The Muslim Mama Diary

Well, I think, it will be a year that I’ve started wearing the Hijab with a cloak, in April.It was something that I had put off for a long time for want of support from the family and a bit of dilly dallying on my part as well.Alhamdulillah, I am happy that I took the necessary step towards this, and feel much more protected and comfortable with myself now.

I did just cover my head previously, but realised that this just was not enough anymore.Certain incidents brought to my consciousness what I felt being”exposed” somewhat. And, Masha Allah what a feeling it is to wear the Hijab in totality.No I do not wear a Niqab, and am not sure if I ever will.

I do get the odd stare at times, but, I think the world is much more exposed to our culture these days and so most of it comes in the form of curious stares from little Chinese kids! Which is acceptable.I don’t think I’ve ever been sided out because of what I wear, much. It could well be because of my different ethnicity too.but, hardly something that I could grumble about! Though on a bad day, I do tend to mistake rude people as being prejudiced against me for my culture, which may or may not be true!

Any how, airports are still a funny experience .I look more or less middle eastern with the garb on, but without it you would know I’m actually Indian! Yet, the long hard looks at the picture in the passport and one’s face, the longer body searches and being asked to step aside if your shoe buckle beeps, et al adds to the hilarity!

Well, you win some, you lose some, but I sure would not trade it for the world!

Well, actually Thursday nights or the night before Friday is what I’m referring to here.I tend to confuse the islamic way of the new day starting form Maghrib, despite years of hearing it at home.

As a child, I remember my mother took special care to sit me down to read Ya-sin or some other prayers(unfortunately, mawlids were commonly read, not anymore though).I remember that had an almost imperceptible effect on my conscience.That come what may Friday night was meant for prayer. Even today certain households switch off the TV after Maghrib to recite Quran together.

Now, I confess that the pace of life, after school activities and sheer fatigue makes it hard to pull the kids, now in their teens , together and bring about an evening of prayerfulness. It’s so much easier to cite reasons of time shortage, or say poor kids have no time, or that prayerfulness is ideally meant to be everyday, etc.It’s harder to get one’s act together and be a responsible Muslim parent.

Last evening, I managed to do just that. Just went up to the kids and said that, I know you kids read the Quran by yourself each day, but could we do it together today? And lo….after it bit of”I’ll just finish up this work, ma”….they-all obliged! I toldthem how it is actually my fault for not putting in that extra bit of effort, and felt so ashamed.

Maybe it will work again today, maybe it won’t but I can’t just say”Teens!”, in exaggerated frustration and get away with it!I must not slide off like that, although, I don’t do it too many times.

Lord help me to be an adequate guide to my offspring. Ameen!