and told me that talking to our Creator brought us peace and contentment. Talking to Allah also creates a connection with him. She added that she did this daily, allowing her to deal with the good and bad that life brought to her.

DUA OF MUSA AS

فَقِيرٌ خَيْرٍ مِنْ إِلَيَّ أَنْزَلْتَ لِمَا إِنِّي رَبِّ

Rabbi innee limaaa anzalta ilaiya min khairin faqeer “My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.”  Surah Al-Qasas Ayat 24