Saturday 21 December 2013

Hyderabad (pt 5)

It's the last day and it's report collection day. The laboratory engineer emailed and he said we need to come earlier because there were some pages that we missed to initial and some corrections to be made. I hope it goes smoothly as we are leaving tonight (ahhhh... I miss my babies). And it's Friday ... mens will go for Friday prayer at noon.
Before going back Hassan is bringing us to one more interesting place in Hyderabad - the Ramoji Film City.  It's about 30km away from town and 10km from CPRI laboratory. This place is a dream world created for the celluloid on a sprawling 2000 acres (1666 acres told by the park tour guide) with every imaginable set and location.
Entrance fee is Rs700 for adult and Rs600 for child. No difference between locals and foreigners.
.
.
.
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Guess what.. I WILL NOT GO TO RAMOJI FILM CITY AGAIN.. EVER!
Ha ha.. well. That's just my opinion because I don't fancy hindi movies and all. This place is about movie sets. They created large parks and imitation buldings like airports,  libraries, hospitals, europe sidewalks, and japanese garden. Entertainment companies will come and hire the sets so that they don't have to go to those places.
Other famous places in Hyderabad are the Tank Bund (Buddha) at Husain Sagar lake, NTR park, Lumbini park, snow world, Birla Mandir Temple and the Hyderabad zoo featuring Himalayan white tiger.
Later after finalising the report we will go for dinner and off to airport. Yay!

Friday 20 December 2013

Hyderabad (Pt 4)

1. Salar Jung Museum
Well.. museums are museums.. showing all those things from the past. But I'm not really a museum person. He he
Guess what I've discovered? The museum shop!!!.. they sell real fresh water pearls.. and the price is 3 or 4 times lesser than the pearl shop that we went last night near charminar. So I bought a set of pearl necklace with earrings with price 3 times lower than my bracelet... grrr***
They also have a huge range of sarees. Cottons and silk. The price is again soo cheap compared to the wholesale saree shop that we went 2 days ago. And guess what.. I bought 5!  :p
Other things they have with very good price are keychains... pashminas.. Nizam diamond replicas and metal items like dagger etc.
2. Chowmahalla Palace
A really nice palace I must say. Details later :)
3. Golconda Fort
(Built in 1518, completed in1580)
Gol=sheep
Conda=hill
Guide fee:
1h30m full tour - Rs750
1h gnd tour - Rs600
14th century gate
Designed by persian king,  Qutub Shahib
Highest point of the fort.. 500ft asl, which was the kings meeting room.
We did not somehow stay for the light show which commenced at 6.30pm to 7.30pm daily
** Buy silk scarf (again)
Only "scarf shop" have the silk scarf that we like. We tried other shop but couldn't get the same quality/type and the price was rather expensive.
Today the Khans (shop owner) showed us their highest range of fabric.. Ashtous and Pashtous.. made from the best wool in the world from Kashmir. It took 9 month to 1 year to complete 1 scarf. And the price are from Rs20,000!
Btw, 3 terms I learned today in fabric making - handloom, handmade and machine.
** Collect suit at tailor
Wow!!! I love the suit. The pants and the blouse that I've ordered. Long blouse cost me only RM35 to RM45 max.. depending on the material. Because I love it so much I've ordered 2 more blouses and they can do it in 1 day. I paid in full and they will deliver it to the hotel by tomorrow. Yeay!!
According to the guide, we can also visit Falaknuma Palace. Previously a palace, now converted into 7 star hotel. Very nice place he said...
I saw also " Shankaran vizag" on a billboard. Will google more on this.
Well that ends for today.. later

Thursday 19 December 2013

Hyderabad (Pt 3)

Today Hassan brought us to a spice shop to buy sount (india aftermints). There are 2 types of sount - sount top & sount mix. Sount mix is a mixture of spices (**jintan putih etc.) And sount top is sweet sugary white aftermints. Eat together after every meal and you'll get the most refreshing feeling.
The spice shop
Must try this!
Sount mix
We then went to kurta shop where I've bought 2 pairs of men kurta and 1 boy kurta. All at the price of Rs4,000.
Kurta shop and other mens clothing
Next stop was the pearl shop. They have amazing collection of Hyderabad pearls from freshwater to salt water pearl. Their salt water pearl comes in different rare colors like yellow, pinknand black. Their AA grade salt water pearl bracelet cost around Rs60,000 (RM2,700) whilst their AAA grade pearl with gold cost around Rs40,000 (RM1,800)... all comes with free earrings.
Rare collection of seawater pearls
Well, no doubt the pearl bracelet was amazing but I wasn't prepared to buy expensive pearl... so I just grab myself a 2-line white freshwater pearls.
Before we end the night, Hassan again brought us to 4-seasons restaurant because of the kashmiri naan. we really love it besides other dishes that was also amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone visiting Hyderabad.
From top clockwise : grilled chicken, Kashmiri naan, mutton josh
I'm extremely full and sleepy now. See u readers again...soon

Hyderabad culture

Hyderabad is located in the Andhra Pradesh region where 75% are  Muslims. Nornally the Sunni and Syiah will live in the same area and the Hindus on the other side of the city. But these 3 never fight. Good ;)
Syiah and sunni have separate masjids normally located side by side. I notice they love to use tiger in their signage.. something like tigers were guiding the masjids, hokding swords.  These must be the syiahs. I don't know. I'll ask the locals.
Peoples are everywhere. And they have got sonething to do. Never sitting down doing nothing. They sell almost anything .. by the roadside.i even bought a huge tent for only Rs500 (RM25). that's awesome! 
And owh.. mens always seen to urinate on the wall.. by the roadside.. ewww
Homeless are everywhere. And there are also super rich people living in the city. Amazing culture. Awesome experience.
The best combination.. Rotti, Dhal and ginger prawn....!!!

