Amylia Ishak

Salam dear.

Syukran for your visit last night. It means a lot.

( I should have taken your pic)

Your hijrah is truly mesmerizing. I honestly envy you.

Emi, you are an inspiring figure in my life. Thinking of you - just remind me of Allah.

Subhanallah.

Emi,

Thai Moments (Day 1)

Thai Moments (Day 2)

Thai Moments (Day 3)

^ Sawadikap ^

I visited Southern Thai last week. It was definitely an eye-opening experience. I'm still excited about the ziarah, I'm simply trembling while typing this post. Priceless experiences I had. Thankful to Allah for that 3 days. I was never hesitate to join the ziarah but was nervous before and during the trip! Again, alhamdulillah everything went well. I am still in one piece.

;)

At least.

First thing first, the language - they don't speak Thai there as majority of the locals declare themselves : Malay.

They speak - bahasa Melayu ; in Kelantanese dialect. So the language wasn't a barrier for us to understand each other, though I had to listen very hard in order to comprehend every little words.

:)

I visited Songkhla and Yala. Districts 'belong' to Muslims. I went there to ziarah the rural people who experiences trauma after lots of incident occurred to them. The truth is, I was nervous all the way during the journey. I was covered with endless fears. I was so scared, I could die. Naturally die. No one has to shoot me. I'd simply die out of scared.

Call me paranoid, but there wasn't a moment I wasn't anticipating any bomb dropped on my head or at least the sound of guns shooting. Miracle happened, there wasn't! Every second I had there was a preparation for me to face death.

Visit the rural, was truly a touching moment. Laughter and tears. Pleasure and pain. The range of emotions trough out the changing of experiences was so great that at times I thought I just couldn't stand it. I took deep breath to regain my composure, thinking shouldn't I be the strong one? For the innocent people to 'throw up' their emotions at? Lucky I didn't have to force myself a smile. All thanks to my niqab.

There were moments, when we just sat and silents cries took over. I don't know about the others but it was definitely a heartbreaking moment for me. The pain they had in them are so powerful, we all fell into tears.

The locals there, masyaAllah - they were so warm and friendly. I felt as if I was one of them. I wasn't a stranger to them. I felt so attached that I hardly wanted to let them go. These living characters are simply just inspiring, putting me into shame of being ungrateful to tonnes of ni'mah Allah has given me.

And the food? MasyaAllah - it was heaven! The cuisines are the best in the world! I always have the intention to bungkus some to bring back home. Ngeeee... They are all delicious, I could marry them!! Serious. The food put my mind that I was in a safe and secure country while I'm actually not. See? They make you high and addicted. I'm going to ask My Imam to take me to a Thai Restaurant on our next date. Ngeee...

Will I be visiting them again?

Oh, can't wait.

(*.*')

I feel like :

wishing U all

Selamat Hari Raya,

Maaf Zahir Batin.

(yes, the wish and quote are simple . . . but it's truly from my heart)

;)

Sincerely from,

Zarina Haji Zaimi

Finally! Finally!

Cha & Mawin were here at my home yesterday!

Yes, we had Iftar together : oh! Such a blessed Ramadhan.

I wish Fiza, Ila and Linda were with us as well.

If only they were, if only.

Lovely nights - we had, yesterday. Alhamdulillah for that. Both of u come and visit me soon again, ok?

The laughing was as usual - it was so hard, I experience stomach pain. ;/ Both of them just keep on cracking jokes intentionally (+ unintentionally).

Blessed, blessed Ramadhan - strengthening ukhuwah is one way to spend our Ramadhan.

p/s: I should have taken pictures of Fiza & Anis when they were here. Apologies lovelies, I totally forgot.

Heartwarming Iftar ~

We've decided to have a quiet iftar - celebrating Zu final days as bachelorette.

She is getting married this Eid Fitr!

So excited yet so overwhelming. Feelings all mixed up. Whatever, that is - may Allah make easy for you Zu in

'walking down the isle'.

Oh, by the way, Zu is

the sweet one in pink.

:)

Yes, a dessert is a MUST.

To balance the sour we had within us. Letting go - is never easy. Though for a good reason.

Yes?

This picture is

purely elegant.

Therapy

How's your Ramadhan so far?

Mine ... not as good as yours I believe.

InsyaAllah I'm trying to have this balance days - trying my best to fulfill with essential amalan, amin.

One of my favorite activities at school (while working) is joining Khalifah Method class with my students. It is conducted by one of our school volunteer Sis Azra.

I don't know why, but I really enjoy her class. It always helps me to muhasabah. Today, she gave out 3 questions - made me numb because I simply could not answer the last 2. I'm immediately feeling not good and discomfort just rushing to me and hug me tightly.

1. __________ is better than receiving.

2. List 4 things you have given this Ramadhan.

3. List 3 ways you have improved yourself this Ramadhan.

Ok, so the 1st question is easily answered definitely. But not sure on the implementation part though. Do I give anything recently?

*sigh*

InsyaAllah am planning to continue this Khalifah Method class : it's simply a therapy.

Alhamdulillah.

Anyway, hope it's not too late to wish you all,

Psychologist wannabe

When you are actually not (yet).

Iftar With K. Mun ;)

I had a lovely night. Alhamdulillah.

My 1st Hari Raya Kad

as a teacher from my student. I almost shed tears, tell you.

It's not something I expected.

I AM really touched.

Teehee~

So I cannot not have this Hari Raya Card not post in my online journal!!

;)

The card (& the envelope). Ngeeee...

So sweet, no?

(*.*')

Thank you, Luqman.

I truly appreciate it, may Allah bless you and your family.

Amin.

A reward or a challenge?

