Those Times and Today 2: Masjid

Early at dawn, still dark and humid
Just before Subuh, we’ll be stepping to the masjeed
Like floating white sheets threading the wet grass
As we breathe in the humid misty air
And watch other black figures walking.

As the muezzin’s voice echoed against the dark hills
More jubah-clad figures pour into the masjeed
As a respond to the call to Subuh prayer
To show gratitude to the Only God for all His mercy.

Sometimes there are after-subuh lectures
Delivered by our respected asatizah
Sometimes we just rehearse our memorised verses
Carving the majestic words gently into our hearts.

The students, each with their own special mushaf Quran
Start focusing and keep on reciting the verses
For the fluent ones, verses flow out of their mouths with grace
While some got stuck midway and had to repeat more to ace.

The masjid upholds a sense of unity
As if it is whispering softly into our ears
“All of us are here to purify our souls
To struggle to remember your words
And we are not in this journey alone.”

If suddenly, you feel lazy, exhausted
Just look around you
“That girl’s eyes were already red, her voice had gotten sore
She had been working very hard
And so should you!”

The words of Allah are the biggest miracle
Hence this journey is nothing like a bed of roses
But a very valuable gift to those who persevere
And strive with an iron will.

At 7, the sun starts to peak through the horizon

Painting streaks of pink and orange hue in the violet sky

And as cool hilly breeze starts to blow against our cheeks

We head back to our dormitory and get ready for class.