By Mumtaz Moosa-Saley
08:04:2022

The calmness of Tahajjud filled the air, and it was cold but bearable. I sat on my prayer mat, just taking in the silence and wondering, how long before I make it to my grave. Will I get to hear my grandchildren laughing? Would I get to listen to the words of my friends and how much they miss me?

It may be morbid thoughts, but as you get older and watch those around you pass away; it becomes a beautiful reminder. Time to start preparing to go home; somehow, you find solace in knowing that you will return to your Creator and that this world was just a stop. We say we belong to Allah, and to Him is our return. I like to see it in a way that I am from Allah, I am here on a journey, and I will be going home soon.  Ya, Rabbi, please reunite me with my love, I miss her so much, and this test of having lived these days without her becomes more difficult.

I must have echoed the words aloud as Nusaybah, who was at the door, begun to cry. “Silly, girl, I still have some time to make tons of beautiful memories with you.” I hugged her and wiped away her tears.

Nusaybah sat on the edge of the bed, and I hold her hand and realise that this is the perfect moment to give her some sound advice. I am about to open my mouth, and we hear a loud sound. We both froze. What could it be? I run out of the room and tell Nusaybah to lock the door behind me. I grab my baseball bat and run out.

I run to the kitchen, and there in the dark, I hear a noise. My heart beats louder, and I shout out to whoever is there to come out or there would be a heavy price to pay! As I am about to switch on the lights, I see two eyes staring at me. Luqmaan was trying to get the sweet jar and broke it.  He may have given the whole house a heart attack.

I scream to the rest of the household that all is well and that it is safe to come out, and lo and behold, Shaytaan’s keeper appears in front of me and scolds me for having a baseball bat.  She asks me what I would do if it were thieves?

In all this, I had to ask where Ahmed was.  She laughed and said that some days when nature calls you to have to go.  We looked at each other and had such a giggle; poor fellow was in the middle of the call when all the drama happened.

I looked at Nusaybah and told her to help her mother in the kitchen. My wisdom will have to wait for another day.