Adila was sitting on her porch. It was father's day and she did not have a special gift for her father. She sat with her face resting in her hands. A bee buzzed around in the garden. It was a big fat fuzzy bumble bee. She watched as it danced in the air.
"What do you think I should get daddy for father's day," she asked out loud.
As if the bee heard her, it danced in circles until it landed on a lavender flower.
"Daddy likes the color purple, but he is allergic to flowers," she shook her head.
The bee danced in circles away from the garden. Adila stood up and followed it. The bee landed on leaf near a bunny napping in a patch of grass.
"How cute," Adila whispered, "but daddy is also allergic to animal fur," she shook her head.
The bee passed a frog sitting on a lily pad and circled over the pond with little fish. Adila thought for a while.
"Daddy does like to fish and this is his favorite pond, but we did that yesterday," she shook her head.
Adila followed the bee as it danced in circles until it landed on her porch. Adila sat down on the porch with her face in her hands.
"I'll never find a special gift for daddy for Father's Day," she said shaking her head.
With a zip and a buzz, the big fat fuzzy bee quickly disappeared into the trees behind the garden. Adila heard a buzz, then two, three, and four, then more. She looked up and saw many big fat, fuzzy bumble bees dancing in circles in her garden. The bumble bees formed the shape of a heart and buzzed loudly for Adila to hear and see. Adila smiled a great big smile.
"I know what I can give daddy for Father's Day," she said nodding her head.
She ran into the house and jumped into daddy's arms and squeezed him tight.
"I LOVE YOU, DADDY," she said with all her heart.
“I’m bored,” sighed little moon, “I want to play.”
He looked around to find someone to play with. He saw the earth, spinning around and around. That looks like fun, he thought.
“Can I play with you?” he asked Earth.
“Oh, I’m not playing,” earth said. “If I stop spinning, there will be no day and night; plants and animals will die because nothing will be able to grow.”
Earth continued to spin while Moon looked for a friend.
Soon, Uncle Cloud and Auntie Rain floated by.
“Greetings Uncle Cloud and Auntie Rain,” moon said politely. “Can you play with me?” he asked.
“I’m sorry little moon,” Uncle Cloud replied, “we can’t. I have to carry Auntie Rain to the towns and farms.”
Moon looked sad. “Just for a little while,” he asked hopefully.
Auntie Rain smiled. “Perhaps another time Little Moon. If we don’t go now, the land will become dry and the crops will die and man will suffer hunger and drought. You don’t want that do you?” Auntie Rain asked.
Moon thought about it, “No, I don’t,” moon replied.
Uncle Cloud and Auntie Rain said goodbye and continued on their way.
Moon continued his search for a playmate. Moon saw some stars dancing and twinkling in the distance. Some were bright and some were faint. Moon waved, jumped and yelled to get the stars attention, but they were much too far and busy playing to see or hear him. Moon sighed. Suddenly a streak of like caught his eye. It was a comet passing by.
Moon shouted to the comet. “Hi friend, do you want to play with me?”
The comet had a long glowing tail. “Sorry moon,” she shouted, “I’m on my way home and I must not be late” she said with out stopping or slowing down. “Maybe next time,” she said.
Once again, little moon was alone.
A bright glowing ball peeked around the earth. Moon smiled. It was Sun.
“Why do you look so sad little Moon?” sun asked.
“I’m bored and no one wants to play with me,” he said grumpily.
Sun chuckled, “Don’t be sad Little Moon,” he said, “I’m sure they want to play with you, perhaps they are a little busy with important work. We all have important jobs to do, even you little moon.”
“Really?” he asked. Little moon wasn’t so sure. “But what do I do that is so important?” he asked. “I don’t give heat, I’m not very bright, and I can’t help things grow; I’m just a boring little rock in the sky,” he said frowning causing one of his craters to deepen. “That’s why no one wants to play with me!” he pouted.
Sun smiled. “You are not boring at all. You are also very important. You reflect light from me and provide light for night travelers. You also cause the ocean tides to ebb and flow. That is especially important to many small sea plants and animals. You help the people keep track of time and seasons.”
“Hmm, I do all that?” Moon asked in awe.
“Yep,” said Sun, “you do all of that!”
Little moon smiled. He wasn’t so boring after all and he had an important job just like earth, sun, cloud and wind.