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Hyderabad (Pt 2)

It's day 2... we start work very early today with ambition that we will complete most of the test as per schedule. But it didn't hapoen as planned.. there were some problem with the test sets and we completed the day with only 2 tests (out of 3) done.

The driver took us to the tailor downtown. . And guess what. . I spent Rs7,600 (close to RM400) to get 3 trousers.. 2 suits.. and 2 blouses. Amazing!


Fitting at tailors for our suits
I bought also 1 very fine saree.. a really nice one ; ) also 2 ladies kurta. Awesome...
We then had middle east dinner at the 4 seasons restaurant. Awesome foods!! I would highly recommend Kashmiri Naan. It's sooooo good. The mutton soup is also marvelous. And the lamb kabsah.. everything! And it cost so little.


My fine saree.. Yay!


My Rs 2,500 saree(around RM125)

Choosing the nicest saree. price range is huge...


Awesome meals at 4 seasons
From top clockwise : ?? naan, utton kabsah, chicken kurma, mint chilli blended
Owh ..forgot to mention.. yesterday we ate at Paradise.. awesome curry and briyani
That ends day 2. I'm super tired.
Bye2

Our driver Hasan was so kind to bring us to his house. He wanted to introduce his family to us
From Left : Sufyan, Hasan's wife, Me, Hasan's daughter in law, Salman, Hasan, Ian Lee
My most favourite - indian aftermints (soft)

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Hyderabad (Pt 1)

It's day 1.. don't have much time to look around but we were lucky enough to have a very nice driver who was willing to drive us around the city and show us few main attractions of Hyderabad.
First he showed us the Buddha in the middle of Husin Sagar Lake. Then he brought us to a craft shop, where I bought a silk scarf... a very fine one. Cost me Rs1,000 (around RM50+)
We then went to the Nizam Museum to see stuff from the King Nizam's empire... full of silver and gold I must say.
Then we went to the charminar and Mecca Masjid. The entrance for charminar is Rs5 for local and Rs100 for foreigners.  Crazy!
View of Charminar (left with 4 minarets) from Makkah Masjid
So what is Charminar? It is as much signature of Hyderabad as the Eiffel Tower of Paris and was built by the founder of Hyderabad Md. Quli Qutub Shah in 1591. The four graceful minarets stand at the heart of the city in the midst of the busy market.
Charminar and muslim ladies of Hyderabad
And why Macca Masjid? The moqsue is situated adjacent to Charminar.  A few bricks from Mecca which are embedded in the walls of this impressive mosque gave its name. Originally started by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, it was completed by the conqueror Aurangazeb.
He then wanted to bring us to the bangle and jewellery shop but we were too tired and all we need was just to go back to the hotel and rest.
So good nite for today.
Ta ta

Hyderabad, India

Assalamualaikum. . Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. ..
I'm travelling again. Suprise huh!
I really thought that Saudi will be my last overseas trip for 2013. Rezeki.. Alhamdulillah
I was a bit scared. Sceptical about India... people say so many things about India. About the food.. the water.. the air etc.
I did not have much time to prepare (medicine, thermal flask, mask etc.) or even pack my bag. Only started packing at 4.30pm and the cab arrived at 6.15pm. He he
So that night we left for Hyderabad at about 10.20pm and supposed to arrive in 4 hours.
May Allah bless our journey.
Insyaallah

Friday 13 December 2013

Happy Birthday

Yay. .. it's our birthday today.
Thank u Allah for giving us another year to live
Alhamdulillah
We went out to Bubba Gump @ Sunway Pyramid to have some dinner celebration. Apparently my darling husband had requested for a suprise bithdy treat for the birthday girls. And the staff came and requested us to stand on the chair and give some speech to each other. They sang for us an they suprised us with a warn chocolate cake with awesone vanilla ice cream. It was great...
We then had our "ritual tradition" of gift-changing "ceremony"... and came to the suprise.. we both bought each other BODY SHOPs... ha ha.. TWINS! !
So that ended our awesome birthday dinner.
Syukur alhamdulillah

Saturday 30 November 2013

Kilat Bikers blogger

26 Nov 2013 - Alhamdulillah... after long delayed.. requested by En Suffian a.k.a Bro Yen.. finally I came out with our TNB Kilat Bikers blog page..

It doesn't take 1 night to nicely write and package everything that has started over a year ago.. I hope our friends will all come forward to help me with this blog..

Come visit our new blog... http://kilatbikers.blogspot.com/


Sunday 17 November 2013

Back home

Assalamualaikum dear readers...

I'm back home finally. It has been more than a week now.. it's 13th Muharram 1435H and we left Madinah on 2nd Muharram 1435H. I was too busy with so many things.. flying here and there,, and finally now get to sit in front of my home pc. I hope I can blog something...

OK, so we left Madinah on the 6th November 2013 or 2nd Muharram 1435H at 7am flight. But the flight was delayed by 45minutes. So we arrived Malaysia on the 6th November night -- not 8.30pm but 9.15pm. Tt and Abe Irfan (& clans) was supposed to wait for us at the arrival hall but since they have waited for so long they have left for prayer and met us at the arrival maybe around 10.15pm. Pity them, it's a working night and yet still at the airport picking us up. Thank you guys!

