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:



Dearest Heart

Dearest heart,

you are small yet you make a great impact in my life.

With taqwa and iman you grow stronger and bolder.

Please don't be weak with the influential of Duniawi.

Please be strong and aid me to remember Him during the critical times I am emotionally affected with Duniawi.

Dearest heart,

remind me to be Zuhud even though how challenging it can be.

Strengthen my Iman to speak nothing but the truth.

Harden my soul before acting ways which will make Him angry.

Please gather much strength for me to take a step back before sinning.

Please tell me to satisfy His needs instead of humans' needs that will make me fall again.

Dearest heart,

indeed you are the main organ that will justify my actions.

Cooperate with my brain to assist me in being a better Muslimah.

Control my desire to seek for the Best from Him.

Remind me to thank Him when obstacles hit me hard.

Increase my Love towards Him and the people around me.

Assalammualaikum

This post is related to how I have been feeling these few weeks. The journey to be a better Muslimah is indeed.....challenging. But alhamdullillah, with His willingness,  I am accompanied with wonderful companions that remind me of His love as I went through the obstacles. At the end of the day, I realized that my 'heart' is very important. That's where we lay our 'niat' and justify the things that we want to do. Therefore, to complete this post, I have attached a writing from  Mumtaz that beautifully summarized what I am facing. Thank you Allah for this humble reminder.

snapshot from Islamic Book - Facebook

Replay mode

Assalammualaikum

A barakah day that begins with the wetness of a beautiful sky. Still remembered a powerful reminder by an ustaz, "Do raise your hands and pray to Him when it rains. Take the opportunity to talk to Him as rain means full of barakah". So do take the opportunity to make doa when it rains ya. What a beautiful Friday, alhamdullillah. 

While studying for my coming paper, heres a zikir by Hijaz on my replay mode =)

My Biggest Humble Shock

Assalammualaikum,

Can't wait for tomorrow to update this post...akhaa...Ya Allah...while busy doing the portfolios..Selawat playlist was on the replay mode...After solat asar, continued with the portfolios...While listening to the selawat, suddenly the islamic tip top popular addictive nasyeed song :)  'Ya Hanana song' was heard next..So I minimized the portfolio and took the time to watch the video clip from Cinta Masjid (Malaysian group). While busy watching and reciting the nasyeed along, my eyes, let me emphasized with my both feet crossed and head stuck out near to the lappy's screen,(Ya Allah so the ladylike hee) I saw a VERY familiar face... Ya Allah my heart twinged...I knew him...He was my crush during those days akhaha...

I couldn't figure out his name..I was thinking Hafiz  ahhhhh Azmi......All wrong...and I couldn't remember which boy band group was he from...Fabulous cats??? Phyne Ballaz (which I don't know how to spell:P)...I just need to know his name!! So I scrolled down and read the comments and there I saw the familiar group's name!! RUFFEDGE!!! And it turned out his name was AMER!!! (haaaa after googling the group's biodata in wikipedia). Can't get enough of him (in a sense I can't get enough of knowing what happen to him after those 'glamorous' days), I searched his name Amer Munawer in YouTube...and there I bumped into numerous videos about his new life and new 'music' which is Islamically inclined...

Masha'allah the reason I am soo excited to update about him...is not because I am still INTO him..:P (ps: he's married:) alhamdullillah.. It's because Ya Allah I am speechless for gooood reason...Syukuran alhamdullilah he is blessed with an opportunity to change and influence others through his new genre of music...and guess what?? His nasyeed songs now are way better...with all the praises for Him and reminders of our beloved Prophet...<3 Alhamdullilah..what a blessing day..to learn and know of a person's hijrah to a better life...for the life dedicate to Him and the worldafter...Subhanallah...All praises to Allah the Almighty...

Heres a video of him with a group call Al-Mawlid. Song entitled 'Cahaya Seluruh Alam'.

Heres his single - 'Seluruh Mahabbah' - the song focuses on the hardships, sacrifices and the love of our Prophet.

May Allah ease our affairs to be a better Muslim/Muslimah and to always remember about the worldafter and death which is always near...in shaa allah...amin ya rabbal alamin...

Deep in thoughts

Assalammualaikum

Miss those moments when the kids in the Malay class took the tyme each day before lesson commence to raise our hands to pray "Ya Allah, jadikanlah kami budak yang baik dan cerdik" Amin!!

Oh so I miss them, the moments and teaching Malay of course. 

Last week, went to City Square (JB) with (bow.bow & baby) - my favourite gals:). Went to the popular and was searching around for Malay stuff for the tuition kids back at home. Upon searching, I kept on stumbling into Preschool Malay books! Oh my....I didn't realize that much I have missed teaching Malay:(. I would be willing to give up my position now and teach Malay. Had requested for that in my current place but was rejected due to my qualification to teach the core subjects. huuhuuu. Sincerely really miss being a 'Cikgu' :(

Anyway just wanna share that even though if we are 'stuck':) working in a non-Islamic organization, do pretty please keep in mind that we always have a part to spread dakwah. For myself, I've always reminded myself to remind my kids to 'clean' themselves after using the toilet, to not forget to recite their dua before eating and to always eat with their right hand. Without realizing, the little things that we do affect their everyday lives and also the people around them.

It's their Chinese friends who are at times remind the Muslim children to recite their dua during the snack time. And there was this Muslim boy in my class whom previously could not recite the dua before eating properly was able to do it now! And when he accomplished to recite the dua on his own without his peers' assistance, he came straight to me and recite the dua! These little things that Allah had shown me makes me thankful and always grateful to Allah for providing me the opportunity to spread dakwah. 

In'shaa allah may we be given opportunities, regardless how small it is, to spread dakwah. Allah is the Greatest and He Knows the Best:).

Let's don't forget to selawat to our dearest Nabi Muhammad s.a.w...heart heart heart....

~Sunday Morning~

Sunday morning,

wind whistling through the ears,

eyes drawn to the nature surround,

footsteps are in rhythm,

heading to where He leads our heart to.

When others are fast asleep,

we perk the day with a breeze of calmness,

together we strive to overcome the negativeness,

cleanse the little important organ-our heart,

for a better path near Him.

May Allah ease our affairs. Have a bless day everyone♡♥♡♥

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!