Kami pulang, Ustazah :)

Just as how it’s planned, all 8 of us who took the RP track after our madrasah years made a homecoming visit to our alma mater, with no introduction needed for its known girls-only pink kain students. :D Bubbly excited we definitely were, with bright robes and smiles, eager to meet our asatizah whom we fondly remember still to let them know we’ve graduated yay! And much a delight it was seeing our young juniors looking all shy yet happily curious to watch their unfamiliar kakak2 who were once just like them. ^_^

It was heartening to hear them being really glad to see our comeback, and moving at the same time when Cikgu said, “alhamdulillah you all still care to return.. some didn’t appear when they’ve left Maarif” and also when Ustazah remarked, “Selagi saya masih sihat.. insyaAllah saya akan tetap mengajar.” We noticed that the years are indeed catching up on them, and their health already a tad affected, but their unwavering faith to continue teaching even though it may have been 25 years of exactly that for some of them, put us – or myself at least – in a renewed drive to give our best and keep in mind their kind deeds in our early upbringing. :)



For a few sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays after that, it was fun seeing Aisyah and Aqilah on alternate shifts as we helped Teacher Sumirah with some things down at the science lab, and sometimes staying over at the cool school library with its Arabic storybooks (oh-ohh.. need to freshen up on the language >_<) and other freshly bought Islamic books. Nice! Diy likes it very much ^_^ And yes, sometimes I’ll just go on snapping pictures with my hp camera and enjoy absorbing the sights and sounds around me (some featured below; don’t mind the low image quality though hehe):




The mushroom garden reading corner – sure looks comfy sitting cross-legged with a book in the air-conditioned room~



It was raining heavily that afternoon, and the primary students had to line up along the corridor, reciting selawat and putting on their telekung as they waited for their turn to head to the basement for Solat Zuhur in congregation. Giving a good reminder it surely is of safeguarding one’s prayers since young, no matter what the circumstances are =)



Hand in hand, walking back home – the Ma’arif sisterhood as we call it; may the bonds between us all live on strong eternally!



Find the above familiar girls? :) Yeps this one was taken from our PSTE (Peperiksaan Sijil Thanawi Empat) result certificate given by MUIS, somewhat like the O-Level kind of exam for the seven Islamic subjects we took. What caught my attention there was really the inscription printed on the document itself, roughly translated as “The Council hereby urges the owner of this certificate to have taqwa and be mindful of Allah always in secret and in public, with sincerity in her deeds to spread the Deen and serve the Muslim Ummah. And Allah is the Most Excellent Bestower of Guidance.”

The very words leave an impact in me as I read it, for I see them conveying a deep message in personally prompting us to remember the main essence of the madrasah education we had received, and also of our crucial duty to actualize the meaning wherever we go. There's no doubt that Al-Ma'arif had taught me valuable principles to start with; so too did the experience in RP which alhamdulillah had imparted some lessons even further.. Am definitely looking forward to what's waiting to be discovered up ahead! And truly hoping to gather all the insights and bring them along for the next coming phase.. May all goes well, ameen!~ :)

Of remembering walidain

“Syukur, dah besar anak-anak Ibu..” said the mother as she softly stroked our heads. We laughed looking over the pictures, flipping through the family album page by page. The varied hairstyles we had when we’re little - from the round soup bowl fringe look to those with a bundle of hair tied on top like a coconut tree :P, it makes one sees that life has its embarrassing moments but remembering (some of) them does bring back the fun and tickles too! (And never ever to repeat them again hehe) But it’s still a wonder personally looking at how small you once were, and how Allah helps you grow up from time to time, with your parents entrusted to raise and love the young souls that you were till now.. :)

But as we get older, it is noticeable how we start to get more involved with life outside home, as studies come rolling in and you yearn to feel “what lies beyond?” in the circle of activities and peers. And in the heat of youthful passion, zealously pursuing experiences and opportunities like there’s no moment to lose.. It pays to step out once in a while, and see how things could have affected the ones that really matter to us. Had we mistakenly been spending much insufficient time with them? Or what efforts have we taken today to make them happy inside? For truly, in the fruits of our success are we indebted to the favors & sacrifices given by others, as willed by Allah’s unceasing rahmah (mercy)..

