♥♥♥ August Romance ♥♥♥

Come August, the Hashim's would celebrate 3 momentous occasions:

• Yong's Birthday

• Mak & Ayah's Anniversary

• Ayah's Birthday

Lately, my mind wanders frequently to mak and, being it's Ramadhan month and all, that longing-ness for her scent and touch keeps growing stronger and stronger.

I have always looked up to my parents everytime I go on dates or look for that potential 'someone'. You see, my parents are the most normal couple on Earth, they fight and they have their differences but it somehow gels together and it's almost impossible to not see them in sync.

My mum never fails to take care of her husband & family, even when she's sick and she can barely move. Yet, you would hear her clammering pots and pans in the kitchen with what's left of her strength.

My dad works hard, day and night, always on the lookout for new projects so that he can be confident when he tells us not to worry about splurging when it comes to food, as long as there's no wastage.

My mum may look strict, especially when she raises one of her eyebrows if she's not happy, and she may be the hated teacher at school because she will make you pay for what wrongs you've done but she never gives up on her students. One of them has become so successful in popiah business back in Ipoh that everytime I drop by, he remembers mak and so thankful to her that she pushed him to chase for success.

My dad has the all-time strictness look, with his beard and his deep growl voice, and though boys may pee in their pants calling up the house and trying to talk to me when he answered the phone, he has the biggest heart any man can have when it comes to humanity and always, always put others first before his needs.

One special trait of ayah that I'm so thankful I've found in him is the enormous care of love. Ayah would really not sleep watching mak sleeps just to make sure she's still breathing. That's why you would find ayah sleeping after Subuh, around 8am, even now that mak is no longer around. I'm thankful that only by calling or reading a text from me saying that I'm not well, bubur McD would arrive with some meds, 100 Plus or other food that I can consume at that time.

Yes, my parents have flaws. We all have flaws. We are all humans. But my parents strive to be the best for themselves and their loved ones. That's what made them awesome, and that's why my doa will forever be for them, until my last breath.

During the umrah trip (mak's last one in  April 2011), ayah was pushing mak in her wheelchair, as usual. This happened few days before she passed, and she said to ayah as they were going uphill, "Ni nanti kat akhirat tayanglah mike tolak teman." translated "They will show and display this in the hereafter, of how you steered my wheelchair for me." Ayah's eyes glistened that at that time she is already talking about hereafter, and as old folks saying that it's usually a sign that they're about to leave the world, she passed away few days after that, slightly before Subuh.

Umrah trip, 2008

Ayah so happy, waving back at us. Couldn't really see mak's face but that was she used to look like, tired.

I stumbled upon this pic in my inbox and I realised that this was before mak was told to do her dialysis. Even then, ayah faithfully brings her in the wheelchair, eventhough ayah's health was not really at its best, he didn't show it to mak and kept on smiling, just to be able to be with her.

To August, you have been a special month for me and you will always be for the Hashim's.

Pinkish Burberry

He surprised me over the weekend with this :)

Visit to the vet

Brought Boboi to the vet for his 2nd vaccination. Reached home, he was extra 'manja', all lovey dovey and insisted to sleep on me.

My son *sigh*

Of covering aurah and medical check-ups

Obviously, I had no qualms about this before. Never even crossed my mind to be worry about such things.

But since my hijrah, I realised that I do think about it and take into consideration earlier. But somehow, I don't know, maybe due to the culture and surrounding (which is just a reason actually) that I find myself a bit slow to ensure that my aurah is covered during medical check-ups.

The other day when I had to do an X-ray scan, I completely forgot that I will need to be naked under the hospital's robe. Which is fine if the robe has long sleeves but that's not the case in Malaysia. The sleeves are short. Damn. What should I do? In the panic of making the radiographer guy wait (yes, which made me even more panicky) I quickly went out the changing room because I didn't want to make him wait. So stupid of me. I should have made sure that I was comfortable enough to step out, instead I thought of his feelings because I didn't want to delay his work. Sigh.

