Our Space

Chapter 30

Sami raised an eyebrow as he watched Radia do a little dance while mopping and singing an old song.

"You're doing it again," he pointed out.

"Oops. Old habits die hard," Radia responded, making a guilty face.

"How do you even know so many of these songs?" Sami asked as he put his laptop on the table to give Squeaky space to curl up on his lap.

"I was really into singing assembly in school."

"Didn't they teach you nursery rhymes?" He asked, stroking the kitten's soft fur. He had to admit that he wasn't too fond of the idea of getting a kitten at first, but Squeaky was definitely growing on him.

"Yes, they did when we were really young. Then a teacher came along and started teaching us popular music of that time. I avoid listening to music now so I don't really know anything about music after the nineties and somewhat early noughties. However, I know way too much music from the that time! And I hate the fact that it's embedded in my memory. Useless lyrics by Michael Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Britney Spears, Nsync, Westlife, McFly, Busted, S Club 7, Blue!"

"Wow. I barely know half of them."

"This is why parents need to keep tabs on what their kids learn in school. But I can't blame the teachers only. Those songs were just everywhere at the time and I picked it up really easily. Sometimes I wish I could replace all of that with Qur'anic recitation."

"Maybe a good start would be to stop singing the songs?" Sami suggested.

"I don't even realise I'm singing them sometimes. But you're right, I'll work on that." A moment later, Radia began to recite Qur'an and Sami couldn't help but laugh. "What? You said I should stop singing these songs so I have to replace them with something better and beneficial."

"I'm not complaining. Go ahead." So Sami sat, listening to Radia reciting Qur'an while occasionally pointing out pronunciation errors. Then Sami got an idea and perked up. After Radia finished an ayah, he called her name.

"Radia?"

"Yes?"

"Do you want a ring?" Sami asked, a smile tugging at his lips.

"What?"

"I have a ring for you!"

"Er... thanks?"

"Come here, I'll give it to you." Suspiciously, Radia left the mop and walked over to Sami, taking a seat next to him. Sami took Radia's hand and began reciting a verse from the Qur'an known as Ayatul Kursi(1).

"That's lovely recitation but I don't get it."

"Let me show you," Sami said, leaning over Squeaky to reach his laptop as he put up a diagram of the verse he'd just recited. He passed his laptop over to Radia who looked at the screen on which the translation of the verse was written, divided by the pauses which made the sentences. It read as follow:

Allah, there is none worthy of worship except He, the ever living, the ever watchful.

Neither drowsiness not sleep overtakes him.

To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth.

Who is there that can intercede with Him except by his permission?

He knows what is before them and what will be after them.

And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills.

His throne extends over the heaven and the earth.

And their preservation tires him not.