On the 7th Nov, at 4.30pm me and hubs left for Kota Bharu to pick us kids. Alhamdulillah we met Aril and Yana and Mok Ayah later that evening, and Syasya much more later that night at Mok's house (** thanks to Wan & Beja for bringing Syasya to us ASAP). We owe everyone so much.. May Allah bless all.. Insya Allah.

Then on the 12th November (Tuesday) we attended Syasya's Hari Anugerah kecemerlangan pelajar at SK Alor Lintah. Came to our surprise, even for only a short 1.5month schooling at SKAL, she has won the best student for Standard 1 and best for 6 subjects!. Alhamdulillah. We are so proud of you kakak! **hugs**

We drove back to KL after Zuhur prayer (around 3pm) and arrived Puchong at 11pm (or later). It was so hectic as I have to iron all clothing for Kakak & Aril and prepare nursery bags for all 3 of them. Thank you Allah for giving me strength.

We went to work on Wednesday! phew!..

So now back to work.. normal routine all over again.. but I've promised to myself, I'll look at it from a different angle. Life is so perfect. We are very lucky if we make ourselves lucky! Remember that..

**stay positive**

Wassalam

#I'll blog about Madinah soon

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Wada'.......

1 Muharram 1435H (4 Nov 2013) 
It's the final night in Madinah al-Munawwarah... I wanted to blog something.. just anything...but I can't. ..
I just can't..........
#the holiest 46 days journey of a lifetime
 

Saturday 2 November 2013

Makkah journey (pt12) - Summary

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Dengan nama Allah yang maha pemurah lagi maha mengasihani. Segala puji bagi Allah. Tuhan sekalian alam..

Terdapat 3 jenis kerja Haji yang diringkaskan seperti berikut :

1. Haji Tamattuk : Umrah dahulu kemudian Haji
2. Haji Ifraf : Haji dahulu baru Umrah
3. Haji Qiran : Haji dan Umrah dikerjakan serentak

Kesemua kerja Haji harus dilaksanakan di dalam bulan-bulan Haji iaitu daripada 1 Syawal hingga 30 Zulhijjah.

Berikut ringkasan kerja Haji bagi yang melakukan Haji Tamattuk  :-

UMRAH

1. Niat
Sekiranya memasuki Mekah dahulu, harus siap berpakaian ihram di Malaysia kerana tempat bermiqat (niat Umrah) adalah di Qarnul Manazil (80km dari kota suci Mekah).
Sekiranya memasuki Madinah dahulu, boleh berpakaian ihram di Madinah dan berniat umrah di Bir Ali.

2. Tawaf & Sa'ie
Setelah tiba di Masjidilharam, harus mengerjakan Tawaf & Sa'ie sebanyak 7 pusingan. Sa'ie tidak sah sekiranya tawaf tidak sah.

3. Bercukur / bergunting
Hendaklah menggugurkan rambut barang 3 helai atau mencukur bagi lelaki bagi melepaskan keseluruhan larangan ihram

HAJI

1. Niat
Pada 8 Zulhijjah, hendaklah berniat ihram Haji sebelum keluar ke Tanah Halal Arafah

2. Wuquf di Arafah (rukun)
Berada walau seketika di Arafah dari gelincir matahari (Zohor) pada 9 Zulhijjah hingga terbit fajar 10 Zulhijjah

3. Mabit di Muzdalifah
Berada di Muzdalifah selepas setengah malam 10 Zulhijjah

4. Mabit di Mina
Bermalam di Mina (lebih setengah malam) pada malam-malam 11, 12 & 13 Zulhijjah.

5. Melontar Jamrah
- Melontar Jamrah Aqabah pada 10 Zulhijjah
- Melontar ketiga-tiga jamrah (Sughra, Wusta & Aqabah)

6. Tawaf & Sa'ie rukun
- Tawaf baitullah 7 pusingan
- Sa'ie dari Bukit Safa ke Bukit Marwah

Thursday 31 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt11) - Tawaf Wada'

