Tell the Truth and Be Punished?

Let's put a halt on my travel writing. Somehow I have lost the mojo to write. But something happen today with the kids, that I feel I must pen it down.

Jack doesn't follow me to send Sya to ngaji anymore. He wants to stay at home. Supposedly practicing his surah that I'll ask him later when I come back home.

But his memorisation is really bad today and I was not happy at all. Earlier, I caught Haziq playing computer games which I was already angry because the rule is no games on weekdays and just this week alone he has breached this rule twice. So I pulled the monitor out and now his monitor is sitting shamelessly in my room for I don't know when. Maybe tomorrow because I know he has homework.

Anyway back to Jack, somehow he confessed that today he was playing games when I was outside (and not practising his surah). I was already angry with Haziq and this was perhaps the second last straw on the camel's back.

I was angry, that I told him, I could't hear you recite any longer tonight and left.

I calmed down sometime later then a thought came to me, he was telling the truth. He didn't have to say it and I wouldn't know. I can guess but I still wouldn't know. So I could at least appreciate the honesty bit.

Which I did. I said thank you for telling the truth and being honest with me even though you know that you'll get into trouble. We hugged. he cried.

Aaahhh soon he will be as tall as me and will he be as sensitive with soft heart. I don't know.

I just pray that he will  become righteous. All of them.

Tabuk

The last frontier of the Romans.

We moved out from Tabuk early (8 is early for me). It was 2 Celcius in Tabuk. Nice!

Tabuk has lots of farms. Mazra'ah everywhere.  Mazra'ah in arabic. We saw lots of these signs. And than they have many factories to process their farm produce. Masna'ah in arabic. We saw lots of these signs too.

And we passed this long stretch of olive farm. For definitely more than 20km long it ran. Tabuk must be a very fertile place. No wonder the Roman empire went down to Tabuk. and not further south into Saudi.Further south kering kontang. Just my thoughts though.

Anyway as I drove from Buraydah to tabuk and much more driving from Tabuk to Madinah, I can feel the pain of traveling in summer in this terrain. Desert after desert. In cruel summer heat. So imagine the Muslims who participated in the battle of Tabuk. 15 days marching. Very little supplies. Despite heavy donation by the sahabah, the 30,000 army was big. They had to share camels between 16 of them.

Anyway you can read about Tabuk in the seerah.

Tabuk now is snowing. Read HERE. In fact the whole of Jordan is snowing. Last week, Amman had rain and flood.

As much as I would love to play in the snow, I thank Allah that I escaped the snow. Thinking of driving in the snow on the mountainous road, shivers me. The week before we went, the forecast for my traveling week was not for us. It was forecasted to rain on the day I arrive and everyday.

Alhamdulillah it didn't.

But now reading that snow has swept over Jordan and the area surrounding it, my heart wept for the people who are suffering there who has no proper home, heat, food and many more. Ya Rabb ease their affair.

The King's Way

The King's Way Jordan. We are entering the famous King's Way of Jordan. The road by itself is like any other "A" road (trunk road) except that in Jordan, the road winds along the mountain. It runs for 297km from Petra to Madaba (refer to map).

It gained the name King's Way bot because it is the road for any specific king. Rather, because this is the very road that has been used for thousand of years for those who travel from North of Shams area, Damascus and so forth into Saudi and further south. So this is a historical route used for milleneums.

There is evidence that travelers also passed Wadi Rum inciting that they were going to Makkah which was the centre point linking from North (shams area) to South of Al Jazeera.

This inscription scribbled on the wall of Wadi rum (Down south of Jordan) describes that groups of camels traveling to Makkah. Can you see the scribble that look like flinstone car that is "mim kaf ta" which spells Mekkah. In the old days, there are no dots on the letters. This is the road that traders use to transport frankincense from down south Yemen or Oman up to Syria. It was widened by the Romans to facilitate troops and further trading and now maintained by the government of Jordan. The Christians used the road for their pilgrimage to Mt Nebo, near Madaba. Even before the Islam time, people have been using the same route for pilgrimage in Makkah and also trade. The road winds wround mountain and you can only imagine the hardship of traveling in the old days. Rihlah As Shita wa as Saif. travel in the winter (going south) and travel in summer (going north) It may be a treacherous road. Later on if they go south (starting from the south of Jordan), they will have to pass desert after desert. Element of danger and bandits are part of what is to be expected. As for the Quraysh, Allah has set them safe in His protection. So let them worship the Lord of this House (Kaabah) He who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear. Quraysh 106

Unknown Element

Alhamdulillah we are back. Clocked in at about 8000km in total. It was an educational journey, eye opener and hope to be richer in experience and understanding.

The thing about traveling to new places, there are always elements of the unknown and potential danger and of course delight. All these Insya Allah are experience enriching depending on your perspective of things and how you deal with it at the time and after it.

