by Rami Mahmoud Elsawah
Talal and his wife are now sitting at the restaurant.
Simsimma: O my God, Alhamdullilah. I thought we were in trouble back there with the officer. I kept making dua for everything to be safe and…
Talal: Honey, I have something I want to show you.
Simsimma: What is it Talal?
Talal reaches into his jacket pocket. He sighs…then he says bismilla. Then he pulls out a picture with two little girls and a boy on it and hands it to his wife.
Simsimma: What is this? I don’t think I understand.
Talal: Now my beautiful wife will be able to love her beautiful little children.
Simsimma: Ya Allah... She began to cry.
You see, Talal’s wife found out a few months ago that it would be near impossible for her to have children. She had previously talked to Talal about adopting orphaned Muslim children from deprived countries and how much reward from Allah they would be getting for doing so, but Talal wanted nothing to do with it.
Talal: They are from Gujurat. This is Ijaz from Chamanpura, Faizaan from Kalol, and Firdaus from Gulbarg Society.
Simsimma: I…I don’t understand.
Talal: I’m sorry honey, I really am. But I was just being like every other ignorant person out there, not caring about what goes on around the world. You were right, these kids do need to be helped; and I’m sure Allah will grant us baraka for doing it and help us to live a better life and serve Him better. And don’t worry, everything’s taken care of; the paperwork, the adoption expenses…everything.
Simsimma started to wipe away her tears and just started to stare at the cute little children see saw in the photo.
Simsimma: What made you…
Talal: What made me change my mind? Well, I took a trip to the masjid the other day because Faisal, the tricky man that he is, told me to get there right away because they were selling this really good hindi movie on DVD for only ten bucks but that they only had a few copies left. So bam, I went as quick as I could thinking all along the way there of all the new songs I would learn and dance moves I could pick up.
Then, when I finally put in the movie and started watching it at home I found out that it wasn’t a predictable song-and-dance love movie after all, but that is was all about the genocide that was happening in Gujarat and the violence and hate that is still brewing there. It was in Hindi, but was translated. It was really hard to watch though, I barely made it through the whole film. And it wasn;t even about the graphicness…there was no graphicness. It was all words..just words. People just describing what happened to them and there families; people being burnt alive, women being raped, children with no family and no parents left to care for them. It was really sad, and it really made me stop thinking so much about this dunya that I’m living in.
The waiter finally arrives to take their order
Waiter: Hello sir, how are you? Please let me tell you of today’s specials…
Talal: Actually, I’m sorry…but I guess really don’t feel like eating out tonight. Sorry for the troubles…here, please accept this.
Before Talal could reach to pull out the tip...
Waiter (Noticing the freshly wiped tears on Simsimma's face): No, no that's okay. I didn’t really get a chance to do anything anyway. Next time if you come insha Allah, just ask for Asif and I’ll be glad to help you.
Talal: Jazaks, bro.
Let’s go honey, I think you have to go pick out the new wallpaper for the bedroom insha Allah.
Author's note: The names of the children are real names taken from the movie: "The Final Solution" by Rakesh Sharma, which documents the tragedy and violence which occured during the politically-driven 2002 genocide in Gujurat.
Salaam Alaykum
Masha'Allah, bro. Masha'Allah.
:)
on April 2, 2005 4:31 PMAsalaam Aleikum Warahamatullah Wabarakatu,
Btw, the point of this article was to bring light to two things.
1) The need for Muslims to think about adopting Muslim children, from here or from other countries.
2) To bring light to the massacre in Ahmedabad that took place three years ago...which people are still suffering from. Narendra Modi was recently denied a visa for his responsibility in the attacks. It really was hard to watch that film, and it was hard to sleep after that too. PLease make dua for all you rmuslims brothers and sisters.
Waslaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatu
on April 2, 2005 4:47 PMMashaAllah, very creatively constructed.
...its ironic because just the other day my parents were talking about Gujurat and about adopting some orphaned muslims...
(gasp) are...Talal...and Simsimma...my...parents?
on April 3, 2005 12:59 AMand I agree, it really had nothing to do with marriage.
on April 3, 2005 1:00 AMAs Salaamu alaikum
'Talal: Now my beautiful wife will be able to love her beautiful little children.'
That line woluld melt anyone's heart!
May Allah help all our suffering orphans.Ameen.