Tawaf Wada'
28 Oct 2013 - It's finally it... hari terakhir di Kota Suci Makkah. Kota yang penuh barakah. Kota yang dijanjikan pelbagai syafaat oleh Allah s.w.t.
Seawal jam 2pg, kami bersiap-siap untuk ke Masjidilharam. . Kami harus melakukan wajib haji yang terakhir - Tawaf Wada'. Tawaf Wada ialah tawaf selamat tinggal. Wajib dilakukan oleh sesiapa sahaja yang mengunjungi baitullah dan akan meninggalkan nya sejauh 2 marhalah atau lebih. Kalau tak dikerjakan, Haji tetap sah namun berdosa jika sengaja. Nauzubillah. ..
Tepat jam 3pg kami terus melakukan tawaf Wada' di dataran Ka'abah. Betul kata Ustaz Shafiee. .. inilah dia tawaf yang paling sayu..... 7 pusingan dirasakan terlalu cepat. Kalau boleh dibekukan masa, kami mahu bekukan. Tapi sesuatu yang telah dimulakan harus diakhiri biarpun pahit. Doa kami hanya satu.. "Ya Allah ya tuhanku, jangan kau jadikan tawaf ini tawaf yang terakhir buatku.. Kau jemputlah kami lagi ke rumahmu Ya Allah"
Selesai 7 pusingan, kami berundur beberapa langkah. Adalah biadap kiranya belakang dipalingkan ke baitullah yang suci. Setelah berundur, kami mencari-cari tempat untuk solat sunat tawaf dan tempat untuk berdoa buat kali terakhir untuk kali ini. Syukur alhamdulillah seperti diatur, satu ruang kosong bagai "disediakan" khas untuk kami di hadapan Multazam. Kami terus bersolat pengakhiran dan berdoa sepuas-puasnya seperti tiada lagi peluang selepas ini.
Selesai berdoa, bilal melaungkan azan subuh pertama.. jam 4 pagi... terlalu sayu kerana kami tidak dapat menunggu untuk bersolat subuh yang dijadualkan masuk waktu pada jam 5 pagi. Kami terpaksa meninggalkan Masjidilharam dengan segera. Apa-apa amalan sunat yang lain akan membatalkan tawaf Wada' tadi.
Sebelum jam 5, kami tiba di maktab. Sebaik azan Subub berkumandang, terus kami kerjakan solat Subuh di surau M. Terlalu sedih.
Jam 6 pagi, deretan 10 buah bas yang akan membawa jemaah KT38 ke Madinah telah bersedia di perkarangan maktab. Kami mengisi beg kami dengan hati yang berat dan sayu. Mohon Allah jemput kami
lagi.
Insyaallah.. Aminn...
## Tepat jam 7pg, bas kami bergerak menuju Madinah.. Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
## Pic : With pretty gals of Maktab 100. U girls awesome

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt10) - Tawaf & Sa'ie rukun

Tawaf & Sa'ie Rukun Haji
Syukur alhamdulillah. . Kesyukuran dipanjatkan ke hadrat Ilahi atas kurniamu. Tiada anugerah yang lebih baik melainkan jemputanmu mengerjakan rukun Islam ke-5 ini. Dan tiada lain yang kami dambakan melainkan sebuah Haji yang mabrur. Haji yang tiada lain balasannya melainkan Syurgamu Ya Allah.  Ma shaa Allah. .
Syukur alhamdulillah akhirnya selesai kami mengerjakan yang rukun iaitu Tawaf & Sa'ie Haji. Maka dengan itu selesailah semua kerja-kerja Haji sepertimana digariskan di dalam kitab dan hadismu Ya Allah. Dengan selesainya tugasan Haji ini tidak bermakna kami dengan bangganya boleh membawa "title" Haji atau Hajjah di hadapan nama kami.. tugas kami lebih besar.. kami perlu teruskan segalanya yang baik walaupun setelah kembalinya kami ke tanah air nanti.
Maksud Haji mabrur yang sebenar bukanlah diukur dari sebanyak mana Umrah yang dia lakukan.. mahupun sebanyak mana solat yang dia dapat kerjakan di Masjidil haram. . Tidak juga sebanyak mana sedekah yang dia hulurkan pada faqir-faqir miskin di Tanah Haram yang mulia ini.... tetapi kemabruran haji yang sebenar diukur atas tahap keikhlasannya beribadat kepada Allah s.w.t dan seterusnya beristiqamah sekembalinya ke tanah air nanti. Adakah dia akan terus berpuasa Isnin dan Khamis? Adakah dia akan terus menghulurkan sedeqah dan bantuan pada yang memerlukan? Adakah dia akan terus berkata-kata yang baik? Adakah takkan lekang dari bibirnya menyebut zikrullah? Adakah dia akan berubah menjadi manusia yang sebenar-benarnya manusia yang dicintai Allah??? MashaAllah. .. Kau golongkan aku di dalam orang-orang mukmin ya Allah.  Amin ya Rabb.....
Tak dapat banyak boleh saya katakan di sini. Hati terlalu sebak memikirkan masa yang semakin singkat untuk meninggalkan bumi Haram yang mulia ini. Terlalu sayu dan pilu. Tinggal beberapa hari saja lagi... hari ini Rabu. Esok Khamis. Sabtu pengumpulan bagasi. Isnin Tawaf Wada'..... yakni tawaf Selamat tinggal..............entah bila akan berpeluang ke rumah Allah lagi...............

