Promising the Little One

Yesterday haziq promised Jack that he will play football this morning. I heard this promise and I saw how excited jack was at this thought.

Qadr Allah lover, myself and haziq went out last night to visit a sick friend and came back a bit late. Haziq was already feeling tired because he is not feeling so well and he just put on braces (yeah he has robot teeth now). Fajr now is also at 3 plus in the morning. He woke up groggy and went back to sleep.

Jack, despite waking up for fajr and sleeping back and would wake up a little later on other days, woke up before 7. He then tried to wake his abang up without much success. I went to his room and saw him leaning over Haziq desperately waking him up.

I asked what he was doing and he replied abang promised me that he will play football with me today. I explained to Jack that abang came home late last night so he is a bit tired.

Then Jack cried quietly and hugged me.

Oh Jack.

I distracted him with little conversation.

Later I quietly woke Haziq up ad when he did open his eyes, I reminded him of his promise to Jack. He woke up quickly. You should see Jack's face when he saw his abang.

They are playing ball outside as I type.

May they become the comfort of their eyes to each other as well as mine.

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It is important that when you make a promise, to fulfill it. Do not even offer them sweet just to distract their attention but in actual fact you will not give him anything. This is lying and on top of that you are teaching your child how to lie also.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “My mother called me one day when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sitting in our house. She said, ‘Come here, and I will give you (something).’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘What do you want to give him?’ She said, ‘I will give him a date.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘If you had not given him something, you would have been lying.’”

Not that Haziq intended not to play with jack though. 

Takutlah

And the scariest thing of all, writing and inviting people to do good, but yet i myself don't do any of that. Ya Rabb

as Saff 61: 2-3

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.

Takutlah.

Haziq's Virgin Ride

My lover has been having his mid-life crisis and is into MTB riding.Which I do encourage because truthfully I would do it myself.



I have been persuading my lover to take Haziq along. Especially on the easier rides. He has an extra bike. Extra helmet. Extra tight pants.

After months of persuading, and only when the days are getting hotter, lover finally agreed to take Haziq today. It's easy on the road ride.

Haziq looked like an excited child this morning. I told him, don't fall.

He came back and told me he had a fall. His knees were bleeding and his left wrist was in pain. Qadr Allah.

All the uncles were teasing lover that how will justify to me that cycling would be good for Haziq seeing that he fell on his first ride. Heh heh none of my men need to justify to me after a small fall like this.

Fall? Ride again young man.

We don't baby our men sissies.

Cewah!

Taubat Sambal Belacan

Haziq was watching me slicing up chillies and putting it into my sardin cap ayam sandwich. Ooohh this green chillies are fiery, Haziq. Surely my tongue will be on fire. Yum yum i digged in.

Why do you do that? He asked. You know its hot, yet again and again you eat them. Oh i don't know. Chilly is attractively delicious. It makes bland food, fiery. And delicious food even better. And the thrill is when the tongue actually starts burning. Eating a bland chilly, is like eating grass.

Now Haziq, have you heard of taubah nasuha? This is what my ustazah said back in school and somehow, i can always remember it. Taubah nasuha against taubah sambal belacan.

She said, make taubah. But don't make taubah sambal belacan. Dah pedas makan sambal, taubat tak nak makan lagi. But soon after that, you cant just resist the fiery sin of sambal belacan. And there you go again and again and you know it. You repent but cant resist when its in font of you.

Having said that, if this happen to you, just like many of us, do not despair, continue to make tawbah for Allah loves the one who continuously repent and lets make the next repentance a taubah nasuha.

Surah tahrim 66:8

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يَوْمَ لَا يُخْزِي اللَّهُ النَّبِيَّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ نُورُهُمْ يَسْعَىٰ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِمْ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُورَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allah will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad SAW) and those who believe with him, their Light will run forward before them and with (their Records Books of deeds) in their right hands they will say: "Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Sirat (a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely] and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things."

The Land of the Prophets - We can See Philistine

As we go up north to Madaba, there is this place called Ayn Musa which hosts a spring of water. Supposedly to be one of the places where Prophet Musa alaihi salam strike the rock and water gushes out for the twelve tribes. There is another site that is said to be also where the Ayn is - which is in Petra and I didn't go. *Bangs head*

Allah knows best and it doesn't really matter where.

Al Baqarah 2: 60

And (remember) when Mûsa (Moses) asked for water for his people, We said: "Strike the stone with your stick." Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each (group of) people knew its own place for water. "Eat and drink of that which Allâh has provided and do not act corruptly, making mischief on the earth."

I was told, on better days there is more water here. The water source is now being walled up to maintain the place. When we came, there were a few bedoin women who were fetching the water at the spring.

In Madaba, there is Mount Nebo. The Christians took this mountain as their holy place because they believed Prophet Musa alaihi salam was buried here.

