Salaam.
Dear Khaulah,
A few days ago, I was having dinner with some of my friends at the Jerudong Food Court when suddenly I saw a familiar appearance from afar walking towards us. It was an uncle whom I used to spend a lot of time with while I was settling at Pekan Tutong back in 2013-2014. I'll always remember how we used to hang out after the congregational Subuh prayer and tadarrus at MHBPT. It was pleasant to see him again after quite some time.
Conversing with him reminded me about the Grandpa who used to mingle with us back then too, whom last I heard was sent to the hospital. You may not remember this Khaulah, but he was the one that we waited at the Masjid when you're much younger. After waiting for a chance since morning, finally I got to bring you to him after 'Asr that day. I was so eager to bring you to him because it felt like he was my own Grandpa, whom presence I failed to appreciate while I still got one. And I have utmost respect for him because of his devotion towards our Deen despite his age which back then was already 85 years old. From him, I was able to learn many things and hear many amazing stories too. Honestly, there are days that I do miss those moments.
That is why when I asked the uncle about him, I was deeply saddened to hear that he had passed. It was during the same time I was admitted at the hospital. That night, it really felt like just yesterday I had a chat with him. It felt as if it was just yesterday I last watched his back as he walked towards the first saff while inspiring us like he always did. May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Jannah. Aameen.
Love,
Dad.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Saturday, March 18, 2017
#9. Looking Up
Assalaamu'alaikum WBT.
Dear Khaulah,
How are you today? This past few days made me reminisce things of the past.. I wonder how you will see things as the eldest child. Do you know, Khaulah, ever since I was little I always looked up to my elder siblings especially my eldest brother. I would listen and remember things that they said and taught me and most of the time took their views on things as my own.
When I was in middle school, I began to live at the hostel and my brother was already leaving by the end of the year. Back then, I loved to draw so much but I chose commerce nevertheless because I always heard from my brother about the kindness of the teacher. One day, the teacher showed a student her picture at Hawaii during the last holiday and the student boldly asked the teacher, "Isn't it sinful to not covering aurat even when overseas?" The teacher then said something about it's between her and God, and that was when I, who was still not a Muslim at that time, lost my respect to her.
Of course didn't act disrespectfully afterwards, what I'm pointing out is regarding insight. I think that was the first time I thought of something for my own and up until now, certainly made wrong judgements along the way. Now is easier though that I'm a Muslim, just follow what the Quran and Sunnah says :) So I wonder how would you see things before that. I hope that your mom and me had been and will always be someone that you can follow and best-friends that you can talk of anything with.
Love,
Dad.
Dear Khaulah,
How are you today? This past few days made me reminisce things of the past.. I wonder how you will see things as the eldest child. Do you know, Khaulah, ever since I was little I always looked up to my elder siblings especially my eldest brother. I would listen and remember things that they said and taught me and most of the time took their views on things as my own.
When I was in middle school, I began to live at the hostel and my brother was already leaving by the end of the year. Back then, I loved to draw so much but I chose commerce nevertheless because I always heard from my brother about the kindness of the teacher. One day, the teacher showed a student her picture at Hawaii during the last holiday and the student boldly asked the teacher, "Isn't it sinful to not covering aurat even when overseas?" The teacher then said something about it's between her and God, and that was when I, who was still not a Muslim at that time, lost my respect to her.
Of course didn't act disrespectfully afterwards, what I'm pointing out is regarding insight. I think that was the first time I thought of something for my own and up until now, certainly made wrong judgements along the way. Now is easier though that I'm a Muslim, just follow what the Quran and Sunnah says :) So I wonder how would you see things before that. I hope that your mom and me had been and will always be someone that you can follow and best-friends that you can talk of anything with.
Love,
Dad.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
#8. my notes, your updates
Salaam!
Dear Khaulah,
I pray that you get well soon. Sorry that after the program that I told you in my last letter, I had to spend another 3 days and nights at the hospital after getting my thyroglossal cyst removed on the 27th February. But hey, we got some time to catch up too and today is my first day getting back to work after two weeks. Looked like a long holiday right? xD Except that most of it I got trouble standing up for a long time let alone carrying things.
By the way, I don't know if its the surgery but I think it happened a bit earlier though - right now I can't quite see things a few meters clearly. So I had a very difficult time searching for simpangs too. Also can't really recognise people from afar. But don't worry Khaulah I'll notice you from miles away hehe..
Actually right now I am waiting for the release of the recent titah from His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei at Prime Minister's Office's website. I heard some of it in the news a few days ago and were touched by the things he said. Made me remember the recent National's Day celebration where he refused the umbrellas while walking towards the participants of the field performance, under heavy downpour. Some of his titah was regarding how concerned he was with the statistics of the number of people who performs solat and recites al-Quran.
Once, I used to raise this issue regarding solat in a meeting with some of the LegCo members and somehow either they just kept quiet or laughed it off. Alhamdulillah, now that His Majesty addressed this issue himself people should know that worldly things should not be the only things to be discussed in meetings, especially among grass root leaders.
May Allah protect and bless our beloved king!
Love,
Dad.
Dear Khaulah,
I pray that you get well soon. Sorry that after the program that I told you in my last letter, I had to spend another 3 days and nights at the hospital after getting my thyroglossal cyst removed on the 27th February. But hey, we got some time to catch up too and today is my first day getting back to work after two weeks. Looked like a long holiday right? xD Except that most of it I got trouble standing up for a long time let alone carrying things.
By the way, I don't know if its the surgery but I think it happened a bit earlier though - right now I can't quite see things a few meters clearly. So I had a very difficult time searching for simpangs too. Also can't really recognise people from afar. But don't worry Khaulah I'll notice you from miles away hehe..
Actually right now I am waiting for the release of the recent titah from His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei at Prime Minister's Office's website. I heard some of it in the news a few days ago and were touched by the things he said. Made me remember the recent National's Day celebration where he refused the umbrellas while walking towards the participants of the field performance, under heavy downpour. Some of his titah was regarding how concerned he was with the statistics of the number of people who performs solat and recites al-Quran.
Once, I used to raise this issue regarding solat in a meeting with some of the LegCo members and somehow either they just kept quiet or laughed it off. Alhamdulillah, now that His Majesty addressed this issue himself people should know that worldly things should not be the only things to be discussed in meetings, especially among grass root leaders.
May Allah protect and bless our beloved king!
Love,
Dad.
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