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100 HADITHS ON WOMEN (PART 3)

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You may read part 2 at: https://lubnah.me.ke/100-hadiths-on-women-part-2/

C. ACTS OF WORSHIP كتاب العبادات

1. What Has Been Narrated Concerning Women Leaving (Their House) For The Masjid

Ibn ‘Umar reported the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) as saying; Do not prevent your women from visiting the mosque; but their houses are better for them (for praying).

“عَنِ اْبنِ عُمَرَ، قاَل قاَل رَسُوُل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لَا تمْنعُوا نِسَاَءكمُ اْلمَسَاجد وَُبيُوُتُهنَّ خيْرٌ لهنَّ ”
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)

2. Friday Prayer

Narrated Ibn `Umar:
One of the wives of `Umar (bin Al-Khattab) used to offer the Fajr and the `Isha’ prayer in
congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that `Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, “What prevents him from stopping me from this act?” The other replied, “The statement of Allah’s Messenger(ﷺ)’ :Do not stop Allah’s women-slaves from going to Allah’s Mosques’ prevents him.”

عَنِ اْبنِ عُمَرَ، قاَل كاَنتِ اْمرَأٌَة لعُمَرَ تشهد صَلاة الصُّبحِ وَاْلعِشَاِء فِي اْلجَمَاعَةِ فِي اْلمَسجِِد، فقِيلَ لها لمَ تخْرُجينَ وَقد تعَْلمِينَ أن عُمَرَ يكْرَُه ذَِلكَ وََيغَارُ قَاَلتْ وََما يمْنعُُه أن ينهانِي
قاَل يمْنَعُُه قَوُْل رَسُولِ اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لَا تمْنَعُوا إَِماَء اَّلِلّه مسَاجد اَّ لِلّه

Sahih al-Bukhari 900

3. Woman traveling alone, even to hajj

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet said, “A woman should not travel except with a Dhu-Mahram (her husband or a man with whom that woman cannot marry at all according to the Islamic Jurisprudence), and no man may visit her except in the presence of a Dhu-Mahram.” A man got up and said, “O Allah’s Messenger I intend to go to such and such an army and my wife wants to perform Hajj.” The Prophetsaid (to him), “Go along with her (to Hajj).

عَنِ اْبنِ عَباسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قاَل قَاَل النبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لَا تسَافِرِ اْلمَرْأة إِلَّا معَ ذي محْرَمٍ، وَلَا يْدخُلُ عََل يها رَجُلٌ إِلَّا وََمعََها محرَمٌ “. فَقَاَل رَجُلٌ يا رَسُوَل
اَّلِلّ إِ نِي أرِيُد أن أخرُجَ جَيْشِ كذا وَكذا، وَاْمرَأتِي ترِيُد اْلحَجَّ . فَقَاَل ” اخرُجْ معََها

Sahih al-Bukhari 1862

4. The Tawaf of women and men

Ibn Juraij said, “ `Ata informed us that when Ibn Hisham forbade women to perform Tawaf with men he said to him, ‘How do you forbid them while the wives of the Prophet(ﷺ) used to perform Tawaf with the men?’ I said, ‘Was this before decreeing of the use of the veil or after it? `Ata took an oath and said, ‘I saw it after the order of veil.’ I said, ‘How did they mix with the men?’ `Ata said, ‘The women never mixed with the men, and `A’ishah used to perform Tawaf separately and never mixed with men. Once it happened that `A’ishah was performing the Tawaf and woman said to her, ‘O Mother of believers! Let us touch the Black stone.’ `A’ishah said to her, ‘Go yourself,’ and she herself refused to do so. The wives of the Prophet(ﷺ) used to come out in night, in disguise and used to perform Tawaf with men. But whenever they intended to enter the Ka`bah, they would stay outside till the men had gone out. I and `Ubaid bin `Umair used to visit `A’ishah while she was residing at JaufThabir.” I asked, “What was her veil?” `Ata said, “She was wearing an old Turkish veil, and that was the only thing (veil) which was screen between us and her. I saw a pink cover on her.”

