Progress Kelas 08/09

So kelas arab and kelas tajweed aku untuk sessi 08/09 sudah pun tamat. Next week dapat certificate Insya Allah.

The marks are oklah. Tak 100% though. Dapatlah 99.5% huhuhu :P

My teacher was saying sebabnya kita ni non arab and tak ada kawan arab, so susah sikit kita nak betul-betul develop our skills. I said to my teacher, you know sometimes when we do try to speak to the arabs, most of the time we do not understand more than half of what they are saying. Either they speak too fast or we are still lacking in vocabularies. But I also suspect that this vocab issue is also because the arabs speak in dialects. Arabs from Egypt talk differently than the locals from Qtar and also different from the ones in the greater Sham (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon). Even within Sham they have different dialects. And definitely different than the arabic I am learning.

I was talking to one guy the other day and when I answered him, he immediately said, or you are speaking fusha الفصحى arabic (classical arabic). Tak tau nak rasa bangga atau disheartened. In a way relieve lah jugak sebab boleh perasan sekejap yang tadi tak faham dia cakap bukan pasal tak terer bahasa arab tapi pasal mamat tu tak cakap fusha.

But looking back at the intention of learning arabic. Mainly is to understand the language of the Quran. So Arabic dialect does not seem as important then.

Walaupun my advancement in arabic taklah hebat mana. But Alhamdulillah, I can see the Quran in different view.

Have you tried those 3D pictures where when you stare at it for sometime, another picture will form. Well I like to use this analogy. Because suddenly you see the significant of the letters in the Quran. And I do mean letters rather than word. because arabic words play around a lot with letters like ya at the beginning or ta at the end or ha with dommah at the end or ha with a mad alif. It is like knowing what "ed" for past tense, "ing", adding an "s" except that arabic language is richer. And knowing that makes a different on how you understand the verses.

And when we are listening to the imam and suddenly we find that we can understand just a verse of what he is writing, not because we have memorised it, but because we know what it means. The feeling, I don't know how to describe it, it goes straight to heart. It is nothing like memorising the meaning. It is knowing them. And itu pun belum betul-betul lagi understand the tafsir and all. Alhamdulillah.

Knowing some arabic definitely help me in memorising some surah better. It is somehow not the same as looking at the translation. But I still need translationlah of course. But having said that, memorising has also helped me in my arabic exams. Being lazy as I am, I did not do much revision. Alhamdulillah in the exam, the question asked for some opposite words for "night" (laila. ) and "before" (qabl). I think I know that from the quran. Kih kih kih

I wonder how my friends are doing in their harfiyah class. I am sitting here with envy for I am sure they know more words in the Quran than me because I don't have the opportunity for harfiyah here. Way to go guys.

I see people in the Haram reciting the quran and crying their hearts out without having to refer to the tafsir.

And I just wonder will there ever be that day for me.

Another mystery

Off late I have problems trying to call lover.

Each time I call, his number would always be busy. And everytime I tried calling, an sms will follow soon saying that he is trying to call me instead..

On the first day, it wasn't as perplexing because I was expecting him to call, so I guess that was why his number was busy.

But for days and days his number has been busy.

The thing is I can call other people. But not him. He is busy.

Strangely strange.

But today I found the answer.















Apparently I have been dialing my own number to call him.

Suatu Misteri

I sent two pants to alter the other day because the pants are too long and I am not long enough.

My lover picked it up yesterday and told me to check whether the length is good.

The length is fine, but the pants have become small(er).

How can that be?

It is a mystery indeed.

Three People III

On our second night in Madinah, we managed to make an appointment with Sheikh Jib@ly. Praise to Allah to Sis Far's efforts. Sheikh Jib@ly is the author of the marriage set books (and many other books. The other one to look out for are the eeman series made easy <-- good for the kids. )




Aliya blogged about these books. If you are her reader, you can read her review.

Anyway, we went to his place. The guys get to talk to him, while the ladies proceeded into the house for a chat with his wife, Umm @bdullah.

Subhanallah! There was not a time wasted when we met her. After the brief introduction, she went straight into tazkirah and discussion. Half of which, unfortunately, I did not understand.:(

She was talking about uthol thalatha and usol sittah and throwing in a lot of names that I do not know. And I felt so lost. Oh dear! Oh dear! What is this? I was supposedly taking some notes of which are mostly blank.

However there was ONE time that I managed to relate a few hadith when she asked what happen to the shaytan when they hear the adzan. And that is because I have covered it with the children HERE. Pergh rasa lega sekejap.

Then she talked about us mothers and wives on how we must be very stingy with time. Hah! This topic easier to digest. And reminded us the reason we are created. Everyone knows this verse already I am sure Ad Dhariyat 51:56

I have only created jinns and men, that they worship Me.

