Ummi

Mum's birthday was on 6th of Zulhijjah, a blessed month indeed walhamdulilLah! In the past, we celebrated her gregorian birthday (6th of September) but in recent years, she prefers to commemorate her hijriyyah birthday. Eternally grateful to Allah swt for all her advices, reminders, teachings, and sacrifices.

On this special day, I pray that Allah swt forgive all her sins, accept all her 'amal ibadah, bestow her a life filled with countless blessings, barakah, rizq, sakinah mawaddah wa rahmah, redha with her, return her to Him in a state of husnul khatimah, and place her amongst the pious predecessors together with RasululLah saw, aamiin yaa Ar-Hamar-Rahimeen ❤

Family

Masya-Allah! Received wonderful news from both sides of the family - my paternal cousin's wife gave birth to their firstborn, Muhammad Aqeel Zayyan, on 23 Jun 2020 (2 Zulkaedah 1441H) while my maternal cousin gave birth to her first daughter and 3rd child, Sarah Mahera on 16 Jul 2020 (24 Zulkaedah 1441H). Mabruk! Welcome to the extended family and see you real soon lil fellas ❤

Make It Count

When I was younger, I was amongst those selected to lead my primary school in reciting the Singapore pledge in the mornings:

"We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation."

Now, more than ever, the true meaning and intent of the pledge of allegiance remind me to be a true blue Singaporean for the greater good.

The advice of my teachers keep echoing in my head as I reflect on the current local phenomena - that above all things, we must uphold justice.

Will end this post with a cover of the song originally composed by the late Zubir Said.

Akhi

On this day, 7^th July 2020, it is my brother's Gregorian birthday (his Hijri birthday: 6 Jamadil-Akhir). I reminisced the time when we were younger. Mum always remind me to be grateful for how considerate and loving my brother was (and still is, in his own ways). He would look out for us (his siblings) and have our back (like any firstborn would)… only a Mum knows the true value of her child when sibling rivalry would cloud our judgment (sometimes).😝

Sanah helwah, ya akhi. For all the lessons you have directly and indirectly taught me (through my silent observations of you throughout the years), may Allah swt reward you in kind and more, bestow you taufiq and hidayah, a long blessed life in obedience to Him, forgive your sins and accept your ibadah. And may He make things easy for you in this dunya and akhirah, aamiin ya Ar-Hamar-Rahimeen ❤