Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (KCB)...

Salam..

It has been a long time since I made a post in this blog.. I intentionally left it for my dear hubby to write in this blog.. hehe.. I have actually wrote 2 posts but then I keep them as drafts (for the time being).. still need some adjustments before I can publish them.. will do so when time permits..:)

For this entry, I would like to bring your attention to an Indonesian movie entitled "Ketika Cinta Bertasbih".. it is a movie adapted from a novel written by Habiburahman El Shirazy.. if I'm not mistaken, this is the second movie adapted from his novel (after "Ayat-ayat Cinta")..

I was introduced to KCB by K.Riza quite some time ago.. but only last week did I watch it.. Subhanallah.. it is a beautiful movie made in the course of da'wah.. a movie that makes us think & realised that we are far from the true teachings of Islam especially when it comes to love & marriage..

Too many things have been so common nowadays.. too many that we have become desensitized by some mistakes & wrongdoings.. I take one example, in engagement ceremony.. (okay, I did have an engagement ceremony as well..).. there are certain things that has changed so much from the past.. nowadays, not only the guy is present, but he gets a ring as well.. not to mention taking pictures together as a couple and how grand the ceremony is.. and recently, I bumped into somebody's engagement pics & the guy actually put the ring on the lady's finger (in stead of being done by his mother!).. okay, that is soooo wrong.. unacceptable (to me).. is it even legal?? (just being sarcastic;p).. hmm, I wonder from which culture did we adopt these practises..

And one more thing that is becoming more popular nowadays, pre wedding photography.. which I very much opposed (especially when it involves holding hands or hugging).. it costs a lot of money (which should be saved for the wedding itself), it is unnecessary and is far from Allah's order..

“And come not near to zina. Verily, it is a faahishah (a great sin) and an evil way.”

translation from al israa'; ayat 32

Come not near to zina.. meaning not only not to do it, but don't even go near it..

In the early chapter of the book "Tarbiyatul Aulad fil Islam" (Bringing Up Children in Islam) by Abdullah Nashih ‘Ulwan, it is written that tarbiyah should start before the child is even born.. that is tarbiyah to the parents.. once one able to follow the teachings of Islam, she /he can then teach her/his children.. and tarbiyah of oneself started even before marriage (including choosing a spouse).. A beautiful family, brought up in accordance with the teachings in Islam, that is what we are aiming for..

Back to movie that I would strongly suggest you to watch.. yes, this movie has some weaknesses.. but look at the message that it tries to convey.. that love should start after marriage.. no need for dating, no need to spend hours on the phone.. and one should prepare oneself with the knowledge of Islam.. that we must believe of His words in the Quran..

"Women impure are for men impure and men impure are for women impure; and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable"

( traslation from surah An-Nur, ayat 26)

Asbabul nuzul for this ayat: Allah revealed proof of innocence of ‘Aisyah r.a. and Shafwan bin al-Mu’attal.. from the fitnah and slanderous lies about them..
And indeed this ayat can be applied to us too..

It is never late for us to improve ourselves as long as we're still breathing.. InsyaAllah..

p/s: It's sad to know that KCB didn't enter the cinemas in Malaysia.. it would be a good alternative for all the modern love stories ..

Facts : the actors & actresses playing the lead parts in this movie were selected through a reality TV.. of all, only one has a background of acting.. amongst the criteria were ability to read Al-Quran & speak Arabic.. it is so touching to see they performed sujud syukur when they were selected to act in this movie (can be watched in the short clip at the end of KCB 1)..

Trailer KCB



Do watch this movie in your leisure time.. :)
Salam...

Farewell For Friends

Salam..

About two weeks ago, I updated this blog with an entry reminding me about how hard it would be facing life when we have people depending on us.. Well, today will be a bit different.. First up, I will be sharing a little bit of our recent event with some of our friends who will be leaving this country in the near future, going back to Malaysia..

Last Wednesday - in fact, on Paddy's Day - our friend Kak Riza and Ustaz Wan held a lunch gathering specially for two families who, at present, are busy packing their luggage to go back home after finishing their studies here in Limerick University (UL).. They are Abg Zali-Kak Kin's and Hadi-Kak Aida's families..

Over the last 2 years of me and Ina living in Limerick, we have had the magnificent chance to get to know and befriend these lovely families.. In fact, when Abg Zali and Kak Kin were blessed with Hamdan, their fourth child, we were here too..