Was Salaam
on April 3, 2005 5:12 AMMa shaa Allaah it was a wonderful article and it brought up the issue wonderfully. About two or three years ago, I watched a documentary on Gujurat, but I dont remember who it was by though, I dont think it was the same movie though. It was very hard to listen to the story and all the suffering and what the barberous people did to the Muslims there. I am glad it is being brought to the spotlight and Muslim should be aware of this issue. Ameen to Sister Bint Abdul Khaaliq's dua.
on April 3, 2005 6:31 AMsalaam:
How many of the sisters/brothers be really interested in adopting muslim kids and provide a home for the unfortunate young ones? Even though you may have your own kids as well. I wonder...
Br Rami, I like this waiter called asif. Seems like he is a perceptive fellow.
Yeah, Brother Rami uses Hidaya readers in his writings alot.
What follows is for the desis!!!
What does the name simsimma mean?
Is it like KHUL JAA SIMSIMMA?
lol
on April 4, 2005 10:31 AMI dunno, I think it has something to do with beemers...
on April 4, 2005 10:59 PMSalaam:
Beemers as in BMW...the ultimate driving machine?
I dont know what simsimma means, but it realy sounds nice. Leave it to Akhi Rami for coming up with unique names in his plots.
That reminds me...those folks who are in Indiana and neighboring states, should register for the Almaghrib class titled "Fundamental of Faith" in Purdue university (if they can), Insha'Allah. Atleast a lot of Chicagoans are planning to attend the class starting this friday.
on April 4, 2005 11:11 PMMasha'Allah, you have picked an important topic which is not addressed enough in our communities.
why is it that americans adopt more from "OUR" muslim war-torn countries than Muslims who live here ?
Personally, from the little experience I have had with this topic amongst fellow aunties, a good number of muslims have a preconceived notion that adoption is haraam when in fact its the issue of giving someone or claiming someone as their own thru lineage that is not allowed. Raising a child and giving them a chance at a good life... what can be better than that ?
on April 5, 2005 9:54 PMAsalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarkatu,
While I was on Hajj a man in our group who is a Muslim social worker here in the US and was saying that when a child is taken from a family for whatever reason (like child abuse) the adoption agencies look to families with the same religion as the child. If they can't find a match (which is the big case that the man was complaining about with Muslims) then the child is given to a family fo another religion.
Even if Muslim families don;t immediately want to adopt a child but are open to take one if he needs a family then they can apply as potential foster parents, go through the training and background checks (to make sure you are financially stable, are not abusive, etc.) at which point they would be put on a list of potential donors. If a child for some reason is taken away from their family (and it does happen) then they will be the first to get him/her. Otherwise, he will most likely grow up a christian or a jew or a hindu or a sikh or the absolute worst, an atheist.
"Personally, from the little experience I have had with this topic amongst fellow aunties, a good number of muslims have a preconceived notion that adoption is haraam when in fact its the issue of giving someone or claiming someone as their own thru lineage that is not allowed. Raising a child and giving them a chance at a good life... what can be better than that ?"
You are correct. Also, if you adopt a child and he is still in the age of suckling (under 2 years) and you breastfeed him/her (most say minimum of 5 times) then the child becomes as if he is was your child (you are mahram to him). You do not have to wear hijab in front of him...there is no awra other than what a mother cannot show to her blood-son. I am pretty sure he still cannot inherit...and must still keep his family name, but these should be clarified by a sheikh. I am also not sure if a daughter who suckles can show herself to her father without hijab. This is also something to ask a sheikh.
Waslaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakau
on April 6, 2005 1:06 AMAsalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatu,
Simsimma = 'Sesame seed'. People usually name their cats Simsimma...I usually name them Bissbiss...my dad used to have a cat named Abu Ali. But anyway, that's what Simsimma means. My dad told me they do sometimes use that name on girls as a play name.
Also, The meaning of "Fatima" is a woman who has completed the suckling age of her baby (two years after her baby is born.)
Wasalaam Aleikum Warahmatullah Wabarkatu.
on April 6, 2005 1:16 AMand here I was wondering just who's in my bimma.
on April 6, 2005 2:25 AMSee thats what happens when you mention something as harmless as 'simsimma' in the US of A...two references to Redman...
...I wish they made head cleaners for heads and not just for vcr's...
(no offense br. Talal, am only commenting on my own sad sorry state)
on April 6, 2005 11:49 PMAlhamdulillah.. no offense taken.
You're better off than you think... It's sad I actually caught the error in who you think the references were too.
Ah me and the woes of being a pop-culture machine.
on April 7, 2005 12:07 AMI am itching to ask what the correct reference is, I really really am...BUT I WONT...because that wouldnt help my condition at all. I am actively and resolutely deciding, right now and right here, neither to ask, nor to do a google in search of that correct piece of totally useless garbage information with which to drug my already stoned mind with. There. I told myself.
on April 7, 2005 12:22 AM