Eighth Day of a Good Month

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate

'During the month of Ramadan, the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance to the people with Clear Signs of the true guidance and as the Criterion (between right and wrong). So those of you who live to see that month should fast it, and whoever is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of other days instead. Allah wants ease and not hardship for you so that you may complete the number of days required, magnify Allah for what He has guided you to, and give thanks to Him.' - Al Qur'an: Surah Al-Baqarah: Verse 185

On 17 August, the hubby celebrated his 33rd Birthday. We had a small gathering at his mother's home in Pasir Ris. Since it was the fasting month, there was nothing elaborate, nothing fancy. Come to think of it, the hubby and I have never been fanciful people. To us, our family is always most important to us and so on special occasions, our family is who we will want to have closest to our sides. The hubby was definitely happy on his birthday because he was with his family and his very close friends. Personally I felt that the gathering stood out from all other occasions because everyone was fasting. It was joyful to see everyone breaking fast together and establish their prayers together. I was exceptionally happy because all those whom I invited to the gathering turned up, well most of them. And I know that the hubby was more than happy to have his family and his intimate friends with him on his birthday. Although he did receive presents, I strongly believe that his greatest present was being in the company of people who love him and people whom he loves.

I recall learning something very important from Mokhs, way before we got married. I am never one who feels that it is important or it ia necessity to celebrate my birthday. However, taking birthdays to be good reason to have a gathering with family and friends, some form of celebration usually takes place regardless. Yet I have always been contented to have a simple dinner with my small family of four and five since Mokhs joined us in the family. Mokhs mentioned before that on my birthday, I should thank my mother for going through a life-threatening and torturous time giving birth to me. In fact, on my birthday, the celebration should be in honour of my mother. I more than agree with him and was ashamed that I had never thought of that until he told me. As I reflect, I chide myself for being ungrateful and insensitive towards my mother on my past birthdays. Ever since I learned that from Mokhs, I remind myself to thank my mother for giving birth to me on that very special day. I remind myself to thank The Almighty for guiding me through the number of years in my life and for blessing me with good health in order to be able to live another day to thank my mother, to love her and to cherish her. This year, unavoidably, my sister, my sister-in-law, my close friends, sweet as they always are, planned a very small celebration. IIn fact, I would like to call it a gathering rather than a celebration. I had two dinners. One with my parents and another with my in-laws on another day. That was more than I could ask for. I would want nothing in the world than to be with my family and friends on my birthday that goes for the hubby as well.

I thank everyone who took time off to grace the Mokhs's birthday gathering on 17 August, all those who spent their hard-earned money to buy gifts for Mokhs, all those who came bringing food for break of fast, my mother-in-law who took pains to cook for everyone and those whose wishes and blessings for us. We thank you for your kind and generous gestures. May Allah bless you all as He blesses His Believers. Insyaallah, my we all live another healthy year to usher in our birthdays and the month of The Blessed Ramdhan.

I thank Allah first and last, for without His Mercy, nothing is possible and nothing is blessed.

All praise and thanks be to Allah, My Lord. - Jaslina Yassin