And how we must try to make intention that we do in our daily lives become an ibadah so, bi iznillah, we can reap as many deed as we can. Fulfilling the reason we are created in the first place. Insya Allah, this is something we can try to do kan?

I do feel like talking about intention tapi hmm it will become too long. Becaue it was sometime this year I was thinking about it and suddenly I was bombarded with continuous lectures about this. Subhanallah! Suffice to say, we should try practising making various good intentions in our chores. For instance cooking, we can make intention so that my family will become healthy out of the food I cook and thus to worship Allah, so that our love in the family will become stronger, Allah will be please with me and many more you can think of. Even one good niat is a deed by itself.

The other thing about the meeting, Umm @bdullah said, please emal me the notes that you wrote when you go back. Well typed and all. So this won't be just another empty lecture. :O. And I looked at my scribbling. Ayoo..how to send it to her lah? But I did send it to her, even though it was an embarrassing one.

Anyway, the meeting with the Jibaly's was an awesome experience. It humbled me. And it open more doors for me now which I am slowly trying to open. A very small door though. :(

Haziq apparently enjoyed himself talking to the Sheikh. Coming out with wild ideas about tawaf around the kaabah. The sheikh is a doctorate in physics by the way, so they were talking about designing things of this and that. Even though I didn't get to observe Haziq, but I can imagine his over enthusiast ideas.

Praise to Allah for this experience. It left me dazed for days. Subhanallah! I can see how serious people are in their religion and how much importance they put on strong aqeedah and daawah.

I am just, just, just..I don't know how to say it. I feel that I really need to run now.

Three People II

There was this girl I met before Asr In Masjid Nabawi. She is Egyptian. And she speaks english.

First she asked me where I am from. I replied I am from Malizia in Arabic. Then she asked me something in Arabic. Then I replied in English that I can't speak arabic. Arabia shuay shuay. Kartun betul.

I was painstakingly trying to memorise a short surah before the prayer. Then she asked, whether I am a tahfidzah. I said no. As in I am not a student or attending any programme to memorise the Quran. I am just trying to memorise some surahs. Then she asked whether she can be of assistance. Subhanallah! I am honoured I said. But mind you, I said to her, I am struggling with it.

I passed her my little Quran. It's a tafsir one. Then I got nervous and nearly could not remember everything that I thought I did memorise. Apa ni???

Then, I wanted to peek into my little Quran but she was very strict and refuse to let me peek. I said I needed the translation, so I can remember the Arabic word. She read to me the translation, strictly covering the Quran from my wild eyes

Such are the Companions of the Right Hand

It took me sometime to think of the word companion. Ahah! Ashabu!

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلۡمَيۡمَنَةِ

After Asr prayer, we chatted for sometime. My lover said he wanted to visit the raudhah, so I thought I can take my time. But later he called because now he wants to go to Uhuh and Quba'. Maka terbantutlah perbualan kami.

We exchanged ideas and basically had a good chat. But I have not emailed her yet. So this post is a reminder for me to email her. I did tell her I will update my status of memorisation which is nothing to be raved about.

Why I remember her a lot? Because I think she inspires me, Subhanallah. Not to mention, Masya Allah, she is really really beautiful. I don't know whether I should listen to her or just watch her. Ada beberapa makcik tua sungguh terpikat dengan dia and sebok bertanyakan perihalnya. :D

And yet she covers her beauty (she wears niqab) for none to see except the rightful ones. Man! I call that strength.

Three People

First of all, I pray that Allah will bring to us people who will benefit us, mostly in the Hereafter life. May Allah also make all of us as people who can always benefit others.

Alhamdullilah I did meet many good people when I did umrah. But there are three that I remember most.

The first one was an arab lady. Eh chop all of them are arabs. LOL! Well the first one was an elderly. I think she is not from the Gulf since she is not wearing the abaya but rather skirt and two layered top which people from Syria, Palestin or Lebanon and also Turkey actually like to wear even in the Haram.

Anyway, it was after one of my morning rendezvous. I came back for Mrs Fath so that we can get back to the hotel together. As Mrs Fath folded up her sajjadah, this nice lady said something to her pointing to the sajjadah.

Typically when we don't understand the language we would smile and try to read the body language. Then I of courselah try to speak the very little arabic I can muster tu.

first of all, from her gesture, I think she was asking for the sajjadah. Like she wanted it or something. So I said to her, "Hal turidina hadzihis sajjadah?" I don't know whether the arabic is correct or not. But it should say, "Do you want this sajaddah?"

