Our Part

Me and my classmates were having a chat with my quran teacher on the importance of having the correct makraj of the arabic letter less we will change the meaning of the intended word. Then my friend told me what happen to some of her friends.

They were made to know the sunnah of reciting surah al Kahf on Friday. In the spirit of 'we listen, we obey', the sisters grab the opportunity and religiously subscribe to the sunnah. 

Among the virtue

Abu al-Darda (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, Whoever commits ten verses from the beginning Surat al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal.[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai, and others; the wording is Muslims]

However, due to misunderstanding or interpretation, instead of reciting al kahf, the sisters recited al Qaf instead.

As you know al kahf is spelt الكهفwhile surah qaf is merly ق and the pronounciation of the letter kaf ك is not the same as qaf ق with the latter is heavier.

Thus a prove to why pronouncing the letter correctly is very important.

Howver there is an uneasiness in me when i heard this story. It is the lack of reading the proof yourself.

For any ibadah that you want to perform, there must be a clear valid proof either from the quran and sunnah that says prophet muhammad sallalhu alaihi wasalam was teaching it. The principle of fiqh is that all ibadah is haram unless there is a proof otherwise.

Checking out yourself forces you to think rather than swallow everything you are being told. Be very afraid to be in the group of the innovators because truly, the deed of the innovators is not accepted. You will avoid being led wrongly and fall among those in the wrong path. Naudzubillah.

Most of all, checking your facts after a lecture or a class, increases your understanding. may allah grant you the uderstanding of the deen.

The next time people ask you to recite al fatihah after someone's death, or surah yassin or whatever, check it out, what's the proof for it? 

May allah guide us on the straight path.

A Mother's Job

I heard a mother said to her child, "Why can't you be like so and so? She has memorise so much of the Quran! You have done nothing."

Also, "Why can't you be more helpful like so and so. He helps his mum wash the dishes!"
Why can't you study more and score more like so and so, she alsways score.
Why can't you be more like so and so.....
And the list goes on.

First of all, comparing your child to someone else's is really unbecoming. It is as though you do not appreciate what you have and on top of that, this is the breeding ground for hasad on the child.

I have seen the hateful eyes or the resentment of a child who is probably compared by the parents so much to another child. All I can say, teach your kids adzkar from early on. May Allah protect.

There is another thing I like to point out too. It is most likely that when you see someone else's child seems to have a particular talent is because they have spend a considerable time practising it.

Someone who has memorise alot goes through actually sitting down memorising, revising old ones, hardship of remembering it, difficult times of forgetting it, cries, joys, sacrifice of their time for something else.

Someone who is good in swimming actually goes through years and years of practising it many times every week, muscle pain, feet cramps, cold, sacrificing time for other leisure for practising.

Someone who helps their mother in household chores means they have to be nagged, shouted at, preached, scolded for doing wrong, sacrificing their computer time for something dreadful like this.

And on the pinnacle of this is the mother who plans and plans, and implement, and analyse whether her plans are working, and finding other ways to improve, and the nagging, and the frustration, and the joys and sacrifice her OWN leisure time. It is very likely she has to drive to other side of town to find the best sheikh, the best swimming class, her time to look over the school work, her time to make research.

With Allah's help, prayers and her effort, Allah may or may not allow the favour to be given to her child, and she may continue to plan and try and plan and try and nag and pray harder.

What the rest of us see, is only the fruits of their labour.

And thus I do not think, it is reasonable that a mother make comparison between her child to others, if she has not gone through the very same process. If there is anyone she wants to blame, she can blame herself. (But it's never too late).

Stop comparing your child and others. Instead, put effort that we can raise our child as Allah leases. Observe his talent, prioritise the balance of dunya and akhirah and scout for ways. Ask Allah for tawfiq and hidayah that He gives you idea of how to go on. And you supervise the path. Be ready to lose your own leisure, ready for hard times, ready to motivate them, know when to push and when to motivate. It all requires effort. For even a ball to roll, it needs to be pushed.

And if Allah has favour you and your child for whatever success that He bestows, He is to be praised and thank. Masya Allah, la hawla quwwata illa billah.

A mother's video.




What the boy said about giving the present of his Quran memorisation to his mother after her effort in instilling Quran to him simply makes me cry. May Allah preserve all of them.

What to Memorise First

After some observation among the children whom I have met, I am concern to just how much they know from the Quran. Many 10-12 year olds I talk to are not fluent in their basic three quls and some have not even memorised it. I asked them, if you have not memorised these short surahs, what do you read for your solah then?

I am not sure whether some of us expat parents realise this, but our children are not living in Malaysia where you probably would just leave it for the kindergarten school teachers to teach them basic surahs and basic du'a. Not in this country. Not when you are abroad.

Allahu Mustaan.

As expat, learning the deen falls heavily on us. HEAVILY.

I am making a list of what I believe the kids should have memorised by heart. It maybe my opinion only. P

In this order

Al Fatihah 
This should be memorised by age 5. You can stretch it to before 7 but seriously it should be before that because by 7 the child should be formally taught how to pray already. Having memorised al fatihah, would make the teaching process smoother Insya Allah.

The three quls
anytime before seven years old.

I cannot stress to you the importance of having these simple surahs as soon as possible. Not only these surahs are short, so kids can easily have this surah read in their prayers, but these surahs are so important in our daily like, from morning to before you go to sleep.

I am trying to cultivate the reciting of morning and evening adzkar to my K@FA kids and was surprised many have not memorised them yet.

Ayatul Kursi
I know this ayah is slightly long but it is such an important ayah in our life, I would personally make them memorise this before they reach seven also.

In the meantime, for me, I would casually make the daily du'a as daily routine. When repeated often, they would memorise this without much effort Insya Allah.

And of course even before seven, we would encourage the children to follow our solah. Ifthey have memorised al fatihah and some surahs, they can begin reciting them in solah.

Recitation in solah
I personally teach them the shortest ones. The one ruku'. the one in sujud. the one in between two sujuds. Then move to tashahud. and the last one Istiftah.

