By Mumtaz Moosa-Saley
04:04:2022

Ramadaan reminds me of the 80s. 1988, as I was retrenched then and had my family to feed.   My Bibi, my wonderful wife, smiled at me whilst reassuring me that Allah would provide.

That night, I tossed and turned as I prayed to Allah to help me find a way out of my dilemma. Bibi came from an affluent family, and it was only by the blessing of Allah that I had managed to get into a great job that provided enough to keep her, and my children well cared for.

Ayshoo still told me not to worry about what it meant to be; I smiled at her for understanding and not demanding. She was right that what is meant to be will be. With that, suhoor was eaten, and we all stayed up to pray; as I made my way to the masjid for Fajr Salaah, I looked at the sky and called on to Allah to help me find a way. That morning Abu from next door came over with some items, his wife and mother double shopped, and they didn’t want it to go to waste.  I smiled and thanked Allah for what is meant for you will always be.

I walked to the masjid every day, and each day since then, I was reminded of the love Allah had for me, passing the green grass or soaking up the smell of the rain as it hit the red sand; it was as if I was born again. Before 1988, I would be a passer-by at the masjid, and when I was there, I would go through salaah with my mind wondering.  But Ramadan that year felt different. I felt a closeness to Allah, and silently I made a promise that with each passing day, I would find ways to get closer to my creator.

One afternoon that same year, as I was walking home from the masjid for lunch, I remember walking into the house and for the first time in a very long time, I felt at home; I enjoyed the feeling of my children around me. Bibi fussed and told them to keep quiet as I would shout. I looked at her and asked her to help me be a better father who won’t, instead of being impatient, would be tolerant and appreciative of the family Allah had endowed him with. A father who was not a dictator like his own had been, but one who would nurture and love his children better. At that moment, I realised that to feel the coolness of Allah, I had to be kind to my wife and children. This new outlook made me create memories with my children, and it gave me a blissful marriage that made me fall in love with Bibi all over again.

Until today, I have made dua for Bibi and my children.

I asked Allah to guide me, to forgive me for my shortcomings with my family and my past sins. In life, we all have moments of change. It is up to us to take it with both hands and look to Jannah as our goal. Money will come, and it will go, but the legacy we instil in our children is important.

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: “I have never seen anyone kinder to one’s family than (the Prophet Muhammad).” – Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1077