On my evening walk, wandering in the sun, taking in the view, this thought occurred to me: “I love this town and our little neighbourhood. Really, there’s nowhere I’d rather be.” Yes, yes, I know that’s a change of tune from my glum observations two years ago, whilst weighed down by that heavy melancholy. But …
People we thought were living the high life now complain that money is getting so tight that they’re struggling to make ends meet. Mortgage repayments seem to be spiralling out of control. Extensions and internal building work undertaken with loans now need to be paid for. A few years ago there seemed to me a …
Such was my sincerity when I first took up this path that I thought I had to confess to all of my loved ones openly. Twenty-five years on, it occurs to me that this was quite unnecessary. What one believes is a private matter. Of course, back then there were complicating factors, such as Ramadan …
Sometimes you’re forced to speak up, even if you don’t want to, even if it’s out of character. That just happened at the mosque this lunchtime, when the boys’ teacher asked, “Who has heard of so-and-so?” Immediately, other dads ventured all they thought they knew. “He was a terrorist. He went to Syria. He was …
I was disturbed by a conversation yesterday. It didn’t sit well with me for it was not reflective of the path I have walked the past decade or so. To me, it was a very shallow rendition of faith, based not on deep reflection but on the clamour of social media. Fortunately, it was quick …
Most who encountered my aging friend would say, “He is a Pakistani.” However, I know that he had an English grandfather. Just as I am a quarter Irish, so is he a quarter English. But of course few Englishmen would let him say, “I am English, because my grandfather was English.” They would say that …
Sometimes you have to bite your tongue. This is especially true if you are a guest. In these cases it is best to tune out, choosing silence. A social gathering is no place for an argument or a cynical rebuttal: just leave them to their opinions, and pray for an interruption or natural pause instead. …
So all the kids we watched growing up are now grown up. Suddenly they are confident young adults, setting out into the world. These youngsters are so much more impressive than I could ever have hoped to be. If only there was a way to rewind time.
“And among His signs is this: that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect.” Quran 30:21
Just to confirm we are getting old, tomorrow we attend the walima of the daughter of friends, who was eighteen months old when she came to our own wedding back in 2001. Tomorrow will be a great reunion of all those friends united in West Ealing two decades ago, most of us converts. The proud …
I’ll tell you who I mostly listen to these days. Mufti Abu So-and-so? Sheikh Whatsitface? Nope, none of these. My YouTube channels of choice are currently Kris Harbour, Darren the Builder, Bourbon Moth, Dave2D, DIY Perks, Drew Builds Stuff and Marius Hornberger. Nothing much to do with my life at all, but still their output …
Oddly enough, the larger source of contention between me and my loved ones has often not so much been religious difference, but my not drinking alcohol. The latter, after all, is the lubricant of many a social gathering. A family meal will likely be held in a pub. When conversation runs dry it is enlivened …
Wandering in the garden this evening, I could not help but marvel at such beauty right before my eyes. Who could enumerate the blessings of their Lord? “So which of the favours of your Lord would you deny?” Quran 55, Surah Ar-Rahman
I used to love The Verge. It was my lunchtime read for catching up on tech. But then came that crazy redesign, last September. That was the day The Verge killed The Verge. I just don’t get how that design got past usability testing. I can only assume they decided to skip it in their …
