Prayer in City Office

I used to be reluctant to take on offers to help count election votes. Well the truth is, you don't count them. You just report the totals to AP.

Simutaneously you meet people while you're sitting through 20 min - 1 hour intervals. Fortunately I met quite nice and polite elderly women. Some were men too, but they didn't talk much. Though I was the only person in the office who didn't quite fit-in, I felt perfectly normal in my long black robe and sparkly golden scarf layered on black and white headpieces.

Who was different? It wasn't me.

I found it to be the perfect opportunity to spread a little deen (religion). As Maghrib approached, the prayer right before sunset, I wondered where I could disappear for a few moments to get some blessings in. However, I would've rather prayed right there in my half-wall cubicle I was assigned for the night. Only problem was, there was a guy standing directly - you know - watching me. Didn't think it would be appropriate to pray there.

So I asked a young lady where I could go to pray...while hearing someone else gasp "Did she say...?!" Unfortunatley people don't think it's okay to pray wherever whenever, but gotta do what you gotta do. The young lady pointed out the lobby where it should have been "nice and quiet."

Entering the room, I discovered three victims of election-boredom, waiting on the couch. Two women, one man. I figured it wasn't going to get quieter where I was before. There were nearly 10-15 people in the first area and about three in the second. As soon as I asked about directions to lay my head to the ground, "You wouldn't know which was East is would you?" The guy pointed it out.

I went to the bathroom, grabbed a piece of napkin and silently began to pray near the right side of the couch. A lady squirmed. It seemed like someone was going tickling her or appauled her greatly. Actually to her it was more of a joke - a joking matter which needed hysterical laughter.

But it's cool. She didn't know any better.

I entered the lobby with three people seated. I left with about seven or eight. So much for peace and quiet =)

I resumed to my desk and the numbers started coming in.

Not for people, for myself...and for Allah.

Your faith is not complete until you love Allah and His final messenger more than yourself (but you can't hate yourself.)

Balance your needs, your social identity with your real self, love others.
Love passionately, without passion - love is incomplete.
"Don't hate, appreciate". Simple but true.

Faith is lacking when you feel that little something is missing...
Find hope and mercy in the recitations, the long reflecting nights, and the prayers that only comfort your soul.

Make wudu
Pray
Smile a lot
Laugh reasonably
Take your time to cool down but don't take forever
Forgive
Really forget.
Past is past, future is unknown and present is - guess what?!

HERE

live in the moment but use your time wisely
today is not forever
tomorrow is not promised
yesterday is gone
make a difference when you are called upon

change your life
not one day at a time, one moment at a time.

Links.

Islam Network -
http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=1452

The Holy Quran -
http://www.harunyahya.com/Quran_translation/Quran_translation2.php

Surah Al-Baqarah reciation; 1-32
http://youtube.com/watch?v=OL6Wc4gJzPo

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Sing-song lullaby

Moments of confusion,

Utter delusion

Lifeless supression

Little by little, there is amusement



Laughing off our sins

Frowning on our deeds

Living life to the fullest

Forgetting about our deen



Telling myself I need to try harder

Not putting in the extra energy

Telling myself I can do it

But not being a reason for change



Like a diamond in the sky

I want to sing a sing-song lullaby

Hush little baby don't you cry

Allah's going to give you another chance to try



But... human nature and shaitan will make it tough

So once you're in, be the "diamond in the rough"