Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Second week into exams and thankfully things have gotten easier. MNO exam wasn't too bad. Hopefully I answered the questions correctly. I managed to overflow all the spaces assigned for answers but that doesn't necessarily mean a correct answer right? One more paper on Friday! Fortunately it is a MCQ and I wouldn't have to do much writing. Monday's paper made me realise how lazy my hand had become! I remember when I was in JC, I used to write essay after essay to practice for the bio exam and for GP. And my hand stayed strong and did my bidding without complaint. But now after writing 8 short answers (around a paragraph each) and one essay, my hand ached and cramped. This is what 3 years of having a laptop and typing out everything does to you. I should go back to writing again one of these days. One of these days....

On Sunday I had an amazing experience. After almost 48 days, Aqa Moula (TUS) came into the public view for the first time after being hospitalised. Mumineen all around the world expressed their love and devotion to Moula through various means. Moula gave a bayaan (sermon) to commemorate the death anniversary of Moulatena Fatema (AS), the daughter of Rasulullah and a woman of profound courage, intellect and devotion to the cause of God. In the bayaan Aqa Moula (TUS) thanked Allah for giving him a speedy recovery and reaffirmed his commitment to the Khidmat of Imam uz zaman and did dua that Allah bless him with a long and healthy life so that he may continue his khidmat. Mumineen gave a resounding "Ameen" after this dua. Moula said "Mumineen, you are always with me and nothing can ever keep us apart". I only needed to hear those words to know that Moula is always with me watching over me. And looking around me, everyone else felt the same as well. Moula also mentioned three times, "There is no faith without love." Moula's shows in his actions and words how true this statement is.

I am right now full of anticipation. On Friday night, I will be leaving for what will be one of the most amazing journeys of my life. I will be going to Dubai where I'll stopover for a day before I fly to Najaf and from there.....to Karbala. I cannot remember since when my heart longed to visit this place. The place where Imam Husain (AS) declared that his worldly journey is over and the journey towards salvation has begun. The place where the enemies had kept him and his family and followers away from water and food for 3 days. The place where Imam Husain spent a night praying for the salvation of the faithful. Where Imam Husain made his final khutba (sermon) summoning the enemy to come back to the principles of faith, the principles of Islam. Where Imam Husain's followers fell to protect him. Where Moulana Abbas performed his final act of devotion. Where Moulana Ali Akbar died in Imam Husain's arms. Where Imam Husain asked the enemies for just a sip of water to give his 6-month old son and where the enemies shot at an arrow that killed the infant. Where Imam Husain asked Jibrail what Allah's wish for him was. Where Imam Husain did the final sajda where he prayed for the salvation of all us. Indeed, Karbala is the place where Good triumphed over evil, where love triumphed over hate and where salvation was achieved for all of us.

I cannot wait to stand at the Tomb of Imam Husain and remember that just a few months ago, Aqa Moula was on the thakt telling us about how Imam Husain gave up everything and endured so much so that we may be free of our sins. I cannot wait to grasp at the zari mubarak and cry. I cannot wait to visit the place where Imam husain performed his final sajda and the small hill where Moulatena Zainab saw her brother's ultimate sacrifice.

I am ever so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to make this visit. I am thankful to God for granting my wishes. And I am thankful to Aqa Moula (TUS) for guiding me towards the truth, what Imam Husain sacrificed his life for.

Dear friends, please pray that my journey will be safe and spiritually fulfilling. Khuda Ta'ala sagla mumineen ne Imam Husain nu zari choomwanu naseeb kare. Ameen.