- Back when the only people I was able to hang out were my mom and her friends. This meant that at the age of 13, I was well-versed in fiqh of women’s issues, and was privy to such fascinating and graphic information on what to expect during every stage of pregnancy.

- Finally introduced to a handful of girls my age! We were all a little nuts (see above), so tried to self-therapy on ourselves by plotting world domination instead. Oh, for those days of running around in the park, ‘abaayas flapping in the wind… *sighs*

- Now I spend 2 hours of 3 days a week with children aged 5 – 12, and get to see/ interact with actual grownups approximately once a week (at Jumu’ah). I’ll leave you to deduce how that’s affected me!

I agree with Saqbib, it’s a good thing that Islamic schools do this kind of stuff cuz that’s what really separates them from a public school. So many kids in public school get lost because they hang around crowds that aren’t either Muslim or somewhat practicing Muslims. It’s really a problem amongst high school kids nowadays. Of all the kids I’ve seen, the ones that stay close to the masjid or Muslims in general end up better than the ones who hang around kuffar only.

It’s good to have teachers that can serve as friendly role models of what one can be while still practicing and preserving their Islam in this culture. High school kids tend to think that Islam is dull and that’s usually because they never see the ‘practicing people’ chilling out playing nintendo Wii until 12:30am. Alhamdulilah, we had that in high school (at least my group did), I think we need to set an example for this next generation insha’Allah.

Oh man, this Wii….at least its better then watching him surf the net, and I can get back in touch with my high school N64 days. but the marvel spiderman comic book game i just cant get in to. i prefer the mommy-daugther moments with Amatullah and her horse game, which keeps me nice and mature

As for the whole acting like who you hang out with, and specifically with youngins, when my 15 year old cousin Saad came to stay in my house for two months with my 15 year old brother Waasiq, I hung out with them everyday. Ask Ayesha, her husband who she just moved in with didn’t take very long to act like a 15 year old himself. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? SubhanAllah how amazing is He who made us! Props on the reflection to Ibn Tamiyyah, rahimuhullah.

Also, a teacher once told me about living with roommates, that they will either have an effect on you or you will have an effect on them. Question is, which one will it be? Will we leave our living with others benefiting people, doing nothing for them, or even worse, bringing them harm. It’s a scary scenario to think about when push will come to shove on the Day of Standing.

@Siraaj
Playing video games at your age isn’t not acting your age. Me having fart noise simulation competitons with my cousin and brother during the summer, is. but back to the video games thing, culturally speaking, maybe in our times it’s not “mature” to play video games, and to only rent and not dive into loans and mortgages. But hey man, bump culture and society and just be yourself!

is it sad that I totally thought of the crappiest band ever when I read this title? Blink 182…gross.

@AbdelRahman
No, because by the time I scrolled down to your comment, I was already at the guitar solo bridge of the song in my head. That’s sad!

I, on the other hand, have been spending my money and enjoying myself tremendously. My wife just bought me a Wii and I’ve been rediscovering my old gaming habits. I’m loving Mario Kart online and I’ve got about 10 other games and lots of controllers with nunchuks (4), so anyone who wants to come over for a Wii party, hit up my place!

Siraaj

BUT on the flip side, a lot of them know that they can’t talk about “bad stuff” near me or to me, so they kind of change their attitude when they’re around me, which is kind of cool that I’ve been able to influence them in that way.

Wow I remember IFS, the good ol’ days.

P.S. is it sad that I totally thought of the crappiest band ever when I read this title? Blink 182…gross.

hehe and don’t worry, i wasn’t really upset about my peppered brownie, i just blew most of it off… and into your face!

alhamdulillah, wasn’t it a blast? i can’t remember the last time i laughed that much at work!