قَاَل اْبنُ جُرَْيجٍ أخْبرََنا قاَل أخبَرَنِي عطاٌء، إذْ منعَ اْبنُ هِشَامٍ النِ سَاَء الطَّ وَافَ معَ الرِ جالِ قاَل كَيفَ يمْنَعُُهنَّ، وَقد طَافَ نِسَاُء النبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم معَ الرِ جَالِ قلتُ أبعَْد اْلحجَابِ أوْ قَبْلُ قَاَل إِي لعَمرِي لقَْد أدرَكته بعَْد اْلحجَابِ . قلتُ كيْفَ يخاِلطنَ الرِ جَاَل قَاَل لمْ يكنَّ يخَاِلطْنَ كاَنتْ عَائِشة ـ رضى الله عنها ـ تطُوفُ حَجْرًَة مِنَ الرِ جَالِ لَا تخَاِلطُُهمْ، فقَاَلتِ اْمرَأٌَة اْنطَلِقِي نسْتلِمْ يا أمَّ اْلمُؤْمِنِي نَ. قاَلتْ }اْنطلِقِي{ عَنْ كِ. وَأب تْ. }وَكنَّ { يخْرُج نَ متنكِ رَاتٍ بِالَّليْلِ، فَيطُفْنَ معَ الرِ جَالِ، وََلكِنهنَّ كنَّ إِذَا دخلنَ اْلبَيْتَ قمْنَ حَتى يْدخُْلنَ وَأخْرِجَ الرِ جَاُل، وَكنتُ آتِي عائِشة أنا وَعُبيد بنُ عُمَيرٍ وَهِيَ مجَاوِرٌَة فِي جَوْفِ ثبِيرٍ . قلتُ وََما حِجَاُبَها قاَل هِيَ فِي قبةٍ ترْكِيةٍ لَها غِشاٌء، وََما بيْننا وََبينها غَيرُ
ذَِلكَ، وَرَأيتُ عليَْها درْعا موَرًَّدا

Sahih al-Bukhari 1618

5. Getting the attention of the Imam

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet(ﷺ) said, “The saying ‘Sub Han Allah’ is for men and clapping is for women.” (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying “Sub Han Allah”. And women, by clapping their hands).

عَنْ أبِي هرَْيرََة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عنِ النَّبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قاَل ” التَّسْبِيحُ للرِ جالِ وَالتصْفِيقُ للن سَاِء

Sahih al-Bukhari 1203

6. Wearing niqab and gloves while in ihram

Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet( )ﷺas saying A woman in the sacred state (wearing ihram) must not be veiled or wear gloves.
عَنِ اْبنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قاَل ” اْلمُحْرَِمُة لَا تنتقِبُ وَلَا تْلبسُ اْلقفازَْينِ

Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani) SunanAbiDawud 1826

7. Permission For Women To Go Out To The ‘Id Prayer And Attend The Khutbah, Separated From The Men

Umm ‘Atiyya reported:
The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) commanded us to bring out on’Id-ul-Fitr and ‘Id-ul-Adha young women, menstruating women and purdah-observing ladies, menstruating women kept back from prayer, but participated in goodness and supplication of the Muslims. I said: Messenger of Allah, one of us does not have an outer garment (to cover her face and body). He said: Let her sister cover her with her outer garment.

عَنْ أمِ عَطِية، قَاَلتْ أمرََنا رَسُوُل اَّلِلّه صلى الله عليه وسلم أن نخْرِجَُهنَّ فِي اْلفِطْرِ وَالَأضحى اْلعَوَاتِقَ وَاْلحُيضَ وَذَوَاتِ اْلخُُدورِ فأما اْلحُيضُ فيَعْتَزِْلنَ الصلَاَة وََيشَْهْدن اْلخَيرَ وََدعْوََة
اْلمُسْلِمِينَ . قلتُ يا رَسوَل اَّلِلّ إحَْداَنا لَا يكوُن لَها جلبابٌ قاَل ” لتلبِسها أُختَُها مِنْ جِْلبابَِها

Sahih Muslim 890 c

8. Conditions before going to mosque

‘Amra, daughter of Abd al-Rahmin, reported:
I heard ‘A’isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) .Say: If the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had seen what new things the women have introduced (in their way of life) he would have definitely prevented them from going to the mosque, as the women of BaniIsra’il were prevented.

