🌈1404 – The Noor Friday, 1 May 2026

London

Beautiful, beautiful day.

“أعوذ بالله” (aʿūdhu billāh) –“I seek refuge in God (Allah).” Said in moments of fear, anger, or when trying to avoid something negative.

Last night in this house, I’m in Marlebone road, by Edgware road station, last week in my Mayfair flat, this week here and next week it’ll be Bloomsbury, so I’ll write something quickly tonight.

I’ve just gotten into bed, the candle is still on, and someone two floors above is still walking around. It’s 1:29 AM in the middle of the night. I’m lying curled up on my left side with my laptop on the bed, resting on dark red soft velvet bedsheets that my mother gave me.

Only my feet are sticking out from the brown, fluffy duvet. My feet smell a little funny – I had those socks on all day long – but not that bad. It’s just the smell of a lot of movement and activity from the day.

Tonight is the last night on Marylebone Road, Lisson Street. Tomorrow night, hopefully after the move, if I happen to sit down with my laptop again, I shall be at Russell Square. I send my love and blessings to myself for the next time I sit down to write, and I hope a wish of mine – and yours – comes true by then.

Good day today. Woke up whenever – I don’t remember the time.

Around 10:30, I sat at the desk upstairs in the office room for about 30 minutes. I only read Surah Kahf, phoned mother quickly to make sure everything was okay, and texted brother to check the same.

Then I walked up to Tesco by Lisson Grove and bought a pack of rice. Back home, I cooked it with spinach and red lentils. I forgot to add the fried onions that were already in the fridge. Ate a big meal, then spent the rest of the day packing for tomorrow’s move.

Went out walking a few times during the beautiful sunny day. Almost every two hours I’d go sit at the nearby park, eating an apple, two oranges, nuts, and almonds.

Texted two friends during the day to check if they were okay. Spoke with my mother again around 5:30 PM when she called – Dad had already gone to bed. We spoke for almost 40 minutes. Then I spoke with my mate mt after he finished work and got home; we talked about work for another 40 minutes.

Pretty chilled day. Packing, eating and catching up with family and friends, just grateful! Already late, I have to go to bed now. I will write more next time and tell you more..

What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up ten times bigger, leaner, more muscular, stronger… to wake up early, get a workout in, for everything to be okay with family, friends, and everyone around us… and then still have a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing, yet productive day tomorrow?

3 things I feel grateful for today

• Grateful for this platform to clear my mind before bed.

• Grateful for the invention of photography.

• Grateful that strong sleep is coming.

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Goodnight, good luck.

Ash Khaleem