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.

---

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.

Get the Children to remember Allah Too

Are you among those who get to spend rush time with your kids in the morning? And also in the evening? Among those who get to send the kids to school? Or maybe has a short idle time with them in the midst of the rush hour? If you are, then you are the lucky fews may I suggest that you spend this time to teach them to remember Allah. That is making dzikir.

I cannot stress more on making dzikir particularly in the morning and evening. Subhanallah there is so much benefit in it. Reward. As a protection. A du'a. And Allah knows what other benefits He will give.

When i was younger, I was given the du'a mathurat. Coupled with jahil and laziness, I fellt that it was overwhelmingly too much and boring. Of course it was. I didn't know what i was reading. It was overwhelmingly ALOT! And reading is not making du'a. It is just reading.

Starting early, undoubtedly makes it a habit harder to break, Insya Allah.

First of all, may I suggest you turn off the radio for a while. Everything else is lesser a priority than remembrance of Allah. To tell you the truth, it was hard for me. But try disciplining yourself. Make the dzikir first. perhaps after a while, music even nasyid on radio will become noise. Ameen.

Break into small doable chunks. Try doing the three quls first. Three times. Do it together at first to encourage them. If the kids have not memorised it yet, do a separate exercise as well. But have a practice in the morning. Do this as much as you can everyday until it has become a part of you and them. It may take some time or it may not.

‘Abdullah Ibn Khubaib said: ‘The Messenger of Allaah (S) said to me ‘Recite!’ I replied ‘O Messenger of Allaah, what shall I recite?’ he said ‘Recite:

[Al-Ikhlaas]

[Al-Falaq]

[An-Naas]

…in the evening and the morning three times for it will suffice you of all else.’

When all are comfortable, add ayatul Kursi. I find many kids do not know ayatul Kursi. At least in the Kafa class I am doing. If they have not. Have a separate exercise for this. Ayat Kursi is important. meanwhile practise it before sleeping and you read out loud in the morning. The repetition will help them Insya Allah.

Again, do this every morning together until they are independent. When they are, tell them to read quietly (not in the heart though) on their own. Once in while spot check on them. Sometimes their ayat kursi goes everywhere. He he.

Now you may have the three quls and ayat kursi. For myself I would prefer to the the dzikir "lailaha illallah 100 x, subhanallah.. 100X, astaghfirullah 100x but maybe it's a overwhelming for the kids. If not go ahead.

‘

None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, alone, without partner, to Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent.’ (one hundred times every day)

‘How perfect Allaah is and I praise Him.’ (one hundred times)

Otherwise start with the small easy du'a for them to memorise. I would choose a short one to build their confidence. Like this one for example.

‘

I am pleased with Allaah as a Lord, and Islaam as a religion and Muhammad as a Prophet.’ (three times)

‘O Allaah, grant my body health, O Allaah, grant my hearing health, O Allaah, grant my sight health. None has the right to be worshipped except You.’ (three times)

(ii)

‘O Allaah, I take refuge with You from disbelief and poverty, and I take refuge with You from the punishment of the grave. None has the right to be worshipped except You.’ (three times)

‘Allaah is Sufficient for me, none has the right to be worshipped except Him, upon Him I rely and He is Lord of the exalted throne.’ (seven times morning and evening)

You can check out some part of the Fortress of Muslim HERE. Go over the meaning and only move on when they are fairly good at it.

May Allah accept our deeds and May Allah make the earth as our witness. Imagine in Yaumul Akhirah when the earth will be allowed to speak and inform what has been going around her. Imagine the stones, the trees, the sand, the plastic (petroleum is from earth kan?) in your car speak for you and on your side. ya Rabb we are in need of your mercy.

The Flowers are Brighter on the Other Side

We were told by our compound guard that they had bouganvilla planted in all houses. But ours didn't have this colourful easy to maintain flowers. Instead we had bushy, half dried creeping jasmines. Of course, if this country is autumn with pleasant sun, creeping jasmine on the wall would be nice. Alas, the summer is cruel, it wilts the fragile leaves and flowers. So i pulled out all the jasmines and planted a few bouganvilla around the wall. Personally, I think, this is the easiest plant to grow in this country. Very little maintenance except watering, fertilsing and pruning. And yet, under the hot sun, it blossom to bright colour flowers. The climbing one has the most beautiful effect. It's climbing very slowly though. I planted it last November. It's quite a tall wall to climb.


Look it's peeking out from the wall now, exclaiming, Freedom! Tee he he


Only one for now though because this one had a headstart compared to the rest of the bouganvilla. In November it was already at half the wall. It takes about three months to climb the next half of the wall.

And these are my neighbours'. Masya Allah!


Subhanallah. It's really nice to have all the neighbours who love flowers as well. Alhamdulillah I get to enjoy the colours everyday.

