Timing is everything.

Things seem to have a way of working themselves out. Many times today, stuff just seemed to fall into place and I feel like I not only got a ton of work done, but some great advice came in at a perfect time, just when I needed it. This is how Allah works. It's amazing.

Speaking of timing, here's my 30-minute meal using the salmon I bought at Menard's.
Salmon cakes, roasted taters and 'spare-gus. I told you I would send a picture!

Read on for a little exercise and a lot of Islam today.




EXERCISE
The first well-timed event today was my realization that my Nice Ride bike rental from yesterday was good for 24 hours, meaning I could have a free 30-minute ride today if I got the bike back before 2:30. I just happened to have some free time at 2:00 even though today was just as busy as every other day this week.

I busted loose from the office, grabbed a bike, and went tooling around the neighborhood. I don't have any pictures from it because I was having such a good time. I was waving at everyone and grinning like an idiot and bobbing and weaving all over the back streets at a time of day when no one is out but the sweet old ladies in their gardens.

I really think I do need to get a bike.

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ISLAM

Earlier today, I had an online run-in with a person who said some pretty questionable things about Islam (she's a Muslim) and it really bothered me. I was sure that my feelings were justified but I didn't really have a way to express them thoughtfully, so I just said what I felt and left the conversation. Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do but it seemed like the only option at the time.

Also, I am in a situation where I need to explain to someone else that we can't carry on with our interactions because of a fundamental disagreement between us in the religion. I have been struggling with how to approach the discussion. Friends have helped with their advice but tonight Allah sent a really awesome answer right on time. Now I have the confidence to say what I feel, with evidence.

The evidence is given in a lecture by Mufti Hussain Kamani when he was in Minneapolis the other day, which I missed. It's an hour long and I wasn't going to take that much time tonight but since I was waiting for laundry in the dryer anyway, I went for it. Perfect timing, YouTube!

MashaAllah this lecture has so many good reminders:

He emphasized the importance of the Sunnah (the ways of the Prophet Muhammad salli Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as something to be followed, not simply learned and put to the side as a "nice story".

He also talked about the 4 types of people who follow the religion: 

1. Those who follow their desires (fatwa shoppers)
2. Those who follow their culture over the religion
3. Those who follow halal and haram only while disregarding the Sunnah
4. And finally, those who follow the life of the Prophet to the letter, like Abubakar Siddique (radhi Allahu anhu) who modeled himself after Muhammad so closely that people couldn't tell which was which after they returned from the Hijra. 

I choose #4! May Allah help me in this.

I highly recommend you watch this. I know it's an hour but maybe you have laundry to do too. There are some beautiful stories about how the Prophet conducted himself as a leader, a husband, a father—so much to learn! Just be ready for a 3+ minute introduction of the speaker by a very star-struck brother who must have read everything on the internet to create his bio. I'm sure Br. Kamani was embarrassed after that!

***POST-PUBLISH UPDATE*** 
In an über-ironic turn of events considering the title of this post, I went to get my laundry from the dryers and found the doors open and the clothes wet. I had apparently gone over the 10:00 limit for the "latest acceptable hour to do laundry" rule apartment buildings have, and a neighbor took matters into their own hands.

Touché good sir! Can I please have some ice cream with my humble pie now that I've hung every single one of my socks on a drying rack?