And that day I wore a chiffon shawl which it went around and around my head, not the usual sarung-and-go hijab. Since there can be no metal, I had to take off the shawl. Now, when I think about it, I could have just taken off the metal pins and put on the shawl. But nooooo, I didn't. I'm so mad at myself now :(

So, what did I finally wore? The short-sleeve hospital robe and my inner which only covered my hair but not neck. Ya Allah, forgive me. I should have been more aware and prepared.

Few days after that, I went back to do my MRI. I even brought along my long-sleeve inner to wear so that they may cover my arms. I felt like slapping my head, hard. I didn't wear it. I don't know why but I didn't. But I did wear a proper hijab, so that's covered. But my arms weren't :(

With my healthcare background (I used to work in the hospital) and previous current experience, let me share some tips (which is also pointing to myself as well) on what hijabis and muslimahs need to be extra cautious of when they're at the clinic/hospital:

• It doesn't matter if you're wearing abaya or everyday clothes, you are required to don the hospital's robe during medical consultation/X-ray scan/MRI scan and other procedures. Bring a long sleeve top/inner that you can wear inside the robe. If you're doing a whole body procedure, then bring a loose pants, just in case.
• Don't forget your socks! Since there's no metal required there, there's no reason for you to not wear it. Unless, the procedure is at your feet or toes.
• Wear hijabs/tudungs that you can put on without the need to use pins. Bring also a small one that covers your hair and neck, just in case.
• Since we are not VIPs or dignitaries that can specifically request for everyone helping us to be females, there will be males who will be assisting you or present during the procedure. Make sure you are wary of this and just inform them if you are not comfortable with their presence and prefer to have a female nurse instead. 
• Leave fancy schmancy inner wear such as bras and knickers with any metal details. Metals interrupt any scan process so save yourself the embarrassment and opt for comfy cotton ones. 

It is true that in some circumstances especially in medical, women are allowed to expose their aurah in seeking treatment for their health. But I feel, let's not take this simply and easily. Let's try very hard to take care of our aurah, no matter what.

OMB - Oh my back!

My cries and agony of back pain since last year was caused by a disc slipped in between L4 and L5. It is also called Herniated Lumbar Disc. Lumbar section lies at the end of our back bone, hence why it's called 'L'. As I look at the MRI images, I was amazed at "How in the world it could become like that?"

Just some images that I found on the web on my condition (I couldn't upload my MRI images, files are too hu-u-ge):

See the spot where it spilled over? That's causing the pain.

Even looking at this feels painful.

Ouchie!

Different conditions that may affect you.

All images are taken from Google Images

For the treatment, I have to go for physiotherapy. If pain persists or worsens, I have to do spinal injection. If no improvement... well, let's not think about that for now. Relief that immediate surgery is not an option, yet.

I do strongly advocate to those who have been suffering from any pain, doesn't have to be solely on backpain, please do see a doctor and do a full check-up, not just do an X-ray scan. Yes, it may thins your wallet or bank account but the important thing is to get it diagnosed and seek treatment so you know what not to do to worsens it.

Whatever it is, I am grateful and thankful to Allah for this rezeki. Yes, you read it right. I see this as a rezeki for me to think of Him more, to slow down in life, to do more ibadah and to really take care of myself. 

Positive thinking is always the best medicine to recovering :)

Honeycreeper

I got to meet my new baby just now! AHY and my fave number, all decked in gleamy royal purple!

How does it look like?



Alhamdulillah, murahkanlah & halalkanlah rezeki ku. Amin.

Colour-block palette with a touch of English Rose

What I wore at the Being ME Conference :)

Inner neck: TudungPeople's Najwaa Cream
Shawl: TudungPeople's Azraa Collection Limited Edition
Blazer: Kitschen's hot pink
Dress: Thepoplook's Empire Combo Maxi in Mustard
Bag: 'H' clutch in saddle bought in Ipoh

Empowering Muslimahs (Women are HIGHLY valued in the eyes of Allah) - Part 2

Me, being a human, was starting to feel sleep at this point of time. With the great lunch, great company and of course, the amazing feeling of attending the conference (which of course, I never would have imagine doing so 10 years ago), my eyes started to drop bit by bit. Work of shaiton, defnitely, jiggling their asses on my eyelids.

