Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Behind every dark cloud there is a Silver Lining

I received this email earlier today from Shaheema and decided to share it. She certainly knows what makes me tick, thanks couz!! And she has decided to open this bank account the day she marries Insha-Allah Ameen!!



"And among His signs is this that He has created mates from among yourselves, that you may live in comfort with them, and He has put love and compassion among you (husband and wife). Surely in that are signs for those who think " (Quran-30: 21)

Hamza married Ruwayda. After the nikaah[wedding], Ruwayda’s mother gave her a newly opened bank savings book with a R2000 deposit amount at the local Islamic Bank.

Ruwayda's mother said: "Take this savings book. Keep it as a record of your married life. When there's something happy and memorable that happens in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line...The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with your husband. When you look back after years, you will know how much of happiness you've had.'

Ruwayda shared this with Hamza when she arrived home. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit could be made.

This was what they did after a certain time:-

2 Jan:R200 Hamza went out in the path of Allah-
7 Feb: R300, Ruwayda's Dad took us with for HAJ. -
1 Dec: R300, Hamza graduated-
20 Mar: R200, Hamza got an excellent job -
15 Apr: R2000, Ruwayda got pregnant and later gave birth to a baby-
1 Jun: R1000, Hamza got promoted
... and so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing over trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the most nastiest people in the world... no more love... Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Ruwayda spoke to her Mother: 'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We have agreed to divorce. I can't imagine how I have decided to marry this guy!!!'

Mother: 'Sure, Ruwayda, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really cannot stand it. But before that, do one thing first... Remember the savings book I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.'

Ruwayda thought it was true. So she went to the Islamic Bank, waiting at the queue and planning to withdraw the amounts and to cancel the account. She intended to give Hamza his due share.

While she was waiting, she took a look at the book record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up in her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears. She left and went home. When she was home, she handed the book to her husband, and asked him to spend the money before getting divorced.

The next day, Hamza gave the book back to Ruwayda. She found a new deposit of R5000...and a line next to the record: 'This is the day I noticed how much I've loved you through out all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.' They hugged and cried, putting the savings book back to the safe.

Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did not ask. I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone through all the good years in their life.

"When you fall, in any way, Don't see the place where you fell, Instead see the place from where you slipped. Life is about correcting mistakes."

In every moment of our lives, we are given a choice. How shall we regard this world in which we live? Is it good, or not? Is there hope for the future, or not? Is this world full of beauty, life, blessing and love; or is it cold, heartless and ruthless? In every moment, it is one or the other...and how we regard and react to it is up to us.

“If you are grateful, I will surely increase My favours unto you” (Quran-Surah Ibrahim 14: 7).

4 comments:

Ida Hariati Hashim said...

Mashallah Shahieda, this is so beautiful.

I too sometimes complain too much about my man, I know it is not fair for me to expect him to be a perfect person when I am myself is not perfect. Sigh..Ya Allah please give me strength, for I too sometimes feel like giving up..:(

You take care, sis

Shahieda said...

It certainly is Ida, that's why I wanted to share it :)

We all go through these phases my dear, remember that human relations are the most difficult to maintain.

Just continue to have the patience and do not allow your anger to get the better of you.

I, like you, am at a point where I also feel like throwing in the towel. But I've been reminded, that I've worked too hard to get to this point. So, I continue to go on, taking each day as it comes.

You can do that too my dear, you have someone to stand by you through think & thin!! And everytime you feel like you can't anymore, read the letter he wrote you so many years ago!!

You take care my dear and remember that Allah is there for you, you just need to reach out for Him!!

KG said...

shahieda,

thanks for sharing...i just read what michelle obama wrote abt her and obama...when in times of trouble, i dont put a me hat, but an us hat....very apt, very true!!!

Shahieda said...

Kitchen Guardian,

Thank you for visiting my blog :)

I've read that article in the O mag and found it very enlightening. I am in awe of the Obama couple, their humility and respect for one another are very inspiring!!