عنْ عَمْرََة بِنتِ عَبد الرَّحْمَنِ، أنَها سمِعَتْ عَائِشََة، زَوْجَ النبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تقوُل لوْ أََّن رَسوَل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَأى ما أحَْدثَ النِ ساُء لمَنَعَُهنَّ اْلمسْجد كمَا منِعَتْ
نِسَاُء بنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ . قاَل فقلتُ لعَمرََة أنِسَاُء بنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ منِعْنَ اْلمَسجَِد قَاَلتْ نعَمْ

Sahih Muslim 445 a

9. Excessive worship

Narrated ‘Aisha:
Once the Prophet (ﷺ) came while a woman was sitting with me. He said, “Who is she?” I replied, “She is so and so,” and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly, “Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity (without being overtaxed) as Allah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (act of Worship) in the sight of Allah is that which is done regularly.”

عَنْ عَائِشََة، أن النبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم دخلَ عََليَْها وَعِندَها اْمرَأة قاَل منْ هذهِ “. قاَلتْ فلَاَنُة . تذكُرُ مِنْ صَلَاتَِ ها. قاَل ” مْه، عََليكمْ بِمَا تطِيقوَن، فَوَاَّلِلّ لَا يمَلُّ اَّلُلّ حَتى
تمَُّلوا “. وَكاَن أَحبَّ الِ دينِ إَِليْهِ ما دامَ عََليهِ صَاحبه

Sahih al-Bukhari 43

10. Missing prayer while on menstrual period

Narrated Mu`adha:
A woman asked `Aisha, “Should I offer the prayers that which I did not offer because of menses” `Aisha said, “Are you from the Huraura’ (a town in Iraq?) We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) and used to get our periods but he never ordered us to offer them (the Prayers missed during menses).” `Aisha perhaps said, “We did not offer them.”
Sahih al-Bukhari

حََّدَثنا موسَى بنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، قاَل حدَثنَا همَّامٌ، قَاَل حََّدَثنا قتاَدُة، قاَل حََّدَثتنِي معَاذَُة، أن اْمرَأًَة، قَاَلتْ لعَائِ شة أََتجْزِي إِحَْداَنا صَلَاَتَها إِذَا طهرَتْ فقاَلتْ أَحَرُورَِّيٌة أنتِ كنا نحيضُ معَ النَّبِيِ
صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَا يأمرَُنا بِهِ. أَوْ قاَلتْ فلَا نفْعَُله

11. Disrupting prayer

a. Narrated `Aisha:
The things which annul prayer were mentioned before me (and those were): a dog, a donkey and a woman. I said, “You have compared us (women) to donkeys and dogs. By Allah! I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying while I used to lie in (my) bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I disliked to sit and trouble the Prophet. So, I would slip away by the side of his feet.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 514

عن عَائِشََة، ذُكِرَ عِندَها ما يقطعُ الصلَاَة اْلكَْلبُ وَاْلحمَارُ وَاْلمَرْأة فقاَلتْ شَبَّْهتمُوَنا بِاْلحمُرِ وَاْلكِلابِ، وَاَّلِلّ لقَْد رَأيتُ النبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يص لِي، وَإ نِي عََلى السَّرِيرِ ـ بينه
وََبينَ اْلقِبَْلةِ ـ مضطجِعًَة فَتبدو لي اْلحَاجَُة، فأكرَُه أن أجْلِسَ فَأُوِذيَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فأنسَلُّ مِنْ عِند رِجَْليْهِ

b. Narrated `Urwa:
The Prophet (ﷺ) prayed while `Aisha was lying between him and his Qibla on the bed on which they used to sleep.
Sahih al-Bukhari 384

