Finally Ramadhan is here after a long year of waiting. The period of fasting and the feeling associated with it is indescribable. Not surprisingly this is the first time that I have actually come to know what Ramadhan is all about. And also for the first time reading the english translation of the Quran. The joy of joining in the taraweeh prayers, listening to the Khutuba and making du’a to Allah Subhana Wa Tallah is overwhelming. One more thing that I have learnt is that Iman is not taught. It has to come from within you and when it does come, sooner or later then SubhanAllah!!! Seeing hundreds of Muslims flock to prayers and knowing that thousands upon thousands of Muslims all over the world are fasting really makes me feel that we are the most special ummah.

I hope that this Ramadhan brings to each one of us a sense of satisfaction and realization and that we make good use of this holy month by studying the sacred texts and by coming closer to Allah.

Ramadhan Kareem to all!

Islam has always been known as a religion with many rules and regulations that are hard to follow. For the most part of it, it is almost true. Every religion does have certain rules that are meant to be followed and so does Islam. But the most common misconception is that in Islam, the rules are difficult to follow.

Although one may find this true initially as time passes by you get to have a deeper understanding of the religion, of what you are supposed to believe in and in Allah Tallah. And in believing so, you do not have any right to question what God is asking you to follow. Just like how you never question authority. Some of the rules may seem very abnormal to many non-believers and unsurprisingly even to many Muslims. As always the hijab has been known to bring up so many issues and even with all the exposure many fail to grasp the basic meaning behind the hijab.

Following the rules in Islam in very difficult. Nobody can claim to be a perfect Muslim. Only one person can take the claim for being the best of human kind and that is the Prophet Muhammad (SAS). But what we can and should do is try. Try relentlessly everyday to be a better Muslim and a better person everyday. And in trying everyday you come closer to Allah and closer to what Islam is all about.

I was never very religious as a teenager. I did what I was supposed to do. I read the Koran, prayed and fasten in the month of Ramadhan all because I had to and I did so without feeling anything. But ever since I’v finished high school the five month vacation that I had gave me time to think about all that I had done. The good and the bad. And that was when I realized that I had to be better than what I was. In a way my Iman (belief in Allah) increased by leaps and bounds. And in that one year I could feel a difference that I had never felt before. The feeling that Allah was on my side. It gave me courage and strength to overcome all the pitfalls. It gave me the will power to take decisions on my own and the strength to stand up for myself.

Following what Allah has told you to takes you one step away from Jahanama and one step closer to jannah. But it is never easy. It is increasingly difficult. But then trying to do so and doing everything for Allah gives you satisfaction and the confidence that Allah is there for you through everything. People around you may not understand but its what in your heart that matters. When you struggle and fight to do everything for the Almighty, He will naturally give you everything that you need. Trust me, in the end it will all be worth it.

So finally I took out my car (technically my brother’s car) today after three weeks of intense driving classes and if I can say so myself I drove pretty well! Although I did have a teeny weeny problem with the reversing part. I also had a fully present audience consisting of my watchman, my maid, my maid’s son and my neighbour’s driver who helped me take out the car. And finally I had to convince my mother to come out with me for a drive and boy! did she make a fuss!! She said all her du’a’s (prayers) and she got in with so much persuasion. And when i started to drive she was impressed!

I was in the heights of my driving happiness when i realized that the fuel tank said ’empty’. Unfortunately I had to stop. But i decided there is always tomorrow!

And the next!

And the next!

And he next!

But to be totally honest I did bump the car when i was taking a reverse. I bumped into this stupid cane chair near the stupid gate where some stupid person had kept it and ultimately i broke the chair and the car was a teeny bit damaged. But the damage is negligible.

Anyways, tomorrow I’m going to fill the tank and take it out on an actual drive. If my brother is reading this he must be regretting leaving his car behind! Heheheee!!! Too late brother!

I have just realized that its been almost five months since I last wrote. And i must say my life has improved considerably since the last five months. I visited a country I had never been to before, wrote an Anna University exam for the first time in my life, met people I never knew existed before, saw movies that were never released in India and slept like Iv never slept before. Although it may seem like quite a lot it is’nt because I spent most of these four weeks at home sleeping. There is nothing in the world more satisfying than sleeping for a long time. The only person who never agreed with me on this was well, my mother who thinks sleeping till midday is the biggest sin! But now she has given up on me. She knows its hopeless and I do feel bad for her. I have still got exactly one day until college reopens. I can’t wait! Home was fun and everything but college is just a little better. One year has already passed by and how quick! Time does fly. But i guess keeping up to it as it passes by is what life is all about.

So yesterday was Valentines Day and the city was practically covered with red and white.So what is the significance behind these colors you ask?I have NO idea.I think I am a part of very few people who think that Valentines Day is pure crap.Really.. one randomly chosen day to tell someone that you love them, not so romantic i tell you.And who even remembers St.Valentine?The dude after whom this day is named.And i dont even know what he did to get this popular.
The top three worst things bout V Day are-
1.Every shop has mannequins wearing red and white clothes.
2.Love songs everywhere a week prior to V Day.
3.The flood of red balloons and teddy bears holding hearts covering every square foot of the city.
The whole idea of V Day is to make people spend endless amounts of money on very trivial things.And they make it look like it is a sin if you are single on Valentines Day.Hell, almost every one of my friends and I were single then and we are single now and it has not affected our lives in any way.Frankly speaking I dont think having a relationship with somebody at this stage is gonna last forever.
Falling in love is more than Boyfriend-Girlfriend and “Lover”.Its about having something deeper, more meaningful, mature, permanent and more understanding.And its all about eye contact my friend said.I agree with him 100% cos wen you look into a persons eyes you convey more than you would if you got them a hundred roses and teddy bears.A single rose given with right intention at the right time is the best gift ever.Atleast according to me.Personally I would not like to make a whole spectacle out of V Day with cards and gifts and all that jazz.It really makes me sick.
Everyday should be special.You should fall in love with the same person every day of your life.That is what makes any relationship special, not any of this V Day crap. Yet many fail to get the point and I dont think they ever will because their aim is to show others how much they love that special person. They make a public spectacle out of the whole thing and the point is lost.
Still, till the day people like me exist I dont think Love will ever be lost! =)

p.s- If u agree with me on this, then “HI5!!*
And if u dont, then “I Dont Care”.