
Our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam used to race with Aishah RadhiAllahu anha. The first time Aishah RadhiAllahu anha won the race, while the second time Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam won, as according to the narration she had gained a little weight from eating dates and cucumber. They also played "catchy" using a watermelon as the ball. He SallAllahu alaihi would play with his children and grandchildren RadhiAllahu anhum, we read how they would even crawl and jump on his back while he was in Sajda. It was his noble character to be affectionate to children, kissing them and encouraging others not to withhold their emotions in their relationships with their families. Many narrations are recorded of him laughing and joking with his companions, as well as touching stories of his arresting noble smile. The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum would play games with the rind and seeds of the watermelon. Our Blessed mother Aishah RadihiAllahu anha would play with little wooded and cloth dolls and also would spend time swinging, SubhanAllah.
Play….lightheartedness, smiling, joking, all important and necessary in balanced proportions for harmonious, loving, trusting, caring and respectful relationships. A little "fix it" type glue for the Ummah!
Here’s a little rambling dab from the archives.
Some time back…..
….one day I was in the bathroom when my H (husband) had to go back to work after his lunch….and I was there a LONG time… I "thought" I heard him go and lock the door….(which he did to confuse and trick me he later said!) so when I came out the place was pitch black. (you have to picture that this place has no open windows and if a light is not on then it is so dark during the day, like a cave)….so I was really confused….because I had left the computer on and even the light from the screen was not there…..I did a MINOR panic…..when suddenly a BRIGHT light was shone in my face…..HE HAD PRETENDED that he had gone….but instead hid around the corner with a lamp we have…..then stunned me with this in my face….I was NOT amused….and my heart did a few funny skips…..(reminded me of my childhood with my Pop, who was the biggest practical joker)….any way I got to thinking he cannot get away with this….but what to do as "revenge"?….
I have come up with an idea….but scared he may have a heart attack if I do it….I have seen in the crazy SR2 type shops the most ugly plastic reptile things….you know the rubbery ones kids use as tricks….so next time I go to the Haram I will stop and buy one….or SEVERAL!!! And place them in strategic places for when he will be least suspecting anything!!! Like chopped up in the salad. HA HA HA….will keep you informed.
Some time later…..
There are a few "chapters" to this….beginning very innocent like…..firstly, I stuck glittery stickers on his pen….I took the top off and stuck them on the grip part….so when he opened it at work he apparently had to quickly put the top back on because it looked so ODD, little hearts and flowers sparkling in his hand!!!….must have been slightly embarrassed in front of his Saudi boss ha ha….pity he wasn’t in one of the more important meetings he has sometimes with some of the more elite!
Then…..we have a collection of paper notes of other currencies left over from different trips….so one day while he was sleeping I took out most of his Saudi Riyals and replaced them with money from Pakistan, India and Madagascar etc!!! (Fortunately when he went to pay for the next thing he did not need much money as it wasn’t there!!!) He was "surprised" to keep pulling these foreign notes. Any way….as I kept warning him this is NOTHING!!!! Just WAIT!
It has been a bit of fun in between the tensions of guests….not as I had imagined with the plastic critters, but still on going!!!
And….
After being in Haram one day I wandered around all the oodles of silly shops lining the gates of the mosque on my walk home. I was disappointed as I could not find any creepy crawly creatures I was planning to "get" him with, and was beginning to despair about doing any thing, when I spied some…..GUNS!!!!
Oh boy did I have fun then!!!! And how happy I am that I am FULLY covered because the men in the shops would have seen this stupid old thing handling all the different models they have and trying them out to see what they can do!!! Any way I settled for a SR10.00 plastic thing looking very IMPRESSIVE ….like a small sort of machine gun look, metallic finish, stickers all over it and coloured lights flashing when you pull the trigger and bits whizzing around here and there AND…..AND….a hideous sound saying in a very funny accent…."OPEN ZA DOOOORRrrrr" There were other models which shot ping pong balls out and bigger ones of the one I chose. I could not picture how I would get home with the big one, so opted for the smaller one. I recalled some fun times I had "back home" with huge water pistols, but I didn’t see any water pistols….any way I thought that this would do the trick for the moment ….so I shuffled home with this tight under my arm…. hiding it under my black Abaya so I didn’t look SUSPICIOUS!!!! Which is so easy to do here!
