Guest Post: The Bazaar Ordeal
>> Saturday, February 12, 2011
Guest writer 
from Aeesha's Recital shares her "Bazaar Ordeal", a post written with her trademark spunk and humor, but with an eye opening lesson at the end and a question for each of us... Enjoy!
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For the original post: http://littlebluesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/02/bazaar-ordeal.html
from Aeesha's Recital shares her "Bazaar Ordeal", a post written with her trademark spunk and humor, but with an eye opening lesson at the end and a question for each of us... Enjoy!The bazaar ordeal.
I have in recent times been going out a great deal with my friends and family which is so against my mood. I don’t like going out this much. Especially when what we’re buying is sabzi for the kitchen or kursian for our lounge, or soap holders for the bathrooms. Anyhoo. So, Lahore is the place and man, this city is FULL of desi bazaars. Unlike Karachi. Yep!
Since, I wear a Niqab now, going to malls and open markets is a different experience and feeling altogether. There have been a variety of happenings I recently had to face because I wrap up a piece of cloth around my face. Just. That.
Imagine?!
Here we go. I’ll come to the point without much blabbering.
a) The beggar-illa force. They hop about from around everywhere and land right on your head each time you take your wallet out and are about to pay the bills. Their eye is always on the chutta.Chutta is change. If you don’t understand Urdu. =/ The funny part is, unlike before, now when an in the pink lady-beggar comes to ask for some ‘favor’ they always drop emotional Islamic statements such as:
‘Baji… Thori meherbani kero, Allah tumhe Hajj aur Umrah karae. Medinay ki sair karae.’
(Sister, please do some favor, Allah will let you attain the bliss of Hajj and Umrah and Medinah!) Ha ha. This looks comical in English. Please, contribute a better translation.
At first, I used to go all 0_0 on this and would readily plunge a 10, 20 rupay ka note in their hungry hands. But then, after wasting thousands and thousand of rupees (I’m such an exaggerator!) I realized, these are mere words and tricks to delve into something Allah has strictly forbidden.
Narrated Ibn `Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower (hand) is that of the beggar."
(Reference: 2509. Book 24. Volume 2. Bukhari.)
So. It’s sad, and at the same time irritating. And funny.
b) I have about 8, 9 head scarf and I am always looking for shops where I can get easy to wear and instant (I say) Niqabs for myself. So far. No luck. Tsk tsk.
And gloves! My hands are so darn small, I never find my size. =/ Kher. Each time, I step into a shop like a thieve, keeping one eye on my shopping partners so that I may fly out like a bat man as soon as my sensors detect them coming near because sadly, people who encircle me think investments in Niqabs and Hijabs is a waste of money. Lol. And the other one, on the items which are always so nice. AND EQUALLY EXPENSIVE. So, me buying anything from such outlets is a very spontaneous action. I haven’t had much good fortune so far, please pray excessively for me. =P
c) The most tragic part. We went to liberty, yesterday. Um. It’s a sasta (cheap) shopping place. People from all sorts of manmade categories are found in there. From elites, to upper and lower mediocres, and stags who come just to stare at ladies' youknowwhat, and aha, the flavor in the bundle, beggars. I stayed in the market for the duration between Zuhr ‘til Maghrib. I offered my Asar in a very inconvenient seat in a wedding costumes shop and then Maghrib on my way back home in the car. I am not scatterbrained of my prayers and I am very proud of it. If you are, then all my prayers are with you, because dear reader, by missing a prayer, you have no idea the trouble you are asking for.
The mall, filled with women, 95 percent of them not wearing anything over their heads.
For them:
http://littlebluesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-sacred-order.html
70 percent of them, with unpleasant dressing that even I felt embarrassed and humiliated looking at them. 50 percent of them generously giving full fledge privilege to the men to check’em’out, ya’know. Bullcrap?
And about 99 percent of them (as far as my vision was stretched) not offering any prayers. *sigh* My heart was throbbing at the condition. Excruciating with pain. At once, I lost my grip on the ground just because of the thought that I am walking in the course of these people. I am actually within them. Their condition is worst. Astaghfirulla.
But there was this lady. Wearing a dull grey abaya with a black Niqab. No embroidery. No glitz. No glamour. Just when the Muezzin began with the Azan, she had a water bottle with her with half litre water or so. She asked her associate to pour some of it in her hand and with it she did the Wudhu. I couldn’t stop looking at her. I wanted my sisters, my friends, the whole Ummah especially, the girls, to be like her. Within the men, she stood, offering Namaz. Not caring what others would think of it. And besides her, not even a single lady, NOT EVEN A SINGLE MAN, took any inspiration.
Ina Lillah Wa Ina Elaehi Rajioon.
I have composed this post in a very dubious manner. Um. I don’t know if I have explained my point skillfully or not. But, to put everything to boot, it’s heart breaking to see people so much lost in the razzle dazzle of the world that they have completely forgotten the purpose of their existence. If you’re reading this, and struggling for being a better Muslim/ Muslimah, please struggle with 2x speed and make people around you follow what’s best for them. With love or with detestation. Just do it. We’re running out of time. We really are.