These should be tested and repeated often. Even when they are nine or ten, you must always ask them to repeat because I have caught my children reading tashahud for instance wrongly.

Again I am encouraging you to get your children to memorise the quran. The early surahs in Juzz amma is short and would it be easy for them Insya Allah.

But baby steps first. And I ask you in the name of Allah, if you have not already, take the responsibility in your hands. And take it seriously.

We are all answerable.

Stand Up for What is Right

Sometime a couple of years ago, Haziq and some of his friends were into pen tapping frenzy. Its merely tapping the pen onto anything to make rhythm of sound. Its quite catchy.

Three of them including Haziq decided to participate in a talent show routine. After sometime practising they got themselves a new member.

Now this new member is a loud-bullying type of person. Somehow something happen between him and another member that I called Ahmad al Yemeni. Than this new a member whom i now called Abdullah al diktatori, with all this assumed power kick al yemeni out of the team a few days before the contest.

Haziq al Malizi and another chap Farz al Seyloni was stumped but because they did nitbwant confrontation with al diktatori they kept their mouth shut went on practising. 

Al Yemeni did ask Haziq to  get him back in the team but he didnt know what to do, so left it at that.

They contested and got second place.

Then i had a real adult conversation with hadith. 

The bad people are strong now, because those who are on the right are not bothered and just weak. While you are the majority, you still could not stand against al diktatori because both of you want to avoid confrontation.

But he is so argumentative.

True. And you allowed your friend be kicked out. There is a difference between hating argument and standing up for the wronged ones.

Just look around you now, we are weak because for a long time we allowed oppressors to reign. Trust me, its dark now but its only getting darker for the result in the future is our cowardice now. 

 فَاعْتَبِرُوا يَا أُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ

Then take admonition o you with eyes (to see)

Unfortunately standing up for the truth requires alot of hardship but there is honour in that.

Stand up for the truth even if you are the only one doing so.

Drinking in Jordan

The traditional food in Jordan is not disappointing at all. Masya Allah they are delicious. I particularly like maqlubah literally meaning upside down. Originally from Philistine, made famous when the Philistines began to make Jordan their home. But really most of their dishes are nice. It plays round with fresh tomatoes, ghee, herbs, nuts and grilled stuff.

Anyway on our last day at Petra and also our last day of Jordan in Aqaba, we thought of eating at a nice restaraunt set up. You know good food, nice setting, nice environment and so forth. So we entered this restaraunt. Loads of visitors in there. Very full.The host was bubbly and were doing things fast and yet managed to talk to all his customers.

I didn't realise that in Jordan, alcohol is allowed almost everywhere. Maybe because I am living in Qtar where you can only find alcoholic drinks in hotel and can only buy if you have license to buy it. It was in this restaraunt that I overheard someone ordered beer and the host explained that he didnt have beer. After taking his order, he mumbled to himself in arabic that alcohol is haram and he will not sell it.

Subhanallah! Here I am in a restaurant that is full of visitors and as you know the fitna is, alcohol SELLS. This restaurant is on the main street going to Petra surrounded by visitors who are used to drinking and almost all restaurants have alcohol (I only realised this later) and here the owner refuse to have alcohol for his fear of |Allah.

And look at his restaurant, the food is really good (I am not bias), the restaurant has a nice ambience, the customers came in more than once and it is listed in major tourist guidebooks, and some fair comments in tripadvisor HERE and HERE.

Does it not remind you what Allah says in Surah Talaq 65: 2-3

And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things. 

Put your means - good food, good location, friendly host, clean place and everythign a good restaraunt should have and tawakkal. May Allah make the owners steadfast and not fidget with fitna and mat Allah bestow him barakah.

In Aqaba was tougher, all the nice looking restaurants that are jam packed with tourists mostly divers pro or otherwise serve alcohol. We were about to go to a normal kebab joint when we spotted one near to our hotel. Also filled with people. Slow in service  though but food was good. Well the bread would be nicer if its fresh. Also no alcohol.

Why do we need to please people and go against our deen? Really the tourists can do without alcohol for a while. And because they are tourists, they would understand the difference in custom. Jordan does not have to sell themselves this way because Jordan itself is a country that will make tourists flock to them even without alcohol. But then again perhaps the owner is non muslim. And I must remember not all Arabs are Muslim.

Yup remember that.

This thought of maqlubbah is making me hungry.

____________________________

When I was in the university, I stayed in the hall with people from different countries. me and a Turkish guy were the only Muslim. Anyway, they know I don't drink. An Italian girl asked me, what do you drink for dinner in the restaurant when you cannot drink wine? Even though I find this question strange because I always wonder how do you quench your thirst drinking wine and not to mention getting rid of that hot taste of chilly with wine or brandy or that fiery alcohol drink, I told her we have varieties of fruit juice freshly pressed, or water not to mention variety of tea drink, milo and coffee. All no alcohol? Why spoil it I'd say.

They respected me and respected my believe. The other one who drinks openly on the other hand was always getting the bashing from others for not obeying Allah. Another story perhaps.

English Worksheet

I bought some english worksheet book for Sya and Jack the last time I went back during summer. It was Building writing skill workbook, Singap0re syllabus.

We did the first exercise. It was a picture story where you need to describe the pictures ad make it into a story. It was a picture of an accident between two cars. One of the driver looks like she fainted or maybe dead (I suppose up to you whichever way you want to write). So you need to describe the story.

I didn't think much of it until I read the following exercise.



And I thought how gory the description is.

Then we proceeded to the next exercise. Here is teh picture




OMG! What picture is this? Someone fell from an HDB flat? Or or or suicide? Are those suppose to blood splattering on the floor? And you are suppose to describe this story. Oh sorry, an eight year old suppose to describe the story? Blood and all?

Another picture. Less gory but still on subject of mishaps or series of unfortunate events.



A boy tripped on the stairs carrying a big bag.