When we got to Tabuk, it was already dark. It's winter here. In saudi, maghrib is about 6. It was already cloudy with dark clouds looming earlier. Then suddenly when we drove a strong wind blew and we skidded slightly. A rush of sand followed pattering our cars and then drum rolls rolled on the road. There were no street lights. The rush of fear came to me because I was not sure to veer the drumroll and risk the possible of speeding car behind or stop also risking being hit at the back.

We made through the brief sandstorm.

Astaghfirullah and Alhamdulillah.

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Jordan is a mountainous country. The mountains are not as high as Iran but most major towns are in the valleys. Thus the road is winding, some are better maintained than others. What's worse I think is that they do not put enough rail guards nor reflector to indicate bends on the winding road. Looking out of the car, is steep and deep canyon, leaving only to imagination of what to become if you make any wrong turning.

Our GPS keep giving us direction that we must drive through small, steep and uninhabited roads. A particular scary journey was when we were going to Umm Qays. It was dark. The roads kept getting smaller and steeper. We were at bends at the edge of mountain. There was no railguard. Not cats eye reflector. The cold night chilled even more. Both my lover and I were wide eyed concentrating on the road with fear enveloping both of us. I took a look outside the window: Pitch black of deep canyon with distinct rocks. We had no where to go except forward and up and up.

We maged to snake our way out with Allah's help.

Insya Allah for our next travel, we will use the IPad map which i heard was better and show us a clearer picture of where we are. Oh we had one on Samsung but it ran out of battery. Plus I heard that IPad one is better. Ngeh ngeh. Next time Insya Allah.

Astaghfirullah and Alhamdulillah.

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Jordan lies next to Israel, the occupied Philistine. Jordan being buddy buddy to Israel, demands that they get things under controlled and checked often. Thus if you happen to be in Jordan nearing the Israel border, you will encounter many checkpoints. Soldiers with real guns (but some without the magazines) will stop you and at minimum best ask for your passport. The most I had was they asked to roll down the windows (my windows are heavily tinted).

It was a queasy feeling being stopped by soldiers. Whenever we see checkpoint sign, our hearts sank. My thoughts are on the Philistines people who had to go through check point on daily basis, and they do not have it easy.

Astaghfirullah and Alhamdulillah

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On our last leg in Jordan, we moved out from Aqaba and drive to Tabuk and shot to Madinah. It was 900+km far. We tried to leave early but the border post held us back. First when leaving Jordan then arriving Saudi. Qadr Allah.

So we were driving, cutting through magnificent desert. Really the desert here starting from Jordan is imposingly majestic. The sand colours are red and the stones stand randomly staring at you. It was majestic when the sun shines. We enjoyed the desert and watched the sun sets in the horizon of the barren sand.



It was after, that we realised that the road was really empty. There were no street lights. The huge stones began to grow in the darkness tightening their stare at you. The night was pitch dark. Even the high beam lights got swallowed up in the dark. We couldn't see what was ahead of us. We couldn't see what's next to us. I felt at that time, we had nothing and nothing else that can protect me except Allah.



La hawla wala quwwata illa billah.

Then Allah guided me to remember what I taught the kids whenever you feel scared. Read the quls. Ayatul kursi. Seek Allah's protection from the evil of the darkness.


I take refuge in Allaah’s perfect words from the evil He has created

And whatever else I could remember.


I was sacred I admit.

It taught me tawakkul.

Then the moon began to slowly rise in its full glory.

If you have been in the open on cold winter days, you would thank Allah for the sun for the warmth it gave was a blessing. In the darkness of the night, the presence of the illuminating moon was a blessing. It radiated the surrounding and lifted the fear.

Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah and Astaghfirullah

Jack Motivating Me

We went for our vaccination today. Part of preparation to go umrah. May Allah protect. We had meningitis and influenza. So 2 jabs on both hands.

As usual the after effect of the jab was tiredness in the arm. So I complained to Jack that I am feeling pain.

Then Jack said to me, it's ok Ibu. It does hurt a bit but if you could focus on something else and ignore the pain, it will go away. Let's think of something else ok Bu. It's ok. Then I put my head on his tiny shoulder.

Ibu's pain is gone.

Sanusafiru ila Urdun wa Sa'udi Insya Allah

سنسافر الى ارد و سعودي ان شاالله

Sa - indicating in the future time (will)
Nusafiru - we will travel)
ila - to
Urdun - Jordan
wa - and
Sa'udi - Sa'udi

We will be traveling to Jordan and Saudi Insya Allah.