“Well, I’m still bored,” he said, “couldn’t you play with me just for a little bit,” he asked sun.
“Well, I guess I can stay for just a little bit,” sun chuckled.
And for a moment in time, little moon was as happy as any little moon could be.
Clip art from: clipartheavean.com
The Mat'hool Prophecy
From the Novel: The Sahabeeyeen
Year Date: 10,000 years ago
Place: Original Changeling Home Planet, Mat’hool
A windstorm raged outside the Sanctuary of the red caves. Red sand clouds swept across the vast desert planet, then slammed against the mountain range. The storm howled savagely, but deep inside the dark red chambers of the sanctuary, a low hum vibrated. The chambers were the result of ancient water streams that once flowed through the mountain as it rose from the ancient seabed. Neither light of day or night penetrated the caves deep in the belly of the mountain, but a luminous glow filtered from a cave, the Cave of Remembrance. The red walls glowed as a central pool of a glowing white liquid rested at the lowest part of the cave. The humming continued, sending ripples through the pool. For a brief moment, the pool trembled, and then it stood still. The liquid slowly rose from the red cave floor and took the form of lonely figure cloaked in a white luminous coat. The figure removed the hood covering his head; he was an elderly Mat’hool, a race of shape shifters. Haddi lifted his head to the ceiling of the cave, and then bowed deeply. “I hear and obey, my Lord,” he said. Haddi ascended the long winding path through the Sanctuary of the red caves.
“How will we know them?” his people asked.
“They will come to us being pursued by enemies. They will call themselves Muslims. These Muslims will be the living descendants of an ancient messenger’s closest companions from the planet Earth,“ he answered. “We will help them reclaim their freedom from their enemy and their ancient city, Makah, of planet Earth.”
“We hear and obey,” his people answered in a slow but steady ripple across the massive lake. As the ripple traveled across the lake, Haddi felt a disturbance. He raised his eyes in concern, but as quickly as the disturbance appeared, it vanished beneath the waves of echoes.
Allah Knows
Jamaal and his father stood side by side in the last row of the prayer line.
"As Salaamu Alaikum Wa rahmatullahi wabaraktu," they said after the Imaam. After prayer, they greeted the other men and boys at the mosque, put on their shoes and started the journey home.
“Grumble, grumble.” Jamaal felt his stomach. “I’m really hungry,” he said to his dad.
“Didn’t you eat before we left for salaat,” his dad asked.
Jamaal looked down at his feet.
“No,” he said, “I forgot.”
In fact, he had been so busy playing his video games, he did not hear when his mother called him down for lunch or when his dad called him to get ready for salaat. His dad sighed and searched his pockets. He felt some coins and a few dollar bills in his pocket.
“Maybe we can stop at the vending machine just outside the community center around the corner,” he said winking his eye at Jamaal and rubbing his head. “But next time I want you to be a little more mindful of your duties,” he said.
“Okay, I will,” Jamaal, promised as he took off around the corner. “Last one there is a rotten…” Jamaal stopped in his tracks. By the time his dad caught up with him, he was still standing in his spot, wide-eyed and his mouth open.
“Subhan Allah!” his dad gasped, “what happened here?” Jamaal turned to his dad and shook his head.
“It was already like this when I got here,” he stammered. His dad grinned, “Jamaal, I know you didn’t do it.” They both looked at the vending machine outside the community center. The metal grating was gone and the glass casing was smashed. There was glass all over the ground.
“Looks like someone vandalized the vending machine,” his dad said.
“But they didn’t take all the snacks,” Jamaal said shaking his head. Why would someone go through all the trouble of busting it open and then leave everything behind, he thought to himself. His dad fumbled through his pocket to find his phone.
“Hello, police? I would like to report a vandalized vending machine at the Odan Community Center on 3rd and Wilshire Road. Yes, sir, I can stay until you get here.” His dad hung up the phone. He reached in his pocket again and pulled out some money. “Well, what would you like?” he asked Jamaal. Jamaal eyed the snacks greedily. He picked out a handful of items.
“Whoa,” his dad said, “put some of that back, I don’t have enough money for all that, besides, we are going straight home and you can have a proper lunch.”