Saturday 19 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt8) - Mina

Mabit Mina & Melontar Jamrah
Alhamdulillah tiba kami di Mina pada awal pagi 10 Zulhijjah 1434H dimana kami terus dibawa masuk ke khemah untuk segera melaksanakan solat Subuh yang hampir luput.
Setelah itu kami berehat di dalam khemah dan meneruskan ibadat masing2 sementara menunggu waktu melontar yang dijadualkan selepas Maghrib bagi KT38. Namun terdapat juga beberapa jemaah yang ingin mengejar waktu dhuha dan terus menuju tempat melontar pada pagi 10 Zulhijjah tersebut. Setelah selesai melontar Jamrah Aqabah pada 10 Zulhijjah, jemaah bolehlah bergunting. Dengan itu terhasillah Nafar Awwal dimana jemaah telah bebas dari 10 larangan ihram. Walaubagaimanapun, masih ada 3 larangan ihram yang berbaki iaitu larangan bernikah, menikahkan & persetubuhan suami isteri.
Selepas jemaah selesai melontar hari pertama, laungan talbiah telah digantikan dengan takbir hari raya. Hati amat tersentuh dan dikala inilah airmata berlinangan mengenangkan bilakah lagi akan mendapat peluang panggilan istimewa ini lagi dari Ilahi. Ma shaa Allah!
Masuk hari ke-2, 11 Zulhijjah 1434H. Kami dijadualkan untuk melontar pada waktu malam seperti sebelumnya. Namun setelah mendengar tazkirah Maghrib pada malam sebelumnya, dikatakan waktu paling afdal melontar adalah seperti berikut :
10 Zulhijjah (Jamrah Aqabah/Kubra) :- Waktu dhuha
11, 12, 13 Zulhijjah (Jamrah Sughra, Wusta, Aqabah/Kubra) :- Gelincir matahari (Zuhur) hingga terbenam matahari (Maghrib)
Kami terus mengubah jadual kami dan keluar melontar pada jam 4.30ptg bersama jemaah dari timur tengah. Kami tiba di jamrat pada jam 5.30ptg dan selesai lontaran pada jamrah ketiga beberapa ketika sebelum laungan azan Maghrib. Alhamdulillah
Hari ke-3, 12 Zulhijjah 1434H... Kami keluar melontar seawal jam 9 pagi kerana dikatakan waktu paling afdal berdoa ialah ketika terbit matahari dan antara tempat mustajab berdoa adalah di ketiga-tiga jamrat. Wallahualam
Masuk hari terakhir, 13 Zulhijjah 1434H... kesemua jemaah begitu bersemangat untuk keluar melontar bagi menyempurnakan wajib haji yang terakhir. Ada yang keluar seawal 4 pagi dan menunggu azan Subuh di sekitar jamrah. Selesai bersolat mereka terus menyempurnakan wajib haji yang terakhir tersebut.
Bagi kami, KT38 dijadualkan keluar melontar pada jam 5.30 pagi maka kami menunggu di khemah untuk menunaikan solat fardhu Subuh dan terus keluar selepas itu.
Tiba di jamrah pertama, hati begitu sebak. Perasaan yang tidak dapat ditahan.  Perasaan bercampur baur - sedih, gembira, sayu, ......
Kami teruskan melontar untuk diri kami dan untuk 2 org makcik uzur di khemah yang saya tolong wakilkan dari hari pertama - Tok Jariah bt. Ibrahim dan Mami Hawa Bee bt. Umar..
Masuk jamrah ke-3, perasaan sebak tidak dapat ditahan lagi. Airmata terus keluar seperti bayi baru dilahirkan. Tersangat sayu rasanya mengenangkan akan meninggalkan bumi Mina dalam sekejap masa lagi tanpa mengetahui adakah akan sampai lagi ke Tanah Haram yang suci ini. MashaAllah. .
Doa diiringi selepas selasai melontar di Jamratul Aqabah/Kubra ataupun dikenali juga sebagai Big Jamarah...
Sayu - akan meninggalkan bumi mina
Gembira - selesai wajib haji yang terakhir
Bersyukur - dikurniakan peluang menunaikan haji
Sebak - adakah akan dijemput lagi??!
Selesai berdoa kami terus berjalan menuju terowong Muaisim sejauh kira-kira 3 km menuju ke perkhemahan Mina maktab 100. Jumlah jauh perjalanan pergi - balik berkemungkinan dalam 5 km. Tidak terasa jauhnya apabila berjalan bersama ribuan umat manusia yang semuanya dambakan keredhaan Tuhannya yang 1 - Allah ta'ala

Friday 18 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt9) - Masha'er

Operasi Masha'er
Alhamdulillah alhamdulillah alhamdulillah
Kesyukuran dipanjatkan ke hadrat ilahi.. setelah 6 hari 5 malam kami berjaya menempuh operasi Masha'er yang begitu mancabar dan menguji kesabaran dan keimanan setiap jemaah haji. Pelbagai ragam dapat dilihat dan seterusnya dapat dipelajari daripada setiap saat saya berada di Arafah - Muzdalifah - Mina
Pelbagai isu timbul sepanjang berada di Tanah Halal Arafah & Tanah Haram Muzdalifah dan Mina antaranya isu penempatan khemah.. rakan se-khemah.. cuaca kering dan panas.. aircond rosak.. kesesakan tandas.. merokok dalam khemah.. hilang barang.. dan sebagainya. Tidak ketinggalan rungutan - gelak tawa - gurau senda setiap kali waktu makan dan macam2 lagi ragam jemaah haji.
Namun misi kami satu - mencapai haji yang mabrur. . Iaitu haji yang diterima Allah yakni balasannya syurga. Ma shaa Allah!
Dapat saya saksikan kesungguhan para jemaah beribadat, berzikir, bersolat dan berdoa memohon keampunan Nya. Kami insan yang terlalu kecil dan tiada lain tempat untuk memohon melainkan dengan Allah s.w.t
Semoga Allah mendengar rintihan hati kami dan mengurniakan haji dambaan kami.. Haji yang mabrur.
Amin ya Rabb
That's our Ustaz Shafi'ee Kasa from TH Penang.. and opss. kak Ida..my soon to be Madinah hotel mate