That's it! I think, I had enough of these examples and very likely not proceed with the book.

Look, it's not that I am protective much. I read them stories of battles and so forth and the kids had their doses of Gaza and Syria. Those are real and heroic. While these story builders are just odd and not suitable to be in a child's exercise book.

It's probably a one off case. I am sure other publishers fare much better.

I'll just stick with online stuff after this.

________________________

I found this interesting STORY STARTER. Cute and simple and you can be imaginative as well. and no gory stuff also.

Our Lost Honour

As we watch in despair the happenings of the world, we can't help to note that most of the headline news revolve around the Muslims.

Where has our honour gone?

Sayidina Umar r.a. said
"We were the most humiliated people on earth and Allah gave us honor through Islam. If we ever seek honor through anything else, Allah will humiliate us again.”

We are now humiliated at the cost of massacre of Muslim's life in the view of the whole world to see.

Allah said in

Munafiqoon 63: 8
But honour, power and glory belong to Allâh, and to His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not. 

I fear reading this. Are we not mu'mineen as how Allah describe that we are now being humiliated?  Ya Rabb.

I cringe in agony, each time people mention the glory of our past Muslim scholars coming up with wonderful innovations be it in medicine, inventions, engineering, astrology, maritime, pharmacy, mathematics and so forth. But where are we now? At least from my limited scope of perspective, Muslims are one lazy lot. This is generalisation of course because I have seen really good ones. 

I have nothing to offer to what we can do about this but hope is not at lost Insya Allah, for Allah promises us us this

Fatir 35: 10
Whosoever desires honour, (power and glory) then to Allâh belong all honour, power and glory

And thus, what is left for us to do, is to turn to Him. To do what he pleases. These entails many things because it is not just a saying of the mouth. It should translate into actions, choices of course in life made, direction for the children, Quran, ilm, leaving sins, discipline and and and...

Allah Mustaan. To You Ya Rabb, I seek help to what capacity I can do.

Smart Stuff

I remember when I first came here, among  the changes I enforced in the family is to have an all together sit down dinner. No eating in front of the tv, on the couch, upstairs, in front of the tv. Even though we cant do it everyday with lover because of his odd timing, but I insist the rest must come down and be there.

I personally feel that there is so much bonding during this family get together. And since I am not working, I should make the best of the time I have.

But something evil is creeping in lately. This doesn't happen much at home though. It is mostly when we have our dinner outside. Enter the restaurant  Myself, lover, haziq and the kids will take out our respective Iphone, S3 (TRAITOR!), ipod and ipad. We will check the wifi, and our eyes are glued on the phone or tablet whatever.

Look we are not talking to each other. Sometimes even if we do, we wont be concentrating on the convo. Evil indeed this whatsapp that makes me pay attention to others more than my own family at this hour. And all these smart gadgets became so addictive that my heart yearns for it almost all the time.

Do you not see this happening almost to all. Sitting together but all are quiet staring at the gadget? I am a believer in a good old conversation. Jack, is in his talkative phase. He talks non stop and can go from one topic to another. Haziq, less talkative, but I enjoy the convo I have with him. Sya talks less but play alot with jack (oh by the way she must stop reading at dinner table too). I don't think I want to miss all of these.

Time to take action! No more smartphones, tablets and even story books at dinner table. I must stop this before this evil become permanently stuck on our hands and we lose the ability to talk to our loved ones, and only LOL and emoticon faces with those far away from us.

Who is with me?

Ihsaan to the End

I was scrubbing the kitchen top the other day and I was thinking to myself, that since I am made to leave this place and they are going to demolish this, then why bother scrubbing it properly. Sufficient that I just wipe a bit so as not to live in grease of the little time I have left. Do i need to even bother water the plants when it will wither even before they demolish the place. Or bother about the ants nest which are beginning to take place. Or bother anything about maintenance of the house.


But then I remembered this story. It is quite famous. It came in a few different versions. The one that I know is the main character is a carpenter. But there are other version that he is a boat maker or something to that effect. The one that the late Yasmin Ahmad coined for a petronas ad took the latter version.

Anyway, there was a carpenter who worked for another man. After sometime he got tired working for him. Perhaps if he retires and become his own boss, he could do much better. Or perhaps he could just retire and enjoy his time with his family.
Of course quitting totally would mean loss of income. But what the heck, he is tired working for other people! It is time to be liberated. So he announced his intention of retiring to his boss.
The owner was sad because he was a good employee. He then pleaded that the carpenter to do just one more house for him. The carpenter, half heatedly agreed. Irked because his heart was full of wanting to quit and felt that his boss was just trying to make things difficult for him.
So, reluctantly he build the house. Not taking much care of the finishing, materials nor workmanship. The result was a shabby house. Not his usual work. Thus he ended his working life with his employer with shabby work unlike his previous usual produce.
Upon completing it, the employer inspected the place and handed the key to the man and said, "This is your house, from us."
Thus the carpenter stared at his own work and regretted on how he chose to end.

This is Yasmin Ahmad's work.








Anyway, back to my main lamenting. Even though it was not me who wanted to leave the house but rather I was told to evacuate, the lesson remains, that I should be treating things the way that it should be treated until the end and the best i can.


This is ihsaan. Doing things in perfection.


Before I was practising, I have always thought that Islam encourages only Zuhood and not perfection which probably explain why many "practising" Muslims are satisfied with mediocre results. Rather, Islam demands ihsaan mostly in worship and also in our daily work and relation with others. Allah has mercy on those who are ihsaan.

Indeed the Mercy of Allah is near to those who do utmost good. [Al Aaraf 7:156] 

This knowledge made me, how shall I say it, bersemangat! To strive my very best in what I do. the best I can. (can't say the same about my arabic lessons though. :( ) May Alah help me. For a bit more reading on how to obtain Allah's mercy on my other blog HERE.