Thens he answered something in arabic which i did not understand. I think she is speaking in local slang. Aisey!

But somehow, in the end, I figured out that she is asking if Mrs Fath would like to give the sajjadah to her as hadiah. In arabic is also hadiah, by the way.

So I told Mrs Fath that this lady wants her sajjadah. Mers Fath, being a generous person, gladly gave it away.

Then the lady immediately raised her hand, Ya Rabb and made dua. I ask her to make dua for both of us. Dapatlah I menumpang sekaki. Tee he he. Hopefully she made good dua.

Because this incident happen when all of us were facing the Multazam.


Alamak I write the second one later laterlah.

Two Umrahs

We did umrah once and filled our time in Makkah with other voluntary acts. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. and his companions never did multiple umrahs in one trip. At least this is what I know. May Allah accept our ibadah, ameen.

But Haziq said he did umrah twice.

And why is that, Haziq?

Because I prayed in Masjid Quba in Madinah, he said.

Masya Allah!

Amboi! Amboi! Amboi! Sudah mula lawan tokeh ini macam. :P

---

This is as according to this following hadith.

"One who does wudhu' at home, then offers prayers in Quba Mosque is entitled to the reward of an Umrah."

Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Hakim

I have no idea the authenticity of this hadith though. But in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, it says it is authentic and in the book History of Madinah Al Munawarah (darussalam) says it was authenticated and confirmed by the researcher 'Allush. Allah knows best.

Regardless, Masjid Quba was made reference in the Quran (Tawbah 9:108). Allah encourages His Prophet s.a.w. to pray in Masjid Quba's, which, from the first day, was built on taqwa, obedience of Allah and His Messenger s.a.w., for gathering the word of the believers and as an outpost and a fort for Islam and its people. (This verse is also sent down to not allow the Prophet s.a.w. to pray in a masjid near Quba which was built by the hypocrites of Madinah as a fort against Islam. Long story. Some other timelah)

Verily, the mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety is more worthy that you stand therein (to pray). In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allâh loves those who make themselves clean and pure (i.e. who clean their private parts with dust [which has the cleansing properties of soap) and water from urine and stools, after answering the call of nature]. (Tawbah 9:108)

Making Notes

This week is Haziq's big exam week. For year 6 here, just like in Malaysia, they have a big exam. The SATS.

So the last few weeks, I, in the attempt to make him study, asked him to read up a topic in his science and make little notes in point forms. Just some salient information or technical words that he needs to remember.

Masya Allah he diligently obliged and went to his room. I saw him at his table, head bend down writing in his notebook. May Allah shower him with knowledge and wisdom.

The next morning, I cleaned up his room a bit. He is never good enough cleaning his own room. I saw the note still there on the table. I went to read it, feeling so much pride that my son is actually doing some studying.

I read it, but I cannot understand any of the words. None of the words make sense. Hmm I cannot be rusty now can I? Science is (was) one of my favourite subjects. Could it be he is writing it in codes for him to memorise better?

Upon more careful reading, I know what they are. They are codes for the cheats in the computer game he is playing. !@%&*((!!!

My question to you is, should I shave his head again?

And Sya Turned Eight

Sya turned eight last April 8th. We were in Madinah that day. We did not celebrate. I think I would be too guilty if I do that in Madinah. :P But Elisa was kind enough to entertain Sya when we went to Khobar.

But I did talk to her about her increasing age.And told her that it's time to bring her prayer garment whenever we go out. I bought her a cute pink bag just for this purpose. She chose it herself.

But on the day itself, she had quite a full schedule. I took her to Raudhah that very morning. Even though she did not join the me praying on the green carpet, she was somewhere around. So it was some experience to see the so many ragam at the raudhah.

In the evening we went to visit the Jabal Uhud and also the graveyard of the Syuhada of Uhud and then we went to visit Masjid Quba.

That very night also, we had an appointment with Sheikh Jib@ly. Sya followed the ladies for a chat with the sheikh's wife. It must be quite an experience for her to see an adult tazkirah yang sungguh bersemangat.

Insya Allah she learnt some.I know this because I see her brothers applying what she learnt. And it wasn't my doing. :)

Someone told me sometime ago that she has never heard Sya's voice. She is very quiet it seems. Hmm she is definitely not at home or in the car or anywhere around her siblings. In fact she is quite chirpy and chatty and giggly and all that. But I do observe her and I notice she talks quite softly when she is outside and sometimes seem to prefer to sit alone.

Sya, I believe, is unlike me. She is helpful in the kitchen. Proof no 1 that she is not like me. She is soft spoken. Proof no 2. She likes girly stuff. Proof no 3. And many more little things that I notice. I don't mind a bit. I don't think I want to raise my children to be like me anyway :P.

Having said that, when I ask Sya what would she want to be when she grows up, she said she wants to be like me. Stay at home and teach her own children. Aik? Sure ke ni tak nak ada career. Sure ke? tee he he. Praise to Allah. She is apparently taking the role of teaching sometimes among her siblings. I hear her telling her friends stories that I told her. I hear her also quizzing them. She asked her friend once, tell me how you can read the whole of Quran in just a few minutes. May Allah bless her.

Being the middle child, I would think that she would be stressed out seeing her abang who knows so much. Eksyen pulak tu. But she doesn't seem to care. Or at least that's what her facade shows. Even though some of the things she ask me, shows that she is concern. "How is my paragraph? Is it good? Better than abang?"

Maybe because she is a girl, unlike Haziq, she likes to ask me about my experience when I was younger. Like have I ever had my tooth filled when I was little. How little? Was it painful for you? Did you ever help your mum cook (Errkkkss)? What did you cook with her (ERRKKKSSSS)? Did you fight with your brother (EERRKKKSSSSS)? Or soalan cepumas, did you want to get married with ayah when you see him the first time (Eh budak kecik jangan campur urusan orang tua lah :P)

But you know what, I have a feeling that I am a bit hard on her. I have to train myself to deal with this manja-manja girly girl ways. Sigh. This is something I need to improve. May Allah guide me.

She is doing well in her studies. She found friends and are always sticking with the same people (proof no 4). She treats Jack just like how I treat Jack, calling him funny names also. She adores her abang still even though the signal of fighting are beginning to emerge. Now she is crazy about this style of wearing layered shirts.

We all love her tremendously. May Allah guide me to raise her as a righteous daughter, who will, bi iznillah, raise the future leaders of Islam.

---

I typed this post when I was really sleepy last night and kept dozing off. :P So now after a fresh wake up, I checked previous posts on each of her turn of age. Apparently all the traits she has now is very consistent year by year.

SYA IS FOUR
SYA IS FIVE
SYA IS SIX
SYA IS SEVEN

Can we do it?

The route Makkah to Madinah was, Subhanallah, beautiful. What wonderful landscape and mountains full of character. Their colours seem to change as you drive on. The pale yellow desert colour, the rouge sand, black mountain, green moss landscape. Subhanallah, beautiful.



I didn't take my time taking photos this time round as we were always pressed for time. Logically you would want to be in either Makkah or Madinah as early as possible. Thus taking time for photo session will only slow us down.

You can't help but imagine the journey that Rasulullah s.a.w. and his companions took to migrate in order to spread the truth. The mountainous scape will reassure you that it is not easy.

But one story about migration for the truth caught my attention. Have you heard of Umm Kalthoom bint Uqbah ibn Mu'ayt?

She is the daughter of one of Rasullullah's biggest enemy, Uqbah ibn Mu'ayt.

Now, she is an example of someone who is willing to go all the way because of her deep believe. If you look at the mountains and think of traveling by foot and camel are hard for the men, just imagine traveling as a woman. Alone! As a woman myself I know, that it is not easy.

And that was exactly what Umm Kalthoom did! She migrated to Madinah! Masya Allah! Imagine that. Alone. Perhaps on a camel. Camp out by herself. In the part desert, part mountain scape. Allahu Akbar!

The thing is, she traveled after the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. The treaty of Hudaybiyah said that the Prophet s.a.w. must return any people who migrated to Madinah to embrace Islam to the mushrikeens. And Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. did abide to this treaty and had actually sent back two men.

Learning that Umm Kalthoom had fled to Madinah, her brothers (Umarah and Al Walid) went after her. They met the Prophet s.a.w. and asked that she be returned back to them.

When Umm Kalthoom reached Madinah, she said to the Prophet s.a.w. , "I have fled to you with my religion, so protect me and do not send me back to them, for they will torture me and punish me, and I do not have the patience and fortitude to endure that. I am a mere woman,and you know the weakness of women. I see that you have already sent two men back."

Allah knows the faith of Umm Kalthoom bint Uqbah (and other women who made hijrah) for His sake. Allah sent down this verse in Al Mumtahanah 60:10.

O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allâh knows best as to their Faith, then if you ascertain that they are true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, They are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them...

Their examination was asking them to testify with the shahadah. And to be sure that if they fled because of anger with their husbands or any other reason and not because of faith, they were to be returned back.

So I am sitting here thinking. The fact that I am living in a country where it is easy to practice my believe. I can travel in a luxury of the car. Not a daughter of an enemy to Islam. Born as a muslim. Surrounded by good people. And here I am still struggling with my innerself.