I am because Allah says I am by Aaisha Haffeejee

My heart
It pulses, it thuds
It whispers, it pounds
It keeps a rhythm of its own..
THUD thud, THUD THUD
A humming or a drumming,
So it sounds...

Allah holds my heart,
I love for Allah

My lungs
They rise, they fall
In they pull, out they push
Not by any person's call...
Gasp... WHOOSH
Inflating, rejuvenating

My lungs listen to Allah,
I breathe for Allah

My bones
They stand firm,
They stand strong,
Supporting, protecting
No matter the pressure, they do not tire, crumble or expire..

My bones bow to Allah,
I stand for Allah
I sit for Allah
I walk for Allah
I move for Allah, I live for Allah

My mind
It thinks, it reasons,
It decides, it regulates,
Simple facts like the seasons
Or a complex sum it calculates

My mind is at the mercy of Allah,
All knowledge is from Him,
I function for Allah

Your entire being,
your entire body,
Has been created, so perfect, so flawless only by Almighty Allah,
By a hand so marvellous we cannot even begin to comprehend,
Why is this something many of us don't see?

Stop taking things for granted,
Allah has given you more than you could have ever wanted,
Spend your time in praise and gratitude, peace and solitude

Rather than bickering and complaining,
About what's unfair or what's paining..

Your Lord waits with arms wide open..

Profile :Zaheerah Bham--Ismail

Date of Birth/Age: 1978/ 07/01 : 32

Your personal mission statement: To try and do the best I can so that
when I meet my creator I can say "I Tried".

Family: My very supportive husband & best
friend Khaleel (married for 14 years this year, insha Allah). Three
daughters Nabeelah
(6), Tahiyyah (4) and Leeyah (1,6yrs). We have a wonderful extended family
support network and unit on both
sides of the family...truly blessed, Alhamdulillah. Greatest inspiration has
been my dear marhoom father Abdulhay
Moosa Bham.

Current City: Johannesburg

High School Education: Completed Matric at Crawford College in
1995

Tertiary Education & field of study: BA (Speech & Hearing), BA, Montessori
part time course,

Work Experience:Currently Co-Own the Park Lane Speech
and Hearing Clinic, worked at Helen Joseph Hospital during my community
service, worked at Baragwanath Hospital during my 4th year of study, Worked
at Kids Court Support, worked at
Islamic Careline,

Community Organisations/Clubs/Societies and position therein: Caring
Womens Forum: co-chair.

Crescent Haven Childrens Home: Member of executive committee

IHSAN (Islamic Holistic School for Alternative Needs) : Trustee

Madressah IHSAN sheltered workshop for adults with disabilities: Facilitator


Areas of community work: varied: children to adults.
Impoverished, destitute, abandoned and orphaned children and families.
People living with
disabilities.

Current fields of interest/ activities: every project and organisation holds
a very special place in my heart - for various reasons.
With CWF: we always have
a number of projects running - currently we are completing two building
projects and supplying a home
for children in Midrand with School uniforms and shoes. We are also running
a toy drive for an
Early Developmental Centre that we've put up in Leandra with Gift of the
Givers. Setting up a feeding scheme at
Joburg Gen in addition to the one we usually run at Ethembeni children's
Home. We are also coordinating a daily
feeding scheme for the children that attend the centre in Leandra.
I volunteer for a
feeding scheme at Joburg Gen paed HIV wards.
Crescent Haven
Children's Home: we're currently revamping the boys section of the home
which was in desperate need of
remodelling. I'm involved in fundraising. A project very close to my heart
as my dad was very involved
with the home since its inception and I've volunteered there since I was in
school.
IHSAN: another project I
feel strongly about. The centre caters for children and adults with
disabilities and it is run
within an Islamic framework. We have just moved premises and are formalising
our structure. Currently busy
drawing up the syllabus as well as arranging for medical and allied health
services to be offered to all
students.
Sheltered workshop: the
adults of the centre are involved in a propjet which allows them to work and
earn a wage while being in a
safe environment. Skills are taught to them and they work to complete orders
such as tasbeehs, parcels,
quraan markers etc. Money received for these items is then distributed
amongst the students working on
the projects.
Speech and Audiology.
All skills and discipline learnt in my degree stands me well to adapt and
lend to other situations and
projects. I've met the most phenomenal people along my journey who have all
taught me something. I'm
very passionate about my work and currently co own the park Lane Speech and
Hearing Clinic.

plans for 1432: one day at a time...one task at a
time... I've learnt to never plan...but to be prepared...not to spend time
planning and structuring ...but rather embracing and doing! Again...my only
plan is to do the best that I can- to
try and never hurt another person and to gracefully accept whatever Allah
has put out for me this year.