And there is this hadith, Prophet Muhammad sallahu alaihi wasalam said, 

"If the Hour starts to happen and in the hand of one of you is a palm shoot or seedling; then if he is able to plant it before the Hour happens, then let him plant it." As-Silsilah as-Saheehah

A good read HERE insya Allah.


And me moving is not even the end of the world.


May Allah have mercy on me and all of us.

Baik Tak Payah

It is getting hot in this region nowadays. I went out and the temperature read 46 Celcius. Subhanallah it is hot.

I tried fasting. I am telling you, voluntary fasting is hard. It is hard because other people are not fasting. It is even harder when other people are not fasting and you are driving around in a smoldering weather like this. One gets lethargic really fast. It is as if the sun is draining all the energy in you.

Subhanallah I got so irritated. Felt like shouting to everyone. Everything. To the kids. My lover. The annoying people on the road. Slow things. fast things. Kulli shaik. Everything!

Macam ni baik tak payah puasa. Siap-silap tak dapat pahala apa pun.


But wait? Is this the correct attitude that we should have? Because of small flaw in us, we punish ourselves from the opportunity of making  a good deed. When we could have the chance of some reward and we could tame ourselves with sabr and we have many doors of repentance, and yet we prefer to take the short cut and cuts us from a deed altogether.

Don't we all use this excuse all the time? For other deeds. When I was not donning my hijab yet (Ya Rabb I seek your forgiveness for my heedlessness), I was always feeling why should I put on hijab when I am still doing many other numerous sins. I felt like a hypocrite. I had the idea that I should be all clean and pure, then only I will follow what Allah commanded me.

Who gave me this idea in the first place? Who gave me the idea that I can justify myself with such excuse? That I have to be sinless then only I will cover myself. Forgetting that, how can I be sinless when I continue to sin in the first place. And really, can we ever be totally sinless?

You know shaytan is a very cunning thing. He speaks your language and feeds you with what you want to hear. Make justification seemingly logical to one's mind if the mind is not thinking about Allah. Making us divert from focusing on our weakness and seeking Allah's help to fight .

Feeding us with ideas that either you are too young for hijab, too much of a hypocrite to become pious, people yang alim tu pun bukannya bagus sangat, there is still time why make tawbah now when you will only repeat the sins again anyway. Shaytan will make way to your heart convincing that you have too many sins, and you are beyond forgiveness, so why pray?

Who does not have weaknesses? And who does not fall into err?

This is what we need to strive against constantly while we are still alive in this dunya.

We try and try and try and seek Allah's help to give us tawfiq and hidayah so that the doors of deed are made easier on us.

Seek Allah's help for when you ask and raise your hands with a heart that is yearning for Him, He will be shy to refuse your wants.

Allah is Shy and Most Generous. He is Shy that when a man raises his hands to Him (in Du’aa), He does not allow him to put them empty in failure.” [Ahmad, Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhee]

What G@ndalf Should Have Said

My kids are in the mood watching L0TR. They have been watching the three series for rounds and rounds.

This is perhaps the first time Jack is watching it in full and is able to comprehend what is happening.

So there was this scene at Moria, where G@ndalf had to face Balrog at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Balrog is a demon of fire, darkness and shadow with fiery whip to boot.

As they were fighting, G@ndalf spew out some incantations in foreign language to Balrog followed with his famous, "You shall not pass!". At this point of foreign language, Jack said, "La ilahha ilallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah!!!! That's what he should say"

Well well well! Indeed that would probably be the best ruqyah.

The clip



The said moment was at 2:50

---

Indeed there is no difference in white magic and black magic. Sorcery is disbelieve. Asking assistance from one sorcerer to cure the ailment caused by another sorcerer is a trap into further abyss of shirk. May Allah help us all.

The current movies such as harry P0tter, L0Tr, twilight and all the devil akin to human have dangerous elements of shirk and further beautifying the evil of the devil. In twilight, we take pity and sympathise and in torn to chose between evil Edward and jacob. in Harry Potter, you are forced to choose the lesser evil, the nice witches against the one who cannot be named. Whereas the matter of fact is,all of them are practicing shirk and magic.

Yes I do watch them. But warn your children that the one you rely on is Allah. Allah has prescribed to us the Quran to counter evil or Abracadabra and spells and incantations. Trust Allah. Ya Rabb protect me form these evil.

Allah says, “Verily, the plot of Satan is weak” (al-Nisaa 76).

Seeking power from other than Allah is shirk because there can never be other pwoer besides Him. The next time when your children pretend play by moving their "wands" and casting a spell, remind them what it means by doing that. That it is using other super power to perform supernatural things. Perform magic. And magic is disbelief.

Al Baqarah 2: 102

They followed what the Shayâtin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaimân (Solomon). Sulaimân did not disbelieve, but the Shayâtin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two (angels,) Hârût and Mârût, but neither of these two angels taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).” And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allâh’s Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew. (102)

And be aware that Allah says in the Quran.

Al Ahzab 7: 16-17

(Iblîs) said: "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path (16)
Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)." (17)

With so many series and movies beautifying the devil, do we not feel that this is the very trap that Shaytan promised to do to us, among others? Making us subconsciously having to choose between two evils.

Be aware and you can guard yourself and your children from all these lurking dangers around us.

Raising Boys (Children) to Love the Masjid

The Prophet said:

There are seven whom Allah ill shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade:
a just ruler;
a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic;
a man whose heart is attached to the mosques;
two men who love each other for Allah's sake,
meeting for that and parting upon that;
a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but be says: 'I fear Allah',
a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity;
and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.'

Narrated by Abu Hurairah & collected in Sahih al-Bukhari (english trans.) vol.1, p.356, no.629 & Sahih Muslim english trans.) vol.2, p.493, no.2248

Alhamdulillah when I began to learn about the religion that I am born into, I had an easier time accepting it perhaps due to the environment I was placed in. for that I thank Allah highly for opportunity seized is a blessing.

Going to the masjid has been an easy(ier) experience for the men and we have been encouraging the boys to do the same. Jack has been frquenting the mosque for most Fardh prayers ever since he is five Alhamdulillah. May all of them remain steadfast.

