An old man I knew.

In memory of late Saifuddin Uncle Lotia…

There was an old man I knew,
He had the smartest walk in town,
A walk, so straight and tall,
Yet, he wasn’t proud, at all.

A man so humble, in his words,
Yet, sarcasm filled the air,
His smile, so light and fresh,
That no one minded, what he had said.

A man a teacher not,
Yet he taught me a great more lot,
Not by words or formulas that I saw,
But in, the character and shape he sought.

He was a silent man, with a lot of work,
A space in corner, in his office, I recall,
His chair is silent, but something lives,
On his table, his presence still reverberates.

On his funeral, the town had crowded,
For his service and work in society was known,
Not in boast, or words that he would have said,
But by what he did, was evident and shown.

No phrases, or words, could ever define him,
For he was more, than one could say,
He lives inside, who knows him by his place,
A place small, yet everything on its own.

From an MSBian,

Ruqaiya Lokhand.

The Unforgettable Beings -The Unforgettable Life!

School days, not only the days when we were just the students of any ordinary school, but we were the students of AL- MADRASA TUS SAFIYAH TUL BURHANIYAH; the school which was our home indeed, and the teachers, the soul of our madrasa, were like our parents. We gave each other 14 years of our lives (Nursery to 11 O’levels).

Although we didn’t give them anything, but the teachers, who were our tutors, friends, guides, well-wishers, helpers, educated us with Deeni & Dunyawi knowledge on every step we took. They not only educated us but they also forgave us for our each and every mistake/mischief/disrespectful act. And, they were the first one to help make us distinguish between good and bad, and the right and the wrong.

Our Madrasa where we lived together, laughed together, wept together, is missed, because, not a single day passed when we didn’t meet our friends. Today when we stand in the path of our life where we have although left MADRASA for two years now, but we still breathe the fragrance in our soul, and beat in our hearts, the memories which we have gathered during that journey.

I would like to thank each and every teacher of ours who helped us to walk through the path of our life for 14 years and their teachings and blessing will surely help me and all of us to walk furthermore as we go ahead. I am deeply sorry for all the troubles I have done and mistakes that I have committed and beg pardon if I have ever hurt you. I stand here today and tell you, thank-you, I owe you all my life and I wouldn’t be able to thank you enough for what you all have done for me and for us.

Here in this Picture and Every Time we want to stand below them.Not so that we can be viewed in the photograph easily,no not at all! Only because of this reason so that their shade falls on us throughout our lives.

PROUD TO BE AN MSBIAN AND PROUD TO BE YOUR STUDENT.

Motivated to write this by; Janab Shk Huzefa Bhai.

Thanking you,

Your student,

Hussain Muslim.

To those who are irreplaceable…

As me and my friend Husain (school-mate) talked over about school and old times, our conversation took us to our school teachers. Some of them were who I had met in the past couple of months, and some, that he had met. But, in all we talked about every teacher of madrasa who had taught us and nurtured us with good qualities in madrasa.

I remember when CIE examinations in my 11th grade (last year of school) were about to begin I wrote an article on my classmates; I addressed a paragraph to each one of them and bid them farewell. My principal told me that I must not forget my teachers while bidding farewell. I picked up my pen but I didn’t know what to say to them, I was unsure that what was right and what wasn’t at that time because with friends you could say what you feel, but while speaking about a teacher you would always hesitate before making a statement.

Being naïve and immature you make a lot of mistakes and so did I. I think all students must have made fun of a teacher or spoken ill of them; and I agree I have too (almost about everyone).

Two years after passing school, I’ve come to realize that life will not give you what you want, it will not say what you want to hear, it will not do what you want to happen, in fact, it will silently teach you with remarks that would baffle you. Only after this I realized how wrong I had done to those who corrected me in the most polite manner, who generously gave me what I wanted, who left no chance of appreciating me, who stood by me and showed how to anchor life.

Without the art of handling my tools (which they gave me), I wouldn’t last a day. I didn’t know it was a blessing that I had them in my life, I did not thank them, in fact, I had done something so ill which makes me think I did not deserve such brilliant and hardworking teachers.