You wanna know what I mean? Visit a bazaar.
O humans! What has made you careless concerning your Lord, the Most Generous? [Holy Quran, 82:6]
Since, I wear a Niqab now, going to malls and open markets is a different experience and feeling altogether. There have been a variety of happenings I recently had to face because I wrap up a piece of cloth around my face. Just. That.
Imagine?!
Here we go. I’ll come to the point without much blabbering.
a) The beggar-illa force. They hop about from around everywhere and land right on your head each time you take your wallet out and are about to pay the bills. Their eye is always on the chutta.Chutta is change. If you don’t understand Urdu. =/ The funny part is, unlike before, now when an in the pink lady-beggar comes to ask for some ‘favor’ they always drop emotional Islamic statements such as:
‘Baji… Thori meherbani kero, Allah tumhe Hajj aur Umrah karae. Medinay ki sair karae.’
(Sister, please do some favor, Allah will let you attain the bliss of Hajj and Umrah and Medinah!) Ha ha. This looks comical in English. Please, contribute a better translation.
At first, I used to go all 0_0 on this and would readily plunge a 10, 20 rupay ka note in their hungry hands. But then, after wasting thousands and thousand of rupees (I’m such an exaggerator!) I realized, these are mere words and tricks to delve into something Allah has strictly forbidden.
Narrated Ibn `Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower (hand) is that of the beggar."
(Reference: 2509. Book 24. Volume 2. Bukhari.)
So. It’s sad, and at the same time irritating. And funny.
b) I have about 8, 9 head scarf and I am always looking for shops where I can get easy to wear and instant (I say) Niqabs for myself. So far. No luck. Tsk tsk.
And gloves! My hands are so darn small, I never find my size. =/ Kher. Each time, I step into a shop like a thieve, keeping one eye on my shopping partners so that I may fly out like a bat man as soon as my sensors detect them coming near because sadly, people who encircle me think investments in Niqabs and Hijabs is a waste of money. Lol. And the other one, on the items which are always so nice. AND EQUALLY EXPENSIVE. So, me buying anything from such outlets is a very spontaneous action. I haven’t had much good fortune so far, please pray excessively for me. =P
c) The most tragic part. We went to liberty, yesterday. Um. It’s a sasta (cheap) shopping place. People from all sorts of manmade categories are found in there. From elites, to upper and lower mediocres, and stags who come just to stare at ladies' youknowwhat, and aha, the flavor in the bundle, beggars. I stayed in the market for the duration between Zuhr ‘til Maghrib. I offered my Asar in a very inconvenient seat in a wedding costumes shop and then Maghrib on my way back home in the car. I am not scatterbrained of my prayers and I am very proud of it. If you are, then all my prayers are with you, because dear reader, by missing a prayer, you have no idea the trouble you are asking for.
The mall, filled with women, 95 percent of them not wearing anything over their heads.
For them:
http://littlebluesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/01/one-sacred-order.html
70 percent of them, with unpleasant dressing that even I felt embarrassed and humiliated looking at them. 50 percent of them generously giving full fledge privilege to the men to check’em’out, ya’know. Bullcrap?
And about 99 percent of them (as far as my vision was stretched) not offering any prayers. *sigh* My heart was throbbing at the condition. Excruciating with pain. At once, I lost my grip on the ground just because of the thought that I am walking in the course of these people. I am actually within them. Their condition is worst. Astaghfirulla.
But there was this lady. Wearing a dull grey abaya with a black Niqab. No embroidery. No glitz. No glamour. Just when the Muezzin began with the Azan, she had a water bottle with her with half litre water or so. She asked her associate to pour some of it in her hand and with it she did the Wudhu. I couldn’t stop looking at her. I wanted my sisters, my friends, the whole Ummah especially, the girls, to be like her. Within the men, she stood, offering Namaz. Not caring what others would think of it. And besides her, not even a single lady, NOT EVEN A SINGLE MAN, took any inspiration.
Ina Lillah Wa Ina Elaehi Rajioon.
I have composed this post in a very dubious manner. Um. I don’t know if I have explained my point skillfully or not. But, to put everything to boot, it’s heart breaking to see people so much lost in the razzle dazzle of the world that they have completely forgotten the purpose of their existence. If you’re reading this, and struggling for being a better Muslim/ Muslimah, please struggle with 2x speed and make people around you follow what’s best for them. With love or with detestation. Just do it. We’re running out of time. We really are.
You wanna know what I mean? Visit a bazaar.
O humans! What has made you careless concerning your Lord, the Most Generous? [Holy Quran, 82:6]
-----
For the original post: http://littlebluesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/02/bazaar-ordeal.html
18 wonderful sprinkely thoughts:
Thank you for another essential article. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a complete way of writing? I have a presentation incoming week, and I am on the lookout for such information.
