No Comments// Posted in Random, Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 12.31.10.
So before 2011 kicks in, I need to show my gratitude for:
1. Being on Arafat
2. Having seen the Kaa’ba, experiencing Madinah and performing Hajj.
3. Meeting some of the most saintly people who spoke from their heart directly to mine.
4. The jewels of knowledge I’ve come to learn.
5. My job and boss.
6. Being in the company of really good and virtuous people.
7. Making new friends.
8. Winning a blog giveaway.
9. Truly discovering a good friend’s delicious cheese cake.
10. Celebrating my 5th anniversary with a really, really HOT and wonderful husband!
3 Comments// Posted in About Me, Life by Nielfa Hanifa on 12.30.10.
I saw this wrap up for the year over at Nafisa’s and since 2010 has been a fairly eventful year for me, I just had to have a go.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Lots of things! I was admitted to hospital for the first time to my have my very first surgery. Went to see a World Cup game. Was on a plane for the first six times of my life and went for my Umrah and Hajj.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t usually make new years’ resolutions.
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
With my husband, for sure! Hopefully I’ll get to see fireworks.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. This is terrible on my part, but my sister and I just spoke about an aunt that passed away early in the year. She had cancer.
5. What countries did you visit?
Egypt briefly and Saudi.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More living space! Particularly more space for a comfy couch and all my books.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
15 November 2010, the day of Arafat.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being able to go for Hajj.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not reaching my full potential.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a serious spinal injury for 5 months prior to my surgery in March.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Cellini Luggage
12. Where did most of your money go?
Hajj
13. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Wave your flag
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Tawaaf and umrah.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Work.
16. What was your favourite TV program?
House
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Don’t hate anyone.
18. What was the best book you read?
A book on Hajj.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Saltillo
20. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Proposal
21. What did you do on your birthday?
Went to Al Zaeem at the Coral hotel with my husband and good friends; and instead of having a birthday cake, I smoked shisha.
22. What kept you sane?
That I’d be going for Hajj
23. Who did you miss?
Someone I hadn’t actually ever met.
24. Who was the best new person you met?
Habib Umar bin Hafith
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
That the material things in this world are really insignificant and that you can find true contentment by simply worshipping and praising the Almighty.
1 Comment// Posted in About Me, Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 12.02.10.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve last looked at the Kaa’ba.
Since returning home from Hajj, it seems my experiences during the six weeks away are quickly becoming something of the past. I’m left with vivid memories that I often revive and I find myself clinging to the tangible bits of my journey to remind myself that I was really there. I’ve been randomly smelling my unwashed robes of Ihram for lingering scents of the desert dust and choosing to wear my abaya to the office, concealed in it’s comfort. While walking around Cape Town CBD, I reminisce of the streets and alleys of Madinah and Makkah. I look at Lion’s Head and its peak and it amazes me how it almost mirrors the peak of Jabal Nur.
I miss the life revolving around prayer and ‘ibaadah.
Being back in the “real” world and returning to work has left my routine rather unbalanced. I feel the spiritual state I was in while in the holy cities becoming fragile. Since returning home, I’m protecting my spiritual self in a delicate, glass box and the interactions of my daily life is leaving smudges on it’s surface, clouding it too quickly.
After being on the plains of Arafat at the time of Wuqoof I was granted the title of Hajja and I’ve returned home literally a new person. But I only now, truly realise its significance. In my head I hear the pieces of wisdom that I’ve constantly heard people say and begin to understand… the test to live up to the title and maintain that spiritual state, really begins now.
2 Comments// Posted in Life, Religion, Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 11.28.10.
When I was sitting at the airport in Jeddah, the reality of leaving the country bearing the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah hadn’t sunk in yet.
I’m in my bedroom at home a week later and I feel this intense longing to feel the coolness of the Masjidul Haram’s marble floor against my forehead, to smell the distinct scent of the carpet of the Rawdah tul Jannah in Masjidun Nabawi while in sujood, to hear the renowned Imams of the Haramain recite while in prayer and to see the magnificent sight of the esteemed Kaa’ba before I prostrate to my Almighty Rabb, my Most Gracious and Beneficent Creator who has honoured me as His guest.
My tears often replace the words that I simply can’t find to express my longing while in supplication.
May Allah ta’aala bestow this honoured invitation on my husband’s and my parents and all who wish to perform Hajj and Umrah; and may all who have experienced it, be granted the honour soon again, Insha’Allah.
1 Comment// Posted in Life, Thoughts by Nielfa Hanifa on 09.29.10.
In a matter of days, Zeen and I will be embarking to perform our first Umrah and Hajj, Insha’Allah.
I seriously can’t believe I’ll be able to see the Kaaba with my own eyes very soon. The reality of everything hasn’t sunk in just yet and often when I take a moment to think about what lays ahead, spiritually, physically and emotionally, I feel overwhelmed and just cry because no words can express what I feel.
I’ve also never been on a plane before, so the novelty of travelling and the significance of where I’m going leaves me in a medley of excitement and anxiety. The thoughts of donning my Ihram for the first time to perform my Umrah tul Islam, sends my stomach into a twirl of butterflies.
In these last few days while we’re still greeting family and close friends, running around doing errands from our check lists and earning my keep at my desk at work, the thought of leaving my home for six weeks feels rather surreal. I’m literally counting down the days to the reality of me experiencing the single most important event of my life as a Muslim.