The masjid's norm here is very chidren friendly in a sense that a small child is treated equally as an adult in a praying saff in the masjid. Just as the sunnah deemed it to be, that is the right of the saff (front row) is for those who come early.

The locals, even though their young ones do not frequent the masjid as much, in fact very very very few, love children in the masjid. To the extent most of the older locals would really go all the way to either pat Jack's head or kiss his hand. Many would give a small amount of money too.

When we stayed at our last house, where there were more locals, the boys would get their duit raya from these atuks. Minimum QR50 you.

Mind you, Jack was very fidgety in his prayers. He can never stay still. He would look around, play in his solah. Bite his nails. Pick his nose. Look at people. Sometimes falling himself down when making ruku'. Making sujud earlier than the imam. After that running havoc in the masjid.

A friend I know, who had even more hyper children, got angry with his young sons for making too much noise, was called by the imam. The imam advised my friend to play it soft with his kids and to never give up bringing them to the masjid.

Another friend who shouted at his son for dozing off in his prayer got told off by the imam.

Sure, they would tell the kids to be quiet also. But they do not discourage the boys to come and never pull any of them out of the saff. In fact, the kids are better off to pray next to their dad.

Naturally, I am a bit apprehensive to come back to Malaysia because of this. I am slightly not comfortable with the idea that they would ask my boys to get out of their saff and go to the back. I understand this is what is practised in malaysia.

Good read by Dr. Asri

However, as not to cause tension and rifts, I have talked to te children about this and told them to comply to the situation until people are more aware of everyone's rights.

Our first taraweekh in Malaysia was at a smaller surau in Melaka. The first few days were ok. None of the jemaah told Jack to leave the saff. In fact they gave way to Jack to solat at the side in case he needs to doze off during the taraweekh. Yes dia selalu tidur. LOL. However on one of the nights, a different imam came in. The big honcho imam kampung number one (who is not a tahfiz. On most taraweekh night they all upah some young tahfiz from Siam to lead the taraweekh.) He actually held Haziq's shoulder (Ahhh? Haziq also included as the young one ah?) and asked nicely (Alhamdulillah) for him and Jack to go to the back.

Some of the jamaah whispered to lover, "maaflah dia ni tak faham sangat agaknya." Referring to imam honco number one.

However, according to lover, they couldn't go to the most back apparently becase none of the older people want to leave their "right" to be at the back! Pulak! So Haziq and Jack went to the second saff instead.

Reported by Abu Hurayra: Allah's Messenger said: "The best rows for men are the first rows and the worst, the last rows; and the best rows for women are the last rows and the worst, the first." (Muslim #881)

What is meant by best and worst is in terms of reward.

So that was quite funny.

For the fardh prayer, when usually there is only one saff no one tells Jack (or haziq) to go to the back. In fact the pakcik-pakcik were delighted to see Jack in Fajr prayer. Alhamdulillah. That was really really nice.

May Allah bless them and make all of understand the deen.

Yesterday we prayed taraweekh at the main masjid in Muo. None of my boys were told off. So yayy!

Having said all of these, I must say I understand where this come from. Most people only bring their kids for the once a year praying galore - taraweekh - and expect their kids to behave. How can they behave all the way from tahyatul masjid - four rakaah isya - two rakaah sunnah - 8 rakaah taraweekh with long surahs and three rakaah witr with long qunut. Not including the dzikir that they read out loud in betweent the prayers (cuma di mlaysia sahaja)?

How can they behave as you want them to when they have never frquented the masjid for shorter but obligatory prayers? How can we expect people to be compassionate about the noisy kids as well?

Even in Qtar, people would tell off the kids who make continuous noise in the taraweekh!

Come every fasting month , I hear the stories of peopele saying the masjid are not friendly with kids. It must be noted also, that many of the kids including adults are not friendly to the masjid for 11 months of the year.

I read a comment about how terrible a masjid is. Don't they know that her son has prayed in front of kaabah before. Masya Allah for her and her kids. Maybe, her kids are very well behaved. Unfortunately not the case of many children though.

I think perhaps many of us (the men) should frequent the masjid with their boys more throughout the year when it is in fact an obligatory to pray at the masjid. Then perhaps this issue will be revisited in a different light.

Alhamdulillah, I was made to understand that some communities have been proactive on this as well. Their masjids are very people friendly and so many attractive activities for the jamaah.Barakallahu fikum

I actually see a very good light oncoming to us. These are the things that makes you feel that there is hope for the next generation.

Challenge Yourself

I think if we have never challenge ourself (in terms of ibadah) perhaps Ramadhan is the time to start doing it.

If we have been praying exactly like how we prayed when we last left school, surely we can challenge ourself to improve it. Memorise new surah perhaps? I can never tell you how beautiful it is to be able to add more surah into our databank.

If we have never read any of the morning Adzkar, we can slowly start doing so. At least we can start by reciting the three quls three times and ayatul kursi in the morning and also after asr.

If we have never done the sunnah prayers associated to fard prayers, let's start by doing one by one now. My recommendation is the two rakaat before fajr prayer.

If we have never finish the quran in ramadhan, why not this year? A doable tip is read two pages before solat and another two pages after solat, Insya Allah.

If we have never given charity, why not be generous this time round. If you already are, Masya Allah good for you, may Allah bless you and your rizq. Prophet Mohammad sallahu alaihi wasalam was most generous this month.

If you never wake up in the later night to be in privacy with Allah, indeed this is the best time to start. Allah wants to give you what you need. Allah wants to boast your names in front of the angels. Allah's mercy is in abundance. It's the time of the year when discounts of ajr is everywhere for grabs.

You can choose which ibadah you want or better still pick them all. But also, Allah loves small act of worship but done consistently. Build yourself. Start little, aim big and be consistent.

Show Allah that you are the best of His slave. That you are worthy to be in his jannah. Do something outrageous this year. Something different. Something that makes your ramadhan this year stands out compare to the previous.