Ok…that was the first step….but when I got home I was at a loss as to what to actually DO with this WEAPON now that I had it!! How to use it on the H without him having a heart attack….and to catch him when he was going to appreciate the joke rather than it back firing on me….I walked around the house "training"!!!!! coming to a door way….and then pointing this idiot thing around the corner before my body appeared….you know all the "movie" stuff….(though with the reality of … wars, killings, violence, who needs movies anymore? Actually this toy gave me a scary feeling…..here it is a bit of junky Chinese plastic, but the sense of "power" I had in just holding this and pointing it made me realize how real soldiers must feel. All too ugly. Reminded me of my protective pacifist days when I forbid my son from having any toy weapons)
After saying all that….on with this playful revenge.
Later again….
So….H comes in for lunch….and me thinking no not yet….he’s tired and hungry….then he sometimes has a little Qaylula, siesta…..so he went to sleep…..then I thought…I’ll wake him with this loud sound….and then thought otherwise….he does not wake up easily….and can be sort of grumpy ….so I woke him as normal….being VERY excited on the inside, secretly knowing that I was about to do this trick…I made his afternoon tea and placed the tray on the floor beside the bed, and as yet I had not turned the lights on….so the room is dark….he was still half asleep…..I slid THE WEAPON under the cover….and gently saying for him to wriggle…..my usual last attempt at getting him to move…..and when he threw the cover off his head I knew that he was awake enough for the REVENGE…..so I slightly lifted the cover to reveal the WEAPON pointing at him and gave it blast after blast after blast after blast towards him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…..IT WAS DRAMATIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The muliti coloured lights flashing and the sound blaring and me laughing so much…..His reaction was so funny!!!!! Of course initially "stunned"!!!!!!!!!! I mean what has got into this woman!….and what on earth has she got…..and then all he wanted was to "play" with it!!!! Grabbing it like a little kid snatching another kids new toy!
Later again…
We had to make a speedy trip to one of the all night supermarkets the other night to stock on a few things with the likelihood of brothers coming and going while one Sheikh is here. While the H was looking at the bread section I stopped by the toy area…..and SPIED a MAGNIFICENT packet of the most yukky creatures you could think of….but how to get them in the basket and through the checkout….as he always insists I wait away from the men doing the check out….so I have had to leave this till another time when we are not rushed and we have a trolley full instead of a few things in a basket, and when I can be prepared to divert him while I some how get through with it….I was so excited as I also saw plastic things looking like an un cooked chicken and plastic loaves of bread looking so real….imagine setting out the suffrah (our on the floor "table") and watching him trying to break off a piece of bread that is a bit of plastic!!! Anyway…while I’m fantasizing like some crazy kid, he returns and pulls me to the gun section!!! showing me a SUPER DUPER SIZED one like I got him with….saying that he’s going to get one like that and then we can REALLY PLAY!!! HA HA HA. It has been so much fun really….I was thinking that not having kids around for all this sort of fun can be dull….and my H not ever having kids has sort of missed out on this too…though hearing about his exploits with his brothers and sister when they were younger is certainly boggling!!
I eventually did manage to get some creatures…will spare you the details of the fun we had with them too. They since have proved to be a popular hit with children visiting! Have recently added zoo animals to balance the inner macabre tendencies we as humans have!
So after you have finished you extra efforts of Salawaat, Tilawaat and other Ibadah for Juma’ah, treat yourself and your family to some lighthearted moments of "play", in dispersed with stories of how our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, his wives and companions RadhiAllahu anhum would enjoy themselves, Insha’Allah.
JUMA’AH MUBARAK with a "light" sprinkle of giggles!
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. Ameen.

Assalamualaikum sister. Jazakiallah Khaira for the great post with such an important yet often forgotten reminder
Comment by ikramuddin — February 15, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Khaltu Noor! I am laughing so much!!!
MashAllah, this seems like SO MUCH FUN.
May Allah keep you happy!
Allahuma sali ‘ala syedina Muhamad!
Comment by maida — February 15, 2007 @ 11:38 pm
As-salaamu Alaikum,
This is just soooooo FUNNY!!!LOL. Both of you and the gun. I thought it was a WATER GUN for a moment!!!!
Jazak Allah Khair for preparing us for Ukhti Noor’s little twinkle in her eye!!!!!!