There have been instances where our teachers got tired and frustrated of our acts, but I found that, no matter what we did they didn’t leave us; they would come back again the next day beginning with a fresh start. I’m sure it’s not easy to forget where one does wrong to you, but they did.

I believe no student can succeed until he respects his teacher. It’s because the one who gives you knowledge matters more than the knowledge itself. Imagine a piece of clay awaiting its potter; we would be there, waiting to be shaped and polished by the potter.

I am deeply sorry, first for doing something which was inhumane and, for never thanking them. I was unable to write about each and every one of them but I want to take their names, not because I want to show off, but because I want them to know I remember them and I pray for them.

Janab Shk Mustafa Jack
Janab Shk Ammar Bhai
Janab Shk Tahir Bhai
Janab Shk Saifuddin
Janab Shk Huzefa Bhai
Janab Shk Mohammad Bhai
Janab Shk Shabbir
Janab Shk Mustafa Bhai
Janab Shk Yousuf Bhai
Janab M Quaid Johar Bhai
Janab M Ibrahim Bhai
Janab M Moiz Bhai
Janab M Mansoor Bhai
Janab M Ahmed Bhai
Janab M Abbas Bhai
Ali Sir
Murtaza Sir
Muzammil Sir
Zulifqar Sir (computer)
Quaid Sir
Sir Asgher
Sir Javed Kamal
Sir Arif
Sir Tauheed
Sir Sadiq
Sir Zulfiqar (Pakistan studies)
Sir Zohair
Sir Ahmed
Zahabiyah Bhen
Rabab Bhen
Tasneeem Bhen
Tahera Bhen
Tasneem Bhen

Husnebanu Bhen
Farida Bhen (Grade II)
Shireen Bhen
Shama Bhen
Fatema Bhen
Fatema Bhen (art teacher)
Arwa Bhen
Fauzia Bhen
Tasneem bhen Dawoodji
Durriya Bhen
Nighat Bhen
Shahzadi Bhen
Tasneem Bhen Shakir
Nafisa Bhen Jabir
Rehana Bhen
Rashida Bhen (Primary Urdu teacher)
Rashida Bhen Box
Zainab Bhen Anjar
Rashida Bhen Haji
Fatema Bhen Raziuddin
Zainab Bhen Sadri
Umme Hani Bhen
Maryam Bhen Sadri
Qurratul-Ain Bhen
Naseem Bhen
Raeesa Bhen

I know I must be definitely missing out on someone; I tried my mind to go back as much I could take it. I’m sorry (yet again) whose name I’ve missed out here. But, together I remember you all as school teachers. Regretting over the mistakes, I’m thankful to all of you, for being the potter and turning this clay into a piece of pottery.

My words might not reach you, and might not be so great, but I wanted to at least try and show my feelings.
To those who are irreplaceable and unforgettable.

Your student,
Ruqaiya Lokhand.

Because, I miss you…

I really have no idea where to begin from, and I’m not sure if people would like to read it, but I’d like to notify the readers, that, this essay is as a small gift of thanks to my friend, Rasheeda.

There’s no once upon a time in this story, I’ve known Rasheeda since I was a kid. It’s simple; I and Rasheeda have been living in the same area since childhood just until yesterday. We have known each other since we were babies crawling here and there in the masjid. Then we joined the madrasah and had our own girls group of the mohalla (area). Time passed and we used to play with each other/ be with each other for like every day.

When teenage hit us, there came times for sleepovers and gossips. Girls will be girls, there’s no denying it. So, there used to be cat fights (amongst all of us), I don’t mean physically, but saying stuff and cold wars, that kind. But even then, I don’t know why or how we still stayed along in a group.

In all of this growing part, we graduated from schools, and then from colleges and got into universities (except me, still in college – no comments on that) . We enjoyed getting older, because now no aunties will tell us not to sit in separate thaals and go to our moms (Just kidding! :D) Taking the oath of misaaq was one part of growing up, because it really meant we have to be serious towards studies and life, and we have to act mature, somehow all those parts in life went well. I believe growing up brought us closer to each other’s heart.

