Maseeha awoke one morning, rubbed her eyes, recited the dua for waking up (Alhamdu lillahillazi ahyaana ba’da ma amaatana wa ilaihin nushoor – All praise is due to Allah who gave us life, after having given us death and to Him is our return) and went straight to the kitchen in search of her mother. Her mother always reminded her that when she woke up, she was to wash her hands, go to the toilet, neaten herself and then come to the kitchen. As her mother watched her sleepy dishevelled daughter walk towards her once again, she decided to tease her. She said to her:

“LET ME BE YOUR MIRROR

AND TELL YOU MY DOLL,

WHETHER YOU ARE NEAT

OR NOT AT ALL.”

Maseeha’s eyes opened wide as she listened to what her mother had to say.

Her mother then said:

“YOUR TEETH ARE NOT BRUSHED,

YOUR HANDS AND FACE NOT WASHED,

PLUS YOUR HAIR IS A MESS, 

SO YOU DON’T LOOK YOUR BEST.

IF YOU MAKE YOURSELF NEAT, 

YOU WILL LOOK VERY SWEET.”

When Maseeha heard this she covered her face in shame. She then ran to the bathroom to neaten herself. She re-appeared five minutes later looking clean and fresh. Her mother smiled at her, hugged and kissed her and said:

“NOW THAT YOU’RE NEAT

YOU LOOK VERY SWEET.”

Now, when Maseeha wakes up in the morning, she still remembers how her mother had teased her. She makes sure that she is neat and clean, before she goes to the kitchen.

What do you do when you wake up?