Story of a life

In the past decade I: graduated A-Levels (high school) left my birth city moved to a different city for college became used to life without my father (parents separated in 2008) supported my mother and brother through moves of their own to different cities  fell in love dealt with heartbreak broke hearts  learned to apologize sincerely learned to make boundaries (still working on learning how to keep them) edited a magazine finished writing my first book wrote several short stories painted a lot- A LOT (compared to the previous decade aka the decade of doodling) learned calligraphy learned 6 languages planned and organized several large scale events failed spectacularly on at least one occasion joined student organizations entered into and left several friendships learned 'me' - I am still learning learned Islam taught Islam made six best friends - and lost all of them except one learned to nurture and weed relationships got married  go...

I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up but there was one thing that I knew I didn't want to be: a teacher. I recall one particular phone conversation I had with my mom as I sat in the car speeding along the canal the runs through the middle of Lahore. The driver had just picked me up from school and we were on our way to pick up my brother from his school now. I was in ninth grade, trying to discover what subjects to choose for my A-levels. I had called my mom and we were just chatting about life when she said that the best option I have for a career, really, is in education. Education Administration, teaching, something related to the field. I responded not in a thousand years. She said to me, 'Mark my words, you are going to be some sort of a teacher. Your parents were both teachers at some point in their lives, your aunts were all teachers. Your grandmother (naani) was a teacher. Your grandfather (nana) ran three schools. Your uncle (mamu) ran them and befor...

My heart is greatful for the beautiful coincidence that I am writing about my favorite parts of Surah Al Kahf this beautiful Friday morning as the house is quiet (Yes, the baby is asleep!) and light snowflakes descend from the sky.  I am reaching the end of my i'tikaf notes (Just one more surah, Surah Hujurat left) and the first thing I  saw today is this BEAUTIFUL dua from Ayah #10 that makes me feel all gooey and mushy inside, filled with love for Allah swt and feeling His love for me. So starting with the dua: Followed by: 1- "And never say of anything, "Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,"  "Except [when adding], "If Allah wills." [ In sha Allah ] And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, "Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct." (18:23,24) 2- "Say...He has [knowledge of] the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth. How Seeing is He and how Hearing ! They h...

"...We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity..." (6:152) "...This has He instructed you that you may remember" (6:152) "And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous." (6:153) "...Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful." (6:165) 1- Do not associate anyone in worship with Allah swt 2- Treat your parents well 3- Do not kill (avoid having) your children out of fear of poverty. Allah swt gives you sustenance and will provide for them as well 4- Do not even go close to acts of immodesty*, whether hidden or open  5- Do not kill a soul that Allah swt has declared sacred 6- Do not approach the wealth of an orphan except in the best possible manner until they reach an age of discernment 7- Be just in measurem...