Future Thoughts

It's been more than a week since i came back from my journey to the Holy Land and spending much of my time at the two Holy Mosque.
My 40 days was spent on performing the compulsary prayers with small doses of solat sunat.
Come to think of it, i have never prayed so much in the mosque in my life and spending so much time in the mosque.
I am sorry that i am not able to tell stories of strange encounters or interesting stories because i did not encounter extraordinary things whilst i was there and i was also not subjected to any challenges.
I too, on the other hand, had mentally prepared myself for any outcome and to just let it be...whatever the circumstances might be.
So i truly enjoyed the happenings there and observing the many colourful characters and behaviours of Muslims from all over the world.
I came back with a negative opinion though, and my answer on why Muslims cannot unite was exhibited in front of me.
I realised that there are so many types of Muslims that sometimes i wonder, whether they are truly Muslims.
But as i compare the millions there and the millions here, i am of the opinion that the worries of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), is truly valid to this day. His umat is his most worrying point and he was thinking about them even on his last moment.
I term some of them as Idiots of the highest order.

I am back home, happy that i am not one of the many other umat Nabi out there..
I did not push anybody, i did not spit here and there, i did not throw rubbish all over, i did not jump over anybody's head..and the best part is that i am ever gratefull that i am not like some of them,
That to me is my lesson learnt whilst i was there...Thank God, that i am of a different kind of umat, who is more gentle and accomodating.
I am happy that i did not over eat and i did not waste food.
I am happy that i drank Zam Zam water to the maximum, one cup on the way in the mosque at every waktu and 3 cups on my way out...such so that by the time i got back to the hotel for makan, i was already full.
I am a healthy 86 kg as compared to 95 kg before.
I am happy that i did not have any other ailments except the compulsary Hajj cough.
I am happy that i could cycle 55.5 km yesterday, a week after i came back...
I am happy that i was not subjected to any challenges and was blessed with the best of health.
I am happy that i did not asked or berdoa for many things, but went there to show my appreciations that i am blessed to have been given the opportunity to perform my Hajj.
At Arafah, where we were told that, that was the best place to berdoa, or ask Allah Taala, i am happy to say that i did not do the obvious but only thank him for what he has given and only asked for forgiveness and to ensure that my Iman is always on the straight path, besides asking for the well being of my family.
I was too shy to ask for many more because i believe i am not fit to only ask but not doing enough...in terms of being a good Muslim.

I did not asked for specific richness or whatever, much to the dissapointment of my wife who handed me a piece of paper with a few request, before i started my doa.
I think she agreed with me after what i said in my doa and it did shed real tears, because i was saying it out from my heart.

My future thoughts is what happens next.
What will my future be?
The mabrur of the hajj is what happens to you after and not what happens whilst you were there.
Allah Taala is great and my doa now is for him to spare me unsolvable challenges...keep my Iman intact and keep my family safe.
It is easy to perform the Hajj, but it is harder to be a true Haji.

No Other Thoughts

Other than the customary Hajj cough, i am A OK and ready to take on the world.
Touched down at 0100 hrs at KLIA on Boxing Day 2009.

To me my Hajj has been most fulfilling and there was never a moment that i had any second thoughts or other thoughts about being there.

The only thought that came through was that i should have made the pilgrimage earlier.

The best memories i have is of Arafah and Mina and the smell of fresh burning firewoods lingering in the air throughout, that was used for cooking because the Saudis banned the use of gas for cooking, because of past fire experience due to the use of gas!!!
The rains before Wukuf truly was a blessing that cleanse the air...
That was indeed a true blessing.

Will gather my thoughts in small doses and will try and jot down some interesting moments.

No Second Thoughts

Last year, when i was woken from my 'slumber', and being blessed with my other half having a precious part of her body removed, my life has taken a better meaning.

Taking God's reminder, it got me back into Orbit and readjusted my Focus.

On reflection, my experience might not be the best, but i am gratefull that it did happened.

This resulted in my two marvellous Umrah experience in April and May, and InsyaAllah, my journey this Monday, 16th Nov to perform my obligation with my wife.

I once heard that, there are 22 reasons, why one finally perform the Hajj, despite it being one of the 5 Pillars of Islam.

Well, i do succumb to one of the reasons, when i was given the 'friendly' reminder last year.