This is the memorial of Prophet Musa alaihi salam in Mount Nebo. But that is not his grave. It is just a memorial. They never did find his grave. This was not the reason I came here though.

From a hadith concerning the moment Prophet Musa alaihi salam death.

Abu Hurayrah (ra) reports that the Prophet (saw) said, "The Angel of death was sent to Musa. When he came to Musa, Musa punched him on the eye. The Angel returned to Allah and said, "You sent me to a servant who does not want to die". Allah ordered the Angel, 'Return to him and tell him to put his hand on the back of an ox and for every hair that will come under it, he will be granted one year of life'. Musa asked, "O Lord! What will happen after that"? Allah replied, 'Then death'. Musa decided, let it be now'.
Musa then requested Allah to let him die close to the Sacred Land (near Masjid Al-Aqsa) so much so that he would be at a distance of a stone's throw form it". Abu Hurayrah (ra) added, the Prophet (saw) then said, "If I were there, I would show you his grave below the red sand hill on the side of the road". (Bukhari)

Where is the red hill? Allah knows best.

Mount Nebo thus become one of the sites for the Christian pilgrimage. I didn't know before that there is Pilgrimage in the Christian believe. And their sites are, if I am not mistaken. Jurusalem, Jericho,  Jordan river where Prophet Isa alaihi salam was baptised by John the Baptist (As the Christian's believe) and Mount Nebo. John the Baptist is Prophet Yahya alaihi salam.

Just something that I have been pondering because someone told me that the Christians pilgrimage is to the V@tican. Since Jesus alaihi salam was born and was raised in this area and this is the area where Christianity originates, how is it that the V@tican became their holy place? A study in history perhaps.


Mount Nebo is about 46km to Jurusalem and 30km to Jericho. And on good weather you could actually see these places. The sheer feeling of being so near gave me hope. I pray for true Muslim leaders in these areas.

The Land of the Prophets - Wadi Musa

As you already know, Jordan and the Shams (Including Syria and Philistine) are the blessed lands of the Prophets as narrated to us in the Quran and the sunnah. Of course, the other lands surrounding it - Egypt, Iraq, Saudi and Yemen.

We were traveling from the south and passed through the Petra area. Before arriving onto Petra, you will pass through Wadi Musa first. A village where many of the modern day Bedouins settled now. It was said, this is the valley that Prophet Moses passed as he had to roam with his people.




The southern area of Jordan going up north and bordering to Philistine are vast land of mountainous dessert. Now, it is still arid and dusty but here and there olives and figs lined up at the foot of the mountain.

You can just imagine Prophet Musa alaihi salam and Prohet Harun leading his people throughout the mountain after the holy land was forbidden for the Bani Israel; them for forty years after they refused to obey Prophet Musa's command to enter the land of Batul Muqaddis and fight the transgressors in there.

Al Maidah 5: 20-26
And (remember) when Mûsa (Moses) said to his people: "O my people! Remember the Favour of Allâh to you, when He made Prophets among you, made you kings, and gave you what He had not given to any other among the 'Alamîn (mankind and jinn, in the past)." "O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) which Allâh has assigned to you, and turn not back (in flight) for then you will be returned as losers."  They said: "O Mûsa (Moses)! In it (this holy land) are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter it, till they leave it; when they leave, then we will enter."  Two men of those who feared (Allâh and) on whom Allâh had bestowed His Grace (they were یوشع وکالب yusha and Kâlab) said: "Assault them through the gate, for when you are in, victory will be yours, and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed."  They said: "O Mûsa (Moses)! We shall never enter it as long as they are there. So go you and your Lord and fight you two, we are sitting right here."  He [Mûsa (Moses)] said: "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us from the people who are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious and disobedient to Allâh)!"  (Allâh) said: "Therefore it (this holy land) is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. So be not sorrowful over the people who are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious and disobedient to Allâh)." 

They refused to obey even though they were saved from their centuries of being oppressed. Despite seeing so many miracles that prophet Musa alaihi salam including the split of the sea, along the way of this migration, they still demand for a physical God.. Even though they are under punishment, Allah still allow them to have the companionship of their Prophets and Allah provided them food from heaven - Manna and Salwa and shades of clouds when the sun scorched upon them.

In Petra, is is said that Prophet Haroon alaihi salam was buried on one of the mountains there. They build a mosque there but I did not go.

Among the landscape of the vast dessert

A Jar of Cookies for Sya

Sya had a camp out at her school backyard this week. Throughout last week she was thinking of baking some cookies to ring to her camp out. But I was err lazy. And also the cookies recipe I had in the Magnolia Bakery recipe book was complicated and the ingredients were beyond me and I have run out of interest in this anyway.

But you know what, I noticed Sya has improved so much in many things. Not up to par yet (especially her messy room) but what I look for is effort and improvement that follow suit. Result is up to Allah. And we must acknowledge that people are different. Not everyone can be scorer and can find maths easy or or or. 