عَنْ عُرْوََة، أن النبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَاَن يصَ لِي وَعَائِشَُة معْترِضٌَة بينه وََبينَ اْلقِبَْلةِ على اْلفِرَاشِ اَّلِذي يناَمانِ عََليهِ

12. Performing hajj on behalf of your unable father

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
A woman from the tribe of Khath’am asked for the verdict of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ( regarding something) during Hajjat-ul-Wada` while Al-Fadl bin `Abbas was the companion-rider behind Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) .She asked, “Allah’s ordained obligation (i.e. compulsory Hajj) enjoined on His slaves has become due on my old father who cannot sit firmly on the riding animal. Will it be sufficient if I perform the Hajj on his behalf?” He said, “Yes.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 4399

عَنِ اْبنِ عَباسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أن اْمرَأًَة، مِنْ خَثعَمَ اسْتفتتْ رَسُوَل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حجةِ اْلوََداعِ وَاْلفضْلُ بنُ عَباسٍ رَِديفُ رَسُولِ اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَاَلتْ
يا رَسُوَل اَّلِلّ إَِّن فرِيضََة اَّلِلّ عََلى عِبَاِدهِ أَْدرَكَتْ أَبِي شَيخًا كبِيرًا لَا يسْتطِيعُ أن يستَوِيَ على الر احلةِ، فََهلْ يقضِي أن أحُجَّ عَنه قَاَل : نعَمْ


13. Fasting in the presence of your husband Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “A woman should not fast (optional fasts) except with her husband’s permission if he is at home (staying with her).
Sahih al-Bukhari 5192

عَنْ أبِي هرَْيرََة، عَنِ النبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “لَا تصُومُ اْلمَرْأة وََبعُْلها شَاهٌِد إِلَّا بِِإذْنِهِ

14. Performing hajj on behalf of your deceased mother

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, “My mother vowed to perform the Hajj but she died before performing it. Should I perform the Hajj on her behalf?” He said, “Yes! Perform the Hajj on her behalf. See, if your mother had been in debt, would you have paid her debt?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “So you should pay what is for Him as Allah has more right that one should fulfill one’s obligations to Him. “
Sahih al-Bukhari 7315

عَنِ اْبنِ عَباسٍ، أن اْمرَأة، جَاَءتْ إَِلى النَّبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فقاَلتْ إَِّن أ مِي نَذرَتْ أن تحجَّ فمَاَتتْ قَبلَ أَْن تحُجَّ أفأحُجَّ عَنها قاَل نعَمْ حج ي عنَْها، أَرَأَْيتِ لوْ كَاَن عََلى
أمِكِ دْينٌ أكنتِ قاضِيتَُه “. قاَلتْ نعَمْ . فَقَاَل فاقضُوا اَّلِذي لُه، فَِإَّن اَّلَلّ أحقُّ بِاْلوَفاِء

15. Repaying missed prayers while on menses

Mu’adha reported:
A woman asked ‘A’isha: Should one amongst us complete prayers abandoned during the period of menses? ‘A’isha said: Are you a Haruriya? When any one of us during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was in her menses (and abandoned prayer) she was not required to complete them.
Sahih Muslim 335 a

عَنْ معَاذََة، أن اْمرَأة، سَألتْ عائِشة فقاَلتْ أََتقْضِي إِحَْداَنا الصَّلَاَة أيا مَ محِيضَِها فَقاَلتْ عائِشة أَحَرُورَِّية أَْنتِ قد كاَنتْ إِحَْداَنا تحيضُ عََلى عهد رَسولِ اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثمَّ لَا
تؤَْمرُ بِقضَاٍء