Abg Zali is in his final stages of completing his PhD in UL.. Kak Kin was a doctor in Kuantan, Pahang, before she took three years off to come to Ireland with her husband.. They are blessed with a daughter and three sons - Huda, Fawwaz, Nabhan and little Hamdan.. We will certainly miss this family when they leave us here..

Hadi is also just a few sentence away from completing his PhD, also in UL.. His wife, Kak Aida, was an English teacher (as what Ina told me, anyway) before leaving her career for a short while to come to Ireland.. They are blessed with three children - a boy and two girls.. Unfortunately for me, I can never remember their names, except vaguely the youngest one, Qistina.. Even so, I can't be certain.. Again, we will miss this lovely couple and their kids..

Pretty Faces

I have now developed some interest in portrait photography.. At the start of my so-called new interest in photography, I thought that having a DSLR would aid me in taking scenery pictures as I love great scenery.. But, alas, it was actually portrait photography that sticks with me at the moment.. I love capturing emotions which, undoubtedly, reveal more than just smiles and laughter, but also innocence and truth..

Now, why was I blabbering about my photography? Reason is simple.. At the recent lunch gathering, I managed to snap a few pictures, mainly as an everlasting memory of our friends, but on top of that, I managed to capture the innocent and pretty faces of the people there.. Hopefully, one day we can always look back at the pictures and remember the visuals of truthful friendship smiles and laughter, and the great innocence of the moment..

I am happy to share these with you..

Ustaz Wan (host) & Abg Zali

Hadi

Happy faces on stairs

Qistina

Nabhan

Huda, Hamdan & Fawwaz

With Hafiy

Salam..

Testing Times

Salam..

Another week has passed since my last entry.. In fact, over a week, anyway.. But, hey, who's keeping count?

Not much has happened over the last 10 days, but enough for me to scribble a word or two to fulfill my so-called resolution for consistency.. A call for interview, a week stepping up as team leader and a few trips around the Limerick ground..

Work, Work, Work

As usual, in fact, as any person in my line of work would probably agree, the bulk of our lives, and indeed, conversation revolve around work.. For me, this week has been quite interesting, in a different kind of way.. Two reason for sure, 1) the absence of my registrar for few days, and 2) what's next for me in my career calling..

I had planned to take a week off as my annual leave last week but due to unforeseen circumstances, albeit not from my part, I had to postpone it to this week.. But no harm done for me, anyways.. What's interesting is the 'turbulent' during the week.. My registrar was away on Tuesday for his interview in Cork, my boss was away on Tuesday handling an interview in Dublin, and again both of them were away on Friday for a conference in Galway.. That meant that I was in charge of the dock on Tuesday and Friday.. Furthermore, we were on-take that Monday night, which also meant that, if I had to handle the post-call ward round alone - it would be either disastrous or a complete calamity.. Each way, I was screwed! Luckily, things were under control.. Phew!

I got called for an interview for an A&E job for coming July.. So bold of me that that was the only job I applied for! Should I not get the job, I will be forced to 'change' my career to a house-hubby.. I should be able to make a strong case for my liking of trauma and acute medicine by proving that this is the only job I applied for, plus the off-the-record chats with the bosses down in the department.. Hopefully, I am making the right choice by taking this road.. May Allah guide me to be the best I can be..

Seeing Difficulties

The last few months, I learned that what I am facing now is not as hard as what some others are facing daily.. I now realize how hard it is to juggle between study and work and rearing a family.. But realizing is not the same as living it..

A very nice couple who are both good friends of mine and Ina stayed with us over the last two months.. Adding to the joy to our house was their little boy.. Of course, it was Ina who looked after the boy when all of us were in hospital..

The joy in their faces every single time they held their boy was indescribable.. In fact, even I enjoy snuggling the chubby kid.. But, with that I also saw how difficult it was for them (and, I assume, every other young family) to juggle between the chores of daily life.. I wonder if I would be able to step up like they do? It gave me great pleasure that them staying at our place also meant that Allah had given me and Ina some opportunity to lighten the hardship they were facing, even if not much..

People say 'learn from your experience'.. I beg to extend.. I believe we learn more from our own and other people's experience, and the only way to learn is by seeing, listening and, if you are really lucky, sharing that experience.. Indeed, these are testing times for any family.. But I always remember and will always remind others around me that Allah has given us so much that it is only fair for us that He would give some hardship and difficulties for us to face, only to strengthen our faith and belief in Him..

Some day, when my turn comes to be tested, I hope Ina and I will be as strong as our friends.. The courage they have showed us and the patience they have portrayed are second to none..

Salam..