Naturally, no one can live without friends, even if we don’t say it, we want our friends to listen to our scored goals and the missed ones too, and our times of hardship and happy days, we like it when they appreciate, and are consoled even if they just keep a warm hand of comfort on our shoulder. At the end of teenage, our ‘girly-group’ transformed  into a ‘club’, our park walks became dining out on occasions, our gossips jumped from who hit whom to who went out with whom, but, one thing remained the same, we laughed the same way like we did when we were kids.

Although our physique changed and we became different people now, but we stayed together, we enjoyed each other’s company, actually relished it, it was something special, actually it IS something special that I can’t define.

Time ran so fast it came to the part of engagements. Well, Rasheeda was the first one to get engaged from our group. We were all happy that now we are adults and have become mature with time. Who knew that we will all miss being together one day?

Day before yesterday, it was the last function of Rasheeda’s wedding, sorry if I’m jumping from engagement to the wedding, but it seems like she got engaged just some time ago and now, she is happily married.

I don’t know Rasheeda if I was ever a good friend to you, but you ARE to me. You might laugh now, I couldn’t sleep right now, I miss you. I miss you singing 9XM songs, I miss your smartness, I miss your cries, I miss you being bossy, I miss your enthusiasm, I miss dancing in the rain with you, and I miss your smile, I really miss you – already.

I think about your home, it’s such a big part of my childhood, I miss you being there. Apart from all the differences we have had, you were a really good friend to me, and to see you away I really don’t know how to react. I will miss your place beside Fatema – Muslim in the thaal. I will miss you every time as I pass by your building (which will be every day).

Yesterday as I hugged you the last time, I really didn’t want to let go of you, you are so much to me, you don’t even know. I know we haven’t been like best friends and all, but even then I will miss you like A LOT (Have I said this like the hundredth time till now?)

Life is really bitter sometimes, I really don’t want to be away from you.

I’d like to quote some lines to you;

I pray that your each and every day passes with a light heart, that no troubles bother you because I know you are great at tackling them 😉 .

I wish that every day you light the days with your radiant smile, and live a happy contented life under the Saya Mubarakah of both Maula. Ameen.

May Allah grant our Maula a long, healthy and prosperous life till the Day of Judgement. Ameen.

Take care.

With lots of love,

Yours truly,

Ruqqu.

And, you’re beautiful even when you fall…

It is this morning that I love,

Where greens in garden spring along,

From small to tall, they all appeal,

And, refresh me on the morning walk.

 

When fall arrives and they die out,

From green to yellow to orange they change,

With purple, pink and red on side,

They show their beauty one last time.

 

Dew rests on leaves, washing them out,

And Sun gives them all, a hot, warm bath,

Glistening and glowing with colors all kind,

Making a sad heart happy with last good bye.

 

And, when autumn sojourns, clearing them out,

The last look of love is never forgone,

Hustling with wind, the leaves fly away,

And so, they’re beautiful, even when they fall.

 

From New Jersey, with love.

Ruqaiya Lokhand.

 

To SUCCESS!

Many students think that being a good student means just showing up for classes, taking a few notes, reading the textbooks and studying right before the exams. But, that’s not all…

I had my midterm examinations a week ago. Today, was the day script-checking was to be done in class. Overall, the exam didn’t turn out so well. My chemistry teacher knew how frustrated we were during the exams. He could see the amount of disappointment on our faces. So, as per his habit, he decided to motivate us through a slide show. The slide show consisted of messages which were to reach each student to his/her core. He started with “WAY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS”.

He explained to us how the geography students would rather ask, what is the ROAD-MAP to success? The mathematics students would ask, what is the FORMULA to success? The chemistry students would ask, what are the REACTANTS and PRODUCTS of success? The nutritionists would ask, what are the INGREDIENTS for success? These questions are just questions. Have you ever thought over the answers to these questions?

Well, the answer is simple. Keep on trying again and again. If you don’t succeed this time, that doesn’t mean you will never ever succeed in life. It’s just that you were not perfect in the way you did it last time. Scoring less marks in an exam doesn’t mean you are wasting your time studying for no reason, it means now you have a reason to start again fresh. Failing to succeed in one exam doesn’t mean you give up and let go. It actually means that it will take a little longer for you to get there. Believe, there is always a way. Due to disappointment, sometimes you think God has abandoned you. But, it means God has a better idea in waiting. You need to have an optimistic mind in this situation at all times.