16. Standing formation when praying with opposite gender

Abdullah b. Al-Mukhtar heard Musa b. Anas narrating on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) led him, his mother or his aunt in prayer. He made me, stand on his right side and made the woman stand, behind us.
Sahih Muslim 660 b

عَنْ أنَسَِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أنََّ رَسُولَ الل صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلىَّ بهِِ وَبِأ مُِهِ أوَْ خَالتَهِِ . قاَلَ فأَقَاَمَنيِ عَنْ يمَِينهِِ وَأقَاَمَ الْمَرْأةََ خَلْفنَاَ

17. Repaying fasts of a deceased relative

Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported:
A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: My mother has died, and fasts of a month are due from her. Thereupon he said: Don’t you see that if debt was due from her, would you not pay it? She said: Yes (I would pay on her behalf). Thereupon he said: The debt of Allah deserves its payment more than (the payment of anyone else).
Sahih Muslim 1148 a

عَنِ اْبنِ عَباسٍ، – رضى الله عنهما – أن اْمرَأة، أََتتْ رَسُوَل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فقَاَلتْ إَِّن أ مِي ماَتتْ وَعََليها صَوْمُ شَْ هرٍ . فقاَل أرَأَْيتِ لوْ كَاَن عليها دينٌ أَكُنت
تقْضِينه ” . قاَلتْ نعَمْ . قَاَل ” فََدْينُ اَّلِلّ أَحَقُّ بِاْلقضَاِء

18. Umrah in ramadhan equals to Hajj

Ataa reported:
I heard Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrating to us that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said to a woman of the Ansar (Ibn Abbas had mentioned her name but I have forgotten it): ‘What has prevented you that you do not perform Hajj along with us? She said: We have only two camels for carrying water. One of the camels has been taken by my husband and my son for performing Hajj and one has been left for us for carrying water, whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: So when the month of Ramadan come, perform Umra, for’Umra in this (month) is equal to Hajj (in reward). Sahih Muslim 1255 b

عَطَاٌء، قاَل سَمِعْتُ اْبنَ عَباسٍ، يح دثنَا قاَل قاَل رَسُوُل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِاْمرَأةٍ مِنَ الَأْنصارِ سمَّاَها اْبنُ عَبَّاسٍ فنسِيتُ اسْمََها ما منعَكِ أن تحُجِ ي معَنَا ” . قَاَلتْ لمْ
يكنْ لنا إِلَّا ناضِحَانِ فحجَّ أَُبو وََلِدَها وَاْبنها عََلى ناضِحٍ وََترَكَ لنا ناضِحا ننْضِحُ عليهِ قَاَل ” فإذَا جَاَء رََمضَاُن فاعْتمِرِي فَِإَّن عمْرًَة فِيهِ تعِْدُل حَجًَّة

19. Hajj for children and rewards for the parent

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that:
The Messenger of Allah passed by a woman when she was in her seclusion and had a child with her.
She said: “Is there Hajj for this one?’’ He said: “Yes, and you will be rewarded.’’
Sahih (Darussalam)
Sunan an-Nasa’i 2649

عَنِ اْبنِ عَباسٍ، أن رَسُوَل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مرَّ بِاْمرَأةٍ وَهِيَ فِي خدرَِها معََها صَبِيٌّ فقاَلتْ ألَهذا حَجٌّ قَاَل “نعَمْ وََلكِ أجْرٌ

20. A woman gifting from her wealth

It was narrated from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah said:“It is not permissible for a woman to give a gift from her wealth, once her husband has marital authority over her.” This is the wording of (one of the narrators) Muhammad.
Hasan (Darussalam)
Sunan an-Nasa’i 3756

عَنْ عَمْرِو بنِ شُعَيبٍ، عَنْ أبِيهِ، عنْ ج دهِ، أََّن رَسُوَل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قاَل : لَا يجُوزُ لِاْمرَأةٍ هِبٌَة فِي ماِلَها إِذَا مَلكَ زَوْجَُها عِصْمَتها

21. Giving charity from household foodstuff

Narrated `Aisha:
Allah’s Messenger ()ﷺ said, “When a woman gives in charity some of the foodstuff (which she has in her house) without spoiling it, she will receive the reward for what she has spent, and her husband will receive the reward because of his earning, and the storekeeper will also have a reward similar to it. The reward of one will not decrease the reward of the others . “
Sahih al-Bukhari 1425

عَنْ عَائِشََة ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قاَلتْ قاَل رَسوُل اَّلِلّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا أنفقتِ اْلمَرأة مِنْ طَعَامِ بيتَِها غَيْرَ مفسَِدةٍ كاَن لَها أجْرَُها بِمَا أَْنفقتْ وَِلزَوْجها أَجْرُُه بِمَا كسَبَ، وَِلْلخَازِنِ
مِثلُ ذَِلكَ، لَا ينْقصُ بعْضُُهمْ أَجْرَ بعٍْض شَيئا

22. Giving charity without the husband’s permission

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet ()ﷺ said, “If a woman gives something (i.e. in charity) from her husband’s earnings without his permission, she will get half his reward.” Sahih al-Bukhari 2066

عَنْ همَّامٍ، قاَل سَمِعْتُ أبا هرَْيرََة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قاَل إِذَا أَْنفقتِ اْلمرْأَُة مِنْ كسْبِ زَوْجها عَنْ غَيرِ أمرِهِ، فََله نِصفُ أجرِهِ

23. A woman’s prayer is better in her house and best in her private chamber

“Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) reported the prophet (ﷺ) as saying; it is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, and more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house.
Sahih (Al-Albani)
SunanAbiDawud 570

عَنْ عَبد اَّلِلّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال صَلاة اْلمَرْأةِ فِي بيتَِها أفضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاتَِها فِي حجرَتَِها وَصَلَاُتَها فِي مخَْدعَِها أفضَلُ مِنْ صَلَاتَِها فِي بيْتَِها

To be continued…

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Guest Posts

SURPRISINGLY, I LOVE MY COUNTRY

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The sun sets beneath the hills that are stretched into the distance as I lazily sit on a couch while I enjoy the spectacular view. “No two sunsets are ever the same,” I soliloquise, enamoured by the ever changing hues of the sky, shifting from gold, to pink and eventually, black.

You see, sunsets make me sad for a variety of reasons and sometimes, for no reason at all.
They make me think of another day wasted with procrastination, beating myself up for not studying or doing some other mundane task. They also make me think of the impending doom that is about to befall this world, as the list of events prophesied over an aeon ago are fulfilled one by one. Other times, it simply reminds me that beautiful things are often fleeting at best, and in the end all men must die. I digress, or so it seems, but that is one of the reasons I love Kenya. The sunsets here are beautiful. A liken Kenya to a mother with over forty children, who fight each other for the biggest piece of meat. Some children are stronger than the others, and so they take from their weaker siblings and share major parts among themselves, leaving the rest starving or dissatisfied. So what do the weaker siblings do? They band against their stronger counterparts with the hopes of taking the meat that they possess and making it theirs. All the while, mama Kenya silently weeps and whispers, “This isn’t what I wanted.”

I’ve always thought of running away to some first world country where I’ll have a better chance of living a good life than here. All the goings on that occur on a daily basis have been met with indifference on my part, because I felt that it didn’t concern me. But now I find myself checking the news and looking up on the country’s economy. I’m curious to know who did what and which firm invested where. I get pissed off when politicians threaten to upset the current peace by inciting violence which once upon a time brought mama Kenya to her knees and almost took her to a point of no return.

