Being here in Medina Baye is like living in a real community and this is manifest in various ways. When I first arrived I was quite sick and when people didnt see me in the mosque for Fajr for a few days they would often enquire to my husband about my health. It reminded of the early Muslim community in Medina al Munawarra when the Prophet Muhammed (saw) would become aware of his companions illness due to their absence from the mosque and would listen out for their voices. After having been here a while I have made a lot of friends and its funny because if you have a friend and they are walking with four other people and they greet you the next time you see the other four people they greet you too, often by name so Ill be walking down the street and someone will be like Sukina, how are you? and Im having to search their face to see where I know them from, and even if I dont recognise them the exchange is always blessed and a far cry from life in London where you could be outside all day and have no human interaction with anyone. Yesterday was really special though, I have a dear friend who runs a fruit stall, most evenings after prayers Ill go sit with her, well talk, eat mangoes and its nice because all members of the community come to her to buy fruit or just to sit for a while. I hadnt seen her for almost a week, I kept missing her so yesterday when I was leaving my house she was standing at the entrance, she had come to see if I was ok. She is a beautiful woman who has six children and runs the best fruit stall in Medina but she took time out of her day to come to find me. That evening I went to visit her and all of the regulars were asking where I had been and there is one man who as soon as he sees me asks me to pray for him, as soon as he saw me his lit up and he cupped his hands for me to pray and then he started counting on his fingers up to ten as if to say I havent seen you for ten days! Which was a mild exaggeration but sweet to have been remembered ☺ Being away from family and loved ones is never easy but Allah has manifested His warmth and love through so many beautiful people. Al Hamdullillah. ❤
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 18:41:12 +0000