Being Muslim to me is...

So here are like three different pictures of me. This one, in the green saree and jasmine flowers were taken at my friend Sumathi's wedding last year.

This one, I took in my bedroom, ( i know the lighting is very bad )

And finally, this picture was a spontaneous shot taken in June in Valluvar Kottam, Chennai. I swear I was not harming the tree in anyway.

....

yep. I am a Muslim. I was born a Muslim, and I think I will die, I WANT to die, as a Muslim, in shaa Allah.

Do I look like a terrorist to you?

Being Muslim to me is a way of life, you know? I think Muslim, I try to practise Muslim, and I try to act Muslim, Still working on that one, and see if I can get a perfect score one day in shaa Allah, I know my dressing leaves a lot to be desired sometimes!

Stay away from the Sins, ALL that Allah forbade you to do, and practise what He told you to do. In Shaa Allah, You will be fine.

I am not saying that it is easy on me... Subhaana Allah, Allah Knows just how much I struggle sometimes. I am trying to do the best that I can... Its really hard sometimes, but I still am trying.

I am not proud to say that I used to consume alcohol. To an EXCESS. I learnt my lesson, and now the smell of alcohol makes my stomach turn sometimes.. especially when they come from men whom I sometimes have to travel with on the Train.

I always make sure, I pay up my Zakat, every year, and when the point comes that I can not fast anymore, I try to pay up for that too. Who knows? maybe one day, in shaa Allah, I will be able to keep all my fasts. I dont know if I can ever see Mekkah, but I think, one day, I would like to go and see. For that, I would need either A. A Muslim Husband, or B. A Brother. I dont know, lets wait and see.

I try to say my namaaz on time, and I try to say as many "subhaanallaahi wa bihamdihi"s as I possibly can. I sometimes say it, over and over and over again, and sometimes if I miss my father, I will listen to a collection of his favourite music.

Its really just that simple... Being Muslim, that is..

Dont Sin; Obey God. It really doesnt get simpler than that, does it?

Allah in His Mercy gave each and everyone of us EIGHT Angels to protect us. In my humble opinion, that is a loooooooot of Love and Protection. Every morning when you wake up, its a reminder that you are given one more shot to do the things that you know you need to do. Every time you draw a breath of fresh air, you need to remind yourself that it is God, who had Given you the ability to do that. You don't turn away from God's Love for you, or the Promises that He Made to you.

A friend of mine, who isnt even Muslim, told me one day when I was talking to them: "You know, every morning, I am awakened by this BEAUTIFUL MUSIC that comes from the mosque nearby." They live in India. The Athaan is heard freely in India. A land that has a majority of Hindu population. I would LOVE to live in India, but...

I live in Singapore. The Athaan here in Singapore is not meant to be heard OUTSIDE the premises of the masjid itself. The reason is that because it is meant to be called 5 times a day, it MAY cause a "disturbance" to people of other religions living nearby. I cant remember the last time I heard the Athaan.. at ALL.

I think it is terrible that I am living in Singapore. But the Money is very good, I have to say... and it is a relatively safe place to stay.
.. at least for now.


--- I will come back and add, edit some more later.

Much love
R.