Rezeki

1st week of Paeds

Ahsan introduced me to the long connecting corridors of Bradford Royal Infirmary. I felt lost, not being able to recognise the main corridor to the ones that branched out. Nor was I able to tell where the ATM for cash was or the small prayer room for daily prayer and also for Friday prayers. But we stopped, prayed Zohor followed by Asar as Jama' Taqdim. Another brother joined us as we were in the second rakaat. Alhamdulillah, all went well.

2nd week of paeds

I went to the gym for induction, who knew that things here were very cheap. Gym with a full set of facilities only cost GBP2.50/week. I signed up for the whole duration of stay (5weeks) and had my induction with Athirah. After induction, we were allowed to enjoy the gym as signing up was officially completed. At the weights section, a brother was chatting away to another fellow brother and damn, these guys were pumping some serious weights. I can barely managed 20kg dumbells, these guys were doing 30-40kg. As I was sitting there inferiorly doing chest fly reps, the brother offered his hand and gave the salam.

"Assalamualaikum brother, I remember you. You imamed our Zohor prayer. I was praying behind you, with your friend"

"Wa'alaikumussalam. Ah, I see. Sorry I didn't notice you"

"It's ok. You must be from Malaysia or Indonesia right? People from that region have beautiful voices and have very good recitation of the Quran"

"Yes I am from Malaysia. Thank you, thank you, you're being too generous"

The both of us carried on working out while he continued to talk to his friend on the far side of the gym.

3rd week of paeds

I met my friend again in the gym. This time we properly introduced ourselves. His name was Abdul Musawwir. He was a man of great concerns for his deen, aged 28 and looking into marriage. He was scared to have a family in the UK, and wanted to go to Egypt to raise a family there. But he was also concerned of the political instability. In a nutshell, he wanted an environment where Islam is taught and not coerced, embedded into an individual through example and understanding. A good man he was, mashaAllah.

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High Park Special School

8.30am-3.30pm

It was 7am and I had to get to the bus stop at 7.58am. I bathed, prayed Subuh and had breakfast.

7.30am. I had enough time to go to the main hospital site, withdraw cash and get on the 7.58am bus into town where I change buses and reach my destination at about 8.41am. Not too far off compared to 8.30am. Should be ok. I walked with a purpose, through the long main corridors of Bradford Royal Infirmary and stopped at the ATM. Gobsmacked.

"Sorry, this ATM is unable to dispense cash. We apologise for any inconvenience."

What was I to do? It was 7.40am, I didn't have enough time to go back and borrow money off friends. I couldn't get on the bus either as I literally had no cash. I sat down, organising my strategy on what to do next. Head in hands, I cursed myself for not withdrawing money the night before. Damn it. But then, a hand grabbed my shoulder.

"Assalamualaikum brother. How are you?"

It was Abdul Musawwir. At least I had someone to ask help from. I asked him the nearest ATM apart from the one in the hospital. He directed me towards the row of fastfood shops a few hundred metres away from BRI. I was happy with the plan, because once there, I can get the bus straight into town. There was another bus stop outside the bank. But I stalled as I was walking away. What if that ATM had no money? It was 7.40am, the ATMs are definitely not restocked yet. I would be walking a long way back and would be that much later arriving at High Park Special School. I was at ends within my own wit.

"How much do you need bro?'

"Just enough to get on the bus"

"Here bro, take this"

Abdul Musawwir handed me a fiver and sent me on my way. MashaAllah, if I had not imamed the prayer that day, this help from Allah in the form of Abdul Musawwir might not have arrived. Alhamdulillah, rezeki datang dalam pelbagai bentuk dan rupa.

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At High Park Special School, it was awkward. I felt a deep sensation, looking at individuals physically aged 16-19, but with mental age of less than 3 years. An 18 year old girl kept on hugging me, looking for affection as how a little toddler would do. Another 19 year old threw a tantrum and was like a bulldozer as he pushed and thrashed at staff, all because he wanted to go the toilet and did not know how to communicate his thoughts. Taking things for granted is a serious issue which we will never really understand its extent until we lose something or see others deprived of what we have.

Ya Allah, thank You for who You have made me today. Thank You for showering the people who are dear to me and myself with Your blessings. Please make us Your humble servants, always thankful and content with life but at the same time striving for excellence. All for happiness and success in this world and the life to come. Ameen