The Tahfiz Tragedy

The recent tragedy has been an eye-opener for many. I’ve read so many news and thoughts about recent events, but there were a few that truly made an impact personally to me and I wish to pen it down here.

Firstly, I agree that it takes a village (and a nation) to raise a child. I myself have come across many many troubled teens in my clinical practice. Sadly, it isn’t a matter of blaming the child nor the parents. We as a community too have failed in helping to raise these children. How many times have we ignored or refrained from saying/doing something to help children/teens who are bad-mannered, who smoke, who seem to loiter around and making trouble, who are buying condoms from pharmacies without any shame, and much more?

Secondly, apart from actions to be taken by school administration and regulations by authorities, we can do our part to help. Donate, and even visit/help out if we can.

Thirdly, is the sad state of our ummah. I have also seen many many sad stories from the people that I meet in my clinical practice. From parents who themselves are bad examples, to parents who have very limited options in raising their children due to stressful living conditions. Ultimately, as parents, we need to focus on raising a child with a good heart and strong faith as a priority, and not just merely on academic.

“Biarlah kita marah sekarang saat berulang kali suruh anak solat tanpa jemu, biarlah berbuih mulut minta anak pandai pilih kawan, biarlah penat menjadi kawan kepada anak walau kita penat bekerja di siangnya, biarlah anak kuno sekarang saat diminta-minta beli handphone atau tablet, tapi jangan sekali-kali kita rasa penat dalam mendidik mereka.”

The above quote stirred my heart, because I too, belong to one of those parents who are tired from working long hours. Sometimes when I come home my children even have to beg to play with me. I always tell myself that I need to play with them, be their best friend, because if they can't get the attention and love from us, they will seek love and attention elsewhere, and there are so many bad people out there that may take advantage of their innocence. So this message goes to all tired, working parents out there - be your child's best friend.

I hope that as individuals, we can start by improving ourselves and our families first. If we can change our family to be better and truly care for our neighbours and society, all of us can make a difference, insya Allah. May Allah guide us all.

Trial Times

                                                                          Source


I'd like to think that I'm a strong person. In fact, I always tell myself that I am a strong person. I had, afterall, moved to live in another country on my own at the age of 19, lived thousands of miles away from home for more than seven years, and I've had my share of tragic moments in life.

For the past two weeks though, I felt so much hurt and sorrow, and for things that are happening at a place far away from home. Growing up, we've all sympathized and felt sorry for the wars that were happening around the world. In fact, the Gaza/Israel conflict have been going on for many years now, and apart from thinking that I feel sorry for them, it never affected me at all. I carried on with my life, with the usual daily routines, basically lived my life just like many others.

But for the past two weeks, I suddenly had an awakening. The suffering of the Palestinian really made my heart sink. I was actually crying for them, at random times, at random places. At home, at work, while driving - whenever I think of them, my heart goes out to them and I cry. I cry and cry. For all the martyrs, for the families they left behind, for the mothers, for the children and babies. I honestly wonder, how can the Israelis be so cruel and heartless - the fact that they have the heart to deliberately attack young children and babies, the fact that they are able to cheer and celebrate the loss of innocent lives - how can they have such cold hearts?

It made me realize all the more, how the Quran is true. It has been said over and over, on how the Jews have such cold and twisted hearts, and how they are the ones who go astray (as clearly stated in al-Fatihah, the surah that we recite daily). If the Jews wanted to prove Islam is wrong, all they have to do is make peace - but they won't and they can't, for the Quran is true. The prophecies of our Nabis are true. And yes, that is why despite what the world thinks, on how oppressed the Muslims all over the world are, on how weak we may seem to them, we have faith in knowing that Allah will provide for us victory, and only He knows when is the best time.

Only those who do not have strong faith cries, 'But where is His help?'
Indeed these trial times is a test of faith, and only those who think, only those who seek for His mercy and guidance, will find peace and victory - if not here, surely in the Hereafter.

Apart from the deep sadness that I have for our fellow sisters and brothers there, our country is hit with yet another tragedy. Another flight disaster. So random, so unexpected, and just like that - it happened.

Indeed this dunya is temporary, and indeed it could happen to any one of us.
It surely happened to a friend of mine, who is good friends with the co-pilot. And they were friends of my cousin. And MH17, is a flight that my family and I have been on before. It could have hit so close to home.

I hope that Allah keeps our hearts steady, that He continues to give His light to us, and that we can be steadfast in our ibadah and secure a place in Jannah. Ameen.

That Missing Flight

 

 

It is Day Seven today. Since the news first broke out, so many thoughts went through my mind. The first and most important thought was - did I know anyone on board? Alhamdulillah none of my immediate family members and friends were on that particular flight. My cousin, who is a steward, was on the same flight exactly the week before, and my father-in-law was also on the same flight just several days before. I had friends of friends, acquaintances, who were on that tragic flight, and I honestly cannot even begin to describe how I feel for them, for their families, and for the rest of the souls that are related to those who were on board.