Advice to muslim women: As women we always have more
than one role to fill - be it daughter, sister, wife, mother, teacher,
educator, planner, etc.
The roles never stop. We often expect more from ourselves than even others
do. We need to remember
that we're all entitled to some "time off". As sisters we all walk in each
other's footsteps. If we don't stand
together or support each other: we all lose.
We spend far too much
time worrying about what "somebody else" has to say or waiting for someones
approval: People
will always have something to say- it means you're doing something!!
My dad used to always
tell me to remember "this too shall pass"..in good times it will keep you
humble and in the bad or
difficult times it will give you hope for the future.
If you want to do
something or be part of something..don't wait for someone to start it or do
it for you...do it
yourself. At the end of the day you are individually answerable for all that
we do or our lack of doing. To
realise that every little we do will make a difference to that one person
and that is alot (the jellyfish story)
...and on the flip side: to realise that we have so far to go and so much to
do before we are worthy of meeting
our Creator. May He be pleased with us all.

Your Ummah, My Ummah, Our Ummah by Aaisha Haffejee

We all worry about our world,
We've started saving energy,
Getting rid of greenhouse gases
Stepping up security to cut crime,

We fear for our future,
For the future of our children, grandchildren, mankind
We're so righteous, aren't we?
So caring and compassionate

We're so clued up about those consequences regarding or precious planet,
But we've forgotten that this place wasn't ours to begin with,
We could leave in a day or a decade

Well then what do we do? You say...

Remember when Hazrat Umar ibn Khattab RA accepted islam,
The takbeer of only a few sahaabi was heard throughout the city of madina

Praise your Lord, recite His name and the name of his Rasool aloud in your home,
The sweet sound will soon resonate the world round

Remember, Hazrat Uthmaan Ibn Affaan RA, the scribe of our scripture, who was starved for forty days by misguided muslims
And was stabbed and martyred whilst reading the holy Quraan,

Teach those around you to always maintain dignity, even in the face of danger and injustice. Be steadfast in your faith...
For Allah SWT promises you jannah if you fear none but him,
Your bravery will inspire the entire ummah

Remember Sayidinna Maryam RA, how she spent almost every minute in salaah. Even the angels were baffled by her devotion.

Sew the seeds of salaah with sincerity and kushoo in your children so that they may comprehend its importance and draw close to their Lord.

Remember the Messenger of Allah SAW, his final phrase on hid deathbed was simply: "Ummati, Ummati, Ummati"
Make each move of yours directed at doing only good for your deen and your ummah. Give an apple to an orphan, build a well where there is no water or teach the ways of islaam. Your options are endless...

Leave footprints in this world which will last in the path of Allah long after you've left..

We are the ummah of today,
let's help create a strong ummah of tomorrow inshaa allah.

Parents, through the looking glass by Aaisha Haffejee

I gaze at her hands... I see hues of beauty, I see grace, even through their imperfections

I gaze at his hands... I see my Hercules, strong, brave, bold. Even though they're ordinary

I stare at her silhouette... So elegant, so confident. Even through her heartbreaks

I Stare at his shadow... So still, so dependable. Even through these tough times

I look into her eyes...she gazes into mine..
Like we have so many times before..
Yet now I see the longing for love, the way she always loved me
I see the weathered wrinkles and the sad lines
I see the unshead tears, of turmoil, of tiredness, of untold unhappiness

In his eyes I see the burning burdens he faces each day, I see the wear and tear, I see the softness he so easily shows me even when he's sad, I see fear, I see frustration

Yet everyday, everytime they look at me I see their smiles. So honest, so true..

This is my mother, this is my father.

I don't tell them often enough how much I love them, appreciate them, treasure their hearts of gold...

But I pray that one day my duaas will do justice. I pray that Allah SWT grants them pearls for every tear, diamonds for every hardship and happiness eternally in Jannah, Inshaa Allah

Take time; a minute, a moment or a second to tell your parents you love them... It can be a smile, a soft kiss or a huge hug. Their duaas will be with you always..