Jazak Allah Khair for the stories of Rasul Allah sallahu alaihi wasallam and family - may ALlah ta’ala shower them with peace and blessings, amin.
wasalaam and love,
farah
[you should have seen the dolls clothes my daughter used to ask me to stitch for her dolls. I would be there stitching away
tiny little stitches - sewing sleeves for ages. Even knitted them a long skirt and woollen top! The woven prayer mat was the best]
Comment by Farah — February 16, 2007 @ 12:27 am
Assalamu Alaikum,
Jazakallahu Khairan.I just really loved this post.Inshallah we will all be able to have lots of FUN with your gun SOOON.
Ameen.Jumah Mubarak.
Wassalams.
Maryam
Comment by Maryam — February 16, 2007 @ 5:41 am
Assalamu Alaikum,That was so funny.They were very nice stories.
Wassalam
Asiyah 8 Years old.
Comment by Asiyah — February 16, 2007 @ 6:44 am
Assalamu alaikum,
to brother Ikramuddin! Alhumdulillah May Allah Ta’ala keep us ALL happy dear Maida, in the knowledge that HE LOVES US, as I often write to others. How so sweet Ukhti Farah, all those tiny stitches of love. May Allah Ta’ala give you many more opportunities to make play things for our cherished little ones. I know other children who delight in making models of mosques replete with prayer mats and communities attending to all the duties associated with them. Insha’Allah Maryam and Asiyah, when you come SOON, we will buy a gun for every one so we can go to the desert and play! Careful not to frighten the camels!
Jazakumullahu all for contributing to this post, may we all try to bring more and more of the qualities and character of our Noble Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wassalam and his family and Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum into our lives, not fearing affection to all we love, extending to the whole Ummah, and not pampering our own pride, Insha’Allah. Doing for others as much as possible, even as small as a smile, mirroring back a smile,
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 16, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
Wa-alaikum As-salaam,
That’s interesting - playing in the desert. What would children have played in the deserts all those years ago. No doubt chasing and racing would have been something they did.
Have fun! Look forward to hearing all about it, insha Allah.
wasalaam
Comment by Farah — February 16, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
can i come too?!!
Comment by maida — February 16, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
Very funny
It is often said that the more complex and intelligent and creative th mind, the more the need for play
It is wonderful to see such a loving and playful couple. And thank you for the excellent reminder of the love and care the blessed Prophet (pbuh) gave to both children and his beloved wife Aishah (may Allah have mercy on her and sanctify her soul).
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — February 17, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Assalamu alaikum,
Ahlan WaSahlan Maida and any others who want to join in! Maybe we could invent a game of aiming at disintegrating each others “shortcomings”….before “playing” we could list all those things we would like to address…with these being the target, sort of like a playful simulation game. E.g. “Ahaahhhh….you just blasted some of my Kibr” LOL!!!!!!
I wonder brother Irving, if reversing that, by playing more, one becomes more creative and intelligent is true? Play, in moderation, is definitely an essential aspect of a balanced soul, especially if our focus is based on the character of our Noble Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, and our intention is for love and harmony between each other.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 17, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Assalamu alaikum, Ukhti Farah, as we drive around and past deserts I am intrigued seeing quite small children, usually a solitary boy or girl tending to flocks. A beautiful sight, as sometimes they are running with the animals or sitting in the shade of the scrubby trees. Takes me to wondering how Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam would have played with his foster brother, and how all of the Anbiya, Alaihumus Sallam were shepherds, learning all about the cosmos and the rhythms of nature directly from observation, not confined to classrooms, SubhanAllah. I may follow this line up in another post, Insha’Allah.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — February 17, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Wa-alaikum As-salaam Apa Noor,
}
Amazing truly amazing. Subhan Allah.
Certainly learn a lot from the comments on the blog too. Jazak Allah Khair.
{Ma’ida I want to go too - either that or Lake Windermere as soon as possible
Wasalaam,
Farah
Comment by Farah — February 17, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Assalamu Alaikum Sister,
I really needed this hearty laugh! Lightheartedness is not just for kids…we all need to joke and play and inshaAllah this can help us to be happier, calmer, and more forgiving of one another in the not-so-lighthearted moments.
Comment by UmmFarouq — March 12, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
HAHAHAHA Assalamu Alaikum Sister,I was rolling on the floor, first you brought tears by reading the article of illuminating city and now your sense of humour. Allhumdulillah
Sister Miskeenah.
Comment by Umm-e-Shiraaz — March 3, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
I still laugh at this incident…and still use my WEAPON every now and then…though noticed when I grabbed it the last time that the batteries are flat…must change them…never know when I need to blast ’someone’, or they need to blast me! HA HA HA. Must share my wooden spoon collection some time too!
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — March 4, 2008 @ 8:58 pm