An unexpected return

Assalammualaikum

 

On the 11th June, was finally our Batam 'staff retreat' which was kindly organized by dearest aunty. I was not prepared for this short trip as I thought it would just be any of the short trip that I usually experience. I was wrong! After sunnah prayer in the morning, I remembered that I did not have a compass with me as my phone has no auto roam. Messaged my partner, and alhamdullilah she managed to find a compass at home. I started to do last minute preparation such as screen capturing the list of timing for the prayers at Batam and the direction for Qiblah later. Alhamdullilah, I am bless with a wonderful mother who helps me a lot in preparing breakfast for me while I prayed Subuh. Am always very touched with her every doings. Love u mak:) Hearts a lot.  Alhamdullillah. So while eating maggi:), I suddenly remembered my mini travelling book (I've talked about this book in my previous post).

 

After finishing up the maggi, I rushed to my room and ransacked the items in my wardrobe but fail to find the book. I tried to recall the usual 'ritual' that I did before I go out as a musafir. Alhamdullilah I remembered the sunnah prayers and reciting the doa in front of the door. Journey to the bus stop was somewhat a reflection moment. I tried to recap all the mini-steps that I did as a musafir previously. Being a last minute person doesn't help at this moment:(. Before this day, I was thinking of how could I perform solat dhuha. Didn't know why after implementing solat sunnah dhuha without miss during these school holidays, kinda makes me feel guilty if I miss one day. Somewhat it's a good feeling ain't it:). So alhamdullillah we managed to board the ferry. Once reached, we had to transfer to a van for our land transport.

On the way there, kids as young as 5-7 years old, tanned and pale skin looking began to crowd around us with newspapers. Saw that my partner gave this boy a note and then the boy kept approaching her. My instant reaction. I took out some sweets and gave to these kids. Their reactions: shocked. My next instant reaction, patted their head and prayed for them. Ya Allah it was indeed a very saddening sight. At a young age, they are asked to work. I wonder, why upon receiving the sweets they were stunned. Sayu sangat hati ini. My dearest sister and brothers, let us work hand in hand to help these kids. What can they do with the money at these young age. We may never know what they are going through. Why not instead of donating them notes/ coins, why not we give them food (sweets/ tidbits) or stationeries perhaps. These are the items that they need aren't they. I reminded myself that the next trip to Batam will fill my bag with more sweets and useful items for these kids. May Allah help and protect them. Amin.

After the mini trip to various places, it's dzuhur time! Alhamdullilah managed to solat jamak dzuhur and asar at one of this mall. It was located at the third level behind the furniture area. The ablution area was open and next to the man. If a guy was to stand and wash their legs, they will be able to see the woman area. So me and partner decided to take our ablution in the toilet. As my precious mini book was not with me, I tried hard to remember the niat for solat jamak. Alhamdullillah with His willingness I was able to recall the niat in Malay:). Even though it was not the exact but the niat was there. Alhamdullilah we managed to pray. And we realized we left with only 15 minutes haha..But the 15 minutes seemed long that I managed to buy two 'express scarves' that are long!:) and I like them!

The rest of the days were then spent foot massaging (worth the money and theres even TV in the room and can request for ladies to massage) and then lunching at kelong...Love the sight of the beach:) alhamdullilah. Encountered a very disturbing sight after the lunch but would not want to disclose it as it is still a trauma. Just want to say, animals do have feelings. May Allah protect us from hurting these innocent creatures amin.

As it was a one day trip, we had to rush back to board the ferry. But before that, we were able to eat at A&W!!!!!WEEEEEE!!! Missed the float super much. Alhamdullillah managed to fill the stomach and upon boarding azan was heard. Before the ferry moved, managed to take ablution. The toilet is super best. There's a water spray. Super like. Better than airplane's toilet akhaha...Alhamdullillah first time praying in the ferry. Certainly a memorable one with the waves hitting hard on the ferry.

Alhamdullillah returned safely home:) This short trip was certainly blessed with unexpected return from Him. He opened my eyes in many ways. Appreciate the people around us. The love that Almight has given to the people that you are close with we have to treasure and appreciate them following His syariat.

ps: do check out this blog about useful information regarding solat jamak. Awesome info!:)
http://nazrulakram.blogspot.sg/2012/10/mari-belajar-niat-solat-jamak-qasar.html

Replay mode at the time being:



Extraordinary Praying Partner

Assalammualaikum dearies,

Been long and heres a random writing as I miss this 'girl' very much:))

I want to share about this extraordinary praying partner of mine which Allah has introduced. The first time when I had decided to put on hijab, it was also my first day in Wheelock. On that significant day,I prayed that Allah guide me to find friends for the 'right' reasons. And my eyes were glued on these 2 ladies which at that point of time were simply different from the rest. One is so pretty but has a lazy, sleepy attitude as she came in to class and automatically placed her head on the table for a nap!:)) While the other, pretty but act so like 'ya ya papaya' (in other words vain in a pretty way:))

However,that day had lead us to now being good friends,close sisters and petomss forever! (alhamdullilah never thank Allah enough for this friendship) My praying partner will be the sleepyhead lady hee (love you). In Wheelock, when she was still not in hijab, she was the first  person that had invited me to pray. I felt  a feeling of overwhelmed and a great sense of gratefulness to be surrounded by course mates from different walk of life escaping class during break times to perform prayers ma shaa allah! The climax of the experience would be when we were in Boston. Whereby we looked out for one another and we prayed anywhere regardless how tiny and crowded the place. That was all possible with Allah's willingness, alhamdullillah!

From the Boston experience, that's where it led to more experiences in Korea and China. Pretty much we had experienced a lot of hyperness (if there's such a word) when we were all out searching for places to pray. Theres soo many memorable experiences that we went through to pray together. There were times that we felt a little afraid and hilarious and kecut sikit pon ada akhaha kecoh, kecoh, kecoh! At the end of the solat, we certainly felt grateful that we were able to pray no matter what!

Recently, the most memorable one was when we prayed at a neighbourhood staircase when attending my another petom's engagement. Surprisingly, both of us had always been wanting to try praying in one of the neighbourhood housing's staircase area. As we could not find any appropriate place to pray, we decided the fastest way to accomplish the solat was to pray at the staircase. I chose level 4 as 4 is my favorite number! haa Then, when we reached the middle section of the staircase, it seemed quite small but with His willingness, we were able to fit the space and pray! Syukur sesangat. At one point, when tahiyat akhir we heard footsteps! haaa cuak sikit.. But alhamdullilah Allah berada di samping hamba-hamba yang memerlukannya kan:)

In shaa allah, in the next post to come I will try my best to share more about my praying experiences! I pray that we will be blessed with company that not only remind us about the good deeds but firstly remind us of the importance of solat, amin.

Anyway, love you petoms! May our future be more loaded with experiences that will make us even closer to Him, amin.
Heres a video to everlasting bless blissful friendship!