A Lifetime For Jannah

The gathering.

Yasmeen woke up to the sound of the alarm indicating the time for Fajr prayer. "Alhamdu lillaahil-ladhee 'ahyana ba'da maa 'amaatana wa ilayhin-nushur. Praise is to Allah Who gives life after He has caused us to die and to Him is the return." [1]. She recited with a yawn. Her Hadith teacher adviced her to always recite the extra two supplications for waking up. The more the merrier... He always used to say. "There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is able to do all things. Glory is to Allah. Praise is to Allah. There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Most Great. There is no might and no power except by Allah's leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me." [2]. "Praise is to Allah Who gave strength to me and permitted me to remember Him."[3].

After performing two Nafil prayers and followed it with Fajr, she spent some time making du'a. Yasmeen's daily routine was to make breakfast and prepare her two younger siblings, eleven year old Sumayya and four year old Umar for summer school.

Umar clearly didn't need to attend summer school but when the school opened up a play group section for kids ages three to nine, Imran thought it'd be a good idea to sign him up.

Yasmeen has been the one taking care of her two siblings since the beginning of her mother's illness. Albeit it hadn't been easy, she still prayed and hoped that things will take a turn for the better.

"Umar, Umar. ..wake up. Time for school..." she said in a singsong tone. Umar did nothing but roll over not willing to get up.

She turned to Sumayya "Summy... hey wake up."

"Ughh it's time already?"

"Yes now get up you're gonna be late." Yasmeen replied as she pulled the blanket off her.

"Just give me five minutes mana" she pleaded.

"And what will you gain in five minutes? Come on. Up." Yasmeen replied impatiently. "You too Umar."

Fifteen minutes later

"Umar! Sumayya! Hurry the school bus has arrived." Yasmeen yelled from the living room. Down came Umar running on the staircase holding his shoes in his hands. "No running on the staircase Umar! Now put on your shoes quickly. Sumayya! Hurry before the bus leaves!"

"Don't forget to pray!" Yasmeen yelled as she waved them goodbye. She was about to shut the door when she sighted Wada, their neighbour's gatekeeper. Luckily, she had her Hijab on so there was no need to panic.

"Assalamu Alaikum aunty Yasmeen." He greeted cheerily.

"Wa alaikumus salam wa rahmatullah." She replied to his greeting. "Good morning Wada, how are you doing? How is work?"

"We thank God... I was sent to give you this." Said Wada as he handed over a white envelope. "It's an invitation. .." Yasmeen wondered what was the occasion before she replied with a soft smile.

"JazakAllahu khairan Wada...Please send my regards to Hajiya Fatima." She thanked and closed the door.

She went back to the living room and tardily reclined to the couch. She knew them leaving for school wasn't the end. She had a whole lot of chores she had to fulfill. However she didn't mind resting for a few minutes before beginning the tasks.

"Yasmeen!"

Or maybe not...

That was Imran, Fadeelah's older brother. Imran has always been like the father of the house. A blithe spirited person always trying his absolute best to provide for them and is determined to work even harder to make sure his mother gets the unmitigated hospitalization she needs.