How times change! A few years ago, I used to be so disappointed at the lack of women-only facilities at the gym and sports arenas around town. I love keeping fit and for me it was sad that a lot of the activities were inaccessible to us women. Everywhere I went I asked ‘Do you have women-only sessions?’ Answer: ‘No, it’s mixed.’ ‘No, it’s men and women together.’ I thought there’ll come a day when they have mixed bathrooms too (and surprise surprise, they have now indeed!).

But anyway, fast forward to yesterday… I went out with a lovely group of sisters and did some bouldering (indoor ‘rock climbing’ without harnesses) for the first time in my life and it was in a secure space with amazing female instructors. Afterwards, I came home absolutely shattered and decided to put my feet up when I heard a knock on the door. It was opened and moments later I heard someone running up the stairs to me and yelling ‘Yoo hoo Farhia! Time for swimming!!’ It was my neighbour, all ready to hit the local pool (they had instated women-only times). Around the same moment, I also got a text asking if I was coming to the women-only basketball class in the next town.

Subhanallah then it hit me; what I would’ve done a few years ago for this ni’mah (blessing) and access to all this! How times have changed and how Allah facilitates in the end, subhanallah. Needless to say, I jumped up and got ready in 5mins – forgetting all about my aches and pains from the climbing – and we rushed out in the cold crisp evening… Because when you are reminded of a blessing you once asked for, you will be an absolute fool to forget it when it comes, or otherwise tire of it. If we look through our lives, we can all spot a few things that were once just a prayer and a supplication – but are now fully present in our midst.

Alhamdulillah 🙂