Where exactly are we heading to?

                                          Picture taken from www.ladyandtheblog.com

As I lay in bed I can't help but ponder over the plight that some of my patients are going through. I think some of their trials are an eye opener for many of us. It is a reality that makes you question society at large. Where exactly are we going to?

The drugs pandemic is a huge issue within our communities. It has destroyed and torn families apart. But guess what,the Nigerian drug lords are so damn brazen to deal in drugs openly on the streets. Many of our men in blue are in cahoots with these drug lords. Monies get exchanged on the street in full view of the public and life just continues. Tonight another child will try out drugs, tonight is the beginning of another human beings destruction...Most of us are of the opinion that the drug issue affects certain type of people or men in particular.Well allow me to burst your bubble. The drug issue is not about wealth, race, creed or status. It can affect anyone's home including the homes of prominent muslim families.I was heart broken to be informed about a Muslim couple who left their three kids aged between 3 and 8 locked up at home whilst they went out on a drug binge for an entire night. The poor 8 year old looked after the other 2 kids who were petrified to be left alone at home. The parents returned home the next morning absolutely disorientated. The social workers have now stepped in to provide assistance. The kids may be handed over to a foster family temporarily.

A few weeks ago a young Muslim woman came to the pharmacy looking very stressed and depressed. She was under the impression that her married life was perfect unlike one day she decided to visit her husband at work only to find him being intimate with a white girl who happened to be his colleague. Every time he left early for work or flew abroad she was told that it was due to work. In the mean time her hubby was having an affair.She then confronted her husband with regards to his dual life. Apparently he and his friends use to frequent a posh club in Sandton that supposedly serves halaal food. It is here that business deals were conducted and at the same time based on their status within the club he and his friends had the choice of spending the afternoon with any of the women on display. After having a good time with these women, her hubby simply returned home perfectly normal as though nothing happened..such is the happenings within the corporate world...

Then let's talk about bisexuality, lesbianism and homosexuality occurring within the Muslim community. Over the last few weeks I encountered two cases whereby a woman walked in on her hubby and his male friend whilst they were involved with sexual activities. In the other case a husband walked in on his wife who was intimate with a female friend of hers. In both instances the spouses went ballistic. They felt cheated and betrayed.

I can not forget the tears that flowed down a mothers cheeks a few days ago when she passed by the pharmacy for a bit of counselling. I guess all she wanted was a bit of comfort and reassurance that everything will be just fine.A month ago her only daughter got married. Naturally it was a happy occasion. However, when the bride and groom returned from their honeymoon the happiness turned into sadness.The groom decided to divorce his bride as she was supposedly inexperienced in the bedroom. It's pretty obvious then that the groom was probably involved in intimate relationships prior to marriage. This man has basically ruined a woman's life. I have come across Muslim men who have confessed to sleeping with prostitutes. Their wives know nothing of course.Are these men not afraid of contracting HIV. Do they not fear their Lord.

I have come across married Muslim women who are addicted to cocaine in addition to gambling. They spend all their time in a casino not bothered at all about the welfare of their kids.Why don't people value and respect the institute of marriage any longer. Why don't people respect other people's feelings and emotions any more. Why do people find enjoyment in hurting others.

Marriage nowadays is all about money, status, wealth, beauty,sexiness.In essence marriage should be about heart and character. It's about 2 people growing old together and learning from each other. It's about a deep emotional and spiritual bond between two people.

A family I am acquainted with are torn apart after a man stabbed his wife's brother to death. The man was abusing his wife and hence when she called her brother for assistance the poor man lost his life. A young Muslim girl lost her eye sight after being beaten up and punched in the face repeatedly by her husband. She will never lead a normal life ever again. A man shot his childhood friend out of jealousy. Whilst the one gentleman owned a company and was prospering in life both in terms of his career and personal life, the perpetrator was a drug addict who lost all of his belongings and assets in life.

Such is the status of our Muslim communities. The more we progressing in terms of technology the more we regressing in terms of character and values. Whilst striving to adopt a western way of life we have in essence lost our own cultural values and moral ethic.Life is changing all the time. Time and tide waits for no man as the saying goes. Yet the only constant in your life is God Almighty. If you have God as your best friend He will always guide you in life towards goodness. As I look outside my bedroom window staring at the velvet sky above, I ask God Almighty to ease the pain and suffering of my patients. To make their life journey easy for them. Guide everyone including my enemies towards goodness. Grant my family, friends and enemies good health and happiness. Protect us Lord from the evil temptations of this world. Grant us foresight and vision to see right from wrong. Make us the tools to guide others from darkness into light. Soften our hearts dear Lord and make us from among those who give assistance rather than receive..Ameen...