Me. Be Me. Geddit? Be ME!

But I quickly woke up when the next speaker was introduced. Dr. Fadila Grine reminded me the jamaahs that I met during my umraa, she makes you feel you just wanna go up to her and hug her tightly. Some of her highlights were,


"What is our idea of change? We need to feel the fear."


"Negatively, fear the fear. Positively, fear Allah."


"Allah created us but we make ourselves."


"Responsible for ourselves first, only then to others."


"Hijab is not hiding you, hijab is meant to hide your aurah only."


"Change is real, it's not magical. Our nature is adventurous, just look at a 5-year old."


"The history of Islam during the 6th and 7th century should be referred to as our inspirations."


"Shaiton has a goal, to bring us away from our faith. So why don't WE have a goal as well?"


"If you have to change but you don't change, Allah will punish you."


"Nabi Muhammad SAW recite Astagfirullahalazim 100 times, to invite rahmat to come."


"Change to alleviate our relationship with Allah."


"Disbelieve to believe, decide on a clear goal."


"Two Arabic words to take note of; iradaa which means strong wind and azima which means strong desire."

"Take away bad habits like they are parasites."


At this point, my spirits were heightened. I grew determined to write out my goals and try to reach them. It doesn't need to be big and ambitious. Start with small ones, like to ensure to perform prayer within 30minutes after the azan. I think that can help us in not delaying our prayers, don't you think?


Next session was to me, the main highlight of the day. Even with my awe for Sis. Yasmin, nothing can topple the next speaker. Sis. Raya Shokatfard's video documentary brought tears to me. An Iranian, she migrated to the States at a young age and was quickly consumed with chasing worldly materials. She was very successful, she even got to drive Rolls Royce in her early 20s which at that time, is huge. But sadly, she looked to other religions to soothe her anxiety in heart. Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age and Christianity influenced her and took her away from Allah. But she never did convert. She just got lost and decided to really learn on the religions. What she was seeking for, only her and Allah has the answer. But imagine being lost for so long and when she found the Quran, it was like a child who had been lost and found his/her mother and the child refuses to let go, afraid of being lost again. That was who I felt when I rediscovered my true identity, as a Muslimah. I was already crying a bucket here. I will remember the feeling that strucked me when she said, 


"We always tend to forget Allah, but Allah never forget or leaves us."


Masya-Allah. Such an overwhelming feeling.


Sheikh Tawfique stepped on the stage to talk on his current project and he mentioned this:

Those in Jannah keeps asking those in Jahanaam, "Why are you in hell?" They will reply, "We did not pray and we did not feed the poor."

Finally, Sis. Yasmin took the stage again as the final speaker. I knew I was in for a comprehensive ending before the Maghrib break. And I was right. Some of her highlights were,


"There are 2 places that we can hold a gift; our hands and our heart."


"He pardons most."


"The one who mends, can mend it if you seek it."


"Things that we love more than God will kill us."


"Ask the following questions; What do you think about most? What makes you cry? What makes you most angry? What is the first thing you think in the morning? What is the last thing you think at night? What keeps you up at night? What do you think about in your prayers? Did you answer God? Or something else?"


"We forget that when we don't pray, we harm not our parents, friends or loved ones... We only harm ourselves."


"Ignoring the reality does not mean it will not happen."


"Nothing will stop Death."


"Nothing will delay The Day of Judgement."


"It is not good to love creations over Creator."


I didn't stay on until the end as the event will only finish at 10, that's a bit too late for me who stays 40minutes away. So I dropped off my girlfriend and headed back home to my cat, with a new burst of excitement in me. A light, a fire that cannot and will not be put off. I hope that by sharing what I learned at the conference will help all and myself included to be a better Muslim/Muslimah and even closer to Him, insyaAllah.

Empowered!