I’ve been longing to visit this country since forever. I wanted to learn the culture, the language and meeting the locals & definitely to indulge myself with the food. Then, out of the blue, I got an offer. Offer to visit the country. I know it’s not in the state where it is safe and secure to receive any tourist but I am simply wanted to. Well, there are reasons of course. Duh..

Not in a moment where I could perform Istikharah immediately, I flipped through my Tafsir – to get a convincing answer from Ar-Rahman. It was Al-Mumtahanah:6. Then I went to the previous page. It was Al-Mumtahanah:5

"Our Lord, make us not [objects of] torment for the disbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

(“ Ya Tuhan kami, janganlah Kamu jadikan kami (sasaran) fitnah bagi orang kafir. Dan ampunilah kami, ya Tuhan kami. Sesungguhnya Kamu yang Maha Perkasa, lagi Maha Bijaksana.”)

Al-Mumtahanah:4 was the first part of the doa, it sounded –

"Our Lord! in Thee do we trust, and to Thee do we turn in repentance: to Thee is (our) Final Goal".

("Ya Tuhan Kami, hanya kepada Kamu, kami bertawakal dan hanya kepada Kamu, kami bertaubat dan hanya kepada Kamu, kami kembali.")

It is our Prophet Ibrahim’s doa.

The doa is definitely convincing. It put me straight to the idea on accepting the offer. In fact, I already have. I’m no longer hesitate insyaAllah. But the concern and worry is definitely covering my heart. Just so you know, my heart beat is beating faster day to day. Well, you know : as the day pass by and it’s getting closer to the date insyaAllah I’m departing.

InsyaAllah I’m planning to visit and I will be.

Bismillahi tawakal tu Alallah.

Happy (belated) Birthday, Abang!

You are only a year older but a lot wiser and more patience in handling our marriage and what happens in life unexpectedly. I can't be thankful enough for that. I'd always admire (+ appreciate) your sincerity and kindness. May Allah reward you handsomely duniawi wa ukhrawi for all the deeds you have done.

p/s: InsyaAllah I'm reaching 25 this month. Thinking of doing something I never have done. Wish me luck (+ pray for me).

Al-Waqiah:Al-Mumtahanah:Al-Mulk.

They are so close to my heart. A tune that puts my heart into endless peace and calm. I could feel so down and instantly on top when reading these Surah(s, MasyaAllah. I like the word - bidadari. I really do. As a matter of fact, I love it. And I want to be one, amin. Looking at myself, as if I already know, I wouldn’t (nauzubillah). Al-Waqiah portrays this exquisite beauty beyond imagination bidadari. I’m a lady, I want to be beautiful. Don’t all ladies do?

Al-Waqiah : the 56^th Surah, contains 96 ayat and its Makkiyyah. The remembrance of Qiamah is the only thing that could rest my mind in peace and my heart in serenity. I am sometimes desperate over something or someone that I wish I’d have them immediately. But of course things, don’t go as I want, it will go as I need.

Al-Mumtahanah : the 60^th Surah, contains 13 ayat and it’s Madaniyyah. The translation of Al-Mumtahanah (She Who is Tested) itself already caught my attention. Then it immediately captures my heart and conquers my gaze that I just want to read it again and again, insyaAllah. Being tested is a promise from Allah – as to prove our faith. Something been lingering in my thought, it is not right and it may become a sin. But simply thinking about it can really put me into joy and excitement. Not to mention – happy. I keep reassuring myself, if not now, insyaAllah I’ll have . . . one day. I just have to be patient. If not in this world, then in the Hereafter. Just be patient.

As for Al-Mulk, I heard one of the Fadhilat is to avoid torture in the grave. It is truly and purely a motivation for me : to keep me istiqamah with this Surah. I hate black. Black as in darkness. I don’t enjoy being alone or not alone in the darkness. I suffocate. Grave is a place like that. Right? Unless we occupy ourselves with as many amalan as possible to invite light in that ‘little house’ of ours. Al- Mulk has 30 ayat, it is the 67^th Surah in the Al-Quran and it is also Makiyyah. The 18^th sentence shake my heart so badly. I fear the word ‘Murka’. May Allah always allow me to fear it, amin. Don’t you? Murka just terrifies me.

A melody from Allah – that consoles me always. What’s yours?

Me : A rock star!!

br pegang mic, da bajet rock star... ngeh, ngeh, ngeh... pd hal tgh wat announcement. kui kui kui.

Starbucks : In Memory.

It is now confirmed by JAKIM - Starbucks is HARAM.

*sigh*

Old Habit dies hard. But Sirah will insyaAllah put my heart in determine. I remember when Allah announce [arak] is HARAM during companion's era.

They didn't have it question at all. Simply sami'na wa ata'na.

MasyaAllah.

Enough sin created, no need to add more InsyaAllah.

- Kota Bharu -

I meant to have this vacation as my 1st trial in becoming a backpackers. But guess what? I don't even have a backpack, I ended up taking my red tote bag accompanying me on my short trip. The size was adequate enough to put all my stuffs :)

The idea of going to KB was from Aida - she wanted to shop at Pasar Wakaf Che Yeh and to my surprise, everybody was excitedly agreed to it! (even me, of course).

So to KB, we went.

We took bus instead of driving, none of us wanted to considering the long tiring journey.

:p

Reached KB around 7.30am then took cabs went straight to the hotel my mom booked. The taxi was quite expensive : RM15 for one (we took 2). Besides the city and the hotel we stayed in was not that far. After freshen up, we went again to the city to have breakfast and 'visit' Pasar Siti Khadijah.

:)

This time, we took bus and it's only rm1 each.

Overall, it was fun!

:)

Alhamdulillah.