This topic inevitably comes to mind when I was moved to tears last night from watching a video entitled “Anak Soleh” by Aiman (shown below). A much notable one it was, for how frequent do we get to witness sons sobbing hard in the arms of their similarly weeping fathers? Then there was this equally touching moment during a muhasabah camp (click here for the vid) where the facilitators actually brought in two figures wrapped in kain kafan and placed them right in the middle of the hall, which definitely succeeded in stirring the participants’ emotions of how would be it like if both their parents were to pass on, till it had one young man collapsed in grief..


I have to be constantly aware that there’ll come a time when I have to part from the ones I dearly love, and to wake up without being able to see them ever again in life. Despite that I’m sure there are really many many things that I’m going to miss, irreplaceable is the void, indescribable beyond words - their voices, Ibu’s warm and comforting hugs.. =’( And I’m actually afraid of having those precious thoughts slowly fading away, what more if they are simply lost without a trace.. because how long could our human memory be able to last? Or how much retention is it capable of holding inside?

I’ve thus had my mind set on compiling handwritten accounts of my family, much like preparing a special scrapbook filled with pictures and writings to help me recall the moments shared, insyaAllah.. such as remembering our usual practice, of having Ibu and Ayah always at the doorstep seeing us off when we leave the house and watch them waving till we’re far out of sight - It’s the deep feeling one gets from knowing their hopes and prayers to God for your well being, that accompany you throughout the journey with encouraging calmness.. Hope the remembrance will calm our longing hearts, and leaves much to be thankful for =) May all our parents be among Your beloved mukmineen under your protection, dear Allah..



~ Reported in Al-Adab al-Mufrad al-Bukhari (Muslim Morals and Manners) by Imam Bukhari




Very much recommended to watch =')

Teringat cerpen Moga Umpama Atturajjah karya Faisal Tehrani di dalam bukunya Kekasih Sam Po Bo (sedikit tukilan di bawah).. Moga kita lebih berhati-hati menjaga perasaan ibu ayah, jauh dari menjadi punca kesedihan di dalam hati mereka.. :)

“Ain, dalam Islam derhaka meliputi sampai enam perkara. Jika memandang ibu-bapa dengan jelingan marah sudah derhaka. Jika merasa diri lebih bijak dari ibu atau bapa sudah derhaka. Jika bodoh keras hati tidak mahu mencium tangan ibu-bapa sudah derhaka. Jika malu dengan ibu-bapa kerana bimbang memalukan di hadapan masyarakat dikira sudah derhaka. Andai tidak memenuhi keperluan ibu-bapa itu dihitung sudah derhaka. Bahkan berasa jemu, menengking dan menghina peribadi mereka dikira sudah derhaka. Ain, kau buat semuanya!

... Tak mengapalah kalau kau tak sukakan sahabatku Hanafiah yang cuba ku padankan denganmu itu. Dia sendiri sudah tawar hati denganmu. Memang dia pada mulanya terpesona denganmu. Ayumu itu lelaki mana tidak terpaut. Tetapi bangkai takkan dapat ditutup baunya dengan perenjis air mawar. Akan terbau juga busuknya. Busuk tingkahmu terapung. Dia sudah tawar hati. Kau tak perlu resahkan dia menginginimu lagi. Tambahan dia akan pulang segera ke negara asal bertemu jodoh dengan gadis solehah pilihan ibunya dan hidup bahagia.”

Pilihan hati?