It took me a while to realise this but…I actually love my country and care about whatever happens to it. Frankly, Kenya is a messed up country, but it is my messed up country. It’s the place where I was born and raised, where I felt love, joy, anger, sadness and pain. It’s a place I call home. When someone you care about is in a bad state, you try your best to rectify them instead of running away and letting them suffer. I believe we are at a critical point in our country’s future and we need to ensure that nothing happens that will jeopardize this future. If we are to pull off a Singapore and become one of the world’s leading economies, then we really need to put mama Kenya’s wishes ahead of our own and share the meat fairly and equitably, so that all siblings may truly love one another and make their mother proud.

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Deen (Religion)

GO BACK HOME, DARLING.

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Photo Courtesy: https://www.pinterest.com

God and I, we used to be such good friends. God, don’t I miss that friendship! There was no rush of leaving the prayer mat after praying. I’d stay there and just talk to Him, you know? Maybe because I was lonely. And it was such a comfortable safe space to slide into. I could cry, laugh and say all I wanted to say that my anxiety wouldn’t otherwise let me. Or maybe because of the way people judged me a little too harshly. I had always been recognized as the religious one. Why? I didn’t shake hands with men. Or maybe because I did all my sunnahs like they were compulsory. Or my sujoods were noticeably longer. And I wasn’t even trying. That was my comfortable zone. I remember leaving school earlier on Fridays just so I could go to a distant mosque where nobody recognized me so I could have alone time with God. It was beautiful.

Update 1: I prefer hugs to handshakes now 🙁
Update 2: Where did y’all religious friends go?
Update 3: I’m doing compulsories like they’re sunnahs now.
Update 4: Refer to update 3

Thing with friendships though, you don’t realize when they’re breaking. It’s so gradual and smooth before you know it you’re the friend that people are coming to for good music. The religious friends are spending less and less time with you. You’re spending your nights in clubs. And then one day after so many days you’ll find yourself in a dirty pitch in your room or on your way to work wondering, “How? How did I become this person? How did I get here? I just want to go home.”

So yeah, I’m not in a very good place with God now. And that hurts me. I’d be in Jamia mosque praying and look at people who look so engrossed in their own prayers and duas with Allah and i’ll feel so much envy and pain and a

“That used to be you” Must be the devil hat whispers with his tongue out.

Like there was this girl in a red Hijab once. She was at the very first line. Flawless skin and such a beautiful hearty and warm smile. I imagined she woke up in the depths of the night to pray. The way I used to. The way I want to.

Sometimes, I’m reminded of God in the most bizarre and unexpected way or place. Take for example this friend. Said friend isn’t Muslim. Said friend asks me, “How are you and God, love?”
That has stuck with me for so long since it happened. I wish we had such honest conversations more often. Or this time I’m watching a play, in the form of contemporary dance, about a group of people escaping their homeland because of war, and so they’re fleeing to safer grounds. I remember sitting there alone, telling myself, it’s time to start that journey. Go back home, darling.

Thing is, it’s such a big place. When you’re being pressured into stuff, you can not remember anything like peer pressure. You’re not even doing it to be cool for anyone. You tell yourself that you’re doing it in the spirit of being ‘adventurous’. And really, maybe you are. Because, the world our parents think we live in and the world we actually live in, it’s mars and venus. Two totally different realities. And people are busy. Everyone is going on with their business and here you are, taking whatever path you deem right. Which to be honest, I don’t really have a problem with. Only thing is, ‘Is there room for my faith and God in this?’ Most times that answer is no. And almost all those times, you’ll go ahead with whatever it is.

I haven’t been to a club. I haven’t taken alcohol. Alhamdullillah. But I have seen how weak I can get, and I don’t know when that day will come. I have close friends that I have seen traverse the ‘halal-strict-hijabi’ life to the party all night, ‘take buibui off in the corner close to home’ life. And yes, they are STILL my friends. Because a part of me gets them. A very big part of me gets them. And then there’s this part that’s hanging on to whatever trail that’s left of my friendship with God. That i’m holding on to with my dear life.

There’s that voice again.
“Go back home, darling.”

Yours truly,
Your Favourite Stranger 🙂

P.S: You can read more of her pieces on her blog: https://www.favouritestranger.com/

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