Palestwinians.

Reminiscing.

"Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory." - Dr Seuss

Dedicated to how-about-no because she pretty much made me the awesome book cover! And because she's an amazing writer! <3

Chapter 8 - Reminiscing.

I threw my pen across the desk, slammed my textbook shut and sighed. It was Friday today, and since I didn’t have uni, I had woken up early to finish off my History assignment. I was distracted, since my brain kept regurgitating an overload of thoughts, overanalyzing them and then leaving me with a headache. In two hours I had written only one paragraph.

Electricity cut off from six in the morning till three in the afternoon and since it was currently one oclock, I couldn't have done any proper research anyway. 

I pushed my chair backwards and got up, deciding some exercise would release the strain and stress in my body. Noah had set up something similar to a mini gym in our backyard, which was perfect, since I got to spend some time in the sun. I slipped on comfortable trackies, my Nike shoes and a long sleeve top with a two-piece slip on scarf, just incase any neighbours were to see me. Walking out into the sunshine, I felt better within seconds.

I began by doing some cardio, running on the treadmill for about ten minutes; I could never do any longer or I’d get extremely bored. While I ran, I allowed the sun to soak my face, listening to the tranquil songs of the birds and the occasional chirping of the insects. I looked up at the sky, half-blinded by the sun when an ayah came into mind; - 

“Indeed! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” [Al-Imran: 190].

I remember growing up, every time we’d leave the house, my father would point out various creations of Allah [swt], stressing the importance of contemplation. He would constantly repeat the verse to us, especially to Noah and me, even if it revolved around a single leaf. My thoughts then travelled to a lecture I had watched by Nouman Ali Khan about the bee. Until now, I was utterly mind blown, about how Allah [swt] can present guidance to us, from such a small creature. 

The Prophet (pbuh) narrated that the example of the believer is just like the example of a bee. Now you might be thinking why a bee? How could a bee, be of any relevance to our life? The simplicity in the bee’s guidance is truly a miracle.

The bee eats well - the bee only travels to a flower that is fresh, pure and clean, first making sure that the flower has not been claimed by another. It does not give up until it finds the best of all flowers. Surely when an individual begins any aspect of his life he should seek the best, but also the most pure in life, whether it be a job, a wife or friends. Our attitudes should be nothing less.

When a bee lands on a flower, it will eat from it, but not until it gives the flower more than it takes. They give it pollen; they give it life. Just as the bee has a relationship with the flower, all of us, as Allah’s creations have relationships with each other. Whether it be via marriage, friendship and even family, there’s always a give and take. But the bee – the bee will give more than it takes. And so should we do the same. 

I sighed as I ended my run, pondering whether I was just like the bee. If someone could read minds and they heard mine right now, they would definitely admit me into a psychiatric ward. I shook my head and smiled, relishing in the fact that I had the greatest blessing in my life – Islam.

I wiped the sweat off my brow and proceeded to lay out my yoga mat. I did some personalized drills working on my legs and abdomen before finishing off with some weight lifting. I saw the shadow of a silhouette from the corner of my eye and nearly dropped my dumbbell onto my foot.