Surely we can! Allahu Akbar!

And the least you can do is fight the nafs that go against the ibadah of Ramadhan.

Of course "you" in the paragraphs above really meant "I" as in me.

Do you have any outrageous good deed that you want to challenge yourself this year?

Kita Muda Hanya Sekali Aje Babe

Anda muda?
Bertenaga?
Mempunyai makan pakai yang cukup?
Masa yang ada hanya di luangkan dengan bersosial samada di social network atau borak-borak dengan rakan atau menonton TV?
Anda masih mempunyai nyawa?

Jika anda ada salah satu dari kriteria di atas, maka anda termasuk dalam kategori orang yang ada "advantage".

hadith of ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhu reported in the mustadrak of Al-Haakim, musnad Imam Ahmad, and others, with an authentic chain of narration. In this hadith the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said to a man while he was advising him:

"Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death."

And if we put the end objective in life is to be in Jannah, where we can finally see Allah's face and have a totally pure blissful ending, the advantage we want to grab (as per hadith) mestilah perkara-perkara yang boleh bawak kita ke jannah.

This is in contrast to the more glamorous objective of "kita muda hanya sekali" and adding to it another phrase , "dah tua nanti kita taubatlah."

Muda hanya sekali. Cantik, kuat dan bertenaga juga hanya sementara. Yang sangat pasti ialah mati. Selepas itu berdiri di hadapan Allah yang akan bertanya apa yang kita sudah lakukan semasa kita muda, kuat, bertenaga, berwang.

Just think about it. really think about it. Because this answer among many others will determine your position of life after that. In the blissful paradise or doom to hell?

What we would answer to Allah is what we are living our life now.

May Allah assist us in living our life in worshiping Him alone.
_____________________

I am putting up a clip about a man, who has regrets in his past life of not doing what he could do when he was more able. But Alhamdulillah, Allah still give him life, and indeed, Masya Allah, he is taking the final advantage of his ability, to spread daawah. May Allah preserve him and erase all his past sins.



_____________________________

We had a small halaqah on this. Can be read HERE - TAKING CARE OF YOUR TIME.

I suppose this is my present to haziq who just turned 13 today. May Allah make him among the muttaqun.

وَيۡلٌ۬ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لِّلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ (Wailun yaumaidzin lil mukadzzibin)

When I was little and I used to read the stories of the prophets and also how they refuse to accept the message. How the story narrated their refusal to accept Allah as one God and that they one day will be raised again and will have to answer before the one god. Prophet after prophet coming with one main message, that there is no other god worthy to worship except Allah. Then i read about pagan quraysh who denied the message of rasulullah and remain steadfast on their believe in worshiping idols, I used to imagine pre civilisation days.

These stories, to me at my younger age, only happen in the days when there are no cars and no phones. Where people probably dance around fire and wear old fashion clothes and had to dig holes for their toilet. I use to imagine the stories of the past with people wearing old fashion clothes like the one they wear in the arab tele series that I always watch when i was a kid in Ramadhan. Where we label these people as jahiliyah. It does not happen to people who have technologies.

Only as i grow up, I realised that history repeats. Civilisation after civilisation. Technology improves but people's mindset and ideology are the same. In fact in many ways, the era we are now has much more tribulation than the jahiliyyah times. Those who deny also wears suit and can be exceptionally clever. Abu Jahal, for your information was also an exceptionally clever man in his time. They use to call him Abu Hakam.

At least (not defending them though), the Quraysh still believe in Allah that Allah is the one who creates, the one who gives rizq and the one who gives life and death. Except that they need an intermediary to make dua to Allah such that all worship instead of given to the Lord who Creates, is given to the idols who they create themselves.

Many a time we read, that the non believers in this time refused to accept that Allah has promised that they will be raised again to be questioned for all the things they deed when they are alive. They scoff at this idea, unable to believe how Allah can raise you when you have changed to dust and bones. Forgetting that Allah created them from nothing in the first place and everything is easy for Him.

Everything is created by chance and luck.
When we die, it will just be the end so no one can do anything to us even though we killed thousand of men in our lifetime. No one also will do anything to the one who oppress us and gangrape the women in our house. When the oppressors die, they escape everything.
All those written in religious scrolls and Books are fairy tales just like aesop's.
You are backward for believing in God.

Indeed the Believers are those who believe in Ghaib. May Allah guides those who are not.

Stephen Hawking: 'There is no heaven; it's a fairy story'"

Al Mutafiffin 10-17

Woe, that Day, to those who deny. (10)
Those who deny the Day of Recompense. (11)
And none can deny it except every transgressor beyond bounds, (in disbelief, oppression and disobedience to Allâh), the sinner! (12)
When Our Verses (of the Qur'ân) are recited to him he says: "Tales of the ancients!" (13)
Nay! But on their hearts is the Rân (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn[] (14)
Nay! Surely, they (evil-doers) will be veiled from seeing their Lord that Day. (15) Then, verily they will indeed enter (and taste) the burning flame of Hell. (16)
Then, it will be said to them: "This is what you used to deny!" (17)

Odd One In

The children are always playing "who is the odd one out". Generally who is the odd one out loses. So if most are wearing whites, and the only one wearing red is the odd one out. *roll eyes*

Anyway, they played it again a few days ago. Sya asked all of us which one do we prefer summer or winter. All of us like winter more except for Jack, he likes the hot summer. The most likely reason is he really has no fat on him and he doesn't like being cold. I, on the other have much insulation wrapping me.

Then Sya told him that he is the odd one out. Jack was unhappy with it but he refused to change his answer and insisted on summer as his preferred choice. He became quite upset because he was alone against all four of us choosing summer.

I think it is time I interjectlah.

There is no need to be upset about being different. Remember first of all being a Muslim already make you different from others because you are the only one worshiping Allah, the way he wants you to worship Him, bi iznillah. There are so many gods out there and they have no right to be worshipped except Allah. Since a Muslim is the only one worshipping Allah, doesn't that make him the odd one..in?