Empowering Muslimahs (Girls Rule in Islam!) - Part 1

I am so thankful that I decided to attend the Being ME Conference. I couldn't attend Twins of Faith earlier so when I heard about this conference, I rushed to be the early bird. With the line up of amazing speakers, especially Sis. Yasmin Mogahed, I counted the days to this event. It was my second religious event, the first one I attended quite some time ago organised by the Youth Muslim Project in Bangsar, the Sheikh gave a talk on the 'Beauty of Jannah'. From then, I was hooked. I knew I wanted and was so thirsty for more Islamic talks/events in English. I realized that I responsed well to it as it's in a language that is dear to me. I said, "That's it... I'm gonna attend more talks in English and try to find books on Islam that are in English as well".

Buzzing away

TudungPeople's Najwaa in Cream and Limited Edition Azraa Collection, Kitschen's hot pink blazer, Thepoplook's Empire Maxi Combo dress in mustard and my beloved 'H' bag bought in Ipoh.

Allah is Almighty. It turns out that most of us don't hate to attend religious events, they just hate hearing the speakers repeat YOU WILL ALL ENTER HELL. Of course, I do agree that when we do wrong, there are repercussions to it. But isn't it better for you to concentrate on the good things of Islam, only then it will be easier for you to practise it? Because you're not scared of it, but because you really want to? I see heads nodding in agreement. So if there's any news on religious events in English, I will definitely let you all know.


So back to the conference. As it was beautifully arranged with the amazing speakers and there's so much of points and highlights that I want to share, I will divide the post into Part 1 and Part 2.


Sheikh Tawfique Chowdury started off with his opening speech. His highlight was,


"Recite Surah Al-Ikhlas 10 times, and Allah will build you a palace in Jannah."


*jawdrops*


Next (I was trying hard not to jump up and down on my seat), was Sis. Yasmin Mogahed's turn to speak. Words cannot express how amazing she is and how she plays with words to show how beautiful Islam is, from her point of view. Click here to visit her official website and read her articles, especially.


She talked on how the world has mould our perception to how a female should dress and how they are looked in the eyes of the public. Some of her highlights were,


"Muslim women have God as their standards."


"Completion comes from God, and how our relationship is to Him."


"Only God is our saviour, not our companion."


"You don't own an image."


"The story starts at the marriage; the building of sacrifice, love and your path back to Him."


"If you're chasing a feeling, you'll always be chasing."


"Love what He loves, and do not love what He doesn't love."


Just before we had our lunch break, Sheikh Yahya Ibrahim stepped on the stage for his session. He. Is. So. Funny. He pointed out that the Western countries were worried whether the wife of the newly-elected Egypt President Mursi will shake hands with President Obama. Of all the world crisis and people are dying every second, this was what they were worried about. Which is so true of this world. Appearance matters. Tsk tsk tsk.


Anyways, back to his highlights,


"We are comprised of 3; aqal, roh and physical."


"Soul is thirsty for Islam."


"Are we curious and interested to know the meaning of Quran?"


"Iman can be tarnished, make doa to Allah instantly to reignite your interest and iman."


"If your heart breaks not for Allah, then it's a shame."


"Believe in Allah is in your heart."


"Never will Allah allow someone to remain unchallenged for a long period of time."


"Your heart can be hurt by others, and it can be hurdled away from Allah."


"Always think of Allah and Prophet Muhammad PBUH truthfully and honestly, and your needs will be fulfilled, insyaAllah."


Wow. Felt like a huge wake-up call.


The best thing that this conference featured were booths outside the hall. Obviously, being women it is naturally for us to drop by the booths and shop. Man, I went crazy ok. One of the booth and they were also one of the sponsors, Dakwah Corner Bookstore and they had all these books on Islam and they were all in ENGLISH! Bought one for daddy, sis, myself and him as well.


*happy*happy*happy*


Me and my girls had a long lunch since there was a long queue and by the time we finished Dhuhr, the first afternoon session was ending. To hear the highlights of the next speaker, check out Part 2.


Allahu Akbar!


:)