 

To be honest, I'm deeply saddened that I cannot even bear to read all the news spread in detail. I see constant shares and updates on Twitter and Facebook, and at most I can only read the headline or news title. Some of the news are so disturbing, and some of the comments are simply insensitive and disgusting. A lot of selfish people also seem to take advantage of the situation, which really leaves me in awe thinking how, or rather why, would they act they way they did. It just does not make sense.

 

 

In addition, the conspiracy theories are scary. They may simply be theories, but some theories do seem to have a very logical explanation. As humans, we are naïve, we want to believe what we want to believe, and we are complex creatures with too many characteristics. It is impossible for us to read other people's minds, and we can only hope and pray that come what may, the Great One up there will protect us from harm.

 

As a believer, my only solace is knowing that everything happens for a reason - and no one knows the reason but Him. If He says be, then it is. Even if the cause seems to be human intelligence, it still would not have happened if He hadn't willed for it to happen. And of course, there are many other ayat in the Quran which have repeatedly mentioned about disasters and calamities, and how it is only those who truly think will see that it is a time to reflect.

 

I guess we may remain puzzled and clueless for a very long time. We may be under attack, we may not be. We may come out of this with a sore victory, we may be buried to the ground for our own wrong doings. I guess my point is - we just don't know. The authorities don't know. All we can do (and I'm sure everyone involved in the rescue mission too) is to make the best of the situation. I just wish the rest of the world would stop making assumptions, stop spreading fitnah, and stop saying unpleasant things, at least for the sake of the families involved. They are already hurting so much, please don't add to their suffering.

 

And as for the rest of us, let's just pray. There are too many things to pray for. Let's just pray.

 

Pray for the crew and passengers - for them to be at peace wherever they are.

Pray for their families - for them to have patience and faith.

Pray for those involved with search and rescue - for them to have strength and perseverance to carry out their duties.

Pray for our country - this is a difficult, trial time for all of us, with the drought, the haze, the epidemic, the political situations, and this first-in-the-world missing flight - we simply have too many things to pray for.

 

Let's just pray.

Salam Merdeka

             A Puteri with her beloved country's flag


I have not written poetry, especially a Malay puisi for the longest time. But with the recent turn of events that happened in the country, the changing perceptions and the negative vibes surrounding us, I can't help but feel so touched when I look at my two-year-old carrying the Malaysian flag wherever she goes, keeping on chanting 'Merdeka', 'Malaysia', and the way her eyes lights up when patriotic songs are played on the tele or radio just melts my heart. Oh my innocent child, if only you knew the world can be a scary place.

So I became inspired and this afternoon after taking a few lovely shots of her and Jalur Gemilang, I went into my study and wrote this.

Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Tanah warisan moyangku
Apakah akan dapat
Ku wariskan untuk anakku

Berkhidmat untuk negara
Berbakti untuk bangsa
Namun jangan dilupa
Niat sebenar di minda

Terlalu banyak dusta
Terlalu banyak sengketa
Jangan sesekali goyang
Perjuangan masih panjang

by H.A.H, 29/8/2013

Selamat menghayati erti kemerdekaan.

Chasing Dreams

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No, I have not forgotten about this little hide-out of mine. I still visit this place every now and then, and I do miss writing. As always, the only reason to be blamed is - time.

We are now in 2013 and this year marks a critical time for me especially in terms of my life goals. I am trying my best to work hard to achieve those goals but it can be so frustrating when I simply get too exhausted with too many things on my plate and I am competing with time, all the time.

I know in the end it is either going to make me, or break me.

Both my husband and I have been striving hard to bring our family to that comfortable place we dream of. And Alhamdulillah I must say we have been granted so many blessings in return.
So yes, it isn't just a matter of chasing dreams, it's much more than that, including the life lessons that we learn along the way.

So until I get there (hopefully within the next few months) this blog will probably still be quite quiet.

Till then, wish us luck xx.

One Year Later

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The past year has been a challenge, and although writing is usually a form of therapy that would keep me sane, my life has been so hectic that I simply could not find the time to sit and pen down my thoughts. There were probably one or two odd entries throughout the past year, but being the emotional me, they had to be kept safely in another la-la-land.

The closest I could get to writing an inspirational article was when I was writing for my first case commentary for my Master programme. It was on a patient that I met and treated, and somehow her life story gave me so many invaluable lessons.

I shall just share with you a short poetry that I wrote for that commentary and save her life lessons for another day. I haven't written poetry for many years; I really miss creative writing. Perhaps one day I shall share some of the poems I have written.

For the time being though, here's one from me.

‘You can’t judge a person if you’ve never walked in their shoes,
 You don’t know the pain and hurt and all of their woes,
 Just hold their hand and lend an ear and help them with their strife
 You’ll never know, someday you’ll find, you’ve saved a precious life’

                                                                                                      -          HAH

Ramadhan

The beginning of Ramadhan often ignites a strong spark of spiritual motivation to me. I always say 'I'll do this, I won't do that' all in the name of self purification. It usually does not last that long though, the motivation. And sadly I have to admit, the past couple of Ramadhans were not my best and in fact I still have days that I need to replace. Which is why this year, I am determined to do it right. And not just that, I am also determined to keep breast feeding my two month old daughter come what may.

May Allah grant me strength, and may Allah accept my ibadah and forgive my sins.