Makkah journey (pt7) - Mabit Muzdalifah

Mabit Muzdalifah
We arrived Muzdalifah at 9.20pm and find our spot for prayer and zikrullah in an open, dark and dusty field. This is when we have to remind ourselves on "gambaran alam kubur" where thousand of people is placed in one small and cramped space. Our only friend in Muzdalifah zikrullah and patience.
In Muzdalifah while waiting for the bus to Mina, we took the chance to collect small stones for "melontar" in Mina.
The mabit time started after half the night of 10 Zulhijjah which was declared to be at 11.30pm. First bus leaving Muzdalifah to Mina was at 12.30 midnight.
After hours of waiting I see people showing their temper - loosing patience. Nauzubillah!. These people are tired and were not happy about them having to wait for a long time for the bus. This is exactly the purpose of the entire thing - controlling our temper and be patience. PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE
Alhamdulillah finally at 5.30am we board our bus to Mina and arrived at 6.30am (only 6.8km.. just imagine the traffic!)
Masha'Allah
I thanks Allah for giving me patience through this entire journey. Alhamdulillah

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt6) - Wuquf Arafah

Wuquf at Arafah
It's the day. It's finally here. Today is 8 Zulhijjah 1434H (13 Oct 2013, Sunday) or it's called Hari Tarwiyah. Today millions of pilgrims go to Arafat for preparation of Wuquf on 9 Zulhijjah.
We were prepared since early morning and we were told not to leave our room that day. Finally at 1.45pm we heard the first announcement for KT15 to go to the lobby. Later at 2.30pm KT38 was called. At 3pm we board our bus - bus no 37.
Alhamdulillah at 3.20pm the bus was ready and left for Arafah. Again alhamdulillah we arrived Arafah around  30 minutes later at 4.05pm. The traffic was clear and there was no other problem. Syukur alhamdulillah alhamdulillah alhamdulillah. Terima kasih Allah!
10 people were allocated in a 3x3 meter square shaped open tent. Syukur alhamdulillah. About 4x10 toilets were available for about 3,000++ people. It sounds impossible but alhamdulillah I felt very comfortable in Arafah.. sleeping in an open tent, staying under hot sun without any ventilation for hours, food that not many can eat etc.
That night in Arafah, I slept at 9pm after having dinner etc. At 2am I was woked up with Imam's (maybe ustaz Syukri) beautiful voice from the surau reading zikrullah etc. They are about to perform tahajjud prayer. At first i was sitting my tent but later I joined a small crowd forming solat "saf" at the open field.  I want to feel closer to Allah when the sky is directly above me. Ma shaa Allah.
At 9.30am, ustaz Shafiee started Arafah tazkirah and one thing I will not forget is that on Wuquf day, thousands of "penghuni neraka" will be released as Allah will forgive His hamba on this day. Ma shaa Allah!!
It was also told that Allah will come down from the Arasy and say "these are the people who wants my Jannah..I will forgive people who asked for my forgiveness". The most "mustajab" time for prayer (doa) is from Asar to Maghrib time.
Sharp at 12.06pm, it is wuquf time. The Iman read the first khutbah and then followed with azan Zohor, which was when the second khutbah was read.Alhamdulillah everything went well with the zikrullah etc. We prayed hard for Allah's forgiveness and we hope that Allah will grant our wishes.  Aminn
I thank Allah for giving me patience throughout this holy Arafah journey. TERIMA KASIH ALLAH
At 5pm the first bus left Arafah for the next "wajib haji" - mabit di Muzdalifah.
Our bus for KT38 finally departed Arafah at 8.50pm and arrived Muzdalifah (8km) at 9.20pm due to the heavy traffic.
Note :
What is the story behind this Arafah Wuquf?
- It was when the prophet Muhammad s.a.w delivered his first and last Khutbah Wada' (last khutbah) on 9 Zulhijjah 10H in front of 100, 000 to 140, 000 pilgrims that time. He reminded all Muslims to be truthful and etc. Never leave Islam and we will never be lost. Insyaallah
- It was also told that in Jabal Rahmah (Arafah) was where and when Allah finally grant forgiveness to Nabi Adam and Hawa after years of praying for forgiveness when they have made their biggest mistake by not obeying to Allah's rule in Heaven.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt5) - Ziarah Hudaibiah

Ziarah Hudaibiah

28 September 2013, ziarah ke-2 kami anjuran TH yang akan membawa kami melihat ladang ternakan unta, Muzium Haramain dan Masjid Hudaibiah. Ziarah ini merupakan ziarah yang paling pendek tetapi tetap bermakna.

Kali ini kami dipimpin oleh seorang mutawwif kelahiran Pattani yang kini tinggal di Kota Suci Mekah. Beliau menggunakan dialek kelantan/siam sepanjang ziarah yang kadangkala menjadi penyebab geli hati dikalangan kami yang memahami bahasa tersebut ..I.e Murih=marah :)

Jam 11pagi kami dibawa terus ke tempat ternakan unta di tepi lebuhraya menuju ke Masjid Hudaibiah. Disana kami dapat lihat bagaimana unta dibela di tengah padang pasir yang begitu panas tanpa sepohon pokok atau peneduh pun yang melindungi mereka. Ma shaa Allah. Susu unta juga diperah dan dijual pada harga SR5 sebotol (kecil).

Kemudian kami dibawa ke Masjid Hudaibiah dimana tempat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w membuat perjanjian Hudaibiah. Kami sempat menunaikan solat zohor di Masjid Hudaibiah pada jam 12.15 tghr.

Akhir sekali kami dibawa ke Muzium Haramain (Muzeum of the Two Holy Mosques) dimana dipamerkan barang-barang bersejarah berkaitan Masjidilharam dan Masjid Al-Nabawi Madinah. Lawatan hanya mengambil masa 10-15 minit sahaja dan alhamdulillah kami sempat mempelajari dan melihat barang bersejarah seperti binaan Ka'abah dsb.

