The Good Boy

It's been a while.
I guess there hasn't been much need to sit and reflect and write coz the days just pass so very fast! Until this week (had extracted the last 3 wisdom tooth and had time to recover at home).

I realize that sometimes, having too much time may not necessarily be a good thing as you tend to not realize that you're encroaching into other people's space. There's a common space, and then there's personal space. And when you unknowingly and happily stepped into personal space and gets told off, you back away. And hide in your cave once more.

Because it's safer that way. To be quiet. So that you don't offend anyone.

It's like that little boy who wants to get close to you. But push him away one too many times, and he will just walk away on his own. Because he is a good boy.

478 days later

Ah yes. I had wanted to perform Hajj before marriage. And she remembers. Mothers are awesome like that. Though I do hope that I do not have to wait till 2018.

It's been 478 days since I last wrote. Many things have happened since then. Work and sleep taking up most of my time.

On work

Work was tough. Politics. And I had contemplated on leaving - for i felt like i was the weakest link and the team needed a stronger guy. My future employers even had my email created and had assigned me mentors to assist in my transition but at the last moment, I decided to stay and see the project through no matter how painful and stressful it will be. And true enough, it only got tougher. Both the Senior Project Manager as well as the Senior Project Engineer resigned just as we were about to reach the 19th storey construction. I had no choice but to see the project through. It's been a stressful but truly enriching experience. It should be over when the year ends. *takes a deep breath and fights on*

Oh, there was the crane collapse on site that fortunately had no casualties early this year!

On Family

This August saw both twins disrupting from National Service. It's back to school for them and boy are they not liking it! Seeing them complaining to Mama about how tough Uni life is reminds me of my tough 4 years too. Still, they're often seen listening to online lectures and doing the tutorials. May Allah make it easy for them both. The sister and Mama are all well. I miss writing about the stories that Mama often share during late night dinner after my work.

On Sweet Distraction
It's been a while since I've been sweetly distracted.
And alhamdulillah. Parallel lines do meet. I can't begin to describe how it all began. Till next time!

“And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in peace and tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are signs for those who reflect”

Marriage. Weddings. Plans.

As the years roll on by, my cousins are starting to get engaged and eventually, married. One cant help but want to hop on the marriage train too.

Mama mentioned how everyone else seem busy with their children's wedding and such, but not her. And when asked why she doesnt really pressure her children (ie. me) to get married, she reminded me of my plans.

Ah yes. I had wanted to perform Hajj before marriage. And she remembers. Mothers are awesome like that. Though I do hope that I do not have to wait till 2018.

Occupation. Palestine. Al-Aqsa.

I recently went to Mecca, Madinah and Palestine simply because I had wanted to travel to places - but could not bring myself to do so until I had stepped foot into Masjidil Aqsa. I guess dear friends, this further shows how I like to make things hard for myself but the hadith was just stuck in my mind that whenever I tried to get around it, I can't. No Al-Aqsa, no Europe or Nepal or wherever it is that I dream of going. The hadith is as follows:

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيٌّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلاَّ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ، وَمَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) , and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem). [Bukhari]

Alhamdulillah, I've had the opportunity to set out on a second journey to Al-Masjidil Haraam and the Mosque of Allah's Messenger - and for the first time, to Al-Aqsa. Despite the close to 6 hr long wait at the Israeli immigration and the presence of armed guards within the Old City and all across Palestine, I fell in love with Al-Aqsa, Palestine and Palestinians. 

Which is why seeing the video below pains me. Israeli soldiers had stormed into the Al-Aqsa compound after Friday prayers - apparently after being thrown stones at by some youths. It pains me how them Israelis exert their control over the Palestinians. I used to be the guy who would point my finger at the youths for provoking the raid but not anymore. May Allah give patience to the Palestinians in their struggle against their oppressors. May Allah reward those who stood firm to defend the mosque against the violence of these oppressors. 

Stumbled upon a comment in the comments section of an Al-Jazeera's article which says: Rock throwers should be arrested, and those who used to fire from Warsaw ghettos at German soldiers should be given "pension", "compensation" and a "certificate". Perspective.

Post by ‎رضوان الأخرس‎.