I like this post but it is also really important to never feel "safe" and protected and guaranteed to get to paradise as opposed to others who don't seem to pray or dress modestly. Who knows? Maybe God guides them to become even better than us, and God Forbid, but we cannot guarantee that we will stay obedient muslims all our life. I think when we see people like this, our first prayer should be that we always stay on the right path.
Wow, that was so fast. I just finished putting it up and you commented, hehe!
But seriously,k Ma'shaAllah, jnana, your point is excellent. We should never feel safe that we are 'better' than others. We never know what state we will die in or be resurrected. All we can do is pray that Allah guides them and that He keeps guiding us :) Baraka Allah feeki.
that was a great read mashaAllah and you made some very good points.
The beauty of this post is the realization that us Muslimahs are always at an intersection between choosing right from wrong and the way we look at the world is important.
The purpose of our existence is to worship Allah...
Sisters I wrote you a note over at my blog...I want to see how you tackle this situation, ha ha ha.
JazakAllah for liking it, sissy missys.
And, woah. I don't say I have got the lisence to Jannah. Not at all! We all have to keep striving. No matter where we are. Without getting lost in the distractions. That was the whole point. Chill! =D
Love y'all. =]
Subhan'Allah! So beautiful! I would have HUGGED that lady (after she was done praying of course) and would try to get her to be my bff. Of course she might be scared of me, but her character seems so beautiful. May Allah preserve her!
Great Post and few things i'd like to mention ;
Aeesha - I want to subscribe to your blogposts but i don't know your profile is in urdu or arabic =/ cant read both!
Wow, I didn't know people could be so careless in an Islamic republic. Then again, people think that having muslim names is their license to enter Jananh. Or the most famous response i used and i've seen others use is ''at least I believe'' It is a sorry state and we all are struggling muslims. I have said it before and I would say it again, It all goes to back to the way anyone was brought up as a kid you know, Allah swt has guides those who he wishes and if we are on a right path, then we should maintain our positions there so that when we become mothers in future we do not let our kids dwell into the sort of ignorance that our surroundings offer.
Also, it all comes back to the Aqeedah (belief) too. Because people (inclusive of myself) think that just saying La ilaha Il Allah is good enough. Most of us are not aware of the conditions that come with the statement. It has to on our lips, In our hearts and reflected in the actions of our limbs. People just ignore the last part. So what i am saying i guess is that knowledge is also the key, I believe we must utilize every oppurtunity to give da'wah to others. Even if it is at home and even if it starts with reminding just your siblings.
I am from India so trust me i have not seen any muslim praying anytime in a bazaar or a mall. Even when the azaan goes on, it is a sad state that some muslims do not even shut off their TV's. One thing i have learnt is that if you do not plan your shopping trips properly then you can miss your prayers. Cause atleast you can pray in the malls, In my city even when i am praying in an auto, people surrounding begin to wonder what i am upto :/
(MAN I WROTE ONE LONG COMMENT, SORRY GIRLS)
Ahem* avoid the typos please :P
I got the correct link to her blog :P i was lost in the world wide web ;)
Haha. Aw. So, so, so sweet of you! =)
Though I still don't see you in my followers which is very heart breaking. =P
Here: http://www.blogger.com/follow-blog.g?blogID=2818749826610233479. I guess this is the link. (I'm not a techsavvy myself!)
Or may be you can just go to my link and there's the followers tab ON TOP.
JazakAllah, missy.
Assalamu'alaikum!
I haven't visited Pakistan since I began hijab, but I can't believe it. I know when I go over my parents house and I'll catch them watching dramas...I've noticed the women have gotten more premiscuous with their choice of clothing. It's so sad.
I am in Dubai right now and there are masajids everywhere. I wanted to live in a scenic area and I never thought finding a masjid here would be a problem. I find out later that I'm living in the only area in Dubai that doesn't have a masjid. How sad is that? Then, I googled my area only to find that there are actually tons of Muslims that live in this area...calling the government to build a masjid. So far I haven't seen anything.
I have my own mini-masjid in my room. Best deal, I tell you! With a small table stacking a couple of Islamic books on it's head. =D
Right next to my bed. CONVENIENNNT!
May be you can do that too, temporarily! =]
Salaam Auntie,
MashaAllah may Allah always guide you on the straight path and keep you committed to your deen. :)
I have a question - I thought that you can only pray fard standing up and that you can only read non-fard prayers seated or in the car etc?
Sorry that wasn't really a question - but have you heard the same?
Sabirah, inshaAllah you get a masjid soon. In Sharjah, they used to say that in every roundabout (back in the day- there weren't traffic lights but 'roundabouts') there was a masjid, alhamdillah.
Saira, let me see if I understood your question properly. do you mean that you only can pray sunnah prayers sitting down 'if there are men around you' or do you mean all the time???
If you mean 'all the time', oh no, it's quite alright to pray standing up the sunnah prayers. You see, one of the conditions in prayer is that you stand (for the fard) so long as you are capable. If you don't stand, your prayer is not accepted. BUT, if you're praying sunnah or extra prayers, it's alright for you not to stand but you get half the ajr, inshaAllah.
You've inspired a post..inshaAllah...coming soon ;)
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