Sometimes you think all sorts of study curses have come over you. You cannot succeed further. You seem to be loser in your own eyes. Thinking of yourself being an academic dwarf. But this is actually the time to seek and stand on the shoulders of academic giants. You need to figure out what the wrong things were, which robbed you on your way to academic success. Take your time and ponder really hard. Think of what you have done. Meditate! Decide what you want to do.

Academic success depends on your attitude! You need to contrast yourself with the focused high achievers. Your motivation meter should always be HIGH. Class participation counts. Seek help from peers and teachers. You should understand the importance of TEAMWORK. Because academic success is a ladder, where you climb step by step. Each step taking you higher and higher. It is said, “You can’t climb stairs and chew gum at the same time”. It is wise to climb stairs first, as it requires more hard work. Once you reach the top, sit and chew gum, looking back towards all your achievements. Similarly, leave all distractions aside to help maintain a clear focus. Once you reach your goal, sit, relax and enjoy to your heart’s content. Learning strategy also counts! Sometimes you can’t attain success with the same old, failed strategies. So, change your way of learning. That might prove helpful. If you are waiting for the right time, it is NOW.

Success is the aim behind each time you try. Always believe, the largest room in the world is the room of improvement. So, work hard! Focused, hard work is the real key to success. Keep taking the next step towards competing it. The most important thing is being passionate about what you are doing and always give it your best shot! Because, you never know how close you are to your goal. Believe, if you can dream it, you can do it. JUST GO FOR IT!

Alefiyah Rao.

The Barakaat of MSB Assemblies

An assembly is basically held for communicating information, habitual practices and for learning experiences of knowledge with the fellow mates. But the morning assemblies in MSB are totally unique. The seeds of the institute sowed by Maula (TUS) is full of barakaat and that’s where the assemblies make a difference.

Only the ones present in them ‘thoroughly’, can realize the barakaat it showers every morning, every dawn, into a new day that is welcomed by the smiling countenances of the students and the staff as we assemble in our dua hall to proclaim a productive promising day by commencing with the barakaat of the recitation of a few mesmerizing verses of Quran-e-majeed, zikr-e-Hussain, duas, a few soothing stanzas of madeh or qasaids with some worldly news and sometimes a presentation that is ended by all of us standing imposingly reciting Wazeefat-u-shukr and asking for taeed(help) to Maula (TUS) to begin a challenging day with spiritual strength and stimulation.

Well, the main reason behind this piece is that something which we witnessed today in the assembly and to capture that fading melody within the confines of my mind, to capture that feeling of profundity that I want to live with forever, I ‘had’ to write. I had to write for the sake of the indescribable torrent of emotion and rush of gratitude as today was the bereaved occurrence of Shehzada Huzaifa Mohyuddin Bhaisaheb’s death anniversary which is why every single thing we recited was heartily dedicated to him. After the recitation, we were been shown a presentation on what were his great achievements, his attributes and the khidmaat he preformed of dawat-e-haadiya all his life! We were filled with inspiration. We were filled with awe, and then the emotion raised plentifolds as the marasiyah, ‘Aey Huzaifa Mohyuddin’ penned by his beloved daughter, ‘Ajab bensaheba’ was recited in which she beautifully expresses with such mellifluous words of how every minutiae of him has been missed which is why the chamber had gone faint in it’s power of emotion. Everybody was filled with grievous loss and was teary-eyed. After that we recited the madeh, ‘101mi Milaad’ which was recited by every single person loudly with utmost affection and gratitude and devotion which filled the hall. Now, you would’ve an idea how it all felt.

Taken in March 2012

This is how our everyday education begins. Surrounded with spirituality.

In the end, let’s pray that our Maula (TUS), the bower of all the 22 thriving branches of MSB Educational Institute around the world, and His Mansoos (TUS) live a prosperous life till eternity. And may the Shehzada rest in the appeasing shade of Syedna Jalal Shamsuddin (R.A) Ameen!