Kami dibawa semula kembali ke maktab selepas itu. Alhamdulillah

Makkah journey (pt4) - Ziarah Makkah

Ziarah Kota Makkah

26 September 2013.. Ziarah pertama kami anjuran Tabung Haji. Dengan bayaran sebanyak SR25, kami dibawa ke beberapa tempat bersejarah mekah dan dipimpin oleh seorang mutawwif berasal dari Tanah Merah Kelantan yang kini menetap di Madinah.

Kami bergerak meninggalkan hotel seawal 7.30 pagi dan menuju terus ke Jabal Thur (Bukit Thur). Disini merupakan tempat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w bersembunyi dari kaum kafir Quraish yang berniat membunuh Baginda.

Seterusnya kami dibawa ke Arafah (Jabal Rahmah) dimana adalah tempat terakhir Baginda s.a.w menyampaikan khutbah wada' (terakhir) sebelum baginda wafat. Disini juga merupakan tempat ayat Al-Quran yang terakhir turun. Ada juga pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa disinilah tempat Nabi Adam dan Siti Hawa dipertemukan setelah berpuluh-puluh tahun terpisah dan memohon keampunan di atas dosa mereka. Untuk itu adalah amat digalakkkan agar umat Islam berdoa memohon keampunan kepada Allah disini. Waktu yang di katakan paling munajab doa adalah pada hari Arafah, 9 Zulhijjah sewaktu hampir terbenam matahari. Wallahualam Insyaallah. .

Kemudian kami dibawa pula ke Muzdalifah (tempat mabit dan mengutip anak batu untuk melontar) dan ke Mina dimana berjuta umat Islam akan berkumpul untuk menyempurkan wajib Haji iaitu melontar Jamrah pada 10, 11, 12 & 13 Zulhijjah. Terdapat 2 kawasan Mina iaitu Mina Jamrat dan Mina Muaisin dimana kawasan Mina Jamrat adalah lebih dekat dan terletaknya khemah-khemah VVIP manakala pihak Muassasah biasanya akan berkhemah di kawasan Mina Muaisin yang terletak lebih kurang 3.5 km dari tiang tiang Jamrat.

Seterusnya kami ditunjukkan Jabal Nur dimana pada Nabi berusia 40 tahun, Baginda telah bertapa di Gua Hira' dan disinilah juga tempat turunnya wahyu Allah yang pertama iaitu Surah Iqra'.

Akhir sekali kami dibawa ke Ja'ranah iaitu merupakan tempat Miqat bagi Baginda s.a.w yang jaraknya 30km dari kota Mekah. Dikatakan sekiranya bermiqat disini untuk membuat umrah akan mendapat pahala 7 kali umrah. Insya Allah

Saturday 12 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt3) - Umrah sunat

Umrah sunat..
Day 3 in Mecca.. we felt that we have gained enough energy for our very first umrah sunat. So on 24 Sep 2013, after Subuh we took a taxi (SR5) to Tan'aim. It's the nearest place for Miqat. We arrived Masjid Aisya and perform our solat sunat umrah. Then Niat!
We went back to Tanah Haram Mekah amd perform the tawwaf and sa'ie.. Alhamdulillah all completed by 11am.
Couple of days later (29/9), we joined a random group from our hotel.. went again to Tan'aim for our second umrah. We went at 3am and completed the umrah at 7am. Alhamdulillah. ..
Then we decided no more umrah sunat as the Wuquf day is coming closer and the crowd is flooding the Haram at exponential rate. So we only focus on other ibadah and try our best to perform tawwaf sunat as many as possible.
For me, besides saving my energy for THE BIG DAY, I have to avoid umrah sunat because I might suddenly get my period and if I did not complete my umrah before Wuquf day, then my Hajj will automatically become Haji Qiran.. which I have to avoid.
Sharing some info :
"Sesiapa yg tawaf di Ka'abah 7 pusingan genap, pahalanya umpama memerdekakan seorang hamba"
"Rasulullah s.w.t mendoakan kpd yg bercukur dgn keampunan dan rahmat sebanyak 3 kali, sedangkan yg bergunting sekali sahaja"
Me and darling hubby
Me and lil bro, Ikram

Thursday 10 October 2013

Makkah journey (pt2) - Going there

21 September 2013, 9.30pm @ Kelana Jaya;
15 Zulkaedah 1434H;
KT 38 (First flight KUL-JED);
Maktab 100;
Bas 01;
Rehab Jenadriyah Hotel..
Those are the information that I may not forget in my entire life. Insyaallah. .
Too meaningful :) :)
Our flight was on the 22 Sep 2013, 1.30am.. dikejutkan oleh pramugara 30 minutes before arriving Jeddah. It was out Miqat - Qarnul Manazil. That was where and we when we shall niat out Haji (Tamattuk). If we pass that mark, Haji is "sah" tapi dikenakan "dam". The moment kami lafaz niat maka bermulalah ihram Haji. Kesemua 13 pantang larang ihram wajib dijaga sebaik2nya.
Moga Allah mudahkan...
We arrived in Jeddah at about 5am. Sempat solat subuh dalam arrival hall while waiting for the custom clearance. Then dibawa ke tempat menunggu until about 8am.. then we board our bus going to Tanah Haram Mekah..
About 10am we arrived Hotel. Alhamdulillah. . All is well... pihak TH hantar beg2 kami ke bilik while we were resting. I was the first one to check in our 6-bedded room.. the rest arrived quite late due to miscellaneous problems. Mohon Allah sentiasa lindungi kami. Insyaallah.
Menurut jadual TH, para jemaah akan dibawa ke Masjidilharam utk selesaikan umrah wajib pada jam 9pm. Tp kami semacam merasakan panggilan Kaabah and we went ourselves for Asar prayer (around 3pm). MashaAllah.. experience that I will never forget.. seeing the Holy Kaaba for the first time in front of my eye. MashaAllah. .
But later that night, we still follow TH to AlHaram to complete our umrah wajib. Alhamdulillah. . All went well...
Us at Al-Helwah boutique @ As-Safwah tower