And also remember this hadith,

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said Islam began as something strange and will return as something strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers. This Hadith is Sahih and was reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

When prophet Mohammad sallallahu alaihi wasalam spread the message of Islam, he (sallallahu alaihi wasalam) is viewed as strange. This is applicable in our world now. To the disbelievers, the one who holds on to obeying Allah and His Prophet salllahu alaihi wasalam are seen as the strange one. To top it, the one who tries to adhere to the quran and sunnah are also strangers in the land of masses of Muslims. A Muslim is the stranger, the odd one...in.

And also, we do not necessarily need to conform to people's agreement. Opinions are opinions. But not agreeing should not lead to fights. We must agree to disagree. Allah Mustaan.

That somehow, bi iznillah, made jack happy. Eh i didnt tell him the hadith though. He was all smiles after that and proud to be the only one who likes the hot drenchy summer.

The lesson today is you can be the odd one in.

Semua Mata Pandang ke Timur

Subhanallah! All the world are eyeing the tragedy in Japan now. A massive earthquake of 8.9 Richter scale causing even a more massive tsunami wiping out towns, radiation leaks and reactor meltdown, shifting the earth's axis off its tangent, moving countries, setting the world calculation of time faster.

The Japanese have proven to be the world winner on top of their many world claim titles of sony, toyota, honda, Nissan and the likes. Another world class product of Japan are their people themselves. Their discipline, their systematic, cost saving, their cooperation and their respect to shura and leaders.

And now the world are looking at the aftermath of Japan trying to absorb the destruction and the difficulties their people are facing. It is heart breaking.

I am sure also you have read on how calm their people are facing this calamity. How all of them collectively get together and help one another. There is no chaos among the people. No pushing and shoving one another to get any scarce food and water. People don't crazily stock food for themselves, only buying what is enough for them leaving more for people behind. The young helped the elder ones. Everywhere you read (in social network sites like facebook and twitter), the Japanese are saying, we are in this together.

People all over the world are watching the Japanese with much respect. We know how disciplined these people are. How they always work together and make decision collectively. How efficient oriented they are - I mean they created JIT and all those three lettered jargon. But in calamity like these, it only shows their true self controlled and unselfishness nature.

The word of the day is probably Gaman, a japanese word which is a concept that defies easy translation but broadly means calm forbearance, perseverance and poise in the face of events beyond one's control. Word gaman-zuyoi (gaman tsuyoi) also comes from the fact most of them are sensitive to the needs of others first.

And this is the culture that they build on for generations.

Now now now let's take a look at myself. Sometime ago, when the centre i am attending had to move to a new building, the centre ran out of chairs because of the in between transferring. The classes went on though. So some ladies had to sit on the floor and some managed to secure chairs for themselves. I went to scout for a chair and sat myself near the door. Easy access to leave later. My teacher came to me, "But you are young and stronger lollies. Give the chair to the older ones," She said jokingly. I just laughed.

But later it haunted me. I realised I myself am quite selfish. I don't think I am willing to give up my comfort for someone else. Not that I think much about it or the intention is such. It's just I don't think at all maybe.

I have a japanese muslim girl in my arabic class. You know what she does? She would collect her notes and photocopied them and also photocopy her scribbling on the books and give it to those who are absent. I only found out about this when i was absent myself. I have never even thought of doing that. Sure I assisted when someone asked but never to this extent, even though I do know that it is difficult to understand the lesson when you dont come and wished someone would help me.

I am ashamed of myself. There are many selfish incidents or too busy for others incidents that I did.

I believe that Islam taught me to think of others even more. I should be rushing forward for the reward that Allah promises right?

Sunan Abi Dawood that states, “The merciful will be give mercy by the Most Merciful. Have mercy to those on earth and the one in the heavens will have mercy upon you.”

But most of the times it just doesnt sink in. It is not embedded in us. We cannot feel the word mercy. Because it is in english? Can we feel the word rahmah? Can we think how wide the rahmah is? Such that Allah has given only one rahmah to the whole world that a crocodile does not kill her babies, a human is kind to others regardless they worship Allah or not. And He is saving 99 more just for those who believe in Him in Yaumul Akhirah. And only from His mercy will he let us enter jannah.

But we cannot feel the bigness of this.

If it does than we don't have cases like stealing spilled rice on the road leaving the injured unattended (one of the two died). Stealing coins spilled on the road. Taking the elevator filling up the space making sure you enter first even you come later than the disabled guy in the wheelchair. Or what about when we cut queues to get to the clown guy so our children get the dog-balloon first.

We even have to make commercial to give up the LRT chair for the elederly and pregnant woman. And take note also that the commercial run into issues of racism.

We do not fear Allah so much?
We do not fear that will be asked by Allah Himeslf?
Or we do not care about any promised reward which is better than the worldly reward and everything in this world?
Or we think jannah is guaranteed that we dont have to work as hard?
Or we think being a Muslim is a guaranteed jannah?
Or we think learning the deen is only for ourselves, we do not have to extent extra kindness to others.
Or we use learning the deen to bash others?

When I say we, i really do mean me, myself and I.

Speaking English in Iran

I heard, from reading and from what the people who have been Iran, that the young ones in Iran love to approach foreigners and practice their english. In certain sense I think that is quite daring because i cannot remember myself doing that when I was younger. But then there are not many foreigners in the town of muo anyway.

But i remembered we had an exchange student in our school. She was from amayrikah. She had blonde hair. So many girls came up to her and ask her for a strand of hair. This of course happen before we knew that we can get somewhat similar effect by bleaching our hair. We asked her many things and she in return. But when the teacher made a question-answer session in class, and asked us to ask her questions. None of us did.

Anyway, we were approached by a couple of iranian youth - but they are not couple according to her. She wanted to interview me and the guy will be recording our "session". I found out from her that she is an english teacher and also quran teacher. I reckon, speaking to someone who can speak english can help them improve their english.

