Anatomy of a Muslim

by Ayesha Posted on May 25, 2010

Alhumdu’lillah 20 weeks down, and 20 more to go!

Yesterday Saqib and I went to an ultrasound to have a structural survey done of our child.  The ultrasound technician basically gave us a tour of our baby.  Alhumdu’lillah everything is in right on track, in place, functioning, and looking good.  I couldn’t have been more happy.

A funny feeling came over me when I was watching the screen and seeing all these different parts of my baby.  All I could think of was how it would use these things for good–to be a Muslim.

  • We saw two eyes, that I hoped it would use to read Qur’an.
  • We saw a nose, that I hoped it wouldn’t stick in the air.
  • We saw a mouth, that was opening and closing drinking fluid; but I hoped one day it would use its mouth to make dhikr and speak good things.
  • We saw two hands attached to two arms, that I wanted to see my child use to say takbir and pray.
  • We saw a spinal chord, that I hoped my baby would use to be steadfast, upright and confident in its belief.
  • We saw two little feet, that I hoped my baby would use to stand up straight in salah.
  • We saw a stomach, that will one day be empty while our child is fasting.
  • And finally we saw a heart, that I hope will be overflowing with imaan and a love for Allah.

May Allah, al-Khaliq, make it possible for our child, and all of us, to use the bodies that He has created to worship Him alone and to come closer to Him.

Posted in Family | 5 Comments

A Nightingale is Nesting

by Ayesha Posted on April 26, 2010

That’s right, my husband and I are expecting our first baby inshaAllah later this year.  The due date is 10/10/10, and as a math teacher and major nerd I am excited at the prospect that my child could be born on a day that’s entirely binary!

I’ve completed 15 of the 40 weeks.  Alhumdu’lillah everything is going well.  I haven’t had many problems at all.  I’ve thrown up on two occasions, and I don’t really think the baby was to blame.

The hardest part for me has been my really poor sleep during the night.  During the day I get pretty exhausted from being on my feet at work all day.  When I come home in the afternoon I usually try to take a nap but all I can think of is all the things I have to get done in the mean time.  Then at night I can’t seem to get comfortable, or my body is just… awake.  Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Marriage | 3 Comments

Spring Break, Here I Come!

by Ayesha Posted on March 24, 2010

Dude, I’ve had 12 straight weeks of school and I am ready for a break.  I am so physically exhausted.  All my students are pretty sick and tired of school, too.  Today in class when we were doing some practice tests for the IOWA (an Illinois standardized test)  every time they finished a test I told them to close their books to indicate to me they were done and waiting.  Well, they did that, and they also all put their heads down.  It was like they all decided collectively to have group nap time.   When we finished our practice tests, I told them that since there was just a bit of time left in class they could use it however they would like.  This usually leads to loud, chaotic conversations.  But this time?  They were all dead silent and sleeping.  I was so jealous!  I wanted to put my head down, too!

Even in the teacher’s lounge, during breaks I’ve noticed people are not quite as lively as they usually are.  Everyone kinda looks like a grumpy bear that needs to get out of the building and have their own fun.   When the words “spring” and “break” are mentioned everyone gets this weird twinkle in their eye.  It’s kinda sad that we’re all so dependent on a week off from school.

The good news is the 3rd quarter of school ended, and so we’re finally in our last quarter.  This quarter usually flies by, and I’m hoping that happens this year, too.  There’s always lots of end-of-the-year activities in and out of school that keep us occupied from week to week as we all start to countdown to the last day of school in June.  It cannot come a moment too soon!

Until then, I’m waiting for spring break.  When I can sleep everyday of the week and stay in pajamas until noon if I want, or not change at all! :)

Posted in Teaching | 1 Comment

10 Things You Should Never Ask

by Ayesha Posted on February 25, 2010

The following is a list of questions that you should never ask anyone: 

  1. What happened to your face?
  2. How much do you weigh?
  3. I haven’t seen your spouse in a while, where is (s)he these days?
  4. Are you pregnant?
  5. Did you find a job yet?
  6. Weren’t you married?
  7. Is all that food for you?
  8. You’ve put on some pounds, huh?
  9. Is that what you’re wearing to the party?
  10. Did your parents mind that your spouse is from [insert region of the world here]?

By the way, all of these questions weren’t directed at me.  I’ve heard others being asked and it made my jaw drop.

Please feel free to add to this list.

Posted in My 2 Cents | 9 Comments

Hajj Stories–Allah is al-Mujeeb

by Ayesha Posted on February 1, 2010

During Hajj one of the girls in my group kept a check list of all the things she made du’aa for.  As she asked, she’d scribble it down, whether it was something small or big.  And as her du’aas were answered, she physically checked them off her list.  It was a way for her to truly appreciate that Allah is AlMujeeb and does in fact answer our call, whether they are for watermelon after a long day or walking around Mecca, riding on top of a bus, a bottle of clean water, or (hopefully) having all our sins forgiven.

Since I’ve come back I’ve tried to keep a mental checklist of the things I made du’aa for, in the past, during Hajj and up until now.  It is very satisfying to “check” some of my du’aas of my list :)   There are some major ones, and some minor ones, but the minor ones are not any less significant.

Anyway, try it out for yourself.  Keep a checklist and keep it updated.  Insha’Allah it will make you more grateful to Allah for all the things that He has given to you just because you asked :)

Posted in Hajj | Leave a comment