Sakinah Abdul Aziz

What does it mean to be free? It is to manage expectations and to let life unravel the way it is suppose to. Managing expectations does not equate to minimising responsible behaviour. Such would be impractical as the system of this life runs on the principle of accountability. We are accountable for our own happiness, for our successes, for our future and to a certain extent, the outcome of our decisions and actions. To be accountable means to take charge of our life within our capabilities and the means we have access to. To be accountable is recognising that we are proactive actors in our own lives. And hence to be free is to understand that we are gifted with this free will. And that we exercise our free will properly to make informed choices and to channel our energy for the desired outcome. May or may not happen the way as planned, but the beauty of this is to give it all it, and then to let nature take its course. Because if we don't and we dodge what is to come and

" 'Ana madinatul 'ilm, wa Aliyyun baboo ha." The Prophet (peace be upon him) had said that he is the City of Knowledge and Ali is the Gate to that knowledge. And I am still in disbelief that I had sat before that gate amongst hundreds of thousands under the twilight in the early waking hours. And on another cold, beautiful night, entering into the holy vicinity and witnessing the gate of his shrine, shining brilliantly and reflecting its splendour of gold. And now, 2 months on, it had sinked into me that this was probably the closest to divinity that I had ever been. I had just stood before a resting body of a great, awe-inspiring leader. Dead physically, but a soul that is so alive till today. This man, who had embraced Islam while he was a young boy out of his unwavering love and belief in the Prophet. He, who had taught us the essence of the greater jihad resounding the true teachings of the Prophet through his behaviours and actions. A man who fought his nafs