As a Muslim, performing the Hajj has always been one of the ultimate dream.
Growing up, literally, hearing untold stories of the experiences of the Hajj from others, sometimes gives a different connoctation.
Sometimes it might have some negative impact to mere mortals, who are not devoid of sins.

It is a known fact that the 'calling' to perform the Hajj, was sounded by Prophet Ibrahim and the 'calling' by Allah Taala was done even before the Earth was formed.

It is also a common knowledge that every Muslim hopes that those that has gone earlier for their pilgrimage, will also 'do the calling' for them, when they are there.
This is called 'Seruan'..
I have received a few request to 'seru' them to follow the path....
InsyaAllah i will do the needfull.
In fact i will do a little bit more, and i wll also 'seru' for those that has not requested it.

I hope that i will be able to perform the Hajj, admirably and get through with flying colours, with the Grace of Allah.

I hope, when i come back, i should be able to encourage others to perform their Hajj soonest, without having the experience of being reminded like me.

For me, there was never a Second Thought, when matters of performing the Hajj is concerned.
It is only my human weakness that, only at this age, i am finally making the serious effort to really do it.
My example is not a good one to emulate.

I am sure all Muslims do not have any Second Thoughts when matters of the Hajj crops up.
It is just a matter of wrong priorities.

The Next Raya-Friday,27th November

Now that Raya Puasa is just a memory, i am reminded that the next Raya is only 2 months away...Raya Haji, which should fall on Friday, 27th November.

I am planning to be in Makkah by then, InsyaAllah.

I know that it will be a new experience from spending Raya here.

May ALLAH accept what i have done

As Ramadan draws to a close,InsyaALLAH tomorrow,
I hope ALLAH TAALA accepts my month long compulsory fasting.
Like what i wrote earlier, i hope i pass the month long test.
Only GOD knows.
As i watched the Friday morning program Tanya lah Ustaz, i am attracted to what was said.
The correct greetings for Raya should be "May Allah accept what you have done" and the greetings that we have been accustomed to all this while, "Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Bathin" is a Malay greeting.

It makes a lot of sense to me, because after a month long puasa, it is most appropriate that we should hope that we get full marks, or rather GOD accepts fully what we have done.

We know how we have performed and we truly know
that GOD knows better.
We hope HE accepts what we have done.

Likewise my Raya wish to all my friends this year and thereafter..
"May ALLAH accepts what you have done"....the month long puasa

And plus the usual Maaf Zahir Bathin..

Malaya plus Sabah and Sarawak

Today 16th September is Malaysia Day.
Giving the fasting month as an excuse, there is no extra-ordinary events lined up to remind us of the significance of the day.

Likewise, it was never an occasion in the past for celebrations, especially for us this side of the South China Seas.

Reading through some write ups on the formation of Malaysia, it crosses my mind that not many on the Peninsular values the significance of the additional two states into one Malaysia.
Many still harbours the thoughts of Singapore leaving us and how Singapore is nowhere near us.
Many are still asking the same question.."How come Singapore can do it?".

Will Sabah and Sarawak leave us in the future?
How come Brunei managed to keep out of it and yet remain strong?

I may be wrong in thinking about these.
Who am i to think on behalf of the people of Sabah and Sarawak?

Did i pass the Puasa?

In a few days time, the month long puasa will end, and the old routine will continue.
Life will be normal again.
My puasa has been quite a normal routine one, not much challenges.
I am truly blessed, Alhamdullillah.

But there are many others who have more challenges during the fasting month.
Definitely, those that has to work in the field away from the air-conditioned office, like the Traffic policemen,soldiers,pasar malam, construction,.. etc..etc..has a more challenging puasa than me.
I should know because in my previous career, i was subjected to such conditions..
Maybe they get more marks for their extra challenges.
I am not sure about mine.
Did i pass this puasa with just enough points or....?
I hope so....

Anyway, this Sunday, i will be celebrating Raya back in Sungai Patani with my family at my sisters house, because my mother is there.

I have not been celebrating Raya back there for the last few years, with good reasons..
This year i do not have a valid reasons, not to be with my mother and siblings back home.
I will take a slow drive this Saturday, very early in the morning.
To the few readers that drop in, i would like to wish you a Safe and Memorable Raya.