“Diy, why is it that all the good guys are always taken?” Aduih. Tersedak jap. Oooh so that’s why my friend was being all too quiet suddenly :D “Hmm.. what made you say so?” “It just seem that the ones I happened to like.. they would already have someone in mind..” I smiled, searching for the right words to say as this might be a bit touchy to begin with. And I’m no expert in these things, no doubt. >_<

“Well dear, I’m not certain of that happening all the time, but.. what I feel is perhaps those whom we might have regarded as good suitable companions for us may not necessarily be so in Allah’s eyes.. the one destined as your husband will be with you at just the right time, with the personality fitness (keserasian) blending well, God willing. If you do miss him, pray to Allah that he is well taken care of and safe in imaan, even though you might never have met him before.. :))” And to see her beaming soon after that was definitely a big relief for me. hehe.




It may not be often for some to think of such things, however at times when the surroundings don’t help at all it’s relieving to have like-minded girlfriends to remind and give that dash of support yea? :) Take Phantom of the Opera, for instance. Who wouldn’t be moved if someone were to say such saccharine sweet words, just like in its musical piece “All I Ask of You” sung by Cliff Richard and Sarah Brightham? But should we not be too careful it might lead off to false hopes instead and getting aimlessly miserable for nothing. -_-




But it's good to remember that Allah's assurances have long been there eternally, my dear. And never does Allah depart from His promises. :) "Kebersamaan Allah ini mengandungi makna bahawa Allah meliputi hambaNya yang dicintai, menolongnya, memberikan taufiq, menjaganya dari kebinasaan dan sebagainya."

(Dari at-Tanbiihaat al-Lathiifah oleh Syaikh 'Abdul 'Aziz bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz radhiyAllahu 'anhu.)



I still remember one instance in poly when I was a bit unhappy with my faulty earpieces which I had just bought two weeks back! And my team member Brant came, took one look at it and said “Alamak this one cheap stuff, of course la it break down easily!” Haha! Yeah I know, you cant expect too much from a $4 product :P Then it dawned upon me that this could also illustrate the point of a love that's purely authentic and long-lasting as compared to one which can easily crumble and steeped in the evil-inciting nafs.. Oh Allah, let our hearts learn to feel Your love, and help us learn to love You more day by day..

"Cinta murah ini bersifat sementara, sedangkan cinta yang mahal adalah yang bersifat kekal. Daging, urat dan kulit akan reput dan hancur, bersama luruhnya cinta yang bersandar padanya. Jika cinta sekadar dapat dicapai dengan pancaindera yang lima, maka itu belum cinta yang hakiki. Ia bukan diukur menurut pandangan mata kepala, tapi mengikut pandangan matahati. Cinta itu datang dari Allah dan diberi sebagai bekal untuk mendapat kecintaan Allah.."

~ Dipetik dari buku Tentang Cinta oleh Ustaz Pahrol Mohd Juoi.
Wajar dimiliki, elok direnungi! :)

The Big Day~ ^-^

Oooh the vibes! We girls were thrilled as we first tried out the graduation robe for the size most suitable, squealing "ehhh bestnyee! macam lawyer-lawyer!" in stifled low tones. Hehe. Who would’t be feeling all jumpy inside when a much waited moment finally comes? But why oh why must the nerves always like to tag along? >_< Adeih. Had to constantly soothe those too.. but glad it worked for I was surprised to actually find myself walking calmly on and off the stage. Yay! :D



With Bavani, Raudah & Maimanah~ Thanks for the snapshot Fahmezah! :)
Alhamdulillah, things went smooth and fine on the day itself! It started out great too when I was really pleased to still get to see Syasya and Ayu, whose graduation ceremony was hours before mine at 1. Happy to meet your mom at last Sya! ^_^ All smiles, cameras flashing everywhere and it’s simply a wonderful feeling to have family dearest and sweethearts by your side.. A day to be remembered, definitely. Thank You Allah.. =)





"A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more. Thank you for being a great friend.
And may we be in each other’s prayers always." – Aisyah <3
Our dear Aisyah was really sweet too to hand each of us a pack of her yummy home-baked cookies with their generous amount of chocolate chips, nicely tied with a blue ribbon and a handwritten message above. Merci my dear! InsyaAllah.. will always be praying for you and the loved ones ye.. *hugs* =)