Makkah journey (pt1) - The Holy City

Alhamdulillah alhamdulillah alhamdulillah. .
Tiada ucapan lain yg lebih tepat bagi menggambarkan perasaan saya ketika ini. Terlalu besar nikmat Allah. Terlalu hebat pemberiannya.. Maka setiap nikmat itu wajiblah disyukuri dengan ucapan Subhannallah Alhamdulillah Allahuakbar!
It's day-19 in the Holy City - Makkah Al Mukarramah. Everything has been going on very smoothly. Alhamdulillah. The daily routine is only focused on ibadah. No work.. nothing!
We woke up as early as 2am or 3am as a preparation to go to Masjidilharam. Our hotel Rehab AlJenadriyah is located about 950 meters from the Holy mosque. We can either take van (2 riyal) or taxi (maybe 3 or 5 riyal, but sometimes also 2!) Or bus (1 or 2 riyal).. but lately with more pilgrims arriving, the police has closed the main roads to allow people to walk.. so most of the time walking is our routine.
Anyhow that is not the the reason to skip the chance of praying in Masjidilharam where Allah has promised 120 "rahmat" for those who:
60 rahmat : Ppl tawwaf around the Kaa'ba
40 rahmat : Ppl praying in front of it
20 rahmat : Ppl just looking at it
And not to forget, Allah promises 100,000 ganjaran for those who do good deeds in Tanah Haram.
Masha'Allah!!
MAKKAH IS MAGIC!
When we arrived the temperature goes up to 45°C. Amazingly, we can stand the heat. Just imagine walking such a long distance, in that heat, with very harsh environment.. Allah make it easy for us. Alhamdulillah. ..
BTW now the temperature has drop maybe around 30.5°C. Alhamdulillah. ..
And why do I have time to blog? It's actually THE time of the month.. I've promised myself to make full use of every second I'm here. I want to record this journey. I want to remember my entire life. I want everyone to feel the same feeling like I'm having ----- the love of Mecca feeling

Saturday 21 September 2013

The ultimate journey

Dengan lafaz Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. .
Ingin saya meluahkan rasa bersyukur yang tak terhigga pada Allah s.w.t kerana telah memberi peluang kepada kami dengan menjemput kami insan lemah ini ke rumahmu ya Allah...
It is such a long wait .. tetapi penantiannya amat berbaloi!
Kami telah selamat melapor diri di Kelana Jaya hari ini. Proses alhamdulillah lancar. Pergerakan para jemaah menaiki bas ke KLIA dari Kelana Jaya berjalan sepertimana dirancang.
Terima kasih tak terhingga pada rakan sahabat dan keluarga yang bersusah payah menghantar kami baik dirumah mahupun di KJ. It really meant a lot to us. Syukran!
Insyaallah akan tiba di KLIA beberapa minit lagi. Konvoi sekurang-kurangnya 10 buah bas diiringi polis trafik begitu lancar. Syukur alhamdulillah.
Mohon semoga Allah permudahkan perjalanan kami dan mengurniakan Haji yang mabrur.
In shaa Allah

Vancouver part 2

Vancouver trip was pretty short for me. I have only couple of days there and the conference was so packed with programs day and night. But I enjoyed it ..as usual!
Besides vancouver city, I went to Grouse Montain and the capilano suspension bridge. The view was awesome. Not too far from downtown. Just catch your free shuttle at Canada Place. It will take on 30 minutes across the Lions gate bridge and wvallah.
The entrance fee for Grouse mountain varies. You can take the basic $39 or up to $229 if you want to have an 8 minutes helicopter experience. I just took the $55 which includes going up the mountain via cable cars and the wind turbine viewing deck. Very nice!!
For adventurous people you can try the zip line ($110) or even paragliding ($220++)
I did not have time to go to Whistler. It is a very famous ski resort and cost from $125 (day trip by bus). There is also a scenic view trip via classical mountain train which cost at $200++
I'll continue blogging about vancouver soon. See ya!!

Sunday 8 September 2013

Vancouver

Gosh . It's another great journey..

I am here at Vancouver, Canada BC.. lovely and lively city indeed!!!

The journey was too long but I manage not to have jet-lag. Yay!

From KL I flew 6 hours to Narita, Tokyo.. stop over for an hour and a half.. then continue for another 9 hours flight to LA. Transit for 5 hours in LA. Sadly, Terminal 2 is very small. Maybe 4 or 5 shops only. I was bored but luckily the VIP Lounge was quite awesome (well, not too awesome tho)... hihi...Finally from LA I took Air Canada, 3 hours flight and arrived Vancouver at 1030pm. The meal prepared by MAS and Air Canada was great!!

Vancouver airport was not too big.. taxi is available easily and it cost me around CAD50 to arrive to the hotel.

Had a great night rest because the Hotel provide me a suite!!!! Lucky me :) ;)