The plan is to move out of Doha as early as possible (ya ka ni?) and we will drive all the way to Buraydah in Saudi. That's about 800 km more or less. Lover doesn't favour driving driving longer than that. Well maybe +1000km is fine and we have driven 1000+ km but we prefer to limit at 800 and have a good rest. And plus, when I plan I prefer to take the night cap at relatively a big town or city where you can easily find good hotels. Otherwise I have to sleep in the motels along the way. Hmm tried it once and don't feel like trying it again. We slept there once. read it HERE. Eh in this old post I wrote, we like to limit the drive to 500km. I guess we had to make changes to suit the vast area of Saudi.

The following day, on Saturday, we'll continue to drive to Tabuk, still in Saudi. Quiz : Anyone familiar to anything related to Tabuk in the Prophets seerah?

On Sunday, hopefully we can move out immediately after fajr, we will enter Jordan and stop at Petra. We'll be staying there for 2 days. Settle some laundries. And hopefully no issues at the immigration we will get there before noon so we can shoot out to Wadi |Rum down south for some dessert Lawrence of Arabia experience.

The next day we'll walk into Petra. Very likely for hours.

Then we'll drive futher north along the King's highway stopping at some Crusader's castle - Shobak and Karak. Then we'll stop at Mu'tah, pick up a student there who will assist us in Amman later. And of course will not miss the Mu'tah battle field. This is the land of history. Quiz lagi : Who were the famous sahabah who died in Mu'tah?

We will stop at Madaba and Mt. Nebo along the way. This has now become a Christian town in Jordan and they have claimed many of the historical sites as relating to Prophet Musa. But it's ok. Even though we love Prophet musa alaihi salam the same and even more, where he once stood to look at his promised land, didnt become any sacred to us than any other sites in the world.

We will sleep at Amman, the capital city of Jordan for two nights. Hoping to take advantage of some numerous sites to visit in Amman. Also will be driving to Azraq and hope to see some oasis and the Umayyad castles in the desert. And hopefully get to go the famous Habibah sweet shop. Heard the khunafa is over the top.

Then we will drive further north to Umm Qays. Along the way we hope to stop at Jerash for some roman ruins, and at Yarmouk to feel the battle site of Yarmouk for ourselves. And probably Hittin too. At Umm Qays we hope to climb up the hill to view Lake Tiberia and Golan Heights. Hope the weather is good. It's cold, that's for sure.

We'll sleep in Umm Qays for a night and the next day will drive down south to Aqaba for the last leg in Jordan. Along the way we'll stop over at the Dead Sea.

We'll sleep in Aqaba. See the point of Red Sea. Will most likely not dive nor snorkel.

The next day, we hope to go out early and drive all the way to Madinah. And the following day to Makkah for umrah in winter. Can't wait.

I ask Allah that our journey is safe and that we may reap lessons from these journey. Will talk about lesson plans in the next post Insya Allah.

(On second thought tengok lah rajin atau tidak nak letak kat blog.)

What's Your Fear?

Haziq told me the thing he thought was the coolest thing he did was to pray in congregation with the boys in his group at the Central park, New York. While his mat salleh teacher stood by waiting for them.

He did well in the competition he entered, Masya Allah tabarakallah. Got second place for science quizzes and arts. Won two debates out of four and receive honorouble mention. Allahuma Bareek. But all these came out pale compared to what he told me.

I hope this doesn't come out like bragging to you. May Allah protect me. Praises all go to Allah, the One who bestow tawfeeq and hidayah to the young men to be steadfast . And Yes I am proud of them. And I am happy that this is the group that my son is with. May Allah increase their eemaan till the end.

I have been in this situation. In the western place. Surrounded by mat sallehs. Public place and not knowing where to pray and not very willing to openly pray in front of them.

Will they watch me? Will they target me? How will I react after that? In the train cabin in Europe crossing countries, I felt worried what if someone walked on me? In the park near Gare du Nord, Paris, how do I wear the telekung?

Many I know, resort to fitting rooms and even toilets. Store rooms. Also made self fatwa not to pray.

May Allah guide my son and his friends for not being afraid to pray in the land where Muslims are better known as terrorists, where Muslims are the one accused of flying planes onto buildings. Where Muslims are the general targets. I am not sure how Haziq really felt. I asked him did you not feel afraid, he said no.

Until the day that we fear Allah most above everything else, then only we will achieve true victory.

And this is what I wish for myself, my family and all of you.

When Haziq is Not Around

Haz\iq is not around for a week. He got selected, out of the last W0rld Sch0lar's cup round in Bangkok (HERE), to go for the summit of the game in Yale University, New Haven, the United States. He will later become a tourist in New York. He is having fun in the freezing cold weather, I am sure.

But Ibu is also finding herself with extra work in hand when he is not around. I find myself having to water the plants, wash the dishes by myself, angkat kain jemuran, fold his clothes. Bless him. Don't be too impress, he grumbles all the time.

Sya is taking up the dish washing but not in the full scale now.

Anak makin besar, kerja kurang sikit you (tapi kepala pening banyak).

Alhamdulillah.

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.

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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.