Istirahah: a place to rest, relax, rejuvenate, revive…

…dotted in and around this Mubarak City are several places available for rent that provide private areas for families to retreat to from the sizzle of a blistering summer…

…for the first time in more than two decades I SWAM…and floated and splashed and pretended to be a dolphin and sat in the very sun we all desperately try to avoid, soaking in the gamma rays enriched with vitamin D, Allahu Akbar! A truly glorious day!

…related…sisters from five different nationalities, from various Madhhabs, Tariqas and diverse viewpoints of Islam shared and respected similarities and differences….

…relished the richness and beauty revealed in the diverse array of skin shades Allah Ta’ala has blessed Insan with…

….reveled being in the company of ages spanning six decades, from a tiny precious one month old baby…

…rejoiced to see two sisters and a little four year old who had never braved being in water before face their fears, and to witness the delight they all felt as they frolicked about…

reiterating the importance of learning how to swim. Apart from it being a Sunnah, too many deaths in the Kingdom are attributed to the lack of education regarding swimming. A mother watched helplessly as her husband and four sons drown, Inna LiLlahi wa inna ilaihi rajeoon.

…reminisced of childhood innocence as these precious Mu’mineen contentedly entertained themselves with various activities….

…redolent aromas filled the balmy air, releasing stress and all that hinders one from the One…

…remembered the hibiscus tree in the front of my grandparents house, thus activating a replay button reliving sweet childhood memories…

…reflected on the magnificence of the resplendent harmony of the cyclic Universal Laws governing absolutely everything in Allah Ta’ala’s creation…

….repentant of imbalances, shortcomings, heedlessness whilst perceiving the exquisite balances and perfections in nature…

….reconciled to the bliss of submission through these flowers…

…radiant raihan,the scented herb of Jannah, profusely adorned this garden, a subtle hint for us to work for the Eternal Garden…

And the real heroes of the day were the teenage boys and their father who so graciously left the facilities for sisters to enjoy, JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran abada to you all.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.