“But, dad,” Jamaal said, “this stuff is free. We should take whatever we want before someone else comes and get it.”
“Jamaal, this stuff is not free just because someone broke it open. We still have to pay for it, or, we will be stealing,” his dad said.
“Even though no one is here? It is not like WE broke it open, so it is not really stealing. No one will know,” Jamaal tried to reason with his dad.
“Allah knows and sees, Jamaal. These items belong to someone, taking them without paying for them is stealing, and then, you would be no better than the person who vandalized the machine,” his dad said sternly, “Now, do you want something or not? Pick one thing, then pay for it, “ his father said handing him a dollar and seventy-five cents. Jamaal chose a bag of chips and put the rest back. He inserted the money just as two officers walked up.
“We appreciate you calling this in. Since the center has been closed for the week, we have had quite a few break in’s around here.” The officers roped the place off, removed the food items, then left. Jamaal and his father continued home.
Jamaal leaned back against his bed as he played his video game. Really, how bad would it have been if they took a few extra snacks, it’s not like the company was broke or anything. They would not have missed a couple of snacks worth four bucks! Then he remembered his dad’s words,
“Allah knows and sees.”
“Well, it was a good thing you didn’t take any extras,” his little brother, Hakeem, said, “because the cops would have grabbed you, handcuffed you and taken you to jail!”
Jamaal rolled his eyes; he could not believe his dad told everyone he wanted to take a few extra snacks. His mom raised her eyebrows at him, but didn’t say anything. Jamaal and his brother played video games until the living room Adhan clock went off.
“Allahu Akbar Allaaaaahu Akbar!”
“Get ready boys, we are going to the masjid in 5 minutes,” their dad said poking his head into the room. Hakeem jumped up and ran into his father’s bathroom to make wudu. Jamaal slowly put his things away.
“Jamaal,” his dad shouted from downstairs, “Let’s go!”
“Coming!” Jamaal said putting on his jacket. He was still wet from splashing water around as he made wudu quickly.
It was time for Maghrib, so they were driving to the masjid instead of walking. Jamaal sat in the front seat, looking out of the window.
“Allah Knows and Sees.”
“Huh?” he said turning to face his dad.
“It’s cold, roll down your sleeves,” his dad said.
“Oh.” Jamaal’s arms were dry now, so he rolled his sleeves down. He turned back to stare out the window. They arrived just in time to get the last free spot in the masjid parking lot. They jumped out and grabbed their prayer rugs. Their masjid was a small prayer house. Usually, men and boys had to pray in the yard because there were too many people to fit inside. For some reason, they were always late for Maghrib and had to pray in the yard.
“Allah Knows and Sees.”
“Huh?’ Jamaal said turning to Hakeem.
“I touched your nose, now you’re a bee,” he giggled touching Jamaal’s nose and running off to catch up with his dad.
“Argh, seriously Hakeem? That was funny when you were two, grow up!” he said grabbing his prayer rug and closing the trunk. Jamaal trudged along towards the masjid. He passed the last car in the lot, then something caught his eyes. It lay on the ground flapping around in the cool breezy evening. Jamaal bent down to get a closer look. It was a dollar bill! His heart skipped a beat. But when he picked it up, he got an even bigger surprise. It was a hundred dollar bill! He quickly looked around, but no one was in sight. His dad and Hakeem had already entered the masjid.
“Does this belong to anyone?” he asked looking around. He remembered in class, “if a person finds something, he must ask if it belongs to anyone before taking it.” I asked he said smiling to himself, then stuffed the bill in his pocked. He rushed into the masjid just as the Imam said the first takbir. It was hard to concentrate during salaat. He fidgeted quite a bit as he thought of all the things he could buy.
“Allah Knows and Sees.”
Jamaal stiffened. Who could that be? No one should be talking during salaat except the Imam. He listened again
“Allahu Akbar,” the Imam said.
Everyone went to ruku. Maybe I was just imagining it, he thought to himself.
“Allah Knows and Sees.”
Jamaal almost jumped out of his skin. He tried to look around without moving too much, but he still could not see anyone speaking.
“Allahu Akbar,” the Imam said.
Everyone went to sajdah. This was getting to be too much for him. After salaat, he met up with his dad and Hakeem.
