Walimah

AlhamdulilLah! The 4th of Zulkaedah 1435H (30 Aug 2014) was the matrimonial of my beloved cousin (adikQu) at Al-Muttaqeen mosque (such an apt name/place for this lovely young couple)! I'm so elated in sharing the happiness of the extended family. BarakalLahulakuma wa barakah 'alaykuma wa jama'ah bainakuma bil khayr (sakinah, mawaddah wa rahmah), aamiin Allahumma aamiin! ❤

Eid Mubarak

"TaqabbalalLahu minna wa minkum, shiyamana wa shiyamakum. Ja’alanalLaahu minal aidin wal faizin wal maqbulin.”

"May Allah accept our deeds and yours, our fasting and yours. And may Allah make us amongst those who return to purity, granted glory and are accepted."

“Semoga Allah menerima amalan kami dan kamu, puasa kami dan kamu. Dan semoga Allah menjadikan kami dan kamu termasuk dalam golongan orang-orang yang kembali (dari perjuangan Ramadhan) sebagai orang yang diberi kemenangan and diberkati (diterima olehNya).”

160614

Came across this quote by 'Unknown'. How apt, to start the week :)

Walimah

I bumped into this male artist when I was at the lift lobby of Hotel Oberoi in Madina al-Munawwarah 2 years ago. My first impression of him close-up - kalem (Javanese for calm/serene personality).

AlhamdulilLah, one of his prayers have been answered by Allah SWT. BarakalLahulakuma wa barakah ‘alaikuma wa jama’a bainakuma bil khair (sakinah, mawaddah wa rahmah), amin ya Rabb!  

Hayaa'

I was talking to my cousin and I'm reminded of this podcast about QS Al-Qasas 28:23-25. In essence, it speaks about the believing women and how they engage the outside world with confidence (handling themselves well). On the other hand, their quality of shyness (standards of hayaa') was equally evident. May the Muslimah of today manifest these beautiful qualities, aamiin ya Rabb!

P/S: A birthday shout out to aunt Sofie! :)

Purity of Love

Of late, more Malaysian production houses are producing programmes with a religious theme, which is commendable (albeit the fact that I'm uncomfortable with the commercialisation aspect of things!). Nonetheless, I happened to catch this show - about a Chinese lad who fell in love with a Muslimah, amidst various challenges but with time, Allah SWT cleared the path for them, alhamdulilLah! It brought back the past, just that mine had a different twist, alhamdulilLah ala kulliy haal...

Do Not Despair

Today, I’m reminded of Hadith Qudsi where Allah’s mercy prevails over His wrath. And that we are never to have Ablasa (despair), a trait of Iblis; rather to have Raja' (hope) and adopt the Adamic disposition - upon making an error of judgment, to hasten towards repentance, return to Allah SWT  seeking His forgiveness. 

“O Allah! It is Your mercy that I hope for, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshipped except you. O Allah! You have placed upon us an enemy who can see our privacy and our shortcomings, whereas he and his kind spy upon us from places which we are unable to see them. O Allah! Disappoint their hopes towards us, just as You have made them disappointed in hoping to get Your Mercy (Blessings). Make them despair (in attaining their plans) towards us, just as You made them despair from seeking Your Forgiveness. Keep them away (distance) from us, just as You made them to be far-away (distance) from Your Paradise. Verily, You (O Allah) is Most Powerful over everything.” Aamiin ya Rabb!

Zul Ilyas

Spending time with the extended family has always been great. I especially love hanging out with my lil cousin Ilyas (isn't he such an angel in the photo above?). Today, he cried for not being able to play Pictureka with me as I went to grandma's rather late (he was about to go home). At the end of the day, a kiss on his head, a light squeeze of his hand and the comforting words of "don't cry, you're a big boy now right?" did the trick. Next week, I promise, ok lil fella?

