Keep on moving, 'no stopping! Keep up the tempo; move on! These were the slogans in my head as Ramadan ended. Oh! It was a beautiful month for fasting; cool and clement weather, lovely spiritual programmes all over. As we celebrated Eid- ul-fitr, I was sad that another Ramadan won't come for twelve months but I was happy at my spiritual growth. May Allah strengthen me and accept these acts of Ramadan as ibaadah for me. (Amin). I pray the same for you as well. Sorry, let me introduce myself: I am a 17-year-old girl in SSS III, a conscious and practicing Muslim (alhamdulillahl) with a lot of encouragement from my family, MSS and Muslim friends.
Keep on moving, no stopping! Many people do call me a good Muslim but I know I have several steps to take before I can be one. Alhamdulillahi, I took several firm steps in Ramadan: I completed the Our'an for the first time, performed tahajjud (night prayers) most nights and I started wearing the hijab all the time. The first is compulsory, my teacher advised me, because Allah commands thus:
"...stand (to prayer) by night.... and recite the Our'an in slow measured rhythmic tones..... Truly rising by night is a time when impression is more keen and speech more certain." (Q73:2 - 6)
Keep on moving, no stopping! Tahajjud is no problem but first I have to solve my health problem. I get tired easily - maybe from the hyperactivity of adolescence: jumping here and there, friends to see, books to read, MSS activities e.t.c. Now to keep moving on, I must re-order my activities: sleep early, wake up in the latter part of the night, perform tahajjud and read the Our'an. I have resolved to observe the tahajjud every night without fail, no matter my condition. May Allah make it easy for me.... and for you too if you decide to join me (Amin).
Keep on moving, no stopping! The other act is the big H! Wearing the hijab, my teacher told me, is a highly recommended voluntary act and quite ladacious (rewarding) according to the Our'an Majeed:
"And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ..... that they should draw their veils over their bossoms and not display their beauty ... " (Q24:31)
Hence in Ramadan, I wore the hijab at home and about. Now I have to start using it on top of my uniform to school where I am the Head Girl and a kind of role model for my mates and juniors alike. I thought about it for one week and then the second Monday after the eid, I used my big black hijab to school!
Keep on moving?! No! Stop right there! All hell was let loose - surprising since Shaytan and the other devils are still chained even in Shawwal. My subject teachers ridiculed me and drove me out of the class And my principal suspended me as a prefect. I could excuse my non-Muslim teachers. May Allah continue to save us from the path of those who have gone astray (Q1:7).
However, the reaction of my Muslim teachers was like a stab in the back. "You have spoilt the chance of other Muslims of becoming the head prefect in this Xtian school (wrong, it is a public school). This is fanaticism and you are being confrontational. Definitely, those MSS leaders of yours must be behind this revolt;" they all chorused.
Revolt? I'm just trying to practice my faith- a right guaranteed by even the secular constitution of Nigeria. My resolve is strong and I am prepared for the suffering but I won't take it lying down. I'm prepared to lose everything but I will get to court to enforce this fundamental human right of mine. Yes, I'm determined to go to court to win my right to freedom of worship and the right to wear the hijab. This is not just for me, it is for posterity. Yes! Keep moving; no stopping! But are you going to step on the forward march with me?
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited