Jalan Jalan Cari Mesjid - part 5: Dubai

Tazkirah, di Mesjid bersama sahabat2. Minggu ini menyentuh tajuk-tajuk,

'Taqwa - dan kebijaksanan hanyalah milik orang yang bertaqwa', peranan Mesjid - rumah Allah tempat mencari kedamaian, ingatan untuk kami sendiri supaya tingkah laku di dalam dan di luar mesjid haruslah konsisten untuk kita benar2 melakukan ibadah ini dengan kerana Allah. Kami menyentuh peranan dan tanggung jawap penulis, sama ada blog atau pun artikel2 yang di baca umum. Penulis akan di hisab di akhirat kelak dengan apa yang disebarkan melalui penulisan mereka. Justeru itu, sebagai penulis blog yang agak aktif, saya berdoa agar ketangkasan jari saya menaip akan di pandu oleh hati yang beriman.

Jalan Jalan Cari Mesjid - part 4. Al Ain!!

Anakanda ku ADLIL juga menulis di sini.

Peserta: Adlil, Khairul Affendi, Urs truly, Yusree, Hasnol, Imran, Lutfi, dan Mushil (not in above picture)

Seperti tiga minggu sebelum ini, hari ini kumpulan kami 'berjalan jalan cari mesjid' untuk minggu ke empat. Setakat ini kami telah ke Fujeirah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, dan kali ini pula ke Al Ain. Ada tambahan peserta baru, jadi kami berlepas dengan dua kereta. Perjumpaan pagi tadi di rumah saudara Imran untuk bersarapan bersama2. Alhamdullilah kami kekenyangan dan kami doakan semoga bertambah2 rezki Imran dan puan Z sekeluarga.

My own questions....my own answers!

Sometimes, something in our life requires a little push. Just like a pendulum which swings and finds its own rythm and comes to a stop when it reaches velocity zero ~ there are times the same law of physics applies to our life too. When that happens, exasperation seeps in for those who are restless. Tranquility awaits those who are contented.

I feel like my pendulum is coming to a stand still! And I am not sure how ro respond. Part of me has many questions and lots of doubt. Another part of me is feeling rather grateful, finding peace with this stop!

My own questions....

How much must we have before it is enough?

How far must we travel before we arrive?

How much must we lose before we even realize?

How close must we get before we hear His name?

My many doubts....

Too many to list

Too private to share

But I am filled with them.....of what will happen after? And what will happen ' if '......or what will happen 'if not'?

At velocity zero there is not much activity we can do with our limbs but a lot we can do with our mind. Perhaps, we need to make more effort not in nudging for the next bout of swing! Perhaps the effort required is to try harder at not doing anything! To find peace and usefulness in stillness!

Aku hanya ingin berehat! Apa kah salah dengan kemahuan begitu?

Sering aku melihat bintang berkelipan

sungguh indah dan menawan

walau pantas aku berlari

lautan dan benua aku rentasi

bintang tetap berkelipan jua

tanpa berubah dari paksi kesetiaan

dia tidak kemana-mana

walaupun dunia tergesa-gesa

mencari ...memburu...mengumpul segala!

Perhaps it is time I just let my pendulum rests in its equilibrium!

Apakah paksi yang aku cari? Kesetiaan aku kepada apa dan siapa?

Selamat menyambut Maal Hijrah!

Peace.....is this!

The first video is dedicated to my children....Luqman, Haziq, Amirul, Achik, Angah, Along...."Keep seeking....keep finding...and keep climbing.....but whatever you do, do it for Him!, InsyAAllah"



This one below is for all the occupants of this earth. There is a train heading for heaven....come on the peace train!





This one below, for all of us....may we be parents to whom our children can look up to for guidance for the Truth!




And finally, this song below reflects what I wish to say....to friends and foes. I am sorry....if ever I was misunderstood.



also please read my entry in HERE.

About being kind...

Of all treatments, the one I find the hardest to handle is kindness! I am easily touched by acts of kindness I received from others.
And I have been at the receiving end of so many acts of kindness every where I have been, from all sort of people, even from those against whom I have sinned through my words and deeds!

With the rough and tough, I often choose not to fuss. The rude and prude are simply matters of attitude. The envious and dubious are best handled by ourselves being generous. But, when people are being kind, it can be heard by the deaf and seen by the blind! The test really is on us.....to notice, remember, and be grateful for those thoughts and deeds of kindness!

But what about it when I was the one being rough and tough, or being rude and prude! I was just that a couple of days ago.....and it was all because someone failed to deliver his promise! But why was I so worked up! I paused to reflect tonight, regretted my act and wished I had been more tolerant and dealt with him more kindly! Oh well, I am learning.....help me God!

Islam is very clear about kindness........there are numerous phrases in the Holy Al Qur'an which ask us to be kind in dealing with not only humans but all creations.
There are also a complete guides from books of Hadith for us to learn and emulate. The prophet clearly told us to be kind, regardless whether or not the person deserves our kindness.

Among the greatest act of kindness to others is to treat them according to the teachings of Islam. This include being truthful with them, respecting them, being patient with them, saying kind words to them and treating them the way one will like to be treated.

In the Quran, Allah says,

“And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allaah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.”

(Al-Furqaan 25:63)

‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said, “O ‘Uqbah! Shall I not tell you of the best conduct of this world and the Hereafter? It is to join the tie of kinship with one who severs it, to give him who deprives you and to forgive him who does wrong to you.” (Ahmad and Al-Haakim)

The Messenger of Allah also said, “I have seen a man moving about in Paradise simply as a result of a harmful tree which he removed from people’s way.” (Muslim)

The Messenger of Allaah said, “While a man was walking on a road. He became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did. " So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).” (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

The Prophet also said, “Any man who grows a tree or plants a plant and then a bird or a human being eats from it, it will be counted as charity in his credit.”

Sekian Tazkirah pagi Jumaat minggu ini! Wallah hu Aklam.

Kepada semua Jemaah Haji yang telah selamat menjalankan Ibadah Haji - Mabruk! Semoga mendapat Haji yang Mambrur.......and selamat pulang kepada keluarga tersayang.

Kepada keluarga, sahabat handai dan kenalan yang telah berbudi dan 'being kind' to my family and I, kami mengucapkan ribuan terima-kasih semoga Allah jua yang membalas budi dan jasa tuan2 dan puan2!

Peringatan kepada anak-anak saya dan juga diri saya sendiri, to be kind to our parents is not a choice but is mandated by Islam.

"Mana boleh solat cara suka2......."

"Mana boleh solat ikut cara suka2 hati kamu saja.....mesti ikut peraturan!" begitu kata ustaz Hussain Yee Abdullah pada permulaan Tazkirah malam tadi. Aku di antara jemaah yang hadir untuk Iftar, Terawih dan Tazkirah bersama beliau di rumah seorang sahabat di Dubai. Ustaz Hussain Yee di dalam lawatan singkat ke Timur Tengah.

"I like his style - tegas!" begitu kata isteri ku semasa perjalanan pulang. Yes, he was clear and firm with his messages and also in responding to questions.

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Beberapa perkara yang menarik perhatian aku dari kuliah ringkas beliau ialah.....

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1. Kepercayaan dan ajaran beliau mengingatkan aku cara Pak Arab di Saudi yang begitu strict dengan pentafsiran mereka mengenai Solat dan Ibadah lain. Tak de grey area.....it is either black or white. Kita orang Melayu lebih banyak flexibility. Tapi mengikut Ustaz Yee, mana boleh flexible - Islam itu mengikut Al Quran dan Sunah Rasullullah! Dan mengikut cara Rasulullah itu wajib. Ugama Islam yang di hadiahkan kepada kita Umat Mohammed telah lengkap dan tersedia! Tak perlulah kita tokok tambah atau modify. "Rumah atau kereta boleh lah modiy, tapi jgn terbawak2 hingga ugama pun nak modify!" begitu kata Ustaz Yee.

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2. Jawapan beliau kepada beberapa soalan mengenai cara-cara orang Arab jelas dan tanpa was was. Ini yang isteri aku katakan 'tegas' agaknya. Ambil contoh, apabila di tanya mengenai perilaku orang2 di sini yang sekadar menyapu air ke atas stokin sewaktu mengambil wuduq, beliau memberitahu 'sah! sekiranya swaktu sebelum memakai stokin kita sudah pun berwuduq".

Bila di tanya mengenai perilaku suami isteri bersentuhan dalam keadaan berwuduq, beliau menerangkan sebenarnya wuduq tidak batal. Itu sebenarnya yang berlaku di zaman Rasullullah. Ini semestinya perkara baru untuk kebanyakan orang Melayu Malaysia, walaupun aku juga tahu ramai yang sudah pun mempercayau begitu.

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3. Beliau gigih berdakwah. Beliau berpesan kepada kita semua untuk menyampaikan walaupun sepatah ayat untuk membawa manusia kepada ugama Islam. Gunalah creativity kita menjana ke arah itu. Walaupun sekadar bertanya kepada seorang non-believer, "When r you going to embrace Islam?" ...bertanyalah! Soalan sedemikian akan membuat mereka mula berfikir.

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4. Tazkirah ringkas beliau berjaya membuat aku berfikir mengenai 'Quality' of my amal ibadat. Simply doing 'it' is not what Allah wants.....
There must be 'quality' in our Niat and in our actions. A pre-requisite for quality is 'ilmu'. I remind myself to learn.......to cntinue seeking knowledge!!!

Alangkah dalam kerugian selama ini.....!
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5. He also clearly differentiate between Adat and Ibadat, giving many examples of rituals amongst Malaysian as Adat. I accept the concept and the principle of what he said. Some of the changes required will take careful handling and time - perhaps another generation. Slowly we can see some of the Adat are no longer practiced amongst the younger generations - especially from amongst those who ask questions , "Why are we doing these....where are they written in Qur'an and Hadith?" and continue to seek answers for them.

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Learning must be done from people who are scholars and masters in the subject. I am glad I was there last night. The search for 'quality' continues.....

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harus juga di baca lapuran dari Tuan Rumah yang juga Tuan atur acara! Di sini

persediaan bazaar ramadan kedua di sini.

Isra' Mi'Raj - Di Dubai

gambar dari sdr zuhairi.

Alhamdullillah, selamat semuanya. Majlis Isra Mi'raj bermula dengan Solat Maghrib berjemaah - lebih kurang 70 orang tetamu. Ustaz Hasan yang di jemput khas hadir sejerus tamat upacara ringkas para hadirin memperkenalkan diri masing. Agak istimewa majlis malam tadi dengan kehadiran ramai tetamu dari Dubai, Abu Dhabi dan ada juga wakil tunggal dari Ras Al Khaimah.

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Isra Mi'raj - aku masih ingat cerita yang pertama kali aku dengar di Surau di kampung. Bagaimana aku pernah begitu kagum dengan 'perjalanan malam' Rasullullah ( swt ), dan selepas itu menghujani pertanyaan demi pertanyaan kepada ibu (arwah) bagaimanakah mungkin Rasullullah naik kelangit!!

Semasa itu usia aku sebaya Luqman sekarang - tujuh tahun.

Malam tadi, Ustaz Hasan menjawap soalan itu dengan cara beliau sendiri, yang membuat para hadirin tertawa namun cukup berkesan untuk Luqman memahaminya sekiranya Luqman berada bersama. Diantara ilustrasi yang digunakan, Ustaz Hassan menceritakan bagaimana seorang kerani menghantar 'Fax' beratus kali......hanya kerana kertas fax itu masih berada di mesin fax lalu difikirnya fax tidak berjaya dihantar.

Isra Mi'raj, peristiwa di mana Rasullullah telah diperlihatkan a complete vision of the beginning, the present, the whole journey, and the end of all creations. Isra' Mi'raj, di mana Rasullullah menerima 'hadiah istimewa dari Allah' untuk umat beliau - ia itu Solat, yang telah diringankan ke lima waktu sehari.

Solat, kita telah di ingatkan sekali lagi oleh Ustaz Hasan, adalah amalan pertama yang di kira di akhirat kelak. Jika 'negatif' amalan ini - maka amalan2 lain tidak bermakna. Solat itu tiang kepada amalan2 lain. Lalu di sini, saya mengingatkan diri saya sendiri dan sebagai pemimpin keluarga, memberi ingatan kepada isteri dan anak2 saya - wajib kita solat lima waktu sehari!!
Wajib!!! Must!!! .

Banyak lagi inti pati tazkirah dari Ustaz Hasan - yang telah pun di rumuskan dengan baik olih saudara Zuhairi di sini.

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Majlis pengisian rohani dengan mengingati kembali salah satu mukjizat penting yang dikurniakan kepada Rassullullah, juga dimeriahkan oleh juadah2 yang di bawa olih para hadirin untuk dikongsi bersama2.

gambar2 di atas dari sdr zuhairi

Pertemuan kami malam tadi, semoga tetap di hati kita dengan niat bertemu dengan kerana Allah dan mencari keredhaan Allah. Semoga pertemuan itu mendapat berkat di dunia dan di akhirat.

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Sebagai tuan rumah, saya mohon maaf jika ada yang kurang dan tidak sempurna. Juga ribuan terimakasih kerana sudi datang. Kepada yang membawa sumbangan juadah, ribuan terimakasih dan semoga Allah juga yang membalasnya.

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Gambar2 di bawah ini dari lensa Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman.

Di atas: Zeti(baju purple tudung hitam) bersama kakak2 berposing setelah terjumpa sebiji mangkuk untuk di isi anggur ( gambar bawah ).

Di atas: di antara hadirin lelaki dan di bawah, ustaz Hasan sedang menyampaikan ceramah. Cara beliau menarik tumpuan semua yang hadir.

What is at the center....?

What we place at the center of our lives determines what go on around it. True or False?

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The Sun is at the center of the universe and all other planets revolves around it. Likewise, whatever we place at the center of our life - other activities will inadvertently be influenced by it.

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All parents must have gone through a period in their lives when everything from their sleeping time to their social activities seems to be revolving around the baby of the house. For example, going out has to be delayed due to a baby's sleeping time.

At one stage of my life, pleasure was at the center of my life. During that time, I seek pleasurable activities - some were actitivities which I would not have approved my children to even try.

At another time, my life priorities and decisions were centered around my career. My wife's career has to take a back seat then, and my children changed schools and left their friends behind. Fortunately for me, wife and children were supportive.

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I believe in the saying, "What our mind can conceive, we can achieve". Steven Covey in his Seven Habits book talked about - everything are created twice! The first creation being in our mind, and the second creation being the physical or real creation.

Hence, I believe in having a personal vision - a kind of a picture of what I want to achieve in life at a given time.

For a long time until recent past, the picture of my personal vision has been that of 'material' things. In my mind I created wealth - houses in our names, dollars in our bank accounts, and other things symbolic of success such as car, holidays, gadgets.....etc.

For a long time, I thought what I wanted was 'to be wealthy!!'

I was wrong.

What I failed to recognize was the 'real center' - by answering the question, "why do I want wealth?"

At the core of my life pursuits has in fact been 'family'. I pursue those material things in order to provide for my family.

Therefore, it is very important to really get to the bottom of my inner self and finding 'the center' of my life. What is it I am placing there - And what is it I really want to place there. I can almost hear people whispering, "But of course it must be Religion...!" That is true. But it is an over simplistic answer. For first we must answer what 'is' there before we can move to what 'should' be there.

Hopefully, I am making the right 'move' in doing a self-assessment of my own 'center' at this time - and in realizing that what I real want to be at the center of my life is indeed 'Islam' and not wealth or family.

Therefore my virtuos circle is to be surrounded with activities which identify me as a muslim and which enhances my quality of life as a muslim and prepare me to die as a muslim.

A balanced circle of success, I have been told has to be surrounded by activities which improve our life in six areas:

- Spiritual; which for me is faith in Islam.

- Family; not limited to our immediate family.

- Health; That of ours and our loved ones

- Career; An ideal situation is when a career is designed around a life, and not the other way round.

- Social; networking and increasing our circle of influences, pursuing specific hobbies etc

- Wealth / Financial

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What we place at the center will influence how type of activities and how much time we allocate in pursuit of all the six elements!

For example, a situation where we are caught in a traffic jam can result in different outcome depending on what is at the center of our life.

If we places 'career' at the center - we may be using the time making many business phone calls. However, if we are centered around family - we will be using the time to call our wife and childen. We may even call the bakery nearby our house and ask them to deliver a cake with a message, "Caught in a jam - and I was thinking of you!"

On the other hand, if Islam is at the center - the person caught in the jam may call our family and ask them not to wait for him for the 'jemaah prayer' but to go ahead and pray. He would stop at the next safe place to perform his own prayer. He uses the time to listen to Quran CD.

And guess what? All of the above can be done from the same situation. The difference is, by having Islam at the center of our life - we will be doing those actions 'dengan kerana Allah'.

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The thing at the center of our life will definitely influences our actions - consciously or subconsciously.

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Wallah Hu Aklam!

Jalan-jalan cari mesjid - part 3!

Alhamdullillah, syukur! - 'Jalan Jalan Mencari Mesjid minggu ketiga telah selamat selesai!'

Syukur ke atas nikmat Allah yang telah memberi peluang kepada kami untuk meneruskan 'jalan jalan mencari mesjid' untuk minggu ketiga ke Ras Aal Khaimah. Kami selamat pergi dan pulang, dan di sepanjang perjalanan terbuka hati untuk melihat, mendengar, dan berkongsi bersama - pengajaran dan ilmu2 Allah untuk membawa diri dan hati kami lebih dekat kepadaNya.

Syukur tak terhingga, kerana hari ini sepanjang hari aku tidak diserang penyakit pening2 seperti tiga hari sebelumnya.

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Hari ini ingatan aku kepada kedua ibu dan ayah begitu kuat sekali. Masih nyata di ingatan bagaimana ibu semasa hayatnya begitu sabar dan tidak jemu2 mengingatkan aku supaya jangan sekali2 meninggalkan Solat dan jangan berbuat perkara2 Mungkar yang di larang Allah. Peranan ibubapa dalam mendidik anak2 adalah salah satu topik yang kami bincangkan dalam perjalanan.
Bagaimana pula prestasi aku dalam hal ini?
Mungkinkah anak-anak aku dapat merasai kasih sayang dri aku, seperti aku telah merasai kasih sayang dari ibu dan bapa aku dulu?

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Jika ada satu permintaan dari aku untuk anak2, akan aku gumpalkan permintaan itu merupakan doa untuk mereka, "semoga anak2 ku hidup dan mati mereka di dalam keimanan!"

'Jalan jalan mencari Mesjid' ialah satu idea yang aku cadangkan kepada sahabat2 untuk memenuhi ruang masa setelah isteri dan anak2 pulang bercuti ke Malaysia. Surah 'Al-Asr, Demi Masa..."

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ (١) إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ (٢) إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ

memberi aku peringatan untuk menggunakan masa hujung minggu yang terluang dengan sebaik mungkin.

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Syukur Alhamdullillah aku mempunyai sahabat2 yang sehaluan. Begitulah di antara perkara yang dibangkitkan sewaktu Tazkirah kami tadi - 'bagaimana kita menggunakan masa, dan peranan sahabat2 dalam kehidupan kita'.

Sepanjang 'jalan-jalan mencari mesjid' kami singgah di sekurang2nya tujuh mesjid pada setiap hari Jumaat untuk solat sunat, beristiqamah kerana Allah, dan bertazkirah mengingati sesama sendiri. Tujuan kami ialah untuk menziarah kesemua tujuh Emiriyah di UAE.

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Kata sdr Hasnol, di antara tokoh yang boleh kita tauladani dalam pengisian masa ialah Tuan Guru Nik Aziz yang menjadikan Allah sebagai paksi kepada jadual harian beliau. Pagi2 ada Kuliah subuh, di pejabat pula ada kuliah untuk warga di pejabat, dan masih ada waktu untuk berurusan parti dan urusan rakyat.

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Tadi kami juga berbincang mengenai 'kematian', dan kata Sdr ZBA - orang yang pandai memang ramai, tetapi orang yang cerdik itu sedikit. Orang pandai sebab mereka belajar di sekolah atau di University. Orang cerdik - ialah mereka yang mengingati kematian, dan memenuhi aktiviti kehidupan membuat persiapan untuk mati!

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Salah satu tajuk lain yang di ketengahkan ialah mengenai 'prasangka buruk dan bersangka baik'. Kami mengingati diri sendiri untuk sentiasa bersangka baik dengan manusia lain terutama sesama Islam.

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Alhamdullillah syukur - dua belas jam di hari ketiga kami 'jalan jalan mencari mesjid' semakin mengeratkan hubungan kami sebagai saudara Islam. Tidak lupa kami mengucapkan ribuan terimakasih kepada abang Amin dan isteri Puan Laila kerana menjamu kami dengan nasi goreng istimewa pagi tadi sebelum kami berangkat. Semoga Allah jua membalas ingatan kasih dari saudara berdua. Aku juga ingin mengucapkan terimakasih kepada sdr Mushil yang telah menyertai kami buat pertama kali dan telah memandu Previa beliau sepanjang perjalanan.

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Di penghujung perjalanan kami berkesempatan singgah di Shooting club di Sharjah untuk beriadah menembak menggunakan pistol Beretta-92 yang menggunakan peluru hidup! Pertama kali untuk aku menembak menggunakan pistol real dan peluru real. Aku sendiri tidak menyangka dengan kebolehan aku menembak! Not bad at all for a first timer.

Aku di beritahu, harga sebutir peluru lebih kurang limabelas sen! Begitu murah rupanya satu nyawa jika petikan di hujung jari di salah gunakan.....

Panggilan azan dapat di dengar di mana-mana bila tiba waktunya. Berhentikah dari aktiviti kehidupan kita untuk bersolat ? Dan di sini, kita dapat melihat bagaimana Ummah mempermudahkan solat. Mereka bersolat di mana-mana. Buruh kelihatan berjemaah di lokasi kerja, anak2 muda bersolat di bahu2 jalan. Bila kedengaran azan, mereka pun mengambil masa untuk bersolat. Begitulah .....

Peserta Jalan jalan cari Mesjid part 3 : Hasnol, KP, Mushil, Zuhairi, Adie, dan yours truly!

More pictures here from Sdr Zuhairi, dan tulisan beliau di sini.

Talking about love...

Way back then....Love was about nurturing!

I never once saw my father and mother exhibited any act or expression of love nor did I hear them say 'love' to each other. However, never once I doubted their love for one another. It was there - in the conversation they had after meals while munching betel leaves. It was there - in things they did not do just as much as in things they did. My mother would not eat until my father was ready to eat. My father would not even think of not coming home for lunch unless he had already informed mother.

Way back then, love was taken for granted and it was ok! There was no need for roses from florists, or for wedding anniversaries to be celebrated. Their love for each other centered around what they did together out of their love for their children. I saw their love at its best during prayers - mother would obediently be behind father and it warmed my heart everytime I saw mother kissed father's hands after prayers.

Way back then it seemed to me that love was caring for each other out of a sense of duty - father was to protect and provide, and mother was to feed and nurture.

Way back then, my father showed me love by spending his afternoon making me bird-traps out of bamboo sticks and sago branches. When he took me on his round to check his 'taut' (fishing rods) - that was love!

Way back then, mother showed me her love by staying up to accompany me finishing my homework by the 'pelita minyak'. She could not read or write, but her presence was more than adequate support for me to strive for excellence. She made it known that she was proud of me. When once I left behind my eraser at home and she walked to school to send it to me - that was love.

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Today....Love is about "things!"

Today, love seems to be more fragile and demanding. There is a price to pay for love to exist. Roses for valentines, cards for certain days, presents for birthdays, and candle light dinners for anniversaries. God forbid if you even think of ignoring any of those celebration - "You don't love me anymore!" will be echoing for days! Such is today's love - it is symbolized with 'things'.

Love seems to be a one way thing between parents and children. Today's children are self-centered lots - they demand love for free but hold back theirs as ransom for presents or favours.

Parents who are drawn more and more away from their children due to work are easily blackmailed - at least emotionally. Hence, loosening of discipline and letting go of morale and religious values. How many parents today forced their children to wake up for Fajr prayers! Or maybe the question is, how many parents today themselves wake up for Fajr prayers??

Many couples break up due to absence of love in their relationship. So one of them if not both would claim. How can their hearts not be void of love for another human - if they don't even feel love for their Creator and their Prophet!

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Love first in your hearts

Then love with your deeds

Love not only with your words

For such love will not last for keeps.

.

Love and Iman - when Love is deep within your heart.

Love - At one level it seems clear why the faithful should love the Prophet: he is their teacher, guide and leader and it is impossible for him to teach, guide and lead them if they don't love him. But there is a deeper meaning in the principle that love for the Prophet is essential for iman.

Love of the Prophet is love of all the beauty and nobility of character, truthfulness, justness, humility and inner strength of which man is capable and which the Prophet as al-insan al-kamil (the Perfect man) possessed in the utmost degree. Love for the Prophet means to acknowledge, cherish and glorify all the potential of goodness and greatness that God has created within Man.

It also means love of humanity, not just in regard to its potential for perfection but also despite its general inability to realize that potential and despite all kind of imperfections and weaknesses from which it suffers. For the Prophet is not only the Perfect Man but also the Representative Man who on the day of judgment will represent mankind and plead on their behalf for their imperfections and weaknesses before the throne of God.

Thus love of the Prophet, on the one hand puts us on the road to perfection by making us cherish it dearly and on the other hand it helps us accept our imperfect humanity and in this way to live in peace with ourselves as repentant servants of God hopeful of His mercy. This is why love for the Prophet is a condition of iman, for what is iman if it is not to acknowledge and repent for one's imperfections and weaknesses and to cherish and strive for - even as an unachievable ideal - the perfection of which man is potentially capable?

You can read more about love for the prophet here.

"Every saint has a past - and every sinner has a future!"

I am not yet a saint, and nor do I want to stay a sinner. Please help me God!

Bila suami keluar rumah....

you may also want to read.....
http://pakpayne.blogspot.com/2008/05/meeting-mat-sabu.html


What goes on inside a man's mind whenever he steps out of the door on the way to the airport for a business trip? As he takes that last glance to see his wife waving goodbye from the gate, what does he think about? And as the stewardess tries to settle him in his seat, does she notice a wedding ring on his finger or does she see a mark left by a ring which has been stowed away temporarily?

And, what goes on inside the mind of a wife left alone?

I know of a certain wife who feels lonely and insecure whenever her beau pulls his trolley bag out the door. Any out of ordinary action is viewed with suspicion. Why is he not in business suit as usual, but instead in Jeans and sneakers, and why is he changing to a different after-shave? Why doesn't he tell which hotel he will be staying, and why does he bring home fresh flowers the morning before he departs for his business trip? There have been far too many stories glorifying business trips and linking them to sordid affairs.

I know of a certain husband who feels lonely and insecure whenever he pulls his trolley bag out the door. He wonders why was his wife looking chirpy and her cheeks glowing as he waves goodbye? Would she be too lonely and seeks company outside of their house? And whenever he calls, why does she speak as if she has company? In the distance he hears the sound of flushing of a toilet. His heart misses a beat. Who is flushing the toilet if she is talking on the phone?

Do you know anyone who fits the above descriptions? - I do.

For people who has to do it regularly, travelling on business can be very mechanical, routine and a point-to-point thing. Home to airport-to-hotel-to meeting-to hotel-to airport-to-home! And yes, along the way - there are many distractions, attractions and temptations. There are things which are normally forbidden at home but widely available away from home. Of course, the saying that absence makes a heart grows fonder can be true too - the only thing is, the heart may grow fonder of something that is forbidden. The other saying tht grass always look greener on te other side - brings curiosity to try it out. And here, it works both way - for the one who is travelling and the one left behind!

Have you not been a witness to how your colleague transformed into a complete different personality during a business travel. This normally happens to people who rarely travel, and whenever that opportunity comes he behaves like he has just escaped from a life's imprisonment. As a malay saying goes, "Tak cukup tangan...semua dia mahu!"

I was once on a business trip to Manila with a friend. That was my tenth times and his first. As soon as we checked in, he knocked on my door. His curiousity about what goes on in Manila reached a point of no stopping. I obliged and agreed to take him out for a city tour. Just before we left the hotel he told me he needed to make a phone call to his wife. He moved away to the end of the hallway but from where I was, I could hear his side of the conversation. Below I illustrated what he said although not in verbatim, I captured the gist of his intention in making that call.

"Hello darling......"

"Yes, I have checked in.....and now it is raining cats and dogs"

"No...Pakpayne and I decided to just stay in the hotel and have dinner here. We have to sleep early because of early meeting tomorrow."

"I miss you already!"

"Bye....kiss boy for me."

And as soon as he said, bye bye to his wife, he punched the air, and said, "Yesss!! now we can go!"

Do you know anyone similar to the above character? - I do!

I also know of a friend who travels very frequently, until his wife became suspicious. She made it a point to send him off to the KLIA airport, and reassured herself that her husband was indeed travelling overseas for business. What she did not know was the husband never took the airport train to international departure, but instead has been taking flights to KB where he has another wife with a young child.

On the flip side, a close friend of mine was shocked when he returned home earlier than planned to find his wife fast asleep in the arms of his best friends - in their marital bed! Their marriage failed to withstand the test of separation. He has been faithful and not once fallen off track. She has found a perfect replacement to fill in the gaps. Tragic!

I know I am not being fair by painting only one side of the story - the black and gloomy side. Of course there are couples who live separately for months at a stretch and their love grew stronger! They got to know themselves better, and became closer to God - for His love fills any spaces available in their hearts.

Bila suami keluar rumah.....eluklah isteri yang ditinggalkan di temani olih muhrim jika anak2 sendiri masih kecil dan belum mengerti. Ada hikmahnya!

Bila suami keluar rumah.....eluklah suami tadi keluar dalam keadaan berbaik2 dan penuh kasih sayang. Cubalah elakkan dari meninggalkan rumah dalam keadaan marah-marah dan bermasam muka.

Bila suami keluar rumah....eluklah isteri menganggap dirinya dalam keadaan "iddah", kurangkan dari berhias atau bersosial.

Bila suami keluar rumah.....salinglah berhubung melalui telefon dan ucapkan kata-kata rindu.

Bila suami pulang dari merantau......isteri harus sambut lah dia dengan kegembiraan! Sediakan makan minum kegemarannya, dan berhiaslah diri se umpama itulah kali pertama bertemu! Lebih afdal, jika anak-anak di pastikan tidur awal...hehehehe

Suami yang pulang....harus membawa buah tangan tanda ingatan....dan se eluknya, bukan yang di beli dalam pesawat semasa penerbangan pulang! Berilah sedikit perhatian mengenai apa yang isteri suka dan berusaha mendapatkannya.

Bila suami keluar rumah.....Syaitan masuk bersama puak-puak mereka! Pagarilah diri dengan Solat dan AlQuran.

Suami yang merantau akan selalu mendapat bisikan dari para Syaitan juga.....waspadalah! Setidak-tidaknya, bentanglah sejadah di dalam bilik hotel penginapan.....percayalah, ianya akan menjauhkan maksiat dari memasuki ruang yang sama.

Bouncing....

Have you ever bounced a tennis ball? It is possible that the ball bounces higher than the point where it drops from.
I have bounced back...and I am higher and still bouncing! Yeehaaaaaaa.........*cowboy's style*

I have dived right down to the cause of why I was down. Just after I wrote I was feeling down, I spent sometime in Mekah - performed Umrah and prayed to God to guide me back to what is the best path for me. Clouds moved! Heavy loads shifted from my shoulders. Faces appeared and dissappeared. I went there looking for peace, for love, for compassion. I came back with plenty to give......

It becomes clearer to me.....that, I have to pursue more actively in giving. The place to start is where I am now and the best thing to give is my time and my experience.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
Kahlil Gibran

It is touching therefore to see another dear STAROBA brother of mine here, also championing a cause to provide for those who need. Please contact him directly if you wish to join in this noble cause. Of course, neither he nor anyone else can repay your sincere gifts - May Allah bless you for now and for after!

Ps: This blog will continue with the my usual bantering *smiling*

My other blog, here.

Departure Hall....

"This is a final call for all passengers on flight 6by4 to Final Destination - will all passengers please go to the departure hall for immediate boarding!!" That call is intended to those who are ready for the flight and to those who are not ready for the flight alike! Whether or not you have checked in or have your passport stamped, if your time has come and you are on the passenger's list - you will not be able to miss this flight.

Passengers on the flight 6by4 to Final Destination come from all sort - young, rich, poor, good-looking, ugly looking, married, single, fat, thin, educated, high ranking, lowly paid, old, white, black! There is no discrimination!
All of us, therefore, are on standby at this Departure hall - for a flight to eternity. Flight times are unknown and seat numbers untold. When it is time, it is time! This is a flight which departs punctually, everytime.

"Please show your boarding pass!" Some unsuspecting passengers are given first class seats, while others tried to pay their way for a good seat only to be showed the last row seat by the toilet. This is a flight on which seats are allocated based not on how much you are willing to pay, but on how little baggage you carry with you.

If you know you are at the departue hall for this flight to eternity - what will you do differently?
How would you spend your time?
What do you want to say to your loved ones who will be there to see you go.....teary eyed as they wave you goodbye!
How would you feel? Anxious? Scared? Prepared and ready?

This is a flight where you need not fasten your seat belt! A flight to eternity.....your deeds prior to departure will determine the level of turbulence and in-flight service you receive.
You and you alone will pilot the plane.

Come join me - let us be ready for this flight - so that we can enter the departure hall with peace and love in our heart.

On Valentine's Day....

Whenever I am at home, I try to watch Dr Phil. I think he is gifted with ability, with a wonderful wife, and with a heart of gold.
He blows away clouds and bring a clear blue sky to people everywhere. Lots we can learn and emulate!

Tonight I watched his Valentine's special. It was one of his special shows. One couple - was presented with their second honeymoon to Fiji! A surprise which brought tears of joy and a fresh injection of romance to their love life. Lesson to self: To surprise someone with happiness!
Another couple had sugar and spices thrown into their bedroom - when the husband's wish came true. He had wished for his wife to stop going to bed with facial mud-mask and sweat pants. As I am typing, I wonder how many other husbands or wives out there secretly wishing for the same thing.
In tonight's show, Dr Phil was accompanied by his wife. Both of them were very generous in giving away goodies to their studio audience. In my view, the best gifts he has given millions of viewers ( and readers of his books ) are tips of how to live and love, and to do so everyday - not only on any specific day! This is a lesson for self.

I asked in my Valentine survey, "For this Valentine I wish for......".
63 readers responded to the survey. Thank you!
Of these, slightly more than half ( 33 ) told us, they don't believe in Valentine - it is not within their culture. This is perhaps not a surprise given the profile of my readers, and Valentine is clearly a Western Culture. In a way I am relieved to see that sort of result, which indicates that Malaysians are able to differentiate between Modernization from Westernization. We can live and love in this modern world of internet without importing and adopting everything Westerns.
Of those who see the siginificance of Valentine's day to their love and romance - 23 our of 39 - simply wish for "A hug, A kiss and Endearing words". Given that most of my readers are married, I am not surprised by this. Some of the single or younger couples would have voted for more symbolic gestures - such as a card, a candle lit dinner etc.

To the uninitiated, I copy pasted the following paragragh from this website

QUOTE:
The History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
UNQUOTE

Before we follow the flow of westernization - exchanging greetings and participating in commercial frenzies of Valentine's day - Please first understand its origin, and please pause and reflect!! It is not only a matter of culture...it goes a bit more than that.

To my children, I hope you take this as an education from your father's own past mistakes.
Lessons are:
1. For you to understand the origin of the V day, then decide what is right and wrong.
2. To live and Love, you can do so everyday! and in the most basic of ways, "Endearing words and a show of care" goes a long way.
3. Make someone deserving, very happy - give them your love, kindness and endearing words sincerely and generously.

Jusoh dah buat pilihan...

Pening. Memang pening Jusoh Anak Tokey getah di Bukit Mas itu memikirkan. Sejak enam bulan dia memikirkan dan belum dapat membuat keputusan. Masaalahnya, dia tidak mempunyai banyak masa lagi. Besuk dia harus memberitahu Wok Lijoh, siapa yang dia pilih. Ini semua gara-gara Sudin Tok-Jogho sudah merisik bunga di taman yang sama.

“Bakpo gak mu susoh bena nok buat pilihae nie Jusoh?” Tanya Wok Lijoh.
“Ambo sayae keduo2. Ambo nok duo2 tu lah Wok” Kata Jusoh sambil muka Wok Lijoh terkebil kebil kehairanan.
“Mu tahu bukae – mu keno pilih satu jah. Oghe gedebe pun dok leh pasae duo Soh...tenguk Mat Jo kaki gocah tu pun soghe jah ....payah nak duo nih!” Wok Lijoh memang penyabar orangnya. Maklum lah orang lama yang sudah kenal sangat hati anak anak muda.
“Tu la tu…Payah ambo nok pilih. Ambo suko duo2 nih. Lamo doh amo dok fikir nih. Bakpo Payahnyo nok duo tu Wok?” Jusoh masih buntu. Bukan dia tamak – Cuma dia tak sanggup terlepas salah satu ke tangan orang lain.

"Payah la Soh.....jangae dok tra lah!" Wok Lijoh mengeleng-ngeleng kepala.

Mek Yah ( gambar hiasan )
Mek Yah menyapu sampah yang tidak ada lagi di laman rumahnya. Sejak pagi dia menunggu kelibat Jusoh. Sudah berkali2 Mek Yah menyapu tempat yang sama. Bukan sahaja sampah malah pasir dan debu di kawasan tu pun sudah ketandusan. Mungkin begitu juga lah hati Mek Yah sejak kebelakangan ini – tandus! Dia menyimpan perasaan. Sudah lima tahun dia bercinta dengan Jusoh. Cuma Jusoh belum pasti sama ada bercinta atau tidak dengan Mek Yah. Sudah berulang kali dia memulakan perbualan mengenai zuriat, pasal rumah dan tangga. Namun Jusoh masih membisu seribu bahasa – belum ada tanda2 yang dia akan masuk meminang. Sudah bergantang2 beras Mek Yah tanakkan nasik dagang untuk Jusoh – berbagai2 jenis lauk, dari gulai lemak telur itik, ikan aya, daging kerbau, dan hati ayam. Semua dia sudah masakkan – semuanya kerana Jusoh suka makan nasik dagang. Setiap kali makan juga Jusoh memuji masakan Mek Yah. Jusoh juga sering memuji kecantikan Mek Yah yang ada iras2 wajah Pelakun seangkatan dengan P Ramlee - Zaiton yang bertahi lalat di atas bibir. Ibu Mek Yah sudah naik fed-up juga memerhatikan kerenah dua merpati yang bagaikan tidak sejoli itu.

"Ngabihkan Bogheh jah si Jusoh tu Mek Yah!" ibunya pernah merungut. Sering juga ibunya membawa Mek Yah mandi bunga - minta2 Jusoh terbuka hati. Namun setiap kali habis saja makan dan memuji – setiap kali itu lah Jusoh mencari hal untuk menyakiti hati Mek Yah kembali. Ada-ada saja yang tak kena. Hinggakan warna kain batek sarong yang Mek Yah pakai pun tidak di sukainya. Mana tak makan hati budak perempuan sembilan belas tahun yang hanya bersekolah hingga darjah tiga itu. Bagi ibu Mek Yah, Jusoh lah satu2 nya harapan untuk merasai hidup senang.....harta bapak Jusoh tak habis makan anak cucu hingga tujuh keturunan, begitulah pernah dia berbisik dengan Mek Yah. Matahari sudah condong ke Barat, menandakan sudah banyak waktu Zohor. Namun Mek Yah dengan rambut yang menggerbang belum tergerak untuk bersiap-siap menyempurnakan Solat.

Mek Yam ( gambar hiasan )

Mek Yam masih di cermin menyisir rambut nya apabila ibunya memanggil supaya turun ke beranda. “Yae!!! Jusoh sapa doh nie – maghi lah ajok dio naik”
Ibu Mek Yam cukup berkenan kepada Jusoh. Cara Jusoh bersopan santun, malu-malu kucing tu cukup memikat hati ibu Mek Yam. Walaupun ada desas desus mengatakan dia sebenarnya terpikat dengan anak Tokey getah tu kerana bakal mempusakai beratus ekar kebun getah, itu tidak penting untuk nya. Pernah dengan sengaja dia meminta Jusoh azankan waktu solat Zuhur di rumahnya, sebagai menilai keupayan Jusoh membimbing Mek Yam ke arah isteri solehah nanti. Dia sering tersenyum puas mengingati bagaimana Jusoh begitu gugup waktu itu.

Mek Yam memerhati wajahnya di cermin buat kali terahir sebelum dia mengena kan kain tudung berwarna hitam – dan dia berpuas hati dengan celak di keningnya, bedak cuticura yang memutihi pipi tembamnya dan bibir mungilnya juga merah dengan warna gincu jenama Ives Sen Loren dari Golok. Sempat dia mengenyit mata kepada wajahnya sendiri di cermin sebelum bergegas ke bawah. Dia tahu dia tidak secantik Mek Yah – sebab itu lah dia terpaksa lebih berusaha di depan cermin. Jusoh juga jarang memuji ke ayuannya - tapi dia tahu Jusoh suka merenung wajahnya bila dia tidak melihat.

“Abe Soh . naik lah. Nasik kerabu tu pun masak doh!” Manja bunyi cara Mek Yam mempelawa.
“Nasik Kera Bu ka Kera bapak tu Yae masak ko abe Soh?” Gurau Jusoh, satu lawak yang tak berapa cerdik. Tapi Mek Yam yang lagi kurang cerdik tidak menangkap lawak blur Jusoh itu, hanya mampu terkebil-kebil.

Wok Lijoh yang masih memerhati Jusoh melayari lamunan nya sendiri, tetiba bertanya kan soalan yang mungkin boleh membantu Jusoh membuat pilihan.
“Soh…mu tahu ko ciri2 calun isteri yang di syorkan oleh ugama kita?”
Jusoh mengangguk kepala, tapi tidak berani mengangkat muka. Huh, ni mesti dia tak tahu ni fikir Wok Lijah sendirian.
“Ugama kita memberi ciri2 bakal isteri yang di galakkan....
1. beriman & solehah
2. memiliki akhlak-akhlak yang terpuji
3. menentukan mas kahwin yang rendah
4. wanita yang subur
5. masih dara
6. berasal dari keturunan yang baik
7. bukan keturunan terdekat" kata Wok Lijoh.
“Lagi..?” Tanya Jusoh yang tiba2 tersenyum kerana dia yakin kali ini dia dapat membuat keputusan.
Wok Lijoh berkumat kamit membilang sifat2 tu dengan jari jemari nya kerana pada kira’an nya ada yang tertinggal, “Ada satu lagi…..” Kata Wok Lijoh.
“Dio mesti panda masak nasik dagang atau nasik kerabu!” Kata Jusoh yang tak sabar2. Dia terkenang2 keenakan nasik dagang special Mek Yah dan baru tadi nasik kerabu masakan Mek Yam.
“Huh….dok…..yang satu lagi tu dia harus mempunyai wajah yang cantik dan sedap di pandang” Kata Wok Lijoh.

Jusoh tersenyum dan memarhati jauh ke arah rumah gadis yang menambat hatinya – senyumannya makin berseri2. “Yessssh!!! Dah ada keputusan Wok!!!!” Kata Jusoh begitu bersemangat sekali.

"Mu pilih nasik kerabu ko nasik dagang Soh?" Kata Wok Lijoh yang tak dapat menahan ketawanya.

(semoga Jusoh2 dan Mek2 di luar sana dapat membuat keputusan yang sebaik mungkin). Allah Hu Aklam....

Ustaz Hasrizal

He was unknown to me before he came. I am now one of his huge scores of fans - and I have only listened to him talking for about 2 hours. This is one popular ustaz, especially amongst the young Malaysians. If you have not yet visited his blog here, then I encourage you to.

Hasrizal was on a tour to Dubai and Doha to share his knowledge on ways to become an Effective Muslim. Modelled after C0vey's 7-Habits but customized to Islam's teachings, he spoke to more than 50 people who gathered last night to listen to lessons from his own past, insights and examples which include video clips which everyone can relate to. Majority if not all of his audience were having their own internalised reflections.