Hmm, it may seem odd to the rest of the extended family that the eldest granddaughter can bond so well with the youngest grandson! To be honest, kids sometimes just need some attention and someone whom they can have an intelligent conversation with (they are like sponges that absorb and hold on to your every word!). Sometimes parents or the older siblings are distracted with other pre-occupation to give them that time. In my mind, occupying them with digital gadgets is convenient but what kids truly need is that enriching human interaction.

There is a saying, "The greatest gift you can bestow upon your child is your time and undivided attention". Indeed, it is not what you leave for your child (material), but it is what you leave in him (character). And to develop good character needs constant parent-child connection. Wa-Allahu a'lam.

Realisation

I can't help but post this photo of Hamzah Yusuf next to Johhny Depp. Besides the fact that these are two good looking men, the photo actually reminded me of dad. When I was very young, I used to be amazed at how dad could artfully snip/shave his moustache, soul patch/mouche and goatee/beard - he looked good. And I recall how he would nuzzle me a goodnight kiss (it tickled!). The more I look at the photo above, the more I realise that I actually adore the soul patch/mouche, uhuh... that inverted triangle just below the bottom lip. I think its charming on a gentleman :)

Grandma

Hearing the story from mum - how grandma was weeping, reluctant to leave her brother's hospital bed, made me weep inside. It pains me to imagine what she is going through...

Its just been less than 6 months since she lost her husband... and I could sense that although she puts on a brave and happy front (as though everything is ok now), the vision of her weeping as she kissed her husband for the very last time stuck in my head. I can't imagine, being with someone for more than 60 years and then to find yourself alone.

And now, the thought of her elder brother leaving her seems too much for her 78 year old frame to bear. O Allah! Bestow upon her the courage and patience in this time of trial, aamiin ya Rabb!

Kudos

AlhamdulilLah! Heartwarming to know that one of our brothers has decided to change for the better. May Allah SWT keeps him on the Straight Path and may his contributions benefit the Ummah, aamiin ya Rabb! I'll end this short post with a song I really like (back then), written by another brother, Taufik Batisah, and sung by Hady Mirza - simple melody, accompanied by meaningful lyrics, sung with deep sense of sincerity... and have you seen the video on dzikr? Subhaana-Allah! Go google it :)

Heroes

Masya-Allah! Just last week, on 1 Rabi'ul Akhir, the extended family welcomed the great news from cousin Adni on the arrival of her baby boy Muhammad 'Aqil Darwisy. And today just before swolat zohor, another cousin, Hidayat, welcomed his firstborne, also a baby boy, soon-to-be-named (I hope 'Said' is a name up for consideration... I miss grams alooooooooot). O Allah! Love them and love those who love them, aamiin Allahumma aamiin! Can't wait to meet these lil fellas, Luqman's playmates :)

P/S: A birthday shout out to Ryan in Canada... I've not forgotten you ;P

Taqwa-Allah

A short post today but what a timely reminder... Subhaana-Allah!

P/S: A birthday shout out to my dear cousin, Hidayat... gonna be a dad soon, excited? :)

Mama

The short discussion on Munakahat, reminded me of the sayings of Sayyidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib (above) and the Arabic concept of how Umm + Imam = Ummah. Indeed, a woman is married for four things - her wealth, family status, beauty and Deen. The wise will choose her Deen above all things.

The rights of women in Islam and how they are well-protected. Reflecting on the questions asked and stories shared, I can't help but have a smile on my face (in my mind, at least). Beautiful examples like Sayyidatina Khadijah, Sayyidatina Aishah, Sayyidatina Fatimah Az-Zahra, Fatimah bint 'Abdullah bin Al-Hassan bin Al-Hussain ibn Ali bin Abi Talib (Imam Shafi'ie's mother), Asiya bint Muzahim (Pharaoh's wife), etc. came to mind.

Truly appreciate our mothers for "The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world." Rabbi-rhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheeran, aamin ya Rabb! (My Lord, have mercy upon them as they did care for me when I was little, aamiin!)