Regardless, effort is what I want to see. And this is what I am struggling with Sya. Alhamdulillah she seem to be coming out of her blur cocoon and is more aware of what she needs to do and what is expected and what it means to give good work.

Her hifz has also leapt and is beginning to retain her memory without me having to strain my vocal chord so much.

Don't expect a noble prize just yet but I am more than grateful to Allah, because it has been stressed for many years with her. And now Jack. Another story.

So I thought why not I surprise her with some cookies for her camp out today. I am lazy yes. But I will make an exception when I am happy and appreciative. 

It's my first time. Baking cookies that is. He he

So yeah a jar of cookies for Sya with lots of love and messy kitchen and happy other people in the house.

May Allah make her righteous and among those who is ikhlas and ihsan.

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I sent the cookie jar picture to lover to tell him that I am sending this to Sya but the cookies was tak cantik and kembang-kembang. He replied nampak sedapnya yum yum. That evening he came back home. I think he was looking for the same jar with the red lid. But he couldn't find it because I have already send it to Sya. He was so shocked because there were no more cookies and started babbling and I err sort of let him.

I was surprised he didn't see the cookies in the clear tupperware. He said I must buy more ingredient and I must make more. I told him I am lazy to make more. Then he said I have to go to Magnolia Bakery and get their cookies then but that is cheating because it is not the same one. And insisted and insisted I must make some more. Then suddenly he saw the cookies on the table right in front of him. Isk isk isk kekasih ni, takkanlah saya tak tinggalkan BANYAK untuk awak dan anak-anak. Meroyan cari batu belah batu bertangkup pulak nanti.

 Rasa dia sedaplah jugak. tak lah over the top. But I like the burnt one most. I believe the burnt one has low sugar count sebab dia pahit. LOL

Allah Gives it Life

Among the joy of gardening must be to see a dead plant revived to life again.

Especially after witnessing many wilt to the increasing heat, or lack of maintenance, or pesticides or whatever that Allah wills.

Your effort : Good soil, placing it where it will receive right amount of sun depending the type of plant, right amount of water, fertilisers.

Whether it will live or otherwise, is entirely up to Allah. Until when it will live is up to Allah.

Al Fussilat 41:39
And among His Signs (in this), that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed! He is Able to do all things. (39) 

Ar Rum 30:50Look then at the effects (results) of Allâh’s Mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily, that (Allâh) (Who revived the earth after its death) shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things. (50)

Meanwhile, since we do not know Allah's scheme of things, we put our effort and tawakkal.

I suppose the joy of gardening is seeing the fruits of Allah's plan. Thus seeing life in His signs. 

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.

2013

Already the third month of the year eh? Alhamdulillah for the chance to continue living and amend and work harder. By the way did I tell you I turned 40 last year? Alhamdulillah. A strong reminder that youth years are over and I can only pray that the little deeds I tried to do are accepted. Ya Rabb.

Some changes this year with timings. My lover's office changed his timing from 730 in the morning to 7. His office is approximately one hour away. So he needs to be out by 6 to be on time. The thing is, he usually sends the kids to school. Thus giving me time to cook before I go to class.

To send the kids now, he should go out the latest 540 in the morning and the kids will be there at 6 in the morning waiting for the gate to be opened.

Cut story short, it is decided that i will be sending the kids from now on. This would jeopardize the quality of food because I usually use that time before my 8 o'clock class to cook.

To top it, the traffic to and fro to this current house has worsened. With the roads that are forever under construction, I can only make premonition that it'll get worse. I have to be even more creative with cooking that should be quick and easy. Buying out is among the most top three options. :P

I suppose this the answer to my du'a that I ask Allah to give barakah to my time. Usually when you are busier, you tend to use your time better. Alhamdulillah ala kulli hal. We must try to make best out of this situation. Sure I am disappointed with his office but we must seek goodness to calm the heart. Of course meanwhile I ask lover if they allow to do flexible timing. Tapi I know the answer with these arabs. Dia orang kerja doha aje, senanglah cakap.

So I get to hear first hand whether the kids are doing their adzkar. Haziq has a funny way ensuring they do recite though. Main snap-snap finger aje.

I get to memorise in the car. Baca kuat-kuat dalam kereta macam dalam studio. I will upload more lectures on the iphone/ ipad. The car has bluetooth connection to the sound system. Memang blast! I am hinting to lover, I want an increase in allowance. Tee he he. Kerja lebih tak ada cuti tak ada mc babe. Tapi rasanya tak ada can. It doesn't hurt to try.

On another note, I admit I am tired out at the end of the day and prefer to spend time at home. Alhamdulillah, I rarely got invited. Come weekend all i want is to have a good morning exercise with the kids, hearty breakfast, halaqah after solat jumaat and board games after that or outing with them alone. And KAFA on Saturday. This is joy to me. Alhamdulillah.

I pray that you are in Allah's protection always.