"Are you convinced ( Yakin ) that there will be the Day of Judgement - Of heaven and Hell?" He asked.
"Yes"- a few voices replied.
He described how drivers would slow down after getting head-light signals from on-coming traffic. We all do that, don't we? We slow down because the signals tell us there are police ahead - We are convinced ( Yakin ) of that so we change our behaviors by slowing down.
Then he asked again.
"How many of us have actually changed our behaviours because we were convinced and Yakin of Hari Akhirat?" I for one, paused to reflect!

"Mencari atau Menjadi?"
We can feel inadequate, frustrated, and unhappy - he said, if we continue to Mencari. He gave example of a man continuing to look for a perfect woman to be his wife.
Then he urged us to focus instead to Menjadi ( To be ) ..... the change we want to see.
"Instead of looking (Mencari ) for a perfect woman - Be a perfect ( Menjadi ) husband with the woman you have" he said. Many men I think paused to reflect!

Begin with the end in mind.
The end of all end is .........: Are we satisfied with our preparation for the end?
"How do you solve a jig saw puzzle" He asked, and answered the question himself, "By first looking at the complete picture on the box"
"What is our life's purpose?" is a question I am sure we have been asked a thousand times. And, I am sure we are modifying our answers day by day, bit by bit, getting closer and closer to what the real answer is supposed to be.

The ustaz brought the six Alam to us. And for the first time I knew why babies are conceived in moms' Rahim - It is moms' "Rahim = kasih sayang" which has been chosen by God to be good enough to carry His creations.

I would not do justice to what he shared neither can I emulate his passion and conviction. I am only sharing a very small part of what he shared with us last night. If it has made you even a little - wanting to seek more of His knowledge to be a better Muslim, then that is all I am hoping for.

For LiL and I, hosting the event was an honour and a priviledge. Thank you saudara Hasnol for choosing to do the Usrah at our home.
Thank you Ustaz Hasrizal for sharing and giving me many reasons to pause and reflects. May God bless you and your family. And Thank you Umm Saif for lending Abu Saif to us for a couple of days.

Group picture with the part of the participants!

You can also read a report from Fudzail here.

Demi Hijrah ini.....

Dengan restu Mu aku ke sini
satu Hijrah lagi.....
mencari pelabuhan di pesisir usia
meniti memori perjalanan berliku
hati meronta di gurun berdebu
tapak-tapak di pasir semakin pudar
angin menderu membawa khabar
"Demi Masa! (1) Sesungguhnya manusia itu dalam kerugian;
(2) Kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan beramal soleh dan
mereka pula berpesan-pesan
dengan kebenaran serta berpesan-pesan
dengan sabar."
Ketika kita di selimut bunga-bunga mimpi
bintang-bintang menyaksi.....
Sesunguhnya kita manusia yang rugi!
pengHijrahan ini
melewati persimpangan ke arah abadi
Sekian lama merantau menjejaki
berlari, merentasi, terus memburu
di celah-celah pasir dan batu
di warna warna pelangi dan permaidani
mencari punca simpulan mati
ingin membebaskan tambatan hati
yang buta, bisu dan tuli
yang inginkan itu dan ini.
Dengan restu Mu....aku ke sini
PengHijrahan merentasi
dari dunia fantasi ke dunia realiti
dari dunia realiti ke alam abadi
mencari pelabuhan di pesisir usia
buat sekian kalinya
"Demi masa........"
jangan kita kerugian buat selamanya.
PengHijrahan ini
pandulah kami
jejak kaki dan gerak hati
bicara kata dan naluri rasa
biarlah ada Mu di dalam mimpi
semoga damai di pelabuhan abadi
menemui Mu Ya Rabbi......
di suatu hari yang sudah pasti.

To usher in 2008 we were on the Jumeira Beach next to the iconic Burj Al Arab. For the special occassion to welcome 1429 Hijrah new year - we joined other Malaysian families camping overnight on the beach at the Hamriyah Port in Ajman. It was our first time camping out - and that too we chose a chilly cold night to do it. The fun started well before we got there, by means of pantun exchanges via emails between would be campers. Setting up tents were done with great enthusiasm - ours was one of the first to be up, and definitely the biggest - ample space for all six of us. A little thrilling moments when my Honda SUV got stuck in the sands. After four men power pushed it to safety, I used the opportunity to convince LiL for the 66th times that we need to buy a 4x4. She dusted the sand from my shoes, ruffled up my hair and said simply but firmly, "No!".

Perhaps, the most enchanting bits were the bonfire and BBQ. Each family brought a few bundles of firewood - at AED5 per bundle it was value for money for keeping us warm and giving us the much appreciated ambience. Having a bonfire going by the sea side - flickering of flames and rumbling of waves were just magical! I paused to reflect - it dawned on me that one of the main attractions of our lives in Dubai is this care-free fun life-styles which brought us back to our teen-age years. Moving in a pack - camping out, having picnics, doing BBQ, weekend's soccer games, pot-luck meals, or simply exchanging sms with friends such as "Jom - breakfast Puri sama2". And it happens! All fun and games of Malaysian in Dubai.

The BBQ was generous.....chicken wings, beef skewers and sausages were delicious. The children had a wonderful time roasting marsh-mallows. The fishersmen amongst us could not resist the call of the wild - and went fishing from the embankment.

For me, the half-hour we spent listening to Bro Hasnol's Tazkirah was very reflective and touching. His story about the Prophet's first Hijrah brought silent tears to my eyes. Sitting around the bon-fire, under an open sky, with the sound of rolling waves in the back ground made me realize how extra special we are to be alive - for yet another new year.

I was half asleep in my own tent when I heard voices and laughter of my friends - sharing instant noddles by the bonfire. I zipped my jacket on, and crawled out to join them. Nik's instant noodle that night was amongst the best I ever had at 2am. I noticed that Along was not in the tent. He confided the next day, he felt awkward to join us there - LiL, myself and the three younger boys. A point I took seriously and noted. He has grown up into a young man himself. The next time we go camping, we agreed to buy a smaller tent to give LiL and I privacy while the boys will be sharing the big one. Now, I may just hurry the next time, hehehehe!

Despite having little sleep - I felt so well rested. Maal Hijrah greeted us with a new possibilities and promises - and we greeted the new year of 1429 with new hopes!

di bawah bintang-bintang di tepi pantai Port Al Hamriyah.

malam Maal Hijrah.

1429.