Jamaat Khana
Jamaat Khana: I love my University Jamaat Khana. It’s been a source of a lot of good for me. It has literally been the place so many of my duas were answered and Allah SWT relieved me of so many of my stresses.
It’s where I used to go to cry in the mornings if I didn’t want anyone to see me whenever I’d miss my immediate family too much. It’s beautiful and peaceful and quiet and on a sunny day you can see all the dust motes floating in the sunshine like tiny snowflakes.
I know a lot of girls get a bad rap for going to University but there are some truly unique, kind and generous souls I have met there.
Some you can see Allah SWT has truly blessed with a good heart and a good character; The girl who doesn’t wear hijab but who never misses Zohr salah at the Jamaat Khana even if she probably feels awkward walking towards it with her wavy unbound tresses and skinny jeans.
The girl who lives on the other side of the city but gave me a lift home because there was strike on campus (she was really bubbly). And the girl who gave me a lift for two weeks because I was stressed and stranded – she didn’t even know me 5 whole minutes.
When I tried to thank her she said it’s not her helping me, it’s Allah that is using her to help me. There are girls who listen reverently to the Khutbah and always gently nudge me when it’s that time when duas are readily accepted, girls who come to do their dor (come to university, remember Allah and DO THEIR DOR) and if you ask them to, will help you to correct your own recitation (I’m not shy to ask) and recommend you to go to so and so apaa because she’s so patient she’ll make you love reading the Quraan.
Then there’s the girl who’s always studying at the Jamaat Khana while people will judge her and say she’s probably busy with boys because she decided to study something that’s male-dominated.
These girls increase in number when it’s test time and it’s nice to see the little study groups where everyone tries to complete the others’ missing knowledge so everyone passes! Painfully shy girls that greet and give a small smile. Boisterous and confident girls who make everyone sitting on the benches outside laugh.
The girl on the MSA who’s endlessly rallying everyone and their aunt into baking cakes to raise money for the upkeep of the Jamaat Khana.
I’ve seen some girls comfort a crying first year and trying to cheer her up. And there’s always someone a year ahead who’s willing to give you tips for each class and lecturer you have. It’s such a special little community and a beneficial one to be part of.
And the atmosphere in there is so wondrous during Ramadhan when you can hear the low murmur of those who are fasting (you’re not in this alone), reading quraan (makes you feel like reading a couple of juz too), sometimes talking about what they had for iftar the previous evening (naughty! Making us all hungry here!).
I’m trying to condone, promote or encourage coming to university or sending your child there, I’m just trying to show that even in an environment that isn’t ideal for Muslims Allah SWT gives us places that are spiritual sanctuaries for us where we can be among people who have taqwa and piety and sweet temperaments and who make us strive to be just a little kinder, just a little more aware of how to conduct ourselves and protect ourselves from falling into the wrong company.
I pray Allah SWT gives everyone a sanctuary, especially those that are in environments where it’s very easy to be led astray.