Amate Syedna (TUS) wa Mansoosehi (TUS),
Sarrah M. Mustafa Malirwala

Geo tou aisay!

“Saaarrraaaahhhh, take a breath and at least let me get me out of the kitchen!” my mother added.
“Noooo ami, listen to me first! You know then what happened…(and I continued with my story)”

Today, as per routine, I returned from school and began filling my mother with my tales without pausing and she listened to me imperturbably like she always does (she knows I can’t remain bottled up with feelings). I went on emptying myself but leaving all her work behind, she sat calmly with interest, gave me good advices, smiled and laughed at intervals on my escapades and tried to make me learn from the mistakes I made.

These brief conversations we have every day, never fail to content me. Sometimes I wonder what would I do without my loved ones, who are unexpectedly always there to listen. Seriously, I would nearly faint out of suffocation if I was unheard or unexpressed!
Indeed, it’s a gift to have people around us with whom we can toss around ideas, dreams, share incidents, feelings & dispel each others fears.

According to me, Silence always kills me from inside. I’d rather remain over said than unsaid. I believe in the power of expression, in the power of words. I believe in intense passion and openness. So, I feel that it’s very IMPORTANT for an individual to be expressive.

Why expressive?

• Being expressive helps you in remaining ebullient in your personality.
• It gives you ‘wings’- it makes you feel high and tension free-it makes you feel lighter.
• People value you more. They enjoy your company.
• It helps you in self development- And makes you realize your own strengths and short comings.
• Resolving misunderstandings and building in strong relationships- Expression plays a very important part in that, I tell you!

Finding out the best way for us to express yourself can be rewarding. It is not always important for us to possess speaking power. You can do it in anyway.
In YOUR way!

I personally express myself according to my fluctuating mood. I write when I overflow with feelings and am unable to hold them at bay. When words seem less, I use my photography skills to express daily life in an extraordinary way. I go sporting when I feel too enthusiastic. That lets me express myself in a physical way. When I feel creative, I spill colors on paper. And then sometimes, when I feel the crazy acid boiling within me, I sing aloud in the shower! It sometimes drains out all the stress (I shouldn’t have mentioned this) 😛

So you see? There are so many ways in which we can express ourselves. We just need to be honest, genuine, fearless & confident. But, lets not forget that we do need to express ourselves ‘but’ in an appropriate manner. Our surrounding, our environment does matter a lot. Of course, you cannot jump and hoot with excitement in a very formal situation but yes you can cheer and chill in an informal gathering. So, we do need to realize the importance of ‘the right time’….
But hey? While taking care of the right time, please don’t forget to vent out! Because, expressing is nothing but saying and doing what your heart tells you to.

So, stand up and heave your hearts out amigos!
Cheers to Expressionism!

-Sarrah Mustafa Malir

And We Begin!

The world seemed just beautiful and vague-nothing majestic! But, when she polished us, everything became so appealing and bewitching. The grass was just green to us, but after all these years with her, they’ve become to seem prickly emerald carpets.

   

                                                   Writing and Her motivation did the magic.
Maryam Ben Sadriwala has sprinkled her enchanting writing talents on us, because of which we have reached the stage where we can make our own blog and can proudly call ourselves her apprentices.

We are writers, amateur writers, but we know what the art of writing is, as it’s often said “The pen is the tongue of the mind”. For us writing is a form of personal freedom because on paper we can do what we want to do and be what we want to be, we can easily vent our feelings down. Our words don’t need to make sense, if it eases our minds and conserves our memories. What else do we need!!

Well, then because of her, first reading, then writing has become our passion, everyone in the class has become eager to write. Reading is the only thing which makes us away from the real,mean world, and if one is a champion at reading, he will naturally be worthy of writing, as he’ll have the heart of a writer. 

     

A few days ago, She and her friend (our ex-teacher) Zainab ben Sadriwala started a blog – one with the significance of real writers, which became our inspiration towards creating our own blog.

She’s the Writer and ‘we are her apprentices’.
We vow to try our best and to make our audience happy.

Happy Blogging! 
Writer’s Apprentices