“You okay Jamaal,” his dad asked, “you were doing a lot of fidgeting in salaat”
“I don’t know, I don’t feel to well,” he said holding his stomach. Halfway back to the car, he heard it again.
“Allah Knows and Sees.”
Jamaal stopped in his tracks. He felt the bill in his pocket and decided what he had to do. He turned around and ran back to the masjid.
“Jamaal?” his dad called after him.
Jamaal ran up to the Imam as he was talking to another man who looked extremely worried. He tugged on the Imam’s thobe.
“Excuse me? As Salaamu Alaikum Imam,” he said softly. The Imam looked down.
“Wa Alaikum As Salaam. What can I do for you Jamaal,” he asked.
“Imam, I found this money outside in the parking lot, I think someone may have dropped it coming in,” Jamaal said, handing the bill to the Imam. The Imam took the money then smiled at him.
“Masha Allah,” he said. “May Allah (swt) reward you for your honesty.” The Imam turned to the man he was speaking with, it was one of the officers Jamaal and his dad saw at the Odan Community Center.
“Your duas were answered Brother Dawuud, your money has been returned to you. This young man found it and brought it just now.”
The Imam handed him the hundred-dollar bill. Jamaal’s dad walked up just in time to see Brother Dawuud and the Imam shake Jamaal’s hand.
“Jamaal?’ his dad said.
“Your son just returned my money he found on the ground,” Officer Dawuud said, “Masha Allah, you have taught your son well. I pray Allah rewards you both for his honesty. I’m afraid any other kid would have probably put it in his pocket and ran off with it.”
“That is because it would have been considered stealing to take the money without trying to find its owner. Besides, Allah Knows and Sees everything,” Jamaal said with a smile as he picked up his jacket and prayer rug.
Maleeka loves to help! She helps her mother wash the clothes. She helps her father clean the garage. She helps her older brother drive the lawn mower. She helps her little sister tie her shoes. She helps take care of her kitty, Mumu. Maleeka loves to help.
One day, Maleeka and her family decide to drive all the way to Atlanta, Georgia to visit her grandparents. They pile their luggage into the car. Maleeka helps her mother pack the food basket. She helps her father carry the food basket to the car. To help her brother, she lets her little sister help pack the travel pack full of books, games and activities. She even decides to bring along her kitty, Mumu, so she would not get so lonely while they were away, though she forgot to ask her parents.
Maleeka then helps her father go over their traveling check list: Luggage? Check! Food basket? Check! Pillows and snuggies? Check! Movies and activities? Check! Camera? Check! Full tank of gas? Check! Now where did I put my traveling sun glasses? Silly daddy! its on your head. Check! They are all set to go.
Along the way, they see beautiful things! But daddy can't see because he is driving. Maleeka wants him to remember everything from their trip, so, she decides to take pictures with his camera, though, she forgot to ask him. She sees a cloud that looks like a bunny. Click. She sees a tree that's shaped like an elephant. Click. Her little sister makes a funny face. Click. Maleeka sees so many things from the back seat of the station wagon. Click. Click. "Meow."
"What was that?" daddy asks. "meow, meow." Is that a cat?" her mama asks. "MEOW!" "What is that smell? her brother asks. Daddy pulls over. Mama checks the car. "It's Mumu," her little sister shouts. Mumu pokes her head out of a basket. "What?" yells daddy. "How?" asks mama. Maleeka's brother holds up his jersey, "Gross! Mumu went on my favorite jersey!!" Maleeka sits quietly, her eyes big as golf balls. Everyone looks at Maleeka. "Did you bring her?" her father asks. "What were you thinking?" her mother asks. "You are so going to clean this!" her brother says. "She would have been all by herself," Maleeka says meekly, "I didn't want her to be sad and all alone."
Her daddy, sighs and her mama smiles, her brother simply rolls his eyes. "You should have known better Maleeka to bring Mumu with out asking, but since she is here, lets find a box to keep her in." Maleeka helps find a box. Maleeka helps clean the car. Maleeka helps clean her brother's jersey. They are all set to go, again. "Let's take a family picture to remember this." mama suggests. "Good idea," daddy says. "Whatever," her brother growls. "Yay," her little sister claps. "Ummm, " Maleeka says. The batteries in the camera are dead, she forgot to turn off the camera. "Maleeeeekaaaa!"