However, out of habit, I might have spoken a bit too fast. I hope the recording helps though.

Anyway I just want to point out this. The standard greeting in Persia is "Salam". Literally saying the word salam. Greeting Assalammualaikum is quite rare. Sometimes even when we say Assalammu alaikum, we rarely get an answer back. Maybe it is the way we say it.

But this is a habit I am trying to cultivate, giving Islamic greeting to people first. Even in the society who knows this greeting, I am already mentally ready to only be responded with a blank stare, Insya Allah. And I would tell those who are trying to live this sunnah to not be frustrated when people do not reply. It starts with you first.

And in Iran if you say salam, you can be sure of a good respond and a smile.

Chauffeured in Iran

We toyed with the idea of driving ourselves to Iran. We can drive to Fujairah in UAE. Take a ferry via Fujairah all the way to Bandar Abbas in Iran. It would be an adventure I think. But alas we did not do it.

And I am glad we did not.

Driving in Iran is crazy! I think by far this is the worse place for a foreigner to drive in. I thought Saudi was the worse, but Iran top them all. I heard Cairo is even worse. I cannot imagine.

In Tehran, people drive by mm away from each other and there seem to be no rule except that people should not take the two middle lanes of the road. Those are for buses.

Despite the my-heart-will-pop-out incident, so far i did not witness any accidents among them. They must have good brakes. The car may look like a scene out of Roger Moore's James Bond movie, faded and rustic, but I suspect teh brakes must be good.

On the highway, people don't like driving in their lanes. They like that the road lines to be in between them. At normal times these drive me crazy. If my lover the one who is driving, I would have nagged and nagged and perhaps pull the steering.

Oh the other thing was we could not access any satellite signal on our GPS which was frustrating. But yeah, I am glad we took a driver.

Anyway we asked for a driver and a car. We had three of them. Mr Rezai who drove us from tehran to tabriz, Mr Jafari drove us from Tabriz to Kandovan and back to Tabriz and Mr Rostam who drove us aaround Esfahan and all the way back to Tehran.

Of them three, only Mr Rezai can speak reasonably good english. And when he runs out of english word he would speak arabic. He is an arabic teacher. Yes he has two jobs. Generally everyone has two jobs because, well, time is hard. Mr Rezai said, "Teacher pay is little. Driver pay is alot."

Anyway, it was really nice to speak arabic to a foreigner. It feels sometimes that I know more arabic than english. When he is trying to say that there was an earthquake which destroyed part of a castle, he had to use zalzalah because he doesnt know the word earthquake in english. sometimes he asked me questions in arabic too.

I understand why our travel agent prefer that we take tour guides with us because most of the drivers cannot speak english which was really hard. So we tried using as much farsi word we learnt and a lot of sign languages or in the end polite laughs because we could not understand him and neither can him, we. I used pictures that I took using the phone and words in the guidebook. Otherwise I would hentam an arabic word just in case or perhaps even a malay word.

By the way we share words with Iran like Bandar which means port in farsi, anggur, takhta which is actually an arabic word and salam which means hello.

After travelling to some countries (Baru sikit aje), I must say Malaysian drivers are not so bad. But perhaps we are the only one with the most rage. Eh wait, the italians are the same. They curse alot.

In the middle east and Iran, people don't get so angry if people cut queueu ke apa. In middle east they would beam you and horn you but rarely people glare at you.

And I suspect no one carries a baseball bat under their seat also.


Mr Rezai laughing at us after the more than one hour huffing and puffing climbing up the mountain to view castle roudkhen. Most Iranians are very fit and slim.

The Day the Horns Honk!!

Qtar won the bidding to host the World cup in 2o22!!

They won hands down against Korea, Japan. The States and Ostrolia.

These are the number of votes
First round
Qatar 11
South Korea 4
Japan 3
US 3
Australia 1 (eliminated).

2nd round
Qatar 10
South Korea 5
US 5
Japan 2 (eliminated).

3rd round
Qatar 11
US 6
South Korea 5 (eliminated).

4th round
Qatar 14
US 8.

I petik from one of my facebook friends who said he takes it from Reuters. he he.

And Qtar ran wild the very night and the following. Horns echoed everwhere. people honked their car horns. People blow the vuvuzela. People dancing on their car. Sitting out of the window of a moving car. Driving crazier than normal. Accidents too.

The first ever Middle east country will host the W0rld cup! Wow!



Anyway the truth is I was actually hoping that Qtar wouldn't win the bid. I have been through the experience of this country hosting a smaller event that World Cup which is the Asian Games. And the havoc the country runs into was a burden to people like me.

The house rental would go sky rocket high. Seriously during the time of the Asian Games, they even rent out houses which was build from gypsum for thousands. This year the house went down a little bit making normal houses more affordable. But with the coming sport event, I speculate the rents would go up.

Why just this morning we went to scout a house for a friend, and the same house we asked before has increased by QR2000 and upon questioning, the owner said, "It's the Games."

And they will get the experts to build the nation so they can spend billions on making the event. Experts selalunya mat salleh who will put up high demand and high perks and affording all the good houses. reflecting back in the year 2006 during the Asia Games. We were left with partitioned houses paying 10k at that.

The grilled chicken now cost QR4 more than yesterday.

I wonder also would this country be ready for the ripple effects that come with the events. Woman in little fabric. Booze. Mingling.

The general ruling in this country is that woman are not allowed to wear skimpily and everyone should obey this. When I came in 2005, people were more modest. I have heard of the locals would tell the women off for dressing too tight, too low and too short. Nowadays people do not seem to mind anymore. We'll see more of this or less of fabric in 2022.

Up to 2010, alcohol cannot be drunk in public.

I don't know how long will I be in this country. Would I even be here in 2022? I would be 50!! Would I even be alive?

But for now, I'll probably observe what this country will have to go through to be among those who host the world's most watched game.

And I suppose congratulations are in order. Hope it doesn't kill us too fast.