Allah's Beautiful Blessings by Aaisha Haffejee

I marvel at the majestic mounds of sand morsels we call mountains...
Their fresh, lush, dense foliage bursting out like fountains...
I'm amazed by the alluring azure vastness we call the sea...
And its whimsical white shores seem so free...
I'm fascinated by the flourishing flowers...
Their radical range of shapes.
The spectacular spectrum of colours...
I wonder into the wilderness...
How many millions more creatures have we  missed...
I feel the flush of wind on my face...
Who taught it to blow breezes, give out gusts, hurl out hurricanes?
Where does it come from? Which place?
By who's hand, could come such lavish lands?
I see the sun as it shines to enlighten my soul...
And then the puzzle pieces become whole...
Allah hu akbar!
None other than our Rabb, our Sustainer, our Provider...
Could create such spleandour
Such beauty,
With Such Harmony,
Such tranquility,
Such mercy,
Oh my beloved Allah, lord of all that is in the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them...
Grant me the tenderness of taqwah and purity of imaan to appreciate the bounties and wonders you have given us, to be a grateful servant and to praise you and you alone.

Awakening Nightmare by Aaisha Haffejee

I wake in the deep of the dark night,
I feel flustered, anxious, curious as to why my body is drenched in cold, clammy sweat,
I sit up straight,
Breathe I say to myself, breathe..
I flop down flat again,
I pry and push but the band crushing my chest just won't let up,
Inhale... Exhale
My heart thuds harder.. Faster

Am I dying? Is this what the end feels like?
Curiosity melts like ice,
All that remains is bubbling, boiling fear...fear.. Intense fear

Why? Isn't death supposed to be a never ending dream? A slumber so silent and serene?

As my mind spins spirals I drift off to sleep..
I awake to my mothers familiar, frantic call to fajr.
I suck the air into the depths of my soul and sigh,
I made it through the nightmare..
Allah SWT has given me a true wake up call, another chance to change my ways, another shot at redemption,

I perform my wudhu in peace,
Savouring the welcome wash with cool water and being saved from the boiling couldrons of jahannam,

I sit and stand in salaah, so obedient, so still
Humbled by my Creator's mercy, protected from his punishment

I replace the routine scowl I give my parents every morning with a sweet smile and salaam
Grateful for this irreplaceable Allah SWT has granted me.

I spend the day, and every day after that, remembering Allah in every little thing I do, making shukr for this life I've been given and praying for paradise.

Its not too late dear brothers and sisters, we can all aim to attain paradise, eternal peace with Almighty Allah SWT in the aakhirah by doing even one tiny good deed each day...

Don't wait for doom day to arrive, make your death a delightful day

Profile:Aaisha Haffejee

Name: Aaisha Haffejee Date of Birth/Age: 23 May 1991 / 19
Your personal mission statement: To fulfill my role as a sincere servant of my Rabb, to use my knowledge to aid others suffering from ilness, injury or impairment and to help our people to become a better, stronger ummah. Family: I have been blessed with a mother who embodies the true essence of compassion, sabr, love and selflessness, a father who's gentle and genuine affection and care is truely honourable. A big brother who is adored and admired. A sister in law with a unique inner and outer beauty. And last but not least, a sister.. Without whom I wouldn't be half the person I am today. A sister who is a true gift from Allah SWT. High School Education:Westville Girls' High School. Tertiary Education&field of study:Bachelor of Surgery MBChB, 2nd year
Work Experience: Aaisha's Cutiful Cupcakes -own catering business Community Organisations/Clubs/Societies and position therein:MSA - NRM School of medicine, Ameerah & IMA
Areas of community work: KZN orpanages, old age homes. Current fields of interest/ -activities: I absolutely adore cooking and baking, love islamic literature and spending time with family and friends in the rememberance of Allah SWT. plans for 1432: To pass this year academically, inshaa allah. To become more tolerant of others, forgive and forget, turn my heart towards Allah and Allah alone and to correct my own faults, inshaa allah. Advice to muslim women:Whenever you feel down and despondent, remember that you are never alone, Allah SWT is always with you, in every moment of happiness, through every tear, and during every decision. Always have faith in Him and the power of duaa, talk to your Rabb.. He will certainly reply even if its not at the time you desire or in the manner you think is best. Also, remember the importance of dawah, always speak of Allah, his prophets, his sahaabah and his deen, it will bring his pleasure and mercy upon you. What greater honour can there be?