Practicing Du'a

Sometimes despite learning a particular du'a or a surah that you know is a sunnah to be read at certain time, we become slack in practicing it. Now and then, we are reminded, then we practice it, at some other time we leave it. Now that I don't really spend my time with the kids before sleeping, i have to remind them about the three quls and all that. But I myself slack in reading the Baqarah and al Mulk each night. :\ I would usually be the one to wake the kids up in the morning. And because Jack is the baby, I do spend a bit of time waking him up. Usually this is what I do, call everyone. Shake Haziq. Knock on Sy'a door loudly (she is always locking the door) then call jack's name last. After a while I would call Jack again until finally I will sit on his bed. When he is halfway waking up, I would say to him, "Jack Alhamdulillah..?" to prompt him to continue. If he doesn't respond, I will repeat until he does continue Alhamdulillahilladzi ahyana ba'dama amatana wa ilahin nushur. All praise is for Allaah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the Resurrection Eyes still closed. But baby voice tu yang mahal tu. Then I will ask him to get up properly. Try it. perhaps it is one way that we will be istiqamah in reading our daily du'a and help the children to start their day with good words too. Insya Allah.

Who is this guy?

Among the places I went to in Jordan was Wadi rum. It is known as among the best sanddunes in the world - world class. Especially made famous from the movie Lawrence of Arabia.

The magnificent red sand is not disappointing. Huge red rock as tall as ten story building, red sand, natural ancient trade path and natural springs in between the rock.





However, it was more than all these beautiful sights that intrigued me. The name T.H. Lawrence kept popping up whenever I read up about Wadi Rum. Who is this person? He is a white man from Britain (16 August 1888—19 May 1935). Stayed in the desert for sometime. Started off as an archeologist in the middle east and underwent training with the British military and was sent as a military officer in the middle east.

From learning about Wadi Rum, I came to learn about Arab Revolt. I do not know much about history  and I am still trying to piece things together. So what I write here may be inaccurate. However I wish to ask you to think about it with me. Perhaps Allah will open up our understanding of things.

For a simple reading of what Arab Revolt is about, read the wikipedia writeup HERE.

For 600 years Islam was under the ruling of the Ottoman. It was a large power to be reckon with. One ruling under the banner of Islam. Sadly at the end on the 19th century, things begin to brew within this empire. Was it excessiveness? hedonism? But the younger generation we already looking into this idea of secularism.

Coupled with that, at the beginning of the 20th century, new ideas were emerging in the Arab world - nationalism. Ideas were spreading that they were not able to see that being under one strong force is better than breaking up and become a solo individual. Nationalism caused them to see, that the Turks are ruling us the Arabs. Its not about living under one islam banner. This idea is flamed up by certain parties eyeing for power for themselves.

All these seem to be at the right place and the right time - easy loophole for the west to come in the picture. They sent in their man - someone who can be trusted - among them T.H. lawrence whose main work is to ensure the nationalism spirit is well fuelled.

Paid the bedouins in gold, providing ample funds and arms for the rebels, in the end they managed to destroy the great empire. And thus it's so easy to divide the arab nations. And here I am wondering what is Qtar celebrating their independence from. Free from the Khalifate and into nationalism.

This division makes everyone individualistic. Just about 30 years later, Israel was formed with brutal killing of the Palestines. Along the road, most of North africa nations are ruled by dictators. Ahundred years later, you see Syria as it is now, not before she is already ruled by cruel family rulers. Yemen is never at peace. Sure we have the few rich ones - Qtar, UAE, Saudi - but what happen to the brothers?

Where is their initial dream of big arab nation? Supposedly, it should be one big nation from Syria allt he way to yemen. One big happy arab family. The countries remain among the most backward despite having so much oil and natural resources. Ya Rabb.

When I came here, I have always wondered, why is this country getting independence from the British? When did the British rule them? And if so why is this country  not under commonwealth countries like all other colonised nations? Remember teh national quiz I took part in, read HERE, I had to read the history which was told in a different light of course. But yeah, this was among the country which freed herself from being in the banner of the Khalifah, and the one who revolted is hailed as a hero in the modern arab history.

Then again we are reminded of this hadith

Hudhayfah son of Al-Yaman reported that the Messenger of Allah sallalluhu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Prophethood (meaning himself) will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain, then Allah will raise it up whenever he wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood remaining with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, he will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Afterwards, there will be a reign of oppressive (The reign of Muslim kings who are partially unjust) rule and it will remain with you for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, there will be a reign of tyrannical rule and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then, Allah will raise it up whenever He wills to raise it up. Then, there will be a Caliphate that follows the guidance of Prophethood." Then Hudhayfah said, "The Prophet stopped speaking." (As-Sililah As Sahihah)

If these countries do not come together again under one banner, if the love of individual wealth is the top priority, then we will continue to be the weak individual country as what we are now.

To tell you the truth, I am appalled at the fact that J0rdan hailed this lawrence guy as if he was a hero of some sort. Going to J0rdan made me feel even sad at our already sorry state. Ya Rabb guide us.

Some opinion on Arab revolt with insertion of clips from the movie L@wrence of the Arabia.

The fall of the Ottoman empire

Qadr Allah, this was all inevitable. The Turks themselves were playing the nationalism game and began to impose their language and customs to people. We have now become exactly the opposite of what Islam has taught and we are paying the price for it.